They Had Names

African Americans in Early Records of Liberty County, Georgia

Child of USCT Soldier Quash Fripp: Rebecca Fripp Green West of Beaufort County, South Carolina (1874-1962)

NOTE: This research was done to try to distinguish this Rebecca West from a Rebecca West who was also from South Carolina but who lived in Savannah, Georgia. It is being posted to help anyone who might be researching her or her family. If you find mistakes, please let me know so I can correct them, as this is not my usual geographical research location. 

Summary

Rebecca Fripp Green West was born in St. Helena Township, Beaufort County, South Carolina, around 1874, and lived most of her life there except during one of her marriages. Her parents were Quash and Mollie Fripp, formerly enslaved people of South Carolina. Quash Fripp was a private in the 33d U.S. Colored Troop during the Civil War. Not all of Quash and Mollie Fripp’s children were enumerated in census records, and neither were all of Rebecca’s children, making it necessary to piece together their lives from other records, primarily death certificates.

Rebecca lived with her parents in St. Helena until about 1898, when she married Henry Green and had their first child, Estell. By 1910, she had been widowed and was living in the home of relatives in the same neighborhood as early in her marriage.

By 1915, Rebecca had married again, to Jake West, and in 1920 was living in Roberts Township, Jasper County, South Carolina, with him and their son Jake West Jr. They had moved back to Beaufort County by 1930, however. By 1940 Rebecca was listed there as a widow, so they were presumably separated, because Jake West did not die until 1948, in Charleston.

Rebecca continued to live on Congress Street in Beaufort, with relatives in her household and nearby. She died at 808 Congress Street in 1962, and was buried in Citizens Cemetery, a traditionally African American cemetery.

Known children of Rebecca Fripp Green West, based on this research:

• Estell Green, b. 1899

• Marjerie Green, b. 1900

• Theodore Green, b. 1902

• George Green, b. 1903 (?)

• Eva Green, b. 1906

• Ardelle West or Green (Williams), b. 1910 (name seen as Addelle or Ardelle, but most likely Ardelle)

• Henry Green, b. 1909

• Jake West, b. 1915

Details

Rebecca West’s Death Certificate as the Basis for Research

On 9 December 1962, Rebecca West, 75, died in the town of Beaufort, South Carolina.[1] The informant for her death certificate was Jennye Smith, who reported that Rebecca’s parents were Quast [sic] and Molly Fripp and that her husband had been Jack West. Her birthdate was listed as 15 September 1887, which is probably not correct, as she appears almost certain to have been born before 1880. Rebecca had lived at 808 Congress Street in Beaufort and was buried in Citizens Cemetery, a traditionally African American cemetery.[2] She was reported to have been born at Coosaw Island.

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Rebecca Fripp Green West’s 1962 death certificate

Rebecca West’s obituary stated that funeral services were conducted at the Central Baptist Church, and that she was buried in Citizen’s Cemetery. She was survived by “her daughter, Mrs. Ardell Williams; two sons, Henry Green and Jake West; one sister, Mrs. Jannye Smith; seven grandchildren; six great grandchildren and two nieces and one nephew.”[3]

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Location of Congress Street in Beaufort

Jennye Smith’s own death certificate listed her parents as Quash and Mollie (maiden name unknown) Fripp.[4] Jennye died in Ridgeland, Jasper County, in 1964 but her usual residence was 1304 Congress Street, Beaufort, S.C. Her husband, Paul Smith, had been a U.S. Navy seaman from 1899 to 1902. The informant was Alice Riley of Ridgeland.

Rebecca Fripp’s Birth and Parentage

In fact, Rebecca was born around 1874 to Quash and Molly Fripp and enumerated as their daughter in 1880 in St. Helena Township, Beaufort County, South Carolina.[5] Quash and Mollie Fripp had been living in Lowndes Township, Colleton, South Carolina, in 1870 with their imputed children John (10), Peggy (8), and Solomon (2).[6] By 1880, they had moved to St. Helena.[7] In 1880, the children living in their home were John (18), Solomon (10), Cato (9), Albert (7), Rebecca (6), and Peggy (3).

Quash Fripp’s Union Army Service Influenced Residence Location

Why were Quash and Mollie Fripp living in Colleton in 1870 but in Beaufort after that? Quash Fripp, born into slavery, served in the Union Army as a member of the 1st Regiment of South Carolina Volunteer Infantry (Colored), which was assembled in Beaufort County in 1863 and later became the 33d United States Colored Troops regiment.[8] He was assigned as a private in Company B. The unit members were mustered out near Charleston Harbor. Colleton is between Charleston and Beaufort.

Rebecca Fripp Married and Out of the Household by 1900

In 1900, Quash and Mollie Fripp had children Betsie Fripp (19) and Washington Fripp (17) still living at home.[9] Molly had had 14 children, of whom eight were still living. In addition to the children listed above, Katie Baker, who died on December 19, 1919, at the age of 45, had had them listed as her parents on her death certificate.[10]

Rebecca had married Henry Green around 1898, and in 1900 they were listed together with their daughter Estell (1), living relatively near Quash and Mollie Fripp.[11] Henry Green was a day laborer at a phosphate works. Their neighbors were Benj. Simmons, Phillip Allen, Abram Allen, and Joseph Holmes.

Children of Quash and Mollie Fripp documented in this research (dates are approximate, based on census records)

• John, b. 1860

• Peggy, b. 1862

• Solomon, b. 1868

• Cato, b. 1871, d. 1915

• Albert, b. 1873

• Rebecca, b 1874

• Katie (Baker), b. 1874, d. 1919

• Peggy, b. 1877 (not clear if this is a mistake or if the Peggy born around 1862 had died)

• Betsie, b. 1881

• Washington, born 1883

By 1910, Rebecca Green was listed as a widow, now living in the St. Helena household of Roger and Jennie Seabrook with her children Estella (12), Marjerie (10), Theodore (8), Eva (4) and Henry (1).[12] Rebecca was identified as the sister-in-law. Eva Green (71), Henry’s mother, lived nearby with her daughter Louisa Brown (25) and Louisa’s daughters Rosie Green (6) and Mary Brown (1). Other neighbors were the same as in 1900: Philip Allen, Abraham Allen, Benj. Simmons, and Joseph Holmes.

In 1920, Estel Green, Rebecca’s daughter, was living with her grandmother Mollie Fripp, now age 60 and widowed, in the household of Stephen Baker (40), listed as her uncle, in Coosaw Island, St. Helena Township, Beaufort.[13] Stephen Baker was the widower of Quash and Mollie Fripp’s daughter Katie. Estel was listed as being 17 years old, but probably was closer to 21.

Rebecca Green had remarried and in 1920 was now living with her husband, Jake West, and their son Jake West (5) in Roberts Township, Jasper County, S.C.[14] Jake West was a laborer in a sawmill. With them was Jake’s stepson George Green (17), who appears to have been Rebecca’s child, based on his death certificate.

By 1930, Jake and Rebecca West were living with granddaughter Rebecca Green (9) in Yemassee Township, Beaufort.[15] Jake was now the head block setter in a sawmill. Both the 1920 and 1930 censuses, although in different places, showed him and his parents as having been born in North Carolina and him working in a sawmill.

In 1940, Rebecca West, “widow,” was living on Congress Street in Beaufort in the household of Minnie Clancy.[16] Also with them were Minnie’s son Jesse Clancy (53) and his wife Louise Clancy (42), as well as Minnie’s cousin Lula Porter (12). Rebecca was listed as Minnie’s aunt. It is odd that Rebecca West was listed as a widow here, since Jake West did not die until 1948. It could have been a mistake, or perhaps they were separated. Jake West appeared to have been living in St. George, Dorchester, South Carolina, where he was living in a boarding house and working as a laborer in a sawmill, his usual occupation.[17] One discrepancy was that his place of birth was listed in the 1940 census as South Carolina. It is possible this was simply mistaken, since he was a boarder in the household.

Minnie Clancy and Lula Porter

Was the Rebecca West living with Minnie Clancy and Lula Porter in 1940 actually Rebecca Fripp Green West? Research into Minnie Clancy and Lula Porter did not result in a definitive answer; however, in 1950, Rebecca Fripp Green West did live near Minnie Clancy again.

Minnie Clancy’s cousin Lula Porter married John Allen in New York City in 1955.[18] Her parents were John and Rosa Jenkins Porter of St. Helena Island, and she was the fifth of eight children.[19] She was a member of First African Baptist Church in Beaufort, attended nursing school in New York and worked at Bellevue Hospital. She was preceded in death by her sisters, Elois Brown and Margaret Porter, and four brothers, James, Clarence, Joseph and Tad Porter. She had one son, John Allen, Jr. Lula Porter was not necessarily related to Rebecca West.

Minnie Clancy was the daughter of Abraham Cuthbert and Annie Johnson of St. Helena. Although one record indicated her name was Porter at her marriage to James Clancy,[20] a 1943 delayed birth certificate[21] for her son James gave her maiden name as Minnie Cuthbert, and said she was living at 804 Congress Street; her death certificate[22] identified her father as Abraham Cuthbert and reported her address at death as 712 Congress Street. She died on July 2, 1956, and was buried at Sixteen Gate Cemetery in Beaufort.[23]

Part of the Family Located in Charleston

In September 1948, Jake West Sr died at age 62 in Charleston.[24] His death certificate stated that his wife was Rebecca West and that he had been born in Dover, North Carolina, to George C. and Carrie West of the same place. The informant was Jake West Jr of Charleston.

In October 1948, George Green, who appears to have been a child of Rebecca Fripp Green West, was murdered in Charleston, S.C.[25] The informant for his death certificate was Rebecca West, who listed his father as Henry Green and his mother’s maiden name as Rebecca Fripp, both of Beaufort. George was born in Beaufort. Rebecca’s surname was West at this time, and of course her maiden name had been Fripp. George was said to be a sawmill worker for the Jericho Lumber Company. Rebecca West was said to be a resident of Charleston. This could have been a mistake, since she was not the informant for her husband’s Charleston death certificate a month earlier.

In 1947, a Henry Green died in Charleston. The informant, Mary Green, listed his parents as Henry Green and Rebecca Johnson. Although it was tempting to conclude this was merely an error and that this was Rebecca’s son Henry Green, Rebecca’s 1962 obituary said that her son Henry survived her. A Henry and Mary Green were found in the 1910 census in Charleston, with a son named Henry Green, so that may have been the Henry Green who died in Charleston, but he does not appear to have been Rebecca’s son.

A Previously Unidentified Daughter

In 1950, Rebecca West, now a 68-year-old widow, was living with her daughter Addele (sic, Ardelle) Williams (43), the latter’s daughter Edith Williams (18), and Rebecca Green (30) at 808 Congress St. in Beaufort.[26] Minnie Clancy (79), her son Jessie (62) and her daughter Louise (50), lived nearby.

In 1940, Ardell Williams, a 28-year-old widow, had been living on Congress Street in Beaufort with her children Georgella (13), Adolphus (12), James (9), and Edith (7) Williams, listed next to Rebecca West and Minnie Clancy in the census. Ardell Williams died on 2 October 1991 in Los Angeles, CA.[27] Her death certificate listed her father’s surname as Green and her mother’s maiden name was Fripp, which fits with her parents having been Henry and Rebecca (Fripp) Green West. A cemetery record listed her husband’s name was U.S. Army Private George Williams.[28]

Her name was found spelled both as Ardel (or Ardelle) and as Addelle (or Adelle) in various records that were clearly for the same person. Some of the records may have had the name spelled as heard.

Ardell’s son Adolphus Williams’ had his parents listed as George Williams and Adella West in a Social Security claim, which said he had died on 18 November 1995. A California death index listing the same death date said that his mother’s maiden name was Green. Her name was spelled Ardell Williams, living at 208 Congress Street, Beaufort, in his World War II draft registration.

Locations of Rebecca Fripp Green West in census records

SURNAME YEAR LOCATION AGE IN CENSUS MARITAL STATUS WITH
Fripp 1880 St. Helena, Beaufort 6 S Parents Quash & Mollie Fripp and siblings
Green 1900 St. Helena, Beaufort 23 M Husband Henry Green and daughter Estell
Green 1910 St. Helena, Beaufort 32 Wd Widowed, with children Estella, Marjerie, Theodore, Eva, and Henry
West 1920 Roberts Township, Jasper County, SC 40 M Husband Jake West, son Jacky West and probable son George Green [Jake West born in NC]
West 1930 Hardeeville Town, Beaufort County 48 M Husband Jake West, and granddaughter Rebecca Green [Jake West born in NC]
West 1940 Congress Street, Beaufort 67 Wd Niece Minnie Clancy (70) and cousin Lula Porter (12), plus Minnie’s son June Clancy (53) and his wife Louise (42). [This is a discrepancy, since Jake West did not die until 1948. Her age also did not track with her age in other census records. However, no Rebecca West was found elsewhere.]
West 1950 Congress Street, Beaufort 68 Wd Daughter Ardele Williams (43), her daughter Edith Williams (18), and Ardele’s niece Rebecca Green (30, never married)
West 1962 808 Congress St, Beaufort 79 Wd Death certificate stated born on 15 Nov 1887 on Coosaw Island, parents Quast Fripp and Molly ?, husband Jake West, informant Jennye Smith of Beaufort, died at home, buried Citizens Cemetery, Beaufort.
  1. “South Carolina, U.S., Death Records, 1821-1972,” entry for Rebecca West, State File 62 017770; database images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8741/images/47223_547579-00184 : accessed 14 Nov 2024), image 185 of 1831; citing Family History Library microfilm #[#]. ↑
  2. “South Carolina Historic Properties Record,” South Carolina Department of Archives & History, Citizen Cemetery Record, Site Number 025-1259, Control Number U/13/025-1259, (https://schpr.sc.gov/index.php/Detail/objects/14742 : accessed 10 Nov 2024). ↑
  3. “News of Interest to the Colored Community – Mrs. Rebecca West,” The Beaufort Gazette (Beaufort, South Carolina), 20 Dec 1962, page 3-B. ↑
  4. “South Carolina, U.S. Death Records, 1821-1972,” entry for Janie Smith, Beaufort town, Beaufort, County, State File 09935; database images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8741/images/VRDUSASC1821_089035-01402 : accessed 15 Nov 2024), image 176 of 276. ↑
  5. 1880 U.S. Census, Beaufort County, South Carolina, population schedule, St Helena Township, page 8, dwelling 82, family 88; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6742/images/4244508-00462 : accessed 13 Nov 2024) ↑
  6. 1870 U.S. census, Colleton County, South Carolina, population schedule, Lowndes Township, page 43, dwelling 441, family 480, entry for Quash Fripp household; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7163/images/4275955_00247 : accessed 13 Nov 2024). ↑
  7. 1880 U.S. Census, Beaufort County, South Carolina, population schedule, St. Helena Township, enumeration district not listed, page 8, dwelling 82, family 88, entry for Quash Fripp household; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6742/images/4244508-00462 : accessed 15 Nov 2024). ↑
  8. “U.S. Civil War Pension Index: General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934,” for Quash Fripp, filing date 25 Oct 1897; digital database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 Nov 2024). “U.S., Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, 1861-1865,” for Quash Fripp, enlistment 31 Jan 1863 in Beaufort, SC, muster date 31 Jan 1863, U.S. Colored Troops 33rd Infantry, company B; digital database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 Nov 2024). “U.S., Colored Troops Military Service Records, 1863-1865,” for Quash Fripp, born Jacksonboro, South Carolina, enlisted 19 Oct 1862, 33rd U.S. Colored Infantry; digital database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 Nov 2024). ↑
  9. 1900 U.S. Census, Beaufort County, South Carolina, population schedule, St. Helena Township, enumeration district 9, sheet 18, line numbers 54-56; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7602/images/4120534_01174 : accessed 13 Nov 2024). ↑
  10. “South Carolina, U.S., Death Records, 1821-1972,” entry for Katie Baker, 19 Dec, 1919, Ladies Island, Beaufort County, State File 21140; database images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8741/images/VRDUSASC1821_088630-01021 : accessed 15 Nov 2024), image 517 of 533. ↑
  11. 1900 U.S. Census, Beaufort County, South Carolina, population schedule, St. Helena Township, enumeration district 9, sheet 18, line numbers 15-17; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7602/images/4120534_01175 : accessed 13 Nov 2024). ↑
  12. 1910 U.S. Census, Beaufort County, South Carolina, population schedule, St. Helena Township, enumeration district 67, sheet 13B, line numbers 61-69; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/7884/images/4449318_01005 : accessed 13 Nov 2024). ↑
  13. 1920 U.S. Census, Beaufort County, South Carolina, population schedule, St. Helena Township, enumeration district 73, sheet 12B, line numbers 61-63, dwelling 417, visited 417; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6061/images/4384813_00307 : accessed 15 Nov 2024). ↑
  14. 1920 U.S. Census, Jasper County, South Carolina, population schedule, Roberts Township, enumeration district 115, sheet 11B, line numbers 62-65; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6061/images/4383878_00522 : accessed 13 Nov 2024). ↑
  15. 1930 U.S. Census, Beaufort County, South Carolina, population schedule, Yemassee Township, Hardeeville Town, enumeration district 7-21, sheet 4B, line numbers 61-63; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/6224/images/4547317_00462 : accessed 13 Nov 2024). ↑
  16. 1940 U.S. Census, Beaufort County, South Carolina, population schedule, Beaufort Township, enumeration district 7-1, sheet 8B, line numbers 43-47; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2442/images/m-t0627-03790-00021 : accessed 13 Nov 2024). ↑
  17. 1940 U.S. census, Dorchester County, South Carolina, population schedule, St. George Township, Enumeration District 18-11, sheet 7A, lines(s) 73-80, 1-3, entry for Willie Loomer household; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/2442/images/m-t0627-03805-00338 : accessed 15 Nov 2024). ↑
  18. “New York, New York, U.S., Marriage License Indexes, 1907-2018, for Lula Porter and John Allen, license #5775, 1955, Manhattan, New York; database with images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 Nov 2024). ↑
  19. This and rest of paragraph from her obituary at the unity Funeral Chapels website (https://www.unityfuneralchapels.com/obituary/4338954 : 16 Nov 2024). ↑
  20. Death certificate for Minnie Clancy’s son Jesse Clancy, identifying her maiden name as Porter. The informant was Jesse’s wife, Louise Clancy. “South Carolina, U.S., Death Records, 1821-1972” -> 1962-1965 -> 1965-> 009927-011676, entry for Jesse Clancy, Beaufort, 712 Congress St., State File 65 010067; database images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8741/images/47223_547585-00157 : accessed 16 Nov 2024), image 156 of 1854. ↑
  21. “South Carolina, U.S. Delayed Birth Records, 1766-1900 and City of Charleston, South Carolina, U.S., Birth Records, 1877-1901” -> “Delayed Birth Records -> “BC_271895-1896” for James Clancy, 2062 N. 29 St, Los Angeles, CA; database with images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/1239/images/VRBUSASC1766_089225-01045 : 16 Nov 2024), image 1046 of 2040. ↑
  22. “South Carolina, U.S., Death Records, 1821-1972” -> 1950-1961 -> 1956 -> Beaufort, entry for Minnie Clancy, Beaufort, 712 Congress St., State File 56 008451; database images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8741/images/41786_327921-00188 : accessed 16 Nov 2024), image 102 of 246. ↑
  23. Find A Grave, memorial page for Minnie Clancy, 2 July 1956, Memorial 108055278; database index with grave marker images, FindaGrave (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 16 Nov 2024); citing Sixteen Gate Cemetery, Beaufort, Beaufort County, South Carolina. ↑
  24. “South Carolina, U.S., Death Records, 1821-1972” -> 1925-1949 -> 1948 -> Charleston, entry for Jake West, Ravenel, Charleston, Union Heights Street, State File 11400; database images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8741/images/VRDUSASC1821_089036-01275 : accessed 15 Nov 2024), image 1212 of 1630. ↑
  25. “South Carolina, U.S., Death Records, 1821-1972” -> 1925-1949 -> 1948 -> Charleston entry for George Green, 8 Oct 1948, Ravenel, Charleston, Jericho Street, State File 12824; database images, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/8741/images/VRDUSASC1821_089037-01199 : accessed 15 Nov 2024), image 1342 of 1640. ↑
  26. 1950 U.S. Census, Beaufort County, South Carolina, population schedule, Beaufort Township, enumeration district 7-4, sheet 17, line numbers 24-27; digital image, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/62308/images/43290879-South_Carolina-077341-0018 : accessed 13 Nov 2024). ↑
  27. “California, U.S. Death Index, 1940-1997,” for Ardell Williams, SS #250016247, born 27 Nov 1910 in South Carolina, died 2 Oct 1991 in Los Angeles, mother’s maiden name Fripp, father’s surname Green; digital database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 Nov 2024). ↑
  28. “U.S., Veterans’ Gravesites, ca. 1775-2019,” for Ardell Williams, wife of George Williams (Pvt US Army), Riverside National Cemetery, plot section 42, site 2499, interment date 9 Oct 1991; digital database, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 16 Nov 2024). ↑

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