Daniel

The last will and testament of Zilpha Daniel (1862).

In her 20 May 1862 will, Zilpha Daniel bequeathed her son-in-law George A. Wooley an enslaved man named Prince. The remainder of the group of people she enslaved were to go to her four living children jointly.

In the 1860 slave schedule, Daniel had reported to the enumerator that she enslaved 14 people — men and boys aged 2 months to 39 years and women and girls aged 1 year to 39 years — who lived in four houses.

1860 slave schedule, Wilson County, North Carolina.

Daniel died shortly after executing her will. An inventory of her property, conducted 5 August 1862, names the 14 people she enslaved — Prince, Hannah, Pheby, Dennis, Telitha, Lucy, Fanny, Charles, Malissa, Rosa, Caroline, Frank, Jerome, and Jesse.

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  • Prince Daniel

Prince Daniel was probably the 39 year-old black man listed in the 1860 slave schedule. His wife and children were enslaved on another farm.

On 31 August 1866, Prince Daniel and Absely Simms registered their 16-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farm laborer Prince Daniel, 55; wife Absley, 40; and son (grandson?) Isaac, 13.

In the 1880 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Prince Daniel, 67, and wife Absley, 44. (Next door: farm laborer Isaac Daniel, 23; wife Zilla, 24; and daughters Virginia, 5, Ella Jane, 3, and Mobelia, 3 months.)

  • Hannah Daniel Simms

Hannah Daniel Simms was probably the 39 year-old black woman listed in the 1860 slave schedule. Her husband was enslaved on another farm, but her children belonged to Zilpha Daniel.

On 24 July 1866, Hanner Daniel and Harry Simms registered their 27-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Harry Simms, 64; wife Hannah, 50; children Emily, 19, Caroline, 15, Frank, 13, and Jesse, 8; and Junah Acock, 2.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Harry Simms, 70; wife Hannah, 65; children Lissa, 28, Rose, 26, Jesse, 19, Mille, 18, and Henry, 9; and grandchildren Andrew, 7, Ira, 4, and Louvinia, 1.

On 29 April 1889, Johnnie Woodard, 21, son of Mintos and Sarah Ward, married Rose Ward, 34, daughter of Harry and Hannah Simms, in Wilson County.

On 25 February 1893, Rosana Simms, 30 [sic], daughter of Harry and Hannah Simms, married George Lee, 40, son of Eli and Jane Lee, in Wilson County.

Rosanna Lee died 21 March 1917 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 58 years old; was born in Wilson County to Harry Simms and Harry Best; was married; and was buried in Wilson County. Lola Woodard was informant.

Malissie Bunch died 16 August 1923 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 66 years old; was born in Wilson County to Harry and Hannah Simms; was the widow of Ned Bunch; lived at 409 Banks; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Lucy Williams was informant.

  • Phoebe Daniel Bass

In 1866, Phoebe Daniel and Simon Bass registered their ten-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

  • Dennis Daniel

Dennis Daniel was probably the 16 year-old black boy listed in the 1860 slave schedule. He was the son of Hannah and her husband Harry Simms.

On 24 July 1869, Dennis Daniel, son of Harry and Hannah Simms, married Zilphia Aycock, daughter of Washington Woodard and Chaney Peacock, in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farm laborer Dennis Daniel, 27; wife Zilphia, 18; and daughter Ella, 1.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: common laborer Denis Daniel, 37; wife Zilpha, 28; and daughters Ella, 9, Viny, 7, and Minnie, 2.

  • Lucy Simms Woodard

Lucy Simms Woodard was probably the 19 year-old black woman listed in the 1860 slave schedule. She was the daughter of Hannah and her husband Harry Simms.

Lucy Woodard died 29 June 1934 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, he was 94 years old; was born Wilson County to Harry Simms and Hannah Simms; lived at 1202 East Washington; was the widow of Rufus Woodard; and was buried in Wilson [likely Vick Cemetery.] Annie Howell of Wilson was informant.

  • Fanny Daniel Woodard

Fannie Daniel Woodard was probably the 18 year-old black woman listed in the 1860 slave schedule.

In 1866, Jack Woodard and Fany Daniel registered their two-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Jack Woodard, 35; wife Fannie, 32; and children John, 12, Julia, 7, Cynthia, 6, Albert, 5, and Aaron, 2.

On 6 January 1890, John Woodard, 21, son of Jack and Fannie Woodard, married Edmonia Brooks, 19, daughter of Gray and Darkis Brooks, in Wilson County.

On 12 February 1890, Dock Evans, 23, son of Burket and Julia Evans, married Deora Woodard, 19, daughter of Jack and Fannie Woodard, in Wilson County.

On 8 March 1906, Gus Woodard, 23, son of Jack and Fannie Woodard, married Lizzie Brooks, 18, daughter of David and Ret Brooks, in Black Creek, N.C.

Diarie Batts died 29 July 1924 in Black Creek township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was about 52 years old; was married to John Batts; was born in Wilson County to Jack Woodard and Fannie Simms; and worked as a tenant farmer for P.L. Woodard.

Augustus Woodard Sr. died 13 August 1951 in Black Creek township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 March 1883 in Black Creek, N.C., in Jack Woodard and Fannie [no maiden name]; was a widow; was a tenant farmer; and was buried in Black Creek. Daisy Adams was informant.

Steve Lee Woodard died 26 October 1966 in Chapel Hill, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 24 February 1884 in Wilson to Jack Woodard and Fanny Woodard; lived in Sharpsburg, Edgecombe County, N.C.; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery, Wilson.

Harriett Dawson died 25 September 1967 in at her home at 311 Freeman Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 30 August 1893 in Wilson County in Jack Woodard and Fannie Simms; was married to Vanderbilt Dawson; worked in a tobacco factory; and was buried in the Masonic Cemetery. Easter Dawson was informant.

  • Charles Simms

Charles Simms was probably the 12 year-old black boy listed in the 1860 slave schedule. He was probably the son of Hannah and her husband Harry Simms.

On 16 August 1869, Charley Simms, son of Harry and Hannah Simms, married Liza Hall, daughter of Charley Hall, in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Charles Simms, 21; wife Clara, 20; and daughter Margaret, 2 months (next door to Harry and Hannah Simms, above.)

In the 1880 census of Town of Wilson, Wilson township, Wilson County: grocery store [keeper] Charles Simms, 30; wife Clara, 27; and children Margarett, 10, and Franklin, 7.

  • Malissa Simms Bunch

Malissa Simms Bunch was the daughter of Hannah and her husband Harry Simms.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Harry Simms, 70; wife Hannah, 65; children Lissa, 28, Rose, 26, Jesse, 19, Mille, 18, and Henry, 9; and grandchildren Andrew, 7, Ira, 4, and Louvinia, 1.

On 13 December 1883, Ed Bunch married Lissie Simms in Wayne County, North Carolina.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: teamster Ned Bunch, 50, wife Lissa, 50, and children Mary, 16, Martha, 12, Orra, 11, Nellie, 9, Mattie, 7, and Lucy, 5.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Spring Street, odd jobs laborer Ned Bunch, 55; wife Mary [sic], 55; and children Martha, 23, Ora, 21, Willie, 19, Mattie, 15, and Lucy, 13, all factory laborers.

Ned Bunch died 19 March 1916 in Wilson of lobar pneumonia, age 65. His death certificate reports that he was born in Wilson County, and his father was James Bunch. Malissa Bunch was the informant.

Martha Robbins died 12 October 1918 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born in 1887 in Wilson County to Ned Bunch and Malissa Simms; was married to Jas. D. Robbins; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.]

Mary Newton died 9 March 1919 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born April 1885 in Wilson to Ned Bunch and Malissy Simms; was married to Robert Newton; was a tenant farmer for L.O. Blackman; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.]

Malissie Bunch died 16 August 1923 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 66 years old; was born in Wilson County to Harry and Hannah Simms; was the widow of Ned Bunch; lived at 409 Banks; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Lucy Williams was informant.

On 23 October 1923, James Thompson [sic], 24, of Wilson, son of Isaac and Lizzie Thompson, married Ora Bunch, 23, of Wilson, daughter of Ned and Malissie Bunch, at Ned Bunch’s residence. Missionary Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony in the presence of Mina Crawford, H.D. Beckwith, and Paul Hargrove.

  • Rosa Simms Ward Lee

Rosa Simms was probably the 1 year-old black girl listed in the 1860 slave schedule. She was the daughter of Hannah and her husband Harry Simms.

On 29 April 1889, Johnnie Woodard, 21, son of Mintos and Sarah Ward, married Rose Ward, 34, daughter of Harry and Hannah Simms, in Wilson County.

On 25 February 1893, Rosana Simms, 30 [sic], daughter of Harry and Hannah Simms, married George Lee, 40, son of Eli and Jane Lee, in Wilson County.

Rosanna Lee died 21 March 1917 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 58 years old; was born in Wilson County to Harry Simms and Harry Best; was married; and was buried in Wilson County. Lola Woodard was informant.

Caroline Simms Bunch was probably the 7 year-old black girl listed in the 1860 slave schedule. She was the daughter of Hannah and her husband Harry Simms.

  • Frank Simms

Frank Simms was probably the 3 year-old black boy listed in the 1860 slave schedule. He was the son of Hannah and her husband Harry Simms.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Harry Simms, 64; wife Hannah, 50; children Emily, 19, Caroline, 15, Frank, 13, and Jesse, 8; and Junah Acock, 2.

  • Jesse Simms

Jesse Simms was the son of Hannah and her husband Harry Simms.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Harry Simms, 64; wife Hannah, 50; children Emily, 19, Caroline, 15, Frank, 13, and Jesse, 8; and Junah Acock, 2.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Harry Simms, 70; wife Hannah, 65; children Lissa, 28, Rose, 26, Jesse, 19, Mille, 18, and Henry, 9; and grandchildren Andrew, 7, Ira, 4, and Louvinia, 1.

On 18 February 1886, Jesse Simms, 24, married Anna Farmer, 19, at Polly Farmer‘s in Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Jessie Simms, 33; wife Annie, 34; and children William, 7, Martha, 6, Jonah, 2, and Mary, 9 months.

In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Jesse Simms, 49; wife Annie, 40; and children Willie, 16, Martha, 15, Jonah, 12, Mark, 7, Mike, 4, and Elizabeth, 2.

In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: tenant farmer Jessie Simms, 59; wife Annie, 58; and children Martha, 25, Mike, 14, Lizzie Beth, 12, and Amous, 10.

Jesse Simms died 4 April 1929 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, he was 68 years old; was born in Wilson County to Harry Simms and Hannah Simms; was married to Annie Simms; was a farmer; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery. Mike Simms was informant.

North Carolina Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The obituary of Zannie Daniel Moore.

Wilson Daily Times, 8 May 1947.

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In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Amos Daniel, 44; wife Olive, 25; and children Willy, 14, and Zana, 12.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Pettigrew Street, Edward [Edmond] Moore, 23; wife Zana, 22; and daughter Mary, 3.

In the 1900 census of Rocky Mount, Nash County, North Carolina: on Thomas Street, Edmon Moore, 43, farmer; wife Zanie, 45; and children Mary, 22, Susa, 19, Edgar, 18, Wiley, 15, Matilda, 13, and Fred, 5.

In the 1910 census of Rocky Mount, Nash County, North Carolina: Edmond Moore, 55, farmer, and wife Zany, 50.

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Moore Edward (c; Zanie) lab h 904 Atlanta [Atlantic]

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 904 Atlantic, Edward Moore, 70; wife Zannie, 60, laundress; and lodgers Blanch Guilford, 16, Julia Williams, 16, Ruth Donald, 17, private nurse, and Edner Donald, 15.

Zannie Moore died 6 May 1947 at Saint Agnes Hospital, Raleigh, North Carolina. Per her death certificate, she was 91 years old; was born in Wilson County to Amos Daniel and Ollie Jenkins; was the widow of Edmond Moore; worked as a farmer; and was buried in William Chapel church cemetery.

The sale of Mima and Lewis.

State North Carolina Edgecombe County} Know all by these presents that I Ephraim Daniel of the County and State aforesaid, for and in consideration of the sum of Three Hundred and Fifty dollars, to me in hand paid by Coffield Ellis of the same County and State afore said, at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof I the said Ephraim Daniel do hereby acknowledge, have granted bargined and sold, and by these presents do grant, bargin and sell unto the said Coffield Ellis, his heirs, Executors, Adm. and assigns, one Negro Woman by the name of Mima, also one Boy Child named Lewis; the woman about forty years of age, the Boy between one & two years of age. To have and to hold the above bargained negroes, to him the said Coffield Ellis his heirs, Executors, Adm’rs, and assigns for ever, and I the said Ephraim Daniel my heirs, Executors, Admr’s, and assigns doth and will for ever Warrant & defend, unto the said Coffield Ellis, his heirs, Executors, Adm’rs, and assigns the right title, claim or demand, of the above bargained negroes from all or any person or persons lawfully claiming the same, In witness of which I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 9th day of January 1823 Ephraim Daniel   Witness Reddick Barnes

Edgecombe County February Court 1823 The within Bill of Sale was duly exhibited in open Court _ proved by the oath of Reddick Barnes _ ordered to be Recorded   Test. M’l Hearn Clk.

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Coffield Ellis’ 1854 will contained a bequest to his wife Penninah of enslaved people named Miney and Lewis, among others. Miney was described as “old” and a “faithful servant” and may have been Mima, who would have been about 70 years old at the time. 

However, the 1812 will of Coffield Ellis’ father William Ellis Sr. also contained, among others, a Mimah, who bequeathed to wife Unity Ellis, but was eventually distributed to son Jonathan Ellis. William Ellis Sr. also owned Isham, who had a son circa 1834 named Lewis. 

Deed book 17, page 559, Edgecombe County Register of Deeds, Tarboro, North Carolina.

The sale of Harry, Alfred, Elias, Gray, and Jensey.

Deed book 1, page 46, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

Received of Willie Daniel payment in full for the following Negroes viz for Harry Aged about nineteen years Eight hundred & seventy five Dollars Alfred aged about Eighteen years Eight hundred & Seventy five Dollars Elias aged about Eighteen years Eight hundred Dollars Jensey aged about Seventeen six hundred & Seventy five Dollars Gray aged about fourteen Seven hundred Dollars amounting in all to the sum of three thousand nine hundred & thirty five Dollars, And I hereby bind myself my heirs and assigns to warrant and defend the right and title of all of the above named Negroes to Willie Daniel his heirs and assigns forever in testimony of which I hereunto set my hand and Seal this the 27th June 1855    Burket Barnes      Test Amos Horn Larry Newsom Wilson County N.C. A.D. 1855

The Execution of the foregoing Bill of Sale is duly proven Before me W. Barnes Clk of the County of please & Quarter Sessions by the Oath of Amos Horn one of the subscribing witnesses thereto & is ordered to be Registered July 30th 1855.  W. Barnes Clk

This bill of sale was received for Registration the 31st day of July 1855. L.J. Sauls Register

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I have not been able to trace Harry, Alfred, Elias, Jensey, or Gray forward.

The estate of Prince Daniel (1889).

When Prince Daniel died about 1889, his modest estate reflected a life painstakingly built since the end of slavery.

Daniel died without a will, and a white farmer named Perry Renfrow, with whom he had a close relationship, was appointed administrator of the estate. On 29 February 1889, Daniel’s belongings went up for sale at auction. Among the family, friends, and neighbors that purchased farm implements, furniture, and utensils were David Rowe and his son Ruffin Rowe; husband and wife Gaston and Waity Barnes; Alford Jordan; Raiford Daniel; Mason Bass; and Condary Barnes.

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On 31 August 1866, Prince Daniel and Absley Simms registered their cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farm laborer Prince Daniel, 55; wife Absley, 40; and Isaac, 13. Daniel reported owning $100 in personal property.

In the 1880 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Prince Daniel, 67, and wife Absley, 44. [Next door: farm laborer Isaac Daniel, 23; wife Zilla, 24; and daughters Virginia, 5, Ella Jane, 3, and Mobelia, 3 months.]

On 9 June 1883, a Wilson County Probate Court judge ordered Jennie Daniel, 9, and Ella Daniel, 7, bound as apprentices to Prince Daniel until they each reached 21 years of age. Perry Renfrow was witness to the transaction. [These were Isaac and Zilla Daniel’s daughters. Why were they bound to Prince?]

Prince Daniel Estate File, Wilson County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, http://www.familysearch.org; United States Indenture and Manumission Records, 1780-1939, database at https://familysearch.org.

The estate of James Daniel (1854).

James Daniel died heavily indebted in 1854. Daniel lived near Black Creek, in what was then Wayne but is now Wilson County.

An October 1857 account of his estate filed by administrator Lawrence T. Davis included these two debts owed Daniel by two free men of color, Edwin Artis and Micajah Artis:

The account also contains a single reference to an enslaved person, a man named Prince for whom no value is listed. When a dispute broke out over Daniel’s estate, Prince’s value became a point of contention.

James Daniel Estate Record, Wayne County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, http://www.familysearch.org

The death of Etna Woodard Daniel.

Wilson Daily Times, 8 April 1916.

A brief article reporting the mysterious death of Etna Daniel is chock-full of detail, not all of it accurate. Ben Woodard was a well-known root doctor in Wilson County. Daniel was his step-daughter though, not his daughter. By 1916, wealthy agribusinessman Graham Woodard lived in his town, but his farm was on or near ancestral Woodard land in the White Oak Swamp area. “Darden’s shop” was Charles H. Darden‘s undertaking business.

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In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farm laborer Benj’n Woodard, 32, wife Harriet, 31, and children Edna, 13, Frederick, 9, and Venah, 6.

On 17 August 1876, Harry Daniels, 27, married Etna Woodard, 20, at B. Woodard’s, Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Harry Daniel, 30, and wife Etna, 22.

In the 1900 census of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas: railroad laborer Harry Daniels, 50; wife Edna, 35; and boarder James Bynum, 21, grocery clerk. [Is this the same couple? If so, when did they, or just Etna, return to Wilson County?]

Per her death certificate, Eatna Daniel died 7 or 8 April 1916 in Wilson. She was 60 years old; was born in Wilson to Isaac Barnes and Harrett Aycock; “fell dead on country road — cause unknown”; and buried in Black Creek. Ben Woodard was informant. [Per the information Woodard supplied, Etna Daniel was not his daughter by his first wife, rather she was his step-daughter.]

The last will and testament of Sarah Daniel.

On 17 March 1863, Sarah Daniel made her mark on a will that, among other things, bequeathed twelve enslaved African-Americans to her daughters and granddaughter.

Daughter Elizabeth Rountree was to receive Silvia, Anarchy, Henry, and May.

Granddaughter Elizabeth Daniel was to receive Celia.

Daughter Penelope Daniel was to receive Serena, Esther, Lawrence, little Serena, Amos, Caroline, and Rufus.

Sarah Daniel appears in the 1850 census of Wayne County, North Carolina, with her daughter Penney. She lived near present-day Eureka and reported owning nine people in the 1850 slave schedule. By 1860, she had moved a few miles north into the Black Creek area of Wilson County and reported owning 14 enslaved people. Despite her relative wealth, I have not found much about her, including her maiden name or husband’s name.

Daniel died in 1864, and her son-in-law James Rountree handled her affairs. The auction of her personal property reveals a robust In a petition found in her estate records, Rountree asserted that Daniel’s daughter Penelope was “non compos” (non compos mentis, “of unsound mind”) and under the guardianship of Dr. A.G. Brooks, that her son Moses Daniel had moved out of state and could not be found for distribution of the $1000 she left him, that her granddaughter was married and now known as Elizabeth G. Upchurch, but that otherwise the estate had been settled.

Within a year, of course, Sarah Daniel’s plans were undone, and all those named in her will as property went free.

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On 4 January 1870, Amos Daniel, son of Matthew Barnes and Serrena Daniel, married Jane Simms, daughter of Axum Barden, at J.P. Barden’s in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Rena Daniels, 55, with Leah, 32, Carolin, 16, John, 11, Gray, 9, and Elizabeth, 1 month. Next door: Amos Daniel, 20, and wife Jane, 19.  [This appears to be “big” Serena, Caroline, and Amos in the will above. Where was Leah in 1863? Was the bequest to Penelope Daniel a family group, i.e. Serena and her children? ]

Around 1871, Gray Rountree, son of Thomas Barnes and Fanny Rountree, applied for a  license to marry Leah Daniels, daughter of Matthew Barnes and Rainey Daniel, in Wilson County. (They did not return the marriage license.)

On 1 February 1873, Joseph Horn, 22, married Caroline Daniel, 18, at Cerena Daniel’s in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer Gray Rountree, 38; wife Lear, 38; children Elizabeth, 11, Walter, 9, Fannie, 7, Rena, 6, West, 3, and Neelie Rountree, 1; and son Gray Newsome, 15.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Joseph Horn, 27, farmer; wife Caroline, 24; children Slah [Selah?], 7, and Jefferson Horn, 5; and Milbry Horn, 14.

Sky-high taxes.

Wilson Daily Times, 20 January 1930.

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Store keeper Michael Barker, born in Lithuania in 1885, adopted the tone and tenor of native-born Wilsonians in his contribution to the paper regarding a conversation with Rebecca Daniel Pate, who was born enslaved and lived along enough to chat with folks like Barker at the start of the Great Depression.

Rebecca Pate’s parents were Arch and Leah Daniel. In a different article, Pate is said to have identified her former owners as “the Duprees.” Neither Daniel nor Dupree is a surname associated with Wayne County’s Quaker meetings.