Solomon Woodard was enslaved by Stephen Woodard Sr. and, later, Stephen Woodard Jr. He was a young man when emancipated. On 3 April 1866, Solomon Woodard and Drury Edmundson registered their four-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace, legalizing their marriage. In 1870, they were farming in Stantonsburg township, Wilson County, and had a daughter Mary, age 3. In February 1878, Woodard died at about age 38.

On 24 February 1878, administrator James S. Woodard paid out a year’s support to widow Drury Woodard. Solomon had done relatively well during the dozen or so years since he was freed, and Drury signed for three beds, twelve chairs, three tables, 1000 pounds of bacon, a mule, a horse, and other property totaling about $400 in value.

James S. Woodard then petitioned the court to sell the remainder of Solomon Woodard’s on cash terms only, opining that potential buyers (“in part … negroes”) likely would not be able to provide security for credit buys.

On 19 March 1878, James S. Woodard conducted the sale. Drury Woodard bought several of her husband’s items, including his wearing apparel, a shotgun, a safe, and an ox. Despite (or maybe because of) James Woodard’s concerns, few black people won bids. William Hall bought one sow. Frank Woodard picked up a wagon, a crosscut saw, and some measures. The sale cleared about $66.

Estate File of Solomon Woodard, Wilson County; North Carolina Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.