I just returned yesterday Sept 1, from a visit to Snow Hill Institute.
I was with my Auntie and she was overcome with the old school and some of the buildings which were located on the old campus. I had supplied her with the schools documentation a few years ago and she was very excited to see same. I have been performing our families geneological research for over 5 years now. My family (David Hawthorne) I have reason to believe located in Snow Hill following release from slavery in 1866 ( J.R. Hawthorne in Pine Apple). All of my relatives researched thus far have been located around Snow Hill, according to the U.S. 1880 Census. While visiting I was surprised by the lack of a town per se and all that remains is the school.

Equally depressing was the lack of any body (single individual) available for questioning.

I am from Chicago and my Aunt from Montgomery, Al. My G-Grandad Allen was born in Conecuh County in 1850 and moved to Pine Apple in 1854 when J.R., now an adult, moved their an established his own plantation. My cousin Will Savage, entertained us with an amusing story about the Hawthorn boys in that, one night the Klan showed up outside their place and the boys all armed, stated that if any of the Klan made it through the front gate they would not live. Apparently the the clan knew the brothers well and did not enter.

We are related to the Steen's, George's, Fields, Bruner's and the Savages. In the 1900's they pretty much moved to Butler County and I am still looking to make some sort of connection.

David Hawthorn is not listed in the 1870 Census and is however in the 1880 and appears in the Snow Hill District. His two younger twin children were born in 1888 (David and Henrietta). From that point on he is missing from the 1900 Census.

Since he was a(USCT)United States Colored Civil War Veteran on the Union side, I do not think his neighbors would have been impressed.

My search for what happened to him seems to reached a dead,pardon the pun,end. Also, since the 1850 and 1860 Colore Census utilizes no formal names, I am also looking for his, David's Parents along with buriel information probably located near Snow Hill.

Thanks in advance for any info. provided