Migration

Where we worked: resort hotels.

Many young men traveled north for seasonal work at resort hotels in Atlantic City, New Jersey, and the Pennsylvania Poconos.

  • Walter Blount, waiter; Saint Charles Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1917
  • Ernest E. Boyd, waiter; Strand Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1917

Hotel Strand, Atlantic City, N.J. Image courtesy of westjersyhistory.org.

  • Arlando R. Dawson, waiter; Girard Hotel, New York, New York, 1918
  • Charlie Gay, dishwasher; Pennsylvania Assembly Hotel, Pocono Pines, Pennsylvania, 1918

Assembly Lodge, Pocono Pines, Pa. Image courtesy of mrlocalhistory.org.

  • Alexander B. Joyner, chair pusher; Shill Company, Atlantic City New Jersey, 1917
  • Joseph Speight, bellhop; Lorraine Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1918
  • Frank Taylor, porter; Hotel Yarmouth, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1918
  • James T. Taylor, bellhop; Yarmouth Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1917
  • (maybe) William Kelley Cane Thigpen, waiter in kitchen; Johnstown, Pennsylvania, 1917

Darden student returns home for the holidays.

In an era in which black high schools were scarce, and schoolbuses even scarcer, many children in rural eastern North Carolina were forced to leave school after about seventh grade. When interest and resources aligned, however, families boarded their teenaged children with relatives or friends in larger towns.

Aurora is a tiny town in Beaufort County near the mouth of the Pamlico River. It is across and more than 30 miles down river from Washington, the county seat and location of the closest black high school. There was another high school in Pantego, which was closer as the crow flies, but direct travel there involved a ferry ride. Neither option was viable for a daily commute in 1941.

As the brief report below shows, Aurora’s black children dispersed as far as Wilson (90 miles) and Durham (160 miles) to pursue high school educations. Alvina Battle attended Darden High School. She and, apparently, her parents, were Beaufort County natives, so their connection to Wilson is unclear. Certainly, there were closer schools. I assume then, that a close relative had made the move and invited Battle to follow.

Alvina Battle does not appear on a roster of Darden High School graduates.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 4 January 1941.

The obituary of Rosa Lee Kittrell Williams of Nashville, Tennessee.

The Tennesseean (Nashville, Va.), December 1981.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: bricklayer William Kittrell, 36; wife Mary, 30; and daughter Rosa L., 4.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 637 Green, brickmason William H. Kittrell, 45; wife Mary, 42; and daughter Rosa L., 14.

In the 1925 and 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directories: Kittrell Rosa L (c) student h 708 E Green

In the 1938 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Kittrell Rosa L (c) school tchr h 708 E Green

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Julas B. Highsmith, 60, schoolteacher; wife Maggie, 45; niece Ethel Cowan, 19; and boarders Idella McCreary, 27, schoolteacher; Matthew S. Branch, 44, schoolteacher; and Ros L. Kittrell, 24, schoolteacher.

On 6 June 1930, Malcolm D. Williams, 24, of Warsaw, N.C., son of Holley and Martha Williams, married Rosa Lee Kittrell, 24, daughter of Wm. and Mary Kittrell, at 708 Green Street, Wilson. William Hines applied for the license, and Presbyterian minister J.T. Douglas performed the ceremony in the presence of W.H. Kittrell, Mary Kittrell, and H.D. Douglas.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 6xx Green, owned and valued at $3500, Dr. B.O. Barnes, 38, medical doctor; wife Flossie H., 34; and children Helen N., 6, and John H., 3; also, renting at $15/month; teacher M.D. Williams, 30; wife Rosa L., 33,  teacher; daughter Frances E., 9; mother Martha E., 70; and Opie H. Williams, 48, teacher.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 703 Green, Malcolm Williams, 40, supervisor of city public schools; wife Rosa L., 43, “teacher (English)” in city public schools; father-in-law William Kittrell, 79, widower; and lodger Cecil C. Clinton, 26, born in Alabama, primary school teacher.

Where did they go?: Pennsylvania death certificates, no. 9.

The ninth in a series — Pennsylvania death certificates for Wilson County natives:

  • Clifton Brown

Four-month-old Clifton Brown apparently died within months of his parents’ migration to Philadelphia.

  • Marie Fordham

  • Samuel Parker

  • Geraldine Woods

  • Luberta Thompson

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Spring Street, Henderson Adams, 23, woodyard sawyer; wife Lue, 20, factory laborer; and daughter Berta, 3.

In 1917, Henderson Adams registered for the World War I draft in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his registration card, he was born 24 January 1888 in Wilson; lived at 1548 South Capitol Street, Philadelphia; worked as a laborer for Baugh & Son, Front and Morris Streets; and supported a wife and two children.

In the 1930 census of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Simon Sander, 40, painter; wife Louis[e], 39; and stepdaughter Luberta Adams, 22, factory stripper.

In 1931, Albert Thompson and Luberta Adams were married in Philadelphia.

In the 1940 census of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: at 2055 Gerritt Street, Allen Thompson, 36, W.P.A. project foreman, and wife Loberta, 30.

The obituary of Sophia Dawson Artice of Cleveland, Ohio.

The Call and Post (Cleveland, Oh.), 7 June 1952.

Sophia Dawson Artice was another of Alexander D. and Lucy Hill Dawson‘s accomplished children. After graduating Scotia Seminary, she married Jesse A. Artice, but he died less than two years later. Artice taught for decades in Wilson County before migrating to Cleveland, Ohio.

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In the 1900 census of Concord Town, Township #12, Cabarrus County, N.C.: at Scotia Seminary,  student Sophia L. Dawson, 16.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: restaurant cook Alexander Dawson, 50; wife Lucy, 49; and children Sophie, 25, school teacher, Mattie, 23, stenographer, Virginia, 19, school teacher, Lucile, 17, Alexander, 15, Clarence, 13, Augusta, 11, and Arlander, 1.

Also, in the 1910 census of Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia: at Colored Orphans Home, teacher Sophia L. Dawson, 25, born in N.C.

In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Dawson Sophia (c) tchr h 505 E Vance

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: A.D. Dawson, 59, widower, and daughter Sophey Dawson, 28, public school teacher.

On 26 May 1920, Jesse Artis, 37, of Wayne County, son of Jesse and Lucinda Artis, married Sophia Dawson, 30, daughter of A.D. Dawson, in Wilson. Presbyterian minister H.B. Taylor performed the ceremony at 650 East Green Street in the presence of C.L. Darden, F.L. Artice, and Eugene Norman.

Jessie Arthur Artis died 9 March 1922 in Nahunta township, Wayne County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was 39 years old; was born in Wayne County to Jessie Artis and Lucinda Hobbs; worked as a tenant farmer for his mother; and was buried in the “country” by C.H. Darden & Son. Sophia Artis of Wilson was informant.

Sophia Artis is listed in the 1925, 1928, and 1930 Wilson city directories.

Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory (1928).

In the 1950 census of Cleveland, Cuyahoga township, Ohio: Sophia Artice, 64, widow, and Lucy Artice, 38, lodgers.

Where did they go?: Pennsylvania death certificates, no. 8.

The eighth in a series — Pennsylvania death certificates for Wilson County natives:

  • Amanda Merritt

In the 1870 census of Upper Conetoe township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: Salomon Merritt, 18, farm laborer.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County, N.C.: laborer Solomon Merritt, 24; wife Amanda, 23; and Robert, 1.

In the 1900 census of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania: at 1326 Wood Street, hostler Solomon Merritt, 39; wife Amanda, 40; and sons Robert, 20, and Kinney, 16, all born in North Carolina.

1918 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, city directory.

In the 1920 census of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania: at 951 Jessup Street, Amanda Merritt, 57, keeper of lodging house; nephew Earl J. Lane, 18, railroad station elevator operator; niece Nanie Kearney, 18, servant; boarder Lloyd J. Ross, 8; and lodgers Clifford Holtz, 26, lathe machinist at steel works; and Anner Butler, 22, restaurant cook.

Solomon Merritt died 10 April 1926 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was 61 years old; was born in North Carolina; was married to Amanda Merritt; and worked as a driver.

In the 1930 census of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania: at 112 North 59th Street, widow Amanda Merritt, 65; granddaughter Dorthy Maller, 17; Clarence Miller, 23, grandson-in-law; granddaughter Reba Merritt, 12; great-grandson Clarence Miller, Jr.,

In the 1940 census of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania: widow Lulu Langford, 49; granddaughter Lulu Rucker, 16; and lodger Emanda Merritt, 83.

Amanda Merritt died 29 January 1942 in Philadelphia. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 May 1860 in Wilson to Clarssie Taylor; was a widow; and lived at 1604 Seybert Street.

  • Hattie Smith

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Stephens Smith, 40; wife Hattie, 31; and children Essie, 13, Bertie, 7, Mary, 2, and Marvin, 4 months.

In the 1930 census of Enfield township, Halifax County, N.C.: Stephen Smith, 60; wife Hattie, 38; and children Mary L., 12, Marvin, 10, Annie B., 8, Hattie B., 5, and Dorsey L. Smith, 5 months.

Hattie Smith died 24 May 1937 in Philadelphia. Per her death certificate, she was 52 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to William Porter and Louisa Barnes; was married; lived at 611 North 36th Street; and was a housewife. S.B. Smith was informant. [In fact, per census records, Hattie Smith was born in Georgia.]

  • Emma Bunn

In the 1870 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Hilliard Ellis, 43; wife Feribee, 40; and children Caroline, 16, William, 14, George, 11, Emily, 9, Hilliard, 6, Mary H., 4, and Warren, 8 months.

On 8 April 1880, Joshua Bunn, 21, married Emma Hill, 19, in Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Joshua Bunn, 40; wife Emma, 37; daughter Hattie T., 22; son-in-law James Thorpe, 22; lodgers Bettie Lucas, 21, and Calonia Lane, 19; adopted daughter Nora Bunn, 8.

In the 1930 census of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania: at 1819 Van Pelt Street, owned and valued at $1800, Emma Bunn, 65; daughter Hattie Stevens, 46; son-in-law Samuel, 46, laborer for City of Philadelphia; grandchildren Walter, 12, and Joseph Stevens, 6; and several roomers.

  • Theodosia Parker

In the 1910 census of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania: at 1735 Woodstock Street, Henry Parker, 37; wife Charity, 34; and children Leon, 12, and Theodosia, 9; four lodgers; and boarder Samuel Parker, 27. All the Parkers were born in North Carolina.

Theodosia Parker died 31 March 1918 in Philadelphia. Per her death certificate, she was 17 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Henderson Parker and Charity Hunter; lived at 1911 Montgomery Avenue; was a school girl; and was buried in Elm City, N.C.

  • Etta E. Logan

In the 1920 census of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania: at 922 South 17th Street, widow Martha Roundtree, 42, restaurant cook, and daughter Etta Logan, 22.

Etta E. Logan died 17 August 1920 in Philadelphia. Per her death certificate, she was born in 1895 in Wilson, N.C., to Windsor [no surname listed] and Martha Daniel; lived to 922 South 17th Street; and was married. Joseph L. Logan was informant.

Darden completes beauty culture course in New York.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 17 February 1934.

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On 2 July 1925, Arthur Darden, 35, of Wilson, son of Charlie and Dianah Darden, married Olive Blanks, 21, of Wilson, daughter of J.B. and Susan Blanks, in Wilson. C.L. Darden applied for the license, and A.M.E. Zion minister J.E. Kennedy performed the ceremony in the presence of L.A. Moore, C.L. Darden, and V.L. Moore.

1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 109 Stantonsburg Street, Arthur Darden, 38, proprietor of undertaking environment; wife Olive, 21, public school teacher, born in South Carolina; son Charles R., 3; and roomer Estella Williamson, 17.

In the 1940 census of Bronx, New York: at 1324 Prospect Street, Olive Darden, 32, and son Charles, 13, both born in North Carolina.

In 1945, Charles Arthur Darden registered for the World War II draft in Queens, New York. Per his registration card, he was born 11 February 1927 in Wilson, N.C.; he lived at 167-08 111th Avenue, Jamaica, Queens, N.Y.; his contact was mother Olive Darden Edinboro; he was unemployed; and had a scar under his right eye.

The obituary of Hattie Langley Drake.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 14 August 1937.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Jerry Langley, 31, blacksmith at wagon company; wife L., 29; children Hattie, 6, Roswell, 4, Ivery M., 2, and Judge, 6 months; and boarder Frank Bell, 21, dredge boat laborer.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Jarot Langley, 40, blacksmith at wagon factory; wife Lydia, 38; and children Hattie, 15, Thedore, 14, Marie, 12, Carnell, 7, Ruline, 6, Alcestus, 4, and Oris, 2.

On 10 March 1926, Clarence F. Drake, 36, of Wilson, married Hattie Z. Langley, 23, of Wilson, in Wilson. Presbyterian minister Arthur H. George performed the ceremony in the presence of J.J. Langley, M. Porter, and Henry Pots.

1929 Newport News, Virginia, city directory.

In the 1930 census of Newport News, Virginia: barber Clarence F. Drake, 36; wife Hallie [sic] Z., 24; sister-in-law Iris Langley, 11; and nephew Estee Porter, 16.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 13 August 1932.

1933 Newport News, Virginia, city directory.

Daily Press (Newport News, Va.), 28 November 1934.

Hattie Drake died 31 July 1937 in Newport News, Virginia. Per his death certificate, she was 30 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to J.L. Jarrette [sic; Langley] of Pitt County, N.C., and Lelia Savage of Edgecombe County, N.C.; was married to Clarence Drake; and was buried in Wilson.

 

Artis is the first to volunteer.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 5 February 1918.

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We knew Columbus E. Artis migrated from Wilson to Washington, D.C., between 1915 and 1918 and remained just a few years. Now we know what drew him North.

Early in 1918, Artis jumped to respond to a call for volunteer shipbuilders and was lauded as the first to get his application in. Though it is not clear what skills Artis brought to the job — he had been a farm laborer, a grocer, a restaurateur, and an undertaker — he was recognized as “honor man” for his enthusiastic response.