Sidney and Caroline
Records show that Sidney was born August, 1842 and Caroline July 1842. Their children:
Moriah 1864, Wade 1873, Maggie 1876, Charlie 11/1877, Jessie 1880, Jefferson 1886, Catherine 1868, Mollie 1870, and Sidney 1872.
Being the
"son" of the master of the farm had its advantages in Sidney's case.
He was granted certain privileges because of his position. He served as houseboy
for the farm, probably one of several. As such, he was allowed to drive the
family "stagecoach". It was said that he could be seen driving Jim
around on most occasions.
Caroline had
been purchased by Jim Tarver from her previous owner Mallard from Georgia. She and Sidney married while they were still slaves. Moriah,
their first child, was born in slavery.
The word of freedom finally reached Texas, June 19, 1865.
A few of Jim's
slaves took off to experience this "freedom". Sidney, who would have
been around 23 at this time, learned of the opportunity to get a hundred acres
of land by working on it. So, he and his family decided to set out to
build a new life. Those who wanted to stay on the farm did. It is believed that
Caroline's mother remained there.
Sidney and his family headed for Cherokee County, Texas. They settled in
Alto, in the community of Sweet Union and eventually bought their 100
acres of land, October 20, 1886. Sidney and Caroline had nine children Moriah, Jefferson,
Catherine (born in 1868, census records do not show her in the household in
1870), Molly, Sidney Jr., Wade, Margaret, Charlie and Jessie.
Although Jim could never
outwardly acknowledge Sidney as his son, he was sad to see him leave. Several
years after that departure, Jim found his way to Sweet Union to see Sidney and
his family. He was visibly proud of Sidney's accomplishments and never returned.
