Anson County NC Slave Data & Free Persons of Color

10/10/2021

John M. Tomlinson - According to the 1850 Slave Census of Stanly County NC; the following enslaved & unnamed individuals lived & worked his farm; 1 female age 30; 1 male age 16; 1 female age 15; 1 female age 11; 1 male age 8; 1 female age 5;1 male age 2

Thomas H. Tomlinson - According to the 1850 Slave Census of Stanly County NC; the following enslaved & unnamed individuals lived & worked his farm; 1 male age 56; 1 female age 30; 1 female age 20

Thomas Tomlinson - According to the 1850 Slave Census of Stanly County NC; the following enslaved & unnamed individuals lived & worked his farm; 1 male age 47; 1 male age 43; 1 female age 38; 1 female age 37; 1 female age 20; 1 male age 15; 1 male age 13; 1 female age 13; 2 males age 11; 1 male age 8; 1 female age 7; 1 male age 3; 1 female age 1

10/09/2021

Shared from Mr. Charles Frank's page - Ms. Nancy Green's legacy must not be forgotten -- Great woman erased from history by idiots. The branding of the syrup was a tribute to this woman’s gifts and talents. Now future generations will not even know this beautiful woman existed. What a shame. The world knew her as “Aunt Jemima”, but her given name was Nancy Green and she was a true American success story.

She was born a slave in 1834 Montgomery County, KY. and became a wealthy superstar in the advertising world, as its first living trademark. Green was 56-yrs old when she was selected as spokesperson for a new ready-mixed, self-rising pancake flour and made her debut in 1893 at a fair and exposition in Chicago. She demonstrated the pancake mix and served thousands of pancakes, and became an immediate star. She was a good storyteller, her personality was warm and appealing, and her showmanship was exceptional.

Her exhibition booth drew so many people that special security personnel were assigned to keep the crowds moving. Nancy Green was signed to a lifetime contract, traveled on promotional tours all over the country, and was extremely well paid. Her financial freedom and stature as a national spokesperson enabled her to become a leading advocate against poverty and in favor of equal rights for all Americans. She maintained her job until her death in 1923, at age 89. This was a remarkable woman, and sadly she has been ERASED by politics. I wanted you to know and remind you in this cancel culture time period.

09/29/2021

Thanks to Mr. Joshua Watson for notifying me of the following history - The Powe's originally came from Wales, England (abt. 1762) and settled first in Spotsylvania County, VA and Cheraw, SC. Marsom Powe (1725-1782) brought with him his son Thomas Powe (1747-1817), a black named Croe and a black couple named Tom and Ruth. The slaves took on the name of Powe. Thomas Powe later migrated to Cheraw, SC and became the founder of the Powe family there. He was a man who accomplished many things and accumulated much wealth and recognition for his achievements. In addition to the children he fathered with his wife Rebecca, Thomas fathered two mulatto sons, Cyrus and Frank, whom he recognized. He instructed his wife Rebecca S. Powe (and formalized in his will) to take care of them and use them until they were twenty-four years of age then emancipate them and equally divide the assets between herself and all of her children including Cyrus and Frank.

John Chapman purchased 3,540 pounds of to***co and 295 acres of land in St. George Parish, Spotsylvania County, in 1729 and acquired an additional 200 acres in 1753. He had six children by his first wife, all born between 1739 and 1754. Within the next six years, his wife died, and he married Mary Allen (born 1739), who bore him several more children. Upon his death in 1775, John Chapman's estate included 1,003 acres of land in Spotsylvania County, more than 300 acres in Orange County and fourteen slaves.

Copied from this website - https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/2340818?availability=Family%20History%20Library

09/26/2021

Anson County NC Will Book C - Pages 243 & 244 – Will of Frederick Staton – Written July 9, 1859 – Probated & recorded July Term of Court in 1866

I, Frederick Staton of the County of Anson & State of North Carolina & being of sound mind & memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make & declare this to be my last will & testament in manner & form following, that is to say;

Item #1 – That my Executors hereinafter named shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my friends & relatives & pay all funeral expenses, together with my just debts, however & to whomever owing out of the money that may first come into his hands as a part of parcel of my estate.

Item #2 – I give & bequeath unto my son Ennis Staton, seven hundred acres of land, more or less, being all that tract of land I own on Salem Creek & Gourd Vine Creek in Union County. Also, I give to him a Negro woman named Pherby & her child not named. Also, one Negro woman by the name of Violet & a Negro girl by the name of Ann.

Item #3 – I give & bequeath unto my son Uriah Station, all the land that I possess on the east side of Lanes Creek& also a tract of land of three hundred acres, more or less, known as the Yarbrough lands. Also, all my lands between Lanes Creek & Cribbs Creek except one tract known as the Taylor tract (which is located about three miles from my other lands) and also I give unto Uriah Staton the follow Negroes; Ellick & Charles, Linda & her children together with their future increase. Uriah Staton shall pay four hundred dollars to the lawful heirs of Temperance Smith, to be paid in two payments of two hundred dollars annually after my death.

Item #4 – I give & bequeath to my son Redden Staton, all the lands I own on Richardson Creek , known by the names of the Austin, Sharpe, Thomas & Nance lands & also five Negroes by the names of Willis, Tom, Ann, Joe & Jane.

Item #5 – I give & bequeath to the lawful heirs of the body of Temperance Smith, one Negro boy named John, one Negro girl named Jane, one Negro girl named Caroline along with her children, except for the oldest by the name of Frona.

Item #6 – I give & bequeath unto the lawful heirs of my daughter Maniza Staton, all the lands whereon James Staton lived & died & also a tract known as the Taylor land, lying on the waters of Lanes Creek & also three Negroes by the names of Nancy, Calvin & Laura.

Item #7 – I give & bequeath to my daughter Harriett Broadaway & the heirs of her body a tract of land adjoining John Broadaway containing two hundred & fifty acres, more or less & also one Negro boy named George. If the said Harriett Broadaway should decease without a lawful heir of her body, then the said property is to return to my lawful heirs.

Item #8 – I give & bequeath to my granddaughter, Thetis Station, one Negro girl named Frona, but if the said Thetis Staton should decease without a lawful heir of her body, then the aforesaid Negro girl shall return back to my surviving heirs. My will & desire is that all the residue of my property not otherwise disposed of shall be sold & after paying off all my just debts, to be equally divided among all my heirs.

Item #9 – I do hereby constitute & appoint my son Uriah Staton & Miles W. Mask my lawful Executors to this my last will & testament in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this the ninth day of July, 1859 – Frederick Staton

Signed, Sealed & Delivered in the presence of H. M. Broadaway & David Hyatt

Item #10 – In addition to the above mentioned will, I will & bequeath to my beloved wife, Rhoda Staton, a Negro boy by the name of Dick for her lifetime & after her death to my son Uriah Staton. Signed on January 9, 1860 – Frederick Staton

The above mentioned codicil witnessed by J. W. Bennett & R. N. Allen

State of North Carolina & County of Anson – Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions – July Term 1866 – Then the foregoing last will & testament of Frederick Staton was exhibited in open court & duly proven by the oaths of H. M. Broadaway & David Hyatt, the two subscribing witnesses thereto & at the same time the Codicil to said will was proven in open court by the oath of J. W. Bennett, the subscribing witness thereto & said Will & Codicil was ordered to be recorded and thereupon Uriah Staton, the Executor therein named was duly qualified & took upon himself the ex*****on thereof.

Patrick J. Coppedge, Anson County Clerk of Court

09/25/2021

Anson County Will Book C Page 36 - Will of David P. Billingsley – Written June 17, 1851 – Probated & recorded during the July Term of Court in 1851;

I, David P. Billingsley of the County & State aforesaid, being of sound mind & memory but considering the existence of my earthly existence do make & declare this to be my last will & testament in manner & form following;

Item #1 – I desire that my Executors hereinafter named shall take immediate charge after my death of my estate & continue all the farming operations for the present year as it is now under control of my present overseer, A. J. Tyson, while he may remain & then under the management of whoever my Executors may employ to succeed him.

Item #2 – I desire that my Executors, in order to meet the just claims that may arise against my estate have the power to keep my laborers upon my farm together with all the stock, that they exercise their best discretion in selecting same person annually to manage my plantation & to continue to make crops thereon for the term of three or four years, the length of time to be determined by them according to the condition of my estate & out of the proceeds arising from the crops to pay all debts that I justly owe.

Item #3 – Should my Executors at the expiration of the time specified in the proceeding item, by consent of my beloved wife, think it will serve the interest of my estate to make sale of my land, they are hereby authorized to do so & the proceeds to constitute a part or parcel of my estate.

Item #4 – It is my wish that my beloved wife Mary, to have a Negro to be chosen by herself but I desire he or she to remain upon the plantation along with the rest of my workers while my Executor continues to keep up the farm but said Negro however is to constitute a part of her interest in my estate at a fair valuation.

Item #5 – I desire that after all debts are paid that my estate be equally divided among my wife & children & allowing my wife first choice of all the Negroes set at a fair valuation as specified above.

Item #6 – I desire that my children are to remain at home & that my wife & Executors give them an opportunity of obtaining a sound & practical English education & they be trained up in habits of sobriety & industry.

Lastly I hereby constitute & appoint my friends, E. G. Knight & John Tyson, Jr. to be my lawful Executors to all interests & purposes, to carry out this my last will & testament according to the true intent & meaning thereof.

Given under my hand & seal this 17th day of June in 1851 - David P. Billingsley – Signed in the presence of Benjamin Dunlap & David Hyatt

Anson County NC Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions – July Term 1851 – Then the ex*****on of the last will & testament of David P. Billingsley was proven in open court by the oath of Benjamin Dunlap & David Hyatt, the subscribing witnesses thereto & ordered to be registered, whereupon John Tyson Jr., one of the Executors therein named appeared in open court & was duly qualified.

According to the find-a-grave website, David Powell Billingsley was born January 1, 1810 & died July 6, 1951 when he was 51 years old & was buried at Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery in Ansonville Township of Anson County.

According to the 1850 Census of the Cedar Hill District of Anson County in household #686 – David Billingsley age 39 – Born NC – occupation farming – value of his real estate was $200. His wife Mary Billingsley age 30; their children were Edmund F. Billingsley age 15 & in school; John P. Billingsley age 14 & in school; James J. Billingsley age 7 & in school; Sidney C. Billingsley age 6 & in school; William M. Billingsley age 3

According to the 1850 Slave Census of Cedar Hill District of Anson County, the following enslaved individuals lived & worked on David Billingsley’s property; 1 female age 60; 1 male age 40; 1 female age 23; 1 female age 16; 1 female age 11; 2 females age 6; 1 male age 16 & 1 male age 15

According to the Billingsley Family history, David Powell Billingsley was first married to Mary Allie Carpenter about 1833 & she died about 1848 & so she must be buried in an unmarked grave at Concord United Methodist Church Cemetery. His second wife was Mary Tomlinson who he married about 1849 & one son was born of this marriage. After the death of David P. Carpenter in 1851, his second wife decided to move to Texas.

09/17/2021

Did you know that there were Emancipation Day Parades & Celebrations during the month of January during every year after freedom came & continued on into the 1920's in downtown Wadesboro NC? Posted here is the earliest dated newspaper record (January 4, 1894) that I have been able to discover -- Messenger-Intelligencer (Wadesboro NC) issue of Thursday, January 4, 1894 Page 3 – Emancipation Day Celebration in Wadesboro NC – A very large crowd of black people celebrated Emancipation Day in Wadesboro on New Year’s Day. There was a very nice parade, headed by fife & drum & some excellent guest speakers. The guest speaker of the day was W.E. Henderson of Charlotte NC. The local speakers of the day were Ben Pratt, Frank Reid & Dallas Alexander.

"On a side note of mine, in the 1920’s, the “Famous Kluttz Band” performed at the annual Emancipation Day Parades in Wadesboro. The Kluttz Band was managed by Mr. Tom Kluttz of Salisbury Street."

09/03/2021

Make plans to visit. Anson County Historical Society in Wadesboro will be open for the holiday weekend; Saturday, September 4th 9am to 3pm or later if needed & also open Labor Day Monday, September 6th 9am to 3pm or later if needed.

Give us a call. Our office phone # is 704 694 6694. We are located at 206 East Wade Street in Wadesboro NC 28170 so make plans to visit. In our research room is over 1200 files of local black history & two bookcases of family history books & county history books & four filing cabinets packed with not only Anson County family histories but also of the surrounding counties of Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Stanly & Union & also the South Carolina counties of Chesterfield, Darlington, Florence, Marlboro & Williamsburg. Thank you.

If planning to spend several days in Anson County, then I would recommend staying at our Dream Inn Bed & Breakfast. Melanie & her husband Julian will treat you like royalty --

The Dream Inn Bed & Breakfast | Wadesboro, NC | ncdreaminn.com

08/29/2021

Will of Mr. Jesse Melton – Anson County NC Will Book B Page 32 – Written August 10, 1833 – Date of probate not listed;

I, Jesse Melton of the County of Anson & State of North Carolina being in a low state of health, but in perfect mind and memory and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make their last will and testament.

Item #1- It is my will that all my just debts shall be paid out of my estate.

Item #2 - I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved daughter Jamima Churchwell, forty shillings and no more.

Item #3 - I dive and bequeath to my beloved grandson Balentine Brown, forty shillings and no more.

Item #4- I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved daughter, Catherine Melton, one, chest of drawers one feather bed and furniture. I furthermore give her two-hundred and eighty dollars to be paid to her out of the property which I hereby leave my wife after the remarriage or death of my wife.

Item #5- I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife, Mary Melton, my Negro woman by the name of Martha during her widowhood or lifetime. I also give my dearly beloved wife, Mary Melton, all my stock of horses, cattle and hogs, together with all of my household and kitchen furniture, except for one feather bed and furniture and the chest of drawers which I have willed to my daughter Catherine Melton.

Item #6 – I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved sons, Robert Melton and Michael Melton all the balance of my lands that I have not deeded to my sons, Joseph Melton and Jesse Melton to be equally divided between the two brothers, when they become twenty-one years of age, but is either of my two minor sons should die without heirs, the land should be sold and the money equally, divided amongst all my surviving heirs.

Item #7- The property which I have willed to my dearly beloved wife at her death or her remarriage, it is my will that if anything is left from my estate, then the balance to be divided between my two sons Robert Melton and Michael Melton.

Item #8 - I will and bequeath to my dearly beloved son, Joseph Melton, the sum of forty shillings and no more.

Item #9 - I will and bequeath to my dearly beloved son Joseph Melton, the sum of forty shillings and no more.

Item #10- I desire that my dearly beloved friend Joel Rushing, Stephen Huntley and Joseph Melton should officiate as executors to this my last will and testament.

In Testimony of which I have hereunto assigned my name and affixed- my seal this 10th day of August in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty three (1833)

Jesse Melton

Transaction witnessed in the presence of D.A. Covington and Jesse B. Melton, Vachel T. Chairs -- No probate date listed

08/13/2021

NC Argus (Wadesboro NC) issue of Saturday, September 13, 1851 - My wife Elizabeth Skipper, has left me without reason on Wednesday, September 3, 1851 - Silas Skipper (The Skipper Family that lived in Anson County in the mid 1800's were Free Persons of Color)

08/04/2021

The farm of John Flowers, located in the Cairo Community near Morven, was one of the largest in Anson County. Flowers at one time owned over forty slaves and nearly three thousand acres. He cultivated typical North Carolina crops: corn, wheat, beans, peas, and potatoes. He also produced large quantities of cotton, enough to gin twenty-one bales in 1850, and thirty-five bales in 1860. According to local tradition, the cotton baling press was built in the 1850's with the help of a German millwright. It stood adjacent to a cotton gin house and lint room. Pressing was the final step in preparing raw cotton for market. After the cotton was ginned and the seeds removed, it was carried to the bailing press, which was driven by two mules. As many as eleven laborers worked at the Flowers Gin and Press Complex. The Civil War disrupted the small plantations of Anson County. Most gins and presses were destroyed by Kilpatrick's cavalry near the end of the war. But the Flowers Gin and Press survived and operated as a public gin for the remainder of the nineteenth century. Finally, a shortage of cheap labor and the competition of steam-powered public gins and presses in nearby towns rendered the plantation complex obsolete. The Flowers Gin was destroyed early in the twentieth century, and in 1976 the abandoned press stood in a peach orchard.

07/31/2021

Will of Jasper Turner - Anson County Will Book A Page 149 – Written January 13, 1828 – Probated & Recorded April of 1828

In the name of God, Amen, I Jasper Turner of the County of Anson and State of North Carolina, being in sound mind and memory do make this to be my Last Will & Testament.

In the first place I want all my just debts paid and those due me collected. I give and bequeath unto my wife, Lucy Turner, my plantation and tract of land whereon I now live, containing three hundred and sixteen acres more or less, also I give and bequeath unto to my wife Lucy, a negro man by the name of Tom, her lifetime, and then to my three daughters, (to wit) Dilly, Elizabeth, and Polly Turner.

Also I want at the death of my wife, Lucy Turner, the said tract of land that I have willed to her to be equally divided among all my legatees, also I give to my wife all my stock of every description, but if she and the family thinks proper to sell part of them, they can do so, also my wagon and cart and plantation tools to my said wife Lucy.

Also I wish at her death, I want some of my neighbors to value those things last named, and make, a division of them among my children without a sale. But if the said Lucy Turner marries I want her to have an equal part with my children and no more.

Now this stock I have mentioned about to be sold the money arising from that sale I want it to be first to the use of educating my son Martin Turner, but if there should be more money from this sale of stock than is necessary to educate my son Martin I want the rest to be equally divided among the rest of my children.

Also I give and bequeath to my son Green Turner a certain tract of land adjoining Jepthah Woodard and William Hatcher containing 200 acres more or less. In the next pace I give to my son Austin Turner a certain tract of land that I purchased of John and
Matthew Seagler or Seagley adjoining Frederick Staton and John Allen containing 250 acres more or less lying on the waters of Cribbs Creek.

Also I give unto my son Martin Turner a certain parcel or tract of land lying on the waters of Arnett’s Branch containing 199 acres, also another tract of land bought of Joseph Medley which goes by the name of the Harrison place, containing 100 acres more or less.. Also a small entry that I have made adjoining John Allen, Frederick Staton, and myself, which I wish to be saved with money out of my estate and for the land to belong to my son Martin containing 8 acres.

As for my household and kitchen furniture I want for it to stay as it is. But if one or more of the family wishes or needs part of the furniture for the family to give off what they think is their equal part.

And I hereby make George Turner and Austin Turner to be my Executors to this my Last Will and Testament on this June 13th 1828 – Jasper Turner

Transaction witnessed by R. N. Austin & William Brantley

Anson ¬County April Sessions 1828 - Then this Will was exhibited in open court and duly proven by R.N. Allen and William Brantley and ordered to be recorded.

William Dismukes, Anson County Clerk of Court

07/30/2021

Miss Dilly Turner was born about 1795 in the State of Virginia. Her actual name was either Della or Delila Turner. Quite possibly she was never married. She died in Burnsville Township about 1872 when she was about 76 years old & was possibly buried at the Old Poplar Springs Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Burnsville Township. A Memorial Monument was erected in 1954 by the descendants of the Turner Family.

Will of Miss Dilly Turner – Anson County Will Book C Page 203 – Written January 7, 1858 – Probated & Recorded in July of 1864;

In the name of God Amen, I Dilly Turner being of sound mind & memory & filling that my earthly existence is coming to a close & being desirous of making a distribution of all my property for certain purposes, I do make this my last will & testament.

Item #1 - I want & desire immediately after my departure from this life, all the debts that are owed to me to be speedily collected & all that I may owe at my death to be fully paid & settled.

Item #2 – I do for the natural love & affection I have for my sister Mary Turner, give unto her all my real & personal estate, both of land & money, livestock & all of my interest in a Negro man named Tom & a Negro woman named Ann & her unnamed child & their increase & every type of property or interest in property at my death in any way for her the said Mary Turner, to have for her own use & benefit during her natural life& at her death, I will & bequeath that all of the property, both real & personal, in any way to go & be left to Sarah Turner & Laura Turner, them being minor heirs of my brother Martin Turner for their own use, to be equally divided between them & their lawful heirs, after their deaths.

In testimony whereunto I set my hand & seal this the seventh day of January in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred & fifty-eight. I appoint James P. Broadaway as my Executor – Dilly Turner

Transaction witnessed by John Broadaway, Robert N. Allen, James Broadaway

Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, July Term 1864 – Then the foregoing last will & testament of Miss Dilly Turner was offered for probate & duly proved in open court by the oaths of John Broadaway & Robert N. Allen, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto & ordered to be recorded.

Patrick J. Coppedge, Anson County Clerk of Court