Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Category: Births Deaths Marriages

To a poplar standing in the Cornfield Branch.

State of North Carolina, Edgecombe County   } Agreeably to an order of Edgecombe County Court February Term 1834 to us directed as commissioners appointed to [illegible] the Estate of Miles Read dec’d & to lay off and allot unto Nancy Read the Widow of said Dec’d. Such part of the Crop Stock and provisions as we may conceive necessary and adaquate for the support of her self and family for one year &c

Report – All have this day met on the premises and after viewing said Estate have alloted to the Said Widow (viz) forty Barrels of Corn, twelve hundred pounds of bacon, three thousand pounds of blade fodder – all of the wheat on hand Eight bushels of peas – Seventy five pounds of picked cotton, two hundred handfuls of flax – five gallons of brandy – all the Wool on hand – One cow – hur Choice one bed and its necessary furniture, and one wheel and pair of cards.

Given under our hands and Seals this 17th day of March 1834.  /s/ Peter Hines, John Ritter, Elijah Harrell, James Barron, Turner Bynum JP

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State of North Carolina, Edgecombe County   } Agreeably to an order of Edgecombe County Court February Term 1834 Directed to the Sheriff of Said County commanding of him to Summons a Jury of good and lawfull men of his County to lay off and allot unto Nancy Read Widow of Miles Read dec’d her legal dower in the lands that her late husband died seized and possessed of in Said County of Edgecombe. All the undersigned having been summoned by the Sheriff of Said County have this day met on the premises and after being sworn agreeably law, We proceeded to lay off and allot unto the said Widow as follows (viz) Beginning at a litewood Stake in Col Hines line thence N. 11o E. 65 poles to a poplar standing in the cornfield branch; then down the various courses of said branch to the Mile Swamp then up said Swamp to the mouth of the boggy branch; then up said branch to a poplar and litewood stake in said branch then S. 1o W. 110 poles to a pine, thence round the lines of the land of the Harrel tract to the beginning containing One hundred & ninety eight acres, &c – Including the dwelling house out houses orchards, &c where the Said dec’d most generally dwelt next before his death

Given under our hands & Seals this 17th day March 1834.  /s/ John Fulton, E.R. Holland, David X Webb, Anson X Dunn, Joab Moore, John Carter, Rowland Wiggins, Thomas Stark, Jacob X Dunn, James Pender, Thos. D. Gatton, Elisha X Felton

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State of North Carolina, Edgecombe County   } Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, August term 1834

To the worshipful the Justices of the Court aforesaid: The petition of Arthur Read, William Read, David Read, Zachariah Bass and his wife Elizabeth, and John Ritter guardian ad litem for Elisha Read, Mima Read, Mary Ann Read and Miles Read, humbly complaining, respectfully sheweth:

That on the [blank] day of February last past Miles Read, late of the County aforesaid, departed this life intestate, seized and possessed of sundry real and personal estate, leaving Arthur Read, William Read, David Read, Zachariah Bass and his wife Elizabeth, who are of full age, and Elisha Read, Mima Read, Mary Ann Read and Miles Read, who are infants, his sole distributes and heirs at law. Your petitioners who are of full age, and John Ritter who for this purpose has been duly appointed guardian ad litem for the said minors, further represent that they are desirous of having partition made of the said real estate as in by law in such cases made and provided, but are remidiless in this behalf without the interposition of your worshipful Court.

They therefore respectfully pray that an order issue to Peter Hines, William Hines, Benj. Sharpe, Elisha Harrell, John Carter and William Jenkins directing them to go upon the premises and allot and set apart share and share alike to said heirs the said real estate and make return of their proceedings to the next term of your worshipful Court, and make such other and further order in the premises as to your worships may appear meet and proper, and your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray &c.  /s/ B.R. Hines attorney

From the file of Miles Read, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, https://familysearch.org. Original, North Carolina State Archives.

Free-Issue Death Certificates: MISCELLANEOUS, no. 13.

Gray Reid. Died 8 January 1936, Tarboro, Edgecombe County. Colored. Widower of Lucy Reid. Age 87. Farmer. Born Edgecombe County to unknown parents, Informant, Jonah Reid, Macclesfield.

In the 1860 census of Edgecombe County: Bryant Read, 33, farmer, wife Betsey A., 26, Lucinda, 30, Saunders, 23, mechanic, Arthur, 13, Wright, 12, and Gray Read, 10.

Henrietta Smith. Died 21 November 1933, Cedar Fork, Durham County. Resided Morrisville. Widowed. Age 80. Born Wake County to Felin Evans and unknown mother. Buried Guess cemetery. Informant, son Charlie Smith.

In the 1850 census of Lower Regiment, Chatham County: Fielding Evans, 38, laborer, wife Marthany, 25, and children Henry B., 10, Olly, 5, Mary, 3, and Henrietta, 2.  [Sidenote: next door, Richard Evans, 74, farmer, wife Lucy Evans, 73, Granderson Evans, 26, mechanic, and Abby Evans, 12; then, Anson Evans, 30, farmer, wife Viny, 27, and children Andrew, 14, Richard, 11, James, 8, Anson, 6, and Laurina Evans, 3. Fielding and Anson may have been sons of Richard and Lucy Evans. – LYH]

Jessy Lacewell. Died 19 May 1918, Whites Creek, Bladen County. Mulatto. Single. Common laborer. Born Bladen County to unknown parents. Buried Mitchell graveyard. Informant, Ben Chance, Elkton NC.

Even Lacewell. Died 2 July 1915, Whites Creek, Bladen County. Mulatto. Married. Farmer. Born 1855 in Bladen County to unknown father and Delphy Lacewell. Buried “Mitchell G.Y. (Columbus Co.)” Informant, Willie Shaw, Clarkton NC.

In the 1860 census of White Creek, Bladen County: James Lacewell, 38, turpentine, wife Delphia, 38, and children John, 13, Charity, 11, Jesse, 8, Even, 6, Martha, 5, and Mary Lacewell, 2.

James A. Lacewell. Died 25 June 1936, Acme, Carves Creek, Bladen County. Negro. Farmer. Married to Agness Lacewell. Born 9 February 1856 in East Arcadia, Bladen County, to Mike Lacewell and Betsey Graham. Informant, Agnes Lacewell.

John R. Jacobs.

ImageJOHN ROBERT JACOBS was the son of Jesse A. Jacobs and Abigail Gilliam Jacobs. He is buried in the First Congregational Church cemetery, Dudley, Wayne County.

Photo taken by Lisa Y. Henderson, March 2013.

Next generation marriage.

ImageCandis Locust‘s birth was the subject of a bastardy action by the State on behalf of Waity Locust against Calvin Hagans. Louisa Wilson’s parents were John “Jack” Wilson and Zilpha Artis (herself the daughter of Vicey Artis and Solomon Williams.) Louisa’s brother, William Wilson, stood as witness.

Marriage Records, Register of Deeds Office, Wayne County Courthouse, Goldsboro.

Free-Issue Death Certificates: MISCELLANEOUS, no. 12.

Jane Nixon. Died 25 October 1921, Wilmington, New Hanover County. Resided 707 Brunswick. Negro. Widow of John Owen Nixon. Born 3 September 1866 in Wilmington to Elvin Artis and Lizzie Green, both of NC. Buried Pine Forest. Informant, Eliza Nixon.

In the 1850 census of Wilmington, New Hanover County: Elvin Artis, 37, “carpt,” wife Eliza, 22, and children E.A., 8, Champion, 6, Silvester, 4, twins Hildred and Eldred, 9 months, and John Henry, 17.

Geo. Freeman. Died 29 August 1931, Leland, North West, Brunswick County. Colored. Widower of Nancy Vernon Freeman. Age 87. Born NC to Sam Freeman and Mary Jane Freeman. Informant, Drussilla Brown, Leland.

In the 1860 census of North West District, Brunswick County: Saml. Freeman, 35, laborer, wife Mary, 30, and children Melvina, 13, George, 10, John, 6, and Madaline, 3.

Duncan T. Mitchell. Died 16 July 1915, Fayetteville, Cumberland County. Resided 522 Russell, Ward 2. Black. Married. Born 15 October 1860. Minister. “Good” educational attainment. Born NC to Duncan Mitchell and Mary C. Mitchell. Buried Pettiford cemetery, Fayetteville. Informant, J.W. Mitchell, Fayetteville.

In the 1860 census of North West District, Brunswick County: Duncan Mitchell, 48, farmer; wife Catharine, 48, and children Thomas, 17, Everett, 14, Joanna, 13, William C., 10, Martha J., 5, James M., 6, Mary E., 3, and Duncan T., 11 months.

Joe Webb. Died 2 February 1823, North West, Brunswick County. Resident of Delco. Negro. Married to Mary Lizzie Webb. About 74 years old. Born NC to John Webb and Lizzie Phillips. Buried Evergreen cemetery. Informant, Bucky Brown, Delco.

In the 1860 census of North West District, Brunswick County: Joe Webb, 11, in the household of Jordan Holland, farmer.

Caroline Cromartie. Died 15 September 1935, Lagoon, Colly, Bladen County. Colored. Widow of Dave Cromartie. Born 1840 in Bladen County to Charles Hayes and Edie Hayes, both of Bladen. Buried at Big Sugar Loaf. Informant, Gus Johnson.

In the 1860 census of Cypress Creek, Bladen County: Edy Hayse, 54, with Rebecca, 36, Mary J., 24, Caroline, 18, Peggy, 15, Owen, 22, and Wm. Hayse, 16, and Francenia King, 5.

Adam & Angy Norphlet Artis.

Image Marriage license of Adam Artis and Angy Norphlet, Northampton County, 1835.

On 7 November 1848, Adam Artis of PIke County purchased “The North East quarter of the North West quarter of Section Fifteen, in Township Six, of Range Twenty; in the District of Lands subject to sale at Chillicothe Ohio; Containing Forty Acres,” certificate no. 16,235. US General Land Office Records 1796-1907, www.ancestry.com

In the 1850 census of District 17, Beaver township, Pike County, Ohio: Adam Artis, 36, laborer, wife Angelina, 30, and children Susan, 16, James, 13, and Aaron, 10, all born in Virginia.  In the 1860 census of Jackson, Pike Co. Ohio: Adam Artes, 40, farmer, wife Angeline, 40, and children Aaron, 20, and James, 23. Adam reportedly owns real estate valued at $400 and personal estate valued at $225.

[Sidenote: This Adam is not known to be related to Adam T. Artis — except in the sense that almost all Artises ultimately descend from a common ancestor. — LYH]

Mortality Schedule: Brunswick County, 1860.

Anna Skipper, age 62, mulatto, died December of dropsy, resided North West district.

John Webb, age 80, mulatto, died January of pneumonia, laborer, resided North West district.

Jack Freeman, age 41, black, died February of pneumonia, laborer.

Mary Webb, age 2, mulatto, Died August of unknown causes.

Free-Issue Death Certificates: BLANKS.

Margreat Corbit. Died 26 October 1919, Carver Creek, Bladen County. Colored. Married. Age 59. Born NC to James Bowen and Easter Blanks. Buried Graham Chapel. Informant, Nead Bowen.

Cathrin Blanks. Died 25 February 1918, Carvers Creek, Bladen County. Colored. Widowed. Born Bladen County to James Bowen and Easter Blanks. Buried Graham Chapel. Informant, Jonah Dickson, East Arcadia.

In the 1860 census of West Brook, Bladen County: Jas. Boon, 34, carpenter, wife Esther, 24, and children James, 10, Mary M. 8, G.F., 7, Catharine, 5, W.G., 4, Eddy, 2, and Sarah, 2 months.

Cathron Blanks. Died 8 November 1924, Carvers Creek, Bladen County. Colored. Widow. About 88 years old. Born Bladen County to Mike Lacewell and Betcy Blanks. Buried Graham Chapel. Informant, G.H. Graham, Acme NC.

Jacob Luther Lacewell. Died 15 December 1938, Carvers Creek, Bladen County. Negro. Widower of Harriet Ann Lacewell. Farmer. Born 20 May 1848, East Arcadia, to Mike Lacewell and Betsey Blanks, both of East Arcadia. Buried at Grahams Chapel. Informant, Clifford Graham.

In the 1860 census of West Brook, Bladen County: Mike Lacewell, 54, cooper, wife Betsy, 35, and children Catharine, 19, Stephen, 16, Hannah, 14, John, 11, James, 5, and Jacob Lacewell, 2.

Silvester Blanks. Died 30 January 1922, Carvers Creek, Bladen County. Negro. Married. Farmer. Born 14 February 1834, Carvers Creek, to Mike Blanks and [blank] Freeman, both of Bladen County. Buried Grahams Chapel, Informant, Salter Blanks.

Saulter Blanks. Died 17 February 1925, Carvers Creek, Bladen County. Colored. Farmer. Married to Catherine Blanks. Born 29 January 1837 in Bladen County to Mike Blanks and Edieth Freeman, both of Bladen. Buried Graham Chapel. Informant, J.W. Brown.

Angeline Butts. Died 3 December 1929, C. Creek, Bladen County. Colored. Married to James Butts. Age 77. Born Bladen County to Mike Blanks and unnamed mother. Buried Graham Chapel. Informant, Sarah Carter.

Edith Simpson. Died 4 August 1921, Carvers Creek, Bladen County. Negro. Single. Wife of Scott Simpson. Age 88. Born Bladen County to Mike Blanks of Bladen County and unknown mother of New Hanover County. Buried Grahams Chapel. Informant, Charlie Miller, Acme.

In the 1860 census of West Brook, Bladen County: Emichal Blanks, 60, farmer, with Eady, 35, Caroline, 21, Amlen, 19, Salter, 17, Silvester, 15, Prosper, 13, Angeline, 7, and Eady Blanks, 3. Amlen, Salter, and Silvester worked in turpentine.

Curley Blanks. Died 28 May 1919, Carver Creek, Bladen County. Colored. Married. Born 1845 in NC to James Graham and Winnie Blanks. Buried Graham Chapel. Informant, Joe Graham, East Arcadia.

James T. Graham. Died 18 June 1919, Carvers Creek, Bladen County. Colored. Married. Farmer. Born in 1850 in NC to James Graham and Winnie Blanks. Buried Graham Chapel. Informant, Richard Graham, East Arcadia.

Joe Graham. Died 24 March 1931, Carvers Creek, Bladen County. Negro. Married to Martha Graham. Farmer. Age 75. Born Bladen County to Jim Graham and Winnie Blanks, both of Bladen County. Buried Grahams Chapel. Informant, Albert Graham, Acme.

John Fennell Graham. Died 24 October 1931, Carvers Creek, Bladen County. Colored. Widower of Amanda Graham. Age 74. Farmer. Born Bladen County to James Graham and Winnie Blanks. Buried Grahams Chapel. Informant, Clifford, Graham, Council NC.

Margaret Lacewell. Died 23 February 1916, Carvers Creek, Bladen County. Colored. Widow. Born February 1840, Bladen County, to James Graham and Winnie Blanks. Buried Graham Chapel. Informant, J.W. Brown, East Arcadia.

In the 1860 census of West Brook, Bladen County: James Graham, 45, cooper, wife Winney, 33, and children Margaret, 17, Sarah J., 15, Priscilla, 14, Culie, 12, Thomas, 10, George, 9, Rich’d, 6, Joseph, 4, John, 1, and Philip Graham, 2 months.

Samuel Blanks. Died 16 January 1928, Whites Creek, Bladen County. Indian.  Farmer. Married to Emeline Blanks. Born 3 April 1833 in NC to Elija Blanks and Emeline Spaulding. Buried Blanks cemetery. Informant, W.J. Blanks, Rosindale NC.

In the 1860 census of West Brook, Bladen County: Elijah Blanks, 52, farmer, wife Elender, 40, and children Samuel, 21, turpentine worker, Abram, 20, farmer, Henry J., 17, farmer, Alfred, 15, farmer, Dennis, 13, Morganer, 9, Gustus, 8, and Elijah Blanks, 5.

May Blanks. Died 28 March 1927, Carvers Creek, Bladen County. Colored. Widow of Armon Blanks. Age 80. Born NC to Henry Bowen and Elizabeth Graham. Buried Grahams Chapel. Informant, A.D. Blanks, Acme.

Mary C. Young. Died 14 August 1918, Carves Creek, Bladen County. Colored. Married. Born 8 February 1859 in Bladen County to Henry Graham and Lucy Blanks. Buried Graham Chapel. Informant, Owen Young, Council.

In the 1860 census of West Brook, Bladen County: Henry Graham, 30, farmer, wife Lucy, 28, and children Wm. J., 5, and M.C. Graham, 1, plus Wm. J. Graham, 21, day laborer.

Please see www.graham-reunion.com for more about the Graham and interrelated free families of color, including Jacobs, Bowen, Freeman, and Blanks; the history of Graham Chapel; and photographs of family members.

W. Frank & Sarah Simmons.

ImageWILLIAM FRANK SIMMONS was the son of Bryant Simmons and Elizabeth Wynn Simmons.  SARAH WYNN SIMMONS was likely related to Frank’s mother, but her parentage is not clear. They are buried at First Congregational Church cemetery, Dudley, Wayne County.

Onslow County Bastardy Bonds

Sib Craft named Asa Hammons, 11 October 1815.

Gatsy Dove named Virgil Crawford, 20 July 1846.

Patsy Dove named Hezekiah White, 17 July 1846.

In the 1850 census of Lower Richlands, Onslow County: Patsey, 30, and Esther Dove, 1, in the household of Elijah Murrill.

Elizabeth Griffin named Asa Hammons, 6 February 1826, 5 August 1826 and 2 November 1829.

Mary Whitehurst named [blank], 29 January 1850. James Henderson posted bond.

In the 1850 census of Lower Southwest: James White, 44, “Turp’t B[illegible],” wife Eliza, 32, and children Luke, 13, Wm., 11, James, 9, Hester, 6, Eliza Ann, 3, and Ben, 4 months, plus Mary, 21, and Clarky Ann, 5 months.

Bastardy Bonds, Onslow County Records, North Carolina State Archives.