Sarah Elizabeth Grant, also known as Betsy, was born enslaved in 1837 in Greene County, Georgia. In 2022, a tweet from the Smithsonian Transcription Center shed light on a letter she wrote to the Freedmen’s Bureau, showing up on the timeline of one of her great-nephews: Orice Jenkins. Further research by Orice revealed Betsy’s complex story, as the daughter of an enslaved woman and a free man of color, who sued her enslaver after emancipation. Various resources were used to determine the identity of her parents, including DNA results, court records, Freedmen’s Bureau records, newspapers, and the new Full-Text Search feature on FamilySearch, leading to the uncovering of a historical phenomenon in the Grant family.
In this remarkable webinar from the African Diaspora Series, genealogist, author, and educator Orice Jenkins presented “Betsy Grant: A Fight for Freedom, Land, Education, and Love”—a deeply personal and historically rich case study uncovering the life of a formerly enslaved woman in post–Civil War Georgia. Live from the 2025 AAHGS Conference in Charleston, Jenkins masterfully combined traditional genealogy, DNA analysis, and historical records to reconstruct Betsy’s extraordinary story of perseverance against injustice. This compelling session demonstrated how thoughtful research and technology can recover forgotten lives and illuminate the complex realities of Reconstruction-era America.
Key Takeaways:
Genealogy as a Path to Truth and Connection: Jenkins began with a single tweet that led him to uncover his own ancestor’s struggle for justice. Through careful analysis of Freedmen’s Bureau records, court cases, and DNA matches, he connected Betsy Grant—a freedwoman who bought land from her former enslaver in 1871—to his own family line. The discovery revealed her lineage from both enslaved and free Black ancestors, offering a profound example of how modern genealogy can reunite dispersed descendants and reclaim lost heritage.
A Story of Courage and Defiance: Betsy’s 1871 letter to the Freedmen’s Bureau described her fight to secure an 80-acre property after her former enslaver, E.W. Thrasher, refused to transfer the deed despite full payment. Jenkins uncovered additional documents showing that Betsy not only worked to buy her freedom and land but also rented part of her home as a Freedmen’s school, defying racial hostility and social restrictions. Her eventual legal victory—achieved with the help of her partner, James W. Reese, and his family’s legal connections—stands as a testament to Black women’s resilience and leadership during Reconstruction.
Love, Legacy, and the Power of Research: Jenkins presented evidence suggesting that Betsy’s lifelong partner, the White schoolteacher James Reese, was not only her advocate but the father of her children—relationships reflected in census records spanning 30 years. By cross-referencing family documents, land disputes, and newly searchable Freedmen’s Bureau letters, Jenkins also traced Betsy’s ancestry to Sampson Grant, a free man of color descended from a Methodist minister who manumitted his enslaved people in 1793. His analysis illuminated the intertwined legacies of freedom, enslavement, and interracial family bonds across generations.
Jenkins’ presentation transcended traditional genealogy, merging emotional storytelling with scholarly rigor. His findings showed how persistence, context, and digital tools—like FamilySearch’s full-text search—can recover the humanity of those too long obscured by systemic erasure. The result was a narrative that honored not only Betsy Grant’s indomitable spirit but also the enduring legacy of families who fought for dignity and recognition in the face of oppression.
For genealogists and historians alike, viewing the full webinar offers a masterclass in reconstructing complex ancestral narratives using Freedmen’s Bureau records, land files, and DNA evidence. Be sure to explore the accompanying syllabus, which includes document links, research methodologies, and Jenkins’ blog Chesta’s Children—a valuable resource for anyone dedicated to uncovering and preserving African American family histories with depth, accuracy, and heart.
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Syllabus
Hi cousins! I’m so happy that our ancestors passed down such great and intelligent offspring! My great grandmother, Matilda Thomas spoke about her grandparents, Mr. James Reese and Betsy Grant to me when I was a child. She has her grandfather’s picture in her Bible but I wasn’t fortunate enough to see a picture of Grandma Betsy. She spoke highly of them and said she had a very happy childhood in Madison Ga. I attributed that to the love she saw between her grandparents and parents. It’s nice to know that their biography has extended beyond the black traditional griot story telling and now recognized by the Smithsonian institute
This webinar was absolutely incredible! As a direct descendant of Betsy Grant, I found it especially meaningful. I’ve been researching my family history for over 20 years, and this presentation brought new depth and connection to that journey. Orice is a dynamic and captivating presenter—his storytelling, insight, and passion truly brought the history to life. The presentation was not only informative but also inspiring. I’m deeply grateful for this platform and the opportunity to engage with such powerful
It was excellent, all the information was presented in a way that kept me glued to my seat. Thanks for all your hard work and sharing your family information. IYou have giving me renewed energy to continue to move forward with my family research.
Very informative but also presented in a beautiful way. It was almost as if he was giving his family a warm hug throughout the presentation. His breadth of research skill and steadfastness was inspiring. Thank you for sharing Betsy’s story.
Kudos for your research efforts in following the story to a fairly successful resolution.
Very informative. Thank you, Orice, for educating me on our family ancestry. My information stopped at Betsy & James. It’s beautiful to have this information about our family stemming back in time.
Very Interesting and informative. I have Grant and Thomas surnames in my tree I will have to check them out. It makes me want to search more of the kinds of records you searched for. Melody Knight
Great presentation and very interesting! Thank you!