Kensey Harrison (b.
circa 1794 -d. 1866)
MSA SC 5496-51285
Property owner, Queen Anne's County, Maryland
Biography:
Kensey Harrison was born around 1794 in Maryland. He became a slave owner and resided in Queen Anne's County.
The number of slaves in Harrison's possession fluctuated greatly. In 1840 he lived in Centreville, Maryland and at the time owned six slaves.1 Then, in 1850, while still living in Queen Anne's County Harrison owned nine slaves.2 In the next record from 1860, Harrison appears in the slave schedules, owning one male slave.3
The 1850 census holds other information about Kensey Harrison. He is listed as a 66 year old lawyer with a real estate value of $7,330. In his household, there are also two white females, Sally Harrison, 55 years old (presumably his wife) and Sally Tucker, 35 years old.4
Harrison's wealth seemed to diminish from 1864 to 1866. In an IRS tax assessment, Harrison had a valuation of $100.00, for which he owed $5.00 cash.5 Compared with some others in the same district, Harrison's wealth was minimal. In 1866, Harrison's valuation was a mere $27.75 with $1.40 charged in tax.6
It is unclear what caused Harrison's wealth to decline, but it is plain to see that he had a history of manumitting his slaves, which only increased over time. It seems that between June 1826 and June 1864 Harrison manumitted ten of his slaves. Harrison freed Margaret Melvina Groose in 1826, a "Negro Nat" in 1829, Martha Lloyd in 1831, Charles Gross in 1836, Fanny Wilmer in 1837, and Elizabeth Wicks in 1850.7 Harrison manumitted his slave Julianna Lloyd and her three children, Mary Catharine, Richard, and Sarah Elizabeth in 1860. Juliana happened to be the wife of Vin. Lloyd, Colonel John Tilghman's servant and her manumission can be found in Queen Anne County's land records.8
On June 21, 1864, Harrison manumitted three male slaves, Charles Weeks, John Adams, and William Adams, based on their service to the United States military during the Civil War.9 Charles and William both served in the 7th Regiment while John served in the 4th Regiment.
Kensey Harrison died in 1866. Fortunately, he did have the
opportunity
to write a will before passing. He left his belongings and property to
his "beloved grandchild," Catherine E. Thomas and appointed Samuel H.
Thomas
as his executor and trustee of his grandchild.10
His will was
made on July 18, 1866.
1. U.S. Census Bureau (Census Record, MD) for Kensey Harrison, 1840, Queen Anne’s, Centreville, Page, 1, line 10 [MSA SM61-115, SCM 4723-2].
2. U.S. Census Bureau (Census Record, Slave Schedules MD) for Kensey Harrison, 1850, Queen Anne’s, District 6, Page 2, line 5 [MSA SM61-170, SCM 1506-1].
3. U.S. Census Bureau (Census Record, Slave Schedules MD) for Kensey Harrison, 1860, Queen Anne's, District 3, Page 18, line 30 [MSA SM61-241, SCM 7230-4].
4. U.S. Census Bureau (Census Record, MD) for Kensey Harrison, 1850, Queen Anne’s, District 3, Page, 9, line 12 [MSA SM61-144, SCM 1500-1].
5. U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists 1862-1866, for Kensey Harrison, District 1, 1864, line 15, Page 378, Ancestry.com.
6. U.S. IRS Tax Assessment Lists 1862-1866, for Kensey Harrison, District 1, 1866, line 12, Page 844, Ancestry.com.
7. QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT (Land Records) Liber TM 4, Folio 111 [MSA CE 143-34] Kensey Harrison to Margaret Melvina Groose, June 19, 1826.
QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT (Land Records) Liber TM 5, Folio 328 [MSA CE 143-35]. Kensey Harrison to Negro Nat, December 28, 1829.
QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT (Land Records) Liber TM 5, Folio 579 [MSA CE 143-35] Kensey Harrison to Martha Lloyd, April 1, 1831.
QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT (Land Records) Liber JT 2, Folio 130-131 [MSA CE 143-38] Kensey Harrison to Charles Gross, September 13, 1836.
QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT (Land Records) Liber JT 2, Folio 177 [MSA CE 143-38] Kensey Harrison to Fanny Wilmer, January 10, 1837.
QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT (Land Records) Liber JT 6, Folio 211-212 [MSA CE 143-42] Kensey Harrison to Elizabeth Wicks, Januar 5, 1850.
8. QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT (Land Records) Liber MB 1, Folio 267 [MSA CE 58-4] Kensey Harrison to Juliana Lloyd, Mary Catharine, Richard and Sarah Elizabeth, February 24, 1860.
9. QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT (Land Records) Liber SED 1, Folio 255 [MSA CE 58-6]. Kensey Harrison to Charles Weeks, June 21, 1864.
QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT (Land Records) Liber SED 1, Folio 256 [MSA CE 58-6]. Kensey Harrison to William Adams, June 21, 1864.
QUEEN ANNE'S COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT (Land Records) Liber SED 1, Folio 255 [MSA CE 58-6]. Kensey Harrison to John Adams, June 21, 1864.
10. QUEEN
ANNE'S COUNTY REGISTER OF WILLS (Wills),
1856-1870, [MSA CM869-14], Kensey Harrison, July 18, 1866.
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