Sunday, February 9, 2025

Black Ancestors in The Tick Mark Census


Did You Know?
Free Black People Were Noted, by Household, before 1850 Census. 

Free "Coloreds" were noted - by name of the head of household -  in the early census records. Early census records are those from 1790 to 1840. These early black people were most often landowners, but not necessarily. Some bought their freedom, and some earned their freedom through their war efforts:  Revolutionary War, American- Indian Wars, or War of 1812. Others were emancipated by their enslaver. Some of these enslavers, the white biological fathers of enslaved children were the ones who emancipated their mulatto offsprings. Those who were legally claimed in Wills were often transported out of slave states, or sent to integrated schools like Oberlin College. 

Yes, there are many cases where the biological white father, claimed their children and educated them. I'll share that example, from Mississippi, in another blog post this month.

The Tick Mark Censuses
Let's get rid of this myth before we begin. "Free-Coloreds" were enumerated in the early tick-marked Census Records, 1790-1840, even in the South. 

Many of the Hittin' the Brickswall with Kathleen podcast listeners will remember John's meltdown on the tick mark census records. If you want to go directly to the beginning of the Tick Mark conversation check out the episode Off The Wall: Making Sense of the U.S.Census,  and start at the 8 minute mark to about 12:20.


Let's Look At An Example:
Here are my own Free - "Colored" ancestors in the 1830, 1840and 1850 censuses.  I have them earlier but this would then be a book, not a blog. So bear with me.

Louisa Griffin, my 3rd Great-grandmother was born free in 1817. Her freedom was gained through her great-grandfather's Revolutionary War Service. 

Our Rev. War Veteran ancestor, Louisa's great-grandfather, was Ned Griffin. His service promised "him and all of his heirs" their freedom. You can read about Ned here. Revolutionary War Research - Ridiculous Mistakes

Kathleen --> gf Cecil -->2nd g-gf Wiley "Tobe"-->3ggp Louisa Griffin Morris --> 6g-gf Ned Griffin
1960                 1904                    1838                                     1817                                     1760's

Note: Basic timeline from Kathleen to Revolutionary War Soldier. All generations are not noted 

Free-born Louisa had a total of five children fathered by my 3rd g-grandfather Wiley J. Morris, the elder. Wiley, born in 1807, was enslaved by his biological father. As a blacksmith he swallowed to work and paid $2000 family for his emancipation in 1855. 

In the meantime, the five (5)  Morris-Griffin children born from 1838 - 1850 were all born free following their mother Louisa.  They were enumerated as Griffins in 1850 census records. In 1860 they were able to use their father's surname of Morris since he had succeeded in purchasing his freedom. 

Yes, it was matrilineal. If Louisa would have given her children the Morris surname, they could have legally been enslaved by their white grandfather, James Morris, Sr. So their early years enumerated them as Griffin's, even though everyone, the white Griffins and the Morris knew Wiley was the father. d

1850 Rutherford, NC
Louisa with her Griffin Children
fathered by enslaved Wiley J. Morris born 1807


In 1855, however, and $2000 later, they were Morris's, the whole family! Wiley J. Morris was finally free, and enumerated as such in 1860 with his family.  
1860 Rutherford, NC
Wiley with Wife and Children
(Previously seen as Griffin)

So, Where Was Louisa in 1830?
Louisa was born free in 1817. She had one brother, Richard, who was named in their father's Will. In 1830 "free-colored" Louisa was enumerated in the household of William L. Griffin (white). His ancestors originally enslaved the Rev War soldier Ned, the mulatto. Wm. Griffin, the enslaver, was also an advocates and key witness to guarantee the freedom of Ned Griffin after the Rev. War.

In 1830 Louisa was in a form of "apprenticeship." We see a "tick mark" for Louisa in the William L. Griffin household. The tick mark designated her between the age of 10-23. Our family bible, scribed by her in 1838-1840 gives her birth year as 1817, so she was about age 13 in 1830. Here is the Tick Mark Census in 1830:
1830 US Census. 

As you saw above, she was noted as Head of Household in the 1840 Federal Census. The tick-mark censuses was enough to place Louisa exactly where I needed her - in Rutherford County, NC. And they held the key to uncovering her parents, Peter and Betsy Griffin, and identifying her brother Richard. 

More on free Colored Griffin in 1817, Rutherford County, NC
Peter Griffin, NC Land Acquisition, 1817

Peter Griffin (A Man of Colour) of the County of Rutherford was the father of Louisa Griffin, and a landowner in 1817. Louisa's mother was Betsy Griffin. In 1817 Peter wrote his will, naming his minor son Richard. This Will was witnessed by James Morris, the (white) father of the enslaved Wiley Morris, born in 1807. James Morris owned Fox Haven Plantation of Rutherford, NC. 



It's through the tick-marked census that you can take note of family sizes, neighbors and communities, and your ancestor's movement if comparing and analyzing the various early census records. 

This is just a slice of American History told through my Revolutionary War Veteran, a "Free Colored" since 1784. Legal documents are plentiful to support, the family folklore, the family bible, and early bibliographies of descendants of Wiley Morris, born free in 1838. Will share later. 

Kathleen Brandt
a3Genealogy

Thursday, February 6, 2025

Thanks Listeners for Our Success!


Saturday, February 1, 2025

Doug Williams: Black History Spotlight in the NFL


As we celebrate the First day of Black History Month, I'd like to honor Doug Williams, the NFL first Black quarterback to start and to win a Super Bowl (1988). 

Doug Williams was a Grambling State University graduate. In case we must be refreshed on America's history, Grambling, founded in 1901, is one of the many Historically Black Colleges and Universities.  

This truly isn't as much about football or "Black History" so let's call it America's History because that is what it is. So to counter-push the desire to cancel African Americans' historical and present-day fight against racism, segregation, and ugly rhetoric, it is necessary to fill in what America's history books and American politics have canceled. 




If you are thinking that I'm making false assumptions, let's do a quick quiz. 

Now, let's look at 1975: How would you do on the same test for the following three Super Bowl Quarterbacks.?

Terry Bradshaw the Pittsburgh Steelers winning quarterback in Super Bowl X in 1975?    Joe Namath, 1968?                                                                                                              Lenny Dawson, 1969?

In the 60's and 70's we heard about them in nauseum. Deservingly so, but so was Doug Williams. 

Do you remember Doug Williams of the Washington Redskins, who was the winning Super Bowl XXI quarterback? Can you recite any facts on him as a man: born? teams? draft?

I have a feeling you know Joe Gibbs. But do you know how Doug Williams and Joe Gibbs mesh in history?

Joe Gibbs was the only NFL coach who visited Williams. On the recommendation of Gibbs, Tampa Bay drafted Williams in the first round (17th overall) of the 1978 NFL draft. Williams was the only starting African-American quarterback in the NFL at that time, and dealt with racism from the fans, and even his own coaching staff.                                                                                (Rise of the Black QB, author Jason Reid)

Those who do know of Doug Williams usually spout out he was the first...insert race: black...quarterback

"In 1987, Williams joined Washington Redskins and made history in Super Bowl XXII. On January 31, 1988, he led the team to a dominant 42-10 victory over the Denver Broncos. Williams threw for a record-breaking 340 yards and became the first quarterback to pass for four touchdowns in a single quarter. His performance earned him Super Bowl MVP honors, making him the first Black quarterback to achieve this feat. 

This is what he had to say about that: 

"tired of the 'black quarterback' talk"

Yes, we are all tired of it. Mostly because given the opportunity to play in the game, any game, all have at least a chance to compete; to succeed. Although this is not about Joe Gibbs doing what should be an American standard, Gibbs was able to face and fight the backlash of supporting and recognizing "black talent." Many don't have that courage even today. 

For this reason alone, I know he is one person I'd like to share for Black History Month (Feb). Plus it's Super Bowl month! (Go Chiefs).

Adversity Was the Norm Then As It Is Now
Know that my job is to record history not soften the blow. This article represents life and adversity not just in the south, but in America. Being five years younger (1960), adversity, especially racial adversity in USA, is my reasoning to share all genealogical and ancestral as well as contemporary stories, in hopes we can use the common ground of the human story, the family story to expand our circle.

The article continues: 

Full Article: Well-Armed Pioneer, 1988

Doug Williams and Ancestors

Born on 9 August 1955, in Zachary, Louisiana, Doug Williams was one of eight children raised by Robert and Laura (Matthews) Williams. 

His father Robert, Sr was a WWII veteran. 


His mother was affectionately known as "Shot." She passed 24 Sep 2019. Robert Sr preceding her in death.



At Grambling, Williams played under the legendary Coach Eddie Robinson. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in education. At the time of his draft with Tampa Bay, Williams was the only starting Black quarterback in the league.

It must be noted that several of his brothers were also excelled in college and professional sports. Doug was one of eight children born to Robert and Laura (Matthews) Williams:

  1.  Robert Williams, Jr1], [2], a former baseball player, All-American, Grambling; high school football coach;  and superintendent of middle schools for the East Baton Rouge Parish school system[3] was born about 1946.[4]
  2.  Jacquelyn (also seen as Jacqueline)
  3. Barbara
  4. Carolyn
  5. Larry Pete, born 1953, died Oct 2015
  6.  Doug, our subject, born 1955
  7. Manzie, born 29 Aug 1957



  8. Michael “Mike,” Born 1958, quarterback at Grambling[5] 

Williams has been married three times. His first wife, Janice Goss of Gainesville, GA[6,] he married in 1982. She died April 1983. (Daily News, Bogalusa, Louisiana, Apr 10, 1983, Page 16).

He later married Lisa Robinson in 1987 and eventually wed Raunda Ashner Williams. He is noted to have eight children.

For further reading, check out these historic newspaper clips:

Join us in Honoring Doug Williams for Black History Spotlight, and Super Bowl Month. 

Notes:

[1] https://www.newspapers.com/image/360182718/?match=2&terms=%22robert%20williams%22%20%22doug%20williams%22

[2] Robert Williams, brother of Doug, baseball player With Cleveland Indians; https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-news-star/164453722/

[3] https://www.newspapers.com/article/southwest-daily-news/164454889/

[4] Shreveport Journal, 1977, https://www.newspapers.com/image/602218010/?terms=%22doug%20williams%22%20%2B%22janice%20goss%22

[5] https://www.newspapers.com/image/602218010/?terms=%22doug%20williams%22%20%2B%22janice%20goss%22

[6] https://www.newspapers.com/image/600427395/?terms=janice&match=1

[7] https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times/164456249/

[8] https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news/164455927/