I would like to give a warm welcome today to Steve Harper who is the contributor of the following research. Steve is a retired patent attorney living in Paoli, Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. He has been researching his family's history for about 10 years. Recently, he has been focusing his attention on the numerous branches of his mother's family who were enslavers in southern states such as North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Martine I am a descendant of Daniel Malone, who was born in Killucan, Westmeath, Ireland (about 50 miles northwest of Dublin) about 1642 and immigrated to the American colonies at an unknown date. Although I have found records related to the ownership of enslaved people for several of the later Malones who descended from Daniel, this blog will focus on the information I have uncovered for Thompson Malone (my third great grandfather). Thompson was born in 1802 and died May 29, 1862 in Greene County, Georgia, during the Civil War. Moreover, his estate documents (accessible through ancestry.com) contain a multitude of references to enslaved people by first name. The ages of certain individuals are also documented as well as certain family relationships. Thompson was the only slaveholder having the last name Malone living in Greene County who is listed in the 1850 and 1860 slave schedules. Sources: (all sources accessed 2 Feb. 2021). 1850 U.S. Federal Census (Slave Schedule) Greene County, Georgia (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HR76-632M) 1860 U.S. Federal Census (Slave Schedule) Greene County, Georgia (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WKVC-XB3Z) (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WKVC-XBW2) library.uncg.edu/slavery/petitions/details.aspx?pid=17929) This means that it is possible, with a reasonable degree of confidence, to match up those enslaved persons with the records of African Americans living in or near Greene County, Georgia soon after the Civil War (for example, as documented in the 1870 federal census). According to the 1860 slave schedule, Thompson owned 27 enslaved people. His estate documents mention the following people by name: Abram (age 20) Martha (age 35) and her children Joe and William Cairo (age 50) Humphrey (age 18) Sally (age 50; a “Sallie” is also mentioned) Bera (girl, age 14; spelling of name is not clear) Amanda (age 20) Chancy (or Chaney)(age 60) Gus (age unclear, possibly 11 or 15) Tilda (age 30) and her child Cornelius Reta (age 27) Jule (woman, age 24) and her child Edward Celia (age 17) Hannah (age 18) Mose Milly Greene Phromia Andrew Smith Ann Peter Sophy Neal Harriet Rufus Selvy Jack Becca Ritter Jane Frone (spelling not clear) Nancy Mills (spelling not clear) Manda Cain Harry Sam While more research still needs to be done, I have been able to find post-Civil War records for some of these individuals. A short summary of certain of this information follows. The 1870 federal census records Martha Malone, as a Black woman, age 50 (i.e., born about 1820 in Georgia), living in Militia District 146, Greene County, Georgia. Other members of the household are Jacob Malone (25), Peter (20), Joseph (10), Cornelius (7) and William (5). This family is likely the same family listed in the estate documents of Thompson above. Martha Malone is also documented in the 1880 federal census. She is described as Black, widowed, born in Georgia, age 60, living in District 323, Twiggs, Georgia in the Denson household. She is listed as the mother of Judge Denson (40). Sources: 1870 U.S. Federal Census (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC37-W7D) 1880 U. S. Federal Census (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M8P3-MYK) William Malone also appears in the 1900 census and the 1910 census for Georgia, with ages consistent with being born in the early 1860s (like the William mentioned above). In the 1900 census William Malone is recorded as born in Georgia (like both his parents) and is described as a married man and a prisoner in Newborn, Newton County, Georgia. In 1910, he is recorded as aged 49 (born about 1861) and is described as a widowed lodger and laborer living in Militia District 466, Monroe County, Georgia. Sources: 1900 U.S. Federal Census (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M3J5-MPT) 1910 U.S. Federal Census (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:ML2K-NWL) The 1870 federal census recorded Celia Malone, age 24 (born ca. 1846), as a Black farm laborer, born in Georgia, living in Militia District 148, Greene County, Georgia. This almost certainly is the Celia referenced in Thompson Malone’s estate documents. Moreover, the census records show that Celia’s household included a Samuel Malone, age 14, and a Jane Malone, age 47. Individuals with these first names are among those mentioned in the estate documents of Thompson Malone. Source: 1870 U.S. Federal Census (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC3Q-HNP) A search for records related to “Mose” found several sources that refer to Moses Malone. For example, Moses Malone is recorded in both the 1870 federal census (age 40, born in Georgia) and 1880 federal census (age 50), living in Militia District 148, Greene County, Georgia. Both parents were also born in Georgia. He is described as Black and a farmer (1870) or laborer (1880). The name Moses Malone also appears on a May 25, 1866, Greene County, Georgia marriage record as the spouse of Mary Robinson. Further, 1871-1875 property tax registers show Moses Malone employed in District 18 of Greene County by Philip Robinson (or Robertson, in some records). Source: 1870 U.S. Federal Census (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC3Q-BHW) The 1870 federal census records Milley (or Milly) Malone, age 30, who was born in Georgia, living in Militia District 148 of Greene County, Georgia. She is described as a Black farm laborer. Other members of her household include Green Malone, age 9, who may be the Greene mentioned in Thompson Malone’s estate documents. However, I have identified other men named Green Malone living in Georgia after the Civil War with much earlier birth dates. For example, the 1880 federal census reported a Green Malone, age 39 (born ca. 1841), who was a Black farmer living in Whites, Jones County, Georgia. Both he and his parents were born in Georgia. He is in the same household as Harriet Malone, who is possibly the Harriet referenced in Thompson Malone’s estate documents. Source: 1870 U.S. Federal Census (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC3Q-BC2) Cain Malone, age 50, is listed in the 1870 federal census as a Black blacksmith living in Militia District 141, Greene County. He was in the same household as Sophronia, age 35, who seems to be the Frone or Phromia also mentioned in Thompson Malone’s estate documents. Additionally, Cain Malone (“colored”) registered to vote in Greene County on July 6, 1867. Source: 1870 U. S. Federal Census (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC33-BY1) I would be glad to share my additional research notes on this subject with anyone who has an interest. Steve
34 Comments
4/27/2022 04:58:59 am
Interesting article you have written here! I was hoping you could help me with my genealogy. Do you know anything about Henry County, Georgia 1821 - 1850!? My grandfather was born there in the area! It was originally occupied by Creek Indians until they sold it to Patrick Henry. I checked the Creek Freedman Rolls and didn't see my grandpas name listed there; but, I did see his name listed on the Dawes Rolls 1898 - 1914! Im not sure it's him what do you think? I have proof that my grandfather was a British Freedman owned by British slave traders and worked on 3-4 different plantations in Greene County Georgia over the years 1860 - 1880 until emancipation 1863 - 1865!
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4/27/2022 05:33:57 am
Hi Terence thanks for getting in touch. I haven't come across the surname Ward yet. Can you post your grandpa's name here too in case another reader might have come across him? Once we have his name it may jog someone's memory. I'd like to recommend this group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/188373451214240/about/ who have researchers from all over the US. They are highly skilled and experienced. In the meantime I will contact Steve Harper as well in case he knows of your family. If you have a slaveholder name you may find information about him/her at this link https://beyondkin.org/enslaved-populations-research-directory/
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9/24/2022 12:44:21 pm
Thanks for the response! My grandfather Henry Ward was born in 1840 Henry County Georgia. His parents likewise were born in Georgia (quite possibly 1790 or the early 1800's)! If anyone could me uncover the lineage or surnames of Henry Ward parents that would be great!? Nevertheless, I've been on my genealogy journey since 2021 read a lot of books, reviewed government documents and there's no concrete proof my paternal lineage came from Africa within the past 222 years. All the available evidence I have so far is right here in America (specifically the state of Georgia)! Orally, my family never talked about immigrating from Africa and neither have we practiced any African traditions for the past 222 years here in America!
Michele Ranger
10/6/2022 03:17:46 am
What about the name Hall in greene county ga.
Lisa
12/13/2022 09:11:18 pm
Wow, this is crazy. I was just doing some research on the origin of how black people got Irish surnames because my boyfriend's name is Daniel Malone. These people were most likely his ancestors. So interesting.
Steve Harper
4/28/2022 07:10:00 am
Hi Terence. Sorry, but I'm really not familiar with Henry County, as I don't think I had any relatives living there. As Martine mentioned, if we had your grandfather's name that could help us look for additional records. One additional source you could check would be the Georgia Digital Library, which I've found to contain a lot of useful documents and images. https://dlg.usg.edu/ The National Archives could have records too. Have you checked to see if there are any historical or genealogical societies in Henry County? They might have information not available through other sources. Sometimes public libraries also.
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Steve Harper
4/28/2022 07:12:42 am
Here's another possible source: http://www.henryclaytongenealogy.com/ 9/24/2022 12:51:51 pm
Thanks for the response! I have a copy of the 1880 U.S. Census and it mentions my grandfather Henry Ward, his children and his birth parents who were born somewhere in Georgia which I haven't been able to locate. If anybody can help me locate the parents of Henry Ward that would be wonderful!
James L Jackson
8/26/2024 08:22:16 pm
Hello, I am James Jackson. I thank you (Steve and other contributors) for bringing forth this information. Respect! My father's maternal line (Grandmother's maiden name) was Malone. Just to be clear, I am primarily of African descent, and it appears as though Thompson Malone's brother won the Cherokee land grant in 1832 and moved from Greene County Geogia to Henry County Alabama. He, Young Gressom brought his family and slaves to Alabama. I am trying to find any information on who he took. 8/28/2024 03:12:49 am
Hi James, so glad you found us. I will get in touch with Steve and hope he might have something for you. Martine
Stephen Harper
8/28/2024 05:02:08 am
Hello James. Unfortunately, it appears that I do not currently have much information regarding Young Gressom Malone. But I will check around and see what I can find that might be of interest to you. I have been contributing to the World Family Tree on Geni.com and use the profiles there to collect the documents I do find relevant to family members. Here's a link to Young Gressom Malone's profile: https://www.geni.com/people/Young-Malone/6000000022893396056#/tab/media 10/3/2022 12:44:11 am
Hi Terence I am coming up with 36 returns on the 1880 Census on familysearch for Henry Ward born in Georgia about 1840, can you let me know what State and County you found him in and the names of other family members listed with him in 1880. Many thanks, Martine
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10/3/2022 04:23:18 am
Henry County Georgia
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10/14/2022 03:59:14 am
Hi Terence, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I fund Henry and his family in 1880 10/3/2022 09:03:39 pm
He also lived in Greene county Georgia 1870 - 1880! I can't even find a death date, obituary, certificate or anything!
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10/14/2022 04:40:41 am
Hi Terence, In 1860 acc. to familysearch a Roman N Ward (I think this is a mistranscription and should read Rowan H Ward) enslaved 17 people in Greene county, Georgia.
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10/14/2022 06:01:19 am
Hi Terence, I found what I believe is Timothy's Death Cert 1929
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10/15/2022 03:14:41 pm
Nice work! I already have a copy of Timothy Ward death record. For some strange reason I can't seem to find a death record of Henry Ward! 10/15/2022 03:19:21 pm
Nice detective work! So, you think Rowan Hamilton Ward is the same R.H. Ward (Rhoan Ward, e.t.c.) that is listed as the slave trader of Henry Ward?
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10/16/2022 08:25:48 am
Hi again Terence, there is a George Ward,wife Addie & children living in Cridille, Georgia near Timothy & his wife Clory Ann/Clara Ann in 1910 who would also be worth checking out if you haven't found them already? 10/15/2022 03:29:35 pm
Here's an interesting theory from SK Publications™:
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10/16/2022 08:07:54 am
Hi Terence, it seems likely that R H Ward, Rhoan Ward, Rowan Ward are the same person but I cannot say that we have proof positive. Since his death is recorded in 1870 we may not be able to find a will that names enslaved people. However, I have come across some that do as though the slaveholders did not really believe that Emancipation had come. Can I suggest you contact the library in Henry County & Greene County to see if they are aware of the existence of private papers? These could help us rule Rowan in or out. I live in Ireland and am hampered by this and my very basic understanding of the geography of Georgia. If Henry died before 1900 there may not be a Death Cert in existence for him or he may have used/been recorded by a nickname. This is why the Death Certs of his children are so important. The surname Credille? for Henry's wife in Timothy's Death Cert may also be significant. There are so many possible research avenues available it is hard to know which one to go down. Do you know if this Ward family were originally from Ireland? I have also briefly searched for a will for Francis Ward, Rowan's reputed father but had no luck. Martine 10/16/2022 08:11:27 am
Dear Michelle, can you give us some more information to go on ablout Washington & Malindia Hall? Many thanks, Martine
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10/17/2022 03:35:27 am
Thank you for all the information you provided so far! I'll eventually hire a local genealogist in Georgia to help me find the birth parents of Henry Ward. According to my own research Henry Ward definitely passed away sometime between 1880 - 1899. Remember! On the 1900 U.S. Census his 1st wife (Arian Ward) is listed as a "widow"! Nevertheless, in regards to Rowan Hamilton Ward (R.H. Ward or Rhoan Ward) I'm paying a census tracker (SK Publications™) to find him through all available U.S. Censuses 1790 - 1940's!
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10/17/2022 03:39:31 am
I'm not sure if Rowan Hamilton Ward was of Irish ancestry; but, I did see English ancestral lineage for slave merchant P.Z. Ward (or Peter Zachary Ward) who loved in Henry County Georgia at the time Henry Ward was born in 1840!
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10/17/2022 05:03:38 am
Hi Terence, I found some more records since
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10/17/2022 10:11:01 am
Hmmm! 🤔
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10/19/2022 06:26:59 am
I just need a clear understanding about these U.S. census records. According to John Schunk of SK Publications ™ (a U.S. census tracker) he said that R.H. Ward (Rowan Hamilton Ward or Rhoan Ward) is listed as "white" on the U.S. Census and perhaps he could've been the father of Henry Ward (although Henry Ward is listed as "black"). Hmmm 🤔! If this is the case then would it seem strange to suggest that maybe R.H. Ward was himself "black" and not "white"? I recently took a DNA ethnic test and it came back with European royal Y-DNA haplogroups. The E1B1 haplogroup (commonly associated with Africans) is also present in European populations:
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1/7/2023 05:18:05 pm
Hi Lisa, I really hope that you were able to get some leads here. Good luck with your research into Daniel's family history. Let us know what you find. Martine
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Stephen Harper
1/9/2023 08:03:39 am
The book "Malone & Allied Families" by Randolph Malone (2nd Edition, 1996) is an excellent source of information on this Malone family. In particular, it contains a fair amount of information regarding enslaved persons mentioned in estate documents. I was able to get a copy on interlibrary loan through my local library.
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1/17/2023 05:34:09 am
Many thanks Steve! Some pages are available in googlebooks https://books.google.ie/books?id=4W0bAQAAMAAJ&q=Malone+%26+Allied+Families&dq=Malone+%26+Allied+Families&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjZ7ZTL2878AhXGS0EAHaMVAR4Q6AF6BAgDEAI
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Terence Ward
1/17/2023 02:03:11 pm
Good news! I found the death record of Henry Ward and I'm still waiting on the certificate from Calavaras County, California where he died in 1906! I had to submit an authorized record request because Ancestry™ doesn't list the names of Henry Ward parents.
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1/18/2023 05:01:17 am
Congrats Terence! I have my fingers crossed the informant at Henry's death gave up all the information you seek. Do let us know how you get on. Martine
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1/4/2025 11:18:22 am
Good afternoon everyone,
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