henry tab billingsley
1862-bef. 1910
Life Story
Early Life and Origins
Henry Tab Billingsley was born in December 1862 in Alabama, during the turbulent years of the American Civil War. Although the specific names of his parents have not yet been identified in surviving records, census information indicates that his father was born in Virginia and his mother in South Carolina, suggesting roots that stretched across several Southern states.
These origins reflect the broader migration patterns of many African American families in the nineteenth century, who moved throughout the South following emancipation in search of stability and opportunity. Based on regional patterns and the prevalence of the surname, it is possible that Henry was connected to the established Billingsley families of Marion in Perry County, Alabama, though further documentation would be needed to confirm that connection.
Marriage and Family Beginnings
By the mid-1880s, Henry had moved west into Mississippi, likely seeking the opportunity to establish himself independently as a farmer.
In 1885, at the age of 22, he married Crossie Whitehead Barks (recorded in some records as Crossa). Their marriage marked the beginning of a large and growing household rooted in the rural communities of Newton County.
Henry possessed notable skills for a man of his time. Census records show that he was fully literate, able to read, write, and speak English. At a time when educational opportunities were often restricted for African Americans in the South, literacy was a significant advantage and likely helped him manage the responsibilities of farming and family life.
Life on the Farm in Newton County
By the turn of the twentieth century, the 1900 United States Census records Henry and Crossie living in Beat 4, Newton County, Mississippi.
Henry worked as a farmer, renting the land on which his family lived and worked. Farming required the labor of the entire household, and like many agricultural families, their livelihood followed the rhythms of the seasons. Census records indicate that Henry spent about three months of the year unemployed, likely during the winter months when crops were not being cultivated.
The Billingsley household was large and multigenerational. In 1900, the home included Henry and Crossie’s growing family as well as Crossie’s widowed mother, reflecting the strong extended family networks common in rural communities.
Household Composition
| Name | Relation | Age | Birth Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ta (Henry Tab) Billingsley | Head | 37 | Dec 1862 |
| Crossa Billingsley | Wife | 32 | May 1868 |
| Hoye Billingsley | Son | 14 | Aug 1885 |
| Henry Billingsley | Son | 9 | Nov 1890 |
| Della Billingsley | Daughter | 7 | May 1893 |
| Lella Billingsley | Daughter | 6 | Jun 1894 |
| Candacy Billingsley | Daughter | 3 | May 1897 |
| Dewitt Billingsley | Son | 1 | Mar 1899 |
| Manerva Barks | Mother-in-law | 58 | Oct 1841 |
This household illustrates the cooperative structure of rural life, where multiple generations often lived together and contributed to the survival of the family farm.
Legacy
Henry Tab Billingsley represents a generation of African American pioneers who built stable homes and communities in the decades following Emancipation. Through literacy, hard work, and family dedication, men like Henry helped anchor their families in the rural landscapes of Mississippi.
His legacy continued through his children, including his daughter Candacy Billingsley, who later carried the family line forward as Candacie Pace.
Through them, Henry’s lineage extended beyond the farms of Newton County, contributing to the enduring story of the families who shaped the Piney Woods region of Mississippi.
Resting Place
Unknown
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1900 Federal Census
- U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007
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