$10 Reward. WILL be paid for the apprehension and delivery to me of HENRY ALONZO, a mulatto free boy, about 16 years of age. He is bound to me as an apprentice. I hereby forewarn all persons from harboring said boy. H. WHALBY. Fayetteville, Jan’y 1, 1864.
Fayetteville Observer, 11 January 1864.
NOTICE. TAKEN UP AND COMMITTED TO JAIL IN PITTSBORO’, Chatham county, N.C., a Negro Boy, about 23 years old, who says his name is RUFUS ROCHELL, and that he is free boy, and was a bound boy to Robert Jones, of Wake County; but he had no free papers in his possession, and was taken up under suspicion of being a runaway. Said boy is about 5 feet 8 inches high, heavy set, and very black. If said boy should be a free boy, and has any friends, they would do well to come forward and let it be known; and if a slave, the owner will come forward and take him away according to law, otherwise said boy will be dealt with as the law directs. R.B. PASCHAL, Sh’ff. April 29, 1850.
Weekly Standard, Raleigh, 4 May 1850.
The 1850 census of Saint Matthews, Wake County, shows: (1) white farmer Hillary Thompson, 43, wife Nancy, 43, and children Mary A., 13, and Robert, 6, plus Rufus Rochell, 19, black; and (2) Mary Ivy, 67, Temperance Ivy, 42, Rufus Ivy, 26, Reuben Mitchell, 10, William Terry, 21, all white; and Rufus Rochelle, 16, mulatto.
COMMITTED TO THE JAIL OF WAKE COUNTY, a negro man who says his name is WASHINGTON, and that he belongs to Capt. William Smith, of the 6th regiment N.C.T., and he now resides in Petersburg, Va. Said boy says that he was put on the cars at Salisbury, N.C., by his master, and by some accident they became separated, and he, the said boy, was taken up and committed as a runaway.
Also, another negro, calling himself HENRY BROOKS; says is free, and that he is from Wayne County, N.C., and was bound to Benj. Herring, of said county, now dead. Said boy is a bright mulatto, about 27 years old.
Notice is hereby given that the owner or owners come forward, prove property, pay charges, and take them away, or they will be dealt with as the law directs. W.H. HIGH, Sheriff. Oct. 14, 1862.
Weekly Standard, Raleigh, 15 October 1862.
“Solomon Waddell Nash, Sr. (1779-June 25, 1846) was an African-American carpenter in antebellum Wilmington before and after he was emancipated in 1827. During his career as a builder, especially in the 1830s, Nash worked and spent time in both Wilmington and Fayetteville, port cities linked by trade along the Cape Fear River, both known for their many free people of color.
“Born a slave in 1779, Nash worked as an enslaved artisan during much of his life and gained his freedom in middle age. On July 26, 1827, members of the prominent white Waddell family (John, Francis, and John, Jr.) posted a bond for the emancipation of “a certain negro slave named Solomon Nash.” Nash’s surname recalled another leading white family in the state with ties to the Waddells. His parents’ names are not known. At the time of his emancipation, Nash must have had his business well established, for in March 1828 he took three orphaned boys of color — Robert Bryan, James Jacobs, and James Allen — as apprentices to the carpenter’s trade in New Hanover County. In Cumberland County he took William Revels, aged 16 in 1832, and Robert Wesley, aged 11 in 1834, as carpenter’s apprentices, and in New Hanover County in 1838 he apprenticed Joshua Jacobs and Charles Cochran, both 16. Nash also acquired real estate in Wilmington, owning lots with a total purchase price of about $3,200. His carpenter’s shop was located on his lot on Front Street between Chestnut Street and Mulberry (Grace) Streets. He also owned at least five slaves at his death and may have owned others.
“Like other emancipated individuals, Nash worked to gain the freedom of his family members. His first wife was an enslaved woman, and thus his children with her were also enslaved. In 1835-1836, as a resident of Fayetteville, he obtained a special act of the legislature to emancipate his children, Lucy, Ann, Emiline, and Priscilla. In the meantime, Nash had remarried in 1833, his second wife being a free woman, Celia A. Bryant. According to family accounts, the couple had two sons, Solomon Nash, Jr., and John Nash, born in about 1836 and 1841.
“Despite Nash’s long career in his trade, little is known of specific buildings he constructed. According to Nicholas Schenck’s memoir of antebellum Wilmington, the “Jas. Anderson” house (the Hogg-Anderson House) was “built by Solomon Nash.” This is a 2 1/2-story, Federal style frame dwelling with side-passage plan and transitional Federal-Greek Revival finish. Indicative of his trade practices, after Nash’s death, the Wilmington Commercial newspaper advertised for sale “a part of a House Frame on the lot of S. W. Nash’s late residence, 1 Lot of Window Blinds, 1 Lot about 3,000 ft. Lumber opposite Mrs. Owen’s residence, and about 10,000 ft. seasoned 1 1/4 inch boards.” The advertisement indicates that Nash had his workshop and his residence at the same address.
“In 1846, Nash was working on a project for brick contractor Robert B. Wood (see Wood Brothers). Wood’s son, Thomas F. Wood, remembered that when Wood was “putting up a building on Front Street between Market and Dock, “a mulatto carpenter by the name of Solomon Nash fell from the scaffolding and was killed.” The Wilmington Chronicle of July 1, 1846, reported that the scaffolding had collapsed, sending three white workers, two slaves, and the free carpenter Nash tumbling to the ground. All survived but Nash. The slaves, identified as Ben Berry and Ephraim Bettencourt, may have belonged to Nash. A few months later, the Chronicle of September 23, 1846, carried an advertisement offering for hire for the rest of the year “two carpenters, one woman, and two children, belonging to the estate of Solomon Nash, deceased.”
“At his death, Nash left to his wife Celia a house and lot on Winslow Street in Fayetteville. He also left a female slave, Venice, to his daughters, with the condition that she be freed ten years after his death. His executor was Matthew N. Leary, one of Fayetteville’s leading free men of color. By 1850, the two Nash sons, Solomon, Jr., and John, were living in Fayetteville in the household of Nelson and Elizabeth Henderson. Solomon, Jr., also entered the carpentry business in Wilmington and for a time had his shop at his father’s old location on Front Street. After the Civil War he became active in political and civic affairs, serving as county jailer, a founder of Pine Forest Cemetery (ca. 1869), and in leadership positions at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church and Giblem Masonic Lodge. Several years after his death, the senior Nash’s remains were moved to the Pine Forest Cemetery, where handsome carved stone markers were erected, probably by Solomon Nash, Jr., to mark the graves of Solomon, Sr., and Priscilla Nash Burney (d. 1855).”
Author: Nancy Beeler. Update: Catherine W. Bishir. Published 2010.
As published in North Carolina Architects and Builders: A Biographical Dictionary, http://ncarchitects.lib.ncsu.edu (All rights retained.) This web site is a growing reference work that contains brief biographical accounts, building lists, and bibliographical information about architects, builders, and other artisans who planned and built North Carolina’s architecture.
Ann Whitehurst, Bill Whitehurst and Edward Whitehurst were bound to Whitehead Humphrey in 1817.
Elisha Boon and Sarah Boon were bound to Jesse Orrell in 1817.
Abe Barrow was bound to Jesse Humphrey in 1818 to learn the trade of shoemaker.
Nancy Whitus and Elijah Whitus were bound to Whitehead Humphrey in 1818.
Elisha Boon and Sarah Boon, children of Betty Boon, were bound to Turner Ellis in 1818.
Peter Calton Boon and Betsey Boon were bound to James Johnston in 1818.
Mary Hammonds were bound to James Barrow in 1818.
Durant Henderson and Willis Henderson were bound to John Jones in 1818.
Apprentice Records, Onslow County Records, North Carolina State Archives.
FIVE CENTS REWARD. – Ranaway from the subscriber, on or about the 10th October, 1850, a mulatto boy named Wm. Bird, who was bound to Henry S. Hicks and by him transferred to Dr. Cameron, and the last named to me. Said boy has been engaged in the carriage painting business – is intelligent, and well spoken – he is a bright mulatto, about 20 years of age, and about five feet ten inches high. The above reward will be paid for his apprehension and delivery to me; and all persons are cautioned against harboring him. ABNER M’COY. January 4.
Lincoln Courier, Lincolnton, 1 February 1851.
On 14 June 1797, Ann Maria, free person of color aged 3 years in September next, was bound to Euphamia Tinker, Widow, as a spinster.
On 16 June 1797, Lucy, a free person of color aged 7 years, was bound to Patsy Gaynor [Gainer], widow of New Bern, as a spinster.
On 17 June 1797, Samuel McKinnin, a “certain lad of colour” aged 4 years the 25th of December last, was bound to Isaac Markel, mariner of New Bern, as a mariner.
On 16 March 1798, Reading Moore, a base born free Negro boy, was bound to Francis Lowthorp, Esq., of New Bern, as a tobacconist.
On 10 December 1798, Sampson Wilson, free black boy aged 7 years, was bound to William Tignor of New Bern as a block maker, and Amy Wilson, a free black girl aged 11 years, was bound to Tignor as a spinster.
On 10 June 1799, Polly Harris, a free black girl aged 16 years, was bound to William Laurence, merchant of New Bern, as a spinster, and Thomas Harris, a free black boy aged 11 years, was bound to Laurence as a cooper.
One Dollar Reward.
Ranaway from the subscriber, on Monday the 1st inst., a bound mulatto girl by the name of SARAH ANN HAYWOOD. The above reward will be given to any one who will deliver the said girl to me. – All persons forwarned from harboring or employing the said girl, as the law will be enforced against any person who may do it. J.C. RUDISILL. Wood Lawn, Lincoln, N.C. June 25.
Lincoln Courier, Lincolnton, 8 August 1846.
Fifty Cents Reward!
Runaway from the subscriber, living 20 miles south-east of Lincolnton, in Gaston County, a bound girl, about 17 years of age, a dark mulatto. She left about the 18th of March last; her name is Susannah, and the above reward is paid for her apprehension. All persons are forewarned from harboring said girl, under the penalty prescribed by law. A. FITE. April 21
Lincoln Courier, Lincolnton, 5 May 1849.
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.
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.
Fourth Generation Inclusive 