Slavery in Leon and Jefferson Counties, Florida

El Destino and Chemonie Plantation Slaves
from
"Florida Plantation Records
from the papers of George Noble Jones"
Edited by Ulrich B. Phillips and James D. Glunt, St. Louis, 1927
Transcribed by ©K. Torp, 2007

[Source for the following paragraph is "Slavery and Frontier Society"]
During the 1830s and 1840s, Leon County's El Destino plantation was owned successively by William Nuttall, his widow Mary Nuttall, and then her second husband, George Noble Jones. Nuttall, from Virginia, launched the plantation in 1828, bringing forty slaves from Virginia to clear land at a site on the eastern border of Leon County. His list of the first forty grouped these individuals into seven households (see below). Two of them, those headed by Isham and his wife, Mary Isham, and Pleasant and Betty, were two-parent households. Three, including the ones headed by Kate and Phillis, and what appears to be one headed by Sim, had only one parent present -- at least once these families were actually brought south.
Six men composed another household: each was probably stripped, regardless of existing family ties, from slave auctions or the Nuttall family's holdings. The final migrant, Temp, later the mother of several El Destino slaves, appears to have been a single female living on her own.
We can do no more than guess at the relationships between the various households on the list. Perhaps Pleasant was the brother of Mary Isham, or of Isham, whichwould explain why the the couple named their son Pleasant. Undoubtedly internal relationships of kinship linked at least some of the seven households, but as the case of the six single men suggests, migration had probably already disrupted ties to other households left behind in Virginia. Further disruptions followed movement to Middle Florida. By 1834, El Destino was producing cotton, but rampant disease and Nuttall's constant financia maneuvers had already taken a toll. Twelve of the initial 40 forced settlers were already gone. Little Pleasant, Iverson, frank (Phillis's son), Reuben, Haywood, Muriah, and all six members of the household apparently composed of young single men - Willie, Frank, Peter, Tom, Moses and Currie - had disappeared from nuttall's slave inventories. The last six might have gone to the auction block to pay off some of his extensive debts. Aleternatively, several or all could have died from malaria, yellow fever, or other diseases.

Slaves Taken to Leon County by William Nuttall in 1828, by Household

Isham and Mary	Pleasant and Betsy	Kate	Phillis	Sim	No Apparent Head	Temp
Chesley Demps Stephen Emily Little Pleasant Minna Melia Nancy Mary John	Charles Iverson Young Susan Elisa Jane	Nutty (Netta) Easter Hannah Colman	Frank Reubin Haywood Sam	Muriah Betsy Rachel	Willie Frank Peter Tom Moses Currie
[Source: "List of Negroes sent to FLorida March 1st 1828" in Kathryn T. Abbey, "Documents Relating to El Destino and Chemonie Plantations, Middle Florida, 1828-1868", pt. 1, Florida Historical Quarterly 7 (January 1929, 206-8)]

[From the Plantation's own records:]

Sundry Lists of Slaves and Other Property

19th June 1832.
List of Negroes secured to Mary W. Savage by settlement at the time of her intermarriage with Wm. B. Nuttall.

[Original Author's Note: The date of 19 June 1832 is that of the marriage settlement. The list was written in or after 1845 with a view to use in litigation. These slaves were in the corps of El Destino]

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LISTS OF PROPERTIES COVERED BY MORTGAGES GIVEN BY WILLIAM B. NUTTALL TO THE
UNION BANK OF FLORIDA, 1834 and 1835

1. Mortgage of March 1, 1834 — amount $27,600

[Lands]:
S. W. ¼ Sec. 31 T. 1 R. 3 N. and E.
W. ½ S.E. ¼ Sec. 31 T. 1 R. 3 N. and E.
E. ½ S.E. ¼ Sec. 31 T. 1 R. 3 N. and E.
S.W. ¼ Sec. 32 T. 1 R. 3 N. and E.
North ½ Sec. 6 T. 1 R. 3 S. and E
W. ½ S.W. ¼ Sec. 6 T. 1 R. 3 S. and E
E. ½ S.E. ¼ Sec. 6 T. 1 R. 3 S. and E
West ½ Sec. 5 T. 1 R. 3 S. and E

[Slaves]:

Those marked "A" have been released and others substituted in.

2. Mortgage of 22 Nov., 1834 —amount $13,500.

[Lands]:
W. ½ N.E. ¼ Sec. 7 T. 4 R. 4 S. and E.
W. ½ N.W. ¼ Sec. 7 T. 4 R. 4 S. and E.
W. ½ S.W. ¼ Sec. 7 T. 4 R. 4 S. and E.
E. ½ S.W. ¼ Sec. 7 T. 4 R. 4 S. and E.
W. ½ S.E. ¼ Sec. 7 T. 4 R. 4 S. and E.
E. ½ S.E. ¼ Sec. 7 T. 4 R. 4 S. and E.
E. ½ N.E. ¼ Sec. 7 T. 4 R. 4 S. and E.
W. ½ N.W. ¼ Sec. 8 T. 4 R. 4 S. and E.
S.W. ¼ Sec. 8 T. 4 R. 4 S. and E.

remortgage of slaves mortgaged, March 1834.

3. Mortgage 24 Jan., 1835 — amount $3,600.

126 Shares [of Union Bank stock] secured upon the land and negroes in the annexed mortgages, being for additional stock.

4 Mortgage Wm. B. Nuttall to Union Bank, dated 21st May, 1835 — to secure $ 8000, payable 12 months after date.

Negroes mortgaged:

The following is an Inventory and Appraisement of the personal Estate of Mary Savage deceased made by us in Jefferson County April 1841. Being an undivided moiety in Fifty five slaves.

Prince Habersham-500/250	Judy - 400 / 200	Jenny - 250 / 125	Bess - 225 / 112½
Mary - 300 / 150	Charlotte-275/137½	Tamar - 500 / 250	Polly - 200 / 100
Jimmy - 800 / 400	Sally - 400 / 200	Daphne (at Chemonie) - 400 / 200	Flanders - 350 / 175
Barac - 800 / 400	Jackson - 300 / 150	John - 150 / 75	Ester - 250 / 125
Maria and Child Edward - 700 / 350	Benah - 225 / 112½	Jonas - 200 / 100	Ben Mongen - 800 / 400
Phillis - 400 / 200	Harry - 150 / 75	Matilda - 200 / 100	Joe - 300 / 150
Cato - 300 / 150	Nancy Flora - 450 / 225	Prince Savage - 450 / 225	Nanny - 500 / 250
Johnny (dead) - 300 / 150	Tom - 300 / 150	Venus and Child Jack - 700 / 350	Delia - 350 / 175
Robert - 200 / 100	Cela (dead) - 500 / 250	Amy - 350 / 175	Charles - 900 / 450
Abram - 400 / 200	Betsey - 200 / 100	Primus - 650 / 325	Nanny - 500 / 250
George - 400 / 200	Catharine - 250 / 125	Aberdean - 500 / 250	Susannah - $225 / 112½
Tyra and Child Molly-400/200	Lucy - 500/ 250	Harry - 150 / 75	Elizabeth 200 / 100
Diana and Child Mary Ann - 700 / 350	Cuddy - 275 / 137½	Phillis McQueen- 500/250	Total $20,225 / $10,112½

Whole value / half

An undivided moiety in Fifty-five slaves ................................................................$10,112 ½
Also two slaves, Phillis and Child Ansel, 1 the sole property of the late Mary Savage 900
..................................................................................................................................$11,012 ½

Appraisers
April 3d, 1841 — Tom Peter Chairs and Edward Footman
Geo. Jones Administrator of the Estate of Mary Savage.

Territory of Florida
Jefferson County ss.
I William Budd Clerk of the County Court of Jefferson County, do hereby certify that the preceding pages contain a true and correct copy of the Inventory and appraisement of the personal estate of Mary Savage deceased, as filed in my Office by her administrator George Jones. —
In witness whereof, I hereto set my hand and annex the seal of said Court this twentieth day of January, A. D. 1842.
Wm. Budd, Clk.

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SLAVE FAMILIES ON CHEMONIE IN 1841

List of Negroes at George Jones' Chemonie Plantation
April 5th, 1841
[Transcriber's Note: Names are "bracketed" in the original which came from the actual Chemonie journals and the author notes that those brackets "doubtless indicate family grouping". Since using brackets is not possible, I've grouped those family names together]

INDUSTRIAL RATING OF CHEMONIE SLAVES, 1841

Working hands. [Author's note: In the original of this list the designation of July as hogminder and the name of Flora have been added in pencil; the ratings of Davy, Billy and Billy Short-foot appear to have been written % and then revised to % by inking over. The corner of the Page where the ratings of Betty (cook) and Peggy (nurse) may have been written has been worn away, and likewise no rating appears for Flora.]

La Fayette Renty 1 --- Rose 1
Harriet 1 --- Eve 1
Minda 1 --- Maria 1
Chesley 1 --- Ben Mongin 1
Dick 1 --- Prophet 1
Cow Renty 1 --- Cinda 1
Kate 1 --- Sarah 1
Phillis 1 --- Jacob 1
Simon 1 --- England 1
Sukey ¾ --- Coleman 1
Maria 1 --- Netta ¾
Daphne ¾ --- Peggy, Blind ½
Old Ben ¾ --- Davy ¾
Billy ¾ --- Billy Shortfoot ¾
July, hogminder ½ --- Cupid ¾
Betty, Cook --- Peggy Nurse
Flora

SUMMARY OF COTTON-PICKING RCORDS, CHEMONIE, 1842

Cotton Acount, 1842.

Ferina 10,190
L. Maria 9,529
Netta 9,225
Fanny 9,180
Time lost, Harriet - 9,165 - being in a family way
Rose 9,146
B. Maria 9,125
L. Fillis 8,397
Time lost, Simon 7,750 - packing cotton and other jobs
Cinda 7,463
Time lost, Suky 7,345 - Makeing Negro Cloths
Time lost, L. Renty 6,945 - packing cotton
Suky 6,554
Abram 6,501
Time lost, Minda 6,378 - from being in family way
Time lost, C. Renty 6,216 - packing Cotton
Cupit 6,139
Davy 5,878
Time lost, B. Mongin 5,441 - packing Cotton
Time lost, Eve 5,411 - from being in family way
Time lost, Prophet 5,123
Florer 4,711
S. Bill 4,393
Time lost, Caty 4,104 - from being in family way
B. Peggy 3,797
Time lost, Joe 3,598 - at other work.
Time lost, Will 2,510 - Driveing Gin.

Time lost, Billy 2,008 - handing Cotton for Gin.
Time lost, Patty 1,992 - Minding Mules.
Time lost, Jacob 657 - from Gining and his hand cut.
184,871
16,500
200,371

Returnd work, Cotton picked out by John Harts hands and gause hands, and Cotton not weighed.

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SLAVES AND OTHER PROPERTY BELONGING TO
THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM B. NUTTALL,
SOLD AT FORECLOSURE, 1844
[Author's note: With the exception of a single slave, all the property was bought in by George Noble Jones.
The slaves comprised Nuttall's portion of the El Destino corps.]

Copy of Edwin and Dorsey's ac[count] sales of negroes, lands and personal property of the Estate of W. B. Nuttall, Feby. 12th, 1844.

Feby. 12 The following tracts of land viz the
W. ½ S.E. ¼ Sec. 31 T. 1 R. 3 N. and
E. - E. ½ S.E. ¼ Sec. 31 T. 1 R. 3 N. and
N. and E.W. ½ S.W. ¼ Sec. 32 N.
½ Sec. 6 T. 1 R. 3 S. and E. W. ½ Sec. S.
W. ¼ E. ½ S.E. ¼ Sec. 6 T. 1 R. 3 S. and E
and W. ½ N.W. ¼ W. ½
S.W. ¼ E. ½ n.w. ¼ E½ S.W. ¼
AEC. 5 T. 1 R. 3 S. and E. containing
1090 Acres (said lands subject to Mortgage to Union Bank for $15,760
payable in 1858, 1860, 1862, 1864) to Geo. Jones @ pr. ac. 10¢.................$109.00

The following tracts of land viz, The
W ½ N. W. ¼ Sec. 32 T. 1.R.3N
and E. and E. ½ N. W. ¼ Sec. 32 T.
1, R. 2. N. and E. containing 160 acres,
to Geo. Jones @ $1.00.......................................................................................$160.00

The following lands in Madison County—
W. ½ N. E. ¼ W. ½ N. W.
¼ W. ½ S.W.. ¼ E. ½ S.W.. ¼ W.
½ S.E.. ¼ E. ½ S.E.. ¼ E. ½ N. W.
¼ E. ½ N. E. ¼ of Sec. 7, T. 4, R. 4,
S. and E. and E. ½ of N. W. ¼ and S. W. ¼ Sec. 8, T. 4, R 4 S and E.
containing 880 Acres to Geo. Jones [@] 10¢.....................................................$ 88.00

Said lands subject to Mortgage to Union Bank for $10,900. payable in 1858, '60 '62 '64.

2000 Bu. Corn (delivered at the plantation)
per bu. 25¢ Geo. Jones .......................................................................................$500.00
1800 lbs. fodder 12½¢ .........................................................................................$  22.50
2 Mules and Waggon ...........................................................................................$100.00
3 Mules and Waggon ...........................................................................................$100.00


Gross amt. sales .............................................................................................$ 21,317.50
Charges, Commissions for selling..........................................................................$75.00
Net amt..............................................................................................................$ 21,242.50

[Original Author's Note: This unsigned document is in the handwriting of John Evans]

Mr. Jones
SIR, I Send you the Names and Births and deaths of Negro chilldren on chemoonie 1847

Phillis Wallice was deliverd of a Female child January 14th 1847, Not Named.

Fanny was deliverd of a Male child ded May 3d, 1847.

Harriet was deliverd of a Female child April 25, 1847, Clay was its name.

Netty was deliverd of a Female child July 29th, 1847, Eliza was its name.

Sarah was deliverd of a Female child December 7th, 1847, Binadd is its name.

l. Mariah was deliverd of a Male child December 27th, 1847, Robert was its name.

Deaths.
Phillis Wallice ['s] child died Jany. 31st, 1847, noe name.
l. Mariah ['s] child Eliza died July 5th, 1847.
harriets child died July 8th, 1847, Clay was her name.

BIRTHS AND DEATHS ON CHEMONIE, 1848, 1849

A list of Births and Deaths on Chemoonie Plantation from Jany. 1848 to April 1849.

Births.

March 26th Fanny was deliverd of a Female Child, Sofa is its name.

April 26th Eave was deliverd of a Female child, Florida is its name.

Deaths

Harriet died the 6th of May 1848.
Short foot Billy died 22d of June 1848.
Netty['s] child Eliza died 14th of Septr. 1848.
Bass Davy Died 21 of Oct. 1848.
O[ld] Sappo died 26 of octr. 1848.

1849.

Cate was deliverd of a Female child April 2d, 1849 Tener is its name.

this is all of the Births and deaths that have bin Since I have bin living with you.

Old Sucky is mending and I think will be well Enougugh to goe to work in a Few days.
With Respect
Jno. Evans
April 15th, 1849.

[Original Author's Footnote: This list may be dated as of about the end of April, 1852, by the allusion to it in the letter of John Evans to George Noble Jones, April 30, 1852. "G. J." following a name indicates that the slave was the property of George Noble Jones in person, and not among those held by him as trustee for his wife. As regards the other symbols, see Evan's explanation at the end of the list.]

I put a mark between Each Familey of Negroes and a C against Theair children Names and a cross Mark against all of the children that dont work out. 83 Negroes on Chemoonie and 43 Names goes into the Field, including the Driver and two water toters.
Jno Evans.

EL DESTINO INVENTORY, DECEMBER, 1854

Jesse Whatley's return of Negroes, Stock, Utensils, etc.,
on G. Jones' El Destino Plantation, Dec, 1854.

List of hands on Geo. Jones Eldestino Plantation.

Ephram, Driver of the hoe hands.
Jimmey, head at Ploughs and Waggons.
Chesly, Waggoner and Row Leader of the hoe hands.
Barick, hog minder.
L. Sam, Lot Boy mule feeder.
L. John, Cow Boy.
Dick, Cow minder.

Prince 1	Tildy ¾	Charlote 1	Jim H.
L. Bob ½	Peggy 1	Elisebeth 1	L. Polly 1
Aggy 1	O. Sam 1	John S. 1	Aberdean
N. Isham 1	Melia ½	y. Bob ½	Kate
Charles 1	Elisa 1	Mary C.	O. Joe
Y. Polly 1	Priciller ¾	L. Ester 1	Nutty 1
Rachel 1	O Phillis	Delia	Winter
L. Jane 1	Natt ¾	Hetty ½	N. Flora
Leaner 1	Courtney ¾	B. Bob	Neger
Wallock ½	Clary ¾	Martha 1	Biner 1
Mariah 1	Henry ¾	Dudly	Renty
Edward ¼	Cato 1	N. Bvely 1	Caroline ¾
Abram 1	Jackson 1	Ben J	P. H. Wallis
Lucy B. 1	Jonas ¾	L. Philis	Judy 1
Tempy (cook)	Ann 1	Primas	William
Dolly ½	Simon 1	Sim 1	Albert 1
Haywood ½	Venas ½	Ansel	Ben
Lewis ¼	O Ester	Dye 1	Stephen 1
O Jane	L. Lucy 1	Davy	Prince
Besey 1	N. Barto 1	Harry ½	Tamer
Cathern 1	Limas ½	Butler	Tom
B. Lucy 1	Susanah 1	P. Queen ½	Daniel 1
Lueaser

 

(Original Author's Note: the number after the name presumably records the yards of cloth required for an issue of clothing)

Prince 7	Di 7	Rachaiel 6	Melia 6
Abram 7	Mariah 7	Henry 6	Phillis Wallace 6
O.Sam 7	Martha 7	Heyward 6	Tamer 6
Stephen 7	Catherine 7	Daniel 6	William 6
John Sails 7	Big Lucy 7 no blanket	Eliza 6	Ben 5
Albert 7	Aggy 7	Susanna 6	Prince 4½
Cato 7	Nancy Bartow 7 no blanket	Betsey 6	Rose 6
Ephraim 7	Judey 6	Elizabeth 6	Richard 4½
Jimmey 7	Binah 6	Priscilla 6	Francis 6
Sim 7	Coatney 6	Jane 6	Jonas 5
Jackson 7	Polly McQueen 6	Y. Polly 6½	Barack 6
Charles 7	Dolly 6	Nancy Isham 6	L. Sam 5
Simon 7	Netta 6	Peggy 6	Bess 6
Big Bob 7	Charlott 6	Caroline 6	Penny 5
Dudley 7	Clary 6	Easter 6	Lymas 4½ no blanket
Ben Jackson 7	Harry 5	Matilda 6	John Williams 5
Primus 7	Bob Habersham 6	Elsey 6	Phillis Habersham 6
Ancil 7	Jim Wallack 5	Leanner 6	Natt 5
Jim Hall 7	Tom 5	O. Jane 6	Winney 5 no blanket
Aberdeen 7	Edward 5	Delia 6	O. Kate 6
Old Joe 7	Lucy Bryant 6	Tempey 6	Jack 4½ no blanket
Winter 7	Lewis 5	O. Easter 6	Mary Cain 4½
Niger 7	Hetty 5	O. Phillis 6	Mary Ann 4½ no blanket
Renty 7	Louisa 6	Nancy Flora 6
Davy 7	N. Beverly 6	Venus 6
Ann 7	Lucy Sail 6	Phillis McQueen 6

58 Negroes deduct 4 old superannuated
4
54
1 Rachel struck off
53

.............................................Value ..........Average
Men and Boys- ......18... $20,900 .........1161.12
Women and girls - 23...... 21,200........... 921.74
Boy Children - .........6.........
Girl Children - ..........7......... 6,500
.................................54...... 48,600........... 900.

After striking off Rachel valued at $850. and deducting expenses and commissions J. Bryan paid $44,200.
Dec. 29,1856.

29 Negroes presented to G. W. and M. W. Jones,
Valued at $23,200.

A BILL OF SALE FOR SLAVES
State of Florida
Leon County
Whereas on the 13th day of Jany. inst. I have sold unto Joseph Bryan of Savannah Georgia Forty eight Negro Slaves, the same being held by me, in trust for my wife Mary whose consent I have for said sale, and whereas I am desirous of investing the proceeds in other similar property I hereby sell and convey unto myself as trustee of said Mary the following slaves with their future issue and increase of the females viz.—

Chesley42	Phoebe 21	Leannah 23	Mary 11
Nathan 28	Louisa 19	Jackson 4	Ruth 8
Daniel 25	Jerry 8	Jim Wallack 21	Jimmy 6
Sam Sails 22	Johnny 4	Winney 19	Melia 39
Caesar 45	Melia 4	Penny 17	Eliza 21
Nat 24	Tamar 39	Spencer 15	Frank 5
Polidore 25	Sampson 15	Henry 21	Priscilla 19
Albert 26	Martha 33	Clary 19	Richard 17
Ann 50	Whatley 9	Tempy 42	Rebecca 11
John Sails 29