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

47. Bartlett, Nathan, 69; Charlotte, 73; Martha Dorton, 45.

48. Stroup, Silas, 54; Susannah (Harper) Stroup, 57; Catherine, 27; Martha V., 24; Sarepta, 20; William H., 18; Samuel, 16; Hannah, 12.

49. Wright, Robert (Patterson), 28; Nancy (Hedrick), 25; William H., 7; Mary, 6; John, 4; George, 2; Merritt, 2/12 (two months, born in March).

50. George, Wright, 60 (father of Robert Patterson Wright); Mary, 61; Mary J., 25.

51. Earwood, Joshua, 25; Sarah (Reed), 30; Thomas, 2; James, 1.

52. Tweed, Jane, 60 (SC); James, 26 (TN); Mary, 23; Thomas W., 21; Martha E., 19; John F., 17; John E. Gibson, 23.

53. Robison, Allen, 45; Julia, 40; Henry, 6.

54. Pinkerton, James, 59; Nancy (Garren), 61; Hannah (Pinkerton Clements), 30; Mary, 28; Milage Lytle*, 21; David Clements, 8 (grandson).

55. Lytle*, Ned, 40; Julia A., 40; Jack, 23; Letta, 19.

56. Waters, John, 47; Betsey, 37; Robert F., 9; Caladonia, 8; Albert, 7; Dabey M., 4; Bordy, 9/12 (nine months, born in February).

57. Lytle, Littleton, 55; Manerva, 32; Millington, 20; Lenor, 17; John, 13; William, 10; Mary, 7; Robert, 5; Joseph, 1; Martha Hill, 27; Selen, 13.

58. Ashworth, Johnston, 52; Mary (Merrill), 49; Jason, 21; Alexander, 17; Lilen, 15; Susan, 13; Joseph, 10; Sydney J., 8; Benjamin, 4; Martha Sinclair, 20.

(The census taker numbered the families wrong. He numbered families 49–58. He then numbered the next 10 families 49–58 again.)

49. Pinkerton, Alfred H., 37; Martha (Edmundson), 35; James E., 10; John R., 2.

50. Garren, Jesse, 41; Mariam (Whitaker), 39; Eli, 16; Henry, 14; William, 8.

51. Freeman, William R., 40; Julia H., 32; Kate S., 10; Alonzo, 3; Benjamin, 21; Hardin M., 20.

52. Young, Samuel, 31; Avaline, 26; William A., 6; Joseph E., 3.

53. Patton, Aaron T., 43; Rosilla (Garren), 43; John, 18; Sally, 12; Rhoda, 6.

54. Patton, Nancy, 54; Ladson, 22; Kate, 20; George, 3.

55. Young, Thomas J., 37; Martha, 33; Marcus P., 12; Zack T., 10; Sarah J., 6; Wade H., 4; Lisgenia, 3 f; Fanny E., 1.

56. Young, Rebecca, 60; Sarah J., 39; Ally M., 33; Mary L., 29; Law*, 15; Charlotte*, 35.

57. Whitaker, Jeremiah, 70; Harriet, 64; Henry, 22; Zance H., 22 m; Willis, 18.

58. Garren, William; Ailsey, 26; James, 6/12 (six months, born in November).

59. Hugh, George (A. or H.); Mary R., 35; Nancy J., 6/12 (six months, born in March).

60. Lytle, Alberito; Nancy, 39; Ellen, 16; Harriet, 15; Joseph, 13; Ephraim, 12; Francis, 7 m; William, 6; John 4; James E., 8/12 (eight months, born in October); George*, 40; James Pitillo, 25.

61. McDunnell*, Hardy, 30; Maria, 30; Mary, 16; Alfred, 14; Samuel, 12; Zora, 3; Erwin, 7/12 (seven months, born in November).

62. Whitaker, David F., 40; Matilda (Edmundson), 30; Randolph, 2; Eleanor, 1; Mary Edmundson, 15; Alfred Edmundson*, 26; Jane*, 25; Rhoda*, 9; Sam*, 6; Henrietta*, 4; Emma*, 2; Ada, 1/12 (one month, born in May).

63. Garren, Riley, 47; Sarah, 44; Sarah E., 18; Rebecca E., 14; Martha M., 11; Jeff D., 9; James, 2; John Barnwell, 26; Rebecca Conner, 32; Joanna, 11; Mary M., 9; Matilda Reed*, 25; Adophus M., 1.

64. Nicks, Tobetha, 44; McKay, 19; Minna, 19; Erwin, 15; Laura, 12; Calvin, 9; John, 7; James Sizemore, 26; Samantha Sizemore, 21.

65. Young*, Charlotte, 36; Joseph, 19; Frank, 17; Loury, 14 months; Merritt, 12.

66. Whitaker, William (Jr.), 69; Rutha (Williams), 67.

67. Garren, David, 30; Caroline (Whitaker), 40; Elizabeth, 13; Martha, 9; Augustus, L.

68. Lanning, Sarah A. (Whitaker), 41; Catherine, 19; Julius, 17; Charles C., 15; Mariam Whitaker, 45 (sister of Sarah Lanning).

69. Trantham, John, 25; Manerva (Jenkins), 35; Sarah M., 5; Mary A., 3; Jane, 1.

70. Jenkins, Martha (Whitaker), 62; Joshua, 32; Elizabeth, 33; Russell, 30; Naomi (Omey), 28; Charles G., 18.

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