Food

Barnes fetes barbers with barbecue dinner.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 7 September 1940.

——

  • Rachel G. Barnes — barbershop owner, restaurateur, boardinghouse keeper.
  • Joe McCoy
  • Charlie Woodard — in the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 810 East Vance, Mary Roberson, 46; brother Charlie Woodard, 42, barber; and niece Annie Jenkins, 14.
  • Theodore Bullock — in the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 904 Atlantic, barber Theodore Bullock, 35; wife Mary B., 30; and sister Ethel, 16.
  • Artis barbershop
  • Lewis Neil barbershop — perhaps Austin Neal barbershop?
  • Hargrove barbershop — in the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 919 Atlantic Avenue, owned and valued at $3000, Don[illegible] Hargroves, 35; wife Flora, 31; and daughter Geraldine, 15. D. Hargrove operated a barber shop in a pool room.

Christmas reflection.

Miss Edie Bell. Aunt Pet. Aunt Minnie. Aunt Alice. Aunt Nora Lee. Aunt Lula Mae. Holiday dinners in my childhood were often spent at tables prepared by these amazing women, the grandmother and great-aunts of my cousins Monica Ellis Barnes and Tracey Ellis Leon. 

I cherish warm memories of these generous women and the delicious meals they prepared — and of me, my sister, and cousins, safe and loved and well-fed.

Christmas brings joy, but also floods of memories of those we can no longer hug or break bread with. I held quiet space yesterday for memories of my grandmother and father and uncle and the Barnes sisters, and all who no longer sit with us in Wilson or wherever we once shared a table. I hope you were able to find joy and beauty in Christmas this year, and I pray for a better 2026 for all of us.

Signal Boost: Seeds of Hope Wilson needs your help!

Seeds of Hope Wilson grows food, distributes food, stocks a free food pantry, distributes hygiene items, tends beehives, educates children, stocks a gardening library, shares seeds, hosts a Day of the Dead festival, and so much more from its house and garden at the heart of East Wilson. Be a hedge for our community — donate, sponsor, share.

Adam Scott, Barbecue Artist, in Wilson.

If you love the people and culture and history of eastern North Carolina, and you’re not reading David Cecelski‘s beautiful and richly textured essays about the Coastal Plain past, fix that. His most recent blogpost is a deep dive into the life of Barbecue King Adam Scott of Goldsboro, a small city about 25 miles south of Wilson, and draws upon photographs found in the N.C. Department of Conservation and Development Collection at the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh.

Among the images Cecelski selected is this one of Scott at a barbecue in Wilson in 1948.

A little hunting in the Wilson Daily Times and I found a 16 October 1948 piece about the convention of the North Carolina State Grange to be held in Wilson October 26-28. Ava Gardner, “Wilson’s contribution to Hollywood,” had been invited to attend a fashion show and guests were to be treated to “a special barbecue with Adam Scott, of Goldsboro, doing the cooking.”

Eastern North Carolina pitmasters like Wilson’s Ed Mitchell have expanded the legacy of Adam Scott, who cooked for governors and senators and presidents, as well as the every day folk who stepped through his back door on Brazil Street. Though Scott’s Famous Barbecue Restaurant is long-closed, you can order Scott’s vinegar and red pepper-based, sugar- and fat-free barbecue sauce right now.

McGirt is champion canner.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 16 September 1944.

——

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: McGirt Archie (c; Archie) lab 821 Stantonsburg

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Archie McGirt, 35; wife Pearl, 28; children John, 13, Lillian, 11, and Belton, 7; and roomer Georgia Souther, 29.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Archie McGirt, 52, fertilizer plant laborer; wife Pearl, 47, tobacco factory laborer; son John, 23, fertilizer plant laborer; daughter Lillian Simms, 21, tobacco factory laborer; son Belton [McGirt], 19, delivery boy for grocery store; [grandson] Walter, 5; and son-in-law Allen Simms, 25, cement finisher for contractor.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Archie McGirt, 58; wife Pearl P., 54; and son James, 15; and grandchildren Loretta, 8, and Bobby, newborn.

Pearlette McGirt died 19 July 1970 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 25 October 1902 to Ace Patterson and Dora McCray; was married to Archie McGirt; and lived at 803 South Ward Boulevard. Informant was Lillian McGirt Simms, 901 Stantonsburg Street.

The Ruffins bring their produce to market.

Chicago Defender, 19 July 1947.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 19 July 1947.

The Ruffins feature prominently in newspaper articles about successful Black Wilson County farm families. This piece highlights not only the “what” of their success, but the “why” — the education of their children.

As the family lived in the Saratoga area close to the county line and their parents were active in Yelverton Farm and Home Demonstration Clubs, the Ruffin children likely attended Yelverton School. That school, however, went only to seventh or eighth grade. In 1947, the only high schools for Black children in Wilson County were Williamson, near Lucama, and Frederick Douglass in Elm City. The Ruffin children may have boarded with friends or relatives in Wilson to attend Darden High School or may have crossed county lines to attend a closer high school in a neighboring county.

—–

In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on Howards Path, farmer Jesse Ward, 26; wife Arey, 32; and children William, 14, Walton, 10, Henrietta, 10, Susan, 6, Kizie, 5, and Juanita, 1 month.

In 1918, Charlie James Ruffin registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 22 May 1900; lived at Route #3, Walstonsburg, Greene County, N.C.; farmed for J.R. Eagles; and his nearest relative was Ida Ruffin.

On 25 January 1920, Charlie Ruffin, 21, of Saratoga township, son of Ida Ruffin, married Henretta Moore, 18, of Saratoga township, daughter of Ara Moore. Disciple minister Washington Little performed the ceremony at John Bynum’s residence.

In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Charles Ruffin, 19; wife Henrietta, 19; mother Ida, 50; sister Daisy, 13; and niece Mary, 12.

In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Charles Ruffin, 30; wife Henrietta, 28; and children Bertha, 9, Charlie Jr., 8, James R., 6, Juntia, 2, and Gladis L., 10 months.

In the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Charles Ruffin, 39; wife Henrietta, 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.

In 1942, Charles James Ruffin registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 12 May 1900 in Wilson; lived at Route 1, Fountain, Saratoga township, Wilson County; and farmed for J.B. Eagles.

In the 1950 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Charles Ruffin, 49; wife Heneretta, 47; and children James, 25, Juanita, 23, Gladys, 20, Christine, 18, Bruce, 17, Bertha M., 14, and Curtis, 10.

Plate sale!

Few traditions reinforce and preserve family history like regular reunions, and I love to see Wilson County families keep them going. The Harris, Lucas, Pope, and Barnes Family Reunion is holding a June 13 fundraiser for their 2025 gathering. Gon on and get you a plate!

——

The Harris branch of the Harris, Lucas, Pope, and Barnes Family Reunion descends from James and Charity Harris, whose known children were Sarah, Joseph, Arch, Charles, Amanda, Jane, Lucy, Abraham, and  Henry.

  • James and Charity Harris

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer James Harris, 56; wife Charity, 40; and children Joseph, 18, Arch, 18, Charles, 15, Sarah, 19, Amanda, 15, Jane, 10, Lucy, 6, Abraham, 4, and Henry, 5 months.

Perhaps: on 2 October 1879, John Williams, 51, married Charity Harris, 51, at the Wilson County Court House in Wilson.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: James Harris, 28, Dora, 22, and Rosa, 1, with grandmother Cherady Harris, 80.

Charity Harris died 18 January 1915 in Taylor township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 100 years old; was “single”; and was buried in Wilson. George W. Harris was informant.

A Wilmington newspaper greatly exaggerated her age at death, as was common concerning elderly Black people. Charity was not 111 years old. She was not even 100. Her true age was closer to 90.

Wilmington Morning Star, 22 January 1915. 

  • Sarah Harris

Perhaps: on 2 January 1873, Alfred Stanton, 21, married Sarah Harris, 21, in Wilson County.

  • Joseph Harris
  • Arch Harris

On 19 October 1876, Rose Woodard, 19, married Arch Harris, 23, in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Arch Harris, ; wife Rosa, 51; and children James, 3, Martha, 1, and Morrison, 2 months.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farmer Arch Harris, 53; wife Rosa, 45; and children James, 22, Arch, 20, Mary Jane, 18, Nancy, 16, Lucy, 12, Minnie, 11, Maggie, 8, Jessie, 6, and Annie, 3.

On 29 January 1902, Arch Harris, 19, of Wilson County, son of Arch and Rosa Harris, married Chaney Horne, 19, of Wilson County, daughter of Simon and Nancy Horne, at Simon Horne’s residence in Wilson County.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Arch Harris, 56, Rosa, 51, and children Jessie, 15, Annie, 12, and James, 12.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer James Harris, 42; wife Dora, 38; father Arch, 70; mother Rose, 50 [sic]; and children Roscoe, 16, Helen, 14, Beulah, 7, and Eula May, 3.

Jesse Harris died 4 June 1875 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 5 November 1893 to Arc Harris and Rosetta Woodard; was married to Delphia Harris; lived at 919 Poplar Street; and worked as a farmer.

  • Charles Harris
  • Amanda Harris
  • Jane Harris
  • Lucy Harris
  • Abraham Harris

On 5 July 1891, Abram Harriss, 21, of Stantonsburg, son of Charity Harriss, married Mattie Hilliard, 21, of Stantonsburg, daughter of Jack and Sarah Hilliard, in Stantonsburg, Wilson County.

  • Henry Harris

Agent Spellman’s excellent report, part 1.

Wilson County Negro Extension Agent Cecil A. Spellman did not stint. His two-part 1939 Annual Narrative Report is a 146-page treasure chest whose nuggets create a finely textured view of rural African-American life just before World War II — home demonstration, community entertainment, school improvement, test farms, engineering activities, tobacco work, gardening, corn-growing, meat-cutting, 4-H clubs, camp, spelling matches, Negro Health Week, projects, spotlights on people, houses, and schools — including photographs — and more.

There’s nothing to do but present Spellman’s report in totality, serialized.

The 66 pages of Section 1 are devoted to general and adult extension work. We meet Outstanding Man of the Year, Henry Armstrong of Elm City, and Outstanding Woman of the Year, Mrs. Charles Ruffin [Henrietta Ruffin] of the Saratoga side of the Fountain area.

Spellman praised the location of the county extension office at 559 1/2 East Nash Street, Camillus L. Darden‘s commercial building. He then described the equipment and furnishings supplied by the county (plus a few things he brought in.)

Spellman set out the organization of the extension agency and identified the eight-member County Advisory Committee as Seth T. Shaw, Thomas Hilliard, Robert L. Mitchell, Earnest A. Jones, Charlie Ruffin, Chester Woodard, John H. Clay, and Isaac Renfrow.

Spellman briefly mentioned the 4-H Club, which would be covered in detail in Section II, noting that its council met at Darden High School’s auditorium. He also lauded the principals of the county schools that hosted 4-H Clubs “as a very helpful body in the promotion of junior work in the county.”

Spellman then praised the agent training program he had attended at Hampton Institute [now Hampton University] in July.

North Carolina County Agent Annual Narrative Report, Wilson County, N.C., North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, UA102.002, Special Collections Research Center at N.C. State University.