Records from 1836 to 1840
1836
8 February 1836—Edward Piver, an orphan aged 14 years, bound to Needham B. White as a cooper.
8 February 1836—Henry Copes, an orphan and free boy of color aged 15 years, bound to Thomas Wadsworth as a blacksmith.
10 February 1836—Nancy Parris, an orphan aged 10 years, bound to Francis I. Beesley as a spinster.
11 February 1836—John Black, a free boy of color aged 16(?) years, bound to Abner Neale as a farmer.
11 February 1836—Nathan Black, a free boy of color aged 13(?) years, bound to Abner Neale as a farmer.
9 May 1836—John Driggers, a free boy of color aged 9 years, bound to James Caton as a cooper. Order rescinded.
10 May 1836—John Driggers, a free boy of color aged 9 years, bound to John L. Durand as a cooper.
10 May 1836—Bill Green, an orphan and free boy of color aged 13 years, bound to John L. Durand as a cooper.
12 May 1836—Samuel Bateman, an orphan aged 16 years, bound to William Hindes [Hines] as a chairmaker.
28 July 1836—Joshua Moseley petition to Court of Pleas and Quarter Session of Craven County. "The petition of Joshua Moseley respectfully sheweth unto your worships, that John B. Whitfield of the County of Wayne departed this life the [blank] day of May 1835, leaving several children & among others, two boys, named William and John T. The said deceased by his last will and testament appointed your petitioner his executor & directed him to have the said boys bound out to some good trade. Your petitioner sheweth unto your worships that the mother of the said boys died before their said father...[I have] procured George W. Dixon, Esq., of ... New Bern to take said boys as apprentices to learn the art & mystery of a Taylor."
1 August 1836—Letter from Joshua Moseley [of Moseley Hall, N.C.] to George W. Dixon of New Bern. "Dear Sir I Enclose to you the precise ages of the boys I conveyed to you last Week. William B. Whitfield was born August 24th day 1822. John T. Whitfield was born June 14th day 1825."
9 August 1836—William B. Whitfield, an orphan aged 14 years, bound to George W. Dixon as a taylor.
9 August 1836—John T. Whitfield, an orphan aged 11 years, bound to George W. Dixon as a taylor.
11 August 1836—William Bailey, an orphan aged 18 years, bound to Francis Bangor as a baker.
November Term 1836—Notice to Alvey [also spelled Avey] Tindal to bring her daughter Rebecca to court at the next term "to be bound out to some suitable master." Also a notice to Polly Williams to bring "her illegitamate child" David Williams to be bound as an apprentice.
15 November 1836—John Moore, a free boy of color aged 14 years, bound to James Toler, Sr., as a cooper.
15 November 1836—Nathan Moore, a free boy of color aged 10 years, bound James Toler, Sr., as a cooper.
1837
13 February 1837—John Gibbins, a free boy of color aged 18 years, bound to James C. Cole as a farmer.
13 February 1837—Lindsay Gibbins, a free boy of color aged 7 years, bound to James C. Cole as a farmer.
14 February 1837—Lewis Hargett, a free boy of color aged 12 years, bound to James C. Cole as a farmer.
14 February 1837—John Hargett, a free boy of color aged 15 years, bound to James C. Cole as a farmer.
14 February 1837—Alexander Hargett, a free boy of color aged 8 years, bound to James C. Cole as a farmer.
15 February 1837—"Craven County batcheldors creak. This is to certefy that Mrs. Dianiah Heart has let Lemuel Davis have her son James Heart for to rase and instruct; Likewise to be bound by the coart in the county afore Said Sinde [i.e. signed] and deliverd in the presens of Attest Clement L. Davis. Dianiah x Heart." ["The coart do herby bind the within named James Heart unto Lemuel Davis untill he is of the age of twenty-one years. he being now of the age of Eight years. C.V. Swan, Chairman."]
16 February 1837—Mary Ann Deer, an orphan aged 12 years, bound to Adrian H. Van Bokkelen as a spinster.
17 February 1837—Julia Ann Powers, an orphan and free girl of color aged 14 years, bound to James G. Stanly, Jr., as a spinster.
May 1837 [filed in the 1843 folder]--"Grand Jurors upon their oath report to this worshipful court that there are two orphan children living on South River one by the name of George Casey about eight years old the other by the name of James Casey about five years old the mother of both which is dead and the father having no control over the same are now living with their grandmother this Grand Jury is informed that they are in a suffering condition. Joshua Taylor, Foreman."
8 May 1837—James Hart, an orphan aged 8 years, bound to Lemuel Davis as a farmer.
10 May 1837—Betsey Porter, a free girl of color aged 14 years, bound to Mary Harvey, Jr., as a spinster.
16 August 1837—Alfred Moore, a free boy of color aged 14 years, bound to Charles Toler as a cooper.
16 August 1837—Joel Moore, a free boy of color aged 12 years, bound to Charles Toler as a cooper.
13 November 1837—Frederick Howard, an orphan aged 4 years, bound to Amos Cuterell [Cuthrell] as a cooper.
13 November 1837—Joseph Benners, an orphan aged 14 years last March, bound to Thomas Loring as a printer.
1838
February Term 1838—"It is ordered by the court that Notice issue to Mrs. Armanie the elder to shew cause at this term why an indian girl named Maria should not be bound out an apprentice by this Court."
14 February 1838—Marie Cookley [also Coakley], a free girl of color aged 20 years, bound to Jonathan Blaney as a spinster.
May Term 1838—"Grand Jury Room...The Grand Jurors present That Irvin Tire & Ellis Laughinghouse Two orphan boys liveing with their Mothers on big Swift Creek and ought to be bound out. Elijah M. Dudley, foreman of gran jury." They also "present John Snell a free colored boy as a nuisance on Bay River believing he ought to be bound out. Elijah M. Dudley..."
14 May 1838—Sarah Jane Parker, an orphan aged 7 years, bound to John Curtis as a spinster.
14 May 1838—George Williams, an orphan and free boy of color aged 10 years, bound to Raymond Castix as a shoemaker.
14 May 1838—William Kease, an orphan and free boy of color aged 10 years, bound to Raymond Castix as a shoemaker. The indenture was cancelled November 1839 and Kease was bound to J.A. Suydam.
14 May 1838—Mary Elisa Long, an orphan and free girl of color aged 2 (or 5) years 6 months, bound to Simon Bright as a spinster.
13 August 1838—John Capes, a free boy of color aged 16 years, bound to Jane Tillman as a farmer.
13 August 1838—Daniel Little (alias Plumm---?), a free boy of color aged 12 years, bound to Hardy B. Lane as a carpenter.
13 August 1838—Jesse Little, a free boy of color aged 10 years in July 1838, bound to Hardy B. Lane as a carpenter.
13 August 1838—Robert Little, a free boy of color aged 8 years in May 1838, bound to Hardy B. Lane as a carpenter.
14 August 1838—Thomas J. Wallace, an orphan aged 15 years, bound to James Jones as a mariner.
15 August 1838—George Hicks, a free boy of color aged 8 years, bound to Hardy Whitford as a shoemaker. "We Peter Hicks the Farther of George Hicks and Rodey Sower the Grand Mother—his Mother Betsey Hicks being dead request the Court to bind to bind the said George Hicks to Hardy Whitford to Learn the farmers or shoemaking Trade the said George is Eight years old the 2d day of Sept 1838—he being born the 2 Sept 1830. Peter Hicks, Rodey x Sower. Signed in presence of H.P. Whitehurst.
Farmers or shoe makers trades. Let the boy be bound. August 15, 1838."
November Term 1838—"The grandjury haveing presented to the Court that three orphan boys named Silas Brinkley, Thomas Porter, and Henry Bowen are without guardians or masters and are strolling about the County. It is Ordered that the Sheriff bring said orphans before the Court at the next February Term 1839 of this Court and that in the interim he notify the parents or other connections of said orphans that the Court will proceed at the next term to bind them out. Attest: J.G. Stanly, CC." Returned "Not to be found. J.B. Dawson, Shff."
12 November 1838—Joab Rice, an orphan aged 14 years last February, bound to David D. Frater as a farmer.
12 November 1838—Boyd Rice, an orphan aged 13 years last December, bound to Guilford Rice as a farmer. [A note on the back of the indenture indicates that the indenture was rescinded in February 1840 and Boyd was bound to Gid[eo]n Sparrow.]
13 November 1838—John Dennis, an orphan aged 15 years, bound to Charles C. Nelson as a taylor.
13 November 1838—Frances Dukes, an orphan aged 14 years, bound to John Mildrum as a milliner.
13 November 1838—James Carter, a free boy of color aged 8 years, bound to Joseph S. Fowler as a farmer.
13 November 1838—Mary Catherine Brown, an orphan aged 14 years, bound to Julia Burgeving (also Burgevin) as a milliner.
14 November 1838—Hansey Carter, a free girl of color aged 10 years, bound to Joseph S. Fowler as a spinster.
17 November 1838—Thomas Howard, an orphan aged 17 years, bound to John F. Noe as a shipwright.
1839
11 February 1839—Nancy Vendrick, a free girl of color aged [blank] years, bound to William G. Bryan as a spinster until the expiration of four years from this date.
13 February 1839—Robert Comb (alias Mosely), a free boy of color aged 16 years, bound to James A. Suydam as a house painter and chairmaker.
14 February 1839—Hosea Pittman, an orphan aged 15 years, bound to John McDonald as a cabinet maker.
May Term 1839—"It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that Jim, Rigdon, Amos, and Abby, persons of colour children of Tom Lewis a Cold. man decd. are orphans and without a master or guardian. It is Ordered, that the Sheriff of Craven have said children at the next term of this court..."
7 May 1839—"This may certify that I Sally Lewis a free woman of color request the court of Please and Quarter Sessions of Craven County to bind my daughter Elizabeth a free girl of color to Capt. Jacob Johnson and his wife Rebecca Johnson until she is eighteen years old to Learn the Seamstress Trade. The said girl is a Eleven years old the 27th December 1839... Attest: Hardy Whitford, Sally x Lewis." Written on the back of the note is "The Court binds the girl to the age of 21 twenty years according to law."
12 May 1839—George Lewis, an orphan [and free boy of color] aged 11 years, bound to Henry A. Jones as a "calker". [Indenture is marked "cancelled" and bound to T. McLin.]
14 May 1839—Southy Pittman, an orphan aged 15 years, bound to Lucas B. Herritage as a sail maker.
14 May 1839—Elizabeth Lewis, a free girl of color aged 11 years, bound to Jacob Johnson as a spinster.
17 May 1839—James F. Lee, an orphan aged 18 years in March 1840, bound to John Miller as a confectioner.
24 July 1839—"I would be glad if the Court would bind my Son James J. Price to Mr. William R. Fulsher to learn the Shoe making trade. the said James is 13 years old in August 1839--the day not recollected. Broad Creek, July 24, 1839. Marthew x Price"
12 August 1839—James J. Price, an orphan aged 13 years, bound to William R. Fulshire (also Fulsher) as a shoemaker.
12 August 1839—George Lewis, an orphan and free boy of color aged 14 years, bound to Thomas McLin as a mariner.
13 August 1839—"This is to certify that I am willing for my son Daniel to be bound out to Mr. Prentiss. Newbern, August 13th, 1839. Catherine Hurtt."
13 August 1839—Daniel W. Hurtt, an orphan aged 15 years, bound to Francis J. Prentiss as a Taylor.
13 August 1839—John Lewis, a free boy of color aged [blank] years, bound to Council B. Wood as a [blank].
14 August 1839—Jim Lewis, an orphan and free boy of color aged 20 years, bound to JOhn M. Harget as a farmer.
14 August 1839—Abby Lewis, an orphan and free girl of color aged [illegible] years, bound to John Brissington as a milliner.
14 August 1839—Amos Lewis, an orphan and free boy of color aged 10 years, bound to John M. Harget as a farmer.
14 August 1839—Rigdon Lewis, an orphan and free boy of color aged 13[?] years, bound to John M. Harget as a farmer.
11 November 1839—Thoams Vendrick, an orphan and free boy of color aged 12 years, bound to James A. Suydam as a carriage maker.
11 November 1839—William Keys, an orphan and free boy of color aged 11 years, bound to James A. Suydam as a carriage maker.
16 November 1839—James Brown, a free boy of color aged 18 years, bound to Thomas Jerkins as a "calker".
29 November 1839 [filed in the 1837 folder]—an indenture between Thomas Loring and James H. Norwood, guardian of Joseph Benners, for $100 Loring gives his deed of indenture for the apprenticeship of Joseph Benners to Norwood and "agree that the said indentures be cancelled and destroyed." D. Lindeman was a witness.
1840
10 February 1840—Thomas Outlaw, an orphan aged 10 years, bound to Solomon Witherington as a cooper.
8 May 1840—"This may certify that it is my Desire that my Littl girl named Nancey to be bound to Mrs. Rebeka Carson...Ferabey x Dixion. Witness: Nathan Whitford."
11 May 1840—Harry [also Henry] Gregory, a free boy of color aged 11 years, bound to John L. Durand as a cooper.
12 May 1840—"To the County Coart of Craven, Newberne, May 12th 1840. it is my desire that the Coart bind My two Sons Thomas & Spencer to Mr. Charles C. Nelson for the purpose of learning them the art of Tailoring. Sarah A. Willis" Another note scribbled on part of an Episcopal Prayer Book states "Thomas is 12 will be 13 6th June 1840" "Spencer 10 will be 11 14th January 1841"
13 May 1840—Spencer Willis, an orphan aged 11 years, bound to Charles C. Nelson as a Taylor.
13 May 1840—Thomas Willis, an orphan aged 13 years, bound to Charles C. Nelson as a Taylor.
1 June 1840—"To Mr. William Hindes. Take Notice that I shall apply to the next Court of Pleas & Quarter Session for Craven County to rescind the Indentures binding my Son James Webb apprentice to you. You can attend & contest the motion if you think fit...Sophia Webb." [A note on the rear indicates: "Executed by delivering a copy to William Hines."]
11 August 1840—Mary Ann Richardson, an orphan and free girl of color aged 14 years, bound to David W. Chadwick as a spinster.
13 August 1840—"This is to certify that I have given my consent to Nicholas C. Robertson to have my son William Bradley Huff bound to him for the purpose of learning the butchering business. Newbern, Augst. 13th, 1840. Anna||Huff. Witness: Wm. Tisdale."
13 August 1840—William Bradley Huff, an orphan aged 13 years, bound to Nicholas C. Robertson as a butcher.
November 1840—Grand Jury Presentment "that there are two orphan children living with Gatsey Harford on Bay River, who are likely to become a charge to the county...and that an orphan boy named Francis Fulshire is living on lower Broad Creek who is without protection."
[November 1840]—Francis Fulsher, orphan, of Lower Broad Creek. [Filed in the no date folder located on reel G028.2028002.]
[November 1840?]—Two orphan children in the care of Gatsey [?] Hafford, their mother, living on Bay River. [Filed in the no date folder located on reel G028.2028002.]
10 November 1840—Nancy Dixon, a free girl of color aged 8 years, bound to Rebecca Carson as a spinster. [Note that Rebecca signs the document "Rebecca Cassin"]
14 November 1840—James C. Dickenson, an orphan aged 12 years, bound to Charles C. Nelson as a tailor.
