Wilson Advance, 12 October 1883.

One hundred thirty-three years ago today, the Wilson Advance approvingly commented on the recuperation of Lewis Battle, a worthy colored man. Battle was a house servant of Alpheus Branch, who founded Branch Banking & Trust Company (now BB&T) in Wilson in 1887.

The fight had taken place a week earlier:

Wilson Advance, 5 October 1883.

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In the 1880 census of Town of Wilson, Wilson County: in the household of white merchant Alpheus Branch, 37, servants Louis Battle, 34, and Elias Taylor, 11.

On 2 October 1884, Lewis Battle, 35, married Jomima Terry, 23, at Samuel Williams‘ in Wilson. Methodist minister P.W. Howard performed the ceremony before John Thompson, H.P. Best and Edward Parish.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Louis Battle, 52, driver, and wife Joemima, 31, washer.