Susan Fisher: Part 2

Undeterred

I've always found a plant's ability to thrive fascinating. It's one of the reasons my inability to keep a garden frustrates me. Plants can be neglected, abused, or sabotaged and still survive. I have one house plant. We got it seven years ago for my son's science experiment. I promise you, it has been neglected, abused, and sabotaged with three kids (and myself) trying to 'take care' of it. Yet it still hangs on. 

Source: Jonno vs the Internet

Whenever I see a flower like the one above, I smile. No person did anything to help it grow. It was left to its own devices. Yet, it's strong and determined. It had to bide its time, but there it is. Bright and colorful, despite its surroundings. The flower is thriving. I feel like Susan was a lot like this flower, strong and determined to survive.

Out From Slavery

By 1870, Susan was living with her husband William and six children; Louisa, Emaline, Gustavus, John, Truelove, and Matthew. She was a homemaker while her husband was a farm laborer. The entire family was listed as mulatto. This tells me that Susan and William's mothers or grandmothers were likely raped. Possibly Susan was too. No one in the home could read or write, but I wonder if the family would admit it if they were able to during this time. I wonder if Susan was even asked anything by the census taker. It wasn't unheard of for white neighbors to be asked to provide information for the black families nearby. How accurate is the information on this census? I just wonder how they were able to navigate through the emotional stress and physical strains of this time. They were living around people who saw themselves as better and more worthy. People who were likely angry about the property they were forced to give up.

Susan was able to survive slavery, along with her close family too. She had a brother and sister-in-law, Isaac and Ann Fisher, who lived beside her in Buchanan, Virginia. Ianthia Girty, Susan’s youngest child, lived with them in 1880, after Susan died. There may be another sister, Martha, who lived close by in Fincastle, Virginia. Martha moved closer to Susan's family in Buchanan after she died. But I have yet to find any more information on Jackson and Catherine, Susan's parents. I don't know when they died, if they were separated during slavery, or who else may have owned them. As always, I have many more questions.

This time after slavery was at best complex and dangerous for Susan and her family. I'm thankful she had family close by. They could protect and watch out for each other. Unfortunately, her family couldn't protect her from all of the post-war perils many black people endured. She was unlawfully detained in the Botetourt County jail for a time. Susan was pregnant with her last child Ianthia during this detainment.

Susan Girdy on death register. Source: Family Search

Susan died on April 9th, 1875 in Botetourt County, Virginia. She was recorded as a colored woman, born about 1829 in Botetourt County, Virginia. No cause of death was listed. I find it interesting that she died almost two years exactly from her detainment. Jail had to have changed her in some way. I often wonder if it somehow led to her death. But I don't know what happened to her during that time. I hate that she was only about 46 years old when she died. Yet, she survived long enough to make sure her children would have a life and children of their own. Susan had at least 7 children, 51 grandchildren, and a strong legacy of strength and survival. I saw it in my grandmother, my mother, and I hope my children see it in me.