Register of (NC-born) Negroes & Mulattoes: Vigo County, Indiana.

by Lisa Y. Henderson

Jethro Bass registered 2 July 1853.  Age 70. Mulatto. Born Granville County NC. Resided Lost Creek township.

Jethro Bass and Polly Mitchell married in Granville County NC on 3 Apr 1809.  In 1830, Jethro Bass headed a household of 13 free people of color in Vigo County, Indiana.  In the 1850 census of Harrison township, Vigo County, Indiana: Jathro Bass, 70, wife Polly, 60, Emily, 17, and Alfred Bass, 6.

Lucy Brooks registered 9 July 1853.  Age 35. Mulatto. Born Northampton County NC. Resided Harrison township.

John Brooks registered 9 July 1853. Age 45. Mulatto. Born Halifax County NC. Resided Harrison township.

In the 1850 census of Harrison, Vigo County, Indiana: John Brooks, 42, Lucinda, 32, Kinchen, 12, Benjamin, 10, Amanda, 8, William, 6, and Augustes, 7 months.  John and Lucinda were born in NC; the children, in Indiana.

George Evans registered 2 July 1853. Age 49. Mulatto. Born Randolph County NC. Resided Lost Creek township.

Solomon Jackson. Registered 16 June 1853. Age 45. Negro. Born Richmond County NC. Resided Terre Haute.

John Mathews. Registered 18 June 1853. Age 36. Mulatto. Born NC. Resided Terre Haute.

In the 185o census of Harrison, Vigo County: John Mathews, 35, wife Lucretia, 23, and Lucy D., 1, plus Amy Halaran, 21, born in Ireland, and George Beard, 26, born in Kentucky. 

George Mitchell. Registered 17 June 1853. Age 25. Negro. Born Rawlegh Way [Wake] County NC. Resided Terre Haute.

Jeremiah Mitchell. Registered 25 June 1853. Age 61. Negro.  Born Rawlegh Way [Wake] County NC. Resided Terre Haute.

Samuel Mitchel. Registered 25 June 1853. Age 50. Mulatto. Born Orange County NC. Resided Lost Creek township.

William Morgan. Registered 8 Aug 1853. Age 28. Mulatto. Born Louisburg NC. Resided Otter Creek township.

Henry A. Newsom. Registered 6 Aug 1853. Age 35. Negro. Born Greene County NC. Resided Harrison township.

In 1851, when the Indiana General Assembly enacted its second state constitution, it included a provision, Article XIII, prohibiting any Negro or mulatto from entering or settling in the state. To enforce this provision, county clerks were ordered to register Negroes and mulattos already living in Indiana. This post abstracts Vigo County registrants reported born in North Carolina. 

Vigo County Register of Negroes and Mulattoes, Indiana State Archives.