Harpers of Alabama, GA, SC, NC & TX-William P. Harper

Pre-Civil War Americans regarded Southerns as a cavalier individual, land of aristocratic planters, beautiful southern belles, poor white trash, and faithful household slaves. In reality, large parts of the South were unsuitable for plantation life. In the mountainous regions such as eastern Tennessee and western Virginia, few plantations or slaves were to be found. Nor did southern farms and plantations devote their efforts exclusively to growing cotton or other cash crops. The South devoted much of its energy to raising food and livestock. Much of the pre-Civil War clashed repeatedly over such political questions as debt relief, taxes, and internal improvements.

The average slave owner lived in a log cabin rather than a mansion and was a farmer rather than a planter. The average number of slaves varied between four and six.

The white women in the South, despite the image of the hoop-skirted southern belle, suffered under heavier burdens than their northern counterparts. They married earlier, bore more children and were more likely to die young. You will note how many children M.C. and Deida had, as well as the large families of their children.The women lived in greater isolation, had less access to the company of other women; their education was briefer and much less likely to result in independent careers.

In 1857, the Georgia economy dipped, plus people were demanding more land to raise more cotton due to the impact of the invention of the cotton gin, thus there began a Westward expansion into Alabama and Mississippi. I think this is why M. C. left Georgia and moved to Alabama. They had to have moved to Alabama between 1856 and 1857, as their daughter Matilda shows being born in Alabama, 1857.

M. C.'s second son, William P. Harper was born 8 May 1859, Alabama. Right around the time Abraham Lincoln was elected as President.

He married Martha Katherine Lackey(Kate is on her tombstone, though her marriage certificate says MC) 28 Jan 1886, DeKalb County, Alabama. He was 27 and she was 22. They were only married for twelve years. I haven't as yet discovered why she died. Nor why she was buried at Black Oak Cemetery, Grove Oak, Jackson County, Alabama. From the above picture, I think they were happy. They looked a lot happier than the picture of Arminda and William that I will show later.

They had the following children:

Rossie V. Harper b. 22 Feb 1887, Alabama d. 4 Jan 1926 Montgomery, Arkansas. She married James Henry Bryant. They had the following children: Curtis Bryant and Eva Doyle Bryant. The picture below has Rossie and Ruben on the back; I'm trying to contact a recent member of a family tree with Rossie to see if this is her picture or the picture of James' father and mother. James' father was named Ruben, though his wife's name was Lucinda. An attractive couple whether Rossie or Lucinda. I'm not sure as to the reason Rossie and James moved to Arkansas. He may have had family living there. Hopefully I'll know more after communicating with the owner of the family tree connected to Rossie V. Harper.

Oscar E. Harper b. 28 May 1889 d. 13 Sep 1945, buried at Macedonia Cemetery, Jackson County, Alabama. He married Annie Mae Wilson. The picture on the left, below, is Oscar and Annie Mae. The one on the right is their tombstone at Macedonia Cemetery.

Celie Harper was born on 18 Aug 1890-91 d. 15 Feb 1968. I believe she's buried at Macedonia Cemetery, Jackson County. She married Frank Payne. I know they were living at Haigwood, Jackson County, Alabama in 1930. The picture on the left is Ora Mae, Celie's half sister, Celie and then Verdie Coleman Harper, Celie's sister-in-law. Verdie was Arville's second wife.The picture on the right is Celie and her husband Frank.

Their next son was my grandfather, Arville Harper b. 16 Dec 1894 d. 26 Feb 1970. I'll have more on him later.