A Legend of Sturdy Branches
As told by our Beloved Marjorie Jackson - June 1996
Obtained from the 2003 Samuel Family Reunion Booklet
Two families lived in a small community of Conecuh
County, about eight miles south of Evergreen, Alabama.
Only a field and a branch separated their properties. On one side lived
Aaron and Minnie Samuel
The Samuel Family
Hugh Samuel’s Siblings included:
Allie B.
Annie Bell
Beaulah
Earnie
Mattie
Nodia
Lillie Mae
Janie
Lois
Frank Thomas
Minnie
On the other lived Lewis and Sally Jones
The Jones Family
Mattie Lee Jone’s Siblings included:
Sanford
Charlie
Mary Lee
Samuel
Arie
Pompey
Lewis
Willie
Eddie
Francis
They were both farmers and both had large families
Marriage of the Samuel-Jones Families
The Samuel family had 12 children (ten girls and two boys); their eldest son’s name was Hugh. The Jones family had ten children (seven boys and three girls); their eldest daughter’s name was Mattie Lee. They played together, worked together and went to school and church together. What began as a childhood friendship blossomed into something much more meaningful.
On July 15, 1921, while attending the Sunday School Congress at their church, Hugh and Mattie Lee walked down the road with their pastor and were united in marriage. Their first home was a bungalow with four large rooms. Hugh built a smokehouse and a crib for their future children. In 1922, their first child, a girl, was stillborn. A year later, however, they were blessed with a healthy baby girl, whom they named Sally Mae. And in the years to follow they were blessed with many more:
- Sally Mae
- James Lee “Bill”
- Bernice
- Marjorie
- Lewis
- Arithia
- Hugh, Jr.
- Roberta
- Lillie Mae
- Gladys Marie
- Quittman
- Aaron
- Edward
- Ethel Jewel “Sue”
- Arnold “Sonny”.
With nine girls and seven boys, they were a big, happy family.
Most of the time we lived with the bare necessities, but we were a happy family. We had parents that loved us, fed us and taught us by precepts and examples. And, yes, they whipped us when we needed it.
Mama was a devoted Christian that made sure that her children knew the Lord, knew how to trust him and how to pray. And, to us, she was the best cook in the world. At Christmas, gifts
were few, usually fruits and candy, but we had to wait until Mama prayed and gave thanks before we could see what we had.
Daddy was a very good farmer who raised good crops as well as cows, hogs, mules and chickens. Needless to say, we had plenty to eat. He was also a carpenter. In 1935, he helped to build a house in Escambia County, Brewton, Alabama in the Damascus and Boykin community. The man whose house he was helping to build asked Daddy if he would move down to Escambia County to live and farm for him. Times were hard, and it was hard to find work, so he accepted the offer, built a new house for us, and on February 2, 1936, we moved to Escambia County. As children, it was exciting
to move to a new area, but it was also sad to leave Granddaddy, both Grandmas, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends – even though we were only ten miles apart. Moving to the new community did have its advantages … like riding a school bus to school!
All of the children had jobs at home to do every day – Sally Mae “Sal” was the cook, we all took turns washing dishes and Bernice was the housekeeper. I was the baby sitter – and I kept a job all year-round! All of the children were loving and kind to each other. We were not allowed to call each other out of our name. We could not pass a lick, or we would get a whipping and we had to kiss and hug each other-which we still do.
I thought all of the babies were pretty. Arithia had big brown eyes, curly hair and was lazy when it was time to do anything but eat and play. She was no help to Daddy in the field. She took a chill in July in the field, so Daddy sent her to the house … what she wanted to do anyway. Roberta was the tomboy. Daddy counted on her to plow, go cut wood and bring it home on the sled. Lillie Mae “Lil” was pretty, had brown curly hair and was no help on the farm either. Gladys had sandy hair, was a tad lighter than most of us and was also a pretty baby … but, she was no farmer! Ethel Jewel “Sue” was so cute; red head, short and chubby … she was my special baby.
All the boys were handsome and smart. Bill, our oldest brother, acted as Daddy to all of us when Daddy was not around. Quittman was the most humble boy in the family. Aaron and Edward worked well anywhere there was work to be done, and Arnold “Sonny”, the baby, was the baby! He was too pretty to be a boy, and we all loved him. Two of the boys, Lewis and Hugh, Jr., both had disabilities. Lewis could not walk for a long time because his legs were crooked. They were straightened out at the Children’s Clinic in Mobile, Alabama. Hugh, Jr. could walk, but could not talk. They both died in their late teens. In 1988, Quittman died, which left four surviving brothers.
Daddy was killed in an accident on July 5, 1956. After his death, Mama was never satisfied, so she moved to Cincinnati, Ohio with Gladys and her husband. Later, Bill moved her to California, where she set up housekeeping. Four of the sisters and all of the boys lived there. She seemed happy in California. She raised Mattie Faye Lindsey, (a grand daughter), the oldest daughter of Roberta. At some point in time, grandchildren started referring to Mama as “Sweetmama”. Before it was over, she was Sweetmama to many – family as well .as friends. How fitting! That’s exactly what she was a sweet Mama!!
By the time of Quittman’s death, Mama’s health had grown feeble, but she never gave up. She had strong faith and trusted in her living Savior.
On March 2, 1992, Mama went home to be with the Lord. We miss her very much, but her request was, “Don’t worry about me, my heart is fixed and my mind is made up! ! ” We still thank God for having such a sweet and loving mother.
The next year, on July 25, 1993, our oldest brother, Bill, also went home to be with the Lord, leaving three surviving brothers and eight sisters. We were using the great legacy Mama and Daddy left for us – trying hard to live as we were taught to live.
Marjorie Faye Jackson
June, 1996
Just over five years later, September 6, 1998, our dear Marjorie “Aunt Marge” received her call and took her rightful place at the feet of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Now, there are seven surviving sisters and three brothers.
Because Aunt Marge, as well as all of the sisters and brothers, loved our family and longed to see all of the “Sturdy Branches” gather she organized and was the driving force for the start of this great Family Reunion.
Our first Reunion was June 28-30th, 1996 .. .it was a great success! It was discussed and decided that we would come together ever-other year to meet, greet and share.
As stated by Aunt Marge in her closing statement in June of 1996, “We thank God for our family, and it is our prayer that God will bless all of us.”
Lynn Floyd Likely
(Daughter of Roberta)
