| Notes |
- Harriet Mercer is listed in the 1860 SC Census for Sumter District. She is a neighbor of to Robert Artis and William Artis. Harriet is listed as a 60 year old farmer.
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Harriet had an illegitimate son named Randolph Bracy. She then married Albert Mercer in about 1827 and by whom she had one child, Mary Ann Mercer. Albert became involved in debt and by a Sheriff's Execution, two slaves, Sarah and Caroline, which were given to Harriet by her Grandmother were sold. The negros were purchased by Philip Bracy, Harriet's brother.
In about 1828, Philip Bracy gave the two negros to Harriet and her children. One side says that he gave them, and their offspring, by parol gift in consideration of love and affection for Harriet. They were given to Stark Singleton in trust for the sole use of Harriet, and after her death, to her lawful children by Philip McElveen, and any subsequent husband. (This would have left Randolph Bracy and Mary Ann Mercer out.) Another side says that Philip gave the two negros to Harriet's two older children, Randolph Bracy and Mary Ann Mercer. Either way, it was about this time that Albert Mercer left the country. Mary Ann was still a baby in arms, about three months old, when her father left.
Harriet and her two children, Randolph and Mary Ann, moved in with her Uncle Stark Singleton. (Mr. R. B. Cain later lived in this same place.) The negros in question also lived at Stark's place with Harriet, Randolph, and Mary Ann. Stark would say that the negros belonged to Randolph and Mary Ann. Alex Morris says in a statement in 1865 that Stark was very interested in the two children and their welfare.
After a sufficient amount of time had passed to assume that Mercer was not alive (6 or 7 years), Harriet married Philip McElveen. This was in about 1833 or 1834. They lived together only three months. Mary Ann Mercer was about 6 or 7 years old when Harriet married Philip McElveen. She once ran away from her mother and back to her Uncle Stark's house which was 10 or 12 miles away. It was rumored that while Mercer lived with Harriet McElveen as his wife, that he also had a wife in Alabama. This rumor was stated by Robert J. Artis in 1864.
The negros had a large increase and were held in the control of Stark Singleton, Harriet's Uncle on her mother's side. Stark would hire out the negros when work was available. This money was used in the sole support of Harriet and her children, Mary Ann, Martha and Dolly. In 1833 or 1834, Stark hired Charlotte out to Mr. Abram Geddings for $5.00 per month. At the time of hiring, Mr. Geddings asked Stark, what if Mrs. McElveen objected. Stark said no, that she would have nothing to say about it, whatever he did was all right. The negro woman did come to Mr. Geddings and he paid Stark in bacon.
After 1846, being separated from Philip McElveen, Harriet took up residence with Charles M. Richardson and Mary Ann, Harriet's daughter by Albert Mercer. (Philip McElveen evidently tried to place marital claims on the negro slaves and Charles and Mary Ann were successful in keeping the slaves safe from his supposed claims until Harriet died in 1861).
When Stark died in September of 1848, the negros went under the control of Randolph Bracy, Charles M. Richardson, and Mary Ann (Mercer) Richardson. Randolph became the owner of the negro Sarah, and Charlotte became the property of Mary Ann Richardson. Mary Ann had already taken possession of Charlotte, and Charlotte's children, a few days after she married Charles. After Stark Singleton's death, Harriet moved from place to place, living on several people's land including James Lawrence's place which at the time belonged to C. M. Richardson.
In the Spring of 1855, Charles Richardson sold one of the negros, a child of Charlotte's named Caroline, to Thomas C. Richardson. Thomas had known Caroline from the time she was a little girl. By 1863, Caroline had three children. The four negros had a value of $3,000.00 at the time of the Equity Hearing in 1863.
Randolph Bracy was accused in the Equity Hearing of running off, out of the District, some of the negros which were issues of the original two negros, Sarah and Caroline. He still had in his possession at the time of the hearing, the following slaves: Sarah, Ben, John, Margaret, Thomas, Manda, and Abby. The seven slaves represented a total value of $7,000.00.
Charles Richardson and his wife Mary Ann had in their possession of the original negros, the following slaves: Charlotte, Caroline, Eliza, Willis, Anna, Savanna, Winney, Sallie, John, Preston and two other whose names were not remembered at the time of the Equity Hearing. These twelve slaves had a value of $9,000.00. In a statement by Charles and Mary Ann, they gave the names of four other slaves in their possession in 1863. These were Adam, Benn, Perry and Buster, all of which were other issues of the slave Charlotte. (Caroline had already been sold to Thomas.)
SOURCE: See Conveyance and Equity Hearing below
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Recorded 7th September 1823, Conveyances Sumter District, SC, Page 466
State of South Carolina
Sumter District
To All to whom these presents shall come known that I Ann Singleton of the District and State aforesaid
in consideration of the natural love and affection which I bear to my grandchild Harriett Ann Bracey, I have given and by these presents do give unto the said Harriett Ann Bracey two negro girls one is named Sarah about seven years of age the other named Charlotte about three years of age. Also one feather bed, stead and furniture. To have and to hold all and singular the afore mentioned negros, bed, stead and furniture herein described, to her the said Harriett Ann Bracey absolutely forever to her own proper use and behalf. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three and in the forty seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America. Sealed and delivered in presence of
Jesse Nettles, Jr.
Joseph Holladay Ann Singleton
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Transcribed by Joseph Wade Stone
Computerized by Lonne Stone Heath
Original at S. C. Archives, Columbia, S. C.
Feb. 21, 1973 - Box 21 Sumter Co.
Equity Courts Records 1840 - 1870 Sumter County - Pkg 29 - Roll 402
Sumter District Inequity - A485
James Artis & Martha his wife
Duff Stone & Dolly his wife
V
Randolph Bracy
Charles M. Richardson & Mary Ann his wife &
Thomas C. Richardson
Sumter & Dinkins
Complainants Solicitors
Filed 28 Feb. 1863
Complainants state: Harriet McElveen, late of said district, the mother of Martha and Dolly, in her life had 2 Negro girls and Harriet had an illegitimate son Randolph Bracy, one of the Defendants, Harriet subsequently intermarried with one Mercer by whom she had issue one child Mary Ann Richardson, wife of Charles M. Richardson one of the Defendants of the District of Clarendon. Mercer was in debt and the Negroes were sold under sheriffís execution who were bought by Philip Bracy deceased of Sumter District and brother of Harriet and about 35 years ago. Philip Bracy gave or sold the Negroes to Stark Singleton in trust for the use of Harriet and after death for her children. Mercer left the country shortly thereafter and died. Harriet married Philip McElveen lived unhappy and separated until Harrietís death. About 17 years ago and after death of Stark Singleton and after separation and (as) husband and wife the Negro girls went into possession of Randolph Bracy and Charles M. Richardson and Mary Ann his wife. Harriet died June 18, 1861 leaving no other issues. Charles sold 1 Negro to Thomas C. Richardson of Clarendon. The Negro Caroline has 3 children and is in possession of Thomas C. Richardson value 3,000.00.
Randolph Bracy run off out of Jurisdiction of the Court 1 or more of said Negroes and has in his possession 7 value 7,000.00. Charles M. Richardson has 12 value 9,000.00. Asked for their share. Hold Negroes for claim against McElveen. McElveen not in debt. Charles M. Richardson executor for Harriet.
Answer.
Claims Philip and Harriet married 1846, lived together about 3 months, 2 years before Singleton died. Claims property of Mary Ann.
Trial put off until Dec. 29, 1864 and went into Jan. of 1865.
Testimony of W. F. B. Haynsworth Jan. 2, 1865 knew Philip Bracy and was concerned about Randolph and Mary Ann when he lived W. Rees Plantation.
Bracy in 1835 or 6 at Statesburg.
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Recorded 7th September 1823, Conveyances Sumter District, SC, Page 466
State of South Carolina
Sumter District
To All to whom these presents shall come known that I Ann Singleton of the District and State aforesaid
in consideration of the natural love and affection which I bear to my grandchild Harriett Ann Bracey, I have given and by these presents do give unto the said Harriett Ann Bracey two negro girls one is named Sarah about seven years of age the other named Charlotte about three years of age. Also one feather bed, stead and furniture. To have and to hold all and singular the afore mentioned negros, bed, stead and furniture herein described, to her the said Harriett Ann Bracey absolutely forever to her own proper use and behalf. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty three and in the forty seventh year of the Independence of the United States of America. Sealed and delivered in presence of
Jesse Nettles, Jr.
Joseph Holladay Ann Singleton
***
"You probably have the information that he has for Mrs. Ann Singleton: died 18 May 1823 intestate, children STARK & IRBY Singleton; grandchildren Philip Bracey, Wm H. Bracey, Amelia Bracey who afterwards married Chas Lynum & has since died leaving her child Marshal Lynum & Harriet Ann Bracey
who has since married Abner Mercer. This from Roll 396, Sumter.
Other deeds are: Book B, p. 153; FF, 434; FF,445; FF,466; A,352."
(SOURCE: Elizabeth Girardeau, Sumter List, betted@@pop.scescape.net)
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1800 - 1861 (61 years)
[1] 