Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Tag: apprentices

February 6, 2013

He emigrated to Georgia and tried to take her and her children with him.

State of North Carolina Wayne County June 2nd 1853 Charity Bryant after Duly Sworn Deposith and Says as follows (viz) that She has Been acquainted with Fareby Simmons a free woman of Colour for the last Sixty years or theirabout and She lived with a certain William Burnham as an apprentice and after her time was Expired with Burnham She Still Remaind their with Burnham untwell he Sold out to Emigrate to the State of Georgia and wanted to Stip Said Fariby Simons off and hir children off with him and John Beck Thomas Wright William Gully Sollomon Rouse and Others and Established hir freedom and Burnham went of to the State of Georgia with his own Slaves and left fariby Simons and hir children to enjoy their freedom that was proven Hannah Simons a Daughter of Said Fariby was Bound as an apprintice to Betsey Burnham who afterwords intermarried with Thomas Simpson they Give up Said hanah as a free Girl and they have Remaind and past as free coulerd people ever since further the Deponant Sayeth Not  Charity X Bryant   June the 2nd Sworn to and Subscribed to Before me the Day & date first Written George Flowers JP

Records of Slaves and Free Persons of Color, Wayne County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

Nearly forty years after this statement was made, Charity Bryant’s granddaughter Minta Bryant Brown, a woman of color, sued one of Fereby Simmons’ descendants to take possession of a parcel of land.

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February 3, 2013

Their father bound them out, but wanted them back.

Haywood Musgrove v. Wm. J. Kornegay, et al., 52 NC 71 (1859).

On a writ of habeas corpus, Simon and Lucretia Musgrove, colored children, were brought into Wayne County Superior Court upon the petition of their father, Haywood Musgrove.  William J. Kornegay, in his defense, presented a deed that Musgrove had executed to Kornegay, purporting to bind the children to him as apprentices.  It appeared that Simon was over twelve years old at the time of the transaction; assented to the binding, but did not sign the deed; and served Kornegay three or four years.  However, Lucretia was only three or four years old at the time and did not assent to the binding in any way.

The court ordered Simon and Lucretia returned to Kornegay, and their father appealed.

The Supreme Court: “A father is entitled to the services of his child until he arrive at the age of twenty-one.” He has a right of property in the child’s services, may enforce them by reasonable correction, and if the child absconds or is taken away, may recover custody by habeas corpus.  However, a father cannot assign this interest to a third person, unless the child is old enough to enter a contract (age twelve at the time) and assents to the assignation by executing the contract with his father. In this case, Lucretia was too young to be sign a contract and should be returned to her father.  And though Simon was more than twelve years old, he did not sign the deed, “the proper order is to discharge the infant and permit him to go where he pleases. Order below reversed. This order will be entered, and judgment against Kornegay for costs.”

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February 3, 2013

Onslow County Apprentices, 1823-24.

James Henderson and Bryan Henderson were bound to Jason Gregory at February term, 1823.

Betsy Henderson was bound to James Glenn Jr. at February term, 1823.

Betsy, Nancy and Appie [no surnames] were bound to David Mashborn in 1823.

Miranda Henderson, James Henderson, Martha Henderson and Bryant Henderson were bound to James Glenn at February term, 1824.

Miranda Henderson was bound to Elizabeth Williams at August term, 1824.

William Henderson was bound to Lemuel Williams at May term, 1824.

James Henderson and Bryan Henderson, “the baseborn children of Patsey Henderson,” were bound to James Glenn Sr. at August term, 1824.

James Jarman, son of Charlotte Jarman, was born to 1824.

Amos Pittman, son of Sally Pittman, was bound to Edward Erwin in 1824.

Betsy Henderson and Gatsey Henderson, daughters of Nancy Henderson, were bound to Lewis Mills at August term, 1824.

Gatsy Pittman, daughter of Sucky Pittman, was bound to Jesse Humphrey in 1824.

In the 1860 census of Half Moon, Onslow County: Edmund Marshall, 25, cooper, and wife Martha, 20, “serving,” Gatsey Pittman, 45, domestic, and D.R. Ambrose, 23, merchant.

Needham Potter, son of Alice Potter, was bound to Charles Cox in 1824.

Patsy Henderson was bound to Amos Askew at November term, 1824.

Apprentice Records, Onslow County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

[Sidenote: All these Hendersons are my kin.  My great-great-great-great-grandfather James Henderson and his brother Bryan/Bryant were sons of Patsey Henderson.  Miranda and Martha “Patsey” Henderson probably were their sisters.  I believe Nancy Henderson was Patsey Henderson the elder’s sister, and her children above were Betsy, Gatsey and, possibly, William.  Apprentice records show a dozen or so free colored Henderson children in Onslow County in the first quarter of the nineteenth century.  It seems likely that they were from one extended family, but proof is thin. — LYH]

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January 30, 2013

He is a free man & not a slave.

State of North Carolina, Chowan County  } February 17th, 1844. Personally appeared before me, Thomas V. Hathaway, Clerk of the Court of Pleas & Q Sessions, in and for said County, John Buchannon, a yellow man aged about thirty seven years; about five feet, six inches in height; & proved before me, by Duncan McDonald, of Edenton, that he was free born; that he was bound to said McDonald, until he arrived to the age of twenty one years, which time he served out; wherefore I do hereby certify that the said John Buchannon hath made it, satisfactorily appear, that he is a freeman & not a slave; (Over) & in testimony of his being a free man & no slave, as proved, on oath, by said Duncan McDonald of Edenton, North Carolina.  I have hereto set my hand, & seal of office, at Edenton, the day & year aforesaid.

Miscellaneous Records, Chowan County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

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January 26, 2013

Onslow County Apprentices, 1820-1822.

James Jarman, son of Charlotte, was bound to James Glenn Jr. in 1820.

Frances Hammonds, daughter of Sena Hammonds, was bound to Joseph Hawkins in 1820.

James Henderson and Bryan Henderson, sons of Patsey Henderson, were bound to Jesse Gregory at February term, 1821.

“Patsey Henderson a free woman of color in Onslow County came into court and desired her two sons (viz) James Henderson and Bryan Henderson be bound to Jesse Gregory agreeable to law and give Jason Gregory and Hezekiah Williams for securities in the sum of $1000 each.”  February term, 1821, Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Onslow County Records, North Carolina State Archives.  In the 1840 census of Onslow County, James Henderson is listed twice.  First, his household includes 1 male 24-26; 1 female 10-24; 2 males under 10; and 1 female under 10, all colored, and is listed between Bryant Koonce and William Mills.  Second, the household composition is the same, but is listed between William Boyett and Jesse King. In the 1850 census of Upper Richlands, Onslow County: Jim Henderson, 35 year-old mulatto mechanic, is listed in the household of white farmer B.S. Koonce.  [Sidenote: James Henderson was my great-great-great-great-grandfather. — LYH]

Miranda Henderson and Patsey Henderson, daughters of Nancy Henderson, were bound to Nancy Henderson at May term, 1821.

The minutes of May term, 1821, Onslow County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions show that Jason and Gregory gave security for the bond. Court Records, Onslow County Records, North Carolina State Archives.  In the 1850 census of Upper Richlands, Onslow County: Nancy Henderson, 55, and children and grandchildren Gatsey, 30, Nervy, 25, Monday, 6, Lott, 4, Jessee, 1, and Sally Ann, 6 months.[Sidenote: Who was the Nancy Henderson to which the children were bound? A child could not be bound to his or her own parent. — LYH]

Charles Chance and Nancy Chance were bound to Nichodemus Gurganus in 1821.

In the 1850 census of Lower Richlands, Onslow County: Nancy Chance, 44, and her children Right, 26, Vicy, 12, Hester, 7, C.A., 6, and Rache, 3.

Patsey Henderson, age 5 or 6, was bound to Jason Gregory in 1822.

Gatsey Henderson and William Henderson, children of Simon Dove, were bound to James Glenn Sr. at August term, 1822.

The minutes of August term, 1822, minutes, Onslow County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, describe Gatsey and William as “colour’d children the reputed children of Simon Dove dec’d.”  Court Records, Onslow County Records, North Carolina State Archives. In the 1850 census of Upper Richlands, Onslow County: Nancy Henderson, 55, and children and grandchildren Gatsey, 30, Nervy, 25, Monday, 6, Lott, 4, Jessee, 1, and Sally Ann, 6 months.  

Alfred [no last name] was bound to John Thompson in 1822.

Isaac [no last name] was bound to Bazel Newbold in 1822.

George Boon was bound to John Thompson in 1822.

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January 22, 2013

Caswell County Will Books: H

At April term, 1817, Daniel Phillips, orphan boy of colour, age 8 years, bound to Edwin Rainey.

At July term, 1817, William Howel, a boy of colour age 12 years last September, bound to William Kennon.

At January term, 1818, Henry Logan, boy of colour age 14 years the 10th of March next, bound to William Sawyer.

At January term, 1818, Betsy Logan, a girl of colour age 12 years the 5th of April next, bound to Anderson Morton.

At April term, 1819, Luscinda Gillaspy, child of colour age 6 years the 20th May next, bound to Chandler Wilkins.

At April term, 1819, Anosha Gillaspy, child of colour age 3 years the 29th July next, bound to Frances Smith.

At January term, 1820, Dilcey Phillips, a girl of colour age 15 next September, and Frederick Phillips, a boy of colour age 12 years next March, bound to Polly Evans.

At January term, 1820, Matilda Garrott, a girl of colour age 12 in April next, bound to John N. McNeil until she attains 21 years of age.

At January term, 1820, John Robinson of Lynchburg, Virginia, desirous of rewarding a black by name of Jacob Thomas, who was raised by Bartlett Bennett of Orange County, Virginia, and was purchased by Robinson on 1 October 1808 from Thomas Jones of Campbell County.  (Said Jacob’s father being a free man of the same name.)  For $900 paid by Jacob Thomas, Robinson does hereby emancipate him and bestow upon him all the rights of a free man of colour in rhe Commonwealth of Virginia. 

At October term, 1820, Bob Kean, a boy of colour age 10 years the 25th of December next, bound to Thomas Brinefield.

At January term, 1821, Robert Gwyn and Ransom Gwyn, orphan children of colour age 7 and 11 years, bound to Azariah Graves. 

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January 22, 2013

Free-Issue Death Certificates: ARTIS, no. 2.

Lucinda Allen.  Died 1 October 1922, Flea Hill, Cumberland County.  Negro. Widow of William Allen.  90 years old. Daughter of unknown father and Lila Artist.  Buried in McPhail cemetery.  Informant, W.B. Allen.

In the 1850 census of Eastern Division, Cumberland County: Delila Artis, 63, with children and grandchildren, Mariah, 27, Lucinda, 20, Eliza, 30, Irvin, 13, Druzilla, 5, and Haywood, 1; all mulatto.  In the 1860 census of Cumberland East, Cumberland County: Wm Allen, 34, wife Louisa, 28, and children William G., 13, Marsha, 9,  Kisiah, 5, and Peter, 1 month; all black.

Martha Ann Allen, Died 29 August 1915, Flea Hill, Cumberland County. Black. Married. Born 1847 in NC to Jad Boone and Perniesa Artis.  Informant, M.E. Allen.

Pernecine Boone.  Died 14 April 1918, Fayetteville, Cumberland County. Resided Haymarket Hill. Colored. Married. 98 years old. Born in NC to John Artis and Bersalla Artis. Informant, Tom Johnson, Fayetteville.

In the 1860 census of Cumberland East, Cumberland County: Jerre Boon, 30, wife Pernetha, 25, and children Martha A., 3, and Harriet M., 6 months; all mulatto.

Ned Artis.  Died 21 October 1917, Falkland, Pitt County.  Colored. Single.  Born 1831, Wilson County, to Arch Artis and Rose Artis of Wilson County.  Buried Wilson County.  Informant, Joe Artis, Fountain NC. Undertaker, Jessee Artis, Wilson.

Tamar Bynum.  Died 25 December 1923, Wilson, Wilson County. Colored. Widow of George Bynum.  Age 77.  Born Wilson County to Arch Artis and Rosa Artis, both of Wilson County.  Informant, Rosa Bynum.

In the 1850 census of Edgecombe County, 55 year-old Arch Artis, “mulatto free.”  He was blind and lived alone. In the 1860 census of Gardners, Wilson County: Arch Artis, 65, described as blind, was listed in the household of white farmer Calvin Woodard, 32. Arch was free, but his wife Rosa and chidren were not.

Mandie Artis.  Died 20 November 1920, Roanoke, Northampton County. Colored. Widow of Jim Artis. Age 85. Born in the country to Squir Walden and Kimpie Walden.  Buried Lassiters cemetery.  Informant, Lam Artis, Jackson NC.

In the 1850 census of Northampton County: Squire Walden, 38, laborer; wife Temperance, 34; and children Samuel, 14, William, 13, Amanda, 12, Martha, 11, James, 9, Hester, 8, Payton, 5, and Whitman, 5, plus William Walden, 78, farmer, who claimed to own $498 property. All were described as mulatto.  Squire Walden married Tempy James on 28 March 1832 in Halifax County. 

June Bowes.  Died 19 June 1914, Murrays Neck, Hertford County. Negro. Widow.  Born 1827 to Hardy Artis and Polly Artis, both of Murrays Neck.  Informant, Henry Wilson, Murfreesboro.

Jane Sauls. Died 16 December 1928, Stantonsburg, Wilson County. Black. Widow of John Sauls. Born 1842 in Greene County to Guy Lane and Sylvania Artis. Buried Union Grove cemetery, Wayne County. Informant, Anna Sauls.

Mariah Swinson. Died 6 February 1955, Goldsboro, Wayne County.  Resided 500 Creech Street. Negro Widow. Born 14 February 1849 in NC to Daniel Artis and unknown mother. Informant, Mrs. Mary Swinson.

In the 1850 census of Greene County, Sylvany Artess, 36, listed with her children Daniel, 7, Mitchel, 5, Meriah, 4, Gui, 2, and Penny, 3 months; all black.  Her husband, Guy Lane, was a slave.  Was “Meriah” Sylvania’s niece, rather than daughter? In the 1860 census of Bull Head, Greene County, 40 year-old Dannel Artis, a ditcher, was listed next door to white farmer John Lane, in whose household several of Sylvania’s children lived.

Jonah Williams. Died 20 April 1915, Wilson, Wilson County. Colored. Widow. Born 25 Oct 1844 in Greene County to Solomon Williams and Vicie Artist.  Minister. Informant, Clarissa Williams, Wilson NC.

In the 1850 census of Greene County, Vicy Artess, 40, listed with children Zilpha, 22, Louis, 8, Jonah, 7, Jethro, 5, and Richard, 1.

Tabitha Hagins.  Died 19 November 1927, Kinston, Lenior County. Resided 509 Thompson. Colored. Widow. Born 1837 in Wayne County to Arion Seaberry and unknown mother. Buried Pikeville NC. Informant, Rev. J.H. Sampson.

In the 1850 census, North of Neuse, Wayne County, Aaron Seaberry, 32, farmhand, is listed with wife Louisa, stepson Napoleon [Hagans], daughter Frances, and 17 year-old Celia Seaberry, whose relationship to him is unknown.  In 1860, in Davis, Wayne County, Aaron Seaberry is listed with wife Eliza and Frances. Perhaps Tabitha was his daughter by an enslaved woman and was herself a slave.

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January 20, 2013

Onslow County Apprentices, 1819.

Mary Hammond was bound to Joseph Hawkins, 1819.

George [no last name] age 12, son of Hannah, was bound to Henry Thompson, 1819.

Rachel [no last name], daughter of Hannah, was bound to Charles Thompson, 1819.

James Jarman, son of Charlotte Jarman alias Hammonds, was bound to James Glenn, 1819.

Meriah Boon was bound to Buckner B. Berry, 1819.

Omy White was bound to Daniel Marshburn, 1819.

Mary Hammond was bound to James Barrow, 1819.

Apprentice Records, Onslow County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

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January 18, 2013

Craven County Apprentices, 1802-1804.

On 14 June 1802, Isaiah Godett, a free person of color aged 1 year the 19 October next, was bound to George Godett as a shoemaker.

On 18 June 1802, William Carter, a free Negro boy aged 12 years, was bound to Asa Jones as a cooper.

On 18 June 1802, John Carter, a free person of color aged 6 years, was bound to Frederick Jones as a cooper.

On 11 June 1804, James Lewis, a free person of color aged 2 years, and Sall Lewis, a free person of color aged 5 years, were bound to Gideon Sparrow as a ship carpenter.

On 12 June 1804, Peg Duncan, a free person of colour aged 6 years, was bound to Noah Champion of the town of New Bern as a spinster.

On 14 June 1804, Jim Dove, a free person of colour [no age listed], bound to John C. Stanly as a barber. An endorsement on the back of the bond indicated “James Dove” was born 2 February 1794, was 10 years and 4 months old, and had 10 years and 8 months to serve.  On the same day, Elijah Dove, a free person of colour, was also bound to John C. Stanly, as a house carpenter.

On 15 June 1804, Israel Harris, free person of color aged 12 years, was bound to James Carney, Esq., as a cooper, and Rachel Harris, a free person of color aged 14 years, was bound to him as a spinster.

On 10 September 1804, Elisha Gregory, a free person of color aged 20 years, Macksey Gregory, a free person of color aged 18 years 6 months, and James Willouby, a free person of colour aged 15 years, were bound to John C. Stanly as house carpenters.

On 11 September 1804, Lizzy Driggers, aged about 15 years, and Ana Driggers, aged about 18 years, two free base born orphans of color, were bound to Thomas Mahon until 21 years as spinsters.

On 14 September 1804, Peter Braddock, a free person of color aged 17 years, was bound to John C. Stanly as a house carpenter.

On 15 December 1804, Rachel Donaldson, a free person of colour, was bound to Edward Pasteur as a spinster.

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January 15, 2013

Craven County Apprentices, 1800-1801.

On 10 March 1800, Samuel Willis, a free Negro aged 19 years, son of Dorcas Moore, was bound to Francis Lowthrop, Esq., as a mariner.

On 9 June 1800, Jean Louis Baptiste Harman, a free mulatto orphan aged 14 years, was bound to Thomas Marshall as a Merchant.

On 8 September 1800, David Moore, a free Negro boy aged 11 years, was bound to Ebenezer Slade as a cooper.

On 8 December 1800, David Moore, a free Negro boy aged 10 years, was bound to John Moore as a cooper.

On 10 March 1801, Jerry Powers, a Negro boy aged 18 years last December, was bound to Thomas Oliver, of New Bern, as a baker.

On 8 June 1801, Polly Hagle, a free mulatto girl aged 13 years in March last, was bound to Elizabeth Bartlett of New Bern as a spinster.

On 17 September 1801, Sally Henry, a free Negro girl aged 7 years, was bound to Richard Forbes, of New Bern, as a spinster.

On 17 September 1801, Rhoda Dove, a free person of color aged 13 years, was bound to William Dudley as a spinster.

On 17 September 1801, Ferebe Lewis, a free Negro girl aged [blank], was bound to Richard Forbes of New Bern, as a spinster.

On 14 December 1801, Ricor Carter, a free person of color aged 7 years, was bound to Abel Carter as a cooper, and Mary Carter, a free person of color aged 9 years, bound to Abel Carter as a spinster.

On 14 December 1801, Nancy Carter, a free person of color aged 8 years, was bound to Benjamin Mitchell as a spinster.

On 14 December 1801, John Carter, Leonard Carter and William Carter, free persons of color aged 7, 7 and 15 years, were bound to Isaac Perkins as a cooper. William Godett, a free person of color aged 12 years, was also bound that day to Isaac Perkins as a cooper.

On 14 December 1801, William Parker, orphan aged about 14 years, was bound to Jacob Cook, mariner of New Bern, as a mariner.

On 14 December 1801, Stephen Dove, free person of color aged 12 years, was bound to Frederick Jones as a cooper.

On 15 December 1801, Ezekiel Chance, “a certain person of colour” aged 4 years, was bound to John Jones, Esq., of New Bern, as a cooper.  On the same day, Proseply Chance, aged 6 years, and Betsy Chance, aged 2 years, were bound to John Jones, Esq., of New Bern, as spinsters.

On 15 December 1801, Hannah Carter, a free person of color aged 10 years, was bound to Abel Moore as a spinster.

On 15 December 1801, Nelly Lindsay, a free person of color aged 2 years, was bound to Thomas Lovick as a spinster.

On 16 December 1801, John Dove, a free person of color aged 12 years, was bound to William Jones as a cooper.

On 18 December 1801, James Lewis, a free person of color aged 11 years, was bound to Henry Butler, mariner of New Bern, as a mariner.

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