The Shelton Descendants Historical Society is a non-profit organization (501(c)(3)) dedicated to honoring and preserving the African American, African, and Native American ancestry and heritage of the descendants of Hardy and Mary Bearden Shelton.
​
Mission and Focus
​
The core mission of the Society is to research and disseminate information about its ancestors and their communities to provide a deeper appreciation and understanding of their shared history. The organization aims to preserve the past, in the present, for future descendant generations.
​
Key Historical Context
​
The Society specifically documents the history of Hardy and Mary Shelton, formerly enslaved individuals, who established the Shelton Family Settlement (also known as Possum Trot) in the Flatwoods District of Rome, Georgia, in 1874. The family's land holdings peaked at nearly 700 acres, and they were a vital part of a resilient, tight-knit, multiracial community that survived significant historical challenges, including the abrupt end of the Reconstruction Era, Great Rome Flood of 1886 and the 1918 Influenza Pandemic (Spanish Flu).
​
Activities
​The Shelton Descendants Historical Society's activities include:
​
-
Conducting extensive genealogical and historical research using sources such as census records, deeds, wills, and oral histories.
-
Educating the public about the contributions of the Shelton family and their community in post-Reconstruction Georgia.
-
Partnering with institutions like Berry College to commemorate and mark the historical significance of the land the family once owned.
-
Commissioning and selling educational materials, such as keepsake coins, to spark intergenerational conversations and fund ongoing research efforts.
-
Celebrating the achievements of its members, such as the 44th Regiment of United States Colored Troops Reenactment Group, who strive to provide authentic and educational experiences.
-
Administering the annual Hardy and Mary Bearden Shelton 1874 Academic Scholarship
-
Engaging with other 501c3's with similar focus
-
Community engagement in service to our communities
Through its work, the SDHS ensures that the rich and complex history of the Shelton family and their contributions to American history are recognized and remembered.
​
​
​
​
​