Church

Saint Stephen’s A.M.E. Zion Church of Grabneck.

Deed book 68, page 10, Wilson County Register of Deeds, Wilson, N.C.

In December 1903, Orren and Hancy Best sold, for the nominal sum of five dollars, a lot on Nash Road to William J. Moore, Henry C. Phillips, John T. Tarboro, G. Albert Wood, and Byron D. McIver, trustees of Saint Stephen’s A.M.E. Zion Church. The 1200 square-foot lot bordered parcels owned by the Bests and Orren Best’s brother, Noah Best.

The deed of sale carried a restriction that the “premises shall be kept, used, maintained and disposed of as a place of worship for the use of the ministry and membership of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in America.” It’s not clear if a church were ever constructed on the site (or in fact, exactly where on West Nash Street the lot was, though we know it was in Grabneck and roughly in today’s 1000 or 1100 block.)

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  • Henry C. Phillips
  • John T. Tarboro — in the 1910 census of Plant City, Hillsborough County, Florida: preacher John T. Tarbor, 50, and wife Elberta, 20, laundress. In the 1920 census of Lincolnton, Lincoln County, N.C.: clergyman John T. Tarboro, 64, and wife Alberta, 29.
  • Byron D. McIver — in the 1910 census of Hookerton township, Greene County, N.C.: clergyman Byron D. McIver, 44; wife Amanda, 29; and daughters Laura, 16, Minnie, 11, Katie, 6, Sarah, 3, and Bettie, 2. Byron David McIver died 25 September 1926 in Wilmington, N.C. and was buried in Snow Hill, Greene County.

The obituary of Rev. Willie McLondon.

Wilson Daily Times, 5 April 1950.

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On 6 March 1929, Willie McLondon, 30, of Wilson, son of George McLondon and Lela [maiden name unknown], married Etta Bynum, 21, of Wilson, daughter of Charlie and Sarah Bynum, at the home of “Demcy Laster” [Dempsey Lassiter] in Wilson. Free Will Baptist minister R.A. Horton performed the ceremony in the presence of John Knight, Dock Cooper, and Walter Tinsley.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Willie McLondon, 41, preacher of “Baptist connection”; wife Etta, 32; and daughter Madeline, 15.

In 1942, Willie Mack London [sic] registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 25 January 1899 in Livingston, Alabama; lived at 508 South Stantonsburg Street; his contact was C.L. Darden; and he was a minister.

Willie McLondon died 13 April 1950 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born in Alabama to George McLondon and Lela Crawford; lived at 508 Stantonsburg Street; was married to Etta McLondon; and was a minister.

Penny March at Good Hope church.

Wilson Daily Times, 20 April 1948.

I had to look up “penny march.” Descriptions vary a bit, but essentially church members, usually children, would march up the aisle between Sunday School and worship service to bringing loose change for a special offering.

(What was Dillard’s orchestra, though?)

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The history of Piney Grove Free Will Baptist Church.

Per its 107th Anniversary booklet:

“Piney Grove Free Will Baptist Church was organized in 1882, under the directorship of the Reverend J.D. Blount. It is believed that the church was first formed as a bush shelter on Lovers Lane, now known as Forest Hills Road.

“On May 29, 1900, Mr. Kichen Watson, land owner let ex-slaves have this land for the church. There was no existing known deed for the land and therefore the land clearly reverted to the heirs. Sometime during this period, the member and Trustees decided to buy a lot and build a church.

“In May during the 1900’s, S.H. Vick and his wife bargained for, sold, and conveyed to Louis Bess, Daniel Blount, and Windsor Darden and their successors in office at the time, a parcel of land lying on the corners of Elba and Vance Streets.

“In 1905, a second deed was made because there were questions as to the original deed and the description of the lot.

“In the 1930’s, R.E. Townsend and his wife sold to Piney Grove Church Members and Trustees, Elijah Parker, Willie Cooper, Quincey Gardner, Carrie Hargrove, Ethel Jefferson, W.H. Palmer, and J.Z. Staton and their heirs and successors in office a lot on the corner of Elba and Vance Streets for the sum of $100.

“The church was moved from its old location to the lot on Vick and Carolina Streets and still remains there today.

“Over the years, Piney Grove Free Will Baptist Church has grown in both membership and improvements have been made in order to maintain the tradition of the church.”

Rev. Eddie H. Cox, who lead Piney Grove’s move to the Vick Street location.

Thank you, M.B. Ward!

Good Hope celebrates Rev. Stallings.

Wilson Daily Times, 22 December 1948.

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In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Gilbert Stallings, 44; wife Georgiana, 40; and children James, 19, Lena, 17, Gilbert Jr., 14, and Leonard, 6.

In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Stallings Jas D msgr h 610 Robinson [Roberson]

In 1918, James D. Stallings registered for the World War I draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 24 January 1880; lived at 136 Ashe Street; worked as a blacksmith for Hackney Brothers; and Lena Perry was his nearest relative. 

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 639 Wiggins, owned and valued at $2000, widow Cora Morris, 46, private cook, and roomers Carrie H. Scott, 22, and James Stallings, 45, plumber for Wiggins Plumbing.

On 28 November 1936, James D. Stallings, 49, of Wilson, son of Gilbert and Georgia Stallings, married Daisey Rowland, 37, of Wilson County, daughter of Adam and Ella Rowland, in Nash County, North Carolina.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: plumber James Stallings, 62, and wife Daisy, 38, tobacco factory laborer. 

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 701 Wiggins, plumber’s helper James Stallings, 64; wife Daisy R., 48, house cleaning; and adopted son Thomas Hinnant, 8.

James D. Stallings died 23 May 1972 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 24 January 1888 in Wilson to Gifford Stallings and Mary Washington; was married to Daisey Vick; lived at 702 Norris Street; and was a retired plumber. 

On the trail of Barnes Cemetery.

Our discovery of the remains of Barnes Primitive Baptist Church began with a search for a slave cemetery and a school believed to be in the same vicinity. I’m fairly certain Barnes School actually was once near by, but L. Paul Sherrod Jr. said he had heard conflicting information about the cemetery, and we saw nothing that suggested a graveyard. This burial ground would have been associated with the plantation of Dr. Edwin Barnes, whose family cemetery I featured in a post Friday.

Today, a chance find that confirmed we’re on the right track:

Wilson Daily Times, 23 April 1955.

David Ruffin‘s funeral was conducted at Barnes Primitive Baptist, and he was buried “in the Barnes cemetery near the church.” So there is, or was, a Barnes cemetery near Barnes Church. But where?

Here is Barnes Church in a 1940 aerial photograph. The light gray area below and southeast of the church, showing few trees, is worth exploring in a search for the cemetery.

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In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Isaac Ruffin, 52; wife Chania, 55; and sons Isaac, 22, Dave, 17, Grey, 7, and William, 5.

On 31 December 1903, David Ruffin, 21, married Celie Barnes, 19, in Stantonsburg township, Wilson County.

In the 1910 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer David Ruffin, 24; wife Celia, 18; and children Clara, 7, and Daisy, 2.

In 1918, Dave Ruffin registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 6 January 1870; his nearest relative was Celia Ruffin; and he farmed for E.B. Graves.

In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: tenant farmer David Ruffin, 41; wife Cellie, 33; and children Daisy, 22, Dessie, 10, David Jr., 6, and Lula, 4.

Larsey Ruffin died 6 August 1926 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 18 years old; was born in Wilson County to David Ruffin and Celie Barnes; and worked as a tenant farmer.

In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Dave Ruffin, 50; wife Celia, 45; daughters Clara, 28, Daisy, 19, and Lola M., 16; son-in-law John Hales, 39; grandchildren John, 10, Dave, 7, and Maizie Hales, 5; and son Dave, 19.

In the 1940 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Dave Ruffin, 50; wife Celia, 45; and [grandchildren] children David, 17, and Mazie, 15.

In the 1950 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Dave Ruffin, 78; wife Celia, 67; sons [sic] Walter Lee, 16, and George, 12; and sister Anna Artis, 77.

David Ruffin died 20 April 1955 at Route 3, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 2 August 1893 in Wilson County to Isaah Ruffin and an unknown mother; was married; was engaged in farming; and was buried in Barnes Cemetery. Carrie Hayes, 202 Pettigrew Street, was informant.

Ten days later: Celia Ruffin died 30 April 1955 at 202 Pettigrew Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 61 years old; was born in Wilson County to Calvin Barnes and an unknown mother; was a widow; was engaged in farming; and was buried in Barnes Cemetery. Carrie Hayes, 202 Pettigrew Street, was informant.

The last days of Barnes Primitive Baptist Church, in color.

Last week’s highlight was the discovery of the rusted tin, charred beams, and old brick that mark the site of Barnes Primitive Baptist Church, a congregation formed by freed slaves shortly after Emancipation. Yesterday, I received digital copies of three precious Polaroid photographs of Barnes Church taken in 1977 when the church closed and moved south to Watery Branch Church Road in Wayne County.

In the first photo, Barnes Church’s long-time pastor, Elder Kemmy A. Sherrod, stands with Deacon Douglas Barnes between the church’s two entrances. Elder Sherrod, a Wayne County native, was a grandson of Jack and Cassie Exum Sherrod and also pastored Turner Swamp Primitive Baptist Church in Eureka, N.C., and New Center Primitive Baptist Church of Reidsville, N.C., and served as moderator of the Turner Swamp Primitive Baptist Association and Durham Primitive Baptist Association.

The second photo, taken over the long hood of a car, shows the church’s southern elevation. That’s the chimney whose broken base we found standing in the woods.

The third hones in on the church’s simple, porchless, front-gable form. Fire consumed Barnes Church after it was vacated, and we found no sign of its plank siding, doors, or windows.

My unending gratitude to Leonard P. Sherrod Jr. for sharing these priceless photographs with me and to his cousin Cheryl Sherrod Pope for granting me permission to post them here!