Beverley Vance and the Griffin Property Dispute
A Formerly Enslaved Man, a Legal Dispute, and the Fight to Build a Life After Emancipation
Hi Genfriends!
You know that I research my ancestors over and over again. I’d like for you to take look at The Legacy of Beverley Vance (1832-1899) and compare it this more complete version. I used Notebook LM for the podcast. It helped to understand more fully the court record (images 301-311) that I found for Beverley. Listen to it on Spotify.
Introduction
In the decades following the Civil War, formerly enslaved people faced extraordinary challenges in securing land, asserting their rights, and navigating a hostile legal system. Among them was Beverley Vance (1832-1899), a man whose life offers us a rare window into that tumultuous era. Born enslaved in 1832 in South Carolina, Beverley lived through slavery, war, and emancipation—only to find himself at the center of a bitter property dispute in the years following.
This post shares highlights from Beverley Vance’s life and explores the 1866–1868 legal case that placed him at odds with the heirs of a white landowner. Through court testimony and historical context, we glimpse the real struggles of freedom and the enduring resilience of one Black man determined to make a way in a new world.
Who Was Beverley Vance?
Beverley Vance (1832–1899) was a Black man born in South Carolina during slavery. Historical records refer to him as a “house boy to the late J. K. Vance,” a phrase that, given the time and place, strongly suggests enslavement.
Birth & Death: Born in 1832, died in Greenwood, SC, in 1899.
Family: Son of Samuel Vance (1789–1868) and Marie (b. 1810). He married (not done legally before enslavement) Matilda Dunlap in 1856 (possibly jumped the broom), and together they had twelve children over two decades. These children—P., Robert Lee, Lafayette Franklin, Carrie, Arie Anna, Charlotte, and six born after 1866—were born into a world rapidly shifting from enslavement to freedom.
Recognition: His life is noted in History of the American Negro and His Institutions (1919), suggesting a degree of respect and influence in his later years.
The Griffin Property Dispute (1866–1868)
Shortly after the Civil War, Beverley Vance entered into a rental agreement for land owned by the Griffin family. What began as a simple tenancy soon escalated into a complex legal battle over rent, repairs, timber, and property damage.
1. The Rental Agreement
In late 1865, Beverley Vance agreed to rent land for $100 from J. K. Vance, who acted as an agent for the Griffin heirs. The terms of the agreement were poorly documented, and disputes quickly emerged:
Timber Use: Vance was allegedly forbidden from cutting live timber. He claimed no such agreement existed, though later acknowledged being shown which trees could be used.
Fencing & Repairs: He was expected to maintain fences and keep the orchard enclosed, but again, the exact terms were disputed.
Use of the Property: Initially occupied by a relative, the property later served as storage for Beverley’s goods and crops.
2. Accusations of Damage
Witnesses for the Griffin family described extensive damage during Beverley’s occupancy:
Fences: Cross fences were removed; up to 500 panels were taken or repurposed.
Buildings: Window panes were broken, barn boards stripped, outbuildings dismantled. Estimated repair costs reached over $250.
Timber & Orchard: Dozens of fruit trees were cut or damaged by livestock. Witnesses counted 37 small trees cut in one section alone.
3. Beverley’s Defense
Beverley offered a very different version of events:
State of the Property: He maintained the land and buildings were already in poor condition when he arrived.
Firewood Use: He only used timber for firewood and necessary repairs.
Fencing: He did repair and enclose the orchard himself, using what materials were available.
Plank Removal: He admitted taking planks for repairs but offered to repay or replace them.
Vance also refused to surrender the land after a legal attachment in 1867, stating he was unsure of the legal standing and trying to avoid further conflict.
4. The Legal Tangle
Land Attachment: The property was seized during a lawsuit involving the Griffin family.
Ownership Uncertainty: By the time it was sold to J. T. Johnson, the matter of responsibility for damages was still unresolved.
Rent Dispute: Vance paid part of the rent but withheld the rest, citing disputes over repairs and conditions.
Legacy and Reflection
The Griffin property dispute was not merely about fences and firewood—it was a reflection of the broader struggles that defined Reconstruction for many African Americans. Beverley Vance, once enslaved, was navigating a new system that promised freedom but often delivered hardship.
Yet his story—preserved in court records and family memory—speaks to perseverance. Despite allegations, despite legal entanglements, and despite the enormous burdens placed on formerly enslaved people, Beverley managed to secure land, raise a family, and leave a legacy.
In remembering Beverley Vance, we remember not only one man’s story but the difficult path so many walked to claim their freedom and forge a future.
I plan to research the Griffin family.
If you're researching ancestors in the Reconstruction-era South or navigating property records and post-war legal documents, Beverley's story may offer you both inspiration and practical insight. Have you encountered similar cases in your own family history? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Sincerely,
Robin R. Foster
Your GenFriend & Author