This house is not within the bounds of East Wilson Historic District. However, the blocks of Mercer Street southwest of the Norfolk & Southern Railroad lines have been an African-American residential area since the early twentieth century. 

The house was likely built 1900-1920 and appears on the 1922 Sanborn fire insurance map.

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Holloway Henry (c; Millie) lab h 908 Mercer. Also: Holloway Narcissus (c) dish washer h 908 Mercer. Also: Holloway Elizabeth (c) maid h 908 Mercer

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory, 908 Mercer is listed as vacant.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: renting for $4/month, Priscilla Little, 47, laundress; daughter Margaret, 21, “hang or shake tobacco” at redrying plant; and granddaughters Leigh Virginia, 2, and Romaine, 7 months. 

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum Paul (c; Dollena; 3) lab h 908 Mercer. Also: Bynum Mollie (c) h 908 Mercer

Delores Bynum died 9 November 1941 at her home at 908 Mercer Street. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 June 1941 in Wilson to Paul Bynum and Dorlena Anderson and was buried in Rountree Cemetery.

Mollie Bynum died 25 October 1947 at her home at 908 Mercer Street. Per her death certificate, she was born 22 November 1879 to Louis Haggans and was a widower. She was buried in Rountree Cemetery. Paul Bynum, 2306 Marshall Avenue, Newport News, Virginia, was informant.

Wilson Daily Times, 27 October 1947.

In the 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Whitley James (c; Hazel) carp h 908 Mercer