The database has 19 "sandy" in the results, of which a bunch refer to  
landforms. 1 is the TJ person and two others have the name Sandy.  
However, there are more than a few that have "reddish or sandy" hair  
as a descriptor so it isn't necessarily correct to exclude the "sandy"  
as pertaining to red, but would be more accurate to refer to it as a  
particular hue of lightish tan/red.

I also agree that Sandy is a diminutive for Alexander. In the  
Geography of Slavery, there are 56 entries for Alexander. Of the 15 I  
checked, none of the slaves had the given name of Alexander, with the  
name all referring to whites.

Based on that sample, it is (here we go with that word again) probable  
that Sandy is infrequently used as a given name for slaves and if  
used, is not a nickname for Alexander which is absent from the sample  
as a slave's given name.

As most of the usage was in reference to physical appearance as noted  
in the particulars for apprehension, sandy does seem to be a  
legitimate but not exclusive descriptor for some variation on light red.

Lyle Browning, RPA


On Oct 29, 2008, at 12:18 PM, Michael Nicholls wrote:

> One doesn't have to speculate if one is willing to do some  
> research.  Google the Geography of Slavery, go to advertisements, do  
> a search on Sandy and you will find one advertised by TJ who ran  
> away.  He is described as a mulatto with a lighter complexion but no  
> mention of hair color which would have been included if it had been  
> reddish since these ads functioned rather much like wanted posters  
> and often included info about hair length, style etc. The site also  
> provides the info that TJ sold him to one Lewis in the 1770's.   
> There were also other Sandy's --check the Monticello plantation data  
> base. - Mick Nicholls
>
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