
In the spirit of ‘saying their names,’ the names of the enslaved “property” in Eliza Lucas Pinckney’s estate are listed below. Black people were enumerated in testamentary documents along with furniture, horses and mules, jewelry and land, making clear their status as chattel.
[The names listed in bold on the list are names I’ve used in my novel (in its second edit now)].
It’s also worth noting that at the time of her marriage to Charles Pinckney (May 27, 1744), Eliza’s father included about two dozen enslaved people as part of her dowry. The record tells us that Quashee (aka John Williams) was a matter of dispute between Eliza’s father and her fiance. Both men wanted him and for good reason — he was literate and an extraordinarily skilled carpenter. Eliza’s husband-to-be won out and Quashee went on to oversee and help build the newlywed couple’s new home on East Bay.
To read more about the fascinating life of Quashee, who eventually became a free man and amassed a fair amount of property, including slaves and then vanished from the record (my theory being he became too successful for whites to tolerate), please see Andrea Feeser’s book, Red, White, and Black Makes Blue / Indigo in the Fabric of Colonial South Carolina Life.
Also note: it’s a mistake to think that slaves named after days of the week were so-named out of a heartless, objectifying inattention on the part of auctioneers and owners, much like some names were based on slave trading ships (see recent post about Phillis Wheatley). In some African cultures it was common. For instance, Cudjoe (variants: Cuffy, Joe) means Monday; Quashee, Sunday.
– Hercules – slave
· Abraham – slave
· Monday – slave
· Barack – slave
· Juno – slave
· Betty – slave
· Jim – slave
· Frank – slave
· Mary – slave
· Tyrah – slave
· Smart – slave
· Elsey – slave
· Serah – slave
· Solomon – slave
· Prince – slave
· Hanay – slave
· Rachel – slave
· Mary – slave
· Jacob – slave
· York – slave
· Fortune – slave
· Doll – slave
· Joe – slave
· York – slave
· Celia – slave
· Daphne – slave
· Joe – slave
· Cuffy – slave
· Susan – slave
· Lucy – slave
· Elsey – slave
· Milly – slave
· Peggy – slave
· Ned – slave
· Binah – slave
· Peggy – slave
· Rose – slave
· Juno – slave
· Joe – slave
· Henry – slave
· Jenny – slave
· Thomas – slave
· Jacob – slave
· Bella – slave
· Betty – slave
· Hercules – slave
· Nelly – slave
· Betsy – slave
· Pindar – slave
· Caty – slave
· Pendar – slave
· Juno Henry – slave
· Harry – slave
· Ann – slave
· Pendar – slave
· Grace – slave
· Johnny – slave
· Joshua – slave
· Tenah – slave
· Nathan – slave
· Jack – slave
· Stephen – slave
· Bess – slave
· Ceasar – slave
· Robin – slave
· Adam – slave
· Binah – slave
· Caty – slave
· Sue – slave
· Cudjoe – slave
· Doll – slave
· Hannah – slave
· Dublin – slave
· Charity – slave
· Lucy – slave
· Grace – slave
· Prince – slave
· Sarah – slave
· Frank – slave
· Harriett – slave
· Abraham – slave
· Raleigh – slave
· Celia – slave
· Coleman – slave
· Ishremael – slave
· Polly – slave
· Ishramel – slave
· Henry – slave
· Gibbe – slave
· Meene – slave
· Ellen – slave
· Bella – slave
· Maria – slave
· Gilbert – slave
Added by Lowcountry Africana · July 4, 2010
PS photo was taken at Boone Hall Plantation.
Dee, In following along on your journey with your book I have learned so very much of the covered history of slavery. The books you have referenced I have often been able to locate and read or buy and read. I so appreciate the learning curve as my Friends Meeting and the Friends General Council are giving precious attention to the issues of racism and bias. Thank you for being an active part in making this spiritual journey deeper and more relevant to me. Joy oh joy the day of publication will be quite the celebration!
Dee, I do not know why my post came out as anonymous…I am Kristin.
You know, I actually figured that out based on what you said but thank you for clarifying! I know that your heart is in this fight and has been for a very long time.
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