Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Tag: Rockingham County

June 2, 2014

An account of an execution.

FOR THE PRESS.

WENTWORTH, N.C., Jan. 11th, 1859.

DEAR SIR:

On Friday last, according to the sentence of His Honor, Judge DICK, Lucy Hine, a free woman of color, and a resident of your county, was publicly executed about 1 ½ miles East of town, in the presence of an unusually small crowd, compared with the number generally attending executions. I was glad to see so small a crowd in attendance, as I think such spectacles have anything but a good tendency. – Instead of morality, immorality is taught on all such occasions.

The day of execution was a little damp, and the roads muddy, but not sufficiently so to be disagreeable. About 11 o’clock the Sheriff proceeded to the jail with the attending officer, robed the criminal for execution, placed her in a wagon, and conducted her to the gallows. – She was attended by three ministers, Rev’s Day, Fields and Norman. Arriving at the gallows, she ascended the scaffold with a firm and resolute step. On being asked, if she had any confessions to make, she relied, none more than she had already made to the jailor, which in substance is, that she was innocent of the murder, and that there was no plot whatever between Frank and herself to kill her husband, and that she lent no aid either for or against him, and that she helped to conceal the body after the murder was committed.

She then exhorted all persons present, mostly negroes, to beware of their acts and conduct and not so as she had done. Said that she had been a great sinner, but felt that she was forgiven, and was willing to die. After which Rev. B. Field of the Methodist Church, delivered a short and appropriate address; and at 1 o’clock, the rope being adjusted, the drop fell, and her spirit took its flight to that last resting place “whence no traveler returns.”

Much credit is due Rev. Wm. Gay of the Episcopal church at Leaksville, who visited the criminal the day before her execution, and prayed with attended her to the gallows. AVO.

The People’s Press (Winston-Salem), 14 January 1859.

In the 1840 census of Bethabara, Stokes County: Lucy Hine, a free woman of color aged 24-36, living alone.

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April 24, 2013

He has a pass, but …

COMMITTED To the Jail of Rockingham County, North-Carolina, on the 5th inst. a mulatto fellow, who calls his name George Petteford, jr. about 24 years old, five feet high; and has in his possession a pass signed by William M. Sneed, Esq. from Granville county, dated 11th November, 1817. If the said George belongs to any person, the owner is requested to come forward, prove his property, pay charges and take him away.    SAM’L MOXLY Jailor.  Sept. 15, 1820.

Star, Raleigh, 6 October 1820.

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April 15, 2013

His father was emancipated in Virginia.

Committed to the Jail of Rockingham county, (N.C.) on the 25th ult. A Negro Fellow, who says his name is JOHN ARMSTRONG, and that he is a free Man – says his father was emancipated by a family of the name of Ladd, near Richmond – says he lived with Mr. Ratford, who formerly kept the Eagle Tavern in that place, and that he also lived several years with Mr. Smoke, who now keeps the Eagle Tavern, in the capacity of Ostler.

JOHN is about 30 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches high, is very much pitted with the small-pox, and when apprehended, said he was on his way to Tennessee, where his wife resides. The owner is requested to prove his property, pay charges and take him away.   JOHN LILLIARD, Jailer. 7th June, 1809.

Star, Raleigh, 20 July 1809.

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March 23, 2013

Green, country-looking man and woman without papers.

SENT BEFORE THE GRAND JURY. – Oswald Wright, the person charged with bringing Eveline Mills, a free negro of North Carolina, into the state contrary to law, was, yesterday brought the Mayor, and after an examination into the case was required to find security for his appearance before the Hustings’ Court Grand Jury, to answer any indictment that might be found against him for the offence. The amount of security ($150) was not given by him, and he was committed to jail. The punishment should he tried and convicted is a fine of not more than $500, and imprisonment not exceeding six months. The jury may vote the accrued guilty, fine him one cent, and put him in jail one hour. Eveline Mills, the woman who was held as an adjunct of weight in the offence, produced her certificate of freedom and discharged from custody.

The Daily Dispatch, Richmond VA, 27 August 1857.

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SENT BACK. – Oswald Wright, who stands accused of bringing Evelyn Mills, a free negro, into this state from North Carolina, contrary to the law, was before the Mayor yesterday, but the case was not gone into, on account of the absence of witnesses. The defendant was sent back to jail. – Wright, a green country looking individual, says he came from Rockingham county, and was on his way back when arrested. The woman, Evelyn Mills was likewise sent back to answer for coming into the State without free papers. It is not known with certainty whether she is free as she asserts.

The Daily Dispatch, Richmond VA, 3 September 1857.

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HUSTINGS COURT. – This tribunal commences its regular monthly term on to-day next. Below we give a list of cases which will occupy the attention of the magistrates during the session …. The misdemeanor cases … will be found in the following list:

7. Oswald Wright. Bringing a free negro from North Carolina to this city, contrary to the laws of Virginia.

…

The Daily Dispatch, Richmond VA, 9 November 1857.

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February 5, 2013

Free-Issue Death Certificates: GOINS.

Annie Goins.  Died 20 January 1935, Madison, Rockingham County. White. Single. Born 1 January 1849 in Rockingham County to Gilbert Goins and Paulina Goins, both of Rockingham County. Buried Gibson cemetery. Informant, Flynt Goins.

Winnie Goins. Died 16 April 1927, Barbecue, Harnett County.  White. Single. Age about 83. Born Rockingham County to Gilbert Goins and Polina Goins. Buried Gibson cemetery. Informant, William Kye.

Victoria Goins Kye. Died 30 December 1939, Jonesboro, Lee County. White. Widow of William Kye. Born 5 June 1855, Rockingham County to Gilbert Goins and Winnie Goins. Buried at Salem Church. Informant, Mrs. Maude Hickman.

In the 1850 census of Western District, Rockingham County: Gilbert Goings, 46, laborer; wife Deliah, 30; and children Wesley, 14, Nancy, 12, George W., 10, Mary J., 8, William N., 6, Spencer, 4, William R., 3, and Eliza, 1; all mulatto.  The family is not found in 1860.  In 1870, Mayo, Rockingham County:  Gilbert Goings, 62, farmer; wife Paulina, 50; and children Nash, 24, Annie, 20, Elizabeth, 22, Josepine, 18, Victoria, 16, Pendleton, 14, and Samuel, 11; all mulatto.

John Press Goins.  Died 16 January 1922, Stoneville, Madison, Rockingham County. Colored. Married. Farmer. Born 1850 to Pres Goins Sr. and unknown mother. Buried Lam graveyard. Informant, Flint Goins.

Alex Goins. Died 14 April 1938, Madison, Rockingham County. White. Widower of Martha Goins. Age 93. Farmer. Born to unknown father and Renda Goins. Informant, Pink Goins.

In the 1850 census of Western District, Rockingham County: Preston Goings, 48; wife Lucinda, 38; and children Mary I., 16, Francis, 15, Elizabeth, 8, Margaret, 7, Columbus, 4, John, 2, and Caroline, 7 months; all mulatto.  Next door: Marenda Goings, 33, and children Josiah, 18, Elizabeth, 12, William, 10, George, 8, John, 6, Mathew, 4, and Alexander, 1; all mulatto.

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February 5, 2013

Surnames: Rockingham County, 1850.

ALEXANDER, ARTIS, ASH, BARKER, BENNETT, BELTON, BROCKS, CASSIE, COAL, COUZENS, CUMMINGS/CUMMINS, CURTIS,DAVIS, DISER, DYESS, DYSON, EDWARDS, EDWELL, ELLIS, FRIEND, FLINN, FRASER, GIBSON,GILSON, GOINGS, GOOLSBY, GRADY, GRIFFIS, GUIN, HAMLIN, HARRIS, HOOD, HUGHES, IRWIN, JAMES, JARRELL, JOHNSON, JORDON, JONES, JUMPER, KANE, KING, LONG, MANN, MARTIN, MASON, McBRIDE, MILLER, MOON, MOORE, NICHOLAS, OAKLEY, OLIVER, ORREN, OVERTON, PATTERSON, PRICE, PURSELL, RICKMAN, ROBERTS, SMALL, SMOTHERS, SNOW, STEWART, STUBBEFIELD, SUMPTER, SYLES, TAYLOR, VARNUM, WHEELER, WILSON and WOOD.

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November 4, 2012

An apprentice leads the way.

30 dollars reward.

Ranaway from the subscriber on Thursday the 28th of November last, a mulatto boy named TOM, between 16 and 18 years of age, about 5 feet 4 inches, stout made, lips thick, down look and a small scar on his face, was indifferently dressed when he ran off.  It is supposed that Ryal Bryant an apprentice to Wm Delancey hatter, (who has also run away) enticed him off.  The above reward will be paid to any person for apprehending and securing the  above fellow in any jail so that the subscriber gets him again   JAS. ROACH  Rockingham County, Dec 9

The Star and North Carolina State Gazette, 20 December 1816

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