Willie Mae Tennison - a Story of Enslavement in the Cherokee, Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations in Oklahoma

Oklahoma Indian Territory 1889

 Willie Mae Tennison was born 19 May 1928 in Atoka County, Oklahoma.  She is the daughter of Julius Tennison who was born 1907 in Oklahoma and Carrie Bell Jackson born 1904.  Willie Mae married Ludy Clayton, Jr, born 31 July 1929 in Atoka, Oklahoma and died 10 Sep 2014 in Julesburg, Colorado. He is the son of Ludy Clayton, Sr and Anna / Annie White.    Read more about Ludy Clayton's family.

Willie Mae and Ludy married on 18 June 1947 in Atoka, Oklahoma by H C Kilgore, Ordained Elder of the CME Church at the home of Mrs. Louis Jackson.  Witnesses were Mrs Pinny, Mr Louis Jackson and Mrs Ruth Jackson.  Louis and Ruth were Willie Mae's grandparents.

On 15 April 1950 they were in Colorado and counted in the US Census.
1950 Census   Julesburg, Sedgwick, CO
Dwelling 357  all BLK
Crooms, Thomas  41 bOK Cleaner, Dry Cleaning
   Helen 38 bOK Housework for others     This is Ludy's sister
Anderson, Clinton 22 son in law bOK Section Hand RR
   Betty Jean 21 dau bOK
   Albert  3 bOK
Dwelling 358   all BLK
Clayton, Ludy 20 bOK Presser, Dry Cleaning
   Willie Mae  21 bOK

By May 1950 Willie Mae had filed for divorce from Ludy.  And on 21 Nov 1962 Willie Mae married Douglas Penny in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Parents of Willie Mae Tennison:

Carrie Bell Jackson, mother of Willie Mae Tennison, was born 22 Feb 1904 in Oklahoma and died 24 Aug 1995 in Atoka County, Oklahoma.  She is the daughter of Lewis Jackson and Palina Ruth James.  Carrie married Julius Tennison in 1924 and they had two children:  Willie Mae and Geneva Janet (1927-1977.)

Carrie was a member of the Choctaw Nation.   In 1906 she was enrolled as a Minor on the Choctaw Freedmen Roll.  Eligible as a child of Lewis Jackson, a non Citizen of the Choctaw Nation, and her mother Palina Ruth who was a member: Choctaw Freedman Roll Card #832.  Carrie's number: 374. Her application was received 25 July 1906.  Enrollment was approved by the US Secretary of the Interior on 28 Feb 1907.

Choctaw Nation Freedmen Roll Card for Carrie Jackson

1920 Census Bennington, Bryan OK
Dwelling 217     about 25-30 miles S of Atoka
Jackson, Lewis S  60 bTX ParentsTX Farmer
   Ruthie  41 bOK ParentsOK       This is Palina "Ruth" James
   Laura 18 bOK
   Carrie 16 bOK in school
   Dovie 13 bOK
   Lucinda  11 bOK      [Lucanie]
   Roy 10  bOK
   Willie M 7 daughter bOK
   Leola  11mos bOK b1919
Littrell, B C  12bOK nephew
   Esther  4 bOK  niece

1924  Marriage of Carrie Bell Jackson and Julius Tennison

1927 Birth of Geneva Janet Tennison

1928 Birth of Willie Mae Tennison

1930 Census Tulsa, Tulsa OK
Dwelling 357    357 Kenosha Ave  Renting
Tennison, Julius  23 bOK 16 at 1st marriage Father bAL     Mother bTX  Janitor at Hotel
   Cassie B 22 bOK 15 at 1st marriage. Father bTX Mother bOK
   Geniva  6 bOK
[Willie Mae is not listed.  She was probably living with her grandparents and it should be noted her grandparents, Lewis and Ruth Jackson were witnesses at her wedding to Ludy Clayton and the wedding was in their home.]

1933 City Directory  Tulsa OK
Julius Tennison (wife Carrie B) dish washer at Mayo Hotel. Living at 1121 N Greenwood Ave.

Mayo Hotel 115 W 5th St, Tulsa OK built in 1925

1941 Canadian County, OK   Marriage License
Carrie Bell Jackson, 35, married Casey Laverne Thomas on 12 Nov 1941 by R H Curtis, Minister, Methodist Church of El Reno, Canadian County, Oklahoma.  Witnesses:  E Edwards of El Reno and Winnie Anderson of El Reno.

1950 Census Atoka, Atoka OK
Dwelling 145     Living South along Indian Street
Thomas, Casey L  40 bOK Shoe Shiner at Barber shop
   Carrie B  43
Sims, Patricia R  6 grand dau bOK

Carrie Bell Jackson Tennison Thomas died 24 Aug 1995 and is buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Atoka, Oklahoma.

Parents of Carrie Bell Jackson: 

Lewis Jackson was born 14 Jan 1853 in Texas and died 19 Feb 1948 in Atoka, Oklahoma. He married Palina "Ruth" James on 10 Dec 1893 in Atoka.  Ruth was born 10 Oct 1880 in Boswell, Choctaw County, Oklahoma.  Ruth was the daughter of Jackson James and Hannah Alberty.

In 1920 Lewis and Ruth were living in Bennington, Bryan County, Oklahoma.  See 1920 Census above. 

1930 Census  Atoka, Atoka, OK
Dwelling 313   Rented   all BLK
Jackson, Ruth  50 bOK  Parents bTX Laundress
   Esther  26 bOK  Laundress
   Henry  24 bOK  Laborer - odd jobs
  Rob/Roy  21 bOK  Laborer - odd jobs

1950 Census  Atoka, Atoka, OK
Dwelling 168  Living on Ralls Addition    all BLK
Jackson, Ruth 69 b IndTerr OK  Unable to work  Widow
   Roy A  34 bOK  Divorced Truckdriver for Feed& See Co
   Quinate  13  bOK Granddaughter
Brown, Charley  7 bOK Great Nephew
James, T Denit  67 b Ind Terr  Brother Widowed    Brother of Ruth

Lewis Jackson died 19 Feb 1948 and Ruth James Jackson died 28 Nov 1962. They are both buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Atoka, Oklahoma.

Children of Lewis Jackson and Palina/Ruth James
 All enrolled in Chocktaw Nation Freedmen:

• Earnest Jackson was born 4 Feb 1898 Choctaw Nation
• Laura Jackson was born 10 Jul 1901 Carter County OK and died 5 Apr 1990 in Tulsa, OK.  She married Monroe Ford. they had at least three children:  Wilma 1921-2004, Versie Sr 1923-1997, and Ruth Ella 1925-2016.
• Carrie Bell Jackson was born 22 Feb 1904 and died 24 Aug 1995 in Atoka County, OK. She married 12st Julius Tennison and had two children: Geneva Janet 1927-2014 and Willie Mae 1928-1976.  Carried married 2nd Casey Thomas.  Carrie is buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Atoka, OK.
• Dovie Jackson was born 14 Nov 1907 in Boswell, OK and died 14 Jan 1989 in Tulsa County, OK.  She married Booker T Randolph and had two children: Eddie 1925-2003 and George 1930. Dovie married 2nd Albert Thompson.  Dovie is buried in Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, OK.
• Lucinda Jackson was born about 1909. She married James Vinson
• Roy Franklin Jackson was born 14 Mar1910 and died 4 May 1991 in Atoka, OK.  He married Billy Ann Myles.., They had at least 4 children:  Elnolra 1953--1998, Helen 1855-2014, Janie 1958-2015, and Willie 1961-1994
• Willie May Jackson was born about 1913 OK. She married Henry Croom
• Leola Jackson was born about 1920 in OK

Parents of Palina Ruth James:

Jackson James was born 1843 enslaved by Catherine James.  His father S Fields, born 1820, was enslaved by Billy Fields.  His mother Lucy James was enslaved by Ben James.

Hannah Alberty was born 1844 enslaved by Dr. T J Bond.  Her father Frank McCoy was enslaved by Daniel McCoy.  Her mother Silva was enslaved by John Alberty.

1885  Choctaw Census Ind Terr OK
949 Jackson James  -  Enslaver: Catherine James
   950 Hannah James  -  Enslaver: Dr T J Bond
   951  Louisie James
2 M children, 5 F children, 4 children under 10, 3 children 10-18, 2 persons 18-50
Parents nationality: Black
5 acres, 3 cattle, 2 horses/mules, 12 hogs,

1896 Choctaw Census -Oklahoma and Indian Terr Censuses   Jackson County
James, Jackson  53
   Hannah  51
   Silvie  23  1873
   *Selina/Palina  18  1878    This is Ruth, Carrie Jackson's mother
   Lucinda  14  1882
   Tolliphas  16  1880
   Joe Anna  12  1884
   Daniel  8  1888
   Guy  6  1890
   Willy  4  1892
   Jimmie  2  1894

1899 29 Aug Enrollment Application - Choctaw Freedmen - Muskogee, Indian Territory
Census Card 989  Atoka, OK.  Jackson James says "I am 55 years old and belonged to Catherine James, a Choctaw.  My wife used to belong to Mrs. Robb (Dr T J Bond)

1902  Native American Enrollment Card  -  Choctaw Freedmen
25 Sep 1902
Jackson James was b about 1844  and 58 at enrollment.
Census Card #989  (Whole family on this card #)
James, Jackson  58
   Hannah  57
   Telephus  22
   Lucinda  20
   Luanna  18
   Daniel  17
   Guy  14
   Willie 12
   Jimmie  8
   Sylva  29

Note:  Palina "Ruth" has already married Lewis Jackson and is not living in her parent's home. She is on her own card with her husband and children.

1903 8 Apr Native American and Freedmen Census - Choctaw     Oklahoma
2088 Jackson James age 58 b1845
2089 Hannah  57
2090 Telephus 22
2091 Lucinda 20
2092 Luanna 18
2093 Daniel 17
2094 Guy  14
2095 Willie 12
2096 Jimmie  8
2097 Sylva  29

Children of Jackson James and Hannah Alberty - All born in Indian Territory and all enrolled in Chocktaw Nation on Freedmen Roll

• Sylva "Sylvia" James was born 1873
• Telephus Davit James was born 25 Mar 1879 and married Annie [born 1876. Father born MS; mother born TX]
• Palina Ruth James was born 10 Oct 1880 and died 28 Nov 1962 Atoka County, OK. She married Lewis Jackson.
• Lucinda James was born 1882
• Luanna James was born 1884
• Daniel James was born1887.
• Guy James was born 1889
• William "Willy" James was born 1891
• James "Jimmie" James was born1893
  
  

Parents of Hannah Alberty:

Silvy Alberty was born about 1820 and died before 1905 in Indian Territory, Oklahoma.  She married Frank McCoy.  Silvy was the daughter of Dollie McCoy.  She was enslaved by John Alberty, Cherokee.  Her husband Frank McCoy was enslaved by Daniel McCoy.

Known Children of Silvy Alberty and Frank McCoy:

Hannah Alberty born 1844. She married Jackson James and was enslaved by Dr Thomas J Bond. 

Julia "Judy" Alberty was born about 1851 in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory, OK.  She married Samuel "Sam" Webber.  Judy was enslaved by John Alberty and she is on the Choctaw Freedmen Roll.  Sam is the son of Betsy Webber and his (and his mother's) enslaver Robert Webber.  Sam is on the Cherokee Freedmen Roll. Judy and Sam's known children: Mary Jane 1877-1909, Rosella 1878, Frank 1880, Johnson 1885. George 1890 and Alice born 1896. 

Johnson "John" McCoy was born about 1861 and died after 1905. He was enslaved by John Alberty and is on the Cherokee Freedmen Roll.

The Enslavers:

Dr Thomas J Bond - Enslaver of Hannah Alberty James
Dr Thomas J Bond was born 16 June 1829 Marengo County, AL and died 31 Mar 1878 Atoka, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory.  He married Czarina Folsom 1833-1906 Choctaw by Blood
1840 Census Mobile, AL
2 Slaves
1860 Slave Schedule  Choctaw Nation Indian Territory
2 Slaves: M 18, M 16   Note: other of his enslaved may be with his wife.

William "Billy" Fields - Enslaver of S Fields, father of Jackson James
1860 Slave Schedule    Choctaw Nation, Ind Lands
William Fields      2 Slaves:  M 45, F 40

John Alberty - Enslaver of Silva Alberty, mother of Hannah Alberty
John Alberty, Cherokee, was born 18 July 1793 in Surry County, North Carolina and died 4 Apr 1873 in Goingsnake District, Cherokee Nation, Oklahoma    On 11 Oct 1829 enslaver John Alberty and 5 family members and five enslaved left  Hightower, Georgia to move West. In July of that year Moses Alberty s/o John d 1872 and 9 persons and 25 enslaved enrolled from Hightower. Settled in the Piney area.  
Alberty Cemetery located on John's homestead. Westville, OK. The area used to be called Bethel.
Note: It is possible Silva and other members of her family were among those who left Georgia with the Albertys to go to Oklahoma. This would be in the early days of the Trail of Tears.

1860 Slave Schedule    Indian Lands
Alberty, John    8 Slaves, 2 Slave Dwellings:  M 40 Mulatto, F 33, F 17, F 14, F 10, M 9, F 7.Mulatto, F 1mo Mulatto
Living with Albertys on both sides:
Moses Alberty, 
9 Slaves; 2 Slave Dwellings: F 28, M 25, M 13, M 13, M 10, F 10, M 8, F 6, F 1
Jack Alberty,
3 Slaves; 1 Slave Dwelling:  F 17, m 12, m 1 Mulatto.
Neal Alberty,
1 Slave; 1 Slave Dwelling:  F 27

 

And now back to the Tennisons.

Maudie Hill, mother of Julius Tennison who married Carrie Bell Jackson, was born 1 Jan 1892 in Ardmore, Carter County, Oklahoma and died 13 Oct 1953 in Tulare, California. She is the daughter of Richard Hill and Ida Moffet.   And the mother-in-law of Carrie Jackson, mother of Willie Mae Tennison.   

In May 1940 Maudie applied for Social Security and stated her father was Richard Hill and her mother was Ida.   In 1953 when Maudie died, the California Death Index states her father's surname was Hill and her mother's maiden name was Moffett.

Maudie Hill's parents:

Richard Hill was born 1857 in Texas. He is the son of Anna/Annie Hill who was born 1833 in Tennessee.  Annie had another son, John Hill who was born 1858 also in Texas. Their father is still unknown. In 1880 Annie married Green White in Collin County, Texas.  Green White was born March 1834 in Tennessee.

1880 Census Precinct 6 Hunt County TX  -  14 & 15 July 1880 Supplemental List
Dwelling 375     all BLK
White, Green  46 bTN Parents bTN Farmer
   Anna 47 wife bTN Parents bTN       Richard's mother
   Henry  8 son bTX  1872
   Ripley  6 son bTX  1874
   Miles  5 son bTX  1875
Hill, Richard  23 stepson b1857 TX  bTN Laborer Parents bTN
   Violet  17 stepdau bTX Laborer  Parents bTN
   John 22 stepson bTX Laborer  Parents bTN

Note:  I have not figured out Richard's father. There are several men named Richard Hill in this area. One possibility was a member of the Creek Nation and on the Freedmen Roll.  As I discover more I'll update this post. 

Maudie married three times. First to unknown Tennison, second to Willie Kimble and third to Dave Freeman.  Note: So far I have no found no trace of _?_Tennison, the husband of Maudie and  father of Julius.

Maudie Hill and Willie Kimble Marriage License

13 Jan 1909 Maudie married William "Willie" Kimble. They were married by Rev Reuben Reader, Gospel Christian minister of Atoka, Oklahoma. Witnesses were Robinson of Atoka and Mattise Pitchly of Atoka.

Willie Kimble was born 11 Feb 1891 in Davis, Oklahoma.  He is the son of Richard Kimble and Minnie Lamey.  Richard and Minnie were married 18 Nov 1890 by Isaac Daniel, ordained minister. Witnesses:  Douglas Colbert, William Lamey, Dave Franklin.  Minnie died 8 Feb 1901.

1898 Application to Chickasaw Nation - Information given
Minnie Lamey is the daughter of Rose Lamey who was enslaved by Thompson Pickens.
She was approved as a member of the Chickasaw Nation and is on the Freedmen Roll.
Her children William Kimble and Letha Kimble are also members.

1900 Census  Township 1, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory
Dwelling 254  Fam 526   all BLK
Kimble, Richard 45 [illegible] married 9 yrs
   Minnie 33 b Ind Terr    Parents b Ind Terr
   William  8 b Feb Indian Terr OK   This is Willie who married Maudie Hill
   Letha  1 b June 1898 Ind Terr
Lamey, Albert 12  bro in law  b Ind Terr
Leadlard, Jeff 14 grandson
   Binnie  18 grand dau
Marrey, Joseph  45  nephew  bMS   Father bTN Mother b New Orleans, LA
Smith, Lindsey  27  Lodger  bMS Parents bTN 

1910 Census  Allen, Murray Co OK
Dwelling 101   all BLK
Kimbell (Kimble), William  19 b1891 OK Laborer  Married 2yrs  Parents bOK
   Maud 19  bOK Parents bTX  1child born/1 living
   Julius  2 bOK Parents bOK

Dwelling 105 is the Green White family   [with Annie mother of Richard Hill]

By 1920 Maudie and William have divorced and William has remarried.

1920 Census  Muskogee Ward 4, Muskogee OK
Dwelling 59    Altamont St     all BLK
Kimble, William  29 b1891 OK  Public Laborer
Durell  21  wife bTX  Parents bTX

1920 Census Everidge, Choctaw, OK
Dwelling 341    all BLK
Freeman, James  49 Parents bOK Farmer    James is brother of Dave Freeman, Maudie's next husband
   Lula 32 bOK ParentsOK
   Oretha  3  Niece bOK Mulatto, Father OK Mother TX
Hill Maud  26 Boarder Single bOK ParentsTX

By 1930 Maudie and Dave were married and living in Kansas City.  David L "Dave" Freeman was born 1 Apr 1877 in Dokesville, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory and died 8 June 1947 in Los Angeles County, California.  He is the son of Edward "Ned" Freeman and Cynthia Hendricks. Ned was born about 1840 in the Choctaw Nation and is on the Choctaw Freedmen Roll.  Cynthia was born about 1836 in Alabama or Kentucky and died 13 Nov 1932 in Dallas, Texas. She is the daughter of Alex Simmons a Choctaw Non Cit and Patsy Simmons who is on the Choctaw Freedmen Roll.  

Ned Freeman was enslaved by Henry Folsum.  Cynthia Hendricks was enslaved by Michael Le Flor.  In the 1960 Slave Schedule for the Choctaw Lands in Indian Territory Henry Folsom, with 50 enslaved, is living next door to M LeFlor.  Ned and Cynthia had five known children:  Ed 1867, Jim 1869-1913, Will 1874-1959, George 1876-1959 and Dave 1877-1947.  All of the children on are members of the Choctaw Nation and on the Freedmen Roll.  At least two of them were granted land in Atoka Indian Territory in 1904.

1930 Census Kansas City, Jackson, MO
Dwelling 116   renting 3624 Oakley Ave    all BLK
Freeman, Dave  44  bOK 20 at 1st marriage  Did not attend school  Laborer doing odd jobs
   Maudie  36 bOK 18 at 1st marriage. Did not attend school. Parents bTX  Laundress for private family
   Della  19 bOK Maid for private family    Dave's daughter
   Curtis  17 bOK     Dave's son  
   William  15 bOK     Dave's son

Dwelling 200     renting 5416 E 35th St     all BLK
Freeman, James  54    21 at 1st marriage bOK      Dave's brother
   Lula 38 wife   29 at 1st marriage   bOK
   Oretha 13 Adopted Daughter  bOK father bOK

1930 City Directory  Kansas City, MO
Maudie Freeman 3624 Oakley Ave. Spouse: David Freeman who is a driver.  Dave's daughter Della Freeman living here, too, and working as a maid

1933 City Directory  Kansas City, MO
Maudie Freeman 3624 Oakley. Spouse David L Freeman.  Dave us a taxi driver

1934 City Directory  Kansas City, MO
Maudie Freeman 3634 Oakley. Spouse David L Freeman

1935 City Directory  Kansas City, MO
Maudie Freeman 3624 Oakley Ave. Spouse: David L Freeman. Dave is a Laborer. His son Curtis is living here and working as Helper at Baltimore Ave Tavern

Maudie's son, Julius Tennison, married 2nd Katherine Cheadle about 1937.  She was born 18 July 1920 at Tishomingo, Oklahoma and died 28 Oct 2003 in Fresno, California.  She was the daughter of William "Bill" Cheadle (b 1882) and Maggie "Otie" Lewis (b 1881.)  Bill was the son of Hence Cheadle and Mary Kemp. Hence was enslaved by Jim Cheadle.  Mary is the daughter of John and Frances Kemp and is a member of the Chickasaw Nation, on their Freedmen Roll and was enslaved by Jimmie Kemp. Her parents were enslaved by Jackson Kemp.

Julius and Katherine had  seven children:  Edward Lenard 1939-1994, Katie 1940-2014, Julius 1942, Pearlen 1945, Cynthia 1948 and Lonnie 1950.

1940 Census Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Dwelling        2103 E 114th
Freeman, Dave L  61  BOK  He was the respondent for the census.
   Mandie 44 bOK
Allen, Oreather 23 Daughter Married bOK     Daughter of Dave
   Wilder 7  grandson of Dave bKCMO
   Otha  5   grandson bKCMO
   Evelyn  3  grandau bKCMO
Tennyson, Julius  32 adopted son of Dave bOK     The Census says "adopted son"
   Katherine 22  Daughter in Law  bOK parents bOK    Maiden name Cheadle
   Maude E 2  grand dau bMO
   Edward 8mos  grandson bCA
Freeman, James 70 brother bOK Married     Brother of Dave
   Lula  50 James' wife bOK

1940 Census  Compton, Los Angeles, CA
Dwelling    11817 Parmalee Ave
Allen, Oretha 22 bOK Married    Maid at Motel     Daughter of Dave
   Wilder Jr  6 bOK
   Otha R  5  bMO
   Evelyn J  3  bMO
Freeman, James  71 bOK  Uncle     Brother of Dave
   Lula  65 bOK   Aunt

16 Oct 1940 Los Angeles, CA
Draft Reg Card for Julius Tennison
Living at 11821 Parmele Ave, Los Angeles, CA
Born 14 Oct 1907 at Atoka, OK.  33 yrs old in 1942.
5'5"  148 lbs Brown eyes, black hair, dark brown complexion.  No scars.
Self employed:  Hauling and Gardening
Contact person: Mrs Mollie Freeman, mother, same address.

26 Apr 1942 Los Angeles CA
Draft Registration Card for Dave Lee Freemon
Living at 11817 Parmelee, LA CA
Born 1 Apr 1877 at Fort Towson, OK.  65 yrs old in 1942.
Self employed  5'5" 185 lbs Brown eyes, gray hair,  dark brown complexion. Burn scar on chin
Contact person Maudie Freemon

1942 Voter Reg  Los Angeles CA
Julius Tennison at 11817 Parmelee Ave LACA
Republican. Occupation: Laborer

1948  Tulare County, CA   Jail Register
Julius Tennison was arrested 6 May 1948 for Public Intoxication. Arresting officer: Bruning.

1950 Census Alila, Tulare, CA
Dwelling 204     E of 99 Hwy between Rd 10-11 
Tennison, Julius 42 bOK  Unable to work   First husband of Carrie Jackson, father of Willie Mae
   Katherine  30  bOK     Maiden name Cheadle   Died 2003
   Edward  11  bCA      Died 1994
   Katie  9 bCA     Died 2014
   Julius 8  bCA    
   Pearline  5  bCA
   Cynthia  2  bCA     Died 2010
   Lonnie bCA Mar 1850      Died 1954
Freeman, Maudie  57 bOK Widow Mother of Julius

Maudie Hill Tennison Kimble Freeman died 13 Oct 1953 in Tulare County, California.

Julius Tennison died 2 Nov 1977 in Kern County, California

Obituary of Julius Tennison, Sr

Ned Clayton, Enslaved and the Clayton Family Enslavers - Georgia, Alabama, Texas and Oklahoma

Atoka County, OK 1909  

Ned Clayton was born about 1800 in Craven County, North Carolina where he was enslaved.  He died sometime after 1880 possibly in Texas or Oklahoma. Ned was the son of Christine Clayton, enslaved. At some point Ned married Hannah [surname unknown - maybe Clayton]. 

While living in Chambers County, Alabama, the Clayton's neighbor was Willis Jones.  Willis Jones was the enslaver of Jack Jones and his family.  Ned and Jack probably knew each other.  About 130 years later Ned's great great great granddaughter would marry Jackson's great great great grandson. I wonder what they'd make of this.  [Read more about the Jack Jones family.]

By 1815 Ned was living in Hancock County, Georgia. From Georgia he traveled to Chambers County, Alabama, then to Lumpkin, Stewart County, Georgia. At the end of the Civil War, Ned and Hannah were in Barbour County, Alabama and from there moved to Smith County, Texas.  Many of his descendants moved to the Atoka area in the Choctaw Nation Indian Territory in Oklahoma. 

Ned Clayton's life journey

Ned's Enslavers 

Thomas Clayton was born 17 June 1755 in Hyde County, North Carolina and died 8 June 1820 in Hawkinsville, Pulaski County, Georgia.  He was the son of James Clayton II who was born 1725 Kent County, Delaware and died 1783 in Craven County, North Carolina.  Thomas married Sarah "Sallie" DeLamar.

1790 Census  Craven County NC 
6 Slaves

1800 Census  Craven County NC
12 Slaves

Will of Thomas Clayton  Written 4 June 1820  Probate 3 July 1829 Craven County NC
Will Bk A pg52
... to son James one negroe Boy Alsa, one negro girl named Comfort and one negro man named Mango
... to son Thomas... one Negroe Boy Currie and one negro girl named Creece/Greece, one negro woman named Hannah
... to son Nelson the plantation where I now live... 202.5 acres also three Negroe boys name by Abraham, Lige, and Aaron and negro woman named Rosie and child Eliza.
... to son William... 4 negroes named  Harry a fellow, Jin a woman and Isaac a boy and Silas a boy
... to son Delamar five negroes namely Joe a fellow, Clary a girl, Bina a girl Randal a boy and Simon a boy
Executors: sons James Clayton, Thomas Clayton, Nelson Clayton
Codicil:
... it is my wish and desire that Francis Delamar be placed in possession of a certain negroe girl named Charlotte aged about six years provided the said Frances Delamore be married and should the said Francis die leaving no legal issue the said negroe girl Charlotte to become the joint property of James and Thomas Clayton...
... have this day given to my son Delamar Clayton a negro boy named Jess which negro boy I warrant and defend to the said Delamar Clayton ...

James Clayton was born 15 Oct 1788 in Craven County, North Carolina and died 6 June 1864 in Stewart County, Georgia.  He was the son of Thomas Clayton 1755-1820 and Sarah Delamar.  James married 1 Rebecca Bonner and 2 Frances Avery (md 1 Delamar).

1800 Census  Craven County NC  James Clayton
No Slaves

1830 Census  Monroe County, GA  James Clayton
26 Slaves:  4 M under 10, 6 M 10-23, 3 M 36-54, 1 M 55-99. 5 F under 10, 3 F 10-23, 2 F 24-35. 2 F 36-54

1840 Census  Chambers County, AL  James Clayton
37 Slaves:  10 M under 10, 7 M 10-23, 2 M 24-35, 2 M 36-54. 1 M 55-99, 5 F under 10, 6 F 10-23, 3 F 24-35, 1 F 36-54

1850 State Census  Chambers County, AL   Clayton, James 
31 Slaves

1850 Slave Schedule  Dist 19, Chambers County, AL
32 Slaves:  F 71, M 90, M 48, M 48, F 47, F 47, F 47, M 44, M 42, F 32, F 32, F 32, F 29, M 28, M 18, M 15, M 14, F 14, M 13, M 13, M 12, M 1, F 11, M 11, M 10, M 9, F 9, F 7, F 5, M 5, F 3, F 1, F 1

1850 Census  District 19, Chambers County, AL
Dwelling 329
Clayton, James 61 b1789 NC  Farmer
   Rebecca 49  Wife
Belamy, Joanch  76 bVA

1850 Oct 11  Agriculture Schedule  District 19, Chambers County, AL
660 ac. 4 horses, 3 mules, 3 milk cows, 2 oxen, 14 cattle, 10 sheep, 80 swine. 27 bushels wheat, 1750 bushels Indian corn, 250 bushels oats.

1860 Slave Schedule  District 22, Steward County, GA
29 Slaves; 6 Slave Dwellings:  M 40, M 22, M 20, M 18, M 14, 3 M 22, M 16, M 50, M 12, F 16, M 30, M 18, M 12, M 11, M 9, M 7, F 50, F 18, F 14, M 8, F 4, F 56, F 60, F 12, F 8, F 9, F 6mo, M 75

Will of James Clayton, enslaver of Ned

Will of James Clayton  Written 24 July 1863 Stewart County GA
Wills and Bonds Vol A
... to son John my negro named Rachel
... to grandson John Clayton son of James deceased my negro man Stephen and my negro girl Missouri and her increase
... to my grand daughter Elizabeth daughter of James deceased my negro man Daniell/David and negro girl Jane and her increase
... to my grand daughter Martha daughter of John deceased ... my negro man Essex and my negro man Robert
... to my friend Ann Crossley wife of James Crossley of Pike Co AL ... my negro boy Levi
...to my wife my negroes NED, Comfort and Emma
... to grand children [of James Clayton deceased] Louisa, Anna, James, Margaret? and William my negroes William,  Buster/Brister, Amos, Armstead, Redmon, Mary, Angeline, Caroline, Mariah and child Sarah,
... wish and direct ... wife and said 5 grand children... remain on my plantation... the negroes mentioned here... be kept on said plantation for the benefit of my said wife and said grandchildren until the divisions of negroes take place...
.... my negro Nero and his wife Halland I give them to such person or said negroes may select for owner and should the labor of said negroes be thus insufficient to provide support, then do I wish and direct my Executor to pay such ? so selected by said negroes reasonable expenses and charge annually for the ? care of said negroes.

[Note: wife is Frances/Fanny Avery who married 1 Thomas Delamar (brother of Sarah Delamar Clayton, James Clayton's mother)  Fanny's sister is Tabitha Avery b1780]

Frances "Fanny" Avery was born 1790 and died 1886. She married 1 Thomas Delamer who was born 1763 Craven County, NC and died 18 June 1818 in Monroe County, GA.  Thomas was the son of  Francis Delamar III 1732-1797 and Miriam Barclift 1741-1788.

Will of Francis Delamar - father of Thomas Delamar
Written 14 Dec 1797  Probate June 1799 Craven County, NC
.. to my wife Hasty all the Negros and furniture that she had by former husband agreeable to his will ... lend to wife... my house and plantation whereon I now live. Also one negro man named Davie/Dane and one negro woman named Salina for her maintenance and for raising of my small children which I had by her... when she dies land and plantation to son Joseph
... to daus Elizabeth and Nancy Delamar...
... to son Joseph one negro boy named Dave
... dau Elizabeth one negro girl named Patt
... dau Nancy one negro girl named Violet
... son Thomas one negro man named Simon
... son Nelson one negro man named Moses
... dau Marriam one negro boy named Esseck
... son Demson one negro woman named Moriah/Monah
... dau Sarah Clayton one negro woman named Patience with her increase
... dau Susannah Fulchires children one negro woman named Violet and her increase to be hired out for the benefit of the children until the old set arrives to the age of 21 yrs then the said negros to be equally divided between the children. But if these negroes before they arrive to the age of 21 yrs my will and desire is that my negro woman Violet belong to my son Thomas Delamar and my negro girl Patience belong to my dau Marriam
... wife Hasty... the use of all my stock of all kinds...  
... after death of my wife Hasty my negro David and Salina and his increase if any be equally divided between my children I have by my last wife...
Executors: wife Hasty and sons Thomas and Nelson Delamar
Witnesses: Thomas Sparrow, Rhoda Spanow, Tabitha Avery

Hasty is Hartey "Hasty" Nelson who was born 1744 and in 1787 she married (1st) Capt John Nelson who died in 1783 Craven Co NC.  In 1789 his estate settlement and division of property included slaves:
to Hartly Delamar: Penn $100, Hannah $70, David $50
to John Sugges Nelson: Lucy & Aron $125, Sealy $70
to Benjamin Nelson:Danice $150, Jenney $70
to Walter Nelson: Violet $110, Davey $80, Ennace $32.10

1800 Census Craven Co NC - Hasty Delamar, widow of Francis Delamar
5 Slaves

Back to James Clayton - his son James Perry Clayton, mentioned in his will, deceased,  is now the enslaver of Ned and lives in Chambers County, Alabama.  Another of Jame's sons, John Bonner Clayton, also lived in Chambers County, Alabama.

James Perry Clayton gravestone

James Perry Clayton was born 6 Nov 1822 in Hancock County, Georgia and died 10 Feb 1863 in Dale County, Alabama.  He married Margaret Laura Brown on 7 Oct 1841 in Macon, Alabama.
 
1850 Census  District 19 Chambers County AL , dwelling 334 lists James P Clayton, 29 and his family.

1850 State Census Chambers County, AL
Clayton, James P    7 Slaves
Clayton, John B   10 Slaves  - brother of James P

1850 Agriculture Schedule   District 19, Chambers County, AL
Clayton, John B  280 ac   son of James
Clayton, James  660 ac
Clayton, James P  214 ac   son of James

1850 Slave Schedule  District 19 Chambers AL  James P Clayton
7 Slaves:  M 24, F 24, M 20, F 17, M 10, F 10, M 2mos

1860 Census Dale Co AL  Post Office: Newton
Clayton, James P 37 b1823 GA and family listed.

1860 Slave Schedule  Dale County, AL James P Clayton  25 Aug 1860
14 Slaves; 1 Slave Dwelling:  M 35, M 30, M 19, F 40, F 28, F 17, M 11, F 10, M 10, F 8, M 5, F 3, F 3, M 1

1866 State Census  Dale Co AL   M L Clayton - widow of James P Clayton

John Bonner Clayton, brother of James Perry Clayton, was born 12 Jan 1817 in Hancock County, Georgia.  He married Mary Elizabeth Redding 1824-18689/  

1840 Census Chambers Co AL John B Clayton
5 Slaves:  2 M 24-35, 1 F under 10, 2 F 10-23

1850 Slave Schedule District 19 Chambers AL  John B Clayton  
13 Slaves:  F 28, F 28, F 17, F 9, M 8, F 7, M 5, M 4, M 4, F 3, F 1, M 2mos, M 34

1850 State Census Chambers Co AL  John B Clayton
13 Slaves

1860 Slave Schedule  Dist 122 Stewart GA
14 Slaves; 3 Slave Dwellings:  M 28, M 16, M 14, M 14, M 9, M 6, M 4, F 36, F 26, F 12, F 10, F 1, F 17, F 18

Known children of Ned Clayton and possibly Hannah:

• Melvina Clayton was born abt 1843 in Chambers County AL and died of measles Feb 1880 in Camp County, TX. She married Cyrus Porter, Sr 1830-1927. Their children: Cyrus Jr, Robert, Benjamine, Edward, Sopha, Eliza, Lee, Julius, William, Jessie, Turner, George, William(2), and Mandy. 
  Their son Cyrus Porter, Jr was born in 1861 Flint, Smith County TX - 13 Dec 1927 Waco, McLennan County TX.  He married Ophelia Caldwell and had children: Cyrus III, Annie, Myrtle, La Verda, Lula Bell, Cornelius, Horace, Minnie, Freda and Vivian.
• Ed Clayton was born abt 1851 in Chambers County, Alabama. Married Lirada born abt 1856. Known children: Ben, Lily, Nathan, Mary, Levy and Babe.
• Allen Clayton was born abt 1852 in Chambers County, AL. He married 1st Mary Clayton b 1852 AL and 2nd Vira/Vina King b1855 AL on 29 Dec 1915 in Smith County, TX.  Allen had at least 3 children: Penina "Nina" 1876-1963, Darka b1877 and Belzora "Bell" b1879.
    1870 Census Township 10 Range 26 Barbour County AL
    Dwelling 1032  all BLK
    Clayton, Allen 20 bAL Farm Laborer
       Mary 18 bAL Domestic Servant
    McRae, Joseph  10 bAL
    Dwelling 1046  all BLK
    Baker, Solomon  30 bAL Farmer
       Viney 25 bAL
       Jane 6mo bAL
    Clayton, Robert  20 bAL Farm Laborer
• Manda / Amanda Clayton was born about 1859 in Chambers County, AL. She married W Shackelford and they had at least two children:  Ellen and Dori
  
• Zadock / Dock Clayton was born abt 1940/48 in Chambers County, AL and died aft 1910 in Lewis, Atoka County OK.  He married Hattie/Hettie Holt 1850-1913

Zadock "Dock" Clayton, son of Ned, married Hattie Holt on 11 Mar 1880 in Smith County, TX. She may have served time in Texas, but unfortunately, that's all I know about her other than her appearance in census data with her husband.

1867 July 9  Barbour Co AL Voter Registration  -  Election Dist 06  Precinct 09  all Freedmen
Ned Clayton
Lewis Clayton
John Clayton
Lewis Clayton
Alvin Clayton
George Clayton
Ephram Clayton
Joseph Clayton
Columbus Clayton

1870 August Agriculture Schedule Township 10 Barbour AL  -  Ned Clayton
There is no acreage amount, but Ned has 2 horses, 13 cattle, 7 swine
Next line on schedule is for Lynums Clayton 2 cattle, 14 swine.  Relationship to Ned unknown.

23 July 1867 Cherokee Co TX Voter Registration
Zadock Clayton bAL  line 610    Ned's son "Dock"

1870 Census Etna Beat 3, Smith Co TX
Dwelling 466  PO Etna
Clayton, Zadock  34 bAL Farm Laborer    Ned's son "Dock"
   Hettie  wife  21 bGA Farm Laborer     Maiden name Holt
   Elvira 12  bTX Farm Laborer   daughter
   Joseph  8   son
   Buchanna 4   son
   Jane  3   daughter
   Albert 3mos   son
Clayton Allen  24 bAL Farm Laborer  - Ned's son, Dock's brother
Dwelling 469
Clayton, Jesse  30 bAL Farm laborer - may be another son of Ned, brother of Dock
   Emily 16 Farm Laborer bGA
   Thomas 8mos bTX

1880 Census Precinct 1, Smith Co TX
Dwelling 141          Dock's parents
Clayton, Ned  80 bNC parents bNC Farm Laborer
   Hanna 70 wife bNC parents bNC
   Parllee  7 grandchild bTX
   Hattie 6 grandchild bTX
   Lugena 5 grandchild bTX
Dwelling 142
Clayton, Dock  40 bAL Farmer
   Hettie 37 wife bGA
   Vina  12  bTX daughter
   Albert 11  son
   Lee  son
   Laura 7  daughter
   Starling 5   son
   Mary 2   daughter
Dwelling 143
Clayton, Ed  29  Farm Labor bAL parentsNC    -  son of Ned Clayton
   Lirada  25 wife Farm Labor  bTX
   Ben 11 bTX
   Tilly  9
   Nathan 6
   Mary 9
   Leroy/Levy
   Babe/Balie  7mos son
Dwelling 144
Clayton, Allen  28 Farm Labor bAL      see 1870 census  -  son of Ned Clayton
   Vira/ Vina  25 wife  bAL
   Darka  3  bTX
   Nina 4
   Bell  1
Dwelling 145
Shackelford, W  25 Farm Labor bTX
   Manda 21 Farm Labor bTX parents bNC  -  daughter of Ned Clayton
   Ellen  3
   Dori?  1
**page is torn but looks like next dwelling is a white Clayton family

1880 June 15 Agriculture Schedule  Precinct 1, Smith County, TX
Dock Clayton:  Owner of 10 acres.  

Prison record - Hattie Holt

This may be Hattie Holt, wife of Zadock/Dock Clayton:
23 July 1891 Rusk, Cherokee Co TX  Texas Convict and Conduct Registers 1875-1891
Hattie Clayton, arrested in Cherokee Co TX, Convict #4596  2 years.
Locations:  Rusk 23 July 1891
Huntsville 11 Aug 1891
Discharged 21 May 1893
  This may be a relative of Zadock/Dock Clayton  -  arrested with Hattie
Ella Clayton, arrested in Cherokee Co TX, Convict #4577  2 years
Locations:  Rusk 23 July 1891
Huntsville 11 Aug 1891
Discharged 21 May 1893

Before 1890 Dock and Hattie made the move from Texas to Indian Territory in Oklahoma.

1900 Census Township 2, Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory
Dwelling 108
Clayton, Lee  23 bTX Mar 1877 Married 1 yr  Day Laborer   Son of Dock and Hattie
   Josie H  20 bIndTerr Aug 1880 Father bAL
Dwelling 109
Clayton, Jessie  29 bTX 1871 Father bAL  Day Laborer   Son of Dock and Hattie
   Francis  20 bIndTerr 1880  Mother bIndTerr
Dwelling 110    all BLK
Clayton, Doc  56 bAL Day Laborer Married 30 yrs  Parents bAL
   Hattie  50  15 children born/11 living
   Ludy  18  bTX July 1881  Son  Day Laborer
   David  20  bTX 1880  Nephew  Deliveryman
Dwelling 111
Clayton, Albert  28 bTX 1872  Married 5 yrs  Father bAL  Deliveryman   Son of Dock and Hattie
   Mittie 20 bIndTerr Apr 1880 1 child born/0 living Father bArkansas Mother bIndTerr

1910 Census  Lewis, Atoka, Oklahoma
Dwelling 4   all BLK  Own home w/ mortgage - House not farm
Clayton, Dock  62  bAL 1848 Parents bNC  Married 38 yrs  Laborer - odd jobs
   Hattie  60  bGA  15 children born/9 living   Laundres at home
   Susie  7  bOK Parents bTX  Grandaughter

             Atoka Ward 2, Atoka, Oklahoma
Dwelling  147   all BLK   Renting home
Clayton, Joseph 50 bTX 2nd Marriage  Married 27 yrs.  Laborer odd jobs   Dock's son
   Annie 45 bTX 13 children born/9 living
   Rena  18 bOK
   Louvana  16 bOK
   Ola 15 bOK Son
   Calvin  13 bOK
   Gus  12 bOK
   Samantha  10 bOK
   Enis 9 bOK son

Known Children of Dock Clayton and Hattie Holt:

•  Joseph Clayton  abt 1862 TX. Married Annie. See 1910 Census for Atoka, OK above. Children:  Melvina, Jay Gould, Larena, Rena, Louvana, Ole, Calvin, Gus, Samantha and Enis.
• Buchanna Clayton abt 1866 TX
• Jane Clayton  abt 1867 TX
  
• Lavina/Vina  1868 TX married 1Rev James E Minton and 2nd Henry Richard.  Lavina's children:  Savannah, Margaret, William, James, Pearline, Jesse, Hattie, Louis and Hammond.
• Albert  abt1869 TX.  Married Mittie/Minta Reed [she married 1 Finnell]  Mittie on Choctaw Freedment Roll. born 1880 died 1962. Listed on 1900 Census in the Choctaw Nation.  Chidren:  Theodore, Russell, Cecil, Albert and Lucian.  Albert Sr was a Non Citizen member Choctaw Freedman
• Jessie  abt 1871TX  Married Francis.  Listed on 1900 Census in the Choctaw Nation.
  
• Lee abt 1872 Tex-27 Apr 2004 prob OK  Married Josie H. Listed on 1900 Census in the Choctaw Nation.
  
• Laura abt 1873 TX  Married Silas Brown.  Children: Austin, Susie, Alfred, Hazel, Emmett, Laura, Lula,
• Starling / Sterling  1875 TX  Married Lula Williams in 1900 Muskogee OK 1917-18 Draft Reg Card says wife is Ella Clayton.
• Mary Ann 1878-1912 md George Porter 7 Mar 1899 Atoka OK. Children: William, Clara, Ester, Ira, Laceal.  [George is s/o Cyrus Porter and Melvina Clayton. Melvina d/o Dock granddaughter of Ned. ]
  
• Ludy Sr  1 July1882 Tyler, Smth Co TX- Apr 1964 Atoka OK   See below.

 

Ludy Clayton, Sr

Ludy Clayton, Sr was born 1 July 1882 in Tyler, Smith County, TX and died April 1864 in Atoka, OK.  Ludy married twice.  First to Lula Fulsom in 1902 in OK and 2nd to Anna/Annie White about 1910 in OK.  In 1900 Ludy was living with his parents Dock and Hattie in the Choctaw Nation, Indian Territory in Oklahoma.  [see Census above]

Lula Fulsom was born 13 Aug 1883 in Dinison, TX and died 24 Nov 1962 in Atoka, OK.  She was the daughter of Cooper Fulsom a Free Born member of the Choctaw Nation and on the Choctaw Freedmen Rolls  and Nancy Homer, also Free Born member of the Choctaw Nation and on the Choctaw Freedmen Rolls.  Nancy was the daughter of Wyley Homer who was enslaved by Sampson Loving  and Phyllis Factor who was enslaved by Bony Hawkins.

Lula's obituary states she was survived by her two children:  son Leslie Clayton of Atoka and daughter Rosie Clayton Frazier also of Atoka.  Lula was a member of the Choctaw Nation and on the Choctaw Freedmen Roll. She is #5531 on the Dawes Roll.

 

1910 Census  Atoka Ward 4, Atoka County, OK
Dwelling  337  Owns farm
Clayton, Ludy  30  bTX  Married 8 yrs   Farmer at home  Black
   Luly  23 OK  3 children born/2 living  Mulatto
   Leslie  6 bOK  Mulatto 
   Rosa  4 bOK  Mulatto

 Dwelling 338
Jones, Nancy  40 bOK Widow 6 children born/3 living  Mulatto  Father bOK Mother bTX
Clayton, Dewey / Denry  11 bOK Grandson   Mulatto  Father bTX Mother bOK

 

Anna / Annie White was born 14 Feb 1891 in Texas and died 1964 in Oklahoma.  She was the daughter of Henry White, born enslaved in Texas about 1855 and Mary Cade, born enslaved on Feb 1860 in Texas.  Anna / Annie is buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Atoka, Oklahoma.
 

Known children of Henry White and Mary Cade:

• Evaline White born 1874. She married Bill Limbrick. They had at least one child: Marie.
  
• Florida White born 1876
• John B White born 9 Aug 1879 and died 5 Aug 1946 Jasper County, TX. He married Verda "Virdie" and they had at least one child: Jodie
  
• Sam White born 1884
• Edward White born 1886. He married Pearl and they had children: Robert, Willie, Ella May/Velma, Wheeler, Earnest and Dutch. He married 2nd Ora Odom
  
• Mamie White born 1888
• Anna / Annie White born 1891 and died 1864.  She married Ludy Clayton, Sr
• Leaky White born 1899
  

Henry White was the son of Yancy White who was born enslaved about 1810 in Virginia and died after 1880 probably in Jasper County, Texas  and  Malinda [maybe White] who was born enslaved about 1815 in Louisiana and also died sometime after 1880 probably in Jasper County, Texas. 

Known children of Yancy and Malinda White - parents of Henry:

• Daniel White born 1838. He married Fanny Kelley. Children:  Julia, Adrean, Tensy Ann, Louis, Daniel, Henderson, Anna/Amy, Mandy, Edward, Albert, Pearly, Lilly, Isabella, Carroll and Fay.
  
• Jordon White born 1840. He married Malinda - maiden name could be White or Taylor
  
• Marion White born abt 1841. He married Sylvey.
  
• Sanders White born 1848. He married Hannah and they had at least one child: Roxa M.
  
• Henry White born May 1855. He married Mary Cade.
  
• Fanny White born 1861 and died 1930. She married Jacob Southwell
• Lovey White born 1864 and died 1934. She married Nelscon Bryant. They had at least two children:  Cora and Moses
  
• Allice / Alice White born 1867. She married Jeremiah "Jerry" Bryant. They had at least four children:  Della, Noah, Levi and Mattie.
  

24 Aug 1867 Voter Registration  Precinct 2, Jasper, Jasper County, TX
Daniel White, born LA on line 343    Son of Yancy

1870 Census  Subdivision 23, Jasper County, TX
Dwelling 52  all BLK
White, Hardy  19 bTX Farm Laborer     May be another s/o of Yancy
Powell, Charlotte  23  bTX
   Lon  3  bTX

Dwelling 56 Fam 53  MIXED
CADE, Polk  25 WHITE bGA Farm Laborer
   Martha 20 Mulatto bGA
   Dorcey  2 Mulatto bTX
   John  5 mo Mulatto bTX

Dwelling 424 Fam 426  all BLK
White Daniel  32 bLA Farm Laborer     Son of Yancy
   Fannie 20 bGA b1850    This is Fanny Kelley d/o of Charlotte Kelley
Kelley, Amanda  18  bGA b1852     Sister of Fanny

Dwelling 425 Fam 427   all BLK
White, Sanders 22 bLA BLK Farm Laborer     Son of Yancy
  Hannah  20 bTX  Mulatto
   Roxa M 1 mo bTX April 1870  Mulatto

Dwelling 433 Fam 435 in 1867 Lees Mill all BLK
Kelley, Pompey  32 b1838 GA
   Grace 24 bGA
   Simus 8 bTX
   Shade 6 bTX
   Major  5 bTX
 Kelley, Charlotte  50 bGA    Mother of Fanny Kelley White and Amanda Kelley above
   Mary A  25 bGA
   Pleasant 20  bGA
   Eliza J  6  bTX
   Mary E  2 bTX

Dwelling 539  BLK/Mulatto family
White, Marion 30 bTX BLK Farm Laborer     May be another son of Yancy
   Silvey  40  bGA BLK
   Sam  20 bGA BLK Farm Laborer
   Frances  13 b1857 TX Mulatto
   Cinda  12 bTX Mulatto  1858
   Henry  8 bTX BLK  1862
   Adaline  6 bTX BLK
   Rebecca  5  bTX BLK
   Charles  4  bTX BLK
   Lizzie  1 bTX BLK

Dwelling 541 Fam 551  all BLK
Bryant, Frank  59 bGA Farm Laborer
   Silvey  40 bGA
   Nelson  14 bTX Farm Laborer    Married Lovey White d/o Yancy
   Bowlin  16 bGA Farm Laborer
   Jerry  10 bTX       Married Allice White d/o of Yancy
   Charlotte 8 bTX
   Fillis 6 bTX
   Simon C  4 bTX
   Saint M 1 bTX

Dwelling 543 Fam 553  MIXED
McFarland , [George?] 50 bVA White
   Josephine  33  bTX   White
   Sallie  8  bTX  White
White, Lucinda 16/18 bTX  Domestic Servant Black

Dwelling 606   all BLACK family
White, Jordon  30 Farmer bLA      Son of Yancy
   Malinda 26  wife bLA  Mulatto
Taylor, Abraham  65  bAL  Mulatto
   Holly  55   bAL  Mulatto
   Sisley  25  Mulatto bAL
   Albert 15   bAL  Mulatto

Dwelling 772   all WHITE family plus

 White, Seymour 75 Judge Dist Court bNY
   Susan W E 47  wife bGA
   Mary S 24  bAL
   Abigal M B 16  bTX
   Clara E 14
   Catherine R A 11
   Bennie Mc  8
   Hettie P 5
Goolsbee, John N  27 bGA Surgeon Dentist
Carraway, Thoms I  25 bTX Lawyer
Ivey, Walter E  15 bLA Student
Ryals, Hannah 25 bTX BLK Domestic Servant
White, Jane 20 bTX BLK Domestic Servant     May be a daughter of Yancy
Traylor, Martha 15 bTX BLK Domestic Servant

 

1 June 1880  Ag Schedule Beat 3 Jasper TX
Pompey Kelley - 100 acres owned. 8 ac tilled 92 ac woodland. 10 Swine, 10 fowl, 5 lbs eggs, 7 ac Indian corn/25 bushels, 1 ac sweet potatoes/100 bushels, \\

23 June 1880 Ag Schedule Precinct 2, Jasper TX
Daniel White - 160 acres on shares: 24 ac tilled, 136 ac woodland.  2 working oxen, 1 milk cow, 1 calf.15 swine, 10 fowl, 10 lbs eggs. 15 ac Indian corn/100 bushels. 10 acres cotton/2bales. 1 ac sweet potatoes/50 bushels

23 June 1880 AG Schedule Precinct 2 Jasper TX
Henry White - 18 ac on shares. 4 working oxen, 2 milk cows, 2 other cows. 8 swine, 10 fowl, 10 lbs eggs. 9 ac Indian corn/50 bushels. 8 ac cotton/1 bale
**next line looks like George White 200 ac owned. May be former enslaver

1880 Census Precinct 3 Jasper Co TX
Dwelling 52 Fam 61   all BLK
White, Yancy 70 Farmer bVA Parents bVA     Father of Henry White
   Malinda 65 wife  bLA Parents bLA     Mother of Henry White
   Fanny 19 dau bTX  1861
   Lovey 16 dau bTX  1864
   Allice 13 dau bTX  1867

Dwelling 53 Fam 62  all BLK
White, Henry 28  Farmer  bTX Parents bVA    Father of Anna White Clayton
   Mary 25  wife  bGA  Parents bGA    Mother of Anna White Clayton
   Evaline 6 dau  bTX
   Florida 4 dau bTX
   John bJuly 1879 son bTX

Dwelling 54 Fam 63  all BLK
White, Daniel 32 Farmer  bLA Father VA Mom LA     Son of Yancy
   Fanny 26 wife  bTX  Parents bGA     Daughter of Charlotte Kelley
   Idria Ann 9 dau  bTX  1871
   Teensy Ann 7 dau  1873
   Louisa  5 dau 1875
   Daniel 4 son 1876
   Henderson 3 son 1877
   Anna  1 dau 1879
Same dwelling  Fam 64   all BLK
White, Julia  18 dau Farm laborer bTX Father LA momTX      Daughter of Daniel

   Dick 2 grandson of Daniel bTX parents bTX

Note:  Julia White married Pomp Kelly on 8 Apr 1891 in Jasper County, TX. Pomp married 1st Gracie Williams. 

1900 Census Justice Precinct 02 Dist 0028 Jasper Co TX
Dwelling 237
White, Henry  45 bMay 1855 TX Farmer md 20 yrs
   Mary 40 bFeb 1860 TX 7ch/5living
   Mamie  12 bJan 1888 TX
   Anna 10 bJan 1890 TX
   Sam 15 bMay 1884 TX
   Edward 4 bMar 1886 TX
   Leaky  1 bMay 1899 TX

1910 Census Atoka Ward 4, Atoka OK
Dwelling 332
Anderson, Ruth 55 Mulatto Widow 6ch/3living bOK
Colbert, Charles  30 son bOK Father TX mother OK

Dwelling   337
Clayton, Ludy 30 b1880 TX parents bTX md 8 yrs Farmer
   Luly 23 bOK 3 ch b/2 living
   Leslie  6 bOK
   Rosa  4 bOK

Dwelling 338
Jones, Nancy 40 Widow 6ch/3living bOK Father bOK Mother bTX Laundress for a private family
Clayton, Dewey/Drury 11 grandson bOK Father bTX mother bOK

1919  Atoka, OK
Ludy and Lula Clayton - foreclosure of mortgage by J D Lankford

1930 Census Atoka, Atoka County, OK
Dwelling 302   Owns home     all BLK
Clayton, Ludy  56 bTX  Plumber for the city
   Annie  40  bTX   Laundress for private family

   Helen  18  bOK   Cook for private family
   Julius  17  bOK   Porter for Hotel
   Ruth  14  bOK
   Curtis  12  bOK
  Theo R  10  bOK
   Jesse M  8  bOK
   R L  6  bOK
   Corinne  3  bOK
   Sonny  0  bOK

1940 Census   Lewis Township, Atoka, OK

Dwelling  391   Owns home   all BLK
Clayton, Ludy  58 bTX  Laying pipe for WPA
   Annie  44  bTX
   Theresa  20  bTX
   Jesse Mae  18   bOK
   R L 15  bOK
   Corine  13  bOK
   Ludy Jr  10  bOK
   Billy Joe  7  bOK
   Bobby Lee 5  bOK

25 Apr 1942 Draft Registration   Atoka OK
Ludy Clayton    Box 164 Atoka OK
59 yrs old, born 1 July 1882 Tyler, TX
Contact person:  Viney Richard in Atoka OK
Self employed.  5/6" 135 lbs Brown eyes Black hair Black complextion No scars

1950 Census  Atoka, Atoka County, OK
Dwelling 196  Living on E 4th St.  Owns business    all BLK
Clayton, Ludy  66  bTX  Plumber
   Annie E 53  bTX
   Bobby L  15  bOK

Children of Ludy Clayton, Sr

                With Lula Fulsom:

• Leslie Leroy Clayton was born 24 Feb 1904 and died 25 Aug 1973
• Rosalee "Rosie" Clayton was born 13 Feb 1905 and died 26 Mar 1993. She married 1st David Hale (1890-1961) in 1927 and married 2nd Curley E Frazier (1905-1966)

               With Anna/Annie White:

• Helen Clayton  was born 23 July 1911 Atoka, OK and died 31 Aug 2002 Denver CO  She married Tom Crooms 1930. They had one child Betty Jean Crooms (1928-2012) who married Clinton Anderson.
  
• Julius Clayton was born 12 June 1913 Atoka, OK and died 4 June 1986.  He married Esther White.
  
• Ruth Clayton was born about 1916 and died 1965.
  
• Curtis Clayton was born 12 Jan 1918 in Atoka, OK and died in Aug 1952. He married Opal Crooms in 1936.
  
• Theresa Clayton was born 22 Dec 1919 and died 31 Mar 2006.  She married James Armstrong
• Theo R Clayton was born about 1920.
• Jesse Mae Clayton was born about 1922 and may have died in 1944.
  
• Robert Lee Clayton was born 9 Apr 1924 in Atoka OK and died 3 Feb 1981 in Tulsa, OK. He was a US Navy WWII veteran and is buried in Green Acres Memorial Gardens in Tulsa.
  
• Alice Corine Clayton was born 7 June 1926 in Atoka, OK and died June 2020 in Julesburg, CO.   She married Franchie Lacy.
• Ludy Clayton, Jr was born 31 July 1929 in Atoka, OK and died 10 Sep 2014 in Julesburg, CO.  He married 1st Willie Mae Tennison in 1947 and 2nd Monica Gonzales.  Read more about Willie Mae Tennison's family.
  
• Billy Joe Clayton was born 4 July 1932 and died 11 Oct 2012 both in Atoka, OK.  He married Elizabeth "Liza" Mae Powell.  He is buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Atoka.
  
• Bobby Lee Clayton was born 19 Aug 1934 in Atoka, OK and died 2 July 2015 in Colorado Springs, CO.  He is buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs. Fun facts: Bobby Lee was named co-valedictorian of his Senior class, served as President of the Senior class and was a member of the State Honor Society for his four high school years.  A member of the band, chorus, dramatic club and basketball teams he had a perfect attendance record for eleven years.  He was awarded a scholarship to Langston University.

 

Anna and Ludy Clayton

 

Charles and Samuel Deckard, Enslaved, Peter Spyker Decherd, Enslaver; Charity Ricks, Enslaved, Abraham Ricks, Enslaver

Charles Deckard was born enslaved in 1796 Virginia.  By 1826 he was in Tennessee, married Jane Holder and his first son, Joseph, was born. Charles and Jane would go on to have at least five children:  Joseph, Benjamin, Samuel, Harriett and Thomas.  By 1868 he was in McLennan County, Texas where he registered to vote.  And in 1870 he appears on the Federal Census.

Charles was enslaved by Peter Spyker Decherd and, eventually, so was his wife, Jane.

Jane Holder was born about 1804 in Tennessee. Though the names of her parents are not yet known, Jane said they were both born in Kentucky.  Jane's enslaver was John Walton Holder and he was most likely the enslaver of Jane's parents.

John Walton Holder was born 6 Nov 1786 in Clark County, Kentucky and died 21 Sep 1841 in Winchester, Franklin County, Tennessee.  He married Carine Frances Penn 1789-1852 in 1808.  John was the son of Colonel John Charles Holder 1744-1798 and Frances Walton Calloway 1763-1803.

1810 Census  Clark Co KY John Holder
13 Slaves   [Would include Jane's parents]

1820 Census Franklin Co TN  John W Holder
34 Slaves:  12 M under 14, 3 M 14-25, 2 M 26-44, 8 F under 14, 7 F 14-25, 1 F 26-44, 1 F 45+   [Includes Jane who would have been 16 and, probably her parents and sibling.]

22 Oct 1822 Franklin Co TN  Land Grant
John paid 12 1/2 cents per acre.  50 acres by survey bearing date 15 Aug 1825, lying in said county [Franklin] on the waters of Beaus Creek and bounded as follows:  Beginning at a SE corner of a 100 acre tract granted to W A Guesentberg? at the footy of the mountain and ? their E and 45 poles to two Sugar trees.   .....  Signed 27 Mar 1827

1827 John Holder's daughter Frances Henrietta Holder married Peter Spyker Decherd in Nov 1827. This is likely when Frances received enslaved from her father.  Including Jane. 

1830 Census Franklin Co TN  John W Holder
64 Slaves:  16 M under 10, 11 M 10-23, 2 M 24-35, 4 M 36-54, 10 F under 10, 7 F 24-35, 1 F 36-54, 1 F 55-99

1840 Census Franklin Co TN  John W Holder
84 Slaves:  12 M under 10, 19 M 10-23, 5 M 24-35, 6 M 36-54, 21 F under 10, 10 F 10-23, 4 F 24-35, 7 F 36-54

Will of John Walton Holder   Written 14 Sep 1841   Probate 4 Oct 1841

1  ...pay debts

2  ...to my wife Catherine Holder during her life the tract of land on which I reside together with the following slaves, Henry and his wife Mariah and their children Cabb [Caleb], Emanuel, Little Henry, Adaline, Julia, Martha, Little Mirah and Gabriel and a negro girl Franky and at the death of my said wife said land and negroes and their increase are to be disposed of as hereinafter directed

3...  to wife absolutely $1,000 in cash to be paid her by my Executor of the money on the first collections...   all provision on hand...[stock, utensils, household, furniture, all residue of my personal property except my slaves :   I direct my Executor to sell and apply the proceeds as hereinafter directed:

4...I have heretofore given to my daughter Francis Henrietta wife of Peter S Decherd the following property   negro man Winston (since dead) a negro girl named JANE, a negro girl named Moriah and a negro boy named Sidney together with $500 in cash which property and cash I have estimated to be worth $2250 ...

5  In like manner I have given to my daughter Sophia, wife of James A Snowden the following property  cash $500, negro woman Lucy and her children Elick and Emily, a negro man Gabriel since dead, and a negro girl Caroline which I have valued at $1,950...

6  In like manner I have given to my daughter Louisa wife of Holman Huddleston the following property - a negro man named Sam, a negro woman Matilda, her children Palina and Brice and a negro girl Margaret which property I have estimated at $1,400...

7.  For the purpose of making my other daughters Elizabeth and Virginia Holder equal with the others I hereby give to each of them negro slaves to be allotted to them by my executor equal in value to the property I have given to my daughter Sophia estimating price to fixed upon said negroes according to the rate at which I have estimated the negroes given to my older daughters ....

8. All the above property which I have willed in the above clauses to my two daughter Elizabeth and Virginia Holder together with all the land and negroes I may hereafter give them. I direct my Executor to convey to trustees or that the same shall be vested for their benefit upon the following trusts and conditions, said negroes and their increase are to be used by each of said daughters for her separate use and benefit and not for the use and benefit of her husband if she should marry... no attempt should be made to remove said slaves without the consent of my Executor... 

9 I have already placed in the hands and possession of my son Richard P Holder the following property: a Negro man named William, a negro woman named Suinia and her two children Archa and Allen and negro girl named Amy which I value at $1400. The negro woman Suinia has had a child named Rachael since my son Richard has had her in his possession which I do not into the account but I hereby devise to him ....

10.  The balance of my slaves I direct to be equally divided among all my children...
 
11...at the death of my wife, the slaves and their increase I have bequeathed to her during her life are to be equally divided among my children... 

12  [Land division]

13 All the rest and residue ... divided among my children

14  [he's valued his land, etc himself]

15  I empower my Executor to execute  all....

16  I appoint Peter S Decherd sole executor...
Witnesses:  Nathan Green, Benjamin Decherd, Joseph Miller

Note: John's will confirms that his adult children already have these enslaved. It was a common custom for enslaved to be given upon a daughter's marriage, as well as when a son established his own home.

Almost certainly John gave "our" Jane to Frances because we know later Jane was involved with one of Peter Decherd's enslaved:  Charles.

Jane and Charles had their first [known] child, Joseph who was born March 1826 in Franklin County, Tennessee.  He was followed by four more [known] children.

Children of Charles Deckard and Jane Holder:

• Joseph b March 1826  
• Benjamin b 1830 
• Samuel b 
• Harriett b 1834
• Thomas b 1836   

In 1854 Charles, Jane and their children went to McLennan County, Texas.  Their enslaver, Peter S Decherd, left Tennessee to settle in the Brazos Bottoms in Texas where Waco is now.  [See below Enslaver information]

1870 Census  Waco, McLennan TX
Dwelling 122  Fam 144
Dechard, Charles 73 Laborer bVA RE$300  BLK
   Jane 62  bTN  BLK
   Samuel 37 Drayman bTN  BLK
   Charity 27  bAL  Sam's wife  BLK
   Charles  2  bTX  BLK
   Robert 6/12  bTX  BLK
Trumbel, Harriett  36  Laundress bTN  BLK   Daughter of Charles and Jane
   Mary 14  in school bTX  BLK
   Erwin 1  bTX  BLK

1880 Census Waco, McLennan TX
Dwelling 247   246 N 5th Street    Site is now part of the McLennan courthouse complex.
Deckard, Charles  84 Laborer bVA parents both bVA  BLK
   Jane 76  bTN  both parents bKY    BLK

Charles and Jane died sometime after 1880, probably in Waco, Texas.

Details about the children of Charles and Jane:

Joseph Deckard was born March1826 in Franklin County,  TN

1880 AG Schedule
Deckerd, Joseph
30 acres on shares.  1 horse, 15 acres Indian Corn.  15 acres cotton/2 bales

1900 Census Waco Ward 3, McLennan TX     911 Mary Street  Renting
Thomas, Jennie 29 bMay 1871 TX     parents bTX Widowed  No children   Laundress
Deckard, Joseph  74 bTN ParentsbTN  Widowed  Grandfather [of Jennie]
Williams, Fanny  8 bTX Parents bTX  Adopted daughter
Sanders, Albert  30 bApr 1870 Ark, Parents bARK Single Stacker at Ice Factory

Benjamin Deckard was born 1830 Franklin County, TN and died 19 Oct 1956 McLennan Co TX . He married Rosana Fields who was born1841 in Mississippi.

15 July 1867 McClennan TX    Benjamin registered to vote

1870 AG Schedule McLennan Co TX   West of Brazos River
Deckerd, Benjamin and Thomas      [this is his brother]
30 acres, 1 horse,  5 swine, 50 bushels Indian corn, 7 bales cotton

1870 Census West of Brazos River, McLennan TX    Ben and Tom living next to each other
Dwelling 190 Fam 178
Deckard, Benjm  40 bTN Farmer
   Rosana 29  bMS
   Frainke  bTX
   Captain  7  bTX
   Deckard  6 bTX
   Isam 3 bTX
   Radix 1 bTX

1880 Census McLennan Co TX
Dwelling 20
Deckard, Benjamin 46 Farmer bTN parents bSC
   Rosanna  35   bMS  Parents bSC
   Francis 18  bTX
   Captain 17  bTX
   Benjamin 15  bTX
   Isom 13  bTX
   Molly 8  bTX
   Evaline 7  bTX
   Manny 5  bTX
   Early  3  bTX
   Anna 1  bTX

1900 Census Waco Ward 5, McLennan TX
Dwelling 46  Fam 47  917 Oak St
Deckard, Isom  35 bTX May 1865  md 10 years  Day Laborer  Renting  This is Ben's son
   Alice 36 bMar 18964 TX
   Edward  13  bJun 1886 TX
   Walter  9   bJul 1890 TX
   Lizzie M  8  bJan 1892 TX
   Isaac  6  bFeb 1894  TX

1900 Census Justice Precinct 1, McLennan C TX
Dwelling 529  Fam 558
Decherd, Benjamin [blank] bTN Farmer  Renting farm
   Rosana 54 bMS  Parents bMS  14 children born/10 living
   Early  21 bOct 1875 TX  Farm Laborer
   Moses  16 bMar 1884 TX

Same Dwelling  Fam 559
Deckare, Manny [male]  bJan 1877 TX Married 2 years  Farm Laborer  This is Ben's son
   Mary F   bSep 1872 bTX

Dwelling 535  Fam 566
Deckard, Benjamin  md4yrs Father bTX mother bMS  Farm Laborer  Renting  This is Ben's son
   wife Phillis bTX md 4 yrs  4chborn/1 living
   Rosana 5 bMay 1895 TX

Ben's son Moses  -  Moses's wife Cora died before 1940
1940 Census Falls, TX   Living Chilton, Satin, Falls, TX
Deckard, Mose  55
   Ruby Mae  21
  Rose Lee   19
Cox, Dorothy Jean  4
   Jennie  2
  Joe Lee  11 mos

1902 Waco City Directory
Deckard, Benjamin  Laborer  609 Mann, E Waco  3

Ben's Son Mose Deckard  born 4 Mar 1882 Waco TX and died 27 Sep 1959. Farmer  Died Austin State Hospital Austin, TX  Widower. Father: Benjamin; mother:   Rosana Fields
COD Bronchopneumonia and Cerebral Arteriosclerosis
Buried Waco Cemetery  28 Sep 1959

Ben's son Isom Deckard  died 28 Nov 1951 at Waco, McLennan County TX
Widowed.  Was a Laborer
COD Natural causes; senility
Buried Greenwood Cemetery in Waco TX

Harriett Deckard was born 1834 on the Decherd Plantation, Franklin Co, TN - 17 Feb 1915 Waco, McLennan Co TX

1870 Census living with parents
Turmbel, Harriet  36 with daughter Mary Jane 14 and son Erwin 1

1880 Census Waco, McLennan Co TX     88 North 5th St
Tramble, Harriet 42 bTN Widow Housekeeper
   Jane 24 bTX Seamstress
   Ernest/Erwin 10 bTX
   Zuma  8  bTX

1900 Census Waco Ward 1, McLennan, TX     329 N 5th Street  Own home
Tramble, Hariet  64 bTN father bVA mother bTN  Widow  Midwife   

1910 Census Waco Ward 1, McLennan Co TX   401 N 5th St  Own house
Tramble, Harriette  72 bTN Father  bVA Mother  bTN  Widow  Retired Nurse  5 children born/2 living
Tramble, Janie  54  bTX Father bGA Mother bTN     Dressmaker self employed
Morgan, Albert 10 bTX   Great Grandson

Harriett Deckard Trambel is buried Greenwood Cemetery, Waco McLennan Co TX

Thomas Deckard was born 1836 on the Decherd Plantation, Franklin Co TN. Died probably in McLennan Co TX.  Married Frances Fields b1847 MS

16 July 1867-1869  Voter Registration  McLennan County, TX  line #393

1870 AG Schedule - see Benjamin above

1870 Census  West of Brazos River, McLennan TX
Dwelling 191 Fam 179
Deckard, Thos  34 bTN Farmer
   Frances  23 bMS
   Lydia  7 bTX
   Benjamin  6 bTX
   Nathan  2 bTX

1880 Census  McLennan Co TX    Thomas is not listed and Frances says she's a widow.
Dwelling 20
Deckard, Frances  36  bMS parents bSC WIDOW Farmer
   Benjamin 16 bTX
   Nathan 12  bTX
   William  7  bTX
   Allie [female] 6  bTX
   Laura  8  bTX

There are two prison records for a Thomas Deckard. This may not be the same Thomas, but could explain his absence in the 1880 census with his family.

4 Apr 1880 Texas Convict and Conduct Register
Deckard, Tom  Convict #8545  Huntsville, Walker Co TX
Prison - Apr 4 1880 to Alston Farm
    Dec 28, 1880 to Auygg? and Lendells Prison Sep 29, 1981
Discharged January 28, 1882
Work:  Labor  outside

1880 Census Schedule of Defective, Dependent and Delinquent Classes   1 Jun 1880
Deckard, Tom  Huntsville, Walker Co TX
Incarcerated Mar 1880 for Burglary
Number of years in penitentiary 2

Thomas and Frances's son, the Reverend Nathan Deckard died 3 Feb 1950. He was living Rural Route 6, Precinct 1 in McLennan County, TX near Downsville.  He was a widower.

Samuel Deckard was born 1832 on the Decherd Plantation, Franklin County, TN and died before 1900 in Waco,McLennan County TX.  He married Charity Ricks 1835-1925.  [See below for more about Charity Ricks].  Though her parents are so far unknown, she was enslaved by the Ricks family.   By 1900 Charity reports on the census that she is a widow.

Note:  Charity may not have been the mother of  Dorsey born 1856, Henderson born 1856, and Alfred "Fred" born 1852-1860.  These children of Samuel's may very well have been born to a first wife.

At the end of the Civil War, Samuel would have been living in McLennan County, Texas.  Charity appears in the 1870 census with Samuel and his parents, Charles and Jane Deckard.

Samuel is listed twice in the 1870 Census and they're probably both accurate.

1870 Census Waco, McLennan TX Taken 20 June 1870
Dwelling 15 This is a Boarding House  All BLK
Watson, Gustave  18  Tradesman  bNC
Leslie Robert 21  Waiter  bMS
Parker, Giles 39  Cook  bMS
Carter, Jerry 27  Hostler  bKY
Kennedy, Mary 55  Cook  bMD
Mclellan, Ann 24  Cook  bAL
Deckard, Sam  39  Hostler  bTN

1870 Census  Waco, McLennan TX  Taken 23 June 1870
Dwelling 122  Fam 144
Dechard, Charles 73 Laborer bVA RE$300  BLK
   Jane 62  bTN  BLK
   Samuel 37 Drayman bTN  BLK
   Charity 27  bAL  Sam's wife  BLK
   Charles  2  bTX  BLK
   Robert 6/12  bTX  BLK
Trumbel, Harriett  36  Laundress bTN  BLK   Daughter of Charles and Jane
   Mary 14  in school bTX  BLK
   Erwin 1  bTX  BLK
 
1880 Census Waco McLennan TX
Dwelling 264    88 N 5th St
Deckard Samuel 40  bTN Laborer
   Charity  39  bAL Parents bAL
   Charles  12  bTX
   Robert  9  bTX
   Minnie  7  bTX
   Lilly  5  bTX
   Howard  1  bTX

Samuel has disappeared by the 1910 Census.
1910 Census  Waco
Dwelling 71 Fam 73 1219 N 6th St
Deckard, Minnie  35 bTX  School Teacher
   Charity 65  Mother    9 children born/4 living
   Robert  41 bTX Widower, brother Retail Butcher

Charity died 18 Jan 1925 in Waco, Texas.

She is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Waco, McLennan County, Texas

Charity Ricks Deckard

The children of Samuel Deckard and Charity Ricks:

Dorsey Deckard was born 1856 in McLennan Co TX  She married Dudley Whitaker in 1874, McLennan Co TX

1880 Census Waco, McLennan Co TX
Dwelling 97
Whitaker, D  56 Farmer bAL
   Dorsey  24  bTN
   A L  [female] 11 bTX
   Winey  10 bTX
   Walis 9 bTX
   Zoly  5  bTX
   Vilot  2  bTX

Dwelling 99  all BLK
Deckard, A  28  bTN Farmer     Believed to be Alfred
   M  20  bTN
   Tildy  1  bTX

Dwelling 100  all BLK
Whitaker, B  29  bAL Farmer     This is Booker T Whitaker
   Jane 26  bLA        This is Jane Knott who later married Afred Decker
   L  6  [son]  bTX
   Eddy/ERdrey  4  [dau]  bTX
   Elin 1 bTX

1880 AG Schedule  Enumeration District 112, McLennan, TX 
Dudley Whittaker
37 Acres on shares.  2 horses, 20 acres Indian corn/300 bushels, 17 acres cotton/3 bales

Children of Dorsey Deckard and Dudley Whitaker:
    Alice 1868-1966 md Whitaker
    Winey/Winny b1870
    Wallace 1871-1945
    Zollie/Zoly b1874
    Clara 1879 md Lamesa
    Violet 1880-1950 md Wagener - died 5 Aug 1950; buried in Bosqueville Cemetery in Waco, TX.

Henderson Deckard was born 1856 in McLennan County, TX and died 26 Aug 1913. He married Nannie/Nancy Roberson b1858 on 2 May 1878 McLennan Co TX. They had at least three children: Nancy, Cora [married Holman] and Mattie.  Nannie went on to marry Emanuel Talbert before 1900.

13 Jul 1867-69 Registered to vote. McLennan TX

1880 Census McLennan Co TX
Dwelling 76
Deckard, Henderson  24 bTX  Farmer
   Nancy 22  bMS
   Cora W  8 mos bSep 1879
   Mattie  10bTX  sister of Henderson

1880 AG Schedule District 111, McLennan TX
Deckard, Henderson
15 acres on shares.  1 mule. 10 acres Indian corn/100 bushels, 5 acres sorghum/200 gallons molasses 

1900 Census Waco Ward 1
Dwelling 164  Fam 182    1227 N 7th Street  near Charity Ricks Deckard
Talbert, Emanuel 45 bAug 1854 TX Day Laborer
   Nannie wife 42 bMay 1858 MS 4chborn/1 living   Wash woman
Deckard, Cora  21 dau of Nannie 20 bSep1879TX    Daughter of Nannie and Henderson Deckard

1906 Waco City Directory
Henderson Deckard     Laborer living 1800 N 12th 

1911 Waco City Directory
Henderson Deckard  Laborer living rear 418 S 1st St

Charlie Deckard was born about 1868 in McLennan County, TX and died 4 July 1904. He appears in the 1880 Census with his parents.  Charlie is buried in First Street Cemetery, Waco, TX.

Robert Deckard was born about 1870 in McLennan County, TX and died 29 Jul 1912 in Waco, TX

1890 and 1891 Waco City Directory
Robert Deckard, Laborer at Samuel Deckard's

1910 Census   living with his mother and sister Minnie.  Says he is widowed.

1911 Waco City Directory
Robert Deckard   Driver for Michael Hennessy   living 1219 N 6th St.  Living with mother and siblings

Minnie Deckard was born 5 May 1878 in McLennan County, TX and died 5 Jan 1919 in Waco, TX.  Believed to have never married.  She was a School Teacher.

1880  Census with parents
1900 Census with mother and sisters
1910  Census with mother and brother

1911 Waco City Directory
Minnie Deckard   School Teacher   Living 1219 N 6th St    Living with mother Charity and siblings

Howard Deckard was born 1879 and died 1912 in Texas.  He married Lillie Rhodes and they had at least 3 children:  Howard 1904, Lillian 1909, Richard 1910

1880 Census - with parents

1906 Waco City Directory
Howard Deckard, Expressman. Living 1214 N 7th

1911 Waco City Directory
Howard Deckard   Drayman.  Living 1219 N 6th   With his mother

Lillie Deckard was born June 1879 and died 12 Nov 1903 in Waco, TX.

1880 Census with parents

1900 Census Waco Ward 1, McLennan County TX
Dwelling 168 Fam 186  1214 N 7th St   Minnie is living with her mother
Deckard, Charity  46 bAL Mar 1854 Widow  7 children born/6 living  Owns home
  Minnie/ Mimie  24 bApr 1876 TX  School Teacher
   Lillie  20 bJune 1879 TX  Nurse
   Samuel  16   bAug 1883  Day Laborer
   Herman  4 bApr 1896 TX Grandson

Samuel William Deckard was born Aug 1883 and died sometime after 1917.  He married Fannie Warner on 25 June 1913 in McLennan Coutny TX  Fannie died 21 Jan 1840 in McLennan County, TX.
1880 Census with parents

1911 Waco City Directory
Samuel W Deckard   Yardman at New State    Living 1219 N 6th    With mother Charity

1917 Waco City Directory
Samuel Deckard, Porter at Metropole Hotel Bar. Wife is Fannie  Living 1412 N 7th 

The Metropole Hotel - Waco, Texas

1920 Census Waco Ward 2 McLennan Co TX
Living 1413 North St   Owns home; mortgaged
Deckard, Sam W 38 bTX Proprietor of Wood Yard
   Fannie  37 bTX
   Howard  15 bTX
   Louise  11  bTX
   Richard  9  bTX
   Maud  8  bTX

1917-1918 Draft Registration
Samuel William Deckard
Living at 1004 No 6, Waco  Cafe Owner
Description:  Medium build, medium height, black hair, black eyes.  Wife: Fannie Deckard

According to the Texas Death Index #24246 Samuel died from TB and is buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Waco, TX.

Alfred "Fred" Deckard was born Dec 1860 in McLennan Co TX and died 23 Aug 1931 in Okmulgee Co OK.  He married Jane Knott 1858-1942 on 20 Dec 1883 in McLennan Co TX. By 1910 they moved to Oklahoma.

Before Alfred married Jane, he married a woman whose name begins with M and they had a daughter named Tildy about 1879.

In 1880 Jane Knott was married first to Booker Whitiker on 2 Jan 1873 in Cherokee County TX.  He was 29; she was 26.   They had four children: Alonzo/Lon 1873-1962, Edna 1877-1956 [married Fields], Ellen 1879-1960, and Booker T Jr b1880.  [See below census data.]  She married Alfred "Fred" Deckard on 20 Dec 1883 in McLennan County, TX.  Jane had at least three children with Fred Deckard:  Alfred "Fred"  Jr 1884-1931, Mary Lee 1886-1986, and Nora 1889-1976 [married Richardson]

Though I've researched the 1870 censuses every way I can think of, I have not found Alfred "Fred" or his siblings Dorsey and Henderson. This made me wonder if they are with their mother and that mother is not Charity.

Notice that in 1880 we see Alfred "Fred" living next door to Jane Knott Whittaker, as well as his sister Dorsey Deckard Whittaker.  

1880 Census   Waco, McLennan, TX
Dwelling 97 Fam 97
Whitaker, Dudley  56 bAL
   Dorsey 26 bTX  Mulatto     Alfred's sister
   A L dau 11   Mulatto
   Winey 10 bTX
   Wallis  9
   Zoly  5 son bTX

Dwelling 98 Fam 98
Ivenes, Rody  55 bVA    [may be related in some way]

Dwelling 99 Fam 99
Deckard  A  28  Mulatto bTN  Parents bTN      This is Alfred who later married Jane Knott.
   M  20  bTX  Mulatto
   Tildy 1  bTX  Mulatto

Dwelling 100 Fam 100
Whittaker, B  29 bAL
   Jane 26 bLA     This is Jane Knott who later married Alfred
   L  xon bTX
   Elrey dau bTX
   Elin 1 bTX
** all surrounded by people born in AL

1900 Census Justice Precinct 4 McLennan TX
Dwelling 68
Deckard, Fred 39 bTX Farmer  Renting
   Jane 42 bLA    13 children born/7 living
   Booker W 19  bTX bDec 1881     Booker Whitaker s/o Booker Whitaker Sr
   Fred Jr  15  bTX  bJune 1884
   Mary  14  bTX  bFeb 1886
   Nora  10  bTX  bSep 18890  
   Ellen  21  bTXb1878          Ellen Whitaker d/o Booker Whitaker Sr

1910 Census   Hamilton, Okmulgee OK
Dwelling 49  Fam 52   Renting
Deckard, A F 53 b1857 TX Mulatto 2nd marriage     Farm laborer
   Jane 55 bLA Mulatto 2nd marriage  15 children born/7 living

1920 Census   Severs, Okmulgee, OK
Dwelling 240  Fam 261
Deckard, Fred  61  bTX Mulatto Farmer owns farm
   Jane  63 bLA Mulatto FatherbTN Mother bLA

1930 Census   Severs, Okmulgee, OK
Dwelling 307  Fam 308    
Deckard, Fred  70 bTX Farmer renting farm
   Jane 70 bLA

1940 Census Severs, Okmulgee OK
Dwelling, 247
Whitaker, Lon  67 bTX     son of Booker Whitaker and Jane Knott Deckard
   Jennie  66 bTX 

Dwelling 248  Owns home   Value of home $100
Deckard, Jane 89 bLA Widow
Fields, Edna  63 bTX daughter  daughter of Booker Whittaker Sr
Ross, Katrina  26  bOK Granddaughter unable to work
   Lavoyd 27  bOK  Grandson  Laborer
Edwards, Bernice  5  bOK Great granddaughter

Jane Knott, wife of Alfred, was the daughter of Henry Knott/North and Ellen Brisco.  Henry Knott was born 1816 in Tennessee and died after 1900 probably in McLennan County, TX.  He married Ellen Brisco in 1850.  She was born 1835 and died after 1900. Ellen was the daughter of Mary/Mariah Brisco/Brisko who was born in Virginia..

Mary/Mariah Brisco had at least 5 children: Ellen 1835-1900, Mathilda b 1835, Stephen b 1845, Julia b 1853 and Frank b 1859.

1868 Freedmen's Bureau Records 1865-1878 Texas
Henry North for the ? of Edmond North ?? vs William Millson
Debt on acct for January night  $11    4 Dec 1868
 
1870 Census West of the Brazos River, McLennan Co TX
Dwelling 628  Fam 618
Brisko, Frank 21  Farm Laborer bKY  Son of Mary/Mariah Brisco
   Nancy 20 bTX
   Bell 3 bTX
   Moses 2/12 bTX
Williams, Abraham 4 bTX

Dwelling 629  Fam 619
North, Henry 46 Farm Laborer bTN
   Ellen 30 bLA
   Esquire 17 bLA
   Jane 15  bLA

Dwelling 630  Fam 620
Brisko, Mary 66 bVA      Living next to son Stephen and son-in-law Henry

Dwelling 631  Fam 621
Brisko, Stephen 25 Farm Laborer bMS   Son of Mary/Mariah
   Mathilda 35 bLA
   Rosana 15 bLA
   Margret 9 bLA
   Julia 17 bLA

1880 Census Waco, McLennan County, TX
Dwelling 272
Brisco, Mariah  70 bVA  Widow

Dwelling 317  
Knott, Henry  50 bTN Parents bTN  Farmer
   Ellen  45
   S  26
  Evline  23
   Squire  3
   Matty  1

1900 Census Justice Precinct 4 McLennan Co TX
Dwelling 70  Fam 70
Knotts, Henry  84  bTN  Married 1850  Father bTN Mother bVA   Farm Laborer  Renting farm
   Ellen bLA     
   Esquire  23  bTX

Dwelling 71  Fam 71
Watson, William  45 bMS married 17 yrs
   Eveline  41 bLA       Ellen and Henry's daughter
Knotts, Mattie  21  bTX    Eveline's step daughter
   Maggie 18 bTX  Eveline's step daughter's child
Watson, Willie (F) 13 bTX
   Martha  13 bTX
   Arra  11 (M) bTX
   Archie  8  bTX
   Jesse  6  bTX
   Ollie  4  bTX
   Bertha  11 mos bTX
Fisher, Sad  17 bTX Boarder
   Maggie  18 

 

The Children of Alfred "Fred" Deckard Sr and Jane Knott:

Mary Lee Deckard  was born 15 Feb 1886 in Texas and died 6 June 1986 in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma.  She married Isaac Grissom on 12 Sep 1905.

1910 Census  Hamilton, Okmulgee, OK
Dwelling 45  Fam 47
Fields, Moses  37 bTX Married 14 yrs
   Edna  33 bTX  9 children/7 living   Daughter of Jane Knott and Booker T Whittaker
   Obed  10 bTX
   Jeremiah  5  bOK
   Olitha  13 bTX
   Pearlina 11 bTX
   Varlie  1 bOK
   unnamed daughter 0/12  bOK

Same Dwelling  Fam 48
Grissom, Isaac  24
   Mary  23

Mary Lee and Isaac went on to have four children: Elouise/Ella, Isaac, Eugene and Louise and lived the rest of their lives in Oklahoma.

Nora Deckard was born 28 Sep 1889 in McLennan County, Texas and died April 1976 in Seattle, Washington.   She married William M Richardson (born 1888) and they had two known children:  Alma and Clinton.

Alfred "Fred" Deckard, Jr was born 25 June 1884 in Waco, McLennan County, Texas and died 14 Jun 1969 in Hamilton, Okmulgee County, Oklahoma.  He married Odie/Odia Nelson on 21 June 1905 in Muskogee, Oklahoma.  They had seven children:  Mazie 1905-1928, Pearl b1908, Fred 1908-1994, Odie Lee 1911-1973, Martha Laverne 1918-1962, Carlisle and James. After Odie's death, Fred married Fannie. They lived in Hamilton Township, Okmulgee, Oklahoma.  In 1942 his draft registration card gave his description: 5'7" tall. 160 lbs. Balck eyes, black hair, dark complexion.   Lost sight of left eye.    Fred is buried in Northwest Cemetery, Okmulgee, Oklahoma.

Ocea/Ocie Deckard was born to Lucy Woods and Alfred abt 1904 in Texas. 

Arvie Anderson was born to Cora James/Anderson and Alfred on 19 March 1905 in Waco, McLennan County, Texas.       Arvie married Bettie Theresa Jeffries on 21 July 1926 in Beggs, Oklahoma.    

Note: more will be coming soon about Arvie Anderson's ancestors.  You can read more about Bettie Theresa Jeffries family here. 

The Enslavers

Charles was enslaved by Peter Spyker Dechard. 
He most likely traveled with Peter's family from Virginia to Tennessee. 

Peter Spyker Dechard was born 8 Jan 1800 in Abingdon, Washington County, Virginia and died 17 Nov 1879 in Alma, Crawford County, Arkansas.  He was the son of Michael Dechert 1771-1837 and Elizabeth Spyker 1769-1826.  Peter married Frances Henriettqa Holder 1809-1867 on 26 Nov 1827 in Abingdon, Virginia.

Their children:
Benjamin 1828-1908
John Holden 1830-1905
Catherine Elizabeth 1832
Sophia Adeline 1835
Louisa Frances 1836
Richard Michael 1837-1893
Edgar Corydon 1842
Virginia Penn 1842
Nathan Green 1844-1910

Peter studied law in Abingdon and became a lawyer, but gave up the profession of law and became a planter.  He was a large slaveowner.   He left Virginia, moving to Winchester, Tennessee.  

1810 Census Washington County, VA
no Slaves recorded

1830 Census Winchester, Franklin County TN   Peter was living near his father Michael Dechard
9 Slaves:  3 M under 10, 1 M 10-23, 1 F under 10, 4 F 10-23, 

1830 Census Franklin TN      Michael Dechard
9 Slaves:  4 M under 10, 1 M 25-35, 1 M 36-54. 2 F infirm 10. 1 F 36-54

1840 Census Franklin County, TN
35 Slaves:  7 M under 10, 7 M 10-23, 4 M 24-35, 1 M 36-54, 8 F 10-23, 3 F 24-35, 3 F 36-54, 2 F 55-99

In 1830 he began construction of a two story plantation house which would become the centerpiece of the Decherd Plantation.  Much later that house was greatly expanded and is now known as the Hundred Oaks Castle and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. 

Peter S Decherd home after large expansion.

Peter founded the town of Decherd, Tennessee along with his business partner Ezekiel D Sanford. In 1852 they purchased the land and in 1853 developed it into a town with blocks and streets. It was incorporated in 1856.

Along with his brothers, Peter built the first railroad in the area.  Beginning as the Winchester and Alabama Railroad, it later became the NCSt.L railroad.  In order to run the tracks they had to build a tunnel through Cumberland Mountain to connect Nashville to Chattanooga.  The tunnel was 2,200 feet long and took four years to build.  The line between Decherd and just outside of Chase was abandoned in 1985, though a segment of the line is still in operation by volunteers of the North Alabama Railroad Museum who operate an excursion train.

Cowan Tunnel also known as Cumberland Tunnel

The tunnel through the mountain, Cowan Tunnel, began in 1849 and was completed in 1852 with Peter's business partner Ezekiel D Sanford as Assistant Engineer in the construction of the tunnel. Tracks were lais in 1763.  The tunnel is still operational and listed on the National Register.

Cowan Tunnel

Cowan tunnel was built by the labor of Decherd enslaved (and probably others), as well as Irish laborers who were in charge of the explosives. Work was carried on in three shifts and the drilling was done by hand.  The enslaved were chained together at all times to prevent them from running away and they used hand tools - picks and shovels - to dig the tunnel.  One man would hold and turn a short length of steel bit while two others struck it with 8 lb hammers.  Charles and Samuel Deckard were probably among them.

Cowan Tunnel

From 1849 to 1850 there was a cholera pandemic at the tunnel.  The Winchester Independent listed the names of 28 people near the tunnel who died of the disease, including four enslaved people and six children.  The Nashville Republican Banner reported 31 workers had died of Cholera out of 180 workers.  In fact, there is a cemetery nearby from that time. 

1850  Slave Schedule   District 11  Franklin TN  Peter Decherd
80 Slaves:  M 3, M 2, M 2, F 2, F 1, M 1, M 1, M 1, M 22, M 22, M 7, M 80, F 60, M 60, F 50, M 50, M 50, M 50, F 50, M 50, M 48, M 46, M 46, F 45, F 45, M 44, F 40, M 35, F 34, M 30, M 31, M 30, F 30, M 30, M 29, M 28, M 25, M 24, M 24, M 23, M 23, F 22, F 22, M 21, M 21, F 19, M 19, M 19, M 18, M 17, M 17, F 17, M 16, F 16, F 15, F 15, F 15, F 14, F 13, F 13, F 13, M 12, M 11, M 10, M 10, M 10, F  9, M 8, M 8, F 7, M 6, M 6, F 5, F 5, M 5, F 4, F 4, M 4, F 5

1850 Ag Schedule  Franklin Co TN    Peter S Dickerd
5000 ac: 1500 improved, 3500 unimproved acres valued at $30000
Horses 35  Asses and mules 125   milk cows 20  working oxen 26  
other cattle 100   sheep 75   swine 800
wheat bushels 200
rye bushels 100
Indian corn bushels 10,000
Oats bushels 100
Wook lbs 200
peas and beans bushels 50
Irish Potatoes bushels 500
Sweet Potatoes bushels 140
Buckwheat bushels 20
Butter lbs 1000
Hay tons 30

1852 Peter Spyker Dechard bought land in Alabama at Huntsville. This probably is related to the Railroad business.
1 Apr 1852  40.06 acres Huntsville, AL
1 Apr 1852 640 acres, Huntsville, AL
1 Apr 1852 640 acres, Huntsville, AL with Thomas Cockram Bates. Tracts of sections 1 and 12 in town.  Known as John Gunmake's or Shoemaker's reservation.  [Probably refers to Cherokee or Creek Native Americans land]

Peter left Tennessee in 1854 and went to where Waco, Texas is now and bought 1 1/2 Leagues of land in the Brazos Bottoms.  After seven years of drought he sold out. By 1867 he had moved to Anderson County, Texas. Sometime before 1870 he moved to Crawford County, Arkansas.

1855  Jackson, McLennan County, TX
Peter was appointed Postmaster on 1 July 1855 and served until 5 Nov 1860.

4 Mar 1857 Sale of Slave at Court House door in Winchester
Negro man named Anthony about 60 and his wife Winney about 60.  To be sold as the property of P S Decherd to satisfy a note in my hands in favor of B Chrisman and against said Decherd, issued from Circuit Court of Franklin Co TN this 19 Feb 1857. Signed by L W Gonce, Sheriff.

1860 Slave Schedule  McLennan TX   Peter S Decherd
60 Slaves; 14 Slave Dwellings:  M 70, M 60, M 38, F 60, F 58, F 50, M 55, M 36, M 35, M 34, M 31, M 30, F 50, M 26, M 25, M 21, M 20, M 19, M 19, F 45, F 22, F 19, F 18, F 17, F 16, M 12, M 12, M 11, M 11, M 11, M 10, M 10, M 10, M 10, M 9, F 10, F 5, F 4, M 4, M 3, M 3, M 2, M 2, M 1, M 1, F 4, F 4, F 4, F 3, M 7, M 6, M 5, M 4, M 5, M 5, M 1/12, M 3/12

1860 Slave Schedule  McLennan TX   J H Decherd   Peter's son
12 Slaves:  F 7, F 5, M 3, F 1, M 16, M 55, F 50, M 25, F 20, F 17, F 14, M 11 

1860 Slave Schedule  McLennan TX   Benjamin Decherd   Peter's son
8 Slaves:  M 50, F 45, M 26, M 25, M 25, M 18, F 20, F 3   

23  Jun 1860 AG Schedule  McLennan TX   P S Deckard  
[next are sons J H with 150 ac and Benjamin with 140 ac)
5,000 aces: 700 improved, 4300 unimproved.  Cash Value $40,000
horses    40
asses mules  30
milk cows  20
working oxen  24
other cattle  180
Sheep 140
Swine 100
Val of livestock 6000
Wheat bushels  130
Indian corn bushels  4000
Cleaned cotton bales 116
Butter 480
Molasses gallons 100

1868  Freedmen's Bureau Records   Anderson County, TX
Someone vs Peter S Dechard for settlement of wages for 1867. It was ordered that the plaintiff have and recover of the defendant the sum of $22.33.  Settled in full.  [Left hand side of document is missing; could be Samuel who is suing.]

1868  Palestine, Anderson County, TX
Peter S Dechard registered to vote on 31 Jan 1868.
Note: In 1865 Peter's son Edgar was married in Anderson County and in 1867 he registered to vote there, too.  Also in 1867 Peter's sons, John and Nathan, registered to vote in Anderson County.]

By 1870 Peter was living in Crawford County, Arkansas.  He died there in 1879

1870 Census  Van Buren, Crawford County, Arkansas
Deckerd, John H  39  b TN Physician REval $2000 PersEst $500    Peter's son
   Joanna 37  bTN
   M G 25  bTN Clerk in Store
   Peter S 70  bVA  Farm Laborer REval $2000 PersEst $500
   Virginia 23  bTN
McCurry, Elizabeth 15 bARK
Simon, Harriet  25 bAL Mulatto
   Billy  2  b TX  Mulatto

Charity was enslaved by the Ricks family.

Abraham Ricks, Enslaver

Abraham Ricks, Sr, was born 16 Oct 1791 in Halifax County, North Carolina and died 23 Nov 1852 in Tuscumbia, Colbert County, Alabama.  In 1825 Abraham and his wife, Charlotte, arrived in Alabama with a caravan of wagons.  Abraham purchased 10,000 acres for his Oaks Plantation.  According to Ricks family papers, it took 7 years for his 300 enslaved to build his plantation house, including making the bricks from native clay. 

Abraham was a stockholder in the Tuscumbia to Decatur Railroad. Construction began in 1832 by the enslaved.  Much later it merged into the Southern Railway / Norfolk Southern Railroad.

Oaks Plantation 1935 Photo by Allen Bush

  

Oaks home after restoration in 1966 (front)

 Abraham's brother Isaac had followed to Alabama a few years later and when Isaac died in 1832, Abraham adminstered his estate and became the guardian of his children.  

Kitchen Fireplace 

1840 Slave Schedule  Franklin County, AL
104 Slaves:  19 M under 10, 9 M 10-23, 17 M 24-35, 5 M 36-54, 22 F under 10, 16 F 10-23, 13 F 24-35, 3 F 36-54

Slave Quarters at the Oaks Plantation

1850 Slave Schedule  District 5, Franklin County AL
209 Slaves:  F 27, F 18, F 15, F 8, M 6M F 3, M 35, M 55, F 10, M 40, M 30 F, 6, M 48, M 16, M 33, F 38, M 20, M 32, M 23, F 18, M 46, F 16, M 14, M 20, F 12, M 8, M 2, M 6, M 40, M 9, M 3, F 38, M 15, M 44, M 28, M 16, M 8, M 25, M 14, M 6, M 4, M 10, M 30, M 50, F 35, M 31, M 28, F 7, F 60, F 17, F 24, M 34, M 70, F 60, F 20, F 9, F 3, F 3, M 24, M 23, M 40, F 18, F 29, F 20, F 24, M 6, F 25, F 54, F 5, M 4, M 2, F 20, M 6mos, F 40, F 22, F 4mos, M 6, F 4, M 25, F 1, M 14, M 22, M 40, F 24, F 1, F 2, M 9, M 60, M 4, M 2, F 25, F 3, F 10, M 2, F 44, F 18, F 5, M 8, M 1

Smokehouse at the Oaks Plantation

1860 Slave Schedule  Eastern Subdivision, Franklin Al     Charlotte B Ricks, widow of Abraham
56 Slaves; 17 Slave Dwellings:  M 62, F 65, M 60, M 58, F 48, M 46, F 40, F 42, M 45, F 28, F 26, F 24, M 22, M 20, M 18, F 16, F 14, F 8, F 8, M 6, M 45, M 10, M 8, F 4, F 4, M 2, M 10mos, F 41, M 18, F 16, M 14, F 5, F 18, F 16, F 48, F 24, M 22, F 20, M 16, M 4, F 1, F 26, F 23, M 22, F 20, F 18, F 14, M 6, M 4, F 2, M 1, F 1, M 1, M 8mos, M 6mos, M 4mos, F 58

The rest of Abraham's enslaved are with his son Abraham Ricks, Jr
132  Slaves; 33 Slave Dwellings:  2 M 80, 1 M 60, 10 M 40, 17 M 30, 21 M 20, 7 M 10, 17 M 5, 4 M 1, 2 F 70, 5 F 50, 5 F 40, 11 F 30, 6 F 20, 5 F 15, 4 F 10, 9 F 5, 4 F 1, 1 M 3 blind, 1 M 13 dumb

Blue pin is the Oaks Plantation. Ricks cemetery is south of here.

Charity was in Texas by 1860.  Abrahams Ricks died in 1852. Though I have not found his will or estate settlement records, family lore indicates he bequeathed enslaved to his nephews.  Abraham's nephews Thomas, Isaac and Amirald went to Palestine, Anderson County, Texas. Thomas about 1851and Isaac by 1855.    According to her obituary Charity told the story of coming by ox trail to Palestine, Texas, with Thomas Ricks family. 

1860 Slave Schedule  Beat 3  Anderson TX
Thomas L Ricks
6 slaves 2 Slave Dwellings - ALL MALE  52,38, 34, 19, 17, 15

Amirald Ricks
12 Slaves:  M 40, M 38, F 32, M 29, M 20, F 16, F 14, F 14, F 9, M 7, F 4

Isaac Ricks III
13 Slaves:  M 30, F 45, M 30, F 25, M 21, F 18, F 16, M 14, M 12, F 5  Believe this is Charity

Isaac Ricks III died 1864. The Civil War ended.  

Though we don't know how or when Charity and Samuel met, we do  know Samuel registered to vote on 24 July 1867 in Anderson County, Texas which is where Charity was living.  We also know that befire 1867 Samuel's enslaver, Peter S Dechard, was there, too.   In addition, we know that both Charity's enslaver, Abraham Ricks, and Samuel's were both wealthy men who were instrumental in building railroads.  Peter Dechard's land purchases in Huntsville, Alabama suggest they may have known each other.  As does Peter's later residence in Anderson County where the Ricks settled in Texas. This lends credence to Alfred "Fred" being the son of Charity and Samuel.

Notes:  

• I have a great deal more census data for the Ricks and Deckard surnames which I may publish in the future because they are related by dna or by enslavement. 
• Both of these enslavers were prominant men and there is a wealth of information available about them and their plantations.  Google is your friend.