The Search for the Menokin Enslaved
The Search for the Menokin Enslaved
In September of 2018, genealogist Bessida White was engaged by the Menokin Foundation to identify persons who were enslaved at Menokin and to locate their present-day descendants.
The scope of this phase of the Menokin search was limited to those persons enslaved by the last Menokin enslaver, Richard Henry Harwood, during his ownership of Menokin from 1837 to 1865. Multiple record types were searched. However, just four categories of records were found to provide information about the Menokin enslaved. Within two months of the launching of the project, numerous Menokin descendants were identified and contact was made with them.
Research and Sources
Cohabitation Records:
The "Register of Colored Persons Cohabiting Together as Husband and Wife" was created by the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (referred to as the Freedmen's Bureau) to document the domestic partnerships of formerly enslaved African Americans. Cohabitation records include the names, ages, places of birth and residence of the husband and wife; the name and residence of the last enslaver of the husband and the wife; the husband’s occupation, the name and ages of the children; and the date that cohabitation commenced.
Runaway Lists:
The Richmond County Runaway List (Richmond County: Record of Slaves that have escaped to the enemy during the war, 1861-1863) shows two persons enslaved by Richard Henry Harwood who escaped. Richard M. Gaines, age 23, escaped on May 24, 1863, and Daniel Gordon, age 18, escaped on June 3, 1863.
Runaway list excerpt with transcription featuring Richard Gaines and Daniel Gordon
Church Records:
Relevant church records are housed at the Virginia Baptist Historical Society, an archive of primary and secondary research materials on Baptist history in Virginia, primarily that of white congregations. Church minutes give the names of church members, including the names of enslaved persons and their enslavers. Formed in 1837 and initially called East Zoar Church, this church near Menokin eventually was named Menokin Baptist Church because of its proximity to Menokin. Records housed at the Virginia Baptist Historical Society list four Menokin Baptist Church members who were enslaved by Richard Henry Harwood at Menokin. The four persons joined by baptism. They are: Fanny (no surname given), who joined the church in 1842; Alice Gaines, Richard Gaines, and Amanda Kelly who joined the church in 1856. Richard Gaines is said to have been “Excommunicated” in 1863. No further information is given about either of these persons.
Learn more about how Bessida white uncovered relevant Church Records to make further discoveries here
Slave Birth Index:
The Slave Birth Index, 1853-1865, is organized by slaveholders. The index gives the name of the mother (often just a first name), sometimes the name of the newborn, and the date of birth. Four births are listed in the index for Richard Henry Harwood. They are:
> Mary, born to Silvy in June, 1861
> Female (name not given) born to Hannah in December, 1861
> Male (name not given) born to Louisa on Oct 16, 1859
> Ellick, born to Amanda in May of 1860
The Families
The Peter Henry-Ellen Smith Family:
Peter Henry was born about 1796 in King and Queen County, Virginia. His last enslaver was Richard Henry Harwood at Menokin. Peter Henry and Ellen Smith, who was born about 1818 in Richmond County, became a couple in 1846. Smith was last enslaved by Mary H, Mitchell in Richmond County. Henry and Smith had at least five children: Easter Henry, born about 1850; Anderson Henry, born about 1854; Lucy Henry, born about 1856; Peter Henry, born about 1863, and Michael Henry, born about 1867.
The William Parris(h)-Lucella Cox Family:
William Parris(h) was born about 1833 in Richmond County, Virginia. His last enslaver was Richard Henry Harwood at Menokin.. Parris(h) is married to Lucella Cox, was born free in Richmond County about 1836, Parris(h) and Cox became a couple in 1857, and had at least nine children: Matilda Ann Parris(h), born about 1858, Ezekiel Parris(h), born about 1865, Nancy Parris(h), born about 1869; Samuel Parris(h), born about 1869; Susan Parris(h), born about 1872; Henry Parris(h), born about 1873; Julia Parris(h), born about 1874; Pheby Parris(h), born about 1877; and James Parris(h), born about 1878.
Richard Gaines and Alice Gaines:
Richard Gaines and Alice Gaines both joined Menokin Baptist Church in 1856 and were enslaved by Richard Henry Harwood at Menokin. It is reasonable to assume that the Richard Gaines who joined Menokin Baptist Church in 1856 is the same Richard Gaines who escaped in 1863. Little else is known about Richard and Alice Gaines, including whether these two persons had a familial relationship. Their names are not found in post-Civil War records in Richmond County. However, there is a husband and wife with those names in neighboring Essex County in 1870 and 1880 census records. This Essex County couple has one child, Nicey Gaines, who was born about 1865. In the 1870 census, the following persons who may the children of Richard and Alice Gaines, are also in the home: Maria Gaines, born about 1849 and Phillip Gaines, born about 1851. It is not known as to whether the Richard and Alice Gaines who live in Essex County in 1870 and 1880 are the same persons who were enslaved at Menokin.
The Amanda Beverly-Stafford Gordon Family:
Amanda Beverly was born about 1828 in Caroline County, Virginia. Her last enslaver was Richard Henry Harwood at Menokin. Amanda Beverly and Stafford Gordon, who was born about 1813 in Richmond County, became a couple in 1846. Gordon was last enslaved by John C. Mitchell in Richmond County. Beverly and Gordon had at least nine children: Emma Gordon, born about 1845; Daniel Gordon, born about 1847: Jesse Gordon, born about 1849; Stafford Gordon, born about 1853: Harrison Gordon, born about 1857; Andrew Gordon, born about 1860; Shadrach (Sedwick) Gordon, born about 1861; Peter Gordon, born about 1863; and Leland Gordon, born about 1867.
Bessida White (Center) with Descendants of the Enslaved Persons at Menokin Karen Beverly (left) and Judith A. Gordon (right)
We thank Bessida White for her unbridled commitment to this journey of discovery with the descendants of the enslaved persons at Menokin, her wisdom, her friendship, and service to this special community. More to come!