Edward H. Nabb Research Center for Delmarva History & Culture Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva's Black History

Record Detail

Record #36 from Free Black Families of Colonial Delmarva (abstracted by Paul Heinegg)

State Maryland
County (Primary) Dorchester
Other Counties Caroline, Sussex, Kent
Family Name Friend
Family History Notes Members of the Friend family were 1 i. Job, born say 1750. 2 ii. John, born say 1765. iii. Isaac, "negro" head of a Caroline County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [MD:197]. He was called a "negro" in the 7 February 1814 deed by which he purchased 130 perches of land in Caroline County near Brown's Saw Mill on 7 February 1814, 8-1/2 acres called Alcock's Fancy on the northeast side of Robins Saw Mill Branch and 6-1/2 acres called Holb's Folly on 1 August 1817 [DB L:166-7; M-6, 7].. iv. Pattey, born say 1780, mother of Charles Friend who obtained a certificate of freedom in Dorchester County on 16 November 1827: of a chesnut colour, was born free, raised in Dorchester County and is the son of Pattey Friend who was also born free, aged about 24 years [Certificates of Freedom for Negroes 1806-64, 57]. 1. Job Friend, born say 1750, married Patience Jackson, "Melattoes" in Sussex County, Delaware, on 8 June 1772 [Records of the United Presbyterian Churches of Lewes, Indian River and Cool Spring, Delaware 1756-1855, 284]. They were the parents of i. Jackson, born 19 September 177_, "mulatto" son of Job and Patience Friend, baptized at St. George's Protestant Episcopal Church, Indian River [Wright, Vital Records of Kent and Sussex Counties, 101]. He was head of a Mispillion, Kent County household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [DE:92], 3 in 1810 [DE:46], and a Dover household of 2 "free colored" in 1820 [DE:32]. 2. John Friend, born say 1765, was head of a Caroline County household of 4 "other free" in 1790. He may have been the father of i. Henry, born 4 April 1781, a free born "coloured man" who obtained a certificate of freedom in Caroline County on 29 April 1826 [Certificates of Freedom 1806-27, 192]. He purchased 33 acres in Caroline County on the road from Hunting Creek Mill to Fowling Creek Mill, called Harris's Hazard and Edmondson's Desire, for $218 on 27 February 1821. On 3 January 1833 John Friend "(negro)" sold this land which descended to him by the death of Henry Friend, for $50 [DB N:216-7; R:333-4].
Additional Notes

If you are citing this record, please use the following format:

[Author (if known)], Free Black Families of Colonial Delmarva (abstracted by Paul Heinegg), [Date (if known)], Enduring Connections: Exploring Delmarva’s Black History, Nabb Research Center, Salisbury University.

Pinned records can be viewed at any time by clicking the More menu in the top right corner of the page, then selecting My Pinned Records.