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Archiver > VIA > 2002-04 > 1017851523


From: "Via, Warren" <>
Subject: RE: [VIA-L] Benjamin Via/Viers
Date: Wed, 3 Apr 2002 11:32:03 -0500


I would imagine that this is the same Benjamin. Westward migration was on
the upswing during this period of America. If you were "colored" it made
little or no difference if you were free or slave in this part of the South.
It is a straight shot from Botetourt County into Gallia County in Ohio. The
route of travel was down the New River to it's meeting with the Kanawha
River just to the east of present day Charleston WV. From there, you go down
the Kanawha to it's junction with the Ohio River at Point Pleasant. Gallia
County (Gallapolis) is right across the river. Ohio and what became West
Virginia were not "Slave States". Ohio, Kentucky, Illinois and Texas were
where American's were moving. Botetourt to Gallia was but a journey of 300
or so miles. If you traveled south through the Valley of Virginia, you only
have one mountain to cross to get to the New River.
Just an educated guess, but it's logical.

-----Original Message-----
From: [mailto:]
Sent: Tuesday, April 02, 2002 11:02 PM
To:
Subject: [VIA-L] Benjamin Via/Viers


Edna,
I found Benjamin in the 1820 and 1830 census records.

In 1820 he was in Botetourt County, Virginia listed as a free colored male
with his family.

In 1830 it doesn't have columns for free colored persons, the record does
not
have any marks in any column so guess this is the same Benjamin. However,
as
usual this raises more questions than it answers. In the 1830 Gallia
County,
Ohio census where Benjamin can be found is also a William Viers. William
does not have any marks in any columns either.

Any educated guesses on what we've stumbled into?

Judy

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