This photograph was published in the 1950 edition of The Trojan, the yearbook of C.H. Darden High School. Students in the Class of ’50 were born in and around 1932, so the men and women depicted here were likely born roughly 1890-1915.
If you can identify anyone in this picture, please contact me. Thank you.
Nettie Elizabeth Horne Barnes.
Nettie Elizabeth Barnes, 104, of Wilson County, died Monday, May 15, 2017. Funeral services will be held noon Saturday at St. James Christian Church, Disciples of Christ. A wake will be held 11 a.m.-noon Saturday, prior to the funeral at St. James Christian Church. A public viewing will be 3-6 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home. Mrs. Barnes is survived by six sons, Levi Barnes Jr. of East Orange, New Jersey, Willie Earl Barnes of Hillside, New Jersey, David Barnes of Walstonburg, Lawrence Barnes of Hampton, Virginia, William Barnes of Las Vegas, Nevada and Orlando Barnes of Lanham, Maryland; one adopted son, Carson Fields of Wilson; two daughters, Mary Woodard of Bowie, Maryland and Evelyn Shirl Clegg of Raleigh. Arrangements are by Stevens Funeral Home, 1820 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway.
— Wilson Times, 17 May 2017.
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In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on an improved dirt road, Levi Barnes, 20; wife Elizabeth, 18; and daughter Nora, 1; plus Levi’s brothers Jessie, 22, and Joe H. Barnes, 21, and relative Arnold Barnes, 18.
In the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Levi Barnes, 30; wife Elizabeth, 27; and children Nora Mae, 11, Vernistine, 9, Levi Jr., 7, Eula Sue, 5, James M., 3, and Willie E., 1; plus brother-in-law Wesley Beaman, 32, and sister Ethelene, 28.
Herbert Woodard Sr., age 100.
Herbert Woodard Sr., 100, of 1735 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway, died peacefully on Saturday, June 21, 2008, at Pitt County Memorial Hospital, Greenville. Herbert, son of the late James and Nancy Woodard, was born July 4, 1907, in Wilson County. Herbert was reared in Wilson County, where he attended the public schools. Though he never went beyond the 4th grade, what he lacked in education, he gained in common sense and wisdom. In the 100 years he lived, “Herb,” as he was affectionately called by friends, saw a lot of changes in this nation — from the rise of the age of television to the possibility of a black man becoming the president of these United States. He started working at the age of 13 to provide financial stability, not only for his family, but for others as well. Always self-employed, this magnate’s business ventures were successful whether selling coal and fish or by hauling water to men working at the now defunct Hackney Wagon Company. He cleaned septic tanks by day and ran a “Night Club” at night. He was the only black man to own and operate a motel in Wilson. It can be truthfully said that he was successful in every business he started. In celebration of Herbert’s 100th birthday, Mayor Bruce Rose presented him the key to the City of Wilson. Surviving to cherish fond memories are his wife, Mrs. Georgia Battle Woodard, of the home; two daughters, Georgie W. Hobbs of Hillside, N.J. and Annie Miller Woodard of Wilson; three sons, Ralph Woodard of Yonkers, N.Y., Herbert Woodard Jr., and David Woodard, both of Wilson; 13 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and other relatives and friends. Funeral services for Mr. Woodard will be conducted Friday, June 27, 2008, at 1 p.m. at St. Rose Church of Christ, Disciples of Christ, 605 S. Douglas St., Wilson. Bishop M.W. Johnson will officiate. Burial will follow in the Rest Haven Cemetery. The family will receive visitors and friends at a wake on Thursday, June 26, 2008, from 7-8 p.m. at the Hamilton Funeral Chapel, 726 S. Tarboro St., Wilson, and at other times at the residence.
—Wilson Times, 25 June 2008.
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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Nancy Woodard, 33, widow, and children Lizzie, 14, Mamie, 11, Hubbard [Herbert], 4, and David, 2. [In fact, Nancy Woodard was divorced.]
On 13 February 1924, Herbert Woodard, 21, son of London and Nancy Woodard, married Mary Jones, 18, daughter of Tom and Mary Jones. Dock Barnes [husband of Herbert’s half-sister Lizzie Woodard Barnes] applied for the license, and A.M.E. Zion minister John A. Barnes performed the ceremony at the bride’s home. Witnesses were Walter Barnes, Roosevelt Lipscomb, and David Downey.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Herbert Woodard, 32, self-employed manager of filling station restaurant; wife Lucille, 28; and lodger Jimmy Long, 24, tire repairer at filling station.
In 1940, Herbert Woodard registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. His card noted that he was self-employed:
Woodard’s original filling station-cum-grocery store, built in 1935.
Jesse “Buster” Forte Jr. in front of a later version of the business.
Woodard’s Motel, at left, and the Herbert Woodard home today. At the time of construction, they were at the far outskirts of east Wilson where Nash Street became Highway 264. Image courtesy Google Maps.
On 9 February 2008, just months before his death, the Wilson Daily Times printed a full-page story on Herbert Woodard in its Life/Feature section. His story is told largely in his own words and those of his children, and all the photos above, except the last, were reprinted from that article.
In 1991, front desk clerk turned newspaper man Roy G. Taylor (1918-1995) self-published a memoir of his years working in Wilson. Though tinged with the casual racism of the time, My City, My Home offers fascinating glimpses of Wilson in the World War II era.
Here are excerpts:
“Anyway, [hotel owner J.T. Barnes] had a suite on the mezzanine floor, 221 and 223. And Jesse Knight was his personal servant and also a bell hop. Lessie, Jesse’s wife, had worked for the Barnes family.” p. 9
“The roster of bell hops at the Cherry in the 1940s included Jesse Knight, whom I mentioned earlier; Ruel Bullock, Henry Potter, Robert Haskins, Clarence Holly, Fred Artis, Peacock (the only name he was called by), Louis Hines and “Rent” Gay, Uncle Charlie’s son. Uncle Charlie was old and had a stiff leg and he went around with a feather mop, dusting off things, and he loved whisky better than most men love women.”
“… Henry was a large man and rather lazy acting. When he wasn’t busy he would sit in the lobby in a rather slouchy position, but jumped up hurriedly when the bell sounded. And he was the best one about going for the mail. But I’d have to say Henry was the ‘densest’ one of the crowd.”
“Ruel was of light skin, and a rather handsome man. He was a family man and had 10 children. He worked during the day, as did Henry.”
“Robert was dark-skinned and a rather tall, large man and he was a little more serious than most of the men. Robert worked mostly the day shift also but would work at night if it became necessary.”
“Clarence was a night man. And talk about sly! He was something else. Of course, all the boys were sly, although all of them were always courteous to the desk people and all were ready to do whatever was asked of them. I never remember any of the bell hops being disrespectful while I was there.”
“Fred Artis was a tall, thin man and he could swing from day to night duty. And Fred is still around. He is employed by the Arts Council of Wilson.”
“Peacock always worked nights. He was the head night man. Peacock was nice too, and he looked after the guests. But he was a sly one too.”
“Louis was a tall, well-built man that had a lot of charisma. ‘Rent’ was also thin and tall and very neat in appearance and as I recall, he worked mostly at night also.” pp. 29-30
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Undated postcard.
[Sidenote: I can guess, but perhaps someone can clarify what “sly” meant in the usage of the day? — LYH]
C.H. Darden & Sons is credited as the first African-American undertaking establishment in Wilson. In the first quarter of the 20th century, however, a few others managed to establish a toehold in the funeral business, which was rapidly professionalizing. During this era, most African-Americans in the county still turned to family members or hardware stores to bury their dead, but in town trained undertakers increasingly vied for business.
In the 1908 Wilson city directory, C.H. Darden & Son is the sole black funeral business listed. This early start laid a foundation for their dominance of the trade for decades.
In the 1915 Wilson city directory, Darden was joined by Columbus E. Artis, who was described as an undertaker, though it’s not clear for whom he worked or if he owned his own business at that time.
This 1918 death certificate for Joshua Barnes lists A. Batts as undertaker:
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1000 Nash Street, undertaker Amos Batts, 48; wife Jennie, 38, and children Eddie, 16, Joseph, 9, Olive, 6, and Josephean, 4.
Three years later, the death certificate of Stephen Simms lists Batts Brothers & Artis as undertakers. Presumably, Amos Batts was one of the Batts brothers who joined forces with C.E. Artis for a short stretch. I have not been able to identify the other Batts brother.
Rivalries between the young businesses sometimes took terrible turns.
The 1925 Wilson city directory carries entries for ARTIS & FLANAGAN (C E Artis, W E Flanagan) funeral directors 563 E Nash — phone 1183 and DARDEN C H & SONS (C H, C L & A N), funeral directors 608-610 E Nash — phone 60. (Walter E. Flanagan lived in Greenville, North Carolina.) Gussie Mae Blackman‘s burial was handled by Artis & Flanagan:
The Darden sons were Camillus L. Darden and Arthur N. Darden. They and their father dominated the black funeral business in Wilson in this decade, and began making inroads into townships outside the town.
Amos Batts was still in Wilson in 1925, but was listed in the directory without an occupation (other than lodge officer.) Nonetheless, Batts Brothers continued to handle burials, as shown on Sarah Batts‘ January 1925 death certificate.
In the 1928 city directory, Batts is again listed as an undertaker.
C.E. Artis was in business by himself by 1928. In addition to his work in Wilson, he performed considerable services in neighboring Wayne County, especially in and around Eureka, where he was born.
Darden and Artis were the leading black undertaking establishments in Wilson through the middle of the century, when they were joined by Edwards Funeral Home and a branch of the Goldsboro-based Hamilton Funeral Home.
Documents from the pension application file of Lizzie Woodard, daughter of Union army veteran London Woodard of Wilson County:
On 22 August 1933, Lizzie Woodard of 119 Ashe Street, Wilson, filed a Declaration for Pension for Children Under Sixteen Years of Age, claiming benefits for herself and her sister Mamie Woodard as children of London Woodard. The declaration noted that London Woodard enlisted 10 July 1861 at Wilson, North Carolina, in the “Col. Army.” London was not wounded in service and was discharged 11 November 1865. He died 10 February 1931. Lizzie Woodard was 37 years old; her sister, 35. Their mother, Grace Woodard, had been London’s second wife when they married 30 November 1886. The first, whom he married in 1874, died without issue. Paul Bunch of Black Creek and Martha Allen of Wilson witnessed Lizzie’s signature.
Unfortunately, in January 1934, the Pension Authority summarily rejected the Woodards’ application “on the ground that the children of the alleged soldier were over 16 years of age at the date of his death.”
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This was not Elder London Woodard, who founded London’s Primitive Baptist Church. Rather, this was his grandson London, son of Howell and Rhoda Woodard.
In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Howell Woodard, 52; wife Rodah, 40; and children London, 23, Harriet, 20, Venus, 19, Ferebee, 17, Virginia, 17, Mary, 14, Sarah, 13, Penelope, 12, Rodah, 10, Puss, 6, John, 8, Kenny, 5, Fanny, 1, and Martha, 1 month.
In 22 November 1877, London Woodard, 30, married Margaret Guest, 24, at Richard Haggans’ house. G.T. Daniel, Ned Barnes and Jim Bynum witnessed.
In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: London Woodard, 34; wife Margaret, 26; and children James G., 9, and Alley, 7. (The children were likely Margaret’s from a previous relationship.)
On 27 November 1895, London Woodard, 47, married Nancy Webb, 23, in Gardners township at the bride’s parents’ home. Adella E. Barnes, Jane R. Farmer and Martha Woodard witnessed.
In the 1900 census of Town of Wilson, Wilson County: farmer London Woodard, age unknown; wife Nancy, 28; children Lizzie, 3, and Mamie, 1; brother-in-law Joseph Webb, 17, and sister-in-law Rhodie Webb, 13.
In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer London Woodard, 62, divorced.
Nancy, however, did not report their divorce to the enumerator. In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Nancy Woodard, 33, widow, and children Lizzie, 14, Mamie, 11, Hubbard, 4, and David, 2. (Apparently, “Hubbard” — in fact, Herbert — and David were not London’s children, as they were not parties to the pension application.)
Though she applied for benefits using her maiden name, Lizzie Woodard, 20, daughter of Lum and Nancy Woodard, married Dock Barnes, 24, son of Rhodes and Frances Barnes, in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on 1 November 1913.
In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer London Woodard, 75, widower.
In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Lipscomb Road, wagon factory laborer James Barnes, 29; wife Lizzie, 23; children Estelle, 11, and Lenard, 5; sister-in-law Mamie Woodard, 21; and boarders John Hollins, 22, Rose Barnes, 18, Pete Barnes, 19, and Tom Outlaw, 21.
Mamie Woodard, 29, married Thomas Outlaw, 29, on 19 November 1929. Witnesses were W.I. Barnes, John A. Barnes Jr., and Elisha L. Webb.
Lizzie Woodard Barnes died 26 November 1959 in Wilson.
Mamie Woodard Outlaw died 28 December 1988 in Beaufort, Washington County, North Carolina.
File #1,734,955, Application of Lizzie Woodard et al. for Children’s Pension, National Archives and Records Administration.
Mother’s Day greetings from Hattie Henderson to her sister in Greensboro, North Carolina, Mamie Henderson Holt, circa 1940.
Pittsburgh Courier, 14 May 1938.
Reid Street Community Center remains a fixture in the social life of East Wilson. (… “salvaged bricks”?)
Almeter E. Dickerson
Fred Dickerson
On 11 January 1922, Fred Dickinson [sic], 29, of Nahunta, son of Charles and Manerva Dickinson, married Almeter Edmundson, 23, of Nahunta, daughter of Mack and Harriett Edmundson in Fremont, Wayne County.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 308 Finch Street, Fred Dickerson, 38, W.P.A. project laborer; wife Almeter, 39, tobacco factory laborer; and daughters Clyde, 18, Dora, 16, and Inez, 13. The Dickersons owned their home, valued at $700.
Almeter Edmundson Dickerson died 2 August 1975 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 20 February 1902 to Mack Edmundson and Ferbie(?) Edmundson; was married to Fred Dickerson; and resided at 308 Finch Street.
Fred Dickerson died 20 August 1979 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 4 February 1892 to Charlie Dickerson and Minerva Green; was widowed; and resided at 308 Finch Street.
Photos originally published in History of Wilson County, North Carolina and Its Families (1985).
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ELM CITY ORGANIZED
Elm City, N.C., May 29, 1904
The Committee appointed by the Presbytery in session at Burgaw, North Carolina, April 1904, to visit Elm City, N.C. and to organize a church if the way be clear. We met the petitioners on the 29th day of May, 1904 in the Methodist Church. The sermon was preached by the Reverend Clarence Dillard, PhD of Goldsboro, N.C. from 2 Timothy 2:19. After the sermon, those who desired to walk together in the Presbyterian faith were asked to join hands around the pulpit, and the following came forward:
James G. Mitchel, Ada Gaston, Nina Gaston, Minnie Ellis, G.E. Mebane, Clara M. Nicholson, John C. Ellis, J.J. Howard, William C. Ellis, Isaac Smith, Sara Ellis, James Cobb, Lillian Hall, William T. Armstrong and Georgia Gaston. These were examined and received on confession of faith.
John C. Ellis and Ganzy E. Mebane were elected and ordained elders. James G. Mitchel and W.C. Ellis deacons.
The church having been organized, it was agreed that it be known as The First Presbyterian Church of Elm City, North Carolina.
Committee: Rev. C. Dillard, Ph.D.; T.G. Williamson; C.E. Tucker
Elders: S.H. Vick, J.P. Murfree
Respectfully submitted to the Elm City, N.C. Centennial Committee, July 11, 1973.
— Elm City Centennial Committee, Elm City North Carolina Centennial 1873-1973.