Martha Frances Velma Long

The Civil War ravaged the home of my Grandmother, and Cholera took her father. Upon learning the plight of his brother's family, John C. Calhoun sent for Grandmother and her sister, Libbia Lorena, to come to live with him in Arizona, La. Libbia died there in 1870, and is buried there. Grandmother stayed for some time, and went to school there before returning to Alabama. Not sure when she returned, but she was married by 1875. In the 1880 Census she is living in Perry County, AL. After the death of John Luther Perry, my Grandmother, Martha Frances Velma Calhoun (Called Velma) helped her mother run a boarding house on Carolina Avenue in Bessemer, AL. This was located near the train station. The region, with its vast resources for making steel, became a great center for commerce. One wise man with vision came to the area. He came from Redkey, Indiana and boarded at my great grandmother's boarding house. His name was William Jacob Long. He married my grandmother and took on the responsibility of raising her children. On October 8, 1891, he became the father of another son, Charles Allen Long. The family prospered and grew in strength. By the time the 20th century rolled around, much of what he had established was on solid footing. The name of his first venture was The Bessemer Cornice Works. This was started in 1887 on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 23rd. Street. A few years later, a Mr. Lewis, owner of Lewis Hardware, needed some financial help, so Granddaddy Long bought out 51% of the company, and later bought out Mr. Lewis altogether. This became Long-Lewis Hardware Co. Sullivan-Long-and Haggerty came into being in 1890 when two Irishmen needed money to build sewers. Later, in 1906, he started Long-Lewis Ford, car agency. [My research incorporated with research done by William S. Perry]

Last Will and Testament of Velma W. Long [not sure why she wrote the "W"]

Know All Men by These Presents: State of Alabama

                                                                         Jefferson County

That I, Velma W. Long of Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama, being of sound mind and disposing memory, and realising the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death, and desiring while is the full possission of all my mental faculties to so order and arrange my earthly affairs as not to leave any uncertainty or confusion as to my wishes concerning the disposition of my earthly estate, do hereby make, publish and declare this instrument to be my last will and testament, expressly revoking and annulling any and all other wills by me previously made.
It is my wish, desire and will that after my death the following things be had and done, to-wit:
1st. I desire all my just debts paid with all possible promptness and dispatch, including my expense of last illness and funeral.
2nd. I do name, nominate and appoint my beloved son Charles A. Long, as the Executor of this will and of my estate, and request that he be not required to execute bond in any sum to any court, not to make reports thereto.
3rd. I do give an bequesth unto my beloved friend, Mrs. Elizabeth Anne Mitchell, all amounts remaining unpaid upon a certain mortgage indebtedness owing, or formerly owed, by her to me in the sum of $2500.00 and also all amounts that my remain unpaid upon a certain note originally in the sum of $1000.00 executed by her to me.
I do further give and bequeath unto the said Elizabeth Anne Mitchell all of my household effrects and furnishings, jewelry, linens, rugs, library, silver, and plate, china , and bric-a-brac of whatever kind or description of which I may die possessed, whether specifically mentioned or not, including my Franklin Automobile, but excluding my Edison Victrola which I desire shall be had by my beloved son, Charles A. Long. I make these bequests to Elizabeth Anne Mitchell because of my admiration for her and my very great appreciation of her kindness and care displayed towards me on all occasions.
4th. I do give and bequeath unto my three beloved children, John C. Perry, LaValle Perry McCampbell, and Henry David Perry, the sum of one dollar each and my blessing. I make no more substantial bequests to the children because of advancements and gifts made by me to them, and because of their large residuary interests in the estate of my deceased husband, W. J. Long.
5th. All the rest and residue of my property not specifically bequeathed here in, I do give and bequeath to my beloved son, Charles A. Long, the same to be had, held, and used by him as he may see fit, expressly giving to him all moneys, credits, and funds held or owned by me or in which I may have an interest at the time of my death, whether in my possession or under my control or not.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal on this 1st day of May, 1924. Velma W. Long
Witness Vassar L. Allen, Lillie Haney
In the 1920 Census, there is a female, M.V. Woodruff, age 50, living with Velma and Jacob Long as a boarder on Carolina Avenue. She was born in Alabama, father in S. Carolina, and mother in Alabama. I believe this to be the daughter of Samuel and Martha Portlock Woodruff.