This house lies a block beyond the border of the East Wilson Historic District on a lot carved from land once owned by Oliver and Willie Mae Hendley Freeman.
The legal description of this lot is: “Beginning at a stake at Daniels corner running along Daniels line 140 feet to a stake westerly; cornering, thence southerly 50 feet to a stake; cornering, thence easterly 140 feet along Freeman line to a stake on Powell Street; cornering, northerly on Powell Street to the beginning 50 feet. It being the identical property conveyed to Preston Ward and wife, Edna Ward by deed of O.N. Freeman and wife, Willie Mae Freeman dated November 22, 1924 and recorded in Book 153, Page 470, Wilson County Registry.”
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In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Ward Preston (c) plstr Powell nr Finch
In the 1928 and 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Ward Preston (c; Edna) plstr h206 Powell
In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Powell Street, owned and valued at $1200, Preston Ward, 27, public building plasterer; wife Edna, 26; and children Preston, 10, Elonzy, 8, Johnie, 6, Janie, 5, Virginia, 3, and Sylvester, 8 months.
Edna Ward died 2 January 1939 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 35 years old; was born in Wilson County to Jesse Taylor and Martha Ellis; and lived on Powell Street, Wilson.
In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Powell Street, widower Preston Ward, 38, building plasterer; sister Annie, 26; and children James P., 20, building plasterer, Alonza, 18, Johnny Lee, 17, Rosa, 14, Virginia, 12, Sylvester, 10, Ruby, 8, Doris, 6, and Golden, 2.
In the 1940s, the address of this house seems to have vacillated between 206 and 224 Powell.
In the 1941 and 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Ward J Preston (c; Pauline) plstr h206 Powell; Ward J Preston jr plstr h206 Powell
In 1941, James Preston Ward Jr. registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 1 January 1920 in Wilson County; lived at 305(?) Powell Street, Wilson; his contact was James P. Ward Sr., 305 Powell Street; and he worked for Jones Bros. & Co., Wilson.
In 1942, James Preston Ward registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 August 1903 in Wilson County; lived at Route 4, Box 24, Wilson; his contact was C.L. Darden, 108 Pender Street; and he self-employed as a plasterer.
In 1942, Alonzo Ward registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 20 August 1921 in Wilson County; lived at 224 Powell Street, Wilson; his contact was Preston Ward, 224 Power Street; and he worked for Preston Ward [sic], Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C. The card is marked “deceased.”
In 1942, Johnnie Lee Ward registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 April 1923 in Wilson County; lived at 224 Power Street, Wilson; his contact was Preston Ward, 224 Power Street; and he worked for T.A. Loving & Co., Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C.
Alonzo Ward died 21 July 1944 at N.C. Sanatorium, Quewhiffle, Hoe County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 August 1921 in Wilson to Preston Ward and Edna Taylor; was single; was a student; and lived at 224 Powell Street, Wilson.
On 10 September 1965, the Daily Times reported that James P. Ward had been granted a license for an addition to his house:
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, September 2022.
So exciting to see this. James Preston Ward is my great grandfather. Johnnie Lee Ward is my grandfather.
Your great-aunt Doris was my late father’s classmate!
Oh I love that! I only met Aunt Doris once or twice, but I remember her always calling us when I was a child.
I last saw her at my dad’s funeral in May. Search “Doris Ward” here. I also knew your great-uncle Golden’s kids.
Wow. I never met Golden and I don’t know his kids unfortunately. My family was pretty disjointed and when my dad moved to DC, he didn’t go back to Wilson much. All of my dad’s uncles had very distinct nicknames as well, so I wasn’t always sure who he was talking about. I believe they called Golden “Bear.” They all look so much alike. Photos of Doris that I’ve found on here remind me so much of my grandfather and their father.
I’m sure losing their mother so early was deeply destabilizing. ☹️
That certainly is a theme in my family. As you mentioned, Edna passed very young and my grandfather’s (Johnnie) first wife (Gloria Hagans), her mother (Essie Mae Hagans) passed fairly young as well so my father grew up not having any grandmothers…or a mother because Gloria left him at a young age. It’s fascinating having these pieces to put together.