I am researching my husband's family in Neshoba County,Philadelphia Mississippi. I have found his ggg-grandfather Peter Backstrom on the 1870 census records. 7 doors away is listed a Mandy Backstrom and his wife Judy. I believe that these are Peter's Parents. Mandy is listed on the census as being born in Africa. Peter is living two doors away from a white family by the name of Gamblin.The head of the household Emisonus is listed as the Deputy Sheriff. The value of his real estate is 3500 dollars and personal property is listed at 5500. In between Peter and Mandy are several Woodward families which are listed as white. Only one of the wives is listed as a property owner. Do I automatically assume that the Gamblin's are the former slave owners of Peter and the Woodward wife the slave owner of Mandy? Should I assume that the Woodward's and the Gamblin's are related? What do I do with the African birth?
Shell-