Brothers Elbert and Ned Kent are the forefathers of most African-American Kents from Wilson County’s Lucama area. Both were born enslaved in neighboring Johnston County to Lightfoot Sanders. Elbert Kent’s mother was Angeline Kent. Ned Kent’s possibly was was Angeline Kent, but may have been named Abbie. In 1902, the Kent brothers sued in Johnston County to regain their father’s 19 acres of land.
In short, the Kents alleged that Lightfoot Sanders died in 1887, leaving widow Wealthy Sanders and two sons (Wealthy’s stepsons) Elbert and Ned Kent. After Wealthy Sanders died, the Kent brothers took possession of the land and rented it out. In 1898, Harrison and Henrietta Avera took control of the property. (See the complaint below.)
The Averas responded that Lightfoot and Wealthy Sanders had bought the land together in November 1871 from J.B. Dunn; that Wealthy worked and contributed to the purchase; and that the parties intended for the deed to be made in the name of both Sanderses. However, by accident, it was made out to Lightfoot Sanders only. Wealthy Sanders executed a will in February 1896 leaving the 19 acres to her daughter (the Kent brothers’ stepsister) Henrietta Avera.
A judge found that the Kents and Henrietta Avera (and her husband) each owned one-half the property and ordered it sold and the proceeds to be divided. Henrietta Avera was to receive the 1903 rents from the property and pay the 1903 taxes. The land sold at auction on 30 January 1904 for $180.
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North Carolina, Johnston County
In the Superior Court, Feb Term 1903
Elbert Kent and Ned Kent
vs
Harrison Avera and Henrietta Avera
Complaint
The plaintiffs complaining of the defendants allege:
I. That Lightfoot Sanders, dec’d, was at and before his death seized in fee simple of the following described land and premises:
Beginning on a stake standing on North side of Sander’s Branch in Bettie Burnette’s line and runs with her line N 3 E. 65 poles to a stake her corner; thence as her line N 88 W 54 poles to a stake Jno. W. Pool’s corner, thence his line S 3 W 52 poles to a large ditch, thence as the ditch N 75 E 10 poles, thence N 62 E 16 poles, thence S 70 E 10 poles, thence S 83 E 12 poles, thence 150 E 5 poles to the beginning point containing (19) acres. See Registry of Johnston Co., Book E. No 3 – page 354 and said Lightfoot Sanders was at the time of his death in possession of said land and premises.
II. That when said Lightfoot Sanders died, he left surviving him a widow Wealthy Sanders who lived upon and occupied the land described in paragraph I of this complaint as his widow during her lifetime.
III. That upon the death of said widow Wealthy Sanders these plaintiffs entered upon said land took possession of said land and premises and rented same to Quinnie[?].
IV. That on or about 28th day of Jan. 1887 Lightfoot Sanders died intestate leaving surviving the plaintiffs his only children and heirs at law.
V. That on or about Jan. 1st 1898 the defendants entered into possession and are now in possession of said land and premises without leave of the plaintiffs or any right or title thereto and do now unlawfully withhold possession thereof from the plaintiffs.
Wherefore plaintiffs demand judgment:
1st. That plaintiffs recover possession of the land and premises
2nd. For the sum of Fifty Dollars as rents for detaining and withholding said land and premises from the owners
3rd. For such other and further relief as plaintiffs are entitled to
4th. For the cost of this action.
E.S. Abell and Wellon & Morgan Attys for Plaintiffs
Elbert Kent one of the plaintiffs being duly sworn says that the facts set forth in the foregoing complaint are true of his own knowledge except as to those matters therein stated upon information and belief and as to those matters he believes it to be true.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this Feb. 16th 1903 Elbert (X) Kent
W.S. Stevens C.S.C.
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In an 1863 assessment of enslaved property directed by North Carolina’s Confederate government, Lightfoot, age 46, appears in a list of people enslaved by Ashley Sanders, Avera’s district, Johnston County.
In 1866, Lightfoot Sanders and Welthy Sanders registered their 11-year cohabitation with a Johnston County clerk of court.
In the 1870 census of Smithfield township, Johnston County: Lightfoot Sanders, 54, farmer; wife Weltha, 50; and Jack Tomlinson, 75, pauper.
In the 1880 census of Smithfield township, Johnston County: Lightfoot Sanders, 65, farmer, and wife Wealthy, 70.
On 1 November 1868, Elbert Kent, son of Lightfoot Sanders and Angeline Kent, married Rebecer Kent, daughter of Rebecer Creach, in Wilson County.
In the 1870 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farm laborer Elbert Kent, 25; wife Rebecca, 23; and Mary, 1.
In the 1880 census of Beulah township, Johnston County: laborer Elbert Kent, 36; wife Rebecca, 29; and children Mary, 10, Rufus, 9, Saraha, 7, Flourens 6, Martha M., 4, and Pharrow, 1.
In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Elbert Kent, 55, widower, and children Joseph, 18, Albert, 15, Bettie, 8, Rebecca, 7, and Isaiah, 4; plus daughter Martha Barnes, 23, widow, and her children Rebecca, 4, and Joseph, 2.
In the 1880 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Kent, 25, wife Liddy, 24, and children Isaac, 4, Cassanda, 3, and Jane, 2.
In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Kent, 46, wife Lydia, 43, and children Cassanda, 22, Gennie, 18, George, 17, Roscoe, 15, Frederick, 13, Charley, 11, Clara A., 10, Bud, 8, Louisa, 6, Narcissa, 4, Percy, 2, and Franklin, 1.
In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: on the path leading to Raleigh Road, farmer Ned Kent, 56, wife Liddie, 51, and children Casandy, 32, Charley, 21, Clara, 20, James W., 18, Louisa, 16, Narcissus, 14, Percy, 12, Franklin, 10, and Ada, 7.
In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Kent, 59, wife Liddie, 58, children Frank, 20, and Ada, 18, and grandson Willie, 1.
In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Kent, 71; wife Liddie C., 69; son Percy, 32; and grandchildren Percy C., 9, Leda F., 8; David N., 5, and Willie, 12. Ned’s farm was valued at $4500.
In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Kent, 74, wife Liddie, 83, and grandsons Willie, 21, Carnell, 19, and Daniel, 16.
Ned Kent died 22 July 1940 in Springhill township. Per his death certificate, he was 85 years; was married to Lydia Kent, 84; was a farmer; and was born in Johnston County to Elbert Sanders [sic] and Abbie Sanders of Johnston County. He was buried at the home place; Earnest Hinnant was informant.
