Hi Andrew,

If you found them on the 1870 census or later, then they were free. Have you found them on the 1860 or earlier censuses? From my review of the 1860 Abbeville Co, SC census there are people with the following surnames who were free: Allen, Bailey, Banks, Beagles, Beard, Beasley, Brister, Brown, Bug(g), Burnett, Callaham, Carroll, Chapman, Cole, Donalson, Donistan, Forbes, Gee, Greer, Gwin, Jake, James, Johnson, Lee, Leonard, Lyon, Marion, McCoppin, McGrier, Mitchell, Morris, Patton, Payne, Reed, Richard, Rouse, Sharher, Shaw, Smith, Stancell, Stark, Strathan, Strother, Tucker, Turman, Valentine, Vaughn, Watkins, Wharton, White, Wigfall, Williams, and Wilson.

Let me know if you need a list of names for any of the households.

I haven't checked the 1850 census in Abbeville Co, SC for free people of African descent.

Sonia