Woodard

The obituary of Rev. Albert Woodard of Bridgeton, New Jersey.

Wilson Daily Times, 4 April 1945.

——

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Jack Woodard, 35; wife Fannie, 32; and children John, 10, Julia, 7, Cynthia, 6, Albert, 5, and Aaron, 2.

On 7 February 1900, Albert Woodard, 25, of Wilson County, N.C., son of J. and F. Woodard, married Alice Bonney, of Norfolk County, Virginia, daughter of C. and R. Bonney.

In the 1910 census of Norfolk, Virginia: H.W.R. Holland, 31, clothes cleaner, and lodger Albert Woodard, 34, railroad laborer.

Roderick Albert Woodard was born 11 March 1914 in New York, New York, to Albert Woodard and Henrietta Hux.

In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Jack Woodard, 74; wife Caroline, 51; son Albert, 50; daughter-in-law Henrietta, 38; and grandchildren Roderick, 6, Viola, 3, and Carrie, 2.

In the 1940 census of Pittsgrove township, New Salem County, New Jersey: Albert Woodard, 65; wife Henrietta, 50; and lodgers Herbert Edwards, 30, poultry farm laborer, and wife Margaret, 27. All were born in North Carolina.

The Standard Star (New Rochelle, New York), 14 November 1958.

Three year-old struck by taxi and slightly injured.

Wilson Daily Times, 4 March 1949.

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  • Ralph Woodard, son of Herbert and Georgia Battle Woodard
  • Roy Hardy — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Walter Hardy, 67; daughter Mary E., 25, practical nurse; son Roy L., 24, taxi operator; and grandchildren Yvonne, 8, Janet, 6, Walter E., 4, and Carolyn, 2.

The William and Elizabeth Simms Woodard house.

Wilson Times, 10 January 1950.

We have studied the cluster of plantations owned by the Woodard family near White Oak Swamp here, as well as the disposition of enslaved people held by William and Elizabeth Simms Woodard. The photos above and below depict the Woodards’ house, built in 1832.

Though the house seems to have been in fine form in the early 1980s, when the second photograph was taken, it has since been demolished.

Lower photo courtesy of Woodard Family Rural Historic District nomination form.

 

Ruffin Woodard dies of burns.

Ruffin Woodard fell asleep while smoking, dropped his pipe, and set his clothes afire. Suffering burns on his side, back, and arm, Woodard died within hours.

——

In the 1900 census of Great Swamp township, Wayne County, N.C.: Ruffin Woodard, 45, fireman on stationary engine; wife Sarah, 30; and son Luther, 7.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg Street, Ruffin Woodard, 45, sawmill laborer; wife Sarah, 43; and son Luther, 18.

Ruffin Woodard died 24 February 1919 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 45 years old; was born in Wilson County to Rosa Woodard; was married to Sarah Woodard; lived at 118 Wiggins Street; worked as a wagon driver at a lumber mill; and was buried in Wilson [probably Vick Cemetery.]

Stephen Woodard’s enslaved people, no. 4.

When Stephen Woodard Sr. executed his last will and testament in 1858, he determined the fates of 72 enslaved African-Americans.

In Item 15th, daughter Penelope Woodard received 20 enslaved people. Woodard died in 1864, and all were likely freed before his estate was distributed. Though they presumably were in Wilson County at Emancipation, I’m able to trace forward relatively few people.

——

  • Asa
  • James
  • Ben

Benjamin Woodard has been a popular subject of my blogposts.

  • George
  • William
  • Jacob

Perhaps: on 3 August 1867, Jacob Woodard, son of Gabriel Woodard and Rena Deans, married Anna Tyson, daughter of Jack Tyson and Diana Tyson, at A.G. Brooks’ in Wilson County.

  • Gray

Grey Woodard, son of Cooper and Chacy Woodard, married Jane Edmondson, daughter of Easter Edmondson, on 6 February 1869 in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farm laborer Gray Woodard, 19; wife Jane, 19; Cherry Edmondson, 21, farm laborer, and child Willis, 4; Jno. Woodard, 6 months; and Epps Edmondson, 6.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Grey Woodard, 27; wife Jane, 25; and children Daniel, 10, Grant, 5, Handy, 4, Frank, 3, Jonah, 2, and Martha, 1. [Gray Woodard and family were close neighbors to Austin Woodard and Cooper Woodard, who were Gray’s brother and father.]

  • Sam
  • Old Bob
  • Sarah and her children Delilah, Edwin, and Ellen

This does not appear to be Sarah Woodard who married first Warren Rountree, then her sister Harriet’s widower, Alfred Woodard.

  • Rebecca and her children Isidore, Isaac, and Mary
  • Rose
  • Cherry

Perhaps: in 1866, Jack Woodard and Cherry Woodard registered their three-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Jack Woodard, 25; wife Cherry, 24; and daughter Martha, 2.

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Jack Woodard, 36; wife Cherry, 36; and children Martha, 13, Mattie, 8, James, 6, Mary, 4, Fannie, 3, and Nicey, 5 months.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: widower Jack Woodard, 59; sons Jimmy, 26, and Baylum, 14; and grandchildren Moses Atkinson, 6, and Afonsa Atkinson, 5.

  • Barbery

Stephen Woodard’s enslaved, part 3.

When Stephen Woodard Sr. executed his last will and testament in 1858, he determined the fates of 72 enslaved African-Americans.

In Item 11th, daughter Elizabeth Woodard Newsome received 15 enslaved people. Stephen Woodard died in 1864, and all were likely freed before his estate was distributed. Though they presumably were in Wilson County at Emancipation, I’m able to trace forward relatively few people.

  • Alfred

In 1866, Harriet Woodard and Alfred Woodard registered their ten-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Alfred Woodard, 40; wife Harriet, 28; and children Ned, 14, Rosa, 15, Zilly, 4, London, 3, and Minny, 2 months. Harriet died before 13 February 1873, when Alfred married her widowed sister Sarah Woodard Rountree. [Harriet and Sarah Woodard were daughters of London and Venus Woodard and had been enslaved by James B. Woodard.]

In the 1880 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Alfred Woodard, 50; wife Sarah, 45; children Florence, 28, Mary, 22, Howell, 18, Sarah E., 16, Zilly A., 17, Lundon, 13, Minnie, 12, Willie, 10, Josephine, 7, and Evvy, 4; and grandchildren Elizabeth, 7, Robt. B., 5, and John H. Bynum, 4.

  • Washington

Perhaps: in the 1880 census of New Hope township, Wayne County: farmer Washington Woodard, 54; wife Harriet, 24; and servant Esteller Pitt, 20.

In the 1900 census of New Hope township, Wayne County: farmer Washington Woodard, 65; wife Harrett, 55; and boarders Malissie, 23, and Henry A., 8.

  • Sherard
  • Ned
  • Wright
  • Frank

Frank Woodard and Appa Thompson were married in Wilson County on 15 October 1866.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Frank Woodard, 25, farm laborer; wife Appie, 23; son Frank Jr., 1; and Samuel Woodard, 20, farm laborer.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Frank Woodard, 37, farmer; wife Appie, 32; and sons Frank, 11, and Romulus, 9.

  • Auston

On 1 January 1870, Austin Woodard, son of Cooper Woodard and Chacey Woodard, married Easter Newsome, daughter of Cezar Newsome and Jane Simms, in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Cooper Woodard, 56; wife Candiss, 56; and Austin, 21, Jonas, 24, Handy, 17, and Esther Woodard, 21. Cooper claimed $225 in personal property. [Candis was the stepmother of Austin, Jonas, and Handy. Esther was Austin’s wife.]

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Austin Woodard, 29; wife Easter, 30; and children Foy, 10, Marion, 5, George, 3, John, 2, and Chasey, 1.

  • Etney and her three children Jane, Hugh, and Oliver

Perhaps: Oliver Woodard died 14 May 1929 in Saulston township, Wayne County. Per his death certificate, he was about 75 years old; his marital status was unknown; and he was a farmer.

  • Jincy and her child Chany
  • Hester
  • Lucy

Stephen Woodard’s enslaved, part 2.

When Stephen Woodard Sr. executed his last will and testament in 1858, he determined the fates of 72 enslaved African-Americans.

In Item 8th, son Willie Woodard received 11 enslaved people. Woodard died in 1864, and all were likely freed before his estate was distributed. Though they presumably were in Wilson County at Emancipation, I’m able to trace forward relatively few people.

  • Barden

In the 1870 census of Snow Hill township, Greene County, North Carolina: farm laborer Badan Woodard, 49; wife Serenia, 40; and children Jesse, 16, Smithy, 14, Amos, 18, Mitchel, 13, Ollin, 10, May, 3, Mike, 6, and John, 1.

On 6 December 1877, Jesse Woodard, 20, of Greene County, son of Barden and Seney Woodard, married Lucy Swinson, 17, of Greene County, daughter of John and Hannah Swinson, in Bull Doze township, Greene County.

In the 1880 census of Bull Head township, Greene County: farmer Barton Woodard, 59; wife Smithy, 54; children Rena, 30, Amos, 25, Marshal, 17, Zacharias, 15, and Sarah, 12; and grandchildren Amos Jr., 10, Mary, 6, and Charles, 5.

On 20 March 1884, Robert Manuel, 24, of Greene County, married Smitha Woodard, 30 of Greene County, daughter of Barden and Seney Woodard, at Barden Woodard’s in Snow Hill.

On 20 May 1905, Oliver Woodard, 43, of Greene County, son of Barton and Sena Woodard, married Annie Sutton, 45, of Wayne County, in Wayne County.

Martha Woodard died 8 November 1927 in Bull Head township, Greene County, North Carolina. Per her death certificate, she was 69 years old; was born in Wilson County to Barden Woodard and Silva Woodard; was single; and was buried in Lindell. Charley Woodard was informant.

Jessie Woodard died 12 February 1930 in Goldsboro, Wayne County. Per his death certificate, he was 63 years old; was the son of Bardan Woodard and Senie Woodard; was married; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Greene County. Jessie Woodard Jr. was informant.

  •  Sy

Perhaps: Simon Woodard, who  registered his 12-year marriage to Charity Woodard with a Wilson County justice of the peace in 1866.

  • Reddic
  • Jonas

On 17 November 1866, Jonas Woodard and Lucy Daniel were married in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Cooper Woodard, 56; wife Candiss, 56; and Austin, 21, Jonas, 24, Handy, 17, and Esther Woodard, 21. Cooper claimed $225 in personal property. [Austin and Handy, and perhaps Jonas, were Cooper Woodard’s sons by previous relationships, and Esther was Austin’s wife.]

  • Sena and her four children Smithy, Amos, Jesse, and Michel

Sena was the first wife of Barden Woodard, above. She apparently died between 1870 and 1880.

On 5 October 1886, Amos Woodard, 38, of Greene County, son of Borden and Conia Woodard, married Venus Lynch, 30, of Greene County, daughter of Peter and Hannah Dawson, at Bull Head township, Greene County.

Amos Woodard died 15 January 1916 in Speights Bridge township, Greene County. Per his death certificate, he was born about 1850 in Wilson County to Bart Woodard and Senie Woodard; was married; worked in farming; and was buried on the Edmundson Place.

  • Maram and her child Bedy

Stephen Woodard’s enslaved, part 1.

When Stephen Woodard Sr. executed his last will and testament in 1858, he determined the fates of 72 enslaved African-Americans.

In Item 2nd, Woodard bequeathed to his son Stephen Woodard Jr. 26 enslaved people. Woodard died in 1864, and all were likely freed before his estate was distributed. Though they presumably were in Wilson County at Emancipation, I’m able to trace forward relatively few people.

  • Lazarus

In 1866, Lazarus Woodard and Pennina Woodard registered their 12-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace. [Pennina presumably was enslaved by a different Woodard, as she is not among the 72 people Stephen Woodard named.]

I have not found Lazarus Woodard in census records. [In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County, George, 45, and Katie Woodard, 47, are listed with a 2 year-old boy named Lazarus. Was the child a close relative of Lazarus the elder?]

Louella Woodard died 23 October 1960 in Stantonsburg township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 25 August 1869 in Wilson County to Lazarus Woodard and Penina Woodard; was a widow; and worked as a domestic. Lee Woodard was informant. [This appears to Paul Lee Woodard, son of Stephen Woodard Jr., suggesting a very long relationship between enslaved and former enslaver.]

  • Randol
  • Henry

Possibly, in the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Henry Woodard, 35, and Caroline, 18, Isom, 13, Harriet, 12, Geneva, 11, John, 7, Louisa, 3, and Daton Woodard, 1 month; and Nathan Horn, 15.

  • Harry

Perhaps: in 1866, Harry Woodard and Hannah Ward registered their 31-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

Or: in an unspecified date in 1867, a marriage license issued for Harry Woodard, son of Lewis Shallington and Pleasant Woodard, and Dellah Woodard, daughter of Ben Woodard and Phereba Woodard. The license was not returned.

  • Little Bob
  • Jack
  • Arch

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: common laborer Arch Woodard, 45; wife Sarah, 42; children Sallie, 12, Cooper, 8, Richmond, 5, and Liddia, 1; daughter-in-law Chany, 17; and stepson Joseph, 16.

  • Solomon

On 3 April 1866, Solomon Woodard and Dewey Edmundson registered their four-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Solomon Woodard, 30, farmer; wife Dewry, 25; and Mary, 3.

Solomon Woodard presumably died before 1879, when his wife Dewry Woodard remarried.

  • Cooper

On 31 August 1866, Cooper Woodard and Candis Barnes registered their 7-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

On 21 November 1868, Cezar Woodard, son of Cooper Woodard and Amy Taylor, married Jane Brooks, daughter of Maj. Martin and Rena Brooks, in Wilson County. [Was this the same Cooper Woodard?]

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Cooper Woodard, 56; wife Candiss, 56; and Austin, 21, Jonas, 24, Handy, 17, and Esther Woodard, 21. Cooper claimed $225 in personal property. [The young adults in the household appear to be Cooper’s (but not Candis’, sons, plus a daughter-in-law. See Chacy, below.]

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Cooper Woodard, 65, and wife Candis, 64.

Cooper Woodard died in 1883.

  • Mintus

See Mintus Woodard, here. There were at least three freedmen in Wilson County known as Mintus Woodard, two of whom had been enslaved by William Woodard.

  • Chacy and her child Handy

On 6 February 1869, Grey Woodard, son of Cooper Woodard and Chacey Woodard, married Jane Edmondson, daughter of Ester Edmondson, in Wilson County. [Was this the same Chacy? Was Gray’s father the Cooper Woodard above?]

On 1 January 1870, Austin Woodard, son of Cooper Woodard and Chacey Woodard, married Easter Newsome, daughter of Cezar Newsome and Jane Simms, in Wilson County. [This appears to be the Austin Woodard and Easter Woodard in Cooper Woodard’s household above.]

On 25 February 1875, Handy Woodard, 21, married Hennetta Barnes, 19, at the residence of justice of the peace G.W. Stanton in Wilson County. [This appears to be the Handy Woodard above in Cooper Woodard’s household in 1870 and thus another son of Cooper and Chacey.]

  • Jackan and her children Julia and Silvia
  • Rachel and her children Lawrence and Jim
  • Charity and her children Minger and Anzy

In 1866, Charity Woodard and Simon Woodard registered their 12-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

  • Little Peggy 

Perhaps: on 13 March 1870, Ebonezer McGowan married Peggy Woodard, daughter of Easter Woodard, at Warren Woodard’s in Wilson County.

  • Dianna
  • Nicey
  • Old Peggy
  • Darkus

The estate of Cooper Woodard.

Cooper Woodard spent only 18 of his approximately 68 years in freedom. When he died in late 1883, his small estate went into probate, revealing that he raised hogs; grew corn, fodder, potatoes, and cotton; and owned one mule. His sole heir was his wife Candis Barnes Woodard.

——

On 31 August 1866, Cooper Woodard and Candis Barnes registered their 7-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Cooper Woodard, 56; wife Candiss, 56; and Austin, 21, Jonas, 24, Handy, 17, and Esther Woodard, 21. Cooper claimed $225 in personal property.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Cooper Woodard, 65, and wife Candis, 64.

Estate file of Cooper Woodard (1883), North Carolina, U.S. Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The last will and testament of Stephen Woodard Sr. (1858).

When Stephen Woodard Sr. executed his last will and testament in 1858, he determined the fates of 72 enslaved African-Americans.

In Item 2nd, Woodard bequeathed to his son Stephen Woodard Jr. 26 enslaved people — Lazarus, Randol, Henry, Harry, Little Bob, Jack, Arch, Solomon, Cooper, Mintus, Chacy and her child Handy, Jackan and her children Julia and Silvia, Rachel and her children Lawrence and Jim, Charity and her children Minger and Anzy, Little Peggy, Dianna, Nicey, Old Peggy, and Darkus. (In Item 6th, Woodard provided that, if an annuity could not be paid to son John G. Woodard, he would receive Jackan and her children.)

In Item 8th, son Willie Woodard received 11 enslaved people — Barden; Sy; Reddic; Jonas; Sena and her four children Smithy, Amos, Jesse, and Michel; and Maram and her child Bedy.

In Item 11th, daughter Elizabeth Woodard Newsome received 15 enslaved people: Alfred; Washington; Sherard; Ned; Wright; Frank; Auston; Etney and her three children Jane, Hugh, and Oliver; Jincy and her child Chany; Hester; and Lucy.

In Item 15th, daughter Penelope Woodard received 20 enslaved people — Asa, James, Ben, George; William; Jacob; Gray; Sam; Old Bob; Sarah and her children Delilah, Edwin, and Ellen; Rebecca and her children Isidore, Isaac, and Mary; Rose; Cherry; and Barbery.

Woodard’s will also gave insight into the way his farming operation was set up. He also bequeathed Stephen Woodard Jr. “all of my stock hogs at Lazerus’ pen & at Reddic’s pen and those at my home place” and Willie Woodard “my stock hogs at Washington’s pen.” In other words, Woodard’s hogs were kept at several locations across his plantation, including pens assigned to specific enslaved men.

Later posts will attempt to trace forward each group of Woodard’s enslaved.

Will of Stephen Woodard (1858), North Carolina, U.S. Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.