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The 1850 record of free Blacks in Orange County

Writer's picture: Zann NelsonZann Nelson

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.

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