Shelby County, Tennessee Slave Records
Courthouse probate inventories, deed book bills of sale, and 1850/1860 Federal Census Slave Schedules for Shelby County, Tennessee.
Shelby County Research Guide (PDF)
Get instant access to the Shelby County primary record guide detailing slaveholder estate wills, land deed volumes, and microfilm roll citations.
Shelby County Historical Records
Thomas Henry
Probate Inventory (1867)Appraised in estate inventory of Randolph plantation, evaluated at $817. Listed alongside family members in probate court ledger.
Reuben Gordon
Freedman's Bank Log (1865)Opened savings account No. 4458 at Shelby branch. Recorded birthplace as Shelby County, former master listed as Bowman.
William Spottswood
Probate Inventory (1860)Appraised in estate inventory of Faulkner plantation, evaluated at $836. Listed alongside family members in probate court ledger.
Emily Dawson
Estate Division Account (1860)Recorded in estate division between legal heirs of Howard. Allotted to lot #6 in final decree.
Emily Pendleton
1860 Slave Schedule Metadata (1860)Enumerated under slaveholder Ross in Shelby County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 33.
Cesar Alexander
1860 Slave Schedule Metadata (1860)Enumerated under slaveholder Walker in Shelby County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 30.
Obadiah Watson
1860 Slave Schedule Metadata (1860)Enumerated under slaveholder Bennett in Shelby County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 50.
Flora Wood
1860 Slave Schedule Metadata (1860)Enumerated under slaveholder Cook in Shelby County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 22.
Levi Hamilton
Probate Inventory (1857)Appraised in estate inventory of Monroe plantation, evaluated at $447. Listed alongside family members in probate court ledger.
Parthenia Anderson
1850 Slave Schedule Metadata (1850)Enumerated under slaveholder Bell in Shelby County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 70.
Susan Bryan
1850 Slave Schedule Metadata (1850)Enumerated under slaveholder Boyd in Shelby County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 16.
Grace Mercer
1850 Slave Schedule Metadata (1850)Enumerated under slaveholder Freeman in Shelby County Schedule 2 (Slave Inhabitants). Age recorded as 51.
Esther Mercer
Freedmen's Bureau Record (1841)Labor contract registered with Assistant Commissioner for Shelby District. Monthly wage stipulated at $19 with rations and lodging provided.
Matilda Williams
Manumission Deed (1841)Deed of emancipation granted by Richardson. Stated freedom to take effect on January 1, 1841.
Chloe Dabney
Freedmen's Bureau Record (1839)Labor contract registered with Assistant Commissioner for Shelby District. Monthly wage stipulated at $21 with rations and lodging provided.
Rachel King
Freedmen's Bureau Record (1838)Labor contract registered with Assistant Commissioner for Shelby District. Monthly wage stipulated at $22 with rations and lodging provided.
Robert Barnes
Manumission Deed (1834)Deed of emancipation granted by Carter. Stated freedom to take effect on January 1, 1834.
Gideon Foster
Manumission Deed (1820)Deed of emancipation granted by Watson. Stated freedom to take effect on January 1, 1820.