**NOTE: Before reading this essay, you may want to read essay #2 about Johns Hopkins the Elder and the origins of the 1778 Deed of Manumission.

There were 47 individuals who were enslaved at White Hall that we can identify by name in (1) the 1778 Deed of Manumission, (2) the 1784 Will of Johns Hopkins the Elder, and (3) the 1788 estate Inventory of Johns Hopkins the Elder. See also this essay about the deed itself.

The Nine Freedmen of 1778

First, we have the group of bondspeople who were freed outright in 1778: Fill, Dick, Joshua, Dafny, Nann, Flory, Cassy, Bett, and Rachel. With birthdates ranging from approximately 1733 to 1756, these nine individuals constitute the oldest group of enslaved people known to have been owned by the Hopkins family at White Hall.

We can track some of these people in census records. For example, a "Fill Family of Free Negroes," with seven members, appeared in the first federal census of 1790 (see picture below). 

The Term Slaves of 1778

Second, we have the people who became "term slaves" in 1778 - their dates of ultimate freedom delayed until they reached 21 or 25 years of age. Younger than "The Nine," the term slaves range in age from ten months to 20 years. Listed alphabetically, they were: Abraham, Affy, Benn, Bett, Billy, Daniel, Debby, Dinah, Frank, Harry, Jemmy, Jenny, Jerry, John, London, Lucy, Meriah, Nann, Ned, Nell, Oneas, Pheby, Phillis, Polly, Priss, Rachel, Sall (b. 1761), Sall (b. 1777), Season, Solomon, Suckey, Tanner, and Tom. 

The Last Will & Testament Slaves of 1784

Third, we have four people who were named in the Johns Hopkins the Elder's will who were not named in the Deed of Manumission. We do not have birthdates for these individuals, but we believe they may have been too old to manumit in 1778. They were Cesar, William, Dover, and Eaus. Two males named "Dover" and "Cesar" are listed in the 1741 will of Gerard Hopkins. 

The Inventory Slaves in 1788

Finally, fourteen enslaved people were listed by name and age in the estate inventory of Johns Hopkins the Elder in 1788. Of these fourteen "Negroes" only one - Fanny - was not part of the 1778 deed.

Complete List of People Enslaved at White Hall Minus the "Nine" of 1778, by Year Freed (see also this post)

1. Meriah was born in 1758 and freed in 1779.

2. Polly was born in 1758 and freed in 1779.

3. Bess or Bett was born in 1759 and freed in 1780. 

4. Sall was born in 1761 and freed in 1782. 

5. Abraham was born in 1760 and freed in 1785. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Gerard T. Hopkins in 1784.

6. Billy was born in 1762 and free in 1787. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

7. Pheby was born in 1767 and freed to 1788. She was willed to Johns Hopkins’ aunts Elizabeth & Anne Hopkins in 1784.

8. Oneas was born in 1764 and freed in 1789. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

9. Season was born in 1764 and freed in 1789. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

10. Lucy was born in 1769 and freed in 1790. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

11. Benn was 1766 and freed in 1791. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Evan Hopkins in 1784.

12. Jenny was born in 1770 and freed in 1791. She was willed to Johns Hopkins’ aunts Elizabeth & Anne Hopkins in 1784.

13. Jerry was born in 1766 and freed in 1791. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Evan Hopkins in 1784.

14. Nell was born in 1770 and freed in 1791. She was willed to Johns Hopkins’ aunts Elizabeth & Anne Hopkins in 1784. (See Nell's Certificate of Freedom below.) Nell may be Nelly who appeared in the 1810 census living on or near White Hall in a free Black household.

15. Phillis was born in 1770 and freed in 1791. She was willed to Johns Hopkins’ aunts Elizabeth & Anne Hopkins in 1784. Phillis may be Philis Queen who appeared in the 1810 census living on or near White Hall in a free Black household.

16. Suckey (or Sukey) was born in 1772 (or 1774) and freed in 1793. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784. Suckey was listed as the property of Johns Hopkins the Elder in the estate inventory of 1788.

17. Dinah was born in 1773 and freed in 1794. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784. Dinah was listed as the property of Johns Hopkins the Elder in the estate inventory of 1788.

18. Ned was born in 1769 and freed in 1794. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784. Ned was listed as the property of Johns Hopkins the Elder in the estate inventory of 1788. Ned is probably Ned Bond, who is mentioned in a letter between two of Johns Hopkins' sisters.

19. Debby (or Deb) was born in 1774 and freed in 1795. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784. Debby was listed as the property of Johns Hopkins the Elder in the estate inventory of 1788.

20. Soloman was born in 1770 and freed in 1795. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784. Ned was listed as the property of Johns Hopkins the Elder in the estate inventory of 1788.

21. Affy (or Affa) was born in 1775 (or 1776) and freed in 1796. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784. She was listed as the property of Johns Hopkins the Elder in the estate inventory of 1788. (See Affy's Certificate of Freedom below.)

22. John was born in 1771 and freed in 1796. He was the only enslaved person willed to Johns Hopkins’ father Samuel Hopkins.

23. London (or Leonard) was born in 1771 and freed in 1796. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784. His full name may have been London Parker.

24. Priss was born in 1776 and freed in 1797. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

25. Tanner (or Thamar) was born in 1776 and freed in 1797. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784. 

26. Nann was born in 1777 and freed in 1798. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

27. Rachel was born in 1777 and freed in 1798. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

28. Sall (or Sal) was born in 1777 (or 1779) and freed in 1798. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

29. Frank was born in 1774 and freed in 1799. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Philip Hopkins in 1784.

30. Tom was born in 1774 and freed in 1799. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

31. Daniel was born in 1776 and freed in 1801. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

32. Harry was born in 1776 and freed in 1801. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Gerard T. Hopkins in 1784.

33. Jemmy (or James) was born in 1776 and freed in 1801. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

34. Cesar was named in Johns the Elder’s will. We do not know when he was born or if he was ever freed. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Gerard T. Hopkins in 1784.

35. William was named in Johns the Elder’s will. We do not know when he was born or if he was ever freed. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Evan Hopkins in 1784.

36. Dover was named in Johns the Elder’s will. We do not know when he was born or if he was ever freed. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Evan Hopkins in 1784.

37. Eaus was named in Johns the Elder’s will. We do not know when he was born or if he was ever freed. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Evan Hopkins in 1784.

38. Fanny was named in Johns Hopkins the Elder’s estate inventory. She was born in 1781 but we do not know what became of her, nor do we know if she was willed to another member of the Hopkins Family. Her absence from the deed of 1778 may indicate that she was infirm or injured. If so, she probably left White Hall with a parent.

Complete List of Enslaved People Minus the "Nine" of 1778 and Minus Those Freed Before 1784, by Owner

ELIZABETH & ANNE HOPKINS (JOHNS' AUNTS)

• Pheby was born in 1767 and freed to 1788. She was willed to Johns Hopkins’ aunts Elizabeth & Anne Hopkins in 1784.

• Jenny was born in 1770 and freed in 1791. She was willed to Johns Hopkins’ aunts Elizabeth & Anne Hopkins in 1784.

• Nell was born in 1770 and freed in 1791. She was willed to Johns Hopkins’ aunts Elizabeth & Anne Hopkins in 1784.

• Phillis was born in 1770 and freed in 1791. She was willed to Johns Hopkins’ aunts Elizabeth & Anne Hopkins in 1784.

EVAN HOPKINS (JOHNS' UNCLE)

• Benn was 1766 and freed in 1791. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Evan Hopkins in 1784.

• Jerry was born in 1766 and freed in 1791. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Evan Hopkins in 1784.

• William was named in Johns the Elder’s will. We do not when he was born or if he was ever freed. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Evan Hopkins in 1784.

• Dover was named in Johns the Elder’s will. We do not when he was born or if he was ever freed. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Evan Hopkins in 1784.

• Eaus was named in Johns the Elder’s will. We do not when he was born or if he was ever freed. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Evan Hopkins in 1784.

GERARD T. HOPKINS (JOHNS' UNCLE)

• Abraham was born in 1760 and freed 1785. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Gerard T. Hopkins in 1784.

• Cesar was named in Johns the Elder’s will. We do not when he was born or if he was ever freed. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Gerard T. Hopkins in 1784.

• Harry was born in 1776 and freed in 1801, possibly in Baltimore. He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Gerard T. Hopkins in 1784.

PHILIP HOPKINS (JOHNS' UNCLE)

• Frank was born in 1774 and freed in 1795 (see Philip's deed of 1791 lowering Francis's age of emancipation to 21). He was willed to Johns Hopkins’ uncle Philip Hopkins in 1784.

SAMUEL HOPKINS (JOHN'S FATHER)

• John was born in 1771 and freed in 1796. He was the only enslaved person willed to Johns Hopkins’ father Samuel Hopkins.

ELIZABETH HOPKINS (JOHNS' GRANDMOTHER)

• Billy was born in 1762 and free in 1787. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

• Oneas was born in 1764 and freed in 1789. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

• Season was born in 1764 and freed in 1789. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

• Lucy was born in 1769 and freed in 1790. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

• Suckey (or Sukey) was born in 1772 (or 1774) and freed in 1793. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784. Suckey was listed as the property of Johns Hopkins the Elder in the estate inventory of 1788.

• Dinah was born in 1773 and freed in 1794. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784. Dinah was listed as the property of Johns Hopkins the Elder in the estate inventory of 1788.

• Ned was born in 1769 and freed in 1794. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784. Ned was listed as the property of Johns Hopkins the Elder in the estate inventory of 1788.

• Debby (or Deb) was born in 1774 and freed in 1795. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784. Debby was listed as the property of Johns Hopkins the Elder in the estate inventory of 1788.

• Soloman was born in 1770 and freed in 1795. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784. Soloman was listed as the property of Johns Hopkins the Elder in the estate inventory of 1788.

• Affy (or Affa) was born in 1775 (or 1776) and freed in 1796. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784. Affy was listed as the property of Johns Hopkins the Elder in the estate inventory of 1788. Affy later applied for and was granted a Certificate of Freedom (see photo below).

• London (or Leonard) was born in 1771 and freed in 1796. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

• Priss was born in 1776 and freed in 1797. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

• Tanner (or Thamar) was born in 1776 and freed in 1797. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784. 

• Nann was born in 1777 and freed in 1798. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

• Rachel was born in 1777 and freed in 1798. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

• Sall (or Sal) was born in 1777 (or 1779) and freed in 1798. She was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

• Tom was born in 1774 and freed in 1799. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

• Daniel was born in 1776 and freed in 1801. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

• Jemmy (or James) was born in 1776 and freed in 1801. He was willed to Mrs. Johns Hopkins the Elder (Elizabeth) in 1784.

• Fanny was named in Johns Hopkins the Elder’s estate inventory. She was born in 1781.

Notes on updates:

2/27/2021: added image of Affy's Certificate of Freedom.

9/6/2021: added reference to the will of Gerard Hopkins (1683-1743).

12/30/2021: added image of Nell's Certificate of Freedom.