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Irby of MS and AL

Irby of MS and AL

Posted: 6 Jan 2005 3:55PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Irby
I am trying to help a friend research her ancestry. Her grandfather was Odie Irby (b. 1894 in MS, possibly Meridian); the family settled in Choctaw Co., AL before 1920. It appears Odie's parents were Aaron Irby (b. March 1862) and Jinny (b. 1867) maiden name unknown. There are other Irbys that I suspect are related, but need more than a census record to be able to tell.

The Irby family is African-American and I would appreciate any help in locating their graves, obits, anything that could be of help to my friend Mae. Is anyone familiar with this family? Thanks!!

Re: Irby of MS and AL

J Golden (View posts)
Posted: 22 Jan 2005 5:02AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Irby
Nice of you to help out a friend. My family's surname is Irby and we are an Africian Amerian family. From what I have the family came as slaves from VA to MS. Some settled in Panola county MS and some later moved to TN. The names in the email are not familiar but, if you could tell me a little more I may have some information.

Re: Irby of MS and AL

Posted: 22 Jan 2005 5:17AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Irby
Thanks for responding!

Mae's grandfather was Odie Irby, born 1894 in Meridian, Lauderdale Co., MS. His wife was Lula (maiden name unknown). Odie's parents were Aaron Irby (b. March 1862 or 1852 in MS) and Jinny (maiden name unknown, b. 1855 in MS).

I've done some digging in the censuses and have theorized that Aaron's parents may have been Zachria Irby (b. 1822 in VA) and Sarah (maiden name unknown, b. 1830 in AL). This would certainly fit in with what you mentioned regarding being slaves in VA and coming to MS.

Does any more of this sound familiar? Thanks again!!

Re: Irby of MS and AL

J Golden (View posts)
Posted: 22 Jan 2005 7:33AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Irby
Yes this sounds familiar. I have a list of Irby names that I have not even added to my database. But I know I've seen the names in your email. Here's what I was told. There were several slave owners from Nottaway, VA who came to Batesville MS in 1848. Freeman Buckner Irby (slavemaster) is where I have connected my family so far. The house slave "Big Lou" had about 21 children. At some point Freeman's brothers left Panola and went to Shelby county TN and AL with part of Big Lous children. So far I have not found out which of the children left nor have I found any of their names. If you look at the census records (1850 Free slave list) you'll see several Irby's listed as free slaves. Until a few years again I was not certain if I should make the connection.

I have listed 9 of the children so far. I do have a John Irby who married a Sallie (last name unknow). I'll pull my list and give you any additional information that I have.

Re: Irby of MS and AL

Posted: 22 Jan 2005 5:07PM GMT
Classification: Query
WOW! What a tremendous amount of information!!! How were you able to trace this down? Part of the reason I told Mae that I would help her was the challenge of slavery, which I've never dealt with (I'm a caucasian with my ancestry in the "North").

I would really appreciate anything else that you'd be willing to share! Thank you again!!!!!!!!!!

Re: Irby of MS and AL

Jacquelyn Kennedy (View posts)
Posted: 4 Mar 2005 12:36AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Irby, Baker
I am trying to trace my Irby family - also from the Panola, Miss area. In one of the messages, John and Sallie Irby were mentioned.

The last ancestor that I have with any certainty is Freeman Irby (born about 1876). One that I have located in the 1880 census, lists parents as 'John H Irby and Sallie Irby;' children Julia, Freeman (my great grandfather if I have the correct family), Edner, and brother (of John), E.W. Irby.

Freeman Irby married Lula Wotten(?) and their children were Nellie (my grandmother), Priscilla & John.

We have had some contact with an Emmitt Irby from Batesville, Miss, who still lives on the plantation land of the Irbys and he relayed the story about Big Lou (actually has a picture of her in his house).

Would you happen to know if I'm on the right track? Were there any other 'Freeman Irby' names around that time?

Any help would be appreciated.
Jacquelyn

Re: Irby of MS and AL

J Golden (View posts)
Posted: 4 Mar 2005 2:20AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Irby James
Jacquelyn,

Hello and it's my real pleasure to meet you. You are definately on the right track and we are of the same family. I have so much to say.

Your great grandfather Freeman and by Great Great Grandfather Edwin and E. W. Irby are brothers. I have pictures of E.W. and Edwin. How's that for starters.

Emmitt Irby is the historian and it was a blessing to finally talk with him. I saw the picture of Big Lou and almost cried. He has so much to share, but he is getting up in age. For years we passed his house, waved and never stopped. I guess I'm in the generation after you. You would be with my mom.

The other Freeman B. Irby that you see is the slave owner Freeman Buckner Irby from Nottaway County Virginia. He is the man who father so many children with Big Lou. From what I've been told, there are about 20 children.

I have that Freeman married Mary Campbell James, who is the daughter of Armstead James who is also from Nottaway County Virginia. Here's the kicker - Freeman and Edwin (2 brothers) married two step sisters. Both James - daughters of Armstead.

I've seen the name Lula Wotten, but I can't remember where, maybe it's a second wife.

Re: Irby of MS and AL

Posted: 11 Nov 2010 7:17PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Irby
I am a black Irby. My father, John Irby was born in Coldwater, MS in 1930. I don't know his father's name..his mother's name was Lily McIntyre (not sure the spelling). I've been told Lily was born in 1898 and has Native American ancestry possibly? I am desperately trying to figure out if it's possible that I could be related to the Irby's of Panola. I have little to nothing to go on and working for a Civil War Foundation, I have been trying to find out my family's roots and how it relates to the Civil War. Any help???

Re: Irby of MS and AL

Posted: 10 Dec 2011 2:53AM GMT
Classification: Query
Edited: 13 Dec 2011 5:45AM GMT
Surnames: irby
I am a descendant of EW Irby and would like to learn more of him. Could you please supply any information that you have. It would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Re: Irby of MS and AL

Posted: 1 Jun 2012 3:01AM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Irby
I just saw this note. I am a white Irby descended from the Irby family of Panola County. My great-great grandfather, John W Irby, was born in Virginia in 1820. His son, my great-grandfather, James F Irby, was born in Virginia in 1848. The family moved to Panola County some time in the late 1840's, because they show up on the 1850 Panola County Census. If you check the 1860 Census from Panola County, you will see that John W Irby and his wife Maria had a number of children and over 20 slaves. If you look at the slave rolls from the 1850 & 1860 Census, they show 19 & 27 respectively. Unfortunately, the slave rolls did not show the names of the individual slaves, only their age, sex and owner's name. However, if your family lore says you were from Panola County, it is entirely plausible given the documented history of that time. I hope this helps!
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