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Thoughts on the Wakefields and Haskinses

  • Joseph was born into slavery in 1837, most likely in the household of Creed Haskins (1773-1851), son of Robert Haskins (1732-1804)
  • James was born into slavery in 1839, also most likely in the household of Creed Haskins.
Whether or not they were genetically brothers is pretty irrelevant, as if they grew up as slaves in the same household, they probably considered themselves brothers.
  • Silvy (1795-after 1870) - Could have been born into slavery in either Creed Haskins or Robert Haskins households. (Or elsewhere)
Whether or not she was genetically related to Joseph or James, she was likely a maternal figure for both of them.
  • In 1851, when Creed Haskins died, Joseph (age 14) became the property of Creed's daughter, Judith Wakefield. It is possible at that time James (age 12) became the property of Creed's son, Robert (1813-1872) - or a different Haskins family. Silvy (age 56) also likely became the property of another Haskins. Silvy and James may have remained in the same household.
  • Joseph and James both joined the U.S. Colored Infantry, and enlisted with the surnames of their respective slaveowners.
  • In the 1870 census, Silvy, Joseph, and James are reunited as a family. Joseph and James both have a partner, and a child.
At first I was hesitant to record Silvy and James as mother and brother to Joseph in my genealogy database. But Ancestry's online tree software doesn't provide an option for "Associated Persons" and I want to track James Haskins' descendants. And it's a private tree, so there is no risk of spreading inaccurate information. So it makes sense to enter their profiles, and make it clear in the notes that there is no evidence for genetic or legal relationship, yet. (However, my child does have a handful of DNA matches who have the Haskins surname in their tree, so I will be contacting them to see what we can figure out.)

Also, as I note above, genetics and legalities aren’t all that matter. In 1851 I’m pretty sure a family was broken up, because the members of the family were considered property.
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