Free People of Color – by County – 1790 Federal Census

by | May 8, 2010 | 0 comments

Free People of Color

I originally compiled and published this list at CoastalCarolinaIndians.com for the purpose of helping people with their Indian ancestry research.

The entries below have been taken from transcriptions of the 1790 Federal Census for several eastern North Carolina counties. The notes in the right column correlate to the 1790 county/family names to the left.

In the cases of potential Indian ancestry, known Indian villages are given with modern-day equivalent town names, as well as any surnames that appear as “Other Free” on the 1790 census that are surnames also found amongst known Indians in documents (deeds, court records, etc.).

Please keep in mind that just because someone is of a particular surname that has at some point been associated with a particular tribe DOES NOT NECESSARILY mean that the person was of that tribe. It is necessary to establish a “preponderance of evidence” before making the assumption that someone was of a particular Indian nation.

Families by County and Surname Notes Relating to Known Indian Communities and/or Surnames
Beaufort County
  • Blango, Dinah 6

  • Blango, Sarah 5

  • Blango, Solomon 1

  • Blango, Thomas 10

  • Brayboy, John 1

  • Carroll, William 4

  • Conner, Merion 3

  • Curtis, Ann 6

  • Hawkins, Abier 2 + 1 white Female

  • Healy, Catherine 3

  • Hodge, Zear 4 + 1 white Female

  • Holmes, Edward 1

  • Holmes, John 6

  • Horn, William 1

  • Johnson, Joshua 6

  • Johnston, Abraham Senr.

  • Juley, Arcey 1

  • Keys, Milley 4

  • Moor John P. 5

  • Moor, Rachel 2

  • Pluto, William 2

  • Sutton, Peter 1

  • Turner, John 3

  • Tutterton, Kizzy 5

Historical Indian Communties:

  • Chocowinity (Tuscarora) – Prior to about 1602/08, this was shown on maps as Panawicky. By the mid-1600s, this is now Chocowinity, which is a corruption of a Tuscarora word meaning “Otters” or “Little Otters”
  • King Charles’ Town (Machapungo)– this was on the east side of Machapungo River. Is referenced in two deeds in old Bath County records:
    • Charles Hopton to Roger Montague both of Bath Co NC for a valuable consideration, a land entry of 640 acres on east side of Matchapungo River, called King Charles Town, on the river and creek. 30 Oct 1704. Charles Hopton. Wit: Richard Batchalor, Charles Hopton. Ack at Ct 22 Jan 1704/5.
    • Roger Montague, planter of Bath Co sold to Richard Silvester [ncg] land entry in Matchapungo River called King Charles Town. 2d Jan 1704/5. Levi Truewhitt.

    It should be noted that the name King Charles Town most certainly refers to the Matchapungo chief, King Charles, referred to by John Lawson in his 1709 A New Voyage to Carolina.

    It should also be noted that the Roger Montague mentioned above is the same Roger Montague who, in 1708, entered into a land transaction with John Squire (who is possibly the same John Squires who was “King” of the Mattamuskeet reservation):

    • Pamtico 3 Nov 1708. Roger Montague assigns to John Squire for a valuable consideration, a tract of land upSeveron creek in Matchapungo river. Roger Montague. Wit: Samll Norton. Ack in Ct at Bath Town 5 Jan 1708/9. Levi Truewhitt, Cot Clk.

 

Bertie County
  • Ashe, James 1-6-0 (1 white woman)

  • Bartlett, Hall, 4

  • Brantly, Darby, 4

  • Bromly, Darby, 4

  • Chavis, Cezar 1

  • Chevat, Cezar, 7

  • Darby, Joseph 4

  • Demsey, George 9

  • Demsey, Joshua 9

  • Demsey, Thowegood 7

  • Goff, Joney 1

  • Hall, David 2 & 1 white female

  • James, Andrew 4

  • James, Frederick 9

  • James, Frederick 5

  • James, John 8

  • James, Nancy 3

  • Jeames, Mary 3

  • Jones, William 9 & 6 slaves

  • Manly, Moses 3

  • McCate 4

  • Meredith, David 20

  • Page, James 2

  • Tony, Anthony 4

  • Trumble, Jethro 12

  • Wharburton, John 4

  • Wiggins, Michael 4

  • Wiggins, Samuel 13

  • Wilifred, Sarah 14

Historical Indian Communties:

  • Tuscarora Reservation was here

Known Indian Surnames:

  • Wiggins (Tuscarora)

This surname shows up on Indian Woods deeds as Tuscarora.

 

Carteret County
  • Black, Martin 2

  • Braddock, Peter 8

  • Burgase, Caesar 1

  • Carolina (free) 7

  • Carter, George 10

  • Carter, John 3

  • Carter, John 4

  • Cooper, Peter 2

  • Dinah (free) 3

  • Fisher, Elizabeth 3

  • Jenny 4

  • Jerry 3

  • Martin, Absalom 9

  • Norwood, Ann 2

  • Ocre 5

  • Peter(free) 5

  • Samson Junr. 1

  • Samson(old) 3

  • Stanton, Joe Pie 1

  • Toby Senr. (free) 2

Chowan County (Edenton)
  • Banks, Jane 2

  • Churton, Joe 1

  • Clark, Abraham 1

  • Clark, Abraham 1

  • Demsey, Peggy 2

  • James, Mary 2

  • Mustapher, Debby 1

  • Mustapher, Mary 2

  • Mustapher, Patty 1

  • Pollidore, Phebe 1

  • Rud, Mary 4

Craven County
  • Allen, John 4 & 2 slaves

  • Black, Letitia 3

  • Bowers, Saul 3

  • Brown, Samuel 4

  • Carter, Abel 7

  • Carter, Isaac 5

  • Carter, Jenny 1

  • Carter, Joshua 4

  • Copeland, Cato 1

  • Copes, Jacob 16

  • Davis, Michael 1

  • Dove, Nelly 2

  • Dove, Pompey 1

  • Dove, William 9

  • Driggers, Johnston 4

  • George, William 10

  • Godet, John 2

  • Godet, Peter 1

  • Gregory, John 2

  • Griggers, Elizabeth 5

  • Harris, Thomas 10

  • Jack (old) 2

  • Jessup, Isaac 11

  • Johnston, Ann 2

  • Kelly, Joseph 2

  • Lewis, Abby 4

  • Lewis, Thomas 7

  • Lindsey, Joshua Sr. 4

  • Lindsey, Mary 3

  • Manley, James 1

  • Mitchel, Benjamin 3

  • Moor, Abraham 1

  • Moor, Deborah 3

  • Moor, Dinah 3

  • Moor, Jenny 2

  • Moor, Jesse 3

  • Moor, John 12

  • Moor, John 2

  • Moor, Margaret 5

  • Moor, Simeon 11

  • Moor, Susannah 3

  • Morgan, James 1

  • Mosley, Caty 3

  • Muckleroy, Thomas 3

  • Perkins, George 4

  • Perkins, Isaac 2

  • Powers, Jerry 5

  • Ranson, George 5

  • Ranson, Isaac 7

  • Russel, Ann 1

  • Simmons, Samuel 5 & 1 slave

  • Spelman, Aaron 3

  • Spelman, Asa 5

  • Spelman, David 1

  • Spelman, Jenny 3

  • Stringer, Doll 4

  • Stringer, Minge 2

  • Stringer, Thomas 2

  • White, Cato 7

  • York, James 1

Known Indian Surnames:

  • Allen (Tuscarora)

This surname shows up on Indian Woods deeds as Tuscarora.

  • Copes (Tuscarora)

Indictment of John COPESa Christian Indian belonging to King BLOUNT’s tribe, for committing burglary by breaking into the house of Colonel Thomas POLLOCK, Esq., President of this province at Chowan in the county of Albemarle, in the night of 4 August, POLLOCK being in the house at the time. Back says “Not guilty.” No year is given. See Indians in Colonial Records.

  • Dove (Uncertain, possibly Mattamuskeet*)

Note to Mr. HATCH (Little River) from Charles EDEN stating he had taken from William DOVE of the schooner [smeared] 10 pounds of powder for the use of the Maramaskild Indyans; taken by EDEN’s order for the publick service, HATCH ordered to reimburse the afsd. Captain. 1719 (Can’t read month).

  • Mitchel(l)(Tuscarora)This surname shows up on Indian Woods deeds as Tuscarora.
  • Russell(Mattamuskeet*)This is a surname belonging to one of the chief men, Joseph Russell, of the Mattamuskeet reservation. (See Appendix 14 of the Mattamuskeet Documents.)* It should be noted that the Mattamuskeet reservation housed Indians from the small Algonquian villages along the coast, as well as Tuscarora. The southern Tuscarora, led by Hancock, were assisted by virtually all of the smaller tribes in coastal plain, including present day Craven, Beaufort, Hyde, Pamlico and Currituck Counties. The reservation at Indian Woods in Bertie County was set up for the northern Tuscarora, led by Tom Blount, who had been “friendly” to the English. The Mattamuskeet reservation was not established until close to a decade later for the southern Indians who had continued to fight colonial expansion, even after the fall of Fort Neoheroka.
Currituck County
  • Basnett, Mary 4

  • Basnett, Robert 8

  • Bathouse, Mary 2

  • Boswell, James 8

  • Bryan, Sarah 4

  • Burnham, Samuel 4

  • Case, Jonathan 4

  • Dring, Price 4

  • Duglas, Charles 7

  • Fuller, Edom 1

  • Gordan, Peter 10

  • Hitom, Elizabeth 5

  • Hunt, Charles 6

  • Hunt, Demsey 2

  • Hunt, Hyram 2

  • Jones, Abl 3

  • Mekins, Margaret 3

  • Mekins, Richard 3

  • Smith, Isaac 2

  • Thomas, James 8

  • Turner, Bellar 5

  • Turner, Samson 6

  • Vever, William 4

Historical Indian Communties:

  • Under Construction

Known Indian Surnames:

  • Mekins/Meekins (probably Hatteras)

The following is from “Possible Croatan Descendants” by The Lost Colony Center for Science and Research:

“In 1777, Samuel Elks (Hatteras) sells to Isaac Meekins the land known locally as Buck Ridge in Gum Neck, Tyrrell County, NC; this is the possible location of an Indian village on the Alligator River.”

Dobbs County
  • Burnet, William 5

  • Carter, Edward 0018-20 (8, 1 white woman, 20 slaves)

  • Joe 1

  • Walker 1

Historical Indian Communties:

  • Under Construction
Edgecombe County
  • Artist, Lauer 5

  • Griffin, Edward 1

  • Hammons Jordan 4

  • Hammons, Shadrack 8

  • Mitchell, Thomas 10

  • Portice, Robert 1

  • Scott, Isham 7

  • Scott, Israel 7

  • Stephens, John 9

  • Wiggins, Matthew 4

  • Wombel John 1

Historical Indian Communties:

  • Under Construction

Known Indian Surnames:

  • Wiggins (Tuscarora)

This surname shows up on Indian Woods deeds as Tuscarora.

 

Gates County
  • Bennet, George 1

  • Bennet, Joseph 1

  • Boon, James 1

  • Cuff, John 9

  • Martin, Jesse 8

  • Mitchell Meney, 2

  • Parker, Elisha 4

  • Reade, Micajah 4

  • Robins, Hardy 1

  • Robins, James 15 + 1 white female

  • Rude, Abraham 1

  • Rude, Benjamin 3

  • Rude, Hardy 8

  • Rude, Rachel 2

  • Weaver, James 6

Historical Indian Communties:

  • Under Construction

Known Indian Surnames:

  • Bennet(t) (Chowan)
  • Robins (Chowan)

Both are listed in Chowan land deeds to colonists:

Deed from James BENNETTThos. HITERCharles BEARLEY, Jeremiah RUFFINJohn ROBINSJohn REDINGHull WILL, Indians of Chowan Precinct in the County of Albemarle to Thos. GARRETT of the same precinct and county for land in Chowan Precinct, part of patent dated 1724 on Gum Br., bordering Capt. Aron BLANSHERDS (full description is included). 7 Apr 1734. Witnesses Mitchell WARD, Henry HILL. [All grantors signed with a mark, except Hull WILLS].

For more information, see Indians in Colonial Records.

  • Mitchell (Tuscarora)

This surname shows up on Indian Woods deeds as Tuscarora.

Halifax County
  • Archer, John 9

  • Ashe, Charles 11

  • Bird, Peggy 3

  • Bird, Polly 4

  • Bird, Richard 2

  • Carter, Charles 5

  • Carter, Frederick 1

  • Carter, Randol 1

  • Demsey, James 3

  • Demsey, Thoroughgood 8

  • Edmonds, Martha 5

  • Francis, Richard 1

  • Green, John 16

  • Greene William 1

  • Hammons, Anthoney 4

  • Harry, Nancy 2

  • Hawkins, Henry 3

  • Hawkins, Joseph 9

  • Hawkins, Samuel 1 & 1 white woman

  • Hawkins, Solomon 14

  • Herriman, Joseph 1

  • Hethcock, Frederick 7

  • Hethcock, Isham 5 + 1 white female

  • Hethcock, Ptolemy 5

  • Hethcock, William 5

  • James, Benjamin 6

  • James, Elisha 6

  • Jones, James 3

  • Jones, James 4

  • Jones, John 6

  • Jones, Phill 7

  • Lewis, Charles 6

  • Lewis, John 4 & 1 white woman

  • Lewis, Morgan 4

  • Lewis, Warner 3

  • Megee, William 9

  • Morgan, John 16

  • Murry, Frances 6

  • Murry, Mark 9

  • Richardson, Benjamin 12

  • Richardson, William 6

  • Richardson, William 7

  • Rudd, William 8

  • Scott, Abraham 1

  • Scott, Abraham 6

  • Scott, Emanuel 7

  • Scott, Exum 9

  • Scott, James 5

  • Scott, John 5

  • Scott, John 7

  • Smith, Zacheus 8

  • Swett, Abraham 5

  • Swett, George 3

  • Sweett, George 4

  • Tony, John 7

  • Topp, George 4

  • Weaver, James 4

  • Winburn Thomas 3

  • Winburn Thomas 3

  • Winburn Thomas 3

Hertford County
  • Archer, Armstrong 4

  • Archer, Caleb 5

  • Archer, Jacob 8

  • Archer, Evans 3

  • Archer, Thomas 5

  • Archer, William 5 + 1 white female

  • Arher, Peggy 2

  • Baley, William 6 + 1 white female

  • Bass, Willis 4

  • Bezelle, Solomon 11

  • Boone, Arther 6

  • Bowser, Thomas 9

  • Crow, Elizabeth 1

  • Garner, Anthony 2

  • Hall, Mary 6

  • Manley, Gabriel 2

  • Manley, Martha 2

  • Manley, Moses 11

  • Manley, William 5

  • Manley, Letisha 4

  • Manly, Sarah 3

  • Nickens, James 3

  • Nickens, Malachi 5

  • Orange, Henry 3

  • Read, Shadrick 6

  • Ronals, Patience 6

  • Rowals, Jesse 11

  • Shewenaft, William 8

  • Smith, James 6

  • Weaver, Jesse 6

  • Weaver, Ned 7

  • Wiggans, Sarah 8

  • Williams, Constant 1

Known Indian Surnames:

  • Bass (Nansemond or Chowanoc)

See the Bible Record John Basse of Chowan County for more information.

John Basse married ye dafter of ye King of ye Nansemund Nation, by name Elizabeth in Holy Baptism and in Holy Matrimonie ye 14 day of August in ye yeare of our blessed Lord 1638

Edward Basse sonne of Nath’ll & Mary Basse yt unregenerated by the Spirit of God took in marriage one virtuous Indian mayd’n by the Christian name of Mary Tucker and went to live amongst the Shownanocs in Carolina in 1644 A.D. – He went to Carolina in later years in persute of trade and not in 1644

Hyde County
  • Boston 2

  • Brown, Nathan 1

  • Chance, Sarah 9

  • Johnston, Jeremiah 5

  • Powers, Elizabeth 3

  • Ross, Thomas 1

Historical Indian Communties:

  • Mattamuskeet Indian Reservation – Location was on the eastern side of Lake Mattamuskeet on the Pamlico Sound.
Jones County
  • Conner, Abram 1

  • Connor, John 13

  • Connor, Mark 9

  • Ives, Isaac 1 + 1 white female

  • Jones, Hardy 5

  • Jones, Jacob 2

  • Jones, James 11

  • Morgan, Elisha 4

  • Robinson, David 3

Historical Indian Communties:

  • Under Construction
Martin County
  • Archer, Zachariah 6 + 1 white female

  • Bingall, Nancy 3

  • Braveboy, John “& mother”

  • Burroughs, Anthony 1

  • Buttlers, Jack ?

  • Cotanche, Willie 1

  • Fortune, Hannah 2

  • Fortune, William 1

  • Hogan, Amey 3

  • Jack, Buttlers 2

  • James, Benjamin 4

  • Jones, Richard 5

  • McDaniels, James 6

  • Murray, Mark 9

  • Stafford, John 5

  • Turner, Penny 2

  • Waldon Mary 3

Known Indian Surnames:

  • Jack (Tuscarora)

This surname shows up on Indian Woods deeds as Tuscarora.

 

Northampton County
  • Allen, Arthur 9

  • Anderson, Jeremiah 7

  • Artice, George 3

  • Artis, Abraham 2

  • Banks, Silas 3

  • Bass, Council 7 & 2 slaves

  • Bass, Jethro 8 & 3 slaves

  • Bittle, William 5

  • Brown John 5

  • Brown, Robert 7

  • Byrd, Arthur 5

  • Byrd, Cornet? 8

  • Byrd, Nathan 8

  • Byrd, Phil 5

  • Byrd, Ruth 5

  • Cornet, Byrd 8 & 3 slaves

  • Cumbo, Cannon 5

  • Cuningham Charity 2

  • Dales, William 10

  • Demory, Daniel 10

  • Doby, Jarrot 7

  • Fuller, Robert 4

  • Groves, Ezekiel 6

  • Harris, Edward 10

  • Hathcock, John 4

  • Haithcock, Reubin 11100

  • Hathock, Newmon 4

  • Hawley, Benjamin 3

  • Howell, Ason 6

  • James Jeremiah 3

  • James Jesse 9

  • James, David 3 + 2 slaves

  • Jubalough 2

  • Land, Lemon 6 + 1 white female

  • Manly Littleton 5

  • Manly, William 4

  • Manuel, Christo 8

  • Mitchell, Joyce 2

  • Morgan, John 4

  • Morgan, Mark 7

  • Morgan, William 3

  • Newsom Moses 14

  • Newsom, Amos 6

  • Newsom, Booth 3

  • Newsom, James 11

  • Newsom, Nathl 3

  • Plumbly, Obediah 7

  • Poythreas, Hardimon 5

  • Poythreas, Odam 9

  • Roberts, Elias 4

  • Roberts, James 4 & 2 slaves

  • Roberts, James Jr 7

  • Roberts, John 8

  • Roberts, Jonathan 5

  • Roberts, William 1

  • Scott, David 8

  • Scott, Hardy 8

  • Scott, Isaac 9

  • Scott, Randol 7

  • Scott, Saul 1

  • Scott, Stephen 5

  • Scott, Sterling 6

  • Stewart, Christo 3

  • Stewart, Peter 2 & 5 slaves

  • Tabon, Allen 7

  • Tabon, Isaac 3

  • Tabon, Nathan 3

  • Tann, Drury 4

  • Walden John 7

  • Walden Michael 5

  • Walden, Drury 8

  • Wells, Ann 6

Known Indian Surnames:

  • Bass (Nansemond or Chowanoc)

See the Bible Record John Basse of Chowan County for more information.

John Basse married ye dafter of ye King of ye Nansemund Nation, by name Elizabeth in Holy Baptism and in Holy Matrimonie ye 14 day of August in ye yeare of our blessed Lord 1638

Edward Basse sonne of Nath’ll & Mary Basse yt unregenerated by the Spirit of God took in marriage one virtuous Indian mayd’n by the Christian name of Mary Tucker and went to live amongst the Shownanocs in Carolina in 1644 A.D. – He went to Carolina in later years in persute of trade and not in 1644

  • Mitchell (Tuscarora)

This surname shows up on Indian Woods deeds as Tuscarora.

  • Roberts (Tuscarora)

This surname shows up on Indian Woods deeds as Tuscarora.

 

Onslow County
  • Cumbo, Rheuben 4

  • Cumbo, Solomon 6

  • Cumbo, Stephen 4

  • Davis, Deck 7

  • Dry, Vergil 5 & 1 white woman

  • Freeman, Roger 7

  • Freeman, Samuel 8

  • Hays, Jacob 6

  • Jemboy 1-6

  • Jones, Stephen 5

  • Milley 4

  • Perry, Charles 11

  • Perry, Colop 4

  • Sweet, James 6

Historical Indian Communties:

  • Under Construction

Known Indian Surnames:

  • Under Construction

 

Pasquotank County

  • Bowe Robert 5

  • Bowe Tulle 3

  • Brown, John 2

  • Dick (free)

  • Everton, Susannah 2

  • Hunt, Charles 5

  • James, Solomon 1

  • Lister, Daniel 1

  • Mitchell, Rachael 9

  • Morriss, Will 3 (Free)

  • Overton, Samuel 3

  • Samson, Joshua 1

  • Sylvester, Thomas 4

  • Turner, Charles 4

  • Turner, Demsey 4

  • Turner, Sylvanus 4 (free)

  • Wimbery, Winifred 7

Known Indian Surnames:

  • Mitchell (Tuscarora)

This surname shows up on Indian Woods deeds as Tuscarora.

Perquimans County
  • Ashburn, Winifred 5

  • Overton, Lemuel 2

  • Overton, Parthena 10

  • Overton, Rachel 7

  • Overton, Samuel 1

Pitt County
  • Pilgreen, William 3

Tyrrell County
  • Biffins, Philip Free Colored 10000

  • Bryan, Bridgett Free Colored 00100

  • Dempsey, John (Free Colored) 10000

  • Foster, William Free Colored 14200

  • Pierce, Israel, Free Colored 12300

  • Pierce, Thomas, Free Colored 13400

  • Simpson, Jacob, Free Colored,11100

  • Simpson, Redddin, F.C., 10300

  • Will, Elizabeth Free Colored 01200

  • Williams, Jack Free Colored 10000

  • Vollovay, Jane, Free Colored,10000

Known Indian Surnames:

  • Pierce (Matchapungo)

The following is from Remnants of the Matchapunga Indians of North Carolina by Frank G. Speck, 1916.

“A visit to their old home, however, and persistent inquiry among the settlers of Albemarle and Pamlico sounds, brought to knowledge a few individuals who are descended from Indians who came originally from Pungo river near Mattamuskeet Lake, Hyde county. These are evidently remnants of the Machapunga tribe who have left their name to Pungo River. Those whom I met traced their descent from oneIsrael Pierce, who was known as a Pungo River Indian.”

  • Will (Chowan)

Deed from James BENNETTThos. HITERCharles BEARLEYJeremiah RUFFINJohn ROBINSJohn REDINGHull WILLIndians of Chowan Precinct in the County of Albemarle to Thos. GARRETT of the same precinct and county for land in Chowan Precinct, part of patent dated 1724 on Gum Br., bordering Capt. Aron BLANSHERDS (full description is included). 7 Apr 1734. Witnesses Mitchell WARD, Henry HILL. [All grantors signed with a mark, except Hull WILLS].

 

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