Calvin J. Parker lived in far southeastern Nash County — the area that would become Oldfields township, Wilson County, a few years before he died. He was a prosperous farmer who worked his land with enslaved laborers. He died in late 1860, and a December 1860 account of the sale of his personal property included this list of the hire terms of the 13 people he had enslaved. Milly and her three children, Alexander, Elias, and Lize went to widow Evelina Parker for the next year for $82 (offset by the $75 she received for care of Milly and her children). Harris Winstead hired Isaac — obviously a strong capable man — for $170. Amos, Elbert and Lucinda, all working adults, went to W. Parker for $447 for the year. Jason went to J.J. Sharp for $114, and Luinda to R.D. Wells for $60.
On 31 December 1861, appointed commissioners divided Parker’s enslaved into six roughly even lots to be distributed among his children. William T. Parker drew the first lot, consisting of man Amos ($1200) and girl Harriet ($350). W. David Parker drew the second lot, consisting of woman Milly ($600), Loney [Milly’s child?] ($200), and boy Jason ($900). Henrietta Parker drew the third lot — man Ellick ($825) and girl Louenda ($805). John S. Parker drew man Elbert ($1000) and girl Lizzy ($550) in the fourth lot. Evelina Parker drew lot five — man Isaac ($750), boy Hines ($400), and girl Adeline ($600), who appear to have been Milly’s older children. W.W. Flowers drew lot six on behalf of his wife Pennetta Parker Flowers — girl Sinda ($900) and boy Elias ($700).
William T., W. David, Henrietta, and John S. Parker were minors, and the enslaved people they remained in “common stock” until their new owners reached adulthood.
What became of the men, women, and children Parker enslaved?
- Milly
Milly was born about 1830 and was the mother of Elbert, Harriet, Adeline, Hines, and Loney, as well as Lena and Della.
In 1866, Milla Parker and Jacob Thomas registered their 23-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
On 15 July 1869, Elbert Parker, son of Jacob Thomas and Milly Parker, married Pennina Strickland, daughter of Abram Strickland and Milly Strickland, in Wilson County.
In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Milly Parker, 40; Harriet, 12, Mahala, 19, Henry, 5, Jemmima, 4, and Hines R., 14.
Harriet Parker, 15, married Henry Waters, 23, on 30 July 1875, at Milly Parker’s home in Wilson County. Alf. Parker and Lucy Parker were witnesses.
- Loney
- Alexander “Ellec”
Alex was born about 1836.
In 1866, Alex Parker and Mary Hardy registered their three-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Ellec Parker, 34; wife Mary, 30; Della, 7 [who may have been the same child as the Della listed in Adeline Parker Battle’s household in 1870, see below] ; and Turner Rountree, 11.
- Elias
- Lizzy
- Isaac
Isaac was born about 1825.
In 1866, Isaac Parker and Fannie Sharp registered their ten-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Isaac Parker, 45; wife Fanny, 41; Martha Parker, 18; and Julius Parker, 1.
Isaac Parker apparently died between 1870 and 1880. In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer Fannie Parker, 51; daughter Martha, 28, farm laborer; grandchildren Julius S., 10, and Joseph W., 4; and nephew Ned Winstead, 22.
- Hines R., son of Milly
Hines was born about 1856.
In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Milly Parker, 40; Harriet, 12, Mahala, 19, Henry, 5, Jemmima, 4, and Hines R., 14. [If these were Milly’s children, where were Harriet and Mahala in 1861? Per her marriage license (see above), Harriet was born circa 1860.]
In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Barnes Street, Henry Waters, 22, works on farm; wife Harriet, 20; children Rosa, 5, John, 3, and Alonzo Waters, 1; sisters Della, 17, and Lena Parker, 19; brother Hines Parker, 21; and nephew Henry Parker, 15. [Where was Lena in 1870? Della was with her sister Adeline Parker Battle, see below.]
On 5 August 1885, Hines Parker, 24, married Prescilla Rountree, 28, at the home of Free Will Baptist minister Solomon Arrington in Wilson County.
In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Hines Parker, 45; wife Pricy, 40; and Wiley, 22.
In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Wiggins Mill Road, Hines Parker, 42, farm laborer, and wife Prissy, 43, farm laborer.
Hines Parker died 6 April 1924 in Black Creek township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 60 years old; was born in Wilson County; and was married. He was buried in “Taylor graveyard.”
- Adeline, daughter of Milly
Adeline was born about 1852.
On 29 April 1869, Ned Battle, son of Frank Sharp, married Ada Parker, daughter of Milly Parker and Jacob Thomas, at Harris Winstead’s in Wilson County.
In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Ned Battle, 19; wife Adeline, 17; and daughter Hannah, 1 month; Della Parker, 8; and farm laborer Haywood Battle, 23.
In the 1880 census of Griffin township, Nash County: farmer Ned Battle, 30; wife Adaline, 28; and children Ella, 10, Louisa, 8, Edward, 8, Elias, 4, and Mattie, 1.
In the 1900 census of Nashville township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer Ned Battle, 55; wife Adeline, 43; and children Nannie, 16, Frank, 14, Lonnie, 10, and Minnie, 7; William A. Battle, 30; wife Patty, 24; and son Lucian, 1; and boarder Jennie Myrick, 17.
In the 1910 census of Griffins township, Nash County: farm laborer Ned Battle, 70; wife Adline, 30; and granddaughters Lena, 9, and Marietta, 8.
Minnie Lodge died 18 April 1914 in East Dover, Dover, Kent County, Delaware. Per her death certificate, she was 20 years old; was born in North Carolina to Ned Battle and Adline Parker; lived at 37 Kirkwood; and she was buried at the almshouse. Henry Parker was informant.
Pearly Battle Simmons died 13 August 1948 in Rocky Mount, Nash County. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 July 1889 in Nash County to Ned Battle and Adline Parker, both of Wilson County; was married to Charlie Simmons; lived in Rocky Mount; and was buried in Unity Cemetery.
- Amos
- Elbert, son of Milly
Elbert was born about 1853.
On 15 July 1869, Elbert Parker, son of Jacob Thomas and Milly Parker, married Pennina Strickland, daughter of Abram Strickland and Milly Strickland, in Wilson County.
In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farmer Elbert Parker, 27; wife Penninah, 25; and daughter Telitha, 5.
In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Spring Street, drayman Elbert Parker, 35; wife Penny, 28; children William H., 6, Sidney, 4, and Leland, 2; daughter Lilie Taylor, 14, house servant; and boarder Hepsey Ann Hicks, 22, house servant.
- Lucinda
- Jason
- Louenda
Estate File of Calvin J. Parker (1860), Wilson County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, http://www.familysearch.org