"The Fairfield Recorder

Friday, January 11, 1924

Mr. Tobe Black, a long time and well known resident of the County, died at his home near Dew, about the first of the year."

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Alleston Marion Black, born in 1848 in Aberdeen, Monroe County, Mississippi, was the seventh child of Benjamin Blair Black and the fourth child born to his second wife, Jane. From early life, he was called Tobe or Toby by the family, Indeed, when the 1850 census was taken, he was listed with the family as Toby instead of his real name. He was about two and a half years old when the family left their Mississippi home to head for Texas. So most of his life was lived in the Lanely community where the family preempted a farm when they arrived in Freestone County, Texas in 1851. Tobe married Laura Shirley on October 28, 1869.He was 21 years old and Laura, having been born in 1853 was 16. The original farm that Tobe owned was in the present community of Lanely. Some of their children were born there. About 1882, Tobe moved his family to Parker County, Texas where they lived for two years on a farm. Third child, Maymie, was born there, however, the pull of home ties was too much and the family moved back to be with their friends and relatives in Freestone County. About this time, the home on the Benjamin Black's farm near Dew burned and left the couple homeless. It was decided that Tobe would trade his farm in the Lanely community for that of his father, and Tobe would rebuild the house. It was at this place that most of Tobe's children were born. Tobe was a large man, weighing about 200 pounds, yet it is said he was not fat. He sported a large handle-bar mustache, as did most of his brothers, this being the fashion for men in that day. Laura was a small, thin, wispy woman, who worked hard and was known in the community as a good cook and a good homemaker. Their home was a happy, jolly home where people felt an immediate welcome. It was a gathering place for friends on Sunday after church. In the farm community, people came many miles by wagon, buggy, or horseback to attend church, gathering for the early service about nine o'clock. Families living near the church usually invited those who came a long way to go home with them for noon dinner and to spend the afternoon until the evening service. The Tobe Black family always had company for these Sundays. After a big dinner, the adults would sit under the shade of a big tree in the yard or on the broad porch to talk and visit, while the children would run and play in the yard. This was a day the farm people enjoyed to the fullest; and they looked forward to inviting friends as well as being invitied. Laura Black, Tobe's wife, was known as one of the best cooks in the community and people enjoyed her hospitality, There was one particular family, however, who always made it a point to go home with the Tobe Blacks every Sunday. It became tiresome to both Tobe and Laura, but they could think of no way to discourage this family from coming back each Sunday. Tobe confided to my mother, Gertie Nicholas, that Laura cured them by carefully burning the cornbread each Sunday. they soon sought a "better" cook. Tobe Black enjoyed drinking whiskey when he was a young man. In fact, he and Aaron were quite heavy drinkers. However, when the law was passed prohibiting the making or sale of whiskey, he refused to buy or drink whiskey from that day on. He said that it was against the law and he would never go against the law in any way. Tobe died in 1923 and is buried in the cemetery at Dew, Texas. His wife, Laura, who died in 1938, is buried beside him there. Altogether there were eight children born to this couple: Joe, Maymie,Leta, Ben Blain, Lanie, Willie, and Frank. All of them married and had children except Frank, the youngest son, who died in 1922 at the age of 30, still single. Courtesy of Joycie Walker