Desoto County, Florida Slave Records
Courthouse probate inventories, deed book bills of sale, and 1850/1860 Federal Census Slave Schedules for Desoto County, Florida.
Desoto County Research Guide (PDF)
Get instant access to the Desoto County primary record guide detailing slaveholder estate wills, land deed volumes, and microfilm roll citations.
Desoto County Historical Records
Jacob Russell
Freedmen's Bureau Record (1867)Labor contract registered with Assistant Commissioner for DeSoto District. Monthly wage stipulated at $22 with rations and lodging provided.
Josiah Wood
Freedman's Bank Log (1866)Opened savings account No. 2374 at DeSoto branch. Recorded birthplace as DeSoto County, former master listed as Wythe.
David Cabell
Probate Inventory (1863)Appraised in estate inventory of Williams plantation, evaluated at $1303. Listed alongside family members in probate court ledger.
Lewis Roberts
Estate Division Account (1861)Recorded in estate division between legal heirs of Mitchell. Allotted to lot #7 in final decree.
Francis Harris
1860 Slave Schedule Metadata (1860)Enumerated under slaveholder Henderson in DeSoto County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 44.
Beatrix Pendleton
Freedmen's Bureau Record (1860)Labor contract registered with Assistant Commissioner for DeSoto District. Monthly wage stipulated at $19 with rations and lodging provided.
John Tazewell
1860 Slave Schedule Metadata (1860)Enumerated under slaveholder Winston in DeSoto County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 13.
Amos Campbell
Estate Division Account (1860)Recorded in estate division between legal heirs of Ross. Allotted to lot #7 in final decree.
David Hammond
Freedmen's Bureau Record (1858)Labor contract registered with Assistant Commissioner for DeSoto District. Monthly wage stipulated at $28 with rations and lodging provided.
Daniel Griffin
Probate Inventory (1857)Appraised in estate inventory of Mercer plantation, evaluated at $597. Listed alongside family members in probate court ledger.
Amos Morris
Manumission Deed (1857)Deed of emancipation granted by Foster. Stated freedom to take effect on January 1, 1857.
Benjamin Chamberlayne
Manumission Deed (1853)Deed of emancipation granted by Shelton. Stated freedom to take effect on January 1, 1853.
Tabitha Jackson
Probate Inventory (1853)Appraised in estate inventory of Parker plantation, evaluated at $1089. Listed alongside family members in probate court ledger.
Minerva Hale
Probate Inventory (1853)Appraised in estate inventory of Cook plantation, evaluated at $779. Listed alongside family members in probate court ledger.
Nathan Ball
Manumission Deed (1852)Deed of emancipation granted by Fairfax. Stated freedom to take effect on January 1, 1852.
William Baker
Deed Book Bill of Sale (1852)Conveyed in land & chattel deed of sale from Claiborne to Hall for consideration of $1482.
Delilah Chamberlayne
1850 Slave Schedule Metadata (1850)Enumerated under slaveholder Anderson in DeSoto County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 70.
Milley Roberts
1850 Slave Schedule Metadata (1850)Enumerated under slaveholder Thompson in DeSoto County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 22.
Ruth Monroe
Probate Inventory (1848)Appraised in estate inventory of Faulkner plantation, evaluated at $1180. Listed alongside family members in probate court ledger.
Matthew Walker
Probate Inventory (1837)Appraised in estate inventory of Anderson plantation, evaluated at $1294. Listed alongside family members in probate court ledger.
Matilda Mercer
Manumission Deed (1834)Deed of emancipation granted by Fitzhugh. Stated freedom to take effect on January 1, 1834.
Milley Haynes
Probate Inventory (1834)Appraised in estate inventory of Thompson plantation, evaluated at $900. Listed alongside family members in probate court ledger.
Mary Grayson
Estate Division Account (1829)Recorded in estate division between legal heirs of Roberts. Allotted to lot #4 in final decree.
Cyrus Roberts
Manumission Deed (1829)Deed of emancipation granted by Armstrong. Stated freedom to take effect on January 1, 1829.
Alfred Mason
Freedmen's Bureau Record (1827)Labor contract registered with Assistant Commissioner for DeSoto District. Monthly wage stipulated at $9 with rations and lodging provided.
Chloe Walker
Estate Division Account (1825)Recorded in estate division between legal heirs of Matthews. Allotted to lot #5 in final decree.
Grace Faulkner
Estate Division Account (1822)Recorded in estate division between legal heirs of Fitzhugh. Allotted to lot #2 in final decree.
Thomas Hughes
Freedmen's Bureau Record (1820)Labor contract registered with Assistant Commissioner for DeSoto District. Monthly wage stipulated at $23 with rations and lodging provided.
Zachariah Allen
Deed Book Bill of Sale (1820)Conveyed in land & chattel deed of sale from Alexander to Monroe for consideration of $1308.