deed of sale

To have and to hold said land, no. 7.

Abstracts of deeds recording the purchase of real property by African-Americans during the first fifty years of freedom:

  • On 16 March 1855, for $557.37, Robertson H. Baker sold Jacob Jones a 171 1/2-acre parcel on the east side of Shepards Branch near Poplar Spring Branch, adjoining Robert Simpson, Stephen Boykin, Jesse Simpson, and Baker. Deed Book 1, page 30.
  • On 24 July 1867, for $100, William and Charity Taylor sold Ivory [Ivey] Evans a 28-acre parcel adjoining William Taylor, James Taylor, and others. Deed Book 2, page 270.
  • On 7 August 1867, for $125 payable in two notes, David and Elizabeth Griffin sold James Mitchel a parcel adjacent to William E. Winstead and Theophilus Parker. Deed Book 3, page 64.
  • On 16 December 1867, for $35, Pennina Williamson and John Williamson sold Everett Dew a one-and-a-half acre plot near the old mill path, adjoining Louisa Barnes and John Williamson. Deed Book 2, page 340.
  • On 26 February 1870, for $820.70 payable in two notes, Wiley Simms sold Stephen Powell the land on which Powell lived, being the same land Isaac Farmer sold Benjamin Simms in 1834 and containing 186 acres. Deed Book 2-3, page 131.

Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

Moyton Odd Fellows buy a lot.

Six years before buying a lot at the corner of Broad Avenue and South Yelverton Street in Stantonsburg, Moyton Lodge #5101 bought a lot from the county school board on what is now N.C. Highway 58.

——

COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION

TO

TRUSTEES OF MOYTON LODGE NO. 5101 OF THE G.U.O. OF O.F. WILSON

Deed

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, WILSON COUNTY }

THIS DEED made this the 12th day of January, 1903, by John F. Bruton, Chairman, R.T. Barnes and Jesse A. Moore, composing “The County Board of Education of Wilson County” and James W. Hayes, Clerk of said Board, the parties of the first part, to Henry Burney, Lewis Williams, Daniel Harris, Sampson Edwards, Walter L. Atkinson, Ruffin Hatch, and George W. Applewhite, Trustees of Moyton Lodge No. 5101 of the G.U.O. of O.F., the parties of the second part,

WITNESSETH: That the parties of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of Four Hundred Dollars in hand paid, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, has bargained, sold, and conveyed and do by these presents bargain, sell and convey unto the parties of the second part and their successors in office, that certain lot or parcel of land lying and being situate in Stantonsburg Township, Wilson County, North Carolina, and described as follows: —

One-half acre of land, on the west side of the road leading from Moyeton to Wilson, N.C. — the same being a square and marked by a lightwood postal each corner, and being formerly a portion of the David B. Hill tract and the Stancil and David Hill, School Committeemen of White Public School District No. 42 of Stantonsburg Township said deed being recorded in Book 29 on page 564 in the Register of Deeds Office of Wilson County, to which deed reference is hereby made for a more definite description.

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the above described lot of land to them, the parties of the second part, trustees of aforesaid, and their successors in office in fee-simple forever.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said John F. Bruton, Chairman, R.T. Barnes, and Jesse A. Moore, composing “The County Board of Education of Wilson County” and James W. Hayes, Clerk of said Board, have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.

Jno. F. Bruton, Chairman, R.T. Barnes, Jesse A. Moore, James W. Hayes, Clerk

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  • Henry Burney — in the 1910 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Henry Burney, 60; wife Hannah, 40; daughter Lillie Applewhite, 23, farm laborer; and grandsons John, 8, farm laborer, and Marlvin Applewhite, 7.
  • Lewis Williams
  • Daniel Harris — in the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Daniel Harris, 49; wife Arkansas F., 38; and children Laurena, 18, Daniel, 14, Paul, 11, and Joseph, 1.
  • Sampson Edwards — Sampson Edwards died 9 January 1933 in Stantonsburg, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 12 March 1852 in Greene County, N.C., to Porter and Delsie Edwards; was married to Celia Edwards; worked as a tenant farmer; and was buried in Wilson County. John Edwards of Stantonsburg was informant.
  • Walter L. Atkinson
  • Ruffin Hatch — in the 1900 census of Bullhead district, Greene County, N.C., Ruffin Hach, 50; wife Persesea, 43; and children Liddia A., 21, Matha, 18, James, 17, Richard, 11, Delia, 17, Presilia, 7, Febia, 10, George, 6, Benjman, 1, and Ruffin, 1.
  • George W. Applewhite — in the 1910 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: George Applewhite, 45; wife Jane, 45; and children Dora A., 14, George P., 13, Virginia, 10, Nettie, 9, Cherrie C., 6, Sallie and Sarah, 4, and Maeron, 1.

Deed Book 65, page 288, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

To have and to hold said land, no. 6.

Abstracts of deeds recording the purchase of real property by African-Americans during the first fifty years of freedom:

  • On 21 March 1870, f0r $60, David Bullock purchased from Virginia C. Edwards two acres of land adjoining Henry Edwards and others in Wilson County. Deed Book 23, page 106.
  • On 22 October 1886, for $50, Amos Brice(?) purchased from R.B. Brinkley a one-acre plot in Toisnot township on the Wilmington & Weldon Rail Road south of the town of Toisnot [Elm City]. Deed Book 25, page 362.
  • On 16 December 1907, for $120, W.P. Singletary sold Sarah Coppedge a lot on the east side of Manchester Street near the Colored Graded Sch00l, being Lot 34 [of the Singletary plat.] Deed Book 81, page 488.
  • On 26 March 1909, for $675, Wilson Insurance & Realty Co. sold Olivia Simmons a lot on the northeast side of Railroad Street, designated Lot 3 of Section C of the B.F. Briggs Place plat. Deed Book 81, page 520. [This was one of two Railroad Streets, and its name was soon changed to Norfolk & Southern Street, then simply Norfolk Street. Simmons’ lot was in the Happy Hill neighborhood, which was razed for “urban renewal” projects. Its approximate location is marked with an X below.]

  • On 8 November 1912,  for $125, Allen and Zillie A. Moses of Wake County, N.C., sold M.S. and Annie L. Gilliam a lot on the south side of Robeson Street, being Lot 9 of Block 11 of the Rountree Place plat. (The Moseses were African American Wayne County natives.) Deed Book 106, page 255.

Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

The Vicks sell property downtown.

On 22 September 1913, Samuel H. and Annie M. Vick sold mail carrier Albert S. Barnes and blacksmith Hilliard T. Thomas a lot on the south side of Tarboro Street adjoining the property of Wilson Oil Mill and W.J. Davis Machinery Company. Vick had purchased the 40 foot by 150 foot lot from Silas Lucas and wife.

W.J. Davis Machinery, formerly Davis & Winstead, was on the south side of South Tarboro, at the Kenan Street end of the block. (Wilson Oil Mill owned a lot there, but their facility was on Grace Street at Stemmery Street.) The Vicks were among a very few African Americans who invested in real estate in early twentieth-century Wilson’s industrial blocks.

Deed book 97, page 235, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

School buildings sold to private owners.

In the fall of 1951, having opened several new brick school buildings across the county for African-American students, the Wilson County Board of Education moved to auction off its old wooden school houses, some of which had been built with Rosenwald funds. For several weeks, the Wilson Daily Times ran lengthy notices identifying the properties by name and metes and bounds.

Early in 1952, the Daily Times reported land transfers involving four of the former “colored” schools — Jones Hill, Stantonsburg, Bynums, and New Vester.

…

…

Wilson Daily Times, 3 January 1952.

Trustees buy school land for a church.

On 30 May 1913, the Wilson County Board of Education sold Frank Baines and Thomas Jones, trustees of an unnamed church, a one-quarter acre tract “in the northwest corner of the school lot, District #2 colored, Old Fields Township” to be used for a church.

Deed book 97, page 258, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

Where in Old Fields was the District #2 colored school? Was this the land upon which Jones Hill Primitive Baptist Church was built?

Irving and Margaret Locus sell five acres.

On 10 May 1913, Irving and Margaret Locus sold Susan Strickland five acres in Taylors township. The land had belonged to Robert Eatman and represented Margaret Locus’ one-quarter share in his estate. It lay adjacent to the lands of Gilbert Howard, Asa Locus, Wilmouth Eatman, and Mrs. J.E. Farmer.

Deed book 97, page 146, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

Abe and Edna Darden buy a house.

Deed Book 290, page 596, Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

Abe and Edna Darden bought 701 East Vance Street from Home Development Company on 18 October 1944.

Home Development Company was a real estate subsidiary created by Durham, N.C.-based North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance Company, once the oldest and largest black-owned life insurance company in the world. North Carolina Mutual used H.D.C. to acquire, build, and develop residential properties for African American buyers, who were largely marginalized or completely shut out of the traditional mortgage market at the time.

——

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 701 [East Vance], ditcher Abe Darden, 53; wife Edna, 48; grandson Delma Earl Darden, 7; granddaughter Eva Gray Kerney, 18; and nephew John T. Johnson, 29.

Edna Darden died 13 February 1966 in Goldsboro, Wayne County, N.C. Per her death certificate, she was born 6 May 1902 to Henry and Ida Tyson; was married to Abe Darden; lived at 701 East Vance Street, Wilson; and worked as a tobacco factory laborer.

Were the Gays one family?

A prosperous set of families with the surname Gay appear in Wilson County records within the first ten years of freedom. Were they one extended family? Unrelated families who adopted the same surname, perhaps from a former enslaver? (And if so, whom?)

Here’s what we know about them:

  • Anthony Gay

Anthony Gay and Catherine Speight registered their 22-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace on 25 August 1866.

On 9 August 1868, Spencer Gay, son of Anthony and Catherine Gay, married Adeline Barnes, daughter of Baalam and Jinny Barnes, in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: blacksmith Antney Gay, 44; wife Catherine, 40; and children Laura, 20, Thomas, 20, and Francis, 2 [adjacent to Spencer Gay’s household and one household away from Charles Gay’s.]

On 16 February 1871, for $250, Spencer Gay and his mother Catherine Gay sold R.J. and Sallie Taylor a three-quarter acre parcel of land near the fork of the old plank road and the Barefoot road [today’s Nash Street and South Pender Street.] The Gays had not registered a deed for the purchase of this land. See Deed Book 4, page 454.

On 30 April 1872, for $25, Anthony and Catherine Gay and Spencer and Adline Gay sold Esther McGowan a lot on the east side of the Wilmington and Weldon Railroad on the old plank road. Deed Book 6, page 183.

Anthony Gay was still alive when Charles Gay was murdered in 1874, but died before 1880.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: widow Cathren Gay, 52; son Thomas, 28, laborer; daughter-in-law Julia, 27, laundress; boarder Anna Bone, 59; [grand]son Nelson, 6; and daughter Frances, 14 [next door to son Spencer’s widow Adeline Gay and family.]

Also: in the 1880 census of North Wilson township, Wilson County: Willie Gay, 32, hireling; wife Catherine, 30; and children Phillis, 12, Anthony, 10, Henrietta, 8, Nancy, 6, Catherine, 4, and John, 2. [Willie Gay was likely the son of Anthony and Catherine Gay.]

  • Charles Gay

Charles Gay and Emly Gay registered their three-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace on 9 August 1866.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Charles Gay, 35; wife Emma, 25; children Charles, 5, and Mary, 1; and lodgers Rich’d Harper, 20, and Haywood Watson, 17.

Charles Gay was murdered in 1874.

  • Emma Gay (or Artis or Byrum) Gay Rountree

See Charles Gay, above.

Emma Gay, sometimes referred to as Emily Gay, bought property as early as December 1874. See Deed Book 9, page 522.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Emma Gay, 35; children Charlie, 15, a steam-mill worker, Mary, 11, Etheldred, 8, and Willie, 6; plus a boarder Fannie Thompson, 19, cook.

On 4 February 1892, Henry C. Rountree, 44, married Emma Gay, 44, at the bride’s residence in Wilson. Presbyterian minister L.J. Melton performed the ceremony, and witnesses were Edward Pool, Mark Blount and S.H. Vick.

On 29 October 1902, Willie Gay, 27, son of Charles Gay and Emma Rountree, married Mary Johnson, 22, daughter of Edmund Johnson and Bertha Johnson, at Henry Johnson‘s. H.S. Phillips applied for the license, and Missionary Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony in the presence of Cain Artis, Charles S. Thomas, and Robert E. Artis.

On 23 March 1906, William Gay, 33, son of Charles and Emma Gay, married Augustus McNeil, 30, daughter of Peter and Emily Patterson, in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony in the presence of J.E. Farmer, Robert Strickland, and Charlie Farmer.

Henry C. Rountree died 24 September 1916 in Wilson, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1848 in  North Carolina to Jessie Artis and Becker Artis; was married; worked as a dealer in groceries; and was buried in Wilson. Emma Rountree was informant.

Emma Rountree died 25 June 1917 in Wilson, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was about 65 years old; was born in Greene County, N.C., to unidentified parents; was a widow; and was buried in Wilson County [probably, Vick Cemetery]. Lizzie Whitfield was informant.

Mary Strickland died 16 December 1936 in the Wilson County Home. Per her death certificate, she was 67 years old; was born in Wilson to Charley Gay and Emma Artis; was a widow; and was buried in Wilson. Will Gay was informant.

Willie Gay died 25 May 1940 at the Veterans Administration hospital in Kecoughtan, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born 10 February 1874 in Wilson, N.C., to Charles Gay and Emma Byrum, both of Greene County, N.C.; was divorced; was a veteran of the Spanish American War; was a railroad worker; and lived at 526 Smith Street, Wilson.

Dred Gay died 26 January 1950 in the Wilson County Home. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 January 1870 in Wilson County to Emma Gay; was a widower; and worked as a laborer.

  • Samuel, Albert, and Daniel Gay

Samuel, Albert, and Daniel Gay were the sons of Harriet Gay and Amos Thigpen (or Edmundson).

Sam Gay, son of Amos Thigpen and Harriet Gay, married Alice Bryant, daughter of Louisa Bryant, on 10 February 1870 in Wilson. P.E. Hines performed the ceremony.

On 20 January 1870, Daniel Gay, son of Amos Edmundson and Harriet Gay, married July Taylor, daughter of Alfred Robbins and Trecy Taylor, in Wilson.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Samuel Gay, 24, wife Alice, 20, and brother Albert, 21.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Daniel Gay, 20, and wife Julia, 20.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farm worker Samuel Gay, 27, wife Allice, 25, and children Blanch, 8, Louizah, 7, Edgar, 4, Charlie, 3, and Mamie, 1 month.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: south of the Plank Road, Daniel Gay, 28; wife Judie, 24; and daughters Mary, 9, and Creacy, 6.

Albert and Daniel Gay appear to have died before 1900.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farmer Sam Gay, 54; wife Alice, 50; and children Charlie C., 23, Edgar B., 25, Lucy, 17, Samuel, 14, Albert and Beatrice, 10, and Lily, 4.

On 27 April 1904, John Stones, 30, of Wilson, married Mary Gay, 25, of Wilson, daughter of Daniel and Julia Gay, both deceased. A.D. Dawson applied for the license, and A.M.E. Zion minister H.C. Phillips performed the ceremony at the home of W.H. Kittrell in the presence of Kittrell, Mary Kittrell, and Charles Dawson.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Samuel Gay, 65, wife Alice, 55, and children Albert, 20, and Lilly, 15.

Samuel Gay died 1 February 1919 in Wilson, Wilson County. Per his death certificate: he was 73 years old, married to Allace Gay, resided at 620 Green Street, worked as tenant farmer for W.E. Warren, and was born in Wilson County. Charley Gay [his son] was informant.

Mary Stone died 19 November 1932 in Wilson, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 58 years old; was born in Wilson to Daniel Gay and Julia Gay; was a widow; worked as a cook; lived at 402 Viola Street; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Emma Davis, 418 East Green, was informant.

  • Candis Gay

Candis Gay and Jason Farmer registered their 22-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace on 25 August 1866.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Jason Farmer, 33; wife Candis, 29; and children Florance, 9, Isiah, 6, and George 4.

In the 1880 census of North Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Jason Farmer, 43; wife Candas, 43; and children Florrance, 17, Isaiah, 13, George W., 11, Jessee, 9, Jason, 6, Jennie, 4, and Mayland, 2,

Candis Gay Farmer died before 1891, when her husband remarried.

  • The possible enslaver(s)

In the 1860 slave schedule of Wilson County, Edgecombe County native William M. Gay reported enslaving 21 people — men and boys aged and women and girls aged .

But also in the 1860 slave schedule of Wilson township, Wilson County: Thomas Gay reported enslaving 8 people — six men and boys aged 1 to 24 and a woman and girl aged 7 and 28.