James H. Rentfrow, as administrator, handled the estate of James Rentfrow, who died in 1856 in Springhill township, Wilson County. J.H. Rentfrow filed an undated inventory that listed James Rentfrow’s assets as three tracts of land totaling 544 acres and 11 enslaved people — Abram, 50, Sara, 43, Harry, 27, Rose, 24, Dennis, 22, Lunnon, 19, Exum, 14, Haywood, 10, Albert, 7, Doctor, 2, and Isaac, 2.
On 5 November 1857, J.H. Rentfrow negotiated short-term hires for James Rentfrow’s enslaved people. The account, though somewhat vague, identifies some family groups. Rentfrow’s son-in-law Benjamin Parker paid $48 for “1 woman & 4 children.” The woman was Sarah, and the children, identifiable as Haywood, Exum, Albert, and Isaac, were likely her own. Renfrow’s son Hinnant Rentfrow leased “1 woman & 1 child,” otherwise identified as Rose and her son Dock.
On 1 March 1858, J.H. Rentfrow rehired the group, again mostly to Rentfrow’s adult sons and sons-in-law. Harry, Dennis, and Lunnon, as strong young men, commanded the highest least rates — between $81 and $86/year. Abraham, having endured back-breaking labor for four decades, went to Rentfrow’s son Mabry Rentfrow for $35. Rose and Sarah, each with a young child, went for $25, and boys Haywood and Albert, not quite ready to do a man’s work, were picked up for $10.
James and Lutory Renfrow had at least 11 children, and his estate remained open for several years for the benefit of his minor heirs. This receipt shows John T. Renfrow promising to pay $125 for the hire of an unnamed enslaved person, probably a man, in January 1861.
Though Rentfrow’s estate file shows accounts for two property sales, neither show the sale of enslaved people. Presumably, they were leased each year until Emancipation suddenly severed the Rentfrow family’s control.
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I have had limited success tracing forward the people enslaved by James Rentfrow:
- Harry Renfrow
In the 1870 mortality schedule of Wilson township, Wilson County: Harry Renfrow, 46, farm laborer, died in October 1869. He had lived in household #73, which was headed by Sarah Renfrow, see below. [Note: a second Harry Renfrow, about the same age, left Wilson County to join the United States Colored Troops. I believe they are different men.]
- Sarah Renfrow
Sarah Renfrow was the mother of Isaac and Albert Renfrow, likely Haywood and Exum, and possibly Rose Renfrow.
In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Sarah Renfrow, 45, with Isaac, 14, Rosa, 30, and Dennis Renfrow, 4, and Lewis Kelly, 23.
In the 1880 census of Town of Wilson, Wilson County: Sarah Renfrow, 45; Albert, 28; and Isaac, 23.
- Rose Renfrow
Rose Renfrow was the mother of Doctor and, likely, Dennis Renfrow, and may have been married to Dennis Renfrow.
In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Sarah Renfrow, 45, with Isaac, 14, Rosa, 30, and Dennis Renfrow, 4, and Lewis Kelly, 23. [This Dennis was born after Emancipation, was likely Rosa’s child, and was almost certainly named after the elder Dennis, who may have been his father.]
- Isaac Renfrow
In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Sarah Renfrow, 45, with Isaac, 14, Rosa, 30, and Dennis Renfrow, 4, and Lewis Kelly, 23. [Note: also in the 1870 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: Penelope Renfrow, 29, farm laborer, and sons Jacob, 16, Esaw, 13, and Isaac, 10, all farm laborers. (This appears to be the family of soldier Harry Renfrow.)]
In the 1880 census of Town of Wilson, Wilson County: Sarah Renfrow, 45; Albert, 28; and Isaac, 23.
On 30 December 1880, Isaac Rentfrow, 23, of Wilson County, son of Sarah Rentfrow, married Bettie Hix, 20, of Wilson, at the bride’s residence in Wilson County. Baptist minister E.H. Ward performed the ceremony in the presence of Eliza Boyette, Alfred Boyette, and Eliza Tyson.
- Albert Renfrow
In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Sarah Renfrow, 45, with Isaac, 14, Rosa, 30, and Dennis Renfrow, 4, and Lewis Kelly, 23.
In the 1880 census of Town of Wilson, Wilson County: Sarah Renfrow, 45; Albert, 28; and Isaac, 23.