Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Category: Petitions

Carter applies for Confederate pension.

SOLDIER’S APPLICATION FOR PENSION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF WARREN  }

On this 16 day of May, A.D. 1927, personally appeared before me John D. Newell, C.S.C. in and for the State and County aforesaid, Hawkins W. Carter, age 87 years, and a resident at Warrenton post-office, in said County and State, and who, being duly sworn, makes the following declaration in order to obtain the pension under the provisions of an act entitled “An act to amend and consolidate the pension laws of the State of North Carolina,“ ratified March 8, 1921: That he is the identical Hawkins W. Carter (Colored), who went with who enlisted in Co. C-46, Reg., N.C. State Troops, as servant on or about [blank] day of [blank], 1861, to serve in the armies of the late Confederate States, and that while in service at [blank] in the State of [blank], on or about [blank] day of [blank], [blank], he received a wound or wounds, etc. [description] First went to Newbern, N.C. throwing up breastworks. Then went with Stephen W. Jones to Goldsboro, N.C., then to Richmond, Va., where we fought 7 days; and then remained in Army until War Ended. Was at battle Wilderness. I waited on white soldiers – cook, baggage and etc. I was not wounded; but am 87 and can not work; any at all.

He further states:

That he is, and has been for twelve months immediately preceding this Application for Pension, a bona fide resident of North Carolina;

That he holds no office under the United States, or any State or County, from which he is receiving the sum of three hundred dollars as fees or as salary annually;

That he is not worth in his own right, or the right of his wife, property at its assessed value for taxation to the amount of two thousand dollars ($2,000), nor has he disposed of property of such value by gift or voluntary conveyance since the 11th of March, 1885;

That he is not receiving any aid from the State of North Carolina or under any other statue providing for the relief of the maimed and blind soldiers of the State.   /s/ Hawkins W. Carter

Sworn and subscribed to before me, this 16 day of May, 1927.  /s/ John D. Newell.

Also personally appeared before me John W. Allen, Commander John White Camp Old Vetran, who resides at Warrenton, N.C. postoffice, in said County and State, a person whom I know to be respectable and entitled to credit, and being by me duly sworn, says he acquainted with Hawkins W. Carter, the applicant for pension, and has every reason to believe that he is the identical person he represents himself to be, and that the facts set forth in this affidavit are correct to the best of his knowledge and belief, and that he has no interest, direct or indirect, in this claim. /s/ John W. Allen

Sworn and subscribed to before me, this 16 day of May, 1927.  /s/ John D. Newell

[Approved 16 October 1927]

From the file of Hawkins W. Carter; North Carolina, Confederate Soldiers and Widows Pension Applications, 1885-1953; http://FamilySearch.org. Original, North Carolina State Archives.

Never guilty of any action to forfeit his freedom.

State of North Carolina, Craven County } To the Worshipfull, the Justices of Craven County

The Petition of James Manly an Indian humbly represents to your Honor that he was free born at Edenton and that he never has been Guilty of any Action by which his Freedom can be forfeited by any of the Laws of this or any other of the United States.

Your Petitioner further begs leave to inform your Worships that he has lived some Time past at Broad Creek and that on or about the [blank] Day of [blank] a Certain John Garland came to the dwelling House of the said James Manly and forcibly drove him away and sold him as a Slave to Colonel Levi Dawson for the Consideration of one hundred pounds Specie. Wherefore as your Petitioner is a Subject of this States; and under the present happy Constitution humbly moves that this worshipfull Court will pass an Order for liberating or Setting him free from the service of Colonel Levi Dawson aforesaid and restore him to his Freedom And as in Duty bound your Petitioner will ever pray.    Jas. Cooke Atty. For the Petitioner.

[On back.] James Manlys Petition  December Term 1782. James Gatlin & Levi Dawson  Read and Granted The Petitioner set Free   Chrisr. Neales C.C.

Miscellaneous Records 1757-1929, Craven County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

Caesar applies for Confederate pension.

SOLDIER’S APPLICATION FOR PENSION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF SURRY  }

On this 2 day of July, A.D. 1917, personally appeared before me A.L. Sparger J.P., in and for the State and County aforesaid, Phillip Ceaser, age 90 years, and a resident at Mt. Airy post-office, in said County and State, and who, being duly sworn, makes the following declaration in order to obtain the pension under the provisions of an act entitled “An act for the relief of certain Confederate Soldiers, Sailors and Widows,” ratified March 8, 1907; that he is the identical Phillip Ceasar who enlisted in Co. A, Reg., N.C. State Troops, on or about 1 day of May, 1864, to serve in the armies of the late Confederate States, and that while in service at Fort Caswell in the State of N.C., on or about 15th day of Nov, 1864, he received a wound or wounds, etc. [description] from which wound a fistula resulted.

He further states:

That he is, and has been for twelve months immediately preceding this Application for Pension, a bona fide resident of North Carolina;

That he holds no office under the United States, or any State or County, from which he is receiving the sum of three hundred dollars as fees or as salary annually;

That he is not worth in his own right, or the right of his wife, property at its assessed value for taxation to the amount of five hundred dollars ($500), or has he disposed of property of such value by gift or voluntary conveyance since the 11th of March, 1885;

That he is not receiving any aid from the State of North Carolina or under any other statue providing for the relief of the maimed and blind soldiers of the State.   Phillip X Ceaser

Sworn and subscribed to before me, this 2 day of July, 1917.  A.L. Spanger, J.P.

Also personally appeared before me J.A. Adams, who resides at Dobson post-office, in said County and State, a person whom I know to be respectable and entitled to credit, and being by me duly sworn, says he acquainted with Phillip Ceaser, the applicant for pension, and has every reason to believe that he is the identical person he represents himself to be, and that the facts set forth in this affidavit are correct to the best of his knowledge and belief, and that he has no interest, direct or indirect, in this claim. J.A. Adams.

Sworn and subscribed to before me, this 2 day of July, 1917A.L. Spanger, J.P.

———-

State of North Carolina, Surry County} Office of County Board of Pensions

To the State Board of Pensions

The attached application of one Phillip Cesar who makes application for an allowance as pensioner for services rendered the Confederate States during the Civil War in building fortifications at the time the services were rendered he was one of the old issue of free negroes we find no law for allowing him a pension. We simply recommend the allowance as a 4th class pension, and if the claim is not allowable by your board you know what disposition to make of it.  J.G. Burns Chairman, S.C. Franklin, R.S. Folger

From the file of Phillip Caesar; North Carolina, Confederate Soldiers and Widows Pension Applications, 1885-1953; http://FamilySearch.org. Original, North Carolina State Archives.

In the 1860 census of Mount Airy, Surry County: Philip Ceaser, 23, wife Jane, 20, and daughter Sarah, 6 months.

Negroes and mulattoes who infest and annoy.

Mr. Speaker & Gentlemen of the House of Assembly.

I send herewith for the consideration, a representation of Mr. Archibald McKissak, a Magistrate of the County of Bladen, relative to the number of free Negroes and Mulattoes, who infest that County and annoy its inhabitants.

New Bern. December 18th. 1773.   Jo. Martin

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A List of the Rogues

A List of the Mob Raitously Asembled together In Bladen Countey October 13th 1773

1. Captain James Ivey  2. Joseph Ivey  3. Ephraim Sweat  4. William Chavours Clark Commonly Called Boson Chevers  5. Richd Groom  6. Bengman Dees  7. Willm. Sweat  8. George Sweat  9. Bengamin Sweat  10. Willm. Groom Senr.  11. Willm. Groom Junr.  12. Gidion Grant  13. Thos. Groom  14. James Pace  15. Isaac Vaun  16. [torn] Stapbleton  17. Edward Lockelear  18. Tidy Lockelear

Harbourers of the Rogues As follows Major Lockelear, Recher Groom, Ester Cairsey

The Above List of Rogues is all Free Negors and Mullatus living upon the Kings Land

Governors Message Informing the House of a Number of free Negroes &c., Annoying the Inhabints of Bladen 1773.

General Assembly Sessions Records, December 1773, Box 6, North Carolina State Archives.

They ran off and was married in an old field.

State of North Carolina, Halifax County    }  On this 20th day of May, 1846, personally appeared before me Lemuel P. Johnston an acting Justice of the Peace in and for the County aforesaid, Mrs. Winaford Holley, a resident of said County and State, aged eighty eight years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, certify that She was an eye witness to the marriage of Drury Walden to his wife Elizabeth, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Harriss; that they ran away and was married some time in the year (1780) Seventeen hundred and eighty (she well remembers) in an old field a little from the Road, in the County of Northampton North Carolina, by Herbert Harris, who was, at that time, an acting Magistrate in Said County of Northampton; and that the said Drury and wife (after their intermarriage) took supper that evening, at her Winaford Holley’s Mother’s House. That she well recollects, that at the time of the aforesaid Marriage (To Wit) in the year (1780) her husband Jesse Holley, was then a soldier in the army.

She further certifies that upon her oath, that the said Drury Walden’s family, and his wife, the aforesaid Elizabeth’s family, were at (the time of their intermarriage,) living within an half Mile of her Mother’s house; and that she very well remembers, that the aforesaid Drury Walden, did serve one, and she believes two tours in the Army of the Revolution, after he intermarried with the aforesaid Elizabeth Harriss, for all of the above named families, were living at the same places, that they were, at the time of the aforesaid marriage, when the said Drury Walden returned home, from the service; and that she saw him, when he arrived at home from the said service.   Winafred X Holley

Sworn to and subscribed on the say and year above written before me  L.P. Johnston

She thinks this a great hardship.

To the worshipful Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Brunswick County

The Petition of Temperance Chavers humbly sheweth that she has raised two Boys Billy and Elick from their birth to the present time with much difficulty trouble & expence and that just as they are Beginning to remunerate her by plowing & other services She is threatened with their being bound out which She thinks a Great hardship but if the law of the State required She humbly beseeches that they may be bound to Geni: Smith in whose justice to raise them properly and have them taught useful Trades She can Confide – Your worships granting this will be an alleviation to her Distress & She as in duty bound will ever pray &ca:  Temperance X Chavers    Jan: 27th: 1810

Witness Ben. B. Smith

Apprentice Bonds and Records, Brunswick County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

Woman, stolen, asks for support in old age.

Headquarters Bureau Refugee Freedmen and Abandoned Lands SC

Charleston SC Aug. 11th 1866

Major General O. O. Howard

Commissioner

General:

I have the honor to present the case of Mary Richardson an aged half breed now living in Manningsville this state.

She states that when she was about thirteen years of age and living with her parents in a village in North Carolina the name of which she has forgotten she was sent to a slave for articles and while there a stranger named Jacob Whitehead immediately caught her and placing her on a saddle with him carried her away against her will, riding all day and night crossing into SC, sleeping in the woods days and riding nights, in this manner until they arrived at his home in Manningsville SC. That Jacob Whitehead kept her as a servant in his house until she arrived at the age of puberty when he kept her as his mistress with the knowledge of his wife. After living with him for about seven years, she had a son born of him and the wife took charge of the child. 

About ten years after the child was born the father Whitehead tried to sell her at auction in Charleston City SC but was unable to do so, she being free born of Indian parents and Whitehead being unable to show title.

Eight or ten years after this went the wife of Whitehead died and she (Mary) and Mr. W. were quarreling continually, and by some arrangement she was transferred to a Mr. John Reams of Manningsville, with whom she lived as a slave until Gen. Sherman went through.

She orates that her son is still living a man grown on the Santee River this state, but she has not seen him for many years nor has she heard anything of her parents since she was kidnapped. All of her repeated effort to learn of them and to tell them of her fate being intercepted before she began to grow old, by the post masters and others who were relatives and friends of Mr. Whitehead. After Mr. Whitehead sold or transferred her to Reams he married a second wife: Mr. W. died during the war and his widow now lives on the estate at Manningsville as does Nath’ Whitehead the son of the first wife of Jacob Whitehead.

She now asks that some measures may be taken to secure to her from Jacob Whitehead’s estate means of support in her old age as also to the son she had by Whitehead his just position and standing among his people.

I am General, very respectfully, your Obd. Servant

Brevet Major General, Asst. Com. SC

Records of Assistant Commissioner of the State of South Carolina; Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands; National Archives Microfilm Publication M869.

Competition? Drive it out.

The Mechanics of Washington, N.C., have formed an association, and published resolutions declaring that hereafter they will not give employment to any negro mechanic, or learn any negro boy a trade. They condemn the practice of masters letting slaves hire their own time. They refer to the influx of free negroes from Virginia, driven out by the laws of that State; and they express a determination to petition the Legislature of North Carolina to pass a similar act, or tax free negroes to raise a fund to send them to Africa. – North Carolinian.

Carolina Watchman, 15 August 1850.

 

A faithful and affectionate husband.

To the worshipful the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the County of Warren. The memorial of Mouring Ivins humbly representing sheweth unto your worships —  that your memorialist is a free person of colour residing in the County aforesaid — that she early in life marryed and connected herself with a negro man that the property of William West — that by him she has eight children — that sometime in the year 1804 your memorialist by her sole care and industry accumalated money enough to purchase her said husband Nat of his then proprietor William West aforesaid and accordingly received from the said William West a Bill of sale which is of record, transfering to her your memorialist the absolute right & title to the said Negro Nat — your memorialist further states that the said Negro man Nat has ever conducted himself towards her as a faithful and affectionate husband — that in all circumstances as well in sickness and in health he has manifested to your memorialist & her children the most unceasing care & solitude — that by his industry & attention he has enabled your memorialist to support her children free from want and as respectably as any persons in their condition — your memorialist in consideration of the premiss and test upon the death of your memorialist the said negro man Nat should by the policy of the State or her children & their representatives be reduced unto a state of slavery prays that your worshipful body will free & emancipate the said Nat by the name of Nathaniel Ivins & your memorialist as in duty will ever pray

To Mr. Nathaniel Macon

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To the honorabell gentel men whome this may cum befor — there is a negro man by the name of Natt which said negro I ras’d from a childe until I solde him to Mouring Ivins and she the said Ivins has a disior all togeather to set him free if yor Honner gentel men pleas to take it in to consideraticion I will enform you on my honner the correcton of said negro Natt as wel as I can — he is a engenias hand and common about a plantaticion or as you genrally find and an extrodonary shue maker and verry endusstrus and while he lieved with me I entrusted abundance of buisness in his hands and he proformd his duty verry faithfully to me — so that I entended to sett him free at my deth but his haveing a free wife and childrean I solde him to her for butt trifeling — I am gentelmen your frend — given under my hand this 23rd day of august 1806     William West          

To Mr Nathanial Macon & other gentelmen &c in Warren County North Carolina

Nathaniel Macon Papers, Private Collections, North Carolina State Archives.

Nathaniel Macon (1758-1837) was a United States representative from North Carolina, 1791-1815; speaker of the House of Representatives, 1801-1807; United States senator, 1815-1828; president pro tem of the Senate, 1826-1828; and trustee of the University of North Carolina.

He deserves a gun.

Agreeably to an act of Assembly passed during the session of 1840-41 Chapter XXX. Hilary Coor free man of color petitions the worshipful Court of pleas and Quarter sessions for license to use a gun for one year from the date hereof.  August 17, 1841

We recommend Hilary Coor as deserving the benefit of the act cited above.

John G. Eliot, J. Martin, Harris Barfield, M.G. Harrell, Saml. Flowers, L. Cogdell, John Manly, Aaron Martin

Records of Slaves and Free Persons of Color, Wayne County Miscellaneous Records, North Carolina State Archives.

[Sidenote: According to the 1850 census, Coor (who was also known Hillary Croom)’s supporters were a collection of farmers and one school teacher, Eliot. Coor/Croom named Eliot as the executor of his 1843 will, which requested that Eliot free Croom’s wife Hannah and their children Charles, Ann and Tempie.  Lewis Cogdell, J. Martin, David Cogdell and Daniel Cogdell witnessed the will. In 1850, Hillery Crooms headed a household on the south side of the Neuse that included children Annie, 14, Charles, 12, Tempy, 10, and John, 9, as well as two slaves, one of which may have been his wife. Two years later, he filed a petition with the North Carolina legislature seeking to bring his freed wife and children back into the state. — LYH]