Month: July 2026

Advertised letters, July 1881.

Wilson Advance, 22 July 1881.

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  • Ned Barnes — three adult Ned Barneses are listed in the 1880 census of Wilson County. All were black men, including this one, who was likely my great-great-great-grandfather.
  • Noah Best — though not marked as “colored,” Noah Best was a black man.
  • James Hagans — the three James Haganses found in the 1880 census of Wilson County were young children.
  • Peter Moore — though not marked as “col.”, possibly, in the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Peter Moore, 49; wife Cordelia, 42; and sons Sidney, 17, and Henry, 10.
  • Mollie Peacock — Mollie Peacock is not listed in the 1880 census of Wilson County. (Though Mollie Peacock Bynum, who was white, is.)
  • Albert Parker — Albert Parker is not listed in the 1880 census of Wilson County.
  • Anderson White — though not marked as “col.”, possibly, in the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Anderson White, 25; wife Cornelia, 22; and children Samuel, 4, Elizabeth, 1, and Richard, 1 month.
  • Sarah Ward — four Sarah Wards appear in the 1880 census of Wilson County, three adult. All were black, including this one.

Lane Street Project: the monuments.

When I come home, my first stop is always my father’s grave and then around the corner to Odd Fellows and Vick Cemeteries. 

Today, there was something I had to see for myself.

This really is a handsome marker. Deeply incised. Solid. Substantial. 

One of the corner markers. Its careful placement, guided by archaeologists, starkly contrasts to the violence that attended the installation of the wooden power pole and the five guy wires that tether it and the adjacent steel pole. I recognize and appreciate the shifts in perspective and commitment among city leadership that brought us to this place. 

Photos by Lisa Y. Henderson, July 2026.

Private First Class Oscar Pate, sent to North Africa.

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In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Johnie Pate, 35; wife Florence, 37; and children Johnnie Jr., 14, Oscar, 9, and Clara, 5.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: John Pate, 44; wife Florence, 47, private housekeeper; and children John Jr., 14, W.P.A. laborer, Oscar, 17, and Clara, 15.

Oscar Lee Pate registered for the World War II draft in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 29 December 1921 in Wilson County; lived at 113 South Carroll Street, Wilson; his contact was Florence Pate; and he worked for T.A. Loving & Company at the Marine Air Base at Cherry Point, North Carolina.

Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.