Edgecombe County

He has forged free papers.

Fifty Dollars Reward.

Made his escape from me, on Friday evening the 4th of the present month, near Stantonsburg, a negro man, named ALLEN, (calls himself Allen Woodard) he is about 30 years of age, of a tolerable size, yellow complexion, a pretty good House Carpenter and a very ingenious negro. He formerly belonged to Wm. Dickinson, decd. – and has lately been confined in the Newbern gaol, was removed thence to Snow Hill, had his trial and was whipped – his back is pretty much scared [sic]. It is said he has forged free papers, with which he has passed as a free man. It is probable he will lurking about Newbern as he carried a white woman there, with whom he was intimate, as it was said.

The above reward will be given to any person who will deliver him to me, or lodge him in Tarborough gaol.  DANIEL DICKINSON.  Edgcomb County, 2 miles above Stantonsburg, May 8th, 1822.

Newbern Sentinel, 18 May 1822.

But sell Gatsey: the last will and testament of James A. Barnes (1848).

The will by which James A. Barnes determined the fates of 24 enslaved people, including Howell Darden and Easter Bass:

In the name of God Amen I James A Barnes of the State of North Carolina, and County of Edgecombe being in a low State of health but of sound disposing mind and memory blessed be God for the same, being desirous of disposing of my worldly Estate do make & constitute this my last will and Testament revoking all other wills by me heretofore made

Item 1st. I lend unto my beloved wife Sarah Barnes during the time of her natural life the following tract of land Beginning on Big Contentnea Creek at the mouth of a ditch wherein it Enters into said Creek at the flax hold, thence running Eastwardly with the ditch to the line of the land of John Barnes dec’d thence north said deceased line nearly North to a fence thence north said fence to my crop fence, thence west said cross fence to the next cross fence, thence west that fence to the gum swamp where formerly stood a bridge, thence down the various of said swamp to the creek and down the various courses of the creek to the Beginning containing one hundred acres more of less with the express and direct priviledge of getting of timber off any of my land to keep up her farm Excepting out of the land bound to her the small piece of land whereon Eliza Bass now lives which includes three acres more or less, her houses and improvements also excepting one half acre of land at or near a posimon tree standing on the North Side of the lane running Eastwardly from wherein I live at the place wherein Theophilus Bass lives I also lend unto my beloved wife all of my Kitchen furniture & dairy utensils one Mahoggany side Board, one little do., all my chairs, all my earthen ware and glass ware of every description, all of my knives and forks, all of my spoons flat Irons and my and irons all of my wooden ware of every description one half of my brandy Still all of my Cider barrels, also the following negroes during the term of her natural life, negro man Tom, Mary, Esther & Charles except the time of Charles, which I may in an after clause in this will direct him to be bound out. Also I lend unto her my wheat fan[?] boiler & gun

Item 2nd. Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Sarah, the following negro Slaves Amos, Bob, Silvia, Ransom & Rose, two beds, bedsteds & furniture her choice, one chest her choice one sorrel mare & her colt Bob, one Bay Mare mule, two cows and calves her choice, one white heifer from four to five years old, fifteen dollars in money, three sows & piggs her choice, all of my plows [illegible] & plow gear, lines plow bits Stems Keys [illegible] Irons & all of my axes grubbin hoes, weeding hoes, chisels, saws, drawing knives, all the poultry & geese, six stacks of fodder her choice, twelve bushels of seed [illegible] all of the flax on hand, all the wheels and cards, the loom and all the gear, fifty pounds of pick cotton all the [illegible] all the oats twenty five bushels of wheat one barrel of brandy her choice one candle mould one lantern, one wash basin one large cupboard two candlesticks all the sifters and trays fifty barrels of good Corn & twenty five fat hoggs her choice my apple mills & cider presses to her and her heirs forever.

Item 3rd. I give and bequeath unto my nephew Theophilus Bass the priviledge of using one half acre of Land whereon he now lives also the whole of the Jacob S. Barnes tract of land containing one hundred and fifty acres of land more or less excepting and reserving to my wife apart of this land loaned to her in this Will during the Term of her life. Also I give unto him the said Theophilus Bass his heirs and assigns forever one certain part of the Lott of land I drew in the division of the real estate of John Barnes and adjoining Willis Simms near the gum pond or Swamp Jacob S. Barnes to co[illegible] all the land north of a dam near the Broken leg for the purpose of straitening our his fence to come along the Cross fence that Comes through to the pond to Sarah Barnes line of the land loaned to her in this will. Also one half of my brandy still also the negroes to my wife which is loaned to her trust, Negroe Mary, Esther, & Charles which gift to him is to Command at the death of my wife, one bay horse called Lany, one cow & carlin[?] which is called his, my blacksmiths tools, one horses cart & wheels and all the other property to him & his heirs which is loaned to my wife in this ill which gift to him is to command. It is however my will and desire that Theophilus Bass is to pay one hundred dollars in money before he receives any thing under this will

Item 4th. It is my will and desire the negro fellow Charles is to be hired out as long as my wife lives and the money arising from said hire to be applied enough of it to pay my debt if it is required for that purpose, and if not one half of his hire to pay to Theophilus Bass and the other half to my wife Sarah Barnes.

Item 5th. I give and bequeath to Martha Tomberlin wife of Daniel [David?] Tomberlin Dinah to her & her nears and assigns for ever but is to pay Patience Darden 54 dollars in two years from this date

Item 6. I give and bequeath to Tresy Darden daughter of McKinly Darden boy Jack to her, her heirs and assigns forever but this Legatee is bound to pay Patience Darden Ten dollars in two years

Item 7th. It is my will and desire that my negro man Tom choose his Master and to be valued by two disinterested men at the death of my wife

Item 8 – I give and bequeath unto McKinley Darden his heirs and assigns forever negro man Howell about twenty two or three years of age but he is hereby to pay back to my Executor fifty dollars before he is to have him

Item 9th Item – I give and bequeath unto my Sister Beedy Woodard of the State of Georgia boy Irvin which boy she has in her possession which I have given her a bill of sale for to her and her heirs and assigns forever.

Item 10th. I give and bequeath unto Eliza Bass widow of James Bass one negro fellow Jordan, all the household and Kitchen furniture in her possession, wheels, cards, cart & gear to her & her heirs and assigns forever.

Item 11th. 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.

Item 12th. It is my will and desire that the widow of James Bass, Eliza Bass have use and occupy all the Lands I own on the East side of Big Contentnea & south side of my land, not heretofore mentioned to my wife and Theophilus Bass, during the time she may live single or life to her death and at such time as she may marry or die, it is my will and desire that the three lotts of land I drew of the John Barnes dec’d tract the one I drew and two I purchased of Julius Bass & Beedy Woodard to belong to Thomas Warren Bass and the balance loaned to her in this Item to belong to George Washington Bass & Jesse Jackson Bass, Share and Share alike to them their heirs and assigns forever.

Item 13th. It is my will and desire that the tract of land of mine in Wane County near where I live containing seventy two acres or thereabouts to belong to Eliza Bass and Theophilus Share and Share alike and so to remain until one or the other of them dies & then the tract is to be sold in Six months and the money arising from said sale to be equally divided between them or their heirs and assigns

Item 14th. It is my will and desire that my sister Julian Bass to have two hundred dollars in money

Item 15th. It is my will and desire that my sister child, Margarett Evans of the State of Georgia have three hundred & fifty Dollars to her & her heirs and assigns forever.

Item 16th. It is my will and desire & I so direct my negro girl Gatsy all the balance of my estate of every description not given away in this will be sold on a credit of six months & the money arising therefrom to pay all my debts and legacies

Item 17th. It is my will and desire that my Friend Wyatt Moye Executor to this my last will and Testament this 14th October 1848. Signed, Sealed and declared in presence of Woodard Cook, Edwin Barnes.   James A. Barnes {seal}

North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998 [database on-line], Ancestry.com.

The last will and testament of William Batts Sr. (1856).

In the name of God amen

I William Batts sen’r of the County of Edgecombe and State of North Carolina being of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be God, do this twenty-seventh day of June in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and forty nine make and publish my last Will and Testament revoking all others that I may have made heretofore in manner and form as follows Viz —

Item 1st. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Patsey Batts two feather beds and furniture, and two bedsteads, fifty dollars in money and one years support of corn pork &c for herself and family and three cows & calves to her and her heirs forever.

Item 2nd. I lend unto my wife Patsey Batts during her widowhood the following property to wit the tract of land and its appurtenances whereon I now live lying on the North side of the Big swamp containing about four hundred and seventy five acres more or less. Also the following negroes Isaac, Elsy and her youngest child Thomas, boy Amos also boy Meedy until my grandson William Henry Edwards arrived to the age of twenty one years, then I give and bequeath the said boy Meedy to him the said William H. Edwards to him and his heirs forever. Also I lend to my wife two head of horses, three sows & pigs and twenty shoats her choice.

Item the 3rd I give and bequeath unto my son John Batts one negroe man named Ben also seven hundred dollars in money to him and his heirs forever.

Item 4th. I give unto my son Guilbert Batts one feather bed, bedstead and furniture, one negro boy by the name of young Isaac, also that part of the tract of land that I purchased of David Bunn lying on the North side of Maple creek — Four hundred dollars in money and one brandy still (the one that is at Wright W. Joyner) to him and his heirs forever.

Item 5th. I give unto my son John Batts in trust for the benefit of my daughter Sally Flowers and her children which she now has or may hereinafter have the following property to wit: One tract of land whereon Gray Flowers now lives lying on the north side of Whites swamp, adjoining the lands of John Farmer, and others containing two hundred and fifty acres more or less. Three feather beds and furniture which said  Gray Flowers & Sally has in their possession at this time also the household and kitchen furniture and all the stock of hogs & cattle which the said Gray & Sally Flowers has in possession also one negroe boy named Orren and five hundred dollars in money. Now my will and desire is that after my death should my son John Batts think it advisable to hire out said negro Orren he is to do or manage in any way that he may think his labour will be most advantage to Sally & her children. It is my desire that Sally and her children shall remain on lands so long as she may wish to do so. The money and the labour of the negroe and the other property reserved at all times to be applied to the support and comfort of Sally and her children in the way that my son John shall think best. After the death of my daughter Sally it is my will and desire that all the property that is then remaining which is given to my son John Batts, for the benefit of Sally and her children shall then be equally divided between her living children. My desire is that should my son John Batts die before my daughter Sally or refuse to act that theCounty Court of Edgecombe shall appoint some discreet and suitable person to take the property and manager it in the way that will be best for the support of Sally and her children.

Item 6th. I give unto my friend Redding S. Petway in trust for the benefit of my daughter Emily Joyner and her children which she now has or may hereafter have the following property to wit all that part of the tract of land that I purchased of David Bunn lying on the south side of the Maple Creek whereon Wright W. Joyner now lives, negroe woman Venice and her five youngest children and all her increase hereafter. The house hold and kitchen furniture and all the stock of every kind that belongs to me that is now in the possession of Wright W. Joyner & Emily his wife and two hundred dollars in money. It is my desire that Emily and her children shall remain on lands so long as Emily shall desire, And that the said Redding S. Petway shall so manage the negroes and other property in that way that will be most advantageous to the support of Emily & her children. After the death of Emily it is my will and desire that the property that is then remaining shall be equally divided between her living children. It is my further desire that if the said Redding shall die or become incapable of managing of affairs or refuse to act before the death of Emily that the County Court of Edgecombe shall appoint some discreet person to take said property and manage it in the best way for the support of Emily and her Children.

Item 7. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Farmer one negroe girl named Harriet and her increase hereafter and one negroe boy by the name of Peter to her and her heirs forever.

Item the 8th. I give and bequeath unto my friend David Williams in trust for the benefit of Elizabeth Farmer and her children one thousand dollars in money the said David is to keep the money out at interest and from time to time as necessity may require to apply the interest to the support and comfort of Elizabeth and her children which she now has or may hereafter have, never to apply any of the principal as long as can lie down without, and what is remaining of the thousand dollars at the death of Elizabeth to be equally divided among her living children. If the said David shall die before Elizabeth or refuse to act it is my will and desire that the County court will appoint some discreet person to take the money and act as directed.

Item 9th. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Patsey Thorn one negro boy named Charles and one negroe girl named Nelly and after the death of her mother I then give her the two negroes lent her mother viz Elsey and her child Thomas and One thousand dollars in money to her and her heirs forever.

Item 10th. I give and bequeath unto my friend David Williams in trust for the benefit of Polly Farmer and her children the following property to wit negroes Dinah and her three children Jerry, Hilliard and Sidney and all the increase of Dinah hereafter One bed and furniture two cows and one calf seventy five acres of land where William Pittman lives adjoining the lands of John G. Williams & others (for Polly a home) and eight hundred dollars in money. The said Davis to manager the said property in the best way for the support and maintenance of Polly and her children which she now has or may hereafter have. And after the death of Polly, what is then remaining is to be divided between her then living children. It is my will and desire that if the said David shall die before my daughter Polly or refuse to act that the County Court of Edgecombe will appoint some descent person to act &.

Item 11th. I give and bequeath unto my son William W. Batts after the widowhood of his mother the tract of land whereon I now live lying on the north side of the Big Swamp containing five hundred acres more or less (being the whole tract except seventy five acres given Polly) negroes Isaac & Haywood, one bed bed stead and furniture two cows and calves and One thousand dollars in money to him and his heirs forever.

Item 12th. I give and bequeath unto my grandson William Henry Edwards the tract of lands which was sold as Henry Edwards’ dcd[?] which I bought adjoining the lands of Charles Land and others, containing one hundred and forty acres more or less, and after the widowhood of my wife Patsy, negroe boy Meedy and four hundred dollars in money to him and his heirs forever.

Item 13th. I give and bequeath unto mu granddaughter Martha Ann Edwards two small negroes by the names of Hagar and Meedy and a note against Egbert A. Taylor for fifty dollars to her and her heirs forever.

Item 14th, I give and bequeath unto my grandson William Batts son of John Batts after the widowhood of my wife Patsey negroe boy Amos, which I lent to my wife to him and his heirs forever.

Item 15th. All the balance of my property of every kind that I have not lent or given away be sold on a credit of six months and all the money and notes that are left after paying my just debts and the legatees that I have given off in money together with the account of sales be equally divided among all my heirs — signed sealed and published by the said William Batts as his last Will and testament the day and date first Written.   William (X) Batts {seal}

Witness — Willie G. Taylor, Wm. D. Petway, James Wiggins

——

William Batts Sr.’s will entered probate in Wilson County in 1856.

North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998 [database on-line], Ancestry.com.

Coartney runs away.

Halifax Free Press 5 4 1833

Halifax Free Press, 4 May 1833.

$25 Reward.

RAN AWAY from the Subscriber, about six months since, a negro woman named COARTNEY — she is about 5 feet 6 inched in height, very black, and about 30 years old. I have no doubt she is lurking about Sparta and Mrs. Hunter’s, near Tarborough. I will give $35, is she is delivered to me in Stantonsburg, or confined in any jail in the State. All persons are forbid harboring or employing her under penalty of the law. WM. STEWART.

Stantonsburg, April 26th, 1833.

He will attempt to pass for a free man.

The Star and North Carolina State Gazette 5 4 1833

The Star and North Carolina State Gazette, 4 May 1833

$25 Reward.

Eloped from my plantation on Tosnot, Edgecomb county, on the 19th instant, a negro man named BRYANT, 22 or 23 years old, five feet 9 or 10 inches high, stout built, quite yellow for the appearance of his hair, which is as knotty as the negroes usually is, long lips, large feet and long toes, has a down look when spoken to; had on when he went off dark clothes and a black forward hat. It is probable that he will procure papers and attempt to pass for a free man, as he has done the like before, and will probably skulk about Doct. Hall’s plantation near Tarborough until he is prepared to make his escape, as his father and mother live there. I will give the above reward to ay person who will confine him in jail so that I get him again, or deliver him to me at Stantonsburg.  WILLIE BROWNRIGG.

Stantonsburg, April 22, 1833

His father is a free negro.

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North-Carolina Free Press (Tarboro), 24 January 1832.

$25 REWARD.

RAN AWAY from the Subscriber, in May Court week last, a bright mulatto boy named JOHN, about 19 or 20 years of age, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, thick set and well built – he has a scar under his jaw, (I think the left jaw,) and thick ankles.  He is a shrewd fellow, and will perhaps alter his name and attempt to pass as a free man.  His father is a free negro, named Hardy Lassiter, living on Toisnot.  The above reward will be given for John’s apprehension, if delivered to me in Edgecombe county, or secured in any jail so that I can get him again.  All persons are hereby forbid harboring, employing, carrying off said boy, under the penalty of law.  SAMUEL FARMER.  Nov. 28, 1831.

 

Their names is these.

007639848_01840

In the name of God Amen. I John Woodard of the County of Edgecombe and in the Parish of St. Mary being in health at the present, thanks be to Allmighty God for the Same but knowing how many Ways the Life of Man may be Abridged have thought fit to Make, Constitue, and Ordain this to be my last Will and Testament and for What Temporal Estate it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow on Me I dispose of in form and manner following.

Item. I lend to my dear and loving wife, Margaret Woodard, the use  of my plantation that I now live on and two negros. Their names is these Cip & Sam. During her widow hood and then the plantation and negro Sam to my son, Elisha Woodard, to him and his heirs for ever.

Item. I give also the Negro Cip to my son, John Woodard, to him and his heirs for ever. I like wise give to my son, John Woodard, one still after my wife deced, to him and his heirs for ever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Mary Lee, one negro wench named Lucy to her and her heirs for ever and I also lend the use of my negro Hanner to my daughter Mary Lee during her life and then my disire is that Margaret Brown, daughter to Mary Lee, to have the said negro to her and her heirs for ever.

Item. I lend the use of two negros, Beck and Sam, to Lenard Langston and Ann, his wife, during their lives and then my desire is that they should be equal divid between my tow granddaughters, Sarah Langston, and Elisabeth Langston, to them and their heirs for ever.

Item. I lend the use of one negro nam Rose to James Holland and Sarah, his wife, during their lives and then I give the negro Rose to my grandson, John Holland, to him and his heirs for ever.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Woodard, one Horse called Parrot, and five Pounds Proclamation Money to him and his heirs for ever.

Item. I Lend the Use of all the Rest of my estate of what Nature and Quallity soever to my Well beloved Wife Margaret Woodard, during her Widowhood and then to be equaly divided amoungst my six children before mentioned. I Nominate and Appoint my Well beloved Son Thomas Woodard to be my Hole & Sole Executors of this my last will and testament revoking all others. In witness where of I have here unto set my hand this 11 day of February in 1765.  Signed, sealed, and delivered       John (X) Woodard

In the presence of Us

Stephen Cobb

James Barnes

John Drew

——

Per the notes of the late, great Wilson County historian and genealogist Hugh B. Johnston, the will of John Woodard’s son Elisha Woodard located John’s plantation on Contentnea Creek, on the southwest edge of Edgecombe County, now Wilson County.

 

Edgecombe County Wills and Estate Papers, North Carolina Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.

He intends to leave this state with a free negro.

$20 REWARD. – RAN AWAY from the subscriber on the 6th instant, a negro man by the name of CAGE. Said negro is about twenty-seven years old, about five feet ten inches high, quick spoken and rather black – weighs some hundred and seventy pounds. It is my opinion that he intends to leave this State, with a free negro by the name of Nicholas Williams. The above reward will be given to any person, who will confine said negro in any jail or deliver him to me at my house about three miles above Toisnot Depot, Edgecombe County, N.C. – Josiah Jordan.

Tarboro Press, 13 March 1847.

The last will and testament of Hardy Lassiter.

Hardy Lassiter’s will was proved at May Term, 1853, of Edgecombe County Court shortly after he died. Hardy’s will did not make provision for his wife Obedience “Bedie” Lassiter, and she sued for dower:

I Hardy Laseter of the County of Edgecomb and State of N. Carolina now being of sound mind and memory, but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence, do make and declare this my Last will and Testament in manner and form following – that is to Say –

First. I give and bequeath unto my son Silas Laseter all that tract of Land where he now Lives known by the name of the Tomlinson tract containing Eighty one acres more or less adjoining the Lands of Benj Sims and I Give and bequeath unto my Sons Mathew Green & Hardy Laseter all my Tract of Land whereon I now Live to be eaqually divided between them.  And it is my will and desire that the said Lands shall be divide in to three equeal Shears & for my son Hardy Laseter to have his shear whereon the House now stand, as the dowery part.  And I begive and bequeath unto my son Silas on sorrel mare by the name of Bony.  And I give unto my son Mathew one Sorril Horse Name Doctor I also give unto my son green one Sorrel Horse one bay mare by the name of bunch.  I Also give unto my daughter Treacy fifty dollars in money from the proceeds of my affects

And I give unto my Daughter Penny or her heirs fifty dollars from the proceeds of my affects. I also give unto my Daughter Sally Artice fifty Dollars out of the proceeds of my effects and I Also give unto my Daughter Rachel One feather bed & furniture the one Known as the bed I occupy my self.  And one cow by the name time. And thirty Dollars in Money from the proceeds of my affects.

I Also give unto my Little grand Daughter Elvey Laseter Ten Dollars of the proceeds of my affects And it is my will & desire that all my parishable property to be sold except what I have alredy mentioned in this my Last Will & Testament. And after each one of my Daughters Receiving the amts here set apart for them the Balance to be equally divided between my four Daughters & my Little grand Daughter Elvey according to each ones shear

And I do hereby Constitute and appoint my John W. Farmer my Lawful executor to all my intents and purposes to execute this my Last and Testament according to the true intent and meaning of this [illegible] and every part & Clause thereof, hereby revoking and declareing utterly void all other wills and Testament by men heretofor made in witness I hereto sit my hand and seal this day 9 October 1851. Test William Tomlinson, Josiah Farmer     Hardy X Laseter

——

This ad was placed during probate in an attempt to locate Hardy Lassiter’s daughter Sally Lassiter Artis.

Tarborough_Southerner__9_24_1853_Obedience_Lassiter

Tarborough Southerner, 24 September 1853.

——

In the 1850 census of Edgecombe County: Hardy Laster, 73, wife Beady, 54, and children Mathew, 26, Silas, 26, Green, 25, Hardy, 21, and Rachel, 20; all described as mulatto. Hardy reported owning $650 of real property.

In 1860, Penny Lassiter headed a household in Gardners township, Wilson County, and Silas, Matthew and Green Lassiter headed households in Wilson township, Wilson County.

Wills, Edgecombe County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

Deliver him to Toisnot Depot.

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Eastern Carolina Republican (New Bern NC), 3 July 1850.

And then a shorter version, with different emphasis:

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Eastern Carolina Republican (New Bern NC), 20 November 1850.

$125 REWARD

will be paid for the delivery of the said HARRY to me at Tossnott Depot, Edgecombe county, or for his confinement in any Jail in the State so that I can get home, or One Hundred and Fifty Dollars will be given for his head.

He was lately heard from in New-Bern where he called himself Henry Barnes (or Burns), and will likely continue the same name, or assume that of Copage or Farmer. He has a free mulatto woman for a wife, by the name of Sally Bozeman, who has lately removed to Wilmington, and lives in that part of the town called Texas, where he will likely be lurking.

Master of vessels are particularly cautioned against harboring, employing, or concealing the said negro on board their vessels, as the full penalty of the law will be rigorously enforced. GUILFORD HORN.   June 29th, 1850

——
Toisnot Depot, a stop on the Wilmington & Raleigh Railroad, was incorporated as the town of Wilson. In 1850, it was still a part of Edgecombe County.