Susan Fisher

Lost, Forgotten, Hidden, and Ignored 

Susan Fisher Girty, Truelove's mom, died 100 years before I was born. Clearly, I didn't know her, nor did I know anyone else who knew her. As far as I understand, no one had any stories about her. I'm not even sure if anyone in my immediate family knew her name before I found it myself. Susan was unknown to us, forgotten, and lost with time. Then again, there weren't many opportunities for me to talk with extended family about our ancestors, so maybe others knew her story. I can only remember one family reunion, and I certainly didn't have the sense to ask anyone questions about ancestors or old family stories then. When I did start asking, some in my family said, "leave the past alone." I heard that phrase more than once. Years later I still don't agree with that sentiment, but it's easier for me to understand why they didn't want to talk. Why they wanted to forget.

When I talk about Susan, as well as many other ancestors, I have to talk about slavery. It was her life, what she suffered through. It's difficult for me to dissect documents and records pertaining to her life because I see the degradation of her. It pains me, and I only see a glimpse of what she endured. If I talk about some events I feel rage welling up inside. While others make me want to cry from sorrow. I don't want to dwell on those emotions, so I understand why these stories are hidden. Yet, slavery and the aftermath wasn't Susan's entire life. She had a husband, children, and family. There must have been joyfulness, laughter, and love. Right?

I'm not really amazed anymore at how people will talk about an ancestor's life while ignoring the evil they perpetrated upon others like Susan. I mean who wants to think about their ancestor going along with and implementing atrocious things, just so that they could enrich their own lives. Becoming prominent figures of the community is what they talk about. Why say slave owner, harasser, or rapist when you can say Mayor of Fincastle, war hero, or Circuit Court judge. I mean, that's just how they became wealthy, prominent, upstanding pillars in their communities. Slavery shouldn't be excluded when looking back at their lives either. It just is. Or barely glossed over.

Early Life

Lauderdale, Home of Edward Johnston. Source: Va DHR

Susan Fisher was born around 1829 in Botetourt County, Virginia. Her parents were named Jackson and Cathrine. I don't have much evidence for that, just her death record. Her husband William was the informant, and although he would probably know that information, he may not have been in the right frame of mind. I've seen death records where the informant gives their parents names, rather than the parents of the person who died. But I'm not complaining. A name is more info than I have for most of my 4th great-grandparents that aren't white, so I'm grateful.

Susan was owned by a man named Edward Johnston by the year 1853. I don't know if he was her first or only owner by then. She gave birth to a girl named Louisa in December of that year, and Edward Johnston's estate was the owner. He died in May the same year. But the home above is where he lived. Where Susan's next owner, Thomas Henry Johnston, lived. It must be the land where she lived too. It even has a name, Lauderdale. It always strikes me when homes have names, and people make sure to record them for history. When I look into the history of the Johnston family, of Botetourt County, I see that name all over. If only it where that easy to find the names of the slaves that built these homes. That tended to these homes and families. If only the slaves weren't so callously ignored, it wouldn't be so hard to find them now.