Children

The apprenticeship of Edward and William H. Fields (1910).

On 26 December 1910, a Wilson County Superior Court judge ordered Edward Fields, 14, and John Henry Fields, 13, bound as apprentices to their maternal grandfather Washington Fields until they reached 18 years of age.

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  • Edward Fields
  • William Henry Fields

In 1918, William Henry Fields registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born in August 1896 in Wilson County; lived in Lucama; his nearest relative was his grandfather Washington Fields, Lucama; and he worked as a tenant farmer for Ira Barnes. 

On 16 November 1918, Wm. H. Fields, 21, of Cross Roads, son of Henry Barnes and Lurindy Fields, married Eliza Woodard, 21, of Cross Roads, daughter of William Woodard, in Wilson County.

In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer William H. Fields, 22, and wife Eliza W., 23.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 200 East, William H. Fields, 52, “feeding the belt” at local canal mill; wife Liza, 51; niece Dorothy M. Woodard, 13, and nephew John Woodard Jr., 11.

Eliza O. Fields died 2 June 1950 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 July 1900 in Wilson County to William Woodard; was married; lived at 200 North East Street; and worked as a tobacco laborer. William Henry Fields was informant.

William Henry Fields died 13 November 1958 in Bailey, Nash County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 January 1897 to William Henry Barnes and Marinda Fields; was a widower; and lived at 200 North East Street. Informant was Mattie Newsome, 200 North East Street.

Apprentice 1910, Miscellaneous Records, Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

This is who … (the birthday gratitude edition.)

This is who is scouring the internet, poking through the archives, and interviewing the elders.

This chunky toddler in knee-high socks, asleep in her high chair, gripping a chicken leg, is grateful to greet the risen sun on this 62nd turn in its orbit — sound in mind and body, nimble of toe and wit, surrounded by love, and always, always, always ready to put in work.

Black Wide-Awake is the gift that ricochets from me to you and back, and I am especially thankful on my birthday.

Photo in collection of Lisa Y. Henderson.

Recommended reading, no. 25: Chowan Beach, Remembering an African American Resort.

Founded in 1926 on the eastern bank of the Chowan River, about 100 miles northeast of Wilson, Chowan Beach was a thriving African-American resort for decades, drawing family vacationers and legendary chitlin circuit musicians for decades. In this slim book packed with photographs, Frank Stephenson brings to life a favored vacation spot for generations of Wilsonians.

Wilson Daily Times, 26 July 1940.

 

Charity Mae Wells turns 10.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 11 May 1949.

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  • Charity Mae Wells
  • Cora Jordan Whitted
  • Mary Frances Diggs
  • Jean Roberson
  • Delores Parker — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 900 Viola Street, Florence Parker, 45, separating clothes at dry cleaners, and children James L., 20, Mabel, 18, Deloris, 16, Alton Gray, 14, Annie M., 10, Ruby T., 8, and Linwood, 7.
  • Anna Brodie
  • Edgar Diggs
  • Velmarie Stanley — in the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Sam Stanton [sic], 32; wife Charity, 31; children Velma, 5, Esteare, 3, and Wade, 2; and boarders Essie M., 14, and Lula Anderson, 12, and Willie L. Wills, 9. In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Sam Stanley, 45; wife Charity, 43; children Essie, 24, Lula, 22, Willie, 19, Marie, 17, Wade, 14, Edward, 13, Velma, 12, Ester, 10, and Ruby and Ruth, 6; and grandson Bobby, 7 months.

Holden School students enjoy a day in town.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 6 May 1933.

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  • Marie Howard
  • Holden School
  • Atlantic Christian College
  • Negro National Anthem
  • Elizabeth Harris — Ada Elizabeth Harris.
  • Robert L. Taylor — in the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer George Taylor, 51; wife Crina, 35; children John, 20, James, 11, Robert L., 10, Jimmie D., 3, and Crina M., newborn; stepdaughter Maggie, 20; and granddaughter Flossie M., 2 months.
  • James Taylor — see Robert Taylor, above.
  • Wallace White — in 1940, Wallace White registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 June 1917 in Darlington, S.C.; lived at Route 3, Wilson; his contact was mother Lela Scarbrough; and he worked for P.P. Gordon, Washington, D.C.
  • Roger White
  • Paul Sharp — in the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer
  • Mary Barnes
  • Rosa M. Ellis
  • Essie M. Barnes — in the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Cofield Barnes, 54; wife Hattie, 33; children Sarah, 21, Eser L., 15, Hallie, 13, Jimmie L., 11, and Flecher, 3; and grandson James Curry, 5.
  • Marie Barnes
  • Rosa Lee Curry — on 18 October 1938, John M. Taylor, 19, of Gardners township, son of Frank and Emma Taylor, married Rosa Lee Currin [sic], 19, of Gardners township, daughter of Joe and Bee Currin, in Wilson.
  • Gracie Sweeney — Gracie Swinney.
  • Ida Lee Harris — in the 1930 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Leander Harris, 44; wife Lucy, 48; and daughters Ada E., 21, schoolteacher, Rosa, 20, Davie, 18, and Ida, 15.
  • Helen Harris
  • Mr. and Mrs. James Crocker — were the Crockers, a white couple, guests in Ada E. Harris’ home?
  • Carolina Theatre