1840s

Rules and regulations for patrollers.

Prior to Wilson County’s formation in 1855, much of its present-day territory lay in Edgecombe, including everything east of a line running a couple of miles inside present-day Interstate 95 and north of Contentnea Creek. In 1844, the Tarboro’ Press published “Rules and Regulations to be Observed by the Patrollers of the several Districts in the County of Edgecombe.” Slave patrols, known as patrollers or patty rollers, were government-sanctioned groups of armed men charged with monitoring and enforcing discipline upon enslaved people.

Edgecombe County patrollers operated under a set of comprehensive and precise rules. Tasked with visiting ever house inhabited by enslaved people at least once a month, they rode at night. They searched for firearms and “seditious publications” and kept a sharp lookout for any enslaved person out and about more than a mile from home. They could beat people — up to 15 lashes — for having too much fun. On Sundays, their job was to make sure enslaved people were not “strolling about” enjoying their one day off or selling trinkets for pocket change. Patrollers ran down runaways and, if met with “insolence,” could drop a whip 39 times across a black back. They were compensated for their services.

Tarboro’ Press, 9 March 1844.

Update: the estate of Moses Farmer Sr.

When I first examined the estate file of Moses Farmer Sr., who died in 1844, I missed this recitation of names of the people he enslaved — Marina (purchased at his direction), Reuben, London, Luke, Glasgow, Dick, Harry, Thomas, Washington, Greene, Valentine, Rachel, Charity, Caroline, Alice, Nelly, Elva, America, Fortune, big Rose, Chain, Jinny, Ofie, Daniel, Jason, Watson, Drewry, Chain, Venus, little Rose, Sylvia, Maria, Warren, Nan, and [blank.] Per the terms of Farmer’s will, all but “Big Chainny” were to be sold.

——

  • Reuben — Reuben Farmer. In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Reuben Farmer, 68, Nancy, 71, and Luke Farmer, 11.
  • London
  • Luke
  • Glasgow — on 11 August 1866, Glasco Farmer and Clary Farmer registered their 20-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Glasses Farmer, 49; wife Clara, 36; Morning, 17, Haywood, 18, Rosa, 15, Ferby, 3, and Louisa Farmer, 9 months; and Mae Barnes, 7.
  • Dick
  • Harry
  • Thomas — in 1866, Thomas Farmer and Polly Woodard registered their ten-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Thomas Farmer, 40; wife Mary, 34; and children April, 13, Liberty, 4, and Eliza, 1.
  • Washington — Washington Farmer. His wife Waity Harris and children were enslaved by a different owner.
  • Greene
  • Valentine — Valentine Farmer. Per his daughter Martha Farmer Ruffin, Valentine’s parents were Reuben and Nancy Farmer. His wife Quinnie and children were enslaved by Robert Bynum. Val Farmer and his parents remained within the white Farmer family after Moses Farmer’s death.
  • Rachel — in 1866, Warren Farmer and Rachel Farmer registered their ten-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
  • Charity
  • Caroline
  • Olive
  • Nelly — Nellie Farmer. In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Nellie Farmer, 62; Mary, 47; and Joshua, 22. In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Nelly Farmer, 75; grandsons George, 20, Drewry, 17, and Berry, 17; and great-granddaughter Martha A. Parker, 8.
  • Elva — in 1866, Hilliard Farmer and Elva Farmer registered their two-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Hilliard Farmer, 30; wife Elery, 29; and children Jason, 4, and Adeline, 12.
  • America — possibly, in the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farmer Sydnor Campbell, 48; wife America, 40; York, 16, Thomas, 12, Pennina, 7, Reuben, 5, Nelly, 3, Lawrence, 2, and Nancy, 1; and stepdaughters Maggie Woodard, 12, and R. Rountree, 18. (The death certificates of Lawrence Campbell and Pennina Campbell Williams list their mother’s maiden name as Farmer. Several of America Campbell’s children bear names found in the community enslaved by Moses Farmer, including Thomas, Reuben, Nelly, Nancy, and Elva.)
  • Fortune
  • Big Rose
  • Chain
  • Jinny — in 1866, Jenny Farmer and John Farmer registered their 13-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
  • Ofie
  • Daniel
  • Jason — in 1866, Jason Farmer and Candis Gay registered their seven-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Jason Farmer, 33, farm laborer; wife Candas, 29; and children Florence, 9, Isiah, 6, and George, 4.
  • Watson
  • Drewry
  • Chain
  • Venus — in 1866, Venice Farmer and Arch Barnes registered their  cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. Perhaps: in the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Rosa Farmer, 35, and children Gray, 16, Turner, 17, Mary, 16, Thomas, 13, Daniel, 12, Leah, 10, Jefferson, 8, Louisa, 10 months, and Anna, 3, plus Arche Barnes, 73, cooper (if so, Venus likely died 1866-1870.)
  • Little Rose — perhaps, in the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Rosa Farmer, 35, and children Gray, 16, Turner, 17, Mary, 16, Thomas, 13, Daniel, 12, Leah, 10, Jefferson, 8, Louisa, 10 months, and Anna, 3, plus Arche Barnes, 73, cooper.
  • Sylvia
  • Maria
  • Warren — in 1866, Warren Farmer and Rachel Farmer registered their ten-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
  • Nan — see Reuben, above.

The estate of Theophilus Eatmon (1851).

Eatmons (also “Eatman”) settled in what is now the Rock Ridge area of Wilson County by the mid-1700s. They are thought to descend from brothers John and Thomas Eatmon, but exact relationships between various Eatmon lines, which often intermarried, are murky.

This post is the second in a series featuring documents from Eatmon/Eatman family estate files. [Sidenote: Evidence suggests Theophilus Eatmon was my great-great-great-great-grandfather via a son, Toney Eatmon, he fathered with an unknown free woman of color. Unsurprisingly, Toney did not inherit from him.]

——

On 4 October 1848, Theophilus Eatmon drafted a will that, among other things, distributed his enslaved property:

  • to wife Beedy Eatmon, a woman named Fan
  • to daughter Nicy Eatmon, Vilet and Elisa
  • to daughter Charity Dalton, Betty and Rachel
  • to daughter Elisha Eatmon, Jack, Leace, and Pink
  • to daughter Tempy Eatmon, Marge and Belford
  • to son Marshel Eatmon, Atsey

On 25 May 1849, Eatmon executed a codicil: Betty was to go his granddaughter Caroline Boykin, wife of Willie Boykin.

Theophilus Eatmon died in 1851 in what is now western Wilson County. As was customary, the community of enslaved people living on his farm were dispersed among family and neighbors under hire agreements. As the March 1851 account of hire of slaves below shows, Eatmon enslaved more than the eleven people named in his will; those unnamed, including Bob, Reuben, Willis, Anaca and her children, and Mary and her children, were to be sold. The estate file does not contain records of such sales, however.

The estate did not settle smoothly. A lawsuit by Theophilus’ granddaughter Aquilla Eatmon triggered a countersuit by Eatmon’s executor Absalom B. Baines against Aquilla and a neighbor named Hardy W. Boykin. Per depositions given by Boykin and Aquilla, Aquilla and her cousin Caroline Eatmon had cared for their grandfather in his old age. In 1844, Theophilus, who was illiterate, called Boykin to his house to write up two promissory notes. Though he had promised the girls “a negro each,” he decided to give them $400 instead, which “would buy a tolerable good one” or even “a pretty good one” once the amount accrued some interest. Believing they would be upset, Theophilus wanted to keep these gifts secret from his children. With some misgivings, Boykin drafted the documents and gave them to Caroline’s mother Charity Dalton for safekeeping. (Boykin was anxious not to antagonize the Eatmon children, but generally did Theophilus’ bidding. He described the old man as a competent farmer who owned more than 20 slaves and 2000 acres and only occasionally drank to excess.) A few years later, upset about Caroline’s choice of husband, Theophilus sought to pull the notes back. Caroline snatched her note, put in her bosom, and declared she had been promised a negro and did not think she ought to give it up. Aquilla also refused to return her note. Theophilus settled with Caroline per the terms of his 1849 codicil, but left nothing for Aquilla and never paid her note.

——

In the 1850 slave schedule of Nash County, Theophilus Eatmon claimed 19 enslaved people: women aged 45 [Fanny?], 35, 24, 21, and 20; girls aged 15, 12, 11, 10, 8, 6, and one month; men aged 25 and 19 [Robert?]; and boys aged 15 [Jack?], 11, 10 [Willis?], 7 [Joseph?], and 5. The imbalance in the numbers of men and women suggests relationships off-plantation for most.

I have found relatively little evidence of the post-emancipation lives of Theophilus Eatmon’s enslaved community.

  • Jack

Jack Williamson was a son of Toney Eatmon. Born about 1835, his mother was Hester Williamson. Was he the Jack listed above? Likely not, as evidence established that Jack was owned by Thomas Williamson, then Thomas’ son Garry Williamson.

  • Bob

On 29 August 1866, Robert Eatmon and Viney Eatmon registered their seven-year cohabitation with a Nash County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Chesterfield township, Nash County: farmer Robt. Eatmon, 38; wife Vinah, 35; Turner Eatmon, 65; Lannie [Fannie] Eatmon, 60; Willis, 30, Joseph, 18, Henry A., 10, Reuben, 6, and Mahala Eatmon, 3.

In the 1880 census of Bailey township, Nash County: farmer Robt. Eatmon, 52; wife Viny, 38; father Crawford Eatmon, 71; mother Fanny Eatmon, 82; nephew Rubin, 15, and niece Hellen, 13. [It does not appear that Crawford Eatmon, who may be the same person as Turner above, was enslaved by Theophilus.]

In the 1900 census of Bailey township, Nash County: farmer Robert Eatmon, 67; wife Vinie, 50; and niece Lizzie, 14.

  • Reuben
  • Belford
  • Ga[illegible] L[illegible]
  • Atsey
  • Rachel and child
  • Mary and child
  • Vilet and Lisa

In 1860, Theophilus Eatmon’s daughter Elisha Eatmon (also referred to in records as Selitia or Delitia) was accused harboring an enslaved girl named Violet who had run away from Berkley Cone. Is this the same Violet?

Or: in the 1880 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Lewis Freeman, about 55; wife Katy, about 25; and Violet Eatman, about 78.

  • Willis

(My great-great-grandfather ) Willis Barnes, born about 1841, was also a son of Toney Eatmon. Is this him? Probably not. Though about the same age, my Willis was a married man with several children by 1870, unlike Willis Eatmon.

In the 1870 census of Chesterfield township, Nash County: farmer Robt. Eatmon, 38; wife Vinah, 35; Turner Eatmon, 65; Lannie [Fannie] Eatmon, 60; Willis, 30, Joseph, 18, Henry A., 10, Reuben, 6, and Mahala Eatmon, 3.

  • Betty
  • Anaca and three children
  • Fanny and child Marge

Fanny Eatmon had at least two children, Robert, born about 1832, and Margie Ann, birth year unknown. Robert reared Margie Ann’s children Reuben, born about 1863, and Mahala/Helen, born about 1867. Henry Eatmon also may have been Margie’s son.

In the 1870 census of Chesterfield township, Nash County: farmer Robt. Eatmon, 38; wife Vinah, 35; Turner Eatmon, 65; Lannie [Fannie] Eatmon, 60; Willis, 30, Joseph, 18, Henry A., 10, Reuben, 6, and Mahala Eatmon, 3.

In the 1880 census of Bailey township, Nash County: farmer Robt. Eatmon, 52; wife Viny, 38; father Crawford Eatmon, 71; mother Fanny Eatmon, 82; nephew Rubin, 15, and niece Hellen, 13.

On 30 November 1884, George Smith, 22, of Wake County, son of Lucy Smith (now Debnam), married Ellen [sic] Eatman, 17, of Wake County, daughter of Margia Ann Eatman (now [illegible]), in Marks Creek, Wake County. Robert Eatmon, Helen’s uncle, gave permission for the ceremony.

In addition to their blood relationship, Helen Eatmon had been bound as an apprentice to her uncle Robert Eatmon.

Reuben Eatman died in Bailey township, Nash County, on 4 June 1922. Per his death certificate, he was 57 years old; his mother was Margie Eatman; he was married; and he worked as a farmer. He was buried in Wilson County. Frank Eatman was informant.

Estate File of Theophilus Eatmon (1851), Nash County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, http://www.familysearch.org; North Carolina, U.S. Marriage Records 1741-2011, http://www.ancestry.com.

The estate of Alsey High (1848).

When Alsey High died in 1848, his estate included eleven enslaved people — Sarah, Willis, Gilford, Peter, Abram, Jincey, Abel, Reddick, Merica, Esther, and Jo. On 26 December 1849, ten men, women, and children were hired out until 1 March 1850. Most went to High’s family — his widow Elizabeth Winborne High and sons William H., Manley, and Hackney High. Sarah’s unnamed four children, presumably, were among the five people listed last above. (High claimed only two enslaved people in the 1840 census. Either he made several purchases during the remaining eight years of his life and/or an enslaved woman or women had several children during that period.)

Account of the Highor of the Negros belonging to the Estate of Alsey High Des’t untill the 1st day of March next Bond and security Required before the Negros is Delivered s’d Negros to be Returned at the place of s’d Des’t on the 1 day of March next hired out the 26 of December 1849 by Alfred Boykin Adm’r

I have found post-emancipation documentation of only one person enslaved by Alsey High. Peter was about 12 years old when Alsey High died.

  • Peter High

On 31 August 1866, Peter High and Mary Eatman registered their nine-year cohabitation with a Nash County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farm laborer Peter High, 34; wife Mary, 35; and children Joseph, 12, Tilman, 9, Archabald, 6, Grant, 1, and Fanny, 13. [Fanny was likely Mary’s daughter and Peter’s stepdaughter.]

In the 1880 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Peter High, 50; wife Mary, 50; and children Grant, 10, and John W., 9.

In the 1880 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: in the household of white farmer David J. High, Tilmon, 18, and Archibal High, 14.

On 28 September 1884, Tilman High married Addie Scott at Peter High’s residence in Wilson County.

On 7 July 1887, Arch High, 22, of Nash County, son of Peter and Mary High of Wilson County, married Lottie Dew, 19, of Wilson County, daughter of Vol Dew, at George Barnes’, Taylor township, Wilson County.

On 23 February 1888, Fannie Eatmon, 32, of Nash County, daughter of Peter and Mary High, married John Locus, 35, of Nash County, son of Benjie and Jincey Locus, at the home of A[illegible] Locus, Taylor township, Wilson.

On 1 October 1891, John High, 19, of Taylors township, son of Peter and Mary High, married Trecy Rowe, 17, of Taylors township, daughter of Samuel and Louisa Rowe, at Ellises Chapel, Taylors township. Noah Battle applied for the license, and Freewill Baptist minister Crockett Best performed the ceremony in the presence of Hilliard Ellis, Joshua Bunn, and William Ray.

In the 1900 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Arch High, 40; wife Lottie, 24 [sic]; and children Peggie, 19, Nora, 11, Ardichar(?), 11, Henry, 6, and Izell, 1.

In the 1900 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer John High, 26; wife Treasy, 23; and Walter, 8, and Sam, 6.

On 8 September 1907, John High, 37, of Wilson married Flora Lucas, 19, of Wilson County, daughter of Elbert and Rosa Lucas, at Ace Thompson’s house in Selma, Johnston County, N.C. Edward Battle of Wilson was a witness.

In the 1910 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer John High, 40; wife Florine, 19, farm laborer; and Lena M., 2.

Fannie Brown died 23 July 1928 in Princeville, Edgecombe County, N.C. Per her death certificate, she was 76 years old; was born in Wilson County to Peter High and Mary High; was the widow of John Brown; and was buried near Wilson. Elijah Carney, Princeville, was informant.

In the 1930 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer John W. High, 55; wife Flore R., 34; and children Lizzie, 14, John Jr., 16, Rennie, 12, Perlia, 10, Minnie, 8, Gldyes, 7, Bessie M., 5, and Earnest T., 1; daughter Julia Wood, 20, and granddaughter Rasey M. Wood, 8 months.

In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C., John High Sr., 67, widower, is listed as a lodger in the household of James E. and Pauline Tyler.

Estate File of Alsey High (1848), Nash County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, http://www.familysearch.org; North Carolina, U.S. Marriage Records, 1741-2011, http://www.ancestry.com.

The last will and testament of William Barnes (1847).

William Barnes owned land on both sides of Black Creek and on Robin Swamp, Juniper Branch and White Oak Swamp in what is now Wilson County, but was Wayne County during his lifetime. His will, drafted in 1847, included these bequests:

  • to wife [Celia Pope Barnes], his land and house and a life estate in two negroes, Dennis and James
  • to the heirs of daughter Mary Newsom, a woman named Cansey
  • to daughter Christian Ferrell, a life estate in a woman named Tempy
  • t0 son Rufus Barnes, Matilda and Zilpha
  • to son Stephen Barnes, Hester and Mary
  • t0 daughter Mellesant Barnes, a life estate in a girl named Lusa
  • to daughter Elizabeth Barnes, Chane and Wille
  • t0 granddaughter Patsey Barnes (daughter of Simon Barnes), Hanner, Mary and Sil
  • to son Enos Barnes, Vice and Henery
  • Dennis and James were to be sold after Celia Pope Barnes’ death or remarriage, and the proceeds from such sale were to be divided among Barnes’ heirs, except Joseph Barnes, Jesse Boswell, and William Pope.

Barnes died in 1851.

In the 1860 census of Black Creek district, Wilson County: Enos Barnes, 23, farmer; wife Elizabeth, 23; son William, 4; and mother Celia, 60. Enos claimed a personal estate valued at $2843; Celia, $1875. In the 1860 slave schedule of Wilson County, Celia Barnes claimed two men, ages 53 and 28. Enos Barnes claimed an 18 year-old woman and a 15 year-old boy.

The Edwin Barnes house, no. 2.

We read of Dr. Edwin Barnes’ plantation house here, of the church at which many of its formerly enslaved people worshipped here, and of some of those people here.

Virginia Pou Doughton’s papers contain 1981 photograph of the house, which was built about 1840 and staffed by a large complement of enslaved people.

The Edwin Barnes house was destroyed by arson in June 2005.

Wilson Daily Times, 4 June 2005.

Photographs — Edwin Barnes House, Stantonsburg, 1981, P.C. 1981.7; Virginia Pou Doughton Family Papers, Private Collections, State Archives of North Carolina. Thanks to Jennifer Johnson for bringing this collection to my attention. Librarians rock!  

“Gatsey’s children”: a register of births of enslaved children, part 1.

The North Carolina State Archives’ Private Collections holds a remarkable and exceedingly rare document within the Virginia Pou Davis Doughton Papers. A small booklet, comprised of thirteen hand-sewn pages, holds list after list of the birthdates of enslaved women and the children they bore.

The provenance of the manuscript is unclear. The finding aid describes it as “Slaves of Bynum or Farmer Family in Edgecombe or Wilson Counties, 1825-1865.” The women’s and children’s names appear in a tight, neat script easily distinguished from other bold strokes penning lists of staples like tobacco, molasses, and whiskey. There are no fathers named. For most part, the lists of women and children appear to have been made in a single sitting, perhaps as a copy of older records. Above several names, “dead” is lightly penciled in. Some of these notations suggest updates after the end of slavery. The number of children attributed to each woman, and the frequency of their births, is startling. These women were, as enslavers so matter-of-factly described them, “good breeders.” In 1792, Thomas Jefferson himself calculated that he was making a four per cent annual profit on the birth of enslaved children. Is that what was happening here?

The front of the booklet displays at least three handwritings.

The left page, below: “this is Mr Bynum this is Mr Bynum Book” Who was Mr. Bynum? The enslaver of the women and children detailed in this volume? The enslaver’s overseer? Virginia Pou Davis Doughton’s maternal great-grandmother was Matilda Bynum Barnes (1848-1925). Had this diary belonged to her father, Robert Bynum (1817-1868), or grandfather, Turner Bynum (1787-1867)? The 1850 federal slave schedule of Edgecombe County lists Robert Bynum with 19 enslaved people; Turner Bynum claimed 44. Obviously, they are strong candidates.

At right: Gatsey‘s Children. Maria was born in May 1843. John was born in April 1849. Adeline dead was born in April 1852. Annice dead was born in July 1853. Albert was born in March 1855. Amos dead was born in March 1855. Lucinda was born Dec. the 6 1857. [Illegible] was born Jan. 1860. Penny was born Jan. 1860. Betty dead was born the 12 Sept. 1861. Hansel was born Nov. 1862. Mary was born [illegible.]

In 1866, Allen Bynum and Gatsey Bynum registered their 16-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

On 26 December 1868, Mariah Bynum, daughter of Allen and Gatsey Bynum, married Cezar Pitt, son of Stephen Barnes and Bunna Pitt, in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Allen Bynum, 30; wife Gatsey, 45; and children Adeline, 18, Ann, 16, Lucy, 12, Ethelbert, 15, Ranson, 7, and Harbert, 2.

In the 1870 census of Coney township, Edgecombe County: Caesar Pitt, 21; wife Maria, 28; Lucy, 11; Patrick, 17; and William Haskins, 8.

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Alen Bynum, 60; wife Gatsey, 40; and children Lucy, 18, and Horbord, 11.

In the 1880 census of Lower Conetoe township, Edgecombe County: Ceasar Pitt, 28; wife Mariah, 30; stepdaughter Martha, 18; grandson John, 1; Frank Staton, 21; and Febia Jenkins, 8, nurse.

Lucinda Bynum died 29 November 1933 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 85 years old; was single; and was born in Wilson County to Allen Bynum and Gatsey Bynum. Lydie Ricks was informant.

——

Cherry was born the 8 Sept 1820. Preston was born the 3 June 1836. Harry was born the 11 June 1838. Americus was born the 26 Jan. 1840. Patience dead was born the 12 Feb. 1842. Austine was born the 22 Feb. 1842. Harbord was born in Sept. 1848. Scott was born in Sept. 1849. Hilliard was born in Aug. 1850. Daniel was born in  Feb. 1852. Irvin was born in June 1854. Abbie was born in August 1856. Silva was born in May 1859. Bunny was born June 1862. Jack was born in Dec. 1865.

  • Preston Bynum

In 1866, Preston Bynum and Violet Bynum registered their 13-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Preston Bynum, 34; wife Violet, 30; and children Wilson, 12, George, 4, and Hugh, 2.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Preston Bynum, 48; wife Violet, 39; children Wilson, 18, George, 17, Major, 12, Phariba, 7, Debby, 6, Patience, 4, and Silvia, 2.

In the 1900 census of Ouachita Parish, Louisiana: Preston Bynum, 69; wife Violet, 49; daughter Patience, 29; and grandchildren Preston, 11, Martha, 8, Irvin, 4, Major, 2, and Wilson Bynum, 1, and Edgar, 9, and James Mosley, 3. All the children were born in Louisiana.

In the 1910 census of Melton township, Jefferson County, Arkansas: Preston Bynum, 78; wife Vinie, 76; and grandchildren Janie, 14, and James Jones, 13, and Harvest Wiley, 8. Next door: Wilson Bynum, 50; wife Louvena, 41; and children Calvin, 16, Charley, 10, Minnie, 7, Celia, 6, Florence, 4, and Lucinda, 11 months.

Violet S. Bynum died 24 December 1916. Her grave marker cites her date of birth as 22 June 1841.

  • Harry Bynum

Perhaps, in the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Osborn Buck, 23, farm laborer; Harry Bynum, 31, and Mary Bynum, 26; and John Barron, 28.

  • Hilliard Bynum

Hilliard Bynum, 22, married Cloe Jones, 23, on 9 November 1873 in Wilson County. In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Hilliard Bynum, 27; wife Cloah, 28; and sons Charles, 6, and Richard, 1.

  • Irvin Bynum

In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: laborer Earvin Bynum, 24; wife Lettice, 23; and children Joeseph, 7, Canny, 5, Cherry, 4, and Robert, 3.

  • Bunny Bynum and Cherry Bynum

Bunny Bynum married Ned Hussey 16 October 1878 in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Ned Hussey, 23, laborer; wife Bunny, 17; children Marguert, 3, and Ned, 6 months; and [mother-in-law] Chery Bynum, 58, midwife.

——

Vinie was born in 1837. Her children. Rosa was born August 1854. Lewis dead was born April 1856. Zilphia dead was born July 1857. Wilson was born June 1860. Beauregard dead was born 1862. Calvin was born 3rd wk. in Dec. 1863.

I have not been able to identify definitively Vinie or her children.

Slaves — Bynum or Farmer Families, Edgecombe, Wilson Counties, 1825-1865, P.C. 1981.3; Virginia Pou Doughton Family Papers, Private Collections, State Archives of North Carolina. Thanks to Jennifer Johnson for bringing this collection to my attention. Librarians rock!    

A guide to the wills and estate records of Wilson County enslavers.

Wills and estate records contain some of the most useful material for researchers of enslaved people. Here, a running list of enslavers’ wills and estate records featured in Black Wide-Awake.

Wills

Detail from 1860 federal slave schedule of Wilson County, North Carolina.

Estate records

The estate of Edith Joyner Barnes.

Edith Joyner Barnes, widow of Jesse Barnes, was mother of several of Wilson County’s wealthiest men, including county founder, farmer, slave trader and military man Joshua Barnes.

Edith Barnes’ 1848 will included these provisions:

  • a negro boy named Tony to grandson Jesse Barnes, son of Dempsey D. Barnes

  • “old Negro man Isaac” had “the priviledge of choosing for his master either of [her] three sons Elias Barnes William Barnes or Joshua Barnes his wife Violet to go with him” with money from her estate to support them for their lifetimes

  • “two negroes named Judy and Toppy,” valued at $600, to son Joshua Barnes

Edith Barnes died in 1849, and her estate entered probate. At November Term 1849, her sons petitioned the county court for the partition of the enslaved people not named in Edith’s will — Harry Sr., Harry Jr., Elisa, Hannah, Violet, Short, Celicia [Cecilia?], Cherry, Cass, Anarchy, Squire, Bob, Ginny, Mark, and Eny.

The estate file does not contain the order responding to the petition, or a distribution per its terms.

——

N.B.: Isaac Barnes and Vilet Barnes registered their nine-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace in 1866. In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Isaac Barnes, 35; wife Violet, 25; children Warren, 9, and Joseph, 4; Della Amerson, 21, and child Margaret, 1; and Larrence Barnes, 21. This young couple were children when Edith Barnes made her will in 1848 and could not have been the “old man Isaac” and wife Violet referred to.

Edith Barnes Will, North Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com; Edith Barnes Estate File (1849), Edgecombe County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, http://www.familysearch.org.

Daniel, freedom seeker.

Daniel, a tall, handsome, dark-skinned man, left William Barnes’ plantation near Oak Grove [Saratoga] on the night of 20 September 1834. Eleven months later, Barnes began running ads in the Tarboro Press, offering a $50 reward for Daniel’s capture. Despite specific details about Daniel’s physique, his mother and siblings (from whom he had been separated when sold by Asahel Farmer), and even his father (a blacksmith who worked nearly independently in Nash County), Daniel was still on the lam in May 1936 when this ad ran, and as late as April 1837, when the Press re-printed it.

Tarboro’ Press, 7 May 1836.

Four years later, Abner Tison, another Saratoga-area planter, offered a reward for a Daniel whose physical description closely matched the Daniel above. He’d been missing a year. Though the ages are off, this Daniel had some notable scars, and was said to have been raised in Pitt County, this is surely the same knock-kneed man, bound and determined to take his freedom.

Tarboro’ Press, 24 July 1841.