Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color
May 21, 2013

United States Colored Troops, no. 12.

14 H. Art’y. U.S.C.T. Hampton Reynolds. Co. A, 14 H. Art’y. U.S.C.T. Reg’t. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 38 years; height, 6 feet 0 inches; complexion, black; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Hertford County, NC; occupation, laborer. Enlistment: when, 2 Aug 1864; where, New Bern; by whom: W.H. Wrigley; term, 3 years. Remarks: Appointed Corp, July 25, ‘65.

38 U.S.C.T. Preston Weaver. Co. G, 38 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 22 years; height, 5 feet 7 inches; complexion, “D.K.”; eyes, grey; hair, black; where born, Hertford County, NC; occupation, laborer. Enlistment: when, 23 July 1864; where, Norfolk VA; by whom: Lt. A. Roberts; term, 3 years.  Remarks: “Promoted to corporal – date unknown – Died in Post Hosp Aug 30 1865”

5 U.S.C.T. Ira Wyatt. Co. H, 5 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. appears on Company Descriptive Book of the organization named above. Description: age, 32 years; height, 5 feet 7 inches; complexion, mulatto; eyes, black; hair, black; where born, Hartford County, NC; occupation, farmer. Enlistment: when, 15 August 1863; where, Circleville OH; term, 3 years.  Remarks: “Transferred from Co ‘D’  October 18 1863 Died on furlough at Circleville Ohio December 9 1863”

11 H. Art’y. U.S.C.T. Isiah Dove. Co. B, 11 Reg’t U.S. Col’d Inf. 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 RI; by whom: Capt. Simon; term, 3 years. 

Combined Military Service Records of Volunteer Union Soldiers, National Archives and Records Administration; federal population schedules.

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May 21, 2013

John & Delphia Taylor Locus.

ImageMARTIN JOHN LOCUS (1843-1926) and DELPHIA TAYLOR LOCUS (1850-1923). Martin was the son of Martin Locus and Eliza Brantley Locus of southeastern Nash and later western Wilson County. Delphia was the daughter of Dempsey Taylor and Eliza Pace Taylor of northern Nash County.

In the 1860 census of Winsteads, Nash County: Dempsey Taylor, 46, wife Liza, 44, and children Margaret A.W., 10, Delphia A., 10, Rildy A.R., 8, and Joel R., 6.

John Locus. Died 22 December 1926, Taylors, Wilson County. Colored. Widower. Farmer.  Age 83 years, 4 months, 19 days. Born Wilson County to unknown father and Eliza Locus of Nash County.  Buried family cemetery, Wilson County. Informant, John Locus Jr., Wilson County.

[Hat tip to Europe Ahmad Farmer.]

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May 20, 2013

Free Colored Slaveowners, Beaufort County, 1830.

In Washington district: Hull Anderson, 4 slaves; Jos. Bonner, 2; Edme Brown, 1; Betsy Walker, 3; Church Moore, 2; John Brown, 2; Clarrissa Newton, 4; Abram M. Moore, 1; Eli Moore, 3; Easter Moore, 1.

In North Creek Town district: Thos. Walker, 4; Thos. Bowen, 2.

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May 19, 2013

A wealthy and worthy colored citizen.

Napoleon Hagans, a wealthy and worthy colored citizen, died Monday night.  He will be greatly missed by the entire community.

Headlight, Goldsboro, 27 Aug 1896.

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May 19, 2013

To emancipate certain negroes.

LIST OF ACTS Passed by the General Assembly of North-Carolina, at their late Session.

PRIVATE ACTS.

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14. An act to confirm the claims to freedom of Kitty, the wife of John Carruthers Stanly, and of Eunice Carruthers Stanly, Kitty Green Stanly, and Alexander Stewart Stanly.

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16. An act to emancipate and set free certain negroes formerly the property of Alexander Worke, late of Iredell county.

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33. An act to emancipate David, the property of Thomas Trotter, of Washington county.

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54. To emancipate Ben, a man of colour of Hertford county.

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Star, Raleigh, 28 December 1809.

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May 19, 2013

Surnames: Davie County, 1850.

The following surnames are found among free people of color in Davie County in the 1850 federal census: ANTONY, BASS, BENSON, BOWERS, BRINTLE, BROWN, BURROW, CHAMPLIN, CUPER, ELVERSON, FRY, GRIMES, HOSTLER, JOHNSON, JONES, KEMP, KENT, KING, LIVERMAN, KEPLER, MUMFORD, NICHOLS, RUSSEL, SCOTT, SEARS, SOUTHERLAND, SPARKS and VALENTINE.

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May 19, 2013

I do not find many colored men engaged as chiropodists.

ImageDr. Jared Carey, Chiropodist and Manicure, is a very interesting character. My attention was called to him while lecturing in Cincinnati. He is a native of North Carolina, but left his native State before the war, coming to Ohio with some Quakers and free colored people. In his early life he worked on a farm and engaged in all kinds of hard work, and many a month got as pay only $6.00, which in those days was considered large wages for a farm hand.

Dr. Carey had a great desire to travel and took up the profession of Chiropody in order that he might better his own condition and in his profession visit some of the larger cities, which he did in both the United States and Canada. I do not find many colored men engaged as Chiropodists, and none that I have met are as well prepared to do the work as Dr. Carey. He has several rooms handsomely fitted up for his work at 43 Arcade, up-stairs, Cincinnati, Ohio. Dr. Carey gives employment to at least six people all the time. His patrons are among the best people in Cincinnati. In addition to his regular work he has written a book on Chiropody and Manicure. For quite a number of years he has, in connection with his profession, conducted a school of Chiropody, and quite a number of his pupils are engaged in their profession in other large cities. Dr. Carey is assisted in his work by his wife, who is quite an expert at both Chiropody and Manicure. She is a very refined and pleasant lady, who is much thought of by their patrons. Dr. Carey has by good management been able to purchase some valuable property. He has been an active and useful member of the M. E. Church. Any young person, either lady or gentleman, desiring to learn Chiropody or Manicure would do well to write Dr. J. Carey at 43 Arcade, Cincinnati, for full particulars as to terms. I am confident that in most any large town a good Chiropodist could do well, and I should like to see more of the colored people thus engaged.

From G.F. Richings, Evidence of Progress Among Colored People (1902).

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May 19, 2013

To be allowed to enslave herself. (For love.)

LEGISLATURE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

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HOUSE OF COMMONS.

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Mr. Walser, a bill, accompanied with a memorial from the party, to allow Percy Ann Morton, a free woman of color, to enslave herself.

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Weekly Standard, Raleigh, 28 January 1863.

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LEGISLATURE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

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HOUSE OF COMMONS.

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Mr. Logan presented a memorial from Queen Victoria, a free woman of color, praying that she be allowed to enslave herself. (The object of Queen Victoria in seeking to become a slave, was matrimonial, she being desirous of marrying a slave, which is contrary to the Statute in that case made and provided.)

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Weekly Standard, Raleigh, 12 December 1860.

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May 19, 2013

Mainor applies for Confederate pension.

SOLDIER’S APPLICATION FOR PENSION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF HARNETT  }                 

On this 15th day of June, A.D. 1924, personally appeared before me L.M. Chaffin, C.S.C. in and for the State and County aforesaid, Geo. W. Mainor, age 85 years, and a resident at Linden 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 Geo. W. Mainor who served as laborer on Breastworks at Fort Fisher & Fort Caswell on or about [blank] day of September, 1863 & 1864, 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] This applicant is an old issue free Negro and served as a workman on the fortifications at Fort Caswell and Fort Fisher.

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/ Geo. X W. Mainor

Sworn and subscribed to before me, this 15 day of June, 1929.  /s/ L.M. Chaffin

Also personally appeared before me W.P. Byrd, who resides at Lillington 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 Geo. W. Mainor, 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/ W.P. Byrd

Sworn and subscribed to before me, this 15 day of June, 1929.  /s/ L.M. Chaffin

[Approved 3 September 1929]

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

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May 17, 2013

Burnett shares his estate.

In the name of God, Amen, I David Burnett of the County of Cumberland & State of North Carolina being of Sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life do therefore make or ordain publish and declare this to be my last Will and testament, That it to say, first that after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, the residue of my estate real & personal I give bequeath and dispose of as follows to wit: to my beloved wife Jane Burnett the land and appurtenances, whereon I now live located in 71st Township in the County of Cumberland & State of North Carolina during her natural life, and after her death to be equally divided among my daughters, Mary Catherine, Elisabeth Ann, Sarah Elisa, Laura Columbia, Amanda Carolina & Sudy Jane, To my wife Jane & my daughter Sarah Elisa, I give and bequeath my horse, To my daughter I give bequeath (Mary Cathrine) all my stock of Cattle, To my wife & Sarah Elisa I give and bequeath all my hogs, to my son John Henry Five dollars in money & my wearing apperall, if I should have any left; I give bequeath & devise all the rest & residue & remainder of my personal effects to my wife and daughters Like wise I make contribute and appoint my friend Daniel C. Munroe of 71st Township in the County of Cumberland & State of North Carolina to be my executor of this my last will & testament hereby revoking all former wills made by me, In witness whereof I have known to subscribed my name and affixed my seal the second day of December AD 1872  David X Burnett

Witness Wm. John X Chavers, D. McDugald

Proved 19 January 1884. Will Book E, Page 331, Register of Deeds Office, Cumberland County, Fayetteville.

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On 12 December 1884, David Burnett’s executor, Daniel C. Monroe, filed a petition to sell lands for assets.  Neill R. Blue, Alexander McKethan, John A. Monroe, Jane Burnett (widow), Mary Manuel, Catharine Burnett, Elizabeth Ann Chavers, Sarah Eliza Oxendine, Laura Columbia Williams, Amanda Carolina Burnett and Lundy Jane Burnett, minors, and John Burnett were named as defendants. Monroe noted that Burnett’s debts were about $250; that his personal estate had no value and was insufficient to set off a one-year widow’s allowance; that Burnett’s real property consisted of two tracts received from his father Jesse Burnett, totaling 150 acres, and located on Middle Creek between Buies Creek and Little Rockfish and between Little Rockfish and Middle Creek in 71st township; that Burnett’s widow Jane remained in his dwelling house on said tracts; that there were various claims on parts of the tracts; and that all the defendants lived in Cumberland County. Other documents listed Burnett’s widow as “Jennette” Burnett and identified his daughter’s husbands as Jacob Manuel, William Chavers and Alexander Oxendine. Executors released and quitclaimed the 25 acres above to the widow and heirs.  It contained a house and a graveyard.

From the file of David Burnett, Cumberland County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, https://familysearch.org. Original, North Carolina State Archives.

In the 1860 census of Western Division, Cumberland County: David Burnett, 42, farmer, wife Jane, and children Mary, 12, Elizabeth, 10, Sarah, 9, John, 4, and Laura, 4 months. Next door: Jesse  Burnett, 70, and wife Elizabeth Burnett,72.

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