Amy Johnson1 male –14, 1 male 14-25, 1 female 14-25, 1 female 45+ (1820 Natchez Census)
Amy Johnson1 female 55-100 (it looks like 5 slaves2 males –10; 1 female –10; 2 females 36-55) (1840 Natchez census)
William Johnson3 males –10; 4 males 10–24; 2 males 24-36; 1 female 10-24 (8 listed as being in manufacturing/trade--5 slaves1 male 10-24; 1 male 36-55; 1 female 10-24; 1 female 24-36; 1 female 36-55) (1840 Natchez census)
William Johnson38 mm, “FN,” barber, $8000 RE, MS, w/Anna, 27mf; William, 14mm; Richard, 12mm; Byron, 11mm; Anna, 8mf; Catherine, 6mf; Eugenia, 5mf; Alice, 3mf; Josephine, 1yr3mosmf; Harriet Battles, 57mf, $2500; William Robertson, 36mm, blacksmith, NY (1850 Natchez census)
Ann Johnson58, mf, $10,000 R.E., $6,000 P.E., MS w/ William R., 35, mm, barber; Richard M. 23 mm, barber; Byron, 21 mm, barber; Anna L., 18 mf; Catherine; 16 mf; Eugenia, 14 mf; Alice, 12 mf; Josephine, 10 mf; Clarence, 8 mm (1860 Natchez census)
Emancipation of Amey to William Johnson, 1816
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book I
Pgs. 243-5
Emancipation of Amey to William Johnson
The State of Louisiana Parish of Concordia, Be It Remembered That on the seventh day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and fourteen William Johnson in his proper ? before John Perkins Judge of the parish aforesaid made following consideration in following words ? To wit, To John Perkins Esquire Parish Judge of the Parish of Concordia. William Johnson has hereby given notice that he intends to emancipated his female slave named Amey, and declares that said slave is thirty years of age, and that she has during the four years last past ?? honest conduct without having committed any robbery or without having been guilty of any other criminal misdemeanors. And that the said William Johnson that an order has placed denoting such notice to be given in the Premises as the law requires. Concordia, February 7th AD 1814 (Signed)
[lengthy but pretty standard one that notes that Johnson was paid $5 in hand but does not say by whomassume Amy. Signed by Judge Jno. Perkins on 22 March 1814].
Amey v. Davis, James, HNF, 1814 [NOT certain, but it COULD be her and indeed, seems likely)
Historic Natchez Foundation
Box 30
File 15
[Standardized form with specific information filled in]
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS; that we James Davis and William Adams of Adams County, Mississippi Territory, are held and firmly bound unto White Turpin, Sheriff of said County, in the just and full sum of four Hundred Dollars and – Cents to be paid to the said White Turpin, his executors, administrators or assigns, to which payment, we bind ourselves, and each of our executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly, by these presents; signed and sealed, this 29th day of August 1814
THE CONDITION OF THE ABOVE OBLIGATION IS SUCH, That if the above bound James Davis shall be and appear before the Judges of the Superior Court of Adams County, to be holden for said County, at the Court house thereof, on the second Monday of October next, to answer to Amey a free woman of Colour in a plea of trespass, assault, and Battery wherefore with force and arms he did assault beat abuse and mistreat the said Amery to her damage One thousand Dollars; an in case he should be cast in the same suit, he shall also pay and satisfy the cost and condemnation of the Court, or render his body to prison in execution for the same, or on failure thereof, that the said William Adams shall do it for him Then the above obligation to be void, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.
Signed, Sealed and delivered
in presence of Jas. G Davis [SEAL]
N. Gyllaspey? William Adams [SEAL]
I, WHITE TURPIN, Sheriff of the County of Adams, do hereby assign the above Obligation and Condition, to Amy a free woman of Colour her executors and administrators, to be sued for according to the Statute in such case made and provided. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this twenty ninth day of August 1814
W Turpin [SEAL]
This action is brought to recover damages from the Defendant for assaultingbeating abusingand ill treating the plaintiff on the 27th day of May 1814by assaulting and striking and whiping [sic] her with a whip commonly called a cowskinand with the same cut, wound, and tear the skin and flesh of the said Amey on her shoulder and breast, and by strikingknockingor throwing her down on the Ground, and then and there, beatingkicking, and stamping to her very great injury & damage.
James Fort Muse
Attorney for Plaintiff
60
Adams Superior Court
To October Term 1814
Amey a Free Woman:
vs Tress.
James Davis Ast. & Bat.y
Bail W. Adams
Muse
Set the within named Defendant, James Davis be held to bail in the sum of Two hundred Dollars.
Cost paid G. Poindexter
Aug. 9.th 1814.
Executed 29th August
1814
N. Gillaspy Df? 298
[HNF note: Plaintiff (fwc), seeks damages for assault. Defendant stuck her with a cow iron whip which tore her flesh on her shoulder and back. Then he threw her to the ground where he kicked and stamped on her. Judgement not apparent.]
Johnson, Amy vs. Hunter, Alexander, 1816
Adams County Circuit Court
Drawer 87
Old Box 5
New Box 36-69
Mississippi Territory of the United States
Adams County To wit Superior Court Oct Term 1816
Amy Johnson complains of Alexander Hunter now in custody of the Sheriff & c in a plea of trespass ?? et comer in assault & battery &c For that the said Alexander Hunter on the fifth day of June in the year of our Lord eighteen hundred & sixteen at Natchez in the County aforesaid with force and arms made an assault on her the said Amey to wit at Natchez aforesaid & then & there beat bruised wounded & ill treated her the said Amey insomuch that her life was greatly despaired of & other wrongs to the said Amey then & there did to the great damage of her the said Amey and against the peace & dignity of the Mississippi Territory of the United States and the said Amey by reason of the principles avers that she has sustained damage Five hundred dollars wherefore she ??
John Doe Greene? Rankin
Richard Rochidge?? Plts Attys
[Then, there’s a warrant for his arrest issued 5 June 1816]
Judgment by default and of inquiry Feb. 3 1817
We the jurors find for the plaintiff $25.00
Territory v. Johnston, Amy,1816
Historic Natchez Foundation
Box 35
File 12
The Grand Jurors For the County of Adams and the Mississippi Territory upon their oaths present that Ame (with an accent mark) Johnston a freewoman of Colour, late of the county aforesaid, on the sixth day of April in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixteen and on divers other days and time, before as well as since at Natchez in this county aforesaid did presume to sell and did sell Whiskey, Rum and Brandy [partially illegible as it is written on a document crease] with? Quantity? Than a gallon, that is to say three half pints to divers persons, whose names, to the persons aforesaid are unknown, against the statute in such case made and founded
Peter Little foreman
Witness
Wm Johnston
S Bolchender?
Manumission of Delia, 1818
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book K
Pgs. 223-4
Manumission of Delia
Natchez 20th April 1818.
I do hereby authorize George Ralston to take with him my mulatto girl named Delia to Philadelphia or New York and there have her emancipated if practicable. Witness my hand
Witness present
Tho. Kirkman, Jr. William Johnson
Know all men by these presents that I George Ralston of Natchez Mississippi by virtue of the authority a certain instrument of writing I hereto annexed given me from motives of humanity and benevolence by William Johnson of said place, owner of a mulatto girl named Delia
p. 224
aged about thirteen years, have manumitted and set free from slavery and hereby do manumit and set free from Slavery the said mulatto girl Delia aged about thirteen years as aforesaid: And I do by virtue of said power and authority, hereby give grant and release unto the said Delia all the right title and claim of the said William Johnson his heirs executors administrators or assigns of in and to her person, labour, and service, and of in and to the Estate and property which she may at any time hereafter acquire or obtain. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Philadelphia this twenty fourth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighteen
Geo. Ralston
[more details, not transcribed]
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, HNF 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 sickness soreness lameness 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
Amy Johnston, Police Board Records, 1832
Adams County Chancery Court
Police Board Records
P. 18
Special March Term 1832
Amy Johnston a free mulatto woman about forty five years old about five feet high satisfied the court of her good character and honest deportment.
It is therefore ordered by the Court that said Amy Johnston be licensed to remain in this state agreeable to the act of assembly entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20th December AD 1831.
William Johnson Police Board Records, 1832
Adams County Chancery Court
Police Board Records
P. 11
March Term 1832
William Johnson a free negro man twenty one years old about five feet six inches high and a Barber satisfied the court of his good character and honest deportment.
It is therefore ordered by the Court that William Johnson be licensed to remain in this state agreeable to the act of assembly entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20th December AD 1831.
Katherine Johnson Will, 1900
Adams County Chancery Court
Will Book 5
P. 305
[Katherine Johnson died in 1900 with no heirs other than her sisters and left them all her property].
The following is extracted from Gould, Chained to the Rock of Adversity:
Historical placement of family members:
Harriett Battles: b. 1792-1873. Slave of Gabriel Tichenor until 1822 when freed. Mother of Ann Battles Johnson (Tichenor probably Ann’s father).
Amy Johnson: Slave of Capt. William Johnson until he freed her in 1814. Probably the father of her children, William T. Johnson (1809-1851) and Adelia Johnson Miller (1806-1848).
Ann Battles Johnson (1815-1866) and William T. Johnson (1809-51) married April 21, 1835. Children:
William Jr., b.1836
Richard b.1837
Byron b. 1839
Anna b. 1841
Alice b. 1842
Catharine b. 1843
Phillip b. 1844 (died shortly after birth)
Eugenia b. 1845
Louis b. 1846
Josephine b. 1849
Clarence b. 1851
Children of Adelia Johnson Miller and James Miller (sister and brother-in-law)
Catharine b. 1828
William b. 1830
James b. 1832
Lavinia b. 1834
Emma b. 1836
Octavia b. 1838
Verene b. 1840
Unnamed child b. 1842 died shortly after birth
Albert b. 1845
Close ties with one anotherespecially nieces Emma, Lavinia, and Octavia to their aunt and then their cousins, especially Anna and Catharine after Ann’s death.
Friendships:
Madame Anries Amie (free woman of color, hereafter fwc) with Ann Johnson and Adelia Miller.
Charlotte Brustee (fwc) with Ann Johnson
William (Bill) Winston-was a slave in Johnson household at twelvefreed by probable father Fountain Winston. He was taken to Cincinnati and freed at 21 and married to fwc Caroline Leaper (from Natchez). Octavia Miller Martin asked about them and said, “You never Wright me Woard about Winston and his Wife. I Would like to see them all and poor little lin and budy so much, but I hope that they are enjoying splendid health.” (21).
From Emma Hoggatt (Ann Battle’s niece), from N.O. April 10th 1858:
…“I was very sorry to hear of you feeling so sad when you wrote me word. I felt so myself. There was a man hung here on Friday for killing his mistress in october last. The papers states he got religion before he died and when he was in his cell just before he was to be hung he was praying and singing at such a rate that everyone present was shocked at the way he put up such a fervent prayer and sang such a beautiful hymn and they had two ministers there with him and he died very happy indeed. No more at present…” (31).
From Anna L. Johnson (Ann/William Johnson’s daughter) to Victoire Brustee (free woman of colorfriend) from Natchez, Nov. 8, 1863:
“She was telling me that you wanted her to persuade Grand Ma to move to New Orleans to live. My goodness! It would take a fortune to move us anywhere. There is so many of us and another thing, I don’t believe any thing would induce Grand Ma to leave Natchez. She has been complaining a good deal lately of pains in her limbs & she allows herself to be worried so easily, but she does very well to be as old as she is.”(37-8) attachment to place, ties to family, difficulty in moving lives, established connections…
[Note: “By the 1870s the Johnson siblings had begun to change the spelling of their name to “Johnston” as Catharine did in this letter. A considerable number of freed slaves had taken the name Johnson after the war, and the Johnson siblings would have wanted to retain their unique identities by separating themselves from freed people,” 56].
Excerpts from William Johnson’s diaries
1835
Oct. 27Mrs Battles left for New Orleans on the Bunker Hill [Footnote: Harriet Battles, mother-in-law of the diarist, had been freed by Gabriel Tichenor of Natchez in 1822. In 1832 she had been described as “a free mulatto woman about thirty five years old five feet six inches high” She died in 1874 in Natchez. Harriet Battles was the daughter of the free woman of color Jane (commonly called Jenny) Bush, who had been freed in Concordia Parish, LA, about 1819 and lived in Natchez thereafter until 1840.
Oct. 28Mother Received the sick woman from Mr Merrit Williams On Conditions that if she got well he was to have half for what she would sell for or it was optional with Mother wheather she gave him any part of what she might sell for, the child included
Nov. 3Finds William at Mr. Parkers Kitchen with his Girls. Struck him with the whip 1st and then with the stick. He ran home and I followed him there and whiped him well for it having often told him about going Down there --.
Nov 4I took Bill Nix and gave him a whipping. He then confessed that he had taken the Key of Side Bourd which unlocked Mothers trunk and that he had got money frequently to the amount of Eight or ten Dollars He had bought a finger Ring of Cockarill & Surie, cost $3.00, a whip from Mr Spielmans Zack, cost 1.00, a pair of Boots from Middleton, cost $2.50 he paid John for a pair of Pantaloons His Mother was greatly Hurt at the Conduct of Her Degraded Son
Nov. 21Mrs Battles arrives from Orleans on the Walk in the Water
Nov. 28I wrote to Mrs. Miller by Harden and sent two Dollars for to get Cannary Seed with
Dec. 5Hester Comings Bought her sister Hanah and her child for $1000. [Footnote: Hester Cummings, who was about twenty-five years of age in 1835, was a free woman of color in whom William Johnson took a friendly interest. She performed several neighborly services for his family, and occasionally he held money for her]
Dec. 16Mr. Lilliard has his Boys sold at Auction. They were sold very highOld Mr. Brustee offers a Little Yellow Boy at Auction. Tried to get $650.00 for him But he could not. He was not sold.
Dec. 21Mother Bought Dinah from Mr Merrit Williams and I Endorsed Her note payable on the first Day of June, 1836 to him for $100.
Dec. 24I wrote a pass for John & William to the Theatre and for Lewis and Steven for the Circus.
Dec. 25I worked until 11 Oclock and made $7.371/2, then gave the Boys all they could make until night. John & William made $8.50.
Dec. 25One of Mr. Bells Boys was shot with a musket Ball threw the Left shoulder by Floyd the Black smith. He was ordered to stop and he would not stop so Floyd and Mr. Carpenter both shot at him. Carpenter had his gun Loadened with Buck shot.
Dec. 27William & John & Bill Nix staid out until ½ 10 O’clock at night. When the[y] came they knocked so Loud at the Door and made so much noise that I came out with my stick and pounded both of the Williams and J. John ran Out of the Yard and was caught by the Padroll, Mr. McConnell and Reynolds. I made Mr. McConnell give him 12 or 15 Lashes with his Jacket off --.
1836
Jan. 4I also took up a noe of my Mothers Drawed in favor of J Soria and Indorsed by S.T McAlister for $100.00 given for a sick girl…Loaned Mother $100 to Pay Mr Murcheson for the woman Mary & her child Moses
Jan. 8Old Sterns Cetches Dick stealing money from the draw[er] –Dick ranaway carrying with him the Days work $5 and what he himself had, making in all about $10. –Steven went Out –The patroll caught him and whiped him and I whiped him myself in the morning afterward.
Jan. 10Between 8 and 9 Oclock to night the fire Broke Out in a House the next door below the Barber shop ocupied by John Williams, BarberHe was taken and his wife and children and put in Jail.
Jan. 11Mrs. Dunns Servants taken up by the Padroll. A white man take up that Left there the same Evening –Mr Stantons Cotton Yard was set on fire or there was an attempt to set it on fire, in the Noon Day time by some Dareing Ras[c]al or other –Mr Wells Stable was found with fire in some part of it in the daytime also –I went out about 9 Oclock at night and Garded my yard untill 12 Oclock –The padroll took up 12 or 15 persons about the streets.
Jan. 12The Commity Examined John Williams & Family, two other Blacks, also the white man that was taken up at Mrs. Cornells, also her Servants. They were all acquited and Discharged. It was thought that the fire was the Effect of Accident.
Jan. 14The Gard took Nancy Latimore and Cut her all over her Back, whiped her very much. She went through the Market the next morning with her clothes hanging all off at Each Shoulder.Her back was very much whipped. It was thought Dr. Lattimore make her walk in the Streets that way.
Jan. 15The Black Boy Jeff Belonging to the Miss Joys that Killed Collins the Overseer for Mrs Minors Plantation was Hung.
Jan. 19I Loaned Mother $20 to pay Selser the Butcher with.
Jan. 20I Loaned Mother to pay for her geese at the same time $6.25.
Jan. 23About 9 Oclock I went up to Mrs Thomsons to get Her to come to AnnCommenced Raining about 10 Oclock and rained all night or very near it About 12 Oclock William was Borned
Jan. 26Mrs Lieper goes down to Maj Dunbars to see Harriet Mitchel who is and was very sick…I gave Mrs Bennet $25 for her attention &c. to my wife Patty Dobbins sucks the tit for the Childalso does Lucy Barret Mrs Thomson was down to see the Baby to day
Jan. 27Last night Walker Came Home Drunk and sliped off again. I then went under the Hill to Look for him –I intended to mall him well but I could not find him and to night he Came home the same way –I did not strike him but came very near it.
Jan. 28Hester Commings sat up Together with Mrs Battles with the child.
Jan. 29Last night Hester told Mrs B and myself that ___widow was in the Family way by her Overseer,___, who was married one of the Miss ___ ___She stated that Mrs___ was a going to Kentucky before Long To have the Child I presume. She said that one of Mrs___ girls told her [mother] how Bad it Looked because her Overseer was a married man –She answerdWhat if he was! She did not care for he was only married to a Negro.
Jan. 31Aunt Jinna came to see the Baby
Feb. 11A Mr. Smith from Lake Washington was robbed of $25.00 at Mr. Bells by one of his servants –they whiped 2 of them –they got $150 of the money.
Feb. 19The old woman Buys a good many Birdsdoves, Red Birds &c.
Feb. 21Little Robt McCary was taken very sick, had to send for Dr. Hog. Two Oclock in the night the child took a fit alsoMy Little son taken sick also this Evening.
Feb. 29I called in Dr Hogg this Evening to see the child He came in and wrote a perscriptionit was Hive Syrup
Mar. 3Col Bingaman Sold His Boy Milton to Col Os Clabourne for Fifteen Hundred and Fifty Dollars. He gave his note payable in 60 Days for the $1500 and he gave me the $50 for Learning the Boy to shave.
Mar. 9Mother misslaid or Lost A Receipt for $400 that she paid Mr Murcherson for Mary.
Mar. 12Mc and myself went to see the Benefit of Mr. Rice. He had a very good House. I made up my mind not to go up there any more untill there was some Regulations made up stairs.
Mar. 30We were all Down to night at Mrs Battles Tis the first time that Ann has been to her Mothers since the Birth of Little William
Apr. 8To day Rbt Lieper Commenced to water the street on our Square, and Armstead Commenced to water on the uper Square at [blank] per day
Apr. 19Hester Commings Came to me to try and Borrow $4 or $500 tp finish paying for her sister to Mrs Postlethwait.
Apr. 22The Fencibles [a local militia group] Came by quantites to get shave and Bathed. I made an agreement with Mr. Thatcher to give him fourteen Baths for his Bathing tub. Fifteen or sixteen Volunteers from Vicksburgh Bathed here to day.
Apr. 26I wrote to Mrs Miller by old Mr Brustee
May 3To day I wrote to Mrs Miller
May 9I paid Mr Mitchell to day $100 for Mother, it was a note that she owed to Mr Merrit Williams for Dinah. I was the Indorser on the Note
May 17Mother paid me $50, part of some money that I loaned Her. I Received a Letter to day from Mrs Miller She tells of Her having to Bind Geogana & Margarett Gatewood over to keep there peace, they insulted Her &c.
May 19The Volunteers from Madison County Left here for Texas. To Day it was that I Found Old Pagg. In possession of a Black man belonging [to]Mr. Barber. The Boys name was Patrick, I Brought him Out of his yard with the Saddle, Bridle, Martingale and all on the Horse. I got on him and rode home on him, After having showed the Horse to his master he promised me that he would pay any Damage that I seen proper to Charge him for the Horse.
May 20Mr. Barber sells the Black man Patrick that stoled my Horse, he Sold him on that account alone.
June 1I Bot Moses from a man by the name of William Good, at Least I Bot him at auction under the Hammer for four Hundred Dollars cash.
June 8Steven, Belonging to Mr Nickols came to me and asked my permission to Let him have Sarah, which I agreed to if he would always behave himself properly in my yard.
July 5Little William Winston came to stay with me to Lern the Barbers trade.
July 16To Day it was that I Loaned Mother One hundred Dollars to pay Mr Murcherson for the woman Mary. She paid Mr Doyal to day $130.00 and it Left a Balance Due Mr Murcherson of $170.
July 25To day I was as mad as the very Old Harryin the first place I was in a passion about the Rascally Butchers HorseIn the next place Mother & old French had some Difference. Frence he Left and Ranaway & L.W. Winstons mother was making some arrangment or quarreling about her sons having Bought a Bed from One of the other Boys at 37 ½ cents Oh the Deel could not be in more passion than I was
July 29Mother paid me ten Dollars on the Butchers accountShe takes the three Barrels of Flower at $10 which is on a Credit
July 30I Borrowed from Ann to Day $10 which I Lost on the Races
July 31To Day we sent to New Orleans by James One pound Cake for the children, four Dozen peaches and two or three Jars of preserves, and One Dog puppy for Mrs Miller, I stoped home all Day
Aug. 6Bill Nix Commences in the Spelling Book to Read for he fail[ed] in Reading in the Introduction
Aug. 7To day the Boys were spelling and Bill Nix was the foot of the Class
Aug. 8To day it was that Dr. Potts was whiping a Black man and St. Clair walked up and took him by the Collar and Choked him and Slung him around and then Told him to get on his Horse and Clear Out, which he did do very soon.
Aug. 16To day Mother sends Mary with a paper to get a master
Aug. 21--..Ann & myself wrode Out to the Old Field.
Aug. 25--“To Day Mr Lawrrence whipped K and her son James prety severeethe[re] were a motion made to prosecute him I believe
Aug. 29To Day a Boy belonging to Mr S. Davis was hung on the other side of the River. His name was Nim Rod –He was Hung for Killing the overseer by the name of Levels I believe.
Sep. 2Sterns wife Left Him a week or two agoBacked him Out
Sep. 5Mrs Miller came up from New Orleans on the Steam Boat Jone. She Brought up her Family Consists of Mrs Adelia Miller and her Daughter Katherine Miller & William Miller & James Miller & Emer (Emma) Miller and Lisar (Anna Eliza), and Mary, a servant
Sep. 20Mrs Battles has a Small DinnerMrs Miller & Ann were present.
Sep. 28Peter Lawrence got clear of the charge of whiping Kity McCarythere was no Bill found against him. Rascally. Rascally
Oct. 4The Camp Meeting Broke up this morning –Jos Snider & Earl Clapp Brings Steven Down from the Camp Ground --… Earl Clapp has Steven streched Out whiping Him for Runing away. He gave him a genteel whiping for me.
Oct. 6I got a Barrel of sweet potatoes from Mrs Cary, price $3 They were for Mrs Miller
Oct. 10Mrs Miller Leaves to day on the Steam Boat Danial O’Connell. She took Lavenia, William and James & Emer Miller, also Lisar with her to New OrleansI gave as a present to Her a Barrel of potatoes [and] a Barrel of Corned Beef I wanted her to give Cap Johnson a part of the Beef and Madam Hanah Johnson a part.
Oct. 13I Sent Steven Out to Col Bingamans to work in the Cotton Field.
Oct. 17I loaned Mother to day $100 in cash to pay Mr Murcherson for the woman Mary and her child Moses.
Oct. 20I Bought to day from Mr Wiswall one Dress patron of shalla, price $2 a yard, 11 yards, and I Bought One dress patron of Calico, price $5.50 I gave Ann $20 also…Mrs Lieper has her Litle Daugter this morning
Oct. 25Mother paid Mr Murcherson to Day Seventy Dollars, being the Last part of the Eight Hundred Dollars that she was to pay for the Black woman Mary and her Child Moses. Mr Murcherson gave her the Bill of Sale to Day of Mary and her child Moses.
Nov. 9I Loaned Mother twenty Dollars to pay the ButcherMrs Cary Sent in to Day a Small Box of Hicory nuts and a Box of Crabb apples to be Sent to New Orleans, the crabb apples to Mrs Miller and the H. Nuts to Wellington [West], Mother gets a Bag full from the country also for Adelia
Nov. 12Mrs Cary Sent a part of the applesShe Sent I think a bout 1 Peck and a Box of Hicory Nuts which was Sent altogether in the Bag
Nov. 13Mother went up to see Kitty McCary. She found her very Low indeed, not expected to Live more than a Day
Nov. 16K McCary Died Last night and was buried this morning
Nov. 17I went around To Mcs to Day and He had taken Little James, his Sisters Son, To Lern the trade
Nov. 22To Day Mrs Battles commences to move Out of Her House to have another put up in the place of the old One,
Nov. 24Bill, Mc and myself went to the Swamp on a hunt…and the Little Rascally Bill Lost all my Birds after we got to town, and the way I whiped him was the Right way.
Nov. 29Col Bingaman Sent Steven in town to me to day and instead of Coming in he went under the Hill and got Drunk I Supose; I found him on a Dray and I sent Dr. Hogg to see what was the mater with him and the Dr. pronounced him Drunk at first site.
Dec. 6Charles and Bill Nix goes to the Circus to night, and they don’t go any more to Browns Circus this Season, nor French Don’t go this week.
1837
Jan. 3I went under the Hill to Buy Some plank to make a fence on Mrs Battles Lot
Jan. 11I hyred Lewis to day to Mr Thom Jones to work with his cart and Horse at Esdras to Take Out Dirt at $3 per day.
Jan. 27This morning a Big Negro Belonging to the Miss Evanss undertook to take away a Horse & Cart from Milford Cary for a Debt Due to Mrs Overraker.
Mar. 5Ann & myself took a ride out in the Neighborhood of Capt. Nevits Plantation, then after we came home we took of[f] the Saddles and I took Kitty and wrode Out to Carys and Brought in Little Will [son?] His Grand Mother [Harriet or Amy?]had taken him Out there
Mar. 6Col. Claibourne has 40 of his Slaves put up to be Sold at auction, Report says they are sold for debt.
Lawyer Baker has old Armstead [a free black named Armstead Carter] in Jail
And gave him to day One Hundred & Fifty Lashes. He seys that he stoled four
Hundred Dollars from him.
Mar. 9Sterns was Siting in my Little Room when a couple of girls came for him to go after old Mrs Williams, the midwife. They Said his wife was in nead of the Midwife.
Mar. 21Mr. Thom Evans Came up to my shop to tell French William that he must not Let him find Him coming about his primices again. French had been peeping through his fence at one of His Girls on Sunday Last. Big Madison West [a free black] & a Black Fellow by the name of Lewis Wyley (free black) gave a party at Robt Liepers [free black]. French was invited and I would not Let him Go.
Apr. 4I Received a Letter from Mrs Miller to day which had been Lying in the Store of Wood Pentecost & C. for severl weeks and had been Broken Opend and Read by Some One
Apr. 8I Bought Lucinda to day from Mr L A Besancon for the Sum of five Hundred and fifty 5 Dollars…I pd mother to day for Bourd $18 cash to this date,
Apr. 10I hyred Lucinda to Mr. Spielman to day for five Dollars per month.
Apr. 16We took a walk around town, Mc and myself and at night we took another walk, Ann and her Mother was a Long with us
Apr. 28To day Mother and Little Will Buckes went Out and took a wride on the Rail Road &c.
May 2Auction to Day at Mesrs Soria & C. It was mar[s]hal Sale of thirteen Slaves belonging to Mr. Whitney. They were Sold for a 49000 Debt of Mr. C. Dart in which Mr. C. Dart got Mr Whitney to indorse for and that is the way in which he was Brought to this Situation. They Sold Cheap.
May 21I went out to St. Catherine to fish this Evening and took Charles and Bill Nix with me and was to have met Mc on the Banks of the Creek but did not see [him].
May 25I arose very Early in the morning and took Bill Nix and Bill Winston and mounted Our horses and crossed the River and went a Fishing in the Condordia and Cocodria LakeMc, J. Lacrose and G. Butler went along at the Same time and when we got Over to the Lake we found Messrs Levi Harrison, Pond, Rufner, Cambell, Stevenson, Noyes and some Darkeys and after a short time young Bell and H. Austin Came Down. Young Bell got Drunk and Lye down and went to sleep and Caught no fish of course tho all the persons that were over there caught a Greate many….I left Mc at the Lake a fishing. We Reached town quite Early in the Evening…Mc and Mr. Rufner, Harrison and a good many more Left Late in the evening and did not Get home until Oclock. They treed a Coon on they way home. Mc took an active part in killing the Coon.
May 27--Charles started Home this morning Early. He wrode on my little mare.
May 29To day Mother paid me Sixty Dollars and She now owes me $600 towards the Girl Sharlot
June 3This Day I owe Mother $40 which Sum added to Sixty Dollars that She paid me on the 29th of May is One Hundred Dollars that she has paid me on the money that I paid Mr Taylor for HerShe now owes me five Hundred and Sixty Dollars
June 12A Fight took place this morning between Mr. George Lancaster and Big Frank Little in the Market House, Frank Little it appears whiped Mary Lattimore [Footnote: Mary Lattimore was a slave, the property of Dr. David Lattimore. On September 8, 1838, he swapped “a mulatto woman named Mary,” aged about 21 to “Nancy [Lattimore] a free person of color” in exchange for another female slave, aged about 18, and $1.00 Adams County Deed Records, DD 46] as she terms herself, for being at the Bench Drinking Coffee. She was Left in charge of Mr. Lancaster and as soon as he herd that F Little had whiped her he went into market and commenced on F. Little as hard as he could with his fist. They had a pretty sharp fight but was at last Seperated by the bystanders.
June 29I Caught old Mary to night with a Basket with 7 or 8 unbaked BiscuitI have reson to believe that she got them at the City Hotel, and the way I cursed her was the right way and if Ever I hear of her doing the Like again I will whip her until I make her faint.
June 30This morning M[other] Commenced as usual to quarrell with Everything and Everybody, Knowing perfectly well what it Grew Out of, I thought I would take the quickest way to stop it, and I accordingly took a whip and gave her a few Cuts; As soon as that was done M. commenced to quarrel and abuse me Saying that I done it to oblige Sarah and advancing on me at the same time Dareing me to strike, which I would not do for anything in the world. I shoved her back from me three times.
July 10To day the Sherriff takes Louis Millers Furniture and sells it at the Court House Door for Debt. It was taken. I am told his wife and children & sisters Crying very much when they were taken (then, the footnote explains that “In the previous month William Johnson’s sister, Mrs. James Miller, had written in outraged tone from New Orleans that Louis Miller had there claimed to be James Miller’s brother-in-law. James Miller had denied any kinship. Mrs. Miller to Johnson, June 20, 1837).
July 22What a poor Devel this Frenchman is. To night a Black Girl of Capt Dawsons Sends him word to Come after awhile and get his hankerchiefsthe fact is he has Got a few Lace or fringed hanks and the infernal fool has given [them] to wash to Every Negro wench that he can possibly have any talk with Oh the Rascal I would give One hundred Dollars if Some Gentleman would only Cetch the Low minded Dog and Cow hyde him well Out of there yardsit would do me so much good
July 23I herd to day that my Negro man Walker had ran away on Bourd of Some Steam Bo[at] that Left here on Friday Evening, 21st inst.
July 24I was writing and Flying around Busy as you please in sea[r]ch of Waker, that ranaway from me. Sent a letter by Mr. Birk to be handed to the Sherrif of Louisville with a discription of the thief and the Negroand I also sent an advertizement to the office of the Courrier to {be} published in the daily one week and to be published in the weekly until forbid…Ann wrote two Letters this Evening and I Sent them by mail to Mr Miller for Mrs Miller, I paid the Postage on them both witch I am afraid she wont Like so well
Aug. 5To day I had occasion to go to the stable and whilst I was there I Descovered something Shaking the Loft and I steped to the troft and Loked up and there I found Little _____ with a Muscovia Duck in the act of _____. He was freightened very much____I took him and gave him a Genteel whiping and I intend to whip him again about it.
Aug. 7The old woman gets in one of way; threw Salt all on the floor at the door, Quarrells and makes all maner of fuss for nothing at all, I made Sharlot her Girl go and scour it up but would not Say a word to the Old Lady about it…This Evening the old woman Commences and makes a Terrible Quarrelling and abuses me a good deal for giving Moses a Small Flaking for runing and hallowing in the Street before the Door
Aug. 12To day Mother and myself Spoke together and it is the first time Since the first of July Last This was done throug[h] the interfereance of Mr Miller
Sep. 3This Evening Mother was Seting up on the Porch asleep and tumbled right over, and fell Clear down to the Bottom of the stepsShe hurt her Eye very much and Bruised her face a good deal,
Sep. 28To day Mother Paid me Forty Dollars on the borrowed [money] I Loaned her some time ago
Oct. 11My Second Son was born this morning between 1 and two Oclock. Mrs Seis was the attendantI found her after an half hours hunt for her down at Dr Davis’s
Nov. 23The old woman is on a regular spree for quarrelling to day all dayoh Lord, was any One on this Earth So perpetually tormented as I am.
Dec. 1Mrs. Amy Johnson paid this Evening twenty five Dollars on, or in part pay, money that I Loaned her
Dec. 6To day Mr. F. Taylor Told me that there was to be a tryal on Saturday next at the Court House and the Question was to be thisThat himself and Dr Guinn and Mr McAlister had signed a paper in behalf of Robert Smiths having a right to stay in Natchez and he said if the people of Natchez would not Let Smith stay here that he intended to prosecute the Balance and that none should remain in the placeHe also said that he believed Robt. Smith to be an Honest and as correct a Coloured Man as there was in NatchezI then told him that I knew R. Smith better than he did and I knew that at this present time he was run off from New Orleans for Buying Goods from a Slave Negro and that when he came off he Left five hundred Dollars in Mr. Johnsons hand to pay his Bale for Johnson went his BaleHe confessed that he had heard some thing of it and I told him that he was wrong I thought in trying to make others suffer because he Could not gain his point. (footnote besides other info about Smith, says that Johnson rented seven or eight hacks for his mother’s funeral, at $2.00 per hack, from Smith).
Dec. 9There was to have been a meeting to day according to the statement of F Taylor concerning Robert Smith and the free people of Couler GenerallyThe day has past and Gone and I have heard nothing of said Tryal
Dec. 10Young Winn was up this morningTook Breakfast with usHe brought me a fine mess of fish from the swamp…Winn [a free black] is a poor young man that [could] have been much above his present Circumstances if he had only Justice done him. (In footnote, “George Winn acknowledged the following children as his legal heirs: Winslow; Polly, or Mary, who married overseer William Mosbey in 1834 or 1835; and Helen, who later married Washington Ford…The U.S. census of 1830 and the tax rolls, 1810-31, consistently listed George Winn as a free man of color, and the state census of 1816 further listed in his family one white female above twenty one years of age, no white males, three people of color, and ten slaves,” (209).
Dec. 18Old Esdra came down and had a Small fuss with the old woman about her Girl Sharlot. The old woman took her way two days or three before her month was Out and The old fellow Came Down and showed his Receipt and the old Fellow wer perfectly right in his CalculationsHer month was up on the 20th and she took her away to day.
Dec. 26To day a man came in and wanted to [see] me, He inquired if I had lost a Negro man, and I told him I had. He wanted to Know how much I would give for the apprehension of him and told him fifty Dollars and all Expenses paid.
Dec. 27A Mr____ and myself is about making a trade for my man Walker. He wanted me to give him three Hundred Dollars for the Delivery of Walker to me, Or that I would take three Hundred Dollars for him Just as he stood, We did not Close the trade, he said he would see me again.
1838
Jan. 1To night I Let all the Boys go to the theatre or Circus.
Jan. 6To day Mother Bot a Cow at Messr Howell & Spraigues auction Room The price was 26 DollarsToday Mother sent four Turkeys to New Orleans in Care of Mr. Napoleon Goings from Vicksburgh, To Mrs. Miller of Gravier Street
Jan. 7I remained Home all day, Except a few minutes that I took to wride down to Mrs. Leipers to Get William.
Jan. 24My Little William is Just two years old this day, 24th January, 1838.
Jan. 26The Lady that intends occuping my uper Store Room Came to Get permission to Cook in my Shop, boys Room where they SleepI Told her she Could do so
Feb. 28Taxes Taxes I gave in my Tax List To day and it reads as follows My two Lots value $10,000 My Three Slaves 2,000--$12,000 Mother, three women and two children Slaves $1,650 Mrs Battles House & Lot 4,500 and Slave women 4,750
Mar. 2To day Robt. Smith from New Orleans came to me and wanted me to take a Boy that has in New Orleans which is the son of J___S___. He wanted me to take the Boy and Keep Him as Long as they were in this place which he supposed they would be Here about three Years. He said the Boy was not treated wright by Mr. S.____ and for that Reason he wanted him away from thare. I agreed to take him on the above terms and He promised to write for him.
Today I had to Curse Mr. Brasiers Boy Norman about Throwing at my Chickens in his yard and for Sundry other offences – I had the promise from his master that if he misbehaves again that he would Correct him sevierly.
Mar. 8Mr. Braziers Boy Norman was caught up in a tree I understand stealing of Chickens Last night. They took him to Jail and Kept him there untill Late to day and whiped him and then turned him Out.
Mar. 11Mc Came down and tis the first time He has been Down since his wife Took so sick.
Mar. 19Steven got drunk Last night and went of[f] and remained all night and was not Here this morning to go to Market. I sent Bill Nix to the Jail to see if He was there and He was not there. I then sent Him out to Dr. Ogdons and in going there He found Him and brought Him Down and Left Him in the gate and he Jumped over the Fence and went threw in Judge Montgomerys yard. Bill He ran around the Corner and found him and brought Him in. I kept him [in] the shop a little and then sent him to Help Mrs Lieper to move from the Old House Down to the House belonging to Bill Hazard. He ran off 4 times in about 3 hours and Bill Nix Caught Him Every Time, so He Brought Him Home after a while and I went to the stable and gave him a pretty sevreere thrashing with the Cow hidethen he was perfectly Calm and Quite and could then do his work. Tis sincular how much good it does som people to get whiped.
Mar. 22I wrote the following Lines and gave them to Mr. Umphrys[:] Ranaway from the subscriber in Natchez on the 21st July 1837, a negro man by the name of Walker. He is about forty years of age --- very Black Complection, smiles when spoken to and shows his teeth which are very sound and white tho he chews tobacco to ExcessWalker is about six feet High, raw Boned and muscular. He was brouhgt to this Country by Mr. Merrett Williams and Granville Smith and was sold by them to Dr. Duncan & Preston and was by them returned to Williams and Smith and was sold at Sorias Auction Room where I purchased him as an unsound Slave –Mr. John Clay of Bourbon County Ky. Now owns a wife of Walkers and I presume he is now in that neighbourhood. He has a full head of hair and a heavy Beard, tho no grey hairs in his head that I know of I think that he is inclined to stoop or Lean to one side when walking. His feet is pretty Large – He I am told professes to belong to the Baptiste Church. I know of no marks on his person –if he is taken up to Ky I will Give a reward of two hundred Dollars when [he] is delivered to me in Natchez or if he is in Ohio I will Give three hundred Dollars for his safe Delievery to me in Natchez or I will Take three Hundred Dollars for the Chance of him. William Johnson.
Mar. 27Steven ran off Last night and God Only Knows where he has gone to, for I don’t, tho if I should have the Good Luck to Get Him again I will be very apt to Hurt his feelingsThis is the second time he has ranaway in a week.
Mar. 31I got on my Horse Early this morning and wrode Out to Washington in search of Steven but Could not find Him at all. I also went Out again in the afternoon to Becon Landing but could not hear of Him. During the time that I was in sea[r]ch of him He sent me word that if I would Only let him off without whiping him that he would never runaway again Durring His Life.
Apr. 5I to day Saw a Man up at the auction Room and he wanted to buy my Girl Sarah. I told him he could have her for twelve Hundred Dollars in cash. I intend to see about it To morrow and if I can find out about him I will do something.
Apr. 7I felt a degree of Suspicion about a man that I thought from his General apearance, would if he Could, do me a Damage, that is, I thought He wanted to steal my Girl Sarah.
May 17I Took a wride this Evening Late on my Little mare & I Took my Little William with me
May 18My Girl Lucinda Came Home two or three days ago from Mr. Stocktons.
May 30Mcs little Bill Button is now ranaway from Mc and he Sent Dick after him this morning and Dick ranaway himself and I caught him this night and Took him home to Mc.
June 1I went to the Methodist Church and Listened on the Out Side of it at Mr. Maffitt PreachingHe is a splinded speaker, The best I Ever herd in all my Life.
June 6Mrs Battle moves Down to Her House
June 20To day Mother paid me one Hundred and twenty-five Dollars, which Leaves her Still in my debt Four hundred and Seventy Dollars to this date.
June 21Mother paid me twenty five Dollars more, making in all 150 within two days that she has paid me
June 28To day Dr. V. Metcalf paid Mother $10.00 for One months Bourd of His Boy
Aug. 24To day 4 or 5 Darkeys were taken up for Gambling.
Sep. 17I and the Boys Commenced to Dig Out the shoe makers yard and to make it Level…
Nov. 4When I Came home I found out that Charles and Bill Nix had Joined the Methodist Church and Sarah also.
Nov. 16This morning quite Early I Came Down in my shop and found that the Boys had Just been smoking some of my Cegars which they Denied. I Listened a while and was satisfied that they had stolen them. I then Boxes Bills Jaws and Kicked his Back Side and I slaped Charles along side of the Head several times.
Dec. 18Mother Left for New Orleans To Day on the Bunker Hill
1839
Jan. 12Mother Came up from New Orleans to Day and Brought Lizar with Her
Jan. 24My Little son William R. Johnson was Born three years ago this morning the 24 inst He is three years Old to this Date
Jan. 26City TaxI gave in Mothers 4 Slaves a[t] $1000 and Mrs Battles Property at $3000
Feb. 4I Gave Winston a very Seviere Floging to Day for impudence and other Small offences that He committed.
Feb. 5I gave Winston & John to Day a comple[t]e Floging this morning for Going home Last night without my Leave and for other small offences.
Feb. 12I whiped Winston to Day again on account of his going Home to tell his Mother Lyes, &c.
Feb. 21Mr Robt. Smigh Brought me His Little Boy to Day To See how I Liked Him To make a Barber Out of Him.
Mar. 27Mother paid me in two small payments in all $44She owes a Ballance of of three Hundred and five Dollars
June 11Buisness as usual, quite Dull and nothing New Except that I saw in a paper from New Orleans One of the Rascallys pieces that I have seen for som time Relative to the Pe of C [person of color] and a tryal of Jane Richardson who was Imprisoned for One year from 30th MayGood Lord what are things a Coming to.
June 18I find by being absent for a few minutes that as I returned Bill and Charles had a Black Girl at the Shop Door. Oh how they were Shaking Hands and Cutting up in Greate FriendshipOh what Pupys. Fondlingbeneath a Levell, Low minded Creatures. I Look on them as Soft.
June 19Coming from Supper to night I [saw] Bill & Charles with a Big Nig Standing at the front Door as is usual when I am awayOh what low minded wretches.
June 27The Boys Commenced to Day for to Level or move the Brick in the new yard that is to be.
June 28The Boys was a part of the Day in putting up a fence in the yard.
July 13Bill Nixs is up to this Day a pure Negro at Heart and in action, &c.
Aug. 11Catharine Lieper Died to Day or this afternoon.
Aug. 12Catharine Lieper was buried to Day. They had a Very Large Procession Indeed.
Aug. 18I then took my Little Son Wm and we wrode out beyond the Briars ResidenceWillington and Mrs Battles wrode Out in a Hack to the Miss Eveanss
Aug. 19Mr. Thomas Evans wal[k]ed over to Esqr. Robertiles office to Day and made othe to Willingtons [Wellington West] being a free Born Boy &c.
Natchez 16, 1839
To all who it may Concern. I do hereby Certify the Bearer of a Mulatto Boy named Wellington West is a free Boy Born Free in Natchez in the year One Thousand Eight hundred and Seventeenhis Mother was a woman of Black Complection named Judy Westwas free and Lived in natchez many years before her Death.
William Parker.
I with pleasure concur in the above Certificate.
Noah Barlow
Also do I
J.G. Taylor
State Miss Adams County Personally appeared before me the undersigned Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Thomas L Evans & made Oath that [he] has Known the Bearrer of this instrument of writing & certificat for many years back. Since then I have always Known him to be a free man of Couler and was born here in the City of natchez and Born a free man to the Best of my belief and his name is Wellington West.
August 19, 1839 Thos. L. Evans
Aug. 23Old Nancy Jerado daughter is I am told Kept by Robert S--- of this place Old French pays a Short and his Last visit to nightSo he Seys, God Knows how true. They are all a pack of StrumpWhat I thought they was
Aug. 24Wellington Denies wriding with Old Nancys Daugters in the Charterd Hack
Sep. 24I moove out to the Quigless Place to dayHenry Austing Drove the Hack with my Family and I came out on Horse back
Sep. 27Mrs Battles Came Out to Day to see us in the Country
Oct. 17Mrs Battles and Jane walked out this morning Early to see us
Oct. 18Mrs B. and Jane walked back to town this morning Early
1840
Feb. 27John ran away this morning and went under the Hill and cut several Shines for which I Gave him a Good Whiping to night together with some advice.
May 2I moved my man Phil and his wife Silvia up to my dwelling House the other dayI Bot them the day before yesterday from Col Waymouth of Main Street.
May 18There was a man Sold a negro yesterday at Auction and stole him again Last night, and a negro girl from Capt Barlow. The name of the Girl was Mary.
May 24I wrote some passes Last night, One for Phillip, 1 for Sarah [and] One [for] Lucinda to Go Out to Brackets to a Preaching and neither of them came Home at all Last Night.
May 25I was Out of Humor this morning the first thing and by way of Commencing Business I whipped Lucinda, Sarah, and Steven On account of the Bracket meeting.
June 1James O’Farrell came up this morning from New Orleans and reports that Himself and some of the Guards arrested the man that Stole Mr. Barlows Black Girl Mary and that He was safe in the Jail in New Orleans.
Jun. 3Cilva Came Home this morning Quite Sick Her month is up I think with Mr Caulwell this Day
July 18Steven ran off Last night and was Brought Home by Mr. Hendesee after Breakfast this morning and Beg Him off from a good whiping.
July 24I had a settlement with Sterns [Washington Sterns, free black barber] to night and told him I could not afford to Keep him any Longer and that his maner of doing business would never do. To be Drunk ½ of his time would never Suit me nor my Customers and I paid him twenty Dollars in good money and then He said that he work for his victuals, that he did not care for the wages.
July 27Mr Barlow gave Sterns a regular Flogging and so did one of the Negro men and the old Fellow wran over the BluffA. Lieper Hauled him home.
August 10Steven got Drunk to day and walked of[f] and I, after he had been Brot Home, hand Cuffed him and Floged Him. In the first place I knocked him Down at the Buildinghe then ran away, but was soon Brought Back again and when he came back he was so drunk that he Could not walk, talk or do any [thing] ElseI gave him Late in the afternoon a tolerable severe whiping and Left him, so the First thing I know the Rascal had ranaway.
Aug. 13Mrs Miller left this place this morning on the S Boat (Batton Rouge) with her three Childrenall in good Hea[l]th
Sep. 3, 293And Steven Got Drunk to Day also and walked off, tho Charles found him and Brought him Home and I have him now in Chains awaiting for better times.
Sep. 4, 293I gave Steven a tall Flogging this morning and turned him Loose to work again.
Oct. 3I agreed to Let Bill Nix go up with Col Bingaman and the rest of the Whig Delegates from this place to Jackson.
To Night two strangers come in my Shop to get there Hair Cut and after it was Done C looked at a Breast pin and they asked him what [he] thought it was worth, He said about $50. The owner Said yes, a hundred of them, and remarked that C. put his hand to his Bosom when he got up, After which he Said that he never saw the pin any moore and after a Long and Tyresome search for it. He as good as said it was taken Out of his bosom. C. eserves to be accused of it for putting his hand to the Mans Breast and B [Bill] for Leaving the Room when the search was agoing on. I am well Satisfied that it was not in the Room on the Floor to Night.
Oct. 4I walked Down to the Shop Early this moring and Enquired of Charles if he had found the mans Breast pin yet and he told me that he had not seen it and I Looked on the floor as I stood in front of my desk and thare Layed the Pin under my writing Desk on the Flour where it had Evidently been place by Some OneIt was a plain Case as Ever Came under my observation. It Leaves me to think much, very muchOh that Butter will run, will run so.
Oct. 8Bill and Charles went out to Camp meeting this morning. One on my Sorril Horse and the other on my Grey Horse. I very soon after wrote a Couple of passes, one for Phillip and the [other] for Stephen and Let them Go untill to morrow morning Early.
Oct. 14To Day Young Winslow Winn [s] Brother in Law and Sister [Helen] arrived from the North and went on down to there Plantation in the Boat
Oct. 29Steven ranaway soon this morning. He got Drunk and then put off.
Oct. 30I had Steven put in the Chain Gang to day after dinnerMcCary found him on the top of wagon and took him off and sent me word.
1841
Jan. 2Mr McDanial, Chain Gang man, ranaway from Natchez and took all of His Force.
Jan. 8Bill and Charles and Wellington all goes out to a Party Given by a servant of the Missis Evans out at there ResidenceButter, Butter will run in suitable weather.
Jan. 24I then Took my Little William and took Him down to the Building with me and tis the First time that He has Ever been on the inside of the Building. He is now Just Five Years Old to day, the 24th Jnry, 1841
Jan. 27City Tax Assessment. I gave in my Property as Follows
Number of LotsOne value 7000.00
Number of Slaves Fivevalue 2200.00
$9200.00
Mrs Battles--
Number of Lots 1 1500.00
Number of Slavestwo 550.00
$2050.00
Mrs Amy Johnson
Number of SlavesFour 1000.00
$1000.00
Feb. 7, 317I herd to day that John and Winston was up about the Lake a Hunting and I took my Horse in the afternoon and wrode up thare and Caught Both of them and gave them Both a Floging and took away there GunsI threw away Winstons as far as I could in the Mississippi.
Feb. 22I saw a number of negroes belonging to Capt Coton for sale at the Court House…
Feb. 25Mother Bot Mrs Pitchers Cow for twenty Dollars
Feb. 27Silvy was Confined to night at a Late Hour and Her Baby [was born] about 3 Oclock in the night
Mar. 2Steven got drunk this morning and ranawayBill found Him out in the Body of a Cart under the Brick shed and Brought Him Home.
Mar. 6, 322I met with several Disapointments during the dayIn the First place when I got up this morning I found that Steven had not fed the Horses nor gone to workAfter Breakfast I found Him in the Guard House. Had been taken up during the night drunk and put in thareI had him flogged and then turned Him Out and sent Him down to work.
Mar. 20I had Sylvia and Her Child Brought Down this Evening
Mar. 23Mother and Mrs Mitchell Came up from New Orleans about 3 Oclock in the morningMr Miller sent me a Letter to day with two hundred and fifty Dollars for Hester [Cummins?] and wanted me to take a mortgage on Hesters old woman to Secure the $250I Saw Hester and Gave Her the moneyShe took One Hundred and fifty dollars of the money and told me that she did not want any moorethat She Had made the arrangement [to] do with Less money and that I must send the One Hundred Dollars Back to Mr Miller &c.
Mar. 25To Day about [blank] Oclock my Little Daugter was Born And the Larges & Finest Child I Ever saw of its AgeMrs Dickson was with Her, Ann was well at Dinner time [this was Anna L. Johnson]
Apr. 2To Day the young man Phelps Came and wanted me to pay Him for catching Steven. I Gave Eight Pieces of Paper for it, Such as I sell for 5 Bits a Roll, which is Just five Dollars that the Infernal Rascal has Cost me preciselynot to Include His days work.
Apr. 4I kept the Boys Home to day untill Dinner time at their Books.
Apr. 5I, Bill & Charles were all down at the Animal Show and John was runaway at the same time.
Apr. 7Charles & Winston & John all Looking for my Cow this Evening and could not find Her at all.
Apr. 29A Man belonging to the Harman Estate was murdered Last Night in the Road. The Murderers tried to Burn up the Corpse after they Had murdered Him.
May 1---I took a Boy by the name of Edmond from Mr. N. Hoggatt to day to Lern the trade of Haircutting & shaving &c.
May 4To Day I went up to McCarys Shop and told Him that I had two Little Boys and was requested by Mr. Hogatt to get situations for them to Learn a trade of some KindHe wanted one of them and I Gave Him Choice of the two, Jefferson and William. He Like the Look of Wm Best tho Wm told Him that He wanted to Live with me so Mc then said He would take the otherAccordingly I sent jeff up to Him this Evening.
May 12This morning Shortly After Breakfast time The Boy William ran off and Took with Him Jeff, His Brother, that I had put with McCary. They both went Out Home. They are Boys that were put up with me by Mr. N. Hogatt. William was the Cause in TotoFrom what I have seen of Him I am inclined to think that He is a Boy of no kind of Energy.
May 14I am Nervous to Day And will have some fighting to do before night I do Expect, Tho I hope not, Cincerely do I, and I will try to Keep Cool.
Very Sincular that Steven ranaway to day And the two Boys that ranaway the other day should have returned at the same time. Jus as One ranaway two Came back…
I wrode out this afternoon to the Forks of the Road to try and swop Stepen off for Some One Else, But could find no one that I would Like.
May 16John has a Pistol Taken from Him to day and Caps. He was making Preperation to Hunt, After being foiled in his opperations He got on Bourd of Steamer Constelation and went to New OrleansSteven is runaway too at the present time.
June 6Pheebe, the mother of William & Jeff, Children of Mr Wilford Hogatt, Came in together with Emeline & Misouri and Little January Hogatthey remained untill after Dinner and then Left Leaving Misouri and January to stay in townThe Boy is to stay with the girl as Company for Her, for a few days Tis a good Idea. But from the appearance of the Little Girl I am inclined to think she is stuborn an of Strong passions and not Easily managedI am pretty shure that is the Case with her
[Footnote (this is regarding June 8 entry regarding John Barland being accused of murdering Fitzjeral and how “he will get clear of it”): “John Barland was a free Negro, an acknowledged son of William Barland, Adams County white planter who held three land grants from the Spanish government, and his slave Elizabeth. She and their twelve children (including John) were freed by William Barland in 1815 after he had petitioned the Territorial assembly for authority to emancipate them and his petition had been granted. Elizabeth Barland and her children inherited William Barland’s property and were sometimes listed in census and tax records as white, sometimes as free Negroes. In 1839 and 1840, John Barland was listed on the tax rolls as white and in 1843 and 1849 as a free man of color. In 1844 he married “Mary E. Fitzgerrald, p. 334.”]
June 17I got three Little chickens to day from Mother as a Present
July 24Large Comp of Our Citizens went out to day in the Bayous in search of Runaway Negroes. Capt Ruffner & Mr. McAlister, Mr Joseph Mensho and a number of Our Respectable Citizens was outMr R. finds a fire Burning in the woodsJo Mesho finds a Bucket of meat in a tree where the Runaways has been tho there was no Negroes Caught that has been Known.
July 30Just at or about Supper time we had a heavey Shower of Rain and a strong wind, So very Strong that I ran from where myself [and] Winston was at work plump into the Back House and Winston with meIt was very Cowardly to do so. And my family up Stairs.
Aug. 18The Horrows of the Inquisition is going On still in this City, It Seems that Dr. Merrell and the Jg [Judge] has a tryal this Evening I have not herd any thing moore about it. The report of Harriet Cullen or Harriett Johnson (free mulatto) being in Jail is not true, She was not put in Jail, Glad of it.
Aug. 19The Tryal of Berry Came of[f] To Day and I have yet to Learn for I don’t Know what the result was at all yet
Aug. 20Steven is drunk to day or this Evening and gone on the town somewhere. Yesterday Ann Perkins that was Commited to Jail some 3 days ago was tried under Habeas CopusShe prooved that She was of Indian Decent and Came of[f] ClearMr T. Armatt was her CouncilSaunders & Thatcher V.S. HerShe was put in by a ___ ____ by the name of Sandy ParsonsHis witness [was] Peter LardenceBig Berry Duncan was cleared at the same time and Ordered to Leave the state in thirty Days. Fullman was also tried at the same time and the result was the same as in the case of Berry Duncan. To day Big Francis and her Daughter was tried I believe and was put in jail for further notice, &c. [Footnote: The Natchez Courier, August 28, 1841, printed a lengthy opinion by the Adams County Circuit Court to the effect that either the justices of peace or “the Conservators of the Peace” could require Berry Duncan, unlicensed free mulatto, and other unlicensed free Negroes to leave the state within sixty days]
Aug. 21The meetings are Still Going on in the Inquisitions Court, The Lord Only Knows the result, Phill Came up from the Swamp this Evening. Seys they are well. The Following Gentelmen Signed William’s Petition To DayCo. A.L. Bingaman, Mr. Duffield, Col. Wilkins, Capt. Nevitt, I confess there is Something about this Law that I do not understand, Report Seys that a Bond is required after the Lycences is obtained. I cannot understand the mater fully.
Aug. 22To Day I wrode down into the swamp and took Steven with me and Left him at Mr. Gregorys to work at the rates of 20 dollars per monthHe had Just been Brot in from Mr. Minors Quarter and I had to pay 4 dollars for taking him up.
Aug. 24Lotts of F.P.C. are running around Town with Petitions to have the Priveledge of remaining in the state, tis Laug[h]able almost, Willington [West] was out into the Country this Evening to have his Petition signed and He got the following Gentlemen on his PaperDr. Steven Duncan & Col A L Bingaman, Dr Calhoun, Col. Wilkins, Mr. R. C. Evans, Mr J Routh, Mr S.D. ElliotteThose names are Enough to make any Common man Proud.Those Names are an Ornament to Any PaperThose are Gentlemen of the 1st Order of Talents and Standing.
Sep. 6Police Court in Session again to day trying the rirghts [writs] of Petitions There were a greate many Petitions hand[ed] in to day and some of them was I understand regected by the BoardOld Dr Wren adressed the Bourd at LengthMr H Conner Got tireed of the old Fellow and Ordered him to Hush and if, seys He, you say another word I have you put in Jailand the Old Fellow stoped off I have seen a Greate many that was very Glad of the old Fellows defeatHis remarks was that old Nancy Kyle & Caroline Kept a House of ill fame, a House of asination, a whore House &c.but he could not Shine
Sep. 9Poor Andrew Leeper was, I understand, ordered off to day, and so was Dembo and Maryan Gibson They are as far as I Know inocent and Harmless People And Have never done a Crime since they have been in the State that I have Herd of I saw an article to day that Mary Leeper has a Bill of Sale for Andrew Leeper and it is nothing moore than an Article of agreement between Mr Lynch and Herself, which Binds her to pay him $200 on [or] before the first of March next and the date not put on itIt then went on in the form of a receipt, one for the sum of $85 and the other for One hundred and fourteen Dollars and 50 cts, the whole being 50 cts Less than the Amount she was to pay for himand in another part He, Lynch, promises to Emancipate said Andrew at the Expense of Mary LeeperI see very plainly that Lynch Can do as he pleases in the affairOh what a Country we Live in
Sep. 12, 347I understood this morning Early that Steven was in town and I knew if he was in town that he must have runaway from Mr. Gregory where I had hired [him] to haul wood in the swamp. It was after Breakfast and I got on my Horse and wrode up the street and I found him in the Back Sr. near P. BakersGave him a tap or two with my wriding whip and then Brot him to my shop and in a few minutes after I got to the shop Mr vernon Came to inform me that Steven had took a watch from one of his men and that he had been seen to have it and that he had take it yesterday as he passed there. I Commenced a Search on his person and found it in his Coat Pocket. I gave it to Mr. Vernon and was glad that he Came So Soon for it. I then made him get on a horse and go on down to Mr. Vernons place and there I made his Driver Give him a good Floging with his Big Whip. I then took him down as far as Mr. Fords Land and Left him with Mr. Gregory and he took him down and Set him to work.
Justices offce were full all day. They were trying a boy [of] Mr Fields. The Boy was sentenced to be whiped but was not. His master [entered] an apeal I herd.
Sep. 29Two runaways, the One belonging to Mr. Sevier, the other belonging to Mr. Samuel Davis EsqrThey were found in the House of Mr Garnet Howell, Esqr. Said to have been Kept thare by his boy in the absence of Mr. Howell and Family.
Sep. 30The officers went in search of Mr G. Howells Boys to day, to have him up about his having those runaways in his House, but they Could not find Him. Mr. Earnest is the agent of Mr Howell, and was very Angry at the Proceedings of those Gentlemen who arrested the Boys.
Oct. 5I gave the Boys Several Lessons to day in reading and writing in there Room.
Charles Went to the Circus to night. He was perswaded to go by Bill NixWelllington went alsoI Gave all three of them a pass to go.
Oct. 14, 352I had a Little run to day after a Black Boy that Slapd my Little William. I got near Enough to give him a very seviere Kick on his butI don’t think He will attemp to runaway from me Soon
Oct. 16Steven ranaway this morning from fear of being SoldGregory Came up from the swamp to day and paid me twenty Dollar wages for StevenPhill Came up from the Swamp to Day Sick.
Oct. 24Steven was taken this morning by Bill Nix and Brot HomeWhen taken he had a hot loaf of Bread under his armTomorrow is a week Since that He would have been Outno 5 days.
Oct. 26Meshio and the old woman was quarreling to dayMeshio was drunk and Crying Like a Child because the old woman said that he owed her 7.50 and would not pay herwhat a Childish Creature he is
Nov. 2Mother pd me to day 25 dollars on the money that I Loaned Her to pay Mr Murchson with a Long time Ago
Nov. 7Mrs Amie was down to See us to day
Nov. 8, 357I Gave Lucinday a Good Floging this Evening for her Conduct on yesterday. She asked Leave to go to Church yesterday and in place of going to Church a[nd]rema[I]ning she went off in some private Room, the Little Strumpet.
Nov. 23, 359Steven ranaway this morning from Mr. RabyMr Rose Brought Steven to me this Evening Quite Drunk. I Took him Home and gave him about a Hundred then Let Him Go for Reasons.
Nov. 27Col Bingaman and Mr Elliotte and Several others Left for New Orleans this Evening Taking allong Bill Nix as Body Servant.
Nov. 28My Little Richard very ill indeedI didnot go to the shop this whole day and the Boys were very Buisy and not any One to help them
Nov. 29To day was a fine Day Tho one of Trouble with my FamilyMy Little Richard still very sick, Dangerously ill, having more of those Spasams or CrampsOh how the poor Little Fellow suffers God Grant that He may recover from this Dreadfull malady
Nov. 30To day I find Richard no better. Still Suffering As much as a poor Little Soul Can
Dec. 1My Little Richard Suffering a greate deal indeed from His sicknessoh how the Poor Little Child pains
Dec. 2To day has been a good Day by work in the Shop tho I have been no Help to them for my Little Richard was too sick for me to Leave Dr Davis still attending to him Oh how weak the Poor Little Child has become from his sickness
Dec. 3To day the buisness has been good in the Shop tho the illness of my Little Richard prevents my working at it
Dec. 4My poor Little Richard is so sick that I Cannot Injoy the day be it Ever so fine
Dec. 5My Little Richard very Low. Poor Little Fellow, He suffers so muchMcCary and Mrs Gibson Sat up with him to night all nightHe was very ill Just before Day. His Cough was very Troubled about it ie the Child could get no rest. Oh no One Knows how much the Poor Little Fellow Suffers at this very timeI got moore sleep to night than I have had any One night sinse it was Taken
Dec. 6My Poor Little Richard is very sick yet. Dr Davis Comes very Regular to see himThe Poor child has had a very hard time of it. Poor Little Fellow. God Grant that He may soon recover from this Dreadfull sicknessMcCary and Hester Commings has Came to night to set up with Him
Dec. 7My Little son Richard is still very sick and has been Restless, Quite soHad 1 of those spasms shortly after supper to night
Dec. 8Thank God my Little son Richard is some Better
Dec. 9My Little Richard has been very bad of[f] All of this Day. Had another spasm to day. Oh what a time of it we have hadWe have to set up Evry night with HimMother sit[s] up with Him to night, Mc untill ½ past 10 Oclock, then returns HomeTis now at the time of my writing nearly 4 Oclock in the morning and I am now setting by the Bed Side of Richard who I thank God appears a Little Easy in his Sleep &c.
Dec. 12My Little Richard Something Better to day, tho still quite unwell and has to be set up with yet.
Dec. 13My Little Richard Quite ill. Dangerously so. Very weak
Dec. 14To day would have been a very Cheerful day if my poor Richard was only Better tho I [was] sorry to see Him so much weaker to day.
Dec. 15Gave my Little William a very seviere whiping to day up at the Shop for his bad Conduct, Throwing Brick and so forth, and sent Him Down Homeoh I gave him what I thought was rightMc Sat up with my Little Richard Last night for the Little Fellow was very sick in the afternoon and part of the NightThank God, He is much Better to day. Would to God He was only well this day
Dec. 16My Little Richard is much better to day Thank God
1842
Jan. 5I saw Little Winn to day and he Had Mosbeys negro man up with him to Sell him to rais money to pay Mr. Withers…I Took Emeline and Mosuri up to Miss Dowells to day for to Stay if they would suite; I Left them with her and Told them it would be well to stay thare untill Mr Hoggatt Came in Himself from the Country
Jan. 13I was up at Mr Soria Auction Room and there they were selling a woman belonging to Mosbey and I at the request of Winn bid her in at 296 Dolls and I told him that if she suited my Family that I would Keep her and if not I would try and sell her for him, The officer Came down and I told him that I would be good for the woman when Ever he should want her and if I Liked her I would Keep Her, &c.
Jan. 14I was down at Mr Mosbeys to day and I wanted to inquire of him whether Pegy was Healthy and Sound &c. and found out by Inquiry that He was willing to warrant Her sound and did do so and told me that it was Only on acct of His being so much in debt that he was selling Her. I then agreed to Give him 296 Dollars for Her and sat down and wrote the Bill of Sale which reads $300 and he Signed it.
Jan. 21I received a Letter from Mrs Miller to day informing me that she had Lost her youngest Child, a Daughter, a Beautifull Child & only Lived Eight Days
Jan. 29Miss Catherine Evans is not hardley Expected to Live the night outShe is very Sik They Sent the Carriage for Mrs Battles to night and she went out Amediately to see Her and when she got Out she found her speechless and dyeing and the poor Lady Died at 11 Oclock to night. Good many of her friends was present at her death
Apr. 16Steven was Home twice to day and wranaway again. He was Drunk but will be Caught when he Don’t think about it.
Feb. 1Ann is Quite sick to day. I sent for Dr Davis and He Came arround, made some few Inquirys and Left saying that if she did not feel Better by night to take 3 of Cooks pillsI have been down at the House nearly all day with Her
April 27Poor Milford Cary Died this morning about 3 Oclock and [was] Burried this Evening a[t] 4 or 5 Oclock Poor Man, He sufferd so Long with illness &c. Has been a meare Child for the Last year Having Lost the use of his Hands [and] arms for more than year
May 12Charles wrode my Mare Out to see How Sally Cary was and found her Crying and Hallowing, Falling down &c, on the road SideShe was on Her way to town She said to see Stewart, the Sexton, &c. Mother hyres the Girl belonging to Gimy Toolley Esqr.
May 28Wrode Out this Evening, took my Little Girl with me wriding On my nag
June 18Mother paid me $5 this Evening that I Loaned her the other dayMrs Brustee went down today on the Baton Rouge
June 25I feel Greatfull this Evening of Our Lord that I and all my Family are well at present. Peggy is unwell with a Bad foot.
June 26I had Peggy mooved up from my House to the Shop for Mother to attend to Her
July 9I Spoke to A.L. Wilson the other day to procure me a passage on the Steam Boat, Maid of Arkensaw, which he promised to do and to day when the Boat Came I went down to see about it and I saw him and He told me that he had spoke to the Capt. And that he had Refused to let a State Room, But that my wife Could have the whole of the Ladies Cabbin to Herself but it was a Rule on his Boat not to Let any Col persons have State Rooms on HerI askd him to go with me on BourdHe went on Board and showed me the Capt. And I asked him if he Could not spare a State Room and he told me that He Could not spare one that it was against the Rules of His Boat and that he had said It once and that was Enough and that he was a man of his word and Spoke of Prejudice of the Southern people, it was damd Foolish, etc, and that he was doing a Business for other people and was Compelld to adopt thos Rules.
July 13I sent a Letter to New Orleans to day to my wife by the Steamer Mail
July 21I Recevd a Letter to day from my wife in New Orleans. They were all well &c.
July 28My Wife Came up to day on the Maid of Arkansas and had my three youngest Children on Bourd, Richard, Byron and Anna and Seva [servant] Lucinda. They Left her on the 9th inst and arrived here to day
August 13I had Last night and this morning together several Quarrels with my wife She Commenced it of course I did not have a great deal to sayall amounts to nothing any how for I Cant say that I said anything to Her to Hurt her feelings that I believd myself whilst I was talking. I only did it in a Spirrit of Retalationthat [is] all so Help me
August 14To day it was and Last night that I had a small fus with my wife and it was to day that I wrote the Letter &c. instead of yesterdayTis the Last One I hope
Aug. 17Mother Gave Mr Poindexter the Black Slut Corah to day and he took her down this Morning on the Steam Boat Mail
1843
Jan. 26Steven ran away this morning after getting drunk. I will astonish him some of these days if he is not Carefu…
Jan. 27, 424Steven was in jail this morning and I went and took him Out and Floged Him not a Little. He was taken up by a Duchman who had him before Esqr. Rivers and tried to make it appear that he had Stollen some things from Dr. Oghdens, but Steven got up and Cleared his own self before the Jury in a minute.
Feb. 21I bot a Little Boy by the name of Anderson from Mr. Thornton who signed his name as Agent for a Mr. Covington.
Apr. 10Bank Bill and Willis had there trial to day, was both Sentenced to receive thirty nine Lashes on ther bear Backs which was done.
Aug. 7Henry Adams and wife was sold to day at the Court House. They brot 1600 dollars I am told. 6 months CreditBot for old Mrs Brabston, I am told.
Aug. 14, 444Steven ranaway yesterday and was brot Home to day by Bill Nix. I gave him a floging and let him go.
Aug. 15Flavius Fletcher Killed Iccum belonging to Mrs McCray Last night. He was shot at Mr Amatt plantation, F has got out of the waymade himself Scarce.
Aug. 23Steven ranaway Monday and has not Come Home yet.
Aug. 24I came very near Cetching Steven to night. he was in the Stable ajoin[in]g mine but he Jumped out and ran into the weeds somewhere.
Aug. 27--…more than one of Mrs Lintons Black men by the name of Rolia beat Mr. Preston this afternoon up at Mrs. Lintons Gate. It was Whilst he was in Company with some Ladies. His friend Fouler or Fuller of Some Such name was with [him] and was prevented from assisting Mr Preston by Mrs Lintons Carriage Driver, who would seize him when Ever he attempted to interfear. Considerable fuss about it to night, 8 of the Guards Ordered Out. Greate time indeed ---.
Charles was over the River to day a fishing and came home Drunk – Wanted to marry an old Black mans Daughter and told the old man to Refer to Wheelock & Sayers, A.L. Wilson, or Erhart & Foster if he wanted to know about his character.
Aug. 28Nothing New but the Out Rage Committed yesterday on the Person of Mr Preston by a Black man belonging to Mrs Linton. The Boy has ran off and is not tobe found at allthere has been a greate deal to say about it.
Sep. 2Mr. Collingsworth the overseer of Judge Covington made the Driver take hold of One of his Boys to flog him and the Fellow stabbed the Driver and cut off the arm of Collingsworth and ranaway but has been Caught Since and is in Jail. This was in La.
Sep. 4Mr. Knight has his Boy Lenson whiped and he Confessed to have been stealing for some time from him, and he gave the names of Mrs Irvin Frank, Buckanans Grocery, and Whites and Sam Magruder and several others that I have nearly forgote…
Sep. 5To day Came off the tryal before Eskr Wood, Mr. Preston VS. Mrs Lintons Servants. Beverly was tried and Sentenced to thirty nine Lashes and the other, Rolla, was Comited to court. This offence was this that the black man Choked and beat Preston for striking or attempting to strike him.
Sep. 24Near 11 oclock to day Phill Came down Main St. Leading Steven who had gone up the street and had go drunk, very drunk. I was Buisy at the time and Could not get out to see him. He managed to slip away from Phill and got in Mrs Dumax yard, Phill caught him and brot him to the Shop and put Care for the minutes of Bill Nix who Let him Slip out and he broke a sash in the door or pane of Glass. he then ran off around the Corner and the Boys took after him and I followed but could not See him. They however Caught him Some where up town and brot him down. When he found that I was not there he cut up Greate Shines, got in a fight with one of the men, and Italian that Lives in a part of my House, Antonio Lynch. He bit the Italians hand a Little. All this was done whilst I was up the street and when I came down they had put him in the Guard House.
Just before we went out [to the country] Winston whiped Mrs Jordans Ann. He pelted her with his fist. She had called him a Lyar the night before.
Sep. 25, 451I went to the guard House this morning after Breakfast and took Steven Out, tho not untill the Capt. Hanstable had given him thirty nine Lashes with a whip which the Italian Said he was satisfied. When I took him home the fellow would not agree to have the hand cuffs on after he had Sliped one of his hands out, tho I whip him a Little. No doubt will give more in time to Come. He is now jailed up in my Corn Cribb. I intend to send him to New Orleans Soon.
Oct. 1Camp Meeting Commenced To Day, no it was yesterday. William Nick went down to Martin Millers and hyred a Horse, a Cabb or Bugy, and Drove out to Comp meeting taking Dick and Charles with him and they Started from thare Early and Came in Slow…
Oct. 5Nothing new to day more than the yellow fever is Said to be very bad at this time at Rodney. Great many are Said to be Sick at this time, A.G. Carpenter and Dr Benbrook started up to R. Last night for the relief of the sick and Lizor Cotton and Nancy Kyle Left to day to go to Rodney to wait on the sick
Nov. 6Tis [this] night that Bill acknoledged that he did Stay with a Black woman by the name of Lucinda that Belonged to the Gemmel Estate.
Nov. 24Nothing new to day only I herd Brustee had been treating his wife very badly and that she was very anxious to go home to her people
Nov. 25Mrs G Brustee was at my house this morning and wanted me to go get her passage on the Princess to New OrleansI saw her afwards and told her she had better remain at my house, that I would see Mr Brustee and things would turn out rightshe thankd me and we parted and I did not see her nor him more during the day [Footnote: Gabriel Brustie, free man of color, was listed on the 1843 tax rolls, Adams county. Gabriel Brustie was godfather at the baptism of three of Johnson’s children in New Orleans, and Marie M. Brustie was godmother in one instance, p. 462].
Dec. 2Four Overseers on the other Side of the River Took Old Moses out and beat him nearly to death to night. The names of the men were Buck, Keiger, Deputy, and the Felow that got his arm Cut so at Judge Covington place.
Dec. 19Steven is drunk to day and is on the town but I herd of him arond at Mr. Brovert Butlers and I sent around thare and had him brot home and I have him now up in the garret fast and I will Sell him if I Can get Six Hundred Dollars for him. I was offered 550 to day for him but would not take it. He must go for he will drink.
Dec. 29Several Balls about town to night, An Irish ball or two, then there were Darkey Balls.
Dec. 30I Expect from what past between Mr Cannon and myself that he will take Steven On Monday if Nothing HappensAnd what is the Cause of my parting with him, why it is noting but Liquor, Liquor, His fondness for it. Nothing more, Poor Fellow. There are many worse fellows than poor Steven is, God Bless Him. Tis his Own fault.
Dec. 31To day has been to me a very Sad Day; many tears was in my Eyes to day On acct. of my Selling poor Steven. I went under the hill this Evening to See him of[f] but the Boat did not Cross over again and Steven got drunk in a few minutes and I took him Home & made him Sleep in the garret and Kept him Safe.
1844
Jan. 1I rested bad last night. I had much Care On my mind, the night appeared very LongI got up this morning Early and took Steven with me down to the Ferry Boat and gave him up to the Overseer of Young & Cannon. Crawford was his name. I gave Steven a pair [of] Suspenders and a pr of Socks and 2 Cigars, Shook hands with him and see [him] go On Bourd for the Last time. I felt hurt but Liquor is the Cause of his troubles; I would not have parted with Him if he had Only have let Liquor alone but he Cannot do it I believe.
Jan. 4Mr George [blank] belonging to Col Bingaman, gets married to Sally Cary, widow of Milford Cary [Footnote: “This apparently was an instance of a slave marrying a free woman of color. Both Milford and Sally Cary were illiterate free Negroes, but in 1838, Sally was able to pay $620 for a plot of land near Natchez on the Woodville Road. Moreover the term, “Mr.” Was a very unusual one for Johnson to apply to a slave and may indicate that George was a highly respected servant. None of three free Negroes reported as attached to his household in the census of 1840 by Adam L. Bingaman were of the proper age and sex to have been “Mr. George,” p. 471].
Jan. 6A trial Came of[f] before Esqr Woods to day and it was Parkhurst was tried for Stealing a Darkey belonging to Fields. I herd that the man did belong to Parkhurst and to prevent his Creditors from getting him he gave Him to Wm Purnell and it appears that Purnell Sold the man to Fields and that PkT, thinking that he would get nothing for the man, He gives him a pass and tryes to get Him of[f] up the River and he was arested in it Some way or other and the Justice Woods required bail in the Sum of One Thousands Dollars, in default of which Parkhurst was Commited to Jail until Court, which is in May some time.
Jan. 9William Nix Commences to work Again, got up from New Orleans Last Evening.
Jan. 16Winston went Out this morning after Breakfast and after a very Long and tedious ride found my Horse in the dixon Field, He drove them Home.
Jan. 17Baylor Winn Brot up the three Servants belonging to Judge Boyd, He told me that he Caught them Down in the Woods Close to the mouth of St. Catherine. He brot them up this morning, Young Gim Kenney has made his Escape. He was the Cause of their runing away. They were put in Jail.
Jan. 18I bought a man by the name of Billy from a Mr. Hanks to day. He was in Company with Mr Miderhoff at the time. Our agreement was that I was to pay One hundred and Seventy Dollars for Billy in Cash, and thirty Dollars more Mr Miderhoff agreed to take Out in Shaving &c with me.
Feb. 1Just as I got Opposite the Shop I saw Bill, Charles, Dick a[nd] Winston all Just walking Out to market to take Coffee, and I called Winston back and went in. Old Wilgus who I permitted to Lay on the Sofa all night was Just Getting up and I found that the Little Table had been moved and that the Boys had been playing Cards all night in my room.
Feb. 29I was up at the Wemple Store this Evening and I Saw Ellen sold, She was Bot in the name of Bridget, Her Mother, and was struck off at 440 Dollars. Mr Emerson made a Long speech in her behalf and Said Some soft things,…
Then James was put up and I bid on Him a time or two and then Stoped. I had got a Gentleman to bid for me So that Some individuals would not run him up on me two high, tho they did run him on me to $790 where he was then Knocked of[f] to me, through Mr. Canon.
Mar. 4James Came Home this morning to work, Brot His things down in the forenoon. I Set him to work to clean our the Corn House,…which he did with the assistance of Winston.
Mar. 7Jim and Frank Commenced to day to plough. They ploughed all over the yard.
Mar. 14I Receved a Letter from Mrs Miller to day and She Spoke of the dark Clerke and requested me never to Send anything more by him again, a Rascal &c.
Mar. 17To day Mr Walsh Brong the two Little Scoundrels that Broks into my shop under the Hill and stole my Razors, &c.
May 2Bill Nix and Henrieta Stut was married this morning Early and Left for Rodney Early this morning on the Steam Boat Concordia.
May 3It 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.
June 17I Sent jack and ?Winston Out to Pick Black Barrys to day and they came back without any, Saying they Could not find any. I went out and took Frank and Jim and my William and we got two Baskets quite full, Those we got to made a Cordial with…
Aug. 27To day there was a tryal before Esqr Potter and the Parties were a Mr. Gibson VS. the Daughter of Poor Old Sam Gibson who the world Knows to be free, but during the Inquisition She and her mother went Out to Stay with this Gibson and now he puts a Claim to her, by Saying that Sam G. her father belonged to his Father and that he had went Out of the State and was set free and returned to it again. Thus he became the Property of Said Gibson under Some old Law passed so seys Potter in 1807Greate God, what a Country, the State went in favor of Gibson.
1845
Jan. 8Jim Ploughed up the Garden to day to Plant Oats in to day.
Mar. 17Jim was Laying Out the Garden To day, I Took the Children to the Animal Show to night. I paid for the following Children, My William, Richard, Byron, Anna Anderson, Mcs William & Robert, and Elen and Mary Jordan, &c.
Jul. 3I was down near the Waltern Lake when it [rain] Commenced. Myself & Jack got very wet. We Left Our Guns at Mrs Walterns Place, with Mr. Nickolson the Overseer.
July 5It was to day that the Deed of Trust Sale took Place and I Bot 13 head of Cattle and 2 Horses and the woman Peggy.
1846
June 24Old Jones sent his woman up to Cincinnatti & Children too. Nancy Kyle (free black) went also.
June 26I left town this Evening. Took Jack & Robert & Sam with me. This is to see my Corn and things all put away in good order…Georg Smith is accused of trying to kill a man to day or somethingand has wran away.
July 1I paid Winston Eighty Seven dollars and a Half for seven months wages, and Gave him as present $10, i.e., to get him cloathes with it.
July 6, 533I Flogged Zora this morning for neglect &c.
July 25R. Parkers Daughter both told some Lies on my Children this Evening and has Cuased me to whip them. It was wrong in me to do it tho I whipt them. ..In regard to our children, R. Parker stated that my children had brick bated his Children and that One of them had insulted his wife and Daughter, &c, which information I find his wife tells and Daughter tells him, alsoI have only to add that God Knows that what they have stated is not the truth (534-535)
Aug. 3Jeff went in the Swamp to day to See how the Corn Crib Comes on…
Sep. 5, 539 I whiped old Anderson this Evening for Striking a Little Boy in the Head with a Brick Bat. I gave him 5 Lashes for it.
Sep. 8I Stopd at Mr. Mosbeys untill Late talking about Land and we did not trade at Least. Some one Stole his skifft while we were talking on the Galery. It was Jacky that Broke Jail I expect.
1847
Feb. 3Mother sent 6 hens to Mrs Miller on the S.B. Natchez
Feb. 19First time, Mr. Rose gave a ball last night at his residence, and it was a Darkey ball so I am told, and the following persons were present, to wit, Wm Nicks, Andrew Lieper, his brother, Jeff Hoggatt & Wm, Mr. Hoggatt, Frank & Claiborne, Wm Burns, Randolph burns (footnote: “William Nix, Andrew Lieper, and his brother, Frank Burns, Claiborne Burns, and Randolph Burns were free Negroes. The Burns family, headed by mulatto Rachel Burns, had been freed by William Burns of Jackson and Natchez, MS, in 1840. See Adams County Deed Records, II, 557…The two Hoggatts and Frank and Claiborne Burns were apprentices in Johnson’s barbershop at the time.
Feb. 27After 12 Oclock to day McCary and myself took a walk together and went Out by the Spanish Bayou, and there we found Some Boys playing CardsWe got Mooles to Load up his Gun and Hallow at them and Shoot at the Same time which he did and oh what runing you never Saw. They Left a Knife and 50 cts and there Cards, which Jeff went down thare and got when they ran offWe went Out to the Pond and there we past off and hour I Suppose in Sailing Little Boats accross the pond to amuse the Small Boys and ourselves too. My Boat out Sailed Mcs untill he found Out That I had a rudder on mine and then his Boat Out Saild mine being larger than mine.
Mar. 29I bot an old woman to day from Mrs Mix Her name was Rose: She was very old and I paid $35 in cash
Apr 6Rose that I bot of Mrs Micks Came home to my possessionshe is a smart old woman, I think
Apr. 29Ann is still confined to her bed and is not quite as well as she was a day or two
May 15Gim & Hanah is about to separate with mutual consent, I believe
May 16Hanah came to me this morning and made statement in regard to her visits to certain places &c. She said that she had went thare twice and she went thare on business for her Cozen Mary and that the man had never said a disrespectful word to her in his life, this she repeated. So then this Mary spoke up and said that she had sent her and if she was H. she would not care a cent, Gim might go, for (all) her &c.
May 18Gim sens Hanah’s ring back to her. She refused to accept it but returns it to him, They are variance because Jdg.--------tis said has taken the 1st chances
June 26Delta has a article in it about Mrs Miller assaulting a Dutch man by the name of Hannagan. She is bound in the sum of $500 for her appearance to Court &c.
[Footnote on page 576: “The manumission of a number of Natchez free Negroes was legally accomplished in Cincinnati.”]
July 14 I sent 4 young geese to Lavinia Miller this Evening by the Natchez.
July 16Mrs Miller and daughters came up this evening on the St Mary, Lavinia, and Octavia, Emer, Dilia, Mama Oker, and Little Albert, with servants Moses and Patsy
July 17Nothing new. Visitors today, Miss F Brustee &c.
July 18I remained at home all day only walking out in the afternoon to the fort with 3 of my sisters children and 2 of mine, visitors Mrs Anie (Amie) and daughters [Footnote: Mrs. Amie and her daughters apparently lived in New Orleans, although she had controlled property in Natchez in 1844. They were probably free Negroes with a strong admixture of white blood. See Lavinia Miller to Mrs. William Johnson, December 2, 1848; Mrs. Lavinia Miller McCary to Mrs. William Johnson, October 26, 1852, 578].
July 21the children all got into the wagon and the horse turned it over hurting Anna a little &c.
July 30Mrs. Miller and family are up to see us
Aug. 8Old Mrs. Jeredore was at the Landing and Quarantined. Will be up to day, Mrs Maxent is down also
Aug. 15Mrs. Miller and family is up here now from New Orleans..several of our children has got the whooping coff very bad at present.
Aug. 18Mrs. Newman & family that lives next door to us in State Street moves out the country this morning (Free Black?)
Aug. 19Good many ladies at our house last night, old Mrs. Brustee, old Miss F. and young Miss F., Mrs Amie & two daughters, Mis Henrietta, some other Miss of Jerman extraction, Mr Brustee and all our own children They kept up the sport until 11 Oclock
Aug. 26I got up this morning very erly and started down into the swamp. We had two carriages and we had a good lot in them. I wrode my horse Cuff. All was along, my wife, Adelia, Lavinia, Emer, Anna, Little Delia, my Baby, Varina, Mr Brustee, Frank & Gim
Aug. 30I think Lavinia Miller was very sick today.
Sep. 1Mr Brustee and Miss Henrieta Camp took dinner with us and we took a walk at night to the Bluff, then up to Mrs B House
Sep. 6Miss Henrietta Camp and Mr Brustee left to night after 11 Oclock for New Orleans
Sep. 23Mrs Miller and family left this evening on the S.B. Natchez The children, Lavinia, Emer, Adelia, Octavia, Varina & Albert, 2 servants Mosses & Patsy
Sep. 29I wrote a letter to day from the swamp to Mrs. Miller in Orleans
Oct. 11I received two letters from New Orleans to day and one was from Mr Miller, the other from his wife. Mr Miller writes me that he received the one hundred and twenty dollars that I sent him by Mr Lee on the Natchez and stated that Mrs Miller had not paid the one dollars over to him that she promised me to pay over, and that she had said nothing to him about it &c and in her letter she spoke of the money she owed me and promised me that as soon as she collected some money that was due her she would send it to me and &c.
Nov. 22I got a letter to day from Mr Miller and he states that his wife is on the mend but is still confined to her bed. She is under the treatment of a French Dr.
Dec. 9Bill Nix is now in Orleans a waiting on Col. Bingaman, Mary Ellen &c. [Footnote: In 1844 a free woman of color named Mary Ellen Williams and her children were licensed to remain in MS. See Adams County Court and Police Borad Minutes, Natchez Free Trader, Nov. 22, 1859. In 1856, Colonel Adam L. Bingaman wrote a letter requesting a close friend to arrange that the MS legislature pass a special law permitting Mary Ellen Williams and her children to remain in the state and hold property there, stating that a similar law in their behalf had already been passed by the LA legislature and listing her four children including Charlotte, aged 18, Eleanora, aged five, 597].
Dec. 25Mother left this evening for New Orleans, to see Adelia who is sick
Dec. 30I received a letter from Mrs Miller and she is a little better than she was
1848
Jan. 1I wrote a letter to Mrs Miller to day also…Sharlott pays three dollars for her wages &c.
Jan. 9Mrs. Miller is very low indeed and that I aught to go down and see her as soon as possible
Jan. 11I did arrive this evening about 4 or 5 Oclock (to N.O.) and started to the residence of Mr Miller where I expected to find my poor dear sister alive, but on getting near the house Patsy told me that she was dead. Oh merciful Father. Have mercy on meOh my greate God. When I got to the house and saw in all its rooms no trace of my poor much loved sister. She was buried on yesterdayoh merciful Father have mercy on me, and grant oh merciful God that she is happyhow glad I am oh God that I hear that she said that she was prepared to die and that she felt resigned to leave this world
Jan. 13Oh how sad, how very sad I feel to night. The future seems all dark. No ray of light illumines its dark unpenetrable gloom. Truly most truly, sin brings its own reward, that of anguish, and remorse. And I have sined most grievously, by giving vent to a passionate temper, in allowing my lips to give utterance to angry words. O, the misery that is entailed on one by an ungovernable temper. Would that I could blot out from memory the past week, which has indeed been one of unhappiness to me. But alas it is folly to mourn over the past, the relentless past, which all my sighs can never recall. On the future lies my only hope of happiness. In the future I may at least, in part atone for the past by a strict adhesan to duty, by endeavoring to become more amiable, and by striving thus to emulate the good I may at last enjoy at least a semillance of that joy and contentment which they say only the good can enjoy, but I can hope to attain that degree of excellence and goodness that will insure happiness I can but try, and if I failtry again
Jan. 15I wrote out a bill of sale to day of Sharlott and sent it to New Orleans, together with a letter to Mr Miller, this I did because it was the request of mother that I should do so. She sold her for Seven hundred 50 dollars. I then took and proffered to pay up the account of my sister which I think was about $38.50 and then send him the balance to make up the fifty dollars. And then I requested him to credit my note with the Hundred dollars that my sister owed me. So that the $750 and the 150 would make 900 dollars that I wished him to credit on the back of my note, which I hope he will do.
Jan. 20Mother came up from New Orleans on the S.B. Princess..I gave Mother my note to day for $750 for value received. Mr Miller sent me a receipt to day for nine hundred dollars that he received by cash and by slave Sharlott which made the amount. He told me that he gave me credit on the back of my note for the nine hundred dollars. This will leave me in his debt $800.
Feb. 13I then went down to the fort and took the children with me and came around by the road up the hill
Mar. 14Poor Dinah was buried to dayGod have mercy on her, I pray
May 22Frank (Burns) by some calculation or other seys that his time of apprenticeship is up with me yesterday and that he is now 18 years of ageI received a note from his mother (Rachel Burns) on the subject. I saw his mother. She told me that any arrangement I could make with Frank she would be satisfied with. Accordingly, I saw Frank and he agreed to take $100 for the next year or for this year and I promised to find his shoes also
May 30Mr Miller left here in the night for new Orleans. His children moved down here this evening from mothers where they have been for some weeksthey were Lavinia, Emer, Octavia, Varina, Albert, and two servants, Martha & Patsey
Aug. 11I got up very erly this morning and harnessed up the horses and went to the swamp taking my wife & Lavinia, Emer & my children, 3 boys We got down thare erly after breakfast After diner we wrode down to Hard Scrable and it raind whilst we were thare, and on our way back we caught 2 wild shoats
Aug. 12I was in the swamp, the family also. We spent the day very agreeable to day in deed and in the afternoon we started up and had the good fortune to get up without any loss or misfortune. Thank god.
Dec. 2Hester Cummings was to the shop to see me to day and wanted me to pay her tax for her She left enough to pay her tax except $2.10 which sum I am to loan her
Dec. 6Hester Cummings gave me sixty dollars to keep for hershe owes me $2.10 that I loaned her to pay her taxes
1849
Jan. 6This morning about day break Gim came in a fast run to run for me and the doctor that my mother was very sick. I ran with all my might and found her in bed and oh my God how changed she seemed. She had fainted from weakness but she felt better. She told me that she had drank a glass of molasses & water when she went to bed and that she had taken sick in the night and was up and down often in the course of the night and that she had got very weak. The doctor, Blackburn, came in a few minutes and gave medicine and we commenced to treat for cholera by rubbing and mustard plasters but her stomach would not bear the medicine. She commenced to sink gradually and with all we could do or think of she continued to sink until twenty minutes of 3 oclock when we lost her for everoh my poor dear mother is no more
Jan. 7To day has been a [day] of great trouble to me and all of my family. The remains of my poor mother was buried, oh my god. My loss is too greate. Oh my poor belovd mother is losst to me forever in this world
Jan. 10I sent two letters down to Orleans this evening informing Mr Miller & Lavinia of the death of my mother, oh my God it seems even now that it is a dream but alas my Lord it is too true, [I paid] $2 to Hackman this evening for funeral wride
Jan. 12I paid Robert Smiths Hacks Account for Mothers funeral ten dollars This was for five hacks There were two others that I paid for the other day
Mar. 12I paid Hester Cummings to day fifty dollars This was money that she gave me to take care of for her My wife also gave me ten dollars to day which Hester Commings left with her for to be given to me
Mar. 13City tax city assessment
Houses & lots 2 2800
Watches 1 50
Piano 1 40
Slaves 6 1800
Mrs B[attles] in State Street 1700
Mar. 20(paraphrase) slaves Silvia & Rose sick in bed with small pox
Apr. 23Today Fanny was run off
Apr. 24I got a letter from…and a letter for Amlia Ellis to my care
Apr. 25I sent down the letter to Amelia Ellis that was directed to my care by Pearce.
May 13After the shop was closed I took a walk on the Bluff with Anna & Katharine, I sat on the Bluff and read a small book ½ through
June 11Yesterday Lanier beat Mrs Smith’s daughter Martha for her trying to keep him from whipping Pugg
July 29To day my fifth daughter and eighth child was born a little after one Oclock
Oct. 27Mrs Fanny Brustee and Anna and her little girl, I forget her name, went down this evening on the S.B. Magnolia (to go to school???)
Nov. 1I got a letter from Mr Miller to day and he spoke of Anna’s arrival in the City and he appeared to rejoice to see her
Nov. 25I remained at home all day except a small walk I took with the children to the bluff
1850
Jan. 7This day 1 year ago was a sad day to me for my loss was indeed great Poor dear Mother We had a letter to day from New Orleans and all is well & thanks to the Allmighty ruler of the Universe that we are all well as present
Jan. 9Messrs Wheelock & Co presented a bill to day to me for a cashmere dress pattern. Cost 4.00, and a pr of boots, cost 1.50. Got his [he] said by my girl in Oct. 30th and in November 13th 1849. I told him I did not know anything about it but that I would pay it and if any thing was wrong it should be made goodwhich was agreed to [by] both of usI took Cinda around with me and found out that she had got the things thare for herself and that she had told me a lie and I sent her home and told her she had better settle the matter as soon as possible I found that when I went home she had gone and got my money back. I shall find out more about it after a while
Feb. 6Hester Comings told me to take out 7.371/2 that she owes me & then I did so. She seys now I owe her $12.62 ½
Feb. 9I sent $6 to Lavinia Miller this evening to pay for Anners schooling, this I think will pay nearly 2 months or more to come
Feb. 28my wife was taken very sick to night late, was bled and took medicine
Mar. 1My wife thank God is a good deal better [to]night than she was last night or this morning
May 2McCary came up from New Orleans on the Princess and did not bring up my daughter as I requested him to do. He said she was unwilling to come up until her cousins comes up
May 4Dr. Broom sells at auction to day a poor woman and her 3 children that was set free by a Mr-------who was the father of her children. Seventeen hundred dollars was what they sold for. Purchased by Mr Yorke
June 11It was today that I paid Mr Newman Hester Cummings tax which was four dollars and fifty cents
June 28I was out this evening to pick black berrys with the girls, they wrode in my carriage. We got a good many of them in a short time, Lavinia, Emer, Julia, Margarett, Anna, Octavia, Byron & Wm was along
Oct. 15Lavinea, Emer, and William went to Mrs Smiths to night to tea, this was Williams first visit
Dec. 28Anna and Kate goes to the 1st concert to night with Edd
Dec. 29Miss F Brustee came around this evening and so did Mary Morris & McCary
1851
Jan. 27Anna & Katherine commences to go to school to day
May 22Ellen is quite sick to day
May 24Our little Ellen is very sick at present, Sylvia, her mother, came up yesterday morning to stay with her
May 26Poor little Ellen is very sick and Dr Blackburn thinks there is no chance of her recovery
May 28Our little Ellen is still quite sick. Very indeed
May 30 To day about 12 Oclock, our poor little Ellen died with something like consumption, she will be better off in another world No doubt
May 31our poor little Ellen was buried to day. She was the daughter of Phillip & Sylvia
Petition of Anna Johnson to the Mississippi State Legislature, September 23, 1851
Race, Slavery and Free Blacks: Petitions to Southern Legislatures and County Courts microfilm collection Series I: Legislative Petitions, PAR # 21085109
Abstract:
Anna Johnson states that her husband, William Johnson, died intestate on 16 June 1851. The estate, valued at $3,000, includes "fourteen Negro slaves, young and old" and other property, including items from his barber shop. The petitioner prays that she may be granted letters of administration on her husband's estate.
Result: Granted
Related Documents:
PAR #21085319; Order, September Term 1851; Appraisers' Report, 10 October 1851
Adams County Courthouse, Natchez, Mississippi
Records of the Probate Court
Box: 136
(15, NOT 14) Slaves named as part of the estate:
Anderson
Celia
Jim
John
Lucinda
Mary
Mary Jane
Missoury ([Old Missoury])
Ned ([Old Ned])
Peggy ([Old Peggy])
Philip ([Old Philip])
Rose ([Old Rose])
Sam
Sarah
Silvey
Petition of Anna Johnson to the Mississippi State Legislature, May 23, 1853
Race, Slavery and Free Blacks: Petitions to Southern Legislatures and County Courts microfilm collection Series I: Legislative Petitions, PAR # 21085319 Details
Abstract:
Anna Johnson reminds the court that her husband William died intestate on 16 June 1851; in an earlier case, she sought and received letters of administration for the estate. As administratrix, Anna describes various tracts of land belonging to the estate and avows that the heirs "have no force to cultivate said lands" and that said land is "lying not only idle and unproductive, but in fact a constant expense in the payment of taxes." In addition, the petitioner purports that said tracts are not evenly divisible between the heirs, and even if they were, "the smallness of the tracts into which they would necessarily be divided, would render them valueless." Of the opinion that “the welfare of all persons interested in said tracts of land will be promoted by a sale thereof,” Anna therefore prays that said land “may be ordered and decreed to be sold."
Result:
granted
# of Petition Pages:
4
Related Documents:
PAR #21085109; Order to Issue Citations, ca. March 1853; Order to Appoint Guardian, May Term 1853; Order Authorizing Land Sale, 23 May 1853; Sale of Lands, Proof, Robert McCary, 23 May 1853; Report of Sale of Real Estate, Anna Johnson, 8 August 1853
Johnson, Bill
Mary Johnson3 mf, MS w/Bill, 38 mm; Jacob Bayerard??, 32 wm, carpenter, Switzerland (1860 Natchez census)
Johnson, Harriet
[In the 1840 City of Natchez Census, WL Cullen is listed as having 3 white males and 1 white female in house].
Harriet Dowling42 WF, VA, $2,500 R.E.; William F. Cullen, 15 WM Attended school, MS; Jon. B? Cullen, 12WM, Attended school, MS; T.J. Dowling, 8WM, Attended school, MS; S.L. 3WF, MS (1850 City of Natchez census)
Harriet Johnson to Thomas Downer [sic], April 7, 1841. Mississippi Marriages, 1776-1935 [database on-line at the Adams County Chancery Court]
William Cullen to Harriet & Robert, Deed of Manumission, 1829
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book R
P. 419
“William Cullen to Harriet & Robert, Deed of manumission.
Whereas on the tenth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand and eight hundred and twenty six, William Wall of the county of Wilkinson and state of Mississippi, did sell and convey for and in consideration of the sum of five hundred dollars unto William Cullen of Adams County and State aforesaid, a certain yellow girl named Harriet as a slave for lifeNow know all men by these presents, that I William Cullen of the city of Natchez and state of Mississippi, in consideration of the truth and fidelity of the said yellow girl called Harriet, and also for the sum of five dollars to me in hand paid by her friend William Casey, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged as well as divers other causes and considerations me thereunto moving I the said William Cullen hav given, granted, and confessed, and by these presents do give, grant, and confirm, unto the said yellow girl called Harriet, and her son called Robert, born on the ninth day of February, one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight their full freedom and manumission from slavery forever [some text not transcribed]…June 10, 1829.”
Harriet Johnson Police Board Records, 1832
Adams County Chancery Court
Police Board Records
P. 14
March Term 1832
Harriet Johnson a free mulatto woman about twenty five years old five feet five inches high satisfied the court of her good character and honest deportment.
It is therefore ordered by the Court that said Harriet Johnson be licensed to remain in this state agreeable to the act of assembly entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20th December AD 1831.
William Cullen to Harriet Johnson, deed of land, 1839
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book BB
Pgs. 321-2
[Not transcribing but noting key details: Bought Sep. 13, 1839 for $5 and “in consideration of the past services Kindness and faithful friendship of the said Harriet Johnson” the lot with its front on South side of Franklin Street and west side of Pine Street. Recorded 9/18/39]
Mark Izod Sheriff to Harriet Johnson, 1840
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book BB
Pgs. 519-20
[Not transcribing but noting key details: On 2/3/1840, because of expenses (benditioni exponas) related to his estate not being taken care of, the Sheriff gave a notice that in 30 days, the property would be sold at public auction and Harriet Johnson made a bid for it for $620. Recorded 2/4/1840]
Harriet-- Aug. 18, 1841 (Johnson Diary)The Horrows of the Inquisition is going On still in this City, It Seems that Dr. Merrell and the Jg [Judge] has a tryal this Evening I have not herd any thing moore about it. The report of Harriet Cullen or Harriett Johnson (free mulatto) being in Jail is not true, She was not put in Jail, Glad of it.
[Footnote: “Harriet Johnson was a free mulatto woman, about thirty-four years of age in 1841, who had been freed (along with her infant son, Robert) by William Cullen of Wilkinson County in 1829 in consideration ‘of the truth and fidelity of the said yellow girl called Harriet, and also for the sum of five dollars to me in hand paid by her friend William Casey.’ Cullen had purchased her in 1826 for $500. In 1840 she had paid $620 for a lot at the corner of Franklin and Pine Streets, and she therfore was among the small group of free Negro property holders in Natchez. See Adams County Deed Records, R, 419, BB, 321-2, 519-20; Adams County Court and Police Board Minutes, 1832-45, March, 1832,” (Johnson, 342)].
Thomas Dowling to Harriet Johnson, a trust, 1847
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book FF
P. 364
[Not transcribing all but noting key details: 1/30/1847?]
“for and in consideration of the Sum of Twenty Five Hundred Dollars ?? paid by the party of the Second part [Harriet]. The receipt thereof is hereby acknowledged and for the consideration of his love? And affection for the children of said Harriet hereinafter ? hath granted, Bargained, Sold, assigned, and confirmed [some text not transcribed]…[crazily, it gives the deed history, notes Cullen owning it and then Harriet getting it from Sheriff Izod, but then says he was deeded it on 3/14/1846 by Harriet. He also says Harriet purchased another lot from Thomas L. Finney and wife in Aug. 1845 and conveyed to him by Harriet on 3/14/1846. Then, there’s another property that he describes and this is conveyed to Harriet also]
“The above described and hereby granted provided? With the appurtenances unto the said Harriet Johnson and her successors For use? but in trust only for the Equal use and benefit of the children of said Harriet whose names follow, to wit: Robert Loftus Cullen, Mary A. Cullen, William Fielding Cullen, John H. Cullen, Thomas Joseph Dowling, and Anna Dowling, and to that and for that purpose it is herein and herby agreed and covenanted by and between the parties aforesaid
[Difficult to read the rest]
Harriet Johnson to Alphonso Cross, 1851
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book HH
Pgs. 590-591
This Indenture, made the Twenty Third day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty one Between Harriett Johnson of the County of Adams State of Mississippi of the one part and Alphonso Cross of the County of Rexar State of Texas of the other part. Witneseth, that the said Harriett Johnson for and in consideration of Three Thousand Dollars to her hand paid by the said Alphonso Cross at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and the said Alphonso Cross his Heirs, Executors and Administrators, forever released and discharged therefrom by these presents, has granted, bargained, Sold, conveyed and confirmed and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, convey and confirm unto the said Alphonso Cross his Heirs and Assigns, Forever---All that lot of ground in the City of Natchez being Sixty feet front on the South Side of Franklin Street and one hundred and fifty feet more or less on the West side of Pine Street being the same lot conveyed by John Holden of Adams County to William L. Cullen by deed bearing date 27th day of March 1835 and recorded in the Office of the Probate Court in Book W of Record of deeds pages 81 and 82 and Subsequently deeded by Mark Izod Sheriff of said County to said Harriett Johnson by deed bearing date the third day of February 1840 and recorded in Adams County records of deeds Book BB page 519 and 520. And also a certain lot of grond which the said Harriett Johnson purchased of Thomas C. Finney and wife by deed bearing date the 18th day of August AD 1845 and recorded
p. 591
recorded[sic] in Adams County records of deeds in Book FF and page 137. To wit, A certain tract or lot of land lying and being situated in the said City of Natchez and described and bounded as follows, towit, Being part of lot number four (4) in Square Number (4) four of Barlands addition laid to correspond with the original Squares & Streets on the Southwardly Side of first North Street continued between Sixth & Seventh Streets, Beginning on a line of said North Street 60 feet from the corner of said lot number 4 and running Southwardly at right angles with said Street one hundred and Sixty feet the debth of said Lot, thence paralleled with said Street westward by Twenty five feet, thence Northwardly perpendicular to the last mentioned line One hundred and Sixty feet to said Street thence Twenty five feet along the line of said Street to the place of beginning. Together with all and singular the appurtenances, hereditaments, privileges and advantages whatsoever unto the above described premises belonging or in any wise appertaining: And also, all the Estate, right, title, interest and property and claim whatsoever either at law or in equity of her the said Harriett Johnson of in and to the same. T Have and To Hold the above Granted, Bargained and Described premises with the appurtenances, unto the said Alphonso Cross his Heirs and Assigns that she the said Harriett Johnson and her heirs the above described and hereby granted premises and every part therof, with the appurtenances unto the said Alphonso Cross his Heirs and Assigns against the said party of the first part his Heirs and Assigns, lawfully or equitably…[some text not transcribed]…23rd day of August AD Eighteen Hundred and fifty one
This indenture made and entered into this fourth day of July, A.D. 1854 Between Harriett Johnson of the First Part. Orin? Metcalfe of the Second Part and Jolane C. Inge by the Third Part. All of the city of Natchez, Missisissippi.
WitnessethThat said Harriett has this day, for and in consideration of the sum of five dollars in hand paid to her by the Party of the Second part, before the signing, sealing, and delivery of these presentsand in further consideration of the pleas? And presents hereinafter mentioned has bargained, sold and delivered, and by these presents does bargain, sell, and deliver to the said Party of the second part one certain female negro slave named Martha, about twenty-one years of age, of Black complexion, and not over medium size, and warranted a slave for lifeand has also made over to, assigned and transferred to said party of the second part, all the rents, ??, and profits of that certain property known as the Cullen Property, situate and being at the south west corner of the intersection of Pine and Franklin Streets, in said City having a front of seventy feet, more or less, on Franklin Street and one hundred and sixty feet, more or less on Pine Streetsaid transfer being upon the limitations and with the restrictions hereinafter stated and set forth and the foregoing, conveyance and said transfer and assignment on the condition and for the pleas? And trusts following, Nevertheless,
That whereas the said party of the third part together with the said party of the first part, has become the necessity of Frederick B. Cullen in a certain recognizance of fifteen hundred dollars, for the appearance by the said Frederick at a term of the Adams County Circuit Court, state aforesaid to the holder at the court house in said city on the Monday in the month of November next, to answer to the charge of shooting with intent to kill and murder one Jakea slave the property of John Price Esqr and not depart thence without leave. Now if the said so ?? Frederick shall well and truly appear at said Court as aforesaid, and not depart, so as to comply with said recognizance, then this conveyance and transfer, as aforesaid is to be, and remain null and void, and of no force or effect
But in the event that said Frederick shall fail to appear at the term aforesaid, but make deposit, so that there shall be a forfeiture of said recognizance and thereby render it probable that the said Party of the Third Part will suffer loss and damage to his so being a security on said Recognizancethen it is hereby made the duty of the party of the second Part to enter upon said real property, or so to provide that the one half of the said rents issues and profits by the same shall be by him collected, held, and applied to the payment, liquidation, and discharge of any sum or sums of money, whether as the amount of said recognizance or costs incurred in prosecution or defense thereof to which said Party of the Third Part may become liable, and have to pay and to protect him from all loss, cost, and damage on account thereof
It is also agreed, and understood hereby, that inasmuch as the said Party of the first desires to turn said slave Martha into cash ?? be the Party of the Second Part is authorized to sell said slave as soon as he can find opportunity to do sofor cash, or on a credit and at such priceas shall be agreed on by him and the Party of the First Part heretoand that he shall retain and hold one half of the proceeds of such sale, for the protection as aforesaid of said Party of the Third PartIt is also understood and agreed that until such sale of said slave, and until such departed of said Frederickas aforesaid said Party of the First Part shall retain full control over and possession of said slave and rents, issues, and profits
And it is also understood and agreed that if said Party of the Third Part shall be made to suffer any loss as aforesaid that after reimbursing him any such ??said Party of the Second Part shall pay over to the Party of the First Part, any surplus funds from said sale, or said rentshe may then have left on hand after pay the costs of this courtAnd further agreedthat if said slave be sold before the next term of said Court, and said Frederick then appear and rectify the demands of said Recognizance, so that said Party of the Third Part is thereby relieved from all further liability then any of the proceeds of said sale in his said ?? hands or control shall immediately be paid over to said Party of the First Part, or her assigns.
In testimony whereof the Parties of the First, Second, and Third Parts, have here to set their hands and seals the day and year herein first above witness
her
Harriet X Johnson
Mark
[Other signatures, etc.]
Deed of Trust
Harriet Johnson
To
Oren Metcalfe, Trustee for John C.Inge
Received the within deed of trust unto my office to be recorded August 4, 1858
Richard? A. Inge, Clerk
By ???
William F. Cullen to Thomas Dowling, 1854
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book KK
Pgs. 242-3
William F. Cullen to Thomas Dowling Deed
This Indenture, made the Seventeenth day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-four, Between William F. Cullen of the one part, and Thomas Dowling of the City of Natchez, State of Mississippi, of the other part, Witnesseth, that the said William, for and in consideration of two? Hundred and forty Dollars to him in hand paid by the said Thomas, at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged and the said Thomas, his ? executors and administrators forever released and discharged therefrom by these presents, ?? bargained, sold, conveyed and confirmed, and by these presents do grant, bargain, sell, convey and confirm, unto the said Thomas his heirs and assigns forever, all the right, title, interest and claim, both at law and in equity of him, the said William of in, to, and upon that certain lot of lots and parcel of ground, situated at the south
p. 243
west? Corner of the intersection of Pine and Franklin Streets, in said City, extending [some text not transcribed…Recorded Nov. 17, 1854]
Harriet Johnson to William F. Cullen, 1855
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book KK
Pgs. 459-60
Harriet Johnson to William F. Cullen, Deed
Know all men by these presents that I, Harriet Johnson, of the City of Natchez, Adams County in the State of Mississippi, Trustee, as named in, and by virtue of a certain Deed of ? from Thomas Dowling to give? The said Harriett, bearing date the thirtieth day of January, Eighteen Hundred & forty seven, recorded in Book F.F. pages 549 & 550 of the records of deeds ? aforesaid, do by these presents, as trustee as aforesaid, in discharge of my duty? ? trustee, on this fifteenth day of November 1854, and for and in consideration that ?? hereinafter named was attained to his majority, and is of the full age of twenty one years, and as further consideration of One Dollar to me in hand paid by William F. Cullen, one of the beneficiaries in said Deed of Trust named, the receipt [some text not transcribed…gives him his part of property. Recorded May 24, 1855.]
Harriet Johnson to Mary A. Cross, 1855
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book KK
Pgs. 460-1
Harriet Johnson to Mary A. Cross, Deed
Know all men by these presents that I, Harriett Johnson, of the City of Natchez, Adams County in the State of Mississippi, Trustee, as mentioned in the deed of Trust from Thomas Dowling to ? said Harriett, dated the thirtieth day of January AD 1847, and recorded in Book F.F. pages 549 & 550 of the records of deeds of said Adams County, Do by these presents, as trustee as aforesaid, in in consideration that the grantee Mary A. Cross,--late Mary A. Cullen, has attained her majority, and in further consideration of the sum of One Dollar to me in hand paid by said Mary, (the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged,) one of the beneficiaries in said Deed of Trust named [some text not transcribed. Gives her her part of property. Recorded May 24, 1855.]
Will of Thomas Dowling, 1855
Adams County Chancery Court
Will Book 3
Pgs. 35-37
Will of Thomas Dowling, Probated November Term, 1855
The last will and testament of Thomas Dowling. To all whom it may concern, be it known that I, Thomas Dowling, of the city of Natchez and state of Mississippi, of sound mind, that I have this day made up my mind to dispose of my property at the corner of Pine and Franklin Streets in way following to wit: William Fielding Cullen, John Bellzer Cullen, Thomas Josh Dowling, Annie Celine Dowling, each to have an equal share of that property, but it is never to be sold, it is to remain in the family
p. 36
forever and when either one of them dies, then for his or her share to be divided equally among the rest. I also wish for Harriet Johnson to have her share equal with the children while she lives, at her death it is to revert back to the children, I also wish it understood that she is to have the whole control of all the property and to receive the rents and dispose of it as she may think proper, for the children and her own use, and not be held accountable for any money she may receive, and at her death I want her to appoint some Catholic Priest of Natchez, for him to see to the children and see them righted, it is to pass from one to the other in that way and for them to be paid annually what is right and just for the services & c.
I give to Annie Celine Dowling, my Daughter, that lot of ground adjoining the above on Franklin street, seventy feet, more or less. While she lives she is to have all the profits and at her death it is to go to her children, if any she may have and if not, it is to be divided equally among the nearest heirs. I also appoint Harriet Johnson, her mother, to take charge of it and to rent and to receive and send her to school and pay for her schooling out of the rents & c. as far as they will admit of, also what money I may have in Bank at Britton & Co, I want it all to go for the schooling of the children & c and for the said Harriet Johnson to draw on them as she may need it for the above purpose, also money that I have out, I want Mary A. Cullen, now Mary A. Cross of Ten. to get one hundred dollars for her kindness to me. That money I have due me at Red River I want it divided among the children, also about 14 head of cattle. All the above I want done as I have stated and no deviation made.
Given under my hand and seal this 25th Sept. AD 1855
Thomas Dowling
Codicil
As a codocil to the foregoing, my last will and testament, it is my desire that the before named Harriet Johnson do act as the Executrix thereof, And that no bond or security be required of her as such.
Thus published and declared this first day of October, 1855.
Thomas Dowling
The State of Mississippi
Adams County
In the Probate Court of said County, At the November Term, AD 1855, thereof in the matter of a certain instrument of writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Thomas Dowling, deceased.
Be it remembered, that at a term of the Probate Court of the County of Adams, in the state aforesaid, begun and held at the Court House in and for said County, on the fourth Monday in November, in the year our Lord
Page 37
one thousand eight hundred and fifty five, personally appeared in open Court Evander L. Glassburn, Thomas Hart and Josephus Herritt, subscribing witnesses to a certain instrument of writing, purporting to be the last will and testament of Thomas Dowling, deceased, late of said County…..
Harriet Johnson agreement with Lawrence Marrow, 1859
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book MM
P. 140
Harriet Johnson with Lawrence Marrow Agreement
This agreement, entered into this fourteenth day of January 1859, between Harriett Dowling and Lawrence Marrow, both of Natchez, Mis. Witnesseth, that the said Harriett [illegible] and to ? let. For the space and term of five years from the first day of February next, and to be complete and ended, all ?? store and tenement situate on the fourth west corner of the intersection of Pine and Franklin Streets, in the City of Natchez, leaving a front [in crease!!] of 72 feet, and on Pine Street of 40 feet, said premises are to be held and occupied [in crease!!] term aforesaid, by the said Marrow upon the terms and conditions following, To wit, he said Marrow undertakes, and binds himself to pay said Harriett, or her assigns the sum of ?? dollars, monthly, and every month for and during said Term of five years. He also ? takes and binds himself to erect a store house on the easterly side of, and against said? Store or tenement, to leave a front on Franklin Street of ten feet, and to run? back ?? depth of the said Tenement, from Franklin Street, To wit [blank] feet that said store room is to be but one story high, but is to be covered with a close floor, as a roof, and the ?? to be carried up, so as to support a roof, covering under the eves of the roof of the present ?? that the addition to be made will be a ware room on the ground floor and a gallery ?? a level with floors of the second story and roof above all. He also undertakes to put up a shingle roof shed over the pavement, along the entire front of the building on Franklin street, and sufficiently far round the corner on Pine Street. To cover the Store door on that streetthat is the door at or nearest to the cornersaid Marrow also binds himself to take down the chimney stack now standing in said Tenement, and to erect two chimnies on the easterly side of said Tenement, at such points as will best suit for placing? Fireplace in two of the rooms in the upper story, on that side the house two fireplaces being built in each chimney, one in the store below, and one up stairs in each. He also binds himself to place, in addition to the shelving and counters now in said store, such shelving to occupy all the wall, in the front and back store rooms now there, and to put such additional new counters as he may find necessary. He will also put on Coats? Of paint, on the entire Franklin Street front, including the addition on the West side/end? Of the Tenement, as aforesaidSaid Marow will also glaze the sash & windows in the store. And it is distinctly understood, that at the close of said Term of Five years, the said? Tenement, with its appurtenances, and all the improvements and additions as aforesaid are to be delivered up and restored to the said Harriett, in good order and condition, ?? any wear and tear of such property, duly excepted. It is also understood and agreed that said repairs and improvements shall be done in a good workmanlike manner, ?? but substantial, and nothing but heart? Shingles and sound merchantable ?? only to be employed.
Witness our hands and seals the day and year above written.
Her
Harriet X Dowling (seal)
Lawrence Marrow (seal)
[More details, not transcribed but recorded Jan. 14, 1859]
Harriet Johnson vs. L.H. Corey and L.M. Benbrook, 1860
Adams County Chancery Court
Chancery Court Case No. 107
Box No. 11
“State of Mississippi Adams County Chancery Court of November Term 1860
Between Harriett Johnson & L.H. Corey & C.M. Benbrook
This cause, this day coming for final hearing before his Honor the Chancellor, upon the Bill of Complainants and the exhibits therewith filedProcon?? Regularly taken against both defendants and the proofs in the cause and his honour being now sufficiently ? in the premises. Nor it appearing to the ? of his Honour the Chancellor, that the complainant Harriett Johnson is not a mulattoe or of Negroe bloodand not liable to the penalties, imposed upon free Negroes and mulattoes, residing in this state without license by the statute of this state in such care made and provided both order, adjudge, and decree that the said defendents, Louis H. Corey and Charles M. Benbrook, and each of themand all others, their agents, attornies, whomever, be, and they are hereby perpetually and forever enjoined of and from all, and every further act or proceeding against the complainant, under, or upon the authority of the statute, herewithfore referred to and his Honour the Chancellor doth further order, adjudge, and decreeand it is ordered, adjudged and decreed accordingly that testimony and evidence in this cause be also perpetuated and the same appear on the record of this court exteuro? This ordered, adjudged, and decreed for the courtroom in Natchez this 23th day of November, A.D. 1860.
This is the Bill brought by Harriett Johnson through James Carson on the 13th day of Dec. 1859
“Know all men by these presents that we Harriet Johnson as principle and Henry Patterson and Martin Jameson as sureties are held and firmly bound unto Lewis H. Cory and Charles W. Benbrook in the sum of five hundred dollars, to be paid to the said Lewis H. Long and Charles M. Benbrook their heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns for which payment well and truly to be made we find ourselves, our and each of us, and our heirs and each of our heirs, executors, and administrators f? by these presents: Sealed with our seals and dated this 16th day of January A.D. 1860
The condition of this obligation is such that whereas the above bounden Harriett Johnson having obtained from the Honourable Hiram Cassedy an injunction restraining the said Lewis H. Cory and Charles M. Benbrook from further pressing or prosecuting any proceeding predicated upon notice served on sid complainant on the 8th day of November 1859 by said defendant.[Not going to transcribe it all]
“Sarah Cecil, widow, being first duly sworn, states on oath, that she is now sixty three years of age and has resided the last fifty nine years of that time in the City of Ntchez, her present residence. States that about the years from 1819 to 1822 or 1823 as near as affiant can now fix the date, she first saw Harriett Johnson.
Affiants recollection is that said Harriett first came to affiant for some instruction about some piece of sewing, with which she had some difficultyAffiant has known said Harriett from that to the present time.
Affiant is not confident that it was at that first interview, but is inclined to think it was, she learned from said Harriett that she had been then recently brought to Natchez from Missouri by some man under promise of marriage and then deserted by himsaid Harriett was then takeing in sewing for a livingHer residence, at various places in the city was well known to affiant and in several instances still recollected and could be designated by affiant. From her first knowledge of said Harriett to the present, affiant never knew or heard of any one claiming the ownership of said Harriett or to exercise control over her as their property
Affiant remembers the circumstance of said Harriett going to live with Mr. CullenAffiants profession that of a mid wife the last thirty seven years, in Natchez brought her into the family of said Cullen, at the time of said Harriett being confined several times, and on no occasion did I ever see or hear anything on his part, in his conduct toward said Harriett indicating that she was his slave, or so considered by himI always understood he left his property at his death to said Harriett, and his children by her.
Since the death of said Cullen said Harriett has always resided and still does, on the property so left to her by said Cullenwhich is but two or three squares from affiants residenceWhile affiants age and engagements allowed her more freely than now, to mingle in life, she had always observed the said Harriett to be of quiet and orderly deportment towards her neighbors, kind and benevolent to others in sickness, and well disposed to alland affiant has no reason to suppose otherwise now
Affiant having suddenly called on cannot speak more minutely at present and further at this time saith not
Subscribed and sworn to before me, Nov. 23, 1859 S.L. Cecil
Isaac Johnson, being first duly sworn, states on oaththat he is now sixty years of age and resides in Trinity, Catahoula Parish, LA though up to some five yers since, a resident of Franklin County, in this state several years
Shows that at affiants first recollection his parents resided in Monongahala County; or what afterward became Monongahala County state of Virginiawhere affiant continued with his parents until he was about nineteen years of age. Affiant has a very clear and distinct recollection of the arrival at his fathers house of an Uncle, a brother of affiants father, by the name of Jeremiah Johnsonby which name he was recognized as brother and introduced to his family as such, by the father of affiantwhose name was Andrew Johnsonsaid Jeremiah’s family was with him, consisting of a wife, named Dian, and two or three childrenaffiants impression is there were three, but is not confident
Affiants mind was perhaps the more impressed with the arrival of his uncle and family from the circumstance that his uncles wife was an Indian, or half blood Indian woman.
Affiant was struck with her colour, and still more with the great length, coarseness, and blackness of her hairfrom affiants recollection his uncles oldest child which was a daughter named Harriett- must then have been from four to six years old, would think the latter. Affiants said uncle was then on his way, with his family to the Missouri territory; to which, affiant always afterwards heard him spoken of as having removed.
Some years since affiant heard Harriett Johnson speaking of her family, and fathers name, and then suspected her father to have been affiants uncle, but did not fully state to her his reasons. Since more reflection, and reviving his recollections, affiant does not hesitate to state his firm conviction that Harriett Johnson-sometimes called Cullennow and for many years resident of Natchez, is the cousin of affiantand that she is totally free of any taint of Negro blood-but is a descendent of affiants uncle Jeremiah Johnson aforementioned, and the said Diana, an Indian, or half blood Indian womanThe precise time when said visit of said Jeremiah and family to affiants fathers occurred, affiant cannot fix, farther than this, that affiant has a lively recollection that the battle of New Orleans was the subject of animated conversation between affiants said father and uncle as having then recently occurred. 23rd day of November, 1859.
[Skipping some of the formalities, this is her bill of complaint]:
Humbly complaining sheweth to your Honour, your oratrix aforesaid, that your oratrix is now as near as she can estimate, about fifty to fifty three years of age, perhaps a little older, but your oratrix has no means of accuracy in her reach if indeed any did ever existStates that she came to the city of Natchez, and state of Mississippi, for the first time about the year 1819 or 20. That she came to said city and state under the influence and protection of and with the promise of marriage from one John SchumhonShows your Honour that said Schumhon found your oratrix a happy and unsuspecting girl of about sixteen at the residence of her father, named Jeremiah Johnson, in the state of MissouriOratrix has no recollection that she ever heard the name of the County in which her father so lived, or of the fact that there were countiesand has now no clue to the part of the state in which her father lived, excepting thisthat after traveling as she thinks some four or five days, they reached St. Louisfrom whence she was brought to the city of Natchez by water. Your oratrix shows your Honour says that her fathers name as aforesaid Jeremiah Johnsonand was a white man. Shows that her mothers name was Dianaand that it had always been from the infancy of your oratrixor her earliest recollectionthe information and belief in the family, that her mother was half Indian bloodYour oratrix definitely remembers that her mother was of very light complexion, and had very long, coarse and black hairRemembers to have heard her father speak in the presence of his children of their mothers Indian blood, but never of any other
Your oratrix has no recollection of ever living any where else than at her fathers home in Missouri, until she left it when she came to NatchezRemembers very distinctly being told she was born in the state of Virginia, and that her parents had moved to Missouri from VirginiaHas an impression, rather than a recollection, that she has heard her father talk of having lived in Hanover County, Virginia, but has little confidence in its being correctThough she certainly can see no reason why he should not have named the county as well as the stateYour oratrix shows positively, and charges, that neither her father or her mother were Negroes, or in any degree porttok of Negroe bloodbut charges and avers as beforesaid, that her said father, Jeremiah Johnson, was a man of pure white bloodand her mother the said Diana Johnson, ws of Indian extraction, to the extent of one half blood.
Your oratrix shows, that at the time she so as aforesaid left her fathers house, she left there, three brothers & sisterstwo brothers & a sisteryounger than herself. Shows that at that time they, as well as herself, were of quite as light complexion as the generalty of their neighborsthough your Oratrix can remember hearing allusions then to their Indian blood.
Your oratrix shows that her said father gave his children no education whatever that she could herself neither read or writeand that without advantages from education or society, her powers of observation or recollection, are very limited and imperfect
Your oratrix shows your Honour, that after being brought to the city of Natchez by the aforementioned John Schumhon upon the promise and assurances aforesaidsuddenly abandoned your oratrix among strangers, and without meansBy daily labour, your oratrix was able to supply her daily wants.
It is with shame and pain your oratrix is compelled to admit, before your Honour, that the kind offer of protection, from one capable and willing to afford it, though not hallowed by the sanction of religion, met it may be, with too willing a response, in her destitution and distress.
Your oratrix was the housekeeper of the gentleman just alluded to, Wm L. Cullen, now deceased, until his death in Natchez, in 1841.
In his decease, the said Wm L Cullen left surviving him four children and also left to your oratrix real estate worth probably at this time about $8,000On this property your oratrix has raised the said family of children and thereon she still resides.
Her children are not all raised, and at this juncture have been absent from the state for some timeone married and settled in life, and two at school, one being deceased.
Your oratrix shows further that said property, or part thereofwith some additions thereto, have been some years held by her, on certain truth? For the benefit of said children which parts cannot be executed in full, and that the discharge thereofwith the management and proper dispositions of her own interest in said property, demands the attention of your oratrixYour oratrix shows your Honour, that during all her long residence in the City of Natchez, she has endeavored to conduct herself with a proper respect for the rights and interests of others; avoided every thing like obtrusiveness, and endeavored to deserve the protection which she has learned the law is intended to give.
Your oratrix shows, and challenges proof to the contrarythat she has never attached herself any of the indicia of slavery; that she has never been the subject of purchase, sale, or exchangethat she has never been the subject of any proceedings for her emancipationfor a license to remain in the state or in any other way or mode been changed or challenged until as shown hereafter. As either a Negroe or mulattoe, or as in any degree partaking of Negroe blood, in any legal proceeding had under the laws of this state thereto relatingexcept as hereinafter shows.
Your oratrix shows that she has always endeavored to lead a quiet and peaceable life; to avoid strife and contentionand often has submitted to wrong and injury, rather than to engage in troublesome litigation
Your oratrix prays leave to file herewith as (Exhibit A) to this Bill of Complaint, the notice before referred to hereinOratrix shows that she is therein designated as “Harriet Cullen”, but your oratrix humbly admits she has no right to that name in this Honourable court, and by her maiden name asks relief in the premise
Your oratrix under the peculiar circumstances of the case, is advised to ask the attention of your Honour to the affidavits marked Exhibits B and C herewith filed, as corroborative of this Bill of complaint, leaving the full evidence of affiants for final hearing of the cause before your Honour
Your oratrix had well hoped that the said defendants L.H. Corey & Chs. M. Benbrook, when apprised of the true status of your oratrix, would have suspended all further proceedings against your oratrix, But none so it is, may it please your Honour, the said defendants and diverse other confederating with them still insist that your oratrix is mulattoe, and as such liable to the proceedings so as aforesaid instituted and commencedWhereas your oratrix expressly charges that no progenitor of hers was ever at any time a negroe or mulattoe. And at times said defendants pretend that your oratrix in the year 1832 obtained from the County Court of Adams County, aforesaid, on proof of good and honest conduct, a license to remain in the this statebut your oratrix expressly denies that any such application or proof was ever made by your oratrix or by any other person for her, at her instance, or with her consent and directly charges, that if such record is in any way connected with the name of “Harriett Johnson,” it must refer to some other individual. All which acting and doing are contrary to equity and good conscience and lend to the oppression of your oratrixIn tender consideration whereofand whence your oratrix is wholly without remedy, unless it is in this Honourable Court where matters of equity and good conscience are properly cognizableto the end therefore that the said defendants and their confederates when discovered, may have full and perfect awareness make to all and singular the matters and things in this Bill set forth and containedand that as fully and entirely to the best of their and each of their knowledge, opinion, information, and beliefas though they and each of them were thereto especially interrogatedand that they answer the premises.
And that upon a final hearing, the status of your oratrix may be decreed, stated, and declared, to be as herein before set forth, and as by the proofs shall then be to your Honour full shown in the evidence and then said evidence be perpetuated by the decree of this Honourable Court and the injunction herein prayed for be made perpetualand for such other and further relief in the premises as may to your Honour seem meet and equity shall require
May it please your Honour to grant your oratrix, not only the peoples whit of injunction, ? out of and under the seal of this Honourable court, addressed to the said L.H. Corey and Chs. M. BenbrookDefendants and all others, their agents, attornies, offices,, aiders and abettors restraining and enjoining them, and each of them from all further proceedings predicated upon the aforesaid notice made Exhibit A to this Bill-or upon any other notice of like character and object [some text not transcribed]
Exhibit A is the writ that L.H. Cory presented to Harriet[But it basically says]: “Notice having been given in writing to L.H. Cory a Justice of the Peace in and for said county that one H Cullen & family free Negroes are living within the state of Mississippi without license You are hereby commanded to give said H Cullen & Family free Negroes, notice to leave the aforesaid state within ten days after the service of this notice or they will be delt with according to law
Giving under my hand and seal at Natchez, this 2nd day of November .D. 1859.
[Here is more sworn testimony by Sarah L. Cecil. Much of it is repeating the earlier testimony, but I will add in new information. It is dated Nov. 9, 1860]:
The said Sarah L. Cecil, the witness aforesaid, in ans. To interrogatories propounded by complainants counsel states she is now in her 64 years has resided in the city of Natchez, her present residence about 48 yrs. She states about the years 1821, two or three; witness first saw Harriet Johnsonand has known her from that time to the present. Witness recollection is that said Harriet first called on her for some instruction in relation to a piece of sewing, which witness afforded her, as she frequently did afterwardssaid Harriet was then taking in sewing as a means of livelihoodstates that Harriets residence at that time, ws with a family who resided on what is now called Commerce street, between State and Main Sts, witness is not certain but thinks it was at that first interview she was informed by said Harriet she had been then recently brought to Natchez, from Missouri…Shortly after said first interview with said Harriet, she communicated to witness that a proposition had been made to her by one William L. Cullen, then in business in this city to become his housekeeper promising that while he lived she should never want, and asking witnesses advice. Witness dissuaded her from doing so, and amongst other suggestions urged that she should return to her friends in Missouri to this she expressed to witness her utter inability to find her way back, her apprehensions as to the manner in which she might be received by her parents as she had run away from them; that she was ruined and she did not know what to do.
When witness next saw said Harriet she learned that she had gone to live with said Cullen and it is in witnesses knowledge that they lived together until Mr Cullens death some 15 or 20 years affiants profession the last 27 years has been that of a midwife in the city of Natchez; and in that capacity has attended upon the said Harriet and witness never saw or heard anything done or said by said Cullen indicating that she was his slave or so considered by him & said Cullen always treated said Harriet and his children with as much kindness and consideration as was usual with any father and husband so far as witness ever knew or heard and she thinks she had good opportunity to knowwitness always understood that he left his property at his death to her, and his children by herWitness states further that since Cullens death said Harriet has resided on the property, so left her by said Cullen within some three squares of witnesses residencewitness has observed the conduct and deportment of said Harriet as mother and neighbour, many years and alway found her a quiet and peaceable woman, domestic in habits and attentive to her family
Witness states that she had observed that Harriett did not mingle with the coloured population of the City and early in her acquaintance with said Harriet had learned from her, at different times that to use her own expression, she had not one drop of Negro blood in her; that her mother was a half Indian woman, and her father a white manWitness states further that some 8 or 10 years since man by name of Isaac Johnson, placed under care of witness, for professional treatment, his daughter therein a very low state of health upon his arrival at witnesses residence he enquired of witness as to a relative of his who he said was living at Natchez. He spoke of her as having lived with a man by the name of Cullen and from this witness found that he was speaking of the aforesaid Harriethe at the same time also stated to witness that the mother of the relative he was inquiring for had been in part Indian. His daughter remained some weeks with witness; said Johnson then brought his family to town and went to live with said Harriet and took his daughter with him, who was not yet entirely recovered; witness has recently learned that Johnson has since deceased, witnesses first impression had been that the relationship, alleged by said Johnson to exist between himself and said Harriet was that of a niece, but witness now thinks that in this she may have been mistaken, as she has found he claims her in the relation of a cousin as a daughter of his fathers brother. [That’s the relevant part and it was found that it could be read on the hearing without object on Nov. 13, 1860]
Johnson, Jack
Jack Johnson, Free Papers, 1824
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book O
P. 24
Jack Johnson’s Free Papers
The State of Ohio
City of Cincinnati
Before me Mayor of the City of Cincinnati aforesaid Personally came Samuel Perry of said City who being duly Sworn deposeth and Saith that Jack Johnson a coloured man was bound to me as a Servant by indenture when he was a small boy and served me in that capacity at Cincinnati until the Spring of Eighteen hundred and twenty when he left my Service by my Consent. He is now about twenty three old and is a free man
Saml Perry
Sworn to and Subscribed before me August the Second Eighteen hundred and Twenty four. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and affixed the seal of Said City this day and year above
Isaac Burnet Mayor
Johnson, Leah
Leah Johnson, Free Papers, 1831
Adams County Chancery Court
Deed Book M
Pgs. 542-3
Leah Johnson Certificate of Emancipation
The State of Ohio Sirs?
Hamilton County Be it remembered that on the thirtieth day of May eighteen hundred and thirty one the following papers relative to the emancipation of Leah a mullatto woman was filed in the clerk’s office of the aforesaid County to wit
Know all men by these presents that I, Edward C. Baker of the City of Natchez County of Adams and state of Mississippi for diverse good causes and considerations now thereunto moving have made ?? and appointed and by these presents do make constitute and appoint William S. Smith of Cincinnati and State of Ohio my true and lawful attorney, for me and in my name to have use and take all lawful ways and means for the manumission & emancipation of my certain female slave, a mullatto named Leah, otherwise called Leah Johnson, aged about twenty five years; and to procure her freedom according to the laws of the said State of Ohio in such case made and provided, giving and granting unto my said Attorney all full and ample power and authority to effectuate the freedom of said Leah. And for me and in my name to make seal and fully deliver any instrument or instruments of writing necessary in the process and generally to do all lawful acts and things effectively to secure her freedom as fully in every respect as I myself might or could were I personally present rectifying and confirming and by these presents allowing, whatever my said attorney shall in my name lawfully do or cause to be done in and about the premises by virtue of these presents. In witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at the city of Natchez this twentieth day of May AD. 1831
EC Baker (seal)
Sealed and Delivered in
the presence of
Wm Burns
State of Mississippi
[Not transcribing all but he appeared before the presiding justice of the County Court, Halsey Townsend on the 21st of May 1831 and then it was certified on the same day by Woodson Wren, the clerk. It goes on to transcribe the recording of this in Cincinnati by William S. Smith, and witnessed by E. Hotchkiss and A. Martin. Then Hotchkiss [looks written as Major, not Mayor] acknowledges the deed of Smith. Then, David Ganos, clerk, certifies it’s a true copy of the record dated May 30, 1831. Finally, it comes back to Woodson Wren and is recorded on June 15, 1831].
Johnson
Nathan Johnson Police Board Records, 1832
Adams County Chancery Court
Police Board Records
P. 6
March Term 1832
Nathan Johnson, a free negro man of dark yellow complexion about thirty three years of age five feet six and a half inches high and a Black Smith by trade having satisfied the court of his good character and honest deportment
It is therefore ordered by the Court that said Nathan Johnson be and he is hereby authorized and licensed to remain in this state agreeable to the act of assembly entitled an act to amend an act entitled an act to reduce into one the several acts concerning slaves free negroes and mulattoes passed 20th December AD 1831.
Joicey
William Bethell's Will, 1839
Adams County Chancery Court
Will Book 2
P. 176
15th It is my will that my Servant Girl Joicey now with me in consideration of her faithful services and her unremitted attention to me during present illness shall be emancipated and after her paying to my Executors Eight Hundred Dollars in three payments in which Samuel Cartwright and John Kerrs is to give their bonds to my Executors for the sum and then she is freefrom me; and I hereby request John Kerr, to see that this is affected and in the mean time to take charge of her
[Not all transcribed, just details concerning African Americans]