When David Dew died about 1862, he left an estate that included seven enslaved people — Everett, Fortin, Rose, Dick, Sally, Gray, and Martha. Dew had neither wife nor children and bequeathed his assets to the children of his brother Larry Dew.
For reasons that are not clear, Dew’s enslaved people were hired out for several years rather than immediately distributed per the terms of his will. Perhaps the plan was to wait until the youngest, Nancy Dew, turned 18 in 1865.
In 1864, Dew’s nephews Jonathan T. Dew, Arthur B. Dew, and William L. Dew hired out the seven.
In January 1865, Joseph Barbee (Harriet Dew’s husband), as agent for W.L. Dew & Bros. hired out four people people; Jonathan T. Dew took in Fortin and Sally; and Edith Barnes Dew (Arthur B. Dew’s wife) took in Martha. The arrangements did not last long — freedom came in April.
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- Everett
On August 10, 1866, Everett Dew and Sarah Taylor registered their 35-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
Iin the 1870 census of Wilson township: farm laborer Everett Due, 58, wife Sarah, 59, and Joseph, 23, and Rachel Due, 18.
- Fortin and her children Rose, Dick, and Sally
On 27 June 1866, Fortice Dew and George Rountree registered their 21-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
In the 1870 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer George Rountree, 70; wife Forte, 66; and children Richd., 23, Rose, 23; Sallie, 19, and Ellis, 4.
On 6 February 1878, Richard Rountree, 25, married Feby Rountree, 20, in Wilson County.
In the 1880 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: Richard Rountree, 30; wife Feeby, 26; and children Lilly, 5, James, 5 months, and stepdaughter Louisa, 11, nurse.
In the 1900 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Richard Rowntree, 53; wife Feby, 49; and children James, 19, Loula, 11, Richard T., 10, Waren, 7, Ardinia, 5, Martha, 3, and Howard, 1.
On 22 December 1921, Nancy Farmer died in Taylor township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 96 years old; was born in Wilson County to George Rountree and Forton Rountree; and was the widow of Washington Farmer. Thomas Coleman was informant.
Sallie Rountree died 2 July 1925 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 80 years old; was born in Wilson County to George Rountree and Fordnet Dew; was single; and was buried in Rountree family cemetery. James Rountree was informant.
On 18 December 1927, Lillie Jones died in Wilson, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 51 years old; was born in Wilson County to Richard Rountree and Phebie Rountree; was married to Josiah Jones; lived on Mercer Street; and was buried in a family cemetery. James Rountree was informant.
Warren Rountree died 24 February 1943 in Wilson, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, he was born 22 June 1894 in Wilson County to Richard Rountree and Phoebe Rountree “before marr.”; was married to Maggie Rountree; worked in a factory; and was buried in Rountree [family] cemetery. Maggie Rountree was informant.
- Gray
- Martha
David Dew Estate Records (1862), Wilson County, North Carolina Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.