Month: January 2020

Lane Street Project: a list of likely burials in Rountree, Vick, or Odd Fellows cemeteries.

This is a running annotated list of people who are believed, on the basis of family information, death certificates, obituaries or other sources, including my strong hunch, to be buried in Rountree, Vick or Odd Fellows cemeteries.

These contiguous cemeteries were known commonly and collectively as “Rountree cemetery” making it difficult to determine the exact location of each burial.  Though county residents were more likely to be buried in church or family cemeteries, nearly every African-American city resident who died between about 1910 and 1940 was buried in Rountree, Vick or Odd Fellows. (Those who weren’t were laid to rest in the “old” Colored Cemetery, also known as Oaklawn or Oakdale, or the Masonic cemetery, around the bend of Lane Street.) C.H. Darden & Sons (CHD) conducted most of the burials in these cemeteries and, until the 1940s, often referred to their location on death certificates only as “Wilson, N.C.” (Thankfully, the various undertaking businesses run by Columbus E. Artis specified Rountree cemetery (even if Vick or Odd Fellows was the actual burial ground.)

This list does not include burials listed in Joan Howell’s cemetery book or individuals for whom gravestones are intact. All death certificates noted were issued in Wilson County unless otherwise noted.

  • Artis, Fabie — Died 1930. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertaker C.E. Artis.
  • Barnes, Infant — Stillborn 1925 to Lewis Barnes and Annie Taylor, a “5th month fetus.” Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Barnes, Infant — Stillborn 7 January 1926 in Wilson to George Barnes and Pattie Hill. Death certificate: Rountree’s cemetery, undertakers Artis & Freeman.
  • Battle, Paul — Died 1927. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Batts, John — Died 1927, age 60. Death certificate: Rountree’s cemetery, undertaker Artis & Freeman.
  • Boykin, Nancy Staton — Died 1946, age 88. Death certificate: Roundtree cemetery, undertaker C.H. Darden & Sons.
  • Bowen, Infant — Stillborn 30 January 1926 in Wilson to Jack Bowen and Flossie Cobb. Death certificate: Rountree’s cemetery, undertakers Artis & Freeman.
  • Bridgers, Infant Child — Died 1940, age 1 day. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, C.E. Artis.
  • Brooks, Unnamed — Stillborn 1927 to Setha Brooks and Frodia Williams. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, Artis & Flanagan.
  • Bryant, Infant — Stillborn 3 February 1926 in Wilson to Norwood Bryant and Laura Dodson. Death certificate: Rountree’s cemetery, undertakers Artis & Freeman.
  • Cannon, Infant — Stillborn 11 February 1926 in Wilson to Willie Cannon and Helen Harris. Death certificate: Rountree’s cemetery, undertakers Artis & Freeman.
  • Clark, Sarah Hill — Died 1927, age 64. Death certificate: Rountree’s cemetery, undertaker Artis & Freeman.
  • Coley, Infant — Stillborn 1927 to John Coley and Rosetta Harriss. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, Artis & Flanagan.
  • Dale, Joe — Died 1925, age 62. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Daniel, Boisie — Died 1927, age 1. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, Artis & Flanagan.
  • Davis, Infant — Stillborn 1927 to John Davis and Lula Jernigan. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Davis, Laura — Died 1925. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Dew, Alfred — Died 1925. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Edmundson, Infant — Died 1927. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, buried by family.
  • Edwards, Charlie — Died 1940. Death certificate: Rountree cemetery, undertaker I.W. Lee, Fremont, N.C.
  • Edwards, Isiah — Died 1927, infant. Death certificate: Rountree’s cemetery, undertaker Artis & Freeman.
  • Ethridge, Wiley — Died 1932, born in 1876. Death certificate: Roundtree, Darden.
  • Farmer, Mattie — Died 1938, age 28. Death certificate: Rountrees, C.E. Artis.
  • Foster, William Calvin — Died 1929, age 1. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, C.E. Artis.
  • Gay, Albert S., Sr. — Died 1932. Probably Rountree (family info). Death certificate: Wilson, N.C., CHD.
  • Gill, Daniel — Died 1918, age 100. Death certificate: Wilson, N.C., CHD.
  • Guest, Infant — Died 1918. Death certificate: Rountrees Church.
  • Haggans, George — Died 1918. Death certificate: Rountree cemetery, CHD.
  • Hawkins, Dorothy Lee — Died 1927, age 6. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, Artis & Flanagan.
  • Henderson, Archie — Died 1930, age 4. Death certificate: Wilson Co., N.C., C.E. Artis. Family info.
  • Henderson, Jesse Jr. — Died 1929, age 5 months. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, Wilson, N.C., C.E. Artis.
  • Hines, Perry — Died 1927, age 25. Death certificate: Rountree cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Hinnant, Hercules H. — Died 1934, age 23. Death certificate: Wilson, N.C., CHD. Per his obituary, buried in Rountree cemetery.
  • Hobbs, George — Died 1927, age 59. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, Artis & Flanagan.
  • Howell, William J. — Died 1939, age 67. Death certificate: Roundtree Cemetery, Hamilton Funeral Home. Per his obituary, buried in Rountree cemetery. (Howell was a member of Red Hot Hose Company, and may actually have been buried in Odd Fellows with Benjamin Mincey and other firemen.)
  • Jackson, Florence — Died 1925, age 7 months. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Jacobs, Infant — Stillborn 1928 to Roderick Taylor and Hattie Mae Jacobs. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, Wilson, N.C., C.E. Artis.
  • Johnson, Infant — Stillborn 17 January 1926 in Wilson to William Johnson and Lula Willis. Death certificate: Rountree’s cemetery, undertakers Artis & Freeman.
  • Jones, Edward — Died 1940. Death certificate: Rountree, CHD.
  • Jones, Infant — Stillborn 27 January 1926 in Wilson to Luther Jones and Lula Herring. Death certificate: Rountree’s cemetery, undertakers Artis & Freeman.
  • Jones, Infant — Stillborn 1927 to Samuel Jones and Everline Harrell. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Jones, Sam, Sr. — Stillborn 1 February 1926 in Wilson. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Freeman.
  • Lassiter, Dempsey — Died 1946. Death certificate: Wilson, N.C., CHD.
  • Lassiter, Doris — Died 1943, age 5 months. Death certificate: Rountree’s, Hamilton Funeral Home.
  • Lucas, Infant. — Died 25 January 1940, premature. Death certificate: Rountrees, undertaker: family.
  • McCall, Willie Mae — Died 1927, age 11 months. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • McEachin, Margarette — Died 1927, age 6 months. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, Artis & Flanagan.
  • McNeill, Susie — Died 1927, age 28. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Melvin, John — Died 1939. Buried in Rountree cemetery, per obituary.
  • Moore, Ellias — Died 1918, age 40. Death certificate: Roundtree cemetery.
  • Moore, James Henry — Died 1927, age 32. Death certificate: Rountree cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Morgan, Sarah — Died 1927, age 16. Death certificate: Rountree cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Murray, Emma — Died 1927, age 41. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, Artis & Flanagan.
  • Perry, Lena — Died 1927, age 44. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, Artis & Flanagan.
  • Pitt, John Henry — Died 1927, age 3 months. Death certificate: Rountree cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Plummer, William Henry — Died 1925, age 70. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Pope, Mary Ella — Died 1932, age 24 days. Death certificate: “Roundtree (Wilson),” Amerson-Boswell Company.
  • Richardson, Infant — Stillborn 30 January 1926 in Wilson to Lizzie A. Richardson. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Freeman.
  • Rountree, Jack — Likely, Odd Fellows. Daughter Delzela Rountree is buried in Odd Fellows.
  • Rountree, Lucile — Died 1930. Likely, Odd Fellows. Death certificate: Wilson, N.C., CHD. Daughter Delzela is buried in Odd Fellows.
  • Simmons, Robert James — Died 1927. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Simms, Silva — Died 1927. Death certificate: Rountree cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Smith, Baby. Died 1940, aged 1 month. Death certificate: Rountrees, C.E. Artis.
  • Tate, Noah J. — Died 1926. Death certificate: Rountree cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Taylor, Eliza — Died 1934, age 47. Death certificate: Wilson, N.C., C.E. Artis. Probably Rountree or Vick, family info.
  • Taylor, Greeman — Died 1922, age 23. Death certificate: Wilson, N.C., CHD. Probably Rountree or Vick, family info.
  • Taylor, Hennie L. — Aged 1917, age 1. Death certificate: Wilson, N.C., undertaker A.D. McGowan. Probably Rountree or Vick, family info.
  • Taylor, Henrietta G. — Died 1916, age 19. Death certificate: Wilson, N.C., A.D. McGowan, undertaker. Probably Rountree or Vick, family info.
  • Taylor, Mike — Died 1927, age 68. Death certificate: Wilson, N.C., CHD. Probably Rountree or Vick, family info.
  • Taylor, Rachel — Died 1925, age 54. Death certificate: Wilson, N.C., CHD. Probably Rountree or Vick, family info.
  • Utley, Turner H. — Died 1928, age 52. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, C.E. Artis.
  • Vick, Annie M. Washington — Died 1952, age 81. Death certificate: Rountree cemetery, Edwards Funeral Home. However, the Vick family plot was in Odd Fellows cemetery. [Update: grave marker found 15 December 2020, Odd Fellows cemetery.]
  • Vick, Samuel H. — Died 1946. Death certificate: Rountree cemetery, Edwards Funeral Home. However, the Vick family plot was in Odd Fellows cemetery. [Update: grave marker found 15 December 2020, Odd Fellows cemetery.]
  • Vick, Viola — The Vick family plot was in Odd Fellows cemetery.
  • Ward, Helen — died 9 February 1926 in Wilson. Death certificate: Rountree’s cemetery, undertakers Artis & Freeman.
  • Ward, Mart Etta — Died 1925, age 41. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Weathers, Cleola — Died 1927, age 22. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • White, Clara — Died 1927, age 25. Death certificate: Rountree cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • White, Cora L. — Died 1927, age 1. Death certificate: Rountree cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.
  • Williams, Edgar — Died 1949, age 54. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, C.E. Artis.
  • Wilson, Fred — Died 1927, age 21. Death certificate: Rountree’s cemetery, undertaker Artis & Freeman.
  • Woodard, Lucy Simms — Died 1929, age about 48. Death certificate: Rountree Church Cemetery; Black Creek Undertaking Company. [Thank you, John Stembridge.]
  • Woods, Minnie A. — Died 1927. Death certificate: Rountrees cemetery, undertakers Artis & Flanagan.

The obituary of Rose Artis Stewart, 106.

Ms. Rose Artis Stewart, age 106, of 2578 W. 5th Street, Greenville, formerly of Wilson was called from labor to reward on Saturday, January 18, 2020.  A celebration of her life and legacy will be held Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 12 noon in the Robert King, Sr. Memorial Chapel of Carrons Funeral Home, 726 South Tarboro Street, Wilson.  Evangelist Myra Artis will deliver the eulogy, and Minister Gail Batts Shiver will preside.  Interment will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery.

To celebrate her life and cherish precious memories, Mother Rose leaves her son, Lester Artis; her daughter, Ruth Artis Smith; three grandchildren, James Artis (Cheryl), Kirk Artis (Angie) and Alice Lavinia Dozier (Ronald); eight great grandchildren, Keith, Quiana (Amaree), Jason (Latonya), Jerrod (Laura), Kaleisha, D’netra, Michael, Crystal (Jamal) and Maysha (Vadym); thirteen great great grandchildren, Mckeever, McKayla, McKenzie, Mya, Jordan, Reagan, Ava, Alivia, Jason II,  Solanam, Nailah, Amir and Emma; a god daughter, Anetra; two dear close friends, Virginia Bolling and Mother Rumella Patterson; her special nieces, Marie and Geneva; her spiritual father, Bishop Ed W. Thomas; a host of nieces, nephews, Redeemer Church Family, other church families and a host of other relatives and friends.

Obituary courtesy of Carrons Funeral Home.

Studio shots, no. 137: James O. Barnes.

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James Odella Barnes (1903-1962).

In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Wright Creech, 38; wife Sallie A., 26; children Leory, 13, Richard, 12, Penny, 9, Naomie, 7, Luther, 4, Lilly, 2, and Johnnie, 4 months; and Willie, 9, and Odalia Barnes, 7 [who were described as sons-in-law, but were actually Wright’s step-children and Sallie’s children.]

In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: on New Wilson and Raleigh Road, farmer Right Creech, 48; wife Sallie, 37; and children Willie, 19, James O., 17, Maomie, 18, Luther, 14, Lillie May, 11, Alex, 9, Elizabeth, 8, Beulah, 6, Gertrude, 3, and David, 1.

On 5 January 1925, Jas. Barnes, 21, of Cross Roads, married Emma Sanders, 20, of Cross Roads, in Wilson.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: James O. Barnes, 26, farm laborer, and wife Emma, 25.

In 1942, James Odella Barnes registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 2 June 1901 in Goldsboro, N.C.; lived at 426 Spring Street, Wilson; his contact was Sallie Creech, R.F.D. #2, Wilson; and he worked at the Marine Base, New River, N.C.

James O. Barnes died 6 September 1962 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 2 June 1903 to Earnest Barnes and Sallie Barnes; was married to Bessie Barnes; and worked as a self-employed carpenter. Informant was Luther Creech, 701 Cemetery Street, Wilson.

Thanks to Edith Jones Garnett for sharing this photo.

In Memory of Mrs. Mena Townsend Faison.

Mena Townsend Faison‘s funeral was held 16 August 1981 at London Primitive Baptist Church. Elder Lonnie Barnes performed the service.

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Will Faison, 24, of Wilson, and Mena Townsend, 19, of Wilson, daughter of Louis Townsend, were married 15 August 1912 in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister William Baker performed the ceremony in the presence of Rosa Greene, Ora Bunch and Josie Strickland.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Banks Street, tobacco factory worker Willie Banks, 31; wife Mena, 26; and children Edward, 6, Willie Mae, 4, Addie, 2, and Adell, 7 months.

Mabel Eliza Faison died 25 December 1929 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 17 years old; a school girl; single; and was born in Wilson to Willie Faison and Mena Townsend. Informant was Maggie Katis.

Henry Cornelius Faison registered for the World War II draft in Wilson in 1942. Per his registration card, he was born 22 February 1921 in Wilson; lived at 504 Banks Street; his contact was Meana Faison; and he worked for Export Tobacco Company. Ethel L. Hines was registrar.

In the 1957 Newark, New Jersey, city directory: Faison William (Mena) longshoreman h 146 S 9th

Thanks to Lisa R.W. Sloan for sharing this funeral program from a family collection.

Black River.

Dr. Algeania Freeman recently published Black River, a narrative of the life of her great-grandfather James Woodard. Accordingly to family lore and research, James Woodard was born enslaved in what is now Wilson County about 1850. After his father Amos was sold at auction and his mother died, Woodard ran away, eventually settling in Cumberland County. Dr. Freeman believes she may be descended from or otherwise related to London and Venus Woodard and is searching for proof of that connection. Her family has beaten the odds by maintaining a detailed oral tradition through several generations. Genetic genealogy may hold the key to recovering their Wilson County connection.

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A feature of the occasion.

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News & Observer, 24 January 1913.

Pleasant D. Gold was an enterprising Primitive Baptist preacher who founded Zion’s Landmark, a long-running church newspaper, and later the Wilson Daily Times. Gold met his wife Julia Pipkin while serving as a Missionary Baptist minister in Goldsboro. They were married in 1863, when Washington Suggs was not so much employed as enslaved. Suggs reprised his role as butler when the Golds renewed their vows in January 1913. He died a year later, aged about 75.

A Winstead gathering.

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Lisa R. W. Sloan kindly shared this amazing photograph taken in Wilson County around the turn of the 20th century. Her great-great-grandfather Edward “Ned” Winstead is standing in the top row, third from right, with a book tucked under his arm. Her great-great-grandmother Annie Edwards Winstead is believed to be in the photo as well, but has not been identified. Nor have the others depicted, who may members of the extended Winstead family, who lived in the Elm City area. If you recognize anyone here, please let us know.

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In the 1870 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Anna Oats, 28, domestic servant; Milly, 16, domestic servant, Ned, 13, farm laborer, and Clara, 12, domestic servant; and John Batts, 22, retail liquor dealer.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Fannie Parker, 51; daughter Martha, 28; grandsons Julius S., 10, and Joseph W., 4; nephew Ned Winstead, 22.

On 29 December 1886, Ned Winstead, 28, son of George Hodge, married Annie Edwards, 23, daughter of Orren and Sarah Edwards, at James Chisel’s house in Toisnot township.

In the 1900 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Winstead, 42, wife Annie, 38, and children Hubbard, 12, James H., 10, Maggie, 8, Lizzie V., 4, William N.D., 2.

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on State Highway, farmer Ned Winstead, 52, wife Annie, 47, and children Maggie, 18, Lizzie, 14, Daniel, 12, John, 9, Lee, 6, and Bryant, 4.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on State Highway, farmer Ned Winstead, 58, wife Annie, 50, and children Maggie, 23, John, 18, and Bryant, 13, plus granddaughter Annie Bell, 9.

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Winstead, 60, widower; son-in-law Tom Wilcher, 48; daughter Maggie, 37; Carl Farmer, 23, son-in-law; daughter Lizzie, 33; and granddaughter Annie B., 19.

On 7 November 1931, in Smithfield, North Carolina, Bryant Winstead, 26, son of Ned and Annie Winstead, resident of Elm City, married Eva Green, 24, daughter of Neverson and Isabella Green, resident of Wilson.

Ned Winstead died 24 May 1934 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was a widower; was born 14 February 1858 in Nash County to George Hardy and Iseley Winstead; was a farmer; and was buried in Elm City. Maggie Wilcher was informant.

Fatal fall from truck.

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Wilson Daily Times, 3 January 1941.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farmer Frank Ward, 26; wife Lizzie, 23; son Columbus, 11 months; and niece Geneva, 8.

On 7 September 1913, Frank Ward, 31, son of Frank and Rhoda Ward, married Minnie Harriss, 21, daughter of Arch and Rose Harriss. Holy Church minister E.E. Hicks performed the ceremony at Willie Ward’s residence in the presence of Willie Ward, Willie Ellis and Johney Rhodes.

In 1918, Frank Ward registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born in March 1884, worked on Henry Love’s farm, and his nearest relative was Minnie Ward.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Frank Ward, 40, farmer; wife Minnie, 28; and children Zeus, 10, Lucile, 8, Minnie Belle, 5, Frank, 5, Floyd, 4, Mary, 2, Columbus, 10, and Albert, 8.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Frank Ward, 44, farmer; wife Minnie, 35; and children Albert, 20, Lucile, 19, Frank, 14, Floyd, 13, Mary, 12, Hazel, 9, David, 6, Estell, 4, Rosa, 3, and James, 1, and grandson William, 11 months.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Frank Ward, 52, City of Wilson laborer; wife Minnie, 48; and children David, 16, farm laborer, Estell, 13, and James, 9.

In 1940, Columbus Ward registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 October 1909 in Wilson County; he lived at 808 Sugg Street; his contact was father Frank Ward; and he worked for C. Woodard.

Frank Ward died 1 January 1941 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 10 September 1884 in Wilson County to Frank Ward and Rosa Ward; worked as a laborer for the  city of Wilson; and he lived at 808 Suggs Street. He was buried in Rest Haven cemetery. Minnie Ward was informant. Ward’s cause of death was “fractured skull/falling from truck.” (Ward was declared dead at Woodard-Herring Hospital, which ordinarily treated whites only.)

Wilson County’s free families of color.

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I’m honored that Wilson County Public Library has invited me to speak again during Black History Month.

I’ll be talking about Wilson County’s free families of color.  Are you an Artis, a Hagans, a Jones, a Lassiter, a Locus or Lucas, a Reid?  The history of these and other free families is little known, though their many descendants can still be found across the county.

My talk is scheduled for Saturday afternoon this year, so I hope you’ll be able to make it.

Wilson County Public Library — Main Branch, 249 Nash Street W., Wilson, N.C.