William West Ford and Henrietta Bruce
William Ford
William Ford was the son of West Ford and Priscella Bell. William was born abt 1813-1814 on the Mount Vernon Plantation and died in 1874. He married Henrietta Bruce on September 3rd, 1840. Henrietta was the child of Daniel and Hannah Bruce, a well-to-do free family who resided in Virginia. Henrietta was born on June 7, 1819. The couple had George, John, Elizabeth “Constance”, Hannah, Matilda ? (Believed to have died as an infant). Drawing rendition by J. Madama.
William Ford's Acres
Land and Tax Record of William Ford's acres given to him by his father, West Ford. This land is now known as Gum Springs in Virginia.
West Ford, son of George Washington
Drawing of West Ford in his early 70's, son of George Washington and father of Daniel Ford.
Venus
Venus, mother of West Ford and the grandmother of William Ford. Born on the Bushfield Plantation.
Henry Shields Robinson
Henry S. Robinson was a certified genealogist and historian. Henry was born June 18, 1930. His father, Henry S. Robinson Sr., graduated from Howard University in medicine and his mother, Ella, graduated from Howard in the Romance Languages. Henry donated his papers to the Moorland Springarn Research Center at Howard University after his death on April 27, 1993. (Photo Credit Dartmouth College).
Henrietta Quander, daughter of Hannah Ford
.thumbnail.jpg "Henrietta Quander, daughter of Hannah Ford")
This is a photo of Henrietta Quander, daugther of Hannah Ford and John Pierson Quander. Hannah was the daughter of William Ford, whose father was West Ford. Henrietta marriedd Edward Branch, and they had a son named Leyland. Leyland Branch had a daughter named Theresa who married Lonnie Allen Jr. Theresa is the mother of Jacqueline Allen Whitehead (Photo credit: Jacquelyn Allen-Whitehead Collection).
Family Photo
.thumbnail.jpg "Family Photo")
This is a photo of Theresa Allen, Leyland Branch and Jacquelyn Allen-Whitehead, daughter of Theresa and granddaugther of Leyland Branch (Photo credit: Jacquelyn Allen-Whitehead Collection).
Theresa and her mother Elizabeth
.thumbnail.jpg "Theresa and her mother Elizabeth")
A photo of Theresa Branch Allen and her mother Elzabeth Clark. Theresa is the daughter of Henrietta Quander, granddaughter of West Ford (Photo Credit: Jacquelyn Allen-Whitehead Collection).
This is what people are saying are about "I Cannot Tell a Lie: The True Story of George Washington's African American Descendants" by Linda Allen Bryant.
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Powerful storytelling with unforgettable characters...
Amazing what this family has endured and yet has found the strength to tell in this compelling story...I found the part about the Buffalo soldiers to be especially interesting. Also a touching and romantic love story.
I thought I knew my American history, but I was astounded by what I learned from this book. The author has done some fascinating work researching her family's journey from the Bushfield plantation of 1785 through the Civil War and race riots in Chicago in 1919. Much of this is mysteriously missing from our current public school history curriculum. Woven throughout the book is the thread of this family's strength fueled by their courage and commitment to place "family" above all else. Although sure to stir some controversy, this story needed to be told.
It's good to know that the ol' general was human after all. Hey, maybe the government will put George Washington's son on the other side of the dollar! (well, it was a thought!)
A great history lesson for all.
Though touted as a "novel," the back matter of this book demonstrates that this author did some serious research in putting together "I Cannot Tell a Lie." This extensive saga gives the reader a wrenching, personal tour through the victories and heartaches of one family - who spent 200 years in the shadow of a secret that can - and will - change the way the world views American history. The book gives us a whole new set of heroes - in the form of courageous, lively people of color, and of mixed race - who have been omitted from our texts. Read this book if you're ready to hear the truth about what America is, and should be, all about.
Linda Allen Bryant's book 'I Cannot Tell a Lie' was beautifully written and heartwarming. The characters were alive and appealing. Her statement, 'We hope that revealing the truth about George Washington's African American son will serve as a catalyst toward greater racial reconciliation amongst all Americans,' leaves me very proud and optimistic for our country's healing process.
I can't wait until the movie comes out!
It's about time someone came forward and finally told the truth.
George Washington, may not have chopped down the cherry tree, but Linda Allen Bryant, had enough branches to build a tree of his African-American Descendants. She weaves the story through each generation to bring us up to the present ending with her own family.
As a Washington buff, this is a story I had heard rumors about but never anything in any great detail, and this book at least made me consider whether or not my hero's blood flows through the veins of a living family. The author handles the sensitive areas of her story with grace and dignity, which heightens the humanity on both sides of the tale.
After reading this book, I finally understand the legacy of slavery left on the African American race. America has a diverse populace and it is about time everyone was included in the making of its history. This book was so appealing to my emotions - I cried and I laughed and I couldn't put it down! Truly this is one spectaluar piece of literary prose.
Wow, a black son!
I was very happy to hear that George Washington had a black son. I can relate to this book because I was born with blond hair and green eyes, although my mother is black and I look white like my father. It's hard living in a world that only sees black and white, even though it's full of color!!!
Thomas Jefferson did the same thing. The book was really good. I'm a white guy and I could relate to this book.
This book is very radical and to the point. It shows what all African American people had to go through without a history.
A quote from West Ford "Tell your children, tell them about the Old General. But don't tell nobody else' cause white folks won't accept it."
My initial thoughts on this book were "why did I volunteer to review this?" I wasn't partial to history, could barely keep up in school. I progressed to the foreword and realized this might be interesting. After completing the foreword, I noticed there were portraits of George Washington at age 25, West Ford age 21 and his mother Venus Ford. I was totally intrigued. The resemblance West Ford had to George Washington, his father, was uncanny.
What was so different about this story from all the other influential white men who bedded mulatto slaves and wives of sharecroppers? Nothing. What's interesting is how the Fords kept their family secret legacy alive. The prologue opens with Elise Ford Allen, facing her 79th birthday and choosing the "special ones" who would continue the legacy of the family. Each generation had a chronicler, who would continue the legacy. How neat is that. I, for one, am happy they did this. Imagine not ever knowing West Ford's story.