Slaves of Nathaniel Banks

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surnames/tags: Banks Slavery

This page provides details about the known slavery history for Nathaniel Banks (abt.1802-abt.1843). Records that have been uncovered showed that from 1823 to his death in 1843, he enslaved 30 different named people, and 5 unnamed children.

Contents 1 Importation of Slaves to Elbert County, GA 1823 2 Probate Inventory, Elbert County, 1844 3 9 Records of Hires of Enslaved from the Estate, Elbert County, 1844-1849 4 Inheritance of Slaves by Son-in-Law, Elbert County, 1846 5 Research Notes 6 Sources

Importation of Slaves to Elbert County, GA 1823

In 1823 Nathaniel Banks imported 3 enslaved persons into Georgia from location unknown, likely a family of a couple with a child.^[1]

• Perry Banks (abt.1798-) man about age 25
• Dorcas Banks (abt.1803-) woman about age 20
• Amanda Banks (abt.1822-) about one year old

It is presumed this was a family. The name of Dorcas Banks (abt.1803-) appears on the Probate Inventory and Hiring Records later (see below). But the names of Perry Banks (abt.1798-) and the child Amanda Banks (abt.1822-) do not appear on these records. Amanda may have been one of the unnamed children of Dorcas, listed in Hiring Records.

Probate Inventory, Elbert County, 1844

Nathaniel Banks died intestate (without a Will)^[2]

12 Jan 1844 - Probate Inventory for Nathaniel Banks^[3]

Men

• Daniel Banks (bef.1826-) value $400
• Joe or Joseph Banks (bef.1826-) $700
• Manuel aka Emanuel Banks (bef.1826-) $500
• Hal Banks (bef.1826-) $600
• John Banks (bef.1826-) $700
• Washington Banks (bef.1826-) $800
• Alick aka Ellick Banks (bef.1826-) $800

Boys

• Jack Banks (bef.1832-) $600
• Toney aka Tony, Anthony Banks (bef.1834-) $500
• Isham Banks (bef.1834-) $500
• Henry Banks (bef.1834-) $450
• Ben Banks (bef.1834-)$450
• Jasper Banks (bef.1834-) $450
• Joe Banks (bef.1834-) $450
• Elijah Banks (bef.1834-) $400
• Allen Banks (bef.1834-) $250
• Robert Banks (bef.1834-) $150

Women

• Beck Banks (bef.1834-) $150
• Dorcas aka Darcas Banks (bef.1826-) $300
• Nelly Banks (bef.1826-) $450

Girls

• Jane Banks (bef.1834-) $550
• Lucy Banks (bef.1834-) $550
• Nancy Banks (bef.1834-) $500
• Susannah aka Susaner or Susan Banks (bef.1834-) $300
• Larner Banks (bef.1844-) $250
• Ellen or Ellie Banks (bef.1834-) $200

Total: 26

It's assumed that the men and women were at least 18 years old at the time this Inventory was made. The boys and girls who were later "hired out" (see below) were likely at least ten years old -- a common age for children to be required to work -- with the exception of two children (Robert Banks (bef.1834-) and Larner Banks (bef.1844-) ) who weren't hired, likely too young to work on their own. Perhaps (unnamed) they accompanied their parents.

It is mostly unknown if, and how, these 26 people were related to one another. The hiring records do show that Daniel Banks (bef.1826-) and Nelly Banks (bef.1826-) were hired out together, along with anywhere between one and four of their unnamed children over the years. So they were likely a family.

Two enslaved people who were "hired out" whose names do not match any of those on the Probate Inventory above may have been missed in the enumeration there. Their profiles are provided here so that we do not miss bringing to light a single enslaved person. Their "values" and ages are not known, but it's assumed they were ten years old or older in 1844. They are:

• Alexander Banks (bef.1834-)
• Rebecca or Becca Banks (bef.1844-)

9 Records of Hires of Enslaved from the Estate, Elbert County, 1844-1849

Because Nathaniel Banks died intestate (without a Will) in about 1843, therefore it took time to settle his estate, it appears that many people he formerly enslaved were "hired out" after his death in 1843 to produce income for the estate, during the time presumably that it was being settled.

Elbert County Court of the Ordinary Book 1842-1846

Hire of the enslaved of the estate of Nathaniel Banks, 1844-1845 These nine records of naming a total of 28 enslaved adults along with 7 unnamed children who were "hired out" over a two-year period to other enslavers, with the name of the enslaver who hired and the amount hired for. Each person was hired out anywhere from one to all 9 times, according to the records.

Two of the women (Dorcas and Nelly) along with their unnamed children were provided with "victuals and clothes," and Nelly was listed along with Daniel several times, so they were undoubtedly a couple with children. Previously, according to the record of 1823 (see above), Dorcas was imported by Nathaniel Banks along with Perry and daughter Amanda, presumably a couple at that time but Perry's name does not reappear on any hiring records.

Here are the detailed hiring records.

Hire of the enslaved, 1844^[4]

• Daniel, hired by M. W. Hickman, $48 for the year
• Jack, " " " ", $46
• Nelly and 3 children, " " " ", $1
• Manuel, to William Moss, $50
• Hal, to Johnson Waley, $53.50
• John, to Jesse M. Forston, $55
• Washington, to George I. Barr, $56
• Alexander, to Elza B. Thornton, $55
• Anthony, to Thomas C. White, $40
• Joe, " " " ", $20
• Isham, to John Earens, $37
• Henry, to Thomas J. Tearsley, $29
• Jasper, to James Campbell, $24
• Ben, to Allen Daniel, $25
• Elijah, to F. P. Thornton, $5
• Jain(Jane?), to Henry Warnsing?, $35
• Nancy, to Benjamin Thornton, $21.50
• Rebecca, to Thomas Mewborn/Newborn, $22
• Joe, to F. A. Banks, $25
• Lucy, " " " ", $26
• Darcas and 2 children, " " " ", for victuals & clothes

Total: 21 named and 5 unnamed

Hire of the enslaved, 1845^[5]

• Joe, to Rueben Thornton, $62
• Daniel, to M. W. Hickman $30
• Emanual, to Moses J. Fleming, $47
• Hal, to T. C. White, $47
• John, to W. H. Adams, $56
• Washington, to George I. Barr, $55
• Ellick, to George Gaines, $59
• Jack, to M. W. Hickman, $50
• Toney, to T. C. White, $40
• Isham, to Wm J. White, $39
• Henry, T. C. White, $30
• Jasper, to Wm B. Campbell, $29
• Ben, to Wm B. Campbell, $16.50
• Joseph, to T. C. White, $15
• Elijah, to F. Hilly, $12
• Jane, to John Stufel, $31
• Lucy, to John M. Thornton, $31
• Nancy, to Benjamin Thornton, $25
• Becca, to A. Mewborn?, $12
• Nelly & 4 children let out for their victuals & clothes, to Joel Hutcheson
• Darcas & 2 children not hired out the woman being sick

Total: 21 named and 6 unnamed

Another list, hire of the enslaved 1845^[6]

• Joe, hired to Reuben Thornton, Note, $62
• Daniel, to M. W. Hickman, Note, $30.50
• Emanuel, to Moses T. Fleming, $41
• Hal/Hab?, to T. C. White, $41
• John, to Wm H. Adams, Note, $56
• Washington, to George J. Boon?, $53
• Ellie, to George Gains, Note, $59
• Zack (Jack?), to M. W. Hickman, Note, $50
• Tony, to T. C. White, $40
• Isham, to Wm. J. White, $39
• Henry, to T. C. White, $30
• Jasper, to Wm B. Campbell, Note, $29
• Elijah, to F. Hilly, $12
• Jane, to John Steeple, Note, $31
• Lucy, to John M. Thornton, Note, $31
• Nancy, to Benjamin Thornton, Note, $25
• Nelly & 4 children, to J Hickman, for victuals & cloths
• Becca, to W. A. Mewborn, $12
• Dorcas & 2 children, not hired out being sick

Total: 19 named, 6 unnamed

Hire of the enslaved 1846^[7]

• Joe, hired to Reuben Thornton, $64
• Daniel, to J. Maley, $37.25
• Emanuel, to W. M. Alexander, $47
• John, to L Rowzee, $49.50
• Washington, to M. W. Hickman, $52.50
• Tony, to Thos Helley, $41.50
• Henry, to Wm B. Campbell, $31.25
• Jasper, to Wm. B. Campbell, $24
• Joseph, to Wm. B. Campbell, $20
• Benjamin, to Wm. B. Campbell, $20
• Jane, to J. J. Mcalister, $38
• Nancy, to Wm. C. Prather, $39.75
• Elijah, to Thos Helley, $13
• Nelly & 2 children, to W. M. Alexander, for victuals & cloths
• Darcas & two children, to Reuben Thornton, paid to take care of them

Total: 15 named, 4 unnamed

Another list, hire of the enslaved 1846

Book 1846-1851, p.135^[8]

• Joe, to Reuben Thornton, $64
• Daniel, to J. Maley, $37
• Emanuel, to W. M. Alexander, $47
• John, to T. Rowzer, $49.50
• Washington, to M. W. Hickman, $52.50
• Toney, to Thos Hilley, $41.50
• Henry, to Wm B. Campbell, $31.25
• Jaasper, " " " ", $24
• Joseph, " " " ", $20
• Benjamin, " " " ", $20
• Jane, to J. I. McAlister, $38
• Nancy, to Wm C. Prather, $39.75
• Elijah, to Thos. Hilley, $13
• Nelly & 2 children, to W. M. Alexander for victuals & clothes
• Darcas & 2 children, to Reuben Thornton paid to take care of them

Total: 15 named, 4 unnamed

Hire of the enslaved 1847-1848^[9]

• Joe, to Reuben Thornton, $53
• Daniel, (nothing written here)
• Emanuel, to Thomas M. Hulme, $56
• John, to Wm Cleaveland, $68
• Washington, to Leroy Cleaveland, $75
• Toney, to Willey M. Alexander, $67.50
• Henry, to M. W. Hickman, $49.50
• Jasper, to James Carpenter, $45
• Benjamin, to David N. Hudson, $46.50
• Joseph, to M. W. Hickman, $41.50
• Elijah, to David N. Hudson, $33
• Allen, to James Taylor, $6.12 1/2
• Becca, to Archibald Mewbern, $12
• Daniel, Nelly & 2 children, to M. W. Hickman, $11
• Dorcas & 2 children, to Reuben Thornton, paid to take care of them
• Jane, to Francis A. Banks, $40
• Nancy, to G. T. Alexander, $39.50
• Susannah, to James Carpenter, $20

Total: 19 named, 4 unnamed

Hire of the enslaved, 1847^[10]

• Joe, hired to Reuben Thornton, $54
• Daniel, Nelly & her 2 children, to Johnson Naley, $67.50
• Emanuel, to William B. Campbell, $61
• John, to Thomas N. Bowsey, $63
• Washington, Wm. B. Campbell, $66
• Toney, to William Barrett, $51
• Henry is crossed out, to Thomas C. White crossed out, $46 crossed out
• Benjamin, to Wm B. Campbell, $36
• Jasper, to Wm B. Campbell, $31
• Joseph, to Middleton Hickmon, $22.50
• Elijah, to Thomas Adams, $27.25
• Nancy, to Eliel Hannard, $45
• Susan, to Wm C. Prater, $15.50
• Becca, to Archibald, Mewbern, $12.50
• Allen, to William Goop for victuals & cloths
• Nelly & her two children crossed out, to Willy M. Alexander crossed out, for victuals crossed out
• Dorcas & her two children, to Reuben Thornton, by paying $20.00
• Jane, hired privately, Peter Cleveland, $40.00
• Henry, to Middleton Hickmon, $38.50

Total 20 named 4 unnamed

Another list, hire of the enslaved 1847, p.202 ^[11]

• Joe, to Reuben Thornton, $54
• Daniel, Nelly & her 2 children, to Johnson Maley, $67.50
• Emanuel, to William B. Campbell, $61
• John, to Thomas M. Rowzee, $63
• Washington, to Wm B. Campbell, $66
• Toney, to William Barnett, $51
• Benjamin, to Wm B. Campbell, $36
• Jasper, to " " " ", $31
• Joseph, to Middleton Hickman, $22
• Elijah, to Thomas Adams, $27.25
• Nancy, to Elial Hansard, $45
• Susan, to Wm C. Prather, $15
• Becca, to Archibald, Mewborn, $12
• Allen, to William Goss for victuals & clothing
• Dorcas & her 2 children, Reuben Thornton by paying $20
• Jane hired privately to Peter Cleveland, $40
• Henry, to Middleton Hickman

Total: 18 named, 2 unnamed

Hire of the enslaved 1849^[12]

• Joe, hired to Reuben Thornton, $50
• Emanuel, to Wm. H. Adams, $55
• John, to Wm Cleaveland, $71
• Washington, to Lerey Cleaveland, $70.06 1/4
• Toney, to Wm G Allen, $63
• Henry, to Henry Mataxt?, $62.50
• Benjamin, to John G. Wadkins, $52
• Joseph, to Middleton M. Hickman, $52.06 1/4
• Elijah, to M. W. Hickman, $41.50
• Allen, to John G. Wadkins, $20.75
• Nancy & 1 child, to John T. Willis, $31
• Susannah, to Jackson Dooly, $23
• Becca, to Archibald Mewbern, $12
• Daniel, Nelly & 3 little children, to Middleton W. Hickman, $30.50
• Dorcas & 2 children, at Reuben Thornton's for taking care of them $20

Total: 16 named, 6 unnamed children

Inheritance of Slaves by Son-in-Law, Elbert County, 1846

Book 1846-1851 Estate Division p.13^[13]

This document "divides the negroes belonging to the estate of Nathaniel Banks, deceased, to Charles Wesley Arnold (abt.1819-)," being 1/4 part in right of his wife. Charles married Nathaniel's daughter, Mary Evelina (Banks) Arnold (1822-), and so was Nathaniel's son-in-law. Listed are:

• Hal Banks (bef.1826-) valued at $425
• Isham Banks (bef.1834-) $550
• Jack Banks (bef.1832-) $500
• Alick aka Ellick Banks (bef.1826-) $600
• Lucy Banks (bef.1834-) $550

Research Notes

• With the exception of Daniel, Nelly and their children referred to as a family in some hiring records (above), family relationships among the enslaved from the Probate Inventory are unknown, though likely existed.

• The only two women from the Probate Inventory with children (Nelly and Dorcas) on several of these records for hires of the enslaved are listed differently from the others -- all of whom are described as being "hired" by a person for a certain cost. But Nelly and Dorcas (with their children) were often "let out" for "victuals and clothing," or were to be "taken care of," or (in Dorcas' case) were noted as not being hired out due to illness.

Sources

1. ↑ Various records 1822-1874 [Elbert County, Georgia]: "Various records 1822-1874 [Elbert County, Georgia]"
   Catalog: Various records 1822-1874 [Elbert County, Georgia] Various records, 1822-1874
   Film number: 008153432 > image 144 of 191
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSKK-KQJ4-R (accessed 10 December 2023)
   • importation of enslaved to Georgia
2. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
   Catalog: Georgia, Elbert County, estate records Estates, Banks, James A. - Banks, Thos. A.
   Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Elbert > Estates 1790-1900 Banks, James A.-Banks, Thos. A. > image 219 of 554; citing various county, district, and probate courts.
   FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GR6N-DS9 (accessed 1 December 2023)
   • 1844 letter regarding Nathaniel Banks died intestate
3. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
   Catalog: Annual returns (Elbert County, Georgia), 1835-1907 Vols. R-S 1842-1851
   Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Elbert > Returns 1842-1851 vol R-S > image 122 of 693; citing various county, district, and probate courts.
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L93G-FZWL (accessed 27 November 2023)

   1844 probate inventory of Nathaniel Banks p.100

4. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
   Catalog: Annual returns (Elbert County, Georgia), 1835-1907 Vols. R-S 1842-1851
   Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Elbert > Returns 1842-1851 vol R-S > image 208 of 693; citing various county, district, and probate courts.
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-893G-FCYX (accessed 27 November 2023)

   1844-1845 hiring the enslaved p.182-183

5. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
   Catalog: Annual returns (Elbert County, Georgia), 1835-1907 Vols. R-S 1842-1851
   Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Elbert > Returns 1842-1851 vol R-S > image 208 of 693; citing various county, district, and probate courts.
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-893G-FCYX (accessed 27 November 2023)

   1844-1845 hiring the enslaved p.182-183

6. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990" Catalog: Georgia, Elbert County, estate records Estates, Banks, James A. - Banks, Thos. A. Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Elbert > Estates 1790-1900 Banks, James A.-Banks, Thos. A. > image 216 of 554; citing various county, district, and probate courts. FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GR6N-DC6 (accessed 30 November 2023) hire of enslaved 1845
7. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
   Catalog: Georgia, Elbert County, estate records Estates, Banks, James A. - Banks, Thos. A.
   Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Elbert > Estates 1790-1900 Banks, James A.-Banks, Thos. A. > image 254 of 554; citing various county, district, and probate courts.
   FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GR6N-66V (accessed 1 December 2023)
   • 1846 hire the enslaved, loose probate papers
8. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
   Catalog: Annual returns (Elbert County, Georgia), 1835-1907 Vols. R-S 1842-1851
   Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Elbert > Returns 1842-1851 vol R-S > image 433 of 693; citing various county, district, and probate courts.
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L93G-F8PJ (accessed 28 November 2023)
9. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
   Catalog: Georgia, Elbert County, estate records Estates, Banks, James A. - Banks, Thos. A.
   Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Elbert > Estates 1790-1900 Banks, James A.-Banks, Thos. A. > image 209 of 554; citing various county, district, and probate courts.
   FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9R6N-8VV (accessed 30 November 2023)
   • loose probate papers 1847 1848
10. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
    Catalog: Georgia, Elbert County, estate records Estates, Banks, James A. - Banks, Thos. A.
    Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Elbert > Estates 1790-1900 Banks, James A.-Banks, Thos. A. > image 212 of 554; citing various county, district, and probate courts.
    FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9R6N-8KW (accessed 30 November 2023)
    • list of hired enslaved for 1847
11. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
    Catalog: Annual returns (Elbert County, Georgia), 1835-1907 Vols. R-S 1842-1851
    Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Elbert > Returns 1842-1851 vol R-S > image 502 of 693; citing various county, district, and probate courts.
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-893G-F8DK (accessed 28 November 2023)
12. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
    Catalog: Georgia, Elbert County, estate records Estates, Banks, James A. - Banks, Thos. A.
    Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Elbert > Estates 1790-1900 Banks, James A.-Banks, Thos. A. > image 214 of 554; citing various county, district, and probate courts.
    FamilySearch Image: 33S7-9R6N-853 (accessed 30 November 2023)
    • hire of the enslaved 1849, loose probate papers
13. ↑ Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990: "Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990"
    Catalog: Annual returns (Elbert County, Georgia), 1835-1907 Vols. R-S 1842-1851
    Image path: Georgia Probate Records, 1742-1990 > Elbert > Returns 1842-1851 vol R-S > image 304 of 693; citing various county, district, and probate courts.
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L93G-FCST (accessed 28 November 2023)