Thanks A.C.,

I have done some reading based on your reference. I also found the following:

http://mshistory.k12.ms.us/features/feature4/freeblacks.html

All of this is becoming clear and I am getting a better perspective of how my ancesters lived and why they migrated when they did.

Are you related to the famous William Johnson who was a free black in Natchez, MS.?? Apparently he was quite a man.

Will