Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Category: Apprentices

Craven County apprentices, 1811.

On 11 March 1811, James Culley, 8, and William Culley, 5, boys of color, were bound to William Dove as coopers.

On 11 March 1811, Hetty Carter, William Carter, Sarah Carter and Isaac [no last name] were bound to William Physioc , the girls as spinsters, the boys as coopers.

On 11 March 1811, Peggy Ives, a girl of color aged 12 years, was bound to Michael Guillet as a trunk maker.

On 12 March 1811, John Herman, 7, and Jacob Herman, 10, were bound to John C. Stanly as shoemakers.

On 10 June 1811, Simon Clark, a free boy of color aged 13 years, was bound to Shadrack Gatlin as a cooper.

On 11 June 1811, [no name], a free boy of color aged 8 years, was bound to Gideon Jones as a cooper.

On 11 June 1811, Rachel Mosely, 11,and Charles Moseley, 15, were bound to William Gooding as a spinster and blacksmith, respectively.

On 11 June 1811, Daniel Mosely, a free boy of color aged 8 years, was bound to John Gooding as a cooper.

On 11 June 1811, Mary Mosely, a free girl of color aged 13 years, was bound to Ephraim Standland as a spinster.

On 9 September 1811, Charles Mosely, 16, and John Mosely, 2, free boys of color, were bound to Donum Montford as plasterers.

On 9 September 1811, Betsey Mosely, 6, Mary Ann Mosely, 16, and Rachel Mosley, 14, free girls of color, were bound to Lydia Mosely as spinsters.

On 9 September 1811, Daniel Mosely, a free boy of color aged 10 years, was bound to John Dewey as a carpenter and joiner.

On 10 December 1811, Jim Moore, an orphan aged 17 years, was bound to John C. Stanly as a carpenter.

On 13 December 1811, Nathan Chapman, a free boy of color aged 14 years the 16th day of May next, was bound to William Green as a carpenter.

I am but illy able.

To the Worshipful Court, Feby Term 1833

I beg leave to request that you would take into your wise consderation and bind my Son Sherard unto Exum Pike, as the said Exum has agreed to find & furnish me something towards my support for his labor, as I am but illy able now to support myself without assistance.  Druzilla X Hagans  Feby 18, 1833

Witness Nathan Davis       N.B. Sherard is about 17 years of age.

[Sidenote: Sherard Hagans was already a father when he was bound to Exum Pike. He and Nancy Hall eventually had nine or ten children. The oldest four — Mozana, Samuel, Winifred and Benjah Ann Hall, small children during their father’s term of indenture — were repeatedly bound until they reached adulthood.  When Sherard Hagins, age 63, married Serena Jackson, 35, on 26 September 1878 in Wayne County, their license listed his parents as Sam and Zilla Hagins. — LYH]

Wayne County Apprentices, 1832-33.

John Artis, 11, and Bryley Lane, 7, were bound to John Davis in 1832.

Possibly: in the 1850 census of North Side of Neuse, Wayne County, John Artis, 28, farmer, wife Seatha, 30, and children Sarah, 3, and Zachariah, 2.

John Capps, 6, and Joe Capps, [no age], were bound to James Everett in 1832.

In the 1850 census of South Side of Neuse, Wayne County: John Lane, 28, hireling, and wife Lany, 25, both born in Wayne County.

Henderson Gandy, 5, was bound to William Sauls in 1832.

In the 1860 census of Kinston, Lenoir County: Henderson Ganzey, 30, in the household of Bryan McCullin, livery operator.

Theo King, 5, was bound to Mark Smith in 1833.

In the 1850 census of North Side of Neuse, Wayne County: Theo. King, 22, farmhand, in the household of Major Smith, farmer.

John Green, 7, was bound to Lewis Howell in 1833.

Ben Reed, 2, and Washington Reed, 14, were bound to Nathan Davis, in 1833.

In the 1850 census of North Side of Neuse, Wayne County: Hillard Artice, 37, wife Vina, 24, and children Joshura, 15, Mary, 13, Sarah, 11, Elizabeth, 8, Isaac, 6, John, 5, Daniel, 3, and Hilliard, 8 months, plus Benjamin Read, 20, farmhand. Also, Washington Read, 28, farmhand, with wife Pinnina, 25, and daughter Lewiser, 2 months.

Sherard Hagans, 16, and Needham Hagans, 6, were bound to Exum Pike in 1833.

Calvin Hagans, 10, and William Hagans, 16, were bound to Council Bryan in 1833.

In the 1850 census of North Side of Neuse: Sarah Hagans, 30; Eliza Hagans, 5; James Warren, 35, distiller, born Virginia; and Calvin Hagans, 24.

Stephen Mitchell, 8, and Warren Mitchell, 7, were bound to Bunyon Barnes in 1833.

Mary Reed, 2, was bound to [blank] in 1833.

Larkin Hagans was bound to David Bardin in 1833.

Hannah Locus and Daniel Locus, both 5, were bound to Tobias Musgrove in 1833.

Craven County Apprentices, 1805-09.

On 16 March 1805, Joshua Dove, a free person of colour aged 6 years 28 next May, was bound to Thomas Austin as a cooper.

On 10 September 180, William Parrish, a free person of colour aged 5 years last April, was bound to Shadrach Davis as a cooper.

On 13 December 1805, Jeremiah Godett, a free person of colour aged one year last March, was bound to George Godett as a cooper.

On 11 September 1806, William Lewis, free boy of color aged 13 years, was bound to Richard Harden as a tailor.

On 9 June 1807, Israel Harris, a free person of color aged 15 years, was bound to Jane Carney as a cooper.

On 10 [June] 1807, Loftin Chance, a free boy of color aged 9 years, was bound to Thomas Roe as a cooper.

On 10 June 1807, John Dove, a free black boy aged 14 years, was bound to John C. Stanly as a brick maker.

On 13 September 1808, Ann Cooper, a free girl of color, was bound to John C. Stanly as a spinster.

On 12 December 1808, Gatsy Davis, a free baseborn girl of color aged 9 years, was bound to John M. Oliver as a spinster.

On 15 March 1809, Caleb Copes and Jacob Copes, free boys of color, were bound to James Dukes as ship carpenters.

On 15 March 1809, James Dove, a free person of color aged 15 years and 6 months, was bound to Joseph Sparrow as a boat builder.

On 12 September 1809, Jessy Powers, a free boy of color aged 9 years in March 1810, was bound to William Mitchell as a farmer.

On 13 September 1809, Jacob Carter, a free boy of color aged 15 years in December 1809, was bound to Joseph Physioc as a cooper.

Two years longer for the mulatto.

Charlotte DeOrmond, a white woman servant of Major John Dunn has had a white & a mulatto bastard; she must serve a year for the white bastard and two years longer for the mulatto, who, being a female, is bound to said Dunn until 21 years old.

January Term, 1769, Minutes, Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Rowan County Records, North Carolina State Archives.  

Craven County Apprentices, 1810.

On 13 June 1810, Joseph Long, a free boy of color aged 16 years on 30 June 1810, was bound to Andrew Worron as a Taylor and habit maker.

On 10 September 1810, Jacob Lewis, a free boy of color aged 8 years, was bound to Joseph Robeson as a pilot and mariner.

On 10 September 1810, Smith Lewis, a free boy of color aged 10 years, was bound to Joseph Nelson as a pilot and mariner.

On 14 September 1810, William Manning, a boy of color aged 16 years on 30 June  1810, was bound to Andrew Worron as a tailor and habit maker.

On 10 December 1810, Jesse Gaudet, a free boy of color aged 3 years, was bound to William Physioc as a cooper.

On 12 December 1810, London Howard, 13, and John Gaudett, 10, free boys of color, were bound to Horatio Dade as coopers.

James Drawhorn Sampson.

ImageNegro History Bulletin, January 1940.

Wayne County Apprentices, 1830-1831.

John Reed, 4, Isaac Reed, 2, and Patty Reed, 6, were bound to Jesse Bogue in 1830; John as a shoemaker, Isaac as a farmer, and Patty as a spinster.

In the 1850 census of North Side of Neuse, Wayne County: Rhody Read, 60, and children John, 27, and Isaac, 22, farmers, and Zana Reid, 21.

Betsey Burnet and Micajah Burnet, both age 9, were bound to Lovet Stephens in 1830.

George Ward, 12, was bound to Nathan Davis, in 1830.

John Hagans, 2 ½, was bound to James Martin in 1831.

James Wiggins, 6 months, and Jordan Wiggins, 2, were bound to Robert Langston in 1831.

In the 1850 census of North Side of Neuse, Wayne County: Jorden Wiggins, 23, farmhand, wife Pricilla, 28, and Zilpha, 6. In the 1860 census of Goldsboro, Wayne County: Jordan Wiggins, 30, stiller, wife Priscilla, 35, washwoman, Mary, 18, Robert, 8, George P., 7, Francis, 5, Wm. Jordan, 3, and Bettie, 1.  But also, in Nahunta, Wayne County: Jordan Wiggins, 35, laborer, in the household of W.W. Barnes, turp’t distiller.

Rufus Lane, 5, was bound to James Forehand in 1831.

In the 1850 census of North Side of Neuse, Wayne County: Rufus Lane, 22, farmhand, in the household of Lucy Hall, 45, a free woman of color.

Willie Hagans, 9, was bound to Stephen Woodard in 1831.

Phereba Hagans, 5, was bound to Matthew Copeland in 1831.

Lawrence Hagans, 12, was bound to Edwin Bryan in 1831.

Apprenticeship Records, Wayne County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

Apprentice barber runs away.

DESERTED From my service on the night of the 24th inst. a free man of color named WILLIE ROD, bound to me as an apprentice to the Barbers trade.  He is about five feet six inches high, of a pleasing countenance, and about 24 or 25 years old.  I will give Five Dollars Reward and pay all expense for his delivery to me in Fayetteville or committed to Raleigh Jail. I expect he is lurking about Raleigh.  — EPHRAIM HAMMONS, Fayetteville, Oct. 26, 1814.

The Star, Raleigh, 28 October 1814.

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.