Rich

Rich testifies: “The trains never blow at this crossing.”

W.H. Raper was struck and killed by a night train near Lucama on 20 March 1897. The plaintiff in Martin Raper, Adm’r W.H. Raper, deceased, vs. The Wilmington and Weldon Railroad argued that the railroad company’s negligent upkeep of the guard rail at the railroad crossing caused or contributed to Raper’s death. Much of the testimony detailed the severe mutilation of Raper’s body, but Isaac Rich testified more generally about the frequency of night trains.

A white witness vouched for Rich’s good character:

Another witness, John H. Hill, testified that he had walked with Raper that night: “I went past the colored church and section house and there told him goodbye and told him to go home by county road.”

Raper’s estate lost at trial and again on appeal.

Wilson [County, North Carolina] Estate Case Files 1854-1959, http://www.familysearch.org.

The apprenticeships of Lydia Lancaster and Roman Oniel.

On 9 July 1895, a Wilson County Superior Court judge ordered three year-old Lydia Lancaster bound as an apprentice to Isaac Rich until she reached 18 years of age.

On 30 December 1898, a Wilson County Superior Court judge ordered 5 year-old Roman Oniel bound as an apprentice to Isaac Rich until he reached 21 years of age.

  • Lydia Lancaster
  • Roman Oniel

In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: widower Isaac Rich, 50, farmer; daughters Martha A., 28, and Wibby, 16; niece Lettie Langston, 8, and nephew Rommie Oneil, 8.

In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Isaac Rich, 60; wife Jacan, 45; nephew Roman Oneil, 18; nephew Robert Creech, 18; and laborer Bruce Depree, 18.

In 1911, Isaac Rich made this bequest in his last will and testament: “At my death I give to Roman Oneal, my foster son, who has been faithful to me, a horse worth not more than twenty dollars and one Bible to cost one dollar.”

In 1917, Roman Ricks [sic] registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 May 1892 in Wilson; lived in Lucama; worked as section hand on the A.C.L. Rail Road; and he had a wife and one child. He signed his name “Roman Rich.”

In the 1920 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Roman Ricks, 24; wife Phyllis, 45; and daughter Annie, 12.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., directory: Rich Roman (c; Phyllis) lab h 512 New Bern

On 2 November 1941, Roman Rich, 46, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, married Katie Sims, 51, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Wilmington, Delaware. Per their marriage application, Rich was born in North Carolina on 3 January 1895 to Isaac and Eliza Rich; was a widower; and worked as a stripper in Sun Ship Yard.

In 1942, Roman Rich registered for the World War II draft in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his registration card, he was born 30 January 1895 in Wilson; lived at 4835 Merion Street, Philadelphia; his contact was Katie Rich; and he worked for Lowe & Son, 46th and Lancaster Streets, Philadelphia.

Roman Rich died 9 July 1963 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was born 7 July 1887 in Wilson, North Carolina, to Isaac and Liza Rich; was married to Katie Rich; lived at 4812 Reno Street, Philadelphia; and he was buried in Merion Cemetery, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania.

Wilson [County, North Carolina] Apprentice Bonds 1869-1914, http://www.familysearch.org.

The estate of George W. Thompson.

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Wilson Advance, 19 June 1890.

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In the 1870 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farm laborer George Thompson, 57; wife Rilda, 43; son Rufus, 8; with Cherry Bailey, 42, and Bitha, 25, and Mittie Bailey, 16.

In the 1880 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer George Thompson, 62; wife Marilda, 52; son Rufus, 20; and granddaughter Hattie Thompson, 6.

Apparently on his deathbed, George W. Thompson made out his will 16 December 1885.

He left all his property to his wife Rilda during her lifetime, then his land to son Rufus, and, if Rufus had no heirs, to granddaughter Cora Thompson. After Rilda’s death, his personal property was to be sold and the money equally divided between son Rufus Thompson, Courtney Peacock, and Cora Thompson. Solomon Lamm was appointed executor.

George Thompson died within days. His executor filed to open his estate and prepared this inventory of his property. Though relatively meager, the list represents a laudable achievement for a man who had spent the bulk of his life enslaved.

Unfortunately, George Thompson’s debts outweighed the value of his estate, forcing the sale advertised in the notice above of a ten-acre parcel adjoining the property of M.V. Peele, Isaac Rich, and Henry Peacock. Marilda and Rufus Thompson had left the area, however, and could not be found in the county for service.

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

The last will and testament of Isaac Rich.

In the Name of God, Amen. I, Isaac Rich, of Lucama, Wilson County, State of North Carolina, being of sound mind and memory do this 22nd day of March, A.D. 1911, make and publish my last and testament in manner following, that is to say: At my death I wish to be decently buried and according to the wishes of my friends.

ITEM. I give to my beloved wife, Jack Ann Rich, during her life time or widowhood, the home place where on I now live containing thirty (30) acres, more or less, which is separated and marked by a line from the railroad bridge to the old line the corner, and after her death I give my granddaughter Viola Dawson the said home place during her life time

ITEM. I give my daughter, Martha Ann, wife of James Pearce, one tract of land separated from the home place by a line from the railroad bridge above mentioned, to the old line including the church lot adjoining Mr. Jesse Lucas line and also three and one fourth acres across the railroad, all together containing thirty (30) acres, more or less, to her and her heirs forever.

ITEM. I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter, Marilda Forsythe, one tract of land called the grave yard tract, adjoining Jesse Lucas’s line at spring branch, a corner, thence to the railroad corner above, to include two acres across the rail road, the whole together containing twenty one (21) acres, more or less, to have and to hold to her the said Marilda Forsythe, during her life and after her death I bequeath the aforesaid land to Martha Ann Pearce, her heirs and assigns.

ITEM. I give and bequeath to my grand daughter, Viola Dawson, after the death of my wife, the home place mentioned in my will, to her and her heirs.

ITEM. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife one horse and buggy her choice at my death. Also her share according to law of the cattle and other stock, and also her share of all other perishable property at my death and the sale of my property.

ITEM. At my death I give to Roman Oneal, my foster son, who has been faithful to me, a horse worth not more than twenty dollars and one Bible to cost one dollar

And if any money remain after the settlement of my estate, I bequeath the same to my children and their decendants

In testimony whereof, I hereunto set my hand an seal the day and date above mentioned in the presence of T.C. Davis and F.S. Davis the subscribing witnesses to this my will.                 /s/ Isaac (X) Rich

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On 30 April 1872, Isaac Rich, son of Branch O’Neal and Rachel Peacock, married Elizar Darden, daughter of Lizzie Darden, at George Thompson’s in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Isaac Rich, 30; wife Eliza, 30; children Martha Ann, 9, Marilda, 7, Zachariah, 5, and Elafare, 2; mother Mary Howell, 65; and George Washington Bass, 15, farm worker.

On 13 September 1899, Marilda Rich, 23, daughter of Isaac and Eliza Rich, married Mack Forsythe, 28, son of Alex and Nancy Forsythe, in Cross Roads township. William Forsythe applied for the license.

In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: widower Isaac Rich, 50, farmer; daughters Martha A., 28, and Wibby, 16; niece Lettie Langston, 8, and nephew Rommie Oneil, 8.

On 12 December 1900, Isaac Rich, 50, of Wilson County, married Jack Ann Ricks, 35, of Wilson County. Methodist minister G.A. Wood performed the ceremony at the bride’s residence in Wilson in the presence of Moses Depree and Mingo Hines.

Willie Dawson, 23, of Black Creek township, son of Benjamin and Caroline Dawson, married Susie Ann Richs, 22, of Cross Roads, daughter of Isaac and Eliza Richs, on 12 January 1905. Free Will Baptist minister W.H. Frost performed the ceremony at W.M. Forsythe’s in the presence of Forsythe, William Daniels and Aaron Barnes, all of Lucama.

James Pierce, 28, of Cross Roads, married Martha Rich, 24, of Cross Roads, daughter of Isaac and Eliza Rich, on 18 January 1906 at Martha’s residence. Free Will Baptist minister J.M. Richardson performed the ceremony in the presence of Thomas Ayers, William Forsythe and J.T. Horton, all of Lucama.

In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Isaac Rich, 60, farmer; wife Jacan, 45; nephews Roman Oneil, 18, and Robert Creech, 18; and laborer Bruce Depree, 18.

Isaac Rich died in the summer of 1913. James H. Newsome applied for letters of administration for his estate, naming widow Jack Ann Rich and Martha Ann Pearce, Marilda Forsyth, Viola Dawson (minor) and Roman O’Neal as heirs. Rich’s estate was estimated at $5600, including land.

Martha A. Pierce died 23 February 1918 in Cross Roads township. Per her death certificate, she was 42 years old; the daughter of Isaac Rich and Eliza Hayes; was married; and was buried in the Ricks graveyard. William Forsythe was informant, and Mack Forsythe, the undertaker.

Image of original will and administration letters available at North Carolina Wills and Estates, 1665-1998 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.