Enslaved and Free People at St. Mary's of the Barrens Seminary

Research has uncovered the names of more than one hundred Black men, women, and children who were either enslaved or employed by the Vincentians at St. Mary's of the Barrens Seminary in the years between 1821 and 1893. Many others, particularly pre-1865, were recorded without their personal names in language that emphasized their race and the transactional nature of their exploitation. The number of people directly enslaved by the Vincentians declined at a faster rate at the Seminary than at St. Vincent's College in Cape Girardeau; however, the Seminary continued to hire the labor of enslaved people from local enslavers to make up for the labor shortage. Because the St. Mary's of the Barrens Seminary records span decades, it is possible to trace some individuals' connection to St. Mary's of the Barrens for years, and many worked at the Seminary following the end of the Civil War.

Using both Ancestry.com and sources within the Vincentian Archives at DePaul University, research was done to locate, where possible, surnames of individuals only mentioned by first name. Names in brackets ([]) indicate uncertain attribution. This work attempts to build on the research of Dr. Margaret Storey as well as that of Vincentian priests and historians Stafford Poole and Douglas J. Slawson. In many cases, the ambiguity of the records makes precise identification of individuals difficult. While the staff at DePaul University Special Collections and Archives strove to be as accurate and conscientious as possible, please be aware that unintentional errors may exist in the information provided below. 

Links are provided to the records of mention; specific references to individuals may be found by performing text searches for the passages that contain them. For more information about the records and how to conduct your own research, please see: How to Use.

It is hoped that this site may be a resource of genealogical value. We honor these people and the labor they gave, unwillingly and willingly, by recording them here.

Note on "Status"

"Status" refers to the free or enslaved status of individuals at the date of their appearance in the records. Although someone in the list below may have a status of "Free", it is not to be assumed that they held that status over the entirety of their lives. If a person's free or enslaved status cannot be definitively determined from the records, "Unknown" is substituted instead.

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A

Abby

May be the same Abby, aged 41, who is recorded as being enslaved by John Logan in Domestic Assemblies and Assumption Parish Census

-

Status: Unknown. Abby was recorded as working for the Vincentians for 9 months in 1853 (potentially at Bethlehem Monastery).

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Alfred

May be the Alfred, aged 44, recorded as enslaved by Clement Cissell in Domestic Assemblies and Assumption Parish Census.

Status: Enslaved by Lewis Cissell. In 1832, Alfred's labor was hired by the Vincentians. Records indicate that Alfred was either leased or sold to St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1833.

Records of mention: Account Book (83257 BSM A89); Daybook (82832 BSM A124)

Amintha [Minty]

Also spelled as Minta or Aminta.

-

Status: Enslaved by John Moore. Amintha was likely sold to the Vincentians in 1827. Records place her at St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1831. In a report dated circa 1836, it is recorded that Amintha was 45 years old. She is not the same Minty who was married to Henry Nesbit.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123); Account Book (82832 BSM A125); Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

Anny

Status: Free. Anny is mentioned in a record entry from 1875.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

B

Bart

Status: Free. Bart is recorded as receiving wages from the Vincentians in 1869.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

Bat

Also written as Bot.

-

Status: Free. May have been enslaved at one point by the Vincentians. He is listed as a servant at St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1869.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86); Daybook (82832 BSM A124)

Ben

Status: Enslaved by Mary Underwood (mother of John Underwood). His labor was hired several times by the Vincentians between 1829 and 1830. 

Records of mention: Enslaved Persons Receipts; Daybook (82832 BSM A124); Account Book (82832 BSM A125)

Benedict

Status: Enslaved by William James. His labor was hired by the Vincentians at the St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1827.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123)

Benjamin

Status: Enslaved by Valentine Underwood. Benjamin's labor was hired by Joseph Rosati in 1827.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123); Enslaved Persons Reciepts

Berrimon

Sometimes written as Berman.

-

Status: Enslaved by Valentine Underwood. Berrimon was hired by the Vincentians in 1827 and 1830.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123); Enslaved Persons Receipts; Daybook (82832 BSM A124); Account Book (82832 BSM A125) 

Berry

Had a wife and son whose names were not recorded.

-

Status: Free. Records show that Berry and his family received wages from St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1870.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

Betty

Status: Unknown. Records show Betty received wages for her work in February 1852.

Records mentioned: Daybook (84459 BSM A55)

Bill

Status: Enslaved by Mary Ann Waters. Records show that Bill's labor was hired out by the Vincentians to work at Bois Brule Bottom in 1831. 

Records of mention: Account Book (82832 BSM A125)

Bill

Status: Unknown. He was paid $1.00 for 2 bushels of wheat in 1825.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123)

Boy (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Thomas Riney. Records indicate that his labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1828.

Records of mention: Daybook (82832 BSM A124); Daybook (82228 BSM A123)

Boy (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by John Layton. Records show that he was sold to the Vincentians in April 1822.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123)

Boy (name not recorded)

Status: Unknown. He agreed to work for the Vincentians for $100 per year, paid in produce, starting in 1844.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 89)

Boy (name not recorded)

Status: Likely enslaved by Martin Burke. It seems the Vincentians may have hired his labor from Burke. They are recorded as paying Burke for both the labor of the boy and the use of Burke's oxen.

Records of mention: Mill Account Book (85457 BSM A83)

C

Caroline

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. A report dated circa 1836 records Caroline as being 12 years old. She may have been the daughter of an enslaved couple from the same report.

Records of mention: Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

Chaly

Also written as Charls and Charley.

-

Status: Free. Records show that Chaly received wages from St. Mary's of the Barrens between November 1868 and October 1869.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

Charles

Status: Enslaved. One record shows that Charles received a payment from the Vincentians for shoes in 1832. May be the Charlot listed in the report dated circa 1836.

Records of mention: Daybook (82832 BSM A124)

Charles

Brother of Jesse.

-

Status: Enslaved by Bishop Louis William Valentine DuBourg. Charles was temporarily lent to St. Mary's of the Barrens. In 1823, DuBoug wrote to Joseph Rosati asking for the return of Charles and his brother Jesse in exchange for an enslaved man named Stephen.

Records of mention: DuBourg, Louis William Valentine, 1766-1833 to Rosati, Joseph, 1789-1843, 29 December 1823

Charles

Status: Unknown. Records show that Charles was paid by the Vincentians for work done in 1849.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 89)

Charlot

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. A report dated circa 1836 records Charlot as being 45 years old.

Records of mention: Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

Child (son; name not recorded)

Son of father whose name is not recorded.

-

Status: Unknown. Records show that he and his father (name not recorded) worked for the Vincentians for a brief period of time in 1849.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 89)

Children of Mary (names not recorded)

Status: Free. Records show that they lived at St. Mary's of the Barrens with their mother from at least October 1873 through June 1876.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

Christina (Christiana)

Status: Enslaved by John Logan. In 1850, Logan made a deal the Vincentians to rent out the labor of Christina as well as the labor of a young woman named Jane in lieu of paying his pew rent. Records show that Christina and Jane remained at St. Mary's of the Barrens until as late as December 1857. 

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88); Daybook (84459 BSM A55); Domestic Assemblies and Assumption Parish Census

Chs [Charles]

Status: Enslaved by Walter B. Wilkinson. In 1829, his labor was hired by the Vincentians, along with the labor of a man named Will.

Records of mention: Account Book (82832 BSM A125); Enslaved Persons Receipts; Domestic Assemblies and Assumption Parish Census

Cles

Status: Enslaved by John Tucker. Records show his labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1828 and 1829.

Records of mention: Daybook (82832 BSM A124)

Couple (names not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by J. Gucher. Records show that the couple was married in 1832.

Records of mention: Daybook (82832 BSM A124)

D

Dick

Status: Enslaved by William Tarnes. Dick's labor was hired by Joseph Rosati from June 1825 through September 1827, and possibly until 1829.

Records of mention: Enslaved Persons Receipts; Account Book (82832 BSM A125)

Dick

Status: Enslaved by Robert T. Brown. Dick's labor was hired by the Vincentians from January 1831 through April 1835.

Records of mention: Enslaved Persons Receipts; Daybook (82832 BSM A124); Account Book (82832 BSM A125)

Dole

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. A report dated circa 1836 records Dole as being 30 years old.

Records of mention: Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

Doree

Also spelled Dore. Likely Dory Nesbit.

-

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. Records show that Doree was paid $5 a month for his labor in 1830.

Records of mention: Account Book (82832 BSM A125)

Dory Nesbit

Son of Henry Nesbit by his first wife, Jenny (Burch) Nesbit. Brother of Clement Nesbit, Mary Nesbit, and Peter Nesbit. Step-son of Minty Nesbit. Half-brother of Juliana Nesbit Rodney. Half-uncle to Adaline Rodney and Adaline's sister whose name is not recorded. Likely the same person as Doree.

-

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. In 1836, Dory was documented as being 19 years old. In 1841, the Vincentians sold Dory to the House of Natchitoches in Natchitoches, Louisiana. 

Records of mention: Provincial Accounts (BSM 84445); Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

E

Elisabeth

Also written as Elizabeth and Elz.

-

Status: Free. Records show that Elisabeth worked as a washerwoman for St. Mary's of the Barrens from 1869 to 1870.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

Elizabeth (Eliza)

Status: Free. Elizabeth was recorded as working as a servant at St. Mary's of the Barrens from 1866 to 1867.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Emily

Status: Free. Records show that Emily received wages for her work as a servant for the Vincentians from 1868 to 1873. 

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86); Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Emily (Millie) Layton

Also referred to as Emilie, Milly, and Aunt Millie.

-

Status: Free. Once enslaved by the Vincentians, she appears in these records as receiving wages for her work done at St. Mary's of the Barrens between 1872 and 1877.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86); Account Book (83868 BSM A88); Account Book (87678 BSM)

Emily Hagan

Status: Free. Records indicate that the Vincentians received $170.00 on Emily's account from Louis Miles.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

F

Family (names not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. Records indicate that Rev. Joseph Paquin, C.M. may have sold this family to a man named Mr. Anduse.

Records of mention: Daybook (82832 BSM A124)

Frank

Status: Likely enslaved by Mrs. Wathen. Records show that Frank was paid for 5 days of labor in 1847 and that he was hired for an unspecified period of time in 1840.

Records of mention: Daybook (84459 BSM A55); Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

G

Geny [Jenny]

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. Records show her labor was hired out to someone else for one year in 1831.

Records of mention: Account Book (82832 BSM A125)

George

Potentially the same person as George Cissell.

-

Status: Free. George was recorded as working at St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1872 and 1873.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

George

Status: Unknown. Records show that George received payment for one week's work in 1826.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123)

George

Status: Enslaved by Mrs. Widow Wathen.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

George Cissel

Status: Free. Records show that George worked as a farm laborer for St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1872.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

Girl (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Charles C. Brown. Records indicate that her labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1864.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Girl (name not recorded)

Status: Free. She is recorded as receiving one payment from the Vincentians in 1865.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Girl (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Martin Tucker. Records indicate that her labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1856.

Records of mention: Daybook (84459 BSM A55); Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Girl (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Martin Tucker. Her labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1856.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Guillaume

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. A report dated circa 1836 records Guillaume as being 10 years old. He may have been the son of an enslaved couple from the same report.

Records of mention: Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

H

Hem McCombs

Son of Lucinda, brother of Houstin.

-

Status: Free. 

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

Henry

Status: Enslaved by Cornelius Rhodes. In November of 1821, when Henry was eight years old, he was sold to Joseph Rosati. 

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123); Enslaved Persons Receipts

Henry

Status: Enslaved by Mary Ann Waters. Records show that Henry's labor was hired by the Vincentians from 1833 to 1834. 

Records of mention: Account Book (83257 BSM A89)

Henry

Status: Unknown, possibly free. Records show that Henry received $100 in wages for his labor at the Mill in 1860.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Henry

Status: Enslaved by John Weinheim or Clement Fenwick. His labor was hired by the Vincentians from 1850 to 1852.

Records of mention: Daybook (84459 BSM A55)

Henry (Harry) Nesbit

Father of Clement Nesbit, Dory Nesbit, Mary Nesbit, and Peter Nesbit by his first wife, Jenny (Burch) Nesbit. Husband of Minty Nesbit and father of Juliana Nesbit Rodney. Father-in-law of Hamlet Rodney. Grandfather of Adaline Rodney and Adaline's sister whose name is not recorded.

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians at St. Mary's of the Barrens and later sent to Cape Girardeau with his wife Minty and daughter Juliana to work at St. Vincent's College. He was killed when a tornado struck Cape Girardeau in 1850. In the report dated circa 1836 he (referred to as Henri) is recorded as being 60 years old.

Records of mention: Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836; Daybook (Cape 54)Reminiscences by Brother Joseph Cesari, C.M.; Swamp Farm Accounts (Cape 96)

Houstin (Justin) McCombs

Son of Lucinda, brother of Hem. Sometimes written as Huston.

-

Status: Free.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

I

Infants (two; male; names not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. A report dated circa 1836 records them as being infants. They were most likely the children of an enslaved couple from the same report.

Records of mention: Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

J

J

Status: Enslaved by Cornelius Rhodes. She was sold to Joseph Rosati in 1822. She may be Geny [Jenny].

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123); Enslaved Persons Receipts

Jacob

Son of Nace and Serena, brother of Mary.

-

Status: Enslaved by Benjamin Wilson. In 1824, Jacob and his family were sold to St. Mary's of the Barrens.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123); Enslaved Persons Receipts

James Edward

Status: Free. Recorded as working as a servant at St. Mary's of the Barrens from 1868 to 1872.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86); Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Jane

Status: Enslaved by John Logan. Logan was indebted to the Vincentians and used Jane's labor to pay his pew rent at least three times, in 1846, 1848, and 1850. In 1850, she was sent to the Vincentians together with a girl named Christina. Records indicate that Jane and Christina remained at St. Mary's of the Barrens until December 1857.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88); Daybook (84459 BSM A55); Domestic Assemblies and Assumption Parish Census

Jane

Status: Unknown. Recorded as receiving payment for her work at St. Mary's of the Barrens in the 1850s. The record entry refers to her as "old", indicating she was likely elderly.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Jean

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. A report dated circa 1836 records Jean as being 8 years old. He may have been the son of an enslaved couple from the same report.

Records of mention: Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

Jesse

Brother of Charles.

-

Status: Enslaved by Bishop Louis William Valentine DuBourg. Jesse was temporarily lent to St. Mary's of the Barrens. In 1823, DuBourg wrote to Joseph Rosati asking for the return of Jesse and his brother Charles in exchange for an enslaved man named Stephen.

Records of mention: DuBourg, Louis William Valentine, 1766-1833 to Rosati, Joseph, 1789-1843, 29 December 1823

Jim

Status: Free. He is recorded as working at St. Mary's of the Barrens from 1867 to 1868.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Joe E. Layton

Sometimes written as J.E. Layton.

-

Status: Free. Records show that Joe received wages for his labor at St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1872.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

John

Status: Enslaved by William B. Matthews. Records show that John's labor was hired by Rev. Joseph Paquin, C.M. in 1830.

Records of mention: Account Book (82832 BSM A125); Enslaved Persons Receipts

John

Status: Unknown. Records show that John worked for the Vincentians at various points between 1848 through 1855.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 89); Daybook (84459 BSM A55)

John

Status: Free. Records show that John received payments from St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1873.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

John

Status: Enslaved by Thomas Fenwick. John was potentially a cobbler.

Records of mention: Account Book (83257 BSM A89)

John

Status: Enslaved by Joseph Theodule Landry. The Vincentians hired his labor in 1840. John worked alongside a man named Peter.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Joseph

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. A report dated circa 1836 records Joseph as being 40 years old. May be the "old Joseph" recorded as receiving a payment in 1852.

Records of mention: Daybook (84459 BSM A55); Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

Josephine

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. A report dated circa 1836 records Josephine as being 8 years old. She may have been the daughter of an enslaved couple from the same report.

Records of mention: Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

L

Lewis

Status: Enslaved by Mr. Ginnis. 

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123)

Louisa

Status: Enslaved by John Logan. Louisa's labor was hired by St. Mary's of the Barrens between 1838 and 1848. 

Records of mention: Domestic Assemblies and Assumption Parish Census; Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Lucinda McCombs

Mother of Hem and Houstin McCombs.

-

Status: Free. Records show that Lucinda received wages for her work at St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1872.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

Luke

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. Luke was purchased by St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1836 or early 1837 fpr $730. A report dated circa 1836 likely references this Luke, documenting his age as 45.

Records of mention: Account Book (83257 BSM A89); Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

M

Man (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Mme. Rose. His labor was hired by St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1829.

Records of mention: Daybook (82832 BSM A124)

Man (name not recorded)

May be Nathan.

-

Status: Enslaved by Robert T. Brown. Recorded as receiving one payment from the Vincentians in 1823.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123)

Man (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Nicholas Moore in 1825.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123)

Man (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Thomas Fenwick. His labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1825 and 1826. There is a possibility he is John, whose labor the Vincentians hired from Thomas Fenwick in 1832.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123)

Man (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. Recorded as "dabbing the chicken's house" in 1830, he is perhaps one of the men listed in the Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836.

Records of mention: Daybook (82832 BSM A124)

Man (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Mary Ann Waters. Records show that his labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1834.

Records of mention: Daybook (82832 BSM A124)

Man (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by James Manning. Records indicate that his labor was hired by the Vincentians for one and a half months in 1829.

Records of mention: Account Book (82832 BSM A125)

Man (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Michael Daly, who worked at St. Mary's of the Barrens. In 1833, the Vincentians purchased a pair of shoes for the man Daly enslaved.

Records of mention: Account Book (83257 BSM A89)

Man (name not recorded)

Father of son (name not recorded).

-

Status: Unknown. Records show that he and his son (name not recorded) worked for the Vincentians for a brief period of time in 1849.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 89)

Man (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Aquilla Hagan. Records suggest his labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1847. A list of people enslaved by Aquilla Hagan is documented in census data.

Records of mention: Daybook (84459 BSM A55); Domestic Assemblies and Assumption Parish Census

Man (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Reuben Shelby. His labor may have been hired by the Vincentians in 1847. A list of people enslaved by Reuben Shelby is documented in census data.

Records of mention: Daybook (84459 BSM A55); Domestic Assemblies and Assumption Parish Census

Man (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Bernard Cissell. Records show his labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1831.

Records of mention: Account Book (82832 BSM A125)

Man (name not recorded)

Status: Records indicate he was purchased for Bethlehem Monastery with the assistance of J. B. Bossier in 1838.

Records of mention: Account Book (83257 BSM A89)

Man (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by a Mr. Hagon [likely Hagan]. He was paid 25 cents for herbs in 1845.

Records of mention: Daybook (84459 BSM A55)

Maria

Status: Enslaved by Mr. Matthews. She was paid $1.00 for a pig in 1830.

Records of mention: Account Book (82832 BSM A125); Daybook (82832 BSM A124)

Mary

Mother of children (names not recorded).

-

Status: Free. Records show that Mary and her children (names not recorded) worked at St. Mary's of the Barrens from October 1873 through June 1876.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

Mary

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. In 1839, she was leased to Michael Daly, an employee of St. Mary's of the Barrens.

Records of mention: Account Book (83257 BSM A89)

Mary

Daughter of Nace and Serena, sister of Jacob.

-

Status: Enslaved by Benjamin Wilson. In 1824, Mary and her family were sold to St. Mary's of the Barrens. Records indicate that Mary remained at the seminary until at least 1828.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123); Enslaved Persons Receipts

Mary

Because of the number of Marys mentioned in these documents and the nature of their documentation, references may have been missed or mis-assigned to incorrect Marys. Furthermore, some of the Marys mentioned may be the same people. 

The accumulative list of all references to persons named Mary are: Account Book (83868 BSM A88); Account Book (83257 BSM A89); Account Book (82832 BSM A125); Daybook (84459 BSM A55); Daybook (86878 BSM A86); Daybook (82228 BSM A123); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 89); Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

Mary B

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. A report dated circa 1836 records Mary as being 45 years old.

Records of mention: Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

Mary C

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. A report dated circa 1836 records Mary as being 17 years old.

Records of mention: Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

Mary F

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. A report dated circa 1836 records Mary as being 1 year old. She may have been the daughter of an enslaved couple from the same report.

Records of mention: Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

Mary G

Potentially Mary Goff.

-

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. A report dated circa 1836 records Mary as being 35 years old.

Records of mention: Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

Mary Goff

Also written as Marie, Gough, Gohf, and Gofre.

-

Status: Free. Mary was hired to work for St. Mary's of the Barrens on June 3, 1844 at $2 a month. According to the 1850 census, Mary Goff is named a free inhabitant of Perryville, aged 35, and originally from Kentucky. Records show that she remained working at St. Mary's of the Barrens until at least April 1864. 

Records of mentionDaybook (84459 BSM A55); Account Book (83868 BSM A88); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 89)

Mele

Also spelled as Mioly. Mother of sons (names not recorded).

-

Status: Free. Records show that Mele worked as a washerwoman at St. Mary's of the Barrens from 1866 to 1867. 

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Men (names not recorded)

Status: Possibly enslaved by the Vincentians. Records show that the Vincentians paid Mr. Hamilton for the passage of the two men in 1824.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123)

Men (names not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Clement Knott. Records show that their labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1826.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123)

Men (names not recorded)

Status: Multiple men, both free and enslaved, whose names are not recorded, are referenced throughout many records spanning from at least 1827 to 1853. 

Records of mention: Register of Board's Deliberations; Daybook (84459 BSM A55); Account Book (83868 BSM A88); Daybook (82228 BSM A123); Account Book (82832 BSM A125)

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While research found mentions of men whose names are not recorded in these documents, we acknowledge that references in other documents may have been unintentionally missed.

Minerva

Status: Unknown. Recorded as receiving wages from the Vincentians at St. Mary's of the Barrens from 1853 through 1855.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

N

Nace

Husband of Serena, father of Mary and Jacob.

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Status: Enslaved by Benjamin Wilson, who sold Nace and his family to the Vincentians in 1824.

Records of mention: Daybook (82832 BSM A124); Daybook (82228 BSM A123); Enslaved Persons Receipts

Nathan

Status: Enslaved by Robert T. Brown. Recorded as receiving one payment from the Vincentians in 1828.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123)

P

Peter

Status: Enslaved by Joseph Theodule Landry. Records show that his labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1843. 

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 89)

Peter

May be the Pierre referred to in the report dated circa 1836, which includes a list of enslaved people at St. Mary's of the Barrens.

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Status: Unknown (if he is not the Pierre from the 1836 report). Recorded as receiving wages for his work at St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1840, but there is no other reference to his freedom status. Peter worked alongside a man named John.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Peter (Petri)

Husband of Eleanor, Father of Amelia, Jerome, Charity, and Helen.

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Status: Enslaved by Ignatius Layton. Peter's labor was hired by the Vincentian's from 1828 and 1830.

Records of mention: Enslaved Persons Receipts; Daybook (82832 BSM A124); Daybook (82228 BSM A123); Domestic Assemblies and Assumption Parish Census

Pierre (Peter)

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. A report dated circa 1836 records Pierre as being 19 years old.

Records of mention: Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

Price

Status: Enslaved by Simon Duvall. Records show that Price's labor was frequently hired by the Vincentians from 1829 to 1831. 

Records of mention: Enslaved Persons Receipts; Daybook (82832 BSM A124); Account Book (82832 BSM A125)

R

Rose

Status: Free. Records show that Rose worked as a washwoman for St. Mary's of the Barrens from 1866 to 1869.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86); Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Roseanna

Also spelled Rosanna

Status: Free. Records show that Roseanna was paid for work at St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1867.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

S

Sarah

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. A report dated circa 1836 records Sarah as being 5 years old. She may have been the daughter of an enslaved couple from the same report.

Records of mention: Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

Serena

Wife of Nace, mother of Mary and Jacob.

Status: Enslaved by Benjamin Wilson. In 1824, Serena and her family were sold to St. Mary's of the Barrens.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123); Enslaved Persons Receipts

Sigh

Status: Unknown. Recorded as receiving one payment "for hair", perhaps indicating he was a barber, from St. Mary's of the Barrens in August of 1848.

Records of mention: Daybook (84459 BSM A55)

Son of Berry (name not recorded)

Status: Free. Records show that he and his family received wages from St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1870.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

Sons of Mele (name not recorded)

Status: Free. Recorded as working at St. Mary's of the Barrens with their mother in 1867.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Stephen

Status: Enslaved by Bishop Louis William Valentine DuBourg. DuBourg offered to send Stephen to St. Mary's of the Barrens in exchange for brothers Jesse and Charles.

Records of mention: DuBourg, Louis William Valentine, 1766-1833 to Rosati, Joseph, 1789-1843, 29 December 1823

Susan [Gale]

Also referred to as Aunt Susan. Potentially named Susan Gale. The 1870 Census records a Susan Gale, aged 80, living in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.

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Status: Potentially enslaved by George Gale and bequeathed to St. Mary's of the Barrens Seminary upon his death in 1845. In 1846, Susan is referred to as "the old woman Susan, left to the Seminary." She is recorded as receiving small payments from the seminary from August 1847 to December 1855. 

Records of mention: Daybook (No Label); Daybook (84459 BSM A55)

T

Thompson

Status: Unknown. Recorded as selling two baskets to St. Mary's of the Barrens for $1 in 1826.

Records of mention: Daybook (82228 BSM A123)

V

Valentine

Status: Enslaved by Walter B. Wilkinson. Valentine's labor was hired by the Vincentians for six months between 1829 and 1830.

Records of mention: Enslaved Persons Receipts; Domestic Assemblies and Assumption Parish Census

W

Wife of Berry (name not recorded)

Status: Free. Records show that she and her family received wages from St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1870.

Records of mention: Daybook (86878 BSM A86)

Will

Status: Enslaved by Walter B. Wilkinson. In 1829, his labor was hired by the Vincentians, along with that of a man referred to as Chs [Charles], who was also enslaved by Walter B. Wilkinson.

Records of mention: Enslaved Persons Receipts; Account Book (82832 BSM A125); Daybook (82832 BSM A124)

Will

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. A report dated circa 1836 records Will as being 40 years old.

Records of mention: Report on seminary property, including list of enslaved persons, circa 1836

Will Brown

Status: Enslaved by Walter Captain Wilkinson, father of Walter B. Wilkinson. His labor was hired by the Vincentians for two years, from 1831 to 1833.

Records of mention: Account Book (82832 BSM A125); Account Book (83257 BSM A89)

Woman (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by John Logan. In 1836, John Logan paid a debt to St. Mary's of the Barrens Seminary with her labor. She could be Louisa.

Records of mention: Account Book (83257 BSM A89)

Woman (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by "Mrs. Hadon". Mrs. Hadon may be Bridget Hayden, who, according to the 1830 Census, enslaved a young woman between the ages of 10 and 23. Records suggest this woman was sold to the Vincentians in 1834.

Records of mention: Daybook (82832 BSM A124)

Woman (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Reuben Shelby and possibly sold to St. Mary's of the Barrens Seminary around 1843. A list of people enslaved by Reuben Shelby is documented in census data.

Records of mention: Account Book (83257 BSM A89); Domestic Assemblies and Assumption Parish Census

Woman (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Mr. Lagsen. Records show her labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1835.

Records of mention: Account Book (83257 BSM A89)

Woman (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Bede Layton, and later his wife Mary, following his death in 1856. Records show her labor was hired by the Vincentians from 1856 to 1863.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88); Daybook (84459 BSM A55)

Woman (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by James Hagan. In 1856, the council of St. Mary's of the Barrens Seminary deliberated whether or not to continue to rent the labor of this woman to prevent her enslaver from selling her and separating her from her husband. The council decided to continue to rent the woman's labor, allowing her to remain St. Mary's of the Barrens within a short distance of her husband, who was enslaved by another household.

Records of mention: Domestic Council Minutes; Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Woman (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Susan Twyman. Records indicate that her labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1853 and 1856.

Records of mention: Daybook (84459 BSM A55)

Woman (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Henry Caldwell. Records indicate that her labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1856.

Records of mention: Daybook (84459 BSM A55)

Woman (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Joseph Cissell, who leased her, along with another woman he enslaved, to St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1857.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Woman (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Felix Seemes. Her labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1857.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Woman (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by a man named Leo Delassus. Her labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1856.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)

Woman (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Joseph Cissell. She, along with another woman enslaved by Cissell, were leased as washwomen to St. Mary's of the Barrens in 1857.

Records of mention: Account Book (83868 BSM A88)