Samuel Cochran (1824 - abt. 1893)

Born 22 Apr 1824 in Hampshire, Virginia, United States

Died about 19 May 1893 at about age 69 in Hampshire, West Virginia, United States

Biography

Samuel Cochran is a part of US Black heritage.

Negro Samuel was born 22 Apr 1824 to Negro Barbara, both enslaved in the household of Michael and Fanny Lawson Blue in Hampshire County, Virginia.^[1] His father is assumed to be Daniel Cochran, Barbara's consort on her 1872 death record.^[2]

Samuel appeared in the Hampshire, Virginia 1840 Will of Michael Blue: "7th. I give and bequeath to my son Lawson, Negro Samuel."^[3]

Samuel, 26 Male Black, appeared in the 1850 Slave Schedule for District 24, Hampshire VA in the record of M L & G Blue, the 3 unmarried sons, including Lawson, who lived with Fanny Blue.^[4] Samuel's mother Barbara, 60 Female Mulatto, was present. His father Daniel may have been present, badly mis-dated, as 50 Male Black. Also, his brother Benjamin, 46 Male Black, and sister Phillis 16 Female Mulatto were present. The first child of Phillis, David, 1 Black, should also be present. If so, he is mislabeled Female.^[5]

Samuel, 36 M B, appeared in the 1860 Slave schedule of Michael Blue in Hampshire, alongside mother Barbara, 71 F M, brother Benjamin 56 M B, sister Phillis, 26 F B, and the first 6 of Phillis' children--David 11 M B, John 4 M B, Daniel 3 M B, Harriet 2 F B, and Margaret 1.^[6]

On 8 Aug 1870, Saml Cochran 46 was a farm worker in the household of Michael & Mary Blue in Springfield, Hampshire, West Virginia. Samuel was coded as Mulatto, born Virginia, not able to read or write, and without voting rights. His mother, Barbara Cochran, was also present.^[7]

On 2 Jun 1880, Samuel Cochran again appeared in the Michael & Mary E. Blue household as a farm worker.^[8]

On 19 May 1893, Samuel Cochran made a will in Hampshire, West Virginia. It named a brother, 3 sisters, other family and friends. M. Blue was one of the witnesses to the will, which was proved on 31 May 1893:

"Know all men by these presents that I Samuel Cochran the county of Hampshire State of West Virginia being in ill health but of sound and disposing mind and memory do make and publish this my last will and testament. First, I hereby constitute and appoint Benjamin Shannon without a bond to be sole executor of this my last will, directing my said executor to pay all my just debts and funeral expenses and the legacies hereinafter given out of my estate. Second, after the payment of my debts and funeral expenses I give and bequeath to my brother Daniel Cochran of Ohio, one hundred dollars. Third, I give and bequeath to my grand nephew John Mathews of Steubenville, Ohio one hundred dollars. Fourth, Daniel Mathews of Romney has two hundred dollars of my money which I want divided equally between him and his brothers Charles Mathews and Harry Mathews. Fifth, I will and bequeath to my sister Phillis children, and my sister Julia children and my sister Lucy children all the residue of my estate except Nettie Jones has got already fifty dollars. Sixth, and it is my wish that Emily Johnson be liberally paid for her services for her attendance to me during my sickness, and it my desire and will that the graveyard be found [established?] at my expense.

"In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 19th day of May in the year 1893. Samuel (his X mark) Cochran SEAL

"The above instrument consisting of one sheet was now here subscribed by Samuel Cochran the testator in the presence of each of us, and was at the same time declared by him to be his last will and testament, and we at his request sign our names hereto as attesting witnesses. M. Blue, G.H. Thomas"^[9]

Samuel Cochran died after 19 May 1893 and before 31 May 1893. He may have been buried at Cochran Cemetery, Springfield, Hampshire WV: Inscription "Aged 69 yrs 1 mo". No other burials are listed for this cemetery.^[10]

Slave Owners

• Michael Blue
• Lawson Blue
• Michael Blue Jr.

Sources

1. ↑ Bible of Thomas Blue
2. ↑ Barbara Cochran death: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HY-DH83-Z45?i=43&cat=227868
3. ↑ 1840 Will of Michael Blue
4. ↑ 1850 census: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/15110803:8054?tid=&pid=&queryId=153fe1852e0910d655a0d6ecf34f65f8&_phsrc=673-563510&_phstart=successSource
5. ↑ 1850 Slave: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8055/images/VAM432_988-0014?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&queryId=58702a796959e2ff5e777976f556b85c&usePUB=true&_phsrc=AXO2442&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&_ga=2.85386201.1388144828.1644701203-1636401298.1631400238&pId=92772116
6. ↑ 1860 Slave: https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7668/images/vam653_1391-0259?treeid=&personid=&hintid=&queryId=5378efa8f1a0e0bf940c2c1cb50723e4&usePUB=true&_phsrc=AXO2086&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&pId=1094729
7. ↑ 1870 census: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/7968824:7163
8. ↑ 1880 census: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/9051316:6742
9. ↑ Hampshire Wills v. 22-23 (1865-1928) p. 396: https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/408153:9087?tid=&pid=&queryId=88ace2b9dc13c180b0757cf625e23048&_phsrc=AXO2133&_phstart=successSource
10. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/204524573/samuel-cochran

• Slaves of Michael Blue