Josiah Abshier was head of an Anson County household of 6 "other free" in 1810
[NC:57] and 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:12]. He was a corporal who received a
pension of $345.97 [Crow, Black Experience, 97].
Caleb Archer was head of a Hertford County household of 5 "other free" in 1790 [NC:26]
and 9 in 1800 in Captain Lewis' District. He was allowed 26 pounds pay for service in
the Revolution from 10 November 1777 to 10 August 1778 [Haun, Revolutionary Army
Accounts, vol.II, Book 2, 280]. On 7 June 1792 he appointed James Carraway of
Cumberland County his attorney to receive his payment for services in the Continental line
in 1778 and 1779 [NCGSJ VIII:98].
Evans Archer was head of a Hertford County household of 3 "other free" in 1790 [NC:25],
3 in 1800, and 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:186]. He was sixty-nine years old on 27
September 1823 when he applied for a Revolutionary War pension in Hertford County Court,
stating that he enlisted in Portsmouth, Virginia, for eighteen months until January 1782
[M805-25, frame 0001]. In 1835 he was listed as a Revolutionary War pensioner in a report
to Congress [Clark, State Records of North Carolina, XXII:571].
Archibald Artis died before November 1782 when Stephen Powell was granted administration
of his estate in Johnston County, North Carolina Court on a bond of 200 pounds. The account
of sales of the estate totalled a little over 43 pounds [Haun, Johnston County Court Minutes,
III:232]. He was mentioned in the Revolutionary War pension application of Holiday Haithcock
which had a testimonial by William Bryan, a Justice of the Peace:
... that in the times of our Revolutionary War free negroes and mulattoes mustered in the
ranks with white men in said State ..This affiant has frequently mustered in company with
said free negroes and mulattoes ...That class of persons were equally liable to draft - and
frequently volunteered in the public Service. This affiant was in the army a short time at
Wilmington at the time Craig was near that place and remembers that one mulatto was in
his company as a common soldier whose name Archibald Artis - Sworn to and subscribed
this 21 day November 1834.
John Artis enlisted in 1781 in Abraham Shepard's Tenth Regiment, Colonel Hall's Company.
He left the service on 1 November 1782 [Clark, State Records of North Carolina,
17:190, 16:1007, 15:609].
James Baltrip was a Continental soldier from Bute County who enlisted on 3 September
1778: 5 feet 4" high, 20 years old, dark hair, dark eyes [NCAr:Troop Returns by
NCGSJ XV:109].
William Barber, born on 17 May 1745 in Dinwiddie County, was living in Surry County, North
Carolina, on 2 January 1833 when he made a declaration in court to obtain a Revolutionary
War pension. He stated that he was living in Halifax County, Virginia, when called into the
service and moved to Surry County about 1805 [M805-48]. He was head of a Surry County,
North Carolina household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [NC:697] and 6 "free colored" in 1820
[NC:670].
Samuel Bell was living in Sampson County, North Carolina, in February 1782 when he
volunteered in Captain Coleman's Company under Major Griffith McRae and Colonel Lytle.
He marched to Wilmington, to Georgetown, and to Charleston, but was never in any
engagement. After the war, he lived in Sampson County until about 1807 when he moved to
Robeson County where he applied for and was granted a pension on 31 August 1832
[M804-0207, frame 0489]. He was head of a Sampson County household of 10 "other free"
in 1790, 15 in 1800 [NC:509], 5 in Robeson County in 1810 [NC:234], and 2 "free colored" in
Robeson County in 1820 [NC:309].
Edmund Bibby was listed among the Continental soldiers from Bute County who enlisted for
nine months on 3 September 1778: Edmon Bibby, Place of Abode Bute County, born N.C.,
5'4", 20 years old, Dark Fair, Dark Eyes [NCAr:Troop Returns, Box 4, by NCGSJ XV:109].
He was the son of a "Mulatto" woman named Mary Bibby [Chamberlayne, Register of Bristol
Parish, 36; CR 44.701.19; CR 015.70001; Bute County WB A:218, 226, 227, 232, 233].
Martin Black enlisted for three years in Stevenson's Company of the North Carolina
Continental Line on 16 May 1777. He was in Valley Forge and West Point and
reenlisted for eighteen months in Evans Company in 1782 [M805-92, frame 0147]. He
was head of a Carteret County household of 2 "other free" in 1790 [NC:128] and an
Onslow County household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [NC:143].
Benjamin Blango was a soldier from Beaufort County whose estate was administered
before June 1792 by Sarah Blango [NCGSJ XVIII:72].
John Braveboy was a "Black" tithable in Tyrrell County in 1755 [T.O. 105, box 1],
head of a Beaufort County household of 1 "other free" and 6 slaves in 1790 [NC:127],
1 "other free" in 1800 [NC:4], and 1 in 1810 [NC:116]. He volunteered as a soldier in
Carteret County in 1778 [The North Carolinian VI:728]. He enlisted on 27 August 1778
for three years in Captain Ballard's Company in the North Carolina Continental Line
but was listed as a deserter a little over a year later on 29 October 1779 [Clark, State
Records, XVI:1020].
Jacob Braveboy was called a "bastard Mulattoe aged about 15" by the May 1774
Bertie County court when it ordered him bound as an apprentice bricklayer [Haun,
Bertie County Court Minutes, IV:74]. He enlisted for two and one-half years as a
private in Fifth Regiment, William's Company of the N.C. Continental Line on 9 May
1776 and was discharged 10 November 1778 [N.C. Historical & Genealogical Register,
II:181]. He was head of a Martin County household of 3 free males and 3 free females
in William Barden's District no. 5 for the state census in 1787 and head of a Martin
County household of 10 "other free" in 1800 [NC:387].
John Brooks was a Revolutionary War pensioner from North Carolina [Clark, State
Records of North Carolina, XXII:571]. He was head of a Robeson County household
of 5 "other free" in 1800 [NC:367] and 7 in 1810 [NC:147]. He claimed to be
ninety-five or ninety-six years old on 30 May 1853 when he applied for a pension for
service in the Revolution and was still living in Robeson County on 22 March 1858
when he applied for (and received) bounty land [Pension File S-6732].
David Burnett, a "man of color," served as a soldier in Blount's Company [Crow,
Black Experience in Revolutionary North Carolina, 98]. He enlisted on 2 April 1776
but was omitted from Blount's Company in 1778 [N.C. Historical & Genealogical
Register II:181]. He died without heirs and his land warrant was escheated.
William Burnett was head of a Dobbs County, North Carolina household of 5
"other free" in 1790 [NC:137]. He was twenty-three years old in 1778 when he was
listed in the Militia Returns for Dobbs County [The North Carolinian VI:730]. He was
a "Mulatto" who enlisted with the 10th Regiment in 1780 and was said to have died
without heirs [Crow, Black Experience in Revolutionary North Carolina, 98].
John Butler was a taxable "Mollato" in William Butler's household in the 1774 Bertie
County tax list of Humphrey Nichols [NC Archives file CR 10.702.1]. He was living in
Bertie County on 17 November 1820 when he applied for a pension for his services
in the Revolution, stating that he enlisted in May 1776 at Windsor, Bertie County, in
the North Carolina Line. He was sixty-six years old and owned 220 acres of poor
land that he lived on with his wife Milly, fifty years old, and four children [NCGSJ XI:22].
Moses Byrd enlisted as a musician in Lewis' Company of the North Carolina
Continental Line in Halifax County in 1776 and was omitted in January 1778 [N.C.
DAR, Roster of Soldiers from N.C. in the Revolution, 112]. He was a "Mulatto"
taxable in Southampton County, Virginia, in 1802 [PPTL 1792-1806, frame 546].
Reuben Byrd applied for a pension in Powhatan County on 15 June 1820 at the age
of fifty-six years. He testified that he had enlisted in Hillsborough, North Carolina,
and served in Captain James Gunn's regiment of dragoons. Benjamin Sublett testified
that he met Reuben, a sixteen or seventeen-year-old "Mulatto boy," while serving in
the Revolution in May 1780. Gabriel Gray testified that Reuben served as "Boman"
for his brother Lieutenant William Gray. In 1820 Reuben's family consisted of his 37
year-old wife and a seven-year-old girl [M804-243, frame 0362]. He was head of a
Petersburg household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:121b]. He registered in Petersburg
on 9 June 1810: a brown Mulatto man, five feet seven inches high, forty seven years
old, born free in Essex County, a stone mason [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819,
no. 576].
Isaac Carter, called a "Mulatto" in his Revolutionary War pension application, enlisted
in the 8th North Carolina Regiment on 1 September 1777, was taken prisoner, and
was discharged on 20 February 1780 [Crow, Black Experience in Revolutionary North
Carolina, 98]. He was head of a Craven County household of 5 "other free" in 1790
[NC:131].
John Carter enlisted in Captain Quinn's Tenth Regiment. He was engaged in skirmishes
near West Point and Kings Ferry. He made a declaration in September Term 1820
Craven County court to obtain a pension. He was a cooper, living with his sister
Margaret Fenner when he made his declaration in 1820. Asa Spelman testified on his
behalf. He died before 30 July 1821 [M805-166, frame 497]. He was head of an "other
free" Carteret County household in 1790 [NC:128, 129].
Joshua Carter, head of a Craven County household of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:130],
received 4 pounds pay for forty days service in the Craven County Militia under Major
John Tillman in an expedition to Wilmington [Haun, Revolutionary Army Accounts,
Journal "A", 141].
Moses Carter was a "man of color" who enlisted as a private in Captain Joseph
Rhodes' 1st Regiment on 19 July 1782 until 1 July 1783. He made a declaration to
obtain a pension in Sampson County on 25 October 1820 [M805-167, frame 0077].
He was head of a Sampson County household of 9 "other free" in 1790 [NC:52], 8 in
1800 [NC:515] and 6 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:278].
Jonathan Case, born say 1737, served in the Revolution in Alexander Whitehall's
Company of North Carolina Militia commanded by Colonel Samuel Jarvis [Saunders,
Colonial and State Records, XVII:1054]. He was living in Currituck County on 2 June
1791 when he applied for a pension for eighteen months service as a Continental
soldier [NCGSJ VIII:213]. He was head of a Currituck County household of 4 "other
free" in 1790 [NC:21] and 10 in 1800 [NC:138].
Joseph Case was head of a Currituck County household of 6 "other free" in 1800
[NC:138]. He made a declaration in Currituck County Court on 10 May 1820 to obtain
a pension for his services in the Revolutionary War [M805-168, S41472].
Caesar Chavis received pay for his services in the Revolution [Haun, Revolutionary
Army Accounts, vol.II, Book 2:280]. He was head of a Bertie County household of 7
"other free" in 1790 (Cezar Chevat) [NC:12].
Drury Chavis was a "Negro" who enlisted 25 May 1781 for 12 months' service. He died
without heirs and his land warrant was escheated [Crow, Black Experience, 98].
Henry Chavis was a soldier who served in the Revolution from November 1778 to
August 1779. His widow Peggy made a deposition in Hertford County on 14 July
1792 to obtain his pay. William Manly attested to her statement [NCGSJ VIII:214].
Cato Copeland was head of a Craven County household of 1 "other free" in 1790
[NC:134] and 2 in Halifax County in 1810 [NC:12]. While a resident of Halifax
County he applied for and was granted a pension for three years service in the 2nd
North Carolina Regiment. According to the pension application he married Nancy
Mitchell, 11 December 1778 Halifax County bond, 16 December 1778 marriage.
Cato died in 1827 and his wife Nancy Copeland applied for a survivor's pension on
21 November 1842 [M805-219, frame 0072].
Cubit was described as a "free black man" who was a drummer. He enlisted in
1777 and was believed to have died in Wilmington. His land warrant for 1,000
acres was escheated [Crow, Black Experience, 99].
Richard Davis was head of a Brunswick County, North Carolina household of 8
"other free" in 1800 [NC:13], probably the R. Davis who was head of a Brunswick
County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [NC:236]. In 1791 he petitioned the
North Carolina General Assembly claiming that he had been an artilleryman in the
Revolution, his wife had been emancipated by her master in 1784, and he asked
that his children be also emancipated [Crow, Black Experience in Revolutionary
North Carolina, 99].
John Day was a "man of color" who enlisted in Granville County, North Carolina, in
the 2nd North Carolina Regiment. He was said to have died in Valley Forge on 14
January 1778 [Crow, Black Experience in Revolutionary North Carolina, 99].
Allen Demery was a taxable "Black Male" in Matthew Moore's Bladen County
household in 1770 [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:50] and head of an Anson
County household of 7 "other free" in 1790 [NC:35] and 5 in 1800 [NC:203]. He
enlisted in the 10th North Carolina Regiment [Clark, Colonial and State Records,
16:1047].
William Dove received 4 pounds pay for 40 days service in the Craven County,
North Carolina Militia under Major John Tillman in an expedition to Wilmington
[Haun, Revolutionary Army Accounts, Journal "A", 141]. He was head of a Craven
County household of 9 "other free" in 1790 [NC:131].
Thomas Dring served in Allen's Company in the Revolutionary War and died 11
September 1777 [Clark, Colonial and State Records, XVI:1040].
Lucy Dunston was one of the "Mollatto Children of Patience Dunstan" who were
bound to John Howell in Lunenburg County Court in April 1757 [Orders 1755-57, 278].
Her son Charles Dunston was bound apprentice in Mecklenburg County, Virginia,
on 13 April 1772 [Orders 1771-73, 184]. He purchased 230 acres in Wake County
on both sides of Little Lick Creek on 21 September 1787 [DB H:221]. He was living
in Orange County, North Carolina, when he received his final settlement for his
service in the Revolutionary War [The North Carolinian VI:755].
William Dunstan, "Molatto" son of Patience Dunstan, was one of the Continental
soldiers from Bute County who volunteered for nine months [Militia Returns cited
by NCGSJ XV:109].
John Ellis, born about 1754 in Virginia, moved with his mother to Nutbush District
in North Carolina when he was a child and later moved to Wake County where he
enlisted in the 10th Regiment of the North Carolina Line on 27 April 1776. He was
a "man of Colour" who made a declaration for a pension in Wake County court on
27 July 1820. He resided in Franklin County, Illinois, on 12 September 1837 when
he made another declaration to obtain a pension. He died on 21 October 1850, and
his only surviving heirs James Ellis, William Ellis, Polly Ellis, Mahalah Ellis and
Henry Ellis received survivors' benefits in 1852 [M804-916, frame 0427]. He was
head of a Wake County household of 3 "other free" in 1790 [NC:103]. He sold the
land which was due him for his service to Thomas Henderson, Jr., of Raleigh for
$114 [N.C. Archives, Wake County folder #339].
Benjamin Flood was living in Halifax County, North Carolina, on 4 August 1789 when
he deposed that he had served as an eighteen months soldier in the North Carolina
Continental line and assigned all that was due to him for the service to John Eaton
[NCGSJ IX:153]. He sold 640 acres in Davidson County, Tennessee, on the south
side of the Cumberland River, a grant for his services in the Revolution, by Halifax
County deed on 31 August 1801 [DB 18:806 & Franklin County DB 6:89]. He was
head of a Halifax County household of 7 "other free" in 1800 [NC:308], 6 in 1810
[NC:19], and 7 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:148].
William Foster was a "man of colour" who enlisted for 18 months [Crow, Black
Experience, 99].
Charles and Ambrose Franklin, sons of Martha Walden, died while serving in the
Revolutionary War. Their heirs were granted land warrants for 228 acres. They were
also granted an additional 412 acres to be released when there was additional proof
of their death. The additional land was released on 13 December 1805 when Micajah
Walden presented the testimony of Samuel Parker, Henry Parker, and James
Bradley, Captain of the North Carolina Regiment of Halifax [NCGSJ III].
Anthony Garner was head of a Hertford County household of 2 "other free" in
1790 [NC:26]. He served in the Revolution from Hertford County (called Anthony
Garnes) [National Archives pension file S38723 cited by NSDAR, African American
Patriots, 165].
Jeffrey Garnes was a six-year-old bound by the Lunenburg County court to William
Cocke to be a planter on 8 May 1765. In the 1778 Militia Returns for Captain
Richard Taylor's Company of Granville County, North Carolina, he was listed as "a
black man," twenty years old, (serving) in place of William Edwards Cock
[Mil. T.R. 4-40 by Granville County Genealogical Society, Granville Connections,
vol.1, no.1, 10].
Charles Gibson was living in Wayne County, North Carolina, in August 1818 when
he made a declaration to obtain a pension for Revolutionary War service. He
claimed that he enlisted for nine months in the Tenth Regiment at the courthouse
in Northampton County, North Carolina. However, there was no record of his
discharge or service. Perhaps he was the same Charles Gibson who applied for a
pension from Hawkins County, Tennessee, at the age of ninety-two on 19 January
1839. He stated that he was born in Louisa County, Virginia, on 19 January 1739
and entered into the service in Salisbury, North Carolina. His neighbors, Jordan and
Jonathan Gibson and Benjamin Collins, testified on his behalf [M805-355, frames
55, 62].
Edward Gowens/ Goins was listed in 1779 among the continental soldiers from
Bute County who served for nine months: Edward Going private, born Virginia, 5'7",
35 years old Black Fair; black eyes [NCGSJ XV:109]. He was head of a Person
County household of 6 "other free" in 1800 [NC:599]. He and Jenkins Goins sold
their claims for Revolutionary War pay to John Hall of Hyco, Caswell County, on
27 April 1791 [NCGSJ IX:224].
Jenkins Goins was a seventeen-year-old "mullato" who enlisted in Captain John
Rust's Company of Granville County militia in 1778 [The North Carolinian VI:726
(Mil. TR 4-40)].
Reeps Goins was taxable in the Granville County household of his father Edward
Goins in 1761 (with his brother Edward). He was called Rapes Going when he
enlisted in the Second South Carolina Regiment under Captain Thomas Hall on 1
July 1779 [Moss, Roster of S.C. Patriots in the American Revolution, 367].
Ezekiel Graves was head of a Northampton County household of 6 "other free" in
1790 [NC:72] and 3 in 1800 [NC:447]. On 22 November 1787 he applied for
compensation for twelve months service as a soldier in Captain Troughton's North
Carolina Company [NCGSJ V:161].
John Gregory was head of a Craven County, North Carolina household of 2 "other
free" in 1790 [NC:130] and 2 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:65]. He was seventy-four
years old on 15 August 1832 when he made a declaration in Craven County Court
to obtain a pension for his services in the Revolution. He stated that he was living in
Brunswick County, North Carolina, when he was drafted, and had two severe cuts
from a sword which extended from his eyelid to the crown of his head [NCGSJ XII:
186 (CR 28.301.29)].
Ned Griffin was the slave of William Kitchen. He served as a substitute for his master.
The N.C. General Assembly granted him his freedom [Crow, Black Experience, 100;
also recorded on first page of Edgecombe County Court Minutes 1772-1784].
Aaron Haithcock was probably an elderly man on 1 January 1796 when he and Batt
Chavis sold their household goods to John Walden in Northampton County [DB 11:42].
He was head of a Northampton County, North Carolina household of 5 "other free" in
1800 [NC:449]. He was allowed pay to 5 June 1781 for his services in the Revolution
[Haun, Revolutionary Army Accounts, vol. II, Book 1, 273].
Frederick Haithcock served in the Revolution from Halifax County, North Carolina
[NSDAR, African American Patriots, 165]. He was head of Halifax county household
of 7 "other free" in 1790 [NC:61] and 5 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:151].
Holiday Haithcock was head of a Johnston County household of 6 "other free" in 1790
[NC:142] and 6 in Orange County in 1800 [NC:569]. He had returned to Johnston
County on 23 February 1836 when he made his application for a pension for his
Revolutionary War service. He gave an account of his service in his application before
the court and stated that he volunteered in Johnston County, spent about a year in
Fayetteville, and spent about twenty years in Orange County. His application was
not approved, but several prominent Johnston County citizens did their best for him.
William Bryan, a Justice of the Peace, testified for him and Thompson Venable
wrote to the Commissioner of Pensions in Washington, "On examining the case
of Holliday Hethcock of N.C. for pension under act of June 7, 1832, we find that
his services and identity are fully proven by three witnesses, and that his case has
been suspended merely because he was a free man of color. As we understand
that several cases of this sort have been admitted, you will oblige us by having it
admitted."
Isaac Hammond was the son of Isaac Hammond and Margaret Akin, "free Negroes."
He was baptized on 21 September 1755 at St. Thomas and St. Dennis Parish, South
Carolina [Parochial Register of the Parishes of St. Thomas & St. Denis, n.p.
(alphabetical listing under H)]. He was "a man of color" and a fifer in the 10th North
Carolina Regiment for twelve months [M805, reel 393, S.8654]. He was head of a
Fayetteville, Cumberland County, household of 5 "other free" in 1790 [NC:42].
Edward Harris was taxable in Granville County, North Carolina in 1768. He died
before 14 July 1792 when his brother Gibson Harris, as "Eldest Brother & heir at law
to Edward Harris decd.," gave power of attorney to Philemon Hodges to receive his
pay for service in the Revolution. His brothers, Sherwood and Solomon Harris, made
a similar deposition confirming Gibson's statement on 22 July 1792 [NCGSJ X:111].
Gibson Harris was listed in the 1778 Granville County Militia Returns for Captain
Abraham Potter's Company as a seventeen-year-old "black man," occupation: planter
[The North Carolinian VI:726 (Mil. TR 4-40)]. He was head of a Surry County, North
Carolina household of 12 "other free" in 1810 [NC:684].
Henry Hawkins served in the Revolution from Halifax County [NSDAR, African
American Patriots, 165]. He made a deposition in Halifax County on 23 November
1812 that he was in the service with Nathan Scott and that Scott died in the hospital
in Philadelphia [LP 262, by NCGSJ VI:15].
Benjamin Hawley was underage when he enlisted for nine months in the Continental
Line according to the deposition of his father Joseph Hawley who was living in
Granville County on 7 June 1791 when he gave Thomas Beavan his power of attorney
to collect wages due to Benjamin for service in the Revolution [NCGSJ X:112].
Joseph Hawley and his wife were taxables in Granville County in 1750 in the list of
Jonathan White, and in 1754 he and his wife "Marthew" (Martha) were taxables in
John Sallis' list. (Free African American women were taxable in North Carolina). He
was taxable on two "black" tithes in 1755 (himself and wife Pat) and eight "black"
tithes in 1769 [CR 44.701.19]. On 25 May 1791 he gave Thomas Bevan his power
of attorney to receive the wages due him for three years service as a Continental
soldier [NCGSJ X:112].
Peter Hedgepeth was head of a Wake County, North Carolina household of 5 "other
free" in 1790. He was living in Wake County on 21 March when he gave William
Fearel power of attorney to collect his final settlement for his service in the
Revolution [NCGSJ X:235].
Micajah Hicks made a declaration for a Revolutionary War pension in Orange County,
North Carolina, on 27 May 1829. He claimed to have been in the battles of Gilford and
Eutaw Springs, and he stated that he was a farmer with no family [NCGSJ XIII:38].
He was head of a Chatham County household of 4 "other free" in 1800. His wife Mary,
aged eighty-six years old, was living in Wilkes County on 12 September 1843 when
she made a declaration to obtain his pension. She stated that they were married 10
December 1780 in Chatham County on the Tar River. Her husband died on 30
December 1837 [File W-7738, by N.C. Genealogy XVIII:2715].
Charles Hood was a sixty-five-year-old "Man of Colour" living with his forty-year-old
wife when he made a declaration in Orange County court to obtain a pension on 27
May 1820 [M804-1320, frame 70-78]
William Hood was a "mulatto boy" who ran away from Henry Minson of Charles City
County and was taken up in Halifax County, North Carolina, according to the 21
December 1769 issue of the Virginia Gazette [Headley, 18th Century Newspapers,
169]. He was a "Mulatto" counted in the 1786 North Carolina State Census for the
Caswell District of Caswell County and head of a Rockingham County, North Carolina
household of 7 "other free" in 1800 [NC:491]. He was about sixty-five years old in
1818 and living in Jefferson County, Indiana, when he applied for a pension. He died
on 8 April 1829, and his wife Catherine Frances was awarded a survivor's pension at
the age of seventy in July 1855 [M804-1320, frame 644-672].
David Hunt was "a black man" listed in the Militia Returns of Captain Samuel Walker
of Granville County in 1778 [The North Carolinian VI:726 (Mil. TR 4-40)].
David Ivey was a "man of color," musician and wagoner who enlisted in the 10th North
Carolina Regiment for a three-year term. His wife Nancy applied for a widow's pension
and bounty land from Perry County, Tennessee, in September 1855 at the age of
ninety-one [M804-1396, frame 0486].
Francis Jack was a "man of colour" who enlisted for 18 months and died in the service.
His land warrant was escheated in 1821 [Crow, Black Experience, 100].
Ezekiah Jacobs was head of a Brunswick County household of 4 "other free" in 1800
[NC:13], and 8 in 1810 [NC:236]. He recorded a certificate of his discharge from his
service as a soldier in the North Carolina Line on 18 February 1788 in New Hanover
County [NCGSJ XI:114].
Primus Jacobs was head of a New Hanover County household of 4 "other free" in
1790 [NC:194] and 7 "other free," one white woman, and one white boy 5-15 years
old in 1800 [NC:314]. On 15 August 1820, aged about sixty years, he made a
declaration in New Hanover County Court to obtain a pension. He stated that he
served in Colonel Archd. Lytle's Regiment of the North Carolina Line in Captain
Joseph Rhodes' Company [New Hanover County Court Minutes by NCGSJ XIII:154].
His wife Ann Jacobs appeared in Cumberland County Court on 6 December 1834
and proved to the satisfaction of the court that he was a pensioner and that he died
in New Hanover County on 23 July 1834 [Minutes 1831-35].
Zachariah2 Jacobs was born on 4 October 1753 according to his Revolutionary War
pension application in New Hanover County on 13 December 1832 [M805-466,
frame 0444]. He was a "Black" taxable in Brunswick County in 1772 [N.C. Archives
file GA 11.1] and was head of a New Hanover County household of 6 "other free" in
1790 [NC:194], 10 in 1800 [NC:313], and 5 in Richland District, South Carolina, in
1810 [SC:175a]. He enlisted in October 1781 from Brunswick County, North Carolina,
and left the service about a year later. He was in a skirmish near Dorchester, South
Carolina, and was wounded in the leg at Guilford Court House. He married Sally
Jacobs in New Hanover County in October 1791 according to her application for a
pension as his surviving widow [M805-466, frame 0444]. He assigned his right to his
final pay for twelve months service in the Continental Line to Isaac Cole in New Hanover
County on 6 December 1791 [NCGSJ XI:114].
Benjamin James and his brother Jeremiah James gave Seth Peebles of Northampton
County power of attorney to obtain settlement of their Revolutionary War service pay
[NCGSJ XI:114]. He was head of a Halifax County household of 6 "other free" in 1790
[NC:68], 7 in 1800 [NC:322], 7 in 1810 [NC:29], and 5 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:153].
Elisha James was listed among the militiamen from Northampton County who were
paroled by Lord Cornwallis in Halifax in 1781, probably captured during the events
surrounding the Battle of Guilford Court House on 15 March 1781 [NCGSJ IV:149].
He was head of a Northampton County household of 2 males and 3 females in
Captain Winborne's District for the state census in 1786. In 1788, 1790, 1800, and
1802 he was a Halifax County taxable on one free poll in District 14 which bordered
Northampton County. He was head of a Halifax County household of 6 "other free"
in 1790 [NC:65], 7 in 1800 [NC:320], 4 in 1810 [NC:29], 6 "free colored" in 1820
[NC:152], and 9 "free colored" in 1830. He made a declaration in Halifax County
Court to obtain a Revolutionary War pension on 16 November 1824 stating that he
was sixty-five years old.
Isaac James was a private in Pearson's 7th North Carolina Regiment in the
Revolutionary War. He was head of a Hertford County household of one "other free"
in 1800.
Jeremiah James was head of a Northampton County household of 3 "other free" in
1790 [NC:73] and 6 in 1800 [NC:453]. His estate, administered in Northampton
County on 3 December 1805, named his widow Rebecca James. She was granted
a survivor's Revolutionary War pension from Maury County, Tennessee, after giving
evidence that he had entered the service in Bertie County in Captain Blount's
Company of the 10th Regiment for nine months on 20 July 1778 and again as a
private in Captain Raiford's Company from 17 May 1781 to 15 April 1782. She was
born in Virginia in May 1758 and married Jeremiah in Northampton County about
February or March 1790. Jeremiah died on 1 October 1805, and she married Isham
Scott about a year later. After Scott died, she moved to Maury County, Tennessee.
Thomas James was the six-year-old son of Betty James, a "Free Mulatoe," ordered
bound to John Moore in Bertie County in May 1763. Humphrey Hardy was granted
administration on his estate on 6 August 1792 with 500 pounds security [Haun, Bertie
County Court Minutes, VI:957]. The administrator had a certificate from the Board of
Army Accounts that wages due were settled at Halifax in the amount of 69 pounds
[Bertie Estate Papers].
Jacob Jeffries was head of an Orange County, North Carolina household of 9 "other
free" in 1800 [NC:514]. He recorded a certificate in Orange County on 24 July 1791
that he was the "Mulatto Jacob" who received a discharge for twelve months service
as a soldier in the Revolution [NCGSJ XI:115].
John Jeffries was listed as a volunteer Continental soldier from Bute County in 1779:
born about 1759 in North Carolina, 5'6" tall, dark hair and dark eyes [NCGSJ XV:109].
Another John Jeffries was the father of Thomas Jeffries who appeared in Orange County,
North Carolina court on 26 May 1837 to obtain a pension for his father's services in the
Revolution. He stated that his father was born in Halifax County, Virginia, in 1733 (perhaps
date in error and place meant to be Halifax County, North Carolina), was drafted in the
fall of the years 1780 and 1781, that his father was very infirm and blind in December
1832 when he moved him to Orange County, and that his father died 4 December 1834
leaving no widow [M804-1409, frames 350-1].
Francis Jones was a "Black" member of Captain James Fason's colonial Northampton
County, North Carolina Militia [N.C. Archives Troop Returns, 1-3]. He was head of a
Wake County household of 5 "other free" in 1790 [NC:103] and 8 "free colored" in
Caswell County in 1820 [NC:66]. On 6 June 1818 he testified on behalf of Allen Sweat in
Wake County Court that he had served with him in the Revolutionary War [M804-2332].
Philip Jones was head of a Halifax County household of 7 "other free" in 1790 [NC:65]
and 2 in 1800 (called Philip, Senr.) [NC:322]. He made a deposition in Northampton
County Court on 26 March 1791 that he enlisted and served as a soldier in the Continental
Army [NCGSJ XI:118]. He may have been the Philip Jones who sometime before 7
September 1787 sold Bounty Land in Davidson County, Tennessee, which he received
for his services in the War [Franklin County DB 6:89].
James Kersey was born about 1764 according to the 1782 Militia Returns for Bladen
County [The North Carolinian VI:751]. He was head of a Robeson County household of
one "other free" in 1800 [NC:388]. On 24 February 1834 he made a declaration in
Robeson County Court to obtain a pension for his services in the Revolution. He stated
that he was born in 1762, volunteered in a company of militia on 1 August 1782 in what
was then Bladen County in the town of Elizabeth. He marched to Charleston, South
Carolina, to James Island, and received his discharge in Wilmington on 1 August 1783.
He was inscribed in the Roll of North Carolina on 4 March 1831 [M804-1477, S-8788].
Morgan Lewis was head of a Halifax County household of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:62],
3 in 1800 [NC:324], and 4 in 1810 [NC:33]. He was seventy years old on 22 August 1821
when he made a declaration in Halifax County court to obtain a pension for his services
as a private in the 10th Regiment of the North Carolina Line. His family at that time
consisted of his seventy-year-old wife, two daughters, and a two-year-old grandson
[M804-1558].
Job Lott enlisted in 1777 for two and one-half years, but died in June 1777. He served
in the 5th Regiment [Crow, Black Experience, 101].
William Lomack was head of a Robeson County household of 10 "other free" in 1810.
He was a Revolutionary War veteran [NCGSJ XIV:45].
Billing Lucas, a "man of color," enlisted for nine months in the 10th North Carolina
Regiment and died September 5, 1779 [Crow, Black Experience in Revolutionary
North Carolina, 101].
Moses Manly enlisted with Colonel Lytle in the Tenth North Carolina Regiment for
nine months in August 1781. He made a declaration in Hertford County Court for a
pension on 17 August 1819 and a second declaration in Halifax County Court on 26
October 1821 [M805, reel 549, frame 703]. He was head of a Bertie County
household of 3 "other free" in 1790 [NC:14] and a Halifax County household of 5 in
1800 [NC:328], 7 in 1810 [NC:36], and 7 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:157]. On 18
August 1834 his widow Chloe Manley applied to the Halifax County Court to receive
her husband's Revolutionary War pension and proved to the Court's satisfaction that
"said Chloe is the widow of said Moses & that said Moses departed this life on 16
May 1834."
Moses Manly's son Arthur, head of a Halifax County household of 4 "free colored" in
1820 [NC:157], was in the First Company detached from the Halifax County Regiment
in the War of 1812 [N.C. Adjutant General, Muster Rolls of the War of 1812 from the
Militia of North Carolina, 19]. He was living in Weldon in May 1844 when he made
a declaration in Halifax County Court to obtain the pension of Moses Manly,
deceased [M805, reel 807, frame 712].
Christopher Manuel a Northampton County, North Carolina household of 8 "other
free" in 1790 [NC:75], 11 in Sampson County in 1800 [NC:517] and 6 "free colored"
in Sampson County in 1820 [NC:308]. He was about eighty years old on 19
November 1832 when he made a declaration in Sampson County court to obtain a
pension for his services in the Revolution. He stated that he was born in Halifax
County, North Carolina, and moved to the part of Duplin County which became
Sampson County before the war [M804-1627].
Jesse Manuel was head of a Sampson County household of 6 "other free" in 1790
[NC:51]. He made a declaration in Sampson County Court to obtain a Revolutionary
War pension. He received his final settlement certificate as a twelve months soldier
on 25 December 1787 [NCGSJ XIII:93].
Nicholas Manuel was head of a Sampson County household of 5 "other free" in 1790
[NC:51], 9 in 1800, was counted as white in 1810 [NC:472], and was a "sleymaker,"
head of a Sampson County household of 3 "free colored" in 1820. His widow Milly
Manuel was about eighty-eight years old on 11 November 1845 when she made a
declaration in Sampson County court to obtain a widow's pension for her husband's
services in the Revolution. She stated that they were married by Fleet Cooper, Esq.,
in Duplin County and that her son Shadrack Manuel was born the day (Corn)Wallis
was captured. Her husband died on 27 March 1835. Milly died before 30 March 1855
when Shadrack, heir at law of Nicholas Manuel, appointed attorneys to receive his
survivor's pension [M804-1627].
Absalom Martin enlisted in the town of Beaufort, North Carolina, for twelve months in
Captain William Dennis' Company in the 1st North Carolina Regiment in April 1781.
He made a declaration in Carteret County court to obtain a pension on 22 August
1820. He owned 140 acres of "barren pine land." He died eight years later on 20
September 1828 [M805, reel 0555, frame 20]. He was head of a Carteret County
household of 9 "other free" in 1790 [NC:128], 12 in 1800, 16 in 1810 [NC:443], and
7 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:121].
Jesse Martin enlisted for nine months in 1780 in Captain Arthur Gatling's regiment
of the North Carolina Line commanded by Colonel Armstrong. He was discharged
in Stono, South Carolina, in 1781. He was an infirm farmer with no family except
his wife Sarah when he made a declaration to obtain a pension in Gates County
court on 15 August 1825 [M805, reel 883, frame 836]. He was head of a Gates
County household of 8 "other free" in 1790 [NC:23], 9 in 1800 [NC:273], 7 in 1810
[NC:842], and 7 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:162].
John Martin was head of a New Hanover County household of 6 "other free" in 1790
[NC:194] and 11 in 1800 [NC:310]. He gave power of attorney to Thomas Nuse to
receive his final settlement for service in the Continental Line on 9 September 1791.
John Williams, a justice of the peace for New Hanover County, attested that he
served in 1782 [NCGSJ XIII:94].
Patrick Mason was head of a Person County household of 6 "other free" in 1800
[NC:613] and 10 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:498]. He made a declaration in Person
County Court on 12 May 1828 to obtain a pension for his services in the Revolution.
He stated that he was born about 1762 and enlisted for twelve months on 1 April
1780 [NCGSJ XIV:172].
Daniel Mills was listed in the Militia Returns of Halifax County, North Carolina, as
a twenty-year-old planter born in Halifax County [The North Carolinian VI:727]. He
appointed Benjamin Hawkins of Warren County his attorney to receive his final
settlement pay for service in the North Carolina Continental Line on 23 March 1791
[NCGSJ XIII:98].
Mingo enlisted in June 1776 in the North Carolina Line. He was listed as a pensioner
in 1835 [Crow, Black Experience, 101].
Simeon Moore was charged in Craven County court on 13 September 1782 with
having joined the British. He was released when he consented to join the
Continental Army [Minutes 1779-84, 47b]. He was head of a Jones County
household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [NC:270].
Isaac Morgan was sixteen years old in 1782 when he was a "Mulatto" listed
among the Drafts & Substitutes from Edgecombe County in the Revolutionary
War [The North Carolinian VI:752]. He was a "Mulatto" head of an Edgecombe
County household of 6 "other free" and one white woman in 1800 [NC:223].
Mark Murray was head of a Halifax County household of 9 "other free" in 1790 [NC:64],
and he was also counted with 9 in his household in Martin County in 1790 [NC:69].
On 23 October 1832 he testified in Halifax County Court to obtain a pension for his
services in the Revolution. He stated that he was about seventy-two years old, born
and raised in Caroline County, Virginia, moved from there to Hanover County and from
there to Halifax County, North Carolina, about 1792. He gave his age as eighty-nine
years on 5 May 1845 when he applied for a pension while living in Wilson County,
Tennessee. He stated that he enlisted in 1780, but had no record of his service
because he left his discharge papers with his father who died shortly after the
Revolution. His application was rejected [M840-1796, frames 1-57].
Ethelred Newsom was a soldier in the Tenth Regiment of the North Carolina
Continental Line [Clark, State Records of North Carolina, XVI:1126], called
"Netheneldred Newsom of Robeson County" on 18 April 1792 when he appointed
Jacob Rhodes his attorney to receive his final settlement for serving in the war
[NCGSJ XIV:111]. He was head of a Robeson County household of 3 "other free"
in 1790 [NC:50], 3 in 1800 [NC:408], and 4 in 1810 [NC:241].
Carter Nickens was taxable in Hertford County on one person in 1768 and 1769,
on two persons in 1770, and taxable on 2 horses and 2 cattle in the 1779 Hertford
County property tax list filed with the central government [Fouts, Tax Receipt Book,
13; GA 30.1]. He was paid for services to the Revolution [Haun, Revolutionary Army
Accounts, vol. I, Book 4:232].
Edward Nickens was a soldier in the Revolutionary War who was deceased by 5
December 1792 when a petition by his son and heir Richard Nickens was placed
before the North Carolina General Assembly [LP 117 by NCGSJ IV:174].
Malachi Nickens was living in Hertford County in 1781 when he enlisted as a
private in Colonel Armstrong's North Carolina Regiment. He was about fifty-six
years old on 13 November 1821 when he testified in Hertford County court that
he was a common laborer living with his wife Margaret and a seventeen-month-old
child Manuel Murfee. James Smith testified on his behalf [M805, frame 0198].
Malachi was head of a Hertford County household of 5 "other free" in 1790
[NC:26], 3 in 1800, and 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:190].
Jacob Norton was a "man of colour" who died in Revolutionary War service and
left no heirs according to a deposition by Charles Hood in Orange County, North
Carolina, in 1820 [The North Carolinian, p. 2578].
Obed Norwood, a "Molato" boy of Nan Norwood, was bound to Keziah
Shackleford in Carteret County on 6 September 1759 [Minutes 1747-64, 259].
His age was estimated at thirteen years in June 1770 when James Shackleford
asked that he be bound to him as a cooper [Minutes 1764-77, 388]. He was called
Obid Norward in the 1778 Carteret County Militia Returns [The North Carolinian
VI:728].
Theophilus/Foy Norwood was a six-year-old "Molato" boy of Nan Norwood, a
"Molato" woman, ordered bound to Keziah Shackleford in Carteret County on 6
September 1759 [Minutes 1747-64, 251]. His age was estimated at fifteen years
in June 1770 when he consented to his indenture to William Fulford [Minutes
1764-77, 388]. He was twenty-seven years old in 1778 when he was listed in the
Carteret County Militia Returns [The North Carolinian VI:728].
John Overton was a soldier in the North Carolina Line who died before 16 July
1791 when Titus Overton was appointed administrator of his Cumberland County
estate [NCGSJ XIV:115-6]. Titus was head of a Cumberland County household
of 11 "other free" in 1790 [NC:31], 7 in 1800, and 1 in 1810 [NC:600].
Lemuel Overton was head of Perquimans County household of 2 "other free" in
1790 [NC:31]. He was the husband of a slave named Rose and children John
and Burdock who were emancipated by order of the North Carolina General
Assembly. They were probably his slaves since the owner's name was not
stated [Byrd, In Full Force and Virtue, 298]. He was living in Pasquotank
County on 10 July 1820 when he appointed James Freeman his attorney to
obtain a land warrant for his services as a soldier in the 10th Regiment of the
North Carolina Line [NCGSJ VII:93].
Samuel Overton was a "Molatto" Perquimans County taxable in 1771
[CR 77.701.1]. and head of a Pasquotank County household of 3 "other free"
in 1790 [NC:31], 4 in 1800 [NC:634], and 13 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:277].
He was called a "free man of Colour" on 8 March 1825 when he made a
declaration in Pasquotank County court to obtain a Revolutionary War pension.
He claimed that he was ninety-six years old, the father of a five-year-old boy
David and that he had lost all his property by a fire in July 1824 [M804-1854,
frame 0826].
Titus Overton was taxable on 2 "Mulatto" tithes in Cumberland County in 1767,
was taxable with his wife ("Mulatoes") in Bladen County from 1770 to 1776 and
was taxable in Bladen County on 500 acres, 3 horses, and 3 head of cattle in
1779 [SS 837; N.C. Genealogy XXI:3136; Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:32,
89, 123; II:90, 146]. He received 2 pounds, 2 shillings for twenty-one days service
in the Bladen County Militia between 1775 and 1776 under Captain James Council
[Haun, Revolutionary Army Accounts, Journal "A", 22].
Elisha Parker, a "man of color," was about eighty years old on 20 November 1832
when he made a declaration in Gates County, North Carolina, to obtain a pension
for his services in the Revolution. He stated that he was born in Nansemond County,
Virginia, near the North Carolina line about 1752. He was said to have been about
seventy-five years old on 10 February 1834 when he made a similar declaration in
Nansemond County court, stating that he entered the service in Gates County
about 1779 as a substitute for Francis Speight and had been a resident of
Nansemond County for the previous forty-five years [M804-1871, frame 0787].
He was head of a Gates County household of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:23] and
3 "free colored" in Nansemond County in 1820 [VA:79].
Isaac Perkins was head of a Craven County household of 2 "other free" in 1790
[NC:131] and 2 "free colored" in Craven County in 1820 [NC:67]. He made a
declaration in Craven County Court to obtain a Revolutionary War pension on
13 May 1829. He testified that he enlisted for three years in May 1778 and was
granted pension certificate no. 4666 on 30 November 1818. His lawyer, Samuel
Gerock, called him a "Negroe Man, and Old Soldier of the Revolutionary Army"
when he appealed for the restoration of his pension [National Archives Inv. File
41.953].
Drury Pettiford was head of a Stokes County household of 11 "other free" in 1810
[NC:607]. In his application for a pension on 25 August 1820 he stated that he
enlisted in Virginia, that his age was sixty-nine years, and the age of his wife
Dicy was sixty-six [CR 099.928.11 by NCGSJ XV:162].
George Pettiford was head of a Granville County household of 7 "other free" in
1800. At the age of sixty-three on 10 February 1821 he made a declaration in
Granville County Court in order to obtain a Revolutionary War pension
[NCGSJ XV:162].
Philip Pettiford was head of an Oxford District household of 5 male and 3 female
"Blacks" and one white male in 1786 for the state census. He had moved to
Cumberland County by 1790 where he was head of a household of 9 "other free"
[NC:40]. On 5 September 1820 in Granville County Court he applied for a
Revolutionary War pension [NCGSJ XV:162]. His final pension payment papers
recorded his death on 13 April 1825 [National Archives].
William Pettiford was listed in the 1778 Militia Returns for Granville County in
Captain William Gill's Company as a seventeen-year-old "black man" [The North
Carolinian VI:726 (Mil. TR 4-40)].
Israel Pierce was a "free colored" head of a Tyrrell County household of 3 free
males and 3 free females in 1790 [NC:34], 7 "other free" in Hyde County in
1800 [NC:374], 11 in Hyde County in 1810 [NC:119] and 8 "free colored" in
Beaufort County in 1820 [NC:32]. He was in Tyrrell County on 21 June 1791
when he gave power of attorney to Samuel Warren, an attorney, to receive his
final settlement due him as a soldier in the North Carolina Continental Line
[NCGSJ XIV:230].
William Pierce died before 13 June 1795 when "Thomas Pierce of Tyrrell County,
administrator of William Pierce," gave power of attorney to Samuel Warren, an
attorney, to receive the final settlement due for his service in the North Carolina
Continental Line [NCGSJ XIV:230]. (Thomas Pierce was a "free colored" head of
a Tyrrell County household of 4 free males and 4 free females in 1790 [NC:34]).
Arthur Pugh, born about 1761, was described as a Mulatto bastard of Sarah when
he was bound as an apprentice cooper to James Holley in Bertie County on 30
March 1767 [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, III:765]. He was listed in the
roster of soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution.
David Pugh was head of a Hertford County household of 6 "other free" in 1800. He
was listed in the roster of soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution.
Arthur Pugh, born about 1761, was described as a Mulatto bastard of Sarah when
he was bound as an apprentice cooper to James Holley in Bertie County on 30
March 1767 [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, III:765]. He was listed in the
roster of soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution.
William Redman was head of a Lincoln County, North Carolina household of 11
"other free" in 1800 [NC:900] and 4 "other free" and a white woman in Rutherford
County in 1810 [NC:431]. He made a declaration in Buncombe County Court on
7 April 1820 to obtain a Revolutionary War pension. He stated that he was about
sixty-nine years old and enlisted in 1775 [M805-679, frame 0652].
Jacob Reed served in the Revolutionary War. He died before 23 May 1792 when
the Gates County Court appointed (his mother?) Rachel Reid, administratrix of his
estate. On 4 August 1792 in Gates County she gave her son Benjamin power of
attorney to settle the balance of his army wages from 20 November 1778 to June
1779 [NCGSJ XV:103]. Rachel was a "mixt Blood" taxable in Hertford County on
one person in 1768 and 1769 and on two persons in 1770 [Fouts, Tax Receipt
Book, 50]. She was head of a Gates County household of 2 "other free" in 1790
(abstracted as Rachel Rude) [NC:24] and 5 "free colored" in Edenton, Chowan
County, in 1820 [NC:130].
Benjamin Reed enlisted with Colonel Murfree for the term of the war. He made
a declaration in Gates County Court to obtain a pension on 19 November 1821,
saying he had a stiff arm from a wound, and he had a sixty-two-year-old wife
named Treasey [M805, reel 680, frame 89]. He was head of a Gates County
household of 3 "other free" in 1790 (abstracted as Rude) [NC:22], 3 in 1810
[NC:842], and 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:154].
Dempsey Reed was listed in the Revolutionary War accounts, hired as a
substitute by Nathaniel Harris in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina [Crow,
Black Experience in Revolutionary North Carolina, 101]. He was head of a
Warren County household of 8 "other free" in 1790 [NC:78], 13 in Mecklenburg
County, North Carolina, in 1800 [NC:534], and 12 "free colored" in Cabarrus
County in 1820 [NC:160].
Isaac Reed was taxed as a "Negro man" with a "Negro" woman in an untitled
1766 Chowan tax list, and in 1768 and 1769 he and his wife Margaret were
taxables in Timothy Walton's list for Chowan County [CR 24.701.2]. His land
on the east side of Bennett's Creek was mentioned in an 8 June 1799 Gates
County deed [DB 4:345 by Taylor, Abstracts of Deed Books A-5, 188]. The Gates
County Court appointed him administrator of the estate of Jacob Reid on 22 May
1792 [Fouts, Minutes of County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions 1787-93,
110]. As administrator of the estate he appointed Samuel Smith attorney to
settle the Continental Army Accounts of (his son?) Jacob Reid, Jr., from 10
December 1778 to 10 April 1779. On 5 June 1792 Captain Arthur Gatling testified
in Northampton County, North Carolina Court that Jacob was a soldier in a
company of new levies on the Continental Establishment which he marched from
Hertford to South Carolina from November 1778 to March 1779, and Jacob died in
the service in South Carolina [NCGSJ XV:102]. Isaac was head of a Gates County
household of 4 "other free," one white woman, and one white male over sixteen
years of age in 1790 [NC:23].
Jacob Reed served in the Revolutionary War and died before 23 May 1792 when
the Gates County court appointed (his mother) Rachel Reid, administratrix of his
estate. On 4 August 1792 in Gates County she gave her son Benjamin power of
attorney to settle the balance of his army wages from 20 November 1778 to June
1779 [NCGSJ XV:103].
Micajah Reed was head of a Gates County household of 4 "other free" in 1790
[NC:24], 8 in 1800 [NC:277], 10 in 1810 [NC:853], and 11 "free colored" in 1820
[NC:155]. In August 1817 he proved to the Gates County Court that he was the
lawful heir of Nathaniel Hall, who died in Revolutionary War service. Nathaniel
may have been the father of Nathaniel Hall, a "Molatto Boy," born about 1786,
bound an apprentice cooper in Gates County in May 1806 [Fouts, Minutes of
Gates County, IV:1001; III:499].
Benjamin Richardson, married Mary Bass, widow of Elijah Bass, 13 February
1783 Granville County bond with Philip Pettiford as bondsman. She was also
called Mary Bass on her 13 February 1777 Bute County marriage bond to Elijah
Bass [M804-2038, frame 0533]. Mary made an application on 11 October 1841
application for his Revolutionary War pension. He "went out of Halifax and Warren
Counties" and enlisted in the militia in September 1780 [M804-2038, frame 0520].
He was head of a Halifax County household of 10 "other free" in 1800 [NC:338].
John King of Franklin County and David King of Warren County testified on her
behalf that they also served in the Revolution and were acquainted with both
her husbands. J.R.J. Daniel of Halifax County called their family, "free persons
of color & generally ... industrious & well behaved people" on 24 May 1855 when
he wrote an affidavit for the pension application of Benjamin and Mary's children
[M804-2038, frames 525-7, 0537].
Jonathan Roberts received 18 shillings, 8 pence pay for 7 days service in the
Northampton County, North Carolina Militia under Colonel Allen Jones in 1775-1776
[Haun, Revolutionary Army Accounts, Journal "A", 20]. He was head of a
Northampton County household of 5 "other free" in 1790 [NC:73], 10 in 1800
[NC:473], and 8 in 1810 [NC:743].
Ishmael Roberts was head of a Robeson County household of 10 "other free"
in 1790 [NC:50], 15 in 1800 [NC:415], and 14 in Chatham County in 1810
[NC:195]. He received pay for Revolutionary War service from 3 June 1777 to 3
June 1778 as a private in Colonel Abraham Shepherd's Company. Colonel
Shepherd gave him a certificate which stated that he was furloughed at Head
Quarters Valley Forge to come home with me who was Inlisted in my Regement
for the Term of three years - and Returned Home with me [NCGSJ XV:105].
Jack Rock was a "man of colour" and soldier in the Continental Army. His land
warrant was escheated in 1821 [Crow, Black Experience, 102].
Charles Randolph Rowe, born about 1759 in Virginia, one of the Continental soldiers
who volunteered in Bute County in 1779 (abstracted as Charles Kons[?] in NCGSJ):
5'8" tall, dark hair and dark eyes [NCGSJ XV:109 & The North Carolinian VI:727].
He was called Randolph Rowe when he married Susannah Stewart, 17 December
1793 Warren County bond with Richard Evans bondsman, and he was called Charles
Rowe when he married, second, Elizabeth Taborn, 11 December 1797 Granville
County bond, Solomon Harris bondsman. He was head of a Wake County household
of 2 "other free" in 1800 [NC:793], 5 in Chatham County in 1810 (called Randolf Roe)
[NC:201], and 2 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:209]. He received a pension in 1832 when
he was seventy-eight years old [M804-2072].
James Rowe was granted land for service in the Revolution [Franklin County, North
Carolina DB 6:780].
Caesar Santee enlisted in the 2nd Regiment. He was granted a land warrant for 640
acres in 1783 [Crow, Black Experience, 102].
Hill Scipio served from 1781 to April 22, 1782 [Crow, Black Experience, 102].
Emanuel Scott made a deposition in Halifax County Court on 22 August 1789 that
he was a twelve months soldier in the Continental Line [NCGSJ XV:232]. He was
head of a Halifax County household of 7 "other free" in 1790, 2 in 1800 [NC:342],
and 6 in Cumberland County in 1810 [NC:599].
Isham Scott was head of a Halifax County household of 8 "other free" in 1800
[NC:342] and 8 in 1810 [NC:49]. He made a declaration in order to obtain a
Revolutionary War pension before the Halifax County Court at the age of sixty on
19 May 1823. He stated that he was a servant to Major Hogg and was at the
skirmish at Halifax.
Lewis Simms was a "black man" listed in the militia returns for Granville County,
North Carolina, in 1778 [N.C. Archives Troop Returns 4-40; The North Carolinian,
1960, p.727].
James Smith was head of a Hertford County household of 6 "other free" in 1790
[NC:25], 4 in Captain Moore's District in 1800, and 11 "free colored" in 1820. He
enlisted in the 10th North Carolina Regiment for three years and reenlisted for
twelve more months in December 1781 [Crow, Black Experience in Revolutionary
North Carolina, 102].
Aaron Spelman, born about 1753, was about nine years old when he was bound out
by the April 1762 Craven County Court [Minutes 1761-62, 104b]. He was head of
Craven County household of 3 "other free" in 1790 [NC:134], called Aaron Spelmore
on 18 January 1791 when he assigned his right to his final settlement for services
in the "Twelve Months Draftees" in the Revolution [T&C, Box 22, by NCGSJ XVI:234].
He was called Aaron Spelmore on 12 September 1820 when he made a declaration
in Craven County Court to obtain a pension for his service under Captain Sharpe in
the Tenth North Carolina Regiment [Minutes 1820 and 1821, 125-6, 262-3, by
NCGSJ XV:33].
Asa Spelman was head of a Craven County household of 5 "other free" in 1790
[NC:134] and 4 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:72]. He was called Asa Spelmore alias
Spelman on 13 September 1820 when he made a declaration in Craven County
court to obtain a pension for service with Captain Quinn in the tenth North Carolina
Regiment. He stated that during his nine months service he was engaged in a
skirmish at West Point and at Kings Ferry in Jersey. Isaac Perkins testified that he
had seen Asa while they were both on duty in White Plains, New York. John
Carter testified that Asa and he were in the same regiment. Asa was a cooper
with no family but his unnamed brother (Aaron?) who he was living with in 1820
[Craven County Minutes, September 1820, 136-8; 1821, 185; and May 1822, 16
by NCGSJ XVII:33].
Dempsey Stewart, born about 1764, enlisted in the 1st North Carolina Regiment for
eighteen months while residing in Northampton County, North Carolina. He was
taxable in Meherrin Parish, Brunswick County, Virginia, from 1793 to 1815: listed
as a "Free Person of Colour" in 1810 and 1811, a "Free Negro" from 1813 to 1815
[PPTL 1782-1798, frames 401, 497, 543; 1799-1815, frames 197, 259, 295, 349,
394, 478, 520, 559, 637, 675, 733]. He registered in Petersburg on 9 November
1805: a brown Free Negro man, five feet ten inches high, thin made, about forty
one years old, Born free p. register from the Clk of Brunswick County [Register of
Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 368]. He was head of a Free Town, Brunswick
County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [VA:770], 2 "free colored" over forty-five
years old in 1820 [VA:670], and 5 in 1830 [VA:249]. He was about fifty-seven years
old on 27 January 1823 when he made a declaration in Brunswick County court,
stating that he had entered the service in 1782, that his property included 60 acres
of land, and that his family consisted of his wife who was about fifty-six [M804-2290,
frame 0162].
Edward Stewart was a "yellow" complexioned man born in Chesterfield County who
was living in Dinwiddie County when he was listed as a substitute in the Revolution
[NSDAR, African American Patriots, 154]. He was a "Mulatto" taxable on a tithe
and 2-3 horses in Chesterfield County from 1791 to 1811: called "Edward Stewart, Jr."
from 1796 to 1801, a farmer taxable on 2 tithes and 4 horses in 1809 when he was
living at Booker's shop, and living on Jones's land with 3 in his family in 1811
[PPTL, 1786-1811, frames 92, 205, 272, 343, 488, 529, 604, 642, 689, 738, 824].
He obtained a certificate of freedom in Chesterfield County on 11 June 1810: forty
eight years old, yellow complexion, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1804-53,
no. 131].
Jordan Stewart, born about 1765 in Dinwiddie County, was head of a Chatham
County, North Carolina household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [NC:193]. He was in
Wake County in 1849 when he applied for a pension for his services in the Revolution.
Thomas Stewart was born about 1742 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. He
enlisted in Captain Dawson's Company in Lunenburg County under General
Gibson and was at Valley Forge and Guilford Court House. He and his wife
Sarah were married by James Yancey of Granville County, North Carolina, in the
fall of the year 1791 [M805-772, frame 69]. He was head of a Person County
household of 7 "other free" in 1800 [NC:598] and 11 in 1810 [NC:632]. His 30
January 1818 Person County will, proved in May 1818, named his wife Sarah and
children [WB 8:77]. His wife Sarah was living in Person County on 4 March 1843
when she received a pension for his services [M805-772, frame 69].
William Stewart was "a Colored man ... free born" about 1759 in Brunswick County,
Virginia, according to his Revolutionary War pension file. He enlisted in 1777 under
Major Hardy Murphy in Northampton County, North Carolina, and marched to West
Point and Valley Forge. After the war he returned to Northampton County. He
was head of a Northampton County, North Carolina household of 7 "other free"
in 1800 [NC:479]. He moved with his family to Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania,
where he had been living from 1814 until 19 May 1835 when he made his pension
application. Nancy Scott, a "Colored woman," who came to Pennsylvania with the
Stewart family, testified on his behalf [M805-773, frame 400].
Hezekiah Stringer was in Craven County on 20 March 1787 when he registered
his furlough papers before the Justice of the Peace. His papers, dated 26 May
1783, granted him a leave of absence from the 1st North Carolina Regiment until
his final discharge [NCGSJ XVI:238]. He was called Kiah Stringer in 1800, head
of a New Hanover County household of 5 "other free" [NC:316].
Mingo Stringer served in Sharp's Company of the 10th North Carolina Regiment
between 5 May 1781 and 5 April 1782 [Clark, State Records, XVI:1166]. He was
head of a Craven County household of 2 "other free" in 1790 [NC:131].
Abraham Sweat served in Raiford's Company of the 10th North Carolina Regiment
between 25 April 1781 and 25 April 1782 [Clark, State Records, XVI:1162]. He
was head of a Halifax County household of 5 "other free" in 1790 [NC:62], 6 in
1800 [NC:344], and 4 in 1810 [NC:50].
Allen Sweat was about fifty-two years old on 7 June 1818 when he made a
declaration in Wake County court to obtain a pension. He stated that he enlisted
in Halifax County, North Carolina, about 1782. Exum Scott testified that he had
known him since his infancy while living on Scott's plantation in Roanoke. And
Francis Jones testified on his behalf. He later moved to McNairy County, Tennessee,
where his wife received a survivor's pension. She testified that they were married
on 28 January 1792 and her husband died 29 March 1844 [M804-2332].
George Sweat received army pay for service to the Revolution [Clark, State Records,
XVII:250]. He was taxable on one free poll in Halifax County in 1790 and head of a
Halifax County household of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:62].
William Sweat was taxable in District 10 of Halifax County in 1782 and head of a
household of 1 free male and 3 females in District 8 of Halifax County for the 1786
state census. He received a 640 acre grant for his services in the Revolution
[mentioned in Franklin County DB 6:89].
Allen Taborn enlisted in Baker's Company in the 10th North Carolina Regiment on
20 July 1778 but deserted three days later [Saunders, Colonial and State Records
XVI:1173]. He was head of a Northampton County household of 7 "other free" in
1780 [NC:73].
Burrell Taborn was a resident of Nash County in 1781 when he enlisted in Captain
Lytle's Company for twelve months. He was head of a Nash County household of 7
"other free" in 1800 [NC:122], 10 in 1810 [NC:668], and 6 "free colored" in 1820
[NC:445]. He died on 9 January 1842. His children were mentioned in the survivor's
pension application of his son Hardimon [M804-2335, frame 744].
Joel Taborn was living in Nash County in 1776 when he enlisted in the company
of Captain Tarrent under Colonel Lytle. "Being a very young person of color" he was
first employed as a servant to the officers before being placed in the ranks a short
time after his arrival in Charleston. He was discharged in Charleston in 1783. He
assigned his right to a 100 acre land warrant to William Cheatham in Northampton
County on 29 May 1797. He was a resident of Wake County on 10 February 1821
when he made his declaration in Granville County Court in order to obtain a pension
[M804-2335, frame 0772].
William Taborn was living in Granville County in 1778 when Colonel William Taylor
and Captain James Saunders requisitioned his wagon and team of horses for use
as a baggage wagon for the soldiers. He made an agreement with John Davis to
look after his crop in exchange for Davis looking after his wagon. He was later
drafted as a soldier and received a pension. He served in South Carolina under
Colonel Lytle, who placed him under guard for getting drunk and cursing him.
Fowler Jones, Sr., one of the witnesses for his pension application, testified that
William served for a while as cook to General Butler. Another witness, Zachariah
Hester, testified that he was a "Brother Soldier" with him in the expedition to the
Savannah River. Jacob Anderson testified that he lived near him in Granville County
when his wagon was requisitioned [M804-2335, frame 0798]. He was listed in
Captain Satterwhite's Company in the Granville County Militia Returns for 1778:
19 years old, 5 feet 8 inches high, Darkish coloured hair & complexion, planter
[Mil. TR 4-40 by Granville County Genealogical Society, Granville Connections,
vol.1, no.1, 15]. He was head of a Granville County household of 8 "other free" in
1810 [NC:898].
Benjamin Tann received 9 pounds from the controller's office on 10 June 1783
[N.C. Archives Army Accounts, Specie certificate no. 1859].
Drury Tann enlisted as a private in Hadley's Company of the 10th Regiment of the
North Carolina Continental Line on 1 August 1782, but there was no record of his
service [Clark, State Records of North Carolina, XVI:1175]. He was head of a
Northampton County, North Carolina household 4 "other free" in Northampton
County in 1790 [NC:74], 3 in Hertford County in 1800 [NC:722], and 2 "free colored"
in Southampton County, Virginia, in 1820: a man and woman over 45 years of age.
He was taxable in Southampton County as a "free Negro" laborer in 1813 and 1814,
living on Arthur Carr's land in 1820 [PPTL 1807-21, frame 326]. He made an
application for a Revolutionary War pension in Southampton County court on 7
March 1834 in which he stated that he had been stolen from his parents when a
small boy by persons who planned to sell him into slavery but had been rescued
by a magistrate in Wake County, North Carolina.
Ephraim Tann was a private in Baker's Company. He enlisted on 20 July 1778 for
nine months. His heirs received 640 acres for his services in the North Carolina
Continental Line [Clark, State Records of North Carolina, XVI:1173; N.C. Archives
file T&C Rev. War Army Accts. Vol III:73, folio 3 & VII:108, folio 3].
James Tann was a soldier who died in the service in Philadelphia during the
Revolutionary War. He enlisted on 20 July 1778 and was omitted in 1779 [Clark,
State Records of North Carolina, XVI:1173]. Jesse Boothe, executor of Benjamin
Tann's Nash County will, deposed on 20 June 1821 that James' rightful heir was
Hannah Tann, daughter of his brother Jesse Tann [S.S. 460.1]. She received a
land warrant for 640 acres for her uncle's service [S.S. 460.1, 460.2, 460.3, 460.12].
Joseph Tann served in the Revolution. His heirs received 640 acres for his
services in the North Carolina Continental Line.
Arthur Toney, born about 1764 in Dinwiddie County, Virginia, lived there until he
was ten years old when he moved to Halifax County, North Carolina. He took the
place of his brother John Toney in the Revolutionary War in Warren County and
marched to Bacon's Bridge in South Carolina where he reenlisted. He was not
involved in any battles since he was assigned to the baggage wagon. When he
returned in 1782, he moved to Caswell County and made his declaration to obtain
a pension in Caswell County court fifty years later on 9 October 1832. He was
head of a Caswell County household of 10 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:90]. He was
in Halifax County on 1 April 1847 when he made another declaration for a pension.
His widow, formerly Elizabeth Edwell, born about 1780, was living in Caswell County
on 10 November 1854 when she appeared before the Hustings Court in Virginia to
obtain a survivor's pension. She stated that they were married in December 1799
in Caswell County, and her husband died there in his own house on 19 July 1847
[M805-807, frame 582].
John Toney was a "Free Mulatto" added to Wood Jones' list of tithables for Amelia
County on 27 November 1766 [Orders 1766-9, 24]. He enlisted in the 10th Regiment
of the North Carolina Continental Line. He fought at the battle of Guilford Courthouse
and "ran home and was taken and made to serve to the end of the war." He died in
November 1823 [M805, reel 807, frame 623]. He was head of a Halifax County
household of 7 "other free" in 1790 [NC:62], 16 in 1800 [NC:344], 11 in 1810 [NC:51],
and 11 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:167].
Pompey Terry enlisted in the 10th Regiment on 1 August 1782 for 18 months
[Crow, Black Experience, 102].
Charles Turner made a declaration in Pasquotank County Court on 4 March 1834
to obtain a pension for his service in the North Carolina Continental Line
[NCGSJ XVII:160]. He was head of a Pasquotank County household of 4 "other
free" in 1790 [NC:29] and 9 in 1810 [NC:933].
Bartlet Tyler was taxable Granville County in 1768 in the list of Robert Harris,
head of a household with his unnamed wife and sister Jane, and taxable on two
"black" tithes in 1769 [CR 44.701.20]. On 5 August 1778 he complained to the
Granville County Court that he was forced into Revolutionary War service on the
pretence that he was a vagrant [Owen, Granville County Notes, vol. V].
Asa Tyner, born about 1744, was taxable with his unnamed wife in Bute County
in 1771 [CR 015.70001]. She was Keziah Chavis, born about 1742, still taxable
in the Granville County household of her father William Chavis in 1764 but not in
1766 [CR 44.701.19]. On 10 November 1778 he was brought into Granville County
Court as a vagrant and "delivered to a Continental Officer and to serve as the Law
directs" [Minutes 1773-83, 142]. He was listed among the volunteers for nine months
service as a Continental soldier from Bute County on 3 September 1778, "Asea
Tyner, Place of Abode Bute County, born N.C., 5'8", 34 years of Age, Dark Fair,
Dark Eyes" [NCGSJ XV:109 (N.C. Archives Troop Returns, Box 4)]. His wife Keziah
was head of a Granville County household of 4 "other free" in 1800.
Daniel Valentine was the brother of Peter and Polly Valentine according to the
declaration of Polly's children on 21 May 1835 in Halifax County, North Carolina
Court. A military land warrant was issued on 3 November 1834 for his service as a
soldier under Captain Bradley in the Tenth North Carolina Regiment [M805-820,
frame 0119].
Peter Valentine was head of a Chesterfield County household of 7 "other free" in
1810 [VA:1062]. He served in the Revolution and received a warrant for bounty
land according to the application for a survivor's pension which his nephews Daniel
and Sarah made while living in Halifax County, North Carolina [M805-820, frame
0119].
Drury Walden was a Revolutionary War pensioner from Northampton County, North
Carolina. He made a declaration in Northampton County Court to obtain a pension
on 4 September 1832. He stated that he was living in Bute County in 1779 when
he was called into the service. He served three tours as a musician and private, the
last one in 1781. He marched to Augusta on his first tour and on his second tour
made gun carriages for the cannon and canteens for the soldiers. William Hardee,
Clergyman, testified that Drury "was for years a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus
Christ." Charles R. Kee, executor of Drury's will, testified that, "no man; no, not
Jas K. Polk himself, is of better moral character [National Archives File R11014].
He was also in the Third Company detached from the Northampton County
Regiment in the War of 1812 [N.C. Adjutant General, Muster Rolls of the War of
1812, 20]. He was head of a Northampton County household of 8 other free in
1790 [NC:73], 9 in 1800 [NC:483], 12 in 1810 [NC:752], 11 "free colored" in 1820
[NC:266], and 4 "free colored" in 1830.
John Weaver, born about 1753, was the six-year-old son of "Free Mullattoe" Amey
Weaver bound by the Bertie County Court to William Witherington to learn the
trade of shoe making in July 1759 [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, II:491].
He was head of a Northampton County, North Carolina household of 3 "other free"
in 1810 [NC:750], 5 "free colored" in Hertford County in 1820 [NC:206] and 3 "free
colored" in Hertford County in 1830. On 28 November 1823 he testified in Hertford
County Court for Evans Archer saying that he was in the same regiment with him,
stationed in South Carolina. He made a declaration in Hertford County Court for
his own pension on 13 October 1828, stating that he was born about 1752
[M805-845, frame 272].
Arthur Wiggins was born in Bertie County about 1758 according to his pension
application. He was living in Bertie County in 1779 when he was drafted in the
town of Winton, Hertford County. In his pension application in Bertie County
Court on 13 February 1833 he mentioned his brother Matthew [M804-2572, frame
0377]. He was head of a Bertie household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [NC:86], 4 in
1810 [NC:163], and 3 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:114].
Henry Wiggins was a "man of colour" who enlisted for 2-1/2 years on 11 April 1777.
He was said to have died on James Island, South Carolina. His land warrant for 640
acres was escheated in 1821 [Crow, Black Experience, 102].
Matthew Wiggins was a "free Mulatto" taxable in the Bertie County list of Cullen
Pollock in 1769 and taxable as Matthias in the 1774 list of Samuel Granberry. He
was called Mathias Wiggins (a Mulatto) when he married Prissey Tabert, 3 January
1786 Bertie County bond. Matthew was head of an Edgecombe County household
of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:55]. He died before 13 February 1833 when his brother
Arthur applied for a pension in Bertie County Court.
John Wilkinson was head of a Northampton County, North Carolina household of 6
"other free" in 1800 [NC:485] and head of a Halifax County household of 6 "free
colored" in 1820 [NC:169]. He was living in Northampton County when he gave
Presly Prichard his power of attorney to receive his final settlement certificate for
his services in the Revolution [NCGSJ XVIII:99].
John Womble was a carpenter who enlisted in the 10th North Carolina Regiment on
1 June 1779 in Halifax County. He was captured in the siege of Charleston and
remained on parole for the remainder of the war. He married his wife Catherine in
Edgecombe County in 1798 [M805, reel 883, frame 836]. He was head of an
Edgecombe County household of 1 "other free" in 1790 and 11 "free colored" in
1820 [NC:112].
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