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African-American Darwins: South Carolina

 

It is impossible to research our Darwin ancestors without confronting their active participation in the brutal and sorrowful history of slavery in the American south.

 

We find additional poignancy, as genealogy enthusiasts, that among the enduring injuries of those past crimes is the denial to millions of our living countrymen the ability to trace their own roots earlier than the post-Emancipation Federal Census of 1870.

 

However, it is sometimes possible, using the references from deeds of sale recorded at local courthouses and probated wills, to identify the names and some family relations of African Americans held in slavery, and from these fragments further identify possible surnames adopted at the time of Emancipation. To that end, we have compiled the following information from sources available to us in the hope some part of it may help others in their own genealogical quests.

 

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1792: Deeded Purchase

 

1792 Moore - Darwin Deed

 

Rachel, formerly of Dorothea Moore

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1795: Deeded Purchase

 

1795 Smith - Darwin Deed

 

Daniel, formerly of Charles Smith

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1799: Deeded Purchase

 

1799: Dula - Darwin Deed

 

Luce, formerly of William Dula (of Wilkes County, North Carolina)

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Bequests from 1836 will of John Darwin:

 

Nan, to Pamela Darwin Summerford

Malissa (Nan's daughter) to Elizabeth Mourning

 

Henry ("boy"), to John Summerford. A 'Henry Summerford', born 1834 in South Carolina, appears in the 1870 Federal Census for District 7, Coffee, Tennessee (Hillsborough P.O.), with wife 'Lucinda'.

 

Elvira ("girl"), to James Summerford

 

Rose and her children, to John Powell; eldest daughter (unnamed) of Rose to Jane Powell.

 

Daniel and Milly: legatees not specified. This may be the same Daniel of the 1795 Smith-Darwin Deed (above).

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Bequests from 1852 will of John Bland Darwin:

 

Patience, "about Seven or eight years old" (born circa 1844-45), to Nancy M. Guiton

 

Henry, "about Sixteen or Seventeen year old" (born circa 1834-35), to Elnathan D. Darwin. There is a small possibility this is the same Henry named in John Darwin's 1836 Will as bequeathed to Pamela Darwin's son John Darwin Summerford <4.177> (born 1831, no further references) if that bequest miscarried. Investigation required.

 

Anzi, "boy...about fourteen years old" (born circa 1838), to Robert R. Darwin.

 

George, "about Thirteen years old" (born circa 1839), to Martin V. Darwin. George Darwin, aged 31, appears in the 1870 Federal Census for York County.

 

Lewis, "about nine years old" (born circa 1843), to Pressley P. Darwin.

 

Calhoun, "about Five years old" (born circa 1847), to Elsey S. Darwin.