Church

Lane’s Chapel F.W.B. Church buys a lot.

Deed book 97, page 245, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

On 23 December 1912, Major J. Lofton, for $18, sold the trustees and deacons of Lane’s Chapel Free Will Baptist Church a quarter-acre lot near Contentnea Creek on the north side of “the Aycock road, running from the town of Wilson.”

Neither Aycock Road nor Lane’s Chapel rang a bell, but I started wondering about Lofton. It’s not a common surname in Wilson County, but shows up on both an African-American graded school and a church. Lofton School sat on 1 3/4 acres on what is now Downing Street, just below Contentnea Creek. The deed for the property gives the road’s original name — Aycock — and it appears Lofton School stood on the other side of the bridge from Lane’s Chapel’s lot. Was it named for Major Lofton? And Lofton Chapel? It was a Free Will Baptist Church, like Lane’s. And we know its building was moved from elsewhere to its (or, rather, its successor’s) site on Bishop L.N. Forbes Street. Perhaps, as was commonly done, Lane’s was renamed Lofton for the grantor of the land it stood on near Contentnea Creek.

  • Major J. Lofton

In the 1880 census of Indian Springs township, Wayne County, N.C.: Robert Loftus, 34; wife Ednie, 34; and children Sylvester, 10, Robert, 8, Emma, 7, Benjamin F., 6, Alice A., 5, Major, 3, and Donas, 10 months.

In 1918, Major James Lofton registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 16 July 1876; lived on Route 3, Wilson; was a self-employed farmer; and his nearest relative was his father Robert Lofton.

Major Lofton applied for a marriage license for Sam Barron, 24, son of Ben and Mary Barron, and Jessie Lofton, 24 daughter of Robert and Evaline Lofton, both of Gardners township, Wilson County. The marriage took place in Wilson on 30 December 1919.

In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Major J. Lofton, 42, widower; mother Evaline, 71, widow; brother-in-law Sam Barron, 24; sister Jessie Barron, 24; and nieces Donnie, 13, Maybelle, 12, and Marie Barron, 10.

Major Lofton applied for a marriage license for Festus Simms, 29, and Maebelle Lofton, 18, both of Black Creek. The marriage took place in Wilson on 1 April 1925.

In the 1930 census of Atlanta, Fulton County, Georgia: at the U.S. Penitentiary, Major Loften, 53, prisoner, born in North Carolina.

In the 1950 census of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: widower Lubie Oliver, 67; partner Major Lofton, 74, widower; and brother Henry Oliver, 50, truck driver.

  • S.C. Chadmon — Slade Chatman?

In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Josiah Hinnant, 38; wife Mary, 34; stepdaughter Estella, 17, widow; daughter Sarah, 12; son Cleotha, 6; niece Lessie Locus, 13; and boarder Slade Chatman, 40.

In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Slade Chatman, 52, widower.

In the 1930 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Slade Chatman, 52; wife Almenia, 27; and children Ned S., 7, Eddie, 6, Willie, 4, Bertie L., 2, and Charlie, newborn.

In the 1940 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Slade Chatmon, 65; wife Almenia, 37; and children Ned, 17, Ed, 16, Willie, 14, Bettie, 12, Charlie, 10, Joseph, 8, Ernest, 6, Ruby Lee, 3, and Freddie, 3 months.

In 1942, Ed Chatman registered for the World War II in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 30 June 1924 in Wilson County; lived on Route 1, Wilson; and his contact was father Slade Chatman.

In 1942, Ned Chatman registered for the World War II in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 June 1922 in Wilson County; lived on Route 1, Wilson; and his contact was father Slade Chatman.

In 1943, Willie Chatman registered for the World War II in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 4 November 1925 in Wilson County; lived on Route 1, Wilson; his contact was father Slade Chatman; and he worked at Carl Aycock farm.

In the 1950 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Slate Chapman, 73; wife Almenia, 48; children Willie, 24, Betty, 22, Charlie, 20, Joseph, 18, Earnest, 16, Ruby, 13, Luddie, 11, Virgina, 7, Dorthy, 5, and Sylva, 1; and granddaughter Alma, 1.

On 29 October 1951, Slade Chatman, 75, of Lucama, son of Jerry Chatman and Catherine Greene Chatman, married Almenia Chatman, 49, of Lucama, daughter of Reddick Simms and Bettie Boykin Simms, in Wilson.

Slade Chatman died 17 December 1954 in Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 14 April 1876 in Craven County, N.C., to Catherine [maiden name unknown]; was married to Almena Chatman; worked in farming; and was buried in Dew Cemetery, Lucama.

  • Will Vick
  • James Johnston
  • R. Loftin — perhaps, Major Lofton’s father Robert Lofton.
  • Jesse Herring

F.Y.I.: Rev. Dillard has not been silenced.

Wilson Daily Times, 12 May 1931.

I can only speculate about what happened at Wilson Chapel to prompt publication of this notice … but speculating I am.

——

  • Rev. H.Y. Dillard — Henry Y. Dillard.

On 14 May 1917, Henry Dilliard, 21, of Wilson, married Susanna Parker, 18, of Wilson, in Wilson. A.M.E. Zion minister B.P. Coward performed the ceremony.

In 1917, Henry Dillard registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 2 October 1896 in Red Springs, N.C.; lived at 121 Manchester Street, Wilson; worked as a laborer at Farmers Oil Mill; and was married.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 207 Reid Street, oil mill laborer Henry Dillard, 24, and wife Sudie, 20.

On 29 May 1933, Henry Dillard, 36, of Ayden, son of Jake and Mary Dillard, married Bessie Brown, 28, of Ayden, daughter of Martha Cobb, in Greenville, Pitt County, N.C.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 719 Viola Street, tobacco factory cooper Henry Dillard, 42; wife Bessie, 36; and children Magdeline, 6, Maybelle, 5, Bessie M., 2, and Henry Jr., 1 month.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 719 Viola, Henry Y. Dillard Sr., 53, meal cook and foreman at fertilizer plant; wife Bessie, 46; and children Maggie Line, 16, Mabel, 14, Bessie Mae, 12, Henry Jr., 10, and Robert Henry, 6.

Henry Younger Dillard died 23 February 1970 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 21 October 1896 to Jake Dillard; was married to Mildred Barnes Dillard; lived at 1501 Washington Street; and worked as a carpenter and minister.

  • Rev. E.M. Hill

Trustees of Wynn’s Chapel purchase land.

Deed book 111, page 170, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

On 14 April 1917, Frank Hodges and his wife Harriet Hodges of Wilson township, for $80, sold William Bustion, Willie Wynn, and Mattie Porter of Toisnot township, “Active Trustees of Wynn’s Chapel, United American Freewill Baptist Church,” for a lot abutting the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad.

The 1923 Sanborn map of Elm City shows the small wooden church at 313 South Broad Street, just below J.D. Winstead Cotton Gins.

1923 Sanborn fire insurance map of Elm City, N.C.

Lane Street above is now Morgan Street. This parcel is now owned by the Town of Elm City, and is the southeastern-most section of a town park accessible from Parker Street. 

“Wynn Chapel Church was founded in the early 1900’s, between 1908-1909. The members held their original meetings at the Mason Hall of Fellowship in Elm City, North Carolina. The church was named Free Will Baptist Church and the first Pastor was Rev. Jim Brown. After several meetings in the Mason Hall, the members discussed that the building was not suitable to have church services because it had a dance hall that was being routinely used. Early church members, Willie and Jenny Wynn, donated land for the first building and the church was renamed Wynn Chapel Free Will Baptist Church in the early 1920’s. The first Deacons were Willie Burke, Jasper Evans, Talman and Willie Hunter and Pink Wynn. The church mothers were Penny Evans, Lofton Winstead and Jenny Wynn. Irene Evans served as the first secretary. 

“In 1940, the little church burned down. Rev. McKinley Love Whitley was the pastor. While plans were being made to rebuild the church, members met at the Presbyterian Church in “Blood Field,” the Church of God, and several other area churches that were gracious enough to allow them to utilize their facilities. After a while, the officials of the church purchased land on Armstrong Street in Elm City. The pastor was Rev. Fred Gardner. The Deacons were Mason Benjamin, Ernest (J.B.) Dew, Marcellas (Doll) Evans, Cecil Hagans, and Matt Washington. There was one trustee, Mr. Masco Norman and two mothers, Penny Evans and Alberta (Babe) Moore. The little church continued to grow and prosper under several different pastors over the next forty years.”

[Where was “Blood Field”??]

Acquisition of land for churches.
  • Trustees purchase the lot on which Saint John A.M.E. Zion was built

On 14 April 1880, E.M. Nadal and wife Margaret Nadal, for $600, sold Washington Suggs, E.C. Simms, Haywood Freeman, Edwin Barnes, Charles Darden, Lemon Taborn, and Samuel Smith, trustees of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in America of Wilson County, a lot on Pender Street containing about 1 9/25 acre. Deed book 16, page 393.

  • Trustees purchase a lot for a Primitive Baptist church near Bartee Bridge

On 28 September 1880, Francis M. Moye and wife Emily E. Moye, for $25, sold Nathan Ward, Allen Moore, and Hilliard Ruffin, trustees of the Colored Primitive Baptist Church, a small piece of land on the east side of Toisnot Swamp, on the left side of the road from Bartee Bridge to Saratoga, and a few hundred yards from said bridge, containing about one acre. A land contained a “portion of an old field” adjoining Dr. J.B. Stallings. Deed book 17, page 242.

Bartee Bridge crossed Goss Swamp near the Greene County line on what is now Bartee Bridge Road. The road from Bartee Bridge to Saratoga is now Tyson Farm Road. I have not identified this church further.

  • Trustees purchase a lot for an A.M.E. Zion church in Black Creek

On 30 April 1886, A.G. Brooks and Hardy Hinnant of Wilson County, for $1, sold Aaron Barnes, Lawrence Moore, and Lee Moore, trustees of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in America of Wilson County, a lot adjoining Rachel Barden, Jesse Whitley, and Hardy Hinnant in the Town of Black Creek located where Avenue Street intersected Avenue Road(?). Deed book 30, page 231.

I have not identified this church or its location. There is not currently an A.M.E. Zion church in Black Creek.

  • Trustees purchase additional property adjacent to Saint John A.M.E. Zion church

On 1 March 1891, Charles and Sallie Barbour, for $125, conveyed to C.H. Darden, Lemon Taborn, Washington Sugg, Haywood Freeman, Noah Best, H.T. Ransom, and S.A. Smith, trustees of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in America of Wilson County, a lot adjoining J.W. Hood, Mrs. Campbell, Charles Battle, and the property of the A.M.E. Zion Church, on Pender Street, containing about 1/4 acre. The Barbours were in debt to the church for $125 and, if they failed to repay by 1 January 1893, the church could sell the property at auction. However, if the Barbours timely repaid the debt, the transfer was void. Deed book 30, page 246.

Rev. James W. Hood was a Pennsylvania-born A.M.E. Zion bishop active in North Carolina from 1872 till his death in 1916. By 1887, he had founded more than 600 churches in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, and in 1895 published One Hundred Years of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church; or, The Centennial of African Methodism, which featured several ministers active in Wilson. Though named in this deed as a property owner, I have found no record that Hood actually lived in Wilson.

Preserving Black Churches and Cemeteries.

Another fantastic few hours in community today. I finally was able to make a session of African American Heritage Initiative’s Historic Preservation and Black Atlanta Series, and this one was firmly in my wheelhouse.

I came away with great information, great ideas for Lane Street Project, and new paths for partnerships here in Atlanta.

Contentnea Primitive Baptist Association.

Black Primitive Baptist churches in Wilson County were covered by a number of Associations, including Turner Swamp, Radicue, Union, Bethlehem, and Contentnea. In the 1930s, Contentnea Primitive Baptist Association included two Wilson County churches — Black Creek (now known as Bunches and still active) and Bellamy Chapel (formerly Sharpsburg P.B., now defunct — and in the Wilson County sector of Sharpsburg, not Nash.)