Wilson Daily Times, 17 March 1945.
- Mable Ellis — Mabel Weaver Ellis, registered nurse.
- Dr. B.O. Barnes
- “the Negro hospital” — Mercy Hospital.
Month: September 2019
A crowd of black sports.
Wilmington Morning Star, 9 September 1909.
- Robert Wilson
- Ben Wooten
There was about 1200 colored people.
The Freedmen’s Bureau also lent aid to impoverished white people. M.A. Gay’s letter to Major Compton began with a breezy description of the African-American Fourth of July celebration in Joyners Depot [Elm City] and ended in a plea for food assistance.
Joyners Depot Wilson Co NC
Mag Comton Kinde Sir
I again seat my self to drop you a few lines which I hope will soon reach your hand. we had a nice time on the fourth I note there was a bout 12 hundred Col people assembled at this place and formed a prosession and marched up and down the streets with music in front they had a butifull dinner. I was much pleased with what you sent to me. I again am oblige to beg you I am nearly out of meat but I have some corn I have been sick nearly all the time and have not been able to help my self to any thing you will pleas send it to Mr Joseph Conte as before I would be glad if you could arrang it so as to send me my rashons every month Mr Conte will make it all right how and his wife are particular friends of mine yours with respets, you will pleas write to me M.A. Gay
——
- M.A. Gay — probably, in the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Mary Gay, 34, seamstress, and son Edwin, 3.
- Joseph Conte — in the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Joseph Conte, 52, “g & gd march retl” [grocery and dry goods merchant retail]; wife Mary, 28; and Joseph Totten, 29, clerk in store. The Contes were born in Italy; Totten, in Maine.
North Carolina Freedmen’s Bureau Field Office Records, 1863-1872, Goldsboro (assistant subassistant commissioner) > Roll 17, Letters Received, Jul-Sep 1867, http://www.familysearch.org
A sharecropping contract.
This is a copy of the contract between Virgil Bridges W.L. Quarles State of North Carolina Wilson County
Articles of agreement concluded between Virgil Bridges of the one part and W L Quarles of the other part both of the state and county above written. The said Virgil Bridges for the consideration hereinafter mentioned doth hereby covenent and agree to wit
That he the said Virgil have bound him self and three of his children viz. Siah Rachel and Bunny to serve the said W L Quarles the present year (1867) commencing the 1st day of Jany and ending the 31st day of December (inclusive) the said Virgil are to board him self and children to furnish seed to plant of any and every description such as are usually planted in this section of country. The said are to do all manner of work usually done on farms such as fencing putting the fences in good repair raising manures ditching cleaning out ditches clearing of lands &c &c. In consideration of the said Virgil faithfully discharging us duty (and having his children to do same as set forth in this agreement the said Quarles do agree to give unto the said Virgil two thirds of the crop that he may make and save. The said Quarles also agrees to furnish the said Virgil with two plow nags for which the said Virgil do agree to give him for the use of same (that is the two horses, twelve (12) barrels of corn and 2500 lbs of fodder for each horse or mule he the said Virgil shall pay trict attention to the wellfare of the animals that may be placed under his charge the animals are to be used on
the farm only without first obtaining permission from the said Quarles to do otherwise. The said Quarles also agrees to furnish such agricultural implements as may be necessary to carry on the farm for which the said Virgil Bridges are to pay the said Quarles the sum of Ten (10) dollars he the said Virgil further binds him self and the above named children to be governed by the orders and instructions that may be given by the said Quarles the said Virgil also hires unto the said Quarles two other of his children viz Easter & Turner for Easter the said Quarles is to pay at the rate of four (4) dollars per month until the 1st day of Jany next half of which going to the hireling and half to the said Virgil and for Turner five (5) bunches of cotton yarn board and clothes until Jan next.
Now should it appear that from any neglect that either party fails to do his duty as setforth in this agreement he or they shall forfeit the sum of Ten dollars in every instance for such neglect. Given under our hands and seals this the 15th day of May 1867
Witness Z. Johnson Virgil (X) Bridges W.L. Quarles
Wilson NC Septr 5th 1867
Lieut Allison Sir
[Illegible] I herewith transmit you a copy of contract between myself and Virgil Bridges [illegible]. I hope the instructions you gave to impart to him will have a very desirable effect he has gone to work though the crop is badly damaged from his neglect I am yet willing to over look it in a great measure provided he will stick up to his contract for the balance of the year accept my thanks for what you have done in the matter and oblige Yrs very respectfully W.L. Quarles
——
In the 1870 census of Lower Town Creek, Edgecombe County: farmer Virgil Bridgers, 66; wife Frances, 51; and children Josiah, 22, Turner, 15, Easter, 21, Bunny, 13, Harriet, 11, and Manda, 6.
On 18 July 1872, Simon Pope, 21, of Edgecombe County, married Ester Bridgers, 22, of Edgecombe County, in Wilson County.
On 12 March 1876, Turner Bridgers, 23, of Edgecombe County, married Nelly Horn, 23, of Edgecombe, in Wilson County.
In the 1880 census of Lower Town Creek, Edgecombe County: laborer Virgil Bridgers, 74 laborer; wife Francis, 74; daughters Hannah, 23 and Amanda, 17; and grandchildren Laura, 4, Esther, 3, and Richmond, 12.
On 7 January 1886, Hilliard Barron, 43, married Rachel Bridgers, 35, at Wilson County Courthouse.
In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Hilliard Barron, 56; wife Rachel 49; and son Hilliard, 19.
In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Turner Bridgers, 52; wife Nellie, 50; sons General, 17, and Isaac, 14; mother-in-law Lany Horne, 97; and boarder Nelson Williams, 40.
In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Hilliard Barron, 67, and wife Racheal, 60.
In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: odd jobs farm laborer Turner B. Bridgers, 55; wife Nellie, 60; and son Isaac, 17.
Rachel Barron died 31 March 1917 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was married; was about 60 years old; was born in Wilson County to Virgin Bridger and an unknown mother; and worked as a tenant farmer.
In the 1920 Saratoga township, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg Road, Turner Bridgers, 72, farmer; Nellie, 74; grandchildren Willie, 16, Georgeanna, 12, and Nathan, 7; and adopted daughter Hattie Stokes, 13.
Turner Bridges died 16 October 1921 in Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1850 in Saratoga; was a farmer; and was married to Nellie Bridgers.
North Carolina Freedmen’s Bureau Field Office Records, 1863-1872, Goldsboro (assistant subassistant commissioner) > Roll 17, Letters received, Jul-Sep 1867, http://www.familysearch.org
Registered motor vehicle owners, 1919 and 1920.
“The first one I knew to have a car was Dr. Reid, the veterinarian. And the Vicks.”
Hattie Henderson Ricks (1910-2001)
In 1919, the North Carolina Secretary of State’s office published a hefty volume listing the first 112,000 motor vehicles registered in the state. Not surprisingly, Samuel H. Vick was an early adopter, registering five automobiles — by four different car companies — at once and receiving license numbers 685 through 689.
The document is not easily searched, but I was able to find these early African-American Wilson County drivers. Most lived in town, and only two — Chestiney Wilder and Georgia Aiken — were women. (May Locus was a man.)
- 685 — S.H. Vick, Wilson, Chandler
- 686 — S.H. Vick, Wilson, Reo
- 687 — S.H. Vick, Wilson, Hudson
- 688 — S.H. Vick, Wilson, Hudson
- 689 — S.H. Vick, Wilson, Cadillac
- 5278 — Albert S. Gay, 620 E. Green St., Wilson, Ford
- 7563 — J.Z. Staton, 804 Viola St., Wilson, Ford
- 8583 — C.L. Darden, Wilson, Hudson
- 17476 — May Locus, Rt. 1, Black Creek, Ford
- 19608 — Will Artis, Stantonsburg, Oldsmobile
- 26225 — Chestiny Wilder, Rt. 3 Lucama, Ford
- 28151 — Josh Armstrong, Rt. 1, Elm City, Grant
- 29157 — Henry Bryant, 145 Sugg St., Wilson, Dort
- 32649 — Oscar Best, care of Wilson Live Stock Co., Wilson, Dort
- 34116 — S.F. Hargrove [F.S. Hargrave], M.D., 625 E. Green St., Wilson, Columbia
- 47620 — Dr. W.H. Phillips, 530 1/2 E. Nash St., Wilson, Hudson
- 50184 — Neverson Green, Wilson, Reo
- 55819 — Noah J. Tate, Wilson, Buick
- 55820 — W.S. Hines, Wilson, Hudson
- 57201 — Ned Kent, Rt. 3 Box 100, Kenly, Overland
- 57479 — D.E. Reid [Dr. Elijah L. Reid], 650 Viola St., Wilson, Ford
- 57551 — Dr. W.A. Mitchiner [Mitchner], E. Nash St., Wilson, Dodge
- 60503 — Mrs. Georgia C. Aiken, 314 Barnes St., Wilson, Ford (for hire)
- 69272 — Dennis Brooks, E. Nash St., Buick (for hire)
- 71345 — G.E. Tyler, 603 E. Green St., Wilson Ford
- 72510 — Neil Handy, Rt. 6, Box 144, Wilson, Ford
- 73129 — A.N. Darden, Wilson, Dodge
- 85889 — Crawford Darden, Black Creek, Cadillac
- 86536 — Buck Locus, Rt. 4, Elm City, Grant
- 87236 — C.E. Artis, 210 Pender St., Wilson, Ford
- 88103 — Ben J. Ellis, Rt. 1, Box 153, Wilson, Ford
- 89487 — Roscoe Johnson, 634 E. Green St., Wilson, Jordan
- 90310 — Jim Brown, 805 Viola St., Ford
- 90872 — Ed. Artis, Rt. 1, Stantonsburg, Ford
- 90873 — Leslie Artis, Rt. 1, Stantonsburg, Ford
- 91282 — Bud Sims, 624 Viola St., Metz
- 92886 — June S. Artis, Rt. 6, Box 89, Wilson, Ford
- 93517 — J.D. Reid, 601 E. Green St., Wilson, Reo
- 94988 — Wm. H. Baker, 1020 E. Nash St., Wilson, Ford
- 95012 — William Hines, Wilson, Hudson
- 96664 — Rev. E.S. Hargrove, 702 Viola St., Overland
- 97230 — Garry Armstrong, RFD, Elm City, Overland
- 98115 — L.H. Peacock, 141 Ash St., Wilson, Hudson
- 100721 — John W. Farmer, 635 E. Green St., Wilson, Chalmers
- 104807 — Linwood Barefoot, E. Nash St., Wilson, Ford
- 105289 — Turner Hines, Rt. 1, care of J.W. Cherry & Son, Elm City, Ford
- 109186 — Dotson Locus, Rt. 2, Elm City, Chevrolet
- 110274 — Garfield Ruffin, 1007 E. Nash St., Wilson, Ford
From the 1920 supplement to the Registry:
- 113666 — Clifton Best (col.), R. 1, Stantonsburg, Ford
- 114015 — Harry Carter, 517 E. Nash St., Wilson, Buick (for hire)
- 121735 — Dempsey Blount, 516 E. Nash St., Wilson, Ford
- 122953 — George Rutherford, 517 E. Nash St., Wilson, Buick (for hire)
- 124283 — James Sellers, 651 E. Vance St., Wilson, Oldsmobile (for hire)
- 124827 — Bill Smith (col.), care of Tilghman Motors Co., Wilson, Columbia
Interview of Hattie H. Ricks by Lisa Y. Henderson, all rights reserved. List of Registered Motor Vehicle Owners — North Carolina (1919); List of Registered Motor Vehicle Owners, Supplement No. 1 (1920).
The three orphan children are in my possession.
In August 1867, white farmer John J. Pender posted a letter to the Goldsboro field office of the Freedmen’s Bureau, disputing Toney Robbins‘ claim to three orphaned children, Della, Sylvia and Jacob Pender, whom Pender likely had claimed as property just a few years before:
Joyners Depot NC August 10th 1867
Lieut J F Allison
Sir
Your note was received last evening ordering me to furnish you with all the facts concerning three grand children belonging to Tony Robbins cold [colored]. I must say the report is entirely false. Tony Robbins has no grand children and he had none of his own nor he never has had any children. I can if necessary furnish you with all the evidence you may desire. I have three orphan children in my possession named Dellar, Sylva & Jacob apprenticed and bound to me on the 2nd January 1866 by Capt Glavis post Commander at Goldsboro, and also my Lawyer instructed me to have said children bound to me by Wilson Court and I did so. So have had them bound to me at Goldsboro by Capt Glavis and by Wilson County. Said Tony Robbins has given me considerable trouble abot said children and I am getting tired. Said Tony Robins has made application to every Commander in reach concerning Said Children and further more the Children is not related to Said (Robins) in no shape nor manner. He has run me to a great deal of expense. Said Tony Rbbins and Mr (Totten) at Joyners Dept have been troubling me badly during this year Concerning said Children
I am glad to Say the Children are in fine health and get a plenty to eat and are sheltered under my own roof and well clothed &c &c.
Very Respectfully yours truly
To Lieut. J.F. Allison
Post Commander
Goldsboro NC
——
In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph Pender, 63, and wife Lucretia, 49; daughter Lucretia, 5; and farmer’s apprentices Jacob, 8, and Selvia Pender, 5, both black.
In the 1870 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: Toney Robbins, 51, farm laborer, and wife Jinny, 48. [Sidenote: Joseph J. Pender’s mother was Elizabeth Robbins Pender. Was Toney Robbins linked to her family?]
On 18 April 1878, Haywood Braswell, 23, married Sylva Pender, 19, in Township No. 14, Edgecombe County, in the presence of Toney Robbins, Charles Daws and Tom Petway.
In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Haward Braswell, 25; wife Silvy, 22; and daughter Lucy, 3.
Sylvia Pender Braswell died 12 April 1952 at her home at 510 South Spring Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 January 1842 [sic] in North Carolina to unknown parents and was a widow. Connie Bynum was informant.
North Carolina Freedmen’s Bureau Field Office Records, 1863-1872, Goldsboro (assistant subassistant commissioner) > Roll 17, Letters Received, Jul-Sep 1867, http://www.familysearch.org
The obituary of Channie Hunter Bynum, 102.
Wilson Daily Times, 16 July 1992.
——
In the 1910 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Anderson Hunter, 54; [second] wife Lula, 33; and children Chanie, 18, Sam, 16, Emma, 15, Robert, 11, Annie, 6, and Clyde, 2.
On 21 April 1915, Louis Braswell, 20, of Wilson, son of Arthur and Olive Braswell, married Chanie Hunter, 20, of Black Creek, daughter of Anderson Hunter, at Anderson Hunter’s in Black Creek. Luther Braswell applied for the license, and Sam Hunter, Ennis Sauls and Aget Dew witnessed.
In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on the Wilson-Rocky Mount Road, Lewis Braswell, 24; wife Chany, 28; and children James, 2, and Carry, 8 months.
Lewis Braswell died 21 December 1921 in Elm City, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 29 years old; was born in Wilson County to Luther Braswell and Oliva Bynum; was married to Chainey Braswell; and worked as a tenant farmer to Mrs. M.A. Bryant. Informant was Frank Braswell.
Addie Pearl Braswell died 22 December 1924 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 2 years old and was born in Wilson County to Lewis Braswell and Chanie Hunter. Frank Hunter was informant.
On 23 December 1925, Chanie Braswell, 32, of Toisnot, married George Bynum, 53, of Black Creek, in Wilson.
In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Route 2, Wilson, of Highway 301, day laborer Geo. Bynum, 66; wife Chanie, 49; Carrie, 20, Estella, and Junnies Braswell, 16 (described as in-laws, but actually Bynum’s stepchildren]; and Dazell, 12, and Ruth Bynum, 10.
In 1940, Roscoe Boot Braswell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 30 September 1917 in Wilson County; lived at 607 Spring Street, Wilson; his contact was mother Chaney Bynum, Route 2, Wilson; and he worked for the Country Club, Goldsboro Highway, Wilson.
In 1940, Louis Junior Braswell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 9 May 1921 in Edgecombe County; lived at 816 South Manchester Street, Wilson; his contact was mother Chenie Bynum, 816 South Manchester; and he worked at Cherry Point.
Snaps, no. 55: Vanilla Powell Beane.
My hero turns 85 today.
Wilson, North Carolina, circa 1946.
Happy birthday, Rederick C. Henderson!
Dr. John Clemon Williamson.
Winston-Salem Journal, 7 June 1914.
Winston-Salem Journal, 7 June 1914.
Born near Lucama in 1876 to Alex and Gracie Shaw Williamson, John Clemons Williamson attended Slater Industrial (the precursor to Winston-Salem State University), then Leonard Medical School. He returned to Winston-Salem to practice medicine and founded a private sanitarium in 1914.
——
In the 1880 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Elic Williamson, 44; wife Gracy, 29; and children John, 14, Lugen, 11, Joseph, 9, Jennie, 7, Mary, 6, Clem, 4, Sarah J., 2, and Pall, 1.
In the 1900 census of Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina, John C. Williamson, 24, is listed as a pupil at Slater Industrial and State Normal School.
On 14 January 1905, John C. Williamson, 28, of Winston-Salem, son of Alexander and Gracie Williamson of Wilson, married Callie S. Hairston, 22, of Winston-Salem, daughter of Robert and Catherine Hairston of Winston-Salem.
In the 1906 Winston-Salem, N.C., city directory: Williamson John C (Callie) tchr Slater Sch r[esidence] Columbian Hts
In the 1910 Winston-Salem, N.C., city directory: Williamson Callie S tchr Graded Schl [boards at] 605 Chestnut. Also, Williamson J C (Callie) student h 930 Ida Bell av, Columbian Heights
In 1918, John Clemon Williamson registered for the World War I draft in Winston-Salem. Per his registration card, he was born 19 May 1876; resided at 1326 East Bank Street; was a physician at 408 Church Street; and was married to Callie S. Williamson.
In the 1920 census of Winston-Salem, Forsyth County, North Carolina: Dr. J.C. Williamson, 43, physician; wife Callie S., 38; and daughter Plummer M., 7; niece Pearl Whitley, 22, office assistant to Dr. Williamson; and boarders John J. Green, 34, merchant; Rev. C.A. Nero, 38, of Nevis, West Indies, clergyman at Saint Stephens Episcopal Church; and nieces Liggitt Hairston, 15, of Saint Kitts, West Indies, and Catherine Hairston, 11.
The Twin City Daily Sentinel, 25 June 1920.
In the 1923 Winston-Salem, N.C., city directory: Williamson Jno C (Callie) pres Eureka Drug Co and Phys 800 N Ridge av h 1326 E Bank
John Clemon Williamson died 17 April 1927 in Winston-Salem. Per his death certificate, he was born 19 May 1876 in Wilson County to Alexander Williamson of Nash County and Grace Shaw of Wilson County, and he was a physician.
Undated and unattributed news clipping.
John C. Williamson left a straightforward will leaving all his property to his wife. Probate but anything but smooth though, as creditors disputed Callie Williamson’s handling of her husband’s estate and petitioned for her removal as executrix for mismanagement. The doctor’s $12000 estate was illusory, as his real property was encumbered by deeds of trust and his accounts receivable proved uncollectible. In 1929, Callie Williamson pulled up stakes and moved to Harlem with her daughter and infant granddaughter.
In the 1930 census of Manhattan, New York County, New York: at 196 Edgecombe Avenue, rented for $150/month, Callie Williamson, 48, widow; daughter Plummer, 17, domestic; and grandchild Jacqueline, 11 months, born in North Carolina; plus 13 roomers.
Callie Williamson died 27 May 1930 in Manhattan.
≈
Signature from Williamson’s World War I draft registration card.