Month: July 2025

410 Hadley Street.

This house stands just outside the bounds of East Wilson Historic District. However, the streets southeast of present-day Hines Street, including Hadley Street, have been an African-American residential area since platted in the early twentieth century.

 

The hip-roofed house at 410 Hadley Street was built before 1922, when this Sanborn fire insurance map was drawn.

In the 1928 and 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directories: Simms Lee (c; Mary L) brklyr h 410 Hadley

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 410 Hadley, owned and valued at $1300, Lee Simms, 66, bricklayer; wife Mary L., 60, laundress; and adopted son Clarence Woodard, 6.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 410 [Hadley], Charlie Best, 42; wife Adeva, 41; and her children Bertha, 18, Gladys, 15, Rudolph, 13, and Eddie, 3.

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Best Chas (c; Addie; 3) lab h 410 Hadley

In 1944, Charlie Best registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 12 April 1898 in Piney Grove township, Sampson County, N.C.; he lived at 410 Hadley Street; his contact was brother Howard Best, Bowden, Duplin County, N.C.; and he worked for Contentnea Guano Company. A note on the reverse: “mashed big toe on left foot; very plain to see.”

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 410 [Hadley], Charlie Best, 52, fertilizer plant machine operator; wife Addie E., 51; and grandson Eddie, 14.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, July 2025.

Taylor-Stokes nuptials.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 30 April 1949.

Mary Joyce Taylor and Franklin Stokes were married 9 June 1949 in Wilson.

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In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 610 East Green Street, rented for $20/month, barber Roderick Taylor, 45; wife Mary, 39; and children Edna G., 8, Mary J., 4, and Roderick Jr., 1.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 607 East Green Street, barber Roderick Taylor, 58; wife Mary J., 50; and children Edna G., 18, Mary J., 14, and Roderick Jr., 12.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1208 Atlantic, barber James Stokes, 45; wife Viola, 35; and children Frank, 18, tobacco factory laborer, Dorothy, 14, Thomas, 12, Annie M., 9, Jannie L., 7, Donnie, 5, and Carlton, 4.

In 1942, Frankin Roosevelt Stokes registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 21 November 1921 in Troupland [Treutlen] County, Georgia; resided at 1208 Atlanta [sic] Street; his mailing address was Carter Hall, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte; and his nearest relative was James Stokes, 1208 Atlanta Street.

On 9 June 1949, Frank Stokes, 26, of Wilson, son of James Stokes and Viola Reese Stokes, married Mary Joyce Taylor, 23, daughter of Roderick Taylor and Mary John Taylor, in Wilson. Presbyterian minister O.J. Hawkins performed the ceremony in the presence of Johnnie K. Boatwright, Sue Faucette, and Frances E. Williams.

In the 1950 census of Boulder, Boulder County, Colorado: at the University of Colorado,  Franklin R. Stokes, 28, lodger.

In the 1955 Boulder, Colorado, city directory: Stokes Franklin R (Joyce M) lab Maaco Puget Sound h 1906 Pearl

Mary Joyce Taylor Stokes Crisp died 26 September 2006 in Mount Clemens, Michigan.

Obituary of Mary Joyce Taylor Stokes Crisp, vickfuneralhome.com

Johnson C. Smith University’s Student Union building was renamed in Crisp’s honor.

Campus map, Johnson C. Smith University.

Franklin R. Stokes died 21 December 2006 in Denver, Colorado.

Obituary of Franklin R. Stokes, Newcomer Cremations, Funerals, Receptions.

The Freemans’ Johnston County roots?

In 1986, Mary Freeman Ellis published The Way It Was, a memoir of life with her father, noted stonemason Oliver Nestus Freeman. Early in the work, she wrote that Nestus Freeman’s father, Julius Franklin Freeman, was born in Johnston County, North Carolina.

Julius Freeman moved to Wilson County before 1870, when he appears in the first post-slavery census as a 21 year-old carpenter living with Alfred Boyit, 26, and his wife Eliza, 29, in the household of white farmer John R. Farmer, 56. [Alfred Boyette was also born Johnston County, and research links him to George Boyette (owner of the extant Boyette slave cabin) and his son James Boyette, who settled in Oldfields township, Wilson County.] I have found no formal records placing him in Johnston County or identifying his birth family. (Note, however, Nestus Freeman of Ohio, born just a few years before Julius Freeman, and likely a relative.)

“Julius” and “Nestus” were uncommon names among enslaved people in this area. Recently, however, while researching for a Johnston County client, I encountered both names among records of people enslaved by members of the extended Sanders family, who were wealthy plantation owners. I also found “Olive,” which was the name Julius Freeman gave one of his daughters and, of course, the feminine version of “Oliver,” the first name of two of his sons — Oliver Lovett Freeman and Oliver Nestus Freeman. In  addition, I found “Lydia,” the name of Julius Freeman’s eldest daughter, Lydia Freeman Norwood.

The evidence is thin, but suggestive. Then, as now, some given names gained local popularity and were used repeatedly among unrelated people. Nestus seems to have been such a name, as it is used as early as the 1830s among Johnston County white families. However, the clustering of four given names that Julius F. Freeman passed to his own offspring may signal a link between him and the enslaved communities held by the extended white Sanders family.

Baldy Sanders’ slave records, which have been digitized by Johnston County Heritage Center, include a register of births (and some deaths) of people Baldy Sanders enslaved. The register includes Oliff [Olive], whose birthdate is not specified but can be inferred as January 1841; Julius, who was born 9 August 1851 and died 3 June 1852; and Lydia, born 12 July 1863.

Mary Boddie Sanders’ estate file, opened in 1843, contains a reference to Lydia, whose ownership passed to her son John F. Sanders.

In 1863, North Carolina’s Confederate General Assembly ordered that tax lists included  enslaved people name. Few of these assessments survive, but Johnston County’s lists show:

  • Julius, age 18, blind, enslaved by Sarah Sanders
  • Olive, 22, enslaved by Sarah Sanders
  • Julius, 18, enslaved by William E. Sanders
  • Lydia, 3, enslaved by William E. Sanders
  • Nestus, 17, enslaved by William E. Sanders
  • Julius, 21, enslaved by Willis H. Sanders
  • Lydia, 20, enslaved by Willis H. Sanders
  • Nestus, 24, enslaved by Willis H. Sanders
  • Olive, 41, enslaved by Willis H. Sanders

Greenville links.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 17 October 1925.

Notes of Greenville’s social doings reveal numerous links with folks in Wilson:

  • Katherine Bynum — Catherine Whitehead Bynum.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, Henry Whitehead, 48; wife Victoria, 32; and children Willie, 27, Della Mae, 13, Catherine, 9, Odell, 7, James, 5, Grace, 2, and Rosalie, 1.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Highway 91, owned and valued at $2500, oil mill contractor Henry Whitehead, 53; wife Victoria, 43, seamstress; and children Katherine, 19, Odell, 17, James, 15, Grace, 13, Rosalyn, 11, Herbert, 9, Gertrude, 6, Mable, 4, and Victoria, 2.

On 8 September 1933, Graham Bynum, 25, of Wilson, son of Peter and Dora Bynum, married Catherine Whitehead, 23, of Wilson, daughter of Henry and Victoria Whitehead. C.E. Artis applied for the license, and Missionary Baptist minister Charles T. Jones performed the ceremony in the presence of Ash Hines, George Green, and Francis Rosser.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 817 East Green, Graham Bynum, 31, building carpenter, and wife Katherine, 29, hospital nurse.

In 1940, Graham Gregory Bynum registered for the World War II draft. Per his registration card, he was born 28 July 1908 in Wilson; lived at 909 East Green Street, Wilson; his contact was wife Catherine Lethia Bynum; and was self-employed.

In the 1950 census of Raleigh, Wake County, N.C.: at Shaw University, Catherine W. Bynum, 39, dean of women.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: the widower Mark Blount, 38, a cook, and his children Coneva, 10, Dotsey, 9, and Theodore W., 6, were lodgers in the household of George Faggin.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: cook at cafe Mark Blount, 60, wife Mary, 29, children Allen, 2, Frances E., 1, Dotsey, 19, a nurse, and Walter, 17, a tobacco factory laborer.

On 21 June 1916, A.B. Barnhill, 27, of Greenville, N.C., son of Fred and Atha Barnhill, married Dotsie Blount, 24, of Wilson, daughter of Mark and Annie Blount, at Calvary Presbyterian Church. John Perrington applied for the license, and Presbyterian minister H.B. Taylor performed the ceremony under the presence of G.W. Joyner, M. Ada Perry, and C.C. McCoy.

In the 1920 census of Greenville, Pitt County: Alfred Barnhill, 31, milk wagon driver; wife Dotsie, 28; and children Dorothy L., 2, and Alfred D., 8 months.

In the 1930 census of Greenville, Pitt County: Alfred Barnhill, 41, cook at college; wife Dotsie, 38; and children Dortha L., 12, Alfred, 11, Ethel G., 6, and James N., 6.

In the 1940 census of Greenville, Pitt County: widow Dotsie Barnhill, 48, laundress; daughters Dorothy, 22, assistant nurse, and Ethel, 16; and son James, 15.

In 1942, James Norward Barnhill registered for the World War II draft in Pitt County. Per his registration card, he was born 6 November 1924 in Pitt County; lived at 310 Tyson Street, Greenville; his contact was mother Dotsie Barnhill; and he worked for Bell’s Cafe, 310 Albemarle Avenue.

In the 1950 census of Greenville, Pitt County: widow Dotsie Barnhill, 58; son Alfred Jr., 30, funeral home embalmer; daughter Ethel, 26, house service; son James, 25, delivers ice; and daughter-in-law Margaret, 22, beauty parlor operator.

  • Edgar Barnes

On 4 October 1909, Edgar Barnes, 21, of Wilson, son of Willis Barnes and Cherry Barnes, married Mary Hill, 19, daughter of Joe Hill and Anna Hill, at Saint John A.M.E. Zion in Wilson.

In 1917, Edgar Barnes registered for the World War I draft in Pitt County, N.C. Per his registration card, he was born 15 January 1892 in Wilson; lived on Second Street, Greenville; worked as a laborer for W.S. Skinner; and was single.

On 24 September 1921, Edgar Barnes, 27, of Greenville, son of Willis Barnes and Cherry Barnes, married Delia Hawkins, 22, daughter of Will Hawkins and Ella Hawkins, in Greenville, Pitt County.

In the 1930 census of Greenville, Pitt County, N.C.: at 1311 North 4th Street, owned and valued at $3000, Edgar Barnes, 36, plasterer, and wife Delia, 25, presser.

In the 1940 census of Greenville, Pitt County, N.C.: at 1311 North 4th Street, Edger Barnes, 47, plasterer, and wife Delia, 33.

Edgar Barnes died 6 April 1940 at the Veterans Hospital in Kecoughtan, Elizabeth City County, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born 8 March 1893 in Wilson to Willis Barnes and Cherry Eatman, both of Wilson County; was married to Delhia Barnes; worked as a plasterer; and was buried in Greenville.

A&T alumni form electrical service company.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 13 August 1938.

Though Arnold Walker and Carl Hines were full-time high school teachers, and V.A. Burgess appears to have left Wilson before 1940, Walker Electric was in business at least eleven years.

Wilson Daily Times, 22 April 1946.

Wilson Daily Times, 8 October 1948.

In March 1949, Walker Electric filed letters of incorporation with the State of North Carolina. A.G. Walker, his wife Doris Vick Walker, and Sallie Steverson were stockholders.

Wilson Daily Times, 17 March 1949.

On 21 May 1949, the Journal and Guide ran another feature on the company in which we learn that Walker employed nine salesmen and electricians and had two trucks covering service routes.

Several months later, the company auctioned off a Westinghouse refrigerator in order to satisfy a laborer’s lien, i.e. a claim against the company’s property for unpaid wages.

Wilson Daily Times, 30 August 1949.

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  • A.G. Walker — Arnold G. Walker. In 1940, Arnold George Walker registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 22 February 1907 in Columbus, Georgia; lived at 622 East Green Street, Wilson; his contact was mother Della Walker, Talledega, Alabama; and he was employed by the City Board of Education in Wilson.
  • Doris Vick Walker
  • Carl Hines
  • V.A. Burgess

Who was artist Lou Blackwell Robbins?

We first met Lou Blackwell Robbins here, giving summer art lessons to children at the Colored Graded School in 1936. I still have not been able to find her in county records, but several Journal and Globe articles published over the next year or so provide some clues to her life.

In this 14 November 1936 piece, Robbins’ vocation is listed as “artist.” She had given a demonstration on making pottery to members of the Black Creek Home Demonstration Club, which met at the home of Mrs. L.D. Tomlinson. (Sallie Owens Tomlinson and Louise Rainwater, who demonstrated cake-making to the club, were white women. Robbins’ invitation into Tomlinson’s home to demonstrate pottery-making must have been a remarkable event.) Robbins had also founded the Professional Women’s Art Club in Wilson, whose officers drew from Black Wilson’s upper crust (such as it was.)

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 14 November 1936.

Three months later, Robbins was in Norfolk, Virginia, lecturing and exhibiting her work. A March 13 article “explained something of her life and her past experience in the field of art and her ambitions for the remainder of her life.”

There’s a lot to digest.

We learn that Robbins graduated from Wilson High School (later known as Darden High) in 1934. She had two adopted daughters. Her interest in art was encouraged by a high school teacher, leading her to give up “medicine and a career as a doctor.” (What?) She produced art across multiple genres, was a lecturer and a teacher, and was writing a history of Negroes in North Carolina. She sculpted in North Carolina clay and had carved busts of numerous prominent men.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 13 March 1937.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 8 May 1937.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 19 June 1937.

In late summer, Lou Blackwell Robbins returned to Norfolk to compete in a talent contest at the Booker-T Theatre. Once again, we get a complex picture of Robbins’ talents. She told the reporter that she had been inspired by Voo Doo Fire, a book given her by an Army veteran, to make percussion instruments by hand, assisted by children in Saint John A.M.E. Zion’s music program. [Richard A. Loederer’s Voodoo Fire in Haiti, published in 1935?] Captivated by the instruments, the children formed the Jungle Babies Band and booked performances at Saint John and Vick’s Casino, the nightclub operated by Samuel H. Vick Jr. in his father’s old Globe Theatre space in the Odd Fellows Building on East Nash Street. Inspired by the “delighted” audience response, Robbins went to Norfolk to try to book the Jungle Babies there. Encouraged to enter the contest, she secured Eloise Hunter as an accompanist on piano and took third place. However, the reporter’s description of the performance is just snarky enough to cast doubt on Robbins’ musical prowess.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 11 September 1937.

Lou Blackwell Robbins’ time in Norfolk was not entirely positive. A lengthy 13 August 1938 article about troubles at Queen Street Baptist Church mentioned that Robbins had filed unspecified charges against its pastor, Rev. P.P. Eaton, resulting in his reprimand.

I’ve found no other reference to Lou Blackwell Robbins. Was she a Wilson native? Who were her husband and children? If she left Wilson, where did she go? What became of her art and writings?

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  • Mrs. E.H. Diggs — Mary Grant Diggs. In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 205 Vick Street, barber Edgar H. Diggs, 49, at Hines Barber Shop; wife Mary, 39, teacher in Stantonsburg; and children Edgar, 13, Mary, 9, and Preston, 11.
  • Mrs. A.M. Bullock
  • Mrs. A.R. Peacock — perhaps, Eloise Reavis Peacock.
  • Mrs. A.M. Fisher
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Bordy — Elizabeth Brodie, who, in fact, was not yet married. On 17 April 1937, Elizabeth Brodie, 20, of Wilson, daughter of Arthur and Anna Brodie, married Luther E. McKeithan, 25, son of Henry and Sarah McKeithan of Cumberland County, in Wilson. A.M.E. minister John C. Coaxum performed the ceremony in the presence of Rhoda McMillan, Alex McMillan and Sallie Suggs.
  • “Biddie” Willets
  • Dick Sanders
  • Louis Thomas — Louis Sanford Thomas Jr. In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 715 East Green, Louis Thomas, 43, building carpenter; wife Lillie, 33; and children Louis Jr., 16, Charlie H., 14, and Van Jewel, 12.
  • Jerry Lee Cook — Jerry Lee Cooke Jr.
  • Edgar Gerald — in the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 910 East Green, Edgar Gerald, 48, tobacco warehouse laborer, born in Mullens, S.C.; wife Rebecca, 37, born in Norfolk[, Virginia]; children Bernice, 17, Edgar, 16, and Barbara, 4; and roomer John Sharpe, 22, hotel bellboy.
  • Bob Speights — in the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 624 Viola, Theodore Speight, 38, barber; wife Marie, 34; children Robert, 13, Evangeline, 10, Clyde, 8, and Randolph, 2; and lodger Charlotte Tate, 32, servant.
  • Samuel H. Vick Jr. — the enterprising Sam Vick Jr. was a chemist, a cosmetics salesman, a booking agent, and a nightclub owner.

Pioneer educator dies.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 9 May 1942.

Sallie Barbour‘s credit as Wilson County’s earliest proponent of the Rosenwald Fund is an interesting detail in this obituary. It’s also puzzling. The Stantonsburg School was in Stantonsburg. The Stantonsburg Street School, formerly known as the Colored Graded School and later formally renamed for Barbour, was on Stantonsburg Street in Wilson, but was built well before the Rosenwald era.