Migration

Funeral Program Friday: Fred Stokes.

Fred Stokes‘ funeral program lists his place of birth as “Nash County, Wilson, North Carolina.”

Which was it?

Nash County, but probably the far southeast part of the county, bordering Wilson County. So I feature it here anyway.

The Stokes family migrated to Montgomery County, Georgia, between 1888 and 1892.

1900 census of Lothair township, Montgomery County, Georgia.

Funeral Program for Fred Stokes, African American Funeral Programs, Willow Hill Heritage & Renaissance Center, Bulloch County, Georgia,
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/willowhillheritage-obituaries/11099

Where did they go?: Illinois death certificates, part 2.
  • Joseph J. Powell

Joseph J. Powell died 14 June 1925 in Chicago, Illinois. Per his death certificate, he was about 55 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Rosie Horton; was an unemployed waiter; and was married to Julia Powell.

In the 1900 census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois: at 1912 Dearborn Street, hotel waiter Joseph Powell, 30, and wife Julia, 24.

In the 1910 census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois: at 4717 Dearborn Street, restaurant waiter Joseph Powell, 40, and wife Julia, 30, plus boarders.

  • George Williams

George Williams died 18 December 1938 in Chicago, Illinois. Per his death certificate, he was born in Wilson, N.C.; was single; and was a foundry laborer.

  • Archie Woodard

Archie Woodard died 19 March 1936 in Chicago, Illinois. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 April 1873 in Wilson, N.C., to Marshall Woodard; was married; and worked as a janitor.

  • Addie Wynn

Addie Wynn died 11 December 1919 in Chicago, Illinois. Per her death certificate, she was born 18 November 1889 in Wilson, N.C., to Gid Richardson and Mildred Moore and was married to Ernest Winn.

In the 1900 census of Mannings township, Nash County: Gid Richardson, 44; wife Milbra, 30; and children Joshua, 8, John, 3, and Mary, 5 months.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Mildred Richardson, 37, widow, and daughters Addie, 10, and Gertrude, 8.

On 12 September 1915, Ernest Wynn, 21, of Wilson, married Ada May Richardson, 18, in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister A.L.E. Weeks performed the ceremony in the presence of J.L. Brooks, Lizzie Whitfield, and Lorena Gregg.

Ernest Richard Wynn was born in Wilson in 1916 to Ernest Wynn and Addie M. Richardson.

Jesse Willard Wynn was born in Wilson in 1917 to Ernest Wynn and Addie M. Richardson.

  • William H. Armstrong

William H. Armstrong died 28 January 1941 in Chicago, Illinois. Per his death certificate, he was born 20 August 1877 in Wilson, N.C., to Jac Armstrong and Elver Sharp; worked as a laborer; was married to Sallie; and was buried in Coahoma, Mississippi.

Mattie L. Robinson died 12 March 1921 in Danville, Vermilion County, Illinois. Per her death certificate, she was born 16 September 1884 in Wilson, N.C., to Henry Ward and Sallie Forbes and was married to J.W. Robinson.

The Scarboroughs migrate to Oklahoma and Illinois via Arkansas.

Ned Scarborough married Beda Thompson on 24 August 1866 in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Ned Scarborough, 23; wife Obedience, 18; and children Rufus, 3, and Ida, 1.

In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: laborer Ned Scarboro, 35; wife Bedie, 27; and children Rufus, 14, Lida, 11, Jinnie, 8, Polly, 6, Martha, 3, and Penny, 1.

In the 1910 census of Tullahassee township, Wagoner township, Oklahoma: Ned Scarbough, 63; wife Beaty, 60; and children Bessy, 18, and Willie, 15. Willie was born in Arkansas; the others in North Carolina.

Tulsa World, 14 June 1912. 

In the 1920 census of Porter township, Wagoner County, Oklahoma: Pat Heron, 46; wife Bessie, 26; sons Henry, 15, and Gabe M., 14; daughter Lady B., 12; stepdaughter Esty Lee, 8; and son Fred, 4.

Tulsa Tribune, 6 April 1925.

Ida James died 2 August 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. Per her death certificate, she was 37 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Ned and Beedee Scarborough of Wilson; was married to Henry; and was a housewife.

Per the U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index 1936-2007, Bessie Scarbouth Heron was born 16 May 1897 [sic] in North Carolina to Ned Scarbouth and Bedie Thomas

Where did they go?: Illinois death certificates, part 1.

These death certificates suggest that most pre-Great Migration migrants from Wilson County to Chicago had spent a decade or two in Lower Mississippi Valley states.

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  • Nathan Fields

Nathan Fields died 7 June 1929 in Chicago, Illinois. Per his death certificate, he was 63 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Nathan Fields Sr.; worked as laborer; and was buried in Wilson.

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In the 1920 census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois: at 3857 State Street, Fountain Thurman, 51, apartment janitor, and roomer Nathan P. Fields, 53, packing company laborer.

  • Samuel Ellis

Samuel Ellis died 19 December 1943 in Chicago, Illinois. Per his death certificate, he was about 67 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Wisdom Ellis; was married to Nancy; and worked as a junker.

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On 4 February 1888, Wisdom Ellis, 46, son of Strickmore and Jane Ellis, married Mima Fields, 47, daughter of Rachel Fields, at Wisdom Ellis’ house in Wilson. Free Will Baptist minister Solomon Arrington performed the ceremony.

In the 1940 census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois: at 4104 Wabash, Samuel Ellis, 64, born in N.C.; wife Nancy, 42, born in Mississippi; and three lodgers.

  • Babe James

Babe James died 16 March 1932 in Chicago, Illinois. Per his death certificate, he was 49 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Berry James; was married to Annie; and worked as a building wrecker.

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In the 1930 census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois: at 1619 Ashland, owned and valued at $4000, Babe James, 45, born in S.C.; wife Annie, 39, born in Georgia; and children Lurenda, 15, and John, 13, both born in Florida.

  • Ida James

Ida James died 2 August 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. Per her death certificate, she was 37 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Ned and Beedee Scarborough of Wilson; was married to Henry; and was a housewife.

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In the 1870 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Ned Scarborough, 23; wife Obedience, 18; and children Rufus, 3, and Ida, 1.

In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: laborer Ned Scarboro, 35; wife Bedie, 27; and children Rufus, 14, Lida, 11, Jinnie, 8, Polly, 6, Martha, 3, and Penny, 1.

  • Arthur Tart

Arthur Tart died 17 December 1928 in Chicago, Illinois. Per her death certificate, she was born 29 June 1891 in Wilson, N.C., to John Tart of Wilson, N.C.; and was married to Carneelia.

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In the 1917, Arthur Tart registered for the World War I draft in Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana. Per her registration card, he was born 29 July 1892 in Wilson, N.C.; lived in DeQuincy, Louisiana; worked as a brakeman for Gulf Coast Line R.R.; and had a wife and child.

In the 1920 census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois: at 2558 Park Avenue, Arthur Tart, 28, car shop laborer, born in N.C.; wife Cornelia, 30, sewing, born in Mississippi; and daughter Genieve, 8, born in Mississippi.

Lucile Tart was born 17 September 1921 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, to Arthur Tart, born about 1891, and Cornelia Tart, born about 1890.

Vivian Arthur May Tart was born 23 November 1922 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, to Arthur Tart, born 1889 in Wilson, N.C., and Cornelia Campbell, born 1889 in Jackson, Mississippi.

In the 1930 census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois: at 2713 Fulton Street, widow Cornelia Tart, 40, and children Geneva, 18, Lucile, 8, Vivian, 7, Arthur, 5, David, 4, and Beatric, 1. The five younger children were born in Illinois.

  • Jessie Taylor

Jessie Taylor died 15 August 1939 in Bremen township, Cook County, Illinois. Per her death certificate, she was born 30 September 1903 in Wilson, N.C., to a father whose last name was Taylor and a mother whose last name was Bailey; and was the widow of a Taylor.

  • Mary Minor

Mary Minor died 4 June 1943 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Per her death certificate, she was born about 1875 in Wilson, N.C., to Louis Barnes; and was the widow of Mose Minor.

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On 27 April 1897, Mary Lester, 24, married Moses Minor, 27, in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas.

In the 1900 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: fisherman Moses Minor, 33; wife Mary, 28; and son Isom, 7 months.

Pine Bluff Daily Graphic, 13 May 1904.

In the 1920 census of Kimbrough township, Lincoln County, Arkansas: farmer Mose Minor, 55; wife Mary, 48; and children Roberta, 15, Rosa, 10, Mose Jr., 13, and Joseph, 9. All were born in Arkansas except Mary, who was born in North Carolina.

Illinois Deaths and Sillbirths Index 1916-1947, http://www.ancestry.com.

Where did they go?: Washington, D.C., death certificates.

Washington, D.C., was a popular destination for eastern North Carolina migrants. These death certificates primarily record deaths of African-Americans who left Wilson County before the Great Migration.

  • William Anderson Pridgeon

William Anderson Pridgeon died 26 June 1896 in Washington, D.C., at 73 H Street N.E. Per his death certificate, he was ten months old; colored; born in Wilson, North Carolina; had lived in Washington, D.C., for two weeks; and both his parents were born in North Carolina.

  • George Barnes

George Barnes died 17 November 1906 in Washington, D.C., at Washington Asylum Hospital. Per his death certificate, he was 30 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C. to parents born in Wilson; was married; and worked as a laborer.

  • Eva Vailes

Eva Vailes died 4 March 1918 in Washington, D.C., at 1116 Minnesota Avenue, N.E. Per her death certificate, she was 4 years, 2 months, 3 days old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to parents born in Wayne County and Wilson County, N.C.; and had lived in Washington for 18 months.

  • James H. Ellis

James H. Ellis died 17 March 1919 in Washington, D.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 30 April 1869 in Wilson, N.C., to Bob Ellis; was married to Emma Ellis; lived at 1331 You Street, N.W.; worked as a barber; and was buried in Harmony Cemetery. Mother-in-law Mollie Huff was informant.

In the 1915 Washington, D.C., city directory: Ellis Jas H barber 901 U St h 905 U St

  • Sarah Best Young

Sarah Young died 25 February 1923 in Washington, D.C. Per her death certificate, she was 28 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Daniel Best; lived at 1027 Fourth Street, N.W.; was married to Henry Young; had lived in D.C. two years; and was buried in Wilson, N.C. [probably, in Vick Cemetery.]

  • Joe Perry

Joe Perry died 23 April 1924 in Washington, D.C., at Freedmen’s Hospital. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1905 in Wilson, N.C., to Edward Perry and Nancy Smith; worked as a elevator operator; was single; had lived in D.C. 19 years; and was removed to the Anatomical Board.

  • Alexander Moore

Alexander Moore died 18 February 1930 in Washington, D.C., in Freedmen’s Hospital. Per his death certificate, he was 42 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Lawrence Moore and Vina [no maiden name]; lived in Fairmount Heights, Maryland; was a widower; was an ex-soldier; and was buried in Baltimore, Maryland. Informant was sister Delia Moore, Baltimore.

On 23 January 1873, Lawrence Moore, 30, married Vina Moore, 25, in Wilson County. “Col’d minister” London Johnson performed the ceremony.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Lawrence Moore, 38; wife Viny, 25; and children Lee, 16, Nellie, 13, Esther and Delah Ann, 10, John, 7, David, 5, and Austin, 2.

In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Lawrence Moore, 50, widower, and children Branie, 20, Joseph, 12, Alexandrie, 8, and Charlie, 6.

On 5 July 1913, Delia Moore, 30, born in North Carolina to Lawrence and Venie Moore, married Amos D. Moore, 31, born in North Carolina to Anthony and Mary Moore, in Danville, Virginia.

Washington, District of Columbia, Death Certificates 1874-1931, http://www.ancestry.com

R.A. and Matilda Daniels Givens of Muskogee, Oklahoma.

We’ve met L. Henry Daniels and Elizabeth Lassiter Daniels, who joined the migration from Wilson County to Arkansas with their eldest children around 1890.

In the 1900 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: day laborer Henry Daniels, 55; wife Elizabeth, 46; and children William H., 17, Matilda A., 15, Mary J., 15, and Rice B., 7. All were born in North Carolina except the youngest child.

On 26 May 1904, Matilda Daniels, 19, married R.A. Givens, 30, in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas. Within months, the Givenses relocated to Muskogee, Indian Territory [now Oklahoma], where Rufus A. Givens opened a jewelry and watchmaking business and blitzed the local Black press with advertising.

Muskogee Cimeter, 28 July 1904. 

Muskogee Cimeter, 22 September 1904. 

Muskogee Cimeter, 23 February 1905. 

Muskogee Cimeter, 4 May 1905.

The Muskogee Unionist, 23 June 1905.

Muskogee Cimeter, 17 August 1905.

Muskogee Cimeter, 9 November 1905.

Muskogee Phoenix, 11 January 1906.

Muskogee Cimeter, 28 February 1908.  

In the 1910 census of Muskogee, Porter township, Muskogee County, Oklahoma: at 124 South 2nd Street, Rufus A. Givens, 36, jeweler in own shop; wife Matilda, 35; and children Thelma, 5, Mable E., 4, Neomia Y., 3, and son Rufus P., 1. [Curiously, Matilda’s age is off (she was about 25), and her birthplace is listed as Kentucky, though her parents’ was North Carolina.]

Creek Baptist Herald, 4 January 1912.

In the 1912 Muskogee, Oklahoma, city directory: Givens Rufus A (Matilda A) c[olored] silver smith res Lincoln Add

By 1916, the Givenses had opened an eponymous hotel near the Midland Valley Railroad Depot in downtown Muskogee.

The Muskogee Tattler, 29 July 1916.

The Muskogee Tattler, 5 August 1916.

In 1918, Rufus Adolphus Givens registered for the World War I draft in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Per his registration card, he was born 24 February 1874; lived at 703 Dunbar Avenue, Muskogee; was a self-employed watchmaker at 226 Elgin, Muskogee; and his contact was Matilda Givens.

The Tulsa Star, 2 February 1918.

In the 1930 census of Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma: at 1103 South 2nd Street, rented for $17/month, Rufus A. Givens, 54, jewelry shop proprietor; wife Matilda, 43; daughter Mable Robins, 23, and granddaughter Juanita Robins, 3; and children Neoma, 20, Rufus Jr., 18, shoe repair apprentice, Lillian, 15, Earl, 11, and Arthuree, 7.

Rufus Adolphus Givens died about 1933.

Arthuree Matilda Daniels Givens died 23 December 1963 in Muskogee.

Many thanks to Thelma Simmons for the tip about her ancestors Matilda and Rufus Givens!

The Rountrees attend a party.

Asbury Park Press, 25 September 1913.

We learned in Wilson County native William Rountree‘s obituary that he was a long-time Sunday School superintendent at Mount Pisgah Baptist Church in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Here, Rountree, his wife Fannie Best Rountree, the Misses Rountree (probably daughters Viola, Ethel, and Virginia Rountree), and son William Rountree Jr. attended a going-away party for Anna Jones. Jones was on her way to Princess Anne College, which is now University of Maryland Eastern Shore.

The Rountrees sell out.

Having joined the Great Migration north, in 1903 William and Fannie Best Rountree sold the property William inherited from his father Warren Rountree. The Rountrees settled first in Philadelphia, then moved to Asbury Park, New Jersey, around 1904.

Deed Book 68, page 224, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson, N.C.

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In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Orren Best, 31, wife Hansey, 31, and children James, 9, Oscar, 6, George, 4, Fannie, 2, and Hattie, 3 months.

In the 1880 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Alfred Woodard, 50; wife Sarah, 45; children Florence, 28, Mary, 22, Howell, 18, Sarah E., 16, Zilly A., 17, Lundon, 13, Minnie, 12, Willie, 10, Josephine, 7, and Evvy, 4; and grandchildren Elizabeth, 7, Robt. B., 5, and John H. Bynum, 4. [Willie and Josephine were Alfred Woodard’s stepchildren. Their father Warren Rountree died in 1871, and Alfred Woodard’s wife Harriet Woodard Woodard soon after. On 13 February 1873, Alfred Woodard married Warren Rountree’s widow Sarah Woodard Rountree, who was his first wife’s sister.]

On 28 March 1900, Fannie Best, 22, married Willie Rountree, 28, at Orren Best’s house. Minister R.S. Rives performed the ceremony in the presence of Levi James, Fred Vastenable and Martha Vastenable.

In the 1900 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farm laborer Willie Rountree, 29, and wife Fannie, 22. 

In the 1910 census of Asbury Park, Monmouth County, New Jersey: at 1310 Springwood Avenue, William Roundtree, 38, born N.C., odd jobs laborer; wife Fannie, 32, born N.C.; children Viola, 9, born N.C., Ethel, 6, born Pennsylvania, and Virginia, 5, born New Jersey; and boarders Henry Dixon, 49, and Edna Williams, 3.

In the 1915 state census of Asbury Park, Monmouth County, New Jersey: at 8 Borden Avenue, mail carrier William Roundtree, 45; wife Fanny, 37; children Viola, 14, Ethel, 11, Virginia, 10, and William Jr., 4; and boarders Richard M. Brooks, 43, and William Vance, 22.

In the 1920 census of Asbury Park, Monmouth County, New Jersey: hotel waiter William Rountree, 49; wife Fannie, 46; children Ethel, 16, Virginia, 14, and William Jr., 9; and lodgers Bertha Bess, 32, and Arthur Green, 12.

Asbury Park, New Jersey, city directory (1922).

In the 1930 census of Asbury Park, Monmouth County, New Jersey: at 8 Borden Avenue, owned and valued at $3000, city laborer William Rountree, 59; wife Fannie, 49; children Ethel, 26, maid, and William Jr., 20, chauffeur; and boarded Lulu Vann, 59, maid.

William W. Roundtree died 16 November 1932 in Asbury Park.

Asbury Park Press, 16 November 1932.

In the 1940 census of Asbury Park, Monmouth County, New Jersey: at 8 Borden Avenue, owned and valued at $2000, widow Fannie Rountree, 62, laundress, and five boarders. 

Fannie Rountree died 2 September 1953 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per her death certificate, she was born 2 February 1876 in Wilson, North Carolina, to Oren Best and Nancy Harper; lived in Asbury Park, New Jersey; was a widow; and was buried in White Ridge Cemetery, Eatontown, New Jersey. Ethel L. Rountree was informant.