Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color
April 17, 2013

Acts to emancipate Silvia and Violet.

An act to emancipate a Negro called Silvia.

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 a certain Negro girl named Silvia, belonging to the estate of Abraham Bass, late of the County of Nash, be, and she is hereby emancipated and made capable of taking, holding and possessing property of every kind, and of enjoying all such priveleges as all other free persons of color.

And be it further enacted that the above named girl shall be known and called by the name of Silvia Spears: Provided always, that this act shall not affect the right which any person or persons may have to the service of and property in said girl Silvia, except such person or persons as may claim by, from or through the said Abraham Bass.

And be it further enacted, that nothing in this act contained shall be construed so to authorise the emancipation of the said girl Silvia, until Thomas Hamilton shall have entered into bond with sufficient security, in the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds, make payable to the Chairman of the County Court of Nash and his successors in office, to be void on condition that the said Silvia will never become a charge or burthen to any of the counties of this State.

Chapter XCVII, Public and Private Laws of the State of North Carolina, 1803-1816, North Carolina State Library.

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An act to emancipate a Negro girl named Violet.

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 a certain Negro Girl named Violet, late the property of Abraham Bass, late of the County of Nash, daughter of Silvia, who was emancipated by an act of the Legislature at its last session, be, and she is hereby emancipated and made capable of taking, holding and possessing property of every kind, and enjoying all such privileges as all other free persons of colour.

And be it further enacted, that this act shall not affect the right of which any person or persons may have to the service of, and property in said Girl Violet, except such person or persons as may claim by, from, and through the said Abraham Bass, deceased.

And be it further enacted, that nothing in this act contained shall be so construed as to authorise the emancipation of the said Violet, until Thomas Hamilton shall have entered into bond with sufficient security in the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds, made payable to the Chairman of the County Court of Nash, and his successors in office, to be void on condition, that the said Violet never become a charge or burthen to any of the Counties in this State.

And be it further enacted, that the above named Negro Girl called Violet, shall be known and called by the name of Violet Spears.

Chapter LXL, Public and Private Laws of the State of North Carolina, 1803-1816, North Carolina State Library.

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April 17, 2013

Expediency.

Legislature of North-Carolina.

SENATE.  Wednesday, Nov. 23.

…

Mr. Montgomery, of Hertford, submitted the following resolution, which was adopted:

Whereas much inconvenience and unnecessary expenditure of public money has been the result of trying free negroes and mulattoes by a jury: to remedy which,

Be it resolved, That the Judiciary committee be instructed to inquire into the expediency of passing a law to constitute three justices of the peace to try free negroes and mulattoes for all offences against the State, other than capital, without the intervention of a jury; and that they report by bill or otherwise.

Star, Raleigh, 3 December 1829.

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April 17, 2013

Runaway bound boy, no. 8.

NOTICE.

Ran away from the Subscriber on the 13th of September last, a bound boy of color, by the name of WILLIAM HAITHCOCK, eighteen years of age, weighing about one hundred and fifty pounds. I hereby forewarn all persons from harboring or employing said boy under the penalty of the law. WM. P. McDANIEL. October 21.

Hillsborough Recorder, 21 October 1863.

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April 17, 2013

Sentence of death was pronounced.

Superior Court. – The week was occupied by several highly interesting causes, Judge Settle presiding. This is the first time the Judge has visited this section of the State, since his promotion to the Bench, and we speak the sentiments of our community, when we say, no Judge has ever given more satisfaction for his prompt and enlightened decisions as well as the urbanity of his manners. The criminal Elijah Hawkins, was put upon his trial for killing Green Mills, both free persons of color, and found guilty of murder in the first degree. Sentence of Death was pronounced upon him by Judge S. in a truly feeling and appropriate manner. The day for carrying into effect the sentence of law, is fixed on 23d May next.  Halifax Adv.

Tarborough Free Press, 9 May 1834.

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April 17, 2013

Letters remaining.

LIST OF LETTERS

Remaining in the Post Office at Fayetteville, N.C., July 7, 1862. When called for please say they are advertised. … Jordan T. Artice … John Cowan … Jo Hagans … Sophia Martin …    JAS. G. COOK, P.M.

Carolina Observer, Fayetteville, 7 July 1862.

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April 17, 2013

Northampton County Free Colored Heads of Households, 1790.

Saul Scott, Werling Scott, Stephen Scott, Edward Harris, Randol Scott, Ezekiel Groves, Robert Brown, John Hattaway, David Scott, Lemon Land, William Morgan, Odam Poythress, John Morgan, Hardiman Poythriss, Mark Morgan, Jno. Brown, Drury Walden, Newman Hathcock, Jonathan Roberts, William Roberts, Isaac Scott, Nathan Tabon, Jeremiah Anderson, Elias Roberts, Allen Tabor, James Roberts, Jr., Isaac Tabor, John Roberts, Abraham Artis, Cannon Cumbo, Peter Stewart, Lyson Lewelling, Hardy Scott, Jesse James, Jeremiah James, David James, John Waldin, Jubalough, Booth Newsom, Moses Newsom, Amos Newsom, Nath’l Newsom, John Hathcock, Drury Tann, Arthur Byrd, George Artice, James Newsom, Arthur Allen, Silas Banks, Daniel Demory, Wm. Bittle, Jeremiah Bittle, Jethro Bass, Council Bass, Robert Fuller, Jacob Smith, Littleton Manly, Benjamin Hawley, William Manly, Ann Welk, Jarrot Doby, Phil Byrd, Michail Walden, Christo. Stewart, Joyce Mitchell, Ruth Byrd, Charity Cunningham, Obediah Plumbly, Nathan Byrd and William Dales.

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April 17, 2013

An act to emancipate Abel and Patsey Payne.

An Act to emancipate Abel Payne and his wife Patsey, slaves

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 Abel Payne and his wife Patsey, the property of Joshua Carman, of the county of Cumberland, be, and they are hereby, with the consent and at the request of their said owner, emancipated and set free; and by the names of Abel and Patsey Payne, shall hereafter possess and exercise all the rights and privileges which are enjoyed by other free persons of color in this State: Provided nevertheless, That before said slaves shall be emancipated, their said master, Joshua Carman, shall give bond and good security, in the sum of five hundred dollars, to the Governor and his successors in office, in the court of Cumberland county, that the said slave shall honestly and correctly demean themselves as long as he shall remain in the State, and shall not become a parish charge; which bond may be sued upon, in the name of the Governor for the time being, to the use of the parish, and of any person injured by the mal conduct of such said slave. [Ratified 2d day of January, 1847]

Chapter CLXI, Public and Private Laws of North Carolina Passed by the General Assembly,1846-47, North Carolina State Library.

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April 17, 2013

Acquitted of rape of 80 year-old woman.

Wake Superior Court.

…

On Wednesday, Jones Kiff, a free boy of colour, about 21 years old, was tried on an indictment for Rape, committed on a free woman of colour, supposed to be 80 years of age. Verdict of acquittal.

Tarboro’ Press, 16 April 1836.

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April 17, 2013

He carried a white woman there.

Fifty Dollars Reward.

Made his escape from me, on Friday evening the 4th of the present month, near Stantonsburg, a negro man, named ALLEN, (calls himself Allen Woodard) he is about 30 years of age, of a tolerable size, yellow complexion, a pretty good House Carpenter and a very ingenious negro. He formerly belonged to Wm. Dickinson, decd. – and has lately been confined in the Newbern gaol, was removed thence to Snow Hill, had his trial and was whipped – his back is pretty much scared [sic]. It is said he has forged free papers, with which he has passed as a free man. It is probable he will lurking about Newbern as he carried a white woman there, with whom he was intimate, as it was said.

The above reward will be given to any person who will deliver him to me, or lodge him in Tarborough gaol.  DANIEL DICKINSON.  Edgcomb County, 2 miles above Stantonsburg, May 8th, 1822.

Newbern Sentinel, 18 May 1822.

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April 17, 2013

300 acres to be sold at the courthouse door.

NOTICE.

By virtue of a decree of the Superior Court of Wilson county, rendered January 5th, 1882, I will sell at the Court House door in Wilson Monday the 6th day of February 1882, the lands whereof Nelson Eatman died seized, consisting of three tracts adjoining the lands of M.M. Mathews, Deal Howard, William Taylor and others, containing three hundred acres more or less. Terms: one thousand dollars cash, balance on credit of eight months. Title reserved till payment of all the purchase money.  F.A. WOODARD, Adm.

Wilson Advance, 3 February 1882.

In the 1860 census of Wilson County: Nelson Eatman, 50, farmer, wife Morinda, 45, and children Elizabeth, 20, Ginsey, 18, Smithy, 17, Alfred, 14, Nelson, 5, Emily, 7, and Jarman, 2.

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