Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color
December 16, 2012

Two lots in the town of Goldsboro.

This Indenture made & entered into the 23rd day of August 1847 by and between William K. Lane of the County of Wayne & State of North Carolina of the one part and James King Free man of Color of the other part.  Witness that the Said William K. Lane for & in consideration of the Sum of Forty Dollars to him in hand paid at and before the sealing & delivery of these presents the receipt and payment whereof is hereby acknowledged and from the further payment whereof the said William K. Lane will by these presents forever acquit release & discharge the Said James King his Executors Admin & assigns.  The said William K. Lane hath given granted bargained & sold & will by these presents give grant bargain & sell unto the Said James King his heirs and assigns forever two Lotts in the Town of Goldsboro & known in the plan of Said Town as No. 74 & 75 To have & to holds said lott with all and Singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appurtaning to him the said James King his heirs, & assigns forever & I the Said William K. Lane will Warrant & forever defend the right & title free & clear from the lawfull claims of all perosns whatsoever to him the Said James King his heirs & assigns forever

In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & year above written   /s/ Wm K Lane

Signed sealed & delivered in presense of us  Rufus Edmundson, O Coor

Wayne County May Term 1848 then was the above deed of sale from Wm K. Lane to Jas King duly moved in open court by the oath of Ollen Coor a subscribing witness & ordered to be made registered  /s/ Jno A Green Clk

Recorded in the Registers office of Wayne County the 9th of Aug’t 1848 is Liber V page 80   /s/R. Hooks, Reg’r

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December 15, 2012

He has a wife, a free woman.

$50 REWARD.  ABSCONDED about the last of October, from the subscriber, at that time residing in Stokes County, N. Carolina, my Negro man COLEMAN, about 27 and 28 years of age, and of a very bright complexion.  He is a Shoemaker by trade, has a very bushy head of hair, a thin visage, is spare built and weighs from 135 to 140 pounds.  He has a very large scar on one of his legs near the ankle, believed to be on the right leg, also a scar on each arm just below the elbow occasioned by a burn.  His heels have been frosted, which injury has left scars upon them.  Coleman has a wife (a free woman) near Blakeley, N. Carolina, and it is probable that he may be in that direction, although many persons believe that he was decoyed off by a white man, named Joshua Young, who left the neighborhood about the same time for Indiana.  I will give a reward of Fifty Dollars to any one who will deliver Coleman to me near Brook Neal in Campbell County Va. or will confine him in jail, so that I get him in my possession.   RICHARD OVERSTREET.  Brook Neal, Campbell cty, Va. December 21, 1838

Carolina Watchman, Salisbury, 24 January 1840. NC Newspaper Digitization Project, North Carolina State Archives Historic Newspaper Archive.


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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 14, 2012

Free-Issue Death Certificates: MISCELLANEOUS, no. 4.

Frances Diggs.  Died 22 April 1927, Nahunta, Wayne County. Colored. Widow of William Diggs.  Age 85. Born Wayne County to Jim Yelverton and Elizah Artis. Informant, Elijah Diggs.

Delilah Exum. Died 18 July 1934, Nahunta, Wayne County. Colored. Widow of Simon Exum. 87 years old. Born Wayne County to Solomon Artis and Lovicy Anderson.

N.B.: In fact, Delilah Exum’s parents were Solomon Williams and Vicey Artis.  She was a sister of Adam T. Artis.

Washington Lane. Died 26 Feb 1934, Goldsboro, Wayne County. Resided 703 E. Elm Street. Colored. Widower. Age 80. Born Greene County to Gui Lane and Silvernane Artis. Buried Fields cemetery.  Informant, Ana Sauls.

In Bull Head, Greene County: Dannel,17, Mike, 13, Penney, 12, Dyner, 9, Juley, 7, and Washington Artes, 5, listed in the household of white farmer John Lane.  

Ann Liza Manuel.  Died 29 March 1925, Dudley, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Widow of Alvin Manuel. Born 1841, Sampson County to Raiford Brewington and Basheba Brewington, both of Sampson County. Informant, Randolph Winn.

In the 1850 census of Northern District, Sampson County: Raiford Brewington, 38, cooper; wife Barsheba, 33; and children Nancy, 13, Thomas, 10, Lucy, 9, Ann, 7, James, 5, Hardy, 3, Joshua, 2, and Raiford, 2 months; plus Hardy Manuel, 17; all mulatto.

Mikel Manuel.  Died 5 April 1922, Dudley, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Widower of Annie Manuel. Age 85. Born Sampson County to unknown parents. Informant, Ashley Manuel.

In the 1850 census of Northern District, Sampson County: Michael Manuel, 63, cooper; wife Fereby, 49; and children Gideon, 19, Cintilla, 16, Drusilla, 15, Michael, 13, Eden, 11, John, 9, William, 7, Enoch, 4, and Nancy, 1; all described as mulatto.

Nancy Seabury.  Died 26 July 1914, Goldsboro, Wayne County. Colored. Widow of Archie Powell. Born 1834, Johnston County, to unknown parents. Informant, Nelson Seabury.

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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 13, 2012

Free People of Color Listed in Mortality Schedule: 1860.

Emily Reed, 11, female, mulatto, Indian Springs, born NC, died July, worms, Wayne County.

Oma Whiter, 13, female, black, New Hope, born NC, died August, unknown causes, Wayne County.

Sarah Lasiter, 2 months, female, black, born NC, died November, smothered accident, Wilson County.

Jesse Ratley, 75, male, black, widower, born NC, died January, ditcher, f[illegible] intemperance, Franklin County.

Wesley Wilkins, 21, male, black, single, born NC, died April, farm laborer, pneumonia, Nash County.

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December 13, 2012

A case of kidnapping.

A CASE OF KIDNAPPING. – A few weeks ago there came to Smithville, in Brunswick county, from Moore county, three white men, whose names are Alex. McLeod, Joseph Crawley, and _____ Crawley, bringing with them a free, bright mulatto woman, named Katy Chavers, and her three children, the oldest not being over five years of age.  The woman was brought there, as she said, for the pretended purpose of keeping house for the man.  Shortly after their arrival, the men managed to get the woman drunk, and whilst she was in that state, they took the three children and put off with them for Charleston, on board one of the Steamers.  At Charleston they were arrested, having remained there until the Steamer hence of the next day carried on the intelligence of their villainy.  They got clear from the arrest, however (in what way we never understood.) when Joseph Crawley took the children and went on by the way of the Rail Road to Augusta.  Arriving there, he was confronted with a hand-bill of particulars which had been dispatched South by a gentleman of Smithville immediately upon the men’s leaving there with the children.  He was placed in jail at Augusta, and now awaits the requisition of the Governor of this State, which will be made doubtless as soon as the Grand Jury of Brunswick shall return a bill of indictment.  There will be no Court in Brunswick until the first Monday in June. The woman was sent from Smithville to Augusta, to rejoin her children, who had been kindly taken care of there. Wil. Chronicle

Carolina Watchman, 14 May 1847. NC Newspaper Digitization Project, North Carolina State Archives Historic Newspaper Archive.

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December 12, 2012

Navy deserter.

DESERTED, from the U.S. Gun boat No. 150 ELIJAH BRENT, alias WILLIAMS a dark mulatto man about 5 feet, 5 or 6 inches high much pitted with the small pock, walks erect about 22 or 23 years of age slow of speech –  hails from Charleston where he says his mother and relations reside.  Ten dollars Reward will be given to any person who will take up said deserter and deliver him to any Officer of the U.S. or place him in jail.  T.N. GAUTIER, commanding Naval Officer.  July 24 – tf. 

Wilmington Gazette, 2 Oct 1813, NC Newspaper Digitation Project, North Carolina State Archives Historic Newspaper Archive.

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December 10, 2012

Surnames: Bertie County, 1850.

ASH/ASHE, BAILEY, BAKER, BARTLET, BARTLEY, BEELLE, BELL, BIRD, BOON, BRABOY, CANDA, CHURCH, COMER, DEMPSY, EARLEY, FLOOD, FREEMAN, GOOLD, GREEN, HARRIS, HASSEL, HOGGARD, JAMES, JEANES, KENNAHORN, LANE, LOVE, MANLY, MCDANIEL, MELTON, MITCHAM, MOBLIN, MORGAN, OVINGTON, PETERSON, POLK, POWELL, PRICE, PUGH, REID, ROBBINS, RUNNELS, SANDERLINE, SANDERS, SANDY, THOMPSON, WARD, WATERMAN, WEAVER, WIGGINS, WILDER, WIMBURN/WINBURN and WYATT.

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December 10, 2012

Free-Issue Death Certificates: NC-Born Michiganders, no. 2.

Mary Allen.  Died 26 Nov 1876, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Black. Married. Born about 1791 in NC to John and Mary Oxyndine.

Alexander Bass. Died 26 July 1900, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Married at age 17.  Parent of 11 children.  Born 14 Dec 1819 in NC to Joseph Bass and Temperance Chavous, both of NC. Buried Bethel cemetery.  Informant, M. Bass, Day, Michigan.

Irena Higgins.  Died 20 Oct 1919, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Widow. Age 75 years, 11 months. Born in NC to Alexander Bass and Clarkey Wilson, both of NC. Buried Mount Zion cemetery.  Informant, Augusta Aurelia Higgins, Cassopolis.

In the 1850 census of Salt Creek, Franklin County, Indiana: Alexander Bass, 25, born NC; wife Clica, 27; and children Lucinda, 12; Delilah, 10; Aurora, 6; Smith, 4; and Ezekiel, 5 mos.  Clica and the children were born in SC, except the baby, born in Indiana.

Zipporah Boone.  Died 9 Dec 1908, Niles, Berrien, Michigan. Widowed.  Black. Born about 1844 in NC to Wyatt Manuel.

In the 1850 census of Northern District of Sampson County: Wiat Manuel, 40; wife Charlotte, 33; children Marshal, 16, Martha, 13, Thomas, 12, Alman, 10, Mary, 8, Sophoy, 6, Kilby, 3, and Efferson, 2 months.  In the 1860 census of Linton, Vigo County, Indiana:  Wyatt Manuel, 50, wife Charlotte, 43, and children Allman, 20, Zilphaah, 16, Kilby, 14, Efferson, 10, Silvany, 8, Oskin, 5, Whitfield, 2, and Statford, 2 months. The last four children were born in Indiana; the others in NC.

Clarenda Goens. Died 4 March 1908, Covert, Van Buren County, Michigan. Mulatto. Married first at age 22. Parents of 7 children; 5 living. Born 5 May 1835, in Vigo County IN to Wiley  Walden and Sarah Wilson, both of NC. Buried in Covert.  Informant, W.S. Walden.

In the 1850 census of Otter Creek, Vigo County, Indiana: Wiley Walden, 40, Sarah, 36, Milton, 17, Carolina, 14, Clarkson, 12, Thomas E., 10, Ann, 9, Nancy A., 9, Fanny, 7, John F., 3, Winfield, 1.

Clarenda Walden married Stephen Goins, 30 Dec 1858, Vigo County Indiana.

Jordon P. Hunt.  Died 15 July 1911, Buchanan. Berrier County, Michigan.  Colored.  Widower. Laborer. Born July 1840, North Carolina to Daniel Hunt and unknown mother.  Buried Miles, Michigan. Informant, Victor Prophet.

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