Robert Mayfield (abt. 1885 - 1949)

Born about 1885 in Marshall, Harrison, Texas, United States

Died 27 Sep 1949 at about age 64 in Pineville, Rapides, Louisiana, United States

Biography

Robert Mayfield is a part of US Black heritage.

A newspaper article published on October 27, 1928:

"Deputies Seeking Negro Charged With Attacking Farmer "(From Thursday's Daily)

"Sheriff's deputies are searching for Robert Mayfield, alias "Texas" Mayfield, negro, who is charged with assaulting Leonard Mathews, well-known farmer, who resides on the Masonic Drive, near the city. The assault is alleged to have occurred about non yesterday. The black was employed by Mr. Mathews and was at work with the latter in the field, gathering potatoes, when an altercation ensued between them. The negro is alleged to have struck Mathews several times and threatened to kill him.

"The sheriff's office was notified of the assault, and Deputies Brister and Marler immediately responded to the call. The officers made a thorough search of the neighborhood and surrounding vicinity, but failed to apprehend the accused, who had in the meantime made his escape.

"A warrant was issued by Judge Nachman, charging the negro with the offense, and has been placed in the hands of Sheriff Downs for execution."^[1]

A newspaper article published on November 9, 1937:

"Violations of Game Laws Charged

"Charges of violation of game laws were to be filed today against Robert Mayfield and Bennie Williams of Alexandria, who were arrested last night by Steve F. Baker, state game agent, and United States Deputy Game Agent Marshall Parker.

"They are to be charged with hunting o'possums with a dog, gun and light at night.

"Mr. Baker and Mr. Parker said that hunters should know that it is unlawful to hunt quadrupeds, except for sport, at night with gun and light."^[2]

The 1940 U.S. Census lists Robert as a 54 year old married negro man living with his wife and three children in a rented house on Sixth Street in Alexandria, Rapides, Louisiana. His birth year is estimated as 1886 and he was born in Texas. Robert pays $7 in rent each month. He has never received any formal education. Robert works as a laborer in road construction. In 1939 he earned a total of $35.^[3]

Robert was approximately 64 years old when he passed away.^[4]

Sources

1. ↑ Weekly Town Talk (Alexandria, Louisiana) 27 Oct 1928, Sat page 3
2. ↑ The Town Talk (Alexandria, Louisiana) 09 Nov 1937, Tue Page 13
3. ↑ "United States Census, 1940," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VY57-L9N : 1 June 2020), Robert Mayfield, Alexandria, Police Jury Ward 1, Rapides, Louisiana, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 40-1, sheet 9A, line 23, family 199, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 - 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 1441.
4. ↑ "Louisiana Deaths, 1850-1875, 1894-1960," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FSBY-NZJ : 2 April 2020), Robert Mayfield, 27 Sep 1949; citing Pineville, Rapides, Louisiana, certificate number 12571, State Archives, Baton Rouge; FHL microfilm 1,418,366.