Joseph M Fitzgerald (abt. 1841 - abt. 1906)

Born about 8 Aug 1841 in Tennessee, United States

Died about 23 Jul 1906 at about age 64 in Washington County, Tennessee, United States

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Biography

Joseph Fitzgerald is a part of US Black heritage.

Joseph was born about 1841. He passed away about 1906.

In 1860, Joseph is seen in the household of James W Deardrick, a lawyer, in Jonesboro, Tennessee. He is described as a 22 year old mulatto.^[1] See Research Notes for further discussion on this.

In 1870, Joseph and wife, Mary, were farming at Millwood in Washington County with their 3 sons: George (7); Cornelius (5) and infant James.^[2]

In 1880, the family would remain on the farm in Washington County^{[3] [4]}

In 1900, Joseph was widowed and living with his son, George and family, in Johnson City.^[5]

Joseph would die in 1906 and be buried at a small cemetery on a hill outside Johnson City. ^[6]

Research Notes

Unable to identify the source location of the information saved to Ancestry, but images and summary info indicates that his maternal grandmother, Sarah, was a slave in Virginia, owned by James Robinson. In 1803 James prepared documentations of manumission for Sarah, her twin brother Swany and a younger sister and their subsequent progeny, that would come in effect when the children reached age of 21. In the interim years, James died and his widow who inherited the slaves, did not free them. She subsequently married (and divorced) James Fitzgerald in Tennessee. Sara located the manumission documents about 1854 and sued for freedom for herself and her descendants. Sarah died prior to final judgement, but the end result was in her favor. There appears to be a sum of $800 of compensation owed to the previous owners and documents show that the descendants worked as indentured servants for a period of years to gain their ultimate freedom. This document shows that Joseph Fitzgerald was indentured to James W Deadrick in 1860 for a period of two years, thus his appearance on the 1860 Census.

• Transcript of Receiver document:

List of Sarah's descendants hired out by the court receiver. Sam to Mark Pritchett Joe to James Deaderick (court receiver) Clara to Jackson for part year and Nelson Ford (her husband) for part year. Hannah temporarily to Dr. A. Martin Not hired out: Sarah was aged and infirmed Hannah has children and is diseased in the hand. Milly was diseased with St. Vitus Dance Sarah, Fanny and her two children (Narcissa and Martha), James Madison and Milly are place in the care of Elbert Hale.

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Sources

1. ↑ 1860 Census: "1860 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1860; Census Place: District 4, Washington, Tennessee; Page: 165
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 7667 #19560686 (accessed 21 October 2021)
   Joseph Franklin (22) in District 4, Washington, Tennessee.
2. ↑ 1870 Census: "1870 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1870; Census Place: District 4, Washington, Tennessee; Roll: M593_1568; Page: 205A
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 7163 #7518843 (accessed 21 October 2021)
   Josh Fitzgerald, Farmer, in District 4, Washington, Tennessee. Born in Tennessee.
3. ↑ 1880 Census: "1880 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1880; Census Place: District 4, Washington, Tennessee; Roll: 1284; Page: 472B; Enumeration District: 030
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 6742 #41888938 (accessed 21 October 2021)
   Joseph Fitzgerald (50), married self (head), Farmer, in household of Joseph Fitzgerald 50 (Self) in District 4, Washington, Tennessee, USA. Born in Tennessee.
4. ↑ 1880 Non-population Census: "U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880"
   Census Place: Washington, Tennessee; Archive Collection Number: T1135; Roll: Roll 29; Schedule Type: Agriculture
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 1276 #8371782 (accessed 21 October 2021)
   Name: Joseph Fitzgerald; Enumeration Date: 1880; Place: Washington, Tennessee, USA; Schedule Type: Agriculture.
5. ↑ 1900 Census: "1900 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1900; Census Place: Johnson City, Washington, Tennessee; Page: 17; Enumeration District: 0150; FHL microfilm: 1241604
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry ca Record 7602 #61380684 (accessed 21 October 2021)
   Joseph Fitzgerald (55), widowed father, Miller, in household of George Fitzgerald (37) in Johnson City, Washington, Tennessee. Born in Tennessee, USA.
6. ↑ Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/20691265/joseph-m-fitzgerald : accessed 21 October 2021), memorial page for Joseph M Fitzgerald (8 Aug 1841–23 Jul 1906), Find A Grave: Memorial #20691265, citing Fitzgerald Cemetery, Johnson City, Washington County, Tennessee, USA ; Maintained by Jacinda Gilliam (contributor 46861967) .