North Meets South
by Ellie Sides Weightman
I made this trip to see for myself the farmland and surrounding area that my Grandpop Willie grew up in. To us who were born and raised in Philadelphia, PA, Alabama has always been a mystery, we knew we had family there, but no one ever had the privilege of meeting many of them. Earl (my husband) and I made the trip on November 2, 2006. We were welcomed with open arms by Warren and Bonnie Sides. Warren is my grandfather's brother Warren Corbett's son. We stayed with Warren and Bonnie at their beautiful lakeside home in the town of Lake Wedowee, Alabama. They introduced us to the area and took us around to see and stand on the very farmland where my grandfather grew up. The house is no longer there as it was burnt to the ground after Bama Watts Sides (my great grandmother) sold it to another family. It was so exciting standing on the very ground where my father visited for the Summer of 1940. My questions were answered and it was very heartwarming to be able to see and feel the land. The next picture was taken on the Sides Farmland, the house would have stood just behind where we were standing.
Bonnie, Warren and Eleanor
Standing in the front of the spot where the Sides Farm House once stood
An aerial view of the Sides farmlands (left)
and present day Graben Farm (right)
The story is told that when James Lawson Sides died, Bama Watts Sides sold the farm to a family named Moore and while in the Moore's possession, the house burnt down. The above photo shows the Sides Farmland adjacent to the Graben Farmlands which were much bigger in comparison. The Graben Farmlands were owned by the deceased Conrad Graben and his wife Omaree Graben. Omaree runs the property now herself and I was introduced to her and given a tour of her property. Back in the late 20's and 30's two Graben sisters, Irene and Cleo, married Sides brothers John Ephram and Warren Corbett. Conrad Graben was Irene and Cleo's brother. Below is a picture of Omaree Graben taken on her porch. The Sides and Graben farms are located across from the Barfield Baptist Church and Cemetery where many a Sides and Graben family member are buried. Across the street from the Church is the Barfield School. It is told that my Grandpop Willie helped build that school and one day as a teenager had a little too much to drink and did handstands across the top beams. I guess he never lost his fear of heights because when he lived in Philadelphia as an adult, he washed windows on high-rises. The Sides farmlands can be seen from the Barfield Baptist Church and School.
Present Day Aerial Topographical View of Sides Farmlands, Graben Farmlands, Barfield Baptist Church and Barfield School
Bonnie Sides, Earl & Eleanor, Omaree Graben
Sides Plots in
Barfield Baptist Cemetery
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