Oct 11, 2016 Orange County Review
Recently we shared information regarding free blacks in the colonies and the development of the institution of race-based slavery. The column will return to that story, but in the interim I could use some help again on a search for a family from Orange.
The Walker brothers, Dangerfield (what a great name!) and Peter were enslaved at the Willis place over the hill from Montpelier. Willis married a Madison and Peter Walker was “married” to Rebecca whose surname is undocumented but who was owned by James and Dolley Madison. Though not verified, Rebecca is thought to be the daughter of Susan (Sukey) Stewart, Dolley Madison’s personal servant.
There are few interesting stories about Peter and Rebecca, but today we are focused on Dangerfield’s wife, children and in-laws.
Douglas Chambers, author of “Murder at Montpelier” introduces us to a woman believed to be owned by James Madison, Jr. whose name was Nancy Rose, born about 1798. Chambers writes that Nancy Rose “married” Phillip Barbour and that they had 13 children. Nancy Rose Barbour lived until 1902 and was noted in the 1900 census as having four living children.
Recently we have connected with living descendants directly related to Dangerfield and who, fortunately for us, have been diligently learning their family history. Records verify that Dangerfield Walker was married to a Phoebe Jane Scott and the descendants’ family history indicates that Phoebe Jane was the daughter of Nancy and Phil Barbour. Aha! You were wondering when the plot would thicken!
And so the investigation continues.
Can we prove that Phoebe Jane was the daughter of Nancy Rose Barbour? What about the Scott name?
Who was Phillip Barbour, who owned him, when did he die and where was he buried?
Who were Nancy Barbour’s other children, did they remain in Orange or relocate?
Are there living descendants who can document their line back to Nancy and Phil?
We know that in 1900 Nancy Barbour was a widow living in Orange with her daughter Conwayaba/Conwayella and her son-in-law George Anderson. There were no children or grandchildren listed in this record.
An unknown source notes that in the 1880 census a Nancy Barber (78) is found living with son-in-law Howard Brady, daughter Elizabeth and 16- year-old grandson, William in Rockingham County, Virginia. Is this the same Nancy? How did the Bradys get to Rockingham and where are they in 1900?
But wait! Another 1880 census record lists a Nancy Barbour (74) living in the Madison District of Orange County and working as a servant in the household of W.B. and Nelly C. Willis. My gut is going with the latter, at least for now.
So, how does this all tie back to Dangerfield and Phoebe Jane Walker? We simply are not sure yet. There is an interesting factoid in the descendant line of this couple though: they have a son whose name is George Anderson Walker! Was he named for a friend, family member or merely a coincidence?
We will stay on the hunt and please, if you have any information even remotely connected to these families, consider passing it our way.
Until next week, be well.