I am looking for any information about Bessie Compton's parents. She is my african-american grandmother, born 4/17/1895 and died 7/1987. She had 1 son, Leon Jones with Davy Jones. I am not sure if she was married to him or not. I think that they may have met in New Jersey and moved to Chicago. Leon was born Dec. 8, 1926. Appreciate any suspected information.

In the 30 years I have been tracing Compton families in New Jersey I have only found one African-American Compton family. He was Henry Compton, described in his Will as "colored" and he died somewhere between 1810 and 1830. Any good library in New Jersey should have a bound set of old New Jersey Wills; Henry's Will is found there (which is how I happened to see it). Maybe Henry was Bessie' grand or great grandfather.

I found my copy of Henry Compton's Will. In my previous message I told you I had only found one African-American Compton family: Henry. Maybe he is Bessie's great-grandfather. Here is what Henry Compton's Will says: January 1, 1813. Henry Compton, of Amwell Township, Hunderdon Co., New Jersey; 'colored man'; Wife, Jude, residue of all estate while my widow and then to my daughter, Rachel Compton. To daughter, Darcus Compton, now said to be married to Cuffe Baird, a tow and linen sheet. Daughter, Hannah, $14. Granddaughter, Nancy Compton, her freedom, if she pays to my wife or my daughter, Rachel, $15. Grandson, Benjamin Compton, his freedom, he paying to my wife or daughter, Rachel, $25., when 21. Executrix - Wife, Jude. Witnesses: Ralph Elberson, Andrew Wickoff, John Wickoff. Proved May 5, 1814. April 26, 1814: Inventory: $127.50 made by James Wickoff and Abraham Rice. (File 2648 J.)

I have a Henry Ernest Compton, grandfather possibly born in Louisiana. I am Afican-American, light skinned. My grandmother, Viola Pearl Howard-Compton was also from Louisiana. I am told they were creole. They moved to Chicago, Illinois and both died there. They had seven children. They were known to come from the French Quarters of New Orleans. I look forward to chatting with you. Their children include Norma Evelyn dunjill, deceased, Leonette, Leona now Hooks, Lennie Herman Compton, deceased, Harold, deceased, Henry Jr, and Ernest, both deceased.

Thanks for the information regarding Henry Compton and his offspring. This could quite possibly be my relatives. Seems like my grandfather's name, Leon, may have been a family named, considering Leona and Leonetta. The Compton side of my family is dark skinned. I know very little information about them. It is my father's side of the family and he did not grow up with his father, Leon, in his life. Leon as a young adult was in Chicago and Bessie was there for as long as we knew her. She passed away in Chicago, as well. She was a member of the Eastern Stars. Did any of your Compton's become involved with them? I look forward to hearing more from you. I am very excited about finding more information and family.

My heart just skipped a beat. My mother, Carolyn Wilson Compton was an Eastern Star. My Great-Grandmother on my mother's side, Amanda Davis Daggett-West was an Eastern Star in Fort Worth, Texas. I have her obituray. I'll let you know more on Monday. My father, Lennie Herman Compton was so bright he passed for white, as did my aunt Evelyn, Norma Evelyn Compton-Dunjill. Her husband is Beverly Dunjill. I pray we are on to something Theresa. My father's eyes changed with the colors of his clothing. His nickname was "Honky" because he was so bright.
karen

Are you answering my message about Henry Compton of Hunterdon County, NJ, who died in 1813 and described as 'colored man'? If so, the record of his Will is all I know of him. I first ran across his Will 25 years ago and I have been intrigued ever since. Was he at one time a slave? Was he a slave of a Compton family, and took their surname as his own? That Will was strange: he granted freedom to his grandchildren, but only if they paid his wife a certain amount. Was he a Caucasian man married to an African woman, and it was easier for him to pretend to be a light-skinned African? How could he own his grandchildren? Slavery was abolished in NJ in 1805 or 1807, I forget the exact year, but I think that anyone under the age of 21 was to remain a slave and be given vocational training so they could support themselves, and when they were 21 they were free. There's not much to read about concerning slavery in New Jersey.

My own Compton ancestors were dark enough to look like Puerto Ricans, with black hair, black (not brown) eyes and dark skin. But they lived as and were accepted by their neighbors as Caucasians. And they were Masons and members of the Eastern Star, too. I have my grandfather's grandfather's Masonic sword and my great-grandmother's OES ring. (Note: my Compton ancestors were cousins of Abraham Lincoln's ancestors, through the Bowne family, so imagine how dark Abe was and my branch was just as dark, if not darker!) Please keep in touch with me about this Henry Compton, I am sure he is one of us, I just don't know how!

With all the excitement, I have lost track of some critical facts: Compton was my great grandmother's husband's last name, probably her 2nd husband. He was not the father of my grandfather, Leon Jones. He was not in the picture when we met her in the 1960's, although she claimed to have 2 adopted children who were adults at that time. They were named Austin and Bea. I don't know if they were related. They may have been Henry's children. They lived in Chicago. I don't know Bessie's maiden name. I do know that her mother was a midwife. I don't know where.

My father has recalled more information.

Bessie PAYNE Compton . Applied for SS# in Chicago when she was 45 years old (1940). Her maiden name was PAYNE.

She was a member of the Eastern Star in Chicago.

Her parents' names are REID PAYNE and MATTIE WALKER. Mattie WALKER was a midwife. Your Dad remembers seeing a portrait (a large picture) and hearing his grandmother (Bessie Compton) talk about her mother when he was a child. The image he remembers in the picture was of a well-dressed black woman posing sitting down, straightback (good posture) with some sort of high collar, very professional and very dignified. He remembers his grandmother telling him that her mother was a midwife. She left him with the opinion that she was the equivalent to a doctor, a person practing medicine in her day without a formal training or license.

Bessie married Dave Jones in New Jersey, we believe (where Leon was born) and after she moved to Chicago she met and married Mr. Compton. We don't have any info on Mr. Compton. We also don't know what happened to Dave Jones (whether he died, they divorced, or what. . .).

Bessie moved from Newark, NJ to Grand Rapids, MI to Chicago, IL ( we believe it was in that order).

Bessie reportedly has relatives in Grand Rapids. They have/had a restaurant there right off Division. Your Dad said it was reported to him that Bessie was run out of Grand Rapids by the police.

Leon Jones' was born December 8, 1926 in Jersey City, NJ.
He was a veteran of World War II. He played football in the army. (Your Dad remembers seeing a newspaper clipping regarding the football.)

Hoping you are still out there. You mentioned that you have researched the Comptons in New Jersey for 30 years. Do you know the heritage of this Compton family from New Jersey?: David E. Compton b. Sept 1816 with siblings William S. b. ?; Ira b. 1815; Amanda M. b. abt 1820; Mark b. 11/1824. They moved to PA-Wayne Co/Palmyra Township bet 1820 and 1824. David E. Compton grew up and /m abt 1837 to Phoebe Unknown. Children: Sarah b bet 1838-1844; Mary b. bet 1840-1842; David E. b. 1845; Elizabeth (Betsy) b. 1847; William b. 1852; Lucy Catherine (Kate) b. 1857; Phoebe Jane b. 11/28/1860.

Thank you if you can shed any light on this family.

Sally