African American Shotwell from MS
I am African American and my father, Frankie Shotwell was born in Clay County, Mississippi in 1925.
I'm really been working hard to trace my ancestors.I've gotten as far as my great grandfather William Shotwell, born a slave around 1845 in Alabama.Well, I've made a trip to Clay county this summer and was able to find out a little more about who the correct slave holder was of my great grandfather and his parents.
The slave holder of my ancestors is John Shotwell, born 2 May 1798 - Carnesville, Franklin, Georgia, son of Reuben and Edith Graves, who married Sarah Chamberlain Henley, born 1802 in Georgia.
Sarah Henley Shotwell's father, Darby Henley was the first slave holder of my my great grand father William's father (who was also named William born 1815) in Pickens county Alabama.My great grandfather William (born 1845) was born on the Henley family plantation in Pickens county, AL.Darby's daughter, Sarah inherited my gggrandfather, gggrandmother-Adeline, and my ggrandfather along with a few of his siblings.This is all documented in an estate settlement filed in Noxubee County, MS.The slaves were actually named, so this is an incredible document for me to review, as slaves were not named during that time in census records.I've been requesting this information through the chancery office in Noxubee county with no response from them.
I'm hoping someone out there might have information regarding these estate records.There is also a court case in the Clay County Courthouse that deals with a court case in Noxubee County, MS (next door to Pickens County, Alabama)This case started in 1850 in Pickens County, Alabama.
Any information about any of this would be helpful, as you know in researching, even a tibit of info can lead to more.