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 23 Aug 1931 in 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.

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.
  

Thomas and Ritter Jeffries, Enslaved, their Enslavers John Randolph Jeffries, James Boyd Jeffries in South Carolina, Mississippi

John Randolph Jeffries, Enslaver

Thomas Jeffries was born March 1840 in South Carolina and died 1910 probably in Marshall County, Mississippi near Holly Springs.  His wife Ritter Jeffries was born in May 1842 in South Carolina.  She died in 1909 also in Marshall County, Mississippi, near Holly Springs.

Thomas was the son of Cornelius Jeffries born about 1808/1810 and Betty Jeffries according to the will of James Boyd Jeffries, their enslaver.

Ritter was the daughter of Joseph Jeffries born 1808 and Betty Jeffries who was born 1816.  

 Ritter and her parents Joseph and Bettie were all enslaved by John Randolph "Brick House John" Jefferies.  Thomas and his family were enslaved by John's son James Boyd Jeffries. 

In January 1851 an Inventory and Appraisement of the estate of John Randolph "Brick House John" Jefferies lists Ritter's family.  Note: all of the enslaved are listed in family groups with name, age and valuation.

Ritter's family:
Joseph age 43 and Betty age 35 and their children:  Peter 21, Madison 20, Joseph 18, Minta 16, Adeline 12, Joshua 10, Ritter 7,  James 6,  John 4, Raymond 3, Mitchell 3,  and [illegible Tricis?] 4 months. By the time the estate was settled their family would be torn apart.

John Randolph "Brick House John" Jefferies was born 6  March 1760 at Jeffords Creek near Camden, Kershaw County, South Carolina and died 29 January 1851 Union County, South Carolina.  He was the son of Nathaniel Jefferies 1733 - 1812 and Sarah Brown Steen 1735 - 1810.  Brick House John married Sarah Rachel Barnett 1765 - 1830.
Their children:
Margaret Vance Jefferies 1778-1846
Nathaniel Barnett Jefferies II 1783-1842
Gravener Jefferies 1784
Elizabeth Ann Jefferies 1785-1874  married Smith
Samuel Jefferies 1788-1845
John Jefferies Jr  1790-1851
Sarah Ann Jefferies 1790-1873
Eleanor / Ellen Jefferies 1795-1854
Cynthia Jefferies 1802-1881
James Boyd Jefferies  1802-1866
William Barnett Jefferies  1805-1852

The nickname "Brick House John" comes from the name of his plantation where the bricks to construct the home were made by his enslaved. He purchased this land from his father, Nathaniel Jeffries.

1790 Census  Union County, SC
8 Slaves

1800 Census Union County, SC
16 Slaves

1810 Census  Union County, SC     Enslaved data is illegible

1820 Census  Union County, SC
69 Slaves:  22 M under 14, 9 M 14-25, 3 M 26-44, 4 M 45+, 20 F under 14, 7 F 14-25, 4 F 45+

1830 Census  Union County, SC
90 Slaves:  20 M under 10, 16 M 10-23, 4 M 24-35, 4 M 36-54, 2 M 55-99, 23 F under 10, 13 F 10-23, 5 F 34-35, 2 F 36-54, 1 F 55-99

1840 Census Union County, SC
102 Slaves:  20 M under 10, 20 M 10-23, 10 M 24-35, 3 M 36-54, 2 M 55-99, 15 F under 10, 20 F 10-23, 5 F 24-35, 4 F 36-54, 3 F 55-99

1850 Slave Schedule  Union County, SC
147 Slaves:  F 17, F 6, F 70, F 22, F 7, F 50, F 15, F 14, F 20, F 26, F 2, F 25, F 4, F 2 mos, F 23, F 3, M 77, M 52, F 2mos, F 31, F 5, M 40, F 3, F 4 mos, M 40, M 37, F 60, F 30, M 26, M 26, F 12, F 6, M 22, M 16, F 2, F 29, M 13, M 12, F 15, F 30, M 11, M 8, F 17, F 40, M 7, M 7, F 14, M 7, M 6, M 5, M 4, M 2, M 3, M 1, M 2, M 30, M 3 mos, F 51, M 12, M 3, F 34, F 25, M 60, M 19, M 17, M 14, F 18, F 17, M 30, M 13, F 15, F 14, M 7, M 3, F 7, F 5, M 30, M 8, F 4, F 1, M 6, M 3, M 10, M 40, M 1, M 70, M 11, M 3, M 60, F 8, M 30, M 33, F 27, F 5, M 7, M 5, F 4

On 21 Jan 1851, eight days before his death, Brick House John wrote his will.

Know all men by these presents that I, John Jefferies, of the State and District aforesaid, being weak in body but of firm and disposing mind, memory, and judgement do ordain and appoint this as and for my Last Will and Testament hereby declaring all former wills to be null and void and of no effect.

Article 1: I will and ordain that all my property both real and personal shall be equally divided among all my legal heirs -- that is my sons John, James and William Jefferies shall each receive one ninth part of my estate. My daughters Ann Smith, Sarah Smith, Ellen Wilkins, and Cynthia Graham shall each receive one ninth part of my estate and that the children of my son Nathaniel Jefferies, deceased, shall receive one ninth part of my estate to be equally divided between them also that the children of my son Samuel Jefferies shall receive one ninth of my estate to be equally divided among them and also that the Lucey and Frances Farr daughters of Ellen Goudelock, decd., shall receive the share to which their mother would have been entitled had she been living to be equally divided between them.

Article 2nd: I will and ordain that five competent persons or a majority of them shall proceed appraise and divide all my Negroes among my Legatees herein before mentioned as equally as may be and if in their judgement the chair allotted to the heirs of Nathaniel Jefferies and Samuel Jefferies, decd., cannot be divided without injury to the parties there and in that case my Executors are hereby empowered to expose the same to public sale for the benefit of said heirs.

Article 3rd: I will and ordain that the above mentioned appraisers shall appraise all my land contained in a recent survey by John Gibbs, Esq. and if in their judgement, it cannot be equally divided among my heirs, herein before mentioned, they shall divide it into suitable tracts and my executor shall sell the same for the benefit of all Legatees aforesaid.

Article 4th: I will and ordain the Executors shall expose to sale all stock of all kinds, plantation tools, wagons, carts and all other effects of which I may be possessed with the exception of my notes, bonds, credits and accounts which they are to collect for the benefit of my heirs aforesaid.

Article 5th: Whereas I have heretofore made considerable advance of property to my children and have taken receipts for the same, I will and ordain that each one shall account to my estate for the value of said receipt without interest in receiving his part of my estate as it is my will that each Legatee as before named shall ultimately receive an equal portion of my estate.

Article 6th: And I hereby appoint my sons, James Jefferies and William Jefferies and my grandsons John Jefferies and William Jefferies sole executors of this my last will and testament.

Given under hand and seal this 21 January 1851. John Jefferies L. S.
Wit: James Farr, M.M. Montgomery, H. Goudelock, Jas. B. Smith, Zachariah Tate 

South Carolina Wills and Probate Recds 1670-1980  Box 35 Packages 1-33

Brick House John's Inventory and Appraisement of the Negroes belonging to the estate was taken 31 Oct 1851.  All of the enslaved were divided into groups and these groups are families.  Ritter Jeffries' family is listed here.  

John Randolph Jeffries Inventory and Appraisal 1851

Ritter's family is in the third family in the right hand column .

 

John Randolph Jeffries Inventory and Appraisal 1851

The Estate's inventory was distributed in lots.  Here are the divisions of the enslaved. Almost all family groups were kept together.

LOT 1  to William Jeffries     Moved to Marshall County, MS 1845
Harry 60 yr of age, Milly his wife 55 years $82
King 20 years 700
Silas 675,
Nancy 570
Isaac 681
Minerva 562
Hanah 350
Morgan Aby 610
Sophy 575
Allison 350
Terill 250
Lucy 150
Elinor 100
Sarah 350
Eli 626

Lot 2 to Elenor Wilkins  Living Union County SC; moved to Marshall County MS bef 1853
Silas 568
Eddy 437
Amanda 600
Lias 662
Milly 543
Franky 475
Violet 362
Anthony 300
Doris 237
  all the above Silas family
Washington 600
Franky and child Jacob 650
Janett 375
June 325
Stanhope 275
Harriet 200
Joseph 150
  all of the above Washington family

Lot 3  to Cynthia Graham  Living Cleveland County, NC; moved to Jefferson County TN 1865
Waggoner Peter 200
Franky 100
Champ 687
Abram 687
Sampson 618
Jacob 650
Esau 650
Nero 600
   all above Waggoner Peter family
Daniel 675
Manerva 575
Julian 350
Rose 275
Danil cut hand 100
Willy 100
   all above Daniels family
Elijah 600

Lot 4  to Sarah Smith  Lived Union County, SC all her life
Phillip 1,000
Mahaly 450
Susan 550
Peter 400
Phillip 325
Decey 275
Kisiah 175
Bill 200
Alfred 100
  all above Phillips family
Denis 650
Patsy 562
Beaty 250
Gilly 187, Mary 137,
  all above Denis family
Herod 600
Risier  400
Winny 600

Lot 5  to SAMUEL JEFFRIES   Lived Union County, SC all his life
Joseph $300 and Betty and 3 children $500 [the twins]
Peter $650
Madison $600.
Joseph $650,
Minty $600
Adeline $550.
Joshua $550.
Ritter $375.
James $300.
Joshua $225,
Raymond $150
Mitchel $150
  all of the above Joseph's family
Champ $200
Lucy $210
Mary and infant $700
Augustus $112
   all of Champ's family

Lot 6 to Ann Smith  Lived in Union and Cherokee counties, SC
Ellias 600
Sisily 500
Margarett 600
Peter one eye 375
Rhody 400
Mary 350
   all Elias family
Anthony 375
Dasky? 600
Noah 300
Bensan 275
Eli 225
Samuel 175
  All Anthony's family
Abram 900
Polly 625
Sindy and Jesse blind 600

Lot 7 to JAME B JEFFRIES   Lived Union County SC all his life
Seely Jess family $550
Catherine $300
Gordon $687
King 650
Champ 550
Sampson 500
Evan 500
Abram 450
Mingo 400
Lemuel 550
Sindy 200
Nisa and child Scott 700
Arthur 375
Young 337
Behaly deaf and dumb 100

Lot 8 to Nathaniel Jeffries  Deceased, so divided among his heirs.
old Dinah $70
Rachel and child Terut? Taylor 662
Peter 675.
Muciller? 600
Margarett 556
Harry [or Henry] 469 old driver family
Waggoner Abe 300
Cassu 375
Jonathan 500
Caroline 475
Reubin 400
old Anatha  worthless
Eddy 800
Ann 350
Nelly 600

Lot 9  to John Jeffries  Moved to Alabama
Jonathan $600
Miny and child Mary 650
Sophy  512
Robin 572
Polly 275
John 175
old Peter 50
Giney 375
Christin 200
Patsy 175
Anderson 112
   Giney.s family
Wesly 675
Ann 550
Dinah 300
George 175
Minerva 125
   Matty's family
Milly 550
Mary Ivy 225
Josephine 175
Asberry 650
                

In the final settlement of the estate the division of the enslaved kept most families together, but others were separated.  Ritter's family was not allowed to be kept together.  Things were looking good at first.  They were bequeathed all together to John's son Samuel.

Ritter's Family Separated

John's son Samuel had died, so his shares were also allotted to Samuel's heirs. 

Lot 1 to Cordelia Jeffries
Betty and 2 children [the twins] $500, Joe $300, Raymond $180, Mitchell $150 = $1,100

Lot 2 to Ellen Gaudelock   Died in 1849 Cherokee County, SC; husband died before 1860. Heirs: Lucy Farr and Frances J Farr
Peter $650, Champ $300, Lucy $310  = $1,160

Lot 3 to William Jeffries
Minta $600, James $300, John $225  = $1,150

Lot 4 to Jane Raisen?
Madison $600, Joshua $550  = $1,200

Lot 5 to Adaline Greer    1850 SC; 1860 Arkansas. By 1864 Gilmer, Upshur County, Texas
Joe Jr $650, Adaline $550  = $1,200
1860 Slave Schedule Princeton, Dallas County, Arkansas  Spencer Greer
24 Slaves; 3 Slave Dwellings:   M 60, F 50, F 38, M 26, M 20, M 24, M 23, M 21, M 20, M 18, M 18, F 11, F 7, F 7, F 7, M 5, M 5, M 5, F 3, M 3, M 3, F 6mos, M 6mos, F 1

Lot 6 to Emily Meng    Remained in Union Co SC
Ritter $375, Mary and child $700, Augustus $112  = $1,187
* Ritter is not in Meng's 1860 Slave Schedule
1860 Slave Schedule Union Co SC  James Edward Meng, Jr
47 Slaves 7 Slave Dwellings:  M 23, M 20, M 62, F 55, F 55, F 42, F 33, F 42. F 21, F 23, F 20, F 16,  F 12, F 11, F 11, F 11, F 11, F 7, F 7, F 4, F 2, F 4, F 2, F 2, F 2, M 33, M 30, M 23, M 19, M 16, M 16, M 14, M 12, M 12, M 12, M 9, M 10, M 8, M 9, M 6, M 3, M 3, M 4, M 4, M 1, F 10, F 13

Sometime between Brick House John's estate settlement in 1851 and October of 1856 there must have been an agreement or sale between Emily Meng and her uncle (Brick House John's son) James Boyd Jeffries regarding Ritter.  See James' will below.

 

 

James Boyd Jeffries, Enslaver

James Boyd Jefferies, the son of Brick House John, was born 17 Nov 1802 in Union County, South Carolina and died 29 April 1866 at his Star Farm, Union County, South Carolina.  He married Eliza Green 1806-1854 in 1821.

Their children:
Hannah Eliza Jefferies 1823-1831
Rachel Penelope Jefferies 1825-1854
Sarah Louvisa Jefferies 1826-1881
infant daughter 1828-1828
William Henry Jefferies 1830-1832
Permilia Ann "Pearlie" Jefferies 1832-1901
Mary Clementine Jefferies 1833-1911
Ellen Eliza Jefferies 1835-1884
John Randolph Jefferies 1837-1894
James Hamilton Jefferies 1839

1830 Census  York County, SC
2 Slaves: 1 F 10-23, 1 F 36-54

1850 AG Schedule Union County SC
660 improved acres; 628 unimproved acres for a total of 1,288 acres. 8 horses, 11 mules, 12 milk cows, 4 oxen, 24 cattle, 60 sheep, 120 swine.  285 bushels wheat, 30 bushels rye, 3000 bushels Indian corn, 1200 bushels oats, 50 ginned cotton bales, 150 lbs wool 150 bushels Irish potatoes, 450 bushels sweet potatoes, 500 lbs butter, 28 tons of hay.

1850 Slave Schedule  Union County, SC
13 Slaves:  F 48, M 27, F 26, F 19, F 17, F 15, F 12, M 14, F 9, M 7, M 5, M 1 Mulatto, F 80

1856 Will  -  See below after the Freedmen's Bureau contracts
Ten years before he died James Boyd Jeffries wrote his will.  Dated 7 Oct 1856 and not probated until his death 17 May 1866 in Union County, SC.  The date is key because here we find Ritter.  And we also find Thomas and his family.

1860 Slave Schedule  Union County, SC
75 Slaves; 13 Slave Dwellings:  78 M, 65 M. 60 M, 50 M, 53 M Blacksmith, 45 M, 40 F, 50 F, 45 F, 40 F, 45 M Blacksmith, 25 f, 31 f, 28 F, 30 F, 30 F, 30 F, 30 M, 30 M, 30 M, 25 F, 30 F, 28 F, 25 F, 26 F, 20 F, 19 F, 18 F, 16 F, 20 F, 12 F, 15 F, 14 F, 16 F,  17 F, 18 M, 15 M, 3 M, 3/12 M, 6/12 M, 17 M, 14 M, 6 M, 6/12 M, 12 M, 11 M, 8 M, 6/12 M, 1/12 M, 30 F, 23 F, 28 F, 26 F, 22 F, 20 F, 21 F, 16 M, 15 M, 12 M, 16 M, 17 M, 10 M, 12, M, 13 M, 14 M Carpenter, 35 M, 21 F, 2/12 M, 1/12 F, 26 M, 33 F, 26 M 

22 Aug 1865 Union County, SC   Freedmen's Bureau Record
Agreement between James Jefferies and the freedmen and women formerly his slaves [see Dec 1865 for language] through the first day of January next.  Lays out payment to be made.
Signed as below on 21 Dec 1865

21 Dec 1865  Union County, SC  Freedmen's Bureau Record
Agreement between James Jefferies and the freedmen and women formerly his slaves.
James Jeffries agrees to feed, clothe and employ as he has heretofore done until the first day of January next and to pay to each one at that time the amount of produce affixed to each name and the said Freedmen and women on their part do agree and bind themselves to remain constantly on the plantation and do work as they have done heretofore and to be obedient to all orders either of the said James Jeffries or his overseer and if at any time any or either of them should be impudent leave the plantation without permission or behave disorderly or unruly in any way, he she or they shall leave the plantation at once and forfeit any claim to any pay which may be due or promised them.

The following named Negroes:
Nelson,
Ray,
Jacob,
John,
Charles,
Bern,
Black Joe,
George,
Yellow Joe,
Cornelius 
Tom shall each receive fifteen (15) bushels of corn and three gallons of molasses.

The following named
Milley,
Jenny,
Ross?,
Mary,
Silva,
Ritter,
Delphy,
Harriett,
Ellison,
Vina,
Jack,
old Harriett,
Ann,
Vilet,
Mandy
Richard,
Julia shall each receive ten (10) bushels of corn and two (2) gallons of molasses.

The following named
Eady, Amos, [Richmond crossed out], Spencer, Charles, Minta shall each receive five (5) bushels of corn and one (1) gallon of molasses.

In witness of the faithful performance of this contract we have signed our names thereto...  This 22 day of August 1865.

•  Nelson his mark for himself and his minor children Eady, Amos, Ann, Richard
•  Ray his mark
• Jacob 
• Milly 
• Jerry 
• John
• Charles
• Ben for himself and his children Ross, Chess and Berry
• Mary 
• Black Joe for himself and his children Minta and Spencer
• George 
• Silva,
• TOM 
• RITTER
• Yellow Joe
• Cornelius  for himself and his son Ellison  [Thomas' father and brother]
  
• Vina  for herself and son Jack
• Violet
• old Harriett 
• Ann 
• Manda 
• Julia 
• Delphy   [Thomas' sister]
• Harriet   [Thomas' sister]
  
  

3 Feb 1866 Unionville SC Union Dist 2 #146    Freedmen's Bureau
Contract between James Jefferies and 13 Freedmen. That the employer is to feed all his employed this contract not to be ? construed.
Signed on 8 Jan 1866 by

• Nelson for self and family
• Black Joseph for self and family
• Tom for self and family
• Yellow Joseph for self and family
• Cornelius for self and family
• Silvia for self and child
• Charles
• Roy/Ray
• Delphy
• Jacob
• Rebeca
• old Harriett
• young Harriett

Signed 8 Jan 1866;  Amended on 31 Jan 1866
Amended contract  -   plus more specific info about payment.  Agrees to feed laborers: each hand hired to receive one bushel of meal and five lbs of bacon and five pints of syrup per month or their equivalent,  the Negroes to clothe, shoe, pay their own taxes and all other.
Signed:

•    Nelson for himself and his children Richard, Eady and Amos $100
•    Yellow Joseph for himself his wife Amanda and his daughter Sophy $100
•    Ray $40
•    Jacob $40
•    Charles  $40
•    Black Joseph for himself and his children Minta and Spencer ?? dollars and if his wife Ann makes a field hand to be paid the same as the other womenfolk the time she works.
•    Tom and Ritter $70     [about $1,355 today]
•    Cornelius for himself, Allison and Lilly $70 
•   Delphy $30
•    Harriett  $30 and her 3 children fed and clothed for this work
•    Reuben and old Harriett fed and clothed and paid $10 each.

Signed 8 Jan 1866
Amended on 31 Jan 1866:
In addition to what I have promised above I agree to give the above named laborers on my plantation on condition of their good conduct $10 per each bale of cotton made by them the present year above thirty bales. Bale to average 400 lbs....  
Signed:  James Jefferies

Note:  It's important to note that about 10 years before he died James wrote his will and in it he gives us family groups.  As you read this remember this is 10 years before the Freedmen's Bureau contracts and James' death.

Will of James B Jefferies  Written 7 Oct 1856  Probate 17 May 1866
...
Art 2...  all the land I own on Gilkey's Creek embracing the home or Brick house tracks, the Holman tract (except the part sold by me to S A Goodman) and the part of the Joshua Petty tract bought by me of John Smith be sold by my Executor and the proceeds be applied to the payment of my debts or be distributed among my legatees ...

Art 3 ... to my daughter Mary Clementine my boy Arthur about 19 years old and my girl Silva about 17 years old and their increase in place of Sam and Dinah who were given her under the will of Wyatt Lipscomb, decd and both of whom have died whilst in my possession and if either the above named Arthur or Silva or both of them should die whilst in my possession or before they come into Mary's possession then my Executor shall permit Mary to take one or two choices as the case may be from the whole of the negroes belonging to my estate. Provided in making such choice she shall not separate man and wife or take any of the negroes otherwise devised in this instrument.  ...   I also give Mary my man Cornelius and his wife Betty and their children THOMAS, Delphy, Hariett, Rhody, Allison and Lilly together with their natural increase and for Cornelius and his family named in this third article who will account to my estate a part of her legacy at the price of $2800.

Art 4  ...to son John Randolph Jefferies all my land on Thickety Creek being the plantation on which I now live bounded by Thickety Creek and land of Spencer Green and Samuel Jefferies containing 1200 acres. ... stock in Spartanburg and Union RR...     my man Nelson and his wife Violet and their children Milly, Raymond, Jacob, Richard, Eady, Amos and Joseph for  whom he is to account to my estate as part of his legacy at the price $3,000.
Art 5... to my daughter Mary and son John [household stuff and livestock)

Art 6 ... Mary shall have equal and joint occupancy of the house and land given to John in the 4th article...   with privilege to work her negroes on the same ...

Art 7  I confirm to James and Eliza children of my daughter Rachel P Camp Decd the property heretofore given to her viz  Boy Aaron, $500, Cinthia and child Sophy at $700, Moriah at $500, Giles at $700,...    

To my daughter Sarah Louvina Wilkens I confirm the following property heretofore given  Evial? Joial? or Jreal $600, Nell at $450, Tarpley $250, Champ $550, Thompson $550...  

To my daughter Parmelia Ann Duncan I confirm... Daniel $700, Lindy and child Randall $700, RITTER  $350, Anderson $600...   

To my daughter Ellen Eliza I confirm... Silva and boy Nelson $700, Abraham $600....   further give to dau Ellen my boy Henry son of old Henry and Malinda at $550 and his sister Margret $450...

Art 8  I will and direct that all my remaining Negroes not herein before disposed of shall be as equally divided as may be among all my legatees.  James and Eliza Camp children of my daughter Rachel P Camp 1/6the to be divided between them.  my daughters Sarah Louvisa, Permelia Ann, Mary and Ellen and my son John shall each receive 1/6 part of my estate...
Art 9 [all other property sold]
Executor Davis Goudelock
Witnesses:  Robert Macbeth, James G Farnandis, John L Young

Note:  the verbage "I confirm" connotes that the enslaved were already in the heir's possession.  This means Ritter may have been already with the Duncan's.  However, Permelia Duncan was living in Georgia by 1860, so some arrangement had to have been made for Ritter to remain with James B Jeffries.   In addition, in one of the later censuses Thomas and Ritter indicate they were married in 1860 and we know Thomas was with James B Jeffries.

Since the Civil War had ended and the enslaved were freed, none of the above "gifts" were made.  However, after James's death, Thomas and Ritter moved to Marshall County, Mississippi and I suspect James' daughter Sarah had something to do with that.  My theory is that when Sarah came home to South Carolina when her father died in 1866 she may have been key to Thomas and Ritter (and others) going back with her to Mississippi.

Sarah Louvisa Jefferies, daughter of James Boyd Jeffries, was born 30 Oct 1826 near Gaffney in Union County, South Carolina and died 20 Feb 1881 near Holly Springs in Marshall County, Mississippi.  She married Moses Franklin "M F" Wilkens in 1846. M F was born 1 Dec 1823 in Union County, South Carolina and died 17 March 1898 near Holly Springs, Marshall County, Mississippi.    Between 1845 and January 1848 Sarah and MF left South Carolina for Mississippi.  

1850 Census  Southern Division, Marshall County MS
Dwelling 64 Fam 64
Wilkins, M F 25 bSC Farmer, Real Estate value $1440
   S  23 bSC
   S E 2  bMS

1850 Slave Schedule  Southern Division, Marshall County, MS
6 Slaves:  M 23, M 15, F 22, F 20, F 16, F 1 

1860 Census  Waterford, Marshall County, MS
Dwelling 12  Fam 12
Wilkins, M F  36 bSC Planter  Real Estate value $8,000  Personal Estate $26,000
   Sarah  33 bSC   Mary 9 bMS
   Elizabeth  4  bMS
   John J  1  bMS

1860 Slave Schedule  Marshall County, MS   Living next to his brother William Wilkins
24 Slaves; 6 Slave Dwellings:  F 1, F 1, M 1, F 2mos, M 48, F 40, F 20, M 28, M 26, M 23, M 21, F 20, F 20, M 18, F 16, F 14, F 11, F 9, M 9, F 8 Mulatto, F 5, M 3, F 3, F 3.

In 1870 we find Thomas, Ritter and their children in Marshall County, Mississippi.

1870 Census Township 5 Range 4 Chulahoma, Marshall MS  @15 miles SW of Holly Springs
FAM 248
Wilkins, M F  46 bSC Farmer RE$8000 Pers $1500
   Louvisa 43 bSC    James B Jeffries daughter Sarah Louvisa
   Aaron F  9 bMS
Wilkins, W M - female  bMS
   Nancy 13  House servant bMS  BLK
Duncan, Victor  24   Cook   BLK

FAM 249
Duncan, Peggy 43  Housekeeper bGA  BLK    May have married Tom's father Cornelius.
   Ellison  15  Laborer bGA BLK

FAM  250
Wilkins, Champin  31 Farmer bSC Pers$200 BLK
   Sarah 26 bSC BLK
   Mary 12 bMS BLK
   Peggy  6  bSC BLK
   Edward  2 bMS  BLK
   Lucy 7/12  bMS BLK

FAM 251 
Wilkins, Alexander 37 bSC Farmer BLK
   Clarissa 32 bSC BLK
   Newton 19 bSC BLK
   Benj 10 bMS  BLK
   Eliza  9 bMS  BLK
   Mahala  7 bSC
   Richard  5  bSC
   Alexander 2  bMS
   Moses  1  bMS

FAM 252 
Wilkins, Rachel  23  bSC Pers$100  BLK
   Eliza  2 bMS  BLK
   Lea  2  bMX BLK

FAM 253 
Jeffries, Nathan  50 bSC Farmer Pers$100  BLK
   Celie  40  bSC BLK
   Gordan 14 BSC

FAM 254 
Thomson, Elison 23 bSC Farmer pers$30  BLK
   Hanna 21  bSC  BLK

FAM 255
Jeffries, Joseph  45 bSC Farmer pers$75  BLK  Signed Freedmen's Bureau contract w/ John B Jeffries
   Manda 34  bSC  BLK
   Sophia 18 bSC  BLK
   Bettie  12 bSC  BLK
   Mathilda 8 bSC  BLK
   Julia  5  bSC   BLK

FAM 256 
JEFFRIES, THOMAS 24 bSC Farmer  Pers$80
   RITTER  30 bSC
   Reuben 12 bSC
   Bettie 7 bSC
   Cornelius 9 bSC
   Margaret 6mos  bMS

1880 Census East Holly Springs, Marshall MS
Dwelling 11 Fam 10  pg4   All Black
Jeffries Gorgon/Gordon  58 Farmer  bSC    
Chance/Chausee 65 wife   bVA    
Lou Ann 17 dau farm laborer  bMS  ** lots of Wilkens (Black) 

Dwelling 5 Fam 5 all Black pg 15
Jeffries, E 29 Farm Laborer bSC    May be Ellison brother of Thomas
   C  28  Farm Laborer bSC
   S   9  bMS
   William 3 bMS

Dwelling 1 Fam 1 all BLK
Jeffries, M  45 bSC Farmer    May be Madison brother of Ritter
   C  40 bVA

Dwelling 2  all BLK
Wilkins, M A 23 Farm Laborer bMS Boarder
Thornton, Amy 66 Mother in Law bVA
Marley, Willie (male) 5 adopted bMS
   Frank 4 boarder b
Wilkens, Ida 1 Boarder bTN

Dwelling 5 Fam 4  all BLK
Jeffries, D  83 Farmer bSC  b1797
   Julia 22 wife Farm Laborer bTN
   Ida  7  dau  bMS
   Ches (male) 7 son bMS
   Eda  2 dau  bMS
   Preston  2 mos son  bMS

Dwelling 8 Fam 7  all BLK
Jeffries, A  29  Farm Laborer bSC
   Peggy 22 Farm Laborer bNC
   Amzi  18  bMS Farm Laborer
   Booth 16 Farm Laborer bMS
   Joise  14 Farm Laborer bMS
   John  11 Farm Laborer bMS
   Jimmy 9 Farm Laborer bMS
   Matty  10  bMS\   Bertha 6 bMS
   Wat or Nat 3 bMS

Dwelling 9 Fan 8  WHITE
Jeffries, Robert  22  Farmer bMS

Dwelling 7 Fam 6 all BLK
Jeffries Ned  56 Farm Laborer bTN
   H   56 Farm Laborer  bSC
   Ceily 19 dau Farm Laborer  bMS

Dwelling 8  Fam 7  all BLK
Jeffries, Sarah  46 Farm Laborer bSC Widow
   Waltar 16 son farm Laborer3 bMS
   Terrell 13 son Farm Laborer bMS
   Thomas 11 son Farm Laborer bMS
   Willie (male) 6 son  bMS

Dwelling 9  Fam 8  all BLK
Jeffries, Calvin 23 Farm Laborer  bMS
   Harriet 22 Farm Laborer bMS
   Sul / Saul  6mos bDec 1879 MS

Dwelling 5 Fam 5  all BLK  page 66
Jeffries, Ray  34 Farmer  bSC   May be Raymond brother of Ritter
  Docia 32 Farm Laborer   bSC
   John 13 Farm Laborer bMS
   Viola 6  bMS
   Loucinda 3  bMS
   Keely 6mos bDec1879  bMS

1880 Census Marshall Co MS
FAM 44  all BLK
Wilkins, Hiram  44 bSC Farmer
   Amanda 50 bSC
   Riley 16 bSC Farm Laborer
   Phillip  15  bSC  Farm laborer
   Annie 12  bSC Farm Laborer
   Kisiah  8  bSC  
   Willie (male) 7 bMS

FAM 49  all BLK
Jeffries, Terrell 25  bSC
   Rhoda 19   bMS
   William 1 bMS
   Adolphus bJan 1880  sick bMS

FAM 50  all BLK
Jeffries, Joseph 60 bSC Farm Laborer
   Amanda 40 bSC Farm Laborer
   Betsy 20  bSC Farm hand
   Matilda 18 bSC Farm hand
   Julia 16 bSC Farm hand

FAM 51  all BLK
Thompson, Arron  39 bSC
 Jeffries, Sylvia  39 bSC  Housekeeper

FAM 52  all White
Wilkins, M F  59
   Sarah L  53       daughter of James Boyd Jeffries
   Aaron  18

FAM 53 all BLK
JEFFRIES, THOMAS 40 bSC Farmer
   RITTA  38 bSC
   Reuben 19  bSC Farm hand
   Elizabeth 14  bSC Farm hand
   Cornelius 12  bSC Farm hand
   John 8 bSC
   Amanda 6   bMS
   Harry  5 bMS
   Sarah bDec 1879 bMS

FAM 54  all BLK
Jeffries, Ross  29  bSC Farmer
   Violet 32 bSC
Wilkins, Ida  12 bMS StepDau

FAM 55  all BLK
Jeffries, Wyatt 19 bSC Farm Laborer
   Alice 22 bSC

FAM 57  all BLK
Jeffries, Daniel 20 bSC
   Cornelius  70 bSC Grandfather farm Laborer     May be father of Thomas - See below
   Peggy, 52 bSC wife

FAM 58 all BLK
Jeffries, Gaston  21 BSC Farm Laborer
   Celia  25 bSC
   Mary  3 bMS
   Nathan 2 bMS
   Bettie  1 bMS
   Gordon 7 mos bMS
   Alia or Celia  52 bSC Mother

Before going on with Thomas and Ritter's children and descendants, I feel I should insert the information I've found about Cornelius Jeffries, father of Thomas.  We've already seen him on the Freedmen's Bureau contracts with James Boyd Jeffries through 1866.   

1870 Census Gowdysville, Union County, South Carolina

Dwelling 156 Fam 163 PO Unionville   all BLK
Jeffries, Cornelius 62 bSC farm laborer b1808
   dau Delphy  24 bSC
   dau Harriet  22 bSC
   dau Celia  15 bSC
   Absolom  9 bSC
   Rhoda  9  bSC
   Amanda  3  bSC
   Willis  13 bSC

Dwelling 157 Fam 164  all BLK
Jeffries, Allison  18  bSC   Cornelius's son, Thomas's brother
   Cassy  20 bSC
   Louise 1 mo

Dwelling same Fam 165  all BLK
Jeffries, Reuben  76  bSC   Signed Freedmen's Bureau contract
Dwelling 158 Fam 166  WHITE
Jeffries, John R  32 Farmer RE25,500 Per 3700
   Henriette  22 bSC
   James 2  bSC
   Allen 1 bSC

Dwelling 170 Fam 178  WHITE
Jeffries, Hamlet  40 bSC Farmer RE2500 Pers1000  Grandson of James B Jeffries
   Ellen 35 bSC
   Eliza 13 bSC
   Jame 11 bSC
   Mary 9 bSC
   Louiza 6 bSC
   Edward 1 bSC

Dwelling 171  Fam 179  all BLK
Jeffries, Sylvia 35 bSC   Signed Freedmen's Bureau contract
   Adeline 5 bSC

Dwelling 181  Fam 189  all BLK
Jeffries, George  70 Farmer bSC
   Casey 50 bSC
   George 18 bSC

Dwelling 182  Fam 190  all BLK
Jeffries, Lucinda 35 bSC works on farm
   Chesterfield  14 bSC
   Wharton  11 bSC
   Maria 9 bSC
   Reuben 7 bSC
   Clemens  5 bSC
   John 3 bSC

Dwelling 183  Fam 191  all BLK
Jeffries Ely 60 bSC Farmer Pers$100
   Maria 60 bSC
   Percilly  14 bSC

And in 1880 this may be Cornelius living among the "right" Jeffries a few doors from Thomas and Ritter.  Thomas and Ritter are Dwelling 53.  It look like Cornelius went to Marshall County, MS and remarried by 1880.

1880 Census Marshall County, MS
Dwelling 37  all BLK
Jeffries, Daniel  20
   Cornelius  70 grandfather farm laborer 
   Peggy 52 wife   In 1870 Peggy Duncan is 43, Housekeeper living in Marshall Co MS Fam 149 above
Dwelling 38  all BLK
Jeffries, Gaston 21 farm laborer
   Belia 25
   Mary 3
   Nathan 2
   Bettie  1
   Goden 7 mos
   Alia / Celia  52 mother

Ritter's Siblings - what I know at this point:

Peter Jeffries, born 1830. 
1870 AG Schedule, Draytonville, Union County, SC with 30 acres rented. 1 milk cow, 4 swine, 30 bushels Indian corn, 1 bale cotton, 3 bushels peas, 35 lbs butter,
1880 AG Schedule Washington, Union SC with 22 acres on shares.  [can't read details]

Madison, born 1831
Appears on the 1880 Census for East Holly Springs, Marshall County, MS with his wife C. [Dwelling1]

Adeline  born 1839
Married Jim Dawkins and they had one child James Rosboro Dawkins b 15 Mar 1891 Cherokee Co SC and died 18 Nov 1954 Gaffney, Cherokee Co SC who was a farmer. Wife's name was Mary.

John  born 1847
1870 Census Perry, Houston Co GA where he is a farm laborer. 
1880 Census Lower Town, Houston, GA where he is a laborer with wife Cary Ann and daughter Numma

Raymond  born 1848
Appears on the 1880 Census for East Holly Springs, Marshall County, MS near his brother Madison. He was a farmer. Wife Docia; Children John, Viola, Loucinda and Keely. 

Joseph Jr  born 1833 Unknown
Minta  born 1835  Unknown
Joshua  born 1841  Unknown
James  born 1845  Unknown
Mitchell  born 1848  Unknown
Tricis?  born 1851  Unknown

Thomas and Ritter Jeffries had 7 known children:
Reuben
Rueben Jeffries was born Nov 1859 in SC and died 1938 in DeSoto, MS. He married Nannie.  10 children:  Joanna, Joseph, Mathew, Isaac, Niecy, Will, Margret, Jennie, John and Dan.

Bettie
Bettie Jeffries was born about 1861 in SC.  She married Nelson Jeffries, Jr. 109 children: Mary, Goodman, Jacob, Isaac, Lula, Robert, Maggie, Douglas, Johnny and Florence. Lived in Marshall County, MS

Cornelius
Reverend Cornelius Jeffries was born 19 May 1862 in SC and died 23 Dec 1922 in Little Rock, Arkansas.  He was a preacher.  Cornelius married Nellie Blanton.  5 children:  Anna Ritter, Rosie Lee, James Edward, Eva Mae and Hattie Vera.

Margaret
Margaret Jeffries was born about 1869. 

Amanda
Amanda Jeffries was born 16 June 1874 in Marshall County, MS. In 1897 she was the Postmaster at Chulahoma, MS.  Amanda may have married a William or Samuel Brooks.  She moved to Oklahoma by 1910.  Amanda died after 1927 in Oklahoma.
Sarah

John
John Jeffries was born 22 Apr 1872 at Waterford, Marshall County, MS and died 6 June 1929.  John married Annie Garrett who was born in Nov 1877.  They had 2 children:  Laura born Aug 1899 and Bettie Theresa born 22 Nov 1907. A third child, Nathaniel was born in 1923 and it is assumed Annie was his mother.

In 1900 John and Annie were living in the Laws Hill area of Marshall County, MS;  by 1910 they were living in Oklahoma.

1900 Census Laws Hill, Marshall County, MS
Jeffries, John 28, bMS, Farmer renting farm
   Annie  22 born in Nov 1877  bMS parents bMS  2 children born/1 living
   Larra  9 mos bAug 1899
Garrett, John  20 bAug1879 MS  Annie's brother   Farm Laborer

1910 Census Pascoe, Okmulgee County, OK
Jeffries, John  38 bMS Farmer renting farm
   Annie 31 bMS 5 children born/2 living
   Laura 10 bMS
   Bettie  3 bMS

1920 Census Beggs, Okmulgee County, OK
Jeffries, John 48, bMS parents bSC Farmer
  Annie 41 bMS  parents bMS
   Betty  13 bMS
   Laura 20 bMS

By 1930 Annie has disappeared from the records and John has remarried to Mary Slaughter Junior. Mary had children with her first husband Simp Junior and 4 of them appear in the census.

1930 Census Morris, Okmulgee County, OK
Jeffries, John 58 bMS parentsbSC Farmer renting farm
   Mary 43 17 at 1st marr bGA parentsbGA
   Nathaniel 6 bOK father bMS
Junior Sallie  15 stepdau bOK father bARK
Junior, Georgia  13 stepdau  bOK father bARK
Junior Warren  11 stepson  bOK father bARK
Junior Albert 9 stepson  bOK father bARK

We next find John living alone with son Nathaniel.

1940 Census Okmulgree, Okmulgee, OK    Living at 1114 1/2 Choctaw Ave
Jeffries John 68 bMS  "Married"
   Nathaniel 16  bOK

John and Annie's children:

Laura Jeffries, daughter of John Jeffries, was born 18 Aug 1899 in Okmulgee County, OK.  On 3 June 1922 she married Rev James Paul Autry in Beggs, Okmulgee County, OK. They were married by Rev Tom M Busby at the AME Church in Beggs.  Witnesses were John Jeffries, Laura's father, and D C Coleman, both of Beggs.  James was 37 and Laura was 22.  James Paul Autry was born 22 May 1884 in Mississippi and died 31 Dec 1976 in Oklahoma.

1930 Census Beggs, Okmulgee, OK
Autry, J P  42 bMS parents bNC  Farmer
   Laura 35 bMS parents bMS
   Odis  6  bOK
   Ruth Ella 4  bOK
   J W  2  bOK

1940 Census Pascoe, Okmulgree OK
Living same house as in 1935
Autry, James P  55  bMS  Farmer  Renting
   Laura 40  bOK
   Otis  16  bOK
   Ruth Ella  14 bOK
   James W 11  bOK
   Elmer Eugene 9|  bOK
   Charles  5  bOK

1950 Census  Pascoe Okmulgee, OK
Apt #7/8  starting at intersecion at Myers School  -  Farm
Autry, James P  65  bMS  Farmer  Own farm
   Laura  50  bMS
  Ruth Ella 24  bOK
  Charles  15  bOK

Laura's obituary is dated 15 Sep 1979 in the Okmulgee Daily Times.  She died at Beggs. Her husband James preceeded her in death.  Children named:  Otis of Tulsa, James and Charles of Wichita KS, Elmer of Compton CA, Prentist of Beggs OK, Ruth Bee and Lula Atkins of Wichita KS.  Brother: Nathaniel Jeffries of Los Angeles CA and sister Betty Anderson of Tulsa.  19 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren.   Her funeral was held at First Baptist Church in Beggs.  Rev L R Kibler officiated.  Laura was buried in New Bethel Cemetery at Mounds, OK.

Nathaniel Jeffries, son of John Jeffries, was born 4 July 1923 in Okmulgee County, OK.  On 30 June 1943 he registered for the draft. At that time he was living at 1778  8th Street, Oakland, Alameda County, CA and employed by CIO Warehouseman's Union in Crockett, CA. He's described at 5'11" tall, 160 lbs, dark brown complexion, black hair, brown eyes and a scar through his left eyebrow.  His next of kin was his father, John Jeffries, 1114 1/2 N Chocktaqw, Okmulgee, OK.  On 5 Mar 1943 he enlisted in the US Army in San Francisco, CA.

1950 Census  Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA - Living on E 1st St as a guest at Victoris Hotel.
Jeffries, Nathaniel  26 bOK  Truck Driver for Harvester

Bettie Theresa Jeffries, daughter of John, was born 22 Nov 1907 in Holly Springs, Marshall County, MS and died 23 Dec 1981 in Tulsa, OK.  Bettie married Arvie Anderson on 21 July 1926 in Beggs, OK.  According to their marriage license Arvie was 21 and Bettie was 19, both from Beggs, OK.  They were married by Reverend James P Autry - Bettie's brother in law - at the CME Church at Beggs.  Witnesses were Garrett Scott and Bettie's sister Laura Jeffries Autry.   The final marriage record was mailed on 5 Aug 1926 to Arvie Anderson PO Box 110, Beggs, OK in care of Garrett Scott. 

Arvie and Bettie's children:

Verna Lee Anderson was born 14 Feb 1927 in Beggs, Okmulgee County, OK and died 3 June 1994 in Tulsa, OK.  She married Odis Jones. Verna Lee is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Tulsa, OK.
 See more about Odis Jones family here.

Blanche Lucerne Anderson was born 17 June 1928 in Beggs, Okmulgree County, OK and died 24 Nov 1986 in Denver, CO. She married Lewis Varnon Austin.  Blanche is buried in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens in Littleton, CO.
 
Arvie Columbus Anderson Jr was born 22 Dec 1930 in Beggs, Okmulgee County, OK and died 15 Oct 2013 in Tulsa, OK.  He married Willie Jean Montgomery in 1964. Arvie is buried in Floral Haven Memorial Gardens in Broken Arrow, OK.

George Wayne Anderson was born 22 Feb 1934 in Beggs, Okmulgee County, OK and died 5 Apr 2005 in OK.  

Clyde C Anderson was born 1941 in OK.

Marian Marva Anderson was born 10 Mar 1942 in Beggs, Okmulgee County, OK and died 4 Dec 2003 in Tulsa, OK.

1930 Census  Beggs, Okmulgee, OK    Living at 400 S Osage
Anderson, Arvie  24  bTX parents bTX  Laborer - Steam Railroad
   Bettie  22  bMS  parents bMS
   Bernie  3 daughter bOK
   Blanch  1  bOK
Davis, Allen  14  bOK parents bTX  Roomer

1940 Census Beggs, Okmulgee OK   Living at Section 28 and 27 on farm Renting
Anderson, Arvie  35 bTX  Farmer
  Betty T  33 bMS
  Verna Lee 13 bOK
  Blanche L  11  bOK
  Arvie  9  bOK
  George Wayne  6  bOK

1950 Census Beggs, Okmulgee OK    Living at 16 Osage
Anderson, Arvie 44 bTX Laboreer Frisco Railroad
   Bettie  42  bMS
   Arvie Jr  19  bOK
   G Wayne  16  bOK
   Clyde C  9  bOK
   Marion M  8  bOK

Bettie died on 23 Dec 1981. At the time she was living at 222 E Queen Street in Tulsa, OK.  She is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery in Tulsa.  She left behind her husband Arvie Anderson and children:  Verna Lee, Blance Lucerne, Arvie Jr, George Wayne, Clyde C and Marian Marva.

Notes:

• The enslaver Jeffries in Marshall County, MS probably lived in District 4 south of Holly Springs. Near Waterford.  Many are buried in Pleasan Grove Cemetery 1293 Olde MS-4, Holly Springs. This is an old abandoned cemetery in a large grove of old hardwood on private property.  Most likely near their home(s)  I include this to say that the enslaved burial ground is probably nearby.
  
• The enslaver Jeffries in Union and Cherokee County, SC probably lived at or near the Jefferies Family Cemetery which is on Brickhouse Road near Gilkey Creek and west of Wilkinsville, SC. Again, the enslaved burial ground is probably near by.
• I've included the neighbors in most of the census date because they are likely related either by dna or by enslavement.
• I've looked for records indicating how Thomas's family came to be with James Boyd Jeffries, but so far without success. It does not appear that his wife brought them with her marriage.