Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Tag: insurrection

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.

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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.

Examination of the Negroes charged with insurrection.

Memorandum of the examination of the Negroes charged with insurrection — 1831

At the Methodist meeting house in Onslow County in the neighbourhood of the Rich lands Col Daniel M Dulany, Returned to Jesse Sandlin, Wm H Thompson, John B Thompson, Thomas Battle, James Thompson, Lewis T Oliver, James Glenn, and William Humphrey Esq’rs the following negros, whose names will be hereafter mentioned charged with conspiracy or insurrection, Sept 20th 1831

Jacob charged with conspiracy by the testimony of Aron (who pleads not Guilty)

Aron Sworn – so he says that Jacob was talking of the negroes rising on  the whites about 3 weeks ago on Friday night, that if they rose he had a pretty Good sword, that he would be amongst them, that Ben Rhodes had a gun and sword and Dudley’s Ben had a gun, and since that time at Mr. Hawkins he Jacob wished that the Camp Meeting was nearer than it was, so that he might aid in destroying the whites, that he Jacob, Ben Rhodes & Ben Dudley and Charles were to be the head leaders, and that they wishes to get as many to assist them as they could.

Upon the evidence let Jacob be committed

Tony charged with conspiracy and insurrections –

Aron witness swears that he heard Tony say that he expected that at a Camp Meeting to be held at this place the negroes would rise upon the whites, and that he intended to go to Newbern, when he could get guns swords and other armes, as he had none here

Upon the evidence let Tony be committed

Nathan, the Property of Edw’d Williams, who pleads not Guilty, as an insurgent

Aron Sworn – At Mr Hawkins on Sunday he saw Nathan, who spoke of being at a camp meeting, and expected that at that time the negroes would rise, but did not say anything about his joining them Upon the evidence let him be committed

Jim the property of Edw’d Koonce charged with conspiracy & insurrection

Nathan House Swears that in a conversation between him and Jim, who sayd to Nathan that the Negroes might take the whites who replied and said how was that possible when the negroes had no guns or weapons.

Upon the evidence let him have 39 lashes

Abram charged with Conspiracy &c, who pleads not Guilty, let him be acquitted.

Simon charged with Conspiracy &c, who pleads not Guilty, let him be acquitted.

Jerry Murray charged with Conspiracy &c, who pleads not Guilty, let him be acquitted.

David Tragel charged with Conspiracy &c, who pleads not Guilty, let him be acquitted.

Bill Trasel charged with Conspiracy &c, who pleads not Guilty, let him be acquitted.

Anthony Rowe charged with Conspiracy &c, who pleads not Guilty, let him be acquitted.

Mariah charged and acquitted.

Ward Humphrey charged as above, pleads not guilty, let him be acquitted.

Joshua Whitehurst charged as before pleads not guilty, let him be dismissed.

John Phillips Charged as before pleads not guilty, let him be acquitted.

Slaves Records, Onslow County Records, North Carolina State Archives.