Page 31, 1922 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson, N.C.
Which undertaker operated this business at the corner of Nash and Carroll Streets shown in the 1922 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson?
Almost certainly, this was the establishment of one of the undertaking businesses with which Amos Batts was associated. Batts lived next door at 1113 East Nash Street and was in business around this time with Columbus E. Artis. In an era in which the deceased were generally laid out at home, the building likely was used for embalming and preparation, but not actually funerals.
When I was stationed at Ft. Campbell, Ky. back in the 80’s we had Funeral Detail duty every six months or so. On one occasion, we actually attended a funeral at the deceased home. They were “laid out” in the living room, and we carried the casket out the front door when the service was over. That was the only time I ever saw that kind of service. Oddly enough, we did mostly black funerals more than anything else. I always wondered why (culture?). The families usually invited us all back for repass, and we enjoyed that. They always made us feel welcome, of course the food was on point, and homemade. It was their way of saying thank you.
My grandmother spoke of our great-grandmother Harriet Nicholson Hart’s funeral in her living room outside of Statesville.