Mixed Records in Estate Files: William Carter (1867)

When browsing documents in an estate file, you would think that all the records contained in that file would belong to the estate of the person recorded on the file's name. While looking at documents for the estate of my husband's 2nd great grand uncle, William Carter, I was surprised to find that the first five documents actually had nothing to do with his estate. Or was there some connection less obvious?

"North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979," 
index and images, FamilySearch 
(https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VKJM-XLD : 
accessed 29 Aug 2013), 
William Carter, 1867; Image 5/32.

To the right is the main document in question. It is an application of Guardianship made by Effie Carter Dove on behalf of James Harrington Carter, Lena Stanley Carter and Willie Benjamin Carter, dated 1 June 1917.

How does a document drawn up fifty years after the deceased's file is closed end up within that file?

Let's start by taking a look at the relationship held within this document. Effie Carter Dove. She was the daughter of Enoch & Abigail (Hyman) Hargett, b. abt. 1892. She married first William Benjamin Carter, Sr.; and following his death, she married Jacob Dove. Using this information, we can see that she was the mother of these children, Willie Benjamin Carter being named for his father, who died abt. 1911; however, she did not make the petition until she was remarried. But that still doesn't answer the question of how this document would end up in William Carter's estate file of 1867.

William Carter was the great grand uncle of William Benjamin Carter, Sr. through the George Carter, Sr. branch. Their common ancestor is Isaac Carter (md. Sarah Perkins).

While these children might be considered heirs at law of William Carter's Estate (1867), there is no direct connection made through the documents contained within the file itself.

So the question remains...why would the records of William B. Carter, Sr.'s heirs be filed in the William Carter (1867) file? Could it be something as simple as they were both named William Carter? Perhaps.

This leads me to believe that in searching for estate records, it might necessitate browsing all the records for a given surname in a given locale to weed out the possibility of other such mix-ups. Otherwise, we might overlook some valuable evidence hiding within the folder of some other deceased ancestor.

Amanuensis Monday: The Civil War Pension File of Isaac Carter: Document #23

Isaac Carter filed this affidavit, along with those previously transcribed here, with his original pension claim form.

If you have been following the testimony, you will note that this affidavit includes some additional supporting details which enhance the timeline of events. If not, you can follow the transcriptions of this Civil War Pension File by clicking on the page tag above.

NOTE: The specific details that did not come out in the full testimony of Isaac's comrades and neighbors are highlighted in yellow.

Document #23: Affidavit: Isaac Carter, 10 May 1892

State of North Carolina)
County of Craven         )
In matter of original Invalid claim
No. 662812 of Isaac Carter Late Sergeant
of Co. B & G 14 Regt U.S.C. H Arty
on this 10th Day of May A.D. 1892
Personally appeared before me a
Notary Public for and
Within the County and State
afore said, Isaac Carter age
51 years Resident Harlow Craven
Co. N.C. well known to be
Reputable and Entitled to credit
who being Duly Sworn
according to Law Discloses

as follows. I enlisted a Privat
of Co. B 14 Regt U.S.C.H. Arty
March 12, 1864, and Promoted
Second Sergeant of Co. B 14
Regt U.S.C.H. Arty on about
Sept 1864. and was Transfered
to Co. G 14 Regt U.S.C.H. Arty
as Duty Sergeant on about the 
month September 1865 and
was Honorable Discharge Duty
Sergeant of Co. G 14 Regt U.S.
C.H. Arty December 11th 1865
and I Gone Lived at Harlowe
Craven Co. N.C. The First
Disease I contracted while I was
in Co. B. 14Regt.U.S.C.H. Arty
was the Rheumatism. At Caroline
City, N.C. on or about the month
of December 1864 The Regiment
was Taken from Warm Baracks
at New Berne N.C. on about the
Last of November 1864 and
carried to Carolina City N.C.
and we Layed out some
Eight or Ten Days with out
Tents, and it Sleeted and snow
and Rain and we was Expose
to the Weather and I was taken
with Pains in Feet and Legs and
I have been growing worse
Every Since with the Chronic
Rheumatism, at times Down
in my Bed not able to help
my self in the Spring 1865
I was taken with Chronic
Diarrhea by Drinking Bad
Bad water which Resulted
in to Piles and the Doctor
Treated me in Hospital at
Carolina City. I also was taken
with Deep Cold. and Asthma
in the Spring of 1865 and
inlargement of the Stomache
of which I have been greatly
Trouble with Each and Every
Year Since, Cough and Lung
Trouble at times have be Prop
up in a my Bed. xxxxx me xxxxx
unable to Do Manual Labor
and my wife and children
works out to take xxxx of
me. I thought that I would
Die once or twice at Carolina
City N.C. in Spring of 1865
I was Down in Hospital
with the afore said Disabilities
I have furnish worth and competent
witnesses who was of my Company
and Regimene and this affidavit
and filed with my claim to
wit Sergeant Albert A. Elliott
Sergt Silas Fenner, Privet Samuel
Keach of Co. B. 14 Regt U. S.C.H.
Arty and Privet Sharper
Williams of Co. G 14 Regt U.S.
C.H. Arty these men was with
me and I have furnish Neighbor
Witnesses as to my Present
Condition and I ask that my
Case be made Special according
to the Rules. and Regulations of
the Pension Department. I
am now suffering for the
Necessary of this Life and
unable to work. I ask that
Commissioners to Please Consider
my poor condition now while 
I am Living.
Witness           )                      his
EW Carpenter )             Isaac  X  Carter
[  ] E Hudson  )                     mark

                                               sworn & sub-
scribed to before me this
10th day of May/92 & I certify
that the foregoing was
read to claimant before
making his mark to
same & that he is the
identical person he claims
to be & in credible & worthy of
belief.                       EW Carpenter
                                 Notary Public

The Civil War Pension File of Isaac Carter: Document #22

Domument #22 is an affidavit sworn by Rufus L. Carter, Isaac Carter's first cousin.  You can see from the pedigree to the left how they are connected within the Carter Family Tree.

The only difference I can see in testimony between Rufus L. Carter and other affiants is that during the time he spent with Isaac Carter in Carolina City, they stayed in a tent.

This was reportedly during the Fall of 1864, while the time when they reportedly had worked and slept in the winter elements was in November of the same year. This was sworn testimony by his comrade, Samuel Keach Windley. Sharper Williams, also of his same Company, stated that in February 1865 he was in the hospital and treated by the Surgeon. While the onset of his illness was in  November 1864, he was hospitalized during February 1865...from Fall through the winter months.

Below is the exact transcription of Document #22, sworn by Isaac Carter's first cousin, Rufus L. Carter. Any spelling or punctuation errors are as they appeared in the original document.


State of North Carolina)
County of Craven         )
In the matter of Original Invalid pensions
Claim No. 662812 of Isaac Carter Late
a Sergent of Co. G 14 Regt U.S.C HArty
on this 10th day of May A.D. 1892
Personally appeared before me a Notary
Public for & within the county
& state afore said Mr. Rufus L. Carter
age 48 years Resident of Harlow N.C.
well known to be rebtable & entitle to
credit who being duly sworn accor-
ding to Law. says has been Well
and personally acquainted with

the claimant Isaac Carter for
48 years and have lived in the same
Neighborhood with him Partially Raised
up together before the Late War he was
a well and a harty man and I
Remember on or about the time
he Left home to enlist in the
U.S. Army which was some time
first of the year of 1864. he enlisted
in the 14 Regiment U.S.C HArty. I Well
Remember that on or about the Last of the
fall of 1864 I Went down to Carolina
City N.C. and I Saw Isaac Carter
with other Soldirs and I Stayed with
Isaac Carter in the Tent with him
One Night. I Remember Seeing
the claimant Teo or Three times after
he enlisted in the U.S.Army and
when he was Discharge Dec. 11, 1865.
I saw him Very soon after he was
discharged & he was complaning of
Rheumatism in feet and legs and
he complaine of Pains in side and
Breast and he complaining of the
Diarrhea & Piles and he has continued
to complain from date of Discharge
up to the Present. & he has growed
worse & worse each yeare he has
not been in the Military or Navail
Services Since he was Discharge Dec. 1865
I Live within a halfor mile of him & and continues to
See him Weekly & some times daily
and still complaine of Diarrhea &
pl Piles & Rheumatism pains in
Breast & left side I have known him
to be down in Bed confine Two &
Thee Weeks at a time with the Diarrhea
& Rheumatism & weakness of the Back
and he is down about Two Thirds of
his time he can not do any Manual
Labor Whatever at times he suffers
and continues to grow worse and worse each
yeare. I Remember Sept 1891 while was at
Work the claimant was trying to work
& he was complaining of the Dirrhea
& Piles then & said he could not Work
& could not do any heavy work and
He stope work & went to the sink
and when came Back from the sink
he give out & fell and I went and
taken him up & put him in my
Sciff & got a man to carrie Isaac
Carter home to his wife for he was a
Bad off with Diarrhea & Piles and
he had not been able to do anything
of any account Since & continues
to have Severe attack of Diarrhea and
Piles & Rheumatism he is more than
Two Thirds disable. he suffers for
Medical aid by being not able to
Empoloy any Physecoin he is a
Poor Invalid soldire & suffers
for the Necessaries of Life. he can not
work his wife work & dose the Best she
can for him I am no concern
in the prosecution of this claim
My PO address is Harlowe N.C.
Withess          )
EW Carpenter)    Rufus L. Carter
J.P. Godett     )

                                 Sworn & Sub-
scribed to before me this
10th day of May/92 & I certify
that the foregoing was
read to affiant before
signing same & that he
is the identical person
he claims to be & is credible
& worthy of belief.
                              EW Carpenter
                              Notary Public

Some Realistic Genealogical & Historical Research/Writing Goals for 2013

I've been following several blogs written by successful genealogists, historians, writers and editors who have shared their guidelines for identifying goals and developing successful strategies for reaching them. They have shared their own personal goals for the year to come, and have encouraged their readers to do so as well. The following is my list of goals which I believe are attainable.

1. Reconstructing Co. B & G 14th Regiment USCT
2. Finish transcribing and analyzing the Civil War Pension File of my great grandfather-in-law, Isaac Carter;
3. Create an index of all the soldiers within these units, download their service records & pension file applications;
4. Order Civil War Pension Files for Isaac Carter's comrades, and note corresponding testimony;
5. Speak with authorities regarding events at Carolina City during November 1864;
6. Set up the Carter Family Tree in Legacy 7.5 Deluxe in order to bring our tree up to professional standards, including proper documentation and attached digitized records;
7. Organize my paper files using the method promoted by Genealogy Research Associates, Inc. ;
8. Continue writing the family history memoir using Scrivener trial edition, and consider purchasing the full version; 
9. Purchase Randy Ingermanson's writing software, Snowflake Pro to streamline  character development, lining up scenes, creating a book summary and proposal in order to attract editors and agents;
10. Complete the first draft of my family history memoir on Isaac Carter and the following two generations: Antebellum Period to the Great Migration;
11. Take the 2013 Family History Writing Challenge this February and begin my personal memoir, the second in the series;
12. Read, read, read... Currently I am reading The Gravedigger's Daughter, by Joyce Carol Oates. The next book I'd like to read, also by Oates, is  A Widow's Story: A Memoir;
13. Continue blogging and journaling my progress at least three times per week. 

Any more than this would be a completely unrealistic expectation...and even this will take daily diligence to move me along to the next phase of writing. I hope you'll take the time to critique my list, and perhaps even share your own goals for the year to come!

Updated September 5, 2025

Amanuensis Monday: The Civil War Pension File of Isaac Carter: Document #19

The Formation of a Civil War Artillery Regiment
I had taken a break from the pension file to reassess my goals here. At first I thought of skipping over documents to post based on the criteria of whether the actual content provided additional clues to Isaac Carter's disability, and the conditions under which he acquired said disability.

Also, since we moved in early November, I have not been in the frame of mind to sit down and focus on these details, and give them my undivided attention until now. The legal-sized binder which contains volume one of the pension file has sat opened on my desk next to my laptop since I first unpacked the boxes containing my genealogical binders. It has remained a constant reminder of what steps I should take next.

I skipped Document #17, a two-page sworn statement by David Lawson, who was acquainted with Isaac Carter after the war. Document #18 was a one page form requesting a report from the records of the Adjutant General U.S. A. about the sworn statements of David Lawson and Silas Fenner. I had thought of skipping over Document #19 as well, since it contained no new information...so I thought. However, if I plan on reconstructing the 14th Regiment Heavy Artillery USCT, I must examine all statements sworn by members of the unit. So, I will proceed with the following statement sworn by Samuel Keach.

Transcription: Samuel Keach's Affidavit on behalf of Isaac Carter:
State of North Carolina)
County of Craven         )
In the matter of original claim No
662812 of Isaac Carter Late a
Sergeant of the B & G 14 Regt U.S. C.H.
Arty.  On this 18 Day of March
A.D. 1891 Personally appeared before
me a Notary Public fort & within
the County & state aforesaid
Samuel Keach age 45 years
Resident of New Berne N.C.
well Known to be reputable &
and Entitled to creed who being
duly sworn according to Law
Declares as follows  I enlisted in
March A.D. 1864 at Washington, N.C.
I became acquainted with Isaac
Carter at New Berne, N.C. on about
April A.D. 1864 he was a Sergeant of
my Company B 14 Regiment USHArty
He was a well & a Harty (sic) man at
that time from all appearence (sic) I did not
hear him complain of any thing not
until on about May here at New Berne
N.C. he complained of Rheumatism,
& Diarrhea & Piles at Caroine (sic) City He

and on about November 1864 while we
was at Carolina City N.C. was with
out tents & we was Exposed in cold
& Rain & sleet & snow & Isaac
Carter Taken Down with Diarrhea
& Piles & Rheumatism his feet swollen
up & he was Excuse from Duty. I was
Down at the same time & Place
& Isaac Carter continued to complain
of the afore said complaints. and
when he was Discharge he was sick
We was all Discharge at the same
time on the 11 day of Dec 1865
at Fort Macon N.C. & since Discharge
the solder (sic) continues to complain
of the afore said complaints &
he is about Two Thirds Disable to
[                     ] Manual Labor
By Reason of the afore said complaints
I saw him the 18 day of March 1891
& he Look very Bad & complain of
the afore said complaints he could
barely get about  I am no
relation to the claimant My
Post office address is New Berne
HE was Transferred from Co B to
Co G 14 Regt U.S.C.H Arty.
I have no interest in his claim

                                                     his
                                    Samuel       X   Keach
                                                     mark
witness
E.W. Carpenter
Lewis F. Carter
   
                                              Sworn & sub-
scribed to before me this
18th day of Mch/91 & I certify that
the affiant states that the
foregoing was read to him
before making his mark
to same & that he is the
identical person he claim
to be & is credible & worthy of belief.
                                                       
                                                              EWCarpenter
                                                              Notary Public
Cert filed

The Civil War Pension File: Taking a step back to breathe

Since our move to the new apartment, I have been debating whether to post the next document in the pension file, or to take a step back to look at what I had. Taking a step back won out over forging ahead full steam.

In exploring Document #16, we became acquainted with Pvt. Sharper Williams through his testimony regarding his Sgt., Isaac Carter, in February 1865. His affidavit was sworn on June 3, 1890. A closer look at this comrade at arms revealed the following:

Civil War Service Records
Sharp[er] Williams, born in Bertie County, NC, enlisted in New Berne, NC at the age of forty years for a period of one year. He was a black farmer, five foot four inches tall on the day of his enlistment, February 17, 1865.

He was Mustered-In at Morehead City, NC on April 30, 1865. He was assigned to Company G, 14th Regiment USCT Heavy Artillery, and was due $100.00 pay.
He was present March & April 1865. First installment of bounty due: $33.33.
Present May & June 1865.
Present July & August 1865.
Present September & October 1865.
Mustered-Out December 11, 1865. Last paid June 30, 1865. Last settled: never. Drawn since: $109.11.
Due U.S. for arms, equipments, &c.:$6.00.
Bounty Paid: $33.33. Due: $33.33.

The Declaration of Recruit shows that he was sworn in at Plymouth, NC. and the recruiting agent was J.P. French.

The Volunteer Enlistment document shows actual recruitment took place in the State of Maine, Searsmont, Waldo County.

Freedman's Bank Records, 1865-1871
No. 4087, RECORD for Sharper J. Williams
Date, June 2nd 1874
Where born, Bertie County, NC
Where brought up, Bertie County, NC
Residence, Lanes Branch Newberne
Age, 54         Complexion, Dark
Occupation, Farming
Wife, Gatsey
Father, dead
Mother,   "  [dead]
Brothers and Sisters, Don't know.
Signature: Sharper J. Williams

No. 4094, RECORD for Gatsey Williams
Date, June 5th 1874
Where born, Wayne Co., NC
Where brought up,  "      "  [Wayne Co., NC]
Age, 40 odd         Complexion, Black
Husband, Sharper J. Williams
REMARKS: Should she die with money in the Bank it is to go to Gatsey Cole, Katie Cole. Gatsey is her mother and they both live at Goldsboro.
                            her
Signature, Gatsey  X  Williams
                          mark

Courtesy: FindAGrave,
Added by, Phil Weller,
11 July 2011

Death and Interment Records
Name: Sharper Williams
Pvt. Co. G, 14th Reg't USCT Heavy Artillery
Death Date: 6 Jan 1891
Cemetery Ledger: New Bern National Cemetery
Burial Place: New Bern, North Carolina
Plot: 18
Grave No.: 3280





Civil War Pension Index, 1861-1934
Name of Soldier: Williams, Sharper
Name of Dependent: Widow: Williams, Gatsey
Service: G 14 USC H A
Date of Filing: 1891 Jan 24
Widow: Application No. 496956
Certificate No.: 308751
State from which filed: N.C.

Pvt. Williams had sworn his testimony on behalf of his 

Sgt. Isaac Carter on 3 June 1890. 

Who would have known that only 
7 months and 21 days later 

he would take his last breath. 

And, who would have known that only 18 days from his death, 

his widow would apply for a Civil War Widow's Pension.

The Civil War Pension File of Isaac Carter, Document #16

The following document is an affidavit sworn by Sharper Williams of Company G, USCT 14th Heavy Artillery. I knew that our Isaac Carter had transferred from Company B to Company G; but, I began to wonder when this transpired.

A careful examination of his service record revealed something interesting.

May 2007:
Isaac Carter's Great Grandson at Fort Macon

• March 12, 1864: Isaac enlisted in 1st North Carolina Heavy Artillery, later known as USCT 14th Heavy Artillery. Rank: Sergeant, Company B.
• He was present at company muster roll through June 1865: Sergeant.
• July & August 1865 Company B muster roll reveals he had been demoted to Private. Remarks: Transferred to Company G Res S.O. No. 78....
• In the next page, also for July & August 1865, he appears in company muster roll for Company G as a Private with the following remarks: Free April 19, 1861. Transferred from Company "B", August 28, 1865 By S.O. No. 78 Hd Qrts 14 U.S. Promoted to Corpl (Sept. 1, 1865 By S.O. No. 82). [two lines down]: Roll Mutilated. 
• September & October 1865: Rank: Sergeant, Company G. Remarks: Promoted Sergt Sept. 20, 1865.

Now that I'm aware of when the transfer occurred, I can more carefully recreate Co. B & G for the time periods when Isaac served in both. (See Brainstorming for Backstory and USCT 14th Heavy Artillery A-Z for further info on this sub-project.) 

Transcription: Sharper Williams' Affidavit on behalf of Isaac Carter

North Carolina}

Craven County}

No. 612812 of Isaac Carter Co. G. 14 U.S.C.H.A.

On this 3rd day of June A.D. 1890  Personally

appeared before me a clerk of the

Superior Court a Court of record in

and for the County & State aforesaid

Sharper Williams aged 65 yrs well 

known to be reputable and en-

titled to credit & who being duly

sworn according to Law declares:

I enlisted Pvt. Co_ G. 14 USCHArty Feb

1865 and became acquainted

with Isaac Carter Sgt of my Co at

the same time. When I first

became acquainted with him

he was very sick with diarrhea

& piles also with Chronic Rheumatism

at Carolina City N.C. on about

Feb 1865 he was in the hospital

and was healed by the Surgeon,

And he was also taken with

a heavy cold which resulted in

the asthma and he continued

to complain and have a 

severe cough and was at a 

severe strain all the remainder

of the service with the diarrhea 

and piles and complained

being afflicted with rheumatism

in the feet and Legs, which

swell up & to such extent that

at times he cannot walk.

And he was in this condition all 

the rest of the service. Since the

war I have at times seen 

him at times very week (sic)

two or three times a month

And so for as i know he is

down for two or three times

a year for a month or more

at at (sic) a time with rheumatism so

he can't walk and from straining

diarrhea & piles pains in throat

& heart. He has continued to

suffer in such condition ever since

the war. I have no interest in

the claim.  My P.O. address is

New Bern N.C.

witness              )                      his

E.W. Carpenter )      Sharper    X   Williams

AM Baker         )                    mark

                                          Sworn & subscribed

to before me this 3rd day of June 1890

& I certify that the foregoing was read

to affiant as he stated before making

his mart to same & that he is the

identical person he claims to be & is cred-

ible & worthy of belief also that I have no

interest in this claim.

                                        EWCarpenter

The Civil War Pension File of Isaac Carter, Document #11

The next affidavit was sworn by Silas Fenner, one of Isaac Carter's comrade in arms in the USCT Heavy Artillery 14th Regiment.

As I read over this document, I became aware of some colloquialisms of the era. I am hoping that by studying enough records, a pattern will emerge which will be able to assist me in writing dialog.

* * * * *

Department of the Interior,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS,
Jan. 20, 1890

Respectfully requested of the ADJUTANT
GENERAL U.S.A. a report from the records of his
Office as to the presence or absence, on or about
Winter of 1864 & 65
of Silas Fenner
of Co. G. 14 U.S.C.H Art.
and the station, at that date, of the Co
Invalid Claim No. 662812
Isaac Carter
Co. G. 14 U.S. C. H. Art.
Green B. Raum, Commissioner.

War Department,
Record of Pension Division,
Washington, JAN 21 1890
Respectfully returned to the
Commissioner of Pensions
With the information that the name
Silas Fenner is not
born on rolls Co. G
14 U.S.C. H Arty
BY AUTHORITY OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:
F. G. Ainsworth,
Captain and Ass't Surgeon, U.S. Army

* * * * *

662812

Isaac Carter

G. 14 USCHA

State of North Carolina

County of Craven

In matter of original claim

of Isaac Carter of Co. G 14

Regt U.S.C.H. Arty No 612812

On this 15th Day of May AD 1889

personally appeared Before one

clerk of the Superior Court Being

a court of record in and for

the county of Craven and State

of North Carolina  Sergeant

Silas Fenner age 49 years

Resident of Harlow N.C. Craven

County, well known to be

reputable and Entitled to credit

Who Being duly sworn according

to Law Declares as follows, I

and Sergeant Isaac Carter

was play boys together and

he and I Enlisted in the US

Army together, and when he

Enlisted he was a Well and

hardy man from all appearance

until. until on about Winter

1964 he contracted the Diarrhea

and piles at Carolina City

he contracted the Rheumatism

at Carolina City by Exposure

and cold, and the Diarrhea

by drinking bad Water.

and he was Sent to the Hospital

for treatment, and he was treated

By Surgeon, he complained

Very much he seemed as he

was bad off  We Was discharged

on about the 11th day of December

1865 at Fort Macon N.C. and

then We got on the train and

came to New Berne N.C.  We then

got off the train and Went to

Harlows Creek and that has

Been our resident every since

and he and I lived about

three miles apart and I

know he continues to suffer

With the Rheumatism  Diarrhea

and piles and the Asthma

he is down three and four

times a year so he cant do

anything, and he is about

two thirds disabled to perform

manual Labor by reason

of the Diarrhea  Rheumatism

Asthma & piles he is suffering

for the necessaries of

this Life, he depending on

the hand of Charity for

This Support by reason he

is unable to work.

This is all I know about the 

claim and I am no

relation. I have no interest

in his claim.

                           My post Office

                           Address is

                           Harlowe        N.C.

                           Craven County

                                     his

                            Silas  X  Fenner

                                    mark

Witness

E.W. Carpenter

J. D. Willis

                              sworn & sub-

scribed to before me this 15th

day of may 1889 & I certify that

the foregoing was read to [          ]

before making his mark in

same & that he is the iden-

tical person he claims 

to be & is credible & worthy

of belief

                                                E.W. Carpenter

                                                [                     ]

 

Documents which E-X-P-A-N-D our understanding of family history, Part 5

What we can learn from apprenticeship records

Doc 2: CCPL Microfilm MF G.028.2028002

After several weeks of diversionary family research, which took the form of investigating those who lived closest to the Carter and Braddock families, I have assembled more material for later, and returned to the research at hand...apprenticeship.


To the left is a photocopy from microfilm of the original instrument, the apprenticeship indenture, which I have transcribed below:




[Transcription]
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA)
CRAVEN COUNTY                   )


This Indenture, made the twelfth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty three between
the worshipful William J. Blackledge Esquire, Chairman and
Presiding Justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the county aforesaid,
of the one part, and William Temple of the same county,
of the other part, Witnesseth that the said Presiding Justice, in pursuance of an Order
of said Court, doth put, place and bind unto the said William
Temple an orphan named Isaac Carter a free
boy of colour aged 13-- years, with the said William Temple
to live after the manner of an Apprentice and Servant, until he shall attain the age of
twenty-one years. During which time, the said Apprentice his said Master
faithfully shall serve, and his lawful commands gladly obey, and not absent
himself of his Master's service without leave; but in all things as a
good and faithful Servant shall behave.

And the said William Temple, doth covenant, promise,
and agree, with the said Presiding Justice, that he will teach and instruct, or cause to be
taught and instructed, the said Apprentice to read and write, and also the art and
mystery of a farmer, and constantly find and provide
for the said Apprentice, during the term aforesaid, sufficient Diet, Washing, Lodging and
Apparel, fitting for an Apprentice; and also all other things necessary both in sickness
and health, and at the expiration of said apprenticeship, will pay to said Apprentice Six
Dollars and furnish him with a new suit of Clothes and a new Bible.

In Witness whereof, the parties have hereunto set their Hands and Seals, the
          day and year aforesaid,
Signed, Sealed and delivered,
in presence of
J.S. Stanly [signature]                                                his

                                                     William                 X               Temple        [seal]

                                                                                mark

                                                        Will J. Blackledge [signature]                 [seal]

An what comes next, you might ask . . . .
Imagination can take one only so far; and so, I started looking for every substantial clue which might lead me to concrete images to aid me in recreating the courtroom scene for my family history memoir.

What did that courthouse and that courtroom look like to the young Isaac Carter? Besides serving as the Presiding Justice of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, who was William Blackledge among his peers, and among his neighbors? And J.G. Stanly, the Clerk of Courts . . . what did these men look like? Were there any portraits made of either of these public officials? How many cases were heard that day. . . of what nature . . . and how long into the day did the young Carter children have to wait to have their case brought before the court?

At this point I have no answers; but, I will continue to pursue my leads until I come to some more concrete conclusions.

And what about the terms of this apprenticeship indenture? There is much to imagine there . . . at the age of twenty-one, receiving his new suit of clothes, six dollars and a new Bible. What ever became of that Bible? Did he take it with him when Isaac enlisted in the U.S.C.T. 14th Heavy Artillery in March of 1864? And did it ever pass into the hands of generations to follow?

Now you might begin to understand how I get departed from the state of my original course. I want to explore every avenue before painting his portrait with words.

Some Updates & The next phase in the life of Isaac Carter

On the question of a M. E. Church, South built in 1854/55

I am so thankful to be living in an age when we are able 

to have our questions answered in much less time 

than in my grand aunt Helen Beers Newton's era!

Tourneykill or Tanneyhill?
Victor Jones, Jr. of the New Bern-Craven County Public Library 's Kellenberger Room corrected the Tolson transcription, "Tourneykill's Branch" to Tanneyhill's Branch or Creek, named after an early settler.

The name has been mentioned in other deeds around Clubfoot Creek, but no specific location given, and it is not on current topo maps. . .

A search of the Early Settlers of Craven County database on the library's Genealogical Resources page reveals five (5) sources mentioning Jn. Taneyhill, Esq. between the years 1714 and 1720. His tithables, pole tax and land tax records reveal that he owned 1,400 acres in Bath County (formed in 1696).

The county formation map found at n2genealogy states that:

• Bath County divided into Wickham, Archdale and Pamptecough Precincts in 1705. 
• Archdale name changed to Craven in 1712.

Even though the county's name change preceded this document by seven (7) years, the original county name of Bath had been retained since the record had been obtained from the source: Miscellaneous Papers of Craven Precinct, 1714-1719: Bath County - Land List of Lands Surveyed, 1706 by John Lawson" (New Bern: C.R. Holloman, 1974). 

You can count that a further question followed . . .

Duke University's holdings: United Methodist Church records, 1784-1984

When I first came upon this record I felt for sure there might be something relevant here. My original question had been referred to Angela Mace, a PhD candidate in musicology at Duke's Rubenstein Library. After searching in the online and card catalogs, she requested that I look at the finding aid and narrow the search. 

I searched first for New Bern Circuit, and then the years 1854 and 1855. The only box of documents that showed any remote possibility was located in the Circuit, Charge & Station Index: Box NCC35: Newport & Trent Circuit, NC Conference, Carteret & Craven Cos. I remained hopeful, but today I received a reply:

I just pulled NCC35 and had a look, but there does not appear to be any item relating to Craven County. What I can suggest for you now is that you contact one of our free-lance researchers, who can come in and spend some quality time with this collection on your behalf.

I have to admit that I am disappointed, but not surprised. Rather than pay someone to conduct possibly fruitless research at a premium, I will postpone this evidence search for a time when I can do the work myself.

It is settled, then, that the writing of the church history phase 

will begin now... 

The next phase in the life of Isaac Carter

The Civil War broke out in April of 1861, and by October of that year, Isaac Carter turned 21 years of age and was released from his apprenticeship indenture. What happened to him between then and his induction is uncertain, except that in January of 1864, missionary James Walker Hood came to New Bern to start AME Zion churches in the area. 

On March 12, 1864 Isaac Carter enlisted in the 14th Heavy Artillery USCT. The following year Piney Grove AME Zion Church was founded in the community of North Harlowe, then referred to as Blades.

The Civil War Pension File of Isaac Carter, Documents #4 - #7

The following pages (3) illustrate how something as simple as careless penmanship could lengthen the duration of filing a claim. The first page appears to have been dated Aug. 25, 1888, and the number "7" written over the "5." Below is a transcription of document #4:

Department of the Interior.

BUREAU OF PENSIONS. 

SIR:
     I have the honor to request that you will furnish from the records of 
the War Department a full Report as to the service, disability, and hospital treatment of 
Isaac Carter, who, it is claimed, enlisted March 12, 1864 and served as Sgt.
in Co. [E], 14 Reg't U.S.C.H.A. . . . . 
and was discharged at Fort Macon NC, Dec. 11, 1865. 
    While serving in Co. [E], 14 Reg't U.S.C.H.A. he was disabled by 
Diarrhea & Piles, Asthma, Lung 
trouble, Shortness of breath, Swelling in 
feet and legs, pains in finger joints 
and Rheumatism in the  Winter of 
1864 and 1865 at Moorhead (sic) City, NC, 
and was treated in hospitals of which the names, location, and dates are as
 follows:
at Moorhead (sic) City and Fort [B]acon N.C. 
(date not given).


Very respectfully, 
    John C. Black,
    Commissioner
The Adjutant General, U.S. Army


On August 29th, the following communication (document #5) was made:

The next communication (document #6) on a form very similar to the first, which is transcribed above, indicates that Isaac Carter was a member of Co. G.

The document which followed (#7), and dated Oct. 10, 1888, outlines Isaac Carter's service record...disclosing yet another problem with the initial request: Isaac had enlisted as a Private on March 12, 1864 and was a member of Co. B, 14th Heavy Artillery U.S.C.T. It was at his mustering out that he was a Sgt. in Co. G.

In the mean time, Isaac has been waiting to hear from the 

Bureau of Pensions for four (4) months. . .