Welcome to the Finding Bill Project
This project is dedicated to Bill.
The Finding Bill Project comes out of the need to learn about Bill, enslaved by a man named Robert Henry, who lived most of his adult life in North East Tennessee. While doing research a number of years ago Robert's will was found. In it he mentioned a person he enslaved named Bill. The will lists Bill in three different places. First, Robert writes, “I also give to my said wife all my personal property except my servant Bill, during her life...”. Later it states, “It is also my Will that my negro Slave William or Bill be set free by my Executor, should he remain dutiful and faithful at the end of twelve years from the date of this will__”. Finally, Robert writes, “It is also my Will that the lands bequeathed to my sons by this will exclusive of the widow’s dowery together with my servant Bill remain in the possession of my family home and be used to their benefit...”. This started the quest to know about Bill’s life after Robert Henry died, with the hope that he had the opportunity to lead a life of freedom.
Moore, Henry P.-Hopkinson's Plantation. [April 8] Photograph https://www.loc.gov/collections/
What You Can Find Here
Join Our Journey-Finding Bill
Enslaved People Revealed in Records
Join Our Journey-Finding Bill
Join our quest to know about Bill’s life through enslaved ancestor research at the Finding Bill blog. His enslaver, Robert Henry, instructed in his will that Bill be freed 12 years after the writing of the will. Was he able to live a life of freedom?
Genealogy Tips
Enslaved People Revealed in Records
Join Our Journey-Finding Bill
It is not easy as a genealogist to break through the "brick wall" of 1870 when locating ancestors of African descent. We will give you some general genealogy research tips, as well as some that are more specific to doing enslaved ancestor research. Coming soon...
Enslaved People Revealed in Records
Enslaved People Revealed in Records
Enslaved People Revealed in Records
In our genealogy research, we often come across other enslaved people within (often unindexed) records. Part of our mission is to share those names and records here. Maybe one of these will be your family. Coming soon...
Resources
Enslaved People Revealed in Records
Enslaved People Revealed in Records
Check back often to see what resources we feature for locating doing genealogy research for locating ancestors of African descent prior to 1865. Coming soon...
Above photo- Unidentified African American soldier in Union uniform with wife and two daughters. [Between 1863 and 1865] Photograph. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/collections/