Rusty
I'm just happy to know that I'm not the only African American researching Tazwells!

My ggrandmother Irena Tazwell was born in Jefferson, Marion County, TX in 1865. I found her in the 1880 federal census. I believe that Harrison and Ann Tazwell in that census were her aunt and uncle. I located her with her family in the 1870 Jefferson, Marion County, TX census.

Irena was living with her mother Diana b. 1851 MS; grandmother Betsy b. 1811 VA; sibblings Anna B 1857 TX; Clara b. 1860 TX; and Walter b. 1868 TX.

There are also some Taswells in Wilkinson County MS in the 1880 census.

Most African American Tazwells, Taswell,Tazewells (there are several spellings) have ties to Virginia. The white Virginia Tazwell are/were a very prominent family. Here's a link to their website.
http://www.geocities.com/tazfamily.geo/

Well, this is all that I have found so far. Most of the white Tazwells settled in the Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania area.

I'm quite stuck -- prior to 1870 -- I need to search courthouse records for probate records, wills etc.

I'd love to share whatever information I have or answer any other questions.

Diane Alston Turner