Sep 2, 2016 Orange County Review
Last week we published the names of free blacks listed in the 1860 Census for Orange County, Va. There were 132 individuals listed with the possibility of one or two duplications. We have now transcribed the list from the 1850 Census. The record lists 81 free black persons in Orange County at the time (list at right).
Battaile, Buddy
Bell, Sidney
Benson, Winston
Bonmer, John
Bonmer, Minerva
Bonmer, Sisidias
Bonmer, William
Bonmer, Polly
Bonmer, Linella
Bonmer, Lewis
Bonnar, John
Bowner, Sookey
Brockman, Waller
Brooke, Sarah
Campbell, Absalom
Campbell, Aggy
Campbell, Voinney
Campbell, George
Campbell, Evelina
Campbell, James
Campbell, Mary
Campbell, Alexander
Campbell, Thomas
Campbell, George
Campbell, William
Campbell, Alfred
Campbell, Louisa
Campbell, Sarah
Campbell, Paul
Campbell, Mary
Campbell, Benjamin
Carter, Mary
Carter, James
Clark, Martha L.
Clarke, William
Conway, Hannah
Cook, Robert
Cook, Henry
Deane, Charles
Frazier, Jane
French, Lucy
French, Thomas
French, Van Buren
French, William
Johnson, Thomas
Johnson, Sally
Johnson, Jane
Johnson, Jack
Johnson, Philip
Johnson, Virangas
Johnson, Andrew
Johnson, James
Johnson, Elizabeth
Johnson, Clara
Johnson, Mary
Johnson, Clara
Johnson, John P.
Johnson, John P. (?)
Johnson, Randal
Johnson, Frances
Johnson, Melissa
Johnson, Susan
Johnson, Edward
Johnson, Betsy
Johnson, William
Jones, Judy
Jones, Judy (?)
Jones, Jenny
Kenny, John
Lewis, Simon
Lewis, Fanny
Lomax, Washington
Lucas, James
Mason, Jane
Rawles, Samuel
Rawles, Eliza
Rawles, John
Rawles, James
Rawles, Andrew
Rawles, Daniel
Rawles, Albert
Rouser, Jack
Shepherd, Jack
Theonter, Tucker
Tyrie, Janette
Tyrie, Fanny
Tyrie, Letty
Tyrie, Sarah
Before we conclude this particular project we will have examined all the relevant census records pertaining to the period of slavery available for Virginia (1810-1860), personal property tax records, wills and other legal mechanisms of manumission. The census records prior to 1840 will provide only the head of household’s name with others listed by gender and age category, as well as free white, free black and number of slaves.
In addition, a cross-referencing of residential neighborhoods noting who was living next door, local surnames and occupations will feed the data base to tell a more complete story.
A preliminary analysis of the two lists has already produced some interesting results. Evidence supports the approximate 62 percent growth in the free black population between 1850 and 1860 to be explained, in part, by natural increase. However, the comparison between the two records illustrates other interesting observations.
Not all the names from the 1850 record are present in the 1860. Did they die? Did they relocate? Certainly, at least a few of the females would have married and changed their last name.
There are new names on the 1860 record that are not present on the 1850 Census. This observation poses some puzzlement, primarily the question of where these folks were in 1850? As we now know, had they been recently manumitted, it is unlikely they would still be living in Orange County or any other county in Virginia. Were they then living as free people in a neighboring county and recently relocated to Orange? That question will be relatively easy to answer, more so than the follow-up query that wonders why they would relocate?
Reviewing the two lists side by side has clarified some of the more erratic spellings found in the 1860 list, resounding affirmation that much of the accuracy pertaining to the data on these records is dependent upon the hearing and education level of the census recorder.
For example, those listed in the 1860 Census as "Camels" were, as we suspected, "Campbells."
A few other fun facts: in the 1850 Census, the Johnson family had 20 named persons. That figure had increased to 26 by the 1860 Census. In the 1850 Census, no Poindexters were listed, but by 1860, there was a Dorndexter and a Porndester. There were no Jacksons in the 1850 Census but 10 were listed by 1860.
In the 1850 Census, William Clark(e) (b. 1833) and Martha (b. 1835) were listed. By the 1860 Census, there were 10 Clark(e)s listed, but no William. Martha was listed, but with a different birth year. Interestingly, there is included a Nicholas Clark, born in 1806. Nicholas Clark is also found in the 1870 Census living in the vicinity of Montpelier.
Stay tuned to more stories about these Virginians as we dig deeply to discover their heritage.
Until next week, be well.