On November 2, 1881, Orlando Hubbs, ex-sheriff of Craven County, deeded to the County of Craven the same 371 acres at Butler’s Ford in Township No. 1, listed to Charles Roach, for $15.26. The 1880 taxes had not been paid, and the county bought the land at the tax sale at the courthouse in New Bern on August 1, 1881. No courses or neighbors are given.
The witness was L. W. Hancock [?], who proved the deed before E. W. Carpenter, judge of probate, on November 21, 1881. It was registered on December 6, 1881, in Book C, page 32, Tax Receipts (Joseph Nelson, register). A note across the top, signed by Joseph Nelson, says the taxes and costs were paid and the owner was restored to his rights in January 1886. The writer’s own words are kept as written below.
Sheriff’s tax deed from Orlando Hubbs, ex-sheriff of Craven County, to the County of Craven, 371 acres at Butler’s Ford in Township No. 1 listed to Charles Roach, sold for 1880 taxes – 1881
Transcription notes: spelling, capitalization and punctuation follow the original. Words in [square brackets] are editorial notes; [?] marks an uncertain reading and [illegible] marks words that could not be read.
State of North Carolina,
Cravan County
WHEREAS, The taxes assessed for the year 188[0?], on the following lands and tenements in Cravan County, to-wit: Three hundred and Seventy One (371) acres Land Situated on Butlers Ford Township No 1 and listed to Charles Roach
remain unpaid after the time limited by law, Orlando Hubbs Ex Sheriff of Craven County, levied on said lands, and returned a list of his levies to the Clerk of the Superior Court of said County; and the said Sheriff after advertising and giving notice according to law, sold said lands to pay said taxes and costs, at public auction, at the Court House in New Berne on the 1st day of August 1881, when and where the County of Craven became the purchaser, at the sum of Fifteen and 26/100 dollars, and has paid the said sum; and the owner of said lands and tenements having failed to redeem the same:
Now, Therefore, This Indenture Witnesseth, That the said Orlando Hubbs Ex Sheriff, for and in consideration of the sum Fifteen and 26/100 Dollars, to him in hand paid by the said County of Craven, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, hath granted, bargained and sold, and by these presents doth grant, bargain and sell to the County of Craven the above described lands and tenements.
To Have and to Hold the same to the said County of Craven forever, in as full and ample a manner as he, the said Sheriff, is empowered by virtue of his office to convey and assure the same.
In Testimony Whereof, The said Orlando Hubbs Ex Sheriff, has hereunto set his hand and seal, the 2d day of November 1881.
Signed, Sealed and delivered in presence of
L W Hancock [?]
Orlando Hubbs (Seal.)
Ex Sheriff.
State of North Carolina, Cravan County. In the Probate Court, New Berne N C Nov 21st 1881.
The execution of the annexed deed was duly proven by the oath and examination of L W Hancock [?] the witness whereof. Let said deed and this certificate be registered.
E W Carpenter, Judge of Probate.
State of North Carolina, Cravan County.
This deed was received for registration the 6th day of December 1881, and is duly registered in the Records of Craven County, in book C, page 32, Tax Receipts.
Witness: L W Hancock [?]
Joseph Nelson, Register.
[Written slantwise across the top of the face:]
Taxes and Costs Paid [illegible] Delinquent Restored to his Rights Jan [2?]8/86
Jos Nelson
Reg Deeds
[Back, in red ink:]
Township No 1
Charles Roach
State Tax 3.71
Total County Tax General 3.74 [?] [struck through: 1.55 [?]]
Special 7.61
Advertising 75
Notice of Sale 60
Deed to County 50
Clerks Fee 35
Regs Fee 35
Total $17.71
[In brown ink:]
1 35
$19,06
[In pencil:]
To cancel [?]
no Right Title [?]
Macon Bryan
[Further faint pencil scribbles, read as “Kate [?] The [?],” “J. S. H. [?],” “2 n [?]” and “D. D. [illegible].”]
About the original
This is a printed tax deed form with the blanks filled in by hand. The 371 acres listed to Charles Roach were sold at the courthouse on August 1, 1881, for unpaid taxes, and the County of Craven bought them for $15.26. Orlando Hubbs, who had been sheriff in 1879, signs as “Ex Sheriff.”
The last figure of the tax year is written over the printed “188” and is unclear; the 1883 deed in this folder, which follows from this sale, gives the year as 1880.
The note across the top, signed by Joseph Nelson as register of deeds, says the taxes and costs were paid and the owner was restored to his rights in January 1886. The same date (Jan 28/86) is on the back of the 1879 tax deed.
The red-ink figures on the back are the bill of taxes and costs. The items add up to $17.61, not the $17.71 written; the general county tax figure was corrected and is hard to read.
The penciled “To cancel no Right Title” and “Macon Bryan” also appear on the back of the 1883 deed. The paper does not say which Charles Roach this was.
Source: Sheriff’s tax deed to the County of Craven, land of Charles Roach, 2 November 1881. Roach Family Papers (#346), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, Box 1, Folder c (Land Records, 1728–1886). Collection guide. Digitized folder: ECU Digital Collections, 0346-b1-fc.
Images courtesy of East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University. View this item in ECU Digital Collections.
Part of the Roach Family Papers collection on East Carolina Roots.
