FAGAN FAMILY

Members of the Fagan family, born about 1750 were

1        i. Peter¹, born say 1740.

ii. William, born say 1746, a taxable head of a Bertie County, North Carolina household with his unnamed wife in the list of Samuel Granberry for 1774.

 

1.   Peter¹ Fagan, born say 1740, was called "a Negro man late the slave of Frederick Parker" in Sussex County court on 19 September 1765 when he recorded an order of confirmation of his freedom from the Halifax County, North Carolina court [Sussex County Orders 1764-66, 301]. He was called "A Free Negro...a Dancing Master living in Halifax (North Carolina) or Southampton County, Virginia" when a British merchant made a claim for a debt Peter had owed him since 1776 [NCGSJ XI:247]. In 1787 he was paid by the Southampton County estate of Lucy Hunt for teaching Charles and Henry Briggs to dance [WB 2:212]. On 4 January 1793 he was called Peter Fagan, Sr., when he manumitted a woman named Harriet, otherwise called Harriet Johnson, after purchasing her from Henry Adams of Southampton County, stating in the Isle of Wight deed that she had formerly belonged to Colonel Richard Kello and that he had purchased her with the intention of setting her free [DB 17:113]. He brought a Greensville County suit against the executor of Daniel Fisher for 25 pounds currency on 23 March 1797 and against the executors of David Putney on 22 March 1798 [Orders 1790-9, 474, 528; 1799-1806, 400], and on 9 February 1801 he was paid 3 pounds by the Greensville County estate of James Epps for teaching his daughter Polly Epps to dance during the year 1800 [WB 1:475]. He was taxable on a horse in St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, from 1801 to 1811 [PPTL 1792-1806, frames 514, 552, 621, 691, 805, 841; 1807-21, frames 71, 163, 191]. His deed of emancipation to a member of his family was proved in Southampton County court on 15 November 1802. He sued a number of people for debt in Southampton County between 1793 and 1805. He won a Southampton County case against John Wright for failing to pay the dancing school fees for his two daughters. Wright brought a suit in chancery against Peter in August 1805 claiming that Peter had moved away and neglected the school, but Peter replied that the school was kept by his son Peter, Jr., who was equally qualified [Minutes 1793-99, 33; 1799-1803, 195; 1804-7, 82, 83; LVA chancery case 1814-003]. On 13 June 1808 the Greensville County court awarded him 21 pounds in his suit against Andrew Rhea [Orders 1806-10, 237]. He was head of a Petersburg Town household of 5 "other free" in 1810, and there was another who was head of a Petersburg household of 1 "other free" and 2 slaves [VA:126b, 125b]. Peter was the ancestor of

i. Peter², Jr., born about 1767, taxable in Cabin Point district of Surry County, Virginia, from 1791 to 1805: called Peter Phaygan, Junr., in 1791 when he was listed with Anne, "a slave now his wife;" taxable on Major Debrix's tithe in 1792; taxable on a slave named Sarah in 1794; taxable on a slave and a two-wheeled carriage in 1796; taxable on 2 slaves in 1797; taxable on Tom French's tithe, slaves Sarah and Cupid, and a carriage in 1798 and 1799 [Personal Property Tax List, 1791-1816, frames 15, 65, 115, 166, 242, 292, 330, 371, 410, 485, 563, 593]. He was taxable on 60 acres in 1799 [1799 Land Tax List, p.7]. Anna registered in Surry County on 8 April 1807: Anna alias Anna Fagan a Mulatto woman, who was emancipated by Benjamin Drew by his deed (of emancipation) bearing date the 20th day of December 1792 and carried to record in the County Court of Southampton the 10th January 1793 as appears by an attested copy of said deed ... The said Anna is of a bright complexion, long but bushey Hair, small Eye-brows, 5'4" high rather delicately made, aged about 21 years [Back of Guardian Accounts Book 1783-1804, no. 65]. And she registered in Petersburg on 9 June 1810: a bright yellow brown Mulatto woman, five feet three and a half inches high, twenty five years old, long bushy hair, delicately made, emancipated by Benjamin Drew in Southampton County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 584]. Peter registered in Southampton County on 14 July 1804: age 37, blk, 5 feet 5 inches, emancipated by Peter Fagan, Sr. [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, nos. 311, 412]. He was head of a Southampton County household of 2 "other free" in 1810. Ann Fagan was head of a Petersburg Town household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:334b].

ii. ?Thomas, a "Mulatto" taxable in Mecklenburg County from 1809 to 1818 [Personal Property Tax List 1806-28, frames 134, 162, 235, 338, 388, 595, 654].

iii. ?John,  head of a Mecklenburg County household of 4 "free colored" in 1820.

iv. ?Peter³, born say 1786, taxable in Meherrin Parish, Brunswick County, Virginia, from 1804 to 1813, listed as a "Free Negro" from 1811 to 1813 [Personal Property Tax List 1799-1815, frames 240, 343, 388, 433, 519, 559], head of a Free Town, Brunswick County, Virginia household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:769].

 

FAGGOTT FAMILY

1.    Mary Faggot, born say 1720, was living in Prince Edward County in May 1757 when the court ordered George Ewing, Sr., to appear in court to prove that he was holding (her son) Jethro Faggott, a "Molatto boy," under legal indentures. In October 1757 the court ruled that the indentures were not legal and ordered Mary to pay her witness Charles Irby 103 pounds of tobacco for testifying for her and travelling twenty-six miles from his home (in Amelia County). The court also ordered the churchwardens of St. Patrick's Parish to bind Jethro to Ewing on condition that he post a bond of 300 pounds currency not to remove him out of the colony [Orders 1754-8, 112, 127, 129]. Mary may have been identical to Mary Taggat, a white woman, whose "Molatto" son Peter was bound out by the churchwardens of Lunenburg County to Hugh Lawson on 9 July 1752 [Lunenburg County Orders 1752-3, 69]. Mary Faggot was the mother of

i. ?Agnes, born say 1739, called "Agnes Foquett, a "Mulatto," in Rowan County, North Carolina, on 25 October 1760 when she successfully sued Hugh Lawson for her freedom [Minutes 1753-67, 76, 78]. She married Isaac Freeman 19 January 1762 Rowan County, North Carolina, bond.

ii. Peter, born say 1750, bound to Hugh Lawson in Lunenburg County on 9 July 1752.

iii. Jethro, born say 1753, a "Malatto" boy bound to George Ewing in Prince Edward County in October 1757.

 

FARRAR/ FARROW FAMILY

Members of the Farrar family born about 1750 were

1 i.        Amy, born say 1746.

2 ii.        Drury¹, born say 1748.

iii. Joseph, born say 1750, married Mally Gantlet, "Molattoes in Goochland," on 23 September 1773.

iv. Molly¹, born say 1752, married Stephen Scott, "Molattoes," on 10 November 1773 [Jones, The Douglas Register, 347].

v. Amy, born say 1754.

vi. John¹, born say 1760, a "yellow" complexioned soldier who enlisted in the Revolution from Goochland County (called John Farrow) [NSDAR, African American Patriots, 149]. John Farrar was a "Mulatto" taxable in Powhatan County from 1788 to 1792 [PPTL, 1787-1825, frames 18, 32, 46, 60, 77].

vii. Benjamin, born say 1763, married Elizabeth Cockrane, 10 March 1784 Goochland County bond, Mary Cockrane surety, Fleming Payne witness. Benjamin Farrow who was a "Free Negro" taxable in the northern district of Campbell County from 1800 to 1805 [PPTL, 1785-1814, frames 484, 544, 622].

viii. Lucy Farrow, a "FN" listed in Botetourt County in 1813 [PPTL, 1811-1822].

 

1.    Amy Farrow, born say 1746, was taxable in Fredericksville Parish, Albemarle County, from 1783 to 1797: taxable on 2 horses and 5 cattle in 1783; a free male tithable, 3 horses and 8 cattle in 1786, 1787 and 1789; taxable on 2 free males and 3 horses in 1790 and 1794 [PPTL, 1782-1799, frames 29, 75, 116, 201, 418, 480, 515]. She may have been the mother of

3        i. Thomas, born say 1770.

ii. Molly², born say 1772, taxable on a horse in Fredericksville Parish, Albemarle County, in 1794 [PPTL, 1782-1799, frame 418].

iii. Reuben, born say 1776, taxable in Fredericksville Parish, Albemarle County, in 1794, 1795, 1798, and from 1801 to 1813: listed with 2 horses in 1801; called "or gardner" in 1805; called a "Mulatto" from 1810 to 1813 [PPTL, 1782-99, frames 418, 448, 554, 590; 1800-1813, frames 72, 118, 250, 296, 387, 434, 566]. He was called Reuben Farrar when he sued Minan Mills in Albemarle County court on 5 May 1797 for trespass, assault and battery. Mills pleaded not guilty and said the beating, if any there was, proceeded from an assault by the plaintiff. The jury found for Reuben and awarded him a penny [Orders 1795-8, 316, 355].

 

2.    Drury¹ Ferrar, born say 1748, married "______, Mulattoes both of Maniken Town," on 27 October 1769 [Jones, The Douglas Register, 347]. He was living in Cumberland County, Virginia, in November 1774 when he was presented for failing to list himself as a tithable but discharged (along with forty-two other persons) on 24 March 1778 for reasons appearing to the court [Orders 1774-8, 300, 441]. He was taxable on 3 horses and 7 cattle in Albemarle County in 1783, called "Drury Farrow free negroe" when he was taxable on his son Daniel in St. Ann's Parish, Albemarle County, in 1802 [PPTL, 1782-99, 29; 1800-1813, frame 96], a "M"(ulatto) taxable in Buckingham County in 1804 [PPTL 1804-9], and a "Free N." taxable in the northern district of Campbell County from 1805 to 1813: called "Sr." in 1809, listed with 2 free males and 4 free persons of color in 1813 [PPTL, 1785-1814, frames 622, 695, 730, 767, 803, 853]. He was the father of

4        i. ?Drury², born say 1771.

ii. ?James, born about 1780, registered in Campbell County on 23 October 1834: Age: 54; 5 feet 8 Inches, bright Complexion, Born free. And his wife Charity Farrar, born about 1780, registered with him on the same day: Age: 54; 5 feet 2-1/2 Inches, bright Complexion, Born free [A Register of Free Negroes and Malattoes, p. 10]. He was called James Farrow in 1813 when he was a "free Negro" taxable on a female free person of color in Campbell County [PPTL, 1785-1814].

iii. Betsy, born say 1781, head of a Nelson County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:691], perhaps the Betsy Farrar who was counted in a "List of free Negroes & Mulattoes" in St. Ann's Parish, Albemarle County, in 1813 [PPTL, 1800-1813, frame 553]. She was married to Benjamin Whitesides on 21 November 1831 when their daughter Judith Farrar, registered in Amherst County: daughter of Benjamin and Betty Whitesides of dark complexion 5 feet 5 inches high about 34 years of age [Register #50]. Benjamin Whitesides was head of an Amherst County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:297].

iv. Daniel, born about 1791, registered in Campbell County on 29 October 1831: Age: 40; 5 feet 10 Inches, Yellow Complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes, 1801-50, p. 9].

v. Moses, a "Negr." taxable in Bedford County in 1813 [PPTL, 1785-1814].

vi. Mary, head of a Nelson County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:691].

 

3.    Thomas Farrow, born say 1770, was taxable in Fredericksville Parish, Albemarle County, in 1799, 1802, 1804, and from 1805 to 1810: taxable on 2 horses in 1799; called a "Mulatto" from 1805 to 1810 [PPTL, 1782-1799, frames 589; 1800-1813, frames 27, 117, 207, 250, 296, 343, 386]. He may have been identical to Thomas Farrar who was a "M"(ulatto) taxable in adjoining Buckingham County on a tithe and 2 horses in 1804 and taxable on a tithe in 1807 [PPTL 1804-9]. He and his wife Charity Farrer were living in Campbell County on 1 November 1830 when their son John Pierce registered as a "free Negro." Thomas and Charity were the parents of

i. ?John², born about 1797, registered in Campbell County on 3 October 1830: Age: 34; 5 Feet 7 Inches; Colour: Yellow; born free [Register p. 10].

ii. ?Wilson, born about 1799, registered in Campbell County on 16 June 1831: Age 32; 6 feet; Yellow Complexion, born free [Register, p. 9].

iii. John Pierce, born about 1801, registered in Campbell County on 1 November 1830: Age: 29; 6 Feet 2-1/2 Inches, Bright Mallattoe, Born free and a son of Thomas and Charrity Farrer [Register, p. 9].

iv. ?Elijah, born about 1804, registered in Campbell County in November 1836: Age: 32; 5 ft 7-1/2 in.; Bright complexion, Born free [Register, p. 15].

 

4.    Drury² Farrar, born say 1771, married Elizabeth Banks, "daughter of Jacob Banks," 2 December 1792 Goochland County bond, 3 December marriage by Rev. Lewis Chaudoin. He was taxable on 2 horses in the upper district of Goochland County from 1790 to 1792 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frame 236, 280, 295], taxable in Fluvanna County on his own tithe and a 16-21 year-old tithable in 1793 [PPTL 1782-1826, frame 154] and a "F.N." taxable in the northern district of Campbell County in 1809 [PPTL, 1785-1814, frame 730]. He was called Drury Farrow when he was a "F.B." head of a Bedford County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:461], called Drury Farrar when he was a "Negr." taxable in the northern district of Bedford County from 1810 to 1816, listed with 2 tithes in 1813 (probably his wife) and in 1814 [PPTL 1806-16, frames 234, 325, 390, 453, 677]. He may have been the father of

i. Moses, a "Negr." taxable in the northern district of Bedford County in 1813 and 1816 [PPTL 1806-16, frames 390, 677].

 

FARRELL/ FERRELL FAMILY

1.    Mary Farrell, born say 1670, was the servant of Arthur Robins on 21 June 1687 when the Accomack County court ordered that she receive twenty-five lashes for having a bastard child. She was the servant of William Bradford on 18 February 1690/1 when she confessed to the Accomack County court that she had an illegitimate child named Thomas Farrell who was begotten by "Spindolz, Negro Slave to ye Said Bradford." On 15 September 1691 she bound her son Thomas to William Bradford until the age of twenty-four years. On 21 March 1693 she won a suit against her master, Richard Bally, for her freedom dues stating that she had served Arthur Robins and William Bradford before completing her indenture with Bally. The court found in her favor [W&Co 1682-97, 115; Orders 1690-7, 20a, 38, 99]. She was the mother of

2        i. Thomas¹, born 1690-1691.

 

2.    Thomas¹ Ferrell, born before 18 February 1690/1, was a "Mulatto" who petitioned the Accomack County court on 6 July 1715 for release from his indenture to William Bradford. He testified that he had completed twenty-four years of service as stipulated in his indenture, and the court ordered that he be released after verifying his age from the register of births [Orders 1714-7, 10]. However, he was still a servant on 14 December 1722 when he petitioned the Northampton County, Virginia court stating that he was born of a white woman and had completed thirty-one years of service. On 13 March 1722/3 the court allowed him three days liberty to get his indenture, and on 9 April 1723 the case was dismissed on agreement of the parties [Orders 1722-9, 41, 45, 55, 60; Mihalyka, Loose Papers I:52]. Thomas was taxable in the Northampton County household of Thomas Marshall from 1723 to 1725 and was head of his own household with (his wife?) Ann Ferrell in 1726 and 1727. Ann was taxable by herself in 1728 and 1729 in Jacob Stringer's household [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 43, 60, 85, 109, 122, 171]. Ann was the mother of

i. Peter, bound to John Lowry with the consent of hie mother Ann Ferrell on 15 May 1728 [Orders 1722-9, 327].

ii. Thomas², bound to John Lowry with the consent of hie mother Ann Ferrell on 15 May 1728 [Orders 1722-9, 327].

iii. Moses, born in August 1730, bound to Abraham Collins with the consent of his mother Ann Ferril on 8 June 1736 [Orders 1732-42, 218].

iv. Sisley, born in the Spring of 1734, bound apprentice to Savage Bloxam with the consent of her mother Ann Ferrill on 10 February 1735/6 [Orders 1732-42, 197].

 

Other members of the Ferrell family were

i. Adam Farrell, head of a Baltimore City, Maryland household of 7 "other free" in 1800 [MD:202].

ii. Charity, head of a Beaufort County, South Carolina household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [SC:88].

iii. John, head of a Colleton District, South Carolina household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [SC:603].

iv. Watson, head of a Colleton District, South Carolina household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [SC:603].

v. William, head of a Colleton District, South Carolina household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [SC:603].

 

FARTHING FAMILY

1.    Ann Farthing, born say 1718, was living in Saint Paul's Parish, Kent County, Maryland, on 19 June 1739 when the court convicted her of having a "Mollatto" child by a "Negro" [Criminal Record 1738-9, 178-180]. She was probably the ancestor of

i. Ann, head of a Kent County, Maryland household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [MD:844].

ii. Henrietta, a "mulatto" child living in Fairfax County, Virginia, on 17 February 1761 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Truro Parish to bind her as an apprentice to James McKensy [Orders 1756-63, 553].

 

FEARS FAMILY

1.    Elizabeth Fears, born say 1774, daughter of Absolem Fears, married James Dungee, 2 March 1795 Prince Edward County bond, 5 March marriage. She may have been the mother of

i. James, born about 1795, an "of Col^r" or "free Negro" taxable in Prince Edward County from 1816 to 1820: listed in 1820 with John Dungee and taxable on 2 slaves [PPTL 1809-31, frames 185, 234, 255, 333]. He married Rebecca Dungey of Cumberland County, 28 December 1822 Prince Edward County bond, James Fears and Theodorick Carter securities. He registered in Charlotte County on 7 October 1850: Bright Mulatto, aged 54. His wife Rebecca registered the same day: Mulatto, aged 48 [Ailsworth, Charlotte County--Rich Indeed, 624-5].

 

FIELDING FAMILY

1.    Eleanor Fielding, born say 1732, was the mother of William Fielding, a "Mulatto" boy bound out by order of the York County court on 18 June 1753. She was the mother of

i. William, born say 1752,  the "Mulatto" son of Eleanor Fielding bound to Rev. John Camm of Yorkhampton Parish by order of the York County court on 18 June 1753 [Judgments & Orders 1752-4, 232].

 

FIELDS FAMILY

Members of the Fields family were

1        i. Joyce, born say 1747.

2        ii. John¹, born say 1753.

3        iii. John², born say 1775.

 

1.    Joyce Fields, born say 1747, was living in Amherst County on 7 September 1767 when the court bound her "Molatto" child Mink to Henry Bell. In July 1784 she complained to the court that Bell had sold his apprentice named Moses Thomas, but the court dismissed the case after a hearing [Orders 1766-9, 200; 1782-4, 344]. Joyce was head of an Amherst County household of 8 "whites" (free persons) in 1783 [VA:48]. She was the mother of

i. Mink, born say 1767.

 

2.    John¹ Fields, born say 1753, was a "Mulatto" taxable in Buckingham County in 1774 [Woodson, Virginia Tithables From Burned Counties, 39]. He was a "free person of color" from Charles City County who enlisted in the Revolution in Amherst County [Register at Chesterfield Court House, cited by NSDAR, African American Patriots, 149]. On 5 October 1785 the Amherst County court ordered the overseers of the poor to bind out his "Molatto" child Joice Fields [Orders 1787-90, 538]. He was head of a Buckingham County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:806] and was a taxable "man of color" in Amherst County in 1811 and 1812 [Personal Property Tax List 1804-23, frames 211, 233]. He was the father of

i. ?John³, born say 1776, a "melatto" taxable in the northern district of Campbell County from 1792 to 1813 [PPTL, 1785-1814, frames 231, 268, 302, 730, 696, 892].

ii. ?David, born about 1781, taxable in Campbell County from 1800 to 1813 [PPTL, 1785-1814, frames 484, 730, 696, 892], head of a Campbell County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:849]. He registered in Campbell County on 11 October 1831: age 50, 5 feet 9 inches, dark Complexion, born free and formerly bound to John McCallister [Register of Free Negroes and Mulattoes, p.9].

iii. Joyce², born say 1785.

 

3.    John² Fields, born say 1775, was head of a New Kent County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:752]. In 1802 he received 9 pounds as his wife's part of the Charles City County estate of her father Edward Bradby [WB 1:591, 601]. He was probably the father of

i. Edna, born about 1796, registered in Charles City County on 16 September 1824: a bright mulatto woman, aged 28 years, born free in this county [Minutes 1823-9, 77].

ii. Littleberry, born say 1805, married Elizabeth Thomas before 16 February 1826 when he received her legacy due from the Charles City County estate of her father William Thomas [WB 3:158]. She obtained a certificate of freedom in Charles City County on 17 November 1831: (testimony of Peter Crew) wife of Littleberry Fields who was Elizabeth Thomas, bright mulatto, was twenty three years old 23 March last [Minutes 1830-7, 84].

 

Other members of the Fields family were

i. Sally, head of a Buckingham County household of 19 "other free" in 1810 [VA:799].

ii. Betty, head of a Buckingham County household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:799].

iii. Thomas, "F. Mo." head of a Culpeper County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:31].

iv. Nancy, "m." head of a Buckingham County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:806].

v. Major, a "B.M." taxable in Augusta County in 1796 [PPTL 1796-1810, frame 28], a "free negro" charged with taking several articles of clothing, 7 crowns and $6 in silver the property of George Grove in Augusta County on 19 July 1797 and sent for further trial at the district court in Stanton [Orders 1796-9, 184-5].

vi. William, head of a Washington, D.C. household of 4 "other free" in 1800.

vii. Adam, born before 1776, head of Rockingham County, North Carolina household of 6 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:641].

 

FINDLEY FAMILY

1.    James, born about 1704, and Chance, born about 1706, were the Indian slaves of Henry Clay who had their ages adjudged in Henrico County court in August 1712:

James an Indian belonging to Henry Clay is judged to be Eight years of Age & Chance a Girle also belonging to him is adjudged to be six years of Age [Orders 1710-4, 161].

Henry Clay left a 8 March 1749 Chesterfield County will dividing his slaves among his children William, Henry, Charles and John Clay. His undated inventory was returned to court on 7 November 1760:

Mulatto woman Phillis, Mulatto man slave James, Mulatto woman slave Phib, Mulatto lad slave Ned, Mulatto woman slave Sarah, Indian man slave Peter, Negro man slave Cumbo, Negro lad slave Cumbo, Mulatto girl slave named Rachel, Mulatto child slave name Hannah, Mulatto child slave named Frank, Mulatto child slave named Stephen, Mulatto lad slave named Sam, Mulatto girl named Rachel [OB 1759-67, 90; WB 1:350].

John Clay's inventory was returned to Chesterfield County court on 19 August 1763:

one Negro Bowser, one Negro Peter, one Indian Peter, one Mulato James, one Mulato Sam, Negro Combo, Mulato woman Nann, Indian woman Jude, Indian girl Chance, Mulato girl Anica, Mulato Boy Frank [WB 1:344; Orders 1759-67, 459].

The division of his slaves was recorded on 7 February 1772 [Orders 1771-4, 63]. About two months later on 29 April 1772 depositions were taken in Chesterfield County at the direction of the General Court in the suit of Ned, Lucy, Silvia, Bristol, Chance, Ned, Frank, Peter, Sam, Rachel and her children against Charles Clay, Millie Clay, Thomas Clay and Richard Newman for holding them in slavery. Henry Clay's eighty-five-year-old widow Mary Clay, Clay's seventy-three-year-old neighbor Bartholomew Stovall, Clay's eighty-five-year-old neighbor Elizabeth Blankenship and thirty-year-old grandson John Clay testified that Henry Clay had brought home two Choctaw Indians, one a boy and the other a girl named Chance, from a trip beyond Carolina in 1712 and that the plaintiffs Ned, Peter, Sam and Rachel were Chance's grandchildren. In November 1785 Hannah Fender/ Fendley brought a Henry County suit for her freedom which relied on the Chesterfield County depositions as well a deposition taken in Powhatan County in 1786 which stated that she was the grandchild of Chance [Fender vs. Marr, Henry Co. Va. Loose papers, Determined Cases 1788-1789, folder 66, LVA, published in the Virginia Genealogist]. Lucy Marshall, widow of Henry Clay the younger, deposed on 10 October 1786 that Henry Clay the elder gave her husband a "mulatto" or Indian Girl by the name of Judy, the mother of Hannah Fendley, and that Judy was the daughter of an old Indian named Chance, then in the possession of the elder Henry Clay. Elijah Clay received James and Bess Findley from his mother Lucy Marshall, by the will of his father, when he came of age. His father's Powhatan County will was proved in October 1764 and named fourteen slaves, including "Negro wench Nan, Negro girl Chance, Negro boy James and Negro girl Bess." Elijah deposed on 13 October 1819 that he had heard his mother and his brother Thomas Clay say that Nan was the daughter of "old Chance, an Indian woman who was brought from the Indian nation," and that Nan was the sister of Judy and mother of Rachel. Susannah Clay, widow of Thomas Clay, deposed on 13 May 1818 that her husband Thomas Clay was the owner of Sam and had Sam's sister Rachel in his possession as security for payment from William Clay, father of Mitchel Clay. She also deposed that Rachel was the daughter of Nan who was the daughter of Chance who was brought from the Indian nation by Thomas Clay's grandfather Henry Clay; Judy and her children were given by Henry Clay, the elder, to his son Henry Clay; Nan and her children were given to William Clay and his children [58, 106-8, 113; Powhatan County WB 1:289-92]. Chance was the ancestor of

2        i. Nan, born say 1730.

ii. Judy¹, born say 1730, an Indian slave listed in the inventory of John Clay's Chesterfield County estate on 19 August 1763 [WB 1:344; Orders 1759-67, 459]. She was free by 2 July 1773 when the Chesterfield County court ordered the churchwardens of Manchester Parish to bind out her Indian children Chance and Frank [Orders 1771-4, 294].

3        iii. Sarah¹, born say 1740.

4        iv. Hannah, born say 1745.

5        v. Thomas, born say 1765.

vi. Peter, perhaps identical to "and Indian named Peter" who was listed in the inventory of John Clay, Sr., in 1764.

vii. Bob alias Micajah Fendley, purchased as a slave by John Marshall who freed him in Mecklenburg County court on 9 September 1793 after he produced sufficient evidence that he was free-born [Orders 332].

 

2.    Nan Findley, born say 1730, may have been identical to "Mulato woman Nann" who was listed in the 19 August 1763 inventory of the Chesterfield County estate of John Clay [WB 1:344; Orders 1759-67, 459]. Seventy-one-year-old Frances Langsdon, who was raised in William Clay's household, deposed in Powhatan County on 22 March 1816 that Clay owned a "coloured woman" by the name of Nan who was said by Clay to have been born of an Indian mother, that Nan was the mother of Rachel who was sucking her when Henry Clay died, and that Nan was the sister of Indian Judy whose children regained their freedom. Nan was the mother

i. Samuel, born say 1750, won a suit for his freedom from Thomas Clay in the General Court on 4 May 1773 in consequence of his being the grandson of an Indian woman [Kegley, 54]. He sued Jacob Cohan in Powhatan County court on 18 May 1780 and asked that the deposition of William Byrd be taken. Cohan sued him on 21 September the same year. Both suits were dismissed [Orders 1777-84, 151, 163, 165, 233]. He was guardian of Phoebe Ligon on 10 May 1788 when he gave his consent to her Henrico County marriage to Thomas Findley. He was taxable in Chesterfield County in 1792, 1795, and a "free Negroe" taxable in 1802 [PPTL, 1786-1811, frames 140, 248]. He died before 16 January 1802 when a coroner's inquest reported to the Chesterfield County court that he had been found dead at Manchester Warehouse with no marks of violence on his body [WB 5:492].

6        ii. Rachel, born about 1754.

 

3.    Sarah¹ Findley, born say 1740, complained to the Powhatan County court on 18 May 1780 that Jacob Cohan had sold her "mulatto" son Arthur Findley as a slave. The court ordered Cohan to post 10,000 pounds security to produce the child in the September session of the court. The court also ordered Lucy Marshall and Elijah Clay to show cause why they were holding Sarah's "Mulatto" children James, Bess and Archer in their service [Orders 1777-84, 150, 153, 155]. She was the mother of

i. James, born about 1759, registered in Powhatan County on 19 December 1822: Age: 63; Color: Dark yellowish; Stature: 5'10"; Emancipated by order of Powhatan Court 18 August 1786 [Register of Free Negroes, no. 54]. He may have been the James Findley who was the plaintiff in two suits against Isaac Taylor for trespass, assault and battery in Botetourt County on 15 April 1778 and was awarded 5 pounds damages in one suit and 50 pounds damages in the other on 14 May 1779 [Orders 1776-80, 59, 122, 212-4]. He sued Edward Gibbs in Powhatan County for trespass, assault and battery on 16 May 1794, and the jury awarded him $50 damages [Orders 1791-4, 423; 1794-8, 24, 180, 217]. He was a M^o" taxable on a horse in Powhatan County from 1792 to 1800 [PPTL, 1787-1825, frames 77, 92, 184, 206].

7        ii. Bess, born say 1761.

iii. Archer, child of Sarah Findley's, bound by the Powhatan County court to Thomas Hubbard to be a carpenter on 17 June 1784 [Orders 1784-6, 2].

 

4.    Hannah Fender/ Fendley, born say 1745, "suppose to be an Igeon," sued John Marr, Esquire, for her freedom in Henry County court on 25 November 1785. The court allowed her to take the depositions of Lucy Marshall, Thomas Clay and Samuel Clay on her posting security for her return. On 13 August 1788 the court found in her favor and awarded her 40 shillings damages. Marr appealed to the General Court, but on 31 March 1789 he reached agreement with Hannah that he would not prosecute his appeal, would pay all costs, and that he would immediately free her children Sally, Judy, Prudence and Ned and free her other children Jeany, Alias, Peter, Patty, and Billy when they came of age, the boys at twenty-one and the girls at eighteen [Orders 1785-8, 62, 96, 279, 281]. Hannah was taxable on a horse in Patrick County in 1804 [PPTL, 1791-1823, frame 396]. On 29 October 1807 the Patrick County court bound to her (her granddaughter?) three-year-old Ruth Findley, child of Susannah Findley [Orders 1800-10, n.p.]. She was the mother of

i. Sally², married Nicholas Rickman, 28 March 1799 Stokes County, North Carolina bond.

ii. Judy².

iii. Prudence.

iv. Ned.

v. Jeany.

vi. Alias, married Polly Gowen, 1802 Grayson County bond.

vii. Peter, born say 1770, married Rebecca Gowens, 28 September 1797 Patrick County bond, John Cameron security. He purchased land in Patrick County in 1805 and sold it in 1810 [DB 2:475; 3:354]. He was taxable in Patrick County from 1800 to 1804 [PPTL, 1791-1823, frames 286, 342, 395] and head of a Grayson County, Virginia household of 7 "free colored" in 1830.

viii. Patty.

ix. William, married Susannah Rickman, 1802 Patrick County bond, John Going surety. Suckey registered in Patrick County in June 1832: aged about 45 or 50 years, of dark complexion...with black eyes and somewhat a round face and 5 feet 3 inches and 3 quarters high...Free born in the County of Patrick [Pilson and Baughan, Alphabetical List of Lands Taxed in Patrick County, 11].

 

5.    Thomas Findley, born say 1765, married Phoebe Ligon, 10 May 1788 Henrico County bond, Hannah Liggon, Jerry Liggon, and William Logon witnesses. Samuel Findley, guardian of Phobe, gave his consent. On 14 May 1792 he, Jeremiah Ligon, and two white men were ordered by the Chesterfield County court to post bond of 2 pounds, 10 shillings to keep the peace for three months [Orders 1791-2, 346]. He was taxable in Chesterfield County in 1792, 1801, a "free Negroe" taxable in 1802 and 1804, a "Mulatto" taxable in 1805, 1806, 1807 and 1809 [PPTL, 1786-1811, frames 140, 467, 503, 579, 658, 717, 753]. He was a "Mullatto" taxable in Chesterfield County from 1800 to 1813 on a lot he purchased in 1800 [Land Tax List, 1791-1822, B lists]. He was head of a Chesterfield County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:70/1062]. He may have been the father of

i. Betsey, born about 1796, obtained a certificate of freedom in Chesterfield County on 14 July 1823: twenty seven years old, light brown complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53, no. 490].

ii. Washington, born about 1803, obtained a certificate of freedom in Chesterfield County on 10 September 1827: twenty four years old, brown complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53, no. 591].

 

6.    Rachel Findley, born about 1754, won a suit for freedom for herself and her children from Thomas Clay in the General Court on 4 May 1773 but was taken away and sold by her master [Kegley, 54-5]. She was called a twenty-year-old "Negro Woman" in the deed by which Mitchel Clay sold her and her seven-year-old daughter Juda on 23 April 1774 to John Draper who lived on the Bluestone River near present-day Princeton, West Virginia. On 10 June 1813 the Wythe County, Virginia court allowed her to sue John Draper in forma pauperis. A deponent in the case, Edward Moseley, testified that Rachel was said to have been the brother of Samuel Findley and the cousin of James Findley [Kegley, Free People of Colour, 11, 53-7, 79b]. She registered in Powhatan County on 17 August 1820: Age: 70; Color: Brown; Stature: 5'5"; Recovered her freedom in the Superior Court of Powhatan County May 1820 [Register of Free Negroes, 1820-65, no. 10]. She was the mother of

8        i. Judy, born about 1767.

ii. Tom, allowed by the Wythe County court on 10 June 1813 to sue John Draper, Jr., in forma pauperis and set free on 9 August 1820.

iii. Peter, allowed by the Wythe County court on 10 June 1813 to sue John Draper, Jr., in forma pauperis and set free on 9 August 1820 [53].

iv. Robin, allowed by the Wythe County court on 10 June 1813 to sue John Draper, Jr., in forma pauperis and set free on 9 August 1820 [Kegley, Free People of Colour, 11].

v. Polly, held in slavery by Colonel Henry Patton, [59-60], mother of sally and Maria born between 1813 and 1 August 1820 [90].

 

7.    Bess¹ Findley, born say 1761, was called an Indian when she sued Elijah Clay for her freedom in Powhatan County court on 21 February 1782. Her case was continued in court until 17 July 1785 when it was dismissed by her order. After her brother James was manumitted by Clay, she again brought suit on 17 July 1788, and on 21 November 1788 the court ordered the deputy attorney to initiate a suit against Elijah Clay for the freedom of her children Fanny, Effee and Sally. A jury found in her favor on 21 October 1790, and a few months later on 16 December 1790 the court ordered the overseers of the poor to bind her children Sally and Effee to Elijah Clay [Orders 1777-84, 187, 286, 326, 339; 1784-6, 60, 178, 192, 216, 247; 1786-91, 319, 370, 451, 545, 613, 617, 625]. On 19 May 1796 she sued Edward Haskins for trespass, assault and battery, and on 22 February 1798 she brought the same suit against Thomas Watkins. The jury found him guilty but did not award her any damages [Orders 1794-8, 241, 273, 428-9, 523]. She was the mother of

i. Effey, born about 1784, daughter of Bess Findley bound by the Powhatan County court to William Moseley on 19 April 1792 [Orders 1791-4, 95]. She obtained a certificate of freedom in Chesterfield County on 11 October 1819: thirty five years old, dark complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53, no. 364].

ii. Sally³, born say 1781, daughter of Bess Findley bound by the Powhatan County court to Edward Haskins on 19 April 1792 [Orders 1791-4, 95]. She married Jacob Pitman, "free Negroes," on 27 December 1799 in Powhatan County [Marriage Register, 41].

iii. Fanny, born about 1787, daughter of Betty Fendley bound by the Powhatan County court to Valentine Ball on 16 August 1797 and bound to Elizabeth Blackburn on 20 February 1800 [Orders 1794-8, 376; 1798-1802, 203], head of a Chesterfield County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:70/1062]. She registered as a free Negro in Powhatan County on 18 April 1822: age 35, Brown complexion, 4'11-1/2" high, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1820-65, no. 41]. She registered in Botetourt County on 13 June 1823: 35 years of age; Brown colour; born free as per Certificate from Court Powhatan County [Free Negroes &c Registered in the Clerk's Office of Botetourt County, no. 38].

iv. Betty², daughter of Betty Fendley bound apprentice seamstress to Benjamin Boatright by the Powhatan County court on 16 March 1803 [Orders 1802-4, 231].

v. ?Polly, bound by the Powhatan County court to Valentine Ball on 18 January 1804 [Orders 1802-4, 404].

 

8.    Judy Findley, born about 1767, was about seven years old on 23 April 1774 when Mitchel Clay sold her and her mother Rachel to John Draper. She and her children Lockey and Rhoda were allowed to sue John Draper, Sr., in forma pauperis in Wythe County on 11 August 1813. She was the mother of

i. Locky, mother of Lucinda who was born after the institution of the suit in 1813 but before it was settled on 9 August 1820.

ii. Rhoda.

iii. Sam.

iv. Abram.

v. Charlotte, daughter of Juda, born after the institution of the suit but before it was settled in Wythe County on 9 August 1820 [Kegley, 12].

vi. Milly, allowed by the Wythe County court on 11 August 1813 to sue Alley Draper in forma pauperis for her freedom and for the freedom of her child Harvey [Kegley, Free People of Colour, 11, 12].

vii. Anna, allowed by the Wythe County court on 11 August 1813 to sue Alley Draper in forma pauperis for her freedom and for the freedom of her child Calvin. She and her children Malinda, Eliza, Randall and John registered as free persons in Wythe County on 13 March 1822 [Kegley, Free People of Colour, 11-3].

 

Endnotes:

1.    John Cameron, security for Peter Findley's Patrick County marriage, appeared in Patrick County court on 27 December 1804 and emancipated his slave Ceasar who was to be called Ceaser Fendly [Orders 1800-10, n.p.].

 

FINNIE FAMILY

1.    Margaret Finnie, born say 1730, was living in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on 29 January 1750/1 when the court agreed to William Fitzhugh's motion that she be taken into custody by the sheriff because she was "Dealing with peoples Slaves & other ill Compy. in the Dead time of Night." The court ordered that her "Mulatto" son John be bound out as an apprentice by the churchwardens of Cople Parish [Orders 1750-2, 26-26a]. Her children were

i. John, born say 1750.

ii. ?Daniel, born say 1752, head of an Accomack County household of 7 "other free" in 1800 [Virginia Genealogist 1:107].

iii. ?Abraham¹, born say 1755, head of an Accomack County household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:94], perhaps the father of Abraham² Finnie, head of an Accomack County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:23].

iv. ?Phillip, head of an Accomack County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:23].

 

FLETCHER FAMILY

1.    Polly Fletcher, born say 1745, was an Irish servant who was indentured to Matthew Whiting, Esq., of Prince William County, Virginia. Whiting's executor, E. Brooke, Sr., certified in the Court of the District of Columbia in Alexandria that Polly was the mother of Betsy, Mary, and Alice Fletcher, "Mulatto" women [Arlington County Register of Free Negroes, 1797-1861, nos. 57, 59, 61, 62, pp.51-3]. Her children were

2        i. ?Ann, born say 1764.

ii. Betsy, born about 1775, registered in Alexandria on 2 May 1820: a forty-five-year-old "bright Mulatto" woman born on the Prince William County estate of Matthew Whiting.

iii. ?Nelly, born about 1776, registered in Fauquier County on 25 September 1826: age 50, 5'3-1/2", Bright Mulatto, born free [Register of Free Negroes, 1817-65, no. 84].

iv. Mary, born about 1780, registered in Alexandria on 8 December 1820: a forty-year-old "bright Mulatto" woman born on the Prince William County estate of Matthew Whiting.

v. Alice, born about 1795, registered in Alexandria on 2 May 1820: a twenty-five-year-old "bright Mulatto" woman born on the Prince William County estate of Matthew Whiting.

vi. ?Peter, head of an Accomack County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:94].

vii. ?John, "F. Negroe" head of a Fauquier County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:398].

viii. ?Cloe, head of a Petersburg Town household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:125b].

 

2.    Ann Fletcher, born say 1764, was head of a St. Mary's County, Maryland household of 3 "other free" in 1790. She may have been the mother of

i. Jane, born about 1784, a thirty-seven-year-old "stout negro woman" who obtained a certificate of freedom in Alexandria, Virginia, on 6 August 1821 and registered in Washington, D.C., on 3 November 1834. Sarah Harper swore that Jane was born free in St. Mary's County and was bound to Sarah's mother Catherine Cheveller to serve until she came of age. Harper testified that she and Jane "grew up and were girls together" and that Jane's parents were free as were her several brothers and sisters [Provine, District of Columbia Free Negro Registers, 254].

 

FLOOD FAMILY

Members of the Flood family born before 1750 were

1        i. Mary¹ born say 1725.

2        ii. Absalom, born say 1727.

iii. John¹, born say 1730, head of an Amelia County household of 3 "whites" in 1782 [VA:13]. He was taxable in Charlotte County on his own tithe and 3 horses in 1787, levy free from 1790 to 1804 when he was called a "fm" [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1813, frames 94, 177, 205, 229, 253, 302, 383, 399, 448, 466, 517, 551, 606].

3        iv. Pat, born say 1738.

 

1.    Mary¹ Flood, born say 1725, was living in Henrico County on 3 September 1764 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Henrico Parish to bind out her "Mulatto" children: Fanny, Lucy, Dick, and Charles [Orders 1763-67, 328]. Her children were

4        i. ?William¹, born say 1752.

5        ii. ?Mary², born say 1754.

iii. Fanny, born say 1755.

iv. Lucy, born say 1757, mother of Polly Flood, a nine-year-old "free Mulatto girl" bound to Abby Cook in Petersburg on 6 April 1801 [Hustings Court Minute Book 1800-4, 42].

v. Dick, born say 1760.

vi. Charles, born say 1763, "Free Negro" head of an Isle of Wight County household of one "other free" in 1810 [VA:37].

 

2.    Absalom Flood, born say 1727, was taxed with his unnamed wife in the 1757 and 1758 tax summary for Bertie County, North Carolina [CR 10.702.1, box 1]. He was probably living in the part of Bertie which became Hertford County. Few Hertford County records have survived, but he is listed in the Sheriff's tax receipt book in 1768 and 1770, taxable on two tithes [Fouts, Tax Receipt Book, 8], and taxable in the 1779 Hertford Property Tax list filed with the state government, taxed on a horse in District 2 [GA 30.1]. There is no record of his children, but they may have been those counted in the census for Hertford and Halifax County, North Carolina:

i. Jesse, born say 1748, taxable in Hertford County on two tithes in 1770 [Fouts, Tax Receipt Book, 42], head of a Halifax County household of 6 "other free" in 1800 [NC:308] and 6 in 1810 [NC:19].

ii. Ann/ Nanny, born say 1750, taxable on one tithe in Hertford County in 1768 [Fouts, Tax Receipt Book, 48].

iii. Josiah, born say 1760, head of a Hertford County household of 11 "other free" in 1800. He was a labourer in a "List of Free Negroes and Mulattoes" on Western Branch in Norfolk in 1801, head of a household with W. Turner and Willoughby Weaver [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1791-1812, frame 383].

iv. Benjamin, born say 1762, living in Halifax County on 4 August 1789 when he deposed that he had served as an eighteen months soldier in the North Carolina Continental line and assigned all that was due to him for the service to John Eaton [NCGSJ IX:153]. He purchased 40 acres in Halifax County on the north side of Beech Swamp on 4 January 1792 [DB 17:503]. He married Lackey Underdue, 1790 Halifax County bond [CR 047.928.2]. He sold 640 acres in Davidson County, Tennessee on the south side of the Cumberland River, a grant for his services in the Revolution, by Halifax County deed on 31 August 1801 [DB 18:806 & Franklin County DB 6:89]. He was head of a Halifax County household of 7 "other free" in 1800 [NC:308], 6 in 1810 [NC:19], and 7 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:148]. Lackey Underdue was probably the daughter of Dempsy Underdew/ Underdue who purchased 85 acres in Halifax County joining Hunter on 15 September 1783 [DB 15:101]. He was counted as white in 1790, head of a Halifax County household of 1 male over 16, two under 16, and four females [NC:63]. He was a private in the Continental Line who assigned his right to 640 acres in Tennessee to Nicholas Long in Halifax County on 25 July 1795 [DB 17:810]. His widow may have been Polly Underdew, head of a Halifax County household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [NC:346], perhaps the Mary Underwood who was head of a Halifax County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [NC:52]. They were probably related to Underdue Austin, head of a Halifax County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [NC:3].

v. William², born say 1775, head of a Hertford County household of 3 "other free" in 1800, 2 in Halifax County in 1810 [NC:19] and 7 "free colored" in Halifax County in 1830.

vi. John², born before 1776, head of a Hertford County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [NC:99] and 10 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:182]. John, Demsey, Jesse, and Samuel Flood were among "Sundry persons of Colour of Hertford County" who petitioned the General Assembly in 1822 to repeal the act which declared slaves to be competent witnesses against free African Americans [NCGSJ XI:252].

vii. James, born before 1776, head of a Hertford County household of 6 "free colored" in 1830.

viii. Lovet, born before 1776, head of a Halifax County household of 8 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:148] and 6 in 1830. He married Polly Amis, 2 March 1822 Halifax County bond.

ix. Demsey, born 1776-94, head of a Hertford County household of 4 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:190]. He married Kitty Morgan, 30 December 1819 Halifax County bond with Hansel Dempsy bondsman.

 

3.    Pat Flood, born say 1738, was living in Raleigh Parish, Amelia County, on 26 November 1767 when the court ordered the churchwardens to bind out her children: Tom, Frederick, Stephen, and Sawney (no race indicated). She was called a "free Mulatto" on 26 October 1769 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Raleigh Parish to bind out her unnamed children [Orders 1767-8, 113; 1768-9, 265]. She was the mother of

i. Burwell, born about 1756, registered in Petersburg on 19 August 1794: a brown Mulatto man, five feet seven and a half inches high, thirty eight years old, born free & raised in Mecklenburg County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 49].

ii. Thomas, born about 1757, registered in Petersburg on 25 August 1794: a dark brown Mulatto man, five feet eight inches high, thirty seven years old, born free & raised in Amelia County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 87].

iii. Frederick.

iv. Stephen.

v. Alexander, born about 1765, taxable in Charlotte County, Virginia, from 1789 to 1799, called Sawney Flood in 1793 [PPTL 1782-1813, frames 159, 205, 179, 253, 277, 302, 328, 383, 448]. He married Levina Lawrence, 4 April 1792 Charlotte County bond. He purchased 110 acres in Charlotte County from William Harris for 20 pounds on 2 December 1793, and on 7 April 1794 for 19 pounds he sold 22 acres on Wallace's Creek which was land that had been conveyed to him by Little Joe Morton. He and his wife Levinia sold 110 acres to Berry Jackson on 4 November 1799 [DB 7:21, 42, 212, 223]. He registered as a "free Negro" in Charlotte County on 7 October 1806: Mulatto complexion, aged 41, born free. His wife Levina registered on 26 November 1806 with their children Coleman and Charity [Ailsworth, Charlotte County--Rich Indeed, 485]. He registered again in Pittsylvania County using the Charlotte County registration papers, stating that he was born in Amelia County and his wife was born in Brunswick County. He was a "free Negro" taxable in Pittsylvania County from 1809 to 1816, listed with his unnamed wife in 1813 and his unnamed son in 1815 [PPTL 1797-1812, frames 639, 684, 760, 781; 1813-23, frames 36, 59, 136, 171].

 

4.    William¹ Flood, born say 1752, a "Free Negro," was living on land in Amelia County near Rowling's Church when James Farley placed an advertisement in the 31 October 1777 issue of the Virginia Gazette cautioning the subscribers not to purchase William's land since Farley had already received part of the purchase price [Virginia Gazette, Dixon's edition, p.2, col. 2]. He married Molly Harris Brogdon, 12 November 1785 Mecklenburg County bond, William Brogdon consenting. He and his wife Molly sold 26 acres on the Little Roanoke River in Charlotte County where they were then living on 28 February 1799 [DB 7:192]. He was taxable in Charlotte County, Virginia, from 1782 to 1805: taxable on a slave named Dick, 4 horses and 12 cattle in 1782, taxable on a horse and 6 cattle in 1785, taxable on 2 free males and a slave in 1789, taxable on a slave in 1794, 2 slaves in 1795, 2 horses in 1796 and 1800, called a "f. Mulattoe" in 1801, a shoemaker counted in a list of "free Negroes & Mulatters" from 1802 to 1805 with his wife Molly and children Betsey, Polly, Patsey, William and John. He apparently died about 1806 when Molly was taxable on a horse and listed with 2 male and 2 female children in her household. She was listed as a weaver with 2 males and 3 females in her household in 1811 and 1812, 2 males and 2 females in 1813 [PPTL 1782-1813, frames 10, 15, 52, 128, 191, 217, 242, 265, 290, 316, 340, 399, 434, 466, 503, 542, 580, 606, 648, 673, 682, 709, 717, 751, 806, 814, 886]. She was a "Free Negro" head of a Charlotte County household of 9 "other free" [VA:1010]. His children were

i. Betsey, "dau of William Flood who is surety," married Joshua Gallimore, 29 February 1803 Charlotte County bond.

ii. Polly.

iii. Patsey, married George Gallimore, 9 May 1813 Charlotte County bond, John Flood surety.

iv. William³, born about 1788, registered in Charlotte County on 28 December 1812: son of William Flood, Mulatto complexion, aged 24, born free [Ailsworth, Charlotte County--Rich Indeed, 485].

v. John³.

 

5.    Mary² Flood, born say 1754, was living in Chesterfield County on 2 July 1784 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Dale Parish to bind her daughter Nancy Flood to Abner Jackson [Orders 1774-84, 555]. She was the mother of

6        i. ?Jenny, born about 1770.

ii. Nancy, born about 1774, ordered bound apprentice to Abner Jackson in Dale Parish, Chesterfield County, on 2 July 1784 [Orders 1774-84, 555]. She registered in Petersburg on 15 August 1800: a brown Mulatto woman, five feet and one half inches high, twenty six years old, thick bushy hair, born free in the County of Mecklenburg as appears by the affidavit of Thomas Drumwright [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 172].

iii. Betsy, daughter of Mary Flood, bound apprentice to Edward Eanes by order of the Chesterfield County court on 2 July 1784 [Orders 1774-84, 555].

iv. ?Edia, child of Mary Banks, bound apprentice to Edward Eanes, Jr., by order of the Chesterfield County court on 2 July 1784 [Orders 1774-84, 555].

v. Polly Banks, daughter of Mary Flood, bound apprentice to Edward Eanes by order of the Chesterfield County court on 2 July 1784 [Orders 1774-84, 555].

 

6.    Jenny Flood, born about 1770, registered in Petersburg on 19 August 1794: Jenny Floyd, a brown Mulatto woman, slender made, five feet four inches high, twenty four years old, born free & raised in Mecklenburg County. She registered again on 9 July 1805 as Jenny Flood [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, nos. 50, 305]. She may have been the mother of

i. ?Mark, born about 1792, living in Mecklenburg County on 13 June 1796 when the court ordered the overseers of the poor to bind him to William Pulliam [Orders 1795-8, 94]. He received a certificate in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, on 10 December 1817: a man of Colour, twenty five years of age, five feet five inches high, yellow complexion, Slender made ... his front under teeth placed in two rows, was born free [Free Person of Color, #17, p. 9].

ii. ?Matthew, born say 1794, living in Mecklenburg County on 13 June 1796 when the court ordered the overseers of the poor to bind him (no race indicated) to William Pulliam [Orders 1795-8, 94]. He and Mark Flood were listed as "free Negroes and Mulattoes" in Mecklenburg County from 1813 to 1817 [Personal Property Tax List, 1806-28, frames, 307, 419, 576].

 

FLORA FAMILY

1.    Mary Floro, born say 1700, was the servant of Lewis Delony on 18 January 1718/9 when the York County court ordered that she serve him an additional year for having a bastard child [OW 15, pt. 2, 536]. She was probably the mother of

i. Peter Flora, called "Peater Flura, ye Spanard," head of a Norfolk County household in the Southern Branch District near Batcheldor's Mill in 1753 and 1754 and taxable in Western Branch District in Alice Forrester's household in 1767 and 1768. He was taxable in his own household in 1769 and 1770 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1751-1765, 55, 89; 1766-1780, 14, 71, 87, 105]. The Norfolk County court declared him to be levy free on 21 June 1771 [Orders 1771-3, 6].

2        ii. Mary Flora, born say 1730.

 

2.    Mary Flora, born say 1730, was the mother of a "free Negro" son bound apprentice to Joshua Gammon in Norfolk County in April 1763 [Orders 1763-5, 15]. Mary's child was

i. William, born about 1755, bound to Joshua Gammon in Norfolk County in April 1763 [Orders 1763-5, 15]. He was taxable in Norfolk County in 1771 in the Edmond's Bridge District in John Fentress' household and in William Bressie's household in 1773 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1766-1780, 128]. He was taxable in Portsmouth and Elizabeth River Parishes, Norfolk County, from 1782 to 1817: taxable on a slave and a horse in 1787; taxable on 6 horses from 1795 to 1799; taxable on 2 free males; a slave under 16, 5 horses and 4 carriage wheels in 1800; counted in a list of "free Negroes" as a pedlar living in Portsmouth with (wife?) Gracy Flora in 1801; taxable on 3 riding chairs and 6 horses in 1802, 8 horses from 1804 to 1806; a stage wagon, 6 chairs and 6 horses in 1807 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-91, frames 392, 485, 567, 613, 643, 682; 1791-1812, frames 22, 82, 138, 172, 248, 354, 383, 463, 560, 646, 689, 742; 1813-24, frames 101, 251]. He fought in the battle at Great Bridge, Norfolk County, in the Revolution, prying loose the last board in the bridge to prevent the British from attacking his retreating comrades [Jackson, Virginia Negro Soldiers, 34; WPA, The Negro in Virginia, 23].

 

FLOWERS FAMILY

Members of the Flowers family were

1        i. Sarah, born say 1745.

2        ii. Mary, born say 1748.

 

1.    Sarah Flowers, born say 1745, was a "Mulatto" woman living in Sussex County, Virginia, on 19 June 1777 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Albemarle Parish to bind out her children Ben, Lucy, and Cealy Flowers to Isaac Robertson [Orders 1777-82, 17]. She was the mother of

3        i. Benjamin¹, born say 1768.

ii. Lucy, born say 1771.

iii. Cealy¹, born say 1773, married Joseph Lewis, 3 November 1797 Sussex County bond. Joseph was a "FN" taxable in Sussex County in 1807 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1812, frames 705]. He registered in Sussex County on 25 July 1818: dark complexion, 5 feet 8-1/2 inches high, age 45, free born [Register of Free Negroes, 1800-50, no. 333]

iv. ?Isham², born say 1776, a "FN" taxable in Sussex County from 1797 to 1813 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1814, frames 444, 598, 677, 701, 749, 782, 815, 836].

 

2.    Mary Flowers, born say 1748, "a free mulatto," registered the birth of her daughter Nancy in Bruton Parish, James City County on 27 July 1766. On 16 May 1785 the York County court charged her with failing to list her taxable property [Orders 1784-7, 150]. Her children were

i. Nancy, born 27 July 1766 [Bruton Parish Register, 30].

 

3.    Benjamin¹ Flowers, born say 1768, married Anne Owen, 5 August 1790 Sussex County bond. Anne was probably related to James and Nathan Owen who were "FN" taxables in Sussex County in 1806 and 1807 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1812, frames 683, 707]. Benjamin was taxable in Sussex County from 1789 to 1813: taxable on 2 tithes and a horse in 1803; called a "FN" starting in 1806; taxable on 2 tithes in 1807 and 1809; 3 tithes in 1811; 4 tithes and 2 horses in 1812 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1814, frames 251, 286, 344, 407, 444, 458, 500, 550, 598, 515, 611, 647, 677, 701, 749, 782, 815, 836]. He may have been the father of

i. Sally, born about 1790, obtained a certificate of freedom in Sussex County on 21 April 1817: light complexion, 5 feet 4 inches high, age 27, free born [Register of Free Negroes, 1800-50, no. 302].

ii. John, born about 1791, obtained a certificate of freedom in Sussex County on 9 September 1814: light complexion, 5 feet 6-3/4 inches high, age 23, free born [Register of Free Negroes, 1800-50, no. 242].

iii. Betsy, born about 1792, obtained a certificate of freedom in Sussex County on 21 April 1817: light complexion, 5 feet 2 inches high, age 25, free born [Register of Free Negroes, 1800-50, no. 301.

iv. Ben², born about 1793, obtained a certificate of freedom in Sussex County on 9 September 1814: bright complexion, 5 feet 8 inches high, age 21, free born [Register of Free Negroes, 1800-50, no. 246].

v. Celia², born about 1796, obtained a certificate of freedom in Sussex County on 21 April 1817: light complexion, 5 feet 2 inches high, age 21, free born [Register of Free Negroes, 1800-50, no. 303].

 

Other Flowers family members were

i. John, head of a Sampson County, North Carolina household of 1 "other free" in 1790 [NC:52], perhaps the father of Thomas² Flowers, head of a New Hanover County household of 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:222].

ii. Isham¹, born say 1770, a "free" (Negro) taxable in Dinwiddie County in 1799 and 1800 [Personal Property Tax List 1799, B, p. 5; 1800l, B, p. 5].

iii. Thomas, born before 1776, head of a Cumberland County, North Carolina household of 2 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:191].

 

FORTUNE FAMILY

Members of the Fortune family in Virginia and North Carolina were

1        i. Humphrey, born say 1745.

2        ii. William, born say 1747.

3        iii. James², born say 1750.

iv. John, a free man of color who enlisted as a substitute in the Revolution from Amherst County [NSDAR, African American Patriots, 149].

v. Lewis, a free man of color born in Caroline County but living in Essex County when he was listed in the size roll of troops who enlisted at Chesterfield Courthouse [The Chesterfield Supplement cited by NSDAR, African American Patriots, 149]. He was taxable in St. Paul's Parish, Hanover County, on a horse in 1786 (no race indicated) [PPTL, 1782-1803, p. 145], was taxable in the upper district of Henrico County in the same household as William Maxfield in 1787 [PPTL 1782-1814, frame 128] and a "M^o" or "free Black" taxable in Powhatan County from 1792 to 1813: taxable on a slave and 2 horses in 1809 [PPTL, 1787-1825, frames 76, 92, 105, 118, 132, 162, 184, 206, 239, 256, 294, 341, 362, 438], except for 1795 and 1797 when he listed as a "free Negro or Mulatto" taxable in Richmond City [PPTL 1787-99]. He was a "free Negroe" summoned to the Powhatan County court for committing a breach of the peace against his wife Rose, "a free Mulatto," but discharged on 21 March 1804 when no evidence appeared against him [Orders 1802-4, 452].

vi. Samuel, a free man of color born in Caroline County but living in Powhatan County when he enlisted in the Revolution [NSDAR, African American Patriots, 149].

v. Patience, born say 1771, a free "Negroe" woman who sued Archibald Hopkins in Rockingham County, Virginia court for her freedom on 24 May 1796. The court awarded her one penny damages since she ought to have been discharged from service in 1789. On 23 July 1798 the court ordered her to appear to show cause why her children Sarah and David should not be taken away from her and returned to her late master Archibald Hopkins, Sr., (on his motion) as slaves until the ages of eighteen and twenty-one since they were born before she became free [Judgments & Orders 1795-8, 175, 286, 578].

 

1.    Humphrey Fortune, born say 1745, was paid 4 pounds currency by the Essex County estate of Sarah Brooks in 1769 [DB 12:520]. He was a "Mulatto" head of an Essex County, Virginia household of 8 persons in 1783 [VA:52]. He was presented by the grand jury in Essex County on 17 May 1784 and 16 May 1785 for failing to list his tithables, and on 21 August 1786 the court ordered his list to be added to the list of William Waring, Gentleman. He and Andrew Kee were sued for debt in Essex County on 20 December 1785 [Orders 1784-7, 9, 174, 185]. He was taxable in St. Ann's Parish, Essex County, from 1783 to 1816: taxable on a tithe; 3 horses and 5 cattle in 1783; taxable on a slave over the age of 16 in 1787 and 1788; taxable on 2 free tithes and a horse in 1794, 1796, 1798-1800, 1809 and 1810, taxable on a male and female "Free Negro & Mulatto" above the age of sixteen in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1819, frames 42, 64, 99, 156, 171, 185, 199, 213, 225, 237, 249, 275, 310, 371, 396, 428, 460, 625]. He left a 29 January 1820 Essex County will, offered for proof by Thornton Chandler but opposed by John Bird (Byrd) and Daniel Johnson, and proved on 20 March 1820. He left all his estate to his wife Jarusy during her lifetime or widowhood. He left to son John Fortune that part of a tract of land whereon his son Thomas Fortune was then living on the south side of the branch in B.H. Munday's line, and gave the remaining part of the land to son Thomas Fortune and daughter Caty Chandler. He divided the remainder of his estate between his daughters Polly and Anny Fortune and left a shilling to daughters Sally Bird and Patsy Johnson. He also asked his sons to take care of their unnamed mother [WB 19:92]. He was the father of

i. John, born say 1778, taxable in St. Ann's Parish, Essex County, from 1804 to 1814 when he was listed as a "free Negro & Mulato" [PPTL, 1782-1819, frames 371, 384, 413, 460, 538]. He sold property in Essex County by deed proved on 4 April 1822 [DB 40:364].

ii. Anna, born about 1785, listed as a "free Negro" in St. Ann's Parish, Essex County, in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1819, frame 510]. She registered as a free Negro in Essex County on 4 August 1829: sister of Thomas Fortune, born free, bright Mulattoe, 44 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches [Register of Free Negroes 1810-43, p.65, no.114].

4        iii. Polly, born about 1786.

iv. Thomas, born about 1792, taxable in St. Ann's Parish, Essex County, from 1811 to 1816: listed as a "free Negro" from 1813 to 1815 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1819, frames 538, 625]. He married Judith Kay (Kee), 23 December 1813 Essex County bond. He registered as a free Negro in Essex County on 4 August 1829: born free by certificate of Richard Rowzee, very bright Mulattoe almost white, 37 years of age, 5 feet 9-3/4 inches. His wife Judith registered the same day: wife of Thomas Fortune who was Judith Johnson, born free by certificate of Richard Gouldman, tawny, 30 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches [Register of Free Negroes 1810-43, p.64, nos.147-8].

v. Catherine Chandler, born about 1795, registered as a free Negro in Essex County on 15 August 1829: wife of Thornton Chandler who was Catherine Fortune, born free by statement of Col. Richard Rowzee, bright Mulatto, about 34 years of age, 5 feet 5 inches [Register 1810-43, p.94, no. 192].

vi. Patsy, wife of Daniel Johnson.

vii. Sally, wife of John Bird.

 

2.    William Fortune, born say 1747, was a "Mulatto" head of an Essex County, Virginia household of 8 persons in 1783 [VA:52]. He was presented by the grand jury in Essex County on 17 May 1784 for failing to list his tithables. His suit against Taylor Noell for debt was dismissed by the court on 21 August 1786 [Orders 1784-7, 9, 222]. He was taxable on a horse in St. Ann's Parish, Essex County, from 1783 to 1785 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1819, frames 42, 99, 145], was a taxable in St. Paul's Parish, Hanover County, in 1787 and 1790 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-91, pp. 179, 249] and head of a Martin County, North Carolina household of 1 "other free" in 1790 [NC:68]. He was taxable in Hanover County again in 1809 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1804-23]. He may have been the father of

i. Hannah, head of a Martin County, North Carolina household of 2 "other free" in 1790 [NC:68] and 2 in Henrico County, Virginia, in 1810 [VA:980].

ii. Jesse, born say 1785, head of a Martin County, North Carolina household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [NC:444], and a "Free Negro" taxable on one slave, a horse, and 2 cattle in Hanover County in 1815 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1803; 1804-23].

 

3.    James² Fortune, born say 1750, was a "free Negro" or "Mulatto" taxable in St. Paul's Parish, Hanover County, Virginia, from 1782 to 1814: taxable on 3 horses and 6 cattle in 1782; taxable on his own tithe and a free male aged 16-21 in 1785; taxable on 2 free males from 1792 to 1798; his own tithe in 1799; taxable on 2 free males from 1800 to 1810; paid for a merchant's license in 1804 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-91, pp.15, 35, 70, 114, 178, 209, 219, 249, 262; 1792-1803, pp. 12, 44, 65, 95, 108, 130, 149, 189, 210, 226, 249; 1804-18]. And he was taxable in Hanover County on 291 acres from 1782 to 1801 [Land Tax List, 1782-1801]. He was head of a Hanover County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:845]. He may have been the father of

i. James³, Jr., born say 1784, a "Free Negro" taxable in Hanover County from 1805 to 1807 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1804-23] and a "free Negro" taxable in the upper district of Henrico County from 1807 to 1814, his tax charged to John Harvie's estate in 1807 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1814, frames 533, 661, 758, 823].

ii. Curtis, born say 1791, a "Free Negro" taxable in Hanover County in 1803 and from 1811 to 1814 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1792-1803, p. 249; 1804-23].

iii. Milley, head of a Hanover County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:901].

 

4.    Polly Fortune, born about 1786, registered as a free Negro in Essex County on 10 August 1829: born free by cert. of Richard Rowzee, dark Mulattoe, 43 years of age, 4 feet 5-1/8 inches [Register of Free Negroes 1810-43, p.71, no. 161]. She was the mother of

i. Susan, born about 1803, registered as a free Negro in Essex County on 10 August 1829: daughter of Polly Fortune, born free by cert. of Richard Rowzee, bright Mulattoe, 26 years of age, 5 feet 4-5/8 inches [Register of Free Negroes 1810-43, p.71, no.162].

 

Accomack County

Members of the Fortune family in Accomack County were

i. Shadrack, a free man of color who enlisted as a substitute in the Revolution from Amherst County [NSDAR, African American Patriots, 149].

ii. Major, head of an Accomack County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:95].

 

Endnotes:

1.    The Fortune family of Accomack County may have been related to James Fortune, born say 1745, the "Mulatto" son of Sarah Game, who bound himself as an apprentice in Somerset County, Maryland court to James Laws until the age of twenty-one in March 1761 to learn the trade of light cooper [Judicial Records 1760-3, 63b].

 

FOX FAMILY

Members of the Fox family of Virginia were

i. Judith, born say 1753, mother of Rhoda Martin who married Edward Fuzmore, 22 September 1794 Goochland County bond. She may also have been the mother of James Fox, a "Mulatto" farmer living at Samuel Martin's in Goochland County in 1814 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1810-32, frame 192].

ii. James, born say 1760, taxable in New Kent County from 1791 to 1815: taxable on 2 tithables and 2 horses in 1799, 1800, 1802, 1804 and 1805; listed as a "M"(ulatto) in 1804, 1807 and 1809; a "Mul." taxable on his wife, son and daughter in 1813; charged with his son William's tithe in 1814. He may have been the father of Joseph Fox, a "F.N." New Kent County taxable in 1806 and 1807 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1800, frames 164, 184, 207; 1791-1828, frames 267, 295, 306, 319, 330, 343, 369, 394, 406, 419, 431, 442, 464, 474, 491, 503]. He was head of a New Kent County household of 12 "other free" in 1810 [VA:752].

iii. James, a "Mulatto" living in Loudoun County on 12 June 1780 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Cameron parish to bind him to James Oram [Orders 1776-83, 247]. He was a "free negro" head of a Fairfax County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:255].

iv. Toby, head of a Stafford County household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:127].

 

FRANCIS FAMILY

Members of the Francis family were

1        i. Hannah¹, born say 1664.

ii. John¹, born say 1677, married Mary Savoy, 19 December 1698 Elizabeth City County marriage license [DW 1688-1702, 218 (restored page 133)].

 

1.    Hannah¹ Francis, born say 1664, petitioned the Elizabeth City County, Virginia court to be levy free (not have to pay the discriminatory tax on free African American women). Her petition was granted on 20 May 1724 (as was the petition of Mary Pickett and Elizabeth George [DWO 1724-30, 15]. Her brother Francis Savoy left her and her two sisters 50 acres on the Poquosin River bounded by the land of Thomas Wythe and John George by his Elizabeth City County estate. Hannah exchanged her third part of the land on 7 March 1740/1 for 16 acres adjoining the land of William Mallory on the south side of the King's gaol and 6 pounds, 10 shillings and twenty hogsheads of cider [DW 1737-56, 101]. Her descendant Mary Cuttillo sold this land in July 1791 [DW 34:118; Richter, A Community and its Neighborhoods, 362]. Hannah was probably the ancestor of

2        i. John², born say 1728.

3        ii. Abraham¹, born say 1740.

4        iii. Hannah², born say 1740.

5        iv. Thomas¹, born say 1745.

v. William¹, born about 1757, paid by Anthony Robinson's York County estate for currying leather in November 1779 [WI 22:483]. He was taxable on one tithe and 6 cattle in York County in 1784 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1841, frames 89, 97, 112, 140] and head of a York County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:872a]. He registered in York County on 18 June 1810: a Mul^o man ab^t 53 yrs. of age 5 feet 10 Inches high ... Born of free parents [Free Negro Register 1798-1831, no. 40].

vi. Christopher, born say 1758, a soldier in the Revolution from York County [Jackson, Virginia Negro Soldiers, 34], taxable in York County on one free tithe and a slave in 1784, taxable on slave Nanny in 1786 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1841, frame 78, 122].

vii. Elizabeth, born about 1793, registered in York County on 18 November 1833: a bright mulatto about 40 years of age, 5 feet 3 inches high, long straight hair [Free Negro Register, no.354].

 

2.    John² Francis, born say 1728, acknowledged a debt to John Holt of 4 pounds, 8 shillings in York County on 17 July 1749. He was indicted by the York County court on 19 November 1750 for not listing his wife as a tithable for which he was fined 1,000 pounds of tobacco [Judgments & Orders 1746-52, 226, 364, 384, 393]. He and his wife Susanna registered the birth of their daughter Elizabeth in Charles Parish, York County in 1750. Susanna died soon after on 24 January 1750/1. On 15 June 1752 the court fined him 1,000 pounds for not listing himself as a tithable in Charles Parish, and on 17 September 1753 the court ordered that he and his wife be added to the list of tithables in Mr. Moore's precinct (the upper precinct of Charles Parish) [Judgment & Orders 1752-4, 59, 303]. By 22 May 1756 he had married Sarah when their son Thomas died [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 216]. On 19 September 1763 the court ordered that he and his "Mulatto" wife be added to the list of tithables for the upper precinct of Charles Parish. He died before May 1765 when three white men were acquitted of his murder in York County court. His estate was ordered to be appraised on 15 July 1765. His wife Sarah was the administratrix of the estate [Judgments & Orders 1763-5, 83, 87, 372, 439, 450]. John was the father of

i. Elizabeth¹, born 15 September 1750 [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 91, 91].

ii. Thomas², died 22 May 1756.

iii. ?Mary², born say 1762, married Abraham Cuttillo, 10 November 1787 York County bond, Robert Gillett bondsman. In July 1791 they sold 16 acres in Elizabeth City County that Mary had inherited from her ancestor, Hannah Francis [DW 34:118].

 

3.    Abraham¹ Francis, born say 1740, was presented by the York County court on 20 May 1765 for not attending Charles Parish Church [Judgments & Orders 1763-5, 374, 448]. He and his wife Mary baptized several of their children in Charles Parish, York County. He was taxable in York County on a horse and 14 cattle in 1784, taxable in York County in 1788, 1790, 1796 and 1797, 1804, 1805 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1841, frames 89, 140], a "Mulatto" taxable on himself and 2 horses in Warwick County in 1798 [1798 Personal Property Tax List, p.2] and head of a York County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:872a]. His children were

i. Elizabeth², born 26 May 1761, baptized 7 June.

6        ii. ?Mary³, born say 1763.

iii. John³, born 20 February 1766, died November 1782 [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 91, 216].

7        iv. Abraham², born 30 May 1769.

 

4.    Hannah² Francis, born say 1740, was the mother of an illegitimate child by Philip Chavis who was bound out by the Johnston County, North Carolina court. She may have been the Hannah Chavis whose son Charles was bound out in Orange County, North Carolina, in May 1763. Her children were

i. Philip, born about 1758, ordered by the January Johnston County court bound as an apprentice to William Calvet in January 1762 [Haun, Johnston County Court Minutes, I:86, 89].

ii. Charles, born about October 1760, son of Hannah Chavis ordered bound an apprentice shoemaker to William Mebane by the May 1763 Orange County court.

8        iii. ?Burrell, born say 1773.

iv. ?Levy, born say 1775, head of a Halifax County, North Carolina household of 11 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:148].

 

5.    Thomas¹ Francis, born say 1745, and his wife Mary registered the birth of their child in Charles Parish, York County [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 91]. On 20 October 1766 the York County court presented him for not listing himself as a tithable [Orders 1765-8, 161]. He was a "M"(ulatto) taxable in Warwick County on his own tithe, a slave and a horse in 1798 [1798 Personal Property Tax List, p.2]. His child was

9        i. Betty³, born September 1767.

 

6.    Mary³ Francis, born say 1763, was the mother of several children baptized in Charles Parish, York County, no father named [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 91]. They were

i. Sarah, born 28 October 1780, baptized 25 February 1781.

ii. Mary⁴, born 20 January, baptized 23 March 1783.

iii. Molly, born 15 November, baptized 30 April 1786, probably the Polly Francis who registered in York County on 21 November 1831: a bright mulatto about 40 years of age, five feet two inches high ... flat face, long straight hair which she wears plaited [Free Negroes Register 1831-50, no.334].

 

7.    Abraham² Francis, born 30 May 1769, was baptized 25 June in Charles Parish, York County [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 91, 216]. He was a "M"(ulatto) taxable above the age of sixteen in Warwick County in 1798, taxable on a slave and a horse (called Abraham Francis, Jr.) [1798 Personal Property Tax List, p.2]. He was head of a Warwick County household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:678]. He was living in Warwick County on 25 January 1816 when he consented to the York County marriage of his minor son John. One of his children was

i. John⁴, born say 1798, married Elizabeth Ketiller (Cuttillo), 25 January 1816 York County bond.

 

8.    Burrell Francis, born say 1773, was head of a Halifax County, North Carolina household of 7 "other free in 1810 [NC:20], 9 "free colored in 1820 [NC:147], and 3 "free colored" in 1830. There is no record of his children, but they may have been those members of the Francis family counted in the census for Halifax County:

i. Burck, born say 1795, head of a Halifax County household of 7 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:148] and 8 in 1830.

ii. Willis, born say 1800, married Temperance Price, 29 December 1821 Halifax County bond, Edmund Francis bondsman. He was head of a Halifax County household of 7 "free colored" in 1830.

iii. Daniel, born say 1802, head of a Halifax County household of 5 "free colored" in 1830.

iv. John⁵, born say 1805, head of a Halifax County household of 5 "other free" in 1830.

v. Beb, born say 1807, married Nancy Jones, 27 May 1828 Halifax County bond, James Brewer bondsman. He was head of a Halifax County household of 4 "free colored" in 1830. He was fined $1 for a petty offence in the 20 May 1834 Halifax County court. On 25 February 1842 the court included him among several: persons of color of good character allowed to use their guns ... And on 17 August 1846 he renewed his permit: allowed to carry shot gun they having produced a certificate of good character signed by 5 or more of their respective neighbors of good character: ... Beverly Francis, Willis Francis [Minutes 1732-46].

 

9.    Betty³ Francis, born September 1767, baptized 15 November the same year, registered the birth of her daughter Sukey Francis in Charles Parish [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 91]. She was the mother of

i. Sukey, daughter of Betty Francis, born Feb _, baptized 10 April 1768.

ii. Rebecca, born about 1772, registered in York County on 16 December 1822: a bright Mulatto about 50 years of age 5 feet 2-1/2 Inches high ... born free [Free Negro Register 1798-1831, no.150].

 

Members of the Francis family on the Eastern Shore of Virginia were

i. John, born say 1750, married Ibby Shepherd, widow, 28 December 1792 Northampton County, Virginia bond, Abraham Lang security. He registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 12 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 358].

ii. William, born say 1770, married Polly Jacob, 30 December 1791 Northampton County, Virginia bond, Abraham Lang security.

iii. Thomas, born say 1775, married Tabby Press, 26 December 1796 Northampton County, Virginia bond, Edmund Press security.

iv. Betty, born say 1783, "free negro," married Thomas Stephens, 13 July 1804 Accomack County bond, Babel Major, "free negro," surety.

v. Thomas, born 24 March 1796, registered in Accomack County on 29 September 1807: Yellow Colour, 5 feet 1-3/4 Inches ... Born free [Register of Free Negroes, 1785-1863, no.82].

 

Other members of the Francis family were

i. John, born say 1760, head of a Beaufort District, South Carolina household of 5 "other free" in 1790.

ii. Nathl., "f. negro" head of a Fairfax County household of 6 "other free" in 1810.

 

FRANKLIN FAMILY

Charles, Ambrose¹, and Noah Franklin were sons of Martha Walden, wife of Micajah Walden of Northampton County, North Carolina. Martha was the heir of her sons Charles and Ambrose Franklin who died while serving in the Revolutionary War. According to the testimony of Micajah Walden, administrator of their estate, their heirs were granted land warrants for 228 acres. They were also granted an additional 412 acres to be released when there was additional proof of their death. The additional land was released on 13 December 1805 when Micajah Walden presented the testimony of Samuel Parker, Henry Parker, and James Bradley, Captain of the North Carolina Regiment of Halifax [NCGSJ III].

 

1.    Noah Franklin, born say 1760, another son of Martha Walden, was not counted in the census, so he may have been living with Micajah and Martha Walden. He was a buyer at the Northampton County, North Carolina estate sale of Solomon Pace on 20 December 1798 [Gammon, Record of Estates, Northampton County, 101]. He was identified as Martha's son in Micajah Walden's 6 November 1806 Northampton County will and Martha's 18 August 1807 will, proved March 1808. He received $50 from his foster father and furniture from his mother [WB 2:575, 597]. His children were not identified but may have been

i. Archibald, an orphan (no race indicated) bound apprentice in Granville County to Richard Inse and then bound instead to John Owen in November 1794 [Minutes 1792-5, 205-6], head of a Halifax County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [NC:19], perhaps the Archer Franklin, born 1776-94, who was head of a Northampton County household of 11 "free colored" in 1830. He married Celia Evans, 15 January 1820 Halifax County bond with Randolph Morgan bondsman.

ii. Zebulon, born 1776-94, head of a Northampton County household of 9 "free colored" in 1830.

iii. Ezekiel, born about 1792, apprenticed as a carpenter to Isaac Ross of Franklin County, North Carolina, in 1804 [NCGSJ XI:12]. He was head of a Northampton County household of 9 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:230].

iv. Ambrose², born about 1790, married Hicksey Jones, 3 October 1814 Wake County bond with (her father?) Francis Jones bondsman. Francis Jones was head of a Wake County household of 5 "other free" in 1790 [NC:103]. Ambrose was a "Negro" head of a Guilford County household of 7 "free colored" in 1830 and was living in household #110, New Garden Township, Wayne County, Indiana, in 1850.

 

2.    Elizabeth Franklin, born say 1754, was the mother of Delilar Franklin, a nine-year-old "Mullato" girl ordered bound to Drury Jackson in Warren County, North Carolina, in September court 1780 [Minutes 1780-3, 50]. Her child was

i. Delilah, born 22 February 1771, but called a twelve-year-old "base born mulatto" when she was bound by the Warren County court to John Mayfield on 2 March 1792 [WB 6:79 by Kerr, Warren County Records].

 

FRAZIER FAMILY

1.    Caty Frazier was head of a King George County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:199]. She may have been the mother of

i. James Fraser, born about 1777, registered in King George County on 6 June 1802: a black man, aged about twenty five years, about five feet five inches high, rather stout made about the body and shoulders, who has been deprived of the left leg and greater part of the thigh by amputation ... was born in this county of a free negro woman ... served Thomas Jordan formerly of this county ... the term of twenty one years, for which he was bound by his said mother [Register of Free Persons, no.37].

 

FREEMAN FAMILY

1.    Abraham¹ Freeman, born say 1721, was the servant of Thomas Jerrell of Southampton County on 9 April 1752 when he petitioned the court to sue for his freedom in forma pauperis. His lawyer Richard Baker, Gent., sued Jarrell for trespass, assault and battery and false imprisonment, but the case was dismissed on 11 June that year when he and Jarrell reached agreement. He sued Arthur Washington in court on 10 July 1755. Richard Vick sued Abraham on 14 August the same year but he was found not guilty. He was paid by the county for maintaining Flower's Bridge each year from 1759 to 1762. On 10 July 1761 the court excused his wife from paying taxes for the year 1761. On 20 November 1769 he was paid by the county for guarding a prisoner named Richard Harris alias Chapman for six days, and on 10 January 1771 he was paid for guarding a slave named Will for seven days. He was added to Nicholas Maget's lists of tithables on 12 September 1771. He died before 9 July 1784 when a suit for debt brought against him in Southampton County court abated by his death. The suit, brought by the administrator of Burwell Barnes, deceased, continued against his co-defendant David Demery [Orders 1749-54, 216-7, 235, 238; 1754-9, 105, 125, 221; Orders 1759-63, 11, 123, 171, 253; 1768-72, 220, 341, 442; 1778-84, 439]. He was probably the ancestor of

2        i. Nathaniel, born about 1747.

3        ii. Jacob¹, born say 1768.

iii. Benjamin, born say 1777, a "f. Negro." taxable in Nottoway Parish, Southampton County in 1794 and 1795 [Personal Property Tax List 1792-1806, frames 104, 128].

iv. James, born say 1778, a "f.N." taxable in Nottoway Parish, Southampton County in 1794, listed in the St. Luke's Parish household of John Simmons in 1796 [Personal Property Tax List 1792-1806, frames 104, 202].

v. Thomas, born about 1794, registered in Southampton County on 20 December 1815: age 21, light Complected, 5 feet 9-1/4 inches, free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 990]. He was listed in Southampton County with his wife Tempty on Thomas Newsum's land in 1812 [Personal Property Tax List 1807-21, frame 290].

 

2.    Nathaniel Freeman, born about 1747, registered in Southampton County on 30 January 1807: age 60, yellow (Colour), 5 feet 7-1/4 inches, free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 405]. He was taxable in Southampton County from 1782 to 1807: taxable on a horse in 1782, 1792 and 1794, called a "Mulatto" in 1802 and thereafter, charged with Jacob Freeman, Jr.'s tithe in 1805, taxable on 2 persons in 1807 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-92, frames 507, 518, 546, 590, 622, 691, 660, 710, 760, 874; 1792-1806, frames 80, 161, 189, 267, 317, 379, 553, 806, 841; 1807-21, frame 50]. He may have been the father of

i. Jacob², born about 1787, registered in Southampton County on 31 July 1810: age 23, Mulatto, 5 feet 8-1/2 inches, free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 763].

 

3.    Jacob¹ Freeman, born say 1768, married Sally Artis, 4 February 1789 Southampton County bond. Sarah was the mother of Benjamin Artis who was ordered bound apprentice in Southampton County on 13 June 1793 [Minutes 1793-9, 20]. Jacob was taxable in Southampton County from 1787 to 1814: called a "M"(ulatto) in 1802 and thereafter, taxable on 2 free male tithables in 1806 and 1807, listed without a wife in 1813 and 1814 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-92, frames 267, 317, 379, 413, 622, 638, 691, 710, 760, 874; 1792-1807, frames 80, 161, 189, 553, 806, 841; 1807-21, frames 50, 72, 168, 192317, 417]. He may have been the father of

i. Abraham³, born about 1787, registered in Southampton County on 30 July 1810: age 23, Blk, 5 feet 11 inches, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 754]. He was listed in Southampton County with his wife Elitha on Ann Hunt's land in 1812, listed with his wife Delilah on Mac Bryant's land in 1813 and 1814 [Personal Property Tax List 1807-21, frames 290, 317, 417].

 

Other members of the Freeman family in Virginia were

4        i. Margaret, born say 1740.

5        ii. Ann, born say 1744.

iii. Richard, born say 1746, taxable in Gloucester County in 1770 [Tax List 1770-1, 51] and in 1784, listed as a "Mulatto" in Gloucester County in 1803 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-99; 1800-20].

6        iv. James, born say 1748.

7        v. Thomas, born say 1750.

vi. Robert, born say 1763, taxable in Gloucester County from 1784 to 1811, called a "Mulatto" after 1800 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-99; 1800-20]. He was head of a Gloucester County household of 3 "other free" and a white woman in 1810 [VA:403b].

 

4.    Margaret Freeman, born say 1740, was a "Free Negro" living in Nottoway Parish, Amelia County, on 22 May 1766 when the grand jury presented her for not listing herself as a tithable. On 29 May 1767 the churchwardens of Nottoway Parish were ordered to bind out her "free Negro" children Isham and David to John Marshall [Orders 1765-7, 90, 101]. She was the mother of

i. ?Charles, born say 1758, a "Mulatto Boy" living in Nottoway Parish, Amelia County, on 28 June 1759 when the court ordered the churchwardens to bind him as an apprentice to John Howsing [Orders 1757-60, 224]. He was a free man of color from Amelia County who enlisted in the Revolution [NSDAR, African American Patriots, 149].

ii. ?Matthew, born say 1759, a Free Mulatto" boy living in Nottoway Parish, Amelia County, on 28 February 1760 when the court ordered the churchwardens to bind him as an apprentice to John Howsing [Orders 1757-60, 271].

iii. Isham, born say 1763, bound to John Marshall in Amelia County on 29 May 1767 [Orders 1766-9, 58].

iv. David, born say 1765, bound to John Marshall in Amelia County on 29 May 1767 [Orders 1766-9, 58], a "M^o" taxable in Powhatan County in 1790 [Personal Property Tax List, p.6].

 

5.    Ann Freeman, born say 1744, "a free mulatta," was the mother of Joseph Freeman who was baptized in Bruton Parish, James City County. Her son was

i. Joseph, baptized 4 July 1762 [Bruton Parish Register, 20].

 

6.    James Freeman, born say 1748, was taxable in Gloucester County in 1770 [Tax List 1770-1, 51] and head of a Petsworth Parish, Gloucester County household of 7 free persons in 1784 [VA:69]. He was taxable on 34 acres in Gloucester County from 1787 to 1813, called a "Mulatta" from 1805 to 1813, listed with the notation "Mul^o decd." in 1814 [Land Tax List 1782-1820]. He, his unnamed wife and daughters Betsey and Lucy were counted in a list of "Mulattoes and Free Negroes" in Gloucester County in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1800-20]. He was head of a Gloucester County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:403b]. He was the father of

i. Betsey, over the age of sixteen in 1813 when she was counted in a list of "Mulattoes and Free Negroes" in Gloucester County.

ii. Lucy, over the age of sixteen in 1813.

iii. ?Jasper, born say 1774, taxable in Gloucester County from 1796 to 1800 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-99; 1800-20]. He was taxable on 7-1/2 acres in Gloucester County from 1795 to 1814 and another plot of 6 acres in 1813 and 1814. His widow Rachel held a life estate on this land from 1815 to 1819 [Land Tax List 1782-1820].

iv. ?John, born say 1775, taxable in Gloucester County from 1796 to 1819, head of a Gloucester County household of 3 "other free" and a white woman in 1810 [VA:403b]. He was a bricklayer, taxable on 30 acres in Gloucester County from 1806 to 1819, called a "Mulatto" from 1814 to 1819. In 1820 his widow Frances Freeman was taxable on the land with the notation "Transferred to her by John Freeman, decd., mulattoe, see his will recorded in Gloucester Court office" [Land Tax List 1782-1820].

 

7.    Thomas Freeman, born say 1750, was taxable in Gloucester County in 1769 and 1770, called Thomas Freeman, Jr. [Tax List 1770-1, 206]. He was head of an Abingdon Parish, Gloucester County household of 4 free persons in 1784 [VA:68]. He was taxable on 25 acres in Gloucester County in 1791 to 1805. From 1806 to 1812 the land was taxable with the notation "deceased Mul^o." In 1813 Thomas and William Freeman were taxable on 12-1/2 acres of this land and Mary Freeman was taxable on the other 12-1/2 acres [Land Tax List 1782-1820]. Mary was called the widow of Thomas Freeman when she was counted in a Gloucester County list of "Mulattoes and Free Negroes" in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1800-20]. He was apparently the father of

i. Thomas, taxable in Gloucester County in 1812, called Thomas, Jr. [Personal Property Tax List, 1800-20], jointly taxed with William Freeman on 12-1/2 acres in 1813.

ii. William.

 

North Carolina

1.    Abraham² Freeman, born say 1730, was a "free Negro" taxable in Bladen County with (his wife?) Sue and (daughter?) Rachel in 1763 (called "Abrm. Sue Rachal free Negroes"). He was a "Negro" man taxable in Bladen County from 1768 to 1779 (called Abraham Freeman from 1768 to 1770 and called "free Abe" in 1771), taxable on three males and one female in 1774, taxable on three males in 1775, and taxable on 300 acres, five horses and fifteen head of cattle in 1779 [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:12, 40, 51, 53, 124; II:36, 141]. His wife may have been Susanna Freeman who was taxable with him in Bladen County from 1763 to 1771, called Susannah Freeman in 1770 when she was listed with (their daughter?) Rachel Freeman [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:12, 40, 51]. He and Abigail Chavis were named as executors of the 21 May 1793 Bladen County will of James Moore [Campbell, Abstracts of Wills, Bladen County, 54]. He sold 600 acres in Bladen County on Platt Swamp on 20 July 1799 [DB 1:261]. He was head of a Brunswick County household of 10 "other free" in 1800 [NC:13] and 5 "other free" in Bladen County in 1810 (called Abraham Freeman, Senr.) [NC:196]. He may have been the father of

i. Rachel, born say 1748, taxable in Bladen County with Abraham and Susanna from 1763 to 1771.

2        ii. Samuel, born say 1751.

3        iii. Roger, born say 1753.

iv. William, born say 1754, a "Black" taxable in Bladen County, called "free Will" in 1771 and called William Freeman when he was a "Mixt Blood" taxable on one male and one female in 1774. He was taxable on two males in 1775, and taxable on 100 acres, two horses, and three head of cattle in 1779 [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:53, 124; II:36, 141]. He was taxable in Bladen County on 100 acres and one black poll in Captain Dupree's District in 1784 [1784 Bladen County Tax List, 13]. He was head of a New Hanover County household of 2 "other free" in 1790 [NC:194].

 

2.    Samuel Freeman, born say 1751, was a "Negro" man taxable in Bladen County