Jennette Barnes‘ obituary adds two interesting bits of information to the profile already posted: (1) she had a brother named Joseph Jones, and (2) she was a member of Evansdale Methodist Church.
Evansdale Methodist?
Evansdale United Methodist anchors the old Evansdale community south of today’s Beddingfield High School. As mainline churches go in Wilson County, it is relatively young, having been established in 1913. Did Evansdale United Methodist admit black people to full membership during Jennette Barnes’ lifetime?
On 7 February 1930, Evansdale Methodist appears in a list of “colored churches” holding services in Wilson County.
Wilson Daily Times, 7 February 1930.
However, in every similar listing that year — they ran weekly — Evansdale Methodist appears under “County Churches.” And a 1963 history of Evansdale United Methodist discloses that the pastor from 1929 to 1931 was Rev. J. Vincent Knight. The February 7 paper, it appears, contained a typesetting error, and one that probably caused significant consternation.
So, we’re back to square one. Was there another Methodist church — a black one — in the Evansdale community? As far as I know, there have been no standard Methodist churches in Wilson County founded for or by black people. All nineteenth and early twentieth century references to “colored Methodist” churches related to African Methodist Episcopal Zion or African Methodist Episcopal churches (of which there were once many more than there are now.) Barnes’ obituary notes that she was funeralized at Saint John A.M.E. Zion. Was Evansdale also A.M.E. Z.? I’ll keep searching.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 513 N & S Street, owned and valued at $1000, cook Olivia Simmons, 59; daughter Estella Jones, 29, laundress; her children Olivia, 11, and Clarence Jones, 9; relative Rosa Simmons, 25, tobacco factory laborer; and daughter Reta Simmons, 15.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 513 Norfolk Street, cook Olivia Simmons, 72; daughter Estelle Jones, 45, laundress; her children Olivia, 22, and Clarence Jones, 20, both retrying factory laborers; and grandson Severentty McMillion, 9.
In 1940, Clarence Jones registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 November 1918 in Wilson; lived at 513 Norfolk Street, Wilson; his mother was Estella Jones; and he worked for Export Tobacco Company, Mercer Street, Wilson.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 513 Norfolk Street, Olivia Summers [sic], 84; daughters Estella Jones, 58, and Rosa Summers, 56; grandchildren Olivia, 32, and Clarence Jones, 31; and great-grandson Bobby Jones, 9.
Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charley Gay, 39, ice house laborer; wife Ella, 30; and sons Charlie Jr., 11, and Edgar, 7.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Chas. B. Gay, 52, hotel janitor, wife Ella J., 48, laundress, and children Chas. Jr., 21, bellboy, and Ednor R., 17.
In 1940, Charles Benjamin Gay Jr. registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 9 June 1908 in Wilson; lived at 623 East Green Street; his contact was Charles Benjamin Gay Sr., 807 East Viola Street; and he worked for W.T. Clark Tobacco Company.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Lucy Sherood, 58, hotel maid; lodger Charlie Gay, 78; and lodger’s son Charlie Gay Jr., 42, hotel hall boy.
Charles Benjamin Gay Jr. died 29 December 1974 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 9 June 1908 to Charles B. Gay Jr. and Ella Tate; lived at 623 East Green Street; was a widower; and worked as a bellhop at Cherry Hotel.
William T. Bost was the influential political correspondent and columnist for the Greensboro Daily News. Just a few days after Samuel H. Vick died, Bost wrote an editorial about Vick’s “unquiet” political life, reflecting on the aftermath of Vick’s removal from his postmaster position.
I showed you here a baseball diamond in Daniel Hill discovered in a 1940 aerial photograph of Wilson. Within a few hundred yards of the Sallie Barbour School, just below Cemetery Street, here’s another captured the same year. Home plate appears to be at the lower right corner, and a well-worn path cuts across center and left field.
Look just above the diamond. That mottled wedge. Is that a cemetery?
Here’s another look, with an adjacent area also highlighted. Are these what was left of Oakdale Cemetery right before the city moved its graves to Rest Haven in 1941?
A contemporaneous news article refers to “dozens” of graves being moved, which always struck me as a low count for a 12-acre cemetery that had opened in 1896. However, maybe the site was not popular with families, especially once Rountree (1897 and 1906), Masonic (1900), Odd Fellows (1908), and Vick cemeteries (1913) were established. There’s also mention that the city had condemned Oakdale cemetery’s land in order to “build several roads through it.” Had the city sold off the condemned land? Certainly, it quickly filled with housing. I’ll do some sleuthing next time I’m in Wilson.
Wilson_CSP_6B_12, U.S.D.A. Photograph Collection, State Archives of North Carolina. Big thanks to R.L. for pointing out this wedge of land.
On 10 March 1909, Forge Coppedge, 32, son of Robert and Matilda Coppedge, of Greene County, N.C., married Leather Ford, 16, daughter of Swift and Mary Ford, of Taylor township, in Wilson. James G. Coppedge performed the ceremony in Taylor township in the presence of Richard Forbes, Turner Taylor, and Carrie Alston.
On 8 December 1929, Forge Coppedge, 49, of Wilson, married Roxie McClain, 46, in Wilson. G.W. Coppedge applied for the license. Freewill Baptist minister Rev. J.E. Brown performed the ceremony in the presence of Geneva Jones, Carrie Alston, and Robert Greene.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 404 Warren, rented for $15/month, Ford Coppedge, 35, laborer; wife Roxie A., 30; and step-daughters Jossie, 13, and Flossie M., 7.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 708 Walnut, laundress Roxana Coppedge, 55, and daughter Flossie McLaurin, 17.
Roxie Anna Coppedge died 24 August 1944 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 62 years old; was married to Forge Coppedge; was born in Robeson County, N.C., to Mack Ingram; lived at 408 Youngs Alley; and was buried at Rest Haven Cemetery. Lula McLaurin was informant.
Forge Coppedge also died 24 August 1944 in Wilson. He was 62 years old and was born in Franklin County, N.C., to Robert Coppedge and Matilda Baldrip. He was the widower of Roxie Anna Coppedge; worked as a laborer; lived on Bruton Street; and was buried in Masonic Cemetery. George Coppedge was informant.
None of these veterans’ headstones have yet been found in Rountree, Odd Fellows, or Vick Cemeteries, the cemeteries collectively known as “Rountree.”
Cleveland Daniels
In the 1910 census of Beall Springs district, Warren County, Georgia: farm laborer Peter Daniel, 46; wife MaryJ. 46; and children Forest, 15, Cleveland, 13, Ella, 11, Mary, 9, and Peter Jr., 4.
In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Daniels Cleveland firemn h 207 S Reid
In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Daniels Cleveland (c; Hattie L) firemn h 207 S Reid
In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Daniels Cleveland (c; Hattie L) firemn h 207 S Reid
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 207 Reid Street, owned and valued at $1600, Cleverland Daniels, 33, light plant fireman, and wife Hattie, 29, both born in Georgia; niece Christine Owens, 8, and nephew Filman Owens, 4.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 908 Wainwright, owned and valued at $1500, Cleveland Daniel, 40, fireman at city plant; wife Hattie, 38, saleswoman; and father-in-law Mack Owens, 60, farm laborer. All were born in Georgia.
In 1942, Cleveland Daniels registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 April 1897 in Warrengton, Georgia; lived at 908 Wainwright Avenue, Wilson; his contact was Mrs. Dora Godwin, 910 Wainwright; and he worked for the City Light Plant.
George Cleveland Daniels died at his home at 908 Wainwright on 19 August 1949. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 April 1897 in Warren County, Georgia, to Peter and Jane Daniels; was a fireman; was married to Hattie Daniels; was a veteran of World War I; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery.
Roscoe Pitt
In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Rose Bud Church Road, James Pitt, 45; wife Lucy, 48; and children Carter, 19, Arthur, 16, John D., 11, Harriett, 8, Rosco, 6, and William, 2.
Roscoe Pitt registered for the World War I draft in Newport News, Virginia, in 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 4 May 1892; lived in Wilson, N.C.; was single; and worked as a laborer for Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Company.
Private First Class Roscoe Pitt of Company D, 333rd Service Battalion (Colored), appears on the passenger list for the Santa Rosa, which set sail 10 June 1919 from Bordeaux, France.
On 20 July 1927, Roscoe Pitt, 35, of Wilson, son of Martha Pitt, married Mary Arrington, 36, of Wilson, daughter of Martin Pender, in Wilson. John P. Battle applied for the license, and Disciples minister W.W. Webb performed the ceremony in the presence of Battle, Victoria Webb, and Ella Adams.
In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Pitt Roscoe (c; Mary) lab h 404 S Goldsboro
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Roscoe Pitt, 38, truck driver for Williams Lumber; wife Mary, 42; and roomer Life Wright, 70, widower, street sweeper.
On 27 June 1935, Rosco Pitt, 40, of Edgecombe County, N.C., son of Jim and Lucy Pitt, married Lillie Eatmon, 34, of Edgecome County, daughter of Avery and Harriet Eatmon, in Wayne County, North Carolina.
Roscoe Pitt died 15 August 1937 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 42 years old; was married to Lillie Pitt; worked as a common laborer; was born in Wilson County to James Pitt of Edgecombe County and Lucy Barnes of Wilson County. Dallas Pitt, 700 Lodge Street, was informant.
Jesse Farmer
In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: drayman Jefferson Farmer, 40; wife Blanch, 28; and children May, 12, Turner, 11, Jesse, 8, Charley, 4, and Gola, 2.
In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 615 Hines Street, Jeff Farmer, 50; wife Blanch, 37; and children Turner, 20, Jessie, 16, Charlie, 13, Goler, 10, Jeff Jr., 7, Henry, 3, Allice, 2, and Gola, 1.
On 13 November 1921, Jessie Farmer, 28, married Henrietta Wright, 20, in Wilson.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1112 Carolina Street, rented for $16/month, Jessey Farmer, 34, tobacco factory laborer; wife Henerator, 26, laundress; and children Jessey Jr., 8, Ervin, 4, and Trumiller, 3.
Jesse Farmer died 26 September 1931 at the Veterans Administration Hospital, Asheville, Buncombe County, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 October 1893 in Wilson County to Jeff Farmer and Blanche Gay; was married to Henrietta Farmer; worked in a factory; and lived in Wilson.
Will Walker
Will Walker died 8 August 1849 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 May 1896 in Mount Olive, N.C., to Nelson Walker and Jane Herring; was married to Irene Walker; lived at 403 Murry [Maury?] Street, Wilson; and worked as a laborer.
Hood Vick
In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Marther Vick, 46, widow, washing, and sons [sic] Peater, 20, and Hud, 6.
In the 1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory, Martha Vick, Peter Vick, and Hood Vick, the latter two described as laborers (though Hood was only 14 years old) are listed at 105 Pender.
Mildred Ward died 9 January 1914 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 24 October 1913 in Wilson County to Hood Vick of Wilson County and Lucy Ward of Pitt County; and lived at the corner of Nash and Railroad Streets. Lucy Ward, Wilson, was informant.
In 1917, Hood Vick registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 10 June 1894 in Wilson; lived on Pender Street; worked as a machine operator at a moving picture theater for C.L. Jones; and was single. He signed his name to the card.
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 105 Pender Street, Martha Vick, 65, widow, and grandchildren Aretha Stokes, 15, and Hood Vick, 25, laborer.
In 1942, Hood Vick registered for the World War II draft in Norfolk, Virginia. Per his registration card, he was born 10 June 1897 in Wilson; lived at 411 Church Street, Norfolk; worked for Union Bus Company, Norfolk; and his contact was Lucy Wilson, 411 Church Street.
Thomas Cook
In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Alfred Cook, 53, farmer; wife Caroline, 36; children Dora, 18, Leora, 17, Maggie Ann, 16, Thomas, 6, Charlie, 4, and Albert A., 2; and adopted son Oscar, 5.
In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farm laborer Alfred Cook, 56; wife Caroline, 48; and sons Thomas, 16, Oscar, 14, Charlie, 13, and Albert, 11.
Thomas Cook registered for the World War II draft in 1917 in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 18 May 1894 in Wilson; worked as a carpenter for Garfield Grantham; and signed his name with an X.
On 5 February 1927, Thomas Cooke, 36, married Mary Sauls, 23, in Wilson. Baptist minister B.F. Jordan performed the ceremony in the presence of B.F. Jordan Jr., Marion B. Jordan, and Maggie L. Jordan.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: house painter Thomas Cook, 35, and wife Mary, 22.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 900 Stantonsburg Street, painter Thomas Cook, 45, and wife Mary, 35.
In 1942, Albert Anderson Cook registered for the World War II draft in Norfolk, Virginia. Per his registration card, he was born 20 April 1898 in Wilson County; lived at 317 West Lenoir Street, Raleigh; his contact was Thomas Cooke, 1104 Stantonsburg Street; and he was employed by Third Division, Railway Mail Service, Washington, D.C., Norfolk & Raleigh R.P.O.
Thomas Cooke died 26 April 1944 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 49 years old;was born in Wilson County to Alfred Cooke and Caroline Robins; lived at 900 Stantonsburg Road; and was buried in Rountrees Cemetery [probably, Vick Cemetery.]
