Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

He may or may not be the child’s father; she has no right to say.

State v. Barrow, 7 NC 121 (1819).

A man charged as the putative father of a “bastard child” is entitled to offer evidence that the mother of the child is “of mixed blood” within “the fourth degree” and therefore excluded by law from testifying against him. Case remanded to the county court to hear defendant’s Barrow’s evidence and determine the competency of the witness.

State v. Thomas Long, 31 NC 488 (1849).

This case arose in Martin County. In May 1848, Lucinda Simpson swore before two magistrates that Thomas Long was the father of her unborn child. The magistrates issued a warrant for Long to appear at the next term of court. He moved to dismiss the proceedings “for the reason that Lucinda Simpson was a woman of mixed blood, within the fourth degree, and therefore incompetent to give testimony against a white man.” The case was dismissed, but Simpson swore again in October 1848 (apparently after the child was born) that Long was the father. Long again succeeded in getting the matter quashed. The decision was upheld in Superior Court and appealed to the State Supreme Court. Double jeopardy; judgment affirmed.

Free colored Baptists.

“The early rolls of the white First Baptist Church [founded in 1843] carried its Negro membership. … Of this group of 34 members, twenty-four were members of the white church, and ten came in as original members of the new [African-American] church.”

George Hooks, Angelina Capps, Chloe Morrisey, Chloe Baker, Esther Carroll, Mary Hines, Ammon Webb, Dolly Burnett, Mary Burnett, Anise Exum, William Wade, Sarah Washington, Martha Suggs, Harriett Wilcox, Simon Morrisey, Penney Fields, Serena Dewey, Peggy Privett, George Washington, Abram Baker, Moses Carroll, Rachell Hassell, Patience Essler, Keziah Burnett, Winney Green, Milley Cogdell, Charles Wait Thompson, Lizzy Thompson, Amy Ford, John C. Privott, Burley Burrell, Betsy Baker, Amy Lynch, Sarah Jernigan.

From First African Baptist Church 1864-1978: Dedicatorial Year, published by First African Baptist Church, Goldsboro.

In the 1860 census of Goldsboro, Wayne County: Susan Bordan, 70, baker; Angia Capps, 60, sewer; and Catharine Carrol, 7. Also, Dolly Burnett, 20, “serving,” Polly Burnett, 18, Betsy Burnett, 5, and William An Burnett, 3.

In the 1850 census of the North Side of Neuse, Wayne County: Cuzzy Green40, and William Burnett, 35, barber, who claimed $300 property. 

Chieftains and headmen of the Tuscarora, on behalf of their nation.

CHAPTER XXIX.

An Act for confirming a lease made by the Tuscarora Indians to Robert Jones, jun., William Williams and Thomas Pugh, Esquires.

I. Whereas, a number of the Tuscarora Indians, being desirous of moving themselves from their lands on Roanoke river, in Bertie county, in this province, and settling and incorporating themselves with the nations of Indians on the River Susquehannah; and whereas, the said Tuscarora Indians, in order to defray the expence of removing themselves and their effects from this province to the settlements on the river Susquehannah, did, on the twelfth day of July, in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty-six [sic], for the consideration of fifteen hundred pounds, proclamation money, before that time paid and advanced to them, the said Tuscarora Indians, by the said Robert Jones, William Williams and Thomas Pugh, by an indenture under the hands and seals of James Allen, John Wiggins, Billy George, Snip Nose George, Billy Cain, Charles Cornelius, Thomas Blount, John Rogers, George Blount, Wineoak Charles, Billy Basket, Billy Owen, Lewis Tuffdick, Isaac Miller, Harry, Samuel Bridgers, Thomas Seneca, Thomas Howit, Billy Sockey, Billy Cornelius, John Seneca, Thomas Basket, John Cain, Billy Dennis, William Taylor, Owens, John Walker, Billy Mitchell, Billy Netop, Billy Blount, Tom Jack, John Lightwood, Billy Roberts, James Mitchell, Captain Joe and William Pugh, chieftains and headmen of the said nation of Tuscarora Indians, for and on behalf of themselves and the rest of the Indians of the said Tuscarora nation, on the one part, and the said Robert Jones, William Williams and Thomas Pugh, of the other part, did demise, grant and to farm let, a certain dividend of land, situate and lying on Roanoke river, in the county aforesaid, containing about eight thousand acres, be the same more or less, and bounded as follows, to-wit: Beginning at the mouth of Deep creek, otherwise called Falling run, thence running up the said creek to the Indian head line; hence by the said line south fifty seven degrees east one thousand two hundred and eighty poles; thence a course parallell with the general current of the said creek to Roanoke river aforesaid, and up the river to the beginning; together with all trees, timber trees, woods, underwoods, ways, waters and appurtenances whatsoever, to the said dividend, tract or parcel of land belonging or in any wise appertaining; to have and to hold the said dividend, tract or parcel of land, with all and singular the appurtenances unto the said Robert Jones, William Williams and Thomas Pugh, their executors, administrators or assigns, without impeachment of waste, to be by the said Robert Jones, William Williams and Thomas Pugh, respectively, their executors, administrators and assigns, held and enjoyed in severalty; that is to say, one third part of the said dividend, tract or parcel of land, into three equal parts to be divided, unto the said Robert Jones, his executors, administrators and assigns; one other third part thereof, the same into three equal parts to be divided, unto the said William Williams, his executors, administrators and assigns; the remaining third part thereof, the same into three equal parts to be divided, unto the said Thomas Pugh, his executors, administrators and assigns; from the said twelfth day of July, in the year aforesaid, for and during the term of one hundred and fifty years from thence next ensuing, and fully to be compleated and ended, the said Robert Jones, William Williams and Thomas Pugh, their executors, administrators and assigns, yielding and paying therefor yearly, and every year during the said term, to the said Tuscarora Indians and their assigns one pepper corn, if demanded, at or upon feast of St. Michael the archangel.

Excerpt from Acts of the North Carolina General Assembly, 1766. Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, http://docsouth.unc.edu

Free Colored Heads of Household in Johnston County, 1790.

Doll Burnet, Sander Burnet, Olive Scott, Stephen Powell, Holiday Arthcock.

[Sidenote: Forty-seven free people of color lived in these households. Another 17 lived in households headed by whites. — LYH]

Runaway bound boy, no. 9.

FIVE DOLLARS REWARD.

RANAWAY from the subscriber, about the first of January last, a negro boy, (an indented Apprentice,) named WASHINGTON. Said boy is between 19 and 20 years of age, and rather under statue, of light complexion, — no particular marks or scars recollected. – I understand that Washington has been seen near Durham’s Creek, in the neighbourhood of which place he is not no doubt lurking.

The above reward, and all reasonable expences, will be paid on his delivery to me in Newbern, or secured in any Jail so that I get him again. – All persons are forwarned from harboring said boy as I am determined to enforce the law against all such as may offend.  JOHN GILDERSLIEVE. March 8, 1828.

Newbern Sentinel, 19 April 1828.

He has a pass, but …

COMMITTED To the Jail of Rockingham County, North-Carolina, on the 5th inst. a mulatto fellow, who calls his name George Petteford, jr. about 24 years old, five feet high; and has in his possession a pass signed by William M. Sneed, Esq. from Granville county, dated 11th November, 1817. If the said George belongs to any person, the owner is requested to come forward, prove his property, pay charges and take him away.    SAM’L MOXLY Jailor.  Sept. 15, 1820.

Star, Raleigh, 6 October 1820.

Robbery.

A ROBBERY.  In the night of the 31st of December last, my son William Sugg, was robbed on the Road between Raleigh and Joshua Sugg’s, supposed by a free black man named JOHN BLACK, who is well known in this neighborhood, and who has since escaped. The money taken consisted of one or two ten dollar Bank Notes, one five dollar note, and three forty shilling Bills of State Currency. With the money was taken my pocket knife, a small part of both blades of which had been broken. Black is about 25 years old, low and well made – is a Carpenter by trade, and had with him a copy of his former masters will, (Moses Parker,) of Franklin – Any person apprehending said Black, so that he may be brought to justice, shall be well rewarded for their trouble.   WM. SUGG. Wake county, January 5, 1815.

Star, Raleigh, 6 January 1815.

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

———-

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.

Thoroughly imbued with the patriotic sentiments of his white friends.

One morning, while the army of Cornwallis was marching through this section, Mrs. Gee was intent on household cares in her kitchen, when she was startled by the entrance of an armed Negro in British uniform, who ordered her to cook breakfast for him. There was no resisting the command, for she was alone in the house, and on the premises were only two or three young Negroes. She set about preparing the meal, making it as elaborate as possible, in order to secure delay; and, while it was cooking, she managed to slip out, and give this message to an intelligent boy: ‘Run to John Lomax and tell him to come here just as quick as he can, and to come with his gun!’ But it seemed to her that bread and meat never baked so fast before, and do what she would — the Negro all the while urging her with brutal words to hurry up — she was obliged to dish up the food. But just as her unwelcome guest had seated himself at the table, his musket across his knees, John Lomax, strode through the door, and presented a gun at his head. Lomax kept the British Negro captive till all the army of Cornwallis had passed, and then gave him up to the authorities at Fayetteville. John Lomax was a free Negro thoroughly imbued with the patriotic sentiments of his white friends and neighbors, and devoted all his life to the Gee family.

From W.J. Fletcher, The Gee Family (1937).

James has his papers.

NOTICE. Taken up and committed to the Jail of Moore county, on the 14th day of July, 1860, as a Runaway, a NEGRO MAN who says that he is free, that his name is JOHN LUCAS, and that he is from Nash County, N.C., and was bound to Marcom Hinesdeen of Nash County, and says that James Night has his papers. He is about 29 years old, dark complected, 5 feet 10 or 11 inches high, weighs about 165 or 170 lbs. The owner is requested to come forward , prove property, pay charges, and take him away, or he will be dealt with as the law directs.   L.F. CADDELL, Jailor. Aug. 13.

Carolina Observer, 13 August 1860.