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Note: In February 1859, Albert Chapman was listed in the will and division of assets of Elizabeth Fox Blackwell as a 46 year old valued at $1500.00. As the plantation blacksmith, he was the most valuable slave she owned. He inherited 30 acres of land from Blackwell.
It is likely that Albert and his wife Selena Ann had two sets of twins; Anderson and Andrew were both born in 1865. According to census records, Horace and Milton were both born in 1868. Since there are conflicting birth dates for Horace and Milton no definite conclusions can be drawn.
Following is the testimony of some of E. Blackwell's slaves before the Southern Claims Commission.
See Click here: http://www.hpl.lib.tx.us/clayton/fc002.html for background info about the activities of the Commission. Your direct ancestor was one of the slaves to testify:
Albert Chapman colored being duly sworn deposeth as follows
I am 61 years old a blacksmith ______ _____ in Fauquier County. I was one of the servants of Elizabeth P. Blackwell and was her blacksmith. I was on the place when Gen Burnsides army passed through there in the fall of 1862 before the battle of Fredericksburg.
We had two forges in the shop and two pair of bellows. We had a sett (?) and a half of tools when the army came along and they took all the tools that were of any value and carried them all away except the bellows which they burnt together with the straps. I saw them do it all. I have had read over to me the list of names of the divizees of the estate of Elizabeth P. Blackwell and recognized them all as belonging to the estate. I knew them all during the war and I believe they would be in favor of the union. Every one of them that I talked with were loyal to the United States. Some of them were hired out in different places and I did not see much of them but I believe every one was in favor of the union. I have heard a good many of them talk about _____ ____ and never heard them speak against the union of the union cause. And I have never heard them spoken of ______ a _______ is the United States.
And further deponent saith not
His Albert x Chapman
Mark Millie Washington is also one of your ancestors:
Millie Washington colored being duly sworn deposeth as follows;
I am 53 years old, a housekeeper and live on the Blackwell place where I have always lived. I was formerly ______ ________ _______ _______ _______ _______ Blackwell; I was set free at her death by her will. I was present and saw the property taken named in items 2,5,,7,8,9 & 12. The wheat was taken from the barn which is not far from the dwelling; it was hauled away in army wagons; I don't know how many loads there were nor how many bushels there were of the wheat: it was all taken at once by the troops who were camped about in ______ _____ line; the troops belonged to Gen Burnsides command.
The poultry named in items 5, 6 & 7 was taken at different times and by different troops as they were passing the house. I do not know whether the men were accompanied by officers or not. I raised, that year, about 40 turkeys, 30 or 35 ducks, and a large lot of chickens, about 60: these were all taken except a few which I sold to the troops when I found I could not keep them.
The corn named in item 8 was in the roasting ear state when taken. There was in the vicinity of 30 acres in the field and the growth was a very fine one. The troops pulled the ears off and left the stalks standing in the field. I have raised corn ______ ______ ______ of the same ground, and with no other cultivation than myself and our children could give it, I have raised six barrels (sic) to the acre. I do not know what troops they were who got the corn, nor do I recollect the year.
The wood consisted of rails with which the farm was fenced and which the troop burned while they were camped on it. It was Gen Burnsides men who used the rails: the rails wee all oak and were partly new and partly old ones; the fencing was on an average 8 to 10 rails high. The number of rails was never counted nor the fencing measured but there was a good 3 miles of it. I do not know what year this was; it was in the fall.
The ______ shoats which I saw taken from a pen near the house; they were about six months old and were in very good order; they would weigh probably about ____ pounds now. Besides these, there were some others taken _____ ______ _____ ______ ______ fattened. I did not see them taken, however, nor do I know how many there were of them: they were taken by Gen Burnsides troops.
The property named in items 1,3,4,10,11 & 13 I did not see taken nor know how much there was of the various items. The old corn named in item 1 was taken from the corn house near the dwelling. The date ______ _______ ________ ______ ________ ______ _______ _____ taken: I think it was Gen Blenkens men who got the corn and oats named in items 1 &3. There was a large quantity of hay in the stable loft which was all taken by Genl Burnsides men; I do not recollect what year it was.
I know there was a lot of cattle and sheep killed by Genl Burnsides men: but do not know how many there were killed. They also took a lot of blacksmiths tools from the shop which is about 200 yards from the dwelling. All the above property was taken the same year, but I do not know what year it was.
In reply to interrogatories (sic) as to the loyalty of the devizees deponent says
I know all the parties named, and believe them all to be loyal to the cause of the United States. I have frequently heard many of them express themselves on the war, its causes and progress and I never heard them utter disloyal sentiments and further deponent saith not.
Her Millie X Washington (Used the surname Blackwell after the war according to her family's Mark oral history)
The source for their testimony is :Records of the Southern Claims Commission for Fauquier County, Virginia. Claim filed by Thaddeus N. Fletcher adm de bonis non of the estate of Elizabeth P. Blackwell deceased. Filed 10 October 1876. Claim # 41744, Settlement #1211
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