Robert R. Self and Martha “Patsey” (Cook) Self

Robert R. Self and Martha Patsey Cook married on June 25, 1838, which is proven by a marriage certificate in Union County, Georgia.

Robert R. Self (c. October, 1818 to April, 1870) The middle initial “R” for Robert is seen on the 1840 and 1860 census; however, no middle name is known for the initial. The 1864 Census for Re-Organizing the Georgia Militia Record lists Robert Self as 45 years and 3 months. So, if this 1864 was as of January 1, less three months, it is presumed that Robert was born in October. He would have been 45 years old on his last birthday in 1863; thus, 45 years is 1818. The June 1, 1870 U.S. Federal Mortality Schedule records Robert’s death in April, 1870 at the age 52. Census report that Robert was born in North Carolina; and, his profession as laborer and farmer.

Martha Cook (c. February 25, 1818 to after 1900 census) On the 1850 census, Martha’s name was listed as Martha and born in North Carolina in about 1821. On the 1860 census, Martha’s name was listed as Patsey and born in North Carolina in about 1820. On the 1870 census Martha’s name was listed as Martha and born in Georgia in about 1815. On the 1880 census, Martha’s name was listed as Martha and born in Georgia in about 1817. On the 1900 census, Martha’s name was listed as Martha. She was living with her grandson Monroe Self. She reports that she was born in February, 1820, had 11 children and that 9 children were living; and born in Georgia. Patsy is a southern nickname for Martha. It is not known for sure if Martha was born in North Carolina or Georgia; however, the 1900 census reports that her parents were born in North Carolina and she was born in Georgia. If this is true, then her parents moved to Georgia prior to February, 1820.

Odell Plott remembered their burial locations from his youth work of maintaining the Old Union Baptist Cemetery. Robert and Martha are buried next to their daughter, Celianne Josephine (Self) Plott. Their names first appear in the Old Union Baptist Church books on Sunday, September 7, 1845, page 12, “Opened the door for the rection (recognition) of members and received three by letter Elisabeth Cathey as a deaconess, Martha Self, Robert Self and Elisebeth Welsh by experience.”

The 1840 through 1880 census for the family is inconsistent to the ages and years born for Martha and their children. Here are the names of the children listed on the census: James, Susan, Sarah, Elisha H., Jane, Job M., Smith, Charity S., Martha, Celia (Celianne) and unknown child.

The following story was retold by Robert and Martha’s daughter, Celianne Josephine “Josie” (Self) Plott and her husband, William Rufus “Bill” Plott, to their son Newt Plott and his wife, Irene (Thomas) Plott, to their son James Ralph Plott. When televisions, radios, and electronic devices were not invented, the family would sit on the front porch and retell family stories. This recants the story about Robert Self's Savateur legacy.

Savate (meaning 'old shoe') is a style of French footfighting. Robert Self was known to be good at this sport. Where, when and how he learned the sport is unknown. The sport requires the participants to wear shoes. Robert wore brogan boots. During this time, brogans were leather constructed ankle-high boots.

Here is the story: One day, a man from North Carolina came to Robert Self's home "to clean Robert's Self's plow good". Meaning, the man meant to defeat Robert; thus, become the winning savate champion. At first, Robert said no, he would not fight the man. Robert did not want to fight the man. Robert said, "Let's go have a drink and you go back to North Carolina." Robert even told the man, "You can tell others that we fought." The man kept after Robert to fight him. Quoted from the tale, "After a while, Robert jumped way up and kicked the man in his face with his brogan shoes. Kicking him good." Robert won the fiasco and, unfortunately, the man had considerable injuries. The story goes, "They had to wrap the man in a bed sheet and turn him for a week, before they put him on his horse sending him back to North Carolina." The term "turn him for a week", means that the man had significant injuries, which he was bedridden, unable to care for himself, and needed to be turned in bed to prevent bed sores. The name of the man is unknown. He never returned for a rematch. Accolades were given to Robert for his savate skills and to his brogan boots. They claim that Robert's brogan boots were a topic of his success.

By Cynthia (Plott) Duke and Leora (Loesch) Plott

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