£

CHURCH FAMILY

Members of the Church family on the Eastern Shore of Virginia were

i. Susanna, born say 1674, a "Molatto" presented by the Accomack County court on 16 November 1692 for having an illegitimate child [Orders 1690-7, 81a].

1     ii. Samuel¹, born say 1677.

iii. Stephen¹, a tithable in Northampton County, Virginia, in 1720, a "negro" tithable in the household of Tamer Mapp in 1737, a tithable in John Haggoman's household in 1738, and a tithable in Adam Fisher's household in 1739 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 26, 79, 259, 281, 287]. He was sued on 12 February 1724/5 for assault by John Coffin and put in the stocks for an hour for misbehavior towards the court [Orders 1722-9, 164, 174]. He was sued by Godfrey Pole for a debt of £4 which was executed against his security Elizabeth Church on 9 October 1728 [Orders 1722-9, 354]. On 10 November 1730 he was presented for incontinent living with Elizabeth Church but was discharged because the case was insufficiently proved. However, the case against Elizabeth was proved and she was fined 50 pounds of tobacco and ordered to give security of £10 not to cohabit with him. Stephen was presented again on 9 November 1731 for incontinent living with Elizabeth Church and the case was again discharged for insufficient evidence at his costs [Orders 1729-32, 50, 57, 66, 74, 116-7, 124]. Elias Roberts sued him for debt on 13 February 1733/4 [Orders 1732-42, 94].

iv. William, a "Mulatto" ordered by the Accomack County court to receive 39 lashes on 4 June 1735 for stealing some soap from Joshua Melson [Orders 1731-6, 156a, 161].

 

1.    Samuel¹ Church, born say 1677, was tithable in Northampton County, Virginia, in 1720 and tithable with his wife Elizabeth from 1725 to 1742. John Lunn, probably a white man, was a tithable in his household from 1724 to 1728 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 22, 39, 63, 77, 106, 128, 144, 193, 226, 247, 249, 264, 278, 283, 310, 322, 339]. Elizabeth, or perhaps a sister-in-law by the same name, was presented for bastard bearing on 17 November 1719. Samuel and his wife Elizabeth were sued in Northampton County in December 1722 for verbally abusing Josiah Cowdrey. Samuel sued John Drighouse, "Negro," for assault and battery, but the case was dismissed on 13 March 1722/3 when neither party appeared. Elizabeth brought an action upon the case against John Haggoman on 12 March 1724/5 and a case of assault and battery against Elias Roberts in July 1725. On 15 June 1726 Samuel and his wife Elizabeth acknowledged a deed for land to John Marshall. He and his wife Elizabeth were granted levy-free status due to their old age and poor circumstances on 13 November 1742 [Orders 1719-21, 44; 1722-9, 41, 58, 175, 194, 245; 1742-8, 31]. They may have been the parents of

i. Thomas, born say 1710, a 10-16 year old tithable in the household of Ezekiel Church in 1724 and tithable in Samuel Church's household from 1728 to 1731. He was sued for trespass on 10 August 1731, and on 13 March 1733/4 he was presented for living incontinently with Elizabeth Monk, wife of William Monk. Elizabeth Church, wife of Samuel Church, was summoned as a witness. The court ruled that there was too great a familiarity between them and Thomas was ordered to post bond of £20 not to cohabit with Elizabeth Monk [Orders 1732-42, 99, 103, 109, 113]. He and his wife Susannah Church were tithables from 1739 to 1744 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 56, 283, 310, 322, 338, 356, 357]. On 12 May 1747 Susannah was called Susannah Johnson alias Church when she was presented for "intermarrying or cohabiting with Thomas Church, a mulato." However, the following month on 10 June the King's attorney discontinued the suit, and granted his wife tax-free status, "it appearing to the court that the said Thomas is a white person." He was sued for swearing on 12 April 1749 [Orders 1742-8, 402-3, 422; 1748-51, 53, 95].

ii. Samuel², Jr., born say 1712, a 10-16 year old tithable in Ezekiel Church's household in 1724, a 12-16 year old tithable in Samuel Church's household in 1728.

 

Another member of a Church family in Virginia was

i. Sarah, born say 1722, presented by the Amelia County court on 21 November 1740 for having a "Mulatto Child" [Orders 1:132].

 

CHURCHWELL FAMILY

1.    Mary Churchwell, born say 1742, was head of a Buxton's District, Nansemond County household of 4 whites (free persons) in 1783 [VA:57]. She was probably the mother of

i. Charles, born say 1760, a "Mulatto" head of a household of no whites in Buxton's District of Nansemond County in 1784 [VA:74].

2     ii. Samuel¹, born say 1762.

iii. Liddy, born about 1769, registered in Petersburg on 11 July 1805: a brown Mulatto woman, five feet four inches high, bushy brown, rather fine, rather thin long hair, thirty six years old, born free in Nansemond County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 337]. She was head of a Petersburg household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:118a], perhaps the Lydia Churchwell who was head of a household of 2 "Free Negroes & Mulatoes" above the age of 16 in Norfolk City in 1813 [PPTL 1804-14, frame 276].

 

2.    Samuel¹ Churchwell, born say 1762, was a "Mulatto" head of a household of no whites in Buxton's District of Nansemond County in 1784 [VA:74]. He may have been the father of

i. Polly, born about 1787, twenty-five years of age on 20 July 1812 when she registered in Norfolk County: 5 feet 4 In. of a Yellowish Complexion. Born free as appears by the Oath of John Price [Register of Free Negros & Mulattos, #75].

ii. Samuel², born 1776-1799, a "Free Negro" living in Nansemond County in 1815 [PPTL, 1815-1837, frames 10, 51].

 

CHURTON FAMILY

1.    Joseph Churton, born say 1750, was called "Negroe Joe late the property of Mr. William Churton of this County deceased and sett free by the last Will and Testament of the said William Churton for meritorious services" on 17 March 1768 when the Chowan County court approved the manumission [Minutes 1766-72, 366]. He was a "black" taxable in William Boyd's list for the town of Edenton in 1769 [CR 024.701.2], head of a Chowan County household of 1 "other free" in 1790 [NC:19] and 1 "other free" and 3 slaves in 1800 [NC:114]. On 26 December 1785 his son Alfred Churton was bound as an apprentice barber to Francis Peyrinnaut in Chowan County (no race indicated) [North Carolina Apprentice bonds and records Chowan County 1737-1811, frame 1371 of 1934, https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/766317]. He was the father of

i. Alfred, born about 1772, a Chowan County taxable in the town of Edenton in an undated list: taxed on 1 free poll and 1-1/2 town lots [CR 024.701.2]. He was taxable on 1 free poll in a 1797 list of Edenton tithables and taxed on 1 free and a slave poll in 1799 [NCGSJ XVI:219; XVII:225], head of a Chowan County household of 1 "other free" and 2 slaves in 1800 [NC:114], 2 "other free" and 2 slaves in 1810 [NC:528], and 2 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:130].

ii. Mariann, taxable on 1 poll and 1-1/2 town lots in Edenton in an undated Chowan County tax list [CR 24.701.2].

 

CLARK FAMILY

1.    Judith Clarke, the servant of Joshua Slade of York Parish, York County, Virginia, confessed in court on 24 August 1694 that she committed the "sinn of fornication with a Negro" [DOW 10:3, 28]. She may have been the ancestor of

i. ____, husband of Mary Roberts who was named in the 19 September 1749 York County will of her mother Mary Roberts [W&I 20:163]. They may have been the parents of John Clarke, a "free Mulatto" who was living in York County on 19 May 1760 when the court ordered him bound by the churchwardens of Charles Parish to Merritt Moore [Judgments & Orders 1759-63, 143].

ii. James¹, born say 1740, taxable with his wife in Bladen County, North Carolina, in 1768 ("Mulatoes") [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:5], head of a Marlboro County, South Carolina household 7 "other free" in 1800 [SC:59].

iii. Cooper, born say 1743, taxable with his wife in Bladen County, North Carolina, in 1768 ("Mulatoes") [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:5], head of a Marlboro County household of 2 "other free" in 1800 [SC:59].

iv. Joseph, a "Mulato" taxable in Bladen County in 1770 and 1772 [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:44, 94].

v. James², head of Sumter County, South Carolina household of 11 "other free" in 1800 [SC:935], probably related to Azana Clark, head a Sumter County household of 9 "other free" in 1810 [SC:215a], and Mary Clark, head of a Sumter household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [SC:215a].

2     xi. John¹, born say 1765.

xii. William, born say 1770, a "Mulatto Boy" bound apprentice in Surry County, Virginia, on 28 June 1774 [Orders 1764-74, 451].

xiii. Thomas, born say 1773, married Hannah Ash, 30 June 1794 Southampton County bond, John Clark surety. He was head of a Northampton County, North Carolina household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [NC:431] and 2 "free colored" in Anson County in 1820 [NC:12].

xiv. Lemuel, born say 1774, taxable in Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, in 1797, a "Mulatto" taxable in 1799, a "free Negro" taxable on a horse from 1800 to 1812, taxable on 2 free male tithables in 1812 [PPTL 1792-1806, frames 241, 343, 443, 478, 586, 658, 723, 762, 872; 1807-21, frames 11, 94, 132, 250], and head of a Southampton County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:75]. He married Mary Williams, 29 January 1795 Isle of Wight bond, David Jones surety. In 1814 he brought a Southampton County chancery suit against Aaron Byrd and his wife over his wife Mary's part of the estate of her father John Williams [LVA Chancery file 1814-017]. He was a 50-year-old laborer from Southampton County who emigrated to Liberia aboard the ship Cyrus with his children and Harris Clarke (age 55) in 1824 [https://www.fold3.com/image/46670218].

xv. Wilson, taxable in Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, called a "Mulatto" in 1796, a "f.n." from 1804 to 1812 [PPTL 1792-1806, frames 218, 724, 873; 1807-21, frames 11, 94, 133, 250].

xvi. John/ Jack, born about 1772, registered in Southampton County on 18 September 1798: age 26, yellow man, 5 feet 9 inches, free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 123]. He was called John Clark, Jr., a "Mulatto" taxable in Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, in 1796, a "free Negro," who was taxable there in 1800 [PPTL 1792-1806, frames 218, 443]. His daughter Sally was named in the 18 December 1804 Southampton County will of John Williams [WB 6:18].

xvii. Nancy, born say 1775, head of a Southampton County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:78].

 

2.    John¹ Clark, born say 1765, a "Mulatto" taxable in Nottoway Parish, Southampton County, in 1796 [PPTL 1792-1806, frame 218], was surety for the Southampton County marriage bond of (his brother?) Thomas Clark and Hannah Ash on 30 June 1794. He was head of a Halifax County, North Carolina household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [NC:12]. Perhaps his children were

i. Anthony, born about 1790, head of a Halifax County household of 6 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:143] and 10 in 1830, perhaps the Anthony Clark who was head of a Richmond City, Wayne County, Indiana, household of 12 "free colored" in 1840.

ii. Reuben, born about 1809, described as a "child of color" when he was ordered bound out by the 20 May 1822 Halifax County court [Minutes 1822-4].

 

Another Clark family

1.    Catherine Clark, born say 1717, was the servant of Willoughby Newton, Gentleman, on 24 June 1735 when she admitted to the Westmoreland County court that she had a child by her master's "Negro Man Slave" Akey. The court ordered her sold for five years after the completion of her service [Orders 1731-9, 173a]. She may have been the ancestor of

2    i. William¹, born say 1755.

3    ii. William², born say 1756.

4    iii. Fanny,  born say 1760.

iv. George¹, born say 1762, married Levisay Evans, daughter of Hannah Evans, 13 May 1795 Amherst County bond, Leonard Clark surety. He was taxable in Amherst County from 1783 to 1801 and his estate was taxable on a horse in 1804 [PPTL 1782-1803, frames 23, 44, 97, 102, 166, 195, 225, 326, 393, 449, 515; 1804-23, frame 21]. He and William Clark purchased land on Mill and Porridge Creeks in Amherst County from Rawley Pinn on 18 March 1800 [DB I:161]. His widow Loisa Clark married Charles Johns of Bedford County by 10 October 1805 Amherst County bond, Lewis Martin surety, Susannah Clark witness. Charles Johns was a "Blackman" taxable in Bedford County in 1800 and a "Negr." taxable on 2 tithes in 1813 [PPTL 1800A, p.13].

5    v. James¹, born say 1764.

vi. Edmond, a "Mulatto" ordered bound out by the churchwardens of St. Ann's Parish in Essex County on 20 January 1772 [Orders 1770-2, 226].

 

2.    William¹ Clark, born say 1755, was granted 72 acres on the head branches of Pedlar River in Amherst County on 20 July 1780, and he purchased 100 acres on the branches of the south and middle forks of Pedlar River on 16 December 1796 for £100 [Patents E:282; DB H:130]. He was head of an Amherst County household of 7 whites (free persons) in the 1783 census (listed next to George Clark [VA:48] and 8 in 1785 [VA:85]. On 3 May 1785 the Amherst County court ordered that he, George Clark and William Ampey work on the road from Irish Creek Gap to Mill Creek, and on 6 October 1789 he, Peter Hartless, George Clarke, Leonard Clark, James Clark and Joseph Ailstock were ordered to work on the road from Blue Ridge at Irish Creek Gap to the three forks of Pedlar River [Orders 1784-7, 131; 1787-90, 590]. He was taxable in Amherst County from 1782 to 1820: with "CM" after his name in 1800, "Blue Ridge" from 1801-3, a "man of color" in 1811, 1812, and 1815, a "Mulatto" in 1813, a planter over the age of 45 in a list of "Free Negroes & Mulattoes" in 1816 and 1818. He was taxable on 2 tithes in 1794, 3 from 1795-1798, 4 from 1799-1803, 3 from 1804-7, 4 from 1809-10, and 5 from 1811-12 [PPTL 1782-1803, frames 9, 44, 70, 136, 225, 326, 370, 419, 479; 1804-23, frames 21, 165, 253, 326, 537, 584]. He married (second?) Nancy Williams, spinster, 3 September 1794 Amherst County bond, Leonard Clark surety. He and George Clark purchased land of unstated acreage (about 220) in Amherst County on Mill and Porridge Creeks on the east side of Buffalo Ridge from Rawley Pinn for £100 on 18 March 1800; he, George and Louisa Clark sold 104 acres on Christian's Mill Creek for £33; and on 19 October 1801 he, Ann Clark, George and Louisa Clark sold another 104 acres on Christian's Mill Creek for £31.10. On 4 April 1803 he made a replevy bond for his property: farm animals, tobacco and corn in the field, a violin and books, furniture, etc., to secure debts of £43 for rent, £15 on his account and £75 for John Clark [DB I:161, 259, 302, 606]. He was head of an Amherst County household of 9 "other free" in 1810 [VA:258]. He was the father of

i. ?Leonard, born say 1772, taxable in Amherst County from 1791 to 1807 [PPTL 1782-1803, frames 225, 347, 370, 419, 450; 1804-23, frames 21, 63, 144]. He married Sally Williams, 12 March 1796 Amherst County bond, William Clarke Surety, and was head of a Rockingham County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:290] and 8 "free colored" in Rockbridge County in 1830.

ii. ?Jane, born say 1780, married Henry Heartless, 25 June 1798 Amherst County bond, William Clarke surety.

iii. ?John, born say 1780, taxable in Amherst County from 1805 to 1815: called a "man of color" in 1811, 1812, 1815, a "Mulatto" in 1813 [PPTL 1804-23, frames 62, 208, 230, 253, 326] and head of an Amherst County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:299]. He married Mary Hartless, and he and Mary Clark were among members of the Hartless family who sold land on Pedlar River on 8 August 1818. They were living in Ohio on 8 April 1823 when they sold an additional 141 acres on Pedlar River to Reuben Peters [DB R:39].

iv. Nancy, daughter of William Clark, married James Clark in Amherst County on 20 September 1809 [Marriage Register, 217].

v. ?William³, Jr., born say 1795, a "Mulatto" taxable in Amherst County in 1813 [PPTL 1804-23, frame 253].

vi. ?George², a "Mulatto" taxable in Amherst County in 1813, a "man of color" taxable in 1815 [PPTL 1804-23, frames 253, 326].

vii. ?Henry, a "man of color" taxable in Amherst County in 1815 [PPTL 1804-23, frame 326].

 

3.   William² Clark, born about 1756, married Hannah Peters, 19 March 1785 Stafford County bond, William Peters surety [Madden, We Were Always Free, 195]. He was a "Mulatto" taxable in Culpeper County from 1790 to 1801 [PPTL 1782-1802, frames 640, 684, 818] and a "Free Mulatto" head of a Culpeper County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:18]. On 7 December 1816 he obtained "free papers" in Culpeper County which were recorded later in Ross County, Ohio: William Clerke, a Mulatto man, 50 or 60, 5'7", served in the Revolutionary War in 1780 and 1781...is a free man, who has a wife and several children, and wishes to visit his mother in law in Frederick Co., at Charles Carter's place. On 12 December 1816 Sally Peters, "a free woman of color," made oath in Rockingham County, Virginia, that Coleman (age 18) and Nicholas (13) were the sons of William and Hannah Clerk and were free born in Culpeper County [Turpin, Register of Black, Mulatto and Poor Persons, 20-21]. William (Sr.) was 64 years old on 22 August 1820 when he appeared in Culpeper County court to apply for a pension for his services in the Revolution. He stated that his family consisted of his wife, two daughters over the age of 21 and a grand daughter who was 3 years old. His wife Hannah was 80 years old on 18 August 1838 when she applied for a widow's pension and testified that her husband died on 8 December 1827 and his children were Willis Clark, William Clark, Kitty Madden (wife of Willis Madden), and Nicholas Clark [Madden, We Were Always Free, 191-199; NARA, W.6687, M804, roll 570, frame 795 of 940; https://www.fold3.com/image/1/13747831].  William and Hannah's children were 

i. Coleman, born about 1798 (perhaps the same person as Willis Clark).

ii. Kitty, born about 1800, registered in Culpeper County on 23 September 1822: a bright Mulatto Woman above the age of twenty one years five feet two inches high. She married Willis Madden [Madden, We Were Always Free, 64].

iii. William⁴, born about 1803.

iv. Nicholas.

 

4.    Fanny Clark, born say 1760, was living in Cumberland County, Virginia, on 22 May 1780 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Littleton Parish to bind her "mulattoe" son Harry Clark to Tucker Baughan [Orders 1779-84, 118]. She was the mother of

i. Harry, born say 1779, a "M^o" taxable in Powhatan County from 1803 to 1814, probably married in 1813 when he was listed with 2 "free Negroes & Mulattos" over the age of 16 in 1813 [PPTL 1787-1825, frames 254, 293, 397, 437, 456].

ii. Peter, born say 1782, "mulatto" son of Fanny ordered bound to Tucker Baughan in Cumberland County on 24 May 1784 [Orders 1784-6, 22].

 

5.    James Clark, born say 1764, was head of an Amherst County household of 9 "other free" in 1810 [VA:298]. On 19 July 1802 he and his wife Anny sold two tracts of land in Amherst County to Henry Hartless: one of 166 acres adjoining the Blue Ridge for £30 and the second of 100 acres for $100 [DB I:394-5]. He was taxable in Amherst County from 1789 to 1820: taxable on 2 tithables from 1803 to 1806, 1810 and 1811, 3 in 1812, called a "man of color" in 1811, 1812, and 1815, a "Mulatto" in 1813, in a list of "Free Mulattoes & Negroes with his unnamed son in 1814 and in 1816 when he was over the age of 45, living on his own plantation, and taxable on 3 tithables [PPTL 1782-1803, frames 166, 225, 348, 419, 584; 1804-23, frames 21, 103, 165, 209, 252, 326, 503, 549]. He married (second) Nancy Clark in Amherst County on 20 September 1809 [Marriage Register, 217]. He was the father of

i. Micajah, born say 1785, taxable in Amherst County from 1809 (called son of Jas.) a "man of color" in 1811, a "Mulatto" in 1813, in a list of "Free Mulattoes & Negroes in 1814 [PPTL 1804-23, frames 209, 252, 284, 328, 403]. He married Sally Duncan, on 15 November 1809 in Amherst County with the consent of Sally's parents, Ambrose and Jane Ambrose [Marriage Register, 218, 240]. Ambrose was called Ambrose Evans when he was head of an Amherst County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [VA:302]. Micajah was head of an Amherst County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:302]. He and Charles Evans were witnesses to the 7 May 1817 Amherst County marriage of Lydia Evans, daughter of Ambrose Evans, to John Gulliver [Marriage Register, 247].

ii. ?Nelson, born about 1793, applied to the Amherst County court in April 1851 for a certificate that he was a white man but registered as a "Free Negro" in Amherst County on 12 July 1860: brown complexion, 67 years of age, 5 feet 11 1/2 inches high, born in Bedford [Register of Free Negroes, no.339; Minutes 1848-52, 229].

iii. ?Benjamin H., born about 1800, registered in Amherst County on 22 August 1822: a free man of colour aged twenty two years five feet eight inches high of a bright yellow complection grey eyes with a natural mark on his right cheek and was born free & by occupation a waterman [Register of Free Negroes, no. 10].

iv. ?James², born about 1801, registered on 12 July 1860: dark brown complexion, 59 years of age...born in Amherst [Register of Free Negroes, no.338].

 

Another Clark family

1.    Rachel Clark, born say 1730, was a "Widow Woman" who was summoned by the Craven County, North Carolina court on 10 May 1759 to bring her children to the next court to have them bound apprentices [Minutes 1758-61, 28a]. She died before 10 October 1767 when Edward Franck of Craven County was ordered by the court to receive her "Molatto Orphans" in his care until they could be indentured by the next court [Minutes 1767-75, 52a]. Her children named in the court order were

i. Joseph, born say 1755.

ii. Moses, born say 1758.

iii. ?Mariah, head of a Craven County household of 2 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:77].

 

COBB FAMILY

1.    John Cobb, born about 1690, was not yet fourteen on 29 December 1702 when he asked the Northampton County, Virginia court to appoint someone to take care of him and his estate until he was of age to choose a guardian. He chose his guardian on 28 November 1704 [OW 1698-1710, 165, 212]. He was taxable in Northampton County from 1720 to 1744, called a "mul" in 1726 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 11, 22, 31, 45, 63, 113, 175, 220, 242, 245, 274, 289, 312, 347, 364]. On 12 February 1729/30 a Northampton County jury awarded him 17 shillings in his case against Isaac Mu___ for assault, and on 11 August 1730 he sued Daniel Eshon for assault and battery, but the case was dismissed on agreement of the parties [Orders 1729-32, 8, 36, 43]. On 11 October 1748 he sued Henry Stott for damaging his ability to prove his debts or give evidence in a hearing by declaring, "you are a mulatto and I will prove it." John argued that he could not have been a "mulatto" because he collected debts, gave evidence in controversies "between other white persons and free subjects," and possessed the good will and esteem of his neighbors [John Cobb v. Henry Stott, Northampton County Loose Papers, 1748, cited by Deal, A Constricted World]. The case was discontinued when both parties agreed [Orders 1748-51, 24, 37]. John's wife was apparently white since she was never tithable in his household. He sold land by deed proved in Northampton County on 12 September 1758 [Minutes 1754-61, 166]. He left a 20 August 1766 Northampton County will, proved 12 November 1766, by which he left three slaves to his son Joshua, a slave to his son Southy, and divided the remainder among his wife Rachel and daughters Susanna, Elishe, Sarah and Rachel Cobb. He left a shilling to his grandson John Cobb, son of Stratton Cobb [Wills & Inventories 24:42-3]. He was the father of

i. Stratton, born say 1714, taxable in John Cobb's Northampton County household in 1731, 1738 and 1743 and listed as a taxable adjoining John Cobb in 1744 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 220, 274, 347, 364]. He was probably deceased in 1766 when his son John Cobb received a shilling by his grandfather's Northampton County will. A John Cobb was a Continental soldier who died before 8 December 1778 when the Northampton County court authorized the vestry of Hungar's Parish to support his widow [Minutes 1777-83, 125].

ii. ?Southy¹, born say 1720, taxable in John Cobb's Northampton County household in 1737, 1739, 1740 and 1743 and taxable in Richard Brazer's household in 1744 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 263, 289, 347, 364].

iii. Susanna.

iv. Elishe.

v. Sarah.

vi. Rachel.

vii. Joshua, born in May 1755, eleven years and four months old on 20 August 1766 when his father made his will.

viii. Southy², born about June 1761, an orphan bound by the Northampton County court to Thomas Rose on 9 May 1770 [Minutes 1765-71, 370].

 

They were probably the ancestors of  John Cobb of Bertie County, North Carolina:

1.    John Cobb, born say 1733, was a "molattor" Bertie County, North Carolina taxable in Edward Wilson's household in the list of Jonathan Standley in 1764 and a "free Mulattor" taxable in Wilson's household in 1767 [CR 10.702.1, box 2]. He was the father of

i. Lewis, born about 1754, fifteen-year-old "orphan of John Cobb," bound to John Barnes to be a shoemaker on 27 September 1769 in Bertie County.

2     ii. Nathan, born about 1754.

iii. ?Becky, head of a Sampson County household of 3 "other free" in 1790 [NC:53].

 

2.    Nathan Cobb, born about 1754, the sixteen-year-old "orphan of John Cobb," was bound to James Prichard to be a cooper by the Bertie County court on 29 March 1770 [CR 10.101.7 by NCGSJ XIV:34, 35]. He was a "Malletor" taxable in James Prichard's household in 1770. He married Winney Mitchell, 9 August 1779 Bertie County bond, Jesse Prichard bondsman. He gave security in Bertie County court in May 1787 for a bastard child he had by Christian Kale [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, V:646]. She was probably the daughter of Mary Cales, a "Mulatto" taxable head of a Bertie County household with (her son?) Moses Cale in the 1761 list of John Hill. Nathan was counted as white in Bertie County: head of a household of 4 females, 4 males, and a slave in 1790 [NC:12]. His 27 April 1812 Bertie County will named his wife Cateth and his children: Elisha, Thomas, William, Christian Mires, Mary Hogard, Winnifred Hogard, Elisabeth, Peneth, and John Cobb [North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, Cobb, Nathan, ancestry.com]. His estate was divided among his heirs: Christian Mires (wife of Samuel), Mary Hoggard (wife of James Hoggard), Winifred Hoggard (wife of Elisha Hoggard), John cobb, Elizabeth White (wife of Jesse White), Thomas Cobb, Catherine Cobb (the widow), William Cobb, and Penelope Cobb [North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979, Bertie County, Cobb, Nathan, https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1911121] who were all counted as white in the census. Nathan was the father of

i. Elisha, married Sarah Lucas, 1 April 1801 Bertie County bond.

ii. Thomas.

iii. William.

iv. Christian Mires, wife of Samuel Mires.

v. Mary Hoggard, wife of James Hoggard.

vi. Winnifred, married Elisha Hoggard, 3 September 1804 Bertie County bond.

vii. Elisabeth, wife of Jesse White.

viii. Penelope.

ix. John.

 

Endnote:

1.    See http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/19th-5.htm for a photo of a Hoggard family descendant from Bertie County.

 

COCKRAN FAMILY

1.    Molly Cockran, born say 1745, was a "free Indian" living in Goochland County in August 1765 when her children John and Henry were ordered bound out by the churchwardens of St. James Northam Parish [Orders 1765-67, 51]. Her daughter Betsy, by "Negroe Ben," was born on 31 October 1765 [Jones, The Douglas Register, 348]. Molly was taxable in the upper district of Goochland County on a free male tithable and a horse in 1793 and taxable on a horse in 1794 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frames 339, 357]. She sued Charles Turner for trespass, assault and battery in Goochland County on 17 May 1790. The suit was dismissed at the defendant's costs. And she sued John Shelvin for the same on 19 August 1790 [Orders 1788-91, 410, 486, 494]. Her children were

i. John, born say 1761, married Sally Johns, 30 April 1790 Goochland County bond, 2 May marriage [DB 15:386]. He was taxable in the upper district of Goochland County from 1787 to 1803 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frames 164, 175, 339, 464, 525, 666], a "FN" taxable in the northern district of Campbell County in 1807 [PPTL, 1785-1814, frame 693], and head of a Campbell County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:853]. He was by occupation a sawyer, about 76 years old when he appeared in the Hustings Court of Lynchburg on 4 March 1828 to apply for a pension. He stated that he enlisted for 18 months in March 1781 in Captain Bohannon's Company of Colonel Davis's Virginia Regiment and served until August 1782 [NARA, S.39353, M804, roll 592, frame 16 of 559; https://www.fold3.com/image/12856487].

2     ii. Henry, born say 1763.

iii. Elizabeth, born 31 October 1765, baptized 19 January 1766 in Goochland County [Jones, The Douglas Register, 72], married Benjamin Farrar, 10 March 1784 Goochland County bond, (her mother) Mary Cockran surety.

 

2.    Henry Cockran, born say 1763, son of Mary Cockran, was ordered bound apprentice in Goochland County in August 1765 [Orders 1765-67, 51]. He was sick at White Plains on 8 September 1778 and on the pay roll of Captain Augustine Tabb's Company of the 2^nd Virginia State Regiment in August 1779. Joseph Selden drew his final pay of £57 on 15 March 1785 [NARA, M246, roll 97, frame 79 of 720; M881, Roll 946, frames 2509-2528 of 2864; https://www.fold3.com/image/23017945]. The executor of William Pledge, Jr., sued him and his security Edward Gwinn for a 20 shilling debt in Goochland County court on 17 July 1786 [Orders 1786, 151]. He was taxable in Goochland County from 1787 to 1816: a "Mulatto" living near Duval Carroll's in 1804, charged with James Cockran's tithe in 1807, listed in 1813 on William Richardson's land with wife Polly and Ruth Cockran (whose name was partially erased), charged with Henry Cockran, Jr.'s tithe in 1816 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frames 163, 175, 279, 357, 479, 616, 686, 738, 821; 1810-32, frames 5, 71, 97, 158, 281]. He was head of a Goochland County household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:689]. He registered in Goochland County on 12 August 1815: a free man of color of Yellow complexion about five feet eight inches high, about fifty three years old, short black curled hair...free born [Register of Free Negroes, p.89, no.171]. He was the father of

i. ?James, born say 1788, who had "resided on the plantation of Jo. Woodson for 20 years," married Elizabeth Wood (of age), 13 August 1811 Goochland County bond, Joseph Scott surety. He was taxable in the upper district of Goochland County from 1807 to 1815: a "Mulatto" ditcher with wife Eliza on Joseph Woodson's land in 1813 [PPTL, 1810-32, frames 159, 189]. James was surety for the 5 June 1815 Goochland County marriage of Nancey George, alias Cooper, "an orphan," and Benjamin McDonald, a "free man of color."

ii. Elizabeth, born say 1795, "daughter of Henry Cockran," married Bartlet Hoomes, 4 August 1812 Goochland County bond, Jacob Martin surety, 6 August marriage.

iii. Polly, born say 1797, "daughter of Henry Cockran," married Randolph Cooper, 13 December 1813 Goochland County bond, 16 December marriage.

iv. Ruth, born say 1798, "daughter of Henry Cockran," married Roger Cooper, Jr., 31 October 1814 Goochland County bond, 3 November marriage.

 

COLE FAMILY

1.    Benedict Cole, born say 1665, was the "Negro (baptized)" slave of Richard Cole. Thomas Kirton married Richard Cole's widow and declared in Westmoreland County court on 28 August 1678 that "the Negro boy called Benedict Cole" was to be free at Kirton's death or departure from the country and to serve "but till the adge of twenty and no more." Kirton died before 27 July 1692 when Benedict successfully sued for his freedom in Westmoreland County court [Orders 1675-1689, 130; 1698-1705, 68a]. He may have been the ancestor of the Cole family of Fairfax and Prince William Counties, Virginia. They were probably related to the Cole family of St. Mary's County, Maryland. Members of the family in Virginia were

2     i. Elizabeth, born say 1730.

3     ii. Phebe, born say 1732.

iii. Robert¹, born say 1735, a "free Negro" of Truro Parish, Fairfax County, presented by the grand jury on 22 May 1760 for living in fornication with ___wood (probably a white woman) by the information of William Moler [Orders 1756-63, pt. 1, 463].

iv. Susannah, born say 1736, a poore "mulatto" girl bound out in Albemarle County in August 1747 [Orders 1744-8, 143]. She was probably the ancestor of Robert Cole, a "Molatto" taxable on a horse in St. Ann's Parish, Albemarle County, in 1789 [PPTL, 1782-99, frame 172], a "free Negroe" taxable in Louisa County in 1803 [PPTL 1782-1814], and Reuben Coles, a "Mulatto" taxable in Albemarle County in 1810 and 1811 [PPTL, 1800-13, frames 431, 474].

 

2.    Elizabeth Cole, born say 1730, was living in Fairfax County, Virginia, on 29 March 1751 when she petitioned the court that she was unjustly detained as a servant by Francis Summers. The court ruled that she was free and ordered her discharged from his service [Orders 1749-54, 143]. She was the mother of

i. ?William, born say 1755, a "Molato" living in George Dent's household on 21 November 1771 when the Fairfax County court presented Dent for failing to list him as a tithable [Orders 1770-2, 319]. He was taxable in the lower district of Prince William County in 1787, 1792, from 1794 to 1797, and from 1803 to 1810, called "Black" in 1804, 1806 and 1809 [PPTL, 1782-1810, frames 95, 203, 254, 309, 385, 523, 571, 704, 732], head of a Prince William County household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:508].

ii. Betty Handless, born about 1756, registered in the District of Columbia court in Alexandria on 31 August 1809: Tawny colour...about fifty three years old...Know her mother Betty Cole, both born free in Fairfax County, Virginia, Wm. Rhodes [Arlington County Register of Free Negroes, 1797-1861, pp. 19-20].

iii. ?Francis, born about 1757, enlisted in the Revolution on 1 August 1780: age 23, 5'10" high, a waggoner, born in Fairfax County, residing in Prince William County, black complexion [Register & description of Noncommissioned officers & Privates, LVA accession no. 24296, by http://revwarapps.org/b69.pdf (p.62)].

 

3.    Phebe Cole, born say 1732, was presented by the churchwardens of Truro Parish in Fairfax County court on 20 December 1752, but the presentment was dismissed on 22 February 1755 [Orders 1749-54, 269; 1754-6, 183, 266]. She was a "free negro" living in Dettingen Parish, Prince William County, on 7 August 1767 when her children Robert, Catherine, Thomas, Joseph, Eleanor, and Sarah were bound apprentices [Orders 1766-69, 56]. Thomas and Robert were bound to William Bennett on 10 June 1768, and Catherine and Joseph were bound to him on 7 September the same year [Historic Dumfries, Records of Dettingen Parish, 116]. She was taxable in Prince William County on a free male in 1795 and taxable on a horse in 1796 and 1797 [PPTL, 1782-1810, frames 267, 309, 335]. Her children were

4     i. Robert², born say 1753.

5     ii. Catherine, born about 1755.

iii. Thomas, born say 1757, bound an apprentice carpenter to William Bennett on 10 June 1768. He was listed among seven deserters from Thomas W. Ewell's Company of State Troops in a 20 June 1777 advertisement in the Virginia Gazette, described as: a dark mulatto, about 5 feet 7 inches high living in Prince William County [Virginia Gazette, Purdie edition, p.1, col. 3]. He was a fifer in Captain Thomas W. Ewell's muster roll of July 1780 [NARA, M246, roll 94, frame 729 of 742]. He enlisted for 3 years in the 1^st Virginia Regiment on 15 March 1780 and received a discharge from Lieutenant J. Harper on 2 May 1783 [Revolutionary War Bounty Warrants, Cole, Thomas, Digital Collections, LVA]. He was taxable in the lower district of Prince William County in 1786, 1787, 1792, and from 1794 to 1798, called a "free Black" in 1798 [PPTL, 1782-1810, frames 71, 95, 203, 254, 309, 362].

iv. Joseph, born say 1760, bound an apprentice carpenter to William Bennett on 7 September 1768. He was taxable in Prince William County in 1787 and 1796 [PPTL, 1782-1810, frames 95, 309].

v. Eleanor/ Nelly, born about 1765, a "free Black" taxable in the lower district of Prince William County on a horse in 1798, a free male tithe in 1803, 2 free tithes in 1804, a "B" taxable on a free male and a horse in 1806, a "Black" taxable on a horse in 1809 [PPTL, 1782-1810, frames 362, 523, 638, 732], head of a Prince William County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:508]. She registered in Prince William County on 5 June 1815 and produced her papers in the District of Columbia court in Alexandria on 11 June 1815: a free black woman about fifty years of age...was born free [Arlington County Register of Free Negroes, 1797-1861, pp. 19-20].

vi. Sarah, a "B" taxable on a horse in the lower district of Prince William County in 1806 [PPTL, 1782-1810, frame 639], head of a Prince William County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:508].

vii. ?Henry, taxable in Prince William County from 1794 to 1798 and from 1803 to 1810, listed as a "free Black" in 1798 [PPTL, 1782-1810, frames 254, 266, 309, 362, 523, 638, 704], head of a Prince William County household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:508].

 

4.    Robert² Cole, born say 1753, was bound an apprentice shoemaker to William Bennett in Dettingen Parish on 10 June 1768 [Historic Dumfries, Records of Dettingen Parish, 56]. He married Lucy Chavers/ Chavis, "both black persons" according to the Charlotte County deposition of Mary Belcher [N.C. Stack File C.R. 099.928.11 by NCGSJ III:21]. Robert apparently died before 9 February 1784 when the Mecklenburg County, Virginia court ordered the churchwardens to bind out Lucy's orphan son Robert Cole [Orders 1779-84, 515]. Lucy's nephew John Jackson Chavis, son of her sister Betty Chavis, was bound as an apprentice to William Stewart in Mecklenburg County; Stewart moved to Wake County, North Carolina, about 1790; and John Jackson went with him and died there about 1808 when Stewart tried to prove his nuncupative Wake County will. Lucy challenged the will by presenting a deposition taken on 27 April 1808 from Mary Belcher of Charlotte County that John Jackson Chavis was christened in her home and that Lucy was his only living relative [N.C. Stack File C.R. 099.928.11 by NCGSJ III:21; Haun, Wake County Court Minutes VII:67-8, 151]. Lucy recorded the inventory of John Jackson Chavis's estate in Wake County in February 1809 [Wynne, Record of Wills, Inventories, II:107]. She was head of a Mecklenburg County household of 2 "free Negro" or "Mulatto" females over the age of 16 in 1813 [PPTL 1806-21, frame 307], a "free colored" woman with a "free colored" boy under the age of 14 in 1820 [VA:144a], and was counted in the 1850 Mecklenburg County census as a 100-year-old Black woman who was blind, listed with Susan and Peter Brandom in the household next to Israel Cole, a 45-year-old Black carpenter [VA:104b]. Robert and Lucy were the parents of

i. Robert³, born about 1774, taxable in William Stewart's Mecklenburg County household in 1792, responsible for his own tithe in 1794 [PPTL 1782-1805, frames 451, 516]. He married Mary Stewart, 31 December 1802 Mecklenburg County bond, Martin Cousins surety. Robert was surety for the Mecklenburg County marriage of Martin Cousins and Elizabeth Brandon of the same date. On 10 October 1803 he was ordered to work on a road in Mecklenburg County with Robert Brannum, Thomas Spence, William Stewart, Humphrey Wilson, Joseph Stewart, Frederick Ivey, Pompey Mayo, and Richard Dunston [Orders 1803-5, 45]. He registered in Mecklenburg County on 14 November 1803: a planter, a free man, age twenty nine years, about five feet ten Inches high and of dark complexion [Orders 1803-5, 52], was a F.N. taxable in Halifax County from 1804 to 1812 [PPTL 1800-12, frames 363, 938, 1023], a free Negro taxable in Grayson County from 1815 and 1816 [PPTL 1805-18, frames 507, 542] and head of a Grayson County household of 3 "free colored" in 1820.

ii. Jincey, married Martin Cousins, 31 December 1802 Mecklenburg County bond, Robert Cole surety.

 

Lucy's children were

i. Burwell, son of Lucy Cole, bound by the Mecklenburg County court to Ellyson Crew to be a planter on 8 October 1798 [Orders 1798-1801, 39].

ii. ?Caty, bound by the Mecklenburg County court to Ellyson Crew on 9 December 1799, no parent named [Orders 1798-1801, 280].

iii. ?Thomas, a "Malatto" bound by the Mecklenburg County court as an apprentice to Jacob Garrot, wheelwright, on 9 September 1805 [Orders 1803-5, 461].

 

5.    Catherine Cole, born about 1755, was bound apprentice to William Bennett in Prince William County on 7 September 1768. She was taxable on a horse in the lower district of Prince William County in 1797 [PPTL, 1782-1810, frame 336]. She registered in Prince William County on 22 May 1810 and produced her papers in the District of Columbia court in Alexandria on 8 June 1815: was at that time fifty five years of age, born free in the County aforesaid [Arlington County Register of Free Negroes, 1797-1861, p.28]. She was the mother of

i. John, born about 1773, taxable in Prince William County from 1794 to 1798, listed as "Black" in 1795 [PPTL, 1782-1810, frames 254, 267, 309, 362], registered in Prince William County on 24 March 1806 and produced his papers in the District of Columbia court in Alexandria: a free black man, son of Katy Cole, a free black woman...thirty three years of age [Arlington County Register of Free Negroes, 1797-1861, no. 25, p.24]. He was a "free negro" head of a Fairfax County household of 3 in 1810 [VA:243].

ii. ?Samuel, head of a Prince William County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:508].

iii. ?David, taxable in Prince William County from 1795 to 1797 and from 1803 to 1810, called a "Blackman" in 1795 and 1803 and 1809 [PPTL, 1782-1810, frames 267, 523, 638, 703], head of a Prince William County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:508].

iv. ?Frances, a "Mulatto" taxable on a horse in Prince William County in 1802 [PPTL, 1782-1810, frame 503].

 

Prince Edward County

1.    Mary Cole, born say 1745, was the mother of "orphan" Abigail Cole who was bound apprentice to John Owen until the age of thirty-one in Prince Edward County in November 1757 [Orders 1754-8, 133]. She was the mother of

i. Abigail, born say 1755.

2    ii. ?Sally, born say 1768.

 

2.    Sally Cole, born say 1768, a "free negro" listed in Pittsylvania County with her two unnamed daughters over the age of 16 in 1813 and (her son?) William Cole in 1814 [PPTL 1813-23, frames 6, 81, 198]. She may have been the mother of

i. Robin⁴, born about 1784, registered in Halifax County, Virginia, on 26 October 1812: aged 28 years about five feet eight inches high of a dark colour and who it appears was born of a free Woman is hereby registered as a free negroe [Register, no.36].

ii. Lucy, born about 1791, registered in Pittsylvania County on 26 May 1831: a free born Mulatto about forty years of age, five feet nine and a quarter inches high, the same day as Panthea (14 years old), Elender (19), Robin (20), Pleasant (22), Ritter (23), Jincey (26), and Nancy Cole (32) [Griffith, Pittsylvania County Register of Free Negroes, 72-5].

 

South Carolina

1.    Jonathan Cole, born say 1705, was living in Wadmalaw, South Carolina, when the birth of his "Mulatto" son Thomas was recorded in the register of St. Philip's Parish, Charleston, South Carolina. He was the father of

2     i. Thomas, born 14 April 1729.

ii. Susanna, married William Raper [Koger, Black Slaveowners, 15].

 

2.    Thomas¹ Cole, born 14 April 1729, was the "Mulatto" son of Jonathan Cole of Charleston, South Carolina. He was called "an Adult mulatto" on 5 June 1754 when he was baptized in St. Philip's Parish [Salley, Register of St. Philip's Parish, 1720-58, 100, 145]. He called himself a bricklayer in his 21 October 1771 Charleston will, proved 8 November the same year. He directed his executors to sell his house in Beresford's Alley and slaves Prince, Will, and Carolina and to divide the proceeds among his children: Thomas, Barbara, William, Elizabeth, and John Cole, and to sell his house and land on Meeting Street and divide the proceeds among his wife Ruth and children when his youngest child came of age. He named his friend Thomas Lotan Smith, Esq., and brother-in-law William Raper executors [WB 14:109-10]. His widow Ruth was a "Free" head of a St. Philips & Michaels Parish, South Carolina household of 4 "other free" and 3 slaves in 1790, a Newberry District household of 3 "other free" in 1800 [SC:68] and a "free Negro" head of a Newberry District household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [SC:117a]. She called herself the sister of William Raper on 12 October 1788 when she and her daughter Barbara petitioned the legislature to be appointed administrators of his widow Susanna Raper, "a free woman of color" [Schweninger, Race, Slavery and Free Black Petitions, no. 11378801]. She was the sponsor for the baptism of her granddaughter Ruth Raper Garden at St. Philip's Parish on 13 March 1812 [Koger, Black Slaveowners, 166]. Her 31 January 1817 Charleston will was proved on 15 August the same year. She left her house and lot in Federal Street, a slave named Amey (daughter of Flora), and her pew in St. Philip's Church to her daughter Barbara Maria Bampfield, wife of George Bampfield, and after her death to her four grandchildren: Thomas Cole, John Cole, Eliza Cole, and Eliza Maria Jones. She left the house where she was residing in Guignard Street to her grandchildren John and Eliza Cole and directed that her slave Flora with her daughters Lucinda and Belinda be sold and the proceeds divided among her four grandchildren. And she left the lot and premises adjoining her house in Guignard Street to her daughter Magdalen Brown. She appointed her nephew-in-law John Garden executor [WB 33:1276-7]. Thomas and Ruth were the parents of

i. Thomas², "free" head of a St. Philip's and Michael's Parish, South Carolina household of 5 "other free" in 1790 and a "free colored" head of a Charleston household with a slave in 1840.

ii. Barbara Maria Bampfield, died about 1832 when her executor, Jehu Jones, Jr., sold her slave Fatima for $200 and divided the proceeds among Sarah Cole and Elizabeth Maria Jones.

iii. William.

iv. Elizabeth.

v. Magdalen Brown.

vi. John, married Sarah.

 

Other members of the Cole family in South Carolina were

i. John, head of a Union District household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [SC:241].

ii. Sarah, head of a Newberry District household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [SC:68].

iii. Mary, head of a Newberry District household of 7 "other free" in 1800 [SC:69].

iv. Joseph, head of a Kershaw District household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [SC:410].

 

COLEMAN FAMILY

1.    Judith¹, born say 1700, was an Indian or the descendant of an Indian brought into Virginia by Francis Coleman sometime after the year 1705 and held as a slave for her lifetime. Her descendants Dick and Pat, who were held as slaves by Coleman's descendants, sued for and won their freedom in a case which was affirmed on appeal in the fall of the year 1793 [Catterall, Judicial Cases, I:101-2]. The case was apparently identical to that of Robin, Hannah, Daniel, Cuffie, Isham, Moses, Peter, Judy, Archy, Silvia, Davy & Ned who won a suit of Trespass, Assault, Battery and false Imprisonment against John Hardaway in the General Court in Williamsburg on 2 May 1772 [LVA, Exhibitions, Judgment in the case of Robin et al v. Hardaway, 2 May 1772, Manuscript, RG 104, Virginia General Court (Colonial), State Government Records Collection, Accession 33700; http://www.lva.virginia.gov/exhibits/destiny/public_opinion/robin_hardaway.htm]. Other descendants won their freedom from Robert Hall of Dinwiddie County before 1 July 1789, from John Hardaway of Dinwiddie County before 16 August 1794, from Joseph Hardaway of Dinwiddie County in November 1797 and from John Wyche of Brunswick County in 1819. Judith was the ancestor of

i. Rachel, born about 1733, a 70-year-old tobacco stemmer living in Petersburg with Lucy (age 12), Betty (35), Matthew (18) and Josiah Coleman (4) in 1803 [List of People of Color in Petersburg 1803, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

2    ii. Sarah, born say 1740.

iii. David¹, born about 1744, registered in Petersburg on 15 August 1800: a dark brown stout, well made Mulatto Man, five feet eight inches high, fifty six years old, with short bushy hair, formerly held as a slave by Joseph Hardaway but obtained his freedom by a Judgment of the Gen'l Court in November 1797 [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 170].

iv. Bob, born about 1746, head of a Prince George County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:550]. He ran away from John Hardaway according to an ad placed in the 31 May 1770 edition of the Virginia Gazette: Run away from the subscriber, the first day of November last (under pretence of suing for his freedom) a likely young fellow, named Bob, of a yellow complexion, slim made, near six feet high, has a remarkable down look, is a very good blacksmith, and, as supposed, is harboured by some white man of that trade. Whoever will bring the said fellow to my house in Dinwiddie county, near the court-house, shall receive a reward of ,5. He was called Bob Colemand and his age was given as twenty five years in the 2 May 1771 issue of the gazette [Rind edition, 31 May 1770, p. 3, col. 2; May 2, 1771, p. 3, col. 1].

v. Judah² (no last name), registered in Petersburg on 5 April 1798: a dark brown Negro or Indian woman, 5'3" high, about 51 yrs old, with short bushy hair and broad flat face, pretty stout made. Formerly held as a slave by Jos. Hardaway but obtained her Freedom by a Judgment of the General Court in November 1797 [Register of Free Negroes, 1794-1819, no. 138].

vi. Cuffee, born about 1748, sued James Ware and James Bromly in Petersburg Hustings Court on 5 October 1785 for trespass, assault and battery. His suit against Ware was dismissed on 3 November 1785. And the court dismissed his suit against Bromly on 3 January 1786 when his witnesses Samuel Davis and Alexander Gordon failed to appear. On 6 September 1791 the court ordered him to give security of 40 shillings for his good behavior on complaint of George Morrison [Orders 1785-91, 68, 71, 72, 80, 90; Minutes 1791-7, 129]. He was taxable in the Dinwiddie section of Petersburg with wife Amy Freeland in 1795 and taxable in Petersburg in 1803 [PPTL, 1787-99, 768; 1800-33, frame 75]. He registered in Southampton County on 30 March 1805: age 57, blk., 5 feet 10 inches high, Sued his freedom, Dinwidy [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 322].

vii. Abby (no last name), born about 1749, registered in Petersburg on 9 June 1798: a dark brown Negro or Indian woman, 5'2-1/2" high, about 49 yrs old, has very thick bushy hair. Formerly held as a slave by Jos. Hardaway but obtained her Freedom by a Judgment of the General Court in November 1797, as being a descendant of an Indian [Register of Free Negroes, 1794-1819, no. 139].

viii. Daniel, born about 1752, registered in Petersburg on 10 February 1798: a dark Brown Free Negro, or Indian, six feet two inches high, about forty six years old, short bushy hair, a little grey, formerly held as a slave by Joseph Hardaway but obtained his freedom by a judgment of the Gen'l Court in Nov. 1797 [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 132]. He was a ditcher living near George May when he was counted as a "free Negro and Mulatto" taxable in Dinwiddie County in 1801 [PPTL, 1800-9, B list, p.25]. He (age 51), Taffy (age 67) and Biddy (age 62) were living in Petersburg in 1803 [List of People of Color in Petersburg 1803, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. Biddy registered in Petersburg on 7 June 1810: a dark brown Negro woman, 5'2-1/2" high, 62 yrs old, Emancipated by Henry Featherstone in Chesterfield County per certificate of registry from clk of sd county [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 512]. Bedey (Biddy) Abba was one of the slaves freed by the 10 January 1788 will of Henry Featherstone of Chesterfield County [DB 11:351].

ix. Dick, orphan of Judy Coleman, deceased, ordered bound out by William Foushee, overseer of the poor for the third district of Henrico County, to William Waddell on 3 September 1787 [Orders 1787-9, 131]. He was head of a Richmond County, Virginia household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:401].

x. Pat, won her freedom from the Coleman family in 1793.

xi. Betty¹, born about 1767, registered in Petersburg on 18 August 1794: a dark brown woman, five feet six & a half inches height, twenty seven years old, liberated by a judgment of Gen'l Court from John Hardaway of Dinwiddie County being a descendant of an Indian woman [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 32].

xii. Nancy, born about 1767, registered in Petersburg on 18 August 1794: a dark brown, well made Mulatto woman, five feet one and a half inches high, twenty seven years old, freed by Judgment of the Gen'l Court of John Hardaway of Dinwiddie County being a descendant of an Indian [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 37].

xiii. Tempe, born about 1768, registered in Petersburg on 18 August 1794: a dark brown, well made woman, five feet two inches high, twenty six years old, liberated by a Judgment of the Gen'l Court of John Hardaway of Dinwiddie County as being a descendant of an Indian. Renewed 25 Sept. 1799, 14 Oct. 1800, 20 Sept. 1803 [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 33]. She was listed in Petersburg with (her children?) Lucy, Billy, Sally, Rachel, and Harry in 1803 [List of People of Color in Petersburg 1803, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

xiv. Charles, born about 1769, registered in Petersburg on 16 August 1794: a dark Mulatto man, near five feet eight inches high, about twenty five years old, was born in the Possession of John Hardaway of Dinwiddie County from whom he obtained his freedom by judgment of the Gen'l Court being the descendant of an Indian & served as an apprentice with Robert Armstead in the Town of Petersburg [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 11].

xv. Betty², born about 1777, bound to Margaret Gordon by the Petersburg Hustings Court on 9 November 1791 [Orders 1791-7, 15]. She registered in Petersburg on 27 May 1805: a dark brown negro woman, five feet four and a half inches high, twenty eight years old, formerly held as a slave by John Hardaway of Dinwiddie County & liberated by a Judgment of the Gen'l Court as descended of an Indian [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 290].

3     xvi. Caty, born about 1779.

xvii. Jemima, born about 1780, registered in Petersburg on 11 July 1805: a dark brown Mulatto woman, five feet two inches high, twenty five years old, born free & raised in the County of Prince George [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 333].

xviii. Hannah, born about 1781, registered in Petersburg on 17 September 1802: a dark brown Mulatto woman, five feet four inches high, twenty one years old, born free & raised in the Town of Petersburg [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 240].

xix. Betty³, born about 1782, registered in Petersburg on 18 September 1803: a free Negro woman, dark brown, five feet two and a half inches high, twenty one years old, born free & raised in the Town of Petersburg [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 260].

xx. Rachel², born about 1785, registered in Petersburg on 9 July 1805: a dark brown Negro woman, four feet eleven inches high, twenty years old, born free & raised in the Town of Petersburg [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 310] and was head of a Petersburg household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:124a].

xxi. Lucy², born about 1787, registered in Petersburg on 31 December 1808: a dark brown free Negro woman, five feet three and a half inches high, twenty one years old, born free & raised in the Town of Petersburg [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 443] and was head of a Petersburg household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:118a].

xxii. Aggy, head of a Petersburg household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:120a].

 

2.    Sarah Coleman, born say 1740, won her freedom from Robert Hall of Dinwiddie County. She was free before 19 August 1794 when her daughter Susannah registered in Petersburg and she was probably free before 1 July 1789 when her son David Coleman was bound as an apprentice in Petersburg. She was the mother of

i. Susannah, born about 1768, registered in Petersburg on 19 August 1794: a dark brown woman, five feet three and a half inches high, about twenty six years old, stout made, the daughter of Sarah Coleman who obtained her freedom of Robert Hall by a suit in the Gen'l Court & the said Susannah has been allowed to pass as free by the sd Robert Hall of Dinwiddie County to whom she belonged by her mother's obtaining her freedom [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 58].

ii. David², born about 1779, a "free Mulatto Boy" (no age or parent named), bound by the Hustings Court of Petersburg as an apprentice cabin maker to John McCloud on 1 July 1789 [Orders 1784-91, 286]. He registered in Petersburg on 25 April 1801: a stout, well-made dark brown Negro man, five feet five inches high, nineteen years old, short knotty hair, a son of Sally Coleman who formerly was held by Robert Hall of the County of Dinwiddie & obtained her freedom by a Judgment of the Gen'l Court [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 215].

iii. Disey, orphan of Sarah Coleman, ordered bound out by William Foushee, overseer of the poor for the third district of Henrico County, to William Waddell on 3 September 1787 [Orders 1787-9, 131].

iv. ?Keziah, bound by the Hustings Court of Petersburg to Judith Moriarity on 6 August 1789 [Orders 1784-91, 286].

 

3.    Caty, born about 1779, registered in Brunswick County, Virginia, on 27 September 1819: Caty, a woman about Forty years of age, light complexion, Five feet one & a half Inches high...recovered her freedom in Brunswick Superior Court at September term 1819 of John Wyche. She was the mother of

i. Fanny Coleman, born about 1807, registered in Brunswick County on 28 September 1829: a free woman of light complexion, five feet four inches high, about twenty two years of age...is one of the children of Caty who recovered her freedom from John Wyche in...1819 [Wynne, Register of Free Negroes, 29, 104].

ii. Green Coleman, born about 1809, registered in Brunswick County on 26 September 1831: of dark complexion, about twenty one years old, five feet seven inches and a quarter high...one of the children of Caty who recovered her freedom from John Wyche...in 1819 [Wynne, Register of Free Negroes, 119].

 

Other members of a Coleman family were

i. Thomas, born about 1703, a "small negro man, aged about fifty years," who presented the deposition of John Binum to the Halifax County, Virginia court on 14 June 1753. Binum stated that Coleman was free born and that his family lived in Surry County, Virginia. The court ruled that he should be freed [Pleas 1752-5, pt.1, 162].

ii. Edward, born about 1764, a "coloured man," appeared in court in New York City on 19 June 1829 to apply for a pension for his services in the Revolution. He stated that he enlisted in South Carolina in the company commanded by Captain Sinclair in the regiment commanded by Colonel Mayhem and served for 5 years and 6 months during which time he received two wounds. After the war he went to sea and spent many years in the East Indies, following a seafaring life [NARA, R.2160, M804, https://www.fold3.com/image/1/12714044].

 

COLLINS FAMILY

Simeon Collins of King William County and wife Pinkey of New Kent County

Smithsonian photo no. 884, ca. 1899

 

The Collins family may have originated in or near James City County since Revolutionary War veteran John Collins of King William County was married in Williamsburg. Thomas, Samuel and William Collins were in Louisa County on 28 May 1745 when they were indicted, with members of the Gibson and the other mixed-race families of the county, for failing to list a tithable. (The county was probably enforcing the discriminatory law which made free women of color tithable.) Thomas, Samuel, Thomas Jr., John Collins and members of the Gibson family were "Molata" taxables in Orange County, North Carolina, in 1755 [T&C, box 1, p.19]. Members of the Collins family were

1    i. Thomas, born say 1700.

ii. Catherine, born say 1705, a "free mulatto woman" of North Farnham Parish presented by the Richmond County, Virginia court in November 1725 for having an illegitimate child [Orders 1721-32, 248, 267].

2    iii. Mary, born say 1730.

 

1.    Thomas¹ Collins, born say 1700, was presented by the Louisa County court on 28 May 1745 for failing to list a tithable who was probably his wife, and on 26 November 1745 he was presented for profane swearing [Orders 1742-8, 152, 157, 172, 174, 179]. On 12 March 1747 he sold 184 acres in Louisa County on Turkey Run on the west side of the little mountains for ,25 [DB D:35]. He was a taxable in the 1750 Granville County list of John Wade [CR 44.701.23]. This part of Granville County became Orange County in 1752, and Thomas was a "Molata" taxable there on 3 "Black" tithes in 1755 [T&C, box 1, p.19]. He patented 700 acres in Orange County on Dial Creek and Flat River on 29 December 1760. Paul Collins and George Gibson were chain carriers [http://mars.archives.ncdcr.gov]. He may have been the father of

3    i. Samuel, born say 1724.

4     ii. George¹, born about 1728.

iii. Thomas², Jr., born say 1734, an Orange County taxable listed nearby Thomas Collins in 1755 [T&C, box 1, p.19]. He may have been the Thomas Collins, Sr., who was head of a white Moore County household of 1 male over 16, 2 females, and a slave in 1790 [NC:44], and there was a Thomas Collins, Jr., head of a white Moore County household of 2 males under 16, 3 over 16, and 4 females in 1790 [NC:43]. He was head of an Ashe County household of 7 "other free" in 1800 [NC:74].

iv. John, born say 1736, a "Molata" taxable in Orange County, taxable on 1 Black tithe in 1755 [T&C, box 1, p.15].

 

2.    Mary Collins, born say 1730, was living in King William County on 13 May 1779 when she received £25 public assistance because she had three sons in the Continental Army [Creel, Selected Virginia Revolutionary War Records, III:106 citing Auditors' Account, Volume II:119, LVA]. She was apparently the mother of

i. John, born say 1750, taxable in King William County on 198 acres in 1782 and 1783, taxable on 28 acres in 1787 but not subject to land tax in the following years. He was taxable in King William County on a free male tithable from 1787 to 1799 and from 1802 to 1814: listed as a "Mulatto" in 1813 and 1814 [PPTL 1782-1811; Land Tax List 1782-1832]. He was a "free Colored" member of the Lower College Baptist Church in King William County in 1791, and John and June Collins appear on the list of "Free Colored Members" of the Lower College Baptist Church on 25 October 1812 [Lower College Baptist Church Record Book, 1814-34, 24, 43]. In June 1837 his widow Jane Collins applied for a pension for his services in the Revolution. She stated that they were married in Williamsburg in April 1780, that her maiden name was Richeson (Richardson) and that he died in August 1821, leaving no children. Mason Collins deposed that he was intimately acquainted with John Collins and that he had lived near the couple since their marriage. Joanna Sweat (about 55 years old), Mary Bradby (about 69), Polly Holt (about 68), Ellis Major (about 74), William Major (about 75), and James Langston (about 53) testified on her behalf. Several residents said the couple came to live in the county about 1781 [NARA, W.6736, M804, https://www.fold3.com/image/12861980]. Jane was about 82 years of age on 3 October 1844 when she testified in King William County court that Rhody Arnold and Milly Holt and others were the heirs of Stephen Freeman who served in the Revolution and died in King William County [NARA, M804, roll 1024; https://www.fold3.com/image/20171586].

5     ii. Mason, born about 1759.

6     iii. William¹, born say 1765.

iv. Judy, born about 1770, a 90-year-old "Mulatto" woman living in the King William County household of Charles Walker in 1860.

 

3.    Samuel Collins, born say 1724, was presented by the Louisa County court on 28 May 1745 for failing to list a tithable who was probably his wife. On 25 November 1746 Richard Vernon sued him for £16.9 and 14 pounds of deer skins, and on 24 February 1746/7 he and William Collins were presented for fishing and hunting on the Sabbath [Orders 1742-8, 152, 157, 172, 215, 227, 233]. He was a "Molata" taxable in Orange County on 2 Black tithes in 1755 [T&C, box 1, p.19]. He may have been the Samuel Collins who was head of a Wilkes County household of 1 male 21-60 and 1 female in the 1787 state census.

 

Wilkes and Ashe County, North Carolina descendants were

i. George², one of the hunters who had a cabin in present-day Ashe County when the first land grants were issued in the 1780s. He was taxable there on an estate valued at £26 in 1778 [NCGSJ X:11, 14]. He was head of a Wilkes County household of 1 male 21-60, 3 males under 21 or over 60, and 3 free females for the 1787 state census and 1 white male over 16, 3 white males under 16, and 4 females [NC:123], perhaps the George Collins who was head of a Wilson County, Tennessee household of 14 "free colored" in 1830.

ii. David¹, taxable on an estate of £41 in present-day Ashe County in 1778 [NCGSJ X:17]. He was head of a Tenth Company, Wilkes County household of 3 males over 16, 2 under 16, and 6 females in 1790 [NC:123].

iii. Martin, head of a Tenth Company, Wilkes County household of 1 male over 16, 3 under 16, and 4 females in 1790 [NC:123].

iv. Valentine, head of a Tenth Company, Wilkes County household of 1 male over 16 and 2 females in 1790 (abstracted as Vol) [NC:123] and head of an Ashe County household of 6 "other free" in 1800 [NC:75].

v. Vadery, perhaps the "Hardy" Collins who was head of a Wilkes County household of 1 male over 16, 2 under 16, and 4 females in 1790 [NC:123]. He was called Vadery when he was head of an Ashe County household of 4 "other free" in 1800. The 26 January 1791 Wilkes County court referred to a road near Sandy Island Ford and Vardie Collens [Absher, Wilkes County Court Minutes 1789-97, 20]. Vardy was head of a Hawkins County, Tennessee household of 8 "free colored" in 1830.

vi. Ambrose, taxable on an estate of £20 in present-day Ashe County in 1778 [NCGSJ X:17]. He was head of a Tenth Company, Wilkes County household of 1 male over 16, 1 under 16, and 2 females in 1790 [NC:123] and an Ashe County household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [NC:76].

vii. Charles¹, taxable in present-day Ashe County on an estate of £44 in 1778 [NCGSJ X:17].

 

Members of the family counted in the Grayson County, Tennessee census for 1810 were

i. Griffin, head of a household of 11 "other free."

ii. Lewis, head of a household of 10 "other free."

iii. Joseph, head of a household of 9 "other free."

 

4.    George¹ Collins, born about 1728, purchased 100 acres in Anson County, North Carolina, on 14 June 1764 [DB 3:268]. This part of Anson County became Richmond County in 1779, and his land was mentioned in a 2 February 1780 Richmond County land entry [Pruitt, Richmond County Land Entries, 10, 58]. He sold land by deed proved in the March 1783 session of Richmond County court. In December 1783 he and Arthur Dees were security for (his sons?) Thomas and George Collins, Jr., in a Richmond County court case [Minutes 1780-95, 33, 47]. The Richmond County court excused him from paying poll tax in 1788 because he was sixty years old. He was head of a Georgetown District, Prince George's Parish, South Carolina household of 7 "other free" in 1790 [SC:54]. He, or his son George, recorded a plat for 100 acres on Hurricane Branch of the Little Pee Dee River on 5 February 1787 [South Carolina Archives, series S13190, vol. 22, p. 16]. He, David Collins, and Thomas Collins were among the "free persons of Colour" of present-day Liberty and Marlboro counties, South Carolina, who petitioned the legislature to repeal the discriminatory tax against "free Negroes" on 20 April 1794. Others who petitioned included the Evans, Gibson, Huelin, Oxendine, Shoemaker, Turner and Sweat families [South Carolina Department of Archives and History, General Assessment Petition, 1794, no. 216, frames 370-374, Free People of Color ST 1368, series no. 165015, item 216]. He may have been the father of

i. Thomas³, born say 1760, a defendant in Richmond County, North Carolina court in December 1783 [Minutes 1780-95, 47].

ii. Charles², born say 1765, ordered by the January 1787 Richmond County, North Carolina court to receive twenty lashes for larceny committed in 1783 [Minutes 1780-95, 50, 111].

iii. George³, Jr., born say 1767, head of a Richmond County household of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:45]. He entered 50 acres in Richmond County on Mayners Creek of Hitchcock Creek on 12 June 1794 [Pruitt, Richmond County Land Entries, nos. 169, 1013] and was taxed on 160 acres in 1795. He purchased 100 acres by deed proved in the January 1796 session of the Richmond County court and sold 50 acres to (his brother?) Elisha Collins by deed proved in the same session [Minutes 1793-1804, 312-3].

iv. Elisha, born say 1770, one of the freeholders ordered by the October 1794 session of the Richmond County court to work on the road to Catfish Road [Minutes 1793-1804, 282]. He was taxable on 250 acres in 1795. He purchased 50 acres from (his father?) George Collins by deed proved in Richmond County in January 1796 [Minutes 1793-1804, 313]. He was head of a Wilson County, Tennessee household of 7 "free colored" in 1830.

v. David², head of an Anson County household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [NC:203].

 

5.   Mason¹ Collins, born about 1759, enlisted in the Revolution for 1-1/2 years while residing in King William County on 8 September 1780: age 21, 5'11" high, a sailor, born in King William County, yellow complexion [Register & description of Noncommissioned officers & Privates, LVA accession no. 24296, by http://revwarapps.org/b69.pdf (p.26)]. He was taxable in King William County from 1787 to 1796 and from 1799 to 1802: taxable on 27 acres, a horse and 4 cattle in 1787 [PPTL 1782-1811; Land Tax List 1782-1832]. He was living in King William County on 2 January 1794 when he sold two cows, a yearling and a sow to Thomas Jones for £4.11 [Record Book 3:48]. He was taxable in King and Queen County from 1804 to 1820: taxable on 2 tithables from 1807 to 1812, called a "Mulatto" in 1807, a "free Negro" from 1809 to 1812, listed with 4 "Mulattos" (male and female) over the age 16 in 1813, over the age of 45 in 1815 [PPTL, 1804-23]. He was taxable in King and Queen County from 1804 to 1812 on 110 acres which had belonged to the estate of John Dungee in 1802 [Land Tax List 1782-1812]. He was about 60 years old on 15 May 1818 when he made a declaration in King and Queen County court to obtain a pension for his services in the 11^th Virginia Regiment. He declared that he had travelled north as bowman to an officer named Holt Richeson in 1777 and enlisted while in the state of Pennsylvania. He called himself an "illiterate Mulatto" on 11 December 1820 when he stated that he had a life estate in 85 acres and that his family consisted of a 20-year-old woman named Maneroy, 17-year-old Mason, 15-year-old Mary and 11-year-old Eliza [NARA, S.39355, M804, Roll 614, frame 373; https://www.fold3.com/image/15202544]. He was head of a King William County household of 5 "free colored" in 1830 and a 76-year-old farmer listed in St. John's Parish, King William County, in 1833 [A List of free Negroes and Mulattoes in the County of King William for the year 1833, African American Digital Collection, LVA]. He was probably the father of

i. Elijah, a "free Negro" or "Mulatto" taxable in King & Queen County from 1811 to 1815 [PPTL, 1804-23].

7    ii. Thomas, born say 1790.

iii. Riely, born about 1792, a "free Negro" taxable in King and Queen County in 1816 [PPTL, 1804-23], a "Black" head of a King and Queen County household in 1850 with $300 in real estate and presumed wife Lucy (48) and children Franklin (19), Ali (14), Leonidas (12), Richard L. (19), Riely Thomas (5) and William Collins (17). He was deceased by 1870 when Lucy was listed in the King and Queen County census with $400 in real estate and children: Robert A. (42), Richard L. (27), Riley T. (25), Leonidas (29), Lucy (23), Alta (3) and Elias Collins (1).

iv. Maneroy, born about 1800.

v. Mason², born about 1803.

vi. Mary, born about 1805.

vii. Eliza, born about 1809.

 

6.    William¹ Collins, born say 1765, was probably the third son of Mary Collins of King William County who received £25 public assistance on 13 May 1779 because she had three sons in the Continental Army. He was taxable in King William County from 1787 to 1818: taxable on a horse in 1798, taxable on 2 free males in 1802 and 1810, listed as a "Mulatto" in 1813. David Pannell transferred 25 acres to him in 1786 and William was taxable on the land from 1787 to 1811 [PPTL 1782-1811; Land Tax List 1782-1832]. On 24 June 1793 he purchased 25 acres in the parish of St. Johns in King William County adjoining Thomas Pollard, David Pannell and his own land for £25. On 20 May 1802 he purchased 25 acres below the lower church and lying on Bull Swamp from James and Lucy Johnson, and on the same date his wife Elizabeth Collins released her dower rights to 25 acres sold to James Johnson [Record Book 3:17; 4:119-20]. He may have been the father of

8   i. William², Jr., born say 1790.

 

7.    Thomas Collins, born say 1790, was a "free Negro" taxable in King and Queen County from 1814 to 1816 [PPTL, 1804-23] and head of a King and Queen County household of 5 "free colored" in 1830. He was married to Nancy Going according to the marriage license of their daughter Cordelea. Nancy Collins was a 46-year-old "Black" woman counted in the 1850 census for King & Queen County in the household of Armstead Harris. Thomas and Nancy were the parents of

i. ?William, born about 1827, a "Black" man counted in the 1850 census for King and Queen County with wife Caroline and (her mother?) 44-year-old Mulatto Lucy Sears. William was a Mulatto counted in the 1860 census for King and Queen County with wife Caroline and children James (6), Dinks (4) and Sarah Collins (2). They were counted in the 1870 census with James (15), Sarah (12) and Hunter Collins (9).

ii. Cordelea, born about 1829, daughter of Thomas Collins and Nancy Going, married Elijah Gouldman, son of Robin Wilson and Sally Goldman, in King & Queen County on 14 May 1855. Robin Wilson was head of a Gloucester County household of 8 "free colored" in 1830.

 

8.    William² Collins, Jr., born say 1790, was taxable in King William County from 1811 to 1820: listed as a "Mulatto" in 1813, a "Free Negro" in the following years [PPTL 1782-1811; 1812-50]. His wife was identified as Maria Collins in the marriage license of their son Richard. Maria was head of a King William County household of 9 "free colored" in 1830 and a 55-year-old "Mulatto" woman counted in the King William County household of (her son?) William Collins in 1850. William and Maria were the parents of

9    i. Richard, born about 1810.

ii. Jane, born about 1820, counted as the 30-year-old "Mulatto" wife of Isaac Miles in the 1850 census for King William County.

iii. James, born about 1820, listed as a "free Negro and Mulatto" in King William County from 1843 to 1851: taxable on a horse in 1843, 1848, 1850 and 1851 [PPTL 1833-51]. He was a 30-year-old "Mulatto" wheelwright counted in the 1850 King William County census with inferred wife Catherine.

iv. Elwood, born about 1820, a "Mulatto" laborer counted in the 1850 King William County census with presumed wife Elizabeth and children Matilda (6), George E. (4) and Thomas Collins (2) in the household adjoining Thornton Almond.

10   v. William, born about 1825.

vi. Archie, born about 1826, listed as a "free Negro & Mulatto" in King William County from 1842 to 1851 [PPTL 1833-51]. He was a "Mulatto" wheelwright in the 1850 Kent County household of John Howell who was also a wheelwright. Archie was a "Mulatto" wheelwright counted in the 1880 census for West Point with wife Ella and children. Their son John T. Collins, born about 1863 in New Kent County, married Harriet Bradley (Bradby), daughter of Pleasant and Lucy Bradley.

 

9.    Richard Collins, born about 1810, was listed as "free Negro and Mulatto" in King William County from 1842-1851: taxable on a slave and a horse in 1847 [PPTL 1833-1851], a "Mulatto" counted in the 1850 King William County census with (wife) Margaret and children Amanda, Eli (2), Junius (2/12) and William Dungee. He was called the widowed son of Billy and Maria Collins on 25 November 1862 when he married Nancy Ann Sweet, widowed daughter of James and Nancy Langston, in King William County. Richard was a "Mulatto farmer counted in the 1870 census with inferred wife Nancy A. (58), daughter Mandy (25) and James A. Collins (4). They were counted in the 1880 census for West Point with children their children. Richard was the father of

i. Amanda, born about 1846, daughter of Richard and Marg^t Collins married William Holt, son of William and Patsy Holt on 10 December 1863 in King William County.

ii. Eli, born about 1848.

iii. Junius, born in 1850.

 

10.    William³ Collins, born about 1825, was listed as a "free Negro and Mulatto" in King William County from 1843 to 1851: called William Collins, Jr., in 1843 [PPTL 1833-51], a "Mulatto" counted in the 1850 census for King William County with inferred wife 25-year-old "Mulatto" Elizabeth and children Joshua, William, Richard and (mother?) Maria Collins (55), in the household adjoining Isaac Miles. He and Elizabeth were "Mulattos" counted in the 1860 King William County census with Joshua (16), William (14), Ethlin (11) Ammon (2) and Simon Collins (9/12). In 1870 his children were listed in the household of (his widow?) Flaredy Collins. He was the father of

i. Joshua, born about 1842.

ii. William, born about 1845.

iii. Richard, born about 1845.

iv. Ethlin, born about 1850.

v. Union, born about 1858, called Union A. Collins, a "Mulatto," when he was listed in the 1870 census for West Point, King William County: 11 years old, at school in the household of 45-year-old "Mulatto" Flaredy Collins and 20-year-old Ethland Collins. He married Junie Bradby, daughter of W.T. (Terrell) and B. Bradley in King William County on 12 December 1883. He was a farmer who was allotted land on the Pamunkey Reservation with wife Junieta in the 1900 census for West Point with children: The (age 15), Hartway (age 12, attending school), Andrew (age 10, attending school) and Oscar (age 1). They were counted on the Pamunkey Indian Reservation in 1910.

vi. Simeon, born in 1860, counted in the 1900 Indian census for King William County with wife Pinkie and six children. They are shown in photo above. He was called the son of William and Elizabeth Collins on 20 January 1909 when he married, second, Gertrude Miles, (white) daughter of Mattie Waters, in King William County.

 

Northampton County, Virginia

1.    Susan Collins, born say 1707, consented to the indenture of her "Mulatto" daughter Rebecca to Thomas Jenkins in Northampton County court on 12 February 1729/30. She was presented for bastardy on 14 May 1734, 9 November 1736 and on 14 February 1737/8. On 12 August 1740 she agreed to serve Elishe Stringer for twenty years on condition that she be allowed to marry Stringer's "Negroe fellow" Caesar and "live with him until she shall be parted by death" [Orders 1729-32, 10; 1732-42, 107, 114, 255, 260, 296, 301, 408]. She was a "Negro" taxable in Digby Semore's Northampton County household in 1737, called "Sue, negro" in 1738, taxable in Elishe Stringer's household in 1740 and 1741 but was not listed in Stringer's household in 1744 [Bell, Northampton County Tithables, 260, 281]. She was the mother of

2     i. Rebecca¹, born 17 August 1729.

ii. Rachel, born say 1734, "Negroe" daughter of Susanna Collins, bound to Michael Christian on 10 December 1734 [Orders 1732-42, 142].

3     iii. Ann, born say 1737.

 

2.    Rebecca¹ Collins, born 17 August ___ (left blank in the record, say 1729), was bound to Thomas Jenkins on 12 February 1729/30. She was a "Negroe girl" listed in the inventory of the Northampton County estate of Thomas Jenkins in 1735 [W&I 18, part 2, 208]. She sued Alderton Gilding for her freedom on 10 September 1751, but the court ordered her to serve until 1 August 1752 according to the indenture produced in court [Orders 1729-32, 10; 1751-3, 7, 35]. She was the mother of

i. Susanna², born 31 July 1758, daughter of Rebecca Collins, bound to Robert Warren on 13 January 1772 [Minutes 1771-7, 27]. Sue's son Thomas, born in May 1785, was bound by the Northampton County court to John Evans on 9 January 1793 [Orders 1789-95, 271].

 

3.    Ann Collins, born say 1737, was living in Northampton County on 13 February 1771 when her nine-year-old daughter Jane Collins was bound out. She may have been the A. Collins who won a suit for £10 against Scarburgh Bingham on 8 June 1779. Peter Beckett and Mary Jeffery were witnesses for the plaintiff [Minutes 1765-71, 433; 1777-83, 167]. She was probably the Nanny Collins who registered in Northampton County on 12 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 358]. She was the mother of

i. Jane, born 15 March 1762, bound to Eyre Stockley on 13 February 1771. She registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 12 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 358].

ii. ?Rebecca², born say 1764, mother of Sue Collins who was seven years old when she was bound to John Evans by the Northampton County court on 14 May 1788 [Minutes 1787-9, 144]. Rebecca registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 13 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 364].

iii. ?Ritter, registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 13 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 364].

 

Other members of the Collins family in Northampton County were

i. John, bound to Guy Grimes on 12 January 1768 [Minutes 1765-71, 154]. He was taxable in Northampton County in 1787, 1795, 1796, and taxable on a slave in 1800 and 1801 [PPTL, 1782-1823, frames 64, 191, 206, 284, 305]. He registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 13 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 364]. He married Betsy Jeffries, 3 February 1803 Northampton County bond, Samuel Beavans surety. Perhaps Betsy was the Betty Collins who was head of a Northampton County household of 5 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:216A].

ii. Lighty, born 30 July 1767, a "free negro" bound to John Tyler on 13 August 1771 [Minutes 1771-7, 3]. He was taxable in Northampton County from 1791 to 1803 [PPTL, 1782-1814, frames 129, 172, 225, 346]. He married Lear Drighouse, 3 January 1794 Northampton County bond, Thomas Lewis surety.

iii. Ralph, born say 1772, taxable in Northampton County from 1791 to 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1814, frames 129, 243, 326, 388, 531], surety for the 2 July 1793 Northampton County marriage bond of Betty Stephens and Isaac Reed. He registered as a "free Negro" in Northampton County on 10 June 1794 [Orders 1789-95, 354]. He married Tamar Bingham, 20 December 1799 Northampton County bond, John Simkins surety, and was head of a Northampton County household of 8 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:217]. His twenty-five-year-old daughter Esther Collins married Moses Bingham, 24 November 1819 Northampton County bond.

iv. Sarah, born about 1778, registered in Petersburg on 11 September 1805: a brown Mulatto woman, five feet two an a half inches high, a little pitted with small pocks, twenty seven years old, born free in the County of Northampton, Virga. & Registry of that County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 359].

v. Mack, married Betsey Shepherd, 27 November 1809 Northampton County bond, Abraham Lang surety. He was head of a Northampton County household of 3 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:217].

vi. Nathaniel, married Salley Stockley, 6 October 1807 Northampton County bond; and second, Molly Sample, 16 August 1810 Northampton County bond, Isaiah Carter surety.

 

Norfolk and Princesss Anne counties

1.   Kinner Shoecraft Collins, born say 1758, son of William Shoecraft, was taxable in the Norfolk County household of (his grandmother) Lucy Shoecraft in 1774 and head of a household as Kinner Shoecraft in 1778 and 1780 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1751-65, 225, 250, 282]. He may have been the illegitimate son of William Shoecraft by a member of the Collins family--perhaps the Elizabeth Collins who was taxable in Princess Anne County on a horse in 1790 and 1793 [PPTL, 1790-1822, frame 74]. Kinner Shoecraft was taxable in Norfolk County from 1782 to 1787: taxable on 17 cattle and 2 horses in 1782 [PPTL, 1782-91, frames 392, 417, 452, 497, 597]. Kinner Collins was taxable in Princess Anne County from 1794 to 1822: taxable on his own tithe and a 16-21-year-old tithe in 1795, taxable on his son Presley in 1796, called Kinner Shoecraft and son Presly in 1799 and 1800, called Kinner Collins thereafter: taxable on son William Collins in 1802 and 1803, taxable on two 16-21-year-old tithes in 1810, taxable on his son Cary from 1811 to 1814. He was listed as white until 1820, but in 1821 and 1822 he was designated as "F.B." (Free Black) in Pungo District, the same list as James Harman who had no racial designation in the earlier lists but was listed as "F.B." starting in 1813. And Shoecraft alias Florry Kinner was listed as a "F.B." in Pungo District in 1821 [PPTL, 1790-1822, frames 86, 117, 129, 154, 164, 196, 216, 223, 259, 273, 306, 319, 354, 364, 383, 404, 436, 452, 486, 499, 502, 661, 679, 699]. (See the Flora history). On 16 April 1799 Kinner Collins petitioned the Norfolk County court to open a road from his land to the main road through the land of Miles Wilson, but the approval was delayed until 17 December 1805. He was living in Princess Anne County on 1 May 1807 when he purchased 50 acres in Norfolk County on the north side of Indian Creek adjoining John Simmons and the Princess Anne County line and Muddy Branch from Samuel Wilson for $320, and on 5 May 1807 he (signing) and his wife Martha (making her mark) of Princess Anne County sold 20 acres in St. Bride's Parish, Norfolk County, on Deep Run near the edge of the main road adjoining Malachi Wilson's line to Samuel Wilson of Norfolk County [Orders 1797-99, 171b; 1799-1801, 32a; 1804-5, 251a; 1806, 10a-b; 1806-8, 137a; DB 43:154-6]. On 21 August 1821 he sued James Harmon, his wife Lucy Harmon, and Andrew Shewcraft (a minor) in Norfolk County court to make sale of the land that formerly belonged to Moses Shewcraft, and the court ordered the proceeds divided equally among them [Minutes 17:141]. (Moses Shoecraft was taxable in Princess Anne County in the same list as Kinner Collins in 1802 with no racial designation [PPTL, 1790-1822, frame 264]). Kinner Collins was head of a Princess Anne County household of 5 "free colored" and a slave in 1820. He made a 25 March 1823 Princess Anne County will, proved 7 July 1823, by which he gave his son Cary Collins his land, allowed Patsey Newton and Sarah Collins the right to cut all the oak timber from the land; gave his son Presley a mare and heifer; gave his daughter Franky Turner five ewes and lambs; gave his daughter Patsey Newton the use of one half of the land situated near Uriah Collins's until the death of her husband Thomas Newton and allowed his daughter Sarah Collins the use of the other half of the land. He also gave a heifer, beds, and furniture to his granddaughter Patsey Turner, daughter of Lucy. Cary Collins was executor [WB 3:368-9]. He was the father of

i. Presley¹, born say 1778, taxable in his father's household in 1796, listed in his own household in 1801 and 1803, but not listed again in Princess Anne County [PPTL, 1790-1822, frames 117, 129, 154, 164, 196, 216, 223, 273]. He made a deed of trust to James Old which was proved in Norfolk County court on 15 May 1809 [Orders 1808-10, 215].

ii. William, born say 1785, taxable in his father's household in 1802.

iii. Cary, born about 1792, taxable in his father's Princess Anne County household from 1811 to 1814, listed in his own household in Pungo District in 1820, a "F.B." taxable there in 1821. He registered in Norfolk County on 21 November 1831: age 39, 5 ft 7-1/2, a mulatto, Born free [Register of Free Negroes & Mulattoes, 1809-1852, no. 829].

iv. Patsey Newton, wife of Thomas Newton who was head of a Norfolk County household of 9 "other free" in 1810.

v. Lucy Turner, mother of Patsey Turner, probably married to a son of Sampson Turner.

vi. Franky Turner.

vii. Sarah.

 

2.    Joshua Collins, born say 1760, was taxable in Princess Anne County from 1790 to 1803 [PPTL, 1790-1822, frames 4, 26, 51, 74, 117, 154, 164, 191, 211, 223, 273]. He may have been the father of

i. Sarah, born about 1778, registered in Princess Anne County on 3 October 1831 (the same day as Sally Harman and Uriah Collins): 5'1", age 53, a negro woman of light complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes & Mulattoes, 1830-1862, nos. 262, 263, 270, 335].

ii. Uriah, born about 1787, a 16-21-year-old taxable in Princess Anne County in 1805, a "F.B." taxable there in 1821 [PPTL, 1790-1822, frames 319, 661, 679], his free Negro registration blank in Princess Anne County on 3 October 1831 [Register of Free Negroes, 1830-62, no. 270].

iii. Presley², born about 1799, married to Ann Hall in Norfolk County by Robert Cox on 22 December 1822 [Ministers' Returns, 1787-1840, 49]. He was a "free Negro," who was ordered to be hired out by the Norfolk County court on 15 August 1825 because he failed to pay his taxes [Minutes 19:136-7]. He purchased 8 acres from Benjamin Boulton by deed recorded in Norfolk County on 15 September 1828 [Minutes 21:18] and registered on 21 November 1831: age 32, 5 ft 10-1/2, a mulatto, Born free [Register of Free Negroes & Mulattoes, 1809-1852, no. 830].

 

Bertie County, North Carolina

1.    Josiah Collins, born say 1750, was a "free Molatto" taxable in his own Bertie County household in the 1771 list of Jonathan Standley [CR 10.702.1, box 2], perhaps the Josiah Collins who was appointed a Bertie County constable in February 1777 [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, IV:212]. His family was associated with the Henry Bunch family of Bertie County. He was probably related to Lucy Collins, head of a Bertie County household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [NC:36].

 

Hyde County, North Carolina

1.    Cate Collings, born say 1744, was called an "Indian Woman" servant of William Gibbs when she was summoned by the March 1765 Hyde County court [Minutes II:113]. Perhaps her descendants were

i. Susannah, born before 1776, head of a Hyde County household of 2 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:248].

ii. Charity, born 1794-1806, head of a Hyde County household of 6 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:246].

iii. Horatio, a "free man of color" who had "taken up with" a slave named Winney, the property of Henry Lucas, in Hyde County on 1 April 1843 [CR 053.928.2].

iv. Nancy, a "free woman of color" who had "taken up with" a slave named Ellick, property of Ananias Sadler, in Hyde County on 1 October 1842 [CR 053.928.2].

 

South Carolina

Those who were counted as "other free" in South Carolina were

i. Cary, head of a South Orangeburg District, South Carolina household of 6 "other free" in 1790.

ii. Reason, born before 1776, head of a Fairfield District household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [SC:606] and 7 "free colored" in 1830.

 

An unrelated South Carolina family:

1.    Robert Collins, born say 1720, was a white plantation owner in St. Thomas and Dennis Parish, Charleston District. He left a will by which he gave 545 acres to his African-American wife Susannah Collins and their children: Nelly, Esther, Rachel, Charlotte, Rebecca, Gasham, Elias, Robert, and Jonathan Collins [Koger, Black Slaveowners, 119-121]. His children were

i. Nelly.

ii. Esther.

iii. Rachel.

iv. Charlotte.

v. Rebecca.

vi. Gasham.

vii. Elias, married Elizabeth Holman and was head of a Winyan County household of 5 "other free" and 68 slaves in 1800 [SC:760] and 6 "other free" and 16 slaves in Georgetown in 1810 [SC:219].

viii. Robert², married Margaret Holman and was head of a St. Dennis Parish, Berkeley County household of 2 "other free" and 10 slaves in 1810 [SC:442].

ix. Jonathan, head of a St. Dennis, Berkeley County household of 1 "other free" and 2 slaves in 1810 [SC:442].

 

COMBESS/ CUMBEST FAMILY

1.    John¹ Combess/ Combest, born say 1670, was taxable in Spesutia Hundred, Baltimore County, Maryland, in 1695 (present-day Harford County) [Wright, Inhabitants of Baltimore County, 7]. He registered the births of his four daughters in St. George's Parish in Baltimore County [Reamy, St. George's Parish Register, 1689-1773, 1, 3, 7]. He was the father of

i. Sarah, born 17 January 1693, "d/o John Combest," married William Robinson on 8 December 1713 in St. George's Parish [Reamy, St. George's Parish Register, 1689-1773, 16].

2    ii. Ketturah, born 10 October 1695.

iii. Mary, born 20 April 1698, "d/o of John Combest," at Swan Creek, St. George's Parish.

3    iv. Martha, born 9 September 1700.

 

2.    Ketturah Combest, born 10 October 1695, "d/o John Combest," was taxable on herself and (her son?) John Combess in Spesutia Lower Hundred, Baltimore County, in 1737. Ketturah was probably the mother of

i. John², born about December 1704, a "Mulatto," eleven years and six months old in June 1716 when he was bound to George Wells by the Baltimore County court [Proceedings 1715-8, 12].

 

3.    Martha Combest, born 9 September 1700, "d/o John Combest," was taxable on herself and her son Jacob Combess in Spesutia Lower Hundred, Baltimore County, in 1737 [Wright, Inhabitants of Baltimore County, 16]. She was the mother of

i. Jacob, born 10 November 1718, "son of Martha Combest" in St. George's Parish [Reamy, St. George's Parish Register, 1689-1773, 21], taxable on 46-3/4 acres in Spesutia Hundred, Harford County, in 1783 [MSA S1161-6-10, p.124].

 

Some of their descendants were in South Carolina in 1770:

i. Josiah¹ and Penelope, witnesses in a murder case against William Fust and Christopher Davis in the South Carolina Court of General Sessions on 19 January 1770 [Journal of the S.C. Court, p.41]. Josiah was a fifer listed in the payroll of the 6^th South Carolina Regiment commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Henderson from 1 August to 1 December 1779 [NARA, M246, roll 89, frame 268].

4    ii. Winna, born say 1752.

 

4.    Winna Combest, born say 1752, was a "Mulatto" head of a Cheraw District, South Carolina household of 3 "other free" females in 1790. She may have been the mother of

i. Josiah², born about 1770, a twelve-year-old "poor Boy" bound to Joseph Booth until the age of twenty-one on 3 August 1782 in St. David's Parish, South Carolina.

ii. Mary, born about 1776, a six-year-old girl bound to Thomas Lankford in St. David's Parish on 3 August 1782.

iii. Joans, born about 1777, a five-year-old girl bound to Francis Robertson in St. David's Parish, South Carolina, on 3 August 1782 [Holcolm, Saint David's Parish Vestry, 24, 25].

iv. John³, head of an Edgefield District, South Carolina household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [SC:766].

 

COMBS FAMILY

1.    John¹ Combs, born say 1675, (apparently a white man) and Sarah Whiting were living in Charles Parish, York County, when their children were born. Sarah Whiting may have been identical to "Sarah, a molatto servant...the daughter of an English woman," who sued her master Thomas Harwood in York County court for her freedom on 26 March 1694, claiming that she was twenty-one years old. She was called "Sarah Whiting a mulatto" when the 16 April 1694 birth of her daughter Mary was recorded in the Charles Parish Register. She was living in Charles Parish on 24 February 1701/2 when she was indicted by the York County court for fornication. John was sued a year later on 24 February 1702/2 for 500 pounds of tobacco due by bill for Sarah Whiting's fine [DOW 9:318; 11:554, 580; 12:94, 117]. She was probably the sister of Ann Whiting, a "mulatto," who had a daughter named Ann on 14 December 1701 [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 193]. John and Sarah were apparently treated as a married couple by 24 July 1705 when John Comes and his wife Sarah were paid as witnesses for Captain Thomas Cheasman in his suit against Denis Obrion. And the birth of their son John Combs was recorded in Charles Parish as if they were married. However, he was called John Combs of Charles Parish on 24 July 1707 when he confessed in court to the charge of fornication. And he was cited for fornication again on 25 February 1707/8. On 16 May 1720 he was called John Cooms when he complained to the York County court that two of his children who were bound to Edmund Sweeney were not being educated. On 16 March 1723/4 he sued James Faison in a disagreement over his account which Edward Tabb, Gent., resolved. On 21 September 1730 Francis Hayward, Gent., informed the court that John's son and granddaughter were not receiving due care [OW 12:344; 13:73, 83, 120; 15:584; 16:262, 277; 17:110]. John and Sarah registered the birth of their children in Charles Parish between 1705 and 1712, and Sarah's death on 16 January 1752 was registered in Charles Parish [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 68, 194-5]. They were the parents of

i. ?Mary, born 16 April 1694, "daughter of Sarah Whiting a mulatto."

ii. ?Ann, born say 1703, living in Charles Parish on 20 February 1720/1 when she was presented by the York County court. She was whipped in York County on 16 February 1740/1 because she could not pay her fine for having a bastard child [OW 16:38, 76; W&I 18:677].

iii. Catherine, born 14 February 1704/5, "daughter of Sarah Whiting by John Combs."

iv. John², son of John Combs by Sarah, born in 1707.

v. Sarah, daughter of John and Sarah, born 10 January 1712, may have married Matthew² Cuttillo.

vi. ?William¹, born about 1718, a 39-year-old James City County "Mulatto" planter, 5 feet 6 inches tall, listed in the August 1757 Size Roll of Captain Thomas Waggener's Company at Fort Holland [Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South, 463].

2     vii. ?Thomas¹, born say 1720.

 

2.    Thomas¹ Combs, born say 1720, and Frances Combs were living in Charles Parish on 17 February 1742 when their son William was born (no race indicated) [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 68]. On 17 December 1744 the York County court ordered that he pay taxes on his "Molatto" wife [W&I 19:314, 332]. On 18 May 1752 the court presented him for not listing himself as a tithable and fined him 1,000 pounds of tobacco. On 19 January 1761 the court ordered the churchwardens of Charles Parish to bind out his children because he was unable to provide for them. He was presented by the court on 21 November 1763 for not listing (his niece?) Martha Cattilla (Cuttillo) as a tithable. He had apparently established a common-law marriage with Anne Wilson by 17 November 1766 when he was presented by the York County court for not listing her as a tithable [Judgments & Orders 1752-4, 18, 58; 1759-63, 90, 128, 199, 204, 246; Orders 1765-68, 161, 206]. His 29 June 1777 York County will, proved 15 September 1777, left a heifer to each of his "old" children: William, Thomas, Edmund, and George Combs and left Ann Wilson and her children, "had by me," the remainder of his estate [W&I 22:374-5]. Ann died before 15 September 1777 when Mead Wood was granted administration on the estate, "Ann Wilson the executrix being dead and William Combs refusing (to be) the Executor" [Orders 1774-84, 151]. Thomas and Frances were the parents of

3     i. William², born 17 February 1742.

4     ii. Thomas², born 4 May 1744.

iii. James, born 19 November 1745, baptized 18 December 1745, son of Thomas and Frances.

5     iv. Edmund¹, born 5 January 1747.

v. John³, baptized 16 September 1750, son of Thomas and Frances.

 

Thomas and Anne had

vi. Sally Wilson, born 24 June, baptized 28 July 1765, daughter of Thomas Combs and Anne Wilson.

vii. Anne, born 22 April 1769, baptized 25 June, daughter of Thomas and Anne Combs.

viii. Martha, daughter of Thomas and Anne, born 17 February, baptized 22 March 1772.

ix. Willis, son of Thomas and Anne born 4 May 1774, baptized 12 June. On 15 January 1787 the York County court bound him to Abraham Francis, shoemaker, because his father's estate was insufficient to maintain him [Orders 1784-7, 402].

x. Frances¹, daughter of Thomas and Anne, born 17 March 1776, baptized 14 April [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 67, 68].

 

3.    William² Combs, born 17 February 1742, baptized 20 March, was the son of Thomas and Frances Combs. He had an account with the York County estate of Anthony Robinson which included his rent for 1776 and 1777 and clothes he cut for the estate in 1778 [W&I 22:483-6]. He and his wife Mary were living in Charles Parish on 15 August 1781 when their "Mulatto" daughter Elizabeth was born [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 68, 67]. He was taxable in York County from 1784 to 1799 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 89, 95, 161, 181, 200, 228, 243]. William and Mary were the parents of

i. John, born 27 December 1776, son of William and Mary, baptized 16 February. He may have been the John Combs, alias John Fry, who married Alice Ware, ("free persons of color") "former servant of the late John Lear and daughter of Elzey Ware, deceased," 11 December 1816 Fredericksburg bond, surety R.S. Chew. He registered in York County on 19 March 1827: a bright mulatto 5 feet 8-1/2 inches high, about 50 years of age, he is much pitted with the small pox, quite grey has a broad thumb on his right hand occasioned by a whitlow & a large apperture between his upper foor teeth...born free [Guardians' Accounts, 1823-46, end of book, Register of Free Negroes, No. 230].

ii. Anne, born 14 December 1778, daughter of William and Mary Combs, baptized 14 February 1779 [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 68].

iii. Elizabeth, born 15 August 1781, baptized 4 November, head of a York County household of 9 "other free" in 1810.

iv. Mary, born 11 July 1783, daughter of William and Mary, baptized 14 September.

 

4.    Thomas² Combs, born 4 May 1744, the son of Thomas and Frances Combs [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 67, 68], was a "poor orphan" ordered bound out by the churchwardens of Charles Parish on 19 March 1764 [Judgments & Orders 1763-5, 176]. He was taxable in York County from 1784 to 1789 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 89, 95, 139, 149]. He and his wife Mary registered the 2 March 1786 birth of their "Mulatto" daughter Hebe in Charles Parish [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 68]. Thomas's child was

i. Hebe, born 2 March 1786, baptized 10 June.

 

5.    Edmund¹ Combs, born 5 January 1747, baptized 5 January 1747, the son of Thomas and Frances Combs, was married to his wife Mary when they registered the the 5 December 1778 birth of their "Mulatto" son Gideon Pickett Combs in Charles Parish and the 8 April 1782 birth of their "Mulatto" son Abraham. Mary was probably related to John and Elizabeth Pickett whose "Mulatto" son William was born on 7 August 1784 [Bell, Charles Parish Registers, 67-68, 152]. Edmund was taxable in York County from 1784 to 1805: on 2 tithes in 1796, 1801 and 1804 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 89, 95, 161, 181, 219, 264, 295, 305]. Their children were

i. John⁴, son of Edmund and Mary, born 17 October 1774, baptized 28 November 1774, married Elizabeth Huson (Hewson), 22 December 1800 York County bond, and was head of a York County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:873].

ii. William³, born 14 February 1776, son of Edmund and Mary, baptized 14 April 1776, probably died young.

iii. Frances², daughter of Edmund and Mary, born 25 July 1777, baptized 8 March 1778.

iv. Gdo. Pickett Combs, born 5 December 1778, "Mulatto" son of Edmund and Mary.

v. William⁴, born 27 February 1780, son of Edmund and Mary, baptized 16 April 1780. He married Betsy Redcross 18 March 1800 York County bond, John Goodall surety, was taxable in York County from 1809 to 1812 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frames 339, 363, 374] and head of a York County household of 4 "other free" and a slave in 1810 [VA:873].

vi. Abraham, born 8 March 1782, "Mulatto" son of Edmund and Mary, baptized 28 April 1782, taxable in York County in 1811 [PPTL, 1782-1841, frame 363].

vii. Jane, born 6 February 1784, "Mulatto daughter of Edmund and Mary," baptized 2 May.

 

Other descendants were

6    i. Thomas³ Combs, born say 1760.

ii. Mary, born about 1800, registered in York County on 20 January 1823: a bright mulatto about 23 years of age...has a thin head of hair [Register of Free Negroes 1798-1831, no.197].

iii. William⁵, born about 1808, registered in York County on 19 September 1831: 23 years of age, 5 feet 10-1/2 inches high, light curly hair, very white and clear skin [Free Negroes Register 1831-50, no.297].

 

6.    Thomas³ Combs, born say 1760, was taxable in Nottoway County, Southampton County, from 1783 to 1790, called a "Mulatto" in 1785, a "free Negro" in 1789 [PPTL 1782-92, frames 517, 534, 563, 587, 609, 731, 783]. He may have been the father of

i. Sally Combs, registered in Southampton County on 31 August 1797: age 18, Mulatto, 5 feet 5 inches-3/4 height, free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 116].

 

CONNELLY FAMILY

1.    Elizabeth Connely, born say 1723, was convicted of having an illegitimate "Mulatto" child in Wicomico Parish, Northumberland County, on 9 September 1745, and the court ordered the churchwardens to sell her as a servant for five years. She was probably the servant of John Evan who was her security in court [Orders 1743-9, 82]. She may have been the mother of

2    i. Eleanor, born say 1745.

 

2.    Eleanor Connally, born say 1745, was living in Fauquier County on 22 February 1779 when the court ordered her to serve her master John Orear for having two "Mulatto" children during her servitude [Minutes 1773-80, 357]. She was apparently the mother of

i. Ann, a one-year-old "Mulatto" ordered bound by the churchwardens of Hamilton Parish, Fauquier County, to John Orear on 25 August 1777 and ordered bound to Vincent Garner on 24 November 1777. On 22 November 1779 the court ordered the churchwardens of Leeds Parish to bind her to John Dulin [Minutes 1773-80, 294, 298, 437].

ii. Catherine, bound by the churchwardens of Hamilton Parish to Vincent Garner on 24 November 1777 [Minutes 1773-80, 298].

iii. ?John Conly, a "free Negro" farmer living on Lark Rains's land in the southeastern district of Rockingham County, Virginia, in 1810 and on Samuel Glenn's land in 1812 [PPTL 1795-1813, frames 649, 681].

 

CONNER FAMILY

1.    Elizabeth Connors, born say 1690, was a "white Christian Woman" who was bound out for five years by the churchwardens of Charles Parish, York County, on 24 November 1710 for "having a mulatto Bastard Child the sd Cunnears appeared & acknowledged the fact" [OW 14:41]. She was probably the mother of

2     i. Lewis, born say 1720.

3     ii. Mark, born say 1722.

4     iii. James, born say 1725.

 

2.    Lewis Conner, born say 1720, purchased 100 acres in Craven County, North Carolina, on the north side of the Trent River adjoining Edward Frank and the White Oak Pocasin near Chinquapin Creek for £20 on 10 April 1760 [DB 2:526]. He was head of a household of 1 "Black" male and 1 "Black" female taxable in Craven County in 1769 [SS 837] and taxable in Jones County on two tracts of 100 acres each, 12 horses, and 3 cattle in 1779 [GA 30.1, frame 14 of 18]. Perhaps his widow was Merion Conner, head of a Beaufort County household of 3 "other free" in 1790 [NC:125]. Lewis was the father of

5     i. John¹, born say 1757.

ii. ?Michael, head of a Robeson County household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [NC:373] and 4 in 1810 [NC:242].

6     iii. ?Rachel, born say 1775.

iv. ?Edward, head of a Lenoir County household of 6 "other free" and 8 slaves in 1810 [NC:301].

 

3.    Mark Conner, born say 1722, received a patent for 100 acres adjoining Lewis Conner on 28 October 1765 on the north side of Chinquapin Creek in the part of Craven County which became Jones County in 1790 [Hoffman, Land Patents, II:19]. He was a head of a Craven County household of 1 "Black" male and 1 "Black" female taxable in 1769 [SS 837], taxable in Jones County on 100 acres, 4 horses, and 25 cattle in 1779 [GA 30.1, frame 11 of 18], and head of a Jones County household of 9 "other free" in 1790 [NC:144]. Perhaps he was the father of

i. John², (Senr), head of a Jones County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [NC:256].

ii. Ephram, head of a Jones County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [NC:256].

iii. Zilphy, head of a Greene County household of 7 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:245].

 

4.    James Conner, born say 1725, was a cooper who purchased 50 acres in Craven County on the north side of the Trent River and south side of Chinquapin Creek for £15 on 29 June 1758 and sold this land for £50 on 4 June 1768 [DB 2:22; 15:126]. He was head of a household of 1 "Black" male and 1 "Black" female taxable in Craven County in 1769 [SS 837]. He was probably the James Conner who was listed among the superannuated members of the Beaufort County Militia under the command of Colonel William Brown prior to 1765, listed after Thomas Blango [Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South, 781]. He was taxable in Beaufort County in 1779 on an assessment of £361 in the same district as Sarah and Thomas Blango (the district of Jesse Blount, Robert Williams, and Jacob Shute) [GA 30.1]. He received voucher no. 2153 on 22 March 1782 in Wilmington, New Hanover County, for £1 for service in the militia [North Carolina Revolutionary Pay Vouchers, 1779-1782, https://familysearch.org/search/collection/1498361, Conner, James]. He was head of a New Hanover County household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [NC:311]. Perhaps his children were those counted in New Hanover County:

i. Moses, head of a household of 2 "other free" in 1800 [NC:311].

ii. William, born before 1776, head of a household of 9 "free colored" in the town of Wilmington in 1820 [NC:205].

iii. Polly, born before 1776, head of a household of 4 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:224].

iv. John⁴, born 1776-94, head of a household of 9 "free colored" in the town of Wilmington in 1820 [NC:205].

 

5.    John¹ Conner, born say 1757, was one of the heirs of Lewis Conner on 29 September 1789 when he mortgaged 100 acres where Lewis formerly lived on the north side of the Trent River on the upper side of the watering hole in Jones County [DB 1:418]. He was head of a Jones County household of 13 "other free" in 1790 [NC:144]. His August 1798 Jones County will named his wife Rebecca and four children [WB A:223-4]. Rebecca was head of a Jones County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [NC:256]. Their children were

i. John³, head of a Jones County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [NC:256].

ii. Jesse, head of a Lenoir County household of 5 "other free" and a white woman in 1810 [NC:301].

iii. Silas.

iv. Daniel.

 

6.    Rachel C___er (Conner), born say 1775, was head of a Beaufort County household of 3 "other free" in 1800 [NC:5]. She was probably the mother of

i. Churchill, born about 1801, "a free Boy of Color," bound apprentice to Isaac Smith by the March 1814 Beaufort County court (no parent named).

ii. Keziah, born about 1803, a ten-year-old "free Girl of Color, ordered bound an apprentice seamstress to Joseph B. Hinton by the March 1813 Beaufort County court.

iii. Chappel, born about 1803, "a free Boy of Color" bound apprentice to W. Smaw by the March 1814 Beaufort County court (no parent named) [Minutes 1809-14, n.p.].

 

Other members of the family were

i. Docias, born say 1760, received voucher nos. 2749 and 2823 for £10 on 30 March 1782 from Wilmington District for service in the militia [North Carolina Revolutionary Pay Vouchers, 1779-1782, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2WT-5RNP, Conner, Docias].

ii. Isaac, born about 1767, a twelve-year-old "Mulatto" ordered bound to George Parris until the age of thirty-one years in Tryon County on 18 January 1779 [Holcolm, Minutes of Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions].

iii. Joseph, born say 1769, a "free mulattoe" ordered bound by the churchwardens of St. David's Parish, South Carolina, on 1 July 1777 [Holcomb, Saint David's Parish, South Carolina, Minutes of the Vestry 1768-1832, 21].

 

COOK FAMILY

1.    Sarah Cooke, born about 1673, was a servant who petitioned the York County court for her freedom on 26 February 1693/4, stating that she was the daughter of an English woman named Mary Cooke and that she had served her master for twenty-one years. The result of her petition was not recorded [DOW 9:297, 352]. She may have been the ancestor of

2     i. Henry, born about 1746.

3     ii. Nancy, born about 1762.

 

2.    Henry Cook, born about 1746, a "free Negro born in Gloucester County," indentured himself for five years in order to get cured of "a pox." He was about 5 feet 10 or 11 inches high and twenty-four years of age in April 1770 when he ran away from the master to whom he was indentured. He was described further as being

lusty and very well made, of a good black complexion, and thick lips; his clothing mean, being an old brown cloth waistcoat and breeches much patched with green cloth, osnabrug shirt, yarn stockings, very bad shoes, though he took leather with him ready cut for another pair. He understands a little of the carpenter business, and has likewise followed the water. He took with him a Negro fellow belonging to William Tate...took with them a yawl of 28 feet [Virginia Gazette, Purdie & Dixon's edition, p. 3, col. 2].

He was living in Essex County on 16 January 1786 when he and Francis Bunday, "free Mulattoes," were accused of entering the lumber house of Lott and Higby Merchants in the City of Richmond on 21 December 1785 and stealing a large quantity of cloth valued at over £200. The defendants were sent to Richmond for further trial [Orders 1784-7, 177-8]. He may have been the father of

i. Charles, born say 1768, taxable in Gloucester County in 1789, from 1797 to 1800, listed as a "Mulatto" from 1804 to 1817, over the age of 45 in 1815 [PPTL 1782-99; 1800-20]. He was a "free negro" head of a Gloucester County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:402A].

ii. William, a "Mulatto" taxable in Gloucester County from 1804 to 1817 [PPTL 1800-20], a "free negro" head of a Gloucester County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:402A].

iii. John, a "Mulatto" taxable in Gloucester County from 1805 to 1815 [PPTL 1800-20], a "free negro" head of a Gloucester County household of 1 "other free" and 2 slaves in 1810 [VA:402A].

iv. Richard, head of a Mathews County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:453].

 

3.    Nancy Cook, born about 1762, was the "mulatto" mother of Rhoda, Charlotte and John Cook who were bound out by the Charlotte County court on 6 August 1793 [Orders 1792-4, 180a]. She registered in Petersburg on 15 August 1800: a light brown Mulatto woman, five feet one and a half inches high, thirty eight years old, bushy head of hair, appears from the certificate produced to have been born free in the County of King & Queen & party raised in Charlotte County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 181]. She was head of a Petersburg household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:123a]. She was the mother of

4     i. Rhoda, born about 1784.

ii. Charlotte, born about 1784, registered in Petersburg on 1 November 1802: a dark brown Mulatto woman, five feet four inches high, eighteen years old, short knotty hair, born free & raised in Charlotte County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 245]. She was head of a Petersburg household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:121a].

iii. John¹.

iv. ?James, "free Negro" head of a Charlotte County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:68].

 

4.    Rhoda Cook, born about 1784, registered in Petersburg on 7 June 1810: a light brown free woman of Colour, five feet five inches high, twenty six years old, born free & raised in Charlotte County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 513]. She was the mother of

i. George², born about 1799, registered in Petersburg on 6 January 1818: a free lad of Colour, nineteen and a half years old, five feet seven 3/4 inches high, dark brown Complection, son of Rhoda Cook, a free woman [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 892].

ii. John², born about 1802, registered in Petersburg on 6 January 1818: sixteen years old, five feet seven inches high, dark brown Complection, son of Rhoda Cook, a free woman [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 893].

 

Spotsylvania County

1.    Sarah Cook, born say 1734, was the servant of Joseph Allen on 7 March 1758 when she acknowledged in Spotsylvania County court that she had a "Molatto" child in her master's house. The court ordered that she serve her master an additional year for his trouble and that she be sold by the churchwardens for another five years when she completed her service to her master. The court issued the same order on 6 August 1759, perhaps for a second child [Orders 1755-65, 65, 142]. She may have been the ancestor of

2     i. George¹, born about 1751.

iii. Winney, a "free Negro" head of a Culpeper County household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:51].

iv. Alyce, head of a Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:113b].

 

2.    George¹ Cook, born about 1751, was about twenty-six years old and had five more years of his indenture to serve William Knox of Culpeper County when he ran away. Knox offered a reward for his return in the 11 April 1777 issue of the Virginia Gazette, describing him as

a very dark servant mulatto man...a likely stout made fellow...clothed in homespun woolen and linen.

The ad also stated that he had applied to a recruiting officer to enlist as a soldier in order to free himself of his indenture [Virginia Gazette (Purdie's edition), p. 3, col. 3]. (A George Cook was in the muster of Capt. Samuel Kearsley's Company of Independents annexed to the 6^th Virginia Regiment from 30 June to 31 July 1777 [NARA, M246, roll 103, frame 305 of 756].) He was a "Mulatto" taxable in Culpeper County from 1796 to 1801 [PPTL 1782-1802, frames 600, 645, 684, 779]. He may have been the father of

i. Peter, a "Mulatto" taxable in Culpeper County on a tithe and a horse from 1800 to 1802, perhaps the Peter Cook who was taxable there in 1788 [PPTL 1782-1802, frames 778, 861], called Peter Kook in 1810, a "free Negro" head of a Culpeper County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:52].

ii. Benjamin, a "Mulatto" taxable in Culpeper County in 1802 [PPTL 1782-1802, frame 861].

 

Northampton and Norfolk counties, Virginia

1.    Mary Cook was an Indian slave of Edmund Scarbrough of Accomack County, according to depositions in the suit of Mary's great grandson George Cook, "a blackman" who sued for his freedom in Accomack County in 1792. Witnesses in the case testified that Mary was taken as a child during the Indian Wars, brought to Accomack County, and sold to Scarbrough as a slave. Peter Major served Scarbrough to free his wife, and they spent their later years as free people. However, Mary's daughter Lucy remained a slave and was left by Scarbrough to his son Mitchell Scarbrough. (This part of the story is confirmed by Edmund Scarbrough's Accomack County will, proved in 1712, by which he left slaves Parris and Lucy to his son Mitchell [DW&c 1692-1715, 559]). Lucy had children George Russell, Betty, Annise and Rosaria, alias Rose Airy, who had sued Hillary Stringer of Northampton County for her freedom. (Rosaria was probably related to the Rosario family of Northampton County). "Negro Major" sued his mistress Anna Marie Andrews based on descent from Indian Moll Cook, and Andrews manumitted him in 1801 [Cook, George: Freedom Suit, 1796; Mary: Freedom Suits, 1804; Major: Freedom Suit, 1801, Accomack County, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. Moll may have been the Indian Moll Cook from whom Lucy Cook claimed her freedom in Norfolk County in 1819. She may have been the ancestor of

2    i. Lucy, born about 1759.

 

2.    Lucy Cook, born about 1759, registered in Norfolk County on 16 November 1819: age 60 years, 5 feet 4-1/2, a mulatto woman. Recovered her freedom by suit decided at August Court 1819 being a descendant of Moll Cook an Indian woman. And she registered again on 26 October 1835: 76 yrs, 5 ft 4-1/2, mulatto, Who recovered her freedom by suit determined at Augt. Ct: 1819 being a descendant of Moll Cooke an Indian [Register of Free Negroes, 1809-1852, nos. 201, 1042]. She was the mother of

i. Tully, born about 1782, registered in Norfolk County on 16 November 1819: 37 years, 5 ft 7-1/2, a light complected man, became entitled to his freedom being the son of Lucy Cook who recovered her freedom by suit determined in August 1819 [Register of Free Negroes, 1809-1852, no. 202].

ii. ?Nancy Cook Willoughby, born about 1787, registered on 17 July 1826: age 39, 5'6", Has 3 children- Pasely Willoughby 7 yrs old, Elizabeth 4 yrs old, George about 2 yrs old not registered, Born free as determined by Jury at March Court 1819 against George Ivy. She registered again on 26 August 1835: 48 yrs, 5 ft 6, light complexion, who was born free as determined by Jury at March Court 1819 agt. Geo: Ivy [Register of Free Negroes, 1809-1852, nos. 341, 1042].

iii. ?Agney, born about 1789, registered on 17 July 1826: age 37, 5'6", yellowish complexion Born free as determined at March Court 1819 against George Ivy [Register of Free Negroes, 1809-1852, no. 342].

iv. ?Sylvia, born about 1791, registered on 17 July 1826: age 35, 5 ft 2-1/2, dark complexion has 3 children: Lucy Ann Cook 9 years, William Cook 4 years, Ader Cook 2 years, Born free as determined at March Court 1819 against George Ivy [Register of Free Negroes, 1809-1852, no. 343].

v. ?Joseph, born about 1791, registered on 17 July 1826: age 35, 5 ft 9-1/2, dark complexion, Born free as determined at March Court 1819 against George Ivy [Register of Free Negroes, 1809-1852, no. 349].

vi. ?John, born about 1796, registered on 17 July 1826: age 30, 5 ft 5 inches, dark complexion, Born free as determined at March Court 1819 against George Ivy [Register of Free Negroes, 1809-1852, no. 344].

 

Bertie County, North Carolina

1.    Caesar Cook, born say 1722, was called free Cesar and taxed on 2 tithes in the household adjoining Colonel Robert West in Henry Hunter's Bertie County tax list for 1757. He and his unnamed daughter were taxable in the 1764 summary list: Ceasar & his Daughter: 2 free molattos (in a list of whites, free molattos and slaves) and was taxable as Free Cesor, Bob and Sue in an untitled list for 1765. In John Crickett's list for 1766 he was taxable on his own tithe as well as "Bobb and his wife a mulatto" and Sue. In 1769 and 1770 he was taxable on his unnamed wife in the list of Lillington Lockhart. The list of John Freeman in 1772 and 1774 noted that Free Ceser and his wife Fillis were tax free by order of the court, probably due to old age. He was taxable as a married man on 13 head of cattle in Wynn's and King's District of Bertie County in 1779. He was administrator of the 15 February 1780 Bertie County estate of Bob Cook. Caesar Cook left a 12 April 1783 Bertie County will, proved in August 1791. He left one-third of his estate to his wife Phillis who he described as a slave he had purchased from Colonel Robert West and was allowed by the February 1783 Bertie County court to free. He gave the remainder of his estate to his grandson Caesar Chavis and a shilling to his daughter Polly [WB D:185, North Carolina Probate Records, Bertie County, Wills, v. D-E 1784-1805, frame 212 of 690, http://familysearch.org/search/catalog/473982]. He was the father of

i. Susan, born say 1748, probably the mother of Caesar Chavis.

ii. Robert, born say 1752, taxable in John Crickett's list for 1766 with his unnamed "mulatto" wife in Caesar's household, called Free Bob when he was taxable on his "mulatto" wife Peney Pugh in 1768, taxable on his unnamed wife in 1769 and 1770 and called Free Bob when he was taxable on his wife Peney James and Ann James in Humphrey Nichols's list for 1772. He was called Robert Cook in the undated list of Humphrey Hardy, about 1772, with his wife Penny and Elizabeth James: 2 Molattos and 1 Black tithe. He was listed as Robert Cook a free negro with "Mollato" wife Peney Cook in the list of H. Nichols in 1774 and tithable on 3 tithes in the 1775 summary list [CR 10.702.1, Box 13]. He was apparently the Robert Cook who enlisted in Blount's 10^th North Carolina Regiment for 9 months on 20 July 1778 [Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, XVI:1034]. Administration on the Bertie County estate of Bob Cook was granted to Caesar Cook on 15 February 1780 on ,2,000 bond with Robert West as surety, but no inventory was recorded. On 9 August 1792 Humphrey Hardy was granted administration on the estate of Robert Cook on ,500 surety. Hardy reported that no goods or chattels had come into his hands other than a certificate from the army accounts at Hillsborough for the wages that were due the deceased in the amount of $94.69 which were received by John Marshall [North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979, http://familysearch.org/search/catalog/456755, film 4854044, images 201-3, 228-31].

 

Other Members of a Cook family were

i. the husband of Nancy Cook, a widow, who was allowed a total of £36 payment to widows and orphans of soldiers in the Revolution from King William County on 23 June 1779 and 6 November 1779 [Quarles, John: Petition, 1779-11-06 and 1779-11-23, Legislative Petitions of the General Assembly, 1776-1865, Accession Number 36121, Box 134, Folders 4 & 6, Digital Collections, LVA].

ii. Roger, born about 1770, a twenty-eight-year-old "mulatto" who ran away from Francis Eppes of Prince George County according to the 3 July 1798 issue of the Virginia Gazette.

iii. Mary, head of an Elizabeth City County household of 8 "other free" and 1 slave in 1810 [VA:183].

iv. Sucky, born say 1770, mother of Frank Cook who registered in Petersburg on 27 June 1811: a brown man of colour, five feet three 3/4 inches high, twenty years old January last, born free and raised in the County of Chesterfield, son of Sucky Cook a free woman [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 666].

v. Phebe, deceased by 6 April 1801 when her six-year-old "free Mulatto" daughter Lucy Cook was bound by the Petersburg court to James Dugger to be a seamstress [Hustings Court Minute Book 1800-4, 42].

vi. Jincy, head of a Petersburg household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:123a].

vii. Judy, head of a Petersburg household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [VA:121b].

viii. Ama, head of a Goochland County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:687].

 

COOLEY/ COLLEY FAMILY

1.    Ann Colley, born say 1704, was the servant of Margaret Blagg of Westmoreland County on 28 March 1722 when the churchwardens of Washington Parish ordered her sold for five years after the completion of her indenture for having a "Mulatto bastard Child" [Orders 1721-31, 15]. She may have been the ancestor of

i. George¹, presented by the grand jury of Charles City County on 6 September 1758 for concealing a tithable. George, Charles, Thomas, and George Coley, Jr., pleaded not guilty, but the court decided that they were required to list their wives as tithables because they were "Mulattos" and fined them 500 pounds of tobacco each. George made an indenture of bargain and sale to Gabriel Coley which he acknowledged in court on 4 November 1761 [Orders 1758-62, 56, 78, 325]. He may have been identical to George Coley who was head of Montgomery County, North Carolina household of 7 white persons in 1790 [NC:165].

ii. Charles, a "Mulatto" convicted for failing to list his wife as a tithable in Charles City County in 1758 [Orders 1758-62, 56, 78], perhaps the Charles Coley who was head of a Halifax County, North Carolina household of 1 white male over 16, 1 under 16, and 3 white females in 1790 [NC:48].

iii. Thomas, a "Mulatto" convicted of failing to list his wife as a tithable in Charles City County in 1758 [Orders 1758-62, 56, 78], perhaps the Thomas Colly who was head of a Robeson County, North Carolina household of 1 white male over 16 and 1 white female in 1790 [NC:48].

iv. George², a "Mulatto" convicted of failing to list his wife as a tithable in Charles City County in 1758 [Orders 1758-62, 56, 78].

v. Jeffrey, enlisted in Montfort's Company of the 10^th North Carolina Regiment on 20 July 1778, deserted the next day and then mustered in the 5^th Regiment in January 1779 [Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, XVI:1034]. He was head of a Halifax County, North Carolina household of 5 whites in 1790 [NC:62].

vi. Robin Cooley, born before 1776, head of a Halifax County, North Carolina household of 6 "free colored" in 1830. The 25 February 1842 session of the Halifax County court allowed him to use his gun in the county. He was called Robin Coley when he appeared in Halifax County court on 17 February 1844 and testified that his sister Sally Coley, widow of Jeffrey Coley a Revolutionary War pensioner, died in Halifax County on 26 December 1843, and he was her heir [NARA, W.4160, M804, Roll 609, frame 494 of 618; https://www.fold3.com/image/12743960].

vii. Francis Coley/ Cooley, born 14 September 1757 in Charles City County, Virginia, enlisted there in the militia in 1777 and moved to Halifax County, North Carolina, in 1779. He volunteered for 6 months in Halifax County and then settled in Brunswick County, Virginia, as an overseer for one Othen Myrick. He moved to Smith County, Tennessee, from where he petitioned for a pension on 28 November 1833; NARA, M804, Roll 609, frame 465 of 618; https://www.fold3.com/image/12745128]. He was listed in the state census for Halifax County, North Carolina, in the 6^th District in 1786.

viii. James Coley, born 16 April 1758 in Charles City County, Virginia, served in the Revolution in Virginia and then enlisted in Halifax County, North Carolina. He lived in Montgomery County, Tennessee, about twelve years and then moved to Humphreys County, Tennessee, where he appeared in court to apply for a pension on 18 September 1833 [NARA, S.3188, M804, Roll 643, frame 218 of 651; https://www.fold3.com/image/1/13181021]. He was head of a Halifax County, North Carolina household of 7 whites in 1790 [NC:62].

ix. Martin Colley, born about 1774, a "F.N." head of a Rockingham County, Virginia household of 9 "other free" in 1810 [VA:13]. He registered in Rockingham County on 20 October 1819: (a free man of Colour) about 45 years of age...a Bright Mullettoe...free born as appears by the affidavit of Abner Yates of this county [Boyd-Rush, Register of Free Blacks, Rockingham County, 20].

x. John Colley, head of a Richmond City, Virginia household of 3 "other free" and a slave in 1810 [VA:367].

xi. William Coley, married Tabitha Peters, 25 April 1818 Halifax County, North Carolina bond, perhaps the Tobby Cooley who married Henry Peters, 8 November 1826 Halifax County bond

 

COOPER FAMILY

Members of the Cooper family in Goochland and surrounding counties were

1     i. Daniel¹, born say 1725.

2     ii. Joseph, born say 1745.

3     iii. Ann, born say 1747.

iv. Margaret, born say 1748, a "free negro" head of a Norfolk County household in Elizabeth River Parish in 1768 [Wingo, Norfolk County Tithables, 1766-80, 80].

4     v. James¹, born about 1750.

5     vi. Rachel, born say 1753.

vii.William¹, born say 1754, a taxable overseer on the Goochland County plantation of the Reverend William Douglas in 1774 and 1775 [List of Tithables 1767-1780, frame 320].

viii. John, born about 1756, a black complexioned soldier, 5'5-1/4" high, a waggoner, born in Albemarle County and residing there when he entered the Revolution as a substitute in Goochland County on 24 March 1781 for 1-1/2 years [The Chesterfield Supplement or Size Roll of Troops at Chesterfield Court House, LVA accession no. 23816, by http://revwarapps.org/b81.pdf (p. 43)].

 

1.    Daniel¹ Cooper, born say 1725, was listed as Mrs. Anne Scott's tithable in Goochland County in 1746 [List of Tithables, 1730-1755, LVA] and was taxable in the upper district of Goochland County on his own tithe and a horse in 1782 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frame 8]. His wife Polly testified at the trial against Daniel's brother James Cooper and his common-law wife Lilly Ann Craddock who were accused of murdering their new-born child on 27 April 1787 [Orders 1786-7, 429-431]. Daniel was the father of

i. James², orphan of Daniel Cooper, deceased, bound to Robin Poor by the Goochland County court on 19 January 1789 [Orders 1788-91, 110].

 

2.    Joseph Cooper, born say 1745, a "free mulatto," and his wife Lydia registered the birth of their son William in Bruton Parish in Williamsburg on 9 March 1768 [Bruton Parish Register, 32]. He was one of a long list of residents of Bruton Parish, York County, who were presented by the court on 15 November 1773 for failing to list themselves as tithables [Orders 1772-4, 436, 442]. He and Lydia were the parents of

i. William², born 9 March 1768.

 

3.    Ann Cooper, born say 1750, was living in Goochland County in November 1770 when the churchwardens of St. James Northam Parish were ordered to bind out her children Roger and Daniel, no race mentioned, to William Michell [Orders 1767-70, 502]. Her children were

6      i. Roger¹, born say 1768.

ii. Daniel², born say 1770, bound out in Goochland County in November 1770 [Orders 1767-70, 502]. He was taxable in the upper district of Goochland County from 1799 to 1814: a "Mulatto" carpenter living near Edward Bolling's in 1804, a "free born carpenter" on George S. Smith's land from 1805 to 1813, listed with wife Nancy in 1813 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frames 525, 543, 596, 666, 686, 738, 778, 821, 864; 1810-32, frames 5, 97, 158, 190]. He married Nancy Cooper (who James Quigg testified was at "a distance from her parents"), 16 December 1803 Goochland County bond, George Tyler surety. Daniel was head of a Goochland County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:689]. His Goochland County estate was assessed at $239 on 12 March 1817 [DB 22:354]. Nancy registered in Goochland County on 20 September 1819: widow of Daniel Cooper decd. aged about thirty four years, about five feet seven inches high, of yellow complexion...free born [Register of Free Negroes, p.111].

iii. ?Isham, born about 1781, registered in Goochland County on 19 September 1808: five feet seven inches & an half high, about twenty seven years of age, light yellow complexion...free born [Register of free Negroes, p.23]. He was a "Black" or "person of color" taxable in Augusta County from 1810 to 1819 [PPTL 1796-1810, frame 623; 1811-20, frames 31, 76, 136, 248, 311, 427, 588] who registered in Augusta County on 25 October 1816 [Free Negro Register 1810-64, no.19].

iv. ?William³, born say 1785, married Nancy Banks, 29 August 1809 Goochland County bond, Jacob Martin surety, 1 September marriage, and was a "Mulatto" farmer living on M.V. Woodson's land in the upper district of Goochland County in 1811, a waterman on M.V. Woodson's in 1813 [PPTL, 1810-32, frames 70, 97, 113].

 

4.    James¹ Cooper, born about 1750, was taxable in the upper district of Goochland County from 1789 to 1800: taxable on a slave under the age of 12 in 1790 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frames 219, 236, 280, 420, 479, 525, 545]. He was called the brother of Daniel Cooper when his common-law wife, a white woman named Lilly Anne Craddock, had a child who was either stillborn or died shortly after birth in Goochland County in 1787 [Orders 1787, 429-436]. He was a "Black" or "person of color" taxable in Augusta County from 1800 to 1819 [PPTL 1796-1810, frames 192, 238, 337, 383, 434, 485, 530, 579, 622; 1811-20, frames 31, 76, 97, 118, 163, 250, 311, 427, 588]. He was a seventy-year-old "free man of color" who applied for a pension while residing in Augusta County, Virginia, on 26 June 1820. He stated that he had enlisted in Goochland County and that his family consisted of himself and Sukey Orchard, a free woman of color upwards of fifty years old, who lived with him. He owned a horse and was renting 4-5 acres. His application included a certificate dated October 1787 from a justice of the peace in Goochland County, describing him as a "molatto Free man," which was to be used as a pass to travel to North Carolina and Georgia. He had been a waiter under Colonel Bluford and continued until his time was out [NARA, S.39362, M804, Roll 647, frame 566 of 621; https://www.fold3.com/image/12703900; Revolutionary War Bounty Warrants, Cooper James, Digital Collection, LVA]. He was head of an Augusta County household of 2 "other free" and a white woman over 45 in 1810 [VA:371]. Sukey Orchard was head of an Augusta County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:371]. She registered in Augusta County on 26 September 1816: Sukey Lewis (alias Sukey Orchard) a Mulattoe woman about forty years of age, was born free and consequently all her children are free as appears from certificate in her possession by Spotswood Garland Clerk of Nelson County dated 26 August 1816 [Free Negro Register 1810-64, no.18].  He was the father of

i. Pleasant, received a warrant for bounty land for his father's services in 1835 [Revolutionary War Bounty Warrants, Cooper, James (Colored), Digital Collection, LVA]. He was taxable in Augusta County from 1813 to 1820 [PPTL 1811-20, frames 97, 118, 249, 311, 427, 588, 606, 636].

 

5.    Rachel Cooper, born say 1753, apprenticed her sons Daniel and David to Japheth Fowler for five years. In April 1783 she complained to the Goochland County court that he was ill-treating her sons and intended to remove them from the county [Orders 1779-83, 173]. She married Squire Caesar, "Free Negroes," 13 March 1800 Goochland County bond, Thomas F. Bates surety, 16 March marriage. Squire was head of a Goochland County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:689] and was living with his wife Rachel near John Lewis in 1813 [PPTL, 1810-32, frame 159]. Rachel was the mother of

i. David, born say 1772, taxable in the upper district of Goochland County from 1798 to 1805: a "Black Free man" shoemaker at William Humber's in 1804, a "free born" shoemaker living on William Britt's land in 1805 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frames 480, 525, 615, 666, 686, 738].

ii. Daniel², born say 1773, taxable in the upper district of Goochland County in 1799, his tax charged to David Ross in 1799 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frame 533].

iii. Nancy, daughter of Rachel Cooper ordered bound out on 19 July 1790 [Orders 1788-91, 458].

iv. Billy, son of Rachel Cooper ordered bound out on 19 September 1791 [Orders 1788-91, 720].

v. Jesse, son of Rachel Cooper ordered bound out on 19 September 1791 [Orders 1788-91, 720].

vi. Randal, child of Rachel Cooper ordered bound out on 21 October 1793 [Orders 1791-4, 388]. Randolph married Polly Cockran, "daughter of Henry Cockran," 13 December 1813 Goochland County bond, 16 December marriage. He was a "Mulatto" carpenter living at Squire Caesar's in 1813 and 1814 [PPTL, 1810-32, frames 159, 190], perhaps the Randolph Cooper who was security in Norfolk County on 20 April 1824 when Jenny Bell charged Charles Cooper, "both free persons of color," with being the father of her child [Minutes 18:280]. Randolph (age 33), Nancy (age 32), Charles (age 31), Garrett (age 29), Thomas (age 27), William (age 15) and Reed Cooper (age 25) emigrated to Liberia from Norfolk aboard the brig Harriet in 1829 [https://www.fold3.com/image/46670279].

vii. Roger², child of Rachel Cooper ordered bound out on 21 October 1793 [Orders 1791-4, 388], married Ruth Cockran, "daughter of Henry Cockran," 31 October 1814 Goochland County bond, 3 November marriage, and was a sawyer living at Squire Caesar's in 1814 [PPTL, 1810-32, frame 190].

 

6.    Roger¹ Cooper, born say 1768, was taxable in the upper district of Goochland County from 1786 to 1815: a "Mulatto" farmer living near William George's in 1804, listed with (wife?) Patsey on William M. Richardson's land in 1813, over the age of 45 in 1815 [PPTL, 1782-1809, frames 140, 150, 175, 279, 387, 464, 525, 543, 615, 687, 738, 778, 822, 864; 1810-32, frames 5, 76, 159, 189, 258]. He was head of a Goochland County household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:688]. He may have been the father of

i. Francis, born say 1792, a "Mulatto Waterman" living at Roger Cooper's in 1813, a "Mulatto Ditcher" at Roger Cooper's in 1814 [PPTL, 1810-32, frames 159, 189, 258].

 

Members of the family in Petersburg were

i. Joseph, born say 1780, taxable in the part of Petersburg that was in Prince George County in 1797 and 1798 [PPTL, 1786-99, frames 807, 824], married Sally Cartiqne, widow, 3 July 1817 Petersburg bond, Archibald Bell (signing) surety. She registered in Petersburg on 2 June 1810: a very light colored Mulatto woman, 5'1" high in shoes, is very near white, has blue eyes, long strait sandy colored hair...Born free in Pr Geo County. Sally was the widow of Casime Cartegne who registered in Petersburg on 24 November 1806: a light brown free Mulatto man, 5'8" high in shoes, about 24 yrs old...Born free on the island of Domingo [Register of Free Negroes, 1794-1819, nos. 402, 622], and married her, Sally Bland, "a free mulatto spinster," the same day by Petersburg bond, Pliny Skipwith (free men of colour) surety. Joseph was listed as a barber with Sarah in the List of Free People of Color in Petersburg in 1821 with children (apprentices?) John Bland, Martha Heads and Henry Blue [List of Free People of Color in Petersburg (p. 11), 1821, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

ii. Fanny, born about 1799, a laborer listed with Sarah Ann in the List of Free People of Color in Petersburg in 1821 [List of People of Color in Petersburg (p. 15), 1821, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. She was called "an Indian of the Pamunkey Tribe," when she married John Steward, 26 June 1827 Petersburg bond, John Updike surety. John (age 52) and Frances (age 30) emigrated to Liberia aboard the Harriet in 1829 [ https://www.fold3.com/image/46670218].

iii. Elizabeth, a laborer counted in the 1821 List of Free People of Color in Petersburg [List of Free People of Color in Petersburg (p. 2), 1821, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

 

COPELAND FAMILY

Members of the Copeland family in Virginia were

i. Michael, head of a New Kent County household of 6 "other free" and a slave in 1810 [VA:747].

ii. Richard, head of a Henrico County household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:980].

iii. Exum, born about 1790, registered in Norfolk County on 21 October 1811: 5 feet 6 1/2 In. 21 years of age dark Complexion...Born free [Register of Free Negros & Mulattos, #64].

iv. David, born 1770-1799, a "Free Negro" taxable at Allen's Mill in Nansemond County in 1815 [PPTL, 1815-1837, frame 19].

v. Allen, born 1770-1799, a "Free Negro" taxable at N. Milner's in Nansemond County in 1815 [PPTL, 1815-1837, frame 19].

vi. George, born 1770-1799, a "Free Negro" taxable at McClenney's in Nansemond County in 1815 [PPTL, 1815-1837, frame 19].

 

Members of the family in North Carolina were

i. Isaac, married in Wake County on 31 December 1787 [T&C, box 87] and was head of a Wake County household of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:105] and 3 "free colored" in 1830. He purchased 200 acres in Wake County on the east side of a road adjoining Clifton and John Lewis on 26 November 1793, sold this land on 22 March 1799, and purchased 100 acres in Wake County on the waters of Middle Creek and both sides of Buffalo Swamp on 26 November 1799 [DB Q:154, 439]. He also purchased 33 acres on Carys Creek in Wake County from William Stewart on 17 February 1807 and sold 104 acres in Wake County on the Orange County line for $300 on 13 February 1818. He mortgaged 60 acres and his household goods for $60 on 8 March 1821 [DB U:160; 3:199; 5:46]. He was probably the father of Thomas Copeland, born about 1790, who was head of a Wake County household of 6 "free colored" in 1840 and a "Mulatto" household in 1860 which included (his mother?) Nancy Harris Copeland, a "Mulatto" aged 90. Thomas married Elizabeth Evans, 2 October 1837 Wake County bond.

ii. Cato, born about 1758, head of a Craven County household of 1 "other free" in 1790 [NC:134] and 2 in Halifax County in 1810 [NC:12]. While a resident of Halifax County he applied for and was granted a pension for 3 years service in the 2^nd North Carolina Regiment. According to the pension application he married Nancy Mitchell, 11 December 1778 Halifax County bond, 16 December 1778 marriage. Cato died in 1827 and his wife Nancy Copeland applied for a survivor's pension on 21 November 1842 [NARA, W.17665, M805-219, frame 0072].

iii. Benjamin, born before 1776, head of a Hertford County household of 3 "free colored" men in 1820 [NC:182]. Benjamin, James and Donnel Copeland were among "Sundry persons of Colour of Hertford County" who petitioned the General Assembly in 1822 to repeal the act which declared slaves to be competent witnesses against free African Americans [NCGSJ XI:252].

 

COPES FAMILY

1.    Margaret¹ Copes, born say 1681, was presented by the churchwardens of Hungers Parish, Northampton County, Virginia, on 29 December 1699 for having a "Maletto Barstard child" but was discharged because her child was not born in the county. On 19 April 1701 she indentured her year-and-two-month-old daughter Tabitha to Richard Smith until the age of eighteen. She and John Harper proved the will of Captain Isaac Foxcroft in court on 8 November 1702 [OW&c 1698-1710, 36, 83, 106]. She was the mother of

2     i. Tabitha, born about December 1699.

ii. Margaret², born say 1705, married Azaricum Drighouse (Driggers).

 

2.    Tabitha Copes, born before December 1699, was a "Mulato" presented by the Northampton County, Virginia court for bastardy on 11 May 1725 [Orders 1722-29, 181]. She was tithable in the Northampton County household of Azaricum and Margaret Drighouse in 1726 and was called Tabitha Carter in their household in 1727 with her husband Jacob Carter. They were taxable in their own household from 1728 to 1731 [L.P. 1726-31]. Her children were

i. Elishe, born about September 1719, thirteen-month-old "daughter of Tabitha Copes," bound apprentice by her mother to John Marshall in Northampton County on 10 October 1720 [Orders 1719-22, 95]. He may have been the ancestor of Daniel Copes, head of an Accomack Parish, Accomack County household of 6 "other free" in 1800 [Virginia Genealogist 1:104] and 6 in 1810 [VA:87].

3     ii. Jacob, born before 11 May 1725.

 

3.    Jacob Copes, born before 11 May 1725, perhaps the bastard child Tabitha was presented for in 1725 (son of Jacob Carter?), was a "free Negro" listed in the muster roll of Abner Neale's Craven County, North Carolina Company between the head of Slocomb's Creek and Turnagain Bay on 4 October 1754 and 1755 [Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South, 708]. A petition in Craven County court on behalf of him and his wife and children was postponed on 13 September 1768 to the next court, but the matter of the petition and the outcome were not recorded [Minutes 1767-75, 93b]. He was a taxable head of a Craven County household of a Black male and 3 Black females in 1769 [SS 837], taxable as a married man in the list for the district of captains Adam Tooley and John Nelson in 1779 [GA 30.1], and was head of Craven County household of 16 "other free" in 1790 [NC:130]. His children were

i. Mary, born say 1755, called the daughter of Jacob Copes when she was deemed an insolvent person because of "her infirmity" by the 10 June 1772 Craven County court. On 8 September 1772 this decision was reversed on unstated evidence by the sheriff [Minutes 1772-84, vol.1, p.3a, p.6c]. She was head of a Craven County household of 5 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:65].

ii. ?Nancy, born 1776-94, head of a Craven County household of 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:76].

iii. ?Mahala, born about 1789, married Ishmael Aaron, 26 October 1839 Craven County bond. She was a 61-year-old "Black" woman listed with 88-year-old Ishmael Aaron in the 1850 census for Craven County.

iv. ?Catherine, born 1794-1806, head of a Craven County household of 4 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:72].

v. ?Elsey, born 1794-1806, head of a Craven County household of 1 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:77].

 

Endnotes:

1.    Peter George and John Carter, also from Northampton County, Virginia, were "Free Negroes" listed immediately after Jacob Copes in Neale's muster.

 

CORN FAMILY

1.    Rebecca Corney, born say 1668, was the servant of John Baxter in August 1689 when she was fined by the Charles City County court for having an illegitimate "Mulatto" child [Orders 1687-95, 225]. She may have been the ancestor of the Corn family:

2     i. Robert, born say 1745.

3    ii. Abby, born about 1753.

4     iii. Lucy¹, born say 1755.

iv. Bess, born say 1762, a "poor child" bound apprentice in Chesterfield County on 4 February 1763 [Orders 1759-67, 386].

v. Peg¹, born about 1763, a 40-year-old cook in Petersburg in 1803 [List of People of Color in Petersburg 1803, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

vi. Joe, born about 1764, registered in Petersburg on 25 August 1794: a dark brown Mulatto man, five feet six inches high, thirty years old, born free and raised in Chesterfield County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 88]. He was taxable in Chesterfield County from 1791 to 1805 [PPTL, 1786-1811, frames 82, 444, 482, 519, 557, 596].

vii. Letty, born before 1776, head of a Petersburg household of 2 "free colored" in 1830.

viii. Amey, born about 1768, a 35-year-old washer listed in Petersburg in 1803 [List of People of Color in Petersburg 1803, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA], head of a Petersburg household of 2 "free colored" in 1830.

ix. Pegg², bound apprentice in Chesterfield County on 6 September 1782 [Orders 1774-84, 372].

x. Mary, born about 1783, registered in Petersburg on 11 July 1804: a small made, yellow brown Mulatto woman, five feet high, twenty one years old, born free & raised in the Town of Petersburg [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 328] and was head of a Petersburg household in 1810 [VA:121b].

xi. Sally¹, born say 1788, head of a Petersburg household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [VA:335].

xii. John, born about 1793, registered in Chesterfield County on 26 February 1816: yellow complexioned, twenty-two to twenty-three years old, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53, no. 252].

xiii. Sally², born about 1805, registered in Petersburg on 3 August 1807: an infant daughter of Judah Harrison, a free woman, two years old Oct. next, of a dark brown complexion [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 415].

 

2.    Robert¹ Corn, born say 1745, was taxable in the St. James Parish, Lunenburg County household of Hutchings Burton in 1764 [Bell, Sunlight on the Southside, 247]. He was living in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, on 8 May 1780 when he applied for bounty land in court, stating on oath that he was recruited as a soldier in the French and Indian War before 7 October 1763 [Orders 1779-84, 36]. He was listed in a manuscript volume bearing on the Revolutionary War in Virginia [Eckenrode, Virginia Soldiers of the American Revolution, I:113, citing War 4:128 at LVA]. He was taxable on a free tithe and 2 horses in Mecklenburg County from 1782 to 1789 [PPTL, 1782-1805, frames 14, 41, 79, 287]. He was security for Richard Evans when he was sued for debt in Mecklenburg County court on 10 May 1784 [Orders 1784-7, 6, 49, 107, 338]. On 6 March 1789 he made a deed of trust in Mecklenburg County of his household furniture, his working tools, 2 horses, and 14 hogs for a debt of 1,335 pounds of tobacco and £10 he owed William Baskerville and George Hunt Baskerville [DB 7:550]. He was head of a Wake County household of 3 "other free" in 1790 [NC:106] and 1 in 1800 [NC:756] and was taxable on 200 acres in Wake County in 1792 [Haun, Wake County Court Minutes, II:635]. He married Prisey Wiggins, 12 December 1802 Wake County bond, Josiah Mitchell bondsman. Prissey was probably the widow of Matthew Wiggins. Robert's 1 June 1816 Wake County will, proved August the same year, named only his wife Priscilla and his son Robert Brooks Corn. Mary Locus was a witness, and Lawrence Pettiford was a witness and executor of the will [CR 099.801.16]. His children were

5     i. Julius, born about 1763.

ii. ?Hissey, born say 1765, married William Stuard, 21 ___ (no month or year but probably before 1790) Mecklenburg County marriage bond, Robert Corn surety.

iii. ?Justin, born say 1770, head of a Wake County household of 3 "other free" in 1790 [NC:106]. (His widow?) Jane Corne, born before 1776, head of an Orange County, North Carolina household of 6 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:370].

6     iv. Robert Brooks, born about 1772.

v. ?Rebecca, married Josiah Mitchell, 23 February 1798 Wake County bond, David Valentine bondsman.

 

3.    Abby Corn, born about 1753, was a 50-year-old washer living in Petersburg in 1803 in the same household as Molly Wynne, Hagar Jumper and Ritta Corn [List of People of Color in Petersburg 1803, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA]. She may have been the mother of

i. Ritter, born about 1775, registered in Petersburg on 15 August 1800: a short well made, dark brown Mulatto woman, five feet one inches high, twenty five years old, short thick hair, born free & raised in the County of Surry [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 171]. She was taxable in Petersburg on a slave and 2 horses in 1800 [PPTL 1800-33, frame 4].

ii. Amy/ Amery, listed next to Abby Corn in the 1821 List of Free People of Color for Petersburg, a washer, who had children Prissa, Polly, Sally and Isham in her household [List of People of Color in Petersburg 1821, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

 

4.    Lucy¹ Corn, born say 1755, was living in Chesterfield County on 4 December 1778 when the court ordered the churchwardens to bind out her daughter Phebe. She registered in Petersburg on 19 August 1794: a dark brown, stout made Mulatto woman, with bushy black hair, five feet one inches high, thirty six years old, born free & raised in Chesterfield County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 56]. She was called the next friend of Rowland Corn when he sued William Perrott in the Petersburg Hustings Court on 4 March 1792 for trespass, assault and battery and false imprisonment. John Walthall and Thomas Akin were her witnesses. The jury ruled that Rowland was born free, entitled to his freedom and awarded him £50 damages on 4 March 1794 [Orders 1791-7, 35, 98, 100, 117]. She was the mother of

i. Phebe, born about 1768, daughter of Lucy Corn, bound apprentice in Chesterfield County on 4 December 1778. She was apprenticed to John Stewart Redford on 6 December 1782 when he was ordered to appear in court to answer her complaint [Orders 1774-84, 197, 388]. She registered in Petersburg on 19 August 1794: a brown Mulatto woman, five feet one and a half inches high, twenty six years old, born free and raised in Chesterfield County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 65].

ii. Lucy², daughter of Lucy Corn, bound out in Dale Parish by order of the Chesterfield County court on 5 February 1779 [Orders 1774-84, 202].

iii. Robert², born say 1770, a "poor child" bound apprentice with (his brother?) Matthew Corn in Dale Parish by order of the Chesterfield County court on 7 October 1774 and bound out again on 5 July 1775 [Orders 1774-84, 56, 87].

iv. Matthew, born about 1771, a "poor child" bound apprentice in Dale Parish by order of the Chesterfield County court on 5 August 1774 and ordered bound out with (his brother?) Robert Corn on 7 October 1774. He was probably identical to Matt Cam, child of Lucy Cam, who was ordered bound out by the churchwardens of Dale Parish in November 1781, called Matthew Corn when he was bound out again on 10 March 1787 [Orders 1774-84, 48, 56, 331; 1784-7, 463]. He was taxable in Chesterfield County from 1795 to 1805 [PPTL, 1786-1811, frames 229, 297, 330, 369, 444, 482, 519, 558, 596]. On 5 December 1792 his master John Walthall wrote a note "to any Magistrate" that Matthew served an indenture with James Baugh until Baugh's death and then completed the indenture with him. Thomas Bolling gave him a note dated 1 December 1792 which read, "The Mother of the within Named Matthew Corn has lived in my Neighborhood for a considerable time, was always said to have been Born Free." He registered in Chesterfield County on 11 June 1801: a dark Mulatto Man [Corn, Matthew (M): Free Negro Affidavit, 1792; Free Negro Certificate, 1801, African American Narrative Digital Collection, LVA].

vi. Roland, bound apprentice in Chesterfield County on 5 March 1779 [Orders 1774-84, 207].

 

5.    Julius Corn, born about 1763, was listed in the Mecklenburg County household of (his father?) Robert Corn in 1784, was taxable in his own household in 1787 and 1788 [PPTL, 1782-1805, frames 79, 189, 235] and was also taxable on a free tithe and a horse in Brunswick County, Virginia, in 1787 [PPTL, 1782-1815]. He was head of a Wake County household of 3 "other free" in 1790 [NC:104] and 7 in 1800 [NC:756]. In June 1791 the Wake County court charged him with having an illegitimate child by Tempy Taborn [Haun, Wake County Court Minutes, II:499]. He was taxable on 200 acres in Wake County in 1793 and 1794, 200 acres and 2 free polls in 1799, and 100 acres and 2 free polls in 1802: listed with Robert Corn who was taxable on 100 acres and Robert B. Corn who was taxable on 38 acres and 1 poll [CR 099.701.1 (microfilm), frames 36, 151, 227, 253]. He and his son James Corn were deceased by 29 March 1817 when the Wake County court attached real estate descended to his heirs: brothers, sisters, and half-brother. His heirs were John Corn, Henry Corn, Willis Taborn, and minors: Caty, Terrell, Berry and Peggy Corn [CR 099.508.75]. His widow Jane Corn posted bond for administration on Julius Corn's estate in May 1820. Cate Corn was one of the buyers at the sale of the estate [North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1663-1979, Corn, Julius (1820); Corn, James (1817), https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1911121]. Jane was head of an Orange County household of 4 "free colored" males under 25, 1 female 16-25 and 1 female over 45. Julius's children were

i. James, married Tempy Hammon, 18 November 1816 Wake County bond, John Williams bondsman.

ii. John.

iii. Henry, born 1794-1806, head of an Orange County household of 5 "free colored" in 1820 (with a woman born before 1776) [NC:304].

iv. Willis Taborn.

v. Caty.

vi. Terrell.

vii. Berry, married Fanny Curtis Anderson, 11 May 1837 Guilford County bond, Lewis Jeffers bondsman.

viii. Peggy, married Barnabus Scott, 21 March 1829 Wake County bond, Gilford Scott bondsman.

 

6.    Robert Brooks Corn, born about 1772, was listed in the Mecklenburg County household of (his father?) Robert Corn in 1788 and was listed in the household of John C. Walden in 1791 [PPTL 1782-1805, frames 235, 416]. He was surety for the 29 September 1794 Greensville County, Virginia marriage bond of Mark Going and Sarah Jones. He married Ginsy Jeffers (Jeffries), "over 21 years of age," 26 March 1795 Greensville County bond, Drury Going surety, and was head of a Wake County household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [NC:756] and 9 in Orange County in 1810 [NC:816]. His widow Jincey Corne, born before 1776, was head of an Orange County household of 9 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:312]. He bought land in Orange County before his death but did not complete the payments. Richardson Corn (his son) purchased the land from the sheriff on 24 May 1830 and identified Robert's children: Dixon, Dickerson, Eaton, Richard, Anderson, Polly, Jane, and Ann Corn [DB 17:149; 24:94]. They were also identified when Jane Corn, widow, sued Dixon Corn and infants: Dickerson, Eaton, Richardson, Mary, Jane, Ann and Anderson Corn for her dower land in August 1820 [North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1663-1979, Corn, Robert B. (1820), https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1911121]. Their children were

i. Dixon, head of an Orange County household of 2 "free colored" in 1820 [Book A:412]. He married Tempe Jeffers, 5 February 1821 Orange County bond, Lewis Jeffers bondsman.

ii. Dickerson.

iii. Eaton, ("white") married Elizabeth Chavis (colored), 7 January 1832 Guilford County bond.

iv. Richardson.

v. Anderson.

vi. Polly.

vii. Jane.

viii. Ann.

 

CORNET FAMILY

Members of the Cornet family were

1     i. Byrd, born say 1760.

ii. Sarah, born say 1762, head of a Northampton County, North Carolina household of 1 "Black" person 12-50 years old in the 1786 state census in Elisha Webb's District.

iii. Parthena, born about 1767, registered in Petersburg on 18 August 1794: a yellow Mulatto woman, five feet six & a half inches high, twenty seven years old, born in the County of Northampton, No. Ca., born free [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 20]. She married David Thomas of Petersburg.

iv. Jonas, born about 1771, registered in Petersburg on 23 August 1794: a brown Mulatto man, five feet eight inches high, twenty three years old, from a certificate of Lawrence Smith appears to have been born & raised in Northampton County, N. Carolina [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 80].

v. Joseph, born say 1778, a "free Black" taxable in the part of Petersburg that was in Dinwiddie County in 1795 [PPTL, 1787-99, frame 768], head of a Stafford County, Virginia household of 3 "other free" in 1810.

 

1.    Byrd Cornet, born say 1760, enlisted in the 10^th Regiment of the North Carolina Continental Line for 9 months on 20 July 1778 [Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, XVI:1034] and was listed in the roll of Lieutenant William Davidson's North Carolina Company on 23 April 1779 [NARA M246, Revolutionary War Rolls, 1775-1783, https://www.fold3.com/image/10200387]. H. Montfort issued his final pay of £27 [Clark, The State Records of North Carolina, XVII:198]. He was living in Northampton County, North Carolina, between 24 June 1783 and September 1790 when he was paid money by the estate of Thomas Deloatch [Gammon, Records of Estates, Northampton County, I:72], and he paid £1 to the St. George Parish, Northampton County wardens on 4 June 1798 [CR 71.927.1, fol. 34]. Byrd was head of a Northampton County household of 8 "other free" and 3 slaves in 1790 [NC:75] and 7 "other free" in Chatham County in 1800, called "Hew Bird Cornet" [NC:196]. On 14 June 1819 he married Betsy Skippey (Skipper), Cumberland County, North Carolina bond, Daniel Munroe bondsman. He may have been the father of

i. Ned, head of a Pasquotank County household of 2 "other free" and a slave in 1810 [NC:892].

 

CORNISH FAMILY

1.    Margaret¹ Cornish, born say 1610, was probably the unnamed mother of "robt. Cornish & his Mother" mentioned in an April 1663 billing account recorded in Surry County, Virginia court [Haun, Surry Court Records, II:245]. Robert Cornish may have been the son of Robert Sweat who was made to do penance during divine service at James City Church on 17 October 1640 because he hath begotten with Child a negro woman servant belonging unto Lieutenant Sheppard [McIlwaine, Minutes of the Council, 477]. She was witness to the 2 February 1666 Surry County indenture of Dorothy Thorne to serve Charles Barham and his wife for six years. She was taxable on 2 tithes in the list for Lawns Creek Parish on Hog Island in 1668 and 1 in 1669 and 1670 [Haun, Surry Court Records, II:340, 314, 372; Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, vol.22, no.2, 20, 21]. On 10 October 1670 the General Court of Virginia called her a "negro woman" when it exempted her from paying taxes because of her poverty and old age [McIlwaine, Minutes of the Council, 225]. Her children were probably

i. Robert¹, born say 1640, mentioned with his unnamed mother in an April 1663 billing account recorded in Surry County court.

ii. William Sweat, born about 1642.

2    iii. Anthony, born say 1645.

 

2.    Anthony Cornish, born say 1645, was a taxable head of a household on Hog Island in Lawnes Creek Parish from 1673 to 1702, with (his son?) Robert Cornish in 1693 and 1694 and with John Prime (Prince?) in 1702 [Haun, Surry Court Records, III:37; DW 2:63b, 189b; 4:219b, 280a, 5:61b, 134b, 191b, 194a, 208b]. On 5 March 1677 the Surry County court granted Edward Travis an attachment against his estate for 1,056 pounds of tobacco, and on 5 July 1681 he and his wife were fined 50 pounds of tobacco for not going to church. He was listed among the Surry County householders and freeholders on 3 January 1687. In September 1696 he and William Sweat were security for Margaret Sweat's administration on the estate of Robert Sweat. Perhaps his (first) wife was Katherine Cornish who was mentioned in a Surry County court case on 11 January 1685/6 [DW 2:285; Haun, Surry Court Records, III:193, 344; IV:622; V:168, 494]. And he may have married Margaret Shaw who was taxable in his household in 1698 [DW 5:191b], perhaps the Margaret Cornish who was taxable in John Hencock's Lawns Creek Parish household in 1703 [DW 5:291]. Anthony was a defendant in a March 1702/3 Surry County court case for which the plaintiff failed to appear [Haun, Surry Court Records, VI:31]. His children were probably

i. Robert², born say 1677, taxable in Anthony Cornish's household from 1693 to 1699 [DW 4:332b, 5:61b, 134b, 191b, 208b] and was a defendant in a November 1699 Surry County court case for which the plaintiff failed to appear [Haun, Surry Court Records, V:235].

ii. Elizabeth, born say 1685, taxable in 1701 in the Lawnes Creek household of James Ely, a neighbor of Anthony Cornish [DW 5:234b], perhaps the Elizabeth Cornish who was living in the lower parish of Surry County on 20 January 1730/1 when she was presented by the court for having a bastard child [DW 8:69].

 

Endnotes:

1.    Dorothy Thorne was probably the ancestor of Thomas Thorn who was presented by the Surry court for failing to list his "Mulatto" wife as a taxable but excused the same day "for reasons Appearing to the Court" [Orders 1757-64, 135].

 

COTANCE/ COTANCH FAMILY

1.    Jack Cotance, born say 1726, was a "Mullatto" who brought an unsuccessful suit for his freedom from Simon Whitehurst in Princess Anne County, Virginia court on 21 July 1747 [Minutes 1744-53, 98, 105]. He was probably the John Cotanch who was listed in Child's Company of soldiers in the North Carolina Continental Line on 20 July 1778, listed as dead in Lytle's Company in 1782 [Clark, State Records, 16:1035]. He may have been the father of

i. Willie, head of a Martin County, North Carolina household of 1 "other free" in 1790 [NC:67] and 7 in 1810 [NC:451], perhaps out of the county in 1800 when (his wife?) Dollee Cottanch was head of a Martin County household of 3 "other free" [NC:391].

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