Free People of Color

The roots of many Wilson County Artises, no. 6: Richard Artis.

I wrote here of Vicey Artis, a free woman of color, and Solomon Williams, an enslaved man, whose marriage in Greene (or perhaps Wayne) County, North Carolina, produced eleven children. Though only one — the busy Primitive Baptist elder Jonah Williams — actually lived in Wilson, descendants of several others are in Wilson County even today.

Richard Artis was the youngest of Vicey and Solomon’s sons. He married Susannah Yelverton Hall Yelverton, and their children were Lucinda, Emma, Ivory L., Louisa, Richard Jr., Susan A., Jonah, Charity, Cora P., Frances, John Henry, and Walter C. Artis. Richard Artis and his children lived primarily in Wayne and Greene Counties — except Emma Artis Dawson Reid, who lived in the Black Creek area for a few years — but many of their children moved (permanently or temporarily) into Wilson County. These included Susan Artis Cooper’s sons James Elijah Cooper (1907-1995) and John Hardy Cooper (1909-1979); Jonah Artis’ sons Milford Odell Artis (1918-2001) and Jonah Artis Jr. (1927-2015); Cora Artis Exum’s son Herven P. Exum (1921-2013); and Ivory L. Artis’ son Claude Artis (1917-1979).

Photo courtesy of Teresa C. Artis.

Hardy Lassiter, who went to Georgia.

We have read of Hardy Lassiter, a free man of color born about 1780, who died in what is now Wilson County in 1853. Hardy Lassiter had a son, Hardy Lassiter Jr. (1828-?), but also had grandsons, great-grandsons, and even great-great-grandsons named Hardy Lassiter, who carried his name out across the United States.

We have already met Hardy Lassiter (1864-1928), who migrated to Arkansas as an Exoduster. This man was the son of Green Lassiter, nephew of Hardy Lassiter Jr., and grandson of Hardy Lassiter Sr. 1864 Hardy’s son Hardy Lassiter was born about 1886, just before the family went west.

In this post, we will follow the Hardy Lassiter who migrated to Georgia, and in a later post, we will meet a Baltimore Hardy Lassiter. Georgia Hardy was the son of Silas Lassiter, first cousin of Arkansas Hardy, and grandson of the first Hardy.

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In the 1860 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Silas Lassiter, 38, farmer; wife Orpie, 34; children Sallie, 12, Mary, 11, James, 9, John, 7, Elizabeth, 5, Penina, 4, Hardy, 3, Silas, 1, and George, 2 months; and Delphia Simpson, 14. Silas reported $490 in real estate and $155 in personal property.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Silas Lassiter, 47, and children Ophelia, 25, Mary, 20, Elizabeth, 16, Handy, 14, Penninah, 15, Silas W., 12, Milly, 8, and Jerusha, 4.

On 27 January 1884, Hardy Laster married Elizabeth Jenkins in Pierce County, Georgia. [We cannot be sure, but it appears Lassiter migrated to south Georgia to work in the turpentine industry.]

In the 1900 census of Blackshear, Pierce County, Georgia: turpentine chipper Hardy Laster, 51; wife Lizzie, 37; and children Trudy, 15, Janie, 11, Gaynell, 9, Colier, 7, Earnest, 5, and Draroza, 3. All were born in Georgia except Hardy.

In the 1910 census of Blackshear, Pierce County, Georgia: farmer Hardy Laster, 53; wife Elizabeth, 38; and children Vanelia Neal, 19, and Collier, 17, Earnest, 15, Deargie, 13, Jessie D., 4, and Sylvestus, 2; and grandson Alonzo Washington, 5.

In 1917, Ernest Lassiter registered for the World War I draft in Hernando County, Florida. Per his registration card, he was born 10 August 1897 in Little Rock, Arkansas; his father was born in Wilmington, North Carolina; he worked for Central Cypress Company, Centralia, Florida; and his nearest relative was Hardy Lassiter, Blackshear, Georgia.

Janie Sims died 15 November 1918 in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida. Per her death certificate, she was 28 years old; was born in Blackshear, Georgia, to Hardy Laster; was married to Jesse Sims; worked as a laundress; and was buried in Blackshear.

In the 1920 census of Blackshear, Pierce County, Georgia: machine shop laborer Hardy Laster, 68; wife Elizabeth, 46, cook; and son Sylvester, 13.

Hardley Lassiter died 20 November 1922 in Blackshear, Pierce County, Georgia. Per his death certificate, he was born 3 March 1851 in North Carolina to Sirlis and Orphia Lassiter; was married to Eleziabeth Lassiter; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Blackshear Colored Cemetery.

Vanilla Chisholm died 25 July 1927 in Manhattan, New York, New York. Per her death certificate, she was born in 1897 to Hardy Lassiter and Elizabeth Jenkins; was married to Jon J. Chisholm; worked as a hairdresser; and was buried in Blackshear, Georgia.

Georgia, U.S., Marriages from Select Counties, 1828-1978, database on-line, http://www.ancestry.com; Georgia, U.S., Death Records, 1914-1940, database on-line, http://www.ancestry.com.

The roots of many Wilson County Artises, no. 5: Zilpha Artis Wilson.

I wrote here of Vicey Artis, a free woman of color, and Solomon Williams, an enslaved man, whose marriage in Greene (or perhaps Wayne) County, North Carolina, produced eleven children. Though only one — the busy Primitive Baptist elder Jonah Williams — actually lived in Wilson, descendants of several others are in Wilson County even today. We’ve met my great-great-great-grandfather Adam T. Artis here and here. Now, his elder sister Zilpha Artis Wilson.

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Zilpha Artis Wilson was born about 1828, the first known child of Vicey Artis and Solomon Williams. About 1855, she married John “Jack” Wilson, a free man of color of completely unknown origins. That year, Jack Wilson bought 55 acres in northern Wayne County, North Carolina, from Zilpha’s brother Adam T. Artis and settled his family close by. [N.B.: another Zilpha Artis lived in northeast Wayne County during the same period. She was the daughter of Celia Artis and died in 1882.]

Zilpha and Jack Wilson’s children were William Wilson (1856-bef. 1893), Louisa Wilson Locus (1858-bef. 1893), Elizabeth Wilson Reid (1864-1947), John Adam Wilson (1865-1916), and Vicey Wilson Edmundson (1869).

In 1893, Zilpha Artis Wilson made out her will:

State of North Carolina, Wayne County    }   I, Zilphy Wilson, of the County and State, aforesaid begin of sound mind and memory, but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence to make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, that is to say: — That my Executor hereinafter named shall provide for my body a decent burial, suitable to the wishes of my relations and friends, and pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts out of the first money that may come into his hands as a part or parcel of my estate.

Item 1. I give and bequeath to my daughter Bettie Reid 7 acres of land to be cut off the North East corner of the tract of land on which I now reside for and during her natural life, and after her death to be equally divided between all of her children that she may have now, or may have living at the time of her death, the said Bettie Reid not to have possession of said Land until the debts against my estate are paid.

Item 2. I give devise and bequeath to my son Adam Wilson and my daughter Vicey Wilson, share and share alike all of the tract of Land on which I now live, with the exception of the seven acres given away in Item first of this will, with all the priviledges and appertances thereunto belonging for and during their natural like, should they both have heirs, then they to have their mother & Father part, and should Adam or Vicey only one of them leave heirs, then and in that case I give said land to the surviving heirs of that one to them and their heirs in the fee simple forever.

Item 3. I give and devise unto my son Adam Wilson and Vicy Wilson, share and share alike, all of my Household and Kichen furniture of every description Farming implements of every description, Tools of Mechanics &c &c, Stocks of all kinds, and all the poultry of kind to them and their heirs in fee simple forever.

Item 4. It is my will and I so direct, that my son Adam Wilson to retain possession of the whole of my land at yearly rental of seven hundred lbs. of lint cotton which is to be applied to the payment of the debts against my estate, as soon as said debts are paid, I direct that Bettie Reid be put in possession of the seven acres of land given to her in a former Item of this Will. I also desire that my daughter Bettie Reed become an equal heir in my household and kitchen furniture with my son Adam and daughter Vicey.

[Changes made in Zilphia Wilson’s Will Oct. 4, 1893]

Item 5. I give and devise unto William and Jonah Wilson children of William Wilson Sixty dollars to be paid to them when they arrive at lawful age.

Item 6. I give and devise unto Johney Loumary Lovy Lorenzo Locus, Children Louisa Locus Sixty dollars to be paid to them as they arrive at lawful age.

Item 7. It is my will and so direct that the Legasies mentioned in Items 5 & 6 of this Will be assessed by my son Adam and my Daughter Vicy Wilson, and I direct that they pay to each one of the above mentioned heirs, as they arrive of lawful age their proportionable part of said Legacies with interest on the same from the time the debts of the estate are settled.

Lastly, I hereby constitute and appoint my brother Jonah Williams and my son Adam Wilson Executors to this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all the Wills heretofore made by me.    Zilphy X Wilson

Signed and sealed in the presence of Fred I. Becton and Thomas Artis, who witnessed the same at her request.  /s/ Richard H. Battle, Fred I. Becton

Zilpha Wilson’s will was proved 17 December 1902 and recorded at page 421 of Will Book 2, Wayne County Superior Court.

We have already met the children of Zilpha Artis Wilson that lived in Wilson County — Elizabeth “Bettie” Wilson Reid and John Adam Wilson. Though her son William Wilson is not known to have lived in Wilson, his son Jonah Wilson did.

On 8 April 1907, Jonah Wilson, 25, of Wilson, son of William Wilson and Kittie Thompson, married Jannie Shadding, 25, of Wilson, daughter of P. Smith and Annie Smith. E.L. Reid was a witness to the ceremony.

In 1918, Jonah Wilson registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 24 July 1881; lived at 208 Vick Street; was a carpenter for E.L. Wynn, Academy Street, Wilson; and his nearest relative was Jannie Wilson.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 Vick Street, Jonah Wilson, 38, carpenter; wife Jannie, 38; and roomer Minnie Moore, 37, tobacco factory laborer.

In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Wilson Jonah (c) carp h 205 S Vick

In 1942, Jonah Wilson registered for the World War II draft in Montclair, New Jersey. Per his registration card, he was born 24 July 1881 in Wayne County, N.C.; lived at 71 Elm Street, Montclair; his contact was Carrie Powell, same address; and he worked for Bob Middleton, Newark, New Jersey.

The Montclair Times, 24 May 1962.

Henderson Family Reunion 2024.

I’m just back in Atlanta from the Henderson Family Reunion. We are from southern Wayne County, just below Wilson County, but my line arrived in Wilson about 1905 — a story I told here.

Our reunion brings together descendants of the children of James Henderson, a free man of color born about 1815. My line is that of his first son, my great-great-great-grandfather Lewis Henderson, who was alive when my grandmother Hattie Henderson Ricks was born. Lewis’ daughter Sarah Henderson Jacobs Silver was the first in the family to settle in Wilson. She reared her sister Loudie Henderson’s children Bessie Henderson and Jack Henderson and Bessie’s children (my grandmother and great-aunt Mamie Henderson Holt), and nearly 40 of their descendants were among the almost 150 Hendersons in Goldsboro this weekend.

I gave a family history presentation Saturday morning at First Congregational United Church of Christ, the church in Dudley that Lewis Henderson helped found in 1870. My cousins still attend the church; one was guest pastor yesterday. The church cemetery — where my great-great-great-grandparents, great-great-grandmother and her siblings, great-grandmother, and innumerable cousins are buried — is right down the road.

The headstone of Cora Q. Henderson, daughter of Lucian and Susan Henderson — my great-grandmother’s 23 year-old first cousin.

Lewis Henderson died in 1912, and his wife Margaret Balkcum Henderson in 1915. By then, only James Lucian Henderson, their elder son, remained in Dudley. Twice a week, Sarah walked from Elba Street down to Wilson’s A.C.L. depot and handed up to a porter a shoebox packed with cornbread and ham and sweet potatoes. At Dudley, he threw the box off the train to a cousin waiting on the ditch bank. And thus Uncle Lucian and Aunt Susie were fed.

The Dudley depot is gone, but these tracks still run to Wilson.

Nearly 120 years after my Hendersons left Wayne County, the links remain.

Photos by Lisa Y. Henderson, July 2024.

It’s reunion season!

July is peak family reunion season, and the Jones family gathered in Wilson over the extended Fourth of July weekend. The Joneses’ roots are in western Wilson County; they descend from Bethany Jones, a free woman of color born about 1772, perhaps in Johnston, Wayne, or Nash County. The most prominent line of her offspring descend from John Jones and wife Susan Simpson, alias Powell, and includes generations of well-known, accomplished Wilson County residents like John Wesley Jones, brothers Howard C. and Franklin D. Jones, and Kristi Jones.

Is your family gathering in Wilson County this summer?

Shaunna Stevens shared this Jones family tree drawn by her talented mother Karole Turner Campbell. Thank you! 

Historic Black Business Series, no. 12: Lemon Taborn’s barbershop.

The 500 block of East Nash Street is justly remembered as the 20th century epicenter of Wilson’s African-American-owned businesses. However, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Black entrepreneurs and tradespeople also operated across the tracks. As Wilson’s downtown experiences a resurgence, let’s rediscover and celebrate these pioneering men and women.

Check in each Sunday for the latest in the Historic Black Business Series!

Lemon Taborn (later spelled Tabron) was born free about 1834 in Nash County, North Carolina, to Celia Taborn. He moved to the town of Wilson before 1860 and soon established a barbershop — the earliest known Black-owned business in Wilson.

E.B. Mayo noted Taborn’s shop into his 1872 map of Wilson on Tarboro Street just north of Vance Street. Taborn owned a large parcel of land in this block. (The house above was built after the family sold the lot.)

The Wilson Advance, 24 September 1880.

His barbershop also is drawn into the 1882 map of the city.

Taborn died in 1893, and his wife Edmonia Barnes Taborn and daughter Carrie Taborn continued his business until his sons Joshua, Jacob Astor, and Thomas Henry Taborn established Tabron Brothers Barbershop.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, February 2024.

The last will and testament of David Rowe.

We have discussed here, here and here the small Crossroads community of interrelated mixed-race families who moved back and forth across the color line in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. David Rowe, perhaps born Rose, was part of this community.

On 26 February 1848, David Row married Exey Sasser in Johnston County. Sasser was white, the daughter of Josiah and Sally Beard Sasser.

In the 1850 census of District 9, Johnston County, N.C.: farmer David Roe, 30; wife Axey, 25; Treasey Horne, 70; Sally Sasser, 50; and Ruffin Roe, 1. All were described as white.

In the 1860 census of Kirbys district, Wilson County: farmer David Rose, 36; wife Axey, 34; son Ruffin, 10; Theophilus, 13 [no relationship designated]; and Sallie Sasser, 67. Sallie Sasser and Theophilus Rose were white; the others mulatto.

In the 1870 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer David Rose, 50; wife Exile, 43; son Ruffin, 18; and Sallie Sasser, 75.

In the 1880 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer David Rowe, 55, and wife Exeline, 54; also William Woodard, 50; wife Eliza, 50; and children John, 27, Clarkie Ann, 19, Calvin, 17, Montiville, 16, Claudius, 12, and Louisa, 8. The Rowes were described as mulatto; the Woodards as white.

David Rowe made out his will on 23 January 1896. To his “beloved wife Axie Rowe,” he left life interests in one-third of all his land, including his residence and outhouses, and his personal property and money. To daughter-in-law Talitha Rowe, he left a life interest in “4 acres of land on east side of the lane, including the residence of Ruffin Haywood Rowe Sr.” To Sarah, daughter of Talitha Rowe: one-fifth of his personal estate. All remaining property was to be divided among his four grandsons, James William Rowe, David J. Rowe, John Hardy Rowe, and Ruffin Haywood Rowe Jr. Rowe named James Newsome both his executor and the guardian of his minor grandsons and signed his will with an X.

In the 1900 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: widow Exie Rowe, 70; grandsons David J., 23, James W., 25, John H., 21, and Ruffin H., 19; [grand]daughter-in-law Prytha [Piety], 20; grandson Albert M., 8 months; [grand]daughter-in-law Alice, 18; and daughter-in-law Litha, 46, divorced [from Ruffin H. Rose Sr.]

The final account of David Rowe’s personal property, dated 1 June 1905, reveals that his widow purchased the entire lot, mostly on credit.

Will of David Rowe (1896), North Carolina, U.S. Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

They have abandoned their families and eloped.

Wilson Advance, 25 February 1881.

As he wound his way through Crossroads township, Wilson County, in 1880, the census taker encountered farmer Tarrell Parker, 45; wife Minerva, 18; and children Trecy, 5, Jesse, 3, and Mancy Ann, 1.

A year later, Parker placed a notice in the Wilson Advance, offering a reward for anyone bringing to justice his wife Minerva and Ruffin Rowe, who had run off together.

Rowe [whose surname appears in early records as Rose] was married to Tilithia Locus, and they appear in the 1880 census of Crossroads, too: farmer Ruffin Rowe, 31; wife Tillitha, 26; and children James William, 5, David, 3, and John Hardy, 1. [A fourth son, Ruffin Haywood Jr., was born 1879-80.]

Tarrell Parker lived the remainder of his life in Wilson County. I find no further record of Minerva Parker and Ruffin Rowe Sr. Rowe was omitted from his father David Rowe‘s will, and his wife was described as divorced in the 1900 census.

Hardy Lassiter Jr. sells his inheritance.

A year after inheriting, Hardy Lassiter Jr. sold the 57-acre parcel he received in the division of his father Hardy Lassiter Sr.‘s estate.

Deed Book 1, page 25, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

This indenture made the 19th day of May AD 1855 between Hardy Lassiter of the first part & William L. Farmer of the second part — all of the county Wilson State of North Carolina witnesses that for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and twenty five Dollars, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged the said Hardy Lassiter has given, granted bargained sold & conveyed & by these presents does give, grant, bargain, Sell & convey unto the Said Wm. L. Farmer his heirs & assigns a certain tract or parcel of land lying in the county of Wilson, adjoining the lands of Nathan Rountree, Washington Ruffin & others, containing fifty seven & a half acres more or less, the land being that drawn by the Said Hardy Lassiter in the division of his Fathers estate to have & to hold the said land unto the said William L. Farmer his heirs & assigns. And the said Hardy Lassiter does hereby covenant & agree himself, his heirs, executors & administrators to forever warrant & defend the title hereby conveyed to the Said William L. Farmer his heirs & assigns forever

In testimony whereof we hereunto set our own hands & seas this the day & date above written    Hardy (X) Lassiter    Witness B.E. Farmer

Studio shots, no. 232: Ichabud and Mary Ann Lassiter Powell.

Ichabud and Mary Ann Lassiter Powell.

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In the 1880 census of Taylor township, Wilson County, N.C.: farmer Ichabud Powell, 32; wife Mary A., 32; and children Beedy A., 9, Pheny, 7, John, 5, James W., 4, Henry G., 3, and Mary A.E., 11 months.

In the 1900 census of Jackson township, Nash County, N.C.: Ichabod Powell, 50, farmer; wife Mary A., 50; children Mary A., 20, Martha, 18, Joseph, 16, Margarett, 14, Geneva, 12, Billie P., 11, Dempsey H., 9, and Paul J., 6; and nephew Henry Lassiter, 28.

Mary Ann Powell died 5 April 1921 in Jackson township, Nash County. Per her death certificate, she was 74 years old; was born in Wilson County to Silas Lassiter and Orpie Lassiter of Wilson County; was the widow of Ickibuck Powell; and was buried in Powell graveyard, Nash County.

Many thanks to Levolyre Farmer Pitt for sharing this photo of her great-grandparents.