Month: November 2015

Yes ‘um, I’se had a bad time.

An interview with Blount Baker, 106 Spruce Street, Wilson, North Carolina, interviewer Mary A. Hicks:

“Yes’um, I ‘longed ter Marse Henry Allen of Wilson County an’ we always raise terbacker. Marse Henry wus good ter us so we had a heap of prayer meetin’s an’ corn shuckin’s an’ such. “I ‘members de big meetin’s dat we’d have in de summer time an’ dat good singin’ we’d have when we’d be singin’ de sinners through. We’d stay pretty nigh all night to make a sinner come through, an’ maybe de week after de meetin’ he’d steal one of this marster’s hogs. Yes’um, I’se had a bad time.

“You know, missy, dar ain’t no use puttin’ faith in nobody, they’d fool you ever time anyhow. I know once a patteroller tol’ me dat iffen I’d give him a belt I found dat he’d let me go by ter see my gal dat night, but when he kotch me dat night he whupped me. I tol’ Marse Henry on him too so Marse Henry takes de belt away from him an’ gives me a possum fer hit. Dat possum shore wus good too, baked in de ashes like I done it.

“I ain’t never hear Marse Henry cuss but once an’ dat wus de time dat some gentlemens come ter de house an’ sez dat dar am a war ‘twixt de north an’ de south. He sez den, ‘Let de damn yaller bellied Yankees come on an’ we’ll give ’em hell an’ sen’ dem a-hoppin’ back ter de north in a hurry.’

“We ain’t seed no Yankees ‘cept a few huntin’ Rebs. Dey talk mean ter us an’ one of dem says dat we n*ggers am de cause of de war. ‘Sir,’ I sez, ‘folks what am a wantin’ a war can always find a cause’. He kicks me in de seat of de pants fer dat, so I hushes.

“I stayed wid Marse Henry till he died den I moved ter Wilson. I has worked everwhere, terbacker warehouses an’ ever’thing. I’se gittin’ of my old age pension right away an’ den de county won’t have ter support me no mo’, dat is if dey have been supportin’ me on three dollars a month.”

Slave Narratives (1936-1939), Works Project Administration [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.   

Under Rev. Henry, Little Zion grew.

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In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Mack Henry, 51, wife Elen S., 38, and children James T., 14, Pochahuntus, 12, Emma G., 9, George B., 7, and Pattie L., 2. All were born in Virginia except Pattie, who was born in North Carolina. Mack, Ellen and James worked as tobacco graders.

In the 1910 census of Clayton, Johnston County, North Carolina: Mack Henry, 55, tobacco grader; wife Ellen, 45, cook; daughters Pocahontas Farmer, 23, and Emma Hinton, 20, washwomen; daughter Pattie L. Henry, 14; son William T. Henry, 10; daughter Jessie Maie Henry, 5; and granddaughters Elizabeth Farmer, 1, and an unnamed Hinton girl, 1 month.

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From Greater Little Zion Baptist Church History. Greater Little Zion is in Fairfax, Virginia, in an area of the city once called Burke.

Booker T. Washington will speak at the colored school.

From Swann Galleries’ catalog for Public Auction Sale 2377, 26 March 2015, “Printed & Manuscript African Americana”:

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Swann Galleries is a New York City auction house founded in 1941. It is a specialist auctioneer of antique and rare works on paper, and it is considered the oldest continually operating New York specialist auction house.

The last will and testament of Bartley Deans.

In the name of God Amen, I Bartley Deans, Senior, of the County of Wilson and State of North Carolina, being weak in body, but of perfect mind and mercy, blessed be God for his goodness towards me, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, in manner and form following, that is to say after my decease, and being decently buried at the discretion of my Executors and friends, and all of my just Debts is paid out of what it has pleased God to bless me with, I leave the balance of my property to be disposed of in the following manner to wit:

Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Salley Hinnant and her three children, four negroes, namely the negro woman Hestor, I give and bequeath to Salley Hinnant, my daughter, the Negro Man Jerry, I give and bequeath unto my grandson William Hinnant, the Negro Boy Bunyan, I give and bequeath to my grandson Ransom Hinnant, the girl Sithey, I give and bequeath to Aby Rentfrow and all the increase she may have hereafter to them, their heirs, and assigns for ever. I also give to my daughter Salley Hinnant one Negro child named Zilley.

Item, I give and bequeath unto my Son James Deans, five Negroes, namely Mosey, Hack, Ben, Isaac and Molley and one hundred and forty-four dollars and seventy-five cents to be raised and paid out of my estate to him, his heirs and assigns for ever. I also give and bequeath unto Frances Deans one Negro Girl named Patty.

Item, I give and bequeath to my grandson Bartley Applewhite two Negroes namely Matey and her youngest child named Amos, and Seventy-two dollars and thirty-seven cents to be raised and paid out of my estate, to him, his heirs, and assigns for ever.

Item, I give and bequeath to my Grandson Elisha Applewhite two Negroes, namely Cresay, and her youngest child, namely June, and Seventy-two Dollars and thirty-seven cents to be raised and paid out of my estate to him, his heirs, and assigns for ever.

Item. I lend to my son Bartley Deans, Junior and his wife Dearing of both of their life times all the land that I own on the North east side of the little Swamp consisting of two Tracts of Land, that formerly belonged to Kesiah Williamson and was sold at her death by the Clerk Master of Equity, for a division amongst the lawful heirs, and the other tract of land lies on the North East side of the little Swamp whereon he now lives, supposed to be four hundred acres in the home tract, and about three hundred in the row tract. And I leave all the above land that lies on the North East side of the little Swamp, and I also leave the above lent land, both tracts to be equally divided between my four grandsons, namely Jackson Deans, David Deans, Jessie Deans, and Stephen Deans, and after the death of my son Bartley Deans, I give and bequeath unto my four grandsons above named all of my right, title and claim to the above lent land to them, their heirs, and assigns for ever. I also lend to my son Bartley Deans, until they are called for, the use and labor of four negro girls, Mendy. I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Tempay Ann Deans, and the negro girl Linda – I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Elizabeth Little and the negro girl Charity – I give and bequeath unto Mahala Deans, and the negro girl Pashey – I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter Martha Deans – my sons youngest daughter, to be divided as above mentioned to them, their heirs and assigns forever. I give and bequeath unto my son Bartley Deans, Junior one hundred and forty-four dollars and seventy-five cents, with what I have heretofore given him, to be raised and paid out of my estate, to him, his heirs, and assigns for ever.

Item, I give and bequeath to my son Wilie Deans, one negro woman named Lear, and her child named John and one Negro Man Blacksmith, named Harry and a negro boy named Minggo, and I also give to my sons oldest daughter Mary Ann Williamson, one Negro Girl named Catey with what I have heretofore given them, their heirs and assigns for ever. Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Charles Deans the tract of land whereon he now lives, called the Peele land, containing four hundred and fourteen acres be the same, more or less. I also give & bequeath unto him four negroes, namely Virgil and Rachel, and their two children, namely Henry and Louis. I also give to my son Charles Deans, one hundred and forty-four dollars and seventy-five cents, to be raised out of my estate and paid over to him, his heirs and assigns for ever.

Item, I lend to my daughter Tempsy Winborn during all her life time, one hundred and fifty acres of land, called the Pecasan Land, adjoining William Hinnants land, on the south side of said land, and Nancy Godwin on the North side of said land. I also lend her five negroes namely, Thaney, Jason, Nisey, Louisa and Edmund and I give to my daughter Tempsy Winborn, one horse or mule her choice, one sow and pig, two cows & calves, one featherbed, stead, and furniture and after my decease and the probate of this will is duly proven and confirmed by the County Court of Wilson, for my Executors at the first sale at the Pecason, to deliver up all the above lend property, land & negroes, to my daughter Tempy Winborn, during of her life-time, and the increase of the Negroes from the date of this Will, if any, and after the delivery of the above lent property, to my Daughter Tempy Winborn at the pecason, I authorize my Executors to lay off and allot to my daughter Tempy, out of crop and Stock, one whole years provision, for her and her family, and stock, and after the death of my daughter Tempy Winborn, I leave all of the above lent property, both land and Negroes to be equally divided between all of Catherine Hinnants children, Lenoire Hinnant and Lucy Hinnant, and all the rest of the children that Catharine Hinnant may have, by her husband William Hinnant hereafter, to have an equal part of the above lent property with the two children that is now born, for which I give and bequeath unto them all at that day, if any more leave children.

Item, I give and bequeath to my youngest Son, Jeremiah Deans, my home plantation to him, his heirs and assigns for ever. I also give and bequeath to my son Jeremiah seven negroes, namely Darkes, Rhuben, Peter, Silvey and her two children named Louisa and Piettey and Bryant. I give him one Brandy Stile, Cap and Worm, and all the Cider Casks and two cows and calves, two sows and pigs, two Ewes and Lambs and one Mule and breeding Mare, his choice; I give him two featherbeds, bedsteads and furniture to both beds, six sitting chairs, one desk and one Chaney press, with all glass and eathernware in it. The Chaney press stands in the great house. I also give him two pots and pot hook racks, one dutch oven, one frying-pan, one gredil, one case Knifes and forks, and six table spoons and one table, to him, his heirs and assigns for ever. I also give him one years provision out of my Crop for his family and Stock.

Item, I leave all of my personal property that is not given away nor lent in this will to be sold on credit of six months with interest from the date with the land lying in Wayne County, and on the south side of Quotenaey Creake at the bridge and Hadles Mill containing one hundred and fifty acres and fore likely negro boys named Ransom, Joseph, James and Randel and the money arising from the sale of the above named property and the money that is justley due me at my death to be applied in paying of all of my just debts and the legacies given away in this will and if any remainder be left I leave it to be eaqully divided between all of my children my son Dempsey ? excepted.

I nominate, constitute and appoint my son Wiley Deans and William Hinnant my hole soles executors to this my last will and testament disannulling and revoking all other wills heretofore by me made and rattifying and confirming this to be my last will and testament in witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 4 day of July in the year of our Lord 1860.   /s/ Bartley Deans {seal}

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Bartley Deans (1776-1860) is listed in the 1850 census of Nash County and in 1860, after partition, in Old Fields Township, Wilson County. His will disposed of 44 enslaved people.

North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998 [database on-line], Ancestry.com.

Charles Tecumseh Battle.

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Frank Lincoln Mather, ed., Who’s Who of the Colored Race, vol. 1 (1915).

Charles Battle, son of Benja Sorsby and Edith Battle, married Lear Hargrove, daughter of Alfred Parker and Venice Hargrove, on 20 June 1869 in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census, Rocky Mount, Edgecombe County: blacksmith Charles Battle, 27, wife Leah, 29, and daughter Susan, 9 months.

In the 1880 census, Wilson, Wilson County: blacksmith Charles Battle, 35, wife Leah, 30, and children Adelia, 5, Geneva, 2, Virgil, 1 month, and Nicholas, 18.

In the 1900 census, Wilson, Wilson County: blacksmith Charley Battle, 50, a widower; son Charley, 10; and Menerver Edwards, 58, a hired washwoman.

In the 1910 census, Stantonsburg, Wilson County: blacksmith Charlie Battle, 60, and son Charlie Jr., 21, also a blacksmith, were lodgers in the household of widowed farmer Sarah Artis, 48, and her children Willie, 22, Lillie G., 16, and Nora, 10, grandsons Marcellous, 14, and Alexander Artis, 10, and son-in-law Paul Harris, 22.

In the 1920 census of Iowa township, Logan County, Oklahoma: North Carolina-born, 30 year-old public school teacher Charles T. Battle [son of Charles and Leah], Alabama-born wife Leana, 25, and son Charles T., Jr., 1 year.

In the 1930 census of Mobile, Mobile County, Alabama, on Cedar Avenue: 41 year-old insurance collector Charles T. Battle, wife Leana, 32, and children Charles T., 11, Barbara G., 7, Elliott F., 5, Lya G., 4, Earl P., 11 months, and sister-in-law Ethel L. Peters.

Five daughters, four days.

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Rocky Mount Herald, 1 March 1935.

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In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Frank Speight, 50, wife Jeanetta, 30, children Freman, 17, Kenny, 16, Bessie, 14, Polena, 8, Curly, 9, Jennie, 5, and Rozetta, 2, plus nieces Hannah, 5, Ada, 2, and Sadie, 3 months.

In the 1930 census of Saratoga, township, Wilson County: Frank Speight, 58, wife Virginia, 45, and children (grandchildren? nieces/nephews?) Fremond, 25, Cullin, 19, Kennie, 23, Bessie, 22, Paulina, 18, Margerie, 14, Rosa, 12, Sadie, 10, Raymond, 5, Mamie, 5, Flora, 7, May B., 2, Maggie, 21, Hannah, 12, Fannie, 13, Jesse, 18, Adel, 7, and Elizabeth, 6, plus boarder Walter Bymon [Bynum], 45.

His father is a free negro.

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North-Carolina Free Press (Tarboro), 24 January 1832.

$25 REWARD.

RAN AWAY from the Subscriber, in May Court week last, a bright mulatto boy named JOHN, about 19 or 20 years of age, 5 feet 6 or 7 inches high, thick set and well built – he has a scar under his jaw, (I think the left jaw,) and thick ankles.  He is a shrewd fellow, and will perhaps alter his name and attempt to pass as a free man.  His father is a free negro, named Hardy Lassiter, living on Toisnot.  The above reward will be given for John’s apprehension, if delivered to me in Edgecombe county, or secured in any jail so that I can get him again.  All persons are hereby forbid harboring, employing, carrying off said boy, under the penalty of law.  SAMUEL FARMER.  Nov. 28, 1831.

 

Studio shots, no. 3: Annie Eatmon Locus.

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Annie Eatmon Locus was born about 1877 in Wilson County to Wilmouth Eatmon (circa 1834-circa 1910), a woman of color, and Hackney High, a white man.  She married Acey (or Ace or Asa) Locus (1860-1958), son of Martin and Eliza Brantley Locus, and their children included Larry, Johnnie, Eva, Ada and Paul Locus.  Annie E. Locus died in 1952.

4-8-1952

Wilson Daily Times, 8 April 1952.

Photo courtesy of Gregory J. Wilkins.

A parcel on the corner of Pine and Lee.

George D. Green & Wife to Mike Taylor. Deed.

State of North Carolina, County of Wilson    }

This Deed Made this the 11th day of February, 1896, by George D. Green, and wife, Ella M. Green, parties of the first part, and Mike Taylor, party of the second part, all of the town of Wilson, County and State aforesaid, Witnesseth: —

That the said parties of the first part for an in consideration of the Sun of Five Hundred And Fifty Dollars to them in hand (the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged) have bargained and Sold, and do by these presents bargain, Sell and convey unto the Said party of the Second part, his heirs and assigns, that lot or parcel of land lying and being Situate in the town of Wilson, on the corner of Pine and Lee Streets, County and State aforesaid fronting on Pine Street about 143 feet and Lee Street about 83 feet, it being the lot purchased from Warren Woodard and wife by George D. Green, To Have And To Hold Said lot of land unto the Said party of the Second part, his heirs and assigns, forever. And the said George W. Green for himself and his heirs doth covenant to and with the Said Mike Taylor that he will forever warrant and defend the title to said land against the lawful claimer claims of all other persons whatsoever.

In Testimony whereof the Said parties of the first part have hereunto Set their hands and Seals, the day and year first above written.

Witness: Geo. D. Green, Ella M. Green

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The lot George Green sold Mike Taylor was situated on the corner of Pine and Lee, out toward Maplewood cemetery on what was then Wilson’s western edge.  In the 1900 census of the town of Wilson, Wilson County, neither streets nor house numbers are listed, but it’s reasonable to assume that the Taylors — Mike, a drayman; his wife Rachel, who did washing; and their children Rodgrick [Roderick], Maggie, Mattie, Madie, Bertha E., and Hennie G. — were living on the lot, and the 1908-1909 Wilson city directory lists Taylor, a driver, at 114 West Lee.

The 1910 census of Wilson paints a clearer picture of the little enclave in which the Taylors lived. Though he did not note house numbers, the censustaker inked “Lee St” along the edge of Sheet 27A of his survey of Enumeration District 116. The page records 50 residents, of whom 30, living in five consecutive households, were black. With the Taylors were the families of Jim and Annie Parrott, John and Cora Norfleet, John and Pattie Lassiter, Sam and Maggie Ennicks [Ennis], and Frank and Lizzie Bullock. The men worked a variety of jobs: a blacksmith, two odd jobs laborers, a gardener, a drayman. The women were cooks or laundresses.

The censustaker’s path is not clear. The Taylors were on the corner at 114 West Lee. According to the 1908-09 directory, the Bullocks were in the next block at 202 West Lee. The Ennises — Maggie was Mike and Rachel’s daughter — lived in the small house built on the back of the Taylor lot at 409 North Pine. In the 1912-13 city directory, Pattie Lassiter is listed at 200 West Lee, but John Norfleet was at 306 E. Barnes, on the other side of downtown. The Parrotts are found in neither directory. In any case, it is clear that these families formed a tiny cluster, and this cluster was unique in its surroundings. On the enumeration sheets before and after that listing the Taylors and their neighbors, the residents are overwhelmingly white.

Prior to Samuel H. Vick’s 1906 division of Rountree Place into the neighborhood now seen as the heart of East Wilson (more on that later), African-Americans lived dispersed across the southern half of town. For most of the 20th century, however, Wilson maintained a well-defined residential segregation pattern, with black neighborhoods confined to the south and east side of the Atlantic Coast Line (later Seaboard Coast Line, now CSX) railroad. The Daniel Hill community, a mile or so west of downtown, was the well-known exception. For first quarter of the century, however, African-Americans claimed another tiny toehold, now forgotten, just west of the tracks at Pine and Lee.

The 1913 Sanborn map, the earliest detailing the neighborhood, reveals a relatively large one-story frame house with an L-shaped porch wrapping around its west front corner. By time the 1922 Sanborn map was drawn, the city’s street numbering system had changed, and the address was now 108 West Lee.  The Taylors had also added a small porch to the back of the house.

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The 1922 Wilson city directory lists Henry Perry and his son Thomas Perry at 108 West Lee, as well as gardener Mike Taylor. Henry’s deceased wife Lucinda Barnes Perry, “Cintha,” had been a sister of Rachel Barnes Taylor.

Rachel and Mike Taylor remained at 108 West Lee until their deaths in 1925 and 1927. The address is now a vacant lot.

Deed Book 50, page 14, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson NC.