Wilson Daily Times, 9 January 1943.

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In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Osborn Dunstan, 37, wife Mariah, 45, and children Dora, 4, Cora, 2, Sarah, 2 months, John, 12, and Fanny, 6.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm worker Osbourn Dunston, 44, wife Mariah, 40, and children Dorah, 12, Corah, 11, Sarah, 9, Frances, 7, Hubbard, 5, Mary, 4, and Harriet, 3. Next door, in the household of farmer Henry Miller, was John Dunston, 20.

On 17 January 1897, Dora Duntson, 25, married Joe Battle, 24, in Wilson County. Rev. Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony at the bride’s home in the presence of J.R. Bullock, L.D. Johnson and Fanny Rountree. [It was likely around the time of her marriage that Dora Dunstan Battle was a servant in Josephus Daniels‘ household.]

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: wagon driver Joseph Battle, 28, and wife Dora, 22.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Joe Battle, 32, tobacco factory laborer, and wife Dora, 32, private cook.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Spring Street, Joe Battle, 58, tobacco company laborer; wife Dora, 52, and daughter Esther, 19, private servant.

Joseph Battle died 23 October 1924 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 44 years old; was born in Nash County, N.C., to Wallice Battle and Jane Freeman; was married to Dorah Battle; lived at 606 Spring; worked as a day laborer for Imperial Tobacco Company; and was buried in Wilson.

In 1940, Joseph Battle registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 7 January 1917 in Wilson; lived at 606 Spring Street; his contact was grandmother Dora Battle, same address; and he worked for Export Tobacco Company.

Dora Battle died 8 January 1943 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 72 years old; was born in Wilson County to Arsborn Dunston of Lewisburg [Louisburg], N.C., and Mary Mandin of Richmond, Virginia; was the widow of Joe Battle; and died of “1st and 2nd degree burns clothing caught from open fire place.” She was buried in Rountree Cemetery. Dezelle Whitted was informant.