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Stagville Plantation, Orange County, North Carolina

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Location: Orange, North Carolina, United Statesmap
Surnames/tags: Bennehan-Cameron Slavery Black_Heritage
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Plantations Index

The Bennehan-Cameron Plantations

Contents

Biography

Stagville, the most well known of the Bennehan-Cameron properties, was located three miles northeast from Snow Hill, on the west side of the Flat River, in Orange Co, NC. It was purchased from Judith Stag in 1787 by Richard Bennehan[1][2] Richard and his wife moved to the property upon purchase and built a modest plantation.[3] Stagville was later owned by Richard's son, Thomas Bennehan. Thomas willed Stagville to his nephew, Paul C. Cameron at his death in 1847.[4]

There are no lists that record the names of all the enslaved at "Stagville" in the very early years. Stagville became the largest and the center of all the Bennehan-Cameron plantations and was the Home Plantation for Richard Bennehan. By 1825 Richard Bennehan was deceased and Thomas D. Bennehan took over his father's plantations, running them from Stagville.

The following slaves are described on the True Inclusion website for Stagville Plantation.
  • Agnes Walker, often shortened to Aggy, was one of the first enslaved children born on the Bennehan plantation in 1781. (However it was most likely at the Brick House Plantation as Stagville wasn't purchased until 1787)
  • A 1784 advert for a runaway slave named Scrub, owned by Richard Bennehan. He was never captured.[5]
  • Dempsey Henderson, listed as one of the 1845 house servants on the Fish Dam Plantation, and Emma Henderson[6], Morgan Latta and Luke Cameron all lived and or worked at Stagville.

Owners

Richard Bennehan 1743-1825 was a merchant and planter. He was born in Virginia, came from Virginia in 1768 to work with William Johnston at his store on the Snow Hill Plantation[7][8], and lived his adult life in Orange Co, NC.

Thomas D. Bennehan 1782-1847 was born in Orange Co, NC and there he spent his life. Thomas never married and when he died he gave the bulk of his properties to his nephew, Paul C. Cameron.

Duncan Cameron 1777-1853 was a planter. He spent his adult life in North Carolina where he raised his family. He was the son-in-law of Richard Bennehan, and shared plantations and expenses with the Bennehan family until brother-in-law, Thomas D. Bennehan, died. After that Duncan's plantation partner was his son, Paul C. Cameron.

Paul C. Cameron 1808-1891, raised on Fairntosh plantation, received Stagville and other plantations from his uncle Thomas D. Bennehan when he died in 1847. Paul continued expanding the plantations and planted new ones in Alabama and Mississippi.

Slaves

Please note, names and ages of the enslaved are fluid. The last names of most of these enslaved are unknown to me as I recorded them. At WikiTree we record with the owners last name unless otherwise known. If you have a correction for a last name please let us know.

In 1818 these 2 slaves belonging to Thomas D. Bennehan were valuated[9]

In 1829 Thomas D. Bennehan purchased from the estate of John Umstead the following enslaved persons:[10][11]

In 1833 Thomas D. Bennehan received the following slaves from Elizabeth Laws from her will and estate.[12][13]

In 1835 Thomas D. Bennehan purchased from James Ray the following enslaved persons:[14]

1847 These enslaved persons were listed in the will of Thomas D. Bennehan.[15] These first 4 were called faithful servants by Thomas, and he charged his nephew Paul C. Cameron to emancipate them to a free state, or send them to live in Africa.

These went to Thomas' niece, Margaret Cameron:

To (niece) Mildred C. Cameron:

To Duncan Cameron, the following are to be placed in as comfortable condition as is in his power:

also the slaves given to Thomas by Dr. John Umstead

The other enslaved persons were to be divided between nephew, Paul C. Cameron, his niece, Margaret D. Cameron, and niece, Mildred C. Cameron.

1847 Thomas Bennehan probate Inventory of 138 enslaved at Stagville.[17]

After Thomas Bennehan died in 1847 nephew, Paul C. Cameron took over Stagville. Cameron, in several lists, names the enslaved at his "Home", this would be Stagville. The following enslaved are from those lists:[18]

1845 P.C.Cameron House Servants[18]

1865 the House list, Women[18]

Children

Census

We know about Stagville's enslaved by the census records which record the numbers. In 1800 Richard Bennehan is listed in Orange Co, NC.[19] on his plantation in Orange Co, NC he has

  • 1 free person of color
  • 81 slaves

In 1810 Richard Bennehan is recorded on the census.[20] He has

  • 83 slaves

1830 The slaves enumerated under Thomas D. Bennehan in Orange Co, NC[21]

  • 25 males under age 10
  • 25 males ages 10-24
  • 18 males ages 24-36
  • 9 males ages 36-55
  • 6 males ages 55-100
  • 30 females under age 10
  • 13 females ages 10-24
  • 12 females ages 24-36
  • 8 females ages 36-55
  • 4 females ages 55-100

1840 Census Orange Co, NC. Some of these enslaved listed here are on the other plantations belonging to Thomas D. Bennehan.[22]

  • 29 male slaves under age 10
  • 29 male slaves ages 10-24
  • 16 male slaves ages 24-36
  • 9 male slaves ages 36-55
  • 10 male slaves ages 55-100
  • 39 female slaves under age 10
  • 25 female slaves ages 10-24
  • 19 female slaves ages 24-36
  • 8 female slaves ages 36-55
  • 17 female slaves ages 55-100
  • 90 slaves in agriculture
  • 8 slaves in manufacturing

1860 Slave Schedule

Not all of those enumerated below were at Stagville, however all of them were enumerated under Paul C. Cameron. On the same Slave Schedule his sister, Mildred is listed after, and Thomas after her. One of the enslaved living at Stagville in 1860 was Abner Jordan, who much later gave a narrative of his life to the WPA. He talks about growing up on Stagville Plantation. His name is listed below next to those who were 5 years old at the time. Also, notable Morgan Latta, born and raised on Stagville is noted on this schedule.

Slave Owner NameNumber of enslavedAgeBirth DateGenderRaceWiki Profile
Paul C Cameron811859MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron821858MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron331857MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron641856MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1251855MaleBlackAbner Jordan
Paul C Cameron361854MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron871853MaleBlackMorgan Latta
Paul C Cameron381852MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron991851MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron7101850MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron5111849MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron6121848MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1131847MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron5141846MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron4151845MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron5161844MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2171843MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron3181842MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2191841MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2201840MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1211839MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron5221838MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron4231837MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron4241836MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2251835MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2261834MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1271833MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2291831MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron5301830MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1311829MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2321828MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron4341826MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron4351825MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2391821MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron5401820MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2411819MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1421818MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1461815MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1471813MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1481812MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1491811MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron5501810MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1511809MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1541806MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1561804MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron5581802MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1641796MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1651795MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron3701790MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1751785MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2801780MaleBlack
Paul C Cameron511859FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron621858FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron431857FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron841856FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron751855FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron861854FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1471853FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron481852FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron691851FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron6101850FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2101850FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron6121848FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron11131847FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron8141846FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron5151845FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron6161844FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron5171843FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron5181842FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1171843FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron4201840FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2221838FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1241836FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2251835FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron4261834FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1271833FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron3281832FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1291831FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron6301830FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron4321828FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2331827FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2341826FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2351825FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1371823FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2381822FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1391821FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron7401820FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron3441816FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1451815FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron1451815FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2501810FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2521808FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2551805FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2601800FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2651795FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2661794FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron2681792FemaleBlack
Paul C Cameron3701790FemaleBlackX
Total358

Please see the Bennehan-Cameron Plantations Page for more information.

Sources

  1. ↑ Deeds (original) 1755-1961; index 1755-1962:"Deeds (original) 1755-1961; index 1755-1962"
    Catalog: Deeds (original) 1755-1961; index 1755-1962 Deeds v. 3-4 1768-1793
    Film number: 007545822 > image 33 of 705
    FamilySearch Image (accessed 15 February 2022)*1787 deed for Stagville
  2. ↑ Cameron Family Papers https://finding-aids.lib.unc.edu/00133/#folder_2207#1
    • Subseries 6.4.1. Johnston-Bennehan Daybooks, 1773-1785 Southern Historical Collection, Louis Round Wilson Special Collections Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  3. ↑ NCPedia http://ncpedia.org/biography/bennehan-richard
  4. ↑ http://www.ncgenweb.us/ncstate/plantations/stagville_durham.htm
  5. ↑ Scrub a Bennehan Runaway https://www.newspapers.com/clip/59523631/ The North-Carolina Gazette New Bern, North Carolina, 29 Jul 1784, Thu, Page 6
  6. ↑ "1870 United States Federal Census"
    Year: 1870; Census Place: Durham, Orange, North Carolina; Roll: M593_1153; Page: 203A
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7163 #20030044 (accessed 18 February 2022)
    Dempsey Henderson (45), Cook, in Durham, Orange, North Carolina. Born in North Carolina.
  7. ↑ https://www.opendurham.org/buildings/stagville
  8. ↑ https://www.opendurham.org/buildings/snow-hill-plantation-farm/
  9. ↑ Cameron Family Papers https://finding-aids.lib.unc.edu/00133/#folder_2201#1 image 3 Southern Historical Collection, Louis Round Wilson Special Collections Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  10. ↑ Deeds (original) 1755-1961; index 1755-1962:"Deeds (original) 1755-1961; index 1755-1962"
    Catalog: Deeds (original) 1755-1961; index 1755-1962 Deeds v. 23-24 1827-1832
    Film number: 007545832 > image 288 of 548
    FamilySearch Image (accessed 16 February 2022)*25 May 1829 Orange Co, NC, Deed Bk 23 p.558
  11. ↑ North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979:"North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979"
    Catalog: Wills, 1663-1978, estate papers, 1754-1944 (Orange County) Estate records 1754-1944 Turner, Josiah (folder 2) - Vincent, Thomas
    Image path: North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979 > Orange County > U > Umstead, John, Dr. (1829) > image 27 of 32
    FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L9CD-1T43 (accessed 11 April 2022)
  12. ↑ North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970:"North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970"
    Catalog: Cross index to wills, 1756-1962; wills, 1752-1952 Vols. E-F 1822-1851
    Image path: North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970 > Orange > Wills, 1822-1838, Vol. E > image 157 of 525<br/ FamilySearch Image (accessed 16 February 2022)*1828 will of Elizabeth Laws
  13. ↑ Deeds (original) 1755-1961; index 1755-1962:"Deeds (original) 1755-1961; index 1755-1962"
    Catalog: Deeds (original) 1755-1961; index 1755 1962 Deeds v. 25-26 1831-1836
    Film number: 007545833 > image 361 of 488
    FamilySearch Image (accessed 16 February 2022)*1834 deed for said slaves
  14. ↑ Deeds (original) 1755-1961; index 1755-1962:"Deeds (original) 1755-1961; index 1755-1962"
    Catalog: Deeds (original) 1755-1961; index 1755-1962 Deeds v. 27-28 1836-1840
    Film number: 007545834 > image 92 of 583
    FamilySearch Image (accessed 16 February 2022)*28 Dec 1835, Orange Co, NC, deed purchase of slaves
  15. ↑ North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970:"North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970"
    Catalog: Cross index to wills, 1756-1962; wills, 1752-1952 Vols. E-F 1822-1851
    Image path: North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970 > Orange > Wills, 1838-1851, Vol. F > image 461 of 525
    FamilySearch Image (accessed 16 February 2022)
  16. ↑ North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970: "North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970"
    Catalog: Cross index to wills, 1756-1962; wills, 1752-1952 Vols. E-F 1822-1851
    Image path: North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970 > Orange > Wills, 1822-1838, Vol. E > image 97 of 525
    FamilySearch Image (accessed 16 February 2022)
    • 1828 will of Dr. John Umstead
  17. ↑ Cameron Family Papers https://finding-aids.lib.unc.edu/00133/ Estate Papers, Folder 2153-2156 Southern Historical Collection, Louis Round Wilson Special Collections Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Thomas Bennehan, folder 2154 image 8 starts Stagville list
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 Cameron Family Papers https://finding-aids.lib.unc.edu/00133/ Southern Historical Collection, Louis Round Wilson Special Collections Library, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
    • Biography
    • Folder 3662 Volume 124: October 1845
    • Folder 3668 Volume 130: circa 1865
  19. ↑ ancestry.com, https://fam...:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D493-5JP: "ancestry.com, https://fam...:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D493-5JP"
    Image path: ancestry.com, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S3HT-D493-5JP > image 192 of 367
    FamilySearch Image (accessed 16 February 2022)
    • 1800, p.545 in Orange Co, NC.
  20. ↑ United States Census, 1810: "United States Census, 1810"
    Image path: United States Census, 1810 > North Carolina > Orange > Hillsborough > image 308 of 509; Citing NARA microfilm publication M252, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
    FamilySearch Image (accessed 16 February 2022) 1810 Census, Orange Co NC, p.158
  21. ↑ United States Census, 1830: "United States Census, 1830"
    Image path: United States Census, 1830 > North Carolina > Orange > Not Stated > image 15 of 106; Citing NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
    FamilySearch Image (accessed 11 February 2022)
    • 1830 Census Orange Co, NC
  22. ↑ United States Census, 1840: "United States Census, 1840"
    Image path: United States Census, 1840 > North Carolina > Orange > Southern Division > image 10 of 116; Citing NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).
    FamilySearch Image (accessed 11 February 2022)
    • 1840 Census, Orange Co, NC
  • 1860 Census: "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Slave Schedules"
    The National Archives in Washington DC; Washington DC, USA; Eighth Census of the United States 1860; Series Number: M653; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7668 #92116784 (accessed 23 May 2022)
    Paul C Cameron in Hillsborough, Orange, North Carolina, USA. (Correct number is 358 slaves, not 98. See above table)
  • Historic Stagville: https://historicsites.nc.gov/trueinclusion-historic-stagville




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    Pocock-248 Gina (Pocock) Jarvi
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    Categories: Stagville Plantation, Orange County, North Carolina | Orange County, North Carolina, Slave Owners | Orange County, North Carolina, Slaves