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.