Rebecca Thorpe hosts a church social.

Wilson Daily Times, 7 June 1943.

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In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Elbert Kent, 55, widower, and children Joseph, 18, Albert, 15, Bettie, 8, Rebecca, 7, and Isaiah, 4; plus daughter Martha Barnes, 23, widow, and her children Rebecca, 4, and Joseph, 2.

In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Elbert Kent, 64; wife Lizzie, 43; and children Bettie, 18, Rebecca, 17, and Isiah, 15.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 217 Pender Street, farmer Sam Collins, 61; wife Bell, 52; daughter Early May, 8; and lodger Rebecca Kintz, 25, seamstress. 

On 16 November 1921, Walter Thorp, 44, of Wilson, son of Anderson and Lucinda Thorp, married Rebecca Kent, 28, of Wilson County, daughter of Elbert and Lissie Kent, at the A.M.E. Zion church in Wilson. 

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1111 Washington Street, carpenter Walter Thorp, 63; wife Rebecca, 46, sewing; and roomer Jane Boyd, 36, county home demonstration agent.

Walter T. Thorpe died 21 January 1941 in Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 47 years old; was born in Granville County, N.C., to Anderson and Lucy Thorpe; was married to Rebecca Thorpe; and lived at 1111 Washington Street.

Moye & Adams ply their trade.

On 4 February 1850, Michael Holt served as security for Narcissa Dawson, who had purchased a mother and child, Lucy and Anelizer, from Moye & Adams, “traders in negroes,” with a note for $475.00 payable in 12 months. Deed Book 14, page 256, Chancery Clerk’s Office, Monroe County, Mississippi.

Wyatt Moye and Robert S. Adams formed their slave-dealing partnership in Edgecombe (now Wilson) County, specializing in hauling enslaved people from North Carolina to the slave markets of Aberdeen County in western Mississippi. I don’t know where Lucy and Anna Eliza fell into their hands or what became of them.

On the hunt for alleged murderer Pool.

Durham Sun, 25 July 1911.

Not long after he completed a stint on Wilson County roads for a murder, Andrew Pool allegedly stabbed Caesar Wooten to death during a church service. (This Caesar Wooten was not the same Caesar Wooten who eluded authorities for years after murdering Mittie Strickland at the Green Street railroad tracks — but he had been among the dozens of men rounded up for the crime.)

Wilson Daily Times, 25 July 1911.

Pool was spotted near Faro, in northern Wayne County and was believed to be trying to get to his mother’s house near Black Creek.

Wilson Daily Times, 25 July 1911.

On July 29, a man who had witnessed the stabbing burst into Wilson’s police headquarters — Pool was Anderson Dew‘s house at Lodge and Spruce! A posse marched to the house, but Pool gave them the slip. (By the way, Anderson Dew had an eventful 1911.)

The Farmer and Mechanic (Raleigh, N.C.), 1 August 1911.

The Greene County sheriff offered a $50 reward for Pool’s arrest. The notice contained a rather menacing description of the suspect, except for his size 9, patent leather leather low-quarter shoes. (These may have been opera pumps, but perhaps were more likely a cap-toed oxford worn “dandy” style like Dock Jacobs.)

News and Observer (Raleigh, N.C.), 4 August 1911.

Andrew Pool and Caesar Wooten abruptly disappeared from newspaper coverage after just a couple of weeks. I have not been able to determine if Pool was ever caught, tried, or convicted.

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  • Andrew Pool

On 19 January 1910, Andrew Pool, 28, of Greene County, married Eva Farmer, 19, of Stantonsburg, daughter of Marshall and Grace Farmer, in Stantonsburg, Wilson County.

In the 1910 census of Bullhead township, Greene County: farm laborer Andrew Pool, 22, and wife Eaver, 19.

  • Anderson Dew

On 15 August 1908, Anderson Dew, 35, son of Amos and Ruth Dew, married Dora Finch, 32, daughter of Bennett and Annie Finch, in Wilson.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Raleigh Road, planing mill laborer Anderson Dew, 34; wife Dora, 24; and daughter Ardella, 10 months.

Anderson Dew died 16 October 1917 in Goldsboro, Fork township, Wayne County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was 41 years old; was married; worked as a laborer; and his usual residence was Wilson. He was buried at the State Hospital, Goldsboro.

This is who … (the birthday gratitude edition.)

This is who is scouring the internet, poking through the archives, and interviewing the elders.

This chunky toddler in knee-high socks, asleep in her high chair, gripping a chicken leg, is grateful to greet the risen sun on this 62nd turn in its orbit — sound in mind and body, nimble of toe and wit, surrounded by love, and always, always, always ready to put in work.

Black Wide-Awake is the gift that ricochets from me to you and back, and I am especially thankful on my birthday.

Photo in collection of Lisa Y. Henderson.

Republicans prepare for convention.

Wilson Mirror, 27 June 1894.

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In the 1870 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farm laborer Ben Newsom, 50; wife Edna, 31; and children Amos, 10, Gray, 7, Penelope, 6, and Mary, 2.

In the 1880 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Benjamin Newsome, 53; wife Edna, 40; children Oliver, 21, Amos, 20, Gray, 18, Pennina, 16, Mary, 13, Louisa, 9, Larry, 7, and Joseph, 5; plus farmer Amos Atkinson, 35; wife Mary, 37; and his half-siblings John Hardy Boyett, 14, and Melvina Boyett, 18. (The Atkinsons and Boyettes were white.)

On 23 December 1883, Gray Newsome, 22, married Louvenia Barnes, 19, at Wilson Barnes’ in Wilson.

In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farm laborer Gray Newsom, 39, widower, and children General B., 15, Leonora, 9, Nettie V., 8, Louis H., 6, and Luther P., 2.