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Dr. David McDonogh 1822-1893

12/5/2018

Jersey City News 24 Jan 1893

In 1836, David McDonogh from Louisiana was sent by John McDonogh to Lafayette College. He studied medicine. Information from Lafayette suggests he was enslaved at the time of his arrival but was emancipated shortly afterwards. Imagine my delight to discover David McDonogh achieved his goal and became a Physician!
In 1860, Dr. David was living in Brooklyn, New York with his wife Elizabeth and their children Christiana (b 1853), Alice F, (b 1854) and John W, (b 1858), His Real Estate was valued at $1,000 and his Personal Estate at $1,500. Elizabeth was born in New Jersey and all the children were born in New York.
By 1870, David was still in New York with his wife Elizabeth but only Alice was still living at home.
In 1880, David, Elizabeth and Alice had moved to Newark, New Jersey. David's mother's place of birth is recorded as Virginia and there is no record of his father's place of birth. Elizabeth's parents were recorded as having been born in New Jersey and Elizabeth as Pennsylvania which contradicts the 1860 Census record.

Lafayette College
exhibits.lafayette.edu/mcdonogh/exhibits/show/mcdonogh/mcdonoghletters
1860 Census
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GBS6-9SRB?i=118&cc=1473181
1870 Census
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8F7-1MW
1880 Census
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYBX-ZDD?cc=1417683
1886 New York Freeman, 3 Apr 1886
Marriage of Alice McDonagh to George Brown, Manhattan, New York
1893 Obituary Jersey City News 24 Jan 1893
Elizabeth McDonagh and Alice Brown, Roseline Brown & Grace Brown 1910
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DZF9-HXY?i=29&cc=1325221
Death of Alice Frances Brown 1917 Manhattan
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2WCD-47Y

New York Freeman, 3 Apr 1886

Mary Adams Spartanburg SC c1840-c1940

9/27/2018

Mary Adams was interviewed on South Liberty St., Spartanburg SC in 1937 by F S DuPre as part of the Federal Writers Project. The interview was edited by J J Murphy.

Mary Adams stated in her interview that she had been told that she was 90 years of age but that she herself did not believe that she was quite that old. Based on this information, I searched the 1930 US Federal Census for a Mary Adams born 1850-1860 living in Spartanburg SC. One record came up for a Mary Adams aged 76, a widow and owner of a house valued at $2000 living on South Liberty St.. number 363 which exactly matches the address supplied by DuPre in 1937.
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RZC-5H?i=32&cc=1810731

In 1920 Mary Adams is recorded living in South Liberty St. her age is recorded as 70 and her occupation as laundress. This might well be the reason she describes herself as being unable to work in 1937 because her fingers weren't straight.
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9RX8-HDF?i=26&cc=1488411

In 1900, Mary Adams is recorded again living in Liberty St. with her SC born husband Alfred Adams, age 50, occ. Blacksmith, and children, Alice (27), Thomas (24), Agnes (22), Willie (21), Robert (19), James (15), Samuel (13), Zelia (11), Marie (8) and boarder Corrie Ruth (26). Alfred and Mary's marriage year is given as 1873. Mary is recorded as the mother of 9 children all of whom are living.
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-6SQS-ZW4?i=10&cc=1325221

In 1880, Alfred was a farmer in Spartanburg County, living with wife Mary, a washerwoman and daughters Alice & Agnes and sons Thomas & William. Alfred is described as Mullato with parents born in Virginia which differs from the information supplied in later Census.
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYBJ-3PY?i=18&cc=1417683

In the 1937 interview Mary Adams names the slaveholder of herself and her mother as Dr C E Fleming, of Glenn Springs, Spartanburg County. Glenn Springs was named for John B Glenn who established an inn there in 1825 so that wealthy people could partake of the healing waters of the spring. In 1835 stock was sold so that an elegant hotel could be built there and the railroad ran from Becka (now known as Roebuck) to the inn in the early 1900's.

Charles E Fleming served as Assistant Surgeon in the Confederate Army, in the 22nd Regiment, South Carolina Infantry.
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F9VC-9WL

Dr Charles Edwin Fleming died 23 Jun 1894 in Spartanburg. His wife Elizabeth Dean survived him.
www.findagrave.com/memorial/53016539

His home in 1880 was in Dean St., Spartanburg a walk of 8 minutes from Mary Adams' home in Liberty St.
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9YBJ-Q17?i=15&cc=1417683

Tena Brynum, Sumter SC 1850-1915

8/19/2018

Tena Brynum was born on May 12 1850 in Sumter, South Carolina, the daughter of Joe Brynum & Jena Johnson, both of Sumter, South Carolina. She died on June 7 1915 and was buried in Walker Cemetary. Although there are 308 records for Walker Cemetary on findagrave, I cannot find one for a Tena Brynum.
The informant was R Richardson, Sumter SC. I am wondering if this was Robin H Richardson of Middleton aged 50 in 1910 but cannot verify that at this time.

Sources
Death Cert 1915
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N9FK-D3J
Walker Cemetary
www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2261494/memorial-search?page=2#sr-108702770
Possible informant
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M56M-65L

Turpin Wilkerson, Louisville, Kentucky 1865

7/17/2018

Turpin Wilkerson opened his bank account in the Freeman's Bank on Nov 14, 1865.
He was born in Lincoln County, Kentucky and lived in Louisville at the time he opened his account.
Turpin was a logman at a sawmill and his 'Master' is named as A O Brannin of Louisville, KY.
He was unmarried.
Turpin was 5ft 7in tall and described as 'light yellow' in complexion.

The 1870 US Federal Census tells us that A O Brannin was born in Kentucky c1819/20 and that he was a wealthy Corn Merchant. His Real Estate was valued at $50,000 and his Personal Estate at $20,000. His household consisted of (wife?) Elizabeth and (daughters?) Alice, Martha & Sophonia.

In 1872, the death of a Turpin Wilkinson is recorded in Louisville, KY. This record would be worth exploring to see if it is the same Turpin Wilkerson.

Sources
1870 US Federal Census, Kentucky, A O Brannin (Abraham Owen)
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXW6-237
1880 US Federal census, Kentucky A O Brannin
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCZ9-M2Y
Death of Abraham Owen Brannin
www.findagrave.com/memorial/101120040
Death of Turpin Wilkinson, Louisville, KY
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FWYJ-SP6

In 1850 in Kentucky there were 8 slaveholders with the name Brennan & variants.
John Brennan, Fayette County, 9 enslaved people
Ial W Brannin, Henry County, 15 enslaved people
Paul Brannin, Henry County, 21 enslaved people
B W Brannon, Shelby County, 3 enslaved people
A O Brannin, Jefferson County. 5 enslaved people
Stephen T Brannon, Jefferson County, 1 enslaved person
James W Brannon, Jefferson County, 1 enslaved person
William Brannon, Nelson County, 4 enslaved people

Sources
US Federal Census (Slave Schedules) 1850 Kentucky
John Brennan, Fayette County
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-DCF3-2W6?i=11&cc=1420440

US Federal Census (Slave Schedules) 1850 Kentucky
Ial W Brannin, Henry County
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6311-TZ?i=24&cc=1420440

US Federal Census (Slave Schedules) 1850 Kentucky
Paul Brannin, Henry County
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-631Y-WZ?i=2&cc=1420440

US Federal Census (Slave Schedules) 1850 Kentucky
B W Brannon, Shelby County
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-69PQ-B7Q?i=45&cc=1420440

US Federal Census (Slave Schedules) 1850 Kentucky
A O Brannin, Jefferson County
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6319-M6L?i=57&cc=1420440

US Federal Census (Slave Schedules) 1850 Kentucky
Stephen T Brannon, Jefferson County (m Adaline Maria Cannon Apr 22 1841 Jefferson, KY)
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-631B-G7?i=45&cc=1420440

US Federal Census (Slave Schedules) 1850 Kentucky
James W Brannon, Jefferson County
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-631Y-N7?i=42&cc=1420440

US Federal Census (Slave Schedules) 1850 Kentucky
William Brannon, Nelson County
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-69PQ-BD7?i=32&cc=1420440

Oney, Abbeville, South Carolina 1807

7/16/2018

The Will of William Hairston, Abbeville, South Carolina, proven 1807, bequeths 'one Negro woman, Oney' to his wife Ann. Also named in the Will are William's daughter, Jane Brown and son Peter Hairston, James, John, William & Thomas Hairston & Agnes Martin.
The executors were James Lomax Son & John Brannan.
The witnesses were James Lomax Junior, Stith Howlett & Elijah Thomas

Source
www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/ViewImage.aspx?imageNumber=S108093000200532000a.jpg&recordId=296247

In 1790, William Hearston is recorded in the Census in Abbeville, South Carolina.
2 Free white males of 16 & upwards incl. Head of House
3 Free white males under 16
3 Free white females

In 1800, William Hairston is recorded in the Census again. He appears to be living on the land of Francis Pistell with 13?? in household and 5 enslaved people. (I am not familiar with the style of record keeping and am open to correction)

Sources
1790 Census
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYBZ-C3T?i=9&cc=1803959
1800 Census
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9R8K-6DQ?i=7&cc=1804228

This research was undertaken as a contribution to the Slave Name Roll Project, the Beyond Kin Project and the Sheila Hightower-Allen DNA Project.

Our African American Cousins

7/11/2018

Like many Irish people I grew up with a minimal (inaccurate) picture of slavery, 'It happened in America and the Caribbean and Irish people were not involved' would probably be the extent of what we were taught. This however was not the case, Thanks to the work of Liam Hogan of Limerick we now have an increasing understanding of Ireland's involvement in slavery.

Researchers at the University of London have created an online database of those who were compensated by the British Government in the 1830's for the 'losses' they experienced after the abolition of slavery in most of the British Colonies on August 1, 1834. At the request of Daniel O'Connell, the names of those receiving compensation were made public. From the database, Liam Hogan has made a list of Irish people who received compensation. You can read it here
www.thejournal.ie/readme/irish-slaveowners-compensation-1587899-Jul2014/

However, Ireland's involvement in slavery did not end in the 1830's. Research into the 1850 and 1860 Slave Schedules in America reveals Irish people or people of Irish descent as slaveholders.
One example is John McDonagh 1779-1850 New Orleans who was the son of John & Elizabeth McDonagh of Baltimore, Maryland who were both born in Ireland. At the time of his death, John McDonagh's net worth was found to be in excess of 2 million US dollars.

The reality of Ireland's deeper involvement in slavery will not come as a surprise to many Irish people who have undergone DNA testing and have discovered African American cousins. Just recently, my Autosomal DNA results have identified my own African American cousins, Brian Sheffey & Donya Williams, genealogy researchers & teachers, who have roots in Edgefield, South Carolina. Research into our connection is ongoing under the auspices of the Sheila Hightower-Allen Memorial Fund in partnership with Howard University, Washington D.C. Updates will follow as we gather more information.

Sources
Legacies of British Slave-ownership
www.ucl.ac.uk/lbs/
Follow Liam Hogan on Twitter @Limerick1914
Follow the Sheila Hightower-Allen Memorial Fund in partnership with Howard University @genealogadvent
Comes to the Light by Donya C Williams www.bookdepository.com/Comes-to-the-Light/9781975649951

If you are aware of Irish born slaveholders or slaveholders of Irish descent in America please let me know in the comments below or on Twitter @martinewrites so that I can add them into the database I am building. Many thanks.

George Nichols, David Briscoe, Stephen Boardly, A.A. County, Maryland

7/1/2018

On June 21st 1859, George Nichols, David Briscoe & Stephen Boardly ran away from John H Capels of Ann Arundell County, Maryland. John H Capels placed this advert. in the Sun newspaper in July of the same year. After finding this record on genealogybank.com I immediately began to search for John H Capels in the 1860 Census. What I found surprised me. Stephen Boardly and George Nichols(on) are recorded as freemen in the household of John H Capels. They, along with, John Nicholson, Richard Thomas & Hezekiah Thomas are farmhands.

In the 1870 US Federal Census, George Nicholson & Eliza Nicholson are recorded on the same page as John H Capels.

Sources
US Federal Census 1860
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M693-5JG
US Federal Census 1870
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-6F7S-937?i=53&cc=1438024
Memorial John H Capels 1872
www.findagrave.com/memorial/53441054
Ann Arundell County is also given as Anne Arundel County

John McDonagh 1779-1850 New Orleans

6/19/2018

I remember seeing this image as a child, little thinking that as an adult I would stand outside McDonagh #19 in the Lower 9th in New Orleans. The picture was taken November 14 1960 when three little girls, Gail Etienne, Tessie Prevost and Leona Tate broke the illegal segregation of McDonagh High School #19 by being the first Black Children to attend the school. On the same day Ruby Bridges attended a second Lower 9th New Orleans School, William Frantz Elementary, also accompanied by US Federal Marshals.

The legal decision known as Brown v The Board of Education 1954 had made school segregation illegal but as late as 1959 a poll of white parents in New Orleans showed that 78% wanted to continue with segregated schools. Judge J Skelly Wright had formally issued an order for the schools to desegregate in 1956 but he did not set a date for this to happen until 1960.

White parents began to remove their children from the schools almost immediately and angry white parents protested outside the schools. Death threats were made against the children. On the second day, the boycott was broken by Pam Foreman, age 5, who, accompanied by her father, Rev. Lloyd Anderson Foreman, walked through the angry mob, to attend school. In the following days, students began to return to school However by 1970 the white population of the Lower 9th fell by 77%, with many families moving to St. Bernard Parish.

Later that evening, as I began to absorb what I had learned that day, I became curious about the John McDonagh who had endowed the school and 27 others in New Orleans. I began to wonder was he an Irishman.
John McDonagh was born in Baltimore, Maryland in 1779 the son of Irish parents John and Elizabeth McDonagh. In 1800, he was sent to Liverpool. England to acquire goods for the Louisiana trade and after a second successful trip he decided to make his home in New Orleans. By the time of his death in 1850, his net worth was calculated at almost 2 million US dollars. He never married and left his estate almost entirely in trust for the establishment of schools for poor white and free Black children. The New Orleans Public School system had been established in 1841 and in spite of the Will being contested, the New Orleans Public School system received $704.440 in 1858.
John McDonagh's wealth was amassed through his many business activities which included slaveholding.
In the 1830 US Federal Census there are 87 enslaved people recorded as his property.
In 1840, 192 enslaved people.
In 1850, 58 enslaved people.

In reality, the people he enslaved were the source of the $704,440 dollar contribution to the New Orleans Public School system. Here are some of their names;
Nero, document date 1810
Anna/Hannah, and her (unnamed) children. ( document date 1838 and for all named beneath)
Hagar and her (unnamed) children
Dolly and her (unnamed) children
Sophie and her (unnamed) children
Jerry
George Calhoun
David Crockett
Houma
Henry, occupation carpenter
William, occupation carpenter
George, occupation carpenter
Jane/Jenny and her (unnamed children)
Phillip
Jenny, Phillip's wife and their (unnamed children)
Long Mary
Richard
Old Harry
John Defage
Old John
Mark
Noel
Tanness/Denis
James Thornton
Gabriel

Toby Grey, recorded as a Freeman (Mullato)1850

In 1822, John McDonagh devised a manumission scheme for the people he had enslaved. Under this scheme it usually took about 15 years for enslaved people to gain their freedom. I have been unable, at this time, to access the legal documents this scheme would have created. He was also an active member of the American Colonization Society which hired ships for enslaved people to go to Liberia.
In a letter written May 30th 1842, to Rev. W McClain, John McDonagh identified the following people bound for Liberia on the ship Mariposa;
James, an African by birth
Henrietta , his wife
McGeorge, his son
Ellie, his son
Molly daughter of Henrietta
Harriet
Emanuel
Charity daughter of Molly
Anne
Willis

James Gray
Milly or Amelia, his wife,
Elizabeth his daughter
Louis their son

Richard, a minister of the gospel aged about 50 years.
Mark

Cuffy
Maria, his wife
Charles, their son,
Lucy their daughter
Maria their daughter
Sarah Anne

Peter
Diana his wife
Thomas their son

Judy,
Galloway, his son
Juda daughter of Juda[y] ,
Jenny aged 35 years.
John his son,
Orleans his son
Alfred his son

Simon
Mary wife of Simon
Winny their child a girl
Benjamin their son

George
Elisa their daughter

Phillis
George Ellis her son,

Joshua
Charles Mason his brother (brother of Joshua)

Cornelius
Susan sister of cornelius

Augustine Lombart(d)
Julia wife of Augustine Lombard
Jonathan their son

Dabney aged 19 years honest and faithful man.

Jack
Becky sister of Jack
Matilda sister of Jack
Randal a brother of Jack

Nancy
Dime and daughter of Nancy

Katy
Henry son of katy
Isaac son of Katy

Elisa
John son of Elisa

Jenny (called little jenny)
Letty a daughter of Jenny
Daniel a son of Jenny

Polly

Bridget
Bridget her daughter

Sally
Samuel his son

Rhina
Andrew son of Rhina 13 years,
Caroline daughter of Rhina ,
Robert carter , son of Rhina
Baltamore son of Rhina
Catherine a daughter of Rhina

Precilla
Moses his her son
William his son .

Washington W. McDonogh son of Phillis 21 years of age a christian missionary educated at the Lafayette College in Pennsylvania. (Washington McDonogh and David McDonogh, of Louisiana, enrolled in Lafayette College in 1836. Upon arrival they were enslaved but were freed whilst still in the college. Thomas McDonogh Durnford enrolled in 1840. I have no information about Thomas at this time. Between 1832-1846, 10 students of color were enrolled in Lafayette. The next two black students to enroll was in 1947 when two Tuskeegee airmen enrolled, Roland Brown and David Showell. The first black fulltime professor, Earl Peace was appointed in 1971. Upon his arrival in Liberia, Washington became a teacher in the school run by Robert and Catherine Sawyer.) Updated 3/12/2018

(Ages, occupation and other information available in the letter dated 1842, see below)

The image underneath Sources is a record from 1859 of the enslaved people who made the journey to Liberia pursuant to the terms of John McDonagh's Will.

Sources
The Will of John McDonagh (written 1838, proven 1850)
quod.lib.umich.edu/cgi/t/text/pageviewer-idx?c=moa&cc=moa&xc=1&idno=abk9835.0001.001&g=moagrp&q1=McDonogh&frm=frameset&view=image&seq=3

Letter written by John McDonagh to Rev. W McClain 1842
exhibits.lafayette.edu/mcdonogh/items/show/2484

Nero 1810
www.ibiblio.org/laslave/individ.php?sid=45914

Toby Grey 1850
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DHZ3-LMT?i=41&cc=1401638

1859 the ship Rebecca bound for Liberia
exhibits.lafayette.edu/mcdonogh/items/show/2500

John McDonagh Baptism 1780
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4ZX-6B5
James (brother of John) Baptism 1790
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4ZX-XZT
Margaret (sister) McDonagh Baptism 1793
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4ZX-XFL
Jane (sister) McDonagh named in the Will above
Death of Elizabeth (mother) McDonagh
www.findagrave.com/memorial/8488571
Death of John (father) McDonagh
www.findagrave.com/memorial/8488571
Memorial John McDonagh 1779-1850
www.findagrave.com/memorial/34232918
US Federal Census 1830
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHP1-J67
US Federal Census 1840
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHTD-FSR
US Federal Census 1850
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-68N7-35X?i=164&cc=1420440
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-68N7-MR7?i=2&cc=1420440
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCJ4-BWG

Lafayette College
www.lafayettestudentnews.com/blog/2016/02/26/race-and-diversity-in-lafayettes-history-looking-back-at-the-history-of-lafayettes-black-students/

Sincere thanks for his assistance to
Mr. Leon A. Waters, Historian & Author of On To New Orleans: Louisiana’s Heroic 1811 Slave Revolt
Any mistakes are my own.

Joel Early, Greene County, Georgia 1806

5/23/2018

Extract from the Will of Joel Early, Greene County, Georgia July 18 1806
Georgia Wills & Probate Records 1742-1992, Wills Vol A-G 1786-1877
Executors
Davis Gresham
Archibald Gresham
Charles Tait

To my son Peter Early, the following negroes
Daniel
Kate
Jimmy
Tom
Mima

To my son Jeremiah Early
Violet
Is....
Alsa
Barbary
Flora
Joe
Tiller

To the Trustees
Dinah
Jim
Taylor
Critta

To the Trustees to be held in Trust for my daughter Lucy
Esther
Bacchus
Bob
Rachel
Amy
Rose
Hercules
Hannah
Venus
Darby
Cato
Simon
Jane Hill and Moll

To the Trustees to be held in trust for my son Joel (1793-1851)
Roger
Cuff
Eap
Boson
??
Jude
Delsa
Harry
Jays
Edmand
??
Queen
Fedelia
Sale
Bett
Phillip

Daughter Polly Watkins also mentioned in Will
information not transcribed at this time.

See also
www.martinebrennan.com/african-american-genealogy/greene-county-georgia-1802
Joel Early 1850 Slave Schedules
www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-63J3-5BR?i=22&cc=1420440
Joel Early 1793-1851
www.findagrave.com/memorial/73326818

#Manumission Kent County, Pennsylvania

4/9/2018

On the 17th day of the 3rd month 1792 Mary Turley of Kent County, Pennsylvania manumitted the following enslaved people that she had inherited from her brother William Turley who died intestate
Jane aged 22 years & her daughter Sarah aged 20 months & her son Robert aged 5 months
Rachel aged 19 years & her daughters Hessee aged 3 years & Margaret aged 2 years

Witnesses Warner Miffin & Sarah Miffin

This research was undertaken as a contribution to the #SlaveNameRollProject
slavenamerollproject.blogspot.ie/