Isom Caldwell, my great great grandfather, was the only known child born to Sousan Caldwell. He was born during slavery in 1823 in Pike County, Georgia.
He married Lucy Ann Madison around 1845. This marriage was not a legalized marriage during slavery because slaves were not allowed to marry.
Lucy was born about 1828 in Pike County, Georgia. Her parents are unknown.
Isom and Lucy had eight children during slavery: Andy born about 1850, James born about 1850, Anthony born about 1854, Samuel born about 1857, Ernest born about 1858, Ennis born about 1860, Henry born about 1862 and Sallie born about 1864.
When the Emancipation Proclamation was issued in 1863 Isom was 40 years old and Lucy was 35 years old.
In 1865 over 3,953,000 slaves were freed when the 13th Amendment was passed by congress which included Isom and his family.
The following Caldwell's were among the statistics in 1865, Sousan age 55, Isom age 42, Lucy Ann age 37, Andy age 15, James age 15, Anthony age 11, Samuel age 8, Ernest age 7, Ennis age 5, Henry age 3, and Sallie age 1.
During their years of slavery they had no last name. When Isom and his family became a legal citizen, last names became a necessity.
Isom and Lucy chose the last name Caldwell, after his last slave owner Dr. John J. Caldwell.
Dr. Caldwell was a well-known physician. He formed a partnership in Pike County, Georgia in 1845 with 3 other doctors. His practice was very great, extending over two-thirds of the county. In 1855, he was elected representative of the Democratic party.
The docotor and Isom were in the book entitled "HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY:PIKE COUNTY IN THE 1850'S. Here is portion's of that book.
After the election, the Democrats were much elated over the results and decided to have a jubilation in the way of a torchlight procession and an illumination, etc., at Zebulon. About three hundred enthusiastic Demoncrats met and illuminzated the courthouse from top to bottom with candles. After a procession through the streets with shouts of rejoicing, they returned to the courthouse. Then speakers were called for. A number of improvised cannons for firing salutes were made by wrapping two or three pounds of powder with strong twine, having a quill inserted as a fuse and were fired after each speech.
One of the balls, upon being discharged,had fallen on top of the courthouse, setting the shingles on fire. This produced perfect consternation, everyone shouting for a ladder. Finally one was brought, but it was too short to reach the top. By this time the shingles were ablaze and it looked as if the house would be lost. It was suggested that the ladder be carried to the top of the stairs and placed one end at the door and the other across to the top near one of the large columns. In this precarious position "Isom," Dr. Caldwell's slave, was placed to cut a hole in the ceiling, that the fire might be reached in that way.
Isom and Lucy had three more children:Sousan born about 1866, Edmond born about 1867 and John born about 1870.
The Caldwell family was listed in the 1870 census for Pike County, Georgia. The first census where blacks were first listed after being freed in 1865. There were misspelled names and discrepancies in ages found in the census.
Everyone did not appear in the 1870 census. Those posted were Isam (Isom) Caldwell, farm laborer, age 47, Lucy Ann Caldwell, keeping house, age 36, Andy Caldwell, farm laborer age 20, Samuel Caldwell, farm laborer age 13, James Caldwell, farm laborer age 20, Ernest Caldweell, farm laborer, age 12, Sousan Caldwell, age 4, Edmond Caldwell age 3, John Caldwell age 5 months (my great grandfather) and Isom's mother Sousan Caldwell, age 60. Not listed were: Anthony, Ennis, Henry and Sallie. They appeared in the 1880 census.
Prior to the 1880 census Lucy had two more children: Mat born about 1875 and Rance born about 1876.
In the 1880 census for Pike County, Georgia the following Caldwell's were listed as Colwell's: Isom Colwell, farmer, age 60, Lucy Ann Colwell, keeping house, age 50, Henry Colwell, laborer, age 18, Sallie Colwell, laborer, age 16, Eddie Colwell, laborer age 12, John Colwell, laborer age 10, Mat Colwell, not in school, age 8, Rance Colwell age 4 and Susie Colwell, laborer, age 14.
Living next door to Isom and Lucy Ann were Samuel and Ennis. They were living with neighbors and working as farm laborers.
Also living near Isom in 1880 was his son Anthony and his family.
Not listed were: Andy, James and Ernest.
Isom and Lucy Caldwell were last seen in the 1900 census for Pike County, Georgia. They were listed as Callwell's: Isham (Isom), farmer, age 77, Lucy A., unemployed, age 72, grandchildren:; Anthony, farm laborer, age 21, Julia, farm laborer age 14, and William, farm laborer age 19.
Next door to Isom in 1900 was his son Mat and family.
Isom and Lucy Ann Caldwell were not listed in the 1910 census for Pike County, Geogia. They possibly died between 1900-1910.
Andy was the 1st child born to Isom and Lucy Caldwell. He was born about 1850 in Pike County, Georgia. He was last seen in the 1870 census for Pike County, Georgia - living with his parents. He was 20 years old and his occupation was a farm laborer.
James was the 2nd child born to Isom and Lucy Caldwell. He was born about 1850 in Pike County, Georgia. He was last seen in the 1870 census for Pike County, Georgia - living with his parents. He was 20 years old and his occupation was a farm laborer. James died in 1928 in Neal, Georgia.
Anthony was the 3rd child born to Isom and Lucy Caldwell. He was born about 1854 in Pike County, Georgia. He married Mahala Neal around 1872 in Pike County, Georgia. They were listed in the 1880 census for Pike County, Georgia. Anthony age 26 - occupation farmer, Mahala age 20 - occupation was a housekeeper, children: Sarah age 7, Sam age 6, Anthony, Jr age 4 and Gus age 2.
Anthony and Mahala had three more children: William born about 1881, Julia born about 1885 and Chaffel born about 1886.
Anthony and Mahala died between 1886-1900 (after the birth of their last child and the 1900 census).
Samuel was the 4th child born to Isom and Lucy Caldwell. He was born about 1857 in Pike County, Georgia. He married Lula Coggins between 1880-1886. They had six children: Harty born about 1886, Eulace born about 1887, Samuel, Jr born about 1890, Grant born about 1892, Anderson born about 1894, and Clark born about 1896.
Lula died between 1896-1900. Samuel was listed in the 1900 census for Pike County, Georgia. He was listed as a widower with six children.
Samuel married Mary Jane Nelson November 29, 1900. She was born about 1875 in Georgia.
They were listed in the 1910 census for Pike County, Georgia. Sam was a farmer, Mary was a laborer, Sam, Jr age 18 was laborer, Grant age 16 was a laborer, Anderson age 14 was laborer, and Clark age 12 was a laborer. Harty and Eulace were not listed.
In the 1920 census for Pike County, Georgia, Sam was 70 years old. His occupation was a janitor at a school and church. Mary was a washwoman.
Samuel, Sr died in 1929 in Pike County, Georgia. It is not known what happened to Mary Jane.
Ernest Caldwell was the 5th child born to Isom and Lucy Caldwell. He was born about 1858 in Pike County, Georgia. He married Lester Sutton May 17, 1885 in Pike County, Georgia.
He had two children: Donie Young and John Earnest Caldwell.
Ernest and Lester both died somewhere between 1885-1888.
Samuel Caldwell, his brother, was listed as the guardian of his two children, according to a deed dated November 1, 1888. The parents of Donie and John Earnest were not listed.
It is believed that Lester was the mother of John Earnest.
Ennis Caldwell was the 6th child born to Isom and Lucy Caldwell. He was born about 1860 in Pike County, Georgia. He was last seen in the 1880 census for Pike County, Georgia. He was living next door to his parents. He was 23 years old and his occupation was a laborer.
Henry Caldwell was the 7th child born to Isom and Lucy Caldwell. He was born about 1862 in Pike County, Georgia. He married Luster Caldwell December 31, 1893. She was born about 1866 in Georgia.
They were listed in the 1900 census for Meriwether County, Georgia. Henry was a porter in a dry good store and Luster was a wash woman.
Henry and Luster had 9 children: Doney born about 1885, John born about 1885, Bertha born about 1891, Marie born about 1892, Willie born about 1894, Rance born about 1896, Bennie born about 1899, Reuben born about 1902, and Isom born about 1904.
Luster Caldwell died between 1904-1910. Henry was listed in the 1910 census as a widower.
Henry Caldwell was last seen in the 1930 census for Meriwether County, Georgia. He was still listed as a widower and his occupation was a janitor in a mercantile store.
Sallie was the 8th child born to Isom and Lucy Caldwell, She was born about 1864 in Pike County, Georgia. She married Joseph Cowings in 1882 in Georgia. He was born about 1862 in Georgia. They had 1 son: Brooks born about 1882.
Sallie and Joseph was listed in the 1900 census for Pike County, Georgia. Sallie was unemployed, Joseph was a carpenter, and Brooks was age 14. His occupation was a carpenter.
Joseph died between 1900-1910.
In the 1910 census for Pike County, Georgia, Sallie was listed as a widow and living with her son, Brooks and daughter-in-law Lillie. They were listed as the Gowens Family.
Sallie died between 1910-1918.
Sousan was the 9th child born to Isom and Lucy Caldwell. She was born about 1866 in Pike County, Georgia. She married Mack Thompson around 1887. He was born about 1866 in Georgia. Prior to marrying Mack, Sousan had a son: Willie Caldwell by a Mr Kind.
Sousan and Mack had 10 children:Mabel born about 1888, Annie born about 1889, Mattie born about 1892, Felix born about 1896, Daniel born about 1897, Rance born about 1898, Lucillie born about 1899, Mack,Jr born about 1902, Julius born about 1906 and Tilton born about 1908
Mack Thompson, Sr died in 1929 in Pike County, Georgia.
Sousan was last seen in the 1930 census for Pike County, Georgia. Her occupation was a farmer.
Edmond Caldwell was the 10th child born to Isom and Lucy Caldwell. He was born about 1867 in Pike County, Georgia. He married Emma Maddox December 29, 1892. She was born about 1865 in Georgia.
They were last seen in the 1920 census for Pike County, Georgia. Their occupation was farming.
John Caldwell, my great grandfather, was the 11th child born to Isom and Lucy Ann Caldwell. He was born January 28, 1870 in Pike County, Georgia.
John married, my great grandmother, Lelia Nelson December 19, 1891. She was born August 14, 1875 in Pike County, Georgia, daughter of James and Mary Jane Nelson.
They had four children: Mary Ann born about 1893, James Walter born about 1895, Leroy born about 1897 and Otis Bishop born about 1900.
John and Lelia were listed in the 1900 census for Pike County, Georgia: John was a farmer, Lelia was farm laborer, Mary Ann, age 7 and not in school, James Walter, age 6 and not in school. Leroy, age 4, and Otis age 1 month.
Also living with them was John's nephew Chaffel, age 14, occupation farm laborer.
Prior to the 1910 census they had four more children: Irene born about 1902, Benjamin (my grandfather) born about 1905, Hassie born about 1907 and John, Jr born about 1908.
In the 1910 census for Pike County, Georgia, John and his family were listed as the Calwell's: John was still a farmer, Lelia was still a farm laborer, Mary Ann was a farm laborer, age 17, James Walter was a farm laborer, age 14, Leroy was in school, age 12, Otis was in school, age 10, Irene was in school age 7, Ben,was age 5 and not in school, Hassie age 3, John, Jr was 3 months old.
Mary Ann married Harvey Dunn in 1910.
Leroy married Vaseline Head in 1914.
Lelia Caldwell died in 1914 in Pike County, Georgia.
John, SR married his 2nd wife Dink Nelson in 1915 in Pike County, Georgia.
John and Dink were listed in the 1920 census for Pike County, Georgia. John was a farmer, Dink was a laborer (house farm), James Walter was a laborer, Otis was a laborer,Benjamin, attending school, age 15, Hassie, attending school, age 13, John Horace attending school, age 11. Not lised was Leroy.
Leroy married Vaseline Head in 1914.
Irene married Theodore Neal in 1923.
John Caldwell, SR died in 1924 in Neal, Georgia.
Dink was not listed in the 1930 census for Pike County, Georgia or the Georgia death index 1919-1998. It is not known when and where she died.
For the family history of the Nelson Family The Nelson's
Matthew was the 12th child born to Isom and Lucy Caldwell. He was born about 1875 in Pike County, Georgia. He married Julia McDonly in 1895. She was born about 1874 in Georgia. They were listed in the 1900 census for Pike County, Georgia. Mat was a farmer, Julia was a farm laborer, children: Early was age 3, and William was 1 month old.
They had 5 more children: Isaiah, Govoner, Frank, Flipper and Bertha.
Mat and Julia were listed in the 1910 census for Pike County, Georgia. Mat was a farmer, Julia was a farm laborer, children:Early was a farm laborer age 13, William was 11, Isaiah was 9, Govoner was 6, Frank was 4, Flipper was 2 and Bertha was 7 months old.
Between 1920-1930 Mat and his family moved to Columbus, Ohio.
Mat died in 1933 in Columbus, Ohio.
Julia remarried. She married a Robert Simons. She died in 1951 in Columbus, Ohio.
Rance was the 13th and last child born to Isom and Lucy Caldwell. He was born about 1876 in Pike County, Georgia. He was last seen in the 1880 census for Pike County, Georgia. He was living with his parents - age 4.
Benjamin Caldwell, my grandfather, was the 6th child born to John and Lelia Caldwell. He was born April 23, 1905 in Concord (Pike County) Georgia.
Around 1929-1930 he moved to Columbus, Ohio age 24/25.
He was listed in the 1930 census for Franklin County, Ohio listed as a lodger. His occupation was a grinder in a steel mill age 24.
Benjamin married my grandmother, Fannie Mae Crckett on December 27, 1930. They resided with Fannie's parents: James and Catherine Crockett from 1930-1934.
In 1934 "Ben" as he was called and Fannie moved into their own place on N18th St. In 1935 their first child Barbara Jean (my mother) was born. In 1937 Juanita was born, In 1938 Benjamin John was born, In 1939 Robert was born.
In 1946 Ben and his family moved on St. Clair Ave.
In 1952 Barbara maried my father William Thomas Johnson, In 1959 Robert married Sylvia Holmes. In 1960 Benjamin John married Nancy Owens.
Benjamin Wesley Caldwell died in 1980 in Columbus, Ohio age the age of 76.
Fannie Mae Caldwell died in 1991 in Columbus, Ohio age the age of 72.
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