Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Tag: Duplin County

September 15, 2016

Particulars for the funeral.

a-simmons-kroeger

Funeral bill for Anna Henderson Simmons, who died in Logansport, Cass County, Indiana, on 16 June 1906.

Anna H. Simmons was a native of Wayne County, North Carolina. Contrary to information shown in this document, her parents were James Henderson and Eliza Armwood Henderson. Anna’s husband Montraville Simmons was born in Duplin or Wayne County, North Carolina, in 1839 to John Calvin Simmons and Hepsie Whitley Simmons. The family migrated to Ontario, Canada, in the 1850s.

In the 1850 census of South Side of Neuse, Wayne County, North Carolina: farmer Calvin Simmons, 42, wife Hepsey, 46, and children Harriet, 13, Susan, 11, Montrival, 9, Jno. R., 7, Margaret, 5, Dixon, 3, and Geo. W., 1, plus Robt. Aldridge, 26, who worked as a hireling. 

In the 1860 census of Westbrooks, Sampson County, North Carolina: James Henderson, mulatto carpenter; wife Eliza; and four children, Anna J., Susan, Hepsie, and Alexander. 

Copy of funeral bill courtesy of Kroeger Funeral Home, Logansport, Indiana.

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May 13, 2015

Says he became dissatisfied and ran away.

NOTICE.

WAS COMMITTED TO THE JAIL OF DUPLIN County, about the 15th inst., a negro man who says his name is JACOB WARREN. Said negro was taken up and committed as a runaway slave, but says that he is a free man of color. He says that he was hired to Isaac P. Lee and John Kittrel, in Brunswick County, and became dissatisfied and ranaway. Said negro is about 5 feet 6 inches high, thick set, and a tolerably bright mulatto. Any one claiming said negro will come forward, prove property, pay charges and take him away, or he will be dealt with according to law. PATRICK MERRITT, Jailor.

July 2d 1858.

Wilmington Journal, 27 August 1858.

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February 28, 2015

Lurking near his father.

$30 REWARD.

RANAWAY from the subscriber, in April last, his boy NICHOLAS. Said boy is yellow-complected, about six feet high, has a down look when spoken to, and is passing for a free boy; he is, no doubt, lurking in New Hanover or the lower part of Duplin county, where his father Nicholas Buffoe, a bricklayer, has a wife. — I will give the above reward of thirty dollars for his delivery to the Subscriber, or confined in any jail in the State, so that I can get him.      WM. L. MOORE, Aug. 25th, 1854

Wilmington Journal, 6 October 1854.

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May 31, 2014

A free man of color gives information, is handsomely rewarded.

The Edenton Gazette states, upon information received from an undoubted source, that there have been killed in Southampton county upwards of one hundred negroes, consequent upon the late insurrection in that county. Fourteen of the thoughtless, savage wretches have been tried, of whom, thirteen were convicted, and are to be hung during the present week — there are thirty more now in the jail at Jerusalem yet to be tried, besides others in jail at Bellfield.

We understand that about twenty-one negroes have been committed to jail in Edenton, on a charge of having been concerned in concerting a project of rebellion. A slave has also been arrested and imprisoned in Duplin county, upon a similar allegation. He had communicated his knowledge of the scheme in agitation to a free man of color, who gave immediate information to the whites. Serious reports in relation to a revolt of the slaves in Wilmington and Sampson county, reached this city, by the way of Smithfield, on Monday night and Tuesday morning last. On Tuesday evening, certain intelligence from various sources reached us of an insurrection having occurred on Sunday night last in a part of Sampson and Duplin counties. Its extent or the damage done is unknown to us. But, as the militia have been called out in the adjacent counties, we flatter ourselves that it will be speedily suppressed, and that the deluded wretches who are concerned in the diabolical attempt will be made to suffer severely for their temerity.…

The miserable deluded and fiendish band in Southampton have paid dearly for their stupidity and atrocious wickedness; and such will inevitably be the late of all who may ever be so silly and depraved as to intimate their example. But there are some, it seems, reckless enough to attempt it. Vigilance, therefore, becomes necessary for perfect security.

North Carolina Star (Raleigh), 15 September 1831.

——

General Assembly.

…

The resolution in favor of Leavin Armwood, was read the second and third time and ordered to be engrossed. [This Resolution votes $250 to the individual named, a free man of color, as a reward for his having disclosed the meditated conspiracy amongst the slaves of Duplin and Sampson.]

North Carolina Free Press (Halifax), 10 January 1832.

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May 23, 2014

Willis Dove, Confederate cook.

 willis dove conf

Comments on additional muster rolls indicate that Dove, a corporal, “has no horse” in January-February 1864 and deserted the Confederate Army on 5 April 1864.

In the 1850 census of Lower Richlands, Onslow County: Hosea Baisden, 50, wife Nancy, 60, and Willis, 13, Hull, 12, and Rilly Dove, 5.

In the 1860 census of Southern Division, Duplin County, Willis Dove, 23, wife Mary Dove, 20, and daughter Mary Jones Dove, 4, plus B.J. Hall, a white schoolteacher, 18.

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May 14, 2014

Duplin County Apprentices, 1853-54.

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.

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April 10, 2014

Free colored farmers, no. 2.

These members of the Winn family were listed in the 1850 agricultural schedule of Duplin County:

Charles Winn. 125 improved acres, 199 unimproved acres, value $300. Farm implements valued at $50. 3 horses. 4 milch cows.  2 other cattle. 35 swine. Livestock valued at $230.  250 bushels, Indian corn.  8 bushels, oats.  100 lbs., wool. 500 bushels, peas and beans. 50 bushels, Irish potatoes.  400 bushels, sweet potatoes.  365 lbs., butter. Homemade manufactures valued at $75.

Adam Winn. 400 improved acres, 1500 unimproved acres, value $3800. Farm implements valued at $100. 6 horses. 6 milch cows.  30 other cattle. 6 asses and mules.  2 oxen.  20 sheep.  60 swine. Livestock valued at $715.  350 bushels, Indian corn. 10 bushels, oats.  70 lbs., wool.  100 bushels, peas and beans.  3 bushels, Irish potatoes.  1000 bushels, sweet potatoes. 450 lbs., butter.  Homemade manufactures valued at $42.

Levi Winn. 150 improved acres, 236 unimproved acres, value $1500. Farm implements valued at $60. 3 horses. 4 milch cows. 1 oxen. 12 other cattle. 11 sheep. 15 swine. Livestock valued at $300.  200 bushels, Indian corn. 75 bushels, oats. 3 bales, cotton. 45 lbs., wool.  200 bushels, peas and beans. 25 bushels, sweet potatoes. 50 lbs., butter. 5 tons, hay. Homemade manufactures valued at $10.

Washington Winn. 50 improved acres, 58 unimproved acres, value $400. Farm implements valued at $25. 1 horse. 2 milch cows. 1 other cattle.  8 swine. Livestock valued at $155.  250 bushels, Indian corn.15 bushels, oats. 15 lbs., wool. 40 lbs., rice.  40 bushels, peas and beans. 40 bushels, Irish potatoes. 50 bushels, sweet potatoes.  100 lbs., butter. 40 lbs., cheese.  3 tons, hay. Homemade manufactures valued at $30.

Sally Winn [widow of Gray Winn].  60 improved acres, 163 unimproved acres, value $500. Farm implements valued at $15.  3 horses. 2 milch cows. 3 other cattle. 10 swine. Livestock valued at $115. 220 bushels, Indian corn.  1 bushel, oats. 25 lbs., wool.  100 bushels, peas and beans. 50 bushels, Irish potatoes. 50 bushels, sweet potatoes. 6 tons, hay. Homemade manufactures valued at $5.

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April 25, 2013

Polly is to have the crop raised on the land.

State of North Carolina, Duplin County }

In the name of God amen

I Kenan Millard being in a low state of health but of sound and perfect mind & memory do make publish & declare this my last will & testiment in manner and form following to wit: Knowing that it is appointed for all men to die First I commend my body to the dust and my soul to God that gave it

Item 1st I give and bequeath unto my brother Isaac Millard my home plantation whereon I now live to him and his heirs forever and my two negro women Phillis and Caty to him & his heirs forever

Item 2nd I loan to my brother in law Joseph Williams and his wife Nancy my Charles Bennett land for the term of ten years and after that ten years shall expire from that time I give and bequeath the aforesaid land to my nephew Kenan Williams to him & his heirs forever also one leather trunk to him & his heirs forever

Item 3rd I give and bequeath unto my nephew Jesse Millard my George Reasons tract of land lying in Wayne County & State aforesaid to him & his heirs forever

Item 4th My will and desire is that my Nancy Reasons tract of land the Calvin Simmons land which he holds a bond against me for a title two years hence if he fails to pay, for the same at the end of two years and the Lydia Smith land the Nancy Reasons and Lydia Smith land to be sold by my exer. which I shall hereafter appoint and the mony arising from the sale of said land to be equally divided between my three sisters & Charles Millard to wit — Nancy Williams, Mary Glisson and Sarah Porter to them & their heirs forever the Calvin Simmons land to be sold by the same if not paid for within the two years as before mentioned and the money arising from the same to go to Sarah Porters two sons that she had of George Craddock names not recollected

My will and desire is further that my crop as it is now pitched to remain as it is untill it is made and Polly Simmons is to have the crop that is raised on the Nancy Reasons land and Bass land, all the balance of crop and stocks of all kinds to be sold at a six months credit all my lumber gathered together and inspected and negro man Moses to be sold by my exer. at six months credit and all any just debts to pay out of the same the balance & residue if any to be equally divided between my three sisters to wit — Sarah Williams Mary Glisson  Sarah Porter & Charles Millard  to share and share equal alike to them and heirs forever

I further nominate & appoint my brother Isaac Millard & brother in law Joseph Williams executors to this my last will & testament In Witness whereof the said Kenan Millard have hereunto set his hand and affixed his seal April 28th day AD 1847  /s/ Kenan Millard {seal}

Witness D. Jones, Willis Williamson

———-

North Carolina Duplin County Court January term 1848 Now in open Court the within paper writing is propounded for probate as the last will & testament of Kenan Millard and the due execution thereof is proved to the satisfaction of the Court by the oaths of Daniel Jones & Willis Williamson subscribing witnesses thereto it is considered by the Court that the within paper writing and every part thereof is the last will & testament of said Kenan Millard sufficient in law to pay his [illegible] & personal estate and it is accordingly admitted to probate & ordered to be recorded Test J H Jermans Clk by B F Grady L Clk

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April 11, 2013

He passed for a free man for fifteen months.

RAN-AWAY.

From the Subscriber on the 10th day of September, a bright mulatto fellow by the name of Ralph. He is about 35 years old – a number of his fore teeth are missing – several before, so as to disqualify him from chawing any thing hard. He has a very down look. He had on when he left me cotton clothes, except his coat, which was cotton cambrick, of a brown colour, made in the present fashion. The coat had a pocket on the inside of the left lappell. – He is about five feet, eight or ten inches high – thick built. I expect he will attempt to pass for a free man, and perhaps aim for Richmond, in Virginia, where he was raised.  He left his former master, whose name was Jeffery, (lived in South Carolina,) and passed for a free man about fifteen months in the counties of Duplin, Bladen, and Jones, where he was at length taken up and committed to Wilmington Jail, where his master got him. Any person who will confine said Negro in any Jail in this state so I get him again, shall receive a reward of ten dollars, and if delivered to me in Wadesborough, 25 dollars. JOHN JENNINGS. Wadesborough, Sept. 25, 1809.

Star, Raleigh, 19 October 1809.

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April 11, 2013

44 acres on Calf Pasture branch.

Know all men by these presents that we Lovett Reaves & Milly Reaves of the State of Georgia & County of Hancock Know ye that we Lovett Reaves & Milly Reaves for & in consideration of the sum of One hundred and ten dollars to us in hand paid by Jane Winn of the State of North Carolina & County of Duplin before this executing and delivering of these presents, the receipt whereof we hereby acknowledge & confess that we are therewith fully satisfied contended and paid & for these same considerations have given granted sold & assigned & set [illegible] to the said Jane Wynn her heirs and assigns forever a certain tract or parcel of land [illegible] lying & being in the County of Duplin & State of North Carolina on or near the head of the Calf Pasture branch, it being part of a tract of land belonging to the late Reuben Johnston &c and it also being the part of land that fell to the said Milly Reaves in the division of the said land by heirship, beginning at a stake in the old line & runs north with the old line N 45 poles to a stake Felix Johnson’s corner, then with his line W 158 poles to a stake his corner over the road then S 45 poles along the old line to a stake then W 158 poles to the first station including the house & field on the Road containing Forty four acres more or less together with all do privileges rights [illegible] and appurtenances to the said parcel of land & premises of the same to the use benefit & behoof of the said Jane Wynn her heirs & assigns to have & to hold forever & the said Lovett & Milly Reaves doth for themselves their [illegible] said parcel of land forever & the said said Jane Wynn shall & will warrant & forever defend from themselves their heirs executors adm’r & assigns & all other persons whatsoever. In witness whereof we the said Lovell and said Reaves [sic] hereunto set our hands and seals this twenty second day of February in the year of Our Lord Eighteen hundred & eighteen.   Lovett Reaves    Molly X Reaves

Signed sealed & del’d in the presence of Asher Flowers, Thomas X Gray

State of No Carolina, Duplin County. October Term 1818. The within deed was proved [illegible] by the oath of Asher Flowers & order to be registered. Test Wm. Dickson C.C.

Grantor Book DTFU, page 415. Register of Deeds Office, Duplin County Courthouse.

[Sidenote: Jane (or Jinny) Winn was a sister or mother or cousin of the male Winns, farmers and mechanics, who amassed property in the thousands of acres in Duplin, Wayne and Cumberland Counties. Much of it was lost in the decade before the Civil War. More later…. — LYH]

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