Fourth Generation Inclusive

Historical Documents of Genealogical Interest to Researchers of North Carolina's Free People of Color

Tag: Wayne County

Family business.

This indenture made this 29th day of September 1855 between Adam Artis of the County of Wayne & State of North Carolina of the one part and John Wilson of the county and state aforesaid of the other part witnesseth — that the said Adam Artis for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and twenty four dollars to him on hand paid by him the said John Wilson at and before the sealing and delivering of these presents the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged the said Adam Artis has given, granted, bargained and sold and will by these presents grant, bargain and sell unto the said John Wilson his heirs and assigns forever one certain piece of land in said county it being the ten acres of land the said John Wilson sold to the said Adam Artis to have and to hold the above described land and improvements to him the said John Artis [sic] to him and his heirs and assigns — provided nevertheless that said Adam Artis pays or causes to be paid to the said John Wilson one certain note and interest that may accrue thereon said note given for one hundred and twenty four dollars bearing date even with these presents now then if the said Adam Artis pays said note interest within twelve months from the date of this presents then the above obligation to be void otherwise to be in full force and virtue —

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written — Adam X Artis

Signed and delivered the presence of W. Thompson

Wayne County Octo. 2nd 1855. Then was the above deed of Mortgage from Adam Artis to John Wilson duly proved before me by the oath of William Thompson a subscribing witness thereto — and let it be registered   — Benj. Aycock, Clk

Deeds, Register of Deeds Office, Wayne County.

In the 1850 census of Greene County NC, Adam “Artess” and his sisters Charity and Jane appear in the household of white farmer Silas Bryant.  They were probably apprentices, though no apprentice bonds have been found.  Their mother Vicy Artess was next door with additional children.  Adam’s sister Zilpha Artis married John “Jack” Wilson in the mid-1850s.  Adam and John apparently never recorded a deed for the herein-referenced sale that preceded this one.

Louvicey Artis Aldridge.

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LOUVICEY ARTIS ALDRIDGE was born in 1865 near Eureka, Wayne County, to Adam Toussaint Artis (1831-1919) and Frances Seaberry Artis (1845-1878.)  In 1879, she married John William Aldridge (1851-1910), son of Robert Aldridge and Mary Eliza Balkcum Aldridge.

Courtesy of Lisa Y. Henderson.

Free colored farmers, no. 1.

These free people of color were listed in the 1850 agricultural schedule of Wayne County:

John Artis.  30 improved acres, value $150. Implements valued at $15. 1 horse. 1 ox. 15 sheep. 75 swine. 250 bushels, Indian corn. 50 lbs., wool. 50 bushels, Irish potatoes.

Vincent Artis.  30 improved acres, value $150. Implements valued at $15.  1 horse. 1 ox. 12 sheep. 75 swine. 250 bushels, Indian corn. 50 lbs., wool. 50 bushels, Irish potatoes.

Celia Artis.  50 improved acres, 700 unimproved acres, value $600. Implements valued at $25. 2 horses. 1 ass or mule. 1 ox. 21 other cattle. 40 sheep. 500 swine. 500 bushels, Indian corn. 100 lbs., rice. 2 lbs., tobacco. 100 lbs., wool. 100 bushels, peas and beans. 200 bushels, sweet potatoes.

Calvin Simmons.  130 improved acres, 173 unimproved acres, value $800. Implements valued at $40. 2 horses. 4 milch cows. 2 other cattle. 8 sheep. 155 swine. 720 bushels, Indian corn. 10 lbs., wool. 15 bushels, peas and beans. 40 bushels, Irish potatoes. 3 bushels, sweet potatoes.

Polly Simmons.  110 improved acres, 100 unimproved acres, value $300. Implements valued at $25. 2 horses. 3 milch cows. 27 oxen. 11 other cattle. 40 sheep. 330 swine. 600 bushels, Indian corn. 25 bushels. oats. 20 bales, cotton. 25 lbs., wool. 5 bushels, peas and beans. 50 bushels, Irish potatoes. 100 bushels, sweet potatoes.

Levi Winn.  150 improved acres, 236 unimproved acres, value $1500. Implements valued at $60. 3 horses. 4 asses or mules. 6 milch cows. 12 oxen. 11 other cattle. 15 sheep. 300 swine. 200 bushels, Indian corn. 15 bushels, oats. 30 bales, cotton. 25 lbs., wool. 10 bushels, peas and beans. 50 bushels, Irish potatoes. 100 bushels, sweet potatoes.

Free-Issue Death Certificates: REID.

Zannie Reid.  Died 21 May 1914, Fremont, Wayne County. Negro.  Widow.  Born 28 Aug 1829 to [blank] Hagans and Nancy Hagans, both of NC.  Buried Reid graveyard.  Informant, John G. Reid, Fremont.

Edwin Hall.  Died 22 Jan 1915, Fremont, Wayne County.  Negro.  Married.  Farmer.  Age 66.  Born to Dempsey Hall and Patsy Reid.  Buried “in country.”

Christian Coley.  Died 6 Sep 1915, Pikeville, Wayne County.  Married.  About 66 years old.  Born in NC to Washington Reid and Pennie Reid.  Buried Reid graveyard.  Informant, Henry Coley, Pikeville.

David Reid.  Died 27 Oct 1915, Great Swamp, Wayne County.  Colored. Married.  About 70 years old.  Born in NC to Jacob Coley and Bitha Reid, both of NC. Buried Fremont cemetery. Informant, Isler Reid.

Winnie Reid.  Died 15 Aug 1918, Pikeville, Wayne County NC.  Colored.  Widow.  80 years old.  Born Wayne County to Bill Hall and Nancy Hagans, both of Wayne County.  Informant, Burrell Reid, Pikeville.

William Reid.  Died 27 Jan 1926, Black Creek, Wilson County.  Colored.  Married to Bettie Reid.  76 years old.  Born in Wayne County to John Reid and Zannie Reid, both of Wayne. Buried in the Wilson graveyard.  Informant, Pinkney Reid, Fremont.

Henry Reid.  Died 28 Sep 1930, Goldsboro NC.  Colored.  Widower of Georgeana Reid.  70 years old.  Born in Wayne County to John Reid and Zania Hall.  Informant, Frances Newsome.

Auther Reid.  Died 23 Feb 1929, Township #9, Edgecombe County.  Negro.  Single.  Born 18 Nov 1842 in Edgecombe to Miles Reid and Martha Febury Reid.  Buried near Macclesfield.

Gray Reid.  Died 8 Jan 1936, Township #10, Edgecombe County.  Resided “Hal Farm.” Colored. Widower of Lucy Reid.  Born 1844 in Edgecombe to unknown parents.  Informant, Jonah Reid. Macclesfield.

 

 

Minnie Simmons Budd.

ImageMINNIE SIMMONS BUDD was born in 1887, near Dudley NC, to Hillary Bunn Simmons (1855-1941) and Ann Elizabeth Henderson Simmons (1861-1900).  Her father’s parents were George W. Simmons (ca1820-1919) and Axey Jane Manuel Simmons (1823-1885); her mother’s were Lewis Henderson (1836-1912) and Margaret Balkcum Henderson (1836-1915).  She married Jesse Manuel Budd (1884-ca1960), son of John Budd and Alice Jones, and they migrated to Philadelphia before World War I.  Minnie died there in 1961.

Original in possession of Lisa Y. Henderson.

Where are they now? Nos. 6, 7 and 8.

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

(1) Rhoda Reid [ca1795-ca1865, Wayne County] via John Reid [1826-ca1890, Wayne County] via Isaiah Reid [1853-??, Wayne County]

 

S.T. was born in the early 1960s in Wilson NC.  She is descended from:

(1) Celia Tabourn [??-??, Nash County] via Lemon Tabron [1837-ca1895, Nash/Wilson County]

 

S.B. was born in the early 1960s in Wilson NC.  He is descended from:

(1) Richard Hagans [1828-ca1890, Edgecombe County] via Lawrence Hagans [1850-1826, Edgecombe/Wilson County]

(2) Alice Ann Faithful [1829-??, Edgecombe County]

Babies’ daddies.

The following bastardy bonds involving free people of color were entered in Wayne County during the period 1852-1860:

In 1852, Zilpha Artis named William Artis as the father of her child.  Artis and Daniel Aycock posted security for the child’s support.

In the 1860 census of Davis, Wayne County: Simon Pig Artis, 70, farmer, wife Celia, 70, son Thos., 23, daughter Zilpha, 30, and grandchildren Lumiza, 17, and Penninah, 11. [Sidenote: Penninah may be the child above. – LYH] 

In 1852, Rachel Munday named Henderson Mitchell as the father of her child.

In the 1860 census of Indian Springs, Wayne County: Henderson Mitch, 30, wife Margrett J., 30, and children Virginia, 11, Elizabeth, 8, Silvany, 6, Wm., 4, and John, 1.

In 1853, Sally Burnett named David Proctor as the father of her child.  Proctor and J.J. Bradbury posted security.

In the 1850 census of North Side of Neuse, Wayne County: Sarah Burnett, 27, her children Delity, 9, Micagah, 6, and David, 1 month; Zilpha Wilkins, 45, David Proctor, 26, brickmason; and James Turnage, 28, brickmason, his wife Ann, 20, and their children Henry, 5, and Allis, 4. [Sidenote: it seems likely that one-month-old David Burnett is the child above.]

In 1854, Polly Newel named David Simmons as the father of her child.  Simmons, Harris Barfield and Calvin Dail posted security.

In the 1850 census of South of Neuse, Wayne County: Ity Simmons, 40, and sons David, 22, and George, 20.  Also, Celia Newell, 60, daughters Peggy, 30, Polly, 24, Ann, 19, and Margarett, 1; all white. In the 1860 census of Buck Swamp, Wayne County: Celia Newell, 50, Margarett, 25, Polly, 30, and Margarett A. Newell, 13, all white.  Next door: Jesse Brinson, 65, farmer, wife Ita, 50, and Mary Newell, 7; all mulatto. [Sidenote: Ita Brinson was formerly Ita Simmons. Mary Newell is her son David’s child. Also, per her marriage application, the father of Polly Newell’s daughter Margaret was Quin Young, a free man of color. – – LYH]

In 1854, Jane Artis named Bryan Capps as the father of her child.  Tabitha Mitchell and Kenan W. Langston provided security.

In 1855, Jane Artis named Wilson Hagans as the father of her child.  Hagans was not found in the county and could not be served with the action.

In 1855, Jane Artis named Bryant Capps as father of her child.  Capps and Willie Roe provided security.

In 1855, Elizabeth Burnett named Henderson Ganzy as father of her child.  Ganzy was not to be found in the county.

In 1856, Anna Newell named William Winn as father of her child.  Winn, Washington Winn and David Simmons provided security.

In 1857, Wayte Locus named Calvin Hagans as father of her child.  Hagans, H. Woodard Lewis and William Thompson provided security.

In the 1870 census of Nahunta, Wayne County: Raiford Coley, 70, Waity Locus, 55, Dewitt, 15, Candus, 12, and Wiley, 10. [Sidenote: The child was Candis Locust. – LYH]

In 1858, Sallie Simmons named Washington Winn as father of her child.  Winn, William Vernon and Wait G. Martin provided security.

In 1860, Eliza Winn named John Newell as father of her child.  Newell, Jesse Brinson and Charles Winn provided security.

Bastardy Bonds, Wayne County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

Person binds five.

Ordered that Bitha Reed now of the age of Ten years, Vinia Reed now of the age of Eight years, Sion Reed now of the age of Six years, Washington Reed now of the age of Three years, and also William Hagans not of the age of Six Years, all of Colour be bound unto Thomas Person untill they arrive at Lawful age

November Term, 1821, Wayne County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions

Margaret Balkcum Henderson.

ImageMARGARET BALKCUM HENDERSON, “Mag,” born 1836 in Sampson County, died 1915 near Dudley, Wayne County.  She was probably the daughter of Nancy Balkcum, a white woman.  She married Lewis Henderson (1836-1912) circa 1855, most likely in Sampson County.

Original tintype lost.  Copy in possession of Lisa Y. Henderson.

In the 1860 census of Westbrooks, Sampson County: Lewis Henderson, 25, mulatto, turpentine laborer, wife Margaret, 26, and children Lewis T., 4, James L., 3, and Isabella J., 4 mos. 

So calls himself a free Boy of coulor.

State of North Carolina, Wayne County

To the Sherriff or Jailor of said county I send you the body of Hardy Carroll so calls himself a free Boy of coulor which said boy was brought before me by Ashley Whitley and Daniel Gurly the above-named negro has not any free papers with him and was taken on Sunday night the 4th Inst. by Ashley Whitley and Daniel Gurly as patroles. Decr 4th 1842                J. Langston

Records of Slaves and Free People of Color, Wayne County Records, North Carolina State Archives.