Myers Family History

Myers Family History

Researched, compiled and written by Bernita Helen Dorch, Daughter of Edith Helen Myers Dorch (1930 - 2018)

Before the complete emancipation of all African people in America occurred in 1865, enslavement was a reality of life for the majority of Black people in the United States. Until then, our historical ancestors had to run away to steal their freedom, or they had to prayerfully wait to be set free. Even though our historical forefather, Mr. Louis Myers experienced slavery, he was also able to savor the taste of freedom! And by 1871 this freedom allowed him to flip the script! Not only did he embrace freedom, he also planted solid roots for himself and his family when he bought over 220 acres of land from Master Shuler, his former white slaveholder, who no longer supervised Louis’ life.

At an early age, Louis married Miss Mariah Shuler, a housekeeper from the Plantation. As was customary then, African American marriages included jumping over a broom. We can confidently assume Louis and Mariah’s union was a happy one because as the story goes, their feet did not touch the broom over which they happily jumped! Their union produced eight children. Three boys left the Plantation and never returned, but we can account for their other 5 children: Brantley, Isaac, Mary, William and Lavinia.

The vision Louis Myers had for a stable future for his wife and children has extended to our lifetimes, because the land he purchased way back then remains as part of our South Carolina family homestead. Louis’ goal to manage his own family on his own land is a testament to the legacy of solidarity and self-determination that has undergirded the strength of the Myers family ever since!

Louis departed this life at the age of 60, and his wife Mariah lived to the age of 86. Their eldest son Brantley assumed the role of head of the family. Brantley and his wife Eliza Smith, the daughter of Shedrick & Eliza Warren Smith, raised 5 children: Adam, Lillie, Hester, Mary and Benjamin.

Like his father Louis, Brantley had a vision for the future. He wanted his family well cared for, with a place to always call home. Not satisfied with just the inheritance from his father, Brantley bought an additional 100 acres of land for the family in 1891. Brantley passed away at the age of 61 in 1920; his wife Eliza departed this life in 1951.

Moving somewhat closer to modern times, our forefather Adam Myers was born in 1897. He married Miss Mattie Husser, daughter of Lymus and Mimi Ellis Husser in August 1919. He was 22 years-old and she was 19. As you probably know, the children of Mattie and Adam initiated this Myers Family Reunion in August 1969, to commemorate the 50th wedding anniversary of their parents, and the rest is history! We can be sure Adam and Mattie – affectionately known as Papa and Mama – would be very proud that we’re still celebrating them with our commitment to this annual gathering!

Papa and Mama’s union was blessed with 12 children! Louis, Heyward, Joseph, Edna, Edith, Frank, Wilson, Jessie Mae, John, Marion, Bettye, and Earline. Prior to his marriage Adam fathered 2 sons: Peter Smith and Riley Green. Adam and Mattie’s first 3 children were raised at Papa’s parent’s – Brantley and Eliza’s house, which was situated behind Uncle Joe’s and Aunt Martha’s house – until Papa built his own home, which we now know as Uncle Wilson’s and Aunt Christine’s home. Edna was the first child born at the new location in 1926, followed by the rest of the children who were raised at this new homestead. 

Our family history is extraordinarily great. Our roots are as deep and rich as the Southern soil. Yes, from our earliest recorded history, one of the most outstanding aspects of our past has been the Myers’ goal to achieve and maintain a strong and united family. This goal factored prominently, despite the backdrop of slavery that separated Black families, and controlled a portion of our ancestors’ and other African Americans’ experience. Across the generations, the Myers’ commitment to family togetherness still carries on. And our strength, unity and family pride increases with each generation, and each reunion!

Some of the details and actual dates of our very earliest history may be sketchy. But several facts are certain. For example: Our forefathers and foremothers were very hard workers. They plowed, planted and plucked. They farmed vegetables, cotton, tobacco, and sugar cane. Adam Myers also raised hogs, cattle and chickens to support his growing family. The food his family ate was the food Papa farmed and gathered, and the food Mama prepared and served. If you were a child around their dinner table you knew your place! The children might have to settle for the thinner portions of meat from the chicken head, neck or feet, because the grownups were entitled to the thickest chicken parts first! But undoubtedly, nobody went hungry.

In his later years Papa was also gainfully employed outside of the home. The daily, dedicated hard work of our parents, grandparents, great grandparents and great-great grandparents is in our blood! As we lovingly recognize who they were, we can still derive confidence to cherish who we are, and we sincerely thank them!

There have been many accomplishments among Mama & Papa’s first generation offspring. Their children’s achievements include advanced education, excellence in teaching, business, and professional careers, military service, self-employment and entrepreneurial success. They have also shown leadership in religious ministry, and have traveled the world. Furthermore, the marriages and families of the Myers first generation have blessed us with the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th generation, and given us expectation for many more generations to come!

Our beloved Papa, Reverend Adam Louis Myers would probably have lived to be 100! He still possessed the strength of his mind and body in 1983, but unfortunately, while out driving his truck, he was involved in a collision that ended his life at the age of 86. Our beloved Mama, Mrs. Mattie Husser Myers passed away peacefully in bed at the home of her daughter Jessie Mae at the age of 88 in 1988. Their surviving children are: Wilson, Jessie Mae, and Earline. In our minds and hearts we gratefully and lovingly embrace all the past and the present branches of our vast family tree. We are humbled, yet filled with pride to imagine those years of the 1800’s and beyond, and we are so grateful for the strength, foresight and sacrifices of all our predecessors. We honor and thank them!

Time will never erase the legacy of love and ethnic pride our forerunners charted for us. These ties that bind us all continue to unite us with a common purpose: faith and trust in God, and steadfast love and devotion to ourselves and to each other!