The following surnames appear among free people of color in the 1860 census of Columbus County:
ARTIS, BORNE, BOWEN, BRITT, BROWN, CAMPBELL, CHAVIS, CORNER, CRIBB, FREEMAN, GANUS, GODWIN, HAYNER, HAYS, HILL, JACOBS, JONES, KELLY, LAURELL, LEWIS, LOCKLEAR/LOCKLIER, LOWERY, MITCHEL, MOORE, MOROS, NOBLES, PEAVY, SANTEE, SHAW, SMITH, SPAULDING, WALKER, WEBB, WHITE, WIGGS, WILLIAMS and YOUNG.
James A. Locuss, cook, Co. F, 51 Reg’t North Carolina Infantry (State Troops). Appears on Company Muster Roll of the organization named above for Nov & Dec 1864. Enlisted 31 October 1864 at Richmond, by W. Hamilton for duration of the war.
Whereas at the Autumn Term in 1833, of the Superior Court of Anson county, upon the petition of Benjamin Pratt, praying for the emancipation of Chaney Moreman, a slave, the property of said Benjamin Pratt, for meritorious services, such proceedings were had, that the said court, upon due proof of the matters stated in the said petition, did grant the prayer thereof, and did order, adjudge and declare the said Chaney to be emancipated, and entitled, by the name of Chaney Moreman, to all the privileges of a free born negro; and whereas the said petition and the memorial and record of the said proceedings have been lost or destroyed, and from the length of time since the said judgement was entered, doubts are entertained whether the said court can order the same to be now entered up as of the said term; and whereas, also, from the nature of the case, it is doubtful whether suit can be properly instituted for relief in a court of equity; and whereas the case is one of hardship and likely to result in injustice, without some provision by law in that behalf; for remedy whereof,
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That it shall and may be lawful for the said Superior Court of Law, either at the next succeeding spring or autumn term, upon the application of the said Chaney Moreman, to receive evidence of the contents of the said petition and the proceedings and judgment hereupon, and of the loss or destruction of the papers or other memorial thereof; and upon satisfactory proof of such loss or destruction and of the contents of the said petition and other proceedings, to order and direct the said petition, proceedings and judgment to be enrolled in the said court, as a record of the term when the said proceedings were had and the said judgment rendered.
II. Be it further enacted, That upon sufficient proof being made, either by parol or record, that a decree of emancipation was ordered by the court agreeable to the petition of said Pratt, and that the clerk of the court shall have neglected to enter the same on record as ordered, that upon the said proof being made, the judge of the court shall order the decree to be entered nunc pro tunc as aforesaid.
Chapter X Page 157, Public and Private Laws of North Carolina 1833-34, North Carolina State Library.
On 4 July 1902, dower laid off and partition made of Robert Aldridge‘s land as follows:
Dower — Eliza Aldridge received 53 acres on a run of Stoney Run Branch.
Lot No. 1 — Mathew W. Aldridge received 100 acres on Stoney Run and Hurricane Branches, excluding the Agustus Church and free school house lots. Interest Mathew bought from his father included in the described tract. Residue valued at $200.
Lot No. 2 — George W. Aldridge received 42 acres on Stoney Run and the county road, valued at $200.
Lot No. 3 — Joseph Aldridge received 53 acres on Stoney Run and the county road, valued at $200.
Lot No. 4 — David Aldridge received 80 acres on Stoney Run and the county road, valued at $200.
Lot No. 5 — Robert Aldridge received 41 acres on a prong of Stoney Run and the Spring Road, valued at $200.
Lot No. 6 — John W. Aldridge received 50 acres on Stoney Run Branch below the mineral spring and the Spring Road, valued at $285.
Lot No. 7 — Frances Locust received 33 acres on Stoney Run and the Spring Road, valued at $200.
Lot No. 8 — Talitha Brewington, Hattie Brewington, Elijah Brewington, Mattie Brewington, Lundy Brewington, and Toney Brewington jointly and subject to the life estate of Joshua Brewington, received 33 acres on W&W Railroad, valued at $193.
Lot No. 9 — Louetta Aldridge received 32 acres on Stoney Run Branch, valued at $193.
Lot No. 10 — Lizzie Aldridge received 32 acres on the W&W Railroad and Stoney Run Branch, valued at $193.
Lot No. 11 — Louetta Artis, Robert Artis, Columbus Artis, Josephine Artis, J. Scott Artis, J.B. Artis, Lillie Artis, Annie Artis and Elberta Artis, jointly and subject to the life estate of Adam Artis, received 32 acres at the mouth of a ditch on the run of Stoney Run and the railroad, valued at $193.
Submitted by Sam C. Casey, Walter C. O’Berry, Ira W. Hatch.
The margins of this document contain notations and signatures acknowledging receipt of moneys due to balance the lot values, including signatures of Lizzie Aldridge, Tilithia King, J.W. Aldridge, Joseph Aldridge, Hattie Brewington, Columbus Artis, Elijah Brewington, Tony C. Brewington, Robert Aldridge, Lundia Brewington, and June Scott Artis, and Eliza Artis’ mark.
John Aldridge, owner of Lot No. 6, paid $7 each to the owners of Lots 8-11, and $57 to the Clerk of Superior Court for costs of the division.
Louetta Aldridge’s share was divided among her siblings “the owner of said amount now being dead this day Aug 22=1904.”
Abstract from document in the file of Robert Aldridge, Estate Records, Wayne County Records, North Carolina State Archives. [Sidenote: Robert Aldridge, born circa 1819, was my great-great-great-grandfather. Bits of his land remain in family hands. The Brewingtons were children of Robert’s daughter Amelia, who died a few years before he did. The Artises were children of his daughter Amanda, who died about the same time. Frances Locust and her husband changed their surname to Randall. — LYH]
$50 Reward.
RAN AWAY from my residence about 14 miles from Newbern on the 1st of July last, a negro boy named POLLOCK. His complexion is jet black – about 19 years old, and 5 feet 8 or 9 inches high. On first looking at any person, he looks straight, but if he continues to look any length of time he squints with one eye. He is probably lurking about J.C. Stanly’s plantation on the Washington road, where his parents reside. I will give the above reward to any person who will deliver him to me, or lodge him in any Jail in this State so that I can get him. Masters of vessels are hereby fowarned against carrying him away, as it is probable he will attempt to get to a free country. It is possible that he may have a forged free pass, as his father is a free man. MARY PALMER. October 5th, 1836.
North Carolina Sentinel, New Bern, 14 December 1836.
North Carolina State Convention.
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The resolution to allow Elizabeth Chavis and child, free colored, to enslave themselves, was read the second time and referred to the committee on free negroes.
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Weekly Standard, Raleigh, 26 June 1861.
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LEGISLATURE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
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HOUSE OF COMMONS.
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Mr. Davenport introduced a bill to authorize the voluntary enslavement of Wyatt, a free man of color. The bill was accompanied by a memorial, setting forth that said Wyatt wishes to become the slave of C.A. Featherstone, of Gaston county. Referred to the committee on propositions and grievances.
…
Weekly Standard, Raleigh, 3 December 1862.
Ten Dollars Reward.
Ranaway from Darlington Court-House, South Carolina, on Saturday 3rd, December 1814, a man of Colour who calls himself ROBERT BYRD, a black man, aged 20 or 25 years old, who has with him a pass from William Tunstall, Clerk, Pittsylvania County, Virginia – Said Negroe stole, and carried away a chestnut sorrel MARE, about 14 1-2 hands high, with a large star in her forehead and snip on her nose, a natural trotter, rather low in order. I will give the above reward for any person who will apprehend, and confine said fellow in any Joal [sic] so that he may brought to Justice, or deliver him to me, and all reasonable expences to any one who will deliver the said Mare to me – The fellow went towards Wadesborough, N. Carolina. JEREMIAH BROWN. December 6, 1814.
Star, Raleigh, 13 January 1815
XVIII.
REV. NICHOLAS FRANKLIN ROBERTS, A. B., A. M.
Professor of Mathematics–President of the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina–Moderator of 100,000 Colored Baptists.
AMONG the rising young men of the old “Tar Heel State” is the one whose name is at the head of this article. He has reflected honor upon the State that gave him birth; he is a young man who has risen from the drudgery of farm life to the prominence of a professor in a university, and is therefore a representative of his people. There are many older persons, of course, who might be selected, and some may bring the charge of “young men” against some of the characters in this book, but if in early life they have placed themselves at the head of great enterprises, it seems fitting that they should be noticed for the encouragement of others who come behind them. Then the depths from which some people rise, and the heights to which they climb, is worthy of notice. Now is there reason for the farmer boy who reads this sketch to be discouraged because he has hard work, plowing, cutting and hauling wood, caring for the pigs, feeding the cows, and other laborious work? It seems not to me. The advantages of a farm life are many, though there may be rough spots and difficult passages. Indeed, the days of a farmer are well spent in being influenced by nature and thus being led up to nature’s God. Boys in the country have their minds measurably kept pure and untainted by the things that destroy the purity of the mind, and many of these “young men” referred to are mentioned as a means of encouragement to those who still are behind in the race of life.
He was born near Seaboard, North Hampton county, North Carolina, October 13, 1849. At the age of twelve years he relates that he had a thirst for learning, which made him apply himself to his books very diligently. He would study very late at night, often all night. The young man was especially apt with figures, easily leading the other boys, with whom he was associated, in all efforts at mathematical calculation. With ease every problem was solved by him in common school mathematics before he ever attended school. His mathematical mind was the subject of much comment, and he has only accomplished in that sphere what was prophesied for him. October 10, 1871, he entered Shaw University, then known as the Shaw Collegiate Institute. Here he pursued an eminently satisfactory life, entering the lowest grade and passing up the line through a college course, eliciting the praise and commendation of the president and faculty. May, 1878, he graduated with much honor and received the applause of his fellow-students and the congratulations of his friends.
Having been converted March, 1872, and feeling a call to the ministry, he was ordained to the work of a gospel minister May 20, 1877. Rev. Roberts’ ability as a mathematician has steadily promoted him in this department of educational work, and the professorship of mathematics has been held by him in his alma mater ever since graduation, except one year when he labored as general missionary for North Carolina, under the auspices of the American Baptist Home Mission Society of New York, and the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina. God has thus given him an extended field of usefulness where he might develop into a powerful man. Blount Street Baptist church, Raleigh, North Carolina, called for him to serve them as their pastor on July 2, 1882. This pastoral work has been done in connection with his work as professor, and they have been of mutual help to each other. There is great love existing between the pastor and the people, and the church has prospered, adding year by year to their numbers “such as shall be saved.” As a Sabboth-school worker, earnestness and love to God has characterized his life. From 1873 to 1883, a period of ten consecutive years, he has held the position of president of the State Sunday School convention, and in October, 1885, he was unanimously elected president of the State Baptist convention, which position he now holds, esteemed by all the brethren of the State. His position makes him the representative of 100,000 colored Baptists, and as such he is recognized and respected. His position in the university gives him prestige among the educated, and his indorsement by the convention shows the people are in favor of education.
From Rev. William J. Simmons, Men of Mark: Eminent, Progressive and Rising (1887).
In the 1850 census of Northampton County: Ransom Roberts, 60, farmer; Lavina, 50; Jonathan, 27, blacksmith; Peterson, 24, William, 22, and John, 20, laborers; Mary, 27; Atha, 78; and Nicholas Roberts, 2.
Nicholas Franklin Roberts. Died 24 June 1934, Raleigh, Wake County. Resided 401 Oberlin Road, Raleigh. Colored. Married to Mary S. Roberts. Retired dean of theological school. Born 13 October 1849 in Northampton County to unknown father and Mary Roberts. Buried Mount Hope. Informant, Dr. P.F. Roberts, Raleigh.
In the name of God Amen, I Jesse May alias Jesse Clark being of sound mind & memory recollecting at the same time the mortality of man & that all must die sooner or later have made this to be my last will & testament, that is to say I wish my body to be decently buried at my own meeting house by the side of my mother & as to my soul, I recommend it to God who gave it to be disposed of as He sees fit.
My will & desire is that all my land should be given to my sister Tabitha along with all my stock of horses & cattle & household furniture of every description & I will & give & bequeath to her & her heirs forever – Jesse X May — signed in the presence of John C. Hinson & John Wall
Will Book 2, Page 102, Office of Clerk of Superior Court, Anson County Courthouse, Wadesboro.
[Hat tip to Steve Bailey, genealogy1959@yahoo.com.]
There was sentiment in both [Wilmington and Fayetteville] in favor of granting slaves special privileges. Joe, the slave of Phillis Dennis of Fayetteville, provides a good example of a person in bondage enjoying the privileges of a freeman. Joe was permitted to hire his own time and was accorded the opportunities of any freeman. In her last will and testament, Joe’s mistress conveyed him to Augustus I. Erambert and Charles A. MacMillan. Her will read that they should permit Joe “to exercise his trade without interference.” Erambert and MacMillan were instructed to allow Joe to “occupy possess, and enjoy her dwelling house during his life.” Upon the death of either party the survivor at the request of Joe was to appoint some prudent and discreet man to be named by Joe as a trustee.
From James Howard Brewer, “Legislation Designed to Control Slavery in Wilmington and Fayetteville,” North Carolina Historical Review, Volume XXX, No. 2, April 1953.
Fourth Generation Inclusive 