Only the BeginningThis is only the beginning of information about people who were enslaved along the Old Trace. We are busy combing through records and digitizing information to be shared. Please let us know if you have any suggestions, please e-mail us.There was no one experience common to all enslaved people. Their experience ranged from serving American elite in Paris to being victims of daily torture. The common experience was that all but a few had no choice. This page focuses on some of the individuals we know lived along the Old Trace. 
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/ Transcription of advertisement in Woodville Republican newspaper.Notice: Was committed to the jail of Pike County by Peter Quin, Est., on the 27th of October, 1832, a Negro boy who calls his name William, and says he belongs to Jacob Robertson, living in Adams county. Said boy is about 21 or 22 years of age, five feet six inches high, of yellow complexion, and very much marked by the whip--had on when committed blue jeans pantaloons, white jeans roundabout, and an old hat. The owner of said Negro is requested to come forward, prove property, pay charges and take him out of Jail, or he will be dealt with as the law directs. Thomas Norman, Sheriff November 7, 1832 (Adams County is the location of the southern terminus of the Natchez Trace Parkway.) 
In 1863, the Martin brothers went to war. Anthony and Paris, were enslaved by the Chamberlain family at Mount Locust. They escaped and enlisted in the 50th United States Colored Troop of the United States Army on July 20th in Natchez, MS. Both survived their wartime service and came back home to Jefferson County, MS, after the war. Both brothers show up on census records into the 20th century. Anthony’s final resting place is unknown. His age at death is not consistent with the birth year listed on his enlistment card. Paris Martin was one of over 100 enslaved persons held in bondage by the Chamberlain family at the Mount Locust Plantation. During the Civil War, Martin escaped from slavery and joined the 50th United States Colored Troops (USCT) in Natchez, MS, in July 1863. He survived the war and was discharged from the United States Army in 1866. He returned to live in Jefferson County, Mississippi, near Mount Locust until he died in February 1917. He was buried at a local church cemetery. Many formerly-enslaved persons from the surrounding area, including several from the Mount Locust Plantation, joined that church congregation and were active in its community. 
Enslaved by William Blount Steward in Jefferson County. Daniel ran away and enlisted in the USCT. His son Joe served as a manservant to an unknown Federal regiment. They both lived in Jefferson County after the war before moving to Arkansas. Most of this information is from a WPA interview Joe Timms gave in the 1940s, and has been corroborated by other records. Both Daniel and his second wife Frances (Joe’s step mother) drew a pension after the war for his service in the 64th USCT (7th LA). There are several other Blount Steward's enslaved men who enlisted in the 58th USCT, the same regiment as Charles Chamberlain. Decription on enlistment card: Age 39 Height 5' 9" Complexion: Yellow Eyes:Black Hair: Black Enlistment: November 28, 1862 By whom Capt M. Dar? Remarks: Promotion to be Coroal July 1, '64. Promoted to Sergeant March 28/65 Enlisted: Nov 28, 1863 Read a WPA, (1936-1938) Interview of Joseph Timms Enslaved People at Mount LocustThe listing below is from Mount Locust. We will provide more information as it becomes available in digital form. There may be other group information that we learn about as we research. Note: Bob^ and Peter^ were purchased in 1806 by James Chamberlain from James Boyer of Kentucky as part of a family of 10 slaves purchased for $3000 . Bob was 12 at that time and Peter was six years. Note: Several spelling variations occur in the documents, as well as age estimates. Source: Travel, Trade, and Travail: Slavery on the Old Natchez Trace. Obernuefemann, Kelly and Thomas, Lynnell, Natchez Trace Parkway..Eastern National. 2001. ISBN 1-888213-79-5
David Hunt Enslaved Many PeopleDavid Hunt moved to Mississippi to help out his uncle, Abijah Hunt. The Hunts were from New Jersey. Abijah Hunt was a contractor of postal riders and the first Natchez Trace postmaster in Mississippi. David Hunt owned several plantations in Mississippi, most in Adams and Jefferson counties, which the Natchez Trace transects. Some of his plantations were Black Creek, Buena Vista, Fatlands, Homewood, Lansdowne, Wilderness, and Woodlawn. There were 375 enslaved people on the schedule in August of 1850.
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Last updated: March 22, 2023