Hosted by USGenNet

People of Color South
In Old
Tennessee

Analysis of the Register -
Index Notes
By Sandra G. Craighead
© 1995
Reprinted with permission

  1. The other Freedmen's Bureau branches located in Tennessee which performed marriages and whose records still exist are Shelby County (basically Memphis) and Wilson County.
  2. Prologue, Journal of the National Archives, Fall issue, 1973, pp. 150-154.

    3.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  3. In about 75 percent of the couples, the bride's surname was different from her husband, thereby providing a valuable piece of information linking her past.

    4.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  4. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, in the town of Trenton, p. 320, lived " A. Abot," a 44-year old black male farmer born in Virginia. His wife was "Angelina," a 29-year old mulatto who was born in Tennessee. The following children were enumerated in their home: Viny (9), Ann (7) and Louella (4 months old).

    5.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  5. In the beginning, the number of children were noted in the column under data for the male, but in the last 20 entries or so, the practice changed and was written in the column under female.

    6.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  6. There were two families enumerated in the 1870 Federal Census for Gibson County headed by an African American male named "Nathan Biggs." Both farmers lived in the town of Trenton, were age 35, Tennessee natives, married and had several children. On page 322 we find Nathan Biggs and his wife, 25-year old Francis, and children: Tom (12), Fannie (10), Dick (8), Jack (5), and Bill (3). On page 335 appears the second Nathan Biggs, wife Amanda age 37 and children: Frank, Catherine, Caroline, Ella, Sam, Sussie, and Jane. Which of these Nathan Biggs married Mahaly Roberts in Trenton on December 6, 1865? This question becomes even more problematic because the marriage register did not contain any ages for Nathan and Mahaly. Could Mahaly be one and the same with Francis and Amanda - - or could Mahaly be deceased and one of these women represents the "second wife"? Further research of both families, especially of the children's death certificates, are needed to unlock this mystery.

    7.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  7. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County in Dyer Station, p. 411, lived John Bryant, a 35-year old farmer from North Carolina and his wife, Mary, age 26. They had two children living with them, Alice (age 4) and Charley (age 2). Living directly next door to them was Henry Bryant, a 55-year old North Carolina native who owned $1,200 in farm land. I am sure this man is related to John, probably was his father or uncle. Living on the farm with Henry was Absalom (age 33), Nancy (age 23, David. H. (Age 21) and an 11-year old girl named Lue Conly. The adult children noted in this household probably John Bryant's siblings. A survey of the surrounding neighbors revealed several white Conley families from North Carolina and I suspect in some way are connected to the Byrants.

    8.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  8. According to the marriage register, on December 3, 1865, Osa Campbell, age 35 and black, married Elizabeth Campbell, age 25, no complexion color given. A survey of the Trenton area on the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County failed to reveal any man by that name, however, William Campbell and his wife Elizabeth, found on p. 529, I believe is the same couple. Both of these couple's ages are exactly 10 years apart (as is the couple on the register) and of the correct age approximation (+5). Elizabeth's name is consistent with that of the bride's and the fact that she is a white woman (indicated on the census record) may account for the lack of a complexion description on the Register. The official performing such a controversial marriage ceremony in a hotbed of racial violence and hatred as Gibson County could understandably be nervous about the act he was about to officiate and did not want to confirm in writing what he suspected was Elizabeth's race. Further, the fact that the Elizabeth on the Register used the same surname as her intended husband could mean: (1) she felt she could not use her true surname, (2) she may have been a relative of the white family who owned Osa (her father or brother, perhaps) and, therefore, may really have been a Campbell herself, or (3) "Campbell" was her surname and Osa used it as his own even though not connected to the Campbell family. The children in the home were all described as white and were named: Robert (16), Anette (16), George (10), Frank (5), Andrew (3) and baby (6 months). I strongly believe that the three oldest children were from Elizabeth's first marriage to a white man and that William fathered the youngest three.

    9.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  9. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, TN, p. 334 in Trenton, lived a black 40-year old Virginian named "Jerry Crafton" and his wife, "Mary J," a 23-year old mulatto from Tennessee and their two children, Lula (1-year old) and Mollie (3-years old). Also living in the home was Frances, a 51-year old from North Carolina, Felix, age 28 and Tennessee born. These persons were described as "mulattoe." A white couple living directly next door were 33-year old William Crafton from Tennessee and Fannie Crafton, age 34 and North Carolina born. From the valuation of their property, we can determine they were well-off. There is probably a connection between them and Jerry Crafton in slavery times, but further study is needed to verify such a claim. The confusion created by the omission of relationships on the 1870 census is especially daunting here, in that, there are several possibilities of whom Frances and Felix Crafton were and how they were related to Jerry and Mary Jane Crafton. There is the very real possibility that a census error occurred here and that Frances Crafton is really Frances Harper, the mother of Felix and Mary Jane, but that the censustaker noted at the top of the entry only the head of household's surname, Crafton. Possibly a review of the 1880 Census may reveal the true relationship of these various household members.

    10.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  10. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, TN, p. 538, in the town of Rutherford Station, lived Andy Davis, a 60-year old black farmer from Tennessee. I believe that the person enumerated under him, 25-year old Susan, is his daughter, not his wife Susan, who would be 45-years old by this census. The children named on this record were: Sarah (12), Francis (age 10), Elizabeth (age 7) and Nancy (age 8 months). Living directly next door to the family is wealthy white Virginian, Ellis Davis, age 65. I am sure that these two Davis households were connected in slavery and that this is not mere coincidence. Ellis or his parents probably owned Andy Davis and his family.

    11.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  11. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County in Trenton, p. 307, lived Sharlan Dennis, a 25-year old black farmer from Tennessee. According to the marriage log, his wife was named "Nancy," however, she would be only about 20 years old, not 40. The age listed could be a census error, or this Nancy is not Sharlan's wife. Also enumerated in the home was Hannah Dennis, age 65, Lou, age 42, Hannah, age 20, Ben, 16, Maria 14, Hester 12 and John 1. Because relationships are not given on the 1870 census, we are left to make educated guesses and I would suspect that we have several generations living in this family. Hannah could be Lou's mother, who in turn, could be Sharlan's mother. Hannah the Younger, and the teenagers are probably Lou's children (Sharlan's siblings) and John is probably Sharlan's and Nancy's son. I really believe that Nancy's age was a careless census mistake and that she is Sharlan's wife.

    12.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  12. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, TN in the town of Trenton, p. 300, lived "T. Donaldson," a 47-year old black, Tennessee born, farmer. His 45-year old wife, Mary, was also a TN native as were their children: Ned (16), Betty (16), Alice (12), Jennie (9), Silvia (7) and Mary (1). Living two doors away at Household No. 182 were "T. Donaldson," age 22 and Mattie, age 19 and Daphne, age 16. These young people most probably are part of Thomas and Mary's family because they noted on their marriage record that they had 10 children in slavery.

    13.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  13. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, in Trenton on p. 281, lived Alfred Fitzgerald, a 30-year old black farmer and his wife, Esther, age 27 and their children Mary (age 5), Jane (age 3), Alfred (3 months) and adults Rosetta Fitzgerald, age 60, and George, age 18. Living directly next door to them were an elderly white couple, "A. Fitzgerald," age 70, born in Virginia and his wife, Martha, age 68. Very possibly before the War, Alfred (formerly known as "Peter"), Easter and Rosetta (Alfred's mother, maybe?) were owned by this couple. There are many research possibilities here.

    14.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  14. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, TN, p. 516 in the town of Dyer Station, lived Elijah Flowers, a 28-year old black farmer from Tennessee, his wife Lucretta, age 25, and their children: Charley (age 9), William (age 7), and James (age 1).

    15.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  15. In the U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, TN in the town of Humboldt, p. 222 lived James Fly, a 38-year old black male born in Tennessee and his wife Rose, age 25, and child named Sarah (age 12), Washington (age 10), Sallie (age 8), Oscar (age 3), and Maggie (5 months).

    16.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  16. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, in the town of Humboldt, p. 250, lived 65-year old Daniel Freeman of North Carolina and his 50-year old wife, Abby, also born in North Carolina.

    17.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  17. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Dyer County, TN in the town of Newburn, p. 94, Household No. 168, lived Brade Hale, a 47-year old black farmer from TN. His wife was noted as Flora, a 35- year old housekeeper and the following children: Bettie (14), Agnis (12), Gus (10), John (8), Brade (6), William (4), John (2) and Bud (3 months). It is my firm belief that Brade's wife on the marriage record, "C.A," is deceased and that Flora is a second wife, the mother of the last three children only. Also, Brade had two sons named "John," one by each of his wives. I would guess that the name "John" had some significance to Brade, maybe as his father or grandfather's name. Living two doors away at Household No. 166 is 44-year old wealthy white farmer, Robert Hale. At some time in their lives, these two men surnamed "Hale" were probably connected as slave and master, but further research should be done to verify this claim.

    18.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  18. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Weakley County, TN in the town of Dresden, p. 189, Household No. 240, lived Jefferson Hamilton, a 38-year old mulatto farmer who owned "$600" in personal property and was born in TN. Living within his household were the following mulatto children surnamed Hamilton and presumably his: Paralee (13), Lucinda (14), Bettie (11), Martha (10), Amanda (6), Emily (4) and Emiline (16). Also in the home as "housekeeper" was Lucinda Cravens, a 55-year old black female. Living directly next door at Household No. 241 was a wealthy white farmer, 70-year old, William Hamilton, also a Tennessee native. Very possibly, William could be related to Jefferson as his former owner or even as his father.

    19.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  19. Only the first two entries on the original document answered multiple questions of complexion color: "color of the male," "color of his father" and "color of his mother" and "color of female, "color of her father" and "color of her mother."

    20.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  20. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County in Milan, p. 525, lived 23-year old farmer Andy Hutchinson (it is understandable why he would drop "Ananaias") and wife Fannie (the nickname for Frances) and a 60-year old female named "Lerrie Hutchinson." All the parties were Tennessee natives. I suspect that Lerrie is Andy's mother.

    21.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  21. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, TN, in the town of Humboldt, p. 253, lived 37-year old farmer D. James, a Tennessee native, and his 30-year old wife, Eliza, and their children: Harriet (age 12), Benjamin (age 10), Annie (age 5), Charles (age 3) and a 6-month old unnamed male infant.
  22. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, TN, p. 328, in the town of Trenton, lived 40-year old brickmason from Tennessee, Martin January, and his wife Riller, age 40, also from Tennessee. Their children were enumerated as William (18-year old mulatto), Eliza (16 year-old black), Sam (14-year old black), John (12-year old black), Polly Ann (3-year old black) and Jef (7-year old mulatto). Living directly next door to this family was wealthy white physician from Kentucky, James January, age 38. Because of the close proximity of these two January families, it would be acceptable to theorize that these two men were probably connected sometime in the past through slavery and should be further researched.

    23.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  23. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Haywood County in the town of Woodville, TN, p. 439, lived Virginia native, Warner King, a 60-year old farm hand who owned a personal estate worth $500. His wife was noted as 58-year old "Ama," also born in Virginia, and presumably their son or grandson, 20-year old Oliver, who was born in TN.

    24.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  24. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Carroll County, TN, in the town of Trezevant, p. 277, Household No. 51, lived 47-year old farmer, Ned Long, a South Carolina native, and his wife, Hannah, a 35-year old female born in TN and their six children: Caroline (11), Salina (9), Bettie (8), Rubin (7), James (6) and Luiza (4).

    25.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  25. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, TN, p. 290, in the town of Trenton, lived 33-year old L. McGee from Tennessee and his 49-year old wife, Kate, and children: Betty (age 6), Mary (age 3) and Clinton (age 12). It is this researcher's opinion that the censustaker made a gross error in giving Kate's age as 49, instead of 29, in light of the age given on the marriage Registry. Also it would place her as 16 years older than her husband, which is unlikely.

    26.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  26. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Carroll County, in the town of Trezevant, p. 299, Household No. 317, lived 45-year old black farmer from South Carolina, John Mitchum, his wife, Sarah, a 36-year old Tennessee native, and their six children: Newton (17), Burrell (12), Leander (9), Robert (7), Rena (5) and James (2).

    27.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  27. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Obion County, TN in the town of Harris Station, lived Nelson Odom, a 45-year old Tennessee native, his 24-year old daughter Amelia (definitely from a previous marriage), his wife, 23-year old "Lolly Jourdon," and their children: Bransford (3) and Henry (1).

    28.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  28. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, TN, p. 217, in the town of Humboldt, lived 50-year old mulatto, John Organ from Tennessee, his wife Eliza, age 55, and their 8 children: Mary (age 25), Henry (a 22-year old mulatto), Washington (age 20), Dock (age 16), Zach (age 14), Arch (age 12), Susan (age 11) and another Mary (age 10).

    29.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  29. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, TN, p. 352, in the town of Trenton, lived 50-year old farmer, Samuel Parker, his wife, 32-year old Ellen, and children named: Sam (age 19), James (age 16), Francis (age 17), Erasmus (age 8), George (age 4) and Betsy (age 2). The most rewarding revelation in this record was the listing of Hannah Parker, a 76-year old female from Virginia. In all probability, she is Samuel's mother. Also living in the home was laborer, 28-year old Beny Wilson. The Register lists a 28-year old "Benj Wilson" marrying Diecie Moore on December 16, 1866 - the exact same day Samuel married Ellen. Could Diecie Moore and Ellen Moore be related (as sisters or cousins) or were they owned by the same master named Moore? Further, looking at the gap created by the vast difference in their ages (9 years), it would appear that Samuel Parker was married to someone else before this union with Ellen Moore. Ellen undoubtedly is the mother of the last three children, Erasmus, George and Betsy, but probably not the mother of Sam, James or Francis.

    30.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  30. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Obion County, TN, p. 172, in the town of Kenton Station, is found Maria Partee, a 30-year old washwoman from Tennessee and her children, George (age 14), Henry (age 9) and Nancy J. (age 6). They were all noted as mulattoes. Willis Partee, her husband, was not located in Obion or Gibson counties and could be deceased.

    31.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  31. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, TN, p. 326, in the town of Trenton, lived Henry Price, a 45-year old Virginian, and his wife, Philis, age 38 and Tennessee born. Their children (who were all described as mulattos) were Manerva (age 14), James (age 11), Bettie (age 8), John (age 6), Philis (age 3). Also living in the household was 18-year old Jacob Moor, possibly Philis's son from a previous relationship in slavery. On the 1866 marriage registry - -4 years ago -- this couple stated that they had 4 children together; and, I believe, they referred only to the first four named on the census.

    32.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  32. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County in Trenton, p. 278, lived farmer T.S. Ragan, a 34-year old black male from Tennessee who owned property worth $500. Living with him was his wife Emily, age 24, and three children: George (5 years old), Benny (age 2) and Ann (age 6 months).

    33.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  33. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, p. 406, in the town of Dyer Station lived 50-year old North Carolina native, Dick Sellers, and his wife, Linda, age 45 and Tennessee born, as were their 4 children: Henry (age 20), Lane (age 18), Adline (age 10) and John (age 7).

    34.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  34. The 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, p. 326, in the town of Trenton, lived Ben Sharp, a 35-year old black farmer with a personal estate of $200 and his wife, "Mat," age 26, their children Robert (age 4) and Charley (age 5 months). Also in the home were noted July Sharp, a 46-year old black female, Robert Sharp, 29 years old with $200 in personal property and a 23-year old mulatto named Judge Sharp. I believe that the Robert Sharp noted here is the same Robert Sharp, age 25, who married Eliza Sharp on December 15, 1865, two weeks before Ben married Mat.

    35.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  35. See Endnote No. 34 for discussion of this man.

    36.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  36. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, TN, in the town of Humboldt, p. 254, lived 4 successive families surnamed "Sharp," one white and three black. Household No. 320 was headed by J.P. Sharp, a wealthy white 63-year old Tennessee native. At No. 321 lived C. Sharp, a 49-year old black male, his wife Phillis, age 28, and their children: Lavenia (age 8), Samuel (age 6), Eliza (age 4) and Luda (age 2). At No. 322 lived the bride and groom named on the marriage register, 32-year old "S. Sharp," a black male native of Tennessee, his wife Phebe, age 28, and their 4 children: Candace (age 10), Carroll (age 8), Eleanor (age 4) and William (age 2). Next door to them at #323 lived Calkin Sharp, age 51, his wife Nancy age 56 and 19-year old Jackson Sharp, all Tennessee natives. These people could be the remnants of the former slave families owned by J. P. Sharp, but are not blood-related. On the other hand, however, they could all share a common bloodline. For instance, "C". Sharp and Calkin Sharp, with two years difference in their ages, could be brothers or cousins and Samuel probably is Calkin Sharp's son. Further study of these families in local county records and the 1880 census probably will yield more definitive answers of their relationships.

    37.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  37. See Endnote No. 38 for a discussion of this couple.

    38.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  38. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, TN, p. 350, in the town of Trenton is found Johnston Skinner, a 45-year old Virginia native and his wife, Susan, age 36 and Tennessee born. Their children are Lewis (age 14), Josh (10) and Eddie (age 3). All were noted as mulattoes. Also in the home were Hannah Skinner, a 30-year old black woman from Tennessee, and children named: Margarette (age 7), Manerva (age 5) and George (age 2). All were noted as black. Lastly noted in the household was Jane Lassiter, a 25-year old black female and her two children: Tumba (age 8) and Easter (age 2). On the date of Johnston and Susan Skinner's marriage, February 17, 1866, another couple married: Henry Skinner to Martha Lassiter, age 25. Could Jane Lassiter be a sister of Martha Lassiter? Could Henry and Johnston Skinner, both in their 40's, be brothers? Or, were they slaves who simply shared the same master, but were of no blood relationship at all? No couple named Henry and Martha Skinner could be found in the 1870 Census for Gibson County.

    39.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  39. In this entry, a specific residence other than Trenton--the city of Jackson in Madison County, was identified. After the first half dozen entered on the original, the answer to "place of residence" changed from "Trenton" to Gibson County.

    40.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  40. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, TN p. 535, in the town of Rutherford, lived 35-year old Westley Wade from Tennessee, his wife 34-year old Angelina, and children named: Willis (age 16), Westley (age 13), Alice (age 12), Felix (age 9), Louella (age 5) and George (age 1).

    41.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  41. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, TN p. 387, in the town of Rutherford, lived 50-year old black farmer, Wash White, his wife Venis, age 50, and their children: Sharlott (age 18), Nancy (age 16), Mandy (age 14), Ella (age 12), and Vick (age 8).

    42.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  42. See Endnote No. 29 for discussion of this couple.

    43.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

  43. In the 1870 U.S. Federal Census for Gibson County, p. 519, in the town of Dyer Station, lived Wash Wyatt (which is short for George Washington Wyatt), his wife, 35-year old Ann (short of Mary Ann Elizabeth) and their 6 children: Miles (age 14), Aron (age 10), Bettie (age 8), George (age 6), Thomas (age 4), and Rufus (age 1).

    44.  

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

Return to the Gibson Marriages
 


 

Hosted by USGenNet
US Genealogy Network

This TNGenWeb Project website is hosted by USGenNet, a nonprofit web-hosting service solely supported by tax-deductible donations. If this website has provided you with useful information, please consider making a donation to USGenNet to help keep websites like this online.



 
 

Return to the People of Color Main Page


 
 









Hosted by USGenNet
US Genealogy Network

This TNGenWeb Project website is hosted by USGenNet, a nonprofit web-hosting service solely supported by tax-deductible donations. If this website has provided you with useful information, please consider making a donation to USGenNet to help keep websites like this online.