Eliza Woods (bef. 1825)

Born before 1825 in Nelson, Virginia, United States [uncertain]

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Biography

Eliza Woods is a part of US Black heritage.

Eliza was born sometime before 1825, quite probably before 1815. She was a slave held by Michael Woods Sr. In his will, dated 22 February 1825, Michael Woods bequeathed Eliza and two other female slaves, Nancy and Caroline, to his daughter, Susan A. (Woods) Massie. He noted in his will that all three slaves were already in Susan's possession at the time of the writing of his will. Due to the laws of the time, as a married woman, Susan's property would pass to the possession of her husband, Nathaniel Massie Sr.

"6thly. I have already given to my daughter Susan Massie, three negro slaves to wit, Nancy, Eliza & Caroline, also a horse, bridle & saddle, and two beds & furniture & six head of cattle, all which she has now in her possession and which I hereby confirm to her and her heirs forever. It is my further wish & desire that if my said daughter Susan shall wish to exchange negro Caroline for another negro girl named Charlotte, belonging to my Estate, my executors are hereby required to make the exchange whenever my said daughter shall so request."^[1]

Location: Michael Woods was living in Nelson County, Virginia at the time of his death. His daughter and son-in-law were also living in Nelson County in the 1820s, so it seems likely Eliza probably lived and worked in Nelson County during that time period. By 1840, Nathaniel Massie had moved to Augusta County, Virginia. From the slave schedules of 1860, it becomes clear that he kept some slaves at his farm in Albemarle, the majority in Augusta, and had others hired out in Augusta and Nelson Counties, so if Eliza were still present, she may have lived in Augusta or Albemarle Counties in her later years.

Because there is possibly a second Eliza in the possession of Nathaniel Massie (see Research Notes, below), this Eliza will be called "Eliza the elder" on the slave holder and plantation pages, for purposes of distinction.

Slave Owners

1. Michael Woods Sr
2. Susan A. (Woods) Massie
3. Nathaniel Massie Sr

Note regarding the place holder LNAB being used: The surname being used currently is a place holder surname until it can be determined what surname this person used.

Research Notes

When slave births began to be recorded in the Birth Register, two entries were made for births for a slave named Eliza in January of 1857 (for birth of a daughter named Ann^[2]) and again in May of 1861 (for birth of a son named William^[3]). However, unless Eliza was only a toddler when she went from Michael Woods to the possession of his daughter, Susan [this seems unlikely, judging from the tone of the rest of the will], it seems unlikely these two Elizas are the same woman. It seems more likely that the elder Eliza of this profile may be related to the younger woman recorded giving birth in 1857 and 1861.

Sources

1. ↑ Will of Michael Woods Sr: "Virginia, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1652-1900"
   Will Books, 1808-1931 ; General Index to Wills, Etc., 1808-1966; Author: Virginia. Circuit Court (Nelson County); Probate Place: Nelson, Virginia
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 62347 #1509438 (accessed 11 September 2022)
   Michael Woods probate on 22 Feb 1825.
2. ↑ "Virginia, Slave Birth Index, 1853-1866," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WDMP-YVN2 : 4 February 2020), Ann, Jan 1857; citing Birth, Albemarle, Virginia, United States, Virgina State Library and Archives, Richmond; FHL microfilm 008249760.
3. ↑ "Virginia, Slave Birth Index, 1853-1866," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:WDMP-YLN2 : 4 February 2020), William, May 1861; citing Birth, Albemarle, Virginia, United States, Virgina State Library and Archives, Richmond; FHL microfilm 008249760.