Please note: This project requires a Family Finder test, either already taken or ordered, in order to join. Carson Plantations DNA Project will use autosomal DNA (Family Finder DNA test) to explore the family relationships between the descendants of the numerous slaves owned by the John Carson family members originally from Western North Carolina and several Free People of Color families associated with the Carson family. John Carson, born in 1752 and an immigrant from Northern Ireland, owned nearly 70 slaves when he died in Burke County in 1841. These slave families were owned jointly by three of his younger sons; William Moffett, George M. and Jonathan Logan Carson and remained in North Carolina until emancipation. As early as 1805, John Carson had deeded 10 of his slaves to three of his oldest sons; Jason Carson, Joseph McDowell Carson and Dr. John W. Carson. When his adult children moved to other locations they moved their slave families with them and purchased additional slaves. Court and census records indicated the following children of John Carson owned slave families who were likely related: Jason Carson moved to Hinds County, Mississippi prior to 1830 – In 1820 he owned 18 slaves in North Carolina and by 1850 his widow paid taxes on 44 slaves in Mississippi. Joseph McDowell Carson moved to Rutherford County, North Carolina and built the Green River Plantation – in 1830 he owned 39 slaves and by 1850 53 were reported. He named several slaves in his 1860 Will. Charles Carson moved to the Republic of Texas where he died in 1849 – in 1840 he owned 32 slaves in North Carolina and in 1850 his widow paid taxes on 42 slaves in Bowie County, Texas. Charles left some of his slaves in North Carolina and many were purchased by his brothers. Dr. John W. Carson died in 1836 owning five slaves, a husband, wife and three children. Sarah Carson Smith moved to the Republic of Texas with her husband, a large slave owner. Both died in 1840 but the disposition of those slaves is unknown, most likely sold as part of the estate. Rebecca Carson McEntire, estranged from her husband, owned nine slaves in 1860. Samuel Price Carson moved to the Republic of Texas and died in Arkansas in 1838 owning 44 slaves, at least two were purchased by his half brother, Charles Carson. His wife and daughters returned to NC with several of their slaves and later married William Moffett Carson, Samuel’s brother. George M. Carson, never married, inherited slaves from his father’s estate and also owned slaves on his own. When he died in 1863, his estate included 35 slaves. He is also associated with several Free Woman of Color (believed to possibly be mixed race with Native American) and their children. In 1840 several Free People of Color were enumerated as part of the Col. John Carson household. In 1850, George was living with 3 free Women of Color and their children with a last name of Bailey. They were found on the 1860 with the last name of York William Moffett Carson also owned slaves on his own and in 1850 he paid taxes on 36 slaves. When he died in 1863 he had willed groups of seven or eight slaves to five of his children. Jonathan Logan Carson own 63 slaves in 1850 and 28 in 1860. After emancipation, he made arrangements to pay a few of his former slaves who chose to remain with the family. The 1870 census includes numerous Carson families in the counties of Western North Carolina who were likely previous slaves of John Carson and his descendants. By utilizing DNA testing and sound research techniques, the heritage of these families can be explored and shared with their descendants.