Calling All Bookers!

I am looking into organizing a family reunion for Bookers descended from Daniel Booker (born 1819 in Virginia as a slave, died in Talladega county, Alabama). We have a rich heritage and a LOT of cousins across the country, so it's about time we get together and celebrate!

Daniel Booker was married to Rachael Welch (and possibly to another woman whose name is unknown), and had the following children:

John (m. Celia Reynolds)

David (m. Willie ?)

Julia Ann (m. Philip Long)

Thomas (m. Tilla Rivers, Nannie Allen)

Basil M. (m. Mattie Pope)

Lafayette (m. Martha Thomas, Ella Reynolds)

Robert Lee (m. Georgia Willis, Etta Lawler)

William Sherman (m. Caroline "Callie" Jemison)

Wesley Scott (m. Jennie Halmon, Estella ?)

Frank

Nannie (m. Paul Chapman)

Ann E.

Most of Daniel Booker's descendants either stayed in Alabama or moved to Chicago, New York, and Detroit, and then spread out from there. Please contact me if you are related, interested in getting together for a family reunion, or would like help to see if you are connected to this family.

Also check out this family tree on RootsWeb to get more information on the descendants of Daniel Booker.

It IS time for a change...

Over the past two years, I have watched the presidential campaign somewhat closely. Tomorrow it will finally wind down to an end, and the country will know who our next president will be. I have thought much about my great-great-great-grandfathers, John Estill and Daniel Booker, who both waited in line to register to vote in 1866 after they received their freedom from slavery. They did not take for granted this sacred privilege to use their agency, and I have an opportunity to follow their example, 142 years later, by showing up at the polls to vote.

I will not bore you with my views on various political issues, or even announce in whose behalf I will cast my ballot. I will support the president no matter who wins and follow the laws of the land. But I am appalled at the the voter suppression that is rearing its head even to this day, targeting areas with higher percentages of minorities to try to keep them from voting. (Read about one instance here. ) In some areas, people have been making phone calls encouraging people to vote by phone, sending our fliers warning people that they could be arrested if they try to vote with outstanding parking tickets, or that because of the unprecedented number of new voters, they have extended voting to Wednesday, November 5th. These are all attempts to confuse people, and although voters do have a responsibility to educate themselves, many first-time voters may be swayed by this very illegal behavior. It is time for this to stop.

It does not surprise me that there is still so much racism, but it still does hurt.

30th Anniversary of Priesthood Revelation

I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, sometimes known as Mormon. Every now and then I get challenged about my beliefs--among them, how I can be black and be Mormon. I have been a member of this church for almost 10 years; I have attended the church in seven countries on three different continents, and in nine different states. I can say that I have never met more loving, warm, friendly, open, and accepting people anywhere than the Mormons. From the first time I set foot in one of their churches, I felt welcome, and it has been the same every Sunday ever since for all these years.

Every church has their history. This church is no exception. There are all kinds of theories out there about why the priesthood was not extended to all worthy men until 1978, and I don't agree with any of them. But what I do know is that the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness, along with the power to act in the name of God to administer the ordinances of the gospel, is available to all people on earth who seek it. I believe that we are all equal in the eyes of God and that we always have been, and everything is available to all of us to enable us to return to live with our Father in heaven again, regardless of our race. God loves everyone, black and white and Hispanic and Arab, Mormon and Catholic and Baptist and Muslim and Jewish. And He has invited all people to come unto Him.

So in honor of the 30th anniversary of the revelation on the priesthood, I have posted this video for your enjoyment.