The one hundred-sixtieth in a series of posts highlighting buildings in East Wilson Historic District, a national historic district located in Wilson, North Carolina. As originally approved, the district encompasses 858 contributing buildings and two contributing structures in a historically African-American section of Wilson. (A significant number have since been lost.) The district was developed between about 1890 to 1940 and includes notable examples of Queen Anne, Bungalow/American Craftsman, and Shotgun-style architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District, this building is: “ca. 1930; 1 story; bungalow with cross-gable roof and engaged porch.”

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In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 406 Reid Street, rented for $16/month, Leroy Mercer, 37, grocery store delivery boy; wife Netta, 38, laundry; and children Sylvester, 11, Dempsey, 10, Mattie, 8, Annie D., 6, and James Nixon, 4. 

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 406 Reed, rented for $14/month, Leroy Mercer, 47, truck driver, Peacock Grocery Company; wife Mattie, 47, private family laundress; roomer Luvenia Brown, 20; and son Dempsey Mercer, 21, show shiner.

In 1940, Dempsey Mercer registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 19 November 1920 in Wilson; lived at 406 North Reid Street; his contact was Leroy Mercer of the same address; and he worked for Willis Prince, 519 East Nash Street.

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Mercer Leroy (c; Mattie) driver Peacock Gro Co h 406 N Reid

In the 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Mercer Leroy (c; Mattie) hlpr Peacock Gro Co h 406 N Reid

Mattie K. Mercer died 24 August 1959 at her home at 406 North Reid. Per her death certificate, she was born 6 May 1892 in Enfield, N.C. to Berry King and Adeline Bellen and was married to Leroy Mercer. Informant was Mattie Best, 807 East Green.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, April 2022.