Elder London Woodard‘s estate file contains this glimpse of the creature comforts he enjoyed, however briefly. On 4 October 1870, just over a month before he died, Woodard bought an eight-dollar mattress from R.R. Cotten & Company. He paid five dollars cash on November 5, and his executor paid off the bill the following January.
Wilson, North Carolina, Probate Estate Files 1854-1959, http://www.familysearch.org.
On 20 January 1870, a Wilson County Superior Court judge ordered 14 year-old Jesse Ellis bound as an apprentice to Guilford Ellis until he reached 21 years of age.
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In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Guilford Ellis, 40; wife Pleasance, 29; and Ned, 16, Cherry, 14, Jesse, 12, Arabella, 11, and Sarah, 4.
In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: common laborer Guilford Ellis, 55; wife Penny, 55; and children Sarah E., 16, Mary E., 10, and Layfaytte, 8.
United States Indenture and Manumission Records, 1780-1939, database at https://familysearch.org.
Courtesy of Dr. Michael Barnes.
In 1883, the Clerk of Wilson County Superior Court served notice on Dr. David G.W. Ward to make settlements in the estates of three African-American men for whom he served as administrator. The estates were tiny and should have been handled quickly and simply, but Ward apparently had failed to tie up the matters. In response, Ward asserted that none of the estates had assets sufficient to pay his claims as administrator and asked to be released from his duties.
Under state law, estate administrators were entitled to a small percentage of the value of the estate as compensation. Not uncommonly, of their volition or under pressure, poor or unlettered people signed over administration rights to people who better understood the probate process. However, Aaron Ward, Warren Ward, and Aaron Ruffin were landless farmers whose estates ordinarily would not have gone through probate at all. Their families would have simply divided up their personal property, paid off sharecropping or rent obligations, and gone on with life.
How did Dr. Ward come to be involved in these matters? Did he have a prior relationship with the families? Ward owned more than a thousand acres straddling the Wilson and Greene County lines and enslaved dozens before the Civil War. Warren Ward is listed near him in the 1870 and 1880 censuses. Aaron Ward named a son Wyatt, as had D.G.W. Ward, who named his son after his close associate Wyatt Moye, former sheriff, county founder, and slave trader. Had Dr. Ward enslaved these men? Did he leverage his prior command over their lives to urge their families into legal proceedings that allowed him to pick over their meager assets?
In February 1875, Cherry Ward signed over rights of administration to her husband Aaron Ward’s estate, and D.G.W. Ward was appointed administrator after posting bond with his business partner Francis Marion Moye. Ward reported to a Probate Court judge that Aaron Ward had died without a will; that his estate was worth about $500; and his heirs were his widow and children Green, Hannah, Wyatt, Nathan, Jesse, Merriman [Marion], and Adril [Aaron]. The document above is found in Aaron Ward’s estate file — eight years after his death. There is no document showing distribution of his assets to his heirs.
In March 1878, after widow Rachael Ruffin signed over rights of administration, D.G.W. Ward reported to a Probate Court judge that Aaron Ruffin had died without a will; that his estate was worth about $300; and his heirs were Dallas Ruffin, Clara Lane, Mary Artis, Jane Thompson, and, crossed through, Warren Ward. (He did not list widow Rachael Ruffin.) Shortly after, Ward requested and was granted permission to sell Ruffin’s personal property for cash. Ruffin’s estate file contains no record of a final settlement for his heirs.
On 1 February 1881, Sarah Ward relinquished her right to administer her late husband Warren Ward‘s estate and “recommend[ed] D.G.W. Ward as a suitable person to take the same.” Dr. Ward was duly appointed and posted notices to Warren’s debtors and creditors at two general stores in Stantonsburg, Ward & Moye [his business with F.M. Moye] and D. Hill & Company.
Court-appointed commissioners assessed Warren Ward’s property and allotted his widow 200 pounds of bacon and ten barrels of corn. He had no land. Ward’s estate file contains no record of a final settlement with his heirs.
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In 1866, Aron Ward and Cherry Moye registered their ten-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
In the 1870 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farm laborer Aaron Ward, 46; wife Cherry, 30; and children Green, 12, Wyatt, 11, Hannah, 8, Nathaniel, 4, Jesse, 3, and Marion, 2.
In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Cherry Ward, 40; sons Green, 21, Warot, 18, Nathan, 13, Jessie, 12, Marion, 9, and Aaron, 6; and grandson Edward White, 2.
On 17 February 1880, Hannah Ward, 18, and Warren Barnes, 20, applied for a marriage license, but did not complete or return the document.
On 14 January 1881, Green Ward, 24, son of Warren [sic] and Cherry Ward, married Hattie Kornegay, 23, daughter of Robert and Kezy Kornegay, in Swift Creek township, Pitt County, N.C.
On 5 October 1882, Wyatt Ward, 22, son of Aaron and Cherry Ward, married Kisire Kornega, 21, daughter of Robert and Kisire Kornega, in Saratoga township, Wilson County.
On 29 December 1889, Wyatt Ward, 28, of Saratoga township, son of Aaron and Cherry Ward, married Emma Aycock, 19, of Saratoga township, daughter of Sam and Jane Aycock, in Saratoga township, Wilson County.
In the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Wyatt Ward, 37; wife Emma, 37; and children Jesse, 17, Georgianna, 13, John, 9, William, 7, and Hattie, 5.
In the 1900 census of Williams township, Lonoke County, Arkansas: farmer Green Ward, 49; wife Hattie, 50; daughters Marion, 15, Ada, 13, Hattie, 11, Cora, 9, Blanchie, 8, Sallie, 5, Birtha, 3, and Minie, 3 months; and mother Cherry, 75, nursing.
In the 1910 census of Williams township, Lonoke County, Arkansas: farmer Green Ward, 51; wife Hattie, 51; and daughters Cora, 17, Sallie, 13, Bertha, 12, and Minnie, 8.
Wyatt Ward died 6 September 1922 in Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 55 years old; was born in Wilson County to Aaron Ward; was married to Ann Ward; and was a farmer. Jesse Ward was informant.
In the 1870 census of Speights Bridge township, Greene County: Warren Ward, 38, farm laborer; wife Sarah, 45; son Larance, 10; and Thomas Holoway, 21.
In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Warren Ward, 53, farmer; wife Sarah, 52, washing; and Manda, 8, Henry, 7, and Lawrence, 19.
I have not found Aaron Ruffin’s family.
Estate Files of Aaron Ward (1875), Aaron Ruffin (1878), and Warren Ward (1881), North Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998, [database on-line] http://www.ancestry.com.
When I was home before Christmas, I met up with Dr. Michael Barnes to receive a generous gift — scans of documents he has mined from his parents’ papers. These included the booklet for First Baptist Church’s 85th anniversary celebration. I’ll be sharing photographs from this document in a rich series. Look for posts on Tuesdays!
On 26 September 1876, Sampson Bailey of Monticello, Arkansas, filed acknowledgement of receipt of the payout made to his wife, Charity “Cherry” Bailey, from the estate of Arnold Peele of Wilson County. The Baileys were among the earliest Wilson County Exodusters to Arkansas.
In the 1870 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farm laborer George Thomson, 51; wife Rilda, 43; and son Rufus, 8; Cherry Bailey, 42, Bitha Bailey, 25, and Mittie Baily, 16.
On 19 June 1870, Jacob Thomson, son of George Thomson and Silvey Ritchardson, married Betha Bailey, daughter of Sampson and Cherry Bailey, at George Thomson’s in Wilson County.
In the 1880 census of Prairie township, Drew County, Arkansas: Sampson Bailey, 50; wife Cherry, 53; and son Eli, 14.
Chaney Mayes died 10 May 1930 in Demun township, Randolph County, Arkansas. Per her death certificate, she was of unknown age; was born in an unknown location to Sampson Bailey and Cherry [maiden name unknown]; and was the widow of Anderson Mayes. Delia Peterson was informant.
We read here of half-brothers Jack Williamson and Willis Barnes, who were sons of Toney Eatmon. We now have evidence of another brother of Williamson, Arnold Peele.
Both Arnold Peele and his wife Hannah Eatmon Peele died in 1873.
On 10 July 1873, Jack Williamson renounced his intention to serve as administrator of Arnold Peele’s estate and requested that public administrator Larry D. Farmer serve instead.
The same day, Farmer applied for and was granted letters of administration. By his estimate, Peele’s estate was worth about $200 and his heirs were Jack Williamson, Charity Bynum, (who likely was his sister), and Joseph Farmer, executor of the estate of Hannah Peele. (Arnold Peele had no known living children, and the omission of Willis Barnes as an heir suggests that Peel and Williamson were maternal siblings.)
Receipt from L.D. Farmer to Isabell Eatman for “attending to stock &c of Arnold Peel,” dated 30 July 1873.
On 30 July 1873, L.D. Farmer offered Arnold Peele’s personal property for sale at auction. Isabella Eatmon, who may have been his stepdaughter, bid most often, winning numerous small household items. Among the neighbors who forked over small sums for various goods were John Kates [Cates], Sam Locust, Jack Williamson, Jacob Jones, and Orren Taborn. The entire sale netted only $215.55.
Hannah Peele died with a will, but I have not found a copy. Isabelle Eatmon, who presumably was her daughter, was her sole legatee and was paid out on 22 December 1873. (Hannah Eatmon Peele also had a son, Benjamin Eatmon, who seems to have predeceased her.)
On 26 September 1876, Sampson Bailey of Monticello, Arkansas, filed acknowledgement of receipt of the payout made to his wife, Charity “Cherry” Bailey.
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On 23 August 1866, Arnold Peel married Hannah Eatmond in Wilson County.
On 11 December 1868, Benjamin Eatman, son of Benjamin Winbun and Hanna Eatman, married Dina Locus, daughter of Gains and Zina Locus, in Wilson County.
In the 1870 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: Arnand Peel, 39, farm laborer; wife Hannah, 40; and Hannah Jr., 14.
We’ve met Frank M. Hines, the young Edgecombe County register of deeds who attended Lincoln University with Samuel H. Vick and other young lions of Wilson. Hines’ hometown is listed in Lincoln’s 1882-83 catalog as Toisnot, i.e. Elm City. Similarly, Shaw University’s combined 1878-82 catalog includes A.A. Hines of Toisnot as a student in its Classical Department.
A.A. Hines, in fact, was Frank M. Hines’ elder brother (and both were sisters to Susan Hines Pyatt.) As they claimed a Wilson County residence, we claim them.
In the 1870 census of Cokey township, Edgecombe County: domestic servant Hannah Hines, 42, and children Harriet, 21, Susan, 17, Sarah, 11, Jerry, 13, Frank, 7, and Allen, 20, farmer.
On 26 May 1872, Allen Hines married Amanda Baker in Edgecombe County.
However, Amanda Baker Hines remarried in 1878 in Edgecombe County. Curiously, her and her husband’s household two years later included her former husband. In the 1880 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: Elbert Mordecai, 28; wife Amanda, 25; children Lewis, 7, Katherine, 5, and George, 1; and Allen Hines, 24 laborer. [Louis and Catherine were Allen Hines’ children.]
In 1883, a newspaper brief lists Allen Hines as a Edgecombe County grand juror. In the 19 August 1886 edition of the Greensboro North State, reporting on Edgecombe County’s Republican convention. A.A. Hines is named as a member of the committee on credentials (with W. Lee Person), and Frank M. Hines was nominated as county register of deeds. Jarrett Staton was appointed delegate to the judicial convention.
Allen Hines’ brother Frank died in 1889. His estate consisted of a small lot in Rocky Mount, and his heirs were Sallie Norris (wife of Ed Norris), Susan Pyatt (wife of Booker Pyatt), Harriet Barnes (wife of Demus Barnes), John Hines, and Louis and Catherine Hines, the children of Allen Hines, deceased. Allen Hines’ slender estate file contains a single sheet — his brother John’s 1892 application for guardianship for his niece and nephew, whose estate was valued at $175. (Their mother, stepfather, and half-siblings migrated to East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, in the late 1890s.)
Vincennes Sun-Commercial, 15 February 1929.
John H. Forbes‘ attendance at Raleigh, North Carolina’s Shaw University signals that he was African-American, and he is found in the institution’s 1874-75 catalogue as a student in the College Department.
However, Forbes is described as white in every record in which I found him in Vincennes, Indiana. Was he the unheard-of white student at Shaw in the 1870s? Or did he spend the rest of his life in Ohio passing?
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Stella May Forbes was born 24 August 1883 in Knox County, Indiana, to John W. Forbes and Anna T. Marsh.
In the 1900 census of Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana: farmer John Forbes, 52; wife Anna, 38; and children Stella, 16, Harry, 15, Anna, 13, Charles, 7, and John, 2.
In the 1910 census of Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana: farmer John H. Forbes, 58; wife Anna, 48; and children Harry B., 24, Anna, 23, Charles, 16, and Johnie, 11.
In the 1920 census of Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana: farmer John Forbes, 58; wife Anna, 58; and children Charley, 26, and Anna, 32.
The Daily Journal (Wilmington, N.C.), 16 September 1876.
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Wait. What?
Who was Mary Carrow? Who was Charles Smith? And what (and where) was the Black Creek Male and Female Institute “for colored boys and girls”???
I have found only two Mary Carrows in Wilson County during the time period — a mother and daughter, both white, listed in the 1880 census of the Town of Wilson. The daughter, Mary Estelle Carrow, wasn’t born until in 1879. Her mother Mary Dew Carrow, born about 1853, was married to John B. Carrow, a grocer and barkeep.
However, in the 1880 census of Goldsboro, Wayne County, there is a Mary Carrow, 52, white, “teaching.” This Mary Carrow operated a private primary school in Goldsboro in the late 1870s and was a much-loved teacher at Goldsboro’s graded school from 1881 until her death in 1899.
Goldsboro Argus, 28 August 1879.
This Mary Carrow was not a “young colored lady,” and I have not yet found anyone who could be the one hired to teach in Black Creek.
Charles Smith, formerly principal of Wilson Academy, was born about 1855, and married Virginia Barnes (or Winstead), sister of Braswell R. Winstead. Smith gave his occupation as minister in the 1880 when his brother-in-law, who lived in his household, was a teacher.
Wilson Advance, 10 September 1880.
In the 1870 census of Town of Wilson, Wilson County: farm laborer William Smith, 27; wife Temperance, 31; son Charles, 20, farm laborer; and Nancy Brown, 51.
On 28 August 1874, Charles Smith, 22, married Jennie Barnes, 17, in Wilson County.
In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Pettigrew Street, minister Charles Smith, 26; wife Virginia, 22; and children Arminta, 7, John T., 3, and Charles H., 1; and brother-in-law Braswell Winstead, 20, teaching school.
Charles H. Smith went on to become a prominent A.M.E. Zion minister. B.R. Winstead remained in Wilson all his life as a close associate of Samuel H. Vick.
Most mysterious is Black Creek Male and Female Institute, about which I have found nothing at all.