The 2010 U.S. Census recorded 12,443 black Americans with Epps as their last name. That represented 62% of the total of 20,112 entries.
This article tracks their numbers in the census since the Civil War. We also look at historic African American people named Epps.
We end with a review of early records of black military service in the United States.
After The Civil War
The 1870 census was the first survey after the Civil War and the Emancipation Proclamation. In 1850 and 1860, only free African Americans were recorded in the census. The many enslaved were omitted.
From 1870 onward, all black Americans were included.
1,465 people named Epps were recorded in the 1870 census as black and 180 as mixed.
There was a total of 2,876 people with the name.
Epps In The 1900 And 1940 Census
The mixed category was dropped from the census in 1900, so we just need to look at the black numbers this time.
The 1900 census recorded 3,321 people with the last name Epps as black within a total of 5,654 that year.
By the way, the mixed category returned in the 1910 and 1920 censuses. It was dropped again in 1930, but replaced with extra categories for colored and non-white in a way that seems confusing now.
This changed again in 1940 and we can simply focus on one black category.
The 1940 census recorded 4,136 people named Epps as black within a total of 9,238.
Historic Black Figures With The Epps Surname
Here is a notable African American in history with Epps as their last name.
Gail Ann Epps
- Born: 1939
- From: Clinton, Tennessee
The U.S. Supreme Court ordered desegregation of schools through their ruling on Brown vs Board of Education in 1954. Clinton High School was the first school chosen to be desegregated in Tennessee.
Gail Ann Epps was one of twelve black students who enrolled at Clinton High in the fall of 1956. On the second day, a white mob gathered at the school to prevent desegregation. Led by a Klan member, they hurled abuse and threats at the Clinton 12.
Despite the National Guard arriving to restore peace, property was damaged and bomb threats were made to the families. Most of the Clinton 12 had to withdraw from the school and even move away for safety.
Only two students, Bobby Cain and Gail Ann Epps, were able to graduate from the school.
Epps In Black Military Records
Military records are a rich resource of information for family history research. Here are examples of the Epps surname from military service.
Buffalo Soldiers
Five regiments for black soldiers were formed during the Civil War. They were known as the Buffalo Soldiers.
Their records are part of the national archive of military monthly returns. The information includes the year and place of birth, where they enlisted, their occupation, and their height.
One of the earliest military entries for Epps was in April 1879. Richard Epps was a Private in the U.S. Ninth Cavalry. He was stationed in April 1879 at Knights Ranch, New Mexico.
Another entry was in December 1887. William Epps was a Recruit in the U.S. Tenth Cavalry.
If you are researching military ancestors, there is a free index of these records on Ancestry.com and FamilySearch.org.
You have to create an account on either website, but you do not need to pay for the Buffalo Soldiers archive.
Black Civil War Sailors
The National Parks Service has a free archive of African American sailors during the Civil War.
The information includes their age, height, rank, occupation, and where and when they enlisted. It also includes every ship that they served on.
You can search the database on the National Parks website.
Peter Epps
One of the earliest entries for Epps was for Peter Epps from Essex County, Virginia. He enlisted in May 1864 at Washington when he was aged 24.
The record shows that Peter was assigned on October 1864 to the ship Thomas Freeborn.
His occupation before enlisting was as a Laborer. His naval rank was Landsman.
“Landsman” was the lowest rank at the time and was given to recruits with little sea experience.
Richard Epps
One of the later entries was for a sailor who enlisted at Norfolk in February 1865. Richard was aged 19 and was from Surrey County, Virginia.
He was assigned to the ship Charles Phelps on September 1865.
His naval rank was Landsman.
“Landsman” was the lowest rank at the time and was given to recruits with little sea experience.