Arthur Mitchell1 male –14, 1 female 14-25 (1820 Natchez Census)
State v. Mitchum, Arthur, HNF 1819
Historic Natchez Foundation
Box 1
File 99
State
vs
Arthur Mitchum
Amy Johnson- free woman of Color saw Arthur- strike- Jane Mearly- 3 times & kick her in to the face?
Joe Braxton?saw Arthurgo into Amys Housewith a stickfound Jane lying downand ??Arthur strikethey closed? 3 times to fight I parted them
Jane Merly (alias Delia Black)Arthur brought a stick to beat meJoe took it from himhe struck me 3-4 timeschok’d [choked] me & kicked me
ArthurLec?--$100-100
Amy50$
Jane50
Joe50
Johnston, Amy v. Mitchum, Arthur, 1820
Historic Natchez Foundation
Box 1
File 30
State of Mississippi
Adams County
Amee Johnson a free woman complains by Reed & Sargent her attornies complains of Arthur Mitchum a Free man of color in custody &c in a Plea of Trespass riot? [illegible] For that the said Arthur Mitchum on the nineteenth day of April AD. 1819 at Natchez in sd. County did violently assault then the sd. Amee Johnsonand then the sd. Arthur did then & there with force & arms beat, bruise & maltreat to wit with fists sticks & staves so that her life was greatly despaired of whereby [illegible] sd. beating and bruising aforesaid the sd Amee Johnson hath sustained great loss & injury, by disability from labor thereby occasioned? & the expenses of medical aid in cureing [sic] the sd. wounds inflicted as aforesaid by him the said Arthur Mitchum, and other enormities then & there done to the sd. Amee Johnson with force & arms against the peace & dignity of the State of Mississippiand to the Damage of the said Amee Johnson one thousand Dollars
Wherefore she sues
LB Reed & Wm Sargent
for Plff
May Term 1819
Amy Johnston
vs Declaration
assault & Battery
Arthur Mitchum
[illegible] filed & rule to plead
2nd August 1819
Judgt by Deft & W? of J. March 1820
Referred to the rules May 1820
Rule to plead March 1822
Judgt by default 1 Apl 1822
Judgment? for 1 cent & costs
May 1822
Bill of Costs made out
Execution Issued
Recorded in Book
F Page 111
Reed atto. for Plff
Adams Superior Court
The State of Mississippi
Adams County towit May Term 1819
Amy Johnston by Thomas B Reed her attorney complains of Arthur Mitchum being in the custody of the Sheriff of Adams County of a plea of trespass, assault & battery. For that the said Defendant on the ninth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and nineteen with force and arms so made an assaultand so forthupon the said Plaintiff towit at Natchez in the County aforesaid and then and there spit in the face of her the said Plaintiff and with great force and violence seized and laid hold of her the said Plaintiff by the nose and greatly squeezed and pulled the same and then and there plucked pulled and tore divers large quantities of hair from and of the head of her the said Plaintiff and then and there with a certain Brick bat and with his fists gave and struck the said Plaintiff a great many violent Blows and Strokes on and about her head face Breast back shoulders arms legs and divers other parts of her body and also then and there with great force and violence shook and pulled about her the said plaintiff and cast and threw her the said Plaintiff down to and upon the ground and then and there violently hurled the said Plaintiff and gave and struck her a great many other Blows and Strokes and also then and there with great force and violence rent tore and damaged the clothes and wearing apparel towit one gown dress Petticoat and Shift and Bonnett [sic] of the said Plaintiff of great value towit the value of fifty dollars which she the said Plaintiff then and there wore and was clothed with By means of which said several premises she the said Plaintiff was then and there greatly Hurt Bruised and wounded and became and was [illegible] sore lame and disordered and so remained and continued for a long span of time towit for the space of four weeks then next following during all which time the said Plaintiff thereby suffered and underwent great pain and was hindered and prevented from performing and transacting her necessary affairs and business by her during that time to be performed and transacted and also thereby she the said Plaintiff was forced and obliged to and did necessarily
Pay lay out and expend a large sum of money towit the sum of five hundred dollars in and about endeavoring to be cured of the Bruises wounds [illegible] soreness loneliness? And disorder aforesaid [illegible] as aforesaid towit at Natchez in the County aforesaid And also for that the said Defendant on the day and year last aforesaid with force and arms made another assault on the said Plaintiff towit at Natchez in the County aforesaid, and there again Beat wounded and ill treated her insomuch that her life was then and there greatly despaired and other wrongs to the said Plaintiff then and there did to the against the peace and dignity of the State of Mississippi and to the damage of the Plaintiff five hundred dollars and therefore she brings her suit
Thomas B Reed Plffs
Attorney
The State of Mississippi
Adams County towit
Personally before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Adams appeared Amy Johnston who being sworn saith that on the nineteenth day of April AD 1819, instant Arthur Mitchum in the City of Natchez did willfully and without provocation make an assault upon her the said Amy with a Brick Batt and did beat bruise wound and ill treat to her so that she has ever since and now is confined to her bead [sic] by reason of which the said Amy saith that she hath sustained damage to the amount of five hundred dollars and further saith not
Subscribed and sworn to this her
23rd day of April. Amy X Johnston
1819 before mark
Samuel Thornberry
Fees $25
Let the defendant be held to bail in the sum of $500
Powhatan Ellis
State v. Mitchum, Arthur, 1820
Historic Natchez Foundation
Box 3
File 9
The State of Mississippi Superior Court
County of Adams November Term
A.D. one thousand eight-hundred and twenty.
The Grand Jurors of the State of Mississippi, in and for the County of Adams in the State aforesaid upon their oaths present that Arthur Mitchum a free man of color, late of the County aforesaid on the twenty seventh day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight-hundred and twenty, with force and arms at the County aforesaid one piece of Cyprus timber of the value of one dollar of the goods and chattels of one James Berthe then and there being found, feloniously did steal, take and carry away contrary to the form of the statute in such case made and provided, and against the peace and dignity of the State aforesaid
E. Turner Atty. Gen.l
[Ultimately the jury found him not guilty]
Montgomery
Betsey Montgomery32 mf, “Free Negro,” VA, w/Jane Zero, 25 mf, Louisiana (1850 Natchez census)
Morgan
Henry Morgan, 52 bm (1850 Natchez survey)
Morrison
Charles Morrison1 male 10-24 (1830 Natchez census)
Morton
Bill Morton2 fpc (Census of 1818, Adams County)
Jesse Carter's Will, 1816
Adams County Chancery Court
Will Book 1
P. 149
In consideration of the long continued, and faithful services of my negro slaves, Bill Morton and Violet his wife, I will that neither of them, nor her son Simon be mentioned or considered as my property, or a part of my Estate, but that my Executors, take the most expedient lawful ways, and means, to emancipate said three slaves, and each of them, and I request my Said Executors to furnish said negroes, after their emancipation, with a small Tract of land, sufficient and suitable for them, to cultivate for an honest subsistence
[Not all transcribed, but these are the relevant points regarding free blacks]
Myers
Garret Myers, emancipation by Henry Herroun, 1834
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book V
Pgs. 319-20
Terry Alford notes that Myers paid Herroun $400 for his freedom, 47.
Recorded in Alford, Terry L. “Some Manumissions Recorded in the Adams County Deed Books in Chancery Clerk’s Office, Natchez, Mississippi, 1795-1835,” Journal of Mississippi History 33, (Feb. 1971): 39-50.
N
Nanette (no last name)
Nanette, manumission papers, 1796
Adams County Chancery Court
Spanish records
Book C
P. 407
21 July 1796. Wm. Brocus, planter, manumits slave “Nanette,” aged 19, Creole, of New Orleans which he purchased some years past from James Elliott, as the father of said slave is a free negro and has applied for her freedom and paid by his attorney the amount of her appraisement, $460. Wm. (X) Brocus. Wit: Roger Dixon. (124).
A different Nanette:
[Excerpt from Brazy, Martha Jane. An American Planter: Stephen Duncan of Antebellum Natchez and New York, p. 124]:
“In December 1858, he purchased a lot in Natchez, known as the Bluffs, from Hester Cummings, a free black woman. Cummings resided in Natchez and was a good friend of free black barber and businessman William Johnson. She bought the freedom of her sister and niece, and she owned several slaves. In July 1858, she bought a parcel of land for $700. Five months later, she sold the same parcel to Duncan, along with ten slaves, for $3,000. Duncan probably knew Cummings through Johnson, who held money for her, loaned her small sums, and made tax payments on her behalf. Five years later, Duncan gave the land to Nanette, also a free black woman, for the sum of one dollar. The relationship between Duncan and Nanette is not clear, but a woman of the same name was listed among the ten slaves Cummings originally sold Duncan. How Nanette gained her freedom remains unknown; Duncan might have manumitted her, or she might have purchased her freedom outright. In any event, the fact that he sold her the land for only a dollar suggests that he felt some extensive obligation to her.”
Hester Cummings to Stephen Duncan, 1859
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book MM
P. 141
Hester Cummings to Stephen Duncan
This indenture made & entered into on this thirteenth day of December in the year eighteen hundred and fifty eight, by a certain Hester Cummings, a free woman of color, residing in the City of Natchez, in the State of Mississippi, party of the one part, ?? Stephen Duncan, a resident of Adams County, in the State of Mississippi, party of the other part, Witnesseth, [hard to read, skipping a bit..] for & in consideration of the price & sum of three thousand Dollars, ?? in hand paid by the said Stephen Duncan, [some text not transcribed]…certain piece of land [the one that she had purchased from Isaac & Pamela King in 1858] And also the following named slaves for life: towit, Nanette, a griffe woman, aged about 24 years: Mary Lawson, a black, woman, aged about 35 years, & her children Frances, yellow, girl, aged about 16 years: Angelina, yellow, girl, aged about 12 years: Jimmie & Emma, twins, griffe, aged about 9 years: Hester, a griffe, girl, aged about 7 years: Sarah, a griffe, girl, aged about 4 years: Eliza, a griffe, girl, aged about 2 years & Ambrose, a griffe, boy, aged about 4 weeks. Together with their future natural increase, To have & to hold the above described property, consisting of the land & slaves as hereinbefore mentioned, unto the said Stephen Duncan, his heirs & assigns, with full warranty against the claims of any & all persons whomsoever, …
[Recorded same date]
Stephen Duncan to Nanette, fwc, 1863
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book NN
Pgs. 388-9
Stephen Duncan to Nanette, f.w.c. Deed
Know all men by these presents that I. Stephen Duncan of the County of Adams, State of Mississippi, for and in consideration of one Dollar to me in hand paid by Nanette, a free woman of colour in the City of Natchez, State of Mississippi. The receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have received, released, and forever quit claim unto the said Nanette (fwc) her heirs and assigns. The following described as follows [it’s the same that he bought from Hester Cummins in 1858. He also defends it against the dower rights of his wife, suggesting a relationship? Dated 30 Jan. 1863 and received to be recorded Feb. 5 1863 and recorded on March 2, 1863]
Nanny
Martin Doyle Will, 1813
Adams County Chancery Court
Will Book 1
Pgs. 100-101
Second, that Nanny, a negro woman now belonging to me to be set free and allowed to ?? at the expiration of each year ?? [unclear because of tape on the document] my estate as long as she lives
[Not all transcribed, but these are the relevant points regarding free blacks]
Narcisse
Manumission of Narcisse by mother, Jeannette, 1781
The Natchez Court Records, 1767-1805
Abstracts of Early RecordsThe May Wilson McBee Collection, Volume 2
(Ann Arbor: Edwards Brothers, Inc., 1953)
“Enfranchisement. Be it known, etc. that I, Jeannette, a free woman of colour, residing at present in the Dist. of Natchez, having purchased from Don Charles de Grandpre, then Commandant of the Post of Pointe Coupee, a mulatto boy named “Narcisse,” my natural son, now aged 8 years, for which I paid him in cash as will more fully appear in the bill of sale, executed at Pointe Coupee afsd. on 7 June 1781, with the intent to enfranchise and set free from all service whatever the said boy. In virtue of my right and privilege, I do hereby renounce all title to sd mulatto boy, my natural son named “Narcisse,” and by these presents do enfranchise him from all slavery and subjection whatsoever from henceforward and forever, etc., for surety of which I bind all my estate and means…the sd Jeannette, a free woman of colour being well known to me Commandant [Charles de Grandpre] aforesaid and the sd Jeannette declaring that she cannot write…” (p. 11)
A different Narcisse:
Leonard Pomet to Narcisse, emancipation, 1816
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book I
P. 105
Leonard Pomet
To received to be recorded 24th September 1816
Narcisse
Know all men by these presents that I Leonard Pomet at Present of the Parish of Concordia State of Louisiana by virtue of the proceedings had and done before the parish court of said parish. Do in consideration thereof manumit and set free and release from slavery a certain negro man named Narcisse Thirty years of age hereby impowering the said Narcisse henceforward to act for himself in all cases in as full free and ample manner as if he had been born free and if the said Leonard Pomet do hereby Covenant and oblige myself to Nourish and maintain said emancipated slave when said slave shall be in want oweing to old age sickness insanity or any proven infirmity. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty fifth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen
Leod Pomet Seal
[More details, did not transcribe all]
Nat
State v. Nat, 1822
Historic Natchez Foundation
Box 34
File 71
The State of Mississippi
Adams County
Whereas by the warrant under the hand and seal of George Newman Esquire coroner of the county aforesaid dated May 2. 1820, stating that one Nat a free man of Colour, did on the said day, assault shoot and wound a negro slave named George belonging to George Selser, with intent to commit murder, and which said warrant commanded the Sheriff or any constable of said county to apprehend and safely keep the said defendent [sic] until discharged by discourse of lawand whereas it further appears by endorsement on said warrant that the said Nat was arrested by John Forsyth Esquire Sheriff of said county on 14 September 1820, and forcibly escaped from the custody of said Sheriff
You are therefore hereby commanded to arrest the said Nat wheresoever he may be found, and bring him before me to be proceeded against according to law.
Given under my hand & seal of office this 28 June 1822.
To any lawful officer H. TOOLEY
To execute
The State
Nat a free negro Obstructing process Plea “not guilty”
William T. Walker sworn say that on the 27. June by virtue of a warrant as stated in the within affidavit he as constable apprehended the defendent [sic], who resisted, opposed and obstructed him in the execution of said warrant,--
Defendent [sic] committed for trial
H. TOOLEY
The State of Mississippi
Adams County
William T. Walker one of the Constables of said county personally appeared before the undersigned Justice of the Peace, and made oath that on the 27th. of this present month, being authorised [sic] and commanded by a warrant from George Newman Esq. late coroner of the said county dated 2 may 1820 to apprehend and safely keep one Nat a free negro, charged with assaulting, shooting and wounding George a slave belonging to George Selser, with intent to murder said Georgethat in obedience to said warrant deponent did on said 27th. of this present month apprehend the said Nat, and that the said Nat willfully obstructed, resisted opposed the service of said Warrant, and after being apprehended with force and arms made his escape from the custody until by assistance and prompt aid the said Nat was retaken
W. T. Walker
Sworn to & subscribed before
Me 28 June 1822
H. TOOLEY
To any lawful officer of said county
You are hereby commanded to apprehend the said Nat and bring him before me to be proceeded against as the law directs.
Given under my hand & seal of Office 28 June 1822.
H. TOOLEY
Concordia. 15. Nov. 1822
Edw.d Turner Esq
Dear Sir,
The Bearer Natt will hand you this, with a Letter to Mr. Reed, requesting a Continuance of his trial untill [sic] the next Term. If Mr. Reed will not consent I have Instructed Natt be governed by your advice, and to appear at such time as you may advise. I am under the impression from an Examination of the papers, that a Conviction Cannot take place. I would however like to be present at the Trial, and if Mr. R. will Continue please send the Boy Natt back. You are Authorised [sic] to Renew the Recognizance if Required.Please attend to this Matter and do for the best.
P [illegible]
& [illegible]
James Dunlop?
Know all men by these presents that I James Dunlap of the Parish of Concordia, and State of Louisiana Have and by these presents do, authorise [sic] and impower Robert Parkinson Esq. of the City of Natchez, as my atty in fact, and as my act and deed, to sign & Execute a Recognizance in the sum of $200. as Security for the Release of Natt (a freeman of colour) now in the Jail in Natchez, said Recognizance being conditioned as the Law Requires, hereby Ratifying and conforming said act, to the same entent [sic] as if Executed and acknowledged by myself
Given under my hand & this 21st day of Aug.t A.D. 1822.
James Dunlap
The State
Vs Warrant
Nat
arrested on the 14th
September & forcibly
escaped from custody
14th September 1820
John Forsyth
Sheriff
Executed & Defendant
Committed to Jail cell
legally discharged
this 27 June 1822
Wm. J. Walker
[HNF note: Defendant, a free person of color, accused of shooting George, a slave of George Lester. He fled but was captured. James Dunlap offers to put up bail, but is denied. Robert Parkinson pays $200 bail. Assault battery intent to killunclear outcome]
Nathan
Nathan, future freedom from Mary Palmer to Adam Cloud, 1814
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book H
P. 32
Mary Palmer
To
Adam Cloud Received to be Recorded the 20th Jan: 1814
Know all men by these presents that I Mary Palmer of Cail County and State of Maryland have this day Bargain’d Hold and delivered unto Adam Cloud a negro Boy named Nathan now aged Ten years and to be set free at the age of Thirty which Boy I do warrant & Defend unto said Adam Cloud his heirs or assigns till the above time is expired, as witness my hand and seal this 28th day of September AD 1793
Witness present_Wm Howell Mary Palmer
Nathan's free papers, 1816
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book I
Pgs. 12-13
Nathan’s free papers Recorded 17 April 1816
Know all men by these presents that I Mary Palmer of Cecil County and State Maryland have this day bargained and have delivered unto Adam Cloud a negro boy named Nathan
p. 13
now aged Ten years and to be set free at thirty which I do covenant and defend unto said Adam Cloud his heirs assigns till the above time is expired and witness my hand and seal this twenty eighth day of September Anno Domini 1793
Witness present Signed Mary Palmer
??
Mississippi Territory
Adams County
I do certify that the foregoing bill of sale for the time of a certain negro named Nathan and commonly called ?? from Mary Palmer to Adam Cloud is recorded among the ? Records now in my possession and the above is a true and faithful copy and I further certify that the bearer is the same Negro as is therein subscribed having purchased him from the estate of Adam Cloud and he having served his time I give him a gen? ? release Washington M T. Jany 6th 1815
Elen Rees Keeper & translator
Of the Spanish Record
[More details but unfortunately, the digital photo is unclear. It appears that Adam Cloud bought more slaves from Mary Palmer to set free when they reached 30, along with a woman who was 40, probably their mother. But it’s cut off.]
Nero
Mentioned in Kimberly M. Welch, Black Litigants in the Antebellum American South. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2018, pgs. 65-66 that he was jailed for "riotous behavior" and requested witnesses to be subpoenaed to attest to his good character. Court case from HNF. Citation: State of Mississippi vs. Nero, 1818, Circuit Court, Habeas Corpus [not transcribed because the scanned document cuts off much of the information.]
Nichols
Isabella Nichols [listed as white, passing? Same Isabella called “free black” in 1821]with 3 white males under 21, 1 white female under 21, 14 slaves (Census of 1816, Adams County)
Jenny Nichols1 fpc (2 slaves) (Census of 1818, Adams County)
Alonzo Nichols26 mm, dagariere artist, MS w/Morative, 19 mf; Malissa, 16 mf; Louisa Spillous (Spillers), 23, mf washerwoman (1860 Natchez census)
Jane Nichols to Isabella Nichols, 1821
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book M
P. 25
Jane Nichols (a free black person) to Isabella Nichols deed
This Indenture made and entered into this first day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and twenty one between Jane Nichols (a free Black person) of the City of Natchez and State of Mississippi, of the first part, and Isabella Nichols of the City and State aforesaid of the second part, Witnesseth, that the said Jane for and in consideration of the sum of four thousand Dollars current money of the United States to her in hand paid by the said Isabella Nichols at or before the sealing and delivering of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath granted, bargained, and sold, and by these presents doth grant bargain and sell unto the said Isabella Nichols her Executors administrators, and assigns, all and singular, the property and properties hereinafter mentioned and expressed, that is to say, one negro man named Lawrence, aged thirty years, one negro woman named Hannah, aged fifty years, one negro girl named Celia aged nine years, also one dwelling House, situated on third between first and second South streets Together with all the goods, furniture & contained in said House, consisting of two Bed steads, two feather beds, three counterpins seven fancy chairs one ?? and irons, one fine fender shovel and tongs, one Bureau, one Side Board, Two Tables, one mirror, one pr candle shades, Two waiters, two pichers, Two ovens, one pot, one large Table, and one pr Blankets, also one dray one cart and three Horses. To Have and Hold, all and singular tho goods, furniture, property herein before granted bargained and sold, unto the said Isabella Nichols her Executors, administrators and assigns, to their own proper use, benefit and behoof forever; Provided always, and these presents are upon this condition, that if the said Jane her Executors, administrators and assigns, shall well and truly pay or cause to be paid unto the said Isabella Nichols, her Executors, administrators and assigns the full sum of four thousand dollars current money of the United States with Legal Interest for the same on or before the first day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and twenty three, then these presents and ever matter herein contained, shall cease and determine and be utterly void to all intents and purposes, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding and the said Jane for herself her Executors and administrators all singular the said goods furniture property & by these presents unto the said Isabella Nichols her Executors administrators, against her the said jane her Executors administrators and assigns and all and every other person and persons whomsoever, shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents, and the said Isabella Nichols doth covenant promise and agree to and with the said Jane the she or her Executors and administrators shall and will immediately upon the receipt of the said sum of four thousand dollars and interest as aforesaid at the day and time above limited for payment thereof, deliver or cause to be delivered unto the said Jane her Executors and administrators all and singular the said goods and property above granted, bargained and sold, in as good case, plight and condition as the same and every of them, no and at this present time.
In witness whereof we the said parties of these presents have hereunto interchangeably set our hands and seals the day and date above mentioned
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Jane Nichols Seal
D C Michie, Orlando Lane Isabella Nichols Seal
Personally before the undersigned one of the Judges of the ?? and Superior Court in and for the State of Mississippi, came the subscribers to the above deed of mortgage who acknowledged to have signed, sealed, and delivered the same for the purposes therein contained, on the day of the date hereof and that they called on D C Michie and Orlando Lane to subscribe the same as witnesses Given under my hand at the City of Natchez this twenty first day of June 1821
Louis Winston
I certify that the foregoing and within deed was recd unto my office to be Recorded on the 22 day of June 1821 Woodson Wren CLK
Orlando Lane to Isabella Nichols, Marriage Contract, 1821
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book M
Pgs. 34-6
Orlando Lane to Isabella Nichols, Marriage Contract
This Indenture, made on this ninth day of May in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and twenty one by and between Orlando Lane of the first part, and Isabella Nichols of the second part both of the City of Natchez and State of Mississippi, and Joseph Templeton Esqr of the County of Warren and State aforesaid of the third part, Whereas a marriage is shortly intended to be Solemnized Between the said Orlando Lane and the said Isabella Nichols and upon the treaty? Of said Marriage, It was agreed between the parties that all the real and personal property of the said Isabella Nichols consisting of the following ? tracts or parcels of lands of land To wit first a tract containing four hundred Arpents more or less conveyed to the said Isabella in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and ten in the name of Isabella Michie, It being after the death of her first husband David Michie and previous to her Inter Marriage with her [illegiblemaybe second?] husband Nathaniel Nichols, by James Foster and Pleasant Elam situated in the Parish of Concordia and State of Louisiana on the Bank of River Mississippi three miles before the court House of said Parish as more fully appears by Reaffirmed? Had to deed make? A? also one other tract of Land a plantation containing four hundred and fifty eight acres & c situated on Pine Ridge Settlement in the County of Adams and State of Mississippi aforesaid originally granted by the Spanish Government to Manuel Maden and by this said Manuel Madden and Charity Madden his wife conveyed to the said Isabella Nichols the ninth day of December in the year one thousand Eight hundred and Sixteen as will appear by the title papers marked B also one other tract of Land adjoining the said Last mentioned tract of land on one side and also adjoining lands of said John McCallus? On an other containing fifty four acres, conveyed to said Isabella Nichols on the day of March in the year Eighteen hundred and twenty one, by John and Sally Dinsmore and also one House and Lot situated in the City of Natchez aforesaid, it being the same she now occupies and resides in all of which Lots tracts and parcels of Land are of the value of twenty thousand Dollars and also the following personal property herein after mentioned to wit thirty negroes slaves for life together with all her furniture farming utensils cattle stock & c of every description of the value of twenty thousand dollars more making in all forty thousand dollars, which property is subject to the rights of said David C. Michie, James T Michie Heirs and Linial descendents of David Michie decd, Now this Indenture and the said intended marriage and of one dollar to her is ? paid by the said Joseph Templeton Esqr the Receipt whereof she doth hereby acknowledge and for divers other causes & considerations here thereunto moving and by and with the consent & approbation of the said Orlando Lane testified by his signing and sealing these presents, hath bargained sold assigned and transferred and doth hereby bargain sell assign and transfer unto the said Joseph Templeton Esq Trustee as afrd all and singular the aforesaid property both Real and personal, to Have and to Hold the same ?? the said Jos. Templeton Esq. his Heirs Executors administrators and assigns forever the tract for her the said Isabella Nichols her heirs Executors & c and shall be accounted recovered and taken as a separate and distinct Estate of and from the Estate of him the said Orlando Lane and he in no wise liable or ?? to him or to the payment of any of his debts, Except the ? rents and profits thereof that shall from and after the solemnization of such Intended
p. 35
Orlando Lane to Isabella Nichols marriage contract
Marriage be gotten gained or made of the same at any times such overtures which shall be for the use benefit and disposal of the said Orlando Lane so for as the said Isabella Nichols ? had or may have any claims therein and the said Orlando Lane doth for himself his heirs &c convenant to deed with the said Jos. Templeton Esqr. Trustee as afsd by these presents in manner showing that is to say that if the said intended marriage shall not take effect he the said Orlando Lane shall and will permit and ? the said Isabella Nichols to give grant and dispose of her said separate Estate as she shall think fit in her life time and make such will or other writing ? and therby to give order devise towit and appoint her said Separate Estate to any person or persons for every trust use intent or purpose whatsoever said that he the said Orlando Lane shall and will permit ? suffer such will hereafter to be made by the said Isabella Nichols to be duly proved by the Executors in such will named and probate thereof to be had and taken as is usual and that the person or persons to whom she said Isabella Nichols shall ? or dispose of any part of her said separate Estate by her will or any other writing that shall be signed sealed and delivered executed by her in the presents of two or more credible? Witnesses as afsd shall and lawfully may peaceably and quietly have hold use occupy possess and enjoy the same according to the use intent and meaning of such gift devised? Appointment without any hindrance or interruption of by the said Orlando Lane his heirs Exrs or any of them & further that he the said Orlando Lane shall and will ?? from? Time to time and at all times from and after the said intended marriage shall take effect upon every reasonable request ? at the proper cost and charges of of [sic] the said Trustee or the said Isabella Nichols make do and Execute all and every such further ? or acts thing or things for the better selling recovering and procuring all monies goods and Estates of said Isabella Nichols ? and declared for her separate use benefits & disposal afsd as the said Jos. Templeton Esqr or his Executors & c or his any of his counsel Learned in the law shall be reasonably ? advised or required. And tis hereby expressly agreed all the parties afsd that the said Jos. Templeton Esqr Trustee as afsd shall be allowed all reasonable charges in the premises ? that the separate Receipt of the said Isabella Nichols the wife ? be a full and complete discharge to the said Templeton Esqr Trustee & c of and from all payments and deliveris that shall be made to her by virtue and in pursuance of the premises and the said Orlando Lane doth hereby ratify and approve of this premises? And doth hereby covenant with the said Jos. Templeton Esqr Trustee & c at all times hereafter fully to authorise and allow the said Isabella Nichols to use his name in any process or suit which may at any time be necessary in order to effectuate enfaorce the trusts afsd so that the same process or suit be not at his costs and on such suit or process to appointhis name or otherwise one or more [there’s little writing I can’t read] judgment and Executions & ? Witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and affixed our seals at the city of Natchez and state aforesaid on the day and date first above written.
Signed sealed delivered & acknowledged Orlando Lane (seal)
In presents of the undersigned witnesses Isabella Nichols (seal)
? Walker, John Bailey
p. 36
Orlando Lane to Isabella Nichols Marriage Contract,
State of Mississippi
Adams County Personally appeared before me Elijah Smith a Justice of juorum? In and for said County, the above named Orlando Lane and Isabella Nichols deed acknowledged that they signed sealed and delivered the above and foregoing articles of contract, as and for their free and voluntary act for the uses and purposes therein mentioned. Given under my hand and seal this sixth day of June 1821
Elijah Smith (seal)
I certify that the foregoing and within instrument of writing was recd to be recorded in my office this 28th day of June 1821
Woodson Wren Clk
Nicks (Nix)
William Nicks24 mm, “FN barber,” MS, w/Henrietta, 22mf, “FN”; Jason Robison (Robinson?), 12 mm; Josephine, 4 mf; Octavia, 1 mf; Walter? Sterns, 35mm, steward; L.S., 35 mf, “fn.” (1850 Natchez census)
May 2, 1844 (Johnson Diary)Bill Nix and Henrieta Stut was married this morning Early and Left for Rodney Early this morning on the Steam Boat Concordia.
May 3, 1844 (Johnson Diary)It was to day that I herd that Bill Nicks wife that ye he married yesterday had been once given to _____and he made use of her. This it was Said was done for a House & Lot and afterwards he would not give it___So Seys report Current.
William Nix Police Board Records, September 1841
Adams County Chancery Court
Police Board Records
P. 319
Special September Term 1841
William Nix, a free Negro of light Complexion twenty one years of age, and five feet six inches in heighth, having Satisfied the Board that he was of good character and honest deportment; It was thereupon Ordered by the Board, that he be and he is hereby licensed to remain in this State pursuant to the Statute in this behalf
Notere?
Rachel Nelson60 Mf, VA, w/William Winston, 30 mm, carpenter, MS; J.L.? Notere?, 25 mm, barber; Frank, 26 mm, barber; Charles Young, 36 mm, servant (1860 Natchez Census)
Noton
Claiborne Noton25 mm, Laborer, MS w/Ardale, 23 mf; Thomas, 6 mm; James, 4 mm; Matilda, 1 mf (1860 Natchez census)
O
O’Hara
Timothy Oharra's Will, 1825
Adams County Chancery Court
Will Book 1
Pgs. 345-7
Item It is my will and desire that my following negroes to wit Bob & Milly his wife and her seven children to wit Harry, Fanny, Jam, Michael, Milly, Perry and Rob be set at liberty and have their freedom that is to say Bob and Milly at my death and the seven children before named when the youngest of them living shall have attained the age of ten years and in the case the laws of this state should not admit of their being emancipated I desire and enjoin it on my executors or any one of them at the period of the youngest child as aforesaid living at the time shall have attained the age of ten years aforesaid to carry or send them all unto the State of Ohio in order that their freedom may be established and afterwards to bring them again into this State in case the laws of this State will admit of them and they themselves should desire it [then he goes on to give money to the Catholic Church and wants his house sold and expenses paid]
p. 346
Item it is my will and desire that the sum of one hundred dollars be paid by my executors to each of the negroes before named after their freedom is established as aforesaid.
Item it is my will and desire that the necessary expenses attending the emancipation of the said negroes or in taking them to the State of Ohio as before directed be paid out of the proceeds of my estate & also the expenses of bringing them back to this State Item I give and bequeath to John Nugent of the town of Washington all the rest and residue of my estate provided he shall take or send the negroes before named into the State of Ohio for the purpose of establishing their freedom as aforesaid within the period of two years after the youngest of them then living shall have attained the age of ten years previous to my death then and in that case he is under the like consideration to take them or send them for the purposes as aforesaid into the State of Ohio within the period of two years after my death.
Item in case the said John Nugent or his heirs should fail to take the negroes aforesaid into the State of Ohio aforesaid within the period before named and they should not have attained their freedom by the laws of this State previous then and in that case I give & bequeath to Mathew Rolls of the County of Jefferson all the said rest and residue of my said estate provided he shall take or send the said Negroes into the State of Ohio for the purposes aforesaid within the period of two
p. 347
years after the youngest of them shall have attained the age of ten years aforesaid, and in case he or his heirs should fail them under the like conditions I give the same to Wm L Cherrr of the County of Adams. Item it is my wish and desire that my executors shall attend to said negroes and see that [they] are not abased and [illegible] on by others.
[Not all transcribed, just the part relevant to free blacks]
Overaker
Margaret Overaker's deed to George Overaker (fmc), 1827
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book P
Pgs. 527-8
[Transfer of about 4 acres of land by Margaret Overaker--map of property1827]
I certify that the foregoing and within deed was received into my Office to be recorded on the 14th day of April 1827
Woodson Wren Clk
Kitty, emancipation by George Overaker, 1832
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book T
Pgs. 359-60
Terry Alford notes Overaker is a free man of color. Not sure if she is his wife, but possibly could be.
Recorded in Alford, Terry L. “Some Manumissions Recorded in the Adams County Deed Books in Chancery Clerk’s Office, Natchez, Mississippi, 1795-1835,” Journal of Mississippi History 33, (Feb. 1971): 39-50.
Owens
Transcription of County Archives of Mississippi, No. 2
Adams County, Vol. II., Minutes of the County Court, 1802-1804
Front Matter
p. 12
Samuel Owens (a Mullatto Freemans) deceased dying leaving a small estate, The Court doth order that Philander Smith take the said estate into his lands and the same Safely keep until the further order of the Court