Bishop Edwards, ‘A scrap of paper’
Bishop Edward's evidence of existence rests with a 'scrap of paper,' written by a man named Jonathan E. Cox, dated July, 7th, 1867 in a town called New Garden, North Carolina. Cox, a soldier in the Union Army, is assigned to a duty in the Freedman's Bureau, under the command of a "Major Bolenia," There are no other known references to Bishop Edwards, relating to his birth, origin, family ties, former owner, etc. Without this information, there is no Bishop Edwards. His sole existence rests with a scrap of paper, referencing his wife, Nancy, and her two children.
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"...This will certify that Bishop Edwards a poor man has been sick with typhoid fever and confined to his bed for four weeks, and no prospect of his being able to work soon, he has a wife and two children the oldest a boy about 8 the youngest a girl not two they are destitute and need help, if you can make arrangements for them to get some coffee, sugar & flour it would be acceptable to him in his weak condition
Respectfully,
Jonathan E. Cox"
Nancy Edwards, the mother of a son, (Jerry) referenced in this July 7th 1867 note, is later documented in the 1870 U.S. Census. Then, residing in Madison Parish, Louisiana (Ward 3) with her 20-year-old son, Nancy, 56 years-old, is reported to have been born in Mississippi, around 1814.
Just two years earlier, the four subjects referred to in this note, were rejoicing their new status of 'freed slaves.'
By 1900, Jerry Handy Edwards, son of Bishop and Nancy Edwards is widowed, residing in New Orleans, Louisiana, less than 2.5 miles from the residences of many of his fourth generation descendants.
This and more Stories from the Journey will feature in the upcoming Discover Your Roots free seminar:
Saturday, March 9, 2024
157 Bob Smith Rd.
Sharpsburg, GA 30277
https://discoveryourrootsga.org/
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