The following surnames are found among free people of color in Hyde County in the 1850 census:
ALEXANDER, BARBER, BARROW, BERRY, BRACHAM, BRADDOCK, BRAGG, CHANCE, CLARK, CLAYTON, COFFEE, COLLINS, COVEL/COVELL, DAVIS, DYER, ELKS, FREEMAN, GARNER, GORDON, HARRIS, HELLEN, HILL, HUDSON, KING, LONGTOM, LUTTON, MACKAY, MORRIS, POWERS, PUGH, REED, RING, SHELDON, SMITH, SUTTON and TYSON.
I, Thomas Hollowell, of the County of Wayne and the State of North Carolina being in feeble health but of sound mind and memory do make this my last will and testament in manner and form as follows: First – I give to my wife all my household and kitchen furniture, my buggie and harness also I have one note I hold against John Hollowell in the hands of my executors for them to pay to her the amount of interest so long as she may live. My will further is that my two sons Jesse and Thomas shall furnish my wife a bountiful support and in case they shall refuse at any time, I wish for her to have a dower laid off on the lands I leave them. Second – I give to my Levi Hollowell two notes that I hold against him. Item 3rd – I give to my granddaughter Elizabeth A. Stanton one note that I hold against her brother Thomas H. Stanton. Item 4th – I give to my grandson Levi H. Massey one acre of land joining Dudley on the south side of the old road near Levi Winn‘s blacksmith shop. Item 5th – I give to my son John Hollowell two shares in the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad Company. Item 6th – I give to my son Jesse Hollowell all the land I own lying on the east side of my Gin Branch also the upper part in the Big Fork down to where the bend of the Branch comes nearest together, and then down the run of Big Fork to the head of the Gin Branch and then to extend down the Canal to the run of Brook’s Swamp except the privilege of enough land near the Gin House at the end of the Gin Dam to put up a cotton screw also two shares in the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad Company, also two lots in Dudley known as No. 5 and No. 15. Item 7th – I give to my son Thomas L. Hollowell all the land I own on the west side of said Gin Branch from the line marked out for Jesse Hollowell to the aforesaid Brook’s Swamp also one share in the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad Company, two lots in Dudley known as No. 13 and 14, and one note that I hold against the said Thomas L. Hollowell. Item 8th – I wish my executors hereafter named to pay all of my just debts out of my estate not heretofore named and given away. Item 9th – My will and desire is that the balance of the amount due my estate in John Hollowell’s hands after paying the interest to my wife during her life and the balance of my estate after paying my debts to be equally divided between my living children and to those deceased to the heirs of their body. Lastly – I constitute and appoint my son John Hollowell and my grandson Levi H. Massey Executors to this my last will and testament hereby revoking all other wills by me made this 25th of 10th month A.D. 1861. Thomas Hollowell. Sealed in the presence of – Mary E. Hollowell, Jesse T. Hollowell.
Proved November Term 1865.
Book R14, Page 239, Wayne County Superior Court Clerk’s Office, Wayne County Courthouse.
Committed to Norfolk county jail, a Mulatto fellow, who says he is a free man, but has no papers to prove his freedom, he is a bright mulatto, 6 feet high; he says he is named JOHN MASINS, born in Washington county, N.C., a small scar over his right eye, and one on his right ear. His owner is requested to come forward, pay charges and take him away. CHARLES RUDDER, Jailor.
Norfolk Herald, 1 July 1802.
Adam Winn to Lemuel Cherry
State of North Carolina, Duplin County } This indenture made this 30th of July 1841 Between Adam Winn of the one part and Lemuel Cherry of the other part and both of the same State and County witness that I the said Adam Winn for and in consideration of the sum of twelve dollars to him in hand paid by Lemuel Cherry before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath given granted bargained and sold do by these presents bargain sell and make over unto him the said Lemuel Cherry his heirs executors Administrators & assigns forever a certain ankerage or tract of land lying and being in the County of Duplin and on the waters of thunder swamp it being part of the land that Adam Winn bought of Lucy Win and part of the old Jonson tract of land and I the said Adam Winn doth assign over to the said Lemuel Cherry all the right title interest or claim in the before mentioned land containing ten acres more or less and begins and runs as follows (viz) Begins on main road that runs in Wayne and where thunder swamp branch crosses the main road an runs up said road to a large pine and then corners a new made corner and then runs a strait line of marked trees to William L. Hills line and then with Hills line to said Cherrys line then down said Cherrys line to the beginning and I the said Adam Winn doth my heirs executors & admrs or assigns no warrant and defend the before mentioned lands unto him the said Lemuel Cherry his heirs executors admrs or assigns forever against all other person or persons whatsoever laying any claim to the same in witness whereof I the said Adam Winn have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and date first above written signed sealed and delivered in the presence of Kenan Millard and Wm P. Cherry Adam Winn (seal)
North Carolina, Duplin County Court January term 1852
The due execution of the foregoing deed is proved in open Court by the acknowledgement of Adam Winn the bargainor and ordered to be registered. B.F. Grady Clk
Grantor Book 20, Page 407, Duplin County Register of Deeds Office, Duplin County Courthouse.
In the 1850 census of North Division, Duplin County: Adam Winn, 45, farmer, with William, 13, Marshal, 11, John, 9, Woodard, 7, Woodley Winn, 5, plus Moses Simmons, 18. Adam reported $3800 in real property. [Sidenote: Lemuel Cherry, 71, white, farmer, is listed four households away from Adam Winn in this census. His household included Elender Young, 50, who was white. Elender Young was likely the mother of America Young, who married Adam Winn’s brother Charles Winn. Also, though Adam’s sons are listed as free, they were in fact his own slaves. More about that later. — LYH]
Dolly Curzy, age 26, born Robeson County NC; mulatto woman, 5’8”, light complexion, tolerably straight dingy black hair; slightly freckled; small black mole on right upper lip; wife of Edward Curzy and has three children; William Atkinson; 5 Nov 1853.
Edward Curzy, age 43, born Bladen County NC; a light mulatto, hair black and nearly straight, 5’6 ½”, left leg crooked having once been broken in knee joint; William Atkinson; registered 5 Nov 1853.
Eliza Curzy, age 3, born Bartholomew County IN, mulatto girl, very light complexion, quite bright and intelligent looking; Wm. Atkinson; registered 5 Nov 1853.
John Curzy, age 4 ½, born Jennings County IN; light mulatto, very bright and intelligent looking; no marks; Wm. Atkinson; registered 5 Nov 1853.
Dianah Galbraith, age 50, born Perquimans County NC; black negro woman, 5’5”, small white scar on left foot; very peaceable, inoffensive and respectable; wife of Edmund Galbreaith; James Hobbs; registered 1 Sept 1853.
Edmund Galbraith, age 70, born South Carolina; negro man, 5’8”m scar about two inches long on left breast caused by burn; very peaceable, inoffensive and respectable; James Hobbs; registered 1 Sept 1853.
In the 1850 census of Columbus, Bartholomew County, Indiana: Edmund Galbreath, 75, laborer, born SC, and wife Diana, 48, born NC.
Twenty Dollars Reward will be given for the recovery of the subscriber’s HORSE, which was taken from him about 4 miles from Portsmouth, on the stage road, on Thursday night last. Said Horse is a dark bay, with a bob tail, though not very short, about 12 ½ hands high, nine years old, large body and feet (the left hind hoof having a split in it). He was purchased of a Mr. Mullen, of Bertie county N.C. a few weeks ago. It is believed that a free negro, who was seen in the neighborhood that evening, has taken him, and made his way to Richmond or North-Carolina – The above reward will be given for the Horse and conviction of the Thief, or Ten Dollars for the Horse alone. MARTHA CASEY, near Hodges’s Ferry. April 1.
Norfolk & Portsmouth Herald, 6 April 1818.
Two hundred Dollars Reward. Run-away from the Subscriber on the 20th Oct. last two Negro men, named SAMPSON and JOE, Sampson is about 50 years of age, about 5 feet 5 inches high, tout made, dark complexion, wore away a tarpaulin hat, white trowsers and jacket. – Joe is about 30 years of age, about 6 feet high, and very black complexion, slender made, marked with the small pox in the face, he has lost the toe next to the great toe on the left foot, wore away a fur hat and striped homespun jacket and overalls. From a former attempt I think it probable they will try to pass as free fellows under the name of Samuel Brown and Joe Ferrel; they may have obtained free passes which I suspect is the case. – I suppose they are lurking on the sea board between Swansboro’ and Norfolk, having been informed they left the former place enquiring for Edenton. I am clearly of the opinion their intention is to get on board some vessel – The above reward will be given to any person for the delivery of said Negroes to me, or one hundred and fifty dollars for securing them in any jail so that I get them again, or a proportionate reward for either. All masters of vessels and other persons are forewarned from conveying them away, or harboring them in any way under the severity of the penalty of the law. EASLER KILPATRICK. Duplin County, (N.C.) April 3.
Norfolk & Portsmouth Herald, 6 April 1818.
Fathia Thomas Pettiford. Died 10 November 1930, Oxford, Granville County. Resided Hillsboro Street. Colored. Widowed. Age 82. Born Franklin County to Thomas Pettiford and Fathia Anderson. Buried Harrisburg. Informant, H.P. Pettiford.
Sallie Howell. Died 23 August 1934, Oxford, Fishing Creek, Granville County. Colored. Widow of James R. Howell. Age 81. Born Franklinton to Thomas Pettiford and Fathie Pettiford. Buried Antiock. Informant, Mrs. Bettie Cannady.
Beddie Parish. Died 8 January 1923, Oxford, Granville County. Colored. Widowed. Age 62. Born Franklin County to Tomas Pettiford and Fathy Pattiford, both of Franklin County. Buried Harrisburg. Informant, Alex Parish.
In the 1860 census of Cedar Creek, Granville County: Thomas Pettiford, 40, day laborer, wife Fatha, 35, and children Nick, 24, Minerva, 22, Bettie, 14, Fatha, 12, Delila, 10, Lewis, 8, Sally, 6, and Bittie, 4, plus Elijah Valentine, 90.
Sallie Brandon. Died 9 May 1926, Kittrell, Vance County. Colored. Married. Age 75. Born to Wm. Pettiford of Granville County and unknown mother. Buried in family graveyard. Informant, Isiah Brandon.
In the 1860 census of Oxford, Granville County: Will. Pettiford, 50, farmer; wife Avy; and children Lewis, 18, Bettie, 14, Edny, 13, Sally, 11, Will., 8, James, 5, Lewis, 4, and unnamed, 2.
Coleman Pettiford. Died 24 May 1933, Raleigh, Wake County. Resided 228 East Lenoir Street. Colored. Married to Pheoby Pettiford. Farmer. Born 1837 in Franklin County to Herman Pettiford of Franklin County and Lizzie Evans of Granville County. Buried Mount Hope cemetery. Informant, St. Agnes Hospital.
In the 1850 census of Fort Creek, Granville County: Hillmon Pettyford, 50, wife Lizzy, 40, and children Jane, 21, William, 16, Sally, 14, Coleman, 12, Louisa, 8, John, 6, Gilly, 4, and Elizabeth, 2.
Silas Pettiford. Died 23 December 1935, Franklinton, Franklin County. Colored. Widower. Age 95. Born Granville County to Reuben Pettiford and Rebecca Pettiford. Buried Long graveyard. Informant, Irie Tensley.
Rubin Pettiford. Died 28 July 1916, Plymouth, Washington County. Negro. Brickmason. Born February 1837, Wayne County, to Rheubin Pettiford and Julia Artist, both of Wayne County. Informant, Roberta Pettiford, Plymouth.
In the 1850 census of Warren County: Reuben Pettiford, 50, stonemason, wife Judy A., 37, and children Eliza Artis, 21, Alfred Artis, 15, Jack Artis, 13, Rhody Artis, 12, Ruben Artis Jr., 10, Julian Artis, 9, Mary Artis, 7, Elizabeth J. Pettiford, 5, and Virginia Pettiford, 3, plus Middy Artis, 60, and Isah Artis, 4 months. But see also, in the 1850 census of Louisburg, Franklin County: Ruben Petifoot, 50, stone cutter, wife Julia, 37, children Eliza, 21, Mary, 8, Betsy, 6, Virginia, 4, Moses, 2, and Isaac Petifoot, 7 months, plus Middy Artirst, 80. And see: in the 1850 census of Nash County, Judah Pettiford, 36, Milly Artis, 90, Eliza Artis, 20, Mary Pettiford, 7, Elizabeth Pettiford, 5, Virginia Pettiford, 3, Josephine Pettiford, 1, and Dick Pettiford, 4 months. In the 1860 census of Western District, Halifax County: Rubin Pettiford, 60, and Julia, 50, Rubin, 22, Julia, 19, Mary, 17, Betsy, 15, Virginia, 13, James, 10, and Isaiah, 11, all Pettifords.
The following surnames are found among free people of color in Polk County in 1860:
FREEMAN, HADEN/HAYDEN, HARPER, HENDERSON, HUNSINGER, INGLE, JOHNSON, MANER, PAIN, PRITCHET, REVIS, SEARSY, SYBLY and WILSON.
Born free in Perquimans County in 1835, Hugh Cale worked at Fort Hatteras and on Roanoke Island during the Civil War. In 1867, he moved to Elizabeth City where he worked as a merchant and held a host of offices including county commissioner. He was one of thirteen African Americans to serve in the state legislature in 1876, the first of his four terms. In 1882, Cale, an active A.M.E. Zion layman, was appointed a trustee of Zion Wesley Institute in Salisbury, which in 1885 became Livingstone College. He was among the initial group of nine trustees of the North Carolina Agricultural and Mechanical College for the Colored Race (now North Carolina A. & T. State University) in Greensboro and served in that position from 1891 to 1899. He was a delegate to the Republican national convention of 1896.
In 1891, during his last legislative term, Cale introduced House Bill 383 to establish “Elizabeth City Colored Normal School” for the education of black teachers. Now known as Elizabeth City State University, the institution has honored Cale with a scholarship in his name. He died in 1910. 
Adapted from http://www.ncmarkers.com. Photo of Cale courtesy of Museum of the Albemarle.
Fourth Generation Inclusive 