Free People of Color

Free people of color, 1860: Old Fields district.

Free people of color enumerated in Wilson County’s first federal census, taken in 1860.

Old Fields district

#971. Farmer Willis Heggins, 51; wife Rhody, 47; and children Thomas, 4, Jackson, 2, and Delpha, 12; all mulatto.

#977. William Jones, 35, making turpentine, and wife Mary, 37, domestic, mulatto, in the household of white farmer Jethro Harrison, 31.

#990. Noel Jones, 15, black, making turpentine, with Gray Flowers, 28, white, also making turpentine.

#1007. John Brantley, 11, and Zilpha Brantley, 9, both mulatto, in the household of white farmer Hilliard Boykin, 47.

#1018. Louisa Hall, 31, and daughter Clara, 12, both mulatto, in the household of D.C. Clark, 30, a distiller of turpentine.

#1042. Thomas Brantley, 52, farmer; wife Lucinda, 35; and children William, 9, and James W., 6; all mulatto. Thomas claimed $800 in real property, $200 in personal property.

#1049. Emerson Locus, 13, black, in the household of white farmer John W. Driver, 39.

#1052. Hardy Taborn, 70, mulatto, farm laborer.

#1055. Isabell Rowe, 40, spinning, with Exaline, 23, Isaah, 20, Nancy, 12, and Winefred Rowe, 4. All were white except Nancy, who was described as mulatto.

#1061. Jolly Heggins, 36, mulatto, farm laborer, in the household of white farmer Jordan Winstead, 38.

#1065. Chilty Locas, 23, black, washing, claimed $20 personal property.

#1066. Caroline Locas, 27, black, farm laborer, with Cintha, 9, mulatto, and William Locas, 1, black.

#1083. Moses Heggins, 60, farmer, mulatto, and wife Theresa, 48, mulatto. Moses claimed $125 in real property and $115 in personal property.

#1084. Nelson Eatman, 50, farmer; wife Marinda, 45, and children Elizabeth, 20, Ginsey, 18, Smithey, 17, Alfred, 14, Nelson, 5, Emily, 7, and Jarman, 2, all mulatto. Nelson claimed $800 in real property; $320, personal.

#1085. Martin Locas, 45, farmer; wife Eliza, 30; and children Isham, 16, Edith, 10, Ervin, 8, Neverson, 6, Cedney, 5, and Susan Locus, 2, all mulatto. Martin claimed $250 in personal property.

#1089. Elijah Locus, 60, ditcher, wife Mariah, 60; and Martha Locus, all mulatto. Elijah claimed $30 in personal property.

#1091. Gage Locus, 30, black, farm laborer, in the household of white farmer Jarman Eatman, 50.

#1100. Peter Locus, 23, black, turpentine laborer, in the household of white turpentine laborer William Boykin, 29.

#1126. John Davis, 20, mulatto, turpentine laborer, in the household of white turpentine laborer laborer Arthur Davis, 25.

#1137. Willis Jones, 62, black, farm laborer; wife Sarah, 51, mulatto; and children Henry, 20, Alexander, 17, Noel, 16, Willis, 12, Paton, 10, Burthany, 7, Sarah, 13, and James, 10.

#1141. William Jones, 20, mulatto, farm laborer; Mahaly Jones, 17, domestic; John Locus, 10; Mary Jones, 35, domestic; John, 10, and Josiah Jones, 6; all mulatto; in the household of white farmer Elizabeth Sampson, 30.

#1142. Jane Locus, 28, black, in the household of white farmer W.W. Williamson, 24.

#1143. Anderson Blackwell, 90, farm laborer, and Drucinda Blackwell, 80, with Edith Jones, 14; all black.

#1147. Nathan E. Blackwell, 20, mulatto, wagoner, in the household of white farmer Robinson Baker, 42.

#1148. Jacob Jones, 31, day laborer, with wife Milly, 31, and children Louisa, 11, Charity, 10, John, 6, Stephen, 4, and Joana, 2; all black. Jacob reported $40 in personal property.

 

First-generation freedom, pt. 3.

The third in a series of annotated abstracts of Wilson County death certificates of African-Americans born before 1870, the cusp of slavery and freedom. The records are a trove of information about otherwise obscure family relationships among enslaved and free people of color and shed light on intra- and interstate migration patterns in the decades after Emancipation.

Atkinson, Archie. Born 1849, Wilson County. Died 1 December 1931, Spring Hill township. Chronic endocarditis. Father, Rite Atkinson, Wilson County. Farmer. Widower of Martha Atkinson. Buried Atkinson cemetery. Informant, James Williamson. [In the 1880 census of Wilson, Arch Atkinson, 24, wife Martha, 16, and niece Flora F., 13.]

Atkinson, Chas. Born 1865, Gardners township. Died 23 October 1915, Gardners township. Tuberculosis of lungs. Father, Harry Atkinson, Wilson County. Mother, Sophia Bridgers, Wilson County. Married. Farmer. Buried at home. Informant, H.R. Forbes, Macclesfield. [Charles Atkinson, 23, son of Harry and Sophia Atkinson, married Rosella Suggs, 21, of Edgecombe County, daughter of Calvin and Nancy Suggs, on 27 August 1891 in Gardners township.]

Atkinson, Frances. Born about 1856, North Carolina. Died 23 September 1916, Spring Hill township. Paralysis due to cerebral hemorrhage. Father, Thomas Shaw. Mother, Katie Shaw. Married. Buried Barnes graveyard. Informant, S.T. Atkinson, Kenly. [In the 1870 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: farmer Thomas Shaw, 26, wife Katy, 37, and children Frances, 16, Eliza, 14, Fox, 12, David, 11, Martha, 4, and Mary Shaw, 2. On 8 August 1872, Nathan Atkinson married Frances Shaw in Wilson County.]

Atkinson, Jane. Born 1849, Wilson County. Died 3 February 1929, Black Creek township. Cerebral hemorrhage. Father, Benjamin Newsome, Wilson County. Mother, Pennie Newsome, Wilson County. Farmer. Widow of John Atkinson. Buried, Farrell cemetery. Informant, James Gray Atkinson, Black Creek. [On 3 April 1869, James Atkinson, son of James and Rillie Atkinson, married Jane Newsome, daughter of Ben and Etney Newsome, in District 3, Wilson County.]

Atkinson, John. Born 1863, Harnett County. Died 15 May 1931, Elm City. Emphysema following influenza and pneumonia. Father, Hays Atkinson. Mother, Annie Atkinson, Harnett County. Married. Watchman, ACL Railroad crossing. Buried Elm City. Informant, Priscilla Atkinson, Elm City.

Atkinson, Martha May. Born 1866, Spring Hill township. Died 1 November 1931, Spring Hill township. Acute indigestion. Father, Thomas Shaw. Mother, Katie Shaw. Husband, Archibald Atkinson. Buried at homeplace. Informant, James Atkinson, Lucama. [See Frances Atkinson, above. On 29 February 1880, Arch Atkinson, 22, married Martha Shaw, 19, at Caty Shaw’s. Witnesses were Amos Hinnant, Willis Taylor and Frank Adams.]

Atkinson, Parry. Born 1845, Pitt County. Died 26 July 1928, Wilson Colored Hospital, Wilson. Gangrene of foot. Father, Edmond Gorham, Pitt County. Mother, Harriett Gorham, Pitt County. Widower of Smithie Atkinson. Common laborer. Buried Marshboro cemetery, Pitt County. Informant, John Atkinson. [Resident of Farmville, Pitt County.]

Atkinson, Susan. Born 15 March 1854, North Carolina. Died 3 June 1919, Spring Hill township. “Acute dilitation of heart.” Father, Isaac Barnes, North Carolina. Mother, Abbie Barnes, North Carolina. Widow. Informant, Tom Atkinson, Kenly.

Austin, Ephriam. Born 1853, Warren County. Died 18 October 1918, Wilson. Apoplexy. Father, James Austin. Railroad worker, ACL. Resided 702 Railroad Street, Wilson. Wife Alice Austin. Buried Norlina, North Carolina. Informant, James Austin, Wilson.

Avery, Henry. Born 1857, Wake County. Died 30 October 1926, Wilson. “Hypertrophied prostate with retention of urine, several months duration.” Mother, Mima Smith, Wake County. Farmer. Wife, Lula Avery. Buried, Jones Hill cemetery. Informant, Lula Avery.

Aycock, Louisa. Born 1860, Edgecombe County. Died 18 March 1935, Wilson. Father, Ned Proctor, Edgecombe County. Mother, Celia Williford, Edgecombe County. Widow of David Aycock. Resided 411 Jones Street, Wilson. Informant, Lena Rodgers, Rocky Mount.

Ayers, Council. Born December 1830. Died 1 December 1915, Spring Hill township. Father, Sampson Ayers. Farmer. Widower. Buried Boyette, North Carolina. Informant, William Ayers, Lucama. [In the 1850 census of District 3, Johnston County: Council, 11, and Henry Ayers, 9, in the household of merchant James Paulk. On 30 April 1866, Council Ayers married Mary Carroll in Johnston County. In the 1870 census of Beulah township, Johnston County: Council Ares, 52, wife Mary, 33, and William Smith, 3.]

Ayers, Zilpha. Born April 1863, Wilson County. Died 18 February 1917, Spring Hill township. Mother, Laney Dew, Wilson County. Married. Buried Hinnant graveyard. Informant, William Ayers, Lucama. [In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Simon Dew, 55, wife Lithy, 48, children Laney, 27, Peter, 23, Lucy, 23, Deannah, 21, Isaih, 20, Hilliard, 18, Hester, 16, Aarch, 14, Liscy, 12, Patience, 10, Sarah, 8, and Simon, 6, and grandchildren Zilpha, 13, Roxie A., 3, and William, 1.]

Fifteen lashes.

Ord. 15. Any free negro caught at the house of a slave after night without the permission of the owner or manager of the slave shall be whipped not to exceed fifteen lashes; and any slave caught at the house of a free negro without a pass from his owner or manager shall be whipped not to exceed fifteen lashes.

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Wilson’s earliest town ordinances have been transcribed in Minutes of City Council, Volume 1, 1850-1885, a bound volume shelved at Wilson County Public Library, Wilson.

First-generation freedom, pt. 2.

The second in a series of annotated abstracts of Wilson County death certificates of African-Americans born before 1870, the cusp of slavery and freedom. The records are a trove of information about otherwise obscure family relationships among enslaved and free people of color and shed light on intra- and interstate migration patterns in the decades after Emancipation.

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Armstrong, Alice. Born 26 April 1865, Wayne County. Died 26 January 1948, Elm City. Bowel obstruction. Father, Primers Mitchell. Mother, Caroline Mitchell, Wayne County. Widow. buried Elm City cemetery. Informant, Fred Armstrong, Elm City. [In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Primus Mitchell, 25, wife Caroline, 35, and children William, 12, Laurance, 1, and infant girl, 2.]  In the 1940 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: at 237 Cobb Avenue, Alice Armstrong, 73, daughter Maggie McFaden, 53, granddaughter Lucille McFaden, 26, and son Gray Armstrong, 28.]

Armstrong, Elnora. Born 1869, Halifax County. Died 22 October 1945, Wilson County. Father, Monroe Williams, Virginia. Mother, Susie Williams, Virginia. Widow. Resided 608 East Green Street, Wilson. Informant, Carrie Jones, Philadelphia. [In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Elnora Armstrong, 90, widow, a lodger in the household of N. Andrew and Ada W. Pierce at 415 East Green Street.]

Armstrong, Garry. Born 1846, Edgecombe county. Died 1 February 1928, Toisnot township. “No doctor within last 30 days.” Father, Abraham Armstrong, Edgecombe County. Mother Cherry Armstrong, Edgecombe County. Farmer. Wife, Henrietta Armstrong. Buried in family cemetery, Wilson County. Informant, John H. Armstrong, Elm City. [In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County, Gary Armstrong appears as a 20 year-old farm laborer sharing a household with 20 year-old George Batts. See also Nelson Armstrong, below.]

Armstrong, Guston. Born 1835, Edgecombe County. 30 November 1923, Toisnot township. Chronic nephritis. Father, Quinnie Braswell. Tenant farmer for F.R. Hall. Wife, Sillie Armstrong. Informant, Van Armstrong, Sharpsburg. [In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Augustus Armstrong, 30, wife Pricilla, 22, and children Sallie, 4, Stella, 2, and William, 4 months.]

Armstrong, Hatliss. Born 1851, Ashton, North Carolina. Died 3 March 1936, Wilson. “Probably chr. nephritis.” Father, Darry Armstrong, Ashton. Widower. Laborer. Resided 711 Sugg Street, Wilson. Informant, Oscar Armstrong, 711 Sugg Street.

Armstrong, Martha. Born 1835, Wilson County. Died 29 August 1931, Gardners township. “No doctor within last 30 days.” Father, Peter Williams, Wilson County. Mother, Winnie Williams, Wilson County. Widow of Lewis Armstrong. Informant, Rosa Ruffin, Elm City. [In the 1880 census of Gardners, Wilson County: Louis Armstrong, 38, Morthwy, 38, and children Charles, 11, Peter, 9, Deler, 7, Matty, 5, and Ida, 2.]

Armstrong, Mary. Born 1866, Edgecombe County. Died 25 September 1924, Toisnot township. Born 1866, Edgecombe County. Died 25 September 1924, Toisnot township. Father, Crumel Bullock. Mother, Rena Bulluck. Husband and informant, Nelson Armstrong, Sharpsburg (see below.)

Armstrong, Nelson. Born 1854, Edgecombe County. Died 8 December 1934, Toisnot township. Father, Abraham Armstrong, NC. Mother Cherry Armstrong, NC. Farmer. Widower. Informant, Henry Armstrong, Stantonsburg. [In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Abraham Armstrong, 52, wife Cherry, 32, and children Nancy, 16, Haywood, 14, Nelson, 12, Joshua, 11, and Burlee, 7.]

Arrington, Lillie. Born 12 March 1864, Enfield, North Carolina. Carcinoma stomach. Died 11 January 1942, Elm City. Father, Sisroe Thornton, Enfield. Mother, Roda Whitaker, Enfield. Widow of Henry Arrington. Buried Elm City cemetery. Informant, W.E. Arrington, Elm City. [Census records suggest that Cicero Thornton was born about 1855 and his daughter Lillie about 1880.]

Artis, Benjamin. Born 1856, Wilson County. Died 18 July 1936, Wilson County. Cause of death not determined. Father, Richard Artis, Wilson County. Mother, Eliza Artis, Wilson County. Widower. Farmer. Resided at County Home. Informant, David Ruffin. [In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg, Wilson County: Richard Artis, 28, wife Eliza, 40, and children Ben, 12, Henry, 11, Richard, 3, and Jane, 2.]

Artis, Cain. Born March 1851, Wayne County. Died 23 March 1917, Wilson township. Pulmonary tuberculosis. Father, Adam T. Artis, Wayne County. Mother, Winnie Coley, Wayne County. Farmer. Married. Buried Wilson County. Informant, W.M. Coley.  [In the 1880 census of Nahunta, Wayne County: Cain Artis, 25, wife Anie, 25, and children Ivey C., 2, and Appie, 1. Cain’s father was a free man of color, and Cain, his mother and sister were enslaved. See here.]

Artis, Edd. Born 1861, Wayne County. Died 10 June 1936, Wilson township. Father, Alford Artis, Wayne County. Mother, Eliza Artis, Wayne County. Farmer. Wife, Zilpha Artis. Buried Rest Haven cemetery. Informant, Clarence Artis.

Artis, Eliza. Born 1842, Wilson County. Died 4 December 1920, Wilson township. “Old age stated as no doctor.” Father, Harry Cobit, North Carolina. Mother, Nicy Barnes, North Carolina. Widow. Tenant farmer for E.B. Baines; informant, Watts Barnes.

Artis, Fabie. Born 1864, Wilson County. Died 30 March 1930, Wilson. Paralysis. Father, Silas Barnes, Wilson County. Mother, Rosetta Farmer, Wilson County. Widow. Resided 1213 Washington Street, Wilson.  Buried Rountree cemetery. Informant, John T. Artis, Wilson. [In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Silas Barnes, 49, wife Rosa, 45, and children Wade, 23, and Feribee, 20.]

Artis, Henry. Born 1864. Died 22 October 1918, Stantonsburg township. Father, Richard Artis, North Carolina. Mother, Liazza Artis, North Carolina. Farmer for Chester Jordan. Married to Anna Artis. Buried at Billy Barnes’ place, Stantonsburg. Informant, Chester Jordan. [See Benjamin Artis, above.]

Artis, John. Born 1862, Wayne County. Died 16 September 1927, Wilson. Valvular heart disease. Father, Joe Artis, Wayne County. Married to Sarah Artis. Resided on Stantonsburg Street, Wilson. Informant, James Ward, Stantonsburg.

Artis, Lucinda. Born 1847, Wayne County. Died 23 June 1931, Wilson County. Cerebral hemorrhage. Father, Henry Hobbs. Mother, Elizabeth Hobbs, Wayne County. Widow of Jessie Artis. Resided 310 Reid Street, Wilson. Buried Wayne County. Informant, Cora Artis, Wilson. [In the 1850 census of the North Side of the Neuse, Wayne County: farm laborer Henry Hobbs, 26, wife Eliza, 27, children Lucinda, 2, and John, 1 month, and Mary Hobbs, 54.]

Artis, Luvennia. Born 1854, Wilson County. Died 11 May 1924, Wilson. Father, Haywood Moye, North Carolina. Mother, Eliza Stanton, Wilson County. Laundress. Widow. Resided 177 Narroway. Informant, Emma Artis.

Artis, Noah. Born 14 September 1856, Wilson County. Died 16 May 1952, Wilson County. Father, Adam Artis. Widower. Resided 312 Finch Street, Wilson. Buried family cemetery, Wilson County [actually, Wayne County]. Informant, Pauline Harris. [In the 1860 census of Davis district, Wayne County: Adam Artis, 30, children Kerney, 4, Noah, 2, and Mary Jane, 1, plus Jane Artis, 26, and infant, 1 month. Sidenote: Cain Artis and Lucinda Artis, above, were Noah’s half-brother and aunt by marriage.]

Artis, Patsy Ann. Born 1869, Edgecombe County. Died 3 April 1922, Wilson township. Cerebral paralysis. “Patient had small-pox at time of death.” Father, Charly Hines, Edgecombe County. Tenant farmer for Judge Fleming. Married to Jessie Artis.

Artis, Winnie. Born 1832, Wayne County. Died 25 November 1922, Spring Hill township. “No doctor in attendance. Died of general infirmities of old age.” Father, Reuben Reaves, Wayne County. “Invalid for Years.” Servant. Widowed. Buried Wayne County near Pikeville. Informant, Dock Brown, Kenly.

 

First-generation freedom, pt. 1.

The first in a series of annotated abstracts of Wilson County death certificates of African-Americans born before 1870, the cusp of slavery and freedom. The records are a trove of information about otherwise obscure family relationships among enslaved and free people of color and shed light on intra- and interstate migration patterns in the decades after Emancipation.

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Adams, Alice.  Born 1857, Wilson County. Died 1 June 1927, Cross Roads township. Hemorrhage on brain. Father, Willis Taylor, born Wilson County. Mother, Sarah Rose, born NC. Married to Onley Adams. Worked for Ambrose Loucas. Buried in Lucama. Informant, John Adams, Lucama. [In the 1860 census of Kirbys district, Wilson County: Sarah Rose, 50, and Richard Odom, 21, cooper, both white; plus turpentine worker Willis Taylor, 45, Nancy Rose, 11, and Alice Rose, 7, all mulatto. In the 1870 census of Cross Roads township: Sarah Rose, 59, and daughter Alice, 15, both white. Next door, Willis Taylor, 51, also white. In the 1880 census of Cross Roads township: Willis Taylor, 70, farmer, living alone. Next door: Leonidas Adams, 38, wife Alice, 25, and children Willis, 8, Junius, 7, Mary Ann, 5, and John, 2, plus, Piety Lynch, 54, cook, and John E. Denson, a 30 year-old white fruit tree seller.]

Adams, Della.  Born 9 December 1866, Wilson County. Died 11 April 1952, Lucama, Cross Roads township. Cerebral hemorrhage. Father, Gray Adams. Mother, Mollie Cotton. Widow. Buried at Daniel cemetery, Fremont NC. Informant, Zeno Adams, Route 2, Lucama. [Gray Adams was the informant’s father, not Della’s. (This a common error caused by the manner in which the register of deeds questions the informant.) Per their marriage license, Gray Adams, 23, son of Ben Peacock, married Della Daniel, 20, daughter of Amos and Mollie Daniel, on 4 March 1880 in Wayne County.]

Adams, James Gray. Born 10 September 1860, Wilson County. Died 12 February 1927, Black Creek township. Carcinoma of pancreas. Father, Benjamin Peacock. Mother, Mary Peacock. Wife, Della Daniels Adams. Farmer. Buried at Daniels graveyard, Wayne County. Informant, Alex Adams. [See Della Adams, above.]

Adams, John. Born 1866, Richmond County. Died 6 April 1938, Black Creek township. Lobar pneumonia. Father, John Adams, born Richmond County NC. Wife Maggie Adams. Farmer. Resided Route 1, Black Creek. Buried Wilson County. Informant, Addison Adams, Route 2, Bailey.

Adams, Leander. Born 1843, Virginia. Died 19 April 1931, Black Creek township. No doctor within last 30 days. Father, John Adams, Virginia. Mother, Matilda Fountain. Widower of Alice Adams. Farmer. Buried Wilson County. Informant, W.D. Adams. [See Alice Adams, above.]

Adkins, Preacela. Born 1862, Rocky Mount NC. Died 8 November 1934, Toisnot township. Father, Richard Parker, Edgecombe County. Mother, Charlotte Parker, Edgecombe County. Widow of John Adkins. Buried Elm City NC. Informant, David L. Parker. [In the 1870 census of Cokey, Edgecombe County: farm laborer Richard Parker, 39, wife Charlotte, 37, and children Effy D., 16, Milly, 11, Richard, 8, Priscilla, 6, Mary E., 5, William Ann, 4, John, 1, and Harriet, 1 month.]

Adkinson, Mamie. Born 17 November 1869, Savannah, Georgia. Died 8 December 1947, Wilson NC. Probably malnutrition due to old age. Father, Charles Crick, Savannah. Widow of Henry Adkinson. Resided 115 Narroway Street, Wilson. Buried Rest Haven cemetery, Wilson. Informant, Viola Parker of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Adkinson, Sallie. Born 1850, Johnston County. 22 February 1926, Toisnot township. Influenza pneumonia. Father, Joe Whitsby, Johnston County. Caroline Whitsby, Johnston County. Widow. Buried Elm City. Informant, A. Batts.

Adkison, Martha. Born February 1866, Edgecombe County. Died 29 October 1932, Wilson township. Father, Alex Bullock. Mother, Hannah Bennett, Edgecombe County. Widow. Buried in Wilson. Informant, Mary Brown. [In the 1880 census of Upper Town Creek, Edgecombe County: laborer Alex Bullock, 30, wife Hannah, 34, and children Martha, 14, Charlie, 13, Gen’l Grant, 8, George, 7, Puss, 6, Mary, 5, Nannie, 3, and Orren, 4 months.]

Aikins, John H. Born 1860, North Carolina. Died 20 July 1914, Wilson. Cardiac asthma. Father, Edward Akins, Virginia. Mother, Annie King, Virginia. Horse dealer and liveryman. Married. Buried in Wilson. Informant, Georgia Akins.

Allen, Sarah Jane. Born Jun 1851, North Carolina. Died 5 June 1938, Old Fields township. “D.K. Sudden. Probably cardiac.” Mother, Lucy Williams, North Carolina. Widow of Isaac Allen. Buried, Southern Grove cemetery, Johnston County. Informant, Jerry Richardson.

Allen, William. Born 14 January 1839, Warren County. Died 17 August 1918, Spring Hill township. “Died suddenly no physician in attendance.” Father, Jim Allen, North Carolina. Mother, Mary [last name unknown], born North Carolina. Farmer. Buried in North Carolina. Informant, Kenzy Allen, Bailey, North Carolina.

Allen, Violet. Born 1858, Riverdale, Craven County. Died 27 March 1943, Wilson township. Father, Solomon [last name unknown], Riverdale, Craven County. Pellagra. Mother, Mary Alexander, Riverdale, Craven County. Widow. Farmer. Resided Wilson County Home. Usual residence in Black Creek. Buried in Black Creek. Informant, Henry Allen, Black Creek. [In the 1870 census of Wildwood, Craven County: Virginia-born farmer Solomon Alexander, North Carolina-born wife Mary, 34, and children Margerat, 13, Ann E., 10, and Violet, 4, plus farm laborers William Bright, 18, and Matilda Powell, 50. In the 1940 census of Black Creek, Wilson County: Violet Allen, 75, widow, living alone.]

Alston, James O. Born 1866, Franklin County. Died 12 September 1950, Wilson. Father, Charles Alston. Mother, Elsie [last name unknown]. Married. Orderly at Mercy Hospital. Resided at 507 East Green Street. Buried Rest Haven cemetery. Informant, Eula Locus. [Possibly, in the 1870 census of Sandy Creek, Franklin County: farmer Charles Alston, 40, wife Amy, and children Frances, 6, and James, H., 2. Also, per her death certificate, Eula Locus (1899-1964) was the daughter of James Alston and Martha Dew.]

Alston, Robert T. Born 1859, Granville County. Died 10 August 1931, Wilson township. Cardiovascular disease. Father, Aaron Alston, Granville County. Mother, Rosetta Alston, Warren County. Widower of Julia Alston. Jewelry and watchmaker. Informant, John T. Alston, Elm City. [In the 1870 census of Walnut Grove, Granville County: Aron Alston, 47, wife Rosetta, 18, and children Anna, 15, Haywood, 14, Robert, 12, Sallie, 10, Agnes, 9, Thomas, 7, Mary J., 4, and John H., 1.]

Anderson, Benjamin. Born 1856, Wilson County. Died 25 January 1920, Wilson County. Father, Benjamin Anderson, Wilson County. Mother, Kattie Barnes. Tenant farmer for Joseph C. Farmer. Wife, Maggie Anderson. Informant, Nathan Anderson. [In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Benjamin Anderson, 39, wife Catharine, 38, and children Robert, 13, Joseph, 10, Dink, 8, Dinah, 4, and Lucy, 1. All were born in North Carolina except Catharine, who reported a Virginia birthplace. In the 1880 census of the family, same location, Ben Anderson is listed as a 4 year-old, which would seem to indicate that he was about 20 years younger than reported on his death certificate.]

Anderson, Joseph. Born 1860, Wilson County. Died 25 February 1930, Wilson County. “Suppression of urine & valvular heart disease as complication.” Father, Benjamin Anderson, Wilson County. Mother, Kattie Anderson, Wilson County. Tenant farmer for Seth Tyson. Widower. Buried Wilson County. Informant, James Anderson, Route 2, Wilson. [See above.]

Applewhite, Luke. Born 1855, Nahunta, Wayne County. Died 13 June 1923, Cross Roads township. “Died sudden and not attended by physician.” Father, Luke Applewhite, Nahunta, Wayne County. Mother, Malindia [last name unknown], Nahunta, Wayne County. Farmer. “Husbane of Henry Etta.” Informant, B.F. Applewhite. [Per their marriage license, Luke Applewhite, 22, son of Luke Applewhite and Malinda Bridgers, married Henrietta Bridgers, 20, daughter of Liberty Bridgers, on 16 October 1879, at Ben Sauls’ plantation in Nahunta, Wayne County.]

Applewhite, Thomas. Born 1865, Wilson County. Died 11 June 1933, Saratoga, Wilson County. “Cardiac & renal dropsy.” Father, Thomas Applewhite, Wilson County. Mother, Amanda Applewhite, Wilson County. Widower. Farmer. Buried Wilson County. Informant, Walter Applewhite, Route 5, Wilson.

Free people of color, 1860: Joyners & Gardners district.

Free people of color enumerated in Wilson County’s first federal census, taken in 1860.

Joyners & Gardners district

#606. Elba Lassiter, 16, mulatto, farm laborer, in the household of white farmer John B. Batts, 32.

#614. Isaac Lassiter, 26, mulatto, farm laborer, in the household of white farmer Thomas H. Bridgers, 27.

#631. Margaret Rose, 28, mulatto, farm laborer, with Clara, 9, and Diana Rose, 7, both mulatto, in the household of 68 year-old white farmer Mary E. Batts.

#649. Blessen Heggins, 39, black, farm laborer, with Elizabeth, 14, and Jolly Heggins, 12, black, in the household of white farmer Elijah Winsted, 71.

#665. Kinchen Locust, 8, black, and Joseph Perry, 6, mulatto, in the household of white farmer Henry Dixon, 76.

#669. Chessie Portice, 52, black, and William Portice, 25, black, farm laborer.

#719. Farm laborer Mariah Lassiter, 20, black, and child Esset, 3, in the household of white farmer Elizabeth Barnes, 79.

#741. Farmer Penny Lassiter, 50, mulatto, with children Priscilla, 14, Theresa, 12, Hardy, 10, Haywood, 8, William, and Pennina, 2, all black. Penny reported owning $600 real property and $300 personal property.

#774. Arch Artis, 65, black, in the household of white farmer Calvin Woodard, 32.

#782. Martha Mitchel, 44, mulatto, with children William, 13, Franklin, 11, George, 10, Thomas, 9, and Martha, 6. Martha reported $20 personal property.

#802. Jordan Thomas, 50, mulatto, with daughters Henrietta, 21, Eliza, 20, and Harley, 18, and grandson John, 1. Jordan reported $100 in real property and $80 in personal property.

 

Free people of color, 1860: Kirby’s district.

Free people of color enumerated in Wilson County’s first federal census, taken in 1860.

Kirbys district

#226. Jesse Ayres, 7, mulatto, in the household of white farmer Lawrence Moore, 40.

#233. Willis Taylor, 45, mulatto, turpentine laborer; Nancy, 11, and Alice Rose, 7, both mulatto, in the household of Sarah Rose, 50, white.

#237. Patrick Taylor, 16, mulatto, wagoner, and Martha Taylor, 26, mulatto, domestic, in the household of white farmer John D. Adams, 32.

#239. William Taylor, 22, mulatto, turpentine laborer, Sallie, 30, mulatto, day laborer, Jane, 23, white(?), day laborer, and Elizabeth, 10, Martha, 8, Cilvira, 5, and George Taylor, 1, all mulatto. William claimed $40 in personal property.

#248. John Ward, 14, black, farm laborer, in the household of white farmer Kinchen Crumpler, 53.

#252. George Locus, 6, black, in the household of white farmer Joseph Boyett, 28.

#273. Litha H. Richardson, 22, mulatto, farm laborer, in the household of Asa Ward, 43.

#283. David Rose, 36, farmer, Axcy, 34, and children Ruffin, 10, and Theophilus, 13, plus Sallie Sasser, 67. All mulatto except Theophilus and Sallie. David claimed $232 personal property, $200 real property.

#284. Sallie Hawley, 75, Patsey, 35, day laborer, William, 17, turpentine laborer, Mary, 14, Cerenia, 10, Willey, 4, Saffira, 4, and John D. Hawley, 1. Sallie, Patsey and John described as mulatto; the others, white.

#305. Elizabeth Taylor, 42, farm laborer, Abia, 18, farm laborer, Bryant, 14, Jackson, 12, Kinchen, 10, and McDaniel, 7. Abia, Jackson, and Kinchen were described as mulatto.

#333. Martin Locus, 61, mulatto, farm laborer, in the household of white farmer Obedience Wells, 77.

#335. Asberry Blackwell, 45, turpentine laborer, Nancy, 30, farm laborer, Charity, 14, Drucilla, 9, Albert, 7, Appy, 7, Zilpha, 4 Obedience, 3, and Asberry, 2 months, all mulatto.

Cemeteries, no. 3: Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church cemetery.

Like many small rural churches, the early members of Stantonsburg’s Bethel A.M.E. Zion were drawn largely from a group of related families. At their core was the large extended family of William Henry Hall, whose family plot in the church cemetery was profiled here.

The cemetery, about a mile from the present location of the church, is set along a slight rise above the cut of Peacock Bridge Road, just south of the Norfolk & Southern railroad. It is lovingly tended despite its isolation, with most of the graves lying in sandy bays extending back from the unpaved road. Foxgrape vines and sassafras saplings edge the clearings, and rose bushes have naturalized among the trees.

Besides William Hall, among the earliest marked burials are:

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Dick Barnes married Quilla Joyner on 10 February 1870 in Wayne County, North Carolina. (The county line is just a few miles west of Stantonsburg.) In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Richard Barnes, 38, wife Aqulla, 33, and children Edward C., 9, William H.M., 8, Lewis H., 6, Maryland, 5, and Corneleous, 4. In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Richard Barnes, (second) wife Gracey, 23, and children Peter, 23, Cornelius, 21, Mary S., 18,  Geneva, 16, John H., 14, and Barnie, 7, and boarder Addison Fort, 17.

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and William M. Hardy, who lived a few miles away over the Greene County line.

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Free people of color, 1860: Saratoga district.

Free people of color enumerated in Wilson County’s first federal census, taken in 1860.

Saratoga district

#805. Jane Artis, 14, black, in the household of 28 year-old white farmer J.J. Lane.

#817. Henry Mitchell, 24, black, carpenter; Martha Mitchell, 18, mulatto; Olive Mitchell, 25, black; Mary Mitchell, 1, black; and Jesse Mitchell, 60, black, farm laborer. Henry owned $200 real property and $30 personal property.

#851. Eliza Sampson, 30, mulatto, cook, living with two white men, Streeter Dilda, 25, and Benj’n Baker, 20, both grog shop workers. Eliza reported $100 real property and $34 personal property.

#919. William, 15, Patrick, 14, Margaret, 13, Lou, 12, Balum, 11, and Eliza Hall, 45, all mulatto, in the household of James B. Peacock, 25.

#921. Samuel Hall, 13, mulatto, in the household of white farm laborer Noah Walker.

#940. Wyatt Lynch, 38, plasterer and brickmason, with wife Caroline, 23, and daughter Frances, 3. Wyatt reported owning $50 in personal property.

#942. Brickmason Etheldred Caraway, 29, black, with wife Susan, 25, and children Bunyan, 5, and Joseph, 3, all black. [This family’s last name actually was Carroll.] Etheldred reported $30 personal estate.

#954. James Jones, 51, day laborer, in the household of white merchant John Williamson, 41.

#959. Teamster Richard Simpson, 27, mulatto; wife Mariah, 19, mulatto, cook; and son John, 1 month, mulatto.

Free people of color, 1860: Black Creek district.

Free people of color enumerated in Wilson County’s first federal census, taken in 1860.

Black Creek district

#17. Louisa Rose, 10, F, mulatto, in the household of 51 year-old white farm laborer Gray Lodge.

#43. Terrell Parker, 23, M, mulatto, in the household of 40 year-old white farmer Elias Farrell.

#45. Farm laborer Smithy Artis, 38, F, black, and son George Artis, 21, mulatto, in the household of white farmer Zilpha Daniel, 53.

#54. Farm laborer William Ayres, 30, M, mulatto, in the household of white farmer Stephen Privett, 50.

#79. Farm laborer John Hagans, 23, M, black, in the household of white farmer, Edwin Barnes, 35.

#82. Farm laborer Caroline Hagans, 18, F, black; her likely son Jacob Hagans, 7 months, black; and James Barnes, 17, M, black, in the household of white farmer Elias Barnes, 57.

#88. Martha Morris, 60, white, with her likely daughter Elizabeth Morris, 25, mulatto, and granddaughter Martha Morris, 2,, mulatto.

#89. Zillah Morris, 4, F, mulatto, in the household of 81 year-old white farmer John Saunders.

#92. Farm laborer Rufus Artis, 15, M. mulatto, in the household of white farmer Jacob Woodard.

#93. Mary Artis, 14, F, mulatto, in the household of Felix Woodard, 21, white.

#94. Mattress maker Jerry Manly, 50, M, mulatto, and Maria Manly, 55, F, mulatto.

#145. Farm laborer Daniel Hagans, 74, mulatto, in the household of white farmer Jesse Aycock, 34.

#152. Farm laborer Leah Langston, 38, F, black, who claimed $30 personal estate; with children and grandchildren Rebeca, 21, Martha, 18, Lucinda, 10, Louis, 5, Mourning, 5, Isaac, 3, Polly, 1, Benajah, 4, and Frank and Frances, 4 months. (The last three described as mulatto.)

#199. Cooper Solomon Andrews, 50, M, mulatto, in the household of white farmer Stephen Woodard Sr.

#203. Seamstress Jane Mitchell, 27, F, mulatto, with James, 12, George, 9, Nancy, 8, John, 6, and Bennet Mitchell, 4, and day laborer Martha Blackwell, 20.

#207. Turpentine worker Dempsey Powell, 30, M, mulatto, who claimed $130 personal estate; Sallie Simpson, 28, F, mulatto; and Sallie Simpson, 9, F, mulatto.

#208. Teamster Calvin Powell, 35, M; Penelope, 30, F; Jefferson, 12, M; Cidney, 10, F; and Calvin Powell, 6, M; all mulatto.