“The first free Negroes reported in the county (Scioto) were Priscilla Johnson, who, having purchased her freedom from her master in Kentucky (John Edwards, age 51) in 1799, was registered as a free person of color, and her three children-Nellie, Permelia and Harriett. This was in 1804, and the same year, on July 7, Jacob Lee was recorded as a free person of color and resident of Scioto County. Jesse Williams, of Kentucky, was the owner of the slave girl set free.”
(History Of Lower Scioto Valley, Ohio. 1884.)
This is an account of Priscilla Johnson, reportedly the “first free Negro” in Scioto County and her master John Edwards (1748-1837). Priscilla Johnson was enslaved by John Edwards, until July 15, 1799 when Edwards sold Priscilla, “a light mulatto 22 year old slave named * Preciller Johnson” to a friend. [Mason Co, KY Deed Book B : 425]. Seven days later (July 22), the friend filed her emancipation papers in Mason Co, Kentucky [Mason Co, KY Deed Book B: 426].
* Priscilla was described as “a mulatto who could pass for white.” Historian Marlitta Perkins says, “Both John and Priscilla owned land in Scioto and Greenup County. Some, if not all, of John's land deals could be described on the shady side.”)
(Marlitta H. Perkins. Slavery In Eastern Kentucky. 2014.)
It would be wonderful to discover more information about Priscilla. Unfortunately, most of the historical record I could access concerned John Edwards. As you read the story below, you will deduce the “complicated” relationship between Priscilla and John. The facts available tell the story albeit without much detail.
I write this blog entry to publish the truth as I found it without filter or editorial comment. The stark notation in History Of Lower Scioto Valley, Ohio does not begin to describe the situation of Scioto's first freed slaves. In order to put such a distinction in proper context, one must research much further. This entry attempts to set the record straight. Please read it and reach your own conclusions about slavery in neighboring Kentucky. Also, please add comments and other findings to enrich the narrative.
"Children of the plantation" was a euphemism used during the time of slavery in the United States to identify the offspring born to black female slaves and white men, usually the slave's owner, one of the owner's relatives, or the plantation overseer.
Child-bearing amongst slaves started around the age of thirteen, and by twenty the women would be expected to have four or five children. To encourage child-bearing some population owners promised women slaves their freedom after they had produced fifteen children.
Rape of female slaves was common on plantations. These children were born into slavery, through a legal doctrine known as partus sequitur ventrem. They were classified as mulattoes, a former term for a multiracial person. The one drop rule meant that they could never be part of white society.
The fathers of these children were sometimes the slave-owner or his white friends. As slaves were the property of the plantation owner, the rape of a black woman by whites was not considered a crime. First-generation children of mixed race were called mulattoes.
(John Simkin. Slavery in the United States. 2014.)
Some of the fathers treated these children well, sometimes providing educational or career opportunities, or manumitting (freeing) them. Examples are Archibald and Francis Grimké, and Thomas Jefferson's children by Sally Hemings. Others treated their multiracial children as property; Alexander Scott Withers, for instance, sold two of his children to slave traders, where they were sold again.
Genetic research in 1998 estimated that nearly 20% of the African-American's genetic contribution originates from Europe, which is much higher than the European contribution in Jamaicans or Haitians.
(E J Parra, A Marcini, J Akey, et al. “Estimating African American admixture proportions by use of population-specific alleles.” Am J Hum Genet. 63. December 1998.)
John Edwards, 1748-1837
John Edwards was born in Stafford County, Virginia in 1748. After service in the Revolutionary War, he moved to Lincoln County, Kentucky, in 1780, and accumulated about 23,000 acres.
In 1833, Edwards attempted to receive a pension of this service and swore before a court that in 1775 he volunteered in Virginia and served as an ensign in Capt. John Fristo’s company.
In 1776, he became a captain in a militia company assigned to guard the exposed western frontier of Virginia until in 1779-80 he went to Kentucky. In Kentucky he served under Gen. George Rogers Clark, as a commissary general. In this position Edwards supplied western troops and helped defend the frontier against Native American incursions.
Although his petition for a pension was recorded in Cape Girardeau, Missouri court in 1833, the pension board did not approve his claim before his death.
BEFORE MOVING TO KENTUCKY, JOHN BECAME KNOWN FOR HIS PRO-SLAVERY BELIEFS. ALSO BEFORE MOVING TO KENTUCKY THERE WERE BUSINESS TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN JOHN EDWARDS AND SEVERAL OF HIS BROTHERS-IN--LAW. THE RECORDS OF PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VIRGINIA CONTAIN THE FOLLOWING:
"KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS THAT I RICHARD WROE AND BENJAMIN WROE OF PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY HAVE BARGAINED AND SOLD UNTO JOHN EDWARDS OF LINCOLN COUNTY (KENTUCKY), OUR RIGHTS, TITLES TO A NEGRO GIRL NAMED ROSELAND, BY THE LAST WILL OF OUR FATHER , TO THE CHILDREN RETURN TO US WITH THE FOLLOWING EXECUTORS, WILLIAM WROE AND THOMAS WROE. WE SEE AND CONVEY OUR RIGHTS OF THE VALUE OF 25 POUNDS RECEIVED AND VEST HIM THE SAID JOHN EDWARDS, WITH THE POWER AND AUTHORITY WE HAVE TO MANAGE AND DIRECT THE SAID NEGRO AND AS OUR BROTHER, WILLIAM WROE, IS DECEASED IT IS NOT KNOWN WHETHER THERE IS THREE OR FOUR PARTS TO THE SAID NEGRO GIRL, IF ONLY THREE THEN SAID EDWARDS IS TO MAKE UP OUR PORTION OVER AND ABOVE HALF, AS WITNESS OUR HANDS AND SEAL THIS 3RD DAY OF DECEMBER 1783. RICHARD WROE AND BENJAMIN WROE. "
CARTY WELLS AND WILLIAM WROE AT A COURT HELD FOR PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY THIS 1ST DAY OF MARCH 1784. THIS BILL OF SALE FROM RICHARD WROE AND BENJAMIN WROE TO JOHN EDWARDS WAS PROVED BY THE OATHES OF THE WITNESSES AND ORDERED TO BE RECORDED.
(Kay Withers. “JOHN EDWARDS, SR.” Kentucky African-American Griots: Telling Our Story Through History and Geological. Datahttp://sites.rootsweb.com/~kyafamer/Bourbon/edwards.htm.)
In 1792, Edwards participated in the drafting of Kentucky’s first state constitution. That year he was also elected with John Brown, as Kentucky’s first two senators. Edwards served as senator until 1795, when he returned to Kentucky and served in the state legislature.
Historical Note:
EDWARDS WAS A DELEGATE AT THE CONVENTIONS OF 1785. 1787. AND 1788, AND ASSISTED IN SETTLING THE BOUNDARY OF THE STATE AND IN FORMING ITS CONSTITUTION, AND IN 1792 WAS ELECTED TO THE CONVENTION WHICH RATIFIED THE FEDERAL CONSTITUTION. HE WAS THE FIRST UNITED STATES SENATOR FROM KENTUCKY 1792 TO 1795. IN THE LATTER YEAR HE WAS AGAIN ELECTED TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE AND CONTINUED TO SERVE IN THAT BODY FROM 1796 TO 1800 WHEN HE RETIRED TO PRIVATE LIFE."
HE HAD STORES IN PARIS AND WASHINGTON, KENTUCKY AS WELL AS NUMEROUS FARMS TO OCCUPY HIS TIME. AT WESTWOOD THERE WERE VAST ORCHARDS AND VINEYARDS. HE WAS ONE OF FEW WHO PRODUCED A WINE IN CENTRAL KENTUCKY. HE ALSO OPERATED SEVERAL GRIST MILLS.
BETWEEN THE YEARS BEGINNING WITH APRIL 4, 1803 UNTIL AUGUST 22, 1807 JOHN WAS A MASTER MASON IN THE ABRAHAM LODGE NO. 8 F & AM IN LOUISVILLE. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE THAT HE EVER HELD AN OFFICE. [ INFO FROM THE ROSTERS OF MEMBERS]
(Kay Withers. “JOHN EDWARDS, SR.” Kentucky African-American Griots: Telling Our Story Through History and Geological. Datahttp://sites.rootsweb.com/~kyafamer/Bourbon/edwards.htm.)
In 1799, Edwards separated from his family and moved to Duncan Tavern in Paris.
At about this time he sold a slave woman, Priscilla Johnson, to a friend in Mason County who promptly emancipated her. In 1800, he deeded “West Wood,” his home, and 400 acres, to his wife and children, and proceeded to sell as much of his property as he could to satisfy his creditors and a bankruptcy.
Following John Edwards separating from and making provision for his wife of 30 years and minor children.
Meanwhile, Prisceller Johnson was acquiring property and land as well as producing a number of children; Joseph, John, Sally, May and Jane were later mentioned in her Perry County, Missouri will in 1838; Nelly, Harriet and Perneally were registered in Scioto County, Ohio where John Edwards owned land; and Lou and Asa were also with her in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
From 1817 forward a number of deeds appear in the records in Cape Giradeau, Perry County Missouri showing property transactions between Prisciller Johnson and John Edwards including a transfer of a slave named Bob from John to Prisciller. Deeds sometimes described Prisciller as landlady or housekeeper and John as attorney in fact.
(“United States Senator John Edwards.” Sons of Liberty Chapter, CASSAR. http://www.sons-of-liberty-sar.org/old_site/patriots/johnEdwards.php.)
Edwards's will was filed in the Cape Girardeau County Probate Box 74 Bundle 1410. Over the years some of his probate records have disappeared but the County Archivist provided a copy of his will in John’s own handwriting:
“In the name of God Amen. I John Edwards Senr of the county of Cape Girardeau and State of Mesurie a citizen of the United States of America formerly a member of the Senate in Congress do make ordain and declare this instrument which is written with my own hand subscribed with my name to be my Last will and Testament hereby revoking all others.
“I imprise all my just debts legally proved to be paid in the said state of Misury out of my property or money that I may own at my death in Misurie State and out of any arrears or portion that may be due me together with any debts due me by notes in said state or Kentucky one note on Phillips and Say now in my possession for two hundred and fifty five dollars.
“They live in Kentucky also notes to very considerable amount delivered to Albert Dupe for Collection in presence of Mr. George Baker which has never been returned nor the proceeds. A letter late from him informs me he shall collect a part.
“All land that I may yet own or at my death in Kentucky I leave one fourth to my daughter Jane Beall & one fourth to my son Majr John Edwards Junr and the other half to Preciller Johnson and her children with any moneys, debts or property that I may own after my Missouri debts are paid to be divided equally between her and her children which I have adopted as mine all which I hope my Executors will attend to who will be hereinafter mentioned.
“I wish nothing but a plain decent burial after my death. Item I leave all or any slaves I may own at my decease free from bondage in any part of the United States and do hereby immansipate them fully and freely forever and their Children after them which I hope my Executors will attend to.
“Lastly I constitute my good friend George Scrips Executor of my Last Will and testament. In witness of all and each of the things herein contained I have hereunder set my hand and seal this 17th day of September 1832 John Edwards Sen”
(Legal documents quoted herein containing errors in usage, spelling and punctuation are as shown in the original documents to the extent such were decipherable.)
(“United States Senator John Edwards.” Sons of Liberty Chapter, CASSAR. http://www.sons-of-liberty-sar.org/old_site/patriots/johnEdwards.php.)
In this, his final will, Edwards left one-fourth of his land to one of his daughters, Jane Beall; one-fourth to his son John Jr.; and the other half to “Preciller Johnson and her children.” He continued, “After all debts are paid all the rest is to be divided equally between ‘Preciller’ and her children which I have adopted as mine.” The will goes on to state that at his death, all slaves he might own would be free from bondage: “I do hereby immancipate them fully and freely and forever and their children after them. . . .”
Historical Note:
EDWARD'S FIRST HOME AFTER BOURBON COUNTY WAS IN WASHINGTON, KENTUCKY WHICH WAS THE COUNTY SEAT OF MASON COUNTY. HE OPERATED A STORE NEAR SIMON KENTON AND HAD MILLS IN THE COUNTY AS WELL.
HE ALSO OWNED PROPERTY ACROSS THE OHIO RIVER IN ADAMS COUNTY.
HE LATER MOVED TO SCIOTO COUNTY, OHIO THEN TO GREENUP COUNTY, KENTUCKY BEFORE FINALLY SETTLING AT CAPE GIRARDEAU, MISSOURI.
THE MOVE TO THE TAVERN WAS “FOR REASONS UNKNOWN.” LATER EDWARDS WAS SUED FOR NOT PAYING HIS BILL THERE.
(Kay Withers. “JOHN EDWARDS, SR.” Kentucky African-American Griots: Telling Our Story Through History and Geological. Datahttp://sites.rootsweb.com/~kyafamer/Bourbon/edwards.htm.)
Around 1803 Edwards left Kentucky for Missouri Territory. He had accumulated significant debt, and in his request for his military pension, he refers to bankruptcy proceedings in 1804. Although the marker states Edwards died in 1837, it appears he lived in Missouri until his death in 1833 or 1834.
Historical Note:
Interestingly, the Biographical Directory of the United States Senate as well as the plaque on the grounds of the Paris, Kentucky Courthouse list John’s death year as 1837.The Biographical Directory further states he died and is buried on his plantation near Paris. In truth, he died in Missouri between September 17, 1833 and February 14, 1834 and to this day no one is sure where he is buried. It is believed that family sensitivities caused the obfuscation of facts about this interesting patriot; fortunately, legal documents shed much light on the Edwards family secrets.
(“United States Senator John Edwards.” Sons of Liberty Chapter, CASSAR. http://www.sons-of-liberty-sar.org/old_site/patriots/johnEdwards.php.)
Priscilla Johnson
ON JULY 15, 1799, IN THE WASHINGTON DISTRICT COURT OF BOURBON COUNTY , JOHN EDWARDS SOLD TO JESSE WILLIAMS, "......ONE MOLATTO WOMAN OR GIRL NAMED PRECILLER THAT I PURCHASED OF WM STAMPS....."
JUST SEVEN DAYS LATER, ON JULY 22, 1799, JESSE WILLIAMS FILED A DEED OF EMANCIPATION IN WHICH IT IS STATED:
"....FOR SECURITY PAYMENT OF FORTY POUNDS TO ME GIVEN BY MY SALVE GIRL SOMETIMES KNOWN BY THE NAME OF PRECILLER JOHNSON AND FOR DIVERS GOOD CAUSES AND CONSIDERATIONS HEREUNTO MOVING HAVE MANUMITTED EMANCIPATED AND SET FREE MY MOLATTO GIRL OR WOMAN SLAVE( SEVERAL UNREADABLE WORDS) TWENTY-TWO YEARS (BELIEVED TO BE HER AGE) PURCHASED OF COL. JOHN EDWARDS... FOR MYSELF MY HEIRS EXECUTORS AND ADMINISTRATORS RELEASE AND FOREVER QUIT CLAIM TO THE SAID SLAVE GIRL (OF ALL) MANNER OF SLAVERY SERVITUDE AND SERVICE WHATSOEVER TOGETHER WITH ALL THE CHILDREN THAT MAY BE HEREAFTER BORN OF (HER) AND THEY TO INJOY ALL RIGHTS OF FREE PERSONS AGREEABLE TO ( THE LAWS) OF SAID STATE......
( IT IS NOTED THAT, AT THAT TIME, AN ABLE-BODIED 22 YEAR OLD FEMALE SLAVE WOULD NORMALLY HAVE BEEN EXPECTED TO BRING MANY TIMES THE AMOUNT "PRECILLER" PAID FOR HER FREEDOM.)
SIGNIFICANTLY, BOTH OF THE ABOVE TRANSACTIONS WERE CERTIFIED AND RECORDED BY THE COURT CLERK , JOHN CHAMBERS, ON THE SAME DAY, JULY 23. 1799.
IT SEEMS QUITE CLEAR THAT, AS A RECOGNIZED LEADER OF THE PRO-SLAVERY FACTION IN KENTUCKY, EDWARDS COULD NOT SIMPLY GIVE PRECILLER HER FREEDOM. HE COULD, HOWEVER, SELL HER TO JESSE WILLIAMS AND JESSE COULD EMANCIPATE HER, ACCEPTING AS SMALL A SECURITY PAYMENT AS HE WISHED.
IN 1800 AFTER ENTRUSTING WESTWOOD AND THE SLAVES LIVING THERE TO HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN , JOHN BEGAN A NEW CHAPTER OF HIS LIFE.
(Kay Withers. “JOHN EDWARDS, SR.” Kentucky African-American Griots: Telling Our Story Through History and Geological. Datahttp://sites.rootsweb.com/~kyafamer/Bourbon/edwards.htm.)
In 1800, John also deeded everything he owned to Susannah and some of his children and moved to Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. There, he and Priscilla Johnson appear on the tax rolls for 1821, 1822, and 1823. John and Preciller purchased land in 1826, 1827,1834, and 1836. In his will, written in 1832, after obligations were satisfied, John wanted to give one fourth of his estate to his daughter, Jane Bealle, and one fourth to his son Majr. John Edwards Junior. The other half, he left to Preciller Johnson and her children. "which I have adopted as mine ..."
(“Our Family History.” http://www.barkerahnentafel.net/getperson.php?personID=I2607&tree=tree1.)
In the Missouri deeds, Priscilla is described as a free woman of color. In a Missouri deed in 1817, she authorized Edwards as guardian for her children and to act in her defense. That same year he was appointed as her attorney in fact to transact all her business, and as guardian of her children.
(“John Edwards, 1748-1837,” ExploreKYHistory. Hopewell Museum. https://explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/439.)
JOHN EDWARDS AND PRISCILLA JOHNSON
IT IS UNCLEAR EXACTLY WHERE JOHN AND PRISCILLA WERE LIVING DURING THIS TIME. IT IS BELIEVED THAT THEY MAY HAVE BEEN IN THE MASON COUNTY OR GREENUP COUNTY AREAS OF KENTUCKY. PRISCILLA MAY HAVE WORKED FOR OTHER PEOPLE DURING THIS TIME. SHE MAY HAVE HAD TO CROSS THE RIVER INTO OHIO BECAUSE MANY SLAVES WERE FORCED TO LEAVE ONCE THEY WERE FREED.
IN ANY CASE, THE CHILDREN BEGAN TO ARRIVE . JOSEPH, JOHN, SALLY, MARY AND JANE WERE ALL MENTIONED IN PRISCILLA'S 1838 PERRY COUNTY, MO. WILL. IN SCIOTO COUNTY, OHIO PRISCILLA REGISTERED HERSELF AT THE COURTHOUSE AS A FREED MULATTO ALONG WITH THREE DAUGHTERS; NELLY, HARRIET AND PERNEALY. A NEIGHBOR IN CAPE GIRARDEAU MENTIONED BY NAME LOU AND ASA.
AS EARLY AS 1817 PRISCILLA AND JOHN BEGAN ACQUIRING PROPERTY IN THE CAPE GIRARDEAU/ PERRY COUNTY AREAS OF MISSOURI. SOMETIMES SHE WAS REFERRED TO AS A 'HOUSEKEEPER' OR 'LANDLADY' OF JOHN.
THE INDEX OF PURCHASERS OF THE UNITED STATES LAND SALES OFFICE IN MISSOURI SHOWS THAT PRISCILLA JOHNSON PURCHASED LAND AT THE LEXINGTON LAND OFFICE IN THE TERM ENDING DECEMBER 31, 1826; JOHN EDWARDS PURCHASED LAND AT THE SAME LAND OFFICE IN THE TERM OF MARCH 15, 1827.
AT THE LEXINGTON, MISSOURI LAND OFFICE, PRISCILLA PURCHASED MORE LAND IN THE TERM BEGINNING JANUARY1, 1834.
EXCEPT FOR THE FACT THAT HE LEFT HIS WIFE AND FAMILY, THE RELATIONSHIP WHICH CERTAINLY APPEARS TO HAVE EXISTED BETWEEN JOHN AND PRECILLER JOHNSON, WAS NOT AN ESPECIALLY UNUSUAL ONE. IT IS THE PRO-SLAVERY POSITION THAT JOHN HELD THAT SURPRISES ONE.
(Kay Withers. “JOHN EDWARDS, SR.” Kentucky African-American Griots: Telling Our Story Through History and Geological. Datahttp://sites.rootsweb.com/~kyafamer/Bourbon/edwards.htm.)
Family Information
The following is taken from “Priscilla Johnson.” Our Family History. http://www.barkerahnentafel.net/getperson.php?personID=I2552&tree=tree1
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Johnson, Priscilla |
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Gender |
Female |
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Residence |
Scioto Co., OH
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Registered as freed mulatto along with daughters Nelly, Harriet, Pernealy. |
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Residence |
1799 |
Paris, KY
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Sold by John Edwards to a friend in Mason Co., KY, who emancipated her. |
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Residence |
1817 |
Missouri
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She authorized John Edwards as guardian of her children and to act in her defense. |
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Residence |
31 Dec 1826 |
Missouri
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Purchased Missouri land through Lexington land office. |
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Residence |
1834 |
Missouri
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Purchased more Missouri land through Lexington land office. |
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Person ID |
I2552 |
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Last Modified |
13 Mar 2017 |
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Johnson, Nelly |
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Gender |
Female |
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Person ID |
I2611 |
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Last Modified |
27 Mar 2017 |
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EDWARDS,
John, b. 1748, Stafford Co., VA
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Mother |
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Notes |
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Family ID |
F821 |
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Johnson, Pernealy
Gender
Female
Person ID
I2613
Last Modified
27 Mar 2017
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EDWARDS, John, b. 1748, Stafford Co., VA
, d. 1833, Cape Girardeau Co., MO
Mother
Notes
John and Priscilla were resident as a couple in Greenup County KY and owned land in Greenup and Scioto County, OH.
A post from Kay Withers (kwithers@kih.net) indicates family lore says that their children were sent to Iowa and were set up in business.
Also mentioned briefly on p. 47 of African American Freedom Journey in New York… https://sites.smu.edu/swcenter/fairfaxgray/wg_cont.htm References Bourbon County, KY (Bill of Sale for Preciller Johnson) July 23, 1799 [Washington District Court Clerk Office]. And Cape Girardeau County, Missouri [Will/Estate of John Edwards, Sr.) March 3, 1834 [Cape Girardeau County Clerk Office, Book---, pp. 110-111].
As a highly regarded torch-bearer for pro-slavery factions, he had an important role in the writing of the first Kentucky Constitution. In 1799, [at the age of 51] he sold a "molatto " woman, aged 22 to Jesse Williams. Her name was Preciller Johnson. Jesse Williams immedately filed a Deed of Emancipation, freeing Preciller from slavery. In 1800, John deeded everything he owned to Susannah and some of his children and moved to Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. There, he and Priscilla Johnson appear on the tax rolls for 1821, 1822, and 1823. John and Preciller purchased land in 1826, 1827,1834, and 1836. In his will, written in 1832, after obligations were satisfied, John wanted to give one fourth of his estate to his daughter, Jane Bealle, and one fourth to his son Majr. John Edwards Junior. The other half, he left to Preciller Johnson and her children. "which I have adopted as mine...".
http://susanleachsnyder.com/Genealogy/Generation9WilliamWroe.html (Other info on Wroe’s here)Suggestions that Priscilla passed for white...
https://www.ancestry.ca/boards/thread.aspx?mv=flat&m=70&p=localities.northam.usa.states.missouri.counties.perry Several posts by a variety of people:
I just finished reading "Church & Slave in Perry Co., MO," which states that free black people required a license to live there before 1836. I am researching a free black woman, Priscilla Johnson, who lived there at least between 1830-1838 (the year of her death) and her children. Does anyone know where I would find such licenses for her and any/all of her children? To the best of my knowledge, her three children known to have married, all had white spouses; however, Priscilla Johnson is described in one public record (from Cape Girardeau Co.) as "a free woman of color," so someone must have been aware of her race. She was the common law wife of my 5th ggf, John Edwards, a former U.S. Senator from KY. I am very anxious to learn as much as I can about her and the children, who were, I am certain, also the children of my 5th ggf. I'm hoping to make contact with descendants. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Patricia,
Priscilla Johnson is in the Perry County 1830 census and the numbers following the head of household in that census are all 0's except the one female 40-50. Two free blacks (I know they were free blacks because I have researched one and the other, Phoebe, is always listed with no last name and in later census was listed as free black) were in this census and neither has anything after their names - not even a 1 (one) for themselves. In the margin, someone has written by Priscilla's name "nee Folsk" and "widow of Zachariah" I have no proof that the "nee Folsk" and "widow of Zachariah" is right but I am fairly sure that she was considered white from the way she is listed on the census.
I agree with Poole and Slawson in "Church and Slave" that there were many more free blacks than licenses. They said there were only 4 or 5 issued in the county. The records would be in the County Court Records or Minutes.
I personally don't think the Priscilla Johnson in Perry County was a free black. If she were, she was probably "passing" as white and wouldn't betray herself by gettin a pass Hope this helps. Billie
Hi Patricia,
I'm 99% sure that the licensing law was a state law, not a county requirement. Cape Girardeau would have had a larger population and with the town on the river, it would be harder to keep track of the free blacks. Actually, the license or pass kept the free black from being put back into slavery because it proved they were free. The records would probably be in the county court records.
Do you have the names of Priscilla's children? I found two of them here. I found them in the records of St. Mary's (Assumption) Catholic Church edited by Rev. Carl Callier, C.M. From what I found I don't think Priscilla or Zachariah were Catholic. Certainly their death records are not in the catholic records. Both Joseph Johnson and Mary Johnson were baptised into the Catholic Church as adults before they married catholics. These records give the parents names including the maiden name of the mother.
Here are Joseph's records - all from the Catholic records.
Baptism
#106 Johnson, Joseph baptized 1 Jan 1824 ca 20 years old son of Zachariah Johnson and Priscilla F----
Marriage
Johnson, Joseph son of Zachariah Johnson and Priscilla Fulks married on 4 May 1824 Tucker, Anna, dau of William Tucker and Sadie Hayden
Baptism
Johnson, Priscilla Elizabeth b. 10 Nov 1826 Baptized 10 Dec 1826 parents were Joseph Johnson and Anna Tucker
Funeral
Johnson, Joseph died 8 Mar 1828 buried 9 mar 1828
I assume he was buried at Mt. Hope cemetary or at the older Catholic cemetary which no longer has any stones or records.
Baptism
Johnson, Mary (no birth date) baptised Oct, 1829 parents: Zacherary Johnson and Preicilla Folt
on the same day she married Michael Tucker, son of William Tucker and Sarah Hayden. In other words, brother and sister married brother and sister.
If you have access to "Maryland Catholics on the Frontier" by Timothy O'Rourke check it. There might be more info in it.
Hope this helps. Billie
Family ID
F821
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Johnson, Harriet |
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Gender |
Female |
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Person ID |
I2612 |
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Last Modified |
27 Mar 2017 |
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EDWARDS,
John, b. 1748, Stafford Co., VA
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Mother |
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Notes |
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Family ID |
F821 |
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