The following are the Titles of the Acts passed at the Session of the General Assembly of the State of North-Carolina, held at the city of Raleigh, on the 1st of November, 1795.
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To emancipate a mulatto boy by the name of Gustavus Adolphus Johnston, in the county of Chowan; and also a mulatto girl by the name of Amy Philips, in the county of Brunswick.
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North-Carolina Journal, Halifax, 12 December 1795.
NOTICE.
Application will be made to the ensuing General Assembly of North Carolina for the passage of a law to emancipate Peter Turner, of Fayetteville.
Oct. 10, 1854.
Fayetteville Observer, 23 October 1854.
LIST OF ACTS Passed by the General Assembly of North-Carolina, at their late Session.
PRIVATE ACTS.
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14. An act to confirm the claims to freedom of Kitty, the wife of John Carruthers Stanly, and of Eunice Carruthers Stanly, Kitty Green Stanly, and Alexander Stewart Stanly.
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16. An act to emancipate and set free certain negroes formerly the property of Alexander Worke, late of Iredell county.
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33. An act to emancipate David, the property of Thomas Trotter, of Washington county.
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54. To emancipate Ben, a man of colour of Hertford county.
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Star, Raleigh, 28 December 1809.
HOUSE OF COMMONS.
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Mr. Courts, from the Committee on Propositions and Grievances, reported unfavorably in the bill to emancipate Jno. Good. On motion of Mr. Jones, of Orange, the bill was indefinitely postponed. Also, unfavorably, to the bill to authorize a free colored man of Wayne, to emancipate his wife and children. … Mr. Stanly said this was a case of great hardship, and he had heard the remarks of the gentleman from Wayne, not without being moved by the representation. … The bill was postponed – 56 to 53.
Mr. Courts also reported unfavorably to the bill authorizing Danl. Skein to emancipate his wife. On motion, it was indefinitely postponed.
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Carolina Watchman, Salisbury, 18 January 1849.
[Sidenote: “A free colored man of Wayne County” was Hillary Croom. — LYH]
October, 10th 1856.
To the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina.
The Memorial of James Newlin of the County of Alamance respectfully represents:
That his slave Sam, commonly called Sam Morphis, desires to be emancipated buy the General Assembly with the privilege of remaining in North Carolina. Your memorialist hereby begs leave to recommend the care of the said Sam to the favorable consideration of your Body. He believes that Sam can present to your Body decisive testimonials of a behaviour upon his part uniformly respectful to whites. Sam has been for several years engaged as a hack-driver and waiter at the University, and, your memorialist is informed and believes, has made himself acceptable to all who have employed him, or in any way had dealings with him. Your memorialist will cheerfully enter into any bond which may be required to secure the State in case of his emancipation; and again asks a favorable consideration for this prayer for freedom.
And will ever pray &c /s/ James Newlin
Appended to Newlin’s petition is a second petition signed by 238 students and faculty members of the University of North Carolina.
General Assembly Session Records, November 1858-February 1859, Box 11, North Carolina State Archives.
Whereas at the Autumn Term in 1833, of the Superior Court of Anson county, upon the petition of Benjamin Pratt, praying for the emancipation of Chaney Moreman, a slave, the property of said Benjamin Pratt, for meritorious services, such proceedings were had, that the said court, upon due proof of the matters stated in the said petition, did grant the prayer thereof, and did order, adjudge and declare the said Chaney to be emancipated, and entitled, by the name of Chaney Moreman, to all the privileges of a free born negro; and whereas the said petition and the memorial and record of the said proceedings have been lost or destroyed, and from the length of time since the said judgement was entered, doubts are entertained whether the said court can order the same to be now entered up as of the said term; and whereas, also, from the nature of the case, it is doubtful whether suit can be properly instituted for relief in a court of equity; and whereas the case is one of hardship and likely to result in injustice, without some provision by law in that behalf; for remedy whereof,
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 it shall and may be lawful for the said Superior Court of Law, either at the next succeeding spring or autumn term, upon the application of the said Chaney Moreman, to receive evidence of the contents of the said petition and the proceedings and judgment hereupon, and of the loss or destruction of the papers or other memorial thereof; and upon satisfactory proof of such loss or destruction and of the contents of the said petition and other proceedings, to order and direct the said petition, proceedings and judgment to be enrolled in the said court, as a record of the term when the said proceedings were had and the said judgment rendered.
II. Be it further enacted, That upon sufficient proof being made, either by parol or record, that a decree of emancipation was ordered by the court agreeable to the petition of said Pratt, and that the clerk of the court shall have neglected to enter the same on record as ordered, that upon the said proof being made, the judge of the court shall order the decree to be entered nunc pro tunc as aforesaid.
Chapter X Page 157, Public and Private Laws of North Carolina 1833-34, North Carolina State Library.
State of North Carolina, New Hanover County } Know all men by these presents that we John Waddell, Francis N. Waddell, & John Waddell Jr. are held and firmly bound unto Edward B. Dudley Esqr. Chairman of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, for the County of New Hanover, and to his successors in office, for the use of the poor of the County of New Hanover, in the sum of one hundred pounds to which payment well and truly to be made we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents Sealed without seals and dated the 26th day of July – A.D. 1827
Whereas the above named John Waddell has obtained an order of the Superior Court of the County aforesaid for the emancipation of a certain negro slave named Solomon Nash, the condition of this obligation is such, that if the said negro slave Solomon Nash shall not, at any time hereafter, become chargeable on the Parish of St. James, or on the County of New Hanover then this obligation to be void, otherwise to be and remain in full force and effect. /s/ John Waddell, F.N. Waddell, John Waddell Junr.
New Hanover County Records, North Carolina State Archives.
Richard Arnolds, Will
In the name of God, Amen, I Richard Arnold of Caswell County, North Carolina being of sound and perfect memory (blessed be God) do this nineteenth day of April in the year of Our Lord Eighteen hundred and thirty, make and publish this my last will and Testament in manner following, that is to say –
1st first, I give to my well beloved wife Mary Arnold, my bed and furniture, my chest and gold-ring; also my desire is that my wife Shall Live with my family as She has always done as long as She lives –
2nd. My will is that all my personal property Should be equally divided, between my three daughters (to wit) Elizabeth, Rachiel & Mary White Arnold –
3d. My desire is that when Ann Patterfoot shall be of age Shall have her freedom recorded in Caswell County at the Expense of my estate –
Now I, Richard Arnold do to this my last will and Testament leave my trusty friends the Rev. John Stadler and Thomas Prendergast my Sole Executors to this my last will and Testament. In Witness Whereof I have set my hand and affixed my Seal the date above written. /s/ Richard Arnold {seal}
Signed Sealed and delivered by the said Richard Arnold as his last will and Testament in the presence of us Tho Prendergast, Isham X Turner, James X Turner.
Proved October Court 1830. Will Book L, page 567.
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Evidence of the Freedom of Ann Paterfude, a free Woman of Colour –
Caswell County, North Carolina, January 4th, 1837 –
The following is a description of a free Woman of Colour named Ann Paterfude, Who Served Richard Arnold Decd a term of years, the said Decd, in making his last Will and Testament, requested that the Said Ann’s freedom should be Recorded at the expense of his Estate, saying that she was a good Girl, which will more appear, reference being had to the Will She is about Twenty-four years old, five feet, seven Inches and a half high, of dark complexion, black Eyes, Tolerable Slender made, remarkable thick lips, Nose flat, speaks fluently, hands & fingers remarkably long — a scar on her left hand between the Wrist and Thumb. Taken by Thomas Prendergast Executor to the last Will and Testament of the said decd. /s/ Tho Prendergast, Exc’r.
Returned April Court 1837.
Will Book M, page 51.
North Carolina Probate Records 1735-1970. https://familysearch,org. Original, North Carolina State Archives.
Elder Ralph was a colored man, and at first a slave belonging to a man in Anson county, N. C. Soon after making a profession of religion and being baptized, it was discovered that he had impressions to preach; he was licensed by the church of which he was a member. His owner proposed to sell him, and the brethren bought and gave to him his freedom. Soon after this, he was ordained to the work of the ministry. He travelled and preached a great deal in the counties of Anson, Montgomery, Moore, Randolph, and Davidson. He became a good reader, and was well read in the Scriptures. He was considered an able preacher, was frequently called upon to preach on funeral occasions, was appointed to preach on Sabbath at the association, and frequently administered the ordinance of baptism and the Lord’s Supper. He was of common size, was perfectly black, with smiling countenance, especially in the pulpit while speaking. He was very humble in his appearance at all times, and especially when conducting religious services. Great personal respect was always shown him by the brethren whom he visited in his preaching excursions. Elder Joseph Magee, a Baptist minister, became his warm friend, and travelled and preached with him. Such was their attachment for each other, that they agreed that the surviving one should preach the funeral of the one that died first. Elder Magee moved to the West, and died first. Upon his deathbed, he bequeathed to Ralph his riding horse, overcoat, Bible, and fifty dollars in cash, and requested his family to send for Ralph to come and preach at his funeral. In company with a white brother, Ralph went to the West and preached the funeral sermon from a text the deceased had selected. The brother that went with Ralph stated to Elder N. Richardson that he never before saw so large a congregation. At the conclusion of the sermon, Elder Magee’s brother stated to the congregation what provision his deceased brother had made for Ralph, and added, if any of you would like to give him any amount, it would be thankfully received; the congregation soon made up fifty dollars, which was given to him. While this contribution was being made, a Methodist came up and handed to Ralph one dollar. A Presbyterian, who observed it, said to him, He was singled out by a legislative act that forbade him from preaching to Black congregations. You ought not to give Ralph anything. “Why not?” said the Methodist. “Because,” said the Presbyterian, “he has torn your system all to pieces.” The Methodist replied, “I believe he has preached the truth, and I will give him the dollar.”
Ralph was able in illustrating and unfolding the doctrines of grace. Elder N. Richardson (to whom we are indebted for this biographical sketch), has baptized a number of persons who dated their convictions to the preaching of Ralph.
When the anti-mission party was formed, we have been told that Ralph became an anti-missionary.
When the legislature passed the law prohibiting colored men from preaching, Ralph was greatly mortified and had the sympathy of many brethren. Ralph was, no doubt, a truly pious and humble Christian, he had the confidence and esteem of thousands, and died in the full assurance of a blessed immortality.
From Elder George W. Purefoy, The History of the Sandy Creek Baptist Association (1859).
Ralph Freeman‘s headstone: RALPH. Died about 1838/ He was a Primitive Baptist/ Preacher of much force and /usefulness./ His freedom was/ purchased by the/ Bear Creek Association/ Erected 1907.
Photo courtesy of http://www.ncmarkers.org.
State of North Carolina, Chatham County } I William Brantley of the State of North Carolina and County aforesaid, owner & possessor of a Negro man Dick and Saley his Wife for and consideration of his meritorious services and the further consideration of two hundred dollars to me in hand paid by the said Dick, the receipt whereof I hereby acknowledge, I do for myself my heirs Executors & administrators Manumit set free, and forever Quit claim to the said negro man Dick and Saley his Wife and I do hereby recommend them to the honorable General Assembly for their manumission legaly. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this 13 day of October in the Year of our Lord 1800. /s/ William Brantley
Signed Sealed & delivered in presence of William Guthrie, Thomas Harrington, Blake Brantley
Fourth Generation Inclusive 