Nelson Kavanaugh Gets His Freedom and His Land

©  Kathy Duncan, 2019

Right after I published my post on Nelson Kavanaugh, I found a new lead on him.

On 8 July 1830, "Nelson a coloured man set free by William Kavanaugh of the County of Madison and state of Kentucky" entered into an indenture to sell his tract of land on Owsley's Fork, Station Camp Creek to his half-brother Charles Kavanaugh for $350 dollars in silver or gold.

I am struck by the method of payment. Usually, land is sold through long drawn out notes that took years to pay off. However, Nelson was paid silver or gold, which would be accepted anywhere. The date on the deed indicates that within seven months of William Kavanaugh's death, Nelson had received his emancipation and a clear deed to his inheritance.

Madison Co., KY; Deed Bk. T, p. 212.

What I would like to find next is William Kavanaugh's probate settlement, Nelson's emancipation record, and the deed that would have been entered with Nelson received his land inheritance.

At this point in 1830, Nelson does not seem to have a surname.

When I did a google search for Nelson, I found a Nelson Kavanaugh who was emancipated in Richmond, Madison Co., Kentucky and who had gone to the Republic of Texas where he was a barber in Houston. In 1838, when the Republic decided that all free individuals of color had to leave, Nelson petition twice to be allowed to stay. Nelson's petitions were denied and he evidently had to leave the Republic. Apparently, through this petitioning, he indicated that he was single with no children. This Nelson Kavanaugh seems very likely to be the one for which I am looking. What I need to do next his locate his original petition to the Republic of Texas.

And, of course, I need to find out where he went next.

Nelson, A Slave in the Family

Will of William Kavanaugh; Madison Co., KY

Nelson Kavanaugh's Emancipation

Nelson Kavanaugh Loses His Papers

Nelson Kavanaugh Owes Land Tax