Jenny (Spencer) Baton (abt. 1750 - abt. 1831)

Born about 1750 in Virginia [uncertain]

Died about 1831 at about age 81 in Virginia, United States

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Biography

Jenny (Spencer) Baton is a part of US Black heritage.

Jenny, called "Great Jenny," was a slave held by Peyton Skipwith, 7th Baronet Skipwith of Prestwould. When his daughter, Lelia (Skipwith) Tucker was going with her "husband, George Carter Esq., to Corrotoman[sic] [from Middlesex County to Lancaster County in 1784] she took with her, with the approbation of her father, as her servant maid, a negro girl named Jenny, who ever after remained at Corrotoman until her death, which happened after the year 1827"(names supplied). Jenny remained with Lelia, but was the legal property of Lelia's father until his death, at which time he willed Jenny and some other slaves (see research notes) to his daughter. In his will, he states Jenny's mother's name is Letty.

Research Notes

Extensive work has been done on this family, with a particular emphasis on the enslaved workers, by Patrick Heffernan, a volunteer researcher. His work is (as of 1 June 2021) is available at: https://christchurch1735.knack.com/corotomanslaves#home2/

Heffernan sources provide above quote about Jenny joining Lelia's household in 1784. Likely from petition (see sources, below).

Quote from will: "I give to my daughter Lillias [sic], the wife of Saint George Tucker Esquire, the following negro slaves, all of which are now in her possession, to wit, Myrtilla daughter of her former maid Belinda - Joe son of Carpenter Joe, and Jenny daughter of Letty, together with all their children and future increase to her and her heirs forever"

Note regarding spelling of Lelia's name. Her father consistently spelled her given name with an "i" rather than an "e": Lilia.

Sources

• Petition to Court to Divide Descendants of Slave Great Jenny - Lelia Tucker, 9 May 1835, Nelson County Courthouse
• Will of Sir Peyton Skipwith, 5 August 1805, Mecklenburg County Court, record date 9 December 1805, Libraries - William & Mary - Special Collections, Mss. 65, Skipwith Family Papers, Sk 3, Box 25, Folder 4