An enslaved woman in the household of Celeste Tala de Villiers.
Born around 1802. Race is recorded as negra.
Deed of Manumission: 15 July 1847 – Celeste Tala de Villiers, in return for “long and faithful service” and one dollar, freed Mary Sophia, about 45 years old. It was noted that Maria Sophia had formerly belonged to the Estate of Thomas Marshal, deceased, and that she had been purchased “while this province was still under the government of Spain” (before July 17, 1821). (Escambia Co. [FL] Deeds, I/259)
She had three children – all described as the “lawful” children of her and Auguste, a negro man enslaved in the household of Celeste Tala de Villiers. All three were freed as infants.
One of her children, Maria, was born 10 AUG 1835 and was baptized on 15 AUG 1835 by Sy. Guinand, priest of St. Michaels. Maria Sophia was identified as Sophie, negra, and the father “Oguste,” negro. Sophie’s enslaver was the widow of Don Carlos de Villiers (i.e., Celeste Tala de Villiers), and Oguste’s enslaver was Celeste’s sister, Constanza Tala de Alba.
According to Escambia County (FL) Marriage Records, Sophia Devilliers married Auguste Tala 3 September 1836 by Sy Guinand at St. Michael’s Church.
Her son, Richard, was born 1 November 1838, though I have not found a baptismal record for him.
Another child, Jose, was born 5 MAR 1841 and baptized 10 APR 1841 by Sy. Guinand. The child was identified as legitimate; his mother Sofi and his father August, both enslaved. The enslaver was Da. Sevalier [Chevalier] Coulon – “Coulon de Villiers” was the expanded version of the de Villiers name; she was the owner of both mother and father in this record.
The youngest child, Maria Jacinta Aimee, was born 11 SEP 1842 and baptized 6 MAY 1843 by Sy Guinand. Her mother was Sofia, her father August, and the child was identified as hija legitima, meaning her parents were legally married. The enslaver was again Mme. Coulon de Villiers.
She and two of her children appear in the 1850 Census of Escambia County, FL in the household of Celeste Tala de Villiers and her sister, Constanza Tala de Alba (both widowed), along with the family of Manuel and Victorie de Villiers Pargas.
FAMILY:
Husband: Auguste Tala
Children: Maria de Villiers, Richard de Villiers, Joseph de Villiers, Maria Jacinta Aimee de Villiers
SOURCES:
Records of St. Michael’s Parish, Pensacola, FL, Book III: Baptisms of People of Color, 1817 – 1882. University of West Florida Archives and West Florida History Center. 22 SEP 2021.
Marriage Records of Escambia County, Florida, 1821-1900, Book A, page 95. Transcribed and published under the aegis of the West Florida Genealogical Society, Pensacola, 2009.
1850 United States Federal Census for Escambia County, FL. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. [accessed via Ancestry.com, 18 September 2021]