Minnie Bell Florence Barnes Bolton (1905-1986) at Sparrow’s Beach, a Black-owned resort on Maryland’s Annapolis Neck Peninsula that catered to African-American families across the mid-Atlantic states.

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In the 1910 census of Dothan, Houston County, Alabama: washwoman Lizzie Larry, 37, widow, and children Florence A., 15, Jeff, 12, Anna B., 11, Claudie, 9, Thomas, 8, Rosa B., 6, and Minnie B., 3.

On 1 January 1918, Ardella Florence, 24, of Wilson, daughter of Dave and Lizzie Larry of Alabama, married Jackson Matthews, 22, of Wilson, son of Precious and Sarah Matthews of Alabama.

In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Jackson Matthews, 24, farmer; wife Adelle, 24; daughter Minnie, 12; and brother Adol, 19; all born in Alabama.

Om 25 December 1923, James M. Barnes, 23, of Black Creek, married Minnie Bell Florence, 19, of Black Creek, in Black Creek. Primitive Baptist elder Robert Edwards performed the ceremony in the presence of L.E. Grice, Murray Dew, and Calvin Woodard.

In the 1930 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: laborer James M. Barnes, 29; wife Minnie, 23; and son James, 5.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 405 Pine Street, private family cook Minnie B. Barnes, 24 [sic], and son James, 15.

In the 1950 census of Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland: at 1032 Monument Street, 2nd Floor, domestic worker Minnie Barnes, 42, separated, born in Alabama, and son James, 26, born in North Carolina, laborer at bathtub manufacturing company.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Barnes_PA.