Anita Well he did sound like quite a character. I know lots of slave owns name their people after themselves, so I thought that there could be a connection with my Jackson. It was good of him to free them. Sounds like he may have been a good person. I don't know of Charles Yates, but it sounds like you have done quite a lot of research on him. If I come across anything in my searches I will post for you. Good Luck Janice Janice, My ancestor, James Jackson was described a Slave (or servant), to Charles Yates in Fredericksburg. Yates was a wealthy businessman and builder in Fredericksburg. When he died (in 1822),he freed all of his slaves, including my ancestor, James Jackson. He even left one of his freed slaves $500.00 in his Will. William and Samuel Jackson were apprentices of Charles Yates and he paid them dues when they turned 21. James and Patty Bowden were formally married after he was free. They had several children together, including my direct ancestor Samuel Jackson. They were part of the Free Black Community in Fredericksburg. I did a lot of research on Charles Yates and he was quite a character. When Patty Bowden completed her indenture and moved to Fredericksburg, he allowed her to live on his property. One of his servants, Aminidab Booker, was sent to him from London. The man sent a letter to Yates and told him that Booker was not coming as a slave, but under Indenture. He also told him to Pay Book for his services, once he was free. He was the one who received $500.00 after Gates death. James and Patty's son, William was a Carpenter in Fredericksburg, while Samuel was a Laborer. I have been told that Yates was a Quaker, so that may have been what formed his views on slavery. Anita To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html