Month: June 2018

The obituary of Mary Bridgers Jenkins.

Wilson Daily Times, 21 May 1952.

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Gray Jenkins, 21, son of Gray and Lucinda Jenkins, married Mary Jane Bridgers, 17, daughter of Si and Penny Bridgers, on 17 September 1898 in Township #11, Edgecombe County.

In the 1900 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: farmer Gray Jenkins, 20, wife Mary J., 18, and son Isaac, 1.

In the 1910 census of Township #10, Edgecombe County: on the Tarboro & Wilson Road, farmer Gray Jenkins, 30; wife Mary Jane, 29; and children Charity, 9, Joseph, 7, William G., 5, Lucinda, 4, and Mada, 2.

In the 1920 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: farm laborer Mark Jenkins, 46; wife Mary Jane, 35; children Joseph, 17, William, 15, Lucinda, 12, Mada, 11, Mark, 9, Turner, 7, Rosa, 5, and Rachel, 4; adopted son Lester, 7; and servant Frank Braswell, 18.

Joe Jenkins died 5 April 1924 “on W.W. Cobbs farm” in Township #10, Edgecombe County. Per his death certificate, he was 22 years old; was born in Edgecombe County to Gray Jenkins of Edgecombe and Jane Bridgers of Wilson County; farmed for Walter Brown; was single; and was buried “in Wilson County Mr. Hyram Webb.”

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Gray Jenkins, 54; wife Mary J., 40; and children Mark, 19, Rachel, 15, and Lucy, 9.

Billie Gray Jenkins died 3 February 1931 in Pinetops, Edgecombe County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1905 in Edgecombe County to Gray Jenkins and Mary J. Bridgers; was a laborer; resided at 310 Gold Leaf, Rocky Mount, Edgecombe County; and was buried in Wilson County.

Gray Jenkins Jr. died 8 December 1937 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1879 in Edgecombe County to Gray Jenkins and Sinda Bynum; was married to Mary Jane Jenkins; and was a farmer. Informant was Bess Jenkins, Pinetops, North Carolina.

Mary Jenkins died 19 May 1952 at Mercy Hospital. Per her death certificate, she was born 2 June 1893 to Sie Bridgers and an unknown mother; was a widow; had worked in farming; and resided at 124 Narroway Street, Wilson. Turner Jenkins was informant.

Lucinda Dixon died 27 February 1956 at her home at 604 East Vance Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 8 March 1910 in Edgecombe County to Gray Jenkins and Mary J. Bridgers; was a widow; and was buried in Rest Haven cemetery. Mark Jenkins was informant.

Rachel J. Wooten died 23 November 1960 in Pinetops, Edgecombe County. Per her death certificate, she was born 11 December 1916 to Gray Jenkins and Mary Bridgers; resided on East Cobb Street, Pinetops; was married to Charles W. “Sam” Wooten; and was buried in Pinetops cemetery.

Turner Jenkins died 11 January 1967 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 17 April 1912 in Edgecombe County to Gray Jenkins and Mary Jane Bridgers; worked as a laborer; was married to Lossie Jenkins; and resided at 128 Narroway Street.

Mark Jenkins died 11 June 1969 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 August 1910 to Gray Jenkins and Mary Bridgers; resided near Elm City; was married to Leatha Hill; was a farmer; and was buried in Sharpe Cemetery.

Charity Williams died 6 March 1970 in Tarboro, Edgecombe County. Per her death certificate, she was born 8 March 1910 in Edgecombe County to Gray Jenkins and Mary Jane Bridgers; was a widow; resided in Pinetops; and was buried in Pinetops cemetery.

Rosa Mae Bynum died 24 August 1972 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 11 March in about 1915 to Gray Jenkins and Mary Jane Bridgers; lived at 701 Manchester Street; and was married to Fred Bynum.

Studio shots, no. 82: Edgar and James Broady Artis.

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Edgar Joel “Buddy” Artis (1914-1988) and James Broady Artis (1912-1963), sons of June S. and Ethel Becton Artis, circa 1919.

In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg & Wilson Road, farm manager June S. Artis, 30, wife Ethel, 26, and children James, 7, Edgar, 5, Manda Bell, 3, and farm laborer Edgar Exum.

In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer June S. Artis, 40, wife Ethel P., 34, and children James B., 17, Edgar J., 15, Amanda B., 14, and Gladys L. Artis, 5.

In the 1940 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer June S. Artis, 50; wife Ethel, 46; and children James Brodie, 25, Edgar, 23, and Gladys, 16.

Many thanks to Edgar J. Artis’ grandson Adam S. Artis for sharing this photo.

Snaps, no. 37: George H. Powell.

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George Henry Powell (1908-1992).

In the 1910 census of Town of Tarboro, Edgecombe County: laborer George Powell, 26; wife Mary, 25; and children Annie, 13, Viola, 6, Russel, 3, Johnny, 5, George H., 2, and Mattie, 2 months.

In the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Frank Bryant, 30; wife Annie, 30; children William, 16, farm laborer, and Elizabeth, 11; and nephew George Powell, 19, farm laborer.

On 24 November 1937, in Wilson, George Powell, 24, of Gardners, son of George Powell and Mary Jones, married Beatrice Hines, 23, of Gardners, daughter of Turner Hines and Rosa Hines.

George Henry Powell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 20 October 1912 in Edgecombe County; he resided at R.F.D. 4, Wilson; his contact was wife Beatrice Powell; and he was employed by William Mack Brown, R.F.D. 4, Wilson.

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George Henry Powell died 22 May 1992 in Goldsboro, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born 10 February 1910 in Edgecombe County to George Powell and Mary Cotton; resided at 1505 Queen Street Extension, Wilson; was married to Beatrice Hines Powell; and had worked as a carpenter.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry user RogerBarron52.

Final rites for Aggie Mercer Williams.

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Wilson Daily Times, 24 March 1951.

The Daily Times‘ editorial policy, apparently, provided that the most remarkable fact of the lives of men and woman who had been enslaved was that they had been enslaved. However, as set forth in detail here, Aggie Mercer Williams died possessed of a house and two lots in Elm City and two farms outside of town, which suggests a lifetime of notable achievement.

Trustees purchase land for the Baptist Church.

In 1906, Samuel H. Vick and Elijah L. Reid sold a lot at the corner of Nash and Pender Streets to trustees of the Missionary Baptist Church. The document below is a mortgage securing the purchase price.

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This agreement made and entered into this the 19th day of July, 1906, by and between S.H. Vick and E.L. Reid of the first part, and Parker Battle, George Woodard, S.D. Henderson and Walter Foster, Trustees of the Missionary Baptist Church, of the second part.

WITNESSETH: — The said parties mutually agree the one with the other, that in consideration of the mutual stipulations herein contained, as follows, to wit

That the said S.H. Vick and E.L. Reid shall have the rights to the rents to Jan. 1st, 1907, and to remove from the lot on the corner of Nash and Pender Streets, in the town of Wilson, and heretofore conveyed unto the said Trustees by them, all the buildings now located thereon, at any time prior to the 1st day of January, 1907, and that such removal shall not in wise effect the purchase price for the said lot heretofore agreed upon as set forth in the deed for the said lot.

It is further agreed, that if the said trustees shall not be able to pay such an amount on the note held by Silas Lucas and secured by a mortgage to him on the said real estate, as shall satisfy the said Lucas so that he shall give his consent to the removal of the said buildings then and in that event the said S.H. Vick and E.L. Reid hereby agree that they will extend the time of the payment of the note due unto them as a portion of the purchase price and secured by the mortgage on said lot, by allowing the sum of Three Hundred dollars to be paid at any time within six months after the 1st, day of January 1907.           /s/ S.H. Vick, E.L. Reid, W.M. Foster, Parker Battle, George W. Woodard, S.D. (X) Henderson

[Handwritten] It is also further, agreed that the buggy house and stable situated on the premises herein described shall remain on said premises, and be used by the trustees until the church contemplated to be built on said lot shall have been completed. E.L. Reid & S.H. Vick via E.L. Reid.

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  • S.H. Vick — Samuel H. Vick.
  • E.L. Reid — Veterinarian Elijah L. Reid seems never to be credited as half the partnership that sold the lot at the corner of Nash and Pender to First Missionary Baptist Church.
  • Parker Battle — Battle died in 1914, just a year after the new church was completed.
  • George W. Woodard
  • S.D. Henderson — Sandy D. Henderson.
  • Walter Foster — Walter M. Foster.
  • Missionary Baptist Church — This church later merged with Jackson Chapel to become today’s Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church.
  • Silas Lucas — A wealthy brick maker, builder and real estate developer.

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The corner of Nash and Pender as shown in the 1908 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson, two years before ground-breaking for church’s construction.

Deed book 72, page 141, Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

Nominees.

More information about the African-American Wilson County men nominated as delegates to the North Carolina constitutional convention just after the Civil War. None were selected.

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  • Henry Jones, farmer, black, age 30, born in N.C., 30 years in district, “cannot read or write quite intelligent but colored people seem to lack confidence in him.”
  • Lawrence Moye, preacher, black, age 25, born in N.C., 25 years in district, “represented as an intelligent freedman can read but not write, will do.”
  • Gordon Grimes, farmer, black, age 35, born in N.C., 35 years in district, “represented as intelligent cannot read or write — character good — will do.”
  • Mac. Jones, farmer, black, age 24, born in N.C., 24 years in district, “represented as being vicious and otherwise inferior — Won’t do.” [Harry and Mac Jones were brothers.]
  • Edw. Barnes, farmer, black, age not listed, born in N.C., “represented as quite intelligent cannot read or write considered qualified.”
  • Jeremiah Bullet, farmer, black, age not listed, born in N.C., “cannot be found.”
  • Israel Barden, laborer, colored, 29, born in N.C., 6 years in district, “”is quite intelligent can read & write a little appears to be the most capable colored man in that section the colored people prefer him to any one of their number.”

Registers and reports of registrars recommended for the election of delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1868, North Carolina Freedmen’s Bureau Assistant Commissioner Records, 1862-1870, http://www.familysearch.org.

He swears he has been to work.

Freedman Reddick Barnes signed a labor contract with white farmer Elisha Barnes commencing in January 1866. After several months, when Elisha failed to pay Reddick wages, Reddick complained to the Goldsboro field office of the Freedman’s Bureau. Though Ben Barnes, another freedman, testified against him, Reddick seems to have won his case.

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Case of Reddick Barnes Freedman vs. Elisha Barnes white, Breach of Contract

Reddick Barnes freedman sweares that he has been to Work for Mr Barnes white for some time he general went to work at sun rise in the morning. Ben Barnes freeman testified that he has been to work with Reddick Barnes. And has often found him asleep and was not out in the morning to feed his stock went he went out. And left his quarters most every night and went to Town with out permission Mr Elisha Barnes always treated him well Mr Rett Barnes Testified that Reddick did not work as he should have done got up late in the morning and often caught him asleep on his plough in the field and caught him shelling corn.

Contract fairly broken by Reddick Barnes Freedman, Wilson July 12th 1866

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Reddick Barnes’ receipts.

Roll 17, Miscellaneous Records, Goldsboro Subassistant Commissioner’s Records, North Carolina Freedmen’s Bureau Field Office Records, 1863-1872, National Archives and Records Administration images, www.familysearch.org. 

Snaps, no. 36: Ernest and Myrtle Clifton Haskins.

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This magnificent photo depicts Ernest and Myrtle Clifton Haskins on the Viola Street-side porch of their home at 309 Elba Street on a Sunday morning circa 1965.

Ernest Haskins (1898-1975) was the son of Damp and Hester Haskins. Myrtle Clifton Haskins (1900-1970) was the daughter of James C. and Susan Clifton Clifton.

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The Haskins’ 1920 marriage license.

Many thanks to their grandson Ernie Haskins for sharing this snapshot.

 

He never set up a claim to them until recently.

We read earlier of Violet Blount‘s successful attempt to gain custody of her grandsons, Oscar and Marcus Blount, who were first cousins to Samuel H. Vick. Though that battle played out in the Goldsboro field office of the Freedmen’s Bureau, George W. Blount’s statement was filed in the Rocky Mount office. In it, he gave details about the relationship between the boys’ mother, Margaret Blount, and Samberry Battle.

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Statement of G.W. Blount.

Margarett was the name of the mother of the children. Oscar & Marcus, two colored children bound to B.H. Blount their former master by Wilson County Court. The mother of these children is dead and has been for several years. Samberry Battle did have the mother of the children for a wife & by her begot one child who is now of age & whose name is William. After the birth of William the mother became intimate with another man, by name Hillman, by whom she had two children, James & [illegible]. After the birth of the first of these two Samberry left the mother on account of her infidelity and took another woman and never after had anything to do with the mother of these. Marcus has a different father from Oscar, and there is yet another child by a different father. It is notorious among negros & whites that Samberry is not the father of any of the children except William and never set up a claim to them, until recently. He has never mentioned the mother to B.H. Blount in whose custody the children have always been. The grandmother of the children is living under the protection of B.H. Blount who will not see her suffer and said Grandmother protests against the claim of Samberry Battle. The fathers of the two children referred to above if living are not in this country & if so could not claim them as they were both begotten illegitimately. Therefore the binding by the Court without Notice to them is valid. The binding was regular & in accordance to law.

Roll 56, Miscellaneous Records, Rocky Mount Assistant Superintendent’s Records, North Carolina Freedmen’s Bureau Field Office Records, 1863-1872, National Archives and Records Administration images, www.familysearch.org.