Hi A J: This may or may not be of some help:
In the 1820, North Carolina census, "Free Colored Heads of Household, by Family name. There were 13 Revels and one Revols listed. It may be possible that some of these family heads died and their children were divided among families and apprenticed out until they were 21 (men) or 18 (women). Look at http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/1820NCa.htm

Hope this helps. Lloyd