Robert Lofton Sr (abt. 1855 - 1947)

Born about 11 Mar 1855 in McDonough, Henry, Georgia, United States

Husband of Ellen (Norment) Lofton — married 22 Aug 1876 in Hardeman, Tennessee, United States

Husband of Rosa (Gist) Lofton — married 20 May 1899 in Lee, Arkansas, United States

Died 7 Aug 1947 at about age 92 in Little Rock, Pulaski, Arkansas, United States

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Biography

Robert Lofton Sr is a part of US Black heritage.

Robert Lofton was born enslaved, in McDonough, Henry County, Georgia, March 11, 1855. His parents were:

Charles (Tye) Lofton and

Lou Speer

His siblings were:

1. Thomas Lofton (1850-1925)
2. Arthur Lofton (1868-unk)

Robert and was enumerated in the 1860 Slave Schedule of Asa R Brown (1814-1874). ^[1]

After the conclusion of the Civil War, Robert went with his father to Atlanta, Georgia for about a year, according to his Slave Narrative interview described in the Interview section.

Robert moved with his family to Whiteville, Hardemon, Tennessee, where he and Ellen Norment were married August 22, 1876. ^[2], ^[3]

Robert and Ellen's children were:

1. Arthur Patrick Lofton (1876 - )
2. Mary L Lofton (1878 - )
3. Robert Adolphus Lofton (1879 - )
4. Savanah Lofton (~1880 - )
5. Charles Lofton (1882 - )
6. Carlotta (Lofton) Kelly (~1885 - )
7. Jessie E (Lofton) Taylor (1886 - 1945)
8. Leon Lofton (~1888 - )
9. Grover Cleveland Lofton (~1893 - ~1983).

Prior to 1900, ^[4] Robert moved to Lee County, Arkansas where he and Rosa Gist were married May 20, 1899. ^[5] Their child was:

Berel Lofton (~1902 -)

Robert and Rosie spent at least the next twenty years in Lee County, Arkansas. ^[6], ^[7]

Robert's interview was conducted in Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas between 1936 and 1938.

He passed away August 7, 1947 around 92 years of age, in Little Rock, Arkansas. ^[8]

Robert is buried at Mount Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery #2, in Oak Forest, Lee County, Arkansas. ^[9]

Slave Owner

• Asa R Brown (1814-1874)

Residence

• 1860 McDonough, Henry County, Georgia
• 1880 Whiteville, Hardeman County, Tennessee
• 1900 Hampton Township County, Lee, Arkansas
• 1910 Hampton Township County, Lee, Arkansas
• 1920 Hampton Township County, Lee, Arkansas

Interview

Robert was interviewed in Little Rock, Arkansas as part of the Federal Writer's Project of the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

The general theme of the interview was "Folklore Subjects." The following choice passages are documented in Robert's interview, transcribed by S S Taylor between 1936 and 1938.

This narrative should be viewed as a perspective of Robert's words, filtered through the pen of an interviewer with overt racial biases, as is evident in his biographical sketch.

Robert's complete interview can be accessed here: Arkansas Vol 2 Part 4 Page 271

How Freedom Came

The slaves learned through their masters that they were free. The Yankees never told the niggers anything. They could tell those who were with them that they were free. And they notified the people to notify their niggers that they were free. "Release him. If he wants to stay with you yet, he may. We don't require him to go away but you must let him know he is free."

The masters said, "You are free now, Johnnie, just as free as I am." Many of them put their things in a little wagon and moved to some other plantation or town or house. But a heap of them stayed right where they were.

My father found out before my mother did. He was living across town behind us about one-fourth of a mile. Dr. Tie, his master, had a post office, and that post office was where they got the news. My father got the news before my master did.

He got on to it through being on with Dr. Tie. So my father got the news before my master, Asa Brown, did and he came over and told my mother before my master did. But my master came out the next thing and told her she could go or come as she pleased. She said she'd stay right along. And we got along just as we always did until my father came and told us he was going to Atlanta with a crew of Yankees.

Voting

There wasn't any voting by the slaves. But ever since freedom they have been voting. None of my friends ever held any office. I don't know anything about the niggers not voting now. Don't they vote?

Share Cropping

Share cropping has been ever since I knowed anything. It was the way I started. I was working the white man's land and stock and living in his house and getting half of the cotton and corn. We had a garden and raised potatoes and greens and so on, but cotton and corn was our crop. Of course we had them little patches and raised watermelon and such like.

Excerpt from SS Taylor's Biographical Sketch of Robert Lofton

They were share croppers and farmers throughout their lives. He has a son, however, a war veteran and unusually intelligent.

Robert Lofton is a fine looking old man, with silky white hair and an octoroon appearance, although the son of two colored persons.

Research Notes

Birthdate

Robert's birthdate was cited in a variety of documents, including his grave marker. Typically, a grave maker is the gold standard. However, considering the lackadaisical approach to detail in documents that relate to African Americans, that extends to current day indexing, this researcher has chosen a preponderance of evidence for Robert's birthdate, March 11, 1855. The sources are summarized below.

• March 11 - Interview, Death Certificate
• March 20 - Grave marker
• 1852 - Death Certificate, Grave marker
• 1855 - 1860 Slave Schedule, 1880 US Census, 1899 Marriage Record, 1900 US Census
  • 1854 and 1856 were US Census outliers, enumerated in 1910 and 1920, respectively.

Sources

1. ↑ "United States Census (Slave Schedule), 1860, A R Brown; District 42, Henry County, Georgia. FamilySearch
   
   
2. ↑ 1876, 22 August; Hardeman County, Tennessee. "Tennessee Marriages, 1796-1950" FamilySearch
   
   
3. ↑ 1880 US Census; Robert Lofton, head of househohld; ED 56, p 438B, family 19, ln 36. FamilySearch
   
   
4. ↑ 1900 US Census; Robert Lofton, head of household; ED 42, p. 11A, family 205, ln 15. FamilySearch
   
   
5. ↑ 1899, 20 May; Lee County, Arkansas;"Arkansas, County Marriages, 1837-1957," FamilySearch
   
   
6. ↑ 1910 US Census; Robert Lofton Sr., head of household; ED 10, p. 2B, family 34, ln 53. FamilySearch
   
   
7. ↑ 1920 US Census; Robert Lofton Sr., head of household; ED 118, p. 6B, family 134, ln 85. FamilySearch
   
   
8. ↑ Arkansas Death Index, 1914-1950, Robert Lofton, 08 Aug 1947; FamilySearch
   
   
9. ↑ Find a Grave. 20 Mar 1852 – 7 Aug 1947; Mount Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery #2, Oak Forest, Lee County, Arkansas; Maintained by Rosie 47651599.Find A Grave: Memorial #187558106 Memorial ID 187558106
   
   

• FamilySearch: Robert Lofton M5KZ-XS6