Shared by Karen Daniels
George Solomon, born in 1845, was a long time resident of the Bethel community. He married Lucinda Shumake on April 21, 1867. His first son with Lucinda, George Solomon Jr, was born in 1869.
Lucinda was married to George Solomon for 40 years before her death in 1885. In 1907 when George was 62 he married Lydia Ann Williamson. They continued to reside in Bethel. George’s children from both marriages: George Solomon Jr., John, Phalby, Wade, Kate B., Jarrom, Henry, Boney, Malora, Virtue, Sarah, Essie, Ira, Cora, Leonard and Willie.
George Solomon was the son of Zillie Ann, the mother of Jim Henderson, and another slave with the last name of Solomon. From notes by Lydia Ann’s son, Willie Solomon, we know that Lydia Ann was the daughter of Gracie Williamson, born October 1st, 1923. As reported by Willie Solomon, his grandmother, Gracie Williamson was a slave in Alabama when she was sold away from her children.
After she had been critically burned, she was returned to her former owner, where her children – including Lydia Ann- nursed her back to health. Gracie and her children came to Texas after emancipation and settled in the Bethel community where she is buried alongside Lydia Ann Solomon.
This information has been provided by Evelyn Henderson
Authored by Dr. Evelyn Henderson Lawson – the co-author of COLORED RIVER-The Untold Story of the Great Land Theft Conspiracy in Freestone County, Texas. You may purchase the book at: www.coloredriver.com
