Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Tag: Anson County

May 14, 2015

Skipped bail.

$10 REWARD.

The above Reward of TEN DOLLARS will be given for the apprehending of

ERVIN ROBESON,

A free man of colour, was committed to the Jail of Moore County on a charge of petty Larceny. Being desirous of giving Bail has indentured himself to me for a term of years, to become his bail. The said Ervin has absconded himself from my employment. Ervin is about 22 years of age, 5 feet 10 or 11 inches high, tolerable bright mulatto, had on when he left, homespun coat and sattinett pantaloons and an old cloak. It is supposed he will aim for Anson county, where he was raised, or to Randolph county, where his wife’s people reside. Any person apprehending said Ervin and confining him in any Jail so that I get him again, will be entitled to the above reward, and all reasonable charges paid. All persons are forewarned from harboring or employing said Ervin.  A. MUNROE.  Caledonia, Moore Co., March 8th, 1833.

Fayetteville Weekly Observer, 2 April 1833.

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May 13, 2015

Can the preacher preach?

Friday, 30th.

Mr. Morris presented the petition of sundry citizens of Anson, praying the passage of an act to permit Ralph Freeman, a free man of color, to exercise the functions of a Preacher. Referred.

North-Carolina Free Press (Halifax), 11 December 1832.

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April 2, 2014

Surnames: Anson County, 1860.

The following surnames are found among free people of color in the 1860 census of Anson County:

BAKER, BASS, BUNTING, CONRAD, EVANS, FREEMAN, GATHINGS, HAIN, HEDSPETH, HONEYCUT, HOOKS, HOWEL, JACKSON, JONES, KNIGHT, LOCKLEAR, LOMAC/LOMAX, MUMFORD, MURRAY, NEWBERRY, RANDAL, REID, REVEL, ROBINSON, SHAVER, SMITH, SNEED, STEWART, TEAL, TRUEBLOOD, WALKER, WARREN, WATTS, WILLIAMS, WILLOUGHBY.

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June 13, 2013

140 acres on the waters of Island Creek.

Zachariah Robinson to Tabitha May

This Indenture made this 21st day of February in the year of our lord 1818, Between Zachariah Robinson of the State of North Carolina & county of Anson of the one part, and Tabitha May of the same county and State of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Zachariah Robinson hath for and in consideration of the sum of twenty four dollars to him in hand paid by the said Tabitha May, before the sealing and delivery of these presents the Receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath bargained sold & conveyed and doth by these presents bargain sell and convey unto the said Tabitha May a certain tract or parcel of land situate lying & being in the State of No Carolina and Anson County on the waters of Island Creek. Bounded as follows Beginning in Hamers line at a small pine one pine pointer and runs with Hamers line So 86 E 25 chains to Hamers second corner there So 15 chains to three pines & two black jacks pointers then East 10 chains to a stake one hickory & two pines pointers then So. 15 chains to a stake, two black jacks & one Spanish pointer then So 30 E. 2 chains and 50 links to a stake and two black jacks pointers then E. 19 chains to a large pine then So 24 chains to a hickory then  East to the Miry Branch then down said  Branch to a white oak in Phillips line then No. 30. W. 44 chains to a large pine one black jack and white oak pointers then No. 32 wt. 15 chains to a black jack one pine and post oak pointers then No. 87 W. 25 chains to a pine then North 5 East 20 chains to the first station with all and singular the appurtenances there unto belonging and I the Zachariah Robinson do for myself and my heairs disannul disclaim and disown any right or title to the said tract land, containing one hundred and forty acres more or less, and will warrant and defend the same unto the s’d Tabitha May against the lawful claim or claims of me and my heirs forever. But no others. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and date above written.    Zach. Robinson {seal}

Signed Sealed and delivered In the presence of Wm. Davis, Benjamin Moorman }

Anson January Term 1819: — Then the within Deed was duly proved in open court by the oath of Benjamin Moorman and ordered to be Registered.   Tod Robinson Clk.

Will Book 5, page 268, Register of Deeds Office, Anson County Courthouse, Wadesboro.

[Sidenote: Island Creek is a waterway between a large island in the Pee Dee River and the shoreline on the Anson County side. It is located south of present-day Interstate I-74 and between the towns of Morven in Anson County and East Rockingham in Richmond County.  — LYH]

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June 11, 2013

I ordain that my wife and seven children shall be free.

In the name of God, amen, I Abraham Jones of the County of Anson in the State of North Carolina, farmer, being very Sick and weak in body, but of Perfect mind and memory, thanks be given to God; calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and Testament; that is to say, principally and first of all, I give and recommend my Soul into the hand of Almighty god that gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent Christian burial, at the discretion of my executors; nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection, I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching such Worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless, me in this life, I give, demise, and dispose of in the following manner.

And first of all as my wife Lydia was the purchase of my money: lest any person should after my death take advantage of my family to indeavor to bring them into bondage, I do hereby will Ordain and Establish that my wife Lyddia, and Seven Children which she hath had by me which she hath had by me which I own as the offspring of my body, viz Isaac, Jacob, John, Thomas, Abraham, Lewis, and Sucy Shall be free from any slavery servitude bondage or any incomberance whatsoever as touching anything that might arise from the adore sd purchase of my wife Lyddia, and I do hereby release relieve and diliver them and each of them, from any claim or demand whatsoever of any person or persons claiming under any right or title from me  ___ otherwise giving them their freedom and that forever. And as to the division and distribution of Lands and other property I demise in the following manner.

I will and bequeath to my son, Isaac the sum of thirty Shillings Sterling, money of South Carolina, I will and bequeath unto my son Jacob fifty Acres of land where he now lives to be so laid off as not to cross the Big branch it to include his house where he now lives.

I will and bequeath to my daughter Suckey one horse of the value of twenty pounds N.C. Currency a side sadle, and one Cow and Calf to e delivered to her  in two years after my death.

I will and bequth unto my beloved wife Lyddia, all my moveable property, together with the use and full possession of the remaining Part of my land, to wit 200 acres (to have the sole command of all my Real and personal Estate) after my Lawful debts are paid) during her life or Widdowhood

I will and bequth unto my Children, viz John, Thomas, Abraham, Lewis, and Suckey, at the death or marriage of my wife, an Equal division of all my moveable Estate, and the land to be divided equally amongst my sons, John, Thomas, Abraham and Lewis, and lastly I appoint, my wife and my trusty friend Stephen Thomas as my sold Executrix and executor, establishing this my last will and testament disannulling all other wills and bequests whatsoever                  Abraham X Jones

Signed pronounced Sealed and established in the presence of us

Frame Woods, John X Martin, Benjamin X Thomas

—–

State of North Carolina

Anson County          July Court 1805

Then the within will was duly proved in open court by the oath of Benj. Hinson one of the witnesses thereto and Ordered to be recorded    Ted Robinson Clk

Will Book 2, page 77-78. Office of Clerk of Superior Court, Anson County Courthouse, Wadesboro.

Abraham Jones appears in the 1790 census of Anson County as the head of a household of nine free people of color.

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June 10, 2013

I bind my son and daughter.

THIS INDENTURE Made this 5th day of June in the year 1795 Between Hannah Robertson of Anson County and state of North Carolina of the one part and Joseph Clark of the same County of the other part Witnesseth that I said Hannah Robertson for and in consideration of Divers good cause me thereunto moveing have put placed & bound unto Joseph Clark my two children Viz. my son Mastin Robertson & my Daughter Sarah Robertson until they arrive at the age of Twenty one years each that is to say that I Bind my Son Mastin for the Term of Twelve years and nine months and my said Daughter Sarah for the term of Twelve years and Seven month from the date hereof And also I Rachael Chaves do put under and Bind unto Joseph afsd.  My son Edmond Chaves for the Term of Eighteen years & ten month from the date hereof  Each one to learn the Business and occupation of planter etc. he the said Joseph Clark obliging himself to find and provide for them the afsd. Children or cause it to be done Sufficient & usual provision & Clothing and other nessessaries fit for their Condition and Station during the said term and I the said Hannah Robertson & Rachael Chaves by these presents vest and Authorise him the said Joseph Clark with full power to compel them in a Reasonable way to comply with their duty as Bound Servants etc. In Witness whereof we Hannah Robertson & Rachael Chaves have hereunto set our hands & seals the day and year above written.   Hannah X Robertson   Rachel X Chaves

Witnesses Ezra Bostick J.P., James Fields, Samuel Curtis

Deed Book E, page 352. Register of Deeds Office, Anson County Courthouse, Wadesboro.

 

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June 1, 2013

He was foully dealt with.

MURDER. — On Sunday morning last, the body of a free colored man, named Michael Knight, was found near Sandy Plain church, in this county, under circumstances that lead to believe that he had been foully dealt with. He was entirely nude, excepting socks upon his feet, and his body was horribly mangled, having been badly beaten with a stick, and his neck dislocated. Coroner A. Nixon held an inquest on Monday, before whom evidence was brought to light pointing to two white men as the perpetrators of this deed. The evidence, however, is wholly circumstantial. We suppress the names of the accused for the present, understanding that warrants are in the hands of the proper officers for their arrest. So far as we can understand there are no extenuating circumstances for the perpetration of this horrible deed.

The Argus, Wadesboro, 16 February 1860.

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May 15, 2013

Concerning the emancipation of Chaney Moreman.

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.

 

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May 13, 2013

Bury me by my mother.

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.]

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May 9, 2013

She has left my bed and board.

Notice

Whereas my wife Elizabeth Skipper has left my bed & board without sufficient cause on Wednesday September 3, 1851, I hereby forbid anyone trusting her on my account & anyone harboring her will be dealt with, to the full extent of the law — Silas Skipper.

Wadesboro Argus, 13 September 1851.

In the 1850 census of Wadesboro, Anson County: Silas Skipper, 45, ditcher, born South Carolina; wife Lety, 32, born South Carolina; and children William, 5, and Sarah, 2. Lety was described as mulatto; the others had no color designated. 

[Hat tip to Steve Bailey, genealogy1959@yahoo.com.]

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