estate record

The estate of Wiley Rountree (1847).

When Wiley (or Willie, as his name was sometimes spelled) Rountree made out his will on 12 May 1847, he left land for his sons Willie and Jonathan Rountree on Contentnea Creek and Hominy Swamp, directed that his personal property be sold, and specified that “it is my will and desire that my Negroes be divided as follows among my children and my granddaughter Mary Ann Rountree, that is for my girl children each to have a full share of all my Negro property, and my boys and my granddaughter … one half share of the same.”

Rountree died weeks later, and his executors (who had married two of Rountree’s daughters) published this notice in a Tarboro newspaper:

Tarboro Press, 12 June 1847.

On January 1, 1850, Larry Dew, L.D. Farmer, and Joshua Barnes divided the 23 remaining enslaved people in Rountree’s estate among his surviving heirs:

  • Lot 1, Ruffin, Packolatt, Jane, and Amos, valued collectively at $1625, and lot 3, Marion, Ruford, Jack, and Margaret, $1600, went to William Woodard, on behalf of his wife Delphia Rountree Woodard
  • Lot 2, Joseph, Henry, Clarky, and Everett, $1625, went to Willie Rountree
  • Lot 4, Bob, Temperance, Edwin, and Elizabeth, $1575, went to John G. Williams, as the administrator of recently deceased Jonathan Rountree’s estate (Williams later sold Bob and Elizabeth to James J. Taylor for $750 and $492, and Temperance, her son Edwin, and an unnamed child to John Batts for $615. Bob and Temperance were a married couple. Thus, they and their older children Marion and David were separated from each other.)
  • Lot 5, Davy, Israel, and Adaline, $1550, and Lot 6, Haywood, Edwin, Zilphy, and Mary, $1550, went to Nancy Rountree

——

  • Ruffin
  • Packolatt
  • Jane
  • Amos
  • Bob, Temperance, Marion, Dave, Edwin, Elizabeth

In 1866, Bob Rountree and Tempy Horn registered their 30-year cohabitation in Wilson County. [Note that Temperance declined to adopt Rountree or Batts as her maiden name. Horn was the name of the enslaver who sold her to Wiley Rountree.]

In 1866, Merion Rountree and Jane Barnes registered their seven-year cohabitation in Wilson County.

On 27 August 1866, David Rountree and Nancy Farmer registered their twelve-year cohabitation in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Robert Rountree, 62, farm laborer; wife Temperance, 49; Ann, 21, farm laborer; and Dora, 1.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer David Rountree, 35; wife Nancy, 33; and children Winnie, 12, Jonas, 11, Allen, 9, Tillie, 4, Laurence, 5, and Angeline, 1.

On 25 April 1872, Robert Rountree, son of Robert and Tempy Rountree, married Pricey Williamson, in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Robert Rountree, 82; wife Tempy, 68; daughter-in-law Priscilla, 30, and her son Willie, 7.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: David Rountree, 46; wife Nancy, 45; and children Winnie, 21, Lawrence, 14, Jennie, 12, Dinah, 10, Sarah, 8, David, 6, Charlie, 4, and Jonas, 20, and Bettie, 1.

  • Ruford
  • Jack
  • Margaret
  • Joseph
  • Henry
  • Clarky
  • Everett
  • Israel
  • Adaline
  • Haywood
  • Edwin
  • Zilphy
  • Mary

The affidavit of Sarah A. Coward.

Georgia Crockett Aiken died 17 August 1939 in Wilson. The following spring, Sarah A. Coward provided an affidavit attesting that Aiken’s sole heir was her niece Rachel Crockett Williams. Williams lived in New York City at the time of Aiken’s death, but by 1941 was living in the house she inherited at 120 North Pender Street.

Deed book 277, page 247, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

The estate of Polly Barnes (1855).

In the mid-1850s, Mary “Polly” Barnes finally got around to probating her estate, triggering a family dispute. Polly was the daughter of Reddick and Martha Barnes and had died many years earlier possessed of more than 500 acres she had inherited from her father. She was unmarried and childless, and her heirs at law were her brothers James Barnes and Willie Barnes. Willie Barnes died sometime in the 1840s. His heirs were his daughters Pennina Barnes Dixon and her husband William Dixon, Elizabeth Barnes Dixon and her husband Jesse Dixon, and Polly Barnes. William Dixon got himself named administrator of the elder Polly Barnes’ estate and sued his wife’s uncle James Barnes to force a division of property, which included both land and enslaved people. James Barnes claimed that his brother Willie Barnes had given him his share of their sister Polly’s estate before he died, and thus his nieces and their husbands had no claim.

On 4 April 1857, the Wilson County clerk of court issued a warrant for “James Barnes (Miller)” commanding him to “render unto [Dixon] eight slaves (Clara & her children) of the value of Eight Thousand ($8000) Dollars, which [Barnes] unjustly detains ….”

The children were not named, but on 3 November 1857 William Dixon filed an inventory of Barnes’ property that listed 289 acres on Poplar Branch and eight enslaved people — Clary, Sam, Peter, Mary, Miry, Thomas, Drew, and Becca.

Oddly, the day before, Polly Barnes’ heirs, including William Dixon on behalf of his wife Pennina Barnes Dixon, sold their interest in the eight people to James Barnes for $1250.66. The deed was not registered until November 1858.

Know all men by these presents that we Obedience Barnes William Dixon in right of his wife Pennina Jesse Dixon in right of his wife Elizabeth & Polly Barnes of the County of Wilson for & in consideration of the sun of twelve hundred & fifty Dollars & sixty six cents Dollars to be paid by James Barnes has bargained & sold & conveyed & released to the said James Barnes all our said title & interest in eight negroes viz Clara, Sam, Peter, Mary, Mima Tom Drew & Bella in his possession as next of kin & distributor of Polly Barnes & Willie Barnes in witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands & seals this 2nd day of Nov. 1857  /s/Obedience Barnes, William Dixon, Jesse Dixon, Polly Barnes

The estate file is not clear, but it appears that Willie Barnes’ heirs were awarded his share of his sister’s land.

I have not found reference to an enslaved nuclear family larger than Clara and her seven children. Presumably, given the way they are described, all seven were young — likely less than ten or so years old. I’ve searched Wilson and Edgecombe County records, but have not identified the family post-Emancipation.

Probate Estate Case Files 1854-1959, Wilson County, North Carolina, Records, http://www.familysearch.org; Deed Book 1, page xxx, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office.

The estate of Prince Daniels (1889).

Wilson County Probate Court appointed farmer Perry Rentfrow administrator of the estate of Prince Daniel in January 1889.

Wilson Advance, 21 February 1889.

On 26 February 1889, Rentfrow sold Prince Daniel’s personal property at auction, netting $102.44.

In October 1889, the Clerk of Superior Court filed a notice concerning the sale of Prince Daniels’ land. (Daniel had purchased a small farm from Elizabeth and John Hayes in 1871, just six years after his emancipation. Deed Book 4, page 372.)

Wilson Advance, 24 October 1889.

Wilson County Records of Accounts, 1884-1891, North Carolina Records, http://www.familysearch.org

The sale of Jack.

Jacob Rentfrow lived in the Black Creek area, in what was then Wayne County, North Carolina. Kedar Rountree, who had obtained a fifty-acre land grant in 1801, lived in the same area.

Rentfrow died in 1815. At Rentfrow’s estate sale on 2 January 1816, Rountree bought Jack, the sole enslaved person listed among Rentfrow’s assets.

North Carolina Land Grant Files 1693-1960, http://www.ancestry.com; North Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The last will and testament of Daniel Land (1851).

In a will dated 29 March 1851, Daniel Land left his wife Martha a life estate in, among items, four enslaved people — Jason, Violet, Boston, and Venus. (Land lived in a section of Edgecombe County that became Wilson County in 1855. Interestingly, in the 1850 census of Edgecombe County, Land, whose occupation was “overseer of the poor,” claimed no slaves.)

Land’s estate was inventoried and sold on 21 December 1857. The administrator made note of the property passed via the terms of his will.

However, his remaining enslaved people were sold on twelve months’ credit: Louis, Mary and her child George, John, Cherry and her child Lonzo, and Caroline.

——

  • Jason Land

On 21 August 1866, Jason Land and Caroline Pender registered their four-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

  • Venus Armstrong Drake

In late December 1867 or very early January 1868, Thomas Drake, son of Thomas Avent and Lucinda Drake, applied for a marriage in Wilson to marry Venis Armstrong, daughter of Mary Armstrong. The license was not returned.

In the 1880 census of Town of Toisnot, Wilson County: railroad worker Thomas Drake, 34, wife Venus, 28, and children Jane, 9, Isaac, 7, John T., 3, and an unnamed infant, 1 month.

In the 1900 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Broad Street, farmer Thomas Drake, 55; wife Virginia [Venus], 46; and children Mattie, 20, cook, Ernest, 15, and Clarence, 11.

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Tom Drake, 65, wife Venus, 62, and  daughter Pearl, 10.

Venus Drake died 5 February 1917 in Elm City, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was about 55 years old; was a midwife; was born in Edgecombe County to Amos Braswell and Mary Braswell; and was buried in [Elm City] “col. cemetery.” Tom Drake was informant.

  • Mary Land Braswell

In 1866, Mary Land and Amos Braswell registered their 14-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of California township, Pitt County, N.C.: farmhand Amos Braswell, 40; wife Mary, 35; children John, 17, and Polly, 15; and Fereby Bassett, 28.

  • Lewis Land

In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Lewis Land, 30, farm laborer; wife Martha, 29; and Winnie, 10, and Charles, 2.

North Carolina Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The estate of Emma L. Evans.

Emma L. Evans‘ administrator, Major J. Loftin, paid $271.oo to C.H. Darden & Son for burial expenses, $25.00 for a tombstone, and $15.00 to rent three cars to transport mourners to the funeral.

Per her death certificate, Evans was buried in Wilson. In 1923, this generic designation usually meant Vick Cemetery (though Rountree, Odd Fellows, and, to a much lesser extent, Oakdale were possible.) I’ve never seen it. If Evans was laid to rest in Vick, her headstone is either deeply, and perhaps irretrievably, buried or destroyed. If in Odd Fellows or Rountree, perhaps it will be found.

Wilson County, N.C., Property Settlement Records 1923-1931, http://www.familysearch.org.

The estate of Clarissa Williams.

Clarissa Williams, teacher and principal at Wilson Colored Graded School, died in October 1921. Her niece Mamie Battle Ford, daughter of her maternal half-brother Richard Battle, was issued letters of administration.

North Carolina Wills and Estates, 1665-1998 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.

Williams’ estate consisted of a house and lot (at 605 East Green Street) worth about $3000 and an estimated $100 in personal property. Her heirs at law were her nieces and nephews Mamie Ford, Fanny Battle, Clinton Battle, and Glynn Battle.

The inventory of Williams’ property, prepared in June 1922, included two dressers, two washstands, four bedsteads, six trunks, a table and six chairs, two sewing machines, a writing desk, two stoves, four center tables, a safe, two bowls and pitchers, 11 bed quilts, eight pillows, two feather beds, three sets of springs, and two rockers.

Ford filed her final report on 24 March 1923. The sale of Williams’ personal property had netted what must have been a disappointing $77. Nearly half of that amount went to pay a tax bill and $15.oo went to pay medical bills, including five dollars to Henrietta Colvert for nursing services.

Wilson County, N.C., Property Settlement Records 1923-1931, http://www.familysearch.org.

Ford reported that she was “unable to give the bond for the proceeds of the house and lot sold by the mortgagee” and resigned as administrator.  In her stead, the Superior Court appointed E.A. Darden, trust officer for Branch Banking and Trust, as the bank held the mortgage on Clarissa Williams’ house.

——

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Clarcy Williams, 50; roomer Curtis Ford, 37, house carpenter; nephew [sic] Mamie Ford, 24; and roomers [sic] Lias L., 4, and Quincey B. Ford, 2.

The last will and testament of Bernicia J. Hines.

Bernicia J. Hines executed her last will and testament on 19 February 1945. In it, she created a trust for the benefit of her  children William Lee, Ossie May, James Clee, Lestus Ray, Paul Douglas, Bernicie Viola, and John Edward Hines, most of whom were minors, and appointed her neighbor Clarence B. Best trustee. C.E. Artis and James Watson signed as witnesses.

In an undated document that probably was submitted in 1946, Clarence B. Best filed a final account for Hines’ estate. He reported receipts from selling personal items, including a sewing machine, bedroom suit, and wash pot; collecting rent on a house on Viola Street; and cash and bonds.

Disbursements included paying for a cemetery lot (in Rest Haven), opening the grave, clothing for Hines’ children, court fees and other estate-related expenses, funeral services by Columbus E. Artis, a tombstone from Joyner Memorial Company, loan repayments, a bill from Dr. Boisey O. Barnes, a screen door, and a water “spicket.”

Bernicia Hines’ youngest child, John, turned 21 on 23 July 1957, after which the trust expired, and Best made a final distribution dividing $2115.07 among her seven children.

——

On 28 December 1922, Ashley Hines, 21, of Wilson, son of Turner and Bettie Hines, married Bernicia Smith, 21, of Toisnot township, daughter of Mahala S. Barnes. A.M.E. Zion minister John A. Barnes performed the ceremony at the bride’s house in Toisnot in the presence of Clarence Best, James Hagans, and Eddie Dew.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Ashley Hines, 24; wife Beanice, 25; and children William, 6, Ossie M., 5, James C., 2, and Lester, newborn.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1314 Nash Street, cook Ernest Barnes, 28; wife Lucile, 29; mother Mahala, 73; sister Bernice Hines, 35, divorced, tobacco stemmer, and her children William, 16, Ossie May, 14, James Clee, 12, Lester, 11, Paul D., 7, Bernice, 5, and John Eddie, 3.

In 1942, William Lee Hines registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 20 October 1923 in Wilson; lived at 1205 Carolina Street; his contact was Bernica Hines, same address; and he worked for T.A. Loving Company at Cherry Point, N.C.

On 28 February 1949, James Clee Hines, 21, son of Ashley Hines and Bernice Smith Hines, married Beulah Joyner, 26, in Wilson.

On 14 April 1950, William Lee Hines, 21, of Wilson, son of Ashley and Bernice Barnes Hines, married Annie Reynolds, of Elm City, daughter of William Reynolds and Effie Priest, in Toisnot township, Wilson County.

John Hines died 18 May 1964 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was born 24 July 1936 in Wilson, N.C., to Ashley Hines and Bernice Smith; was married to Loretta Hines; and worked as a floor waxer.

Property Settlement Records, 1942-1960, Wilson, North Carolina, United States Records, http://www.familysearch.org.