Hello Celiste,

Since the reply you had sent a week or so ago, I learned through Arizona death records that Aggie Green’s maiden name was, as I had suspected, Shackleford. I’ll have more on that later, after I go over the records I had initially found concerning Nelson and Aggie Green in Alabama and Arkansas. The research had taken a little longer than expected as I found more records about Nelson and Aggie and their families than I had anticipated.

You had mentioned in your initial post to the Ancestry.com message boards that you had found your great great grandfather Nelson Green in the 1880 census living in Texarkana, Arkansas. I accessed the 1880 census to see what other information it contained, finding that 23 year old Nelson and 21 year Aggie’s two children were 5 year old Willie and 2 year old Irene, and also learning that Nelson, at the time of the census, was working as a teamster. Nelson’s race in the 1880 census is listed as black, while Aggie and the two children are shown to be mulatto.

Keep in mind that ages and other information contained in these old census returns are not always accurate, and that it is not uncommon that the ages of people from one census enumeration to the succeeding enumeration, don’t always agree, as you will see.

The 1880 census transcription, from the Latter Day Saints (LDS) website (www.familysearch.org) is below for quick reference:


Household:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace

Nelson GREEN Self M Male B 23 AL Teamster AL AL
Aggie GREEN Wife M Female MU 21 AR Keeping House --- MS
Willie GREEN Son S Male MU 5 AR AL AR
Irene GREEN Dau S Female MU 2 AR AL AR

Source Information:
Census Place Texarkana, Miller, Arkansas
Family History Library Film 1254051
NA Film Number T9-0051
Page Number 110C
____


What the 1880 census also shows is that, based on the ages of the children, Nelson and Aggie would have both been in their teens when they married.

Knowing from your information and from the 1880 census that Nelson Green was born in Alabama, I next searched for him in both Arkansas and Alabama in the 1870 census. I found the person who may be your Nelson Green (though I can’t be 100% certain of that), living with his family in the Summerfield District, Clark County, Alabama in the 1870 census. This enumeration shows that Nelson is a 12 year old laborer born in Alabama, and that he had attended school during the previous year. Also listed in the household is 36 year old farm laborer Phillip Green, born Alabama. The census shows that Phillip could not read or write. The 1870 census, unlike future census returns, does not give relationships of people in the household to the head of the household. Even so, I would say that Phillip was Nelson’s father. The household also includes 48 year old Charity Green, a farm laborer born Alabama. Charity could not read or write. She may have been Phillip’s wife and Nelson’s mother. Also in the household is 16 year old Alice Green, a farm laborer born Alabama, who had attended school during the previous year. She may have been Nelson’s sister, and the daughter of Phillip and Charity.

The Fifth household enumerated after Phillip Green is that of 30 year old Elias and 20 year old Ann Green, both born Alabama. They may have been related to Phillip Green

The census transcriptions below are from the Ancestry.com subscription website:


1870 United States Federal Census


Page No. 7

Schedule 1.-Inhabitants in Summerfield District, in the County of Dallas, State
of Alabama, enumerated by me on the 5th day of July 1870. S. J. Martin, Ass't Marshal

Post Office: Summerfield


Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Freal Estate, Value of Personal Estate, Father of Foreign Birth, Mother of Foreign Birth, Attended School Within the year, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S. 21 years of age and upwards

Philip Green, 36, Male, Black, Farm Laborer, $0, $150, Alabama, Cannot Read, Cannot Write,
Male Citizen of U.S. 21 years of age and upwards
Charity Green, 48, Female, Black, Farm Laborer, Alabama, Cannot Read, Cannot Write
Alice Green, 16, Female, Black, Farm Laborer, Alabama, Attended School Within the year
Nelson Green, 12, Male, Black, Farm Laborer, Alabama, Attended School Within the year

Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Summerfield, Dallas, Alabama; Roll M593_14;
Page: 728A; Image: 414; Family History Library Film: 545513.
____


Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Real Estate, Value of Personal Estate, Father of Foreign Birth, Mother of Foreign Birth, Attended School Within the year, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S. 21 years of age and upwards

Elias Green, 30, Male, Black Farm Laborer, $0, $150, Alabama, Cannot Read, Cannot Write,
Male Citizen of U.S. 21 years of age and upwards
Anna Green, 20, Female, Black, Farm Laborer, Alabama, Cannot Read, Cannot Write
____


Next, I looked for Phillip and Charity Green in the 1880 census but didn’t find them. They may not have been enumerated in the census or they may have been deceased by the 1880 census. Also, I had looked for Nelson Green’s Arizona death record to see if it recorded who his parents were, but didn’t find his death record, and so I can’t confirm that his parents were Phillip and Charity Green, though other circumstantial evidence shows that Phillip, also known as “Phillips” Green, was his father.

For example, I found a black man named Phillips Green in an 1867 Alabama Voter Registration Record living in Dallas County, Alabama. This record comes from the Alabama Department of Archives and History's "Alabama 1867 Voter Registration Records Database,” which you can access at http://www.archives.alabama.gov/voterreg/index.cfm

To vote, a person had to take a loyalty oath to the United States, as the Civil War had ended only two years before. I couldn’t decipher the number of the oath book where Phillips Green’s oath is recorded. If you access this record you may be able to read the number of the book better than I did. Or, you can write to the Alabama Department of Archives and History to ask if they could access the voting record for Phillips Green to see if they can determine which book his voting record is recorded in.

The record follows:


Alabama Department of Archives and History's "Alabama 1867 Voter Registration Records Database"


No. 3

June 22

Oath: Book 1?, Page 425

Name, Color, County, Precinct, Election District, Remarks

Green Phillips, Black, Dallas, Selma 13
____



SLAVE OWNERS


In 1850 and 1860, along with the 10 year census enumerations, the U.S. government also recorded the names of slave owners, in what have become known as “Slave Schedules,” for the southern states as well as Utah, and the District of Columbia. Unfortunately, the majority of the slave schedules do not include the names of the slaves, but recorded where the slaves were living, their ages, gender, and color, and the names of the slave owners who kept them in bondage.

I located the names of at least three slave owners named Green in the 1860 slave schedules for Dallas County, Alabama. Nelson and his family may have been owned by one of the three slave owners, who include J. F. Green, of Harrells, Dallas County; John B. Green, of Union, Dallas County; and Jane B. Green, also of Union, Dallas County.

The slave schedule for J. F. Green shows he owned 50 slaves who were living in 24 slave houses. The oldest of these slaves is 80, the youngest, 10 years old. The location of the slaves in the 1860 schedule is listed as “Harrells Beat,” in Dallas County. The slave schedule for J. F. Green was recorded by the Assistant Marshal, John Mosely on June 19, 1860. The transcription below is from Ancestry.com

Please see below:


Page No. 99

SCHEDULE 2.-Slave Inhabitants in Harrells Beat in the County of Dallas State

Alabama, enumerated by me, on the 18 day of July, 1860. John Mosely Ass't Marshal

19 day of June, 1860.


Slave Owners

J F Green, Harrells, Dallas, Alabama

No. of Slave houses: 24


Slave Information

Age, Gender, Race

80 Male Black
70 Female Black
70 Male Black
70 Male Black
65 Male Black
65 Female Black
60 Male Black
58 Male Mulatto
50 Female Black
50 Female Black
50 Female Black
50 Female Black
48 Male Black
45 Male Black
45 Female Black
40 Male Black
40 Female Black
40 Female Black
38 Male Black
35 Female Black
35 Male Black
34 Male Black
33 Male Black
33 Male Black
30 Female Black
30 Female Black
30 Male Black
30 Male Black
30 Male Black
28 Male Black
27 Male Black
26 Female Black
25 Male Black
25 Female Black
25 Female Black
22 Female Black
22 Female Black
20 Female Black
20 Female Black
20 Female Black
18 Female Black
15 Male Black
15 Male Black
14 Male Black
13 Male Black
13 Male Black
12 Female Black
11 Female Black
10 Female Black
10 Female Black

Source Information:

Ancestry.com. 1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1,438 rolls.
____


The slaves of John B. Green and Mrs. Jane B. Green can be found on the same census page (132) for Union Beat, Dallas County. This schedule was recorded by W. F. Crompton on September 1, 1860. The census shows that John B. Green had owned fifteen slaves living in three slave houses, and that Mrs. Jane B. Green had owned six slaves. The entry for Jane B. Green also notes that four of her “minor heirs,” were also co-owners of the six slaves:

Both slave schedules follow:


Page No. 132

SCHEDULE 2.-Slave Inhabitants in Union Beat in the County of Dallas State

Ala, enumerated by me, on the 1st day of Sept, 1860. W F Crumpton Ass't Marshal


Slave Owners


John B Green, Union, Dallas, Alabama


No. of Slave houses: 3


Slave Information

Age, Gender, Race

38 Female Black
35 Male Black
35 Female Black
28 Male Black
16 Female Black
16 Male Black
15 Male Black
11 Female Black
9 Female Black
8 Female Black
5 Male Black
3 Female Black
3 Male Black
2 Male Black
1 Male Black


Next Slave Owner


Mrs. Jane B. Green & 4 minor heirs


Slave Information


Age, Gender, Race

40, Female, Black
28, Female, Mulatto
22, Male, Black
18, Male, Black
4, Female, Mulatto
2/12, Female, Mulatto


Source Information:

Ancestry.com. 1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1,438 rolls.
____


I next looked for J. F. Green, John B. Green, and Jane B. Green in the 1860 federal census of free inhabitants living in Dallas County, Arkansas. I didn’t find an enumeration for a J. F. Green, but did find the census for John B. “Greene” and a Jane M. “Greene” in the same household, living in Union Beat, Dallas County. I believe the Jane M. Green is the same person as the Jane B. Green found above in the 1860 slave schedule where she is listed as Mrs, Jane B. Green. My guess is the enumerator for the slave census listed her under her husband’s middle initial and last name, rather than under her own middle initial of “M.”

John B. Green is listed as a 21 year old farmer born in Alabama. The value of his personal estate is listed as $12,600. The enumeration also shows he had been married during the previous year. Jane M. Green is shown to be 33 years old. Her birthplace is Alabama. The value of her real estate is listed as $8,400, while the value of her personal estate is $8,663. The census shows that she too was married during the previous year, which is an indication that she and John were married.

The census also shows that in the household with John B. and Jane M. Green are four Morgan children, all born in Alabama. These children include 9 year old M.E. Morgan, who attended school within the previous year; 8 year old Emma I. Morgan, who attended school during the previous year; 4 year old William E. Morgan; and a 2 year old female, L. Morgan, whose middle initial I couldn’t make out. It’s possible that the four Morgan children are the four “minor heirs” listed with Jane B. Green in the 1860 slave schedule noted above. The 1860 census transcription from Ancestry.com follows:


1860 United States Federal Census

Page No. 108

SCHEDULE 1.-Free Inhabitants in Union Beat in the County of Dallas State
of Alabama enumerated by me on the 3 day of Septr 1860. W F Crumpton Ass't Marshal

Post Office: Selma


Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Real Estate, Value of Personal Estate, Place of Birth, Married within the year, Attended School Within the Year

John B Greene, 21, Male, Farmer, $0, $12600, Ala, (Married Within the Year)
Jane M Greene, 33, Female, $8400, $8663, Ala, (Married Within the Year)
M E Morgan, 9, Female, Ala, Attended School Within the Year
Emma I Morgan, 8, Female, Ala, Attended School Within the Year

Page 109

William E. Morgan, 4, Male, Ala
L ? Morgan, 2, Female, Ala

Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Union, Dallas, Alabama; Roll M653_8; Page: 870;
Image: 374; Family History Library Film: 803008.
____


The next search involved looking for any Greens who were slave owners as listed in the 1850 slave schedules for Dallas County, Alabama. I only found one, W. H. Green. The census shows he kept two slaves in bondage in a place I believe is spelled Bougchitto, Dallas County, Alabama. These slaves include a 35 year old male, and a 20 year old female:


SCHEDULE 2.-Slave Inhabitants in Bougchitto in the County of Dallas State
Ala, enumerated by me, on the 12 day of Nov, 1850. D. C. Russel Ass't Marshal


Slave Owners

W. H. Green


Slave Information


Age, Gender, Race

35 Male Black
20 Female Black

Source Information:
Ancestry.com. 1850 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Seventh Census of the United States, 1850. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1850. M432, 1,009 rolls.
____


I then found a W. H. Green in the 1850 census of free inhabitants, living in Bougchitto, Dallas County. I believe this would be the same W H Green noted as the slave owner above. The census shows that W H is a 27 year old carpenter born in Georgia. In the household with him is 26 year old Cynthia Green, who was most likely his wife. Also in the household is a 6 month old male, F. M. Green, born Alabama. He most likely was the son of W. H. and Cynthia. The census transcription from Ancestry.com follows:


1850 United States Federal Census


SCHEDULE 1.-Free Inhabitants in Bougchitto in the County of Dallas State
of Ala enumerated by me, on the 19 day of Nov 1850. D C Russel Ass't Marshal


Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Real Estate Owned, Place of Birth

W H Green, 27, Male, Carpenter, Geo
Cynthia Green, 26, Female, Ala
F M Green, 6/12, Male, Ala

Source Citation: Year: 1850; Census Place: Boug Chitto, Dallas, Alabama; Roll M432_4; Page: 284A; Image: 578.
____


FURTHER RESEARCH


As mentioned earlier I can’t be completely sure that the 12 year old Nelson Green living in Dallas County, Alabama, in the 1870 census refers to your great great grandfather, but I proceeded with more research as if he were. Also be aware that while it’s possible that Nelson and his family were counted in the 1860 slave schedules for Dallas County, and that his parents may have been under bondage to W H Green in the 1850 slave schedule, there’s no way of knowing if they were slaves living in Dallas County in 1860 and 1850 just from the slave enumerations alone.

The 1860 slave schedules, for instance, show that three individuals named Green had owned slaves in Dallas County.
These include J. F. Green living in Harrells, Dallas County, and John B. and Jane B. Green living in Union, or Union Beat, Dallas County.

It wasn’t unusual for slave owners to mention their slaves in such documents as wills, and deeds. If a will was probated, slaves’ first names may have also been mentioned in probate records. If you want to see if you can locate Nelson Green and his family, I recommend searching for the wills and probate records, as well as deeds for J. F. Green and John B. and Jane B. Green, prior to and including the years of the Civil War (1861-1865). You may also find W.H. Green, who is listed as a slave owner in the 1850 census, in these records.

The Latter Day Saints (LDS) have filmed Dallas County Wills for the years 1854 to August 1858, on one microfiche. Information and microfiche number follow:


Title: Wills, Jan. 1854 - Aug. 1858, Dallas County, Alabama

Authors: Hageness, MariLee Beatty , 1942- (Main Author)


FHL US/CAN Fiche: 6003818 (1 fiche)
____


The Dallas County, Alabama wills for the years indicated above can be found on LDS microfiche number 6003818. You can order this from your local Family History Center.


The (LDS) have also filmed Dallas County estate case files for the years 1820-1915 on one microfilm reel. Below is information and microfilm number:, which also includes an index. Information and film number follow:


Dallas County, Alabama estate case files, 1820-1915; index, 1818-1957, 1818-1957

Authors: Alabama. Probate Court (Dallas County) (Main Author)

Notes: Microfilm of originals in the Dallas County Courthouse in Selma, Alabama.

Loose estate case files, 1820-1915 Gohill, Maria - Gregory, Margaret E. (cont.)
FHL US/CAN Film: 2257156
____


The Dallas County estate case files can be found in LDS microfilm number 2257156.

Also filmed by the LDS are Dallas County, Alabama probate record indexes covering the years 1817-1835, which also contains a wills index. You can search for W.H. Green, John B., and Jane B. Green in this index. If you find them you can then send away for the film that will contain their wills and or probate records. Please see below:


Dallas County, Alabama probate records, 1817-1935; indexes, 1821-1980, 1817-1980

Authors Alabama. Probate Court (Dallas County) (Main Author)

Notes Microfilm of originals in the Dallas County Courthouse in Selma, Alabama.

Some pages wanting.

Most volumes individually indexed.

Some microfilms include re-filmed material at the beginning of the films.


Will index, 1821-1980 -- wills, v. A-B, 1821-1871 FHL US/CAN Film: 1289657
____


The wills index can be found in LDS microfilm number 1289657.

In addition, the LDS have filmed Dallas County, “Miscellaneous records of deed and docket of probate,” covering the years 1837-1859 on one microfilm reel. Information and microfilm number follow:


Miscellaneous records of deed and docket of probate, Dallas County, Alabama

Authors: Alabama. Probate Court (Dallas County) (Main Author)

Notes: Microfilm of original records in the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery, Alabama.


Miscellaneous records of deeds and dockets, 1837-1859 FHL US/CAN Film: 1409069 Item 24

Case files of deeds, miscellaneous records and dockets of probate, 1824-1904
FHL US/CAN Film: 1409109 Item 3
____


The case file of deeds and miscellaneous records and dockets of probate can be found on LDS microfilm number 1409109.

It’s possible you may not find reference to Nelson Green and his family in wills, probate records and deeds, which means you have to consider that there is the possibility that he and his family may not have been living in Dallas County, Alabama when the 1860 slave schedules were enumerated. They may have been residing in an adjoining county, and under bondage to a different slave owner who may or may not have been named Green(e). The counties surrounding Dallas include Autauga, Chilton, Lowndes, Marengo, Perry County, and Wilcox.


ARKANSAS RECORDS


The next search involved looking for a marriage record for Nelson Green and Aggie. I searched for their marriage in Alabama and Arkansas records, and found an index that I now know pertains to them. This index was found at Ancestry.com, showing that Nelson “Gran” and Aggie “Shakleford” were married in Clark County, Arkansas on November 19, 1873. The index follows:


Arkansas Marriages, 1851-1900

Name: Nelson Gran
Spouse: Aggie Shakleford
Marriage Date: 19 Nov 1873
County: Clark
State: AR

Clark County was formed in 1818 from Arkansas county. The records in this database cover the years 1851 through 1875.

Original data: Clark County, Arkansas Marriages, 1851 - 1875. County court records located at Arkadelphia, Arkansas.
Family History Library film # (1009945 - 1009946 & 1010121-1010123)
____


The marriage index above references several LDS film numbers, but a search of the Family History Library Catalog shows marriages for Clark County, Arkansas for 1873 can be found in film number 1009945.

See below:


Marriage records, 1818-1970; indexes, 1818-1987

Authors: Clark County (Arkansas). County Clerk (Main Author)

Marriage records, v. F7-G 1870-1877

FHL US/CAN Film: 1009945
____


Nelson and Aggie may have been married Arkadelphia, Arkansas, as Arkadelphia is located in Clark County, just a little southeast of the Ouachita Mountains.


ARKANSAS RECORDS


I next looked for Aggie Shackleford in the 1870 census, to see if she had been living with her parents and siblings. I found the person I believe to be Aggie in the household of Anne “Shockleford,” in Arkadlephia. This census was found at Ancestry.com. The index to the census lists Anne as “Ame” Shockleford. A closer look at a copy of the original census shows that “Ame” can also be read as Anne, as the census taker appears to have crunched his letters n, so that they form the consonant m.

As you will see later, Aggie’s Phoenix, Arizona death certificate shows that she was born in Arkadelphia, and that her parents were William and Ann Murdock Shackleford.

The 1870 census shows that Anne Shockleford is 30 years old and working keeping house. Her birthplace is Georgia. She is also listed as not being able to read or write. “Agie” is the oldest child in the household at 12. She was born in Arkansas and was attending school. The other children in the household, all born Arkansas, include 10 year old Walter, 5 year old Georgie, and 2 year old Rasmis. Also in the household is 34 year old Wesly Carter, born North Carolina. He could not read or write. Aggie’s father was either deceased by the time of the 1870 enumeration, or not in the household when the census was taken. The Ancestry.com index follows:


1870 United States Federal Census


Page No. 21}

Schedule 1.-Inhabitants in The Town of Arkadelphia, in the County of Clark, State
of Arkansas, enumerated by me on the 21 day of June, 1870. Ths B Tennison, Ass't Marshal.

Post Office: Arkadelphia


Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Freal Estate, Value of Personal Estate, Father of Foreign Birth, Mother of Foreign Birth
Attended School Within the year, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S. 21 years of age and upwards

Anne Shockleford, 30, Female, Black, Keeping House, $0, $100, Georgia, Cannot Read, Cannot Write
Agie Shockleford, 12, Female, Black, At School, Arkansas, Attended School Within the year
Walter Shockleford, 10, Male, Black, At School, Arkansas, Attended School Within the year
Georgie Shockleford, 5, Male, Black, Arkansas
Rasmis Shockleford, 2, Male, Black, Arkansas
Wesly Carter, 34, Male, Black, North Carolina, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S. 21 years of age and upwards

Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Arkadelphia, Clark, Arkansas; Roll M593_49; Page: 211A;
Image: 419; Family History Library Film: 545548.
____


The census page before the enumeration of Anne Shockleford shows two more Shackleford families headed by women. The first family is enumerated under the name of 23 year old Bette Shackelford, who is listed as keeping house. The census also shows she had attended school within the year, but that she was also “idiotic.” The household also includes 2 month old “Infant” Shackleford, born in Arkansas in April, 1870; and 20 year old Lenna Shackleford, who is keeping house. She cannot read or write:


1870 United States Federal Census


Page No. 20}

Schedule 1.-Inhabitants in The Town of Arkadelphia, in the County of Clark, State
of Arkansas, enumerated by me on the 20 day of June, 1870. Ths B Tennison, Ass't Marshal.

Post Office: Arkadelphia


Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Real Estate, Value of Personal Estate, Father of Foreign Birth, Mother of Foreign Birth Attended School Within the year, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S. 21 years of age and upwards, Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic

Bette Shackleford, 23, Female, Black, Keeping House, Virginia, Attended school within the year, Idiotic
Infant Shackleford, 2/12, Female, Black, Arkansas, Born Ap
Lenna Shackleford, 20, Female, Black, Keeping House, Arkansas, Cannot read, Cannot Write


On the same page is the household of Lish Shackleford, 24 years old, and working as a domestic servant. There are three children in the household with her. The census follows:


Lish Shackleford, 24, Female, Black, Domestic Svt, Arkansas, Cannot read, Cannot Write
George Shackleford, 6, Male, Black, Arkansas
Laura Shackleford, 4, Female, Black, Arkansas
Mary Shackleford, 2, Female, Black, Arkansas

Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Arkadelphia, Clark, Arkansas; Roll M593_49; Page: 210B;
Image: 418; Family History Library Film: 545548.
____


I also found two more Shacklefords living in Caddo Township, Clark County, in the household of Lewis and Mary Crowly and their five children. These Shacklefords are 16 year old Isabel, a domestic servant born Arkansas, and 14 year old John, also born Arkansas. Isabel and John may have been sister and brother:


1870 United States Federal Census


Page No. 66}

Schedule 1.-Inhabitants in Caddo Township, in the County of Clark, State
of Arkansas, enumerated by me on the 17 day of July, 1870. Ths B Tennison, Ass't Marshal.

Post Office: Arkadelphia


Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Real Estate, Value of Personal Estate, Father of Foreign Birth,
Mother of Foreign Birth, Attended School Within the year, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S.
21 years of age and upwards


Lewis Crowly, 37, Male, Black, Tenant, Georgia, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S.
21 years of age and upwards
Mary Crowly, 34, Female, Black, Keeping House, Alabama, Cannot Read, Cannot Write
Amanda Crowly, 13, Black, At Home, Arkansas, Cannot Read, Cannot Write
Josiah Crowly, 10, Black, At Home, Arkansas, Cannot Read, Cannot Write
Bird Crowly, 5, Female, Black, Arkansas
Melvina Crowly, 3, Female, Black, Arkansas
Jana Crowly, 7/12, Female, Black, Arkansas, Born December
Isabel Shackleford, 16, Female, Black, Domestic Servant, Arkansas, Cannot Read, Cannot Write
John Shackleford, 14, Male, Black, At Home, Arkansas, Cannot Read, Cannot Write

Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Caddo, Clark, Arkansas; Roll M593_49; Page: 251B;
Image: 500; Family History Library Film: 545548.
____


Next I looked for any white Shacklefords living in Texarkana, or in Clark County, Arkansas, according to the 1870 census, as these Shacklefords may have been the former slave owners of Aggie and her family. I located one white Shackelford family living in Elkins Township, not Texarkana. This is the family of 39 year old W. E. Shackleford, a female who was keeping house, and who was born in Tennessee. The value of her personal estate is listed as $1,200. In the household with her are seven children. This family is enumerated on the bottom of one census page (Page 14), and continued at the top of the next census page (Page 15). These census pages are original to the enumeration and not the census pages assigned by the National Archives and Records Administration, which holds the census.

Please see below:



1870 United States Federal Census


Page No. 14}

Schedule 1.-Inhabitants in Elkins Township, in the County of Clark, State
of Arkansas, enumerated by me on the 17 day of August, 1870. Ths B Tennison, Ass't Marshal.

Post Office: Arkadelphia


Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Real Estate, Value of Personal Estate, Father of Foreign Birth, Mother of Foreign Birth, Attended School Within the year, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S. 21 years of age and upwards

W E Shackleford, 39, Female, White, Keeping House, $1200, Tennessee
George Shackleford, 17, Male, White, At Home, Mississippi
Florence Shackleford, 16, Male, White, At Home, Arkansas
Talemicus Shackleford, 14, Male, White, At Home, Arkansas

Page No. 15}

Emma Shackleford, 10, Female, White, At School, Arkansas, Attended School Within the year
Beauregard Shackleford, 8, Male, White, Arkansas
Fannie Shackleford, 6, Female, White, Arkansas
Marion Shackleford, 4, Female, White, Arkansas

Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Elkins, Clark, Arkansas; Roll M593_49; Page: 279B;
Image: 556; Family History Library Film: 545548.
____


I then wanted to see if there were any Shacklefords listed in the 1860 slave schedules living in Clark County. I found three. These include Thomas J. Shackleford and J. M. Shackleford listed on the same page, and R. M. Shackleford. Between them they owned a total of eight slaves. The slaves of Thomas J. and J. M. Shackleford were living in Elkins Township, Clark County, while the slaves of R. M. Shackleford were held in bondage in Antwine (Antoine) Towsnhip, Clark County. These slave schedules follow:


Page No. 1

SCHEDULE 2.-Slave Inhabitants in Elkins Township in the County of Clark State

of Arkansas, enumerated by me, on the 30th day of Ju;y 1860. G S Baurland Ass't Marshal

20th day of June, 1860.


NAME OF SLAVE OWNERS: Thomas J Shackleford


Slave Information

Age, Gender, Race

1, 18, Female
1, 11, Female



On same page


NAME OF SLAVE OWNERS: J M Shackleford


Slave Information

Age, Gender, Race

1, 23, Female, Mulatto, 1
1, 5, Female, Mulatto, 1
____


Page No. 76

SCHEDULE 2.-Slave Inhabitants in Antwine Township in the County of Clark State

of Arkansas, enumerated by me, on the_____day of July 1860. James K Crow Ass't Marshal

20th day of June, 1860.


NAME OF SLAVE OWNERS: R M Shackleford


Slave Information

Age, Gender, Race

1, 30, Female
1, 16, Male
1, 10, Male
1, 6, Male

1 Slave house

Source Information:

Ancestry.com. 1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860.
Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1,438 rolls.
____


Aggie Shackleford would have been born circa 1858, which means one of the three people named above may have been her slave owner and the slave owner of her family.

Next I looked for Thomas J. Shackleford, J.M. Shackleford, and R.M. Shackleford in the 1860 census of free inhabitants in Clark County Arkansas. I found all three, with Thomas J. and J.M. Shackleford (enumerated on the same census page) living in Elkins Township, and R.M. Shackleford living in “Antwine” Township. All three Shacklefords were born in Tennessee. All had considerable holdings in real estate and personal estate worth. Note that the enumeration for R.M. Shackleford is dated “the 4th day of July 1860.”

Please see below:


1860 United States Federal Census


Page No. 2

SCHEDULE 1.-Free Inhabitants in Elkins Township in the County of Clark State
of Arkansas enumerated by me on the 31st day of July 1860. G S ? Ass't Marshal

Post Office: Rome


Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Real Estate, Value of Personal Estate, Place of Birth, Married within the year, Attended School Within the Year

Thomas J Shackleford, 28, Male, Farmer, $900, $2465, Tenn
M A Shackleford, 28, Female, Tenn
J S Baneswell, 12, Male, Tenn
C E Baneswell, 10, Male, Tenn
W S Shackkleford, 6, Male, Tenn
T J Shackkleford, 4, Male, Tenn

On the same page

Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Real Estate, Value of Personal Estate, Place of Birth, Married within the year, Attended School Within the Year

J M Shackelford, 26, Male, Farmer, $1300, $1800, Tenn
N S Shackleford, 26, Female, Tenn
M E Shackleford, 3, Female, Arks

Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Elkins, Clark, Arkansas; Roll M653_39; Page: 2; Image: 2; Family History Library Film: 803039.
____


1860 United States Federal Census


Page No. 1

SCHEDULE 1.-Free Inhabitants in Antwine Township in the County of Clark State
of Arkansas enumerated by me on the 4th day of July 1860. James N Crow Ass't Marshal

Post Office: Okolona


Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Real Estate, Value of Personal Estate, Place of Birth, Married within the year, Attended School Within the Year

R M Shackelford, 32, Male, Farmer, $4000, $5000, Tenn
Mary E Shackelford, 30, Female, Tenn
George W Shackelford, 7, Male, Tenn, Attended School Within the Year
Martha Shackelford, 5, Female, Tenn, Attended School Within the Year
Marion T Shackelford, 3, Male, Ark
Emery Shackelford, 10/12, Male, Ark

Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Antoine, Clark, Arkansas; Roll M653_39; Page: 53; Image: 53; Family History Library Film: 803039.
____


I next wanted to see if there were any Shackleford slave owners in Clark County in the 1850 slave schedules. I didn’t find any. Nor did I find any Shacklefords at all living in the county in the 1850 census of free inhabitants

Because Aggie’s death record shows her mother’s maiden name was Murdock, I next looked for any black as well as white families by that surname living in Clark County, Arkansas in the 1870 census, and to also see if any Murdocks were listed as slave owners and free inhabitants in the 1860 census for Clark County, Arkansas. I also wanted to see if any of the black Murdocks were from Georgia, as the 1870 census had shown that Aggie’s mother Anne was born in that state. The 1870 census shows several black Murdocks living in Clark County, Arkansas, but none are listed as having been born in Georgia.

Please see below:


1870 United States Federal Census


Page No. 38}

Schedule 1.-Inhabitants in Caddo Township, in the County of Clark, State
of Arkansas, enumerated by me on the 8 day of July, 1870. Ths B Tennison, Ass't Marshal.

Post Office: Arkadelphia

Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Real Estate, Value of Personal Estate, Father of Foreign Birth, Mother of Foreign Birth, Attended School Within the year, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S. 21 years of age and upwards, Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic

Curtis Murdock, 38, Male, Black, Tenant, North Carolina, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S. 21 years of age and upwards
Judith Murdock, 37, Female, Black, Keeping House, Cannot Read, Cannot Write
Margaret Murdock, 10, Female, Black, At Home, Arkansas, Attended School Within the year
John Bell, 7, Male, Black, Arkansas
Sweet Bell, 2, Female, Black, Attended School Within the year

Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Caddo, Clark, Arkansas; Roll M593_49; Page: 237B; Image: 472; Family History Library Film: 545548.
____


1870 United States Federal Census


Page No. 8}

Schedule 1.-Inhabitants in Caddo Township, in the County of Clark, State
of Arkansas, enumerated by me on the 8 day of July, 1870. Ths B Tennison, Ass't Marshal. .

Post Office: Arkadelphia


Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Real Estate, Value of Personal Estate, Father of Foreign Birth,
Mother of Foreign Birth, Attended School Within the year, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S. 21
years of age and upwards, Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic

Prince Evans, 23, Male, Black, Carpenter, South Carolina, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S. 21
years of age and upwards
Harriet Evans, 19, Female, Mulatto, Keeping House, South Carolina, Attended School Within the year
Margaret Murdock, 11, Female, Black, At School, Attended School Within the year
? Young, 23, Male, Black, Day Laborer, Mississippi, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S. 21
years of age and upwards

Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Caddo, Clark, Arkansas; Roll M593_49; Page: 222B; Image: 442; Family History Library Film: 545548.
____


1870 United States Federal Census


Page No. 17}

Schedule 1.-Inhabitants in Manchester Township, in the County of Clark, State
of Arkansas, enumerated by me on the 11 day of June, 1870. Ths B Tennison, Ass't Marshal. .

Post Office: Arkadelphia


Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Real Estate, Value of Personal Estate, Father of Foreign Birth,
Mother of Foreign Birth, Attended School Within the year, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S. 21
years of age and upwards, Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic

Oscar Goodloe, 40, Male, Black, Farm Laborer, North Carolina, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S. 21
years of age and upwards
Patsy Goodloe, 35, Female, Black, Keeping House, North Carolina, Cannot Read, Cannot Write
Nancy Goodloe, 17, Female, Black, At Home, Arkansas, Attended School Within the year
Victoria Goodloe,13, Female, Black, At Home, Arkansas, Attended School Within the year
Samuel Goodloe, 12, Male, Black, At Home, Arkansas, Attended School Within the year
Lizzie Goodloe, 10, Female, Black, At Home, Arkansas, Attended School Within the year
George Murdock, 20, Male, Black, Farm Laborer, Mississippi, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S. 21
years of age and upwards
Alex Terils, 20, Male, Black, Farm Laborer, Arkansas, Cannot Read, Cannot Write

Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Manchester, Clark, Arkansas; Roll M593_49; Page: 297A; Image: 593; Family History Library Film: 545548.
____


1870 United States Federal Census


Page No. 16}

Schedule 1.-Inhabitants in Antoine Township, in the County of Clark, State
of Arkansas, enumerated by me on the 20 day of August, 1870. Ths B Tennison, Ass't Marshal.

Post Office: Antoine


Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Real Estate, Value of Personal Estate, Father of Foreign Birth,
Mother of Foreign Birth, Attended School Within the year, Cannot Read, Cannot Write, Male Citizen of U.S. 21
years of age and upwards, Whether deaf and dumb, blind, insane, or idiotic

A H Murdock, 64, Male, White, Farmer, $600, $0, Tennessee, Male Citizen of U.S. 21
years of age and upwards
Susan M Murdock, 54, Female, Keeping House, Tennessee
Henry Murdock, 15, Male, At School, Tennessee, Attended School Within the year

Next Household

Jackson Murdock, 20, Male, Black, Farm Labor, Tennessee, Unmarried, Cannot Read, Cannot Write
Sidney Murdock, 20 Female, Black, Keeping House, Arkansas, Unmarried, Cannot Read, Cannot Write

Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Antoine, Clark, Arkansas; Roll M593_49; Page: 196B; Image: 391; Family History Library Film: 545548.
____


A search of the 1860 slave schedules shows that two different Murdocks, F.M. Murdock, and W. C. Murdock, owned slaves in Caddo Township, Clark County, Arkansas. They are listed on the same census page in the slave schedules, which follow:


Page No. 15

SCHEDULE 2.-Slave Inhabitants in Caddo Township in the County of Clark State
of Arkansas, enumerated by me, on the_____day of July 1860. James K Crow Ass't Marshal


NAME OF SLAVE OWNERS: F M Murdock

No. of Slave houses: 1


Slave Information


Age Gender

30, Male
27, Male
25, Female
25, Female
23, Male
12, Male,
11, Male
9, Male
8, Male
5, Female
3, Female
1, Male
1, Female
____


NAME OF SLAVE OWNERS: W. C. Murdock

No. of Slave houses: 1


Slave Information


Age Gender

23, Male
21, Female
4, Male
2, Female

Source Information:
Ancestry.com. 1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004.

Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Eighth Census of the United States, 1860. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1860. M653, 1,438 rolls.
____


I didn’t find an F.M. Murdock or a W.C. Murdock in the 1860 census of free inhabitants in Caddo Township, but did locate an F.W. Murdock in one household, and an F.C. Murdock enumerated immediately after in a separate household. Both Murdocks held a considerable amount of wealth. The census shows that F.W. Murdock’s real estate was worth $10,000, while his personal property worth was $12,355. F.C. Murdock is shown to have a personal estate worth $4,200. I am wondering if the census enumerator, Assistant Marshal James K. Crow, had mixed up the initials of the Murdocks in both the slave schedule and the schedule of free inhabitants concerning the Murdocks, who may have been brothers, as they are both from North Carolina.

Please see below:


1860 United States Federal Census

Page No.

SCHEDULE 1.-Free Inhabitants in Caddo Township in the County of Clark State
of Arkansas enumerated by me on the 23rd day of July 1860. James K. Crow Ass't Marshal

Post Office: Springvale


Name, Age, Sex, Color, Occupation, Value of Real Estate, Value of Personal Estate, Place of Birth, Married within the year, Attended School Within the Year

F W Murdock, 32, Male, Farmer, $10000, $12355, NC,
Mary B Murdock, 30, Female, Ky
B A Murdock, 8, Female, Ky, Attended School Within the Year

Next household

F C Murdock, 28, Male, Steam Milling, $0, $4200, NC

Source Citation: Year: 1860; Census Place: Caddo, Clark, Arkansas; Roll M653_39; Page: 105; Image: 105; Family History Library Film: 803039.
____


Going back in time by ten years, a search of the 1850 slave schedules shows that no Murdocks living in Clark County, Arkansas, owned slaves. Nor did I find any Murdocks in Clark County in the 1850 census of free inhabitants.


FURTHER RESEARCH


As with your Green ancestors, to see if you can find the first names of your Shacklefords and Murdocks, look for them in wills, probate records, and deeds filed by white Shacklefords and Murdocks in Clark County, Arkansas. The LDS have filmed a Clark County, Arkansas “Genealogical Source Book,” compiled by several authors, which includes wills, probate records listing slave names, administrations, deeds, divorce records, and taxes, in two volumes, found on nine microfiche.

Information and microfilm numbers follow:



Clark County, Arkansas : a genealogical source book
Authors: Wright, Pauline Williams (Pauline Avvis Williams) , 1931- (Main Author)
Caffee, Barbara McDow (Added Author)

Notes: The majority of the material included in this book was taken directly from the original records
in the Clark County courthouse in Arkadelphia.

Includes indexes.


Contents: vol. 1. Marriages thru 1900; divorce petitions thru 1900; Probate records, May 1827-Oct. 1838;

letters of administration, 1838-1856; wills bks. A-B, 1827-1838, 1855-1867;

probate book A, 1840-1847; guardianships, 1840-1846; tax records, 1866-1868; map of Clark County as of 1981;

pioneers sketched in Goodspeed, 1890; ministers' credentials, ca. 1836-1879; gleanings from deed bk. A, 1816-1921


v. 2. Probate records, ca. 1846-1943 (includes listing of slaves from probate records); county court records,
1845-1858; teachers' licenses, 1911-1923.

Vol. 1, 4 fiche FHL US/CAN Fiche: 6010780 (4 fiche)

Vol. 2, 5 fiche FHL US/CAN Fiche: 6038467 (5 fiche)
____


Volume 1 of the Source Book can be found on four microfiche under number 6010780. Volume 2 can be found on 5 microfiche under number 6038467. Both can be ordered from your local Family History Center.

You can also look for your Shackleford and Murdock ancestors in post Civil War tax records for Clark County, Arkansas, filmed by the LDS. Of particular interest are tax books dated 1866-1867, 1870, and 1872, found on microfilm number 1010140.

Please see below:


List of persons and personal property assessed for taxation, 1866-1917

Authors: Clark County (Arkansas). County Clerk (Main Author)

Notes Microfilm of original records in the Clark County courthouse.

Several volumes missing.


Tax books 1866-1867, 1870, 1872 FHL US/CAN Film: 1010140
____


The tax books for Clark County, Arkansas can be found on LDS microfilm number 1010140


ARIZON RECORDS


Most of the 1890 U.S. census was consumed in a fire in the Commerce Building, Washington, D.C. on January 10, 1921. This is unfortunate, as we could have found where Nelson and Aggie Green, and their children were living in 1890. However, I located your Green family in the 1900, 1910, 1920, and 1930 census enumeration for Phoenix, Maricopa County, Arizona. As you will see. the 1900 census in particular shows that many of Nelson and Aggie’s children were born in Texas. But, I found death records for some of these children, that shows they were actually born in Arkansas.

The 1900 census for the family of “Nelison” and Aggie Green, shows they were living in Township 1, Maricopa County, Arizona Territory. I take “Township 1” to mean Phoenix. I accessed a copy of the original 1900 census and added to the index where each person in the census was listed as being born, as well as their occupations, when given. All of the children, except “Irine,” are given Texas as a birthplace. Irine, who was in the 1880 census with her family, is shown to have been born in Arkansas. The census also gives the marriage year for Nelson and Aggie as 1875, but we have already seen they were married in Clark County, Arkansas in 1873.

Nelson’s age in the 1900 census is listed as 48, placing his year of birth in 1852. The 1880 census for Texarkana gives his age as 23, placing his year of birth in 1857. The 1900 enumeration gives Aggie’s age as 45, placing her year of birth in 1855. In the 1880 census she is listed as 21, which places her year of birth in 1859. I don’t know which, if either of the census records is correct, as concerns the ages of Nelson and Aggie, or even their children. But, a little later you’ll see records that give more exact dates of birth for some of the Green children.

The 1900 census, in addition, shows that Nelson and Aggie had a total of 8 children in their lifetimes, of which 7 were alive as of 1900.

Also notice in the 1900 census index that Nelson and Aggie’s son, 9 year old Phillips Green is in the household with them. The 1870 census for Nelson had shown that his father’s name was Phillip, while the 1867 Alabama Voter Registration record, shows that a “Phillips” Green, of Dallas County, Alabama, had taken an oath of allegiance to the United States, thus making him eligible to vote. These three record, (the voter registration record, 1870 census, and 1900 census) provide circumstantial, not direct evidence however, that Nelson’s father was named Phillip or Phillips Green.

You’ll also notice in the 1900 census index that immediately following the family of Nelson and Aggie Green, is the family of 53 year old widow, Mary Green. The census shows she was born in Arkansas. Not included in the index is that her father was also born in Arkansas, her mother in Georgia. In addition the 1900 census shows Mary was born in February of 1847 and that she had been a widow for one year. She is also listed as having six children, and that all six were still alive as of 1900. No occupation is given for Mary. In the household with Mary are her two sons, 15 year old Jerry, born in Arizona in July of 1886, and 19 year old Jack, born in Arizona in March of 1881. No occupation is given for either Jerry or Jack. The census also shows that Jerry and Jack’s father was born in Arkansas. Concerning Mary Green, she may have been the wife of one of Nelson’s brothers. But, that’s just a guess.

The 1900 census index follows:

Name: Nelison Green
Home in 1900: Township 1, Maricopa, Arizona Territory
Age: 48
Birth Date: Feb 1852
Birthplace: Alabama
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Relationship to Head of House: Head
Father's Birthplace: Alabama
Mother's Birthplace: Alabama
Spouse's name: Aggie
Marriage Year: 1875
Marital Status: Married
Years Married: 25
Number of children born to Aggie: 8
Number of children still living: 7


Name, Age, Occupation

Nelison Green 48 Alabama, Laborer
Aggie Green 45 Arkansas
Irine Green 21 Arkansas, Dress Maker
John Green 14 Texas, Laborer
Paul Green 11 Texas, Laborer
Phillips Green 9 Texas
Grace Green 7 Texas
Rose Green 1 Texas

Next Household

Mary Green, 53, Arkansas, Widow
Jerry Green, 15, Arizona
Jack Green, 19, Arizona

Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Township 1, Maricopa, Arizona Territory; Roll T623_46; Page: 15B; Enumeration District: 36.
____


I looked for the Arizona birth records of Jerry and Jack Green, but didn’t find them.

The 1910 census for Nelson and “Addie” Green and the four children in the household with them, shows they were living in an address of 446 Madison & Fifth Streets, Phoenix. In this enumeration Nelson’s occupation is railroad foreman. He is shown to be 51 years old, while Aggie is 49. Like the 1900 census the 1910 enumeration shows that Nelson and Aggie had a total of 8 children, of which 7 were still alive. The census further shows that Nelson and Aggie’s son, 18 year old Phillip Green, is working as a barber. Also in the household is 10 year old Ros or Ras Green, born Arkansas. He was not in the 1900 census with the family, but I believe his name is Ralph, as he is found later in the 1920 census living with his parents in Phoenix. I’ve added the places of birth and occupations to the 1910 census index, along with the information about the number of children Nelson and Aggie had, as found in a copy of the original enumeration:


1910 United States Federal Census

Name: Nelson Green
Age in 1910: 50
Estimated birth year: abt 1860
Birthplace: Alabama
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: United States of America
Mother's Birth Place: United States of America
Spouse's name: Addie
Home in 1910: Phoenix Ward 4, Maricopa, Arizona
Marital Status: Married
Race: Black

Gender: Male

Occupation: Foreman, Railroad

446 Madison & Fifth Street

Number of children born: 8

Number of children still living: 7


Name, Age, Occupation

Nelson Green, 51, Alabama, Foreman Railroad
Addie Green, Arkansas, 49
Philip Green, 18, Arkansas, Barber, Barber Shop
Ros (or Ras) Green, Son, 10, Arkansas
Grace Green, 15, Arkansas

Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Phoenix Ward 4, Maricopa, Arizona; Roll T624_40; Page: 10A;
Enumeration District: 63; Image: 899.
____


The next record I found was the 1914 death certificate for Nelson and Aggie Green’s daughter, Grace. A copy of her actual death certificate was located at the Arizona Department of Health Services birth and death index search engine at: http://genealogy.az.gov/index.htm

The record shows that Grace died tragically on June 12, 1914 at 446 East Madison Street, Phoenix, by accidentally drinking carbolic acid, “administered by her own hand.” Her date of birth is listed as February 28, 1895. Her age at death is 19 years, 3 months, and 14 days. Her place of birth is Arkansas. Her parents are listed as Nelson Green and Aggie “Shallaford.” Both parents are listed as being born in Arkansas. She was buried on June 14, 1914 in Greenwood Cemetery. The name of the funeral company appears to read “Mohn, Driscoll, and Maus. A copy of the Grace’s original death record can be found at the following link: http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/085/10850489.pdf


WORLD WAR I DRAFT REGISTRATION CARDS


Knowing that Nelson and Aggie Green had at least five sons (as found in the 1880, 1900, and 1910 census enumerations, I looked for these sons in a record that has come to be known as the World War I Draft Registration Cards. At the onset of World War I in 1917, adult males in the U.S. had to register for the draft. Eventually, males up to the age of 45 had to register for the draft, which means this would not have included Nelson, as he would have been older than that by 1917..

I looked for John, Paul, Phillip, and Ralph (I’m not sure what happened to Willie, who was found in the 1880 census, in Texarkana), in the draft registration card records at Ancestry.com. I located draft registration cards for John, Paul, Phillip, and Ralph.

Below is the transcription for 34 year old John Nelson Green’s draft registration card, noting that at the time he registered he was living at 212 1/2 E. Lincoln Street in Phoenix. His date of birth is listed as 28 May 1884. His occupation is barber. He lists his nearest relative as Aggie Green who was living at 446 East Madison Street, Phoenix. John’s height is listed as tall, his build as medium. His eyes and hair are black. His race is listed as “Negro:”


World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918

Name: John Nelson Green
County: Maricopa
State: Arizona
Address: 212 1/2 E. Lincoln, Phoeni
Age in Years: 34
Birth Date: 28 May 1884
Race: Negro
FHL Roll Number: 1522449
DraftBoard: 0
Age:

Occupation: Barber

Nearest Relative: Aggie Green, 446 E. Madison, Phoenix, Mcopa, Az

Height/Build: Tall/Medium

Color of Eyes/Hair: Blk/Blk

Source Citation: Registration Location: Maricopa County, Arizona; Roll 1522449; Draft Board: 0.
____


Next is the draft registration card for Paul “Greene,” who was living at 1207 East Jefferson Street, Phoenix. His date of birth is given as 9 August 1888. His birthplace is given as Arkansas, but he also states that he doesn’t know where in Arkansas he was born. He lists his race as “Ethiopian.” I wonder if he had heard from his parents that his ancestors came from Ethiopia. His occupation, like his brother John’s is listed as barber. Paul also states he is the owner of the barber shop, located at 17 North Center Street. No city is listed, but I believe this would refer to Phoenix. Paul also states that he is married with a wife and two children. His height and build are listed as medium. His eyes and hair are dark brown and black respectively:


World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918

Name: Paul Greene
Home Address: 1207 E. Jefferson, Phoenix, Ariz
County: Maricopa

Birthplace: Arkansas;United States of America
Birth Date: 9 Aug 1888
Natural Born Citizen
Where Born: (Don't Know), Arkansas U.S.A.
Race: Ethiopian
FHL Roll Number: 1522449
DraftBoard: 0
Age:

Occupation: Barber

By whom employed: Owner barber shop

Where employed: 17 N. Center

Married: Yes

Wife & two children

Do you claim exemption from draft: yes- work support family

Nearest Relative:

Height/Build: Medium/Medium

Color of Eyes/Hair: Dark Brown/Black

Bald: No

Has person lost arm, leg, hand, eye, or is he obviously physically disqualified: No

Source Citation: Registration Location: Maricopa County, Arizona; Roll 1522449; Draft Board: 0.
____


The draft registration card for 26 year old “Philip” L. Green notes that he was born on 11 April 1891 in Texarkana, Arkansas. His street address at the time he registered was too faded to make out, but his house number is 226. His race is listed as “colored.” His occupation is also barber. He states he owns his own business in Phoenix. I am guessing that he, John, and Paul probably owned the barber shop together. He also states he is married. His height is “Tall,” and his build is “Medium.” His eyes and hair are black:


World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918

Name: Philip L Greene
County: Maricopa
State: Arizona
Home Address: 226 (rest of street address is too faded to make out), Phoenix
Birthplace: Arkansas; United States of America
Birth Date: 11 Apr 1891
Where Born: Texarkana, USA
Race: Colored
FHL Roll Number: 1522449
DraftBoard: 0
Age: 26

Occupation: Barber
By whom employed: Own Business
Where Employed: Phoenix

Married or Single: Married
Race: Colored

Height/Build: Tall/Medium

Color of Eyes/Hair: Black/Black

Source Citation: Registration Location: Maricopa County, Arizona; Roll 1522449; Draft Board: 0.
____


The youngest of the brothers who registered for the draft is 19 year old Ralph “Lenord” Green, whose date of birth is given as 6 August 1899. His occupation is stock clerk in a shop, named “Busy Drug Store. He lists his nearest relative as Nelson Green who was living at 446 East Madison Street, Phoenix. His height is listed as short and his build as medium. His hair color is brown and his eyes are “Dark.”:


World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918

Name: Ralph Lenord Green
County: Maricopa
State: Arizona
Birth Date: 6 Aug 1899
Race: Black
FHL Roll Number: 1522449
Draft Board: 0
Age: 19
Date of Birth: August 6, 1899

Occupation: Stock Clerk

Employer's Name: Busy Drug Store

Nearest Relative: Nelson Green, 446 E Madison, Phoenix

Height/Build: Short/Slender

Color of Eyes/Hair: Brown/Dark

Has person lost arm, leg, hand, eye, or is he obviously physically disqualified: No

Source Citation: Registration Location: Maricopa County, Arizona; Roll 1522449; Draft Board: 0.
____


We know from John Nelson Green’s statement in his draft registration card that his mother Aggie was still alive as of 1917, and we know from Ralph Lenord Green’s draft registration card that Nelson Green was also alive as of 1917.

Next, information I uncovered in the 1920 census was a surprise, as I found living in 446 East Madison Street, Phoenix, the family of Nelson and Aggie Greene, and also a 38 year old “Curtiss” Greene, and his family. Also in the household, is 75 year old Anne Shackleford. She is listed as Curtis’s grandmother. Does this mean that Curtis was the son of Nelson and Aggie? Curtis is shown to be working as a chef in a hotel. His birthplace is listed as “United States,” as is the birthplace for his parents. Curtis’s wife is 30 year old Harrietta, born New Jersey. Her parents were born in South Carolina. The two children belonging to Curtis and Harrietta are 7 year old Juanita, born Connecticut, and a newborn baby named Curtistine, born Arizona. Her age is given a “0/12,” which mean she wasn’t even a month old when the census was enumerated in Phoenix on January 5, 1920.

I found Curtistine’s birth record at the Arizona Department of Health Service search engine, showing that she was born on December 17, 1919 in Phoenix. Her middle name on the birth record is Elizabeth. Her father is listed as 39 year old Curtis F. Green, of 446 East Madison. His birthplace is listed as “Texas,” just as the 1920 census had noted. His occupation is laborer and his race is black. Curtistine’s mother is listed as 32 year old Harrietta Drayton, living at 446 East Madison. Her birthplace is New Jersey, her race black, and her occupation housewife. The attending physician at the birth is Karl M. Tarr of Phoenix. You can view a copy of Curtistine’s birth record at: http://genealogy.az.gov/azbirth/430/430-1355.pdf

Curtis Greene and his family, including Ann Shackleford are found on page 3B of the 1920 census. Nelson and Aggie are listed on the next page, 4A. Nelson is shown to be a 60 year old railroad foreman born in in Arkansas. Aggie is 50 years old and also born in Arkansas. Also in the household is Nelson and Aggie’s grandson, 18 year old Herbert Strawn, born Arkansas, as were Herbert’s parents. His occupation is listed as worker in a laboratory. The household also includes Nelson and Aggie’s son, Ralph Greene, who, like Curtis Greene, is working as a chef in a hotel. Ralph’s birthplace is Arkansas. The census index follows:


1920 United States Federal Census

Name: Nelson Greene
Home in 1920: Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona
Age: 60
Estimated birth year: abt 1860
Birthplace: Arkansas
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)

Spouse's name: Aggie
Father's Birth Place: United States of America
Mother's Birth Place: Alabama
Marital Status: Married
Race: Black
Sex: Male
Home owned: Own
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes

446 Madison St

Name Age

Curtiss Greene, Head, 38, United States, Chef, Hotel
Harrietta Greene, 30, New Jersey
Juanita Greene, 7, Connecticut
Curtistine Greene, 0/12, Arizona
Anne Shackleford, 75, Grandmother, Alabama, United States, Virginia

Nelson Greene, Head, 60, Arkansas, Foreman, Railroad
Aggie Greene, 50, Arkansas
Herbert Strawn, 18, Grandson, Arkansas, Worker, Laboratory
Ralph Greene 18, Son, Arkansas, Chef, Cafe

Source Citation: Year: 1920;Census Place: Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona; Roll T625_49; Page: 4A;
Enumeration District: 68; Image: 1051.
____


It was not only a surprise to find Curtis Green in the 1920 census, but also Anne Shackleford and Nelson and Aggie’s grandson, 18 year old Herbert Strawn. This discovery prompted my to look for more information about Curtis, Anne, and Herbert Strawn. I began the search with Curtis, as I thought it possible that he may have been Nelson and Aggie’s son.

I looked for Curtis Green in the 1900 census, but did not limit the search to any particular state, as I didn’t know where Curtis would be living in 1900. At age 38 in 1920, Curtis would have been born circa 1882, provided the census was accurate about his age. I found no black Curtis Green/Greene born in Texas between 1875 and 1885 in the 1900 census nor in the 1910 census.

I did however, find Curtis’s wife “Etta” P. Greene in the 1930 census listed as a 41 year old widow who was born in New Jersey, and whose parents were born in South Carolina. She and her children were living in Del Rey, Maricopa County, Arizona. Her occupation is maid with a private family. She and four of her children were living at 696 East Madison Street, Phoenix. Her children include 17 year old Connecticut-born “Whurnetta,” with no occupation. Whurnetta would be the Juanita Greene found in the 1920 census. The census shows that Whurnetta’s father was born in Arkansas, which means Curtis may have been Nelson and Aggie’s son.

The next child in the household is 10 year old Curtistina F. Green, born in Arizona. She is followed by 5 year old Eletha Green, also born Arizona, and 1 year and 4 month old grandson, Bradford Greene, born Arizona, but whose father was born in Kentucky and mother in Arizona.

The index follows:


1930 United States Federal Census

Name: Etta P Greene
Home in 1930: Del Rey, Maricopa, Arizona
View Map
Age: 41
Estimated birth year: abt 1889
Birthplace: New Jersey
Relation to Head of House: Head
Race: Negro (Black)
Occupation:

Education:

Military service:

Rent/home value:

Age at first marriage:

Parents' birthplace: View image


Name Age

Etta P Greene, 41, New Jersey, Maid, Private family
Whurnetter Greene, 17, Connecticut
Curtistine F Greene, 10, Arizona
Eletha D Greene, 3, Arizona
Bradford D Greene , Grandson, 1 4/12, Arizona

Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Del Rey, Maricopa, Arizona; Roll 59; Page: 39A; Enumeration District: 59; Image: 79.0.
____


I looked for Curtis’s death record at the Arizona Department of Health Services search engine, but didn’t find him.

But I did find Bradford Dayton Green’s birth certificate at the Arizona Department of Health search engine, which shows he was born in Phoenix on June 29, 1928. His father is listed as “Unknown,” his mother as Juanita Green, who would be Curtis and Harietta‘s daughter. Juanita’s race is listed as “Colored,” her occupation as, “School Girl.” Her age at last birthday, disturbingly, is listed as “12.”

A copy of the original birth certificate for Bradley can be found at: http://genealogy.az.gov/azbirth/987/1587.pdf

While at the Arizona Department of Health Services search engine, I also found the death record of Elitha Green’s son, Auturo Jerome Wilson. The death record shows that Auturo’s father and Elitha’s husband was Leonard Wilson, whose birthplace was Louisiana. Elitha’s birthplace is Arizona. The death record shows that Auturo was born on December November 4, 1950 and died on December 2, 1950. His age was 1 month and 28 days old. He died in St. Joseph’s Hospital. Jerome’s home address at the time of death was 914 E. Jefferson St. (Rear), Phoenix. The death record can be found at: http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/201/v2010766.pdf

I also found Harrietta “Etta” Green’s death certificate, showing that she had died on February 12, 1946 at age 33 years old. Her residence at the time of death was 1502 E Monroe, Phoenix. Her date of birth was February 16, 1889. She was born in “Passic,” New Jersey. I take “Passic,” to mean Passaic, New Jersey. Her father is listed as Josh Drayton who was born in North Carolina. Her mother’s name and birthplace is “unknown.” The informant to the death was “Mrs. Curtistine Waldon,” living in Ft. Huchuca, Arizona. Harrietta was buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Phoenix. Her death record can be found at: http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/076/10761699.pdf

Based on the information found in her death record, I found “Etta” Drayton in the 1900 census living with her family on Oak Street, Passaic, New Jersey. The census shows that as of 1900 she was 11 years old and that her date of birth was February, 1889, which agrees with the information in her death certificate. Her place of birth is New Jersey. The census also notes that her father and mother were also born in New Jersey. Etta’s death record places her father’s place of birth as North Carolina. The 1900 census also shows that Etta was attending school. Her father is Josh Drayton, a 33 year old teamster, born in March of 1867. The census also shows that Josh was married for 12 years and that he could read, write, and speak English. His wife is 32 year old Margaret, born in June of 1867. Her birthplace is listed as New Jersey. She can also read, write, and speak English. She is shown to have been married 12 years and that she has had one child, who is still living. Also in the household is Josh Drayton’s cousin, 17 year old Bertha Wilson, born in New Jersey, in September of 1882.

The 1900 census index for the Drayton family is below:


1900 United States Federal Census

Name: Josh Drayton

Home in 1900: Passaic Ward 2, Passaic, New Jersey
Age: 33
Birth Date: Mar 1867
Birthplace: New Jersey
Race: Black
Gender: Male
Relationship to Head of House: Head
Father's Birthplace: New Jersey
Mother's Birthplace: New Jersey
Spouse's name: Margaret
Marriage Year: 1888
Marital Status: Married
Years Married: 12

Name Age

Josh Dayton, 33, New Jersey, Teamster
Margaret Dayton, 32, New Jersey
Etta Dayton, 11, New Jersey, At School
Bertha Wilson, 17, New Jersey

Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Passaic Ward 2, Passaic, New Jersey; Roll T623_990;
Page: 14A; Enumeration District: 99.
____


Getting back to Curtis Green, I found his World War I draft registration card at Ancestry.com. He lists his middle name as “Frank,” and his date of birth as 6 June 1880. He spells his last name as “Greene.“ His address at the time of registration is 446 E. Madison, Phoenix. His race is black. He wrote that his occupation was Engine Watchman for what appears to be the Arizona Eastern Railroad. His nearest relative is listed as Harrietta Greene of 446 E. Madison, Phoenix, Arizona. He describes himself as being short, his hair and eyes black. I was hoping that his draft registration card would give his place of birth, but it doesn’t.

His draft registration card index follows:


World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918

Name: Curtis Frank Greene
County: Maricopa
State: Arizona
Birth Date: 6 Jun 1880
Race: Black
FHL Roll Number: 1522449
Draft Board: 0
Age: 38

Occupation: Engine Watchman

Nearest Relative: Harrietta Greene

Height/Build: Short/Medium

Color of Eyes/Hair: Blk/Blk

Source Citation: Registration Location: Maricopa County, Arizona; Roll 1522449; Draft Board: 0.
____


HERBERT STRAWN


The 1920 census had shown that Nelson and Aggie Green’s grandson, 18 year old Herbert Strawn was living in the household with them. At the time of the census he was employed as a laboratory worker. I suspected that Herbert was the son of Nelson and Aggie Green’s daughter, Irene. This suspicion was confirmed by going back ten years in time to the 1910 census where I found 8 year old Herbert living in the household of his parents, 28 year old John W. Strawn and 25 year old Irene E. Strawn, in Los Angeles, California. John W. Strawn’s birthplace is listed as Arkansas, while his parents are shown to have been born in the United States. His occupation is wagon driver. He is shown to have been married 9 years. He is also shown to be a mulatto.

Irene E. Strawn’s birthplace is Arizona, while her father was born in Alabama and mother in the United States. She is shown to be the mother of two children, and that both her children are still living as of 1910. Herbert W. Strawn’s birthplace is Arizona. The other child in the household appears to be Lena or Lona. Her name is difficult to read. She is 7 years old and born in Arizona. She and Herbert are listed as mulattos.

The index follows:


1910 United States Federal Census

Name: Herbert W Strawn
Age in 1910: 8
Estimated birth year: abt 1902
Birthplace: Arkansas
Relation to Head of House: Son
Father's Name: John W
Father's Birth Place: Arkansas
Mother's Name: Irene E
Mother's Birth Place: Arizona
Home in 1910: Los Angeles Assembly District 71, Los Angeles, California
Marital Status: Single
Race: Mulatto
Gender: Male

Name, Age

John W Strawn, 28, Arkansas, Wagon Driver
Irene E Strawn, 25, Alabama
Herbert W Strawn, 8, Arizona
Lona B Strawn, 7, Arizona

Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Los Angeles Assembly District 71, Los Angeles, California; Roll T624_81; Page: 18A; Enumeration District: 132; Image: 992.
____


John W. Strawn was the son of Pearce and Rosalee Strawn, as evidenced in the 1880 census which follows. The census shows the Strawn family were living in Garland, Miller County, Arkansas. Miller is the same county where Texarkana is located, and where Nelson and Aggie Green and children were also living, according to the 1880 census seen earlier. Garland is located only a few miles southeast of Texarkana.

All of the Strawn family in the 1880 census are shown to be mulattos. John W. Strawn is the youngest in the household at 11 months old. His father Pearce’s occupation is listed as farmer. The 1880 census index below is from the Latter Day Saints website:


Household:

Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace

Pearce STRAWN Self M Male MU 26 GA Farmer --- ---
Rosalee STRAWN Wife M Female MU 24 TX Keeping House SC AL
Mary E. STRAWN Dau S Female MU 6 AR GA TX
James S. STRAWN Son S Male MU 3 AR GA TX
John W. STRAWN Son S Male MU 11M AR GA TX

Source Information:
Census Place Garland, Miller, Arkansas
Family History Library Film 1254051
NA Film Number T9-0051
Page Number 89A
____


Next I looked for Nelson and Aggie Green in the 1930 census and found them still living in 446 East Madison Street, Phoenix. Nelson is listed as 70 years old, who owns his own home, the value of which is $6,000. He, as well as his parents are shown to have been born in Alabama. Nelson does not have an occupation. The shows however that his age at first marriage was 21.

Aggie is 60 years old and born in Arkansas. The census also states the her parents were born in Mississippi, and that she was 21 years of age when she first married. Only one of Nelson and Aggie’s children is in the household. This is 23 year old musician, Ralph Green, born in Arkansas. The census notes he is a musician in an orchestra. His age of 23 however is off by several years, as his World War I draft registration cards states he was born in 1899. At age 23 in 1930, he would have been born in 1907, and would have been too young for the draft.

The Nelson Green household also includes two boarders, 42 year old W. William Chester and 32 year old Jessie Chester. Both were born in Texas. W. William Chester’s occupation is barber, while Jessie Chester’s occupation is cook for a private family. The census index follows:


1930 United States Federal Census

Name: Nelson Green
Home in 1930: Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona

Age: 70
Estimated birth year: abt 1860
Birthplace: Alabama
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's name: Aggie
Race: Negro (Black)
Occupation:


Name, Age,

Nelson Green, 70, Own Home, Value $6000, Alabama, Alabama, Alabama, Age at First Marriage 16
Aggie Green, 60, Arkansas, Mississippi, Mississippi, Age at First Marriage 16
Ralph Green, 23, Arkansas, Musician, Orchestra
W William Chester, 42, Texas, Lodger, Barber, Shop
Jessie Chester, 32, Texas, Lodger, Cook, Private Family

Source Citation: Year: 1930; Census Place: Phoenix, Maricopa, Arizona; Roll 57; Page: 30B;
Enumeration District: 7; Image: 892.0.
____


ANN SHACKLEFORD


Earlier, the 1920 census had shown that Aggie Green’s mother, Ann Shackleford was living in the same address of 446 East Madison Street, Phoenix. Because Ann is not in the household with Nelson and Aggie Green in the 1930 census, I figured she would either be listed in another household in the 1930 census, or that she was deceased by 1930. I found Ann’s death certificate at the Arizona Department of Health Services online search engine. The death certificate shows that Ann died of “smallpox” at 446 E. Madison, Phoenix, on June 6, 1922. At the time of death she is listed as being an 88 year old widow whose occupation was housewife. Her race is black and her place of birth is listed as Tenn (Tennessee). No maiden name is given for Ann. On the section of the death certificate where it asks for the names of Ann’s parents, the words “unknown,” are written. But, according to the death certificate, Ann’s parents were also born in Tenn.

The name of the informant who reported Ann’s death to the authorities is listed as R Green of Phoenix. This may be a reference to Ann’s grandson, Ralph. Ann was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Phoenix. This is the cemetery where Ann’s granddaughter, Grace Green is buried.

A copy of Ann Shackleford’s death certificate can be found at: http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/025/10251647.pdf

Because I had earlier found Ann Shackleford in the 1920 census, I then searched for her in the 1910 and 1900 enumerations, and believe I located her in both. The 1910 census shows that Ann was living in Garland Township, Texarkana, Miller County, Arkansas. She is a 70 year old black woman, and a widow, born in the “United States.” Her father was born in North Carolina, while her mother was born in Virginia. In her lifetime the census shows that Ann had 12 children, but as of 1910, only two of her children were still alive. Her occupation appears to be “Laundress, At Home.”

In the household with Ann is a roomer, 30 year old Mary Washington, a cook in a private residence. Her marital status is “widow.“ Her birthplace is listed as “Unknown.” The 1910 census index from Ancestry.com follows:


1910 United States Federal Census

Name: Ann Shackleford

Age in 1910: 70
Estimated birth year: abt 1840
Birthplace: United States of America
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: North Carolina
Mother's Birth Place: Virginia
Home in 1910: Texarkana Ward 4, Miller, Arkansas
Marital Status: Widowed
Race: Black
[Colored (Black)]
Gender: Female

Name, Age

Ann Shackleford, 70, United States, North Carolina, Virginia, Laundress? At home
Mary Washington, 30, Unknown, Cook

Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Texarkana Ward 4, Miller, Arkansas; Roll T624_57; Page: 28A;
Enumeration District: 69; Image: 883.
____


The 1900 census shows that 66 year old Anna Shackleford is living in an address of what appears to be 536 Laurel Street, Texarkana, Miller County, Arkansas. The census gives her age as 66, and lists her date of birth as May of 1834. Her marital status is widow. The census also shows that Anna had 11 children in her lifetime, but as of 1900 only three were living. Compare this information with the 1920 census, and you’ll see once again how information from one census to another for the same person, changes. The 1900 census also shows that Anna was born in Georgia, and that her parents were born in Virginia. Anna’s occupation is “Boarding House Keeper.”

The two boarders in her home are 24 year old George Jourdan, a saloon porter, and 25 year old William Williams, a driver of a grocery delivery wagon. The index is below:


1900 United States Federal Census

Name: Anna Shackleford
Home in 1900: Texarkana, Miller, Arkansas
Age: 60
Birth Date: May 1834
Birthplace: Georgia
Race: Black
Gender: Female
Relationship to Head of House: Head
Father's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother's Birthplace: Virginia
Mother: number of living children: 3
Mother: How many children: 11
Marital Status: Widowed


Name Age

Anna Shackleford, 60
George Jourdan, 24
William Williams, 25

Source Citation: Year: 1900; Census Place: Texarkana, Miller, Arkansas; Roll T623_68; Page: 27B;
Enumeration District: 122.
____


The last census available for research online is the 1930 enumeration. The 1940 census will not be available for research for a couple of more years, and so I couldn’t look for Nelson and Aggie Green in that census to see if they were still alive. But, I looked for their Arizona death certificates. I didn’t find a death certificate for Nelson, but figured if he died in Phoenix, he likely was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery, which today is called the Greenwood Memory Lawn Cemetery. I contacted the cemetery, and was informed that a Nelson Green was buried there on August 4, 1930. I believe this may possibly refer to your Nelson Green. His age at death was 86. This is a little older than what I believe Nelson would have actually been. At age 86 in 1930, his year of birth would be 1844. The 1880 census had shown that Nelson was 23, placing his year of birth in 1857. In the 1930 census his age is 70, placing his year of birth in 1860. The 1920 census gives his age as 60, which also places his year of birth in 1860.

If Nelson was buried on August 4, 1930, he would have most likely died a few days before. It’s possible his death certificate was not placed online by the Arizona Department of Health Services. If you would like to see if there is a death certificate for Nelson Green, contact the Arizona Department of Health Services. Information about obtaining death certificates can be found at: http://azdhs.gov/vitalrcd/death_index.htm

While I didn’t have luck finding Nelson death certificate, I did find Aggie “Greene’s” death certificate which shows she had died of cancer at 1308 East Madison, Phoenix, on September 21, 1938, at the age of 81 years, 9 months, and 27 days. She is listed as a widow. The death certificate also gives her husband’s name as Nelson Greene.

The death certificate gives Aggie’s place of birth as Arkadelphia, Arkansas. Her birth date is listed as December 24 1856. Her race is listed as “Colored.“ Her father is listed as William Shackleford, whose place of birth is unknown. Her mother is Ann Murdock, whose place of birth is also unknown. The informant to the death is Mrs. Ethel Strawn of 1308 East Madison Street, Phoenix. Aggie was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery, Phoenix, on September 26, 1938. Her death certificate can be found at: http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/059/10591758.pdf

I also found the death certificate of Nelson and Aggie’s son , John N. Greene, who died on March 10, 1922, in Phoenix, just a few months before Ann Shackleford. John’s age at death was 36 years. His place of birth is listed as “Arkansas,“ while his father Nelson’s birthplace is listed as Alabama, and mother’s birthplace as Arkansas. John’s occupation was “cook.“ The informant of the death was Paul Greene, who would be John’s brother. John died at 446 E. Madison, Phoenix. John’s father is listed as Nelson Greene, of Alabama, and Agnes Shackford, of Arkansas. John is also buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Phoenix. His death record can be found at: http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/025/10250251.pdf

In addition I located the 1933 death certificate for Nelson and Aggie’s son Paul A. Green. He died on February 8, 1933 at age 41 years and six months. His date of birth is August 9, 1891. His birthplace is Arkansas. His father is listed as Nelson Green, born Alabama. His mother is listed as Ann Shackeford, born Arkansas. Paul was buried in Greenwood cemetery. His death certificate can be found at the following link:
http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/047/10471254.pdf
.

Next I located the death record for Nelson and Aggie’s son, Phillip L. Green, who died on November 15, 1953. His date of birth was April 11, 1891. His place of birth was Arkansas. He was 62 years old when he died in the Maricopa County General Hospital. His wife’s name was Grace. His occupation was Barber. His father is listed as Nelson Green, whose birthplace is “Texas.“ The name and birthplace of his mother is listed as “unknown.“ The informant who reported his death was Phillip L. Greene, Jr., of 315 Tonto Street. Philip Sr. is buried in Greenwood Cemetery. His death record can be found at: http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/212/2466.pdf

The informant who reported Phillip’s death is Phillip L. Green, Jr. He would be Phillip’s son. But, I believe he was the second-born son named Phillip L. Green, Jr. I also uncovered a death certificate for an earlier “Philip L. Green, Jr.,” showing that he died on December 28, 1923, when he was 3 days old. His father is listed as Philip Green, of Arkansas. I couldn’t make out Philip Jr.’s mother’s first name very well, but it appears to be Lucille. Her maiden name is listed as “Jones.” Philip Jr. is buried in the Greenwood Cemetery. His death record can be found at:
http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/028/10280228.pdf

I also located the first-born Philip L. Green’s birth certificate. His date of birth was December 25, 1923. His father is Philip L. Green, a barber, who was born in Texarkana, Arkansas. Philip Jr.’s mother is Lucille Warfield, born in Kansas City, Missouri. I’m not sure why Philip’s mother maiden name is Warfield on his birth certificate and Jones on his death certificate. The birth certificate can be found at: http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/212/2466.pdf

I next found the birth certificate for the second-born son named Phillip, whose full name is given as “Phillip Leroy Greene Jr. He was born in St. Joseph’s Hospital, Phoenix, on December 15, 1924. His father is listed as Phillip Leroy Green of 226 North 11th Street, Phoenix. Phillip Sr.‘s occupation is barber. His mother is listed as Lucile Warfield, of Kansas City, Missouri.

Phillip Leroy Greene Jr.’s birth certificate can be found at: http://genealogy.az.gov/azbirth/449/4492330.pdf

I also found the death certificate for Lucille Warfield Greene, noting that she was born in Lawrence, Kansas on January 24, 1893, and died at 33 North 11th Street, Phoenix, on January 25, 1942. At the time of her death she was 49 years old and married. The informant who reported her death was “Mr. Phil Greene” of 33 North 11th Street, Phoenix. Lucille’s occupation is listed as housewife. Her father’s name is listed as “unknown,” but her mother’s name is given as Sophie Warfield, who was born in Topeka, Kansas. Lucille is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Phoenix. Her birth certificate can be found at: http://genealogy.az.gov/azdeath/066/10661455.pdf

I didn’t find a death record for Nelson and Aggie’s son, Ralph Green.

Because most, if not all of Nelson and Aggie Green’s children were born in Arkansas, and most likely in Texarkana, Miller County, I checked to see if there were any online birth records for Texarkana for the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I didn’t find any online birth records or indexes. I then learned however, that the State of Arkansas didn’t begin to compile birth records until 1915. But, I’m not sure if perhaps Miller County had kept birth records from before that year. If so, there may be birth records of Nelson and Aggie’s children. To find out when birth records were first compiled in Miller County, you can write or phone the county clerk at the following:

Miller County Clerk
400 Laurel Street
Texarkana, AR 71854
(870) 774-1501
____


I hope this information has been helpful.

Best Wishes Celiste,

Dave