On 1 January 1906, Eliza Best applied in Wilson County Superior Court for guardianship of her and her late husband B.J. Best’s children Corintha, Milton, Rematha, Ollin, and Clarence Best. The children shared a small inheritance valued at $147.85. (Benjamin J. Best died about 1904, and his estate was estimated at $1600.) Samuel H. Vick and Jonah Williams posted bond with Eliza Best to guarantee her sound stewardship.

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On 22 October 1874, Benjamin Best, 22, married Eliza Ellis, 18, at James Ellis‘ in Wilson County. James Ellis, Gilford Ellis, and Aaron Ward were witnesses.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farmer Benjamin Best, 26; wife Eliza, 23; and children Virginia, 4, Priscilla, 3, and Columbus, 1.

In the 1900 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Benjamin Best, 47; wife Eliza, 44; and children Virgin N., 25, teaching school, Mildred, 19, Junius, 18, Soprenia, 17, Benjamin, 15, Corinthia, 13, Milton, 12, Ramantha, 9, Olian, 7, and Clarence, 6.

In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: widow Eliza Best, 53, with children Junius, 29, Rematha, 20, Allen, 18, and Clarence, 16, plus grandchildren Suprema, 5, and Martha A., 3.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, marble cutter Clarence Best, 26, wife Geneva, 26, and son Clarence H., 1, plus Eliza Best, 68, Martha Ann Best, 11, and Suprema Hooks, 11. Next door, Junius Best, 38, wagon factory assembly man, wife Mary A., 27, and children Mary Olivia, 2, and Colonius, 4 months.

Virginetta Newsome died 5 August 1920 in Wilson Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 17 August 1875 in Greene County, N.C., to Benjamin Best and Eliza Ellis; was married to Joseph Newsome; worked in farming; and lived near Lucama.

Eliza Best died 1 September 1929 in Wilson of “injury of rt. leg; cut her leg on a piece of tin.” She resided at 1310 East Nash Street, Wilson, and was the widow of Benjamin Best. She was about 64 years old and had been born in Wilson County to Jim Ellis and Zannie Applewhite. She was buried in Rountree cemetery; Clarence Best was informant.