Black Genealogy

Graduation in the Army – Henry Flipper

“Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.” My four years were drawing to a close. They had been years of patient endurance and hard and persistent work, interspersed with bright oases of happiness and gladness and joy, as well as weary barren wastes of loneliness, isolation, unhappiness, and melancholy. I believe I have discharged I know I have tried to do so every duty faithfully and conscientiously. It had been a sort of bittersweet experience, this experimental life of mine at West Point. It was almost over, and whatever of pure sweetness, whatever of happiness, or whatever reward fortune … Read more

Cant Terms – Henry Flipper

As a narrative of this description is very apt to be dry and uninteresting, I have thought it possible to remove in a measure this objection by using as often as convenient the cant lingo of the corps. A vocabulary which shall contain it all, or nearly all, becomes necessary. I have taken great care to make it as full as possible, and at the same time as intelligible as possible. There are a few cant words and expressions which are directly personal, and in many cases self explanatory. They are for such reasons omitted. “Animal,” “animile,” “beast,” “reptile.” Synonymous … Read more

Delaware African American Genealogy

Delaware African American Genealogy online research is much more difficult due to the scant nature of record keeping for African American’s prior to the Civil War. This is the reason for creating a separate section for African Americans much like we have for Native Americans who’s research can also be hampered by the available records. The links below provide an accurate reflection of what is available to be searched for African American genealogy. Conducting successful African American genealogical research can be a challenging adventure. In recent years, the challenge has been lessened and the adventure heightened by the growing body … Read more

The Flight – Fugitive Blacksmith

It was the Sabbath: the holy day which God in his infinite wisdom gave for the rest of both man and beast. In the state of Maryland, the slaves generally have the Sabbath, except in those districts where the evil weed, tobacco, is cultivated; and then, when it is the season for setting the plant, they are liable to be robbed of this only rest. It was in the month of November, somewhat past the middle of the month. It was a bright day, and all was quiet. Most of the slaves were resting about their quarters; others had leave … Read more

The Good Woman of the Toll Gate – Fugitive Blacksmith

The resolution of which I informed the reader at the close of the last chapter, being put into practice, I continued my flight on the public road; and a little after the sun rose, I came in sight of a toll gate again. For a moment all the events which followed my passing a toll gate on Wednesday morning, came fresh to my recollection, and produced some hesitation; but at all events, said I, I will try again. On arriving at the gate, I found it attended by an elderly woman, whom I afterwards learned was a widow, and an … Read more

Preface – Fugitive Blacksmith

The brief narrative I here introduce to the public, consists of outline notes originally thrown together to guide my memory when lecturing on this part of the subject of slavery. This will account for its style, and will also show that the work is not full. The question may be asked, Why I have published anything so long after my escape from slavery? I answer I have been induced to do so on account of the increasing disposition to overlook the fact, that THE SIN of slavery lies in the chattel principle, or relation. Especially have I felt anxious to … Read more

Seven Months’ Residence – Fugitive Blacksmith

On leaving W.W., I wended my way in deep sorrow and melancholy, onward towards Philadelphia, and after traveling two days and a night, I found shelter and employ in the family of J. K., another member of the Society of Friends, a farmer. The religious atmosphere in this family was excellent. Mrs. K. gave me the first copy of the Holy Scriptures I ever possessed, she also gave me much excellent counsel. She was a preacher in the Society of Friends; this occasioned her with her husband to be much of their time from home. This left the charge of … Read more

The Feeding and Clothing of the Slaves – Fugitive Blacksmith

The slaves are generally fed upon salt pork, herrings and Indian corn. The manner of dealing it out to them is as follows: —Each working man, on Monday morning, goes to the cellar of the master where the provisions are kept, and where the overseer takes his stand with some one to assist him, when he, with a pair of steel yards, weighs out to every man the amount of three and a half pounds, to last him till the ensuing Monday, allowing him just half-a-pound per day. Once in a few weeks there is a change made, by which, … Read more

The Family I Left in Slavery – Fugitive Blacksmith

It is but natural that the reader should wish to hear a word about the family I left behind. There are frequently large slave families with whom God seems to deal in a remarkable manner. I believe my family is an instance. I have already stated that when I fled, I left a father, mother, and eleven brothers and sisters. These were all, except my oldest brother, owned by the man from whom I fled. It will be seen at once then how the fear of implicating them embarrassed me in the outset. They suffered nothing, however, but a strong … Read more

A Dreary Night in the Woods – Fugitive Blacksmith

Almost immediately on entering the wood, I not only found myself embosomed in the darkness of the night, but I also found myself entangled in a thick forest of undergrowth, which had been quite thoroughly wetted by the afternoon rain. I penetrated through the wood, thick and thin, and more or less wet, to the distance I should think of three miles. By this time my clothes were all thoroughly soaked through, and I felt once more a gloom and wretchedness; the recollection of which makes me shudder at this distant day. My young friends in this highly favored Christian … Read more

Appendix – Fugitive Blacksmith

These two letters are simply introduced to show what the state of my feelings was with reference to slavery at the time they were written. I had just heard several facts with regard to my parents, which had awakened my mind to great excitement. To My Father, Mother, Brothers, And Sisters. The following was written in 1844: Dearly Beloved In Bonds, About seventeen long years have now rolled away, since in the Providence of Almighty God, I left your embraces, and set out upon a daring adventure in search of freedom. Since that time, I have felt most severely the … Read more

My Birth and Parentage – Fugitive Blacksmith

I was born in the state of Maryland, which is one of the smallest and most northern of the slave holding states; the products of this state are wheat, rye, Indian corn, tobacco, with some hemp, flax, &c. By looking at the map, it will be seen that Maryland, like Virginia her neighbor, is divided by the Chesapeake Bay into eastern and western shores. My birthplace was on the eastern shore, where there are seven or eight small counties; the farms are small, and tobacco is mostly raised. At an early period in the history of Maryland, her lands began … Read more

Arkansas African American Records

Arkansas African American Genealogy online research is much more difficult due to the scant nature of record keeping for African Americans prior to the Civil War. This is the reason for creating a separate section for African Americans much like we have for Native Americans whose research can also be hampered by the available records. The links below provide an accurate reflection of what is available to be searched for African American genealogy. National Archives Arkansas State Archives Arkansas Societies Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society Arkansas Afro American Historical and Genealogical Society Research Guides Family Search – African American Research … Read more

Alabama Slave Owners

Many wills contained information about slaves.  Reading these wills may provide the reader with a clue on their ancestors. Statewide Alabama Slave Owners Slaves in the Records of the Monroe Session, North Alabama Presbytery – 1823-1827 Autauga County Alabama Slave Owners Slaves deeded from George Anderson to son William Anderson – Jun 1831 Slaves sold by William Anderson to various – Feb 1836 Will [Aug 1840] and Appraisement of Estate of Nicholas Zeigler – Mar 1841 Barbour County Alabama Slave Owners Slave owned by J. R. Upshaw in the records of Liberty Baptist Church – Sep 1846 Chambers County Alabama Slave Owners Slaves in … Read more

Alabama African American Records

Alabama African American Genealogy online research is much more difficult due to the scant nature of record keeping for African Americans prior to the Civil War. This is the reason for creating a separate section for African Americans much like we have for Native Americans whose research can also be hampered by the available records. The links below provide an accurate reflection of what is available to be searched for black genealogy. Searching for African American families involves two distinct research approaches. These approaches correspond to the distinct change in the legal status of African Americans in the United States … Read more

Alabama African American Cemeteries

Cemeteries provide us with a unique link to our past. While many cemeteries contain a few African American graves, some are comprised of only African Americans. The following list shows  African American Cemeteries in Alabama.  You should also check AccessGenealogy Cemeteries for additional listings. Alabama African American Cemeteries Bullock County County Line AME Zion Church Cemetery (hosted at African American Cemeteries Online) Butler County Hosted at USGenWeb Archives Bennett Cemetery May Cemetery Pressley Cemetery Springhill Cemetery Stamps Cemetery St. Luke Cemetery (hosted at African American Cemeteries Online) Choctaw County Bethlehem Cemetery (hosted at Choctaw County Alabama ALGenWeb) Colbert County St. … Read more

Slave Narrative of Lunsford Lane

Lunsford Lane

Slave Narrative of Lunsford Lane – Embracing an account of his early life, the redemption by purchase of himself and family from slavery, and his banishment from the place of his birth for the crime of wearing a colored skin.

A Century of Black Migration

Black Migration

A century of Black migration (or the Great Migration) details how Blacks in the United States have struggled under adverse circumstances to flee from the bondage of the South in quest of lands offering Freedom and opportunity.

History of Black Soldiers in the Spanish American War

San Juan Hill

History of Black Soldiers in the Spanish American War: The troops of the 9th and 10th Cavalry, and the 24th and 25th Infantry served with distinction on the battlefields of Las Guasimas, El Caney, and San Juan Hill. In four months of fighting the Spanish under these adverse conditions, the Buffalo Soldiers were described as “most gallant and soldierly.” This is their story