In 1856, a grand jury indicted Eli Locust, a free man of color, for violating laws forbidding free men of color carry guns without license.

The Clerk of Court issued a warrant for Locust’s arrest.

Probably, in the 1850 census of Nash County, North Carolina: Eli Locust, 68, farmer; wife Beedy, 58; and children Nancy, 32, and John, 28; plus Ned Pace, 35, cabinet maker.

Carrying Gun 1856, Criminal Action Papers, Records of Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.