Category: Virginia

Clarke County, Virginia 1837

1/30/2019

In 1837, Phillip Nilson of Long Branch, Clarke County, Virginia emancipated
Anthony and Susan Anderson and
Thomas and Catherine Cook.
Witnessed by
Ann Revence,
T F Nilson and
R K Mocade

0 Comments

Infirm former servants of R E Lee 1868, the Arlington Estate

4/18/2017

0 Comments

On August 5th, 1868, J C Abeel was asked to supply rations and fuel to the 'infirm former servants of R E Lee'. They were living on land alloted to them on the Arlington Estate in the vicinity of the Freedmans' Village in the District of Colombia.
Clem Norris age 85~born c1783
Sallie Norris age 78~born c1790
Lawrence Parks age 80~born c1788
Austin Brannin age 74~born c1794
Estella Brannin age 60~born c1808
Charles Syphax age 78~born c1790
Louisa Bingham age 65~born c1803

In the 1870 US Federal Census there is a Sallie Norris living in Alexandria with Leonard Norris and Lesley Norris and the Hoffman family, Sarah, Edward & Arcelia, all recorded as people of colour. I cannot confirm if this is the same Sallie Norris who was enslaved by the Lee family.

On Oct. 23rd 1868, Charles Syphax is once again mentioned in correspondence between Elias Plummer and General Howard. The letter states that Charles Syphax has been renting 10 acres of land on the Arlington Estate, west of the canal.

Reference is also made to the above freed people in April 1867 when E B Gates wrote that 'it is expedient' that they be allowed to continue to live with their relatives and not be removed to the 'Home'.

This research was conducted as a contribution to the #SlaveNameRollProject in hope that families may be reunited with their ancestors. If you can add any information to what became of this family which might assist their descendants in connecting to them, you are welcome to do so in the comments box below.
slavenamerollproject.blogspot.ie/

Sources
District of Colombia, Freedmans' Bureau, Local Superintendant for Washington & Georgetown
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L937-NJ7Y?i=514&cc=2333782
1870 US Federal Census, Virginia
Charles Syphax on the Arlington Estate
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L937-NN49?mode=g&i=549&cc=2333782
April 1867
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L937-NX7W?i=459&cc=2333782

0 Comments

James Givens Tallahassee, Florida 1868

3/29/2017

0 Comments

James Givens was born c1826 in Newnanburg, Virginia. His mother was named Letty and his father, James. Letty and James were 'sold and carried to Tennessee' c1842. James Senior died shortly after arriving in Tennessee. At the age of 3yrs, James Junior 'went to Warren County, North Carolina.' He left Warren County, North Carolina in 1859.
James had the following brothers and sisters; Bolice ?, Archer and Ailsie who died before 1868 and Billy, Nelson, Jack, Patsy and Loc...oa who 'may be still living' (in 1868.)
In 1868, James Givens was living in W Branch Place, Live Oak, Tallahassee, Leon, Florida with his wife Rhoda and children, Amy age 16, Letty age 14, Peter age 7, Hope? age 6. Sancho age 5, Harry age 2, Patsy 7 months. There is also a son James listed and a Norah whose name is crossed out.
The highlighted names are the names of those born prior to Emancipation.

The 1850 US Federal Census Slave Schedules list Givens slaveholders in Botetourt County, Bath County, Highland County, Augusta County, Giles County, and Monroe County, Virginia.
There are no Givens slaveholding families in North Carolina in 1850 which suggests that James Junior may have gone to Warren County, NC when his mistress married. There are 272 Givens marriages in Virginia between 1827-1830.

I was unable to locate the family in Florida under the name Givens in the US Federal Census 1870. However I did find a Sancho White living in the household of Anthony Grayson, a farmer in Jacksonville, Florida.
If you know this family, I would be grateful if you would post in the comments below so that the family might be reunited.

This research has been undertaken as a contribution to the #SlaveNameRollProject at
slavenamerollproject.blogspot.ie/

Sources
Freedman's Bank Records
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DYFQ-3MB?mode=g&i=50&cc=1417695
Anthony Grayson US Federal Census 1870
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-XKGP-56?mode=g&i=102&cc=1438024

0 Comments

Hannah Blake & her son Benjamin Pitts, Louisville, Kentucky

1/16/2017

2 Comments

Hannah Blake of Louisville, Kentucky made a claim to the Freedmen's Bureau in respect of her son Benjamin Pitts who served in the U.S. Coloured Troops. Benjamin enlisted in Indianapolis and was killed at the Battle of Petersburg 1864/5.
Hannah was born in Augusta County, Virginia and at the time of her application was aged 49 years. She was described as a labourer, complexion Black, hair Black, eyes Black and 5 ft. 5.5 in. tall.

The remarks at the end of the page appear to be Hannah's own words
'Benjamin was a slave of William Pendleton, Jefferson County, Kentucky at the time he enlisted. I belonged to Doctor Abraham Brannon of Louisville at the time Benjamin enlisted.'

In the 1860 Slave Schedule William Pendleton of Bullitt County, Kentucky is listed as the slaveholder of 2 boys, one aged 16 and the other aged 10.

Abraham/Abram Brannon/O'Brannon is listed in the 1860 Slave Schedule in Louisville, Jefferson County as the slaveholder of 4 slaves,
1 Black Male age 52,
1 Mullatto Female age 49,
1 Black Female age 28,
1 Mullatto Female age 22.
He is listed as a Merchant, aged 39, with property of 67,000 (Real Estate) & 90,000 (Personal Property). His family are named Elizabeth (wife?) James R., Lizzie, Laura, Alice B, & Mattie. They are all Kentucky born.

The U.S Federal Census 1880 lists Hannah Blake age 57, born c. 1823 in Virginia of parents born in Virginia, living with her husband Benjamin Blake in Louisville, Jefferson County, Kentucky and her son John W born c. 1854. Benjamin Blake worked in the Tobacco Factory.
By 1900, Hannah Blake is aged 75 and widowed and described as the aunt of William Clark. She is living with (her son ?) John Blake, William Clark and his wife Laura Davis Clark, Laura's mother Phillis Davis, William Porter and Ellnora Felsco. Hannah is listed as the mother of 3 children with 2 living.
In 1910, Hannah is living with her son John W and his wife Emma. They have been married for 3 years
I have been unable to access the full death record but it appears that Hannah Blake died in 1913.

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

Sources
U.S. Freedmen's Bureau Claim Records 1865-1872
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89LD-W937-T?mode=g&i=652&cc=2333780
Battle of Petersburg
www.civilwar.org/battlefields/petersburg.html?tab=facts
U.S. Federal Census 1880
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GYYB-FMY?mode=g&cc=1417683
U.S. Index to Pension Files application no. 601382
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9T1N-Y17?mode=g&i=504&cc=1919699
U.S. Federal Census 1900
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRV4-YHT?mode=g&i=11&cc=1727033
U.S. Federal Census 1910
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRV4-YHT?mode=g&i=11&cc=1727033
Death Record 1913
familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:N9G1-MRX

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the above information, mistakes do happen. If you are aware of any please comment (gently) below with supporting links so that corrections can be made. Many thanks, M.

2 Comments

Clarke County, Virginia 1837

Infirm former servants of R E Lee 1868, the Arlington Estate

James Givens Tallahassee, Florida 1868

Hannah Blake & her son Benjamin Pitts, Louisville, Kentucky

Research

Archives

Categories

#RememberingforJustice

Contact Us