In the historical tapestry of Henry County, the Curtis family emerges as a poignant testament to the experiences of freed people of color in the antebellum South. Amidst a society steeped in slavery, their story unfolds, offering a glimpse into the challenges and resilience of a community often relegated to the margins.
The backdrop to the Curtis family's narrative lies in the legislative landscape of 1818, when Georgia mandated that all free people of color register at their county inferior court. This legislation, while restricting property ownership, allowed a workaround through white "guardians" acting on behalf of people of color in real estate transactions.
The Curtises, residents of McDonough, made their initial appearance in the county's deed books in 1849. Cherry Curtis, the matriarch, stands as a beacon of agency as she steps before the court, facilitated by her guardian, Mr. Bushrod Pettit, to secure a parcel of land in the 154th land lot of the 7th district. This location, now home to Henry County High/Middle Schools and the McDonough Post Office, became a foundational piece of their story.
The 1850 census further illuminates the Curtis family's dynamics, with Cherry listed as the household head at the age of 35. Probate court records suggest that the family faced the challenges of fatherlessness, hinting at the possible loss of Cherry's husband.
In 1857, the Curtises make another appearance, acquiring land in the southern end of McDonough, marking a potential claim as the first African American residents of Blacksville. However, as the shadows of the Civil War descended, the family seems to vanish from Henry County's records.
The post-war era finds them in Clayton County in 1863, receiving property in probate records. Yet, the subsequent trail grows faint, and the Curtises seemingly fade into historical obscurity. Their absence from records doesn't signify erasure but underscores the complexities of tracing lives in a time of transition. The legacy of the Curtis family, their resilience, and potential relocations northward after the war, are threads that echo through the corridors of history, prompting us to ponder the untold chapters that await discovery.
[1]: Taylor, Marquis. "Contested Freedom: Free Persons of Color in Savannah, GA, 1823-1842." Journal of Slavery and Data Preservation 1, no. 2 (2020).
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