Month: October 2016

The Woodard plantations.

Woodard Family Rural Historic District is a national historic district located near Wilson, Wilson County, North Carolina. It encompasses 29 contributing buildings in a rural area near Wilson. The district developed between 1830 and 1911 and includes notable examples of Colonial Revival and Greek Revival style architecture. Notable buildings include the William Woodard House, built circa 1832; the Woodard House, build circa 1855; William Woodard Jr. House, built circa 1850; and Elder William Woodard Sr. House, built later. The district was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

Per the Nomination Form, the historic district consists of a cluster of farmhouses and outbuildings built on land acquired by William Woodard in the 1820s and ’30s. The 550-acre district in eastern Wilson County is located in the fork of Toisnot Swamp and White Oak Swamp. Most of the land is cleared for agriculture, but there is a large timbered section near Buck Branch. The main houses of the district are located along modern Alternate Highway 264, which largely follows the route of the antebellum Wilson to Greenville Plank Road. “Associated with the agricultural prosperity in the eastern part of present Wilson County during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, the Woodard Family Rural Historic District is indicative of the character and diversity of rural life in the area.”

This rural life, of course, was supported by many dozens of enslaved people and, later, tenant farmers. In 1852, after William Woodard was declared dead years after disappearing during a trip to Texas, his estate went into probate, and his assets were distributed to his heirs. Fifty-five men, women and children, valued at more $19,000, were divided thus:

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Their names: Mintas, Siller, Ginny, Rose, Easther, Thain, Dark, Pleasant, Morris, Blont, Ben, Arch, Alford, Tom, Peg, Rody, Silvier, Charlot, Liberty, George, Jonathan, Jim, Rachel, Nancy, Ned, Elizur, Sarah, Cherry, Amy, Harry, Gray, John, Jess, Piety, Edy, Mandy, Little Rose, Mal, Lewis, Lizzy, Sal, Little Mintas, Mariah, Hiliard, Beck, Phereby, Little Ned, Simon, London, Amos, Harrit, Richard, Dennis, Randol, and Venice.

These 55 people did not represent the total of the Woodard family’s human capital however. William’s widow Elizabeth Woodard, for example, had reported 67 slaves in the 1850 federal slave schedule. Her sons William Jr., Warren, James S., and Calvin reported 21, 21, 14 and 18, respectively, in the 1860 slave schedule.

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The heart of the Woodard Family Rural Historic District today.

Estate Record of William Woodard, North Carolina Wills and Estates, 1665-1998 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.

The Union League.

Nearly 80% black, and representing the 40% of North Carolina’s population that was African-American, the Union League was critical to the success of the Republican Party post-Civil War. Governor William W. Holden, committed to black political and social equality, pulled the Union League under the party’s umbrella with white Unionists. The newly formed Ku Klux Klan rose up in opposition, unleashing a scourge of retribution and intimidation across the state and driving Holden from office. Under this pressure, the League effectively collapsed by 1871.

In 1912, the Sewanee Review published J.G. de Roulhac Hamilton’s “The Union League in North Carolina,” a disapproving assessment of the League’s activities across the state. In the article, Hamilton, a professor of history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and founder of that institution’s esteemed Southern Historical Collection, briefly touched upon Wilson County’s organization:

“In December, 1869, at Wilson Court, in the case of two members of the League who were indicted for whipping a negro for voting the Conservative ticket, Judge Thomas refused to admit any evidence to show that the League had ordered the whipping, and sentenced them when convicted to thirty and sixty days’ imprisonment respectively. They were immediately pardoned by the governor.”

The last will and testament of Samuel Farmer Sr.

In the name of God Amen, I Samuel Farmer of the County of Edgecomb & State of North Carolina, being low and weak in body, but of perfect sound mind and disposing memory, do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form following —

First of all I give and recommend my soul into the Hands of Almighty God who gave it, hoping to receive the same again at the great day of resurrection, and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Executor, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give and dispose of the same in the following manner to witt.

Item. I Give and bequeath unto my son Samuel one negroe boy named John, and four Hundred dollars to him and his Heirs forever

Item. I Give and bequeath unto my daughter Rhoda Sharp one negroe girl named Chany to her and her Heirs forever

Item. I Give and bequeath unto my son Moses one negroe girl named Nan to him and him Heirs forever. Also I give him one tract of land on the Miry Swamp, known by the name of the Parish place to him and his heirs forever

Item. I Give and bequeath unto my Daughter Anna Sharp one negroe girl named Elva to her and her Heirs forever

Item. I Give and bequeath unto my son Isaac one negroe boy named Brittain to her and her Heirs forever. Also I give him the land and plantation whereon I now live after his Mothers Death

Item.I lend to my beloved wife Jerusa, during her natural life, the Land and plantation whereon I now live, also all my negroes not heretofore bequeathed.

Item. The rest of my property I leave to be divided between my wife and all my children after my paying all my Just debts and the negroes lent to my wife I leave to be equally divided between all my children after her death

I do hereby nominate and appoint my sons Samuel and Moses Executors to this my last will and testament, ratifying this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament; in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 21st day of March 1814.   /s/ Samuel Farmer

Signed sealed and acknowledged in the presence of J. Farmer, Isaac Farmer

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Samuel Farmer’s home plantation was on Hominy Swamp in what is now Wilson County. (In fact, the waterway runs through the city from northwest to southwest.) His will entered probate in August Term 1817 of Edgecombe County’s probate court.

North Carolina Wills and Estates, 1665-1998 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.

The last will and testament of Nathan Blackwell. 

Nathan Blackwell, born in Wilson County circa 1840, drafted his last will and testament in Indianapolis, Indiana, in 1907.

Nathan left five dollars to son Nathan Blackwell Jr.  (Note that Nathan Sr.’s father was also named Nathan Blackwell.) He directed that his daughter-in-law Hattie Blackwell receive his household goods and furniture provided that she care and keep house for him. Granddaughter Martha Blackwell, daughter of his deceased son Edwin Blackwell, was to receive the remainder of his estate (or, if she died, it went to her brother Peter Blackwell.) Edwin’s son John Blackwell received a double-barreled shotgun.

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Nathan Blackwell died 2 December 1908.

Indiana Wills and Probate Records, 1798-1999 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.

Redding had two wives.

Wilson, N.C. Nov 25th 1865

Commissioner of Freedman at Goldsboro. Sir there is a Colored woman in prison in this County Committed by some Magistrate in Edgcombe County. I do not know any of the particulars. I have been told that she was in prison with one or two little children & they will certainly suffer with Cold if they remain there. Mr. John Smith of this County has in his care five orphan children have no near relations Mr. Smith has been a loyal citizen to the U.S. Government all the war, he is a good man clothes & feeds well, he wishes to have them bound. There names & ages are Samuel 17 years old, Caroline 15 years old, Symeon 13 years old, Princh 11 years old, Frank 9 years old. Mr. Smith can give the best of refference.

Respectfully

W.J. Bullock, Capt. L.P.F.

[Different handwriting] Roberson Baker put Redding Baker in jail and took his children.

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Wilson N.C. Dec 26th 1865

Geo. O. Glavis

Sir, I received a Communication from you this morning in reguard to one Redding Baker (freedman) stating that he was put in jail by Rob Baker, and I ought not to permit such proceeding &c. I presume you know nothing or but little about the case or myself either, or you would not have wrote as you did. You said Baker had no authority for taking those children &c, if he had not of had an order to that effect he certainly would not have gotten them returned to him, and that authority was the highest in this state. I presume from Col. Whitlesy. The case is as follows Redding had two wives one at Mr. Bakers, and one at a Mr. Blows. He had discarded the wife who lived at Mr. Bakers, took the other one home, I assisted him in getting his children by his wife at home; he afterwards took the children of his other wife, she went to see them, and he whipped her very bad or as she stated to me, she said she wanted her children to stay at Mr Bakers, the case was sent to Raleigh and Col Whitlesy ordered the children carried back to Mr Baker’s. I was absent at the time, Mr Baker called on a Lt of the Police to return the children as the order requested him to call on the Police to return them. The Lt served the order on Redding he promised to return them by a certain day; he did not obey the order & when I came home the Lt sent me to know what course to pursue. I ordered him to return the children to Mr Baker according to the Order from Raleigh, and to send Redding to me for whipping Annikey his abandoned wife, he was sent late in the evening I lodged him in jail for investigation I investigated the case laid no furnishment, found it was a case of not sufficient importants to send to you & discharged him. I hope the above will be satisfactory. You see Mr Baker did not put him in jail. And besides the jailor of this County is a gentleman, and knows his duty, will not receive any one in the jail unless committed by a Magistrate or myself. There have not been any freedmen put in the jail who has not been reported to you or Gen Hardin, except in cases of minor importants upon investigation discharged. There are not any freedmen in jail here at all, the last who was there escaped before I got orders to send him off.

Should the above not be satisfactory, I will try to satisfy you when up to Wilson. As for my character I will refer you to the Union men of the County among them W. Daniel, W.G. Sharp, G.W. Blount & others.

Very respectfully

Your Obedt Servt

W.J. Bullock

Capt. L.P. Force

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White farmer William Bullock, 38, is listed in the 1870 census of Town of Wilson, Wilson County NC. 52 year-old white farmer Roberson Baker is listed in Oldfields township. Neither Redding nor Annikey Baker nor their children appear in the county.

Freedmen Bureau Records of Field Offices, 1863-1878 [database online], http://www.ancestry.com.

First-generation freedom, pt. 5.

The fifth in a series of annotated abstracts of Wilson County death certificates of African-Americans born before 1870, the cusp of slavery and freedom. The records are a trove of information about otherwise obscure family relationships among enslaved and free people of color and shed light on intra- and interstate migration patterns in the decades after Emancipation.

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Barnes, Aaron. Born 22 June 1844, Wilson County. Died 20 May 1914, Wilson township. Father, Preston Williams, Wilson County. Mother, Harriett Barnes, Wilson County. Married. Farmer. Buried family graveyard. Informant, Johnnie Barnes, Elm City. [In the 1880 census of Upper Town Creek, Edgecombe County: Aaron Barnes, 34, wife Pennie, 24, and children Maggie, 7, Louisa, 5, Annie, 3, and Aaron, 1. In the 1900 census of Toisnot townshio, Wilson County: Aaron Barnes, 54, wife Penny, 47, and children Aaron, 21, Penina, 18, Maimie, 16, Elijah, 13, Edwin, 12, Virginia, 9, and Penny, 7.]

Barnes, Aaron. Born about 1845, Wilson County. Died 20 December 1915, Gardners township. Father, Joshua Barnes. Mother, not listed. Married. Farmhand. Buried “near London Church.” Informant, C.F. Jones, Wilson. [Possibly, in the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Aaron Barnes, 22, Matilda Barnes, 20, and Mary A. Smith, 22.]

Barnes, Adline. Born 1857, Wilson County. Died 24 February 1931, Wilson. Father, Joyner Rountree, Wilson County. Mother, America Cambell, Wilson County. Widow of Aaron Barnes. Resided 201 Walnut Street, Wilson. Informant, Penina Williams. [In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Aaron Barnes, 60, wife Adline, 50, and niece Effie Barnes, 10.]

Barnes, Allie. Born 1862, Wilson County. Died 8 November 1917, Gardners township. Father, Haywood Batts, Wilson County. Mother, Rhoda Pender, Wilson County. Married. Informant, Mark Barnes. [In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Mark Barnes, 50, wife Allice, 33, children Rodie A., 10, Minnie E., 7, William F., 3, and Bertha Ann, 8 months, plus boarder Willie Batts, 17. In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Mark Barnes, 60, wife Allie, 43, children and grandchildren Rodie, 20, Eva, 17, William F., 13, Bertha, 10, Lucy, 7, Ida, 5, Haywood, 2, James, 4, and Hattie, 2, and father-in-law Haywood Batts, 77.]

Barnes, Annie. Born 1869, Edgecombe County. Died 2 August 1920, Black Creek township. Father, Tonnie Parker, North Carolina. Mother, Wadie Mercer, North Carolina. Divorced. Tenant farmer. Informant, Silvester Barnes. [In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Sylvester Barnes, 23, wife Esther, 20, and mother Annie, 58.]

Barnes, Annie. Born 1845, Wilson County. Died 26 December 1917, Wilson. Father, George Battle, North Carolina. Mother, not listed. Widow. Informant, George Barnes. [In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on County Line Road, George Barnes, 71, wife Annie, 66, and son Joshua, 34.]

Barnes, Arron. Born 1852, Wilson County. Died 6 October 1930, Lucama. Father, Arron Barnes Sr. Mother, Elvie Barnes, Wilson County. Farmer. Married to Kannie Barnes. Buried in Pollie Watson graveyard. Informant, R.A. Woulds, Lucama.  [In the 1900 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: Aaron Barnes, 42, wife Chanie, 37, and sister-in-law[?] Tempie Peacock, 15. In the 1910 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: Aaron Barnes, 54, wife Chainie, 45, and mother-in-law Celia Thompson, 86. In the 1920 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: Aaron Barnes, 63, and wife Chanie, 62. In the 1930 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: Aron Barnes, 72, and wife Chanie, 72.]

Barnes, Banzora. Born 1 August 1860, Wilson County. Died 10 August 1937 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson County. Father, Louis Bass, Wilson County. Mother, Julie Dew, Wilson  County. Widow. Farmer. Informant, Elitha Pleasant, 806 Happy Hills, Wilson. [In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: Jerry Barnes, 41, wife Arzonie, 39, and children Rosa L., 15, Sarah, 12, Louis, 10, Milbert, 8, Elitha J., 6, Warren, 4, and William H., 2. In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: widow Banzore Barnes, 45, and children Sarah, 23, Annie, 18, Louis, 20, Litha J., 16, Warren, 14, and William H., 12. In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Banzory Barnes, 59, and children Sarah, 30, Bud, 23, Eliza, 20, and William, 21. In the 1930 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: William H. Barnes, 32, wife Hattie, 24, and children Kenly, 7, Junior, 6, and Joseph,  4, plus mother Danzory Barnes, 70.]

Barnes, Bethany Ann Drucilla Jane. Born 3 July 1853, Wilson County. Died 30 June 1923, Springhill township. Father, Willis Jones, Wilson County. Mother, not listed. Widow of Essic Barnes. Buried Barnes graveyard. Informant, Frank Barnes. [In the 1860 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Willis Jones, 62, wife Sarah, 52, Henry, 20, Alexander, 19, Noel, 16, Willis, 12, Paton, 10, Burthany, 7, Sarah, 13, and James, 10. In the 1870 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Willis Jones, 70, wife Sarah R., 61, and children Willis R., 23, Phaton A., 20, and Bethany, 18. In the 1880 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: Esseck Barnes, 27, and wife Thany, 23. In the 1910 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: on “path leading to Wilson and Raleigh Road,” Essic Barnes, 59, wife Thanie, 54, and sons Wiley J., 14, and James H., 10.]

Barnes, Blaney. Born 1844, Wilson County. Died 26 April 1915, Crossroads township. Father, Sip Barnes, Wayne County. Mother, not listed. Married. Farmer. Buried, Barnes graveyard. Informant, Wiley H. Johnson, Lucama. [On 21 September 1903, Blaney Barnes, 50, resident of Lucama, married Diana Ricks, 45, resident of Spring Hill, in Spring Hill township. In the 1910 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: Blaney Barnes, 55, wife Dianna, 44, daughter-in-laws Louvenia Furgerson, 21, and Jane Barnes, 19, and grandchildren Hiliard, 7, and Joseph N. Barnes,  5, Willie Furgerson, 4, and Martha J. Barnes, 12, plus boarder Troy Barnes, 23.]

Barnes, Calvin. Born 1843, Wilson County. Died 21 February 1923, Wilson. Father, Benjamin Barnes, Wilson County. Mother, Violet Barnes, Wilson County. Married. Day laborer. Resided Stantonsburg Street. Informant, Redmond Barnes. [See also, Cherry Barnes, below.]

Barnes, Chanie. Born 1856, Nash County. Died 26 March 1936, Lucama. Father, George Thompson, Nash County. Mother, Celia Thompson, Nash County. Widow of Aaron Barnes. Resided Main Street, Lucama. [See Arron Barnes, above.]

Barnes, Charles. Born 1853, Wilson County. Died 18 June 1930, Wilson. Father, Alex Barnes, Wilson County. Widower. Resided East Viola Street, Wilson. Informant, John M. Barnes. [In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charley Barnes, 30, wife Beckey, 36, and children John, 10, Frank, 6, Ann, 4, William C., 3, Tom, 1, and Cora H., 1 month. In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charles Barnes, 50, wife Rebecca, 57, and children John, 27, William, 23, Annie, 20, Tom, 18, and Corrah, 12. In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charles Barnes, 60, wife Rebecca, 52, and son Tom, 32. In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 213 Pender Street, Charles Barnes, 72, and wife Becky, 70.]

Barnes, Cherry. Born 1860, Edgecombe County. Died 6 March 1925, Wilson County. Father, not listed. Mother, Olive Heart. Widow of Calvin Barnes [see above]. Resided 608 Stantonsburg Street. Informant, James Henry Powell, Tarboro. [On 25 November 1909, Calvin Barnes, 69, son of Ben and Bilet Barnes, married Cherry Tart, 53, daughter of Henry and Polly Brown. Rev. W.H. Neal, minister of Saint James Holy Church performed the ceremony in Wilson County. In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Calvin Barnes, 70, and wife Cherry, 52. In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 610 Stantonsburg Street, Calvin Barnes, 85, and wife Cherrie, 56.]

Recommended reading, no. 1.

S&SW

Norma Jean and Carole Darden, Spoonbread & Strawberry Wine: Recipes & Reminiscences of a Family (1978).

Spanning more than a century of African-American life and culture, this oral history — now a classic — celebrates the remarkable heritage of Charles H. Darden‘s descendants as told through family photographs, reminiscences, and cherished recipes.

 

“Have YOU got any mules to jerk?”

In which G.R. Jones shoots into a house and wounds four people after Patty Spell and her children curse him out.

wdt-7-29-1910

Wilson Daily Times, 29 July 1910.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Morton Road, widow Patsie Spells, 33, with children Lula, 19, Johnnie, 14, and Effie, 11. Next door: Daniel Geer, 75, wife Sarah, 66, and children Mary E., 29, Chas., 21, James, 20, Frank, 18, Floyd, 12, Cora, 11, Clarra, 9, Thomas, 6, and William, 5. [Sidenote: on Christmas Eve 1918, Effie Spell, 18, daughter of Hugh and Patsey Spell, married Ashley Simms, 22, son of Needham and Jane Simms, all of Wilson County. This is not the same Ashley Simms pictured in a previous post.]

Amos Hayes appears in the 1910 census of Wilson township as a 55 year-old white farmer. Doc Hilliard and G.R. Jones are not found.