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Lisa Y. Henderson, creator and keeper, is descended from North Carolina’s free colored HENDERSON, SKIPP, ALDRIDGE, BALKCUM, ARTIS, SEABERRY and HAGANS families and related to the free colored BURNETT, CARTER, WYNN, SIMMONS, ARMWOOD, DOVE, GREENFIELD, BUDD, PACE, JACOBS, MANUEL, BREWINGTON, SMITH and other families.
Fourth Generation Inclusive 
WOW! what time and work you are undertaking regarding this webpage.
Truly appreciated by all!.
GJ
Thank you! I appreciate the feedback. Are you a descendant of a family of free people of color?
this is my husband’s family, from VA and NC, various moved/married in Indiana and Ohio and moving to the area of Cassopolis, Cass County MI and around South Bend IN. Am seeing so many family names of interest. Still researching, how they arrived in IN or OH – as freed, slaves or otherwise.
Which particular family is your husband’s?
hi i am a descendant of Thomas Blacknall do you know anything about his parents or patsies?
Hi, Avon. This blog is meant to be a secondary resource for people looking for documentation of the lives of North Carolina’s free people of color. I want to connect researchers to information that they might otherwise overlook or have no access to, but beyond that I do not conduct genealogical research, except to provide census references if available.
I am researching a book…”New Canaan: The Blacks of Colchester Township”. It is about my family and others families who came to Canada via various ways and settled in our township. I live in Colchester, Ontario, Canada in an area which has a rich history as the last terminal of the UGRR. Particularly interested at the moment in free Blacks who went to Indiana but left in the 1850s because of some of the “Black Codes & Laws”. They include the Wiley Chavis, Pearson and Artis families. Particularly looking at Henry Artis/Briley Lane family from N. Carolina. Can you give some direction?
Briley Lane rings a bell as an FPC from Wayne County NC. I’ll check my files. Unfortunately for researchers, for all intents and purposes, by the mid-1700s, there was no single Artis family. The branches that migrated from VA into NC came at different times to different places, and there is little available evidence to reconstruct their connections. The 1840 census of Wayne County NC lists 40+ Artis heads of household, and I cannot connect any of them to each other really. Nor does there seem to be much in NC records that documents families who migrated west in the 1830s and ’40s. Indiana archives might be a better place to look.
I Don’t MY LAST NAME IS GREGORY WYNN MY GRANDMOTHER LIVED IN AHISKIA N.C.MY FATHER MOVED TO NEW.YORK.I LIVE KNOW IN TN MY FATHER NAME WAS THOMAS J. WYNN
Yes,I’m kin to the Ashby / Bowser line of Dare Co.,Manteo,NC. My Grandfather was Robert Ashby,my Mother was Rosemary Ashby,my GRANDMOTHER was Madgeline Bowser Ashby.
Yes, this is my mother’s side of the family. Thank you very much for sharing.
I am the ggg grand daughter of Julia Artis of North Carolina and Solomon Day of Southampton, Virginia .Julia and Solomon’s son Peter Day of Cassopolis, Michigan was my great, great grandfather. I am searching for history on the Artis family. Thank you.
I am! Twice over I am a descendant of the Vaughan’s out of Nutbush, Warrenton County and the Wynn’s out of Ebony Virginia. Alonzo Vaughan 1901 and Martha Harris
Don’t know if you are still keeping this blog but I am a Bowser descendant and would love to check in with you.
Hi Michelle. I confess that I am not very active with this blog anymore as another seems to suck up all my time.
Would you be able to help me with a Bowser contact? My Bowser family left NC in 1840 and went to Ohio. We are trying to figure out which of the Bowser families we are related to….
I’m not in NC and don’t really have the bandwidth to take on projects. There’s a FB group for free families of color. Have you looked for Bowser connections there?
No. I’m not on Facebook, nor in NC. I came across one other person who is down there I can try. Thanks though.
Best of luck! Late 17th c./early 18th c. FPC research is tough. I have not had great success connecting my FPC lines with their colonial roots.
It is tough. I have the family in 1790, 1800, 1820 and 1830. I pick them up again in 1850 in OH but I don’t know which of the 1830 set were their parents!!! I’m hoping the pension records from USCT will help. Fingers crossed 🙂
Hi again. I’m having trouble finding the Facebook page for Free People of Color. DO you have a link you can share?
Sure: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1738664083049188
Thanks. Assigning this task to my cousin who LOVES Facebook 🙂
And thanks for writing back!
Is your other similar? What resources might you recommend for African American genealogy research?
In addition to http://www.ncfpc.net, I maintain (irregularly) a personal genealogy blog at http://www.scuffalong.com and (obsessively) a blog documenting African-American history and families of Wilson County NC.
Hi Lisa Henderson. My name is Bianca Woodard and I am a descendent from the Artis familly of Wayne County NC… My grandmother is an Artis.. her father was Walter H Artis and his father was Wiley Artis of Pikesville… His mother was named Charlotte Hooks. (born 1837).. I get stuck right there.. I am trying to find some more information and I ran across your site.. I am very impressed and interested at the same time. We are having our family reunion in Black Creek this June and I’m trying to fill in some blanks… is it possible that you contact me. I just subscribed to your site… lyric1973 is the start of my email account.. I’d love to speak with you.. thanks Bianca
Hi, Bianca. Thanks for viewing my blog. I’ve done considerable Artis research in Wayne and surrounding couties, but mostly on my own line. There were 40 Artis heads of household listed in the 1840 census of Wayne County. Though most likely all descend from a common ancestor who lived in the late 17th century, these 40 probably represent a dozen or more lines, and there’s no way to trace their precise connections now. I did some quick on-line research and found basically what you probably have. I didn’t find Wiley Artis in the 1870 census or earlier. If Charlotte Hooks was his mother, I am inclined to believe that he was born a slave and took his free Artis father’s surname upon emancipation. That’s conjecture, of course, but seems to fit the sparse facts. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help now, but I’ll keep an eye out for anything that might help. Hope you have a great reunion!
Hello Lisa, it s been quite sometime since our last conversation years I would say. You were very informative reference the information on Hardy Lassiter and his family. Bernard Patterson
Hi, Bernard! I’ve posted quite a bit of Lassiter material at scuffalong.com. Hope it’s useful!
Enjoying your site. I am a descendant of the “Lomax/Lomack” family from Cumberland County NC.
I”m glad you found and like the site. I’ve got another Lomack post coming soon!
Oh, I will be sure to stay tune. I have lots on them already.
If you have 18th or 19th century documents (or photographs) that you’d like to share, I’d love to post them. I can be reached at ncfreepeopleofcolor@gmail.com. Thanks!
Thank you so much.
Hello. Thank you for creating this site. I am revisiting my research on the FPC in my family. They were from Pasquotank and Perquimans counties. I have enjoyed reading the posts, especially the ones relating to these counties. They’ve given me some ideas of what steps to take next with my research.
Thanks so much taking the time to comment, Glenda. I’m really glad the blog is reaching people. I well know how frustrating researching FPC families can be. Please stay tuned; I’ve got quite a bit of Pasquotank and Perquimans material to post!
Hi Lisa;
I am a descendant of the Womack, Cagle, Seaberry, Emmanuel (Manuel) on my mother’s side. Emeline(Emmaline) would be my great-great grandmother. I am thinking that we are a part of the Coharie Indian nation. I grew up around the Smiths and Brewingtons. Would you have any info on the death and burial of Emeline? I have been searching and so far have gotten nowhere. Thank you for giving us another way to connect.
Hi, Marian. Thanks for taking the time to comment. Are you referring to Emeline Manuel Seaberry? Unfortunately, I know little about her. I am a Seaberry descendant, via a brother or perhaps cousin of Raleigh Seaberry. The family’s origins are not at all clear. Certainly, many Manuels are today members of the Coharie nation, but their ancestry appears to be tri-racial. I will continue to keep my eyes open for anything about this family and, again, thanks for reading. I began this blog in hopes of being a resource for descendants of free people of color, as I well know the difficulties of researching these families. Best wishes. — Lisa H.
Hello,I am really interested in the seaberry family.from Qualla boundrys from nc.or anyother seaberry family members.heres my family,solomons secret outdoor drama,solomon married seaberry Arms,and we put a outdoor drama on about our relatives whom were Cherokee,but this is the first time,i have ever herd them being coharie,thats very interesting,I would like to correspond with any seaberry,s contact me @ ravenwind52@aol.com,or my cousin Vickie dail brown on the solomons secret outdoor drama page,thank you so much
Hi, Melody. My Seaberry ancestors first appear in Wayne County circa 1840. I do not know their ethnic identity beyond their description as “free people of color.” Subsequently, they spread into Harnett and Cumberland Counties.
— Lisa H.
Hi! I know this thread seems to have been long silent, but I just found it. My sister and I have recently found out we are descendants of Raleigh Seaberry. Our Grandmother on our dad’s side was Vivian Joy Seaberry of Texas, her parents were Stella Frances Seaberry and Bartow Seaberry. I am interested in finding anyone with more information on Raleigh. I would love to learn more of his history.
Feel free to email me at Shannonbeyer83@gmail.com
Thank you!
Hi Shannon! Which Raleigh Seaberry? The white one or the free man of color who was likely his close relative?
Stumbled upon your blog and have been quite fascinated. My family are Simmons and Armwoods, Winns of Sampson, Wayne and Duplin Counties. Really appreciate all your efforts to document FPC history.
FYI the pic of “William Armwood” – I have the original. Glad to see it found its way to your blog!
Hi, Vincent! We are very possibly related. I certainly have Simmons, Armwood, and Winn cousins, and a DNA match suggests that I may descended from one of those lines. I was astonished when I first saw the photo of William Armwood and gratified when I received permission to post. So glad to “meet” the owner of its original! — Lisa
Very excited about this site. I am doing extensive research on tracking slaves throught their owners and trackinng free people of color in greene county, nc. My aunt was married to an Artis, descending from Daniel and Eliza Artis of Wayne and Greene County. On my other side I have the Conners. They moved from county to county, including Lenoir, Pitt, Duplin, and Greene. My grand mother’s great grandfather Wm Conner had to children with a white woman. They remained in Greene County. I need help tracking their movement
in other counties due to the courthouse fire 1876. I know Wm and Shade lived with a carpenter, assuming they were apprentice.
Wow! Daniel and Eliza Faircloth Artis? Well, then, I’m related to your aunt! I believe Daniel was the son of Guy Lane and Sylvania Artis, and Sylvania was the sister of Vicey Artis, my g-g-g-g-grandmother.
Wow, I am happy to find you. How have you been able to track the movement of the free color people? I need much help. Thanks for the clarification of the relationships in the Artis family. I do have some info and documents on the Conner family.
Please email me at lyhend at aol dot com to “talk” in detail!
Hi Lisa! I’m so excited to stumble upon your blog. I’m descended from the Locklear and Wilkins families of Halifax County
Thanks for visiting, Erin! I plan to include more Halifax County posts soon.
Lisa H.
Hi Erin, I’m Stacy. I’m also a descendant of the Locklears and Wilkins from Halifax CO to Indianapolis, IN. I’m also very happy to have this website. It’s given me additional information about our families. 🙂 Erin, if you read this, please email me at sml.fuller14@gmail.com so we can hopefully make some connections.
Stacy
Hi, Stacy! My cousin is a descendant of Locklear/Larter families who emigrated from NC to Indiana.
Hi Lisa,
I am familiar with the Locklear/Larter connection. That’s amazing. I’d love to get more information on that side of the family.
Lisa,
I’m sorry for any confusion, Mama Needs Coffee and Wine is the same as Simply Stacy05. Just an FYI. 🙂
Hi Lisa…
I noticed that there was a mention of a couple Blackwell’s. Which is my maternal family line. My mothers mom’s mom…from there…we have 5 generations of Blackwell women in a row…and we have no idea who their fathers/husbands were. They kept only the Blackwell surname…and named all of their children that way. They were free people…but they were one of the Indian families from Sampson county…that kept to themselves. They did not attend church or school…and they were known to instigate slave uprisings. No one would buy, trade or sell anything from, to or with them. Eventually…a good many Blackwell children were taken and adopted out to white families in Newton Grove…and where all those Blackwell famlies went…the parents and such of these children, is a complete mystery? We cannot trace their disappearance? And no one living today…knows. All I know is what I have said. We thought they either left to go far…or they may have been killed off…for their land…maybe? They were very poor…that they were still hunting with bow’s…and they were the some of the last native language speakers…as well as the Royals family and a few others. Coles and Monk women…who were kin…but they werd enslaved. Anyway…I noticed the picture of Nancy Balckum…or Margaret Balckum? She looks so much like my family…it is amazing to me. So much so that I had to write you and ask? Is there anything familiar that I have said? Apicture of them I heard of was Easter Blackwell and her sisters all in a row with backs to the camera and their hair down almost to the floor. I believe there was seven of them in a row. I have been searchinv for this photo…and this family line. If there is anything you know…direction or people to talk with…I would be so grateful. And thankyou for all the beautiful work you have done. It is so important… Pura Fe
Hi, Pura Fe, and thanks for taking the time to comment. The free Blackwells with which I am familiar were from the Nash/Wilson County area. I am not familiar with the Sampson County family you describe, but will search for information. Do you have first names for the 5 generations of women you mention? That would be helpful. The photo is of my ggg-grandmother, Margaret Balkcum Henderson, who was born about 1836 in Sampson County. Her mother, I believe, was white. I don’t not know who her father was, but he was surely of color, whether black, Native or some combo of those and white ancestry. Best regards. — Lisa
Hi Lisa,
I just started doing research on my family’s history and found your blog. I am related to the Dove family on my great grandmother’s side but I was wondering about my great grandfather’s side.
My great grandfather was named Virgil Wynn and his death certificate says that his father was named Adam Wynn (born in Faison, NC) and his mother was named Nancy Jenkins (born in James City, NC). Do you think this might be the same Adam Wynn/Winn family that you mentioned in your blog? Thanks for all the work that you have done with this blog and I look forward to spending more time combing through the information.
Best,
Brittany
Hi, Brittany, and thanks for commenting! The Adam Wynn I’ve blogged about died in 1850s. He had no son named Virgil that I’m aware of. However, it’s definitely a lead worth pursuing. Have you found Virgil and Adam in census records? — Lisa
I’ve found Virgil in the census records but the records I found him in were from the 1920s or 1930s. I haven’t been able to find anything from the 1900s (Virgil was born in 1891 so I’m assuming that Adam would have been born in the 1860s or 1870s) but I cannot find any information on them besides the census records in the 1900s and Virgil’s death certificate.
I found Virgil’s World War I draft registration, his marriage license, and Adam and Nancy’s marriage license. Do you have those? You can respond directly at lyhend at aol dot com.
Hi Lisa,
Thank you for all the work you have put into this website. I just recently started researching my family’s history and I found out that I am related to the Doves on my great grandmother’s side. I would like to find out more information about my great grandfather’s side.
My great grandfather was named Virgil Wynn (born in Merritt, NC and lived in New Bern). According to his death certificate, his father was named Adam Wynn (born in Faison, NC) and his mother was named Nancy Jenkins (born in James City, NC). Do you think there might be a direct relation to the Adam Wynn/Winn family that you mentioned wrote about from Mount Olive? I look forward to reading the other information you posted on your blog.
Best,
Britt Wynn
Hi,
Thanks so much for your site. It gives a valuable insight into an area of American history that is discussed too little. I am a descendant of the Freeman, Webb, Jacobs, and Campbell families of Southeastern NC. We can trace most of our free ancestry to families that originated in colonial Northampton Co., VA. And thanks also for your post on Freeman, NC. It confirms what we were thinking already. Would love to chat with you sometime. Keep up the good work!
Thank YOU for taking the time to comment. I’m so glad that I’m reaching people who, like me, are descended from this little-known group. Please feel free to contact me at lyhend at aol dot com. Best regards — Lisa H.
Hi Lisa,
I’ve followed your blog for a while and enjoy your post. The breadth of your research is very impressive. I am working on similar research about free people of color in North Carolina and just completed a dissertation at UNC on the topic. Feel free to contact me at wemilteer@hotmail.com
Warren Milteer, Jr.
Thanks for the comment and compliment, Warren. I’ve certainly come across your name and Roanoke River-area interests in my research. I’ll be in touch, and I can be reached at lyhend at aol dot com. — Lisa H.
[…] from the Lisa Anderson’s North Carolina free people of color genealogy blog Fourth Generation Inclusive (she also Tumbles as @gonebut not […]
Thanks! — Lisa Y. Henderson
Thank you so much for this blog. I was pleased to learn that my maternal ancestors were free people of color living in North Carolina as far back as the American Revolution. These posts help me to understand the world that they lived in and encourage me in solving this genealogical puzzle. You’re doing great work. Thanks again.
Thanks, Denise! What family are you researching?
I’m researching the Taborn/Tayborns. I initially assumed that it was an Anglo name, but apparently not, but probably Anglicized. Most seemed to move to Ohio, but my family moved to Mississippi. The reason is a mystery to me.
Yes, the Tabourne/Taborn/Taybron etc. family was a large FPC family centered in the Nash/Halifax County area. I grew in Wilson NC with a fair number of them, including a set of sisters who were my childhood babysitters. 🙂 I’m assuming you’ve read Paul Heinigg’s synopsis of the early history?
Thank you Lisa for the reply. Yes…the first names of the Blackwells…starting with Drusilla Blackwell…who you can find on the 1840 census as a free person head of household…in Johnston Co. They lived right on the Nuese River next to the Willis Coles plantation during the Bentonville Battle and next to the Bentonville Battleground. The land today they lived on is now…the boyscout camp named Camp Tuscarora. Drusilla had many daughters. Sabra or Sabery Blackwell…then there is Sally Blackwell who is the daughter of Sabra. Sally and Sabra also had many daughters. Then Sally had Easter and Martha, Elija and Josiah are twins…and several more Blackwells. Easter had 7 daughters and changed her daughters last names to Blackman. There was Donnie…Della…Polly…and I cannot remember all of their names. But Donnie Blackman had my grandmother who is named Easter Elizabeth Sanders. These are the names of the Blackwells…originally from Johnston… Thank you for answering…
Pura Fe
Thank YOU! I will be on the lookout for documents related to the Blackwells! Best regards,
Lisa H.
Hi Lisa,
Great blog. Thanks so much for sharing this information. My family is from NC. My great-grandmother was a Freeman from Columbus County and descended from a long line of FPC. I was pleased to find so many references here to her extended family tree. Keep up the good work!
Thanks so much, Tia!
Thank you! Well done. I am a descendant of T.N. Gautier — the mean ships captain who in your blog is mentioned as offering reward for a sailor that has gone MIA. A neat treat to see a post on him! What brought me here was the post related to his nephews Thomas and Louis Sheridan. I am trying to locate descendants of theirs. Any ideas? I found it interesting, neat, that Thomas’ second wife was from Robeson. My Hammons (Hammond now) ancestors were from this area and often regarded as mulatto or “other” in census records.
Hi, Christina! I’m glad you found the blog helpful and thanks for commenting. I don’t know any Sheridan descendants, but would be happy to post a lookout for them. Also, yes, I recognize HAMMOND/HAMMONS/AMMONS as the surname of a fairly large free family of color from the lower coastal plain area of NC. Best wishes, and happy Thanksgiving!
Hi Lisa, I am a descendent of FPC from Halifax County, NC. Specifically Manley, Rudd. I found your site while looking at a collateral line of Bowser. Thanks for the site.
Thanks, Rhonda! Glad it’s helpful. I’ll keep an eye out for those surnames. — Lisa H.
Hello any help you can give me would be greatly appreciated My grandmother was Eva Chavis, also spelled Chavious She was the daughter of William Chavious and Maglatha Taborn. I am trying to find more information on Maglatha (Latha) Taborn last found her in the 1920 Census listed with her sisters Bertha, Emma, Alice, Sara, and brother Erwin in Carrier Mills Illinois . Couldn’t find anything after that or before that.
Thanks for sharing this information Lisa. My cousin connected me to this – we are Jacobs, Manuel and Brewington. I’m originally Freeman, Webb, Jacobs……here is our websites for our folks who are married to some of those in your groups: http://www.graham-reunion.com, http://www.spauldingfamily.com and http://www.freeman-nc.org. It’s interesting to see how we managed to intermarry and survive together.
Thank you, Franklin!
Greetings Lisa,
I am a descendant of the Armwoods. My William M. Armwood is my 3rd great grandfather. His daughter Sylvania Armwood married John Simmons whom had a son by the name of Colon Simmons. Colon Simmons had a daughter with his wife Mary J. McIver by the name of Katie Christine Simmons she is my grandmother. I am seeking more pictures and information on my Armwood side of the family. I found your blog and I appreciate the information. I am so intrigued with my history. If there is some information that you can share I would greatly appreciate it.
K.C.
Hi, Katherine. Thanks for reaching out. I wish I could tell you more. I assume that all the Sampson/Wayne Armwoods are members of one extended family that migrated from Maryland in the late 1700s, but I cannot prove it. I have many collateral links to Armwoods and for a time wondered if I were descended from the family as well. Further DNA testing does not seem to support that theory. Sorry I can’t be of more help.
Hi Lisa, I think I was a student in your mom’s first grade class in 1965 at Speight School in Wilson County N.C. Lisa my g-g grandfather was Richard Artis, whose wife was Susanna “Yelverton” Hall Artis. Their son Jonah was my g-grandfather. Jonah and Fannie Artis are my grandfather, Melford Odell Artis wife Helen, parents. I thank you for your research. I’ve learned a lot.
Wow, Angela! My mother certainly was teaching there then! And you and I are cousins, as I am descended from Richard’s brother Adam T. Artis. I went to high school and college with a number of Richard’s descendants. Have you visited my genealogy blog, http://www.scuffalong.com? I have lots there about our Artises and am currently working on a post related to Richard. Please feel to email me at lisayhenderson at gmail dot com. Best regards.
I have been searching for my ancestors! But this Art is family is huge my grandmother had 16 children. I found her and her mother Lillian Art is my grandmother. Ardellia Art is was her mother. Frank and Mary Susan Art is. I found his father was Richard Art is. I’m stuck there but I know my grandmother was raised in Fremont and BlackCreek NC. She visited her Art is family on Hwy 222. She visited the home of John Eddie Art is. I can’t find enough information on my great great uncle Alion Art he lived to be 100. I have tried hard to run the parents of A lion and Pauline Art is but so far no luck. Just knowing my family line grew up on Hwy 222 makes me wonder but I feel lost its so many people. The Art is family has a lot of secrets. Some family members are reluctant to tell me about my ancestors.
Hi, Corey. Without dates, it’s hard to identify the people you know. Those first names are not familiar, and it’s very possible that they are from one of the dozens of other Artis lines (all very remotely related) who lived in the area between Fremont and Stantonsburg in the 1800s. As you know, the use of common first names, such as Richard, John and Jesse, make researching Artis families very difficult. Best wishes in your search!
Hi Lisa, Just wanted you to know that we have a link to your webpage on ours (www.freeman-nc.org). We are Free People of Color which includes Jacobs, Manuel and Brewington. Our others are Freeman, Webb, Patrick, Spaulding, Graham, Mitchell, Moore, Locklear, Chavis, Oxendine, Lowry, Brown…..
yes, we are Waccamaw-Siouan and Lumbee.
Thanks for your work on this side.
Thank you so much!
Hello Lisa,
I have just started following your site. Thank you for sharing your research! I am descended from families in Fayetteville/Cumberland County. It is a mix of Scott, Halliday/Holliday, Leary and Levy, with a few Ochiltree and a Brewington as well. If you know of the origins of the Hallidays in Fayetteville, who I am pretty sure were mixed with one of the local tribes, I would love to know. Many of my ancestors are buried in Cross Creek Cemetery and Brookside Cemetery in Fayetteville.
Thank you again and I wish you much success with your work.
Thanks, Cori! I haven’t run across the Hallidays, but I will look for anything relevant!
i am a descendant of the Blacknall and Perry families Thomas Blacknall was my gggg grandfather i am researching my ancestry. i have only got as far back as Thomas and his wife pasty i am trying to find out who their parents were and if we have any native american ancestry through their ancestry? have had DNA testing done with 23&me which says i have 1.3% native american and east asian ancestry
I don’t know any more about the Blacknalls than is reported in the documents posted. I wish you luck in your search and will keep an eye out for material related to them.
Dear Lisa,
I just now stumbled onto your website while reminiscing about St. Alphonsus and St. Therese schools in the 1960s and 1970s. What an amazing resource you’ve created! I’m so thrilled to know that such a site exists for Wilson. I know I will be returning to this site often.
Thank you for all you’ve done, and all you continue to do!
-Keith Taylor
Thanks so much for the kind words, Keith!
Well of course it is and thats what i mean, i’ve already did my own “primary” research or i wouldn’t be here having this conversation with you.so instead of me not overlaying you with all the details i will.my great x 4 grandfather was Thomas Blacknall, who in April of the year 1820 on behalf of a Mr. James Houze who purchased him from the William Blacknall estate was freed! so in fact i am referring to free persons of color. Also to rephrase my original question is there any documentation or historical records that i might otherwise overlook or not have any access to concerning him, a free person of color pertaining to his birth and life before he was freed.I have a copy of his will and haven’t had any problem tracing his descendants to present day including my self. I am more interested in his birth and who his parents were as well as his life as a slave up until he was freed. if there is any information you know of that would answer some of my questions i would gladly appreciate it.
Hi, your site is wonderful! I love reading the stories and viewing the pictures and am amazed at the level of detail and information you have researched. My mother’s family still resides in Goldsboro, NC but they does know any family history. I have recently started researching my mother’s family. Clara (Green) Artis was my mother’s great aunt, and she married Calonza Artis. Based on the research, I was able to get as far as finding Mary Jane and Henry Artis to add to the family tree.Thanks for sharing the info!
Thank you!! Did you add Mary Jane Artis’ parents and grandparents too? Always nice to hear that my blogs actually helps someone else!
Looking for info about Richard Hall (born about 1820) and his wife Drusilla Blackwell (born about1826) from North Carolina.
Thank you for all the hard work that you put into researching transcribing and publishing on this blog.
My pleasure!!
Lisa,
Wow! Nice Job. Would you please contact me about your link to the Yelverton’s. I have a theory to pass by you.
Keith
Thanks! I am not a Yelverton, but have cousins who are. I can be reached at lisayhenderson at gmail dot com.
Do you have any info. about James Casey son of Jim Moore and Harriet Casey who is mentioned in your blog under “One who sells his services does not cease to be free”? Thanks!
No, sorry. I do only limited research on the people mentioned in these documents, generally just to place them in census or vital records.
Thank you for the information on your blog. I’m still looking through it to see if I can glean any resources on my ancestors from Jamesville Martin and Bertie Counties, and possibly anything from Craven and Lenoir counties.
Would you know if there is a free copy online if the book the Free Negro of North Carolina by John Hope Franklin?
I was searching for an ancestor and saw his name listed in the book index on Google and I’m not yet ready to pay $17 for the one page I’m interested in.
Hi, Leilani. I’m glad you found Fourth Generation Inclusive. I am not aware of any free digital versions of FNNC, but I can say that the book is an essential resource for FPC researchers. Best of luck with your research.
Hi Lisa, I just wanted say “Thank You!!” for all your research, resources, and insights. I came across this page after viewing your research on the Artis family on Scuffalong.com. After years of research, I recently learned my maternal 2nd great grandfather was Tom “Pig” Artis, making Celia Artis my 3rd great grandmother. This new discovery has knocked down several brick walls in my research and has greatly expanded my family tree. Your research has provided so much valuable information and I’m so grateful. Excellent work!!
Wow! I’m so glad you found my blog. My greatest wish is that the people I write about will “find” their descendants. Celia Artis was a remarkable woman, and I wish I knew more about her and Simon Pig.
My name is robert j wynn,grandson of israel h wynn,descendant of adam wynn. My grandmother was frances “frankie” henderson. Some of my relatives on the henderson side are avon,mona faye, and len. My mother was otelia,first cousin to onra,and evelyn
Well, hello, cousin!
Hi Lisa, my name is Merle Murrain . My niece who lives in Atlanta just forwarded me the article you did on my parents and grandparents. Great article, you provided some facts that are new to me. Thanks for sharing. Please contact me at merlemurrain@gmail.com.
Hi Lisa!
I just found your site and its amazing. My ancestors surnames are: Boone, Wilkins, Locklear, Manley, Manuel and Scott. I have their movement from Halifax CO, NC to Indianapolis, IN. I look forward to checking out the rest of your posts! 🙂
Hi, Stacy! Those are classic Halifax County FPC surnames!
I’m just seeing your reply. Thanks for responding. I even found some of my ancestors in some of your posts. I’m hitting some brickwalls, and need some help.
I’d love your input on some things. My email is sml.fuller14@gmail.com.
I guess more specifically, I am not able to travel to NC, can you give me some suggestions on how I can obtain more information about my ancestors? I have Aaron Locklear (my 5th great grandfather) who is my biggest mystery. He is the son of James cricket Locklear and Rhoda Locklear. He was married to Sabra Ann Manuel, but I can never find any documents stating that fact. He was also married to a Clarkie Dildee which I have proof of marriage and divorce suit…have you seen any of these names? I appreciate any help. Thanks in advance.
I need information on my ancestors in Wilson County North Carolina. Where do I research? From the federal census of 1870; Nancy Armstrong, Haywood., Armstrong. Nelson Armstrong. Joshua Armstrong. Barker Armstrong.and Garrett (Garry) Armstrong.
What info are you seeking? Ancestry.com has census records, death certificates and marriage licenses, as well as wills and estates records. You will have to visit the Wilson County courthouse for birth certificates (post-1914) and property records. Court records are housed at the NC State Archives in Raleigh.
Hi Lydia. What kind of info are you looking for?
The Lawrence County Historical and Genealogical Society in Lawrence County, Indiana has an ongoing research project focusing on the African American community of the County. A large number of the early (1818- 1850) families in this community were “free people of color” from North Carolina. Family names include: Larter, Jones, Barnett, Boon, Roberts, Minor, Mitchell. Hart. Parker. Scott, Nelson, Banister, Burnett, Harris, Derry, Revels, Thomas, Newby, Pettiford, Kelly. and Hood. My research partner and I are willing to share what we have collected if it would be of help to anyone.
Thank you so much! My cousins have a Larter line; I’ll be in touch. I’ll also spread the word.
Thank you for your great research. I found my great-grandfather, Duncan Mitchell mentioned in one of your articles. Do you know where I can research more about Mitchells, Browns, Jeffries in Cumberland County? My 2xgrandfather was Duncan Thomas Mitchell, married to Mary Catharine but I am not having any luck finding her maiden name.
Lisa, I’m looking for any info on Margaret Armwood…She was married to Samuel Boone..I have her bd. around 1830, his 1814…According to a death certificate of one of their children, they both were born in Sampson County…I’ve also found records of them
living in Bladen County….
Hey Lisa Y. Henderson do you have a way i can contact you. I’m a descendant of Zion Reid and i would like to work with others to develop my family tree
I am a descendant of Julia Artis and I am attempting to find family history. My family is also from Cassopolis, Michigan GJ.
Hi Lisa! I love your blog and it has been very informative. I just came across Freedman marriage certificates of Catawba Co NC. My Beatty/Baty, Cornelious, McCorkle, Shuford, Hooper, and Howard line were free before emancipation. I had no idea until recently. Are you familiar with these families? Other surnames that are listed are Coulter, Gabriel and Cooper.
Thanks!
Hi! Thank you! My primary personal focus areas are Wilson, Wayne and Iredell Counties, so I’m not specifically familiar with those families. I’m a little confused though. “Freedman” implies people who were freed via Emancipation. Are the marriage certs you mention for freedmen (such as cohabitation records) or free people of color?
Hi. Thanks for replying. They had different dates for each couple. For example, it showed 1855 for my ancestors Robert Baty and Sarha/Sarah. I know that slave marriage weren’t recognized as legal. Here’s the link.
http://ncgenweb.us/catawb/freedmen.txt?fbclid=IwAR3EqM4aVfbLmoT4cUY-Smyhd2dLs_xWDiV6nbZkAvHJMz_JFGsmkpmKuQQ
Ah. It’d be nice to see the originals to get a better understanding of what this volume is. Have you checked familysearch.org?
I’ll look into it some more. Thanks again!
Hi Lisa! I hope you and yours are doing well. My family is also from Wilson,NC and surrounding counties. I actually grew up in Waltson after the age of seven and moved away for school after high school. My families are Richardson,Woodard,Hagan,Simms,Dew (Rev Cornelius Dew is my 2ndgreat grandfather) Thompson,Farmer,Wells, Meeks,Forsythe,Morgan,Bass,Chavis,Fort,Sowell,Justice, Gillespie/Glaspie/Glasper,Wynn,Williams,Conner,Hooks , Jordan ,Stallings. I have been trying to figure out ,for years,how my family are connected to the Driggers,Swain,Sandlin/Sandilands/Sanderlin,Spencer,Bell and Moring families! I am on 23 andme ,ancestry ,GEDMatch, my Heritage, and familysearch, and I’m still clueless and my DNA matches are as well! Any help is greatly appreciate it!! Thank you!!
Great article. My Husband and I are researching The Taylors of Duplin County NC (his line). Lany Taylor F was listed as Colored in 1840 census. In 1850 she and her children were listed as mulatto. 1860 they were still listed as mulatto but were living with a white man Robert Phillips. After 1870 and 1880 they were all listed as white Lanny and her children and even some grandchildren were also listed with the name Phillips on the census and as his wife, daughter, grandchildren. Lany had children in 1840and 1850 census before Phillips was noted. My husbands line is through her daughter Percy who had multiple children over time though never married. It was always told that his ancestor Claude father was a Kornegay and after her death they raised him. We recently proved this through Y DNA. so far we can not find any of Lanny or Percys other children listed except James. We are trying to understand the situation under which they lived and find and name these forgotten people. I feel that free people of color might have stood out but really do not seem to find where to find records for them. They are in the census but we want to know more.
As the descendant of many, I can tell you that free people of color can be quite elusive in records. The scenario you describe is a familiar one. In the contexts in which I have encountered it, there is an informal or unrecognized (formally) marriage between a white man and a free woman of color, which is presented to the outside world as a white man and his servant. Over time, as the community grows to accept and acknowledge the relationship, the woman and children (if they are light-complected enough) are recognized publicly as his wife and offspring.