The discovery of
the war letters Alphaeus wrote home from Spain in 1937, while fighting in the Spanish
Civil War is indeed one of my greatest genealogical finds. No longer was he just
a name on the family tree. The letters filled with his innermost thoughts and
feelings brought him to life for me. Alphaeus’ participation in the Spanish
Civil War was the pinnacle event of his life. All roads lead to Spain. Before reading
the letters, I was curious as to why as an African American he went to Spain. The
letters provided the answer and more. From a historical perspective, the letters will
contribute more insight into the African American experience in the Spanish
Civil War.
I haven't read your book yet but my maiden name is Prowell and I recently became interested in genealogy. I believe your Alphaeus might have descended from slaves who were owned by my Prowell ancestors in Alabama or Mississippi. Do you know who they were? Susan B
ReplyDeleteSusan,
DeleteHi. Alphaeus’ father John Prowell was born in Tennessee, and his father was also born in Tennessee. This isn’t my main family line, so I didn’t do further genealogical research. John married one of my ancestors. Thanks for commenting, I’m sure your information will be helpful to someone who is a descendant of those slaves. All the best in your family history research.
Dawn-
That is interesting. I know of a branch of my Prowell family that was in Tennessee, in fact, but I didn't know if they were slave owners. Have you traced back to the original location of his grandfather in Tennessee? My 4th great-grandfather David R. Prowell died of cholera in Williamsom County in Tennessee in 1835 while he was visiting relatives, but I only have a circumstantial link as to who those relatives were.
DeleteNo, unfortunately there was only the information in the census records for the birthplace of Alphaeus’ grandfather as Tennessee.
DeleteHI Dawn, back again. I'm the one with the Prowell name. I noticed that there was an Alonzo Prowell from Los Angeles that was a survivor of the Spanish-American War who was mentioned in an international news item in 1938 after the fall of Gandesa as he was one of two survivors who made it out from the American troops who had fought there. Do you have any information about him? I was thinking that he must have been related to Alphaeus. Thanks, SB
ReplyDelete