This is an extract from the publications of the Southern History
Association, Spangenberg's Journal of Travels in North Carolina,
1752.[1]
Whoever comes to North Carolina must prepare to pay a poll tax.
Poll tax is required from all white men, master or servant, from
16 years of age and on; all Negroes and Negresses pay poll tax
from their twelfth year. Whoever marries a Negro, or Indian, a
mixed blood--his children are liable to the fourth degree from
the twelfth year on, and the female Indian or Negro is also
taxable. Should this tax not be paid to the sheriff--by whom it
is demanded, he is empowered to sell anything belonging to the
delinquent party, he can seize at public vendue, and after
keeping enough to pay his own fees and satisfy the tax he returns
the remainder to the party.
When anyone wishes to marry he must go to the clerk of his county
and deposit a Bond for fifty pounds, as assurance that there is
no obstacle or impediment to his marying.
He then receives a certificate which he presents to the Justice,
who gives him his license: he may then get married. The fees are
20 shillings for the clerk--five shillings for the Justice; 10
shillings for the Minister. Should the "Banns be published,"
however the license fee is not required. Should the marriage not
be performed by the Minister, his fee must, nevertheless, be
offered to him. Whoever marries a Negress, Indian, Mulatto or
anything of mixed blood, must pay a fine of fifty pounds. Whoever
marries such a couple must also pay a fine of fifty pounds.
If a slave or servant buys or sells anything without his master's
knowledge and consent, the parties dealing with him shall not
only lose three times the amount bargained for, but also pay a
penalty of six pounds.
Whoever assists a slave to escape from his master, be it much or
little, shall serve the master 5 years, as punishment.
The following is a letter from an investigator seeking in Ohio
information concerning the Randolph slaves:
November 18, '08.
_Dr. Park_:--
The following is what I found in answer to your questions
concerning the Randolph slaves in Ohio:
In Virginia, they lived in Charlotte and Prince Edward Counties
on the Roanoke River.
They traveled overland, in wagons and carts from there to
Cincinnati and from Cincinnati, to Mercer Co., in Ohio by flat
boats. The land which is said to have been bought for them was in
Mercer Co.
The settlers of the Community were mainly Germans who would not
allow the landing of the Negroes where they arrived there.
The Colony then moved down the Miami River, settled in camp in
Miami County not far from the towns of Piqua and Troy.
They never got possession of any of the land supposed to have
been purchased for them.
The citizens of Piqua held a mass meeting to discuss the
condition of the Negroes in Camp, to decide upon some course of
action in regard to them.
The decision was to find employment for them wherever they could
and distribute them accordingly. Some were sent to Shelby
County-Sidney, about 12 miles N. E. of Piqua--being the county
seat. Several descendants live in this community yet.
Many remained in & about Piqua & Troy where there are still few
of the old ones & many descendents. Some were sent into Indiana
and other parts of Ohio. There were 385 of them.
The most noted of them is Mr. Goodrich Giles. His father was a
member of the Colony. His mother belonged to another planter in
Virginia & did not get to go.
Mr. Giles is without any question a Negro. He farms & has
succeeded at it. He owns 425 acres of land just out from Piqua
not an acre of which is said to be worth less than one hundred
dollars. He lives in a good roomy brick house, has good farm
buildings, is supplied with farming implements and though old is
still active--leading in his work.
His crop this year consists of about,