Did Charles Carroll have any illegitimate children by one of his slaves?

Question

Our family was told that Charles Carroll also had children by a slave he owned and that we are descended from that union.  Is there any evidence at all that he had other illegitimate children?

Comments

To add what JT said, conventional genealogy will be key to get you started and working back on your tree.  If Charles Carroll had any children with a slave, those people were most likely slaves themselves.   Genealogy becomes a bit deeper at that point as you will start running up against different kinds of obstacles.  There is a very good blog article here which will help:

http://www.reclaimingkin.com/slave-research-four-things/

Hope that helps!

Answer 1

The circumstances you describe were not uncommon.  However, in the absence of some written acknowledgment by Charles Carroll, himself, the only way to prove the connection is through DNA. And even then if a connection can be found, it will be difficult, but not impossible, to pin point the exact source of the DNA; it could come from Charles, or one of his brothers or sons, etc.

Best way to get started is to create WikiTree profiles for the line of ancestors that you believe link to Charles, take an auDNA test and link those results here at WikiTree. If you believe the line of descent from Charles is all males, then a Y-DNA test would also be useful.

There are many eager and willing WikiTreers here who can help you along the way.

You can order DNA tests here:  https://affiliate.familytreedna.com/idevaffiliate.php?id=600

Answer 2

I guess I'm probably a link you want.  I am still working on the tree but I believe I am a 7 g grandson of Charles. See my chart.

Comments

Gurney, I'd love to see your chart, but I can't do so because your profile is Red-Private. If you would change the Privacy setting on your profile to Private with Public Family Tree, then other members could see the lineage you have built here.

---

I opened it up for you.  But as I say this, it turns out that I am not a descendant  I enter in through a marriage below him.

---

Interesting family line, nevertheless!

Answer 3

I received a private message (sender apparently not a member of WikiTree; probably sent to me because I retagged the question) that states:

I have a video of a family member, now deceased, saying Charles Carroll was her great-great grandfather.  She said she was told this my her great grandmother.  One of his female slaves was manumitted at an early age, lived on his property and claimed her manumission upon his death.  All her children were born free.  I know her who her parents were and can trace her family tree from 1700 to today.  Solid DNA evidence, no.

This looks like exciting support for the information reported in the original question here. I'll follow up with this correspondent.

Comments

Hi Ellen. I've traced my ancestors to 1688. They were slaves Of Charles Carroll the settler, Charles Carroll of Annapolis, and Charles Carroll of Carrollton. In addition; my DNA shows I am 6% Ireland &Scotland, 22% England, Wales, and NW Europe, and Sweden, Portugal, Turkey and Caucasus. This is my maternal side. Many of my ancestors were favorite slaves of the Carrolls. They were all mulatto, with names like Yellow Harry, Rachel, Yellow Sall, etc... Johnny, a son of Rachel, traveled all over the world with the Carrolls and was actually buried in one of  Charles graveyards in Frederick, MD. There was no male head of her household; so I feel certain one of the Carroll men fathered Rachel's children.

---

Great information! It would be wonderful if you could join WikiTree and add your information here, "Agent."

---

Ellen, although family stories are often indicative of some sort of relationship, only DNA can prove it, and even then it's not always definitive. The case of Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings is a good example. All the DNA proved is that a male in the Jefferson line was the father.

You have to gather other evidence to prove the case, and even then you might not be able to prove it to everyone's satisfaction.

For some interesting reading on the Jefferson controversy, read this: https://www.monticello.org/thomas-jefferson/jefferson-slavery/thomas-jefferson-and-sally-hemings-a-brief-account/research-report-on-jefferson-and-hemings/

and then read this: https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=8RpNEAAAQBAJ&pg=GBS.PP1.w.1.0.0

Answer 4

I own a set of books titled 'Dear Papa, Dear Charley: The Papers of Charles Carroll of Carrollton, 1748-1782. In the 3rd volume there is Appendix III: Slave Inventories which lists the names of the slaves that Charles Carroll had. I can check some names for those that believe they have connections.

Comments

The US Black Heritage Project would love to get that Appendix or list of names from you so we can create family profiles for the slaves! If that would be possible, please let me know.

---

I believe my family is listed in that book, my family was the Carroll and simms from annapolis and there cousins are the Carr's and Sparrows that had the black beach in Maryland!!!!!!!

Answer 5

From my exploration, there are at least 3 Charles Carrolls.  One of which was my great, great, great,......Uncle.  In the records I have found there was a freed slave by the name of Chastity and her son was given the last name of Carroll.  No DNA proof on my side, but in the histories the information is "given" as fact.

Comments

hey I have been looking for you we need to talk cousin, so we can fill in the gap. my grandmother was a carroll from annapolis also