May 5, 2017 Orange County Review
I am tickled to report that the articles regarding the men from Orange County who were responsible, in large part, for paving the streets of Pittsburgh has attracted some interest from the city of steel itself.
Last week, I received an email followed by a delightful phone call from the Pittsburgh Mayor’s office!
After the phone call, I received an email with several names and contact information. The list included not only those who are integrally involved with Pittsburgh’s history, such as Samuel W. Black, Director of African American Programs at the Heinz History Center, but also a few family names associated with Orange County names: Ware and Ellis.
I reached out to all and heard back immediately from Mr. Black who provided a link to a searchable online data base of historic photos. Should I wait? Are you kidding? Curiosity was killing this cat!
Despite the dozens of photos, I have yet to find one that identifies the building, which all are sure is a church, where the men are posed for a group photo. A friend at Montpelier who hails from Pittsburgh said she had engaged in a five-hour search determined to identify the building, but came up short.
It is probable that the building no longer stands but we all remain hopeful that it can be identified. Until that time, we will continue to learn about the men and their families. I am begging your patience as we dig into these histories as it will take a little time and more than one column. So, let’s start with Tucker McDaniel. McDaniel was born to Madison McDaniel (1833-1913) and Frances Ellis (1830-1900) in Orange County, VA Feb. 16, 1867 and died May 2, 1930. Tucker’s father Madison McDaniel is the son of Ben McDaniel--documented to have been enslaved by the Madison Family of Montpelier--and Patsy Pierce whose location and ownership is not yet known. According to research provided by the McDaniel family, Frances Ellis is believed to have been enslaved by the Taylors of Orange County; which Taylors and on which plantation is yet to be determined.
March 9, 1892 in Orange County, Tucker married Tudie A. Willis (1867-1949) and together they would raise nine children, whose birthplaces give us a hint as to the family’s movement. Without delving into the nitty-gritty regarding the dearth of sustainable employment for many and most dramatically for African Americans in the South post-emancipation, suffice it to say, thousands migrated north to the industrial cities to find work.
The McDaniels’ first children were born in Pennsylvania prior to 1895 followed by the next child and the last one to be born in Virginia. All others after 1896 were born in Pittsburgh, PA. For now, we can speculate that the family moved to Pittsburgh shortly after the marriage and for unknown reasons, at least Tudie returned to Orange County in 1895 long enough to have child number three. If one can rely on birth records, we can conclude that after 1896 the Tucker McDaniel family remained in Pittsburgh.
Stay tuned! There is much more to share thanks to the remarkable work of the McDaniel descendants. Hats off to you! Please accept our appreciation on behalf of a “grateful nation.”
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