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#CivilWar veteran Theophilus L Covington widowed two women and was a widower once before his own death in 1911.
I still have significant gaps in his story from his birth to 1875.
Where should I start? Maybe chronology will be key. So... #BHM #USHistory #MIHistory🧵
I still have significant gaps in his story from his birth to 1875.
Where should I start? Maybe chronology will be key. So... #BHM #USHistory #MIHistory🧵
1st sign I have of him is 1860 census where we see his wife Anna Ward Covington and daughter Gertrude, aged 2, born in Michigan. Living in Owosso, Shiawassee County - which became a sundown town. No Theophilus. 2/
During the Civil War, there were income taxes so I find Theophilus L Covington (fabulous uncommon name) in Houghton County Michigan by November of 1862 operating a saloon. 3/
Arthur Tays was a showman, restaurant owner and more in Iron Mountain, MI.
Son of formerly enslaved Union veteran Rev. Christopher Tays, he grew up in Missouri. #MIHistory #BHM #Unerasing
Son of formerly enslaved Union veteran Rev. Christopher Tays, he grew up in Missouri. #MIHistory #BHM #Unerasing
Seeking medical attention was almost impossible for a Black man in Iron Mountain circa 1900. Tays died as a result of a tooth allowed to decay so badly his jaw went with it.
He left a wife, Rose, and a son, James. Rose was white but found herself shunned in short order regardless. Rose and Jimmy went to Chicago.
A woman of African descent inherits significant property. Hubby and son have her hospitalized as insane. She challenges them and gains her business back, founds/sells a town - much as her mother did. Meet Gertrude Covington Phillips. #Keweenaw #BlackHistory #WomensHistory 🧵
Gertrude was born in Detroit in the late 1850s to Anna Ward Covington & unknown Covington (#genealogytwitter 👀 for a challenge? Find Covington lol) in 1860 she and her mother are in the household of barber James Evans in Owosso. Might Mary Evans sister to Anna? #MichiganHistory
By 1864 Anna and Gertrude Covington were established in Houghton (MI state census) where soon, Anna remarried to recent widower Larkin J. Jones
