Peter Eddins

Quick Facts

Significance:

Alabama Homesteader

Place of Birth:

Alabama, USA

Date of Birth:

August 8, 1840

Place of Death:

Coffee County, Alabama, United States

Date of Death:

January 30, 1936

The name Peter Eddins was listed on the marriage certificate of John Henry Kyles and Frances Eddins, my maternal great grandparents who were homesteaders in Geneva Co., Alabama. They were married in Coffee County, Alabama on May 23, 1892, at what appeared to be Peter Eddins’ residence. His relationship with Frances Eddins or John Henry Kyles has not yet been confirmed, however there was a meaningful connection which inspired my exploration to determine more about him including whether he was a homesteader. Where did his life begin? Was he a blood relative with either Fannie or John Henry? Those were additional questions that sparked my curiosity to conduct further research on Peter Eddins. In this essay, the names associated with Peter Eddins/Eddings will be spelled as found on the corresponding documents.

Petter (sp.) Eddins was listed on the 1867 Return of Qualified Voters in Coffee County along with other Black residents including A. Darby and Austin Gibson. On July 4th, D.W. Siler authorized the marriage application of Peter Eddins and Elizabeth Tisdale. They were married in Pike County on July 18, 1867, by James Collins, Minister of the Gospel.

On the 1870 Pike County Census, Peter Eddings was enumerated as a 30-year-old Mulatto farm laborer, living alone. His place of birth was listed as Alabama. It’s uncertain where his wife, Elizabeth was living at the time of the 1870 Census. In nearby households were 60-year-old Austin Gibson and wife Lucretia as well as 30-year-old Austin Darby and Isabel, his wife. Research on former enslavers in Pike County revealed a relationship between Austin Gibson and Austin Darby as being formerly enslaved, however a similar relationship between Peter and any enslavers was not established.

Peter remained in the Spring Hill, Pike County area according to the 1880 Census. He was enumerated as 34 years old farmer along with his 40-year-old wife Elizabeth Eddins. Their entire family was listed as mulatto which included Benjamin, a 15-year-old son and Alice, a one-year-old daughter.

Neighbors included 44-year-old Austin Darby and his 47-year-old wife Bella. Other neighbors included 56-year-old George Gibson and his family of five including his 71-year-old mother, Leah Gibson. The pattern of proximity of Peter and Austin Darby in all records located since 1867 was a strong indication of a relationship that was worth exploring.

Peter Eddins submitted his homestead application #23624 for 39.83 acres in Coffee County at the Elba Post office on December 27, 1889. The small filing fee was paid at the Receiver’s Office in Montgomery. The process was acknowledged by Peter’s mark of an “X”.

Notice of final proof was published on December 11, 1896, in the Alabama Toiler in Elba. Included in the posted notification were names of individuals who could provide witness statements, confirming continual residence on the homestead. The witnesses listed were Ephraim Smith, Gael (Crowell) Berry, Ben Harrison, and A. J. Farris. 

According to the 1920 Census, Peter, age 77 and Elisabeth, age 79 resided on their homestead in Coffee County homestead where his occupation was listed as a farmer. Neither Peter or Elizabeth were located on the 1930 Census. Peter died in January 1936 and was laid to rest in the Evergreen Cemetery in Elba, AL. Peter Eddins was among a large community of residents, some formerly enslaved, who migrated from Pike County and formed a large homestead community in Coffee County following the end of the Civil War. The full story of the community, including Peter's entire journey, and any potential findings about his family relationship to Frances will be told in a compilation of stories along with other Black Homestead ancestors at a later date.

Patent Details - BLM GLO Records

~ Contributed by Dr. Mary K. Clark

Dr. Mary Clark
Photo Credit: Wayne Norman

About the Contributor: Dr. Mary K. Clark was raised in rural Millington, Michigan, near Flint. She considers herself a fact teller rather than a storyteller. Her nonfiction stories are based on lived experiences and memories that have been chronicled during more than 30 years of journal writing. She retired as a higher education administrator for over 30 years in various university leadership positions in Michigan. She earned a B.A. in Fashion Merchandising from Bowling Green State University, an M.A. in Counseling from Wayne State University, and a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration from the University of Toledo. Dr. Clark has served as a Michigan state-appointed AARP volunteer since 2014. She also serves as a national AARP Volunteer Facilitation & Training Team (VFTT) member where she develops and presents specialized volunteer-led training throughout the U.S. She enjoys painting, writing, gardening, painting, and doing genealogy and family history research.