Second in a series abstracting some of the folders of actions filed in Wilson County Superior Court. (The allegations of misdoing summarized are derived from court pleadings and were not necessarily true.)

• Bettie Barnes v. Morrison Barnes

May term, 1910. Married 8 October 1903 in Wilson County. In November 1903, defendant Morrison Barnes deserted plaintiff Bettie Barnes and now lives in a state of fornication and adultery with Mollie Howard, by whom he has three children.

——

On 28 October 1903, Marson Barnes, 20, son of Silas and Mary Barnes, married Bettie Batts, 26, daughter of Tom Batts, at Mary Barnes’ in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony in the presence of Frank Barnes, Mary M. Barnes and Mary Thorn.

• Henrietta Barnes v. Lemon Barnes

May term, 1909. Married 23 January 1907. In March 1907, defendant Lemon Barnes abandoned plaintiff Henrietta Barnes and now lives in a state of fornication and adultery with Fannie Horne. Witnesses to these facts were Otho Isham, who lived on the Frank W. Barnes place) and Jerry Williams.

——

On 23 January 1907, Lemon Barnes, 21, of Wilson, son of Charles and Jack Ann Barnes, married Henrietta Blowe, 20, of Wilson, daughter of Joe and Jane Blowe, at Jane Blowe’s. Missionary Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony in the presence of Merriman Watkins, James Taylor and Charlie H. Barnes.

• Champion Barnes v. Luvenia Barnes

Married October 1899. Plaintiff claimed defendant committed adultery with Bill Thompson in February 1911. Divorce granted.

——

On 11 November 1897, Champion Barnes, 44, of Stantonsburg, son of Daniel and Ercy Barnes, married Louvenia Applewhite, 21, of Stantonsburg, daughter of Enos and Cherry Applewhite, at Enos Applewhite’s in Stantonsburg. [This was Champion Barnes’ second marriage.]

In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Champ Barnes, 48; wife Louvenia, 30; and children Violet, 18, Granvill, 17, Anarchy, 15, Effie D., 11, Henry, 14, and Droy, 6. [Louvenia reported having given birth to one child, who still lived. Was this Droy?]

• Ben Barnes v. Annie Barnes

Plaintiff Ben Barnes is 49 years old. He and defendant Annie Barnes were married 22 November 1888. Defendant Annie left him in April 1898 and gave birth to a child about five years later. A pencilled note in the file reads: “Vance Street. Boy Zack works at 5 & 10 c store.”

——-

On 21 November 1888, Benjamin Barnes, 23, son of Gaston and Watey Barnes, married Annie Parker, 24. John Hagans applied for the license, and John Parker, Dennis Parker and Kiziah Mercer witnessed the ceremony.

• Ben Barnes v. Lou Barnes

The parties were married 5 January 1885. About 10 June 1892, defendant Lou Barnes committed adultery with Roy Jones.