Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Category: Military

March 10, 2013

Not considered white.

61 N.C. Confederate Levi Cummings.  Cap’t Francis D. Koonce’s Co. (Koonce’s State Guerillas) N.C. Volunteers. Appears on Company Muster-In and Descriptive Roll of the organization named above. Dated Jones County, July 22, 1862. Born Duplin Co., N.C. Age 26. Laborer. Enlisted July 14, 1862 in Jones County by F.D. Koonce.  … Note: This company is mustered in the service of the State of North Carolina as “guerillas” for local service, to operate east of the Wilmington & Weldon Rail Road, between the Neuse and Cape Fear Rivers.

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61 N.C. Confederate Levi Cummings.  Pvt. Co. K, 61 Reg’t N.C. Inf. (State Troops). Cap’t Francis D. Koonce’s Co. (Koonce’s State Guerillas) N.C. Volunteers. Appears on Company Muster Roll of the organization named above. Dated May and June 1863. Enlisted August 30, 1862, Jones County, by Capt. Koonce. Last paid by Capt. Anderson, April 30, 1863. “Detailed as ambulance driver.”

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61 N.C. Confederate Levi B. Cummings. Pvt. Co. K, 61 Reg’t N.C. Inf. (State Troops). Cap’t Francis D. Koonce’s Co. (Koonce’s State Guerillas) N.C. Volunteers. Appears on Company Muster Roll of the organization named above. Dated July and August 1863. Enlisted August 30, 1862, Jones County, by Capt. Koonce for 3 years. “Not considered white and dropped by order.”

Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Organized For the State of North Carolina, National Archives and Records Administration.

In the 1850 census of North Division, Duplin County: James C. Cummings, 47, farmer, wife Rebecca, 42, and children Levi W., 13, John J., 11, Betsey A., 9, Sarah L., 7, and Mary J., 5, all mulatto.

In the 1860 census of Tuckahoe, Jones County: Levi Commins, 20, and sister Sallie, 15; described as black.

In the 1870 census of Tuckahoe, Jones County: Levi Cummings, 34, mulatto, cooper.

In the 1880 census of Richlands, Onslow County: Levi Cummings, 50, works on farm, wife Caroline, 25, and children William H., 9, Minnie J., 6, and Lydia A., 2.  Levi is described as mulatto; his wife and children, as white.

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March 3, 2013

United States Colored Troops, no. 10.

5 U.S.C.T. Perry Wyatt. Co. H, 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 9 3/4 inches; complexion, black; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Hartford [Hertford] County, NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 16 June 1863; where, Circleville OH; term, 3 years. Remarks: Killed in front of Petersburg, Va., June 15, 1864.

In the 1850 census of Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio: Murphey Wyatt, 30, drayman, wife Rebecca, 26, and children James P., 11, William, 7, Mary J., 5, George, 4, and Julia Ann, 2. All born in NC except the youngest three children. In the 1860 census of Circleville, Pickaway County, Ohio: Murphy Wyatt, 42, drayman, wife Rebecca, 40, and children James P., 20, William, 16, Mary J., 15, George, 13, Julia, 11, Jerry, 9, Amanda, 6, and Jonas, 5. Murphy, Rebecca and James were born in NC; the remaining children in Ohio.

14 H. Art’y.U.S.C.T. Lemuel Reynolds. Co. C, 14 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 9 inches; complexion, dark; eyes, dark; hair, dark; where born, Hertford County, NC; occupation: mechanic. Enlistment: when, 1 March 1864; where, New Bern; by whom, Lt. Wheaton; term, 3 years.

In the 1860 census of Hertford County: Lemuel Reynolds, 30, day laborer, wife Mary, 30, and Nancy Reynolds, 16.

37 U.S.C.T. Noah Manley. Co. T, 37 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 26 years; height, 5 feet 7 inches; complexion, brown; eyes, dark; hair, dark; where born, Hartford [Hertford] County, NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 24 January 1865; where, Fort Monroe VA; by whom, Lt. Munroe; term, 3 years. Remarks: mustered into service Feb 3 ’65 by Maj Morris Newport News, Va. credited to Rarkwright Delaware Co 19 Distr. NY.

14 H. Art’y. U.S.C.T. Boone Nickins. Co. C, 14 Reg’t U.S. Col’d H. Art’y. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 44 years; height, 6 feet 0 inches; complexion, light; eyes, dark; hair, dark; where born, Hertford County, NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 1 March 1864; where, New Bern; by whom, Lt. Wheaton; term, 3 years.

In the 1850 census of Southern District, Hertford County: Richard Wiggans, 18, laborer, Elizabeth Wiggans, 17, Sarah Wiggans, 3 months, and Boon Nickens, 24, laborer. In the 1860 census of Hertford County: Boon Nickins, 40, day laborer, wife Penny, 18, and children S.M., 4, and M.E., 3.

14 H. Art’y. U.S.C.T. Henry Kone. Co. C, 14 Reg’t U.S. Col’d H. Art’y. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 30 years; height, 5 feet 6 inches; complexion, light; eyes, dark; hair, dark; where born, Hertford County, NC; occupation, laborer. Enlistment: when, 1 March 1863; where, New Bern; by whom, Lt. Wheaton; term, 3 years.

In the 1850 census of Southern District, Hertford County: Arthur Reynolds, 44, farmer, wife Matilda, 44, Henry Cone, 17, laborer, and Asa Butler, 12. In the 1860 census of Hertford County: Henry Cone,24, field laborer, Elizabeth, 45, Wm., 15, and Charlotte Reynolds, 50.

Henry Kone. Military History: enlisted March 1, 1864, Hartford County NC; Pvt.; C 14 USC Hy Art; discharged Dec 11, 1865, Fort Macon; disability, bronchitis; contracted 1893 in NC. Domestic History: born NC, age 62, height 5 7; col’d; grey eyes, grey hair; cannot read or write; Protestant; farmer; resided Winton after discharge; married to Estella Kone, Winton. Died 17 Feb 1926, Hampton VA.

Historical Register of  National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, 1866-1938, Records of Department of Veterans Affairs, National Archives.

2 Cav. U.S.C.T. William Bazill. Co. D, 2 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Cav. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 45 years; height, 5 feet 5 inches; complexion, light; eyes, blue; hair, dark; where born, Hertford, NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 1 January 1864; where, Fort Monroe VA; by whom, Col. Cole; term, 3 years. Remarks: engaged in action at Suffolk, Va., Mch. 9th 1864.

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February 26, 2013

Matthew Artis Post No. 341, G.A.R.

Matthew Artis Post, No. 341, was organized at Day March 10, 1866, with twenty-one members, as follows:

Commander, Bishop E. Curtis; Senior Vice Commander, Henry D. Stewart; Junior Vice Commander, James Monroe; Adjutant, Abner R. Bird; Quartermaster, Solomon Griffin; Surgeon, Harrison Griffin; Chaplain George Scott; Officer of Day, Zachariah Pompey; Officer of Guard, John Copley; Sergeant Major, James M. Stewart; Quartermaster Sergeant, James H. Ford. Members: Peter Saunders, Caswell Oxendine, Berry Haithcock, John Curry, Samuel Wells, John Brown, Martin Harris, Andrew Gillum, George Broairdy, L.B. Stewart. …

From L.H. Glover, A Twentieth Century History of Cass County, Michigan (1906).

In the 1850 Perry, Logan County, Ohio: Elisha Bird, 60, farmer, Sarah, 60, Nancy, 36, Mary A., 15, James, 20, Lawson, 17, Abner, 8, and John Bird, 23. Elisha, Sarah and Mary were born in Virginia; Nancy and John Bird in NC; and James, Lawson and Abner Bird in Ohio. In the 1860 census of Calvin, Cass County, Michigan: Wyatt Byrd, 37, wife Charlott, 32, and children Mary J., 10, Leander, 6, Eliza A., 3, Sarah J., 2, and Abner, 15. Wyatt was born in NC; Charlotte in Virginia; and their children in Michigan, except Abner, Ohio.

In the 1850 census of Frankfort, Clinton County, Indiana: Peter Copley, 40, wife Delila, 34, and children Elius A., 12, John A., 10, Mary M., 10, William C., 8, Caroline M., 7, Martha J., 6, Delily E., 4, and Matilda C., 1.  All born in NC, except the three youngest children, who were born in Indiana.  In the 1860 census of Porter, Cass County, Michigan: Peter Copley, 52, farmer, wife Delia, 44, and children John, 22, Wm., 17, Calvin, 16, Jane, 15, Elizabeth, 12, and Matilda, 10. All born in NC, except the three youngest children, who were born in Indiana.

In the 1850 census of Fugit, Decatur County, Indiana: Sally Hunt, 55, Celia Hunt, 22, Susan Hunt, 2, Levi Hunt, 1, Wiley Jones, 14, Jordon Jones, 12, Flora Oxendine, 10, Parmelia Oxendine, 6, and Caswell Oxendine, 4.  All born in NC except Levi Hunt, who was born in Indiana. In the 1860 census of Calvin, Cass, Michigan: Isaac Hunt, 36, wife Dorcas, 40, children Drusilla, 13, Susan, 10, Mary, 10, and Roxa A. Hunt, 6, plus C. Oxendine, 15.

Caswell Oxendine. Died 3 May 1914, Dowagiac, Cass County Michigan. Colored. Married. Farmer. Born 4 March 1844 in NC to unknown parents. Buried Calvin Center. Informant, Mrs. Oxendine.

In the 1850 census of Xenia, Greene County, Ohio: Berry Heathcock, 45, farmer, wife Fanny, 43, and William Lilly, 10, James A. Lilley, 8, Isaiah Lilley, 6, and Moses Daniel, 25, all born in NC. In the 1860 census of Burr Oak, Saint Joseph County, Michigan: Berry Hathcock, 35, born Ohio, in the household of Geo. Boyles, farmer.

Berry Haithcox. Died 16 March 1904, Porter, Cass County, Michigan. Married 15 years. 3 children, all living. Born 1825 in North Carolina to Mills Haithcox and Sarrah Byrd. Buried at Mount Zion. Informant, Roberta Haithcock, Vandalia.

In the 1850 census of Fugit, Decatur, Indiana: Arthur Gillam, 26, laborer, Margaret, 36, Harriet Bowden, 16, Mary Bowden, 14, Jackson Bowden, 11, Higgins Bowden, 10, John Bowden, 7, and Andrew Gillam, 4.  All born in NC, except Andrew and the two youngest Bowden children. In the 1860 census of Liberty, Union County, Indiana; Auther Gillam, 36, laborer, wife Margaret, 47, Mary Borden, 22, servant, Jackson Bowden, 20, laborer, Andrew Agillam, 13, and Taylor Gillam, 3, all classified as Indian. All were born in NC except Auther and Andrew, born in Indiana. 

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February 24, 2013

United States Colored Troops, no. 9.

37 U.S.C.T. Edmond T. Jones. Co. T, 35 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 19 years; height, 5 feet 10 inches; complexion, black; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Franklin County, NC; occupation, laborer. Enlistment: when, 1 December  1863; where, Norfolk VA; by whom, A.P. Smith; term, 3 years. Remarks: free before April 19, 1861; mustered out Brazos, Santiago, Texas, 4 Feb 1866.

In the 1860 census of Galloways, Franklin County: Chesley Jones, 29, ditcher, wife Kersiah, 24, and children Georgianna, 7, Joshua, 6, Joseph, 5, Martha, 3, and Major, 2, plus Edmond Jones, 21, ditcher.

15 U.S.C.T. Ephraim Anderson. Co. D, 15 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 37 years; height, 5 feet 7 inches; complexion, light; eyes, blue; hair, dark; where born, Granville County, NC; occupation, carpenter. Enlistment: when, 29 September 1864; where, Columbus, Ohio; by whom, Capt. Ben. Nesbitt; term, 1 year.

In the 1860 census of Dutch, Granville County: Ephraim Aanderson, 32, day laborer, John Curtis, 35, day laborer, and Alex Mitchell, 25, farmer, in the household of Jesse Oakley, farmer.

15 U.S.C.T. Lindsey Anderson. Co. D, 15 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 30 years; height, 5 feet 8 inches; complexion, dark; eyes, hazel; hair, black; where born, Granville County, NC; occupation, laborer. Enlistment: when, 29 September 1864; where, Columbus, Ohio; by whom, Lt. Wheaton; term, 1 year; remarks: mustered same as enlistment, discharged by reason of expiration of service 29 September 1865.

In the 1860 census of Oxford, Granville County: Linsey Anderson, 32, farmer, wife Polly, 25, and children Polly, 6, and Sarah, 4.

27 U.S.C.T. Thomas H. Evans. Co. D, 27 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 36 years; height, 5 feet 8 inches; complexion, dark; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Granville County, NC; occupation, laborer. Enlistment: when, 27 February 1864; where, Delaware County, Ohio; by whom, G. St. Clair; term, 3 years; remarks: discharged 7 October 1864, mustered 8 March 1864 at Camp Delaware O by Capt. Bond.

In the 1860 census of Nutbush, Granville County: D. Stewart, 16, James Stewart, 8, Nancy Stewart, 6, Thomas Evans, 35, and D. A. Marrow, 26, all mulatto except Marrow, who was white. 

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February 23, 2013

Her husband was a pensioner.

State of North Carolina, County of Granville

On this fourth day of February One thousand eight hundred and fifty six before the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions held within and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Mrs. Tabitha Pettiford aged Sixty eight years a resident near Oxford in the County of Granville in the State of North Carolina who being duly Sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed on the third day of February A.D. 1853 granting pensions to widows of persons who Served during the Revolutionary War that she is the widow of George Pettiford deceased who was a Private in the North Carolina Continental line in the War of the Revolution that her said husband was a Pensioner of the United States under the act of March 18th A.D. 1818 at the rate of Ninety six dollars per annum which was paid to him at the agency in Fayettville in the State of North Carolina she further states that she was married to the said George Pettiford in Granville County in the Tenth day of May 1837 by one John Mallory a Minister of the Gospel and that her name before her said marriage was Tabitha Johnson that her said husband died at his residence in the County of Granville in the State of North Carolina on the Fifth day of February in the year one thousand eight hundred and fifty three that She was not married to the said George Pettiford prior to the second day of January eighteen hundred but at the time above stated she further stated that there is a Public record of her marriage and that there is no Private record of her marriage and further declares that she is now a widow and has not married since his death that she cannot file herewith her husband’s original certificate of pension from the fact that it was sent to the office of the 3d addition of the treasury to which she refers in support of this her claim.

She hereby appoints J. C. Codner of Smithfield North Carolina (irrevocably) her true and lawful attorney to prosecute this her claim for pension to receive the certificate when issued and to do all other acts necessary and proper in the premises.       Tabitha X Pettiford

L. A. Paschall Ch’mn of Granville County Court

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

In the 1850 census of Oxford, Granville County: George Petterford, age 106, and wife Tobitha, 47. Next door, Edmond Pettyford, 50, and wife Rebecca, 52.

George Pettiford married Taby Johnson, 1 May 1837, in Granville County. Edmond Pettiford was bondsman, and G.C. Wiggins witnessed.

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February 19, 2013

He craves the privilege of carrying a shotgun.

State of North Carolina, Edgcomb County   }

To the Worshipful the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sestions May Term 1841 – The Petition of the under Signed Cizens of Said County Humly requesting:

Your Petitioners respectfully Shew unto your worships that Basdill Thomas of the State and County afore said having been a Citizens of Destrict No 7 of the 1 regiment of the Edgcomb Militia, he being a free person of color and having been debard by the Laws of the State of keeping Fire armes Except in Case of having a proper License from the worshipful Court of the County wherein he resides whare as he the said Thomas Craves the privilege to geather with his assigners of being Impowered with the authority of Carrying or using a Shot gun or musket in his neighbor hood or about his Dometical afares and also the said Thomas to gather with his assigners wish to shew to your worship in order that you may be Staisfied that he has been a resident of said District above mentioned and that he is a peaceable & quiet Citizen and Stands fare as an honest man and as & unblemished a character as any man in the neighbourhood for the Last for or Five years Whareas we the under signd are willing and do assigne our names with the same Thomas to be granted the above named privilidg this 24th May 1841

/s/ Basdill Thomas, Wm. R. Dupree, R.F. Eagles, John A. Pin[illegible]

Rejected – By order, May term 1841 – Louis D. Wilson

Slave Records, Edgecombe County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

Basdill Thomas married Sally Young in Franklin County on 13 March 1833. Benja. Long was bondsman; S. Patterson, witness.

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February 15, 2013

United States Colored Troops, no. 8.

37 U.S.C.T. Edward Hammonds. Co. T, 35 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 38 years; height, 5 feet 8 inches; complexion, light; eyes, dark; hair, dark; where born, Onslow County, NC; occupation, laborer. Enlistment: when, 30 August 1864; where, New Bern; by whom, A.P. Smith; term, 3 years. Remarks: mustered into U.S. Service at New Bern by Capt. Wm. Sweet 30 Aug 1864, bounty paid $100, due $200.

In the 1850 census of Lower South West, Onslow County: Edward Hammons, 24, in the household of Owen Jarrett, farmer.

14 H. Art’y U.S.C.T. Thomas Hammonds. Co. D, 14 Reg’t U.S. Col’d H. Art’y. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 38 years; height, 5 feet 9 inches; complexion, black; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Onslow County, NC; occupation, laborer. Enlistment: when, 23 May 1864; where, New Bern NC; by whom, Lt. Wheaton; term, 3 years.

In the 1850 census of Half Moon, Onslow County: Thomas Hammons, 55, wife Sena [no age], with Susan, 35, and Thomas Hammons, 24, Seana Littleton, 16, and Marthy White, 13.

2 Cav. U.S.C.T. Wilson Sawyer. Co. D, 2 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Cav. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 17 years; height, 5 feet 2 inches; complexion, black; eyes, dark; hair, dark; where born, Camden County, NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 24 December 1863; where, Fort Monroe; by whom, Col. Cole; term, 3 years. Remarks: engaged in action at Suffolk, Virginia, March 9, near Peterburgh June 6, 12 and 18, 1864.

In the 1850 census of Camden County: Mary Sayer, 30, with children Pricilla, 7, and Wilson, 2.

35 U.S.C.T. George Archer. Co. E, 35 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 ½ inches; complexion, light; eyes, grey; hair, dark; where born, Hertford, NC; occupation, government laborer. Enlistment: when, 22 May 1863; where, Newbern NC; by whom, Capt. Crofts; term, 3 years. Remarks: died at Gov’t Hosptl No. 5, Jacksonville, Florida, 18 August 1864, of chronic rheumatism; final statement papers forwarded to Adjt Genl’s office, Washington DC, 23 August 1864.

In the 1850 census of Southern District, Hertford County: Levi Archer, 43, laborer, wife Lucinda, 31, and children George T., 11, West, 9, Elizabeth, 7, Assirah, 2, and Bartelmus, 0.

36 U.S.C.T. Calvin Bow. Co. C, 36 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 ½ inches; complexion, black; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Pasquotank County, NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 13 June 1863; where, Roanoke Island NC; by whom, Lt. Shaw; term, 3 years. Remarks: mustered 28 Oct 1863 at Portsmouth, Virginia, by Lt. Horton; free on or about 19 April 1861; mustered out 13 June 1866 by reason of expiration of term of service at Brazos Santiago Texas.

In the 1850 census, Suttons Creek, Perquimans County: James Bow, 49, laborer, wife Penny, 35, and children Alfred, 18, Augustus, 15, Joshua, 12, Clarisa, 10, David, 8, Calvin, 6, and Timothy Bow, 1, and Isaiah Overton, 3 months.

11 H. Art’y U.S.C.T. Isiah Dove. Co. B, 11 Reg’t U.S. Col’d H. Art’y. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 23 years; height, 5 feet 5 ½ inches; complexion, dark; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Newbern, NC; occupation, seaman. Enlistment: when, 7 September 1863; where, Providence, Rhode Island; by whom, Capt. Simon; term, 3 years.

In the 1850 census of Craven County: Isaiah Dove, 22, laborer, wife Ann, 23, and son Levi, 3 months.

9 H. Art’y U.S.C.T. James R. Faithful. Co. E, 9 Reg’t U.S. Col’d H. Art’y. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 40 years; height, 5 feet 8 ¾ inches; complexion, dark; eyes, brown; hair, dark; where born, unknown NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 2 September 1864; where, Alliance, Ohio; by whom, Capt. Olliver; term, 1 year. 

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February 13, 2013

United States Colored Troops, no. 7.

36 U.S.C.T. Nathan Dempsey. Co. C, 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 6 inches; complexion, black; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Elizabeth City, NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 10 November 1863; where, Norfolk VA.; by whom, Capt. Crofts; term, 3 years. Remarks: mustered 28 Dec 1863 at Fort Monroe VA by Lt. Horton.

36 U.S.C.T. Willis Dempsey. Co. C, 36 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 inches; complexion, black; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Elizabeth City, NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 11 December 1863; where, Portsmouth VA.; by whom, Lt. Gaskill; term, 3 years. Remarks: mustered 28 Dec 1863 at Fort Monroe VA by Lt. Horton; wounded in Deep Bottom Charge 29 Sept 1864; discharged the U.S. Service at Balfour Genl Hospl Portsmouth VA, 4 June 1865 on Smgs Cert of Dis; final statement given him by J.H. Frantz Asst Surg U.S.A. in charge.

In the 1850 census of Up River, Perquimans County: Willis Dempsey, 50, Martha, 35, Nathan, 9, and Willis Dempsey, 7.

36 U.S.C.T. Charles Spellman. Co. G, 36th Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 18 years; height, 5 feet 1 ½  inches; complexion, dark; eyes, dark; hair, dark; where born, Camden Co., NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 5 October 1863; where, Yorktown VA (mustered 28 October 1863, Portsmouth VA); by whom, Lt. J.N. North and Lt. Horton; term, 3 years.  Remarks: mustered out at New Orleans LA, 5 October 1866.

In the 1850 census of Pasquotank County: Millie Spellman, 50, with Jane, 16, Nixon, 8, and Charles Spellman, 6.

14 H. Art’y U.S.C.T. Morris White. Co. D, 14 Reg’t U.S. Col’d H. Art’y. U.S.C.T. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 45 years; height, 6 feet 2 inches; complexion, light; eyes, grey; hair, black; where born, Onslow Co., NC; occupation, laborer. Enlistment: when, 1 June 1864; where, New Berne; by whom, Lt. Wheaton and Maj. Kennedy; term, 3 years.

14 H. Art’y U.S.C.T. Edward White. Co. D, 14 Reg’t U.S. Col’d H. Art’y. U.S.C.T. appears on COmpany Descriptive Book of the organizaton named above. Description: age, 45 years; height, 5 feet 5 inches; complexion, light; eyes, grey; hair, black; where born, Onslow Co., NC; occupation, laborer. Enlistment: when, 1 June 1864; where, New Berne; by whom, Lt. Wheaton and Maj. Kennedy; term, 3 years.

In the 1850 census of Cypress Creek, Jones County: Morris White, 32, with children John, 6, and Mary, 3. In the 1860 census of Lower South West, Onslow: Morris White 38, wife Penelope, 30, and children Mary E., 13, and Edward White, 9, plus Charity Morgan, 58.

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February 4, 2013

He was in no battle, being a colored man.

Virginia, Powhatan County, to wit;

On this 15th day of June 1820, personally appeared in open court in the county court of Powhatan, in the state aforesaid, being a court of record, Reuben Bird, aged about fifty six years, according to the best estimate that can be made, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the provision made by the acts of Congress of the 18th March 1818 and the 1st May 1820, that he, the said Reuben Bird enlisted for and during the war of the American Revolution in April or May in the year 1780 in Hillsborough in North Carolina in the Company commanded by Captain James Gunn in the Regiment of Dragoons commanded by Col’o White of Virginia; that he continued to serve in the said Corps until the peace came, when he was discharged from service in Culpepper county, in the state of Virginia: that he was in no battle, he being a colored man, and kept as a Bowman, although he was very near the ground where several were fought; and that he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services except the certificates of Benjamin Sublett and Larkin Self herewith exhibited:

And in pursuance of the act of the 1st of may 1820, the said Reuben Bird solemnly made oath that he was a resident citizen of the United States on the 18th of March One thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that he has not since that time, by gift, sale, or in any manner disposed of his property, or any part thereof, with intent thereby to diminish it as to bring himself within the provision of an act of Congress, entitled “An act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land and naval service of the United States in the Revolutionary War,” passed on the 18th day of March One thousand eight hundred and eighteen, and that he has not, nor has any person in trust for him, any property or securities, contracts, or debts due to him; nor has he any income, other than what is contained in the Schedule hereto annexed, and by him subscribed to wit: Real and personal property, none; he is by trade a Bricklayer, and is not very able to pursue his trade in consequence of a Rupture, which obliges him to wear a Truss of Steel; his family consists of his wife, who is about 37 years old, and one child, a female about seven years old; his wife is healthy, and by her industry somewhat contributes to support the family.  Reuben X Bird.

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

In the attached affidavit, Benjamin Sublett swore that he was a sergeant in Captain William Mayo’s company at the time of General Gates’ defeat at Camden, South Carolina, and “in the same company a mulatto boy appeared to be about the age of 16 or 17 years by the name of Reuben Bird,” who enlisted at “Hilsbury” in about May 1780.

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February 2, 2013

Ruptured, but faithful.

State of North Carolina, Cumberland County   }  I Thomas J. Robeson Lately a Major 4th Rifle Reg’t United States Army, now resident in the Town of Fayetteville, county and State aforesaid Do hereby certify that corporal Josiah Abshier (a man of coulor) now resident in Anson county and State of North Carolina, was a corporal of the Poineirs and attached to Capt. Parkers company 3rd Rifle Regiment United States Army under Lieut Col’o Wm. S. Hambleton on a march from Camp Bottoms Bridge Below Richmond Va. to Washington City (green leaf Point) Maryland.   That at or near Alexandra Va in January A.D. 1815 while in the actual performance of his duty on a march [illegible] did fall from one of the Bagage Wagons thereby became Ruptured and was in consequence [illegible] from the Army of the United States, as Invalid. I further certify that I did march with the 3rd Rifle Regiment from Charlotte No Ca in the winter A.D. 1814 to Washington city as aforesaid that during the Said march & while in quarters that the said Corporal Josiah Abshier did faithfully perform his duty as Corporal and Soldier of the United States Army, and deserve the aid of his Country; that the said corporal Abshier is now in the fifty Six year of his age,  and So disabled by the Ruptor as aforesaid to provent him from Manual Labour. Given under my hand in Fayetteville this 15th December 1825. Thomas L. Robeson Lately Major 4th Rifle Reg’t U.S.A.

File of Josiah Abshier, War of 1812 Pension & Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, National Archives and Records Administration.

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