Hickman Family History

Dear family:

Well, I guess it is time to talk about the Hickman side of the family. When I started this research, the only information I had was the name of Rev. Abraham Lincoln Hickman and George Ann Brown Hickman (this is the Brown side of our family. George Ann was ½ Indian) (We all have Hickman and Brown blood, except for Sheila who is only related to us via the Brown blood) and Lee Hickman was Abraham’s father.

Very generic information, but enough for me to find census records.

I first found the 1930 census record of Rev. Abraham L. Hickman and his wife George Ann Hickman living in the city of Macon, Noxubee County, Mississippi. Rev. Hickman was the pastor of the Life Boat Methodist Church, now called the St. Peter United Methodist Church in Aberdeen, Mississippi. In 1930, Rev. Hickman w as 39 years old and Mrs. Hickman was 38 years old. Both were my great grandparents. The following kids were living in the household:

1) Mardia J. Hickman – 18 years old
2) Eula J. Hickman (my grandmother) – 15 years old
3) Mary Hickman – 13 years old
4) Grazila Hickman – 11 years old
5) Harding C. Hickman – 9 years old

I knew Rev. Hickman father’s name was Lee Hickman. After reviewing numerous census records, I found Lee Hickman. Not only did I find Lee Hickman (my great-great grandfather), I found his only brother Ben Hickman. Yet, an even bigger surprise is that I found their mother, Emaline Hickman (she was my great-great-great grandmother). As far as I know, I am the first family member to find Lee and Ben’s mother. The information on Lee and Ben is correct and verified. I used an 1880 census record to obtain this information! Emaline was 35 years old (born in 1845 as a slave) and worked for a white family called the Yarboughs (husband, wife and 7 kids) as a servant. Lee was 10 and Ben 4 years old and no male lived with them. They lived in the city of Platt sburg, Winston County, Mississippi. I guess I have to do more research to find out who was Emaline’s husband. I did find out this week that Lee Hickman wife’s name was Sophia. I have to do research on her for our family.

I could not find any more information on Emaline or Lee Hickman on any other census record, but I was able to find additional information on Ben Hickman (my great-great uncle). I found information on him in the 1910 and 1920 census. He was living in Louisville, Winston County, Mississippi. (this information was verified) His wife was Martha Hickman and they had the following kids living with them:

1) Pearl Hickman
2) Nannie M. Hickman
3) Gertie L. Hickman
4) Sallie Hickman
5) Tommie L. Hickman
6) Lon Hickman
7) Smith Hickman
8) John Hickman
9) Addie M. Hickman
10) Earnest Hickman
11) Roberta Hickman

12) Early Hickman
13) Bob Hickman
14) Mattie Bell Hickman

My entire research on our family and everyone we know is a direct descendant of Lee Hickman.

Here is my amazing family find! I am in touch with (1) descendant of Ben Hickman! Willie “Pearl” Washington who lives in St. Louis, MO. Actually, Ida “Dollbaby" Roy knew she was alive and had her phone number. I called her and had a wonderful conversation about the Ben Hickman side of the family. Her mother was Roberta Hickman (see above), daughter of Ben Hickman. She confirmed most of her mother’s brothers and sister and will be getting me all the information she has on living and deceased Ben Hickman family members. Is this information exciting or what?

Below you will find our oldest family members. Because there was no census record on slaves prior to 1870, the research gets 10 times more difficult, which means it might be months before I find any additional information beyond these relatives. I still have not found the plantation for the Hickmans or Browns or the tribe/reservation for Mollie Baxter Brown.

Please wish me must luck in my research!

1845 Emaline Hickman, a slave (oldest known Hickman)
1830 Charlott Brown, a slave (oldest known Brown)
1860 Mollie Brown, an Indian

Now, given the research I have provided you on the Hickman and Brown lineage, I highly recommend that we now call the family reunion the Hickman-Brown Family Reunion. Please let me know if you agree. Keep in mind, we are all descendants of one or the other or both Abraham Lincoln Hickman and Georgia Ann Brown. Plus I discussed this with Dollbaby and she agreed that it should be called the Hickman-Brown Family Reunion to capture all our family members.