Enslaved and Free People at St. Vincent's College

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 Cape Girardeau in the years between 1834 and 1909. Many others, particularly pre-1865, were recorded without their personal names in language that emphasized their race and the transactional nature of their exploitation. Because the records span a wide date range—from the Antebellum Period through the end of the Reconstruction Era and beyond—it is possible to track some individuals and their connection to St. Vincent's College from slavery to freedom.

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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Names

A

Abraham Right

Adaline Rodney

Daughter of Juliana and Hamlet Rodney and sister of sibling (sister, name not recorded).

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians at St. Vincent's College. In 1853, her mother, Juliana, entered into an agreement with the school's trustees to purchase her own freedom, along with that of Adaline and Adaline's sister, whose name is not recorded, for $500 and the continued care of Minty, her mother and Adaline's grandmother.

Records of mention: Board of Trustees: Minutes & Act of Incorporation (Cape 01)

Adeline Walker

Status: Free. She worked at St. Vincent's College in 1874.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92)

Aleck

Status: Enslaved by D. Harris and his estate. His labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1853. He may be the same Aleck recorded as working for St. Vincent's College after the Civil War whose last known mention occurs in 1870.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 55); Daybook (Cape 65); Daybook (Cape 69); Daybook; Student Tuition Accounts (Cape 80); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Alex

Status: Unknown. He is recorded at Swamp Farm in 1841 when he received $15.

Records of mention: Swamp Farm Accounts (Cape 96)

Alexander Richards

Status: Free. He worked at St. Vincent's College in 1865. It is unknown if he is the man referred to as Alex.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 55)

Alfred

Sometimes written as Alph.

Status: Enslaved by Constantine T. Gale. His labor was hired by the Vincentians for a period of years beginning in 1846.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64); Daybook (Cape 65); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Alic

Status: Enslaved by Mr. Sloan. His labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1846-1847. 

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Andrew Johnson

Sometimes written as Andy Johnson or A. Johnson or just Andy. Unknown if he is related to James Johnson or Wesley Johnson.

Status: Free. He worked at St. Vincent's College in 1866. 

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 48) [possibly, as an "Andy" without surname is recorded]; Daybook and Journal (Cape 55); Daybook (Cape 68); Daybook (Cape 69); Daybook (Cape 71)

Andy Gibbony [Abernathy]

Status: Free. Worked at St. Vincent's College in 1882.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 71)

Anthony Miller

Called Antoney or Auntney. 

Status: Free. He worked at St. Vincent's College between 1874 and 1875.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92)

B

Ben

Written as Bend (mistakenly?) in Daybook (Cape 64).

Status: Enslaved by unknown person. His labor was hired by the Vincentians, along with that of another enslaved man named Bob, in 1847.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Betsy Finch

Mother of child (name not recorded).

Status: Free. She was employed as a washerwoman at St. Vincent's College beginning in 1850 and later briefly worked at St. Mary's of the Barrens Seminary. She died on July 20, 1852 and was buried at the College. The fate of her child is unknown.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64); Daybook (Cape 65); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Bill

Status: Enslaved by Welton O'Bannon [misspelled Delton in the records]. His labor was hired by the Vincentians, along with that of another enslaved man named Isaac, in 1846. 

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64); Debts Paid; Deposit Accounts; Church Income (Cape 77); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Bill

Status: Enslaved by a man named Lacey. His labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1848.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Billy

Status: Free. He is recorded as being paid $.25 by the Vincentians in 1864.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 48)

Bob

Status: Enslaved by unknown person. His labor was hired by the Vincentians, along with that of an enslaved man named Ben, in 1847.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 63); Daybook (Cape 64); Daybook (Cape 65); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

C

Carolina [Gall]

Daughter of Matilda [Gall].

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians at St. Vincent's College. Her mother Matilda purchased her daughter's freedom from the Vincentians in 1857.

Records of mention: Board of Trustees: Minutes & Act of Incorporation (Cape 01)

Caroline Williams

Daughter of George Williams Sr. Sister of Catharine Williams, George Williams Jr., Julia Williams, and Tyler Williams.

; Daybook (Cape 69)

Catharine Williams

Sometimes spelled Catherine. Daughter of George Williams Sr. and brother of Caroline Williams, George Williams Jr., Julia Williams, and Tyler Williams.

Status: Free. She worked at St. Vincent's College in 1871.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 69)

Charles

Possibly the Charles recorded as the husband of Maria.

Status: Enslaved by Constantine T. Gale. His labor was hired by the Vincentians for several years beginning in 1844.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64); Daybook (Cape 65); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Charles Titus

Status: Free. He is recorded as being paid $2.50 by the Vincentians in 1866.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 68)

Charley (Charles) Lee

Possible husband of Elizabeth (Burch) Nesbit.

Status: Free. He is recorded as working at St. Vincent's College for a period of years beginning in the mid-1860s.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 68); Daybook (Cape 69); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92); Ledger: Farm and College Expenses (Cape 94)

Charlotte Abernathy

Status: Free. Recorded as being paid $16.35 by the Vincentians.

Records of mention: Ledger: Farm and College Expenses (Cape 94)

Child of Betsy Finch (name not recorded)

Status: Free. Betsy brought her child to St. Vincent's College when she was hired to work there in 1850. The child presumably lived at the College until Betsy died in 1852.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64); Daybook (Cape 65); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Child of Charles Lee (son, name not recorded)

Charles Lee appears in the 1880 United States Federal Census as the father of two sons: Wesley, age 18, and Charles, age 14. Although his name is not given in the records, based on his presumed age in 1874, the likelier candidate for the son of Charles Lee is the elder, Wesley.

Status: Free. He periodically worked alongside his father on the farms at St. Vincent's College beginning in 1874. 

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92)

Child of Hamlet and Juliana Rodney (daughter, name not recorded)

Sister of Adaline Rodney.

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians at St. Vincent's College. In 1853, Juliana Rodney entered into an agreement with St. Vincent's College to purchase her own freedom, along with that of her daughter Adaline and Adaline's sister whose name was not recorded.

Records of mention: Board of Trustees: Minutes & Act of Incorporation (Cape 01)

Child of Hellen (name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by Cornelius Manning. The labor of Hellen's child was hired by the Vincentians in 1846.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Child of Mary Ane (daughter, name not recorded)

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians. The Vincentians paid for two dresses for her and her mother, Mary Ane.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 65)

Children of Sam (sons, names not recorded)

Status: Free? They earned wages (paid to their father) for work done at St. Vincent's College in 1864.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 48)

Children of William Flynn (daughters, names not recorded)

Status: Free? They earned wages (paid to their father) for work done at St. Vincent's College in 1864.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 48)

Clement Nesbit

Son of Henry (Harry) Nesbit and Jenny (Burch) Nesbit and brother of Dory Nesbit, Mary Nesbit, and Peter Nesbit. Stepson of Minty Nesbit and half-brother of Juliana Nesbit Rodney. 

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians at St. Vincent's College. He was later sold to Jean-Marie Odin, Archbishop of New Orleans.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 54); Daybook (Cape 63); Daybook (Cape 64).

D

Dave

Status: Free. He worked at Swamp Farm in 1865.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 48)

David

Status: Enslaved by a Mr. Raho. His labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1838.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 63)

Dick

Status: Enslaved by a man named R. T. Brown. His labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1837.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 63)

Dora Perkins (Herkins)

Daughter of Maria Perkins (Herkins). Last name sometimes written as Hirkins.

Status: Free. She worked along with her mother as a washerwoman at St. Vincent's College.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 68); Daybook (Cape 69)

Dory Nesbit

Son of Henry (Harry) Nesbit and brother of Clement Nesbit, Mary Nesbit, and Peter Nesbit. Stepson of Minty Nesbit and half-brother of Juliana Nesbit Rodney.

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians at both St. Mary's of the Barrens and St. Vincent's College.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 54); Daybook (Cape 63); Swamp Farm Accounts (Cape 96)

E

Elizabeth

Status: Unknown. In 1853, she received payment from St. Vincent's College for making shirts.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 65)

Elizabeth Lee

May be Elizabeth (Burch) Nesbit. Wife of Charles Lee.

Status: Free. Not mentioned by name in the records. She is recorded as working alongside her husband at St. Vincent's College in 1874.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92)

Elizabeth Ramsy

Status: Free. She worked as a washerwoman for St. Vincent's College in 1874.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92)

Emilie Lacy

Written as Milly Lacy.

Status: Free. She worked at St. Vincent's College in 1878.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 71)

Emily (Millie) Layton

Sometimes written as Milly or Milley. Occasionally misspelled as Emerly. Most often referred to as "Aunt Millie" or "Aunt Milly".

Status: Formerly enslaved by the Vincentians at St. Vincent's College, she appears in these records as a free woman working in the washhouse beginning in the mid-1860s. A devout Catholic, she donated money to the Purgatorial Society, and when she died in 1892 at the age of 80, she was buried in the College's cemetery, which is no longer extant.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 55); Daybook (Cape 71); Daybook; Student Tuition Accounts (Cape 80); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92); Ledger: Farm and College Expenses (Cape 94)

Enas (Enus) Moore

Unknown if related to George Moore or Robert Moore.

Status: Free. He worked at St. Vincent's College beginning in 1864. 

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 53); Daybook and Journal (Cape 55); Daybook (Cape 68); Daybook (Cape 71); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92); Ledger: Farm and College Expenses (Cape 94)

F

Felix Piet [Piatt]

Husband of wife (name not recorded). Likely candidate for the Felix Byrne mentioned in several records. Surname sometimes spelled 'Piot'.

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians at St. Vincent's College. They considered and delayed a proposal from Peter Byrne, a local farmer, to purchase him in early 1853. The available sources do not explicitly state what decision they ultimately made; however, it can be surmised that Felix was eventually sold to Peter Byrne, who is recorded as having paid St. Vincent's College for the purchase of five enslaved individuals whose names were not recorded later that same year. The name "Felix Byrne" appears in records until 1868, when "Felix Byrne or Piot" received $4.00 for work at St. Vincent's College (Daybook (Cape 68), p. 52). After this entry, no further references are made to a Felix with the surname "Byrne"—only "Piot," if any surname is given. He worked at St. Vincent's College until the early 1870s.

Records of mention: Board of Trustees: Minutes & Act of Incorporation (Cape 01); Shoemaker Accounts (Cape 52A); Daybook and Journal (Cape 55); Daybook (Cape 68); Daybook (Cape 69); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92)

Frank [Piet or Piatt]

Husband of wife (name not recorded). Possible brother of Vincent Piet and Felix Piet.

Status: Free. He worked at St. Vincent's College for several years beginning in 1864.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 48); Shoemaker Accounts (Cape 52A); Daybook (Cape 53); Daybook and Journal (Cape 55); Daybook (Cape 68); Daybook (Cape 69); Daybook; Student Tuition Accounts (Cape 80)

G

George Moore

Unknown if related to Enas Moore and Robert Moore.

Status: Free. He worked at St. Vincent's College in 1864, in the same account book in which Enas Moore appears.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 48)

George Williams

Sometimes written as Geo. Williams or G. Williams. Possible brother of Tyler Williams, Catharine Williams, and Caroline Williams, and son of George Williams Sr. Husband of Lottie Williams.

Status: Free. He worked on the farms at St. Vincent's College. The earliest references to George Williams, found in Ledger: Farm and College Expenses (Cape 94), may refer to the senior George Williams, based on age.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 71); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 93); Ledger: Farm and College Expenses (Cape 94)

George Williams

Possible father of Tyler Williams, Catharine Williams, Caroline Williams, and George Williams Jr.

Status: Free. He may have worked on the farms at St. Vincent's College. The earliest references to George Williams, found in Ledger: Farm and College Expenses (Cape 94), may refer to the senior George Williams, and not his namesake son, based on age.

Records of mention: Ledger: Farm and College Expenses (Cape 94)

Goliah

Status: Enslaved by Thomas J. Rodney. His labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1854.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 65); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Guss Wilson

Status: Free. He worked at St. Vincent's College in 1866.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 68)

H

H. [Henry] Cross

Status: Unknown, but may be the man (name not recorded) enslaved by a Wr. Cross who was once paid for driving steer for the Vincentians in 1851. He is named as receiving $1.50 from St. Vincent's College in 1854.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 65).

Hamlet Rodney

Husband of Juliana Rodney and father of Adaline Rodney and child (name not recorded).

Status: Enslaved. A Hamlet is described as being "the servant of Mr. Dowty's estate" in 1847 and as enslaved by Thomas J. Rodney in 1848. The labor of this Hamlet was hired by the Vincentians for a period of several years. His freedom may potentially be inferred from an entry in Board of Trustees: Minutes & Act of Incorporation (Cape 01), which authorized that his wife Juliana and their two children be granted their freedom on the condition that the couple pay $500 to St. Vincent's College and assume care of Juliana's mother, Minty. 

Records of mention: Board of Trustees: Minutes & Act of Incorporation (Cape 01); Daybook (Cape 64); Daybook (Cape 65); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Harriet Sanford (Sandford)

Sometimes spelled Hariett.

Status: Free. She worked at St. Vincent's College beginning in 1869.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 68); Daybook (Cape 69)

Hellen

Mother of child (name not recorded).

Status: Enslaved by Cornelius Manning. When the Vincentians hired her labor in 1846, she brought her child (name not recorded) with her to St. Vincent's College.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Henry

Status: Possibly enslaved. A "Henry of Mrs. Juden" is recorded as being paid for 1 1/2 days' "cradling", which likely refers to harvesting.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64)

Henry

Status: Enslaved by Rev. Francis Benedict Jamison. His labor was hired for carpentry work by St. Vincent's College when Jamison was employed to teach at the school.

Records of mention: Board of Trustees: Minutes & Act of Incorporation (Cape 01)

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 (name not recorded).

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians at St. Mary's of the Barrens Seminary 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.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 54); Swamp Farm Accounts (Cape 96); Reminiscences by Brother Joseph Cesari, C.M.

Henry Dean

Status: Enslaved by Edward Dean. His labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1846.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Henry Johnson

Unknown if related to Andy Johnson, James Johnson, or Wesley Johnson.

Status: Free. He worked on the Lower Farm at St. Vincent's College.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 69)

Henry Moore

Unknown if related to Enas Moore or Robert Moore or George Moore.

Status: Free. He worked on the Upper Farm at St. Vincent's College in 1871.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 69)

Henry Pitt

Status: Free. He worked at St. Vincent's College as a woodcutter in 1866.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 68)

I

Ignatius

Status: Enslaved by Edouard Detchemendy. His labor may have been hired by the Vincentians in 1851.

Records of mention: Board of Trustees: Minutes & Act of Incorporation (Cape 01)

Ike

Status: Unknown. He is referenced once as being paid, along with Hamlet, for making wooden rails in 1854.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 65).

Isaac

Status: Enslaved by Welton O'Bannon [misspelled Delton in the records]. His labor was hired by the Vincentians, along with that of another enslaved man named Bill, in 1846. 

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64); Debts Paid; Deposit Accounts; Church Income (Cape 77); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Isaac Giboney

Status: Unknown. He was paid for cutting wood for St. Vincent's College in 1853.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

J

James

Status: Enslaved by a Mr. Sloan. His labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1847.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 53); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

James Johnson

Sometimes written as Jim Johnson or Jas. Johnson. Unknown if he is related to Andy Johnson or Wesley Johnson.

Status: Free. He worked at St. Vincent's College for several years beginning in 1866.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 68)

Jamison

Status: Enslaved? A pair of shoes was purchased for him in 1850.

Records of mention:

Jane

Referred to as Aunt Jane.

Status: Free. She worked at St. Vincent's College in 1866.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 55)

Jo

Status: Enslaved, possibly by the Vincentians, though it is unclear. He is recorded once as being given $.25.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64)

John B.

Status: Unknown. He is recorded as cutting wood at Swamp Farm at St. Vincent's College in 1839.

Records of mention: Swamp Farm Accounts (Cape 96)

John Henry Washington

Status: Free. He worked at St. Vincent's College in 1866.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 68)

John Patrick

Sometimes written as Jno. Patrick or J. Patrick.

Status: Free. He worked at St. Vincent's College in 1866-1867.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 68)

Johnso

Status: Free. He worked on the Lower Farm at St. Vincent's College in 1871.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 69)

Judith

Status: Enslaved by a Mr. Clark. She is recorded as being given money by St. Vincent's College for doing washing in 1849.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64)

Julia Williams

Daughter of George Williams Sr. Sister of Caroline Williams, Catharine Williams, George Williams Jr., and Tyler Williams.

Status: Free. He worked at St. Vincent's College in 1874.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92)

Juliana Nesbit Rodney

Wife of Hamlet Rodney and mother of Adaline Rodney and child (daughter, name not recorded). Daughter of Henry (Harry) Nesbit and Minty Nesbit. Half-sister of Clement Nesbit, Dory Nesbit, Mary Nesbit, and Peter Nesbit

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians at St. Vincent's College. She entered into an agreement with the trustees of the school in 1853 to purchased her freedom and that of her two children, including daughter Adaline, for $500 and assuming care of her mother, Minty. The free papers are not recorded as being prepared until 1855. In 1857, an enslaved woman named Juliana, presumably the same, was given a pass to travel to St. Louis and Chicago.

Records of mention: Board of Trustees: Minutes & Act of Incorporation (Cape 01); Daybook (Cape 65); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

L

Levi Gaither

Surname spelled Gather or Gether in the records.

Status: Free. He worked at St. Vincent's College in 1866-1867.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 68)

Lizzie Piet [Piatt]

Last name spelled Piat. Possible wife of Felix Piet [Piatt]

Status: Free. She worked at St. Vincent's College in 1874.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 55); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92)

Lottie Williams

Wife of George Williams Jr.

Luke Fenwick

Husband of Peggy (Margaret) Fenwick and father of Zeno Byrne Fenwick.

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians at St. Vincent's College. His earliest reference in the records occurs in 1837.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 63); Daybook (Cape 65); Swamp Farm Accounts (Cape 96)

M

Malvine

Status: Free. She received payment from St. Vincent's College in 1865.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 48)

Manuel

Status: Free. Worked at Swamp Farm in 1865.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 48)

Margaret (Peggy) Fenwick

Wife of Luke Fenwick and mother of Zeno Byrne Fenwick. She is referred to as Paga or Pagay.

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians at St. Vincent's College. 

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 63)

Maria

Mother of child (name not recorded).

Status: Enslaved by John J. Cordell. Her labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1847. She brought her child (name not recorded) to stay with her during her time at St. Vincent's College.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Maria

Wife of Charles.

Status: Enslaved by John E. Burgett of Perryville. Her labor was hired by the Vincentians for a year in 1847.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Maria Perkins (Herkins)

Mother of Dora Perkins (Herkins). Last name sometimes written as Hirkins.

Status: Free. She worked along with her daughter as a washerwoman at St. Vincent's College.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 68); Daybook (Cape 69)

Mary

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians and sold to Nicholas Tucker in 1838. Four individuals named Mary — two adult women, a teenager, and an infant — are listed as being enslaved by the Vincentians in a report dated circa 1836. As the Mary sold to Nicholas Tucker is described as a "girl", she may be the then 17-year old named in the letter as Mary C.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 63)

Mary

Status: Unknown, but likely enslaved by the Vincentians. Four individuals named Mary — two adult women, a teenager, and an infant — are listed as being enslaved by the Vincentians in a report dated circa 1836, one of whom was sold to Nicholas Tucker in 1838. The Mary referenced in entries dated between 1852 and 1854 in Daybook (Cape 65) may be one of the other three: Mary B[yrne] or Mary G., both adult women, or Mary F., whose age was given as one in the report and who would have been a teenager in the early 1850s.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 65)

Mary

Referred to as Aunt Mary.

Status: Possibly enslaved, though ultimately unknown. She may be either Mary B[yrne] or Mary G., who are listed as being enslaved by the Vincentians in a report dated circa 1836, and whose given ages — 45 and 35, respectively — mean that, if still living, they would have been relatively elderly in 1864, when "Aunt Mary" is referenced. She may also be another Mary entirely. A woman known simply as Mary is recorded as a washerwoman for St. Vincent's College for the same period and may possibly be "Aunt Mary" or a different woman altogether. 

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 48); Ledger: Farm and College Expenses (Cape 94)

Mary Ane [Ann or Anne]

Status: Likely enslaved by the Vincentians at St. Vincent's College. She may be the daughter of Charles* and Minty*, both listed in the report dated circa 1836, who had a daughter named Mary Ann. She is referenced, along with her daughter (name not recorded), in a line entry for payment for two dresses.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 65)

* Not the Charles and Minty in this list. The Charles and Minty (Araminta) in the report dated circa 1836 refer to two different individuals with those first names.

Mary Piet

Mother of Felix Piet and Vincent Piet.

Status: Free. She did farm and domestic work for St. Vincent's College in 1874.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92)

Matilda [Gall]

Mother of Carolina [Gall].

Status: Free. She worked for St. Vincent's College as a washerwoman for many years beginning in 1848. In 1857, she successfully purchased the freedom of her daughter Carolina, who was enslaved by the Vincentians at the school. 

Records of mention: Board of Trustees: Minutes & Act of Incorporation (Cape 01); Daybook (Cape 64); Daybook (Cape 65); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Milfred

Status: Enslaved by Joseph Lewis. His labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1846.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Minty Nesbit

Wife of Henry (Harry) Nesbit and mother of Juliana Nesbit Rodney. Stepmother of Clement Nesbit, Dory Nesbit, Mary Nesbit, and Peter Nesbit. Sometimes spelled Menty.

Status: Enslaved by Walter Wilkinson, and later, by the Vincentians at St. Vincent's College. In 1857, her daughter Juliana entered into an agreement with the trustees of the school to purchase her own freedom and that of her two children, on the condition that she pay $500 and provide for Minty, whose freedom is not mentioned. She is not the Amintha (Minty) enslaved at St. Mary's of the Barrens.

Records of mention: Board of Trustees: Minutes & Act of Incorporation (Cape 01); Daybook (Cape 54); Daybook (Cape 64); Daybook (Cape 65)

N

Nesse (Nace)

Status: Enslaved by Mary Wathen. His labor was hired by the Vincentians for several years beginning in 1847.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64); Daybook (Cape 65); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

P

Peter

Status: Enslaved by Theodule Landry. His labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1843.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64)

Peter Lee

Possible relative of Charles Lee.

Status: Free. He worked at St. Vincent's college beginning in the mid-1870s.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 55); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92)

Polly [Smith]

Sometimes referred to as Aunt Polly.

Status: Free. She was a midwife in the community whose services were hired by St. Vincent's College.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 64); Daybook (Cape 65); Debts Paid; Deposit Accounts; Church Income (Cape 77)

R

Robert

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians at St. Vincent's College.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 54); Swamp Farm Accounts (Cape 96)

Robert Moore

Unknown if related to Enas Moore, George Moore, or Henry Moore.

Status: Free. He worked on the Upper Farm at St. Vincent's College.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 69)

S

Sam

Status: Unknown. He is first recorded at St. Vincent's College in 1863. 

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 48); Daybook and Journal (Cape 55); Daybook; Student Tuition Accounts (Cape 80)

Sam

Status: Enslaved by a Mr. Sloan. His labor was hired by the Vincentians in 1840. Sam may also be the man whose name was not recorded referenced in an 1840 entry in Daybook (Cape 54) as "Mr. Sloan's man".

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 54); Swamp Farm Accounts (Cape 96)

Sam (Samuel) Harris

Status: Free. He worked in the 1870s and 1880s at St. Vincent's College, primarily on the farms and in the saw mill.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 69); Daybook (Cape 71); Daybook; Student Tuition Accounts (Cape 80); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92); Ledger: Farm and College Expenses (Cape 94)

Sam Williams

Unknown if related to the Williams family members in this list.

Status: Free. He worked on the farms and in the saw mill at St. Vincent's College, with his first known reference in the records occurring in the mid-1860s.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 55); Daybook (Cape 71); Ledger: Farm and College Expenses (Cape 94)

Samuel Gibboney [Gibbony]

Status: Unknown. He was hired in 1858 by St. Vincent's College to chop wood at Swamp Farm.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

Silla

Status: Enslaved by unknown person. Known from a single reference. His labor was hired for St. Vincent's College by a Mr. Collins.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 90)

T

Tom

Status: Unknown. He appears briefly in the records as being paid small amounts by St. Vincent's College between 1857 and 1866.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 55); Daybook (Cape 65)

Turner

Status: Unknown. He first appears in the records as present at St. Vincent's College in 1863.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 48); Daybook; Student Tuition Accounts (Cape 80)

Tyler Williams

Sometimes spelled Tiler Williams or T. Williams. Son of George Williams Sr.  Brother of Caroline Williams, Catherine Williams, Julia Williams, and George Williams Jr.

Status: Free. He worked for several years at St. Vincent's College. His earliest appearance in the records occurs in the mid-1860s.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 71); Daybook; Student Tuition Accounts (Cape 80); Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92); Ledger: Farm and College Expenses (Cape 94)

V

Vincent Piet

Son of Mary Piet. Brother of Felix Piet and Frank Piet.

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians at St. Vincent's College. In 1851, the Board of Trustees decided not to sell Vincent to a Dr. P. H. Davis.

Records of mention: Board of Trustees: Minutes & Act of Incorporation (Cape 01)

W

Wash

Status: Unknown. He is mentioned once for mowing at Swamp Farm in 1863.

Records of mention: Daybook; Student Tuition Accounts (Cape 80)

Wesley Johnson

Last name sometimes spelled Browne. Often spelled Wesly. Unknown if related to Andrew Johnson or James Johnson.

Status: Free? He was present at St. Vincent's College for several years beginning in 1864.

Records of mention: ; Daybook and Journal (Cape 48); Daybook and Journal (Cape 55); Daybook (Cape 68)

Weston [McClain]

Called Old Weston.

Status: Free. He worked briefly on the farms at St. Vincent's College. His entries are recorded without a year, but date between 1866 and 1875.

Records of mention: Workmen's Accounts (Cape 92)

Wife of Frank [Piet or Piatt] (name not recorded, may be Mahala according to 1870 census)

The 1870 United States Federal Census records the name of Frank Piatt's wife as Mahala.

Status: Free. She was paid for doing washing for St. Vincent's College sometime between 1866 and 1870.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 68)

Will Brown

Last name sometimes spelled Browne.

Status: Enslaved by Walter Wilkinson. Small sums are recorded to him in 1840. He is last recorded performing labor on the Lower Farm at St. Vincent's College in 1864.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 54); Daybook (Cape 68); Ledger: Farm and College Expenses (Cape 94)

William Flynn

Father of daughters (names not recorded) who also worked for St. Vincent's College.

Status: Free? He worked at St. Vincent's College for several years beginning in 1864.

Records of mention: Daybook and Journal (Cape 48); Daybook and Journal (Cape 55); Daybook (Cape 68)

William Orill

Status: Free. He worked at St. Vincent's College in 1866.

Records of mention: Daybook (Cape 68)

Z

Zeno Byrne Fenwick

Son of Luke and Peggy (Margaret) Fenwick.

Status: Enslaved by the Vincentians at St. Vincent's College. In Februrary 1853, the trustees of the school heard a proposal by Cape Girardeau farmer Peter Byrne to purchase Zeno, along with Felix Byrne Piat. The available sources do not explicitly state what decision the Board ultimately made; Zeno may eventually have been sold to Peter Byrne, as Byrne is recorded paying St. Vincent's College for the purchase of five enslaved individuals whose names were not recorded later that same year. Zeno may have worked briefly at St. Vincent's College after the Civil War in 1866.

Records of mention: Board of Trustees: Minutes & Act of Incorporation (Cape 01); Daybook (Cape 68)