1940s

The wedding of Alice W. Jones.

Journey and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 14 November 1942.

——

The Eagle, the yearbook of North Carolina College for Negroes (1939).

The Eagle, the yearbook of  North Carolina College for Negroes (1940).

On 19 October 1942, George Washington Logan Jr., 24, of Camp Lee, Virginia, son of George W. Logan and Maude Lewis, married Alice Wilhelmina Jones, 22, of Wilson, daughter of J. Robert Jones and Alice Albright, in Prince George County, Virginia.

In the 1947 Durham, N.C., city directory: Logan Geo W jr (Alice J) asst mgr Regal Theatre r 601 E Lawson

In the 1950 census of Durham, Durham County, N.C.: theatre manager George Logan Jr., 31; wife Alice, 29; and children George III, 6, Wenda C., 3, and Bonnie D., born in July.

Alice Wilhelmina Jones Logan (1918-2022).

“We celebrate the life of Alice Jones Logan who reached the end of her beautiful journey on August 5, 2022, at the incredible age of 103. Alice was born on October 25, 1918, to J. Robert and Alice Albright Jones in Wilson, North Carolina. She graduated from North Carolina College for Negroes (now North Carolina Central University) in Durham in 1940 with a BS Degree in Home Economics. After her 30-year career of teaching in the Durham Public Schools at James A. Whitted Junior High School and Hillside High School, she retired in 1983. In 1990, she was inducted into the Society of Golden Eagles at North Carolina Central University. She was extremely proud and looked forward to attending the induction ceremony each year and never missed the event since her induction.

“Alice had a love for flowers and enjoyed taking special care of her roses in the garden. The Pinochle Club, nicknamed ‘The Squirrels,’ and the Junior Mother’s Club were among her many pastimes. As a longtime member of White Rock Baptist Church in Durham, she recently enjoyed its services on YouTube, a technology she thought was amazing. She enjoyed the Big Band music of her generation. Her favorite songs were ‘On the Sunny Side of the Street’ and ‘It Don’t Mean a Thing (If It Ain’t Got That Swing).’

“Alice is preceded in death by her husband, George W. Logan, Jr. Her memory shall be cherished and shared by her son, George W. Logan, III of Durham; daughters, Wenda L. Ashford (Ronald) of Boston, MA and Bonnie D. Logan of Baltimore, MD; ‘special’ daughter, Thomasine Bass Perry of Durham; a granddaughter, Judge Tamara W. Ashford of Alexandria, VA; niece, India Cooke of Oakland, CA; nephews, J. Robert Jones, III of Wilson, NC, David B. Cooke (Betty Jo) of Atlanta, GA, and William Pearson (Stephanie) of Durham; two great nephews, J. Robert Jones, IV and Jamar Jones, of Las Vegas, NV; and countless friends.

“A Celebration of Life will be on Monday, August 15, 2022, at 1:00 PM at White Rock Baptist Church, 3400 Fayetteville Street, Durham, NC.”

Whitehead plays on Saint Philip’s softball team.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 14 July 1945.

Gertrude Whitehead, second from left on the top row, played softball for the Saint Philip Hospital nursing school team in Richmond, Virginia.

——

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Highway 91, owned and valued at $2500, oil mill contractor Henry Whitehead, 53; wife Victoria, 43, seamstress; and children Katherine, 19, Odell, 17, James, 15, Grace, 13, Rosalyn, 11, Herbert, 9, Gertrude, 6, Mable, 4, and Victoria, 2.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: widow Victoria Whitehead, 52, sewing; children James, 25, apprentice carpenter; Rosaline, 21; Herbert, 20, tobacco company floor hand; Gertrude, 16, Mabel, 14, and Victoria E., 12; and nieces Elizabeth Brodie, 32, public school teacher, and [actually, granddaughter] Joan Bynum, 6.

In the 1950 census of Richmond, Virginia: at 2109 Bainbridge Street, widow Lillian G. Smithea, 48; brother Robert L. Glenn, 36; and lodger Gertrude E. Whitehead, 25, registered nurse-public health.

Yelverton 4-H Club is most outstanding.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 18 May 1940.

——

  • Bertha Ruffin — in the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Charles Ruffin, 39; wife Henrietta, 38; and children Bertha, 19, Charles, 17, James R., 16, Juanita, 12, Gladys Lee, 10, Christine, 8, Bruce, 7, Bertie Mae, 4, and and Curtis, 10 months.
  • James Ruffin — see Bertha Ruffin, above.
  • Mattie Barnes — probably, in the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Roland Barnes, 35; wife Lillian, 35; and children Mattie B., 14, Mittie Lee, 13, Lillian L., 10, Lurline, 9, James R., 6, Milton L., 4, Marion H., 3, and Albert R., 8 months.
  • Mary Eason — probably, in the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer John Eason, 42; wife Hetty, 38; children Mary Evelyn, 15, Hattie Mae, 12, Jack, 11, John Ella, 9, Estelle, 8, Berthena, 6, Irene, 4, and William H., 2; and mother Sissie Eason, 70, widow.
  • Charles Ruffin — see Bertha Ruffin, above.
  • Louise Delorme
  • C.L. Spellman — Cecil L. Spellman.
  • Jane A. Boyd

Lt. H.P. Exum, Tuskegee Airman.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 24 February 1945.

——

In the 1930 census of Eureka, Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer John E. Artis, 41; wife Cora, 39; and children Virginia D., 17, Ed R., 13, Oscar O., 11, Mary L., 10, Hurvin P., 9, Devaughn, 7, Olga M., 4, and Erman D., 2.

In the 1940 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer John Ed Exum, 51, and children Hervin, 18, Devon, 17, Ossie Mae, 14, Erman D., 12, and John Collins Exum, 8.

In 1942, Herven Percy Exum registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 6 November 1921 in Eureka, N.C.; lived at 611 East Green Street, Wilson; his contact was C.E. Artis, 571 East Nash Street; and he worked for undertaker C.E. Artis, 571 East Nash Street, Wilson.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 28 October 1944.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 11 November 1944.

Lt. Exum’s obituary appeared in the Washington Post with a clear copy of his photo in flying goggles.

[Sidenotes: Exum’s ancestors had lived in or adjacent to northeastern Wayne County for generations. His mother Cora Artis Exum was the daughter of Noah Artis and Lucinda Artis (later Sherrod), who were first cousins, as was not uncommon at the time. His father John Ed Exum was the son of George B. Exum, who had been enslaved in Wayne County, and Pernicey Hobbs Artis, who was born free in Johnston County. The uncle for whom Exum worked was his father’s half-brother, Columbus E. Artis. I have not been able to determine who the Bahamian or the Cherokee were.]

Lucama news, March 1943.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 20 March 1943.

——

  • Roxanna Kirby Exum

In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer William Kirby, 55; wife Nannie, 52; children Hobby Lee, 17, Havey Isa, 15, Nettie, 13, Willie K., 13, and Roxia A., 22; niece Lucille Shaw, 18; and lodger Jr. Barnes, 4.

Per their marriage license, Levell Exum and Roxanna Eva Kirby, both 25, were married 7 March 1943 in Johnston County, N.C. Primitive Baptist minister David Bynum lived near Lucama, in Wilson County, however, as did Mamie B. Williamson and David Bynum Jr.

  • Pvt. Daniel Vick

Daniel Vick registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 3 January 1917 in Wilson; his contact was mother Bethaniel Allen; he lived at Mount 1, Lucama; and he worked for farmer Joe Moore, Lucama.

  • Paul Morgan
  • Bettie Bess

The double funeral of Sarah Coward and Raiford McPhail.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 19 October 1946.

——

  • Sarah Coward

In the 1900 census of Township 1, Craven County: farmer Bryan Coward, 36, wife Sarah, 33, son Arthur D., 8, and niece Malissa Jenkins, 13.

In the 1910 census of New Bern, Craven County, at 2 Green Street: pastor Bryan Coward, 45, wife Sarah, 43, son Arthur D., 18, and adopted daughter Malissa Jenkins, 22.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County, at 122 Pender Street: minister of the gospel Bryant Coward, 53, wife Sarah A., 49, and roomers Joe Ward (who worked as a cook at Hotel Briggs), 30, and Sophia Ward, 29. [Rev. Coward was a prominent Saint John pastor, but did not found the church.]

In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Coward Sarah A (c) dom h 1013 Atlanta

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Coward Bryant Rev (c; Sarah A) h 1013 Atlanta

In the 1940 census of Wilson, North Carolina: at 1013 Atlantic, owned and valued at $6000, Sarah A. Coward, 69, widow; son Willie Carr, 30; his wife Sandyne[?], 25; sons Bobbie, 2, and Willie, 6; roomer Clara Chamber, 20.

Sarah Addie Coward died 6 September 1946 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born in Greene County, N.C., to Quilla Brown and Mary Margaret Wilson, both of Craven County, N.C.; was 87 years old; and lived at 1013 Atlantic Street.

  • Raiford McPhail

In the 1870 census of Flea Hill township, Cumberland County, N.C.: farm laborer Arnold McPhail, 25; wife Milly, 21; children Raiford, 6, Elizabeth, 4, and Hector, 1; and farm laborer Isaac, 16.

In the 1880 census of Flea Hill township, Cumberland County, N.C.: farmer Arnel McPhail, 37, and children Raford, 14, Eliza, 12, Hector, 10, Joe, 8, Martha J., 6, William, 4, and Sarah, 1.

On 28 February 1889, R.J. McPhaill, 24, of Cumberland County, son of Arnold and Millie McPhail and, married Laura Waddell, 20, of Cumberland County, daughter of Wash and Delia McPhail, in Flea Hill township, Cumberland County.

In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: McPhail Raiford J (c) janitor Fidelity Mutual Bldg h 212 S Vick

John Albert McPhail died 27 October 1919 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 19 February 1894 to Raiford McPhail and Laura Wadell, both of Cumberland County; worked as a clothes cleaner at a pressing club; lived at 212 Vick Street extended; and was buried in Wilson [likely, Vick Cemetery.]

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Raford McPhail, 50; wife Laura, 47; and children David, 22, Hector, 21, Bessie, 19, and Mary, 14.

Mary McPhail died 10 September 1924 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 March 1904 in Wilson to Raiford J. McPhail and Laura Wardell, both of Cumberland County; was single; was a schoolgirl; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.]

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: McPhail Raiford (c; Laura) janitor h 208 S Vick

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 South Vick, Fidelity Building janitor Raiford McPhail, 75, widower, and lodgers Robert Sherdan, 50, carpenter, and laundress, Lela Hines, 45, widow.

Raiford McPhail died 8 September 1945 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 February 1865 in Cumberland County to Arnold McPhail; was a widower; lived at 208 South Vick Street; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Informant was Bessie Compton, Greensboro.

Artelia Barnes leads Rockingham School to music prize.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 9 May 1942.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: brickmason John M. Barnes, 44, wife Annie L., 32, Leonard E., 5, Lee J. [Leo Artelia], 4, Selma [Thelma] F., 2, and John W., 3 months.

On 22 June 1929, Leo Artelia Barnes, 22, of Wilson, married Emanuel D. Jones, 26, of Brooklyn, New York, in Wilson. Rev. J.E. Kennedy performed the ceremony in the presence of C.L. Darden, Annie L. Kennedy, and W.A. Mitchner.

In the 1930 census of Brooklyn, Kings County, New York: Emanuel W. Jones, 27, Pullman waiter, and wife Artelia L., 24.

Leo Artelia Davis died 16 December 1982 in Houston, Texas. Per her death certificate, she was born 6 May 1906 in North Carolina to John M. Barnes and Annie Darden; was a widow; was a music teacher; and her regular residence was in Stafford, Fort Bend County, Indiana.