Michelle Obama's Ancestry and American Slavery

[Bayard]

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Geneticist Megan Smolenyak and The New York Times, revealed in recent years, a map of the former first lady’s ancestry like never before.
Michelle Obama’s maternal great-great-great grandmother was Melvinia Shields, who lived on a farm enslaved with 20 other enslaved persons in Spartanburg, South Carolina.

In his will, written in 1850, slaveowner David Patterson, bequeathed her to his wife, Ruth. David wrote in his will that Melvinia, and any children she might bear, would become the property of his wife, Ruth. Specifically, he wrote that she was to inherit “the use and service of the said negro girl, her issue and increase, if any.” He also requested for his slave families to “be kept together as far as possible.”
After the death of Ruth and of David in 1852, their daughter and son-in-law Christianne and farmer Henry Wells Shields became Melvinia’s new owners. She was about 8 years old. There were 2 slaves on the 200-acre farm and Melvinia is believed to have been one of them.

Based on genetic testing and research, Charles Marion Shields, Henry’s son, has been identified as the likely father of Melvinia’s son Dolphus T. Shields, who was born around 1860 (Charles was 20 and it is suggested that Melvinia was around 15).

Dolphus was Michelle Obama’s maternal great-great-grandfather. After the American Civil War, Melvinia Shields had more children who were biracial – 3 out of 4 were listed as “mulatto” on the 1870 census. Melvinia worked during her time in slavery as farm laborer, a washerwoman and a maid. When she was in her 30s or 40s, Melvinia had a reunion with Mariah and Bolus Easley, who were formerly enslaved with Melvinia’s first owner’s the Pattersons. They lived nearby and Melvinia’s son Dolphus married one of their daughters, Alice and they had a daughter Pearl. However, the marriage was short. Alice was Michelle Obama’s great-great-grandmother. Melvinia passed away in her 90’s in 1938. On her death certificate, filled by a relative, the words “Don’t Know” were typed where her parents names should have been.


Henry Wells Shields, the owner of Mrs. Obama’s great-great-great grandmother, Melvinia Shields, is the elderly man with the beard. His wife, Christian Patterson Shields, sits to his right. Charles is the third man standing from the right side.

https://blackresearchcentralblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/30/michelle-obama-and-american-slavery/


Fascinating article with many historical photos

[Alacritous Crier]

1. Fantastic!

Thanks!

[Sherman A1]

2. Interesting

I have some Easley’s in my family tree, but they were from Virginia as I recall.

[niyad]

3. A truly remarkable story. I.am actually sick, seeing "owner", and reading about human beings, both

Actually living, and potential, being "willed" to other human beings. Such is the heritage these confederate flag jumpers are trying so desperately to defend. Some days, I think we are devolving rather than moving forward.

[WhiskeyGrinder]

4. Lots of sexual violence in this post.

Henry Wells Shields, the owner of Mrs. Obama’s great-great-great grandmother, Melvinia Shields,

I saw an interesting discussion about replacing "owned slaves" with "was an active and willing participant in a vast conspiracy to kidnap children from their families in order to force them into industrial and sexual servitude." Looks like that fits pretty well here.

[cwydro]

5. Thanks for posting.

Rec.

[SharonClark]

6. Thanks for posting this.

[Duppers]

7. Wow! ❤ History.

I love reading about history, especially when it's personalized.

Thanks, Bayard.