January | 2013 | Fourth Generation Inclusive

January 26, 2013

Onslow County Apprentices, 1820-1822.

James Jarman, son of Charlotte, was bound to James Glenn Jr. in 1820.

Frances Hammonds, daughter of Sena Hammonds, was bound to Joseph Hawkins in 1820.

James Henderson and Bryan Henderson, sons of Patsey Henderson, were bound to Jesse Gregory at February term, 1821.

“Patsey Henderson a free woman of color in Onslow County came into court and desired her two sons (viz) James Henderson and Bryan Henderson be bound to Jesse Gregory agreeable to law and give Jason Gregory and Hezekiah Williams for securities in the sum of $1000 each.” February term, 1821, Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Onslow County Records, North Carolina State Archives. In the 1840 census of Onslow County, James Henderson is listed twice. First, his household includes 1 male 24-26; 1 female 10-24; 2 males under 10; and 1 female under 10, all colored, and is listed between Bryant Koonce and William Mills. Second, the household composition is the same, but is listed between William Boyett and Jesse King. In the 1850 census of Upper Richlands, Onslow County: Jim Henderson, 35 year-old mulatto mechanic, is listed in the household of white farmer B.S. Koonce. [Sidenote: James Henderson was my great-great-great-great-grandfather. — LYH]

Miranda Henderson and Patsey Henderson, daughters of Nancy Henderson, were bound to Nancy Henderson at May term, 1821.

The minutes of May term, 1821, Onslow County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions show that Jason and Gregory gave security for the bond. Court Records, Onslow County Records, North Carolina State Archives. In the 1850 census of Upper Richlands, Onslow County: Nancy Henderson, 55, and children and grandchildren Gatsey, 30, Nervy, 25, Monday, 6, Lott, 4, Jessee, 1, and Sally Ann, 6 months.[Sidenote: Who was the Nancy Henderson to which the children were bound? A child could not be bound to his or her own parent. — LYH]

Charles Chance and Nancy Chance were bound to Nichodemus Gurganus in 1821.

In the 1850 census of Lower Richlands, Onslow County: Nancy Chance, 44, and her children Right, 26, Vicy, 12, Hester, 7, C.A., 6, and Rache, 3.

Patsey Henderson, age 5 or 6, was bound to Jason Gregory in 1822.

Gatsey Henderson and William Henderson, children of Simon Dove, were bound to James Glenn Sr. at August term, 1822.

The minutes of August term, 1822, minutes, Onslow County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, describe Gatsey and William as “colour’d children the reputed children of Simon Dove dec’d.” Court Records, Onslow County Records, North Carolina State Archives. In the 1850 census of Upper Richlands, Onslow County: Nancy Henderson, 55, and children and grandchildren Gatsey, 30, Nervy, 25, Monday, 6, Lott, 4, Jessee, 1, and Sally Ann, 6 months.

Alfred [no last name] was bound to John Thompson in 1822.

Isaac [no last name] was bound to Bazel Newbold in 1822.

George Boon was bound to John Thompson in 1822.

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January 26, 2013

He might have saved his own had he not tried to save his master’s instead.

Peter Thomejeux of the town of Newbern merchant Maketh oath that his Servant Martial a mustee or person of mixed blood has during a period of years served him with uncommon faithfulness. That he has during that time been entrusted with the care of a Store in which were large quantities of goods & often Sums of money & has even withstood the temptation such trust gave rise to. That he has attended him with care & affection during many long journies of sickness. That having been Suffered to have under his master’s eyes; he had hoarded up a sum almost sufficient to reimburse his master his purchase money. Which property was destroyed by the late fire, altho’ he might have saved it had he not endeavoured to save his master’s goods in preference to his own. That for these services this deponent pray a license to reward his said slave’s fidelity by setting him free. /s/ Thomezuen

Sworn to in open court this 16 Dec 1791

Miscellaneous Records, Craven County, North Carolina State Archives.

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January 24, 2013

Having the desier to travel to Virginia to seek better imployment.

North Carolina Perq’s County } This may Cartefy that the Bearer Hereof a Negro man named Ben is a free Negro who formerly belonged to Mr. Jonathan Sharrod Deceased who having Many Slaves & no Children alive not Desiering his Slaves Should Serve another Master Did in his will Generously give them freedom Which if Disputed may be found on Record in the Court of the Said County aforsaid & the aforenamed Negro Man having a Desier to travel to Virginia to Seek better imployment we the Subscriber Do Cartefy that the Said Negro is a free man has Ever Sence his working for himself behaved Very honest ther fore we the Subscribers Do Recommend The Said to Such Gentlemen as Shall imploy him.

Witnes our hands this 21 Januy 1774 /s/ Richard Ratlieff

[On reverse] Benj’a Sanders’ man Taffeys Certificate

Records of Slaves and Free Persons of Color, Miscellaneous Records, Perquimans County, North Carolina State Archives.

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January 23, 2013

Free-Issue Death Certificates: SPAULDING.

Emaline Blanks. Died 21 January 1929, Whites Creek, Bladen County. Colored. Widow of Sam Blanks. Born 1838 in NC to Iver Spaulding and unknown mother. Buried Whites Creek. Informant, John Blanks, Clarkton NC.

Angeline Campbell. Died 31 December 1921, Whites Creek, Clarkton, Columbus County. Colored. Widow of Dan Campbell. Born about 1848, Columbus County, to Iver Spaulding and Mary [illegible]. Buried Mitchell graveyard. Informant, Israel Campbell.

Delila Spaulding. Died 4 Jul 1920, Whites Creek, Bladen County. Colored. Married to Henry W. Spaulding. Born 1860 to Ben J. Moore and Mary C. Moore. Buried Mitchell Graveyard. Informant, U. Steph. Moore, Clarkton NC.

In the 1850 census of Cape Fear South West Side, Bladen County: Iver Spaulding, 28, farmer; wife Mary, 23; children Henry W., 6, Emeline, 5, and John W., 3, and Angeline Spaulding, 1; William, 17, and Daniel Jacobs, 20; and John Freeman, 15.

Lucy J. Blanks. Died 6 May 1915, Welchs Creek, Columbus County. Black. Widow. Day laborer. Born about 1860, Columbus County to David Spaulding and Mary J. Ransome. Buried Welchs Creek. Informant, R.O. Spaulding.

Henry Spaulding. Died 4 October 1924, Whiteville, Welch Creek, Columbus County. Colored. Widower of Deliah Spaulding. Farmer. Age 72. Born Welch Creek to David Spaulding and unknown mother. Buried Mitchell Cemetery. Informant, Stephen More.

Robt. O. Spaulding. Died 12 December 1936, Clarkton, Columbus County. Colored. Widower of Jane Tucker Spaulding. Preacher and farmer. Born 11 December 1849, Columbus County to David Spaulding and Mary Ransom. Buried Mitchel cemetery. Informant, Al Spaulding.

In the 1850 census of Columbus County: David Spaulding, 21, wife Mary, 20, and son Robt. O., 6 months, plus Lydia Webb, 9.

Caldonia Freeman. Died 12 June 1922, Bogue, Columbus County. Black. Widow of James O. Freeman. Born 1 June 1842, Elkton NC, to John Spaulding and Penelope Moore, both of Elkton. Buried Mitchell cemetery. Informant, Jonathan Spaulding.

Jonathan Spaulding. Died 10 November 1926, Whiteville, Columbus County. Colored. Married to “Bettie Ann.” Age 70. Born Bladen County to John Spaulding and unknown mother. Buried Mitchell cemetery.

Delila Spauldwin. Died 18 August 1921, Clarkton, Columbus County. Colored. Married to Henry D. Spauldwin. Born 10 May 1850 to Jno. Spauldwin and Penny Smith. Buried Mitchels Cem. Informant, A.D. Carter, uncle.

In the 1850 census of Cape Fear South West Side, Bladen County: John Spaulding, 33, farmer; wife Penelopy, 26; and children Caledonia, 8, Delphia, 6, Elvy, 5, and Edith, 2. In the 1860 census of Bladen County: John Spaulding, 43, farmer; wife Penelope, 35; and children Caladonia, 18, Delphia, 17, Elvy, 14, E.M., 13, Delila, 9, and Penny, 2; plus Mariah More, 9.

J.A. Spaulding. Died 10 April 1911, Salisbury, Rowan County. Resided 309 S. Vanderford. Negro. Married. Baptist minister. Born 12 Oct 1856, Columbus County, to Benjamin Spaulding and unknown mother. Buried Oaksdale cemetery, Salisbury. Informant, Mrs. Lulu Spaulding Kelsey, Salisbury.

Annie J.T. Spaulding. Died 17 April 1927, Welches Creek, Columbus County. Colored. Married to Robt. O. Spaulding. Born 29 August 1857, Columbus County, to Benj. Spaulding of Columbus County and Maria Spaulding of Bladen County. Informant, Robt. O. Spaulding.

Henry Ivan Spaulding. Died 21 March 1929, Welches Creek, Columbus County. Colored. Married to Fannie Spaulding. Age 65 years, 5 months, 20 days. Farmer. Born Columbus County to Benj. Spaulding of Columbus County and Maria Lowry of Robeson County. Buried Mitchel cemetery. Informant, Jack Spaulding.

In the 1850 census of Columbus County: Benj. Spaulding Jr., 23, wife Maria, 20, and daughter Frances, 2, plus Daniel Webb, 5, and George Freeman, 6. In the 1860 census of Columbus County, Benj. Spaulding, 35, farmer; wife Mariah, 34 (born Cumberland County); and children F.E., 12, M., 10, B., 7, John, 5, A.J.L., 3, and Rhoda, 1; plus Daniel Webb, 16 (born Brunswick County.)

Amanda Moore. Died 14 November 1914, Welches Creek, Columbus County. Negro. Widow. Born 7 April 1849 to Amanuel Spaulding and Amanda Spaulding. Informant, Maggie Armstrong, Clarkton.

Andrew Thomas Spaulding. Died 17 July 1934, Whiteville, Welches Creek, Columbus County. Colored. Widower of Mariah Spaulding. Age 75 years, 11 months. Farmer. Born NC to Emmenel Spaulding and Susa Spries. Buried Mitchell cemetery. Informant, Anna Dora Carter.

B.M. Spaulding. Died 5 Mar 1921, W. Creek, Columbus County. Colored. Widower. Farmer. Born 7 January 1845 to Emanuel Spaulding and Susan Spaulding. Buried Mitchel cemetery.

Evrit Freeman. Died 2 June 1942, Welchs Creek, Columbus County. Colored. Widower. Born Oct 1860, Columbus County, to John R. Freeman and Sarah Jane Spauldin. Buried Mitchel Field. Informant, Hanes Freeman.

In the 1850 census of Columbus County: Manual Spaulding, 37, farmer; wife Susan, 30, and children Sarah J., 12, Mary A., 10, Anna E., 8, Benj., 6, Madalaine, 4, Amanda, 1; plus Wm. Chavas, 2, and Wm. Skipper, 30. In the 1860 census of Columbus County, Emanuel Spaulding, 48, farmer; wife Susan, 35; and children A.E., 18, Benj., 16, M., 14, Amanda, 11, Lany, 9, and A. T., 1.

Isabella Spaulding. Died 7 November 1932, Welches Creek, Columbus County. Colored. Widow of Iver Spaulding. Age 82. Born Columbus County to unknown father and Tierce Moore. Buried Mitchell cemetery. “Casket shipped here from Ga.” Informant, L.L. Spaulding.

In the 1850 census of Columbus County: Benj. J. Moore, 64, farmer; wife Martha, 60; and children and grandchildren Thursey, 30, Owen, 17, James and John, 15, Benj., 12, Aaron, 8, Hardy, 12, Lucy A., 7, Isbel, 5, Sarah J., 3, and Maria, 4 months.

John W. White. Died 11 December 1920, Welches Creek, Columbus County. Colored. Married to Etta White. Born 8 August 1848. Farmer. Born to Wiley White and Mary Spaulding. Buried Mitchel Sem.

In the 1860 census of Columbus County: Willey F. White, 39, farmer (born Pitt County) with M.A., 20, John W., 14, and W.F. White, 7, plus W.S. Freeman, 7.

Benjamin Spaulding (1773-1862) was born into slavery in Duplin County. He married Edith Delphi Jacobs (1786-1871), who bore him ten children: William (1810-1883), Emmanuel (1813-1872), Armistead (1814-1890), Armstrong, John (1817-1894), Iver (1819-1886), Anna Eliza (1822-1906), Benjamin Jr. (1824-1864), David (1829-1864) and Henry (1831-1906).

Though Benjamin Spaulding was not formally freed by Samuel Swindale, Jr. until 1835, he lived essentially as a free man for many years before, as evidenced in census records and deed records. He and Edith had several prominent descendants, including Dr. Aaron Moore (1863-1923), co-founder of North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, Mechanics and Farmers Bank, and Lincoln Hospital in Durham, and Charles C. Spaulding (1874-1952), who led North Carolina Mutual’s expansion in the first half of the 20^th century.

The Benjamin and Edith Spaulding Descendants Association maintains a website at www.spauldingfamily.com.

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January 23, 2013

Surnames: Martin County, 1850.

The following surnames are found among free people of color in Martin County:

AUSBURN, AUSTIN, BAILEY, BARNHILL, BELL, BOON, BOROUGH, BOSTON, BROOKS, BROWNEY, CAROL, CLOSE, CORDEN, COTANCH, COVE, CROSS, GRIFFIN, HARRISON, HASSELL, HOGAN, HOLLINSWORTH, HOSDELL, HUDSON, HYMAN, JAMES, JANES, JOHNSTON, JONES, KEES, MANING, MASSER, MOGGIN, NUSOM, OVERTON, PATTERSON, PERCE, PUNCH, REED, RIX, ROBESON, SCOTT, SIMMONS, SIMPSON, SLADE, SLAGIN, SPARROW, STOVES, TADLOCK, THOMPSON, TINER, WIGGINS, WILLIAMS and WYNN.

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January 22, 2013

Runaway bound boy, no. 5.

Five cents Reward.

RANAWAY from the Subscriber, on the 5^th inst. An indented mulatto boy named WHITMEL Anderson, about 15 or 16 years old, very bright complexion, and has a large scar across the right hand. It is supposed that he is lurking about Col. Joshua Pender’s mill in Conetoe, where his connexions reside. The above reward will be given for the apprehension and delivery of said boy to me in Edgecombe county. All persons are forbid harboring, employing, or carrying off said boy under penalty of the law. BURREL DUNN. Oct. 7, 1834.

Tarboro Press, 10 Oct 1835.

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January 22, 2013

Something wrong was going on.

State v. Edmund Martin, 34 NC 157 (1851).

Edmund Martin, a free man of color, was indicted in Forsyth County Superior Court for stealing a slave named Giles, the property of George W. Smith. The State’s first witness was Edward Booker. Booker testified that in late October or November 1850, he was on his way south with his son Henry and a man called Null carrying a load of tobacco belonging to a man named Hamlett in Stokes County. They stopped at a campground near Martin’s property. There one of Null’s horses became violently ill, and Martin helped secure and administer aid. While they treated the horse, Booker gave Martin two or three drinks. Martin told Booker that he “liked his looks,” asked if wagoning was a slow business, and told him that he could put him into a business that could make money much faster, if he could be trusted. Martin could make Booker “rich as Hairston.” Booker asked if Martin was referring to horses, and Martin replied that he was not, but his stock was worth $600 to $1200 a piece, “and, by being smart, [Booker] could make five or six hundred dollars in a few weeks.” Booker admitted that he would like to make more money in an honest business. Martin did not explicitly disclose his plans, but Booker inferred them and agreed to call on Martin when he returned in five or six weeks.

On the first Saturday of December, Booker returned and agreed to enter into business with Martin. Martin told him he had several slaves concealed at some distance – “he could not keep them near him for fear of being suspected: that there were a great many fox hunters around him, and he had frequently been tracked by their dogs, and been compelled to stand in water up to his waist for an hour at a time in cold weather.” The slaves believed that Martin was going to send them to a free state. While Booker and Martin were talking, a man named Rains came in to speak privately with Martin, and Booker learned that Rains, too, was going to transport slaves for Martin. Booker agreed to return around Christmas when Martin would have a slave ready. Booker was to take the slave, sell him, and divide the profits with Martin. Booker returned the Thursday after Christmas, but Martin told him he could get things ready before Saturday. Their plans were thwarted by the arrival of another white man, who persisted in staying all night despite Martin’s efforts to get him to leave. On Sunday Booker returned to Martin’s house. Martin gave “Jeff.,” a slave, a dram and told him to fetch the slave. Some time after midnight, Booker heard someone enter the kitchen-end of the house, and Martin brought the slave Giles to him and told him they needed to leave as soon as possible. Martin told Booker to get his horse and go by himself to Thompson’s lane about a mile away. There were too many wagoners camping nearby and his neighbor Swicegood’s dogs were “very bad.” Martin would take Giles via short-cut and meet him at the lane. Booker took Giles to Salem to “Mr. Lash,” but, as the Forsyth jail was not completed, took him on to the jail in Germantown. Booker, who claimed he had been pretending to work with Martin in order to catch him in his crime, immediately sent word to Giles’ owner Smith. Booker met with Smith, and the two hatched a plan. Booker returned to Martin with $400 counterfeit money and a fictitious note for $300. He paid off Martin, who was quite pleased, and made arrangements to take another slave, this one a blacksmith. Booker then went to magistrate McDonald to tip him off to his and Smith’s plan. When he returned to Martin’s, Martin chained his horse to the smokehouse, confronted him with the counterfeit money, accused him of betrayal and threatened to kill him that night. Martin said that he belonged to a Murrel clan, and his brothers would kill Booker if he did not. Another white man there opined that Booker had treated Martin badly. Booker, alarmed, left without his horse and went to a neighbor’s house. The next day he sent for magistrate McDonald and had Martin arrested.

Wallis McDonald, the magistrate, testified that Booker had come to his house, about four or five miles from Martin’s, and with some minor variations told him essentially what he had testified to on the stand.

Richmond Swicegood testified that he lived about 300 yards from Martin, that he saw Booker at Martin’s house frequently, that he thought “something wrong was going on” and decided to watch the house. The night was very wet and rainy, but he “slipped up near” the house and heard Martin trying to get rid of Wood, the white man that Booker testified would not leave. Martin went into the kitchen house, and Swicegood stood near a crack and heard Martin tell his son Henry, “I never told your mother ‘till yesterday what Booker was staying here for.” Martin then said that “by being smart” he could make five or six hundred dollars in six or seven weeks; “it was a dangerous business, but he did not know any better they could do.” Satisfied that Martin was up to no good, he decided to consult a neighbor.

G.M. Smith testified that he lived in Davidson County, about seven or eight miles from Martin; that his slave Giles left without permission on 22 November 1850; that he found him in the Germantown jail on 8 January 1851; that he sold Giles immediately; and that on his way home from Germantown he saw Booker, who saw him and Giles.

At the close of evidence, the court’s instructions to the jury included a warning that Martin “was to be tried as if he were a white man” and that “they were to divest themselves of prejudice on account of his color.” Having, perhaps, done so, the jury found Martin guilty, and he appealed to the state Supreme Court. Citing State v. Hardin, the court ordered a new trial on the grounds that, as there was no evidence Martin had actually the slave from his owner, he could not have committed a capital felony under the statute.

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January 22, 2013

Caswell County Will Books: H

At April term, 1817, Daniel Phillips, orphan boy of colour, age 8 years, bound to Edwin Rainey.

At July term, 1817, William Howel, a boy of colour age 12 years last September, bound to William Kennon.

At January term, 1818, Henry Logan, boy of colour age 14 years the 10^th of March next, bound to William Sawyer.

At January term, 1818, Betsy Logan, a girl of colour age 12 years the 5^th of April next, bound to Anderson Morton.

At April term, 1819, Luscinda Gillaspy, child of colour age 6 years the 20^th May next, bound to Chandler Wilkins.

At April term, 1819, Anosha Gillaspy, child of colour age 3 years the 29^th July next, bound to Frances Smith.

At January term, 1820, Dilcey Phillips, a girl of colour age 15 next September, and Frederick Phillips, a boy of colour age 12 years next March, bound to Polly Evans.

At January term, 1820, Matilda Garrott, a girl of colour age 12 in April next, bound to John N. McNeil until she attains 21 years of age.

At January term, 1820, John Robinson of Lynchburg, Virginia, desirous of rewarding a black by name of Jacob Thomas, who was raised by Bartlett Bennett of Orange County, Virginia, and was purchased by Robinson on 1 October 1808 from Thomas Jones of Campbell County. (Said Jacob’s father being a free man of the same name.) For $900 paid by Jacob Thomas, Robinson does hereby emancipate him and bestow upon him all the rights of a free man of colour in rhe Commonwealth of Virginia.

At October term, 1820, Bob Kean, a boy of colour age 10 years the 25^th of December next, bound to Thomas Brinefield.

At January term, 1821, Robert Gwyn and Ransom Gwyn, orphan children of colour age 7 and 11 years, bound to Azariah Graves.

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January 22, 2013

Free-Issue Death Certificates: ARTIS, no. 2.

Lucinda Allen. Died 1 October 1922, Flea Hill, Cumberland County. Negro. Widow of William Allen. 90 years old. Daughter of unknown father and Lila Artist. Buried in McPhail cemetery. Informant, W.B. Allen.

In the 1850 census of Eastern Division, Cumberland County: Delila Artis, 63, with children and grandchildren, Mariah, 27, Lucinda, 20, Eliza, 30, Irvin, 13, Druzilla, 5, and Haywood, 1; all mulatto. In the 1860 census of Cumberland East, Cumberland County: Wm Allen, 34, wife Louisa, 28, and children William G., 13, Marsha, 9, Kisiah, 5, and Peter, 1 month; all black.

Martha Ann Allen, Died 29 August 1915, Flea Hill, Cumberland County. Black. Married. Born 1847 in NC to Jad Boone and Perniesa Artis. Informant, M.E. Allen.

Pernecine Boone. Died 14 April 1918, Fayetteville, Cumberland County. Resided Haymarket Hill. Colored. Married. 98 years old. Born in NC to John Artis and Bersalla Artis. Informant, Tom Johnson, Fayetteville.

In the 1860 census of Cumberland East, Cumberland County: Jerre Boon, 30, wife Pernetha, 25, and children Martha A., 3, and Harriet M., 6 months; all mulatto.

Ned Artis. Died 21 October 1917, Falkland, Pitt County. Colored. Single. Born 1831, Wilson County, to Arch Artis and Rose Artis of Wilson County. Buried Wilson County. Informant, Joe Artis, Fountain NC. Undertaker, Jessee Artis, Wilson.

Tamar Bynum. Died 25 December 1923, Wilson, Wilson County. Colored. Widow of George Bynum. Age 77. Born Wilson County to Arch Artis and Rosa Artis, both of Wilson County. Informant, Rosa Bynum.

In the 1850 census of Edgecombe County, 55 year-old Arch Artis, “mulatto free.” He was blind and lived alone. In the 1860 census of Gardners, Wilson County: Arch Artis, 65, described as blind, was listed in the household of white farmer Calvin Woodard, 32. Arch was free, but his wife Rosa and chidren were not.

Mandie Artis. Died 20 November 1920, Roanoke, Northampton County. Colored. Widow of Jim Artis. Age 85. Born in the country to Squir Walden and Kimpie Walden. Buried Lassiters cemetery. Informant, Lam Artis, Jackson NC.

In the 1850 census of Northampton County: Squire Walden, 38, laborer; wife Temperance, 34; and children Samuel, 14, William, 13, Amanda, 12, Martha, 11, James, 9, Hester, 8, Payton, 5, and Whitman, 5, plus William Walden, 78, farmer, who claimed to own $498 property. All were described as mulatto. Squire Walden married Tempy James on 28 March 1832 in Halifax County.

June Bowes. Died 19 June 1914, Murrays Neck, Hertford County. Negro. Widow. Born 1827 to Hardy Artis and Polly Artis, both of Murrays Neck. Informant, Henry Wilson, Murfreesboro.

Jane Sauls. Died 16 December 1928, Stantonsburg, Wilson County. Black. Widow of John Sauls. Born 1842 in Greene County to Guy Lane and Sylvania Artis. Buried Union Grove cemetery, Wayne County. Informant, Anna Sauls.

Mariah Swinson. Died 6 February 1955, Goldsboro, Wayne County. Resided 500 Creech Street. Negro Widow. Born 14 February 1849 in NC to Daniel Artis and unknown mother. Informant, Mrs. Mary Swinson.

In the 1850 census of Greene County, Sylvany Artess, 36, listed with her children Daniel, 7, Mitchel, 5, Meriah, 4, Gui, 2, and Penny, 3 months; all black. Her husband, Guy Lane, was a slave. Was “Meriah” Sylvania’s niece, rather than daughter? In the 1860 census of Bull Head, Greene County, 40 year-old Dannel Artis, a ditcher, was listed next door to white farmer John Lane, in whose household several of Sylvania’s children lived.

Jonah Williams. Died 20 April 1915, Wilson, Wilson County. Colored. Widow. Born 25 Oct 1844 in Greene County to Solomon Williams and Vicie Artist. Minister. Informant, Clarissa Williams, Wilson NC.

In the 1850 census of Greene County, Vicy Artess, 40, listed with children Zilpha, 22, Louis, 8, Jonah, 7, Jethro, 5, and Richard, 1.

Tabitha Hagins. Died 19 November 1927, Kinston, Lenior County. Resided 509 Thompson. Colored. Widow. Born 1837 in Wayne County to Arion Seaberry and unknown mother. Buried Pikeville NC. Informant, Rev. J.H. Sampson.

In the 1850 census, North of Neuse, Wayne County, Aaron Seaberry, 32, farmhand, is listed with wife Louisa, stepson Napoleon [Hagans], daughter Frances, and 17 year-old Celia Seaberry, whose relationship to him is unknown. In 1860, in Davis, Wayne County, Aaron Seaberry is listed with wife Eliza and Frances. Perhaps Tabitha was his daughter by an enslaved woman and was herself a slave.

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January 21, 2013

Thomas Sheridan.

“Thomas Sheridan (ca. 1787-1864) was an emancipated mulatto carpenter active in Bladen County during the antebellum period, whose only documented building is the Brown Marsh Presbyterian Church (1828) in that county.

“Thomas Sheridan’s family background illustrates the complexities of race and status in his era. Probably born in Bladen County, he may have been the son of Nancy Sheridan (a woman of color who was emancipated after his birth) and Joseph R. Gautier, a wealthy Bladen County planter and merchant of French Huguenot background. Gautier, who was frequently listed among the leading men of the Cape Fear region, was a political figure in Elizabethtown, a state senator (1791), and an early supporter of the University of North Carolina noted for having left his library of some 100 volumes (mostly in French) to the university’s library. Gautier was the owner of several slaves, including Thomas Sheridan and his brother Louis Sheridan, and probably Nancy Sheridan. Circumstantial evidence also indicates that Joseph Gautier and Nancy Sheridan had a long-term domestic relationship: many white men who had such relationships with their enslaved women often freed their enslaved family members and provided for them (although emancipation became increasingly difficult in the early and mid-19th century).

“In 1799, Joseph Gautier of Elizabethtown petitioned the North Carolina General Assembly to emancipate “two mulatto boys belonging to him.” Gautier explained that, “as their childhood would render fruitless a recourse to the county court, he prays the aid at the Legislature to establish by a law the freedom of said boys.” (Laws governing emancipation by county courts required demonstration of meritorious service, which a child could not have earned; thus Gautier appealed to the legislature. No matter what the status of the father, a child born to an enslaved mother was born a slave.) Gautier’s petition succeeded, and the legislature enacted a law that “the said mulatto boys be emancipated and set free from slavery, and henceforward be called and known by the names of Thomas Sheridan and Louis Sheridan.” In 1799, Thomas was about twelve years of age and Louis was about six. In the 1800 census of Bladen County, J. R. Gautier was listed as head of household with one white male, three “other” free persons–probably Nancy, Thomas, and Louis–and seven slaves. His will of 1800 left his plantation “at the marsh,” his household and plantation utensils, and five slaves to Nancy Sheridan, “my emancipated black woman” (suggesting that he himself had freed her, though no record has been found). He left three slaves to “her child” Louis Sheridan, a small amount of property to his (presumably white) nephew, Joseph Gautier, Jr., and £500 to Thomas Sheridan, no relationship specified. The terms of the will make it uncertain as to whether Thomas as well as Louis Sheridan was the son of Nancy Sheridan: Thomas might have been the son of Gautier with another woman, or even of Nancy and another father. In any case, Gautier freed and provided for young Thomas. Gautier died in 1807.

“Louis Sheridan (ca. 1793-1844), probably Thomas’s brother or half-brother, gained a good education and became an important merchant and large property owner in Elizabethtown with business connections throughout the state and even the nation. He owned as many as sixteen slaves. He also acquired many town lots in Elizabethtown, including those he sold as sites for the courthouse and for the Presbyterian and Methodist churches. Probably because of his father’s position and connections, Sheridan was aided by former governor John Owen and other leading men of the region and traveled widely for business to Philadelphia, New York, and elsewhere. Although he had initially opposed colonization, after the state placed tighter restrictions on free people of color in the 1830s, Louis Sheridan joined the Liberian colonization movement. He sold his slaves and moved with his family to Liberia in 1837, where he found a situation far less rosy than he anticipated and wrote (often negative) reports back to the United States. He remained there nevertheless and died there in 1844.

“Thomas Sheridan pursued the carpentry trade and remained in Bladen County. Although he doubtless built other structures, he is remembered chiefly as builder of Brown Marsh Presbyterian Church. The plainly finished, weatherboarded building is one of the few intact examples still standing of the state’s once numerous simple frame churches. A board in the church ceiling retains the chalked signature, “Thos. Sheridan,” and the date, probably 1828, possibly 1818. Within several years, in 1834, the Presbyterians in the county seat of Elizabethtown built a more substantial church on land deeded to the congregation by Louis Sheridan. Possibly the congregation employed Thomas Sheridan to build it, but this is not documented.

“According to the United States census of 1850, unlike his brother Thomas Sheridan did not become wealthy. He was listed as a mulatto carpenter, aged 62, with $30 worth of real estate. He headed a household that included his wife Agnes and their adult daughter, Martha. They lived in a rural neighborhood among primarily white farmers, plus a few other free artisans of color. In 1851 Sheridan remarried, to Lucy Oxendine of Robeson County, of a large Native American family. In 1860, Thomas Sheridan was listed as a farmer with a farm worth $200 and personal property worth $170, with his wife Lucy, aged 55. In his will of 1863 (probated in 1864), Sheridan left his farm, livestock, and household goods to his wife, then to his daughter Martha. He specified that his gun (for which in most areas a man of color had to obtain a special license) and his carpentry tools should be sold to pay for his funeral; and he left the lumber in his shop “to make my coffin.”

Author: Catherine W. Bishir. Published 2009.

As published in North Carolina Architects and Builders: A Biographical Dictionary, http://ncarchitects.lib.ncsu.edu (All rights retained.) This web site is a growing reference work that contains brief biographical accounts, building lists, and bibliographical information about architects, builders, and other artisans who planned and built North Carolina’s architecture.

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Month: January, 2013