|
Starnes-James Family Photo Album
|
|
| Aaron James married his second wife, Mahala Starnes,
daughter of Frederick Starnes, on 23 Jun 1830 in Mercer County, KY. In
April 1833, Aaron purchased a 160 acres land grant in Monroe County, MO
but remained in Kentucky until sometime after 1840. By 1850, Aaron,
Mahala, their seven children plus three children from Aaron’s first
marriage, had emigrated west to their acreage in Monroe County, MO.
According to family legend, Aaron and Mahala were instrumental in building the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church just east of Paris, MO. Mahala held classes there for the slave children who were allowed to attend. This was pretty unpopular with some of the residents at the time, but Aaron strongly believed educating the children was in his best interest as they could better negotiate for him on errands if they could "calculate". On freeing his slaves, Aaron gave them a choice of leaving or staying and working for him. Two families chose to leave and they were given a $5.00 gold piece, a wagon and food for their trip along with all their personal effects. Submitted by: Loretta at jodoinl@bellsouth.net
|
