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 one 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, married William Webb, 18 December 1792 Norfolk County bond, James Williams surety.

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

v. James, born say 1760, complained to the court against his master John Lewelling. His case was dismissed 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 Town 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 [Virginia Gazette (Pinkney)]. Betty may have been the mother of

i. Humphrey, born say 1756, a soldier from Henrico County who served in the Revolution [Jackson, Virginia Negro Soldiers, 29]. He may have been the Humphrey Baines who was presented by the grand jury in York County on 21 December 1772 for not listing himself as a tithable [Judgments & Orders 1772-4, 172].

ii. Nancy Baine, head of a Richmond City household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:361].

 

BAKER FAMILY

1.    John¹ Baker, born say 1755, was called "a Mulatto by a White Woman" when the York County, Virginia 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]. He 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 [Personal Property Tax List 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 [Personal Property Tax List 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, was a "Mulattoe" who petitioned the Orange County 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 that 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 one tithe in Orange County in 1752 (called Thomas Backhum) and on two 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].

 

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 two "Mo." persons in 1813 [Waldrep, 1813 Tax List].

 

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 (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 1769-72, 30, 35 (abstract pp. 207, 212)]. 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) [NCAr:Troop Returns by NCGSJ XV:109].

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

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 the 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 [DOW 13:17]. 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 pounds [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 pounds. 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 pound, 5 pence 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 5 pound, 5 shilling debt, 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, born about 1760, mother of Charlotte Banks, a poor child bound out in Southampton County on 15 July 1799 [Minutes 1799-1803, 25]. Priss was listed in Ned Whitfield's household on William Newton's land in St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County in 1812 and 1814 [Personal Property Tax List 1807-21, frame 305, 428].

14      iv. Silas, born say 1761.

 

7.    John¹ Banks, born say 1708, was a "Mulatto Servant by Indenture" valued at 12 pounds in the 9 September 1725 inventory of the Surry County estate of Bartlett Morland. He was called a "Mallatto fellow" who lately belonging to Bartlett Morland, deceased, on 17 June 1727 when his value was assessed at 6 pounds. He was called a "Mulatto man" on 17 September 1729 when he was reappraised at 6 pounds 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, 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, proved 26 December the same year, left his plantation to his son Matthew Banks and mentioned other unnamed children. 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. He 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 [Personal Property Tax List, 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. Eliza Banks was witness to the indenture [OW 17:248, 273, 308, 338; W&I 18:5; 19:397; Deeds 1741-54, 152]. She was living in Southampton County on 12 July 1759 when the court ordered that she be exempt from paying levies. The court dismissed James Brooks' 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 1754-9, 516; 1759-63, 151, 234, 272]. She was the mother of

16      i. Hannah², born say 1731.

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

iii. ?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].

 

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]. She 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 a "free Mulatto" taxable in Walter Leake's Goochland County household in 1746 [List of Tithables]. 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 Wal: Leek," who was born January 1756 and baptized 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. William⁴, born say 1770, a 16-21 year-old taxable in Warwick County in 1789 and a "Mulatto" taxable there in 1798 [1789 Personal Property Tax List, p.1; 1798, p.1]. He was taxable in York County from 1793 to 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1841, frames 191, 200, 209, 219, 227, 254, 263, 304, 373]. He was head of a York County household of 4 "free colored" in 1820 (called William Banks, Jr.) [VA:157].

v. Thomas¹, born say 1772, 16-21 year-old a taxable in Warwick County in 1789 and a "Mulatto" taxable there in 1798 [1789 Personal Property Tax List, p.1; 1798, p.1]. He was taxable in York County from 1801 to 1807 [Personal Property Tax List, 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].

vi. Joshua, born say 1780, taxable in York County from 1801 to 1805 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1841, frames 263, 275, 284, 304], head of a Warwick County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:681].

vii. William⁵, born say 1782, a "Mulatto" over the age of sixteen in 1798 when he was listed in Warwick County, called William Banks, Jr. [Personal Property Tax List, 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, nos. 424]. She was a "free Negro" spinner living on Stith Nicholson's land in Southampton County in 1812 and 1813 [Personal Property Tax List 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. He 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 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-92, frames 811, 868; 1792-1806, frame 45, 72; 1807-21, frame 573].

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

iii. ?William, taxable in Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, in 1801 (no race indicated) [Personal Property Tax List 1792-1806, frame 473].

 

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]. Brittain 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 bondsman.

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

 

14.    Silas Banks, born say 1761, was taxable in the Southampton County household of William Drewry in 1788 [Personal Property Tax List 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]. He 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]. He married Maria Pompey, 9 August 1825 Northampton County bond, Silas Banks bondsman.

ii. Everitt, born about 1802, married Rebecca Artis, 2 March 1824 Northampton County bond, Everitt Stancell bondsman. 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 bondsman. 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 in 1788; 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 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-90, frames 364, 383, 403, 411, 488, 519, 564; 1791-1816, 26, 127, 205, 284, 319, 400]. His estate was settled in Surry County in 1802 [WB 1:580-581]. His children were

i. ?Jeremiah, born say 1760, head of a Surry County household of no 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 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 [Personal Property Tax List, 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. He was head of a Surry County household of 5 "other free" and 2 slaves in 1810 [VA:598].

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

26        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. [Personal Property Tax List, 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 [Personal Property Tax List, 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 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1810, frames 459, 508, 540, 557, 617, 634, 692, 733, 751, 809, 828].

27      vii. ?Anthony, born about 1776.

viii. ?William, a "free Negro" taxable in Isle of Wight County in 1804 and 1805 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1810, frames 634, 693].

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

 

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 [Personal Property Tax List, 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].

 

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, 497]. He was taxable in York County from 1784 to 1812 and head of a household of 2 "free Negroes & mulattoes over 16" in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 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.

 

19.    William³ Banks, born about 1766, married Patty Maclin, 8 September 1787 York County marriage by Rev. John Davenport [VMHB XXV:300]. 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 [Personal Property Tax List, 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]. 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]. 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]. His children were

i. William⁷, born say 1788.

ii. Fanny, (described as a "lunatic" 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 [Personal Property Tax List, 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.

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 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

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

 

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 the mother of

i. Mary⁶, born say 1766, "infant of Louisa Banks" (no age or race mentioned) bound 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].

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 ordered by the Goochland County court to be bound to Joseph Payne, Gent., on 20 October 1788 [Orders 1788-91, 63].

 

22.    John³ Banks, born 25 February 1749, was an orphan ordered bound out by the churchwardens of St. James Northam Parish in Goochland County in May 1757 (no parent named) and was 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 the upper district of Goochland County from 1787 to 1813: charged with James Banks' tithe from 1795 to 1798, a "Mulatto" planter near James Wares' 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 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1809, frames 149, 217, 278, 338, 387, 419, 478, 523, 614, 736, 820; 1810-32, frames 3, 156]. He was head of a Goochland County household of 11 "other free" in 1810 [VA:684]. He registered as a free Negro in Goochland County on 3 September 1823: a man of colour, was 74 years of age the 25th day of last February, about six feet high [Register of Free Negroes, p.152]. He enlisted in Goochland County about 1779, served for two 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 thirteen-year-old niece Mary Banks and his twelve-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 seventy years old [National Archives Pension File W.5763; Dorman, Virginia Revolutionary Pension Applications, IV:51]. He was the father of

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

ii. 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].

iii. 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].

 

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 whom he was bound to 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]. He was 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' tithes in 1806, a "Mulatto" farmer living on Jesse Sanders' land when he was charged with Elisha Banks' tithe in 1809, charged with John Banks' 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]. He was head of a Goochland County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:684]. He registered as a "free Negro" 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 eighteen months as a wagoner. He died 5 January 1835 [Dorman, Virginia Revolutionary Pension Applications, IV:51]. 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 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1809, frames 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 [Personal Property Tax List, 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 [Personal Property Tax List, 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, York and James City counties [Bruton Parish Register, 35]. She was taxable in York County on a horse in 1800, on one 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 one horse in 1807 [Personal Property Tax List, 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]. She was the mother of

i. John, baptized in Bruton Parish on 2 March 1783. He was taxable in York County in 1805, 1807, taxable on 2 tithes in 1809, taxable on a slave in 1810, taxable on one tithe and a horse in 1811 and 1812 [Personal Property Tax List, 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].

 

26.    Benjamin Banks, born about 1765, was taxable in Surry County from 1787 to 1816: taxable in John Banks' 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 [Personal Property Tax List, 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 as a "free Negro" 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. Their 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 in 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. 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' land in 1841.

v. Elizabeth⁷/ Betsy, born say 1786, the mother of Benjamin's grandson, John Banks, who registered as a "free Negro" in Surry County on 23 May 1834: The bearer John Banks son of Betsy Banks was born Nov 14th 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.

 

27.    Anthony Banks, born about 1776, was a "FN" taxable in Sussex County from 1804 to 1809 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1812, frames 610, 646, 675, 699, 747]. He 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 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1850, frames 400, 413, 430, 445, 460]. He and his wife Nancy were the heirs of Thomas and Lucretia Stewart. On 12 December 1807 he and Nancy, Henry Stewart, and Peyton 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]. He received a certificate of freedom in Sussex County on 1 September 1814. He was described as a free born, brown skin man, 5'9-1/2" tall, aged 26 [Register of Free Negroes, no.244]. His wife Nancy Banks registered as a "Free Negro" in Greensville County, Virginia, 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, forty-five 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].

 

Other York County descendants were

i. 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) [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1841, frames 373, 385, 403].

ii. 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].

iii. 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].

iv. 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].

v. 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].

vi. 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].

vii. 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].

viii. 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 descendants in North Carolina were

i. Jane², born say 1765, 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].

ii. 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.

iii. Lettice, born 1776-94, head of a Chowan County household of 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:129].

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

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

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

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

 

BANNISTER FAMILY

1.    Isabella¹ Bannister, born say 1730, a "Mulatto woman," was the mother of James, Oliver, Frank, and Cate who were named in Caleb Sesson's 21 June 1771 Orange County, Virginia will, proved 22 August 1771. Sesson 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 pounds, Oliver a Lad 30 pounds, Frank a Negro boy 25 pounds, Cate a Negro boy 15 pounds [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

i. James, born say 1752.

2        ii. Oliver¹, born say 1755.

3        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 pounds security in Orange County, Virginia [Minute Book 1789-97, 205].

4        vi. ?Nancy, born say 1771.

5        vii. ?Henry, born before 1776.

6        viii. ?Esther, born say 1776.

 

2.    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 (from his indenture?) [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. Oliver², born say 1790, a "Mulatto" bound as an apprentice tailor to James M. Early in Botetourt County on 14 June 1796 [Orders 1793-7, 370]. He was head of a Rockbridge County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:284].

ii. Elijah, born 1776-94, head of a Botetourt County household of 1 "free colored" and a white woman in 1820.

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

iv. 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].

 

3.    Francis¹ Bannister, born say 1758, was 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 [A List of Free Negroes & Mulattors within the District of James Tunor Commissioner of Botetourt for the Year 1802, no.51; 1803, no.1]. 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, eleven years old in the 1802 Botetourt list.

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

vii. Jenkins, born about 1793, nine years old in 1802. He registered as a "free Negro" 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, six years old in 1802, head of a Botetourt County household of a "free colored" man in 1820.

ix. Francis³, born about 1798, four years old in 1802.

x. William, born about 1800, two and one-half years old in 1802.

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

 

4.    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].

 

5.    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, twenty-one years old when he registered as a "free Negro" in Botetourt County in November 1831: Bright Black, 5'6" or 7" high [Register, no.73].

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

 

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

i. Christopher, born about 1796, twenty-four 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 Esqr [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

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. Her daughter 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

2        i. ?William¹, born 17 May 1745.

3        ii. ?Thomas, born about 1748.

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

 

2.    William¹ 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. His widow was Amey or Noama Barber [M805-48]. 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." [Personal Property Tax Lists, 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. William², Jr., born about 1773 in Virginia, a "Mulatto" taxable in Halifax County from 1801 to 1803 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 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 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 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. 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 [Personal Property Tax List, 1786-1811, frames 80, 293, 227, 366]. He 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]. 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 head of a Petersburg Town household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:122a]. They were the parents of

i. John², born 27 July 1780, 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].

ii. ?William³, born about 1785, registered in Petersburg on 13 August 1806: Billy Barber, a light brown free negro man, five feet seven inches high, twenty one years old, a shoemaker by trade, born free & raised in the Town of Petersburg [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 394]. He was taxable in Chesterfield County from 1802 to 1807 [Personal Property Tax List, 1786-1811, frames 480, 518, 556, 689].

iii. 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].

 

4.    Nancy Barber, born about 1752, obtained a certificate of freedom 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 one to two horses in Chesterfield County from 1793 to 1804, taxable on one tithe from 1796 to 1801, a "Mulatto living on her own land in 1809 [Personal Property Tax List 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 [Personal Property Tax List, 1786-1811, frames 80, 227, 441, 556, 782]. He obtained a certificate of freedom 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, obtained a certificate of freedom 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 [Personal Property Tax List 1786-1811, frame 824].

iii. Suckey, born about 1779, obtained a certificate of freedom in Chesterfield County on 14 September 1807: twenty eight years old, brown complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53, no. 47]. She was a "Mulatto" taxable on a horse and living on William Varner's land in Chesterfield County in 1809 [Personal Property Tax List, frame 738]. 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].

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

v. Phebe W., born about 1787, obtained a certificate of freedom 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 bondsman. Peter was head of a Craven County household of one "other free" in 1790 [NC:130].

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' land in Goochland County from 1809 to 1811 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1809, frame 862; 1810-32, frames 4, 69], counted in a list of "free Negroes & Mulattoes" in Fluvanna County in 1813 and 1814 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1809-50, frames 503, 526].

vii. Samuel, head of a Norfolk County household of one "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].

 

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 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]. He probably died before August 1781 when the Bertie court ordered his children bound out as apprentices. They were called children of Amey Bartlet in November 1782. In August 1783 the court ordered that John Johnston have administration of his estate on 400 pounds security [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, James City County 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 may have been identical to Josias Bartley who was taxable in York County from 1792 to 1795, taxable on two slaves and a horse in 1793 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 180, 191, 199, 209]. He was 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]. Joseph and Elizabeth were the parents of

5        i. James, born 8 July 1768.

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

iii. ?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, Virginia, 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

i. ?Benjamin¹, born about 1755, 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]. And he may have been the Benjamin Bartlett who 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 pounds, 12 shillings of which he still owed 14 pounds, 6 shillings [Orders 1788-91, 141, 151, 164]. He registered as a free Negro 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 a "free Negro" taxable in Prince Edward County in 1802, 1803 and 1811 [PPTL 1782-1809, frames 598, 619; 1809-31, frame 47] and he was a "fn" taxable in Charlotte County in 1806, 1807, 1809 (adjoining Samuel Bartlett), 1812, taxable on horse in 1813 [PPTL 1782-1813, frames 688, 722, 755, 851, 893], a "F.N." head of a Charlotte County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:68].

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.].

6        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 6 pound debt 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, James City County. David may have been deceased by 1782 when a Lucretia McLin (born about 1742) was counted in the 1782 census for Richmond, Virginia [VA:111]. David and Lucretia were the parents of

i. Godfrey Macklin, born 29 November 1764 [Bruton Parish Register, 27].

 

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). He was 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 as a "free Negro" 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].

 

6.   Patty¹ Bartlett, born say 1760, 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 may have been the mother of

i. David², born say 1788, a "free Negro" 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].

ii. Samuel, born say 1789, a "free Negro" 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].

iii. Burwell, born say 1792, a "free Negro" taxable in the lower district of Prince Edward County in 1809 [PPTL 1809-31, frame 2].

iv. Patty², ordered bound out by the overseers of the poor in Prince Edward County on 21 December 1795 [Orders 1793-7, 236], probably identical to Patience Bartlet who was listed as a "free Negro" with Betsy Bartlet in 1814 [PPTL 1809-31, frame 122].

v. 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].

 

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. Benjamin³ Bartley, born about 1783, registered in Southampton County on 25 August 1806: Blk., 5 feet 5 1/2 inches high, Free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 394]. He was a "M"(ulatto) taxable in St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, from 1806 to 1810 but not taxable there in 1811 [PPTL 1792-1806, frame 838; 1807-21, frames 47, 69, 166].

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.

 

BASS FAMILY

The Bass family descended from John¹ Bass of Norfolk County, Virginia, who married Keziah Elizabeth Tucker, an Indian. Most of their children married whites and became part of the white community. However, many descendants of their son William¹ Bass married African Americans and became part of that community. William¹ Bass's son, William² Bass, remained in Norfolk County and married an African American. Two other sons, Edward¹ and John² Bass, moved to North Carolina and probably married African Americans as did most of their descendants.

 

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

Robin the Elder of ye Nansimuns kingdom, a Baptized Xtian

His 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, d. 13 August 1741.

vii. Richard¹, born 2 August 1658, died in Norfolk County in 1722.

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

 

2.    William¹ Bass, born 29 March 1654, married Catherine Lanier who died 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 pounds [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, mentioned 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. John², born 4 December 1673.

iii. Keziah², born 30 October 1675, died 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].

vii. Thomas¹, born 13 November 1687, married Martha Willis 22 June 1724, married second, Tamer Spivey 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 sometime between 1736 and 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].

 

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 3 pound debt. 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 pounds 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 [Original at N.C. Archives]. He left his wife Lovewell 100 acres during her life. More than ten years later on 7 May 1761 she and her heirs, Lucy Jones and Thomas Cugley, sold this land for 75 pounds to Jethro Bass, her deceased husband's grand nephew [DB 3:121]. Their children named in Edward's will were

6        i. John⁴, born say 1716.

ii. Katherine Anderson, born say 1718, married to Lewis Anderson when her father made his 25 July 1748 Northampton County will. She received 50 acres in Northampton County which she and Lewis sold on 12 November 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].

7        iv. Benjamin¹, born say 1722, died about 1798.

v. Joseph², born say 1724. He 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 the Joseph Bass who was head of a Chesterfield County, South Carolina household of 6 "other free" in 1800 [SC:100].

8        vi. Sampson/ Samuel², born say 1726.

9        vii. Edward³, born say 1728, died before November 1800.

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]. On 16 February 1777 he sold 50 acres in Granville on Beaverdam Creek [DB L:315], and in 1782 he was taxable on 2 horses. He was taxable on one poll in 1785, and he had 2 males and 4 females in his household in Fishing Creek in 1786 for the state census.

 

4.    John² 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 mentioned in his father's will because he predeceased him. His marriage was recorded in Perquimans Precinct, North Carolina:

John Bas and Love Harris was Married ye 8th 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 wilful 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]. On 30 January 1720/1 John Bass 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

10      i. John³, born say 1700.

ii. Judith Cannady, born say 1702, wife of William Cannady of Edgecombe County. She 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 by her father's will. She and her husband Lewis 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].

11      v. Edward², born say 1710.

12      vi. William³, born say 1712, living in Bute County in 1771.

13      vii. Lovey Bass, 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 one poll in Dobbs County in 1769 [NCGSJ XV:74] and taxable on one 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. Her father left her his plantation on the south side of Bear Swamp.

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" 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, 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 mentioned 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 1 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 1 pound, 12 shilling debt 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' "Negro" slave, Jean Lovina. She received 200 acres on Western Branch of 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]. He 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 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 say 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].

14      ii. John⁶, born 20 February 1731.

15      iii. William⁴, born say 1733.

16      iv. Joseph³, born say 1738.

v. Thomas³, born say 1740, 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]. He may have been the father of Jacob Bass (born about 1778) who 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 pounds 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.].

 

6.    John⁴ 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