Month: July 2026

The Vicks sell property downtown.

On 22 September 1913, Samuel H. and Annie M. Vick sold mail carrier Albert S. Barnes and blacksmith Hilliard T. Thomas a lot on the south side of Tarboro Street adjoining the property of Wilson Oil Mill and W.J. Davis Machinery Company. Vick had purchased the 40 foot by 150 foot lot from Silas Lucas and wife.

W.J. Davis Machinery, formerly Davis & Winstead, was on the south side of South Tarboro, at the Kenan Street end of the block. (Wilson Oil Mill owned a lot there, but their facility was on Grace Street at Stemmery Street.) The Vicks were among a very few African Americans who invested in real estate in early twentieth-century Wilson’s industrial blocks.

Deed book 97, page 235, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

W.P.A. to build replacement school in Elm City.

Wilson Daily Times, 6 March 1940.

Elm City’s first black high school was damaged beyond saving in a fire in early 1940. County school authorities quickly made plans to replace the building using Works Progress Administration funds. As to the question of the 334 “schoolless” students, no decision was ever made, and children whose families could not arrange to transfer them elsewhere sat out until the new facility — Frederick Douglass High School — opened in 1941.

Car flips, flies, and rolls; driver mildly injured, five others unharmed.

Hickory (N.C.) Daily Record, 7 March 1939.

In 1940, Aaron Yelverton registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 9 March 1914 in Wayne County, N.C.; lived at 204 Moore Street, Wilson; his contact was wife Alma Yelverton; and he worked for Stephens Lumber Company, Wilson.

Aaron Yelverton lived fifty years beyond his freak auto accident. He passed away in West Palm Beach, Florida, in March 1989.

Report on the condition of schools.

Among other things, a committee formed to inspect county property reported on the condition of schools. Most were found to be in good condition, but, unsurprisingly, schools serving black students had more serious deficits.

The most common problems were lack of heat shields under heaters, broken window panes, leaky roofs, crumbling pillars, and “bad” toilets. Saratoga School was in good condition, and Penders was very good. On the other hand, Wilson High School was crowded and, at Lover’s Lane, the “building [was] about to fall down” and had “no water, no toilet.”

…

…

…

Wilson Daily Times, 11 February 1933.

The article went on to report the condition of the school system’s 41 buses, which delivered students to and from ten schools across the county — all serving white students. Black children walked to school in rain, snow, and blazing heat — often to the jeers and curses of their counterparts riding past.

Louisa Hagans fights for her horse.

In 1888, Louisa Staton Hagans filed suit against Applewhite Lane & Company, alleging that the company had wrongfully foreclosed on a horse belonging to her, not her in-laws. Hagans, her deceased husband’s mother, sister, and brother-in-law had lived on the same rented farm. Mariah Hagans and her son-in-law Moses Vick had entered into a chattel mortgage agreement with farm suppliers Applewhite Lane and Company. The families worked the farm together, but without Clem Hagans’ labor could not make a crop and they relinquished their property. At issue were some equipment and a bay mare named Daisy, which Louisa Hagans claimed belonged to her husband Clem, not his mother Mariah Hagans, and thus should not have been taken. She sought $150 in damages.

The transcripts of testimony, lightly edited for clarity:

Louisa Hagans vs. Applewhite Lane &c.  } Evidence for Plaintiff

George Stated [Staton?] being duly sworn testified. Lived last year and year before with S.H. Whitley & year before lived in Edgecombe. Knew Clem Hagans, was husband of Plaintiff Louisa Hagans. He moved to Wilson about four years ago. He had a colt which he brought with him. His father give the colt to him. Helped his father pay a debt of $300. Give his colt in payment. Offered to buy the colt. Said can’t sell him. Had let Clem have him, couldn’t sell him. He moved up here about four years ago. Died last year. He and Louisa was living together as husband & wife. She owned this colt when he died.

X Ex [cross-examination] Came with his father about four years ago. I brought the colt. Colt was in Clem’s father’s stable when in Edgecombe. Clem lived with his mother since they lived in Wilson. Was to help pay his father out of debt. Clem said to his father. Father you won’t give him to me. Was call as a witness to agreement that he was to let him have the colt on condition that he helped him pay the debt. He did help. His father, son if you will help me pay out of debt, I will make you present of this colt. Clem said father, you won’t do it. He called me as a witness to it. Clem went on he and his wife and worked that that year out. And his father paid out of debt. Put it on his account book that it was Clems colt and called me as a witness to it. That was the last I heard of it. It was about four years ago.

Re Direct, I brought the colt to Wilson. It was Clems colt, I had no doubt about it.

J.E.N. Gorham testified. Clem Hagans and his family stayed on my place last year. I made the arrangements with Clem. His mother Mariah Hagans lived on the same land. He said he had team enough to cultivate a two horse farm. Clem owned the younger horse & his mother the old one. Clem died in Sept last on my place.

X Ex. Took no mortgage on his stock. He refused to mortgage his own horse and said he had no right to mortgage the other. They all worked together on the same farm.

Report of Commissioners to lay off Louisa Hagans years support marked “A” offered in evidence by plaintiff, including one bay horse valued at $150. See Exhibit marked “A”.

Mariah Hagans testified. I am the mother of Clem Hagans. My husband had been dead nearly 4 years. Will be 4 years next old Christmas. We lived in Edgecomb County with Mr. Edmundson before coming to Wilson. Clem Hagans died in Sept last year. Clem left a horse, plows, weeding hoes & shovel and a cotton planter as his property. The young horse was the one his father promised to give him. I was living with Mr. Gorham when Clem died. All lived in same field. I and my daughter & Mose Vines her husband lived together. Clem & his wife & children lived at the other place. I owned a horse which was kept where he kept his own. I moved to Mr. Frank Lanes after leaving Mr. Gorhams place. I made an arrangement to trade with Applewhite Lane & Co. Gave them a mortgage signed by me and Mose. When I mortgaged my horse Mr. Lane said I mortgaged both. My understanding was when I made the mortgage that I mortgaged mine and Mose mortgaged Louisa’s horse. After Clems death Louisa continued to live at same place.

Ex. This was the horse the old man my husband promised to give Clem. He had no right to give the horse. He and all the horses were mine. I claim all the property. My son always claimed the horse because I and my husband promised to give it to him. I give the charge of it while he lived to him, and he said before his death if you can’t all agree, for me to sell the horse and keep the money for the children. We all lived together before my husband died. My son died the next day after talking about the horse. He said at the time he was going to die. Have no children living. Six grandchildren. Louisa & her children have been living with me this year. I supported them from Mr. Lanes Store, or Applewhite Lane &c. Told Louisa last summer the horse was mortgaged. It was necessary to mortgage it to get support for her & her children. Louisa did most of the trading. I went only ones [sic]. All carried on the farm together. All this property including the horse I had the possession of and the control over it. Louisa was present when Mr. Lane took the horse and did not object. I and Louisa were present when the horse was sold. We made no objection.

Re D. The only right Clem had to the horse was by word of mouth from his father. I could have taken the horse away at any time but I did not. It was generally understood that the horse belonged to Clem while he lived. At his death it was to come back to me. I bought the mother of the colt from my old master. Give $185 for her and raised this colt from her. My husband was sold out one. They sold everything except the mother of this hours. She was not sold because she belonged to me. I never raised any objection to the colt going to Clem as long as he lived. Didn’t consider I had any reason to raise any objection, because he lived with me and I got the benefits of the horses labor. I raised no objection after his death, but I raise it now. I have had possession of the horse heretofore. The reason I said Louisa traded the most was because I sent her after the things, provisions, &c. Mr. Lane said when he took the horse that he would put her in the pasture. Neither of us raised any objection. I was told to come to town but did not know what was to be done until I got here. Don’t know whether Louisa was present when the horse was sold, but we both had been at the place when he was to be sold and knew he was to be sold. We were both within hearing when the horse was sold. Louisa is hard of hearing and I don’t know whether she heard or not.

X Ex. Louisa traded at the store after she knew the horse was mortgaged . I sent her there.

Defendants Evidence

Mr HB Lane being duly sworn testified. I wrote the mortgage offered in evidence marked “B.” That’s it contains the horse in dispute. Mariah Hagans mortgages the horse to Applewhite Lane & Co. She represented that the horse was her property. I advanced her supplies upon the faith of the property mortgaged. I advanced her about $270. I took possession of the property, she voluntarily surrendered it. She said she could not finish the crop and preferred giving the property up then. We advertised the property according to the mortgage for 30 days and sold it at the Court House door in Wilson. The property brought $134.50. Horse brought $40. Good crowd present. Several bids made. Horse was in bad condition. I bought all the property for the firm. They have it now. They allowed $70 for the work done on the crop. Leaving $200 due on account of the stock. Notified her of sale & Louisa came with her. Neither made objection to the sale. Louisa did the trading. Mariah came once. They all lived together. After the first bill, the bill was mostly for necessary provisions &c for themselves & horses. Bought feed for two horses.

X Ex. Mariah represented she had two horses to secure the advances. Got Moses to sign to convey his interest in the crop. I bought the property because I thought it was worth more. Sold 2 horses and 2 iron axle carts & gear. Took charge of no other property.

Mariah Hagans was recalled. These two carts were bought in 1886 when we were staying at Mr. Calvin Woodards. Clem bought them, one for himself and one for me. Never have claimed her cart, that belonged to him, but I claim the horse. Kept all together when we lived at Gorham’s. Don’t know whether Louisa objected to the sale of the cart. When Clem authorized me to sell the horse and other property, he said nothing about the cart. Never was any division of the carts. Used that cart this year. Clem left everything in my charge when he died. I owned one and Clem owned the other. We owned them in conjunction.

Louisa Hagans. There were two carts. One that had blue wheels belonged to my husband Clem Hagans. The one with red wheels was called Mariah’s cart. Clem left when he died 1 cart 1 horse 2 plows 1 cotton planter a hoe & shovel

X Ex. He claimed the blue cart.

Louisa Hagans’ attorney, John F. Bruton, reached a settlement with Applewhite Lane’s attorneys, F.A. and S.A. Woodard. Applewhite Lane would pay her $18, but were awarded the property and court costs. By time Hagans paid the court and Bruton’s fees, she likely came away with little.

——

  • Louisa Hagans

In the 1870 census of Lower Conetoe township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: farmer Willis Staton, 35; wife Sarah, 35; and children Joseph, 13, Louisa, 9, Rachel, 8, Sherrod, 7, and Sherman, 4.

In the 1880 census of Tarboro township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: Louisa Staton, 21, farm laborer; Daniel Pitman, 10; [Louisa’s] son Willie Staton, 1; and John Carson, 21, farm laborer.

On 5 March 1882, Clem Hagans, 21, son of Hilliard and Mariah Hagans, married Louisa Staton, 23, daughter of Willis and Sarah Staton, in Pitt County, N.C.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Lue Hagans, 48, widow, farm laborer; daughter Sarah, 23; [grandchildren?] Geneva, 6, Mahaley, 4, Mildred, 2, and “no name,” 4 months; and granddaughter Ida Banes, 17.

Louisa Hagans died 17 July 1930 in Wilson, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 70 years old; was born in Edgecombe County to Willis and Sarah Staton; was a widow; worked in farming; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.]

Sarah Powell died 27 June 1939 in Wilson, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 43 years old; was born in Edgecombe County to Clem Hagans and Louisa Staton; lived at 114 South East Street, Wilson; was the widow of Henry Powell; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Mahalie Stokes, Winston-Salem, N.C., was informant.

  • Clem Hagans

In the 1870 census of Tarboro township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: Hilliard Haigins, 43; wife Maria, 35; children Mahela and Clarence, 13, and Clem, 8; and Daniel Hagans, 26, farm laborer.

In the 1880 census of Tarboro township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: farmer Hilliard Hagans, 53; wife Maria, 50; daughter Mahala, 24, son Clem, 17; nephew Daniel, 35; and granddaughters Martha, 6, and Martha, 4. [Next door: Louisa Staton, 21, farm laborer; Daniel Pitman, 10; [Louisa’s] son Willie Staton, 1; and John Carson, 21, farm laborer.]

On 5 March 1882, Clem Hagans, 21, son of Hilliard and Mariah Hagans, married Louisa Staton, 23, daughter of Willis and Sarah Staton, in Pitt County, N.C.

  • Mariah Hagans

In the 1870 census of Tarboro township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: Hilliard Haigins, 43; wife Maria, 35; children Mahela and Clarence, 13, and Clem, 8; and Daniel Hagans, 26, farm laborer.

In the 1880 census of Tarboro township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: farmer Hilliard Hagans, 53; wife Maria, 50; daughter Mahala, 24, son Clem, 17; nephew Daniel, 35; and granddaughters Martha, 6, and Martha, 4. [Next door: Louisa Staton, 21, farm laborer; Daniel Pitman, 10; [Louisa’s] son Willie Staton, 1; and John Carson, 21, farm laborer.]

  • Moses Vines

On 12 May 1886, Moses Vines 23, of Wilson County, married Mahala Hagans, 25, of Wilson County, in Wilson.

Chattel Mortgages 1858-1889, Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh.

The Oblate Sisters at home.

In 1945, the Reid family sold 600 East Green Street to the Redemptorist Fathers of North Carolina, who converted it into a school and a convent for the Oblate Sisters of Providence. (Saint Alphonsus Catholic School moved to Carroll Street circa 1948.)

The 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County, lists sisters Mary Juliana, Mary Antoinette, Mary Miriam, Mary Antonio, and Mary Cornelia in the house. Sister Mary Juliana was head of the convent. Three sisters were described as Catholic school elementary teachers, and one as a kindergarten teacher. The fifth, Sister Mary Antoinette, a native of Martinique and the eldest by twenty-plus years, did not work. (At least in the way defined by census takers.)

Wilson Daily Times, 9 September 1948.

Leach drowns while eluding ABC officers.

This editorial questioning the police powers of Alcoholic Beverage Control employees reveals the death of an unnamed black Wilson County man who jumped into the Tar River to escape arrest in Nash County. His body was not recovered for nearly three months.

Greensboro (N.C.) Daily Record, 16 April 1936.

A search of death certificates reveals that the decedent was Freeman Tump Leach. Leach was born 21 April 1902 in Rowland, North Carolina, to Jack Leach and Nellie Johnson; died 21 January 1936 in Cooper township, Nash County; lived at 900 Elvie Street; was married; worked as a railroad worker for Norfolk Southern Railroad; died “by falling in Tar River accidentally drowning”; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Jessie Leach was informant.

Wilson Daily Times, 24 January 1936.

A surprise encounter with A.I. slop.

Fairly regularly, I receive emails from readers asking about a family I’ve blogged about or someone they’re researching. For the most part, I’m not able to undertake in-depth unpaid research, but I’m always happy to take quick looks, make suggestions, and offer encouragement.

Yesterday I received such an email. The writer was asking about a person who lived from 1820 to 1905, perhaps in Wilson County. She provided the man’s mother’s name and even the names of his grandparents. I was surprised that she had identified ancestors dating back to the late 1700s, given that she was asking if this man were enslaved or free, about the availability of “plantation records,” and did not seem sure where he lived. We had a brief back and forth in which she disclosed that her information came from Ancestry.com, and I cautioned her about relying on bad, unsourced data. I also noted that there was a white man with the same name living around the same time in Greene County, and facts of his life may have been erroneously attributed to her ancestor, who was likely enslaved.

She then sent this. (I’ve done her the courtesy of redacting identifying information.)

I read it two or three times in puzzlement. Was she forwarding an earlier response I’d sent her, like months ago, but had forgotten?

No. A search of my Gmail account confirmed that I’d never corresponded with her before yesterday.

I read it again. I have a distinctive writing style, and this ain’t it.

This is AI-generated.

Based on our brief email exchange, M. created a letter written as if I had responded to her. And then she sent it to me. I emailed her to ask, essentially, “WTF?” No response. And I blocked her.

Black Wide-Awake exists to connect folks with their families. I’m always thrilled when my posts find their people, and I’ve experienced innumerable beautiful moments of discovery and collaboration with the Wilson County diaspora. This exchange, however, was weird and unpleasant. I sat on publishing this post long enough for my anger to fade, but I’m sharing as a caution about the fakery that can swirl about in genealogy spaces.

The apprenticeship of Patsy and Treasy Whitaker (1895).

On 15 July 1895, Clerk of Superior Court J.D. Bardin apprenticed Patsy Whitaker, 11, and Treasy Whitaker, 5 1/2, to Alford Jordan until they were 18 years old. 

Alford Jordan was a black man, and the four of his neighbors — Nathan, Hardy, Perry, and Shade Bass — were called upon to vouch for his character: “Alfred Jordan has been living in our neighborhood Several years. He has a family of children and we never have heard of his cruelly treating them. Some of his children are grown and we never have heard any charges brought against them. Since Alfred moved into our neighborhood he has conducted himself fairly well so far as we know.”

In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Alfred Jordan, 56; wife Cherry, 50; children  Sallie, 14, Jannie, 12, George and Mary, 9; and Albert, 8; stepchildren [sic] William, 26, Frances, 20, Patsy, 17, and Creasy Farmer, 10; and brother [actually, son] Benjamin Jordan, 35.

When Dr. T.L. Brooks reported vaccinations in the Black Creek area in 1902, he listed Patsy Whitaker and Cresy Whitaker.

On 2 December 1908, E.F. Hooker, 19, of Wayne County, and Patsy Whitaker, 21, of Black Creek township, applied for a Wilson County marriage license. 

In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: widow Cherry Jordan, 60; children Rosetta, 22, Trecie, 20, Mary and George, 19, and Albert Jordan, 17; and grandchildren Lizina, 4, and Adlina Jordan, 3 months. 

Emerson F. and Patsy Hooker eventually migrated to Richmond, Virginia, where Patsy Whitaker Hooker died in 1945. Per her Social Security application, she was born in February 1888 in Wilson County, N.C., to Jacob Whitaker and Viney Jordan.

These records reminds us that we cannot take census entries at face value. Patsy and Creasy Farmer are certainly Patsy and Treasy Whitaker, but (1) their surnames are inconsistent; (2) Treasy’s name is altered; (3) Patsy’s age is slightly off; and (3) they are described as Jordan’s stepchildren (and Treasy as Cherry Jordan’s child.)

Alford Jorden and Cherry Ellis married in August 1884, when he was 40 and she was 35. Given norms of the time, it stands to reason that both had prior marriages. (Per his death certificate, Benjamin Jordan — described as “brother” in the 1900 census — was actually Alford’s son.) The four Jordan children listed in the 1900 census were born after the marriage and presumably were Alford and Cherry’s together. Patsy could have been, but Treasy was too young to have been brought into Cherry’s marriage.

It appears that the Whitaker girls were close kin on their mother’s side to Alford Jordan. Their apprenticeship served essentially as an informal adoption into Alford Jordan’s family. 

Apprentice 1895, Miscellaneous Records, Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives.