Harry Edings

Quick Facts

Significance:

Alabama Homesteader

Place of Birth:

Alabama

Date of Birth:

April 2, 1845

Place of Death:

April 29, 1921

Throughout this story, various spellings of Edings, Eddings, Eddins, or Edins are used based on the source from which the information was taken. All sources have been confirmed to support this story. 

Harry Edings was born in 1845 in Alabama. Harry married Amanda Graves on November 25, 1869, in Pike County recorded in County Marriage Records by James M. Saunders, J. P.

Harry Eddings and his family made their way to Coffee County and on December 19, 1885, he filed his Homestead Application No. 17698. He swore that he was a native-born citizen of the U.S. and the head of his family. He also confirmed that he intended to settle and cultivate the land for him and his family’s benefit. He acknowledged that he had never made any other homestead entry. Harry could not read or write, so he confirmed the application information by providing his mark of an “X”. The application was signed by Thomas J. Scott, Land Office Register.

On the same date, at the Receiver’s Office, Harry submitted the application for Surveyed Lands on which his property, containing 159.60 acres, was described as being the Southeast quarter, the Southwest quarter Section 14, North half northwest quarter, Southwest quarter northwest quarter of section 23 in Township 3 North of Range 20 East . He paid a $14 filing fee which was acknowledged by William C. Jordan, Receiver.

A public notice for Harry Eddings’ homestead entry was posted from October 7, 1891, to November 8, 1891 in the local newspaper, the Geneva Record. Witnesses who could prove that he maintained continuous residence and cultivated the land were included in the posting. The witnesses’ names were John Phillips, George Harper, Allen Henderson and Crowell Berry all of Leverett, Alabama.

Harry’s claimant statement indicated that he was 47 years old and born in Alabama. The initial house was built around January 10, 1886, and actual residence was established on or about June 15, 1886 with his wife and their 7 children. Harry signed his claimant statement with his mark of “X” on December 23, 1891. It was also signed by W. M. Hawkins, Circuit Court Clerk.

The improvements to the land were described as four dwellings, including a small house, one crib, and one cotton house. There were about 35 acres of cleared land and the value of improvements was $300. The family lived continuously in the residence, and they had never been absent from the homestead since making the settlement on June 15, 1886. 

Harry and his family proceeded to make improvements to their homestead and harvested five seasons of crops on about 25 acres each year. Witness statements were provided by John Phillips, age 54 and Crowell Berry, age 32 on December 23, 1891. Both Phillips and Berry were also Black Homesteaders. Both witnesses confirmed the information provided by Harry Eddings and signed their statements with their “X” marks. 

On June 4, 1892, Harry Edings appeared before Circuit Court Clerk, W. M. Hawkins. He was deposed and swore under oath that his true and proper name was Harry Edings and not Harry Eddings. The mistake in spelling his name was made by the clerk when proof was made, and documents were completed. This handwritten statement was affirmed by Harry Edings’ mark of an “X.”

The approval by the Land Office occurred on June 14, 1892. The Homestead was finally patented on August 1, 1892, and recorded in Volume 23, page 14 of the land record book. The patent bore the signature of President Benjamin Harrison.

On the June 21, 1900 Census, Harry Eddins, 49, and his family were enumerated on their Homestead. He was listed as a farmer who owned his farm, without a mortgage. His family included his wife of 25 years, Manda, age 42; sons, Marion, 19; Pig, 17; Fate, 15; Alaxander, 11 and daughters Mary, 13; and Minnie 8. Burrell Eddins, age 20, lived in the next residence with his wife, Candis and child. It was not confirmed how Burrell was related.

On the April 26, 1910, Census, Harry Edins was listed as a 60 year old widowed farmer, living alone on land that he owned in Coffee County, Alabama. No information on Amanda’s death or burial has been located. On January 10, 1913, Harrie Eddins and Dalvie Mincey were married in Coffee County by L.T. Reynolds, Minister.

On January 3, 1920, Harry and Dalva Edins were enumerated on the Census in Leverett, Coffee County in a rented home. Harry and Dalva also had their daughter, Ida Edins and grandson, Henry Rayfield living with them. Both Harry and Dalva were listed as farm laborers. Further research continues to determine the circumstances that led to Harry no longer retaining ownership of his homestead. Harry Eddings death was reported on April 29, 1921, in Caryville, FL. The death certificate indicated that his father was Austin Roberts as reported by the informant Burl Eddings. The burial was reported to take place on April 30, 1921 in Coffee County, Alabama.

Harry Edings and his father, Austin Roberts were among a large community of formerly enslaved residents, many who migrated from Pike County and formed a large homestead community in Coffee County following the end of the Civil War. The full story of the community, including Harry Edings’ and Austin Roberts' entire journey, will be told in a compilation of stories along with other Black Homestead ancestors at a later date.

Patent Details - BLM GLO Records

Dr. Mary K. Clark
Photo credit: Wayne Norman

~ Contributed by Dr. Mary K. Clark

About the Contributor: Dr. Mary K. Clark was raised in rural Millington, Michigan. She considers herself a fact teller rather than a storyteller. Her nonfiction stories are based on lived experiences and memories that have been collected in over 30 years of journal writing. She retired as a higher education administrator for over 30 years in various leadership positions in Michigan. She earned a B.A. in Fashion Merchandising from Bowling Green State University, an M.A. in Counseling from Wayne State University, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Toledo. For over six years, Dr. Clark has served as a Michigan state-appointed AARP volunteer. She also serves as a national AARP Volunteer Facilitation & Training Team (VFTT) member where she develops and presents specialized volunteer-led training throughout the U.S. She enjoys gardening, traveling, painting, doing genealogy and family history research