Hire Appraisement of William A. Killingsworth's Negroes ~ 1861

State of Mississippi
Jefferson County
July 23rd 1861

Appraisement of Annual Hire of Negroes Belonging to the Estate of Wm. Killingsworth
Transcribed by Linda Durr Rudd

We the undersigned commissioners appointed by the Honourable Probate Court of Jefferson County at the July term thereof to value and appraise the annual hire of the negro slaves belonging to Frances A. Valentia, William A., and Albert Shaw Killingsworth, wards of Mary Shaw, for the year 1861 according to the foregoing schedule value the hire at seven hundred and sixty dollars as given under our hands and seals this 23rd day of July 1861.

Joseph Dunbar (Seal)
A. K. Vause (Seal)
A. W. Sutphin (Seal)

1861 Hire

Note: Richard Bailey, a blacksmith, and his children were found in the 1870 Jefferson County Census.
Dick age 45 value at $100
Maria age 35 value at $70
Olivia age 13 value at $60 - Olivia Bailey m. John Johnson.
Sam age 11 valued at $40
John age 9 valued at $10 - John Bailey m. Harriet Reed.
Caroline age 7 valued at $0 - Caroline Bailey m. Calvin Mayberry.
Nancy age 5 and half valued at $0
Frank age 4 valued at $0
Austin age 2 and half valued at $0 - Austin Bailey m. Melissa Rankin.
Lucinda age 9 months valued at $0 - Lucinda Bailey m. Nat Wren.
Wash age 25 valued at $120
Harriet age 19 valued at $70
Monroe age 4 valued at $0
Irvin age 1 value at $0
Amy age 21 valued at $70
Ann age 5 valued at $0
Joe age 3 valued at $0
Martha age 6 months valued at $0
Mary age 50 valued at $10
Sam age 15 valued at $50
Rube age 18 valued at $50
Letha age 19 valued at $50
Juda age 25 valued at $40
Davis age 1 month valued at $0
Nathan age 13 valued at $50
Phil age 11 valued at $40
Louise age 14 valued at $40
Emma age 13 valued at $30
Juda age 50 valued at $10
Sarah age 14 valued at $50

Total - $960

Deduct $200 for taking care of little children for the year 1861.

Total - $760

SLAVE OWNER
William Anderson Killingsworth was born 1821 in Tennessee, son of Anderson Killingsworth and Mary Sweet. He died 19 July 1854 in Jefferson County. Mississippi. He married Nancy Ann Shaw, daughter of Thompson Breckenridge Shaw and Mary Shaw. She was born 1820 in Mississippi, and died 23 June 1853 in Jefferson County, MS. Their children were Francis, Horace, Valencia, William, and Albert.

Two slaves of William's were accused of murdering him 19 July 1854. Per the Susan Sillers Darden Diary - 1854, the names of the two slaves were Jesse and Albert. Two more slaves, Bill and Charles, were accused of torching the house. Unnamed slaves retrieved William's body and his three children from the burning house. The slaves' trial was in the fall of 1854. Jesse and Albert was hung 21 November 1854. Jesse confessed that he alone committed the murder.

Since both parents were deceased, the Killingsworth children were the wards of their grandmother Mary Shaw and uncle William Shaw. On the 1860 Jefferson County Slave Schedule, William Shaw was named as the guardian of the children and their 18 slaves. The children lived with their grandmother Mary Shaw per the 1860 Federal Jefferson County Census and they were named as Mary's wards in William Killingsworth's probate records.

ENTRIES FROM DIARY OF DR. WALTER WADE OF ROSSWOOD PLANTATION, JEFFERSON CO., MS
Concerning the Murder of William Anderson Killingsworth

Thursday July 20, 1854 - This morning 2 oclk or before Billy Killingsworth murdered by his negroes and his house burned down. Great many people collect. His runaway Jesse suspected.

Friday July 21, 1854 - People all collect again. Negro boy Albert confess to have seen Jesse murder his master & that he was with him. Caugh two of his runaways today, Moses & Lucy. Call at Frank Jones; took tea.

Saturday July 22, 1854 - In pursuit of Jesse this morning.

Sunday July 23, 1854 - Caught Jesse at the bridge between Grand Gulf & Port Gibson.

Monday July 24, 1854 - Jesse bought back. Acknowledges killing his master and setting the house on fire, and says Albert, Charles and old Bill assisted.

Tuesday July 25, 1854 - The above negroes sent to jail to await their trial for murder & arson. Many people present and many were for administering punishment in a summary way.

Receipt for Jesse's Jail Fees ~ Courtesy of Anthony Miller

SOURCES

William A. Killingsworth's Jefferson County Probate Records - Case Number: D61
Microfilm Number: 12192
The Fayette Chronicle - Fayette, MS - Friday April 18, 1884
Microfilm Number: 31179
Diary of Dr. Walter Wade of Rosswood Plantation, Jefferson County, MS - 1834-1854
Microfilm Number: 36015
Microfilms found at Mississippi Department of Archives and History.
Susan Sillers Darden's Diary - 1854
1860 Jefferson County Federal Census
1860 Jefferson County Slave Schedule
RootsWeb WordConnect Project

Remembering Their Names