FW: FORMER SLAVES & THEIR MASTERS

[Saundra Brown]

Some Former Slaves and Their Masters

Robert S. Davis, Jr.

The records of slaves for genealogy are at best ambiguous. Federal census
records list slaves as statistics and estate records identify them only by
first names. Without family tradition as a source of information in slavery,
African-American genealogy proves exceptionally hard.

The National Archives and Records Administration has some records
originating in the Civil War, 1861-1865, and the Reconstruction that
followed that document names of owners of slaves and thus provides the
researcher with an idea of where to proceed. Unfortunately, these records
are very incomplete, scattered, and not easily accessed. Occasionally a
Civil War muster roll or pension file identifies a former owner. See for an
example, Anne S. Lipscomb and Kathleen S. Hutchison, Tracing Your
Mississippi Ancestors (1995), p. 44. However, if even the fragmentary
information at the National Archives could somehow be compiled in one source
the information would help millions of Americans as intermarriage after 125
years has greatly increased each African-American's chances of being able to
use these records. Social historians could also use such records to draw
conclusions on African-American life as a whole. For other National Archives
records that sometimes give such information see "Freedman's Bureau and
Other Reconstruction Sources," Journal of the Afro-American Historical and
Genealogical Society 9 (4) (1988): 171-76; "Documentation for Afro-American
Families: The Records of the Freedman's Savings and Trust Company," National
Genealogical Society Quarterly 76 (1988): 139-46; Black Studies: A Select
Catalog of National Archives Microfilm Publications (1984); Debra L. Newman,
Black History (1984); and Kenneth W. Munden and Henry Putney Beers, The
Union (1986). Also see David H. Sheets, Slave Genealogy (1986) and Mary L.
Jackson Fears, Slave Ancestral Research (1995).

Listed below are the names of former slaves and their former owners from
some extremely obscure National Archives records. An unscrupulous group of
men after the Civil War promoted the false hope that Congress would award
pensions to ex-slaves. Over 2,000 pages of material from investigations of
this Ex-Slave Mutual Relief Bureau & Pension Association can today be found
in Entry 21 of Record Group 15 Records of the Veterans Administration. No
records have been found of the similar white organization, the United States
Ex-Slave Owners Registration Bureau.

The following names of former slaves comes from their 1909 petitions to
Congress in Record Group 46 Records of the U. S. Senate (SEN6lA-J76). The
information is presented in the order of NAME - AGE - FORMER MASTER.

The following are from (born in?) Bullock County, AL:
Rev. W. D. Downing-47-Joe Dowing;
G. B. Brooks-52- Jeff Brooks;
J. H. Berry-56-Walter Weems;
W. C. Carter-56-John Davis;
Steve Ashers-73-Chris Napier;
Rev. Frank Davis-54-Henry Davis;
Eliza Baskin-77-Floyd Brown;
Martha Brooks-55-Steward;
Viney Randal-70-LeRoy Napier;
Charity Adams-58-William Crawford;
Mary Ann Cole-75-Will Thompson;
Nash Langford-70-Albert G. Ray;
Elbert Harvey-52-Dave Harvey;
Harrison Walker-50-Will Thompson;
Nancy Jones-49-Solomon Sylar;
Catherine Burch-44-Kinch Griswold;
A. G. Burch-48-Sam Baskin;
Harriet Ivison-78-Pat Calhoun;
Bob Ivison-75-Pat Calhoun; G
racy Davis-52-Jim Renolds;
Ban Calhoun-47-Pat Calhoun;
Anderson Casey-56-Will Thompson;
Aaron Burch-93-John C. Burch;
Eveline Jackson-92-Martin Jackson;
Dick Fizzle-72-James Rump;
Austin Harvey-50-Michael Harvey;
Liza Germany-63-Wylie Gilmore;
Mary Heard-58-Notley J. Comb;
Rosetta Bob-85-Notley J. Comb;
Mary Motley-51-Benjamin Motley;
Albert Henry-50-Christ Napier;
Joes Calhoun-51-Pat Calhoun;
Creasy Anderson-94-Joe Wigham;
Emanuel Hubbard-78-Alfred McFea;
Liza Hubbard-53-Alfred McFea;
Ellen Calhoun-50-Lish Calhoun;
Lizza Kannon-50-Lish Calhoun;
Reiner Mims-50-Notley J. Comb;
Dinah Motley-80-Ben Motley;
Lisha Thompson-54-Will Thompson;
Sarah Thompson-50-Will Thompson;
Narsissa Thompson-48-Will Thompson;
Mary Eaves-70-Will Thompson;
Chas. Frizzle-50-James Rump;
Nett Haynes-70-Henry Haynes;
Sam Jenkins-60-Pat Calhoun;
Emeline Jenkins-52-Dick Kannon;
Toney Underwood-56-John Alford;
Shop Smith-49-Randal Jones;
Andrew Baskins-50-Henry Ray;
Maria Chatham-73-Bob Owens;
Shed Fields-50-Pat Calhoun;
Dave Body-96-Nathan Body;
Caroline Jackson-89-Martin Jackson;
Harriet Mclean-45- Spence Downing;
Ben Wilson-82-John Lugee;
Silvia Wilson-54-Albert G. Ray;
Millie Lawford-50-Albert G. Ray;
Hamp Baskin-51-Jim Baskin;
Ellen Mims-72-Jim Cade;
Mary Mason-60-Phil Youngblood;
Amy Johnson-46-Billy Easter;
Hecter Holms-50-LeRoy Napier;
Robert Williams-51-John Tucker;
Jim Crowder-60-Wylie Bullard;
John Harris-60-William Harris;
Nancy Edwards-46-Major Lasley;
Isabella Simmons-60-Dock Lamkin;
Aaron Simmons-75-William B. Cocks;
Bill Baker-57-Ben Borum;
Frances Baker-48-Ben Crawford;
Jack Burch-52-Sam Baskin;
Alonzo Fields-50-Pat Calhoun;
Hannah Jane Crowder-50-John Hollenhead;
Isaac Oliver-49-Charles Carey;
Alfred Pickett-60-Andrew Pickett;
George Parker-48-Bill Thompson;
Nellie Parker-39-Jim Ray;
John Lewis-49-Donald McCray;
Moses Guyce-78-Shop Guyce;
Mintha A. Guyce-58-Bud Terry;
Thomas R. Thompson-58- Gustavous Thompson.

The following were from (born in?) Montgomery County, AL:
Mollie Rogers-70-Henry Rogers;
Silvia McFea-70-Fred Pickett;
Liza Pickett-56-Henry Haynes;
Moses Haynes-47-Henry Haynes;
Ceasar M. Johnson-45-Auten Murry;
Amanda Williams-60- Martin Jackson;
Marshall Jones-53-Baker Collins;
Bill Williams-48-Albert Ray;
Silvia Pitts-50-Robe Van;
Prince Jackson-48-Martin Jackson;
Buck Smedley-49-Dave Smedley;
Ben Jackson-53-Martin Jackson;
Winston Morris-58-Col. T. B. McFay;
Mary Morris-59-Col. T. B. McFay;
Harriet Calhoun-54-Pat Calhoun;
Burrel Calhoun-68-Pat Calhoun;
Jane Baskin-50-H. S. Haynes;
Jerry Pickett-64-Andrew Pickett;
Ben Ellis-45-Chris Tompkin.

The following are from (born in?) Bullock County, AL:
Harriet Ellis-45-Billy Boswell;
Jerry Smedley-73-Dave Smedley;
Fannie Smedley-66-Solomon Sylar;
Wess Tompkins-51-John Barnett;
Sarah Tompkins-50-Andrew;
Anthony Teague-56-Lize Teague;
Rachell Mooney-57-Jim Baskins;
Peter C. Hendricks-78-John Hendericks;
Hendricks-58-John Cameron;
Clara Frazer-46-Auter Murry;
Melvina Hix-60-Toliver Matten;
Caroline Calhoun-55-Jim Baskin;
Liza Ivison-80-Bob Calhoun;
Dick Calhoun-66-Bob Calhoun;
Prince Burch-49-Sam Baskin;
Mary Burch-48-Martin Jackin;
Nelson Calhoun-51-Bob Calhoun;
Ned Pickett-45-Andrew Pickett;
Abe Whigham-59-Joe Whigham;
Caroline Whigham-46-Bill Thomas;
Lylie A. Baskin-56-Jim Baskin;
Aneka Eaves-53-Burd Fitzpatrick;
Jack Walker-54-Will Thompson;
Lyda Walker-49-Will Thompson;
Cornelius Job-75-Dick Powell;
Mary Vickers-60-Tom Vickers;
Richard Frizel-65-Jim Rump;
Tom Massey-63-Jake Loman;
Spence Campbell-66-LeRoy Napier;
Ann Campbell-53-William Pitts;
Fannie Works-36-Burd Fitzpatrick;
Scott Jackson-50-Martin G. Jackson;
Wynnie Job-72-Burd Fitzpatrick;
Alfred Works-49-Will Thompson;
Jim Job-46-Burd Fitzpatrick;
Solomon Brooks-65-John A. Bolden;
Sophie Brooks-70-John A. Bolden;
Judge Thomas-48-Toliver Matten;
Reuben Berry-63-John R. Berry;
Surry Mooney-70-Jim Baskin;
Melinda Jones-50-Jim Crow;
Adaline Adams-75-A. K. Leonard;
A. H. Adams-39-A. K. Leonard;
Little H. Adams-50-A. K. Leonard;
Tobe Mitchell-48-M. W. Harvey;
Sam Conyers-46-Tom Edwards;
Joe Calhoun-55-Pat Calhoun;
Katie Menifee-49-Notley J. Comb;
Geo. Marshall-59-Gus Bolden;
Toney Watkin-46-John Cameron (Pickett?);
Dolly Bolden-46-Andrew Pickett;
Dave Green-52-Hardwell Green;
Cealey Green-48-Archie Farrar;
Callie Jackson-38-Henry Penington;
Sarah Ann Colbert-49-H. S. Haynes;
Judie Smedley-49-Jim Baskin;
Jerry Smedley Jr.-40-Dave Smedley;
Millie Miles-48-Joe Whigham;
Matilda Calhoun-49-Geacy Walker;
Melissa Lester-50-Joe Mason;
Louisa Feilds-48-Aaron Paulks;
Randal Williams-50-Will Thompson;
Tansey Williams-56-Will Thompson;
Matilda Martin-60-George Martin;
Elijah Peel-75-Malichi Ethridge;
Aneka Peel-60-Frank Henderson;
George Starks-39-John Perry;
Nep Elmore-65-Frank Elmo;
Lucy Reynolds-64-Geo. Reynolds;
Frank Patterson-69-Green Patterson;
Martha Hodge-59-Jerry Hodge;
R. S. Shepperd-53-Jim Stowers;
Shed Feilds-70-Patt Calhoun;
Rev. McWalton-56-Will Thompson;
Lew Ellen Hardie-60-Enock Reinfroe;
William Howard-68-Enock Reinfroe;
Sarah Hardy-56-Homo Howard;
Hardy Lewis-57-Jim Judkins;
Arnold Dennis-70-Hardy Browder;
Caroline Dennis-78-Ed Davis;
Jim Dennis (Pensacola, FL)-48-Ed Davis;
Joe Dennis (Arkansas)-50-Ed Davis;
Miles Calhoun-82-Pat Calhoun;
Lizza Murray-63-Arter Murray;
Ann Frizzle-80-Tom Frizzle;
Rachel Reynolds-75-Jim Reynolds;
Caleb Hill-63-Archie Hill;
Lewis Murray-69-Gus D. Tompkins;
Mary Frizzle-54-Tom Frizzle;
Lizza Mary Weather (Meriwether?)-51-Geo. Mariweather;
Jordan Smith-59-Sam Smith;
Delia Turnipseed-50-Bill Turnipsed;
Easter Ramsey-82-Neil Ramsey;
Silla Smith-58-Sam Smith;
Julia Carter-50-Bill Carter;
Malinda Carter-79-Bill Carter;
Jim Turnipseed-59-Bill Turnipseed;
Bony Mobson-71-Tom Mobson;
Jim Mitchell-56-Phil Mitchell;
Nathan Langford-96-A. G. Ray;
Mary Bolden-not given-Ben Bolden.

The following information comes from petitions found in Entry 21, Record
Group 15. The data is presented in the format of name-age-name of
master-former slave's place of birth.

>From Deer Park, MD (?):
Queen Collins-52-James Junmerson (?)-Calloway County.

The following are from (born in?) Columbia, MO:
Geo. Maxwell-59-Maxwell-Boone;
Rachel Gasling-55-James Rhine-Boone;
Emly Daves-62-can't remember-Boone;
Kitty Ann Washington-80-John Bivin-Virginia;
Eliza Bennett-72-Basil Maxwell-Louisa (?), KY;
Lavence Fields-41-John Clarkson-Boon Co.;
Lucy Jane Rollins-82- can't remember unless Walter Scott-(blank); Squire Smi
th-60- Henderson Smith-Boone Co.;
Joe Harris-41-Athy Barnett-Boone Co.

"The following are from (born in?) Snow Hill, NC:
Benjamin Elerson-72 (b. 1826)-William Jno. Elerson (d. 1868)-not given;
Matilda Elerson (Benjamin's wife)-60 (b. 1838)-John Harvey (d. 1886)-not
given;
Franklin Harvey-42 (b. 1856)-not given-not given;
Winnie Williams-not given-Cornell Williams-not given;
Lucy Baily-50-Cornell Williams-not given;
Jane Taylor-not given-Henry Keene-not given;
Margaret Washington-45-William Robonette-not given;
Laura Davis-illegible-Gleason Robinette-not given.

[The names from the petition from Monticello, Jefferson County, FL (?)
cannot be read.]

The following petition of c1899 is from Columbia, Boone County, MO. The
information is given as name-age-former owner:
Henry Clay-79 (b. 3 June 1820)-Jefferson Garth of Scott, KY;
July or Julia Clay-68 (b. 25 Nov. 1831)-0.W. Knally;
Sallie Woods-21-Judge Maupin of Columbia;
Marion Thomason-47- Robert Garth of Columbia;
Aurdein Wills-74-Zachariah Ridgeway of Winchester, KY;
Joseph Gosling-67-Sylvest Gosling of Columbia;
Edmund Cook-not given-Ishmeal Vanhorn;
Eleza E. Miller-20-David Gordon of Columbia;
Lucy Ann Marshall-84-Col. Thomas Russell of Scott Co., VA;
Harriet Bledsore-74 or 75-Robert Bledsoe of Georgia;
Matilda Harris-24-John Bivion of Columbia;
Ned Harries-28- Dr. Jacobs of Columbia;
Scott Brashears-70-James Brashears of Howard Co.;
Amanda Brashears-68-Richard Robinson of Boone Co.;
Reuben Fields-67-Jack Cotton of Boone County;
Elizabeth Hueston-52-not given;
Elas Hueston-26-not given;
Evalene Hueston-26-not given;
Sallie Payne-44-John Harris of Boone Co.;
Geo. Bryant-75- Richard Bryant of Virginia;
Sallie Bryant-64-Thomas (?) of Columbia;
Maria Hendricks-70-Samuel Forwood of Jefferson Co., KY;
Dead Harriet Thomas-64-Jefferson Garth of Scott, KY;
Jennie Conaway-47-James Ballenger of Columbia;
Sandy Turner-74-Henderson Clarkson of [illegible], VA;
Hariett Turner-23-Carplan Ship of Virginia;
Mildred Redman-74-John Clarkson of Virginia.

The following register book of 30 July 1896 appears to be registrations from
Boone County, MO. The data is given as name-age or date of birth-former
owner-place of birth of the former slave: James Brown-46, b. 17 December
1850-Joe Brown-Boone, MO; Frank Venerable-50, b. 1847-Thomas Brown-Missouri;
Amanda Tibbs-66, b, 1831- Jefferson Garth-Scott, KY;
Mary Brown-49 or 50, b. 1847-James Harris-Boone, MO;
Sallie Woods-51, b. 1846-Judge Maupin-Boone, MO;
Marion Thomas-45, b. 2 December 1852-Robert Garth-Boone, KY; Sallie Brown-82
(d. 1897)-Joe Brown-Madison County, KY;
Ardine Wills-72, b. 1825-Zachariah Ridgeway- Winchester, KY; Creasy Mack-78,
b. 1819-Judge Arnold-Kentucky;
Joseph Goslin-67, b. March 1842-Sylvester Goslin-Boone, MO; Edmund Cook-82,
b. 15 February 1815 (d. 1898)-Ishmeal Vanhorn- Fort Loudon, VA;
Samford (?) Estes-47, b. 15 April 1850 (d. 1899-Mrs. Maria Kirtley-Columbia;
Squire Smith-72-Judge Maupin-Bourbon, KY;
Martha Scott-not given-John Houston-MO;
Eliza E. Miller-47, b. 1850 (d. 1899)- David Gordon-Columbia;
Edward Lawson-53, b. 1844-Dr. J. B. Brown Gartion-Charleston, NC; Harriet
Bledsoe-b. 15 June 1802-Robert Bledsoe-Georgia;
Matilda Harris-52, b. 1844-John Bivion-Columbia;
Ned Harris-56, b. 1840-Dr. Jacobs-Missouri;
Senia Williams-61, b. 1836-John Givvs-Scott, Kentucky; Mary Williams-50, b.
8 September 1846-David Gordon-Columbia;
Scott Blashears-67 or 68, b. March 1829-James Brashears-Howard, MO; Amanda
Brashears-66, b. 1830- Richard Robinson-Boone, MO; Reubin Fields-65, b.
1832-Jack Cotton-Boone, MO;
Jacob Smith-66, 5 March 1830-not given;
Caroline Smith-52, b. October 1844-not given;
Mollie Smith-55, b. 1841-not given; Sallie Payne-42, b. April 1855-John
Harris-Columbia;
Cynthia Boyce-101, b. 1796 (d. 29 January 1897)-Richard Boyace-Logan, KY;
George Bryant-73, b. 1824-Richard Bryant-Old Virginia;
Renalder Cowden-53, b. 1844-Hosier Cowden-Boone, MO;
Caroline Cowden-50, b. 1847-James Gordon-Columbia;
Sallie Bryant-62, b. 1835-Humes-Columbia;
Maria Frederick (mentions Miss Ella Richards of Boone Co.)-68, b. June
1829-Samuel Forwood-Jefferson Co., KY;
Jennie Conaway-45, b. 1852-James Ballenger-Columbia;
Marinda Coffa-77, b. Nov. 1820-Marion McKenny-Virginia;
Sandy Turner-72, b. 1825-Henderson Clarkson-For. E County, VA; Harriet
Turner-b. 1846-Captain Ship-For E County, VA;
George Maxwell-57, b. 1840- Maxwell's-Boone, MO;
Mildred Redman-52, b. 1845-John Clarkson-Virginia;
Luvenia Fielder-39, b. 1858-John Clarkson-Boone, MO;
Robert Knolls-67, b. 1830-John Clarkson-Virginia;
Charlotte Knoll-57, b. 1842-John Bivian-not given;
Johnson Carter-39, b. 1858-John Bivian-Virginia; Millie Beverly-34, b.
1863-John Bivians-not given;
Isabella Turner-55, b. 1842-John Armstor-Forie, VA;
Joel Williams-67, 2 February 1830-David Gordon-Boone, MO;
March Ford-75, b. 20 April 1822-Thomas Russel of Linus Co., MO-Richmond, VA;
Lucretia Farmer-69, b. 11 January 1828-Thomas Russel of Linus Co.,
MO-Richmond, VA;
Margaret Baker-65, b. 1832- Judge Young-Callaway, MO;
Naggie Carter-62, b. 29 October 1837- John Woodson-Boone, MO; Robert
Carter-64, b. 1835-John Woodson-Boone, MO;
Emily Davis-60, b. 30 March 1832-John Woodson-Boone, MO;
Abe Davis-60, b. 1830-John Woodson-Boone, MO; Edmund Cook-82, b. 14 December
1815-Ishmeal Van Horn-Vater Foot, Loudon Co., VA; James A. Buckner-51, 14
December 1846-Susan Ruttle-Boone Co., MO; Jane Jackson-not given-Billie
McClure-Boone Co., MO;
Joe Harris-58-Athy Barnett-Boone Co, MO;
Daniel Priar-58, b. 1840-Michael Robereson.

Robert S.Davis, Jr, M. Ed., is the director of the Family & Regional
History Program at Wallace State College, Hanceville, Alabama, where he
teaches classes in family history and conducts research field trips to
libraries and archives across the country. He lectures throughout the
country. The Family & Regional History Program is also a center for
genealogy for the general public. Mr. Davis is the author of more than 500
articles on genealogy, records, history, and education, including two books
on Georgia research.