Devereux Descendants: Slave Owners and Slaves Thank you for all the help you gave me within the last few weeks. My Granny's birthday celebration was great and very loving with a few surprises. We had more family members to attend that was planned our that I knew about as being a part of the family. As you can remember we are descendants of the Devereux slaves. We even had a descendant of the Devereux slave owner to attend. My Granny and Claire bonded instantly. My family really had a great time with her and the whole thing was video taped for a documentary about the Devereux clan. The video taping started at my grandmother's church Sunday morning. Granny is a member of an Holiness church. I thought it would be different from anything that Claire had ever been too, but she was just as excited as everyone else and it seem as if she had always been with us. It seems as she and her son, Victor, as a part of our family that had just went on a little vacation and or just returning with their arm open and loving. I hope you understand what I mean. It just that when you meet people for the first time there is this bonding connection that you have always know each other and are the very best of friends or family. Saturday we spent all day at Conneconara and Runeroi (plantations) in Halifax and Bertie Counties. We went to unmarked slave gravesites non standing slave quarters sites. I have never been so far back in the woods. I have never thought of what might exist beyond the trees we see from the roads or highways. It was about 12 or 13 of us. Elvatese and myself were there because we were the descendants of the slaves. For us I think we had already boned over the phone but when we finnaly met each other, I knew we were family. For me it was a very emotional and overwhelming day. I never dreamed of such an experience. I think each researcher and their family should make an attempt to visit their ancestoral lands and dwellings (if still standing). I have never felt more close to my past. It made me understand and see my ancestors more clearly in their day to day life. It's one thing reading and writing about it and it's another thing actually being there to touch the dirt, breathe and cry. I learned more of my history from that group of people because everyone was there bonding with a past that we each share. My grandmother wanted me to thank everyone that sent her card and email wishes. She really enjoyed my book. All the cards and wishes were included as pages in her book. I have a copy being copyrighted also. Thanks once again for all your help and please have a blessed day. Brenda