Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

This alarm is altogether unfounded.

THE FREE NEGROES. – We understand that some of the free negroes in this community are alarmed for their personal safety.  This alarm is altogether unfounded, for we feel well assured that no free negro who conducts himself properly will suffer any harm.  We would suggest to the free negroes here to do as their brethren did at Newbern – volunteer to work in the cause of the State.  They can be made useful in working upon forts, magazines, arsenals, breastworks, &c. – Register.

Weekly Standard, Raleigh, 1 May 1861.

His father is a free negro, no. 2.

$100 Reward.

RANAWAY from the Subscriber, on Wednesday last, the 14th inst. My negro man, JACK, aged about 36 or 37 years, 5 feet 8 or 9 inches in height, dark complexion, stout built, and a very likely and intelligent fellow – his fore teeth are out, & his others very bad – he generally goes well dressed and has no doubt a considerable sum of money with him.  Jack has a father living as a free man at Mr. Clark’s plantation in Scotland Neck, and he probably may be lurking in that vicinity, or may be turning his course towards Plymouth, as he has heretofore been boating in the Roanoke – or, he may be making his way to the free States.  The above reward will be paid for his apprehension and delivery to me in Edgecombe county, N.C. or if secured in any jail so that I get him again.  All persons are cautioned against harboring or carrying off said fellow under penalty of the law.  GABRIEL PURVIS.  Feb. 16, 1838. 

Tarboro Press, 21 April 1838.

His father is a free negro.

$25 REWARD.

RAN AWAY from the Subscriber, in May Court week last, a bright mulatto boy named JOHN, about 19 or 20 years of age, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, thick set and well built – he has a scar under his jaw, (I think the left jaw,) and thick ankles.  He is a shrewd fellow, and will perhaps alter his name and attempt to pass as a free man.  His father is a free negro, named Hardy Lassiter, living on Toisnot.  The above reward will be given for John’s apprehension, if delivered to me in Edgecombe county, or secured in any jail so that I can get him again.  All persons are hereby forbid harboring, employing, carrying off said boy, under the penalty of law.  SAMUEL FARMER.  Nov. 28, 1831.

North-Carolina Free Press, Tarboro, 24 January 1832.

On the criminal docket.

The Fall term of Cumberland Superior Court of Law commenced its Session yesterday, that Hon. John L. Bailey, presiding.  We learn that owing to the number of cases on the State docket, several of which are for capital felonies, an Extra term for the trial of civil cases is ordered to be held on the second Monday in February next.  To-day, the trial of Daniel and James Butler, for the killing of Thomas F. Richardson, in Sept. 1850, will take place – the Grand Jury found a bill against them for manslaughter only. To-morrow and the next day will be probably occupied in the trial of Richard Jackson for the killing of James Barksdale, and Dave Jones, a free mulatto, for a the murder of a white woman in Campbellton in August last.

Fayetteville Observer, 11 November 1851.

They claim to be free.

NOTICE.  TWO MULATTOES, a man and woman, were arrested and committed to jail in this county, on the 6th this month.  They claim to be free, but are believed to be slaves, having no sufficient evidence of their freedom.  The man is 25 or 30 years old, about six feet high and calls himself ANDREW McCALL.  The girl is about 18 or 20 years old, and says that her name is Louisa McCall.  They say that they were kidnapped from their hometown near Norfolk, Va., by Sandy Hogan, a trader from North Carolina, and after travelling in the South about two months, ran away from him.

Any person complaining said slaves, are requested to come and prove property, pay charges and take them away, or they will be dealt with according to law.  B.J. SMITH, Jailor.  Burnsville, Yancy co., Feb. 14, 1843.

Highland Messenger, Asheville, 17 Feb 1843.

The infamous business of abducting free people of color.

Fayetteville, March 19. Kidnapping. – We learn that this infamous business is carrying on to a considerable extent, near the lines of the counties of Sampson, Wayne and Johnston, and that five free persons of color, have been abduced [sic] from that neighborhood, by a set of daring outlaws & most probably have been sold in bondage.  If these things be so it is time for the citizens of that neighborhood to be active in their exertions to bring the offenders to justice.  The cause of suffering humanity, calls upon them for a generous effort in behalf of this unfortunate class of our population.  The violated laws of the State require them, as good citizens, to use every possible means to vindicate its humane, and merciful provisions, ferreting out and bringing to punishment its invaders.  Journal.

Carolina Watchman, Salisbury, 29 Mar 1834.

 

He was found five weeks afterwards.

An old free negro strayed off from the poor house in Warren co., on the 20th Dec., on the night of which day it is supposed he died.  His dead body was found five weeks afterwards, having been exposed o all the weather since.  What is singular to the case, there was very little sign of decay on the body, but it had the appearance rather of drying up.

Carolina Watchman, Salisbury, 12 Feb 1851.

Runaway bound boys, no, 2.

Ten Cents Reward.

Ranaway from the subscriber on the 17th ultimo, mulatto apprentice boy, bound to me by the County Court of Haywood, named STEPHEN GIPSON, about 18 years old.  Said boy has a down look when spoken to.  I hereby forewarn all persons from trading with or harboring said boy under the penalty of law.  I will give the above reward for said boy if delivered to me in Waynesville, Haywood county, N.C.  S. FITZGERALD.  July 5, 1844.

Highland Messenger, Asheville, 4 Oct 1844.

In the 1850 census of Tennessee Valley, Macon County: John Gipson, 46, white farmer; wife Mourning, 38, Indian; children Lavina, 16, Carton, 12, Solomon, 10, and Elias, 8, all Indian; and Stephen Gipson, 25, mulatto.  John was born in Buncombe County; the others in Haywood.  NB: Other adult male Gipsons listed nearby are described as “mulatto,” as is John Gipson in the 1880 census of Dutch Bottom, Cocke County, Tennessee.

 

On the 21st November last, from James Wallace, an indented apprentice by the name WILLIAM SYDNEY McLEAN.  And from R.L. De Armond, in July, 1844, an indented apprentice, (a mulatto) by the name of JACK HARRIS.  – The subscribers, their owners, will give a reward of five cents each for the apprehension of said boys; and they forbid any person employing or harboring them, at the peril of the law.  R.L. DE ARMOND.  Feb. 28, 1845.

Mecklenburg Jeffersonian, Charlotte, 7 March 1845.

A bill authorizing him to enslave himself.

LEGISLATURE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

… HOUSE OF COMMONS.  [Saturday, Sept. 14, 1861.]  Mr. Barringer, a bill authorizing Calvin McDaniel, a free negro, to enslave himself.  Read and passed.

Weekly Standard, Raleigh, 18 September 1861.

Craven County Apprentices, 1793-95.

On 20 July 1793, Susannah Dove, a free Negro woman, binds her sons Isaac Dove, an orphan aged 6 years old the 4th of April last, and Thomas Dove, an orphan aged three years the 4th of May last to John Brown.  Witnessed by Richard Triglith and William Orme and proved in court in December 1793.

On 13 December 1793, James Ruff, free Negro boy aged 18 years, was bound to William Bartlett, mariner, as a mariner.

On 10 March 1794, Jacob Carter, free Negro boy aged 10 years or thereabouts, was bound to William Jones as a cooper.

On 9 December 1794, George Carter, free Negro boy aged 17 years last September, was bound to Harding Ives as a turner.

On 9 March 1795, Betty Copes, free mulatto girl aged 9 years next 2 May, was bound to James Houston, Sr., as a spinster.

On 14 [March] 1795, Ned Lewis, a free Negro boy aged 10 years, was bound to Amos Wade as a mariner.