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.
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 (presumed from use of the term “lawful” in describing their children): Auguste de Villiers
Children: Richard de Villiers, Joseph de Villiers, Marie Jacinte Ema de Villiers
SOURCES:
1850 United States Federal Census for Escambia County, FL. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. [accessed via Ancestry.com, 18 September 2021]