Rex in Clayton County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Melvinia Shields

1844-1938

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023

1. Melvinia Shields Marker

Inscription. This memorial is dedicated to the remarkable life of Melvinia “Mattie” Shields McGruder.

She was born a slave in South Carolina in 1844. At age 6 she was brought to the nearby Shields farm in what is now Rex, Clayton County, Georgia. Her family would endure a five-generation journey that began in oppression and would lead her descendant to become First Lady of the United States of America
Michelle Obama

Theirs is a story of hope.

Melvinia “Mattie” Shields McGruder is buried in Kingston, Bartow County, Georgia

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 33° 35.584′ N, 84° 16.017′ W. Marker is in Rex, Georgia, in Clayton County. It is at the intersection of Homestead Road and Rex Circle, on the right when traveling west on Homestead Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Rex GA 30273, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Georgia’s Piedmont

and in Metro Atlanta.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the

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Deep South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Stagecoach Road (approx. 1.3 miles away); March and Counter-march (approx. 1.6 miles away); McIntosh Gate (approx. 3.6 miles away); Wheeler Drive (approx. 3.7 miles away); Hood Avenue (approx. 3.7 miles away); Hardee Hall (approx. 3.7 miles away); The Right Wing at Stockbridge (approx. 3.8 miles away); The Orphan Brigade (approx. 3.8 miles away).

Also see . . . Melvinia Shields. More details about Melvinia and her connection to Michelle. (Research Online) (Submitted on July 3, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 10, 2023

2. Melvinia Shields Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on July 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 3, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 298 times since then and 35 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 3, 2023, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.