1840 Mississippi Naturalisation Records exist (not yet sighted) for a Robert Oakman of Ireland and Louisiana Land Records show a Robert Oakman purchasing 475.8 acres of land at the Ouachita Land Office in 1845.
In 1850, in the Parish of Concordia, Louisiana, Irish-born Robert Oakman is a Cotton Planter with $11,000 worth of real estate. Robert was born about 1815 and arrived in the US sometime before 1850. The Census of that year shows Robert “owns” 12 slaves (5 males, 4 females and 3 children). Robert’s overseer is a man named John Roles who was born in Great Britain. John Roles was an abolitionist who wrote “Slavery on Southern Plantations” which was published in 1864.
In 1860, the value of Robert’s property is not listed. Still in Concordia, Louisiana, Robert now has 36 slaves (13 males, 15 females and 8 children). Sometime prior to 1860, Robert’s niece (H. Shubridge) had arrived from Ireland and is found living with Robert, and Watchmaker J Cooper, in the 1860 Census..
It was finding Miss Shubridge living with Robert that enabled me to connect Robert back to his Northern Ireland family. Miss Shubridge was the daughter of Susannah Oakman and her husband James Shubridge (or Shawbridge/Shoebridge). Susannah’s father, and therefore Robert’s too, was William Oakman of Pigeontown, Ballyvollen Townland, in the Parish of Camlin, County Antrim. Miss Shubridge’s brother, David Shubridge also ventured to the US. He was working as a Labourer in Concordia, Louisiana in 1860.
According to the “Daily Advocate”, Baton Rouge, LA, Miss Shubridge organised the “Great Democratic Barbecue at Coffee Point” which took place on 11 October 1860.
1870 finds Robert with new housemates – Miss Amanda Johnston (born in Mississippi abt 1835 and blind), and Lucy Nelson (16 year old house servant). Robert’s property value has increased to $75,000 — quite a hefty sum! According to the Belfast Newsletter of 20 February 1875, Robert, formerly of Pigeontown, Co Antrim, died on 22 January 1875 at “The Glen” near Natchez, Mississippi. The following death notice was published in the Belfast Newsletter on 20 Feb 1875 and is reproduced here with permission of the Belfast Newsletter:
OAKMAN – Jan 22, at The Glen, near Natches, Misa., U.S.,
Mr. Robert Oakman, formerly of Pigeontown, Co. Antrim.
Children:
Robert’s son, James Oakman, was born abt 1842 in Mississippi. James’ mother was Charlotte, who may have been one of Robert’s slaves. She later married George Brooks and lived in Ouachita, Louisianna, where this couple had three children.
James fought for the Union in the Civil War, enlisting in August 1863. He married his first wife, Caroline, in about 1868 and the couple lived in St Louis, Missouri. After Caroline’s death in 1888, James married again to Amanda in 1889. James died in February 1901 and is buried at St Peter’s Cemetery, Normandy, St Louis. No children have been found for James.