W. A. Bookram searching for his grandchildren Ransom, George, and Andrew

W A Bookram (Walter A) of Franklin County NC has been located.  He was a "free person of color" who married the free Nancy Copeland November 28, 1841, in Wake County, NC.  Their five known children were also free: William, Mary Jane, James, Frances Rowan, and Susan or Sally.    I believe an editing error was made in referencing Franklinton "Ky." Joseph Kearny was a documented slaveholder in Franklinton NC.  Since Walter married Nancy in 1841 and their oldest daughter Mary Jane was born about 1847, it is unlikely the Jane named in the ad was Mary Jane, because she could not have had three sons prior to emancipation.  It is more probable that Jane was the daughter of an enslaved woman with whom Walter may have fathered children with and may have married in slavery.  This makes sense: if his daughter Jane was enslaved, her children would automatically become the "property" of the slaveholder. Walter A Bookram was a farmer who operated a very successful tannery.  His tanned hides were displayed and won many awards in the regular NC State Fair and in the NCIA (Black State Fair,) which began in 1879.  He was also active in Franklin County's Republican Party.  W A Bookram died in his home February 4, 1893. 

In the process of looking for Mr. Bookram's grandchildren a special story developed.  The slaveholder Seth Ward named in the newspaper ad exposed some detail regarding his character and the some of the conditions former slaves were forced to endure:

Angeline was purchased by Franklin County slaveholder Seth Ward. He was the father of Angeline's first 12 children. We do not know the name of one child because they died before 1867. He was the father of all the below-named children. After emancipation Seth promised to provide for Angeline and their children if they would stay on and help him continue his farming operation. However, after all the 1866 crops were harvested, Seth threw Angeline and her children out and refused to pay them. She brought a case against him through the services of the newly formed Freedmen's Bureau and was forced to pay her $300.00 for services rendered. This small and ugly example documents the strength and resiliency of the formerly enslaved. Angeline most certainly was an amazing woman. In spite of all the challenges she faced in her lifetime, she went on to raise and provide for her big and beautiful family. 

Emma Ward-Person (Nov 1853)

Analiza Ward (1856)

Joseph Ward (1857-1920)

Edna M. Ward-Hughes (Mar 1859-1945)

Thomas Ward (1860-1926)

Joshua (1860-1933)

Augustus Ward (Mar 1862) PA

Mary Ward (1863)

Maggie Ward-Dunston (Jul 1864-1924)

Zachariah Ward (1865-1958)

Wharton Ward (1867-1944)

W A Bookram (Walter A) of Franklin County NC has been located.  He was a "free person of color" who married the free Nancy Copeland November 28, 1841, in Wake County, NC.  Their five known children were also free: William, Mary Jane, James, Frances Rowan, and Susan or Sally.    I believe an editing error was made in referencing Franklinton "Ky." Joseph Kearny was a documented slaveholder in Franklinton NC. (Ditto for Seth Ward) Since Walter married Nancy in 1841 and their oldest daughter Mary Jane was born about 1847, it is unlikely the Jane named in the ad was Mary Jane, because she could not have had three sons prior to emancipation.  It is more probable that Jane was the daughter of an enslaved woman with whom Walter may have fathered children and may have married in slavery.  This makes sense: if his daughter Jane was enslaved, her children would automatically become the "property" of the slaveholder. Walter A Bookram was a farmer who operated a very successful tannery.  His tanned hides were displayed and won many awards in the regular NC State Fair and in the NCIA (Black State Fair,) which began in 1879.  He was also active in Franklin County's Republican Party.  W A Bookram died in his home February 4, 1893. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In the process of looking for Mr. Bookram's grandchildren a special story developed.  The slaveholder Seth Ward named in the newspaper ad exposed some detail regarding his character and some of the conditions former slaves were forced to endure: Angeline was purchased by Franklin County slaveholder Seth Ward. He was the father of Angeline's first 12 children. We do not know the name of one child because they died before 1867. He was the father of all the below-named children. After emancipation Seth promised to provide for Angeline and their children if they would stay on and help him continue his farming operation. However, after all the 1866 crops were harvested, Seth threw Angeline and her children out and refused to pay them. She brought a case against him through the services of the newly formed Freedmen's Bureau, and he was forced to pay her $300.00 for services rendered. This small and ugly example documents the strength and resiliency of the formerly enslaved. Angeline Ward most certainly was an amazing woman. In spite of all the challenges she faced in her lifetime, she went on to raise and provide for her big and beautiful family.  Emma Ward-Person (Nov 1853) Analiza Ward (1856) Joseph Ward (1857-1920) Edna M. Ward-Hughes (Mar 1859-1945) Thomas Ward (1860-1926) Joshua (1860-1933) Augustus Ward (Mar 1862) PA Mary Ward (1863) Maggie Ward-Dunston (Jul 1864-1924) Zachariah Ward (1865-1958) Wharton Ward (1867-1944) Angeline had another son with an unknown father: James Robert Ward (1876) Most of Angeline's children went on to have children and families of their own.  In fact, the family tree is quite large.