Wayne County | Fourth Generation Inclusive

January 15, 2013

Justly entitled to the privileges of a free citizen.

To the Worshipfull the Justices of the County Court of Duplin – The petition of William Duncan begs leave humbly to Represent to your Worships that he is in possession of a Mulatto Slave called Adam who has for a number of years past conducted and demeaned himself as a faithfull, honest, and well deserving Servant. Your petitioner conceives the said Negro Slave Adam from his meritorious Services & good conduct is justly entitled to the privileges of a free Citizen, he therefore prays your Worships will extend to him the Advantages which the Laws of the Country extend to him & as in duty bound will ever pray B.H. Martin pro petitioner

Petition of Adam a Negro Slave Concurred and Adam Liberated April Term 1798.

This is possibly the Adam Greenfield listed in the 1800 census of Duplin County as the head of a household consisting of two “other free” persons. In the 1820 census of Wayne County, Adam Greenfield headed a household consisting of two males under age 14, one male aged 14-26, and one male aged 45 or more, 2 females aged 14-26, and one female aged 45 or more.

Petition, Miscellaneous Records, Duplin County Records, North Carolina State Archives. US Population Schedule.

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January 15, 2013

Ausborn and Mariah Dunstan.

The headstones of Ausborn Dunstan and wife, Maria Dunstan, are found in Row E of Rest Haven Cemetery, Wilson, North Carolina’s African-American cemetery. Unless reinterred from Rountree cemetery – the earlier graveyard serving Wilson’s black folks, abandoned circa 1950 – they are among the earliest burials in Rest Haven.

Though both were free-born, and accordingly not subject to legislation creating a path to legitimation of slave marriages, Orsborn Dunson and Mariah Monday registered their five-year marriage on 24 August 1866 in Wilson County.

In the 1860 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Asburn Dunstan, 23, laborer, in the household of H.L. Winton, who kept a boarding house.

In the 1850 census of North Side of the Neuse, Wayne County: Moriah Munda, 9, black, listed as farmhand in the household of John G. Barnes, 33, white, farmer.

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January 12, 2013

Free-Issue Death Certificates: BREWINGTON.

Simon Brewington. Died 9 June 1933, Saddle Tree, Robeson County. Indian. Married to Rhoda Brewington. Born 4 Feb 1851, Sampson County, to Raiford Brewington and Bash Marine McQueen. Farmer. Informant, L.W. Brewington, Lumberton NC. [Duplicate: Simon Brewington. Died 9 June 1933, Saddle Tree, Robeson County. Indian. Married to Rhoda Brewington. Age 81. Born Sampson County, to Raeford Brewington and Mary McDuncan. Farmer. Informant, L.W. Brewington, Lumberton NC.

Allen B. Brewington. Died 18 Aug 1926, Honeycutts, Sampson County. Indian. Single. Age 70 years, 1 month, 20 days. Born Sampson County to Raiford Brewington and Bashia Manuel. Buried Brewington graveyard. Informant. J. Arthur Brewington, Clinton NC.

Ann Liza Manuel. Died 29 March 1925, Dudley, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Widow of Alvin Manuel. Born 1841, Sampson County to Raiford Brewington and Basheba Brewington, both of Sampson County. Informant, Randolph Winn.

In the 1860 census of Honeycutts, Sampson County: Raiford Brewington, 48, farmer; wife Basheba, 45; and children Thomas, 21, Ann E., 17, James, 15, Hardy, 13, Joshua, 11, Raiford, 9, Simon P., 8, Polla A., 6, Allen B., 4, and Nathan, 1; all mulatto.

Mary Taylor Maynor. Died 3 March 1918, Fayetteville, Cumberland County. Cherokee Indian. Widowed. Age 86. Born NC to Nathan Brewington and Matilda Chestnut, both of NC. Informant, Della Holliday, Fayetteville NC.

In the 1850 census of the Northern Division, Sampson County: Nathan Brewington, 35, laborer; wife Matilda, 34; and children William, 15, George, 13, Mary, 11, Susan, 10, John, 8, Partially, 5, Sarah, 4, and Amma, 1; plus Bunion Manuel, 24; all mulatto.

Andrew Brewington. Died 4 Sep 1920, Sampson County. Negro. Married to Absilla Brewington. Age 70. Farming. Born in NC to Johnson Brewington and unknown mother. Informant, D.A. Brewington.

Polly Ann Jackson. Died 24 Jan 1915, Dismal, Sampson County. Negro. Widowed. Age 57. Born Sampson County to Johnson Brewington and Nancy Jane Manuel, both of Sampson County. Buried Willie Bass graveyard, Sampson County. Informant, Jansie D. Williams, Cooper NC.

In the 1860 census of the Northern Division of Sampson County, Johnson Bruington, 50, cooper; wife Nancy, 45; and children Young, 12, Charles, 13, Johnson, 12, Andrew, 9, Mary, 8, Elizabeth, 7, William, 6, Alexandria, 5, Matilda, 3, and Adolphus, 1, all mulatto.

Abbie Jane Brewington. Died 16 Jan 1933, Dunn, Harnett County. Colored. Widow of Nathan Brewington. Age 71. Born Sampson County to Jesse Jacobs and Abbie Jane Jacobs, both of Sampson County. Buried Wilkins cemetery. Informant, Rena Goodman (daughter), Dunn NC.

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January 12, 2013

Notice of mislaid note.

LOST OR MISLAID. On Friday or Saturday last, a note of hand, given by George Moses and made payable to me, dated 17th January 1850 for $10. Persons are hereby notified not to trade for said note, and the drawer from paying it, to any one except myself. WILLIAM BURNETT. Goldsboro’ Jan. 22, 1850.

North Carolina Telegram, Goldsboro, 31 January 1850.

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January 12, 2013

Credit or cash.

“The terms of the Sale of the Property Belonging to Serril Newsom Deceased Was Solde on a Credit of Six Months or Cash Which Ever the Perchiser chose on the 29 of Decr 1864 By Jas. H. Smith his Admr” is a four-page document listing the contents of Serrell Newsome’s estate and its buyers. Paying inflated Civil War-era prices with Confederate money, buyers included free men of color Zion Reed (“1 Cast Plow”), Aaron Sebary [Seaberry] (“1 Lot of Shovels, 1 Single Tres, 3 ½ Booshels of Oats, 1 Cart & Wheeles, 1 Lot of Seed Cotton”), and Rufus Artis (“1 Lot of Peas”).

In the 1850 census of the North Side of the Neuse, Wayne County: Serrell Newsom, 43, farmer, with sons Nathan, 18, Willie, 17, and William, 14.

Estate Records, Wayne County Records, North Carolina State Archives. US Federal Population Schedules.

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January 11, 2013

Bright mulatto says he is free.

COMMITTED TO THE JAIL OF WAKE COUNTY, a negro man who says his name is WASHINGTON, and that he belongs to Capt. William Smith, of the 6^th regiment N.C.T., and he now resides in Petersburg, Va. Said boy says that he was put on the cars at Salisbury, N.C., by his master, and by some accident they became separated, and he, the said boy, was taken up and committed as a runaway.

Also, another negro, calling himself HENRY BROOKS; says is free, and that he is from Wayne County, N.C., and was bound to Benj. Herring, of said county, now dead. Said boy is a bright mulatto, about 27 years old.

Notice is hereby given that the owner or owners come forward, prove property, pay charges, and take them away, or they will be dealt with as the law directs. W.H. HIGH, Sheriff. Oct. 14, 1862.

Weekly Standard, Raleigh, 15 October 1862.

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January 7, 2013

Free-Issue Death Certificates: WINN, WYNN.

Tempsy Winn. Died 6 Apr 1924, Mount Olive, Wayne County. Colored. Widow of Washington Wynne. About 85 years old. Nurse. Born in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, to Nathan Brewington and unknown mother. Buried, Mount Olive NC. Informant, George W. Winn.

In 1860 census, Buck Swamp, Wayne County: Washington Winn, 35, carpenter; wife Temperance J., 20; and children Aaron, 17, Levi, 15, Elizabeth, 13, James, 11, and Giles, 9.

Levi W. Winn. Died 1 June 1920, Brogden, Wayne County. Negro. Married to Mary Winn. Born 1842 in Mount Olive to Washington Winn and Larky Winn. Buried Mount Olive. Informant, D.H. Winn.

James Cicero Winn. Died 16 Oct 1922, Mount Olive, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Married to Mattie Winn. Born 16 Oct 1848 in Wayne County to Washington Winn and Larkie Brenette. Buried Mount Olive Colored Cemetery. Informant, Thad Winn.

In the 1850 census of South Side of Neuse, Wayne County: Washington Winn, 30, farmer; wife Larkey, 30; and children Aaron, 8, Levi, 6, Apsoly, 4, and James, 6 months; plus Jno. Newell, 12.

Emiley Winn. Died 3 Feb 1919, Mount Olive, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Widow. Born 1853 in “Fedville” [Fayetteville], Cumberland County, to Ne[illegible]em Terry and Scharlte Terry, both of Fayetteville. Buried Brogden township, Wayne County. Informant, Leann Winn.

In the 1860 census of Indian Springs, Wayne County: Emily Winn, 19, with son John, 8 months, and husband Wm. Winn, 24.

Charles B. Winn. Died 27 July 1923, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Married to Mary McGee Winn. Age about 64. Born Wayne County to Bill Winn of Wayne County and Annie Newell-Winn of Fayetteville NC. Buried Wayne County. Informant, Bruce Winn.

In the 1860 census of Indian Springs, Wayne County: Ann Newell, 25, and sons Wm. D., 7, and Charles, 5. All are described as white.

Mary Winn. Died 8 Nov 1930, Dudley, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Widow of Edward Winn. Born 8 Jan 1860, Greene County, to Rob Hagans and [blank] Baker, both of Greene County. Buried Dudley NC. Informant, Fred Hagans.

In the 1860 census of Fields, Greene County: Robert Hagans, 31, day laborer; wife Sarah, 30; and children Mary, 12, Joseph, 8, Penelope, 5, and Edwin, 1, all described as mulatto.

Jim Henry Newell. Died 26 Jan 1924, Mount Olive, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Married to Magie Newell. Age about 69. Born in Mount Olive to Addam Winn and Larkie Newell. Informant, Addam Newell.

In the 1860 census of Cumberland East, Cumberland County: Larkin Newell, 30, with her children Ollin G., 12, Washington, 11, Ann E., 8, James H., 6, Penny, 4, and Betsy, 4 months, all with the surname Winn. Larkin was described as white; the children, mulatto.

Bettie Wynn. Died 30 Aug 1935, Brogden, Mount Olive, Wayne County. Colored. Married to Giles Wynn. Age 82. Born Dudley NC to Levie Wynn and unknown mother. Buried Mount Olive NC. Informant, Lettie Bunting, Mount Olive.

Frances W. Wynn. Died 12 Mar 1927, Dudley, Brogden., Wayne County. Colored. Widow. About 67. Born in North Carolina to J. Arigers and [blank] Carther, both of NC. Buried Dudley NC. Informant, Levi Wynn.

Mary L. Wynn. Died 30 Nov 1934, Mount Olive, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Widow of Levy W. Wynn. Age 83. Born Wayne County to Levy Wynn and Betsey Wynn, both of Wayne County. Informant, Daniel H. Wynn, Mount Olive.

North Carolina Death Certificates; US population schedules.

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January 6, 2013

Estate of Solomon Williams.

Vicey Artis, a free woman of color, and Solomon Williams, a slave, had eleven children together — Zilpha Artis Wilson, Adam Toussaint Artis, Jane Artis Artis, Loumiza Artis Artis, Charity Artis, Lewis Artis, Jonah Williams, Jethro Artis, Jesse Artis, Richard Artis and Delilah Williams Exum — before they were able to marry legally. On 31 August 1866, they registered their 35-year cohabitation in Wayne County. Vicey died soon after, but Solomon lived until 1883. The document above, listing his and Vicey’s six surviving children and heirs of their deceased children, is found among his estate papers, now held at the North Carolina State Archives.

In the 1850 census of Bull Head district, Greene County, Vicy Artess is listed with children Zilpha, Louis, Jonah, Jethro, and Richard Artess. Next door, her and Solomon’s children Adam, Charity and Jane appear in the household of Silas Bryant, to whom they apparently were apprenticed.

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December 24, 2012

The infamous business of abducting free people of color.

Fayetteville, March 19. Kidnapping. – We learn that this infamous business is carrying on to a considerable extent, near the lines of the counties of Sampson, Wayne and Johnston, and that five free persons of color, have been abduced [sic] from that neighborhood, by a set of daring outlaws & most probably have been sold in bondage. If these things be so it is time for the citizens of that neighborhood to be active in their exertions to bring the offenders to justice. The cause of suffering humanity, calls upon them for a generous effort in behalf of this unfortunate class of our population. The violated laws of the State require them, as good citizens, to use every possible means to vindicate its humane, and merciful provisions, ferreting out and bringing to punishment its invaders. Journal.

Carolina Watchman, Salisbury, 29 Mar 1834.

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December 20, 2012

Free-Issue Death Certificates: SIMMONS.

George Robert Simmons. Died 24 June 1922, Dudley, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Married to Molly Simmons. Farmer. Age about 75. Born Wayne County to George Simmons and Floxy Jane Simmons. Informant, Robert Simmons.

Bryant Simmons. Died 14 Jan 1932, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Married to Donnie Simmons. Farmer. Born 2 Dec 1852, Mount Olive NC, to George W. Simmons of Duplin County and Flozie Manuel of Sampson County. Buried in Dudley NC. Informant, Geneve Simmons, Dudley.

General Washington Simmons. Died 27 Jan 1941, Dudley, Brogden, Wayne County. Negro. Widower of Mary E. Simmons. Age 84. Farmer. Born Wayne County to George Washington [Simmons] of Wayne County and Flaxie Jane Simmons of Wayne County. Buried, Simmons burying ground. Informant, Orlander Simmons.

Hillery B. Simmons. Died 25 Oct 1942, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Married to Celester Simmons. Farmer. Age 84. Born Wayne County to George Simmons of Wayne County and unknown mother. Buried, Congregational cemetery. Informant, Moses Budd.

Riley Simmons. Died 17 July 1924, Dudley, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Married. Born 1840, Dudley, to Geo. Simmons and Axy Simmons. Buried Wayne County. Informant, Sam Simmons.

Zachariah T. Simmons. Died 17 March 1938, High Point, Guilford County. Resided 604 Fairview. Colored. Minister. Married to Mrs. Eugenie W. Simmons. Born 12 December 1848, Mount Olive, to George W. Simmons of Dublin [Duplin] and Axie Manuel. Buried High Point. Informant, Mrs. Eugenie Simmons.

In the 1860 census of Indian Springs, Wayne County: George Simmons, 40, wife Axey J, 38, and children Riley B., 19, Simon, 15, Susan A., 17, George R., 13, Zack, 10, Silvania, 9, Bryant, 7, H.B., 5, and Gen., 2.

William Frank Simmons. Died 4 Jan 1944, Dudley, Brogden, Wayne County. Colored. Married to Sarah Simmons. Farmer. 82 years, 7 months, 4 days old. Born Wayne County to Bryant Simmons and Betsy Winn, both of Wayne County. Buried Dudley. Informant, Sarah Simmons, Dudley.

William C. Simmons. Died 2 Aug 1920, Piney Grove, Sampson County. Negro. Married. Farmer. Age 75. Born Dudley NC to Green Simmons and Betsy J. Thornton of Sampson County. Buried private burial ground. Informant, Charlie Simmons.

Betsy Lee Drew. Died 26 Aug 1927, Wilmington, New Hanover County. Resided 7 King Street. Colored. Widow. Age 63. Born Dudley NC to Green Simmons and Jene Thorington. Buried Dudley NC. Informant, Arthur Drew.

In the 1860 census of Indian Springs, Wayne County: Green Simmons, 43, mechanic; wife, Betsey; and children Needham G., 15, Cisero W., 13, Mary, 12, Martha R., 9, Media, 7, Seamore D., 5, Crecy B., 2, and B.L., 2 months.

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