Phillis

  • 1779
    (about 1779) Phillis is born enslaved at Bohemia, to Prudence (b. 1756). Her grandmother Molly, uncle John, and brother Joseph were also enslaved at Bohemia.
  • 1790
    Phillis is one of 49 persons enslaved at Bohemia.
  • 1790
    (1790-1796) At least 23 persons enslaved at Bohemia are sold. This includes another woman named Phillis, her infant Nel, and her daughter Clara.
  • 1791
    Phillis’ mother Prudence passes away on March 24. She is buried in a now unmarked grave in the graveyard at St. Francis Xavier Church.
  • 1793
    (after 1792) Phillis’ grandmother Molly passes away.
  • 1792
    Phillis gets a pair of shoes.
  • 1795
    Phillis is “rented” to James O’Donald, one of the white tenant farmers at Bohemia. At about age 16, her labor is valued at £5/year. Phillis probably lives at quarters located near the tenant house, alongside Sam, Stephen, Ned, Joseph, Poll and her infant, and Molly, who have also been leased to O’Donald with the farm.
  • 1797
    There are reports of violence at the O’Donald household against Davy, who had been Prudence’s godfather.
  • 1798
    Phillis is one of 28 persons enslaved at Bohemia. Phillis and Suky witness the wedding of Charles and Betsy, “free negroes,” at St. Francis Xavier Church.
  • 1799
    (about 1799-1814) Phillis has several children with different men who are not residents at Bohemia. Marie (16), Pria (14), James (12), Tom (7), and twin boys (1) are listed after her name in an 1815 document. It is likely that all of her children are sold in her lifetime.
  • 1815
    The Jesuits consider selling Phillis and other enslaved Africans at Bohemia. John, William, and Regis are probably sent to St. Inigoes, by way of White Marsh.
  • 1823
    (about 1823) Phillis’ daughter Mary is born.
  • 1831
    Phillis is one of seven persons still enslaved by the Jesuits at Bohemia. Phillis is described as an old woman,”. Her adult son, Jem, and daughter, Mary, live with her. Jem operates a “tavern” out of their house.
  • 1832
    Philis (54) and Mary (9) are sold to two white tenant farmers, William and Joseph Craddock, who rent from the Jesuits. They may live above the kitchen addition at the Craddock-Devine-Ford House. Jem is also sold.
Craddock-Devine-Ford House (18CE413), built ca. 1830. Photo by Steve Lenik.
  • 1840
    Mary Boyer, Phillis’ daughter, who remains enslaved to Joseph Craddock, marries Perry Cormegys, who is enslaved by E. A. Longfellows. Free people of color Clara Bacchus and Richard Johnson witness the marriage.
  • 1841
    (after 1840) The fate of Phillis and her family members remains unknown.
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