Open in app
Home
Notifications
Lists
Stories

Write
alisea williams mc
alisea williams mc

Home

Pinned

Civil War Era Ancestors’ Service

So far, I’m aware of the Civil War service of two of my paternal ancestors — Dabney Green and Daniel W. Williams. The latter, my second great grandfather, is remembered in local church history as a member of the “battle scarred veteran” of North Mississippi. The service of his brother…

Confederacy

9 min read

Civil War Era Ancestors’ Service
Civil War Era Ancestors’ Service

Pinned

Sharp Bargainers

Several years ago, I started composing an essay — They Were Sharp Bargainers: John Eaton, Jr.’s 63rd United States Colored Troops. I have not completed the article about the almost forgotten Civil War Superintendent of Freedmen and his black guard regiment because I have not felt satisfied that I had…

Slavery

10 min read

Sharp Bargainers
Sharp Bargainers

Pinned

Sacred Space-A Memphis Civil War Contraband Camp

on President’s Island In the late spring of 1865, my great great grandfather Daniel W. Williams, a soldier in the 63rd United States Colored Troops (USCT), was detailed by the Commander-at-Memphis Gen. Cadwallader C. Washburn. …

Civil War

9 min read

Sacred Space-A Memphis Civil War Contraband Camp
Sacred Space-A Memphis Civil War Contraband Camp

May 10

Student Cosmologies, Digital Spheres

I work for an organization that employs postdoctoral fellows, one of whom regularly invokes “student cosmologies.” From my first hearing of the term, I was intrigued and continue to be so. I have not yet spoken with the fellow about his use of the term. I do wonder if he…

Social Media

6 min read

Student Cosmologies, Digital Spheres
Student Cosmologies, Digital Spheres

Apr 12

How I Came to Genealogy and Other Sensitive Practices

This week, I learned that my most aged relative, ninety-eight years old, had her house “cleaned out” by her stepson. When I learned the news, my body went numb while my mind searched for answers to the question of how this man whom I had referred to as cousin out…

Genealogy

6 min read

How I Came to Genealogy and Other Sensitive Practices
How I Came to Genealogy and Other Sensitive Practices

Oct 14, 2021

Emancipation on Memphis’s President’s Island

Perhaps the number one tool of genealogists is the Decennial Census, an official counting of the nation’s population every ten years. However, perhaps fewer family history researchers consult the U.S. Non-Population Schedule, a Select Census. I came across the Non-Population Schedule years ago while investigating former white, antebellum planters and…

Civil War

5 min read

Emancipation on Memphis’s President’s Island
Emancipation on Memphis’s President’s Island

Aug 15, 2021

That ’70s Sofa

I don’t know who watched “That ’70s Show.” I never did, not even once. I may have glanced at the characters while pressing the remote to change the channel. I’m not saying I didn’t like the show. I think it may have a cult following. …

Seventies

7 min read

That ’70s Sofa
That ’70s Sofa

Aug 13, 2021

Three Negroes Brought into Fort Pickering by A Scouting Party

Following is a transcription of an actual case of three fugitive slaves, all men, brought into Memphis’ Fort Pickering January 9, 1863 for allegedly stealing the property of their former owners. They were brought in my Col. Howe’s (Union) Cavalry. Confessions were obtained from them. Their case was forwarded by…

Civil War

3 min read


Jul 20, 2021

Father Africa

Rev. Africa Bailey, founder of Salem Baptist Church (now Salem Gilfield) in Memphis, Tenn., was born around 1815 in Southampton County, Virginia, the same country that gave birth to Nat Turner. …

Fort Pickering

3 min read

Father Africa
Father Africa

Jun 23, 2021

What’s Wrong with Juneteenth?

Last Saturday was the first observance of Juneteenth as a national holiday commemorating news of emancipation to African Americans in Galveston, Texas June 1865. …

Juneteenth

8 min read

What’s Wrong with Juneteenth?
What’s Wrong with Juneteenth?
alisea williams mc

alisea williams mc

Detroit native

Following
  • Walter M. Kimbrough

    Walter M. Kimbrough

  • Kent Moorhead

    Kent Moorhead

  • Walt McLaughlin

    Walt McLaughlin

  • Guillermo Canales

    Guillermo Canales

  • Phebe Hayes

    Phebe Hayes

Help

Status

Writers

Blog

Careers

Privacy

Terms

About

Knowable