Children

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

Gala day for County School Commencement!

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 21 April 1917.

Can you imagine? Each spring, hundreds and hundreds of county school children gathered at the Colored Graded School to launch a parade through the streets of downtown Wilson, led by a brass marching band. (The article says 2000 children marched in 1917. There were only about 20 county schools, none larger than three rooms. That is a thirst for knowledge.) The children’s manual arts exhibits were displayed on the school grounds and in the auditorium an array of dignitaries (including “three white ladies from New York” and Dr. Frank S. Hargrave) graced the stage. Speaker after speaker delivered messages in the Booker T. Washington mode — work hard, be patriotic, know your place. J.D. Reid, principal of the Graded School and supervisor of the black county schools, was recognized for having spearheaded a prodigious fundraising drive, money that likely represented the community’s monetary contribution to the four Rosenwald Schools built in Wilson County in 1917 and ’18 — Williamson, Rocky Branch, Kirby’s, and Lucama. (Just shy of a year later, Reid and Charles L. Coon were embroiled in the disgraceful events that led to a boycott of the Graded School, but let’s stay present….)

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  • Rev. Perry — Rev. Robert N. Perry, pastor of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church
  • Mr. Vick — Samuel H. Vick, former Graded School principal and extraordinary businessman and political leader

Darden debaters go to state finals at A&T.

Wilson Daily Times, 28 March 1939.

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Fire halts school year.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 23 March 1940.

With the destruction by fire of Elm City’s black high school in 1940, the education of local children slammed to a halt. Amanda Mitchell Cameron was in the eighth grade at the time. She recalls that, rather than delay their high school studies, two of her older siblings carpooled to Wilson with a neighborhood boy to attend Darden High School. Most children, however, stayed home until the newly built school opened in 1941.

The apprenticeship of Wright Mitchell.

Fourteen year-old Wright Mitchell, a free boy of color, was apprenticed to serve John A. Lane until age 21. Lane had married Sarah Applewhite in 1852 and likely lived in the Stantonsburg area.

Minute Docket, Wilson County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, October Term 1858, Wilson Court Dockets 1855-1868, http://www.ancestry.com