My g/grandfather Samuel Arthur Reed: born into slavery 1853, Richmond, VA. "Found by a Union officer" [Capt. Matthew Betton] dazed and confused on a battlefield and brought to NH. I have been in direct contact for years with Betton's family. This story comes from them, corroborated years ago by one of my newly found ancestors, since deceased. I think this 'battlefield' was probably the fall of Richmond, VA in April of 1865 because Betton led the first troops into Richmond that day.

I have looked at slave schedules and do not find a slave that could reasonably be my Samuel.

I have tried to get through this brick wall since about 1996. Of course there are more resources available now since I started, but none have revealed any information that would help me break through.

I know where Samuel's wife came from even though she was in slavery, too, in Lexington [Rockbridge], VA. I have recently located her and her mother's last slave owner in Lexington. Have worked hard for years to do this. But all is at a stand still with Samuel.

Samuel and his wife Emma married [cannot find record, though] and lived and died [and are buried] in my hometown of Portsmouth, NH. I have searched NH old newspapers, old records, looking for information on his early life there that might give me a clue to his enslaved life. All to no avail.

While I am not sure this is necessary to say, family stories say that Samuel was the son of Gen. Stonewall Jackson. Hence, I have searched records of other Jackson family members looking for Samuel, to no avail.

Any help appreciated.