Craven County | Fourth Generation Inclusive

March 15, 2013

Free-Issue Death Certificates: MISCELLANEOUS, no. 9.

W.H. (Willon Hatch) Brooks. Died 21 May 1925, Mitchell, Bertie County. Colored. Married. Farmer. Born 29 April 1860 in Wayne County to Wright Casey and Caline Brooks. Informant, Dave Brooks.

In the 1860 census of Indian Springs, Wayne County: Annis Brooks, 51, Caroline, 20, Bassel, 14, Elizabeth, 10, and Hatch, 2 months.

Louisa Davis. Died 23 August 1915, New Hope, Wayne County. Colored. Widow. Born 19 July 1840 in NC to Peter Ward and Milly Smith. Buried New Hope township. Informant, Clarisy Davis, Goldsboro.

Isham Smith. Died 12 February 1914, Fork, Wayne County, Colored. Married. Undertaker. Born North Carolina to unknown parents. Buried in Goldsboro. Informant, W.W. Faison.

In the 1860 census of Buck Swamp, Wayne County: Milly Smith, 45, and children Louisa, 25, Bitha, 15, Frances, 8, Clarissa, 4, Eliza, 5, Isam, 3, and Virginia, 1. [Sidenote: Isham Smith married Nancy Henderson, daughter of James and Louisa Armwood Henderson and sister or half-sister to Lewis and John Henderson and others. Isham and Nancy’s daughter Annie Smith married James Guess, who took over his father-in-law’s undertaking business and operated James Guess Funeral Home into the mid-20th century. — LYH]

Fannie S. Norwood. Died August 1930, Wilmington, New Hanover County. Resided 520 Walnut. Negro. Widowed. Teacher. Born in 1846 in Wilmington to James D. Sampson of Sampson County and Francinea Kellogg of Wilmington. Buried in Pine Forest. Informant, Mrs. S.E. Merrick, 520 Walnut.

In the 1850 census of Wilmington, New Hanover County: Jas. Sampson, 44, carpenter, wife Fanny, 39, children Jas., 20, Jos., 18, and Benj’a, all apprentices, John, 14, Mary, 12, M.A., 10, George, 8, Fanny, 4, and Nathan, 2.

William Petapher. Died 4 May 1910, New Bern, Craven County. Colored. Married. Shoemaker. Born 1843 to Wright Petapher and unknown mother. Buried Greenwood cemetery. Informant, Rosa Petapher.

Cesero Wiggins. Died [no day] April 1924, New Bern, Craven County. Negro. Carpenter. Resided 24 Crooked. Widower of Clarncie Wiggins. Born 1860 in New Bern to Wright Pettipher and Sarah Wiggins. Buried at Pettiphords cemetery. Informant Louisa Wiggins.

In the 1860 census of Neuse River, Craven County: Sarah Wiggins, 35, day laborer, Martha, 14, Julia, 12, Sabine, 10, Rebecca, 8, and Cicero, 6.

Theophilus George. Died 26 February 1918, #5, Craven County. Negro. Married to Hepsey George. Born 10 July 1850 to Theophilus George and Sarah Harkley. Informant, Oscar Frazier.

Mary F. Carter. Died 27 July 1915, North Harlour, Craven County. Negro. Married. Born 10 April 1863 in Craven County to Lige George and Sarah Fenner, both of Craven County. Buried Cohogue. Informant, A.V. George.

In the 1860 census of Goodings, Craven County: Elijah George, 50, farmer, wife Sarah, 30, Theophilus, 20, Timothy, 8, Nancy, 10, J.P., 4, and T.J., 2.

Bailey Godette. Died 22 June 1915, No. 5, Craven County. Negro. Married. Farmer. Born 15 May 1861 in North Harlowe to Andrew Godette and Debah George, both of North Harlowe. Buried North Harlowe cemetery. Informant, Debah Jackson, 99 Bern Street.

In the 1860 census of Goodings, Craven County: Andrew Godett, 24, day laborer, Mary F., 27, William B., 6, Nancy, 4, and Sarah A., 3 months.

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March 13, 2013

Craven County Apprentices, 1810.

On 13 June 1810, Joseph Long, a free boy of color aged 16 years on 30 June 1810, was bound to Andrew Worron as a Taylor and habit maker.

On 10 September 1810, Jacob Lewis, a free boy of color aged 8 years, was bound to Joseph Robeson as a pilot and mariner.

On 10 September 1810, Smith Lewis, a free boy of color aged 10 years, was bound to Joseph Nelson as a pilot and mariner.

On 14 September 1810, William Manning, a boy of color aged 16 years on 30 June 1810, was bound to Andrew Worron as a tailor and habit maker.

On 10 December 1810, Jesse Gaudet, a free boy of color aged 3 years, was bound to William Physioc as a cooper.

On 12 December 1810, London Howard, 13, and John Gaudett, 10, free boys of color, were bound to Horatio Dade as coopers.

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March 13, 2013

Freedman’s Bank depositor, no. 1.

No. 3513. Record for Loftin Chance. Date April 18, 1873. Where born: Slocum’s Cove. Where brought up: ditto. Residence: ditto. Age 24. Complexion: brown. Occupation: Sailor on wood-boat. Works for self. [No wife or children.] Father: Solomon Chance. Mother: Mary Jane. Brothers and Sisters: Johnson, John, Caroline. Signature: Loftin Chance.

Freedman’s Bank Records, National Archives and Records Administration.

In the 1850 census of Craven County: Solomon Chance, 26, boatman, wife Jane, 26, son Loftin, 8 months, and Joshua Lewis, 21, boatman.

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March 12, 2013

Licensed to carry.

Free Negroes licensed to carry guns 12 months

Date of license June 1852 – Loftin Chance, Richard Morris, George Lewis, Ezekiel Chance, Theophilus George, William Cully

September 1852 – Israel Pettiford, John Gaudet, John A. Wiggins, James Gaudet, Wright Pettiford, Will. Gaudet, George Roberson, Ben. Banton

Dec’r 1852 – Kelso Davis, Rufus Chance

March 1853 – Sylvester Gaskins, John Fenner, Thomas Fenner, Elijah George

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

In the 1850 census of Craven County, the following households:

Israel Pettiford, 25, farmer, wife Lucretia, 29, and children Caroline, 14, Willis, 3, and Francis, 2.
Loftin Chance, 57, farmer, wife Betsy, 55, and Ezekiel, 20, Rufus, 18, Betsy, 12, and [illegible] Chance, 11. Also, Rufus Chance, 45, cooper, wife Hannah, Samuel Carter, 10, and Amos Fenner, 9.
Richd. Moore Jnr., 35, laborer, wife Elennor, 25, and Mary, 4.
George Lewis, 33, boatman, wife Rebecca, 29, and Amos, 7 months.
Thepolus George, 22, boatman, wife Lucinda, 21, and Levery Godett, 55. Also Theop. George Jnr., 46, farmer, Susan, 24, Merinda, 18, Elijah, 16, Deborah, 12, Betsy, 9, James, 6, and Martha, 1.
James Godett, 70, farmer, wife Hepsy, 41, and James, 10, Jeremiah, 9, and William Godett, 6.
Right Pettiford, 38, farmer.
John Godett Jnr., 28, laborer, wife Mary, 24, and Francis, 6, Susan, 2, Nancy, 1 month, and Nancy Harkley, 17.
William Cully, 50, farmer, Mary, 40, William, 17, Hepsy, 16, Phebe, 14, and Mary, 3.
John R. Wiggins, 64, farmer, wife Julia, 50, and children George,14, Philip,12, Julia,10, Unis, 8, Nelly, 73, and John, 3.
John Fenner, 55, wife Ann, 45, and Philip Moore, 12.
Thomas Fenner, 50, Penelope, 55, and Thomas Carter, 9.
Elijah George, 35, boatman, Sarah, 21, Theopilus, 13, Matthew, 7, and Nancy, 1.
Benjamin Banton, 30, farmer, Celia, 70, Elizabeth, 25, Cornelia, 5, and Hepsy, 3.
George Roberson, 50, farmer, Betsy, 50, and Sidney Mahonis, 50.
George Godett Jnr., 66, farmer, wife Julia, 50, and William, 18, Andrew, 15, Sally, 15, Betsy, 32, and Jesse Ransom, 55.

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March 9, 2013

An Act to Emancipate Hannah.

CHAPTER LVIII.

An Act to Emancipate Hannah, Alias Hannah Bowers, a Person of Mixed Blood, Belonging to the Estate of the Late Alexander Gaston Deceased.

Whereas it appears to this General Assembly, That the late Alexander Gaston, of the town of New Bern, did in his lifetime frequently express a desire that the said girl Hannah should be set free, and did certify the same in his own handwriting, which certificate has been since found among the papers of the deceased: And whereas the widow of the said Alexander Gaston has also signified her desire that the said girl should in compliance with her husband’s wishes in his lifetime be set free:

I. Be it therefore Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby Enacted by authority of the same, That the said molatto girl called Hannah, alias Hannah Bowers, shall be, and is hereby declared to be emancipated and made free to all intents and purposes, and shall be entitled to all the privileges and benefits of a free person in as full and absolute manner, as if she the said Hannah had been born of a free woman. (Passed Jan. 6, 1787.)

Acts of the North Carolina General Assembly, 1786-1787, Colonial and State Records of North Carolina.

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March 7, 2013

She purchased her daughter that she might give her freedom.

State of North Carolina, Craven County } September Term

In the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ninety six, To the Worshipfull the Justices of the County Court of Common Pleas and Quarter Sessions held in and for the said County September Term A.D. 1796

The petition of Amelia Green of this said County and Town of Newbern humbly sheweth to your Worships, that She now is and for several years past has been a free woman, that She is the mother of a large family of Children all of whom except two daughters have been enabled as the fruits of their own industry and meritorious behaviour to acquire their freedom, Your petitioner further sheweth, that one of those two daughters not yet made free a mulatto of the name of Princess and about the age of Sixteen, was late the property of Isabella Chapman of New Hanover County in s’d State by the will of Ann Shaw, But that your petitioner (being induced thereto by her maternal affection toward her, and a desire to see all her family on the same footing) with much toil and industry, has succeeded to raise a sum of money sufficient to purchase the said Princess her daughter from the said Isabbella Chapman and has there with actually purchased by fair bill of sale which She prays may be taken as part of her petition, the said Princess your Petitioner daughter. Your petitioners sole motive to this expense was that She might give freedom to her said daughter, Your petitioner further begs leave to Inform your Worships that she is now far advanced in life that she feels the infirmities of age growing upon her, and contemplates the awfull event of Death as at no very distant period, an event (which, unless the goodness of your worships prevent) might frustrate the pious intentions of your petitioner toward her daughter and disappoint her of the reward of her labour. Your petitioner presumes to say with Confidance on behalf of Princess that she is a good Girl, a Good daughter, that, she possesses mild and peacefull disposition and industrious habits, which your petitioner will as is required make appear. Taking the premises therefor under your consideration, Your petitioner prays that your Worships would please to grant her a licence to set free and emancipate her said daughter the said Princess. And your petitioner as in duty bound shall every pray &ca. Amelia X Green

Signed in presence of Edward Graham.

[Granted.]

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

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March 6, 2013

One of the runaways had a free wife.

TAKEN UP AND COMMITTED TO THE PUBLIC JAIL — of Wilkes County on the 15th inst. three negro men, who say they belong to JOHN SMITH, a refugee, stopping at present at High Point, N.C. viz:

JO, about 30 years of age, weighs 160 lbs., five feet three and a half inches high, teeth good, “black as soot,” says he was raised in Jones County by MERRY JONES; had a free wife name ANNA DONE [DOVE]; is a shoe-maker.

CHARLES, raised in Craven County, owned by MRS. LAVINIA SMITH, of Edgecombe County; knows B.M. SELBY and other citizens of Tarboro’; 40 years of age, weighs 160 lbs., height five feet eight inches; black round face; and professes to be a sort of carpenter.

HENRY, 35 years of age; weighs 150 lbs., five feet eight inches high; yellow black in color; was raised in Virginia by DR. HARRIS, sold to JAS. HARRISON, who sold to JOHN SMITH, the present owner, and says he is a plasterer.

The owner or owners will please come forward, pay charges and take said negroes away, or they will be dealt with as law further directs. August 24, 1863 ROBT. M. SMITH, Sheriff.

Raleigh Standard, 26 August 1863.

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March 4, 2013

Save this girl from a state of slavery.

Notice: The attention of the public is requested in the following statement. On the evening of Saturday the 19th instant, the house of the subscriber, on Swift Creek, was entered during her absence, by John Bryan, and a free mulattoe girl named Dicey Moore, the daughter of Lydia Moore, was forcibly taken and carried away in a chair by the said Bryan. It is believed that he has a forged bill of sale for the girl, purporting to have been executed by her mother, and it is feared that he has carried the girl to the south, with the intention of selling her. Dicey Moore has lived with the subscriber ever since she was fifteen months old, and the fact of her freedom can be proved beyond the possibility of a doubt. She is now about seventeen years old, five feet high, with a yellowish complexion, black bushy hair, and wears rings in her ears. Bryan is about six feet high, has blue eyes, is a little round shouldered, and has a long nose. The editors of southern papers are requested to give the foregoing as insertions in their respective papers, as possibly it may save from a state of slavery this girl, who has unquestionable right to her freedom. Catherine Free, Swift Creek, Craven County, February 25, 1820.

Hillsborough Recorder, 5 April 1820.

Dicey Moore married George Carter on 12 July 1833 in Craven County. In the 1850 census of Craven County: George Carter, 63, laborer, wife Decy, 45, and daughters Margaret, 15, Ann, 13, Hannah, 10, and Betsy, 8. [One can only hope that this is Dicey, above, happily ever after. — LYH]

In the 1840 census of Newbern, Craven County, Lydia Moore appears as the head of a household of two free colored women, both over age 55.

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February 28, 2013

Every presumption was to be made in favor of freedom.

May Stringer v. Shepherd W. Burcham, 34 NC 41 (1851).

May Stringer, a free woman of color, filed suit in Carteret County alleging false imprisonment.

At trial, her counsel introduced a record certified by Craven County Court showing that, in December 1807, William Jessup filed a petition to emancipate certain of his slaves for meritorious services. The petition was granted, and bond provided. Among the slaves was a woman named Sinah. Stringer, who was born after the decree of emancipation, was the daughter of Hannah, who was Sinah’s daughter. Sinah and her descendents had been regarded as free persons of color since their emancipation, except on one occasion, when a man claiming to be William Jessup’s son came to Craven about 1817 and tried to carry off Hannah and another person. He was arrested and had not been since heard of. The court held that, “after an acquiescence for 30 years by the public in the enjoyment of her freedom, every presumption was to be made in favor of” Stringer’s freedom, “especially against a trespasser and wrongdoer.”

The jury found in favor of the plaintiff, and Burcham appealed. The State Supreme Court affirmed the verdict.

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February 22, 2013

Faithful, humble and obedient.

To the Hon.ble the Judge of the Superior Court of Law, for the County of Craven;

The petition of William Hollister respectfully sheweth unto your Honour that he is now the owner of two slaves by the name of Thomas, commonly called Tom Hollister, aged between forty six and fifty years, and another by the name of Mary aged about 28 (wife of Richard Smith a mulatto), that he is desirous of emancipating said slaves for their meritorious services and he shews unto your Honour that the said Thomas has served him faithfully in various capacities for near twenty years, that during that time he had made several voyages to the West Indies & New York where he might have easily obtained his freedom by absconding from his service – that he has been always obedient, humble & respectful in his deportment towards the whites. – that the slave Mary has been the property of your petitioner for fifteen or sixteen years, that she has been much trusted in the management of his household, and as nurse to his children, and has proved herself to be faithful, humble & obedient – She had now been living to herself for five or six years as free, and has maintained a good character for orderly & decent conduct, and industrious habits.

In consideration of the premises your Pet’r. prays your Honour that he may be permitted to emancipate said slaves agreeably to act of Assembly &c.

And your Pet’r. &c. Jn. H. Bryan for Pet’r.

In the 1830 census of Craven County, Thomas Hollister is listed as a head of a household that included six free people of color and one slave.

Miscellaneous Records, Craven County, North Carolina State Archives.

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