My brief initial search for evidence of the lives of the enslaved people auctioned to benefit the Bass siblings was fruitless. Yesterday, however, a conversation spurred me to take a second look, and I am certain I found Martha and her daughter Charity, who had been sold to S.M. Thomas for $2000 and had surprising links to people who have appeared in Black Wide-Awake repeatedly. … Maybe.

I did not know what surname Martha had taken at Emancipation, so searching only for her in the 1870 census yielded nothing useful. However, I knew Charity must have been a very young child when sold with her mother — after about age seven, children were sold solo — so I broadened my search to any Martha with a daughter named Charity in Wilson County in 1870. And I found this entry in Wilson township:

Thirty year-old Rillie Robbins, wife Martha, 29, and 10 year-old daughter Charity. This Charity would have been about three years old when sold in 1863, which tracks.

I backed up a bit to search for the couple’s marriage and found that, on 10 August 1866, Rila Robbins and Martha Barnes had registered their seven-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. This entry tells us Martha had used Barnes as a surname during slavery, and the couple were together, but likely living separately, when Martha and their daughter were sold.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Riley Robins, 48, farmer; wife Martha, 38; daughter [in fact, granddaughter] Josephine R., 1; and Chaney Lipscomb, 16, a servant. Charity had left home and is found in an entry in the Town of Wilson: laborer James Barnes, 22; his wife Sarah, 26; their son Joseph, 4; and their cousins Charity Robins, 18, and Malvena Taylor, 19.

The facts are less clear from this point. I’ll present what I’ve found, person by person. You’ll note perplexing inconsistencies in the identification of the father(s) of Charity Robbins’ children.

First Generation

• Martha Barnes Robbins

I have found nothing about Martha after 1880. She was not the Martha A. Robbins whose estate entered probate in 1883, but, considering her husband’s remarriage that year, likely died around the same time.

• Riley Robbins

On 24 January 1866, Riley Robins entered into a sharecropping agreement with D.W. Weaver. (More about this later.)

On 12 April 1883, Riley Robins and Cathron Barnes were married in Johnston County, North Carolina.

In the 1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins Riley h Lodge cor Jones

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Riley Robbins, 79; wife Catharine, 65; Daniel Williams, 46, house carpenter; wife Charity, 47, factory laborer; and Bennett, 13, factory laborer, Wilbur, 10, and Charity, 16, factory laborer.

On 5 March 1911, Riley Robbins, 79, of Pine Level, married Almetrice Freeman, 45, of Smithfield, in Smithfield township, Johnston County. [Is this the same Riley Robbins?]

In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins Riley h 420 S Lodge

On 31 July 1919, Riley Robbins, 87, of Smithfield, married Liza Lancaster, 30, of Smithfield, in Smithfield township, Johnston County. [Is this the same Riley Robbins?]

Braswell R. Winstead died 22 August 1926 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 60 years old; was born in Wilson to Riley Robins and Malissa Winstead; was married to Ada E. Winstead; lived at 415 East Green Street worked as a barber; and was buried in Masonic Cemetery.

Second Generation

• Charity Robbins

At Spring Term 1884 of Wilson County Superior Court, James D. Barnes, who was white, and Charity Robbins, “colored,” were charged with fornication and adultery. Their indictment listed C.C. Peacock, midwife Carolina Vick, and William Hinnant as witnesses. The couple were arrested later that year, jailed, and convicted. Barnes was ordered to pay court costs and post a $500 bond to guarantee his appearance at his sentencing hearing and to demonstrate that he had “kept separate” from Robbins and “has not been seen in her company day or night.” Robbins, on the other hand, was ordered to leave the county within 30 days and “if found in the Co. after that time to be arrested … and imprisoned in county jail” until next court term. Note that sexual relationships, whether coerced or (occasionally) consensual, between white men and Black women generally merited little law enforcement attention. Only when a white man publicly acknowledged his African-American partner, perhaps by living openly with her, did the white community’s blood start boiling and demanding redress. James D. Barnes was the father of two of Charity Robbins’ children — James D., born about 1882 and named after himself (and his grandfather, James Dew Barnes), and John T., born about 1883 and named after his father John Barnes. Barnes may also have been the father of Charity’s first child, Josephine Roxanna, born about 1879.  [James D. Barnes appears in the 1880 census of Wilson as a 20 year-old in the household of his parents John and Elizah Barnes. He married Elmira Smith in 1885. They reared their children, including a second son named James D., in Wilson County.]

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charity Robbins, 40, and children Jimmie, 20, teamster, John, 18, farm laborer, Martha, 11, Charity, 7, Mack, 5, and Wilbert, 1.

On 26 December 1906, D.W. Williams, 41, married Charity Robbins, 42, in Wilson. Rev. J.H. Scott performed the ceremony in the presence of James F. Scott, Washington N. [illegible], and Willie B. Daniels.

In late 1909, Charity Robbins sued Dr. Frank S. Hargrave, executor of the estate of Miley Barnes for $125 — $100 for money and provisions furnished to Barnes and $25 for nursing her during her illness. (Miley Barnes was Robbins’ aunt, a sister of Riley Robbins.) After considering the testimony of both parties and witnesses Annie Gunn, A.J.C. Moore, Thomas Henderson, Herbert Pittman, and Riley Robbins, a justice of the peace found in Charity Robbins’ favor, awarding $100, plus $4 costs. Hargrave appealed. Gunn, Moore, Henderson, and Pittman testified for Robbins; Sallie Bynum, Braswell Winstead [Robbins’ half-brother], G[illegible] Tucker, Lou Williams, and Turner Mitchell, for Hargrave. He again lost, but damages were reduced to $75 plus costs.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Riley Robbins, 79; wife Catharine, 65; Daniel Williams, 46, house carpenter; wife Charity, 47, factory laborer; and Bennett, 13, factory laborer, Wilbur, 10, and Charity, 16, factory laborer.

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins Cherry (c) fact hd h 418 S Lodge

In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins Charity (c) laundress 418 S Lodge

In June 1917, Charity Robbins Williams was granted a divorce from D.W. Williams in Wilson County on grounds of fornication and adultery.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 418 Lodge Street, Charity Robins, 59, widow, saleslady at grocery store.

In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins Charity grocer 600 S Lodge h 412 E Walnut

Charity Robbins executed her last will and testament on 2 July 1924. She was quite well-off, and among her bequests were: (1) to son John T. Robbins, her house and lot in “Wynona, a southwestern suburb of the City of Wilson,” adjacent to Chloe Woodard, J.D. High, and others; also a house and lot on East Hines Street adjacent to Mary Wilkins and others and (2) her house on the corner of Lodge and Hines Streets, an adjacent lot, and all her personal property were to be sold for cash and, with all other cash, the proceeds were to be divided equally among her children Josephine Roxanna Simms, wife of Frank Simms, of Selma, N.C.; J.D. Robbins and John T. Robbins of Wilson; Martha Grear of Birmingham, Alabama; Charity Jones, wife of Levi Jones, Wilson; and Ben F. and Wilbert Robbins of Wilson.

Charity Robins died 5 August 1924 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 13 April 1864 in Wilson to Riley Robins and Martha Robins; was the widow of Daniel Williams; and was a storekeeper. Tempsie Jones was informant. [She was most likely buried in Vick Cemetery.]

Greensboro Daily News, 17 August 1924.

Third Generation

• Josephine Roxanna Robbins

On 8 January 1897, Frank Sims, 22, of Selma, N.C., married Roxanna Robbins, 20, at Charity Robbins’ residence in Wilson. Free Will Baptist minister Crockett Best performed the ceremony in the presence of Henry Barnes, D.A. Smith, and David Depree.

In the 1900 census of Selma, Johnston County, N.C.: Frank Simms, 28, barber, and wife Roxanna, 21.

In the 1920 census of Selma, Johnston County: Frank Sims, 52, barber, and wife Roxana, 43.

In the 1930 census of Selma, Johnston County: Frank Sims, 58, farmer, and wife Roxana, 52.

In the 1950 census of Selma, Johnston County: Frank Sims, 74, plowing; wife Roxanna, 73; and niece-in-law Christina Robbings, 60.

Frank Simms died 3 June 1957 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 83 years old; was the son of Turner Simms and Patsy Smith; was married to Roxanna Simms; lived at 206 Sellers Street, Selma; and was a barber.

Roxana Simms died 2 January 1959 in Selma, Johnston County. Per her death certificate, she was born 17 April 1880 to Riley Robbins and Charity [maiden name unknown]; and was the widow of Frank Simms. Zilphia Surett was informant. [Riley Robbins was Roxanna Simms’ grandfather, but likely a surrogate father.]

• James D. Robbins

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charity Robbins, 40, and children Jimmie, 20, teamster, John, 18, farm laborer, Martha, 11, Charity, 7, Mack, 5, and Wilbert, 1.

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins James D (c) lab h 418 S Lodge

On 7 September 1913, James D. Robbins, 31, married Daisy Bynum, 34, in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony. [Daisy Robbins died 17 May 1914 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 38 years old; was born in Newberry, South Carolina, to Morton Pitt and Harrett Jones; was married; and was buried in Wilson [likely, Oakdale or Vick Cemetery.] Washington Pitt was informant.]

On 4 October 1914, Jimmie D. Robbins, 33, married Martha Bunch, 26, in Wilson. A.M.E. Zion minister J.S. Jackson performed the ceremony in the presence of Albert Mitchell, Ed Mooring, and G.G. Fergerson. [Martha Robbins died 12 October 1918 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born in 1887 in Wilson County to Ned Bunch and Malissa Simms; was married to Jas. D. Robbins; and was buried in Wilson [probably Vick Cemetery.]]

In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins James D (c) lab 430 Bank

In 1918, Jimmie D. Robbins registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 11 January 1882; lived at 430 Banks; was a grocer man at 600 South Lodge; and his nearest relative was wife Matha Robbins. He was described as having brown eyes and sandy hair.

On 7 May 1919, James D. Robbins, 32, son of Charity Robbins, married Louise Barnes, 22, in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister A.L.E. Weeks performed the ceremony in the presence of Nannie Barber, Bettie Hall, and James Barber. [Louise Robbins died 20 May 1924 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 28 years old; was born in Darlington, S.C. to Benjamin and Jennette Davis; was married to James Robbins; and was buried in Wilson, Julia Archie was informant.]

On 17 June 1924, Jimmie D. Robins, 43, son of Jim Robins [actually, Barnes] and Charity Robins, married Lillie Thompson, 20, daughter of Tillie Thompson and Clem Thompson, in Smithfield, Johnston County, N.C.

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins James D (c; Lillie) gro 600 S Lodge h 416 S Lodge

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 418 South Lodge, grocery store merchant James D. Robins, 50; wife Lillie, 25; sons John, 6, James, 4, and William, 10 months; and servant Roscoe Short, 25.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins Jas D (c; Lillie) gro 418 S Lodge h 416 S Lodge

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 416 Lodge, farm laborer Jimmie Robins, 57; wife Lillie, 37; and sons John, 15, Jim, 12, Rufus, 8, and Thomas, 5.

James D. Robbins died 23 February 1946 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 11 January 1887 in Wilson to James D. Robbins [actually, James D. Barnes] and Charity Robbins; was married to Lillie Robbins; worked in farming and was buried in Rountree Cemetery.

• John T. Robbins

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charity Robbins, 40, and children Jimmie, 20, teamster, John, 18, farm laborer, Martha, 11, Charity, 7, Mack, 5, and Wilbert, 1.

In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins John blksmith h 422 E Hines

John Robbins registered for the World War I draft in 1918. Per his registration card, he was born 10 January 1883; lived at 418 Lodge Street, Wilson; worked as a blacksmith for Boykin & Horne, Goldsboro Street; and his nearest relative was mother Charity Robbins. He was described as having grey eyes and dark hair.

In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins John horseshoer J Y Buchanan h 418 S Lodge

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins Jno h 416 S Lodge

On 3 March 1928, John Robins executed his last will and testament. It included these bequests — to nephew John Robins, a four-room house and lot on Hines Street; to nephew Jim Robins, a three-room house and lot on Mercer Street; to nephew Roy Robins, an undivided half-interest in a house and lot at the corner of South Lodge and Hines Streets. Glenn S. McBrayer, Tillet Stokes, and Lillie Robbins signed as witnesses.

John Robbins died 25 March 1928 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 48 years old; was born in Wilson to James D. Barnes and Charity Robbins; lived at 416 Lodge; and worked as a blacksmith. James D. Robbins was informant.

• Martha Mary Robbins

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charity Robbins, 40, and children Jimmie, 20, teamster, John, 18, farm laborer, Martha, 11, Charity, 7, Mack, 5, and Wilbert, 1.

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins Martha (c) student h 418 S Lodge

On 14 January 1916, Edward Grier, 37, of Lafayette, Louisiana, son of Robert F. and Millie Bernard Grier, married Martha Mary Robbins, 25, of Wilson, daughter of Charity Robbins, in Wilson. Episcopal minister Robert N. Perry performed the ceremony in the presence of B.R. Winstead, Levi Jones, and M. Ada Perry.

In 1918, Edward Grier registered for the World War I draft in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. Per his registration card, he was born 16 February 1877; was a self-employed merchant; lived at 609 4th Avenue; and his nearest relative was wife Martha Grier.

In the 1920 census of Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama: Edward Greyer, 41, grocery store retail merchant; wife Martha, 27, school teacher; and boarder Mollie Robinson, 14.

In the 1930 census of Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama: Edward Grier, 45, school building janitor; wife Martha, 37, high school teacher; daughter Hattie M., 8; and boarder Rufus Wesley, 50.

Martha Robbins Grier died 3 February 1936 in Birmingham, Jefferson County, Alabama. Per a death index, she was 45 years old, her parents were Riley Robbins and Charity Barnes, and she was married to Edward Grier. [Riley Robbins was Martha Grier’s grandfather, but likely a surrogate father.]

Hattie M. Irving died 27 August 1982 in Gary, Hammond County, Indiana. Per her death certificate, she was born 6 February 1922 in Alabama to Martha Robbins and Edward Grier; was a widow; and was a resident of Gary. Daughter Marguerite Jones was informant.

• Charity Tempsie Robbins

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charity Robbins, 40, and children Jimmie, 20, teamster, John, 18, farm laborer, Martha, 11, Charity, 7, Mack, 5, and Wilbert, 1.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Riley Robbins, 79; wife Catharine, 65; Daniel Williams, 46, house carpenter; wife Charity, 47, factory laborer; and Bennett, 13, factory laborer, Wilbur, 10, and Charity, 16, factory laborer.

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins Timcy (c) tchr h 418 S Lodge

On 30 October 1912, Levi Jones, 30, of Wilson, married Tempsey Robbins, 19, in Wilson.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Levi Jones, 41, barber; wife Tempsie, 25; and brother-in-law Wilbert Robbins, 20, grocery store salesman.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Jones Levi H (c; Tempsy) barber Walter S Hines h 114 Pender

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Levi Jones, 64, barber, and wife Tempsie, 45, teacher at Sallie Barbour School.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Levi Jones, 72, barber, and wife Tempsie, 50, teacher at elementary school.

Tempsie Jones died 11 May 1951 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born June 1900 in Wilson to Riley Robbins and Charity Williams; was married; lived at 114 Pender Street; worked as a grammar school teacher; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery. [Riley Robbins was Tempsie Jones’ grandfather, but likely a surrogate father.]

• Benjamin F. Robbins

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charity Robbins, 40, and children Jimmie, 20, teamster, John, 18, farm laborer, Martha, 11, Charity, 7, Mack, 5, and Wilbert, 1.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Riley Robbins, 79; wife Catharine, 65; Daniel Williams, 46, house carpenter; wife Charity, 47, factory laborer; and Bennett, 13, factory laborer, Wilbur, 10, and Charity, 16, factory laborer.

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins Benj (c) lab h 418 S Lodge

In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins Benj (c) barber Levi Jones

Ben Robbins registered for the World War I draft in 1918. Per his registration card, he was born 30 March 1897; lived at 660 Viola Street, Wilson; worked for Levi Jones; and his nearest relative was mother Charity Robbins.

In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins Benjamin (c) barber The Mayflower h 313 Pender

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins Benj (c; Vashti) barber Reid Barber Shop r 313 Pender

In 1942, Ben Robbins registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 30 March 1897 in Wilson; lived at 116 Pender Street, Wilson; his contact was Tempsie Jones, 114 Pender Street; and he worked at William Hines Barber Shop, 130 South Goldsboro Street.

In the 1950 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: barber Ben Robbins, 52; wife Cora J., 46, cook; and niece Deloris Jones, 11.

Benjamin Robbins died 8 June 1956 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 24 May 1901 in Wilson to John Robbins [??] and Charity Williams; was married to Cora Robbins; worked as a barber; and was buried in Mount Olive Cemetery, Mount Olive, N.C.

• Wilbert Robbins

Per delayed birth certificate, Wilbert Robbins was born in 1899 to Calvin Robbins and Charity Robbins in Wilson.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charity Robbins, 40, and children Jimmie, 20, teamster, John, 18, farm laborer, Martha, 11, Charity, 7, Mack, 5, and Wilbert, 1.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Riley Robbins, 79; wife Catharine, 65; Daniel Williams, 46, house carpenter; wife Charity, 47, factory laborer; and Bennett, 13, factory laborer, Wilbur, 10, and Charity, 16, factory laborer.

Wilbert Robbins registered for the World War I draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 21 September 1899; lived at 418 South Lodge Street, Wilson; worked as a tobacco hand for Imperial Tobacco Company; and his nearest relative was mother Charity Robbins.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Levi Jones, 41, barber; wife Tempsie, 25; and brother-in-law Wilbert Robbins, 20, grocery store salesman.

In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robbins Wilbert (c) lab h 508 Bank

On 27 February 1922, Wilbert Robbins, 22, son of John Robbins [??] and Charity Robbins, married Clara Adams, 20, daughter of Henry and Nicy Adams, in Wilson. Rev. William Baker performed the ceremony.

In the 1930 census of Columbus, Franklin County, Ohio: at 274 Talmadge Street, Wilbur Robbins, 29, taxi driver, and wife Clara, 26, cigar store maid.

In the 1940 census of Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey: at 745 Baltic Avenue, Wilbert Robbins, 40, roadwork laborer, and wife Clara, 38, hotel maid.

In 1942, Wilbert Robbins registered for the World War II draft in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Per his registration card, he was born 21 September 1899 in Wilson; lived at 912 Keener Avenue, Atlantic City; his contact was Tempsie Jones, 114 Pender Street, Wilson; and he worked at Chelsea Hotel, Morris and Boardwalk, Atlantic City.

In the 1950 Atlantic City, N.J., city directory: Robbins Wilbert (Clara) head waiter Hotel Strand h 2014 McKinley av

Press of Atlantic City, 22 September 1976.

Remembering my schoolmate Gregory Robbins (1962-2007), who was the great-grandson of Charity Robbins. Rest in peace.