Zachariah Bennett Romine (1830 - 1910)

Ancestors Descendants

Biography

Zachariah was born 3 Jun 1830 ^[1] to Peter Franklin Romine and Sarah Ann Rose, the fifth of their eight children. He was born and raised in a white settlement about 2 miles east of Rogersville, Lauderdale County, Alabama.^[2].

He married Lucinda Perkinson on 26 Oct 1853 in Lauderdale County, Alabama. They settled in the same area as his father Peter and raised a family of six boys and six girls. An additional daughter, Sarah Ella, died before she reached the age of 3. Their daughter, Sallie Eula, died at the age of 17.

Family lore suggests that he was a Blacksmith, but Census reports list his occupation as a farmer. Perhaps Blacksmithing was a hobby. When he was in his twighlight years he began working as a correspondant for the Florence Herald under the name "Uncle Zack" ^[3].

His first article appeared in the 29 Nov 1901 edition of the paper, giving the readers a taste of the humerous articles that were to come. ^[4]. He continued to write for the paper through 1904, regularly poking fun at the local residents, sometimes in the form of poetry ^[5]

Zach lived to the age of 70, passing on 21 Apr 1910 in Rogersville. His wife Lucinda died 4 Jan 1924, also in Rogersville. His Obituary read ^[6]: "Z. B. Romine, aged 82, died at his home in Rogersville. Mr. Romine, who was affectionately known by every person in the county as "Uncle Zach," had been in failing health for several years, was one of the best and most highly respected citizens of the county, where in his long years of life he accumulated a wealth of friends."

The children of Zack and Lucinda were:

1. John D (listed as David on Find-a-Grave, but others list his middle name as Dee) (1855-1924) married Amy Adeline Hurn (1855-1929).
2. William Peter (1857-1930) married twice, first to Martha Jane Allison (1858–1910) and second to Octavia Ridley (1865–1928). No known children with either spouse.
3. Lucy Ann (1858–1920) married Meridith Gentry "Bud" Moore (1860–1943).
4. Sarah Ella (1860–1863) died young.
5. Zachariah Lafayette (1862–1908) married Mary Ella Eastep (1873–1923).
6. Alexander Bennett (1864–1925) married Mary Eliza Barnett (1868–1937).
7. Mary Susan (1866–1919) never married.
8. Danella Catherine (1868–1956) married Milledge Franklin McMeans (1862–1944).
9. Betty Lula (1870–1930) married John P Howard (1875–1938).
10. Sallie Eula (1870–1888) died young, twin to Betty Lula.
11. Henry Brown (1873–1953) married Susan Isabella “Susie” LeMay (1878–1965).
12. Aeria Beatrice (1875–1967) married Adie E Wallace (1866–1923).
13. Brock Oficer (1876–1941) married Zona Arbana Newton (1886–1968).

Born 3 JUN 1830. Rogersville, Lauderdale, Alabama, United States. ^[7] Died 21 APR 1910. Rogersville, Lauderdale, Alabama, United States. ^[8] Residence 1850 Lauderdale, Alabama, United States. ^[9] 1860 Lauderdale, Alabama, United States. ^[10] 1870 Lauderdale, Alabama, United States. ^[11] 1880 Lauderdale, Alabama, United States. ^[12] 1900 Lauderdale, Alabama, United States. ^[13] 1910 Rogersville, Lauderdale, Alabama, United States. ^[14] Marriage Husband Zachariah Bennett Romine. Wife Lucinda G. Perkinson. Marriage 26 OCT 1853. Lauderdale, Alabama, United States. ^[15]

Sources

1. ↑ Find-a-Grave [1]Romine Cemetery
2. ↑ The Romine Family, by William Bethel Romine. January 1, 1930. Pulaski Tennessee. [2]
3. ↑ The Florence Herald of Florence, Alabama 29 Nov 1901, Fri Page 2. "We welcome "Uncle Zach," G. N. Roberts and 'Lexius" to The Herald's staff of correspondents. "Uncle Zach" is a rare genius and a philosopher and his letters will be read with interest by The Herald's readers."
4. ↑ The Florence Herald 29 Nov 1901, Fri Page 2: "A VALUABLE ACQUISITION. "Uncle Zack" Begins Bit Contributions to The Herald's Columns Early Schools. As this is my first letter to The Herald, I hope that all will make allowances for my mistakes. I may use some jaw breakers and occasionally knock the dictionary in the head. I never attended school more than three weeks in my life. I know but little about English grammar. think it would be Interesting to the children to know how schools were taught and the rules some of the teach ers adopted seventy years ago. Then I never saw a blackboard in a schoolhouse. Now I will use the language that was common with teachers at that time. "Who's first to say his lesson this morning ?' The one that arrived first at the school house had the right to say "First." Some of the teachers had a dunce block to sit us on when we didn't get our lessons This block was some eight inches high and cut at the top as sharp as could be made. They also put on the pupil a pair of leather spectacles and a huge cap made of paper; he also had a piece of plank with- the word "fool" cut on it. Now when we didn't get pur lessons he would set us on the dunce block, put on the cap and spectacles, give us the plank and then the whole school were permitted to laugh their fill. We were made to sit there and spell "fool" or take the lash, just as suited us. He would tell us when we got to the school house to take seats and study our lessons. It was natural for us to disobey that order. We would keep out spies and have all the fun we could. One morning the teacher got there very early and crawled up in the loft and slipped the loose plank back in place. We all got there a long time before the teacher did (as we thought. we bad a general jubilee mat morning, but alas, we soon saw his feet poking through the loft. He came down well prepared with hickory switches and thirty-two of us got the dad-shamedest flogging that ever was heard of. I remember the teacher try ing to get'a little boy to pronounce the word "bed." "What does b-e-d spell, Jim." "Don't know." "Jim, what do you sleep on of nights." Oh!" said Jim, "b e d sheep skin." On last Tuesday Richard Chambers went to McLemore's store. Some trouble arose between Chambers and Tom McLemore. McLemore " hit Chambers on the head with a single tree, breaking his skull. He died Friday last. Uncle Zack."
5. ↑ The Florence Herald 3 Jan 1902, Fri Page 5: "Uncle Zack's Rhymes. Christmas is over and passed off nicely, though some of the boys had plenty of corn juice, but from whence it came none can tell. A justice of the peace on going home from town Christmas evening, saw a man lying by the roadside. The Squire went to see whether he was dead or alive and, on finding him alive, the Squire asked him what was the matter. He told ths . Squire that he was "b b buckeyed." "Well," said the Squire, "I want you to tell me where you got your liquor." He turned on his side and said, "(hic) th th that's (hic) none of your d (hic) d- d business. When I waked last "Knight," My mind was in a whirl I thought that I was writing Some rhymes for The Herald. I thought that all the correspondents Had entered in a race, To see if they could beat . Jim Fulks and J. O. Pace. I thought I saw the "Robbin," The "Tattler" and the "Knight;" The "Violet" and the "Murmurer" Soon went out of sight. " Stray Shot' ' went too high, "Dead Shot" went too low; They both missed the mark and away went "The Crow." If "Dust" does find some beer, I know his mouth will smack; Please take one big go-down, And think of Uncle Zack.
6. ↑ The Marion County News, Hamilton, Alabama 12 May 1910, Thu Page 6
7. ↑ Source: #S414 Database online. Note: Record for Zachariah B Romine
8. ↑ Source: #S414 Database online. Note: Record for Zachariah B Romine
9. ↑ Source: #S414 Database online. Note: Record for Zachariah B Romine
10. ↑ Source: #S414 Database online. Note: Record for Zachariah B Romine
11. ↑ Source: #S414 Database online. Note: Record for Zachariah B Romine
12. ↑ Source: #S414 Database online. Note: Record for Zachariah B Romine
13. ↑ Source: #S414 Database online. Note: Record for Zachariah B Romine
14. ↑ Source: #S414 Database online. Note: Record for Zachariah B Romine
15. ↑ Source: #S414 Database online. Note: Record for Zachariah B Romine

• Daughters marriage: "Alabama Deaths, 1908-1974," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J6P6-C73 : 15 February 2018), Lucinda Perkins in entry for Ella Katherine Mcmeaus, 23 May 1956; citing reference 10041, Department of Health, Montgomery; FHL microfilm 1,908,909.
• Source: S414 Ancestry.com, Public Member Trees (Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 414) Repository: #R8 Database online. Note: Record for Zachariah B Romine
• Repository: R8 www.ancestry.com