23/54 PROJECT

Celebrating Black Appalachian Community

Montgomery

The Montgomery family lived in rural Pulaski County, where Jethro and Virginia C. Montgomery raised their children and worked to build a strong foundation for the next generation. In 1947, Charles W. Montgomery and Alberta Montgomery were listed as infants in the Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County (1947) lawsuit, signed on their behalf by their father, Lawrence Montgomery. Family members also recall that the Montgomerys operated the Mary Montgomery Nursing Home on Magazine Street in Pulaski — a reflection of the family’s prosperity, care for elders, and service to the community. Ruby Montgomery, one of the Montgomery children, graduated from Calfee Training School in 1955 and remembered her teachers as dedicated educators who encouraged students to pursue college and broader opportunities. Although we do not know the paths of all the Montgomery children, the legacy of those we do know reflects a deep commitment to progress, care, and the wellbeing of their community.

Explore the quilt by clicking on the various elements

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An interactive graphic of the quilt square. The linked information can also be found below.

The Montgomery quilt square features two prominent images in the foreground. One is a house with seven windows, representing each family member. To the right of the house is a barn symbolizing the family’s farm, where they raised livestock and grew crops. These two features are set against a simple background composed of three distinct fabrics. 

Learn More About the Montgomery Family

Artifacts by Theme

Home

One of the main features of the quilt square is a house with symbols for Montgomery family members (Lawrence, Josie, John, Robert, Beatrice, Alberta, and Charles) in each of their dedicated windows.

Burning Barn

The quilt also features another symbol that represents a story of tragedy and ultimately resilience among the Montgomery family. On the quilt’s right side is a barn representing the family’s farm. Emerging from the barn loft is a flame, which symbolizes the challenges experienced by the family. According to the Southwest Times, in 1946, the Montgomery family’s home burned in a house fire, leaving the family displaced. Lucy Montgomery, Lawrence’s mother, temporarily took the family while they searched for a new place to live. The Southwest Times also reported that the local Salvation Army donated clothing and shoes for the family while they worked to get back on their feet.1 Once again in 1967, a fire was started by “children playing with matches” on the Montgomery land, burning approximately a quarter-acre. Despite the immense hardship the family experienced, they could rely on the support of their family and community.2 The 1946 fire occurred during the midst of the lawsuit, demonstrating the Montgomerys’ commitment to the fight for better educational opportunities for their young children despite personal struggles.

Honoring family history past and present

Silhouette image of a bird extending its neck to reach its beak towards its rear.
Sankofa Bird (courtesy of Wikimedia Commons)

According to Berea College’s Carter G Woodson Center for Interracial Education, “Sankofa” is a Ghanaian tribal word that directly translates to “it is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind.” The word is composed of three separate words: ‘san’ meaning return, ‘ko’ meaning go, and ‘fa’ meaning look, seek, and take.3 The image of the bird symbolizes this movement of looking into the past to guide one’s path to the present and future. A family representative shared that this was an important symbol in her family, which honors the family’s past and present.

Farming

The Montgomery family farm is spotlighted by many artifacts in the quilt, some more tailored to family members, others more general symbolizing the family unity in caring for the family’s land. The Montgomery family’s farm was located relative to the Walker Creek area. 1940 Census placed them on Walkers Creek Valley Road.4 Later documents indicate the farm was in Giles County more specifically in Poplar Hill, Pearisburg.5 On their farm, the Montgomery family raised goats symbolized by a line drawing of a goat outside the home. 

Relocation

An outline of the Commonwealth of Virginia demonstrates the formation of the Montgomery family’s roots in Virginia. Despite the Montgomery family’s physical and metaphorical roots in Pulaski, several family members relocated to places outside of Virginia living full and long lives. Members of the Montgomery family including, Mary, Louehellen, John, Robert, Charles, Alberta, Beatrice, and Josie, relocated to New Jersey, where they lived the rest of their lives. Some family members returned to rest in Pulaski at the family’s cemetery.6 7 8 9 An outline of the state represents these family members’ residency in New Jersey.

Artifacts by Family Member

James Lawrence Montgomery

Summary

James Lawrence Montgomery was born on April 9, 1892, to parents Lark and Lucinda Peoples Montgomery in Pulaski County, Virginia.10 Lawrence was one of six children; his sister, Mary Sue Montgomery Martin, owned and operated the Mary Montgomery Nursing Home on Magazine Street in Pulaski. Lawrence married Josie Gordon and the couple had nine children: Luehellen, Mary Belle, Lark, Robert, Alberta, Charles, Beatrice, James, and John.11 Several records indicate that the family lived in various places, including Pulaski, Poplar Hill (Giles), West Virginia, and New Jersey.12 13 14 15

Corn

Lawrence Montgomery worked as a self-employed farmer to support his family.16 17 18 A family representative shared that he cultivated corn on his farm. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, corn cultivation is crucial to feed grain production. The crop is integral to domestic use and global trade as the United States is the world leader in corn production, consumption, and exports.19 Later in life, as reported on the 1950 Census, Lawrence worked as a coal loader at a coal mine in West Virginia.20

Named Participant List

snippet of paper from lawsuit
Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. Plaintiff List (courtesy of the District Court of the United States for the Western District of Virginia Roanoke Division)

This image depicts the named participant list from the 1947 Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. lawsuit. Which reads “Charles W. Montgomery and Alberta Montgomery, infants, by Lawrence Montgomery, their father and next, friend.”21

Josie May Ella Montgomery (neé Gordon)

Summary

Not much is know about her personal life, however, Josie Mary Ella Gordon, the daughter of Mary Gordon married James Lawrence Montgomery in Wythe, Virginia. 22

Flowers

According to a family representative, Josie Montgomery assisted Lawrence’s efforts and gardened on the family farm. This is symbolized by flowers on the quilt square.

John Montgomery

Summary

John William Montgomery Sr. was born in 1924 to Lawrence and Josie Montgomery. In 1946, John married Annie Lou McClannahan of Pulaski, and the couple had four children: John Jr., Mary Sue, Kenny, and Betty.23 24

Original 1946 Virginia marriage certificate for John Montgomery and Annie McClennahan.
John William Montgomery Marriage Certificate, 1946 (courtesy of Ancestry.com)

Corn on the Cob

As listed on the 1940 Census, John worked as a laborer on the family’s farm.25 Like his father, John he cultivated corn as depicted on the quilt by stitching of corn on the cob.

Snippet of 1940 Census that lists the members of then Montgomery family listing James L Montgomery as the head, Josie as the wife, and five children.
Snippet of 1940 Census (courtesy of Ancestry.com)

Robert Montgomery

Summary

Robert Edward Montgomery was born on January 1, 192726, to parents Lawrence and Josie Montgomery in Pulaski, Virginia. In 1949, Robert married Eva Adams in West Virginia, where the couple lived with the Montgomery family.27 28 Robert passed in 2008, and Eva in 2014, and they were both laid to rest in the Montgomery family cemetery.29 30

Racoon

Robert Montgomery World War II Draft Registration Card (courtesy of Ancestry.com)

Robert, like his other siblings tended to the family’s farm under the supervision of their father. Robert’s Draft Registration Card from World War II, lists Lawrence as Robert’s employer at the farm.31 In his spare time, Robert enjoyed hunting with family and friends, which is represented by an image of a raccoon as he hunted them.

Beatrice Montgomery

Summary

Beatrice Montgomery Spears was born in 1930 to parents Lawrence and Josie Montgomery.32

Knitting Needle and Yarn

Not much is known about Beatrice’s personal life, but she thoroughly enjoyed knitting and quilting.

Alberta Montgomery

Summary

Alberta Montgomery Williams was born on September 22, 1934, to parents Lawrence and Josie Montgomery. In 1956, Alberta married Alton Williams Sr., and the couple had two sons, Alton Jr. and Wayne. 33

Bowling Pin

Alberta had many hobbies. In her spare time, she enjoyed bowling with a league known as the “Nice Ladies.” A bowling pin on the quilt represents Alberta’s love for bowling.34

Charles Montgomery

Summary

Charles Wesley Montgomery was born on July 26, 1936, to parents Lawrence and Josie Montgomery.35 36

Lion

On the quilt, an image of a lion symbolizes Charles’s zodiac sign, Leo. In astrology, Leo governs from July 23rd to August 22nd.37

Sources

  1. “Town Topics, Clothing Donated.” The Southwest Times. December 23, 1946. Page 8. Accessed on Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive. ↩︎
  2. “Children playing with matches…” The Southwest Times. November 20, 1967. Page 1. Accessed on Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive. ↩︎
  3. Berea College Carter G. Woodson Center for Interracial Education. “The Power of Sankofa.” n.d. Accessed on May 20, 2025. https://www.berea.edu/. ↩︎
  4. Department of Commerce–Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth of the United States: 1940–Population. Pulaski, Virginia. Enumerated April 28, 1940. Sheet no. 12B. Entry for James Lawrence Montgomery. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  5. “Robert Edward Montgomery.” Serial Number 542. 1942. National Archives, St. Louis, Missouri. Records of the Selective Service System. World War II: Fifth Registration.Accessed Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  6. “Area Deaths, Charles Montgomery.” The Southwest Times. July 31, 2000. Page 2. Accessed on Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive. ↩︎
  7. Memorial Page for Alberta Williams. Memorial ID 77706854. Rosedale Cemetery. Maintained by Linda Davis. Find a Grave. Accessed on August 23, 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/77706854/alberta-williams. ↩︎
  8. “Deaths and Funerals, Mrs. Jossie Montgomery.” The Southwest Times. July 18, 1975. Page 2. Accessed on Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive. ↩︎
  9. “Deaths, James L. Montgomery.” The Southwest Times. July 29, 1969. Page 2. Accessed on Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive. ↩︎
  10.  Commonwealth of Virginia. Register of Births 1892. “James Lawrence Montgomery.” Form 244. 70. Pulaski, Virginia. 1892. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  11. “Deaths, James L. Montgomery.” The Southwest Times. July 29, 1969. Page 2. ↩︎
  12. “Deaths and Funerals, Mrs. Jossie Montgomery.” The Southwest Times. July 18, 1975. Page 2. ↩︎
  13. “World War I Draft Registration Card for James Lawrence Montgomery.” 1917-1918.” Form 807. Number 16. Pulaski, Virginia. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  14. “Larkin Montgomery.” The Southwest Times. July 14, 1944. Page 6. Accessed Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive. ↩︎
  15. “James Laurence Montgomery.” Serial Number 228. 1942. National Archives, St. Louis, Missouri. Records of the Selective Service System. World War II: Fourth Registration.Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  16. “World War I Draft Registration Card for James Lawrence Montgomery.” 1917-1918.” Form 807. Number 16. Pulaski, Virginia. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  17. Department of Commerce–Bureau of the Census. Thirteenth Census of the United States: 1910–Population. Pulaski, Virginia. Enumerated May 5, 1910. Sheet no. 8B. Entry for Lawrence Montgomery. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  18. Department of Commerce–Bureau of the Census. Fourteenth of the United States: 1920–Population. Pulaski, Virginia. Enumerated February 2, 1920. Sheet no. 18B. Entry for Lawrence Montgomery. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  19. United States Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service. “Corn and Other Feed Grains – Feed Grains Sector at a Glance.” Updated April 17, 2025. Accessed on May 20, 2025. https://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/corn-and-other-feed-grains/feed-grains-sector-at-a-glance. ↩︎
  20. Department of Commerce–Bureau of the Census. 1950 Census of Population and Housing. McDowell, West Virginia. Enumerated on April 5, 1950. Sheet no. 7. Entry for Lawrence Montgomery. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  21. Corbin et al. v. County School Board of Pulaski County, VA. et al. 84 F. Supp. 253 (W.D. Va. 1949) May 2, 1949. ↩︎
  22. Commonwealth of Virginia. Certificate of Marriage for James L Montgomery and Josie Gordon. September 6, 1914. File number 34255. Wythe, Virginia. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  23. “Area Deaths, Annie Lou Montgomery.” The Southwest Times. September 9, 2008. Page 2. Accessed on Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive. ↩︎
  24. Commonwealth of Virginia. Certificate of Marriage for John William Montgomery and Annie Lou McClannahan. June 1, 1946. File number 22550. Pulaski, Virginia. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  25. Department of Commerce–Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth of the United States: 1940–Population. Pulaski, Virginia. Enumerated April 28, 1940. Sheet no. 12B. Entry for John W Montgomery. Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  26. Robert Edward Montgomery.” Serial Number 542. 1942. National Archives, St. Louis, Missouri. Records of the Selective Service System. World War II: Fifth Registration. “Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  27. Marriage License Application. Robert E Montgomery and Eva Adams. August 3, 1949. McDowell County, West Virginia. Page 423. Accessed on West Virginia Vital Research Records Search Selection. ↩︎
  28. Department of Commerce–Bureau of the Census. 1950 Census of Population and Housing. McDowell, West Virginia. Enumerated on April 5, 1950. Sheet no. 7. Entry for Robert Montgomery.  ↩︎
  29. Memorial Page for Robert Edward Montgomery. Memorial ID 260973268. Montgomery Family Cemetery. Maintained by Sue Ratcliff Blackwell. Find a Grave. Accessed on August 23, 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/260973268/robert-edward-montgomery. ↩︎
  30. Reclaim The Records. New Jersey Death Index 2001-2017. Eva Mae Montgomery. 2014. State file number 20140011201. Accessed on Reclaim the Records–The New Jersey Death Index.
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  31. “Robert Edward Montgomery.” Serial Number 542. 1942. National Archives, St. Louis, Missouri. Records of the Selective Service System. World War II: Fifth Registration.Accessed on Ancestry.com. ↩︎
  32.  “Area Deaths, Beatrice Montgomery Spears.” The Southwest Times. July 18, 1990. Page 2. Accessed on Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive. ↩︎
  33. Memorial page for Alberta Williams. Memorial ID 77706854. Find a Grave. ↩︎
  34. Ibid. ↩︎
  35. “Area Deaths, Charles Montgomery.” The Southwest Times. July 31, 2000. Page 2. Accessed on Virginia Chronicle Library of Virginia Digital Newspaper Archive. ↩︎
  36. Reclaim The Records. “New Jersey Death Index – 2000 – Surnames M–R.” Charles Montgomery. May 1, 2001. Page 1025. Accessed on Reclaim the Records–The New Jersey Death Index. ↩︎
  37. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica. “Leo.” Encyclopedia Britannica, August 3, 2025. https://www.britannica.com/place/Leo-constellation. ↩︎