Month: January 2025

On Black History Month eve.

We know that Black history is an inseparable thread in the warp and weft of American history. We also know that’s not the point the press secretary, with her side-step that ended with “America is back,” was trying to make. A few thoughts for these next few years:

  • Nobody “gave” us Black History Month, so nobody can take it away.
  • You don’t have to wait on anybody to teach you your history. More books, podcasts, webinars, blogs, videos, films, etc., are available now than ever before, and there’s never been greater access to primary source material, both analog and digital. Go get it.
  • Every day.

 

The apprenticeship of James Mitchell, also known as James Artice.

During Wilson County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions’ January Term 1858, the clerk made this entry in court minutes:

“Ordered by the court that James Mitchell alias (James Artice) aged Five years Son of Susan Mitchell be bound apprentice to Bryant L. Barnes upon his entering into Bond with John Dew as surety (Bond filed)”

James Mitchell’s alias suggests he also used his father’s surname, at least in childhood, as was not uncommon among free children of color whose parents were not formally married. “Artice” is a variant spelling of Artis, the name of a large free family of color in the Wayne/Greene/Edgecombe/Wilson County area.

——

In the 1860 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Susan Mitchell, 26, washing, and children James, 10, Annie, 7, and George Mitchell, 2.

In the 1870 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Stella Best, 12, Claudius Little, 14, Mary Parker, 15, Henrietta Knight, 19, and Charlotte Adams, 16, all domestic servants; James Mitchell, 19, store porter; and Harriet Dunstan, 18, domestic servant. [This household was listed next to Robert Taylor, a white farmer and miller who claimed $20,000 in real property and may have been their employer.]

Sgt. Tabron wounded in action.

Wilson Daily Times, 12 January 1945.

—–

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on West Walnut Street, barber Henry Tabron, 27; wife Mattie, 28; and children Elma, 8, William, 5, Edmonia, 3, and John, 6 months.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: barber Henry Tabron, 37; wife Mattie, 29, laundress; and children William, 15, shoe shop laborer, Edmonia, 14, Bill L., 11, Berkley, 9, and Donald, 7.

On 21 April 1939, William Tabron, 24, of Wilson, N.C., janitor, son of Henry Tabron and Mattie Smith, married Myrtie Jones, 19, of Wilson, N.C., daughter of Butler Jones and Myrtie Johnson, in Emporia, Greensville County, Virginia.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1011 East Nash, Butler Jones, 59, painter; wife Myrtie, 51; sons Joseph, 25, Willard, 20, and John, 19, all painters; and William Tabron, 26, janitor at Carolina Theatre, wife Myrtie Tabron, 21, and daughter Patsy, 3 months.

In 1940, William Lemon Tabron registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 29 September 1914 in Wilson; lived at 1011 East Nash Street; his contact was wife Mytie Ruth Tabron; and he worked for Lumberton Tobacco Company, Lumberton, N.C.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Butler Jones, 69, painting houses for building construction company; wife Myrtie, 67; son John H., 27, painting houses; his wife Lizzie M., 28, domestic servant; son-in-law William L. Tabron, 30, painting houses; daughter Myrtie, 30, babysitting; and their daughters Patsy, 10, and Julia, 9.

William Lemon Tabron died 19 December 1966 in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was born 29 September 1914 in Wilson, N.C., to Mattie Belle Smith and Thomas Henry Tabron; lived in Camden, New Jersey; was married to Myrtie Tabron; worked as a painter; was a World War II veteran; and was buried in New Camden Cemetery.

Not quite two weeks after he died, Myrtie Tabron applied for a military headstone for her husband. (To be received by Darden Memorial Funeral Home, which suggests he was actually buried in Wilson.) The application noted that William L. Tabron had served in Company C, 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion, and received a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star. Third Platoon, Company C of the 614th was the first African-American unit to receive a Distinguished Unit Citation in World War II and saw action in the Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe campaigns.

Studio shots, no. 253: Vesta Mae Joyner Hagans.

Vesta Mae Joyner Hagans (1866-1940).

——

In the 1880 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: Henry Joyner, 35, farmer; sister Mary Joyner, 35; nieces Adline, 20, Georgianna, 19, India, 17, and Harriet, 13, and Vesta Joyner, 17; nephews Henry, 8, and Lafayett Joyner, 16, laborer; and mother Nancy Joyner, 84.

On 12 March 1891, Bisco Hagins, 24, of Gardners township, son of Richard and Allie Hagins, married Vesta Joyner, 24, of Gardners township, daughter of Charlotte Joyner, in Gardners township, Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Bisco Hagan, 33; wife Vesta, 33; and children Lee, 7, Willie, 4, and Carrie, 2.

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Gooch and Parkers School House Road, farmer Briscoe Haggin, 44; wife Vistie, 44; and children Lee, 16, Willie, 14, Clara, 12, Joseph, 9, and Johnie, 5.

Willie Hagans died 21 January 1915 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1896 to Bisco Hagan and Vester Joyner; and worked as a farmer; was single.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Rocky Mount Road, Brisco Hagins, 53; wife Lestie, 53; children Clara, 22, Joseph, 19, and John, 15; granddaughters Minnie, 8, and Bessie Hagins, 5; and boarder Noah Vick, 19.

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Brisco Hagans, 63; wife Vestie, 63; and granddaughters, Minnie, 18, and Bessie, 15.

In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Bisco Heggans, 74; wife Vistie, 74; and grandchildren Minnie, 27, and Sam, 21.

Vesta Hagans died 29 June 1940.

On 2 March 1941, Joseph Hagans, 40, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born in North Carolina to Bisco and Vestie Hagan, widower, and Juverna Holloman, 26, of Philadelphia, daughter of William and Bessie Holloman, were married in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Anne Wimberley.

The last will and testament of Needham Dew, alias Cornelius D. Dew.

Needham Dew executed his will on 11 June 1938. His wife Maggie Dew was to receive a life estate in all his real property in Wilmington, North Carolina, which would pass to his son Joseph Dew and Joseph’s son J.C. Dew after Maggie Dew’s death. He also gave ten dollars each to Grady Dew, Martha Thompson, Luvenia Mack, Cornelius Dew, Mary Dew, and David Dew.

 

James Watson and D.C. Yancey witnessed Needham Dew’s signature. (Oddly, Yancey also notarized the document.)

——

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Alford Due, 26; wife Susan, 23; and children Jack, 6, Redick, 4, and “no name,” 1 month; plus Oliver Due, 48, Amos Barnes, 23, and Anna Due, 19.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Alford Dew, 39; wife Louiza, 35; mother Olivia, 60, widow; and children Jackson, 18, Redick, 16, and George, 15, Needham, 12, and Martha, 10; and niece Hatta, 4. [George was likely George W. White, Louisa’s son from prior relationship.]

On 17 January 1894, C.D. Dew, 24, of Wilson County, son of Alfred and Susan Dew, married Cora Wells, 18, of Wilson County, daughter of Jason and Ellen Wells, at Jason Wells’ residence in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. [Needham Dew also used the name Cornelius D. Dew.]

In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County:

In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Cornelius D. Dew, 40; wife Cora, 33; and children Rederick, 15, Joseph, 10, Martha, 9, Graddie, 7, Ovenia, 3, and Lee C., 3 months.

Johnnie Dew died 5 May 1914 in Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 13 December 1913 in Lucama to Needham Dew and Cora Wells. Needham Dew was informant.

In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Cornelius D. Dew, 52; wife Cora, 39; and children Reddick D., 25, Joseph, 19, Martha L., 16, Grady, 15, Ovena, 14, Lee C., 10, David H., 5, and Mary N., 1.

Cora Dew died 26 April 1925 in Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 4o years old; was married; and was born in Nash County, N.C., to Jaciin Hill and Ellen Taylor. C.D. Dew was informant.

Cornelius Dew Jr. died 24 July 1926 in Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 17 years old; was born in Wilson County to Cornelius Dew and Cora Wells; worked as farmer; and was buried in Lamm Cemetery. [Why was Cornelius included in his father’s 1938 will?]

Martha Thompson died 6 May 1929 in Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 25 years old; was born in Wilson County to C.D. Dew and Cora Wells; was married to Walter Thompson; and was buried in Lamms Cemetery. [Same question. Why is Martha included in her father’s 1938 will? Perhaps this was an updated version to add the two grandchildren, but Needham Dew neglected to remove his deceased children? The absence of youngest son Needham Edward Dew also suggests this document was based on an older draft.]

In the 1930 census of Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Cornelius Dew, 57, widower; children Mary, 12, and Needham E., 9; and lodger Edd Hamilton, 23.

In the 1940 census of Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Needham Dew, 70; wife Maggie, 51; and granddaughter Mary R. Miles, 8.

In 1940, David Hiawatha Dew registered for the World War II draft in Johnston County, N.C. Per his registration card, he was born 30 March 1914 in Lucama, N.C.; resided on Harrison Street, Smithfield, Johnston County; his contact was Cornelius D. Dew, Lucama; and he worked for Main Street Dry Cleaners, Market Street, Smithfield.

“Cornelius Dew (nick name) Needham Dew” died 30 July 1944 in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 May 1881 in Wilson to Albert [sic] Dew and Susian [maiden name unknown]; was married to Maggie Dew; and worked as a farmer.

Harry Barnes vs. Charity Robbins.

In May 1907, a Superior Court clerk issued a summons to Charity Robbins to appear in court to answer a complaint filed by Harry Barnes. Barnes was contesting ownership of a lot on the north side of Pine Street, adjoining lots owned by Pennie Bynum, Miley Barnes, and S.H. Vick.

Barnes requested and was granted permission to file his suit as a pauper, asserting that he was unable to pay costs associated with pursuing his case. I could not determine the outcome of this litigation.

Eppes: “Permit a Negro to place a garland on the grave of Dr. Coon.”

The memory of Charles M. Eppes is revered in Pitt County, North Carolina, but his persistent caping for Charles L. Coon considerably tarnishes his name in Wilson.

Eppes, who was “so full of enthusiasm for the Negro children that I feel that the great white race should know,” drafted this tribute after Coon died in December 1927. In the penultimate paragraph, Eppes makes reference to the Mary C. Euell/Colored Graded School incident: “In one of the stormiest school fights in the state he honorably stood by the most energetic and hardworking school men that the Negro race has had in the state — J.D. Reid, his wisdom is shown by Reid’s success in health work, school work, banking, and community welfare work. We have not one man who has equalled Reid in unselfish work. Prof. Coon stood with him till God called him.” [Two years later, Reid was in prison for crimes related to the collapse of Commercial Bank.]

Wilson Daily Times, 21 January 1928.

The final account of the estate of Nunnie Barnes.

My post about Nunnie Barnes‘ striking Odd Fellows Cemetery headstone including details of her estate administration. On 9 September 1922, her administrator filed a final account of receipts and distributions.

The estate received more than $1800 from a savings account at Wilson Trust & Savings Bank. It paid out $408 to C.H. Darden & Son for an undertaker’s bill and funeral expenses. Two different hospitals — Carolina General and Moore-Herring — were paid, as was Wilson Drug Company. Wilson Marble & Granite Company received $67.50 for manufacturing Barnes’ gray-and-white striated grave marker.

Wilson County, North Carolina, Property Settlement Records 1905-1923, http://www.familysearch.org.

The obituary of Lena H. Bridgers.

Wilson Daily Times, 9 January 1945.

——

Lena Harris Bridgers died 7 January 1945 at 705 South Lodge Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 14 June 1914 in Wilson to George Farmer and Essie Batts; was married to Henry W. Bridgers; lived at 503 East Walnut Street; worked as a cook at Wilson County Home; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery.