Lane Street Project: a headstone workshop.

I first visited College View Cemetery in July 2025. Though the edge closest to a neighboring church was kept mowed, the cemetery was in rough shape. Collapsed vaults, broken headstones, exploding kudzu. Back in February, though, One Square Mile Project Inc. began to tackle College View’s disrepair. Their progress in just eight months is astounding and worthy of loud praise. 

This morning I went back out to College View for a hands-on workshop on documenting, restoring, resetting, and cleaning headstones. 

A new marker reveals that College View was founded about 1896 and is roughly the size of Wilson’s Vick Cemetery.

One Square Mile Project is a community-driven initiative in College Park focused on restoring College View Cemetery and honoring the history of the surrounding African-American community. 

I was excited to see that the workshop was led by Ashley Shares of Oakland Cemetery and Level Spirit Preservation and Kellea Roberson, a recent Georgia State University Master of Heritage Preservation graduate.

Now on my to-do list: create a form like this for a survey of Odd Fellows.

College View is full of Eldren Bailey markers.

Cox Brothers offered Cadillac goods and services, like the fancy metal plate on this headstone.

Repairing an Eldren Bailey headstone.

Resetting a row of headstones. 

Many thanks to One Square Mile for their preservation efforts at College Park and for the wonderful opportunity to learn best practices.

 

Lane Street Project: the Season 7 clean-up schedule is out!

Great things are happening at Vick Cemetery — now help us prepare Odd Fellows Cemetery for its glow-up!

Who do we want? You — and your friends, family, classmates, sorors and frat brothers, lodge members, church organizations, youth groups, alumni organizations, coworkers and colleagues, and students. All are welcome.

To do what? Clear debris from small felled trees, cut vines, chop weeds, cut grass, clean headstones, chart grave GPS coordinates, donate funds for ongoing and future projects (including ground-penetrating radar, an interpretive sign, professional defoliation services, and headstone stabilization), say prayers for safety and success, document.

What do I need to do? Please read last year’s What To Expect. (Conditions have changed a bit, for the better, but it’s still a useful guide.) We have had volunteers ranging from toddlers to seasoned seniors over the past six seasons. We welcome all to contribute as they are able, but please be aware that there are safety risks associated with clean-up of a forested space. So far, no one has been injured while working in Odd Fellows, and we want to keep it that way. You will be required to sign a waiver. Wear appropriate shoes, long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and gloves. Watch out for holes in the ground. Do not attempt to cut down trees. Do not lean on, push, or pull grave markers.

Got it. Now what? Gather your team, and let us know you’re coming! Our past partners have included Greenfield School, Barton College, Saint Timothy’s Episcopal Church, Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Delta Sigma Theta and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sororities, Homeschoolers Honoring Ancestors, Wilson Police Department and Fire/Rescue Services, and Mount Hebron Lodge No. 42. We’ve also welcomed folks from Raleigh, Durham, Fayetteville, Richmond, Brooklyn, and elsewhere who have been drawn to our mission to reclaim this sacred space. We hope you’ll join us!!

Rest in peace, Henrietta Hines McIntosh.

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

After my father’s family moved to Queen Street, Eva Hines moved her family into 303 Elba Street. As a child, Mrs. McIntosh walked with her mother from Elba to Vick Cemetery on Sunday afternoons to visit her father Charles Hines‘ grave. I first heard of her deep personal connection to Vick 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 had experienced due to decades of neglect and damage at Vick. A day later, she sat front and center at the Reconsecration ceremony Lane Street Project held at the cemetery.

For more than two years after Reconsecration, the City effectively sidelined Vick Cemetery, and Mrs. McIntosh was forced to continue to wait for respect to be restored to 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. Mrs. McIntosh understandably did not venture out into chilly rain 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.