This is a late response to this posting because I am just beginning to fill in some blanks and identify my connection to the Hollinger family. I believe that I am a descendent of Sally Hollinger, Jr. who was 9 years old when listed in the Book of Free Negroes for Essex County (1810-1843). But I've still got some pieces that don't quite fit.

My ancestor is Rev. William Troy (b. 10 Mar 1827). He reported that his father was a slave (a son of the master) and his mother was a free colored woman whose mother was English and who's father was black. It turns out that his parents are Samuel and Sarah Troy.

On the death certificate of one of their sons, John H.Troy, his mother is listed as "Sarah Hollinger". That was the first time I had found the Hollinger name.

There are 8 Hollingers listed in the posting by Paul Heinegg dated 29 June 2003. However, I visited the Essex County Court House last year. There are 10 Hollingers listed in the index for the Book of Free Negroes Sally, Judy, Sally Jr., Thomas, Sukey, William, Smith, Henry, Mary and William.

I made copies of the individual entries, but I must have missed at least one, the second William who is listed as 44 years old. I did get a copy of all the others and Thomas is identified as the son of Judy Hollinger.

My Troy family is listed in the next book, (listing # 379) William Troy is identified as "son of Sally Troy who was Sally Hollinger a free woman of color." (October 18, 1847)

Then the next listing (#380) "Sam Troy emancipated by deed of emancipation by Sally Troy of record in Essex County 20 December 1847. (January 17, 1848)

In the 1810 census there are three Hollingers in Essex County:
Sally - 3 "all other free persons", Judy 3 "all other free persons" and Sukey 6 "all other free persons". That's 12 Hollingers while only 10 are listed in the Book of Free Negroes (babies born after the listing???).

I couldn't find them in the 1820 census, but Sally is in the 1830 census (total 5 "other free persons") and Sally Troy shows up in the 1840 census with a total of 15 "free other people." I'm still looking looking at different census pages because I know that not everyone shows up in the index, names are misspelled and miss read.

There is more information about Sally's descendents (if you have any interest), if you conduct a search of this site and the Slave forum. My postings will give you most of what I know. But I don't know anything about Sukey's descendents, at least not right now. I am interested in and will continue to be looking for information about all of the Hollingers so that I can patch the discrepancies in the story I have about William's mother and because I like the continuity

I will be looking for the will of Dr. Mace Clements, even though I'm not a direct descendent of Sukey Hollinger. Would appreciate any additional information you've uncovered since your original 2003 posting.

Thanks,