This regards a former slave of Maj. James R. Isbell (1806-1871) of Talladega, Alabama, son of Thomas & Discretion (Howard) Isbell. He was a second cousin once removed of Mary Anderson (Isbell) Henshaw Torrey of Claiborne and Mobile, as well as her 1st husband (who was her 1st cousin) Andrew Isbell Henshaw and his sister Elizabeth (Henshaw) Torrey. Elizabeth (Henshaw) Torrey was the mother of Elizabeth Henshaw "Daisy" (Torrey) Pillans, wife of Mobile mayor Harry Pillans. Mary A. (Isbell) Henshaw Torrey's daughter Mary Montague (Henshaw) Toulmin was the wife of Col. Harry Theophilus Toulmin, federal judge at Mobile. Mobile, Alabama Register, Fri., Nov. 4, 1904: Montgomery, Ala. ... The servant problem is one of the most serious that is now before the ladies of this city to solve. Cooks are very scarce and a good many of the best families in Montgomery are doing their own cooking. Cooks that have been in the employ of families for years, have deserted their post. ... Many of the families here are having their meals sent to them from hotels." "Faithfulness shall meet its reward. Never was this so beautifully exemplified than in the death of 'Mammy' Eliza Wyatt, who died Wednesday afternoon ... at the residence of Dr. Alfred G. Ward, No. 52 North Broad street. Eliza Wyatt was born at Talladega, Ala., in the year 1842, she and her mother being owned in the Isabel family, who were well known before the war. Mr. Isabel (sic), her owner, was a rich banker at Talladega." In 1873 she went to work for the family of John W. Miller of Mobile, and was with them afterward, except for six years when she worked for Dr. George A. Ketchum. Compiled by Cammie East Cowan from issues of the Mobile Register (Mobile Register, Nov 4, 2004, p. A-2) For Dr. Ketchum, see also http://www.theharbinger.org/then_now/tn970408.html