Our Clans Find Yourself
Notes:
1.
Apical ancestor in
kinship and descent, is a common ancestor from whom a lineage or clan
may trace its descent.
2.
A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent.
3.
Outliers are family members who have contributed to fostering family
unity and achievement.
Our family story covers 40 decades beginning in Jamestown in 1624
until today. It was there that the Jefferson surname was documented in official
historical records. After several decades and with tobacco agriculture
expansion from the Jamestown area and into North Carolina, three of our four
family clan surnames were documented before the Revolutionary War of 1776. Namely,
the Jeffersons were identified in Person County, the Dunstons
were identified in Franklin County; and the Merritts were identified in Sampson
County. �And after the Civil War in 1865,
the Crooms were identified in Pender County. As our family story is revealed through various links within our
webpage, you can see the hard times, inequities, and violence that our
ancestors lived with and through to make a pathway for you: their descendants. Along
the way, you will notice that some did better than others; such happens among
us today. Overall, our ancestors deserve our tributes as we consider that the first-generation
clan fathers and mothers were strong and respected family leaders who lost no
child during the rampant white led violence of their first century. Click on Timelines
on an individual profile page to see the events of the their
life and times.� And they fought in the
wars of their day. We have an inspiring family story that also arouses our sense of
compassion for the sorrows they endured each day. �Furthermore, it is documented that many served
as community leaders: ministers, barbers, blacksmiths, teachers, miners, and entrepreneurs.
No doubt, close knit families enabled them to take the next step toward a
better day. When freed, the black men over 21 years old registered and voted
in their first presidential election of 1868; President Grant credited the
black vote in the eleven southern states for his victory. Knowing the truth helps us make better decisions for our families
to prosper. Therefore, our family story is revealed in three complementary pieces.
According to Robert Charles Anderson, the lynchpin of both genealogy and social
history is people: �social historians look
at populations; and genealogists look at individuals and families. In this account,
we have documented relevant social history of our ancestors; kinships,
including DNA matches, and details of their family and community situations. Our genealogical research aim has been to document the circumstances
of our first-generation clan families. Now, it rests on us to continue
writing our story. Today, we have registered kinkeepers for each clan
who will seek the participation of all to provide first generation family
information: �k12 school attended, church
congregation, hobbies; cemetery names; photos of individuals, families and
places, and documents as shown for some in the webpage; such participation
honors our ancestors. And kinkeepers can add descendant family members
not shown in their generation. So now, find yourself in your clan. When you do, determine
if your profile and that of your family members is as good as you want it to be.
If not, you are nudged to start helping fill the gaps on a steady pace. To get started, find your Clan apical ancestor below and click his
name; on his profile page, click the Descendants tab, and then the Compact tab and
set Generations to seven instead of the default four. Now
find yourself. Afterwards, you can then click around the tabs adjacent
to Descendants tab to see various formats of your clan. Subsequently when you click on a name you will see that
profile page with attachments below. Click on the attachments and discover. To
leave an attachment click on the Individual tab. Talk about your experience with other kinkeepers. The paternal apical ancestor for the Jefferson Clan is
Green Jefferson b. 1815, Person County, North Carolina, USA. He married Sally Hargis of Person County, North
Carolina, USA Clan outliers: 1.
Green Jefferson, b. 1815.
In the wake of the Civil War an 1866 letter says the first Green traveled 170
miles from Cassimore, Hale County, Alabama to Commerce, Tunica County, Mississippi
to get his daughter Nettie and bring her back to Hale; he did so. Apparently,
Nettie eloped with Japhet who Green thought was not good enough for his
daughter. His actions are great examples of a man who showed love for his daughter
and courage to travel over dangerous routes to bring respect and honor back to
himself and his family. 2.
Ulysese Jefferson, b. 1938.
Cousin Ulysese has led the family in outreach for kinship, friendship, and
sponsorship for family reunions. And he is an entrepreneur extraordinaire. 3.
Susan Jefferson, b. 1965.
Cousin Susan has collaborated for years across all clans as the Jefferson and
Croom historian; and she served as the go to for planning reunions. The paternal apical ancestor for the Dunston Clan is Abraham
Dunston b. 1819, Louisburg, Franklin, North Carolina, USA. He married Mary
Fogg b. 1835 on 3 April 1852. Clan outliers: 1.
Ronnie Lee Dunston Sr, b. 1956.
Cousin Ronnie compiled the exceptional 10th Anniversary Croom Dunston
family book that serves as an example for honoring ancestors. 2.
Laura Marie Baby Sister Dunston, b. 1931.
Cousin Laura hosted the family reunion in Gulfport, Mississippi; she was a favorite
niece of Cousin Lizzie. The paternal apical ancestor for the Merritt Clan is Malvin Merritt b. 1823,
Taylors Bridge, Sampson, North Carolina, USA. He married Sarah Jane Williams b.
1828 in 1925. Clan outliers: 1.
James Malvin Merritt, b. 1858.
Cousin Malvin led the migration and transporting of the Merritts, Dunstons, and
Crooms to Georgia. Subsequently, he led the Merritts to Pearl River County,
Mississippi where he received a land grant of 160 acres. 2.
Raleigh Howard Merritt, b. 1896.
Cousin Raleigh relocated to Philadelphia where he married and became a notable real
estate broker, developer, and author who was active in his church and
community. The Family Reunion honored him in 1988. The paternal apical ancestor for the Croom Clan is Thomas Croom b. 1830, Lincoln, New Hanover, North Carolina, USA.
He married Amy McAlister b. 1850 on 10 September 1866. Clan outliers: 1.
Mill Bashie Croom, b. 1868.
Cousin Mill Bashie was a Buffalo Soldier and was interred with military honors in
Fort Bayard, New Mexico, USA (near Santa Clara) in 1894. 2.
Lizzie M. Croom, b. 1882.
Cousin Lizzie was a successful entrepreneur in Perry, Taylor, Florida, USA
where she owned several rental properties. And she was known to stay close to relatives
by visiting them in Georgia and Mississippi. 3.
John Fred Croom, b. 1890.
Cousin John was a community servant leader. Concurrently, he was Secretary of
the Baptist Association; Secretary Trustee of the School Board and High School,
and the Pastor for three Baptist congregations. 4.
Jessie Madelynne Croom, b. 1922.
Cousin Jessie was committed to our family unity and history. She provided
leadership to initiate having family reunions bringing the four clans together.
She earned the respect of the family for her untiring efforts serving also as
mentor for subsequent hosts to make each reunion better than the last.Historical Background:
Find Yourself:
The Jeffersons Clan:
The Dunstons Clan:
The Merritts Clan:
The Crooms Clan: