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We can comprehend the birth of our honored ancestor John Poole, who was the product of a union between slave Jennie and James W.T. Poole, plantation owner. Given this start, we all hoped to know that Jennie and John went on to have full and productive lives. We now understand Jennie had a husband/companion, Stephen Poole, also a slave on the Poole plantation, and they began a family in 1848 that brought forth five children. John Poole had siblings to share his life, and we can follow ancestry records that find our family living side-by-side in Alabama over the generations.

A Poole Ancestry History Document July, 2013

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There is so much more of the Poole history to be told… It is truly a story of close family unions, with ancestors living together inside the structure and confines of slavery, segregation, emancipation – and throughout many generations. One of the burning desires of Poole Ancestry has been to uncover the roots of Jennie Poole, and follow the trail backwards in history to the origins of our African bloodline. We have made a great deal of progress, yet have been unable to locate more ancestry records for Jennie that will reel us back further than her birth year, 1825, which is documented through her official death certificate. In May, 2013, Cousin Delbert E. Poole, Sr. joined the 23andMe Genealogy database and catapulted the family’s progress and knowledge of our genetic origins by performing the Y-DNA Paternal test. This resulted in a genotyping analysis for the Poole family of: 72.1% Sub-Saharan-African, 26.5% European, 0.2% East Asian and Native American and 1.2% Unassigned. Through Delbert’s memberships and affiliations with the 23andMe and Ancestry.com databases, he continues to communicate and obtain messages and invitations to further research the possibilities of more family links and relationships. In July, 2013, Delbert received an inquiry on Ancestry.com that provided a connection to a distant cousin in Alabama – one with profound ancestry records that inspire and support our family bond, giving insight to a rich family network. We are thankful to our cousin, Tara, for reaching out to gather data and generously sharing her vast knowledge and research of Poole’s and Alabama history. Tara is the great-great-granddaughter of Sarah (Poole) Goodman Arrington. We previously understood that John Poole was the product of a union between slave Jennie and James W.T. Poole, plantation owner. Given this start, we all hoped to know that Jennie and John went on to have full and productive lives among loving family members and community. We now know Jennie had a husband/companion, Stephen Poole, who was also a slave on the Poole plantation, and they began a family in 1848 that brought forth five children. At last, we discover John Poole had siblings to share his life, and we can follow ancestry records that find our family living side-by-side in Alabama over the generations. So, the history is being arranged in a chronological timeline to give the greatest understanding of circumstances and events. As with all public ancestry records, we accept the reality that there are inconsistencies on the forms, and many of the family names, ages and relationships are skewed from the facts we already know.

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1839 James W.T. Poole, Plantation owner and slave master: We have pondered why James W.T. Poole remained a bachelor until age 28. Traditionally, the interferences that keep a young man single are: a demanding career, the pursuit of education, a desire to travel, a military career, or prison. We found no records that he engaged in any of these pursuits. We believe the keenest interest for James W.T. Poole may have been to satisfy his ambition for Southern prominence through the lucrative business of land ownership, farming, agricultural commerce and the free labor of slavery. James W.T. Poole was the eldest son, born and raised in Spartanburg, South Carolina, where the census records of the 1800’s provide only household population information, and don’t lend insight about the land wealth and slave holdings of his family. James W.T. Poole may have lingered among his family, attending to their holdings and security, while at the same time, establishing himself with property in Alabama. James W.T. Poole (age 28) and Mary Margaret Carpenter (age unknown), wed in 1839, in Montgomery, Alabama.

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1840 James W.T. Poole was recorded in Montgomery, Alabama as an early land owner on the 1840 census.

1844 It is believed after five years of marriage, and while living on the Poole plantation in Montgomery, Alabama, Mary Margaret Carpenter Poole died in 1844. James W.T. Poole has fathered John Poole, born in 1844, from his union with Jennie “Carpenter” Poole, former slave to his wife, Mary Margaret Carpenter. Jennie “Carpenter” Poole and John Poole remained living on the Poole Plantation in Alabama. A short time after John’s birth, Jennie and a plantation slave, Stephen Poole, create a union and Jennie bears five children: Mary Poole (born abt. 1848); Lucy Poole (born abt. 1852); Sarah Poole (born abt. 1855); possible twin sister, Maria Poole (born abt. 1855) and George Poole (born abt. 1859). 1850 James W.T. Poole, now a widower, increases the wealth and holdings of his plantation and farmland, and the Slave Schedule records him with 23 slaves. It was said that James W.T. Poole loved his son John Poole, and they had a family relationship on the plantation that led them into farming the land together. John eventually received a land gift from his father.

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1860 James W.T. Poole remains a widower for 16 years, and at the age of 49, he marries Sarah Ann “Sally” Lassiter (age 18), in 1860.

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The 1860 Productions in Agriculture is a record for farm operations in the area with James W.T. Poole. The numbers indicate he is an aggressive and productive farmer. The value of his land is moderate in comparison to some of his established neighbors, yet he exceeds them all in the areas of; Value of Livestock and Production of Indian Corn.

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1860 Census James W.T. Poole has further increased the wealth and holdings of his plantation and farmland. In 1860, the Farm Value is a moderate $1,000.00 compared to the Value of Assets at a massive amount of $35,000.00.

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1861 In 1861, James W.T. Poole is a loyal Confederate who has enlisted as a private in the Civil War at age 50.

This same year of 1861, the first son was born to James W.T. Poole in his union with Sarah Ann “Sally” Lassiter. James W.T. Poole has built a thriving farming enterprise, and naturally wishes to protect his interests through the ravages of the Civil War. He stays close to Montgomery during the war years, and the remaining four children are born between the years of 1862 through 1868. 1870 The 1870 censuses below show three Poole household’s living and farming side-by-side: James W.T. and Sarah Ann “Sally” Poole and family Stephen and Jennie Poole and family John and Mary Poole and family

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1880 The four 1880 censuses below show Jennie (Carpenter) Poole and her children farming in Alabama: Stephen and Jennie Poole and family (Son) John and Mary Poole and family Beverly and (Dtr.) Sarah (Poole) Goodman and family (Son) George and Gatsey Poole and family

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1880 Productions of Agriculture Form James W.T. Poole and John Poole farmed their land together. The information found on the 1880 Productions of Agriculture shows us that John Poole is now an experienced farmer and a stake holder in Alabama farming, along with his father. Below, see the vast difference in land holdings and assets, yet John Poole was holding his own and would farm the land into his 60’s. James W.T. Poole: Land Owner; Tilled, 20 acres; Woodland and Forest, 800 acres; Other unimproved, 100 acres; Value of farm, $4,000.00; Value of Implements and machinery, $20.00; Value of Livestock, $400.00; Farm Labor hiring, $50.00; Value of farm products for prior year, $20.00; Acreage mown for prior year, 1,550; mules and asses, 6; oxen 3; other 4; calves, 4; cattle purchased 5; slaughtered 9; cheese made, 180; sheep/lambs purchased, 12; sheep/lambs killed by dogs, 1; died of stress or weather, 1; poultry in barnyard, 30; other poultry, 20; egg production, 20; barley acres, 200; oats crop, 124; rye acres, 600; flax seed 13; straw 5; Irish potatoes 30; Sweet potatoes, 100 John Poole: Rents for shares of products; Tilled, 25 acres; Value of farm, $150.00; Value of Implements and machinery, $5.00; Value of Livestock, $100.00; Farm Labor hiring, $50.00; Value of farm products for prior year, $25.00; Acreage mown for prior year, 400; oxen 1; milk, butter or cheese sold, 1; poultry in barnyard, 25; other poultry, 17; barley acres, 50; oats crop 13; rye acres, 350; flax seed, 10; straw 5

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1880 James W.T. Poole died in this year. John Poole received his land inheritance and does not appear on a census for thirty years, from 1880 until 1910. During that time, his wife, Mary (Porter) Poole has died in 1890. When John is found on the 1910 census, he has remarried to Fannie. 1900 Jennie (Carpenter) Poole is living alone as a widow, and three of her five children are still living.

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1910 The following two censuses for decade 1910 are a JOY! The documents are packed full of familiar names... a wonderful assortment of our folks living in close proximity in houses and bungalows. John Poole (age 65) and wife Fannie (age 67), with Arrington grandson (Son) James (age 21) and wife, Laura Poole (Son) Chester (age 22) and wife, Essie Poole (Nephew) Rix Arrington, Jr. (In-laws) Arrington households

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1920 Census Again, the 1920 document is packed full of familiar names... an assortment of our folks living in close proximity in houses and bungalows. John Poole (age 75) and wife Fannie Poole (age 83) (Mother) Jennie Poole (age 90) (Mother-in-law from 1st wife Mary Porter) Lucy Porter (age 70) (Son) Isaiah Poole (age 46) with wife Julia and family - including step-children Arrington's (Nephew) Chambers (In-laws) More Arrington’s (Relatives) More Poole’s

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1926 Death Index, John Poole

JOHN POOLE The death index for John Poole verifies the name of his parents, James (W.T.) Poole and Jennie (Carpenter) Poole.

John Poole had relocated from Montgomery and for three years prior to his death, lived at 1508 50th St. North, Birmingham, AL. He was widowed at the time of his death, outlasting his second wife, Fannie. His burial was handled by undertaker, Davenport & Harris. Davenport and Harris Funeral Home Incorporated, and at present, we have no record of the cemetery where he is buried.

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1944 Death Index, Sarah Poole Goodman Arrington

The death index for Sarah (Poole) Goodman Arrington verifies the name of her parents, Stephen Poole and Jennie (Carpenter) Poole.

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After reviewing this document, we hope you will be motivated to dig a little and help collect historical and ancestral information. Maybe you have items of interest or photos you have never thought about or know others who do. Let this be a commitment to record and document the continuing journey our forefathers began. Please contact us by e-mail, phone, Poole Ancestry site, or mail. We will record or copy the information, photos, or stories you may have, no matter how small or insignificant you may think it is. We are fortunate to have so much technology available that makes communication simple and easy.

POOLE ANCESTRY: Site Administrators: www.facebook.com/poole.ancestry Delbert E. Poole, Sr. Pamala (Poole) Springs POOLE FAMILY ANCESTRY: 1317 Finch Ave. 4101 Dublin Blvd. F202 www.facebook.com/pages/Poole-Family-Ancestry Tulare, CA 93274 Dublin, CA 94568 EMAIL: (559) 688-5555 pooleancestry@hotmail.com pooleancestry@hotmail.com themastersarge@comcast.net