Wilson Daily Times, 16 February 1945.

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In the 1900 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: widower Henry Bynum, 54, and children Jonas, 24, Ellen, 22, Alison, 20, Eddie, 18, Patsy and Reddin, 16, and Mary, 13.

On 26 May 1912, Ed Bynum, 27, of Saratoga township, married Mahala King, 25, of Saratoga township, in Saratoga township, Wilson County.

In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Ed Bynum, 40; wife Mahada, 30; children Annie, 15, and Seth, 11; and nieces and nephews Willie, 17, Louisa, 15, Ellen, 9, Anna Jane, 10, and Caroline, 5.

Mahaley Bynum died 27 November 1923 in Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 45 years old; was born in Wilson County to Shanny King and Nancy Barnes; was married to Eddie Bynum; and farmed for M.J. Felton.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: auto shop manager Ed Bynum, 49, widower, and daughter Caroline, 15.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: in a house owned and valued at $500, widower Ed Bynum, 59, grocery manager.

In 1940, Jessie Roy Edwards registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 May 1920 in Pitt County, N.C.; lived at Route 4, Wilson; worked as a laborer at Marine Barracks New River, N.C.; and his contact was first cousin Ed Bynum, Route 4, Wilson.

Anna Foster died 8 March 1941 in Sand Hills township, Moore County, N.C. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 February 1901 in Wilson County to Edd Bynum and Mahala Lou [no maiden name]; was married to Kelly Foster; and lived in Jackson Springs, N.C.

Edd Bynum died 14 February 1945 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 October 1881 in Edgecombe County to Henry Bynum and Nannie Cobb; was the widow of Mahalia Bynum; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Caroline Smith was informant.

Ed Bynum left a fascinating will. The version we have access to is the transcription typed into court records. The original was handwritten by a man with little formal education, but a debt-free estate built from a lifetime of hard work and firm plans for its distribution. Bynum owned a house, a grocery, and investment properties, as well as a significant amount of cash.

[June 26, 1934. This is Ed Bynum’s will. I want Willie Bynum to have Alex Williams‘ house [and automobile?]. Seth Bynum to have the store.]

[Caroline Bynum to have the big house. Anna Bynum to have the little lot.

Caroline Bynum, Anna Bynum, Doll Bynum, Louise Bynum, Ellen Bynum divide the money, about $1600.

Give [Crockett Best?] $50. Give Mary $25. Give Ida Speight $50 for attending to me when I was sick and I don’t own no one not a penny.

Divide the goods in the store.

Witness Caroline Bynum, Ida Speight

Let Anderson Bynum [Ed Bynum’s brother] do this dividing.

This is Ed Bynum writing my will to the children.

Give me a 200 dollar steel vat 100 [?]

Louise & Ellen & Doll have the six lots back in the field.

Give Crater King 25 dollars.]