When I first examined the estate file of Moses Farmer Sr., who died in 1844, I missed this recitation of names of the people he enslaved — Marina (purchased at his direction), Reuben, London, Luke, Glasgow, Dick, Harry, Thomas, Washington, Greene, Valentine, Rachel, Charity, Caroline, Alice, Nelly, Elva, America, Fortune, big Rose, Chain, Jinny, Ofie, Daniel, Jason, Watson, Drewry, Chain, Venus, little Rose, Sylvia, Maria, Warren, Nan, and [blank.] Per the terms of Farmer’s will, all but “Big Chainny” were to be sold.
——
- Reuben — Reuben Farmer. In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Reuben Farmer, 68, Nancy, 71, and Luke Farmer, 11.
- London
- Luke
- Glasgow — on 11 August 1866, Glasco Farmer and Clary Farmer registered their 20-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Glasses Farmer, 49; wife Clara, 36; Morning, 17, Haywood, 18, Rosa, 15, Ferby, 3, and Louisa Farmer, 9 months; and Mae Barnes, 7.
- Dick
- Harry
- Thomas — in 1866, Thomas Farmer and Polly Woodard registered their ten-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Thomas Farmer, 40; wife Mary, 34; and children April, 13, Liberty, 4, and Eliza, 1.
- Washington — Washington Farmer. His wife Waity Harris and children were enslaved by a different owner.
- Greene
- Valentine — Valentine Farmer. Per his daughter Martha Farmer Ruffin, Valentine’s parents were Reuben and Nancy Farmer. His wife Quinnie and children were enslaved by Robert Bynum. Val Farmer and his parents remained within the white Farmer family after Moses Farmer’s death.
- Rachel — in 1866, Warren Farmer and Rachel Farmer registered their ten-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
- Charity
- Caroline
- Olive
- Nelly — Nellie Farmer. In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Nellie Farmer, 62; Mary, 47; and Joshua, 22. In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Nelly Farmer, 75; grandsons George, 20, Drewry, 17, and Berry, 17; and great-granddaughter Martha A. Parker, 8.
- Elva — in 1866, Hilliard Farmer and Elva Farmer registered their two-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Hilliard Farmer, 30; wife Elery, 29; and children Jason, 4, and Adeline, 12.
- America — possibly, in the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farmer Sydnor Campbell, 48; wife America, 40; York, 16, Thomas, 12, Pennina, 7, Reuben, 5, Nelly, 3, Lawrence, 2, and Nancy, 1; and stepdaughters Maggie Woodard, 12, and R. Rountree, 18. (The death certificates of Lawrence Campbell and Pennina Campbell Williams list their mother’s maiden name as Farmer. Several of America Campbell’s children bear names found in the community enslaved by Moses Farmer, including Thomas, Reuben, Nelly, Nancy, and Elva.)
- Fortune
- Big Rose
- Chain
- Jinny — in 1866, Jenny Farmer and John Farmer registered their 13-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
- Ofie
- Daniel
- Jason — in 1866, Jason Farmer and Candis Gay registered their seven-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Jason Farmer, 33, farm laborer; wife Candas, 29; and children Florence, 9, Isiah, 6, and George, 4.
- Watson
- Drewry
- Chain
- Venus — in 1866, Venice Farmer and Arch Barnes registered their cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. Perhaps: in the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Rosa Farmer, 35, and children Gray, 16, Turner, 17, Mary, 16, Thomas, 13, Daniel, 12, Leah, 10, Jefferson, 8, Louisa, 10 months, and Anna, 3, plus Arche Barnes, 73, cooper (if so, Venus likely died 1866-1870.)
- Little Rose — perhaps, in the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Rosa Farmer, 35, and children Gray, 16, Turner, 17, Mary, 16, Thomas, 13, Daniel, 12, Leah, 10, Jefferson, 8, Louisa, 10 months, and Anna, 3, plus Arche Barnes, 73, cooper.
- Sylvia
- Maria
- Warren — in 1866, Warren Farmer and Rachel Farmer registered their ten-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
- Nan — see Reuben, above.