N.C. Legislature. Senate.
Monday, Jan. 5. Mr. Myers, of Mecklenburg, by leave, introduced a bill to prevent the Clerks of the County Courts from fixing the county seal on the papers of free negroes. [Vote 27-18 in favor.]
North Carolina Whig, Charlotte, 13 January 1857.
11. Free negroes to procure like certificates. Penalty for neglect. Free negroes working in any of said swamps [“the Great Dismal Swamp, or in the swamp which lies between Lees’ mill in the county of Washington, and Pamlico river in the county of Beaufort, or in the swamp which lies between Juniper creek, and the lands of Charles Pettigrew, in the county of Tyrrell”] shall procure from the clerks of the proper counties, a similar description of themselves, certified as above directed, and keep it ready at all times when so engaged to be exhibited. And if any free person of color shall willfully work in any of said swamps without such copy, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor; and, on conviction, may be punished at the discretion of the court, by fine, whipping, and imprisonment, or any of them.
The description of the swamps is found in section 10, as are the specifications for the document free colored workers were required to carry: “an exact description of the [person,] specifying the name and residence of the person intending so to employ the [person,] the height, complexion, and every peculiar mark of description … and such written description shall be entered by the clerk of the court of pleas and quarter sessions on the book kept for that purpose.”
Revised Code of North Carolina, 1854.
North Carolina Perq’s County } This may Cartefy that the Bearer Hereof a Negro man named Ben is a free Negro who formerly belonged to Mr. Jonathan Sharrod Deceased who having Many Slaves & no Children alive not Desiering his Slaves Should Serve another Master Did in his will Generously give them freedom Which if Disputed may be found on Record in the Court of the Said County aforsaid & the aforenamed Negro Man having a Desier to travel to Virginia to Seek better imployment we the Subscriber Do Cartefy that the Said Negro is a free man has Ever Sence his working for himself behaved Very honest ther fore we the Subscribers Do Recommend The Said to Such Gentlemen as Shall imploy him.
Witnes our hands this 21 Januy 1774 /s/ Richard Ratlieff
[On reverse] Benj’a Sanders’ man Taffeys Certificate
Records of Slaves and Free Persons of Color, Miscellaneous Records, Perquimans County, North Carolina State Archives.
$50 REWARD.
RANAWAY from the subscriber, on Friday morning, 2d inst. About 2 o’clock, a bright mulatto boy named John Murray, aged about 20 or 21 years, 5 feet 7 or 8 inches high, square built. He had on when he left, a white hat with a broad brim, drab colored close bodied coat, and white pantaloons. Said boy is free and has free papers, but was hired by me – he stole from me when he left, A Gray Horse, 4 years old, nearly 5 feet high, very well set, and on his wethers he has saddle marks and a small lump. I will give $20 reward for the apprehension of said boy and horse, if taken within this State – or $50 if without the State, and secured so that I get them again. All persons are cautioned against purchasing the horse or harboring said boy. DAVID McDANIEL. Tarboro’, N.C. Nov. 6, 1838.
Tarboro’ Press, 17 Nov 1838.
Thirty Dollars Reward.
RANAWAY from the Subscriber, on Sunday night, the 12th of March last, a negro woman, named POLLY, about 28 years old, nearly five feet high, yellow complexion, spare made, has a mild look and genteel appearance, (for a negro,) when well dressed, and is well calculated to deceive unless tightly and closely examined. She was seduced away by a black free negro, Carter Newsom by name, a shoemaker by trade, who is about 30 years of age, 5 feet 6 or 8 inches high, thick set, has a pleasant countenance and very white teeth, which he shews very much when speaking and laughing: he is strongly suspected of being a runaway slave. In my fomer advertisement, I stated that from threats which the wench made prior to her elopement, they would, by changing their names, and getting forged free papers, endeavor to make their escape to some free state: since that time, they have been lurking about Halifax town, in the vicinity of which, they probably are at this time. All persons are forwarned from harboring or carrying off said negro under the penalty of the law. The above reward, will reasonable charges, will be paid for securing said woman in any jail, so that I get her again, or for her delivery to me. Lunsford W. Scott, Halifax co N.C. August 15, 1826.
Tarboro Free Press, 26 Sept 1826.
GOOD TOWN ORDINANCES.
The Charlotte Whig publishes several new town ordinances for the town of Charlotte, which we think are very good. 1st. Every free negro of twelve years and upwards, is required to present him or herself for registration, stating age, occupation, &c., &c., upon heavy penalty for failing to do so. Those who comply, will obtain a certificate, under the protection of which they will be allowed to dwell in safety, upon their good behavior. They are to pay one dollar for the certificate. 2d. No slave, under any pretence whatever, allowed to hire his or her own time; nor shall any slave go at large at his or her own discretion, by permission of the owner, working for his or herself where and when they please.
Carolina Watchman, Salisbury, 24 June 1861.
TEN DOLLARS REWARD. The undersigned offers the above reward for his Free Papers, which were stolen from his house in Davidson county, on the 13th January, 1851. They were signed by John Shuman, Jr., certifying that I am free, and by J.M. Brown, J.P., with a certificate attached from the Clerk of the County Court, John Giles, by John H. Hardie, Deputy Clerk, and dated October 1, 1844. IRVIN FREEMAN. Feb. 1, 1851.
Carolina Watchman, Salisbury, 6 Feb 1851.
In the 1850 census of Northern Division, Davidson County: Irvine Freeman, 35, and wife Biddy, 34.
State of North Carolina, Wayne County
To the Sherriff or Jailor of said county I send you the body of Hardy Carroll so calls himself a free Boy of coulor which said boy was brought before me by Ashley Whitley and Daniel Gurly the above-named negro has not any free papers with him and was taken on Sunday night the 4th Inst. by Ashley Whitley and Daniel Gurly as patroles. Decr 4th 1842 J. Langston
Records of Slaves and Free People of Color, Wayne County Records, North Carolina State Archives.
Fourth Generation Inclusive 