Hi Hollis,

The Henry Sampson I'm tracking was 45 in 1850 (although ancestry.com index lists his age as 25) and 55 in 1860. His wife is said to be Nancy Carter. Henry is said to be a grandson of "Colonel John Sampson". In 1840, Henry heads a household of 7 females and 4 males.

While searching for these SAMPSON lines, I came across two Sampsons who were listed as "free colored" and owned slaves. In 1840, a Henry Sampson of Wilmington, New Hanover County, NC had three enslaved persons in his household (2 males & 1 female). In 1850, there was a James Sampson, FPOC, in Wilmington, New Hanover County, NC who had enslaved persons in his household.

The online info about Charles Chesnutt states that his mother, Ann Maria (Sampson) Chesnutt b. 1832 was the "daughter of Chloe Sampson, of mixed race, and possibly Henry E. Sampson a white slaveowner". Another site states this as fact.

Found Ann M. Sampson (18) in 1850 in NC with her mother Chloe (40) who was then married to Moses Harris (45).

It was Charles Chesnutt's father that my great-grandmother, Carrie Williams Clifford, referred to as "Jack". Her note stated that Jack was a "chum of James Williams" and that his wife "Maria S. Chesnutt was cousin to Jas. and Joshua W.(?..Carrie's father was Joshua T.) Williams. William Sampson (cousin of Joshua Williams) married an ALSTON whose daughter Lizzie S. RICKS was mother of Hattie Walker". Would be great to confirm these connections.

Rosemary