Wilson Daily Times, 7 November 1932.
Ben Summerlin was 13 years old.
How that fact escaped the person who wrote this article, the person who described a boy as a “negro tenant farmer,” is inconceivable. Per his death certificate, Benjamin Summerlin was born 24 May 1919 in Wilson County to Benjamin Summerlin and Addaliza Rice. He died 5 November 1932.
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In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Benjamin Sumerlin, 24; wife Pearl, 22; and sons Harvey, 4, and Benjamin, 6 months.
In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Analiza Sumerlin, 52, farmer, widow, and children Emma L., 18, Martha J., 15, Harry L., 16, and Bengiman, 10, all farm laborers. [It appears that Ben Summerlin’s death certificate contains a reporting error. Benjamin Summerlin was his father, but his mother was named Pearl. Annaliza Rice Summerlin was his (and Harvey Summerlin’s) grandmother.]
Ben was my great-great grandmother’s (Eva Edmundson/ Edmondson)nephew. This made me sad to hear how my 13 year old cousin died. I could only imagine how my family was grieving for such a young life; gone so soon. Thanks, Lisa for publishing this article.
Lois Artis-Daniels
I’m glad I was able to provide more information about him, even if it focuses on his tragic death.