
In the middle of this photo wearing a hat is my Granddaddy Buddy. Well, he’s actually my great grandfather on my father’s side. The little girl on the far left is Mamie Lee (Wishum) Britt. Granma Lou (Eliza Lucretia Hobby) is holding (Elbert) Julian. Standing in front of Granddaddy Buddy (Thomas Edgar Wishum) is Lester Ree (Wishum)(Whiddon) Ford. Granpa John (Collier Worsham, later John William Worsham) is holding Johnny Jackson (Wishum). The older boy in the back is (James) Ambros Wishum, who is standing behind Essie Vee (Wishum) Branch. Based on the look of the ages of Julian and Johnny Jackson, this photo is circa 1916.
Granddaddy Buddy was born July 28, 1897 in Worth county, Georgia, to John Collier Worsham and Eliza Lucretia (Hobby) Worsham. He was the second oldest of 12 children. His only older sibling was Ambros. After him, in order, was Jessie Ivey, Susie Mae, Lillie Pearl, Mamie Lee, Essie Vee, Johnny Jackson, Lester Ree, Ollie Dyce, Elbert Julian, and John William.

This photo needs cropping! 🙂
In the 1900 Federal Census record, he’s listed as two years old living in Militia District 1044, Worth, Georgia. In the 1910 Federal Census record, he’s listed as thirteen and still in Militia District 1044, Worth, Georgia. (Notice that his birthday probably explains the one year discrepancy with the age.) In the 1920 Federal Census, he’s listed as twenty-two and single living with his parents in Doles, Worth, Georgia. The 1930 Federal Census lists him as married to “Lizzie” with two children, “L E” and “Mary L”. Granma Lizzie was Mary Lizzie (Elizabeth?) Massey. She’s the daughter of Newton Elmore II and Mollie (nee Powell) Massey. If you look at the rest of the page, you’ll notice that he’s listed right above his father and siblings, meaning they lived next door. My guess is that the land was a wedding present or the like. You’ll also notice elsewhere on the page the last names Hobby and Whiddon, also elsewhere in the family tree. In the 1940 Federal Census, the most recent one released, he’s listed as married to Lizzie (“Lenie” as it’s transcribed) with three children (“Elie”, which should be L.E., Mary Lou, and “Nolen”, who’s relation is not actually listed). This is the first Federal Census record that my grandfather, Nolan, is listed on after his birth. The only notable names on the page with Granddaddy Buddy and his family is Dice (Morris Franklin) and Kate (Arrie Katherine, nee Furney) Hobby. Dice would have been Granddaddy Buddy’s uncle, Granma Lou’s brother.
Granddaddy Buddy passed away January 2, 1982. I remember meeting him a few times before he passed away, but I was 6.5 when he died and don’t remember much. I do remember the overalls he wore, Daddy says all the time! I asked Daddy once if Granddaddy even owned a suit. Probably not, he didn’t go to church much that Daddy remembered. Which makes sense in another way. Granddaddy Buddy and several Worshams are buried in Providence Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery. When Anthony and I went to find and visit the grave sites there, I noticed the church sign. They only met a few times a month. Here’s a picture of the sign:

The line under the meeting times says Elder Walter Todd, Pator. Below that indicates that it was “constituted 1860”. There are several family members buried here which hazards a guess that they were members at this congregation at some point. I don’t recall having run across records of the “consituting” and charter members or any member lists, but I’m not sure that I’ve searched as of yet. Next on the list??