On October 31, 1981, I was told that Isaac Blakey was my Great Grandfather. I've been a journey to discover more about him.
And I have discovered a lot about him over the 39 + years. Private Isaac BLAKER I'm coming across DNA cousins as well.
I don't know what the heading of Isaac's obituary could have been.
We can only imagine. Former MO Slave and Veteran During The Civil War Passes Away at 72.
Here's my version of an obituary in remembrance and honor of Isaac Blakey.
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Private Isaac Blakey
1845 -1917 |
Isaac Blakey, a Civil War Veteran was laid to rest on Christmas Day 1917, two days after his passing. He had stories he shared of his freedom years from slavery and of his War time. He was born a slave until the early 1860's and became a free man for 54 years.
Isaac Blakey was born into slavery in Fayette, Missouri. Isaac's date of birth was unknown. But his accepted birthday was on June 30, 1847. According to one of Isaac's former slave owner's, Isaac was born in the year 1845.
Isaac was born to the slave union of Andrew and Julia (Finney) White both from Virginia. Isaac was rise as a slave in Howard County Missouri. It was about the 1861 when Isaac and his mother were sold and they went south. Isaac then ran away to join the Civil War in Natchez, Mississippi.
It was on Nov 1, 1863, Isaac, at the age of about 16, enlisted as Private Isaac Blaker. He was stationed in MS Co H. Reg't 6, US Col'd Heavy Artillery MS. During the Spring on 1864, Isaac was accidently wounded to his leg. He was honorable discharged on May 13, 1866.
After the war, Isaac met Martha Scott from MS. They later married about 1870 in MS. They had twin sons born on June 21, 1871 in Woodville, MS. Martha and son Andrew passed in June of 1871. Isaac was left to raise his son, John.
Isaac met Rachael Lephridge. She was from MS. They later married on July 3, 1873. And to this union they had 18 children.
Isaac resided in Mississippi from about 1861 to 1878 - 1879. It was during sometime after the war he was trying to locate and reunite with family from MO. He located them and moved them back to MO.
Isaac returned to Missouri around the Spring of 1879. By 1880, he was living with his mother, Julia, some of his siblings and relatives in Chariton County. Isaac was a farmer. He was a deacon in the black First Baptist Church in Forest Green, MO. He was believe to have been of the faith.
In Isaac latter life, he became disable. He was unable to work due to his injury during the Civil War. He lived out his life in Chariton County Missouri.
Isaac was preceded in his death by parents, Andrew White and Julia (Finney) White. His 1st wife, Martha (Scott) Blakey and 2nd wife Rachel Ann (Lephridge) Blakey, his children, Andrew, Charity, Julia, twin of Jordan, Frances, Beecher, Joe, Rosa and Annie Blakey.
Isaac was survived by his children, John and his wife, Jennie, (John was the twin of Andrew), Mary and her husband, Rev. Ollie Green, Isaac and his wife, Maggie, Jordan and his wife, Flora, Henry and his wife, Mary Elizabeth, Lillie and her husband, Edward Hayes, Spencer and his wife, Mary "Lovie" Blakey, Martha and her husband, Ernest Hayes, Ollie and his wife, Margaret, Edna (Blakey) Jackson, Lawhorn, and Archie Blakey. And a number of grandchildren, great grandchildren and cousins and friends.
On Christmas Day, Dec 25, 1917, Isaac was laid to rest next to his wife, Rachel. He was buried in the black cemetery (Hoffman Cemetery) in Chariton County, Missouri. This was the place where the family were buried.
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According to Isaac's death record: Isaac was born in Shannondale, Chariton County Missouri USA
Isaac Blakey's name on death record. Isac Blakey. He was listed as an African. Father's name, Andrew White. Mother's name not known. Isaac was buried on Christmas Day in Forest Green, MO
God bless you.
S.A. Blakley
