This notice of the events surrounding the death of Eliza Lewis, a hard-working farm wife in Old Fields township, includes details of the actions of her African-American neighbor, Essec C. Watson, to assist the stricken woman and her family. (You will note that, though praised, Watson is not given the honorific “Mr.” and is referred to by his first name later in the piece.)
Wilson Times, 18 November 1910.
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Esec Watson, 21, of Springhill township, son of Mary Stancil, married Mary Ann Locust, 18, of Old Fields township, daughter of John and Millie Locust, on 5 May 1895 at Jno. P. Locust’s residence.
In the 1900 census of Smithfield township, Johnston County: school teacher E.C. Watson, 34; wife Mary, 25; and children Laurena, 8, Pieneta, 5, Rica, 4, and Sister, 5 months.
In the 1910 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: farmer Esic C. Watson, 34; wife Mary, 32; children Pieneta, 14, Eureka, 12, Ila, 10, Ola, 8, and Edgar, 6; and hired man Cordie Lucas, 26.
On 24 November 1912, Peter Jones, 21, of Nash County, married Nettie Watson, 18, of Old Fields township, Wilson County, in Wilson County.
On 20 December 1914, Miley Bailey, 22, of Old Fields township, son of Will Hart and Polly Bailey, married Ila Watson, 18, of Old Fields, daughter of Essec and Mary Watson at Original Free Will Baptist minister B.H. Boykin’s place.
On 21 March 1915, Edmund Earp, 18, of Old Fields township, son of W.G. and Lucy Earp, married Ricker Watson, 17, of Old Fields, daughter of Essec and Mary Watson at S.T. Boykin’s place.
On 23 January 1916, Walter Robinson, 21, of Old Fields township, son of Bill and Sissie Robinson, married Ola Watson, 16, of Old Fields, daughter of Essec and Mary Watson at Original Free Will Baptist minister B.H. Boykin’s place.
Pinettie Jones died 19 December 1973 in Norfolk, Virginia. Per her death certificate, she was born 26 July 1895 in North Carolina to Esse Watson and Mary [last name unknown], and was the widow of James P. Jones. Christine Shoulders was informant.
Thinking of all those who would directly miss her – the husband, the grandchildren living with her specifically. Lucky for her the neighbor was there to carry her to the house so she could rest in her bed until the end.
I found this looking for something else and the “colored man” is my great great grandfather and Eureka (his daughter) is my great grandmother. It’s unfortunate all we are reduced to is a mention but not given true respect. Only history we can find is a census to piece our family history but only back to 1870, or being mentioned in an article about white people and not even being seen respectable enough for the term “Mr.” to be utilized. Anyway just wanted to add generations later and through a lot of struggle… I have managed to become a scientist. I hope all the trauma my family has endured with slavery, then trying to stay afloat farming with unanswered promises, and working any job a black person could get after migrating North that I have become some of their dreams.
I’m always thrilled when my posts find their people. Even with the distortions and omissions of the time, newspaper articles often provide unique information about events of our forebears’ lives.
Essec and Eureka are my great great great great grandparents I am an Earp. I have been doing research as well I believe we are related I would love to get in contact with you in hopes of finding out more information about our family. You can reach me via email