From Whence They Came
Saga of the Glover, Ragsdale, and Stewart Clans
by Wilton R. Stewart, PhD
Mary (1837 - 1940)
Slave Midwife
This expansive historical narrative traces the ancestral journeys of three families across thirteen generations and five centuries. Their distinct paths—spanning continents, eras, and profound historical change—ultimately converge to form a shared family legacy. Through their stories, this book opens a window into the past while honoring the lives, struggles, accomplishments, and enduring influence of those who came before.
Drawing upon five decades of dedicated research, the author has recovered the fading echoes of earlier generations and preserved their stories for those who follow. This history is presented so that descendants may better understand their origins, recognize the sacrifices that shaped their lives, and honor the ancestors who paved the way.
“Until the lion tells the story, the hunter will always be the hero.” —African proverb
By reclaiming and preserving the family’s narrative, this work allows its members to tell their history in their own voice—and to ensure that their story is neither forgotten nor told solely by others.
Coming Soon
The Saga
The Glover, Ragsdale, and Stewart Clans
From Whence They Came chronicles the intersecting histories of the Glover, Ragsdale, and Stewart families as their lives unfold across generations, continents, and some of the most consequential periods in American history. Their stories encompass enslavement and emancipation, westward migration, agriculture and landownership, entrepreneurship, military service, education, civic leadership, and the enduring pursuit of opportunity.
Drawing upon census records, land documents, military files, newspapers, vital records, family papers, photographs, and oral histories, the book reconstructs
lives that might otherwise have faded from memory. These sources reveal not only where family members lived and what they accomplished, but also how they responded to the social and historical forces that shaped their times.
More than a genealogical record or collection of names and dates, this book is a testament to perseverance, family bonds, and the responsibility of each generation to preserve its history. It honors those who laid the foundation, recognizes the descendants who carried their legacy forward, and ensures that their collective story will endure for generations to come.
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