Revisiting One More Days Journey: The Story of a Family and a People

I remember finding out One More Days Journey: The Story of a Family and a People, by Dr. Allen B. Ballard existed from a family reunion while I was living in Joliet, Illinois. I visited the library to discover they had the book that would lead me and my family to South Carolina.

I ordered my own copy. Being led to resources to document my ancestor and the sheer thrill of finding his name in the book has kept me from taking advantage of everything that is left to glean from the book. Namely, African American Philadelphia leaders, church and education and the link to South Carolina. Also, the book covers the history of South Carolina before the Civil War and during Reconstruction, and it goes through the important roles of the church and education in their lives.

This last week I decided to purchase a copy of the original book after telling Dr. Allen B. Ballard how appreciative I am for One More Days Journey: The Story of a Family and a People. I also decided to write about the book so you who have ancestry in particular from Abbeville or Greenwood County, SC could see that it will help you with understanding the area.

Here is an excerpt from the section on the oppression in Abbeville County, SC:

“Most of the men testifying at the federal hearing after the election were duly elected or appointed federal and state officials. Their crime was leading Black to claim their legal rights as citizens – and supporting the Republican party. Beverly Vance said, “I’d always taught the colored in my part of the county to stick to the Republican party, and stick to a solid ticket…and not to scratch their ticket for no man. One Black witness at the hearing declared that all the beatings had been “on account” of their political opinions,” page 142.

This is the place where I read an excerpt from South Carolina in 1876. I would see that book in the South Caroliniana Library in Columbia, SC where I would have to go to read the first SC Senate testimony of Beverly Vance (1832-1832). The bibliographies included in books can lead you to finding documentation on family.

From Slavery to the Bishopric in the A.M.E. Church and The Trouble They Seen: Black People Tell the Story of Reconstruction are the next two books I will try to find especially since they were referenced in the section were my great, great grandfather is quoted.

Sharpen the Saw

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