The fifty-fifth in a series of posts highlighting buildings in East Wilson Historic District, a national historic district located in Wilson, North Carolina. As originally approved, the district encompasses 858 contributing buildings and two contributing structures in a historically African-American section of Wilson. (A significant number have since been lost.) The district was developed between about 1890 to 1940 and includes notable examples of Queen Anne, Bungalow/American Craftsman, and Shotgun-style architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District: “ca. 1930. 1 1/2 stories. Short W. Barnes house; bungalow with engaged porch; Barnes was a carpenter.”
Robert C. Bainbridge and Kate Ohno’s Wilson, North Carolina: Historic Buildings Survey, originally published by the City of Wilson in 1980 and updated and republished in 2010 under the auspices of the Wilson County Genealogical Society, provides additional details about the house: “This classic bungalow was built ca. 1921 for Short W. Barnes, a carpenter. In later years Barnes was the foreman for the building maintenance crew of the real estate firm of R.E. Townsend & Company. Barnes may have constructed this house himself. The dormer balcony is an unusual feature in Wilson bungalows, as is the open semi-circular side porch off the three sided bay.”
616 East Green Street has been demolished.
In the 1908 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Barnes Short, carp h 617 e Green; Woodard Kinney, lab 617 e Green
In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: carpenter Short Barnes, 50; wife Francis, 50; daughter Maggie, 16; and Mark Ellis, 25.
In 1917, Clarence Allen Crawford registered for the World War I draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 23 September 1891 in Durham, North Carolina; resided at 617 East Green Street; worked in brick laying for Wilkins Brothers; and supported a wife and child.
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 617 Green, carpenter Short W. Barnes, 60; wife Francis, 62; son-in-law Clarence A. Crawford, 28, brickmason; daughter Maggie L., 26; and grandchildren Verest A., 2, and Clarence A., Jr., 9 months. Barnes owned his house free of mortgage.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: carpenter Short W. Barnes, 70, wife Francis, 71, daughter Maggie Crawford, 36, son-in-law Clarance Crawford, 39, and their children Verda, 13, Clarance, 10, and Annie, 8. The house was valued at $6000.
Frances Barnes died 30 May 1938 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born in 1860 in Wilson County to Morrison Woodard and Martha Thorn; was married; and resided at 616 East Green. Short W. Barnes was informant.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: carpenter Short W. Barnes, 80; daughter Maggie Crawford, 46, and grandchildren Vertist, 22, truck driver Clarance, 20, and Annie F., 18. The house was valued at $3000.
In 1942, Thomas Elder Ellis registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 25 February 1902 in Wilson; resided at 302 North Vick Street, Wilson; his mailing address was Post Office Box 193, Wilson; his contact was Short W. Barnes, 616 East Green; and he worked at the Wilson branch office of Winston Mutual Life Insurance Company, Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Short William Barnes died 30 November 1943 at his home at 616 East Green Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 14 February 1860 in Wilson County to Redman and Nellie Barnes; was a widower; was a carpenter; and was buried in the Masonic cemetery. Maggie Crawford, 616 East Green Street, was informant.
Short William Barnes.
Photograph of house reprinted from Robert C. Bainbridge and Kate Ohno, Wilson, North Carolina: Historic Buildings Survey; photo of Barnes courtesy of History of Wilson County, North Carolina (1985).
I would like to know if he has any living relatives. I believe this was my great grandfather. Ella Barnes Woodard-Bynum my grandmother might have been his daughter. My dad looks just like no him
Ella Barnes is listed as a cousin to Short Barnes in the 1900 census.
Thanks so much! Are her parents listed.
No, they’re not., unfortunately. Do you have a death certificate for her? Did she die in Wilson?
Hi Lisa, I’ve been reading the life stories being posted. I am working on a family tree also. Would you mind taking a look at it for me please. My name is Sonya Barnes-Odum. I am the granddaughter of John Henry Barnes and Bessie Ellis-Barnes. My father is Johnnie Lee Barnes Sr and mother Ola Katherine Reeves Barnes. All of Wilson, NC. I can email you the link whenever you can review for me. I’m not sure of the early ancestors listed on there.
Hi, Sonya. What specifically would you like me to look at?
I would like to see if the Ellis Barnes side is fairly accurate.
To make such an assessment would require that I research the lines extensively. Generally, I am able to do such research no-cost only in connection with artifacts such as photographs or other documents pre-dating 1950.
Yes, Rosana, he has living relatives in Virginia and Michigan. He is related to my husband.
She died in Newport News Virginia at the home of her son, Jesse Woodard and Pauline Woodard, his wife (my parents) around 1969 funeralized by Franklin Funeral Home but I think she was buried in Wilson. She was married to Junius Woodard who died when my Dad was 7 y/o. She later married Ben (Benjamin I guess) Bynum and they had several children.. Hattie,Mable, Estelle and George Ollie
I believe I know Mrs Ella Bynum Granddaughter. Her name was Marjorie Bynum. The daughter of Estelle Bynum.