There is a Charles Lewis Merchant (he is a child)listed on the Free Negro Register for Bedford County 1803 to 1860.

The entry reads as follows:
Certified by the Court that the above registers are truly made this 24th October 1831 - Henry Brown (He is the clerk of court)

Charles Lewis Merchant. Three feet four & 1/2 inches high - dark Mulatto - 4 years old Born free
right below him is listed:
William Henry Merchant - Dark Mulatto - 12 Months.
The fact that Charles is listed as being born free, means that he was born of a "free woman".

They were registered on a day when a total of 22 free blacks were registered at the Courthouse...including 4 females with the surname Merchant. These individuals are not listed all in a row so I can not definitely say whether they are a family group.....the first 3 females are listed one after another (3,4,5)....then Ann is the 10th entry..Charles is #20 and William Henry is #21. Nor can I determine whether any of these females are the children's mother.

Nancy Merchant, 5 feet 1 1/2 inches nearly high, Dark Mulatto, small scar on the forehead - 22 years old. Born Free
Bitsy Merhcant 5 feet 4 1/4 inches high. Dark Mulatto - no scars - 19 years old Born Free
Pamelia Merchant - 5 feet 2 3/4 inches high. Dark Mulatto - no scars 17 years old
Ann Merchant - 5 feet 3 1/2 inches high tolerably bright mulatto - scar occasioned by burn on right arm between elbow an shoulder, mole on left cheek - 21 years old. Born Free

This register begins in 1803..on the first day of the register one Billy Merchant is listed.
26th July of July 1803
Fifty (age); Billy Merchant, Black, Five feet six Inches and a half, Moderate scar on the back of the left hand, Emancipated in Bedford Court.

27th day of September 1803
20 (age); Billy Merchant, Jr. black, five feet 3 inches and an half, a small scar on the back of left hand Emancipated Bedford
17; Yarmer Merchant, black, five feet one inch, None apparent, Emancipated Bedford
49 Nanny Merchant, black, five feet & 1/2 an inch, None apparent, Emancipated Bedford
Cicila Merchant, black 4 feet eleven inches an half, None apparent, Emancipated Bedford
Flora Merchant, black, 5 feet 2 inches and 1/2, NOne apparent, Emancipated Bedford
Amey Merchant, black, five feet 2 inches, NOne apparent, Emancipted Bedford
Patty Merchant, black, five feet, 1/2 and inch, several scars on the left hand, Emancipated Bedford

24th day of October 1803
74 (age), Matt Merchant, Mulatto, five feet, nine & 3 quarters, no perceivable scars and Marks, Emancipated Bedford.

Other Merchants appear throughout the register....Obviously they were emancipated by either Will or Deed sometime prior to the time the regsiter was started. Might be a good idea to take a look at the wills and deed books for Bedford County which are available on Microfilm at the LVA or thru the Family History Centers. I beleive the Register is now also available on microfilm...

Selma