Zion Baptist Church Cemetery - Sumter County, Al

Brian, Mom, & I went on another one of my genealogy adventures Saturday. This was to find my 6th generation Great Grandparents, John George Rainer and Pheobe Julia Gilbert, final resting place. John George Rainer was born 1755 in Germany and was believed to be a Hessian Soldier before coming to the U.S.


So we set out for quick trip to Sumter County, Al. As we made our way down T K Culpepper Rd and crossed the gravel line that marked the Alabama/Mississippi boarder, I just had to get out of the car and take a picture. It was such a beautiful day! Also, I just love a shady road picture. Don't you?

Driving, Driving, Driving, We came across Zion Baptist Church which was organized in 1837 this was formally known as Harmony Baptist Church. If anyone has any information on either of these let me know.

Below: Mom and Brian checking the front door, but not open.

Below: Side view of Zion Baptist Church.

Across the street from the church sat the cemetery. So we make our way over. Gate was locked, so what do we do? Hug a kerosene poll and pray we don't fall in the creek. No pictures of these maneuvers were taken. And thats a good thing! HA! We made it all over safely. We came to a second gate that was locked, but this time with barbed wire. That is not going to stop us. On we go, but next time I must bring tools!

This was a beautiful old cemetery but was in desperate need of cutting and many headstones were gone. My 6th generation Great Grandparents headstones were no longer there.  The large monument above was Rev. John King Ryan's. He was the pastor of Zion Baptist Church for 26 yrs. After a little research, I have found that we are related by marriage. It seems like everyone in this cemetery is related one way or another.

Below: On the way out of the cemetery.

The deeper I go into researching family genealogy, the more appreciative I become of the past. I'm able to get a  clear sense of what life was like back all those years ago. I often wonder what my relatives would say if given the chance to speak with them...hopefully they would find pride in my work. It's only a small part of what I can do to make sure they are not forgotten.

Family Spotlight - Benjamin Virginius White

I thought every now and then I would spotlight an interesting family member that I have come across in my research.


Benjamin Virginius White, my 2nd Great Grand Uncle, was born in 1848 and one of Meridian, Ms most prominent businessmen. He held office in Meridian for City Treasure & Chancery Clerk for many many years as well as being Grand Chancellor for Knights of Pythias. He was best known to all as Captain White because of his involvement in the Knights of Pythias. He was also honored as the Grand Master of The Grand Lodge for the state of Mississippi. At the age of 16 he entered Confederate Service and took part in the battles of Decatur, Nashville, and Mobile. Until they finally surrendered in Meridian, MS.



One great find that i have come across on the "Hunt" for my Family's History is a picture of a young B. V. White. Along with a picture of his Wife and Children! See Ancestry.com really does work people!

Happy Hunting!

Crockpot Beer Chicken

While searching on this little addictive thing we call Pinterest, I came across Crockpot Beer Chicken and decided to give it a try. I put my own little twist on it and I think it turned out great!



Recipe as follows:
1 bottle of your favorite beer
Split Chicken Breasts
Cherry tomatoes
2 Bay Leaves
Rosemary
Garlic powder
Smoked paprika
Kosher Salt
Black pepper

Pour bottled beer in crockpot. Lay Chicken Breast on top. Sprinkle Rosemary, Garlic powder, Smoked paprika, Kosher salt, and Black pepper on top. Throw 2 bay leaves in along with a couple handfuls of cherry tomatoes. Cook on low for 4hrs. Absolutely Delish!

Pauticfau Cemetery - Kemper County, MS

For the past year, I have been on a journey that has made me appreciate past family members. Learning about family who has long been forgotten and trying to keep their story alive has brought a new perspective. Last weekend Brian and I went on one of my crazy genealogy trips through Kemper County in search of MANY family members whom are buried at Blackwater Cemetery, Liberty Baptist Cemetery, and Pawticfaw (Pauticfau) Cemetery. Pauticfau Cemetery was a wonderful surprise! About a 1/4 mile walk down a windy dirt road led Brian and I to a small field in the middle of the woods. There we saw an old rusted iron fence with a small wooden sign. Carved out of the wood was the Cemetery name. This Cemetery was definitely old and many headstones were missing. We walked around and finally made it to the White plot, which is on my Dad's side of the family. There were about nine headstones in this one plot. None of the original headstones were there, but were replaced with newer stones.  Two of the headstones that stood out were my Great Great Great Grandparents, Dorset and Margaret White. What an exciting find this was!!!