Murder in Henderson.
Mr. J.T. Henry, of Henderson county, while chastising a free negro named Abe Revels, on the 22d ult., was stabbed twice, and died the next day. The negro has been lodged in Jail in Hendersonville, to await his trial.
Asheville News, 6 August 1857.
KIDNAPPER ARRESTED.
Mr. James Franklin, a blind man, and a resident of Columbia, S.C., was arrested in this city yesterday, having been detected in endeavoring to sell a free negro into bondage. It appears that Franklin, about a week ago, went to Charlotte, N.C., where he made it known that he wished to hire a free negro to go with him and take care of him on a trip to the Virginia Springs. Harmon Proctor, a free negro, was recommended, and accepted the position. Franklin, having made his arrangements, went from Charlotte to Richmond, Va., when he changed his destination, and shortly after left for Greenville, Tennessee, where he has a brother living. After remaining there a few days, Franklin went to Louisville, and thence to Cincinnati, where he chanced to meet a free negro named A.W. Thompson, whom he engaged to accompany him to New Orleans, at which point it was understood that he intended to send Proctor home, taking Thompson for his body servant. In getting as far as Vicksburg, however, Thompson (who is a very bright mulatto, and a fellow of much shrewdness) learned of the disabilities imposed on free negroes by the laws of Louisiana, and prevailed upon Mr Franklin to return, which he did on the Edward J. Gay, which reached here on yesterday afternoon. While the Gay was discharging freight, Thompson prevailed upon Franklin to stop in Memphis for a day or two, and shortly after they made an attempt to sell Harmon Proctor as a slave. Proctor discovered what they were about after they had got him to the slave-dealer’s mart, and showed to the proposed purchaser the evidence of his freedom, which being shown to Mr Franklin, he immediately tore up and destroyed in the presence of the slave-dealer. These facts coming to the knowledge of the officers, the kidnappers, James Franklin (white) and A.W. Thompson (colored), were lodged in jail to await trial, as well also the negro whom they attempted to sell.
James Franklin is said to be a man of means living in Columbia, S.C., and a little fast in his expenditures for a blind man. It is supposed that the wily Cincinnati free negro first conceived the idea of selling Harmon Proctor into slavery, and then inveigled Franklin into it. Fortunately they are all in jail, and the guilty party will be made to suffer the full penalty of the law. – Memphis Enquirer.
The Charlotte Democrat, 9 October 1860.
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In the 1850 census of Cleveland County, Harmon Proctor, 18, in the household of white farmer William H. Cabaniss.
On 22 December 1856, Hermon Proctor married Anny Freeman. Rowan County Marriage Records.
FATAL ACCIDENT.
A free negro man named Shadrack Manly, employed as a fireman on board of the Rail Road train for 8 or 10 years, was knocked off from the Locomotive, on Saturday afternoon, by striking against a post of the county bridge that runs across the Road, about 200 yards above the Depot. He was standing with one foot on the brake, and leaning over, when the accident happened. He fell under the wheels, which run over his face and killed him instantly. – The Coroners’ jury brought in a verdict in accordance with the above facts.
Weekly Commercial (Wilmington), 20 July 1849.
SENTENCED TO BE HANGED. — At Wake Superior Court last week, John Locklear, a free negro, convicted of burglary, was sentenced to be hanged on the 16th of May, but was recommended to the mercy of the Governor by the Jury and the members of the Bar.
Asheville News, 1 May 1856.
STOKES COUNTY COURT.
…
… On Wednesday there was a case which excited considerable interest, the case of the State vs. Enoch Going. The State was represented by Mr. Solicitor Masten, and Going was defended by J.R. McLean and A.H. Joyce, Esquires. This was an indictment against the said defendant, who was charged in the bill as being a free negro, for migrating into this State from Virginia, contrary to our Act of Assembly. The defendant, through his counsel, denied that he is a free negro, and alleged that he is of Indian extraction. The Jury, on the testimony before them, acquitted him.
On the same day, Rowan Stewart and Harston Stewart, free negroes and brothers, were arraigned on a charge of having gambled with a slave, Calvin, the property of Alexander Martin. The State was assisted by J.R. McLean, Esq., and Mr. Morehead appeared for the defendants. The testimony showed that the free negroes and slaves played at a game of cards on the Sabbath day and directly on the side of a public road; that the three had liquor and were drinking; and that, after they were discovered by the witness, much abusive language passed between them, and that this ended in a fight. It was an aggravated case. The defendants submitted to a verdict of guilty and endeavored to beg; but the court, and very properly too, sentenced them to thirty-nine lashes each, a fine of $20 a piece,and to be hired out for the cost and fines, if not secured. These, however, were secured.
The Greensboro Times, 24 March 1860.
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In the 1850 census of Stokes County, Harston Stewart, 15, in the household of white farmer Hugh Martin.
Inquest. — On Friday last, Mr. Frederick Moore, Coroner, held an inquest on the body of a free colored man named William Blalock, of Robeson County, who was found dead on the evening previous, about four miles from town on the Rockfish Factory Road. It appeared that he had fallen from his cart in a state of intoxication, and that the wheel had passed upon his neck, and whilst in that position the ox stopped, leaving the wheel resting on his neck. Verdict accordingly. — Fayetteville Obs.
The Greensboro Patriot, 9 December 1843.
Five Cents Reward.
RANAWAY from the subscriber, a few weeks since, an indented Apprentice by the name of EPHRAIM BURNETT; he is a dark complected colored boy, 15 to 16 years of age. Whoever will apprehend and deliver the said Boy to me in Fayetteville, shall be entitled to the above reward, but no thanks or charges. All persons are forbid harboring or employing him in any manner whatever. JAMES BAKER. September 8, 1834.
Fayetteville Weekly Observer, 23 December 1834.
FIVE DOLLARS REWARD.
RANAWAY from the Subscriber on the 17th of October last, a colored Boy named THOMAS WALDEN, about eight years old. I understand said boy is about Donald Street’s, in Moore county. I will give the above reward for his delivery to me at Emerson’s Tan Yard, Chatham county. Said boy was bound to me by the County Court, I therefore forewarn all persons from harboring him, as I intend to enforce the law against the aggressor. DANIEL CAMPBELL. October 23rd, 1841.
Fayetteville Weekly Observer, 3 November 1841.
RUNAWAY
From the Subscriber on the 5th inst., an indentured colored boy named JIM WESLEY, about 15 years old. He is a bright mulatto, and has a downcast look when spoken to. Persons are cautioned against harboring or employing him. Anyone arresting the boy and returning him to me at Fayetteville will be liberally rewarded. DAVID McDUFFIE. July 28th, 1855.
The North-Carolinian (Fayetteville), 4 August 1855.
NOTICE.
The Subscriber having associated himself in business with his son Matthew, the business will hereafter be conducted under the name and style of M.N. Leary & Son.
The undersigned, thankful for the liberal patronage hitherto extended to him, respectfully solicits a continuation of the same in behalf of the new Firm.
All those indebted to the undersigned, either by debt or account, are earnestly requested to settle the same as early as possible. M.N. LEARY, Fayetteville, June 2, 1852.
Fayetteville Semi-Weekly Observer, 22 July 1852.
Fourth Generation Inclusive 