Courtesy of my collaborator Edith Jones Garnett comes this priceless set of photographs of several generations of a southern Wilson County family founded by Tarrell and Minerva Locus Parker. Several are accompanied by text drawn from a family history booklet, A Recorded History of the Descendants of Tarrell Parker, published, it appears, in the 1970s or ’80s.
Tarrell Parker (ca. 1835-1922).
In the 1860 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Terrell Parker, 23, living in the household of white farmer Elias Farrell, 40.
In the 1880 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Tarrell Parker, 45; wife Minerva, 18; and children Trecy, 5, Jesse, 3, and Mancy Ann, 1.
In the 1900 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Tarrel Parker, 65; daughter Nancy, 20; and her children William H., 6, Leonora, 3, Georg L., 1, and Jesse, 0.
In the 1910 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Tarrell Parker, 74, and grandson William H. Parker, 16, farm laborer.
In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer George Carter, 49; wife Nancy A., 40; and children Leonard, 19; Jessie, 18; Lillie, 18; Ada, 14; Ida, 12; Robie, 7; Trecie, 5; and Rosetta, 4; plus father-in-law Thomas [sic, Tarrell] W. Parker, 88.
Tarrell Parker died 23 April 1922 in Springhill township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was a widower; born 30 May 1832 in Wilson County to Treasy Parker; and worked as a tenant farmer for Wiley Williamson. William Henry Parker was informant.
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Nancy Parker Carter (1884-1959).
“Nancy Ann Parker was born May 16, 1884 to Tarrell and Manerver Parker. She was the baby girl, with an older brother named Jessie and a older sister named Trecia. She met and married George Carter at an early age. They had ten living children who are our parents, Grandparents, Great-Grandparents etc… Most of us remember her as Mama Nancy. Mama Nancy was employed at a sewing plant in Lucama and was the only black seamstress who worked there at that time. She loved and enjoyed children and helped to raise many of her grandchildren. She was a very religious person and a dedicated member of Mary Grove Baptist Church. She enjoyed reading her Bible daily, Bible study, Prayer meetings and traveling to visit her children and grandchildren. She was a beautiful woman.”
George W. Carter (1877-1943).
“George Washington Carter was born in the year 1877 to Peter and Julia Carter. He was born in Rockingham, North Carolina, and had one sister named Lenora and two brothers named Andrew and Henry. His father was part Indian. Grandpa George was a member of Mary Grove Baptist Church and served on the Deacon Board until his illness. He worked as a sharecropper and did well on the farm. Grandpa George was a hard worker and a good provider for his family. However, he had a stroke and family obligations were assumed by his wife Nancy.”
George and Nancy Parker Carter.
George Carter, 25, married Nancy Ann Parker, 22, daughter of T.W. and Manervia Parker, on 10 March 1902 in Black Creek township. Willie B. Barnes, Frank Barnes and Haywood W. Sessums were witnesses.
In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: George Carter, 39; wife Nancy A., 27; and children Lenora, 12, George L., 10, Jesse W., 8, Lilly M., 6, Ada L., 4, and Ida, 2. [Next door, on one side, Nancy’s father Tarrell Parker, and on the other the household of Wright and Sallie Barnes Creech.]
In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer George Carter, 49; wife Nancy A., 40; and children Leonard, 19; Jessie, 18; Lillie, 18; Ada, 14; Ida, 12; Robie, 7; Trecie, 5; and Rosetta, 4; plus father-in-law Thomas [sic, Tarrell] W. Parker, 88.
In the 1930 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: farmer George Carter, 60; wife Nancy A., 52; and children Robie, 18, and Rosetta Carter, 14, and Mary Ida Brockington, 22.
In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Jessie Carter, 39; his wife Pauline, 31; and children Robert, 11, Flossie May, 9, Leloe, 7, and Rematha, 2; plus father George, 70; mother Nancy, 60; and brother Roby, 28.
George Carter died 31 January 1943 in Lucama, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1877 in Rockingham County, North Carolina, to Peter and Julia Carter; was a farmer; and was buried in Williamson cemetery.
Nancy Ann Carter died 5 October 1959 at her home on Route 1, Lucama. Per her death certificate, she was born 16 March 1884 in Wilson County to Terrel Williams; was widowed; and was buried in Renfrow cemetery. Lillie Jones was informant.
Wilson Daily Times, 7 October 1959.
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William Henry Parker (1894-1972), Pullman porter.
“William Henry was born on December 26, 1894 in Wilson County, North Carolina. Henry attended gramma school and later attended Dobe School of Mechanical Drafting. He married Ora Renfrow on January 6, 1918 in Wilson, North Carolina. To this union were born five children. Clovis, Margaret (deceased), Tarrell, Dorothy and Henry (deceased). He farmed in North Carolina and worked with the school district of Wilson. He later moved his family to Philadelphia and there he worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad. Henry then went to work for the Government (Frankford Arsenal) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He had many interests and hobbies. He enjoyed reading, repairing things, traveling, shopping for antiques and inventing different things. He invented a new metal clip, and obtained a patent for it on March 24, 1964. (See below) In his later years, he operated a clock repair/antique shop. He was very well known for his workmanship. William Henry died on October 28, 1972 of a heart attack.”
William H. Parker’s patented metal clip.
W.H. Parker, 24, of Springhill township, son of Nancy Parker, married Ora Renfrow, 19, of Old Fields township, daughter of John and Margarette Renfrow, on 6 January 1918 in Old Fields. G.W. Carter applied for the license.
In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer William H. Parker, 26; wife Ora, 21; and son Clovis, 10 months.
In the 1930 census of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: at 3905 Folsom Street, railroad porter Henry Parker, 36; wife Ora, 31; and children Clovis, 11, Tarrel, 9, Dorothy, 7, and Henry, 5.
In the 1940 census of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: at 3905 Folsom Street, Pullman Company porter Henry Parker, 45; wife Ora, 40; and children Clovis, 21, retail store porter, Henry, 18, truck driver, and Dorthy, 17.
In 1942, William Henry Parker registered for the World War II draft in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his registration card, he resided at 3905 Folsom Street; was born 26 December 1894 in Wilson County, North Carolina; worked for the Pullman Company, P.R.R. 30th Street Station, Philadelphia; and his contact person was Mrs. Ora Parker.
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Lenora Carter Barnes (1897-1988) and children Willie, Lenetta and Clinton, circa 1920.
On 10 December 1916, Elijah Barnes, 22, son of Joe and Cherry Barnes, of Springhill, married Lena Carter, 20, of Springhill, daughter of George and Nancy Carter. Missionary Baptist minister Robert Crockett performed the ceremony at Mary Grove Baptist Church in the presence of Guilford Ellis, Lannie Sutton and J.H. Battle.
In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: Elijah Barnes, 26; wife Lenora C., 22; and children Wilie, 5, Lenetta, 2, and Clenon, 1.
In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: on Middlesex Kenly Road, farmer Elija Barnes, 36; wife Lenora, 32; and children Willie G., 15, Lenetta, 12, Joseph C., 11, Eliza, 10, Nancy V., 7, James F., 5, Andrew, 3, and Mary E., 1.
In the 1940 census of O’Neals, Johnston County: farm renter Elijah Barnes, 46; wife Lenora, 43; and children Willie, 23, Clinton, 21, Elijah Jr., 17, Varnell, 18, George, 17, Floyd, 15, Andrew, 14, S.L., 12, Genetta, 9, Odessia, 8, Blonnie, 5, and Sarah, 2.
Lenora Carter Barnes died 17 September 1988 in Johnston County, North Carolina.
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George Leonard Carter (1899-1971).
George Leonard Carter registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 3 February 1900; resided at Route 3, Lucama; and was a farmer for George Carter, Springhill township near Rock Ridge.
On 14 October 1920, George L. Carter, 21, of Springhill, son of George and Nancy Carter, married Elvira Boykin, 19, of Springhill, daughter of Troy Boykin, in Oldfields township. G.W. Carter applied for the license.
In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer George L. Carter, 31; wife Roxia A., 24; and children Mittie M., 8, George W., 4, Thelma, 3, and Josephine, 2.
Leonard Carter registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 3 February 1899 in Wilson County; resided at 709-6th Street, N.E.; worked for Charles H. Tompkins of Charles H. Tompkins & Co., contractors, at 907-16th Street, N.W. His contact was Roxie Carter.
Rev. Leonard Carter died 17 May 1971 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 3 February 1899 to George and Nancy A. Carter; was a minister; was married to Lydia Freeman; and resided at 627 Suggs Street. He was buried at Mary Grove church cemetery.
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Jesse Warren Carter (1900-1962).
On 27 December 1920, Jesse Carter, 21, of Springhill township, son of George and Nancy Carter, married Mary Jones, 18, of Oldfields township, daughter of Jesse and Sally Jones, in Cross Roads township. Baptist minister Emerson Hooks performed the ceremony.
In the 1930 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: Jesse Carter, 29; wife Mary, 26; and children Williard, 8, and Robert L., 1.
On 16 May 1936, Jesse Carter, 36, of Lucama, son of George and Nancy Carter, married Pauline Coley, 27, daughter of Thomas and Alice Coley, in Smithfield, Johnston, County.
In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Jessie Carter, 39; his wife Pauline, 31; and children Robert, 11, Flossie May, 9, Leloe, 7, and Rematha, 2; plus father George, 70; mother Nancy, 60; and brother Roby, 28.
In 1942, Jessie Warren Carter resgistered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 5 June 1900 in Wilson County; resided at Box 252, Route 1, Lucama, Wilson County; and was employed by Mrs. Sallie Williamson, Lucama.
Jesse W. Carter died 19 September 1962 in Middlesex, Drywells township, Nash County. Per his death certificate, he was born 3 June 1900 in Wilson County to George Carter and Nancy Parker; was a farmer; was married to Pauline Carter; and was buried at Mary Grove cemetery.
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Lillie Mae Carter Knight Jones (1903-??).
In the 1930 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: Lillie Knight, 26; and children Carter L., 7, Lissie M., 5, Ratha E., 4, and Daisy M., 1. [Husband Jim Knight, 27, appears in the enumeration of the Wilson County stockade.]
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Ada Lee Carter Lucas (1905-1986) and Mary Ida Carter Brockington (1908-??).
On 22 December 1921, Ada Lee Carter, 18, daughter of George and Nancy Carter, married Carl Locus, 20, son of Sanford and Ada Locus, in Wilson. Jesse Carter applied for the license, and he, S.B. Locus and Jim Knight witnessed.
On 31 January 1929, James Brockington, 26, of Black Creek township, married Ida Carter, 20, of Springhill township, in Wilson. Their parents Nancy Carter, John Brockington and Mary Brockington witnessed.
In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Carl Locas, 28; wife Ada, 24; and children Nancy M., 8, Paul D., 6, Alice V., 4, Helen O., 2, Neom C., 1, and Carl R., 0.
In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Carl Locus, 38; wife Ada, 33; and children Nancy, 16, Paul D., 15, Allice, 14, Helen, 12, Florence, 11, Carl Rowland, 10, Leona, 8, Cristine, 6, and Grady, 4.
In 1942, Robert James Brockington registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 13 June 1903 in Florence, South Carolina; was married to Ida Brockington; resided at 1013-3rd Street, N.E.; and worked for Charles H. Thompkins (see Leonard Carter, above).
James Brockington died 13 May 1947 in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 13 June 1909 in Florence, South Carolina, to John Brockington and Mary Skeeter; was married to Ida Brockington; and was buried at Mary Grove.
Per the Social Security Death Index, Ada Lucas died December 1986 in Washington, D.C.
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Robie Carter (1911-1942).
“Robie was born January 1, 1911 in Wilson County, North Carolina. He too attended Williamson Elementary School. He never married, but had one son, James Willis Graham, who is also deceased. At an early age, Robie moved from Wilson, North Carolina to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and later to Washington, D.C. Prior to his death he was employed at the Sheraton Hotel. He died in 1942 when he was thirty-one years old from a heart attack.”
Roby Carter registered for the World War II draft in 1940 in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 1 January 1912 in Wilson, North Carolina; resided in Washington, D.C.; and his next-of-kin was sister Lillia Jones.
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Trecia Carter Renfrow (1913-1939) and Rosetta Carter Jones (1914-).
James and Trecia Carter Renfrow.
“Trecia Carter Renfrow was born May 18, 1913 in Wilson, North Carolina. She grew up and attended school there. Trecia met and married James Plummer Renfrow in 1928. They later moved to Hampton, Virginia for a short while. Between the year 1934/35 Trecia and Plummer ventured to Washington, D.C. making that their new home with their three children, James born December 1, 1929, Rudolph born May 10, 1931, and Mabel born November 3, 1933. Trecia had a short but wonderful life, always smiling, caring, being the lovable person she is well remembered by; and although she never got to see her three children become adults, Trecia was blessed with an offspring of thirteen (13) grand children and twenty (20) great-grandchildren. Our mother, grandmother, great-grandmother Trecia Carter Renfrow left us on May 31, 1939 at 2:10 A.M. at the age of 26 years.”
On 25 June 1927, James Plumer Renfrow of Kenly, 21, son of John and Mary Renfrow, married Tracie Carter, 18, of Kenly, daughter of George and Nancy Carter, in Smithfield, Johnston County.
In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer James P. Renfrow, 19, wife Trecy E., 17, and son Levie J., 3 months.
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Levi and Rosetta Carter Jones on their wedding day.
On 22 November 1935, Levi Jones, 21, of Wilson County, son of Ernest and Lillie Jones, married Rosetta Carter, 19, daughter of George and Nancy Carter, of Wilson County, in Nashville, Nash County.
In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: at 513 G Street. N.E., construction laborer Alfred Jones, 27, wife Lily, 33, and children Carter L., 15, Melissa, 13, Relphel, 12, and Daisy, 11; plus cafe busser Levi Jones, 24, wife Ruth, 22, a maid, and [brother?] Sylvester Jones, 22, a restaurant dishwasher; plus James Renfro, 29, and children David J., 10, Rudolph, 8, and Mable, 7; plus Lenard Hinnant, 23. All except Hinnant indicated that they had been living in Wilson in 1935. [This household, of course, comprised Lillie Carter, her children and her second husband; Lillie’s sister Rosetta (erroneously called Ruth) and her husband; and their sister Trecia’s widowed husband James and their children.]
In 1942, Levi Jones registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 3 June 1915 in Wilson; resided at 513 G Street, N.E.; was married to Rosetta Jones; and worked for Mrs. Fordson at the Government Printing Office.
I love my family. My great grandmother is Lenetta Carter Knight and my grandmother is her daughter Alma Pearl Knight-Phillips. This was amazing to read.
Wow! Thanks for reaching out!
Great Read, Love this
Unbelievable
My family has been in eastern NC
For the past 200 yrs
The descendants of Tarrell and Minerva Parker are blessed to have photos that document their rich history. I’m honored to have been given the opportunity to share them on my blog.
Hi Family – My Grand Father is Leonard Carter and my mother is Nancy Carter-Beamon. I love this. Thank you so very much for taking the time to put it together. It brought tears to my eyes while reading it. Just to see so much of our history, it is fantastic. We are Blessed.
Thanks, Jackie! I’m so glad to have been entrusted with these images. My blog is a labor of love, and I am passionate about preserving the history of Wilson County’s African-American families.
Hello to you all family and friends my name is Antwaine I am Mable s youngest son they call me Pat short for Patrick Tresy Carter is our Grand Mother hope to meet with you all one day sorry I didn’t make it to this reunion I will keep you all in my prayers
I love the new Information on my family’s history
Thank you!
Once again this is Roby Rowe I was given the name Roby after my great uncle Robie my mothers uncle her name was Mable Rentrow Rowe daurter of plumer and Tresi Rentfrow thank you for taking time to wright this article
Thanks for taking the time to comment, Roby! It’s great to see that Robie’s memory is carried on in family names.
Roby Rowe my name is Bernard Patterson we are cousins through the Renfrow family. You are also related to my wife through the Rowe family.
My name is Phyllis G. (Barnes) Shaw, Leonra Carter Barnes, was my grandmother – hr son George Washington Barnes was my father,(Passed 09/2011) I have also 3 sisters and 3 brothers,( 1 brother passed In Texas- 20150). This is wonderful, passionate,and very loving. I intend to send this link to my siblings. Thank You
It’s so wonderful to hear from so many descendants of the Parker family. You guys have an amazing legacy. Thank you!
I would like to thank you for posting this information on your blog. I am Carlton Jones the son of Levi and Rosetta Jones, the same big head brothers that are still around, Frank and Howard are the local Jones boys. Levi was the oldest of the Earnest and Lillie Taylor-Jones children. My great grandfather Tarrell was called Pap and was biracial. My Mom remembered vividly the stories he would tell. It seems impossible for I was 2 years old when Mama Nancy passed yet I do remember bringing her back to Wilson from our house in D.C. where she had been staying and was having signs of what we would call dementia, which my Mom told me about later in life. I had a bicycle accident before her funeral and had to be carried through out the service due to a damaged ankle. Which I also vaguely remember,. Anyway again I thank you. I had the opportunity to work at the Wilson County Public Library and did ancestral research on both sides of my family so I also appreciate the time and effort it took to put the information in the “Family Book”.
Such a pleasure to hear from you, Carlton. I grew up with the children of Howard and Frank Jones. Troy and Natalie, in fact, were my neighbors, and Troy is the spitting image of this photo of his uncle Levi! I also knew Earnest and Grover Jones’ families. One of the many rewards of keeping this blog is discovering so much about the families of people I’ve known all my life.
The research is enlightening. Mama Nancy was a very strong influence for me as a child even now. I still recall the Friday night Bible Studied when we lived at 1710 8th St. I’m DC. I recall Uncle Levy taking her to North Carolina just before she passed. Thank God for her life.
Thanks for providing personal details of her life.
Hello, my name is Paulette Lucas, daughter of Paul Locust who is the son of Ada and Carl Locust. What a insightful reading, I was brought to so many heartfelt emotions. Please continue to share our family history as I knew very little but loved my family. Thank you and may God bless you.
Hello, Paulette! Thank you! Your kind words let me know my little project is making a difference. I will keep an eye out for more on the Tarrell Parker family.
My name is Carlean Ruby Lucas I am the granddaughter of Carl and Ada Lucas and the Daughter of Paul D.Lucas, It is wonderful to see the legacy that been left to view, I wish I knew all of you but I send my love to all of you ! Thanks for sharing
I would never have dreamed that my blog would be a means of connecting so many descendants of one family! Best regards to you all!
Wow! This is amazing! My name is Dolandre Cephous. I am William Henry Parkers great-grand daughter. His daughter, Dorothy, is my grandmother (She passed in 2001) and my mother is her daughter, Dolores Cephous. I used to live in Delaware with my mother and grandmother but I now live in the Washington DC area. I remember going to the Carter family reunion in NC every year when I was younger. We would take a road trip from Delaware to NC. After my grandmother passed, quite some time went by before we went to another reunion, but we did attend a few years ago and it brought back a lot of memories and I enjoyed seeing family I had not seen since I was a child. Thank you for sharing this wonderful information! I love family history and learning about my roots. God bless!
I’m so glad you found the post, Dolandre! So many Carter-Parker family members have shared wonderful memories!
Hi Lisa, my name is Joelena Harris, and I am the granddaughter of Lillie Jones. My cousin(Toney Martin) and I are the ones who put the family book together of my great-great grandfather, Tarrell Parker. We gathered information from our families to write this book, but I was amazed with the other information you were able to find. Our Family will always be so grateful to you, for your ability to put a smile upon our faces, whenever we read about our ancestors. I have to also thank my cousin, Edith Jones Garnett for sharing our book with you. Thank you again, Lisa.
Thank YOU, Joelena. The Parker family’s trove of photographs is a unique treasure. Thank you for preserving it not only for the benefit of your family, but for all of us. I am glad I was able to offer something in return.
Reblogged this on Wilson County Genealogical Society and commented:
Please visit Lisa Henderson’s wonderful blog!
Thank you!!
P.S. I have a number of Williamson posts here!
This is so mind boggling I kept finding more relatives. Lenora Carter married my father’s cousin Eliga Barnes the son of Joe Bell Barnes. Lisa great work!
Great!
My father’s maternal grandparents are buried at Mary Grove Church, Minnie Bailey Kent and Joe Kent I had a picture of them I was planning to give to you for this blog I completely forgot!
Email it to me: lisayhenderson at gmail.
Done!
Fascinating research, just reading this story. Makes me wonder was Ora Renfrow my Grandmother Sister?. There are many similarities and areas where they lived. Thank You for your amazing blog.
Thank you for your support!
Wow just wow… I’m Bernard Parker the great-grandson of William Henry Parker. His son Henry Parker is my grandfather. My mother is Beverly Parker.
Thanks for posting this blog.
My pleasure. What a treasure your family has!