My Great Uncle Burton “Burt” Creel’s Life Story

My Great Uncle Burt Creel

About 1871

My Great Uncle Burt Creel was born between 1863 and 1871 in or near Covington County, Mississippi.

His father, Henry Creal/Creel, was around 20 years old at the time, but the identity of Burt’s mother is unknown.

Despite consulting various records, there is no conclusive evidence to determine who Burt’s mother was.

Although Burt’s death record lists his mother’s name as Mary, it’s uncertain whether Mary was the first wife of Henry or a mistaken entry.

Also, Amanda, Henry’s second wife, could have been Burt’s mother.

But this depends on how old Amanda was when Burt was born. Amanda was born around 1857, and she may have been too young to be Burt’s mother.

Overall, the mystery of Burt Creel’s mother has not been solved, but research is still going on, and new information may come up in the future.

I would love it if you read “The Life Story Of My Great-Grandparents, Henry & Amanda Creal/Creel” and visit the Creal/Creel Family Website for Creal/Creel history.

1880

Several sources place Burt’s age between nine and seventeen. However, this age range appears quite extreme, and I assume he was around 11 years old.

According to the 1800 Census, Burt lived with his parents, Henry and Amanda Creal/Creel, and his siblings. Below is a list of his siblings:

• Martha A. Creel (5)
• Ann Creel (3)
• Sylvester Creel (1)

1895

In 1985, Burt Creel married Loose Ann when he was about 25 years old and she was about 20 years old.

1896 Homestead Agreement

According to Page 2 of The New South Ellisville, Mississippi, dated Saturday, June 13, 1896, Burt filed his homestead application with the Chancery Clerk of Jones County in Ellisville, Mississippi on July 6, 1896.

Burt likely settled on this land in approximately 1892 as a result of the Homestead Rule, which mandated residency and improvements on the land for a specified period of time.

1900

According to the 1900 Census, Burt and Loose Ann had been married for 5 years. And Burt was listed as being born in June 1869. He was 30 years old, and Loose Ann was 25.

They were living west of Tallahomo Creek in the city of Laurel, Jones County, Mississippi. Burt was a farmer, and he owned his farm outright with no mortgage.

According to the census, he could read but not write. Both his parents were born in Mississippi.

My great uncle Burt had two daughters, Bertha was four and Mary was one. He also lived next to his sister, Mary Annice Creal Barnes, and her family.

I would love it if you read her story, “My Great Aunt Mary Ann Annice Creel Barnes’ Life Story.”

1910

The recorder in the 1910 Census misspelled Burt’s name. His last name was spelled with a “K” instead of a “C.” Also, his first name was listed as Buck. Was Buck a nickname? Or was it a mistake?

My great uncle Burt and Loose Ann had been married for 15 years and were raising their five children on their farm in Beat 2, Jones, Mississippi, according to the 1910 Census.

• Bertha Creel (14)
• Mary Creel (10)
• Emma Creel (9)
• Henretta Creel (5)
• Barney Creel (2)

Burt was 39 years old, and his wife, Louise Ann, was 32 years old. In this report, Burt was listed as not being able to read or write. And his birth year was listed as 1871, not 1869 as previously recorded.

1910

Burt’s wife, Louise Ann Gammage Creel, passed between 1910.

Burt and Viola Marrys In 1910

Burt and Viola Martin got married and formed a blended family. Burt had two children named Henerta and Barney, while Viola had one named Ida.

Together, they had four children, and the names of their children are listed below.

• Henrietta Creel (14)
• Barney Creel (12)
• Ida Creel (10)
• Johnny Creel (9)
• Isadore Creel (7)
• Rachel Creel (6)
• Sylvester Creel (0)

According to the 1920 Census, Burt was 33 years old and his wife, Viola Martin, was 30. I must point out that Burt’s age is clearly incorrect in this report.

According to the report, Burt was born in 1887, didn’t attend school, and could not read or write.

Burt was a farmer with a mortgage on his land.

And both of his parents were born in Mississippi.

In addition, even though his parents had moved to Arkansas, Burt’s nephew, Charles Barnes, continued to live next door.

1923

Burt and Viloa gave birth to their last son Lonnie Creel.

And, On November 5, 1923, Burt’s father, Henry, passed away.

1924

On February 9, 1924, his mother, Amanda, passed away.

Burt and Viola gave birth to the last child, Flora Creel.

1929

On Sunday, March 3, 1929, the Laurel, Mississippi, newspaper “The Morning Call” reported. Burt Creel was sentenced to one year in prison for allowing Sam Graves to set up a whiskey still in his home.

Due to Burt’s age, according to the article, he received a lighter sentence than Sam. Burt received a one-year sentence, while Sam received a three-year prison sentence.

I believe my great uncle Burt was a well-respected and well-liked man in his community because of the few known memories of him.

In addition, the court took his age into account and reduced his sentence by two years. They were most likely aware that Sam Graves took advantage of him.

It is not much known about Burt’s life except that he was a kind man with a big heart. He would help anyone if he could.

According to Burt’s grandson, Levester Crosby, Sam Graves placed the whiskey still on Burt’s property without Burt’s permission. Burt had over 100 acres of land at the time, and as a result, Burt lost his land.

1930 – 1932

Between 1930 and 1932 according various records, many changes occurred in my great uncle Burt’s life.

• He was released from prison.
• He Divorced Viola,
  • According to the 1930 Census, Viola listed herself as divorced.
• He remarried.
  • Her name is unknown and she passed before 1932.
• His land is currently owned by the Strong family.

1932

Burt Creel passed away on April 28, 1932, from apoplexy in the city of Summerland, Jones County, Mississippi.

• Burt’s death certificate states:
• He was buried in Center Ridge.
• He was a widow.
• His father’s name was Henry Creel.
• His mother’s name was Mary.
• His informant was Polly Hatten.

Conclusion

In conclusion, my great uncle Burton “Burt” Creel was born during the most heinous period in American history for African-Americans, either during or immediately after slavery.

But Burt is remembered as a kind and loving man who would go to great lengths to help those in need. His descendants are numerous, and he will live on through each of them.

Creal/Creel Family Book Coming Soon

Stay tuned for “The Creal Story,” a book that is based on the lives of Henry, his wife, and their 11 children. Also, check out the Creal/Creel Family Website for more history.

Are you a descendant of Burt Creel? Are you my cousin? Do you have additional facts to add to his story? Please leave a comment.