Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Tag: King

Free-Issue Death Certificates: MISCELLANEOUS, no. 12.

Jane Nixon. Died 25 October 1921, Wilmington, New Hanover County. Resided 707 Brunswick. Negro. Widow of John Owen Nixon. Born 3 September 1866 in Wilmington to Elvin Artis and Lizzie Green, both of NC. Buried Pine Forest. Informant, Eliza Nixon.

In the 1850 census of Wilmington, New Hanover County: Elvin Artis, 37, “carpt,” wife Eliza, 22, and children E.A., 8, Champion, 6, Silvester, 4, twins Hildred and Eldred, 9 months, and John Henry, 17.

Geo. Freeman. Died 29 August 1931, Leland, North West, Brunswick County. Colored. Widower of Nancy Vernon Freeman. Age 87. Born NC to Sam Freeman and Mary Jane Freeman. Informant, Drussilla Brown, Leland.

In the 1860 census of North West District, Brunswick County: Saml. Freeman, 35, laborer, wife Mary, 30, and children Melvina, 13, George, 10, John, 6, and Madaline, 3.

Duncan T. Mitchell. Died 16 July 1915, Fayetteville, Cumberland County. Resided 522 Russell, Ward 2. Black. Married. Born 15 October 1860. Minister. “Good” educational attainment. Born NC to Duncan Mitchell and Mary C. Mitchell. Buried Pettiford cemetery, Fayetteville. Informant, J.W. Mitchell, Fayetteville.

In the 1860 census of North West District, Brunswick County: Duncan Mitchell, 48, farmer; wife Catharine, 48, and children Thomas, 17, Everett, 14, Joanna, 13, William C., 10, Martha J., 5, James M., 6, Mary E., 3, and Duncan T., 11 months.

Joe Webb. Died 2 February 1823, North West, Brunswick County. Resident of Delco. Negro. Married to Mary Lizzie Webb. About 74 years old. Born NC to John Webb and Lizzie Phillips. Buried Evergreen cemetery. Informant, Bucky Brown, Delco.

In the 1860 census of North West District, Brunswick County: Joe Webb, 11, in the household of Jordan Holland, farmer.

Caroline Cromartie. Died 15 September 1935, Lagoon, Colly, Bladen County. Colored. Widow of Dave Cromartie. Born 1840 in Bladen County to Charles Hayes and Edie Hayes, both of Bladen. Buried at Big Sugar Loaf. Informant, Gus Johnson.

In the 1860 census of Cypress Creek, Bladen County: Edy Hayse, 54, with Rebecca, 36, Mary J., 24, Caroline, 18, Peggy, 15, Owen, 22, and Wm. Hayse, 16, and Francenia King, 5.

David and Louisa Jane Mills give all.

State of North Carolina, Nash County  }

I, David Mills of the County of the State and County aforesaid, being of sound mind and memory, but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make this my last Will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say –

I give, devise and bequeath to my eldest son Mingo Mills forty six and one half acres of land in said State and County. Known as the Piece of land I bought of Parsons Rackley.

I give, devise and bequeath to my son Munro Mills The Joshua Mills tract of land on the north side of the Joshua Mills Spring branch containing about seventy acres.

I give, devise and bequeath to my son Henderson Thomas Mills One tract of land containing about Seventy acres and known as the land I bought from John R. Sutton.

I give, devise and bequeath to my youngest son David More Mills One tract of land containing one hundred acres more or less and known as my home tract where I now live. My will and desire is that my son David More Mills Pay to the balance of my heirs not above mentioned the Just a& full sum of fifty dollars out of the Piece of land that I give him above mentioned. The balance of my land which is the Thomas Mills Piece containing about fourteen and one half. And a part of the Joshua Mills tract lying on the South side of the Joshua Mills Spring branch containing about ten acres more or less is to be sold and the money equally divided among the following named heirs my son Joshua Mills lawfully children which is Wm. N. Mills & Arnal Mills one share. Frances Toney wife of Joseph Toney. Julie Ann Cordel, Manda Lucust, Lahara Wilkins wife of Eevin Wilkins. Nancy King, wife of Willie King Sevarine Jones, wife of Wm. Jones Lutora Hagans, wife of Frank Hagans.

All of the above mentioned heirs shall hold the above mentioned property in fee simple at my death. Provided that they maintain my wife Luizer Jane Mills, out of said property her life time or her widowhood. The balance of my property except my household and kitchen furniture, which I hereby give to my wife Luizer Jane Mills Is to be sold and equally divide among all my lawful heirs. And lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my trusty son Munro Mills my lawful executor to all intents and purposes to execute this my last will and testament according to the true intent and meaning of the same and every part and clause thereof hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I the said David Mills do hereunto set my hand and seal this 7th day of August A.D. 1889.    David X Mills {seal}

Witnesses Jas. W. Floyd, W.W. Manning

Proved 18 May 1891. Will Book 5, page 351, Office of Clerk of Superior Court, Nash County Courthouse, Nashville. 

[Sidenote: David Mills was his brother Thomas Mills’ sole heir. See Will Book 5, page 225. Joshua Mills was their father. – LYH]

———-

North Carolina, Nash County   }

I Luiza J. Mills of the State and County aforesaid, being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make this my last Will and testament in manner and form following — That is to say

(1)  That my executor hereinafter named shall provide for my body a decent burial, and pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts howsoever and to whomsoever owing out of the moneys that may first come into his hands as a part or parcel of my estate —

(2)  I give and bequeath to my son D.M. Mills at my death the following personal property, one bed now in his possession, one under & upper sheet one bed quilt, one blanket one pillow one bolster now in his possession one double barrel shot gun, known as his fathers gun. The balance of my household & kitchen furniture at my death is to be sold at highest bidder & money divided among the following named persons, Nick and Arnel Mills one share Amanda Lucas, one share – Lutora Hagans, one share – Lahara Wilkins, one share, Isaman S. Jones, one share – Nancy Ellen King, one share – Endy F. Toney, one share – July Ann Cordell one share.

I give & devise to my son D.M. Mills one a[illegible] named Ben now in his possession. The balance of my property if any at my death, including all notes & papers & land if any, is to be sold or collected as the case may be, and the money equally divided among my four sons which is Mingo Mills, Munro Mulls H.T. Mills and D.M. Mills.

And lastly I do hereby constitute & appoint my trusty son, Munro Mills my lawful Executor to all intents & purposes to execute this my last will and testament according to the true intent and meaning of the same and every part and clause thereof hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other wills and testiments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I the said Luizer J. Mills do hereunto set my hand and seal, This 28th day of Feby. A.D. 1898    Luiza J. X Mills

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Luiza J. Mills to be her last will & testament in the presence of us who at her request and in her presence do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto.  J.W. Floyd, J.L. Floyd

Proved 27 October 1900, Will Book 6, page 121. Office of Clerk of Superior Court, Nash County Courthouse, Nashville. 

David Mills married Jane Spears on 12 August 1847 in Nash County.  In the 1860 census of Mannings, Nash County: David Mills, 57, farmer, wife Jane, 34, and children William J., 12, Frances, 10, Julia, 8, Amanda, 6, Lahary, 3, and Minger, 2. [Sidenote: Louisa Jane Spears was a daughter of Silvia Spears. In summary, David and Louisa Jane’s children were William Joshua Mills, Frances Mills Toney, Julia Ann Mills Cordell, Amanda Mills Locust, Laharia Mills Wilkins, Mingo Mills, Isaman Sevarine Mills Jones, Munro W. Mills, Henderson Thomas Mills, Nancy E. Mills King, Lutora F. Mills Hagans, and David More Mills. – LYH]

Two lots in the town of Goldsboro.

This Indenture made & entered into the 23rd day of August 1847 by and between William K. Lane of the County of Wayne & State of North Carolina of the one part and James King Free man of Color of the other part.  Witness that the Said William K. Lane for & in consideration of the Sum of Forty Dollars to him in hand paid at and before the sealing & delivery of these presents the receipt and payment whereof is hereby acknowledged and from the further payment whereof the said William K. Lane will by these presents forever acquit release & discharge the Said James King his Executors Admin & assigns.  The said William K. Lane hath given granted bargained & sold & will by these presents give grant bargain & sell unto the Said James King his heirs and assigns forever two Lotts in the Town of Goldsboro & known in the plan of Said Town as No. 74 & 75 To have & to holds said lott with all and Singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appurtaning to him the said James King his heirs, & assigns forever & I the Said William K. Lane will Warrant & forever defend the right & title free & clear from the lawfull claims of all perosns whatsoever to him the Said James King his heirs & assigns forever

In testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & year above written   /s/ Wm K Lane

Signed sealed & delivered in presense of us  Rufus Edmundson, O Coor

Wayne County May Term 1848 then was the above deed of sale from Wm K. Lane to Jas King duly moved in open court by the oath of Ollen Coor a subscribing witness & ordered to be made registered  /s/ Jno A Green Clk

Recorded in the Registers office of Wayne County the 9th of Aug’t 1848 is Liber V page 80   /s/R. Hooks, Reg’r

Where are they now? No. 17.

P.M. was born in the mid-1960s in Goldsboro NC.  She is descended from:

(1) Margaret Balkcum [1836-1915, Sampson/Wayne County]

(2) Patsey Henderson [ca1795-??, Onslow County] via James Henderson [1815-ca1885, Onslow/Sampson/Wayne County] via Lewis Henderson [1836-1912, Onslow/Sampson/Wayne County] via Ann Elizabeth Henderson [1862-1900, Wayne County]

(3) Susan Herring [ca1831-ca1890, Wayne County]

(4) James King [ca1817-ca1890, Wayne County] via Polly Ann King [1858-ca1925, Wayne County]

(5) Axey J. Manuel [1823-1885, Wayne County]

(6) Winnie Medlin

(7) Haywood Musgrave [c1805-ca1875, Wayne County] via Alfred Musgrave [ca1857-ca1925,Wayne County]

(8) Phereby Simmons [1772-ca1855, Bertie/Wayne County] via James Simmons [1798-1860, Wayne/Sampson County] via (a) George W. Simmons [ca1820-1919, Wayne County] via Hillary B. Simmons [1853-1941, Wayne County] and (b) Pennie Simmons [ca1825-??, Wayne County]

I was free born, I got my property by way of work.

Bryant Simmons filed claim #12254 with the Southern Claims Commission.  He was 40 years old and lived near Dudley, Wayne County, where we worked as a wagonmaker.  He lived on his own land, consisting of 51 1/4 acres, of which half were under cultivation.  During the war, he worked on his farm and in a blacksmith shop.

“I was employed, or rather pressed into service, for about 2 years by the Rebels, they made me go and work on breastworks and fortifications [in Kinston NC], they guarded me during the night.”  Also, “I worked on the railroad a few days while the Union army was in here.”

“I was free at the beginning of the war, I was free born, I got my property by my work.  I live on my own land.”  In March 1865, the Union army took bacon, lard, corn, pease, meal, fodder and hogs, saying that soldiers needed something to eat after a march. “I think they eat the hog on the premises …” “There were about 500 lbs. of bacon, sound and good, well dried in my dwelling in the loft worth about 20 or 25 cts. per pound, 20 pounds of good lard in my corn crib … four barrels of good sound corn partly husked … 1400 pounds of good sound fodder standing in the field in stacks .. one hog fat in the woods ….” Simmons was literate and signed his deposition.

Jesse Hollowell, a 62 year-old white farmer, testified that he had known Simmons about 25 years and lived within two or three miles of him. He testified that loyal men regarded Simmons as loyal.

James King, age 60, a farmer and carpenter who lived near Dudley, testified that he had known Simmons about 20 years and lived about a mile and a half from him. They often talked about the Union cause, and Simmons said he hoped the United States would put down the rebellion.  King signed his name to his deposition.

Wife Elizabeth Simmons and daughter Cornelia Aldridge corroborated Simmons’ account of his property taken by General Kilpatrick’s command in March 1865. Both testified that the closest camp was near Mount Olive, about five miles away.  Cornelia Aldridge signed her name to her deposition.