My McMannen branch took the surname of the family their 'mistress' married into, but only three of them took the McMannen name, the rest of the slaves kept the Turrentine name (which was her maiden name) of their plantation of birth. It was a good thing that the Turrentine name was passed down through history, otherwise I would have NEVER figured out who the last owner was! Speaking to distant relatives, I have discovered that we were the only ones who retained that information.
I have absolutely given up on my Mississippi Smith and Johnson branches!!!
Gwen