Enslaved of the Somerville Family of St Mary's County and Baltimore Maryland - Manumission, Shipping to NOLA

 

John Somerville 1723-1788

John Somerville / Somervell was born 10 March 1723 in Kennox, Ayrshire, Scotland. He immigrated to Amercia in 1748, arriving in Boston, Massachusetts and established his home in Maryland.  

In 1753 he married Susanna Clarke 1720-1780 d/o Colonel George Clarke, a planter on the Potomac River in St Mary's County, Maryland. After Clarke's death, John bought out the other heirs' interest in the Clarke plantation "Bloomsbury."   

John died 21 Dec 1788 at Bloomsbury plantation in St Mary's County, Maryland.

He and Susanna had the following children:

• John Somerville 1754-1806 married Mary Goodloe
  
• William Somerville 1755-1806 married Elizabeth Anna Hebb
  
• Margaret Somerville 1756-
• George Clark Somerville 1758-1791 never married
  

Enslaved - We know of at least one of John Sr's enslaved.  Giles Butler was born about 1770 maybe in Maryland. Giles was freed by John Sr and in 1800 he was the head of household of 7 other free persons of color. [Free African Americans of Maryland and Delaware from Colonial Period to 1810 by Paul Heinegg.] By 6 Aug 1810 Giles was living in Eastern Precincts, Baltimore, Maryland with 4 other free persons of color. [1810 Federal Census]

John Somerville II, son of John I and Susannah, was born 6 Dec 1754 at Bloomsbury, St Mary's County, Maryland and died 18 Nov 1806 at Bloomsbury Estate, Granville County, North Carolina.  He married Mary Goodloe 1763-1838.

John II and Mary's children:

• John Somerville III 1780-1831
• Susan / Susanna Somerville 1782-1842 md Eaton
• James Somerville 1784-1854
• William Somerville 1786-1802
• George Clark Somerville 1787-1824
• Alexander Somerville 1790-1798
• Robert Vivian Somerville 1794-1813

 Note:  See separate blog post for information on John Somerville II's family and enslaved.

William Somerville, son of John I and Susannah, was born 25 Dec 1755 at Bloomsbury plantation, St Mary's County, Maryland and died 29 Dec 1806 at Mulberry Fields plantation, St Mary's County, Maryland.  He married Elizabeth Anna Hebb 1770-1792, the daughter of Capt Vernon Hebb of Porto Bello 1743-1796 and Anna Hopewell 1745-1820. 

William and Elizabeth Anna's children:

• Elizabeth Somerville 1781-1802 married George Plater IV
  
• William Clarke Somerville 1790-1826 never married
  
• Henry Vernon Somerville 1792-1837 married Rebecca M Tierman
  

1790 Census St Mary's County MD  William Somerville
108 Slaves

1793-1794 Maryland Assessment  St Mary's County, MD  William Somerville
105 Slaves

1800 Census St Mary's County, MD  William Somerville
125 Slaves

1801 Maryland Assessment  St Mary's County, MD  William Somerville
125 Slaves

1806  Property at death  St Mary's County, MD  William Somerville
180 Slaves, 154 ox plate, bank stock, cotton both spun and picked, 5,810 acres including a grist mill and mill land.

Mulberry Fields Plantation, Valley Lee, MD

Elizabeth Somerville, daughter of William Somerville, was born 7 Dec 1781 St Mary's County, Maryland.  On 22 Mar 1798 she married George Plater IV who was born  21 Sep 1766 at Sotterley plantation, St Mary's County, Maryland and died 1802 at Sotterley plantation. George is the son of George Plater, Governor of Maryland, 1735-1792 and Elizabeth Anne Rousby 1747-1789.  George IV inherited the Sotterley plantaton from his father; he and Elizabeth made it their home. [Sotterley is now an historic site.]

1790 Census  St Mary's County, MD  George Plater IV
93 Slaves

1800 Census  St Mary's County, MD  George Plater IV
46 Slaves

Sotterley Plantation, Hollywood, MD

Note:  1814 George's brother, John Rousby Plater, made a claim for the loss of Enslaved:  "Negroes seduced and carried away by the Commander of the British Fleet laying in the Patuxent River Maryland in the months of July, July and September 1814 during the late war with Great Britain."  The Treaty of Ghent signed Dec 1814 called for compensation for unreturned property. In Nov 1826 the British agreed to pay claims for slaves taken away.

Sworn June 23, 1821     Men and Boys, Ages, Value in $
Stephen Courcey     37    600
Abraham Wood       12    350
Jesse Wood    33        500
Crowley Young    18    500
John Young    14    -
Daniel Young    12    -
Henry Young    13    -
James Thomas    48    450
John Seale    50    450
John Seale Jr    17    550    House Servant
William Hammer    12    350
Isaac Hammer    9    250
Mathew Courcey    8    150
James      6    225
Benjamin Seale    5    220
Francis Hammer    3    200
Prince Young     60    100
Peter Campbell    55    100
Lewis Munroe    26    600   House Servant
Gerard Munroe    14    500
Richard Munroe    5        225
Lewis Munroe     3        150
20 in number:  $7480

Women and children    Ages    Value in $
Susannah Courcey    40        300
Maria Seale     44        300
[illegible] Hammer     28        350
Sophia Seale     15        375
Maria Seale      17        375
Frankey Seale     20        375
Maria Wood     10        250
Henny Williams     50        200
Mary Young (Molly)    35        350
Catherine Young    20        375
Elizabeth Hammer    18        200
Tenny Merritt     46        450    A Good Cook
Louisa Thomas      1        50
Mary Hammer      1        50
Patty Seale     1        50
Peggy Seale      8        200
Ester Seale       4        150
Peggy Courcey     14        50
Mary Ann Young    9        150
Grace Munroe      27        400   Cook
Ester Munroe       7        150
Kitty Munroe       2        100
22 in number:  $5250

In addition to the above list of 44 for which Captain Nourse of his Britianic Majesty's ship the Severn gave a certificate assuring of their being on board his ship 27 July 1814, the following Negro Men were taken and carried away by Captain Brown of the Frigate Loire in June 1814:

Peregrine Young        20        700    A most valuable servant
Ignatius Seale           19        500     Blacksmith
James Bowie             20        600
Joseph Wood             22        550
Cornelius                   25        550  
[Source: Maryland State Archives] 

William Clarke Somerville, son of William Somerville and Elizabeth Anna Hebb, was born 25 Mar 1790 at Mulberry Fields plantation in St Mary's County, Maryland.  He died 5 Jan 1826 in Courpalay, Seine-et-Marne, France and is buried on the estate of Marquie de Lafayette.   He never married.  

In 1806 he inherited Mulberry Fields plantation from his father.   In 1822 he purchased Sotterley Plantation from his nephew George Plater V and later that year purchased Stratford Hall (Robert E Lee's childhood home) from Henry Lee.

William was appointed by President John Quincy Adams as ambassador to Sweden and Norway on 9 Mar 1825. In August of the same year President Adams appointed him Political and Commercial Agent to Greece.  When he traveled there in Sep 1825 he left a caretaker and his enslaved at Stratford Hall.

Stratford Hall, Stratford, VA

Before War of 1812  Maryland  William C Somerville
48 Slaves

1821  Applied to the General Assembly to removed 2 of his enslaved, George and Jacob, from the District of Columbia to St Mary's County, MD, "for his use and benefit.."

1826  Death of William C Somerville  - in his will he left detailed instructions for the gradual manumission of his slaves and provisions for one, Jacob, to immediately purchase his freedom for $150.  William's sole heir and the executor of his estate was his brother, Henry Vernon Somerville.

After his death only a caretaker and a few enslaved remained at Stratford Hall. It is assumed his brother eventually moved the rest to his property in Maryland.

Will of William Clarke Somerville - written 20 Dec 1825  Manumission of Enslaved

William He bequeathed under the clause "all my property real and persona ," all my property real and persona," Stratford Hall and its furnishings and the greater portion of his other properties to his brother, Henry Vernon Somerville of Bloomsbury, near Baltimore. Bernard M Carter of Shirley, VA was one of the witnesses to the will.  
Clause:
" ... That as the existence of Slavery is an evil I deprecate and wish to mitigate as far as is consistent with justice to my brother, that he shall set free my negro slaves after they shall have served the periods hereinafter specified.  All those over 35 when they shall have attained the age of 42 -- all between 25 and 30 when they are 36 -- all between 15 and 20 when they are 32 -- and all under 15 when they shall (the males) attain the age of 28 and (the females) 25. 
N.B.Jacob that I bought is not to be included in the above, but in justice to the others must pay partly for himself, he must pay the sum of $150 to my brother, and this I interpret it literally....  I am so weak from bad health that it is painful for me to write...suppose he is prepared to do, as he wanted to pay $100 in part before I left home.
   It is my wish and request of my Brother that he shall see that the negroes are never ill treated and that he shall render their situation as comfortable as he can..."

Note:  William's brother, Henry, lost Stratford Hall because he didn't deal with the estate in a timely fashion. No mention in court documents (regarding his loss of Stratford Hall) of the enslaved, but some furnishings were sold at auction.

 

Henry Vernon Somerville, son of William Somerville and Elizabeth Anna Hebb, was born 2 March 1792 at Mulberry Fields plantation in St Mary's County, Maryland and died 26 Aug 1837 at Bloomsbury plantation, St Mary's County, Maryland.  On 26 Dec 1815 he married Rebecca Tiernan 1799-1863.

Rebecca Tiernan is the daughter of Luke Tiernan 1757 County Meath, Ireland -1839 Baltimore and Nancy Ann Owen 1776-1841. Luke was a founding member and in 1839 the treasurer of the Maryland Branch of the African Colonization Society whose purpose was to return African Americans to Africa.  The Maryland State Colonization Society was responsible for founding the Republic of Maryland in West Africa, a short lived independent state that in was annexed by Liberia in the 1850's. The goal of the Society was "to be a remedy for slavery," such that "slavery would cease in the state by the full consent of those interested."

Children of Henry V Somerville and Rebecca Tiernan:

• William Tiernan Somerville 1816-1857
• Ann Rebecca Somerville  1820-1847
• James Hopewell Somerville  1822-1850 
• Henry Vernon Somerville II  1824-1860
  
• Agnes Somerville 1826-1861  md Shields
  
• William Clarke Somerville 1827-1848
• Charles Tiernan Somerville 1829-1858
• Elizabeth Somerville 1831-1846
• Robert Coleman Brien Somerville 1833-1854
• Joseph Fowler Somerville 1835-1859

1810 Census  Potomac, MD  Henry Somerville
No Enslaved

1820 Census  Election District 5 Dorchester MD  Henry Somerville
7 Slaves:  1 M under 14, 1 M 14-25, 1 M 26-44, 1 M 45+, 2 F under 14, 1 F 26-44

1828 Runaways
In April 1828 runaways John and James caught, jailed, released to Henry V Somerville

1830 Census  Baltimore, MD  Henry Somerville
91 Slaves:  20 M under 10, 16 M 10-23, 7 M 24-35, 8 M 36-54, 1 M 55-99, 19 F under 10, 8 F 10-23, 6 F 24-35, 4 F 36-54, 1 F 55-99

1836 Runaways
Ads placed for 2 runaways, Thomas age 35 and Abraham age 35 by Henry V Somerville in Baltimore and Virginia newspapers.

1840 Census  District 1 Baltimore MD  Rebecca Somerville, widow of Henry
6 Free Colored Persons:  3 Males 36-54, 3 Females 36-54
21 Slaves:  7 M under 10, 2 M 10-23, 1 M 55-99, 6 F under 10, 3 F 10-23, 2 F 24-35

 

** 1850 Census  Dist 2 St Mary's County MD  -  African American Family  Dwelling 611 Family 622
Butler, Thomas 66, Black, Farmer, RE $80, born St Mary's County
   wife Milly 67, Black, born St Mary's County
Somerville, Wm N 26, Mulatto, Laborer, born St Mary's County
Somerville, Eliza A 25, Black, born St Mary's County
Somerville, Henry  27, Black, Laborer, born St Mary's County

Enslaved shipped to New Orleans to be sold  -  Henry V Somerville
Some could be enslaved bequeathed to him by his father.  I suspect those sent in 1830 and after are probably those that first were enslaved by William C Somerville and then bequeathed to Henry. Henry received 180 enslaved from William. (See portion of William's will above which gives specific instructions for manumission dates.  There was NO instruction for anyone to be sold.)  

Note: I believe there are family groups in these lists.

27 Nov 1819 Baltimore to NOLA - (Enslaved) Amie, F, age 17, 5'4" tall, Black. Shipper is David Williamson of Baltimore. Amie is consigned to Henry V Somerville at New Orleans. On ship Franklin. 

27 Nov 1819 Baltimore to NOLA - Henry V Somerville, owner, is on board the Franklin with 25 Enslaved to be sold:

• Stephen, M, 45, 5'10" tall, Black
• Nanny, F 35, 5'1 1/2" tall, Black
• Infant, M, 12 months old, Black
• Harriett, F 76, 5'2" tall, Dark Mulatto
• Jenny, girl, 11, 4'6" tall, Black
• Appy, F, child, 4, Black
• Isaac, M, 29, [illegible] Mulatto
• Sara, F, 45, [illegible], Black
• Geny, girl, 15, 5' tall, Dark Mulatto
• John, boy, 8, [illegible] Black
• Ransby, M, child, 4, 3' tall, Dark Mulatto
• Phil, M, of [illegible] 30, [illegible], Mulatto
• Biby, F, 28, 5'5" tall, Black
• Infant, F, 4 months, Dark Mulatto
• Nancy, F, 4, 3'1" tall, Mulatto
• Jerry, M, 2, 2' tall, Dark Mulatto
• Nat, M, 21, 5'6" tall, Black
• Charles, M 30, 5' 3" tall, Black
• Rosey, F, child, [illegible] 3' tall, Black
• Henry, M, 12, [illegible], Black
• [illegible], M, 45, Black
• Adam, M, 34, Black
• Lewis, M, 14, 5'6" tall, Dark Mulatto
• Tom, M, 30, 5' 11" tall, Black
• Harry, M, 16, 5' 5" tall, Black

27 Nov 1819 Baltimore to NOLA - Same ship the Franklin as above - FPOC Hetty and Infant, woman, 45, 5' 1/2" tall, Black.  Owner Henry V Somerville.  15 Dec 1819 Certificate of Freedom held by master of ship William Graham for the above named woman.

 

20 Apr 1829 Baltimore to NOLA on ship Topaz

• Anne Somerville, F, 27, Black
• William Henry Somerville, M, 1, Black
  

30 Oct 1829 Alexandria, DC to NOLA on ship the United States - Walter Somerville, M, 25, Black

8 June 1830 Baltimore to NOLA on the Schooner Emigrant, George L Rouse, ship master to NOLA to be sold or disposed of as slaves. Henry V Somerville owner and shipper:

• Tom, M, 46, 5' 10" tall, Dark Copper
• Ronsby, M, 19, 5' 8 1/2" tall, Dark Copper
• William, M, 15, 5' 2" tall, Mulatto
• Lewis, M 33, 5' 7" tall, Dark Copper
• Joe, M, 17, 5' 3"tall, Mulatto
• Ann Eliza, F, 17, 4' tall, Dark Copper
• Henrietta, female, 18 mos, 1' tall, Black

20 Dec 1834 Alexandria, DC to NOLA on ship Uncas - George Somerville, M, 24, Black

2 Dec 1835 Alexandria, DC to NOLA - Sarah Somerville, F, Black, 17, 

8 June 1836 Baltimore to NOLA  On schooner Emigrant of Baltimore, ship master George Le Rouse. 36 enslaved owned and shipped by Henry V Somerville to be sold or disposed of as slaves.  Note: 2 individuals with surnames.

• Nancy, F 55, 5' 1 1/2", Black
• Ann, F, 18, 5'4", Black
• Infant, F, Mulatto
• Sally, F, 52, 5'4", Dark Copper
• Harriett, F, 33, 5'2", Dark Copper
• Rosey, F, 19, 5'2", Dark Copper
• Infant child, M, Dark Copper
• Alexander, M, 2, Black
• Sarah, F 23, 5', Black
• Henrietta, F, 4, Dark Copper
• Jane, F 26,5'1", Dark Copper
• Rachael, F, 6, Dark Copper
• Louisa, F, 6, Dark Copper
• Hannah, F, 16, 5'3", Dark Copper
• Ambrose, M, 7, 4', Dark Copper
• Sarah Jr, F, 14, 5'1", Dark Copper
• Mary, F, 32, 5'5", Dark Copper
• William, M, 6, 3'9", Dark Copper
• Eliza, F, 2, Dark Copper
• Simeon, M, 22, 5'6 1/2", Dark Copper
• Charles, M, 48, 5'8" Black
• Jack Sampson, M, 70, 5'2 1/2", Dark Copper
• Adam, M, 50, 5'6" Black
• Grace, F, 71, 5', Dark Copper
• John, M, 18, 5'1", Black
• Wm Henry, M, 12, 4' 8 1/2", Dark Copper
• John Wilkes, M, 12, 8 1/2", Dark Copper
• Ambrose, M, 56, 5' 3", Dark Copper
• Henry, M, 22, 5'4", Black
• [illegible]atter or _attson, M, 37, 5', Black
• Jess, M, 26, 5'7", Dark Copper
• Jim, M, 25, 5'7 1/2", Black
• Susan, F, 28, 5'2", Black
• Caroline, F 25, 5' 1/2", Black
• Mary Ann, F, 2, Dark Copper
• Infant, F, Black

25 Oct 1836 Baltimore to NOLA on the Tweed

• Jacob Somerville, M, 32, Black
  
• George H Somerville, M, 7, Yellow
  
• James B Somerville, M, 6 months old, Yellow
  
• Sally Somerville, F, 32, Black
• Ann Somerville, F, 5, Yellow

1840 Baltimore to NOLA on the ship Eliza - Abram Somerville, M, 26, Black

Certificates of Freedom - St Mary's County, Maryland  -  Unless otherwise noted these people were manumitted in accordance with William Clarke Somerville's will. In some cases his brother Henry has sold them (or hired them out) until they reached their manumission date. 

 [Note:  the Certificates of Freedom for persons named Somerville who were free born are in a separate blog post.]

30 May 1832 - slave Nancy Young, age 24, dark Mulatto, 4' 11", daughter of negro woman Betty who was sold to Joseph Harris.  Freed by Joseph Harris by Bill of Sale from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville dated and recorded 3 Apr 1830 to Joseph Harris for a term of years.  

6 Dec 1837 - slave Tracey, age 38, freed by last will and testament of William C Somerville

28 Nov 1839 - slave Sommerset Somerville, age 53, Yellow complexion, 5' 4". of Baltimore City, raised in St Mary's County. Freed by last will and testament of William C Somerville.  Witness: Benjamin G Harris.

15 May 1840 - slave Betty, age 47, of Baltimore City, freed by last will and testament of William C Somerville.  Raised in St Mary's County, MD.  Witness: Benjamin G Harris.

15 May 1840 - slave Dianna Blakistone, age 52, Dark complexion, 5' 2". Scars: Has a long scar above the left eye, a large scar upon the shinbone of the left leg, has lost one of the front lower and upper teeth, has a bone breeder upon the middle finger of the left hand from which she has lost two bones. Freed by Joseph Harris by virtue of a Bill of Sale dated 3 Apr 1830 from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville.

5 Jan 1842 - free born Peter Somerville freed by last will and testament of William C Somerville

1 June 1844 - slave Jane Young, age 27, Yellow complexion, 4'1". Scars: two small moles near each other on the left side of her neck, has one other on the same side a little above the others and has a small mole on her temple near the corner of the right eye, has a scar on her right arm occasioned by a burn.  Freed by Joseph Harris by Bill of Sale from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville to Joseph Harris on 3 Apr 1830.  Witness: J Harris 

1 June 1844 - slave Henry Blakistone, age 28, 5'3". [records refer to them as female; name might be Henny]  Scars: Has a mole on her left cheek bone, has a small mole on the first and second joint of the forefinger of the left hand, has a small mole on the inside of her left hand on the first joint of her thumb, has a small scar on her right wrist.  Freed by Joseph Harris by Bill of Sale from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville to Joseph Harris on 3 Apr 1830.  Witness: J Harris 

1 June 1844 - slave Robert Young, age 28, Dark complexion.  Freed by a certain Henry V. Somerville, devisee of Wm. C. Somerville deceased by virtue of a bill of sale from Henry V. Somerville, devisee of William C. Somerville dated and recorded 3 April 1830 to Joseph Harris

1 June 1844 - slave Robert Young, age 29, Chestnut complexion, 5'5". Scars: Has a scar on his left arm about one and one quarter inches long from the cut of an axe, has a scar about one inch above the left eyebrow, two deep wrinkles extending across the forehead.  Freed by Joseph Harris by Bill of Sale from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville to Joseph Harris on 3 Apr 1830.  Witness: J Harris 

23 Oct 1844 - slave Kizza Somerville, age 52, 5' 3".  Scars: Has a scar on the back of her right hand occasioned by the bite of a dog, has a flesh mole on her back about the size of a five cent piece, has a dark spot on the inside of her right leg, has a spot on the inside of her right arm. Freed by Henry G S Key by virtue of Bill of Sale dated 2 Apr 1830 from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville, deceased.  Witness: H G S Key

20 Mar 1845 - slave William Tinney, age 31, 5' 5". Scars: Has phelm on his right eye, has two scars on the under lip, has a scar on the left side of the forehead near the hair, has a scar on the left side of the head, has a scar on the right elbow occasioned by the shot of a gun, has a scar on the left thumb.  Freed by Henry G S Key by virtue of Bill of Sale dated 2 Apr 1830 from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville to H G S Key.

15 Apr 1846 - slave Mary Eliza Somerville, age 15, 5' tall. Scars: Has a small mole on the palm of her right hand, two small scars on her forehead, has a small flesh mole on the left side of her nose and has several small spots under the out corner of her left eye.  Turned 15 years of age on 15 Dec 1845 - manumitted and set free 9 Apr 1846 by deed of manumission recorded in St Mary's County court.

6 Feb 1847 - slave Celia Somerville, age 26, Chestnut complexion, 4' 11".  Freed by Joseph Harris by virtue of a Bill of Sale from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville to Joseph Harris on 3 Apr 1830.

25 Aug 1848 -  slave George Finny, age 28, Chestnut complexion, 5' 7". Scars: Has a scar on the back of his right hand, the little finger of the left hand a little crooked, several small moles near his left eye, has a scar on the inside of his left ankle.  Freed by Henry G S Key by virtue of Bill of Sale from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville to H G S Key.

7 Nov 1849 - slave Maria Somerville, age 26, Bright complexion, 5'7". Scars: Has a small dark spot near the corner of the right eye, scar on finger next to thumb on right hand occasioned by a burn.  Freed by Mary Watts. Manumitted by virtue of a Bill of Sale. 

7 Nov 1849 - slave Thomas R Somerville, age 3, Dark copper complexion, 2' 11".  Scar on right knee bone.  Freed by Mary Watts. Manumitted by virtue of a Bill of Sale. 

7 Nov 1849 - slave Sarah Ann Somerville, age 6, Bright complexion, 3' 5". Scar on calf of right leg occasioned by a burn.  Freed by Mary Watts. Manumitted by virtue of a Bill of Sale.

15 Oct 1850 - free born Sally Somerville freed by last will and testament of William C Somerville

8 Dec 1853 - slave John Young, age 30, Bright complexion, 5' 10".  Scars: Has three scars on his left leg just below his knee, has a scar on the left side of his head, has a scar on the second finger of his right hand just across the joint, has lost one of his front teeth. Freed by Henry G S Key by virtue of Bill of Sale from Henry V Somerville devisee of William C Somerville to H G S Key dated 2 Apr 1830.

2 June 1858 - free born Henny Somerville freed by last will and testament of William C Somerville 

19 Oct 1860 - slave or FPOC Lucy Somerville, age 55, Dark copper complexion, 5' 3". Scars: Has a scar just under the right eye, lost all her teeth except two upper front and ten lower front teeth.  At the age of 11 Lucy was left free when she arrived at the age of 33 under the last will and testament of Rebecca Watts made 16 Jan 1816.  Witness: George R Clocker

Note: be sure to view the blog post listing free born Somerville African Americans' Certificates of Freedom for more of the enslaved of William C Somerville and his brother and heir Henry V Somerville.

 

Ann Rebecca Somerville, daughter of Henry V Somerville and Rebecca Tiernan, was born 18 Jan 1820 in Baltimore and died 29 Jan 1847 also in Baltimore.  She married Joseph G Waters who was born 1804 in Somerset County, Maryland and died 17 May 1874 in Baltimore.

 

1840 Census  Ward 9 Baltimore MD

1 Slave:  Female 10-23 

 

Agnes Somerville, daughter of Henry V Somerville and Rebecca Tiernan, was born 17 June 1826 in Baltimore, Maryland and died 26 Jan 1861 in Adams, Mississippi. She married William Shields 1817-1879. 

1860 Census  Adams Co MS
Wilmer 40
Agnes 33
Emma 10
Charles
B J Porter 39 bMS Overseer
W S Cole 34 bMS Overseer

 

1860 Slave Schedule Adams County MS
2 Slaves:  M 30, M 18

1867 Sep 6  Vidalia, Concordia County, LA    Freedmen's Bureau Record

Ben Mitchell vs G B Marshall
Long story involving Ben, FPOC, feeding his horse from Shields corn supply and not working. Clear that Shields doesn't live here and Marshall runs the place for him.  Maybe his father's old place:  Fish Pond Plantation. But this is G B Shields, yet Wilmer is involved. GB is in Europe.

Charles Tiernan Somerville, son of Henry V Somerville and Rebecca Tiernan, was born 8 Nov 1829 and died 23 Jul 1858 both in Maryland.

1850 Slave Schedule Dist 1 Baltimore MD
4 Slaves:  F 17 Mulatto, M 2 Mulatto, F 19 Mulatto, F 16 Mulatto

Emancipation of Enslaved of John Easter of Halifax County, Virginia

1 January 1798 - Halifax County, VA 

I, John Easter, emancipate my Negro woman Lucy and her child Nancy Brown.

Halifax County, VA Deed Book 17 pg 89

What Happened to Elsey, Johnson, Frances and George - the Enslaved of George W Keels

Will of George W Keels

As I research for my own tree I often find wills and other documents giving details about the enslaved, so I make notes.  That's the case with a recent will that I shared here and in one of my favorite Facebook groups.  I was researching the Muldrow family in Sumter County, South Carolina and a related Brockinton family in Williamsburg County.  That led to the will of George W Keels in which he bequeathed freedom to some of his enslaved.  

At the time of my Facebook post all I had was the will.  And I added that I wondered if Elsey and her children actually realized freedom.  That question wouldn't let go of me.  Here's what I've found so far, including a lot of background information.

This is like trying to follow a spider web. Where to start? And seemingly impossible to follow one thread without any detours.   First, a repeat of the will:

Will of George W Keels - Williamsburgh Dist SC - Written 17 Feb 1834

Item... I give and bequeath unto ELSY and her three children JOHNSON, FRANCES and GEORGE their freedom also twenty head stock cattle, my stock hogs, the plantation or tract of land whereon they now reside and the household and kitchen furniture which on said plantation with a request that my Executors hereafter named shall endeavor to have their freedom established.

Item   I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Julia Susannah Keels all the rest and residue of my Estate both real and personal.

Executors:  friends Morgan Sabb, Porter Oliver and Robert G Ferrill
Witnesses:  Francis B Nexson, Benjam Windam, G Gamble
Recorded 25 Feb 1834   Will Book B pg 89

Questions:

1. Did Elsy and her children obtain their freedom?  What happened to the property she was bequeathed?
   
2. Is it significant that Keels did not say "my Negro woman" Elsy and her three children?
3. What is the significance of Keels reference to "the plantation or tract of land whereon they now reside?"  Did Elsy and her children live separately?
4. Could Elsy be Native American?  While the Cherokee were death marched to Oklahoma territory, South Carolina allowed Native Americans to stay. 

Tragically, Elsey and her children did not gain their freedom until the end of the Civil War. In South Carolina, by 1820, an enslaved person could only be freed by an act of the legislature.  In 1822 free Blacks could not enter South Carolina and it was made illegal for the legislature to grant freedom.

In 1840 South Carolina enacted a Black Code which denied the enslaved the right to assemble, to produce food, to earn money, to learn to read and to possess any clothing but low quality garments.

Since the enslaved could own no property and there is no legal description of the tract of land where Elsy was living, it is not possible to trace the land granted to Elsy by George Keels. 

So, what happened to Elsy and her children?

George W Keels was born about 1801 and died Feb 1834 both in Williamsburg District, South Carolina.  He was the son of Isaac P Keels 1774-1822 and Susannah born about 1774 and died before 1821.    

George married Julia Susannah McDonald who died before 1830. They had one child, a daughter, Julia Susannah Keels.  She was born 1824 in Williamsburg District, South Carolina and died 6 Dec 1878 at Walhalla, Oconee County, South Carolina.  In 1841 she married Samuel Earle Maxwell. [see below]

1830 Census  Williamsburg Dist, SC  -  George W Keels
47 Slaves:  8 M under 10, 5 M 10-23, 3 M 24-35, 3 M 36-54, 1 M 55-99, 10 F under 10, 10 F 10-23, 2 F 24-35, 4 F 36-54, 1 F 55-99

1840 Census  Williamsburg Dist, SC  -  Estate of George W Keels
66 Slaves:  12 -  M under 10, 8 - M 10-23, 4 - M 24-35, 2 - M 55-99, 18 - F under 10, 14 - F 10-23, 6 - F 24-35, 2 - F 55-99.

There is no mention of George W Keels' estate in the 1850 Census.  In addition Elsey and her children are NOT listed in the Free Blacks and Mulattos list for the state of South Carolina.  I then checked the 1840 and 1850 censuses for Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Illinois and did not find them.

So I went back to the Keels family to see if I could find them still enslaved, but with some member of the Keels family.

George's father was Isaac Keels who was born 1774 in Summerton, Clarendon County, South Carolina and died before November 1822.  He was the son of John Keels 1750-1789 and Elizabeth Frierson 1745-1806.   Isaac married Susanna who was born about 1774 and died in 1721.

1790 Census Prince Fredericks, Georgetown, SC
7 Slaves

1820 Census Williamsburg Dist, SC
47 Slaves:  11 M under 14, 8 M 14-25, 4 M 26-44, 3 M 45+, 12 F under 14, 1 F 14-25, 4 F 26-44, 4 F 45+.

Will of Isaac Keels - written 2 July 1821 
Recorded 8 Nov 1822 Williamsburg Dist SC  Will Bk B pg 24

...to wife Susanna Keels during her natural life all my Negroes, stock of horses, cattle and hogs with all my household and kitchen furniture and mansion house.

Item  to daughter Catherine Gamble... Negroes Sam, Simon, old Molly, Cassius, Bonu, Maria, young Molly...with future increase...to her heirs and assigns forever.

Item   to son Samuel John Keels... Negroes Adam, ELSEY, Henry, Dorcas, Flora, Nancy, and Charles with future increase of the Females... to his heirs and assigns forever.

Item... to son Isaac Keels Junior... Negroes Neptune, Rhena and her children Sophia, Kinlock; Hanny and her children Aaron, Maggy and future increase with this reserve the said Negroes after my death are to remain in the hands and possession of my Executors... and by them hired out or put to some labor and profits arising from such hire or labor is to go to the immediate support and maintenance of my son Isaac Keels. But should he died without issue the above named Negroes and their increase, to be equally divided among all my heirs then living.

Item   to grandchildren John Isaac, James Keels, and Peter R Keels the younger, the following Negroes Old Billy, Nancy and Nancy's children Ben, Susan, William, Monday, Fortune, Far Mootus, Sam and Levina with this reserve to be put into the hands and possession of Peter R Keels after my death and the hire of labor of said Negroes to go to the immediate support education and tuition of my said two grandchildren until they arrive to the age of 21.

Item... to son George W Keels... Negroes Mingo, Nelly and Nelly's children: Binkey, Siah, Lizza, Moses, Binah, Jack, Emma and Cuff to him and his heirs and assigns forever.

Item  My will and desire is that the above lots of Negroes so willed devised and bequeathed to my children except grand children, above named, be appraised, when my son George W Keels arrives to the age of 21 years; and in the case of any deaths of my Negroes or otherwise deficient in value the lots so deficient to be made equal with the highest appraised lot of Negroes, and all other property I may die possessed of whatsoever consisting in my will to be equally divided between my children Catharine Gamble, Samuel John Keels, Isaac Keels Junior, George W Keels and their heirs then living

Item  to son George W Keels the plantation or tract of land, lying and being situated on the NE side of McGirts Swamp in Williamsburg District whereon I now live with my dwelling house after my wife's death. 

Item   ...after my wife's death, ... all the Negroes, with my stock, household and kitchen furniture that may be on my plantation or in the possession of my said wife at her death to be equally divided between my children... and their heirs and representatives then living.
Executor: wife Susanna Keels, son Samuel John Keels, Morgan Sabb, William Salters
Witnesses:  Morgan Sabb, Joseph Holding, P M Oliver

Location of Keels Plantation in Williamsburg Dist SC

Thinking that the Elsey named in Isaac's will could have been the same Elsy named in George's will, I looked at Samuel John Keels. I also noted that the Elsey in Isaac's will may not have yet had children, which means Johnson, Frances and George may have been born after July 1821.

Samuel John Keels, son of Isaac Keels, was born about 1796 in South Carolina.  I have yet to find much information about him. At the time of the 1820 Census he had no wife, but 3 daughters less than 10 years old.
1820 Census   Williamsburg Dist, SC
15 Slaves:  1 M under 14, 1 M 14-25, 2 M 45+, 6 F under 14, 4 F 14-25, 1 F 26-44.

In 1822 his father's bequest would add 7 enslaved.

It's possible that this is him in Charleston [and moving there would not be unusual for this family.] If it is him, he does not appear to still have Elsey and he has sold or otherwise reduced his number of enslaved.
1830 Census  Charleston Ward 4, Charleston, SC
3 Slaves:  1 M 24-35, 1 M 36-54, 1 F 10-23

If Samuel died or moved to Charleston before 1830, it would be reasonable to theorize that his brother George purchased Elsey from him.  This assumes Isacc's Elsey is the same enslaved woman as George's Elsy.

 

However, thinking about how the enslaved were often moved around between family members, I then looked for information about Isaac's father and siblings.

John Keels, brother if Isaac Keels (father of George W Keels), was born about 1767 and died 28 Oct 1820 in Williamsburg County, South Carolina.  He married Mary [surname unknown.]

1790 Census Prince Fredericks, Georgetown SC
3 Slaves

1810 Census  Williamsburg SC
No Slaves

1820 Census  Williamsburg SC
29 Slaves:  6 M under 14, 2 M 14-25, 4 M 26-44, 1 M 45+, 8 F under 14, 3 F 14-25, 3 F 26-44, 2 F 45+

Will of John Keels - written 27 Apr 1818 - Williamsburg District, SC
Recorded 1 Dec 1820   Will Bk A pg 60-61
... to wife Mary Keels negro slaves ELSEY, Cain, Sary and her 2 children Betty and Washington with future increase...
Item   to my sons Peter R Keels, James W Keels, Richard T Keels and Robert F Keels I give and devise the whole of my real Estate to be equally divided among them share and share alike to them and their heirs and assigns forever
Item   to my only daughter Mary Maria Keels... choice of a negro girl to be selected by her from among the residue of my negroes not herein already bequeathed to her and her heirs forever
Item   all the rest and residue of my personal Estate I give to my said children...
Item   ... should any of my said children die leaving no children that then ... [their] share ... be divided among my said children surviving.
Executors:  sons Peter R Keels and James W Keels
Witnesses:  Benjiman Blanchard, Wm F Blanchard, Wm N McDonald

 

Daniel Jackson Keels, brother of Isaac and John Keels, was born 1772 and died 1857 in Sumter County, South Carolina.  He married Sarah E Player/Thayer 1779-1859

1800 Census Salem, Sumter Dist SC
No Slaves  (9 whites)

1820 Census Sumter Co SC
No Slaves  (6 whites)

1830 Census  Sumter Co SC
No Slaves  (4 whites)

1840 Census  Sumter Co SC
No Slaves  (8 whites)

19 Jul 1850  Sumter, Sumter, SC  Agriculture Schedule
15 acres

Daniel died 6 Apr 1851 with no will leaving a personal estate in Sumter Dist with about $500
Appraisal and Inventory of Estate  24 July 1851
1 Negro Man GEORGE  $600
Very small estate with farm necessitites.
Appraisors:  R H Fullwood, Thomas Chandler Sr, John Frierson, James Moore
Admin of Estate: Daniel Keels Jr, Ezekial Keels and William Keels Sr  -  Bond paid 14 June 1851

Articles sold of the Est of Daniel Keels  29 Dec 1856
Negro man GEORGE $530 to Harriet Keels

 

Peter Keels, brother of Isaac, John and Daniel Keels, was born 20 Sep 1776 in Georgetown District, and died 1810 in Charleston, South Carolina.  He married Catharine.

1800 Census Charleston, SC
No slaves;   5 white people:  2 M under 10, 1 M 26-44, 1 F under 10, 1 F 26-44.

Probate  31 Aug 1810  Charleston, SC
Peter was a shop keeper and died intestate. His widow Catharine was made Administrator on 31 Aug 1810. Admin sworn the value of the estate does not exceed $200 or 8000. [Unclear the way it's recorded.]

So far we have an Elsey mentioned:

• John Keels will written 27 Apr 1818;  recorded 1 Dec 1820
• Isaac Keels will written 2 July 1821;  recorded 8 Nov 1822
• George W Keels will written 17 Feb 1834;  recorded 25 Feb 1834
  

Then I looked at George's Executors.  Of the three the only one I could find much of anything for is Morgan Sabb.  It adds what could be another twist to this story.  Morgan was born about 1774 and died 9 May 1847 and is buried in Rehoboth Cemetery, Claredon County, South Carolina.  He married #1 Mary Martha Lesesne who died 1830 and #2 Eliza Wheelden/Wheldon 1795-1850. Morgan owned property in Williamsburg and Sumter Districts, South Carolina.

1820 Census Williamsburg Dist SC
No Slaves

1830 Census Williamsburg Dist, SC
54 Slaves:   13 M under 10, 7 M 10-23, 7 M 24-35, 4 M 36-54, 1 M 55-99, 8 F under 10, 4 F 10-23, 8 F 24-35, 2 F 55-99

1840 Census Williamsburg Dist SC
63 Slaves: 12 M under 10, 11 M 10-23, 7 M 24-35, 4 M 55-99, 10 f under 10, 12 f 10-23, 2 f 24-35, 3 f 36-54, 2 f 55-99.

1840 Census Sumter, SC
21 Slaves: 5 M under 10, 1 M 10-23, 3 M 24-35, 1 M 36-54, 4 F under 10, 2 F 10-23, 2 F 24-35, 3 F 36-54

Will of Morgan Sabb  -  written 3 Apr 1847 - Sumter County, SC
Recorded 16 June 1847   Will Bk D 2 pg 224
[He gave all property in Sumter County to wife Eliza. Various other personal property to nephews. Williamsburg property be divided between the heirs of Peter M Oliver] EXCEPT FOR:
"It is my will and desire that my man Nero and his family shall be deliberated as far as the law will allow.  Namely his wife ELSEY, Nero, Thomas, Eliza, Morgan, Harriet, and Louisa. Dr S P Olivr and Benjamin R Oliver trustees for them"

13 July 1847 Inventory for Morgan Sabb, Sumter Dist
...
1 Negro man Jubiter  $550
1 Negro man Ben  $600
1 Negro man Toney  $600

14 July 1847 Inventory Appraisal   Williamsburg District SC
1 Negro Woman ELSEY and 6 children  [*no mention of adult Nero]
Elsey $200
Nero $350
Tomas $250
Eliza $250
Morgan $150
Harriet $100
Louisa $75 = $1375

1 Negro Woman Amaritta $200
Walley $400
Flora $400
hestor $250
Jane $260
Betty $175
William $100 = $1987

Old Bess $200
Roxcener $400
young Bess $350
Patty $200
Joffney $100
Sam $550
Esaw $450
Temby $150
Daniel $400 = $2800

Young York $400
Able $600
Joe $650
Jacob $50
Bob $400
Billy $300
Sharper $250
Sarah $150
Mariah $400 = $3400

Margarette $400
John $350
Venus $250
Cesar $150
Louis $125
Mary $125
Cisroe $100 = $1500

Old York and old Mary Ann $25  Expense for year. Each.
... more property
Appraisers:  James Staggers, James W Keels, Thos China

15 Jan 1848 filed with the court - Bills of Sale
Sold to Mrs. Eliza Sabb, widow of Morgan - Negro ELSEY & 7 children: Nero, Thomas, Eliza, Morgan, Harriet, Louisa and Mary   $1810  [No mention of the father Nero]

15 Jan 1848  Amount of the hire of the Negroes belonging to the Estate of Morgan Sabb Decd
To Samuel Guild:
   Sam $50
   Jane  $15
   Venus  $13
To J M Staggers
   York  $53
   Roxana  $30
   Flora  $30
To C Mitchner?
   Esau  $50
   Jacob  $5
To Mrs L Baxter
   Daniel  $55
To George W Hodge
   Walley $50.50
   Hectors  $6
to W Johnson
   Abel  $55
to Dr J MaCauley
   Joe  $50
   John  $20
to Benj Windham
   Teneby  $31
to A A Mitcher
   Bob  $31
to Andrew Mitte   
   Bob  $31
to C A  Screrie?
   Bess  $30
to John Baggete
   Patty  $40
to D Jones
   Amarita  $30

These records go thru 1855

Could this be Elsey with siblings of the older Johnson, Frances and George?  Or did Elsey end up with George W Keels' daughter?

George's will gives his entire estate (excepting freedom and property to Elsey) to Julia Susannah Keels, daughter of George W Keels 1801-1834 and Julia Susannah McDonald, was born 1824 in Williamsburg County, South Carolina and died 6 Dec 1878 at Walhalla, Oconee County, South Carolina.

Julia married Samuel Earle Maxwell who was born 1818 at River Place, Pickens County, South Carolina and died 19 Oct 1884 at Walhalla, Oconee, South Carolina.  He was the son of John Maxwell 1791-1870 [s/o Robert Maxwell 1753-1797 and Mary Anderson 1766-1837] and Elizabeth Hampton Earle 1801-1872.

Samuel Maxwell was a Planter and owned Maxwell Bottom Plantation and Toxaway Plantation on the Tugaloo River.  In 1850 the family lived in the Western Division, Anderson County, South Carolina.

1850 Slave Schedule  Western Division, Anderson, SC
12 Slaves:  70 F, 32 M, 26 F, 25 M, 18 F, 16 F, 15 M, 10 M, 8 M, 5 M, 2 M, 3/12 F

1850 Slave Schedule  Western Division, Pickens, SC
66 Slaves:  70 F, 55 M, 40 M, 35 M, 35 M, 35 F, 35 F, 35 F, 35 F, 35 F, 35 F, 35 F, 6 - 25 F, 17 M, 18 M, 19 M, 29 F, 21 F, 16 F, 16 M, 13 M, 14 M, 4 - 14 F , 3 -11 f, 10 M, 10 M, 10 F, 10 F, 8 M, 3-9 M, 4-8 F, 3-6 M, 2 - 6 F, 5 - 5 M,  3 - 4 M, 3 - 4 F, 3 F, 3 M, 2 M, 1 M, 1 F

In 1860 they lived at Pendleton, Anderson County, South Carolina and were listed with a Real Estate Value of $30,000 and Personal Estate valued at $140,000.

1860 Slave Schedule   Pendleton, Anderson, SC
16 Slaves:  M 35, F 34, M 30, F 24, M 19, F 13, M 12, M 12, F 10, M 9, M 1, M 6/12, F 6/12, F 7, F 6, F 4.

1860 Slave Schedule   2nd Regt. Pickens County, SC
114 Slaves:  F 26, F 14, F 5, F 19, F 3, F 1, F 31, F 29, F 13, F 12, F 8, F 5, F 2/12, F 4, F 1, F 36, F 50, F 10, F 27, F 26, F 12, F 8, F 10, F 6, F 7, F 1, F 29, M 20, F 10, F 13, F 7, M 75, F 9, M 15, M 13, M 11, M 19, M 16, M 28, M 4, M 3, M 2, M 12, M 1, M 10, M 6, M 27, M 17, M 13, M 22, M 16, M 14, M 9, M 28, M 5, M 3, M 97, M 3, M 9, M 23, M 1, M 24, M 4, M 57, M 16, M 12, M 12, M 23, M 5, M 3, M 6/12, M 8/12, M 1, M 38, M 6, M 3, M 53, M 15, M 9, M 52, M 14, M 9, F 18, F 18, M 2, F 13, M 4/12, F 75, M 6/12, F 45, F 45, F 19, F 45, F 15, F 21, F 16, F 2, F 3, F 23, F 47, F 1, F 14, F 25, F 11, F 7, F 4, F 78, F 6, F 17, F 3/12, F 20, F 18, F 27, F 2, F 20

On 27 Sep 1865 Samuel Maxwell and 73 workers signed a contract with the Freedmen's Bureau in Anderson County, South Carolina.  Workers were to receive:  their patches, 1/2 of the rice raised on the plantation, 100 bushels of corn of the crop made this season, plus rations, material for clothing, shoes and medical attendance.  The contract was signed at Toxaway Plantation:

November
Margaret
Tenus Maxwell  - see below for more information about this man
Mary Maxwell - wife of Tenus
Waster
Eliza
?piaay
Kezzie
Billy
Milly
Nancy
Hester
Tillie
July Keels
Providence
Silvy
Sandy
Ginger
February
Tuesday
Wednesday Keels
Tice
Cuff
August
Monday
Pompey Keels
Molly
Adaline
Cinda
Tams/Tom
Dafney
Primus
Tener / Tena Frierson - see note below
Jack
Kate
October Goodine
Flora
Margaret
Saturday
Handy
Biner
Louisa
ELSY
Henry
September
Becka
Josh Reed
Binkey Reed - wife of Josh
January
Sarah
Malvena
Chany
Ida
Amos
Jack
Peggy
Mingo
Harriet
March
December
Thursday
Limene
Caesar
Rachel
May
Minda
Venus
Charley
FRANCES
GEORGE
Sunday
Bonus
Bettie
** Surnames taken later: Keels, Goodine, Maxwell.  Note: very few of Samuel Maxwell's formerly enslaved took the surname Maxwell.
** When Tena Frierson died in September 1872 it was reported she was over 100 years old and had been with the white Maxwells since 1811 and earlier with Major Keels, Maxwell's father-in-law. Maxwell praised her "irreproachable character for honesty, fidelity and truth." She still lived with the Maxwells.  [African American Life in South Carolina's Upper Piedmont 1780-1900 by W J Megginson.]

1865 Freedmen's Bureau Contract with Samuel Maxwell

No sign (so far) of Elsey, Johnson, Frances or George in the 1870 and 1880 Censuses.

1870 Census  Tugaloo, Oconne, SC  -  Post Office is Walhalla
Maxwell, Samuel -White-   farmer   Real Est Val $6500  Pers Est Val $500

Next door:
Maxwell, F L [Samuel's son] -White- 25, farmer Real Est Val $3500  Personal Est Val $100
   wife Kate 23  bSC
   dau Kate  3
   dau Nanny  7/12

Next door:
Maxwell, Robert -Black- 27 Farm laborer
   wife [name is blank] 23

Next door:
Keels, Wednesday -Black- 23  farm laborer
   wife Hannah 20
   son Frank  13
   son George K  7/12

Next door:
Maxwell, Tennell / Tenus - Black - 50 farm laborer Real Est Val $135  Pers Est Val $335
   wife Mary  50
   son B T  18
   dau Clarissa  16
   son Adam T  11
Tenah   100  bVA   [this is probably Tenah Frierson]

Next door:
Reed, Lucy  - Black - 32
   dau Amelia  6
Keels Anaz  5
Keels, Liza  6

Next Page:
Keels, Fuller -Black - 65 female
   Silvy  25

Next door:
Keels, Emery  - Black - 27

Same house but separate family:
Keels, Dendy  -Black - 35 farmer
  wife Betty  26
   dau Mary  6
   Lena  4
   Mary  2
   Johm  6/12

Next door:
Keels, July -Black- 30  farmer
   wife Rebecky  18
   son Mingo  2
Next page begins all whites.

In 1871 Samuel sold 817 acres to G K Keels in exchange for canceling a debt owed by Samuel of $1250.24.  This is the same land sold to Tenus Maxwell who paid $400 more. Oconne Deed Book B p130; Deed Book D p325.

When Samuel sold the 817 acres, he still had 3,000 and noted "there being now 14 families on the place."

In 1874 Tenus Maxwell (formerly enslaved of Samuel Maxwell) purchased 817 acres of Toxaway Plantation for $1800. He'd registered to vote in October 1867 and ran for county commissioner in 1874 and lost.  He was a preacher, built a church on his land and died 1885. All of his adult children had moved to Georgia.  The Toxaway Cemetery is reached only by 4 x 4, but directions are at the bottom of this post.

1880 Census  Tugaloo, Oconee, SC

Maxwell, Samuel - White - 65  Farmer  Living alone

Previous page so a few houses away:
Keels, July - Black - 35 Farm Laborer
  wife Rebecca  30
  Mingo  12
   Roxie  8
   Perry  6
   Carrie  3
   Sissie bOct 1879

About 3 houses away:
Reed, Joshua  - Black - 70  Farmer  [Could be Keels]
   wife Binky  70
   dau Ida  20
   dau Muly  16
   dau Lucy  45

Next door:
Keels, Pompey  -Black - 55  farm laborer
   wife Betty  45
   dau Sooky  16  farm laborer
   son Monroe  15  farm laborer
  dau Billah / Binah  13

Next door:
Maxwell, Tennel/Tenus  - Black - 62  Farmer 
   wife Mary 50
   Adam 22 Mulatto  nephew
   Alfred  21  nephew
  Johnson  14  nephew
  James 10 nephew
   Malissa  16 niece
   Emily  15 niece
   Nelly  14  niece
   Sarah  40 niece
   Hagar  9 niece

2 doors away:
Maxwell, Frank - White - 35  Farmer  [s/o Samuel & Julia Maxwell]
   wife  Kate  33
   Katie  12
   Nannie  10
   George  8
   Franklin? 6
   Julia  4
   Annie  2

I hadn't found any mention of Johnson Keels until I considered that Elsey and her children may have been Native American.  There are many listings in the Choctow and Chickasaw Nation related to a Johnson Keels who died 1 Dec 1903.  He may have been the grandson of Elsey.  This Johnson Keels was married to Alice and when she applied for land in Indian Territory her address was Oconee County, South Carolina. 

Johnson Keels was enrolled as a citizen by blood of the Chickasaw Nation on 12 Dec 1902, approved by the US Secretary of the Interior. He was entitled to land but had not selected it for himself before his death in 1903.  His widow was granted 160 acres in Oklahoma (legal description and detailed maps available from the Chaloklowa Chickasaw headquartered in Indiantown, South Carolina)  Johnson and Alice had a daughter Eula who also applied for land as a minor and was granted 170 acres on 16 Jan 1904.

It's possible that the George Keels listed in the Agriculture Schedule 19 June 1880 in Hope, Williamsburg County, South Carolina with 25 acres is the son of Elsy.  To date I've found no other information, other than the 1865 Freedmen's Bureau contract.

Map showing a portion of Toxaway Plantation

The Toxaway Plantation cemetery is located at: Latitude N34 40.948   Longitude W83 11.604  and is located on that portion of the plantation that was purchased by Tenus Maxwell in 1874.
 
Directions:

• Locate intersection of Highways 76 & 123.
• Drive 4.9 miles W on Highway 76.
• Turn left on Welcome Church Road and drive 1.3 miles NW.
• Turn right on Wilderness Trail and drive 0.3 miles W.
• Camp Office is at the end of this road.
• There is a cemetery path to the left of the office as you face it.
• There is a dirt road on the left just before you come to the office.
• You MUST USE a 4x4 vehicle when driving down this road!
• Drive 0.3 miles until you come to a intersecting dirt road on the right.
• Cemetery is on a hill to the right of this intersection.