Wayne County | Fourth Generation Inclusive

May 26, 2013

Being in a slow state of health.

In the Name God Amen

I Tamsey Gandy of the County Wayne and State of North Carolina being in slow State of Health but of Sound mind and memory blessed be god for the Same Calling to mind the certainty of death, I make & publish this my last will and Testament in manner and form following Viz I give and bequeath unto my Son Henderson Gandy my bed bedstead and necessary furniture, and Red chest and all my clothes and Spun Cotton. I leave the rest of my property to be Sold by my Executor and money arising there from I leave to my Son Anderson Gandy.

I leave my Worthy friend Robert Williams my Executor to this my last will and Testament revoaking all other Wills by me made. April 28^th in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty two whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal Tansey X Gandy

Signed sealed and published in the presence of William Lewis

The will was proved at May Term 1842. Recording Docket Book 8, p. 309. Office of Clerk of Superior Court, Wayne County Courthouse, Goldsboro.

Tamsey Gandy’s estate was sold on 15 August 1842 and brought in $41.33 ¼. Purchasers included Theo. Seaberry and Offie Seaberry (probably the same man, Theophilus Seaberry), but were primarily white neighbors. Though she could not write (or, presumably, read), Tamsey’s estate included “1 Lot Books.” Recording Docket Book 8, p. 355-356. Office of Clerk of Superior Court, Wayne County Courthouse, Goldsboro.

Edward Gandy named his daughter Tamsey Gandy as a beneficiary in his 23 July 1823 will filed in Nash County. Will Book 1, page 291, Office of the Clerk of Superior Court, Nash County Courthouse, Nashville. In 1809, the surname of Tamsey Whiddon and her siblings Griffin, Brinkley and Elizabeth was changed to Gandy, and they were “legitimated.” North Carolina General Assembly, 1809 Session Laws, Chapter CXXVIII, page 40.

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May 23, 2013

I give as a legacy.

This Dec. the 28 1911

State of N.C. County of Wayne

I Adam T. Artis of aforesaid State and County being of sound mind considering the uncertainty of life I hereby constitute and declare this to be my last will and Testament.

Item 1. I hereby constitute and appoint my friend S.S. Strother to execute this my last will.

Item 2. My executor shall prepare a decent burial for my body suitable to the wishes of my relatives and friends and pay for the same out of the first money that comes into his hands together with all my just debts.

Item 3. For the love and affection I have for my wife Katie Artis I give and bequeath unto her about 18 acres [illegible] of the Thompson Tract of land as widow dower [illegible] life together with all appurtenances thereto, I also give and bequeath unto said wife Katie all of my Household and Kitchen furniture with all other personal property belonging unto me to have and to hold during her natural life.

Item 4. I give as a Legacy unto my son Pinkney Artis $100.00 One hundred Dollars.

Item 5. I give unto my son June Scott Artis Ten Dollars for his full share of my property.

Item 6. I give unto my son Henry Artis Ten Dollars for his full share of my property.

Item 7. I give unto my son Columbus Artis Ten Dollars for his full share of my property.

Item 8. I give unto my son William Artis Five Dollars for his full share of my property.

Item 9. I give unto my son Walter Artis Five Dollars for his full share of my property.

Item 10. I give unto my daughter Josephine Artis Sherard Fifteen Dollars for her full share of my property.

Item 11. I give unto my son Robert Artis Five Dollars for his full share of my property.

Item 12. My executor shall sell the balance of my land after my death and pay over to my children the Items I have give to them and what is left shall be paid over to, in equal shares, Vicey Aldridge, Liza Everet, Augustus K. Artis, Georgana Reid, Mary Jane Artis, Emma D. Locus, Ida Reid, Lillie Thompson, Napoleon Artis, Haywood Artis, Addie Artis, Annie Artis, Alberta Artis, Jesse Artis, and at the death of my wife Katie the property I gave to her shall be equally divided between the 12 above named heirs, that are not limited. Testator – Adam X Artis.

Witness W.F. Lewis, J.J. Coley, J.E. Exum

Proved 1 May 1919. Will Book 4, page 398. Office of Clerk of Superior Court, Wayne County Courthouse, Goldsboro.

[Sidenote: Adam Artis bought and sold hundreds of acres near present-day Eureka in northern Wayne County. He outlived four wives (Winnie Coley, Lucinda Jones, Frances Seaberry, and Amanda Aldridge) and at least five of his children (Cain, Caroline, Adam jr., Emma, and Louetta). Son Noah is the only child not mentioned in his father’s will. Josephine A. Sherrod, Adam’s longest-lived child, died in 1988. –LYH]

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May 23, 2013

Dempsey Reid’s estate settlement.

Inventory of the Estate of Dempsey Read dec’d taken 21^st May 1850

Cash on hand at the time of his death Twenty five 85/100 dollars $25.85. One Note on Council Best for four 80/100 due the 4^th April 1849. Bad debts – one note on James Mathews for $2.00 due 6^th October 1847, on d’o on Stephen Pettiford for $5.00 due 18^th November 1848, One account on James Pettiford for $1.50 Aug Co 1850 /s/ Jesse Coleman adm’r.

Jesse Coleman filed an account of the sale of Dempsey Reed’s property. The buyers included Tabitha Read, John Read, Wash. Read, Rhody Read, Benj. Read, Absalom Artis, Zion Read, Nelson Row, Jane Read, Dave, Dempsy Hall, Waty Locus, and a smattering of white neighbors. The sale netted $98.50. Recording Docket Book 10, pages 434-435, Office of Clerk of Superior Court, Wayne County Courthouse, Goldsboro.

In the settlement of Dempsey Read’s estate, Jesse Coleman paid Pearcy Read $2.50, plus 38 cents interest, on 16 July 1850; and $9.50, plus 57 cents interest, each to Patsey Read, Lila Read and Barna Read on 19 November 1850. Recording Docket Book 11, pp. 163-164, Office of Clerk of Superior Court, Wayne County Courthouse, Goldsboro.

In the 1850 mortality schedule of Wayne County: Dempsey Read, age 70, black, free, hatter, died in March of unknown causes.

[Sidenote: The relationships among the Reids are not clear. As reported in the 1840 census of Wayne County, Dempsey Reid lived alone. He may not have had a wife or children. Other Reid heads of household were Allen Reed, Barna Reed (the one above?), Bytha Reed, Bytha Reed and Rhoda Reed. Pearcy Reid, above, born about 1825, was the daughter of Allen and Sarah “Sally” Reid. Tabitha “Bitha” Reid was married to an enslaved man named Raiford. They had no known children Rhoda Reid’s husband, David — “Dave,” above — was also enslaved. Their children were Tabitha Reid (one of the Bythas, above, born ca. 1811), Melvina Reid Artis (ca. 1813), Zion Reid (ca. 1815), Washington Reid (ca. 1818), John Reid (ca. 1822), Martha “Patsey” Reid Hall (married to Dempsey Hall above, ca. 1824), Isaac Reid (ca. 1828) and Benjamin Reid (ca. 1831). — LYH]

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May 19, 2013

A wealthy and worthy colored citizen.

Napoleon Hagans, a wealthy and worthy colored citizen, died Monday night. He will be greatly missed by the entire community.

Headlight, Goldsboro, 27 Aug 1896.

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May 16, 2013

Twelve acres lying east of the cross fence.

State of N. Carolina, Wayne County, March 31^st 1884.

Know all men by these presents that I Itey Simmons being of sound mind and frail in body, knowing the uncertainty of life, and the certainty of Death and desiring to arrange my worldly affairs while I live – do make this my last will and testament —

Item I. I commit my soul to God and my body to the Grave. I desire to be decently and plainly buried, and the expenses of my burial to be paid first out of any money I may have or the first that may be raised out of the proceeds of my property.

Item II. I give to my Grand-daughter Sarah Simmons, my cow and yearling.

Item III. I give in fee simple to my daughter in law Sally Winn widow of my deceased son David Simmons: Twelve acres of land, lying East of the cross fence between my house and hers, and next around and including the house where she is living, to be surveyed and marked only by competent Surveyor, under supervision of my Ex’r or Admin.

Item IV. I order all other property which I may possess of whatever nature Real and Personal, not otherwise provided for in this Will to be sold and converted into money, as promptly as the best interest of my Estate will allow or require: and then: my burial expences above refered to, and any just and legal debts I owe, being paid, I order –

Item V. That the sum of one hundred Dollars shall be appropriated out of the proceeds of my Estate, and given my Great Grand Child Julia Jordan. My executor is requested to see that this money is safely invested, and the interest or profit from the same used for her benefit. The principal to be reserved until her majority; unless absolutely required for her necessities or her best interest before hand –

Item VI. The balance of money now remaining after above I bequest I order to be divided into three equal parts – and to be given one part to my Grand Daughter Maria Thompson one part to my Grand daughters Sarah Simmons and Gustus Greenfield equally and the other part to my son Moses Simmons, if he living, is [sic] he is dead, and leaves no legal heirs of his body, Then this part bequeathed to Moses Simmons shall be divided one half to Maria Thompson and balance between Sarah Simmons and Gustus Greenfield, my Grand-daughters above mentioned.

Item VII. I assign David W. Kelly my Executor to this my last will and Testament as witness to all of which I hereunto set my hand and seal. This day and date as above written, Itey X Simmons {seal]

Signed and sealed In presence of J.F. Oliver, S.J. Kelly

Wayne County Will Book 1, Page 255, Wills, North Carolina State Archives.

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May 16, 2013

Wayne County Apprentices, 1839-40.

Wilie Carroll was bound to William McKinne in 1839.

Bill Capps, 7, was bound to Harris Barfield in 1839.

Jinnet Burnett, 7, was bound to Calvin Coor in 1839.

In the 1850 census of North Side of Neuse, Wayne County: Jennett Burnett, 18, in the household of Bright Sasser, 54, farmer.

Wilie Burnett, 2, was bound to Asher Pipkin in 1839.

Mary A. Hagans was bound to W. Thompson in 1839.

Ann Goins was bound to Jonathan Pike in 1839.

Angeline Seaberry was bound to William Thomson in 1839.

Rufus Artis was bound to William Hooks in 1840.

Rufus Artis and Ben Artis were bound to Martin Sauls in 1840.

In the 1850 census North Side of Neuse, Wayne County: Rufus Artice, 17, farmhand, and Persey Artice, 17, in the household of Martin Sauls, 40, farmer.

Trecy Davis, 9, was bound to Kenan Grantham in 1840.

In the 1850 census of South Side of Neuse, Wayne County: Tresia Davis, 21, and children George, 2, and Susan, 6 months, in the household of Kenan Grantham, 50, farmer. In the 1860 census of Neuse River, Johnston County: Tresia Davis, 28, serving, and her children Susan, 12, Olin, 7, Sarah, 5, Alsey, 2, and Laura, 9 months, in the household of Lewis P. Lindsey, 35, farmer.

Lawrence Hagans, 19, was bound to Jesse Bogue in 1840.

In the 1860 census of Goldsboro, Wayne County: Lawrence Hagans, 39, ditcher, wife Charity, 35, and children Melvina, 12, Wm. A., 13, Leonas, 9, Everett, 6, and Alsey, 2.

Penny Winn, 3, was bound to Burnet Peacock in 1840.

Augustus Brunt, 7, was bound to Asher Pipkin in 1840.

In the 1850 census of South Side of Neuse, Wayne County: Augustus Brunt, 12, in the household of William Benson, 29, farmer. Also, in the same district: Polly Brunt, 35, born Johnston County, and son Augustus, 12, born Wayne.

Rhody Roe, 12, was bound to Godfrey Stansill in 1840.

Apprentice Records, Wayne County Records, North Carolina State Archives; federal censuses.

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May 15, 2013

The partition of Robert Aldridge’s estate.

On 4 July 1902, dower laid off and partition made of Robert Aldridge‘s land as follows:

Dower — Eliza Aldridge received 53 acres on a run of Stoney Run Branch.

Lot No. 1 — Mathew W. Aldridge received 100 acres on Stoney Run and Hurricane Branches, excluding the Agustus Church and free school house lots. Interest Mathew bought from his father included in the described tract. Residue valued at $200.

Lot No. 2 — George W. Aldridge received 42 acres on Stoney Run and the county road, valued at $200.

Lot No. 3 — Joseph Aldridge received 53 acres on Stoney Run and the county road, valued at $200.

Lot No. 4 — David Aldridge received 80 acres on Stoney Run and the county road, valued at $200.

Lot No. 5 — Robert Aldridge received 41 acres on a prong of Stoney Run and the Spring Road, valued at $200.

Lot No. 6 — John W. Aldridge received 50 acres on Stoney Run Branch below the mineral spring and the Spring Road, valued at $285.

Lot No. 7 — Frances Locust received 33 acres on Stoney Run and the Spring Road, valued at $200.

Lot No. 8 — Talitha Brewington, Hattie Brewington, Elijah Brewington, Mattie Brewington, Lundy Brewington, and Toney Brewington jointly and subject to the life estate of Joshua Brewington, received 33 acres on W&W Railroad, valued at $193.

Lot No. 9 — Louetta Aldridge received 32 acres on Stoney Run Branch, valued at $193.

Lot No. 10 — Lizzie Aldridge received 32 acres on the W&W Railroad and Stoney Run Branch, valued at $193.

Lot No. 11 — Louetta Artis, Robert Artis, Columbus Artis, Josephine Artis, J. Scott Artis, J.B. Artis, Lillie Artis, Annie Artis and Elberta Artis, jointly and subject to the life estate of Adam Artis, received 32 acres at the mouth of a ditch on the run of Stoney Run and the railroad, valued at $193.

Submitted by Sam C. Casey, Walter C. O’Berry, Ira W. Hatch.

The margins of this document contain notations and signatures acknowledging receipt of moneys due to balance the lot values, including signatures of Lizzie Aldridge, Tilithia King, J.W. Aldridge, Joseph Aldridge, Hattie Brewington, Columbus Artis, Elijah Brewington, Tony C. Brewington, Robert Aldridge, Lundia Brewington, and June Scott Artis, and Eliza Artis’ mark.

John Aldridge, owner of Lot No. 6, paid $7 each to the owners of Lots 8-11, and $57 to the Clerk of Superior Court for costs of the division.

Louetta Aldridge’s share was divided among her siblings “the owner of said amount now being dead this day Aug 22=1904.”

Abstract from document in the file of Robert Aldridge, Estate Records, Wayne County Records, North Carolina State Archives. [Sidenote: Robert Aldridge, born circa 1819, was my great-great-great-grandfather. Bits of his land remain in family hands. The Brewingtons were children of Robert’s daughter Amelia, who died a few years before he did. The Artises were children of his daughter Amanda, who died about the same time. Frances Locust and her husband changed their surname to Randall. — LYH]

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May 10, 2013

To Minta, reserving for Itey a life estate.

In the name of God Amen,

I, James M. McDuffie being of a sound and disposing mind and memory, blessed be God, though weak and infirm in body make and constitute this my last will and testament

Item 1^st It is my will and desire that my Executor hereinafter named shall have my body decently interred after my death in the old family grave yard in the county of Cumberland and after paying all my just debts to dispose of the residue of my Estate as follows.

Item 2^nd I will and bequeath unto Minta Bryant the tract of land on which Itey Simmons now lives, reserving to said Itey a life estate in said land, which tract contains about fifty six acres, adjoining the lands of Pollock, Glisson & others to have and to hold said land with its appurtenances to and her heirs forever;

Item 3^rd I will and bequeath all the balance of my property of whatsoever kind or description both in possession and in action real and personal to my brother Malcom J. McDuffie to use occupy and possess the same to dispose of it in whatever manner he may deem fit and proper (due regard being paid to what slaves I may own or leave at my death) to have and to hold the same to him and his heirs forever;

Item 4^th I hereby constitute my said brother Malcom J. McDuffie Executor of this my last will and testament and do revoke all wills and testament by me heretofore made,

In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this the Twenty first day of May 1862. /s/ Jas. M. McDuffie

Signed and sealed in the presence of W. Vernon, Wm. W. Fulghum

Proved August Term 1862. Wayne County Will Book R13, page 462, North Carolina Probate Records 1735-1970, https://familysearch.org. Original, North Carolina State Archives.

In the 1860 census of Indian Springs, Wayne County, Minta Bryant, 23, and her children Mitchel, 4, Edith, 6, and Rufus Bryant, 2, all mulatto, lived in the household of James McDuffee, 41.

[Sidenote: Was McDuffie the father of Bryant’s children? He purchased the land from Itey Simmons’ son David in 1855, subject to Itey’s life estate. After Itey’s death, Minta Bryant was forced to sue to recover the property.]

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May 7, 2013

The Winn family.

Winn Family Marker, Center Street, Mount Olive.

Photograph by Lisa Y. Henderson, March 2013.

[Sidenote: And thus, myth is codified.

There’s no question that the early 19th century Winns were a remarkable family. However, to my knowledge, there is no definite evidence that there was an Adam Winn Sr., father of Adam Jr., Charles, Gray, Levi, and Washington Winn. There were at least two Adams, as deduced from the dates of deeds. Though it’s not clear when the first one lived, the second was born circa 1805. (What does the 1790 date relate to?) My research suggests that Charles Winn in fact was the son of Charles and Jinny Winn and had a brother named William Winn. The records also reveal a James Winn who bought and sold property with his kin. There are, moreover, contemporaneous female Winns, whose relationship to the “five brothers” is unaccounted for.

There is no definite evidence that Adam Winn (the one known as “Jr.”) ever married, but he had three or more sets of children. The oldest (Charles, James, Woodard, Marshall and Woodley) were born slaves to one or more enslaved mothers (one named Venus). Two other sets, the Newells and Parkers, who primarily used their mothers’ surnames, were born to white women. — LYH]

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May 5, 2013

Approved teachers.

State of North Carolina, Wayne County, Monday, Sept. 3rd 1877

To the Register of Deeds of Wayne County:

The County Examiner, in pursuance of Section 16 of the School Laws, reports for the year ending the day preceding the first Monday in September, 1877, as follows:

TEACHERS EXAMINED AND APPROVED.

…

Washington Simmons. Col’d. Third Grade. Male.

…

J.C. Carroll. Col’d. Third Grade. Male.

…

Mathew Aldridge. Col’d. Third Grade. Male.

Washington Winn. Col’d. Third Grade. Male.

Susan Winn. Col’d. Third Grade. Female.

Mary Aldridge. Col’d. Third Grade. Female.

…

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