LEVI WINN was probably born in northern Duplin County. Elizabeth, called “Betsy,” last name unknown, was his second wife. They are buried at First Congregational Church in Dudley, Wayne County.
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, March 2013.
In the 1860 census of Buck Swamp, Wayne County: Levi Winn, 47, blacksmith, wife Elizabeth, 39, and children Henry, 21, David, 20, Pinkney, 19, George, 17, Charles, 15, Mary, 13, Martha, 11, John, 9, Elizabeth, 7, Susan, 5, and Levi, 3.
Adam Winn to Lemuel Cherry
State of North Carolina, Duplin County } This indenture made this 30th of July 1841 Between Adam Winn of the one part and Lemuel Cherry of the other part and both of the same State and County witness that I the said Adam Winn for and in consideration of the sum of twelve dollars to him in hand paid by Lemuel Cherry before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath given granted bargained and sold do by these presents bargain sell and make over unto him the said Lemuel Cherry his heirs executors Administrators & assigns forever a certain ankerage or tract of land lying and being in the County of Duplin and on the waters of thunder swamp it being part of the land that Adam Winn bought of Lucy Win and part of the old Jonson tract of land and I the said Adam Winn doth assign over to the said Lemuel Cherry all the right title interest or claim in the before mentioned land containing ten acres more or less and begins and runs as follows (viz) Begins on main road that runs in Wayne and where thunder swamp branch crosses the main road an runs up said road to a large pine and then corners a new made corner and then runs a strait line of marked trees to William L. Hills line and then with Hills line to said Cherrys line then down said Cherrys line to the beginning and I the said Adam Winn doth my heirs executors & admrs or assigns no warrant and defend the before mentioned lands unto him the said Lemuel Cherry his heirs executors admrs or assigns forever against all other person or persons whatsoever laying any claim to the same in witness whereof I the said Adam Winn have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and date first above written signed sealed and delivered in the presence of Kenan Millard and Wm P. Cherry Adam Winn (seal)
North Carolina, Duplin County Court January term 1852
The due execution of the foregoing deed is proved in open Court by the acknowledgement of Adam Winn the bargainor and ordered to be registered. B.F. Grady Clk
Grantor Book 20, Page 407, Duplin County Register of Deeds Office, Duplin County Courthouse.
In the 1850 census of North Division, Duplin County: Adam Winn, 45, farmer, with William, 13, Marshal, 11, John, 9, Woodard, 7, Woodley Winn, 5, plus Moses Simmons, 18. Adam reported $3800 in real property. [Sidenote: Lemuel Cherry, 71, white, farmer, is listed four households away from Adam Winn in this census. His household included Elender Young, 50, who was white. Elender Young was likely the mother of America Young, who married Adam Winn’s brother Charles Winn. Also, though Adam’s sons are listed as free, they were in fact his own slaves. More about that later. — LYH]
Two hundred Dollars Reward. Run-away from the Subscriber on the 20th Oct. last two Negro men, named SAMPSON and JOE, Sampson is about 50 years of age, about 5 feet 5 inches high, tout made, dark complexion, wore away a tarpaulin hat, white trowsers and jacket. – Joe is about 30 years of age, about 6 feet high, and very black complexion, slender made, marked with the small pox in the face, he has lost the toe next to the great toe on the left foot, wore away a fur hat and striped homespun jacket and overalls. From a former attempt I think it probable they will try to pass as free fellows under the name of Samuel Brown and Joe Ferrel; they may have obtained free passes which I suspect is the case. – I suppose they are lurking on the sea board between Swansboro’ and Norfolk, having been informed they left the former place enquiring for Edenton. I am clearly of the opinion their intention is to get on board some vessel – The above reward will be given to any person for the delivery of said Negroes to me, or one hundred and fifty dollars for securing them in any jail so that I get them again, or a proportionate reward for either. All masters of vessels and other persons are forewarned from conveying them away, or harboring them in any way under the severity of the penalty of the law. EASLER KILPATRICK. Duplin County, (N.C.) April 3.
Norfolk & Portsmouth Herald, 6 April 1818.
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.
61 N.C. Confederate Levi Cummings. Cap’t Francis D. Koonce’s Co. (Koonce’s State Guerillas) N.C. Volunteers. Appears on Company Muster-In and Descriptive Roll of the organization named above. Dated Jones County, July 22, 1862. Born Duplin Co., N.C. Age 26. Laborer. Enlisted July 14, 1862 in Jones County by F.D. Koonce. … Note: This company is mustered in the service of the State of North Carolina as “guerillas” for local service, to operate east of the Wilmington & Weldon Rail Road, between the Neuse and Cape Fear Rivers.
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61 N.C. Confederate Levi Cummings. Pvt. Co. K, 61 Reg’t N.C. Inf. (State Troops). Cap’t Francis D. Koonce’s Co. (Koonce’s State Guerillas) N.C. Volunteers. Appears on Company Muster Roll of the organization named above. Dated May and June 1863. Enlisted August 30, 1862, Jones County, by Capt. Koonce. Last paid by Capt. Anderson, April 30, 1863. “Detailed as ambulance driver.”
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61 N.C. Confederate Levi B. Cummings. Pvt. Co. K, 61 Reg’t N.C. Inf. (State Troops). Cap’t Francis D. Koonce’s Co. (Koonce’s State Guerillas) N.C. Volunteers. Appears on Company Muster Roll of the organization named above. Dated July and August 1863. Enlisted August 30, 1862, Jones County, by Capt. Koonce for 3 years. “Not considered white and dropped by order.”
Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Organized For the State of North Carolina, National Archives and Records Administration.
In the 1850 census of North Division, Duplin County: James C. Cummings, 47, farmer, wife Rebecca, 42, and children Levi W., 13, John J., 11, Betsey A., 9, Sarah L., 7, and Mary J., 5, all mulatto.
In the 1860 census of Tuckahoe, Jones County: Levi Commins, 20, and sister Sallie, 15; described as black.
In the 1870 census of Tuckahoe, Jones County: Levi Cummings, 34, mulatto, cooper.
In the 1880 census of Richlands, Onslow County: Levi Cummings, 50, works on farm, wife Caroline, 25, and children William H., 9, Minnie J., 6, and Lydia A., 2. Levi is described as mulatto; his wife and children, as white.
Henry Artis. Died 7 Dec 1925, Mount Olive, Duplin County. Colored. Married. Age 73. Farmer. Born Wayne County to Abson Artis and Liza Artis, both of Wayne County. Buried Dudley NC. Informant, Anna Artis.
Smitha McNeill. Died 22 Nov 1924, Averasboro, Harnett County. “Burned to death in burning building.” Colored. Widowed. About 69 years old. Born in NC to Raleigh Seaberry and Emmaline [last name unknown.] Buried Dunn cemetery. Informant, Alex Cagle.
Madison Seaberry. Died 7 Apr 1923, Averasboro, Harnett County. Indian. Married to Frances Seaberry. Born 29 July 1846 to Raleigh Seaberry and Emily Emmanuel. Buried Carter Cemetery. Informant, Raleigh Seaberry, Linden NC.
Dred Hagins. Died 6 June 1927, Speights Bridge, Greene County. Colored. Widow of Martha Hagins. Farmer. Born 1854, Wilson County to Wilson Hagins and unknown mother. Informant, Louis Hagins, Walstonburg.
North Carolina, Wayne County } In Superior Court April Term 1892.
David Brown and wife Minta Brown vs. Sallie Simmons and Frank Winn – Complaint.
The plaintiffs for their complaint allege, I. That prior to the [blank] day of April 1854 David Simmons was the owner in fee of a tract of land in Wayne County near the town of Mount Olive on which the defendant Sallie Simmons now lives, bounded as follows, Beginning at a pine and running thence S 82 poles to a pine, then S 87 W 81 poles to a pine, the N 47 W 46 poles to a pine, then N 5 E 56 poles to a stake, then East 110 poles to the beginning containing 57 acres more or less.
II. That on said [blank] day of April 1854 the said David Simmons conveyed said tract of land for life to his mother Ita Simmons reserving an annual rent of one penny by deed duly admitted to probate and registered in Wayne County.
III. That thereafter on the 23rd day of April 1855 the said David Simmons conveyed said land in fee to one James McDuffie by deed duly admitted to probate and registered in Wayne County.
IV. That thereafter the said McDuffie died in the County of Wayne leaving a last will and testament by which he devised said land in fee to the plaintiff Minta Brown (then Minta Bryant) subject to the life estate of the said Ita Simmons.
V. That soon after the execution of said deed to Ita Simmons set out in the second paragraph of this complaint, the said Ita Simmons took possession of said land under said deed and remained in possession thereof until her death in the year 1891.
VI. That the plaintiff Minta Brown is the owner in fee of said land and in entitled to recover possession thereof.
VII. That the defendants are now in possession of said land and wrongfully withholding the same from the plaintiffs.
Wherefore the plaintiffs pray for Judgment.
1. That the plaintiff Minta Brown is the owner in fee of said land.
2. For possession & costs.
Minta Brown being duly sworn says, That the facts stated in the foregoing complaint as of her own knowledge over time and then states on information and belief she believes to be true. Minta X Brown Sworn to & subscribed before me this 9 day of April 1892. Jno. D. Taylor, Clerk Superior Court, New Hanover County
In the 1850 census of the South Side of the Neuse, Wayne County: Ity Simmons, 40, born in Duplin County, with sons David, 22, cooper, and George, 20, hireling; all mulatto. Also, Sally Bryan, 30, and her children Arimenta, 8, Penny, 6, Charley, 4, and Caroline, 4, and Charity Bryan, 70, perhaps her mother. Arimenta and Penny were described as mulatto; the rest of the family, white. In the 1860 census of Indian Springs, Wayne County, Minta Bryant, 23, and her children Mitchel, 4, Edith, 6, and Rufus Bryant, 2, all mulatto, lived in the household of James McDuffee, 41. [Was McDuffie the father of Bryant’s children?]
Ita Simmons Estate Papers, Estate Records, Wayne County Records, North Carolina State Archives. US Federal Population Schedules.
To the Worshipfull the Justices of the County Court of Duplin – The petition of William Duncan begs leave humbly to Represent to your Worships that he is in possession of a Mulatto Slave called Adam who has for a number of years past conducted and demeaned himself as a faithfull, honest, and well deserving Servant. Your petitioner conceives the said Negro Slave Adam from his meritorious Services & good conduct is justly entitled to the privileges of a free Citizen, he therefore prays your Worships will extend to him the Advantages which the Laws of the Country extend to him & as in duty bound will ever pray B.H. Martin pro petitioner
Petition of Adam a Negro Slave Concurred and Adam Liberated April Term 1798.
This is possibly the Adam Greenfield listed in the 1800 census of Duplin County as the head of a household consisting of two “other free” persons. In the 1820 census of Wayne County, Adam Greenfield headed a household consisting of two males under age 14, one male aged 14-26, and one male aged 45 or more, 2 females aged 14-26, and one female aged 45 or more.
Petition, Miscellaneous Records, Duplin County Records, North Carolina State Archives. US Population Schedule.
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.
Ranaway. A mulatto woman by the name of LUCY, about 23 years old, of medium size, but now quite corpulent.
Said woman is probably in or near Town, but may have been led off in the direction of Newbern by Bill Bruinton, a free mulatto man who has been to work as a Carpenter probably on the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad at a Depot North of Warsaw. I will pay $25 for the delivery of said girl to me or lodged in Jail in town. If found in this County, $50 is said girl is found in any other County and confined in the Jail of the same, the party arresting me early information of he same. JNO. D. WILLIAMS, Fayetteville, Aug. 25, 1840
Fayetteville Observer, 14 November 1862.
Fourth Generation Inclusive 