When Stephen Woodard Sr. executed his last will and testament in 1858, he determined the fates of 72 enslaved African-Americans.

In Item 11th, daughter Elizabeth Woodard Newsome received 15 enslaved people. Stephen 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.

• Alfred

In 1866, Harriet Woodard and Alfred Woodard registered their ten-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Alfred Woodard, 40; wife Harriet, 28; and children Ned, 14, Rosa, 15, Zilly, 4, London, 3, and Minny, 2 months. Harriet died before 13 February 1873, when Alfred married her widowed sister Sarah Woodard Rountree. [Harriet and Sarah Woodard were daughters of London and Venus Woodard and had been enslaved by James B. Woodard.]

In the 1880 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Alfred Woodard, 50; wife Sarah, 45; children Florence, 28, Mary, 22, Howell, 18, Sarah E., 16, Zilly A., 17, Lundon, 13, Minnie, 12, Willie, 10, Josephine, 7, and Evvy, 4; and grandchildren Elizabeth, 7, Robt. B., 5, and John H. Bynum, 4.

• Washington

Perhaps: in the 1880 census of New Hope township, Wayne County: farmer Washington Woodard, 54; wife Harriet, 24; and servant Esteller Pitt, 20.

In the 1900 census of New Hope township, Wayne County: farmer Washington Woodard, 65; wife Harrett, 55; and boarders Malissie, 23, and Henry A., 8.

• Sherard
• Ned
• Wright
• Frank

Frank Woodard and Appa Thompson were married in Wilson County on 15 October 1866.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Frank Woodard, 25, farm laborer; wife Appie, 23; son Frank Jr., 1; and Samuel Woodard, 20, farm laborer.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Frank Woodard, 37, farmer; wife Appie, 32; and sons Frank, 11, and Romulus, 9.

• Auston

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.

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. [Candis was the stepmother of Austin, Jonas, and Handy. Esther was Austin’s wife.]

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Austin Woodard, 29; wife Easter, 30; and children Foy, 10, Marion, 5, George, 3, John, 2, and Chasey, 1.

• Etney and her three children Jane, Hugh, and Oliver

Perhaps: Oliver Woodard died 14 May 1929 in Saulston township, Wayne County. Per his death certificate, he was about 75 years old; his marital status was unknown; and he was a farmer.

• Jincy and her child Chany
• Hester
• Lucy