OVERBY, AMY – Friends of Geer Cemetery

1831–13 July 1932

Last updated: 18 Aug 2022

Early days

Amy Williamson Overby was born in either Virginia or North Carolina, sometime between 1831 and 1842. Earlier records (between 1870 and 1900) list her birthplace as North Carolina, while later records place her birth in Virginia.¹ Her son William’s 1943 death certificate specifies her birthplace as Mecklenburg County, VA.² Most early records place her birth around 1840, while her headstone (as read by the 1937 WPA cemetery census) places it as early as 1831.³ She was the daughter of Elijah and Hannah Williamson.⁴

Based on census records, she began her family with William Exum Overby around 1858 with the birth of their first son John, although no marriage record or cohabitation record could be found for the couple.⁵ No census record for them could be located in 1860, indicating they were likely enslaved. There was an extended family of slave owners surnamed Overby as well as some surnamed Williamson who lived between northwest Granville County, NC, and Clarksville, Mecklenburg County, VA; thus it is likely that William and Amy were enslaved within this area.⁶

The 1870 Federal Census shows the couple with four children—John (b. 1858), Amie (b. 1864), Nancy (b. 1866), and William Jr. (b. 1868). The 1880 census, however, tells a different story, including two children—Albert (b 1861) and Ancel (a.k.a. Anderson, b. 1862)—who did not appear on the 1870 census. Also included in the 1880 census are Nannie (a.k.a. Nancy), Sallie (b. 1872), Robert (b. 1875), and Jickey (a.k.a. Jacob, b. 1878). William was a cook at a hotel, Amy was keeping house, and Albert and Anderson were factory hands. Sallie was at school.⁷ A final child, Mary, was born in 1881.⁸

Records disagree on whether the first three children were born in Virginia or North Carolina, although one record places Albert’s birth specifically in Buffalo Springs, Mecklenburg County, VA, and another places it in Lunenburg County, VA.⁹ William and Amy moved south after emancipation and can be found in the 1870 census doing farm labor in the vicinity of Kittrell, Granville County, NC, with their children and Amy’s mother Hannah.¹⁰ In the late 1870s, William and Amy moved with some of their children to Durham, while others (John, William and their grandmother Hannah) stayed in Kittrell farming.¹¹

Life in Durham

In Durham, William first worked as a cook in a hotel but quickly started his own restaurant in downtown Durham that Amy and other family members worked at.¹² They also bought a house on Pine Street in the growing Hayti District in 1882, with the deed being made out in Amy’s name.¹³ This house was located just south of the intersection with Proctor Street, which today would be on Roxboro Rd. directly underneath the Durham Freeway. Amy lived at this house until her death, and her daughter Mary continued to live there until 1967, when the house was one of the many Hayti buildings taken by eminent domain and razed to build the Durham Freeway.¹⁴

Overby’s restaurant was originally located on Mangum Street just north of the railroad tracks, but moved in 1888 to Carrington’s Corner (Mangum and Peabody) and again in 1894 to the corner of Main Street and Church Street.¹⁵ Amy appears to have lost her husband William shortly after this restaurant move, as by 1897 she is listed as the owner of the restaurant in the city directory and is listed as widowed by the 1900 census.¹⁶ It appears the restaurant quickly went out of business, as beginning in 1900 Amy can be found in census records and city directories but not associated with any labor and there is no mention of the restaurant. After her husband’s death, she lived alongside her son Anderson Overby and daughter Mary Overby Armstead and their families. In 1917 Amy sold the house to her daughter Mary, but continued to live there until her death in 1932.¹⁷ The official cause of her death was listed as grippe (influenza), but old age (between 90 and 101 years old) would certainly have been a factor.¹⁸

She was buried in Geer Cemetery alongside her son Anderson Overby, who had died in 1911 from heart disease; her daughter Sallie Yancey, who had died in 1918 from cardiovascular/renal disease; and granddaughter Friendrica Yancey who had died in 1920 from tuberculosis.¹⁹ Her son-in-law James Armstead was buried in Geer in 1944.²⁰ One of Amy’s descendants claims that Amy’s mother Hannah Williamson was also buried in Geer Cemetery when she died in the 1890s.²¹ While no headstone remains today for Amy, the 1937 Works Protection Administration (WPA) Cemetery Survey indicated a marker was present at that time. It is uncertain if that marker was made of stone, or was a more simple wooden marker.²²

Descendants

Research produced the following information about Amy and William’s children:

John Overby was born around 1858, likely enslaved.²³ He married Nellie Nixon in 1886 in Wilmington, NC.²⁴ Nothing further was found on him after this point.

Albert Overby was born around 1861, likely enslaved. He was found working as a house servant as a young boy in the 1870 Census near Oakley in Bluestone Township, Mecklenburg County, VA, and not living with his family in NC.²⁵ He joined his family in Durham by the 1880 Census and married Addie Harvey in Mecklenburg County VA on 26 Jan 1887.²⁶ By 1900, Albert and Addie were living in Clarksville, Mecklenburg County, VA.²⁷ They had 11 children, seven of which survived to adulthood: William (b. 1889), Andrew Jr. (b. 1891), Albert Jr. (b. 1895), Helen (b. 1899), Rogers (b. 1900), Anderson (b. 1902), Matsey (b. 1904), and Samuel (b. 1906).²⁸ Albert died between 1906 and 1910, likely in Clarksville.²⁹ By 1920, Addie and five of her children had moved to Newark NJ.³⁰ By 1930, Addie had moved in with her son Andrew and his children in Orange NJ.³¹ Anderson, meanwhile, had settled in Philadelphia, married, and had children of his own.³² Addie died in Orange in May 1950.³³ Possible descendants may be found in Orange, Trenton, Philadelphia, Virginia, and North Carolina.

For more about Anderson Overby, see his life story.

Nancy (Nannie) Louise Overby was born around 1866, either in VA or NC. She moved with her parents to Durham in the 1870s.³⁴ She married William Coleman in Durham in 1885.³⁵ By 1900 the couple had moved to Farmville VA.³⁶ They had four children: Amy M. (b. 1888), Hewitt B. (B. 1890), Nannie S. (b. 1892), and Vernell Coleman (b. 1902).³⁷ Nancy Overby died in 1942 in Richmond VA, and is buried in Woodland Cemetery.³⁸ She had eight grandchildren, so she is likely to have descendants living in Virginia.³⁹

William Overby Jr. was born around 1868, likely in the Kittrell, NC area.⁴⁰ He stayed in Kittrell with his brother John and grandmother Hannah when his parents moved to Durham in the 1870s.⁴¹ He married Sarah Inge in Danville VA in 1894.⁴² The couple had four children: Geraldine (b. 1897), William III (b. 1898), Roosevelt (b. 1902), and Sarah F (b. 1907).⁴³ William III did not survive childhood.⁴⁴ William Jr died in Danville VA on 17 Sep 1943 and is buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.⁴⁵ Sarah died on 24 Oct 1957.⁴⁶ None of their children appear to have had children of their own, so descendants are unlikely.

For more about Sallie Overby Mason Yancey, see her life story.

Robert I. Overby was born around 1875, possibly in the Kittrell, NC area, or perhaps after his parents moved to Durham.⁴⁷ The Durham City Directory for 1892 lists him as working as a waiter in his parents’ restaurant.⁴⁸ The next year, an R. I. Overby is listed as a master at the Colored Graded School.⁴⁹ After that we can find no more information about him.

Jacob Overby was born around 1878, possibly in the Kittrell, NC area, or perhaps after his parents moved to Durham.⁵⁰ He waited tables in his parents’ restaurant in Durham and by 1897 was working as a barber.⁵¹ He served in the US Army in the Philippine Insurrection (1899-1902) in the 49th (colored) volunteer infantry, in the band.⁵² Jacob does not appear to have returned to Durham after serving, as the next record found for him is a WWI draft card from 1918 which places him in Boston MA.⁵³ He died in 1924 in Boston.⁵⁴

For more about Mary Overby, see the life story of James Armstead.

Research produced a number of surnames which could be Overby descendants in Durham: Overby, Lewis, Davis, Brown, Horton, and Danser. There may also be living descendants in other places, including North Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

BORN: 1831.⁵⁶

DIED: 13 July 1932.⁵⁷

BIRTH PLACE: Mecklenburg County, VA.⁵⁸

DEATH PLACE: Durham NC.⁵⁹

SPOUSE: Wm Overby Sr.⁶⁰

PARENTS: Elijah and Hannah Williamson. ⁶¹

CHILDREN: John (b. 1858), Albert (b 1861). Anderson (b. 1862), Amie (b. 1864), Nancy (b. 1866), William Jr. (b. 1868), Sallie (b. 1872), Robert (b. 1875), Jacob, b. (1878) and Mary (b. 1881).⁶²

OTHER FAMILY: N/A

FAMILY BURIED IN GEER CEMETERY: Mother Hannah Williamson, son Anderson Overby, daughter Sally Yancey, granddaughter Friendrica Yancey, son-in-law James Armstead.

OCCUPATION: Domestic.⁶³

CHURCH: N/A

AFFILIATIONS: N/A

ADDRESS: 509 Pine Street.⁶⁴

MILITARY SERVICE: N/A

Notes

1
For example, the 1870 US Census for Kittrell Township gives Amy’s age as 28 and her birthplace as NC: Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/34364118:7163: accessed 24 Jul 2022. Original data: 1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.Minnesota census schedules for 1870. NARA microfilm publication T132, 13 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.
2
William Overby Jr. death certificate: Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9278/images/43006_162028006073_0064-00071: accessed 24 Jul 2022. Original data: Virginia, Deaths, 1912–2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia.
3
Amy Overby headstone: Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Historical Records Survey, Cemetery Inscription Card Index, 1700-2018 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2020. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/79861:61917: accessed 24 Jul 2022. Original data: North Carolina, Historical Records Survey, Cemetery Inscription Card Index. Salt Lake City, UT, USA: FamilySearch, 2018.
4
Father: Amy Overby death certificate: Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Death Certificates, 1909-1976 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1121/images/S123_1086-0063?pId=1853646: accessed 21 Jul 2022. Original data: North Carolina State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. North Carolina Death Certificates. Microfilm S.123. Rolls 19-242, 280, 313-682, 1040-1297. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Mother: 1870 US Census Kittrell Township.
5
1870 US Census Kittrell Township.
6
“1860 U.S. Federal Census – Slave Schedules.” Search for “Overby” in Granville County NC: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7668/?name=_Overby&count=50&residence=_granville-north+carolina-usa_1195: accessed 25 Jul 2022.

Search for “Overby” in Mecklenburg Co., VA: https://www.ancestry.com/search/collections/7668/?name=_Overby&count=50&residence=_mecklenburg-virginia-usa_1979: accessed 25 Jul 2022.
7
1880 US Census Durham Township : Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/13428901:6742: accessed 25 Jul 2022. Original data: Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
8
Mary Armstead death certificate: Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Death Certificates, 1909-1976 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/444246:1121: accessed 25 Jul 2022. Original data: North Carolina State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. North Carolina Death Certificates. Microfilm S.123. Rolls 19-242, 280, 313-682, 1040-1297. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.
9
Buffalo Springs: Rogers Overby birth certificate: Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1911 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9277/images/44187_182029001786_0254-00085: accessed 26 Jul 2022. Original data: Virginia, Births, 1721–2015. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia.

Lunenburg County: Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9278/images/43004_162028006055_0072-00347: accessed 26 Jul 2022. Original data: Virginia, Deaths, 1912–2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia.
10
1870 US Census Kittrell Township.
11
Durham: 1880 US Census Durham Township.

Kittrell: 1880 US Census Kittrell Township: Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6742/images/4243276-00672?pId=14522169: accessed 26 Jul 2022. Original data: Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
12
Directory of the Business and Citizens of Durham City for 1887 (Durham, N.C.: Levi Branson, 1887) p. 99, Overby surname; digital image, “North Carolina City Directories,” DigitalNC (https://lib.digitalnc.org/record/25123 : accessed 27 Jul 2022).
13
Durham County Deed Book 1: 263 (https://rodweb.dconc.gov/RealEstate/SearchEntry.aspx).
14
Amy’s death: Amy Overby death certificate.

Durham Freeway: Durham County Deed Book 330: 605–607. (https://rodweb.dconc.gov/RealEstate/SearchEntry.aspx).
15
“Around the Town,” Durham Globe (Durham, NC), 10 Jan 1894, Page 1. https://www.newspapers.com/image/174264022/?terms=William%20Overby&match=1: accessed 3 Feb 2021.
16
1897 City Directory: Mangum’s Directory of Durham and Suburbs 1897 (Durham, N.C.: D. C. Mangum, 1897) p. 43, Overby surname; digital image, “North Carolina City Directories,” DigitalNC (https://lib.digitalnc.org/record/25139 : accessed 27 Jul 2022).

1900 US Census: Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7602/images/4117818_00629?pId=68146415: accessed 21 Jul 2022. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.
17
Sold to Mary: Durham County Deed Book 52: 625 (https://rodweb.dconc.gov/RealEstate/SearchEntry.aspx).
18
Amy Overby death certificate.
19
Andrew death certificate: Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Death Certificates, 1909-1976 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1121/images/S123_23-2107?pId=803682: accessed 27 Jul 2022. Original data: North Carolina State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. North Carolina Death Certificates. Microfilm S.123. Rolls 19-242, 280, 313-682, 1040-1297. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Sallie Yancy death certificate: Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Death Certificates, 1909-1976 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1736620:1121: accessed 27 Jul 2022. Original data: North Carolina State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. North Carolina Death Certificates. Microfilm S.123. Rolls 19-242, 280, 313-682, 1040-1297. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Friendrica Yancey death certificate: Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Death Certificates, 1909-1976 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1851309:1121: accessed 27 Jul 2022. Original data: North Carolina State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. North Carolina Death Certificates. Microfilm S.123. Rolls 19-242, 280, 313-682, 1040-1297. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.
20
James Armstead death cert: Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Death Certificates, 1909-1976 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2007. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1121/images/S123_1270-1477: accessed 27 Jul 2022. Original data: North Carolina State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. North Carolina Death Certificates. Microfilm S.123. Rolls 19-242, 280, 313-682, 1040-1297. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.
21
Personal communication between Friends of Geer Cemetery and descendant, 14 Feb 2021.
22
Amy Overby headstone.
23
1870 US Census Kittrell Township.
24
Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Records, 1741-2011 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/5948153:60548: accessed 27 Jul 2022. Original data: North Carolina County Registers of Deeds. Microfilm. Record Group 048. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.
25
1870 US Census Bluestone Township: Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/39256006:7163: accessed 27 Jul 2022. Original data:1870 U.S. census, population schedules. NARA microfilm publication M593, 1,761 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d. Minnesota census schedules for 1870. NARA microfilm publication T132, 13 rolls. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.
26
Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Select Marriages, 1785-1940 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2014. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1025158:60214: accessed 27 Jul 2022. Original data: Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.
27
1900 US Census Clarksville: Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/71962527:7602: accessed 27 Jul 2022. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls
28
Oldest four children: 1900 Census Clarksville.

Rogers Overby birth certificate: Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Birth Records, 1912-2015, Delayed Birth Records, 1721-1911 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015 https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9277/images/44187_182029001786_0254-00085: accessed 27 Jul 2022. Original data: Virginia, Births, 1721–2015. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia.

Remaining children: 1910 US Census Clarksville: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/29299143:7884: accessed 28 Jul 2022. Original data: Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA.
29
Addie listed as widow in 1910 US Census Clarksville.
30
1920 US Census Orange: Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/18495745:6061: accessed 28 Jul 2022. Original data: Fourteenth Census of the United States, 1920. (NARA microfilm publication T625, 2076 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA. Note: Enumeration Districts 819-839 are on roll 323 (Chicago City).
31
Year: 1930; Census Place: Orange, Essex, New Jersey; Page: 10B; Enumeration District: 0573; FHL microfilm: 2341078. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/4982212:6224: accessed 19 Aug 2022. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.
32
Year: 1930; Census Place: Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Page: 1A; Enumeration District: 0560; FHL microfilm: 2341835. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/55224822:6224: accessed 19 Aug 2022. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.
33
Ancestry.com. New Jersey, U.S., Death Index, 1901-2017 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/3468506:61260: accessed 28 Jul 2022. Original data: Death Indexes. New Jersey State Archives, Trenton, New Jersey.
34
1880 US Census Durham Township.
35
Series: Marriage Register (1882 – 1975). Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Marriage Records, 1741-2011 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/1274879:60548: accessed 19 Oct 2022. Original data: North Carolina County Registers of Deeds. Microfilm. Record Group 048. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.
36
1900 US Census Farmville: Year: 1900; Census Place: Farmville, Prince Edward, Virginia; Roll: 1723; Page: 8; Enumeration District: 0075; FHL microfilm: 1241723. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/72222112:7602: accessed 19 Aug 2022. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.
37
First three children: 1900 US Census Farmville.

Vernell: 1910 US Census Farmville: Year: 1910; Census Place: Farmville, Prince Edward, Virginia; Roll: T624_1642; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 0101; FHL microfilm: 1375655. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/29441593:7884: accessed 19 Aug 2022. Original data: Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA.
38
Nannie Coleman death Certificate: Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9278/images/43006_162028001248_0070-00279: accessed 29 Jul 2022. Original data: Virginia, Deaths, 1912–2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia.
39
“Coleman,” Richmond Times Dispatch (Richmond VA) 30 Sep 1942: 22. https://www.newspapers.com/image/legacy/828145405/: accessed 29 Jul 2022.
40
1870 US Census Kittrell Township.
41
1890 US Census Kittrell Township.
42
Wm Overby marriage certificate: Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Select Marriages, 1785-1940 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc, 2014. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/2416401:60214: accessed 3 Aug 2022. Original data: Virginia, Marriages, 1785-1940. Salt Lake City, Utah: FamilySearch, 2013.
43
Geraldine and Wm III: Year: 1900; Census Place: Danville Ward 3, Danville City, Virginia; Roll: 1733; Page: 13; Enumeration District: 0104; FHL microfilm: 1241733. Ancestry.com. 1900 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2004. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/72621329:7602: accessed 3 Aug 2022. Original data:United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

Roosevelt and Sarah F.: Year: 1910; Census Place: Danville Ward 4, Danville (Independent City), Virginia; Roll: T624_1626; Page: 11A; Enumeration District: 0024; FHL microfilm: 1375639. Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/29142586:7884: accessed 3 Aug 2022. Original data: Thirteenth Census of the United States, 1910 (NARA microfilm publication T624, 1,178 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C. For details on the contents of the film numbers, visit the following NARA web page: NARA.
44
Based on his failure to appear in the 1910 US Census for Danville, when he would have been 12.
45
Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9278/images/43006_162028006073_0064-00071: accessed 3 Aug 2022. Original data: Virginia, Deaths, 1912–2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia.
46
Ancestry.com. Virginia, U.S., Death Records, 1912-2014 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015. https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9278/images/43006_172028008151_0256-00172: accessed 3 Aug 2022. Original data: Virginia, Deaths, 1912–2014. Virginia Department of Health, Richmond, Virginia.
47
1880 US Census Durham: Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. 1880 U.S. Census Index provided by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints © Copyright 1999 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. All use is subject to the limited use license and other terms and conditions applicable to this site. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/13428901:6742: accessed 25 Jul 2022. Original data: Tenth Census of the United States, 1880. (NARA microfilm publication T9, 1,454 rolls). Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
48
Ramsey’s Durham Directory 1892 (Durham, N.C: N. A. Ramsey, 1892) p. 200, Overby surname; digital image, “North Carolina City Directories,” DigitalNC (https://lib.digitalnc.org/record/25120 : accessed 16 Aug 2022).
49
“What Will Happen Among the Children of the Colored Graded School,” Durham Globe (Durham NC), 2 Jun 1893: 4. https://www.newspapers.com/image/legacy/61956303/?terms=Overby&match=1.
50
1880 US Census Durham.
51
Waiter: Ramsey’s Durham Directory, for the Year 1892 (Durham, NC; Ramsey, N. A., 1892) p. 200, Overby surname; digital image, “North Carolina City Directories,” DigitalNC (https://lib.digitalnc.org/record/25120 : accessed 17 Aug 2022).

Barber: Mangum’s Directory of Durham and Suburbs 1897 (Durham, N.C.: D. C. Mangum, 1897) p. 161, Overby surname; digital image, “North Carolina City Directories,” DigitalNC (https://lib.digitalnc.org/record/25139 : accessed 17 Aug 2022).
52
North Carolina. Adjutant General’s Department. Roster of the North Carolina volunteers in the Spanish-American war, -1899. Raleigh, Edwards & Broughton and E. M. Uzzell, state printers, 1900. Pdf. https://www.loc.gov/item/01005585/.
53
Registration State: Massachusetts; Registration County: Suffolk. Ancestry.com. U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2005. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/18204363:6482: accessed 17 Aug 2022.

The draft card notes that he was blind in his left eye. We don’t know if this injury happened before, during, or after his service in the Philippines. If before, that might explain his serving in the band rather than in combat.
54
Ancestry.com. Massachusetts, U.S., Death Index, 1901-1980 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2013. https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/4185399:3659: accessed 17 Aug 2022. Original data: Department of Public Health, Registry of Vital Records and Statistics. Massachusetts Vital Records Index to Deaths [1916–1970]. Volumes 66–145. Facsimile edition. Boston, MA: New England Historic Genealogical Society, Boston, Massachusetts.
55
Geer Cemetery (800 Colonial St, Durham, NC), photographed by Friends of Geer Cemetery, 9 Mar 2021. Used by permission.
56
Amy Overby headstone.
57
Amy Overby death certificate.
58
William Overby Jr. death certificate.
59
Amy Overby death certificate.
60
1870 US Census Kittrell Township.
61
Father: Amy Overby death certificate. Mother: 1870 US Census Kittrell Township.
62
John, Annie, Nancy, Wm Jr from 1870 US Census Kittrell Township.

Albert, Anderson, Sallie, Rbt, Jacob from 1880 US Census Durham Township.

Mary from Mary Armstead death certificate.
63
Amy Overby death certificate.
64
Amy Overby death certificate.