Rest in peace, Henrietta Hines McIntosh.

I awoke this morning to the sad news that Mrs. Henrietta Hines McIntosh had joined the ancestors and gone to glory.

As a child, Mrs. McIntosh walked with her mother from Elba Street to Vick Cemetery on Sunday afternoons to visit her father Charles Hines‘ grave. I first heard her story in May 2023, when she attended Vick Cemetery: Past, Present, Future as a guest of Mayor Carlton Stevens. In August of that year, I asked and Mrs. McIntosh graciously agreed to speak with a WRAL reporter about the ongoing injustice her family experienced due to decades of neglect and damage at Vick. A day later, she sat front and center at the Reconsecration ceremony we held at Vick Cemetery.

For more than two years after Reconsecration, Vick Cemetery was effectively sidelined, and Mrs. McIntosh was forced to continue to wait for the city to demonstrate respect for this sacred space. In early 2026, the wheels began to turn again with the creation of a descendant advisory council, and not two weeks ago we celebrated the progress made in reclaiming Vick Cemetery. The morning was chilly and wet, and Mrs. McIntosh did not venture out to join us, but her son Charles A. McIntosh delivered remarks on her behalf.

Mrs. McIntosh embodied ninety-nine years of wisdom, resilience, and hope. I am endlessly grateful that her long journey allowed her to witness the dawn of the positive changes she championed.

Rest in perfect peace, Henrietta Hines McIntosh. My deepest condolences to the Hines-McIntosh family and to all who loved her. Please know how deeply we share your loss.

Private First Class Arthur Goodman.

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Arthur Goodman was born 20 October 1920 in Plowden’s Mill, Clarendon County, South Carolina, to Ed Goodman and Annie Blanding, both of Alcolu, S.C.

In the 1920 census of Harmony township, Clarendon County, S.C.: Edward Goodman, 27; wife Annie, 25; and son Arthur, 10 months.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: laborer Ed Goodman, 29; wife Annie, 26; and children James, 10, Authur, 9, Remel, 6, Louise, 3, Annie M., 2, and Gladys, 1.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Ed Goodman, 45, public service laborer; wife Annie, 36; and children James, 20, clothing store attendant, Arthur, 19, candy company deliveryman, Helen, 14, Annie Mae, 12, Gladys, 11, Isiah, 7, Dorthy, 6, and Eddie Jr., 4.

In 1942, Arthur Goodman registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 3 October 1920 in Manning, S.C.; lived at 1201 East Atlantic Street, Wilson; his contact was Annie Goodman, 214 South Reid Street, Wilson; and he worked for James R. Shannon at Acme Candy Company, 123 West Barnes Street, Wilson.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 303 Carroll Street, Arthur Goodman, 29, truck driver for wholesale candy company, and wife Estelle, 26, house cleaner.

Arthur Goodman died 3 January 1981.

Colored people buying more homes.

Wilson Daily Times, 5 June 1946.

  • Sally Barbour heirs — Sallie Barbour‘s house at 1100 East Nash Street.
  • Rev. Rufus Rogers
  • James Sellers and wife — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1105 Woodard Avenue, James Sellers, 52, bricklayer; wife Mena, 49; sons Willie, 24, apprentice bricklayer, Thadious, 31, and James Jr., 29, both bricklayers; daughter-in-law Remel, 26; grandson Jimmie, 10; granddaughter Sedalia, 7; son Liston Sellers, 39, tobacco factory day watchman; daughter-in-law Leah, 30, elementary teacher; daughter Hattie Sturdifen, 25, and her children Odett, 6, Shirley, 4, and Vivian, 3.
  • Essie Smith
  • George A. Barfoot — Barfoot held dozens and dozens of rental properties in East Wilson for decades.

Elijah Newsome, Co. G, 36th United States Colored Infantry.

Elijah Newsome did not long enjoy freedom. He was born about 1842 in Wilson County and enlisted at Washington, North Carolina, on 15 November 1863. He died “August 2 1865, on the passage from Brazos Santiago, Tx., to New Orleans on the steamer ‘Matagorda.'”

Following the end of the Civil War, the federal government ordered a massive deployment of troops to the Texas coast to secure the international border along the Rio Grande, re-establish federal authority, and enforce the emancipation of enslaved people. In June 1865, the steamship Matagorda was one of the primary naval transport vessels carrying Union troops from Virginia to Brazos Santiago.

John Hadley, Co. D, 37th United States Colored Troops.

On 31 January 1864, John Hadley enlisted in the United States Colored Troops in Washington, North Carolina. Born in what is now Wilson County about 1844, Hadley likely was enslaved by Thomas J. Hadley III (who held dozens in bondage) or IV.

Hadley was mustered into service at Norfolk, Virginia, by “Capt. Gould,” the officer who was responsible for processing and swearing in hundreds of newly freed individuals and volunteers enlisting in the United States Colored Troops. He was 18 years old. The same day, Gilbert Hadley, who may have been John’s brother, mustered into the same company.

Hadley did not return to Wilson County after he mustered out of service.

On 21 February 1867, John Hadley applied for a license to marry Flora Williams in New Hanover County, North Carolina. The same day, he was listed as a witness in support of James Harris’ application for arrears of pay and bounty for his brother Richard Taylor. Taylor had died in Wilmington in September 1865 while in military service. Hadley and Dock King attested to their close acquaintance with Taylor during his service in Company E, United States Colored Troops.

I have found no further record of him.

The obituary of Sissie Earp Robinson.

Wilson Daily Times, 28 October 1941.

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In the 1880 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: farmer Sidney Earp, 39; wife Nancy, 35; and children Marzilla, 14, Chistiny, 11, Cissy, 7, Lysaney N., 6, Octavia, 4, and Ive Sidney, 2.

On 16 December 1891, William R. Robinson, 20, of Old Fields, son of Katie Freeman, married Sallie W. Earp, 19, of Old Fields, daughter of Sidney and Nancy Earp at Sidney Earp’s residence.

In the 1900 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: blacksmith William Robinson, 29; wife Sissie, 27; and children Loomis, 7, Theodore, 6, Walter, 5, Mary N., George M., 2, and Joseph S., 10 months.

In the 1910 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: farmer William R. Robinson, 40; wife Cicero, 36; and children Lunice, 17, Lucian T., 16, Walter L., 15, Naney M., 14, George M., 12, Joe S., 10, Pauline, 8, Levesta, 6, Thelma, 4, Olza B., 3, and Katie S., 1.

In the 1920 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: farmer William R. Roberson, 49; wife Sissie, 48; and children Mary N., 22, Pauline, 18, Lemmon, 16, Sink, 14, Olzia, 12, Katie, 9, and William, 6.

In the 1930 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: farmer William R. Robinson, 59; wife Sissie, 58; children Katie, 21, and William, 16; and grandchildren Jessie, 11, Lessie, 9, and Joe S., 8.

In the 1940 census of Bailey township, Nash County, N.C.: Lamon Robertson, 36; wife Ina, 35; daughter Katrina, 15; mother Sissie W., 67, widow; and brother William, 25.

Sissie Robinson died 26 October 1941 near Bailey, Nash County, N.C. Per her death certificate, she was 69 years old; was born in Wilson County to Sidney Earpe and Mary Nancy [no maiden name]; was the widow of William Robinson; worked as a farmer; and was buried in New Vester Cemetery. Mary Nancy Reid was informant.

Private First Class Simon Ellis, sent overseas.

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In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer James Ellis, 42; wife Matilda, 38; and children Christine, 14, Simon, 10, and Naoma, 5.

In the 1940 census of South Whitakers township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer James Ellis, 53; wife Matilda, 49; and children Simon, 20, and Naoma, 14.

In 1941, Simon Ellis registered for the World War II draft in Edgecombe County, N.C. Per his registration card, he was born 17 February 1920 in Wilson County; lived in Rocky Mount, Edgecombe County; worked as farm laborer for Richard Fountain; and his contact was James Ellis.

Simon Ellis received an honorable discharge in October 1945 as a Technician Fifth Grade.

Simon Paul Ellis died 18 August 2000 and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery.

News and Observer (Raleigh, N.C.), 20 August 2000.

Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library; North Carolina Discharge and Statement of Service Records, http://www.ancestry.com.