After leaving his post as Wilson County’s Negro Agricultural Extension Agent, Cecil L. Spellman eventually became Dean of Arts and Sciences at Florida A.&M. College in Tallahassee.
[I am reminded to continue my series drawn Dr. Spellman’s treatise on Elm City.]
Atlanta Daily World, 14 March 1950.
Greensboro Record, 9 December 1930.
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In the 1910 census of Rocky Mount, Edgecombe County, N.C.: Thomas A. Pitt, age unknown, roomer, tailor shop laborer.
On 21 August 1910, Thomas A. Pitt, 27, of Edgecombe County, N.C., son of Hardy and Nancy Pitt, married Hattie M. Parker, 25, of Nash County, N.C., daughter of Mourning Parker, in Rocky Mount, Nash County.
In the 1920 census of Oak Level township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer Thomas A. Pitt, 38; wife Hattie M., 38; and daughters Nancy A., 6, Hazel G., 3, Louise I., 1; and Grace V., 4 months.
In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: odd jobs laborer Thomas A. Pitt, 46; wife Hattie M., 46; daughters Nancy A., 16, Hazel G., 13, Louise, 12, Grace, 10, and Naimo [Naomi?], 8; and son Thomas E., 6.
Thomas A. Pitt died 8 December 1930 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 19 May 1884 in Edgecombe County, N.C., to Hardy Pitt and Nancy Geer; was married to Hattie Pitt; worked as a tailor and farmer; and was buried in Elm City.
Wilson Daily Times, 26 April 1937.
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Wilson County Negro Extension Agent Cecil A. Spellman did not stint. His two-part 1939 Annual Narrative Report is a 146-page treasure chest whose nuggets create a finely textured view of rural African-American life just before World War II — home demonstration, community entertainment, school improvement, test farms, engineering activities, tobacco work, gardening, corn-growing, meat-cutting, 4-H clubs, camp, spelling matches, Negro Health Week, projects, spotlights on people, houses, and schools — including photographs — and more.
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Spellman spoke highly of State Subject Matter Specialist W.R. Laws, who visited the county to deliver talks and demonstrations to women, such as making articles from fertilizer bags; making window screens from tobacco cloth or wire with denim bindings that could be buttoned to windows; and making fly traps. Spellman attached photos of Laws at Williamson and Jones Hill Schools.
Spellman then turned his attention to the pressing need for a permanent home demonstration agent for Wilson County, reporting that county commissioners had finally agreed to fund such a position. He credited the Women’s Civic Club of Wilson for their advocacy, specifically naming Mrs. H.L. Daniel, Odell Barnes, Mrs. Freeman [Willie Hendley Freeman?], and Mrs. William Hines [Ethel Cornwell Hines]. “These women were aided from the rural end” by Mrs. R.L. Mitchell [Ellenora Manley Mitchell], Mrs. K.R. Mitchell [Martha Taylor Mitchell], Rosetta Farmer, Rena Hilliard, Mrs. Charlie Ruffin [Henrietta Ruffin], and others. With supportive husbands in tow, women packed commissioners’ meetings in support of their cause.
Unfortunately, matters did not proceed as smoothly as hoped. As Spellman cryptically explained, “The beginning of extension work in the county on the home agent front was not as pleasant as it might have been due to several unfortunate ‘misunderstandings.’ Under different circumstances the work could have gotten off to a better start. As it turned out I was maligned and embarrassed and others, some innocent, also suffered as a result. The matter for a time threatened to split the community. For a time I regretted my little part in the movement to obtain a home agent in the county. Matters have now become ‘more or less’ adjusted.'”
Annie B. Brown was appointed home agent from June 1 to September 1. Jane Amos Boyd succeeded her as permanent agent on September 1, 1939.
North Carolina County Agent Annual Narrative Report, Wilson County, N.C., North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, UA102.002, Special Collections Research Center at N.C. State University.
Ben Mincey and the Red Hots responded to big fires all over the city, but their primary responsibility was for East Wilson. The 1922 Sanborn fire insurance map shows all the fire alarms set up thoroughout the district.
Note the clusters in sections 17, 26, and 28 on the sites of industrial complexes. Also note the relative rarity of alarms on residential streets east of the tracks. If a house caught fire on, say, the corner of Carolina and Reid, some hard running was required to raise the alarm.
A close-up showing the alarm, marked F.A., at the junction of East Green and Elba Streets.
Preservation Society of Charleston has joined forces with the College of Charleston’s Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture to digitally map historic African-American cemeteries in Charleston, South Carolina.
Per Avery Center’s Instagram page: “The Humane and Friendly Society was established by free Blacks in Charleston, South Carolina in 1802 to support sick individuals and to aid their families; to provide a place for burial, and to help widows. In addition, they sometimes arranged for apprenticeships for African American males and paid for the education of orphaned children. The society also promoted a sense of community, yet some found the society and others like it to be elitist since one had to pay dues to be a member. The organization was one of nine burial and fraternal societies such as Brown Fellowship Society (1790); and preceded the Friendly Union Society (1913); Brotherly Association (1852); Monrovia Society (1856); Unity and Friendship Society (1871); Reserve Fellowship (1874); Lewis Christian Society; and Racker Hill Cemetery (aka Bright Light) (1890s). Other names for these organizations include bury leagues, mutual benefit societies, fraternal orders, and burial associations.”
I dream of this kind of partnership — and mapping — for Odd Fellows Cemetery. In the meantime, I look forward to following and learning from this partnership.
Wilson Daily Times, 30 April 1948.
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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Gay Street, plumbing shop laborer Cooper Bynum, 47; wife Annie, 33; and children Ruth, 12, house servant, Joe, 9, Curley, 8, Lucy, 5, Phebia, 3, and Floyd, 9 months.
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 511 Narroway, widow Annie Bynum, 47, and children Ruth, 23, Joseph, 17, Curley C., 16, Feedy, 14, Lucy, 15, and Lizzie M., 7.
In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum Joseph C (c) deliverymn h 214 N East
In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum Jos C (c) delmn h 208 N East
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 East Street, rented for $20/month, widow Annie Bynum, 48, cook; children Joseph, 21, grocery store delivery boy, Curley, plumber, 20, Lucy, 19, cook, Feba, 18, cook, and Lizzie, 16; and granddaughter Annie, 4.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 109 East Street, Curley Bynum, 35, plumber; wife Pearl, 30; daughter Mamie, 13; brother-in-law [sic] Joseph, no age given; nephew Joseph F., 5; and sister-in-law [sic] Pheriby, 30.
In 1942, Joseph Cooper Bynum registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 27 September 1901 in Wilson; lived at 109 North East Street; his contact was Mary Robinson, 810 East Vance Street; and he worked for John H. Drone at West End Grocery. The registrar noted “doubt age.”
Joseph C. Bynum died 27 April 1948 at his home at 405 North Vick Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 9 April 1911 in Wilson to Cooper Bynum and Annie Woodard, both born in Edgecombe County, N.C.; worked as a delivery man; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery [likely, Vick Cemetery]. Curlie Bynum was informant.
