Unforgotten Lives

11/15/2025

Today we are unforgetting Frank Carter. Frank was a Black male, born November 15, 1895 in Pensacola, FL. His death certificate gives his year of birth as 1892 and his age as 42 years old at the time of his death on October 6, 1935 at Pensacola Hospital. He was married to Mary Carter and worked as a carpenter in the building industry. His father was Thomas Carter, his mother Octavia Brown. He lived at 513 N. DeVilliers. Mary was the informant on the death certificate. He died of chronic myocarditis with cerebral concussion from a fall. Contributing were general anasarca and pulmonary oedema. He had been treated since September 24, and the fall that precipitated his death apparently occurred at the hospital. Dr. W.E. Anderson signed the death certificate; Morris Funeral Home buried him at the Escambia County Poor Farm cemetery on October 12. ("Zion" is written on the Burial line but scratched out.)

While the death certificate does not mention why Frank was in the hospital to begin with, an article from 27 September 1935 lists him among the injured in a traffic accident. Apparently he and five other workers on a WPA road project at Innerarity Point were injured when the truck they were riding on was struck by an automobile at the intersection of Innerarity Road and Gulf Beach Highway. Of course, the injured workers were identified by race, and he and the other man of color were reported as being from New Warrington. Both Black men required medical treatment but returned to their homes that night.

Thomas and Octavia Carter appeared in the 1900 U.S. Census for Pensacola, Floria, living at 513 Strong St. Thomas was born in February 1870 in New York of two parents born in New York. He worked as a hotel porter and was unable to read or write. He rented his home. He and Octavia had been married for 10 years. Octavia was born in April 1870 in Florida of a father born in Alabama and a mother born in Florida. She was unable to read or write and did not work outside the home. She had borne four children, of whom four were living. The children were Arthur, born April 1884 in Florida and a student in grade 6; Hazel, a daughter, born in May 1893 in Florida; Frank, a son, born March 1894; and Clare, a son, born April 1898 in Florida.

There is a marriage record for Thomas and Octavia Brown on 29 July 1895 in Pensacola.

To read the rest of Frank's story as it is is known, to see any updates and to view the research sources, visit Frank's entry on

Unforgotten Lives lifts up the names and lives of some of the people I have come across in research for other projects; […]

08/26/2025

Today we are unforgetting Zeferino Le Baron, an enslaved boy of color in the household of Don Carlos Le Baron. Zeferino was born 26 August 1817 in Spanish Pensacola, and was baptized on 19 October 1817 by Father James Coleman at St. Michael's Parish. His mother was Maria, a negra woman enslaved in the same household. His father was listed as unknown in baptismal record (this usually meant the father was unwilling or unable to acknowledge the child).

(I have used "Le Baron" as Zeferino's surname as that is the name of the household in which I found him; however, he may have used a different surname or no surname at all.)

I have not found Zeferino in any later records. Knowing whether his enslaver was Charles Le Baron Sr. or Charles Le Baron Jr. would be instructive.

For any updates on this record or to see the sources used in the research, see Zeferino's entry at www.unforgottenlives.org.

07/15/2025

Today we are unforgetting Maria Sophia de Villiers Tala. Sophia was an enslaved woman in the household of Celeste Tala de Villiers in Pensacola, Florida. She was born around 1802. Her race is recorded as negra.

She had four children that we know of - all described as the "lawful" children of her and Auguste Tala, a negro man enslaved in the household of Celeste Tala de Villiers. All three were freed as infants.

Her oldest child, Maria, was born 10 August 1835 and was baptized on 15 August 1835 by Sy. Guinand, priest of St. Michaels. Maria Sophia was identified as Sophie, negra, and the father "Oguste," negro. Sophie's enslaver was the widow of Don Carlos de Villiers (i.e., Celeste Tala de Villiers), and Oguste's enslaver was Celeste's sister, Contanza Tala de Alba.

According to Escambia County (FL) Marriage Records, Sophia Devilliers married Auguste Tala 3 September 1836 by Sy Guinand at St. Michael's Church.

Her son, Richard, was born 1 November 1838, though I have not found a baptismal record for him.

Another child, Jose, was born 5 MAR 1841 and baptized 10 APR 1841 by Sy. Guinand. The child was identified as legitimate; his mother Sofi and his father August, both enslaved. The enslaver was Da. Sevalier [Chevalier] Coulon ("Coulon de Villiers" was the full version of the de Villiers name); she was the owner of both mother and father in this record.

The youngest child, Maria Jacinta Aimee, was born 11 SEP 1842 and baptized 6 MAY 1843 by Sy Guinand. Her mother was Sofia, her father August, and the child was identified as hija legitima, meaning her parents were legally married. The enslaver was again Mme. Coulon de Villiers.

Celeste Tala de Villiers manumitted all of Sophia's children when they were infants.
Sophia herself was manumitted by a Deed of Manumission dated 15 July 1847 - Celeste Tala de Villiers, in return for "long and faithful service" and one dollar, freed Mary Sophia, about 45 years old. It was noted that Maria Sophia had formerly belonged to the Estate of Thomas Marshal, deceased, and that she had been purchased "while this province was still under the government of Spain" (before July 17, 1821). (Escambia Co. [FL] Deeds, I/259)

Sophia and two of her children appear in the 1850 Census of Escambia County, FL in the household of Celeste Tala de Villiers and her sister, Constanza Tala de Alba (both widowed), along with the family of Manuel and Victorie de Villiers Pargas.

For any updates and to see the sources used in this research, visit Maria Sophia's page at

Unforgotten Lives lifts up the names and lives of some of the people I have come across in research for other projects; […]

06/30/2025

Today we are unforgetting Antonia Mariana Noriega,* an enslaved woman in the household of Victoire Le Sassier, widow of Lt. Col. Jose Noriega. She was born ca. 1795 - 1799. Her race is recorded as mulata.

She was confirmed in Pensacola on May 7, 1798, by the Bishop of Louisiana and the Floridas, Rev. Luis Peñalver y Cardenas, where she is listed as the slave of Don Jose Noriega. Her mother was Genoveva, a negra woman enslaved in the same household. Her father is not mentioned in the record. A brother, Francisco, also appears in the records.

She appears in the Bill of Complaint for Divorce between Madame Victoire and her second husband, Don Pedro de Alba, Sr. She was listed among the property Mme. Le Sassier owned before her marriage to him in 1813, when she was married to Jose Noriega. Antonia was described as being 18 years old, and a cook.

Deed of Manumission: 30 June 1832 - Antonia purchased her freedom from Mme. Le Sassier for $500. The deed described as mulatto, aged about 33 years. (Escambia Co. [FL] Deeds, B/411)

She was mentioned in the 1833 will of Victoire Le Sassier as her former slave, indebted to Mme. Le Sassier in the amount of 175 piastres.

*Noriega is the name of the household in which Antonia was enslaved; she may have used another surname or no surname at all.

For updates and the sources used in this research, see Antonia's entry at

Unforgotten Lives lifts up the names and lives of some of the people I have come across in research for other projects; […]

02/25/2025

Today we are unforgetting Maria Luisa Anastacia, an enslaved girl of color in the household of Don Luis Gayarre. She was born 24 February 1817, and baptized 21 April 1817 by Father James Coleman at St. Michael's Parish (Spanish Pensacola). Her mother was Rosa, a negra woman enslaved in the same household. Her father was listed as unknown in baptismal record (this usually meant the father was unwilling or unable to acknowledge the child). The sponsors were Juan Bautista Barcelo (pardo); and Maria Luisa Palas (parda).

Don Luis was one of the Spanish officers who protested the treatment of Spanish Governor Jose Callava during the Vidal affair in 1821 and was ordered deported by the American Governor Andrew Jackson. He may have gone to Cuba, but wherever he went, he likely took Maria Luisa with his household.

For the sources of this research and any updates, see Maria Luisa's entry on Unforgotten Lives.

Unforgotten Lives lifts up the names and lives of some of the people I have come across in research for other projects; […]

10/30/2024

Today we are unforgetting Thomas Banks. Thomas was a Black male, born about 1838 in Alabama. He died in Pensacola, FL on 30 October 1898 of Bright's Disease at the age of 60. His occupation was laborer, he was widowed, and he had lived in the city for 15 years at the time of his death. He was buried in the Escambia County Poor Farm cemetery.

The 1885 Pensacola City Directory has two entries for Thomas Banks: one a Laborer living at Tarragona and Government and one a barber living at Government and Tarragona. It is possible the entries constitute a confused duplicate of the same person.

The 1885 Florida State Census lists a Banks family in Pensacola headed by Thomas, a 50-year-old Black male working as a laborer, born in Alabama with both parents born in Alabama. The rest of the family was Mary, his 40-year-old wife who worked as a washerwoman; two daughters: Mary (17), Cora (15); and two sons, Henry (10) and George (8). All members of the family were born in Alabama.

Last, the 1890 Pensacola City Directory lists a Thomas Banks working as a laborer, living at Zarragossa and Government Sts.

I have not located the Banks family in any records prior to 1885. I would like to see more information to tie the Thomas Banks in the directories to the Thomas Banks in the census to the Thomas Banks in the death record. The 1885 Florida census does not give address information that would confirm the identity, but it strikes me as odd that a man with that many children would have been left to be buried in the Poor Farm - though of course there are many reasons why that could have been the case.

For updates to Thomas' entry or to view sources, see his entry at

Unforgotten Lives lifts up the names and lives of some of the people I have come across in research for other projects; […]

09/21/2024

Today we are unforgetting the infant daughter of Creola Banks. She was a Black female, born 21 September 1937 in Pensacola, FL. She died at the age of 1 hour; the official cause of death was prematurity. Her mother was Creola Banks, who was born in Alabama. Her father was listed as unknown, though there may have been some reason other than ignorance that the father was not identified. The residence and place of death was 217 E. Maxwell St. Creola was the informant on the death certificate. The child was buried in the Escambia County Poor Farm cemetery.

FAMILY:
Mother: Creola Banks Hogan Jackson
Grandmother: Nettie Lou Brown Banks
Grandfather: Rufus Banks

For the sources used in this research and any updates on this family, see her entry at

Unforgotten Lives lifts up the names and lives of some of the people I have come across in research for other projects; […]

09/03/2024

Today we are unforgetting John Biddel. He was a Black male, born around 1884 in Georgia. He died at about the age of 47, on 3 September 1931, at 8th Avenue and Aragon Street in Pensacola, FL, which was his residence. He was single at the time of his death, and he had suffered from pulmonary tuberculosis for a year and influenza for six months – these were the causes of his death. He worked as a laborer on the waterfront, and had lived in the city for 20 years. He was buried in the Escambia County Poor Farm on 10 September 1931 by T.M. Lloyd.

He appears in 1927 Pensacola City Directory, which lists a John Biddle (c) laborer, living at 315 Salamanca St., Pensacola. There is no reference to him in another City Directory between 1911 and 1931, which would cover the twenty years he lived in the city.

John Biddle was ennumerated in the 1930 U.S. Census for Pensacola, living in the household of Will L. Jones at 516 Aragon St. He was identified as a Roomer, which label does not necessarily exclude his also being a family member. He was identified as widowed, 42 years old, and working as a laborer at odd jobs. He was born in Georgia and both parents were born in Kentucky. He was literate.

The informant on his death certificate was Annie Kinchen, who lived at 809 North D Street. I have not yet found a relationship between the two.

To see any updates or the sources used for this research, visit John's entry on

Unforgotten Lives lifts up the names and lives of some of the people I have come across in research for other projects; […]

07/07/2024

Today we are unforgetting Robert Butterfield. He was a Black male, born about 1875 in Florida. He was single at the time of his death at about age forty on 7 July 1917. His occupation, as well as any information on his parents, was filled in with "Don't know." He died from syphilis with nephritis as a contributing factor, for which he was treated by W.L. Andress from July 5 to July 6. There is no address given on the death certificate, but the fact that the informant, A.T. Rice, was superintendent of the Poor Farm, and the fact that the death certificate was written in the Kupfrian Park precinct of Escambia County, Florida, means that he was probably at the Poor Farm at the time of his last illness. He was buried by F.R. Pou in the Escambia County Poor Farm cemetery.

Robert's death notice appeared in the Pensacola Journal on 16 July 1917, but provides no further information than the death certificate.

There was a Butterfield family in Pensacola at the time Robert would have been alive, headed by John (sometimes called "Jack") Butterfield, but I cannot find a connection between them. I have found two mentions of a Bob Butterfield in the Pensacola newspapers, in reference to an arrest for assaulting a train employee in the Bohemia area of town in July 1902. There does not seem to have been any reporting on the disposition of his specific case.

Other than that, I have not located a Robert or Bob Butterfield in any records, even in a nationwide search, who is a man of color with any connection to Florida.

For the sources used in this research as well as any updates, see Robert's entry at

Unforgotten Lives lifts up the names and lives of some of the people I have come across in research for other projects; […]

06/29/2024

Today we are unforgetting Florencio Innerarity,* a boy of color enslaved by John Innerarity.

He was born around 1815; his race was not recorded.

He was baptized on 29 June 1819 by Father James Coleman at St. Michael's Parish (Spanish Pensacola). At that time, he was estimated to be about 4 years old. His mother was Menti, a negra woman enslaved in the same household. His father was listed as unknown in the baptismal record (this usually meant the father was unwilling or unable to acknowledge the child).

Florencio had an older sister, Ysabel, who was baptized on the same day. She was also born of Menti and an unknown father; her baptismal record includes the detail that she was born in Tallapoosa Nation.

*Innerarity is the name of Florencio's enslaver and the only surname under which I have found Florencio documented. He may have used another surname or no surname at all.

For the sources used in this research and any updates, see Florencio's entry at

Unforgotten Lives lifts up the names and lives of some of the people I have come across in research for other projects; […]

05/31/2024

Today we are unforgetting Ernest Crumb. Ernest Crumb [also Crum, Crumbs] was a man of color born around 1896 in Florida. He died of tuberculosis in the T.B. Ward of the Florida State Prison Farm in Raiford, Union County, Florida on 31 May 1932. He was buried in the State Farm cemetery.

Ernest Crumb first came to my attention as the man arrested for the murder of Louis Bragg (see his entry here.) He was charged first with assault with attempt to murder, and then with murder, on 16 March 1925. He had served seven years of a life sentence when he died in prison.

Ernest was no stranger to the law, having been arrested for petty crime in the past. For the murder of Louis Bragg, however, he consistently asserted that Bragg had pulled a gun on him with the intent of robbing him. In defense, he hit Bragg in the head with a brick, fracturing Bragg's skull and ultimately killing him.

Crumb's death certificate indicates his mother was Emma Crumb (the informant apparently did not know her maiden name), born in Pensacola, FL. There is no other information about his family.

Emma Crumb may be the Emma Lee Beals who married Brooks Crumb [spelled "Crumbo"] on 13 July 1895 at St. John the Baptist Church (Rev. J.B. Green officiating). If so, she and Brooks are only rarely documented in the same household, despite her having 6 children with the last name of Crumb and despite their cohabiting from time to time. She worked as a laundress, whenever an occupation is given.

In the 1910 and 1920 Census of Pensacola, Ernest appears as "Ernestine." In fact, in the 1910 census, Ernestine is listed as a daughter (in 1920, Ernestine is listed as a son). Perhaps his given name was Ernestine, or perhaps Emma was hiding his true identity from the authorities - most of the male members of the family managed to get arrested for petty crime from time to time throughout their young adulthood. Ernest appears in the 1930 census as an inmate of the State Prison in Raiford, 34 years old, born in Florida.

I have been unable to trace Emma; however, one of her sons was named Charlie Bell Crumb. This leads me to wonder if there is a connection with her maiden name as "Beall" is often pronounced as "Bell."

Brooks Crumb died September 10, 1924 of senility at the age of 60. He was buried in Zion Cemetery. According to his death certificate, he had been living in Florida for 45 years before his death. His father was also named Brooks, and both parents were born in Mississippi. The informant was his son, Samuel Elijah.

Emma died in 1943.

For updates to this entry, along with the sources used in the research, see Ernest's entry at www.unforgottenlives.org