"Centennial Souvenir 1808 - 1908 "PHILLIP MYERS (colored) and Lydia Wilkes MYERS, his wife, came to Barnesville in 1823 from Farquier Co, VA. Of these parents were born four children John, Thomas, Jeremiah, Philip W. and Ann Mariah." === "Story of Barnesville" bk, "...a noted colored driver and one of the earliest Barnesville men to make the trip to Baltimore with a six horse team. He is Philip MYERS and remembered by some of our older citizens. He was a free-born, colored person and obtained a pass from Frederick, MD, his home town before coming here in 1825. He followed teaming until the railroad made it unprofitable and he died at the age of ninety-six."

My Phillip MYERS was born in MD in 1763. His wife in the book above is listed as Lydia Wilkes but I've been told that isn't correct and he married a Louisa. So it could be either. The book lists 4 sons and a daughter. I have the 4 sons but no one has a daughter listed that I know of.

They moved from MD to Barnesville, Belmont Co, OH and some later to Chesterhill and Zanesville. Jeremiah is my GGgrandfather, marr Mary Jane Harper and had 14 children. My Ggrandfather Nathan moved to Mi for a while before returning to OH. He left 5 children in MI.

Family legend has a Phillip MYERS coming from Germany at age 7. It could be Jeremiah's father but prob more likely a grandpa or great grandpa. Additional generations might also explain Phillip being AA since I believe they were white from Baden, Germany. I have heard they were what was called 'Black Jews' and were kind of dark. But I haven't seen any evidence of jewish religion anywhere.

That's about all I have. Any details sound familiar? Maybe a relative who came over young and alone or one that drove a team or whispers of one cut off for marrying an AA? We have been stuck on Mary Ann Harper and Phillip and Lydia MYERS for decades. Any help would be greatly appreciate.

I have a website with all my info on if you want to see it.
www.mibabs.tribalpages.com