Fourth Generation Inclusive

Hillary Herring enlisted in the 37th Colored Troops in 1864.  At the time, he was 23 years old, 6 feet 1/2 inches tall, light-complexioned, with black eyes and dark hair.  He was born in Onslow County and worked as a farmer. Herring was discharged from the army on 11 February 1867.  After a two-year acquaintance, he married Kizzy Dudley on 18 December 1869 in Burgaw, Pender County. Rev. Elisha Boon performed the ceremony. It was Hillary’s first marriage, but Kizzy had married John Herring in 1863 and was left a widow when he died in August 1866.  Hillery Herring died 30 June 1876 in Bentonsville, Johnston County, of “disease of lungs.” Dr. Martin Harper attended him during his final illness.  Lewis Hood furnished his coffin and served as undertaker, and Rev. John James Harper, a white man, preached the funeral sermon.

At the time of her application, Kizzy Herring lived in Lonoke, Lonoke County, Arkansas. Many of her witnesses had known her in North Carolina and had also migrated West.  She was poor and little able to support herself.

Abstracted from “#563,970. Claim of Kizza Harring, widow of Hillary Harring, Co. A, 37 U.S.C.T., for Widow’s Pension.”

In the 1850 census of the South Side of the Neuse, Wayne County: John Herring, 50, wife Charity, 40, and their children John Green, 18, Solomon, 16, Daniel, 14, Hillery, 12, James, 10, Outy, 7, Harriet, 4, and Doctor, 0.

[Sidenote: On 21 November 1872, my great-great-great-grandparents, Lewis and Margaret Henderson, and Hillery and Keziah Herring sold two tracts totalling about 80 acres to John P. Cobb and Jesse Hollowell, these being tracts purchased from William R. Davis.  There was no deed recording the purchase from Davis. Both Lewis and Hillery were born in Onslow County.  Were they related?  If not, why did they buy land together? — LYH]