Former Slave Placed This Marker On His Former Master's Grave! (and visiting a grave for a viewer)

visiting the John Godwin cemetery and history of Horace King.

[@AdventuresIntoHistory]

It was ridiculously hot this day and the bugs were loudly singing about it Tip Jar: www.paypal.me/rwrightphotography Follow me on my old farm: kzbin.info/door/56vh2L-M0czmoTRLhSMaxg eBay Shop: www.ebay.com/usr/oldbyrdfarm Join The Official Sidestep Adventures Fan Group: facebook.com/groups/561758371276581/?ref=share_group_link Support us on Patreon: Patreon.com/SidestepAdventures My flashlight link: www.olightstore.com/s/UPTJSG Save 10 percent: SAIH10 (not valid on sales items and X9R) Mail: Sidestep Adventures PO BOX 206 Waverly Hall, Georgia 31831

[@maryksetzer]

I’m glad I’m not the only person who loves looking at old cemeteries and headstones.

[@rozjones4097]

I do too. I think it’s important to that the people buried in them are still remembered.

[@pbwiz1404]

​@@rozjones4097i love your channel!!!

[@cherylradabaugh2720]

I do ,mainly out of curiosity and looking for ancestors .

[@sherronbell4961]

I love them

[@paean109]

I like looking in cemeteries as well. It’s even better when I have someone with me who knows some of the people buried there and to hear stories about them.

[@sherrilee230]

My great grandma was Creek and walked the trail of tears. Her mother died on the trail. Her and twin sister survived and were separated when taken to Oklahoma.

[@dcwallace9930]

An heir to her legacy!

[@1927su]

❤

[@mcescher1957]

Hey Robert, I hope this helps you in regards to the headstone for W.R. West that was located in the fenced in area.... The eagle with the shield that says T.O.T.E stands for "Totem of the Eagle" This was a group started by the Sons of Liberty during the American Revolution, that modeled their group after the Iroquouis Confederacy councils. They promoted patriotism and the American way of life. The three links of chain that say F.L.T. is a symbol of the Order of Odd Fellows, known as a three link fraternity, those three links being Friendship, Love, and Truth. Again, hope this is helpful I have such a fascination for old graveyards and cemeteries, and LOVE looking up stuff like this. I love your videos as well. I feel like I'm walking through the cemetery with you all.

[@donnal.oglesby4806]

Great to see Daniel once again, have missed his presence on the channel and again great to see him. I am VERY impressed as to the almost prestine conditon and upkeep of this olkd cemetery, and the respect that is p[aid to all those that lay in heavenly rest here, as compaired to so many forgotten cemeteires in georgia..

[@deniseoftedahl8937]

Fabulous place!!! Thanks to all for braving the heat. Always good to see Daniel guest star, and glad his son decided to tag along. Never too young to get the history bug!

[@MARY-nx1gu]

I notice Daniel has slimmed down, nice job. His son is a real cutie and very patient for one so young. Nice video Robert, have missed you doing the cemetery walks😊

[@beckygrayson5077]

I love going to old cemeteries. It’s like going to a museum! I love to look at the old markers. It’s interesting to note the dates and sometimes how they died on the same date. Sometimes it’s families.🥲I’m glad I’m not alone. Thanks for the video.

[@frankscarborough1428]

Enjoyed hearing about Horace king the bridge builder. Happy you helped a viewer out regarding his great great grandparents. Thanks Robert Daniel and son.

[@FeatheredLife]

Hello Robert, as older person with some hearing issues, I would really appreciate if you could turn on the closed captions for your videos. I have my family genealogy on my dad's mother's side of family. I was able to trace back 11 generations to the 1600's. History fascinate me in my older years. Thank you for all that you do.

[@BroqueCowgirlHomestead]

Closed Captions works for me.

[@ppurgett]

Closed caption works for me as well. Sometimes there's a delay

[@dinastory6394]

You can turn it on yourself. Click on the video and CC.

[@kimleone5496]

Mr Horace King was quite a man. John Godwin had potential. Maybe if more people had been like him, things would have been different. History is painful...hope we learned something from it.

[@SandyD2022]

For me who works on finding my family cemeteries. You guys are my hero. I think you doing that was so kind. I have to drive 9 hours to look at cemeteries to see my Grand, and Greats Grandparents, and other family members.

[@Meggo1963]

I'm listening to this while looking at this cemetery on Find A Grave. It's great to have the history.

[@celleduffel1533]

The eagle with word TOTE says is symbol of the improved Order of Red Men, a patriotic society. What a precious cemetery, ty for the walk thru..Loved it.

[@keithvineyard7837]

Cool thanks, Robert, Daniel, Hunter. I will have to come over there to Alabama sometime and visit that grandparents grave as well as Russell Cave National Park. Named after another one of my grandparents.

[@Robert-hk3gf]

You guy's have a Blessed soul for doing the research on these old cemeteries.

[@marshabrown8337]

The initials T.O.T.E, which appear on the back side of the Tomahawk, stand for Totem of the Eagle, the secret password for the Order. It appears on a variety of Improved Order of Red Men items, especially grave markers.Jun 3, 2018 Artifact Spotlight: IORM Tomahawk - Clarke Historical Museum

[@jeffkoldoff1155]

The Red Oak Creek Covered Bridge built by Horace King is located just north of Woodbury off GA 85 in Meriwether County, I've taken many people by to see it

[@andreamills5852]

Awesome history lesson Robert, Daniel and son . Glad you're giving Sir.Other Robert a much needed break and a chance to locate his trademark green shirt .👕

[@brendaz9222]

This cemetery tour was great, a pretty, well kept resting place for so many! Full of history. Thanks guys!

[@helenarubio3371]

a very uncommon relationship & he was ahead of his time

[@TheGenealogyArchaeologist]

W R West was an Oddfellow. That's what the linked chain is - Friendship, Love and Truth

[@bettyboop4263]

This is beautiful, well maintained cemetery. Seeing the babies graves is always so sad❤

[@user-gz2qh1ie8d]

My mom got me into exploring old cemetaries and reading head stones! Love that I can see more in other areas by watching you! Love it!!

[@sharrontaylor4744]

Always loved the bug infestation of summers, is a reminder of watching Shelby Foote's civil war documentaries !!! Keep up the great work 🤗👍

[@madgekilbourn5256]

You knocked this one out of the park! A home run! Thank you so much for your hard work. I had never heard of the Godwins and Horace King. I will continue to do my own reading on these wonderful people. Thank you.

[@artcflowers]

The youth on wall! When i was his age, i was doing the same thing when my gran would take us for picnic with the long gone relatives. We played hide n seek too.

[@andreamills5852]

Yes , Hide and seek behind the 🪦

[@lesley.brennan10]

I love how you get all the history. Much respect from Sydney Australia 🇦🇺 ❤️

[@maryleescott9028]

Being a bridge builder a steel plate seems appropriate.

[@marthakierstead3415]

Wonderful cemetery exploration! Always admire how respectful you are Robert in reading the epitaphs

[@carolannjohnson2398]

I love going to old cemetery and looking at the head stones. Such history.

[@shenahgee4181]

FLT stands for Friendship, Love, Truth, three degrees associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Odd Fellows, first organized in the US in 1819, is a popular fraternal/benefit organization. The emblem of the Odd Fellows is usually shown as three links of a chain. The initials T.O.T.E stands for Totem of the Eagles. FLOWER - a symbol of immortality. FLYING BIRD - a symbol of rebirth. GARLAND - symbolizes victory over death. GRIM REAPER - a symbol found on many early gravestones, meaning the inevitability of death. HANDS (CLASPED) - a symbol meaning farewell and the hope of meeting again in eternity.

[@jenniferponcia8387]

What a precious kiddo in the background.

[@MillerMeteor74]

Cool cemetery! I loved those brick tombs. TOTE is Totem Of The Eagle, which has to do with the Improved Order of Redmen, a fraternal organization. There is a Redmen's lodge near here.

[@lindagrennan2618]

Ancestors on several sides lived in the south. One family went from Carroll Co GA to somewhere in AL to Itawamba/Lee Co MS. Later descendants moved to Texas then Oklahoma. I love visiting old cemeteries. My sister married a Godwin. Need to find out more on his family. Believe his dad was from Alabama. Thank you for your walks thru these parts of history for us that lived hundreds of miles away.

[@SondraD7676]

Great episode. interesting symbols. and FLT and TOTE information listed in the other comments. It was good to see Daniel and son! His son reminded me of the picture of you, Robert, as a young boy walking along the wall of a cemetery. We know how you started out, perhaps this young man will follow suit and keep an interest in history and preservation. I hope so! 👍👍❣

[@kathleentyler9808]

TOTE - Symbol of the Improved Order of Red Men, a patriotic society. FLT The initials of the Odd Fellows lodge are “FLT” which stands for Friendship, Love and Truth as the basic guides to live by as an Odd Fellow.

[@karlathrift550]

No, you are not alone. Love old cemetery's too

[@tedlawrence4189]

Fascinating! Nice to see a 'bama cemetery as a change from here in Ga.

[@susanboucher9732]

Robert always enjoy your tours through cemeteries.

[@craigwills1615]

Good to see Daniel again!

[@robertvance01]

I'm not from your area and was curious about Horrace King after you talked about him. I Googled his name and got a great deal of information. It's sad that our history books only speak of only those we want to honor instead of those who deseve it.

[@squarefour1]

I enjoyed that. Next time don’t forget to introduce all who travel with you , that young man wanted some recognition for your wonderful video as well. See you guys on the next one

[@rodneyfletcher9565]

Robert, this is an interesting video of the history of the families of the area. Good to see Daniel and his son! Wish you all good find and video some old abandoned bridges.

[@dougeing6521]

Incredible story! Thank you for sharing!

[@paulhoffman6371]

TOTE - Time is Of The Essence. I'm sure your viewer is thankful to you for visiting his ancestors burial plot.

[@KhalidMahmood-wm1qz]

I love touring the old cemeteries,it's just like a time capsule, people of all ages,places,events,being from India,visited many shrines and grave sites going back thousand years.but your research and knowledge is awesome.thank you.SOMETIME I WONDER WHAT WOULD I CHANGE,IF I COULD TRAVEL BACK IN TIME?

[@alanatolstad4824]

Horace King...fascinating reading.---Hiya Daniel, you look like you've lost weight since the last time I saw you, moving dirt to grade the muddy road at the Old Byrd Farm!---I didn't mind the cicada noise.

[@scottishhellcat]

Thanks for posting!

[@brendahogue5487]

Love your videos. Robert bringing out the past history

[@tiffanymims8691]

The headstone with the chain links with the letters F. L. T. is an Odd Fellows (IOOF) symbol. I have never seen the eagle with shield and letters TOTE, it makes me wonder if it is the initials of the local IOOF lodge for that area.

[@alanatolstad4824]

Or, TOTE means Dead in German.

[@artcflowers]

tote le mundo (Interlingua) Pronoun tote le mundo All people: everybody, everyone. Tote also means upward. But the german as mentioned previously sounds like the most appropriate translation.

[@annabellelee4535]

Totem of the Eagle perhaps, a symbol of the Improved Order of Red Men, a revolutionary war patriot group like Daughters of the American Revolution. TOTE is a symbolic representation of one of their secret passwords. The emblem is an eagle and shield with the letters in the shield. They still exist.

[@dcleggo1086]

horace king bridge lagrange ga. As far as i know it still standing...plus few other areas in troup co

[@pbwiz1404]

I love the old cemeteries!!!

[@novemberwallace7059]

If you use flour or baby powder on the head stones it will be easy to read and it will wash off when it rains

[@franciscarodriguez2855]

Love your story style

[@Carolbearce]

Very interesting old cemetery.

[@susanbellefeuille]

Excellent video thanks for taking the time to share.

[@DoubleDogDare54]

Interesting - I live in northern Illinois, used to live in Wisconsin. Never saw a slab grave marker, fieldstone marker or a foot stone. Certainly not the slabs that are lettered by hand.

[@karenshepler7128]

Very beautiful place and it is nice to be able to find d lost history again. Thanks for sharing and take care

[@MeMe-cz6pk]

Amazing history.

[@NinaRaye_]

I live in Phenix City… You are doing an outstanding job, sir!

[@tinacarpenter2919]

FLT stands for Friendship, Love, Truth, three degrees associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. The Odd Fellows, first organized in the US in 1819, is a popular fraternal/benefit organization. The emblem of the Odd Fellows is usually shown as three links of a chain.

[@ravenrose3730]

Great video as always. Thank you for it.

[@bbqking7869]

One of the bridges is located in Albany Ga, over the flint river.

[@cristinareid9923]

very brave both of them a good guy both love these two

[@KierstenGregory-zi6cr]

Congrats on your chanal

[@doloresvelez3243]

Thank you.😊

[@beretta1342000]

that is so amazing.. what a great story..

[@lynwalton761]

A fascinating video, thank you.

[@joanhamilton2651]

Love these

[@debbieroland2807]

Great video!

[@bettierusso5410]

A heartfelt THANK YOU for showing the graves of Confederate veterans and this one especially. We rarely hear the fact that most slaves were not beaten. This is a monument to LOVE and its ability to overcome racism over 160 years later. This scenario was an act that happened many times in the South, but we do not hear about them. God Bless you for presenting the facts. Also; as an interesting side note; AS a Labor and delivery nurse I spotted the two graves of Mrs. Lucy W. Ford who gave Birth to a stillborn, or infant girl named after her who died within the day of July 29, 1897, only 3 days after her baby girl was born. This was probably a uterine or amniotic infection as certain bacteria tend to make their presence known within a certain time...3 days is very common and that is why new mothers are requested to stay in the hospital for 2 days to watch for infection. At that time, childbirth was deadly as no knowledge of pathogens being passed in Labor, or in childhood. May they all rest in peace!

[@sandysue202]

A very interesting history lesson! Thank you for sharing this.

[@PaintedTurtle001]

The W. R. West headstone is referring to the Odd Fellows. I don't know what TOTE stands for but the 3 interlocking chain links with FLT(Friendship Love Truth) within the links is classic Odd Fellows symbolism.

[@ElizabethLucey-zs1ew]

Robert you should go check out Walton,s family cemeterie in Virginia and you should check out Walton,s mountain town also it,s in Virginia ok

[@AdventuresIntoHistory]

Our eBay shop helps us keep making videos: www.ebay.com/usr/oldbyrdfarm New items added weekly.

[@patrickl.foster7231]

Hey love watching both channels, but always love cemeteries. Its interesting you mentioned Spanish Fort for your next video. I live here in Spanish Fort. Alot of great history here. Although I am not from here, my husband's family are mainly next town in Daphne, and they go way back, both parents family are well known also.

[@sherronbell4961]

Amazing cemetery 🪦

[@katherineyanagihara2909]

Aloha 🌺

[@maryellenshock]

There were quite a few people who took the time to teach slaves to read.

[@haroldcampbell3337]

Even though it was against the law.

[@ALMdawgfan]

Even back then, perhaps more so, people were inclined to turn a blind eye to laws they saw as arbitrary or nonsensical. It was more common to have more need of an aide with aptitude than social conventions. Then as now laws were not often enforced against sense.

[@bettierusso5410]

FYI; The Odd Fellows are often known as the "three-link fraternity" and the three letters of a chain represent Friendship, Love, and Truth. The letters, FLT are often embedded within the links of the chain. MR. WEST was obviously a member of the Independent Odd Fellows Society.

[@user-zp8mw4dz1n]

Handmade bricks were many times piled up and then covered with dirt and burned like a pizza oven kiln type of firing. The bricks came out rough but solid.

[@cyndycanfield9805]

It’s good to see Daniel again.

[@ALMdawgfan]

Good job fellas. If any know more of the “Odd Fellows” Order I would be appreciative of anything they might pass on….

[@jamesbass9797]

Does anyone know where Horace King was buried?

[@lynnhuddleston3199]

Horace King is buried in the Mulberry Street Cemetery in LaGrange, Georgia.

[@vickymurdock8127]

Hi Daniel 😊

[@jamielieberg7053]

Robert at 21.07 W R West grave the chain FLT is for the odd fellows he must have been a member still working on my 121-year-old farmhouse here in Wisconsin new roof new pillars going up this weekend and before that staining and sealing the front porch there is a lot of work here just like your is old fieldstone foundation and a lift up door seller that is 5 feet deep with a dirt floor love this old house

[@Grahzzyvtvlog]

Got them Casey style glasses 😂

[@dalet9207]

Me too.

[@doncolincreative]

... The initials T.O.T.E stands for Totem of the Eagles.

[@truracer20]

@9:30 never repair old brick structures with modern mortar. The mortar used with those old soft bricks was only lime and sand. Cement mortars cause the old brick to crumble.

[@LYNDA600]

Love your videos, but where is King buried?

[@1lthrnk]

FLT stands for Friendship, Love, Truth, three degrees associated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. I couldn’t find what the TOTE on the shield means

[@khanysafan1705]

If you run a pencil across a sheet of paper on those monuments you should be able to see a lot of the ones that are hard to read,

[@andreamills5852]

That will eventually wear down already eroded monuments. It is not recommended

[@JamesBond-lj6ms]

WR West’s grave is an Odd Fellows grave. That’s what the crest at the tops is

[@vikapica8123]

What about Euharlee GA covered bridge?

[@PaintedTurtle001]

Do you know where Horace King's grave is?

[@britneywilliams537]

‘Business partners’🥴

[@AdventuresIntoHistory]

That is exactly what they were after Horace King purchased his freedom. He went into business with his former “master” and became his business partner and later took over the business. All of this prior to emancipation. Horace King, after purchasing his freedom, later enslaved people himself - up until emancipation. There is a news paper article from the 1860’s where he is advertising an enslaved person who he could not get along with. It’s intricate, twisting history for sure.

[@britneywilliams537]

@@AdventuresIntoHistory thank you! I have read the story of Mr. King. However, one must think of the complexities living in the times they were in. Being that Mr. King was ahead of his time. A renowned engineer, entrepreneur and businessman, he definitely raised some eyebrows. In the southern states it was illegal for black people to hire white people. Therefore having Mr. Martin as a slave would have most likely benefited them both. Mr. Smith was a ‘radical’ per say and him being with Mr. King may have spared his life for the time being. That’s maybe why Mr. Smith was sold off and really later became a prominent abolitionist. Also, black folks could not gather or be jobless…in turn he could be enslaved (before or after 1865) by another white man, if anything. It still doesn’t make it right. To me it makes it survival. There were in fact Jewish ppl served in the German army in WWII….just as wrong. When white people enslaved black people the white people used the labor and the supremacy it was built upon to gain, while black people were forced live with it…Again, please do not misconstrue my comments under your content for hate or negativity. I appreciate all that you are doing. You have unlocked well ‘sawed’ 🪚in the literal sense 😅 a window into our history that may have never been opened!

[@davidjeffersjeffers7918]

Just to the right of Ella Wyndam Jenkins marker are three large metal pipes, about 4" diameter, sticking out of the ground. Any idea what they are? Also, is the youngster Daniel's son? Why didn't you introduce him? The symbol at the top of W.R. West's marker (three links in a chain) is Oddfellows.

[@sandraroberts7406]

HOMEMADE HEADSTONES

[@dcwallace9930]

Are you saying that the pipes are the headstones? @@sandraroberts7406

[@TammyMilam-yc4yn]

Beautiful