COUSINS FAMILY

1.    Elizabeth Cousins, born say 1700, died before 23 February 1756 when James Holman was granted administration on her Cumberland County, Virginia estate. The following day the court ordered the churchwardens of King William Parish to bind out her orphans. She was probably the mother or grandmother of "Poor Orphans" Rocco, Jack, and Jane Couzens who were ordered bound out by the churchwardens of King William Parish on 28 July 1755 [Orders 1752-8, 284, 355, 369]. She may have been the mother of

i. John¹, born say 1720, a "free Negro" who had to post bond in Goochland County court for his good behavior in March 1755 when he was accused of threatening to beat Charles Bates. William Pledge was his security [Orders 1750-7, 512]. John was listed as an overseer in William Pledge's Goochland County household in the list of tithables for 1755 [List of Tithables]. The Powhatan County court excused him from paying parish and county levies on 17 August 1780 [Orders 1777-84, 156]. He was sued for 3 pounds, 8 shillings by Robert Pleasants in Cumberland County on 22 August 1785 [Orders 1784-6, 399, 476], probably the same suit which Pleasants brought against him in Powhatan County on 18 August 1785 [Orders 1784-6, 201, 228].

ii. Elizabeth², born say 1721, sued Anne Daniel in Goochland County court on 15 March 1742/3 for her freedom dues [Orders 1741-4, 194].

2        iii. Pat, born say 1724.

3        iv. Mary¹, born say 1729.

4        v. Francis¹, born say 1735.

5        vi. Frances¹, born say 1737.

 

2.    Pat¹ Cousins, born say 1724, was most likely identical to "Pat an Indented servant" (no last name or race mentioned) whose daughter "Margaret a Mulatto Girl" was bound apprentice to John Woodson, Jr., of Goochland County in June 1745 [Orders 1744-49, 75]. Margaret Cousins' children were later bound out to John Woodson in June 1759 [Orders 1757-61, 218]. Pat was probably the mother of

6        i. Margaret¹, born say 1741.

7        ii. Elizabeth³, born say 1744.

 

3.    Mary¹ Cousins, born say 1729, may have been identical to "Moll a Mulatto girl" of Goochland County who was bound by the churchwardens of St. James Parish to John Williams in November 1731 [Orders 1730-1, 46]. She was called Mary Cousins when she brought a complaint in Goochland County court against John Williams on 21 July 1748 and on 22 August 1750 when she sued Williams for her freedom dues. She was awarded 3 pounds, 10 shillings by the court in August 1751. She was called "Mary Cousins a free Negro" in April 1764 when the court summoned her to show cause why her children Nan and Sam should not be bound out. She did not appear, and the court bound them to Richard Davis Hines [Orders 1744-9, 457; 1750-7, 25, 85, 1761-65, 292, 320]. She was the mother of

i. Abraham, "a Mullatto being Son of Moll Servant to John Williams," bound by the churchwardens of St. James Northam Parish to John Williams in August 1745 [Orders 1744-9, p.99].

8        ii. Nan, born say 1760.

iii. Samuel, born about 1762, bound apprentice in Goochland County in May 1764 and called a "Mulatto" child of Mary Cousins when he was bound out again in September 1779 [Orders 1778-79, 232]. He was a "Mulatto" taxable in Goochland County from 1786 to 1788 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frames 112, 154, 180] and a "M" taxable on a horse in Powhatan County in 1789 [PPTL, 1787-1825, frame 31]. He was taxable in Chesterfield County from 1790 to 1793 and a "F. Negroe" taxable there from 1802 to 1810 [PPTL, 1786-1811, frames 61, 137, 178, 502, 578, 615, 657, 1717, 799]. He registered as a free Negro in Goochland County on 20 September 1808: five feet five inches high, supposed to be forty five or fifty years of age, short curled hair, dark complexion [Register of Free Negroes, p.25, no.52] and registered in Chesterfield County on 8 November 1819: fifty seven years old, brown complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53, no. 369].

iv. James², born say 1764, an infant of Mary Cousins ordered bound to John Woodson in Goochland County in March 1764 [Orders 1761-65, 282].

v. Frances², born say 1765, child of Mary Cousins bound to William Blunkall in Goochland County in February 1767 [Orders 1767-71, 9]. On 2 December 1793 the Charlotte County court ordered the overseers of the poor to bind out her children Sally and Fanny Cozens, and on 6 January 1794 the court ordered them bound to Allen Anderson [Orders 1792-4, 151a, 152b].

vi. Jacob², born say 1766, "mulatto" son of Mary Couzens, ordered bound out by the churchwardens of King William Parish to Jane Holeman by the Cumberland County court on 23 November 1767 [Orders 1767-70, 63].

vii. Nancy, born say 1775, a "Mulatto" child of Mary Cousins bound out in Goochland County in September 1779 [Orders 1778-79, 232].

 

4.    Francis¹ Cousins, born say 1735, was a "Free Mulatto" charged with the felonious intent of poisoning Obediah and Mary Smith in Goochland County in March 1754. Paul Michaux and James Holman posted fifty pounds bond for him [Orders 1750-57, 364-5, 381, 383, 489]. He married Mary Martin in Goochland County on 15 December 1759:

Francis Cousins & Mary Martin Mulattoes both of Manikin town [Jones, The Douglas Register, 4].

He enlisted in the Revolution from Goochland County [Jackson, Virginia Negro Soldiers, 33]. He was living in adjoining Cumberland County on 9 April 1763 when he sued James Bryant for trespass, assault and battery. He was called Francis Smith Cousins on 26 January 1767 when he sued Samuel Goff for 4 pounds due by note. On 28 November 1774 the court presented him for failing to list Charles Howell as a tithable in his household [Orders 1762-4, 166; 1764-7, 386; 1774-8, 300, 441]. On 16 May 1782 the Powhatan County court ordered the churchwardens of Southam Parish to bind John and Richard Dobbins to him [Orders 1777-84, 225].He was taxable in Powhatan County on 2 horses from 1787 to 1788, a "M" taxable in 1789, and a "M^o" taxable in 1793 [PPTL, 1787-1825, frames 4, 17, 31, 90]. He was head of a Goochland County household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:687]. He had a daughter Ridley, a slave who had three children: Frank, William, and Lucy Ann. He purchased them from Robert Pleasants and set them free on 18 March 1816 by his Goochland County deed [DB 22:191]. He was the father of

i. Francis² (Frank), married Chloe Cousins, 16 April 1806 Goochland County bond, Edward Fuzmore surety. Chloe registered as a free Negro in Goochland County on 15 January 1823: about Fifty six years old, about five feet two inches high...emancipated by a decree of the court of Appeals in vertue of the wills of John & Jonathan Pleasants [Register of Free Negroes, p.140]. Francis left a 3 December 1842 Goochland County will, proved 18 November 1844 leaving his estate to his wife Cloa during her lifetime and naming children Sam, Frederick, Henry, Watt and invalid daughter Milly. John Copeland brought a chancery suit against the estate claiming that Francis had agreed to sell a 10 acre tract to him but had never made out a formal deed [LVA Chancery case 1848-022].

ii. Ridley, emancipated on 18 March 1816.

 

5.    Frances¹/ Fanny Cousins, born say 1737, petitioned for her freedom from further service to James Holeman in Cumberland County on 25 September 1758. Her case was dismissed when she failed to prosecute [Orders 1758-62, 25, 85]. On 16 August 1763 the Goochland County court ordered the churchwardens of St. James Northam Parish to bind out her children James, William, and Elizabeth [Orders 1761-65, 210], and on 26 September 1763 the Cumberland County court ordered the churchwardens of King William Parish to bind out her sons James and William to Walter Edie [Orders 1762-4, 314]. In October 1764 James and William were called "Mulatto Children of Frances Cousins" when the Goochland County court ordered them bound to William Maddox [Orders 1761-65, 437]. On 17 June 1779 the Powhatan County court ordered the churchwardens of King William Parish to bind out her children Barbara, Berkley, and Abba Cousins [Orders 1777-84, 97]. She was the mother of

i. ?John², born say 1746, called Jack Cousins, a "Poor Orphan" bound out in Cumberland County on 28 July 1755 [Orders 1752-8, 284].

ii. ?Cate, ordered bound out by the churchwardens of King William Parish in Cumberland County on 23 October 1758 [Orders 1758-62, 19].

iii. James¹, born say 1759, taxable in the upper district of Goochland County in 1790 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frame 235]. He was a free man of color who served as a substitute in the Revolution from Goochland County [NSDAR, African American Patriots, 148].

iv. William¹, born say 1761, head of a Prince Edward County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:651].

v. Elizabeth⁴, born say 1763, bound apprentice in Goochland County in July 1763. She was called the "mulattoe" daughter of Fanny Couzens on 28 March 1770 when the Cumberland County court ordered the churchwardens of King William Parish to bind her to George Smith [Orders 1770-2, 3]. On 17 June 1779 the Powhatan County court ordered the churchwardens of King William Parish to bind out her daughter Editha Cousins [Orders 1777-84, 98]. Elizabeth was head of a Goochland County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:686].

vi. ?Phillis, a "poor orphan" ordered bound apprentice to Thomas Turpin, Jr., by the churchwardens of Southam Parish in Cumberland County, Virginia court on 27 February 1769 [Orders 1767-70, 279].

vii. ?Nathaniel, born say 1768, a "Mulatto" taxable in Chesterfield County from 1790 to 1793 [PPTL, 1786-1811, frames 60, 101, 138].

viii. ?Milley, a "poor orphan" ordered bound apprentice to Elizabeth Brooks by the churchwardens of Southam Parish in Cumberland County court on 27 February 1769 [Orders 1767-70, 279].

ix. ?Henry¹, a "mulattoe orphan" ordered bound apprentice to Francis Smith Couzens by the churchwardens of Southam Parish in Cumberland County court on 28 May 1770 [Orders 1770-2, 2]. He was a "free negro" charged in Richmond City court on 24 March 1788 with stealing a pair of paste shoe buckles the value of 3 pounds. He was found guilty and agreed to receive 25 lashes rather than be sent for trial in the district court [Hustings Orders 1787-92, 299]. He was a "M^o" taxable in Powhatan County in 1793 [PPTL, 1787-1825, frame 90].

x. ?Landy, born say 1773, taxable in Powhatan County from 1790 to 1798, called a "M^o" in 1798 [PPTL, 1787-1825, frames 44, 104, 117, 130, 144, 160], called "Alexander Cousins Mulatto" in 1803 when he was taxable in the lower district of Goochland County in 1803 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frame 650].

xi. Barbary, born about 1772, ordered to be bound by the churchwardens of King William Parish to Joseph Sallee on 21 October 1784 because her former master John Duprey had removed to Kentucky [Orders 1784-6, 64]. She registered as a free Negro in Goochland County on 18 April 1815: dark complexion, about five feet four inches high, about forty three years old...short curled hair [Register of Free Negroes, p.86, no. 163].

xii. Abbey, born say 1778, married Tom Mayo, 2 July 1799 Goochland County bond, Joseph Attkisson surety.

xiii. Walton, child of Frances bound out by the Powhatan County court on 20 July 1786 [Orders 1786-91, 18].

xiv. Sarah, child of Frances bound out by the Powhatan County court on 20 July 1786 [Orders 1786-91, 18].

 

6.    Margaret¹ Cousins, born say 1741, was an indented servant of John Woodson in June 1759 when her daughter Margaret (no race mentioned) was bound apprentice in Goochland County. She was called a "free Negro" in March 1770 when her son William was ordered bound out [Orders 1757-61, 218; 1767-70, 388]. She was the mother of

i. Margaret², born say 1758, "an Infant of Margett Cousens an Indented Servant unto John Woodson," ordered bound apprentice by the churchwardens of St. James Northam Parish in June 1759 [Orders 1757-61, 218]. She or a daughter by the same name (no race indicated) was in adjoining Cumberland County on 29 March 1774 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Littleton Parish to bind her out to John Woodson [Orders 1774-8, 120].

9        ii. Jacob¹, born say 1761.

iii. Sall¹, born say 1764, a child of Margaret Cousins apprenticed to John Woodson in May 1767.

iv. Charles, born say 1766, a child of Margaret Cousins bound to John Woodson in May 1767 [Orders 1767-70, 16], a "Free Black" head of a Nottoway County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:1020].

v. Shepherd, born say 1768, a child of Margaret Cousins bound to John Woodson in February 1769. He was called "Mulatto Shepherd" in 1788 when his tax was charged to John Woodson in the upper district of Goochland County in 1788, called Shepherd Cousins in 1790 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frame 184, 246].

vi. William², born say 1769, "a Child of Margaret Cousins (being a free Negro)" bound to Thomas Oliver in March 1770 [Orders 1767-70, 281, 388]. He may have been the William Cousins who was taxable in Charlotte County from 1787 to 1805: his tax charged to (his brother?) Jacob Cousins in 1787 [PPTL 1782-1813, frames 109, 141, 175, 204, 228, 252, 264, 301, 326, 353, 382, 621, 639, 654]. And he may have been the William Cousins who married Polly Banks, 4 October 1811 Goochland County bond, John Banks surety, 5 October marriage.

vii. Jane, born say 1770, a child of Margaret Cousins, "a free Mulatto," bound apprentice to Edward Redford in March 1772. Her children Cyrus and Benjamin were bound out by the Powhatan County court on 20 July 1786. On 21 June 1792 she complained to the court that Benjamin's master Rowland Pointer was mistreating him, and the court bound him instead to Henry Moss to be a bricklayer [Orders 1796-91, 18; 1791-4, 127, 132].

viii. Pat², born say 1772, a child of Margaret Cousins, "a free Mulatto," apprenticed to Edward Redford in March 1772 [Orders 1771-78, 115].

 

7.    Elizabeth³ Cousins, born say 1744, was a "Malatto Girl" (no parent named) apprenticed by the churchwardens of St. James Northam Parish in Goochland County in May 1754 [Orders 1750-57, 409]. She was the mother of Sall, John, and Celia who were ordered bound out as apprentices by the Goochland County court in November 1770 [Orders 1767-70, 497]. She was living in adjoining Cumberland County on 23 November 1767 when the court ordered the churchwardens of King William Parish to bind out her "mulatto" children Walter and Oyster Couzens to Jane Holeman [Orders 1767-70, 63]. She was taxable on a horse in the lower district of Goochland County in 1787, called a "free negroe Spinner" in 1801 when she was taxable on a free male tithable and a horse, taxable on a free male tithable in 1806 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frame 164, 579, 761]. Her children were

i. John³, born about 1761, a child of Betty Cousins who was bound apprentice in Goochland County in November 1770. His tax was charged to Thomas Pleasants in the lower district of Goochland County in 1787 and 1788, charged with his own tax in 1790, called a "Mulatto" in 1793, a "freed Negroe" in 1794 and 1795, a "free negroe planter" in 1801 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frame 117, 195, 210, 251, 265, 325, 405, 579, 650]. He registered as a free Negro in Goochland County in 1806: about five feet ten inches and three quarters high, about forty five years of age...short curled hair [Register of Free Negroes, p.14, no.31]. He was head of a Fluvanna County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:689].

ii. Sall², born about 1767, child of Betty Cousins bound apprentice in November 1770. She may have been the Sally Cousins who was head of a Goochland County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:689]. She registered in Goochland County on 19 June 1815: dark complexion about five feet four inches high, about forty eight years old, short curled hair [Register of Free Negroes, p.87, no.166].

iii. Walter, bound apprentice in Cumberland County on 23 November 1767. He was taxable in Goochland County in 1782, a "Mulatto" taxable in 1783, taxable there from 1787 to 1789 and called a "free negroe wheelwright" in 1801 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frames 6, 34, 163, 190, 204, 579].

iv. Oyster, bound apprentice in Cumberland County on 23 November 1767.

v. Celia, born say 1770, child of Betty Cousins bound apprentice in Goochland County in November 1770.

vi. Francis², born say 1772, a "bastard of Betty Cousins" bound to William Robards in Goochland County in September 1773. He may have been the Francis Cousins who was taxable in Charlotte County from 1790 to 1795 [PPTL 1782-1813, frames 204, 228, 314, 339]. He was taxable in the upper district of Goochland County on 2 horses in 1803, a "free Negroe" planter living near Thomas F. Bates in 1804, a "Freed Negro" cooper on Robert Pleasants' land in 1805, listed with wife Cloe in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frames 666, 738, 864; 1810-32, frames 5, 158].

vii. Jesse, born say 1774, a son of Elizabeth Cousins bound to William Robards in Goochland County in August 1774 [Orders 1771-78, 360, 446].

 

8.    Nan Cousins, born say 1760, daughter of Mary Cousins, was bound apprentice in Goochland County in May 1764. She was living in Goochland County on 15 November 1784 when the court ordered the churchwardens to bind out her son Alex Cousins [Orders 1784-7, 182]. She was the mother of

i. Landy, born say 1773, taxable in Powhatan County from 1790 to 1798, called a "M^o" in 1798 [PPTL, 1787-1825, frames 44, 104, 117, 130, 144, 160], called "Alexander Cousins Mulatto" in 1803 when he was taxable in the lower district of Goochland County in 1803 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frame 650].

 

9.    Jacob¹ Cousins, born say 1761, "Son of Margaret Cousens," was apprenticed by the churchwardens of St. James Northam Parish, Goochland County, in November 1762 [Orders 1761-65, 133]. He was taxable in Charlotte County from 1783 to 1812: taxable on a horse and 6 cattle in 1783, charged with the tax for (his brother?) William Cousins in 1787, taxable on 3 free males in 1804, 2 free males in 1805. His Charlotte County estate was taxable on 2 horses in 1813. (His widow) Suckey Cousins, Sr., was listed with 2 "free Negroes" in her household in 1813 [PPTL 1782-1813, frames 22, 109, 141, 175, 204, 252, 276, 300, 326, 353, 382, 484, 516, 550, 586, 621, 654, 688, 723, 756, 788, 821, 852, 894]. He purchased 100 acres in Charlotte County for 100 pounds on 2 September 1793. He purchased 60 acres on Wardsfork Creek in Charlotte County for 60 pounds on 6 October 1794 and sold the land to John Roach, Jr., for 41 pounds on 6 July 1795, reserving to lessee Benjamin Wilks undisturbable possession of the land. And he purchased 50 acres on the southside of Wardsfork Creek for 40 pounds on 31 December 1796 [DB 7:2, 76, 86, 129]. He was a "F.N." head of a Charlotte County household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:1018]. He and his wife Sukey were the parents of

i. ?John⁴, a "fn" taxable in Charlotte County from 1804 to 1810: listed with wife Lucy, a male child, and a female child in 1805, 1806 and 1807; listed with Betty Chavis in 1811 and 1812 [PPTL 1782-1813, frames 604, 639, 648, 672, 682, 708, 717, 784, 814, 846].

ii. Jacob³, born about 1785, registered in Charlotte County on 10 February 1806: son of Jacob Cozens, Black complexion, aged 21, born free [Ailsworth, Charlotte County--Rich Indeed, 485]. He died about 1809 when his Charlotte County estate was taxable on a horse [PPTL 1782-1813, frame 756].

iii. James, born about 1789, listed in Charlotte County with Nancy Steward in 1813 [PPTL 1782-1813, frames 894]. He registered in Charlotte County on 16 January 1819: son of Jacob Cozens & Sukey his wife, free persons of Colour, Mulatto complexion, aged 30, born free [Ailsworth, Charlotte County--Rich Indeed, 486].

iv. Henry, born about 1791, registered in Charlotte County on 25 February 1811: son of Jacob and Sukey Cozens his wife, Mulatto complexion, aged 20, born free [Ailsworth, Charlotte County--Rich Indeed, 485]. He was taxable in Charlotte County to 1813 [PPTL 1782-1813, frames 894].

v. Suckey Bird, born about 1805, registered in Charlotte County on 1 December 1828: daughter of Susan Cozens, Dark complexion, aged 23, born free [Ailsworth, Charlotte County--Rich Indeed, 488].

vi. Nancy Brogdon, born about 1806, registered in Charlotte County on 1 December 1828: daughter of Susan Cozens, Dark complexion, aged 22, born free [Ailsworth, Charlotte County--Rich Indeed, 488].

 

Other Cousins families in Virginia were

10       i. Polly, born about 1773.

ii. Martin, born before 1776, married Jincey Cole, 31 December 1802 Mecklenburg County, Virginia bond, Robert Cole security. Martin was taxable on 1 poll in Country Line District of Granville County, North Carolina, in 1815 and was head of a household of 3 "free colored" in Country Line District in 1820 [NC:35].

iii. Henry², taxable in Goochland County from 1809 to 1813: a "Mulatto" farmer living on William Richardson's land in 1811, a "free negroe" listed with wife Sally in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frames 844; 1810-32, frames 32, 52, 71, 120, 139]. He married Lydia Pierce, daughter of John Pierce ("a negro man of Dr. James Bryden's") and Milly Pierce, 30 May 1812 Goochland County bond. He was head of a Goochland County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:685].

iv. Josiah, taxable in the upper district of Goochland County, listed with Lewis Chaudoine in 1800 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frame 543]. He was head of a Buckingham County household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:828].

v. Louis, born about 1800, obtained "free papers" in Brunswick County on 24 November 1828: the bearer hereof a free man of dark complexion about five feet five & an half Inches high ...about twenty eight years of age and was borne free as appears by the Evidence of James E. Webb.

vi. Joshua, born about 1804, obtained "free papers" in Brunswick County on 24 November 1828: the bearer hereof a free man of yellow complexion five feet five Inches high ...about twenty four years of age was born free as appears from the Evidence of James E. Webb [Wynn, Register of Free Negroes, 101].

 

10.    Mary²/Polly Cousins, born about 1773, was head of a Mecklenburg County, Virginia household of 5 "free colored" in 1820. She was called Molly Cousins on 19 June 1820 when she registered in Mecklenburg County: five feet high, about forty seven Years old, of a light Complexion, free born [Free Person of Color, no. 6, p.15]. She may have been the mother of

i. George L., born about 1793, taxable in Country Line District, Granville County, in 1815. He was head of a Mecklenburg County household of 4 "free colored" in 1820. He registered in Mecklenburg County on 19 June 1820: five feet Seven & 3/4 Inches high, about Twenty Seven years old, of a light Complexion [Person of Color, no. 1, p.13].

ii. Robert/ Robin, born about 1795, registered in Mecklenburg County on 19 June 1820: Robin Cousins, five feet Seven and 1/2 Inches high about twenty five years old...of a light Complexion [Person of Color, no.3, p.14]. He was called Robert Cousins in 1820, head of a Mecklenburg County household of one "free colored." He was probably the same Robert Cousins who was taxable in Country Line District, Granville County, in 1817, and was taxed on 120 acres on Grassy Creek in 1820. He was head of a Country Line District, Granville County, household of 7 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:35], called "free Negro" in the 1823 Granville tax list, taxed on 60 acres on Grassy Creek adjacent to Asa Cousins who was taxed on 4 acres.

iii. Henry³, born about 1797, registered in Mecklenburg County on 19 June 1820: five feet Eight & 3/4 Inches high about twenty three years old...of a light Complexion [Person of Color, no. 4, p.14]. He was head of a Mecklenburg County household of one "free colored" in 1820.

iv. Nelson, taxable on poll tax in Country Line District, Granville County, in 1815, head of a Mecklenburg County household of 1 "free colored" in 1820, perhaps the Nelson Cousins, born about 1797, who obtained a certificate of freedom in Chesterfield County on 13 July 1818: twenty one years old, black complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53, no. 321].

v. Lewis, born about 1801, registered in Mecklenburg County on 17 July 1826: a man of dark complexion 25 years of age five feet ten inches high... part of his left thumb Cut off by a whitlow, was born free in the County of Mecklenburg [Person of Color, no. 15, p.20].

 

Other members of the Cousins family in North Carolina were

i. John⁵, born about 1783, taxable in Country Line District, Granville County, in 1815. He registered in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, on 19 June 1820: about thirty Seven years old, dark complexion [Register, no. 2, p.13].

ii. Rebecca, "free born negro," bound an apprentice to Robert Davey by the July 1782 Caswell County court [A:205].

iii. Grief, head of a Randolph County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [NC:64].

iv. Levina, "a woman of colour," presented in Granville County in November 1812 for moving to Granville from Virginia "without the necessary to entitle to be a citizen" [CR 044.928.25].

 

COWIGG FAMILY

1.    John Cowage, born say 1746, was a "Mollatto Boy" valued at 24 pounds currency in the 24 Jun 1752 Goochland County estate of Henry Miller [DB 6:352-4]. He was called John Cowigg when he served in the Revolution from Goochland County as a wagoner or in the service of supply [Jackson, Virginia Negro Soldiers, 32]. He was taxable in Goochland County from 1787 to 1807: called a "Mulatto" in 1793, a "freed Negroe" in 1794, a "Mulatto" in 1803 and 1807. His wife was probably Clarissa Cowig free negroe who was taxable on her son John Cowigan in 1813 [PPTL 1782-1809, frames 163, 190, 311, 376, 405, 568, 650, 803; 1810-32, 139]. They were apparently the parents of

i. John², born about 1796, 16-21 years of age in 1813.

 

COX FAMILY

1.    Gilbert Cox, born say 1738, was taxable with (his brother?) Simon Cox in Bladen County in 1763, a "Molato" taxable in 1768, taxable with James Percey in 1770, a taxable "Mulato" in 1772 (also counted as a white taxable with James Purcey in 1772), a white taxable in 1774 with (his son?) John Cox, a "Molato" taxable in 1776, taxable on 100 acres of improved land and 300 acres unimproved in 1779, and counted in 1786 with one white male from 21-60 years old, one white male under 21 or over 60, four white females and two Blacks (slaves) from 12 to 50 and three over 50 or under 12 years of age [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:8, 34, 78, 94, 104, 130; II:68, 76, 117, 183]. He was granted a patent on 11 March 1775 for 300 acres southwest of Drowning Creek in the part of Bladen County which became Robeson County in 1787 [Hoffman, Land Patents, II:602], and he was taxable on 600 acres, one free poll, and 2 slave polls in Captain Barnes' District of Bladen County in 1784 [1784 Bladen County Tax List]. He entered 150 acres bordering this land on Ten Mile Swamp on 25 April 1791 [Pruitt, Land Entries: Robeson County, I:45]. He purchased land in Robeson County by deed proved on 4 October 1797, purchased 340 acres on 2 January 1793, and sold land by deed proved 1 October 1798. He purchased "a Negro boy named Ned" by deed proved by his son Isham Cox on 3 October 1797, and sold this slave and 650 acres of land to Isham on 27 November 1809 [Minutes I:12, 15, 49; DB C:402; P:238-40, 263]. He was head of a Robeson County household of 6 "other free" and 8 slaves in 1790 [NC:49], 4 "other free" and 9 slaves in 1800 [NC:371], and he was counted as white in 1810, head of a Robeson County household of one male over 45 and one white female over 45 [NC:235]. By his 29 June 1810 Robeson County will he left 1,200 acres and twenty-three slaves to his wife Sarah and children: Isom (Isham), Mary Britt, Sarah Ivey, and Treacy Ivey [WB 1:119-20]. Gilbert was the father of

i. ?John, born say 1758, a "white" taxable in Gilbert Cox's Bladen County household in 1774, a "Molato" taxable in 1776, and counted in 1786 with one white male from 21 to 60 and one white male under 21 or over 60 years of age [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:130; II:68, 76, 183].

ii. Isham, born say 1775.

iii. Mary, wife of John Britt.

iv. Sarah Ivey.

v. Treacey, wife of Silas Ivey.

 

2.    Simon¹ Cox, born say 1742, was taxable with (his brother?) Gilbert in Bladen County in 1763, a "Mulato" taxable with Adam Ivey in 1768, a "Molato" taxable in 1769 and 1770, taxable with James Perry/ Purcey in 1771, a white taxable from 1772 to 1774, a "Molato" taxable in 1776, taxable on 400 acres of improved land and 300 acres unimproved in 1779, taxable on 500 acres and one free poll in Captain Barnes' District of Bladen County in 1784, and counted in 1786 with one white male 21-60 years old, three white males under 21 or over 60 and four white females [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:4, 15, 33, 78, 94; II:68, 76, 116, 184; Bladen County Tax List (1763, 1784)]. He entered 40 acres between his two old surveys on both sides of Hog Swamp in Robeson County on 6 June 1788 and another 60 acres on 1 January 1789. On 8 October 1793 he entered 400 acres on "Gilbert Cox's meadow" and 200 acres bordering his own line [Pruitt, Land Entries: Robeson County, I:16, 20, 86]. He purchased land by deed proved in Robeson County court on 7 January 1799, 7 October 1806, and 1 January 1810; he sold land by deed proved on 2 April 1804, and transferred land to Levi Cox by deed proved on 6 January 1800 [Minutes I:55, 90; II:4, 172, 281]. He may have been the father of

i. Levi, counted as white in Robeson County in 1800, head of a Robeson County household of 3 "other free" and a slave in 1810 [NC:233].

ii. Simon², Jr., born say 1778, head of a Robeson County household of 2 "other free" in 1800 [NC:371] and 4 in 1810 [NC:233].

iii. James, born say 1782, head of a Robeson County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [NC:235] and 8 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:308].

iv. Jesse, head of a Robeson County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [NC:233], perhaps the Jesse Cox who was head of a Wythe County, Virginia household of 4 "other free" in 1810. He was head of a Robeson household of 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:308].

v. Harmon, head of a Robeson County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [NC:233].

 

Members of the Cox family in Virginia were

i. William, born say 1750, a "mulattoe" examined by the Cumberland County court on 19 June 1775 on suspicion of breaking and entering the house of Henry Skipworth and stealing corn valued at twenty shillings. He denied the charge and was discharged because there was no evidence against him [Orders 1774-8, 333]. He was head of a Henrico County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:991].

ii. Rachel, born about 1752, obtained a certificate of freedom in Chesterfield County on 14 May 1810: fifty-eight years old, black complexioned, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53, no. 129].

iii. Nancy, head of a Chesterfield County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:70/1062]. She married Manuel Valentine (free persons of colour), 13 September 1813 Chesterfield County bond, Jeremiah Ligon security [Marriage Register, 122]. She may have been the Nancy Valentine who obtained a certificate of freedom in Chesterfield County on 28 October 1816, the same day that members of the Cox family registered: fifty-four years old, yellow complexioned, emancipated by will of John Brown, deced. [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53, no. 279].

iv. Ann, head of a Norfolk County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:892].

 

Endnotes:

1.    James Percey was probably related to John Purse, head of a Beaufort County, South Carolina, household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [SC:104], and William Pierse, head of a Beaufort County, South Carolina, household of 10 "other free" in 1800 [SC:116].

 

COY FAMILY

Members of the Coy family were

i. Thomas, born about 1760, taxable in Petersburg on a tithe and a horse in 1799, taxable there from 1801 to 1815, listed as a "free Black" in 1813 and a "free Negro" in 1815 [PPTL 1800-33, frames 27, 74, 397, 452], registered in Petersburg on 13 June 1810: a brown Mulatto man, five feet two 3/4 inches high, fifty years old, born free & raised in Fredericksburg [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 602].

1        ii. Sarah, born about 1767.

iii. Anthony, head of an Amherst County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:307].

 

1.    Sarah Coy, born about 1767, was a "M^o" taxable on 2 horses in Powhatan County from 1799 to 1815: counted with 2 "free negroes & mulattoes over the age of 16" in 1813 [PPTL, 1787-1825, frames 182, 205, 222, 238, 254, 276, 292, 315, 361, 378, 397, 419, 437, 456, 479]. She was called a "free Mulatto" on 17 November 1802 when the Powhatan County court ordered the overseers of the poor to bind out her children Joseph, Charles, Samuel, Billy, Judith, Sarah, Keziah and Rebecca Coy [Orders 1802-4, 207]. In April 1806 the court awarded her 11 pounds, 14 shillings in her suit against Martin Charlton, and in July 1806 the court awarded her $120 in her suit against Martin Charlton and John Wells on a forfeited bond for the delivery of property [Orders 1804-7, 565, cited by her descendant David A.G. Johnson, Jr.]. She registered in Powhatan County on 19 December 1822: Age 55; Color: Dark yellow; Stature: 5'5"; Born Free [Register of Free Negroes, 1820-65, no. 57]. She was the mother of

i. ?Nancy, born about 1783, over the age of twenty-one when she married William Armstrong, "Free Negroes," 13 July 1809 Powhatan County bond, Charles Coy surety. She registered in Powhatan County on 19 December 1822: Age: 39; Color: Dark yellow; Stature: 5'3-1/2"; Born Free [Register of Free Negroes, no. 52].

ii. Joseph, born about 1785, registered in Powhatan County on 20 September 1821: Age: 36, yellow complexion, 5'6" high, Born free [Register of Free Negroes, no. 27].

iii. Charles, born about 1786, married Patty Hickman, daughter of Tim Mosby, "free Negroes," 4 October 1809 Powhatan County bond. He was a "M^o" taxable in Powhatan County from 1809 to 1815: a "F.B." taxable on 2 free tithes, 2 slaves and a horse in 1811; a "F.B." with 2 "free negroes & mulattoes over the age of 16" in 1813 [PPTL, 1787-1825, frames 361, 378, 397, 419, 437, 456, 479]. He was a "F.B." head of a Powhatan County household of 17 "other free" in 1810 [VA:13]. He purchased 58 acres in Powhatan County in 1810 and leased 8 acres from Mickleberry Montague in 1821 on condition the owner build a commodious dwelling house of "logs with a shingled roof and plank floor in the loft with good chimneys of morter" as well as a blacksmith shop [DB 4:129; 6:354; 7:612; 11:100]. He registered in Powhatan County on 5 October 1840: Age: 54; Color: brown; Stature: 5'9-1/2"; Born Free [Register of Free Negroes, no. 477].

iv. Samuel.

v. Judith, purchased 1 acre in Powhatan County from John Ligon in 1811 [DB 4:261].

vi. Sarah.

vii. Keziah.

viii. Rebecca.

ix. William, a "F.B." taxable in Powhatan County in 1815 [PPTL, 1787-1825, frame 479].

 

CRONEY FAMILY

1.    Margaret Croney, born say 1702, was listed on 18 August 1721 in the inventory of a York County estate as a servant with one-and-a-half years to serve. On 20 June 1726 the York County court presented her for having a "Mulatto" child [DOW 16:70, 387 (misnumbered 389)]. She may have been the ancestor of

i. Sarah Craney, "free negro" head of a Northumberland County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:996].

 

CRAIG/ CRAGG FAMILY

Members of the Craig/ Cragg family were

i. George¹ Crag, born about 1730, certified to be born of a free white woman and that he was upwards of forty years old in Halifax County, Virginia court in April 1770 [Pleas 6:488].

ii. Cattey (Catby?) Craig, born say 1780, mother of George³ Craig who registered as a "free Negro" in Alleghany County and presented his papers to the Botetourt County court on 18 June 1836: 33 years of age; Bright Mulatto ... Born free and son of Cattey (Catby?) Craig raised in the Town of Fincastle [Free Negroes &c Registered in the Clerk's Office of Botetourt County, no. 95].

iii. Thomas Craig, "F. Negroe" head of a Fauquier County household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:386].

iv. Thomas Cragg, "F. N." head of a Culpeper County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:18].

v. Sally Craig, "F. Negroe" head of a Fauquier County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:386].

vi. Henry Craig, "F. Mo." head of a Culpeper County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:24].

vii. Betty Craig, a "Mulatto" spinster recorded in "A List of Free Negroes & Mulattoes within the District of James Trenor" in Botetourt County in 1803 and 1804 [Free Negroes &c Registered in the Clerk's Office of Botetourt County, 1803: no. 19, 1804: no. 27], head of a Botetourt County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:614].

viii. Samuel, born about 1778, registered in Fauquier County on 25 June 1821: age 43, 5'4-1/2", a bright Black [Register of Free Negroes, 1817-65, no. 48].

ix. George² Cragg, born say 1780, a "Mulatto" laborer recorded in "A List of Free Negroes & Mulattoes within the District of James Trenor" near Salem in Botetourt County in 1802 [Free Negroes &c Registered in the Clerk's Office of Botetourt County, no. 16].

 

CREDIT FAMILY

Members of the Credit family were

i. Moses, a soldier in the Revolution from Northumberland County [Jackson, Virginia Negro Soldiers, 33].

ii. Sarah, taxable in Northumberland County on a slave and 2 horses in 1797; taxable on a free male, a slave and 2 horses in 1798; taxable on a free male and 2 horses in 1799 [PPTL 1782-1812, frames 459, 475, 491], a "free mulatto" head of a Northumberland County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [Va:976].

iii. Thomas, taxable on a horse in Northumberland County in 1796 [PPTL 1782-1812, frame 474].

iv. John, taxable in Northumberland County from 1801 to 1813 [PPTL 1782-1812, frames 514, 550, 667, 682], a "free mulatto" head of a Northumberland County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:976].

v. George, a "free mulatto" head of a Northumberland County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:976].

 

CUFF FAMILY

1.    John Cuff, born say 1750, was head of a Gates County household of one male 21-60, five males under 21 or over 60, and two females in the 1786 North Carolina State Census, 9 "other free" in 1790 [NC:23], 8 in 1800 [NC:264], and 2 in 1810 [NC:835]. He may have been related to Will Cuff, head of a Fluvanna County, Virginia household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:474]. John Cuff's land adjoining White Pot Pocosin was mentioned in Gates County deeds of 28 December 1800 and 2 February 1801. He purchased 98 acres adjoining John Cuff, Jr., on 8 March 1805 [DB 5:222, 306; 9:278]. His children were most likely

i. Smith, born before 1776, head of a Gates County household of 4 "other free" in 1800, 8 in 1810 [NC:849], and 12 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:146]. He married Mary Knight, 24 October 1799 Gates County bond.

ii. Mason, born before 1776, head of a Gates County household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [NC:849] and 5 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:146].

iii. John², born say 1780, owned land adjoining (his father?) John Cuff on 8 March 1805 [DB 9:278]. He may have been the John Cuff who was head of a Gates County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [NC:835].

iv. Malechiah, born say 1786, purchased 50 acres "whereon his father lived on Honey Pot" on 7 April 1807 [DB 7:44]. He was head of a Gates County household of 4 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:146].

v. Isum, born say 1789, purchased 29 acres at the head of White Pot on 18 February 1810 [DB 8:97].

vi. Levin, an insolvent taxpayer in 1819 [Minutes 1818-23, 1291]. He married Milley Ellis, 15 February 1823 Gates County bond with John Cuff bondsman.

vii. Daniel, an insolvent taxpayer in 1819 [Minutes 1818-23, 1291].

 

CUFFEE FAMILY

1.    John¹ Coffee, born say 1690, was called "my Negro Coffee" in the 10 September 1716 Elizabeth City County will of James Burtell, recorded 10 days later. The following year on 17 July 1717 he appealed to the court for help in curing his ulcerated leg, and the court ordered Robert Taylor, one of the securities for Burtell's estate, to help him. Emanuel Alkin, a chirugeon, cared for his leg, but his suit against Taylor for payment was dismissed by the court. John Coffee was free the following year on 18 September 1718 when he was called "John Coffee a Negro" in a suit he brought against Robert Taylor for assault and battery. Taylor delayed the case each time it was called until it was dismissed on 19 August 1719 because of Taylor's death. Coffee then brought the suit on 18 November 1719 against the other administrators of Burtell's estate, John King and John Burtell, who also asked for a delay. When the suit was called again on 18 May 1720, it was restated as his suit for his freedom, but the case was dismissed because John Coffee was "gon" (left the county) [DW&O 1715-21, 49-50, 58-60, 73, 103, 129, 135, 145, 155, 166, 174, 184, 121]. His children may have been

2        i. Sarah¹, Sr., born say 1725.

3        ii. Mary¹, born say 1738.

 

2.    Sarah¹ Cuffee, Sr., born say 1725, was a "free Negro" taxable in Norfolk County in the district from Great Bridge to Edmond's Bridge from 1751 to 1768: charged with her own tithe from 1751 to 1756; her tax charged to John Curling in 1761; listed with John Cuffee in 1765; charged with her own tithe, Mary Cuffee's and Ann Smith's tithe in 1767 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1751-65, 25, 40, 47, 76, 97, 131, 176, 198; 1766-80, 23, 52]. On 19 March 1763 the churchwardens of St. Brides Parish were ordered to bind out her children Rachel and Charles as apprentices [Orders 1763-65, 15]. She was taxable in Norfolk County from 1782 to 1811 (called Sarah Cuffee, Sr., or oldest): taxable on 4 cattle in 1782; taxable on a horse and 4 cattle in 1787; a slave over the age of sixteen in 1792 and 1793, 2 free tithes in 1796; 2 slaves in 1798; a slave from 1801 to 1811 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-91, frames 391, 414, 449, 494, 547, 589, 604; 1791-1812, frames 50, 65, 188, 271, 548, 609, 636, 674, 716]. She was the mother of

4        i. ?John², born say 1743.

5        ii. ?Sarah², Jr., born say 1745.

iii. ?Nan, born say 1747, taxable in the household of John Cuffee in the Norfolk County district from Great Bridge to Edmund's Bridge and New Mill Creek in 1765 and 1766, called Nan/ Nanny (no last name indicated) [Wingo, Norfolk County Virginia Tithables, 1750-65, 198; 1766-1780, 1]. She was called "Nan Coffee, a free negro," on 18 March 1773 when she and Drew Halstead's slave named Roger were convicted of hog stealing [Orders 1771-3, 161]. She was taxable on a free male in St. Bride's Parish, Norfolk County, in 1791 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1791-1812, frame 5].

iv. ?Dinah, taxable on 2 cattle in Norfolk County in 1787 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-91, frame 589].

v. Rachel, born say 1753, bound apprentice to Ruth Gamman in Norfolk County on 19 May 1763 [Orders 1763-65, 15].

6        vi. Charles¹, born about 1755.

 

3.    Mary¹ Cuffee, born say 1738, was a "free negro" taxable in Norfolk County in the district from Great Bridge to Edmond's Bridge and New Mill Creek from 1754 to 1768: charged with her own tithe in 1754 and 1768; her tax charged to Frances Curling in 1759; listed with John Cuffee in 1766; with Sarah Cuffee in 1767 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1751-65, 76, 132; 1766-80, 1, 23, 52]. She was living in Norfolk County on 19 May 1763 when her daughter Frances was ordered bound apprentice to John Gammon by the churchwardens of St. Brides Parish [Orders 1763-65, 15]. She was called Moll Cuffy in the 31 March 1774 issue of the Virginia Gazette when it reported that she was a "Negro woman" about thirty-five years old who claimed to be free but was jailed in Norfolk [Virginia Gazette (Purdie & Dixon edition)]. She was called Molly Cuffee when she was taxable in Norfolk County from 1782 to 1794: taxable on a horse in 1782; charged with her son Lemuel's tithe, a horse and 6 cattle in 1784; her sons Lemuel and John in 1785 and 1786; taxable on a horse in 1787; a free male and 3 horses in 1792; a free male and a slave over the age of sixteen in 1793; a slave and 2 horses in 1794 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-91, frames 390, 414, 449, 494, 547, 698; 1791-1812, frames 5, 50, 64, 120]. Her children were

i. ?Elijah, born say 1759, taxable in the Norfolk County household of Benjamin Butt in 1780 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables 1766-80]. He was charged with his own tax from 1784 to 1786, called "Elijah Cuffee Senior" in 1785 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-91, frames 449, 494, 547].

ii. Frances, born say 1762, bound apprentice on 19 May 1763. Fanny was taxable in St. Bride's Parish, Norfolk County, on 2 cattle in 1784 and 1786; 2 free males in 1798; a free male in 1814 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-91, frames 449, 547; 1791-1812, frames 272; 1813-24, frames 11, 67].

7        iii. Lemuel, born say 1765.

8        iv. John³, born say 1769.

v. ?Aaron, taxable in St. Bride's Parish from 1795 to 1817: in the "List of Free Negroes" which start in 1801; charged with 3 "free Negro" tithables and a horse in 1815 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1791-1812, frames 155, 317, 400, 558, 609, 674, 716; 1813-24, frames 11, 72, 206], head of a household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:794].

vi. ?George¹, born about 1780, taxable in St. Bride's Parish, Norfolk County, from 1799 to 1807: taxable on a horse in 1799, taxable on 2 free males in 1800 [PPTL, 1791-1812, frames 316, 337, 416, 456], a "Free Black" head of a Princess Anne County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:445]. He registered in Princess Anne County on 7 November 1831: 6', age 51, a negro man of dark complexion, born free in Princess Anne County [Register of Free Negroes, 1830-62, no. 290].

 

4.    John² Cuffee, born say 1743, was taxable in Norfolk County in the district from Great Bridge to Edmunds Bridge from 1761 to 1766: his tax charged to John Curling in 1761; charged with his own tithe, Sarah Cuffee and Nan in 1765; a "free negro" taxable on his own tithe, Molly Cuffee, and Nanny Cuffee in 1766 [Wingo, Norfolk County Virginia Tithables, 1750-65, 176, 198; 1766-1780, 1]. He may have been the father of

i. Courtney Allen, born about 1768, registered in Norfolk County on 18 October 1815: Courtney Allen formerly Courtney Cuffee 5 feet 6 1/2 Inches 47 Years of age of a dark Complexion, Born free in the County of Norfolk [Register of Free Negros & Mulattos, no.103].

ii. Lydia Mitchell, born about 1771, registered in Norfolk County on 18 October 1815: Lydia Mitchell formerly Lydia Cuffee 5 feet 8 Inches 44 Years of age of a dark Complexion, Born free in the County of Norfolk [Register of Free Negros & Mulattos, no.103]. She may have been the wife of Robert Mitchell, head of a Norfolk County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:794].

iii. Mary² Mitchell, born about 1774, registered in Norfolk County on 18 October 1815: Mary Mitchell formerly Mary Cuffee 5 feet 2 Inches 41 Years of age of a Yellowish Complexion, Born free in the County of Norfolk [Register of Free Negros & Mulattos, no.104].

iv. James, born about 1778, taxable in St. Bride's Parish of Norfolk County from 1797 to 1817: taxable on 2 tithes in 1815, 5 horses in 1817 [PPTL, 1791-1812, frames 205, 272, 400, 456, 548, 636, 802; 1813-24, frames 67, 72, 204]. He was head of a Norfolk County household of 11 "other free" and a slave in 1810 [VA:795]. He registered in Princess Anne County on 3 October 1836: age 58, 6'2-1/2", dark complexion, born free in Norfolk County [Register of Free Negroes, 1830-62, no. 382].

v. Sally, born about 1785, registered in Princess Anne County on 3 October 1831: 4'11", age 46, a bright mulatto woman, born free in Princess Anne County [Register of Free Negroes, 1830-62, no. 255].

 

5.    Sarah² Cuffee, Jr., born say 1745, was taxable in Norfolk County in the district from Great Bridge to Edmunds Bridge from 1761 to 1766: her tax charged to Frances Curling in 1761, charged to William Sikes, Jr., from 1765 to 1767 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1751-65, 176, 198; 1766-80, 3]. She was taxable in St. Bride's Parish from 1782 to 1817 (called Sarah Cuffee, Jr., or youngest): taxable on a horse and 4 cattle in 1782; a slave over the age of sixteen and 4 horses in 1793; a free male and a horse in 1798; in the list of "free Negroes" which start in 1801; taxable on a slave over the age of sixteen from 1804 to 1810; taxable on 2 free male tithes, a horse and 12 cattle in 1815, 1 free male in 1817 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1791, frames 391, 413, 494, 661; 1791-1812, frames 65, 272, 548, 609, 636, 674; 1813-24, frames 72, 205]. She may have been the mother of

i. Euphan, taxable in St. Bride's Parish on 2 cattle in 1783, a horse in 1785, 3 cattle in 1787, perhaps identical to Fan Cuffee who was taxable on 2 free tithes and a horse in 1812 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-91, frames 413, 494, 589; 1791-1812, frame 802].

ii. Rhoda, taxable on a horse in St. Bride's Parish, Norfolk County, in 1793 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1791-1812, frame 65].

 

6.    Charles¹ Cuffee, born about 1755, was called the son of "free Negro" Sarah Coffe when he was bound apprentice to Nathaniel Sikes in Norfolk County on 19 May 1763 [Orders 1763-65, 15]. He was taxable in St. Bride's Parish, Norfolk County, from [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1791, frames ; 1791-1812, frames ; 1813-24, frames ]. He was a "Free Black" head of a Princess Anne County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:445]. He enlisted in the Revolution in 1780 for eighteen months, and he applied for and was granted a pension while a resident of Princess Anne County on 7 June 1830 when he was seventy-five years old. He stated in court that he was living with his thirty-year-old wife Katy and his twelve or thirteen-year-old son Tom. His widow Catherine declared that she was about sixty years old when she applied for a survivor's pension on 28 August 1857. She further testified that her maiden name was Catherine Fuller, that they were married in Princess Anne County in 1815 by Samuel Brown, a Baptist Minister, and that her husband died on 1 Oct 1844. Her widow's pension was suspended during the Civil War, but it was reinstated based on her application of 3 June 1867 [National Archives Pension file W-9402]. One of their children was

i. Thomas, born about 1817.

 

7.    Lemuel Cuffee, born say 1765, was taxable in St. Bride's Parish Norfolk County from 1784 to 1817: charged with 2 tithes in 1788; taxable on slave in 1798; in the "List of Free Negroes" which start in 1801; taxable on 2 "free Negro" tithes in 1815, a "B.M." (Black Man) living on Deep Creek in 1816 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-91, frames 547, 603, 661, 699; 1792-1812, frames 5, 50, 188, 271, 337, 456, 636; 1813-24, frames 73, 126, 242]. He was head of a Norfolk County household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:804]. He was the father of

i. Charles², taxable in St. Bride's Parish from called "son of Lam" when he was counted as a "free Negro" in Norfolk County in 1813 and 1815 [Personal Property Tax List, 1813-24, frames 11, 73]. He may have been the Charles Cuffee, born about 1789, who registered in Norfolk County on 15 March 1811: 5 feet 3 In. 22 Years of age of a light Complexion, born free in the County of Norfk. [Register of Free Negros & Mulattos, no.47].

 

8.    John³ Cuffee, born say 1769, taxable in St. Bride's Parish, Norfolk County, from 1785 to 1814: a 16-21-year-old taxable listed with his mother Molly Cuffee in 1785 and 1786, called John Cuffe, Sr., in 1800, in the "List of Free Negroes" which start in 1801, taxable on 2 free males and a horse in 1814 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-91, frames 494, 547, 603, 661; 1791-1812, frames 5, 64, 187, 316, 337, 416, 456, 548, 636, 802; 1813-24, frames 11, 67]. He married Sally Shafer (Chavers?), 4 March 1790 Norfolk County bond, Lemuel Cuffee surety, with a note attached to the bond: John Cuffee, a free man, made oath before me that Sally Shafer, orphan of John Shafer, is upwards of twenty-one years of age. He was head of a Norfolk County household of 12 "other free" in 1810 [VA:794]. He was the father of

i. Charles³, called "son of John" when he was counted as a "Free Male Negro above the age of 16" in Norfolk County in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1813-24, frame 11].

 

Their descendants in Norfolk County were

i. William, head of a household 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:794]. He was a "free Negro" taxable in St. Bride's Parish, Norfolk County, 1812 and 1813 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1791-1812, frame 802; 1813-24, frame 11]. He was a man of color from Norfolk County who was listed in the size roll of troops who enlisted at Chesterfield Courthouse [NSDAR, African American Patriots, 149].

ii. Isaac, born say 1772, a "N."(Negro) gardener living near Norfolk who was taxable on a slave over the age of sixteen in 1801, taxable on 2 horses in 1802, a horse and 2 carriage wheels in 1802 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1791-1812, frames 373, 428, 461A].

iii. Samuel, born say 1782, a "free Negro" taxable in St. Bride's Parish from 1799 to 1813: charged with 3 tithes in 1799 and 1800 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1791-1812, frames 316, 337, 456, 802; 1813-24, frame 11].

iv. Caleb, born say 1784, a "free Negro" taxable in St. Bride's Parish from 1801 to 1817: taxable on a slave aged 12-16 and a horse in 1802 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1791-1812, frames 400, 416, 548, 716, 802; 1813-24, 67, 205].

v. Willis, born say 1784, a "free Negro" taxable in St. Bride's Parish from 1801 to 1817 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1791-1812, frames 400, 416, 456, 548, 716, 802; 1813-24, 67, 204], head of a household 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:795].

vi. Patsy, head of a Norfolk County household 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:795].

vii. Nancy, head of a Norfolk County household 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:795].

viii. Nancy, head of a Norfolk County household 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:802].

ix. George², taxable in St. Bride's Parish from 1811 to 1817: called George Cuffee, Jr., in 1811, George D. Cuffee in 1812 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1791-1812, frame 802; 1813-24, frames 11, 67, 205], head of a Norfolk County household 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:795].

x. Abram, a "free Negro" taxable in St. Bride's Parish in 1812 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1791-1812, frame 802].

xi. Lovey, head of a household 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:794].

xii. John³, born about 1779, head of a household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:795]. He registered in Norfolk County on 19 August 1811: 6 feet 2 In. 32 years of age of a light Complexion ... Born free [Register of Free Negros & Mulattos, no.56].

xiii. Henry, born about 1790, registered in Norfolk County on 4 March 1811: 6 feet, 21 Years of age, of a Yellowish Complexion, Born free [Register of Free Negros & Mulattos, no.46].

 

CUMBO FAMILY

1.    Emanuell¹ Cambow, "Negro," was granted a patent for 50 acres in James City County on 18 April 1667 [Patents 6:39]. He may have been the "Mulata named Manuel" who was adjudged to be a Christian servant by the Virginia Assembly in September 1644. He was ordered to serve as other Christian servants and freed in September 1665 [VMHB XVII:232]. He was probably the father of

2        i. Richard¹, born say 1667.

 

2.    Richard¹ Cumbo, born say 1667, was living in St. Peter's Parish, New Kent and James City counties, on 15 February 168_ when his daughter Elizabeth was baptized [NSCDA, Parish Register of St. Peter's, 3]. He was taxed on 80 acres in New Kent County in 1704 [Smith, Virginia Quit Rent Rolls, 218], and he and his wife Ann sold 100 acres where they were living in Westover Parish, Charles City County, on 2 February 1724/5 [W&D 1725-31, 8, 9]. In January 1737/8 the Charles City County court dismissed a grand jury presentment against him, and in April 1741 he was awarded 50 shillings in his suit against Benjamin Evans [Orders 1737-51, 32]. His children were

3        i. Elizabeth¹, born 15 February 168_.

4        ii. ?John¹, born say 1700.

5        iii. ?Gideon¹, born say 1702.

6        iv. ?Richard², born say 1715.

v. ?David, born say 1722, sued James Nance in Charles City County in March 1744/5 [Orders 1737-51, 340, 352, 359]. He was a "Black" taxable in Brunswick County, North Carolina, in 1772 [G.A. 11.1].

vi. ?William, born say 1723, sued Hubbard Williams for trespass, assault and battery in Charles City County in January 1744/5 [Orders 1737-51, 329, 337, 341]. He was taxable on two white tithes in Cumberland County, North Carolina, in 1755 [T&C - Box 1], and he entered 181 acres in Granville County in January 1761.

vii. ?Mary, born say 1724, mother of William Bates who was bound out by the Charles City County court in August 1744 [Orders 1737-51, 319].

viii. ?Paul, born say 1726, presented by the Charles City County court in May 1742 for not going to church. He sued Lewis Delony in court in February 1748/9 [Orders 1737-51, 204, 213, 491, 497, 533, 561].

 

3.    Elizabeth¹ Cumbo, born say 1688, was baptized 15 February 168_ in St. Peter's Parish, New Kent County. She may have been the mother of

7        i. Elizabeth², born say 1720.

 

4.    John¹ Cumbo, born say 1700, received a patent on 22 February 1724 for 150 acres in Surry County, Virginia, on both sides of the Rockey Run of Little Creek and the south side of Three Creeks [Patents 12:162]. He was a "Mul^o" listed in Col. Nathaniel Harrison's account books which were recorded in the Surry County estate of his wife Mary Harrison in 1733, and he was listed in the account of sales of the 16 August 1738 Surry County estate of John Barlow [Deeds, Wills 8:318, 881]. He was in Brunswick County, Virginia, in 1738 [Orders 1732-41, 192] and was living in adjoining Northampton County, North Carolina, on 2 July 1746 when a deed mentioned land on Peahill Creek and John Cumbo (on the Brunswick County, Virginia line) [DB 1:260]. On 5 February 1747 Nathan Edwards sued him for a 6 pound, 9 shillings debt in Brunswick County claiming that he had absconded. William Pettway, who had 30 barrels of Indian corn and part of a crop of tobacco belonging to John Cumbo, paid the debt for him [Brunswick Orders 1743-49, 130]. He was witness to the 20 April 1750 Northampton County deed of John Avent to John Wood for land on Peahill Creek [DB 1:420]. He purchased property be deed proved in Brunswick County from Joseph Right in 1751 and sold 238 acres in Brunswick County on 6 August 1760 [DB 5:135; 6:595]. There were four suits against him for debt in Brunswick County court between December 1753 and July 1756 [Orders 1753-6, 95, 191, 295, 370; 1756-7, 106]. James Gowen sued him in Brunswick County court on 27 December 1757 [Orders 1757-9, 143]. His plantation was probably the Northampton County tract of land called "Cumboes" in the 19 February 1759 Granville will of William Eaton [Grimes, Abstract of N.C. Wills, 172]. On 7 August 1761 Major Tiller was granted a patent for land adjoining "Cumboes" in Brunswick County, Virginia, on the north side of Peahill Creek, up the Stoney Lick Branch [Patents 33:1066-7]. On 6 April 1764 he made a Northampton County deed of gift of his cattle and household goods to (his son?) Thomas Cumbo for maintaining him for his lifetime [DB 3:197]. Perhaps he was the father of

i. John², born say 1728, called John Cumbo, Jr., when he purchased 238 acres on the south side of Reedy Branch in Brunswick County, Virginia, adjoining John Jett's line on 30 December 1751 [DB 5:135]. He was sued for debt in Brunswick County court on 22 April 1755 and 27 January 1756. On 28 July 1760 the court ordered that he be given fifteen lashes for breaking into the house of John Pearson Taylor and stealing goods of very little value [Orders 1753-6, 386, 520; 1760-84, 90]. He was paid 5 shillings by the Brunswick County estate of James Stewart on 23 September 1765 [DB 3:436]. He was a "Mulato" taxable in Bladen County, North Carolina, in 1772 and taxable with his wife Lucy in 1774 [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:83, 124, 127]. He sold 100 acres in Bladen County east of the great Marsh on 11 January 1786 [DB 1:340].

ii. Cannon¹, born say 1730, living on land owned by John MacKinne when MacKinne made his 28 February 1753 Edgecombe County, North Carolina will. He allowed Cannon the use of the land until 1758 [Gammon, Edgecombe County Will Abstracts, 54]. Cannon was listed in the Edgecombe County Muster Roll of Captain William Haywood in the 1750s [Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South, 677].

8        iii. Thomas¹, born say 1731.

iv. Fortune, born say 1733, the mother of a poor soldier in the Continental Service on 17 December 1778, 20 May 1779 and 19 August 1779 when the Halifax County, Virginia court issued a certificate to the Treasurer that she had been provided with public assistance. She may have been the mother of Thomas Gimbo, a poor soldier whose wife and children received assistance in Halifax County on 21 August 1777 [Pleas 1774-9, 236, 384, 414; 1779-83, 65].

v. Charles¹, born say 1742, proved the 6 April 1764 deed of (his brother?) Thomas Cumbo in Northampton County, North Carolina court [DB 3:197]. He was one of the freeholders of Halifax County, Virginia, who were ordered to work on the road from the courthouse to Banister Upper Bridge in July 1770 [Pleas 6:510]. He was head of a Halifax County, Virginia household of 7 persons in 1782 [VA:22] and 7 in 1785 (Charles Kumbo) [VA:88]. He was taxable in the northern district of Halifax County from 1782 to 1801: taxable on 2 horses and 6 cattle in 1782 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1799, frames 9, 21, 35, 66, 99, 158, 369, 559, 862; 1800-12, frames 9, 95]. He married Elizabeth Maskill, 17 April 1786 Halifax County bond, William Powell surety. He purchased property from James Maskill by deed proved in Halifax County court on 21 April 1780 [Pleas 1779-83, 129]. His 4 March 1802 Halifax County will, proved in April 1802, named his wife Elizabeth and children Molly, Sally, Elizabeth, Annis, Nancy, Elexander, William, Charles and Lucy C. Cumbo who were considered white [WB 6:347].

vi. Jacob, born say 1750, counted as white in 1790, head of a Chatham County household of 4 persons [NC:84].

 

5.    Gideon¹ Cumbo, born say 1702, was a delinquent taxpayer reported at the vestry held for Blisland Parish, Virginia, on 11 October 1723 [Chamberlayne, Vestry Book of Blisland Parish, 7]. He was added to the list of tithables by order of the Brunswick County, Virginia court on 6 December 1733. His Brunswick County court petition against William Person was dismissed "on hearing both parties" on 2 June 1748 [Orders 1732-37, 41; 1743-49, 391, 427, 501]. He was called Gibeon Cumbo in Brunswick County court between 27 June 1750 and 28 January 1756 when a dozen suits were brought against him, most of them for debt [Orders 1749-50, 102; 1751-3, 213, 219, 438, 450, 512, 519; 1753-6, 94, 183, 221, 305, 309, 360, 417, 450, 529; 1756-7, 58, 70]. He was called "Gibeon Cumbo a Mallato" when he was sued for debt in Cumberland County, North Carolina, on 20 October 1758. His attorney asked for but was denied the right to claim insolvency. He was also sued for debt on 21 July 1759 by James Wright [Minutes 1755-59, 39, 41, 53, 60]. On 9 June 1762 Major Tiller entered a caveat against him for 222 acres on the south side of the Meherrin River in Brunswick County, Virginia, and Tiller was granted a patent for the land [Hillman, Executive Journals of the Council, VI:225]. Perhaps his children were

i. Peter¹, born say 1723, sued Joseph Jeffries in Brunswick County, Virginia court in June 1749. The case was dismissed when both parties failed to appear. John Williams obtained an attachment against his estate, including a rug, wallet, plats, handkerchief, thread, a knife, a meal bag, a pewter dish, 9 yards of sheeting linen, 3 ells of chex cloth, remnants of chex, serge, brown linen, drugget, a hank of silk and some thread which was returned to court on 1 and 2 January 1752 [Orders 1743-49, 523; 1751-3, 118, 125, 170]. He may have been the Peter Combon who was a taxable in the 1751 Lunenburg County list of Hugh Lawson [Bell, Sunlight on the Southside, 174] and the Peter Cumbo who was taxable in Nash District of Caswell County in 1780 [CR 020.701.10].

9        ii. Solomon¹, born say 1727.

10      iii. Elizabeth³, born say 1728.

11      iv. Stephen¹, born say 1730.

v. Mary, called "Mary Cumbo alias Morris" on 26 December 1753 when Francis Myrick sued her in Brunswick County court for 47 shillings due by account [Orders 1753-6, 99].

12      vi. Cannon², born say 1735.

 

6.    Richard² Cumbo, born say 1715, was called Richard Cumbo, Jr., in June 1741 when the Charles City County court presented him for not going to church, and in February 1741/2 when he was fined 20 shillings for refusing to assist the sheriff in the pursuit of a runaway. He was probably the Richard Cumbo (no Jr.) who was fined 500 pounds of tobacco by the Charles City County court on 6 September 1758 for not listing his wife as a tithable [Orders 1737-51, 165, 180, 191; 1758-62, 57]. He was added to the list of tithables in York County on 17 August 1772. He sued Robert Evans in York County on 17 May 1773 and was awarded 1 shilling damages. Reuben and Peter Gillett were his witnesses [Orders 1772-4, 84, 272, 336]. He, or perhaps a son by the same name, was a soldier from Charles City County who served in the infantry during the Revolution [Gwathmey, Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution, 198]. His widow may have been Sarah Cumbo whose deed to Simon Gillett was proved in York County court on 18 October 1784 by Lawrence De Rozario, a witness [Orders 1784-7, 86]. And a Sarah Cumbo was taxable on 53 acres in James City County in 1800 [1800 Land Tax List, p.3]. Richard may have been the father of

i. Edith, born say 1757, sued Adam White in York County court on 15 June 1778 for trespass, assault and battery [Orders 1774-84, 162]. She was head of a household of 2 persons in Williamsburg City in 1782 [VA:46]. She may have been the Edith Cumbo who was sued by the churchwardens of Antrim Parish, Halifax County, Virginia, in August 1769 (for having an illegitimate child?) in a case that was dismissed "for reasons appearing to the court" [Pleas 6:446].

 

7.    Elizabeth² Cumbo, born say 1720, was living in New Kent County on 19 November 1772 when the St. Peter's Parish paid her son Turner for maintaining her [Chamberlayne, Vestry Book of St. Peter's, 181, 192, 206, 210]. She was the mother of

i. Turner¹, born say 1750, paid by the churchwardens of St. Peter's Parish on 19 October 1772 for keeping his mother Elizabeth [Chamberlayne, Vestry Book of St. Peter's, 181, 192, 206, 210]. He was head of a New Kent County household of 3 "whites" (free persons) in 1785 [VA:92]. He was taxable in Blisland Parish, New Kent County, on the south side of Warrenny Road on 2 horses and 6 cattle from 1783 to 1785. His widow was probably Mary Cumbo who was taxable on a horse and 8 cattle in New Kent County in 1786 and 1787 and taxable on a horse from 1793 to 1803. Their child was probably Nelson Cumbo who was taxable on a horse from 1805 to 1814 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1800, frames 33, 37, 61, 80, 94, 205; 1791-1828, frames 355, 368, 381, 405, 418, 429, 441, 453, 463, 474, 485, 497]. He and a woman over the age of forty-five (his mother Mary?) were counted as white in the 1810 New Kent County census [VA:748].

 

8.   Thomas¹ Cumbo, born say 1731, was sued for debt in Brunswick County, Virginia court on 29 November 1752. He had left the county by June 1755 when William Wyche brought suit against his estate [Orders 1751-3, 352; 1753-56, 450; 1756-7, 58]. He bought 172 acres in Northampton County, North Carolina, near Ivy's Branch and Gilliam's Spring Branch bordering Brunswick County, Virginia, on 10 December 1761 and sold this land two years later on 23 January 1764 [DB 3:188, 274]. He was one of the freeholders of Halifax County, Virginia, who were ordered to work on the road from the courthouse to Milner's Ordinary in April 1769 and was called Thomas Cumbo, Sr., in September 1769 when he was sued in Halifax County court for a debt of 24 pounds [Pleas 6:332, 462]. He was head of a Halifax County, Virginia household of 12 persons in 1782 [VA:24] and 13 in 1785 [VA:89]. He was taxable in the southern district of Halifax County from 1782 to 1797: taxable on his unnamed son in 1789, listed with 3 tithables in 1792, 1793, 1795 and 1796, 2 in 1797, called a "Mul^o" in 1795, called Thomas Cumbee in 1797 [PPTL, 1782-1799, frames 7, 261, 413, 437, 535, 599, 673, 697]. He and his wife Susannah sued John Franklin in Halifax County court on 19 September 1783. On 27 August 1789 he was paid as a witness for Sarah Jones in her suit for false imprisonment against James Johnson, Jr., James Johnson, Alexander Hillson, William Johnson and James Hammonds. He sold property by bill of sale proved in court on 28 November 1791, and he sued William East for slander on 22 May 1797 [Pleas 1779-83, 400; 1788-9, 204; 1789-90, 46-47; 1790-2, 305; 1796-8, 176]. He was taxable from 1800 to 1802, called Thomas Cumby, Sr., in Charlotte County where the family was considered white [PPTL, 1782-1815, frames 484, 516]. He and his wife Susannah sold 148 acres in Charlotte County on Louse Creek for 80 pounds on 7 December 1801 [DB 9:117, 158]. He was the father of

i. ?Peter², married Milly Ramsey, 28 December 1785 Halifax County, Virginia bond, Charles Cumbo surety; John Perkins and Thomas Cumbo witnesses. He was taxable on his own tithe and a horse in the southern district of Halifax County in 1789, called a "Mul^o" in 1795, called Peter Cumbee, Jr., in 1797 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1799, frames 296, 413, 534, 599, 673, 697, 812].

ii. ?Patience, married Robert Wilson, 16 April 1787 Halifax County, Virginia bond, surety Robert Smith.

iii. Molly, "daughter of Thomas Cumbo," married James Matthews, 20 July 1790 Halifax County, Virginia bond, David Gowing surety, 29 July marriage.

iv. ?Sarah, married Ezekiel Matthews, 23 April 1793 Halifax County, Virginia bond and 7 May 1793 Caswell County bond with Allen Going bondsman.

v. ?John⁶, born say 1773, married Polly Jennings, 19 August 1794 Halifax County, Virginia bond, Bolling Hamlett surety. He was a "Mul^o" taxable in the southern district of Halifax County in 1795 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1799, frame 599]. He died before 25 February 1797 when his Halifax County, Virginia estate was appraised at 20 pounds [WB 3:316].

vi. ?Jeffrey, a "Mul^o" taxable in the southern district of Halifax County in 1795 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1799, frame 599].

vii. ?Emanuel² Cumbee, taxable in the southern district of Halifax County 1798 [PPTL, 1782-1799, frame 810], taxable in Charlotte County in 1799 and 1800 [PPTL, 1782-1813, frames 447, 484], taxable from 1801 in Campbell County where the family was considered white [PPTL, 1785-1814, frames 512, 593, 728, 873].

viii. Major, born say 1783, son of Thomas Cumbo, married Margaret McMichael, daughter of John McMichael, 1804 Charlotte County bond, Thomas Cumbo surety.

ix. Patsey, born say 1788, daughter of Thomas Cumbo, married Elisha Smith, 1806 Charlotte County bond, William Turner surety.

 

9.    Solomon¹ Cumbo, born say 1727, successfully brought suit in New Hanover County court against John Potter on 2 May 1759, William Wilkinson on 7 December 1764, and Thomas Watson on 5 April 1771 [Minutes 1738-69, 233; 1771-79, 8]. On 7 October 1768 the sheriff paid Thomas Lloyd, Esq., out of the county tax to attend to "Mrs. Cumbow while she was sick with the smallpox" [Minutes 1738-69, 377-378, 388]. He was called Solomon Cumbo "free Mulatto" when he was ordered to work on the streets of Wilmington [Wilmington Town Book by Crow, Black Experience in Revolutionary North Carolina, 29]. He was head of an Onslow County household of 6 "other free" in 1790 [NC:197], 5 in Brunswick County in 1800 [NC:14], and 7 in Brunswick County in 1810 [NC:226]. His children may have been

i. Reuben, head of an Onslow County household of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:197], 6 in Brunswick County in 1800 [NC:14], and 9 in Brunswick County in 1810 (R. Cumbo) [NC:226]. He entered 50 acres on the east side of Lewis Bridge in Brunswick County on 30 January 1801 and another 50 acres in this area on 5 November 1804 [Pruitt, Land Entries: Brunswick County, 69, 90].

ii. Absalom, entered 100 acres in Brunswick County on both sides of Russell's Branch on 22 September 1800, 50 acres in the fork of Scraping Hole Branch on 22 March 1813, and 100 acres on the east side of Scraping Hole Branch on 16 August 1814. On 27 January 1819 John Skipper, Sr., entered this land, including "Absalom Cumbow's improvement" [Pruitt, Land Entries: Brunswick County, nos. 1074 2123, 2169, 2512]. Absalom was counted as white in Cumberland County in 1820 [NC:169].

iii. Solomon³, head of a Brunswick County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [NC:226], entered 50 acres in Brunswick County on both sides of Russell's Branch bordering his own land on 16 November 1804 and 75 acres on the east side of Lewis' Branch and Cypress Branch on 26 January 1811 [Pruitt, Land Entries: Brunswick County, 90, 123].

 

10.    Elizabeth³ Cumbo, born say 1728, was living in Surry County, Virginia, in July 1750 when the court ordered her "Natural-born" children: Darcus, Winifred and Hercules bound out by the churchwardens of Albemarle Parish [Orders 1749-51, 110]. She sued Charles Bass for debt in Brunswick County, Virginia court on 27 June 1758. On 24 April 1775 the Brunswick County court ordered the churchwardens of Meherrin Parish to bind out her orphan-son Cannon Cumbo [Orders 1757-9, 204; 1774-82, 73]. She may have been the Elizabeth Cumbo whose "mulattoe" son Solomon Cumbo was ordered bound out by the churchwardens of Southam Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia, on 27 March 1775 [Orders 1774-8, 321]. She was the mother of

i. Dorcus, born say 1746.

ii. Winifred, born say 1748.

iii. Hercules, born say 1750.

13      iv. Cannon³, born say 1758.

14      v. Solomon², born say 1765.

15      vi. ?Matthew, born say 1774.

 

11.    Stephen¹ Cumbo, born say 1730, was taxable in Granville County in 1750 in the list of Jonathan White [CR 44.401.23]. In 1769 he was taxed on 4 persons in Brunswick County, North Carolina:

Cumbo, Stephen Moll^o 3 Negro men, 1 Negro boy [SS 837],

and he was taxed in Brunswick County on 3 Black polls in 1772 [G.A. 11.1]. He was also taxable in 1772 with his son Jacob in Bladen County ("Molatoes") [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:78]. He was head of an Onslow County household of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:197] and 7 in Edgefield District, South Carolina, in 1810 [SC:797]. He may have been identical to Stephen Cumbee, a taxable on 150 acres in Winton, South Carolina, in 1788 [S.C. Tax Returns 1783-1800, frame 34]. His children were

i. Jacob, taxable in his father's Bladen County household in 1772.

ii. ?Leroy, head of an Edgefield District, South Carolina household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [SC:777].

iii. ?Thomas², called "Thomas Cumbee, overseer," when he married Charlotte Collins, "free persons of color," on 27 June 1805 at St. Philip's and Michael's Parish, Charleston.

 

12.    Cannon² Cumbo, born say 1735, was taxable with his wife in Bladen County from 1768 to 1776 ("Molatoes"), taxable on a female slave and a male slave under 16, and head of a household of 8 "white" males under 21 or over 60, 4 "white" females, and 1 "Black" in 1786 [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:5, /14, 34, 60, 78, 95, 123, 134; II:55, 74, 162]. He was granted a patent for 100 acres in Bladen County on the southwest side of Drowning Creek on 22 January 1773 [Hoffman, Land Patents, II:319]. He was taxable in Bladen County on this 100 acres and a free poll for himself and a slave poll in 1784 in Captain Regan's District. He entered two tracts of land of 100 acres each in what was then Robeson County on the north side of Jacob Swamp and Drowning Creek on 19 January 1789 [Pruitt, Land Entries: Robeson County, I:21] and sold 100 acres of this land to Horatio Hammond on 17 May 1804 [DB N:216]. He transferred land to his sons Aaron and Elisha by deeds proved on 8 July 1800. On 22 May 1801 his slave, Caesar, was convicted of stealing two pairs of shoe bolts and a trunk from John Peter Martin and was given thirty-nine lashes at the public whipping post. He purchased two tracts of land in Robeson by deeds proved on 5 April 1802 [Minutes 1797-1806, 112, 152, 191]. He was head of a Robeson County household of 11 "other free" in 1790 [NC:50] and 6 "other free" and one slave in 1800 [NC:372]. His children: John, Stephen, Gibion, Elijah, and Aaron were ordered to work on the road from Raft Swamp to Gibion Gibson's Landing by the 6 October 1801 Robeson County court [Minutes 1797-1806, 173]. He and his descendants must have been very light-skinned since Robeson County residents thought they were Portuguese [Norment, The Lowrie History, 7]. Cannon's 19 March 1817 Robeson County will, proved in November 1823, named his children [WB A:204]. They were

i. Gideon²/ Gibion, born say 1755, called Gilbert Cumbo in 1784 when he was taxable in Captain Regan's District of Bladen County on 250 acres and one poll. He was head of a Bladen County household of 1 "white" male from 21 to 60 years old and 3 "white" females in 1786 [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, II:162], head of a Robeson County household of 1 "other free" in 1790 [NC:50], 5 in 1800 (called Gibby) [NC:372], and 6 in 1810 (called Gibby) [NC:231]. He made a Robeson County nuncupative will on 1 November 1837, proved May 1838, leaving all his estate to Mary Cumbo. Elizabeth and Jemima Cumbo were witnesses [WB A:327].

ii. Stephen², born say 1758, head of a Robeson County household of 3 "other free" in 1800 and 4 "free colored" in New Hanover County in 1820 [NC:227]. He married Sarah Broom, 23 October 1799 Robeson County bond with (his brother) Aaron Cumbo bondsman. He was exempted from paying poll tax on 5 July 1808 [Minutes II:96]. He sold land by deed proved in Robeson County court in February 1827 [Minutes III:142].

iii. ?Nathaniel, born say 1761, not mentioned in his father's will, perhaps deceased or left the county before then. He was taxable on one poll in Captain Regan's District of Bladen County in 1784 and entered 100 acres on the east side of Drowning Creek on 5 May 1791 [Pruitt, Land Entries: Robeson County, I:45]. He was head of a Robeson County household of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:50].

iv. John⁴, born say 1765, head of a Robeson County household of 3 "other free" in 1790 [NC:50], 4 in 1800 [NC:372], and 3 in 1810 [NC:231]. He made a nuncupative will witnessed by his brother Gibson in Robeson County on 20 May 1814 leaving all his estate to his wife Mary [WB A:153]. His father Cannon left "Daughter Mary Cumbo, widow of John Cumbo 200 acres where she now lives." Mary was head of a Robeson County household of 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:304].

v. Aaron, born say 1775, head of a Robeson County household of 6 "other free" and 3 slaves in 1800 [NC:372]. The 6 July 1803 Robeson County court attached seven of his cattle for a debt to Mitchel Biggs [Minutes 1797-1806, 255]. He sold land to his brother Elisha by deed proved by their brother Stephen in Robeson on 27 August 1811 [Minutes 1806-13, 282]. Aaron was head of a Georgetown, South Carolina household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [SC:219].

vi. Elisha, born say 1777, head of a Robeson County household of 3 white males and 2 white females in 1800 and 8 "other free" in 1810 [NC:231]. In 1805 one of Elisha's brothers was convicted of larceny on complaint of a white man named William Townsend. Soon afterwards, Townsend's horse was shot dead. He felt certain that Elisha had done it but was unable to obtain a warrant because he had no evidence. He prevailed upon Major William Odom and five other whites to arrest Elisha without a warrant for which Elisha brought a bill of indictment against them. In October 1805 the Superior Court of Fayetteville District fined Major Odom 15 pounds and the other six 10 pounds each for riot. They appealed to the North Carolina General Assembly, describing the Cumbos as "Mulattoes who are well known as Infamous Characters," but their petition was rejected [Schweninger, Southern Debate over Slavery, vol. 1: Petitions to Southern Legislatures]. Elisha purchased land from his brother Aaron by deed proved by their brother Stephen in Robeson County on 27 August 1811 [Minutes 1806-13, 282].

vii. Elijah, born say 1780, head of a Robeson County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [NC:231].

viii. Solomon⁴.

ix. Moses.

 

13.    Cannon³ Cumbo, born say 1758, orphan son of Elizabeth Cumbo, was living in Brunswick County, Virginia, on 23 February 1778 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Meherrin Parish to bind him to Joseph Prince on the condition that he receive 15 pounds per annum during his apprenticeship and that he be taught the trade of shoemaker [Orders 1774-82, 73, 189]. He was living alone in 1783 when he was counted in the Greensville County, Virginia census [VA:54] and was taxable that year on a horse and 3 head of cattle [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1807, frame 17]. He was sued in Greensville County court on 23 March 1792 [Orders 1790-9, 122]. He was head of Northampton County household of 5 "other free" in 1790 [NC:73]. He was not mentioned again in Northampton County records, so he may have been identical to "Bird Cumbo" whose estate inventory was dated 3 August 1799. Tabitha Cumbo, his widow, was allotted a years support in December 1799 [Gammon, Records of Estates, Northampton County, I:33]. She died before 17 November 1805 when her father Moses Newsom gave "the heirs of my daughter Tabitha Cumbo decd" one dollar each by his Northampton County will [WB 2:297]. They were

i. Jinny, received a dollar by her grandfather's will.

ii. Henry, born 1794-1806, head of a Northampton County household of 1 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:222].

iii. John⁸, born 1794-1806, head of a Northampton County household of 1 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:220].

 

Other members of the Cumbo family in Northampton County were

i. Phoebe, head of a Northampton County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [NC:716].

ii. Polly, head of a Northampton County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [NC:716].

iii. Britain, born 1776-1794, head of a Northampton County household of 5 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:222].

iv. Wyatt, deceased by 5 June 1820 when the Northampton County court granted administration of his estate to James Rowell [Minutes 1817-21, 274].

v. Fady, married Howell Wade, 17 May 1823 Northampton County bond. Howell Wade, born before 1776, was head of a Northampton County household of 6 "free colored" in 1830.

 

14.    Solomon² Cumbo, born say 1765, was taxable on his own tithe and 3 horses in Williamsburg in 1788 [Personal Property Tax List, p.1]. He was the father of three children whose births were registered in Bruton Parish, York and James City counties. He died before 20 May 1799 when William Jarvis sued the administrator of his estate in York County court for 14 pounds, 7 shillings. Perhaps his widow was Martha Cumbo who sued James Cannady, Jr., for trespass, assault and battery in York County court on 19 May 1801 [Orders 1795-1803, 317, 458, 539]. His children were

i. James Johnson, born 11 June 1786 [Bruton Parish Register, 36].

ii. Elizabeth⁴, born 20 November 1787 [Bruton Parish Register, 36].

iii. Sarah, born 19 August 1790 [Bruton Parish Register, 36].

 

15.    Matthew Cumbo, born say 1774, illegitimate child of ___ Cumbo, was ordered bound out by the churchwardens of Meherrin Parish, Brunswick County, Virginia, on 28 February 1780 [Orders 1774-82, 331]. He was head of a Hertford County, North Carolina household of 5 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:188] and 4 "free colored" in 1830 [NC:405]. He may have been the father of

i. David, born about 1798, head of a Hertford County household of 3 "free colored" females (males crossed out) in 1820 [NC:186], 2 in 1830 [NC:405], a "Mulatto" counted with twenty-eight-year-old Nancy Cumbo in 1850 [NC:667].

 

Other members of the Cumbo family from Charles City and James City counties were

i. Jethro, born say 1750, taxable in James City County on a tithe and a horse from 1782 to 1787 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-99].

16      ii. Stephen³, born say 1755.

iii. Daniel, born say 1760, a solider from Charles City County who served in the Revolution [Gwathmey, Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution, 198]. George Harwell sued him in Greensville County, Virginia court on 22 August 1782, and the sheriff sold a bay mare of his to pay a 10 pound debt he owed Robert Stewart on 25 May 1786 [Orders 1781-9, 40, 277]. He was taxable in James City County on 2 slaves and 2 horses in 1788 and taxable there from 1794 to 1813: taxable on a slave and a horse in 1794, 1798 and 1801, a slave and 3 horses in 1807 and 1808, and counted with one male and one female in a list of "Free Persons of Colour above 16 years" in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-99; 1800-15].

iv. Michael, born say 1760, a Revolutionary soldier from Charles City County [Jackson, Virginia Negro Soldiers, 34]. He was taxable in York County from 1788 to 1793 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1841, frames 139, 161, 191].

v. John³, born say 1762, died before 26 July 1791 when the overseers of the poor of Charles City County bound his orphan daughter Mourning Cumbo to George Hubbard until the age of eighteen [DB 4:61]. He may have been the John Cumbo who served in the Revolution from Charles City County [Gwathmey, Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution, 198].

vi. Peter, a soldier from Charles City County who served in the Revolution [Gwathmey, Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution, 198]. He may have been the Peter Cumbo who was listed as "runaway" in the 1783 tax list for Brunswick county, Virginia, in 1783 [PPTL 1782-99, frame 61] and sued by the churchwardens of Meherrin Parish, Brunswick County, on 24 January 1785 [Orders 1784-8, 59, 85].

vii. Fluellen, born say 1765, taxable on one free tithe in Charles City County from 1787 to 1802. Perhaps his widow was Nancy Cumbo who was taxable on a horse in 1809 [Personal Property Tax List 1788-1814].

viii. Jesse, born say 1767, taxable in James City County from 1788 to 1795: taxable on a slave and 2 horses in 1790 and 1792. He apparently died before 1797 when his estate was taxable on 2 horses. His wife was probably Tabitha Cumbo who was taxable on a horse in 1798 and 1799, taxable on a free male tithe in 1803, 1804, and 1806, taxable on a horse in 1812 and a "mulatto" head of a household of a "Free Person of Colour above 16 years" in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-99; 1800-15]. On 22 November 1803 she was paid for travelling from James City County and attending York County court as a witness for Lucy Harris in her suit against William Jarvis [Orders 1795-1803, 602, 613].

ix. Abram Thomas (alias Cumbo), born say 1769, married Mary Brown, "daughter of Abram Brown deceased," by marriage agreement of 13 April 1791, proved in Charles City County court on 15 December 1791, by which he recognized her right to slaves Isaac and Jane, two feather beds, and some stock of cattle and hogs which were in her possession [DB 4:66]. He was taxable in Charles City County as Abraham Cumbo alias Thomas from 1790 to 1799 and called Abraham Thomas in 1800 and thereafter [Personal Property Tax List, 1788-1814].

17      x. John⁵, born say 1771.

xi. James, born say 1772, taxable in Charles City County in 1793 [Personal Property Tax List, 1788-1814], taxable in James City County in 1802 [Personal Property Tax List, 1800-15] and head of a household of 2 "free Negroes & mulattos over 16" in Williamsburg in 1813 [Waldrep, 1813 Tax List].

18      xii. Anderson, born about 1773.

xiii. Turner², born say 1773, taxable in Charles City County in 1794, 1797, 1798, 1800, 1802, 1809 and 1813: called Turner Cumbo alias Thomas in 1794 and called "Turner Comboo Mulattoe" in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1788-1814]. He was probably the Turner Cumbo who was taxable in the lower district of Henrico County in 1799 and 1800: his tax charged to William Thomas in 1799 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1814, frames 420]. He was head of a Charles City County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:953]. On 19 December 1811 he was married to Rebecca Cannady when their son Walker Cumbo received a Charles City County deed of gift of a cow and two calves from his grandfather James Cannady of James City County [DB 5:405-6]. Turner was a "col^d" man taxable in James City County in 1814 [Personal Property Tax List, 1800-15].

 

16.    Stephen³ Cumbo, born say 1755, was a soldier from James City County who served in the Revolution [Gwathmey, Historical Register of Virginians in the Revolution, 198]. He was taxable in James City County from 1782 to 1814: taxable on 3 horses and 4 cattle in 1782, a "Mulatto" taxable in 1785, taxable on 2 horses and 6 cattle in 1787 and 2 tithes and a horse in 1800. He was counted with one male and one female in a list of "Free Persons of Colour above 16 years" in James City County in 1813 taxable in James City County [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-99; 1800-15]. He may have been the father of

i. William, born say 1782, taxable in James City County from 1803 to 1812 and counted with one male and one female in a list of "Free Persons of Colour above 16 years" in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1800-15].

ii. Robert, born say 1788, taxable in James City County from 1809 to 1814, a "col^d man" counted with one male and one female in a list of "Free Persons of Colour above 16 years" in James City County in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1800-15].

iii. Kitty, counted in the list of "Free Persons of Colour above 16 years" in James City County in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1800-15].

 

17.    John⁶ Cumbo, born say 1771, was taxable in Charles City County from 1792 to 1814: a "Mulattoe" taxable in 1813 and 1814 [Personal Property Tax List, 1788-1814] and head of a Charles City County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:958]. He may have been the John Comboe who married Sally Delaney, 10 August 1797 York County bond. John was the father of

i. Thomas, born about 1814, obtained a certificate of freedom in Charles City County on 20 August 1835: son of John Cumbo, mulatto man, straight hair, almost twenty one years old [Minutes 1830-7, 244].

 

18.    Anderson Cumbo, born about 1773, was taxable in Charles City County from 1792 to 1812 and was counted as a "Mulattoe" in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1788-1814]. He obtained a certificate of freedom in Charles City County on 18 September 1823: a mulatto man aged fifty years, five feet seven & 1/2 inches high, much pitted with the smallpox, was born in this county [Minutes 1823-9, 8]. He was head of a Charles City County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:958]. He was the father of

i. John⁹, born about 1807, obtained a certificate of freedom in Charles City County on 21 July 1831: son of Anderson Cumbo, a bright mulatto man, about twenty four years old, is a free man of colour [Minutes 1830-7, 65].

ii. Warren, born 4 August 1810, obtained a certificate of freedom in Charles City County on 17 November 1831: son of Anderson Cumbo, a bright mulatto, twenty one years old 4 August last [Minutes 1830-7, 84].

iii. Stanhope, born about 1815, obtained a certificate of freedom in Charles City County on 20 August 1835: son of Anderson Cumbo, mulatto man, twenty years old [Minutes 1830-7, 244].

.   

Endnotes:

1.    John Potter (6 "other free"), James Potter (7 "other free"), and Robert Potter (4 "other free") were heads of Brunswick County, North Carolina, households in 1800 [NC:14].

 

CURLE FAMILY

Members of the Curle family of North Carolina and Virginia were

i. William, head of a Petersburg Town household of 9 "other free" and 2 slaves in 1810 [VA:119b].

ii. Susan, head of a Petersburg Town household of 9 "other free" in 1810 [VA:125a].

1        iii. Nancy, born say 1765.

 

1.    Nancy Curle, born say 1765, was living in Gates County, North Carolina, in May 1791 when the court ordered her four-year-old "Molatto" son Bryant Curle bound apprentice to Aaron Ellis. She was the mother of

i. Noah, born about 1783, eight-year-old illegitimate child of Nancy Curle, no race indicated, bound apprentice to Michael Lawrence by the August 1791 Gates County court.

ii. Bryant, born about 1787, bound apprentice in May 1791 [Fouts, Minutes of County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions 1787-93, 84, 90].

 

CUNNINGHAM FAMILY

1.    Mary Cunningham, born say 1730, was living at John Kinsman's on 13 November 1750 when the Charles County, Maryland court presented her for bearing a "Mullatto Child" by information of Constable Alexander MacPherson [Court Record 1750, 140]. She may have been the ancestor of

i. Waters, a "Mulatto" child bound apprentice to John Williams in Frederick County, Virginia, on 9 March 1753 [Orders 1751-3, 449].

ii. John, head of a Washington County, Maryland household of 3 "other free" in 1800 [MD:570].

iii. Benjamin¹, head of a Hampshire County, Virginia household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:818].

iv. Philip¹, head of a King George County, Virginia household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:193].

v. Benjamin², head of a King George County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:193].

vi. Cyrus, born about 1777 when he was bound as an apprentice, registered in King George County on 28 May 1799: of a dark yellow Colour aged about twenty two years and about five feet ten inches high is now a free man, has served William Hooe, Gent., of this County twenty one years [Register of Free Persons, no.10].

vii. Philip², Jr., head of a King George County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:195].

viii. Nancy, head of a Goochland County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:688].

ix. Jas.(?), head of a King George County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:195].

x. Charity, head of a Northampton County, North Carolina household of 2 "other free" in 1790 [NC:76].

 

CURTIS FAMILY

The Curtis family may have originated in St. Mary's County, Maryland, where there were five "other free" families in 1790. (See Free African Americans of Maryland and Delaware by this author). Jonathan Curtis was a "Free Negro" living in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, in June 1744. He was called "Jonathan Curtis late of Charles County, Planter," in March 1749/50 in Charles County, Maryland court when William Hunter and Company of Spotsylvania County sued him for debt, and he was called "free Negroe" in Hunter's accounts which were copied into the court record. He may have been the father of Ignatius Curtis whose "Mulatto" son Henry was bound out in Fauquier County, Virginia, in 1769. (Ignatius was a common name among the Roman Catholic families of Maryland). His son Henry was taxable in Caswell County, North Carolina, in 1790.

Members of the Curtis family in Virginia and North Carolina were

1        i. Jonathan¹, born say 1715.

2        ii. Richard, born say 1730.

3        iii. Jonathan², born say 1755.

iv. James², born say 1755, an apprentice boy who ran away from William Row before 1 August 1771 when Row advertised for his return in the Virginia Gazette: yellow complexion, has a sharp nose, and wears his own short hair [Virginia Gazette (Rind edition)].

v. Chloe, a "free Negro" head of a Culpeper County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:24].

 

1.    Jonathan¹ Curtis, born say 1715, was indicted by the Spotsylvania County, Virginia court on 5 June 1744 (along with five other persons) for selling liquor without a license. He was called a "Free Negro" on 6 November 1744 when the court ordered him to post bond of twenty pounds for his good behavior because John Doncastle complained that he had broken open some of his locks. Doncastle sued him for a one pound, nine shillings debt on 6 February 1744/5, but the court found in Jonathan's favor [Orders 1738-49, 265, 286, 308, 322, 335]. He was called "Jonathan Curtis late of Charles County, Planter," in March 1749/50 in Charles