Month: September 2022

1004 Washington Street, revisited.

The James and Lizzie Whitfield house at 1004 Washington Street is in a bad way and apparently is set to be demolished using American Rescue Plan Act funds. Eligible uses of such funds for vacant or abandoned properties include rehab costs, acquisition and marketing costs, environmental remediation costs, demolition, and converting such properties to affordable housing. 

Guidelines for the funds warn that demolition is not to be undertaken where it would create a “net reduction in occupiable housing units for low- and moderate-income individuals” in areas in which the need for such housing exceeds available supply. (It’s hard to imagine that demolition of this house won’t have just such a result, but it is also clear from a peak through that gap by the porch pillar that it is in deplorable condition.) Nor should low-income housing be converted to housing units “unaffordable to current residents in the community.” (Such as the $250,000 renovation two blocks away on Atlantic Street.)

There’s some irony here. James A. Whitfield was the first African-American member, and later chair, of the Wilson Housing Authority. The Whitfield Homes housing project is named for him.

Wilson Daily Times, 24 November 1960.

Photos by Lisa Y. Henderson, September 2022.

Remembering Mariah Clark.

When the Daily Times covered Sallie Clark Harrison’s 80th birthday, among other reminiscences it included this snippet:

“Eighty Years Old Today,” Wilson Daily Times, 17 August 1935. 

Records of ownership and sales of enslaved people are relatively rare for Wilson County, and Harrison’s recollection supplies uncommon detail. John Cherry “brought in” (perhaps to the office in which Harrison’s father Edwin Clark worked as postmaster) a 17 year-old girl. Clark paid Cherry $1200 for her and named her Mariah — what had her name been? — an extraordinary sum for that time (likely toward the end of the Civil War) and place.

The 1870 census of the Town of Wilson, Wilson County, shows 20 year-old Mariah Clark, described as mulatto, living in the Clark household as a domestic servant. Despite Sallie Harrison’s claims of selfless devotion, Mariah Clark is not listed in any further census records with the Clarks or Harrisons, and I have not been able to identify her otherwise.

 

Wilson’s first African-American policemen.

Wilson Daily Times, 24 July 1950.

In 1950, Wilson hired its first two Black policemen, Rudolph Best and Lee Jackson Williams, to patrol east of the railroad tracks.

  • Lee Jackson “Hank” Williams

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 319 Hackney Street, a duplex rented at $12/month per unit, Frank Harris, 35, lumber mill laborer; wife Mamie, 33; son Frank Jr., 2; and nephew McKinley Barnes, 21, farm laborer, and niece-in-law Hagar, 16; and Sam Williams, 28, barber; wife Emma, 28; children Addie M., 9, James, 7, Billie, 3, and Sam Jr., 1; and roomer Earnest Corbitt, 32, oil mill laborer.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 511 East Green Street, rented for $12/hour, Sam Williams, 42, barber; wife Emma, 38; and children Addie, 19, James, 17, Billie, 13, Samuel Jr., 11, and Dazzarine, 9.

In 1944, Lee Jackson Williams registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 5 May 1926 in Wilson County; lived at 511 East Green Street; his nearest relative was Emma Williams; and he was “unemployed — going to school.”

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 505 East Green, barber Sam Williams, 50; wife Emma, 48; children Addie M., 28, James, 26, and Lee Williams, 23; and daughter Dazzarine Nicholson, 19, cashier, and her daughter Edrina, 1.

On 27 September 1954, Lee Jackson Williams, 28, of Wilson, son of Sam and Emma Crawford Williams, married Margaret Evangeline Speight, 25, of Wilson, daughter of Theodore and Marie Thomas Speight, at 510 East Green Street, Wilson. Presbyterian minister O.J. Hawkins performed the ceremony in the presence of Beatrice Neal, Emma Williams, and Sarah Bryant.

Lee Jackson Williams died 24 October 1997 in Wilson.

  • Rudolph Best

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 406 East Walnut, ice plant laborer Aaron Best, 31; wife Estell, 31; and children William A., 9, Audry L., 6, Rudolph V., 5, Vera M., 3, and Royce D., 1.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 406 Walnut, rented for $12/month, Aaron Best, 39; wife Estelle, 39; and children Rudolph, 14, Royce, 10, Harper and Gerald, 8, Eddie, 7, and Nannie Jean, 5.

In 1943, Rudolph Best registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 17 September 1925 in Wilson; his contact was Aaron Best; he lived at 1009 East Nash Street, Wilson; and he worked part-time at Briggs Hotel.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1009 East Nash Street, Isaac Williams, 26, plaster helper; wife Delores D., 25, shaking tobacco at tobacco factory; and Larry L., 1; (upstairs) Rudolph Best, 24, plaster helper, and brothers Audrey L., 27, auto mechanic at repair shop, and Eddie E., 17; and (upstairs) Odessa B. Reid, 39, and mother Ietta R.M. Reid, 81, widow.

On 29 December 1954, Rudolph Best, 29, of Wilson, son of Aaron Best and Estelle Burden Best, married Ophelia Atkinson, 30, of Wilson, daughter of Mark Atkinson and Ada Battle Atkinson in Wilson.

Rudolph Best died 19 August 1974 in Durham, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born 17 September 1925 to Aaron Best and Estelle Burton; was married to Ophelia Atkinson; lived at 1009 East Nash Street, Wilson; and had worked as a “policeman (22 years) Wilson Police Dept. Retired.)

——

Wilson Daily Times, 15 March 1982.

Graduates of Sales Beauty College.

Wilson Daily Times, 1 July 1950.

In 1950, Sales Beauty College graduated 12 new beauticians in a ceremony held at Saint John A.M.E. Zion church.

  • Jennie M. Alston
  • Columbus Hannah — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 725 Lincoln Street, Clara Pritchett, 58, tobacco factory stemmer; son-in-law George Gay, 25, filling station attendant; daughter Mary L. Gay, 26, tobacco factory feeder; and grandchildren Nathaniel, 9, William D., 8, and Columbus Hannah, 5.
  • Lillie M. Sales — beauty school founder Sales lived in Raleigh, North Carolina.
  • Mary L. Flemming    
  • Mary L. Gay — see above.  
  • Carrie L. Hopkins — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: in the duplex at 511 East Green, (right side) Pauline Knight, 30, widow, saleslady at grocery store; (left side) Luke Hopkins, 32; wife Berline, 22; daughter Pecolie Maxine, born in September; and sister Carrie Lee Hopkins, 19.
  • Rebecca McRae — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1110 Atlantic Street, Julia Green, 68, widow; Rebecca McRae, 35, widow, cook in domestic service; and Mary Harris, 38, teacher in primary grade at city elementary school.
  • Rosa Arrington — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 Reid Street, carpenter Levi Arrington, 62; wife Rosa, 67, beauty parlor proprietor; and foster daughter Margaret Kenny, 9.
  • Dorethea Lewis
  • Evelyn H. Moore
  • Lucille Goram — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 320 Finch Street, farmworker Earnest Goram, 53; wife Mary, 46, maid; and daughter Lucille, 30.
  • Katie Sewell — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 813 East Green, James W. Sewell, 49, cook in cafe; wife Katie, 37; and daughter Marian, 14.
  • Hattie Battle 
  • Elsie Hobbs — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1205 Atlantic, carpenter Hadie Hobbs, 47, and wife Elsie, 41. 
  • Inez Holmes — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 713 Robeson, Arthur C. Holmes, 32, hauling coal for ice and ice company; wife Inez, 33, maid at local bank; boarder Edward Barber, 67, father-in-law.

Clipping courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.

Daniel Gear, centenarian?

When Daniel Gear (not Gill) died in Wilson township on 10 April 1918, his age was estimated at 100. If that were accurate, Gear was a middle-aged man at the time he was freed from slavery. Other documents, however, establish that Gear was likely born about 1840, and thus a young man at freedom and about 80 years old when he died.

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In the 1870 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, North Carolina: farm laborer Daniel Geer, 29; Sarah, 24; and children Romelia, 5, and Emma, 2; and Elisha Harket, 21.

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Daniel Hico[?], 40; wife Sarah, 35; and children Malar, 18, Thomas, 11, Emer, 9, Daniel, 8, John, 5, Aner, 3, and Wiliam B., 1.

In the 1900 census of Gardners township, farmer Daniel Gear, 67; wife Sarah, 52; and children William, 21, Ella, 18, and Allice, 16.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Moiton [Moyeton] Road, Daniel Geer, 75; wife Sarah, 66; and children [and grandchildren?] Mary E., 29, Chas., 21, James, 20, Frank, 18, Floyd, 12, Cora, 11, Clarra, 9, Thomas, 6, and William, 5.

Sarah Gear died 28 April 1919 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 75 years old; was born in Mississippi to James and Sallie Hoskins; and was a tenant farmer for Mrs. Graham Woodard. William Gear was informant.

Rosa Parrish died 3 September 1939 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 63 years old; was born in Edgecombe County to Daniel Gear and Sarah Gear; lived at 905 Stantonsburg Street; and was married to Henry Parrish. Lonnie Williams was informant.

William Gear died 7 December 1943 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 54 years old; was born in Wilson County to Daniel Gear and Sarah Haskins; lived on Goldsboro Street; and was a widower. Alice Woodard, 652 Suggs Street, was informant.

John Gear died died 18 December 1944 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 January 1876 in Edgecombe County to Daniel Gear and Sarah Haskins; lived at 403 Stantonsburg Street; was married Sinie Gear; and worked as a laborer. Informant was Willie Gear, 1012 Robeson Street.

East Nash Street as viewed from First Baptist.

This 1984 photograph, taken near the intersection of East Nash and Pender Streets, shows the 500 block of East Nash Street before it was decimated by building demolition. I have identified the locations of some of the historic businesses on the block. Of the buildings pinpointed, only Jackson Chapel and the S.P. Artis and William’s Barbershop buildings remain standing.

“View, First Baptist Church, Wilson, Wilson County, North Carolina,” State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), North Carolina State Historic Preservation Office.

Albert Harris retires.

Wilson Daily Times, 13 January 1972.

Albert Harris began working for Wilson Daily Times in 1939. He retired in January 1972 and passed away four months later.

——

In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm tenant Champan Barnes, 65, widower; daughter Effie Dora Harris, 24, widow; and son[?] Albert Harris, 15.

On 5 August 1939, Albert Harris, 35, of Wilson County, son of Daniel Harris and Effie Harris, married Sallie Dale, 29, of Wilson County, daughter of Josh Dale and Hattie Dale, in Nash County. Wilbert McCray applied for the license and acting as witness.

In 1942, Albert Harris registered for the World War II draft. Per his registration card, he was born 25 June 1903 in Stantonsburg, N.C.; lived at 304 East Walnut Street; his contact was Frank Applewhite, 306 East Walnut; and he worked for P.D. Gold Publishing Company.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 304 Walnut, Albert Harris, 46; wife Sallie, 30; and son Sylvester, 2.

Albert Harris died 7 May 1972 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 5 June 1907 to Alfred Harris and Effie Barnes; was married to Sallie Dale; lived at 911 Mercer Street; and was a retired janitor. He was buried in Bethel Cemetery, Stantonsburg, North Carolina.

State vs. Calvin Taylor.

To stave off responsibility for caring for poor women and their children, unwed mothers were regularly brought before justices of the peace to answer sharp questions about their circumstances.

On 6 July 1866, Cherry Williams admitted to Wilson County justice of the peace W.W. Batts that she was pregnant and unmarried, and Calvin Taylor was her child’s father. Batts ordered that Taylor be arrested and taken to a justice to answer Williams’ charge.

Bastardy Bonds, 1866, Miscellaneous Records, Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

209 South Vick Street.

The one hundred-seventy-ninth 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. 1913; 1 story; hip-roofed, double-pile cottage with turned porch posts.”

This house was demolished, along with nearly all others in the triangle bounded by Nash, Pender and Hines Streets, to make way for Wilson’s Freeman Place redevelopment project, which has constructed more than one hundred affordable houses in the area.

——

On 14 April 1914, Kenyon Howard paid Boykin-Townsend Realty Company $200 for a parcel on Second [South Vick] Street [between Robeson and Wiggins Streets] adjoining another of Howard’s lots, another of Boykin-Townsend’s lots, and a lot belonging to Jonah Wilson. This property appears to be 209 South Vick. Howard was a prosperous farmer in western Wilson County, and it does not appear that he ever lived at the address.

Deed book 26, page 329, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office.

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Hines Windsor (c; Fannie) lab h 209 S Vick

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Hines Windsor (c; Fannie) hlpr h 209 S Vick

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 209 South Vick, rented for $20/month, Winsor Hines, 53, junkyard laborer; wife Fannie, 47; daughter Margaret, 20; daughter Ada Hemery, 22; son-in-law John Hemery, 27, junkyard laborer; grandchildren Winsor, 4, and Jim L. Hemery, 3; and mother-in-law Jennette Corbett, 96, widow.

Winger Hines died 22 August 1930 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 51 years old; was married to Fannie Hines; was born in Pitt County, N.C., to Wiley Hines and Nancy Barnes; lived at 209 South Vick Street; and worked as a common laborer.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 209 South Vick, Connie Batts, 59, oil mill laborer; wife Mattie, 51; children Beatrix, 27, Ruth, 25, both tobacco factory laborers, and Lula, 23, private housekeeper; grandchildren Susan, 7, Elizabeth, 5, Carl, 4, and Rudolph, 9 months; and son James, 21, grocery store deliveryman, and his wife Louise, 19.

Geather Connie Batts died 10 May 1941 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 60 years old; was born in Wilson County to Redman Batts and Celester Battle; was married Mattie Batts; lived at 209 South Vick; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Rountree cemetery.

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Batts Mattie (c; 4) tob wkr h 209 S Vick

Mattie Batts died 17 June 1944 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 15 July 1890 in Nash County, N.C., to John Ford and Lettie Jones; was the widow of Gorther C. Batts; and lived at 209 South Vick. Lettie Ruth Batts was informant.

In the 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bell Jerry (c; Eileeza) farmer h 209 S Vick

Wilson Daily Times, 2 March 1948.

The Blounts sell a lot.

On 28 March 1905, for $200, Calvin and Effie Blount sold Daniel Blount a one-quarter acre lot and house “on the south side of the Alley running from Cemetery Street towards the Colored Cemetery ….” The deed mentions several features of the landscape — several ditches, a bridge at the intersection of the alley with Cemetery Street, a house occupied by Walter Jones. (The ditches and bridge remind us that this was low-lying, flood-prone land, which was likely a factor in the abandonment of Oakdale Cemetery in favor of Vick Cemetery after 1913.)

Calvin Blount and Daniel Blount were likely either relatives or shared a history of enslavement by Richard H. Blount of Pitt, then Wilson, County. 

Deed book 68, page 363, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office.