Migration

The obituary of Mamie Cooper Bunn.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 8 March 1947.

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In the 1900 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: shoemaker Watson Cooper, 40; wife Fannie, 34; and daughters Savanah M., 15, Minnie, 12, Eva, 10, Mamie A., 6, and Ether P., 2.

In the 1910 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: Watson J. Cooper, 51; wife Fannie, 43; and children Minnie, 20, Eva, 16, Mamie, 13, Ethel, 11, Lubia, 8, and James, 5.

On 12 June 1912, Willie Shirley, 21, of Toisnot township, son of A.S. and Lizzie Shirley, married Mamie Cooper, 18, of Toisnot township, daughter of Watt and Fannie Cooper, at Fannie Cooper’s house. Buck Locus applied for the license in Wilson County.

In the 1912 Rocky Mount, N.C., city directory: Shirley Mamie (c) laundress h 210 Dunn

In the 1940 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: widow Fannie Cooper, 73, cook; daughter Mamie Bunn, 45, widow, and granddaughter Susie, 7.

Ardelia Pender, a mother you should know.

The Afro-American (Baltimore, Md.),  30 May 1953.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, Jesse Barnes, 37, farmer; wife Sarah, 31, public school teacher; and children Lucresia, 16, Ned, 14, Nancy, 12, Lemon, 11, Jessie Bell, 10, Maggie May, 7, and Ardenia, 5.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, farmer Jesse Barnes, 46; wife Sarah, 47; and children Ned, 23, Nancy, 22, Lemon, 20, Jessie Belle, 18, Maggie, 15, Ardenia, 13, Frank, 11, James, 6, and Mildred, 3.

On 17 September 1924, Jonah Pender, 24, of Wilson, married Ardenna Barnes, 20, of Wilson, daughter of Jesse R. Barnes, in Wilson. Presbyterian minister A.H. George performed the ceremony, and James O. Bunn, Mack Jones, and Rosa J. Hussey witnessed.

Comodore Pender died 17 December 1925 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 November 1925 in Wilson to Jonah Pender and Ardena Barnes; lived at 718 Viola; and was buried in Barnes Cemetery, Wilson.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Lane Street, Johnnie Pender, 29, tobacco factory laborer; wife Ardena, 24; and children Robert L., 5, Therado [Theodore], 4, Henry T., 3, Louvena, 18 months, and Katie, 1 month.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: widow Ardelia Pender, 33, tobacco factory laborer, and children Robert, 16, grocery store delivery boy, Theodore, 15, Henry, 13, and Luvenia, 11.

Theodore Pender died 4 November 1944 in Goldsboro, Wayne County. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 November 1925 in Wilson to Jonah Pender and Ardelia Barnes; was single; lived at 1016 Robinson [Roberson]; and worked for J.C. Penney Company.

In 1945, Richard Henry Terry Pender registered for the World War II in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 31 August 1927 in Wilson County; lived at 1016 Robertson [Roberson] Street; his contact was Ardelia Pender; and worked for Bissette Drug Company, Nash Street.

In the 1950 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: at 1016 Roberson, widow Ardelia Pender, 45, and children Richard, 23, operates washer at laundry, Luvenia, 20, Katie, 17, Dorothy, 15, Jessie, 16, grocery store clerk, Paul, 15, grocery store clerk, Harry, 12, and James, 11.

Former Wilson artist realizes ambition.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 13 August 1938.

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  • Daniel Edward Freeman
  • Ellen Wilson — in the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: William Wilson, 51, livery stable groom; wife Sarah, 48; and daughters Ellen, 23, and Lillian, 21.

Lucy Hall’s children.

We’ve met Nicey Caroline Hall Lynch, the free woman of color whose refusal to kowtow to his wife so irked Confederate soldier Ruffin Barnes. What of her siblings though?

In the 1850 census of North Side of Neuse, Wayne County, Lucy Hall, 45, appears with her children Sarah, 16, George, 15, Nathan, 13, Nicy, 10, Samuel, 3, and Esther Hall, 6, plus Alford, 15, John, 14,  Rhoda, 13, Julia, 12, and Rheuben Artis, 10, and Rufus Lane, 22. (Read here of Lucy Hall’s legal battle to have her children apprenticed as she saw fit.)

Lucy Hall apparently died before 1860. I have not been able to trace Sarah, George, or Nathan Hall. However,

  • Samuel Hall

In the 1860 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farm laborer Noah Walker, 25; wife Polly, 21; and Samuel Hall, 13. [Samuel had likely been apprenticed to the Walkers by a Wilson County judge.]

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: brick maker Samuel Hall, 22; wife Caroline, 20; and children Donas, 3, and John, 2 months [next door to Wyatt and Niecy Lynch.]

In the 1880 census of Speights Bridge township, Greene County, N.C.: laborer Sam Hall, 32; wife Caroline, 32; and children John W., 10, Jane E., 8, Sam, 6, and Baby, 1.

In the 1900 census of Bulloch County, Georgia: woodcutter Sam Hall, 50; wife Caroline, 50, washerwoman; children Sam Jr., 24, George, 21, Emma, 19, and Minnie, 10; and daughter-in-law Fannie, 23, washerwoman. All but Fannie were born in North Carolina.

In the 1910 census of Bulloch County, Georgia: farmer Sam Hall, 65; wife Caroline, 63; son-in-law John Kennedey, 31; daughter Maria, 19; and their children Pearl, 2, and John, 3 months.

  • Esther Hall

In the 1860 census of Davis district, Wayne County, James Yelverton [Jr.], 40, shared a household with Hester Hall, 20, and her children Fanny, 7, and Puss, 5. [Yelverton was the father of Esther’s sister Nicey Caroline’s first child, Susianna Frances Hall, alias Yelverton.]

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As to the children Lucy Hall sheltered other than her own, Alford, John, Rhoda, Julia, and Reuben were the children of Julia Artis and Reuben Pettiford. The couple apparently did not marry until after they had had about ten children together, exposing the children to involuntary apprenticeship as “baseborn,” i.e. born out of wedlock. In 1850, they, like Lucy Hall’s children the following year, were apprenticed to William J. Exum, the white man on whose farm they lived. Curiously, in the 1850 census, the children are also listed with their parents and siblings 70 miles away in Warren County, North Carolina: stonemason Reuben Pettiford, 30; wife Judy A., 37; children Eliza, 21, Alfred, 15, Jack, 13, Rhody, 12, Reuben Jr., 10, Julian, 9, and Mary Artis, 7, and Elizabeth J., 5, and Virginia Pettiford, 3; [Julia’s mother] Middy Artis, 60; and Isah Artis, 4 months.

In 1860, the family — by then all using the surname Pettiford — was intact in Halifax County. Per Freedmen’s Bureau records, Alfred and Jack Pettiford were in Plymouth, Washington County, during the Civil War, and other family members followed.

Note that the Alford Artis who appears in Wilson County records by 1880 is not the same man as Alford Artis alias Pettiford:

  • Alford [Alfred] Artis

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm worker Alford Artis, 45; wife Eliza, 40; and children Luvinia, 18, John, 16, Edwin, 14, Lee, 10, George, 9, Lila, 8, Frank, 5, Delia, 2, Marcellus, 10 months, and Annie, 2.

In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Alfred Artis, 69; wife Liza, 68; son Patrick, 16; and grandchildren Jennie E. Artis, 14, and Luther Best, 13.

In the 1910 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: laborer Alfred Artis, 80, widower.

William Frank Artis died 27 November 1949 in Black Creek township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 10 May 1876 in Wilson County to Alfred Artis and Eliza Artis; was married; and was a farmer. [Note that his Social Security application listed his parents as Alford Artis and Eliza Felton.]

Lila Reid died 22 April 1953 in Fremont, Wayne County, N.C. Per her death certificate, she was born 25 March 1870 in Greene County, N.C., to Alfred Artis and Liza Artis; was the widow of Frank Reid; and was buried in Hooks Grove Cemetery.

Of Rufus Lane, we know only that he was bound out multiple times in Wayne County — to James Forehand in 1837, to Joel Lane in 1836, and to William Exum in 1837.

The obituary of Lady Mae Massey.

Wilson Daily Times, 25 April 1950.

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On 14 March 1926, Ladie May Patrick, 21, daughter of Dolphus and Lela Patrick, married Joe Thomas, 25, son of Tom and Della Thomas, in Wilson.

On 23 July 1938, Lady Mary Mae Patrick, 34, of Wilson County, daughter of Paul McDowell and Lela Patrick, married Thomas Massey, 45, of Wilson County, son of Richard and Liddie McDowell, in Nash County, N.C.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Lela Patrick, 55, tobacco stemmer; brother Luther Blue, 51, farm laborer; mother Catherine Blue, 78, widow; lodger Thomas Mathews, 45, tobacco factory fireman; and his wife Lady M., 35.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 305 Hackney Street, Tom Massey, 52, tobacco factory fireman; wife Lady Mae, 43; daughter Sadie Mae, 12; and mother-in-law Lela Patrick, 65, tobacco stemmer.

Lady Mae Massey died 23 April 1950 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 22 January 1905 in Robeson County, N.C., to Dolphus Patrick and Lela Blue; was married; and lived at 305 Hackney Street.

The obituary of Isaac Kirby of Camden, New Jersey.

Courier-Post (Camden, N.J.), 2 November 1959.

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In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Isaac S. Kirby, 58; wife Mary, 54; and sons Leroy A., 21, William, 14, and Isaac R., 13.

In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer William Kirby, 23; wife Nannie, 20; daughter Fredie M., 5 months; mother Mary, 66, widow; boarder [and brother] Leroy, 32; and brother Ransom, 23.

In 1918, Ransome Kirby registered for the World War I draft in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his registration card, he was born 7 April 1882; lived at “Penn RR Camp,” Butler and Sepviva Streets, Philadelphia; worked as a cook for Pennsylvania Railroad; and his nearest relative was Mary Kirby, Kenly, N.C.

In 1926, Ransome Kirby and Albert Jones married in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

In late 1926, Ransom Kirby’s barbershop was one of eleven homes and businesses raided by Camden police looking for illegal alcohol. He was later acquitted of the charge.

The Courier (Camden, N.J.), 1 December 1926.

In the 1929 Camden, New Jersey, city directory:

In the 1930 census of Lawnside, Camden County, New Jersey: Clarence [sic] Kirby, 40, barber, born in N.C.; wife Alberta, 37, born in Virginia; and son Eugene, 2, born in Pennsylvania.

In the 1940 census of Woodbury, Gloucester County, New Jersey: at 444 South Broad, barber Ramson H. Kirby, 53, and son Eugene, 2.

In 1942, Isaac Ransome Kirby registered for the World War II draft in Gloucester County, New Jersey. Per his registration card, he was born 7 April 1887 in Kenly, N.C.; lived at 438 Mantua Avenue, Woodbury, Gloucester County; his contact was William Kirby, R.F.D. #3, Kenly; and he was self-employed at 438 Mantua Avenue.

In the 1950 census of Woodbury, Gloucester County, New Jersey: widower Isaac Kirby, 60, barbershop proprietor.

Where did they go?: Arkansas death certificates, part 1.
  • Haywood Wesley

Haywood Wesley’s surname was originally Worsley, and he may, in fact, have been born in Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County.

In the 1870 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: farm laborer Elisha Worsley, 25; wife Charity, 22; and sons William, 2, and Haywood, 8 months.

In the 1880 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: farmer Elijah Worsley, 36; wife Charity, 26; and children William, 12, Haywood, 10, John, 9, Mark, 5, Emma, 4, and Henry, 1.

On 2 November 1896, Haywood Westley and Amy Simmons were married in Lafayette County, Arkansas.

In the 1900 census of Brown township, Columbia County, Arkansas: farmer Haywood Wesley, 29; wife Amie, 22; and children W. Henry, 2, and Kaleb, 1.

On 30 March 1905, Haywood Wesley received from the land office at Camden, Arkansas, a 40-acre homestead in the “North East quarter of the South West quarter of Section twenty one of Township nineteen South of Range nineteen West of the Fifth Principal Meridian in Arkansas.”

In the 191o census of Brown township, Columbia County, Arkansas: farmer Haywood Wesley, 44; wife Amie, 34; and children Henry, 13, Caleb, 11, Leona, 6, Viola, 4, and Pharisee, 1.

In the 1920 census of Smackover township, Ouachita County, Arkansas: farmer Haywood Wesley, 50; wife Amie, 44; children Lona, 17, Viola, 14, Pharisee, 12, Mabel, 11, Charity, 7, Elijah, 3, and Annie, 1; and son Henry, 22, and his wife Clyde, 18.

Hayward Wesley died 23 July 1924 in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 27 October 1871 in Wilson, N.C., to Lisha Wesley; was married; lived on Dollarway Road; worked as a merchant; and was buried in Wesley Cemetery.

  • George Scarborough Jr.

In the 1900 census of Richwoods township, Lonoke County, Arkansas: George Scarborough, 47; wife Millie, 37; and children Walter, 16, George, 15, Martin, 11, Charity, 8, Council, 8, Ava Mariah, 6, Jessie, 4, Fannie, 2, and Joseph, 11 months. The oldest four children were born in North Carolina.

On 26 November 1906, George Scarborough, 24, of Cobbs, Lonoke County, married Rachel Scarborough, 17, of Cobbs, Lonoke County, in Lonoke County, Arkansas.

George Orange Scarborough registered for the World War I draft in 1918 in Lonoke County. Per his registration card, he was born 25 January 1884; lived on Route 2, Scott township, Lonoke County; farmed for Smith Daniels; and his contact was Rachel Scarborough.

In the 1920 census of Walls township, Lonoke County, Arkansas: on Community Road, George Scarborough, 36; wife Rachel, 30; and children James, 11, Berthrie, 9. Other, 5, Elsie, 3, and Ugine, 21 months.

George Scarborough Jr. died 22 May 1926 in Lonoke County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 22 March 1885 in Wilson, N.C., to George Scarborough and Millie [illegible]; was married to Rachel Scarborough; worked as farmer; and was buried in Hickory Grove Cemetery.

  • Elizabeth Daniels and William Henry Daniels Sr.

On 24 December 1879, Henry Daniel, 33, married Elizabeth Lassiter, 24, at E. Lassiter’s in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Speights Bridge township, Greene County, N.C.: Henry Daniel, 35; wife Elizabeth, 26; and son Lovejoy, 2.

In the 1900 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: Henry Daniels, 55; Elizabeth, 46; and children William H., 17, Matilda A., 15, Mary J., 13, and Rice B., 7. (The eldest three children were born in N.C.)

In the 1910 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: Henry Daniels, 66, odd jobs laborer; wife Bettie, 57; and children Henry, 27, street laborer, and Matilda, 10.

On 3 March 1912, W.H. Daniel married Willie Floyd in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas.

In the 1920 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: Henry Daniels, 78; wife Elizabeth, 65; daughter Mary Webb, 30; and grandchildren Ulus, 10, Felton, 9, Loise E., 8, and Mary Webb, 3. Next door: W. Henry Daniels, 38; wife Willie, 32; and children Justine, 6, Thurburd, 4, Rosabelle, 3, and Doretha, 7 months.

Lewis Henry Daniels died 30 May 1920 in Pine Bluff. Per his death certificate, he was 79 years old; was married; was born in North Carolina; was “bright” colored [i.e. very light-skinned]; and lived at 500 East 17th Street. W.H. Daniel was informant. The cause of death: “operation of the eye and heart troubles.” Contributing factor: “Old cival war Soldier.”

Elizabeth Daniels died 10 December 1928 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Per her death certificate, she was 74 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C.; and was a widow.

In the 1930 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: William H. Daniels, 56; wife Willie L., 40; and children Justine L., 16, Turland, 14, Rosebell, 12, Doratha, 10, Henry W., 8, Zeratha, 4, Julda V., 3, Floyd, 2, and Eloise, 1.

In the 1940 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: Wm. H. Daniels, 56; wife Willie M., 52; children Dorotha, 19, Wm. Henry Jr., 17, Zereta, 14, Floyd, 13, Eloise, 11, Robert, 9; and father[-in-law] Robert Floyd, 83.

In 1942, William Henry Daniels registered for the World War II draft in Jefferson County, Arkansas. Per his registration, he was born 23 September 1881 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 506 East 17th, Pine Bluff, Arkansas; his contact was Mrs. Willie F. Daniels; and he worked for Cotton Belt R.R.

William Henry Daniels Sr. died 25 November 1945 in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 September 1880 in Wilson, N.C., to Lewis Henry Daniels and Elizabeth Lassiter; was married to Willie L. Daniels; and worked as a laborer.

  • D.L. Armstrong

On 2 December 1866, Isaac Armstrong and Laura Armstrong were married in Edgecombe County, N.C.

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Isac Armstrong, 30; wife Laura, 24; and children Wiley, 10, Lilly, 8, and Lucy, 4.

In the 1900 census of Portland township, Ashley County, Arkansas: farmer Isaac Armstrong, 50; wife Laura, 47; and children William, 29, David L., 18, Mary B., 11, James G., 13, and Viola, 10. All but Viola were born in N.C.

In the 1910 census of Portland township, Ashley County, Arkansas: farmer Isaac Armstrong, 60; wife Laura, 57; and daughter Viola, 17. Next door: William Armstrong, 41; wife Elnora, 27, plus sister-in-law Rosie Nimmer, 17.

On 16 February 1915, David L. Armstrong, 22, married Maggie Rollend, 18, in Ashley County, Arkansas.

In 1918, David Leslie Armstrong registered for the World War I draft in Jefferson County, Arkansas. Per his registration card, he was born 18 May 1882; lived in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; worked as a boilermaker helper for Cotton Belt Railway; and his nearest relative was Maggie Armstrong.

In the 1920 census of Portland township, Ashley County, Arkansas: farmer Isaac Armstrong, 74, and wife Laura, 67. Next door: William Armstrong, 50; wife Elnora, 35; and children James D., 8, Isaac and Inez, 6, Simmie, 4, and Percy, 1.

In the 1920 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: David Armstrong, 38, car shops laborer; wife Maggie, 32; and children Casseitty, 12, Dorothy, 10, Laura, 8, Willie, 6, Leonard, 3, and Nettie, 5 months.

Isaac Armstrong died 24 March 1926 in Portland township, Ashley County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1876 [sic] in North Carolina to Fremon[?] Armstrong and Violet Brizle; was married; and worked as a farmer.

D.L. Armstrong died 25 February 1930 in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was 47 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Isaac Armstrong and Laura Armstrong; was married to Maggie Armstrong; lived at 2206 Reed Street; and worked as a laborer.

  • Dora Barnes

Per her death certificate, Dora Barnes was born in Alabama, perhaps as her parents migrated from Wilson County to a new home in Arkansas.

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Sherod Barnes, 67, and children Rosa A., 22, Shepard, 17, Harry, 15, Warren, 13, Harriet, 10, Haywood, 6, and Hec Barnes, 19.

On 23 December 1883, Warren Barnes, 23, married Delaney Ann Ruffin, 18, in Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Owen township, Saline County, Arkansas: farm laborer Warren Barnes, 45; wife Anna, 34; and children William, 15, Dora, 14, Mary, 12, John, 10, Adline, 8, Ida, 7, Joda, 5, Carrie, 4, Lula, 1, and Walter, 5 months.

In the 1910 census of Live Oak township, Drew County, Arkansas: Warren Barnes,

Dora Barnes died 7 March 1914 in Winchester, Live Oak township, Drew County, Arkansas. Per her death certificate, she was 28 years old; was born in Alabama to Warren Barnes of Wilson County, N.C., and Annie Ruffins of North Carolina; and was single.

In the 1920 census of Live Oak township, Drew County, Arkansas: Warren Barnes, 60; wife Annie, 55; and daughters Mary, 30, Betta, 12, Artea, 10, and Ottea, 9. (Warren, Annie, and Mary were born in N.C.) Next door: John Barnes, 30; wife Marie, 30; and children Hermon, 9, Walter, 7, Carrie, 5, Jenneta, 3, and Lillian, 1. (John and Marie were born in N.C.)

Warren Barnes died 19 September 1937 in Winchester, Live Oak township, Drew County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 20 November 1860 in North Carolina to Isia Barnes; was married to Annie Barnes; and was a farmer.

  • William Davis

In 1869, Stephen Moore, son of Stephen and Jinsy Moore, married Rhoda Anderson, daughter of Lee and Olif Anderson, in Wilson County, North Carolina.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Stephen Moore, 23; wife Rodah, 23; and Lazarus, 8 months.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Rhoda Moore, 30, and children Lazarus, 10, Peter, 8, and Nelly, 4.

On 27 December 1899, John Davis and Nellie Moore married in Ashley County, Arkansas.

In the 1900 census of Portland township, Ashley County, Arkansas: farmer John Davis, 24, and wife Nellie, 23.

In the 1910 census of Portland township, Ashley County, Arkansas: farmer John Davis, 37; wife Nellie, 34; and children Lucy, 15, Lenard, 7, Johnny Jr., 4, Janie, 5, Jesse, 2, and Roda, 5 months. The parents were born in N.C., the first four children in Louisiana, and the last two in Arkansas.

Ida Jenkins died 29 December 1921 in Helena, Phillips County, Arkansas. Per her death certificate, she was 36 years old; was born in North Carolina to Stephen Moore and Rhoda [no maiden name]; was married; and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Helena, Arkansas.

William Davis died 19 November 1926 in Portland township, Ashley County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 6 January 1903 in Monroe, Louisiana, to John Davis and Nellie Moore, both of Wilson, North Carolina.

Lucille Caldwell died 4 April 1980 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Per her death certificate, she was born 21 November 1891 in Louisiana to John Davis and Nellie Moore; was widowed; had worked as a nurse’s aide; and was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.

Where did they go?: Washington obituaries.
  • Georgia Jiles

In the 1880 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: Wesley Tayborne, 30; wife Madora, 23; and Martha, 6 months.

The Taborns joined the exodus to Arkansas circa 1891, settling in Saint Francis County,

In the 1900 census of Telico township, Saint Francis County, Arkansas: Wesley Taborn, 47; wife Dora, 43; children Henrietta, 20, Arnie, 18, Lula, 16, Claudia, 13, Georanna, 10, Hattie, 7, and Walter, 1; and boarder Robert Lucas, 46. All were born in North Carolina except Hattie and Walter, who were born in Arkansas.

In the 1920 census of Wynne township, Cross County, Arkansas: Arlie Taborne, 45; sister Gergia, 24; daughter Hattie, 22; daughter Grattice, 2; son Herman, 2; and uncle Robert Lucas, 63. The two children were born in Arkansas; everyone else in North Carolina.

1939 Seattle, Washington city directory.

The Northwest Enterprise (Seattle, Wash.), 6 January 1940.

In the 1940 census of Seattle, King County, Washington: at 1534 – 23rd Avenue, widow Hattie B. Lewis, 43; son Herman L. Lewis, 22; sister Georgia Jiles, 45; nephew Grattis T. Scott, 22; niece Alberta Morrow, 23; and nephew Millard Morrow, 23. All but the Morrows reported they had been in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1935.

Georgia Jiles died 10 February 1956 in Seattle, King County, Washington. Per her death certificate, she was born 20 October 1896 in Wilson, N.C., to Westley Taborn and Dora Jones; was a widow; lived at 1615 – 20th Avenue; and was buried in Washelli Cemetery.

  • Mancie Gaston

In the 1900 census of Town of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Pender Street, barber and plasterer George W. Gaston, 44, wife Cilla, 44, a cook; and children Rosco, 18, bricklayer; John, 16, common laborer; Georgia, 15, cook; Addar, 12, nurse; Nina, 11, nurse; Mancy, 6; Lacy, 6; Augustas, 6; Boston, 1; and Dewey, 6 months.

In the 1910 census of Town of Elm City, Wilson County: on Wilson Street, barber George Gaston, 55, wife Priscilla, 53; and children Roscoe, 28, barber; John, 26, barber; Georgie, 25; Ada, 23, teacher; Nina, 21; Mancie, 17; Augustus, 16; Flossy, 16; Boisy, 14; Dewey, 9; and Lee J. Gaston, 7.

In 1917, Mancie Gaston registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 10 June 1892 in Elm City; lived in Elm City; worked as a barber for G.A. Gaston; and was single.

World War I service card for Mancie Gaston.

1922 Wilson, N.C., city directory.

Dewey Gaston, 23, son of George and Priscilla Gaston, married Mary B. Howard, 24, daughter of Mary E. Darden, on 8 March 1923 in Tarboro, Edgecombe County. Witnesses were Mancie Gaston and Fannie F. Ricks of Elm City.

Around 1930, Gaston headed west, living briefly in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before moving on to Reno, Nevada.

1931 Albuquerque, New Mexico, city directory.

In the 27 October 1932 edition of the Reno Evening Gazette, Mancie Gaston was listed as a registered voter in Washoe County, Nevada. He spent an eventful few years in the state before relocating to Seattle, Washington.

Reno Evening Gazette, 25 January 1933.

Nevada State Journal (Reno, Nev.), 4 February 1936.

In the 1940 census of Seattle, King County, Washington: at 121 Maynard Avenue [a single-room occupancy dwelling], Mancie Gaston, 47, W.P.A. laborer.

In 1942, Mancie Gaston registered for the World War II draft in Seattle. Per his registration card, he was born 10 June 1892 in Elm City, North Carolina; lived at 413 1/2 Maynard Avenue, Seattle; and worked for I.D. Dudley [white barber Isaac D. Dudley], 609 Jackson, Seattle.

At the time he registered for the draft, Gaston lived in Seattle’s Chinatown. This 12 May 1941 photo, courtesy of the Seattle Times Archives, depicts a funeral procession in the block of Maynard, between Jackson and King, that he lived in.

In the 9 June 1943 issue of The Northwest Enterprise, Mancie Gaston is listed as a paid member during a N.A.A.C.P. membership drive.

Mancie Gaston died 7 August 1946 in Seattle, King County, Washington. Per his death certificate, he was born 10 June 1892 in Elm City, N.C., to George Gaston and Priscilla Mercer; lived at 613 1/2 Jackson Street; was a widower; worked as a barber; was a veteran; and was returned to Elm City for burial.