Person

Mariah Adkins

Quick Facts
Significance:
Louisiana Homesteader
Place of Birth:
Virginia (or Mississippi)
Date of Birth:
1805

Mariah Adkins settled on her land located in Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana on January 7, 1871 and submitted Homestead application #486 on November 7, 1871 for 39 (66/100) acres of land located on Sec. 9 NW ¼ of SE 1/4 – Township 9 – Range 8. 

Final receipt of the land patent was received on August 9, 1878 for 39.66 acres, of which twelve acres were cleared for cultivation—included a log house (12’x14’) along with a corn crib, cotton house, garden, and small orchard. Final Certificate #329.

The 1870 United States Census record for Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana has enumerated a “Maria Adkins” born 1805 in Virginia, living with a man named Friday Adkins age ninety-five born in Virginia and a young boy named York H. Adkins age twelve born in Louisiana. The 1880 United States Census for Natchitoches Parish, Louisiana has enumerated a Mariah Adkins age seventy-five born in Mississippi and she is listed as the wife of Friday Adkins age 115 born in Alabama. Sometimes on census records there are inconsistencies, however these are the only two identified as Mariah and Friday Adkins (both records list them as “B” for black). It’s purely conjecture, however York may have been a grandson in the care of Mariah. There’s no additional information on York nor the second unnamed child listed in the Bureau of Land Management packet.

The witnesses—Phillip Pouche’ and S. Moore—testified on August 9, 1878 that they had known Mariah Adkins for eight years and she was the head of her family consisting of “herself and two children.”

~ Contributed by Lyle Gibson

A man sits in a black shirt and with crossed arms at his computer and recording gear on the desk behind him.  He wears glasses and looks at the camera.
Lyle Gibson
Photo Credit: Tati Zalozh

About the contributor: Lyle Gibson is a genealogist with thirty-one years of experience and a historian with over twenty years teaching experience, Lyle developed an interest in history and genealogy while serving in the Air Force stationed in Greece. Lyle holds memberships in the SAR and local genealogical societies. Gibson authored a book about a multiracial American family from the time span of the colonial period to the early twentieth century entitled Black Tie White Tie. He also adapted and produced a historical documentary that shares the same title. Gibson has also worked on the award winning documentary series An American Story. And Lyle founded The Elijah Adkins Reed Historical Preservation Society, a non-profit organization geared towards preserving America’s history through film.

Last updated: November 26, 2023