Malinda – Branch Chaser

Malinda was born sometime around 1837 or 1838. It isn’t clear where Malinda was born or who her parents were.

Malinda, also called Lynda or Lindy, was part of a group of enslaved people divided among Michael Lawson Dent’s (Lawson) children in his will dated June 11, 1847 and filed in Muscogee County, GA. In this will, Lawson Dent gave his girl, my 4^th Great Grandmother, Lindy, to his son Robert Lawson.

In addition to Malinda, Michael Lawson Dent willed the following, who were probably relatives of Malinda:

Sophia (woman) to his wife Sarah
Billy (man) to his son William Hatch (under the guardianship of Michael’s brother, Joseph)
Mark (boy) to his daughter Mary S. Binns
Lizzy (girl) to his daughter Elizabeth Biggers
Anne (girl) to his daughter Margaret Anne Mullen
Leigh (boy) to his son Richard (under the guardianship of John Michael Dent)
Allick (boy) to John Michael Lawson Dent
David (boy) to A. S. Dent
Lucy (woman) to his son Richard

Last Will and Testament of Michael Lawson Dent, June 11, 1847, Muscogee County, Georgia

On page 415 of the Inventory and Appraisement of the Estate of Michael L Dent dated January 3, 1848, my possible family was reduced to what this man thought they were worth. These people were thrown in between a saddle and a razor.

Mark – $650
Levi (Leigh) – $700
Liza (Lizzy) – $400
Anny (Anne) – $550
Linda (Lindy) – $525
Abram – $300
David – $250

I did not find Sophia, Billy, Allick nor Lucy listed in the Appraisment.

To these heirs he gave people. And when those heirs died, he provisioned that these people he considered property to be given to the heirs of their heirs. Finding this record was bittersweet. I was happy to find my Malinda named, but sad that what may have been a family unit torn apart was heartbreaking.

At nine years old, Malinda was taken from what may have been her family. give a general idea of the age of slaves and how many of that age as well as what color they were.

I couldn’t find Robert Dent in the 1850 US Census. Wherever he was, Malinda was taken there too.

Malinda appears in the 1860 US Slave Schedule as enslaved by Robert L. Dent of Stewart County in 1860. The census lists two enslaved persons belonging to Robert – a 23 year old mulatto female and a 3 year old mulatto male.

1860 US Slave Schedule, Stewart County, Georgia: Robert Dent

This shows that Robert still enslaved Malinda, but she now has a three year old son. This son is my 3^rd Great Grandfather Levi (Lee).

The first census to list the recently freed African-Americans by name and age was the 1870 census. Anything prior to that is called the “Brick Wall”. It requires thorough research in a variety of records, particularly tax records, wills or those regarding property. After slavery ended, the Freedman were able to name themselves. Some cast away the names their enslavers gave them. Some continued to use the name of either their immediate previous enslaver or another one. Among my family, I have a mixture of both.

In 1870, I found Malinda married to Will Nicholson in Antioch, Stewart County, Georgia. She goes by Lynda.

Lee is listed as being 14 years old and working the farm with Malinda and Will. Two young children are listed with the family as well – 5-year old Cathrine and 3-year old Joe.

1870 US Census: Nicholson Household, Stewart County, Georgia

By 1880, Malinda was involved in a gruesome accident. She was said to have gotten her arm caught in a machine which resulted in the amputation of that arm. My Great Grandfather, her Great Grandson, confirmed this. He remembered her from his childhood and verified the information I had found while researching.

The 1880 census shows that Malinda and Will still live in Antioch, Stewart County, Georgia and the following living in their household:

A 15-year old female, Carrie (17), Fred (8), John (6), Jim (4).

Lee is now 21 years old, but he either lives in the household or very close by as he is listed right below his family. By now, he is going by Lee Dent.

1880 US Census: Nicholson Household, Stewart County, Georgia
Lee Dent, Stewart County, Georgia

The 1890 US Census was burned in a fire. Only a small set of records exist. To work around this set back, county records can give you a picture of what your ancestors did or what may have happened to them between 1880 and 1900.

I did find Malinda listed in the 1890 Georgia Property Tax Digest, along with Lee, Ben and Jim.

Malinda held $225 worth of personal property in 1890.

1890 Georgia Property Tax Digest, Stewart County, Georgia

Will had died between 1880 and 1900. Malinda is listed as a widow in the 1900 census. She is 50 years old and lists her occupation as a cook. and living with her daughter, Carrie and her husband. Carrie is married to Don Poustell.