BAILEY FAMILY

1.    Ann Bailey, born say 1725, was called a "free Negro" on 18 July 1754 when she sued William Freeman in Norfolk County court for taking her daughter Sue outside the colony. She was called Ann Bailey, "a free Molatto," on 17 January 1755 when the court bound her daughter Sue to Lewis Stanford. She was the "free negro" mother of James Bailey who complained to the Norfolk County court on 17 December 1772 about the treatment he was receiving from his master John Lewelling [Orders 1753-5, 64a, 96, 110; 1771-3, 140]. She was the mother of

i. Sue, born say 1745, ordered bound apprentice to Lewis Stanford by the churchwardens of Elizabeth River Parish in Norfolk County on 17 January 1755.

2     ii. ?Amy, born say 1750.

iii. ?William, taxable in District 1 of Hertford County, North Carolina, on 76 acres, a slave 50-60 years old, 3 horses, and 9 cattle in 1779 [GA 30.1, p.5], head of a Hertford County household of 6 "other free" and a white woman in 1790 [NC:25] and 3 "other free," a white woman, and a slave in 1800, perhaps the William Bailey who was head of a Norfolk County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:889]. He may have been the father of Sue Bailey who married William Webb, 18 December 1792 Norfolk County bond, James Williams surety. And he may have been the William Bailey who received voucher no. 3444 for £6 on 29 September 1784 in Edenton District for military service [North Carolina Revolutionary Pay Vouchers, 1779-1782, http://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2WT-LR4T].

iv. Thomas, married Rebecca Harmon, 24 December 1771 Norfolk County bond, William Bayley surety.

v. James, born say 1760, made a complaint against his master John Lewelling which was dismissed by the Norfolk County court on 23 January 1773 [Orders 1771-3, 147].

vi. ?Lemuel, (no race indicated) ordered bound to Francis Jordan by the Norfolk County court on 19 March 1774 [Orders 1773-5, 33], perhaps identical to Samuel Bailey, head of a Norfolk County household of 8 "other free" and a slave in 1810 [VA:816].

vii. ?Priscilla, head of a Petersburg household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:124b].

 

2.    Amy Bailey, born say 1750, was a "free negro" living in Norfolk County on 17 August 1775 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Elizabeth River Parish to bind her daughter Frances to Thomas Marshall [Orders 1773-5, 78]. She was the mother of

i. Frances, born say 1775.

 

BAINE FAMILY

1.    Betty Baines, born say 1730, was a "free woman" living in Gloucester County and married to a fifty-two or fifty-three-year-old "mulatto man" (slave) named Gabriel on 20 January 1776 when his master John Hudson of Albemarle County placed an ad in the Virginia Gazette offering a reward for his return. Gabriel had formerly been the property of a Mrs. Thornton at the mouth of Queen's Creek in York County [Pinkney edition, p. 3, col. 2]. Betty may have been the mother of

i. Humphrey, born say 1756, presented by the grand jury in York County on 21 December 1772 for not listing himself as a tithable [Judgments & Orders 1772-4, 172]. He received bounty land based on his discharge by Lieutenant D. Mann which stated that he enlisted in the State Garrison Regiment on 23 September 1778 and served until 23 September 1781 [Revolutionary War Bounty Warrants, Bane, Humphrey, 1783, Digital Collections, LVA]. P. Humphrey Baine was with a group of "Free mulattoes or negroes," with Nancy Baine and a horse, tenants to Mr. Borum, living in a lot or rear of a residence in Richmond City in the 1782 census [VA:112].

 

BAKER FAMILY

1.    John¹ Baker, born say 1755, was called "a Mulatto by a White Woman" when the York County court ordered the churchwardens of Yorkhampton Parish to bind him out as an apprentice on 21 February 1763. On 20 October 1766 he was a "Mulatto boy" who the court ordered bound to someone else because he was greatly misused by his master Cuthbert Hubberd [Judgments & Orders 1759-63, 391, 470; Orders 1765-8, 147]. He may have been the brother of Barbara Baker, a seven-year-old "Mulata Girl born of a white woman" who petitioned the New Hanover County, North Carolina court on 2 September 1761 to be bound apprentice to James Gregg [Minutes 1738-69, 199]. James Hubbard of Yorktown certified on 26 September 1833 that he was acquainted with John Baker, a "coloured man," who lived with his father in Warwick County, and enlisted in the Revolution for 3 years in the Continental Service, remained in service until the end of the war and returned to his father's for many years after [Baker, John: Revolutionary War Bounty Warrants, Digital Collection, LVA]. John was taxable in New Kent County from 1787 to 1814: called a "molatto" from 1791 to 1796 and from 1805 to 1814; taxable on 2 tithes in 1799, 1801, 1812; listed in 1813 with his unnamed son who was called John, Jr., in 1814 [PPTL 1782-1800, frames 93, 109, 141, 159, 180, 202; 1791-1828, frames 264, 279, 293, 304, 317, 328, 341, 353, 367, 405, 417, 428, 441, 452, 462, 491, 503]. He was head of a New Kent County household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:745]. His children were

i. ?Henry, born say 1782, a "M"(ulatto) New Kent County taxable from 1807 to 1810 [PPTL 1791-1828, frames 429, 441, 452].

ii. John², born say 1795, taxable in his father's New Kent County household in 1813 and 1814.

iii. ?Prisilla, head of a Richmond City household of 3 "other free" and a slave in 1810 [VA:321].

 

Northumberland County:

1.    Alice Baker, born say 1665, the servant of John Taylor, was convicted by the Northumberland County court in April 1683 for having "a bastard Child by a Negro man" [Orders 1678-98, 175]. She may have been the ancestor of

i. William, born say 1743, a "runaway mulatto boy," the servant of John Billups, who was caught before 5 September 1758 when Thomas Sullinger was paid by the Caroline County court for returning him. He ran away again in 1761. He was called a "mulatto servant" on 13 May 1763 when the court charged him with stealing goods from John Baylor, Esq. There was insufficient evidence to try him before the Court of Oyer and Terminer, but the court convicted him of a misdemeanor and ordered that he receive thirty-nine lashes [Orders 1755-8, 388; 1759-63, 143, 419].

 

Other members of a Baker family were

i. John, "a free man of colour," married Lilly Walker, a "free woman of colour," 24 November 1803 Norfolk County bond, perhaps the John Baker who was head of a Goochland County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:683].

ii. Eliza, born before 1776, head of a Halifax County, North Carolina household of 4 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:142].

 

BALKHAM FAMILY

1.    Thomas Baulkham, born about 1714, a "Mulattoe" who petitioned the Orange County, Virginia court for his freedom from his master Arjalon Price in September 1739. The case was dismissed in March 1740 when Thomas admitted that he was bound until the age of thirty-one but was only about twenty-six at the time [Orders 1739-41, 68, 87, 116, 137]. On 22 June 1758 the court ordered that he be paid as a witness for William Minor in the Orange County suit of Reuben Lantor. On 23 November 1758 he and Ann Rustin were indicted for fornication. He pled not guilty and the case was dismissed on 23 August 1759, probably because they married [Orders 1754-63, 404, 479, 491]. Ann was probably identical to Ann Rustin, born say 1715, who petitioned the Prince George's County, Maryland court together with her sister Alice on 24 August 1736 saying that they were the children of Elizabeth Riston by a white man and asked that the constable where they lived be ordered to remove them from the list of taxables. The court granted their request [Court Record 1736-8, 151]. Thomas was taxable on a tithe in Orange County in 1752 (called Thomas Backhum) and on 2 tithes from 1755 to 1769 (called Thomas Balcam/ Balkom/ Balkham). He was overseer for Elijah Morton in 1756 [Little, Orange County Tithables, 28, 36, 42, 64, 76, 82, 92, 96, 109]. He was called a "Free Mulatto" in 1764 when he sued Elijah Morton, one of the gentlemen justices, for his share of tobacco and corn that he had produced as overseer of six workers for Morton in the years 1750, 1751, 1757 and 1758. The jury examined Thomas's accounts, tobacco warehouse receipts and other records and awarded him £35. However, in 1769 Morton won an appeal to the General Court for retrial by a new jury. The court settled part of the dispute and appointed John Lewis and Oliver Fowles, Gentlemen, to arbitrate the remainder. The arbitrators reviewed the records and found on 29 May 1772 that Thomas owed Morton £2.19, so they ruled that Thomas pay Morton's court costs. On 20 July 1772 Joseph Spencer, one of Thomas's witnesses, won a suit against him for failure to pay for attending the trial ten days [LVA microfilm no. 136, Judgments, June 1771-September 1772, May 1772 Papers, frames 415-479; June 1772 Papers, frames 728-731].

BALL FAMILY

1.    Elizabeth Ball, born say 1765, was a weaver counted in the list of "Free Molattoes" living on William Edward's land with her children George and Clarisa in Westmoreland County in 1801 [Virginia Genealogist 31:40]. She was the mother of

i. George.

ii. Clarisa, head of a Westmoreland County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 and taxable on 2 "Mo." persons in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1815, frame 766].

 

Other members of the Ball family in Virginia were

i. Jane, a "Mulatto" child living in Loudoun County on 8 February 1779 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Cameron Parish to bind her to William Evans [Orders 1776-83, 150].

ii. Robert, head of a Loudoun County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:288].

iii. Sally, head of a Richmond City household of 4 "other free" and a slave in 1810 [VA:341].

 

BALTRIP FAMILY

1.    Ann Baltrip, born say 1740, was living in Halifax County, Virginia, in June 1761 when the churchwardens of Antrim Parish were ordered to bind out her "Mulatto" child Frank to John Middleton [Pleas 3:254]. On 12 April 1765 she was sued for debt by the churchwardens of Cornwall Parish, Lunenburg County, probably for having an illegitimate child [Orders 1764-5, 53]. She was the servant of Edmond Denney of Rowan County, North Carolina, on 10 May 1770 when the court bound her children to her master, her "Melatto" daughter Hannah until the age of thirty-one and her white son John until the age of twenty-one [Minutes 1768-72, 198-9]. She was the mother of

i. ?James, born about 1759 in Virginia, one of the Continental soldiers from Bute County who enlisted on 3 September 1778: 5 feet 4" high, 20 years old, dark hair, dark eyes (listed next to Edward Going in the same list as Charles Rowe) [N.C. Archives, digital collection, Troop Returns, Box 4, folder 35, http://digital.ncdcr.gov/cdm/compoundobject/collection/p16062coll26/id/648/rec/165]. Charles Dixon drew his final pay [Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, XVII:193].

2     ii. Hannah, born about March 1759.

iii. Frank, born say 1761, bound out in Halifax County, Virginia, on June 1761 [Pleas 3:254].

iv. John, born about March 1763, a white boy who was seven years and two months old on 10 May 1770 when he was bound out in Rowan County.

 

2.    Hannah Baltrip, born about March 1759, was nine years and two months old on 10 May 1770 when the Rowan County court bound her to Edmond Denney. She was taxable in the Surry County, North Carolina household of Edmund Denny in 1775 [Absher, Some Pioneers from Wilkes County, 188]. She was probably thirty-one years old on 26 October 1791 when the Wilkes County court ordered that she be set free "from this time hinceforth & forevermore" [Absher, Wilkes County Court Minutes, III:18]. On 27 January 1791 the Wilkes County court ordered that Edmond Denny have a hearing in court about her orphan children [Absher, Some Pioneers from Wilkes County, 83]. She was head of a Wilkes County household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [NC:29]. The children bound to Edmund Denny were

i. Sarah Baltrip, alias Roe, born about 1778, bound in Wilkes County to Charles Gordon on 28 October 1790 [Absher, Wilkes County Court Minutes, III:19] and to Edmund Denny at the age of fourteen years on 3 August 1792 [Absher, Wilkes County Will Books 1:33].

ii. Milly, born about 1781, a ten-year-old bound to Edmond Denny on 28 October 1791, to receive a horse at the age of eighteen years [Absher, Wilkes County Court Minutes, III:19].

 

BANKS FAMILY

Richetta Jones Banks, born about 1858, daughter of Dawson Banks (1804) and Ridley Ann Jones (1825).  Richetta is the great granddaughter of John Banks (1735), an American Revolutionary War Patriot of Surry County Virginia.  The photo belongs to Anthony Elliott.

 

1.    Elizabeth¹ Banks, born say 1665, was the white servant of Major James Goodwin on 20 June 1683 when she was presented by the York County court for "fornication and Bastardy with a negroe slave." She was given thirty nine lashes, and the term of her indenture was extended [DOW 6:498]. She was apparently the mother of

2     i. Mary¹, born in 1683.

3     ii. Anne¹, born say 1685.

 

2.    Mary¹ Banks, born in 1683, was called the "Mallatto" servant of Martin Goodwin in York County court on 24 November 1702 when she agreed to serve him an additional year for having an illegitimate child and bound her "Mallato" daughter Hannah Banks to Peter Goodwin until the age of twenty-one years. Peter Goodwin was to provide her with three barrels of corn and clothing at the completion of her indenture according to law. On 23 February 1703/4 she indentured her three or four-month-old "Mollatto" daughter Elizabeth to Martin Goodwin and agreed to serve him an extra year for paying her fine [DOW 12:67, 181, 188]. She was the mother of

4     i. Hannah¹, born say 1702.

5     ii. Elizabeth², born about November 1703.

6     iii. ?William¹, born say 1705.

7     iv. ?John¹, born say 1708.

 

3.    Anne¹ Banks, born say 1685, was presented by the York County court on 24 September 1706 for fornication, and on 29 January 1706/7 complained to the court that she had completed her service to her master Nicholas Phillips but was still detained by him [DOW 13:17, 34]. She was living in Southampton County on 12 July 1759 when the court ruled that she be exempt in the future from paying taxes [Orders 1754-9, 516]. James Brooks called her his "housekeeper" when he left her 5 cattle, half his hogs, personal property and half his crop by his Southampton County will which was presented to the court in March 1759 [Southside Virginian, 1 (1982):29, Southampton County wills from loose papers]. The court dismissed James Brooks, Jr.'s suit against her on 11 September 1761 when he failed to prosecute, and his suit against her abated on 13 August 1762 when the sheriff reported that she was no longer an inhabitant of the county. On 10 December 1762 Brooks was fined 5 shillings for assaulting her [Orders 1759-63, 151, 234, 272]. She may have been the mother of

8     i. Ann², born say 1706.

 

4.    Hannah¹ Banks, born say 1702, daughter of Mary Banks, was a "Mulatto" bound until the age of twenty-one years to Peter Goodwin on 24 November 1702 in York County [DOW 12:67]. She may have been the mother of

9     i. Mary³/ Moll, born say 1725.

 

5.    Elizabeth² Banks, born about November 1703, was the "Mollatto" daughter of Mary Banks of York County. She was listed in the 20 December 1722 inventory of the York County estate of Mary Reade: a "mulatto Girle" valued at £7 [OW 16, pt. 1, 209]. She may have been the mother of

10   i. Mary²/ Moll Banks, born say 1724.

11   ii. Elizabeth³ Banks, born say 1727.

 

6.    William¹ Banks, born say 1705, was a "mulatto Boy" listed in the 20 December 1722 inventory of the York County estate of Mary Reade, valued at £8. Mary Read gave him to her son Samuel Read by her 7 December 1722 York County will: "one Mulatto Boy ______ks" [OW 16, pt. 1, 165, 209]. He was living in Southampton County on 12 September 1752 when he was sued for a £2.0.5 debt due by account. He and his wife Frances were exempted from paying levies in Southampton County on 14 July 1757. He, or perhaps a son by that name, was sued by James Brooks for a debt of £5.5, but on 10 July 1761 the sheriff reported that he was no longer an inhabitant of the county [Orders 1749-54, 269; 1754-9, 372; 1759-63, 128]. William and Frances may have been the ancestors of

12    i. Edith, born about 1753.

13   ii. William², born say 1755.

iii. ?Priscilla/ Caelea, a "poor child" living in Southampton County on 14 May 1761 when the court ordered the churchwardens to bind her out [Orders 1759-63, 102, 183], mother of Charlotte Banks, a poor child bound out in Southampton County on 15 July 1799 [Minutes 1799-1803, 25]. Prissy registered in Southampton County on 1 August 1810: age 50, Blk., 5 feet 3 inches, free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 804] and was listed in Ned Whitfield's household on William Newton's land in St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County in 1812 and 1814 [PPTL 1807-21, frames 305, 428].

14   iv. Silas, born say 1761.

 

7.    John¹ Banks, born say 1708, was a "Mulatto Servant by Indenture" valued at £12 in the 9 September 1725 inventory of the Surry County estate of Bartlett Morland. He was called a "Mallatto fellow" who lately belonged to Bartlett Morland, deceased, on 17 June 1727 when his value was reappraised at £6 by order of the court [DW 7:603, 741, 972]. He may have been identical to the John Banks who was presented by the York County court on 15 December 1735 for not listing his "Molatto" wife as a tithable. His wife may have been Sarah Banks, the daughter of Mary Roberts, who was named in her mother's 19 September 1749 York County will [OW 18:245; W&I 20:163]. John purchased 100 acres on the east side of Cypress Swamp in Surry County on 21 September 1756 [DB 7:276]. On 21 November 1758 the Surry County court issued a presentment against him and (his son) John Banks, Jr., for "not listing their wife's according to law supposing the said persons to be Mulattoes" [Orders 1757-64, 135]. His 3 September 1780 Surry County will, partially proved 26 December the same year, left his plantation to his son Matthew Banks and mentioned other unnamed children [Unrecorded Wills, 1767-1828, http://familysearch.org/search/catalog/1908507, film 4121861, frames 10-1]. Matthew died before 22 February 1796 when his heirs (brother and sisters) sold their share of his land [Deeds 1792-99, 344-6]. John¹ was the father of

15    i. John², Jr., born say 1735.

ii. Matthew, born say 1748, named in his father's will. James Kee, Esquire, the commissioner for the Surry County census in 1784, received his final pay of £22 for service as a soldier in the artillery [NARA, M881, Roll 1090, frame 575 of 2028; http://fold3.com/image/286702693]. Matthew was head of a Surry County household of 1 free person in 1784 [VA:78], and in 1787 he was taxable on the 100 acres he inherited from his father. He sold this land to William Kea in 1795 and purchased 75 acres in Surry County on 1 February 1795 from Sampson Walden [Property Tax Alterations, 1796; Deeds 1792-99, 296-7]. He was taxable on his personal property from 1783 to 1794 [PPTL, 1782-90, frames 369, 399, 490, 565; 1791-1816, frames 75, 176]. He died before 22 February 1796 when his heirs (brother and sisters: John Banks, Judy Charity, Susanna Howell, and Hannah Roberts) sold this 75 acres to Howell Deberix [Deeds, 1792-99, 344-6].

iii. Judy¹, born say 1750, married Henry Charity, head of a Surry County household of 9 persons in 1782 [VA:43].

iv. Susanna, born say 1752, married _____ Howell.

v. Hannah³, born say 1755, married Joseph Roberts.

 

8.    Ann² Banks, born say 1706, was presented by the York County court on 20 December 1731 for having a bastard child on information of the churchwardens of Yorkhampton Parish. She apprenticed her "Mulatto" daughter Hannah to Patrick Matthews in York County on 18 November 1745 with Eliza Banks as witness [OW 17:248, 273, 308, 338; W&I 18:5; 19:397; Deeds 1741-54, 152]. She was the mother of

16   i. Hannah², born say 1731.

17   ii. ?Elizabeth⁴/ Betty, born about 1744.

 

9.    Mary³/ Moll Banks, born say 1725, was a "Mulatto Woman" presented by the York County court on 20 November 1749 for not listing herself as a tithable [Judgments & Orders 1746-52, 256, 277, 284] and was probably identical to "M_____s" (damaged order book page), a "free Mulatto" whose son Jimmy was ordered bound to Patrick Matthews by the York County court on 19 August 1751. She was the mother of

i. Peter, born say 1741, Moll's "Mulatto" son living in Crab Neck on 16 July 1753 when he bound himself as an apprentice planter to Thomas Wooten, Jr., in York County on 16 July 1753 [Deeds, Bonds 1741-54, 551-2]. He was presented by the court on 16 November 1772 and 15 November 1773 for not listing himself as a tithable [Judgments & Orders 1772-4, 151, 437].

18   ii. James, born about 1749.

19   iii. ?William³, born about 1767.

 

10.    Mary²/ Moll Banks, born say 1724, was the mother of Jane Banks, an orphan (no parent or race mentioned) who was bound apprentice to Walter Leak in Goochland County in September 1744 and called a child of Mary Banks when she was bound to Judith Leak in September 1760 [Orders 1741-44, 132; 1757-61, 365]. She was taxable in the St. James Northam Parish, Goochland County household of Walter Leake in 1746 and 1748 [List of Tithables, 1730-1755, frames 77, 161-2]. She was living in Goochland County in May 1757 when her children were bound apprentices [Orders 1750-57, 646; 1757-61, 180]. She was the mother of

i. ?Gideon¹, born say 1742, an "orphan boy" (no parent or race mentioned) bound to William Leak in Goochland County in October 1742 [Orders 1741-44, 132].

20   ii. Jane¹, born about 1744.

21   iii. Louisa, born say 1746.

22   iv. John³, born 25 February 1749.

v. Judith², born say 1751, an orphan ordered bound out by the churchwardens of St. James Northam Parish in Goochland County in May 1757 (no parent named) and called child of Mary when she was bound to Judith Leak in February 1759 [Orders 1750-7, 646; 1757-61, 180].

23   vi. Jacob¹, born in August 1754.

vii. Agnes, born say 1756, an orphan ordered bound out by the churchwardens of St. James Northam Parish in Goochland County in May 1757 (no parent named) [Orders 1750-57, 646] and called child of Mary when she was bound to Judith Leak in February 1759 [Orders 1757-61, 180]. She was probably the same as Agnes, daughter of "Mary Begs a Negroe w  13 June 1756 by Rev. William Douglas [Jones, Douglas Register, 348].

viii. ?Mary⁴, born say 1758, married James Johnson (in Goochland County), "both of this parish & Mulattoes," on 7 November 1776 [Jones, Douglas Register, 347]. He may have been the James Johnson who was head of a Buckingham County household of 17 "other free" in 1810 [VA:799].

 

11.    Elizabeth³ Banks, born say 1727, may have been identical to "Mulatto Betty" who was living in Warwick County on 6 July 1749 when the court ordered the churchwardens to bind her son Malicai to Thomas Hobday to be a planter [Minutes 1748-62, 43 (p.30 of transcript)]. She may have been the ancestor of

24   i. Malachi¹, born say 1749.

25   ii. Elizabeth⁵, born say 1762.

iii. Mary⁷/ Molly, born about 1769, registered in York County on 18 December 1809: a Mulatto woman about 40 years of age, 5 feet & an half Inch high, her face a little pitted with the small pox, has very large nostrils, pouting thick lips and is a low well set woman - was born of free parents in the Cy of Warwick but has been residing in this Cy for the last 10 Years. She was head of a Yorktown, York County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:870].

iv. Thomas¹, born say 1772, 16-21 year-old taxable in Warwick County in 1789 and a "Mulatto" taxable there in 1798 [PPTL, 1789, p.1; 1798, p.1]. He was taxable in York County from 1801 to 1807 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 263, 275, 304, 315, 325] and head of a York County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:871] and 4 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:155].

v. William⁴, born about 1773, a 16-21 year-old taxable in Warwick County in 1789 and a "Mulatto" taxable there in 1798 [PPTL, 1789, p.1; 1798, p.1]. He was taxable in York County from 1793 to 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 191, 200, 209, 219, 227, 254, 263, 304, 373] and head of a York County household of 4 "free colored" in 1820 (called William Banks, Jr.) [VA:157]. He registered in York County on 17 March 1823: (called Little Billy Banks) a very black man nearly 50 years of age, 5 feet 3-1/4 inches high, short hair which is little grey, round face, black Eyes...Born free [Guardians' Accounts, 1780-1823, following the index, No. 206].

vi. Joshua, born about 1777, taxable in York County from 1801 to 1805 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 263, 275, 284, 304], head of a Warwick County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:681]. He registered in York County on 19 March 1827: a mulatto man about 50 years of age, 5 feet 5-1/4 inches high, has a long forehead, much pitted with the small pox, has large whiskers & a pleasant countenance...born free [Guardians' Accounts, 1823-46, end of book, Register of Free Negroes, No. 231].

vii. William⁵, born say 1782, a "Mulatto" over the age of 16 in 1798 when he was listed in Warwick County: called William Banks, Jr. [PPTL, p.1].

 

12.    Edith Banks, born about 1753, was living in Southampton County on 9 May 1783 when the court ordered the churchwardens of St. Luke's Parish to bind out her children Jacob and Rebecca Banks [Orders 1778-84, 314]. She registered in Southampton County on 8 April 1808: age 55, yellow (Colour), 5 feet 3-1/2 inches high, free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 424]. She was a "free Negro" spinner living on Stith Nicholson's land in Southampton County in 1812 and 1813 [PPTL 1807-21, frames 297, 313]. She was the mother of

i. Jacob³, born about 1775, registered in Southampton County on 21 February 1798: age 23, Blackman, 6 feet 5/8 inches, free born and registered again on 12 March 1817 at the age of 45 [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, nos. 121, 1048]. He was taxable in St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, in John Applewhite's household from 1791 to 1794, a "f.n." with no fixed residence in 1817 [PPTL 1782-92, frames 811, 868; 1792-1806, frames 45, 72; 1807-21, frame 573].

26   ii. ?Anthony, born about 1776.

iii. Rebecca, born say 1780, married Richard Artis, 30 December 1801 Southampton County bond, Evans Pope surety.

 

13.    William² Banks, born say 1755, was head of a Northampton County, North Carolina household of 3 "Black" persons 12-50 years old and 4 "Black" persons less than 12 or over 50 years old in Captain Dupree's District for the 1786 state census. He was permitted to take the oath of insolvent debtor in the 23 August 1798 session of the Halifax County, North Carolina court. Perhaps his widow was Oney Banks, head of a Northampton County household of 5 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:218]. He may have been the father of

i. Brittain, born say 1785, ordered bound to Philip Brittle to be a planter by the 3 December 1792 Northampton County court [Minutes 1792-96, 40]. He was head of a Hertford County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [NC:101].

ii. Temperance, born say 1786, head of a Halifax County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [NC:9] and 4 "free colored" in Northampton County in 1820 [NC:214].

iii. Elizabeth⁹, bound an apprentice farmer to Jesse Smith, Sr., by the 5 December 1814 Northampton County court [Minutes 1813-21], perhaps the Betsy Banks who married Randall Tann, 5 July 1816 Northampton County bond, John Priden surety.

iv. Nancy¹, head of a Northampton County household of 1 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:220].

 

14.    Silas Banks, born say 1761, was taxable in the Southampton County household of William Drewry in 1788 [PPTL 1782-92, frame 658] and head of a Northampton County, North Carolina household of 3 "other free" in 1790 [NC:74], 7 in 1800 [NC:429], and 4 "free colored" in Halifax County in 1820 [NC:142]. He was probably outside the county of Northampton in 1810 when (his wife) Omey Banks was head of a household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [NC:715]. He (called Cyrus Banks) and his wife Naomi were named in the 20 September 1832 Champaign County, Ohio petition of Henry Newsome for partition of 200 acres in Rush County, Ohio [Champaign County Court of Common Pleas, Thursday, September 1832]. Naomi was apparently identical to Ona Banks who was living with (her son?) Everitt Banks in the Northampton County household of (her son-in-law) Thomas Smith in 1850. Silas and Naomi were the parents of

i. ?William⁸, born about 1791, a poor child bound out in Southampton County on 19 May 1800 [Minutes 1799-1803, 87], registered in Southampton County on 20 December 1817: age 26, 5 feet 9 inches, rather bright (Colour), free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 1132] and married Maria Pompey, 9 August 1825 Northampton County bond, Silas Banks surety.

ii. Everitt, born about 1802, married Rebecca Artis, 2 March 1824 Northampton County bond, Everitt Stancell surety. He was named as executor of the 25 May 1840 Northampton County will of his uncle Moses Newsom [WB 5:48]. He and Ona Banks (born about 1765) were living in the household of (his brother-in-law?) Thomas Smith in 1850. He married second, Cherry Tann, 6 December 1852 Northampton bond, January 1853 marriage by Green Stancell.

iii. Nancy⁴, born about 1808, married Thomas Smith, 9 September 1822 Northampton county bond, Everitt Banks surety. In 1850 Thomas was head of a Northampton County household with Nancy Smith and (Nancy's brother and mother?) Everitt and Ona Banks.

 

15.    John² Banks, Jr., born say 1735, was married before 21 November 1758 when he was presented by the Surry County court for not paying tax on his wife. In 1782 he was head of a Surry County household of 7 persons [VA:43]. He was taxable in Surry County from 1782 to 1800: taxable on 3 horses and 19 cattle in 1782; taxable on Benjamin Banks in 1787; taxable on Nathan Banks from 1788 to 1790; taxable on a slave named Tab in 1789; taxable on Jacob Tann's tithe in 1797 and 1798 [PPTL, 1782-90, frames 364, 383, 403, 411, 488, 519, 564; 1791-1816, 26, 127, 205, 284, 319, 400]. He died before 15 February 1801 when Jeremiah Banks, the administrator of his estate, paid for his funeral charges. On 19 August 1802 Jeremiah distributed £42 among John's heirs: Benjamin Banks, Priscilla Walden, the wife of James Wilson, Nathan Banks, Nancy Banks, the wife of Davis Jones, David Banks, and himself [WB 1:580-581]. John's children were

i. Jeremiah, born say 1760, head of a Surry County household of 0 whites in the 1784 list of William Boyce [VA:78]. He was taxable in Surry County from 1783 to 1813: taxable on slaves Joe and Tab, 2 horses and 8 cattle in 1787; taxable on slaves Jo and Aggy in 1788; taxable on slaves Lydia, Harry, Aggy, Fanny in 1789; taxable on slaves Lydia, Harry and Dadan in 1791; taxable on William Clark's tithe and slaves Harry, Liddia, Moses, and Jem in 1800; taxable on 4 free males and 2 slaves in 1809; a "free Negro & Mulatto" taxable on 2 slaves in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-90, frames 372, 403, 411, 488, 519; 1791-1816, 26, 127, 205, 284, 362, 400, 475, 516, 556, 610, 648, 685, 726]. He married Hannah Copeland Price, 15 March 1788 Surry County bond, Edmund Bennett surety, and was head of a Surry County household of 5 "other free" and 2 slaves in 1810 [VA:598]. According to the 23 December 1789 issue of the Virginia Gazette he was passing counterfeit pistole coins in Williamsburg: made by one John Hughes a silversmith in Surry; several of them were passed in Williamsburg by Jerry Banks a free mulatto and a white man by the name of John Holt [Virginia Gazette, http://accessible.com]. He died before 9 February 1815 when his Surry County estate was valued at $340 [WB 3:107].

ii. Priscilla, born say 1762, "daughter of John Banks," married William Walden, 2 February 1778 Surry County bond.

27   iii. Benjamin, born about 1765.

iv. Faithy, born say 1768, "daughter of John Banks," married James Wilson, 31 May 1786 Surry County bond, Joseph Roberts surety, 1 June 1786 Isle of Wight marriage.

v. ?John⁴, born say 1769, taxable in Surry County from 1788 to 1790: called John Banks, Jr. [PPTL, 1782-90, frames 488, 519, 564]. He married Mildred Valentine, 29 May 1789 Surry County bond, Sampson Walden surety, 31 May marriage in Southampton County [Minister's Returns, 642].

vi. Nathan, born about 1771, taxable in Surry County from 1788 to 1795: listed in his father's household from 1788 to 1790 [PPTL, 1782-90, frames 488, 564; 1791-1816, frames 26, 205]. He registered in Surry County on 3 September 1795: son of John Banks, a mulattoe man aged 24 years pretty stout made about 5' 10 or 11" high, born of free parents [Back of Guardian Accounts Book 1783-1804, no. 6]. He was a "free Negro" taxable in Isle of Wight County from 1799 to 1810 [PPTL 1782-1810, frames 459, 508, 540, 557, 617, 634, 692, 733, 751, 809, 828].

vii. Nancy.

viii. Clara, married Davis Jones, 5 June 1795 Isle of Wight County bond, Francis Young surety, 6 June marriage.

ix. David.

 

16.    Hannah² Banks, born say 1731, daughter of Ann Banks, bound herself as an apprentice to Patrick Matthews in York County on 18 November 1745 until the age of twenty-one years [Deeds, Bonds 1741-54, 152]. She was presented by the York County court on 17 November 1766 for not listing herself as a tithable [Orders 1765-68, 161, 206]. She may have been the mother of

i. Judith³, born about 1767, registered in York County on 11 February 1803: a free negro, 36 years of age, five feet 3/4 Inches High of a yellowish complexion, flat nose, wide mouth & black eyes with a dimple in her right cheek when she smiles [Free Negro Register 1798-1831, no. 21]. She may have been the Judy Banks who was taxable on a slave in York County in 1804 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frame 295].

 

17.    Elizabeth⁴/ Betty Banks, born about 1744, registered in Petersburg on 13 October 1794: a dark brown Mulatto woman, five feet one inches high, supposed about fifty years old, born free & raised in the County of Richmond [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 93]. She was the mother of

i. Sally, born about 1771, registered in Petersburg on 13 October 1794: a light Mulatto woman, five feet six inches high, twenty three years old, daughter of Betty & born free [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 94]. She married Reuben Bird, 22 October 1803 Petersburg bond, John Bird surety.

 

18.    James Banks, born about 1749, was the son of M_____s (damaged order book page), a free Mulatto" living in York County on 19 August 1751 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Yorkhampton Parish to bind out her son Jimmy. James was called a "poor orphan" on 21 February 1763 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Yorkhampton Parish to bind him to James Anderson and called a "Mulatto" in the indenture bond which bound him as an apprentice blacksmith for seven years [Judgments & Orders 1749-53, 451; Deeds 1755-63, 499]. He was taxable in York County from 1784 to 1812 and head of a household of 2 "free Negroes & mulattoes over 16" in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 91, 139, 148, 171, 180, 227, 362, 373, 385]. He may have been the father of

i. Critty, born about 1781, registered in York County on 16 December 1822: a very light Mulatto about 41 years of age, 5 feet 4 Inches high [Free Negro Register 1798-1831,

 

19.    William³ Banks, born about 1766, married Patty Maclin, 8 September 1787 York County marriage by Rev. Jo: Davenport [Guardians' Accounts 1780-1823 (follows index and Register of Free Negroes)]. He was taxable in York County from 1788 to 1812: called William Banks "of Poquoson" from 1805 to 1811 and in 1812 when he was taxable on a slave [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 139, 148, 181, 190, 209, 263, 275, 284, 304, 315, 325, 351, 362, 373]. He was head of a York County household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:870] and 4 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:155]. On 21 December 1812 he was called William Banks, Sr., when he and William Banks, Jr., posted bond of $400 to administer the estate of Thomas Banks [Orders 1803-14, 547]. On 5 March 1813 he purchased 52 acres on the south side of the main road from Yorktown to Williamsburg for £55 and was called William Banks, Senr., on 29 April 1821 when he purchased another 6 acres adjoining his own land [DB 8:225; 9:162]. He registered in York County on 16 December 1822: a Mulatto about 55 years of age, 5 feet 8-1/2 inches high [Free Negro Register 1798-1831, no.149]. On 9 October 1832 he was called a "man of Colour" when he purchased 50 acres adjoining his own land in York County from the executor of the estate of Israel Kemp [DB 11:337]. He was a "free man of colour" who died about 1843-1847 according to a chancery suit over division of his land among his ten children, all of whom were of full age in 1853: William, Fanny (wife of John Morris), Milly (married Henry Wallace), Christian, Godfrey, Sally (married John Wallace), Mary, James, Thomas and Betsy [LVA chancery case 1853-012; DB 15:133]. His children were

i. William⁷, born say 1788.

ii. Fanny, described as a "lunatic" (mentally ill) in 1853, married John Morris, plaintiff in the chancery suit.

iii. Milly, born before 1798, head of a York County household of 1 "free Negroes & mulattoes over 16" in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frame 385], called Milly Hunley of Bruton Parish on 2 December 1846 when she married Henry Wallace by York County bond.

iv. Christian.

v. Godfrey,

vi. Sally, married John Wallace, 18 December 1848 York County bond.

vii. Mary.

viii. James.

ix. Thomas³, sold his interest in the 102 acres of land which descended to him as an heir of his father Billy Banks to Godfrey Banks for $50 on 12 May 1849 [DB 15:28].

x. Betsy.

 

20.    Jane¹ Banks, born about 1744, was bound to William Leak in Goochland County in September 1744 (no parent or race mentioned) and was called a child of Mary when she was bound to Judith Leak in September 1760. She sued Judith Leak in Goochland County court in June 1762 for her freedom dues [Orders 1741-4, 490; 1756-61, 365; 1761-65, 63, 208]. She died before 22 October 1770 when the Cumberland County, Virginia court ordered the churchwardens of Southam Parish to bind her "mulattoe" daughter Mary Banks to Edmund Clements. On 25 April 1774 Mary was called the orphan of Jane Banks (no race indicated) when the court ordered her bound to Joseph Leek [Orders 1770-2, 107; 1774-8, 156]. She was the mother of

28    i. ?Jane², born say 1763.

ii. Mary⁵, born say 1765, bound out in Cumberland County in 1770.

iii. ?Jacob², born before 1776, head of a Craven County, North Carolina household of 4 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:77]. He married Phebe Moore, 13 August 1821 Craven County bond.

 

21.    Louisa Banks, born say 1746, was bound to Walter Leak in Goochland County in November 1749. She was called a child of Mary Banks when she was bound to Judith Leak in September 1760 [Orders 1744-9, 561; 1757-61, 365]. She was taxable in Shadrack Mims's Goochland County household in 1769 [List of Tithables 1767-1780, frame 119]. She was the mother of

i. Mary⁶, born say 1766, "infant of Louisa Banks" (no age or race mentioned) bound by the Goochland County court to Shadrack Mimms in April 1767 [Orders 1765-70, 15]. She married Henry Isaacs, 4 November 1787 Goochland County bond, Josiah Leake surety. Henry was taxable in Goochland County from 1789 to 1799 [PPTL 1782-1809, frames 221, 239, 282, 298, 343, 483, 529]. He was called a "free Mulattoe" when his suit against Edward Houchins in Goochland County court for battery was continued for the award on 21 November 1792 [Orders 1791-4, 207]. His wife Molly was called Molly Isaacs in October 1804 when her children Peyton and Austin Isaacs (nine and eleven years old) were bound to William Clarke [Goochland County Miscellaneous Court Papers 1728-1840, LVA cited by Butler, Evolution of a Rural Free Black Community, 224]. Molly was head of a Goochland County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:699]. She may have been the Mary Ann Isaacs whose son William Isaacs registered in Nelson County on 27 July 1818: aged twenty three years and son to Mary Ann Isaacs a woman of Colur is a free man and has been since his birth. The certificate was registered in Albemarle County in June 1819 [Isaacs, William (M, 23): Free Negro Register, 1818, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

ii. Gideon², child of Louisa, a "free Negro," bound to Shadrack Mimms in Goochland in November 1768 [Orders 1765-70, 277].

iii. Kitty, daughter of Louisa Banks, bound by the Goochland County court to Joseph Payne, Gent., on 20 October 1788 [Orders 1788-91, 63].

 

22.    John³ Banks, born 25 February 1749, was an orphan in May 1757 when the Goochland County court ordered the churchwardens of St. James Northam Parish to bind him out and called the child of Mary when he was bound to Judith Leak in February 1759 [Orders 1750-7, 646; 1757-61, 180]. He was taxable in Goochland County in 1774 [List of Tithables 1767-1780, frame 319], taxable in the upper district of Goochland County from 1787 to 1813: charged with James Banks's tithe from 1795 to 1798, a "Mulatto" planter near James Wares's land in 1804, living near James Holman from 1805 to 1813, charged with John Banks, Jr.'s tithe in 1811, listed with his wife Sally, John, Judy and Nancy Banks in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frames 149, 217, 278, 338, 387, 419, 478, 523, 614, 736, 820; 1810-32, frames 3, 156] and head of a Goochland County household of 11 "other free" in 1810 [VA:684]. He registered in Goochland County on 3 September 1823: a man of colour, was 74 years of age the 25^th day of last February, about six feet high [Register of Free Negroes, p.152]. He enlisted in the Revolution in Goochland County about 1779, served for 2 years, and was discharged at the barracks in Albemarle County. On 22 May 1822 when he applied for a pension, his family consisted of his wife Sally, his 13-year-old niece Mary Banks and his 12-year-old nephew John Brown. He died before 19 August 1845 when his wife applied for and was granted a widow's pension. She stated that she was born about 1756 and that they were married about the Spring of 1772 by Parson McLaerin in the Episcopal Church of Cumberland County, Virginia. On 6 February 1846 Walter D. Leake of Henrico County testified that Sally had a daughter living who was at least 70 years old [NARA, W.5763, roll 134, frame 329; http://fold3.com/image/10996332]. He was the father of

i. Sally, born 2 July 1779, "daughter of John Banks," married Thomas Lynch, 29 July 1801 Goochland County bond, Edward Fuzmore surety, 29 July marriage [Minister's Returns, 78].

ii. Jane³, born say 1785, "daughter of John Banks," married Dick Adams, 5 December 1803 Goochland County bond, Josiah Leaks surety, 5 December marriage [Ministers' Returns, 85]. Richard Adams was head of a Goochland County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:682].

iii. Judith⁴, born about 1794, twenty-one-year-old daughter of John Banks, married Elijah Day, 28 December 1815 Goochland County bond, Jacob Martin surety [Ministers' Returns, 127].

iv. John, born say 1795, taxable in 1811.

 

23.    Jacob¹ Banks, born in August 1754 according to his pension application, was an orphan ordered bound out by the churchwardens of St. James Northam Parish in Goochland County in May 1757 (no parent named) and called child of Mary Banks when he was bound to Judith Leak in February 1759. In December 1772 he sued Elisha Leak to whom he was bound as an apprentice, and the court bound him instead to Peter Pollock to learn the trade of carpenter [Orders 1750-57, 646; 1757-61, 180; 1771-78, 263]. He married Susannah Jones (Johns), "Mulattoes both," on 29 August 1775 in Goochland County [Jones, The Douglas Register, 347]. Susanna Jones was taxable in William Swift's Goochland County household in 1766. Jacob was taxable in Goochland County in 1774 and 1778 [List of Tithables 1756-1766, frame 350; 1767-1780, frames 319, 412], taxable in the upper district of Goochland County from 1782 to 1813: taxable on a horse and 2 cattle in 1782, charged with John Lynch's tithe in 1789, listed as a "Mulatto" carpenter on Thomas E. Randolph's land in 1804, charged with Martin and Elisha Banks's tithes in 1806, a "Mulatto" farmer living on Jesse Sanders's land when he was charged with Elisha Banks's tithe in 1809, charged with John Banks's tithe from 1810 to 1813, listed with wife Sucky in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frames 15, 42, 72, 131, 175, 217, 278, 356, 419, 478, 614, 685, 777, 863; 1810-32, frames 4, 69, 155] and head of a Goochland County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:684]. He registered in Goochland County on 21 September 1818: a free man of color aged 64 years about five feet Six inches high [Register of Free Negroes, p.106, no.221]. He was living in Goochland County on 17 September 1832 when he made a declaration to obtain a pension for his Revolutionary War services. He was a "free man of Color" who served 18 months as a wagoner. He died on 5 January 1835 [NARA, S.8056, M804, roll 134, frame 271; http://fold3.com/image/10996056]. Jacob's children were

i. Elizabeth⁶, born say 1776, "daughter of Jacob Banks," married Drury Farrar, 2 December 1792 Goochland County bond, 3 December marriage by Rev. Lewis Chaudoin.

ii. ?William⁵, born say 1780, taxable in Goochland County in 1798 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frame 478], married Nancy Martin, 16 February 1808 Goochland County bond, John Martin surety.

iii. Polly, born say 1781, daughter of Jacob Banks, married John Tiler (Tyler), 23 December 1797 Goochland County bond, Francis Tiler surety.

iv. Martin, born about 1787, married Betsy Ann Howell, daughter of Charles Howell, 11 March 1812 Goochland County bond, William Howell surety. He registered in Goochland County on 22 August 1810: a free man of color, about twenty three years of age, five feet seven inches & an half high [Register of Free Negroes, p.39, no.79].

v. Elisha, born about 1788, registered in Goochland County on 22 August 1810: five feet seven inches an half high, about twenty two years of age, yellow complexion, hair inclining to bushy [Register of Free Negroes, p.39, no.80]. He married Nancy Lynch, daughter of Polly Lynch, "people of color," 10 March 1813 Goochland County bond, 11 March marriage, Robert Lynch surety. He was a "Mulatto" taxable in 1813 with his wife Nancy, farming land owned by Rice Innes.

vi. Nancy², born say 1790, "daughter of Jacob Banks," married William Cooper, 29 August 1809 Goochland County bond, 1 September marriage, Jacob Martin surety.

vii. John, born say 1792, taxable in Jacob's household from 1810 to 1813.

 

24.    Malachi¹ Banks, born say 1749, was taxable in York County on 19 May 1783 when the court presented Elizabeth Pescud for not listing him as a tithable [Orders 1774-84, 324, 334]. And he was taxable on his own tithe from 1784 to 1814 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 83, 97, 170, 181, 190, 227, 275, 325, 337, 362, 373, 385, 403]. On 21 January 1793 the York County court discharged him from his recognizance on the complaint of Elizabeth Cuttillo and Mary Hopson for a breach of the peace [Orders 1788-95, 507]. He may have been the father of

i. Godfrey, taxable in York County in 1791 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frame 170], head of a York County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:871].

ii. Lucy, head of a York County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:871].

iii. Malachi², born about 1792, registered in York County on 19 February 1810: a slim fellow of yellow complexion 5 feet 6 Inches high abt 18 years of age, short thick hair, large flat nose...Born of a free Woman in the parish of York Hampton. On 15 July 1833 he and his wife Judith registered their daughter Lucy: a small Girl about 10 years of age, a little cross Eyed...a wide gap between her Teeth (she and her Brother, now at the Breast, are children of Malachi & Judith Banks, free persons of colour [Free Negro Register 1798-1831, nos. 39, 147, 42; 1831-50, no. 298].

 

25.    Elizabeth⁵ Banks, born say 1762, was called a "Free Mulatto" on 2 March 1783 when her son John was baptized in Bruton Parish in Williamsburg [Bruton Parish Register, 35]. She was taxable in York County on a horse in 1800, on a free tithable and a slave in 1801, 2 tithables from 1802 to 1804, 2 horses in 1805, 2 tithables and 2 horses in 1806 and taxable on a horse in 1807 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 254, 263, 275, 285, 295, 304, 315, 325], head of a York County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:887] and 3 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:157]. Hannah Gillett's suit against her was dismissed by the York County court on the agreement of the parties on 17 September 1804. She was called Betty Banks, Senr., in York County court on 20 May 1805 when Peter Haley sued her, Betty Banks, Patience Banks and Billy Scott for trespass, assault and battery. They were ordered to pay $40 [Orders 1803-14, 44, 75, 132, 220]. She was the mother of

i. ?Elizabeth⁸/ Betsy, born about 1788, registered in York County on 16 December 1822: a dark Mulatto 34 years of age 5 feet 8-/12 inches high [Register, no.183]. Her suit against William Williams for trespass, assault and battery was dismissed by the York County court at his costs on 15 August 1814 [Orders 1803-14, 615].

ii. John, baptized in Bruton Parish on 2 March 1783. He was taxable in York County in 1805 and 1807, taxable on 2 tithes in 1809, taxable on a slave in 1810, taxable on a tithe and a horse in 1811 and 1812 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 304, 325, 337, 351, 362, 373] and head of a York County household of 6 "other free" and a slave in 1810 [VA:887]. He died before 18 January 1819 when William Jarvis sued his estate in the hands of the sheriff for a $16 note which John Redcross posted as security for John Banks. His daughter Patsey Crawley, daughter of Polly Crawley, was bound out by the York County court on 19 June 1820 [Orders 1815-20, 351, 501].

iii. ?Judith, mother of free child-of-colour John Banks, by John Ashby, who the York County court bound out on 19 June 1820 [Orders 1815-20, 501].

iv. ?Patience, mother of Sam Banks, by John Wilson, who the York County court bound out on 19 June 1819 [Orders 1815-20, 501].

v. ?Faithy, mother of Bob Banks, by Ben Flowers, bound out on 19 June 1819 [Orders 1815-20, 501].

 

26.    Anthony Banks, born say 1780, was taxable in Greensville County from 1810 to 1814: listed with Nancy in 1813, "Mulattos," called Anthony Miles Banks in 1814 when he was taxable on 2 free tithes and 2 horses [PPTL 1782-1850, frames 400, 413, 430, 445, 460]. On 12 December 1807 he, his wife Nancy, Henry Stewart and Peyton Stewart, heirs of Thomas and Lucretia Stewart, sold 114 acres in Greensville County on the south side of Fountain Creek and both sides of Jordan's Road which they received by Thomas Stewart's will, and on 8 May 1809 Anthony and Nancy purchased 30 acres adjoining this land in Greensville County from James and Sarah Watkins. This was James and Sarah's allotment from the estate of Lucretia Byrd, widow of Thomas Stewart [DB 3:520; 4:117]. On 12 February 1810 the Greensville County court granted him a license to keep an ordinary at his house [Orders 1806-10, 429]. His wife Nancy Banks registered in Greensville County on 14 September 1814: wife of Anthony Banks, born free, of a black Complexion, aged twenty six years, five feet 4^1/2 Inches high in shoes [Register of Free Negroes, no. 46]. Anthony and Nancy were living in Perry Township, Logan County, Ohio, in 1850 [Census p. 206]. Two of their children were

i. Ewing S., born about 1807, 45 years old when he registered in Logan County, Ohio, on 11 June 1852: 5'10" tall, dark brown complexion...son of Anthony & Nancy Banks.

ii. Eaton Wilkison, born about 1813, twenty-one years old when he registered in Logan County on 24 June 1834: 5'10" tall, dark brown complexion...son of Anthony & Nancy Banks [Turpin, Register of Black, Mulatto, and Poor Persons, 13, 10].

 

27.    Benjamin Banks, born about 1765, was taxable in Surry County from 1787 to 1816: taxable in John Banks's household in 1787; taxable on 2 tithes in 1805; 3 in 1807; 4 "free Negroes & Mulattoes above the age of 16," 3 of whom were male tithables in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-90, frames 411, 519; 1791-1816, 26, 177, 252, 319, 400, 475, 556, 589, 628, 666, 704, 726, 848]. He was twenty-three years old when he married Mary Valentine, 12 December 1788 Surry County bond, John Banks surety. He registered in Surry County on 5 September 1798: son of John Banks ...a Mulatto man bright complexion aged about 30 years, has bushy hair, about five feet eight inches high, pretty well made, by profession a planter [Back of Guardian Accounts Book 1783-1804, no.32]. He married, second, Lucy Bruce, daughter of Elizabeth Bruce, 22 January 1803 Surry County bond, 19 February marriage, James Roberts surety. Benjamin was head of a Surry County household of 9 "other free" in 1810 [VA:601] and 12 "free colored" in 1830. The inventory of his Surry County estate was taken in 1832 [WB 6:303-4]. His wife Lucy was called "widow and relict of Benjamin Banks" in her 25 September 1841 Surry County will, proved 24 February 1845, which named her children Parthenia and Dawson and many of her grandchildren. Benjamin's children were

i. William⁶, born about 1787, registered in Surry County on 2 June 1809: a Mulatto Man aged about 22 years a son of Benjamin Banks of Surry County, thick lips has a large Nose, yellow complexion, his hair grows low in his forehead...and is 5'6" high [Hudgins, Surry County Register of Free Negroes, 38].

ii. Sampson, born about 1789, registered n Surry County on 28 March 1831: a mulatto man, son of Benjamin Banks...has curley hair, a pleasant countenance, of a bright complexion, stout made, is about 42 years of age and is 5'8-1/2" high [Hudgins, Surry County Register of Free Negroes, 91].

iii. Parthenia, married Elias Francis.

iv. Ruffin, born in January 1794, registered in Surry County on 29 August 1815: a Mulatto Man, is the son of Benjamin Banks of this County, is aged 21 years last January is 5'10" high, light complexion, his hair grows on his forehead [Hudgins, Surry County Register of Free Negroes, 53].

v. Willis, born in January 1797, registered in Surry County on 8 February 1820: a Mulatto Man and a Son of Benjamin Banks, who is of a bright complexion, has a large Mouth, thick lips, round distended Nostrils, his hair grows low on his Fore-head...5'7-1/2" high, straight & stout made, aged 23 years last January [Hudgins, Surry County Register of Free Negroes, 71].

vi. Elizabeth⁷/ Betsy, born about 1799, registered in Surry County on 23 April 1823: daughter of Benjamin Banks & Nancy Banks of Surry County who was born free, aged 24 years some time in the present year, is 4'4-1/4" high, full lips, her hair grows low on the forehead and temples, has round but not large Nostrils, her hair tolerable straight for a Mulatto, her complexion light. She was the mother of Benjamin's grandson John Banks who registered in Surry County on 23 May 1834: The bearer John Banks son of Betsy Banks was born Nov 14^th 1816 in the above named county within two miles of my House and lived with his Grandfather Benjamin Banks at the above named place until the year 1832. The above named John Banks was free born and his connections for three generations past. James Wilson [Hudgins, Surry County Register of Free Negroes, 116].

vii. Fielding, born about 1799, registered in Surry County on 22 September 1826 and 28 November 1831: a Mulatto Man & son of Benjamin Banks and Nancy his Wife, free Mulattoes, as certified to the clerk of the Surry County Court by James Wilson, a highly respectable resident of Surry County--the said Fielden Banks is quite Mulatto, 5'4-1/4" high...full rounded upper lip, round distended Nostrils, tho' not remarkably large...bushy hair...aged about 32 Years (in 1831) [Hudgins, Surry County Register of Free Negroes, 82, 104].

viii Dawson, born about September 1803, registered in Surry County on 26 December 1825: a son of Benjamin Banks, a free Mulato Man of Surry County...aged 22 years, some time in Sept. 1825 is 5'9-3/4" high, of a bright complexion, pretty stout & straight made [Hudgins, Surry County Register of Free Negroes, 81]. He was a "free Negro" fisherman on Dawson Davis's land in 1841.

 

28.    Jane² Banks, born say 1765, was head of an Edenton Town, Chowan County, North Carolina household of 2 "other free" in 1790 [NC:19], 3 in 1800 (Jenny Banks) [NC:116], and 4 in 1810 [NC:533]. She may have been the mother of

i. Lettice, born about 1779, a 3-year-old "mulatto" child bound to Mary Standin in Chowan County on 25 September 1782 [North Carolina Apprentice bonds and records Chowan County 1737-1811, frame 1331 of 1934, http://familysearch.org/search/catalog/766317]. She purchased half-lot no. 116 in Edenton for £5 on 10 June 1803 [DB W:624] and was head of a Chowan County household of 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:129].

ii. Sarah, born 1794-1806, head of an Edenton household of 2 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:130].

iii. Washington, born 1794-1806, head of an Edenton household of 1 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:130].

iv. Nancy³, born 1794-1806, head of a Chowan County household of 2 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:129].

v. Mary⁸, born 1794-1806, head of an Edenton household of 1 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:130].

 

Other York County descendants were

i. Frank, born 28 December 1777, perhaps the son of a free member of the Banks family by a slave, registered in Petersburg on 2 June 1817: a free man of color, dark brown complection, spare made, 5'6" high in shoes, about 40 yrs old, has thick lips. Emancipated by John Moss in York County in 1784. Per certificate cl^k York County 19 Aug 1805. He married Amy Hicks who registered in Petersburg on 4 July 1822: wife of Frank Banks, dark brown Complection born free of an Indian woman per certificate of the County Court of Sussex [Register of Free Negroes, 1794-1819, no. 847; 1819-33, no. 1196; York County DB 6:253]. They were in the 1821 List of Free People of Color for Petersburg with their 7 children [List of Free People of Color, 1821, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

ii. Anthony, born about 1788, in a list of free Negroes and Mulattoes" in Sussex County from 1804 to 1812: a hatter on Joel Bullock's land in 1804, with wife Eady in 1805, with children Miles, Peter and Nancy in 1812. Peggy Banks was listed there in 1805, Frank Banks in 1806 and 1807, Sam and Shadrack Banks were also hatters in 1808 [List of Free Negroes & Mulattoes, 1801-1812, frames 19, 25, 38, 54, Library of Virginia microfilm no. 221]. Anthony registered in Sussex County on 1 September 1814; free born, brown skin man, 5'9^1/2" tall, aged 26 [Register of Free Negroes, no.244].

iii. Thomas², born about 1788, registered in York County on 18 November 1822: a Mulatto fellow about 34 years of age 5 feet 6-1/4 inches high, has a very rough face [Free Negro Register 1798-1831, no.132]. He was taxable in York County from 1812 to 1814, head of a household of 2 "free Negroes & mulattoes over 16" in 1813 (probably himself and his wife) [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 373, 385, 403].

iv. Elizabeth⁸/ Betsy, born about 1788, registered in York County on 16 December 1822: a dark Mulatto 34 years of age 5 feet 8-/12 inches high [Register, no.183]. She was head of a York County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:871].

v. Hannah⁴, born about 1804, registered in York County on 19 September 1831, a woman about 27 years old, 5 feet 5-3/4 inches high, quite black...broad face, high cheek bones [Register, no.352].

vi. Lavinia, born about 1806, registered in York County on 16 January 1832: a woman of tawny complexion, about 26 years of age, 5 feet 5 and a half high, high cheek bones, sunken or hollow eyes, flat nose [Register, no.327].

vii. William⁹, born about 1807, registered in York County on 19 September 1831: alias Stump, a dark fellow 5 feet 4-3/4 inches high twenty four years old, has...a stump toe. Born free [Register, no.291].

viii. William¹⁰, born about 1808, registered in York County on 19 September 1831: a bright mulatto about 23 years of age 5 feet 7-3/4 inches high...short hair, little or no beard and a high nose [Register, no.299].

ix. Martha, born about 1810, registered in York County on 17 October 1831: a woman of Tawney complexion about 20 or 21 years of age 5 feet 3-1/2 Inches high...high forehead & large eye brows. Born free [Register, no.308].

x. Matilda, born about 1815, registered in York County on 15 July 1833: light complexion, about 18 years of age, 5 feet 5-1/4 Inches high, light yellow Eyes - high cheek bones...Has the scar of vaccination for Kine or smallpox on her left arm [Register, no.351].

 

Other counties

1.    Betty Banks, born about 1744, registered in Petersburg on 13 October 1794: a dark brown Mulatto woman, five feet one inches high, supposed about fifty years old, born free & raised in the County of Richmond [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 93]. She was the mother of

2    i. ?John, born say 1761.

ii. ?Mary, born say 1763, the mother of Edia Flood who was bound apprentice to Edward Eanes, Jr., by order of the Chesterfield County court on 2 July 1784 [Orders 1774-84, 555].

iii. Sally, born about 1771, registered in Petersburg on 13 October 1794: a light Mulatto woman, five feet six inches high, twenty three years old, daughter of Betty & born free [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 94].

 

2.    John Banks, born say 1761, was ordered bound as an apprentice by the Chesterfield County court on 7 April 1769 [Orders 1767-71, 281]. He may have been the member of the Banks family who had a child by Mary Flood:

i. Polly, born about 1779, daughter of Mary Flood, bound apprentice to Edward Eanes by order of the Chesterfield County court on 2 July 1784 [Orders 1774-84, 555]. She registered in Petersburg on 19 May 1831: aged about 52 years, 5 feet 4^1/2 inches high, dark brown complexion, born free as appears by a certificate from Dinwiddie County Court [Register of Free Negroes, 1819-33, no. 1665].

ii. Sally, born in January 1781, registered in Petersburg on 9 July 1805: a dark brown negro woman, five feet five inches high, twenty four years old January last, born free & raised in the Town of Petersburg [Register of Free Negroes, 1794-1819, no. 329], perhaps the Sally Banks who married Reuben Bird, 22 October 1803 Petersburg bond.

iii. Betty, born say 1790, married John M. Auter/ Otter, 30 March 1810 Petersburg bond.

 

BANNISTER FAMILY

1.    Isabella¹ Bannister, born say 1730, a "Mulatto woman," was the mother of James, Oliver, Frank, and Cate who were named in Bryan Sisson's 21 June 1771 Orange County, Virginia will, proved 22 August 1771. Sisson asked that his sons and executors William, Caleb, and George Sesson have the children legally bound to them and that they be divided equally according to valuation [WB 2:436-7]. They were valued in the 13 November 1771 inventory of his estate:

James a Negro man £30, Oliver a Lad £30, Frank a Negro boy £25, Cate a Negro girl £15 [WB 2:442].

Isabella may have been related to Sarah Banister, head of a Queen Anne's County, Maryland household of 7 "other free" in 1790. And they may have been related to Mary Bannister who was sued for debt by the churchwardens of Caroline County, Virginia, in 1740 (for having a bastard child?) [Orders 1740-43]. Isabella's children were

2     i. James, born say 1752.

3     ii. Oliver¹, born say 1755.

4     iii. Francis¹, born say 1758.

iv. Catherine, born say 1761.

v. ?Arthur, born say 1770, died before 27 January 1794 when (his brother?) Oliver Banister was granted administration on his estate on £1,000 security in Orange County, Virginia [Minute Book 1789-97, 205].

5    vi. ?Nancy, born say 1771.

6    vii. ?Henry, born before 1776.

7    viii. ?Esther, born say 1776.

 

2.    James¹ Bannister, born say 1752, was taxable in Rockbridge County on 2 horses from 1787 to 1795, a "Free Negroe" taxable there from 1801 to 1807 [PPTL 1787-1810, frames 19, 67, 89, 110, 134, 161, 189, 213, 387, 421, 448, 475, 502, 529, 561] and taxable in Botetourt County from 1809 to 1816: listed with "Free Negro & Mulatto" family members over the age of 16 in 1813: Jack and Nancy Banister [PPTL 1783-1810, frames 612, 643; 1811-1822, frames 4, 38, 80, 92]. He was the father of

i. Jack, taxable in 1813.

ii. Nancy, taxable in 1813.

iii. Francis³, born say 1795, called "son to James" when he was taxable in Botetourt County in 1813 [PPTL 1811-1822, frames 80, 92, 125, 431].

 

3.    Oliver¹ Bannister, born say 1755, was called a "Mullatto Claim'd by W^m Sesson" on 28 March 1782 when he petitioned the Orange County court for his freedom [Minutes 1774-89, 171]. On 27 January 1794 he was granted administration on the Orange County estate of (his brother?) Arther Bannister [Minutes 1789-97, 205]. He was a "Free Negro" head of a Culpeper County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:7]. He may have been the father of

i. Thomas, born say 1780, a "free Negro & mulatto" taxable living with his wife and five children in Chesterfield County in 1811 [PPTL, 1786-1811, frame 824].

ii. Oliver², born say 1785, a "Mulatto" bound as an apprentice tailor to James M. Early in Botetourt County on 14 June 1796 [Orders 1793-7, 370]. He was a "F. Negroe" taxable in Rockbridge County from 1809 to 1819 [PPTL 1787-1810, frames 578, 621; 1811-1822, frames 4, 71, 125, 219, 260, 326, 369, 479, 528] and head of a Rockbridge County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:284].

iii. Elijah, born 1776-94, head of a Botetourt County household of 1 "free colored" and a white woman in 1820. He made a 24 April 1827 Botetourt County will, proved in May 1827, by which he left his land to Elizabeth Shrogers and gave his nephew James Banister half his remaining estate [WB D:376].

iv. Winn, born 1776-94, head of a Mecklenburg County, Virginia household of 6 "free colored" in 1820.

 

4.    Francis¹ Bannister, born say 1758, a "Maulato," successfully petitioned the Rockbridge County court for his freedom from Caleb Scisson (Sisson) on 3 April 1787, stating that he was illegally held as a servant [Orders 1784-7, 534]. He was taxable in Rockbridge County from 1789 to 1791 [PPTL 1787-1810, frames 66, 89, 110, 447], taxable in Botetourt County from 1795 to 1820: taxable on a tithe and 2 horses in 1795, 2 tithes in 1797, a "FN" listed with 2 tithes and 3 horses from 1809-1811, 3 tithes in 1812, listed with his family members over the age of 16 in 1813: Jim, Jinkins, Alexander, Lucy, Rachel and Vilet Banister; taxed on 5 tithes in 1814, 5 in 1815, 4 from 1815 to 1820 [PPTL 1783-1810, frames 236, 267, 294, 306, 330, 383, 411, 438, 467, 511, 544, 578, 612, 642; 1811-1822, frames 4, 92, 125, 259, 300, 346, 387, 433, 473], and counted in the "List of Free Negroes & Mulattoes" for Botetourt County in 1802. He was listed as a cooper living on James Lackey's land in John Holloway's District with his wife Lucy and children and in George Rowland's District for 1803 [List of Free Negroes etc., 1802; List of Negroes, 1803, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. He was head of a Botetourt County household of 11 "free colored" in 1820. His children were

i. ?Eleanor, born say 1783, married Samuel Day, 26 December 1801 Botetourt County bond, Francis Bannister surety.

ii. Becky, born say 1786.

iii. Nancy, born say 1787.

iv. Isbell³, born say 1789.

v. Rachel, born about 1791, 11 years old in the 1802 Botetourt list.

vi. James², born about 1792, 10 years old in 1802.

vii. Jenkins, born about 1793, 9 years old in 1802, registered in Botetourt County in July 1819: Jenkin Bannister son of Francis, 25 years old, yellow colour 5'7" Born Free [Free Negroes &c Registered in the Clerks office of Botetourt County, no.23].

viii. Alexander, born about 1796, 6 years old in 1802, head of a Botetourt County household of a "free colored" man in 1820.

ix. Francis⁴, born about 1798, 4 years old in 1802.

x. William, born about 1800, 2-1/2 years old in 1802.

xi. John, born about 1803, counted in the 1803 Botetourt list.

 

5.    Nancy Banister, born say 1771, was the mother of

i. Francis², born about 1791, registered in Rockbridge County on 2 November 1818: a man of colour born free in said county near the Natural Bridge, 5 feet 6 inches high, about 27 years of age, dark brown complexion, nearly black, stout made, son of Nancy Banister a free negro of said county [Free Negro Register 1803-28, no. 17].

ii. Isabell², born about 1794, registered in Rockbridge County on 2 November 1818: a woman of colour born free in this county near the Natural Bridge, about 5 feet 4-1/2 inches high, 24 years old, dark brown complexion, slender person, the daughter of Nancy Banister a free negro of said county [Free Negro Register 1803-28, no. 16].

 

6.    Henry Bannister, born before 1776, was head of a Botetourt County household of 6 "free colored" in 1820. He may have been the father of

i. Simon, born about 1810, 21 years old when he registered in Botetourt County in November 1831: Bright Black, 5'6" or 7" high [Register, no.73].

ii. Eliza, born about 1818, 18 years old when she registered in March 1836: Bright Mulatto, 5'2" high [Register, no.89].

 

7.    Esther Bannister, born say 1776, was the mother of

i. Christopher, born about 1796, 24 years old on 13 June 1820 when he registered in Botetourt County: Ch^s Banister, son of Esther Banister, Dark Yellow, 5'8", born free by information from Ch^s Beale Esq^r [Register, no. 33a]. He married Maria Madden sometime after 11 June 1823 when he acknowledged paternity of her daughter Sally [Madden, We Were Always Free, 49, 53, 54, 206].

 

BARBER FAMILY

Members of the Barber family were

1    i. Jane, born say 1727.

2    ii. William², born 15 May 1745.

 

1.    Jane Barbers, born say 1727, was living in Chesterfield County, Virginia, on 5 July 1754 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Dale Parish to bind out her "Mulatto" child Nanny who was called Ann Barber in April 1755 when the court ordered the churchwardens to bind her out to a trade [Orders 1749-54, 510; 1754-9, 61]. She was the mother of

i. ?William¹, born about 1739, a 67-year-old oakum picker living in Petersburg in 1803 [List of People of Color in Petersburg 1803, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

3     ii. ?Thomas, born about 1748.

4     iii. Nanny/ Nancy, born before 5 July 1754.

 

2.    William² Barber, born on 17 May 1745 in Dinwiddie County, was living in Surry County, North Carolina, on 2 January 1833 when he made a declaration in court to obtain a Revolutionary War pension. He stated that he was living in Halifax County, Virginia, when called into the service and moved to Surry County about 1805 [NARA, S.6572, M805-48; http://fold3.com/image/246/12783624]. He was taxable in the southern district of Halifax County, Virginia, from 1782 to 1803: called a "Mulatto" starting in 1792, listed with 2 tithables in 1795 and 1796; 3 in 1798, 3 in 1800 when he was called "Senr." [PPTL, 1782-1799, frames 5, 127, 185, 259, 412, 434, 533, 598, 671, 808; 1800-12, 49, 175, 304]. He was head of a Surry County, North Carolina household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [NC:697] and 6 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:670].  He was probably the father of

i. William³, Jr., born about 1773, a "Mulatto" taxable in Halifax County from 1801 to 1803 [PPTL, 1800-12, frames 120, 175, 304], head of a Surry County, North Carolina household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [NC:697], listed in 1850 as a Mulatto farmer with a white wife Mary.

ii. Matthew, born say 1775, a "FN" taxable in Halifax County in 1803 [PPTL, 1800-12, frame 304].

iii. Sally, married Richard Lawrence, 23 September 1817 Surry County, North Carolina bond.

 

3.    Thomas Barber, born about 1748, a "Mullatto" servant, complained to the Chesterfield County court against his master the Rev. Mr. William Leigh, and Leigh agreed to discharge him from further servitude on 5 November 1779. His suit for assault and battery against John Coates and Robert Burton was dismissed on agreement of the parties in June 1784 [Orders 1774-84, 264, 552]. He was taxable in Chesterfield County from 1791 to 1799 [PPTL, 1786-1811, frames 80, 293, 227, 366] and registered in Petersburg on 18 August 1794: a light brown Mulatto man, five feet 5 & a half inches high & thin made, about forty six years old, free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 23]. He was listed as a "F.N." tithable in the upper district of Henrico County in 1803 [Land Tax List, 1799-1816]. His widow Juday registered in Petersburg on 24 January 1803: (widow of Thos. Barber a free man) a light brown Mulatto woman, five feet four inches high, forty years old, born free, freckles in her face [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 249]. She was a 50-year-old washer living in Petersburg in 1803 with Billy (age 17, a shoemaker), Jack (15, a waterman), Matt (13), James (11), Betsy (8), Thomas (6) and Harriet Barber (2) [List of People of Color in Petersburg 1803, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA] and head of a Petersburg household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:330a]. She may have been the Judy Barber who obtained a letter from Mary B. Magill in Frederick County, Virginia, on 2 September 1827 stating: I am well acquainted with Judy Barber, formerly Judy Manorgan since childhood. I was well acquainted with her mother Gratianna Manorgan. They both passed for free negroes (perhaps a member of the Monoggin family of Gloucester County) [Barber, Judy (Alias Judy Manorgan, F): Free Negro Certificate, 1827, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. Thomas and Judy were the parents of

i. William⁴, born about 1779, registered in Chesterfield County on 15 November 1804: age twenty five years, colour brown, stature five feet eight inches & an half, born free [Barber, William (M, 25): Free Negro Register, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. He was taxable in Chesterfield County from 1802 to 1807 [PPTL, 1786-1811, frames 480, 518, 556, 689]. His wife Suckey registered in Chesterfield County on 14 September 1807: twenty eight years old, brown complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53, no. 47]. William was deceased by 1809 when Sukey was a "Mulatto" taxable on a horse and living on William Varner's land in Chesterfield County [PPTL, frame 738]. Susan was called the widow of William Barber when she married Thomas Harris, 21 May 1810 Chesterfield County bond, John Barber surety. She was called Sucky Harris on 3 July 1812 when she registered in Petersburg: (formerly Barber) a yellow brown Mulatto woman, five feet three 3/4 inches high, thirty three years old, born free and raised in the County of Chesterfield [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 708].

ii. John², born 27 July 1788, registered in Petersburg on 18 June 1807: a brown Mulatto man, five feet seven and a half inches high, nineteen years old 27 July next, son of Judah Barber, a free woman [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 409].

iii. ?Burwell Bassett, born about 1789, obtained a certificate of freedom in Chesterfield County and recorded it in Petersburg on 9 September 1816: a yellow brown free man of Colour, about 25 27 years old, 5 feet 7 inches high, thick lips, by trade a cooper, born free & raised in the County of Chesterfield [Barber, Burwell Bassett (M, 27): Free Negro Register, 1818, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

iv. Matthew, born September 1790, registered in Petersburg on 29 January 1811: a yellow brown Mulatto man, five feet six 3/4 inches high, twenty one years old Sept. next, son of Judah Barber a free Mulatto woman [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 654].

v. James, born about 1792.

vi. Betsy, born about 1795.

vii. Thomas, born about 1797.

viii. Harriet. born about 1801.

 

4.    Nancy Barber, born about 1752, registered in Chesterfield County on 14 September 1807: fifty five years old, yellow complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53, no. 46]. She was called Nanny Barber when she was taxable on 1 to 2 horses in Chesterfield County from 1793 to 1804, taxable on 1 tithe from 1796 to 1801, a "Mulatto living on her own land in 1809 [PPTL 1786-1811, 156, 227, 262, 293, 329, 368, 443, 480, 518, 556, 738]. She may have been the mother of

i. John¹, born about 1770, taxable in Chesterfield County from 1791 to 1811 when he was living on James Scott's land [PPTL, 1786-1811, frames 80, 227, 441, 556, 782]. He registered in Chesterfield County on 9 January 1809: thirty nine years old, yellow complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53, no. 98]. His wife Priscilla registered in Petersburg on 3 January 1809: yellow brown free negro woman, five feet two inches high, thirty six years old, wife of John Barber, born free & raised in the Town of Petersburg [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 445].

ii. Aggy, born about 1773, registered in Chesterfield County on 13 June 1808: thirty five years old, yellow complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53, no. 72, 455]. She was a "Mulatto" living in Chesterfield County with her five children in 1811 [PPTL 1786-1811, frame 824] and a 54-year-old midwife from Petersburg who emigrated to Liberia aboard the ship Cyrus with her family in 1824 [http://fold3.com/image/46670218].

iii. Jinsey, born about 1782, registered in Chesterfield County on 13 June 1808: twenty six years old, yellow complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53, no. 73].

iv. Phebe W., born about 1787, registered in Chesterfield County on 14 September 1807: twenty years old, yellow complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53, no. 48, 151].

 

Other members of the family were:

i. John, head of a Frederick County, Virginia household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:563].

ii. Elizabeth, born before 1776, head of a Hyde County, North Carolina household of 5 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:248].

iii. Jenny, born before 1776, head of a Hyde County household of 5 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:248].

iv. Sarah, married Peter Godett, 26 April 1797 Craven County, North Carolina bond, William Tignor surety.

v. Harry, head of a Stafford County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:126].

vi. Aaron, an Indian wheelwright living on Connelly Mullins's land in Goochland County from 1809 to 1811 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frame 862; 1810-32, frames 4, 69], counted in a list of "free Negroes & Mulattoes" in Fluvanna County in 1813 and 1814 [PPTL, 1809-50, frames 503, 526].

vii. Samuel, head of a Norfolk County household of 1 "other free" and a slave in 1810 [VA:887].

viii. Marina Mackey/ Barber, born say 1820, a "free woman of Colour," presented by the spring 1843 session of the Hyde County court for unlawfully marrying a slave named Riley who was owned by R.U.S. Moore. Marina was probably related to Robert Mackey, head of a Hyde County household of 2 "other free" and a white woman in 1800 [NC:372].

 

BARLOW FAMILY

1.    James Barlow, born say 1736, was married by 21 November 1758 when the Surry County, Virginia grand jury presented him and thirteen others for not listing their wives as tithable, "supposing the said persons to be Mulattoes." He was called "James Barlow Mulatto" on 18 November 1766 when the Surry County grand jury presented him for failing to go to church [Orders 1757-63, 135; 1764-74, 100]. He was head of a Surry County household of 7 whites (free persons) in 1784 [VA:78]. He may have been the ancestor of

i. Randall, a "fn" taxable in Sussex County in 1818 [PPTL, 1813-41, frame 192].

ii. Jacob, born about 1804, registered in Sussex County on 25 April 1826: yellowish complexion, 5'6-1/2" high, free born, age 22 [Free Negro Register, 1800-1850, no. 518].

iii. Patsy, born about 1806, registered in Sussex County on 18 April 1826: yellowish complexion, 5'2-1/4" high, free born age 20 [Free Negro Register, 1800-1850, no. 519].

 

BARNETT FAMILY

1.    Mary Barnett, born say 1710, was the white servant of Edwin Hickman of Spotsylvania County, Virginia, on 5 September 1728 when she confessed to the churchwardens of St. George's Parish that she had a "Mulatto bastard by a Negroe man." And she confessed to having a second child by a "Negro" man before 4 November 1730 [Orders 1724-30, 262, 270; 1730-32, 5, 9, 14]. Edwin Hickman had moved to Albemarle County by September 1745 when the court bound "mulattoes" Joseph and Hannah Welch, children of Eleanor Welch, to him [Orders 1744-8, 62]. Mary was probably the Mary Barnett whose (white?) children Charles, Lettice, Ned, Francis and William (no race indicated) were bound out by the churchwardens of St. Ann's Parish in Albemarle County on 14 February 1746/7 [Orders 1744-8, 231]. Mary was the mother of

2    i. Anne, born say 1728.

ii. Charles¹, born say 1730.

iii. Lettice, born say 1732.

iv. Ned, born say 1734.

v. Francis, born say 1736.

vi. William, born say 1739.

 

2.    Anne Barnet, born say 1728, was the "molatto" Bastard Born of Mary Barnet" who was bound to Edwin Hickman in St. George's Parish in Spotsylvania County on 3 October 1732 [Dorman, St. George's Parish, Spotsylvania County, Virginia: Vestry Book, 1726-1745]. She may have been the ancestor of

3    i. Franky, born say 1756.

4    ii. Sarah, born say 1761.

5    ii. Charles², born about 1762.

6    iii. Angela, born say 1765.

iv. Edith, no age mentioned when she registered in Campbell County on 20 January 1802: 5 Feet 2-1/2 Inches, darkish Colour, born free [A Register of Free Negroes and Mulattoes, p.2].

v. Jenny, born about 1776, registered in Campbell County on 20 January 1802: Age: 25; 5 Feet 4-1/2 Inches; Colour: darkish; Where set Free: Albemarle; by Whom set free: blank. She registered as Jane Barnett in Lynchburg on 1 July 1805: of yellow complexion, about twenty eight years of age, five feet four & a half inches high, was born free in the County of Albemarle [Free Negroes Registered in the Corporation of Lynchburg, 1805-13, no.1].

vi. Elizabeth, born about 1776, head of an Albemarle County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:151]. She registered in Albemarle County in May 1804: aged 28 years of a dark complexion, five feet four inches high...born free [Barnett, Betty (F, 28): Free Negro Certificate, 1804, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

vii. David, born say 1778, taxable in Albemarle County from 1796 to 1803: called a "Free Negro" in 1803 [PPTL, 1782-99, frames 477, 585; 1800-1813, frames 23, 68, 93, 136, 156]. He married Judy Brown, 14 November 1807 Henrico County bond, Jacob Brown surety. Jacob Brown was head of a Henrico County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:978]. David was a "free Negro" taxable in Henrico County in 1806 [PPTL 1782-1814, frame 482]. Perhaps Judy was the Judah Barnett who was head of a Henrico County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:978] and 8 "free colored" in Albemarle County in 1820.

 

3.    Franky, born say 1756, a free "Negroe" woman (no last name indicated), had a child named Lucy Barnet who was born 13 June 1778 and baptized 17 June 1779 [Jones, The Douglas Register, 348]. She was called Franky Barnett in Goochland County in 1795 when her children Roger, Tarlton and Hailey Barnett were bound to David Ross [Orders 1795-7, 132]. She was counted in a list of "Free Negroes & Mulattoes" in Fluvanna County in 1813 and was taxable on a horse from 1813 to 1818 [PPTL 1782-1826, frames 503, 562, 584, 609]. Her children were

i. ?Charles³, born about 1770, registered in Fluvanna County on 26 May 1826: about 56 years old, 5'4" high, dark complexion, Born free in Fluvanna County [Free Negro Register, no. 42].

ii. Lucy, born 13 June 1778, registered in Fluvanna County on 26 May 1826: a free person of Colour of this County, about forty eight years of age, of a light complexion, five feet three inches high, born free [Orders 1825-8, 101], counted in a list of "Free Negroes & Mulattoes" in Fluvanna County in 1813, taxable on a horse in 1817 [PPTL 1782-1826, frames 503, 585].

iii. ?Roda, counted in a list of "Free Negroes & Mulattoes" in Fluvanna County in 1813 [PPTL 1782-1826, frame 503].

iv. Roger.

v. Tarlton, taxable in Fluvanna County in 1817 [PPTL 1782-1826, frame 585].

vi. Hailey, probably identical to Ally Barnett, born say 1790, the mother of Mary Barnett who registered in Fluvanna County on January 1857: a Renewal of her Register granted by the County Court of said County on the 24^th Day of February 1834...about Forty years of age, about five feet high, yellow Complexion [Register of Free Negroes, no. 94].

 

4.    Angela Barnett, born say 1760, was in the Henrico County jail with Nathan Fry and William Anthony on 7 February 1791 for a breach of the peace. They were ordered to remain there until they gave security of £40 each for their good behavior for a year. While she was in jail, the court ordered that her child be restored to her and supported at the expense of the county [Orders 1789-91, 428]. On 29 September 1792 Angela was charged in Henrico County court with murdering a white man named Peter Franklin. Jesse Carpenter testified that

in the night of the third instant he accompanied the deceased to the House of a certain William Anthony in this County (with whom the prisoner lived) in search of some runaway negroes which they suspected were harboured at the said House, and for the taking of whom a reward was offered in the Virginia Gazette. That in their search they apprehended a small boy at the said House, whom they carried away as a runaway, he answering the description of one of the runaways described in the said Advertisement. That in consequence of information received from the said Boy, they went to the same house the following evening about eleven O'clock at night to apprehend two other runaways, and upon knocking at the door, it was opened by the said Will Anthony, to whom they communicated their suspicions and went in (There being very little light in the house). That upon their entering the house, they were abused by the prisoner in the most indecent manner, in Consequence of which the decedent threatened the prisoner that if she persisted in her abuse, he would correct her. That in a few minutes afterwards the prisoner was discovered by the deceased searching behind a trunk upon which the decedent made a seeming disposition to strike the prisoner with a small cowhide which he held in his hand. That the deponent did not see any stroke given by the deceased to the prisoner, but at the same instant the prisoner struck the deceased and knocked him down, upon which the deponent caught hold of the Weapon with which the blow was given, and it seemed to him to be a square piece of Wood, but did not get it out of the hands of the prisoner. That in the Scuffle the deponent was pushed out of the door and as he went out, he got hold of the deceased and dragged him out also, who appeared to be much hurt, he complaining of being badly cut. That the deponent so soon as he could get the deceased upon his horse conveyed him home the distance being about four miles, in effecting which he was obliged to hold him on his horse the greater part of the way, during which the decedent appeared out of his senses. That the said Franklin after lingering a few days departed this life and this deponent believes died of the said Wound given him by the prisoner [Orders 1791-4, 278-9].

 

The court ordered that she be sent to Richmond for trial. Angelina Barnett was taxable in the upper district of Henrico County on the tithe of her son Allen Barnett, a slave and a horse in 1804 and taxable on Allen Barnett and a horse in 1805. She was taxable on 2 lots in 1806, 1810 and 1811 [Land Tax List, 1799-1816]. She was the common-law wife of William Anthony who was a "Mulatto carpenter" freed in Henrico County by William Duval on 24 July 1789 [DB 3:82]. William was called a "free Black man" when he married Luvinia Patteson, "an Indian," 7 March 1806 Henrico county bond, Thomas C. Richardson surety. On 27 June 1811 he sold half of a 1 acre plot in Richmond, explaining in the deed that he and Angelica Barnett, "said to be" his wife though "never lawfully married," purchased a 1 acre plot from William Duval on 1 September 1798, but sometime later he decided to separate from her. So they divided the land in half, conviently by a ditch which ran through the center. He and his wife Lavina wanted to sell the land [DB 9:419]. Angela and William's relationship probably ended before 7 February 1803 when she purchased a 48-year-old slave named Hampshire from Samuel Paine and emancipated him. On 8 March 1807 Hampshire Smith deeded her about 700 square yards on Bowling Green in Duval's Village, adjoining his own land, begining at a ditch on the main road dividing William Anthony's line, for sundry services provided by her [DB 6:442; 9:64]. She made a 1 July 1810 Henrico County will, proved 3 September 1810, by which she gave her son Allen Barnet 15 acres whereon his house stood, her grandson John Barnett a heifer, her nephew Edmond Barnett 4 acres of land, her daughter Sally a shilling, her daughter Nancy furniture and half her large room, her daughter Betsy Barnet furniture and the other half of her large room, her daughter Angela Barnet another room and the land she received from Hampshire, gave her "woman Easter" a half acre and the house she was living in during her lifetime, then to be divided between her daughters Nancy and Betsy Barnet, and gave the other half of that land which she received from Mrs. Duvall to her daughters Nancy and Betsy Barnett. She gave her horse and cart to daughters Nancy, Betsy and Angela Barnett and gave grandson Charles Barnet 11 acres adjoining Allen and Edmond Barnett [WB 4:61]. She was the mother of

i. Sally, born say 1779, called Sarah Anthony when she was taxable in Henrico County on 1 acre in 1811 and 1812 [Land Tax List, 1789-1816] and in 1813 when she and Polly Anthony were in the list of "Blacks Free" above the age of 16 [PPTL, 1782-1814, frame 757]. She purchased a half acre from her sister Angela and gave the land to her daughter Polly Barnett on 20 April 1819 [DB 19:241]. She may have been the Sally Barnett,"colored," who married David Laws, 4 April 1818 Richmond City bond.

ii. Angela, born say 1781, sold her one-sixth part of the land on Bowling Green in Duval's Village with the house next to the one that where mother formerly lived, but then occupied by her brother Allen, as well as her one-third share in the land where her father William Anthony formerly lived to Abraham Cordozo on 10 Septmber 1812 for $30, stating in the deed that it would descend to her at her father's death. And she sold Sally Barnett a half acre adjoining Codoser Estate for $100 on 24 March 1819 [DB 9:566; 19:240]. Angelina Barnett (colored) married Peter Brandum, 17 August 1816 Henrico County bond.

iii. Nancy, born say 1783, sold her one-third share in the land where her father William Anthony formerly lived to Abraham Cordozo for $30 on 9 April 1812 [DB 9:571].

iv. Allen, born say 1786, married Lucretia Wood, "free people of color," 7 December 1807 Henrico County bond, Elijah Wood surety. He, Edmond and Charles Barnett, heirs of Angla Barnett, purchased 30 acres in Henrico County from Elizabeth Valentine on 5 October 1812 for £45 [DB 10:45]. He was a "free Negro" taxable in the upper district of Henrico County from 1803 to 1811: taxable on 30 acres in 1813 [PPTL 1782-1814, frames 482, 528, 657; Land Tax List 1799-1816]. He was head of a Henrico County household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:996] and a 57-year-old free Negro farmer living at Blueridge, Albemarle County, in 1833 with 57-year-old "Mulatto" Lucretia Barnett and Nancy (20), Polly (22), James (13), and Tho^s Barnett [Albemarle 1833 Free Negroes Mulattoes, African American Digital Narrative, LVA].

v. Betsy.

 

5.    Sarah Barnett, born say 1761, was taxable on a horse in St. Ann's Parish, Albemarle County, from 1789 to 1792: taxable on her unnamed son in 1791 [PPTL, 1782-1799, frames 170, 221, 269, 319]. She may have been the Sally Barnett who was head of a Richmond City household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:329]. On 8 August 1815 her son Peter registered in Albemarle County with a note of the date of birth of three of her children: Peter barnet son Sally barnet was June 14^th 1790, Marien Barnett was October 9^th 1794, Bitsy Barnet was Born apral 6^th 1786 [Barnett, Peter (M): Free Negro Register, 1815, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. She was the mother of

i. ?Peachy, born about 1781, registered in Albemarle County on 1 October 1804: a woman of dark complexion, aged twenty three years, five feet four inches high...born free in the County of Albemarle [Barrott, Peachy, (F, 23): Free Negro Register, 1812, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

ii. ?Fanny, born about 1785, registered in Albemarle County on 3 June 1806: a free Molatto woman aged about twenty one years five feet three and a quarter inches high [Orders 1806-7, 217].

iii. Betsy, born 6 April 1786, head of an Albemarle County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:150], a 46-year-old washerwoman living in Charlottesville with 47-year-old Fanny Barnett and four children [Albemarle 1833 Free Negroes Mulattoes, African American Digital Narrative, LVA].

iii. ?William, born about 1788, registered in Albemarle County on 8 May 1807: a free black man about nineteen years, five feet nine inches high [Barnett, William (M, 19): Free Negro Registration, African American Narrative, LVA].

iv. Peter², born 14 June 1790, indicted in Albemarle County on 4 November 1811 for stealing $200 in silver and cash notes from Vest & Watson and sent for trial in the Superior Court [Orders 1811-13, 59-60]. He was a "Mulatto" taxable in Albemarle County, in 1809, 1812 and 1813 [PPTL, 1800-1813, frames 363, 518, 541], registered in Albemarle County on 9 August 1815 and in Augusta County on 28 October 1823: now about Thirty years of age, five feet ten inches high, a free man of dark mulatto complexion [Register of Augusta County, no. 56, http://valley.lib.virginia.edu/VoS/govdoc/fblack.early.html].

v. Marian, born 9 October 1794.

vi. ?Henry, a "free Mulatto" taxable in Albemarle County in 1812 [PPTL, 1800-13, frame 499].

 

6.    Charles² Barnett, born about 1762, enlisted in the Revolution for 1-1/2 years from Albemarle County, Virginia, on 18 September 1780 and was sized at Chesterfield County court house about the same time: age 18, 5'5" high, yellow complexion, a farmer, born in Albemarle County [Register & description of Noncommissioned officers & Privates, LVA accession no. 24296, by http://revwarapps.org/b69.pdf (p.61)]. He purchased 39-1/2 acres in Albemarle County from William Johnson on 30 January 1787 for £15, and he and his wife Lucy sold this land to Alexander Colvin in 1796 [DB 9:337; 12:95]. He married Lucy Bowles, 7 September 1785 Albemarle County bond, and was surety for the 12 December 1793 Albemarle County marriage of Robert Battles and Nancy Bowles. He and his wife Lucy sued Robert Battles for trespass, assault and battery on 5 May 1796 [Orders 1795-8, 86, 108]. He obtained a certificate of freedom in Albemarle County on 2 August 1796: a Dark mullatto man aged about thirty years, of a yellow complexion, five feet seven and three quarter inches high, having proved to the satisfaction of this Court that he was born a free man within this County [Orders 1795-8, 137]. He was taxable in Fredericksville Parish, Albemarle County, from 1787 to 1791. His tax was charged to William Clarkson in 1798. He lived in Albemarle County until 1800 according to his Revolutionary War Pension application. He was a "mulatto" who enlisted in Charlottesville in the 7^th Virginia Regiment. Sharod Going testified that he was with him at Chesterfield Courthouse. In 1800 he moved to Carter County, Tennessee, then to Georgia, and to Granville County, North Carolina, about 1808 [NARA, S.8048, M804, Roll 150, frame 457 of 664; http://fold3.com/image/1/11000781]. (His wife) Lucy was head of an Albemarle County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:185], a "Mulatto" taxable on a horse in 1812 and 2 free male tithables and a horse in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1799, frames 110, 149, 244, 291, 342, 382, 415, 445, 478, 530; 1800-1813, frames 518, 562]. Lucy Barnett registered in Albemarle County on 9 March 1810: a woman of Colour...aged about forty five years, five feet three and a half inches high, a Mulatto [Orders 1810-11, 58]. Lucy leased 5 acres of land near where Bartlett Bowles formerly lived to her brother-in-law Griffin Butler who was a "Mulatto" taxable in Albemarle County in 1813 [DB 21:97; PPTL, 1800-1813, frame 562]. She left a 7 January 1819 Albemarle County will by which she left the land she was then living on to her daughter Judith and left property to her granddaughter Critty Bowles [DB 6:326]. Charles was head of a "free colored" household in Granville County, North Carolina, in 1830. According to his pension application, he was back in Albemarle County on 28 December 1840 and received his last pension payment on 4 September 1848. His pension application file includes a 31 July 1849 letter from Thomas Peace of Granville County who wrote to the Albemarle County Clerk that Charles Barnett, "a man of color...left a widow and a parcel of children in a very distressed condition." He was a 100-year-old "Mulatto" counted in the Albemarle County household of Zachariah Brock for the 1850 census. He was the father of

i. Judith, born about 1785, registered in Albemarle County on 3 September 1810: producing satisfactory proof of her freedom, aged about twenty five years, five feet ten inches high [Orders 1810-11, 228].

ii. Molly Bowles, named as the daughter of Lucy Barnett in the 1810 Albemarle County will of Lucy's brother Thomas Farrar [WB 5:77].

iii. Robert, born about 1789, registered in Albemarle County on 10 March 1810: a man of Color aged about twenty one years, five feet 11-1/2 inches high, of a dark Complection [Orders 1810-11, 62].

iv. James, born say 1796, a "Mulatto" taxable in St. Ann's Parish, Albemarle County, in 1812 and 1813 [PPTL, 1800-1813, frames 499, 541].

 

Another member of the Barnett family in Virginia was

i. Michael, a "Mulatto" ordered bound by the churchwardens of Augusta County to Peter Hog, Gentleman, on 23 August 1766, perhaps the child of Pat Barnett whose son Thomas was ordered bound to Jacob Miller on 22 March 1768, no race indicated [Orders 1765-7, 240; 1768, 127].

 

BARROW FAMILY

1.    Mary Ba_row, born say 1738, a white spinster, accused a white man named John Harris of being the father of her illegitimate child. She was the mother of a "Molatto Named George" who was bound to John Harris by the Hyde County, North Carolina court until the age of twenty one in June 1756 when the child was two months old in compensation for Harris's support of Mary during her pregnancy [Weynette Parks Haun, Hyde County Court Minutes, II:174]. Mary was the mother of

i. George, born in April 1756, "of Hyde County," received voucher no. 982 for £40 on 19 July 1783 in New Bern, Craven County, for a horse furnished to the military [North Carolina Revolutionary Pay Vouchers, 1779-1782, http://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2WT-51WL]. He was head of a Hyde County household of 5 "other free" and a slave in 1800 [NC:363] and 9 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:248].

 

BARTLETT/ BARTLEY FAMILY

Mixed-race members of the Bartley/ Bartlett family born before 1750 were

1     i. Solomon¹, born about 1727.

2     ii. Joseph, born say 1735.

3     iii. Miriam Bartlett, born say 1738.

4      iv. David¹, born say 1740.

 

1.    Solomon¹ Bartlett/ Bartley, born about 1727, was living in Southampton County (called Solomon Bartlett) on 13 April 1758 when John Powell sued him for trespass, assault and battery. The case was dismissed on agreement of the parties [Orders 1754-9, 431]. He was exempted from paying taxes by the Bertie County, North Carolina court in 1777 [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, IV:246]. He and his wife Amy were "free Mulattows" taxed in the 1770 Bertie list of James Moore and in James Churchwell's 1772 tax list [CR 010.702.1]. The inventory of his Bertie County estate on 15 December 1783 included a yoke of oxen, 14 cows and calves, 5 steers, a bible and 5 old books. It sold for £110 [North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979, Bertie County, Bartlett, Solomon, http://familysearch.org/search/catalog/456755, film 4854038, image 139]. When the Bertie court ordered his children bound out as apprentices in November 1782, they were called children of Amey Bartlet [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, V:393, 435, 468, 465, 496]. His children were

i. ?Hall, head of a Bertie County household of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:11]. Rebecca Bartley (his widow?) was head of Bertie County household of 2 "other free" in 1800 [NC:34].

ii. Henry², born about 1769, fourteen years old in 1783 when the Bertie court ordered him bound as an apprentice shoemaker. He was head of a Bertie County household of 2 "other free" in 1800 [NC:34]. He married Edith Butler, 1 June 1804 Bertie County bond.

iii. Benjamin², born about 1771, ten years old in August 1781 when the Bertie court ordered him bound as an apprentice cooper [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, V:398].

iv. Solomon², born about 1772, eleven years old in 1783 when the Bertie court ordered him bound as an apprentice shoemaker. He was head of an Edgecombe County household of 1 "other free" and a slave in 1800 [NC:186], 4 "other free" in 1810 [NC:740], and 6 "free colored" and a slave in 1820 [NC:119].

 

2.    Joseph Bartley, born say 1735, was called Joseph Barkley, a "Mulatto," on 21 November 1758 when the Surry County, Virginia court presented him for not listing his wife as a tithable [Orders 1757-64, 135]. And he was called Joseph Barkley the following year on 19 November 1759 when the York County court presented him for not listing himself as a tithable. The case was dismissed when he paid his tax. He was called Joseph Bartlett on 20 August 1764 when he sued Christiana Kemp for debt in York County court in a case that was dismissed on agreement of the parties. On 17 December 1764 he was called Joseph Bartley when the court ordered him to pay the parish of Bruton 500 pounds of tobacco for not listing his wife as a tithable [Judgments & Orders 1759-63, 281, 308, 320, 90]. He and his wife Elizabeth, "Boath free mulattoes," registered the birth of their son James in Bruton Parish in Williamsburg in 1768 [Bruton Parish Register, 33]. And he and his wife Elizabeth sued William Wilson in court for trespass, assault and battery on 18 June 1770. He was called Joseph Barclay on 15 July 1771 when the grand jury presented him for failing to list himself as a tithable [Orders 1768-70, 508; 1770-2, 25, 336]. He was called Joseph Barkley in the muster of Captain Nathan Reed's Company of the 14^th Virginia Regiment for the month of June 1778 at Valley Forge: sick at Valley Forge and called Joseph Bartly in the June 1778 pay roll of Captain Nathan Reed's 14^th Virginia Regiment [NARA, M246, Roll 112, frame 679 of 826; http://fold3.com/image/10068412; http://fold3.com/image/10104087]. He was taxable in York County from 1792 to 1795 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 181, 191, 200, 209], a "M"(ulatto) tavern keeper with Mary Bartlet on Tanner's Creek in Norfolk County from 1800 to 1802 [PPTL, 1791-1812, frames 351, 371, 383, 427] and taxable on the yearly rent of $60 in Ward 3 of Norfolk City in 1804, 1807 and 1809 [PPTL 1804-14, frames 9, 127, 153]. Joseph and Elizabeth were the parents of

5     i. James, born 8 July 1768.

ii. ?John, born about 1782, registered in York County on 21 April 1802: a bright Mulatto about 20 years of age, has grey Eyes, woolly Hair, 5 feet 8 inches high, 2 of his smallest Toes on his right foot barnt off...born in Bruton parish [Guardians' Accounts, 1780-1823, following the index, No. 18].

iii. ?Matthew, born 25 January 1783, son of Elizabeth Bartlett, a Free mulatto" [Bruton Parish Register, 35].

iv. ?Benjamin⁵, born about 1786, registered in Norfolk County on 17 November 1811: 5 feet 9 In. 25 years of age of a Yellowish Complexion, Born free [Register of Free Negros & Mulattos, no. 65].

 

3.    Miriam Bartlett, born say 1738, was living in Southampton County on 8 February 1759 when her "mulatto" son Henry Bartlett was bound apprentice [Orders 1754-59, 487]. She may have been the Mary Bartley who lived on land in Surry County, Virginia, on each side of Tarapin Swamp which was described on 16 November 1770 by Joseph Hargrave as "the land whereon Mary Bartley formerly lived" [DB 10:119; Hopkins, Surry County Deeds and Estate Accounts, 1756-1787, 52]. One of her descendants may have lived with the Nottoway Indians for a while since Solomon Bartlett (born about 1800) and Fanny Bartlett (born about 1798) were listed in an 1808 Nottoway Indian census [LVA, Box 154a, Executive Papers June 21-July 22 1808, pp.4-5]. Solomon registered in Southampton County on 29 November 1821: 5 feet 9 1/4 inches high Brown complection, one of the Nottoway Tribe of Indians [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 1298]. Miriam was the mother of

6    i. ?Benjamin¹, born about 1755.

ii. Henry¹, born say 1758, apparently identical to Henry Barclay who complained to the Southampton County court against his master Simon Vick on 13 February 1777 [Minutes 1775-8, n.p.].

7     iii. ?Patty¹, born say 1760.

 

4.    David¹ Bartley, born say 1740, was paid as a witness for Daniel Armfield in his York County suit against Peter Gillett on 16 March 1761. He was sued for a debt of £6 in York County court on 19 July 1762 [Judgments & Orders 1759-63, 222, 398]. He and his wife Lucretia, "free mulattoes," registered the birth of their son Godfrey Macklin in Bruton Parish in Williamsburg. David may have been deceased by 1782 when a Lucretia McLin (born about 1742) was counted in the 1782 census for Richmond [VA:111]. David and Lucretia were the parents of

i. Godfrey Macklin, born 29 November 1764 [Bruton Parish Register, 27]. Godfrey Bartlett was a soldier born in York County and residing there in September 1780 when he enlisted in the Revolution: age 15, 5'3-1/4" high, Mulattoe complexion, a farmer [Register & description of Noncommissioned officers & Privates, LVA accession no. 24296, by http://revwarapps.org/b69.pdf (p.56)].

 

5.    James Bartley, born 8 July 1768, was baptized 14 August 1768 in Bruton Parish [Bruton Parish Register, 33]. He (called James Bartlett) was charged with murdering John Gillett and sent by the York County court for further trial in Williamsburg on 21 December 1796. Reuben Gillett was a witness against him [Orders 1795-1803, 141]. James was taxable in York County from 1789 to 1813: called James Bartlett in 1792, 1793, 1806, 1809, and 1810, taxable on 3 slaves in 1806 and head of a household of 2 "free Negroes & mulattoes over 16" and a slave in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 148, 180, 191, 199, 264, 284, 304, 314, 351, 363, 385]. He was head of a York County household of 3 "other free," a slave and a white woman 16-26 years old in 1810 [VA:871]. He registered in York County on 18 November 1822: a light Mulatto about 61 years of age 5 feet 9-3/4 Inches high, has long grey hair. And his wife Nancy registered the same day: a bright Mulatto about 52 years of age 5 feet 2-3/4 Inches high, has short wooly hair which is grey, flat nose...broad mouth [York County Register, nos. 143, 144]. He may have been the father of

i. William Bartlett, born say 1791, taxable in York County in 1812 and 1814, called William Bartly in 1815 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 374, 402, 419].

ii. Elizabeth, married William Johns, 13 December 1814 York County bond, James Bartlett surety. William appeared in York County court on 16 September 1816 on a complaint of breach of the peace by (his wife?) Elizabeth Johns. Stephen Davenport and Charles Jarvis were his securities for his bond of $200 [Orders 1815-20, 130].

 

6.    Benjamin¹ Bartlett, born about 1755, was a "poor child" bound apprentice in Southampton County on 14 November 1771. He may have been related to a member of the Byrd family because his apprenticeship to Nathan Bryant was vacated and he was bound instead to John Byrd "for reasons appearing to the court" on 14 May 1772 [Orders 1768-72, 470, 532]. He was in the 10^th Virginia Regiment on 7 December 1780 when he was sized at Chesterfield: age 23, residing in Southampton County, entered service in September, drafted for 1 year, 6 months, listed after Godfrey Bartlett of York County [New-York Historical Society, Muster and pay rolls of the War of the Revolution, 1775-1783, II:608-9; http://babel.hathitrust.org]. He married Alee Evans in Prince Edward County on 22 August 1782 and was surety for the 22 March 1785 Prince Edward County marriage of John Jackson and Nancy Gowing. He was taxable on a horse and 3 cattle in the lower district of Prince Edward County in 1787 [PPTL 1782-1809, frame 185]. In June 1789 he was paid 25 pounds of tobacco by the Prince Edward County court for guarding a prisoner, and on 17 August 1789 he confessed judgment to the executors of Archibald Cary for £28.12 of which he still owed £14.6 [Orders 1788-91, 141, 151, 164]. He registered in Southampton County on 12 June 1794: Age 39, Colour Black, born of free parents in Southampton [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 27]. He was called Benjamin Bartlett of Prince Edward County on 16 April 1796 when he sold Aaron Smith his bounty land due him for serving for 3 years as a soldier in Lieutenant David Walker's Company of Colonel Febiger's Regiment and recorded the sale in Richmond [Revolutionary Bounty Warrants, Bartlett, Benjamin, Digital Collections, LVA]. He was taxable in Prince Edward County on 2 tithes in 1800, a "free Negro" taxable on 3 tithes and a horse in 1802, 2 tithes and a horse in 1803 [PPTL 1782-1809, frames 598, 619], a "fn" taxable in Charlotte County in 1806, 1807, 1809 (adjoining Samuel Bartlett), 1812, taxable on a horse in 1813 [PPTL 1782-1813, frames 688, 722, 755, 851, 893], and a "F.N." head of a Charlotte County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:68]. He apparently married or had children by Martha Artis. Martha registered in Southampton County on 12 June 1794, the same day and the next person after Benjamin: about 28 years old, a free woman born of free parents in Southampton, black [Register of Free Negroes, no. 28]. She was called Patty Bartlett when she was living at Holcomb's Old Ordinary in Farmville in Thomas Green's district of Prince Edward County in 1801: with Polly Bartlett and Macy Bird, doing housework, and Samuel Bartlett a farmer. In 1802 Josiah Bartlett, a male child, joined them; in 1803 she was called Patty Artis, a female doing housework at James Smith's with Macy Bird. Burrell Bartlett was a farmer that year at George King's. In 1805 Patsy Bartlett was living in Farmville with her unnamed sister and Samuel and David Bartlett who were boatmen [List Free People in T. Green's District 1801; 1805, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. She was taxable on a horse in Prince Edward County from 1806 to 1819: listed with (her children?) Redy and Polly Bartlett in 1814 [PPTL 1782-1809, frames 699, 726; 1809-31, frames 2, 25, 95, 122, 199, 215, 272, 292] and head of a Prince Edward County household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:556]. She was living on her own land in 1823 with Betsy, Parthena, Catherine, Rhody & Ben Bartlett [List of Free negroes 1823, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. She was the mother of

i. ?Samuel, born say 1780, a farmer living in the upper district of Prince Edward County at Holcolm's Old Ordinary in 1801, a carpenter on John Grayham's land in the lower district of Prince Edward County in 1806, listed with his wife Polly and children George, Betsey, Woodson, Caty, Benne, Sam, Daniel and Eliza in the list of people of colour in Prince Edward County in 1820 [List of free people of colour, within the upper district of Prince Edward County, 1801; 1806; 1809, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. He was a "free Negroe" taxable in the lower district of Prince Edward County in 1805, 1806, 1812, 1819 and 1820 [PPTL 1782-1809, frames 653, 699; 1809-31, frames 70, 292, 329] and a "fn" taxable in Charlotte County in 1809 [PPTL 1782-1813, frame 755].

ii. ?David², born say 1782, a shoemaker on Thomas Molloy's estate in 1802 [A List of Free people of Colour taken in the year 1802 by Jno Nash Commr, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. He and Patsy Bartlett and 3 children, 2 unnamed girls and a boy, were living on the road near Farmville in 1806 [List of people of Colour 1806 from the office Jno Booker Comr, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. He was a "free Negroe" taxable in the lower district of Prince Edward County from 1805 to 1820 [PPTL 1782-1809, frames 653, 699, 726; 1809-31, frames 2, 25, 70, 95, 123, 138, 272, 352].

iii. ?Benjamin³ Bartley, born about 1783, registered in Southampton County on 25 August 1806: Age 23, Blk., 5 feet 5 1/2 inches high, Free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 394]. He was living in the lower district of Prince Edward County in 1802: a "Blackman," a shoemaker on Thomas Molloy's estate [A List of Free people of Colour taken in the year 1802 by Jno Nash Commr, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA] and a "M"(ulatto) taxable in St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, from 1806 to 1810 [PPTL 1792-1806, frame 838; 1807-21, frames 47, 69, 166].

iv. Rhoda, born about 1784, registered as Rhoda Artis in Prince Edward County on 20 August 1811: a black woman aged about twenty seven years, about five feet two & a half inches high, residing in Prince Edward County, daughter of Patsey Artis a free woman [Artis, Rhoda, (F, 27): Free Negro Certificate, 1811, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. Rhoda Bartlett was a washer at John Nash's in 1805 with children Billy, Betty and John Bartlett [List of Free Negroes in John Nash's District in the year 1805, 1805, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

v. Burwell, born about 1788, registered as Burwell Artis in Prince Edward County in February 1811: a black man aged about twenty three years, about five feet six Inches High, born of Patsey Artis a free woman [Artis, Burwell (M, 23): Free Negro Certificate, 1811, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. Burwell Bartlett was a "free Negro" taxable in the lower district of Prince Edward County in 1809 [PPTL 1809-31, frame 2].

vi. Patty², born about 1793, ordered bound out by the overseers of the poor in Prince Edward County on 21 December 1795 [Orders 1793-7, 236]. She registered as Patsey Artis in Prince Edward County in August 1813: woman of dark complexion, born of free parents, 20, 5'5-1/2" [Orders 1814-18, 578], probably identical to Patience Bartlet who was listed as a "free Negro" with Betsy Bartlet in 1814 [PPTL 1809-31, frame 122].

vii. ?Joe, born about 1795, registered in Prince Edward County in August 1816: Josiah Artis alias Joseph Bartlet, a black man born of a free woman residing in this County; aged Twenty one years...five feet ten inches high [Artis, Josiah (Alias Josiah Bartlett, M, 21): Free Negro Certificate, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA; Orders, 1814-18, 459]. He was listed with his wife Nancy and her children Henry and Randolph Brandum in the list of free people of color in the upper district of Prince Edward County in 1819 [List of Free People of Colour 1819, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. Nancy Brandon, born about 1806, was emancipated by the Prince Edward County will of R. Randolph [Orders 1828-32, 149].

viii. ?Henry³, born say 1797, a "free Negro" taxable in the lower district of Prince Edward County in 1814, 1815, 1818 and 1819 [PPTL 1809-31, frames 123, 138, 272, 292]. He was living with wife Polly and son Henry on Patty Bartlett's land in 1823 [List of Free negroes 1823, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

 

Others members of the Bartlett family in Virginia were

i. Cary, head of a Richmond City household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:333].

ii. Benjamin⁴, born about 1786, obtained a certificate of freedom in Buckingham County on 14 November 1808 and recorded it in Prince Edward County: Benjamin Bartley, a free mulatto, aged twenty two years, of yellowish complexion, five feet eight inches high, a free man by birth [Bartley, Benjamin (M, 22): Free Negro Certificate, 1808, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. He may have been the Benjamin Bartley who registered in Norfolk County on 17 November 1811: 5 feet 9 In. 25 years of age of a Yellowish Complexion, Born free [Register of Free Negros & Mulattos, no. 65].

iii. Edward, a "mulatto" taxable in Gloucester County in 1812 [PPTL, 1800-20].

iv. Lucy and Sarah Bartlett, emancipated by letter from Elizabeth Harrison proved in York County court on 16 April 1787 [Orders 1784-7, 440], possibly descendants of a member of the Bartlett family who had children by a slave.

 

Endnote:

1.    Solomon Barlett was called Solomon Bartlett in the 1770 and 1772 Bertie County tax lists and in the Bertie County court records, but he was called Bartly in the tax lists from 1772-1775. His children were called Bartlett in 1790, Bartley in 1800 and Bartlett in 1810 and 1820.

 

BASS FAMILY

Augustus Bass (standing), a clerk, an Indian counted in the 1880 & 1900 census for Deep Creek, Virginia,

married to a white woman named Carie/ Mary Goldburnew from Maryland. They lived in Baltimore in 1930.

William Wesley Weaver (sitting), born 1818, and wife Luraina, from North Carolina.

Photo of "Nansemond Indians" by Smithsonian Institution ca. 1900.

The Bass family descended from John¹ Bass of Norfolk County, Virginia, who married Keziah Elizabeth Tucker, a Nansemond Indian. Their descendants lived in the English colonial community. Some of them became part of the white community. However, their son William¹ Bass's son William² Bass remained in Norfolk County and married the "Molatto" daughter of "Negro" slave Jean Lovina. Two of William¹ Bass's other sons, Edward¹ and John² Bass, moved to North Carolina and had free African American descendants. Several of their children and grandchildren married members of the Anderson family, neighbors of the Bass family who were freed from slavery in Norfolk County in 1712.

 

1.    John¹ Bass, born 7 September 1616, was an early settler of Norfolk County, Virginia. On 14 August 1638 he married Keziah Elizabeth Tucker, daughter of

Robin the Elder of ye Nansimuns kingdom, a Baptized Xtian

"Keziah Basse belouved wife of John Basse deperted this life the 4 daye of Xber in the Yeare of our Blessed Lord & Sav^r 1676." And John Basse "depertid this Life in the Yeare of our Blessed Lord 1699 on ye 2^d day of Apriel. AE 82." The inventory of his Norfolk County estate on 19 September 1699 included a bible and sermon book [Bell, Bass Families of the South, Nansemond Indian Ancestry of Some Bass Families, 12]. Their children were

i. Nathaniel¹, born 29 May 1640, d. 1652.

ii. Keziah¹, born 4 September 1643.

iii. Elizabeth¹, born 12 July 1645.

iv. Jordan, born 27 June 1648, d. 1651.

v. Samuel¹, born 23 March 1653.

2    vi. William¹, born 29 March 1654.

vii. Richard¹, born 2 August 1658, died in Nansiemun (Nansemond County) in 1722. He married Jane Bryant, and they had Charles (9 November 1681), Samuel (20 January 1683), James (14 January 1684), Matthew (24 December 1684), Keziah (30 November 1687), Ann (16 December 1688) and Jane (14 December 1690). Richard married, second, Mary Burwell on 25 August 1695 and they had Andrew (9 June 1698), Alexander (27 July 1702), Richard (24 June 1707), Mary (16 August 1709), William (19 July 1713) perhaps the William Bass who was taxable in Southern Branch District of Norfolk County in 1730 and 1731 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1730-1750], Uriah (29 October 1716) and Thomas (5 July 1719).

viii. John², born 14 March 1661, died the same day.

 

2.    William¹ Bass, born 29 March 1654, married Catherine Lanier who died on 17 February 1691/2. He was called William Bass, Sr., on 13 October 1715 when he admitted in Norfolk County court that he owed John Hodgson 50 pounds of tobacco [Orders 1710-17, 169]. On 17 March 1726/7 he claimed to have cleared lands near the Dismal Swamp which "hath been used by his and Their forebears since & before English governance in Virginia." He received a certificate from the Norfolk County Clerk confirming his rightful possession of the land and further stating that

William Bass, Senr. &...his sons Wm. Bass, Thomas Bass and Joseph Bass, & spinster daughter Mary Bass are persons of English and Nansemun Indian descent with no Admixture of negor, Ethipopic blood

He was called William Bass, Senr., and was living in Western Branch District of Norfolk County on 6 January 1729 when he purchased 103 acres in Norfolk County at the mouth of Deep Branch for ,25 [DB G:fol.35 (p.183)]. He was taxable with his son Thomas in the Western Branch District of Norfolk County in 1730, 1731 (called William Bass, Sr.), 1732 (with William Horse/Horsey in his household), and 1733-36 living near Richard and Eliza Price and William Price whose wife was taxable in 1736 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1730-50, 20, 38, 73, 94, 138, 183]. He was probably in debt when he made his 1 October 1740 will since he left his land to his daughter Mary, "if she can Save it." The will, proved 17 September 1742 in Norfolk County, named his children William, Edward, Joseph, Thomas, and Mary (executrix), and grandson William Bass [WB H:8]. The record of his death on 13 August 1741 is in the Bass family papers which also record that his son John and his daughter Keziah, Jr., predeceased him [Bell, Bass Families of the South, 12]. His children were

3     i. Edward¹, born 19 October 1672.

4     ii. John³, born 4 December 1673.

iii. Keziah², born 30 October 1675, died a spinster in 1704.

5     iv. William², born 28 October 1676.

v. Joseph¹, born 21 December 1679.

vi. Mary¹, born 15 June 1681, sued  ___ Mux in Norfolk County Orphans Court on 15 May 1700. The Norfolk County court bound two-year-old Sarah Crawley and nine-year-old Elizabeth Johnson to her as apprentices on 22 May 1714. Sarah was probably the daughter of Jane Crawley who sued John Nichols in court on the same day. On 20 June 1718 the court bound the children to Mr. Thomas Scott [DB 6:189; Orders 1710-7, 84; DB 10, 12a].

6    vii. Thomas¹, born 13 November 1687.

 

3.    Edward¹ Bass, born 19 October 1672, was living in Norfolk County on 16 November 1699 when he purchased 15 acres of land on the Western Branch of Elizabeth River from John Fulsher who was the slave owner who freed the Anderson family by his Norfolk County will in 1712. Edward appeared in Norfolk County court on 17 November 1698 and admitted that he owed Hugh Campbell 500 pounds of tobacco, in June 1702 he admitted that he owed Thomas Whinfield 70 pounds of tobacco for goods he purchased at the sale of the estate of William Whitehurst, and on 15 February 1709 he sued Henry Lawley for a debt of £3. On 20 July 1711 he was presented by the Norfolk County court for retailing liquor without a license, but the presentment was dismissed at his cost when he convinced the court that it was a mistake. On 16 December 1715 he sued Joseph Muns, Jr., for £20 damages for riding his mare [DB 6, no.2, fols. 36, 170, 255; Orders 1708-10, 124b, 141a; 1710-17, 14, 100, 136]. On 30 January 1720/1 he was called "Edward Bass of Norfolk County, Virginia, Parish of Elizabeth" when he purchased 100 acres adjacent to his brother John, near the head of Horsepool Swamp in Chowan Precinct, North Carolina [DB C-1:113]. On 26 March 1723 he was granted 200 acres on Urahaw Swamp in what became Northampton County after 1741 [Hoffman, Province of North Carolina Land Patents, 192]. He and his wife Love sold their land in Chowan County by deed of 28 March 1726 [DB C-1:609].

Between 12 August 1728 and 15 May 1744 he purchased another 615 acres adjoining his land [Bertie DB C:135, Northampton DB 1:40, 89, 129]. His 25 July 1748 Northampton County will was proved in August 1750 and left over 525 acres to his children with the remainder to be sold to discharge debts. He left his wife Lovewell 100 acres during her life [Original at N.C. Archives]. More than ten years later on 7 May 1761 she and her heirs, Lucy Jones and Thomas Cugley, sold this land for £75 to Jethro Bass, her deceased husband's grand nephew [DB 3:121]. Their children named in Edward's will were

7     i. John⁵, born say 1716.

ii. Katherine Anderson, born say 1718, received 50 acres adjoining John Bass's line toward Urahaw Swamp in Northampton County by her father's will, and she and Lewis Anderson, "of Northampton County," sold this land on 6 July 1757 [DB 2:424].

iii. Dinah, born say 1720, perhaps the wife of John Pone, "black" taxables in the 1755 Granville County summary list and taxables in the 1754 list of Robert Harris along with the Andersons, Pettifords, and William Bass [CR 44.701.19].

8     iv. Benjamin¹, born say 1722.

v. Joseph², born say 1724, sold the 50 acres in Northampton County which he received by his father's will on 18 August 1757 and a further 50 acres in Northampton while a resident of Granville County on 2 September the same year [DB 2:399, 489]. On 30 March 1758 he bought 50 acres in Granville County on a branch of Fishing Creek and sold it on 26 February 1765 [DB E:50; G:355]. He was taxable in Granville County on a tithe in the 1758 list of Thomas Person and taxable with his wife Jane in 1762 and 1764 in Samuel Benton's list for Oxford and Fishing Creek Districts, listed as insolvent in 1764, perhaps related to the Joseph Bass who was head of a Chesterfield County, South Carolina household of 6 "other free" in 1800 [SC:100].

9     vi. Sampson/ Samuel², born say 1726.

10   vii. Edward³, born say 1728..

viii. James¹, born say 1730, taxable with his brother Benjamin in Oxford District, Granville County, in 1761. On 10 November 1764 he sold 50 acres in Northampton County by deed proved in Granville County [DB H:63].

ix. Kesiah³, born say 1732.

x. Mary³, born say 1734.

xi. Reuben¹, born say 1736, bequeathed his father's manor plantation of 100 acres in Northampton County after the death of his mother. He sold this 100 acres on 5 May 1761 [DB 3:96], and in 1764 he was taxed in Granville County with his wife Mary, probably Mary Anderson. He purchased 50 acres in Granville from Lawrence Pettiford on 20 October 1768 [DB H:473] and sold 50 acres in Granville on Beaverdam Creek on 16 February 1777 [DB L:315]. He was taxable on 2 horses in 1782, on 1 poll in 1785, and he had 2 males and 4 females in his household in Fishing Creek in 1786 for the state census.

 

4.    John³ Bass (William¹, John¹), born 4 December 1673, was living in Norfolk County on 15 October 1701 when a case against him brought by Thomas Hodges, Surveyor, for being delinquent "from the high wayes" was dismissed on his paying costs [DB 6:220]. He was not named in his father's will because he predeceased him. On 30 January 1720/1 he bought 200 acres in Chowan Precinct near the head of Horsepool Swamp [DB C-1:115]. A year later on 16 July 1722 he was in that part of Bertie County which became Northampton County where he bought 200 acres adjoining Urahaw Swamp [DB A:105]. Between 1722 and 1729 he purchased 5 tracts of land including a patent for 460 acres, accumulating a total of 1,060 acres adjoining Urahaw Swamp [DB A:129; C:126, 135; Hoffman, Province of North Carolina Land Patents, 225]. His 18 January 1732 Bertie County will named his children, gave his wife Mary "the liberty of the plantation...for bringing up my small children," referred to "my sd last wife's children," and left 50 acres to his friend, Daniel Wharten Burbegg [SS 876/3:305]. Norfolk County Bass family papers record his death in the year 1732 at the age of fifty-eight. Mary remarried and as "Mary Staples widow and relict of John Bass, Sr." she sold her one third interest in the plantation where she was living on 21 November 1748 [Northampton DB 1:356]. John Bass's children named in the will were

11   i. John⁴, born say 1700.

ii. Judith Cannady, born say 1702, wife of William Cannady of Edgecombe County, received 100 acres by her father's will. She and husband William sold this land on 7 April 1744 [Northampton DB 1:175].

iii. Sarah² Anderson, born say 1704, wife of Lewis Anderson, received 100 acres in Northampton County on the north side of Urahaw Swamp by her father's will. She, her husband Lewis and (their son) Shadrack Anderson sold this land on 10 November 1757 [DB 2:233].

iv. Ann¹ Johnston, born say 1706, mother of Aaron Johnston who received 100 acres by her father's will. While living in Orange County, North Carolina, on 9 February 1758 he sold this 100 acres in Northampton County [DB 2:455]. He may have been the Aron Johnson who was counted as white in Wake County in 1790 [NC:104].

12  v. Edward², born say 1710.

13  vi. William³, born say 1712.

14   vii. Lovey, born say 1720.

viii. Mary², born say 1722, received 100 acres on the north side of Urahaw Swamp by her father's will.

ix. Aaron, born say 1724, received his father's plantation on the south side of Bear Swamp. There was an Aaron Bass who was taxable on 1 poll in Dobbs County in 1769 [SS 837, Box 1] and taxable on 1 poll in Johnston County in 1784 [GA 64.1]. There was also an Aaron Bass who was counted as white in Chatham County: head of a household of a male and 3 females in 1790 [NC:87] and head of a Chatham County household of 3 "other free" in 1800.

x. Patience, born say 1726, received a plantation on the south side of Bear Swamp by her father's will.

xi. Moses, born say 1728, received land on the north side of Bear Swamp by his father's will. He entered 100 acres on the west side of the Northwest River about 3/4 mile from Raft Swamp including his improvements on 21 November 1752. He was living near "the drains of Drowning Creek" in Bladen County on 1 February 1754 when Robert Carver entered 100 acres there [Philbeck, Bladen County Land Entries, nos. 677, 934]. He was taxable on 3 "white" tithes in Cumberland County, North Carolina, in 1755 [T&C 1], and he received a grant for 100 acres on Raft Swamp in Cumberland County on 21 October 1758 [Hoffman, Land Patents, I:474]. On 19 August 1761 the Cumberland County court granted permission for the mill he had erected on Raft Swamp to be designated a public grist mill, and the court granted him a license to keep an ordinary [Minutes 1759-65, 70]. In May 1762 he posted bond not to leave the county before the next court to answer a suit by the governor and James Simpson with Joshua Braveboy as witness, but he was not mentioned again in the Cumberland County court Minutes. His estate was settled in Prince George Parish, Georgetown District, South Carolina, on 28 February 1777. His estate named his cousins, Jeremiah and Wright Bass, and Mourning, Sarah, Elizabeth, and Ann Going, children of Jacob Going [South Carolina DB S-5:283, 284]. His estate settlement did not mention any children, but he was probably related to William Bass, head of a Fayetteville, Cumberland County household of 5 "other free" and a white woman in 1790 [NC:42]. He may have been the "William Bass a free negro" who was presented by the Granville County court for living together in fornication and adultery with Patsy House [CR.44.289.19, no date].

xii. Elizabeth², not mentioned in her father's will but called the "now wife of Edward Taylor" whose son John Taylor was given a deed of gift of 100 acres on the south side of Hunting Quarter Swamp in Northampton County on 6 November 1747 by her brother John Bass [DB 1:321].

 

5.   William² Bass (William¹, John¹), born 28 October 1676, was sued by Elizabeth Price in Norfolk County court on 20 November 1713, and on 21 August 1714 he sued Thomas Cretcher for a debt of £1.12 due on the balance of a bill. On 16 September 1715 the court appointed a commission to view the work he had done on John Hodgson's shallop and make a report of the value thereof to the next court [Orders 1710-7, 73, 94, 130]. He married Sarah Lovina/ Leviner on 20 April 1729 [Bell, Bass Families of the South, Chapter on Nansemond Indian Ancestry of Some Bass Families, 15]. Sarah was the "Molatto" daughter of John Nicholls's "Negro" slave Jean Lovina. Sarah received 200 acres on the Western Branch of the Elizabeth River by her master's 11 November 1696 Norfolk County will, proved 17 May 1697 [WB 6, fol.95a-96]. William purchased 150 acres adjoining his wife's land from her nephew William Lovina on 12 November 1728 [DB G:110] and was taxable in the Southern Branch District of Norfolk County near Deep Creek from 1730 to 1732 (with John Staple in his household), from 1733 to 1736, and in 1750 with his unnamed wife and son John Bass [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1730-50, 11, 30, 64, 97, 133, 163, 190]. On 18 March 1736/7 William and Sarah sold 48 acres on the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River to Thomas Deal, explaining in the deed that it was land "that Major Nichols gave unto the said Sarah Bass before her marriage to the sd. Wm. Bass" [DB 12:188]. He appeared before the county clerk on 20 September 1742, three days after his father's will was proved, and obtained a certificate similar to the one obtained by his father:

William Bass, the Bearer, tall, swarthy, dark eyes, weight abt. 13 stone, scar on back of left hand, is of English & Indian descent with no admixture of negro blood, numbered as a Nansemun by his own Choosing. The sd. Bass dwells in this County and hath a good name for his industry and honesty.

William² died on 20 October 1751 [Bell, Bass Families of the South, 15, 13]. Administration on his estate was granted to John Bass on 17 April 1752, and the appraisal of his estate was recorded in Norfolk County on 19 July 1756 [Orders 1750-3, 82; 1755-59, 77]. On 14 March 1757 Sarah Bass and John Bass ("Son of Sarah") and his wife Elizabeth sold another 50 acres of her land on the north side of the head of Deep Creek, the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River adjoining John Bass's line, "being part of a Tract of two hundred Acres of Land given the Above mentiond Sarah Bass by Will of Maj^r Nichols" [DB 18:41-2b]. Sarah's death on 2 October 1762 at the age of eighty years and the births of William and Sarah's children were recorded in the Bass family papers [Bell, Bass Families of the South, 13]. William and Sarah's children were

i. Sarah¹, born before 9 June 1727, taxable in May 1743. Her father William Bass petitioned the Norfolk County court on 20 May 1743 to exempt her from the tax on free African American and Indian women because of her weak constitution, and the court agreed to exempt her during her indisposition [Orders 1742-46, 37].

15   ii. John⁷, born 20 February 1731.

 

6.    Thomas¹ Bass, born 13 November 1687, married Martha Willis on 22 June 1724. She died during the childbirth of their second son Thomas, and he married second, Tamer Spivey on 2 May 1729. He was taxable in the household of his father William¹ Bass from 1730 to 1736. Thomas and his wife Tamer may have left the county before 1750 since they were not included in the tax lists from 1750 to 1766. They sold land in Norfolk County on 17 June 1756 [Bell, Bass Families of the South, 52]. Thomas was the father of

16    i. William, born 10 August 1725.

ii. Thomas², born 13 July 1726.

iii. Judith, born 27 July 1730.

iv. Lucy, born 5 August 1733.

v. Willis¹, born 14 May 1738.

 

7.    John⁵ Bass (Edward¹, John¹), born say 1716, died before his father's will was written on 17 July 1748. Elijah may have been his son since his grandfather gave him "land where my late son John dwelt." His son was probably

17   i. Elijah¹, born say 1743.

 

8.    Benjamin¹ Bass (Edward¹, John¹), born say 1722, was the executor of his father's Northampton County will by which he received 125 acres where his father was living on Quarter Swamp in Northampton County [Original at N.C. Archives]. He moved to Granville County where he bought 103 acres on Fishing Creek on 7 March 1758 [DB C-2:429]. On 4 April 1758 he sold 50 acres of his Northampton County land and a month later on 22 May 1758 bought 50 acres adjoining his land in Northampton from his brother Samuel [DB 2:460, 461]. In addition to the 125 acres he received by his father's will he had title to another 150 acres since on 10 February 1759 he sold 275 acres of his land in Northampton County which his father had purchased in 1743 and 1744 [DB 3:53].

In 1761 he was taxable in Oxford District, Granville County, with his wife Mary and brother James on 3 "Black polls," and he and his wife and children were taxable in the remaining colonial tax lists for Oxford District. On 10 November 1764 he purchased 50 acres in Northampton County near the Maple Spring Hills from his brother James [Granville DB H:63]. On 19 November 1772 Rodey Bass, a five-year-old orphan, perhaps his granddaughter, was bound as an apprentice to him [CR 044.101.2-7]. In 1780 he was taxed on an assessment of £607 in Oxford District, Granville County, and in 1782 he was taxable on 103 acres, 2 horses, and 3 cattle. On 5 August 1782 he purchased an additional 480 acres in Granville for which he paid £1,000. He sold 100 acres of this land to his son Benjamin Bass, Jr., for £5 on 18 August 1783, sold 21 acres on 3 November 1794, sold 20 acres on 14 December 1797, and sold the remainder on 14 May 1798 for 300 Spanish milled dollars [DB O:197, 331; P:100; Q:115, 199]. He and his wife Mary sold 100 acres in Northampton County at Urahaw Swamp on 26 July 1784 [DB 7:267]. He was head of a Tar River household of 7 males and 4 females in the state census of 1786. His son Absalom was charged with his tax in Tar River District in 1797 and 1798 [Tax List 1796-1802, 132]. He was head of a Granville County household of 2 "other free" in 1800. His children can be identified from the Granville County tax lists. They were

i. Selah, born about 1750 since she was first taxable in 1762 in Samuel Benton's list for Oxford and Fishing Creek Districts, probably the Sealia Mitchell, wife of Archibald Mitchell, who was taxed in his household in the 1767 list of Stephen Jett.

ii. Sally, born about 1752, first taxable in 1764 in Samuel Benton's list, married John Richardson, 22 March 1802 Granville County bond, Absolem Bass surety.

iii. Winney, born about 1752, first taxable in 1764 in Samuel Benton's list. Her 3-year-old bastard child Jacob was bound on 3 August 1768 to Lewis Anderson, Junior [CR 044.101.2] who she married about 1767.

iv. Hardy, born about 1755, first taxable in the summary list for 1767, enlisted for 12 months in Donoho's Company of the 10^th North Carolina Regiment on 14 June 1781 and left the service on 14 June 1782 [Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, XVI:1020]. He received pay voucher no. 178 for £13 in Halifax in 1782 as well as no. 120 for £4 on 1 June 1781, endorsed on the back, "Hardy Bass, Volunteer, Granville County" [North Carolina Revolutionary Pay Vouchers, 1779-1782, http://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2WT-L2QX, Bass, Hardy]. He married Nancy Hines, 23 December 1788 Granville County bond, Reuben Bass surety. He was taxable on 100 acres and 1 poll in Oxford District in 1790, taxable on only poll tax in 1797, and head of a Granville County household of 4 "other free" in 1800. He and Thornton Pettiford were paid on 5 May 1807 for attending seven days as witnesses in the suit of Fanny Goff against Molly Lee in Petersburg [Hustings Court Minute Book 1805-8].

18   v. Benjamin³, Jr., born about 1756.

vi. Morning, born about 1756, first taxable in 1768.

vii. Absalom, born say 1760, not mentioned in the early tax records but taxable in Granville County in 1787 on his father's land. He married Patsy Haynes, 15 January 1794 Granville County bond, Benjamin Bass surety, and was head of a Granville County household of 7 "other free" in 1800.

19   viii. ?Reuben², born say 1761.

ix. ?Prissy, born say 1764, married Jesse Day, 6 November 1782 Granville County bond, Solomon Walker surety.

x. ?Milly, mother of an unnamed "base born child" by Jesse Chavers. Benjamin and Absalom Bass were her security in November 1794 Granville County court [Minutes 1792-95, 197-8], and Clement Bunch posted bond in December 1798 for a bastard child he had by her [Camin, N.C. Bastardy Bonds, 87].

 

9.    Sampson/ Samuel² Bass (Edward¹, John¹), born say 1724, sold the 50 acres he inherited from his father to his brother Benjamin on 22 May 1758 [Northampton DB 2:460]. He was taxable in Granville County in Nathaniel Harris's list in 1758 and in John Pope's list for Bare Swamp District in 1762, called Sampson Bass. This part of Granville County became Bute County in 1764 and Sampson bought 100 acres in Bute County on the south side of Cedar Creek on Beaverdam Branch from William Bass on 26 January 1771 [Warren County DB 3:224]. He was a resident of Brunswick County, Virginia, on 2 April 1765 when he gave 270 acres in Northampton County near the Virginia border to his son Burwell Bass of Northampton County [DB 4:463]. He was taxed on £2,062 property and 12 slaves in Northampton County in 1780 [LP 46.1]. He was called Samuel, Sr., when he bought 200 acres near the Virginia border on 4 June 1784 [DB 7:276]. His 13 August 1787 Northampton County will was proved in December 1790. He left land and six slaves to his wife Sarah and children, most of whom were considered white [WB 1:408]. They were

i. Ann².

ii. Herod.

iii. Susanna Snipes.

iv. Matthew.

v. Samuel³, received a slave by a Halifax County deed of gift from his father on 14 June 1790: "1 negro man Nat, now in possession of my grandson Burgess Bass which sd negro I lent my son Burrell Bass some years ago" [DB 17:213]. He was head of a Halifax County household of 7 "other free" and a slave in 1810 [NC:4].

vi. Burwell.

vii. Lucy Peebles.

viii. Phebe Jordan.

 

10.    Edward³ Bass (Edward¹, William¹, John¹), born say 1728, received 50 acres in Northampton County by his father's will. He sold this and another 20 acres in Northampton County on 15 May 1758 [DB 2:462]. By 1761 he was taxable in the Granville County list for Oxford District with wife Tamer, probably Tamer Anderson, daughter of his neighbor Lewis Anderson, a taxable in her father's household in John Sallis's 1754 tax list. She was also taxed with her father in 1755, but did not appear in his household in the next extant list of 1757 [CR 44.701.19]. On 22 December 1762 Edward purchased 100 acres in Granville County from George Anderson [DB F:281]. On 8 April 1767 he purchased 200 acres at the head of Fishing Creek in Bute County [Warren County DB 1:304] and sold this land twelve years later on 7 May 1779 [Warren DB 7:230]. In 1782 he was taxable in Granville on 100 acres, a horse, and 14 cattle and had 11 persons in his Raglands District, Granville County household for the 1786 state census. On 9 November 1792 he bought an additional 206 acres on Boling's Creek in Granville for £75 and a month later on 10 December 1792 sold his 100 acres on the north prong of Fishing Creek for £100 [DB N:165; P:77]. His 17 March 179_ will was proved in Granville County court in November 1800 [WB 5:116]. He named his wife Tamer and his children:

i. Stephen, born about 1758, probably the third person taxable in his father's household in the 1771 summary list. He was taxable on 1 poll in Granville in 1785, 1790 and 1791, and in Oxford District in 1801 [Tax List 1796-1802, 284].

ii. Lewis, taxable on 1 poll in Oxford District in 1804 and 1806 [Tax List 1803-1809, 79, 177].

iii. Truateny(?), the Truenty Bass who was paid £3.8 for her attendance in the suit brought by Hardy Bass against William Taborn in Granville County court on 11 August 1786 [Minutes 1786-87].

iv. Darling, married Rhoda Anderson, 7 July 1797 Granville County bond, William Mitchell surety, and was head of a Granville County household of 2 "other free" in 1800, 3 in 1810 [NC:904], and 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:1]. He was taxed on 1 poll in Oxford District in 1800, 260 acres in 1801, and taxable on poll tax for himself and Jason Bass in 1803 [Tax List 1796-1802, 230, 284; 341; 1803-09, 31]. From 1809 to 1820 he was taxable on 109 acres on Bolings Creek in Oxford District. His 10 November 1839 Granville County will, proved in August 1845, lent all his property to his wife Rodey and after her death to Henry Anderson who was her son by Jesse Chavis before her marriage to Darling [WB 16:334].

20   v. Prudence, born say 1768.

vi. Mary Ann, perhaps the Mariah Bass who married Edward Mitchell, 5 January 1795 Granville County bond.

vii. Tamer, married John Roe, 2 December 1801 Granville County bond with George Pettiford surety. John Rowe married second, Sally Pendergrass, 2 March 1802 Person County bond.

viii. Mordecai, neglected to give in his list of tithables in Wake County in 1794 [CR 099.701.1 (microfilm), frame 212], married first, Nancy Askew, 31 October 1799 Wake County bond, Lewis Pettiford surety, and second, Nancy Chavis, 13 December 1803 Granville County bond, George Pettiford surety. He was taxable on 1 poll in Oxford District in 1806 [Tax List 1803-09, 177] and was a "Negro" head of a Guilford County household of 4 "free colored" in 1830.

ix. Dempsey, married Phoebe Day, 4 October 1808 Granville County bond, Reuben Day surety. He was head of a Granville County household of 4 "other free" in 1800, 6 in 1810 [NC:858], and 3 "free colored" in Ledge Neck District in 1820 [NC:17]. His 4 December 1827 Granville County will, proved in February 1828, left all his estate to his wife Phereba [WB 10:405].

x. Justina(?).

xi. Jason, born about 1754, married Sarah Taborn, 19 January 1807 Granville County bond, George Pettiford surety, and was a 96-year-old "Mulatto" counted in the 1850 Orange County, North Carolina census with wife Sally Bass and (daughter?) Tamar Bass.

 

11.    John⁴ Bass (John³, William¹, John¹), born say 1700, purchased 200 acres on 10 April 1722 near Urahaw Swamp in the part of Bertie County which became Northampton County in 1742. He purchased 100 acres on Plaquet Branch of Antonkey Marsh, 150 acres on 17 January 1727, and received a patent for 410 acres south of Bear Swamp on 2 August 1727 [DB A:108; B:348, 360]. On 7 February 1736 the Bertie County court fined him for selling brandy without a license [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, I:199]. He was the executor of his father's 1732 will. On 16 August 1736 he bought 200 acres at the mouth of Beech Swamp in Edgecombe County [DB 1:164]. He sold 410 acres of his land in Northampton County to George Anderson on 13 January 1738 [Bertie DB E:530]. He bought 150 acres in Edgecombe on 16 December 1740 [DB F:190] and sold another 400 acres in Northampton by deeds of 2 October and 30 December 1742 [DB 1:40,56]. He was a slave owner by August 1742 when he proved rights on 5 "whites" and 3 "blacks" in Northampton County [SS 906 by North Carolina Genealogy, 1825]. He voted for Joseph Sikes in the Northampton County election of 1762 [SS 837 by NCGSJ XII:170]. His 14 June 1777 Northampton County will was proved in September 1777. He left 16 slaves and 600 acres to his children [WB 1:292-4]. Most of his children, who were very prosperous, married whites and were considered white. His children were

21    i. Thomas², born say 1723.

ii. John⁶, born say 1726, executor of his father's will. His 4 October 1786 Halifax County will was proved November the same year. He left land and slaves to his wife Ann which was to revert to his brothers, Jacob and Isaac, at her death [WB 3:116].

iii. Jacob¹, born say 1728, purchased 100 acres near Urahaw Swamp in Northampton County on 6 February 1746, sold this land two years later on 4 March 1748 [DB 1:284, 342], and purchased 150 acres in Granville County on the north side of Swift Creek on 7 March 1757 [DB C:202].  He and his descendants were counted as white in the colonial records.

iv. Abraham, purchased 700 acres in Edgecombe County on the south side of Betty's Branch on 16 October 1765 [DB O:163]. On 8 February 1779 while residing in Nash County he sold 240 acres in Bute and Nash counties. This was part of 549 acres he was granted in Edgecombe County on 9 December 1761. Jean Bass witnessed the deed [Franklin County DB 1:20].

22   v. Jethro¹, born say 1732.

23   vi. Isaac, born say 1733.

vii. Drury.

viii. Alice Earp, named her grandchildren and left the residue of her estate to Ruth Byrd by her 13 October 1796 Northampton County will, Elizabeth Walden, John Earp, and William Earp witnesses [WB 2:133]. The Earp family of Northampton County was considered white.

ix. Uridice.

x. Elizabeth³ Brittle/ Bittle, wife of John Bittle whose children were named in his 12 January 1787 Northampton County will [WB 1:377]. William Bittle was head of a Northampton County household of 5 "other free" in 1790 [NC:74].

 

12.    Edward² Bass (John³, William¹, John¹), born say 1710, received the "manor Plantation" by his father's will. He purchased land by deeds proved in Dobbs County in April 1750 to April 1754 [DB 2:409] and January 1777 to April 1779 [DB 11:311]. His eldest child was

i. Wright¹, born say 1730, purchased land by deed proved in Dobbs County between April 1765 and April 1769 [DB 7:437] and by a deed from Arthur Bass proved in Dobbs County between 1746 and 1810 [DB 22:442]. He was a Dobbs County taxable in 1769 [SS 837, Box 1, p.5A]. He was counted as white in the 1790 census for Georgetown District, Prince George Parish, South Carolina. He was described in the 29 June 1786 court record of the estate of his uncle Moses as "eldest son of Edward Bass, dec., who was the eldest brother of Moses Bass [South Carolina DB S-5:283, 284]. On 13 July 1799 his son Wright Bass sold land to Levi Gibson that was bequeathed to him by his father and described it as land bequeathed to his father by Moses Bass [Marion DB C:355].

 

13.    William³ Bass (John³, William¹, John¹), born say 1712, sold the land he inherited in Northampton County to John Bass on 30 December 1742 [DB 2:185]. He was one of the first members of the Bass family in Granville County where he was taxed in the list of Jonathan White in 1749, and he was in the 8 October 1754 Muster Roll of the regiment of Colonel William Eaton, Granville County, Captain John Sallis's Company, at the end of the list with Lewis and George Anderson, and George Pettiford [T.R., Box 1, folder 37, p. 8; http://digital.ncdcr.gov/digital/collection/p16062coll26/id/146/rec/229]. In 1761 he was taxable with his son Thomas in Oxford District. On 19 November 1762 he purchased 200 acres on the south side of Cedar Creek near the Beaver Dam Branch from Thomas Huland (Huelin) [DB F:441] and was a "Black" taxable in Granville County in John Pope's list for St. John's Parish, Bare Swamp District, in 1762. Bute County was formed from this part of Granville County in 1764, and in 1771 he was a Bute County taxable in the list of Philemon Hawkins on 5 "Black" tithes: himself, his wife, daughter "Honner," and sons Ben and John [CR 015.70001, p. 12]. He may have been the William Bass who appeared in Granville County court on 7 April 1770 as the "next Friend" of Olive Bass when she sued Jean Tylor, alias Mitchell [Minutes 1754-70, 202]. William sold 100 acres on the south side of Cedar Creek to Sampson Bass on 26 January 1771 and another 100 acres adjoining this on 17 September 1771 [Warren County DB 3:224; 4:263]. His children were

i. ?Simon¹, not identified as William's son, but listed adjacent to him in Philemon Hawkins's Bute County list of taxables: taxed on 4 "Black" tithes for himself, his unnamed wife, son James, and (daughter?) Elizabeth.

ii. Thomas⁴, born about 1749 since he was taxable in 1761 in his father's Oxford District household. He was an overseer, taxable in Nathan Thomas's household in the 1771 Bute County list of Philemon Hawkins [CR 015.70001, p.4].

24   iii. ?Frederick¹, born say 1750.

iv. Honor¹, born say 1752, taxable in 1771 in Bute County.

v. Benjamin², born say 1754, taxable in 1771 in Bute County.

vi. John⁹, born before 1760, taxable in 1771 in Bute County.

 

14.    Lovey Bass (John³, William¹, John¹), born say 1720, had three illegitimate children bound to George Anderson in Granville County [CR 044.101.2] and was apparently his mistress. He gave her two cows and calves by his May 1771 Granville County will and gave his plantation to her son Nathan who was living in his household, but gave his wife and children only a shilling apiece [Original in County, not recorded]. Lovey's children were

25   i. Nathan², born in 1752.

ii. Margaret, born about 1756, twelve years old when she was bound apprentice to George Anderson on 3 August 1768, received a young mare by his May 1771 Granville County will.

iii. ?Wright², born say 1758, married Tabathy Snelling, 12 November 1781 Granville County bond, Drury Pettiford surety. On 8 May 1783 he bought 35 acres in Granville County adjoining Nathaniel Bass and Tabor and another 35 acres on 14 April 1794 [DB N:177; P:53]. He was taxed on 80 acres and 1 poll in Fishing Creek District next to Nathan Bass in 1796 [Tax List 1796-1802, 11] and was head of a Granville County household of 9 "other free" in 1800. He was taxed on his 70 acres in Fishing Creek in 1804 and taxed in Fort Creek District on 222-1/2 acres, 2 free polls, and 2 slaves in 1805 [Tax List 1803-9, 55, 115] and may have been the Wright Bass who was head of a Wilkes County household of 6 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:545] and 4 "free colored" in Wayne County, Indiana, in 1830.

iv. Dicey¹, born about 1766, a four-year-old "base born Mulatto child of Lovey Bass" bound to Mary Anderson, wife of George Anderson, on 18 July 1770 [CR 44.101.2-7]. She may have been Lovey Bass's unnamed bastard child charged to Bartlet Tyler on 13 January 1767 [Camin, N.C. Bastardy Bonds, 87]. She married Drury Pettiford, 12 November 1781 Granville County bond.

 

15.  John⁷ Bass (William², William¹, John¹), born 20 February 1731, purchased 50 acres on 8 July 1742 in Southern Branch Precinct of Norfolk County which was land "Thomas Deall bought of William Bass, the Father of John Bass" [DB 13:17a-18a]. John was sued in Norfolk County court by Richard Freeman on 15 November 1753, but the case was dismissed when both parties reached an agreement [Orders 1753-55, 2]. From 1751 to 1761 he was head of his own household in Colonel Craford's list of tithables for the Southern Branch District of Norfolk County from Batcheldor's Mill to Portsmouth near (his brother) William Bass. In 1752 John Murer was in his household; in 1756 and 1757 John Price was in his household; and in 1761 and 1765 he shared a household with (his cousin?) William Bass [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1751-65, 18, 41, 54, 88, 100, 115, 138, 174, 205]. He and Robert Kinder received a patent for 181 acres in Norfolk County near the head of Deep Creek adjoining Bass's own land on 30 August 1763, and he and his wife Elizabeth of Portsmouth Parish sold their 90 acre share of this land to Ebenezer Hall on 14 May 1764. And they sold a 50 acre tract adjoining this land to Ebenezer Hall on 14 May 1764 [DB 35:362: 21:86B, 200A]. John and (his cousin?) William Bass were sued for debt in Norfolk County court by Solomon Hodges on 16 November 1764 [Orders 1763-65, 162]. John and his wife Elizabeth and Joseph Bass were taxable on 100 acres of land in the list for Portsmouth to New Mill Creek in 1766, 1767, with (John's daughter?) Sarah Bass in 1768, and by himself in 1770. On 19 April 1770 he appeared in court and declared that he had six or seven barrels of corn belonging to John Smith who was indebted to John Ivy [Orders 1768-71, 150, 158, 167]. He died on 11 March 1771 according to the Bass family papers, and Elizabeth was taxable that year on a tithe and 100 acres and taxable in 1772 with (their son) William Bass. She was charged with the tax for William in 1774 and for him and (their son) John Bass in 1778 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1766-80, 6, 44, 75, 121, 155, 186, 236, 266]. They were the parents of

i. Sarah³, born 13 October 1751 according to both the Bass family bible and the register of Southern Branch Parish [WMQ 1:160].

26   ii. William⁵, born 23 June 1755.

iii. Mille, born 12 January 1758.

iv. John¹⁰, born 22 December 1763, taxable in Norfolk County in 1782 and 1783 but not in the subsequent lists [PPTL, 1782-90, frames 383, 427].

v. Giles, born 29 January 1764.

vi. Joshua¹, born 21 March 1767, taxable in Norfolk County in 1787 and from 1791 to 1796 [PPTL, 1782-90, frame 561; 1791-1812, frames 18, 35, 78, 98, 133].

 

16.  William⁴ Bass (Thomas¹, William¹, John¹), born 10 August 1725, received a gun by his grandfather's 1 October 1740 Norfolk County will [WB H:8]. He was taxable in the Norfolk County list for the Southern Branch District from Batcheldor's Mill to Portsmouth in the household of (his uncle?) William Bass in 1751, in his own household from 1752 to 1754, in the household of (his aunt?) Sarah Bass, in 1756 and 1757, and in his own household in 1759. He was living with (his cousin?) John in 1761 and was head of a household with his wife Naomi and John Bass in 1765, taxable on three tithes and 100 acres in the district from Portsmouth to New Mill Creek with his wife Naomy from 1766 to 1768 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1751-65, 18, 41, 55, 88, 100, 115, 138, 174, 205; 1766-80, 6, 44, 75]. Naomy may have been the daughter of Joseph Hall who lived in Norfolk County in 1735 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables 1730-1750, 157]. Naomy Hall, born say 1743, was taxable in her father's Bertie County, North Carolina household in 1757 [CR 10.702.1, box 1]. William and (his cousin?) John Bass and John's wife Elizabeth sold 50 acres on the main road to Suffolk adjoining William's own land on 17 May 1764, and he and his wife Naomy sold 30 acres adjoining John Bass on the west side of Deep Creek beginning at the main road on 16 May 1771 [DB 21:238; 25:100]. John Ballentine sued him for a £4.10 debt on 22 March 1771 [Orders 1768-71, 236]. He was taxable on a tithe and 100 acres in 1770 and a tithe and 70 acres in 1771 but may have been deceased by 10 June 1772 when Naomy was taxable in the household of (William's son?) Joseph Bass [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1766-80, 121, 155, 186]. The City of Norfolk Hustings Court dismissed his suit against Peter Warren on 21 July 1766 [Orders 1761-9, 109]. William may have been the father of

27    i. Joseph³, born say 1750.

28    ii. James², born in August 1760.

iii. Thomas³, born say 1760, taxable in Norfolk County with (his brother?) Joseph Bass in 1778 and 1780 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1766-80, 267, 284]. He married Sally Butler, 14 March 1796 Norfolk County bond, Thomas Deal surety, March 1796 marriage by Rev. Arthur Emmerson. He was taxable in Norfolk County from 1783 to 1790 [PPTL, 1782-91, frames 430, 466, 525, 561, 638, 678].

29    iv. William⁶, born say 1762.

30    v. Willis¹, born say 1763.

 

17.  Elijah¹ Bass (John⁵, Edward¹, John¹), born say 1743, was still living in Northampton County on 4 April 1758 when he was mentioned in a Bass family deed [DB 2:461]. He married Mary Bass, 13 February 1777 Bute County bond, Richard Scott surety. According to her application for his pension, they were married the following day. In 1780 he was living in Granville County where he was taxed on an assessment of £108 in Oxford District. He enlisted in the Tenth Regiment of the North Carolina Line on 10 February 1781 as a substitute for Ebenezar Riggan and was killed in the Battle of Eutaw Springs on 8 September 1781 [NARA, W.4061, M804-2038, frames 533, 528]. His children were called orphans of Elijah Bass on 4 February 1781 when the court bound them out to Benjamin Bass [Owen, Granville County Notes, vol. V]. His widow Mary married Benjamin Richardson, 14 February 1783 Granville County bond, Philip Pettiford surety [M804-2038, frame 531]. Elijah's children bound out on 4 February 1781 were

i. John¹², born about 1772, married Olive Richardson, 8 December 1798 Granville County bond, Absalom Bass surety.

ii. Phatha, born about 1775.

iii. Sarah⁴, born about 1777, married John Richardson, 22 March 1802 Granville County bond, Absalom Bass surety.

iv. David, born about 1779.

 

18.    Benjamin³ Bass (Benjamin¹, Edward¹, William¹, John¹), born about 1756, was first taxable in the 1768 Granville County list of Stephen Jett. He married Milley Pettiford, 3 January 1781 Granville County bond, Reuben Bass surety. He bought 100 acres in Tar River District from his father in 1783 [DB O:331] and was taxable in Granville County in Tar River District on 1 poll and his 100 acres in 1785 and in 1798 [Tax List 1796-1802, 132]. He purchased 119 acres on Falling Creek in Halifax County, North Carolina, from John Richardson on 22 April 1799 [DB 18:460] and sold his 100 acres in Granville County for £100 on 4 December 1799 [DB Q:307]. He died intestate before November 1800 when the ages of his children Gracy, Mary, Sampson and Elijah were recorded in the settlement of his Granville County estate [http://familysearch.org/search/catalog/978402, film no. 007641233, frames 347-8 of 1420]. His 119 acres in Halifax County were divided in lots of 17 acres among his seven heirs, so his wife may have been deceased when he died. His children were

i. Cary, born say 1782, sold 17 acres in Halifax County which had belonged to her father Benjamin Bass to John Richardson on 24 November 1801 [DB 18:912].

ii. Caty, born say 1783, sold 17 acres in Halifax County beginning at an oak in the land of Benjamin Bass, deceased, to John Richardson on 8 February 1804 for $32 [DB 19:268].

iii. Hardy², born about 1783, a 20-year-old painter counted in the list of free "people of Colour" in Petersburg in June 1803 [List of Free People of Colour in Petersburg in 1803, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA], living in Petersburg and called the son of Benjamin Bass when he sold 17 acres in Halifax County, which was his part of the estate of his father, to John Richardson on 4 November 1805 [DB 24:606]. He and Thornton Pettiford were paid for attending seven days as witnesses in the suit of Fanny Goff against Molly Lee in Petersburg on 5 May 1807 [Hustings Court Minute Book 1805-8].

iv. Gracy, born 3 October 1786, sold 17 acres in Halifax County formerly belonging to Benjamin Bass, deceased, being her part of the estate, to John Richardson on 23 May 1808 by her agent, David Crews [DB 24:161], perhaps the Grace Bass who married Peter Oliver, 2 February 1802 Stokes County bond.

v. Mary, born 26 March 1789.

vi. Sampson, born 2 May 1790, called son of Benjamin Bass and living in Henrico County when he sold 17 acres in Halifax County, which was his part of the distribution of Benjamin Bass's estate among seven heirs, to John Richardson on 17 June 1812 [DB 24:649].

vii. Elijah, born 27 October 1793.

 

19.  Reuben² Bass (Benjamin¹, Edward¹, William¹, John¹), born say 1761, may have been one of 7 males in Benjamin Bass, Sr.'s Granville County household in the 1786 state census. He received voucher no. 175 in Hillsboro for £9 on 11 June 1783 for military service in the Revolution [North Carolina Revolutionary Pay Vouchers, 1779-1782, http://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2WT-5RNS, Bass, Ruben]. He married Polly Hines, 23 December 1788 Granville County bond, Hardy Bass surety, and was head of a Wake County household of 7 "other free" in 1800 [NC:753]. He was called a "free man of color" when he and his daughter Lydia Pettiford petitioned the Wake County court on 15 April 1815 to bind her children to him. His child was

i. Lydia, born say 1779, married Lewis² Pettiford. She had two children before her marriage: Thomas born about 1796, and Ned born about 1797. She asked the Wake County court to apprentice them to her father because her husband was hiring them out against her will [CR 099.101.1].

 

20.  Prudence Bass (Edward³, Edward¹, John¹), born say 1768, posted her own Granville County bastardy bond in April 1791, and in January 1794 Edward Bass and Jacob Anderson paid the bond for a child she had by Jesse Day [Camin, N.C. Bastardy Bonds, 87]. She bound her children Jethro and Cullen to her brother Jason in 1801 [Bell, Bass Families of the South, 159]. Her children were

i. Jethro⁴, born April 1787, married Polly Mitchell, 3 April 1809 Granville County bond, Henry Anderson surety. Jethro was counted as a 70-year-old "Black" farmer with $300 real estate and Polly as a 60-year-old "Mulatto" in household #874 of Harrison Township, Vigo County, Indiana in 1850, both born in North Carolina.

ii. ?Elijah, born about 1790, a "Mulatto" boy bound to John Fultz for seven years in Stokes County on 3 September 1804 [North Carolina Apprentice bonds and records Stokes County 1790-1828, frame 1260 of 1982, http://familysearch.org/search/catalog/766317].

iii. Cullen, born May 1795.

 

21.  Thomas² Bass (John⁴, John³, William¹, John¹), born say 1723, was not mentioned in his father's will because he predeceased him. He purchased 240 acres in Bertie County near Amos Grant's patent line on 24 December 1741 and sold this land on 29 November 1746 [DB F:28; G:6]. In 1751 he was taxable on himself and slave Nan in the Bertie County summary list filed with the central government [CCR 190], and in 1757 he and (his brother?) Isaac Bass were taxables in the list of John Hill, Esqr. On 20 May 1763 he purchased an additional 100 acres adjacent to his land near the Cashie River in Bertie County [DB K:328]. And he and his son John were taxed as "Free Mulattos" that year in the Bertie tax list of John Hill [CR 10.702.1, box 2]. His 20 March 1764 Bertie County will, proved in May 1764, named his wife Thomason and his children: John, Jacob, Mary, and Isbell. Jeremiah and Embry Bunch were executors [WB A:68]. Thomason was "Tamerson Bass" who was named in the 21 April 1775 Bertie will of her father Henry Bunch. Thomason was listed as white in the 1769 Bertie County tax list of David Standley, but was a "free Malletor" in Jonathan Standley's 1770 list and David Standley's 1771 list [CR 10.702.1, box 2]. Their children were counted as white in the 1790 census and thereafter. They were

i. John⁸, born say 1746, taxable in his father's household in 1763.

ii. Jacob².

iii. Mary⁴.

iv. Isbell.

v. Sally, called "orphan" of Thomas Bass in the inventory of Thomas Bass's estate by Tomason Bass [Gammon, Record of Estates, Bertie County II, 8].

 

22.    Jethro¹ Bass (John⁴, John³, William¹, John¹), born say 1732, received a deed of gift of 200 acres on the north side of Urahaw Swamp in Northampton County from his father John Bass on 24 February 1755 [DB 2:185]. He purchased a total of 740 acres of land in the same area between 1761 and 1777 [DB 4:121, 127, 128, 179; 5:11; 6:125, 326], and he and his wife Susannah sold 50 acres of this land on 12 February 1773 [DB 5:265]. He was head of a Northampton County household of 8 "other free" and 3 slaves in 1790 [NC:74]. His 27 September 1794 Northampton County will, proved March 1795, left land and slaves to his children, but left his wife Elizabeth only the labor of one slave until son Jethro became twenty-one [WB 2:73]. Elizabeth challenged the will in Northampton court when it was proved on 2 March 1795 [Minutes 1792-96, 147, 166]. His children named in his will were

i. Council, born say 1760, enlisted as a musician for 9 months on 20 July 1778 [Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, XVI:1018] and was listed as a fifer in the roll of Lieutenant Colonel William L. Davidson's Company on 23 April 1779 [NARA, M246, roll 79, frame 142 of 323]. He married Patty Griffin, 4 May 1782 Bertie County bond, Cader Bass surety. Council was head of a Northampton County household of 7 "other free" and 2 slaves in 1790 [NC:74] and counted as white in 1810 with 8 slaves [NC:715]. His 2 September 1830 Northampton County will, proved December the same year, left twenty-two slaves to his heirs [WB 4:74].

ii. John Redick, probably born after 1770, was to receive schooling according to his father's 1794 will. He received land on the road adjoining John Pinner and the Urahaw Swamp by the division of the estate of his brother Burwell Bass in March 1798 [Gammon, Record of Estates Northampton County, I:24]. John was head of a Northampton County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [NC:715] and 9 "free colored" and 2 slaves in 1820 [NC:218]. His 9 April 1828 Northampton County will named his wife Rhody and children: Uriah, Peggy, Sterling, Lovel, Mary, Martha, James³, John¹², Gideon, and William⁶. He stipulated that after moving to Indiana the following fall, Dolphin and James Roberts were to sell his horses and divide the proceeds among his children [WB 4:40].

iii. Burwell, born after 1774, still a minor in 1795, died before the March 1798 session of the Northampton County court when the land he received by his father's will was divided among his sister Merica and brothers John Redick and Jethro [Gammon, Record of Estates Northampton County, I:24].

iv. Jethro³, born after 1774, still a minor in 1795, and was head of a white Northampton County household with 20 slaves in 1810 [NC:715].

v. Maria/ Merica.

 

23.    Isaac Bass (John⁴, John³, William¹, John¹), born say 1733, was taxed in his own Bertie County household in the constable's list of Michael Collins in 1756. He married Nancy Bunch, Thomason Bass's sister. He purchased 181 acres in the fork of Peachtree and Back Swamp on 18 February 1754 in what was then Edgecombe County near the present Nash-Franklin County line [DB 4:559]. His 27 December 1800 Nash County will, proved February 1801, left nine slaves and land to his wife Nancy and children who were considered white [WB 1:136]. His children were

i. Cader, the major beneficiary of the 1775 will of his grandfather Henry Bunch. He would not have been mentioned in Isaac's 1800 Nash County will since he predeceased him in Bertie County in 1791. He was taxed on 450 acres and a slave in the 1779 Bertie tax list of Wynn's and King's District [CR 10.702.1, box 2]. He posted bond for a bastard child he had by Sarah Farmer in August 1787 [Camin, N.C. Bastardy Bonds, 8]. Sarah was the daughter of Joseph Farmer, a "free Mulatto" taxable in his own household in the 1763 Bertie list of John Hill. He made a 1790 will which was proved in February 1791 in Bertie County, leaving his unnamed wife and daughter Bershaba Bass land and slaves [WB D:155-7].

ii. Jethro², received 150 acres by his father's will.

iii. Jesse.

iv. Isaac.

v. John¹¹.

vi. Augustine.

vii. a daughter, married ___ Davenport.

viii. Nise Rogers.

ix. Louicy Lawrence.

 

24.    Frederick¹ Bass (William³, John³, William¹, John¹), born say 1750, and his wife Olive sold 200 acres on the southwest side of the Pee Dee River on the Flat Fork of Brown Creek in Anson County, North Carolina, on 11 August 1777 and purchased 30 acres in the same area on 5 August 1778 [DB 7:196; 4:24]. Olive appeared in Granville County court on 7 April 1770 with (her father-in-law?) William Bass who was called her "next Friend" when she sued Jean Tylor, alias Mitchell. Olive was awarded damages of one penny [Minutes 1754-70, 202]. Frederick was a buyer at the sale of the Anson County estate of Jesse Ivy on 29 January 1785 [Holcomb, Anson County, North Carolina, 138]. He sold 150 acres on the Pee Dee River to (his son?) Frederick Bass, Jr., on 28 February 1797 and 100 acres to (his son?) Simon Bass later that year on 30 September [DB F&G:51, 74]. He was head of an Anson County household of 9 "other free" in 1790 [NC:37], 8 in 1800 [NC:204] and 10 in 1810 [NC:33]. His children were probably

i. Frederick², Jr., born say 1770, head of an Anson County household of 3 "other free" in 1790 [NC:35] and counted a second time in Anson, head of a household of 2 "other free" and a white female [NC:36]. He and his wife Nancy sold their land on the Pee Dee River on 9 August 1799 [DB F&G:39].

ii. Simon², born before 1776, head of an Anson County household of 6 "other free" in 1800 [NC:204], 9 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:12] and 5 in 1830. He purchased 20 acres adjoining Frederick Bass, Jr., from Letitia Bass on 17 January 1800 and sold this land on 17 August 1801 [DB H-2:177].

31   iii. Elijah², born say 1775.

iv. Letitia, sold 20 acres of land adjoining Frederick Bass, Jr., to Simon Bass on 17 January 1800 [DB F&G:66].

v. Olive, head of an Anson County household of 2 "other free" in 1800 [NC:204].

 

25.    Nathan² Bass (Lovey, John³, William¹, John¹), born in 1752, was probably the illegitimate son of Lovey Bass and George Anderson. He was bound apprentice to George Anderson on 3 August 1768. However, he had already been in George's household in 1767, taxable in Stephen Jett's list [CR 44.701.19]. George gave him his plantation by his Granville County will, proved May 1771. In 1771 he was head of his own household of 3 taxables. On 1 February 1779 Thornton Pettiford was bound to him as an apprentice planter, and the following day he married Sarah Bass, Granville County bond, Hardy Bass surety. In 1782 he was taxable on 95 acres, 4 horses and 3 cattle in Oxford District, and in 1786 he had 4 males and 5 females in his household in Raglands District. On 9 October 1787 he bought 170 acres on Fishing Creek adjoining Hugh Snelling for £50 from Lawrence Pettiford. On 16 April 1796 he sold 50 acres on Fishing Creek to John Tyner [DB O:537; P:284]. Tyner may have been his brother-in-law since Nathan paid his tax for him in 1808 and 1817 [Tax List 1803-09, 275]. He was head of a Granville County household of 9 "other free" in 1800 and 10 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:9]. He married, second, Martha Bass, 19 June 1806 Granville County bond, Jesse Bass surety. His Granville County will, probated in 1837, named his wife Martha, children, son-in-law Lewis Pettiford ("who married my daughter Dinah"), and grandchild Lemuel Valentine [WB 14:20]. His estate papers list children: Warner, Dolly/ Polley, Dicy/ Dinah, Honor, Jesse, Sally, and Patsy [CR 044.508.8]. His children were

i. Warner Tiner, "better known by the name of Warner Bass."

ii. Dolly, married Elijah Valentine, 28 June 1806 Granville County bond, Benjamin Mitchell surety.

iii. Dinah/Disey², born about 1793, married Lewis Pettiford, 23 December 1809 Granville County bond, Elijah Valentine surety. Dicy was a 57-year-old "Mulatto" woman listed with Lewis Pettyford in the 1850 Granville County census.

iv. Honor², married Major Jones, 25 August 1814 Granville County bond, Elijah Valentine surety.

v. Jesse.

vi. Sally Pettiford.

vii. Patsy, married Henry Taborn.

 

26.    William⁵ Bass (John⁷, William², William¹, John¹), born 23 June 1755, was taxable in Norfolk County in the household of his mother Elizabeth Bass in 1772 and 1774, in his own household in 1780 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1766-80, 155, 186, 284] and taxable in Norfolk County from 1782 to 1810: taxable on a slave, a horse and 9 cattle in 1787; a planter on Deep Creek in a "List of Free Negroes and Mulattoes" and head of a household with males John, Andrew and William Bass and females (his wife) Lucy and Betsey Bass in 1801; taxable on 2 tithes in 1801, 3 in 1803, 4 from 1804 to 1807 [PPTL, 1782-90, frames 383, 431, 484, 525, 561, 622, 638, 678; 1791-1812, frames 371, 427, 461, 479, 555, 574, 674, 684, 720, 738]. He was head of a Norfolk County household of 7 persons in 1785 [VA:93] and 8 "other free" in 1810 (called William Bass, Sr.) [VA:822]. On 27 May 1797 he recorded a certificate of Indian descent in Norfolk County which is obviously incorrect and conflicts with nearly all earlier Bass family documents:

This doth certify that William Bass, son of John Bass and grandson of William Bass, is of English and Indian descent and is not a Negroe nor y^t a Mulattoe as by some falsely and malitiously stated. His late Mother Sarah Ann Bass was a vertious woman of Indian descent, a daughter of Symon Lovina and Joan Tucker lawfully begotten. Sd Joan Tucker was a sister of Robin Tucker a Christian Indian of ye Nansemund nation. The sd. William Bass, the elder, was a son of Mary Bass and William Senr. Mary was a daughter of Great Peter, King of ye Nansemunds. These are ___mon (common?) knowledge. All the Basses of this County descend from Captⁿ Nathaniell Basse, as satisfactorily proved by the records preserved. May y^e 17, 1797. Test: Wm. Portlock Junr. [Library of Virginia Accession no.26371].

William and his wife Lucy recorded the births of their children John and William in the Bass family bible [Bell, Bass Families of the South, 13]. On 24 August 1797 he sued Joseph Bass, his tenant on 60 acres of land, over the right to the land, and a jury found in his favor on 18 June 1791 [Orders 1797-9, 69a]. He was living in Portsmouth Parish on 19 July 1798 when he made a Norfolk County deed of gift to Willis Bass "of Hertford County" for 30 acres at the head of the Southern Branch and Deep Creek adjoining Farley near the main road and the dividing line between the land of Willis Bass and John Gibbs (Bass). The deed was witnessed by Wright Bowers, Thomas Archer and James Newton and partially proved on 17 December 1798 but not fully proved by James Newton until 18 December 1809 [DB 45:1]. He made a 6 May 1809 Norfolk County will, proved 17 July 1809, by which he gave his son John Gibbs Bass the upper part of his land adjoining William Cofield and Evans Ridge, a yoke of young steers and a horse; gave his son William Bass half his manor plantation and houses near the main road adjoining Deep Creek, William Cofield and Tucker, a yoke of twin yearlings, and his old mare; gave son Andrew Bass the other half of his manor plantation, a young mare and a yoke of steers; gave Elizabeth Gibbs a feather bed, cow, calf, sow, pigs, a linen wheel, looking glass, skillet and flat iron; gave his loving wife Lucy Bass the use all his property not willed away and his houses, orchard and field belonging thereto during her widowhood and then to be divided between sons John Bass, William Bass and Andrew Bass. Willis Bass and Thomas Newton were executors on $1,500 bond [WB 4:122-3]. William and Lucy's children were

i. John¹³, born 1 August 1782, "son of William Bass and Lucy his wife," called John Gibbs Bass, "free man of colour," on 18 August 1812 when he married Salley Price, "free woman of colour," 18 August 1812 Norfolk County bond, Willis Bass surety [Marriage Bonds 1812, 12-52]. He and his wife Sally sold 20 acres on the north side of Deep Creek and the head of the Southern Branch, bounded on the south by their own land, on 5 July 1814 for £30 [DB 46:250]. He was called a "Molatto man, a free man of color," in Norfolk County court on 17 June 1822 when Joseph Lewis, a labourer, was charged with shooting him on 27 May 1822, which caused his death the following day. Lewis was sent to the Superior Court for trial at which no members of the Bass family testified because Lewis was a white man [Minutes 17:291-2, 325-6]. He was convicted of second-degree murder and sentenced to eighteen years imprisonment [Superior court Orders 1820-25, 233, 238]. (Lewis believed John had cast a spell on his wife according to the 11 June 1822 issue of the Genius of Liberty [No. 22, [http://virginiachronicle.com, "Jack Bass."])

William's wife Sally may have been the Sally Bass, a "mulatto woman," who charged Asa Price, a "mulatto man," in court on 18 June 1822 with a breach of the peace [Minutes 17:302].

ii. William⁷, born 4 April 1784, married Elizabeth Perkins, 2 November 1812 Norfolk County bond, Adam Perkins surety [Marriage Bonds, 1812, 12-64]. He registered in Norfolk County on 15 July 1833 after the "not Negro" law was passed: 51 yrs, 5 ft 11, white complexion man of Indian descent [Register of Free Negroes & Mulattoes, 1809-1852, no. 902]. On 19 August 1833 the Norfolk County court certified that Eliza Bass ("wife of W^m Bass, son of W^m Bass") was "not a free negro or Mulatto but of Indian descent" upon "satisfactory evidence of white persons" [Minutes 24:43-4]. He left a 2 March 1847 Norfolk County will, proved 21 February 1848, by which he gave 18 acres of land adjoining Andrew Bass to his daughters Elizabeth and Bethsada Bass and the remainder of his land to his son James Michael Bass, lent his daughter Annis Newton a cow, yearling, heifer, calf, sheep, bed and furniture to be divided among her children at her death and left his wife Elizabeth two cows, two yearlings, two hogs and all his other personal property [WB 6:241]. James Michael Bass was the father of Augustus Bass who is in the photo at the beginning of this family history. Elizabeth Ann Bass, the widow of James Michael Bass died in Deep Creek, Norfolk County, on 19 January 1921. J.L. Bass informed the clerk that her father was William E. Bass and her mother was Jerutha Weaver [Ancestry.com. Virginia, Death Records, 1912-2014 (database on-line)].

iii. Elizabeth, listed in William's household in 1801, probably identical to Elizabeth Gibbs who received a feather bed, cow, calf, sow, pigs, a linen wheel, looking glass, skillet and flat iron by (her father?) William Bass's 6 May 1809 will.

iv. Andrew¹, born say 1790, married (his cousin?) Leviney Bass, 1 February 1812 Norfolk County bond, Willis Bass surety. He was taxable in Norfolk County from 1809 to 1824: a "B.M." listed in Norfolk County as a "Free Negro" over the age of 16 living near Willis Bass in D.C (Deep Creek) from 1815 to 1824: taxable on a slave in 1818 and 1819, 2 slaves in 1820 and 1824 [PPTL, 1791-1812, frames 684, 720, 738; 1813-24, frames 96, 125, 242, 303, 366, 495, 525, 589, 691] and head of a Norfolk County household of 7 "free colored" and 3 slaves in 1820 and 8 "free colored" in 1830. He left a 7 September 1855 Norfolk County will, proved 18 February 1856, by which he gave $5 to his daughter Lucy Bass, $5 to his daughter Jemima who was then in North Carolina, $50 to Laura Francis Smith, and the land where he was then living to Amasa(?) Collins. Douglas Collins and Allen Newton were witnesses [WB 6:448]. Lucy Bass, "daughter of Andrew & Lavinia," of "Indian descent," married Madison of White or Johnson, "free man of Colour," on 6 April 1858 in Norfolk County [Marriage Register, 1850-1876, 127; Minutes 33:241]. (The Nansemond County clerks wrote "of" before the last name of all free people, denoting that they were the former slaves of that family, regardless of whether or not they were freed slaves).

 

27.    Joseph³ Bass (William⁴, William², William¹, John¹), born say 1750, was tithable in the Norfolk County household of John Bass from 1766 to 1768, with Ebenezer Hall in 1770, and in his own household in 1771 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1766-80, 6, 44, 75, 105, 155]. He was taxable in Norfolk County from 1782 to 1813: called a "M"(ulatto) in 1799, 1801, 1802 and 1807; living on Deep Creek in 1801 when he was counted in a "List of Free Negroes and Mulattoes" with Naomy, Lydia, Julia and Polly Bass [PPTL, 1782-91, frames 383, 431, 467, 483, 525, 562, 638; 1791-1812, 295, 371, 427, 642; 1813-24, frame 16] and head of a Norfolk County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:822]. He was surety for the 7 May 1792 Norfolk County marriage of (his daughter?) Elizabeth Bass and Joseph Hall. On 22 June 1796 Robert Harris sued him in Norfolk County court for a debt of £6.13 [Orders 1796-7, 39, 66b]. On 24 August 1797 William Bass sued him over the right to 60 acres of land which he was a tenant on, and a jury found in William's favor on 18 June 1791 [Orders 1797-9, 69a]. He may have been the father of

i. Elizabeth, born say 1774, married Joseph Hall, 7 May 1792 Norfolk County bond, Joseph Bass surety, 10 May marriage [Ministers' Returns, 1787-1840, 11].

ii. Lydia, married John Manley in Norfolk County on 6 January 1806 [Ministers' Returns, 1787-1840, 36]. John was head of a Norfolk County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:814].

iii. Julia, born about 1785, listed in Joseph Bass's household in 1801, registered in Norfolk County on 19 August 1816: 5 feet 5-1/2 inches high, about 31 years of age, light complexion, Born free [Register of Free Negroes & Mulattoes, 1809-1852, no. 122].

iv. Polly, listed in Joseph Bass's household in 1801.

v. ?Joseph⁴, born say 1802, a "free Negro" taxable in Deep Creek, Norfolk County, from 1819 to 1824 [PPTL, 1813-1824, frames 366, 409, 525, 589, 692], a "free Negro" who was hired out by order of the Norfolk County court on 22 June 1824 and 15 August 1825 because he did not pay his taxes [Minutes 18:310; 19:136-7].

 

28.    James² Bass (William⁴, William², William¹, John¹), born in August 1760 in Norfolk County according to his pension application, was taxable on a free tithe in Norfolk County in 1787 and from 1798 to 1819: a labourer in a "List of Free Negroes and Mulattoes" on Deep Creek and head of a household with males (sons?) John and Willis Bass and females (his wife?) Lott, (daughters?) Lane, Sarah and Lovy Bass in 1801; taxable on a slave in 1810, listed under the white tithes in 1811 and 1813, in the list of Free Negroes and Mulattoes in 1814 with 2 tithes, a "B.M." (black male) on Deep Creek in 1815, a "B.M." or free Negro in 1816, a "free Negro" with 2 horses in 1817, a "free Negro" in Western Branch District in 1818 [PPTL, 1782-90, frame 562; 1791-1812, frames 243, 295, 351, 427, 461, 479, 555, 572, 674, 720]. He leased 5 acres in Norfolk County on the road to the canal for five years on 10 March 1814 for $85 [DB 46:121]. He was about 72 years old on 12 November 1832 when he appeared in Bedford County, Tennessee court to apply for a pension for his services as a private in the Virginia Militia. He stated that he was born in Norfolk County, Virginia, enlisted in 1778 and had moved to Bedford County thirteen years previous [NARA, S1745, M804, roll 169, frame 102; http://fold3.com/image/11695258]. He was head of a Bedford County household of 9 "free colored" in 1820. He received land grant no. 9378 for 45 acres in Bedford County on the north side of Duck River adjoining his own land on 28 April 1826 and was taxable on 188 acres in District 13 of Bedford County in 1836 [Middle Tennessee Land Grants, roll 112, book 11; Early Tax List Records, 1783-1895, p.150; http://ancestry.com]. James moved to the same county as Joseph Hall who was head of a Bedford County, Tennessee household of 10 "free colored" in 1820. James was the father of

i. Willis², born say 1787, listed in James Bass's household in 1801, a "B.M." taxable in 1819 [1813-1822, frames 242, 366] and taxable on 1 tithe in District 13 of Bedford County, Tennessee, in 1836 [Early Tax List Records, 1783-1895, p.149; http://ancestry.com].

ii. John, born say 1790, a "B.M." taxable as a "Free Negro" in Deep Creek, Norfolk County from 1810 to 1819: called "son Jas" (son of James) in 1810 and 1813 [PPTL, 1791-1812, frames 720, 738; 1813-24, frames 15, 56, 96, 126, 242, 366], head of a Bedford County, Tennessee household of 7 "free colored" in 1820 with 2 males over the age of 45, and taxable on 1 tithe in District 13 of Bedford County, Tennessee, in 1836 [Early Tax List Records, 1783-1895, p.149; http://ancestry.com].

iii. Lane, listed in James Bass's household in 1801.

iv. Sarah, listed in James Bass's household in 1801.

v. Lovy, listed in James Bass's household in 1801.

vi. Henry, taxable in a "List of Free Negroes and Mulattoes" in Portsmouth and Elizabeth River Parishes, Norfolk County, in 1814 [PPTL, 1813-1824, frame 56], head of a Bedford County, Tennessee household of 10 "free colored" in 1820.

vii. Lemuel, born say 1800, a "B.M." taxable on a free Negro in Deep Creek, Norfolk County, from 1816 to 1819 [PPTL, 1813-1824, frames 96, 126, 242, 366], called Samuel Bass, head of a Bedford County, Tennessee household of 5 "free colored" in 1820 and called Lemuel Bass when he was taxable in District 13 of Bedford County on 110 acres [Early Tax List Records, 1783-1895, p.149; http://ancestry.com].

 

29.    William⁶ Bass (William⁴, William², William¹, John¹), born say 1762, was head of a Nansemond County household of 3 persons for the state census in 1783 [VA:57]. He married Ann Sammons, 18 December 1786 Norfolk County bond, William and Willis Bass (signing) sureties. He was taxable on 1 poll in Camden County, North Carolina, in 1792 and 1795 [N.C. Archives, T&C, Box 3, accession 18622, Camden, 1791-1815; Gable, Camden County North Carolina Extant Tax Records, 1782-1890, 38, 51]. On 15 September 1793 he leased 60 acres from John Jones, Sr., in Camden County from January 1794 to January 1800, agreeing to provide Jones with one third of the produce of the farm for the last three years of the lease (both parties signing). On 10 April 1801 he purchased 125 acres adjoining David Hall's land on the Camden side of the Pasquotank River, opposite Richardson's Landing, from John Sikes for $257 and sold (signing) 15-1/2 acres of this land on 22 October 1804 for £16 and 50 acres of the land for $100 on 24 January 1806 [DB F:238; I:148, K:326, 483]. He was head of a Camden County household of 1 white male over 45, 1 male 10-15, 4 females under 10, and 1 female 26-44 in 1800 and 7 "other free" in 1810. His widow may have been Nancy Bass, born before 1776, head of a Camden County household of 9 "free colored" in 1820. He may have been the father of

i. Sally, born about 1784, head of a Camden County household of 4 "free colored" females in 1830, a "Mulatto" born in Camden County, counted in the 1850 census for Camden County. with Testammey (20), Elizabeth (16) and William Bass (18).

ii. Thomas, born about 1793, head of a Camden County household of 5 "free colored" in 1820, 8 in 1830, and a "Mulatto," born in Camden County, counted in the 1850 census for Camden County in the household of E. Simmons.

iii. Fanny, born about 1795, head of a Camden County household of 4 "free colored" in 1820, 4 in 1830, and a "Mulatto," born in Camden County, head of a Camden County household with 70-year-old "Black" woman Caty Marchant in 1850.

iv. Lovey, head of a Camden County household of 3 "free colored" in 1830.

v. Nancy, head of a Camden County household of 4 "free colored" in 1830.

vi. Lydia, born about 1795, a "Mulatto" born in Camden County with $400 real estate, counted in the 1850 census for Camden County with (sons?) John, Willis, and George Bass. She made a Camden County deed of gift of this land to (her son?) John Bass on 2 December 1851 [DB Z:296].

vii. Polly, born about 1797, a "Mulatto born in Camden County, counted next to Lydia Bass in the 1850 census.

viii. Sally, born about 1800, head of a Camden County household of 4 "free colored" in 1830, a "Mulatto" counted in the 1850 census with Testamony Bass (18) and Elizabeth Bass (16). She purchased (her husband?) a fifty-six-year-old Negro slave named Lamb from C.G. Lamb of Camden County for $250 in 1850-1851 [DB Z:212].

 

30.    Willis² Bass (William⁴, William², William¹, John¹), born say 1763, was taxable in Norfolk County from 1784 to 1787 but not taxable again in Norfolk County until 1796 [PPTL, 1782-91, frames 466, 525, 562], so he was apparently the Willis Bass who was head of a Hertford County, North Carolina household of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:26]. He married Jemima Nickens, 18 December 1786 Norfolk County bond, Willis Bass and James Nickens sureties. He was called Willis Bass of Hertford County on 19 July 1798 when William Bass made a deed of gift to him for 30 acres at the head of the Southern Branch and Deep Creek adjoining Farley near the main road and the line dividing Willis's land from John Gibbs Bass's land. The deed was witnessed by Wright Bowers, Thomas Archer and James Newton. It was partially proved on 17 December 1798 but not fully proved until 18 December 1809 by James Newton. Willis was taxable in Norfolk County from 1796 to 1824: called a "B.M." (Black Man) when he was a "Free Negro" taxable in Norfolk County from 1814 to 1824: a labourer living on Deep Creek in a "List of Free Negroes and Mulattoes," head of a household with males (his sons?) Wilson and Willis Bass and females (his wife) Jemima, (his daughters?) Viney, Lovy, and Irstellor(?) Bass in 1801; listed with 3 "Free Negroes and Mulattoes" in 1814, and 2 in most years form 1816 to 1824, taxable on a slave in 1819, 1820 and 1823 [PPTL, 1791-1812, frames 168, 222, 295, 351, 371, 383, 427, 461, 479, 555, 574, 642, 684, 720, 738; 1813-24, frames 15, 56, 96, 125, 242, 306, 589, 691]. He was head of a Norfolk County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:822]. He received a land grant for 654 acres between the Western Branch and Deep Creek adjoining Solomon Ives and James Butt on 4 August 1812 and another 173 acres in Portsmouth Parish near the head of Deep Creek on 25 October 1814 [Land Office Grants 63:79; 64:294]. On 28 March 1814 he purchased 17 acres from James Butt on the Gallberry Road in Portsmouth Parish adjoining his own land and the land he had recently patented for $85 [DB 46:160]. He and his wife Jemima recorded the births of their children in the Bass family bible [Bell, Bass Families of the South, 13]. He was head of a Norfolk County household of 6 "free colored" in 1820. On 21 July 1823 the Norfolk County court granted him and Thomas Newton, "free mulattos," permission to keep a firelock, powder and shot. On 19 June 1826 he was special bail for Willis Bass, Jr., and Nelson Bass in Jordan A. Wright's suit against them for debt, and on 19 November 1827 he was security for Levi Bass's debt of $6.34 to Joseph Berkley. And on 26 November 1827 he, his wife Jemima and Nelson Bass acknowledged their deed of trust to Frances Cary for 654 acres in Portsmouth Parish and 17 acres at the head of Deep Creek. Administration on his estate was granted to Levi Bass on 21 October 1828 with Willis and Nelson Bass as his securities on $1,000 bond [Minutes 18: 165; 19:291; 20:207, 217; 21:29]. Willis was deceased on 19 May 1834 when the Norfolk County court certified that Jamima Bass was the widow of Willis Bass, deceased, and only heir of her father James Nickens and his brother Nathaniel Nickens [Minutes 24:139]. She was 66 years old on 10 April 1835 when she deposed that she was the only child of James Nickens who served as a seaman in the Revolution [Revolutionary War Rejected Claims, Nickens, James, Digital Collections, LVA; NARA, M805-0615, frame 0192]. She was called Jemima Bass, Sr., on 19 August 1833 when the Norfolk County court certified that she was not a "free negro or Mulatto" but of Indian descent on satisfactory evidence of white persons" [Minutes 24:43-4]. She was head of a Norfolk County household of 6 "free colored" in 1830. Willis and Jemima's children were

i. Lovy/ Levina/ Viney, born about 1788, listed in Willis's household in 1801. Viney married Andrew Bass, 1 February 1812 Norfolk County bond, Willis Bass surety. She started to register in Norfolk County between 26 July and 15 September 1828 but did not complete the registry: Levina Bass, 40 yrs, ____(height blank) a mulatto woman, blank [Register of Free Negroes & Mulattoes, 1809-1852, no. 424].

ii. Wilson, listed in Willis's household in 1801, a "B.M." (Black Male) taxable on a "free Negro" tithe on Deep Creek in 1815 and 1817, apparently identical to Nelson Bass who was a "B.M." tithable on a "free Negro" tithe on Deep Creek in 1816 and from 1818 to 1824: taxable on a slave in 1820, 1821 and 1824 [PPTL, 1813-24, frames 96, 125, 135, 242, 366, 410, 495, 525, 589, 691]. Nelson (signing) married Nancy Price, 9 December 1817 Norfolk County bond, James Price surety [Marriage Bonds, 1817]. Nelson was head of a Norfolk County household of 5 "free colored" in 1820. On 21 July 1830 he, William Bass, Jemima Bass, and Margaret Bass were granted an injunction against Thomas Kenton and Christopher Miller to restrain them from cutting timber on a 350 acre tract of woodland which their father Willis Bass left them in his last will. On 19 February 1834 the Norfolk County court bound his orphans Cary and Elr(?)y Bass to William Bass, Jr., until the age of twenty-one to be farmers [Minutes 22:28; 24:100].

iii. Willis⁴, born about 1796, a "free Negro" tithable in 1817 [PPTL, 1813-24, frame 242]. He married Sally Burnham (no race indicated), 7 December 1820 Norfolk County bond, Willis Bass, Sr., (both signing) sureties. Sally Burnham was probably related to John Burnam a "free Negro" tithable in St. Bride's Parish in 1816 [PPTL 1813-24, frame 170] and to Ruthy and Pruey Burnam who registered in Princess Anne County in 1831 [Register of Free Negroes, 1830-1862, nos. 283-3]. On 18 August 1823 the Norfolk County court certified that Willis Bass, Jr., and Wright Perkins were of good character and granted them permission to keep a firelock [Minutes 18:177]. He registered in Norfolk County on 17 October 1831: age 35, 5 ft 9-1/4, a mulatto, Born free, and registered again on 15 July 1833 after the "not Negro" law was passed: 37 years of age, 5 ft 8-1/2, Indian complexion, man of Indian descent [Register of Free Negroes & Mulattoes, 1809-1852, nos. 777, 895]. On 13 August 1845 his daughter Caroline married Josiah Elliott [Marriage Bonds, 1843-1847, 101]. Josiah registered in Norfolk County on 21 March 1831: age 22, 5 ft 9-3/4, a mulatto man, Born free [Register of Free Negroes & Mulattoes, 1809-1852, no. 643].

iv. Levi, born about 1799, registered in Norfolk County on 23 February 1826: son of Willis Bass, 27 years of age, 6 ft. 2, yellow complexion, Born free. He registered again on 15 March 1830 and registered a third time on 15 July 1833 after the "not Negro" law was passed: 34, 6 ft, Indian complexion, man of Indian descent [Register of Free Negroes & Mulattoes, 1809-1852, nos. 324, 573, 897]. He was listed as a "free Negro" who was hired out by order of the Norfolk County court on 22 June 1824 because he did not pay his taxes [Minutes 17:310]. He, a "free man of colour," married Mrs. Martha Newton, widow, "a free woman of colour," 23 November 1832 Norfolk County bond, William Bass surety, both William and Levi signing [Marriage Bonds 1829-1833, 180]. He sold 50 acres on which Willis Bass, Sr., formerly resided to William Bass, sold 50 acres on which his mother was then living to Joshua Bass, and he and William Bass, Jr., made a deed of trust to Margaret Callahan for a piece of land in Norfolk County by deeds acknowledged on 10 March 1830 [Minutes 21:268, 286].

v. ?Lucinda, a "Coloured woman," married William Trumbell, a "Coloured man," 9 September 1820 Norfolk County bond, Willis Bass surety (signing) [Marriage Bonds, 1820-1824, 1], 8 February 1822 marriage [Ministers' Returns, 1787-1840, 58]. She was called Lucy Trummell, the wife of W^m Trummell, on 19 August 1833 when she, but not her husband, was certified to be "not a free Negro or Mulatto" but of Indian descent on "evidence of white persons" [Norfolk County Minutes 24:43-4].

vi. Irstelllor(?), listed in Willis's household in 1801.

vii. ?Lemuel, born say 1798, a "B.M." taxable as a "Free Negro" in Deep Creek, Norfolk County, from 1815 to 1817 [PPTL, 1813-24, frames 96, 126, 242].

viii. Andrew², born 9 April 1799(?), "son of Willis Bass and Jemima his mother" [Bell, Bass Families of the South).

ix. Joshua², born 14 July 1804 [Bell, Bass Families of the South, 13], registered in Norfolk County on 23 July 1828: 5 ft. 8-1/2, 24 yrs., a man of light complexion, Born free. He registered again on 15 July 1833 after the "not Negro" law was passed: 29 years of age, 5 ft 8-3/4, Indian complexion, man of Indian descent [Register of Free Negroes & Mulattoes, 1809-1852, no. 414].

x. William⁸, born about 1807, registered in Norfolk County on 15 July 1833: son of Willis, 26 yrs, 5 ft 9 in, Indian complexion, man of Indian descent [Register of Free Negroes & Mulattoes, 1809-1852, no. 903]. On 19 August 1833 the court certified that his wife Jerusha Bass was "not negro or mulatto but of Indian descent" on satisfactory evidence of white people [Minutes 24:43-4]. Jerusha was identified as the daughter of Jesse Weaver in William's chancery case which sought to sell her interest in her father's estate [LVA chancery file 1874-036; http://virginiamemory.com/collections/chancery/].

xi. ?Jemima, "a free person of colour," married Josiah Elliott ("free person of colour") on 3 January 1835 in Norfolk County by George McBain, deacon at the Methodist Episcopal Church in Portsmouth [Ministers' Returns, 1787-1840, 97], perhaps identical to Jemima Bass who registered in Norfolk County on 26 August 1835: 22 yrs, 5 ft 4, Indian complexion, Indian descent. Josiah registered on 21 March 1831: 22 yrs, 5 ft 9-3/4, a mulatto man, Born free [Register of Free Negroes & Mulattoes, 1809-1852, nos. 643, 1029].

 

31.    Elijah² Bass (Frederick¹, William³, John³, William¹, John¹), born say 1775, was head of an Anson County household of 3 "other free" in 1800 [NC:204], perhaps the Elijah Bass who was counted in Robeson County that same year, head of a household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [NC:362] and 6 in Robeson County in 1810 [NC:237]. He was granted administration on the Robeson County estate of (his brother?) Frederick Bass on £200 security on 9 April 1801 [Minutes 1797-1806, 149]. He was one of the freeholders of Robeson County ordered to work on a road with Breton Barnes on the first Monday in July 1807 [Minutes 1806-13, 38] but was not mentioned again in Robeson County records. He may have been the Elijah Bass who was head of a Kershaw District, South Carolina household of 6 "other free" and 2 slaves in 1810 [SC:433]. He wrote a 28 December 1839 Kershaw County will, recorded on 16 June 1854, describing himself as a "freeman of Color." He mentioned but did not name his children and lent his wife Milbury Eliza 500 acres "on waters of Beaver Dam and Bell Branch, waters of Twenty Five mile Creek of the Wateree river in Kershaw" which was conveyed to him on 10 February 1809. And he suggested that "my wife may desire to return to North Carolina. Elijah Bass" (signing) [WB A:231]. In August 1846 a grandchild of Elijah Bass named Mrs. White sued a South Carolina tax collector for attempting to collect the "free Negro" capitation tax from her. She testified that her grandmother was a "mulatto," her grandfather a Revolutionary soldier, her father Elijah Bass a "dark quadroon if he was one," and her brother an "ordinary white sandhill boy" [Catterall, Judicial Cases Concerning American Slavery, II:400-1]. Elijah may have been the father of

i. Frederick³, born say 1795, purchased 103 acres in Robeson County on the east side of Bay Branch on 6 May 1820 [DB S:275].

ii. Joseph⁴, born after 1776, head of a Robeson County household of 7 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:300].

 

Other members of the Bass family were

i. John and Samuel Bass, taxables in the Norfolk County household of Peter Edwards in 1772 [Norfolk County Virginia Tithables, 1766-1780, p.187].

ii. Jacob, born about 1778, registered in Petersburg on 23 September 1800: a light brown Mulatto man, five feet four inches high, twenty two years old, short brown hair & much pitted with the small pox - born free in Norfolk County & raised in Prince George County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 208]. He was a "free Mulatto man" charged in Petersburg on 17 June 1800 with stealing a trunk of shoes valued at £40 from the store of Oliver Fuller. He was found not guilty of felony but guilty of the misdemeanor of receiving stolen goods and was discharged on 4 August 1800 [Hustings Court Minute Book 1797-1800, n.p.].

iii. William⁹, the foster son of a slave in Marlboro District, South Carolina. His extraordinary case illustrates both the extent which the family intermarried with African Americans and the degree of repression suffered by free African Americans in the mid-nineteenth century. On 14 December 1859 he petitioned the legislature to become the slave of Philip W. Pledger explaining that, "his position as a free person of color, a negro, is more degrading and involves more suffering in this State, than that of a slave...he is preyed upon by every sharper with whom he comes in contact...and is charged with and punished for every offence guilty or not, committed in the neighborhood...and lives a thousand times harder, and in more destitution, than the slaves of many planters [Henry, Police Control of the Slave in South Carolina, 196-7 (Charleston Courier, 20 December 1859)].

 

Endnotes:

1.    Transcripts of the Bass family vital records and certificates signed by Norfolk County court clerks are contained in Albert D. Bell's, Bass Families of the South, Chapter on Nansemond Indian Ancestry of Some Bass Families, pp. 11-16 (Rocky Mount, N.C. 1961). The photocopy of the Bass family bible in the Virginia State Library says John Bass married the daughter of "ye King of ye Nansemund Nation, by name Elizabeth" [Library of Virginia Accession no.26371], but among the Bass family papers is one that says, "John Basse Marrid Keziah Elizabeth Tucker dafter of Robin the Elder of ye Nansimuns kingdom, a Baptized Xtian, in Holy Matrimonie accd^g to ye Canons of ye Church of England, ye 14^th day of August in the Yeare of our Blessed Lord 1638. (And in darker ink, different handwriting, "Died 1699. AE 83."   And the record of her death called her "Keziah Basse" [p.12 of chapter on Nansemond Indian Ancestry of Some Bass Families].

2.    The marriage of a John Bass was recorded in Perquimans Precinct, North Carolina: John Bas and Love Harris was Married ye 8^th day of Janewary 1696 both of Nanse Mum County and Nanse Mum Parresh by Mager Samuel Swann Esqr. [Haun, Old Albemarle County North Carolina, 62]. Love Harris was living in Norfolk County on 19 May 1693 when the court acquitted Ann Harris, Love Harris, and Elizabeth Jennett of any willful neglect in the death of a 5 week old child of Ann Harris. This was probably the same Ann Harris, widow of Richard Harris, who bound her daughter Jean Harris to Malachy Thruston in Norfolk County court that same day. Four days prior to this she bound her son John Harris to James Lowry, and two months later on 18 July 1693 she presented an inventory of "what little estate Richard Harris died seized of" in Norfolk County court [DB 5, pt. 2, 287, 292-3, 298].

3.    Sarah Lovina's mother Jean Lovina remained a slave. And a Jenny Lovina was among the slaves Edward Murdon of Norfolk County gave to his son Malachy Murden by his 16 January 1734/5 Norfolk County deed [DB 12:83].

4.    Many thanks to Nikki Bass for sharing her research of the Camden County branch of the Bass family.

 

BATES FAMILY

1.    Benjamin Bates, born say 1731, was a "Mullatto Bastard Child" who the Charles County, Maryland court sold to Peter Harrant on 9 November 1731 [Court Record 1731-4, 41]. He may have been the ancestor of John Bates who was living in nearby Prince William County, Virginia, in 1810:

2   i. John, born say 1760.

2.    John Bates, born say 1760, was head of a Prince William County household of 9 "other free" in 1810 [VA:508]. He married Barbary Red, the daughter of a white woman named Jane Tate, according to the certificate of freedom of his granddaughter Rachel Bates. Jane Tate testified in Stafford County on 21 April 1808: Rachel Bates is my grandaughter born of my daughter Barbary Red who intermarried with John Bates and that she Rachell Bates is free as well as her brother & sisters I do certify that I am a native of that part of Grate Britton called Scotland & was born as free as other British subjects are. 21^st Aprl 1808. Stafford County. Personally appeared Jane Tate & made oath to the above certificate. 21 Apl 1808. And Charles Julian testified that: I do certify that I have been acquainted with Rachel Bates for 6 or 7 years & always knew her to be free & the grandchild of Mrs. Jane Tate. 21 Apl 1808. Chs Julian [Fredericksburg City Certificates and Registry of Free Negroes, 1790-1862, 136]. John and Barbary may have been the parents of

i. Cyrus, born say 1783, head of a Prince William County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:508].

ii. Sophia, born say 1785, mother of seventeen-year-old Sophia Bates who registered in Washington, D.C. on 26 July 1827: a mulatto woman...daughter of Sophia Bates of Dumfries, Virginia, who was born free [Provine, District of Columbia Free Negro Registers, 96-6].

 

Prince George and Charles City counties

1.    William Bates, born say 1744, the son of Mary Cumbo, was bound out by the Charles City County court in August 1744 [Orders 1737-51, 319]. He may have been the ancestor of

i. Fanny, head of a Prince George County, Virginia household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:545].

ii. Hetty, head of a Prince George County, Virginia household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:545].

iii. Archibald, head of a Prince George County, Virginia household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:545].

 

BATTLES FAMILY

1.    Hannah Battles, born say 1716, sued Noble Ladd for trespass viet armis in Albemarle County, Virginia court on 14 May 1747. When the case came to trial on 9 July 1747, Ladd produced a writing signed by Hannah (her mark) on 25 May 1747 by which she acknowledged receiving full satisfaction from him for all damages recovered against him in an action of assault and battery in Albemarle County court. However, the court ruled that it was not valid since she was still under his influence. He appealed to the General Court, but the judgment was confirmed. On 13 August 1748 the case was dismissed when Ladd agreed to pay Hannah all the costs provided Hannah would endeavor to recover them against William Battersby and repay Ladd if she was successful [Orders 1744-8, 280, 300, 388, 414, 415]. She was apparently identical to Hannah, "a "mulatto orphan girl" bound apprentice to Amos Lad by the Goochland County court in July 1730 [Orders 1730-1, 13]. (She may have been the sister of Shadrack Battles (a white man?) who received a grant for 191 acres on the south branches of the Hardware River in Albemarle County on 12 May 1759 [Patents No. 34, 1756-1765, 244. LVA on-line image] and sold 200 acres on the southside of the Hardware River in Albemarle County to John Duncan for £15 on 21 August 1775 [DB 6:469].) Hannah was probably the mother of

2     i. Sarah, born say 1735.

 

2.    Sarah Battle, born say 1735, was living in Goochland County on 16 June 1762 when the court ordered the churchwardens of St. James Northam Parish to bind out her son Shadrack to learn the trade of blacksmith [Orders 1761-5, 16]. She was the mother of

3     i. Shadrack, born about 1755.

4     ii. ?Robert, born about 1772.

5     iii. ?Jane, born  about 1773.

6     iv. ?Elizabeth, born say 1775.

 

3.    Shadrack¹ Battles, born about 1755, made complaint against John Crouch to the Goochland County court in August 1762, and the court cancelled its order to bind him to Crouch [Orders 1761-5, 78]. He married Dolly Moss in Louisa County on 25 July 1780 [Jones, The Douglas Register, 11, 78]. He enlisted in the Revolution in Louisa County on 14 December 1781, and was sized the following day: age 26, 5'10-1/2" high, yellow complexion, a planter [The Chesterfield Supplement or Size Roll of Troops at Chesterfield Court House, LVA accession no. 23816, by http://revwarapps.org/b81.pdf (p.99)]. He was taxable in Fredericksville Parish, Albemarle County, from 1782 to 1813: taxable on 2 tithables in 1788, 1799 and 1801; taxable on a slave in 1797 and 1798; taxable on 3 tithes in 1802, listed in St. Ann's Parish from 1805 to 1811; taxable on his unnamed son from 1805 to 1810; called a "F. Molatto" in 1806, a "free negro" in 1810 (also listed as a "Mulatto" in the town of Fredericksville in 1810); a "Mulatto" from 1811 to 1813; taxable on 3 tithes in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1799, frames 11, 26, 55, 72, 110, 148, 195, 244, 292, 342, 382, 445, 477, 511, 551, 585; 1800-1813, frames 24, 68, 112, 156, 201, 227, 269, 318, 410, 456, 517, 562]. Robert Murray sued him for assault and battery in a case that was continued in Albemarle County from 10 June 1784 past 10 June 1785. Jane Battles sued him for trespass, assault and battery in court on 10 August 1793, but the case was dismissed. Thomas Carr, Jr., sued him for a £2.12 debt on 13 September 1793; Joice Shiflet sued him for a £1.10 debt on 7 June 1796 and for a £5 debt on 4 April 1797. Jesse White sued him for £5 due by bill on 3 October 1798. He and James Going were security for Michael Ailstock's bond of 6 January 1800 to keep the peace in Albemarle County. He, William Battles, Bartlett Bowles, Zachariah Bowles, Thomas Farrow, and Griffin Butler were among the male laboring tithables ordered to work on the Albemarle County road whereof John F. Hawkins was surveyor on 2 December 1800 [Orders 1783-5, 216, 274, 364, 507; 1791-3, 477, 502; 1795-8, 116, 282, 359; 1798-1800, 133, 382; 1800-1, 250]. On 7 August 1801 he agreed in court that he owed James McClanahan £16.7, on 18 August 1801 he sued Rowland Goodman, and on 7 March 1807 he sued William Thacker for assault and battery but dismissed the case a month later [Orders 1801-3, 38, 57; 1806-7, 112, 172]. He registered in Albemarle County on 10 March 1810: a man of Colour, a black man, aged about fifty seven years, five feet 10-1/2 inches high. Dolly Battles the older (his wife) registered on 4 April 1810: a woman of Colour aged about forty three years, five feet three inches, appearing of an Indian decent, grey eyes of dark colour [Orders 1810-11, 62, 73]. He was surety for the 21 October 1786 Albemarle County marriage of Jonathan Tyre and Usly Gowing. Shadrack was head of an Albemarle County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:151]. He was "a man of colour" who was about 74 years old on 11 October 1820 when he appeared in Albemarle County court to apply for a pension for his services in the Revolution. He testified that he enlisted while resident in Amherst County in 1777 and served for 3 years. He was a carpenter but was no longer able to support himself and his 60-year-old wife [NARA, S.37713, M805-63, frames 183-9].  He may have been the father of

i. William, born say 1782, taxable in Fredericksville Parish, Albemarle County, from 1800 to 1806 and in 1810 [PPTL, 1800-1813, frames 23, 156, 201, 246, 269, 410].

ii. Polly, born say 1784, married John Spinner, 2 April 1805 Albemarle County bond.

iii. Lucy, born about 1787, registered in the Corporation of Staunton, Virginia, on 25 August 1810: about 23 years of age, yellow complexion, slender made, free born, as appears from her indentures of Apprenticeship [Register of Free Negroes, no. 5].

iv. Shadrack³, Jr., born about 1788, taxable in Fredericksville Parish, Albemarle County, from 1810 to 1813 [PPTL, 1800-1813, frames 410, 456, 472, 517, 562], registered in Albemarle County on 9 March 1810: Shadrack Battles, Jr., a man of Colour aged about twenty two years, five feet 10-1/2 inches high, a Mulatto [Orders 1810-11, 62].

v. Edward, born about 1792, registered in Albemarle County on 2 April 1811: a man of Colour aged about nineteen years, five feet six inches high, dark complection [Orders 1810-11, 433]. He was a "Mulatto" taxable in Fredericksville Parish, Albemarle County, in 1813 [PPTL, 1800-1813, frame 562].

 

4.    Robert Battles, born about 1772, married Nancy Bowls (Bowles), 12 December 1793 Albemarle County bond, Charles Barnett surety. Daniel Bowles (his foster son?) sued him in Albemarle County on 14 August 1794, and the court ordered that Robert show cause why he unlawfully beat and misused Daniel. The court ordered him to post bond of $100 to keep the peace on 8 January 1795 when he was accused of assaulting Lucy Barnett [Orders 1793-5, 202, 298]. And on 6 March 1806 Patrick, "a free negro otherwise called Patrick Johnson," also called "a free Molatto," sued him for trespass, assault and battery. A jury awarded Patrick $10 damages [Orders 1806, 45, 180; 1806-7, 102]. He was taxable in Fredericksville Parish, Albemarle County, from 1793 to 1813: taxable on a slave in 1798 and 1805; called a "Mulatto from 1805; taxable on 3 tithes and 3 horses in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1799, frames 382, 415, 445, 478, 511, 551, 585; 1800-1813, frames 67, 112, 156, 201, 246, 291, 339, 382, 429, 473, 517, 562] and head of an Albemarle County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:185]. He and his wife Nancy registered in Albemarle County on 9 March 1810 as Robert and Nancy Bowles: Robert Bowles a man of Colour...aged about thirty nine years, five feet ten and a half inches high, a mulatto. His wife registered the same day: Nancy Bowles wife of Robert Bowles aged about thirty three years, five feet three and a quarter inches high, a bright mulatto [Orders 1810-11, 59]. Robert Battles purchased 17-3/4 acres in Albemarle County from Jesse W. Garth in 1816 [DB 20:54] and was a 63-year-old "Mulatto" farmer living near Charlottesville in 1833 with 34-year-old Martha Battles [Albemarle 1833 Free Negroes Mulattoes, African American Digital Narrative, LVA]. He may have been the father of

i. Alexander, born about 1802, registered in Augusta County, Virginia, on 28 October 1823: a free man of a mulatto complexion aged twenty one years in April and was born free in the County of Albemarle [Register of Free Negroes, no.61].

 

5.    Jane Battles, born about 1773, registered in Campbell County on 16 September 1806: age 33, 5 feet 3 Inches, age 33, dark complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes, 1801-50, p. 5]. She sued Shadrack Battles for trespass, assault and battery in Albemarle County on 10 August 1793, but the court dismissed the case. On 5 April 1796 the court ordered the overseers of the poor of the southwestern district to bind her illegitimate child Betty Battels to Dixon Dedman until the age of eighteen [Orders 1791-3, 477; 1795-8, 39]. On 1 January 1810 the Albemarle County court awarded her a judgment of £11.17 in her suit against Samuel Smithson [Orders 1808-10, 428]. She was probably the Juanna Battle who was head of a Richmond City household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:330]. She was the mother of

i. Elizabeth³, born about 1790, bound to Dixon Dedman on 5 April 1796, registered in Campbell County on 12 July 1830: age 40, 5 feet 3 inches high bright Mulatto, Born free [Register of Free Negroes, 1801-50, p.12].

 

6.    Elizabeth² Battles, born say 1770, was a "FN" taxable in St. Ann's Parish, Albemarle County, on a horse in 1805, a "Free Molato" taxable on a horse in 1806, a "FN" taxable on her unnamed son in 1807, a "Mulatto" taxable on a horse in 1812 and 1813 [PPTL, 1800-1813, frames 227, 269, 318, 499, 541] and head of an Albemarle County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:180]. She may have been the mother of

i. Turner, a "Mulatto" taxable in St. Ann's Parish, Albemarle County, from 1810 to 1812 [PPTL, 1800-1813, frames 410, 456, 499] and head of an Albemarle County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:180].

 

Another member of the family was

i. Elizabeth, head of a Henrico County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:980], a "fn" taxable on a slave over the age of 16 in the upper district of Henrico County in 1811, perhaps the mother of Milly Battles who was a "fn" taxable on a slave and 2 horses in the same district in 1812 [PPTL 1782-1813, frames 658, 717].

 

BAZDEN FAMILY

1.    Martha Basden, born about 12 July 1732, was a white child living in Isle of Wight County in 1742 when her brother Joseph died and left her a legacy of £8. On February 1749/50 she released her claim to the legacy to her father. She lived with her father until he died intestate on 20 July 1770. Between 1771 and 1773 she brought a chancery suit in Southampton County against her brother James Basden and the executor of her father's estate because they refused to give her any part of his estate. She argued that she was entitled to £8 with interest as well as something for the "care and affectionate behaviour" she rendered to her father in his later years. Her brother James argued that she had been a burden to her father: on Account of her having had two Bastard Children of such a Complexion as almost induced the said James her Father to expose her to the Blame and contempt of the world [Chancery Court Papers 1771-1788; LVA Chancery file 1773-007]. On 9 August 1770 the court ordered her "Malatto" son Lewis bound until the age of twenty-one [Orders 1768-72, 309]. Her children were

i. Lewis, born about 1760, petitioned the Southampton County court against his master Lighthorne Lowe on 14 October 1773, but the court dismissed his petition [Orders 1772-7, 270-1/2]. He was taxable in Sussex County in 1787, his tax charged to Thomas Pretlow and his tax charged to Samuel Cornwell in 1788 [PPTL 1782-1812, frames 214, 220], a "F.N." taxable in Isle of Wight County from 1790 to 1794 [PPTL 1782-1810, frames 194, 213, 257, 286, 310] and taxable in Surry County from 1796 to 1815: taxable on a slave in 1798; a slave named Daphney in 1799 [PPTL, 1791-1816, frames 251, 320, 363, 442, 517, 589, 628, 666, 728, 804]. He married Sarah Tann, "25 years old," 27 October 1803 Southampton County bond, Mat Williams surety, 28 October marriage. He was called Lewis Baseden when he registered in Surry County on 16 August 1800: a mulatto, grey headed, light complexion, 5' 6 1/2 inches high, 40 years old, born of a free woman resident of Southampton County [Back of Guardian Accounts Book, 1783-1804, no.61], and he was called Louis Bazden in 1810, head of a Surry County household of 4 "other free" [VA:601]. His wife Sally registered in Surry County on 15 February 1812: Sally Bazden late Sally Tann a daughter of John and Susanna Tann decd. free mulattoes of Southampton county, of a bright complexion, aged about thirty four years of age...is 4'11-1/4" high [Hudgins, Surry County Register of Free Negroes, 47]. Sally apparently died not long after registering because Lewis married Ava Dunkins, 6 June 1817 Southampton County bond. He was a 73-year-old farmer from Southampton County who emigrated to Liberia aboard the James Perkins in 1831 with Avy "Baislin" (age 69) [http://fold3.com/image/46670316].

ii. Nanny, born say 1764, a "Mulatto child of Eliz Basden" ordered bound by the Southampton County court on 12 April 1764 [Minutes 1763-4, n.p.]. She was probably the Ann Baisden, "F. Negro," who was listed with Lucy Baisden in Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, in 1813 [PPTL 1807-21, frame 338].

 

BAZMORE FAMILY

1.    Elizabeth Bazmore, born say 1695, was taxable on her son John in 1730 in Norfolk County, Virginia [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables 1730-50, 36]. Eight years later the Bazmore family was in Bertie County, North Carolina, where John purchased 317 acres on the "Looseing Swamp" on 21 January 1737/8 [DB E:264]. He proved his rights in Bertie court on 10 November 1742:

John Bazemore, Mary Basemore, Elizabeth Basemore Edwards, Mary Basemore Edwards, Jesse Basemore, Thomas Basemore, John Basemore, Sarah Basemore [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, II:381].

The family was taxed as "free Mulattos" in the 1761 tax list of William Gray, the 1763 list of John Hill, the 1764 list of Jonathan Standley, the summary list for 1765 and 1766, the 1768 list of Jonathan Standley, and David Standley's list for 1769, 1770, and 1771 [CR 10.702.1]. However, they were counted as white in David Standley's list for 1772 and 1774, and they were counted as white in the 1790 Bertie County census [NC:11]. Elizabeth was likely born before 1700 since the 13 October 1761 session of the Bertie County court excused her from paying taxes because she was "very aged and infirm" [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, II:559]. Her children were

i. John, born say 1714, taxable in Norfolk County, Virginia, in 1730 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1730-50, 36]. His 4 December 1748 Bertie County deed of sale of 450 acres on Ahoskie Swamp was witnessed by Joseph Hall, another "free Mulatto" from Norfolk County [DB G:271]. In 1763 he was taxed on his son Thomas and 2 slaves in John Hill's list. By 1779 he and his sons were taxable on 9 slaves and 1,826 acres of land in Bertie County for Wynn's and King's District. His 10 July 1789 Bertie County will was proved in May term 1790 and named his children who were all considered white in the 1790 census: John, Jr., Thomas, James, William, Tamer Sowell, Sarah Thomas, and Elizabeth White [WB 2:328].

ii. ?Jesse, born say 1720, one of John Bazemore's head rights in 1742 [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, II:381]. He was taxable in the 1756 summary list for Bertie County, and he and his wife Frances were "free Mulattos" in the 1761 Bertie tax list of William Gray. He bought land from his brother John [DB K:297] and was taxed on 503 acres in the 1779 list of Wynn's and King's District and purchased another 8 tracts of land between 1786 and 1796 [DB N:266; O:21-2, 342: P:85; Q:128, 137; S:56]. He was head of a white Bertie County household with 14 slaves in 1790 [NC:11]. His 17 June 1800 Bertie County will was proved in February 1809, and named his wife Frances and his children: Jesse, Turner, Zilpha, Mary, Susanna, Esther Griffin, and Dicey Thomas.

 

BECKETT FAMILY

Major George Beckett (b. 1849) and wife Jane of Accomack County

third great grandson of Peter Beckett of Northampton County

 

1.    Peter¹ Beckett, born say 1655, was a "Negro" slave who was taxable with Thomas Driggers from 1671 to 1677 in the Northampton County, Virginia household of John Eyres:

Mjr. Eyres

Tho: Driggus }

Peter Beckett }

Mary Crew } Neg 4 [Orders 1664-74, fol.114; 1674-79, 75, 191].

Sarah Dawson, a white servant, was another member of Eyre's household. She was born about 1661 since her age was adjudged to be sixteen years when Eyre brought her into Northampton County court on 26 November 1677 [OW 1674-79, 203]. Seven years later in 1684 she was given twenty-one lashes and ordered to serve Eyre another six years for having "three bastard Maletto Children by her said Masters Negro slave Peter." On 30 May 1687 and 28 May 1688 she was presented for bastard bearing and the following year on 29 July 1689 was called "Sarah the wife of Peter Beckett slave to Major John Eyre" when the court ordered one of her children released to her, "Shee findinge sufficient security to save the parish harmeless from the said Childe" [OW 1683-89, 59, 280, 292, 358, 442-3]. On 28 July 1702 she consented to the indenture of their daughter Ann, "daughter of Sarah Beckett," to Mrs. Ann Eyre until the age of eighteen [OW 1698-1710, 96]. Peter was free by 30 November 1703 when "Peter Beckett and Sarah his wife" successfully sued John Morrine for debt in Northampton County court. John Robins brought an action upon the case against him, but neither party appeared when it came for trial on 21 January 1717/8 [OW&c 1698-1710, 176; Orders 1710-6, 55]. Peter and Sarah's children were

2     i. ?Peter², born say 1683.

3     ii. Rebecca, born say 1690.

4     iii. ?William¹, born say 1695.

5    iv. Ann, born 10 December 1697.

6    v. Jean, born say 1700.

7    vi. Elizabeth¹, born say 1705.

 

2.   Peter² Beckett, born say 1683, was taxable in Bogerternorton Hundred of Somerset County from 1723 to 1740: listed with Devorix Driggers in 1725, with (his son?) William B____et in 1737, with (his son?) Deverix Becket in 1740 [MdHR C-812, List of Taxables, 1723-1740]. He was fined 2 shillings, 6 pence for uttering an oath in Somerset County in 1727 and was special bail for Devorix Driggers on 17 November 1730 when Devorix admitted in Somerset County court that he owed Christopher Glass 500 pounds of tobacco and 650 pounds of beef which he had contracted for in writing on 10 November 1729 [Judicial Record 1727-30, 147; 1730-3, 43-4]. The inventory of his Worcester County estate, taken by Arcada Okey on 10 May 1751, totaled £129 and listed Bridget Doves and John Nienburgh as nearest of kin. The second inventory taken on 23 January 1754 by Joseph and his wife Arcada Okey included debts from William Cornish, Simon Collock, and Nathaniel Morris. One third of the estate went to Peter's widow Mary Beckett and the remainder to his son Beade Beckett and daughters Arcada Oakey and Hannah Beckett. The estate paid Samuel Handser 7 shillings [Prerogative Inventories 48:98-100; 60:89; Accounts 37:65-6; Balance Book 1751-5, 1:127 (MSA 533-1)]. Peter was the father of

i. ?William³, born say 1716.

ii. Arcada, married Joseph Okey.

iii. Hannah.

iv. ?Deverix, born say 1723, taxable in Somerset county in 1740, probably named for Deverix Driggers.

v. ?Solomon, taxable in Mispillion Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, from 1743 to 1762 [Kent County Assessments, 1743-67, frames 10, 109, 125, 154, 174, 201, 204, 216, 247, 270, 349].

8    vi.  Bede¹, born say 1740.

 

3.    Rebecca Beckett, born say 1690, was summoned to the Northampton County court on 12 January 1724/5 to show cause why her son William should not be bound to John Robins, and summoned the following month on 11 February to answer Mark Freshwater's petition to have her son Mark bound to him because he had been living with him for five years. In the petition Freshwater also called Mark Beckett the "free Negro" son of Peter Beckett [Orders 1722-9, 149, 155, Mihalyka, Loose Papers I:81]. However, Mark was more likely the grandson of Peter since there is no record of a Peter Beckett in the eighteenth century Northampton County lists of tithables which begin in 1720. On 10 March 1724/5 John Robins attested to a note from Rebecca informing the court that she consented to her son Mark's indenture to Freshwater until the age of twenty-one [Orders 1722-9, 172]. Rebecca was a "melatto" taxable in Jonathan Stott's household in 1724 and 1725, tithable in the household of John Drighouse in 1726, in Berry Floyd's household in 1728, and in Joachim Michael's household from 1729 to 1743 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 77, 155, 168, 262, 274, 289, 308, 326, 330, 353]. She was presented by the court on 13 May 1735 for bastard bearing and was granted levy-free status by the court on 12 June 1744 due to an infirmity [Orders 1732-42, 155, 163; 1742-8, 163]. Her children were

9     i. Mark, born say 1711.

ii. William², born 10 December 1714, ten-year-old son of Rebecca Beckett bound apprentice to John Robins on 10 February 1724/5 until the age of twenty-one [Orders 1722-9, 161]. He was a 10-16 year old boy in the Northampton County household of John Robins from 1724 to 1730 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 58, 76, 104, 113, 118, 167, 201]. On 14 May 1734 Elishe Webb charged him with being the father of her illegitimate child. He was still the servant of John Robins at the time, so the court ordered the sheriff to take him into custody after his term of servitude expired [Orders 1732-42, 97, 103, 107].

iii. Rachel, born about 1718, twelve-year-old daughter of Rebecca Beckett, bound apprentice to Thomas Marshall on 10 November 1730 [Orders 1729-32, 53]. She was presented on 13 November 1739 for bastard bearing [Orders 1732-42, 372].

10     iv. Isaac¹, born in April 1724.

11     v. ?Solomon¹, born say 1727.

 

4.    William¹ Beckett, born say 1695, was taxable in Kent County, Delaware, from 1726 to 1756: listed in Little Creek Hundred, charged with the tax of _____ Drigers in 1727, called William Beckett Sen. from 1749 to 1756 when he was listed in Dover Hundred near Nehemiah Hansor and Samuel Hanson [Kent County Levy List 1743-67]. William was called a yeoman when he purchased two lots of ground within the town of Dover for £12 by Kent County, Delaware deed on 2 April 1754 [DB O:256]. He left a 31 January 1757 Kent County will (signing the letter "B"), proved 7 May 1757, leaving Mary Concelor a bed, furniture and a sorrel mare; his daughter Comfort a horse; his son Nathan a gun; his son William a shilling; his daughters Sarah and Mary each a mare; and his wife Comfort all his lands. Nehemiah Handzor witnessed the will [WB K-1, 162]. William was probably the father of the illegitimate child Mary Concelor had in Kent County in August 1728 [Delaware Archives RG 3815.031, dockets 1722-32, frames 229, 235]. And he was probably related to a "Mulatto" child Abraham Beckitt who was supported by Richard Wells (of Dover Hundred), Esq., from the county levy in November 1757 and Tabitha Beckett, a poor woman, supported by Lydia Wells from Kent County levy in November 1758 [DSA, RG 3200, Levy Court Minutes 1732-, frames 34, 38; RG 3535, Assessments 1743-67, frames 221, 223]. Mary Beckett sold 50 acres in Dover Hundred, Kent County, on the north side of the Dover River on 31 March 1758 [DB P:111]. William was the father of

12     i. William⁴, born say 1720.

ii. Comfort, born say 1723.

iii. Nathan, born say 1728, taxable in Dover Hundred in 1758 and 1759 [Kent County Levy List, 1743-67, frames 213, 240].

iv. Sarah, born say 1734.

v. Mary, born say 1736, charged Rike Miller in November 1771 with being the father of her illegitimate child [DSA, RG 3805, MS, indictments].

 

5.    Ann Beckett, born 10 December 1697, the four-year-old "daughter of Sarah Beckett," was bound apprentice to Mrs. Ann Eyre by the Northampton County court on 28 July 1702 until the age of eighteen years with her mother's consent [OW 1698-1710, 96]. Ann received twenty-five lashes on 20 June 1716 for having a bastard child by John Drighouse (Driggers). She was called a "Mallato" in July 1718 when she was again punished for having a bastard child [Orders 1710-16, 244, 252; 1716-8, 120]. She was a taxable "melatto" in Richard Carue's household in 1724 and 1725 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 54, 79]. She may have been the mother of

i. Nancy, born say 1715, taxable in Esther Map's household in 1731 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 226].

13     ii. ?Sarah¹, born say 1718.

 

6.    Jean Beckett, born say 1700, a "free negro woman," was taxable in the Northampton County household of William Cowdry in 1724, taxable in the household of Thomas Savage, Sr., in 1725, and taxable in the household of Thomas² Driggers in the list of Matthew Harmonson for 1727, 1729 and 1731. She was his common-law wife, called Jane Drighouse when she was taxable in his household in 1737 and in 1744 with her daughter Esther Drighouse [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 66, 93, 127, 136, 194, 198, 226]. Thomas Drighouse, a "free Negro," left a 21 April 1757 Northampton County will, proved 14 June 1757, by which he made Jane Beckett his executor and left all he had to her and her three daughters: Hester, Betty, and Lydia Beckett [WB 21:281]. Jean's children were

i. Sarah² Beckett, born say 1721, called the daughter of Jean Drighouse when the sheriff took her mother into custody as bond for her appearance in court for bastard bearing. She received twenty-five lashes on 8 April 1740 [Orders 1732-42, 394; Mihalyka, Loose Papers, II:124]. She was taxable in Thomas Drighouse's household from 1737 to 1739, called Sarah Becket in 1737 and 1738, called Sarah in 1739, and called Sarah Drighouse when she was taxable in Mark Beckett's household in 1740 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 266, 272, 285, 305]. She married Isaiah Drighouse (Driggers).

ii. ?Comfort¹ Beckett, born say 1723, tithable in Thomas Drighouse's household in 1739 and 1740 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 285, 308]. She married Jacob Morris by 1743.

iii. Hester Beckett, born say 1727, a tithable in her parents' household in 1744.

iv. Elizabeth²/ Betty.

v. Lydia Beckett.

 

7.    Elizabeth¹ Beckett, born say 1705, was called Betty Drighouse when she was tithable in John Drighouse's Northampton County household from 1724 to 1727, but called Betty Beckett in 1727. John married Lydia Carter before June 1728 when she was tithable in his household as Lydia Drighouse. Elizabeth was tithable in her own household in 1728 adjacent to ___ Mongon, but she was again a tithable, "not employed in crop," in John and Lydia Drighouse's household in 1729. She was tithable in James Forse's household in 1731, in Thomas Cable's in 1737, and in Norly Ellegood's household from 1739 to 1744 [L.P. 1729; Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 54, 78, 105, 127, 145. 147, 172, 229, 264, 283, 310, 321, 338, 356]. She was presented for bastard bearing on 14 June 1732 (her fine paid by Major James Forse) and presented on 10 May 1737 (her fine paid by Thomas Cable) [Orders 1732-42, 8, 261, 269]. She was the mother of

i. ?Sarah³, born about 1732, eight-year-old orphan bound to Benjamin Dunton on 8 April 1740 [Orders 1732-42, 396], perhaps the Sarah Backit who was taxable in the household of John Wilkins in 1766 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 380].

ii. ?Peter³, born in February 1734/5, a three-year-old bound apprentice in Northampton County to Samuel Church and his wife Elizabeth on 11 October 1737 (no parent named) [Orders 1732-42, 279], taxable in John Bowdoin's household in 1766 and 1769 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 380, 392].

iii. ?William⁵, born 6 August 1742, a seven-year-old orphan "Negro" bound apprentice to Eleanor Ellegood on 13 September 1749 [Orders 1748-51, 130].

iv. Isaac², born 25 November 1746, "son of Betty Beckett," bound apprentice in Northampton County in 1760 [Minutes 1754-61, 230]. He was about thirteen when he was bound to Thomas Bell on 12 August 1760 [Minutes 1754-61, 230]. He registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 11 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 354] and was taxable in Northampton County from 1798 to 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 243, 304, 529].

v. ?Joshua, born 5 December 1748, a six-year-old "Negro" bound apprentice to Ralph Batson in Northampton County on 6 December 1754 [Orders 1753-58, 172, 219-20], said to be about fourteen years old on 13 March 1764 when he was bound to Sarah Batson [Minutes 1761-5, 108]. On 14 November 1770 Isaac Clegg was presented by the grand jury for not listing Joshua as a tithable [Minutes 1765-71, 399]. He was taxable in Northampton County from 1783 to 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 21, 63, 79, 189, 304, 529]. He married Sally Stevens, 21 May 1803 Northampton County bond, Jacob Thompson surety, and was head of a Northampton County household of 7 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:219].

 

8.    Bede¹ Beckett, born about 1738, was a twenty-one-year-old, born in Maryland, who was listed in the 11 May 1759 muster of Captain John Wright's Company in the French and Indian War (abstracted as "Bedy Bullett," in the same list with Samuel and Thomas Hanzer of Sussex County, that included mostly men born in Sussex County [Montgomery, Pennsylvania Archives, Fifth Series, 278-9]. He married Ann Butler (no race indicated for either) in Sussex County on 21 April 1763 and their son William was born on 12 July 1768 [Records of the United Presbyterian Churches of Lewes, Indian River and Cool Spring, Delaware 1756-1855, 274]. Bede, a labourer, purchased 118 acres called Good Luck on the east side of the Green Branch in Sussex County on __ May 1764 for £37 [DB K-11:60]. He was a delinquent taxable in Sussex County in 1767, taxable in Broadkiln Hundred in 1774, a Nanticoke Hundred delinquent in 1787 [Delaware Archives, Levy Assessment RG 2535]. He died about 1787 when Peter Beckett was granted administration on his estate [de Valinger, Calendar of Kent County Probate Records 1680-1800, 181]. He was the father of

i. William⁶, born 12 July 1768, called William Butler Beckett when he was taxable in Sussex County in Nanticoke Hundred near Peter Beckett in 1791 and in Little Creek Hundred in 1796 [Levy Assessment List, RG 2535].

ii. ?Bede², taxable in Nanticoke Hundred adjoining Peter Beckett in 1795.

 

9.    Mark Beckett, born say 1711, had been living with Mark Freshwater for five years when he was bound to him by the Northampton County court on 10 March 1724/5 [Orders 1722-9, 172]. He was a "malatto" boy 10-16 years of age in Mark Freshwater's Northampton County household in the list of John Robins for 1725, a tithable in Freshwater's household from 1727 to 1729, and tithable in Ann Dod's household in the list of John Robins for 1737 and 1738 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 119, 144, 167, 255, 277]. He married Margaret Drighouse, widow of Azaricum Drighouse (Driggers). As guardian of Jacob Drighouse he presented an inventory of the orphan's estate in court on 12 April 1743 [Orders 1742-48, 33, 45, 56, 69]. He and his wife Pegg Beckett were taxable in their own household with Sarah Drighouse (Jean Beckett's daughter) from 1740 to 1743, taxable in 1744 with Jacob Drighouse (Peggy's son), and he and Peggy were taxables in 1765 and in 1769 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 305, 328, 334, 350, 360, 375, 387]. On 22 November 1750 he was paid 490 pounds of tobacco for services to the county, perhaps for work done on the courthouse [Orders 1748-51, 299]. In February 1771 the court bound Levin Beckett to him as an apprentice [Minutes 1771-5, 251]. He was taxable in Northampton County in 1783 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frame 18]. He was the father of

i. ?Solomon², born say 1760, a "Mulatto" taxable in Northampton County from 1782 to 1789 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 3, 73, 79, 94]. There were three marriages for persons named Solomon Beckett in Northampton County: to Sarah Liverpool, bond of July 1800; to Adah Liverpool, bond of 7 July 1801, Josiah Liverpool security; and to Abigail Stevens, bond of 19 February 1803, Jacob Thompson security. And a Solomon Beckett, born before 1776, was head of a Northampton County household of 5 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:217A].

ii. Isaiah, born in November 1773, twelve-year-old son of Mark Beckett, bound apprentice in Northampton County to Peter Bowdoin on 14 December 1785. He registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 11 June 1794 [Orders 1783-7, 379; 1789-95, 354].

iii. Peter⁶, born 6 January 1775, son of Mark Becket, bound apprentice to Peter Bowdoin on 11 September 1787 [Orders 1787-9, 45]. He may have been the Peter Beckett who married Ariena Nutt, 10 January 1800 Accomack County bond, Babel Major, surety. She may have been the Arena Becket who married Thomas Bibbins, 2 August 1800 Accomack County bond, Peter Bibbins surety.

 

Mark may have been the grandfather of

i. Levin, born in February 1771, bound to Mark Beckett in Northampton County on 10 May 1774 [Minutes 1771-5, 251].

ii. Diana², born say 1773, "ward of Mark Becket," married Ezekiel Moses, 22 August 1791 Northampton County bond, William Stith security.

 

10.   Isaac¹ Beckett, born in April 1724, son of Rebecca Becket, was bound to Thomas Marshall in Northampton County on 10 November 1730 [Orders 1729-32, 53]. He was taxable in William Stott's Northampton County household in 1743, a taxable head of a household of himself and (his wife?) Mason Beckett in 1765 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 371], and a "Mulatto" taxable in 1787 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frame 73]. His wife may have been Mason Stephens, born say 1728, a tithable in her parents' Northampton County household in 1744. Between 1793 and 1803 he acknowledged that he was indebted to the British Merchants, Atchison, Hay, and Company, but could not pay since he had been insolvent since 1793 [Virginia Genealogist, v.17, no.3]. He may have been the father of

i. Elizabeth/ Betty³, born in March 1750, a sixteen-year-old, no parent or race mentioned, bound apprentice in Northampton County to Thomas John Marshall, Gent., on 10 June 1766 [Minutes 1765-71, 46]. She may have been the Betty Beckett who was head of Occohanock, St. George Parish, Accomack County household of 5 "other free" in 1800 or the one who was head of a Machipungo, St. George Parish, Accomack County household of 6 "other free" in 1800, living near William Roberts [Virginia Genealogist 2:86, 128].

ii. Peter⁵, born in August 1752, fourteen years old when he was bound apprentice in Northampton County to Thomas John Marshall, Gent., on 10 June 1766 (no parent named) [Minutes 1765-71, 46]. On 8 June 1779 he and Mary Jeffery were witnesses for Abraham Collins in his suit against Scarburgh Bingham [Minutes 1777-83, 167]. He was a delinquent Northampton County taxable in 1786 [Virginia Genealogist 20:269] and was taxable from 1787 to 1801, called Peter Beckett, Sr., starting in 1800 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 63, 114, 304]. Between 1775 and 1803 he admitted that he was indebted to British Merchants, Atchison, Hays, and Company. He reported that (his brother?) William Beckett sailed to the West Indies just before the Revolution, was pressed aboard a British armed ship, and had lived in Dublin since then [Virginia Genealogist 17:259-60].

iii. Mary, born say 1765, married Mark Moses, 13 December 1785 Northampton County bond, Isaac Becket security.

iv. Kesiah, married Henry Liverpool, 17 March 1799 Northampton County bond, Solomon Liverpool security.

v. Sukey, married Patrick Collins, 14 November 1807 Northampton County bond, William Drigus security.

 

11.   Solomon¹ Beckett, born say 1727, was a tithable in Joachim Michael's Northampton County household in 1744, a tithable with (his wife?) Peggy Beckett in 1765 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 362, 371], a "free Negro" taxable in Accomack County from 1783 to 1800, called Solomon, Sr. [PPTL 1782-1814, frames 39, 238, 441] and head of a St. George Parish, Accomack County household of 7 "other free" in 1800, living near Jo. Stringer's [Virginia Genealogist 2:129]. He may have been the father of

i. George, born say 1753, sued in Northampton County court for a £4.8 debt on 13 April 1774 [Minutes 1771-5, 247]. He was listed as one of the men aboard the Accomac who was entitled to bounty land for 3 years service in the Revolution [Brumbaugh, Revolutionary War Records, 5, 67, 407] and was a seaman from Accomack County who served in the Revolution and died intestate leaving no children. His estate was divided in Accomack County among his four sisters, Nancy, Betty, Rebecca, and Mason [Orders 1832-36, 251]. Their claim for his service aboard the galley Accomac was allowed on 9 December 1833 [Revolutionary War Bounty Warrants, Tunnel, William, Digital Collections, LVA]. Nancy died intestate leaving Rosey, Solomon, and William Beckett [Orders 1832-6, 251].

ii. Nancy Beavans, born say 1762, deceased by 24 February 1834 when George Beckett's estate was divided among her five children. The same Accomack County court order referred to her as "the said Mary" [Orders 1832-6, 251]. Her children named in the court order were Solomon, Thomas, Peter, Mary, and John Beavans.

iii. Betty³, born say 1764, deceased by 24 February 1834 when George Beckett's estate was divided among her four children Peter, Rachel, Rosey, and Nanny. Perhaps her daughter was the Rosey Beckett who registered in Accomack County on 26 June 1832: born about 1783, a Black, 5'2-1/4", born free in Accomack County [Register of Free Negroes, 1785-1863, no. 575].

iv. Rebecca², born say 1766, registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 12 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 358]. She died before 24 February 1834 when George Beckett's Accomack County estate was divided among her three children: Rosey, Solomon, and William.

v. Mason, born say 1770, head of a Machipungo, St. George Parish, Accomack County household of 2 "other free" in 1800 [Virginia Genealogist 2:129].

 

12.   William⁴ Beckett, born say 1720, was taxable in Little Creek Hundred, Kent County, Delaware, in 1741 and 1742: in the same list as Samuel Hanson; taxable in Dover Hundred from 1748 to 1769: listed in Samuel Hanson's levy in 1748 (called "William Beckitt Ju^r"), perhaps deceased in 1769 when he was a Dover Hundred delinquent [Kent County Levy List, 1743-67, frames 437, 494, 508; 1768-1784, 26, 32]. In November 1752 he was fined £5 by the Kent County court for keeping a tippling house without a license [RG 3805.002, Court of General Sessions, frame 214]. He was called William Beckett Jun^r, yeoman, on 13 February 1754 when he purchased 100 acres in the forest of Murderkill Hundred on the north side of Milstons Bridge for £35 [DB O:220]. He may have had children by one of Samuel Hanson's slaves. On 27 January 1770 Hanson made a deed of manumission by which he freed three slaves named Beckett:

i. Charles, born about December 1740, a "Negro" about 30 years and one month old on 27 January 1770 when Samuel Hanson of Kent County set him free by manumission recorded in May 1775 [Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Duck Creek Monthly Meeting, Deed of Manumission of Slaves, 1774-1792, 21]. He was a "Negro" head of a Dover Hundred household of 3 "other free" in 1800 [DE:97].

ii. Peter⁴, born about June 1744, a "Negro" about 25 years and seven months old on 27 January 1770 when Samuel Hanson of Kent County set him free [Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Duck Creek Monthly Meeting, Deed of Manumission of Slaves, 1774-1792, 21]. He served in the First Company of the Delaware Regiment in the Revolutionary War and received pay from 1 August 1780 to 4 November 1783 [DHS, MS Delaware Regiment Pay Records, 1778-1783, certificates 54,483; 54,830; 54,938; 55,184; Public Archives Commission, Delaware Archives, 196, 607]. He married Betty Drigas (Driggers) on 27 November 1788 in Sussex County, Delaware [Records of the United Presbyterian Churches of Lewes, Indian River and Cool Spring, Delaware 1756-1855, 302]. He was administrator of the Sussex County estate of Bede Beckett in 1787 [de Valinger, Calendar of Kent County Probate Records 1680-1800, 181]. He was a taxable in Nanticoke Hundred, Sussex County, in 1791 and 1795 and taxable in Little Creek Hundred, Sussex County, on a horse, cow and calf, and a shoat in 1796 and a "Negro" head of a Delaware household of 3 "other free" in 1800 [DE:342] and 2 in 1810 [DE:161, 364].

iii. Isaac³, born about November 1747, twenty-three years and 7 months old on 27 January 1770 when Samuel Hanson of Kent County set him free when he reached the age of twenty-five [Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Duck Creek Monthly Meeting, Deed of Manumission of Slaves, 1774-1792, 21]. He was head of a Dover Hundred household of 3 "other free" in 1800 [DE:41].

 

13.    Sarah² Beckett, born say 1718, was a tithable in Jonathan Bell's Northampton County household in 1737, tithable in Peter Dowty's household in 1738, in Daniel Fisher's in 1739, in Roland Dowty's household in 1740, and in Arthur Downing's household in 1743 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 274, 289, 348]. She received twenty-five lashes on 8 April 1740 for bastard bearing and was presented on 7 November 1743 for bastard bearing [Orders 1732-42, 394; 1742-8, 131]. She was a "free Negro" who petitioned the Northampton County court on 13 November 1749 to bind her "Negro Child Spencer" to William Bradford of Accomack County [Orders 1748-51, 139-40]. Her children were

i. Rachel, born 25 May 1743, a three-year-old daughter of Sarah Beckett, bound apprentice to Posthumus Core in Northampton County in 1746 [Orders 1742-48, 344], perhaps the Rachel Beckett who was head of an Accomack County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:12].

ii. Dinah¹, born say 1745, daughter of Sarah Beckett, bound to Posthumus Core on 8 October 1745, whipped for bastard bearing on 13 May 1766 [Orders 1742-8, 255; Minutes 1765-71, 39, 59]. She registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 12 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 358].

iii. Spencer, born 17 October 1749, "Negro Child" of Sarah Beckett, bound apprentice to William Bradford of Accomack County on 13 November 1749 [Orders 1758-51, 139; L.P. #35, Sarah Beckett's Petition]. He was a "Mulatto" or "Negro" Northampton County taxable from 1787 to 1805 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 73, 94, 190, 243, 304, 387].

14   iv. ?Comfort², born in December 1753.

v. John¹, born September 1756, "negro son of Sarah Becket," bound apprentice to Zerobabell Downing in Northampton County on 18 November 1759 [Minutes 1754-61, 205]. A suit brought against him by John Michael, Sr., was dismissed by the Northampton County court on 8 June 1784 [Orders 1783-7, 116]. He was taxable in Northampton County in 1793 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frame 152] and head of a St. George Parish, Accomack County household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [Virginia Genealogist 2:129].

15   vi. Adah, born say 1760.

 

14.    Comfort² Beckett, born in December 1753, was a four-year-old "Negro orphan" bound apprentice to Caleb Scott in Northampton County on 14 February 1758 [Orders 1753-58, 477]. She was the mother of

i. Abraham³, born about 1782, son of Comfort Becket, twelve years old in July 1794 when the Northampton County court ordered the overseers of the poor to bind him to Ephraim Stevens [Orders 1789-95, 369]. He was head of a Northampton County household of 7 "free colored" in 1820, called Abram Becket, Jr. [VA:218].

 

15.    Adah Beckett, born say 1760, was presented by the grand jury of Northampton County on 9 May 1780 for bastard bearing [Minutes 1777-83, 237]. She was a "Negro" taxable on a free male in 1804 and 1805 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 365, 387]. She was the mother of

i. Peter⁷, born about 1780, son of Adah Beckett, eleven years old on 13 April 1791 when the Northampton County court ordered the overseers of the poor to bind him to Hezekiah James [Orders 1789-95, 133]. He was taxable in Northampton County from 1798 to 1805: called Peter Beckett, Junr., from 1798 to 1801; called "Negro son of Adah" in 1802 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 242, 305, 325, 387].

 

Other Beckett descendants were

i. Abraham¹, born in March 1740, a two-year old orphan bound to Francis Savage in Accomack County on 27 July 1742 to be a tanner. On 30 November 1763 he was presented by the Accomack County court for failing to pay the discriminatory tax on his wife. (Hezekiah Shepherd, William Carmine, and Major Charnock were presented for the same offfense.) Abraham proved his account against Littleton Harrison in court for £1.18 on 2 June 1769 [Orders 1737-44, 415; 1768-70, 124].

ii. Rosey, registered in Accomack County: born about 1764, a Black, born free in Accomack County [Register of Free Negroes, 1785-1863, no. 821].

iii. Solomon³, born say 1765, a "free Negro" taxable in Accomack County from 1787 to 1810: called "Solomon Junr." in 1787, taxable on a slave over the age of 16 in 1800 and 1810 [PPTL 1782-1814, frames 129, 356, 443, 526, 723], head of a St. George Parish, Accomack County household of 3 "other free" and 4 slaves in 1800 [Virginia Genealogist 2:128].

iv. Tigg, a "Mulatto" bound apprentice in St. George's Parish, Accomack County, to Reid Fletcher on 28 June 1768 [Orders 1768-70, 83].

v. Nancy, born before 1776, head of a Northampton County household of 6 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:217A].

vi. Abraham², born say 1776, taxable in Northampton County from 1793 to 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 152, 190, 304, 529], married Sarah Thompson, 26 October 1797 Northampton County bond, Jacob Thompson security.

vii. Anthony, head of an Accomack Parish, Accomack County household of 6 "other free" in 1800 [Virginia Genealogist 1:103].

viii. Sarah⁴, head of an Accomack County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:60].

ix. Peter⁸, registered in Accomack County: born about 1783, yellow complexioned, 5'9-1/2", born free in Accomack County [Register of Free Negroes, 1785-1863, no. 750].

x. John², born in December 1784, registered in Accomack County on 29 September 1807: Black, rather light, 5 feet 6-1/8 Inches...Born free [Register of Free Negroes, 1785-1863, no. 6].

xi. Harry, born 17 September 1785, registered in Accomack County: Black, 5 feet 3-3/4 Inches...Born Free [Register of Free Negroes, 1785-1863, no. 9].

xii. John³, born in the spring of 1790, registered in Accomack County on 29 September 1807: light Black, 5 feet 4 Inches, Born free [Register of Free Negroes, 1785-1863, no. 28].

xiii. Edmund, born about 1785, registered in Accomack County: Black, 5 feet 8-1/2 Inches...Born free [Register of Free Negroes, 1785-1863, no. 30]. He was taxable in Northampton County from 1811 to 1813, living on Caleb Downing's land [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 486, 529].

xiv. Samuel, born say 1787, a "Blk" taxable in Northumberland County from 1804 to 1813 [PPTL 1782-1812, frames 558, 583, 632, 652, 666, 681].

xv. Isaac⁴, born in December 1793, registered in Accomack County on 29 September 1807: a light black, 5 feet 9 Inches, Born free [Register of Free Negroes, 1785-1863, no. 77].

 

BEE FAMILY

1.    Cleopatra Bee, born say 1720, was presented by the churchwardens of Bruton Parish in York County court on 20 July 1741 for having a "Molatto" bastard child [OW 19:45, 79, 89]. She was fined 50 shillings by the churchwardens of Chesterfield County on 7 February 1753, probably for having an illegitimate child [Orders 1749-54, 428]. She may have been the ancestor of

i. Francis, born about 1753, a "mulatto man" residing in Northumberland County on 12 October 1795 when the court certified that he was born free [Orders 1790-5, 579]. He was taxable in Northumberland County from 1783 to 1801: taxable on a slave in 1788, 1794, 1796, 1797 and 1801 [PPTL 1782-1812, frames 251, 282, 326, 347, 392, 421, 436, 443, 458, 475, 490, 504, 513]. He married Elizabeth Dikes, 12 April 1796 Northumberland County bond. She may have been the Betty Bee who sued Rawleigh Alexander for trespass, assault and battery. The Northumberland County court dismissed the suit on 15 March 1797 on agreement of the parties [Orders 1796-7, 113]. He married, second, Sally Evens, 21 February 1798 Northumberland County bond, William Corbell security. He was taxable in Lancaster County from 1803 to 1814 [PPTL, 1782-1839, frames 237, 385, 390] and head of a Lancaster County household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:337]. He registered in Lancaster County on 17 August 1812: Age 59, Color dark mulatto...was an indented servant until 31 years of age. Sally, born about 1774, registered on 15 July 1811: Age abt. 37, Color dark mulatto...born free [Burkett, Lancaster County Register of Free Negroes, 5, 6]. Frank, Sally, Massee, Jenny and Peggy Bee were in a list of "free negroes & mulattoes in Lancaster County in 1813 [PPTL 1782-1839, frame 385].

ii. Isaac¹, born about 1755, an eighteen-nineteen-year-old "mulatto" whose "father was a freeman," ran away from Lewis Burwell of Mecklenburg County according to the 8 September 1774 issue of the Virginia Gazette [Purdie & Dixon edition, p. 3, col. 2].

iii. Polly, living in Richmond City on 8 February 1796 when she emancipated her niece Sally Carter whom she had purchased from Rev. James Henderson of Williamsburg [Hustings DB 2:218].

iv. Massy, head of a Lancaster County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:339].

v. Gabriel, born say 1780, taxable in Northumberland County from 1796 to 1813, listed as a "Blk" man starting in 1807 [PPTL 1782-1812, frames 444, 475, 491, 504, 513, 529, 549, 563, 599, 621, 632, 652, 681]. He married Nelly Toulson, 29 September 1802 Northumberland County bond, James Toulson security. Gabriel was a "free mulatto" head of a Northumberland County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:973]. He registered in Northumberland County on 30 July 1814: black man, about __ age, 5 feet __, Born of free parents in North^d County [Register, no.71].

vi. Isaac³, born about 1788, registered in Northumberland County on 13 September 1813: negro man, about 25 years, Born of free parents in North^d County [Register of Free Negroes, 1803-50, no. 69].

vii. Shadrack, born about 1789, living in Northumberland County on 12 October 1795 when the court ordered the overseers of the poor to bind him out [Orders 1790-5, 579]. He registered in Northumberland County on 9 January 1809: black man, aged 20 years, 5 feet 9-1/4 inches high [Register of Free Negroes, 1803-50, no. 39].

 

BELL FAMILY

1.    Jane¹ Bell, born say 1662, was a Surry County, Virginia taxable in Thomas Davis's household in 1689 [DW&c 4:121a]. She may have been the ancestor

i. Jane², born say 1720, living in Surry County on 16 June 1742 when the churchwardens of Albemarle Parish were ordered to bind out her child (no race mentioned) [Orders 1741-44, 32].

2     ii. Samuel, born in 1749.

3     iii. Graham¹, born about 1763

iv. William, an infirm "Mulatto" supported by public taxes in Petersburg on 6 October 1795 [Hustings Court Orders 1791-7, 154a].

v. Hardy, born about 1800, a "Boy of Color" bound to Samuel Bell by order of the 27 August 1810 Robeson County court [Minutes II:214]. He was head of a Robeson County household of 5 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:310].

vi. Zadock, born say 1775, purchased 13 acres on Little Fishing Creek in Halifax County, North Carolina, on 6 November 1797 [DB 18:303]. He was head of a Halifax County household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [NC:290] and 5 in 1810 [NC:7]. He was probably the husband of Lucy Bell who was named in the 3 December 1808 Halifax County will of her father Austin Curtis Jones [WB C:484]. Her mother was probably Ann Curtis.

4     vi. Jane³/ Jenny Bell, born say 1776.

 

2.    Samuel Bell, born May 1749 in Surry County, Virginia, was living in Sampson County, North Carolina, in February 1782 when he volunteered in Captain Coleman's Company under Major Griffith McRae and Colonel Lytle. He marched to Wilmington, to Georgetown, and to Charleston, but was never in any engagement. After the war, he lived in Sampson County until about 1807 when he moved to Robeson County where he applied for and was granted a pension on 31 August 1832 [NARA, S.6598, M804-0207, frame 0489]. He entered 100 acres on the west side of Great Coharie Creek in Sampson County on 16 October 1788 and was granted this land on 16 November 1790 [S.S. 311; Grant 73:297; http://mars.archives.ncdcr.gov] and was head of a Sampson County household of 10 "other free" in 1790, 15 in 1800 [NC:509], 5 in Robeson County in 1810 [NC:234], and 2 "free colored" in Robeson County in 1820 [NC:309]. His children may have been

i. Joshua, born 1776-94, a bricklayer, head of a Cumberland County, North Carolina household of 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:154].

ii. Rebecca, married Ephraim Hammonds, 26 February 1812 Cumberland County bond, Thomas Sampson surety.

iii. Hetty, a "free female child," bound to Elizabeth Howell by the New Hanover County court on 23 September 1795 [Minutes 1792-98, 152].

 

3.    Graham¹ Bell, born about 1763, was taxable in the part of Petersburg which was in Dinwiddie County from 1787 to 1815: taxable on his own tithe from 1787 to 1794, a "free Mul^o" taxable on 4 slaves and 5 horses in 1795, paid $6.25 for a license in 1808 [PPTL, 1787-1799, frames 663, 687, 756, 767, 759, 795; 1800-33]. He was sued for debt in the Hustings Court of Petersburg on 3 May 1790, and was called a shoemaker when he purchased a lot in Petersburg on Halifax Road from Isaac Gilmore for £50 by deed proved on 7 November 1791. He purchased from Anne Murray of Petersburg "four Negroes" Molly, Graham, Peyton and Kidder for £80 on 22 September 1789 and manumitted Molly, Graham, Peyton, Kidder and Beverly on 2 January 1792 [Hustings DB 2:147, 157]. He posted bond for William Vaughan when he was sued by James Littlejohn on 6 September 1796 [Orders 1784-91, 317, 334; 1791-7, 11, 177b]. On 15 July 1795 he purchased for £200 a half acre lot in the part of Petersburg where Captain Erasmus Gill first laid out his land into lots, being the northern half of lot no. 9, and he purchased "Negro" woman Sall, girl Harriet and boy James for £100 from James Freeland on 20 May 1800 [DB 2:443-4; 3:273]. Sally, born about 1762, registered as Sally Tucker on 28 September 1802 [Register of Free Negroes, 1794-1819, no. 243]. On 25 January 1803 he purchased a ^1/2 acre lot adjoining his land at public auction [DB 3:142]. He was listed as a 40-year-old shoemaker in Petersburg in 1803 with wife Mary and his family. His son Graham was a schoolmaster [List of People of Color in Petersburg 1803, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. He appeared in Greensville County court on 19 May 1804 to post his property as a $500 bond for the appearance of his son Graham Bell, Jr., who was charged with forging a bond of $333 to himself from Sterling Edmond of Brunswick County. Asa Byrd was one of the witnesses who testified against Graham, Jr. [Orders 1799-1806, 387-8]. He was married to Polly Spruce, former wife of David White by 6 October 1806 when the Petersburg court granted him administration of White's estate on £500 bond. On 7 August 1809 the court ordered the sergeant to take possession of a lot and houses that had belonged to David as well as any personal estate not yet administered by Graham Bell and his "reputed wife" Polly Spruce and to dispose of them as the law directed [Hustings Court Minute Book 1805-8; 1808-12, n.p.]. He left a 4 May 1816 Petersburg will (signing) by which he lent his wife Mary Bell two lots and tenements in Petersburg: one to be rented out for her support and the support of his two youngest daughters, and directed that the lots be sold after her death and divided among his eight children: Graham, Peyton, Beverly, Archer, Fanny, Polly, Margaret, and Caroline; and directed that $100 be paid by his executors to his son Kidder Bell. He named his son Archer and sons-in-law Thomas Brewster and William Bowler executors. On 6 December 1817 Graham, Peyton, Beverly, Fanny and her husband Thomas Brewster, Polly and her husband William Bowler, "free people of colour," (signing) with Miller Bowler as witness, brought a case in chancery to sell the lot with the agreement of the widow Mary Bell who was living with one of the plaintiffs [Chancery Cause 1819-004; WB 2:141]. His widow Mary Bell registered in Petersburg County on 24 November 1821: near 5 feet 2 inches high, about 55 years old in October last, of brown complexion, Emancipated by Graham Bell her late husband now deceased in the Hustings Court of Petersburg in January 1792 [Register of Free Negroes 1819-33, no. 1129]. Graham, Sr., was the father of

i. Graham², born about 1780, registered in Petersburg on 11 April 1814: a light brown Mulatto man, five feet nine and a half inches high, thirty four years old January last, a shoe maker, born free & raised in the Town of Petersburg [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 748]. He may have been the Graham Bird Bell who was living in Sussex County on 16 July 1778 when the court ordered the churchwardens to bind him out [Orders 1777-82, 47]. And he may have been the husband or father of Susan Bell, born about 1800, who registered in Petersburg on 24 June 1822: 22 yrs old, 5 feet 2 inches high, dark complection...Emancipated by Graham Bell in the Hustings Court of Petersburg [Register of Free Negroes 1819-33, no. 1157]. He was a "Fn" taxable Richmond City in 1814 and 1815 [PPTL 1787-1819].

ii. Peyton, born about 1787, married Sarah Vaughan, 3 September 1810 Petersburg bond, Graham Bell surety (both men signing). He registered in Petersburg on 31 May 1814: a light brown Mulatto man, near 5'10" high in shoes, about 27 yrs old. Born free [Register of Free Negroes 1784-1819, no. 751]. He was a "Free negro" taxable on 2 horses and a coach in the Richmond City tax list for 1814 and 1815 [PPTL 1787-1819].

iii. Kidder, born about 1788, married Betsy Bibby, 24 February 1813 Petersburg bond, Uriah Tyner surety. He was a "free Negro" taxable on a slave in Petersburg in 1815 [PPTL 1800-33, frame 452] and 2 slaves in the upper district of Chesterfield County in 1825 [PPTL 1812-27, frame 640]. He registered in Petersburg on 22 July 1817: a light brown free man of color, 5'5^3/4" high in shoes, about 29 yrs old, by trade a carpenter [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 854].

iv. Beverly, born about 1790, registered in Petersburg on 20 May 1813: a brown Mulatto man, 5'8^1/2" high in shoes, 23 yrs old, a carpenter [Register of Free Negroes, 1794-1819, no. 744].

v. Archibald/ Archer, registered in Petersburg on 8 May 1813: a light brown Mulatto man, 21 yrs old 3 Mar last, 5'6^1/2" high in shoes [Register of Free Negroes, 1794-1819, no. 743]. He was a "Fn" taxable on a slave over 12 years old in Richmond city in 1814 and 1815 [PPTL 1787-1819].

vi. Fanny, married Thomas Brewster, 9 July 1812 Petersburg bond, Peter Fagan surety. Thomas Bruster was head of a Richmond City household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:342] and a "Fn" taxable on 2 slaves over the age of 12 in Richmond City in 1812, 1 slave in 1813 and 1814; 2 slaves, a stage wagon and a gold watch in 1815 [PPTL 1787-1819].

vii. Polly, born 11 May 1799, married William Bowler, 18 February 1813 Petersburg Bond, Graham Bell surety. She registered in Petersburg on 24 November 1821: wife of Wm Bowler of the City of Richmond...5 feet 3 inches high said to be 22 yrs old 11 May last of light brown complection...black strait hair, has had holes in her ears...born free and raised in the town of Petersburg [Register of Free Negroes 1819-33, no. 1128].

viii. Margaret, born about 1799, married Miller Bowler, 19 March 1822 Petersburg bond, Joseph Cooper surety. She registered in Petersburg on 21 July 1824: 5 feet 2 inches high, about 25 years of age, light complexion, daughter of Graham Bell, dec^d, late of Petersburg, born free in the said town [Register of Free Negroes, 1819-33, no. 1352]. Miller Bowler who was listed as a "Free negro" in Richmond City in 1814 and 1815 [PPTL 1787-1819].

ix. Caroline, born about 1804, registered in Petersburg on 21 July 1824: 5 feet 2 inches high, about 20 years of age, light complexion, daughter of Graham Bell, dec^d, late of Petersburg, born free in the said town [Register of Free Negroes, 1819-33, no. 1353].

 

4.    Jane³/ Jenny Bell, born say 1776, was head of a Bertie County household of 3 "other free" in 1800 [NC:35]. She may have been the mother of the following children indentured in Bertie County, no parent indicated:

i. David, born 5 March 1794, no race indicated, bound to Benjamin Wimberley as an apprentice shoemaker on 12 August 1799 [CR 10.101.8, by NCGSJ XV:169].

ii. Reuben, born May 1796, no race indicated, bound as a shoemaker to Benjamin Wimberley on 12 August 1799 [NCGSJ XV:170].

iii. Winifred, born 1798, no race indicated, bound to Ebenezer Smith on 10 August 1807 [CR 10.101.9 by NCGSJ XVI:154].

iv. Solomon, born about 1800, seven-years-old when he was bound to Ebenezer Smith on 10 November 1807 and called "an orphan of colour Six years of age" when he was bound to Richard Veale to be a shoemaker on 15 August 1809 [NCGSJ XVII:40].

v. Joseph, born about 1801, "an orphan of colour," bound to Ebenezer Smith to learn shoemaking on 15 August 1809.

vi. Nancy, born about 1803, "an orphan of colour" bound to Richard Veale on 15 August 1809.

 

Lancaster County

1.    Elizabeth¹ Bell, born say 1684, was a white servant who ran away and absented herself from the service of her master, William Chapman of Lancaster County, for twenty-one days. On 12 May 1703 the court ordered that she receive twenty lashes at the county whipping post, serve her master an additional forty-two days, and serve another eighteen months to pay the expense of her recovery. She was the servant of George Flower on 14 June 1704 when she was ordered to serve an additional five years for having a "Bastard child by a negroe," and she was the servant of John Brown on 11 July 1706 when she was again tried for having an illegitimate child by a "Negroe" [Orders 1702-13, 32, 75, 148a]. She was probably the mother of

2     i. Jane, born say 1702.

ii. William, born about February 1704/5, a "Mulatto" man servant who still had eight years to serve Captain Thomas Carter on 14 February 1727/8 when he came into Lancaster County court and agreed to serve Robert Carter, Esquire, an additional four years at the expiry of his indenture if he would purchase him from his master [Orders 1721-9, 263]. He was the "Molatto" servant of John Carter, Esq., in February 1737/8 when he petitioned the Charles City County court for his freedom. In April 1738 the court examined a record of the Lancaster County court and ruled that he serve another two years [Orders 1737-51, 34, 39].

 

2.    Jane Bell, born say 1702, was a "mulatto servant" living in Lancaster County, Virginia, on 13 June 1733 when she agreed to serve her master John Hubbard until Christmas that year and then to serve Charles Lee an additional year in return for Lee's buying her time from her former master and allowing her to live with her husband who was Lee's slave [Orders 1729-43, 85]. She was probably the mother of

3     i. Frank, born say 1720.

4     ii. Elias, born say 1740.

 

3.    Frank, born say 1720, a "Mullatto woman," was named in the 19 January 1756 Lancaster County will of John Hubbard of the lower precinct of Christ Church Parish, proved 19 June 1761, by which he left Frank's "Mullatto" daughter Lucy Bell to his daughter Judith Hubbard and left Frank, her son Abraham, and his "Mullatto woman Betty" and her three children during the time of their service to his sons William and Joshua Hubbard [DW 1758-63, 149-50]. She was the mother of

i. Lucy, born say 1738.

ii. Abraham, born say 1740.

5     iii. Elizabeth¹, born say 1741.

 

4.    Elias Bell, born say 1740, was a defendant in a Lancaster County court in a suit for trespass, assault and battery brought by Mary Lawry on 16 April 1764 for which a jury awarded her 1 penny. He sued Thomas Pollard, Jr., for debt at the same court [Orders 1764-7, 18, 40, 61]. He died before 1 April 1791 when his daughter Betty Bell was married in Lancaster County. His children were

i. Elizabeth², born about 1764, 27-year-old daughter of Elias Bell, dec^d, married Benjamin Pinn, 1 April 1791 Lancaster County bond, Richard Nickens surety.

ii. ?Coleman, born about 1782, registered in Lancaster County on 17 September 1805: Age 23, Color black...born free [Burkett, Lancaster County Register of Free Negroes, 2]. He married Agge Weaver, 26 December 1806 Lancaster County marriage, and was head of a Lancaster County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:338]. On 23 June 1834 he was in Northumberland County when he gave his consent and was security for the marriage of (his son?) James Bell, "colored," to marry Eliza Jones, widow.

iii. ?Thornton, born about 1783, head of a Westmoreland County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:768], called William Thornton Bell when he registered in Westmoreland County in May 1832: a man of light complexion, 5 feet 10 inches high, about 49 years of age [Register of Free Negroes, 1828-1849, no.149].

iv. Dorcas³/ Darkey, born say 1788, married William Lightborn, 26 December 1806 Lancaster bond. William and Darky were in the list of free Negroes and Mulattos for Lancaster County in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1815, frame 385].

 

5.    Elizabeth, born say 1731, a "Mullatto woman" named in John Hubbard's 19 January 1756 Lancaster County will, may have been a member of the Bell family. She and her three children were willed to Hubbard's sons William and Joshua Hubbard during the time of their service. She had 11 months to serve when she was listed in the inventory of Hubbard's estate, recorded 17 July 1761 [DW 1756-63, 150a, 162a]. She may have been the mother of

6    i. Elizabeth, born say 1752.

ii. Dorcas¹, born about 1754, married John Weaver, 10 June 1789 Lancaster County bond, and registered in Lancaster County on 18 July 1803: wf/o John, Age 49, Color dark, Served till 31 years of age [Burkett, Lancaster County Register of Free Negroes, 1].

iii. James, born about 1754, registered in Southampton County on 11 May 1808: age 54, Black, 5 feet 9 inches, free born from Richd. Cty. per certificate. He registered again on 1 October 1812: age 58, Blk., 5 feet 7-1/2 inches, free born, see certificate Lancaster County. And he registered again on 12 May 1815: age 61, Blk., 5 feet 8 inches, free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, nos. 425, 904, 954].

iv. Sarah, born about 1755, registered in Lancaster County on 17 October 1803: Age 48, Color dark...born free [Burkett, Lancaster County Register of Free Negroes, 1].

v. Sinah, born say 1760, mother of "free born" Lewis Bell who was bound to John Bean by the Lancaster County court on 18 June 1787 [Orders 1786-9, 73].

 

6.    Elizabeth/ Betsy Bell, born say 1752, was head of a Norfolk County household of 9 "other free" in 1810 [VA:822]. She may have been the mother of

i. John, born about 1777, registered in Norfolk County on 20 July 1812: 5 feet 6 inches 35 years of age, light complexion, Born free [Register of Free Negros & Mulattos, #79]. He may have been the husband of Nancy Bell, sole heir of James Thomas, a Revolutionary seaman from Norfolk County. She registered in Norfolk County on 20 July 1812: 5 feet 3 In. 32 Years of age of a dark Complexion, Born free as appears by the oath of James Pretlow [Register, #76].

ii. Lurana, born about 1779, registered in Norfolk County on 17 July 1810: 5 feet 4 Inc., 31 years of age, of a light Complexion [Register, #26] and was head of a Norfolk County household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:817].

iii. Bethea, born say 1781, registered in Norfolk County in April 1799: I do certify Lurana Bell and Bethea Bell who are the bearers hereof were Born free [Bell, Lorena: Free Negro Certificate, 1799, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

iv. Winny, mother of Nancy Bell, a tall Molatto Girl" who was born on the Western Branch in Norfolk County a few miles from Norfolk according to her free Negro register of 14 September 1802 [Bell, Nancy (F): Free Negro Certificate, 1802, African American Narrative, LVA].

v. Sally, born about 1793, registered in Norfolk County on 20 July 1812: 5 feet 4 1/2 inches 19 years of age light complexion, Born free [Register of Free Negros & Mulattos, #80].

 

Another member of the family was

i. Dorcas²/ Darkey, born about 1776, who obtained a certificate of freedom in Lancaster County on 21 September 1801 and registered in Henrico County in 1802: a free woman...of dark complexion & is about 26 years of age. She was apparently the mother of Presley Thornton Bell who also registered in Henrico County in 1802: born free...between seven & eight years of age. I leave in Middelsix three years, in Gloster Fore years, The gage of my Boy is fifteen in February. He registered again in Henrico County in October 1818: a black man, about thirty one years of age, five feet nine inches and an half high, born free as appears from a certificate of the Clerk of the county court of Lancaster [Bell, Darkey (F, 26): Free Negro Register, 1802; Bell, Presley Thornton (M, 7), (M, 31): Free Negro Register, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

 

BENNETT FAMILY

1.    James¹ Bennett, born say 1700, was one of the Chowan County Indians who sold their land on Bennett's Creek in 1734 in the part of Chowan County, North Carolina, which later became Gates County:

James Bennett, Thos Hoyter, Charles Beasley, Jeremiah Pushin, John Robins, John Reading & Nuce Will Cheif men of the Chowan Indians [Chowan DB W:250].

He was called an Indian when his debt of 5 shillings to the estate of Nicholas Fairless was recorded in the November 1740 session of the Bertie County court [North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979, http://familysearch.org/search/catalog/456755, film 4854046, image 1359]. He and John Robins were also called chief men of the Chowan Indians on 19 November 1758 when they sold 300 acres of Indian land by deed proved in Gates County [DB 2:101]. He, James Bennett, Jr., and Amos Bennett were called "Bennett's Creek Indians" in October 1763 when they sold land by deed acknowledged in Chowan County court. And a deed from him and John Robins was proved in Chowan County in October 1765 [Minutes 1761-6, 164, 273]. His descendants were probably

i. Thomas, born say 1725, living in Currituck County on 24 July 1787 when Permenos Smith sold Smith's cousin George Bennett 40 acres whereon Thomas was then living. Thomas was called "an old Indian man" in the sheriff's deed of sale of his land on 31 May 1810 [DB 10:159-61]. He may have been the husband or father of Rachel Bennett who was head of a Currituck County household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [NC:138]. She was living on the North River Swamp in Currituck County on 4 March 1805 when Benjamin Taylor, Sr., sold land adjoining hers [DB 9:63-4].

ii. George, born about 1768, a thirteen-year-old "Indian Boy" bound by the Gates County court as an apprentice shoemaker to Edward Brisco in February 1781 [Fouts, Minutes of Gates County Court 1779-86, 29]. He was head of a Gates County household of 1 "other free" in 1790 [NC:23], 4 in 1800 [NC:262], 5 in 1810 [NC:842], 4 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:143] and a male and female "free colored" person over the age of the age of 55 in 1830. He obtained a certificate of freedom in Gates County on 14 May 1794 and used it to travel to Norfolk County, Virginia: was Born in this county...his mother was an Injen and a free woman. The Bearer being her son is free born and about Twenty five years of age & appears to be about five feet seven inches high...is desirous to travel to some parts of Virginia to seek a livelyhood [Bennett, George (M, 25): Free Negro Certificate, 1794, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. He and (his brother?) Joseph Bennett and James and Benjamin Robins were called "chief men and representatives of the Chowan Indian Nation" on 12 April 1790 when they sold 400 acres of land which was part of the original Indian patent of 24 April 1724 for $100[DB A-2:153

iii. James², died before 21 May 1792 when Joseph Bennett and Henry Hill were granted administration on his Gates County estate on £100 bond [North Carolina Estate Files, 1666-1979, Gates County, Bennett, James (1792); http://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-997V-S9S3-1?wc=Q6W5-DBC%3A183206301%2C183209202%2C184430601&cc=1911121].

iv. Joseph, born about 1769, a twelve-year-old "Indian Boy" called Josiah Bennett in February 1781 when the Gates County court ordered him bound as an apprentice cooper to Henry Booth [Fouts, Minutes of Gates County Court 1779-86, 29]. He was head of a Gates County household of 1 "other free" in 1790 [NC:23] and an insolvent Gates County taxpayer in 1794 [Fouts, Minutes of Gates County Court, I:17]. He obtained a certificate of freedom in Gates County on 14 May 1794 and used it to travel to Norfolk County, Virginia: was Born in this county...his mother was an Injen and a free woman. The Bearer being her son is free born and about Twenty four years of age about five feet nine inches high...is desirous to travel to some parts of Virginia to seek a livelyhood [Bennett, Joseph (M, 24): Free Negro Certificate, 1794, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA, and Bennett, Josiah (M, 12): Indenture of Apprenticeship].

v. Nancy, born before 1776, head of an Edenton, Chowan County household of 2 "free colored" women in 1820 [NC:130].

vi. Esther, head of a Chowan County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [NC:532].

 

BERRY FAMILY

1.    John¹ Berry, born say 1660, was a white man living in York County, Virginia, in September 1693 when he had a son by Mary Jewell/ Cuttillo, "a mollotto." She was living in the lower precincts of Poquoson Parish on 24 May 1694 when she was presented by the court for having a child by him [DOW 10:341; Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 61]. John Berry and Mary Cuttillo were the parents of

2     i. James¹ Cattilla, born 16 September 1693.

 

2.    James¹ Berry, born 16 September 1693, son of Mary Cattilla, was called James Cattilla when his birth was registered in Charles Parish, York County (no father named). He was called James Berry and married to a woman named Mary in Elizabeth City County on 2 October 1719 when the birth of their son James was registered in Charles Parish [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 50]. He was presented by the Elizabeth City County court on 20 November 1728 for not coming to church [Orders 1723-30, 285, 295]. He was called James Berry, Sr., on 2 November 1761 when the Elizabeth City County court granted him and Charles Hopson (Hobson) a certificate for taking up a runaway slave named Daniel belonging to Thomas Whiting. On 7 December 1762 the court ordered that he be levy free [Court Records 1760-9, 46, 114]. He was called "Old James Berry" in 1765 when the Elizabeth City Parish vestry paid Edward Cuttillo for boarding him [von Doenhoff, Vestry Book of Elizabeth City Parish, 163]. He died before 15 January 1779 when the inventory of his York County estate was taken. His children were

3     i. James², born 2 October 1719.

ii. ?Ann, born say 1734, taxable in Sarah Cuttillo's York County household on 19 November 1750. She married Edward Cuttillo.

iii. ?Samuel, born say 1750, a "Mulatto" man, a shoemaker, who ran away from Judith Harbert of Hampton according to an ad she placed in the 18 July 1771 issue of the Virginia Gazette [Rind edition, p. 4, col. 1].

 

3.    James² Berry, born 2 October 1719, was baptized on 6 December 1719 in Charles Parish [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 50]. He was a resident of Elizabeth City County on 7 December 1762 when he was granted administration on the estate of John George, deceased. On 7 November 1764 the court ordered that his wife be added to the list of tithables [Court Orders 1760-9, 114, 262]. He was married to Mary by 14 May 1769 when their son James was born [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 50]. The York County court presented him on 16 November 1772 for not listing Charles Hopson as a tithable [Judgments & Orders 1772-4, 151]. On 2 August 1771 he purchased 100 acres in Charles Parish, York County, called Finches Dam from the heirs of Edward Armistead for £80 [Deeds, 8:167]. This land was called Edward Berry's on 20 March 1780 when Callowhill Mennis petitioned the York County court for permission to clear a road from his plantation through it to the main county road [Orders 4:258]. James rented a slave from Anthony Robinson in January 1778 according to the account of Robinson's York County estate [WI 22:405]. His wife Mary died on 8 October 1784 [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 203]. He was taxable in the lower precinct of Charles Parish in 1784 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frame 83] and taxable in Elizabeth City County on 2 horses and 18 cattle in 1785, a horse and 11 cattle in 1786, and taxable on a horse from 1792 to 1798 [PPTL 1782-1820, frames 37, 45, 132, 157, 170]. John Hunter sued him and his wife Ann in Elizabeth City County court for a £1.15 debt on 21 August 1786 [Orders 1784-8, 309-10]. His 7 February 1800 Elizabeth City County will was proved on 27 February 1800. He left his estate to his wife Ann and named his son James Berry and Elizabeth Davis executors [DW 34:522]. He was the father of

4     i. Edward¹, say 1750.

ii. Elizabeth², married Thomas Epps according to a York County court suit she and her husband brought in chancery against the heirs of her brother Edward Berry. She may have been living in Lunenburg County about 1779 when her father's estate was settled [LVA, chancery case 1798-002].

iii. James³, born 14 May, baptized 18 June 1769 [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 50].

iv. Frances, born 5 September, baptized 21 December 1777.

 

4.    Edward¹ Berry, born say 1750, was married to Martha and living in Charles Parish by 9 July 1775 when their son James was born, and he was married to Elizabeth by 4 March 1783 when their daughter Sally was born. His son Edward was identified as a "Mulatto" when he was baptized on 12 March 1786 in Charles Parish [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 50-1]. He was taxable in Elizabeth City County from 1782 to 1784: taxable on 3 horses in 1782, listed as Armiger Webb's tithe in 1783, taxable on slave Milley in 1784 [PPTL 1782-1820, frames 2, 16, 23], taxable in York County on a free tithe and slaves Peter, Dinah, Joe, Lucy, and Dinah in 1784; taxable on 3 tithes, 2 slaves over the age of 16, 6 horses and 14 cattle in 1785; taxable on a slave in 1790 and taxable on 100 acres in York County from 1782 to 1791 [PPTL 1782-1841, frames 76, 98, 160, 244; Land Tax Lists, 1782-1791]. He was also taxable in Elizabeth City County on a 12-16 year-old slave in 1790 [PPTL 1782-1820, frame 100]. Edward and his sister Elizabeth were identified as the heirs of James Berry in a 1798 York County chancery case in which Edward's sister brought a successful suit against Edward's heirs [LVA, Chancery case 1798-002].

i. James⁴, born 5 June, baptized 9 July 1775, son of Edward and Martha [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 50], taxable in York County in 1803 and 1804 [PPTL, 1782-1841].

ii. Martha, born 23 April, baptized 14 June 1778, daughter of Edward and Martha [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 50].

iii. Sally, born 4 March 1783, baptized 18 May, "dau. of Edw^d and Eliz^a ___^a City" (of Elizabeth City) [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 51]. On 14 July 1784 she and her sister Mary Berry sold 8 acres each (which was their part of the 40 acres allotted to their mother at the death of her husband Edward Berry) to Edward Cuttillo, and Sarah sold 28-1/2 acres to Edward the same day [DB 7:453-4].

5     iv. Edward², born 26 December 1785.

v. Mary, born say 1787.

vi. Elizabeth³, married Charles Hopson (Hobson), 20 June 1808 York County bond, Abraham Hopson surety.

 

5.    Edward² Berry, born 26 December 1785, "a Mulatto" baptized on 12 March 1786 in Charles Parish, York County [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 50], was taxable in York County from 1806 to 1820 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 315, 351, 363, 385, 403, 468, 480]. He owned 25 acres of land before 1852 when his widow Elizabeth Hopson (who married James Hopson) brought a successful chancery suit against their children James, Thomas, Elizabeth, Abraham, Mary, Edward, Martha and Rebecca in order to have the land sold [LVA chancery suit 1852-004]. Edward and Elizabeth were the parents of

i. James, born say 1807, died before the 1852 chancery suit was filed, leaving a widow without issue who married John Epps Hopson.

ii. Thomas, born about 1809, registered in York County on 19 September 1831: a bright mulatto, nearly 22 years of age, 5 feet 9-1/4 inches high, tolerably long curly hair, hazle eyes...Born free [Free Negroes Register 1831-50, no.295]. He died before 1852 leaving one unnamed child.

iii. Elizabeth, born say 1811, married to John Cotillo before 1852.

iv. Abraham, born say 1813, died without issue before 1852.

v. Mary Ann, born about 1814, registered in York County on 19 September 1831: a girl of very light Complexion, nearly 17 years old, 5 feet 5 inches high...a scar on the left arm in Consequence of being vaccinated, full black eyes...Born free [Register, no.292], married Michael Hall and died leaving one child before 1852.

vi. Edward³, born about 1817, registered in York County on 16 February 1835: a bright Mulatto about 18 years of age 5 feet 8 Inches high...broad face, long curly hair, flat nose...Born of free parents in York County [Register, no.387].

vii. Martha, born say 1819, married Edward White before 1852.

viii. Rebecca, born say 1821, married Topping Brown before 1852.

 

Other members of a Berry family were

1     i. Elizabeth¹, born say 1726.

2     ii. Ann, born say 1728.

3     iii. Margaret, born say 1735.

 

1.    Elizabeth¹ Berry, born say 1726, was the "Mulatto" servant of Drury Stith in August 1747 and 28 March 1750 when the Brunswick County, Virginia court bound her son James Berry and daughter Mary Berry as apprentices to her master [Orders 1745-49, 244; 1749-50, 53]. She was the mother of

4     i. James¹, born about 1747.

5     ii. Mary, born say 1748.

 

2.    Ann Berry, born say 1728, a "free Mulatto Woman," was living in Spotsylvania County on 6 August 1754 when she bound her three-year-old daughter Mary Berry to Roger Dixon until the age of eighteen years to learn to knit, spin and other household business [WB B:209-10]. She was the mother of

i. Mary, born 20 March 1751, head of a Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:107b].

ii. ?James², a "Mulatto Bastard" bound apprentice until the age of twenty-one by the Orange County, Virginia court on 25 March 1768 [Orders 1763-9, 480].

 

3.    Margaret Berry, born say 1735, was the mother of Anthony Berry, "a mulatto" who was bound apprentice to Tim. Cleven in Anson County, North Carolina, and brought before the Cumberland County, North Carolina court on 20 January 1757 when Cleven's request for an indenture was rejected by the court. On 17 January 1758 she brought her orphan son John Berry into court to be bound apprentice to Michael Blocker. He was bound, instead, to William Dawson, Esq., on 18 January 1758 when Margaret confessed to the court that Anthony was born while she was a servant [Minutes 1755-9, 18, 32]. Margaret's children who were bound apprentices in Cumberland County were

i. Anthony, born about 1754, bound apprentice to Tim. Cleven in Anson County and then to William Dawson, Esq., of Cumberland County on 18 January 1758 [Minutes 1755-59, 32].

ii. John, born say 1756, bound apprentice to Michael Blocker on 17 January 1758.

iii. Thomas, born say 1757, a child brought into court by Margaret Berry, bound to Michael Block by order of the 20 July 1758 Cumberland County court, no race or parent named [Minutes 1755-9, 38].

 

4.    James¹ Berry, born about 1747, was one of the members of Captain Joseph Spencer's 7^th Virginia Regiment who did not return from furlough in Gloucester Town. Spencer advertised a reward for their return in the 8 August 1777 issue of the Virginia Gazette, describing James as

a mulatto fellow, about 30 years old, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high; enlisted in Fredericksburg but served his time with Mr. Thomas Bell of Orange County [Purdie edition, p. 4, col. 3].

He may have been the James Berry who was taxable in Dinwiddie County in the household of Dr. Thomas Stewart in 1785 and a "free" taxable in 1793 and 1799 [PPTL, 1782-90 (1785 B, p.23); 1791-9 (1793 A, p.2), (1799 B, p.2)], and he may have been the ancestor of

i. Nancy, a "F.N." taxable in Henrico County on a slave above the age of 16 years from 1801 to 1804 [PPTL B, p.2] and on 1 acre of land in 1802 [Land Tax List A, p.3]. She purchased a "negro man slave commonly called Adam Floyd" from John Windon, emancipated him on 5 August 1805, and married him by 31 March 1806, "both free people of color," Henrico County bond, Samuel Cole surety [DB 7:264].

ii. Lucy, married Dempsey Stewart, 4 February 1786 Greensville County, Virginia bond, Cannon Cumbo surety, Thomas and Barney Steward witnesses.

iii. Lucinda, head of a Richmond City household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:331].

iv. Polly, head of a Southampton County household of 1 "other free" and a slave in 1810.

v. Thomas, born about 1785, registered in Petersburg on 26 December 1806: a light brown free Mulatto man, five feet nine and a half inches high, spare made, twenty one years old, shoe maker, registered by desire of his father [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 403].

 

5.    Mary Berry, born say 1748, was bound by the Brunswick County, Virginia court to Drury Stith, Gentleman, on 28 March 1750. On 25 September 1775 the Brunswick County court ordered the churchwardens of St. Andrew's Parish to bind out her "Mulattoe" son Thomas Berry. She was called Molly Berry (no race indicated) on 28 October 1782 when the court ordered the churchwardens of St. Andrew's Parish to bind out her children Thomas, Betty and Sylvia [Orders 1749-50, 53; 1774-82, 92, 115; 487]. She was the mother of

i. Thomas, perhaps the Thomas Berry who was taxable in Norfolk County from 1799 to 1816: a labourer in a "List of Free Negroes and Mulattoes" at Gosport in 1801, a "free Negro" in Portsmouth in 1813 and 1816 [PPTL, 1791-1812, frames 295, 383, 479, 738, 770; 1813-24, frames 16, 126].

6     ii. Betty, born about 1765.

iii. Sylvia.

 

6.    Betsy Berry, born about 1765, registered in Petersburg on 9 January 1811: a brown Mulatto woman, five feet 3/4 inches high, forty six years old, long bushy hair, born free & raised in the County of Prince George [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 653]. She was the mother of

i. ?Julius, taxable in the upper district of Henrico County in 1802 [Land Tax List, 1799-1816] head of a Petersburg household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:121b].

ii. ?Sarah, head of a Richmond City household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:336].

iii. ?Polly, born 31 December 1788, registered in Petersburg on 21 December 1809: a light brown Mulatto woman, five feet two inches high, twenty one years old 31^st instant, born free & raised in Dinwiddie County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 501].

iv. ?Betsy, born about 1791, registered in Petersburg on 8 June 1810: a brown Mulatto woman, five feet high, nineteen years old, long bushy hair, born free in Dinwiddie County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 552].

v. Nancy, born about 1795, registered in Petersburg on 8 June 1810: a brown Mulatto girl, five feet one and a half inches high, long bushy hair, fifteen years old, daughter of Betsy Berry a free woman residing in Dinwiddie County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 553].

 

Other members of the Berry family were

i. Nancy, head of a Jefferson County, Virginia household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:102].

ii. Naney, head of a Barnwell District, South Carolina household of 3 "other free" in 1800 [SC:53].

 

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