This book is the first volume chronicling the family history of an African American family from Salley, South Carolina. Stories in the book include: The story of Milledge Thompson, a former slave who purchased his own freedom. The story of Lavinia Thompson Corley, an enslaved cook who served with her master in the Confederate Army. The story of Governor "Mint" Thompson, Jr., who was tragically murdered at the age of ten. The story of Phillip Thompson, who became a prominent soil conservationist. In addition, the narratives are analyzed according historical and social context in addition to self-reflection in understanding the fundamental nature and essence of each narrative. The book won the 2019 African American Genealogical and Historical Society Book Award ( Non-Fiction/Genealogy).