The Blue & Gray in Bartow
Bartow County’s railroad lines and iron manufacturing capabilities granted her…
Melvinia Shields & The White House
“An important message in this… is that we are all linked.” •• Michelle Obama
Born a slave in South Carolina, Melvinia was bequeathed to Henry Shields, who lived in Clayton County, Georgia.
At age 16, Melvinia gave birth to a son Dolphus Shields, who was fathered by Henry’s son Charles. Melvinia eventually moved to Kingston, Georgia where she spent the remainder of her life working as a midwife. In Kingston, residents knew her fondly as “Mattie” McGruder.
Dolphus Shields moved to Birmingham and became a successful businessman. Later Dolphus’ descendants settled in Chicago, where his great-great-granddaughter, Michelle Robinson was born. Michelle married Barack Obama, who was elected President of the United States in 2008, serving two terms in office. A marker is placed in honor of Melvinia Shields at Queens Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery, where First Lady Michelle Obama’s great-great-great grandmother was laid to rest in 1938.
Native Americans at Etowah
The north Georgia city Hernando De Soto rode into in…
African American History
Cartersville's history is deeply intertwined with the experiences and contributions…
Stilesboro Academy
Stilesboro is a small community located about eight miles southwest…
Rev. Sam Jones
The most famous and celebrated evangelist of his time, Sam…
Cass County to Bartow County
The earliest evidence of human occupation of the Bartow County…