Entertainment

Sacred cantata at Saint John to benefit charity.

Wilson Daily Times, 14 January 1932.

In January 1932, Saint John A.M.E. Zion Church presented a repeat performance of “The Light of Ages” for charity and with a special appeal for white people to attend. “The entire middle section of the church will be reserved” for them, said Rev. J.B. Holmes.

County Home residents give thanks for gifts.

Wilson Daily Times, 29 December 1944.

——

“Inmates” in this context were not prisoners, but indigent people who lived at the Wilson County Home. The Home was located near the current intersection of Ward Boulevard and Goldsboro Street, behind the gas station/convenience store. 

Rev. Frank Moore and his wife, Ara Moore, regularly ministered to residents of the Wilson County home in the 1940s. Frank Hilliard is listed in the 1940 census of Wilson as one of 46 lodgers at the home, 19 of whom were African-American.

Service men served delicious dinner.

Wilson Daily Times, 27 December 1943.

——

  • Julia Barnes 
  • Emma Williams
  • Gertrude Haskins
  • Nina Johnson — in the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: coal yard laborer William Johnson, 30; wife Ninna, 27, housekeeper; daughter Loudenia, 6; mother Winnie Johnson, 52; and sister Estella Johnson, 32, housekeeper. 
  • Nannie B. Barnes
  • Rev. Fred M. Davis

B.W.A. Historical Marker Series, no. 21: Reid Street Community Center.

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.

REID STREET COMMUNITY CENTER

Dedicated Dec. 1938. Expanded in 1950s. Social and entertainment hub for 50+ years. Acclaimed swim team. Venue for nationally famed gospel, R&B, and soul acts.

Farm club men honor their wives.

Wilson Daily Times, 13 December 1944.

——

  • Yelverton school
  • Robert Swain — Robert Swain died 7 June 1946 in Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 19 October 1893 in Bertie County, N.C., to Robert Swain and Mattie Sutton; was married Lucinda Swain; was a farmer; and lived in Wilson County near Walstonsburg.
  • Charlie Ruffin — in the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Charles Ruffin, 39; wife Henretta, 38; and children Bertha, 19, Charles, 17, James R., 16, Juanita, 12, Gladys Lee, 10, Christine, 8, Bruce, 7, Bertie Mae, 4, and Curtis, 10 months.
  • Arlestus McNair
  • Paul Barnes — in the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Paul Barnes, 39; Sarah, 35; and children Ethel Mae, 17, Paul Jr., 15, Jimmie, 12, David, 8, Irene, 7, Louisa, 4, and William A., 2.
  • Jasper Jones — in the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Jasper Jones, 64; wife Mary, 51; children Mary Lee, 19, and James, 14; and Henry Bynum, 40, hired hand.
  • Wesley Beaman — in the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Levi Barnes, 30; wife Elizabeth, 27; children Nora Mae, 11, Vernistine, 9, Levi Jr., 7, Eula Sue, 5, James M., 3, and Willie E., 1; brother-in-law Wesley Beamon, 32, and wife Ethalene, 28.
  • Mack Ellis — in the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Mack Ellis, 44, widower; children William Henry, 20, Lena, 17, Robert Lee, 15, Tempie Ruth, 14, Mamie, 10, and Helen, 8.
  • Ollie Barret — in the 1950 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Ollin J. Barrett, 24; wife Mary L., 27; and children Alice F., 5, Hurley J., 3, and Shirley J., 1.
  • John C. Edwards — in the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: John Edward, 37; wife Bettie, 30; and children Roy McCray, 15, Mary C., 10, James J., 7, Betsy, 4, and Carrie Lee, 3.
  • Levi Barnes — see Wesley Beaman, above.
  • James Mercer — in the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: James Mercer, 57; wife Ida, 54; children Fannie, 19, Eulis and Mary Lee, 17, Chris, 16, and Clifton, 12; and granddaughter Mary Lee, 8.
  • Howard Barrett — in the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: widower Howard Barrett, 44; daughters William A., 16, Ines, 14, Beatrice, 12, and Thelma Lee, 10; and grandson Howard, 5.
  • Dennis Swain — in the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County, farmer Robert Swain, 39; wife Leora, 33; children Denis, 11, and Arthana, 10; and boarder Henry Bynum, 33.
  • C.W. Foster — Carter W. Foster.

Young colored people are entertained.

Wilson Daily Times, 30 June 1914.

——

  • Clinton F. Goffrey — Clinton F. Goffney. Goffney died 4 June 1927 in Wilson. Per his direct certificate he was born 28 February 1885 to Columbus Goffney and Lucy Barnes; was single; worked as a day laborer; lived at 704 Suggs; and informant was Frank O. Barnes, Durham.
  • Leon W. Bryant with Alice Barnes — on 22 November 1914, Leon Bryant, 21, son of Paul and Julia Bryant, married Alice Barnes, 19, daughter of Ned and Louise Barnes, at John Lewis’ residence in Wilson. Presbyterian minister H.B. Taylor performed the ceremony.
  • Alex B. Joyner with Ruth Davis — in the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: wagon factory laborer Willie Paulkin, 26, wife Pearl, 22, son Atric, 2, and brother Sam, 24, also a wagon factory laborer; plus Wash Joyner, 35, house painter, wife Sarah, 32, laundress, and son Alexander, 13. 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.
  • Astor B. Bowser with Iola B. Christmas — in the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Best [Burt] Bowser, 48, pool room conductor; wife Sarah, 40, seamstress; sons Russell, 19, Astor B., 13, and Thomas F., 11; sister-in-law Rosa Rountree, 21, teacher; brother-in-law James Rountree, 14, servant in milliner store; and mother Lucindia Bowser, 60. In the 1920 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Christmas Iola (c) hairdresser h 609 E Green. Iola Beatrice Hicks died 24 August 1923 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 23 years old; was born in Henderson, N.C., to William Christmas and Dink Henderson; was married to Isaac Hicks; lived at 608 East Green; and was buried in Wilson [likely, Vick Cemetery.]
  • Walter T. Darden with Stattie Benton — in the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charles Cannon, 35, barber in a “white shop”; wife Statie, 34; and children Charles, 11, and Ruth Cannon, 9, and Statie Benton, 13. 
  • Samuel H. Wilson with Mildred L. Barnes — in 1918, Samuel H. Wilson registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 5 September 1897 in Edgecombe County, N.C.; lived at 126 Pender Street, Wilson; his father was born in Brunswick County, Virginia; his nearest relative was Mansfield Wilson, 126 Pender; and he worked for Mansfield Wilson, his father.
  • John McPherson with Mary Barnes — on 25 March 1915, John McPherson, 20, son of Will McPherson, married Fannie Farmer, 18, daughter of John and Edmonia Farmer.  
  • Floyd Pender with Cleyo Barbett — in the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Katy Pender, 47, and children Richmon, 26, Carrie, 18, Willie, 16, Floyd, 14, and Joseph, 10. 
  • Clarence Dawson with Elizabeth Thomas — Elizabeth Thomas, 21, of Wilson, daughter of Charlie and Sallie Thomas, married Clarence Dawson, 21, of Wilson, son of A.D. and Lucy Dawson, on 20 March 1917 in Wilson. Andrew Pierce applied for the license, and A.M.E. Zion minister B.P. Coward performed the ceremony in the presence of John Barbour, A.L. Dawson, and Elton Thomas.
  • Augustus Dawson with Marjorie Simmons — in 1918, Augustus Leodas Dawson registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 25 August 1898; lived at 212 Pender Street; worked as a waiter for Merchant & Miners Steamship Company, Norfolk, Virginia; and his nearest relative was father A.D. Dawson. 
  • Robt. Bess with Annie Thompson
  • Eddie Williams with Wilhelmina Crawford — on 2 July 1923, Augustus Gaston, 29, of Wilson, son of Geo. and Priscilla Gaston, married Wilhelmina Crawford, 24, daughter of Dan and Annie Crawford, in Wilson. Roderick Taylor applied for the license, and Presbyterian minister A.H. George performed the ceremony in the presence of W.C. Whitted, S.R. Battle, and Olga L. Battle.
  • Willie Jones with Louise Taylor
  • John E. Knight with Mary E. Johnson — in the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: William Johnson, 40, restaurant cook; wife Pollie, 35, laundress; and children Mary E., 13, Millie C., 11, Winona, 4, and Henry W., 2.
  • Claude Tolar with Hennetta Taylor — Hennie Taylor died 25 December 1916 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 19 years old; was born in Wilson to Mike Taylor and Rachel Barnes; was not married; and was buried in Wilson [likely, in either Odd Fellows or Vick Cemeteries.] Rodderick Taylor was informant. Hennie L. Taylor died 8 August 1917. She was 18 months old; was born in Wilson to Claude Toller and Hennie Taylor; and was buried in Wilson [likely, in either Odd Fellows or Vick Cemeteries.] Bertha Taylor was informant.
  • Hubert Mitcher with Luncile Bunch — in 1918, Hubert Mitchner registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 7 February 1897 in Raleigh, N.C.; lived at 534 East Nash Street; worked for Tate & Hines; and his nearest relative was Dr. W.A. Mitchner. 
  • James Slae with Mattie Barnes 
  • Daniel L. Vick with Bertha E. [torn]is — in the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: dealer in real estate Samuel Vick, 47; wife Annie, 38; and children Elma, 17, Daniel L., 13, Samuel E., 10, George, 7, Anna, 5, and Robert, 2.
  • John Barbour with Martha Brown — in the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: mechanic Charlie Barber, 47; wife Sallie, 40, teacher; sons Luther, 21, James and John, 17, and Hubert, 15; and roomers Willie Harris, 17, and Carrie Mayswood, 16. Perhaps: on 27 November 1916, Will McIver, 23, married Martha Brown, 20, in Wilson. A.L.E. Weeks performed the ceremony in the presence of Bert Hagans, Ida Albritton, and J.J. Tennessee.
  • Mark Farmer and Hattie M. Thomas — in the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: oil mill laborer Warren Crank, 30; wife Rosie, 27, laundress; brother-in-law Mark Farmer, 12; and boarder Mute Land, 31, oil mill laborer. 
  • John H. Isler — in 1918, John H. Isler registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 27 February 1898; lived at 129 Pender Street, Wilson; was a student at Biddle University, Charlotte, N.C.; and his nearest relative was Cynthia Smith, 129 Pender. 
  • Willie Hilliard
  • John Tyler — in 1917, John Tyler registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 26 March 1895 in Charleston, West Virginia; lived at Darden’s Alley, Wilson; worked as a barber for Charlie Knight, Wilson; and was single.
  • Fern Speight — In 1918, Ferne Burnett Speight registered for the World War I draft in New York City. Per his registration card, he was born 20 November 1897; lived at 151 West 140th Street; worked as an elevator operator at the Gerard Hotel, 123 West 44th Street; and his nearest relative was mother Rebecca Speight, 629 East Green Street, Wilson.
  • George Davis
  • Lucion Haywood — perhaps, Lucian Haywood of Wake County, N.C., who married Eva Mitchell on 16 April 1923 in Wilson.
  • Eddie Moore

 

Sissieretta Jones, the best known singer of her race, plays Wilson.

Trailblazing singer and entertainer M. Sissieretta Jones, known (to her discomfort and displeasure) as The Black Patti, brought her Troubadours to Wilson’s Lyceum Theatre in March 1911.

Wilson Times, 28 February 1911.

Wilson Times, 3 March 1911.

Wilson Times, 7 March 1911.

Learn about the incomparable M. Sissieretta Jones here.

Poster, “The Black Patti: Mme. M. Sissieretta Jones,” color lithograph, 1899, Prints and Photographs Division, United States Library of Congress.