migration | Fourth Generation Inclusive

January 20, 2013

Register of (NC-born) Negroes & Mulattoes: Bartholomew County, Indiana, no. 1.

Enoch Jones, age 13, born Robeson County NC, registered 22 Aug 1853. He was described as “rather a light negro”; small scar one-half inch long on back of left hand near wrist; son of William Riley Jones Esq. Witness: George B. Gaines.

Irvin Jones, age 14, born Robeson County NC, registered 22 Aug 1853. He was described as “rather a light negro”; four feet eleven and one-half inches and growing; with no scars or marks; son of William Riley Jones Esq. Witness: George B. Gaines.

Lucinda Jones, age 5, born Scott County VA, registered 22 Aug 1853. She was described as a black girl, “lively and of a light complexion,” with a burn scar on the right side of her neck; daughter of William Riley Jones Esquire. Witness: George B. Gaines.

Lucy Ann Jones, age 40, born Halifax County NC, registered 22 Aug 1853. She was described as rather a dark mulatto woman; five feet two inches; “right arm very much crooked having been broken”; married with eight children. Witness: George B. Gaines.

Mary H. Jones, age 3, born Bartholomew County VA. “A plump little darkie” with a light unblemished complexion; daughter of William Riley Jones Esquire.” Witness: George B. Gaines.

Oliver Jones, age 7, born Richmond County NC, registered 22 Aug 1853. He was described as a black boy three and a half feet high, “but will get higher fast;” a “rather light” negro; no remarkable scars; son of William R. Jones. Witness: George B. Gaines.

Thomas Jones, age 9, born Richmond County NC, registered 22 Aug 1853. He was described as a black boy three feet eleven inches high, a “rather light” negro who “seems to be growing;” son of William Riley Jones Esquire. Witness: George B. Gaines.

William Riley Jones, age 40, born Robeson County NC, registered 22 Aug 1853. He was described as a rather dark mulatto man; five feet three inches; with a scar about ¾ inch long on the right hand; rather square built; with round features. Witness: George B. Gaines.

William R. Jones Jr., age 1, born Bartholomew County IN, “plump little nigger baby,” fair-skinned, no scars; son of William R. Jones Sen. Registered 22 Aug 1853. Witness: George B. Gaines.

Willis Jones, age 12, born Robeson County NC, light negro boy, four and a half feet and growing, no scars, son of William Riley Jones. Registered 23 Aug 1853. Witness: George B. Gaines.

1 Comment

January 12, 2013

Malaga Moll’s great-grandson sues for freedom.

William Dowry ag’t Francis Thomas } Pet’o for freedom in the General Court.

The deposition of Ann Ridgely of Anne Arundel County aged between fifty seven and fifty eight years being first sworn on the holy Evangely of Almighty God, saith that she has seen William Dowry the petitioner but does not know much of him; that she knew Fanny who it is said, is Mother of the petitioner, very well; and this deponant also knew Mary Dove, the Mother of Fanny ever since she knew her own Mother, and she knew Fanny who is of about the age of the deponant from the time she was a child until she was a woman; this deponant is the daughter of Eliazar Burkhead who was the son of Abraham Burkhead, to whom Mary and Fanny both belonged when this deponent first knew them; and he gave Fanny to his daughter Frances Shekell the wife of John Shekell; this deponant further saith that Mary was a tall spare woman, of a brown complexion, and was the grand daughter of the woman, who came, or was imported into this Country and belonged to this deponants great grand Father as she has been informed and understood from her mother and her grand Father beforementioned: that her grand Father was the only child of his Father and possessed the whole estate; that this deponant has always understood that the Grand Mother of Mary Dove was a yellow woman and had long black hair; but this deponant doth not know whether she was reputed to be an East Indian or a Madagascarian, but she has understood that she was called in the family Malaga Moll, her name being Mary; and Mary Dove the Grand-daughter claimed her Sirname from her said Grand Mother; this deponant further saith that the Mother of Mary Dove (whose name she does not remember) died before her Mother, and whilst her daughter Mary Dove aforesaid was a small girl; and this deponant saith after the death of her father, her Mother intermarried with Leonard Thomas and the aforesaid Mary Dove then lived in the family and belonged to this deponant’s Brother James Birkhead, and upwards of forty years ago she sued for her freedom, and before any determination of the suit the aforesaid Leonard Thomas moved with his family and effects to North Carolina, about twenty miles from New Burn and carried the aforesaid Mary Dove with him, this deponants Brother James being then about five or six years of age: that the said Mary Dove prosecuted her claim to freedom at Newburn in North Carolina soon after she was removed there, and obtained her freedom upon trial at this deponant understood, together with three of her Children and two of her Grand Children and they were all discharged from the possession of the said Leonard Thomas; that the Children were named James, Nell and Sue, and the Grand Children, Will and Sal; that this deponant has heard her father in Law Leonard Thomas say that a certain Alexander Sands, who was the Son of an East Indian woman; and was commonly called Indian Sawny, was a Witness for the said Mary Dove, and that he proved that the Grand Mother of Mary Dove was an East Indian Woman; that this deponant does not recollect to have heard her father in law mention any other witness in particular who was sworn for the petitioner, but thinks he mentioned that one John Wells was sworn on her behalf; that the said Mary Dove had a brother named Dowry who belonged to this deponants uncle. That the aforesaid Leonard Thomas removed back to Maryland in a few years and sometime afterwards returned to North Carolina near the Yadkin and died about twelvemonth ago: — sworn to in open Court 16 Octo. 1791. True Copy Jno. G. [illegible]

Miscellaneous Records, Craven County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

[It is a reasonable conjecture that Mary Dove was the forebear of all the free colored Craven, and later Onslow and Jones, and later still Lenoir County Doves.]

14 Comments

December 18, 2012

He had no right to come back.

The Wadesboro’ Argus tells of a free negro who lived in Wadesboro’, and removed to Ohio; but soon found he could not live as well there as in North Carolina, and came back.

If this negro staid out of the State 90 days he had no right to come back, according to law. We hope there has been no neglect of the law in this matter, on the part of the proper officers. No free negro is allowed by law to come into this State. Any person who brings one in as an emigrant, either by land or water, is liable to a fine of $500.

We notice this case in order to arouse the attention of the officers of the law. – North Carolinian.

Carolina Watchman, Salisbury, 10 Oct 1850.

Leave a comment

December 10, 2012

Free-Issue Death Certificates: NC-Born Michiganders, no. 2.

Mary Allen. Died 26 Nov 1876, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Black. Married. Born about 1791 in NC to John and Mary Oxyndine.

Alexander Bass. Died 26 July 1900, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Married at age 17. Parent of 11 children. Born 14 Dec 1819 in NC to Joseph Bass and Temperance Chavous, both of NC. Buried Bethel cemetery. Informant, M. Bass, Day, Michigan.

Irena Higgins. Died 20 Oct 1919, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Widow. Age 75 years, 11 months. Born in NC to Alexander Bass and Clarkey Wilson, both of NC. Buried Mount Zion cemetery. Informant, Augusta Aurelia Higgins, Cassopolis.

In the 1850 census of Salt Creek, Franklin County, Indiana: Alexander Bass, 25, born NC; wife Clica, 27; and children Lucinda, 12; Delilah, 10; Aurora, 6; Smith, 4; and Ezekiel, 5 mos. Clica and the children were born in SC, except the baby, born in Indiana.

Zipporah Boone. Died 9 Dec 1908, Niles, Berrien, Michigan. Widowed. Black. Born about 1844 in NC to Wyatt Manuel.

In the 1850 census of Northern District of Sampson County: Wiat Manuel, 40; wife Charlotte, 33; children Marshal, 16, Martha, 13, Thomas, 12, Alman, 10, Mary, 8, Sophoy, 6, Kilby, 3, and Efferson, 2 months. In the 1860 census of Linton, Vigo County, Indiana: Wyatt Manuel, 50, wife Charlotte, 43, and children Allman, 20, Zilphaah, 16, Kilby, 14, Efferson, 10, Silvany, 8, Oskin, 5, Whitfield, 2, and Statford, 2 months. The last four children were born in Indiana; the others in NC.

Clarenda Goens. Died 4 March 1908, Covert, Van Buren County, Michigan. Mulatto. Married first at age 22. Parents of 7 children; 5 living. Born 5 May 1835, in Vigo County IN to Wiley Walden and Sarah Wilson, both of NC. Buried in Covert. Informant, W.S. Walden.

In the 1850 census of Otter Creek, Vigo County, Indiana: Wiley Walden, 40, Sarah, 36, Milton, 17, Carolina, 14, Clarkson, 12, Thomas E., 10, Ann, 9, Nancy A., 9, Fanny, 7, John F., 3, Winfield, 1.

Clarenda Walden married Stephen Goins, 30 Dec 1858, Vigo County Indiana.

Jordon P. Hunt. Died 15 July 1911, Buchanan. Berrier County, Michigan. Colored. Widower. Laborer. Born July 1840, North Carolina to Daniel Hunt and unknown mother. Buried Miles, Michigan. Informant, Victor Prophet.

Leave a comment

December 8, 2012

Register of (NC-born) Negroes & Mulattoes: Vigo County, Indiana.

Jethro Bass registered 2 July 1853. Age 70. Mulatto. Born Granville County NC. Resided Lost Creek township.

Jethro Bass and Polly Mitchell married in Granville County NC on 3 Apr 1809. In 1830, Jethro Bass headed a household of 13 free people of color in Vigo County, Indiana. In the 1850 census of Harrison township, Vigo County, Indiana: Jathro Bass, 70, wife Polly, 60, Emily, 17, and Alfred Bass, 6.

Lucy Brooks registered 9 July 1853. Age 35. Mulatto. Born Northampton County NC. Resided Harrison township.

John Brooks registered 9 July 1853. Age 45. Mulatto. Born Halifax County NC. Resided Harrison township.

In the 1850 census of Harrison, Vigo County, Indiana: John Brooks, 42, Lucinda, 32, Kinchen, 12, Benjamin, 10, Amanda, 8, William, 6, and Augustes, 7 months. John and Lucinda were born in NC; the children, in Indiana.

George Evans registered 2 July 1853. Age 49. Mulatto. Born Randolph County NC. Resided Lost Creek township.

Solomon Jackson. Registered 16 June 1853. Age 45. Negro. Born Richmond County NC. Resided Terre Haute.

John Mathews. Registered 18 June 1853. Age 36. Mulatto. Born NC. Resided Terre Haute.

In the 185o census of Harrison, Vigo County: John Mathews, 35, wife Lucretia, 23, and Lucy D., 1, plus Amy Halaran, 21, born in Ireland, and George Beard, 26, born in Kentucky.

George Mitchell. Registered 17 June 1853. Age 25. Negro. Born Rawlegh Way [Wake] County NC. Resided Terre Haute.

Jeremiah Mitchell. Registered 25 June 1853. Age 61. Negro. Born Rawlegh Way [Wake] County NC. Resided Terre Haute.

Samuel Mitchel. Registered 25 June 1853. Age 50. Mulatto. Born Orange County NC. Resided Lost Creek township.

William Morgan. Registered 8 Aug 1853. Age 28. Mulatto. Born Louisburg NC. Resided Otter Creek township.

Henry A. Newsom. Registered 6 Aug 1853. Age 35. Negro. Born Greene County NC. Resided Harrison township.

In 1851, when the Indiana General Assembly enacted its second state constitution, it included a provision, Article XIII, prohibiting any Negro or mulatto from entering or settling in the state. To enforce this provision, county clerks were ordered to register Negroes and mulattos already living in Indiana. This post abstracts Vigo County registrants reported born in North Carolina.

Vigo County Register of Negroes and Mulattoes, Indiana State Archives.

Leave a comment

December 2, 2012

Free-Issue Death Certificates: NC-born Michiganders.

Joseph C. Ash. Died 17 Feb 1890, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Married. Age about 60. Born in NC to Harry and Louisa Ash.

Marmaduke Ash. Died 7 April 1911, Calvin, Cass County Michigan. Colored. Age 81 years, 6 months, 2 days. Married at age 27. Parent of 13 children, of whom 7 are living. Born NC to Herrod Ash and Eliza Kerner, both of NC. Buried Chain Lake. Informant, Louisa Ash, Cassopolis.

In the 1850 census of Perry, Logan County, Ohio: Eliza Ash, 45, and her children Joseph C., 22, Marmaduke, 21, Mary, 20, Wm. H., 18, Sarah J., 16, Bates, 15, Marshama, 10, Marquis, 8, Eliza, 7, Arrena, 6, and Martha, 3. Eliza and her first four children were born in NC; the remainder in Ohio.

In the Consolidated List of All Persons Subject to Do Military Service in the Second Congressional District of Michigan: Joseph C. Ash, 36, and Marmaduke Ash, 35, both colored, born in NC, and residents of Calvin, Cass County. Beside Marmaduke’s name, under Remarks, “1/4 white.” Civil War Draft Registration Records, National Archives and Records Administration.

Wiley Chavous. Died 1 April 1915, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Married. Farming. Age 63. Born Indiana to Eli Chavous and Jane Locklayer, both of NC. Buried Calvin Center. Informant, Louisa Jane Chavous.

In the 1860 census of Calvin, Cass County, Michigan: Eli Shaver, 35, wife Jane, and children Samford, 11, Willy, 9, Mary E., 6, Emeline, 3, and Martha, 3 months. Eli and Jane were born in NC, Samford and Willy in Indiana, and the remaining children in Michigan.

Martha A. Dungey. Died 28 Feb 1904, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Widow. 40-year resident of Calvin. Born 10 Oct 1845 in Virginia to Henry Liggins and Elizabeth Liggins, both of NC. Buried in Bethel cemetery, Cassopolis.

In the 1860 census, of Calvin, Cass County, Michigan: Henry Liggins, 55, wife Eliz., 35, and children Parthenia, 17, Rufus, 15, Martha, 13, Mary 12, Susan, 10, Emma, 8, Alexander, 5, M.L., 4, and David, 2. The censustaker recorded all as born in Virginia except the three youngest children.

Thomas S. Evans. Died 23 April 1911, Porter, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Widowed. Retired farmer. Born 5 Aug 1827 in NC to Thomas Evans and an unknown mother, both of NC. Buried Chain Lake. Informant, H.E. Wise, Bristol, Mich.

Emily Ann Evans. Died Porter, 19 Sept 1907, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Married. Age 73 years, 1 month, 14 days. Married at age 16. Parent of 11 children; 8 living. Born in NC to Reddin Chavious and Francis Harris, both NC. Buried Chain Lake.

George Eaton Evans. Died 19 Sept 1898, Porter, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Single. Farmer. Age 41 years, 5 days. Born in NC to Thos. S. Evans and Emily A. Harris, both of NC.

Floria Ann Goins. Died 3 Aug 1908 in Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Age 72 years. Married at age 15. Parents of 15 children. Born in NC to Silas Oxendine and Ali Hunt, both of NC. Buried at Bethel. Informant, Wm. Goins.

In the 1860 census of Robeson County: Alx’d Oxendine, 36, Amy, 27, Mary J., 12, Henery J., 11, Minerva, 8, Flora A., 6, Jiles, 3, Catharine, 6 months, and Silas, 45.

Rabbi Goins. Died 22 March 1914, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Colored. Widower. Parents of 2 children, both living. Born Nov 1848 in NC to Jesse Goins and Roxey Goins, both of NC. Laborer. Informant, Asa Goins.

Willis Haithcock. Died 3 Aug 1898, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Married at age 24. Parents of 16 children; 9 living. Age 72 years, 2 months, 24 days. Farmer. Born in NC to Burrell Archer and Sarah Haithcock, both of NC. Buried Chane Lake cemetery.

In the 1850 census of Jefferson, Cass County, Michigan: NC-born Willis Hathcock, 24, in the household of white farmer Peter Marmon.

Berry Haithcox. Died 16 March 1904, Porter, Cass County, Michigan. Married at age 45. Three children; all living. Born 1825 in NC to Mills Haithcox and Sarrah Byrd, both of NC. Informant, Roberta Haithcox, Vandalia, Michigan.

In the 1850 census, of Jefferson, Logan County, Ohio: Mills Heathcock, 50, wife Sarah, 40, and children Dica, 25, Charlotte, 18, Bartlett, 16, Littleberry, 21, Sarah E., 8, John Mitchell, 7, Upper J., 5 and Permelia, 2. Mills was born in Virginia. All others, except the Ohio-born last child, were born in NC.

Ruberta Haithcock. Died 12 Nov 1916, Porter, Cass County, Michigan. Widow. Mulatto. Born 30 Mar 1837 in NC to William Tabron and Beda Tabron. Buried Mount Zion. Informant, Beda Haithcox.

Lovina Hathcox. Died 6 April 1905, Calvin, Cass County, Michigan. Mulatto. Widowed. Born 16 Aug 1834, Logan County, Ohio, to Green Allen and Angeline Wade, both of NC. Buried Chain Lake cemetery. Informant, A.S. Haithcock, Cassopolis.

Rebecca Ann Lawson. Died 19 May 1920, St. Joseph, Berrien County, Michigan. Colored. Married to James H. [Lawson.] Born 24 Nov 1849 in NC to George Artis and Susan Allen, both of NC. Buried Cassopolis. Informant, Jas. H. Lawson, Benton Harbor.

In the 1860 census of Porter, Cass County, Michigan: Geo. W. Artis, 45, carpenter, S., 34, M.E., 17, Sarah J., 14, E.A., 12, Rebecca, 10, M.F., 7, Geo. H., 2, and S.E., 4 months.

Death certificates, Library of Michigan; US population schedules.

Leave a comment

December 1, 2012

I was stolen from my parents.

State of Virginia, Southampton County } SS.

On this 7 day of March 1834 personally appeared in open court before the Justices of the county court of Southampton now acting Drewry Tann (a Free man of Colour) a Resident of said county aged about seventy five years who being first duly sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed June the 7^th 1832.

That he enlisted under Capt. Hadley in the County of Wake in the State of North Carolina (and states the manner he came in the service as follows) that being born free in the county of Wake he was stolen from his parents when a small boy by persons unknown to him, who were carrying him of to sell him into to [sic] Slavery, and had gotten with him and other stolen property, as far as the mountains on their way, that his parents made complaint to a Mr. Tanner Alford who was then a magistrate in the county of Wake State of N. Carolina to get me back from those who had stolen me, and he did pursue the Rogues & overtook them at the mountains and took me from them & my parents agreed that I should serve him (Tanner Alford) until I was twenty one years old, when he had served Alford several years (Six years) it came Alfords time to go in the army (or he told me so) and told me if I would go in the army he would set me free on which conditions I readily listed under Capt. Hadley for eighteen months as he was told and marched to Charleston and thence to Jameses Isleand where he served out his term of enlistment that he had a discharge and was about returning home when a Capt. Benjamin Coleman (who told me he lived in Bladen County N. Carolina) took his discharge from him and tried to compel him to remain in the service & be his waitingman – his name is to be found in the Records of the State of North Carolina as he is informed by Mr. Deverieux of the City of Raleigh N. Carolina & the term of his enlistments as well as the fact of his enlisting under Capt. Hadley as state above – he cannot state at what period of the war he entered the service. General Green was the commander in chief, Col Lightly & Capt Lightly. Adjutant Ivy that he served in the N. Carolina Regiment, that he has no other documentary evidence than that refered to in the Archives in the State of N. Carolina at the City of Raileigh and knows of no person living who can testify to his service. He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension roll of the agency of any state. Drewry X Tann

The said Drewry Tann states that he was born in the county of Wake N. Carolina in what year he does not know, that he has no Record of his age, that he was living in Wake County N. Carolina when he was Enlisted and that he has lived since the Revolution in the countys of Northampton N. Carolina and Southampton Virginia. That he lives in the county of Southampton at this time. That he listed volluntarily in the army under Capt. Hadley. He since as before stated on Jameses isleand near Charleston S. Carolina when there were some English prisoners & he was sometimes stationed as a guard on them, Gen Green was the commanding officer Col and Capt Lightley & Adjutant Ivy are all the names he can at this time remember he does not know what regiments he served with – he did secure a discharge from the service & Capt. Coleman took it from him & what has become of it he cannot say. He is known to Mr. Edwin G. Hart Mr. W. Owens John Hart Col. Clements Rochelle James Maggett Davis Bryant and many others. Drewry X Tann

Sworn to and subscribed in open court this 17 day of May 1834

From the file of Drewry Tann, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, National Archives and Records Administration.

Leave a comment

November 27, 2012

North from North Carolina, no. 1.

On 4 October 1835, Henderson Artis married Nancy Wilkins in Northampton County.

In the 1850 census of Northampton County: Nancy Artis, 35, with children Narcissa, 8, William, 5, and Cherry, 3.

In the 1860 census of Jefferson, Logan County, Ohio: Henderson Artis, 43, wife Nancy, 36, and children Narcissa, 15, William, 13, and Charity, 12. Henderson was a farmer and all were born in NC.

Leave a comment

November 12, 2012

Where are they now? No. 16.

Z.L. was born in the late 1970s in Chicago, Illinois. She is descended from:

(1) Arthur Locklear [1831-??, NC/Indiana] via Andrew Locklear [1854-??, Ind.]

(2) Leasy Hagans [ca1800-ca1855, Nash/Wayne County] via Louisa Hagans [ca1824-ca1875, Wayne County] via Napoleon Hagans [1840-1896, Wayne County]

Leave a comment

November 12, 2012

North and back: an odyssey.

On 20 September 1865, Montreville Simmons, 22, born in NC, residing in Chatham Township, Kent County, Ontario, Canada, son of John C. and Hepsie Simmons, married Victoria Brown, 16, born in Indiana, daughter of John and Mary Brown. Witnesses: Edwin Simons and C. Moore.

In the 1850 census of the South Side of the Neuse River, Wayne County: Calvin Simmons, 42, wife Hepsey, 46, and children Harriet, 13, Susan, 11, Montrival, 9, Jno. R., 7, Margaret, 5, Dixon, 3, and Geo. W. Simmons, 1, plus Robert Aldridge, 26, hireling.

In the 1861 census of Chatham and Gore townships, Kent County, Ontario: John C. Simmons, 50, wife Hepsy, 55, and children S.M., 16, Montreville, 15, John R., 14, Margaret A., 12, Dickie, 10, and George Simmons, 9. All reported being born in the US, and all were Baptist.

By 1870, Calvin Simmons and his youngest sons had returned to North Carolina, and are listed in Brogden township, Wayne County: Calvin Simons, 63, and Montville, 29, John R., 26, Dickson H., 21, and George W. Simmons, 20. On 3 March 1871, in Duplin County, Montville Simmons, son of Calvin Simmons and Hepsey Whitley, married Anna Henderson (1852-1906), daughter of James Henderson and Louisa Armwood.

By 1881, Montreville Simmons (40, farmer), wife Annie (29) and children Elizabeth (8), Doctor T. (7), Susan M. (4) and Montreville (2) are listed in the census of Chatham, Kent, Ontario. All were born in the US except Doctor and Montreville jr., who were born in Ontario, and all were Baptist. By 1900, the family was back in the United States, and are found in the census of Eel, Cass County, Indiana: on Park Avenue in Logansport, farmer Montville Simmons (Apr 1850), wife Anna (Mar 1861) and children James R. (Dec 1879), Montville (Jun 1881), and Dock (Dec 1879). Montville and Anna were born in NC; their sons in Canada. Montville and Anna had been married 28 years and reported 5 of 5 children living.

Marriage Registers, Kent County, Ontario, Canada; Canada census records; marriage register, Register of Deeds, Duplin County NC; US population schedules.

2 Comments

Tag: migration