Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Month: December, 2012

December 17, 2012

Reward for stolen free papers.

TEN DOLLARS REWARD.  The undersigned offers the above reward for his Free Papers, which were stolen from his house in Davidson county, on the 13th January, 1851.  They were signed by John Shuman, Jr., certifying that I am free, and by J.M. Brown, J.P., with a certificate attached from the Clerk of the County Court, John Giles, by John H. Hardie, Deputy Clerk, and dated October 1, 1844.   IRVIN FREEMAN.  Feb. 1, 1851.

Carolina Watchman, Salisbury, 6 Feb 1851.

In the 1850 census of Northern Division, Davidson County: Irvine Freeman, 35, and wife Biddy, 34.

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December 17, 2012

Surnames: Anson County, 1850.

BASS, BOGGAN, CONRAD, COX, DIGGS, FARMER, HALL, HINSON, JONES, LOCKLAYER, LOVE, MITCHEL, MUGEANG, MUMFORD, ROBINSON, SHAVER/SHAVERS, SKIPPER, SMITH, WALKER, WATTS, WILLIAMS, WRIGHT and YOUNG.

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December 17, 2012

Free man of color, Confederate deserter.

GASTON BURNS, a free man of color, ranaway from me on the 18th inst.  He has been living at Salisbury, N.C., for a number of years.  I will give the above reward for his apprehension and confinement in some jail, so that I can get him again.  A.W. HOWERTON.  1st Lieut. Co. I, 57th Reg. N.C.T. Richmond, Va., Sept. 18, 1862.

Carolina Watchman, Salisbury, 22 Sept 1862. NC Newspaper Digitization Project, North Carolina State Archives Historic Newspaper Archive.

In the 1860 census of Salisbury, Rowan County: G. Burns, 28, mulatto, listed in the household of Margaret Earnhart, 56, white.

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December 17, 2012

Craven County Apprentices, 1762-1783.

On 7 April 1762, Lydia, a free Negro girl aged 13 years; Acey, a free Negro boy aged 11 years; Aaron, a free Negro boy aged 9 years; and David, a free base born Negro aged 7 years were bound to Mrs. Anna Bryan until 18 to learn the house and plantation business.

On 5 July 1764, Ball, a baseborn Negro child 3 years and 10 months, and Hannah, a base born Negro child aged 1 year 4 months, were bound to Peter Rhem as servants until 21 years old.

On 19 June 1775, Thomas, a free Negro, was bound for 6 years to Edward Francks as a laborer.

On 15 March 1777, Abigail, a free Negro aged 11 years, was bound to Peter Rhem to learn to spin and do house work.

On 13 June 1778, Solomon Carter, a free Negro boy aged 5 years, was bound to Richard Neale as a cooper.

On 13 March 1783, George Carter, free Negro boy aged 6 years, was bound to Thomas McLin, Esq., as a cooper.

On 12 September 1783, Edward Black, freeborn Negro boy aged 6 years, was bound to Thomas Heath as a shoemaker.

On 13 December 1783, Betty Spellman, free Negro girl aged 4 years next January, was bound to John Tillman for spinning, weaving, and housework.

On 13 December 1783, Shadrach Lindsay, a free mulatto boy aged 10 years, bound to John Avery as a house carpenter.

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December 17, 2012

Carrying, conveying and concealing in order that he might escape.

State v. Alfred Woodly, 47 NC 276 (1855).

This was an indictment of Alfred Woodly and Richard Wynns, free persons of color, for carrying, conveying and concealing a slave in order that he might escape.  Woodly and Wynns were accused of carrying Anthony, a slave and the property of Tristram L. Skinner, executor of Joshua Skinner, deceased, out of the state on 13 January 1855.  The appeal in the case alleged a number of insufficiencies in the indictment, and the Supreme Court ordered a new trial in Bertie Superior Court.

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December 16, 2012

Properly instructed, he has become a constant communicant.

In that year [1760] besides the immediate duty of my own Parish I visited the Parishes of St Martins, Bladen & St John’s, Onslow; and in these 2 counties I baptized 55 Children whereof 9 were negroes & I baptized 2 adults, 1 white & 1 black by immersion.  In my own Parish, I baptized 9 white and 4 mulatto Children, 1 Adult Mulatto woman belonging to Coll’n Dry, & 4 Adult Negro women, belonging to the Hon’ble Mr. Hasell.  In the year 1761, I baptized in my own Parish in Bladen & in St James’ Wilmington 35 Children & 1 adult negro man.  In this Current year 1762 I have already baptized 33 children & 2 Adults; 1 a free negro man, who after proper instructions, is since become a constant communicant; the other a Captain of a vessel who died here, & on his death bed acquainted me, that he had never been baptized & prayed he might then receive that Sacrament.

Extract, letter from John McDowell to Daniel Burton, June 15, 1762, Brunswick NC.  Colonial and State Records of North Carolina.

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December 16, 2012

Two lots in the town of Goldsboro.

This Indenture made & entered into the 23rd day of August 1847 by and between William K. Lane of the County of Wayne & State of North Carolina of the one part and James King Free man of Color of the other part.  Witness that the Said William K. Lane for & in consideration of the Sum of Forty Dollars to him in hand paid at and before the sealing & delivery of these presents the receipt and payment whereof is hereby acknowledged and from the further payment whereof the said William K. Lane will by these presents forever acquit release & discharge the Said James King his Executors Admin & assigns.  The said William K. Lane hath given granted bargained & sold & will by these presents give grant bargain & sell unto the Said James King his heirs and assigns forever two Lotts in the Town of Goldsboro & known in the plan of Said Town as No. 74 & 75 To have & to holds said lott with all and Singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appurtaning to him the said James King his heirs, & assigns forever & I the Said William K. Lane will Warrant & forever defend the right & title free & clear from the lawfull claims of all perosns whatsoever to him the Said James King his heirs & assigns forever

In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & year above written   /s/ Wm K Lane

Signed sealed & delivered in presense of us  Rufus Edmundson, O Coor

Wayne County May Term 1848 then was the above deed of sale from Wm K. Lane to Jas King duly moved in open court by the oath of Ollen Coor a subscribing witness & ordered to be made registered  /s/ Jno A Green Clk

Recorded in the Registers office of Wayne County the 9th of Aug’t 1848 is Liber V page 80   /s/R. Hooks, Reg’r

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December 15, 2012

He has a wife, a free woman.

$50 REWARD.  ABSCONDED about the last of October, from the subscriber, at that time residing in Stokes County, N. Carolina, my Negro man COLEMAN, about 27 and 28 years of age, and of a very bright complexion.  He is a Shoemaker by trade, has a very bushy head of hair, a thin visage, is spare built and weighs from 135 to 140 pounds.  He has a very large scar on one of his legs near the ankle, believed to be on the right leg, also a scar on each arm just below the elbow occasioned by a burn.  His heels have been frosted, which injury has left scars upon them.  Coleman has a wife (a free woman) near Blakeley, N. Carolina, and it is probable that he may be in that direction, although many persons believe that he was decoyed off by a white man, named Joshua Young, who left the neighborhood about the same time for Indiana.  I will give a reward of Fifty Dollars to any one who will deliver Coleman to me near Brook Neal in Campbell County Va. or will confine him in jail, so that I get him in my possession.   RICHARD OVERSTREET.  Brook Neal, Campbell cty, Va. December 21, 1838

Carolina Watchman, Salisbury, 24 January 1840. NC Newspaper Digitization Project, North Carolina State Archives Historic Newspaper Archive.


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December 15, 2012

Free-Issue Death Certificates: NC-Born Michiganders, no. 3.

Sarah Eveline Jenkins. Died 13 Sept 1907, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Widow. Age 91. Married at age 24. Parent of 9 children, of whom 1 is living. Born in NC to Newsom Artis and Amy Newsom, both of NC. Buried At Mount Zion.  Informant, Amy Jenkins, Cassopolis.

In the 1830 census of Northampton County, Newsom Artis headed a household of 9 free people of color.

John Thomas Lane.  Died 19 Aug 1914, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Married. Farmer. Born 2 Aug 1848 in NC to Jessie Lane and Piercy Artis, both of NC. Buried Chain Lake cemetery.  Informant, Ollie Lane, Cassopolis.

In the 1850 census of District 85, Parke County, Indiana: Jesse Lane, 40, carpenter, wife Percy, 40, and children William, 13, Arbella, 11, Nancy, 8, and John Lane, 2.  All reported born in NC except John, who was reported Indiana-born.

Arthur Mitchell.  Died 25 May 1902, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Widower. Parent of 16 children; 9 living. Farmer. Born 20 Oct 1821 in NC to David Mitchel and Virginia Allen. Buried Mount Zion cemetery. Informant, W.O. Allen, Williamsville.

Almeda Morton.  Died 19 Dec 1913, Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Michigan.  Resided 320 Adams Street. Black. Widowed. Born 19 May 1854 in NC to Alfred Artiss and Tempy Alcock, both of NC.  Buried Saint Johns cemetery. Informant, James H. Kersey, Ypsilanti.

Allen Peavy.  Died 30 Mar 1939, Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Married to Nora Peavy. Born 22 Mart 1861 in NC to Joshua Peavy and unnamed mother. Buried Community Chapel.

Aaron Revels.  Died 22 Jan 1903, Jefferson, Cass County, Michigan.  Mulatto.  Resident of County Infirmary for  9 years, 1 month, 10 days.  Married at age 21. Parent of 5 children; 2 living. Laborer. Born 5 Jan 1820 in NC to John Revels and Mary Wilkins, both of NC. Buried Bethel cemetery.

In the 1850 census of Fugit, Decatur County, Indiana: Aaron Revels, 27, and wife Ann, 27, both born in NC. In the 1850 census of Fugit, Decatur County, Indiana: Sally Hunt, 55, with Celia, 22, Susan, 5, and Levi Hunt, 1; Wiley, 14, and Jordon Jones, 12; and Flora, 10, Parmelia, 6, and Caswell Oxendine, 4.

John Revels.  Died 17 Jan 1892, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Black, Widowed. Cooper. Age 92. Born in NC to Burl Revels and Winnie Revels.

In the 1850 census of Fugit, Decatur County, Indiana: John Revels, 50, and wife Mary, 48, both born in NC.

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December 14, 2012

Free-Issue Death Certificates: MISCELLANEOUS, no. 4.

Frances Diggs.  Died 22 April 1927, Nahunta, Wayne County. Colored. Widow of William Diggs.  Age 85. Born Wayne County to Jim Yelverton and Elizah Artis. Informant, Elijah Diggs.

Delilah Exum. Died 18 July 1934, Nahunta, Wayne County. Colored. Widow of Simon Exum. 87 years old. Born Wayne County to Solomon Artis and Lovicy Anderson.

N.B.: In fact, Delilah Exum’s parents were Solomon Williams and Vicey Artis.  She was a sister of Adam T. Artis.

Washington Lane. Died 26 Feb 1934, Goldsboro, Wayne County. Resided 703 E. Elm Street. Colored. Widower. Age 80. Born Greene County to Gui Lane and Silvernane Artis. Buried Fields cemetery.  Informant, Ana Sauls.

In Bull Head, Greene County: Dannel,17, Mike, 13, Penney, 12, Dyner, 9, Juley, 7, and Washington Artes, 5, listed in the household of white farmer John Lane.  

Ann Liza Manuel.  Died 29 March 1925, Dudley, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Widow of Alvin Manuel. Born 1841, Sampson County to Raiford Brewington and Basheba Brewington, both of Sampson County. Informant, Randolph Winn.

In the 1850 census of Northern District, Sampson County: Raiford Brewington, 38, cooper; wife Barsheba, 33; and children Nancy, 13, Thomas, 10, Lucy, 9, Ann, 7, James, 5, Hardy, 3, Joshua, 2, and Raiford, 2 months; plus Hardy Manuel, 17; all mulatto.

Mikel Manuel.  Died 5 April 1922, Dudley, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Widower of Annie Manuel. Age 85. Born Sampson County to unknown parents. Informant, Ashley Manuel.

In the 1850 census of Northern District, Sampson County: Michael Manuel, 63, cooper; wife Fereby, 49; and children Gideon, 19, Cintilla, 16, Drusilla, 15, Michael, 13, Eden, 11, John, 9, William, 7, Enoch, 4, and Nancy, 1; all described as mulatto.

Nancy Seabury.  Died 26 July 1914, Goldsboro, Wayne County. Colored. Widow of Archie Powell. Born 1834, Johnston County, to unknown parents. Informant, Nelson Seabury.

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