As told to Elsie Odell Bennette by Beth Gowdy about her mother, Anne Kemp Gowdy and her grandfather, John Glenn Newbill.
John Glenn Newbill of Virginia was a slave owner but his slaves were well treated. When his daughter, Sarah, and her husband, Riley Kemp, moved to Pettis County, Missouri, he gave her a couple. The man’s name was Tom, and the woman, name forgotten, was his wife. They had two little girls about the same age of Anne, and they always played together. Tom was a blacksmith, and when not needed at home, was hired to the neighbors. The woman was a weaver, and did all the weaving for the big family. From the wool of the family sheep, she wove blue and white coverlets for the beds.
When Anne was married, her mother gave her one of the coverlets. When it was too worn out to be of use, the good pieces were saved, and years later they were placed in trays, to be kept as keepsakes.
Riley Kemp did not believe in slavery, so before he started for Oregon, he gave Tom and his family their freedom, and they remained in Missouri.
I believe I agree with you. Awesome! Where can I and my visitors find this information? Do you have it posted on the web somewhere? And thanks again for posting. – Greg
Wills of Mary Billington relict of Thomas St. John
I believe that counts
Thanks for leaving a comment. I wonder if you have any documentation to back the claims. If so, your information would be most beneficial. Without documentation, however, it’s basically just another rumor. Still, I appreciate you taking the time to post your views and info.
Warmly,
Greg
Newbills are kin to the St. John Family of Essex County, Virginia
One of the daughters married into the Newbill family.
This particular St. John linage, is from the Ancient and Aristrocratic England St. John Famlies, that began with the sons of Adam DePort. His maternal grandmother was a St. John and to keep the land and titles, they were passed to Adam DePort, and his sons changed their surname to St. John.