WEEKS FAMILY

1.    Ann Webb, born about 1713, "a malatto...Born of ye body of Jane Webb ye wife of a Negro man belonging to Captain Thomas Savage," was bound to Savage by the Northampton County, Virginia court on 20 June 1716. She had four more years to serve when she was listed in the inventory of Thomas Savage's estate which was recorded on 12 May 1730 [Orders 1711-16, 255; DW 1725-33, 229-30]. On 9 May 1732 she was presented for bastard bearing and the same day petitioned the court against Sophia Savage who was detaining her children Daniel and Abraham in servitude on the pretense that Ann owed her three years of service for having three bastard children during her servitude. The court ordered that she be set free and ordered Mrs. Savage to deliver her clothes and bedding to her [Orders 1729-32, 143-5; 1732-42, 7, 8, 14]. She may have married or had children by John Weeks, a taxable in Gawton Hunt's household in the Northampton County list of John Forse from 1723 to 1731. He was listed separately from Hunt's "negroes": Eliza, Sarah, and Daniel and called "Weeks" only in 1726, 1728 and 1729 [L.P. 1723; Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 48, 65, 92, 116, 129, 146, 161, 172, 228]. On 12 February 1733/4 she was called Nanny Week, late Nanny Webb, when the court bound out her three-year-old "free Negroe" son Daniel to William Scott with her consent [Orders 1732-42, 92]. She was called Ann Weeks thereafter. She was taxable in Jacob Smith's household in the Northampton County list of John Robins for 1737, taxable in her own household in Captain Ralph Pigot's list for the lower precinct in 1739, taxable in Philip Jacob's household in 1740 and 1742, and taxable in her own household in the list of P. Norly Ellegood for 1744 [L.P. 1737, 1744; Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 254, 295, 305, 342, 361]. She won a suit against Stephen Whitehead for 50 bushels of corn on 14 November 1738 for one year's service. She was called "Anne Weaks, Negro" on 9 October 1739 when Edmund Custis, storekeeper, won a suit against her for payment of 1 pound/ 11 shillings for five yards of material, a gown, and a handkerchief [Orders 1732-42, 338, 371; Mihalyka, Loose Papers, 101, 115]. The court bound her "orphan" son Peter Weeks to John Millard on 28 July 1750 but bound him instead to Alexander Kemp six months later based on her complaint. Her suit against John Frazer was dismissed on 11 February 1757 when the parties agreed [Orders 1748-51, 270, 339, 384]. She was the mother of the following members of the Weeks family:

i. Abraham, born about August 1728, called Abraham Webb, a "poor Negroe child" when he was bound apprentice to Benjamin Johnson by the Northampton County court with the consent of his mother Nanny Webb in June 1733 [Orders 1732-42, 57]. He was called Abraham Weeks Negro" when he was sued in Northampton County court by Samuel Grafton on 15 November 1749 [Orders 1748-51, 148; Orders 1751-3, 89]. He sued Caleb Weeks for trespass, assault and battery on 14 December 1757 and was sued by Hemphill for debt on 14 December 1757. On 14 November 1770 the court presented Isaac Clegg for not listing him as a tithable. He was sued for 8 pounds, 8 shillings on 8 March 1774 [Orders 1753-8, 471; Minutes 1761-5, 159; 1765-71, 399; 1771-7, 231]. He was taxable in Northampton County from 1782 to 1787: called a "Mulatto" in 1787 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 7, 12, 75] and head of an Accomack County household of 3 "other free" in 1800 [Virginia Genealogist 2:84].

ii. Daniel¹, born 4 May 1731, a "free Negroe" bound to William Scott by the Northampton County court on 12 February 1733/4 with the consent of his mother Nanny Week, late Nanny Webb [Minutes 1732-42, 92]. He was called "Daniel Weeks Negro" when he was awarded his freedom dues based on his suit against Benjamin Scott and John Ellegood in Northampton County on 14 August 1751. And he was called "Daniel Weeks Negro" when he was sued by Peter Hog on 11 July 1753, when he sued Thomas Speakman for trespass, assault and battery on 11 September 1754, and when he sued John Smaw for the same on 15 September 1756 [Orders 1748-51, 425; 1751-3, 8; 1753-8, 138, 361, 373].

2        iii. Esther, born 4 July 1733.

iv. Leah¹, born 15 July 1735, two-year-old daughter of Ann Weeks (no race mentioned), bound apprentice to Thomas Church with the consent of her mother on 12 July 1737 [Minutes 1732-42, 270].

v. ?Peggy, born say 1739, presented in Northampton County on 13 July 1757 for bastard bearing [Orders 1753-8, 415, 431-2].

vi. Jerome, born in April 1741, nine-year-old "orphan of Ann," bound apprentice to John Millard on 28 July 1750 [Minutes 1748-51, 270], taxable Northampton County in Josias Willes household in 1765, in Jacob Freshwater's in 1769, and taxable from 1783 to 1800 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 16, 54, 177, 201, 296]. He registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 10 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 354].

3        vii. Jane, born 28 July 1745.

4        viii. Peter¹, born 27 November 1746.

5        ix. ?Dido, born say 1750.

6        x. ?Ann², born about 1752.

xi. Daniel², born say 1754, "negro son of Anne Weeks," ordered bound to Azariah Hunt on 9 October 1759 [Minutes 1754-61, 202]. He was a "negro" taxable in Northampton County from 1785 to 1800: taxable on 5 slaves and a horse in 1787 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 47, 69, 178, 201, 296].

7        xii. ?Barbara, born say 1756.

xiii. Jacob, born 23 March 1758, orphan of Ann Weeks, ordered bound apprentice to Nathaniel Stratton on 11 September 1759, a three-year-old called "Job Weeks Negro" when he was ordered bound to Thomas Widgeon on 11 August 1761 [Minutes 1754-61, 201, 265]. He registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 10 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 354]. He was taxable in Northampton County from 1790 to 1800 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 119, 149, 201, 295] and head of a Northampton County, Virginia household of 8 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:214A].

xiv. ?William, taxable in Northampton

 

2.    Esther Weeks, born 4 July 1733, four-year-old daughter of Anne Weeks, was bound apprentice by the Northampton County court to Joseph Toleman with the consent of her mother on 12 July 1737 and bound to Ebenezer Toleman on 12 February 1744/5 [Orders 1732-42, 270; 1742-8]. On 11 December 1750 the court presented her, a "Mulatto," for bastard bearing, but two months later on 13 February the sheriff reported that she was not found in the county [Orders 1748-51, 306, 333-4, 365-6]. She was called "Easter Weeks a Mullatto Servant woman" on 15 May 1753 when the Princess Anne County court ordered that she serve her master Thomas Garvis an additional year for having a child born during her indenture [Minutes 1753-62, 15]. She registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 12 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 358]. She may have been the mother of

i. Juda, born say 1744, taxable in Norfolk County in 1761 in the district between the west side of Church Street and Town Bridge, called Judith Wicks, free negro" in 1765, and taxable on the west side of Church Street in Norfolk Borough in Edmund Bruce's household in 1767 and 1768 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables 1751-65, 183, 214; 1766-80, 32, 80].

 

3.    Jane Weeks, born 28 July 1745, the five-year-old "orphan of Ann Weeks," was bound apprentice to John Millard on 28 July 1750. The court ordered her whipped for bastardy on 14 September 1763, and on 14 November 1775 the grand jury presented her for entertaining "slave Negros" in her house [Orders 1748-51, 270; Minutes 1761-5, 85; 1771-7, 298]. She registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 12 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 358]. She may have been the mother of

8        i. James¹, born say 1763.

ii. Gabriel, born 1 June 1765, three years old when he was bound to William Floyd on 14 February 1769 [Minutes 1765-71, 277].

iii. Ann³, born 11 October 1766, a "free Negro" bound to Luke Smaw on 11 March 1777 [Minutes 1771-7, 357].

iv. Bob, born 1 November 1780, son of Jenny Weeks, bound to John Graves, Sr., on 14 May 1788 [Orders 1787-9, 143].

 

4.    Peter¹ Weeks, born 27 November 1746, the three-year-old "orphan of Ann Weeks," was ordered bound apprentice to John Millard on 28 July 1750, bound to Alexander Kemp on 13 February 1750/1, and bound to Robinson Savage, Jr., on 11 July 1758 [Minutes 1748-51, 270, 339; 1753-8, 158]. He was a "free Negro" taxable in Northampton County in 1769 [L.P. 1769]. He was sued for debt on 11 August 1773 and was sued for a debt of 2 pounds, 15 shillings by a member of the Jeffery family on 13 April 1774 [Minutes 1771-7, p.165, 247]. On 10 February 1779 the court ordered his son Daniel bound out. He was the father of

i. Daniel³, born say 1775, son of Peter Weeks, bound apprentice to Mr. Christian on 10 February 1779 [Minutes 1777-83, 144]. He married Nancy Morris, 6 July 1803 Northampton County bond, Abraham Lang security.

 

5.    Dido Weeks, born say 1750, was a "free negro" mother of a child who had contracted smallpox on 23 July 1777 when the magistrates of Northampton County met at the courthouse to approve inoculation of the remainder of her family by Doctor William Foushee. On 14 April 1784 Colonel John Robins received 10 Shillings which was allowed to Dido by the Northampton County court for nursing a man who had smallpox [Minutes 1777-83, 5; Orders 1783-7, 88]. She was the mother of

i. Susanna, daughter of Dida Weeks, bound to Peter Bowdoin on 11 December 1787 [Orders 1787-9, 79].

 

6.    Ann² Weeks, born say 1752, was presented by the grand jury of Northampton County on 14 November 1775 for entertaining "slave Negros" in her house [Minutes 1771-7, 298]. She was the mother of

i. Betty, born in September 1775, four-year-old daughter of Ann Weeks bound apprentice to William Cable in Northampton County on 11 July 1780 [Minutes 1777-83, 254]. She registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 12 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 358].

ii. Littleton, born about 1785, son of Nanny Weeks, bound to John Graves, Sr., on 14 May 1788 [Orders 1787-9, 143].

 

7.    Barbara Weeks, born say 1756, was the mother of

i. Zerobabel, born in August 1772, son of Barbara Weeks, bound apprentice to Thomas Bullock in Northampton County on 13 December 1780 [Minutes 1777-83, 298]. He married Nancy Beavens, 3 January 1793 Northampton County bond, Reubin Reed security. He registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 12 June 1794 and his wife may have been the Nancy Weeks who registered on 10 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 358, 354]. He was taxable in Northampton County from 1794 to 1800 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 177, 201, 295].

 

8.    James¹ Weeks, born say 1763, was a "negro" bound to Savage Cowdry by the Northampton County court on 14 August 1765 [Minutes 1765-71, 8]. He was taxable in Northampton County from 1788 to 1800 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 90, 119, 148, 296]. He and (his wife?) Rachel Weeks registered as "free Negroes" in Northampton County on 12 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 358]. He was head of a Northampton County, Virginia household of 7 "free colored" in 1820, called James Weeks, Sr. [VA:215]. He was the father of

i. Jacob, taxable in Northampton County from 1806 to 1815: called "son of James" in 1806 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 459, 552].

ii. Eli, taxable in Northampton County from 1806 to 1808: called "son of James" in 1808 and 1812 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 420, 438, 459, 521], head of a York County household of 2 "free Negroes and mulattoes above 16" (probably himself and his wife) from 1813 to 1815 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 397, 413, 428].

 

Other members of the family in Northampton County were

i. John, born say 1765, taxable in Northampton County from 1786 to 1800: a "Negro" taxable in 1800 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 54, 119, 177, 201, 296], head of a Northampton County, Virginia household of 13 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:214A].

ii. Leah², born 23 March 1769, a four-year-old (no parent or race mentioned) bound apprentice to Isabella Dunton on 23 May 1773 [Minutes 1771-7, 142].

iii. William, taxable in Northampton County from 1790 to 1792 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 119, 149, 177].

iv. Edmund, born about 1774, a seven-year-old (no parent or race mentioned) bound apprentice in Northampton County in December 1781 [Minutes 1777-83, 336].

v. Thomas, taxable in Northampton County from 1792 to 1795 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 148, 201].

vi. Jeremiah, born before 1776, head of a Northampton County, Virginia household of 5 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:215A].

vii. Meriah, born before 1776, head of a Northampton County, Virginia household of 6 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:214A].

viii. James², born in September 1775, a four-year-old (no parent or race mentioned) bound apprentice to James Smith on 15 September 1779 to learn the shoemaker's trade [Minutes 1777-83, 196]. He registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 13 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 364]. He was taxable in Northampton County from 1800 to 1815 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 295, 553]. He married Peggy Stephens, 8 May 1810 Northampton County bond, Richard Johnson security. He was head of a Northampton County, Virginia household of 5 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:214A].

ix. Lucy, married Peter Wakefield, 7 September 1794 Northampton County bond, Nathaniel Holland security. Peter may have been related to Mary Wakefield, head of a Petersburg household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:125b].

x. Comfort, married George Pool, 10 May 1793 Northampton County bond, Abraham Lang security.

xi. Levi, married Peggy Stephens, 6 January 1809 Northampton County bond, James Travis security.

 

Other members of the family were

i. Peter², born say 1758, a "mulatto lad" who said he belonged to John Parker of Accomack County when he was jailed as a runaway in York County according to the 7 July 1775 edition of the Virginia Gazette [Headley, 18th Century Newspapers, 360].

ii. Haley, head of a Dinwiddie County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:166].

 

WELCH FAMILY

1.    Mary¹ Welsh, born say 1690, was a convict servant from Baltimore County, Maryland, who married a slave named Bankka. They had four daughters: Mary, Katherine, Esther, and Jemima. Some of her children adopted the name Banneker [Barnes, Baltimore County Families, 1659-1759; Bedini, Life of Benjamin Banneker, 19]. They were the parents of

2        i. Mary, born say 1710.

 

2.    Mary² Welch, born say 1710, was the servant of Thomas Harwood on 13 November 1728 when she admitted to the Prince George's County, Maryland court that she had a "Malatto" child. The court bound her for an additional seven years and bound her two-month-old son Henry to her master until the age of thirty-one [Court Records 1728-9, 346-7]. She was married to a former slave named Robert and they were using the name Banneker by March 1736 when the Baltimore County court declared that they were levy free during the lifetime of their "crippled mulatto" daughter Julian [Barnes, Baltimore County Families, 1659-1759]. On 10 March 1737 Robert purchased 100 acres in Patapsco Upper Hundred, Baltimore County, called "Stout," for 7,000 pounds of tobacco, listing his six-year-old son Benjamin as co-owner [Land Records HWS #IA, ff. 58-9]. He had also acquired 25 acres, called "Timber Point," before 1737 when he was taxable on both tracts [Debt Book, Baltimore County, Calvert Papers No. 904, p.69 in the Maryland Historical Society by Bedini, Life of Benjamin Banneker, 29, 347]. Robert was called "Robert Banakey, a Negro free," on 1 November 1743 when the Baltimore County court ordered that his daughters be levy free for the future [Proceedings 1743-6, 78]. Robert died on 10 July 1759 according to the entry in his family Bible. He had daughters Molly, who married a member of the Morten family, and Minta who married a member of the Black family [Bedini, Life of Benjamin Banneker, 46-7]. Mary, widow of Robert Bannaker, was still living on 19 April 1774 when she deposed that Benjamin was the true and lawful son of Robert Banneker, deceased [Baltimore Chattel Records 4:98]. Mary and Robert were the parents of

3        i. ?Henry Welch, born 28 September 1728.

ii. Molly, born say 1730, married a member of the Morton family, perhaps identical to Samuel Morton who was listed in the Ledger of Ellicott & Company between September 1774 and July 1775. They were the parents of Greenbury Morten who was employed at Ellicott's Lower Mills [Bedini, Life of Benjamin Banneker, 62]. Greenbury was head of a Patapsco Hundred, Baltimore County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [MD:644]. Another member of the Morton family was Deb. Morton, head of a Baltimore City household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [MD:280], perhaps identical to the Deb Morton who was counted in Baltimore City with 8 "other free" in 1810 [MD:300].

iii. Benjamin Banneker, born 9 November 1731, taxable as a bachelor owning 100-300 pounds in St. Paul's Parish, Baltimore, sometime between 1756 and 1762 [Wright, Inhabitants of Baltimore County 1692-1763, 75]. He sold 20 acres of his land to Greenbury Morten on 20 December 1785, and 10 acres to his neighbor, John Barton on 2 April 1792 [Land Records WQ# Y, ff. 653-4; WG #HH. ff. 341-2]. This was land his father had purchased in 1737. John Barton was head of a Patapsco Upper Hundred, Baltimore County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [MD:639]. He also sold two acres to Edward Shugar on 10 December 1794 [Land Records WG #PP:606-8]. Edward was head of a Patapsco Upper Hundred household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [MD:641].

iv. Julian, born say 1733, the "crippled" daughter of Robert and Mary Banneker.

v. a daughter, married a member of the Black family.

vi. a daughter, perhaps Ursula Banninger who was presented by the Prince George's County court in 1768 for having a "Malatto" child on information of the constable of Rock Creek Hundred [Court Records 1766-8, 574; 1768-70, 477]. She may have been the wife of William Hubbard/ Hubert, head of a Patapsco Upper Hundred, Baltimore County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [MD:639]. William was the father of Henry and Charles Hubbard who obtained certificates of freedom in Loudoun County on 24 December 1795: son of a free woman and grandson of Robert Banneker, whose wife was also a free woman. Robert Banneker lived in Baltimore County about two and a half miles from Ellicott's Mills [Certificates of Freedom in Loudoun County courthouse, cited by Journal of the AAHGS 11:123].

 

3.    Henry¹ Welch, born 28 September 1728, son of Mary Welch, may have been the father of

i. Henry², a "yellow" complexioned soldier born in King George County, Virginia, who was living in Culpeper County between 1777 and 1783 when he enlisted in the Revolution as a substitute [NSDAR, African American Patriots, 154].

 

Other members of the family were

i. Dan Welsh, a "Mulatta boy" listed in the 3 February 1748/9 inventory of the King George County, Virginia estate of Thomas Bartlett [Inventories 1745-65, 36].

ii. Sarah Welsh, a "Mulatta girl" listed in the 3 February 1748/9 inventory of the King George County, Virginia estate of Thomas Bartlett [Inventories 1745-65, 36].

iii. Rebecca, head of a Loudoun County, Virginia household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:291].

iv. Clary, head of a Stafford County, Virginia household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:127].

 

WELLS FAMILY

1.    Ann Wells, born say 1750, was a Northampton County, North Carolina taxable on an assessment of 105 pounds in 1780. She received a grant for 128 acres in Northampton County on Corduroy Swamp on 9 October 1783 [DB 7:274]. She was head of a Northampton County household of 1 "Black" person 12-50 years old and 3 "Black" persons less than 12 or over 50 years old in Elisha Webb's District in 1786 for the state census, 6 "other free" in 1790 [NC:75], 5 in 1800 [NC:483], 6 in 1810 [NC:753], and 4 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:266]. She was probably the mother of

i. King, born 1776-94, head of a Northampton County household of 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:266].

ii. Anthony, charged with bastardy in Northampton County court by Amey Allen, on 7 June 1820 [Minutes 1817-21, 281]. He may have been the Anson Wells of Columbia County, Ohio, who gave Henry Deberry his power of attorney to sell 79 acres in Northampton County to King Deberry on 12 February 1838 [DB 28:257, 258].

 

WEST FAMILY

1.    Mary West, born say 1690, left Accomack County before 7 July 1718 when William Wise petitioned the court to bind to him a "Mullatto boy" named William West, six-year-old son of Mary West who had left the boy with him [Orders 1717-9, 15a]. She was in York County on 15 January 1721/2 when the court presented her for having an illegitimate "Mullatto" child. She failed to appear at the next session of the court in March, and in August 1722 the court directed John Holloway, Esq., and Henry Tyler, Gent., to examine witnesses relating to the cause. The case was decided against her on 21 January 1722/3 when the court ordered her to pay the churchwardens 15 pounds sterling for having a "Mullatto" child. On 17 May 1736 the court presented her for having a bastard child by a "Molatto" [OW 15, pt. 2, 10, 120, 134, 153, 179; W&I 18:279]. She was the mother of

2        i. ?Martha, born say 1710.

ii. William¹, born about 1712.

 

2.    Martha West, born say 1710, was a "Mollato" woman living in Yorkhampton Parish, York County, on 17 July 1732 when the court ordered the churchwardens to bind her two "Mollato" boys Charles and James to her mistress Sarah Walker until the age of thirty-one, "being the time their mother was bound for" [OW 17:295]. She was the mother of

i. Charles, born say 1730.

ii. James¹, born say 1732, perhaps the James West who was head of a Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County household of 9 "other free" and a slave in 1810 [VA:111a]. He was a soldier in the Revolution [Jackson, Virginia Negro Soldiers, 46].

 

Other members of the West family were

i. Will², born say 1765, head of a Bladen County, North Carolina household of 3 "other free" in 1790.

ii. James², born say 1767, head of a Spotsylvania County household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:102a].

iii. Benjamin, head of a Middlesex County household of 2 "other free" in 1810.

iv. Susanna, head of a Nelson County household of one "other free" in 1810.

v. Peter, head of a Nelson County household of one "other free" in 1810.

 

Brunswick County, Virginia

1.    Anne West, born say 1729, (a white woman?) was living in Brunswick County, Virginia, in April 1747 when the churchwardens of St. Andrew's Parish were ordered to bind her "Mulatto" daughter Frances West to Richard Berry [Orders 1745-49, 156]. Her child was

i. Frances, born say 1747.

ii. Benjamin, head of a Middlesex County household of 2 "other free" in 1810.

iii. Susanna, head of a Nelson County household of one "other free" in 1810.

iv. Peter, head of a Nelson County household of one "other free" in 1810.

 

WHARTON FAMILY

Members of the Wharton family of North Carolina were

1        i. Daniel, born say 1730.

ii. Jacob, born say 1750, a free "Mulatto" taxable in Bertie County in Martha Hinton's household in the list of Josiah Harrell in 1769 [CR 10.702.1, box 2].

 

1.    Daniel¹ Wharton, born say 1730, was a "Mulato" taxable in Bladen County with his wife and son Richard in 1768 and with his wife and son Daniel in 1771 [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:7, 17, 36, 58]. He was the father of

i. Richard, born say 1750, a "Molato" taxable in Bladen County in his father's household in 1768 and taxable with his wife and Jacob Braveboy in 1771 [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:7, 62].

ii. Daniel², born say 1755, a "Molato" taxable in Bladen County in his father's household in 1771 [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:58].

 

WHISTLER FAMILY

1.    Mary¹ Whistler, born say 1697, was fined 500 pounds of tobacco by the Middlesex County court on 2 June 1719 for having a bastard child (no race indicated) [Orders 1710-21, 427]. She was the mother of Anne, "an illegitimate mulatto daughter," born in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, on 12 April 1715. On 2 May ____ (1720?) Mary was called a "mulatto in ye Service of John Price" when the birth of her daughter Betty was recorded in Christ Church Parish. Mary died on 14 December and was buried on 19 December 1720 [NSCDA, Parish Register of Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, 92, 310, 177]. She was the mother of

2        i. Anne, born 12 April 1715.

ii.Betty, born 2 May ___ (1718?), a "Molatoe" servant valued at 12 pounds in the inventory of the Middlesex County estate of John Price, Gent., recorded on 1 June 1731 [WB B:379-80].

iii. Will, born 26 April ___ (1720?), "son of Mary Whistler a mulatto in ye Service of John Price." He was a servant boy living in Essex County when he was valued at 18 pounds in the inventory of the Middlesex County estate of John Price, Gent., recorded on 1 June 1731 [WB B:379-80].

 

2.    Anne Whistler, born 12 April 1715, "mulatto" daughter of Mary Whistler, was baptized in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County on 4 November 1715. She a "Molatoe" servant valued at 12 pounds in the inventory of the Middlesex County estate of John Price, Gent., recorded on 1 June 1731 [WB B:379-80]. She was the mother of

3        i. Mary²/ Molly, born 18 December 1736.

 

3.    Mary² Whistler was born 18 December 1736 in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County [NSCDA, Parish Register of Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County, 144]. She was living in Essex County on 16 June 1789 when John Clarke complained to the court that he was deprived of the indenture of Mary's children Milly and Tom by a former order of the court. The court ordered Mary to appear at the next court to show cause why they should not be bound to Clarke [Orders 1788-90, 198]. She registered in Middlesex County on 27 May 1801: born free; 60 years of age; 5'1-1/2"; Dark complexion [Register of Free Negroes 1800-60, p.15]. She died before 27 June 1803 when her orphan Mary Whistler was bound out by the Middlesex County court [Orders 1799-1803, 493].She was the mother of

i. ?Alexander/ Sawney, born free in Middlesex County in 1762, a man of dark complexion who served in the Revolution for three years and received a warrant for 200 acres which he assigned to Richard Smith on 30 July 179_. He served in the Revolution from Middlesex County as a substitute [M804-2549, frame 0028; NSDAR, African American Patriots, 154; Jackson, Virginia Negro Soldiers, 46]. He was a "Black" taxable in the lower district of King and Queen County in 1801 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1803]. He registered in Middlesex County on 26 June 1805: born free; 40 years of age; Black complexion [Register of Free Negroes 1800-60, p.15].

ii. Philip, born about 1768, a twelve-year-old "mullato" boy, "son of Mary Whistler," bound by the church wardens of the parish of Christ Church in Middlesex County to be an apprentice and servant to Clement Nicholson until the age of twenty-one on 25 September 1780 [DB 9a:428], registered in Middlesex County on 2 June 1802: born free; 32 years of age; 5'7"; Black complexion [Register of Free Negroes 1800-60, p.15].

iii. Thomas, born about 1780, registered in Middlesex County on 27 May 1801: born free; 21 years of age; 5'2"; Dark complexion [Register of Free Negroes 1800-60, p.15].

iv. Millie, born about 1780, registered in Middlesex County on 27 May 1801: born free; 21 years of age; 4'11"; Dark complexion [Register of Free Negroes 1800-60, p.15].

v. Mary³, orphan of Mary Whistler, dec., bound out by the Middlesex County court on 27 June 1803 [Orders 1799-1803, 493]. Molly was head of a Richmond City household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:365].

 

WHITE FAMILY

1.    Eleanor White, born say 1695, was living in Princess Anne County on 1 June 1715 when the court ordered the churchwardens to sell her for five years as punishment for having a "Molatto" child [Minutes 1709-17, 186]. She was probably the mother of

2        i. Jane, born say 1715.

 

2.   Jane White, born say 1715, was a "mollatto servant girl" valued at 10 pounds in the inventory of the Princess Anne County estate of William McClonahan on 29 April 1731 [D&W 1724-35, 351]. She was among nine persons who were presented by the Norfolk County, Virginia court on 16 November 1744 for not paying the discriminatory tax on free African American and Indian women [Orders 1742-46, 108]. She was probably the mother of

i. John¹, born say 1744, taxable with (his wife?) Lucy White in the Borough of Norfolk in 1765 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1751-65, 218].

 

York County

1.    Mary White, born say 1696, was a "free Mulatto Woman" living in York Hampton Parish, York County, on 20 August 1716 when the grand jury presented her for having a bastard child. She was ordered to pay 500 pounds of tobacco or suffer corporal punishment. She paid the fine on 16 September 1717 and Charles Haynes was her security for indemnifying the parish for the child's support [OW 15, pt. 1, 23, 30, 162]. She may have been the ancestor of

i. Ben, head of a York County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:886].

 

Stafford County

1.    Moll White, born say 1680, was the servant of Mr. Hart of Stafford County in 1700 when the court presented her for having a "Mulatto" child [WB Liber Z:51]. She may have been the ancestor of

i. David, a "Molato Bastard" bound to George McCormuck by order of the Fairfax County court on 17 June 1772 [Orders 1772-4, 85].

ii. Nancy, born about 1777, registered in Fauquier County on 30 August 1817: age 40, 5'1", yellow complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes, 1817-65, no. 5].

iii. Harvey, "F.Negroe" head of a Fauquier County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:417].

iv. Milly, head of a Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:111b].

v. Juday, born about 1790, "F. Negroe" head of a Fauquier County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:420]. She registered in Fauquier County on 26 June 1820: age 30, 5'4-1/2", dark Mulatto, born free [Register of Free Negroes, 1817-65, no. 26].

 

North Carolina

1.    ____ White, born say 1726, was the unnamed mother of Susannah White, the "Mulatto" child of a white woman, who was bound apprentice in New Hanover County, North Carolina court to Moses John Derosset on 5 September 1756 [Minutes 1738-69, 166, 185]. She was the mother of

2        i. ?Cato, born say 1750.

ii. Susannah, born about 1756.

 

2.    Cato White, born say 1750, was head of a Craven County, North Carolina household of 7 "other free" in 1790 [NC:130], 5 "other free" in the town of Washington, Beaufort County, in 1800 [NC:23], and head of a Beaufort County household in 1810 [NC:141]. He may have been the father of

i. Mona, whose four-year-old "Mullattoe" child Polly was bound apprentice to Daniel L. Woolard by the June 1810 Beaufort County court. She was called Moning White in June 1812 when Polly was bound to Alligood Woolard [Minutes 1809-14, n.p.].

ii. William, whose son William, a free boy of Color, was bound to John Wolfkencon to be a mariner in June 1813 Beaufort County court [Minutes 1809-14, n.p.].

 

Other members of the White family were

i. Jesse, head of a Robeson County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [NC:241].

ii. Dick, head of a Pasquotank County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [NC:939].

iii. Randolph, head of a Norfolk County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:814].

iv. John², born circa 1790, head of an Edgecombe County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [NC:715] and 4 "free colored" in Halifax County in 1830. On 17 May 1841 the Halifax County court permitted him to carry a gun in the county.

 

WHITEHURST FAMILY

1.    Sarah Whitehurst, born say 1722, was a "free" head of a Princess Anne County household of 3 "Black" persons in 1783 [VA:61]. She may have been the mother of

i. James, born say 1740, a "Mulatto" taxable with his wife Violet in the Norfolk County district from Ferry Point to Great Bridge from 1761 to 1771, the year he was called a free Indian [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1751-65, 181, 204; 1766-80, 43, 63, 102, 140]. He sued Marshall Anderson in Princess Anne County court for four pounds on 10 May 1782. Isaac Anderson testified in his favor [Minutes 1782-4, 67].  He was a "free negro" head of a Princess Anne County household of 7 "Black" persons in 1783 [VA:61]. He married, second, Dorothy Sample, 4 October 1786 Princess Anne County bond, George Smyth surety. He was called a "free Mulatto" on 14 April 1787 when he sued Ragwell Moore, Jr., in Princess Anne County court and on 13 September 1787 when the court bound Christian Sample, son of Dorothy Sample, to him to learn the trade of shoemaker [Minutes 1787-8, 55, 159].

ii. Jesse, born say 1745, was a "free negro" head of a Princess Anne County household of 6 "Black" persons in 1783 [VA:61] and a "F.B." head of a Princess Anne County household of 8 in 1810 [VA:480]. He married (second?) Mrs. Lavery, "a free mulatto," 7 December 1815 Norfolk County bond, Armistead Willis security, married the same day by Thomas T. Jones, Methodist Elder. Mrs. Lavery may have been related to the Munlavery family. See the Mongon history.

iii. Joseph, born say 1758, a "free Negro" taxable in his own household in Princess Anne County in 1784 [Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly 27:267].

iv. Charles, born say 1760, head of a household of 4 "whites" in Upper Precinct of the Eastern Shore District of Princess Anne County in 1783 and 1785 [VA:61, 104], married Sally Anderson, 8 February 1788 Princess Anne County bond, Joseph Whitehurst surety.

v. Nancy, born say 1763, married Marvel Anderson, 7 January 1791 Princess Anne County bond, Charles Whitehurst surety.

vi. Courtney, born say 1764, mother of Betsy Whitehurst who registered in Princess Anne County on 7 September 1835: daughter of Courtney, 4'4", age 51, a light mulatto woman, born free in Princess Anne County. Betsy may have been the mother of Sally Whitehurst, born about 1813, who registered in Princess Anne County on 7 July 1834: 5'8", age 21, a bright Mulatto woman with bushy hair, born free in Princess Anne County [Register of Free Negroes, 1830-62, nos. 333, 367].

vii. Nathaniel, born say 1765, married Anne Weaver, 1 April 1789 Princess Anne County bond, Charles Whitehurst surety, 4 April 1789 marriage.

 

WIGGINS FAMILY

1.    Anne¹ Wiggins, born say 1682, was the servant of the estate of Captain Spencer Mottrom on 20 January 1702/3 when she was convicted by the Northumberland County court for having an illegitimate child by a "Negroe." According to testimony at her trial, her "Mulatto" son was begotten by a one of Mottrom's slaves named Billy about December 1700. On 6 July 1708 she bound her three-year-old son John (no race indicated) to Richard Tulles of St. Stephen's Parish until the age of twenty-two. Tulles agreed to pay James Magow eight hundred pounds of tobacco for keeping the boy for fourteen months. Ann recorded the indenture in court five years later on 16 September 1713 [Orders 1699-1713, pt. 1, 231, 235, 236, 238; pt. 2, 841; Record Book 1706-20, 204]. She was the ancestor of

i. John, 25 February 1705, bound as an apprentice cooper to Richard Tulles on 6 July 1708. He was a "Molatto" of St. Stephens Parish who was presented in Northumberland County court on 10 November 1746 for being a "common swearer" [Orders 1743-49, 133].

2        ii. ?Sarah¹, born say 1725.

3        iii. ?Violet, born say 1726.

iv. ?Isaac, born say 1730, was called the "waiting man" of Ann Fauntleroy when she freed him by her 12 December 1760 Northumberland County will, proved 9 February 1761. He purchased an old bay mare at the sale of the Northumberland County estate of William Taite, Gentleman, deceased, in July 1767. Isaac died before 12 March 1771 when his own estate was valued at 2 pounds, 10 shillings [RB 1758-62, 311; 1766-70, 468; 1770-2, 354].

4        v. ?Elizabeth, born say 1735.

 

2.    Sarah¹ Wiggins, born say 1725, was a "free Mulatto" taxable in James Morris' household in the 1764 Bertie County list of Thomas Pugh and in the household of her son Edward in the 1766 list of Arthur Brown [CR 10.702.1, box 1]. She was head of a Hertford County household of 8 "other free" in 1790 [NC:26], 7 in 1800, and 8 in 1810 [NC:106]. Her children were

5        i. Edward, born say 1745.

ii. ?Judah, born say 1748, mother of Sarah², a ten-year-old child bound an apprentice in Bertie County in 1774. Sarah² Wiggins was head of a Bertie County household of 9 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:116].

iii. ?Samuel, born say 1750, head of a Bertie County household of 13 "other free" in 1790 [NC:15]. He may have been living in the part of Bertie County which became Hertford County after 1759 since he was not taxed in the colonial Bertie County lists. He was head of a Hertford County household of 6 "other free" in 1800 and 11 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:182].

iv. ?Charles, born about 1753, a taxable "molato" in Bertie County in 1769 in Cullen Pollock's list, a taxable "Molattow" in 1772 in the household of Jethro Kitterell in James Churchwell's list, and taxable with his unnamed wife in the list of Samuel Granberry in 1774.

v. ?Ann², born about 1757, a taxable "molattow" in the Bertie County list of Jonathan Standley in 1769.

vi. ?Matthew, born about 1757, a "free Mulatto" taxable in the Bertie County list of Cullen Pollock in 1769 and taxable as Matthias in the 1774 list of Samuel Granberry. He was called Mathias Wiggins (a Mulatto) when he married Prissey Tabert (Taborn?), 3 January 1786 Bertie County bond. Matthew was head of an Edgecombe County household of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:55]. He died before 13 February 1833 when his brother Arthur applied for a pension in Bertie County court. His widow Prissey was probably identical to Prisey Wiggins who married Robert Corn, 12 December 1802 Wake County bond.

vii. ?Arthur, born in Bertie County about 1758 but not listed in the tax records. He was living in Bertie County in 1779 when he was drafted in the town of Winton, Hertford County. In his pension application in Bertie County court on 13 February 1833 he mentioned his brother Matthew [M804-2572, frame 0377]. He was head of a Bertie household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [NC:86], 4 in 1810 [NC:163], and 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:114].

viii. ?James, born about 1760, a taxable "free Molatto" in Solomon Pender's Bertie County tax list in 1772.

ix. ?Major, born say 1761, a "Molato" taxable (with Bud Chavers) in the Bladen County household of Archibald McKissak, Jr., in 1776 [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:68].

x. ?Michael, born about 1762, a taxable in the list of Samuel Granberry in Derias(?) Brimage's Bertie County household in 1774. He was head of a Bertie County household of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:15].

xi. ?Jean, born about 1763, a taxable "molatto" in the list of David Standly in Luke Smithwick's Bertie County household in 1775.

xii. William, born about 1764, orphan of Sarah bound to Josiah Goddens by the June 1769 Bertie court [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, III:864].

 

3.    Violet Wiggens, born say 1726, was a "Free Mullo Woman" whose children were ordered bound to Peter Matthews of Craven County, North Carolina, by the March 1750 court [Haun, Craven County Court Minutes, IV:26]. Her children were

i. Dolphin, born April 1745.

ii. Flora, born October 1747.

 

4.    Elizabeth Wiggins, born say 1735, was a "Mullatto Woman" freed by the Northumberland County will of Griffin Fauntleroy. Griffin's widow Ann Fauntleroy left a 12 December 1760 Northumberland County will, proved 9 February 1761, by which she left a slave named David to her grandson on the condition he not intermeddle with or claim the right to Betty Wiggins. Ann also freed her waiting-man Isaac Wiggins on condition he pay a yearly tribute of 50 shillings but bequeathed "negro" children Nanny and Moses Wiggins as slaves. Elizabeth was paid 5 shillings by the estate of Captain John Williams in May 1772 [Record Book 1758-62, 311; 1772-6, 26]. She was taxable in Northumberland County from 1792 to 1794: taxable on a slave and 2 horses in 1790, 2 slaves in 1791, a slave in 1792, a horse in 1793 and 1794 [PPTL 1782-1812, frames 360, 376, 389, 403, 420]. She may have been the mother of

i. Nancy, listed as a "free Negro" in Lancaster County in 1813 [PPTL 1782-1839, frame 385].

ii. Hannah, listed as a "free Negro" in Lancaster County in 1813 [PPTL 1782-1839, frame 385].

 

5.    Edward Wiggins, born say 1745, was a "free Mulatto" taxable in James Moore's household in the 1763 Bertie County, North Carolina tax list of John Hill [CR 10.702.1, box 1]. By 1766 he was head of his own household with his "Wife Sarah" and "Mother Sarah Wiggins" in the 1768 list of Arthur Brown. In 1774 he was head of a Bertie County household with his wife and (his brother-in-law?) James Price, a "Molato," in the list of Samuel Granberry [CR 10.702.1, box 3]. The November 1774 Bertie County court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions ordered Jemima Wiggins, eight years old, and Mary Beth Wiggins, ten years old, "bastard Mulattos of Sarah Wiggins," bound to John Skinner. However, this order was reversed in the May 1775 court session when Edward Wiggins, the children's father, convinced the court "of the said Skinners ill & deceitful Behavior procuring sd Order" [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, III:113; IV:157]. Edward was head of a Northampton County household of 3 "other free" in 1800 [NC:483] and 4 in 1810 [NC:751]. Their children were

i. Mary Beth, born about 1764, ordered bound an apprentice by the Bertie court in November 1774 [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, III:113], perhaps the Mary Wiggins who was head of a Sampson County household of 6 "other free" in 1790, listed near Patty Wiggins, head of a Sampson County household of 5 "other free" [NC:53].

ii. Jemima, born about 1766, ordered bound an apprentice by the Bertie court in November 1774 [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, III:113].

 

WILKINS FAMILY

Members of the Wilkins family were

1        i. Thomas, born say 1720.

2        ii. Olive, born say 1725.

 

1.    Thomas Wilkins, born say 1720, was one of fourteen people sued for tax evasion in Southampton County by William Bynum (quitam) on 13 June 1754, apparently for not listing their wives as tithables. The case against him was dismissed [Orders 1754-9, 500]. He made a 25 April 1759 Halifax County, North Carolina will, proved March 1762, by which he left 5 shillings each to his son Thomas Wilkins, daughter Elizabeth Lamleth, son William Wilkins, son Robert Wilkins, son John Wilkins, daughter Jemima Davis with the remainder of his estate divided among his son James Wilkins and daughters Lucy Wilkins and Sarah Wilkins. His son James Wilkins was his executor [WB 1:53]. He was the father of

i. James, born say 1748, executor of his father's will, grandfather of Robert Wilkins who was born about 1799 according to his 17 October 1818 Dinwiddie County free papers which he recorded 27 March 1821 in Ross County, Ohio: grandson of James Wilkins, aged about 19 years, black complexion, 5 ft, 9 in., occupation waggoner, was born free [Turpin, Register of Black, Mulatto, and Poor Persons, 23].

ii. Elizabeth Lamleth.

iii. William, born say 1750, a "Mulato" taxable in Bladen County, North Carolina, in the household of Benjamin Odoms from 1768 to 1770 and a taxable with his wife Constant in Daniel Mills' household in 1776 [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:4, 16, 35, 78; II:68]. He was head of a Bladen County household of 2 "other free" in 1800.

iv. Robert.

v. John.

vi. Jemima Davis.

vii. Lucy.

viii. Sarah.

 

2.    Olive Wilkins, born say 1725, was living in Southampton County on 8 November 1750 when she was charged with having an illegitimate child. The case was dismissed for want of prosecution [Orders 1749-54, 96, 111]. She may have been the mother of

2        i. Jonas, born say 1750.

 

3.    Jonas Wilkins, born say 1750, was granted 400 acres of land in Halifax County, North Carolina, adjoining Benjamin and William Richardson on 7 October 1783 and sold this land on 11 June 1788 [DB 16:272; 17:442]. He moved to Robeson County where he entered 150 acres on the south side of Jacobs Swamp including the plantation then occupied by James Moore on 5 September 1787 [Pruitt, Land Entries: Robeson County, 1787-1795, 7]. He was head of a Robeson County household of 6 "other free" in 1800 [NC:428] and 4 in 1810 [NC:234]. He sold two tracts of land in Robeson by deeds proved on 6 October 1801 [Minutes I:171] and sold personal property to Solomon Locklear by Robeson County deed proved in 1808 [DB P:46]. Perhaps his children were

4        i. Matthew, born say 1765.

5        ii. Tamer, born say 1767.

iii. Nancy, born say 1770, head of a Northampton County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [NC:750].

iv. Nancy, born say 1770.

v. John, born before 1776, head of a Halifax County household of 3 "other free" in 1800 [NC:350], 7 in 1810 [NC:54], and 12 "free colored" in 1820.

vi. David, born before 1776, head of a Halifax County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [NC:58] and 8 "free colored" in 1820.

vii. Priscilla, head of a Halifax County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [NC:58].

viii. Sophia, head of a Halifax County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [NC:58].

ix. Mildred, head of a Halifax County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [NC:58].

 

4.    Matthew Wilkins, born say 1765, was head of a Robeson County household of 7 "other free" in 1800 [NC:429]. He sold land to Elijah Hammons by deed proved in Robeson County on 6 April 1801 [Minutes I:142]. He may have been the father of

i. Jesse, head of a Robeson County household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [NC:428].

 

5.    Tamer Wilkins, born say 1767, was the mother of Eli Wilkins who was bound as an apprentice to John Edwards of Bertie County. His indenture was transferred to John Acrey of Cumberland County from whom he ran away in 1802. He was taken up in Edenton Town and was bound for his appearance in Chowan County court to be sold as a slave until his mother Tamer and her surety, E. Slade of Martin County, certified that Tamer was free born and the mother of Eli [Byrd, In Full Force and Virtue, 31-2]. She married William Demmery, 31 January 1816 Northampton County marriage bond with Wright Demmery bondsman. William and Tamer were found dead six years later on 5 March 1822 when a coroner's jury was appointed by the Northampton County court to determine the cause of death [Minutes 1821-25, 84]. She was the mother of

i. Eli, born 7 July 1785 according to his mother's testimony, obtained free papers in Northampton County on 8 March 1834 and registered in Logan County, Ohio: yellow complexion, 6 feet tall [Turpin, Register of Black, Mulatto, and Poor Persons, 12].

 

Endnotes:

1.     The date of Jonas Wilkins' Halifax County deed for the sale of his land was abstracted as 11 June 1778, but this land was still called Jonas Wilkins' line in a 19 June 1787 deed [DB 16:405] and was located near Haw Swamp [DB 18:540]. The original deed book was destroyed. Only the abstract remains.

 

WILKINSON/ WILKERSON FAMILY

Members of the Wilkinson/ Wilkerson family were

i. John Wilkinson, born say 1760, head of a Northampton County, North Carolina household of 6 "other free" in 1800 [NC:485] and head of a Halifax County household of 6 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:169]. Perhaps he was the John Wilkinson of Northampton County who gave Presly Prichard his power of attorney to receive his final settlement certificate for his services in the Revolution [NCGSJ XVIII:99].

ii. Edward Wilkerson, born say 1760, a soldier from Chesterfield County in the Revolution [Jackson, Virginia Negro Soldiers, 46].

1        iii. Miles, born before 1776.

2        iv. Peggy, born about 1782.

 

1.    Miles Wilkinson, born before 1776, was head of a Halifax County, North Carolina household of 8 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:169]. Perhaps his child was

i. John, born about 1800, married Ann Peters, 7 February 1820 Halifax County bond, Jeremiah James bondsman. He was head of a Halifax county household of 4 "free colored" in 1830.

 

2.    Peggy Wilkerson, born about 1782, registered as a free Negro in Louisa County on 7 September 1832: a mulatto woman who was free born, yellowish complexion, 5'2-1/2" high, about 50 years old, hair inclined to be straight. She was the mother of

i. Maria Wilkinson, born about 1798, registered in Louisa County on 7 September 1832: daughter of Peggy Wilkinson who was free born, dark mulatto woman about 34 years old, 5'2-1/2" high, low forehead, bushy head of hair.

ii. ?Cyrus, born about 1804, registered in Louisa County on 7 December 1832: a free man of colour, 5'8-1/2" high, light complexion, good countenance, age 28 years.

iii. ?Peggy², registered in Louisa County on 7 September 1832: free born, mulatto woman about 24 years old, 5'3-1/2" high, hair inclined to be straight ... light complexion, thick lips.

iv. Tom, born about 1814, registered in Louisa County on 25 July 1837: (son of Peggy Wilkerson, persons of colour born free) stout made man, 5'8" high, age 23, copper colour.

v. Edward, born about 1821, registered in Louisa County on 7 December 1844: son of Peggy Wilkersons (both mother and son were born free), dark mulatto man aged 23 years.

vi. Henry, born about 1816, registered in Louisa County on 11 January 1839: son of Peggy Wilkerson who was free born a man of darkish complexion, regular features, age 23 [Abercrombie, Free Blacks of Louisa County, 41-3, 53, 56, 66]

 

WILLIAMS FAMILY

1.    John Williams, born say 1654, was the "Molatto" servant of Mr. Martin Gardner on 26 April 1675 when the York County court ordered that he receive thirty lashes for stealing a hog. The court also prohibited his master from furnishing him with powder and shot or allowing him to carry a gun [DWO 5:110]. He may have been the ancestor of

i. Faith, born say 1720, presented by the Surry County, Virginia court on 18 May 1739 for having a "Malato bastard Child" by information of Capt. John Ruffin [Deeds, Wills #9:54].

2        ii. William¹, born about 1723.

3        iii. Mary, born say 1725.

iv. Hannah¹, born say 1734, a "free negro" taxable in Norfolk County from 1752 to 1765, taxable in her own household in 1752, in Ann James's household in 1757, in her own household in 1759, and taxable with (her husband) Till/ Tully Williams from 1765 to 1767 and with Tell and (their daughter?) Mary Williams in 1768 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1751-66, 33, 120, 147, 165, 213; 1766-80, 39, 86]. Hannah may have been the mother of Fanny Williams, a "free Mullatto" bound by the Princess Anne County court to Anthony Walke on 17 June 1760 to learn to read, sew and knit [Minutes 1753-62, 384]. A suit brought by James Anderson against Till Williams and Hannah his wife was dismissed by the City of Norfolk Hustings Court on 23 November 1767, and Till was sued in the same court by John Calvert on 25 October 1773 [Orders 1761-9, 156; 1770-82, 206a]. A deed from Tully Williams and his wife Tamer to William Capps was proved in Princess Anne County court on 4 July 1791, and on 3 July 1792 the overseers of the poor of the upper district of the Eastern Shore were ordered to bind his orphan Anne Williams to Ann Whitehead [Minutes 1790-2, 121, 292].

v. Polly, born about 1785, registered in York County on 18 March 1833: a bright Mulatto about 48 years of age ... light gray Eyes, long hair which is a little gray ... Born free [Free Negroes Register 1831-50, no. 345].

 

2.    William¹ Williams, born about 1723, was a thirty-three-year-old, 5'6" Virginia "Negro" planter who was listed in the 13 July 1756 roll of Captain Henry Harrison's Company, drafted in Surry County, Virginia [Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South, 390]. He may have been the father of

i. William², born say 1758, called "Billy Williams a Mulatto" on 15 April 1760 when the Surry County court ordered the churchwardens of Southwarke Parish to bind him out [Orders 1757-63, 236]. He was taxable in Surry County in 1783 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-90, frame 367].

4        ii. James², born about 1762.

 

3.    Mary Williams, born say 1725, was living in Warwick County on 1 May 1760 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Warwick Parish to bind out her children Davy, James, Godfrey, Matt, Sarah, Jack, Mary and Will "for reasons appearing to the court." Her children were described as "Mulattoes" when the indentures were certified in court on 3 July 1760. On 7 August 1760 the churchwardens charged her with bearing a bastard child, but the case was dismissed at the next session of the court on 4 September [Minutes 1748-62, 322, 325, 334, 337]. She was the mother of

i. David, born say 1743, bound to Harwood Jones in Warwick County on 3 July 1760. At the next session of the court on 7 August, Moses Collikin testified that David had absented himself from the service of Jones for twenty eight days. And on 4 September Jones reported that David had absented himself another nine days [Minutes 1748-62, 325, 334, 335]. He was probably the David Williams who died before 15 April 1793 when John Williams was granted administration on his York County estate with John Wright and Edward Cuttillo as his securities [Orders 1788-95, 548].

5        ii. James¹, born say 1745.

6        iii. Godfrey, born say 1747.

iv. Sarah, born say 1752.

7        v. John, born say 1754.

8        vi. Matthew, born about 1755.

vii. Mary, born say 1756.

9        viii. William³, born say 1759.

 

4.   James² Williams, born about 1762, was taxable in Surry County from 1783 to 1816: charged with Solomon Williams' tithe from 1801 to 1803; called a "Man of Color" in 1805; a "Mulatto" from 1806 to 1812; listed with 2 "free Negroes & Mulattoes above the age of 16" in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-90, frames 373, 398, 606; 1791-1816, 18, 170, 275, 349, 429, 466, 504, 546, 602, 618, 659, 677, 716, 762, 871]. He registered as a "free Negro" in Surry County, Virginia, on 17 February 1797: a mulattoe man pretty dark complexion born of free parents resident of this County, aged about 35, thin visage and rather slender made - 5'10-1/2" [Back of Guardians Accounts Book, no.22]. He was counted in the 1803 census of "Free Negroes and Mulattos" in Surry County with his wife Molly and their children: Sollomon, (a labourer), Caty, Samuel, James, Hannah, and Elijah on Mrs. Marston's land. He married, second, Pamelia Debrix, thirty-five years old, 6 November 1813 Surry County bond, Nicholas Scott, surety. His children were

i. Solomon, born about 1782, registered in Surry County on 24 October 1804: a mulatto man of complexion more bright than otherwise, short hair, aged 21 years the 31 day of December, 1803, 5'6-1/2" high ... by occupation a Laborer, was born of free parents, residents of Surry county to wit James Williams and Mary his wife [Hudgins, Surry County Register of Free Negroes, 24].

ii. Caty, born say 1791, "daughter of James Williams," married Samuel Blizzard, 28 December 1807 Surry County bond, David Charity surety, 7 January 1808 marriage.

iii. Samuel.

iv. James³, Jr., born say 1795, married Keziah Blizzard, 25 October 1819 Surry County bond, James Williams, Sr., surety, 28 October marriage.

v. Hannah².

vi. Elijah, born about 1801, registered in Surry County on 23 June 1823: a mulatto man, the son of Jas. Williams and Polly, his wife, he was born free supposed to be 22 years old, is of a bright complexion, pretty stout made, 5'5-3/4" high ... has a large flat Nose [Hudgins, Surry County Register of Free Negroes, 77].

 

5.    James¹ Williams, born say 1745, a "Mulatto," was bound to William Harwood, Gent., in Warwick County on 3 July 1760 [Minutes 1748-62, 325]. He was taxable in York County from 1782 to 1810: on 2 free tithes in 1790, 1796, and 1797. Perhaps his widow was Faith Williams who was taxable on 2 free tithes in 1811 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1841, frames 69, 166, 186, 224, 259, 300, 344, 357, 368] and head of a York County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:886]. James may have been the father of

i. William⁵, born say 1783, called "William Williams, Jr." when he was taxable in York County from 1804 to 1813: called a "free Negro" in 1805 and head of a household of 2 "free Negroes & mulattoes over 16" in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1841, frames 300, 310, 331, 357, 368, 397].

ii. Henry, born about 1791, taxable in York County in 1812 and head of a household of 2 "free Negroes & mulattoes over 16" in 1813 (probably himself and his wife) [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1841, frames 379, 397]. He registered in York County on 17 September 1810: about 19 years of age, 5 feet 8-1/2 Inches high, fine hair, tawny complexion (rather dark), flat nose, long visage and pleasant countenance ... born free [Register of Free Negroes 1798-1831, no. 51].

iii. Sarah, born about 1793, registered in York County on 17 September 1810: a dark mulatto, about 17 years of age, 5 feet 5 Inches high ... born of free parents [Register of Free Negroes 1798-1831, no. 49].

 

6.    Godfrey Williams, born say 1747, was head of a Warwick County household of 5 persons in 1782 [VA:45], a "Mulat" taxable in Warwick County in 1789 [1789 Personal Property Tax List, p.4], taxable in York County from 1790 to 1812 and head of a household of 2 "free Negroes & mulattoes over 16" in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1841, frames 166, 186, 214, 224, 259, 290, 397]. He may have been the father of

i. Polly, born about 1785, registered in York County on 18 March 1833: a bright Mulatto about 48 years of age, 5 feet 6-1/2 Inches high, has light grey Eyes, long hair which is a little grey. Born free [Free Negroes Register 1831-1850, no. 346].

ii. Hannah, born about 1790, registered in York County on 17 September 1810: a bright mulatto, about 20 years of age, 5 feet 4 Inches high ... long hair. Born of free parents [Register of Free Negroes 1798-1831, no. 48].

iii. Maria, born about 1791, registered in York County on 17 September 1810: a tolerably bright mulatto, about 19 years of age, 5 feet 2-12 Inches high ... she is very freckled. Born of free parents [Register of Free Negroes 1798-1831, no. 49].

 

7.    John Williams, born say 1754, was a "Mulatto" bound to William Harwood, Gent., in Warwick County on 3 July 1760. He was taxable in Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, from 1784 to 1800: charged with Jesse Ash's tithe, 2 horses and 6 cattle in 1784, called a "black" in 1788 when he was taxable on 3 free persons over the age of 16, a "free Negro" with 3 persons over 16 and 3 horses in 1795 and 1800, 1 person in 1801 and 1802, and 3 free tithables, 2 slaves and 2 horses in 1803, 2 free persons and 2 slaves in 1804, perhaps identical to John Williams "Preacher" who was taxable on 3 tithes in 1791 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-92, frames 554, 697, 860; 1792-1806, frames 149, 461, 497, 603, 674, 745]. His estate was administered in Southampton County before 1808 when his daughter Aira Byrd sued his son-in-law and executor Lemuel Clark over her part of the estate [LVA, Southampton County chancery suit 1814-017]. His widow may have been the Mary Williams who was a "F.N." taxable on a horse in Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, from 1805 to 1811, a free male tithable in 1811 [Personal Property Tax List 1792-1806, frames 787, 896; 1807-21, frames 35, 117, 153, 235] and head of a Southampton County household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:78]. His children were

i. ?Jerry, born about 1782, registered in Southampton County on 14 May 1828: age 46, Yellow Bright, 5 feet 4-1/4 inches, free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 1721]. He was a "F.N." taxable in Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, in 1805, 1806 and 1810 [Personal Property Tax List 1792-1806, frames 787, 896; 1807-21, frame 154].

ii. Arry/ Aira, married John Taylor, 25 December 1797 Southampton County bond and second, Aaron Byrd, 19 February 1803 Southampton County bond.

iii. Mary, married Lemuel Clark, 29 January 1795 Isle of Wight County bond, David Jones surety.

 

8.    Matthew Williams, born about 1755, was a "Mulatto" bound to Servant Jones by the Warwick County court on 3 July 1760. He was a man of color who served in the Revolution from Southampton County [National Archives pension file S6414 cited by NSDAR, African American Patriots, 155]. He was probably the Matthew Williams who married Susannah Tan, "both of Isle of Wight County," 22 December 1783 Southampton County bond. He registered in Southampton County on 12 July 1810: age 55, Blk, 5 feet 7-1/2 inches, free born. His wife was probably the Sally Williams who registered the same day: age 40, Blk., 5 feet 5 inches, free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, nos. 589, 590]. He was taxable in Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, from 1787 to 1800: called a "Black" in 1787, a "free Negro" from 1789 to 1802, listed with 3 free male tithables from 1802 to 1804, 2 male tithables in 1805, 1810 and 1811, listed with his wife Sally, daughter Sally and son Jack in 1813, taxable on his son Jack in 1814 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-92, frames 627, 698, 747; 1792-1806, frames 19, 38, 112, 149, 233, 253, 303, 361, 463, 479, 499, 604, 674, 747, 787, 896; 1807-21, frames 35, 115, 154, 238, 404]. He was called a "free person of colour" on 16 November 1818 when he made a declaration in Southampton County court setting forth that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary War by voluntary enlistment [Minutes 1816-9, unpaged]. He was the father of

i. John, born about 1785, registered in Southampton County on 30 June 1806: age 21, Blk., 5 feet 9-1/2 inches, free born in York [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 389, 413]. He was head of a Southampton County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:78]. He was a "F.N." taxable in Nottoway Parish from 1807 to 1812 [Personal Property Tax List 1807-21, frames 35, 117, 153, 235, 277].

ii. Sally.

 

9.    William³ Williams, born say 1762, and his wife Rachel, "Free Mulattoes," registered the birth of their daughter Lydia in Bruton Parish, James City and York counties [Bruton Parish Register, 35]. He was taxable in York County from 1792 to 1806: called "William Williams, Sr." in 1804 and thereafter, called "free Negro" in 1805. In 1813 (his widow?) Rachel Williams was counted in a York County list of "free Negroes & mulattoes over 16," taxable on a horse [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1841, frames 186, 214, 280, 300, 320, 397]. William and Rachel were the parents of

i. Lydia, born 5 January 1783 [Bruton Parish Register, 35].

 

Other members of the Williams family were

i. William⁴, born say 1765, a "Mulatto" taxable in Warwick County on one tithe in 1789, two tithes and two horses in 1798 [1789 Personal Property Tax List, p.4; 1798, p.6], head of an Elizabeth City County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:185], and 2 "Free negroes & mulattoes 16 yrs. old" in Elizabeth City County in 1813 [Waldrep, 1813 Tax List].

ii. William⁷, born about 1792, obtained a certificate of freedom in Gloucester County on 7 December 1822: a free tawny Coloured man about 30 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches high ... born of free parents, and registered it in York County on 17 October 1831 [Register of Free Negroes 1798-1831, no. 326].

iii. William⁶, a "F.N." taxable in York County in 1807 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1841, frame 331]. He may have been the Billy Williams who registered in York County on 21 February 1814: of dark complexion, about (blot) of age, 5 feet 6-3/4 Inches high, has high cheek bones, very short wooly hair. Born free. He renewed his registration in 1822 and 1826 [Register of Free Negroes, 1798-1831, no. 75].

 

Middlesex County, Virginia

1.    Mary Williams, born say 1660, a "Negroe Wooman," was sued in Middlesex County court by Christopher Robinson on 3 September 1688 for a debt of 3,866 pounds of tobacco [Orders 1680-94, 371].

 

Westmoreland County, Virginia

1.    Mary Williams, born say 1685, was the white servant of Willoughby Allerton, Gent., of the Parish of Copely, on 25 April 1705 when she was convicted by the Westmoreland County court of having a "mulatto" child by a "Negro man" [Orders 1698-1705, 256a]. She was probably the mother of

2        i. William¹, born say 1704.

 

2.    William Williams, born say 1704, was a "free Mulato" who petitioned the Westmoreland County, Virginia court for his freedom from Isaac Allerton on 31 July 1733. On 27 March 1753 the court ordered "his several Children" bound out as apprentices. And on 25 March 1755 he sued John and Spencer Ayris for detaining his children, but the court stood by its original order [Orders 1731-9, 99a; 1752-5, 60, 227, 249]. He may have been the father of

i. George, born about 1731, a soldier from Richmond County in the French and Indian War, age 26, a mulatto, 6'1", when he was listed as a deserter on 2 September 1757 [Magazine of Virginia Genealogy 31:95].

 

Northampton County

1.    Anne Williams, born in September or October 1686, was the child of Daniel Webb, a Northampton County, Virginia slave, and Ann Williams, a white servant woman. See further the Webb History. She was called a thirteen-year-old "maletto childe" on 29 November 1699 when she was bound to Hamond Firkette until the age of eighteen years in Northampton County, Virginia [OW&c 1698-1710, 30].

 

Richmond County, Virginia

1.    Hannah Charlton, born say 1685, was released from servitude and "given" her daughter Ann by Francis Williams, Sr., of Sittenbyrne Parish in Richmond County. She recorded the document in court on 6 December 1710. She was called "Hannah, a Mulato belonging to Francis Williams" on 6 March 1711/2 when she appeared in Richmond County court on the complaint of her master's wife, Alice Williams, that Hannah was threatening and abusing her. Hannah was ordered to give security for her good behavior for one year. On 7 July 1715 Francis Williams was presented by the Richmond County court for living in adultery with "a Mulatto Woman." And on 1 August 1716 he recorded a paper in court which set free her children: Catherine, Mary, and John Charlton [Orders 1708-11, 220; 1711-6, 8; 1716-7, 28]. Hannah was the mother of

i. Ann Williams, born say 1710, ordered to be given twenty-five lashes in March 1735/6 by the Orange County, Virginia court [Orders 1734-9, 61].

ii. Catherine Charlton, born say 1712, called Catherine Carleton alias Williams in November 1735 when the churchwardens of Orange County, Virginia, presented her for having a bastard child. John Becket agreed to pay her fine, and Francis Williams and John Haddocks provided security for the child. In March 1738 John Becket was accused in Orange County court of failing to pay tax on "Kate Williams, a Mulattoe woman" [Orders 1734-9, 42, 290].

iii. Mary Charlton, born say 1714.

iv. John Charlton, born say 1716.

 

Lunenburg County

1.    Zedekiah Williams, born say 1775, was living with his wife Anna, daughter Lucy and (wife's niece?) Ritter Lester on Bears Element Creek in the lower district of Lunenburg County in 1802 and 1803 when they were counted in a "List of all free Negroes & Mulattoes" [LVA, Lunenburg County, Free Negro & Slave Records, 1802-1803]. Zedekiah and Anna were the parents of

i. Lucy, born 1795-1800, registered in Lunenburg County on 10 October 1825: aged about twenty five or thirty years, yellow complexion, very corpulent ... born free [WB 5, after page 89, no. 40].

 

Members of the Williams family in North Carolina were

1        i. James¹, born about 1748.

ii. William, head of a Beaufort County household of 2 "other free" in 1800 [NC:20], 4 in 1810 [NC:113], and 5 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:42].

2        iii. Charles, born before 1776.

 

1.    James¹ Williams, born about 1748, was a thirteen-year-old "Mullatto Boy" ordered bound an apprentice to William Armstrong in Cumberland County, North Carolina, on 19 August 1761 [Minutes 1759-65, 70]. Perhaps his children were

i. Joseph, head of a Sampson County household of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:53].

ii. Crecy, head of a Sampson County household of 3 "other free" in 1790 [NC:53] and may have been the C. Williams, head of a Cumberland County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [NC:627].

iii. Hannah², head of a Sampson County household of 2 "other free" in 1790 [NC:53], perhaps the H. Williams who was head of a Cumberland County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [NC:623].

 

2.    Charles Williams, born before 1776, was head of an Ashe County household of 12 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:3]. He may have been the father of

i. Charles Williams Loyd, born about 1787, registered in Petersburg on 11 March 1817: a free man of colour, five feet three and a half inches high, thirty years old, a waggoner, born free & raised in the Town of Petersburg [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 837].

ii. James Williams Loyd, born 1810, son of Charles Williams and Sally Lloyd, resided in Chillicothe, Ross County, Ohio, on 28 September 1818 [Turpin, Register of Black, Mulatto, and Poor Persons, 25]. Sally Lloyd may have been related to "Indian" Robin Loyd, a "person of color" residing in Jennings County, Indiana, about the age of eighty on 12 February 1838 when he made a declaration to obtain a pension for his services in the Revolution. He stated that he enlisted at Dinwiddie County courthouse and had resided in Dinwiddie for many years after the war, went to North Carolina for a few years, and had been living in Indiana for more than twenty years. John Grimes of Ripley County, Indiana, testified for him that Indian Robin, "a negro man," had served as a footman and also as a soldier in the light horse service. Bartholomew Turner of Jennings County testified that he had seen a "Negro man" named Indian Robin as a soldier on horseback and armed for battle [M804-1596, frame 0594].

.   

WILLIS FAMILY

1.    Edith Willis, born say 1730, was taxable in Charles City County on a horse in 1788 [Personal Property Tax List, 1788-1814] and taxable with Betty Willis on 110 acres near the Quaker Meeting House from 1788 to 1799 [Land Tax List, 1782-1830]. She left a 24 November 1791 Charles City County will, proved 18 December 1794, by which she left a shilling to each of her children Rodger, London, David, Limos, Doctor, and Billy Willis and left her children Jesse and Betty Willis the use of her land during the life of her son Jesse, and then all of it to go to Betty [WB 1:197-8]. She was the mother of

i. Betty, taxable in New Kent County on 2 horses in 1788 and 2 horses and a slave in 1789 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1800, frames 121, 135], taxable in Charles City County with Eady Willis on 110 acres from 1788 to 1799, taxable with Jesse Willis on 110 acres from 1800 to 1815 [Land Tax List, 1782-1830] and taxable on one tithe in 1804 and 1805 [Personal Property Tax List, 1788-1814]. On 14 April 1813 she was living in Henrico County when she and Jesse Willis of Charles City County made a deed of trust for 56 acres adjoining Joseph Crew, Francis Dixon and John Crew's estate to secure a debt of $34 they owed Ann Ladd, and on 21 April 1815 they made a deed of trust for the same land to secure a debt of $77 they owed George Hubbard. On 27 September 1815 Elizabeth sold 53 acres adjoining the land of John Crew, deceased, to Jesse Willis for $125, explaining in the deed that this was land devised to her by the wills of Thomas Ladd and Edith Willis, deceased [DB 5:568, 594]. She was head of a Richmond City household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:364].

ii. Roger.

iii. London.

iv. David, born say 1758, taxable in Lower Westover District of Charles City County in 1784, taxable on slaves Nanny, David and Charles in 1785, taxable on a horse in 1788, 2 tithes in 1789 and 1 in 1792 [Personal Property Tax List, 1788-1814]. He was a "free Negro" taxable in the lower district of Henrico County from to 1807 to 1814: taxable on son James Willis from 1809 to 1811 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1814, frames 562, 582, 625, 691, 710, 777, 795]. He was head of a Henrico County household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:1010] and 1 "free colored in Charles City County in 1820 [VA:3].

v. Limos.

vi. Jesse, born say 1762, taxable in Charles City County from 1785 to 1805 [Personal Property Tax List, 1788-1814] and taxed with Betty Willis on 110 acres in Charles City County in 1800 [Land Tax List, p.13]. He was taxable in the lower district of Henrico County in 1802 and taxable on his son Jesse Willis, Jr., in 1807 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1814, frames 470, 562]. On 28 September 1815 he made a Charles City County deed of trust for 53 acres adjoining John Crew's estate to secure a debt of $125 he owed George Hubbard [DB 5:607]. And on 20 December 1817 he sold 56 acres which had been devised by Thomas Ladd to the Willises excepting his and his wife Letty's right to live on a certain part during their natural lives. (The account of Thomas Ladd's Charles City County estate includes a payment to John Evans in 1786 for digging his grave, but Ladd's will has not survived [WB 1:563]). Jesse was called a "free man of colour" on 20 April 1820 when he manumitted his wife Letty whom he had purchased from Henry Dick of Caroline County for $100 [DB 6:175, 351]. He was head of a Charles City County household of 2 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:15].

vii. Doctor, born about 1756, taxable in Charles City County in 1784 [PPTL, 1788-1814], taxable in New Kent County in 1785 [PPTL 1782-1800, frame 78], a "FN" taxable in the northern district of Campbell County from 1797 to 1813 [PPTL, 1785-1814, frames 427, 465, 892]. He registered in Campbell County on 18 August 1812: age 56, 5 feet 9 inches, Black Complexion, set free by Thomas Ladd in Charles City County [Register of Free Negroes and Mulattoes, p.6].

viii. Billy.

 

Other members of the family were

i. Moses, a "free Negro" taxable in the lower district of Henrico County from 1801 to 1813 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1814, frames 470, 562, 581, 624, 690, 709, 776], head of a Henrico County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:1009].

ii. Nancy, born before 1776, head of a Charles City County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:959] and 3 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:14]. She was the mother of William Willis who obtained a certificate of freedom in Charles City County on 18 October 1827: son of Nancy Willis, a bright mulatto man, born free in this county [Minutes 1823-9, 255].

iii. Samuel, a "free Negro" taxable in the lower district of Henrico County in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1814, frame 777] allowed to keep a gun in Charles City County on 20 May 1824 [Minutes 1823-9, 52].

 

WILSON FAMILY

1. Mary¹ Wilson, born say 1673, the servant of Captain Thomas Thorpe, was convicted by the York County court on 24 March 1692/3 of having a "molatto" child on information of the churchwardens of Bruton Parish [DOW 9:200, 209]. She may have been the ancestor of

2        i. Samuel¹, born say 1693.

3        ii. Mary², born say 1724.

4        iii. Mary³, born say 1725.

5        iv. Isaac¹, born say 1730.

v. Stephen, born say 1732, purchased property by indenture proved in Halifax County, Virginia, on 15 March 1781 [Pleas 1779-83, 181]. He left a 4 October 1780 Halifax County will, proved 20 June 1782, in which he named his wife Elizabeth as his executrix. Peter Wilson, David Going, and Shadrack Going were witnesses [WB:1:404].

vi. John, born say 1733, jailed in King William County with Zachariah Johns (a white man) on suspicion of murder. They made their escape from the sheriff when he was transporting them to Williamsburg for trial. Lieutenant Governor Robert Dinwiddie issued a proclamation on 31 October 1754 offering a reward for their capture, describing John as: a Mulattoe, about Six feet high, and speaks good English; had on when he made his Escape, a blue double-breasted wastecoat with Metal Buttons, an old yellow Wig, old Shoes and Worstead Hose [Hillman, Journals of the Council, VI:586].

vii. Edward², born say 1755, a "Mulatto" living in Henrico County on 3 August 1767 when the court ordered the churchwardens to bind him out as an apprentice [Orders 1767-9, 93], perhaps the same Edward Wilson who was a "Mulatto" apprenticed to Philip Mallory of Mecklenburg County, Virginia, when he ran away according to the 5 September 1771 Virginia Gazette. Mallory described him as "an apprentice lad named Wilson, a clear mulatto, a carpenter and joiner by trade" when he offered to hire him out. He may have been the Edward Wilson who was head of a Norfolk County household of 9 "other free" in 1810 [VA:837].

 

2.    Samuel¹ Wilson, born say 1693, was a "Mulatto" servant indentured to Charles Chiswell of York County on 24 July 1708 when the court ordered that he serve additional time for running away. Chiswell asked that the court also add a penalty for Samuel's riding three of his horses in his absence, but the court ruled that there was no law "that relates to or gives any penalty for unlucky boys rideing horses but that they are subject to their master's correction." He may have been the father of

6        i. William¹, born say 1713.

 

3.    Mary² Wilson, born say 1724, was the mother of an illegitimate child named Anne Wilson who was born 14 January and baptized 5 May 1745 in Charles Parish, York County [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 195]. She was called a "Molatto" on 20 May 1745 when the York County court presented her for having an illegitimate child and fined her 500 pounds of tobacco [W&I 19:365, 372, 381, 398]. She may have been the Mary Wilson who was living in Elizabeth City County when she was accused of concealing the death of her bastard child by secretly burying it on 13 January 1757 [Orders 1755-7, 86]. She was the mother of

7        ii. Anne, born 14 January 1744/5.

 

4.    Mary³ Wilson, born say 1725, was the "free Mulatto" mother of Charles, Peter, and Samuel Wilson who were bound apprentices in Halifax County, Virginia, on 20 August 1754 [Pleas 1:388]. She was head of a Halifax County, Virginia household of 2 "white" (free) persons in 1782 [VA:24]. She was taxable in Halifax County on 2 horses and 8 cattle in 1783 and was charged with Robert Wilson's tithe in 1786, taxable on a horse in 1788 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1799, frames 26, 71, 86, 210]. She sold property by deed proved in Halifax County on 21 September 1786 [Pleas 1786-8, 3]. Her children were

i. Charles, born say 1747, taxable in Halifax County in 1786, taxable on Martin Wilson's tithe in 1790, taxable on 2 horses in 1798 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1799, frames 86, 358, 381, 713, 843], perhaps the Charles Wilson, born before 1776, who was head of a Stokes County household of 2 "free colored" males and a white woman in 1820 [NC:377].

8        ii. ?Milly, born say 1748.

iii. Peter, born say 1750, witness to Stephen Wilson's 4 October 1780 Halifax County, Virginia will [WB:1:404]. He was head of a Halifax County, Virginia household of 4 "white" (free) persons in 1782 [VA:24]. He was taxable in Halifax County from 1782 to 1799: listed with 2 tithables in 1785, called a "M^o" from 1792 to 1799 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1799, frames 7, 58, 79, 202, 427, 614, 686, 711, 931]. In 1810 he was a "F.B." head of a Nottoway County household of 8 "other free" and a Giles County household of 10 "other free" and a white woman [VA:643, 1021].

iv. Samuel², born say 1752.

9        v. Robert², born about 1762.

 

5.    Isaac¹ Wilson, born say 1730, was head of a Halifax County, Virginia household of 1 "white" (free) person in 1782 [VA:23]. He married (second?) Susanna Matthews, 18 August 1785 Halifax County bond. He was taxable in Halifax County from 1785 to 1799, called a "Mul^o" from 1792 to 1799 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1799, frames 71, 86, 149, 202, 427, 453, 548, 614, 686, 931]. He left an undated Halifax County, Virginia will, proved 27 December 1802 on $2,000 security. He left his property to his wife Susanna and named his sixteen children [WB 6:422]. They were

i. Sary.

ii. Judy.

iii. Billy (Betty?), perhaps the William Wilson who married Milly Wilson, 18 April 1812 Halifax County bond, Robert Wilson surety.

iv. Samuel³.

v. Solliman (Solomon), born about 1787, registered as a "free Negro" in Halifax County on 26 October 1812: aged 25 years about 5 11-1/2 of a yellow Colour [Register, no.35]. He married Rhoda Wilson, 18 April 1812 Halifax County bond, Robert Wilson surety.

vi. Vina.

vii. Polly.

viii. Richard².

ix. Mathaw, perhaps the Martha Wilson who married Pleasant Wilson, 29 August 1812 Halifax County bond, surety Martin Wilson. Pleasant, born about 1786, registered as a free Negro in Halifax County on 24 August 1812: aged twenty Six years, about five feet, Seven inches and a quarter high, of a dark mulatto Colour [Register, no.33]. Martha, born about 1793, registered as in Halifax County in 1831.

x. Isack².

xi. Susanna.

xii. Mastan, apparently identical to Martin Wilson, born about 1766, registered as a "free Negro" in Halifax County, Virginia, on 28 January 1806: aged about forty years, five feet seven Inches high, yellow complexion [Halifax County Free Negro Register, no.25]. He married Syller Matthis, 10 January 1804 Halifax County bond, John Wilson surety. The Halifax County court awarded him 15 pounds in his suit against Luke Williams for false imprisonment on 17 November 1787 [Pleas 1786-8]. He was taxable in Halifax County from 1788 to 1799: called a "Mul^o" in 1792 and 1793 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-99, frames 210, 284, 427, 453, 614, 931].

xiii. Elasabeth/ Betty, married James Wilson, 31 January 1818 Halifax County bond, Richard Matthews surety. He may have been the James R. Wilson, born about 1796, who registered in Halifax County on 26 February 1827 and 22 November 1830: born free, dark Mulatto man about 31 years old, 5 feet 8 inches and a half high, long wooly hair [Registers of Free Negroes, 1802-1831, no. 95, 124].

xiv. Luke, born about 1799, registered as a "free Negro" in Halifax County on 23 November 1829: a bright Mulatto man about thirty years old, five feet 11 inches, long straight hair, born of a free woman [Registers of Free Negroes, 1802-1831, no. 122].

xv. Luzereous (Lazarus), born about 1799, registered in Halifax County on 22 December 1823: aged about 24 years, five feet nine and a half inches high, of a bright complexion...born of a free woman of Colour [Registers of Free Negroes, 1802-1831, no. 72]. He was called the minor son of Isaac in Halifax County court in 1809 [Pleas 26:421]. He married Catherine Goen, 27 December 1829 Surry County, North Carolina bond, Willis Wilson bondsman.

xvi. Franky, born about 1800, registered as a "free Negro" in Halifax County in 1832.

 

6.    William¹ Wilson, born say 1713, may have been the husband of Margaret Wilson who was named in the 19 September 1749 York County will of her mother Mary Roberts [DOW 13:151; W&I 20:163-4]. He was living in Elizabeth City County on 13 January 1757 when the court ordered his children bound out because he was neglecting to educate them and bring them up in a Christian-like manner [Orders 1755-7, 87]. He was living in Bruton Parish on 16 January 1764 when the York County court ordered the churchwardens to bind out his children because he was neglecting to maintain and educate them. On 18 March 1765 he was a witness for John Poe in his York County suit against Anthony and Jasper Peters. On the same day Anthony Peters sued William for a 31 shilling debt he owed by account proved in court [Judgments & Orders 1762-5, 137, 358, 361]. On 15 July 1771 the court presented him for failing to list himself as a tithable [Orders 1770-2, 337]. He may have been the father of

i. John, born say 1750, presented by the York County court on 15 July 1771 for failing to list himself as a tithable [Orders 1770-2, 337]. He was head of a York County household of 7 "other free" and a slave in 1810 [VA:885].

ii. Robert¹, born say 1760, taxable in Petsworth Parish, Gloucester County, on his own tithe and 3 cattle in 1783, a "mulatto" taxable from 1801 to 1816, over forty five years of age in 1815 [Personal Property Tax List, 1800-20], head of a household of 9 "other free" in 1810 [VA:677]. He may have been the father of Robert Wilson, Jr., who was a "mulatto" taxable from 1814 to 1820 [Personal Property Tax List, 1800-20].

iii. Cary, born say 1769, called Wilson Wilson when he was taxable in Gloucester County from 1790 to 1801, a "mulatto" taxable called "Wilson C. Wilson" in 1802 and 1803, and a "mulatto" called Cary Wilson from 1804 to 1820, over forty-five years of age in 1815 [PPTL, 1782-99; 1800-20]. Cary was a "Mulatto" taxable in Gloucester County on 53 acres in 1805, 30-1/2 acres from 1810 to 1815 [Land Tax List 1782-1820] and head of a Gloucester County household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:677].

 

7.    Anne Wilson, born 14 January 1744/5, was baptized 5 May 1745 in Charles Parish, York County. She was the common-law wife of Thomas Combs on 10 October 1766 when he was presented by the York County court for not listing her as a tithable [Orders 1765-68, 161]. Thomas left a 29 June 1777 York County will, proved 15 September 1777, which left a heifer to each of his "old" children: William, Thomas, Edmund, and George Combs and left Ann Wilson and her children "had by me" the remainder of his estate [W&I 22:374-5]. Ann died before 15 September 1777 when Mead Wood was granted administration on the estate [Orders 1774-84, 151]. Thomas and Anne were the parents of

i. Sally Wilson, born 24 June, baptized 28 July 1765, daughter of Thomas Combs and Anne Wilson.

ii. Anne Combs, born 22 April 1769, baptized 25 June, daughter of Thomas and Anne Combs.

iii. Martha Combs, daughter of Thomas and Anne, born 17 February, baptized 22 March 1772.

iv. Willis Combs, son of Thomas and Anne born 4 May 1774, baptized 12 June.

v. Frances Combs, daughter of Thomas and Anne, born 17 March 1776, baptized 14 April [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 67, 68, 195].

 

8.    Milly Wilson, born say 1748, was living in Halifax County, Virginia, in January 1769 when the court bound out her children Richard and Mary [Pleas 6:270]. She was head of a Halifax County, Virginia household of 5 "white" (free) persons in 1782 [VA:24]. She was taxable in Halifax County from 1783 to 1799: charged with David Wilson's tithe in 1786, a "Mul^o taxable on a free male tithe and a horse from 1795 to 1798 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1799, frames 26, 71, 86, 210, 614, 711, 841, 931]. Her children were

i. Richard¹, born say 1766.

ii. Mary³, born say 1768.

iii. ?David, taxable in Halifax County in 1787, a "Mul^o" taxable from 1792 to 1799 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1799, frames 86, 149, 427, 453, 548, 614, 686, 931].

iv. John, born about 1777, illegitimate son of Milley Wilson, bound by the Halifax County court to Henry Hopson on 23 February 1789 [Pleas 1788-9, 103]. He registered as a "free Negro" in Halifax County, Virginia, on 15 March 1812: aged about 35 years, 5 feet 11-1/2 inches high - of a yellow complexion - Straight haire [Halifax County Register, no.31]. He was head of a Stokes County household of 6 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:376].

v. Tabitha, born say 1778, illegitimate daughter of Milley Wilson, bound by the Halifax County court to Dudley Glass on 23 February 1789 [Pleas 1788-9, 103]. She married Obadiah Wilson, 30 December 1811 Halifax County bond, Martin Wilson surety.

vi. Henry, born say 1780, bound out by the Halifax County court in 1789 [Pleas 13:128], head of a Monroe County, Virginia household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:583].

 

9.    Robert² Wilson, born about 1762, was head of a Halifax County, Virginia household of 1 "white" (free) person in 1782 [VA:23]. He was taxable in Halifax County from 1783 to 1799: listed as Mary Wilson's tithe in 1786, called a "Mul^o" from 1794 to 1796, a "FN" in 1799 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1799, frames 26, 71, 79, 149, 210, 358, 548, 615, 686, 933]. He married Patience Cumbo, 16 April 1787 Halifax County, Virginia bond, Robert Smith surety; and married, second, Salley Talbott, 27 April 1789 Halifax County bond, surety Richard Walne. He registered as a "free Negro" in Halifax County on 24 September 1802: aged about forty years, five feet nine inches and three quarters high, black colour, - who it appears was born free. He registered again on 26 September 1814 at the age of fifty-two [Halifax County Free Negro Register, nos.17, 46]. He was head of a Stokes County, North Carolina household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [NC:602]. He may have been the father of

i. Jeremiah, head of a Stokes County household of 8 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:376].

ii. Willis, born about 1790, registered as a "free Negro" in Halifax County, Virginia, on 23 November 1813: aged twenty three years, five feet 8 inches high, of a bright yellow complexion [Halifax County Register, no.39]. He was head of a Stokes County household of 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:376].

iii. Rhoda, married Solomon Wilson, 18 April 1812 Halifax County bond, Robert Wilson surety.

iv. Milly, married William Wilson, 18 April 1812 Halifax County bond, Robert Wilson surety.

 

Members of the Wilson family in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, were

i. Humphrey, born say 1778, married Sally Stewart of Dinwiddie County [Chancery Orders 1832-52, 1], purchased land in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, from his father-in-law Thomas Stewart by deed proved in Mecklenburg County in 1800 [DB 10:268]. He and his wife Sarah sold their land by deed proved in Mecklenburg County court on 11 February 1805 [Orders 1803-5, 320]. He was head of a Chatham County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [NC:203].

ii. Drury, born say 1788, a Mecklenburg County taxable from 1809 to 1817, counted with his unnamed wife as "free Negroes and Mulattoes over 16" in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1806-28, frames 123, 224, 317, 584, 628, 694]. He married Ann Chavis, daughter of James Chavis [Mecklenburg County chancery suit 1832-026, LVA].

 

Westmoreland County, Virginia

1.    Ann Wilson, born say 1675, an English servant woman, appeared in Westmoreland County, Virginia court on 26 July 1693 and "made confession she was lately delivered of a bastard mulatto child begott on her body by Jack a Negro slave to Youel." On 26 May 1697 she petitioned the court for her freedom, but the court ruled that she still had considerable time to serve for having bastard children. In February 1699/1700 she confessed to having an illegitimate child by a white man [Orders 1690-8, 102, 242; 1698-1705, 71, 73a].

 

Bertie County, North Carolina

1.    Thomas¹ Wilson, born say 1715, purchased 183 acres on the north side of the Cashie River in Bertie County, North Carolina, from William Leviner on 26 April 1756 [DB H:326]. He was called a shoe maker when he sold 80 acres of this land to (his son?) Edward Wilson on 10 July 1759 for 1 pound 10 shillings [DB I:364]. He died before August court 1783 when the Bertie court assigned Edward Wilson administrator of his estate on a bond of 50 pounds [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, V:462]. Perhaps his children were

i. Edward¹, born say 1738, purchased 80 acres in Bertie County at the mouth of Plumtree Branch of Cashie Swamp from Thomas Wilson by deed of 10 July 1759 witnessed by Embry Bunch [DB I:364]. He was a "free male molattor" in Jonathan Standley's 1764 Bertie tax list, taxed with his "Molattor Servant" John Cobb [CR 10.702], and taxed with (his brother?) James Wilson in Jonathan Standley's 1767 list. Embry Bunch was also taxed in Standley's list in a household nearby. He purchased 20 acres on the north side of the Cashie Swamp between his own line and Bunch's from David Standley on 22 May 1786 and another 56 acres between Connaritsa Swamp and Mill Branch in Bertie near Jonathan Standley on 8 September 1795 [DB N:333; Q:454]. He was counted as white in 1790, head of a Bertie County household of 5 males and 5 females [NC:15].

 

Surry and Isle of Wight counties

1.    Thomas² Wilson, born say 1737, was among fourteen free African Americans who were presented by the Surry County, Virginia court on 21 November 1758 for failing to pay tax on their wives [Orders 1757-64, 135]. He may have been the Thomas Wilson, Jr., who purchased 200 acres on the south side of Cypress Swamp bounded by Spratleys Branch and Great Branch in Surry County on 20 November 1759 and sold this land on 19 January 1762 [DB 7:483; 8:96]. He was taxable in Surry County on a horse in 1785 but not subject to personal tax [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-90, frame, 391]. His children were

i. ?Armstead, born about 1762, registered as a "free Negro" in Surry County on 29 October 1795: a free man of a pretty dark cast, born of free parents aged about 33 years, about 5'5 or 6" and pretty stout made [Back of Guardian Accounts Book 1783-1804, no.11]. He was taxable in Surry County from 1787 to 1790 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-90, frames 436, 510, 586].

ii. Thomas³, born about 1768, registered as a "free Negro" in Surry County on 5 January 1796: son of Thomas Wilson a Mulattoe man aged about 28 years, pretty well made, 5'9" high, born of free parents