Enslaved of Joshua Mayes, Slaveholder, of Greensville County, VA

Joshua Mayes was born 14 May 1765 in Prince George County, Virginia and died 29 July 1808 in Greensville, Virginia.   He is the son of Joseph Mayes, born 1740 Prince George County, Virgina; died 1822 Dinwiddie County, Virginia and his wife Rebecca Gardner, born 1746 Wise County, Virginia, died 1842 Lawrence County, Alabama.  Joshua Mayes married Hannah Hill Dupree who was born in 1770.

The will of Joshua Mayes is found in Greensville County, VA Will Bk 2 Page 94 and is dated 17 May 1808.

In the Name of God Amen, I Joshua Mayes of Greensville County and State of Virginia knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die and being in perfect mind and memory do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament.

ITEM I lend to my loving wife Hannah Mayes one third part of my  lands during her natural life likewise five negroes to wit Sally and her Child, Harry, Buck, and Ephraim, also four head of horses to wit the Roebuck mare, grey mare, and Sorrel Filly and one horse colt by the name of Ball, five cows and calves, one yoke of Steers and Steer Cart and also six head of choice Sheep, four sows and pigs, three feather beds and furniture and as much of the household and kitchen furniture and Plantation utensils as she shall think necessary for the use of the Plantation and likewise one riding chair and harness, and at her death to be equal divided among my children the above property it is my Will and desire and its proceeds to be for the use of my Wife and the raising and educating of my children.

ITEM I give and bequeath to my Son Joel Mayes one negro girl named Isbel, as soon as he arrives to the age of twenty-one years and likewise one Sorrell Colt Saddle and Bridles to be at his immediate disposal.

ITEM  I give and bequeath to my son Peter Mayes one negro man named Ben as soon as he arrives to the age of twenty-one years also one grey filley Saddle and Bridle to be at his immediate disposal.

ITEM  I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Warren Mayes one negro woman named Winny as soon as she arrives at the lawful age or married.

ITEM I give and bequeath to my son Lewis Mayes one negro girl named Phebe.

ITEM  I give and bequeath to my son Michael Warren Mayes one negro girl named Milly.

ITEM I give and bequeath to my son Joshua Pritchard Mayes one negro girl named Mary.

ITEM  I give and bequeath to my daughter Rebekah Hill one negro girl named Sucky.

Item  I give and bequeath to my son Drury Mayes one negro boy name Peter.

and it is my Will and desire that should any of the negroes die that is given to any of the children before they have an heir or arrive to the age of twenty-one years, then it is my will and desire that the same shall be made good out of my Estate.  And should the children die without heir or under the age of twenty-one years, then it is my will and desire  that the said child's portion be equally divided among the living children, estate not herein mentioned be exposed to public sale and the money arising from the same to be equally divided among all my children after paying all of my just debts. 

Lastly I appoint my loving wife Hannah Mayes and John Prichard Executors of this my last Will and Testament. I also appoint my wife Hannah Mayes guardian for all my children.

Signed Sealed and Acknowledged in the the presence of us this 17th day of May One Thousand Eight Hundred:  Jones S Bottom, George Pollard, William Lipsey.

Probate:  September 1808 Greensville County Court

Enslaved of John McFaddin, Slaveholder, Sumter County, South Carolina

The will of John McFaddin of Sumter County, SC, was made 1826 and probated 1827.  In it McFaddin divided his Negroes into fourths for his children: John, Thomas, Sarah, and Robert McFaddin.

...to my son Robert H McFaddin 1/4 all lands, 1/4 all Negroes and this family of Negroes I here name to be part of his lot of Negroes: Jule, Doll, fortune, Charles, Jacob, Hannah, Peter and child Amarintha and Old Hannah. .... if son Robert dies then Negroes be divided equally between his uncles and aunts. [Robert's guardian: John McFaddin's father in law Thomas Witherspoon of Alabama]...

Executors: Robert Witherspoon and Capt John Shaw

Appraisal of Estate:
Fire arms                        $30.00
Library                           $75.00
Household furniture     $691.50
Rug                                $67.50
Provisions                  $1279.40
Crop of Cotton             $739.00
Stock of Horses, Cattle, Sheep, Hogs             $1775.50
Plantation Carpenters and Blacksmith Tools  $703.00
Nigroes [sic]             $34,042.00

Lot 1:

Jack 432
Isaac 192
Phebe and child Mauel 400
London 400
Ceosar 400
Adam 265
Rosa 290
Susanna 165
July 145
Milton 175
Fanny 270
Sue 260
Ben 250
Sam 175
Cole 150
Miley 270
Eliza and child Jinny 400
Ransom 192
Terry 145
Old Tom 175
Mary 296
Violet 100
Bacolus 388
Peter 438
Jefferson 404
Tom 276
January 245
Aaron 175
Little Bob 130
Vicey 225
Betty 200

Lot 2:

Janey 312
Maria 287
Phyllis and child Aggy 500
Cato 500
Old Flora 125
Selina 390
Sam 200
Sally and child Flora 450
Abigail and child Harry 442
Sarah and child Phyllis 525
Celia and child Leah 500
Lame Peter 350
Neptune 291
Boyne 250
Fancy 270
Pinky 165
Bella 270
Patsy 165
Leah 165
Lucky 130
Nelson 145
Mingo 200
Tom 275
Nancy and child Betsy 287
Sam 257
Little Mingo 247
Fortune 195
Dublin 175
John 287

Lot 3:

London 0
Lucy 187
Jinnah 300
Billy 475
Maria and child Eliza 420
Filny 343
Georg 418
Suky 350
Betty 316
Hannibal 192
Anny 225
John 300
Isaac 269
Venus and child Silvey 525
Nelly 270
Sophia 225
Harriet and child Amarintha 437
Dick 165
Cav Coesar 294
Lovey 275
Bridget and child Littleton 425
Coesar 175
Amy 268
Charley 50
Patience 350
Frederick 238
Isaac 225
Glasgow 165
Jeminah 125
Ned 175
Harry 68
Prince 500

Lot 4:

Price 330
Paris 431
Old Jack 50
Moses 294
Lucinda 300
Mary 250
Darky 390
Minty and child Posy 400
Tamor ? 108
Harriett 290
Old Hannah 0
Julius 400
Doll and child Washington 400
Fortune 288
Charles 185
Jacob 185
Peter 130
Amarentha 165
Fanny 250
Ben 387
Smith 390
Bob 387
Little Toney 266
Ninos ? 225
Amy 250
August 192
Dinah 336
Flora 350
Peggy 390
Pompey 175
Henry 145
Jinny and child Ned 500

Source:  Sumter County, South Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1670-1980.

Note: the number following each name is the dollar value placed by appraisers.

Enslaved of James Hix, Slaveholder, Pittsylvania County Virginia

James Hix of Pittsylvania County, Virginia, Parish of Camden, died 28 January 1776. 

In his will he named his wife, Frances, and brother Benjamin Hix of Brunswick county as Executors.

To wife Frances Hix - 4 negroes and land.

Source: Abstracts of Pittsylvania County VA Will Records; Pittsylvania County Will Bk 5.

Enslaved of Abraham Heath, Slaveholder, Surry County, VA, Halifax County, SC and Warren County, GA

Abraham Heath was born 1746 in Surry County, VA and died between November 1807 to January 1808 in Warren County, Georgia.  He married Winnifred Cotton.

Heath was a Revolutionary soldier who moved to Georgia from Halifax County, South Carolina and in 1782 obtained a land grant in Burke County, then another in 1787. The portion of Wilkes County, Georgia where Heath had a land grant eventually became Warren County:

January 1, 1795 Joseph Peavy sold to Abraham Heath 50 acres of land. Witnesses: his son and son-in-law John Chapple.  then in 1797 Abraham and wife Winny sold to William Grizzle for $500.  The grants Abraham Heath received were Head-Right Grants (a man's head and 50 acres on each of his children and slaves up to 100 acres person.)

The Will of Abraham Heath, dated November 23, 1807 was probated January 4, 1808 and recorded in Warren County Georgia Will Book A, page 97.

In the name of God, Amen, I, Abraham Heath of the County of Warren and State of Georgia, a planter....

First, I give and bequeath to John Heath one negro man named Isaac, one woman named Dicie and one negro boy named Tillman with their increase to him and his heirs forever.

ITEM: I give to my daughter, Sally Chappell, the following negroes: one woman named Fanny, a girl Mary, a girl Lydia, a girl Ambry, and a boy Henry with their increase to her and her heirs forever.

ITEM: I give and bequeath to my son, Benjamin Heath, three negroes, viz. Mymey and her two sons, Henry and Charles with the increase forever.

ITEM: I give and bequeath to my son, William Heath, two negroes, viz. Jeffry and Turner to him and his heirs forever.

ITEM: I give and bequeath to my granddaughter, Polly Clower, one negro girl named Sarah.

ITEM: I give and bequeath to my grandson, Stephen B Clower, one negro boy named Isaac.

ITEM : I give and bequeath to my granddaughter, Linney Clower, one negro boy, Sam.

ITEM: I give and bequeath to my grandson, Green Clower, one negro boy Charles.

ITEM: I give and bequeath to my grandson, Abraham H Clower, one negro woman Milly with her increase.

ITEM: I give and bequeath to my son, Adam Heath one negro man Ranger, Two hundred acres of land, which he has titles for, one black gelding and one gray, also one bed and furniture.

ITEM: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Elizabeth Heath, two negroes, Beck and child Cassey.

ITEM: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Polly Heath, one negro girl Hanner, also one bed and furniture and bedstead to her and her heirs forever.

ITEM: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Frances B Highfield, one negro woman named Silvia with her increase to her and her heirs forever.

ITEM: I give and bequeath to my son, Richard Heath, one negro boy named Jacob, one sorrel filly and one bed and furniture w3ith sted.

ITEM: I give and bequeath to my son, Abraham Heath, one negro boy Nathaniel and one bed and furniture with bedstead.

ITEM: I give and bequeath to my grandson, Abraham Heath Chappell, one negro boy Ephraim.

ITEM:  I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Winnifred Heath, two negro women, Anchy (Anachy) and Amy, to enjoy the same free from any encumbrance forever.  I also leave my wife all the rest of my estate both real and personal during her natural lifetime or widowhood, after her married it is my request that my sons, Abraham and Richard, jointly should heir my real estate and that Richard should have big negro, Charles, big Jack, and one negro girl, Patience, to be equally divided between the aforementioned Richard and Abraham.  The rest of my estate after my wife's death or widowhood to be equally divided among all my children, and I nominate and appoint my son, Adam Heath, Solomon Slatter and Elisha Hurt, Executors to this my last will and testament, and furthermore I disanull and revoke all former wills or wills by me have heretofore made. Signed and sealed and published,pronounced and disclosed by the said Abraham Heath as my last will and testament in the presence of us who names are hereunto subscribed this twenty-third day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seven.  Signed: Abraham [X] Heath

Witnesses: Stephen W Burnley, Brittain Blount, Mary [X] Garrett, 

 

Note:  About 1805 Abraham Heath gave to his son William the gift of a negro.  Warren County Georgia Deed Book B, page 620.

Enslaved of Samuel Davis, Slaveholder, of Pittsylvania County Virginia

Samuel Davis died 29 Nov 1772 in Pittsylvania County, VA.

He named his wife, Sarah, and son, John, executors.

He left his estate to his wife, Sarah, and his children: Elizabeth Kearby, John David, Wilmoth Davis and Susannah Davis.

"If my negro woman Ellis shall be a longer liver than I and my wife, my desire if for her to have a maintenance out of my estate"

Pittsylvania County Virginia Will Book 5, pg 404

Enslaved of Dr. Robert Muldrow and George Cooper Muldrow, Slaveholders in Sumter County, SC

George Cooper Muldrow was born 1815 in Sumter County, South Carolina and died 10 Jan 1875 in Hempstead County, Arkansas. He is buried in the Old Washington Cemetery in Washington, Arkansas.

In June 1835 he married Sarah Adaline "Polly" McFaddin.  According to The Sumter Black River Watchman, Feb 2006 (published by the Sumter Genealogy Society), they moved from Sumter County, SC, to the Hempstead County area of Arkansas.  The 1860 US Census has his surname as "Modrow" and wife, plus 6 children in Ozan Township, Hempstead County, Arkansas.

George Cooper Muldrow's enslaved:

1840 Census - 78 slaves

1850 Census - 36 slaves

By 1855 he had moved to Washington, Arkansas where he sold a slave woman and her 6 children.

George Cooper Muldrow was the son of Dr. Robert Muldrow, b1786 - d1853, Sumter County, SC. [see post re: Arthur Bradley who was his father in law.] Dr. Robert Muldrow lived at Mayesville and was married to Margaret Frierson Bradley b1794 - d 1836. 

Dr. Robert Muldrow's enslaved:

1820 Census - 102 slaves

1840 Census - 201 slaves [probably an error and should be 101 or 102]

1850 Census - 101 slaves.

The will of Dr. Robert Muldrow was probated in 1853:

... to my daughter Jane M Muldrow 20 Negroes of average value as per appraisement including my man Nelson and his wife Vicy and their 3 children Celia, Frances, and Serena, also my driver fellow Cupid his wife Patsey and their children Laura, Carolina and Martha and their increase, also Dennis my Blacksmith and Blacksmith tools, also my man Abel my Coachman. [Jane married Joseph Cox Haynsworth b1818 d1881]
.
Gave to niece Margaret Frierson d/o brother Matthew E Muldrow a negro girl named Julia valued at $500.

I give to my son William J Muldrow and his heirs forever the plantation upon which I reside including the swamp lands adjoining the same purchased of Mrs Susan Covert;... also 10 negroes of an average value among whom the infirm and superanuated are not to be included.

I give to my daughter Sarah J Plowden 10 Negroes of an average value of the plantation negroes my man George (Taylor) to be included in the number and in case George should die before the division of my estate his place is to be supplied by another.

It is my will also that my 2 Negro women Phillis and Nanny and my House servant John select their owners among my children and be included in their shares at their appraisement.

Changed from 20 negroes to 15 and to include Nelson and his wife Vicy and their children Celia, Frances and Serena. And to include Cupid and his wife Patsey and their children Laura, Carolina and Martha and their increase.  Dennis (blacksmith) and the name of my man Abel my coachman be stricken out and nulled. 

I give to my son Warren A Muldrow 6 Negroes of an average value in addition to what I have given him in the body of my will...

Witnesses:  J A Mayes, Alphus Baker, Matthew P Mayes.

Source:  Recorded in Sumter County SC Will Book D 2, pg 430 on 13 May 1853. Bundle 127, pkgs 16.

Enslaved of Arthur Bradley, Slaveholder, Sumter County, SC

Arthur Bradley was born 19 Aug 1772 in Sumter County, South Carolina and died 19 May 1818, Sumter County, South Carolina.  He married Margaret Frierson who was born 1773 and died 1794.

According to the US Census in 1810 Bradley had 62 slaves. 

The Inventory of his estate in 1818:

Column #1:

Negroe Man Isacc $ 60 - crossed out
Tom  1500
Gentry  1500
Judith  1000
Blacksmith Prince  1500
Milly  750
Becky  375
Old Judith  400
Hero  900
Abralom  375
Simon  900
Tony  900
Young Ben  500
Abel  400
Dennis  300
Binah  400
Horah  600
Minerva  200
Rose & child January  1000
Boy George  175
Old Ned  300
Moses  900
Jack  800
Young Ned  300
Marshal  250

Column #2:

Gabrl  (?)  150
Jane  450
Betty  400
Thomas & Child January  550
Hannah  850
Effy  800
Patience  775
Lucy  175
Gadren (?)  175
Joe  800
Jimmy  450
Little Sam  900
London  600
Primus  600
March  550
Nanny  250
Big Dessy  800
Big Sam  775
Nancy  800
Mary  300
Patty  250
Eliza  172
Sue & child Amyie  900
Sidney  250
Lenah  175
TedCenoss (?)  150
Venus & child Sally  800
Tenah  175
Billy  200
Prince deformed  0

Administrator, son in law Dr. Robert Muldrow

Witnesses:  George Cooper, John Bradley, Robert English, John Shaw, Samuel McBride

Source: South Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1670-1980 for Arthur Bradley.  Sumter County Estate Records, Bundles 1-9, 1784-1960

Note:  Margaret Frierson Bradley, daughter of Arthur was the only child and sole distributee of Arthur Bradley, deceased.  Margaret married Robert Muldrow.  See note below.

Note: see separate post re: Robert and George Cooper Muldrow plantation enslaved.

 

 

Enslaved of William Daniel, Slaveholder, Cumberland County and Mecklenburg County, VA

William Daniel b1710 Virginia - d1775 Cumberland County, Virginia.  He married Elizabeth Watkins b1712 in Henrico, VA - 22 Mar 1802, Cumberland County, VA. [see below]

The Last Will and Testament of William Daniel is dated 8 March 1771 Cumberland County, Virginia and was proven 24 April 1775.  Again proved and recorded in Mecklenburg County, Virginia Court in 1782. Will Book, pg 117.

Cumberland Co VA probate records.
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, I Williams Daniel of Cumberland county in the Colony of Virginia, being in good health of body and of perfect and sound mind and memory (praise be to God,therefore) calling to mind the uncertainty of this life, and certainty of death, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. This is to say first and principally I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gate it hoping through his mercies to obtain a joyful Resurrection at the last day and my body to be buried as the discretion of my executors here after named and as for the worldly goods which it hath pleased God to bless me with after my just debts duly paid I give and dispose of in manner and form following: 

This I give and bequeath to my son William two hundred acres of land which I purchased of my brother, James Daniel, lying in this county on Soke Ass Creek joining the land of W. Alexander Tremt,(Trent?) Bradley and Thomas Holland, whereon my said son now lives to him and his main assigns forever. 

ITEM I likewise give and bequeath to my said son William one negro boy named Abraham. 

ITEM I give and bequeath to my daughter Judith one negro girl named Silvia for and during her natural life, and after death my desire is that the said negro with all her increase shall be equally divided among such children as she shall leave behind to them and their Heirs forever 

ITEM I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth [Fuqua] one negro boy named----?--- now in the possession of her and her husband John Fuqua, for and during the natural life of my said daughter, and my desire is that after her death the said negro be equally divided among her surviving children and their Heirs forever. 

ITEM I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah [Womack] one negro girl named Ivy now in the possession of my said daughter and her husband Jesse Womack for and during the natural life of my said dau. and my desire is that after her death this negro with all her increase be equally divided among such children as she shall leave behind to them and their heirs forever. 

ITEM I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary and her husband John Nelson for and during the natural life of my said daughter, one negro girl named Judah now in the possession of my said daughter, and my desire is that after her death the said negro will all her increase shall be equall(y) divided among such as she shall leave to them and their heirs forever. 

ITEM I give and bequeath to my son William Pride one negro boy named Cupid to him and his heirs forever. 

ITEM I give and bequeath to my son Hezekiah one negro boy named Joe to him and his heirs forever. 

ITEM I give and bequeath to my son John one negro boy named Brandam and one negro girl named Cloe to be delivered to him so soon as he shall be the age of twenty-one. And to his issue if he have any but if he die either under age or without issue then my desire is that the said slaves shall be equally divided among his surviving brothers or their issue if they be dead and left any such lawfully begotten and their heirs forever. 

ITEM: I give and bequeath to my daughter Rhonda, one negro boy named Robin and one negro wench named Add to be delivered to her so soon as she comes of age, the said wench and boy with all their future increase to her and her issue if she die either under age or without issue then my desire is that the said negroes and issue if the wench have any and all whatever she shall be equally divided among her surviving brothers, and their issue if they be dead and left any such lawfully begotten and their heirs forever. 

ITEM I lend to my beloved Elizabeth three negroes named Matt, Hanna and Toby, during her natural life, my will and desire is that my said wife be wholly possessed of the land and plantation whereon I now live during her natural life without any interruption also all the stock and household stuff and furniture of what kind and quality soever, during her natural life, without any appraisal or administration thereon. 

ITEM I give and bequeath to my son Benjamin one negro boy named Toby after the death of said wife, to whom he is lent during her natural life but after her death to my said son Benjamin and his heirs forever. 

ITEM My will and desire that after the death of my said wife the two said wenches and Hannah (which is lent to her during life) with all their future increase be equally divided among my three sons Benjamin, Williams Pride and Hezekiah,to them and their heirs forever. 

ITEM I give and bequeath to my son John all the tract of land and plantation whereon I now live after the death of my said wife, to him and his issue, if he leave any, but if he die under age or without issue my desire is that it be equally divided among his three brothers namely Benjamin, Williams Pride and Hezekiah, or the survivors of them if either be dead and issue of the deceased, and their Heirs forever. 

ITEM I give and bequeath to my said son John one rifle barrel gun likewise all my working tools and utensils of every kind, on and belonging to the said plantation after the death of my wife, and if he die under age to be given as the land to his three brothers aforesaid, my wife, and if he die under age to be given as the land to is three brothers aforesaid. ITEM I give and bequeath to my said son John one horse, saddle and bridle. ITEM I give and bequeath to my son Hezekiah one smooth barl (barrel) gun. 

ITEM My will and desire is that after the death of my said wife all the rest of the household furniture of every kind be equally divided between my son John and my daughter Rhoda and in case either of them die without lawful issue their part to be equally divided as before (viz.)between Benjamin, Williams Pride, and Hezekiah and their Heirs forever. 

ITEM My will and desire is that my wife aforesaid shall dispose of all the remainder of stock on the said plantation of every kind and quality among my children as she shall see cause of think most proper and convenient either in her lifetime or at her death. 

LASTLY I nominate and appoint my beloved sons William, Benjamin,Williams Pride, Hezekiah and John my whole and sole executors of this last will and testament, hereby utterly revoking and disannulling all and every former will by me heretofore made, and declaring ---- hand and affixed my seal this eighth day of March One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy one. Signed, Sealed and Published in presence of Joseph Starkey Guthry Williams Daniel, L.S 

William's will was recorded in Mecklenburg, County, VA.  Executors:  Thomas and William Daniel

William's wife, Elizabeth Watkins was the daughter of Thomas Watkins, born 1680 at Malvern Hills Plantation, Henrico, VA and died 4 Mar 1760 at Swift Creek Plantation, Cumberland County, VA.  Elizabeth married 1st Benjamin Woodson, then 2nd to William Daniel.  Children of Elizabeth and Benjamin: Thomas who married Mary Woodson, Jacob who married Susannah Brooks, daughter of Thomas Brooks of Buckington County, VA; and Elizabeth who married a Mr. Hubbard.  [Source: Henry Morton Woodson, Historical and Genealogy of the Woodsons and the New Connection - self published 1915.]

Elizabeth is named in her father's will, probated 23 June 1760 in Cumberland County, VA:

 “Item: I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Daniel a Negro girl called Matt now in her possession and ten pounds current money.

Item:  I give unto my above said daughter Elizabeth Daniel one Negro boy named Sam during the time of her natural life and after her death, the said Negro boy Sam shall be and go to her daughter Judith Daniel to her and her heirs forever.”

1810 Census  Lancaster, Garrard, KY - Rhoda Daniel Nelson (1758-1813) d/o William Daniel and Elizabeth Watkins 

5 slaves   [see above for Rhoda's inheritance]

1820 Census  Lynchburg, VA - William Daniel (1738-1807) s/o William Daniel and Elizabeth Watkins

 8 slaves, plus 2 Free Colored Persons - 1 M under 14; 1 M 14-25

 

1810 Census  Rowan County, NC - Peter Daniel (1777VA - 1852 KY) s/o William (1738-1807)

2 slaves

 

1840 Census  Bedford, TN - Drury Daniel (1809-1892)

No slaves

 

Also of note:  James W Daniel - "Colored" was a Private in the 29th United States Colored Infantry. He was 5/8". Occupation: Waiter.  Born about 1842 in Tennessee.

 

Enslaved of John Nelson Sr, Slaveholder, Halifax County VA and Maury County TN

John Nelson, Sr was born 1752/54 in Henrico, VA and died 30 June 1823 in Maury County, TN. He married Mary "Polly" Daniel who was born 1760 in Charlotte Courthouse, VA. They had 9 children and lived in Halifax County, VA until their move to Tennessee. [*see post regarding William Daniel for more information for this family.]

Petition for division of negroes of John Nelson, SR, deceased by Mary Nelson, Widow of John Nelson Sr deceased;  Elizabeth Uland, widow of Thomas Uland, deceased, formerly Elizabeth Nelson;  Abram  Trible and Polly, his wife, formerly Polly Nelson; Sally Powel, widow of Charles Powel, deceased, formerly Sally Nelson; William Powel and Nancy, his wife, formerly Nancy Nelson; Matthew Nelson, William D Nelson, James Nelson, John Nelson Jr and Pleasant Nelson, all children and legal heirs of said John Nelson, Sr, deceased.  "all over the age of twenty-one years of age, and all the only heirs of said John Nelson, deceased."  

January term 1823. All signed. Commissioners appointed to divide: Swan Harden, Edward W Dale, Esquire, and Major John Brown.  Recorded 10 Jan 1824

Source: Maury County, Tennessee Wills and Settlements 1807-1824, page 164.

Probate of his will included the division of his slaves:

Appraised values:

Aggy value * Eli combined value   $300
Ben $350
Jessee   $450
Milly & Infant   $500
Silvia   $500
Bob   $425
Phebe   $300
Caroline   $250
Meredith   $300
Derinda   $225
* Eli

Commissioners: John Gordon, William Stockard.  Paye: John McGill, Richard Anderson.  Administrator:  George Nixon

To Matthew Nelson - Durinda at $225.00 and Elizabeth Uland pays Matthew Nelson in cash $135// $360
To Elizabeth Uland - Mily & child at $500
To Sally Powell - Silvey at $500
To James Nelson - Meredith at $300 & Sally Powell pays James Nelson in cash $60//$360
To Mary Nelson - Aggy & Eli at $300 & Sally Powell pays Mary Nelson in cast $60//$360
To Pleasant Nelson - Jessee at $450
To Abraham Trible - Pheobe at $300 and John Nelson pays Abram Tribble $60//$360
To John Nelson - Bob at $425
To William Powell - Caroline at #250 and Pleasant Nelson pays him in cash $90 and Sally Powell pays him in cash $20//$360
To William D Nelson - Ben at $350 and John Nelson pays him in cash $15 and Elizabeth Uland pays him in cash $5//$360

Source: TN Wills and Probate Records 1779-2008 for John Nelson. Maury County Petition Papers - John Nelson Estate.  Entered: Record Book C (or G) page 11.

 

Of Note:  Mary "Polly" Daniel married John Nelson. Her father, William Daniel's will: " ITEM I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary and her husband John Nelson for and during the natural life of my said daughter, one negro girl named Judah now in the possession of my said daughter, and my desire is that after her death the said negro will all her increase shall be equall(y) divided among such as she shall leave to them and their heirs forever."  Judah is not mentioned in John Nelson's will.  

 

William D Nelson s/o John Nelson

1820 Census  Maury County, TN

2 slaves

1830 Census  Maury County, TN

6 slaves  [One is probably Ben - given to William by his father]

 

Pleasant Nelson 1792-1862, s/o John Nelson. He married Elizabeth Cherry b1799. They had one child, Nancy Elvira.

1820 Census  Maury County, TN

3 slaves

1830 Census  Maury County, TN

3 slaves  [One may be Jessee - given to Pleasant by his father - however, he had 3 slaves in 1820] 

 

Enslaved of Benjamin Terry, Slaveholder, Pittsylvania County, VA

Benjamin Terry of Camden Parish Pittsylvania County died 28 Dec 1760. 

Executors: his wife Elizabeth Irby Terry and son Nathaniel.

To son Nathaniel Terry - survey of land on Sandy Creek and 2 negroes

To son Benjamin land I now live on and 2 negroes

To son Peter land on Mine Branch and  2 negroes

To son Joseph Terry - 2 negroes

To son Robert - survey of land and 2 negroes

To daughter Keziah Murphy - 2 negroes

To daughter Livinia King and her daughter Grace Terry - 2 negroes

To daughter Sarah Terry - 2 negroes

To daughter Eizazabeth Buckingham - 2 negroes

To daughter Mary Terry - 2 negroes. 

The rest of estate to be sold and divided equally between his children.  

Source: Pittsylvania County, VA Will Bk 5, page 378

The Church at Gnadentau - A Silent Witness

My great grandfather George Peter Schreiner was a builder of church steeples, as was his father and his father’s father. Peter was born 6 April 1850 in Huck to Johannes Schreiner and his wife Maria Lohmeier. While working on a church steeple in a rural area on the Wiesenseite, Peter met Katherina Margarita Spengler, daughter of Friedrich Spengler and Elizabeth Lochmann, who lived in Wiesenmuller.

In 1873 they were married in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Gnadentau, which steeple Peter had built. Though they owned land and lived in Gnadentau, Peter continued with his carpentry. Their first two sons, Jakob and Frederich were born and baptized in Gnadentau. Katherine’s sister died and Peter and Katherine adopted her two orphaned daughters. Sometime before 1885 a diphtheria epidemic hit. All four children died and were buried in Gnadentau.

Peter and Katherine left Gnadentau for Baku. There Peter worked as a Master Carpenter for Noble Brothers Petrolium Company, a British firm, in their furniture manufacturing plant. Three sons were born them in Baku. Alexander Jacob, Frederich August, and Oscar Karl. In 1892 they immigrated to America, first to Russell County, KS where they stayed with their sponsor, a maternal uncle of Katherine’s (a Mr. Lochmann) and later settling in Nebraska. My grandfather, Robert Herman, was born 23 July 1898 in Stanton, NE. When they sold their farm in Pilger, NE in 1910, Peter and Katherine moved to Lincoln. They owned 2 homes. 1139 and 1137 S. 7^th in the South Bottoms. Later 1139 S. 7^th would become the offices, then the museum of the American Historical Society of Germans from Russia.
 

My second cousin Lou Schreiner remembers Peter’s tools. 8 to 12 block planes which were made entirely of wood except for the blade. The depth of cut was regulated by moving the blade up and down in the block and were wedged solid with a tapered flat peg. The blades were of varying sizes as small as ¼” wide. The surface of the block of the plane had different grooves to get the particular groove wanted on the woodworking project at hand. Given the fact that most of the wooden structures, particularly the churches, of the Volga Deutsch contain no nails, Peter must have been a skilled craftsman.

In spite of all the stories of the destruction of our German churches, in fact our homeland in general, I still dreamed of one day seeing a steeple built by one of my Grossvater. It was with this dream that I traveled to Russia.

Our time in Saratov was all too short; visits to villages were whirlwind tours. The first day Beideck = such desecration. The body of the church stand, but the steeple my Schreiner Grossvater built is gone. Huck - after turning the church into a dance… they bulldozed it. Norka - utterly vacant land. Grimm - again, nothing left of the church. The second day: Brunnental - the church was gone; Marian burg - the Catholic Church stands, a wreck. They had tried to bulldoze it but it would not completely succumb. The third day: Wiesenmuller - once again the church was long gone, a medical clinic was built behind where the church once stood.

We piled into the van to head for our final destination: Gnadentau. My last chance. The next day we would leave the Volga region for Kazahkstan. Leaving Wiesenmuller the driver of our van stopped several times to ask directions. Each time the advice ended with “you will see the church steeple.” My heart was in my mouth. Yet after what we had seen in other villages I dared not let my hopes soar too high.

 

The church steeple circled.

Roughly a mile outside of Gnadentau we saw the church steeple. There are no words to describe my joy.
In Gnadentau. Where my Peter married owned land, worked, and buried 4 children. Where I met and visited with my cousin Jakob Winter and discovered that my dear traveling companion, Marie (Schafer Houser) and I are cousins. They had tried to bulldoze it; torn the clockworks out in the 1970’s; used it as a granary and now as a barn.

The church at Gnadentau

 

In Gnadentau, I ignored the cows lazing where once church pews stood and said a prayer of thanksgiving that I had been allowed to see this church and the steeple my great grandfather built.


 

Note: In 1993 it was being used as a barn for cattle, as well as grain storage.  Since that time restoration began and today church services are once again being held in the church.