It is my understanding that the term FREE PERSON OF COLOR did not apply only to black and mixed black people in 1840. In this case the Nunez boys were of Portuguese descent and we think they probably had the olive skin tone found in people of Mediteranian descent. It is highly unlikely that a black or mixed black man would have been allowed to marry a white woman and live in Ware or Appling County, Georgia in 1840. I think the law in Georgia was very strict in that regard. In later census the word mulato was used instead of this term but up until after the Civil War, it may have had a different meaning in the census. If any of you have additional information on this or if you know where records of the law and definition of the terminalogy in use in 1840 can be found I would appreciate your input. Just a little additional information: 30 UNIS, Alexander 0000000000000-0000001000000 (1 Free Colored Male, 36-55) (Alexander Nunez; 1st wife Ruth ____?; 2nd wife Sophia _____?; one daughter Mary Young) (Son of Daniel Nunez of Wayne Co.; Brother of Daniel and Hugh Nunez of Appling Co.) End Page 140 ______________________________ ----- Original Message ----- From: <GAWARE-D-request@rootsweb.com> To: <GAWARE-D@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2002 2:07 AM Subject: GAWARE-D Digest V02 #69