Thaddius Black

Thaddius Black appeared on the Freedmen’s Bureau records alongside Eliza Black in 1865. [1] In addition, “Thadeus” Black was listed under Eliza Black’s household on the 1870 U.S. Census for Elizabeth City, Virginia. His age was 18, and his occupation was “oysterman.” [2]

A marriage record from 1872 in Elizabeth City County for Thaddius Black and Maria Hill lists Eliza and Jesse Black as Thaddius’ parents. His age is 22 on the record, making his birth year about 1850. This marriage record lists Thaddius’ place of birth as Elizabeth City County, which may be an error since the person named Thaddius Black who was enslaved at Sherwood would have been born in Charles City. [3]

We have also found a record for a Thaddius Black who reported his father, Jesse Black’s, death in Charles City in 1893. [4] Jesse Black had a younger stepson also named Thadeus living in his household in 1880 in Charles City. This other Thadeus Black may have reported Jesse Black’s deathin 1893, or Thaddius may have returned to Charles City after seeking refuge in the Hampton area during and after the Civil War. [5]

[1] The Freedmen's Bureau in Virginia, Names of the Destitute Freedmen Dependent Upon the Government in the Military Districts of Virginia, edited by Elizabeth Cann Kambourian, Heritage Books, Bowie, MD, 1997.

[2] 1870 U.S. Census, Elizabeth City County, Virginia, retrieved from FamilySearch.org, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFLR-1TK.

[3] Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940, retrieved from FamilySearch.org, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRH5-XZX.

[4] 80% Heaven Bound: Deaths and Burials in Charles City County, compiled by Sherry Brown Tyler for the Charles City County Historical Society, 2000, p. 527.

[5] 1880 U.S. Census, Charles City County, Virginia, retrieved from FamilySearch.org, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCP5-G5Z.