Friend Shares Items That Document My 2nd Great Grandfather

I was completely humbled by Thomas A. Stokes II and the pieces of history that he mailed to me. March 14, 2020, I received the letter he sent to me with items documenting George Epps Tucker (1859-1927) that he had access to. If you remember, I wrote about meeting him in Knowing Your Family History Well Enough to Learn More.

The first piece that I took a look at was a picture of Epps when he was older:

George Epps Tucker (1859-1927), From Thomas Stokes.

I was so happy to pull out this photo from the envelope. It gives me a chance to see what Epps looked like at an older age. Epps has a grandson that looks just like him. I love photographs. I have been blessed to have been given photographs of those I have researched.

When I looked into the face of Epps, I truly felt his approval for what I have found so far, and I felt his assistance in my ongoing efforts. I can see similarities when I also look into the face of his son, George Anderson Tucker.

George Anderson Tucker (1882-1932), son of George Epps Tucker.

The James & Anna Tucker Home

The James & Anna Tucker home, From Thomas Stokes.

James Anderson Tucker and Anna Tucker built the home above in about 1836. The tiny home next to it was also built at the same time. The son of James and Anna, George Anderson Tucker died about 1860, and he had a child, George Epps Tucker.

Epps' mother remarried and die, so Epps live here with his grandparents. This is the home that they were living in when the 1880 US Census was taken in Union County, SC. Epps is listed there as the son of James which is a mistake. I found where James was listed as the guardian of Epps: My Own Research is Better Than What My Family Members Were Told.

"United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYBL-9Q75?cc=1417683&wc=XCDP-PTL%3A1589414013%2C1589394973%2C1589414671%2C1589395261 : 24 December 2015), South Carolina > Union > Fish Dam > ED 154 > image 31 of 35; citing NARA microfilm publication T9, (National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, D.C., n.d.)

After James' death, Epps was responsible for the house. Upon his death he named Aughtry in his will. Aughtry & Sara Stokes, according to Thomas, remodeled the home in the 1940's. I am so happy to be able to know where this home existed. There is so much I have to learn.

George Epps Tucker, the Store Owner

Epps owned a store in Carlisle, SC. This was his letterhead. On January 15th 1907 he wrote Mr. Arthur. He had just returned from Chester, SC. He received a letter from Mr. Arthur and sent a check to pay for corn he had purchased.

He had checked on prices for corn in Chester. Everybody says he was charged too much for the corn. He has not found a man that has payed as much as he was charged. So he asks for a rebate. Mr. Arthur had responded on the bottom of the letter that he had not overcharged him.

G. Epps Tucker, General Merchandise, from Thomas A. Stokes II.

Merchants & Planters National Bank, Union, SC

Epps received $98.58 from the Merchants & Planters National Bank in Union, SC in 1900.

G. Epps Tucker, Merchants & Planters National Bank in Union, SC, from Thomas A. Stokes II.

I felt much like Epps gave me these things knowing I would follow the clues. He knows that I did not have much when I started researching my family. I have discovered a great deal since 1985.

I have discovered enough for me to see the effects of my daughter knowing and sharing. Now, I have another generation coming along. I have shared everything with you through the years. It's hard to believe it, but the finds that I am coming across after all these years have the potential of helping me learn more about my ancestry.

I am so deeply grateful to Thomas for sharing.