1880s

Nineteenth-century colored school districts.

We know little about 19th-century African American schools in Wilson County. There were at least 19 and probably many more, but to date we can only firmly identify five. These quasi-public schools predated Rosenwald schools by decades, but at least a few, like Rocky Branch, Howard, and Stantonsburg, survived to be upgraded with Rosenwald funds.

Here’s a running list of the schools I’ve identified.

#1 Unnamed school, Stantonsburg township, per deed reference, Stantonsburg and Moyton Road.

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12 Rocky Branch school, Springhill township, per an 1896 deed reference to “the lot belonging to district No 12 of the colored free school … on the Buck horn and Kenly Road” adjacent to the “colored Christian church lot …”

#13

#14 Unknown school, Black Creek township, per reference in an 1881 news brief.

Wilson Advance, 11 February 1881.

#15

#16

#17 Howard School, Taylors township, per deed.

#18

#19 Unknown school, Toisnot township east of Elm City, per a 1898 deed reference: “Parcel of land known as Colored School lot District no 19. Situated on the East Side of the Public road leading from Elm City to the old Tarboro and Raleigh road, adjoining the lands of [Redmond Winstead] containing one acre or less.”

Deed Book 50, page 283, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

The apprenticeship of Jennie and Ella Daniel (1883).

On 9 June 1883, a Wilson County Probate Court judge ordered 9 year-old Jennie Daniel and 7 year-old Ella Daniel bound as apprentices to Prince Daniel until they reached 21 years of age. She was to be trained in housekeeping.

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In the 1880 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Prince Daniel, 67, and wife Absley, 44. Next door: farm laborer Isaac Daniel, 23 (who was probably Prince and Ansley’s son); his wife Zilla, 24; and their daughters Virginia, 5, Ella Jane, 3, and Mobelia, 3 months.)

United States Indenture and Manumission Records, 1780-1939, database at https://familysearch.org.

Wiley Blount is incensed.

Wilson Advance, 12 October 1883.

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  • John Hardy

Perhaps, in the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Henry Barnes, 52, works on farm; wife wife Mila, 40; son Amanuel Robins, 20, works on farm; and boarder John Hardy, 20, works on farm.

  • Wiley Blount

On 8 April 1880, Wilie Blount, 23, married Adelade Mangum, 22, in Wilson County. Minister F.R. Bird performed the ceremony in the presence of Harper Best, H. Winsted, and Richard Harper.

On Wiley Blount, 70, of Edgecombe County, married Ella Lindsey, 62, of Edgecombe County, in Tarboro, Edgecombe County.

Wiley Blount died 2 November 1924 in Township #9, Edgecombe County. Per his death certificate, he was about 80 years old; was born in Wilson County; was married to Ella Blount; and was buried near Fountain, N.C.

The sale of William Taylor’s property.

After William Taylor‘s death, likely at the end of 1885, his administrator Toby Farmer oversaw the auction of his household furniture. The buyers, who probably bought more to help the family than from a need for these commonplace items, included Jacob Pitt, Charles Darden, Treasy Taylor, Nicey Harper, Haywood Freeman, Ennis [Enos] Thompson, Alfred Dew, Henry Young, John H. Lassiter, Jerry Washington, Mack Bynum, Charles Bynum, Charles Gay, Cary Gray, Daniel Vick, B.R. Winstead, and S.H. Vick.

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  • William Taylor

Perhaps: in the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: carpenter William Taylor, 22, and wife Anna, 16.

And, in the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: house carpenter William Taylor, 32; wife William Ann, 26; daughter Hattie, 2; and niece Mary Gay, 9.

  • Jacob Pitt

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Jacobs Pitt, 40; wife Quilla, 35, farm laborer; and daughter Vinah, 3; and Turner Strickland, 20, farm laborer.

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Jacobb Pitt, 53; wife Quiley, 34; and daughter Vinah, 13.

  • Treasy Taylor

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: drayman Aaron Jones, 30; wife Mollie, 25; and daughter Emma, 13; mother Theresa Taylor, 40; and boarder Blake Watson, 36, laborer.

  • Nicey Harper

Nicey A. Barnes died 11 April 1963 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 28 December 1871 to John and Edna Harper; was a widow; lived on Route 4, Wilson; and was buried in the Masonic Cemetery, Wilson. Alene Harper of Snow Hill, N.C., was informant.

  • Ennis Thompson

Probably Enos Thompson. In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County:  farmer Enos Thompson, 41; wife Hellon, 41; and children John, 17, Margaret, 16, Lucy, 6, Pet, 4, and Ennis, 3.

  • Henry Young

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Henry Young, 34; wife Anna, 37; and children Jane, 4, John, 2, and George, 5 months.

On 15 November 1879, Henry Young, 45, married Zilpha Barnes, 24, in Wilson. Minister Daniel Blount performed the ceremony at his home in the presence of Sam Williams and Elias Strickland.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Henry Young, 45; wife Zilpha Ann, 21; and children Joseph, 15, Nettie, 13, and George, 10.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Henry Young, 65; wife Annie, 42; and boarder Pennie Young, 22.

Henry Young died 9 March 1910 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 72 years old; was born in Franklin County, N.C., to Herbert and Clarisa Young; was married; and was buried in Wilson. Walter Foster was informant.

  • Cary Gray

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Cary Gray, 35, farm laborer; wife Fillis, 25; and children Mary, 12, Cherry, 10, Henry, 8, Susan, 5, and Robert, 1.

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Cary Gray, 45, farmer; wife Phillis, 30; and children Susan, 14, Henry, 18, Robert, 12, Colia, 9, Fannie, 6, and Caroline, 2.

Witnesses to divorce.

Haywood Freeman, Sidney Freeman, Nettie M. Vick, Hagar Edwards, and Mary Ward were called as witnesses to the divorce action filed by Charles H. Smith against his wife Virginia Smith.

Haywood and Sidney Freeman were the father and brother of Joseph Freeman, who was named as one of the men with whom Jenny Smith allegedly committed adultery. Hagar Edwards’ home in Greene County was the site of an alleged tryst. The focus of Nettie Vick and Mary Ward’s anticipated testimony is not known.

Three witnesses requested that their witness fees be paid over to someone else — in two cases, the man for whom they testified, Charles H. Smith himself. At a minimum, this request would raise an eyebrow today.

“please pay to C.H. Smith what is due me as a witness in his case”

“please pay to C.H. Smith the amount due me as a witness in his case”

Nettie M. Vick requested that her fee go to her brother W. Henry Vick. (Samuel H. Vick was another of her brothers.)

“please pay to Henry Vick the amount due Nettie Vick Witness of C.H. Smith case”

Acquisition of land for churches.
  • Trustees purchase the lot on which Saint John A.M.E. Zion was built

On 14 April 1880, E.M. Nadal and wife Margaret Nadal, for $600, sold Washington Suggs, E.C. Simms, Haywood Freeman, Edwin Barnes, Charles Darden, Lemon Taborn, and Samuel Smith, trustees of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in America of Wilson County, a lot on Pender Street containing about 1 9/25 acre. Deed book 16, page 393.

  • Trustees purchase a lot for a Primitive Baptist church near Bartee Bridge

On 28 September 1880, Francis M. Moye and wife Emily E. Moye, for $25, sold Nathan Ward, Allen Moore, and Hilliard Ruffin, trustees of the Colored Primitive Baptist Church, a small piece of land on the east side of Toisnot Swamp, on the left side of the road from Bartee Bridge to Saratoga, and a few hundred yards from said bridge, containing about one acre. A land contained a “portion of an old field” adjoining Dr. J.B. Stallings. Deed book 17, page 242.

Bartee Bridge crossed Goss Swamp near the Greene County line on what is now Bartee Bridge Road. The road from Bartee Bridge to Saratoga is now Tyson Farm Road. I have not identified this church further.

  • Trustees purchase a lot for an A.M.E. Zion church in Black Creek

On 30 April 1886, A.G. Brooks and Hardy Hinnant of Wilson County, for $1, sold Aaron Barnes, Lawrence Moore, and Lee Moore, trustees of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in America of Wilson County, a lot adjoining Rachel Barden, Jesse Whitley, and Hardy Hinnant in the Town of Black Creek located where Avenue Street intersected Avenue Road(?). Deed book 30, page 231.

I have not identified this church or its location. There is not currently an A.M.E. Zion church in Black Creek.

  • Trustees purchase additional property adjacent to Saint John A.M.E. Zion church

On 1 March 1891, Charles and Sallie Barbour, for $125, conveyed to C.H. Darden, Lemon Taborn, Washington Sugg, Haywood Freeman, Noah Best, H.T. Ransom, and S.A. Smith, trustees of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in America of Wilson County, a lot adjoining J.W. Hood, Mrs. Campbell, Charles Battle, and the property of the A.M.E. Zion Church, on Pender Street, containing about 1/4 acre. The Barbours were in debt to the church for $125 and, if they failed to repay by 1 January 1893, the church could sell the property at auction. However, if the Barbours timely repaid the debt, the transfer was void. Deed book 30, page 246.

Rev. James W. Hood was a Pennsylvania-born A.M.E. Zion bishop active in North Carolina from 1872 till his death in 1916. By 1887, he had founded more than 600 churches in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and in 1895 published One Hundred Years of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; or, The Centennial of African Methodism, which featured several ministers active in Wilson. Though named in this deed as a property owner, I have found no record that Hood actually lived in Wilson.

The Kents try to get their land back.

Brothers Elbert and Ned Kent are the forefathers of most African-American Kents from Wilson County’s Lucama area. Both were born enslaved in neighboring Johnston County to Lightfoot Sanders. Elbert Kent’s mother was Angeline Kent. Ned Kent’s possibly was was Angeline Kent, but may have been named Abbie. In 1902, the Kent brothers sued in Johnston County to regain their father’s 19 acres of land.

In short, the Kents alleged that Lightfoot Sanders died in 1887, leaving widow Wealthy Sanders and two sons (Wealthy’s stepsons) Elbert and Ned Kent. After Wealthy Sanders died, the Kent brothers took possession of the land and rented it out. In 1898, Harrison and Henrietta Avera took control of the property. (See the complaint below.)

The Averas responded that Lightfoot and Wealthy Sanders had bought the land together in November 1871 from J.B. Dunn; that Wealthy worked and contributed to the purchase; and that the parties intended for the deed to be made in the name of both Sanderses. However, by accident, it was made out to Lightfoot Sanders only. Wealthy Sanders executed a will in February 1896 leaving the 19 acres to her daughter (the Kent brothers’ stepsister) Henrietta Avera.

A judge found that the Kents and Henrietta Avera (and her husband) each owned one-half the property and ordered it sold and the proceeds to be divided. Henrietta Avera was to receive the 1903 rents from the property and pay the 1903 taxes. The land sold at auction on 30 January 1904 for $180.

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North Carolina, Johnston County

In the Superior Court, Feb Term 1903

Elbert Kent and Ned Kent
vs
Harrison Avera and Henrietta Avera

Complaint

The plaintiffs complaining of the defendants allege:

I. That Lightfoot Sanders, dec’d, was at and before his death seized in fee simple of the following described land and premises:

Beginning on a stake standing on North side of Sander’s Branch in Bettie Burnette’s line and runs with her line N 3 E. 65 poles to a stake her corner; thence as her line N 88 W 54 poles to a stake Jno. W. Pool’s corner, thence his line S 3 W 52 poles to a large ditch, thence as the ditch N 75 E 10 poles, thence N 62 E 16 poles, thence S 70 E 10 poles, thence S 83 E 12 poles, thence 150 E 5 poles to the beginning point containing (19) acres. See Registry of Johnston Co., Book E. No 3 – page 354 and said Lightfoot Sanders was at the time of his death in possession of said land and premises.

II. That when said Lightfoot Sanders died, he left surviving him a widow Wealthy Sanders who lived upon and occupied the land described in paragraph I of this complaint as his widow during her lifetime.

III. That upon the death of said widow Wealthy Sanders these plaintiffs entered upon said land took possession of said land and premises and rented same to Quinnie[?].

IV. That on or about 28th day of Jan. 1887 Lightfoot Sanders died intestate leaving surviving the plaintiffs his only children and heirs at law.

V. That on or about Jan. 1st 1898 the defendants entered into possession and are now in possession of said land and premises without leave of the plaintiffs or any right or title thereto and do now unlawfully withhold possession thereof from the plaintiffs.

Wherefore plaintiffs demand judgment:

1st. That plaintiffs recover possession of the land and premises

2nd. For the sum of Fifty Dollars as rents for detaining and withholding said land and premises from the owners

3rd. For such other and further relief as plaintiffs are entitled to

4th. For the cost of this action.

E.S. Abell and Wellon & Morgan Attys for Plaintiffs

Elbert Kent one of the plaintiffs being duly sworn says that the facts set forth in the foregoing complaint are true of his own knowledge except as to those matters therein stated upon information and belief and as to those matters he believes it to be true.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this Feb. 16th 1903   Elbert (X) Kent
W.S. Stevens C.S.C.

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  • Lightfoot Sanders

In an 1863 assessment of enslaved property directed by North Carolina’s Confederate government, Lightfoot, age 46, appears in a list of people enslaved by Ashley Sanders, Avera’s district, Johnston County.

In 1866, Lightfoot Sanders and Welthy Sanders registered their 11-year cohabitation with a Johnston County clerk of court.

In the 1870 census of Smithfield township, Johnston County: Lightfoot Sanders, 54, farmer; wife Weltha, 50; and Jack Tomlinson, 75, pauper.

In the 1880 census of Smithfield township, Johnston County: Lightfoot Sanders, 65, farmer, and wife Wealthy, 70.

  • Elbert Kent

On 1 November 1868, Elbert Kent, son of Lightfoot Sanders and Angeline Kent, married Rebecer Kent, daughter of Rebecer Creach, in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farm laborer Elbert Kent, 25; wife Rebecca, 23; and Mary, 1.

In the 1880 census of Beulah township, Johnston County: laborer Elbert Kent, 36; wife Rebecca, 29; and children Mary, 10, Rufus, 9, Saraha, 7, Flourens 6, Martha M., 4, and Pharrow, 1.

In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Elbert Kent, 55, widower, and children Joseph, 18, Albert, 15, Bettie, 8, Rebecca, 7, and Isaiah, 4; plus daughter Martha Barnes, 23, widow, and her children Rebecca, 4, and Joseph, 2.

  • Ned Kent

In the 1880 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Kent, 25, wife Liddy, 24, and children Isaac, 4, Cassanda, 3, and Jane, 2.

In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Kent, 46, wife Lydia, 43, and children Cassanda, 22, Gennie, 18, George, 17, Roscoe, 15, Frederick, 13, Charley, 11, Clara A., 10, Bud, 8, Louisa, 6, Narcissa, 4, Percy, 2, and Franklin, 1.

In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: on the path leading to Raleigh Road, farmer Ned Kent, 56, wife Liddie, 51, and children Casandy, 32, Charley, 21, Clara, 20, James W., 18, Louisa, 16, Narcissus, 14, Percy, 12, Franklin, 10, and Ada, 7.

In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Kent, 59, wife Liddie, 58, children Frank, 20, and Ada, 18, and grandson Willie, 1.

In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Kent, 71; wife Liddie C., 69; son Percy, 32; and grandchildren Percy C., 9, Leda F., 8; David N., 5, and Willie, 12. Ned’s farm was valued at $4500.

In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Kent, 74, wife Liddie, 83, and grandsons Willie, 21, Carnell, 19, and Daniel, 16.

Ned Kent died 22 July 1940 in Springhill township. Per his death certificate, he was 85 years; was married to Lydia Kent, 84; was a farmer; and was born in Johnston County to Elbert Sanders [sic] and Abbie Sanders of Johnston County. He was buried at the home place; Earnest Hinnant was informant.

Clues from the estate of Ned Barnes.

I have written of my great-great-grandfather Willis Barnes and his daughter Rachel Barnes Taylor, my great-grandmother. Rachel’s mother appears variously in records as Cherry Battle or Cherry Eatmon. She shows up in the 1870 and 1880 censuses; in the death certificates of five of her children; and on the marriage licenses of three.

Today, I discovered a document that I believe identifies Cherry Battle/Eatmon’s father. Two Black men named Ned Barnes died in Wilson County in 1885. Their estate records, unfortunately, are commingled in a single file. One Ned Barnes, born about 1847, was married to a woman named Margaret Edmondson. The other, born about 1820, married Della Barnes after another relationship that produced several children.

Here’s what caught my eye:

“R.W. King, Administrator of Ned Barnes deceased vs. Della Barnes, N.B. Herring, Braswell Eatman, Cherry Barnes, Waity Eatman, Turner Eatman, David Hagans, Willis Barnes, James Moore, heirs at law and parties in interest.”

Della Barnes was Ned Barnes’ widow. Needham B. Herring was a party in interest by virtue of a claim to Della Barnes’ property. (N.B. Herring was a well-known white physician in Wilson.) Braswell Eatman, Cherry Barnes, Waity Eatman, Turner Eatman, and David Hagans were heirs at law — Ned’s children and/or grandchildren. Willis Barnes, as Cherry Barnes’ husband, was a party in interest. I’m not sure who James Moore was but, presumably, he was a party in interest.

Ned Barnes’ liquid assets were insufficient to cover his obligations, and his chief asset — a 36-acre parcel — was sold.

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  • Ned Barnes

In the 1870 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Ned Barnes, 48, farm laborer.

On 19 October 1874, Ned Barnes married Della Barnes in Wilson.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Barnes, 66; wife Della, 37; and [step]son Allen, 18.

  • Della Barnes

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer John J. Barnes, 49; Della, 26; and Allen, 8.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Barnes, 66; wife Della, 37; and [step]son Allen, 18.

  • Braswell Eatmon

On 4 April 1872, Braswell Eatmon married Louisa Boykin at Joshua Barnes’ in Wilson County.

Probably: in the 1880 census of Raleigh township, Wake County, N.C.: Braswell Eatman, 39, servant.

  • Cherry Barnes

In August 1866, Willis Barnes and Cherry Battle registered their six-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Willis Barnes, 30; wife Cherry, 25; and children Rachel, 7, West, 5, Jesse, 2, and Ned, 5 months.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Willis Barnes, 42; wife Cherey, 20 [sic]; stepdaughter[?] Rachel Battle, 17; children Wesley, 15, Jesse, 13, Ned, 11, Eddie, 7, and Mary Barnes, 4; niece Ellen Battle, 2; and son Willey Barnes, 1.

[Note: Cherry Barnes’ children included a son Ned and a daughter Cintha. (See below.)]

  • Waity Eatman

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Cinthia Eatmon, 40, with Luke, 23, Turner, 20, Wady, 18, and David Eatmon, 6. [They did not marry, but was Cinthia Eatmon the mother of Ned Barnes’ children? (And thus my great-great-grandmother?)]

  • Turner Eatman

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Cinthia Eatmon, 40, with Luke, 23, Turner, 20, Wady, 18, and David Eatmon, 6. [Next door: Morrison and Martha Woodard, whose daughter Cherry married Turner Eatmon.]

On 9 April 1873, Turner Eatmon, 22, married Cherry Woodard, 18, in Wilson.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Turner Eatmon, 30; wife Cherry, 23; and brother David, 15.

The Farmer and Mechanic (Raleigh, N.C.), 10 March 1881.

  • David Hagans, alias David Eatmon

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Cinthia Eatmon, 40, with Luke, 23, Turner, 20, Wady, 18, and David Eatmon, 6.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Turner Eatmon, 30; wife Cherry, 23; and brother David, 15.

Wilson [County, North Carolina] Special Proceedings, http://www.familysearch.org.

William Chapel Missionary Baptist Church.

William Chapel Missionary Baptist Church, a few miles northwest of Elm City just below the Nash County line, was founded in 1885. I have not located a history of the church. Its large cemetery holds graves dating back to World War I or earlier and lies about a  thousand feet west on William Chapel Church Road.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, February 2025.