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Farming For A Better Future, page 270
(Top) Limestone County Land Maps Showing Barbee Ownership, 1889-1902 (Limestone County Archives, Athens, Alabama) (Above) Limestone County Land Maps Showing Barbee Ownership, 1903-1913 (Limestone County Archives, Athens, Alabama) Robert Barbee married Martha in 1876 and had 13 children. In 1890 they purchased a land patent from the U.S. government containing 158 acres north of Athens, Limestone County, Alabama. By 1900, Joe Barbee owned 80 acres adjacent to the north of Robert and by 1902, Sam Barbee owned the 80 acres west of Joe. Nettie Barbee purchased the 80 acres to the west of Robert in 1911. While their relationship is not clear, the Barbees were most likely related; Joe and Sam are 22 and 23 years younger than Martha and could be her sons. The Alabama Fork School was eventually built in the very northwest corner of Robert Barbee's property and surrounded by other family members' land. The Barbee's were undeniably influential in the education of children of color in the community. The school functioned as such until at least 1958. By 1967, the building at that location was labeled as a church on topographic maps. The building at the corner of Cross Key and Elkmont roads is similar in appearance to the school but may not be the same building. Although it appears unoccupied, there is a sign in front of the building identifying it as the Alabama Fork Cumberland Presbyterian Church. (Above) Photograph of Class in Front of Alabama Fork School, Date Unknown (Retro Glances, 1947) 2 ■ Anderson Plantation* and Cemetery The Anderson and Fletcher cemeteries are separated by about one mile in the community of Peets Corner. Both cemeteries are southeast of the intersection of Huntsville-Browns Ferry Road and Mooresville Road. The 1936 USGS/TVA topographic map labels the area near Anderson Cemetery as “Anderson Place,” possibly referring to the former plantation of C.D. Anderson. According to the 1860 slave schedule, Anderson owned 63 slaves. Present-day Anderson Cemetery Road leads to the resting place of at least 124 individuals, including 16 members of the Anderson family. Many of the graves are not marked or have incomplete inscriptions. The earliest known burial is of Florine Manny, who passed away in 1916. Among the Anderson family graves is that of Dock Anderson (1885-1942), who owned a farm on Mooresville Road in 1930. Other family names include Benford, Brown, Davis, Leslie, Malone, and McLin. 31 Athens The city of Athens, Alabama is the seat of Limestone County. Nearly centrally located, today Athens' population is about 17.5% people of color and the city has been home to people of color since its founding in 1818. Like much of North Alabama, Limestone County and Athens were settled by squatters, mostly from Georgia, Virginia, and the Carolinas, years before the state was annexed. Following its founding, the city quickly became a center for agricultural economics and some politics - at least four of the state's early governors were from Athens and Limestone County. Athens was a stop on the Tennessee and Alabama Railroad route between Decatur, Alabama, and Nashville, Tennessee. The presence of the railroad - (4798)