Now I have said many things here but have not introduced the name of the
gentleman in this Subject. My first choice in love and marriage is the
name
following.
Jacob Walker Harris, Son of the late Rev. James and Henrietta Dent Harris, following, on Thursday night, July 5th 1883, Jacob and Elizabeth were happily united in marriage at the Church of the Good Shepherd, Walton Way, Augusta Ga., (The Hill) The Rev. Wm. B. Walker, officialing.
Miss Helen Connley (Dickey) presided at the organ, playing "Mendlessohn's Wedding March," while the late Dr. Edwd. Barry and Mr. Paul Langdon, acted as ushers.
I was led to the marriage alter and given in marriage, by my very dear old
Grandfather, Peter Stewart, who was Sexton of above named Church, at the
time,
and for fourteen years in all. My only Brides-maid was Mrs. Emma Jones
(Williams)
of Augusta also. My wedding veil and wreath, was attached and placed in
Virginia
Style, by Mrs. Mary Owens, (Mother of Stuard B. Owens) assisted by Miss
Mary
C. Cuthbert, (white). The Church was filled to its capacity by colored
and
white Friends,
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And the Episcopal matrimony was
carried out in full. I still attended the Good Shepherd Sunday School for
three years after I was married making it a total of fifteen years as a Scholar
in this Sunday School during the time of which Rev. E. Gilbert was Rector
of the Church, and Dr. Edwd. Barry, was Supt. of the colored Sunday-School
Dept.
For three and one half years after marriage, I or we, lived happily with
the old folks, at their own home from where we were married. Our family
had there increased, with the addition of two little boys and one girl. At
this time we decided to go out House-keeping. So we moved Just one block
from the old house. The old folks were always kind, interested, and
helpful to us in every way, and we managed to see one another every day,
as we were not far apart. My first and eldest boy was named Peter James
[ illegible text crossed out ] for my Grandfather and his Father's
Father--Our
first and eldest girl was named Mattie Louise, for my mother, and
Grandmother. There were nine children added to our family. Six boys and
three
girls. Peter James (June 3rd 84), Charles Jacob (July 2nd 85), Mattie
Louise
(Sept 86), Thomas Owens (July 8th 88), Edwin Houston (Dec. 22 90), Jacob
Walker (Jr) (Mch 92) Fannie Drayton (May 94), Lamar
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Anderson (Nov 11th 1903),
Emma Lou
Ceilia Born Dec 4th 1905. [ in margins: 1905] We were unfortunate
to lose two of the boys.
Jacob Jr, born dead, and Lamar Anderson, died at the age of two years and
two months - These being survived by four brothers and three sisters.
These
seven children surviving were all sent to school at the proper age, and
all remained
in school going through a few grades, but seemingly disinterested and
preferring an
early start out for work. Four dropped off from school to my regret. I am
proud to say that Charles Jacob was interested and determined so that he
went thro and graduated from the normal course of Paine College in 1904,
and also studied from one to two years at Atlanta University, keeping up
with his music until he finished at the New England Conservatory in Boston
Mass. Fannie Drayton finished from the graded school on thro grammar up to
second year of normal at Paine College, including a little music with home
teaching and Prof. C.U. Dryscoll. Emma Lou Celia is in school at the
present. [in margins: Oct. 1923]. Second year
at Haines school keeping in touch with music also. With the little
knowledge
of music on my part I attempted with interest
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and deepest anxieties to give each
child of mine a start in music at the age of seven years - But only three
were interested, Charles, Fannie and Emma L.C., They all seemed to have
good
voices for singing but Careless in practice for same, except Emma Lou
Ceilia.
I deeply regret that the others grew careless in regards to school music
ect. - I believe that Thomas Owen would have made a good scholar, and he
possesses a fair voice for Baritone, but he has always wanted and prepared
to start out early and make his own dollars.
Peter James, and Edwin Houston have splendid voices for tenor, Mattie
Louise,
for soprano and alto, Chas. Jacob, second tenor, Fannie Drayton soprano or
alto, Emma Lou Celia Soprano or coutralto. With practice and cultivation
they
might do well But Charles and Emma are the only two with continuous signs
of
interest. Fannie yet plays, but never taking the time or as much interest
as Charles and Emma L.C. I also gave my youngest brother Thomas a start in
music when he was a little boy, proud to say he displayed his interest
kept up his practice and now excels his sister
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by far. He is now a man with a small family, a daily laborer making his home
in the east in the past twenty years, but he manages to keep in practice
with his music.
My girls and boys are all willing and honest workers, which is not a disgraceful
move for poor persons, but I would feel so proud if they had only finished
or gone higher in school. Anyway I have seen and marked the results from
the interest manifested by Charles, and at the present I am looking and hoping
for a bright future for Emma if she willingly continues with the present
interest and determination. After Chas. had completed the normal course at
Paine and studying two years at he A.U. at the time taking music
instructions
first at his home here from his mother, and Prof. C.A. Dryscoll, and from
Prof. Work of Fiske, during his
stay in Atlanta [in margins: 1905] He taught several persons
at his time here
before going to Atlanta. And while there he taught a good many, gave his
service in music at the various churches, regular Butler St. and Holsey's
Chapel.
Appeared in concert at Wheat St. Friendship and others, making himself
somewhat popular in the community of the city complete.
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