Bass

The sale of John, Martha, and Charity.

At April Term 1863, Jacob, John, Nancy, Betsey, Delaney, and Patience Bass petitioned Wilson County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions to divide four enslaved people they inherited from Jacob S. Barnes in common — Nancy, Piety, Martha, and John.

On 29 May 1863, Jacob or John Bass wrote Ephraim Bass from a Confederate camp near Greenville, North Carolina. He asked for news of family, but seemed focused on pressing business: “I want you to rite me when them negroes is to be sold and I will Try to get a pass to come home at that time.”

Chafing at his brother’s inaction, on 1 July 1863 J. Bass wrote an unnamed brother-in-law. After sharing news of camp conditions and asking about family, he circled back to his earlier query: “I wante you to rite to mee Whate Ephreigm has don with them negros, Whether hee has soold them or not if hee hante rite to mee when hee is I goin to  sell them mabey I can gite the chanse to come to the sale.”

On 25 July 1863, Ephraim Bass reported that he sold John and Martha and her daughter Charity at public auction, where the high bidders were John Bass for John at $1005 and S.M. Thomas for Martha and Charity for $2000. There is no indication of what happened to Nancy or Piety.

Estate of Jacob Barnes (1862), Wilson [County, North Carolina] Probate Estate Case Files 1854-1959, http://www.familysearch.org.

The estate of James B. Bass (1857).

At October Term 1857, Wilson County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions appointed a team of neighbors to value and divide four enslaved people belonging to the estate of James B. Bass.

Abram ($900) and Rebecca ($400) were apportioned to George W. Bass, and Bob ($800) and Rhoda ($500) to Jesse Bass.

In a complicated exchange that I can’t quite figure out, James B. Bass came into possession of Abram/Abraham, Rhoda, and Bob from the estate of James A. Barnes. Per item 11th of Barnes’ will: “I give and bequeath the following negro slaves (to wit) Rindy, Abraham, Rody, Alexander & Bob to the three children of Theophilus Bass dec’d. George Washington Bass, Thomas Warren Bass & Jessee Jackson Bass, with this express condition that the above bound five negroes shall be bound to pay notes out of hand for fifty or sixty dollars I gave to Jacob G. Barnes Administrator of James Bass dec. to them, their heirs and assigns forever.”

In the 1860 slave schedule of Black Creek township, Wilson County, Jesse Bass is listed with seven enslaved people — women aged 35 and 20 years; men aged 24, 21, and 19; and boys aged 2 and 1.

I have not been able to trace forward the people James B. Bass enslaved.

Estate File of James B. Bass (1857), Wilson County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, http://www.familysearch.org

The estate of Theophilus Bass (1857).

At October Term 1857, Wilson County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions ordered the division of a group of eight enslaved people belonging to the estate of Theophilus Bass — Charles, Mary, Easter, Warren, Eliza, Martin, Sarah, and Howell.

As we saw here, Bass had inherited Charles, Mary and Easter (Esther) from his uncle James A. Barnes after the death of Barnes’ widow Sarah Daniel Barnes. Warren, Eliza, Martin, and possibly Sarah were Easter’s children. Their father Howell was also owned by James A. Barnes, but passed to McKinley Darden, and the Howell listed above may have been Howell and Easter’s child.

A ninth enslaved person, Mason, was ordered sold at public auction in Wilson County.

Sarah, valued at $250, was allotted to Winnefred Bass.

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We traced Charles, Mary, and Easter forward here.

  • Warren

In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Howard Darden, 47, farm laborer; wife Esther, 38; and children Warren, 20, Eliza, 18, Martin, 17, Toby, 12, and Crawford, 1.

Warren Darden, 24, married Louisa Dew, 18, on 1 May 1873 in Wilson, before witnesses Amos Dew and Raiford Dew.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Warren Darden, 30, wife Louisa, 25, children Warren, 3, and an unnamed infant, and farmhand Wilie Lee, 14.

In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Warren Darden, 50; wife Lou, 45; and children Warren Jr., 23, Mary L., 18, Lizzie, 12, Sallie, 6, and Minnie, 2.

Minnie Darden died 7 May 1925 in Black Creek township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 27 August 1898 in Wilson County to Warren Darden and Louisa Darden. Grant Farmer was informant.

Sallie Farmer Eddie died 9 December 1945 in Black Creek township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 2 March 1891 in Wilson County to Warren Darden and Louisa Dew; was married to John Eddie; and was buried in Newsom Cemetery near Lucama, N.C. George W. Dew was informant.

  • Eliza

On 29 December 1892, Henry Dortch, 52, of Wilson, son of Isaac Thorne and Bedie Artis, married Eliza Darden, 42, at Crawford Darden‘s in Wilson County. Free Will Baptist minister Daniel Blount performed, and Frank Woodard, Warren Darden, and Isom Sutton witnessed the ceremony.

  • Martin

On 22 December 1871, Martin Darden, son of Howell Darden and Esther Jordan, married Jane Dew, daughter of Haywood and Jane Dew, at H. Dew’s in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Martin Darden, 27; wife 25; and daughters Esther, 5, Ellen, 5, and Nellie, 3.

On 25 December 1888, Lawrence Mitchell, 21, of Crossroads township, Wilson County, son of Primus Mitchell, married Ester Darden, 18, of Crossroads township, daughter of Martin and Jane Darden, at Primus Mitchell’s.

In the 1900 census of Great Swamp township, Wayne County: farmer Martin Darden, 48; Jane, 50; and children Tinsey, 17, Howard, 14, Jineva, 11, and Silvey, 9.

In the 1910 census of Glissons township, Duplin County, N.C.: farmer Martin Darden, 58; wife Jane, 59; and daughter Silva, 18.

On 27 January 1915, Clint Smith, 28, of Duplin County, son of Dudly and Priscilla Smith, married Silva Darden, 23, of Duplin County, daughter of Martin and Jane Darden, at Martin Darden’s in Glissons township.

Easter Mitchell died 16 November 1918 in Crossroads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, she was 40 years old; was born in Wilson County to Martin Darden and an unknown mother; and was buried in Ricks graveyard.

In the 1920 census of Glissons township, Duplin County, N.C.: farm laborer Martin Darden, 68, and Jane, 69.

Martin Darden died 22 December 1926 in Kenansville township, Duplin County. Per his death certificate, he was 74 years old; was married to Jane Darden; was born in Wilson County to Howard and Easter Darden; and worked as a farmer and blacksmith. Howard Darden of Fremont was informant.

Janie Darden died 21 February 1936 in Kenansville, Duplin County. Per her death certificate, she was 72 years old; was born in Wilson County; was the widow of Martin Darden; and did farm and housework. Clint Smith was informant.

  • Sarah
  • Howell
  • Mason

On 12 May 1866, Mason Bass and Kate Edmundson registered their four-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Mason Bass, 32; wife Katy, 33; children Spicy, 7, Bettie, 6, Riley, 1, and Nathaniel, 2 months; Mary, 53, Eliza, 28, and Sarah Bass, 16; and Ruffin Barnes, 18.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Mason Bass, 43; wife Kate, 45; and children Isicy, 17, Bettie, 16, Amanuel, 2, and Mattie, 10 months.

In the 1900 census of Coahoma County, Mississippi: North Carolina-born Mason Bass, 63; wife Katie, 65; children Emanuel, 22, and Amelia, 18; and granddaughter Conelus, 1. Next door: Olie Henry, 45; wife Spicie, 37; and their children Amie, 14, William, 5, and Nathan, 3.

Estate File of Theophilus Bass (1857), Edgecombe County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, http://www.familysearch.org

James A. Barnes’ enslaved community.

We saw here the last will and testament of James A. Barnes, who died childless and dispersed 20 enslaved people among an array of relatives. What do we know of the 20? Not much.

  • Tom (to wife Sarah Barnes for her lifetime, then to choose his owner)
  • Mary (to wife Sarah Barnes, then to nephew Theophilus Bass)
  • Esther (to wife Sarah Barnes, then to nephew Theophilus Bass)

On 11 August 1866, Howell Darden and Easter Bass registered their cohabitation with a county justice of the peace and thereby legalized their 18-year marriage.

In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Howard Darden, 47, farm laborer; wife Esther, 38; and children Warren, 20, Eliza, 18, Martin, 17, Toby, 12, and Crawford, 1.

On 22 December 1871, Martin Darden, son of Howell Darden and Esther Jordan, married Jane Dew, daughter of Haywood and Jane Dew, at H. Dew’s in Wilson County.

On 29 December 1892, Henry Dortch, 52, of Wilson, son of Isaac Thorne and Bedie Artis, married Eliza Darden, 42, at Crawford Darden‘s in Wilson County. Free Will Baptist minister Daniel Blount performed, and Frank Woodard, Warren Darden, and Isom Sutton witnessed the ceremony.

Martin Darden died 22 December 1926 in Kenansville township, Duplin County. Per his death certificate, he was 74 years old; was married to Jane Darden; was born in Wilson County to Howard and Easter Darden; and worked as a farmer and blacksmith. Howard Darden of Fremont was informant.

  • Charles (to wife Sarah Barnes, then to nephew Theophilus Bass)

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Charles Bass, 41.

On 16 January 1880, Charles Bass, 51, married Rhoda A. Jordan, 23, at C. Bass’ [probably Charles Bass] residence. Justice of the Peace David G.W. Ward performed the ceremony.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Charles Bass, 51; wife Rhoda, 23; and an unnamed four month-old infant daughter. [This child was Cornelia Bass Reddick.]

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Charles Bass, 71, widower, and son James, 10.

  • Amos (to wife Sarah Barnes)
  • Bob (to wife Sarah Barnes)
  • Silvia (to wife Sarah Barnes)
  • Ransom (to wife Sarah Barnes)
  • Rose (to wife Sarah Barnes)
  • Dinah (to Martha Tomberlin)
  • Jack (to McKinley Darden’s daughter Tresy Darden)

Perhaps, on 19 January 1869, Jack Darden married Vina Artist in Wayne County, N.C.

  • Howell (to McKinley Darden)

On 11 August 1866, Howell Darden and Easter Bass registered their cohabitation with a county justice of the peace and thereby legalized their 18-year marriage.

In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Howard Darden, 47, farm laborer; wife Esther, 38; and children Warren, 20, Eliza, 18, Martin, 17, Toby, 12, and Crawford, 1.

On 22 December 1871, Martin Darden, son of Howell Darden and Esther Jordan, married Jane Dew, daughter of Haywood and Jane Dew, at H. Dew’s in Wilson County.

Martin Darden died 22 December 1926 in Kenansville township, Duplin County. Per his death certificate, he was 74 years old; was married to Jane Darden; was born in Wilson County to Howard and Easter Darden; and worked as a farmer and blacksmith. Howard Darden of Fremont was informant.

  • Irvin (to sister Beedy Woodard in Georgia)

Obedience Barnes Woodard appears in the 1850 census of Dooly County, Georgia, as Obedience Woodard, a 65 year-old head of household in the 1850 census of Dooly County, Georgia. I have found no trace of Irvin.

  • Jordan (to Eliza Bass, widow of James Bass)

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Jordan Bass, 68; Rodah, 39; George, 24; Amos, 23; Etheldred, 17; and Frederick, 12.

  • Rindy (jointly to George Washington Bass, Thomas Warren Bass, and Jesse Jackson Bass, the sons of Theophilus Bass, deceased)
  • Abraham (jointly to George Washington Bass, Thomas Warren Bass, and Jesse Jackson Bass, the sons of Theophilus Bass, deceased; to James B. Bass, then to George W. Bass)
  • Rhody (jointly to George Washington Bass, Thomas Warren Bass, and Jesse Jackson Bass, the sons of Theophilus Bass, deceased; to James B. Bass, then to Jesse Bass)
  • Alexander (jointly to George Washington Bass, Thomas Warren Bass, and Jesse Jackson Bass, the sons of Theophilus Bass, deceased)
  • Bob (jointly to George Washington Bass, Thomas Warren Bass, and Jesse Jackson Bass, the sons of Theophilus Bass, deceased; to James B. Bass, then to Jesse Bass)
  • Gatsey (sold)

Lewis Bass, Co. C, 14th United States Colored Heavy Artillery.

“Birthplace, Wilson, N.C.; age, 66 years; height 5 ft. 11 in; weight 175 pounds; complexion, dark; color of eyes, Black; color of hair, Black; occupation, farmer.”

Relationships forged during slavery complicated the pension claims of Lewis Bass and his widow Frances Hassell Wiggins Bass.

Lewis Bass was born enslaved in Wilson County around 1835. Prior to the Civil War, he married a woman (who is not named in his pension file) and had a daughter named Benzona (whom I have not been able to identify in records). Bass never returned to Wilson County after the war, settling instead in Pamlico County, North Carolina. As Frances Bass told it in her pension application: “Lewis Bass told me that he had a woman in slave days. He did not tell me her name but told me he had a child by her; said his child’s name was Benzona. Lewis Bass said he never saw his slave wife after he left for the army as he never went back to that locality; said as soon as he was discharged he came right down here ….”

About 1866, Lewis Bass married Martin County, N.C., native Frances Hassel Wiggins, who had been married to Isaac Wiggins during slavery. Like Bass, Wiggins enlisted in the United States Colored Troops — Company F, 1st U.S.C.T., in his case — and never returned home. (“We were married so long before the war that we had a son who was large enough to go in the army. His name was Daniel Wiggins and he was a flag bearer in his father’s company so I heard. I have never laid eyes on either my husband or son since they left me to join the army.”) Frances assumed he was dead and went on with her life. She initially applied for Wiggins’ widow’s pension and swore — per lawyers’ advice, she said — that she had never remarried. applied for Bass’ widow’s pension, however, the question had to be settled — was she Bass’ widow or Wiggins’?

File #728893, Application of Lewis Bass for Pension, File #766477, Application of Frances Wiggins for Widow’s Pension, National Archives and Records Administration.

Cornelia Bass Reddick of Richmond, Virginia.

I wrote in October about Richmond’s Friends of East End, the all-volunteer non-profit which, until recently, was working to reclaim historic East End Cemetery and transform it into “a public site of memory, contemplation, and beauty that honors Richmond’s black community and history.”

F.O.E.E. has turned its attention to neglected corners of Woodland Cemetery, another historic Black cemetery in Richmond, and dedicated yesterday’s find — the gravestone of Wilson County native Cornelia Reddick — to Lane Street Project!

Cornelia Reddick Died Aug. 23, 1928 Heliotrope Lodge 12 I.O. King David

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In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Charles Bass, 41.

On 16 January 1880, Charles Bass, 51, married Rhoda A. Jordan, 23, at C. Bass’ [probably Charles Bass] residence. Justice of the Peace David G.W. Ward performed the ceremony.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Charles Bass, 51; wife Rhoda, 23; and an unnamed four month-old infant daughter. [This child was Cornelia Bass Reddick.]

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Charles Bass, 71, widower, and son James, 10. 

Cornelia Bass’ life has proved exceptionally difficult to track. We know, however, that sometime prior to 1928, she married equally elusive tobacco worker Henry Reddick. They appear together in the 1928 Richmond, Virginia, city directory: Reddick Henry (c; Cornelia) lab 506-A E Clay

Cornelia Reddick died 23 August 1928 at her home in Richmond, Virginia. Per her death certificate, she was 51 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Charles and Roda Bass; was married to Henry Reddick; and lived at 506 East Clay, Richmond. 

UPDATED: Reddick’s gravestone indicates affiliation with Heliotrope Lodge Number 12, Imperial Order of King David. Friends of East End corrected my guess at the name of this fraternal organization, founded in Richmond in 1908.

Richmond Planet, 15 November 1930.

Studio shots, no. 169: Genevieve Clifton Bass.

Genevieve Clifton Bass (1892-1990).

——

In the 1900 census of Harris township, Franklin County: farmer Jim Clifton, 45; wife Susan, 31; and children Grant, 20, Matilda, 18, Susan, 16, John L., 14, Genievieve, 8, Tommie, 6, Mary, 4, Martha, 2, and Myrtle, 3 months.

In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on Edmunson Road, farmer James T. Clifton, 52; wife Susan, 40; and children Genevieve, 18, Thomas, 16, Mary, 14, Mattie, 12, Myrtle M., 10, Eula P., 8, Minnie B., 6, Wesley, 3, and Leona, 2, plus lodger Arthur Bunn, 21. James reported that he had been married twice.

On 16 December 1911, Jim Bass, 21, of Saratoga township, married Jennie B. Clifton, 19, of Saratoga township, in Saratoga, Wilson County.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Raleigh Road, farmer Jim Bass, 32; wife Jenny, 27; children Lillie Clifton, 11 (stepdaughter), and Jennie V., Jr., 10, Charlie, 8, James, 6, Williard, 4, and Bonnie Bell Bass, 2.

Eddie B. Bass died 6 April 1926 in Wilson township, Wilson County, when he fell from a tree and broke his neck. Per his death certificate, he was 5 years old and was born in Wilson County to James Bass of Wilson County and Geneva Clifton of Wake County.

In the 1930 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farm laborer James Bass, 39, farm laborer; wife Jennie, 38; and children Jennie V., 20, Charlie, 18, James, 16, Willard, 13, Vonnie B., 12, Adell, 6, Mildred, 4, Hattie M., 2, and Burnice, 11 months.

In the 1940 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farm laborer Jim Bass, 48; wife Jennie, 46; and children James, 26, Virginia Bell, 21; Adell, 16, Mildred, 14, Robena, 12, and Helen, 7.

In 1940, James Bass registered for the World War I draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 24 May 1913 in Wilson; he worked for Doane Herring; and Jennie Bass was his contact.

James Bass Sr. died 29 May 1971 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 6 June 1892 to Charles L. Bass and Rhonda Bass; lived in Elm City, N.C.; was married to Genevieva Clifton; and had been a farmer. He was buried in Rest Haven cemetery.

Genevieve Bass died 5 August 1990.

Photograph courtesy of Ancestry.com user ths1369.

Elisha Bass farm.

Per Kate Ohno, Wilson County’s Architectural Heritage (1981):

“According to local tradition this house was built for Elisha Bass, Jr., on land deeded to Edward Bass in 1745. The Elisha Bass house is set in a grove of trees and is oriented away from the road. It now forms the rear section of a turn-of-the-century farmhouse built circa 1890 by Shelby Bass. The oldest section probably dates between 1830 and 1940. The three-bay gable-roof house has exterior end chimneys with tumbled weatherings. The kitchen, which was originally part of the early section of the house, still stands on the property.”

——

In the 1850 census of the North Side of the Neuse River, Wayne County, North Carolina [in an area which became part of Black Creek township, Wilson County, in 1855]: farmer Elisha Bass, 35; wife Sarah, 30; and son Hardy, 1. Per the 1850 slave schedule of the same district, Elisha Bass enslaved a 40 and a 16 year-old man.

In the 1860 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Elisha Bass, 47; son Nathan, 9; and farm laborer Redmon Lodge, 17. Bass listed $3500 in real property and $4317 in personal property. His personal property, per the 1860 slave schedule of Wilson County, included a 20 year-old woman, a three year-old girl, and four boys and men, aged three months to 30 years.

Elisha Bass was just one of several white Basses who enslaved people in Wilson County. The 1870 census of Black Creek township lists 134 African-Americans with the surname Bass living in households across eastern Wilson County in Black Creek, Stantonsburg, Gardners, Wilson, Joyners and Cross Roads townships.

Arthur Bass house.

Per Kate Ohno, Wilson County’s Architectural Heritage (1981):

“This house is said to have been the property of Arthur Bass. According to the Wayne County census of 1850 Arthur Bass was born in 1816. Little is known of Bass’ life. … The Bass House appears to date from the 1830s and it consists of a two-story dwelling with an attached shed porch and three-bay façade. Under the porch the façade is sheathed in flush boards instead of the unusual weatherboards, the main house is linked with the kitchen by an open breezeway on the eastern elevation and this breezeway shelters an unusual enclosed exterior stair. On the first floor of the main house there are two main rooms, while the second floor appears to have been one large room.”

——

In the 1850 census of the North Side of the Neuse River, Wayne County, North Carolina [in an area which became part of Black Creek township, Wilson County, in 1855]: farmer Arthur Bass, 34; wife Martha, 19; and daughter Zilla, 8 months. Per the 1850 slave schedule of the same district, Arthur Bass enslaved a 25 year-old woman, a three year-old boy and a two year-old girl.

In the 1860 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Arthur Bass, 46; wife Pattie, 28; and children Zillah, 11, Louisa, 8, Perry, 6, and William, 2 months. He listed $4000 in real property and $7000 in personal property. His personal property, per the 1860 slave schedule of Wilson County, included five enslaved girls and women ranging from 8 months to 32 years old and two enslaved boys. aged 12 and five.

Arthur Bass was just one of several white Basses who enslaved people in Wilson County. The 1870 census of Wilson County lists 134 African-Americans with the surname Bass living in households across eastern Wilson County in Black Creek, Stantonsburg, Gardners, Wilson, Joyners and Cross Roads townships.