Chatham Co. NC Brights
Hi - I have tracked my family back to Rebecca Bright (aka Rebekkah), born in 1788 and living in Chatham County NC in the early 1800's.She is my great, great, great grandmother.She had a son named William.By the 1850 Census, she was the head of the household without a listed husband, so presumably he died (or they divorced?).I have made exhaustive efforts to figure out to whom she was married.He is the missing link; I think I will be able to track back through Virginia to England if I can just figure out who Rebecca's husband was.I have lots of info on the Brights living in Chatham County in the late 1700's and early 1800's, but I can't definitively link any of them to Rebecca.Can anyone help?IN 1850, Rebecca was the head of her household at 60 years of age (dob 1788?).Catherine Hurley (Herley), born about 1795, was living with Rebecca at the time of the 1850 census.Catherine had 2 slaves, a 10 year old girl and a 59 year old man.Catherine had (presumably) a daughter named Emily who was 36 years old in 1850. A 26 year old farm laborer (apparently white) named David Sloan was also living in the house in 1850.In 1840, Rebecca was the head of household.One free white male b/w 5 - 9 years old.1 free while male 20- 29 years old.One free white female 50 - 59 (presumably Rebecca).1 Male slave 10 - 23 years old.1 white person over 20 who could not read or write.Total of 3 free white people and 1 slave.I only include the sad chapter of slavery as perhaps a clue to someone with more experience at this than I - why would an apparently single woman be the head of household and how would she own slaves and run the household in the early 1800's?I love a mystery.But with an answer.Can anyone help?!!!
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Re: Chatham Co. NC Brights
Bonnie Johannes 8/22/12