Slave Name Roll Project # 5 ~ From the Will of James Gregorie

Earlier this week I had a request through Ancestry to share my tree with someone looking at the Rivers family. The Rivers family is a direct line for my children through their paternal great grandmother Annaleize Edmondston (Rivers) Plowden. I make it a habit to review any lines I haven't worked in a while before sharing my tree to make sure I have no new hints to follow and my "i's and t's" are crossed. In doing my review, I discovered a will for James Gregorie. James Gregorie was born about 1740 in Edinburgh, Scotland. James wrote his will on 31 December 1806 in Charleston, South Carolina where he lived and it was proved on 4 December 1807. James Gregorie died at sea onboard the Huntress Breeze enroute to New York for his health. 

                                          Mortuary Notice for James Gregorie, published 17 July 1807. Image from GenealogyBank.com

Here is a brief genealogical sketch of the connection between the Rivers family and the Gregorie family. My children's 2nd cousin, 4x removed is Emilie Rivers Venning (1848-1921) who married Edmund Gregorie (1848-1924). Edmund is the great grandson of James Gregorie (1740-1807). James suffered a tragic loss in 1784 when he lost his wife Ann and three of their five children at sea. On 22 February 1789, James remarried in South Carolina to Mary Christina Hopton. James and Mary had no children together. The only heirs in his will beside his wife Mary, are his two sons, Alexander Fraser Gregorie and James Gregorie II (some records list him as Jr.) from his first marriage. James II, is the father of Edmund Gregorie. 

Today I am posting the pages of James Gregorie's will that details the names of slaves that he willed to his wife, Mary Christiana and his sons, Alexander Fraser Gregorie and James Gregorie, II. I will also be posting the page from Mary Christiana's will that pertains to the slaves she inherited from her husband.

Will of James Gregorie, page 2, the names of 31 slaves he willed to his wife, Mary Christiana (Hopton) Gregorie. Image from FamilySearch.org

Also the following thirty one Slaves, to wit. Old Robin, Davey, Kitt, Lewis, Adam, Jacob, Old Nelly,  Miley, Old Sarah, Katey, Jefsey, Grace, Judy, Nanny, Katey, Nancy, Cato, Fanny, William, Little Nanny, Dick, Lucy, William, Amos, Jamey, Mingo, Dick, Motley, George and Richard together with the future issue of the females of them from the date of this my will.

Will of James Gregorie, page 3, the names of 25 slaves he willed to his son, Alexander Fraser Gregorie.Image from FamilySearch.org

Item I give and bequeath to my son Alexander Fraser, his Executors Administrators and Assigns, the following twenty five Slaves, to Wit. Abram, Mulatto Billy, Empy, George, Johnny, Harry, Abram, Billey, Bob, Phil. Jamey, Thomas, Nelly, Franky, Penney, Alice, Jenney, Nancy, Suckey, Charles, Mary, Little Nelly, Little Franky, Little Jonney and Polly together with all the Children of the females of them, who have been born since who have been born since their Parents have been in the possession of my said Son, as well as those which shall be born after the date of this My Will.

Will of James Gregorie, page 5, the names of eight slaves that he will to his s on James Gregorie II.Image from FamilySearch.org

Item I give and bequeath unto my Son James, his Executors Administrators and Assigns the following eight slaves Viz. Nelly and her son Ben, Richard, Faddy, Shadwell, Dinah, Matilda and her child Bella, together with the future issue of the females of them from the date of this my will.

In all there were 64 slaves listed in the will of James Gregorie. I have not yet found any type of estate inventories that may have additional names of his slaves but will continue to keep looking. I have also not been able to locate the wills or any type of estate inventories for Alexander who died in 1848 and James who died in 1852 at this time.

I also found the will of Mary Christiana (Hopton) Gregorie at FamilySearch.org on page 4 of her will, I discovered what happened to a few of the slaves that she was willed by her husband, James. For several of them who appear to be families she requested their freedom while others went back to heirs of her husband James.

Will of Mary Christiana Gregorie, page 4, Image from Ancestry.com

Whereas my husband, Mr Js Gregorie did by his will leave me the Life possession of Certain Negroes belonging to his Estate, the Same to revert to his heirs after my decease but giving me the power and permission to leave said Negroes to Such heirs of his as I might think right and proper and also with the Consent of his Executors any of the Said Slaves might be Sold ye Amount to descend as the Negroes to his heirs. I therefore with their Consent having had ye following named Negroes lawfully appraised have purchased them 6 p ^r C ^t  United States Stock Viz^t . Dick or Richard, a Carpenter, Caty, Fanny and her Son William to these four and any future children Fanny may have, I hereby Leave and bequeath their full freedom, requesting my heirs and Exors: to confirm it to them as fully as ye Law Will allow 6 p^r  C^t  ye Six p.^r  C.^t  Stock for which these Slaves were Sold I leave and bequeath to J. Ladson Gregorie ye Son of James Gregorie Sen and also ye price of Cato, who also sold for 6 p^r C^t United States Stock ye others. ye remainder of ye negroes I will and bequeath altogether to Alex Fraz. Gregorie and to his heirs, requesting he permit Mingo a cooper to remain in Town with his Family to work his Trade and pay him Wages, Nelly the wife of Mingo with her Son an' daughter, Jack and Phoebe being my property purchased and paid for with my own Money Some years ago I bequeath as follows Viz. to Nelly I leave and Will her to have her freedom requesting it may be Lawfully Confirmed to her her children Jack a  cooper and Phoebe a washer whom I esteem to be good orderly people I Leave and bequeath to my niece S Dehon her heirs and assigns forever, Bob whom I purchased since ye death of Mr Gregorie I Leave and bequeath to Mrs Alicia Middleton her heirs and assigns forever I also leave her in like manner Cretia and her only child  June requesting that they not be Separated and I earnestly request if any of my people s be sold they may Chuse their purchasers.

Today, I release the names of the slaves belonging to James Gregorie and who he willed to his wife and sons. I hope that they are now at peace and that their families will find them soon. They are Old Robin, Davey, Kitt, Lewis, Adam, Jacob, Old Nelly, Miley, Old Sarah, Katey, Jefsey, Grace, Judy, Nanny, Katey, Nancy, Cato, Fanny, William, Little Nanny, Dick, Lucy, William, Amos, Jamey, Mingo, Dick, Motley, George, Richard, Abram, Mulatto Billy, Empy, George, Johnny, Harry, Abram, Billey, Bob, Phil, Jamey, Thomas, Nelly, Franky, Penney, Alice, Jenney, Nancy, Suckey, Charles, Mary, Little Nelly, Little Franky, Little Jonney, Polly, James, Nelly and her son Ben, Richard, Faddy, Shadwell, Dinah, Matilda and her child Bella, Jack and Phoebe.
 
Sources:

 "James Gregorie," mortuary notice, People's Friend (New York, New York), 17 July 1807, vol. I, issue 271, page 3; online index and digital image, GenealogyBank (www.genealogybank.com : accessed 9 March 2017), Newpaper Archives, 1690-2010; this image and index is through online subscription only.

"South Carolina Probate Records, Bound Volumes, 1671-1977," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 9 March 2017), Charleston County, Wills, 1807-1818, Vol. 031, image numbers 38-47 of 497 images; entry for James Gregorie.

"South Carolina Probate Records, Bound Volumes, 1671-1977," images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org : accessed 9 March 2017), Charleston County, Wills, 1818-1826, Vol. 035, image numbers 427-432 of 437 images; entry for Mary Christiana Gregorie.


Editor's Notes: 

The will of James Gregorie was recorded in Will Book E - 1807-1818 and recorded on page 11. This is a typescript of the original will and this is my translation of this copy with spelling and punctuation as it was found at FamilySearch.org.

The will of Mary Christiana Gregorie was recorded in Will Book F - 1818-1826 and was recorded on page 483. This is a typescript of the original will and this is my translation of this copy with spelling and punctuation as it was found at FamilySearch.org.

Slave Name Roll Project # 4 ~ Bill of Sale for Billy, Jenny, Branzer, Lizzy and Maria

In the process of researching the Mongin family of South Carolina and Georgia, I stumbled upon Bill of Sale's for slaves from John Mongin to John Francis DeLorme. From John Mongin to Peter R. Adrian Niel and John Braislford, Jr to Daniel William Mongin.


This post is for the Bill of Sale I found for the sale of slaves owned by John Brailsford of South Carolina. The names of the slaves are Billy, Jenny, Branzer, Lizzy and Maria who were sold to Daniel William Mongin of South Carolina. These men, Daniel William Mongin and John Brailsford, Jr are familiar names to me because of the research I have done on both families. Both John Brailsford, Jr and Daniel William Mongin are related through marriage into my children's great grandmother's paternal line of Rivers, in South Carolina.  

The copies are very large copies of the original bill of sale. In the first picture is the top half of the bill of sale document. Immediately below it is the second half of the page.

Because these documents are so large and hand written you might find it easier to read my transcript below and my abstract of the document here.

State of South Carolina

Know all Men by these Presents, That I John Brailsford, Jr and of the City of Charleston and State aforesaid

for and in consideration of the sum of  Five hundred pounds

to me in hand paid, at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents by Daniel William Mongin

the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, to have bargained and sold, and the these presents do bargain, sell and deliver to the paid, Daniel William Mongin five Negroes __ __ Billy, Jenny, Branzer, Lizzy and Maria with future increase after _____

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the paid five Negroes ___ Billy, Jenny, Branzer, Lizzy and Maria

unto the said Daniel William Mongin

his executors, administrators and assigns to his and their own proper use and behoof forever. And I the said John Brailsford ___

Executors and Administrators, the said bargained premises unto the said Daniel William Mongin

Executors, Administrators and Assigns, from and against all persons shall and will warrant and for ever defend, by these Presents. In witness whereof, I have hereunto ____ Hand and Seal, Dated at Charleston this fourteenth day of April in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred four and in the twenty eighth Year of the Independence of the United States of America.

                                                                                  John Brailsford Jr (___)

 SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED IN THE PRESENCE OF John Findley Charleston 14 April 1804 I do hereby Guarantee the ___ ___ ____ ____ W. Roper

Bill of Sales

____ ____ ____ 

Charleston ____ John Findley being duly sworn made Oath that ____ w___ present (?) ___ saw John Brailsford Jr sign, seal and deliver the ____ Bill of Sales for the _____ ____  _____, also B __ ____ who being duly sworn made ____ ____ __ ___ _____ _____ sign the Guarantee to the _____, 

Sworn to me the 26 June 1809              Recorded 26 June 1809

____ _______ J.P.

 I cannot help but wonder why it took 5 years to settle this Bill of Sale. What happened to keep this Bill of Sale open for five years before it was finally recorded and official? Were Billy, Jenny, Branzer, Lizzy and Maria too young at the time of the original sale? Was there a reversal of fortune in one the parties? I will have to see what, if anything I can find to explain why it took so long.

I now release the names of Billy, Jenny, Branzer, Lizzy and Maria in the hope that your ancestors and descendants will finally find you. 


Sources: 

John Brailsford, Jr to Daniel William Mongin, bill of sale for slave Billy, 26 June 1809; Secretary of State - Bills of Sale, Miscellaneous Records (Main Series), 1732-1981, Series No. S213003, Volume No. 004A, p. 277; South Carolina Dept of Archives and History, Columbia.

John Brailsford, Jr to Daniel William Mongin, bill of sale for slave Jenny, 26 June 1809; Secretary of State - Bills of Sale, Miscellaneous Records (Main Series), 1732-1981, Series No. S213003, Volume No. 004A, p. 277; South Carolina Dept of Archives and History, Columbia.

John Brailsford, Jr to Daniel William Mongin, bill of sale for slave Branzer, 26 June 1809; Secretary of State - Bills of Sale, Miscellaneous Records (Main Series), 1732-1981, Series No. S213003, Volume No. 004A, p. 277; South Carolina Dept of Archives and History, Columbia.

John Brailsford, Jr to Daniel William Mongin, bill of sale for slave Lizzy, 26 June 1809; Secretary of State - Bills of Sale, Miscellaneous Records (Main Series), 1732-1981, Series No. S213003, Volume No. 004A, p. 277; South Carolina Dept of Archives and History, Columbia.

John Brailsford, Jr to Daniel William Mongin, bill of sale for slave Maria, 26 June 1809; Secretary of State - Bills of Sale, Miscellaneous Records (Main Series), 1732-1981, Series No. S213003, Volume No. 004A, p. 277; South Carolina Dept of Archives and History, Columbia.  

Slave Name Roll Project # 3 ~ Bill of Sale for Rachel, Betsy, Wills and Magdaline

In the process of researching the Mongin family of South Carolina and Georgia, I stumbled upon Bill of Sale's for slaves from John Mongin to John Francis DeLorme. From John Mongin to Peter R. Adrian Niel and John Braislford to Daniel William Mongin.


This post is for the Bill of Sale I found for the sale of slaves owned by John Mongin of Georgia. The names of the slaves are Rachel, Will, Betsy and Magdaline who were sold to   John Francis DeLorme of South Carolina. These men, John Mongin and John Francis DeLorme are familiar names to me because of the research I have done on both families. John Mongin is a very distant relation through marriage into my children's great grandmother's paternal line of Rivers, in South Carolina.  

These are very large copies of the original bill of sale between John Mongin and John Francis DeLorme.  In the first picture is the top half of the bill of sale document. Immediately below it is the second half of the page.

Because these documents are so large and handwritten you might find it easier to read my transcription below as well as my abstract of the document here.

State of South Carolina

Know all Men by these Presents, That I John Mongin Planter and Inhabitant of the State of Georgia

for and in consideration of the sum of Nine Hundred and fifty dollars

to me in hand paid, at and before the sealing and delivery of these presents by John Francis DeLorme of the City of Charleston State of South Carolina upholster and Planter

the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge, to have bargained and sold, and the these presents do bargain, sell and deliver to the paid, John Francis DeLorme a Negro wench named Rachel with her two children Wills and Betsy, also a Negro wench named Magdaline all which Negroes with their future ___ and increase

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the paid four Negroes __ Rachel, Wills & Betsy and Magdaline with their future ___ and ____

unto the said John Francis DeLorme (his)

executors, administrators and assigns to his and their own proper use and behoof forever. And I the said John Mongin for myself

My executors and administrators, the said bargained promises unto the said John Francis DeLorme (his)

executors, administrators and assigns, from and against all persons shall and will warrant and forever defend the these presents.

IN WITNESS whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal. Dated in Charleston this twenty fifth day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and one and of the Independence of the United States of America the twenty-sixth.

Jhn Mongin

SIGNED, SEALED AND DELIVERED IN THE PRESENCE OF WP Young's Charleston __ Wm P Young affirms that he saw John Mongin sign seak  & as his act & deed delivered this Bill of Sale for the ____ therein ____ that he signs his name as is ____ ________ _____ _____, Affirmed to before me this 3 December 1801.

Recorded 3 December 1801                          Danl. Jas. Ravenel __  

State of South Carolina

I now release the names of Rachel, Betsy, Wills and Magdaline in hopes that your ancestors and descendants will finally find you. 

Sources: 

John Mongin to John Francis DeLorme, bill of sale for slave Rachel, 3 December 1801; Secretary of State - Bills of Sale, Miscellaneous Records (Main Series), 1732-1981, Series No. S213003, Volume No. 003N, p. 256; South Carolina Dept of Archives and History, Columbia.

John Mongin to John Francis DeLorme, bill of sale for slave Betsy, 3 December 1801; Secretary of State - Bills of Sale, Miscellaneous Records (Main Series), 1732-1981, Series No. S213003, Volume No. 003N, p. 256; South Carolina Dept of Archives and History, Columbia.

John Mongin to John Francis DeLorme, bill of sale for slave Wills, 3 December 1801; Secretary of State - Bills of Sale, Miscellaneous Records (Main Series), 1732-1981, Series No. S213003, Volume No. 003N, p. 256; South Carolina Dept of Archives and History, Columbia.

John Mongin to John Francis DeLorme, bill of sale for slave Magdline, 3 December 1801; Secretary of State - Bills of Sale, Miscellaneous Records (Main Series), 1732-1981, Series No. S213003, Volume No. 003N, p. 256; South Carolina Dept of Archives and History, Columbia.