I just ran across this thres and hope someone can shed some light on my own mystery. I have found that my third Great-father Lawson listed as free colored in New Lisbon, Columbiana, OH 1840. In 1850 He and his wife Ann Beatty were listed as Warren Twp . Washington Co., OH, along with 5 sons all indicated as mullato. In 1860 I find them as parents of 7 sons and one daughter in Falls Twp, Muskingum, OH. Both parents claimed VA as birthplace, children born in Ohio. In 1880 one son Jesse, my second great grandfathe shows up still in Muskingum Falls but Married with three children. all indicated as Mulatto. Here the myster begins. His wife I know was an English Immigrant, her family was led to believe that he was part Indian. By 1910 they were living in Cook County, IL as white with his birtjplace as Portugal (to me a clear case of passing) In subsequent generations there is never any indication ok knowlege of being anything other than white.
In the course of my research I am unable to find any information on any of the other 6 children, they were Thomas b 1841, Jones 1842,Fenton 1847,Lamuel (maybe Samuel)1851, Lawson 1855, John 1853 and Laura 1859. Any suggestions appreciated.