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The Isreal family migrated to Rockville from Georgia in 1923, seeking a better life. Frank Isreal initially worked as a caretaker and handyman at Chestnut Lodge, and Violet Isreal kept house at Rose Hill Farm on Falls Road. The family purchased a lot from Harrison England for $250 and built a home in Lincoln Park, where they raised chickens, hogs, and vegetables. Their twelve children attended segregated schools in Rockville and Washington.
Violet Isreal's maiden name was Dobbs. She was related to John Wesley Dobbs, 1882-1961, a leader in the African American community in Atlanta, and to Mattiwilda Dobbs (b. 1925), the first black woman to appear in a principal role at the world-famous La Scala Opera House in Milan Italy.
The children's names are Louise, Willie Mae (Isreal) Carey, Dewey, Goldie, Clarence, Frank, Elbert, Beatrice (Isreal) Smith, Irene (Isreal) Hayes, Violet (Isreal) Rabey, James, and Freddie.
The Summerour family is related by marriage to the Isreals. Ida Isreal married Sherman Summerour
To view enlarged images, click on the pictures below.
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 Summerour and their children \(from left\)Joe, Gene, and William, circa 1925. Inscription on back of photo \'for Willimae from Gene.\'<br>Source: Sandra Summerour-Jackson.')) |
, and Sandra with Carolyn in front, c.1954.<br>Source: Sandra Summerour-Jackson.')) |