I thought you'd be interested in a little more information about Olen Burrage, the reputed Klan member on whose farm the bodies were buried. Take a look at this site.

http://weallbe.blogspot.com/2010/01/mississippi-blood-money-...

Here's a little more history. My ggggrandfather, Daniel Emmons of Fauquier, Va was the brother-in-law of Thomas Burrage. Daniel's first wife, Lucy Ann Burrage Emmons died around 1834. Two slaves owned by Thomas were my ggggrandmother Nancy and her daughter, Ellen. He also owed an Indian they named Washington, who was stolen and enslaved, as well as slaves named Caroline and Milton. I have the estate inventory listing their names and their "value."

Washington later married Ellen and was given the last name Crofton after Daniel sold him to his son-in-law, Henry Crofton.

Daniel Emmons was Ellen's father.

When Thomas died in 1839, Daniel bought Ellen, her mother, Washington and two other slaves and took them with him to Kemper County, MS, then to Neshoba County, MS along with his second wife, Eliza Withers Burrage Emmons (Thomas' widow) and their children.

Daniel and his first wife Lucy Ann, had two daughters, Henry Ann Emmons and Lucy Ann Emmons. Henry Ann married her cousin James W. Burrage, one of Thomas' sons and lived near her sister Lucy Ann who married the widower Henry Crofton, an overseer on the Hudson Plantation in Kemper County, MS.

Many of the Burrage's, including Rebecca and her husband Edward (parents of the younger Burrage's) lived in Winston, Mississippi.

It was very shocking to me to find out about Olen Burrage during my research. It was also very shocking to a descendent of the Burrage's who worked diligently with me to trace our roots.

Just wanted to pass the story on. I don't know if Olen Burrage is related to James W. Burrage, who married Henry Ann, but I'd like to think so. Imagine, if she was his grandmother, her half sister was biracial!

Denise