T he 1870 Census of Fairview was the first census after the Civil War. It was the first to list Fairview’s Black residents individually with their approximate age. The Lytle, Clayton and Toms families were the largest slave-owning families in Fairview, and many Black people from this time in Fairview took these last names. Not all formerly enslaved people took their former owners’ names. They took other names they chose themselves, and a large number who took their former owners’ names changed them to something else years later. The census taker was a politically appointed job, and the quality of the results depended on the census taker. Some did not do a good job.

All listed below were born in North Carolina unless otherwise noted. An “m” or “f” following a name denotes male or female. Families who were Black are noted with an asterisk (*).

Fairview Township 1870

1. Earwood, Thomas, 52; Elizabeth (Trantham), 52; Christina, 29; Thomas, 23; Joseph R., 20; John H., 17; Mary, 15; Violet, 8; Charles, 8.

2. Mitchell, Elbert, 60; Elizabeth (Coston), 55; Mary, 32; Anna, 28; Catherine, 25; Laura, 21; George, 19; Mira M., 16; William, 15.

3. Lanning, Lawson W., 45; Charlotte Reed, 47; Susan E., 18; Philetus H., 12; Julia A., 7; Mary A., 4; James R., 1.

4. Smart, John, 63 (SC); Elizabeth M., 54.

5. Skinner, Robert*, 40 (SC); Rebecca, 50; Violet, 20;
Eastridge, 1.

6. Harper, Peter, 59; Mary (Stroup), 55; Nancy, 28; Catherine, 26; Sarah, 21; Elizabeth, 16; James M., 15; Samuel, 23.

7. Rike, Alfred J., 58 (a miller by trade); Susan, 47; Francis, 21 (f); Martha, 20; George W., 18; Franklin, 16; Julia A., 14; Margaret, 11; Netta, 8.

8. Toms, Alford*, 40; Sophronia, 35; Harriet, 20; Charles, 18; Alfred, 15; John, 15; James, 7; Susan, 75.

9. Lytle, Henry*, 40; Delay, 42; Gaston, 15; Mark, 10; Pink, 4 or 6; Jane, 1.

10. Toms, Levi*, 50; Hannah, 48; Henry B., 25; Harriett, 21; George, 20; Thomas, 16.

11. Lytle, Miner*, 40; Elizabeth, 19; Larissa, 3; William, 8/12 (8 months, born in October).

12. Cooper, James, 64; Elizabeth, 59; Robert W., 39; Manerva, 30.

13. Sullivan, Thornton*, 37; Lilla M., 24; John, 5; Pink, 3.

14. Lynch, Nat*, 27; Sally, 26; William, 11; Daniel, 6; Laura, 4; Jane, 2.

15. Weaver, Peny, 23; Eliza, 30; John T., 5; Amos C., 4; James, 2.

16. Spiller, William H., 39 (SC); Laura, 24; Mary E., 3.

17. Justice, Martin, 30; Fanny S., 27; Waifield S., 9; Henry G., 4; Robert M., 3.

18. Williams, James, 24; Rebecca, 28; Francis, 3 m; William H., 1; Sophronia Summey, 25; Alice, 2; Jane, 8/12 (8 months, born in January).

19. Neer, William, 23 (NY); Martha J., 24; William, 4/12 (4 months, born in February).

20. Hampton, John J., 37; Sarah A., 27; John A., 7; William W., 3.

21. Conner, Mary, 36; Louisa, 13; Washington, 10; William, 8; Eli, 4.

22. Dotson, Josiah, 41; Catherine, 35; George, 18; Calvin, 16; Henderson, 14; Adolphus, 12; William, 10.

23. Dotson, Josiah Sr., 73; Easter, 70; Loanie, 5 f.

24. Dotson, Fletcher, 22; Betsy, 21; Hugh, 3.

25. Whitaker, John, 45 (son of William Whitaker Jr. and Rutha Williams); Sally (Williams), 43; Marion, 18 m; Washington, 15; William, 13; Martha, 12; John, 3/12 (3 months, born in February).

26. Right (Wright), David, 70; Mira, 70; John, 19; Laura, 7.

27. Margaret Webb, 40; Mary Wright, 19; Harriett, 17; Julietta, 13.

28. Ballinger, Joel, 21; Sarah, 25; Willie, 10; John, 8; Susan, 6; Joshua, 23.

29. Poteet, Elias, 36; Betsey, 33; Eula, 16; John, 15; Elizabeth, 13; William, 7.

30. Williams, William R., 50; Sarah, 45; John, 17; Manerva, 15; Malinda, 13; William, 10; Zeb, 7; Osker E., 1.

31. Ballinger, John, 70 (SC); Caroline, 35 (SC).

32. Shorter, Harrison*, 27; David, 76; Easter, 70; Charles, 3; Jane Pitillo, 22.

33. Merrill, John Mc., 59; Margaret, 38; Sarah C., 9; Martha, 8; Nancy, 7; Joseph A., 5; Benjamin F., 2; Robert J., 7/12 (7 months, born in October); Jane, 83.

34. Westmoreland, Mary, 61; Rachel H., 35; Armetta Sparks, 11; Margaret, 7; Narcissa, 10; Leander Carpening, 18.

35. Presley, Jason, 35; Jane, 36; John, 10.

36. Grant, Sarah (Whitaker), 58; Nancy, 23; John, 21.

37. Hamby, Leander, 36; Mary E., 32; Ann, 10; Adilea Luske, 26; Mira Lytle, 16.

38. Oats, Jerry*, 55; Lillie, 56; Anna, 21; Thomas, 3/12 (3 months, born in April); Thomas Skinner, 24.

39. Dreining, Henry*, 25 (SC); Violet, 22; Nancy, 1/12 (1 month, born in May); Dicy Lytle, 65; Miles, 19; Charles, 14.

40. Brank, Robert W., 57; Mary E., 36; Mary E. J., 15; Rachel, 12; Albert V., 10; Edward M., 8; James R., 6; Cora, 3; Rose L., 2/12 (2 months, born in March).

41. Henry, Rufus, 40; Elizabeth, 28; Willis, 4.

42. Williams, Jesse, 56; Sarah, 37; Branch H., 7; Pinkney, 5; Mary S., 3.

43. Cooper, Alexander, 64; Dinah, 55; John E., 32; Nancy M., 19; Delia, 13.

44. Lance, Joseph*, 45; Sally, 30; Bill, 9; David, 5; James, 3; Jane, 1; Van Cooper, 20; Nancy, 21; George, 13.

45. McBrayer, William, 62; Elizabeth (Fortune), 63; Richard, 38; Mary, 27; Lucy, 25; Matilda, 22; Lavina, 19; John, 17.

46. Fallenwider, King, 40; Narcissa, 40; Mince, 4 f; Dick, 1.

Bruce Whitaker documents Fairview area genealogy. To get in touch with him, contact the Crier at [email protected] or
828-771-6983 (call/text).