The story of the Ivy lineage finds its earliest recorded anchor in the person of Rachel Ivy, the matriarch of the Ivy family born at the beginning of the nineteenth century. While many details of her early life remain veiled by the passage of time and the harsh realities of the era, the fragments we have gathered offer a compelling glimpse into our family’s endurance.
The 1880 Census and Early Origins
Rachel Ivy first appears by name in the 1880 Federal Census. According to these records, she was born approximately 1810 in the state of Virginia. Her surname serves as a vital link to her past, suggesting that she was held in bondage by a family of that same name before the era of Emancipation.
Connections to Noxubee County
By the mid-1800s, the family’s history intersects with Byrd Ivy, a prominent landowner in Noxubee County, Mississippi. While the 1860 Slave Schedules for his plantation do not list our ancestors by name—recording them only by age, gender, and color—we believe Rachel and her kin were among those listed in those ledger lines.
A Potential Path Through the Generations
One of the most intriguing clues in our search lies in the 1814 Last Will and Testament of Sampson Ivy, Byrd’s grandfather. In this document, Sampson bequeathed a “slave girl named Rachel” to his young daughter, Charlotte Ivy.
Because Charlotte was a minor at the time, she was placed under the guardianship of her brother, Thomas Ivy. For the Rachel Ivy of our records to have eventually labored on Byrd Ivy’s plantation, she likely would have been passed down through the family in one of two ways:
- Via Charlotte: Remaining with her mistress as she grew.
- Via Thomas: Passing through the hands of the guardian to his son, Byrd.
While we cannot say with absolute certainty that the child mentioned in the 1814 will is the same Rachel found in the 1880 census, the alignment of names, dates, and locations provides a powerful bridge to our ancestors in Virginia. Rachel Ivy survived a turbulent century. Born in slavery, she lived the last decades of her life in freedom.
1. Rachel Ivy 1810- In 1880, Rachel is 70 years old and listed in the Census as the head of the family and a farmer. Rachel was born in Virginia and her parents were said to be from South Carolina. It is possible (but not proven) that Rachel was a slave of a white plantation owner named Bird Ivy.
Rachel lived on the farm with her son William (45), daughter in law Martha (28), and her grandchildren John (12), Grant (10), Dora (8) and Robert (4). Rachel’s son William was also born in Virginia, but his children were all born in Mississippi. John and Grant were going to school.
2. William Ivy (1835-?) Son of Rachel Ivy
In 1870 William Ivy had fairly recently married a woman named Martha. They had two children: John (1) and Grant (2 months old). William worked as a farmhand. By the year 1880 William and Martha joined his mother Rachel and were farming land in Noxubee, Mississippi.
- John Ivy (1868–?)
- Grant Ivy (1870–1914) Married in 1900 to Georgia Ivy. They lived in Beat 3, next to family and they owned their own plot of land.
- Dora Ivy (1872–?) Dora lived in Beat 3, next to family and she owned her own plot of land. Her younger sister Mattie and younger brother Willie lived with her as well as a small child, said to be her nephew.
- Robert “Bob” Ivy (1875–1964) married Lula Belle in approximately 1897 and in 1900 they lived on their farm in Beat 3, Noxubee, Mississippi.
- Mattie Ivy (1882–?)
- Willie Ivy (1887–?) A man named William Ivy lives next door to Bob Ivy in 1910. He is said to be 25 years old. This is likely the brother of Bob. He is married to Pinkie Ivy and they have a son named WIllie and a daughter, Alberta. William rented a house and had been out of work for 6 weeks in the previous year.
3. Bob Ivy (1875-1964), son of William and Martha Ivy. Married Lula Belle Ivy in approx. 1897.
The Household of Bob and Lula Belle Ivy: A Legacy of the Land
The early twentieth century saw the family of Bob Ivy firmly established in the soil of Mississippi. Through decades of census records, we see a story of hard work, shifting fortunes, and a house forever filled with the laughter and labor of many children.
1910–1920: Prosperity and Growth
By 1910, Bob was established as a tenant farmer, renting land and working it alongside his growing family. Though the records note he faced eight weeks of unemployment that year—a testament to the seasonal hardships of the era—the family’s perseverance bore fruit.
By 1920, Bob and Lula Belle had achieved the milestone of land ownership. Their farm was situated at the junction of Macon and Allgood Mill Road. The household was a bustling one, sheltering eleven children and a grandson. Education was clearly a priority, as Minnie, Mattie, Louise, Robert, and Elliot were all enrolled in school.
A Note on the Records: Curiously, the 1920 census lists Bob’s occupation with the initials “RR.” While this might suggest he spent time as a Railroad laborer to supplement the family income, his wife Lula Belle is explicitly listed as the “Farmer,” suggesting a true partnership in managing their estate.
1930: Transition and Maturity
The dawn of the Great Depression saw the family relocated to Macon and Starksville Road, where they returned to renting their farmland. At this stage of life, Bob was “working on his own account” as a farmer. The census from this year provides a touching detail of his past, noting he had married Lula Belle at the age of 21.
The 1930 household remained large, with eight children still under their roof, including Louise, Mattie, Emma, Elliot (recorded as Edd), Louella, Willie, and John W. Also present was twelve-year-old Charlie; though listed as a son, he is believed to be their grandson, Charlie Lewis.
1940: A New Chapter
The 1940 census finds Bob at 68 years of age, still working the land but facing a changed home. Our beloved matriarch, Lula Belle, is absent from the record, having passed away sometime during the 1930s.
Bob had found companionship again, marrying a woman named Addie B. (aged 40) sometime after 1935. The Ivy farm remained a sanctuary for the younger generation; living with Bob and Addie were his daughter Willie B. and three grandsons: John Cotton, Smith Cotton, and little three-year-old Fred Sanders.
Children of Bob and Lula Belle:
- Rose Ivy (1898–?) Mentioned in the 1900 census. Not mentioned in the 1920 census. Rose either married or passed away by 1920
- Molly Ivy (1900–1935) married Wesley Cotton (See Cotton family page for his family history.) Called Mary in the 1900 census, but is later called Mollie/Molly. Mentioned as living with her parents in 1920. She is said to be a widow, and the grandson Charlie Lewis living with the family, aged 2 years old, may be hers.
- Rita Ivy (1902–) mentioned in the 1910 census and the 1920 census
- Minnie Ivy (1905–1971) mentioned in the 1910 census and the 1920 census
- Robert Ivy (1908–?) mentioned in the 1910 census and the 1920 census
- Louise Ivy (1909–1994) mentioned in the 1910 census.
- Mattie Ivy (1910–1983) mentions as “baby Ivy” in the 1910 census) and listed as Mattie Ivy the 1920 census. Mattie’s married name was Calloway. Mattie died at the age of 53 in St. Louis. She had a pneumonia and developed thrombosis. She was married to Sherman Calloway and lived on 2729 Thomas Street in St. Louis. Buried at Greenwood cemetery.
- Louise Ivy (1912–?) mentioned in the 1920 census. This may be the same Louise as mentioned in the 1910 census, but the age difference may indicate that a girl Louise died and a later child was named after her sister.
- Elliot / Eddie Ivy (1914–1978) Called Elliot Ivy in the 1920 census and Edd in 1930.
- Emma O. Ivy (1917–2013) mentioned in the 1920 census and the 1930 census
- Luella Ivy (1918–1992) mentioned in the 1920 census and the 1930 census
- Willie Lee Ivy (1919–2004) mentioned in the 1920 census and the 1930 census. Note that Willie is not short for William. Willie is a daughter of Bob and Lula.
- John W. Ivy, (1921–?) mentioned in the 1930 census
4. Molly Ivy (1900-1935), daughter of Bob and Lula Belle Ivy. Called Mary in the 1900 census, but is later called Mollie/Molly. Mentioned as living with her parents in 1920. She is said to be a widow, and the grandson Charlie Lewis living with the family, aged 2 years old, may be hers.
Molly married Wesley Cotton in approximately 1921. They had several children. In 1930 they lived in New York at 400 186th Street in the Bronx. Wesley and Molly rented an apartment for about $20 a month. Wesley worked as a janitor. (Based on the 1930 census.)
- John W Cotton (1923–2003) by age 7 he lived in New York with his parents. In 1940 Smith lived with his grandpa Ivy back in Noxubee, Mississippi.
- Smith Cotton (1924–1977) Probably born in Mississippi, but by age 6 he lived in New York with his parents. In 1940 Smith lived with his grandpa Ivy back in Noxubee, Mississippi. At age 18 Smith worked for the Williams sawmill in Macon, Mississipi, and registered for military duty. He is described as 5 ft. 6 and 125 lbs on the registration card. Said to have been born in East St. Louis.
- Willoughby (Willie B.) Cotton (1927–2008) Listed as living on E 168 St in the Bronx, New York with his parents when he was 3.
- John Cotton (1929-2003) According to the social security records John Cotton was born on 9 Dec 1929 in New York. His death date is given as 17 Dec 2003 Son of Wesley Cotton and Molly Ivy
SSN 110362143. We suspect that this is the same John as the one mentioned above. It is not clear how or why have may have changed his age. - Eillene Cotton (1931–1991) In 1940, after the death of her mother, Eileen is said to be living at an institution called Little Flower Homeless Colored Children, located in Riverhead,Suffolk,New York with her brother Robert. On her social security documents she is said to be the daughter of Wesley Cotton and Molly Iovry. Her ID was 055281217. She used several different names over time: Jul 1951 Eileen Cotton; 1952 Eileen Elizabeth Cotton; 1961 Earline Elizabeth Cotton; Jan 1963 Earline Elizabeth Johnson; Mar 1964 Earline Cohen; 06 Apr 1991 Earline Johnson
- Robert Cotton (1932–1971) In 1940, after the death of his mother, Robert is said to be living at an institution called Little Flower Homeless Colored Children, located in Riverhead,Suffolk,New York with his sister Eilene. Robert marries Mattie Mae Cotton and moves to Gary Indiana. He dies in 1971 from spinal cord injuries in a car accident. His obituary mentions his siblings Willie B., John, and Smith Cotton, Charles Cotton (probably his half-brother from his mother’s side), Earlene Cotton and Geraldine Cotton. Robert served as a private 1st class in the army. His application for a military headstone indicates he may have served in 1953 in Korea.
- Geraldine W. Cotton (1935–1990)
5. Geraldine W. Cotton (1935-1990) Daughter of Molly Ivy and Wesley Cotton. Married L.T. Barton. Geraldine had a son
- Mike Cotton (1957–?).
She married L.T. Barton in ca 1958.
- Luther Barton (1959–2009)
- Earline Barton (1960–present)
- Roger Barton (1961–2023)
- Kenneth K. “Kenny” Barton (1965–present)
- Barbara Jean Barton (1969–2016)