Pfc. Elijah Ward Jr., stationed in the South Pacific.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 12 August 1944.

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In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: on Wilson & Moyeton Road, tenant farmer Elijah Ward, 34; wife Florance, 26; Hillary Wooten, 26, and Robert Speight, 35, servants; brother James Ward, 19, and Sarah Ward, 16.

In the 1940 census of Bullhead township, Greene County, N.C.: farmer Elijah Ward, 48; wife Geneva, 42; children Emma M., 19, Elijah, 18, William J., 16, Ida M., 14, Calvin, 13, and Teaser, 12; and grandchildren Archy L., 3, and Lillian, 1.

Former Wilson artist realizes ambition.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 13 August 1938.

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  • Daniel Edward Freeman
  • Ellen Wilson — in the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: William Wilson, 51, livery stable groom; wife Sarah, 48; and daughters Ellen, 23, and Lillian, 21.

Lane Street Project: Mount Zion A.M.E. Church Cemetery, Decatur, Georgia.

Though I will always be of Wilson, I have lived in Atlanta nearly all of my adult life. It is very much “home” for me, too, and is a bottomless well of African-American culture and history that often informs the way I process research and work related to Black Wide-Awake and Lane Street Project.

I’ve begun visiting metro Atlanta’s historic African-American burial grounds. How have they weathered exploding population growth, shifting demographics, outmigration, land loss, and other pressures? The sixth in a series — Mount Zion African Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery in Decatur, Georgia.

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Founded in 1870 as Rocky Knoll, Mount Zion is one of the oldest A.M.E. churches in DeKalb County. Shortly before the turn of the century, the church moved from its original Lawrenceville Highway location to this site on Lavista Road in Decatur. Its cemetery, which is still active, was established shortly after.

A few hundred graves shelter on terraces in a shady grove adjacent to the church. Several family plots are marked by low brick or stone walls, and the grave markers range from fieldstones to Eldren Bailey-made funeral home markers to modern, machine-cut granite headstones. Though many of the older markers are sunken or toppled, the cemetery is beautifully maintained in a semi-natural state.

Photos by Lisa Y. Henderson, April 2026.

Lane Street Project: we’ve leveled up!

We’re so pleased to share that we’ve formed a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, FRIENDS OF LANE STREET PROJECT, to enable us to better research, improve, and protect the cemeteries we champion. FoLSP’s primary focus will be Odd Fellows — increasing public awareness, amplifying clean-up efforts, and furthering efforts to identify who and how many people are buried there.

Thanks for all you’ve done to support LSP as a community collective. As we shift to a more organized entity, we’ll be rolling out fundraising initiatives and hope you will help us reach our goals. Tune in for more about our plans in upcoming weeks.

 

Green-Shade wedding announced.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 4 November 1944.

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  • Vera Green Shade — in the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 602 Green Street, drugstore owner Dr. I.A. Shade, 63; wife Estelle, 54, city school teacher; niece Myrtle Lane, 23, county school teacher, and nephew George Lane, 21, drugstore clerk; and roomers Louisa [illegible], county school teacher, Vera Green, 18, housekeeper, and Catherine Ward, 20, county school teacher.
  • Kenneth Shade

Signal Boost: One Love Neighborhood Empowerment Walk.

I didn’t see this flyer until after the fact, but I’m sharing it so you’ll be motivated to find out when One Love Neighborhood Empowerment Walk is again planning to traverse the heart of Historic East Wilson, beautifying our streets and getting in steps.

Lane Street Project’s own Senior Force stalwart Castonoble Hooks was invited yesterday to deliver a few history words to the volunteers gathered. I know he made sure they know they were walking through the neighborhood Samuel H. Vick built. 

George A. Spell wandered from home.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 16 April 1938.

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On 18 June 1913, Nerus Spell, 21, and Nancy Taylor, 21, were married in Wilson. Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony in the presence of Viola Strickland and Tincy Jones.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 510 South Lodge, tobacco factory cooper Nero Spells, 28; wife Nancy, 25, servant; and son George, 5.

In the 1928 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Spell Nancy (c) h 508 S Lodge

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 508 South Lodge, owned and valued at $3000, widow Nancy T. Spell, 35, private family cook; son George A., 15, tobacco factory worker; and daughter Mary C., 2.

In 1940, George A. Spell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 27 May 1915 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 508 South Lodge; his contact was aunt Mancy Bell, 508 South Lodge; and he worked at Watson Tobacco Company

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 508 South Lodge, Nancy Spell, 45; daughter Mary, 25; son Louis, 12; and lodgers Jordan Taylor, 65, Marshal McCormick, 27, and Carl Brown, 35.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 508 South Lodge, Nancy Spell, 54, and son George, 34.