This post will be updated periodically as soon as new information on enslaved persons prior to 1860 are found. These persons generally named as being on Branch Plantations in North Carolina. While census records do not name enslaved persons, wills often contain names that can be valuable. Slavery was a cruel and horrendous system and I strive to be respectful to the memory of these human beings held in bondage. The list includes persons of every age. Apologies in advance for using the language of the period in descriptions. ( And I prefer the term “enslaved person” rather than “slave”.) I hope this article will assist genealogy research for whoever is looking for a ancient family member. African-American descendants have a particularly difficult time in researching their ancestors. My hero is Dr. Henry Louis Gates, Jr. and his television series on PBS, “Finding Your Roots”. I urge you to watch some of his presentations as he is sensitive to the historical realities of antebellum America. Note that no complete database currently exists to list enslaved persons. Transcribing wills or probate records such as these contain first names of enslaved persons. And, increasingly, scanned original records can be found online at various websites. This information should not be considered complete transcriptions but an outline focusing on some of the heirs and the enslaved persons named. I don’t record in this list any heirs that did not receive enslaved persons. As I find these will documents, I will transcribe and outline and post here. Note that “slave censuses” are lists found in 1850 and 1860 US records for taxation purposes, but no names are listed – only ages. Also note that in the period of westward expansion, persons enslaved on the US east coast ( such as Virginia or North Carolina) could easily end up in newly settled states such as Tennessee, Arkansas, or Texas. After to the Emancipation Proclamation of January 1, 1863, the first census to list some newly freed African-American households by a first name and a last name is in 1870. Each family or person chose the surname that they wanted to use but don’t assumed that the name was that of their former enslavers. Similarly, they may have preferred a variation on whatever first name they were called by. In addition, many people of all races were illiterate prior to the Civil War, so spelling and pronunciation will vary. And, of course, names in wills or recorded in a census were subject to error. Finally, I hope sincerely that this information can assist family tree researchers. Honor these enslaved people that suffered, named and unnamed.
Enslaved Persons on Branch Plantations—
1.Will of William Branch Junior, Oct 14, 1793,Halifax County, NC
Son of Sheriff William Branch Sr. of Halifax. His Heirs: Wife Elizabeth; 2 Sons: Nicholas, John; 6 Daughters: Ann Flewellen, Elizabeth Marshall, Jane Overstreet, Martha Fillad, Mary Scurlock and Sarah Hill. Some children were given “ownership” of enslaved persons at the William Branch Jr plantation:
- To wife Elizabeth: “two Negroes” Elizabeth and Ned
- John Branch, unknown (confused with many of the same name. He may have traveled to Tennessee. To son, John: Negro boy “George”.
- Elizabeth died in Franklin, Williamson, TN. Unsure if these persons traveled there with her. To daughter: Elizabeth Marshall: 4 Negroes: Winney, Beck, Violet, Sarah
- Mary lived in Halifax, Husband’s name unknown. To daughter, Mary Scurlock: 2 Negroes: Annaca & Little Doll.
- Sarah married to William Clanton Hill; lived in Halifax County NC. To daughter, Sarah Hill: 3 Negroes: Bibb, Esther, Lewis.
- Nicholas Branch who traveled to West Tennessee .To son, Nicholas: “the rest of his Negroes”: Phill, David, Chaney, Old Hannah, Old Peter.
Named in this will of William Branch Jr. were 17 enslaved persons. (Transcribed March 2025)