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Archiver > MOHOWARD > 2005-02 > 1108396786


From: "Traci Wilson-Kleekamp" <>
Subject: Slaves of Capt. William Johnston & Rachel Spears; from KY to MO.
Date: Mon, 14 Feb 2005 09:59:54 -0600
References: <20050211.095041.1296.10.wfwinc@juno.com> <007b01c51055$de24deb0$6101a8c0@MrsPuter> <01b101c51082$7fd2c700$6401a8c0@DDQMBL21> <002601c510e5$8715df80$6101a8c0@MrsPuter> <6.0.1.1.2.20050214083342.0246a558@imap.uky.edu>


Nancy

I have been doing similar here in Missouri following the slaveowners of
Bourbon Co., KY into Boone, Howard, and Cooper Counties in MO.

Elizabeth Spears freed a slave noted in the emancipation records Jerry
Taylor posted.
Spears, Elizabeth Hagar Bourbon Co., KY 1831 Emancipation
http://www.rootsweb.com/~kyafamer/SH-index.htm#S

Elizabeth's son Noah emancipated several sons too -- which were posted on
the listserv.
Bartlett 7/5/1847
Green 37 years aka Green Smith
Harriet 31 years aka Harriett Blackburn alias Smith and her sons: James 6
years and Daniel B. 7 months
Sanford Williams
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/KY-SLAVES/2003-01/1042804805

Once in MO -- Elizabeth manumitted one slave and set out emancipation dates
for a couple of other slaves.

Elizabeth was the wife of Jacob Spears -- an early Bourbon Co., whiskey
distiller. Her children were: Solomon, Noah, Abram, Rebeckah Matson,
Elizabeth Grimes and Sarah Jones. She had daughter Rachel Johnston (married
Capt. William H. Johnston) and grand daughter Elvira Thomas and son Jacob S.
Johnston noted in her will. (I believe Elizabeth Grimes went to Saline Co.,
MO)

Issac -- slave of Abram Spears
Melinda -- emancipated upon death of Elizabeth Spears
Ellen -- to be freed 2 years after Elizabeth's death
Edward -- freed at 27 years
Sarah -- a cripple 5
Martha -- 3 years old -- free at 25
Infant James Roy -- free at 27

Special instructions:
Rachel Johnston was to get Martha 3 years old -- if Rachel dies then Martha
goes to Elvira Thomas
William Johnston boy Edward 7 years old; free at 27 years old. If William
H. Johnston dies; then Edward goes to Jacob S. Johnston
Noah S. Johnston (grandson) infant James Roy, if Noah dies -- then child
goes to John T.M. Johnston.
Sarah Jones received slave girl Sarah
Rachel Johnson also got 1/6 of money due from Abram plus Martha noted above.
Servant Issac -- hired by Abram to be a free man at his death. "After the
expiration of the period for which my servant Issac is hired to my son
Abram, it is my will that he shall be a free man."

Capt. William H. Johnston's estate was probated in 1857 -- he picks up on
his wife's wishes with regard to the slaves; as for Issac however who was
supposed to be freed after the expiration of his hiring service to Abram
Spears. William Johnston's estate records note: "..Amount received for sale
of old Negro man Issac -- who was an idiot and would soon become a charge to
the estate and who could not be hired for any amount; sold to Jacob S.
Johnston for $10.

In 1852 Mr. Johnston's estate records also note that he hired out slave
Mahala and her 3 children to Jacob S. Johnston
Levi was hired to Josiah W. Parks
Ellen (noted above) was hired out to Wm Tillery
In 1853 Levi was hired to Samuel A. Crump
Mahala and her 3 children to Wm Bast (Bass, Bayse?)
Ellen to Wm Tillery
Oliver hired out to Jacob S. Johnston.

The slaves are later described as:
Negro man Issac 53 years old (an idiot)
Negro man Levi 36 years old
Negro woman Mahala 31 and her child
Negro girl Ellen 7 yeas
Negro boy Oliver 5 years
Negro girl Martha -- 16 years old who was willed by Elizabeth Spears to Mrs.
Johnston until the girl is 25 years old should Mrs. Johnston die before that
time she is to go to Mrs. Thomas.

In 1851 Mahala had a 3-day old child that required an operation for
imperforated arms. Jacob Johnston received a discount on her hire:
"Twenty-fve dollars bring that much of a discount on hire of negro woman
Mahala for the year 1851. Said woman being confined in child child or thinks
unwell, and not able to do service and also for taking care of her infant
child.

I post this knowing that the Johnstons brought with them slaves from KY and
perhaps there is a way to bridge the slave families between the two states.

traci wilson-kleekamp


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