Author: Lisa Y. Henderson

History. Genealogy. Culture.

The estate of Asael Farmer (1856).

Asael Barnes Farmer, who lived between present-day Wilson and Elm City, held people in slavery for most of his life, claiming three in the 1800 census (when he was about 22 years old), six in 1810, and 13 in 1820. Farmer died about 1856 possessed of two dozen or more enslaved people. An account of the hire of these people — mostly to Farmer’s relatives — for 1856 included Spencer, Sampson, Belford, David, Moses, Jarmon, Daniel, Benjamin, Howard, Blount, Berry, Washington, Joshua, Patsey and her children, Clark and Titus, Della, Jane, Mar, Ellen and her children, Clarkey, and Delila.

Much of Farmer’s estate file concerns State v. Dave, an enslaved man accused of breaking into a white woman’s house and stealing clothes. In connection with that case, in December 1863, the court issued jury summons to 25 “good and lawful men being slave holders.”

——

How many of Asael Farmer’s enslaved can we trace forward?

  • Spencer

Perhaps: on 12 January 1869, Watson Farmer, son of Aaron Barnes and Cherry Barnes, married Martha Barnes, daughter of Spencer Taylor and Cherry Taylor, at Pattie Farmer’s in Wilson County.

On 4 January 1870, Daniel Farmer, son of Spencer Farmer and Cherry Farmer, married Axa Cherry, daughter of Joseph Forbs and Judy Barnes, in Wilson County.

On 24 April 1870, Hardy Farmer, son of Spencer Farmer and Cherry Farmer, married Silvey Hooks at Hardy Farmer’s home in Wilson County.

  • Sampson

Perhaps: on 25 August 1866, Sampson Farmer and Lucy Stephens registered their 12-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

in the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Samson Farmer, 55, farm laborer, and wife Lucy, 47.

In the 1880 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farmer Samson Farmer, 60, and wife Lucy A., 54.

Or: on 23 August 1866, Sampson Farmer and Phillis Jordan registered their 18(?)-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Samson Farmer, 57; wife Phillis, 25; son Warren, 12; and Rebecca Taylor, 31.

in the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Sampson Farmer, 59, farm laborer; wife Phillis, 29; son Warren, 26; and Amos Simms, 62.

Hannah Barnes died 25 May 1920 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 1841 in Wilson County to Samson Farmer and Annie Barnes; was married to Robert Barnes; and was buried in Elm City. Julius Barnes was informant.

  • Belford

On 22 September 1870, Belford Farmer, son of Ben and Ellen Farmer, married Peggy Flowers, daughter of Henry and Annie Flowers, in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Bellford Farmer, 46, farmer; wife Peggy, 36; children Morning, 17, Benj’n, 10, Alice, 13, Moses, 8, Anna, 5, and Ida, 1; and Allen Battle, 21.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widowed laundress Peggy Farmer, 43, and children Mourning, 23, Alice, 21, Annie, 13, Moses, 16, Ida, 10, Belford, 7, and Mary, 5, and grandsons Willie, 3, and Henry, 1.

  • David

This was the Dave of State v. Dave.

  • Moses

In 1866, Moses Farmer and Emla Farmer registered their 15-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Moses Farmer, 43, farm laborer; wife Emily, 38; Adeline Farmer, 20; Agnes Farmer, 65; Paton Farmer; 8; and John Farmer, 7.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Spring Street, farm worker Moses Farmer, 54, and wife Emily, 45.

  • Jarmon

In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farmer Jarman Farmer, 34; wife Virginia, 30; and children Jackson, 17, Green, 13, Rose, 15, Jane, 10, Julia, 8, Ella, 6, and Maggie, 4.

On 8 February 1877, Rose Farmer, 21, married Dennis Batts, 22, at Jarman Farmer’s house in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Jarman Farmer, 52; wife Jennie, 45; children Greene, 22, Julia A., 15, Mary E., 13, Jarman, 4, and Isaac, 3; and brother Blount Farmer, 45.

In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Jarman Farmer, 75; wife Jennie, 68; sons Jarman, 25, and Isaac, 22; and grandsons Walter, 19, and Sam Faulklin, 22.

On 9 January 1901, Jarman Farmer Jr., 26, son of Jarman Farmer, married Maud Sessoms, 23, daughter of Claude Sessoms, at Dock Thomas‘ in Toisnot township, Wilson County.

Julia Farmer died 27 July 1943 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 April 1880 [actually, more like 1865] in Wilson County to Jarman Farmer and Jennie Farmer; was the widow of Bennie Farmer; and was buried in Elm City Cemetery. Jennie Armstrong was informant.

Jarman Farmer died 17 December 1954 in Richmond, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was 77 years old; was born in Wilson County, N.C., to Jarman Farmer and Jennie Farmer; lived at 619 North 26th Street, Richmond; was the widower of Maude Farmer; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery. Lessie Farmer was informant.

  • Daniel

In 1866, Daniel Farmer and Cherry Barefoot registered their three-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

On 4 January 1870, Daniel Farmer, son of Spencer Farmer and Cherry Farmer, married Axa Cherry, daughter of Joseph Forbs and Judy Barnes, in Wilson County. [Is this is same Daniel as above?]

In the 1870 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farm laborer Daniel Farmer, 37; wife Axele, 36; and children Rosa, 14, Cherry, 12, Hardy, 7, and Elbert, 3.

In the 1880 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Daniel Farmer, 46; wife Axel, 40; children Hardy, 16, Lou, 12, Aaron, 10, Spencer, 8, and Elitia, 4.

Aaron Lumford Farmer died 25 April 1933 in Bull Head township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 June 1870 in Elm City, Wilson County, to Dan Farmer and Axey Barnes; was married to the “daughter of Marcus Shepherd”; and was a farmer. Aaron Farmer Jr. was informant.

  • Benjamin

On 19 December 1868, Isaac Wells, son of Cain and Milly Wells, married Clarkey Farmer, daughter of Ben and Ellen Dowly, in Wilson County. See Clarkey and Titus, below.

On 22 September 1870, Belford Farmer, son of Ben and Ellen Farmer, married Peggy Flowers, daughter of Henry and Annie Flowers, in Wilson County.

  • Haywood
  • Blount

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Jarman Farmer, 52; wife Jennie, 45; children Greene, 22, Julia A., 15, Mary E., 13, Jarman, 4, and Isaac, 3; and brother Blount Farmer, 45.

  • Berry

Perhaps, on 22 August 1866, Berry Farmer and Hester Viverette registered their 12-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Berry Farmer, 45; wife Hester, 44; children Jane, 13, Cherry, 11, Leah, 8, Rose, 6, and Georgiana, 1; and farm laborer Harriss Parker, 20; Miller Ricks, 10, and Ellie Vines, 19.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer Berry Farmer, 40, and Cherry, 23, Rose, 15, Anna, 12, and Addie, 7.

Or: on 25 August 1866, Berry Farmer and Harrett Farmer registered their ten-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Berry Farmer, 32; wife Harriet, 38; and Andrew, 7.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Berry Farmer, 50, and wife Harriet, 45.

  • Washington

Perhaps, Washington Farmer, whose wife Waity Harris and children were enslaved by a different owner, but see here.

  • Joshua
  • Patsey and her children

Is this the Martha, above, who married Watson Farmer on 12 January 1869 in Wilson County? (Patsey was a nickname for Martha.)

  • Clark and Titus

On 19 December 1868, Isaac Wells, son of Cain and Milly Wells, married Clarkey Farmer, daughter of Ben and Ellen Dowly, in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Isaac Wells, 28, farm laborer, and wife Clarkey, 34.

In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Morriss Barnes, 27, farm laborer; wife Della, 27; children Benjamin, 10, Dilly, 6, Robert, 4, Wesley, 3, and Harriett, 1; and Titus Farmer, 18.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer Isaac Wells, 39; wife Clarke, 45; stepson Titus Farmer, 26, farm laborer; and James Chisel, 17, farm laborer.

Clarkie Wells died 1 February 1924 at the County Home, Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 90 years old and a widow.

  • Della
  • Jane
  • Mar
  • Ellen and her children

On 19 December 1868, Isaac Wells, son of Cain and Milly Wells, married Clarkey Farmer, daughter of Ben and Ellen Dowly, in Wilson County.

On 22 September 1870, Belford Farmer, son of Ben and Ellen Farmer, married Peggy Flowers, daughter of Henry and Annie Flowers, in Wilson County.

Possibly: in the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Nellie Farmer, 62; Mary Farmer, 47; and Joshua Farmer, 22. [“Nellie” was a nickname for Ellen. Next door, Berry and Harriet Farmer. Joshua was too young to have been the Joshua listed among Asael Farmer’s slaves.]

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Nellie Farmer, 75; grandsons George, 20, Drewey, 17, and Berry Farmer, 17; and great-granddaughter Martha A. Parker, 8.

  • Clarkey
  • Delila

These records establish three nuclear families among the group — (1) Spencer and Cherry and their children Daniel, Hardy, and possibly Patsey; (2) Ben and Ellen and their children Belford and Clarkey (as well as Clarkey’s son Titus); and brothers Blount and Jarman.

Asael Farmer Estate (1856), Edgecombe County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, http://www.familysearch.org.

Howard shoots and injures three.

Wilson Daily Times, 10 December 1945.

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In the 1910 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: on Howards Path, farmer William Howard, 26; wife Lula A., 26; and children Percy Lee, 3, and Essie May, 11 months.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Atlantic Street, Lucy Howard, 35, and children Parcy, 13, Lizzie, 9, Lola Bell, 8, William, 6, Aurtha P., 4, and Walter L., 3.

In the 1925 New York state census, Percy Howard is listed as a waiter living at Forest Hills Inn, Station Square, Queens. 

On 4 March 1926, Percy Howard and Marie Robinson were married in Wilson.

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Howard Percy (c; Marie) barber E L Artis h 717 E Green. [Ernest L. Artis‘ barbershop was at 517 East Nash Street.]

In the 1930 census of Manhattan, New York, New York, Percy Howard, 23, born in North Carolina, billiard parlor porter, was a lodger at 746 Saint Nicholas.

In the 1940 census of Manhattan, New York, New York, Percy L. Howard, 34, and wife Frances, 28, were lodgers at 119 West 115th Street.

In 1940, Percy Lee Howard registered for the World War II draft in Manhattan, New York, New York. Per his registration card, he was born 16 May 1906 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 119 West 115 Street (also, 267 West 114 Street #1, 267 West 114 Street #3W); his contact was mother Lulu Ennie Howard; and he was self-employed. The registrar noted that Howard’s “left facial muscles paralyzed from stroke.”

Wilson Daily Times, 7 February 1946.

Percy Lee Howard’s obituary was published in the Wilson Daily Times on 19 December 1968. He died in New York City.

The last will and testament of Isaac Farmer (1800).

On 13 November 1800, Isaac Farmer made out a will that included these provisions:

  • to son John Farmer — 400 acres and a Negro boy named Lewis
  • to son Josiah Farmer, 400 acres and Negro girl named Alse
  • to daughter Patience Farmer, a Negro girl named Delse
  • to his wife [Christian Barnes], one “Negro Wench Named Nan,” also a life estate in a boy named Isaac and “I give the said Boy to the Child that she is supposed to be pregnant with”

Farmer lived between present-day Wilson and Elm City. His son Asael Farmer was named his executor.

Minutes of the Freedmen’s Convention of 1866.

In October 1866, more than 100 representatives of North Carolina’s Equal Rights Leagues gathered in Raleigh for a convention. Some, like future United States Congressman James E. O’Hara of Wayne County, had been born free. Most, however, were little more than a year into emancipation.

The convention’s minutes show that Wilson County sent Ensley Hinnant and Thomas Farmer to the conference.

At the October 4 afternoon session, Thomas Farmer of Wilson spoke up to say that “the people has suffered greatly from injustice, but things begin to wear a bright future.”

——-

  • Ensley Hinnant

Ems Hinnant and Kate Reil registered their 11-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace in 1866.

In the 1870 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farm laborer Emizel Hinnant, 30, and Harriet, 19, Tamer, 11, Henderson, 13, Mary, 7, Dennis, 8, and Joseph, 1.

On 29 February 1870, Jeff Powell, son of Calvin and Penny Powell, married Carolin Hinnant, daughter of Emsly and Ally Hinnant, at Zilla Locus‘ in Wilson County.

On 20 February 1895, Gray Hinnant, 42, of Oldfields township, son of Martha Williamson, married Tama Hinnant, 35, of Oldfields township, daughter M. and Alley Hinnant, both deceased, at the residence of Thamar Hinnant.

Henderson Hinnant died 7 August 1934 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 49 years old; was born Wilson County to Enzly Hinnant and Carolina Hinnant; was married to Margaret Hinnant; and lived on Route 3, Kenly.

  • Thomas Farmer

Two adult African-American men named Thomas Farmer appear in the 1870 census. It is not clear which, if either, was the conventioneer.

  • Equal Rights League

Just last week, the incomparable David Cecelski blogged about the unveiling of a state historical marker commemorating the Equal Justice League branch in the Edgecombe County’s Red Hill community in 1866. Cecelski spoke at the ceremony and, in the complete absence of information about Wilson County’s chapter, his words help us understand Hinnant and Farmer’s revolutionary work. To those who made the day possible, Cecelski said, “Through all your efforts, you remind us, at a time when we need reminding, of a time and a place when people who had next to nothing, who were only months out of slavery, and who were surrounded by a thousand perils, found the courage, faith, and determination to fight for a better world for their children and for us all.”

The obituary of Lavinia M.P. Johnson, hotel maid.

Wilson Daily Times, 23 November 1949.

——

In the  1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Pierce David (c; Livinia) deliverymn h 317 Hackney

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Pierce Livinia (c) maid Briggs Hotel h 317 Hackney

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on North Hackney, Levenia Pierce, 36, hotel maid; Sandra Pierce, 19, farm laborer; and Clara Pierce, 1; Cesar Williams, 20, hotel bellboy; Darthy L. Williams, 16; and Boyed L. Williams, 7 months; Estelle Butler, 30, private cook; and John Kitchen, 30, barber.

Louvenia Pierce Johnson died 22 November 1949 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 March 1896 in Edgecombe County, N.C., t0 unknown parents; lived at 317 Hackney Street; and was married. Clyde Cooper was informant.

The estate of Isaac Farmer (1863).

Isaac Farmer was born about 1794 and died in 1863 in what is now Wilson County. His estate file reveals that he owned at least two African-Americans — Ben and Titus.

On i5 December 1863, a sale account notes two hires, Ben for the full following year and Titus for one month to widow Theresa Farmer. At ten cents, Titus must have been exceptionally elderly or otherwise infirm.

An account made a year later does not list Titus; he may have died.

On 26 January 1864, administrator J.T. Dew’s summary of Farmer’s rather meager estate ended with “one Negro Man Ben.”

——

I have not found Ben Farmer in freedom.

Estate File of Isaac Farmer (1863), 

Rodgers promoted to corporal.

Wilson Daily Times, 20 December 1943.

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In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on East Green Street, Coney Rodgers, 24, guano plant laborer; wife Clyde, 24; and children Earnest Lee, 6, Mosses, 4, Levay, 2, and Nina, 2 months.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Connie Rodgers, 33, widower, sewer project laborer, and children Ernest, 16, Moses, 13, Janey L., 12, Nina R., 9, and Queenella, 6; and Penny Bynum, 30.

In 1942, Ernest Lee Rogers registered for the World War II draft in Wilson, Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 18 December 1923 in Wilson; his contact was Mary Rogers, 612 Atlantic Street; and he worked for a government program in Goldsboro. He signed his card “Earnest Lee Rodgers.”

Family ties, no. 8: James Daniel brought up some corn one time.

Wilson’s emergence as a leading tobacco market town drew hundreds of migrants in the decades after the 1890s. Many left family behind in their home counties, perhaps never to be seen again. Others maintained ties the best way they could.

Sarah Henderson Jacobs Silver and her husband Jesse A. Jacobs Jr. left Dudley, in southern Wayne County, North Carolina, around 1905. They came to Wilson presumably for better opportunities off the farm. Each remained firmly linked, however, to parents and children and siblings back in Wayne County as well as those who had joined the Great Migration north. This post is the eighth in a series of excerpts from documents and interviews with my grandmother Hattie Henderson Ricks (1910-2001), Jesse and Sarah’s adoptive daughter (and Sarah’s great-niece), revealing the ways her Wilson family stayed connected to their far-flung kin. (Or didn’t.)

When Jesse A. Jacobs Jr. married Sarah Henderson in Wayne County in 1895, his children ranged in age from newborn to 14 years old. When Jesse and Sarah Jacobs moved 40 miles north to Wilson circa 1905, the youngest children, Doctor and Annie Bell, came with them, and even the eldest, James Daniel Jacobs, settled briefly in the Elba Street house.

Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory (1908).

“Jeem Daniel. Jeem Daniel Jacobs. He and Roxie lived down in Clinton down there, and he come to Wilson when they got married, before they had a family. I remember that. They talked about me coming to visit, but he used to come up to bring tobacco. I remember, ‘Why in the world he had to come all the way to Wilson – ‘

James D. and Roxie Simmons on their Sampson County farm, circa 1950.

“I just do remember him, by him – lots of times they would come by the house, see Papa, wanted to know how he was doing, and whatever. They didn’t stay no time, had to get back and see what time they was gon sell tobacco. So, I don’t know whatever became of him. Now, Mamie [Henderson Holt, her sister] went down when Jeem Daniel got married. He married Roxie, a girl named Roxie, and they was still down there in Clinton, wherever, somewhere down … Anyway, I know it wasn’t Mount Olive, and so Mama, when she got pregnant, Roxie got pregnant, then Jeem Daniel wanted Mamie to come down there and stay with his wife. He said, ‘I’ll pay for her to look after her, stay with her in the house,’ ‘cause he was working down in the field and needed someone to look after her. So Mamie went down there to stay. Didn’t stay, but I never did go down there. I never did see ‘em, after that, except Jeem Daniel brought up some corn one time to see Papa ‘cause he was sick.”  

——

In the 1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Jacobs James D lab h 106 Elba

In the 1910 census of Brogden township, Wayne County, N.C.: John Brewington, 27; wife Hattie, 25; children Lillie, 3, and Kirby, 1; and boarder James D. Jacobs, 30, farmer.

On 22 November 1916, James D. Jacobs, 35, married Roxie Simmons, 25, in Sampson County, N.C.

In 1918, James Daniel Jacobs registered for the World War I draft in Clinton, Sampson County. Per his registration card, he was born 2 February 1881; worked as a farmer; and his nearest relative was Roxie Jacobs.

ln the 1920 census of South Clinton township, Sampson County: farmer Jimmie Simmons, 43; mother Pennie, 77, widow; brother-in-law James D. Jacobs, 37; sister Roxie, 33; and nephews Jessie W., 2, and Chacie, 1 month.

In the 1940 census of South Clinton township, Sampson County: farmer James D. Jacobs, 58; wife Roxie, 55; children Chasie, 20, Redick, 17, Macy, 16, Rillie, 14, Lifton, 10, and Jessie, 22; and granddaughter Glacinie, 2.

In the 1950 census of South Clinton township, Sampson County: farmer James D. Jacob, 68; wife Roxie, 64; son Jessie W., 33, widower; granddaughter Glacenia, 12; son Lifton, 20, and daughter-in-law Mary E., 18.

James Daniel Jacobs died 6 April 1952 in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 3 February 1883 in Sampson County to Jesse Jacobs and Sallie Bridges; lived near Clinton, Sampson County; was married; and was a tenant farmer.

Photo courtesy of Carla Carter Jacobs.

The estate of Theophilus Bass (1857).

At October Term 1857, Wilson County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions ordered the division of a group of eight enslaved people belonging to the estate of Theophilus Bass — Charles, Mary, Easter, Warren, Eliza, Martin, Sarah, and Howell.

As we saw here, Bass had inherited Charles, Mary and Easter (Esther) from his uncle James A. Barnes after the death of Barnes’ widow Sarah Daniel Barnes. Warren, Eliza, Martin, and possibly Sarah were Easter’s children. Their father Howell was also owned by James A. Barnes, but passed to McKinley Darden, and the Howell listed above may have been Howell and Easter’s child.

A ninth enslaved person, Mason, was ordered sold at public auction in Wilson County.

Sarah, valued at $250, was allotted to Winnefred Bass.

——

We traced Charles, Mary, and Easter forward here.

  • Warren

In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Howard Darden, 47, farm laborer; wife Esther, 38; and children Warren, 20, Eliza, 18, Martin, 17, Toby, 12, and Crawford, 1.

Warren Darden, 24, married Louisa Dew, 18, on 1 May 1873 in Wilson, before witnesses Amos Dew and Raiford Dew.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Warren Darden, 30, wife Louisa, 25, children Warren, 3, and an unnamed infant, and farmhand Wilie Lee, 14.

In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Warren Darden, 50; wife Lou, 45; and children Warren Jr., 23, Mary L., 18, Lizzie, 12, Sallie, 6, and Minnie, 2.

Minnie Darden died 7 May 1925 in Black Creek township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 27 August 1898 in Wilson County to Warren Darden and Louisa Darden. Grant Farmer was informant.

Sallie Farmer Eddie died 9 December 1945 in Black Creek township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 2 March 1891 in Wilson County to Warren Darden and Louisa Dew; was married to John Eddie; and was buried in Newsom Cemetery near Lucama, N.C. George W. Dew was informant.

  • Eliza

On 29 December 1892, Henry Dortch, 52, of Wilson, son of Isaac Thorne and Bedie Artis, married Eliza Darden, 42, at Crawford Darden‘s in Wilson County. Free Will Baptist minister Daniel Blount performed, and Frank Woodard, Warren Darden, and Isom Sutton witnessed the ceremony.

  • Martin

On 22 December 1871, Martin Darden, son of Howell Darden and Esther Jordan, married Jane Dew, daughter of Haywood and Jane Dew, at H. Dew’s in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Martin Darden, 27; wife 25; and daughters Esther, 5, Ellen, 5, and Nellie, 3.

On 25 December 1888, Lawrence Mitchell, 21, of Crossroads township, Wilson County, son of Primus Mitchell, married Ester Darden, 18, of Crossroads township, daughter of Martin and Jane Darden, at Primus Mitchell’s.

In the 1900 census of Great Swamp township, Wayne County: farmer Martin Darden, 48; Jane, 50; and children Tinsey, 17, Howard, 14, Jineva, 11, and Silvey, 9.

In the 1910 census of Glissons township, Duplin County, N.C.: farmer Martin Darden, 58; wife Jane, 59; and daughter Silva, 18.

On 27 January 1915, Clint Smith, 28, of Duplin County, son of Dudly and Priscilla Smith, married Silva Darden, 23, of Duplin County, daughter of Martin and Jane Darden, at Martin Darden’s in Glissons township.

Easter Mitchell died 16 November 1918 in Crossroads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, she was 40 years old; was born in Wilson County to Martin Darden and an unknown mother; and was buried in Ricks graveyard.

In the 1920 census of Glissons township, Duplin County, N.C.: farm laborer Martin Darden, 68, and Jane, 69.

Martin Darden died 22 December 1926 in Kenansville township, Duplin County. Per his death certificate, he was 74 years old; was married to Jane Darden; was born in Wilson County to Howard and Easter Darden; and worked as a farmer and blacksmith. Howard Darden of Fremont was informant.

Janie Darden died 21 February 1936 in Kenansville, Duplin County. Per her death certificate, she was 72 years old; was born in Wilson County; was the widow of Martin Darden; and did farm and housework. Clint Smith was informant.

  • Sarah
  • Howell
  • Mason

On 12 May 1866, Mason Bass and Kate Edmundson registered their four-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Mason Bass, 32; wife Katy, 33; children Spicy, 7, Bettie, 6, Riley, 1, and Nathaniel, 2 months; Mary, 53, Eliza, 28, and Sarah Bass, 16; and Ruffin Barnes, 18.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Mason Bass, 43; wife Kate, 45; and children Isicy, 17, Bettie, 16, Amanuel, 2, and Mattie, 10 months.

In the 1900 census of Coahoma County, Mississippi: North Carolina-born Mason Bass, 63; wife Katie, 65; children Emanuel, 22, and Amelia, 18; and granddaughter Conelus, 1. Next door: Olie Henry, 45; wife Spicie, 37; and their children Amie, 14, William, 5, and Nathan, 3.

Estate File of Theophilus Bass (1857), Edgecombe County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, http://www.familysearch.org

Christmas toy drive at the Round House.

Help brighten a child’s Christmas!

Get your whole giveback on on December 16. Haul some brush in the AM with Lane Street Project, then drop off toys at Freeman Round House that afternoon!

Freeman Round House is accepting new, unwrapped toys for distribution to children by Wilson County Department of Social Services. Please bring items to the museum Saturday, 16 December 2023, between 3:30 and 5:30 P.M.

Thank you!