Frederick CHAVIS/CHAVERS
by Powers, William D. (UMC-Student)
Does anyone have info on a Frederick CHAVIS/CHAVERS, b. @ 1784 in Georgia or
South Carolina? He was in Williamson Co., IL, in 1860, in the household of
Hannah BRYANT, b. @ 1820 in GA. She is probably his daughter. They are all
listed as "mulatto"; family history holds them to be Indian.
Hannah's mother was probably Nancy BRYANT. Nancy is listed in 1840 in
Walker Co., GA. In her household is one slave, a male 55-100 years old. I
believe this to be Frederick CHAVIS. Nancy and children are living in Union
Co., IL, in 1850. Once again, she and children (Joseph, Lewis, Mary Ann,
Emaline--probably Celia Emaline, Catherine and my gg grandfather George
Washington BRYANT, b. 8 Sept 1840) are all listed as mulatto. One other
daughter Susannah is married and living in Williamson Co. with her husband
Andrew SCOTT. They too are all listed as mulatto. Celia Emaline is also
enumerated with them. She was staying to take care of a new baby or
Susannah who was pregnant. Frederick is nowhere to be found; probably
hiding from census takers. Andrew SCOTT is listed a few houses from Nancy
in Walker Co., GA, in 1840, as a free person of color.
Help! This family line has proven to be a brick wall for over 20 years.
In subsequent generations, members of this family show up as mulatto, white,
or black. Believe they were originally tri-racial.
Thanks,
Doug Powers