Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Month: March, 2013

March 6, 2013

One of the runaways had a free wife.

TAKEN UP AND COMMITTED TO THE PUBLIC JAIL — of Wilkes County on the 15th inst. three negro men, who say they belong to JOHN SMITH, a refugee, stopping at present at High Point, N.C. viz:

JO, about 30 years of age, weighs 160 lbs., five feet three and a half inches high, teeth good, “black as soot,” says he was raised in Jones County by MERRY JONES; had a free wife name ANNA DONE [DOVE]; is a shoe-maker.

CHARLES, raised in Craven County, owned by MRS. LAVINIA SMITH, of Edgecombe County; knows B.M. SELBY and other citizens of Tarboro’; 40 years of age, weighs 160 lbs., height five feet eight inches; black round face; and professes to be a sort of carpenter.

HENRY, 35 years of age; weighs 150 lbs., five feet eight inches high; yellow black in color; was raised in Virginia by DR. HARRIS, sold to JAS. HARRISON, who sold to JOHN SMITH, the present owner, and says he is a plasterer.

The owner or owners will please come forward, pay charges and take said negroes away, or they will be dealt with as law further directs.  August 24, 1863       ROBT. M. SMITH, Sheriff.

Raleigh Standard, 26 August 1863.

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March 6, 2013

Halifax County Apprentices, 1847-49.

Lucy Harris was bound to Stephen Burrows in August 1847.

In the 1850 census of Halifax County: Lucy Harris, 14, spinster, living alone, but two doors from Stephen Burrows, merchant.

Saphronia Scott, daughter of Mary Scott, was bound to Matthew Weldon in August 1847.

In the 1850 census of Halifax County: Andrew Scott, 19, and Saphrona Scott, 8, in the household of Mathew Weldon, farmer.

Nicholas, son of Lucy Jones, was bound to Arther Pender in August 1847.

Ann Daniel, age 11 on 1 October 1848, “orphan child of Mary Daniel and a bastard,” was bound to Daniel G. Briggs as a housemaid spinster in November 1848.

In the 1850 census of Halifax County: Ann Daniel, 11, born in Halifax County, in the household of Wm. Whitfield, “in keeper,” as was Daniel Briggs and family.

In May 1848, Ann Peters was ordered to come into court at next term to show cause why her children, Jas. Peters, Isham Peters, and two other children whose names were unknown, should not be bound.

In the 1850 census of Halifax County: Ann Peters, 30, and children Menerva, 13, and Lewis, 6.

“Free children of colour” James Gaffin, born 15 December 1830; Mary Gaffin, born 12 December 1832; William Gaffin, born 29th October 1834; Margaret Gaffin, born 28 April 1839; and Elizabeth Gaffin, born 10 September 1845, were bound to F.A. Smith in February 1849.

In the 1850 census of Halifax County: six Gaffin children – Joe, 7, James, 20, Wm., 15, Mary, 17, Margt. 12, and Betsy, 5 – are listed in the household of F.A. Smith, farmer. All are described as white.  Nearby, Betsey Gaffin, 50, and Fanny Gaffin , 28. Betsey is described as mulatto; Fanny, as white. In the 1860 census of Western District, Halifax County: Elizabeth Gaffin, 16, mulatto, farm laborer, remained with the Smiths. Frances Gaffin, 38, seamstress, and Joseph J. Gaffin, 18, farm laborer, were white. (As was the Joseph Gaffin, 19, probably the same boy,who worked as an overseer for Fred McWilliams, farmer.) On the other hand, James Gaffin, 31, farm laborer, his wife Betsey, 27, and son James,1, were described as mulatto.

In February 1849, Henry Pettiford, son of Lovy Pettiford, was ordered into the next court term “to be dealt with or bound out.”

Hezekiah Scott bound to Lazarus Pope, a free man of colour, to be a blacksmith in May 1849.

In the 1850 census of Halifax County: Lasrus Pope, 29, blacksmith, born Northampton County; wife Peggy, 27, born Halifax County; Elizabeth Pope, 8, and Olive Pope, 22, born in Halifax County; and Ezekiah Pope, 5, born in Northampton County.

Thos. Saunders, 15, was bound to Chas. N. Webb as a farmer in May 1849.

Blake Underdue, 13, was bound to John H. Panton in August 1849.

In the 1850 census of Halifax County: Blake Underdue, 12, born Halifax County, in the household of Wm. B. Pope, lawyer.

Thos. Underdue, 14, was bound to Charles Ferrall in August 1849.

In the 1850 census of Halifax County: Tom Underdue, 15, born Edgecombe County, in the household of Rich’d Sells, 28, merchant.

Minutes, Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, Halifax County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

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March 6, 2013

Don’t credit her.

NOTICE OF SEPARATION

Whereas my wife, ELIZABETH CHAVERS, has deserted my bed and board without any just cause, I hereby forewarn all persons from crediting her on my account, as I am determined to discharge no debt of her contracting.   ISAAC CHAVERS, Granville, Jan. 30, 1811.

Raleigh Minerva, 7 February 1811.

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March 6, 2013

Those of negro blood have been excluded.

We have procured from the homes of these Indian families a few photographs, showing the type of these Croatan Indians today living in Sampson County. It will be readily seen that they are neither white people, negroes or mulattoes. They all have straight black hair, the Indian nose and lips, their skin a light brown hue, mostly high cheek bones, erect in their carriage, steel gray eyes and an intelligent countenance. Where the white blood predominates many of them have beards.

They are the true type of the Croatan Indian and have always resided and lived in this section and known as “free persons of color.” There are a few of these people that have intermarried with mulattoes, but all those of negro blood have been excluded from this sketch and no demands or claims are made in their behalf, as under the law they are properly classed with the negroes.

From George E. Butler, “The Croatan Indians of Sampson County, North Carolina. Their Origin and Racial Status. A Plea for Separate Schools,” (1916).

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March 5, 2013

Runaway bound boy, no. 6.

Twenty-Five Cents Reward.

RAN away from the subscriber on the 12th instant, a negro boy by the name of LEROY BRANDOM, who was bound to me by the court of this county, to serve until he became twenty-one years of age.  Said boy is about eighteen years old, dark complexion, bushy head of hair, large white eyes, and wears a truss.  I forewarn all persons from harbouring said boy under the penalty of the law.  I will give twenty-five cents reward for the delivery of said boy to me in this place, but will not pay any charges or expences.  Said boy had sundry clothing, not any recollected.         John Young. Aug. 20.

Hillsborough Recorder, 29 Aug 1821.

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March 5, 2013

He has a badly executed free pass.

$25 Dollars Reward. Ran Away from the subscriber, living in Wayne county, 12 miles north of Waynesborough, on the 8th of January last, a mulatto man by the name of EPHRAIM, who has since altered it to JOHN ARTIS. He is between 25 and 30 years of age, nearly 6 feet high, and his foreteeth are somewhat defective. He has a free pass, badly executed, and it is suspected that he will endeavor to go to Indiana with some negroes in Guilford county, who are about starting for that State. The above reward will be given for the apprehension and delivery of said fellow to me, or securing him in any jail in that State, so that I get him again.  PETER L. PEACOCK. July 27, 1827.

The State and North Carolina State Gazette, 16 August 1827.

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March 4, 2013

Assault on a free colored man.

Murrell Martin & Benjamin Jones assault on John R. Williams (free col’d man)

Kedar Raiford for cutting John Herring (free col’d man)

Undated. Wayne County Superior Court Grand Jury Presentments 1830-1850, Miscellaneous Records, Wayne County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

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March 4, 2013

Save this girl from a state of slavery.

Notice: The attention of the public is requested in the following statement.  On the evening of Saturday the 19th instant, the house of the subscriber, on Swift Creek, was entered during her absence, by John Bryan, and a free mulattoe girl named Dicey Moore, the daughter of Lydia Moore, was forcibly taken and carried away in a chair by the said Bryan.  It is believed that he has a forged bill of sale for the girl, purporting to have been executed by her mother, and it is feared that he has carried the girl to the south, with the intention of selling her.  Dicey Moore has lived with the subscriber ever since she was fifteen months old, and the fact of her freedom can be proved beyond the possibility of a doubt.  She is now about seventeen years old, five feet high, with a yellowish complexion, black bushy hair, and wears rings in her ears.  Bryan is about six feet high, has blue eyes, is a little round shouldered, and has a long nose.  The editors of southern papers are requested to give the foregoing as insertions in their respective papers, as possibly it may save from a state of slavery this girl, who has unquestionable right to her freedom.  Catherine Free, Swift Creek, Craven County, February 25, 1820.

Hillsborough Recorder,  5 April 1820.

Dicey Moore married George Carter on 12 July 1833 in Craven County. In the 1850 census of Craven County: George Carter, 63, laborer, wife Decy, 45, and daughters Margaret, 15, Ann, 13, Hannah, 10, and Betsy, 8.  [One can only hope that this is Dicey, above, happily ever after. — LYH]

In the 1840 census of Newbern, Craven County, Lydia Moore appears as the head of a household of two free colored women, both over age 55.

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March 3, 2013

United States Colored Troops, no. 10.

5 U.S.C.T. Perry Wyatt. Co. H, 5 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 23 years; height, 5 feet 9 3/4 inches; complexion, black; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Hartford [Hertford] County, NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 16 June 1863; where, Circleville OH; term, 3 years. Remarks: Killed in front of Petersburg, Va., June 15, 1864.

In the 1850 census of Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio: Murphey Wyatt, 30, drayman, wife Rebecca, 26, and children James P., 11, William, 7, Mary J., 5, George, 4, and Julia Ann, 2. All born in NC except the youngest three children. In the 1860 census of Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio: Murphy Wyatt, 42, drayman, wife Rebecca, 40, and children James P., 20, William, 16, Mary J., 15, George, 13, Julia, 11, Jerry, 9, Amanda, 6, and Jonas, 5. Murphy, Rebecca and James were born in NC; the remaining children in Ohio.

14 H. Art’y.U.S.C.T. Lemuel Reynolds. Co. C, 14 Reg’t U.S. Col’d H. Art’y. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 44 years; height, 5 feet 9 inches; complexion, dark; eyes, dark; hair, dark; where born, Hertford County, NC; occupation: mechanic. Enlistment: when, 1 March 1864; where, New Bern; by whom, Lt. Wheaton; term, 3 years.

In the 1860 census of Hertford County: Lemuel Reynolds, 30, day laborer, wife Mary, 30, and Nancy Reynolds, 16.

37 U.S.C.T. Noah Manley. Co. T, 37 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 26 years; height, 5 feet 7 inches; complexion, brown; eyes, dark; hair, dark; where born, Hartford [Hertford] County, NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 24 January 1865; where, Fort Monroe VA; by whom, Lt. Munroe; term, 3 years. Remarks: mustered into service Feb 3 ’65 by Maj Morris Newport News, Va. credited to Rarkwright Delaware Co 19 Distr. NY.

14 H. Art’y. U.S.C.T. Boone Nickins. Co. C, 14 Reg’t U.S. Col’d H. Art’y. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 44 years; height, 6 feet 0 inches; complexion, light; eyes, dark; hair, dark; where born, Hertford County, NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 1 March 1864; where, New Bern; by whom, Lt. Wheaton; term, 3 years.

In the 1850 census of Southern District, Hertford County: Richard Wiggans, 18, laborer, Elizabeth Wiggans, 17, Sarah Wiggans, 3 months, and Boon Nickens, 24, laborer. In the 1860 census of Hertford County: Boon Nickins, 40, day laborer, wife Penny, 18, and children S.M., 4, and M.E., 3.

14 H. Art’y. U.S.C.T. Henry Kone. Co. C, 14 Reg’t U.S. Col’d H. Art’y. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 30 years; height, 5 feet 6 inches; complexion, light; eyes, dark; hair, dark; where born, Hertford County, NC; occupation, laborer. Enlistment: when, 1 March 1863; where, New Bern; by whom, Lt. Wheaton; term, 3 years.

In the 1850 census of Southern District, Hertford County: Arthur Reynolds, 44, farmer, wife Matilda, 44, Henry Cone, 17, laborer, and Asa Butler, 12. In the 1860 census of Hertford County: Henry Cone,24, field laborer, Elizabeth, 45, Wm., 15, and Charlotte Reynolds, 50.

Henry Kone. Military History: enlisted March 1, 1864, Hartford County NC; Pvt.; C 14 USC Hy Art; discharged Dec 11, 1865, Fort Macon; disability, bronchitis; contracted 1893 in NC. Domestic History: born NC, age 62, height 5 7; col’d; grey eyes, grey hair; cannot read or write; Protestant; farmer; resided Winton after discharge; married to Estella Kone, Winton. Died 17 Feb 1926, Hampton VA.

Historical Register of  National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938, Records of Department of Veterans Affairs, National Archives.

2 Cav. U.S.C.T. William Bazill. Co. D, 2 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Cav. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 45 years; height, 5 feet 5 inches; complexion, light; eyes, blue; hair, dark; where born, Hertford, NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 1 January 1864; where, Fort Monroe VA; by whom, Col. Cole; term, 3 years. Remarks: engaged in action at Suffolk, Va., Mch. 9th 1864.

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March 3, 2013

He is probably lurking around his wife’s.

Twenty Dollars Reward.

RAN AWAY From the Subscriber’s plantation in Jones County, on the 8th inst. a negro man named TONEY. He has a cut on his foot, which occasions him to walk lame — is of a black complexion, and has a wife in Newbern known by the name of Rhoda Dove. It is probable he is lurking about Newbern. The above reward will be given and all expences paid, for his apprehension and confinement in Jail. All persons are hereby forwarned from harbouring, and masters of vessels from carrying said fellow away under penalty of the law.   LEWIS SANDERSON, Jones County, April 8, 1821.

Carolina Centinel, New Bern, 11 August 1821.

In the 1830 census of New Bern, Craven County, Rhoda Dove was the head of a household of three free people of color.

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