Enslaved of the Benjamin Estes Family of Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Mississippi

Benjamin Estes Sr was born about 1748 in Spotsylvania County VA and died 22 Jul 1816 in Bedford County VA.  He was the son of Abraham Estes 1697-1759 and Elizabeth Jeeter d 1775.  Benjamin married Cecelia Rebecca "Selah" Thorp 1750-1816. Their Children: Triplet, Nancy (Mrs Fears), Elizabeth (md Hughes), Lucy (md Morton), Joel, Benjamin, Thomas, William, Elisha, Edmund, Thorpe, Selah (md Cowherd), Martha (md Nance), Sarah (md Noel) and John who died young.

1810 Census Bedford Co VA
11 Slaves

Children of Benjamin Estes and Cecelia Thorpe - known enslavers:

Benjamin Estes II was born 1788 in Bedford Co VA and died 1868 in Cascade, Pittsylvania Co VA  [s/o Benjamin Estes 1748-1816 and Cecelia Rebecca "Selah" Thorpe 1750-1816]  Benjamin married 1. Peggy Neal.   2. Elizabeth "Eliza" Miller Dix who was born in 1808. She was the daughter of Thomas Dix and Lucy Miller of Henry Co VA.  [Eliza's sister Martha md Mr Winston grandson of Patrick Henry; sister Nancy md Dr Houston, cousin of Gov Sam Houston of TX]   Their children: Joseph, Thomas, Edward, Elisha (never md), Benjamin, James Dabney, Lucy, and Emma.

1820Census Pittsylvania Co VA
9 Slaves
5 M under 14
1 M 26-44
1 F under 14
1 F 14-25
1 F 26-44

1830 Census Pittsylvania Co VA
22 Slaves:
3 M under 10
4 M 10-23
1 M 24-35
2 M 36-54
7 F under 10
2 F 10-23
1 F 24-35
1 F 36-54
1 F 55-99

1840 Census Pittsylvania Co VA
23 Slaves:
2 M under 10
3 M 10-23
3 M 24-35
3 M 36-54
1 M 55-99
3 F under 10
5 F 10-23
1 F 24-35
1 F 36-54
1 F 55-99



Joel Estes was born 22 Jan 1780 in Bedford Co VA and died 16 Jun 1851 in Haywood Co TN.  [s/o Benjamin Estes 1748-1816 and Cecelia Rebecca "Selah" Thorp 1750-1816] Joel married 1. Sarah "Sally" Langhorne Bates 1781-1825.  2. Mary Lee Wilson 1798-1871

1810 Census Bedford Co VA
15 Slaves

1830 Census Haywood TN
33 Slaves:
1 M under 10
5 M 10-23
6 M 24-35
4 M 36-54
1 M 55-99
5 F under 10
3 F 10-23
4 F 24-35
3 F 36-54
1 F 55-99



Triplett Thorp Estes was born1773 or 1778 in Bedford Co VA and died 8 Dec 1857 Henderson NC. He is buried in Hargrove Family Cemetery at Townsville, Vance Co NC. Triplett married 1. Martha Sally Lucas  2. Hannah Lee Basye  3. Elizabeth Betsy Gibson.

1810 Census  Charlottesville, Albemarle VA
20 Slaves

1820 Census Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania Co VA
5 Slaves:
1 M 14-25
1 M 26-44
1 M 45+
1 F under 14
1 F 14-25
PLUS  1 Free Colored Persons:
1 F under 14
1 F 14-25

1830 Census Petersburg, Dinwiddie County, VA
3 Slaves:
1 M 24-35
1 F under 10
1 F 10-23

1840 Census  Petersburg Center Ward, Dinwiddie County, VA
3 Slaves:
1 M 36-54
1 F 10-23
1 F 36-54

1850 Slave Schedule  Raglands, Granville, NC
27 Slaves:
80 M B
80 F B
75 F B
73 F B
60 F B
60 F B
62 F Mu
36 F Mu
10 M Mu
8 M Mu
6M Mu
3 M Mu
32 F Mu
9 F Mu
6 F Mu
6 F Mu
4 F Mu
2 F Mu
7 F B
3 F B
1 M B
33 F B
4 F B
16 F B
12 F Mu
10 F Mu
28 M B

 

William Thorpe Estes, MD, was born 9 Apr 1792 in Bedford County, Virginia and died 29 Apr 1871 Enterprise, Clarke County, MS. [s/o of  Benjamin Estes 1748-1816 and Selah Thorpe 1750-1806.]  William married Susan Hulet Shelton who was born 9 Jun 1804 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia and died 6 Feb 1884 in Brandon, Rankin County, MS.  She is the daughter of Thomas Shelton Jr 1763-1857 and Sarah Barksdale 1762-1809.

1850 Slave Schedule Simpson County, MS
9 Slaves:
65 F Mu
25 F B
22 M B
21 F B
12 F Mu
10 M Mu
5 M Mu
3 M Mu
2 M Mu

1860 Slave Schedule Beat 3, Simpson Co MS
10 Slaves - 2 Slave Houses:
30 F B
16 M B
14 M Mu
14 M Mu
9 F Mu
6 F Mu
3 F Mu
20 F B
18 F B
4 M B

 

Edward Estes was born about 1797 in Bedford County, VA and died 29 Apr 1871 in Campbell County, VA. [s/o Benjamin Estes and Cecelia Thorpe.]  Edward married Catherine Hawkins.

1830 Census Bedford Co VA
5 Slaves:
1 M under 10
1 M 10-23
1 M 24-35
1 F 10-23
1 F 36-54

1840 Census  Northern Dist, Bedford Co VA
8 Slaves:
1 M under 10
2 M 10-23
3 F 10-23
1 F 36-54
1 F 55-99

1850 Slave Schedule  Northern Dist, Bedford Co VA
6 Slaves:
70 F B
50 M B
28 F B
7 M B
4 F B
1 7/12 B

Note:  The other Estes family of Henry Co: Jesse Estes md Betsy Napier. Md 2 Mariah d/o John Fortune of Montgomery Co VA. CH: George W, Girard, Francis, and William Alexander. William Alexander Estes b1834. Sheriff of Stokes Co NC

The Enslaved of the Abraham Estes III Family of Spotsylvania County, VA, South Carolina and Kentucky

Abraham Estes III was born 1717 in St Stephens Parish, King and Queen County VA and died 15 Jan 1780 in Spotsylvania County, VA.  He was the son of Abraham Estes II 1697-1759 and Anne Watkins 1696-1735.   He married Anne Clark who was born 21 Mar 1714 in Virginia and died 3 Jul 1798 in Spotsylvania County, VA.

The Executors Bond for Abraham's will is dated 18 Apr 1782. Executors: wife Ann and son Richard.  The will abstract names his children and states:

"... wife Ann, slaves and land on which I now live, during her life, afterwards to be sold and divided among the following persons: Elijah Eastis, Richard Eastis, Moses Eastis, Fielding Eastis, Nancy Eastis; son Thomas Eastis and Hannah his wife; son John Eastis and Ann his wife; son Samuel Eastis; daughter Sarah Hart.  [Spotsylvania Count Will Bk E pg 453]

Children of Abraham Estes and Anne Clark - known enslavers:

Richard Estes was born about 1741 in Spotsylvania County VA and died 5 Aug 1832 in Spotsylvania Co VA.  He married Catherine "Caty" Carleton 1759-1822. They lived at Greenfield Plantation. See article: Historic log dating project a Greenfield Plantation for history and photographs.

Map of Greenfield Plantation

1820 Census Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania Co VA
20 Slaves:
3 M under 14
2 M 14-25
2 M 26-44
2 M 45 and over
5 F under 14
3 F 14-25
1 F 26-44
1 F 45 and over

1830 Census  Spotsylvania Co, VA
25 Slaves:
5 M under 10
4 M 10-23
2 M 24-35
3 M 36-54
1 M 55-99
5 F under 10
3 F 10-23
1 F 24-35
1 F 36-54

Virginia Herald 6 Dec 1830 sale ad - probably 10-12 slaves sold based on Richard's estate inventory and appraisal in 1832.

Richard died 5 Aug 1832. Slaves listed in estate inventory appraisal: 
Cupid  $150
Bristoe  $250
Sanco  $350
Charles  $450
Sam  $400
Frederick  $400
James  $300
Walker  $275
Polly and 2 children  $400
Siller  $275
Tom  $150
Jane  $150
 

                                                Estate Sale advertisement - Virginia Herald

Richard Estes' son in law Absalom Row purchased Greenfield Plantation at the estate sale. It is not clear if all of the above slaves were sold off the plantation or remained there.

Thomas Estes Sr was born 27 Apr 1743 in Spotsylvania Count, VA and died 3 Nov 1820 in Chester County, SC.  He married Hannah Pierson Allen 1745-1832

1800 Census Chester, SC
6 Slaves

1810 Census Chester, Chester, SC
7 Slaves

1820 Census Chester, Chester, SC
7 Slaves:
1 M 14-25
1 M 26-44
1 M 45 and over
1 F under 14
3 F 14-25

Thomas Estes Will written 15 Nov 1820  Probate 15 Jan 1820  Chester Co, SC Probate Records Vol H-J
... to wife Hannah Estes all my Negroes, land and all my stock...money... as long as she lives and after her decease the Negroes and land and Household furniture shall then be let up at the Highest Bidder amongst my eleven children and equally divided amongst them that is to say William, John, Thomas, Allen, Robert, Erasmus, Westly Estes and one twelfth part of the amount of the sales of my estate shall be given and equally divided amonst my daughters that is to say Mary Allen and her children, Nancy Seely and her children after her decease and Elizabeth Rowells children and Milly Custis and her children and as for Sarah Wray it is my will that her four present children that living with her that is James, John, Peter, Burnet Wesley;  Hannah Sealys should have their mother's part as soon as my Executor can raise it out of my estate and it is my will that Sarah Wray should have a Black Silk Habit...

Inventory 18 Nov 1820  - Slaves:
1 Negro Man Randal  $250
1 Negro Woman Chana one Child Patience  $325
1 Nigro Woman called Dice  $425
1 Nigro Woman Called Luce  $450
1 Negro Man Called Peter  $575
1 Negro Man Called Primeus  $600

Executors: wife Hannah, sons William and Thomas Estes

Fielding Estes was born 1744 in Spotsylvania County, VA and died 1826 in Henry County, KY.  He married Sarah "Sally" Chiles 1768-1826.

1810 Census Stoner, Bourbon Co, KY
1 Slave

1820 Census  West Port, Henry Co, KY
3 Slaves:
2 M under 14
1 F under 14

Fielding died 1826. Will written 23 Aug 1826.  Will probated Oct 1826 Henry Co, KY.
He gave each child $1 "besides what I have given" them.  Estate to be equally divided between my last children by my last wife and wife to have maintenance out of estate.  Whole estate to be kept together until youngest child comes of age. Executor: wife Sarah Chiles Estes.

Elijah Estes was born 1751 in Spotsylvania Co VA and died 16 Feb 1821 in Spotsylvania Co VA.  He married Mary Mitcham 1750-1820.

1810 Census Spotsylvania Co VA
2 Slaves

1820 Census Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania Co VA
1 Free Colored Person:
1 M under 14
1 Slave:
1 F 26-44

Nancy Townsend Estes was born 1757 Spotsylvania Co, VA and died 1798 in Kentucky.  She married James Higgins 1754 Caroline Co, VA - 1825 Montgomery Co, KY.

1810 Census Montgomery Co KY [James Higgins]
6 Slaves

1820 Census Montgomery Co KY [James Higgins]
7 Slaves:
2 M under 14
1 M 14-25
2 M 45 and over
1 F under 14
1 F 14-25

Enslaved of John Murdock of Marlborough District South Carolina

The will of John Murdock followed the will of one of my own ancestors in the Marlboro, SC will books and because it gave the names of his 112 enslaved, I added it to my files. Usually I provide more personal data, but in this case I simply haven't found any other than the notation below.

From Marlboro County, SWC Genealogy Trails
A Chapter of Traditions and Recollections of Mr. Alfred Parish 1897
"One other name was remembered by Mr. Parish as contributing a full share toward the peopling and civilization of the country, Mr. John Murdock, living near the Beauty Spot church. He had several sons, John, Andrew, James, David and Alexander. Several were prominent men, but the name is now extinct. A number of good people amongst us descended from the noble old Scotchman who sought to train his children for honor and piety. The old home is yet occupied by his descendants, children of Capt. Mclntyre."

 
From the Marlboro SC Wills and Probate Records 1670-1980:

 Will of John Murdock   21 Sep 1841 Marlborough Dist SC
... to wife Jennet all property, all slaves... after her demise:
... to son John and wife... six negroe slaves: Jeffrey, Mariah, Ezekiel, Cato, William and George.
... to son Daniel... twelve negro slaves: Moses, Berry, January, Plato, Sariah, Flora, Adaqm, Kate, Eveline, Peter, Joe, Henry
... to son Alexander... 35 negro slaves: Nero, Ceasar, Deen, Judy, Shepherd, Emely, Master, Glasgow, Amy, Patty, Lewis, Harriett, Ned, old Maris, Muntford, Ishmeal, Grace, Bill, Oscar, Nero, Gannon, Harriett, Clary, Granderson, Amanda, Dick, Evey, Gabriel, Fanny, Tom, Elvira, Plato, Laura, Nany, Ezekiel
... to daughter Ann... 24 negro slaves:  Peggy, her children and grandchildren, Philis with her children and grandchildren, Cork an old African and old Judy.
... to grandchildren Elizabeth Jane and Mary Ann McCollum... 35 negro slaves: Betty and her children and grand children, Jinny and her children, Kate and her children, old Dolly, Jim and Mary
... 22 or 3 years ago I give to my son Andrew a conditional right in a family of negroes and other property which he failed to comply with and now I deem that claim void, but ... give his children $4,000 in 4 annual payments ... unless they set up a claim to those negroes or other property...
Executors: John and Alexander Murdock
Witnesses:  Thomas Cook, Lewis Thomas, William J Cook