Why were you invited to this newsletter? Everybody comes from somebody! 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?
153rd Edition
Peace and Strength Family.
Black History Month came in with unexpected fire and fury. Imagine someone believing they could cancel our existence. Without knowing what was coming we forewarned the family, that the governing body was banning books, threatening to to dismantle the dept of Education and rewriting our role in history. But the powers to be thought they were going to " Cancel Black History"! Not on our watch .
Family, help me understand how anyone thinks they can erase our existence? Please, take ownership of the struggle our Ancestors went through, and how your existence bears witness to their victory . I don't need to tell you of the many situations where the playing field was not even yet we not only survived, but we Strived.
Family, let me remind you, we have played a vital role in the history of the world . Without our participation the many strides in the world would not have been made. Stand up and tell our stories ! "Be mindful when others tell our story, they make themselves the hero!
And now we enter March and so we will celebrate Women's History Month. Family you don't have to look far to find a woman in our family who deserves to be honored. The six Stroud women who moved from Culpeper, Virginia is a great place to start. The oldest and first to relocate was Janie Stroud Haden, (Lloyd) who raised their family of 8 children in Mount Vernon, N.Y. She was followed by her sister Helen Stroud Tucker (Harry) who also moved to Mount Vernon, NY. they raised a family of 10 children. The third sister Mary Russell Stroud moved to Washington, D C., where she worked as a seamstress . The fourth sister Julia Stroud Wyatt relocated from Virginia to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; where she raised one adopted son. There was Rachel Stroud Michael Stewart who came to Mount Vernon and lived in Manhattan , N.Y also. Rachel, was the mother of one child. And finally, Gustava Stroud Ford who came to Mount Vernon had two sons and moved back to Culpeper, Virginia.
All of these women are responsible for Our existence The Stroud sister's raised children who became doctors, lawyers. policemen, barbers, mechanics bus drivers and so much more. So for this Women's History month we celebrate our Maternal Ancestors. We celebrate their strength, their tenacity, and courage to branch out. We finally salute them for being the vessels by which we their legacy came into being.
Love your History more than you love your hair, your sneakers or your things.
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.
Please know we need your help in making this newsletter more significant to everyone. Send us your updates, let us know how we can support you, your businesses and your children
Good News
We celebrate Dr. Gloria B. LeCompe 80th birthday in Louisiana. Dr. LeCompe is the mother of Lisa Michael Semere and Tammie Lynn Michael. She was the daughter n law of the late Rachel Stroud Stewart. and William Michael. Dr. Gloria Marie LeCompe, received her Doctorate from Southern
University in 2016. Dr. Gloria Marie LeCompe has always promoted the educational well being of students as teacher and Administrator. Happy 80th Birthday
Happy 85th Birthday to Velma Stewart, mother to Vernay Royster, Sherry, Yvonne, and Larry, celebrated her 85th birthday the last weekend in February, surrounded by family and friends.
Velma Stewart, affectionately known as "Ma Stewart" to many, was the second youngest of nine children born to Hollie and Early Carr. She was born on February 23, 1940, in Smithfield, Texas (a farming community), and spent her formative years there. Family members say that as a child and young adult, she was stylish, quietly business-minded, and possessed a quiet strength. Though naturally shy, her keen sense of business and determination guided her success over the decades.
We celebrate and give thanks for this phenomenal woman whose love of style, business acumen, beautiful spirit, and kind and caring heart have touched and influenced the lives of many. A sharp dresser with an unmistakable elegance, she has always carried herself with grace and warmth. Surrounded by the love and beauty she has graciously shared over the past eight decades, Ma Stewart currently lives in Bonita, California, with her daughter Vernay and son-in-love Michael Royster.
Ma Stewart shares this wisdom: "Life is a journey, not a race—take it one day at a time."
A salute from Bridgewater, a member of the American Cancer Society:
"This week, in honor of Black Heritage Month and my continued Resistance to the anti-DEI movement within the US, I celebrate Mary Harris and Michelle Harris-Dixon. I have included my personal Blog on why I am celebrating them below."Prayer Warriors
A prayer goes out to our collective body. May each you find Peace and Strength during these troubling times. May each household have the supply needed to sustain themselves. May the Most High watch over each and everyone of us and allow no harm to enter our homes. Let us keep each other covered by our daily Prayers and for those who are traveling this month allow them safe departure and safe return.
Be mindful of our Elders for their role and station in life is oh so meaningful for this family.
Family, let's lift our Florida Cousin Darren Morefield up in your prayers. Pray for his healing, for strength and continued enlightenment.
Wider Horizon Book Club
The Wider Horizons Book Club hosted it's Awards Ceremony:
Black History Month is a month of reflection, celebration and remembrance. And this year, the Wider Horizon Book Club introduced the "Black History Maker " Award and presented it to two very deserving people~ Jasmine Jennings and Lawrence Kershaw.
A "Black History Maker is someone whose acts, ideas and/or existence positively changed lives. People who make a significant and lasting impact on the culture and the community. A person who does something important that has never been done before. Or, even a person whose acts and/or actions affect the lives of others in such a way that it will be remembered~ an indelible Legacy
LAWRENCE KERSHAW son of the Late Leo Kershaw and Victoria Grant Kershaw. Grandson of the late Jean Tucker Grant and Joseph Grant. Our very first "Black History Maker" Award recipient is Lawrence Kershaw.
A little about Lawrence who is also known as "Beau" to family and "Larry" to colleagues' and friends. For many years Lawrence worked at Matthew Patterson Elementary School in Carmel, New York. He was responsible for the maintenance and upkeep at the school.
But, during that time Larry did something else which has earned him a place in history. Larry had a loving and caring relationship with all the children who attended Mathew Patterson Elementary School throughout the years. Always with a smile and kind words he inspired, challenged, encouraged, comforted and patiently talked to and listened to the children.
Larry retired December 2024 and the Carmel School district, in recognition of Larry's caring spirit and commitment to the betterment of all children, remodeled the school library and renamed it "Larry's Place".
The 2025 Wider Horizon Bookclub "Black History Maker" Award is being presented to Lawrence (Beau) Kershaw for; Making a significant and lasting impact on the minds and hearts of our future leaders and receiving the distinct honor of having a Library remodeled and renamed "Larry's Place".
JASMINE JENNINGS is the 2nd recipient of the Black History Makers Award. Jasmine is the daughter of Wilbur Jennings and Teresa Haden Boone. Jasmine is the granddaughter of the Late Clarence Stroud Haden and the late Barbara Glover Haden
Jasmine is being recognized for opening doors, leading by example, being an entrepreneur and her exemplary performance in track and field.
Jasmin attended Warwick Veterans High School in Warwick, Rhode Island where she was well known for her athletic ability and record setting performance. She continued her education at the University of Rhode Island where she earned the distinction of being the first Women's Track and Field All American in Rhode Island History. and setting a record Hammer Throw of 206+ feet. A record which to this day has NOT been broken!
Following graduation, from 2010 to 2013, Jasmine was a Team Manager at the University of Texas in Austin where she coached, trained and inspired other athletes.
She is owner of "Arnaz BBQ, Seafood & More". Arnaz means "purely grateful" -- and that is the type of service she provides. Starting in her own kitchen, than a food truck, Jazz is serving up healthy portions of good food, humor and love at her newly acquired brick and mortar location in Brenham, Texas.
Jasmine is also co- founder and owner of " I am Wo Shi" -- a rising global apparel company. They produce a clothing line of hats, t-shirts and sneakers for historically Black Colleges and Universities and others. "Wo Shi" means "I Am".
In recognition of all of Jasmine Jennings accomplishments and achievements, The 2025 Wider Horizons Bookclub's " Black Histoy Maker" Award is being presented to Jasmin Jennings for:
- Walking a path less traveled by others and through her actions helped to remove barriers for others to follow. AND
-Being the first African American women to win a national championship for the state of Rhode Island and being inducted Feb. 8th into the University of Rhode Island's Athletic Hall of Fame.
Wider Horizons Book Club
Come join our Virtual Book Club. It is fun and stimulating,
All are invited and welcomed to attend the virtual Book club on Saturday March 28th at 4pm est The book club will be reading: The Exchange by John Grisham
Just click the link
