I’ve spoken of the database I am developing of likely burials in Vick, Odd Fellows, and Rountree Cemeteries. My spreadsheet draws upon death certificates, obituaries, and other sources — most distressingly imprecise. The term “Rountree Cemetery” on these documents may refer to Vick, Odd Fellows, or Rountree. Some documents broadly refer only to burial in Wilson. However, in the absence of official burial records for any of the cemeteries, we make do.
To honor the men, women, and children who never had grave markers, or whose stones have been lost or stolen or destroyed, I begin this series. Graves believed to be in Vick Cemetery, which the City of Wilson stripped of remaining markers in 1996, will be identified with a Vick Cemetery logo.
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William Adams died 7 August 1942 at his home at 313 Hackney Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 29 November 1875 in Kinston, N.C., to parents whose names were not known; was married to Ardelia Williams; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery by Hamilton Funeral Home.
How wonderful. Great work you are doing. As a fellow cemetery documenter I fully appreciate the frustrations of researching our African American cemeteries. But I also know how gratifying the feeling is to recover our history. I recently heard from a cousin when I posted names without grave markers saying how grateful she was because she found her aunt’s and uncles’ names and had looked for years not knowing where they were buried. So again kudos! Have you registered the cemeteries with the NC Cemetery Survey Project? I recommend it.
Thanks, Margo. I registered all three in 2021.