About the Reeds Memoriam Database
Summary of the Historical Context of the Reeds Memoriam Database
Between 1828 and 1830, Robert Corbin, Francis Corbin and Edward Rawle trafficked 131 enslaved persons from Maryland, Virginia, and Alabama to their sugar plantation in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana. Reeds Memoriam is a database of information about these individuals and their fates in Louisiana.
The Origin of the Name “Reeds Memoriam”
Of the 131 enslaved people trafficked to Saint Bernard Parish by the Corbin brothers and Edward Rawle, 84 arrived aboard the Criterion, which departed from the port of Norfolk, VA on November 4, 1828 and arrived in New Orleans three weeks later. Prior to this voyage, these men, women, and children had been enslaved at the Corbin family’s plantation in Caroline County, VA known as “the Reeds.” In part, the name Reeds Memoriam is thus intended to refer to enslaved people’s memories of home, especially in the context of forced relocation.
But “Reeds” has another meaning, too. During slavery, enslaved people met to organize, plan collective resistance, and worship in their own way in places known as “hush harbors.” Hush harbors were generally located in one of two settings. Some were nestled inside wooded forests where trees shielded gatherers from enslavers’ views and muffled the sounds of their voices. Just as often, however, hush harbors were located next to waterways—the places, in other words, where reeds grow.
Authorship of Reeds Memoriam
Reeds Memoriam was constructed by Kinfolkology Executive Director Jennie K. Williams, Ph.D and is based on her original research.
About the Variables of the Reeds Memoriam Database
Note: Each row in the Reeds Memoriam database represents a different enslaved person.
ID
This is a six-digit code assigned to each individual in the database. This helps distinguish between individuals who share the same name.
First Name
This is the first name of the individual. Note that the spelling of an individual’s name may not be uniform on all documents used to build this database.
Last Name
This is the last name of the individual. Note that the spelling of an individual’s name may not be uniform on all documents used to build this database. Similarly, sometimes people are identified as having surnames on some records but by their first names only on other records.
Year of Birth Estimate
This is an estimate of the individual’s year of birth. Note that because enslaved people were not permitted to keep written records, ages were often estimates. This explains why different records for one enslaved person often indicate different years of birth.
Known Spouse
If known from any historic records used to build this database, this field contains the name of the individual’s spouse. Note that just because this field is blank does not mean the person did not have a spouse; it simply means no record identifying their spouse has been discovered.
Known Children
If known from any historic records used to build this database, this field contains the name(s) of the individual’s child/children. Note that just because this field is blank does not mean the person did not have children; it simply means no record identifying children has been discovered.
Known Parents
If known from any historic records used to build this database, this field contains the name(s) of the individual’s parents.
Group of Arrival to Corbin, Corbin, and Rawle Plantation
Corbin, Corbin, and Rawle acquired enslaved persons to work their sugar plantation in four large groups. You can read more about those groups here.
Known Background Before Corbin, Corbin & Rawle's Plantation
This summarizes the information known about each individual.
Manifest of Voyage to Louisiana
If found, this field contains an image of the manifest documenting the individual’s forced relocation to Louisiana.
Date of Manifest of Voyage to Louisiana
If a manifest has been found for the individual, this field contains the date that manifest was drafted, which roughly corresponds to the date the vessel departed.
Port of Embarkation for Voyage to Louisiana
If known, this is the port from which the individual was trafficked to Louisiana.
Vessel of Voyage to Louisiana
If known, this is the name of the vessel which carried the individual to Louisiana.
Notarial Record of Sale to Corbin, Corbin and Rawle
While most individuals enslaved on the Corbin, Corbin and Rawle plantation came from Corbin plantations in Virginia, others were purchased by the three enslavers in New Orleans. This field contains notarial records of those sales. Note: You can find more information about each transaction by locating the same individual in the Louisiana Kindred database.
Date of Notarial Record of Sale to Corbin, Corbin and Rawle
While most individuals enslaved on the Corbin, Corbin and Rawle plantation came from Corbin plantations in Virginia, others were purchased by the three enslavers in New Orleans. This field contains dates of notarial records of those sales. Note: You can find more information about each transaction by locating the same individual in the Louisiana Kindred database.
Name of Seller to Corbin, Corbin and Rawle
While most individuals enslaved on the Corbin, Corbin and Rawle plantation came from Corbin plantations in Virginia, others were purchased by the three enslavers in New Orleans. This field contains the name of the individual from whom Corbin, Corbin, and Rawle purchased the individual.. Note: You can find more information about each transaction by locating the same individual in the Louisiana Kindred database.
Children Sold With When Sold to Corbin, Corbin and Rawle
While most individuals enslaved on the Corbin, Corbin and Rawle plantation came from Corbin plantations in Virginia, others were purchased by the three enslavers in New Orleans. This field contains the names of any children Corbin, Corbin, and Rawle purchased in the same transaction as each individual.. Note: You can find more information about each transaction by locating the same individual in the Louisiana Kindred database.
Spouse Sold With When Sold to Corbin, Corbin and Rawle
While most individuals enslaved on the Corbin, Corbin and Rawle plantation came from Corbin plantations in Virginia, others were purchased by the three enslavers in New Orleans. This field contains the any spouses purchased by Corbin, Corbin, and Rawle in the same transaction as each individual.. Note: You can find more information about each transaction by locating the same individual in the Louisiana Kindred database.
Siblings Sold With When Sold to Corbin, Corbin and Rawle
While most individuals enslaved on the Corbin, Corbin and Rawle plantation came from Corbin plantations in Virginia, others were purchased by the three enslavers in New Orleans. This field contains the names of any siblings Corbin, Corbin, and Rawle purchased in the same transaction as each individual.. Note: You can find more information about each transaction by locating the same individual in the Louisiana Kindred database.
Parents Sold With When Sold to Corbin, Corbin and Rawle
While most individuals enslaved on the Corbin, Corbin and Rawle plantation came from Corbin plantations in Virginia, others were purchased by the three enslavers in New Orleans. This field contains the names of the individual’s parent(s) if they were also purchased by Corbin, Corbin, and Rawle in the same transaction. Note: You can find more information about each transaction by locating the same individual in the Louisiana Kindred database.
Notarial Records of Sale by Corbin, Corbin, and Rawle
In 1837, Corbin, Corbin and Rawle sold virtually all of the enslaved persons who had perished at their plantation at an auction in New Orleans. This field contains the notarial record of sale of each person sold. Note: You can find more information about each transaction by locating the same individual in the Louisiana Kindred database.
Date(s) of Notarial Record(s) of Sale by Corbin, Corbin and Rawle
In 1837, Corbin, Corbin and Rawle sold virtually all of the enslaved persons who had perished at their plantation at an auction in New Orleans. This field contains the date of the notarial record of sale of each person sold. Note: You can find more information about each transaction by locating the same individual in the Louisiana Kindred database.
Children Sold With When Sold by Corbin, Corbin, and Rawle
In 1837, Corbin, Corbin and Rawle sold virtually all of the enslaved persons who had perished at their plantation at an auction in New Orleans. This field contains the the names of any children sold along with each person at that time. Note: You can find more information about each transaction by locating the same individual in the Louisiana Kindred database.
Spouse Sold With When Sold by Corbin, Corbin, and Rawle
In 1837, Corbin, Corbin and Rawle sold virtually all of the enslaved persons who had perished at their plantation at an auction in New Orleans. This field contains the the names of any spouses sold along with each person at that time. Note: You can find more information about each transaction by locating the same individual in the Louisiana Kindred database.
Siblings Sold With When Sold by Corbin, Corbin, and Rawle
In 1837, Corbin, Corbin and Rawle sold virtually all of the enslaved persons who had perished at their plantation at an auction in New Orleans. This field contains the the names of any siblings sold along with each person at that time. Note: You can find more information about each transaction by locating the same individual in the Louisiana Kindred database.
Parents Sold With When Sold by Corbin, Corbin and Rawle
In 1837, Corbin, Corbin and Rawle sold virtually all of the enslaved persons who had perished at their plantation at an auction in New Orleans. This field contains the the names of any parent sold along with each person at that time. Note: You can find more information about each transaction by locating the same individual in the Louisiana Kindred database.
Buyer(s) When Sold by Corbin, Corbin and Rawle
In 1837, Corbin, Corbin and Rawle sold virtually all of the enslaved persons who had perished at their plantation at an auction in New Orleans. This field contains the the names of the individual who purchased each person. Note: You can find more information about each transaction by locating the same individual in the Louisiana Kindred database.
Location of Buyer When Sold by Corbin, Corbin and Rawle
In 1837, Corbin, Corbin and Rawle sold virtually all of the enslaved persons who had perished at their plantation at an auction in New Orleans. This field contains the the place of residence of the individual who purchased each person. Note: You can find more information about each transaction by locating the same individual in the Louisiana Kindred database.
Summary of Known Fate in Louisiana
This is a very brief summary of what happened to each person after their arrival at the Corbin, Corbin, Rawle plantation. Note that among those for whom no “fate” is listed, the majority likely perished at the Corbin-Rawle plantation between 1828 and 1838.