Researching Local History

I pride myself in being extremely random.  I love to learn new things, especially about history. Since I am a transplant to this area, it’s good to know local history. Yeah, I know…kinda geekish but it’s my jam.

I was in downtown Jacksonville NC finishing up some professional headshots on a beautiful Saturday morning. As I started to drive off, I noticed confederate flags sticking out of the ground on a plot at the back corner of a parking lot. I decided to explore why the flags were there. I walked up some rotted wooden stairs and it surprised me to discover four gravestones – two Confederate Army soldiers and two broken headstones.  Curiosity killed the cat which led me to do some research. I do this in my spare time to keep my genealogical researching skills sharp. I researched the names on the headstones.

Augustus Cicero Huggins

The first headstone belonged to Augustus Cicero Huggins. He was born in Callabusha, Yalobusha County, Mississippi in 1841 according to his Civil War Soldier Record. His father, Lewis Williams Huggins, Esq (1807-1845) was born in Onslow County, NC. His mother, Julia Anna Armstrong (1820-1850), was born in Florida. A 1845 article in The Constitutionalist newspaper listed his father was one of eight people that died as a result of a fire aboard the steamer Path Finder on the Mississippi River.

After, his father’s death, his mother ran the family farm. The real estate was valued at $2500 and her occupation was a planter, according to the 1850 US Federal Census.  Augustus lived in the household of his mother, Julia Huggins and sister Pauline in Yalobusha, Mississippi. Mississippi Wills and Probate records revealed that Augustus and Pauline’s mother died intestate (without a will) in 1850. The children were appointed an estate administrator and a guardian (Hugh Torrance). 

Mississippi to North Carolina

The 1860 US Federal Census listed Augustus and his sister Pauline living in the Half Moon district of Onslow County . He and his sister moved from Mississippi to their father’s hometown of Jacksonville, Onslow County. They lived in the household of Owen Huggins (born about 1803), a farmer who owned $70,000 in real estate and $100,000 in personal property. Augustus’s relationship to Owen Huggins is uncertain. However, Owen could possibly be their uncle and the reason that Augustus and Pauline returned to their father’s birthplace. Owen was a wealthy planter who owned slaves according to the 1850 and 1860 US Federal Censuses – Slave Schedules. Augustus and Pauline possessed $16,000 in personal property, presuming that this was their inheritance after their mother’s death.  

Farmer of Onslow County

As a 20-years-old farmer, he enlisted as a Private in the 24th NC Infantry Company B of the Confederate States Army (C.S.A.) on 6 May 1861 in Onslow County. By 25 Jul 1863, he was promoted to Sergeant Major. On 17 Nov 1866, he married to Agnes Ward according to the North Carolina Marriage Bonds 1741-1868. I could not find what happened to Agnes Ward Huggins. She must have died shortly after the birth of their daughter Agnes Ward Huggins (born about 1868).

According to the 1870 US Federal Census for the town of Jacksonville, Post Office Onslow Courthouse, he lived with his 2nd wife Laura Devane Canaday Huggins (born about 1854), 2-year-old daughter Agnes, servant Margaret Aman (12-year-old white servant), Leonard Morton (21-year-old white farm laborer) and James Thompson (18-year-old white farm laborer). His occupation was Probate Judge; he owned $900 in real estate and $600 in personal property.   There was something strange about his 2nd wife Laura. We will touch on this later.

Scandal??

According to the 1880 US Federal Census for the village of Jacksonville, Augustus was living with his 2nd wife Laura, daughter Agnes and daughter Eugenia (born about 1871) in Onslow County. His occupation was Clerk of the Superior Court. I located a marriage record of Augustus and Laura dated 10 Feb 1890 according to the North Carolina County Registers of Deeds. I was confused! According to the 1870 census, they were cohabitating with 2-year-old Agnes. Was it possible that Augustus and Laura lived in sin between 1870 to 1890? Was she the nanny that became the lover? This was uncommon for this era. Unfortunately, we will never know the truth.

Augustus C. Huggins died in 1896 in Onslow County and was buried in the Huggins Family Cemetery. But wait! I was at his grave in the middle of town! Is it possible that where he is currently buried was the family land of the Huggins Family? The plot thickens!

Hmm…this seems like a good blog post for another day.

If you’re ever in Onslow County, check out the Onslow County Museum! They specialize in local history. I loved volunteering there when I worked on my Masters. http://www.onslowcountync.gov/museum

If your interested in my genealogical services, check out my research package options at https://familymattersgenealogy.com/?page_id=147 or email me at tanya@familymattersgenealogy.com.