Five Cents Reward.
RANAWAY from the subscriber, a few weeks since, an indented Apprentice by the name of EPHRAIM BURNETT; he is a dark complected colored boy, 15 to 16 years of age. Whoever will apprehend and deliver the said Boy to me in Fayetteville, shall be entitled to the above reward, but no thanks or charges. All persons are forbid harboring or employing him in any manner whatever. JAMES BAKER. September 8, 1834.
Fayetteville Weekly Observer, 23 December 1834.
At January Term 1853, Sarah Rouse was bound to John D. Abernethy.
At October Term 1853, Matilda Rouse, age 10, was bound to John B. Hussey, and James C. Burnett, age 5, and Caleb W. Burnett, age 3, were bound to William M. Bowden.
At January Term 1854, Betsey Rouse, age 4, and Mary Rouse, age 3, were bound to Calvin Jernigan.
At October Term 1854, Mary S. Aldridge, “mulatto girl,” was bound to John W. Chambers.
In the 1850 census of Duplin County, in the household of white farmer James Maxwell, Matilda, 7, and Sarah Rouse, 5, both mulatto. Nearby, Eliza Rouse, 27, and son Samuel, 1, both mulatto, in the household of white farmer James Tucker.
In the 1850 census, North Side of the Neuse, Wayne County: Mary, 48, Sarah, 26, Mary, 4, James, 2, Charles, 20, Churchill, 22, and William Burnett, 24.
Minutes, Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, Court Records, Duplin County Records, North Carolina State Archives.
More re the alleged Negro-stealing free Negro, Micajah Burnett:
Weekly Standard (Raleigh NC), 20 September 1848.
State of North Carolina, To the Sheriff if Wayne County } Greeting – You are commanded to summon Wm. Burnett to be and appear before the Judge of Probate of Wayne County at the Court House in Goldsboro on Friday the 17th day of September 1875 at 11 A.M. and testify under oath, upon the hearing of a motion now pending in the Probate Court of said County, made by Mary Lynch Ex parte – And also to bring with him the said Wm Burnett and produce at the time and place aforesaid a certain deed or paper writing executed by the late Wm Smith to the late Himerick Lynch, conveying to the said Lynch a lot of land in the town of Goldsboro, at the Southwestern corner of West Centre and Elm Streets – or conveying to him an interest [illegible] – And that he also bring and produce as aforesaid any paper in his possession relating to said land or the title of the said Lynch thereto. Herein fail not under the penalty prescribed by law.
Witness W.T. Yelverton Judge of Probate for Wayne County the 16th day of September 1845. /s/ W.T. Yelverton Probate Judge
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North Carolina, Wayne County }
Mary Lynch Ex parte } In the Probate Court
Mary Lynch swears that she is the widow of Himerick Lynch deceased, who died during the year 1865 seized of a lot of land in Goldsboro on the Southwestern Corner of West Center and Elm Streets which had been conveyed to him by Wm. Smith now decesed – that before the death of the said Himerick he had left said deed in the hands of Wm Burnett, who now has the same in possession if it has not been destroyed. Affiant further swears that she has never had dower, or homestead assigned to her out of said land or any other land of the said Himerick Lynch and that she is advised that she is entitled thereto, and has an interest in said land, and that said deed has never been proven and Registered. Mary X Lynch
Sworn to before me Sept 16th 1875 W.T. Yelverton
Estate Records, Wayne County Records, North Carolina State Archives.
In the 1850 census of North Side of Neuse, Wayne County: Himerick Lench, 32, painter, wife Mary, 32, and Susan Burnet, 10.
Kidnapping. – At Wayne Superior Court last week, the Grand Jury found true bills, for stealing Slaves (with intent to convey away, and sell, and dispose of) against Bryan Sanders, Needham Stevens, John P. Williams, and Micajah Burnett (a free negro.) The Defendants removed their cause to Sampson County, except Burnett, who has escaped to the North, and will probably soon turn lecturer on Abolition, to our tender-hearted friends in that region. We hope his prospects of success and fame, may not be marred by the fact that he has for some months been the agent of white men, in stealing negroes for sale at the South – and has largely shared in the profits. He can doubtless talk very affectingly and feelingly on the horrors of the internal Slave trade, having been extensively engaged in it himself. Raleigh Register.
Hillsborough Recorder, 18 October 1848.
William Burnett died 2 May 1881. His estate was opened in May 1881 by administrator A.K. Smedes and, at final account, was valued at $1049.84. Items removed from the rooms Burnett kept over J.N. Edwards’ store in Goldsboro included a barber chair and rest, a barber pole, four spittoons, two looking glasses, a pistol, and various items of furniture. He also had two lots on Pine Street. The estate file contains considerable information about Burnett’s family, which sued Smedes over his handling of the estate. Burnett died without a widow, children or grandchildren. Heirs were his sisters Mary Nixon, Betsy Burk, Elizabeth Burnett and Eliza Burden; nieces Delitha Burnett and Melitha Arnold, Amy Anne Stevens and Mary J. Dortch; and Susan Burnett. (Her relationship to William is not specified, and ultimately she did not receive a share of the estate.) Brothers-in-law mentioned in the documents were George A. Burden, Solomon Hill, Geo. Arnold, and Whitt Dortch. Also mentioned, William’s mother Elizabeth Burnett.
Estate Records, Wayne County Records, North Carolina State Archives.
In the name of God, Amen, I David Burnett of the County of Cumberland & State of North Carolina being of Sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this frail and transitory life do therefore make or ordain publish and declare this to be my last Will and testament, That it to say, first that after all my lawful debts are paid and discharged, the residue of my estate real & personal I give bequeath and dispose of as follows to wit: to my beloved wife Jane Burnett the land and appurtenances, whereon I now live located in 71st Township in the County of Cumberland & State of North Carolina during her natural life, and after her death to be equally divided among my daughters, Mary Catherine, Elisabeth Ann, Sarah Elisa, Laura Columbia, Amanda Carolina & Sudy Jane, To my wife Jane & my daughter Sarah Elisa, I give and bequeath my horse, To my daughter I give bequeath (Mary Cathrine) all my stock of Cattle, To my wife & Sarah Elisa I give and bequeath all my hogs, to my son John Henry Five dollars in money & my wearing apperall, if I should have any left; I give bequeath & devise all the rest & residue & remainder of my personal effects to my wife and daughters Like wise I make contribute and appoint my friend Daniel C. Munroe of 71st Township in the County of Cumberland & State of North Carolina to be my executor of this my last will & testament hereby revoking all former wills made by me, In witness whereof I have known to subscribed my name and affixed my seal the second day of December AD 1872 David X Burnett
Witness Wm. John X Chavers, D. McDugald
Proved 19 January 1884. Will Book E, Page 331, Register of Deeds Office, Cumberland County, Fayetteville.
On 12 December 1884, David Burnett’s executor, Daniel C. Monroe, filed a petition to sell lands for assets. Neill R. Blue, Alexander McKethan, John A. Monroe, Jane Burnett (widow), Mary Manuel, Catharine Burnett, Elizabeth Ann Chavers, Sarah Eliza Oxendine, Laura Columbia Williams, Amanda Carolina Burnett and Lundy Jane Burnett, minors, and John Burnett were named as defendants. Monroe noted that Burnett’s debts were about $250; that his personal estate had no value and was insufficient to set off a one-year widow’s allowance; that Burnett’s real property consisted of two tracts received from his father Jesse Burnett, totaling 150 acres, and located on Middle Creek between Buies Creek and Little Rockfish and between Little Rockfish and Middle Creek in 71st township; that Burnett’s widow Jane remained in his dwelling house on said tracts; that there were various claims on parts of the tracts; and that all the defendants lived in Cumberland County. Other documents listed Burnett’s widow as “Jennette” Burnett and identified his daughter’s husbands as Jacob Manuel, William Chavers and Alexander Oxendine. Executors released and quitclaimed the 25 acres above to the widow and heirs. It contained a house and a graveyard.
From the file of David Burnett, Cumberland County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, https://familysearch.org. Original, North Carolina State Archives.
In the 1860 census of Western Division, Cumberland County: David Burnett, 42, farmer, wife Jane, and children Mary, 12, Elizabeth, 10, Sarah, 9, John, 4, and Laura, 4 months. Next door: Jesse Burnett, 70, and wife Elizabeth Burnett,72.
Bettie Alford. Died 7 September 1916, Smithfield, Johnston County. Colored. Widowed. Dressmaker. Born 1 June 1856, Goldsboro, Wayne County, to Thomas Waters and Dolly Burnett. Buried Smithfield NC. Informant, India Hicks, Smithfield.
In the 1860 census of Goldsboro, Wayne County: Dolly Burnett, 20, sewing, with Polly, 18, Betsy, 5, and William An Burnett, 3.
John Henry Burnett. Died 2 June 1921, Seventy-first, Cumberland County. Colored. Married to Lula Smith. Farmer. Age 72. Born to David Burnett and unknown mother. Informant, J.S. Hughes.
In the 1860 census of Western Division, Cumberland County: David Burnett, 42, farmer, wife Jane, 30, and children Mary, 12, Elizabeth, 10, Sarah, 9, John, 4, and Laura, 4 months.
Sarah Elizabeth Burnett. Died 13 February 1915, Stewarts Creek, Harnett County. Black. Married. About 60 years old. Born in NC to Evan Chance and Eliza Chesnut. Buried Harnett County. Informant, Mathew Burnett.
In the 1850 census of Eastern Division, Cumberland County: Evans Chance, 48, Louisa, 26, Nixon A., 11, Biddy E., 9, Mary A., 7, William A., 6, Henry E., 5, Joseph, 4, Sarah E., 2, and Curtis, 1. In the 1860 census of Cumberland County: Evans Chance, 57, cooper, children Rhoda E., 19, Jos., 14, Curties, 12, Sarah E., 12, Jno., 6, Dicey J., 4, and Jane, 3, plus Hanibal E. Corbin, 1, and A.W. Chance, 1.
Sarah Smith. Died 21 March 1921, Selma, Johnston County. Colored. Widowed. About 80. Born Cumberland County to John Burnett and Hannah Burnett. Buried Col. Selma cemetery. Informant Gus Smith, Selma.
In the 1860 census of Cumberland County: John Burnett, 47, wife Hanna, 46, and children Guilford, 22, Sarah, 13, Betsy J., 11, Mathew J., 7, Jno. W., 3, and Martha Burnett, 7 months.
LOST OR MISLAID. On Friday or Saturday last, a note of hand, given by George Moses and made payable to me, dated 17th January 1850 for $10. Persons are hereby notified not to trade for said note, and the drawer from paying it, to any one except myself. WILLIAM BURNETT. Goldsboro’ Jan. 22, 1850.
North Carolina Telegram, Goldsboro, 31 January 1850.
This North Carolina Highway Historical Marker, located northeast of Faison in Duplin County, commemorates Ezekiel Ezra Smith, educator, minister of the gospel, and United States minister to Liberia. Smith’s first wife was William Ann Burnett. For more on his life, see History of the American Negro and his Institutions, Volume 4, Arthur Bunyan Caldwell, ed.; and Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, Volume 5, William S. Powell.
In the 1860 census of North Division, Duplin County: Cassy Smith, 45; her children Charlott, 25, Dorcas, 19, Rebecca, 16, Richard, 14, Mary G., 12, Ezekiel, 8, Theus, 4, and an infant, 2 months; plus Calvin Brock, 10, and Samuel Perlie, 35.
In the 1860 census of Goldsboro, Wayne County, Wm Burnett, 49, barber, and wife Cuzzy, 50. Next door: Dolly Burnett with daughters Polly, 12, Betsy, 5, and William An, 3. Next door to them: Solomon Finch, 28, barkeeper, wife Eliza [née Burnett], 27, seamstress, and children Georgianna, 10, and Thomas Russell Finch, 2.
Fourth Generation Inclusive 