DR. LOCKAMY WILL BE VENTURING OFF ON A SPIRIT QUEST, ALONG WITH MR. MORRIS ON JULY 1, 2011.
TRAIL OF TEARS
In one of the saddest episodes of our brief history, men, women, and children were taken from their land, herded into makeshift forts with minimal facilities and food, then forced to march a thousand miles(Some made part of the trip by boat in equally horrible conditions). Under the generally indifferent army commanders, human losses for the first groups of Cherokee removed were extremely high. John Ross made an urgent appeal to Scott, requesting that the general let his people lead the tribe west. General Scott agreed. Ross organized the Cherokee into smaller groups and let them move separately through the wilderness so they could forage for food. Although the parties under Ross left in early fall and arrived in Oklahoma during the brutal winter of 1838-39, he significantly reduced the loss of life among his people. About 4000 Cherokee died as a result of the removal. The route they traversed and the journey itself became known as "The Trail of Tears" or, as a direct translation from Cherokee, "The Trail Where They Cried" ("Nunna daul Tsuny").
Son of Prodigal Son Returns: Dr. Ray Charles Lockamy Seeks Genealogy
By Inez Campbell-Eason, freelance journalist
A native son seeks solace by returning home. Dr. Ray Charles Lockamy recalls at the age of 8 yrs old hearing the stories of his ancestry on his father’s death bed. He was informed that his grandfather was a full blooded Cherokee and was the tribal healer of the Oxendine clan in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. He was very knowledgeable of herbs and naturopathic remedies which he passed on to his son, John Willie Oxendine. Ray said, “When I was younger I was being hard-headed and fell off of a horse my father told me not to ride. I called myself showing off heading to the bus stop. I broke my leg and he created a cast out of clay from the earth.” He continued by saying, “My father knew about the healing powers of all types of plants and would send me and my brothers out in the woods to gather them.”
Ray’s father while on his death bed kept him home from school one day and began to share his family’s history. He recalls the vivid accounts that his father recanted. He shared that his grandfather, John Oxendine had to flee the reservation in the early 1900’s. A cousin at that time had committed a crime of which an African American man was accused and eventually was hung. Prior to the hanging, John informed his cousin that if he did not confess and allowed an innocent man to die that he was going to kill him. Ray was informed that his grandfather was carrying out the sentiments of the council and John Oxendine of course was a man of his word.
Fleeing the reservation, John Willie, his only son – chose to go along with his father and two daughters, Lillie Mae and Gertha Mae went to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with their mother, Mary Thomas Oxendine for safety. Mary Thomas Oxendine was from Eastover, North Carolina. Lillie Mae, (known as Aunt Lil) later married a Fowler from the Rocky Mount area. While in Philadelphia, Gertha Mae later married Frank Mays, brother of the famous Baseball Hall of Famer, Willie Mays.
John “Big Willie” Oxendine later changed his last name to Lockley and fathered two children by Ola Mae Blue (Sampson County). Their names were Windsor Ray Lockley and John William Lockley. Windsor was born May 8, 1939 in Harnett County. Windsor recalls his mother’s nickname as “Dolly Blue”. He expressed that his father was 20 yrs old when he was born and his mother was 18 yrs old. He states his father was born approximately around 1919. His brother, William, was killed by a wealthy Caucasian man who was driving while intoxicated. William was driving a wagon pulled by mules and the automobile hit him while traveling at approximately 110 mph. The accident was considered a big deal at that time and was featured in the local press. Even though it went to court no funds were awarded to the family.
Windsor Ray Lockley, the oldest surviving son shared that “Lockley” is on his birth certificate. He said that he had two driver’s licenses; one specifying his Native American ancestry and one as Negro. He stated that you had to go with what benefited you at the time. Illiteracy was extremely high within the family; and that the last name was supposed to have been spelled as “Locklear”. There is documentation that Native Americans used specific last names. There is uncertainty on how those names were issued or chosen. Windsor shared that his sister, Lillie Mae eventually became angry that they were no longer recognized on the reservation and later demanded that everyone spell their last name as “Lockamy”. As a nurse she was considered the smartest within the family. John “Big Willie” was illiterate and when Windsor Ray returned from Philadelphia he shared the new transcription of their last name. Everyone followed suit and began spelling their last name as such.
Windsor Ray Lockamy currently lives in Garner, N.C. He shares stories of riding ponies for Redd Foxx (Sandford and Son) while living in Philadelphia and growing up with Bill Cosby. He recalls his grandfather, John Oxendine, being an excellent carpenter and wood craftsman. He states as a child he made him all types of meticulous toys out of wood. He told his younger brother Ray, that his grandfather was also a blacksmith and at that time they were also known as farriers. John Oxendine met his demise in 1951 at the age of 63 give or take a year or two.
His son, John “Big Willie” Lockamy later married Mary Emma Cummings and relocated to Linden, North Carolina. Born to them were Ernestine, John David, Ray Charles, James Earl, Lilly Mae and John Pete. Mary Emma had four sons prior to marrying John Willie. He nobly raised them as his own. Their names are: Roger Jones, Charles Jones, Willie Lee Lockamy and Alexander Lockamy.
Ray Charles Lockamy recalls a humorous story about his father running from the police. He said his father ran moonshine and the police raided the still. His father jumped in the river and began swimming across. One of the officers that knew him shouted “Come back here Big Willie we know that’s you.” Ray’s father shouted back, “It ain’t me!”
Big Willie standing at 6’7” was a well respected man in the community. Ray’s uncle said he was so strong he could pick up the backend of a car. Ray shared that when he was young they did not have names and were only known as “Big Willie’s kids.
Ray Charles Lockamy currently lives in Sunderland, Maryland on his dwelling, Lockhaven Ranch. His experiences reflect his father and grandfather’s geneograms. He is a master horseman, carpenter, farrier, is very in tune with nature and much more. He laughs often at the tangled family web of their family’s name changes that could resemble a Tyler Perry comedy but nonetheless he seeks closure in the mystery of his family tree. He says he can’t believe his aunt was brazen enough to just change their last name and even more perplexed that everyone listened to her. All of the name changes created financial mayhem after his father met his demise and without accurate documentation his mother could not receive her husband’s social security. It created an extremely severe hardship on such a large family as a single parent.
Ray stands at a tall sinewy 6’6 stature which is in line with the physique of his father “Big Willie” and his siblings as far as height. It is documented that Cherokees have 100% B positive blood lineage. Research dictates that only 10% of the world’s population has a B+ blood type. Ray recently had a blood test administered and has B+ blood. Ray’s mother, Mary Emma was a Lumbee Native American. Her family stems from Red Springs, NC and her maternal grandfather is buried on a reservation in the Fayetteville area. Ray with distinguishable Lumbee eyes, seeks information on his lineage in that area as well.
Unfortunately, the NC Vital Records and local area Register of Deeds has limited information. Traditionally, in the past many families documented genealogy in the back of a family bible. If anyone has information to provide about his family history both past and present please email: rlockamy@live.com or call 443.624.3949. You may also visit his website at www.saddleup4good.com
Dr. Ray Charles Lockamy seeks family genealogy
This is a historical event, this is an opportunity that I set out to accomplish alone, however, my partner has indicated that this journey will not be done alone, so once again, Mr. Morris, "Saddle Up" and Dr. Lockamy, "For Good" are about to embark upon another journey. WE WANT ALL CHILDREN TO BE ABLE TO FOLLOW US LIVE VIA WEBCAM ABSOLUTELY FREE. Therefore, having journeyed from Maine to Florida, we know the costs to take such a journey. The TRAIL OF TEARS is ever so important to our history and is often left out of our childens learning cirriculum. We are requesting support through, fund raising, sponsorship, purchasing of Dr. Lockamy's book via internet download for only $1.99 THE ADVENTURES OF TRACKS AND COOKOUT.
