GENEALOGY -- IN HONOR OF SLAVES

Jack Day's

Worlds

In Honor of Slaves

The ancestors shown in Browningsville Connections were for the most part in Maryland during over two centuries from their arrival in the 1600's to the abolition of slavery in 1865.

Today, we consider slavery among humanity's most disgusting abominations. To treat human beings as property -- like land, slaves were "real estate" as opposed to "personal property" -- was massively dehumanizing. Owners varied from the cruel to the considerate, but the institution was such that even a considerate owner participated in a system that promoted misery, kept families from forming or functioning, and in the end corrupted the owners as well. When the slaves were women, male owners were free to exact whatever services they wished, not only services appropriate to the field or the kitchen, but also the bedroom.

Surely in all one's ancestors in that 200 year period, there were many who would have been appalled at the notion of taking such advantage of a female in their possession. But surely there were others who saw an opportunity, and seized it. And thus, surely, the Caucasian descendants of these ancestors also have African-American cousins whom they will never know.

This page is intended to take a tiny step in righting that wrong. As census reports and deeds are tracked to determine one's ancestors names and their lives, often there is a listing of their slaves by name. Often in genealogy that information is ignored, but for a count, or perhaps omitted entirely as an effort to hush the faults of one's ancestors. Here, the intent is to reverse that process. Over time, when the names of slaves are identified, they will be listed, with any information related to them.

They are all dead now, and the wrong done to them can never be righted. But at least in death, in some small way, they can be recognized and honored as the human beings they actually were.

Peter, born after 1795 and before 1796. Owned by James Day and presumed to be under age 16 on 29 July 1796, the date of a manumission recorded at Montgomery County Court House on that date. Given the dates involved, possibly an infant aged 1 in 1796, perhaps a child of Sal or Polly. Requiring members who inherited slaves to set them free when they were able to earn their own living was a policy of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the time. To be free as of January 1, 1818 or when he reached the age of 21. (Montgomery County Land Records, Libeer G, Folio 272)

Polly, born after 1785 and before 1796. Owned by James Day and presumed to be under age 16 on 29 July 1796, the date of a manumission recorded at Montgomery County Court House on that date. Possibly inherited from James' father in law, Clement Beall, who died in 1793, or possibly one of 5 slaves shown with James Day in Census of 1790. Requiring members who inherited slaves to set them free when they were able to earn their own living was a policy of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the time. To be free as of January 1, 1801 or when she reached the age of 16. (Montgomery County Land Records, Libeer G, Folio 272)

Priss, born after 1795 and before 1796. Owned by James Day and presumed to be under age 16 on 29 July 1796, the date of a manumission recorded at Montgomery County Court House on that date. Given the dates involved, possibly an infant aged 1 in 1796, perhaps a child of Sal or Polly. Requiring members who inherited slaves to set them free when they were able to earn their own living was a policy of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the time. To be free as of January 1, 1812 or when she reached the age of 16. (Montgomery County Land Records, Libeer G, Folio 272)

Sal, born after 1785 and before 1796. Owned by James Day and presumed to be under age 16 on 29 July 1796, the date of a manumission recorded at Montgomery County Court House on that date. Possibly inherited from James' father in law, Clement Beall, who died in 1793, or possibly one of 5 slaves shown with James Day in Census of 1790. Requiring members who inherited slaves to set them free when they were able to earn their own living was a policy of the Methodist Episcopal Church at the time. To be free as of January 1, 1801 or when she reached the age of 16. (Montgomery County Land Records, Libeer G, Folio 272)

©1999-2005 Jackson H. Day on behalf of himself and other researchers. All Rights Reserved. Aggregation of the information on this page has represented a considerable investment in time and effort by many persons and is intended for publication by one or more of them in the future. Please feel free to use this material for your research, but please coordinate with the author if you intend to use this material in your own publication. This notice is not intended to try to 'claim' facts, or to take them out of circulation, but to promote the extension of professional courtesy.

Updated August 2, 2005