Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Month: December, 2012

December 27, 2012

He is supposed to be lurking.

$25 Reward.

RANAWAY from the Subscriber, on the 1st day of last July, my negro man JACKSON, aged about 25 years, light complected, 6 feet 3 or 4 inches in height, weighing about 165 pounds – the little toe of his right foot is off, and the middle finger on one of his hands is crooked and stiff in the first joint.  He is supposed to be lurking in Nash county, near Vicksville, with a free mulatto woman named Mary Locust.  The above reward will be given for the apprehension of Jackson, if confined in any jail so that I get him again, or if delivered to me, in Edgecombe county, near Upper Town Creek meeting house.  All persons are forbid harboring, or carrying off said negro under penalty of the law. JAMES J. TAYLOR.  August 17, 1844.

Tarboro Press, 5 Oct 1844.

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December 27, 2012

Craven County Apprentices, 1797-1799.

On 14 June 1797, Ann Maria, free person of color aged 3 years in September next, was bound to Euphamia Tinker, Widow, as a spinster.

On 16 June 1797, Lucy, a free person of color aged 7 years, was bound to Patsy Gaynor [Gainer], widow of New Bern, as a spinster.

On 17 June 1797, Samuel McKinnin, a “certain lad of colour” aged 4 years the 25th of December last, was bound to Isaac Markel, mariner of New Bern, as a mariner.

On 16 March 1798, Reading Moore, a base born free Negro boy, was bound to Francis Lowthorp, Esq., of New Bern, as a tobacconist.

On 10 December 1798, Sampson Wilson, free black boy aged 7 years, was bound to William Tignor of New Bern as a block maker, and Amy Wilson, a free black girl aged 11 years, was bound to Tignor as a spinster.

On 10 June 1799, Polly Harris, a free black girl aged 16 years, was bound to William Laurence, merchant of New Bern, as a spinster, and Thomas Harris, a free black boy aged 11 years, was bound to Laurence as a cooper.

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December 27, 2012

He induced a free negro to go over the mountains.

Condemned.  At Surry Superior Court, last week, Abram Weaver, who has been confined in the jail of this county for some eighteen months, was tried and convicted of selling a free negro.  An appeal was taken to the Supreme Court.  People’s Press.

Carolina Watchman, Salisbury, 30 September 1852.

———

ABRAM M. WEAVER.

This notorious individual, we learn, was tried for kidnapping, at the recent term of the Superior Court of Surry county – Judge Ellis presiding.  He was found guilty, and condemned to be hung on the first Friday in October; but appealed to the Supreme Court.

We understand it was in evidence that in the Spring of 1848 Weaver induced a free negro, Jim Corn, to go with him from Stokes county over the mountains into Virginia, on a trip to sell guns; that they stopped at the house of one Lowder, in Burke’s Garden, soon after which the prisoner, sold the said free negro into bondage, who was carried to Louisville, Kentucky, where the negro sued for and obtained his freedom.  Greens. Pat.

Carolina Watchman, Salisbury, 7 Oct 1852.

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December 27, 2012

Runaway bound girls.

One Dollar Reward.

Ranaway from the subscriber, on Monday the 1st inst., a bound mulatto girl by the name of SARAH ANN HAYWOOD.  The above reward will be given to any one who will deliver the said girl to me. – All persons forwarned from harboring or employing the said girl, as the law will be enforced against any person who may do it.  J.C. RUDISILL.  Wood Lawn, Lincoln, N.C. June 25.

Lincoln Courier, Lincolnton, 8 August 1846.

Fifty Cents Reward!

Runaway from the subscriber, living 20 miles south-east of Lincolnton, in Gaston County, a bound girl, about 17 years of age, a dark mulatto.  She left about the 18th of March last; her name is Susannah, and the above reward is paid for her apprehension.  All persons are forewarned from harboring said girl, under the penalty prescribed by law.  A. FITE.  April 21

Lincoln Courier, Lincolnton, 5 May 1849.

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December 27, 2012

Jail break.

THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS REWARD.  BROKE JAIL ON THE NIGHT OF THE 8TH OF May, the following negroes:

SOLOMON, the property of John Lockhart, deceased – He is about five feet eight inches high, black, no marks on his person recollected, aged 35 years.

WILLIS, the property of Capt. J.W. Latta, about six feet high, slender built, black, aged about 27 years.

ALEX HARRIS, a free boy, about five feet five inches high, mulatto, has been living about Raleigh.

Solomon was convicted for the murder of John Lockhart, and was detained for a new trial.  I will give for his apprehension two hundred dollars, and fifty dollars each for the two others, or their confinement in any jail so that I can get them.  H.B. GUTHRIE, Sheriff.  Hillsborough, N.C., May 22, 1863.

Weekly Standard, Raleigh, 27 May 1863.

 

$500 REWARD.  ESCAPED FROM THE JAIL OF GRANVILLE County, in Oxford, on the night of the 27th instant, BALDY KERSEY, a free negro, very bright color, and hair nearly straight, stout made, and about five feet eight inches high, about 45 years old, impudent appearance and quick speech.

Also, JOEL, a slave of T.B. VENABLE. Joel is a dark mulatto, about 5 feet 10 or 11 inches high, and rather spare built, though strong and likely, he is about 35 years of age.

Kersey was sentenced at September term of Granville Superior Court to six months imprisonment, and there are still pending against him five indictments for larceny.

Joel was committed for house breaking and an attempt to commit rape.

I will give the above reward for the apprehension and confinement of both, so that I get them again, or $200 for either.  The belief is that they are making towards the Eastern part of the State.  I wil give $500 for the apprehension and delivery, with evidence sufficient to convict those or anyone of those who assisted from the outside and broke the jail so as to release said prisoners.  W.A. PHILPOTT, Sheriff.  October 6, 1864.

Weekly Standard, Raleigh, 26 October 1864.

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December 27, 2012

An Act to Invest a Right of Inheritance.

At a General Assembly, begun and held at Fayetteville, on the second Day of November, in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-Nine, and in the Fourteenth Year of Independence of the said State; being the first session of the said Assembly.  Samuel Johnston, Esq., Governor.

…

CHAPTER XXXIII.

An Act to Invest an Indefeasible Right of Inheritance in Charles, Alley and Prudence Oggs, the Surviving Natural Children of John Oggs, of the County of Pasquotank, of such Property as was Bequeathed to them and their Deceased Brother Jesse Oggs.

Whereas, it hath been made appear to this General Assembly, that John Oggs late of the county of Pasquotank, hath departed this life, leaving behind him four natural children, Charles, Alley, Prudence and Jesse, by his negro slave Hester, to whom he bequeathed all his real and personal estate by virtue of a certain last will and testament: And whereas, by the policy of the law the said children, being bastards, are debarred from the rights of inheritance, and being recommended to this General Assembly as persons of good fame: And whereas, Jesse, one of the children is dead:

I. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of North Carolina, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That the above mentioned Charles, Alley and Prudence Oggs, are hereby invested in an indefeasible right of inheritance of all and singular the lands and tenements, goods and chattels which were bequeathed to them by their father John Oggs, in virtue of his last will and testament; and that they hold and take the said property to them and their heirs and assigns forever, agreeably to the directions of the said will, and the intentions of the said John Oggs therein expressed.

And whereas, the within mentioned Hester, and her children Charles, Alley and Prudence Oggs, are recommended to this General Assembly by several very respectable inhabitants of the counties of Camden and Pasquotank, as worthy of being manumitted and set free agreeable to the intention of their father John Oggs:

II. Be it therefore enacted, That the said negro woman Hester, and her children Charles, Alley and Prudence Oggs, are hereby manumitted and set free to all intents and purposes, and to possess all the rights and privileges as if they had been born free.

…

Acts of the North Carolina General Assembly, 1789. Colonial and State Records of North Carolina.

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December 25, 2012

This alarm is altogether unfounded.

THE FREE NEGROES. – We understand that some of the free negroes in this community are alarmed for their personal safety.  This alarm is altogether unfounded, for we feel well assured that no free negro who conducts himself properly will suffer any harm.  We would suggest to the free negroes here to do as their brethren did at Newbern – volunteer to work in the cause of the State.  They can be made useful in working upon forts, magazines, arsenals, breastworks, &c. – Register.

Weekly Standard, Raleigh, 1 May 1861.

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December 25, 2012

His father is a free negro, no. 2.

$100 Reward.

RANAWAY from the Subscriber, on Wednesday last, the 14th inst. My negro man, JACK, aged about 36 or 37 years, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches in height, dark complexion, stout built, and a very likely and intelligent fellow – his fore teeth are out, & his others very bad – he generally goes well dressed and has no doubt a considerable sum of money with him.  Jack has a father living as a free man at Mr. Clark’s plantation in Scotland Neck, and he probably may be lurking in that vicinity, or may be turning his course towards Plymouth, as he has heretofore been boating in the Roanoke – or, he may be making his way to the free States.  The above reward will be paid for his apprehension and delivery to me in Edgecombe county, N.C. or if secured in any jail so that I get him again.  All persons are cautioned against harboring or carrying off said fellow under penalty of the law.  GABRIEL PURVIS.  Feb. 16, 1838. 

Tarboro Press, 21 April 1838.

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December 25, 2012

His father is a free negro.

$25 REWARD.

RAN AWAY from the Subscriber, in May Court week last, a bright mulatto boy named JOHN, about 19 or 20 years of age, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, thick set and well built – he has a scar under his jaw, (I think the left jaw,) and thick ankles.  He is a shrewd fellow, and will perhaps alter his name and attempt to pass as a free man.  His father is a free negro, named Hardy Lassiter, living on Toisnot.  The above reward will be given for John’s apprehension, if delivered to me in Edgecombe county, or secured in any jail so that I can get him again.  All persons are hereby forbid harboring, employing, carrying off said boy, under the penalty of law.  SAMUEL FARMER.  Nov. 28, 1831.

North-Carolina Free Press, Tarboro, 24 January 1832.

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December 25, 2012

On the criminal docket.

The Fall term of Cumberland Superior Court of Law commenced its Session yesterday, that Hon. John L. Bailey, presiding.  We learn that owing to the number of cases on the State docket, several of which are for capital felonies, an Extra term for the trial of civil cases is ordered to be held on the second Monday in February next.  To-day, the trial of Daniel and James Butler, for the killing of Thomas F. Richardson, in Sept. 1850, will take place – the Grand Jury found a bill against them for manslaughter only. To-morrow and the next day will be probably occupied in the trial of Richard Jackson for the killing of James Barksdale, and Dave Jones, a free mulatto, for a the murder of a white woman in Campbellton in August last.

Fayetteville Observer, 11 November 1851.

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