Will of William Mitchell of Mobile, Alabama 1820 Part III - Analysis

  In my previous two posts I showed the Will of William Mitchell and my transcription of it. Today, I will analyze this information because it is quiet the quandary to read and make since of all the relationships. 

   I started to do this and make charts to help me, but after hearing Nicole Dyer's webinar "From Research to Writing: AI Tools for Genealogists" via Legacy Family Tree Webinars, I decided to take a chance and uploaded the entire written transcription into ChatGPT. I kid you not, within two seconds I got back an analysis that blew me away! So, instead of my lack of professional writing, I am going to post it below.

Portrait of a free woman of color

   This will, written by William Mitchell in 1820 with a codicil added in 1822, provides a detailed and complex distribution of his property, with an emphasis on his relationships with several people he identifies as his children, as well as others he cared for. Below is an analysis of the relationships and provisions in the will:

Key Individuals and Relationships:

1. Margueritte (sometimes called Rosette):
• A free Black woman living in Mitchell's household in Mobile.
• Described as a key beneficiary of Mitchell's will.
• Given significant property, including slaves and real estate, for her lifetime.
2. Children of Margueritte:
• Margueritte (younger):
• Acknowledged by Mitchell as his biological daughter with the elder Margueritte.
• Inherits property, slaves, and shares other assets.
• Auguste (commonly called Jim):
• Acknowledged by Mitchell as his biological son with the elder Margueritte.
• Inherits property, slaves, and shares other assets.
3. Other Acknowledged Children of William Mitchell:
• Zeno:
• A mulatto man and shoemaker in Mobile.
• Acknowledged as Mitchell's son with the free mulattress Margueritte Lucien (now deceased).
• Margueritte (living in New Orleans):
• Another daughter by Margueritte Lucien, distinct from the younger Margueritte.
• Therese Lorandine:
• A daughter by Marie Defily (also deceased), now married to Edward Lorandine.
• Described as being treated equally with Zeno and the other legatees.
4. Other Notable Figures:
• Louis Dolive and Joseph Krebs:
• Named executors of the will.
• Slaves Mentioned:
• Henriette, Charlotte, Phillis, Nannette, Rosalie, Jeane, and Joe are all distributed among the beneficiaries with specific terms of ownership and inheritance.

Main Provisions:

1. Property to Margueritte (Elder):
• A house and lot in Mobile with household furniture for her lifetime.
• Slaves Henriette, Charlotte, and Jeane.
• Recognized as the guardian for her children (younger Margueritte and Auguste) until they reach adulthood or marry.
2. Slaves and Property to Younger Margueritte and Auguste:
• Slaves Nannette and Rosalie, respectively.
• Equal shares of the house and lot after their mother’s death, provided they leave descendants.
• In case of their deaths without issue, provisions are made for redistribution of their shares to other heirs or their mother.
3. Provisions for Zeno, New Orleans Margueritte, and Therese Lorandine:
• The remainder of Mitchell's property (land, slaves, and livestock) is divided equally among these three individuals.
4. Freedom for the Slave Philip:
• Philip is to be freed upon Mitchell's death if legally possible; otherwise, he is given to the elder Margueritte.
5. Codicil Additions:
• Additional provisions for Margueritte (elder), including a slave (Joe) and half of any crops at the time of Mitchell's death.
• Ensures the hogs at the plantation are recognized as Margueritte’s property.

Legal and Social Context:

• The will reflects the complex dynamics of race, slavery, and inheritance in antebellum Alabama. Mitchell acknowledges multiple children born out of relationships with women of African descent and provides them with property and rights unusual for the period.
• By naming free and enslaved individuals as significant beneficiaries, the will challenges the typical norms of the time regarding the treatment of enslaved people and mixed-race descendants.

This document not only distributes William Mitchell's property but also reveals intricate familial relationships and societal tensions, providing a glimpse into the lived experiences of both free and enslaved individuals in the antebellum South.

 

Analyzed by ChatGPT 04/09/2025

Prompt: “You’re an expert genealogist. Describe this will and the relationships in it”.

Plaçage

   This is a new term that I just learned from reading my friend, Kathleen Brandt's blog post "Researching The American Black Irish, by Blood". This made even more since now! 

    "Plaçage" refers to a historical social practice in French and Spanish slave colonies, particularly in New Orleans, where white men entered into extralegal relationships with women of African, Native American, or mixed-race descent, known as "placées," often providing them with a home and income. "

"Plaçage allowed white men to have relationships with women of color while circumventing legal restrictions and providing a degree of social status and economic support for the women. "

Source: Google Search Labs | AI

Wikipedia has a great article about it HERE.

The conclusion of this four part series on the Will of William Mitchell is next. Stay tuned...