The Headen Family

Ambrose Headen‘s family benefitted from his tireless work securing educational access for African Americans.  They went on to attend Talladega and two of his children became educators. 

Elfira Headen was the wife of Ambrose Headen. Elfira was born in January 1840 and was widowed by the 1900 Census. She had four children: Ambrose Bruce Headen Jr., Nannie Headen, Kate Lillian (Headen) Cunningham, and an unknown fourth child. She owned her house at 145 College Hill Street in Talladega. [1] Other census records spell her name as Affira Headen, Elfira Haden, and Affire Richards. Although much about her life remains unknown, 

Nannie Headen was the eldest daughter of Ambrose and Elfira. The Alabama Deaths and Burials Index states her birth year was about 1863 which made her two years older than Kate. However, census records between 1900 and 1920 aged her, Elfira, and Kate about a decade younger. For example, the 1900 Census listed her as Nancy Headen age 28. This would place her birth year at 1872. [2] By 1920 she lived with her nephew, Walter Cunningham. This Census says her birth year is around 1875. We know these discrepancies to be untrue because she is listed in the 1875 Annual Catalogue of Talladega College as being a First Year student in the Higher Normal department. Of her occupations after Talladega, census records stated she was a nurse. She passed away on November 5, 1936 in Talladega. [3]

Kate Lillian (Headen) Cunningham was born in 1865 and attended Talladega as a Normal College student in 1875. She married Lorenza Cunningham on October 30, 1885. [4] Census records listed her occupation as a teacher. There is no doubt that she was influenced by the work of her parents and wanted to continue the legacy of educating Black communities. Unfortunately, she was widowed and moved in with mother by the 1900 Census. The 1900 Census also revealed that she had two children: George and Walter. George was born around 1890, and Walter was born around 1895. [5] The 1910 Census reported that she gave birth to four children in her life but only Walter was still living. It also reported that she was a homeowner and self employed as a hotel keeper, but by the 1920 Census she moved in with Walter. She died on June 15, 1937 in Talladega at 72. [6]

Records place Ambrose Headen Jr.’s birth year between 1855 and 1859. He married Pattie F. Child on February 2, 1881 in Perry, Alabama. They moved to Birmingham by 1900. He had seven children, and the couple also took in Pattie’s niece and nephew. By 1910, they moved from 6th Avenue to 9th Avenue and owned their home. He had a career change from teacher to insurance agent between 1910 and 1914 according to the city directories. [7] The Alabama Deaths and Burials Index states he was a retired school teacher. He died on September 5, 1917 in Birmingham. [8] 

REFERENCES

[1] Elfira Headen. Year: 1900; Census Place: Talladega, Talladega, Alabama; Page: 8; Enumeration District: 0089; FHL microfilm: 1240040.

[2] Nannie Headen. Year: 1900; Census Place: Talladega, Talladega, Alabama; Page: 8; Enumeration District: 0089; FHL microfilm: 1240040.

[3] Nannie Headen. Year: 1900; Census Place: Talladega, Talladega, Alabama; Page: 8; Enumeration District: 0089; FHL microfilm: 1240040.

[4] Kate Cunningam. Alabama, County Marriage Records, 1805-1967 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016

[5] Kate Cunningham. Year: 1900; Census Place: Talladega, Talladega, Alabama; Page: 8; Enumeration District: 0089; FHL microfilm: 1240040. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Twelfth Census of the United States, 1900. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1900. T623, 1854 rolls.

[6] Kate Cunningham. Alabama Deaths and Burials, 1881–1952. Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010. Index entries derived from digital copies of original and compiled records.

[7] Ambrose Headen Jr. U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.

[8] Ambrose Headen Jr. Alabama Deaths and Burials, 1881–1952. Index. FamilySearch, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2009, 2010.

CREDITS

Written by Rachel Nelson for ENGL/HIST 677, taught by P. Gabrielle Foreman, University of Delaware, Spring 2019.

Edited by P. Gabrielle Foreman and Samantha de Vera.

Acknowledgements: Michelle Byrnes for further edits, visualization contributions, and technical assistance.