A CORONER’S INQUEST
Was held yesterday, by JOHN C. WOOD, Esq., Coroner, over the body of a free colored boy named THOMAS ALLEN, who was drowned on Thursday, whilst bathing in the river. The verdict of the jury was “accidental drowning.”
The Tri-Weekly Commercial (Wilmington), 5 August 1848.
$30 REWARD.
RANAWAY from the subscriber, in April last, his boy NICHOLAS. Said boy is yellow-complected, about six feet high, has a down look when spoken to, and is passing for a free boy; he is, no doubt, lurking in New Hanover or the lower part of Duplin county, where his father Nicholas Buffoe, a bricklayer, has a wife. — I will give the above reward of thirty dollars for his delivery to the Subscriber, or confined in any jail in the State, so that I can get him. WM. L. MOORE, Aug. 25th, 1854
Wilmington Journal, 6 October 1854.
State of North Carolina
New Hanover County
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions,
March Term 1805
Upon the petition of Ann Quince & James Walker, Sen’r for the emancipation of a female slave named Charlotte. Ordered that the said Charlotte is emancipated and set free from slavery and that hereafter bear and be known by the name of Charlotte Quince.
A true copy from the minutes.
Anthony B. Toomer, Clk
Wilmington Gazette, 16 April 1805.
State of North Carolina, New Hanover County } Know all men by these presents that we John Waddell, Francis N. Waddell, & John Waddell Jr. are held and firmly bound unto Edward B. Dudley Esqr. Chairman of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, for the County of New Hanover, and to his successors in office, for the use of the poor of the County of New Hanover, in the sum of one hundred pounds to which payment well and truly to be made we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents Sealed without seals and dated the 26th day of July – A.D. 1827
Whereas the above named John Waddell has obtained an order of the Superior Court of the County aforesaid for the emancipation of a certain negro slave named Solomon Nash, the condition of this obligation is such, that if the said negro slave Solomon Nash shall not, at any time hereafter, become chargeable on the Parish of St. James, or on the County of New Hanover then this obligation to be void, otherwise to be and remain in full force and effect. /s/ John Waddell, F.N. Waddell, John Waddell Junr.
New Hanover County Records, North Carolina State Archives.
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.
Jailor’s Notice.
Taken up on the 25th of June, 1827, and committed to the Jail of New Hanover county, North Carolina, a negro man, named JAMES ARCHEY, 5 feet 8 inches high, 27 years old, two of his upper front teeth out, and a scar over his right eye. This fellow says that he is free, and that he was born in Philadelphia, and his parents live there. There is but very little doubt that he is a slave, as he can tell but little about Philadelphia, or any part of the North. The owner is requested to come forward, prove property, pay charges, and take him away. CHARLES R. MORRIS, Jailor. Wilmington, N.C., Nov. 27, 1827.
Star, Raleigh, 5 February 1829.
At February term, 1807: Ordered that John Beauford, a mulatto fellow now in prison, for whom F. Fontaine and John McLellan became security for the procurement of a certificate for his freedom, and it appearing to the court that the said mulatto is a freeman, that he be released from prison upon F. Fontaine’s paying his jail fees and that the bond of the said Francis and John be cancelled and given up.
At May term, 1807: Upon the petition of Philip Bazadier ordered that a mulatto woman named Susan be emancipated and set free from slavery and that she hereafter bear the named Susan Bazadier.
At May term, 1807: Ordered that Anthony Williamson be appointed guardian of Major Armwood, an orphan, in room of Bartholomew Byrns, who surrenders said orphan to the court, giving bond with John Walker, and Joel Parrish as securities.
At August term, 1807: Upon the petition of J.D. Toomer and Lewis Toomer, ordered that Sam, a negro man slave of the said petitioners be emancipated and set free from slavery and that he hereafter bear the name of Sam Toomer, the petitioners giving bond with Wm. Campbell, secy.
Minutes, Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, New Hanover County Records, North Carolina State Archives.
W.H. (Willon Hatch) Brooks. Died 21 May 1925, Mitchell, Bertie County. Colored. Married. Farmer. Born 29 April 1860 in Wayne County to Wright Casey and Caline Brooks. Informant, Dave Brooks.
In the 1860 census of Indian Springs, Wayne County: Annis Brooks, 51, Caroline, 20, Bassel, 14, Elizabeth, 10, and Hatch, 2 months.
Louisa Davis. Died 23 August 1915, New Hope, Wayne County. Colored. Widow. Born 19 July 1840 in NC to Peter Ward and Milly Smith. Buried New Hope township. Informant, Clarisy Davis, Goldsboro.
Isham Smith. Died 12 February 1914, Fork, Wayne County, Colored. Married. Undertaker. Born North Carolina to unknown parents. Buried in Goldsboro. Informant, W.W. Faison.
In the 1860 census of Buck Swamp, Wayne County: Milly Smith, 45, and children Louisa, 25, Bitha, 15, Frances, 8, Clarissa, 4, Eliza, 5, Isam, 3, and Virginia, 1. [Sidenote: Isham Smith married Nancy Henderson, daughter of James and Louisa Armwood Henderson and sister or half-sister to Lewis and John Henderson and others. Isham and Nancy’s daughter Annie Smith married James Guess, who took over his father-in-law’s undertaking business and operated James Guess Funeral Home into the mid-20th century. — LYH]
Fannie S. Norwood. Died August 1930, Wilmington, New Hanover County. Resided 520 Walnut. Negro. Widowed. Teacher. Born in 1846 in Wilmington to James D. Sampson of Sampson County and Francinea Kellogg of Wilmington. Buried in Pine Forest. Informant, Mrs. S.E. Merrick, 520 Walnut.
In the 1850 census of Wilmington, New Hanover County: Jas. Sampson, 44, carpenter, wife Fanny, 39, children Jas., 20, Jos., 18, and Benj’a, all apprentices, John, 14, Mary, 12, M.A., 10, George, 8, Fanny, 4, and Nathan, 2.
William Petapher. Died 4 May 1910, New Bern, Craven County. Colored. Married. Shoemaker. Born 1843 to Wright Petapher and unknown mother. Buried Greenwood cemetery. Informant, Rosa Petapher.
Cesero Wiggins. Died [no day] April 1924, New Bern, Craven County. Negro. Carpenter. Resided 24 Crooked. Widower of Clarncie Wiggins. Born 1860 in New Bern to Wright Pettipher and Sarah Wiggins. Buried at Pettiphords cemetery. Informant Louisa Wiggins.
In the 1860 census of Neuse River, Craven County: Sarah Wiggins, 35, day laborer, Martha, 14, Julia, 12, Sabine, 10, Rebecca, 8, and Cicero, 6.
Theophilus George. Died 26 February 1918, #5, Craven County. Negro. Married to Hepsey George. Born 10 July 1850 to Theophilus George and Sarah Harkley. Informant, Oscar Frazier.
Mary F. Carter. Died 27 July 1915, North Harlour, Craven County. Negro. Married. Born 10 April 1863 in Craven County to Lige George and Sarah Fenner, both of Craven County. Buried Cohogue. Informant, A.V. George.
In the 1860 census of Goodings, Craven County: Elijah George, 50, farmer, wife Sarah, 30, Theophilus, 20, Timothy, 8, Nancy, 10, J.P., 4, and T.J., 2.
Bailey Godette. Died 22 June 1915, No. 5, Craven County. Negro. Married. Farmer. Born 15 May 1861 in North Harlowe to Andrew Godette and Debah George, both of North Harlowe. Buried North Harlowe cemetery. Informant, Debah Jackson, 99 Bern Street.
In the 1860 census of Goodings, Craven County: Andrew Godett, 24, day laborer, Mary F., 27, William B., 6, Nancy, 4, and Sarah A., 3 months.
CHAPTER XVIII.
An Act to Emancipate a certain Negro Slave named Phillis, late the Property of George Jacobs, of the town of Wilmington, Deceased.
Whereas it is represented to the General Assembly that the aforesaid George Jacobs, deceased, in his last illness, did earnestly request that his negro slave named Phillis should be liberated for her great attention to her said master during her continuance with him, and more especially for her care and assiduity in his last illness: In order therefore to carry into effect the dying request of the said George Jacobs, deceased:
I. Be it Enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby Enacted by the authority of the same, That from and after the passing of this Act, the aforesaid negro woman named Phillis, shall be emancipated and forever discharged from her bondage, in as full and ample manner as if she had been born free; any law, usage or custom to the contrary notwithstanding: And the said negro woman shall forever hereafter be known by the name of Phillis Freeman.
Acts of the North Carolina General Assembly, 1788, Colonial and State Records of North Carolina.
State of North Carolina, New Hanover County } Court of Pleas & quarter Sessions, June Term 1797
Know all men by these Presents that We John McLellan, George Hooper, Henry Urquhart and John Allan all of the County aforesaid, are held and firmly bound unto his Excellency Samuel Ashe esq’r Governor, Captain General and Commander in Chief in and over the State aforesaid in the just and fill sum of One thousand Pounds, for the which payment will and truly to be made to his Excellency the Governor aforesaid his successors or assigns We do hereby jointly and severally, firmly by these presents, bind our seves and each of us our Heirs Executors and Administrators, Sealed with our Seals and dates as above –
The Condition of the above Obligation is such, that Whereas, the Justices presiding in the Court aforesaid at the Term aforesaid have on the Petition of the aforesaid John McLellan, emancipated and sett free, as fully and amply, as by the Laws of this State they are entitled, a certain female Negroe Slave, belonging to the said John McLellan named Maria and her four Children named William Elizabeth Margaret and Mary; And in case the said female Negroe Slave Maria and her four Children William, Elizabeth, Margaret and Mary or either of them shall not in any manner whatsoever become chargeable to or on this or any other County within this State, then the above Obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force and Virtue. /s/ John Mclellan, G. Hooper, Henry Urquhart, John Allan
Signed Sealed & Delivered in presence of /s/ James W. Walker
Slave Records, New Hanover County Records, North Carolina State Archives.
Fourth Generation Inclusive 