Migration | Fourth Generation Inclusive

December 15, 2012

Free-Issue Death Certificates: NC-Born Michiganders, no. 3.

Sarah Eveline Jenkins. Died 13 Sept 1907, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Widow. Age 91. Married at age 24. Parent of 9 children, of whom 1 is living. Born in NC to Newsom Artis and Amy Newsom, both of NC. Buried At Mount Zion. Informant, Amy Jenkins, Cassopolis.

In the 1830 census of Northampton County, Newsom Artis headed a household of 9 free people of color.

John Thomas Lane. Died 19 Aug 1914, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Married. Farmer. Born 2 Aug 1848 in NC to Jessie Lane and Piercy Artis, both of NC. Buried Chain Lake cemetery. Informant, Ollie Lane, Cassopolis.

In the 1850 census of District 85, Parke County, Indiana: Jesse Lane, 40, carpenter, wife Percy, 40, and children William, 13, Arbella, 11, Nancy, 8, and John Lane, 2. All reported born in NC except John, who was reported Indiana-born.

Arthur Mitchell. Died 25 May 1902, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Widower. Parent of 16 children; 9 living. Farmer. Born 20 Oct 1821 in NC to David Mitchel and Virginia Allen. Buried Mount Zion cemetery. Informant, W.O. Allen, Williamsville.

Almeda Morton. Died 19 Dec 1913, Ypsilanti, Washtenaw County, Michigan. Resided 320 Adams Street. Black. Widowed. Born 19 May 1854 in NC to Alfred Artiss and Tempy Alcock, both of NC. Buried Saint Johns cemetery. Informant, James H. Kersey, Ypsilanti.

Allen Peavy. Died 30 Mar 1939, Dowagiac, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Married to Nora Peavy. Born 22 Mart 1861 in NC to Joshua Peavy and unnamed mother. Buried Community Chapel.

Aaron Revels. Died 22 Jan 1903, Jefferson, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Resident of County Infirmary for 9 years, 1 month, 10 days. Married at age 21. Parent of 5 children; 2 living. Laborer. Born 5 Jan 1820 in NC to John Revels and Mary Wilkins, both of NC. Buried Bethel cemetery.

In the 1850 census of Fugit, Decatur County, Indiana: Aaron Revels, 27, and wife Ann, 27, both born in NC. In the 1850 census of Fugit, Decatur County, Indiana: Sally Hunt, 55, with Celia, 22, Susan, 5, and Levi Hunt, 1; Wiley, 14, and Jordon Jones, 12; and Flora, 10, Parmelia, 6, and Caswell Oxendine, 4.

John Revels. Died 17 Jan 1892, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Black, Widowed. Cooper. Age 92. Born in NC to Burl Revels and Winnie Revels.

In the 1850 census of Fugit, Decatur County, Indiana: John Revels, 50, and wife Mary, 48, both born in NC.

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December 13, 2012

United States Colored Troops, no. 6.

27 U.S.C.T. Herbert Chavous. Co. A, 27th U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 18 years; height, 5 feet 8 1/2 inches; complexion, dark; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Granville Co., NC; occupation, labourer. Enlistment: when, 15 Jan 1864; where, Union County, Oh.; by whom, George St. Clair; term, 3 years.

In the 1860 census of Ledge of Rock, Granville County: Howard Chvis, 38, farmer, Harriet, 50, Luetta, 17, Herbert, 13, Ann, 11, and Ellen, 8.

9 H. Art’y U.S.C.T. Jaret Chavous. Co. D, 9th Reg’t U.S. Col’d H. Art’y. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 43 years; height, 5 feet 3 inches; complexion, dark; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Chatham Co., NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 3 September 1864; where, Columbus, O.; by whom, Capt. Wilcox; term, 1 years.

5 U.S.C.T. Asberry Toney. Co. F, 5 Reg’t U.S. Col’d H. Art’y. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 44 years; height, 5 feet 8 inches; complexion, dark mulatto; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Halifax Co., NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 30 January 1865; where, Columbus, O.; by whom, Capt. Nesbit; term, 1 years.

In the 1860 census of Marion, Fayette County, Ohio: Abury Toney, 37, laborer, wife Martha, 30, and children J.O., 12, Narely, 4, J. Tilia, 1, and Emma A., 1. ALl but the youngest three children were born in NC.

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December 8, 2012

Register of (NC-born) Negroes & Mulattoes: Vigo County, Indiana.

Jethro Bass registered 2 July 1853. Age 70. Mulatto. Born Granville County NC. Resided Lost Creek township.

Jethro Bass and Polly Mitchell married in Granville County NC on 3 Apr 1809. In 1830, Jethro Bass headed a household of 13 free people of color in Vigo County, Indiana. In the 1850 census of Harrison township, Vigo County, Indiana: Jathro Bass, 70, wife Polly, 60, Emily, 17, and Alfred Bass, 6.

Lucy Brooks registered 9 July 1853. Age 35. Mulatto. Born Northampton County NC. Resided Harrison township.

John Brooks registered 9 July 1853. Age 45. Mulatto. Born Halifax County NC. Resided Harrison township.

In the 1850 census of Harrison, Vigo County, Indiana: John Brooks, 42, Lucinda, 32, Kinchen, 12, Benjamin, 10, Amanda, 8, William, 6, and Augustes, 7 months. John and Lucinda were born in NC; the children, in Indiana.

George Evans registered 2 July 1853. Age 49. Mulatto. Born Randolph County NC. Resided Lost Creek township.

Solomon Jackson. Registered 16 June 1853. Age 45. Negro. Born Richmond County NC. Resided Terre Haute.

John Mathews. Registered 18 June 1853. Age 36. Mulatto. Born NC. Resided Terre Haute.

In the 185o census of Harrison, Vigo County: John Mathews, 35, wife Lucretia, 23, and Lucy D., 1, plus Amy Halaran, 21, born in Ireland, and George Beard, 26, born in Kentucky.

George Mitchell. Registered 17 June 1853. Age 25. Negro. Born Rawlegh Way [Wake] County NC. Resided Terre Haute.

Jeremiah Mitchell. Registered 25 June 1853. Age 61. Negro. Born Rawlegh Way [Wake] County NC. Resided Terre Haute.

Samuel Mitchel. Registered 25 June 1853. Age 50. Mulatto. Born Orange County NC. Resided Lost Creek township.

William Morgan. Registered 8 Aug 1853. Age 28. Mulatto. Born Louisburg NC. Resided Otter Creek township.

Henry A. Newsom. Registered 6 Aug 1853. Age 35. Negro. Born Greene County NC. Resided Harrison township.

In 1851, when the Indiana General Assembly enacted its second state constitution, it included a provision, Article XIII, prohibiting any Negro or mulatto from entering or settling in the state. To enforce this provision, county clerks were ordered to register Negroes and mulattos already living in Indiana. This post abstracts Vigo County registrants reported born in North Carolina.

Vigo County Register of Negroes and Mulattoes, Indiana State Archives.

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December 2, 2012

Free-Issue Death Certificates: NC-born Michiganders.

Joseph C. Ash. Died 17 Feb 1890, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Married. Age about 60. Born in NC to Harry and Louisa Ash.

Marmaduke Ash. Died 7 April 1911, Calvin, Cass County Michigan. Colored. Age 81 years, 6 months, 2 days. Married at age 27. Parent of 13 children, of whom 7 are living. Born NC to Herrod Ash and Eliza Kerner, both of NC. Buried Chain Lake. Informant, Louisa Ash, Cassopolis.

In the 1850 census of Perry, Logan County, Ohio: Eliza Ash, 45, and her children Joseph C., 22, Marmaduke, 21, Mary, 20, Wm. H., 18, Sarah J., 16, Bates, 15, Marshama, 10, Marquis, 8, Eliza, 7, Arrena, 6, and Martha, 3. Eliza and her first four children were born in NC; the remainder in Ohio.

In the Consolidated List of All Persons Subject to Do Military Service in the Second Congressional District of Michigan: Joseph C. Ash, 36, and Marmaduke Ash, 35, both colored, born in NC, and residents of Calvin, Cass County. Beside Marmaduke’s name, under Remarks, “1/4 white.” Civil War Draft Registration Records, National Archives and Records Administration.

Wiley Chavous. Died 1 April 1915, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Married. Farming. Age 63. Born Indiana to Eli Chavous and Jane Locklayer, both of NC. Buried Calvin Center. Informant, Louisa Jane Chavous.

In the 1860 census of Calvin, Cass County, Michigan: Eli Shaver, 35, wife Jane, and children Samford, 11, Willy, 9, Mary E., 6, Emeline, 3, and Martha, 3 months. Eli and Jane were born in NC, Samford and Willy in Indiana, and the remaining children in Michigan.

Martha A. Dungey. Died 28 Feb 1904, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Widow. 40-year resident of Calvin. Born 10 Oct 1845 in Virginia to Henry Liggins and Elizabeth Liggins, both of NC. Buried in Bethel cemetery, Cassopolis.

In the 1860 census, of Calvin, Cass County, Michigan: Henry Liggins, 55, wife Eliz., 35, and children Parthenia, 17, Rufus, 15, Martha, 13, Mary 12, Susan, 10, Emma, 8, Alexander, 5, M.L., 4, and David, 2. The censustaker recorded all as born in Virginia except the three youngest children.

Thomas S. Evans. Died 23 April 1911, Porter, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Widowed. Retired farmer. Born 5 Aug 1827 in NC to Thomas Evans and an unknown mother, both of NC. Buried Chain Lake. Informant, H.E. Wise, Bristol, Mich.

Emily Ann Evans. Died Porter, 19 Sept 1907, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Married. Age 73 years, 1 month, 14 days. Married at age 16. Parent of 11 children; 8 living. Born in NC to Reddin Chavious and Francis Harris, both NC. Buried Chain Lake.

George Eaton Evans. Died 19 Sept 1898, Porter, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Single. Farmer. Age 41 years, 5 days. Born in NC to Thos. S. Evans and Emily A. Harris, both of NC.

Floria Ann Goins. Died 3 Aug 1908 in Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Age 72 years. Married at age 15. Parents of 15 children. Born in NC to Silas Oxendine and Ali Hunt, both of NC. Buried at Bethel. Informant, Wm. Goins.

In the 1860 census of Robeson County: Alx’d Oxendine, 36, Amy, 27, Mary J., 12, Henery J., 11, Minerva, 8, Flora A., 6, Jiles, 3, Catharine, 6 months, and Silas, 45.

Rabbi Goins. Died 22 March 1914, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Widower. Parents of 2 children, both living. Born Nov 1848 in NC to Jesse Goins and Roxey Goins, both of NC. Laborer. Informant, Asa Goins.

Willis Haithcock. Died 3 Aug 1898, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Married at age 24. Parents of 16 children; 9 living. Age 72 years, 2 months, 24 days. Farmer. Born in NC to Burrell Archer and Sarah Haithcock, both of NC. Buried Chane Lake cemetery.

In the 1850 census of Jefferson, Cass County, Michigan: NC-born Willis Hathcock, 24, in the household of white farmer Peter Marmon.

Berry Haithcox. Died 16 March 1904, Porter, Cass County, Michigan. Married at age 45. Three children; all living. Born 1825 in NC to Mills Haithcox and Sarrah Byrd, both of NC. Informant, Roberta Haithcox, Vandalia, Michigan.

In the 1850 census, of Jefferson, Logan County, Ohio: Mills Heathcock, 50, wife Sarah, 40, and children Dica, 25, Charlotte, 18, Bartlett, 16, Littleberry, 21, Sarah E., 8, John Mitchell, 7, Upper J., 5 and Permelia, 2. Mills was born in Virginia. All others, except the Ohio-born last child, were born in NC.

Ruberta Haithcock. Died 12 Nov 1916, Porter, Cass County, Michigan. Widow. Mulatto. Born 30 Mar 1837 in NC to William Tabron and Beda Tabron. Buried Mount Zion. Informant, Beda Haithcox.

Lovina Hathcox. Died 6 April 1905, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Widowed. Born 16 Aug 1834, Logan County, Ohio, to Green Allen and Angeline Wade, both of NC. Buried Chain Lake cemetery. Informant, A.S. Haithcock, Cassopolis.

Rebecca Ann Lawson. Died 19 May 1920, St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan. Colored. Married to James H. [Lawson.] Born 24 Nov 1849 in NC to George Artis and Susan Allen, both of NC. Buried Cassopolis. Informant, Jas. H. Lawson, Benton Harbor.

In the 1860 census of Porter, Cass County, Michigan: Geo. W. Artis, 45, carpenter, S., 34, M.E., 17, Sarah J., 14, E.A., 12, Rebecca, 10, M.F., 7, Geo. H., 2, and S.E., 4 months.

Death certificates, Library of Michigan; US population schedules.

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December 1, 2012

I was stolen from my parents.

State of Virginia, Southampton County } SS.

On this 7 day of March 1834 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the county court of Southampton now acting Drewry Tann (a Free man of Colour) a Resident of said county aged about seventy five years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7^th 1832.

That he enlisted under Capt. Hadley in the County of Wake in the State of North Carolina (and states the manner he came in the service as follows) that being born free in the county of Wake he was stolen from his parents when a small boy by persons unknown to him, who were carrying him of to sell him into to [sic] Slavery, and had gotten with him and other stolen property, as far as the mountains on their way, that his parents made complaint to a Mr. Tanner Alford who was then a magistrate in the county of Wake State of N. Carolina to get me back from those who had stolen me, and he did pursue the Rogues & overtook them at the mountains and took me from them & my parents agreed that I should serve him (Tanner Alford) until I was twenty one years old, when he had served Alford several years (Six years) it came Alfords time to go in the army (or he told me so) and told me if I would go in the army he would set me free on which conditions I readily listed under Capt. Hadley for eighteen months as he was told and marched to Charleston and thence to Jameses Isleand where he served out his term of enlistment that he had a discharge and was about returning home when a Capt. Benjamin Coleman (who told me he lived in Bladen County N. Carolina) took his discharge from him and tried to compel him to remain in the service & be his waitingman – his name is to be found in the Records of the State of North Carolina as he is informed by Mr. Deverieux of the City of Raleigh N. Carolina & the term of his enlistments as well as the fact of his enlisting under Capt. Hadley as state above – he cannot state at what period of the war he entered the service. General Green was the commander in chief, Col Lightly & Capt Lightly. Adjutant Ivy that he served in the N. Carolina Regiment, that he has no other documentary evidence than that refered to in the Archives in the State of N. Carolina at the City of Raileigh and knows of no person living who can testify to his service. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Drewry X Tann

The said Drewry Tann states that he was born in the county of Wake N. Carolina in what year he does not know, that he has no Record of his age, that he was living in Wake County N. Carolina when he was Enlisted and that he has lived since the Revolution in the countys of Northampton N. Carolina and Southampton Virginia. That he lives in the county of Southampton at this time. That he listed volluntarily in the army under Capt. Hadley. He since as before stated on Jameses isleand near Charleston S. Carolina when there were some English prisoners & he was sometimes stationed as a guard on them, Gen Green was the commanding officer Col and Capt Lightley & Adjutant Ivy are all the names he can at this time remember he does not know what regiments he served with – he did secure a discharge from the service & Capt. Coleman took it from him & what has become of it he cannot say. He is known to Mr. Edwin G. Hart Mr. W. Owens John Hart Col. Clements Rochelle James Maggett Davis Bryant and many others. Drewry X Tann

Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 17 day of May 1834

From the file of Drewry Tann, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, National Archives and Records Administration.

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November 27, 2012

North from North Carolina, no. 1.

On 4 October 1835, Henderson Artis married Nancy Wilkins in Northampton County.

In the 1850 census of Northampton County: Nancy Artis, 35, with children Narcissa, 8, William, 5, and Cherry, 3.

In the 1860 census of Jefferson, Logan County, Ohio: Henderson Artis, 43, wife Nancy, 36, and children Narcissa, 15, William, 13, and Charity, 12. Henderson was a farmer and all were born in NC.

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November 25, 2012

United States Colored Troops, no. 5.

55 Inf. (Col’d) Mass. Jacob Ash. Co. K, 55 Reg’t Mass. Inf. (Col’d.) appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 23 years; height, 5 feet 3 inches; complexion, light; eyes, grey; hair, dark; where born, Halifax Co., NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, June 6, [no year]; where, Readville, Mass.; by whom, Lt. Stimpson; term, 3 years. Remarks: “Letters to be directed to Emmanuel Ash, Big Run Station, Athens Co., O.”

4 U.S.C.T. Elijah Ash. Co. F, 4 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 20 years; height, 5 feet 5 inches; complexion, octoroon; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Halifax Co., NC; occupation, waiter. Enlistment: when, August 4, 1863; where, Baltimore; by whom, Col. W. Burney; term, 3 years. Remarks: “Wounded in action before Petersburg Va June 15 1864.”

38 U.S.C.T. Bolden Flood. Co. D, 38 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 45 years; height, 5 feet 10 inches; complexion, dark; eyes, dark; hair, black; where born, Hertford Co., NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, February 6, 1864; where, Newberne NC; by whom, Lt. S.M. Horton; term, 3 years.

23 U.S.C.T. Nicholas Pettiford. Co. F, 2 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 22 years; height, 5 feet 5 3/4 inches; complexion, yellow; eyes, brown; hair, dark; where born, Brandon NC; occupation, laborer. Enlistment: when, March 29, 1864; where, Washington; by whom, Capt. Sheetz; term, 3 years.

2 U.S.C.T. Daniel Locus. Co. G, 2 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Cav. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 40 years; height, 5 feet 8 inches; complexion, dark; eyes, dark; hair, dark; where born, Wait [Wake?] Co., NC; occupation, laborer. Enlistment: when, January 10, 1864; where, Fort Munn; by whom, Col. G.W. Cole; term, 3 years. Remarks: “Deserted June 14, 1865 at Portsmouth Va”

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November 25, 2012

Soft-hearted? Soft-headed.

To the General Assembly of North Carolina

It is desirable that you should adopt a course of policy, and pass a system of laws to induce, if not compel, the free negroes in North Carolina to emigrate to the Abolition and Free Soil states. It appears to me that Negrophobia, which is now raging and rousing up a large number of people in the non-Slaveholding states cannot be cured more effectually than by giving them some strong black medicine out of their own black Bottle: and therefore, the members of the Legislature ought in my Judgment to enact all the constitutional laws in their power to effect the object I have indicated. I do not intend to offer reasons and arguments in favor of such Laws. Every man who has a southern head on his shoulders and a southern heart in his bosom must see the propriety and the necessity of such legislation.

I propose that you pass a law making the ownership of land on which free negroes reside liable to pay all the taxes, contracts, damages, Penalties, fines and costs, and other legal liabilities which colored persons may contract or incur while living thereon. That it, I would make the actual possession of the free negro, a lein, on the land on which he lived, and let that lein continue until his public and private liabilities were paid and satisfied.

There is a numerous class of the worst sort of Abolitionists dwelling in our midst in the southern states who clandestinely trade with slaves and receive stolen good in payment for ardent spirits and other articles, thereby corrupting and destroying the value of servants. Many of these malefactors are insolvent persons and some of them are agents of men of property, who select such deputies to do their dirty work, hoping that prudent laws cannot reach and punish them. I propose that the offense just stated shall be punished, not only with fine and imprisonment, but, by one of more whippings on the bare back at the whipping post. I am aware some persons have an aversion, through a sort of sickly sympathy, to inflict corporal punishment for the commission of any offences, hoping to gain for themselves the character of being very soft hearted, but I think all such might with much more propriety be considered very soft headed. When offences proceed from the conception of the human heart, let no honest man sympathise with the offender. But when the frailty of [illegible] nature is to be punished for deeds done without deliberation, then, kind and generous feelings may be justly excercised. Society can only be carried on and preserved through the influence of example. Those persons who live by corrupting and hiring negroes to steal for their benefit, deserve and ought to receive the most severe and exemplary punishments.

All our laws on the subject of Slavery, and the officious intermedling with it, which is the sin of the age, require revision, amendment and improvement.

I make another suggestion; I would make the land on which white Tenants live, liable to pay all fines, penalties and costs that they may be liable to pay while living on these landlords land; Then, the honest taxpayers and good citizens of the state & county would not so often be taxed, unjustly, to pay costs after the conviction of insolvent malefactors and old sinners.

Respectfully presented by James Graham.

Petition of James Graham, Lincoln County, dated 29 December 1850. Petitions, North Carolina General Assembly, North Carolina State Archives.

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November 13, 2012

United States Colored Troops, no. 3.

36 U.S.C.T. George W. Bowser. Co. F, 36 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 25 years; height, 5 feet 7 1/2 inches; complexion, black; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Currituck, NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, Aug. 26, 1863; where, Roanoke Is.; by whom, Lt. McClain; term, 3 years. Remarks: “’Free’ on or before Apl 19-1861”

37 U.S.C.T. Spencer Bowser. Co. K, 37 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 28 years; height, 6 feet; complexion, black; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Tyrrel, NC; occupation, boatman. Enlistment: when, Sept. 2, 1864; where, Roanoke Isl., NC; by whom, G.M. Cleland; term, 3 years. Remarks: “Died Feb. 19 1865 at N.S. Hospital Ft. Monroe, Va.”

The 1860 census of Tyrrell County lists Linn Bowser, 45, with Spencer, 24, shingle maker, and George Bowser, 23, mariner.

5 U.S.C.T. George Haithcock. Co. B, 5 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 23 years; height, 5 feet 7 1/2 inches; complexion, light; eyes, brown; hair, black; where born, Halifax Co., NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, Aug. 11, 1864; where, Chillicothe, Oh.; by whom, H.J.L. Wilson; term, 1 year.

The 1850 census of Union County, Ohio, lists: Therogo Dempsey, 54, his wife Betsey, 45, and daughter Martha, 21, with Meredy, 25, William, 22, George, 10, and Eliza Haithcock,11. All were born in NC and described as mulatto.

28 U.S.C.T. Gabriel Manuel. Co. F, 28 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 28 years; height, 6 feet 1 inch; complexion, black; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Samson Co., NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, Feb. 16, 1865; where, Terehut [Terre Haute, Ind.]; by whom, Capt. Thompson; term, 1 year.

In the 1850 census of Sampson County: Ephraim Manuel, 54, wife Bythiney, 47, and children Nancy, 18, Emelia, 16, Gabriel, 9, Susan, 6, and John, 1, plus relative Emelia Manuel, 98.

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November 12, 2012

Herring, Union soldier.

Hillary Herring enlisted in the 37th Colored Troops in 1864. At the time, he was 23 years old, 6 feet 1/2 inches tall, light-complexioned, with black eyes and dark hair. He was born in Onslow County and worked as a farmer. Herring was discharged from the army on 11 February 1867. After a two-year acquaintance, he married Kizzy Dudley on 18 December 1869 in Burgaw, Pender County. Rev. Elisha Boon performed the ceremony. It was Hillary’s first marriage, but Kizzy had married John Herring in 1863 and was left a widow when he died in August 1866. Hillery Herring died 30 June 1876 in Bentonsville, Johnston County, of “disease of lungs.” Dr. Martin Harper attended him during his final illness. Lewis Hood furnished his coffin and served as undertaker, and Rev. John James Harper, a white man, preached the funeral sermon.

At the time of her application, Kizzy Herring lived in Lonoke, Lonoke County, Arkansas. Many of her witnesses had known her in North Carolina and had also migrated West. She was poor and little able to support herself.

Abstracted from “#563,970. Claim of Kizza Harring, widow of Hillary Harring, Co. A, 37 U.S.C.T., for Widow’s Pension.”

In the 1850 census of the South Side of the Neuse, Wayne County: John Herring, 50, wife Charity, 40, and their children John Green, 18, Solomon, 16, Daniel, 14, Hillery, 12, James, 10, Outy, 7, Harriet, 4, and Doctor, 0.

[Sidenote: On 21 November 1872, my great-great-great-grandparents, Lewis and Margaret Henderson, and Hillery and Keziah Herring sold two tracts totalling about 80 acres to John P. Cobb and Jesse Hollowell, these being tracts purchased from William R. Davis. There was no deed recording the purchase from Davis. Both Lewis and Hillery were born in Onslow County. Were they related? If not, why did they buy land together? — LYH]

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Category: Migration