Records from Joseph Dawson‘s estate file offer a detailed look at the possessions of a prosperous African-American Wilson County farmer at the very beginning of the twentieth century.

Dawson died in early 1902, Samuel H. Vick and Henry C. Rountree were appointed to assess Dawson’s personal estate for the calculation of Emma Artis Dawson‘s support for herself and her two young children.

Elijah L. Reid was later appointed administrator of the estate. He filed with the court an exquisitely detailed inventory and account of the sale of Dawson’s personal property and, in January 1904, a final account of receipts and disbursements. Among those who picked over Dawson’s farm tools, animals, produce, and furnishings were family members and African-American men like Raiford Dew, Huel Newsome, Elijah L. Reid, Edmond Williams, James Grice, and Henry S. Reid.

Dawson’s heirs divided $431.04, each receiving one-tenth. Dr. Reid noted that son Dempsey Dawson had left North Carolina “some years ago, and when last heard from was in the city of New York. This was in 1900.” His share was paid to the clerk’s office for safekeeping.

—–

In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farm laborer Joseph Dawson, 23; wife Waity, 24; children son Alfred, 5, and Rosey, 7 months; Rachel Sanderson, 18, and Betha Sanderson, 10.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph Dawson, 34; wife Waity, 38; children Alfred, 15, Roscoe, 11, Dempsey, 8, Polly Ann, 6, Mathew, 4, Alison, 2, and infant, 2 months; and Tobithy Sanders, 20, farmworker.

On 28 January 1897, Joseph Dawson, 46, married Emma Artis, 18, in Nahunta, Wayne County, N.C.

In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Joseph Dawson, 45, farmer; wife Emma, 22; sons William H., 2 months, Frank, 19, and Fred, 17; nieces Martha, 23, Laura A., 20, and Charity Saunders, 10; and boarder James Allen, 21.

Albert Dawson died 2 April 1918 in Durham, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was about 32 years old; was born in Wilson County to Joseph Dawson; was married to Bettie Dawson; worked as a foreman at Liggett & Myers; and lived at 1008 Lynchburg Street. He was buried in Violet Park cemetery.

Joseph Dawson [Jr.] died 12 September 1958 in Black Creek township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 March 1902 in Wilson County to Joseph Dawson and Emma Artis; resided in Fremont, Wayne County; was married to Corintha Dawson; and was buried in Turner Swamp cemetery.