When Elizabeth Hinnant made out her will on 10 April 1854, she left to Alvin H. Atkinson “one negroe boy named Joe,” the sole person she enslaved.
At the time she dictated her will, Hinnant lived in Johnston County, but by her death Wilson County had been formed. Loverd Atkinson filed in Wilson County court the inventory of Hinnant’s property shown below. First on the list, ahead of a sorrel mare, a bay horse, and three head of cattle, was Joe.
Atkinson hired Joe out to unnamed persons for 18 days, and then until the following January.
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On 31 August 1866, Joseph Hinnant and Roda Godwin registered their six-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
In the 1870 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Joseph Hinniard, 30; wife Rodah, 27; and children Vandier, 8, Zadok, 6, Roxy, 4, and James, 1.
In the 1880 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph Hinnant, 45; wife Rhoda, 43; and children Vandorne, 18, Dock, 16, Rocksey, 14, James T., 12, Toby, 10, Josiah, 8, Leviser, 6, John E., 4, and Martha, 1.
In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: James T. Hinnant, 31; mother Rhoda, 59; father Joseph, 70; and sisters Lovisa, 25, Martha, 21, and Mary, 18.
Hi Lisa,
This is my grandfather Grover’s family. His mother was Bettie Jane but I don’t see her listed in the names of children nor some other of her siblings.
Yes! She was the daughter of Vandorn Hinnant, who was the eldest son of Joseph Hinnant. The notes only reflect records that document Joseph’s life.