Finding the Sterlings (Con’t)

After reuniting with my family, we continued to explore our relationship by comparing stories and research.  The connection with the Sterlings never appeared to be more than that of in-laws (i.e., Jeff’s father, Virgil and his relationship with my great-great grandmother, Lizzie Williams), but this fascinating document seemed to paint a slightly different picture.

1880 U.S. Federal Census

I must preface my commentary about this 1880 Census Record with the fact that I studied this document for 5 years and never noticed what I’m about to tell you.  Remember, when I first interviewed my great-grandmother, Essie, she spoke of her father George Taylor and his parents, Nelson, Jr. & Martha Taylor.  Since finding the Sterlings was such a long shot, I focused on the Taylors.  I found this record showing Nelson, Jr.’s parents, Nelson, Sr. & “Lytha (aka “Lifie,” Lilly” & “Lettie”) on lines 19 & 20.  Notice Cecille Bryant and four of her children (Carey, Voltaire, Linda & Chris on lines 3-7.

Shortly after this, I found the marriage records for both father and son and discovered Lytha’s maiden name was “Bryant” & Martha’s was “Morgan.”  At the time, I suspected there was a connection between Lytha & Cecille Bryant, but I wasn’t sure so I focused on what I knew–the Taylors. As my cousin, Shawn, can attest to, the Morgans completely overwhelmed me so I left that up to her.

After finding the Sterlings in August of 2011, this 1880 U.S. Federal Census record took on a whole new meaning.

On lines 4-6, Carey, Voltaire & Linda are listed as “Bryants” by mistake—they are actually “Stirlings” listed under their mother, Cecille’s, maiden name due to the fact that they were fathered by Lewis Stirling, Jr., son of the Wakefield Plantation’s owner and his wife, Lewis Stirling and Sarah Turnbull, as illustrated on Virgil Stirling’s death record (below).

Virgil Sterling’s Death Record

In addition, all subsequent census records list them as “Stirlings,” yet, their mother maintains her maiden name until the time of her death on Dec 15, 1920.  In a recent conversation with my cousin, Kirk, great grandson of Virgil, he disclosed that his research suggests that Lewis Stirling was “never married.”  Could this be because the nature of her relationship with Lewis was more than slave & owner?  One can only speculate…

Third, lines 13-18 show Sarah Ann Lee, sister of Nelson Taylor, Jr and daughter of Nelson Taylor, Sr. & Lytha, along with her children–Rosa, Washington, Louisa, Kitty & Letty.

Lastly, next door to Sarah, are her parents, Nelson, Sr., & Lytha Taylor.

Martha is my 3rd great grandmother, thus, Virgil Stirling and his brothers & sisters would be Martha’s nieces & nephews.  My great grandmother Essie Taylor and her half-brother Jeff were also 2nd cousins!!!

Descendant Chart of Linda Weathers Morgan

 

 

Genomic comparisons between Kirk, Voltaire & the Taylors

 

Now, did you get all of that????

1867 Labor Contract for  Mulberry Hill Plantation

 

The contract was approved and signed at the bottom of the page by Lewis Stirling.

One last tidbit of information:  In Part I of this blog I wrote about meeting Vernadette Taylor, great-granddaughter of Virgil Sterling   She introduced me to Iantha Hutchinson, great-granddaughter of Virgil’s brother, Voltaire.  His son, Voltaire, Jr., migrated from Louisiana to Oakland, California.  He lived in a house next door to Sacred Heart Elementary School’s kindergarten playground and he passed away in 1978.  I attended Sacred Heart from K-8.  I was in kindergarten from 1977-1978.  Small World.

Update: On July 4, 2013, my dad, Shawn Taylor and I were physically reunited with the Sterlings for the first time in 53 years.  It was one of the most emotional days of my life!

Michael Willis (Left), Sanders Willis (Top), Voltaire Sterling (Center) & Kirk Young (Left).

From L-R: Vanessa Young London,  Vickie Young-Walker, Sanders Willis,  Maxine Sterling Young and Michael Willis