An infant born into slavery in the household of Celeste Tala de Villiers.
Born in Pensacola, Florida on 11 September 1842, baptized on 6 May 1843 as Maria Jacinta Aimee. Her mother was identified as Sofia, her father August, both enslaved of Mme. Coulon de Villiers. She was called hija legitima, meaning her parents were legally married.
Deed of Manumission: 24 August 1844 – granted freedom in consideration of “natural love and affection” by Celeste Tala de Villiers. Described as “the lawful daughter” of Auguste and Sophie de Villiers (both described as Negro). (Escambia Co,. [FL] Deeds, H/322)
Emma, her mother, and one of her brothers 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:
Mother: Maria Sophia de Villiers
Father: Auguste Tala
Siblings: Maria de Villiers, Richard de Villiers, Joseph 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.
1850 United States Federal Census for Escambia County, FL. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. [accessed via Ancestry.com, 18 September 2021]