1940s

The talented and enterprising Calvin S. Edwards.

Per his 1918 World War I draft registration card, Calvin S. Edwards worked as a plumber for J.E. Alphin, a commercial heating and plumbing systems contractor doing business across eastern North Carolina. Around 1921, Edwards branched out on his own, working from a shop at 529 East Nash Street.

Wilson, N.C., city directory (1922).

The 1925 Wilson, N.C., city directory reveals the many pots in which Calvin S. Edwards had a finger, listing him four times:

  • Edward Calvin S (c) plumber 549 E Nash h Carolina nr Reed
  • Edwards Calvin (c) (Carnation Hotel) h 1109 Carolina
  • Carnation Hotel (c; Henry Lassiter, Calvin Edwards) 518 E Nash
  • PLUMBERS-GAS AND STEAM FITTERS Edwards Calvin S (c) 549 E Nash

He had moved his plumbing shop up the block to a storefront in the Odd Fellows Lodge Hall and, with Henry Lassiter, opened the short-lived Carnation Hotel in the building we know better as the Orange Hotel.

The two-story Carnation Hotel was at 518 East Nash in the early 1920s. Detail, 1922 Sanborn fire insurance map.

By 1930, as seen in this Sanborn map,

Throughout the 1930s and early 1940s, Edwards remained engaged in plumbing work, but invested in real estate in east Wilson, including the corner grocery at 1114 Carolina Street.

Wilson Daily Times, 19 February 1945.

The obituary of Alexander Allen.

Wilson Daily Times, 2 June 1948.

Alexander Allen registered for the World War II draft in Bailey, Nash County, North Carolina, in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 14 June 1905 in Clarendon, South Carolina; his contact was his wife; and he worked for J.B. Manning, Bailey.

It is likely that Allen was a tenant farmer or sharecropper and had not lived in the Black Creek area long when he died. (Where were Victory Church and its cemetery??)

Corporal James Walter Ellis, stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

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In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg, Wilson County: Oscar Ellis, 39; wife Mamie, 39; and children Oscar Jr., 16, William, 14, Estelle, 12, Ejay, 11, Colen, 10, James, 9, Bessie M., 8, Hubert L., 6, Leroy, 2, and Dorothy, 1 month.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1113 [East Nash], Oscar Ellis, 50, W.P.A. project laborer; wife Mamie, 49; children Henry, 23, public service laborer, Estell, 22, private housekeeper, A.J.A., 21, cafe waiter, Charles, 20, Moore’s Drug deliveryman, James, 18, Bessie, 17, Hubert, 15, Leroy, 13, Fred, 8, Mamie, 10, and Clarence, 5; and adopted children Annie, 15, and Rosco Jones, 13.

In the 1950 census of Washington, D.C.: James W. Ellis, 28, federal government messenger, and wife Vera L., 23.

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

Technician Fifth Grade James Johnson, drowned in Burma.

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In the 1940 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Columbus Ward, 20; mother Hattie Ward, 55, widow; brother Bill Ward, 28; and half-brother James Johnson, 19.

In 1941, James Johnson registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born1 November 1920 in Wilson; lived on R.F.D. #2, Wilson; his contact was Hattie Johnson; and he worked for M.L. Smith.

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

The obituary of Cora Brown.

Wilson Daily Times, 18 May 1948.

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In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: John Brown, 34; wife Dora, 34; and children Cora, 15, David and William, 12, George, 9, Elmer, 6, and John Jr., 11 months.

In the 1940 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Dora Brown, 44; children Cora, 24, David, 22, George, 18, Elmer, 15, Baby Ruth, 11, Riley, 3, and Mary, 7; granddaughters Marjorie, 2, and Wilma Doris Brown, 3 months; and sister Penina Hilliard, 28.

Private Bruce Sutton, now at Fort Sam Houston.

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In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 716 East Green, rented for $14/month, Joseph Sutton, 61; wife Malissa, 60; children Beatrice, 26, James, 25, Fred, 23, Bruce, 19, Beulah, 17, and Mable, 16; and grandchildren Ivan, 8, and Geraldine, 7.

The 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory lists laborer Fred Sutton, maid Beatrice Sutton, CCC worker Bruce Sutton, tobacco worker James W. Sutton, laborer Levi Sutton and wife Josie, and Melissa G. Sutton at 716 East Green.

The 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory lists student Bruce Sutton, housekeeper Melissa G. Sutton, and domestic Rosa Sutton at 716 East Green.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 606 Green Street, Jane White, 48, laundry checker; son-in-law Bruce Sutton, 28; daughter Lucille Sutton, 20; and children William E., 2, and Bruce Jr., 1.