Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Tag: Halifax

Cocks fight; man dies.

Halifax, April 16.

Murder. – On Tuesday last, an inquest was held in this town on the body of Samuel Horne, a free colored man, who died the preceding day. From the Coroner’s report it appears that on Sunday last Edward Jones, a shoemaker, residing in this place, saw two chicken-cocks fighting near his house; he caught one and threatened to shoot the other, which Samuel Horne, the deceased, begged him not to do; upon this Jones ordered him out of the house, and swore if he did not go he would kill him, and immediately looked about for his shoe knife; the deceased went off, was pursued and stabbed by Jones. The wound was afflicted just above the collar bone on the left side of the neck, passing obliquely across the breast, cutting the windpipe, puncturing the swallow, and dividing important blood-vessels. Jones was immediately taken in to custody, and is now in jail awaiting his trial.  Free Press.

Hillsborough Recorder, 28 April 1824.

Sentence of death was pronounced.

Superior Court. – The week was occupied by several highly interesting causes, Judge Settle presiding. This is the first time the Judge has visited this section of the State, since his promotion to the Bench, and we speak the sentiments of our community, when we say, no Judge has ever given more satisfaction for his prompt and enlightened decisions as well as the urbanity of his manners. The criminal Elijah Hawkins, was put upon his trial for killing Green Mills, both free persons of color, and found guilty of murder in the first degree. Sentence of Death was pronounced upon him by Judge S. in a truly feeling and appropriate manner. The day for carrying into effect the sentence of law, is fixed on 23d May next.  Halifax Adv.

Tarborough Free Press, 9 May 1834.

Killer escaped.

HALIFAX. MARCH 20.

Last night Harris Allen, who was committed for the murder of John James, a free mulatto, of Northampton county, made his escape from the gaol of this town. He is remarkable tall man, and had on a short round jacket. It is hoped the officers of justice and others, will be vigilant in their endeavours to apprehend and bring him to condign punishment.

North-Carolina Journal, Halifax, 20 March 1793.

Piety — cook, seamstress, weaver, baker, brewer, runaway — passed as a free woman for 16 years.

$100 REWARD. RUN AWAY, or was stolen from the subscriber on the night of the eighth instant, a bright mulatto woman (slave) and her child, a girl of about four years old. This woman ran away from the subscriber, executor of John Hunt, dec’d, in the summer of 1808, and passed as a free woman by the name of Patsy Young, until about the first of June last, when she apprehended as a runaway. On the 6th of the same month I obtained possession of her in the town of Halifax; since which time, by an order of Franklin county court, she and her child Eliza have been sold, when the subscriber became the purchaser. She spent the greater part of the time she was run away (say about sixteen years,) in the neighbourhood of and in the town of Halifax; one or two summers at Rock-Landing, where I am informed she cooked for the hands employed on the Canal. She has also spent some of her time in Plymouth, her occupation while there not known. At the above places she has many acquaintances. She is a tall spare woman, thin face and lips, long sharp nose, and fore-teeth somewhat decayed. She is an excellent seamstress, can make ladies and gentlemens dresses, is a good cook and weaver, and I am informed is a good cake-baker and beer-brewer, &c. by which occupations she principally gained her living. Some time during last summer she married a free man of color named Chrael Johnson, who had been living in and about Plymouth, and followed boating on the Roanoke. Since his marriage, he leased a farm of Mr. James Cotton of Scotland-Neck, Halifax county, where he was living together with this woman, at the time she was taken up as a runaway slave in June last. I have but little doubt, that Johnson has contrived to seduce or steal her and child out of my possession, and will attempt to get them out of the State and pass a free persons. Should this be the case, I will give sixty-five dollars for his detection and conviction before the proper tribunal, in any part of this State. I will give for the apprehension of the woman and child, on their delivery to me, or so secured in jail or otherwise that I get them, thirty-five dollars; or, I will give twenty-five dollars for the woman alone, and ten dollars for the child alone. The proper name of the woman is PIETY, but she will no doubt change it as she did before.

I forward all owners of boats, captains and owners of vessels, from taking on board their vessels, or carrying away this woman and her child Eliza, under the penalty of the law. NAT. HUNT. August 15.

Raleigh Register and North Carolina Weekly Advertiser, 20 August 1824.

The wench made threats.

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.

It was always my intention to free the child.

Halifax July 12 1771

Sir, When Mr Bignall went last in to Virginia I desir’d him to speak to you about a mulatto Boy he has of yours.  He tells me you have agreed that I shall have him for £20, on Condition I give the Child his Freedom. The money I have sent by Mr. Miller, & hereby promise and oblige my self to perform that part of the agreement respecting his Freedom.  You may be assured it was always my intention. I will be obliged to you to give Mr. Miller a line to Mr. Bignall authorizing him to deliver the Child to me, & I am, Sir, Your mo. Obed’t hon’t Serv’t, William McClellan

[On reverse} To David Meade Esqr.  Favour of W. Miller

Miscellaneous Slave Records, Edgecombe County Records, North Carolina State Archives.