02/27/2026
As Black History Month comes to a close, we want to honor one couple with close ties to DeKalb County. Thomas Washington Wilson & his wife Mariah were both born into slavery, and as a result, were not legally allowed to marry for many years. Born in Kentucky and eventually sold to a slave owner in DeKalb County, they were not allowed to marry until after the Civil Rights Act of 1866.
Formalizing their union served to legitimize their children, all of whom were also born into slavery, and ensure that Mariah would have property rights, should Thomas predecease her.
This image is a copy of their marriage record from 1871, naming their 5 children and stating that Thomas & Mariah were officially wed by the Justice of the Peace.
The second slide is a transcribed version of the marriage record, and the third is a photo of their son Laton, who eventually became a prominent farmer in DeKalb County until his death in 1930.
