I came across it in Daddy A.J.'s photo album after convincing him to allow me to label some unfamiliar faces in it. This was the first time I had seen a picture of great aunt Luella Markham Harris. It was probably taken in the early to mid-1900s dressed since she is quite fashionable for the time with a cinched waist blouse, flowing skirt, and ostentatious hat. Luella was the wife of great uncle, Stanhope Harris.
(Stanhope, isn't that an interesting name? Historically it means a light open horse-drawn carriage for one person, with two or four wheels. This sidebar will become more interesting in light of other information about Uncle Stanhope.)
Uncle Stanhope was the older brother of grandfather, Jacob Charles Harris. He was born in 1877 in Mississippi and was one of three sons of great grandfather, Henry Harris and great grandmother, Laura Matilda Hilson. Uncle Stanhope was nine years older than Aunt Luella born in 1886. They married in Mississippi in 1901 and was found living in Jackson, MS according to his WWI draft registration card. They had two daughters, Josie May and Estella.
Unfortunately, we do not have a picture of Uncle Stanhope but I have learned a bit about him and his family from the Federal Census, other records, and collaboration with a distant cousin, Linda Rudd, a genealogist and related to Luella. Linda and census records confirm that the Harris and Markham family had been connected previously through another marriage. Stanhope's older sister, Abbey Harris, a couple of years earlier had married Luella's brother, John Markham. Talking about All in the Family!
Nevertheless, by the 1920s Uncle Stanhope and Luella moved to Chicago and as far as I know both died there. Following the census records and filling in a few gaps, I believe that in the beginning Josie May and Estella did not accompany them north but stayed in Jackson with Luella's mom, Sally Markham. I found them on the 1920 census living with grandmother Markham. Stanhope and Luella were found as roomers on the Southside of Chicago. They no doubt needed time to establish work and a home before bringing their children up north.
Later, the entire family would be together: Stanhope, Luella, Josie May, Estella and Grandma Sally. I know this because Sally died in Chicago in 1929 and Uncle Stanhope provided the information for her death certificate. The family was cared for by Uncle Stanhope and Aunt Luella. Luella probably did domestic work from time to time but on the 1930 census, Stanhope's occupation was listed as servant in a private household. Their address was 109 St. Lawrence, near E. 50th Street.
Now Stanhope's occupation could mean a couple of things in thriving Chicago. He might have served in a butler like position or as a personal chauffeur. (Remember, Sidney Poitier's role in the movie, Raisin in the Sun also set in Chicago?) I'm leaning toward driver or chauffeur. After all he was named after a vehicle.
In tracing Uncle Stanhope's work history I found that although he helped his mother do farm work when young; he preferred other jobs. In fact, his first appearance on the federal census was in 1880 and he was not with his farming parents, Henry and Matilda. Stanhope was four years old and designated as the son of H. Harris living in the household of local white Justice of Peace, Benjamin F. Youngblood.
Benjamin Youngblood had a wife and six children. Why Stanhope was there I do not know. Was he a playmate for one of the children or a tiny servant? The Youngbloods were a family of ministers but they did come from a slaveholding family. Some paternalistic affection for blacks might have still lingered. My point is that Stanhope was very familiar with serving white people and probably so from a young age.
I haven't documented Luella's date of death. I know she was alive in Chicago during the 1940s from references to her in a letter from Aunt Abbey Harris Smith. However, on the 1940 census she stated she was divorced. When Papa Jake Harris died in 1948, his obituary said that Stanhope was still in Chicago. I confirmed recently that he died January 16, 1953.
The title of this post is called Wordless Wednesday, the phrase signifies that some pictures can tell an awesome story with little or no words. This picture of great aunt, Luella Markham certainly did! And probably even more to tell! Let me know if you'd like to help me find out the rest of the story!
TODAY'S FAMILY BLOG QUESTION: Luella and Stanhope were part of the Great Migration of Negroes (1915-1940) moving north from the south. What year did little brother Jacob C. Harris migrate to Charleston (Mississippi County) Mo?
LAST BLOG FAMILY QUESTION: How many times was maternal grandfather, Harry Kees married? Name a wife.
ANSWER: As far as can be documented, Harry Kees was married three times, but there is a possibility of four. One I recently discovered was Eliza Houston who would have been his first wife. He married her in September of 1907. He married Amanda Ferdinand (my maternal grandmother, August 1911; and Audrey Kelly (Aunt Carrie's mother) around 1920 or 1921. Minerva Roundtree was rumored to be the third and of the fourth I have no proof.
Love to All,
Your Family Griot - Carolyn Harris Betts
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