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My name is Brenda D. Roberts, I have been researching my Corbin Family for nearly 8 years. Being African American made my research much more difficult then I expected, with little to no documents to aid in my search, and even less information provided by family members.
My ggg-grandparents were listed on their sons marriage record as Clarborne Corbin & Martha Beazley-Corbin. Their son William Thomas Corbin b. May 16, 1846 - d. July 19, 1936 married Matilda Blake b. Aug. 1856 - d. Nov. 7, 1921. Documents of marriage, death and Census located their birth, residency and death in Essex County, Virginia.
Matilda's parents were Morris Blake b. bet. 1823/1825 - d. June 15, 1893 & Ellen Beazley-Blake b. abt. 1830. The Blake's resided in Essex Co., Va on various documents also listed 10 children. Family stories tell of the Blake's being of Indian descent and possibly originating from Middlesex Co. Va.(Not proven)
William (a.k.a) as Tom and Matilda (a.k.a) as Tilly had 12 children to their union.
Matilda was said to have been a licensed mid-wife, delivering babies throughout surrounding counties, weathering storms and knee deep snow, set out on horse and buggy, using a large heated rock to keep her feet warm, often stayed away from her family until her job was done.(birth records have proven deliveries of babies in Essex Co). She was known for making her own medicines, tonics and soaps which she carried on her journey.
William and Matilda were listed in the tax office in 1891 as owner of property known as Tudor Hill in Pauls Cross Roads, Essex Co. Va. Tudor Hill, also know as "DOWN THE LANE" still presently in the Corbin Family.
My grandmother Nettie Corbin-Nelson loved to talk about the old days, she would remember a place in time or a name which often bring a smile or chuckle. She spoke highly of her grandpa William clearing the land making a homeplace for the family, her grandma Tilly bringing home children of less misfortunate families, aunts were known for cooking, baking, canning and reserving food, uncles which rebuilt their home after a fire, shoeing horses and making their own cowhide soles for shoes. These stories were endless and very memoriable times for her which she shared until her passing in May of 2001.
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