When Stephen Woodard Sr. executed his last will and testament in 1858, he determined the fates of 72 enslaved African-Americans.
In Item 2nd, Woodard bequeathed to his son Stephen Woodard Jr. 26 enslaved people. Woodard died in 1864, and all were likely freed before his estate was distributed. Though they presumably were in Wilson County at Emancipation, I’m able to trace forward relatively few people.
- Lazarus
In 1866, Lazarus Woodard and Pennina Woodard registered their 12-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace. [Pennina presumably was enslaved by a different Woodard, as she is not among the 72 people Stephen Woodard named.]
I have not found Lazarus Woodard in census records. [In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County, George, 45, and Katie Woodard, 47, are listed with a 2 year-old boy named Lazarus. Was the child a close relative of Lazarus the elder?]
Louella Woodard died 23 October 1960 in Stantonsburg township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 25 August 1869 in Wilson County to Lazarus Woodard and Penina Woodard; was a widow; and worked as a domestic. Lee Woodard was informant. [This appears to Paul Lee Woodard, son of Stephen Woodard Jr., suggesting a very long relationship between enslaved and former enslaver.]
- Randol
- Henry
Possibly, in the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Henry Woodard, 35, and Caroline, 18, Isom, 13, Harriet, 12, Geneva, 11, John, 7, Louisa, 3, and Daton Woodard, 1 month; and Nathan Horn, 15.
- Harry
Perhaps: in 1866, Harry Woodard and Hannah Ward registered their 31-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
Or: in an unspecified date in 1867, a marriage license issued for Harry Woodard, son of Lewis Shallington and Pleasant Woodard, and Dellah Woodard, daughter of Ben Woodard and Phereba Woodard. The license was not returned.
- Little Bob
- Jack
- Arch
In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: common laborer Arch Woodard, 45; wife Sarah, 42; children Sallie, 12, Cooper, 8, Richmond, 5, and Liddia, 1; daughter-in-law Chany, 17; and stepson Joseph, 16.
- Solomon
On 3 April 1866, Solomon Woodard and Dewey Edmundson registered their four-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Solomon Woodard, 30, farmer; wife Dewry, 25; and Mary, 3.
Solomon Woodard presumably died before 1879, when his wife Dewry Woodard remarried.
- Cooper
On 31 August 1866, Cooper Woodard and Candis Barnes registered their 7-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
On 21 November 1868, Cezar Woodard, son of Cooper Woodard and Amy Taylor, married Jane Brooks, daughter of Maj. Martin and Rena Brooks, in Wilson County. [Was this the same Cooper Woodard?]
In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Cooper Woodard, 56; wife Candiss, 56; and Austin, 21, Jonas, 24, Handy, 17, and Esther Woodard, 21. Cooper claimed $225 in personal property. [The young adults in the household appear to be Cooper’s (but not Candis’, sons, plus a daughter-in-law. See Chacy, below.]
In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Cooper Woodard, 65, and wife Candis, 64.
Cooper Woodard died in 1883.
- Mintus
See Mintus Woodard, here. There were at least three freedmen in Wilson County known as Mintus Woodard, two of whom had been enslaved by William Woodard.
- Chacy and her child Handy
On 6 February 1869, Grey Woodard, son of Cooper Woodard and Chacey Woodard, married Jane Edmondson, daughter of Ester Edmondson, in Wilson County. [Was this the same Chacy? Was Gray’s father the Cooper Woodard above?]
On 1 January 1870, Austin Woodard, son of Cooper Woodard and Chacey Woodard, married Easter Newsome, daughter of Cezar Newsome and Jane Simms, in Wilson County. [This appears to be the Austin Woodard and Easter Woodard in Cooper Woodard’s household above.]
On 25 February 1875, Handy Woodard, 21, married Hennetta Barnes, 19, at the residence of justice of the peace G.W. Stanton in Wilson County. [This appears to be the Handy Woodard above in Cooper Woodard’s household in 1870 and thus another son of Cooper and Chacey.]
- Jackan and her children Julia and Silvia
- Rachel and her children Lawrence and Jim
- Charity and her children Minger and Anzy
In 1866, Charity Woodard and Simon Woodard registered their 12-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
- Little Peggy
Perhaps: on 13 March 1870, Ebonezer McGowan married Peggy Woodard, daughter of Easter Woodard, at Warren Woodard’s in Wilson County.
- Dianna
- Nicey
- Old Peggy
- Darkus