Folk LOOVVVE an antebellum house … but don’t love an antebellum house. Mention “slavery,” and it’s all sighs and glazed eyes. Kudos, then, to Scarborough House Resort for facing head on and with loving action the complicated legacy of their 1821 Federal-style plantation house.
As Scarborough House prepared to host a fundraising tea to benefit Preservation of Wilson, I was brought in to research the African-Americans who labored under the yoke of Major James Scarborough and his descendants. My 15-page report drew upon census records, a Bible, deeds, bills of sale, wills, and estate records to sketch the lives of twenty or so enslaved men and women — sixteen of whom we can now call by name: Bluford, Guilford, Nan, Aggy, Silvia, Bunny, Milly, Lemon, Washington, Tom Sumter, Young Aggy, Haywood, Luke, Orange, Willis, and Treasy.
A sample page from the report:
Of the sixteen enslaved people I was able to identify by name, six have been traced forward into Freedom. None adopted the surname Scarborough, but four chose Eason, the surname of James Scarborough’s grandchildren and heirs. If you recognize your ancestors below, please let me know.
Silvia was the mother of four young children in the early years of James Scarborough estate’s probate — Milly, Aggy, Haywood, and Bunny. After Emancipation, having adopted the surname Eason, she lived with her youngest daughter Bunny Ann Eason Hines and family in the Saratoga area. Silvia Eason apparently died between 1870 and 1880.
- In 1868, Calvin Hines and Bunny Ann Eason, daughter of Cilva Eason, applied for a Wilson County marriage license.
- In the 1870 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Calvin Hines, 26; wife Burnett [Bunny Ann], 25; and children Harriett, 6, and Caroline, 4; Silva Eason, 48; Milly Forbs, 31, and her children John, 3, and Vesta, 1; and William Smith.
Silvia’s daughter Milly also lived briefly with her sister and mother. Her chosen surname, Forbes, may reflect her unknown father’s name. By 1870, she had at least two living children, both born after slavery. Though she likely had older children, none have been identified. In 1874, Milly married Jacob Ellis and began a second family with him. Milly Forbes Ellis died between 1900 and 1910.
- In the 1870 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Calvin Hines, 26; wife Burnett, 25; and children Harriett, 6, and Caroline, 4; Silva Eason, 48; Milly Forbs, 31, and her children John, 3, and Vesta, 1; and William Smith.
- Milly Forbs, 35, married Jacob Ellis, 22, on 28 February 1874 in Wilson County.
- In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Jacob Ellis, 27; wife Milly, 33; and children Thadeus, 4, and Rufus, 2.
- On 6 February 1884, Vesta Forbes, 14, married Andrew Eason, 20, at Jacob Ellis’ residence in Wilson County. [Andrew Eason was the son of Lemon Eason, who was also enslaved at Scarborough House. See below.]
- In the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Jacob Ellis, 81 [sic], and Milly, 64. Also, George Ellis, 29; sister Vesty, 35; and Rufus, 4.
- On 22 February 1903, Vestie Eason, 37, of Saratoga, daughter of Ben Moore and Millie Ellis, married Freeman Speight, 57, of Greene County, son of Paul and Mary Speight, at Pine Grove Church in Saratoga.
- Jacob Ellis died 31 August 1926 in Speights Bridge township, Greene County. Per his death certificate, he was about 48 years old [actually, he was about 74]; was born in Wilson County to Isom Ellis and Patience Ellis; was the widower of Millie Ellis; and was buried in Rountree cemetery. George W. Ellis of Wilson was informant.
- Rufus Ellis died 23 February 1931 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born May 1878 in Wilson County to Jacob Ellis and Milly Forbes; was a widower; and worked as a tenant farmer. George Ellis was informant.
- Vesta Ellis died 10 August 1955 in Saratoga, Stantonsburg township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 10 July 1851 [actually, circa 1869] to Jacob Ellis and Millie Forbes; resided in Holdens Crossroads; and was buried in Saints Delight Cemetery, Greene County. General Ellis of Wilson was informant.
Agnes “Young Aggy” Eason lived in the Saratoga area with her children Ellen Eason Scarborough and Jerry Eason. Agnes also likely had older children. Agnes Eason seems to have died between 1880 and 1900.
- In the 1870 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Agnes Eason, 43, with Ellen, 15, Abraham, 3 months, and Jerry, 6.
- Ellen Eason, 19, married Ashley Scarboro, 22, on 29 August 1872 in Wilson.[Ashley Scarborough’s parents were William and Victoria Scarborough, and he and his father appear in the estate records of James Scarborough’s son Isaac Scarborough’s estate records.]
- In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Ashley Scarboro, 23 [sic]; wife Ella, 22; children Abraham, 9, Jesse, 8, Peter, 4, James F., 3, and John O.P., 2; mother-in-law Aggie Eason, 40; and brother-in-law Jerry Eason, 15.
- On 3 January 1889, Jerry Eason, 21, son of Washington Forbes and Agie Eason, married Mary Bynum, 23, daughter of George and Fereby Bynum, in Saratoga township, Wilson County.
- In 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Jerry Eason, 36; wife Mary, 35; and children Hattie, 10, Ad, 9, Georgianna, 8; Ferebee, 7; Lou, 3; and Charley, 2.
- In 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Jerry Eason, 43; wife Mary, 42; and children Addie, 20, Georgianna, 19, Ferebee, 17, Lear E., 13, Charlie, 12, Joe, 10, and Mary, 2.
- In 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Jerry Eason, 55; wife Mary, 53; Hattie, 30; Addie, 27; Mary, 12; Archie, 7; Virginia, 5; Zeelas, 2; Charlie, 20; and Joe Henry, 18.
- In 1930 census of Speights Bridge township, Greene County: farmer Jerry Eason, 54; wife Mary, 50; Addie, 36; Earl, 12; Roma, 6; and Daisey, 3 months.
- Jerry Eason died 19 October 1938 in Saratoga, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 20 May 1866 in Edgecombe County to Wash Forbs and Aggie [no maiden name listed].
Lemon Eason and his wife Chaney remained in the Saratoga area. Lemon appears to have died between 1880 and 1900.
- On 26 July 1866, Lemon Eason and Chaney Scarborough registered their 14-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace. [Chaney was enslaved by Isaac and Nancy Scarborough. Isaac’s estate records show that Chaney had several small children during the period of probate 1858-1865, but I have not identified them by name.]
- In the 1870 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Isaac Simms, 21; wife Elvy, 18; Lemon Eason, 46; wife Chaney, 27 [sic; she likely was at least a decade older]; and children Andrew, 5, and Columbus, 2. [Elvy may have been a daughter of Lemon and Chaney Eason.]
- In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Lemon Eason, 55, and children Andrew, 16, Columbus, 12, Larence, 10, Mary L., 7, Randal, 5, and Jane, 3.
- On 22 December 1889, Lawrence Eason, 20, married Henrietta Price, 20, in Wilson County.
- On 27 April 1897, Jane Eason married Henry Ward in Wilson County.
- On 18 December 1901, Andrew Eason, 35, son of Lemon and Chaney Eason, married Nancy Smith in Wilson County.
Like Milly, Washington appears to have taken the surname Forbes. He fathered a son, Jerry Eason, by Aggie Eason circa 1865. He married a woman enslaved in Pitt County, N.C., about 1863; they settled in the Saratoga area. Washington Forbes likely died between 1880 and 1900.
- Washington Forbes and Pattie Forbes applied for a marriage license in Wilson County on 3 April 1866, but apparently did not return it or marry.
- On 28 July 1866, Washington Forbes and Priscilla Harrell registered their cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
- In the 1870 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Washington Forbs, 47; wife Priscilla, 25; and children Rachel, 11, Ervin, 5, Adeline, 3, and Kate, 1.
- In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Washington Forbs, 55; wife Priscilla, 35; and children Rachel, 18, Earvin, 15, Adline, 13, Caite, 10, Anderson, 8, Arie, 8, Mariah, 4, and July, 11 months.
Scarborough House Resort recently dedicated this memorial bench hewn from a white oak felled on the property. Photo courtesy of Mahalia Witter-Merithew.
Over the last couple years we have shared information about the descendants of Orange Scarborough which I also forwarded to some of them.
I didn’t realize that George Orange Scarborough’s roots were also in Wilson County! (I know North Carolina, but had not made the connection with Wilson County.) Please see my response to Debra’s comment!
Hello, my name is Tamela Scarborough. My father is Arthur Scarborough Jr. His dad Arthur Scarborough is one of George Orange Scarborough’s older brothers. Thank you so much for the work you have been doing and all of the information you have provided 🙏🏽
I am so happy that the Scarborough information is connecting with descendants — especially those whose forbears migrated to Arkansas!
Yes ma’am. Kenya Johnson, also replied here, is my cousin. My Grandfather, Arthur Scarborough, is one of the only kids from George and Rachel that remained in Arkansas. The rest moved to the Chicago area where they remained. My father was born and raised in Lonoke and still remains there now. He is the youngest of 5 kids. I am the oldest of his 4 kids. There are 2 daughters and 2 sons.
Was your father aware of his NC roots?
No ma’am, unfortunately, he was not. I have been the one digging and researching here and there for a few years now. Typically when it comes to researching the family roots everyone will point to me. I left Arkansas when I turned 18 and joined the Marine Corps. I recently returned almost 2 years ago. I am also connected to Lydia Armstrong Hunter. She found me through Facebook 😊 We also have connections to the Laster’s here.
I feel like there’s this huge population of Arkansas families with no knowledge of their NC roots — and NC families who are missing branches that they don’t know migrated to Arkansas. I’m specifically interested in Wilson County families, but I know emigration was widespread across eastern NC. I’ve considered creating a Facebook group to try to connect descendants and researchers interested in this population. Do you think there would be interest?
Yes ma’am, I agree and I think that would be an awesome idea. I believe it would definitely attract more attention. And those of us that are researchers for our families would also be able to send invites to have them join the Facebook page which would help you out tremendously.
My father had a heart attack a couple of years ago that also resulted in a stroke so he has not physically been the same. My goal is to plan a trip that will bring him to NC before he is too old and it becomes to difficult for him to travel.
But if that does happen it would be nice to be able to show him the Facebook page and all of the descendants of Wilson County, NC. It would also be amazing to show all of our children.
It’s done!! https://www.facebook.com/share/g/9EMFu2JGWZz32omm/
Please invite everyone you know with NC>AR ancestry!
That’s awesome. I just requested to join 🙏🏽
Request hasn’t shown up yet, but as soon it does….
Are you in? I still don’t see your request!
Yes ma’am and I have started sending out invites 😊
Hi Lydia, I believe I am a descendant of the slave Orange Scarborough. Can you please share any information you have about him with me?
Orange Scarborough was my 4th great grandfather on my mom maternal side. He has a great great grandson who is still living named after him.
Oh, wow! Thank you for commenting! Orange Scarborough was enslaved by James Scarborough’s son Isaac Scarborough at a neighboring plantation. We can only conjecture his kinship to the Orange who was sent to Mississippi with another son, John R. Scarborough. I’ll be posting more soon on the enslaved people Isaac Scarborough held. Is your family still living in Wilson County?
I don’t know if any of the Scarboroughs are still living in Wilson County. Chances are yes. Orange like many other relatives moved from Wilson County to Lonoke County, Arkansas.
Orange raised my Grandmother father until he passed. Then my Great Grandfather was raised by the Scarborough family on his mother side in Lonoke. The female Scarboroughs who travel with Orange to Lonoke did return back to Wilson.
Orange is buried in Lonoke and my Great Grandfather is buried by him.
Thank you! When I originally posted about the Bynum-Scarborough family of Lonoke County, I knew the Bynums were from Wilson County, and I suspected that the Scarboroughs were, too, but couldn’t place then in Wilson!
Hi Debra, that is my Uncle Jr. (George). Who is your grandmother or grandfather?
Hi Kenya, my Great Grandfather was George L. Moore.
Is is possible to access the full report?
Where might I purchase / obtain a copy of this report?
The plaque on the bench is ENDEARING to my soul. Thanks to the benefactor.
I must say as a descendant of Major James Scarborough, my grandfather x5, to read this report brought me to tears. I have been doing my ancestry and I have found, as of now, about 50 relatives on dna sites, that I’ve connected with. These relatives of color, mixed heritage had questions as well as myself. I never knew of North Carolina Scarborough house until this year and I meant I was quite taken aback!! Nevertheless, I embrace my relatives I have discovered and thankfully have made some awesome connections. If any one here is it descendent of James or Isaac Scarborough, I would be most happy to reach out to you please reply!!
Hi, Betrice. Thanks for your comment. I am descended from enslaved and enslaving people and have both gained and given in my relationships with newly discovered kin. Kudos to the current owners of Scarborough House who not do not romanticize their home’s plantation past, but have taken concrete steps to acknowledge the enslaved people who built the Scarboroughs’ wealth.
Hello Lisa, I very much agree with you 100%! My new found relatives feel the same way as I do, it’s a home that the enslaved people are honored, by this home. Personally I didn’t know the Scarboroughs that ran this plantation of course,but I look at my ancestry and can’t deny who owned it. Myself being married to a man of color have done a lot of thinking about the Scarborough name. We can’t go backwards we must go forward!!! Proud of who we are, and for any of the Scarborough descendants, that may be here please reach out to me. I’m happy to meet new family members with open arms!
To Lisa Y. Henderson & Debar Jones, and all family researchers,
My name is S. Wallace (Mr.S.Wallace1932@gmail.com), and I want to share my family’s direct line so there is no doubt about where we stand in this history:
Family Lineage:
• Ari Scarborough (matriarch)
↓
• Dora McLean (her daughter)
↓
• Annie “Cherry” McLean (later Annie Bynum) — separated from Dora by Norman Bynum
↓
• Violet Dolores Bynum (my grandmother)
↓
• S. Wallace (myself)
For generations, our branch was cut off after Norman Bynum disconnected Annie “Cherry” McLean from her mother Dora, leaving us isolated and nearly “lost.”
But the truth is — we are still here. Our family survived, even if hidden by time and silence.
While much has been written about Orange Scarborough, almost nothing remains about Ari Scarborough, my direct grandmother. She appears only in fragments — her marriage to Orange, her daughter’s certificate — and then vanishes.
I ask sincerely: if anyone has knowledge of Ari’s life, her origins (Pittman or Howard), or what became of her, I would be deeply grateful.
This is my attempt to bridge the silence and show that from North Carolina and Virginia through Ari, Dora, Cherry, and Violet, this bloodline is unbroken.
With gratitude,
S. Wallace
Mr.S.Wallace1932@gmail.com
Ancestry shows Arie Scarborough Smith in the 1900 and 1910 censuses, her 1916 marriage license to E.L. Smith, and her 1919 death certificate. As she was not born in Wilson County, further research is beyond the scope of this blog, but it appears her life is fairly well-documented in major records.
Lisa Y. Henderson:
Lisa, thank you so much for your thoughtful response and for pointing me toward the census, marriage, and death records for Arie Scarborough Smith. Your insight is deeply appreciated, as it helps me piece together a clearer picture of her life beyond the fragments I had. This guidance means a great deal to me and my family.
With gratitude,
S. Wallace
Wishing you the best in your continued search!