Joseph Blue (ca. 1862-1950).

In the 1870 census of Magnolia township, Abbeville County, South Carolina: Aaron Blue, 43; wife Clarisa, 42; and children Robt., 14, Beng’n, 9, Joe, 7, and George, 5.

In the 1880 census of Magnolia township, Abbeville County, South Carolina: Aaron Blue, 47; wife Clarister, 39; children Robert, 24, Benjamin, 17, Joseph, 14, George, 12, Laura, 6, and Ezekiel, 2 months; and mother-in-law Patsy Bryant, 83.

In the 1900 census of Garvin township, Anderson County, S.C.: farmer Joseph Blue, 32; wife Ella, 21; and children Roxie, 11, Eliza, 10, Laura, 7, Joe, 5, Claudie, 4, and Mary, 3.

In the 1910 census of Centerville township, Anderson County, S.C.: farmer Joe Blue, 43; wife Ella, 42; and children Roxie, 22, Liza, 20, Laura, 18, Josephus, 16, Claude, 15, May Ella, 13, Clarissa, 7, and Freddie, 3.

In the 1920 census of Varennes township, Anderson County, S.C.: Joseph Blue, 51, farmer; wife Ella, 51; children Claracy, 17, and Fred Aron, 13; and granddaughter Minnie Lee Aiken, 9.

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Blue Joseph (c: Ella) bellmn Cherry Hotel h 1220 Carolina

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Blue Jos (c; Ella) lab h 1220 Carolina

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: odd jobs laborer Joe Blue, 60; wife Ella, 58; granddaughter Minnie Edwards, 19; daughter Gladys Smith, 24, tobacco factory laborer; and grandson James Edwards, 7. (Only James was born in North Carolina.)

Ella Blue died 24 November 1943 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 March 1874 in Elberton [sic] County, Georgia, to Auston Williford and Eliza Hull; was married to Joe Blue; lived at 29 Carolina Street; and was buried in Rountree [likely, Vick] Cemetery.

Joseph Blue died 25 January 1950 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 14 April 1882 [sic] in Abbeville, S.C., to Aaron Blue and Cassie Calhune; was a widower; had worked as a gardener and laborer; and was buried in Rountree [likely, Vick] Cemetery.

Wilson Daily Times, 26 January 1950.

Photo, adapted, courtesy of Morris Applewhite.