Attached to the Commercial Bank of Wilson’s  1921 certificate of incorporation is a list of the names of all the bank’s investors, providing information about their net worth, number of shares, and occupation.  Most of the more than 150 shareholders — overwhelmingly African-American men — lived in Wilson or Wilson County, but adjoining counties like Wayne, Greene and Johnston were represented, as well as more far-flung cities like Durham and Elizabeth City, North Carolina.  The investors were farmers and contractors, merchants and ministers, teachers and barbers with estimated wealth ranging from $300 to $50,000.

This is the first in a series introducing these men and women:

• Aiken, Georgia, Mrs., Wilson, estimated worth: $5000, dressmaker.

In the 1910 census of the Town of Wilson, Wilson County: Virginia-born John Aiken, 44, and North Carolina-born wife Georgia, 38. John worked at a livery stable.

Georgia Crockett Aikens died 17 August 1939 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 67 years old, born in Wayne County to William Crockett and Rachel Powell, resided at 120 Pender Street in Wilson, and was married to John Aikens.

• Adkinson, Thomas, Kenly, $1000, farmer.
• Armstrong, Augustus, Elm City, $1000, farmer.
• Armstrong, Frank, Elm City, $1000, farmer.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Wilson and Tarboro Road, Frank Armstrong, 30, wife Mary, 26, and children Lucy, 5, Grace, 3, and Josuah, 1.

Frank Armstrong died 14 November 1961 in Mercy Hospital, Wilson. His death certificate indicates that he was born 5 January 1891 in Wilson County to Josh Armstrong and Harriet Bullock. He was buried in Rest Haven cemetery; Vinnie Armstrong was informant.

• Armstrong, Garry, Elm City, $15000, farmer.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Wilson Rocky Mount Road, farmer Gary Armstrong, 73, wife Henrietta, 65, and daughter Minnie, 28.

Garry Armstrong died 1 February 1928 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 82 years old, born in Edgecombe County to Abraham and Cherry Armstrong, and married to Henrietta Armstrong. He was buried in a family cemetery in Wilson County, and John H. Armstrong was informant for his death certificate.

• Armstrong, George, Elm City, $1000, farmer.
• Armstrong, H.A., Farmville, $500, farmer.
• Armstrong, John H., Elm City, $1000, farmer.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot, Wilson County: farmer John Armstrong, 43, wife Mary, 40, and children James, 18, Bessie, 17, Harvey, 16, William, 11, John, 9, Laura, 7, Mammie, 5, Hattie, 4, and Attie, 1.

John H. Armstrong died 1 February 1939 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 August 1877 in Wilson County to Garrett Armstrong and Henretta Williams, and married to Mary Johnson Armstrong. He was buried in a family cemetery in Wilson County, and James A. Armstrong was informant for his death certificate.

• Armstrong, Joseph, Elm City, $1000, farmer.
• Armstrong, Joshua, Elm City, $10000, farmer.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Wilson Elm City Road, Josh Armstrong, 61, wife Harriet, 58, and children Annie, 28, Willie, 22, Arthur, 19, Minnie, 18, Charlie, 17, Ada, 15, and James, 11.

Joshua Armstrong died 22 June 1925 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 65 years old, a farmer, born in Edgecombe County to Abram and Cherry Armstrong, and married to Harriet Armstrong. Frank Armstrong was informant for his death certificate.

• Armstrong, Moses, Elm City, $1000, farmer.

Moses S. Armstrong died 23 November 1961 at his home at 62 Wilson Street in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. His death certificate states that he was born 12 February 1893 in Wilson County to Garry Armstrong and Henriett (maiden name unknown). He was buried in a family cemetery in Town Creek, North Carolina, and wife Lillie Armstrong was informant.

• Armstrong, Nelson, Elm City, $10000, farmer.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot, Wilson County: Nelson Armstrong, 60, wife Mary, 50, and boarder Grover Barnes, 19.

Nelson Armstrong died 8 December 1934 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 80 years old, a farmer, born in Edgecombe County to Abraham and Cherry Armstrong, and a widower. Henry Armstrong of Sharpsburg, North Carolina, was informant for his death certificate.

• Artis, C.E., Wilson, $1500, undertaker.

In the 1910 census of Stantonsburg, Wilson County: grocery storekeeper Columbus Artis, 24, his brothers June Scott, 20, and Henry J. Artis, 16, and lodgers John Newson, 30, and Eliga Diggs, 24, all of whom worked as laborers in a box factory.

Columbus Estelle Artis died 18 March 1973 in Wilson. According to his death certificate, C.E. was born 28 August 1886 to Adam T. Artis and Manda Aldridge. Married to Ruby Barber and residing at 611 East Green Street, he was a retired undertaker. He was buried at Rest Haven cemetery, Wilson.

• Artis, J.S., Wilson, $2000, farmer.

In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg & Wilson Road, farm manager June S. Artis, 30, wife Ethel, 26, and children James, 7, Edgar, 7, Manda Bell, 3, and farm laborer Edgar Exum.

June Scott Artis died 2 June 1973 in Stantonsburg, Wilson County.  His death certificate reports that he was married to Ethel Becton and was born 23 November 1895 to Adam Artis and Mandy Aldridge.  He was buried 7 June 1973 at Artis Cemetery, Wayne County.

• Artis, Robert, Lucama, $7500, farmer.
• Ayers, Henry, Lucama, $1000, farmer.