Reuben Melvin, my 2nd great grandfather lived to be 105.
He passed away, in 1860 before his people were emancipated.
Was he ever a slave?
Was he ever a slave?
This will be my 25
word introduction for Reuben. He was quite mature when he met Iantha and his
last child was born when he was 95! He was in New York (Brooklyn) in 1827 about
the time slavery was abolished in NY State. At that time, he was a Subordinate
Preacher of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. Census records say he was born in Maryland. All of his children were late in life births (see picture).
- Was he born a slave?
- Was he born free?
- Could he father a child at age 95?
- Are these actually his biological children? (the family bible suggests so)
Your Ancestor's biological sketch is the beginning of his/her narrative. It is the starting point. Look at the fragments of the documents and records that you have collected and see if there is a story to be uncovered and told. The questions will jump out at you in those 25 words. Decide what it is that the Ancestors want you to know - and go pursue it!
