My GGG grandfather served both the confederacy and union.

[LeftInTX]

9. My GGG served in the Revolution

They were North Carolianians and one of his sons was a state senator, so yeah.

My GG grandfather was too old for the Civil War, and my G Grandfather was born around 1860.

They had slaves in one of the censuses preceeding the Civil War.
My great grandfather was a laborer. He left North Carolina and eventually ended up in Florida.

His death certificate in 1924 lists his occupation as "orange grove worker"

The only thing I know about this family is what I know on paper. I don't know if my mom ever knew about the slaves. She just said her family was "poor". Her other grandmother was a teacher and my grandmother was proud of mother.. My other great grandfather was a barber. (However the paper trail also shows that side was the same way )

It seems like they went from comfortable to working class fairly quickly.