Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Category: Crime

September 15, 2016

Committed on suspicion.

Fville_Weekly_Observer_3_8_1858

Fayetteville Weekly Observer, 8 March 1858.

In the 1850 census of Northwest, Brunswick County: cooper Henry Patrick, 24, wife Hester, 24, and children Anne, 2, and William, 4 months. Next door: cooper William Patrick, 47, wife Sophia, 55, and Ezekiel, 23, Massa, 17, Mildred, 16, Benjamin, 2, and Margaret Patrick, 9 months.

In the 1850 census of Northwest, Brunswick County: Elias Freeman, 59, wife Abby, 50, and children Celia, 21, Prucilla, 20, Joshua, 21, William, 20, Jesse, 16, John, 12, Mary, 10, and Eliza Freeman, 4, plus Julia Jacobs, 10.

In the 1850 census of Northwest, Brunswick County: Henry Jacobs, 43, wife Mary, 42, and children Eli, 18, Sylvany, 11, Mary, 15, Betsy, 9, Eliza, 7, and Jerry Jacobs, 4.

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August 10, 2015

He offered the boy for sale.

Kidnapping. — On Thursday last, a free boy of color, named Josiah Lomax, was abducted from the house of his parents, near this place, by an unknown white man, well dressed, of genteel appearance, and riding a good bay horse, with new Saddle and Bridle. In the absence of the boy’s father, this man told the mother that he had hired the son from her husband, and that he lived in this county. She thereupon permitted him to take away the boy. He has since been heard of in Richmond County, near Laurel Hill, about 45 miles S. West of this place, where he had offered the boy for sale, but refused to sign a bill of sale, or permit any conversation with the boy. Handbills having been forwarded in all directions on Friday morning, it is hoped that the man has ere this been taken up. We learn that before the above occurrence, an unsuccessful attempt was made to carry off a boy from another family. — ib. [Fayetteville Observer]

Tarboro’ Press, 23 May 1834.

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July 25, 2015

Acquitted.

Jesse Harris, a free negro, charged with the murder of Matthew Russel, also a free negro, was acquitted. The Hon. Edward STANLY, for the State; and Geo. W. HAYWOOD, H.W. MILLER and D.K. McRAE, Esqrs., for the prisoner.

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North Carolina Star, 13 October 1847.

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May 28, 2015

Died from a blow to the leg.

We learn (says the Standard) that Ephraim Holmes, a free man of color, died in this place on Monday morning last, from injuries received, by a blow on his leg, given by John Mitchell a free negro who, we learn, is in Jail.

The North-Carolina Star (Raleigh), 21 January 1852.

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May 26, 2015

Robertson perpetrates an outrage.

Terrible Affair . — One of our most worthy Citizens Fatally Wounded. — On Thursday night last, Messrs. Albert Hinton, James Penny, and Keith, three citizens of this County, who were acting as a patrol under the appointment of our Court, in the discharge of their duties, visited the plantation of Mr. B.K.S. Jones, about 10 miles from this city, where a negro wedding was in progress. On going into the kitchen where the negroes were assembled, Wm. Robertson, a free negro, who was sold out of the jail in this City some time last year for debt, assaulted Mr. Hinton with an axe, splitting his head open, and inflicting a wound upon him which it is feared will prove fatal. The same negro struck Mr. James Penny with a shovel and knocked him senseless to the ground. Mr. Keitch was also knocked down, but by whom it is not known. Messrs. Penny and Keitch soon recovered, but we are pained to learn there is but little hope for Mr. Hinton. Mr. H resides about 4 miles from this city, and is one of the most estimable men in the county. Our citizens are greatly incensed against the perpetrator of this outrage, and a large number of them joined Sheriff High yesterday morning, and went out in search of the diabolical fiend. The negro, Wm. Robertson, is described as very black, and about 6 feet in height. 

P.S. Since writing the above, we have learned that it is reported that Mr. Hinton died yesterday morning from his injuries. — Ral. Register.

Fayetteville Observer, 4 May 1857.

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January 19, 2015

Sentenced to be sold.

Bill, a free negro, indicted for an assault upon the person of a colored female child, was tried for the offense at the late term of Court, convicted, and sentenced to be sold to pay costs. He was sold into slavery for the period of 4 1/2 years, R.F. Simonton, Esq., being the purchaser.

Iredell Express (Statesville), 20 April 1860.

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December 25, 2014

Both buildings were entirely consumed.

The alarm of fire Wednesday night was caused by the burning of two wooden buildings on Third st., between Mulberry and Chesnut streets. The fire is said to have originated in the building owned by Mr. A.A. WANET, extending to the next building South, used as a carpenter’s shop, and occupied by James Usher, a colored man. Both buildings were entirely consumed. It is supposed to have been the work of an incendiary.

Wilmington Journal, 3 November 1864.

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September 27, 2014

The horrid deed.

MURDER. – An inquest was held by coroner Scott over the body of a free negro named Chaves, who was found murdered on the Fayetteville road, several miles from this city, on Friday morning last. His death was caused by a frightful wound extending from the groin upwards towards the bowls, which was doubtless made by a knife. The testimony before the coroner’s jury, we learn, implicates a free negro named Jordan, and a free woman in the horrid deed. The woman has been lodged in jail, but the man has not been taken.

The North-Carolina Star (Raleigh), 8 November 1854.

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August 8, 2014

He has gone by a false name.

WAS TAKEN UP and committed to the Jail of Craven Co., a mulatto man by the name of Clinton Oxendine, and is of the medium size and height. Said man says, since he was put in Jail, that he was gone by a false name, but says he is a free negro and that his name is Jacob Goings, and was sold several years ago for cost in Cumberland county, and John Wright became the purchaser for five years, and afterwards the said Wright sold him to Littleton Gunn of Roberson county. The owner is requested to come forward, prove property, pay charges and take him away or he will be dealt with as the law directs. A.C. LATHAM, Sheriff. By W.S. BALLENGER, D. Sheriff. Jan. 1, 1862

Newbern Daily Progress, 21 January 1862.

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August 8, 2014

Most Horrible Murder.

Fville_Weekly_Observer_3_8_1858

Fayetteville Weekly Observer, 8 May 1858.

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