Bernarda

A free girl of color in Pensacola, Florida. She was born 9 December 1820 and baptized by Father James Coleman at St. Michael’s Parish on 20 December 1820. Bernarda’s mother was identified as Catarina, a quarterona, or quadroon. Bernarda’s sponsors were Bernardo Pargas and Constanza Bernardo. Her father was listed as unknown in baptismal record (this usually meant the father was unwilling or unable to acknowledge the child).

I suspect the child Juana Matilde, born 8 March 1817 and baptized by Father Coleman on 20 April 1817, was her sister. Her mother was identified as Caterina a morena (mixed race) woman; the father was, again, no conocido. Juana Matilde’s sponsors were Bartolome Galves and Luisa Garzon.

Without a surname, and without Catarina being listed as the head of her own household in 1830 or 1840, it is difficult to identify her or her daughters after 182o.

FAMILY:

Mother: Catarina

Sister (possible): Juana Matilde


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.