|
The African American Cabanisses
Since I put my Cabaniss genealogy on the world wide web, I've
been contacted by several African Americans with the Cabaniss
(Caviness, etc.) surname. I assumed these to be descendants of
slaves freed at the end of the Civil War that had used their
former owners' surname as theirs. I doubt this was out of respect
or fondness for the owner, but simply a matter of expediency
in order to be known by a surname, theirs having been striped
away by enslavement. While some emancipated slaves may have taken
their Cabaniss surname from their owners, I've learned that there's
probably a blood relationship that ties some Black Cabanisses
to White Cabanisses.
Charles MacGhee Cabaniss
I want others to know of the genealogy
that Charles Cabaniss (ccabaniss@verizonmail.com)
has begun to piece together. Charles, a person of color, is a
native of Washington, D.C. His genealogy details the successes
of the descendants of Isaac Cabaniss and his wife, Rose. (Issac
is thought to have bought the freedom Rose in about 1857.)
Charles' web site (complete with
photos) is here.
Check it out. Charles paints a portrait of his genealogy in a
most compelling manner. As I read, I was completely drawn in
by his command of the written word. I felt as though the family
had dropped by for a short visit and they left me wanting to
know more. (Charles, I'm looking forward to chapter two.)
Sidney C. Snead
In September, 1998, I read Sidney
C. Snead's fascinating posting in the Caviness
forum in genforum. Sidney traces his Caviness line back to
Henri Cabaniss through Henri's son, Henry Cavinis. Sidney states
his Caviness line as follows:
Henri & Marie Cabaniss
Henry & Jane ALLEN Cavinis
John Cuit & Susannah (Sallie) SOLOMON Caviness
Mariah Caviness (not married)
Winsey Caviness (not married)
Ann CAVINESS & Aaron Maness
The heart of Sidney's story
is to be found in Winsey Caviness. The nature of Winsey Caviness'
abolitionist actions is sure to surprise you, just as it did
me; her approach was totally unique.
Sidney has posted the story (with
photos) on a web page, (http://hometown.aol.com/MasSnead2/family3.htm).
Visit the page and learn of this woman's courage. And, learn
something of slavery.
For additional information on the
John Cuit Caviness and Sallie Solomon family, see page 68 of
Mrs. Alloa Caviness Anderson's book, Henry Cavinis, The Immigrant
Infant and Some of His Descendants.
An Entire Cabiness Family Killed
That's correct, on June 1, 1918, in Walker
County, Texas, a seven member family of Black Cabinesses was
killed. Click here to read
the newspaper accounts of the killings and download a pdf file
with additional information about Black Cabinesses in Walker
County.
Are you an African American of Cabaniss descendant? If so,
please contact me (numbers@satx.rr.com);
I'd like to know more.
|