Banneker, son of Robert and Mary BANNAKY, was born in 1731, near the Patapsco River located about 16 kilometers from Baltimore. BANNEKER's mother was a free Mulatto; His father, an African who had to buy his freedom to get out of his slave status. BANNEKER's grandfather was known as Bannaka; Then, under that of Bannaky. Her grandmother's name was Molly Walsh. She was first a servant in England, and then sent to Maryland, bound by a contract of apprenticeship as a servant.
After completing her 7 years of servitude, Molly Walsh bought a farm and 2 slaves who helped her run it. She freed her two slaves, and married one of them: Bannaky.
They had several children including a daughter, Mary. When Mary grew up, she bought a slave named Robert, whom she later married; They had several children including Benjamin.