My Cumbo ancestors settled into Northampton County, North Carolina at the turn of the Nineteenth Century. Here is a travelogue of my trip to Northampton in October 2015.
I was inspired to take this trip by the memory of my maternal grandparents. For much of my life all I knew was that they were from Suffolk, VA. Through family research I learned that my grandfather’s Cumbo ancestors were from Northampton County, North Carolina.
I descend from the Cumbos of Northampton NC through my great grandmother Annie Biggs. Her parents, my great great grandparents were Edward Biggs of Bertie County, North Carolina and Elizabeth Florence Cumbo of Northampton, North Carolina. The Cumbos were free people of color, meaning they were not enslaved.
Here I am entering into Northampton County, NC for the first time in my life. Saturday Oct 10, 2015, Northampton NC border
The county seat for Northampton County is Jackson. Saturday Oct 10, 2015, Jackson, Northampton NC.
First stop, the memorial library for some research. Very nice place. The librarians were very friendly and helpful. Saturday Oct 10, 2015 Jackson, Northampton, NC.
I found this is a great resource for those researching free people of color in North Carolina. Saturday Oct 10, 2015, Northampton Memorial Library.
Cumbos descend from Emanuell Cambow (Cumbo), an African born in Angola in 1614 and who was brought to Jamestown, VA. According to this book, by 1667 he was free and was granted 50 acres in James City. Saturday Oct 10, 2015, Northampton Memorial Library.
Next moved on to the Northampton County Museum. The staff was very helpful. When I mentioned that I descended from Cumbos they pointed out that the name had origins in Africa. I was impressed. Saturday Oct 10, 2015, Northampton County Museum.
I was pleasantly surprised to find an exhibit at the museum on one of my ancestral relatives, Dr. Manassas Thomas Pope (1858- 1934), a Northampton native, Shaw University graduate, military officer during the Spanish American War and successful surgeon. He made American to run for Mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina at the history as the first African turn of the century. Saturday Oct 10, 2015, Northampton County Museum.
From the museum I’m headed to Rich Square, Northampton, North Carolina which is where my Cumbo ancestors lived.
The museum gave me this trusty map of Northampton County which I used throughout the weekend.
Here I am on Cumbo Road in Northampton County NC where my Cumbo ancestors lived and owned land as free people of color in the 1800s. Oct 10, 2015, Rich Square, Northampton, NC.
Now on my way to Cumbo Baptist Church. Oct 10, 2015, Rich Square, Northampton, NC.
Cumbo Chapel Baptist Church. According to recorded church history, Cumbo Chapel was named after my great-great-great grandfather Junius Matthias “Bugg” Cumbo who donated the land on which the church was built. Saturday, Oct 10, 2015, Rich Square, Northampton, NC.
It’s been a long and fulfilling road of family discovery since reading the name Cumbo printed on a family tree my cousin developed back in 2001. I’ve uncovered a lot about my family’s Cumbo ancestry since then, but one thing always eluded me. Why was the family location listed on the family tree as “Pulty Casey” North Carolina? Now I know why. It’s was really Potecasi.
Start of day two. Planning a few final stops before I make my way back home. Oct 11, 2015, Suffolk, VA.
This is representative of the sights I took in all weekend. Farmland. Evidently there’s lots of cotton being grown in Northampton and Hertford right now. Oct 11, 2015, Conway, NC.
Cumbo cemetery. This is the tomb for my 1st cousin 4 times removed Henry T Cumbo (1865-1945). Oct 11, 2015, Conway, NC.
Passed the Historic Northampton County Court House on my way home. Oct 11, 2015, Jackson, NC.
Home sweet Home. October 11, 2015, Washington DC.
Hello Andre, I applaud the time, energy, resources, and overall effort employed into your tracking, photographing, researching, recording your roots. My name is AJ, “Danny” Moore-Harvey-Sexton, I hail from that same area you just visited. I am a researcher as well. I really enjoyed your presentation with all of the visual effects. Well done! I have a close relationship to Cumbo Baptist Church. My maternal Grandmother was a member. My mother and her 10 Moore siblings were members. My Grandmother was “Alice Saluda Jones-Walden-Guy-Moore”. Her mother was Elizabeth Jones-Walden my GGMother. Anyway my natural parents are related which was normal in those days. My father’s family are connected to the Cumbo family via the “Manley” Line. Also, my mothers walden relatives married into the Cumbo family as well.
AJ, thanks I’m glad you enjoyed it! I’ve connected with Rev. Dickens and he invited me to Cumbo Church Homecoming this summer. I will try my best to make it. Also, I am searching for a photo of my great great great grandfather Junius Matthias “Bug” Cumbo for whom the church is named. If you know of folks who might have a photo whom I should be reaching out to, please let me know. Best, Andre
Hello Danny, my name is Lynn. I am a decent of the “Pope’s” as well as “Walden-Guy(e)-Moore. My great grandmother was Virginia Brighty-Walden-Guy(e)-Pope. She was married to Jonas Elias Pope II. Virginia was first cousin to Saluda Walden Guy(e).
Hello, Lynn…I think Virginia(Brighty)-Jones-Walden-Guy-Pope was Alice “Saluda” Jones-Walden-Guy-Moore’s sister. The Children of John Henry Cola Guy & Elizabeth Bettie Sue-Jones-Walden-Guy are as following: 1. Raymond P Guy b. 1893 2. Alice Saluda Guy b. 1895 3. Ola Mae (“Sweetie) Guy b. 1897 4. Virginia (Brighty) Guy b. 1899 5. Gladys Guy… 6. Tiny (Sis) Guy 7. Geneva Guy… 8. Willis Guy…9. James Guy…10. John Guy
Whow, my Fathers father, Fermon Long..son of Hezekiah, son of Grt John Long. Married Helen, daughter of Olive Manley. Olive had another daughter Mary. This gets interesting because John Long married 2 Cumbo sisters, I believe. Correct?
According to my records John Thomas Long had two wives but they weren’t sisters – First wife was Mary Jane Cumbo. Second wife was Bertha Tann.
According to my records Clayton Long Sr is the son of Fermon Long and Jessie Helen Walden.
Fermon Long was the grandson of Hezekiah Cumbo.
Jessie Helen Walden was the granddaughter of Mary Cumbo Manley – aka “Mollie”.
Hezekiah and Mollie were siblings.
So your grandparents Fermon and Jessie were (at least) second cousins.
This is awesome.. I am decent of the Cumbo family. Do you know ANGELA Crosby? She mentioned that her cousin did the family tree search and we found out we where kin.
Midrel. Thank you for reaching out. Who are your Cumbo ancestors and where were they from? I don’t know Angela but please encourage her to respond here or connect directly with me. I’d love to learn where she fits in the Cumbo family tree as well. Also please check out the information on the 2016 Cumbo Family Reunion. We’d love for you both to join us! Best, Andre
AJ I was in Jackson, rich Square and Garysburg this weekend. I love going there. It was home for me. Just left all the places you wrote about. My uncle Frodie Cumbo was sheriff until his passing in Jackson. My family and I lived on Bryantown rd. The courthouse remains the center of town. Loved your photo at courthouse. Walked from there today to get an Orange Crush at service station. Went to Cumbo rd and Cumbo Baptist. I attended church at Antioch and Sandy chapel and hill chapel. I am a descendant of Shine Cumbo and Jordan cumbo , William Samuel Cumbo, grandmother Fannie Grant Walden. Will write more later.
Carolyn, I’m glad you enjoyed my travelogue and photos. I look forward to you sharing more and hope to see you at the reunion this summer. Best, Cousin Andre Kearns
I am a Grant defendant
Excellent. We may be related!
I am a Grant descendant from Woodland
I enjoyed the pictures of cumbo Rd my mom grew up on that Rd. My great grandmother is a Cumbo. Theodosia. William shine Cumbo was her father. I can’t wait until the family reunion.
Hello Andre, I lived in Winton, NC for a number of years. While there I met Ricky Cumbo of Murfreesboro. I met at the time the oldest living member of the Cumbo Family. I interviewed him about the history of his family. He was a member of St. John AME Church of Conway. He is buried in the Gatling Cemetery. I also knew the Cumbo Family of Raleigh, NC Frank Cumbo, Sr. Frank Jr. Wyatt Cumbo all three are deceased now. The Cumbos claimed Tuscarora Indian ancestry.
Andre, Hi, pleasure to meet you. Yes I know those lines. We all descend from my 4th great grandparents my Britton Cumbo Jr. and Mary Manley Cumbo of Northampton County. Ricky Cumbo descends from Britton and Mary’s oldest son James Henry Cumbo of Conway. I descend from their second son Junius Matthias “Bug” Cumbo of Potecasi. Frank Cumbo descends from their third son Hezekiah Thomas Cumbo of Rich Square. His line is the only Northampton lines that I’m aware of that embraced Tuscarora ancestry. Wouldn’t be surprised at all if there were others. If you happened to write down the history you captured from the Cumbo elders, I’d appreciate it if you would share it with me. Thanks! Andre
Absolutely informative look at this subject.
Wonderful. I really enjoyed your story.
Thanks for your wonderful article. I am related by a Cumby great-grandmother from South Carolina.
Wonderful, thank you so much for your follow up Ann. I’d encourge you to share information about your family line with us here: https://cumbofamily.com/?page_id=29
Hello Andre! It’s such a pleasure to hear from you and thank you for all the hard work. My name is Billy Langford, born in New York and raised in Rich Square, North Carolina. My grandfather’s name was Cornelius Cumbo born in 1870 was married to Lela George and they had fifteen children. They all grew up in the Cumbo community and attended the Cumbo Church. My mother’s name was Helen Cumbo and she was the first child to decease out of fifteen children. She passed in 1953 and is buried on the church ground of Cumbo Baptist Church. The following are the names of my uncles and aunts: Frank, Robert, Jessie, Luther, Willie Morris, Herbert, and John “JC” Cumbo. The sisters names are: Carrie, Rhoeaner, Hattie, Joanna, Helen, Wilma, Luchia, and Lumia Cumbo. I will email you a picture of the family and my grandfather, Cornelius better known as Neal Cumbo.
Billy, Thank you. I look forward to your email. If you could also include details and photos of your family I would appreciate it. I’ll add them to the tree. Hope to meet you at the reunion. To register, go to the family reunion tab of this website and complete the registration form.
Andre,
My Name is David Jacobs Lassiter. My Grandmother is Lulu Combo Lassiter, and my Grandfather is Joe L. Lassiter. They had three children Eva Lassiter Spruill, Grace Idell Taylor and Marshall David Lassiter, my father. My Mother is Audrey Jacobs Moore and her Great-grand Parents are Easter Walden Scott and Joseph Scott. Some of the surnames I have seen so far, I know and somewhat how I am ratlated to the families. The surnames that I am related to are Combo, Jacobs, Lassiter, Walden, Scott, Jenkins, Bryant, and Brown. If you are related to any of these surnames from Rich Square, Northampton County, North Carolina, please befriend me on My facebook page or email me at dcdl3@aol.com.
Thanks,
David
I Corinthians 13
Name: Jordon Comboo
Titles and Terms:
Event Type: Census
Event Date: 1910
Event Place: Rich Square, Northampton, North Carolina, United States
District: ED 83
Gender: Male
Age: 28
Marital Status: Single
Race: Mulatto
Race (Original): Mulatto
Relationship to Head of Household: Head
Relationship to Head of Household (Original): Head
Birth Year (Estimated): 1882
Birthplace: North Carolina
Immigration Year:
Father’s Birthplace: North Carolina
Mother’s Birthplace: North Carolina
Sheet Letter: A
Sheet Number: 11
Sheet Number and Letter: 11A
Household ID: 90
Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)
Affiliate Publication Number: T624
Affiliate Film Number: 1125
GS Film Number: 1375138
Digital Folder Number: 004973131
Image Number: 00842
Household Role Sex Age Birthplace
Jordon Comboo Head M 28 North Carolina
Artiney Comboo Mother F 47 North Carolina
Lulu E Comboo Sister F 25 North Carolina
Levia A Comboo Sister F 22 North Carolina
Benj F Comboo Brother M 17 North Carolina
Lucy B Comboo Sister F 15 North Carolina
Mary M Comboo Sister F 10 North Carolina
Martha R Comboo Sister F 10 North Carolina
.
Your grandmother Lula Elizabeth Lassiter (Cumbo) mother is (Artensia) Hortensa Cumbo (Walden) . she is the sister of my Great great Great Rosa Manley Guy Walden
My Facebook name is Stef Bl
I been trying find our entire family for the pass months
Very well done and informative.
My family (Walden/Artis/Grant/Rawles/Johnson/Gee) has also been in Northampton County since the late 18th century, some were free people of color. In fact the book that you used as a reference has a tie to Northampton County.
After completing my Ancestry DNA a lady with the last name of Heinegg contacted me indicating that we were matches. Having used the same book as you for my own research, I recognized her last name as being the same as the author Paul Heinegg, and asked her if she knew of his work.
Next I received an email from Paul, saying that his wife had forwarded my email to him. According to his bio, he was inspired to conduct the research that led to the book and website after discovering that his wife had free African American roots in Northampton County NC.
I’ve started a blog and website chronicaling some family stories as well. It’s called fromtheneck.com. I grew up in Teaneck NJ, my mother’s family was from Occoneechee Neck (Near Jackson NC), and the earliest known family origins were in Goodwin Neck in York County Va.
Alexis. Pleasure to meet you. If you are a Northampton Walden then you and Rita likely share Squire Walden and Tempy James, ancestors to most/all Northampton Waldens as shared ancestors. You are also a DNA match to my uncle. I’ll be sure to check out your blog and website. I look forward to keeping in touch. Hopefully we can figure out how we are related. Best, Andre
I have seen the name Grant on several comments. I am a Grant descendant from Woodland NC
Stumbled on your blog while doing some research on James Langford. I am married to a Slade from Potecasi, NC. I know Ms. Wilma Cumbo and the areas you mentioned due to trips to my husband’s family. I’ve been focused on my side of our genealogical tree that I’ve just begun to poke around on his side. Great job!
Hi, great to meet you. The Slades, Manleys and Cumbos of Northampton are definitely connected.
For example, in my tree there is a line of Slades who descend from Charlie Slade (1886-1949) of Hertford who married Mittie Manley (1893-1982) of Northampton. Mittie Manley was the daughter of Jessie Manley and Mollie Cumbo.
Good luck with your research. Please keep me posted on the connections you uncover!
Best,
Andre
I really enjoyed reading this article. I am a descendant of the Grant family from Hertford Co. I was also told of a Indian connection to my family. I really am searching for any Grant history or connections. My father was Charles Grant, (brother Leandrew and James Grant) sons of Roosevelt and Etheline Grant. Roosevelt was son to Uylesses and Quessie Grant of Potcasei. Any info would help me
Stacie, Thanks for sharing this info with me. I will be on the look out.
Love the journey. Thank you for taking us with you. Hope to do the same for my wife’s Gowens one day.
Thank you! Good luck with the Gowens. You should connect with Ric Murphy if you haven’t already. He can help you with the Gowens.