Infant girl born into slavery in the household of Mme. Celeste Tala de Villiers, widow of Don Carlos de Villiers, in Pensacola, FL.
Maria was born 10 AUG 1836 and baptized on 15 AUG 1836 by Sy. Guinand, Priest of St. Michael’s Church in Pensacola. She was identified as negra, and was the child of Sophie, enslaved by Celeste Tala de Villiers, and Oguste (Auguste), negro man enslaved by Celeste’s sister, Mme. Charlotte Tala de Alba.
Maria was the oldest of four children born to Maria Sophia de Villiers*, a negra woman born about 1802. Like her siblings, she was manumitted by Celeste Tala de Villiers soon after her birth. In her deed of manumission, dated 12 September 1836, she was identified as Mary, aged about one month, child of the negro woman Sophie. [Escambia County [FL] Deed Book D, page 12]
FAMILY:
Mother: Maria Sophia de Villiers
Father: Auguste Tala
Siblings: 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.