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My research began somewhere in the 18th century. Our ancestors’surnames changed as the respective daughters of slave owners married and they took their slaves, or as a result of bequeathing of property from one plantation to another. The surnames changed in accordance with the respective name of the owner of the plantation.
Based on the documentation, it appears that the Rushing Family and the Huntley family (James H. Ratcliff, brother of Elizabeth Huntley) were possibly the original owners of our family. As you will discover later, in this writing, the Redfearn family gained our ancestors almost by default.
Our Great-Great Grandfather Austin Pickett enslaver could have been James Pickett, who was a slave owner in Anson County. I am still researching this fact. Based on a 1790 Census of Fayette District, James Pickett owned 12 slaves.
Our Great-Great Grandmother Mary “Dicy” was possibly enslaved by the Rushing family. Research reflects that the enslaver Martha F. Rushing married Wade Hampton Huntley. (See excerpt of Wade Hampton Huntley)
“The following describes events in the lives of descendants of Thomas Huntley, during the antebellum period until shortly after the Civil War. Thomas Huntley, Sr., the grandfather of our subject, settled in Anson County, North Carolina, obtaining a land grant in 1769. Thomas Huntley, Sr. died about 1802. Thomas and Sarah had nine children. Thomas and his wife, Sarah, resided in Anson County.
Thomas Huntley, Sr.’s son, Robert Huntley, Sr., was born in North Carolina. Robert was married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth or Betsey Wilson. In 1800, Robert owned 4 slaves. By 1850, he owned 28 slaves. Robert Huntley, Sr.’s son, Thomas Huntley, was born on November 5, 1794, in Anson County, North Carolina. He married Mary Webb Cason.
Thomas and Mary had twelve children. One of the twelve children named Wade Hampton married Martha Rushing. It is more than likely, that Martha Rushing’s family owned our Great-Great Grandmother, Mary “Dicy” Rushing Redfearn.
Thomas Huntley was a man of considerable wealth. However, his lifestyle reflected that of a modest farmer. In 1860, he lived in the Meltonsville District, in Anson County, North Carolina. Thomas owned 553 acres of land, which was worth $7,550. The land was located on the waters of Brown Creek. His personal estate was valued at $30,889, which included 45 slaves. They were reportedly treated well. Thomas had money deposited in several banks, including the Bank of Wadesborough (in Wadesboro, North Carolina) and the Bank of Cape Fear (in Wilmington, North Carolina). His plantation was referred to as the “Thomas Huntley home place”. The family lived in a one and a half story dwelling. The other known buildings on the plantation included a gin house (with a cotton gin), a sawmill, and seven slave houses. Thomas also had a carriage and 10 or 11 mules and horses. Animals raised on the plantation included sheep, hogs, and cattle. Cotton was the main crop produced on the plantation. Other crops included corn and wheat. In his final days, Thomas was cared for by his daughter-in-law, Jane. At the time, she was married to Thomas’ son, Dr. Ellison Huntley (he died on September 20, 1882). Mary W. (Cason) Huntley died on April 4, 1863.Thomas Huntley died on May 14, 1863.
When Hampton Huntley and Martha F. Rushing were married, they reportedly received $1,000 in gold as a wedding present from Hampton’s father. Thomas, Hampton, and Martha proceeded to buy a farm and lived in Union County, North Carolina. The home was located about 5 miles east of Monroe, in the Rock West community. Hampton reportedly owned 7 male slaves. In 1863, he inherited 6 slaves (Ned, Calvin, Sally, Alford, Stephen, and Gastin) from his father.
When Thomas Huntley died in 1863, his estate was divided between his children. However, after the Civil War had ended, rumors began to circulate that Thomas Huntley had kept bags of gold and silver in the house. A group of Thomas’ heirs questioned the way the land and property had been distributed. What followed was a lengthy legal challenge against the executors of the estate, John W. Huntley, and Dr. Ellison Huntley. The estate was finally settled in 1896 when the court ruled against the executors.
John W. Huntley was living on the former plantation before the final judgment from the court. On April 6, 1896, the “Thomas Huntley home place” was auctioned to the highest bidder for cash at the door of the Court House in Wadesboro, North Carolina. Proceeds from the sale went to pay inheritance claims of Thomas Huntley’s heirs. The land was sold to David T. Redfearn, a son of Townley Redfearn. Townley Redfearn was an attorney who was originally involved in administering Thomas Huntley’s estate in 1863.”
This was the reason for the previous statement that the Redfearn gained ownership of the Huntley slaves by default, so to speak. Since slaves were not always identified by name it is difficult to tell which three slaves (Property) were transferred, by Elizabeth’s brother James H. Ratcliff, during a North Carolina Supreme Court Case between Robert S. Huntley and Elizabeth Huntley in June 1852. (See Supreme Court ruling – Huntley vs Huntley) This fight between James H. Ratcliff (Elizabeth’s brother) was ongoing dating back to 1843. [See Property Legal Battle & Assault -Huntley v Ratcliff]
**Also please note, based on the above detail, there were hundreds of slaves with the Redfearn surnames. Therefore, this detail is to assist in identification of descendants of Watt Onley, Mary Dicy Rushing Redfearn and Austin Pickett.
Our Family History 