Why were you invited to this newsletter?   This is what all of us have in common.    In the early stages of the website some very interesting family history was included. It took us back to the early 1780's with Charles and Sarah Marshall, the parents of Mathew Marshall Ford who was Enslaved. It went on to tell us how Jane Ford a free woman married a slave and so Mathew took on her Surname. Jane and Mathew had 17 children. And finally, it explained our Early beginnings in what is known as Culpeper, Virginia. 

  You may not have been a history buff, but Culpeper was the sight of the most military battles in the Civil war.  Why is this important to Our family?  Jane and Mathew (a former slave) ran a commissary for the Union Army in the midst of the war.  Less than a mile away from the homestead was a military jail. 

  You have to ask yourself: What kind of People were Our Family!  Some of our new readers may still ask: Why  is Jane and Mathew important to us. Well Jane and Mathew fathered Richard Ford who married Sarah and had Mary T who in turn married Dock Stroud.  Well, hold on, Dock  and Mary had 5 daughters who eventually moved to Mount Vernon, N.Y and married into the Haden, Tucker, Michael,  Ford and Wyatt Family.  Need I say more?

The 143rd Edition

Peace, love, continued Blessings and Healing,' 

 It comes as no surprise that the month of May not only brings flowers but with it comes a surge of emotions.  It's that time of the year when the flood gates open when we think of our mothers, Grandmothers and Mother images.  I cannot take the sting away the emotions that arise from having a mother who has made her transition, I can't  even put in perspective the hole left in your hearts. I can say we would knew we wouldn't have forever.  So today grant yourself grace and shed your tears in remembrance and than turn to mirror and acknowledge how proud your Mom's would be of the person you've become.

     Take a moment and be thankful for the many unsung sacrifices your mother made. But even more importantly the lessons she taught you about love, strength, and Family values.  For those of you who still have your Mother's, be kind and Bless them with your love.

 Here's a word from a new member of the Matriarch lineage.  Welcome Cousin Mary Royster Harris who will turn 75 on May 21st.   Mary is the daughter of the late Walter and Helen Haden Royster.  She is the Granddaughter of the late Lloyd Sr. and Janie Stroud Haden. Much love and happiness to you Mary.

The messages in this news letter are to offer hope, encouragement  and acknowledgement.  So I trust you will reach out to one another and share your victories, desires and needs.  We can only hope you will find this newsletter worthy of your time and take a moment to read and share your news with us.  Please send any thoughts, messages or history to fullergail@hotmail.com or give me a call at 646 8515247; I'll answer. 

Prayer Warriors:   Please keep our Elders names lifted  in constant Prayer.  Our Elder Cousin Jean Tucker Grant 98 has been under the weather lately.  Our Elder Cousin Elizabeth "Betty" Tucker Scotland just celebrated he 87th birthday on April 22  and Our Elder Dr Gloria LeCompte mother of Lisa Michael Semere and Tammie Michael.

Wider Horizon Book Club

We encourage you to join us on the last Saturday of each month to discuss our book choice or be a part of ongoing circle of friends. 

May's  book will be "While Justice Sleeps" .   by Stacey Abrams. So join us at our virtual book Club meeting.  The date May 27th  at 4:00 EST

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82796419692

Passcode: HORIZONS

To join our monthly Book club visit us at: https://bookclubs.com/clubs/27950/join/6352f4/

Stop in and see what this group is all about. Bring your glass. We believe you will be pleasantly surprised and drawn into joining us again. All ages are welcome to join us.

Good News:

Coming in tied for first all around in the Virginia State Gymnastics Championship is Nevaeh Booker!! Let's give a loud and Proud Shout out to the Glamdaughter of Brenda Booker Smith, Daughter of Clarabell Booker. and Great Grand of the late Jesse Booker

You didn't hear it from me, but California  will be bringing forth a new member to the Tucker Line. Correct me if I'm wrong but Cousin Nick and Katlyn Tucker are the expectant parents.  Our Gerber baby Kenzo who just turned 3 is going to be a big brother! If I'm wrong, it s time to work on it.

Janelle Tucker of New York  and her Dream team continue win competition after competition.  Congratulations on your latest achievement. Janelle is the daughter of Charles E and Shaneyle Tucker.

  Happy Birthday to All of the May babies.  May each day bring  you Blessings in Abundance.

We are telling and inviting you now,  to join us Sept 21st in Las Vegas Nevada, for our families participation in Relay For Life.  Sister's from the Heart with Royster Family and Friends will gather to celebrate their National Win has Fundraisers for the American Cancer Society.  Put it on your calendar, ask questions and roll up your pennies so you can roll up on Us for Relay For Life in Southern Nevada. You may reach out to Mary Harris or Michele Harris Dixon at mharrism@msn.com  

  2024 Eclipse Contributed by Chela Sanchez Haden

North America was in the path of another total solar eclipse! Totality passed over parts of Mexico and Canada – giving people all over North America another chance to experience this incredible celestial event. 

The line of totality — or where there will be complete sun coverage — spanned 15 states. 

The Haden’s of Pittsburgh, PA were among the millions who paused on April 8th to able to witness one of the most anticipated celestial events of the year.

Miss the big show? 

According to NASA, the next solar eclipse will viewable from the contiguous U.S. will be on August 23, 2044.

Family gather for Memorial Services in Rhode Island for Jamal Miles Boone

On his birthday family and friends gathered to bid farewell to Jamal Boone who made his transition on Oct 3rd  in Los Angeles California.  His wife of 23 years lynn Branco Boone and mother Theresa Haden Boone along with his sister Jasmine Jennings and Rhassan Boone gathered in Rhode Island to re

Our History  

There are so many lessons in this history, I can't let you miss them.  Number 1 if your schools do not teach Cursive writing they are robbing your children of the ability to read for themselves how history actually played out.  Number 2, todays children have 100 times more resources than our ancestors had, so there's no reason they can't succeed. Number 3, fear didn't stop us in the past it shouldn't stop your struggle now.  And finally:  You Are Somebody and don't you forget it!  

The Stroud name came from...  Last month we shared the results of what collaborating family Genealogist have proven through DNA connections.  A few years ago we shared with you the story of Berry  O'kelly, who was the founder of the first African American school in Method, North Carolina and a Civil rights activist.  'Berry's mother was Precious  Frances Stroud.  This story and many others have been verified by present day DNA matches.

   So the Stroud name is derived from the enslaver Bryant Strowd a white land owner in North Carolina and Tennessee. One of the earliest Stroud's whose existence is documented was Ned " Edward" Stroud b. March 1819 near Cross White, Orange County North Carolina and died Feb.10,1915 in Mebane, Orange County, North Carolina. Ned "Edward" Stroud fathered 21 children and was the son of  Lasley "Leslie" and Vina Stroud Lord.  Ned, was the grandfather, great grandfather and great great grandfather of one hundred and fourteen children 

Ned had 10 known brothers and sisters.  Edward "Ned" Stroud was the brother of our 2nd Great Grandfather David "Doc" Stroud.  David is the father of our own Benjamin "Dock" Stroud, who was the husband of our Mary T Ford

     Edward "Ned" Stroud  was listed in the will of the white enslaver Bryant Strowd a North Carolina and Tennessee landowner..  Ned was willed to Bryant Strowds children upon his death  in 1857.  Bryant Stroud enslaver of  Edward "Ned " Stroud died and left the following will that reads in part: It is my will and desire that all my just debts be first paid. My will and desire is that at the decreat that all my first lot of Negroes; Virginia, Sam, Ned Dave and Jimmy. They and their children Cornelia, Avis and Harriet and Elizas and little girl. Mariah and all there increase to be equally divided by lot or sale between my six oldest children or their representation                                                                                                             

     Ned's story is a thriller from beginning to end. Ned lived to serve as a witness against the KKK.  If that weren't enough he testified against the Governor of North Carolina as he was a member of the KKK,  Ned had two noted experiences with the KKK. the first being when 16 men in hoods  came to his house and dragged him and his sons out.  They threaten to hang  his sons . They made Ned hug a tree and they beat him with a whip 25 times. They than threatened they would return kill and burn his house down. The second incident occurred in 1871 when Ned had just  moved into his home two weeks earlier. Again Ned and his children were threatened with hanging. Ned's encounter was recorded in the newspaper .

      Our ancestor Edward Ned Stroud was beaten and threaten yet he lived to tell his story.  Ned' s final act of courage was his testimony against the Governor of North Carolina.   Which ended in the impeachment of than Gov. William W Holden.

Testimony in the Impeachment of Gov. William Woods Holden

02 March 1871 • Raleigh, North Carolina  Raleigh Daily Telegram March 3,1871 Page2

  Page 2 Ned Stroud and the KKK #2

Ned Stroud testified to his experience with the KKK in the impeachment trial of Gov. William W. Holden.

 He was the 2nd American Governor to be impeached, and the first to be removed from office. Throughout the 1840s and 1850s, Holden advocated for Southern rights to expand slavery and sometimes supported the right of secession, but by 1860 he had shifted his position to support the Union.^[4] Holden and his newspaper fell out of favor with the state Democratic Party, and he was removed as the state's printer when he editorialized against secession in 1860.^[6]: 123 The main charges against Holden were related to the rough treatment and arrests of North Carolina citizens by state militia officer Colonel George W. Kirk during the enforcement of Reconstruction civil rights legislation. Holden had formed the state militia to respond to the assassination of Republican senator John W. Stephens on May 21, 1870

Holden was the first governor in American history to be impeached, convicted, and removed from office.

Edward "Ned" Stroud a man of Strength, integrity and fearlessness.