The Storms of Vermont, Part 2 – Susannah Storm’s Probate Record

Susannah Storms was the second eldest child of Primus and Parmelia. She was born in 1788 in Fishkill, NY to an enslaved mother and free father. The family traveled to Basin Harbor, Vermont with Platt Rogers, mother Parmelia’s owner. The Storms became one of the many free, land-owning Black families in Vermont. When Susannah died unmarried on 16 September 1845, she left her 54 acre … Continue reading The Storms of Vermont, Part 2 – Susannah Storm’s Probate Record

Cheryll Toney HolleyNovember 29, 2015November 15, 2023Leave a comment

Black Indigenous History & Genealogy

Suicide by Drowning in the Charles River

While collecting vital records on my Storms ancestors, I came across The above is from the Massachusetts death records. The date of death was February 18, 1884. The town of Boston records included his burial site which was Mt. Hope Cemetery in Boston. There was no indication of who his parents were or where he was born in either record. I also couldn’t find any … Continue reading Suicide by Drowning in the Charles River

Cheryll Toney HolleyJune 2, 2014January 2, 2022Leave a comment

Black Indigenous History & Genealogy

Family History Writing Challenge

This is my second time participating in this yearly challenge. This year I want to write a bit on two of my favorite families – the Toneys and the Storms (I’m doing two because I couldn’t decide on one). Caesar Toney and Primus Storms are my 5th great grandfathers. Without them, I wouldn’t be me. I don’t know as much as I’d like to about … Continue reading Family History Writing Challenge

Cheryll Toney HolleyFebruary 2, 2014January 2, 20228 Comments

Black Indigenous History & Genealogy

The Storms of Vermont, part 1

My favorite ancestors these days seem to be the Storms. Originally from Panton and Vergennes, Vermont, several members of the family moved to Worcester and Boston, Massachusetts in the 1870s. Once in Worcester, the Storms and other transplanted Vermonters of color formed the Vermont Club at John St Baptist Church, one of the few Black churches in Worcester. Hattie Storms, my great-great grandmother, was born … Continue reading The Storms of Vermont, part 1

Cheryll Toney HolleyJune 20, 2010January 2, 20221 Comment