Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva's Black History

Record Detail

Record #28 from Free Black Families of Colonial Delmarva (abstracted by Paul Heinegg)

State Maryland
County (Primary) Somerset
Other Counties Kent, Caroline
Family Name Downs
Family History Notes 1. Eliza Downes, born say 1708, was the servant of Sarah Dashiell of Stepney Parish on 15 March 1725/6 when the Somerset County court ordered that she be sold for seven years for having an illegitimate child [Judicial Record 1725-7, 97]. She may have been the ancestor of i. Paddy, "N." head of a Muddy Branch, Little Creek, Kent County household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [DE:31]. ii. James, "N." head of a St. Jones Hundred, Kent County, Delaware household of 8 "other free" in 1800 [DE;46]. iii. James, head of a Little Creek, Kent County household of 7 "other free" in 1800 [DE:40]. iv. Isaac, head of a Dover Hundred, Kent County household of 3 "free colored" in 1820 [DE:35]. v. Charles, (Negro) head of a Caroline County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [MD:194]. vi. Ben, "Negro" head of a Caroline County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [MD:195]. vii. Daniel, "Negro" head of a Caroline County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [MD:195].
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[Author (if known)], Free Black Families of Colonial Delmarva (abstracted by Paul Heinegg), [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.

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