April 30, 2014

Last Will and Testament of Jones Fuller, May 1, 1815

March 6 1815

Recorded Book D
Fol. 137

Link to original

In the name of God Amen. I Jones Fuller of Franklin 
County being of sound and perfect Mind and Memry Blessed be God 
do this first day of May in the Year of our Lord 1812
Do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament in manner
and form as follows that is to say

First I give my Right of all the property as I have give a bond to bestow
at my Decease that I had by my last wife these are her sones in law. 
That is to say Israel Bailey, John Upchurch and Lo Jackson, and
I will Name them if I can. If I forgit aney the Bond will call for them.
And I Desier they shall have them. First I give these three her sons
in law all my Right of the Land as her former husband left to her
his wife. I allso give to these sons in law of my wifes as was her Desier
to give her part to them in sted of herself, also 3 beds, 8 sheats on 3
coverlids, 1 bedstid, 3 dishes & basons on six plates, 1 Duch Oven,
1 Chist,1 cotton wheal,1 pare of Cards, 1 pare of tongs, 1 shovel, 1 old
ho, 2 old axes and 1 Meal Bag and if I have forgot anything I wont
my Executors to make it up to them. 1 womans saddle and bridle
also I give to my wife the horse I had with her and the Negro man
Jacob as long as she lives and as for my Children I have given to
them as much as I have for them at present. I give to Isham
Fullers chilldren two hundred dollars to be Equilly Divided be-
tween them if they are contented without seeking for any more but
if not satisfide to have not at all. I give and bequeath to my Daughter
Sealy Fullers Children two hundred dollars to be Equilly Divided
between them all but her son Jones and her son Henry them I give the
Land to that Arthur Fuller now lives on to be Divided between them.

Item.
I give to my son Archy Fuller my Negro boy called Sam.

Item.
I give to my son Bartholomew Fuller 1 Negro named Ben, then
is my son Henry Jones and Sarah L. Scott I have given two Negroes a
peace before; and Zilley Miller 2 Negroes before. I give to my son 
Demcy Fuller 1 Negro woman by the name of Tamer. I give to my
Daughter Milley Yarbrough 1 Negro girl called Jany. I give to 
my Daughter Mary Jordan the Child my Negro woman called Ab 
is now big with if the child lives; and I lend to Mary Jurdan
the Negro girl called Linder while Fanny marries or comes of age.

Item.
I give to my Daughter Olliv Bailey my young filley called the 
Rock Filley and one hundred Dollars to said Olliv Bailey.

Note A Bene
I give unto these three sons in law of my wife's eighty three 
pounds and four shillings as the Bond calls for as I sold my wife's property
for she would have it returned to them in stid of herself.
I give to my Daughter Fanny Fuller 1 Negro girl named Linder,
the same girl I lent to Mary Jordan while Fanny come of age or
married. I also give to my Daughter Fanny 1 Negro boy called Sandy and
I give her 1 bed and furniture, 1 womans saddle and bridle and 1 cow
and calf, 1 sow and pigs, 1 pot, 1 dish, six spoons, six plates, and
1 case of knives and forks and enough to buy her 1 good sute of clothes.

Item.
I give to my son Worrin [Warren] Fuller 1 Negro boy called Jacob and girl called Pat and 1 horse I had of my son Ephraim and my brand colt, 
1 saddle and bridle, 1 cow and calf, 2 sows and pigs, my small shot
shot gun and my musket. I also give this land and plantation whereon I live to my son Worrin Fuller after taking off what I want for Ephraim
and for Jordan only Fanny Fuller is to have a house and home
as long as she lives single or comes of age and I give my Desk
to my son Worrin and the other Desk to Fanny as was her mammys.
And to Worrin I give him money enough to buy him a good sute of clothes.

Item.
I give to my son Johnnathan Fuller forty acres of land lying in
the fork of the creek above Daniel Fullers and [a]joins George
Williams and I give to said Johnathan 1 Negro woman called Grace.
The land I give to my son Ephraim begins on Little River below his
house runs up the river to my spring branch then up the branch
to the Cole Branch to Jeffries line then Down
that line strait to the first station. The land I give to my
son Jordan Fuller is all the track [tract] I had of ten peaces [pieces] and
where he the said Jordan now lives down the river to the first 
branch above my upper field on the river strait on north course
from the river to Michal Dent's line. I Desier that Solomon, Stephen,
Dave and Middleton, Luce and Ab and Beck and Ann continue on the plantation under the command of my son Worrin Fuller and for the supoart of said Worrin and Fanny Fuller to be seen by my Executors 
to be an overseer over these Negroes untill Worrin and Fanny
marries or comes of age then I give Midleton to my son Alsay Fuller
and I give Stephen to my son Ephraim Fuller and I give Dave to
my son Jordan Fuller and after these last children comes of 
age I wont all the property I have to be lots and Equilly Divided
that is all I own at my decease all that Worrin can gain from my 
Diseas untill he comes of age is to be Divided between he and Fanny
only I wont Olliv Bailey to have one side saddle and bridle, 2 youes [ewes]
and lambs and Worrin 2 youes and lambs and Fanny 2 youes and lambs
and Johnathan 2 youes and lambs. I also give to Demcy Fuller 
fifty dollars at my decease or before if it can be made. 
I allso leave Luce and Able Luce to Worrin Fuller and Abb
to Fanny Fuller as there own Right. I allso give my black
mares filley to my daughter Fanny as her own Right and
all the geese I have at my decease to be Equally Divided be-
tween my son Worrin Fuller and and my daughter Fanny Fuller.
I allso give 1 large pott and 1 Duch Oven to Worrin and 1 large
pott and 1 Duch Oven to my daughter Fanny Fuller.
After my son Worrin and Daughter Fanny comes of age I
give my Negro girl called Easter to my Daughter Polly Jordan
and at the same time I give to my daughter Olliv Bailey my
Negro woman called Ann. All my stock of horses cattle 
sheep and hoggs Remaining over and above after my just debts
paid and Lands if any to be sold and Equilly Divided amongst all
my living children and as I have tried to Devide all between
my children and wife I now make or claim these worthy friends 
and sons of mine Bartholomew Fuller Ephraim Fuller and Worrin
Fuller Executors of this my Last Will and Testament where
in I set my hand and seal the day and year first above 
written. Signed sealed published and Declared by the said Jones
Fuller the testator to be his Last Will and Testament in the
presents of us who were present at the time of signing and
sealing there of.

Test Jones Fuller (seal)
Wiley Clifton jurat
Wiley C. Mitchell jurat
Earnest J. Brodie

Additional Comments:
Transcribed from original on file in NC State Archives
Call No. C.R.039.801.3
[words in brackets are the transcriber's]
An effort was made to keep punctuation and spelling 
(particularly as to the spelling of names) as in 
the original except where there are lists, in which case
commas have been inserted for ease of understanding.
The original document comprises four pages. 

April 28, 2014

Johnston School News, Smithfield Herald, July 7, 1923

Smithfield Herald, July 7, 1923
Smithfield, NC
JOHNSTON SCHOOL NEWS
Mrs. Jesse Stancil and son, Roland, spent Saturday night in Smithfield with Mrs. Stancil's brother, Mr. Elmond Johnson.


Aside from the fact that it seems quite outmoded to report an overnight visit among family in a newspaper, I don't quite get the headline here, "Johnston School News'. I checked the North Carolina Gazetteer to see if "Johnston School" is a place or community in Johnston County, but it's not listed. Apparently not. 

Hmmm.

Still....it's nice to know - in April of 2014 - that my grandmother and uncle visited her brother for an overnight stay in the summer of 1923. 

Where else would you find that sort of information? It's fun to find interesting tidbits of info outside the normal channels of birth and death certificates. Love that!


April 23, 2014

National Register of Historic Places - An Overlooked Treasure!

I'm probably the last to realize this, but I've recently discovered the genealogical treasures held in the nomination forms for the National Register of Historic Places. Wow!  

I owe the folks on the Wake, Harnett, & Johnston County Genealogy Facebook page a huge THANK YOU for enlightening me! These forms are used to nominate properties for the National Register and golly gee do they contain some great stuff:

  • History of the general area in the nomination
  • Thorough description of the property including location, past owners, and the genealogy of those owners
  • References such as census records, newspaper articles, survey maps, deeds, vital records and on and on and on
  • Transcripts of live interviews with descendants
  • Pictures of the building and property
As an example, the above form is nominating the Godfrey Stancil (my 1st cousin 7x removed) House and grounds in the Penny Hill area of Edgecombe County, NC. It provides a rich detailed history of Penny Hill, thorough description of the house and property, GOLDEN genealogical info on cuz'n Godfrey including all the references mentioned above (it's already sourced for you!). 

You can read or download the entire document here

You can find a complete list of nominated places in NC here - along with all the documentation and maps. HOW COOL!

I'm usually a day late and a dollar short, but at least this time I'm just late to the party. Have fun geeking out with the National Register of Historic Places!


April 22, 2014

Obituary of Edmund Johnson, 1818 - 1907

Death of an Aged Citizen, 
Smithfield Herald, May 17, 1907

Mr. Edmond Johnson, living about five miles west of Smithfield died Thursday, May 9th. He was 88 years old. He had been married four times and lived to see his children and grand children a great host. His youngest daughter is over 21 years old.  He was a man of remarkable strength and endurance. Last call he picked out more than three bales of cotton. He liked to smoke and usually carried his pipe with him whereever he went. "Uncle Edmond" as he was familiarly called, was liked by everybody. His friends and acquaintances will regret to hear he is dead. The burial took place on Friday of last week at a graveyard  near Mr. Josephus Johnson. Seldom does so large a crowd assemble to see a burial as was present.

Note: Name is misspelled in obit (should be Edmund) and date of death is incorrect (should be May 7, 1907).

Note:  He is buried in the Johnson Family Cemetery west of Four Oaks, NC near intersection of SR 1330 and 1350. In the north west corner of a field, all stones are broken. It was a family cemetery before Johnson Chapel Church was established. 

April 21, 2014

Will of John Dent, 1812

Will of John Dent
NC Archives, Franklin County Wills. Box C.R. 039.801.2; Folder John Dent 1812

In the name of God Amen, I John Dent of Franklin County & State of North Carolina, being of sound mind & memory, & calling to mind the mortality of my body & knowing that it is appointed for men to die – do make & ordain this my last will & testament, viz:

First, I give my soul to God & my body to the grave to be burryed in a Christian manner; at the direction of my executors. And touching such worldly estate as I am blest with possession, right or title of; I dispose of as following:

Item, I give & bequeath to my beloved wife, Sarah Dent, the plantation whereon I now live, during her life, to possess in peace & quietness (and after her decease the whole tract of land containing, three hundred acres, more or less, as it is by grant bounded to me, I give to my two sons, John Dent and James Hutcherson Dent divided by a line running South from a post oak and red oak; to a white oak on the Spring Branch, viz John Dent’s Junior’s Spring Branch, thence East across the said branch to a hickory eleven poles; thence South to a post oak, on the dividing line between myself and Josiah Morgan. The west side of the line by the old plot and grant, I give to my son John Dent and his heirs forever. And the East side as it stands bounded by the aforesaid plot & grant I give to my son James Hutcherson Dent and his heirs forever.
Item, I give & bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Liles, wife of Stephen, Anna Pearce, wife of Jeffrey, Mary Dent, Ruth Hornsby, wife of Isaac, & Obediance Dent. After my said daughter, Mary Dent, taking her choice of bed, bedsted & completate furniture, the residue of my personal estate, consisting of different description of stork & household furniture, I mean that my daughter Mary Dent to share equal with my other daughters, exclusive of the bed, bedstead furniture above bequeathed. And I appoint my said wife Sarah, Executrix & my son James H. Dent Executor to this my last will & testament. In testimony I put my hand and seal this the 30th day of Jany. Anno Domini 1812.

John Dent Sr. (Seal)

Signed in presence of:
James Z.? Hill
Thomas Young

Berry Crocker

April 20, 2014

Easter Sunday

Joyce Allen Lucas and
Gladys Allen Stancil,
circa 1972
Easter has always been a big deal for my family. Mom would take me to "Hudson Belk" in downtown Raleigh to buy a new dress (which would do double duty for Mother's Day) complete with hat, gloves, tights, shoes, and a purse to match. She'd buy herself much the same.

The dress must be frilly and the shoes patent leather. Not white, because everyone knows you can't wear white before Memorial Day!

Carla Stancil,
Gladys Allen Stancil
and Joyce Allen Lucas
We would attend Easter sunrise service, head back home for pancakes, and then to regular church services followed by a huge Easter lunch of ham, potato salad, deviled eggs, and coconut cake. I always got a homemade Easter basket full of candy and little toys. Easter was the next best thing to Christmas.

Sometimes, we would spend Easter with mom's sister and her family in Appomattox, Virgina. The picture to the right was taken in Aunt Joyce's front yard as we were about to head off to church.


Gladys Allen Stancil and
Carl Donald Stancil, 1969



April 15, 2014

The Five Williams

Stancil Family Crest
I try to remind myself how lucky I am to live in the area where my family has resided for over 366 years. That's over 9 generations. Wow!

But it gets really complicated when I'm trying to sort out the William Stancils of the world. There are SO MANY OF THEM!

For example, my 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th great grandfathers are all named William Stancil.  And they all live within a four county radius of each other. 

My William Stancils are in addition to many many OTHER William Stancils from different branches of the same tree. There are literally hundreds of them in a four county area. Cumulatively, of course. Not all at the same time.

All were very talented farmers and land owners. One was a Patriot. At least two were slave holders. All fathered large families. Between them, they had 6 wives and 27 children who they really liked to name John, Godfrey, Peter, and of course...William. The same names, over and over. 

It is all very confusing to a simple gal like me.




A prolific bunch, they were!

April 13, 2014

Where in the world is Mezie Huskey?

My great great grandmother is a mystery to me. Mezie HUSKEY was born about 1860 in Granville County, NC. She died about 1910. 

When she was 20, she married Henry A. ALLEN, son of George Benjamin ALLEN and Mary THOMPSON, about 1880. Henry would have been about 40 years old. An older man.

Henry and Mezie had four children, best as I can tell. 


Their son Eugene (nickname Bud) was my great grandfather. He was born on 03 May 1880 in Wake County, NC. He had 3 sisters Adie, Ester, and Iowa.  Eugene's death certificate lists Mezie and Henry as his parents. 

I've found tons of information on Henry. Not so much on Mezie. I've heard her last name could be Husketh, Huskie, or Husky. Mezie may be a nickname. Perhaps her real name is Lauronieca, Armeda or Arillda. 

I'll continue to search for Grandma Mezie, but in the meantime, if you see her please let me know!  Tell her I love her and I'd like to meet her.

Smile!

April 9, 2014

Delayed Birth Certificates in North Carolina

Births were not officially recorded in North Carolina until about October of 1913. Even then, many births were not registered as they often took place at home and without a physician attending. This is particularly true for rural births. 

There is no federal law requiring birth certificates which are generally kept at the state or local level. As far as I can tell, birth certificates are not required by law. Registration of a birth is voluntary, but you cannot get a social security number without a birth certificate and the parents cannot claim a child as a dependent without same. So...

Many folks got "delayed" birth certificates so they could conduct whatever business that required a social security number. It is very interesting to me to look at the documentation that was required for proof of idendity. There are clues in them 'dar documents! 

In both my Davis and Stancil lines, mention is made of family Bibles on delayed birth certificates. A gold mine of information!  And marriage certificates, personal knowledge, insurance policies...

Delayed birth certificates offer far more family details than regular birth certificates. Love that!


April 8, 2014

Pearce Family of Franklin County, NC

Martha Hawkins Pearce
1872 - 1953
 According to family lore and scanty documentation, the Pearce family migrated into Franklin County sometime prior to 1780 via Northhampton County, NC, Isle of Wight, Virginia, and Bristol, England. Although the family and descendants spent many years in Franklin County (about 1780 – about 1840), family members after 1840 migrated back and forth among Franklin, Wake, and Granville Counties. This was likely due to the shifting county lines and that the family lived very near the “3 corners” where the three counties share a common boundary line.

Jeffrey Pearce was born about 1780 in Franklin Co., NC, and died after 1860 in Franklin Co., NC. He married his first wife, Anna Dent, 13 Sep 1808 in Franklin County, NC. Anna, born about 1790, was the daughter of John Dent and Sarah Hutchinson. Upon Anna’s death, he married Adaline Falkner 23 Dec 1840 in Franklin Co., NC. Jeffrey and Anna raised a large and prosperous family in Franklin County. Their 11 children included John, Martha (Patsy) Kearney, Mary Ann, Elizabeth, Enoch, Henry, James Thomas, Benjamin, Joseph, Willis, and Samuel.

Jeffrey’s marriage to Anna is mentioned in her mother’s will. Probated in Franklin County on 16 December 1824, Sarah Dent leaves all of her property – including cattle, hogs, household, and kitchen furniture - to “Jeffrey Pearce and his wife Anne for the purpose of maintaining my daughter Mary and after the death of Mary my will is that the above property shall go to above said Jeffrey and his wife Anna and their Heirs”.

Jeffrey’s will dated 27 January 1838 recorded in Franklin County is very generous to his family and clearly delineates his place in society as a plantation owner. He leaves all his real and personal property to his “beloved wife” Annie Pearce to support herself and their daughter Elizabeth. On the death of her mother, Elizabeth will inherit all his land and plantation. He leaves money as well to Elizabeth, Enoch, James, and Mary. He asks that his slaves be divided among Elizabeth, Enoch, James, Willis, and Joseph. Children Patsy, Mary Ann, William, Henry, and Benjamin each inherit a sum equivalent to the slaves’ cash value. He names Henry, Enoch and James as executors. On 13 November 1859, Jeffrey signs a codicil leaving 1/8 of his estate to his daughter Patsy and her children, presumably because she was widowed.

According to the Extracts of Franklin Co., NC Court Minutes, 1838-1839, Jeffrey served on a jury in an apparent criminal trial of Thomas E. Yarborough et al, who was charged with Affray (modern day assault). The jury found the defendants not guilty and ordered that the prosecutor in the case pay all costs.

The family appears on the 1840 and 1860 US Federal Census in Franklin, NC. The 1860 Slave Schedule shows five slaves as belonging to the family ranging in age 9 to 53.

John Pearce, son of Jeffrey Pearce and Anna Dent, was born 1812 in Franklinton, Franklin County, NC, and died 08 Mar 1882 in Wake County, NC. He married Martha Williams 19 Jul 1831 in Franklin County, she was born 1810 in Wake County, NC, and died 1858. John and Martha appear on the 1850 and 1860 federal census in New Light District of Wake County, NC, which is just across the Franklin County line. He is listed as a farmer and carpenter. Their children, all born in Wake County, include James, Marcellus, John, Angeline, George, Sarah, and Vandelia. Son Marcellus served in the Civil War with Co I, 1st NC State Troops, was taken prisoner at Spotsylvania Court House in May 1864 and was released from the infamous Elmira Prison a year later.


George Wesley Pearce, son of John Pearce and Martha Williams, was born Jan 1843 in Wake County, NC, and died 1916 in Wake County, NC. He married Elizabeth Caroline Perry 14 Feb 1866 in Wake County, NC, daughter of William Perry and Delia Harrison. She was born 27 Mar 1831 in Wake County, NC, and died 16 Aug 1903 in Wake County, NC. George served in the Civil War with Co. D, 23rd Reg. NC Troops. George and Elizabeth had 6 children: Martha Hawkins, Dillithea, John, George, Annie, and Joseph.

Martha Hawkins Pearce, daughter of George Wesley Pearce and Elizabeth Caroline Perry, was born Sep 1870 in Wake County, NC. She married Allan H. Ray 03 Dec 1885 in Wake County, NC. Their children included Elizabeth, Loretta, Mary, and James.

Elizabeth Ray, daughter of Martha Hawkins Pearce and Allan Ray, was born 24 Dec 1886 in Wake County, NC. She married Eugene Narron Allen 02 Jul 1904 in Wake County, NC. Eugene (Bud) served in World War I. Elizabeth (Sissy) and Eugene had seven children: Vada Atlas, Mamie, Lois, Henrietta, Lucie, John, and Eugene. Sissy died in childbirth with Eugene on 18 Apr 1928 in Wake County.

Ethel Davis Allen and
Vada Atlas Allen
Vada Atlas Allen, son of Elizabeth Ray and Eugene Allen, was born 27 Jun 1905 in Wake Co., NC, and died 21 Oct 1964 in Raleigh, NC. He married Ethel Davis 14 Oct 1926 in New Light Township, Wake County, NC, daughter of Sidney Davis and Cordelia Davis. She was born 27 Dec 1906 in Granville Co, NC, and died 30 Jun 1965 in Raleigh, NC. At various points in their life together, they lived in Granville, Franklin and Wake Counties. Their oldest daughter, Ann Gladys, was born in Franklin County. Additionally, they had two other daughters, Elizabeth (Lib) Grace and Mary Joyce.

Ann Gladys Allen, daughter of Vada Atlas Allen and Ethel Davis, was born 01 Jul 1929 in Franklin County, NC, and died 13 Apr 1997 in Wake County, NC. She married Carl Donald Stancil, son of Jesse Stancil and Lou Ada Johnson, 03 May 1952 in North Street Baptist Church, Raleigh, NC. He was born 29 Jun 1930 in Wake Co., NC, and died 02 Feb 1997 in Wake Co., NC. 


Sources: Census Records, Court Records, Wills, Clerk of Courts,

Marriage Records, Military Records, NC Archives Records,

Family Information. 


This article was originally composed by Carla Stancil for inclusion in the Franklin County Heritage Book.



April 7, 2014

Charles Roland Davis Obituary, 1956

News and Observer, Raleigh, NC
July 7, 1956

C.R. Davis

YOUNGSVILLE, July 7 - Charles Roland Davis, 59, of Rt. 1, Youngsville died tonight at the Veterans Hospital in Durham after a short illness.

He was a native of Granville County and had lived in Franklin County for the past 10 years.

He was a member of the Good Hope Christian Church where funeral services will be held Sunday at 3:30 pm conducted by the pastor, the Rev. E.M. Carter. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Louie D. Davis; four daughters, Mrs. William H. Shields of Augusta, Ga, Mrs. James Mitchell of Rt. 1 Youngsville and Matilda Ann Davis and Judy Davis of the home; four sons, Roy V. Davis of Franklinton, Nathanial P., C.R. Jr., and Claude E. Davis of the home; five sisters, Miss Meona Davis of Rt. 1 Franklinton, Mrs. Quince Lowery of Rt. 1 Youngsville, Mrs. Cora Perry, Mrs. Ethel Allen and Mrs. Mary Allen of Raleigh; two brothers Bruce Davis of Rt. 3, Wake Forest, and Otis Davis of Rt. 1 Youngsville; and six grandchildren.

April 6, 2014

All God's Creatures...


Jack Stancil, 1999 - 2014
Pets are a huge part of our families. They are as much a part of our history as grand parents, great grandparents, and so on. 

I lost my beloved cocker spaniel last night. He was old and slow, but he lived a quality life that included his very own bed in nearly every room, far too many treats every day, and even his own back scratcher. Me. It was his time. 

Jack was a part of my daily life for 15 years. How can pets not be considered part of our heritage?


Carl, Carla, Gladys and Peanuts Stancil
Growing up, we had a Chihuahua named Peanuts. Peanuts was given to us by my grandfather, who adored his Chihuahua, Tiny. 

Peanuts was devoted to me and was sweet as sugar. She died when I was in college. 

 I come from a long line of animal lovers. Loving a pet is part of what makes us who we are.




Atlas Allen and his Best Friend
John and Dillie Pearce Allen (with their little buddy)


All God's creatures, great and small....


April 3, 2014

Lucinda Davis Hall, 1839 - 1922

My great great grandmother, Lucinda Davis Hall, is one of those ancestors who seems to tug at me. I'm not sure why that is, and in spite of all my research, I don't feel I've gotten to know her very well beyond the well documented facts. 

Lucinda was born between 1839 and 1844 in Granville County, NC. She was the daughter of Jonathan Davis and Tildanthe Bailey/Bayley. Her brother was Jonathan was also my great great grand grandfather.

There was a significant age difference between her parents. John would have been 65 if Lucinda was born in 1840, which certainly isn't impossible and it's hard to know precisely when Lucinda was really born. Families often gave conflicting information to census takers or were sometimes confused as to their own ages or birth year. 

Her death certificate indicates she was born in 1840, yet the various censuses give varying years between 1839 and 1844. Her gravestone says she was born in 1844.  Folks in her part of Granville County were generally suspicious of outsiders, and regarded census takers as the next best thing to a thief. They didn't always report the truth when it came around to a stranger asking a lot of questions, particularly if that stranger is associated with the government.

Grandma Lucy shows up in the 1850 Census at age 11 living with her parents, John and Matilda in the Beaver Dam area of southern Granville County along with her siblings Mary, Priscilla, Sally, Allen, Elias and Elizabeth. 

On Jan 5, 1859, Lucinda married John Ruffin Davis in Granville County. She would have been around 17 - 19 years old. A number of family members have told me Lucinda and Ruffin were not married, but clearly their marriage license says otherwise. The snippit below is from North Carolina, County Marriages, 1762-1979:



So it makes sense that in the 1860 census, she is living with John R. Davis, age 35. Lucinda is now age 20, or so she says. Also in the household is Francis Allen, age 30 as well as John and Lucinda’s daughter Indiana, age 6 months. They are living in the Beaver Dam area of southern Granville County. I have no idea who Francis Allen is. Do you?

I cannot find Lucinda on the 1870 census. 

John Ruffin must have died sometime between 1850 and 1880 when Lucinda married Simon Hall. It is possible John Ruffin died of illness from the civil war in 1863, although he died in Granville County. The problem with this theory is that two of Lucinda's children, James Medicus and Charles were born after 1863, so maybe he died later. Still working on that one.

On the 1880 census, Lucinda was 38 years old and living with husband Simon Hall, age 32. Simon was a farmer born in Orange County, NC around 1835. Also living with them was Sidney (age 19), Medicus (age 13), and Charles (age 10) Davis - all sons of Lucinda and Ruffin. The census lists all three of them as “son-in-law” in spite of ages. How can a 10 year old be a son-in-law? Most likely, Simon was providing information for the census taker and he misunderstood that they were Simon's step sons. Or maybe he didn't know the difference between a son-in-law and a step-son.

On the 1910 census, Lucinda says she was born in 1840. She is listed as 70 years old, living in Youngsville with son Medicus, age 42.


Lucinda’s death certificate indicates she died of burns she received in a house fire on July 22, 1922. She was 82 years old. She was buried at Good Hope Baptist Church in Youngsville, NC the same day she died. 

I've scoured the local papers but can't find a news report of the fire. But back in 1922, perhaps the local fire department didn't respond and they just let the house burn itself out.

An elderly family member claims to have Lucinda's wedding ring that was taken from her finger after her death. Although a grisly image, I'd sure love to have that ring, if only we could verify it's origin. You know how family stories go!

April 2, 2014

Marriage Bond for George Benjamin Allen and Mary Thompson, 1832

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA 
Wake County 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS That we George B. Allen, Benjamin Allen are held and firmly bound unto Montfort Stokes Esquire, Governor &c. his Successors in Office, in the full sum of Five Hundred Pounds, current Money, to be paid to the said Governor, his Successors or Assigns, for which payment well and truly to be made and done, we
bind ourselves, our Heirs, Executors and Administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents, sealed with our Seals, and dated the 20th day of November Anno Domini 1832.

THE condition of the above Obligation is such, that whereas the above bounden George B. Allen hath made application for a License for Marriage to be celebrated between him and Mary Thompson of the County aforesaid; Now, in Case it shall not appear hereafter, that there is any lawful Cause or Impediment to obstruct the said Marriage, then the above obligation to be void otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.

Signed, Sealed and Delivered
in Presence of                           For George B. Allen (seal) 
Todd Kingdele
Hand                                     Benjamin Allen {seal}