Not long ago a descendant of a former slave, Daniel Hastings and his wife Carolyn Hastings was monitoring the Giles County message boards. She got my email address from that board and wrote asking me if I'd found in the deed of sale for her Dan. At the time I didn't know I possessed that particular Bill of Sale. I just found it among all the Hastings documents I've collected. Whoever it was that contacted me, please write me again. I've lost your email address. It is likely that Daniel's parents and/or siblings went to Mississippi with the Zachariah Hastings who married Lilly Phillips - see bill of sale below. When I was researching Zach's descendant's I learned that upon learning they'd been emancipated one their former slaves and his wife refused to leave. That couple (apparently about Zack and Lilly's ages) lived on Zack's farm until their deaths. It is possible that couple may have been Daniel's parents. One of their descendants was featured on the Today program back in the late 1970's or early 1980's when she celebrated her hundredth birthday. Perhaps that lady's family can tell you something about their family traditions that might help you identify Daniel's parents. Ruth A. Z. Hasten TO BILL OF SALE JOSEPH HASTING - Registered April 2nd 1860 State of Tennessee I have this day sold & do hereby convey to Joseph Hasting his heirs and asign forever for twelve hundred dollars to me paid a man slave named Dan. I warrant this title to said slave to the said Joseph Hasting his heirs & asigns against the lawful claims of all persons & I also warrant him to be sound, healthy, sensible and a Slave for live. This the 23rd November 1859. /s/ A.Z. Hasten (seal) WITNESS: B. Abernathy, W.A. Dunnavant State of Tennessee Personally appeared before me, Amos R. Richardson, Clerk of Giles County, the County Court of said County B. Abernathy & W.A. Dunnavant the subscribing Witnesses with whom I am personally acquainted, who after being sworn depose & say they are personally acquainted with A.Z. Hasten, the maker of the within B ill of Sale & that he acknowledged the same in their presence & the day it bears date for the purposes therein contained. Witness my hand at office this 18th day of February 1860. No.2 April Rec.d 9 Oclock A.M. April 2nd 1860 /s/ Amos R. Richardson, Clerk