Biography

Widow Eva M. Bland educated five children.

Sanford (N.C.) Herald, 17 February 1971.

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In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Fred M. Davis, 33, paper hanger; wife Diannon, 31; children Eva M., 6, Bertha E., 5, and Fred M., 17 months; plus mother Judith Davis, 50, laundress.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Fred M. Davis, 42, Baptist church minister; wife Dianah, 42; children Eva M., 16, Bertha, 15, Fred, 11, Ruth, 13, Addie L., 8, and William B., 5; and mother Jud., 60.

On 26 July 1917,  D.L. Bland, 26, of Lee County, N.C., son of George and Eliza Bland, married Eva Davis, 23, of Wilson, daughter of Fred and Diana Davis, in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister A.L.E. Weeks performed the ceremony in the presence of C.L. Darden, C.L. Jones [Charles T. Jones?], W.H. Phillips, and J.W. Bland.

In the 1920 census of Sanford, Lee County: pharmacist David Bland, 28; wife Eva, 22; and daughter Alice, 10 months.

In the 1930 census of Sanford, Lee County: drugstore pharmacist David L. Bland, 38; wife Eva M., 35; and children Addie A., 10, Miriam L., 8, Carmel, 6, David L Jr., 3, and Gladys T., 1.

In the 1940 census of Sanford, Lee County: druggist D.L. Bland, 47; wife Eva M., 42; and children Addie A., 20, Miriam, 18, Eva Carmel, 16, David L Jr., 12, and Gladys, 10.

David Leandius [Leonardus] Bland died 14 November 1940 in Sanford, Lee County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1892 in Sanford to George Washington Bland and Eliza McGilbery; was married to Eva M. Bland; lived at 505 Wall Street; worked as a druggist; and was buried in Poplar Spring [A.M.E. Church] Cemetery.

In 1944, David Leonardus Bland Jr. registered for the World War II draft in Lee County. Per his registration card, he was born 7 July 1926 in Lee County; lived at 505 Wall Street; and his contact was his mother Eva Bland.

In the 1950 census of Sanford, Lee County: public school teacher Eva M. Bland, 54, and daughters Addie A. Bland, 28, drugstore manager, and Carmel B. Clouser, 24, drugstore clerk.

Sanford, N.C., city directory (1952).

Remembering Tarheel Slim.

We were talking about Wilson County surnames that you don’t really find among black people. One said, “Lamm.” Then, “Fulghum.” I said, “Bunn,” but Grover Jones Jr. said, “Tarheel Slim! His real name was Allen Bunn,” and that sent me down a rabbit hole.

It turns out Tarheel Slim was born in Nash County, but he had Wilson County roots, and he and his family frequently moved back and forth across the Wilson-Nash line. That’s plenty reason to call his name this Black Music Month.

Alden Bunn was a guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose work spanned gospel, blues, doo-wop, R&B, pop, and rockabilly. He was born in 1924 near Bailey in Nash County (or maybe near Lucama in Wilson County) to a sharecropping family. In the early 1940s, he sang with local gospel groups  the Gospel Four and the Selah Jubilee Singers, but eventually moved into secular music. He married Carrie Ella Dingle, whose family had migrated to Wilson County from South Carolina. Bunn joined Wilson native David McNeil as a member of The Larks before migrating to New York City around 1950. He achieved his greatest acclaim recording with his second wife Anna Lee “Little Ann” Sandford circa 1960, then enjoyed a new album and a revival on college campuses and in hipster circles in the early 1970s.

Tarheel Slim’s “Number 9 Train,” Fury Records, 1958.

Bridgeport (Conn.) Telegram, 19 March 1960.

Washington (D.C.) Daily News, 23 January 1961.

Alden “Tarheel Slim” Bunn died in August 1977.

New York Times, 26 August 1977.

A few years after his death: “Charly, the independent blues and R ‘n B label, has delved back into the 50s and 60s for an enterprising reissue series of 25 three-track singles.” One of the records showcased Tarheel Slim.

Manchester (England) Evening News, 26 September 1980.

In the early 1990s, the era of feverish CD reissues of whole catalogs of nearly forgotten labels, Tarheel Slim and Little Ann appeared on a two-disc compilation of songs recorded by the Harlem-based Fire and Fury labels.

Hartford (Conn.) Courant, 18 April 1993.

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In 1918, Henry Ramphson Bunn registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 4 July 1899; lived in Lucama, Wilson County; and worked for Jim Bunn.

On 26 January 1919, Henry Bunn, 19, of Cross Roads township, son of Jim and Millie Bunn, married Leona Owens, 20, of Cross Roads, in Lucama, Wilson County. Missionary Baptist minister R. Crockett performed the ceremony at the Baptist church in Lucama in the presence of Rev. C.D. Dew, Rev. Emson Hooks, and J.H. Battle.

In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: laborer Henry Bunn, 23; wife Leonia A., 24; and son Valise, 3 months.

Nash County, North Carolina, birth records indexes show Allen Rathel Bunn born 24 September 1923 in Bailey, Nash County, to Henry R. Bunn and Leona Owens.

On 23 July 1927, Israel Thomas, 38, married Leona Bunn, 23, in Wilson. Church of God minister Hattie L. Daniels performed the ceremony at her church at 207 East Reid Street in the presence of Andrew Williams, Bettie Cooper, and T.W. Owens.

In the 1930 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: Isrel Thomas, 46; wife Leonia, 34; and [her] sons Valee, 11, and Alten B., 7.

In the 1940 census of Mannings township, Nash County: Isarel Thomas, 57; wife Leona Thomas, 43; and stepsons Vailience, 20, and Alden Bunn, 16, all day laborers. Israel Thomas reported that the family was living in Wilson County in 1935.

In 1942, Alden Rathell Bunn registered for the World War II draft in Nash County. Per his registration card, he was born 24 September 1924 in Nash County; lived at R.F.D. #2, Middlesex, Nash County; his contact was Leonia Thomas; and he worked for Rufus Fulghum. He was described as 6’3″ and 172 lbs.

Leonia Thomas died 5 November 1947 in Lucama, Springhill township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 July 1897 in South Carolina to Mack Owens and Mary Gardner; was married to Issrael Thomas; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery, Wilson. Allen Bunn, Route 1, Lucama, was informant.

Ardelia Pender, a mother you should know.

The Afro-American (Baltimore, Md.),  30 May 1953.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, Jesse Barnes, 37, farmer; wife Sarah, 31, public school teacher; and children Lucresia, 16, Ned, 14, Nancy, 12, Lemon, 11, Jessie Bell, 10, Maggie May, 7, and Ardenia, 5.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, farmer Jesse Barnes, 46; wife Sarah, 47; and children Ned, 23, Nancy, 22, Lemon, 20, Jessie Belle, 18, Maggie, 15, Ardenia, 13, Frank, 11, James, 6, and Mildred, 3.

On 17 September 1924, Jonah Pender, 24, of Wilson, married Ardenna Barnes, 20, of Wilson, daughter of Jesse R. Barnes, in Wilson. Presbyterian minister A.H. George performed the ceremony, and James O. Bunn, Mack Jones, and Rosa J. Hussey witnessed.

Comodore Pender died 17 December 1925 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 November 1925 in Wilson to Jonah Pender and Ardena Barnes; lived at 718 Viola; and was buried in Barnes Cemetery, Wilson.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Lane Street, Johnnie Pender, 29, tobacco factory laborer; wife Ardena, 24; and children Robert L., 5, Therado [Theodore], 4, Henry T., 3, Louvena, 18 months, and Katie, 1 month.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: widow Ardelia Pender, 33, tobacco factory laborer, and children Robert, 16, grocery store delivery boy, Theodore, 15, Henry, 13, and Luvenia, 11.

Theodore Pender died 4 November 1944 in Goldsboro, Wayne County. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 November 1925 in Wilson to Jonah Pender and Ardelia Barnes; was single; lived at 1016 Robinson [Roberson]; and worked for J.C. Penney Company.

In 1945, Richard Henry Terry Pender registered for the World War II in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 31 August 1927 in Wilson County; lived at 1016 Robertson [Roberson] Street; his contact was Ardelia Pender; and worked for Bissette Drug Company, Nash Street.

In the 1950 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: at 1016 Roberson, widow Ardelia Pender, 45, and children Richard, 23, operates washer at laundry, Luvenia, 20, Katie, 17, Dorothy, 15, Jessie, 16, grocery store clerk, Paul, 15, grocery store clerk, Harry, 12, and James, 11.

Former Wilson artist realizes ambition.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 13 August 1938.

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  • Daniel Edward Freeman
  • Ellen Wilson — in the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: William Wilson, 51, livery stable groom; wife Sarah, 48; and daughters Ellen, 23, and Lillian, 21.

Samuel H. Vick overcame odds.

Wilson Daily Times, 24 February 2003.

This Black History Month piece offers a few nuggets for further research on Samuel H. Vick:

  • “His father … had three brothers, all having different last names depending on the white families to whom they belonged.” [Who were Daniel Vick’s brothers?]
  • newspaper articles reported that, on Vick’s first day as postmaster, “[g]un-toting black citizens lined the streets to serve as bodyguards because he had received so many threats” [Wowww.]
  • “The Independent School continued to operate until 1923 when the local school system opened the Wilson Colored High School ….” [Other sources estimated a ten-year run, but this makes sense.]

28 Books for 28 days.

Twenty-eight books I recommend to contextualize the history and culture of Wilson County, North Carolina,’s African-American people, in no particular order. Search for a review of one book every day this Black History Month. You’ve got the rest of the year to read them.

  1. Spoonbread and Strawberry Wine: Recipes and Reminiscences of a Family, Norma Jean and Carole Darden (1978)
  2. African-American Music Trails of Eastern North Carolina, Beverly Patterson and Sarah Bryan (2013)
  3. Greater Freedom: the Evolution of the Civil Rights Struggle in Wilson, North Carolina, Charles W. McKinney Jr. (2010)
  4. Wayward Lives, Beautiful Experiments: Intimate Stories of Social Upheaval, Saidiya Hartman (2019)
  5. The Place You Love Is Gone: Progress Hits Home, Melissa Holbrook Pierson (2006)
  6. Hidden History: African American Cemeteries in Central Virginia, Lynn Rainville (2014)
  7. Throwed Away: Failures of Progress in Eastern North Carolina, Linda Flowers (1990)
  8. The Half Has Never Been Told: Slavery and the Making of American Capitalism, Edward E. Baptist (2014)
  9. Sherrod Village: A Memoir, Barbara Williams Lewis (2014)
  10. Elm City: A Negro Community in Action, C.L. Spellman (1942)
  11. Race and Politics in North Carolina 1872-1901: The Black Second, Eric Anderson (1980)
  12. No Justice No Peace, Algernon McNeil (2015)
  13. The Rise of a Southern Town, Wilson, North Carolina 1849-1920, Patrick M. Valentine (2002)
  14. Jim Crow in North Carolina: The Legislative Program from 1865 to 1920, Richard A. Paschal (2020)
  15. To Walk About in Freedom: The Long Emancipation of Priscilla Joyner, Carole Emberton (2022)
  16. Ed Mitchell’s Barbeque, Ed and Ryan Mitchell (2023)
  17. Cemetery Citizens: Reclaiming the Past and Working for Justice in American Burial Grounds, Adam Rosenblatt (2024)
  18. ‘Make the Gig’: The History of the Monitors, John Harris (2024)
  19. In the Pines: A Lynching, A Lie, A Reckoning, Grace Elizabeth Hale (2023)
  20. Black Folks: The Roots of the Black Working Class, Blair LM Kelley (2023)
  21. Civil Rights History from the Ground Up: Local Struggles, A National Movement, Emilye Crosby, ed. (2011)
  22. Historic Wilson in Vintage Postcards, J. Robert Boykin III (2003)
  23. Slavery in North Carolina 1748-1775, Marvin L. Michael Kay and Lorin Lee Cary (2000)
  24. From a Cat House to the White House: The Story of an African-American Chef, Jesse Pender (2007)
  25. Wilmington’s Lie: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy, David Zucchino (2020)
  26. North Carolina’s Free People of Color 1715-1885, Warren E. Milteer Jr. (2020)
  27. George Henry White: An Even Chance in the Game of Life, Benjamin Justesen (2001)
  28. History of African Americans in North Carolina, Jeffrey J. Crow, Paul D. Escott, and Flora J. Hadley Watelington (2002)

B.W.A. Historical Marker Series, no. 35: Georgia Burke.

In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.

We been here.

GEORGIA BURKE

(1878-1985)

Boycotted school to protest abuse of Black teacher Mary C. Euell in 1918, then taught at alternative Wilson Normal & Industrial Institute. In 1928, launched renowned stage and movie career in New York City spanning decades. In 1920s, lived at 332 S. Spring [now Douglas] Street.

Detail from 1925 Sanborn map of Wilson showing house in which Georgia Burke boarded.

Funeral Program Friday.

Somebody said: “She got one for Doug in her purse.”

Somebody else said: “All the plot twists. We read it from cover to cover. Tryna add and subtract dates and ages. Also, trying to figure out who are all the extra names listed and who was left off.”

If I shared five a week, it would take me more than three years to highlight every funeral program (or as some of us like to call them, “obituary”) in my growing collection. The earliest date to the 1950s — simple, typed mimeographs that bear little resemblance to today’s full-color, multi-page, photograph-filled productions. Funeral programs are crucial resources for African-American genealogy and community history — save me one!

Image courtesy of Instagram user 25_bwb

Giving thanks.

I am grateful for so much this year and am mindful to deliver my appreciation in real time. An extra special thanks is warranted, however, for  20 women and men, aged 83 to 100, who shared with me their time and memories of their Wilson County childhoods. I spoke with seven of my father’s Darden High School classmates; with attendees of at least seven different Rosenwald schools; with folks who stayed in Wilson their entire lives and others who joined the Great Migration out. I recorded their stories and returned transcripts for them to linger over and share with their families. I jotted notes on fascinating tidbits to research further, some of which have already made it into Black Wide-Awake.

I still have a long list of people I’d love to interview, and hope you’ll refer any elders who might want to talk. As importantly, I encourage you to capture your family’s history. Holiday gatherings are the perfect time to pull out your phone and start recording, whether video or audio. Ask. And listen.