Anthony and Nancy Roach

Fulton Journal:  February 21, 1979
Bastian:  There are numerous pieces of Mr. Booth's writings that are quotable.  Perhaps one of the finest was in the Fulton Journal dated Sep.17, 1868.  Anthony Roach had been a slave. Tried to enlist in the United States Army but was rejected because of his age.  He stayed with the army and did odd jobs.  He came to Fulton finally and the lonesome years pressed heavily.  The editor of the Journal ran a kindly notice to help the old man:  "INFORMATION WANTED--ANTHONY WAYNE ROACH, A COLORED MAN ONCE A SLAVE IN DECATUR COUNTY, TENN. AND NOW LIVING IN FULTON, WHITESIDE, COUNTY, ILL. BEING VERY ANXIOUS TO LEARN THE WHEREABOUTS OF HIS TWO SONS, ONE DAUGHTER AND A STEP-DAUGHTER, WHO WERE ALL SOLD AT AUCTION ON THE BLOCK AT DECATURVILLE, TENN. IN 1854, AS FOLLOWS:...THUS BEING WIDELY SEPARATED FOR FOURTEEN YEARS, WOULD BE GRATEFUL FOR ANY INFORMATION THAT WOULD LEAD TO THE DISCOVERY OF EITHER OR ALL OF THEM.  HE SAYS, "I AM NOW OLD AND HAVE NOT A CHILD NEAR TO GIVE ME A DRINK OF WATER.  PUBLISHERS IN THE SOUTH AND WEST WILL CONFERE A SPECIAL FAVOR BY GIVING THIS NOTICE A PLACE IN THEIR COLUMNS."

Fulton Journal
April 13, 1877
Mrs. Roach, a colored woman who formerly lived near the stone quarry in the upper part of town, but removed to Clinton some time ago, has returned and announces herself in readiness to perform laundry work for persons wishing to engage her services either at her old residence or at the houses of her patrons.

Fulton Journal
April 5, 1898
  Aunt Nancy Roach is dead.  The dissolution occurred Saturday night at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Sarah Williams, in Clinton.  Mrs. Roach was born in slavery in the state of Georgia many years ago, close on to 100, it is thought.  She was sold to a planter in Tennessee and resided there at the close of the war, when she removed with her husband to Sterling and then to this city.  She was a familiar character in this city until about three years ago, when she went to live with daughter in Clinton.  The funeral was held this afternoon at 2 o'clock.