This post is dedicated to the tragedy of slavery, and in particular slavery as perpetuated by my ancestors. It lists every person enslaved by one of my direct ancestors and the information we have about them. I will update it as I find new information. I've organized it by the last name of the enslaver, on the theory that that name may have been adopted by the enslaved person as well. Otherwise, I have no last names for any of the people listed here. Hopefully, this may be useful to someone searching for their ancestry among those who frequently went unnamed.
Many myths about slavery are found in our history classes, and especially among white Americans. It is a myth, for example, that slaves - particularly house slaves - were generally well-treated by their masters; that slaves were better off under the "protection" of their enslavers than on their own; or that Black American slaves were no worse off than Irish potato farmers, or Jewish ghetto dwellers, or 19th century tenement laborers. Certainly, people of African-American descent have no monopoly on oppression, but the U.S. institution of slavery was so brutal, so horrific, so evil, that it belongs in a class of its own. Many slaves and former slaves told their own stories, and these are easily accessible on-line (although painful to read). Some places to begin: the WPA former slave narratives, Frederick Douglass's autobiography, Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl by Harriet Ann Jacobs, or Twelve Years a Slave by Solomon Northup (the book, not the movie, although I hear that is good, too. I'm not a movie person). For a more analytical/historical perspective, an excellent resource is the History of American Slavery podcast by Slate Academy.
Slavery was the foundation on which this republic was built, so it is no surprise that its ripple effects continue to be felt today. One blog post cannot do justice to this topic, but some accessible authors include Ta-Nehisi Coates (personally I think his Pulitzer-winning work on reparations isn't even his best writing even on this topic. For a short intro, I highly recommend his appearance on Bill Moyers's show.); Isabel Wilkerson's book The Warmth of Other Suns, which focuses on the Great Migration but roots it clearly in the post-slavery period; for more technical work, try the publications of sociologist Rodney D. Coates (who is not, to my knowledge, a relative of Ta-Nehisi Coates) or political scientist William A. Darity.
Please note that it is extremely disturbing to read about families torn apart and people referred to as property. Also, primary documents use words that we would not today, but this post maintains the original language, to bear witness.
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| Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen |
Name: Jane, Date of birth: Before 1764 (based on the fact that she had multiple children by 1784), location: North Carolina in 1784. Enslaver: John Baird and then Frances Scott Bradner Baird, and then Frances Baird Gilliland (their daughter), Details: In John Baird's will, dated February 20, 1784, "I give and bequeath unto Frances Baird my dearly and well-beloved wife, a negro wench named Jane and her youngest child named Tom". Because it says "her youngest child", I wonder if some of the other people who were willed away were other children of hers. Frances Baird made her own will on January 6, 1786, and in it she mentioned Jane. "I bequeath unto my daughter Frances, married to Alexander Gilleland a negro wench named Jane to her and to her heirs and assigns forever". No mention is made of Jane's son, Tom, suggesting he had died or been sold before this time.
Name: Tom (son of Jane), Date of birth: before 1784, location: North Carolina in 1784. Enslaver: John Baird and then Frances Scott Bradner Baird, Details: In John Baird's will, dated February 20, 1784, "I give and bequeath unto Frances Baird my dearly and well-beloved wife, a negro wench named Jane and her youngest child named Tom". Because the will says "her youngest child", I wonder if some of the other people who were willed away were siblings of Tom.
Name: Nell, Date of birth: by 1764 (adult by 1784), location: North Carolina in 1784. Enslaver: John Baird, and then Eleanor Baird Witherspoon (his daughter). Details: In John Baird's will, dated February 20, 1784, "I will and bequeath to my well beloved daughter, Eleanor Witherspoon, all that tract or parcel of land on both sides of Little Catawba Creek including part of the meadow below the old mill containing two hundred and thirty-three acres, also a certain negro woman Nell To her and the heirs of her body or their heirs or assigns forever."
Name: Gilly, Date of birth: by 1764 (adult by 1784), location: North Carolina in 1784. Enslaver: John Baird and then Adam Baird (his son). Details: In John Baird's will, dated February 20, 1784, "I give and bequeath to my well beloved son, Adam Baird, the tract of land on the two small branches of Little Catawaba containing one hundred acres and one negro named Gilly, to him and his heirs and assigns forever."
Name: Harry, Date of birth: before 1784, location: North Carolina in 1784. Enslaver: John Baird and then Sarah Baird Martin (his daughter). Details: In John Baird's will, dated February 20, 1784, "I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter, Sarah Martin, one negro boy named Harry, to her and the heirs of her body and their assigns forever." It is possible that Harry was the son of Jane, since she is described has having more than one child. It is also possible that Harry is the son of the man named Harry (see below), just based on the shared name.
Name: Harry, Date of birth: by 1764 (an adult by 1784), location: North Carolina in 1784. Enslaver: John Baird and then Frances Baird Gilliland (his daughter). Details: In John Baird's will, dated February 20, 1784, "I give and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Frances Gilliland, one negro man named Harry to her and the heirs of her body or their assigns forever." It is possible that Harry was the father of the boy named Harry (see above), just based on the shared name.
Name: Jack, Date of birth: by 1784, location: North Carolina in 1784. Enslaver: John Baird and then Anne Baird Brown (his daughter). Details: In John Baird's will, dated February 20, 1784, "I will and bequeath to my well beloved daughter Anne Brown, as above mentioned, one negro boy named Jack, to her and the heirs of her body or their assigns forever." Jack may have been the son of Jane, since she is mentioned as having other children.
Name: Jean, Date of birth: by 1788 (described as a woman in 1808), location: Lincoln County, North Carolina in 1808. Enslaver: James Baird and then, possibly, Nancy Meney Baird (his wife). Details: In James Baird's will of October 9, 1808, he leaves to his wife "one Negro Woman Jean or Ann and to have her Choice of them." It may be possible that Jean was the same woman as Jane, mentioned above (the two names were often used interchangeably in the 18th century), who was enslaved under James' father John Baird and was willed with her youngest child to John's wife (James's mother) Francis Baird. Francis Baird willed Jane to her daughter, Frances Gilliland, though, not to her son.
Name: Ann, Date of birth: by 1788 (described as a woman in 1808), location: Lincoln County, North Carolina in 1808. Enslaver: James Baird and then, possibly, Nancy Meney Baird (his wife). Details: In James Baird's will of October 9, 1808, he leaves to his wife "one Negro Woman Jean or Ann and to have her Choice of them."
At least two more people, names: unknown, Dates of birth: by 1808, Location: Lincoln County, North Carolina in 1808. Enslaver: James Baird. Details: In James Baird's will of October 9, 1808, he states, "is my will that all my negroes will be sold not above [withheld?] and that the family may go together if it can be done." He named two women (Jean and Ann) in his will, so this sentence suggests he had at least two more people held in slavery, and at least one family.
Possible last name of Ammon:
Name: Katherine, Date of birth: before September 19, 1757, Location: St. Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia. Enslaver: Christopher Ammon. Details: The vestry book for St. Peter's Parish in New Kent County, Virginia, has a listing of baptisms, including "September 19, 1757: Katherine (Negro Girl belonging to Christopher Ammon)." There is no record of her mother or father. St. Peter's is an Episcopal church and many prominent Virginians were members there, including George Washington, who was married there in 1759. Christopher Ammon's own children were baptized there as well, between 1735 and 1755.
Name: Ben, Date of birth: before February 5, 1757, Location: St. Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia. Enslaver: Christopher Ammon. Details: The vestry book for St. Peter's Parish in New Kent County, Virginia, has a listing of baptisms, including "February 5, 1757: Ben (Negro Boy belonging to Christopher Ammon)." There is no record of his mother or father. St. Peter's is an Episcopal church and many prominent Virginians were members there, including George Washington, who was married there in 1759. Christopher Ammon's own children were baptized there as well, between 1735 and 1755.
Name: Jude, Date of birth: before February 5, 1757, Location: St. Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia. Enslaver: Christopher Ammon. Details: The vestry book for St. Peter's Parish in New Kent County, Virginia, has a listing of baptisms, including "February 5, 1757: Jude (Negro Girl belonging to Christopher Ammon)." There is no record of her mother or father. St. Peter's is an Episcopal church and many prominent Virginians were members there, including George Washington, who was married there in 1759. Christopher Ammon's own children were baptized there as well, between 1735 and 1755.
Name: Unknown, Date of birth: around January 21, 1773, Location: St. Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia. Enslaver: Christopher Ammon (although it is possible this is actually a son of of the Christopher Ammon from whom I'm descended) Details: The vestry book for St. Peter's Parish in New Kent County, Virginia, has a listing of baptisms, including "1773. Negro child belonging to Christopher Amons. Bapti Jan'ry 21." There is no record of the child's mother or father. Other children in the vestry book were all named, so I wonder if the fact that this child was not named suggests that he or she did not survive? St. Peter's is an Episcopal church and many prominent Virginians were members there, including George Washington, who was married there in 1759. Christopher Ammon's own children were baptized there as well, between 1735 and 1755.
Possible last name of Welsheimer:
Name: unknown, Sex: female, date of birth: by 1800, location: Virginia in 1820. Enslaver: Philip Welsheimer, Details: There are documents from 1820 when the Welsheimer family moved from Virginia to Ohio, showing that Philip Welsheimer sold two slaves. Who these enslaved people are is not at all clear, but according to Welsheimer 1969, David Dean, who was the son of Philip's daughter, Anne (and my great-great-grandfather) remembered his mother's story of "seeing the negress who had cared for the children standing on a hillside, waving good-bye as they left Virginia." I assume she was one of the people sold, but it is possible that she was a third slave who was left with other members of the Welsheimer family.
Name: unknown, date of birth: unknown, location: Virginia in 1820. Enslaver: Philip Welsheimer, Details: There are documents from 1820 when the Welsheimer family moved from Virginia to Ohio, showing that Philip Welsheimer sold two slaves, one for about a thousand dollars, and the other "much less" (Welsheimer 1969). One of these slaves was probably the woman mentioned above. We do not know anything about the other person.
Possible last name of Cox:
Name: Robin, date of birth: unknown (adult by 1692?), location: Henrico County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Cox, and then Richard Cox. Details: In John Cox's will of February 19, 1692, he gave "To son Richard Cox, a negro named Robin". Two other enslaved people are mentioned in the will, an adult woman named Betty and a child named Molley. It is possible that Robin was the husband/father of Betty and Molley.
Name: Molley, date of birth: child in 1692, location: Henrico County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Cox, and then Henry Cox. Details: In John Cox's will of February 19, 1692, he gave "To son Henry Cox, the bed I lie on and negro child Molley". Two other enslaved people are mentioned in the will, an adult woman named Betty and an adult? man named Robin. It is possible that Molley was the daughter of Betty and Robin.
Name: Doll, date of birth: around 1692, location: Henrico County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Cox and then his grandson George Cox. Details: Book 6 of the Henrico Co. Records records a deed dated October 2, 1693, as follows; "Know all men by these presents that I, John Cox, Sen. of the County and parish of Henrico, planter, doe out of the love and affection for which I bear unto my son, Bartholomew Cox, and Rebecka his wife, and for yee advancement and promotion of their son George, have given, granted, aliened, assigned, and sett over and by these presents doe freely, clearly , and absolutely give, grant, alien, assign and set over unto my sd. Grandson, George Cox, ye son of Bartholomew Cox and Rebecka his wife, one Negro girl called Doll, being about a year old, to have and to hold the sd. girl and the issue of her body forever. As witness my hand this eleventh July, 1693" (pg. 439).
Name: Jack, date of birth: called "boy" in May 1754, location: Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: Frederick Cox, and then John Cox his son Details: In the will of Frederick Cox, he wrote "I give my Negro Boy Jack [to?] my Son John when he is at full age or after his Mothers Decease."
Name: Philis, date of birth: adult? by May 1754, location: Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: Frederick Cox, and then Elizabeth Cox. Details: In the will of Frederick Cox, he wrote "Philis and Sarah I lend to my loving Wife during her Natural Life she and their increase to be equally divided between my five Daughters."
Name: Sarah, date of birth: adult? by May 1754, location: Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: Frederick Cox, and then Elizabeth Cox Details: In the will of Frederick Cox, he wrote "Philis and Sarah I lend to my loving Wife during her Natural Life she and their increase to be equally divided between my five Daughters."
Possible last name of Hopkins:
Name: Annaky, date of birth: before Feb 21, 1803, location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: Francis Hopkins and then Jane Cox Hopkins (his wife). Details: In his will dated February 21, 1803, Francis Hopkins wrote "I lend to my wife, Jane Hopkins, during her natural life my plantation whereon I now live, except the parts in possession of my sons, John and Price Hopkins. I also lend her all my household and kitchen furniture, plantation utensils, etc.; also, four negroes, to- wit: Annaky, Nancy, Sooky and Peter"
Name: Nancy, date of birth: before Feb 21, 1803, location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: Francis Hopkins and then Jane Cox Hopkins (his wife). Details: In his will dated February 21, 1803, Francis Hopkins wrote "I lend to my wife, Jane Hopkins, during her natural life my plantation whereon I now live, except the parts in possession of my sons, John and Price Hopkins. I also lend her all my household and kitchen furniture, plantation utensils, etc.; also, four negroes, to- wit: Annaky, Nancy, Sooky and Peter"
Name: Sooky, date of birth: before Feb 21, 1803, location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: Francis Hopkins and then Jane Cox Hopkins (his wife). Details: In his will dated February 21, 1803, Francis Hopkins wrote "I lend to my wife, Jane Hopkins, during her natural life my plantation whereon I now live, except the parts in possession of my sons, John and Price Hopkins. I also lend her all my household and kitchen furniture, plantation utensils, etc.; also, four negroes, to- wit: Annaky, Nancy, Sooky and Peter"
Name: Peter, date of birth: before Feb 21, 1803, location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: Francis Hopkins and then Jane Cox Hopkins (his wife). Details: In his will dated February 21, 1803, Francis Hopkins wrote "I lend to my wife, Jane Hopkins, during her natural life my plantation whereon I now live, except the parts in possession of my sons, John and Price Hopkins. I also lend her all my household and kitchen furniture, plantation utensils, etc.; also, four negroes, to- wit: Annaky, Nancy, Sooky and Peter". It is possible that Peter is the same man as the child who was born December 13, 1726, in New Kent County (see below), but that would put him in his late 70s by 1803, which would be an unusually long lifespan for the time. I'm listing the two records of Peter separately, because it's possible that this Peter was the son or grandson of the other Peter (if related at all.)
Name: Peter, Date of birth: December 13, 1726, Location: New Kent County, Virginia. Enslaver: William Hopkins. Details: The Parish Register for St. Peter's Parish in New Kent County, Virginia, has a listing of baptisms, including "Peter a negro of Wm. Hopkins born Decembr 13th 1726." There is no record of his mother or father. St. Peter's is an Episcopal church and many prominent Virginians were members there, including George Washington, who was married there in 1759. William Hopkins' own children were baptized there as well, between 1728 and 1737. Peter may have been the same Peter mentioned in the will of William's son, Francis (see above), but I listed the two records separately, since the Peter born in 1726 would have been in his late 70s by the time of Francis's death. Although it is possible he lived that long, that is a very long lifespan for colonial Virginia, so I think it more likely that the Peter mentioned in 1803 was a younger man named for this Peter, perhaps his son or grandson.
Name: Joe, Date of birth: September 10, 1729, Location: New Kent County, Virginia. Enslaver: William Hopkins. Details: The Parish Register for St. Peter's Parish in New Kent County, Virginia, has a listing of baptisms, including "Joe a negro boy belonging to Wm. Hopkins born Septr 10th, 1729." There is no record of his mother or father. St. Peter's is an Episcopal church and many prominent Virginians were members there, including George Washington, who was married there in 1759. William Hopkins' own children were baptized there as well, between 1728 and 1737.
Name: Phil, Date of birth: April 24 1736, Location: New Kent County, Virginia. Enslaver: William Hopkins. Details: The Parish Register for St. Peter's Parish in New Kent County, Virginia, has a listing of baptisms, including "Phil Negro boy belonging to William Hopkins born April 24." There is no record of his mother or father. St. Peter's is an Episcopal church and many prominent Virginians were members there, including George Washington, who was married there in 1759. William Hopkins' own children were baptized there as well, between 1728 and 1737.
Possible last name of Chastain:
Name: Robert. Date of birth: before 1714. Location: Manakintown, Virginia. Enslaver: Pierre Chastain. In the Vestry Book of King William Parish, "Robert, negro" is listed as one of the tithable people (along with Pierre) in Pierre Chastain's household. Please note that this may mean Robert was not enslaved but rather a servant.
Name: Billander. Date of birth: adult in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his wife Charlotte Judith Chastain. In John's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his wife, Charlotte Judith, "a Negro woman Billander and Negro man Mingo". Since Billander and Mingo were kept together, perhaps they were a couple? If so, they were potentially the parents of one or more of the children who were also divided by the will. Their names were Hannah, Myrtillo, Phyllis, Will, and Docus.
Name: Mingo. Date of birth: adult in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his wife Charlotte Judith Chastain, later his son, John Jr., later John Jr.'s daughter, Fanny.. In John's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his wife, Charlotte Judith, "a Negro woman Billander and Negro man Mingo". Since Billander and Mingo were kept together, perhaps they were a couple? If so, they were potentially the parents of one or more of the children who were also divided by the will. Their names were Hannah, Myrtillo, Phyllis, Will, and Docus. It is likely that Mingo is the same man who is later mentioned in the will of John Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807 in Bedford County. In that will, "Negro Mingo" was given to John Jr.'s daughter Fanny. No mention is made of Billander in this later will. She may have already died or been sold away from her family. Of the children, Hannah and Phyllis were mentioned (and separated) in the later will.
Name: Hannah. Date of birth: described as "girl" in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his son John Chastain Jr, later to John Jr's son, Stephen. In John Sr's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his son, "one Negro girl called Hannah". Hannah was potentially the daughter of Billander and Mingo, and the sister of Myrtillo, Phyllis, Will, and/or Docus. It is likely that Hannah is the same woman who is later mentioned in the will of John Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807 in Bedford County. In that will, "2 Negroes Hannah and Tom" were given to John Jr.'s son Stephen. Mingo was also mentioned in the will, as was Phyllis (both were separated from their family, if indeed they were related to Hannah). No mention is made of Billander in this later will. She may have already died or been sold away from her family.
Name: Prince. Date of birth: adult in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his daughter Mary Chastain Witt and her husband, Benjamin. In John Sr's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his daughter, "one Negro man called Prince".
Name: Bett. Date of birth: adult in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his daughter Judith, later his son John Jr., later John Jr's son John. In John Sr's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his daughter, "one Negro woman called Bett and one Negro girl called Myrtillo". Since Bett and Myrtillo were kept together, perhaps they were mother and daughter? It is likely that Bett is the same woman who is later mentioned in the will of John Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807 in Bedford County. In that will, "Negro Bett" was given to John Jr.'s son John. No mention is made of Myrtillo in this later will. She may have already died or been sold away from her family.
Name: Myrtillo. Date of birth: described as a "girl" in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his daughter Judith. In John Sr's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his daughter, "one Negro woman called Bett and one Negro girl called Myrtillo". Since Bett and Myrtillo were kept together, perhaps they were mother and daughter?
Name: Phyllis. Date of birth: described as a "girl" in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his daughter Jane, later his son John Jr., later John Jr's daughter, Mary "Molly" Chastain. In John Sr's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his daughter, "one Negro girl called Phyllis and one Negro boy called Will, one Negro girl called Docus". These children potentially were the children of Billander and Mingo, or of Bett. It is likely that this Phyllis is the same woman who is later mentioned in the will of John Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807 in Bedford County. In that will, "Phillis and a boy" were given to John Jr.'s eldest daughter, Molly. The boy may have been Phyllis's son.
Name: Unknown. Date of birth: described as a "boy" in 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his daughter Molly. In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, a "Phillis and a boy" were willed to John's daughter, Molly. The boy may have been Phyllis's son.
Name: Will. Date of birth: described as a "boy" in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his daughter Jane. In John Sr's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his daughter, "one Negro girl called Phyllis and one Negro boy called Will, one Negro girl called Docus". These children potentially were the children of Billander and Mingo, or of Bett.
Name: Docus. Date of birth: described as a "girl" in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his daughter Jane. In John Sr's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762 in Bedford County, he left his daughter, "one Negro girl called Phyllis and one Negro boy called Will, one Negro girl called Docus". These children potentially were the children of Billander and Mingo, or of Bett.
Name: Jude. Date of birth: before 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his daughter Elizabeth. In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, "2 Negroes Jude and Patt" were willed to John's daughter, Elizabeth.
Name: Patt. Date of birth: before 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his daughter Elizabeth. In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, "2 Negroes Jude and Patt" were willed to John's daughter, Elizabeth.
Name: Sam. Date of birth: before 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his son William. In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, "Negro Sam" was willed to John's son, William.
Name: Tom. Date of birth: before 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his son Stephen. In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, "2 Negroes Hannah and Tom" were willed to John's son Stephen. It is possible Tom was Hannah's husband or son.
Name: Nell. Date of birth: before 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his daughter Edith. In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, "Negro Nell" was willed to John's daughter, Edith.
Name: Jane. Date of birth: before 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his daughter Jane (yes, same name as the enslaved woman). In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, "2 Negroes Jane and Selah" were willed to John's daughter, Jane.
Name: Selah. Date of birth: before 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his daughter Jane (yes, same name as the enslaved woman). In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, "2 Negroes Jane and Selah" were willed to John's daughter, Jane.
Possible last name of Chastain:
Name: Robert. Date of birth: before 1714. Location: Manakintown, Virginia. Enslaver: Pierre Chastain. In the Vestry Book of King William Parish, "Robert, negro" is listed as one of the tithable people (along with Pierre) in Pierre Chastain's household. Please note that this may mean Robert was not enslaved but rather a servant.
Name: Billander. Date of birth: adult in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his wife Charlotte Judith Chastain. In John's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his wife, Charlotte Judith, "a Negro woman Billander and Negro man Mingo". Since Billander and Mingo were kept together, perhaps they were a couple? If so, they were potentially the parents of one or more of the children who were also divided by the will. Their names were Hannah, Myrtillo, Phyllis, Will, and Docus.
Name: Mingo. Date of birth: adult in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his wife Charlotte Judith Chastain, later his son, John Jr., later John Jr.'s daughter, Fanny.. In John's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his wife, Charlotte Judith, "a Negro woman Billander and Negro man Mingo". Since Billander and Mingo were kept together, perhaps they were a couple? If so, they were potentially the parents of one or more of the children who were also divided by the will. Their names were Hannah, Myrtillo, Phyllis, Will, and Docus. It is likely that Mingo is the same man who is later mentioned in the will of John Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807 in Bedford County. In that will, "Negro Mingo" was given to John Jr.'s daughter Fanny. No mention is made of Billander in this later will. She may have already died or been sold away from her family. Of the children, Hannah and Phyllis were mentioned (and separated) in the later will.
Name: Hannah. Date of birth: described as "girl" in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his son John Chastain Jr, later to John Jr's son, Stephen. In John Sr's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his son, "one Negro girl called Hannah". Hannah was potentially the daughter of Billander and Mingo, and the sister of Myrtillo, Phyllis, Will, and/or Docus. It is likely that Hannah is the same woman who is later mentioned in the will of John Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807 in Bedford County. In that will, "2 Negroes Hannah and Tom" were given to John Jr.'s son Stephen. Mingo was also mentioned in the will, as was Phyllis (both were separated from their family, if indeed they were related to Hannah). No mention is made of Billander in this later will. She may have already died or been sold away from her family.
Name: Prince. Date of birth: adult in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his daughter Mary Chastain Witt and her husband, Benjamin. In John Sr's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his daughter, "one Negro man called Prince".
Name: Bett. Date of birth: adult in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his daughter Judith, later his son John Jr., later John Jr's son John. In John Sr's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his daughter, "one Negro woman called Bett and one Negro girl called Myrtillo". Since Bett and Myrtillo were kept together, perhaps they were mother and daughter? It is likely that Bett is the same woman who is later mentioned in the will of John Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807 in Bedford County. In that will, "Negro Bett" was given to John Jr.'s son John. No mention is made of Myrtillo in this later will. She may have already died or been sold away from her family.
Name: Myrtillo. Date of birth: described as a "girl" in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his daughter Judith. In John Sr's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his daughter, "one Negro woman called Bett and one Negro girl called Myrtillo". Since Bett and Myrtillo were kept together, perhaps they were mother and daughter?
Name: Phyllis. Date of birth: described as a "girl" in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his daughter Jane, later his son John Jr., later John Jr's daughter, Mary "Molly" Chastain. In John Sr's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his daughter, "one Negro girl called Phyllis and one Negro boy called Will, one Negro girl called Docus". These children potentially were the children of Billander and Mingo, or of Bett. It is likely that this Phyllis is the same woman who is later mentioned in the will of John Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807 in Bedford County. In that will, "Phillis and a boy" were given to John Jr.'s eldest daughter, Molly. The boy may have been Phyllis's son.
Name: Unknown. Date of birth: described as a "boy" in 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his daughter Molly. In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, a "Phillis and a boy" were willed to John's daughter, Molly. The boy may have been Phyllis's son.
Name: Will. Date of birth: described as a "boy" in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his daughter Jane. In John Sr's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762, he left his daughter, "one Negro girl called Phyllis and one Negro boy called Will, one Negro girl called Docus". These children potentially were the children of Billander and Mingo, or of Bett.
Name: Docus. Date of birth: described as a "girl" in 1760. Location: King William Parish, Cumberland County, Virginia. Enslaver: John (or Jean) Chastain, later his daughter Jane. In John Sr's will, made December 22, 1760 but proved January 25, 1762 in Bedford County, he left his daughter, "one Negro girl called Phyllis and one Negro boy called Will, one Negro girl called Docus". These children potentially were the children of Billander and Mingo, or of Bett.
Name: Jude. Date of birth: before 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his daughter Elizabeth. In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, "2 Negroes Jude and Patt" were willed to John's daughter, Elizabeth.
Name: Patt. Date of birth: before 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his daughter Elizabeth. In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, "2 Negroes Jude and Patt" were willed to John's daughter, Elizabeth.
Name: Sam. Date of birth: before 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his son William. In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, "Negro Sam" was willed to John's son, William.
Name: Tom. Date of birth: before 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his son Stephen. In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, "2 Negroes Hannah and Tom" were willed to John's son Stephen. It is possible Tom was Hannah's husband or son.
Name: Nell. Date of birth: before 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his daughter Edith. In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, "Negro Nell" was willed to John's daughter, Edith.
Name: Jane. Date of birth: before 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his daughter Jane (yes, same name as the enslaved woman). In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, "2 Negroes Jane and Selah" were willed to John's daughter, Jane.
Name: Selah. Date of birth: before 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his daughter Jane (yes, same name as the enslaved woman). In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, "2 Negroes Jane and Selah" were willed to John's daughter, Jane.
Name: Unknown. Date of birth: described as a "wench" in 1804. Location: Bedford County, Virginia. Enslaver: John Chastain, Jr., later his wife Elizabeth. In the will of John Chastain Jr, written January 25, 1804, and proven September 28, 1807, a "Negro wench" was willed to John's wife, Elizabeth.
Possible last name of Hancock: (based on 1860 Slave Schedule and 1870 U.S. Census, see below for methods) All of the following people were enslaved by Ammon Goode Hancock.
Age: 50, Sex: male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 Census (Black or Mulatto men born around 1810, with the most likely matches listed first): Dandy Hancock, 60, Black, living in Brookville (or Brookneal), Campbell County, Virginia, which is the same location as the Ammon Good Hancock family. He works on a farm with his wife Sally, 50, and son Weaton, 12. Daniel Hancock, 60, Liberty Township, Bedford County, Virginia (this is the location of Ammon Hancock's father's plantation). Corbin F. Hancock, 59, East District, Loudon County, Virginia
Age: 48, Sex: male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 Census (Black or Mulatto men born around 1812, with the most likely matches listed first): Jerry Hancock, 48, Southside, Appomattox County, Virginia. Harry Hancock, 48, Bacon, Charlotte County, Virginia. David Hancock, 47, First Revenue Division, Chesterfield County, Virginia
Age:35, Sex: male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 Census (Black or Mulatto men born around 1825, with the most likely matches listed first): Peter Hancock, 46, working on a farm in Eastern District Campbell County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock), with wife Hannah, 32, and eight children ages 16-2, including a daughter named Lucy (same as Ammon Hancock's sister and youngest child). It seems unlikely that an enslaved person would name their child after a member of the family that enslaved them, but there are a number of reasons that one could have chosen to do so, including kinship ties or hoping to forge an economically helpful relationship with a potential employer. John Hancock and Jeff Hancock, both 45, both living in Stauton Township, Bedford County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock's father's plantation), in separate households with their wives and children. George Hancock, 45, Gills Creek, Franklin County, Virginia. Jacob Hancock, 44, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia. Jacob Hancock, 45, Manchester, Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Age: 30, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 Census (Black or Mulatto men born around 1830, with the most likely matches listed first): Jacob (or possibly Joe S.) Hancock, 40, works on a farm in Eastern Division, Campbell County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock), with his wife Amanda, 35. Samuel Hancock, 40, blacksmith, in Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia. He is listed as "Mulatto", but a person's color description was not always the same from year to year.
Age: 28, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 Census (Black or Mulatto men born around 1832, with the most likely matches listed first): Spanell Hancock, 38, working on a farm in Franklin County, Virginia. Sam Hancock, 37, working on a farm in Franklin County, Virginia.
Age: 25, Sex: male, Color: Black. Jordan Hancock, 35, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia. Frank Hancock, 35, Elon, Amherst County, Virginia. (Since color designations weren't always consistent, all of the men listed here could also have been possible matches for the men listed in the entry below.)
Age: 25, Sex: male, Color: Mulatto. Possible matches from the 1870 Census: Morgan Hancock, 35, color: Mulatto, Birch Creek, Halifax County, Virginia. (Since color designations weren't always consistent, Morgan could also have been a possible match for the men listed in the entry above).
Age: 23, Sex: male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 Census: Madison Hancock, 34, Staunton, Bedford County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock's father's plantation). Anderson Hancock, 34, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia.
Age 23, Sex: male, Color: Mulatto. Possible matches from the 1870 Census: Daniel Hancock, 34, color: Mulatto, living in Brookville, Campbell County Virginia (same county as Ammon Goode Hancock). (Since color designations weren't always consistent, Daniel could also have been a possible match for the men listed in the entry above).
Age 22, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 Census: Alex Hancock, 32, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia.
Age 22, Sex: Male, Color: Mulatto. Possible matches from the 1870 Census: I couldn't find any exact matches, but color designations weren't always consistent, so Alex, above, could have been a possible match for this enslaved person. Also, the age/date of birth isn't always 100% correct, so someone listed as age 23 or 21 may actually be this person. Alternatively, of course, he could have died, moved away, or fallen between the census cracks.
Age: 21, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 Census: Sam Hancock, 31, Gills Creek, Franklin County, Virginia. James Henrick (may say Hancock), 31, Southside, Appomatox County, Virginia. Anthony Hancock, 30, Southside, Appomattox County, Virginia. John Hancock, 30, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia. Silas Hancock, 30, Southside, Appomattox County, Virginia. William Hancock, 30, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia. W. Hancock, 30, Jefferson, Alexandria County, Virginia. (W. Hancock's color is listed as "Mulatto", but color designations weren't always consistent, so he could have been the person listed in the 1860 slave schedule).
Age: 19, Sex: Female, Color: Mulatto. Possible matches from the 1870 Census (please note women are particularly hard to track in this way, since their names changed with marriage): Susan Hancock, 29, Brookville, Campbell, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock and his family). Harriet Hancock, 30, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia. Maria Hancock, 30, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia. Mary Hancock, 30, Jefferson, Alexandria, Virginia.
Age: 18, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 census, with most likely first: Richard Hancock, 28, Eastern Division, Campbell County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock and family). Clem Hancock, 28, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia. Henry Hancock, 28, Gills Creek, Franklin County, Virginia.
Age: 17, Sex: Male, Color: Mulatto. Possible matches from the 1870 census, with most likely first (note all the men on this list were listed as "Black" on the 1870 census): Henry Hancock, 27, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia. Nathan Hancock, 27, Southside, Appomattox County, Virginia. Thomas Hancock, 26, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia.
Age: 17, Sex: Female, Color: Mulatto. Possible matches from the 1870 Census (please note women are particularly hard to track in this way, since their names changed with marriage): Cela Hancock, 27, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia. Catharine Hancock, 26, Madison, Charlotte, Virginia.
Four children, all Age: 14, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 census: Henry Hancock, 23, Staunton, Bedford County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock's father's plantation). Robert Hancock, 25, Stonewall, Appomattox County, Virginia. Robert Hancock, 25, Bonbrook, Franklin County, Virginia. Samuel Hancock, 25, Amherst, Amherst County, Virginia. William Hancock, 25, First Revenue Division, Chesterfield County, Virginia. Wilson Hancock, 25, Southside, Appomattox County, Virginia. Doctor Hancock, 23, Southside, Appomatox County, Virginia.
Five children, all Age: 12, Sex: Male, 3 were listed as Color: Mulatto; 2 were listed as Color: Black. All of the possible matches from the 1870 census are Black, but color was not consistently recorded. Moses Hancock, 22, Eastern Division, Campbell County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock and his family). Beverly Hancock, 22, First Revenue Division, Chesterfield County, Virginia. Isaac B. Hancock, 22, Southside, Appomattox County, Virginia. Jonathan Hancock, 22, Norfolk Ward 3, Norfolk County, Virginia.
Age: 11, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 census (most likely matches listed first): Robert Hancock, 21, Chamblissburg, Bedford County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock's father's plantation). Henry Hancock, 21, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia. Peter Hancock, 21, Gills Creek, Franklin County, Virginia.
Seven children, all Age: 10, Sex: Male, 2 listed as Color: Mulatto, 5 listed as Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 census (most likely matches listed first): Joseph Hancock, 20, Staunton, Bedford County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock's father's plantation). Levi Hancock, 20, Lynchburg, Lynch Ward, Campbell County, Virginia (same town as Ammon Hancock and his family). Alexander Hancock, 19, Staunton, Bedford County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock's father's plantation). Filbert Hancock, 20, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia. Anthony Hancock, 20, Elon, Amherst County, Virginia. Lewis Hancock, 19, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia.
Age: 8, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 census (most likely matches listed first): Lewis Hancock, 18, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia. James Hancock, 17, Gills Creek, Franklin County, Virginia. Madison Hancock, 17, Stonewall, Appomattox County, Virginia.
A note on Hancock methods: The names of enslaved people are often only recorded in wills or other property documents left by white slave-owners. Wills were the primary sources for the names of people enslaved by most of the families from which I've descended. Unfortunately, the Hancock line, in addition to being the part of my family most thoroughly complicit in the system of slavery, did not leave any wills from prior to the Civil War. Therefore, the only information we have about the names of the people enslaved by Ammon Goode Hancock come from the 1860 U.S. Slave Schedule. Ammon Goode Hancock bought a plantation and began a tobacco business around 1850. In the 1860 Slave Schedule, he is listed as enslaving 34 people. Based on their ages and sexes (almost all young men and boys), my guess is that they were purchased for Ammon's business, rather than slaves owned by his family over multiple generations.
Unfortunately, Slave Schedules only list the age, sex, and color of individuals. In an attempt to put some names to these bare records, I compared the information from the 1860 Slave Schedule for Ammon Hancock with the U.S. Census of 1870 for the state of Virginia. 1870 was the first time that all people, regardless of the color of their skin, were counted as full citizens of the United States, and their fundamental humanity affirmed by listing their names, occupations, and relationships to each other in the census. I assumed that formerly enslaved people had taken the last name of Hancock, and that they were likely still in Virginia, merely because the alternatives would make them impossible to identify.
It would be great if the 1870 U.S. census produced many obvious correspondences between Black men and women listed in the 1860 Slave Schedule under the Hancock name. The reality is more complicated. To begin with, the 1860 Slave Schedule for the state of Virginia listed over 2,000 people enslaved by someone with the last name Hancock. Most had no connection to Ammon Hancock. Further more, many slaves, of course, chose any name other than their former enslaver's as their last name. Many took the name of the owner of the plantation where they were born, rather than where they were enslaved at the time of the Emancipation Proclamation. So, if Ammon Hancock had indeed purchased a number of people in the 1850s, it's possible that they took different last names. Finally, a number of the people listed in the 1860 Slave Schedule may have died, joined the Union Army during the Civil War and stayed up North, or, after the war, taken advantage of their freedom to move away. As a result, this list of individuals is really just a list of possibilities.
Age: 48, Sex: male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 Census (Black or Mulatto men born around 1812, with the most likely matches listed first): Jerry Hancock, 48, Southside, Appomattox County, Virginia. Harry Hancock, 48, Bacon, Charlotte County, Virginia. David Hancock, 47, First Revenue Division, Chesterfield County, Virginia
Age:35, Sex: male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 Census (Black or Mulatto men born around 1825, with the most likely matches listed first): Peter Hancock, 46, working on a farm in Eastern District Campbell County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock), with wife Hannah, 32, and eight children ages 16-2, including a daughter named Lucy (same as Ammon Hancock's sister and youngest child). It seems unlikely that an enslaved person would name their child after a member of the family that enslaved them, but there are a number of reasons that one could have chosen to do so, including kinship ties or hoping to forge an economically helpful relationship with a potential employer. John Hancock and Jeff Hancock, both 45, both living in Stauton Township, Bedford County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock's father's plantation), in separate households with their wives and children. George Hancock, 45, Gills Creek, Franklin County, Virginia. Jacob Hancock, 44, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia. Jacob Hancock, 45, Manchester, Chesterfield County, Virginia.
Age: 30, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 Census (Black or Mulatto men born around 1830, with the most likely matches listed first): Jacob (or possibly Joe S.) Hancock, 40, works on a farm in Eastern Division, Campbell County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock), with his wife Amanda, 35. Samuel Hancock, 40, blacksmith, in Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia. He is listed as "Mulatto", but a person's color description was not always the same from year to year.
Age: 28, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 Census (Black or Mulatto men born around 1832, with the most likely matches listed first): Spanell Hancock, 38, working on a farm in Franklin County, Virginia. Sam Hancock, 37, working on a farm in Franklin County, Virginia.
Age: 25, Sex: male, Color: Black. Jordan Hancock, 35, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia. Frank Hancock, 35, Elon, Amherst County, Virginia. (Since color designations weren't always consistent, all of the men listed here could also have been possible matches for the men listed in the entry below.)
Age: 25, Sex: male, Color: Mulatto. Possible matches from the 1870 Census: Morgan Hancock, 35, color: Mulatto, Birch Creek, Halifax County, Virginia. (Since color designations weren't always consistent, Morgan could also have been a possible match for the men listed in the entry above).
Age: 23, Sex: male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 Census: Madison Hancock, 34, Staunton, Bedford County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock's father's plantation). Anderson Hancock, 34, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia.
Age 23, Sex: male, Color: Mulatto. Possible matches from the 1870 Census: Daniel Hancock, 34, color: Mulatto, living in Brookville, Campbell County Virginia (same county as Ammon Goode Hancock). (Since color designations weren't always consistent, Daniel could also have been a possible match for the men listed in the entry above).
Age 22, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 Census: Alex Hancock, 32, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia.
Age 22, Sex: Male, Color: Mulatto. Possible matches from the 1870 Census: I couldn't find any exact matches, but color designations weren't always consistent, so Alex, above, could have been a possible match for this enslaved person. Also, the age/date of birth isn't always 100% correct, so someone listed as age 23 or 21 may actually be this person. Alternatively, of course, he could have died, moved away, or fallen between the census cracks.
Age: 21, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 Census: Sam Hancock, 31, Gills Creek, Franklin County, Virginia. James Henrick (may say Hancock), 31, Southside, Appomatox County, Virginia. Anthony Hancock, 30, Southside, Appomattox County, Virginia. John Hancock, 30, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia. Silas Hancock, 30, Southside, Appomattox County, Virginia. William Hancock, 30, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia. W. Hancock, 30, Jefferson, Alexandria County, Virginia. (W. Hancock's color is listed as "Mulatto", but color designations weren't always consistent, so he could have been the person listed in the 1860 slave schedule).
Age: 19, Sex: Female, Color: Mulatto. Possible matches from the 1870 Census (please note women are particularly hard to track in this way, since their names changed with marriage): Susan Hancock, 29, Brookville, Campbell, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock and his family). Harriet Hancock, 30, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia. Maria Hancock, 30, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia. Mary Hancock, 30, Jefferson, Alexandria, Virginia.
Age: 18, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 census, with most likely first: Richard Hancock, 28, Eastern Division, Campbell County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock and family). Clem Hancock, 28, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia. Henry Hancock, 28, Gills Creek, Franklin County, Virginia.
Age: 17, Sex: Male, Color: Mulatto. Possible matches from the 1870 census, with most likely first (note all the men on this list were listed as "Black" on the 1870 census): Henry Hancock, 27, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia. Nathan Hancock, 27, Southside, Appomattox County, Virginia. Thomas Hancock, 26, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia.
Age: 17, Sex: Female, Color: Mulatto. Possible matches from the 1870 Census (please note women are particularly hard to track in this way, since their names changed with marriage): Cela Hancock, 27, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia. Catharine Hancock, 26, Madison, Charlotte, Virginia.
Four children, all Age: 14, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 census: Henry Hancock, 23, Staunton, Bedford County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock's father's plantation). Robert Hancock, 25, Stonewall, Appomattox County, Virginia. Robert Hancock, 25, Bonbrook, Franklin County, Virginia. Samuel Hancock, 25, Amherst, Amherst County, Virginia. William Hancock, 25, First Revenue Division, Chesterfield County, Virginia. Wilson Hancock, 25, Southside, Appomattox County, Virginia. Doctor Hancock, 23, Southside, Appomatox County, Virginia.
Five children, all Age: 12, Sex: Male, 3 were listed as Color: Mulatto; 2 were listed as Color: Black. All of the possible matches from the 1870 census are Black, but color was not consistently recorded. Moses Hancock, 22, Eastern Division, Campbell County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock and his family). Beverly Hancock, 22, First Revenue Division, Chesterfield County, Virginia. Isaac B. Hancock, 22, Southside, Appomattox County, Virginia. Jonathan Hancock, 22, Norfolk Ward 3, Norfolk County, Virginia.
Age: 11, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 census (most likely matches listed first): Robert Hancock, 21, Chamblissburg, Bedford County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock's father's plantation). Henry Hancock, 21, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia. Peter Hancock, 21, Gills Creek, Franklin County, Virginia.
Seven children, all Age: 10, Sex: Male, 2 listed as Color: Mulatto, 5 listed as Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 census (most likely matches listed first): Joseph Hancock, 20, Staunton, Bedford County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock's father's plantation). Levi Hancock, 20, Lynchburg, Lynch Ward, Campbell County, Virginia (same town as Ammon Hancock and his family). Alexander Hancock, 19, Staunton, Bedford County, Virginia (same county as Ammon Hancock's father's plantation). Filbert Hancock, 20, Madison, Charlotte County, Virginia. Anthony Hancock, 20, Elon, Amherst County, Virginia. Lewis Hancock, 19, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia.
Age: 8, Sex: Male, Color: Black. Possible matches from the 1870 census (most likely matches listed first): Lewis Hancock, 18, Union Hall, Franklin County, Virginia. James Hancock, 17, Gills Creek, Franklin County, Virginia. Madison Hancock, 17, Stonewall, Appomattox County, Virginia.
A note on Hancock methods: The names of enslaved people are often only recorded in wills or other property documents left by white slave-owners. Wills were the primary sources for the names of people enslaved by most of the families from which I've descended. Unfortunately, the Hancock line, in addition to being the part of my family most thoroughly complicit in the system of slavery, did not leave any wills from prior to the Civil War. Therefore, the only information we have about the names of the people enslaved by Ammon Goode Hancock come from the 1860 U.S. Slave Schedule. Ammon Goode Hancock bought a plantation and began a tobacco business around 1850. In the 1860 Slave Schedule, he is listed as enslaving 34 people. Based on their ages and sexes (almost all young men and boys), my guess is that they were purchased for Ammon's business, rather than slaves owned by his family over multiple generations.
Unfortunately, Slave Schedules only list the age, sex, and color of individuals. In an attempt to put some names to these bare records, I compared the information from the 1860 Slave Schedule for Ammon Hancock with the U.S. Census of 1870 for the state of Virginia. 1870 was the first time that all people, regardless of the color of their skin, were counted as full citizens of the United States, and their fundamental humanity affirmed by listing their names, occupations, and relationships to each other in the census. I assumed that formerly enslaved people had taken the last name of Hancock, and that they were likely still in Virginia, merely because the alternatives would make them impossible to identify.
It would be great if the 1870 U.S. census produced many obvious correspondences between Black men and women listed in the 1860 Slave Schedule under the Hancock name. The reality is more complicated. To begin with, the 1860 Slave Schedule for the state of Virginia listed over 2,000 people enslaved by someone with the last name Hancock. Most had no connection to Ammon Hancock. Further more, many slaves, of course, chose any name other than their former enslaver's as their last name. Many took the name of the owner of the plantation where they were born, rather than where they were enslaved at the time of the Emancipation Proclamation. So, if Ammon Hancock had indeed purchased a number of people in the 1850s, it's possible that they took different last names. Finally, a number of the people listed in the 1860 Slave Schedule may have died, joined the Union Army during the Civil War and stayed up North, or, after the war, taken advantage of their freedom to move away. As a result, this list of individuals is really just a list of possibilities.
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