Zacharias Ferguson, who is to be called "Pa", was born at The Forest, Exuma. Margaret Ferguson, who is to be called "Ma", was born at Bluff, in the Hermitage, Exuma.

Pa’s date of birth is untold and so was Ma’s. However, if Pa died in 1936 and at his death he was 103 years old, it is safe to say he was born in 1833. And if Ma died in 1930 and she was 86 years old, it is also safe to say she was born in 1844.

Pa attended Public School and the Palestine Baptist Church at The Forest, while Ma attended Public School and Zion Baptist Church at Moss Town.

Pa later became deacon at his church and Ma a class leader in hers. By profession, Pa was a carpenter and farmer, and Ma a farmer. They were soon married and had a total of 14 children. In those early days, you had to accept the nicknames given you by your family or by your peers.

Here are the nicknames given to the offspring’s of Pa and Ma:

Thomas Ferguson (nickname Mosser)
Jack Ferguson (nickname Titus)
Naaman,
Jacob,
Raphael (Dolie)
Prince,
Jane
Anna
Jestina (nickname Mona)
Julianne (nickname Munner)
Patience (nickname Linda)
Adrianna (nickname Toya).
Susan (nickname Pinky).
Ethel (nickname Titty Mamie)
Zilpha (nickname Hattie).