Newspapers

Months after migration, teen dies in Philadelphia.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 18 November 1944.

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  • Donnie McNeil and family

In the 1930 census of Bailey township, Nash County, N.C.: John McNeal, 42, laborer “logs wood”; wife Donnie, 24; and children Gertrude, 3, Thelma, 2, and Josephine, 3 months. The family is described as Indian of “mixed blood” or “full blood” descent. [Though described as “Cherokee,” the McNeil family were from Robeson County, North Carolina, and were likely members of the group we know now as Lumbee.]

1930 census, Bailey township, Nash County.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Donnie McNeil, 36, housekeeper; children Gertrude, 14, Thelma, 12, Josephine, 9, and Bernice, 8; and lodger Celma McMillian, 25, housekeeper. All are described as “Neg.”

Bernice McNeil died 2 November 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per her death certificate, she was born 31 December 1930 in Rocky Mount, N.C., to J.C. McNeil and Donnell Hunt, both of Lumberton, N.C.; lived at 1132 West Oxford Street, Philadelphia; and was buried in Wilson, North Carolina.

Bernice McNeil’s burial site was likely in what we now know as Vick Cemetery, though described here as “Rountree cemetery.”

  • Frances Melton

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Thomas Melton, 49, tobacco factory mechanic; wife Frances, 34, tobacco factory sweeper; and daughter Doris, 10.

The obituary of Jadie Thompson.

Wilson Daily Times, 18 November 1950.

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In the 1900 census of Raft Swamp township, Robeson County, N.C.: Calvin Tompson, 37; wife Jennie, 48; and children Nathan, 14, Jadie, 12, Robert, 8, Edna, 5, Lettie, 3, and John C., 1.

In the 1910 census of Pembroke township, Robeson County, N.C.: Calvin Thompson, 43; wife Martha J., 40; children Jadie, 22, Edna, 15, Lettie H., 13, Johnie, 11, Alford, 9, Willie, 4, and Carlie, 2; and sister Rosa 50.

In 1917, Jadie Thompson registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 25 April 1888 in Lowe, N.C.; lived in Lucama, N.C.; was a tenant farmer for Wiley Love; and was single. He signed his card “Jaddie Thompson.”

On 4 May 1918, J.D. Thompson, 29, of Cross Roads, son of Calvin and Jennie Thompson, married Irene Rowe, 17, of Cross Roads, daughter of Ruffin and Piety Rowe, in Wilson County. Missionary Baptist minister C.D. Dew performed the ceremony.

In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Jaddie D. Thompson, 31; wife Jennie, 19; and son Jaddie L., 10 months.

In the 1930 census of Jackson township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer Jadie Thompson, 42; wife Rena, 29; children Jadie, 12, Carrie, 9, Emma, 7, Lonnie, 6, Rosa, 5, and Willard, 9 months; and aunt Rosa Moore, 70.

In the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer J.D. Thompson, 52; wife Rethea, 41; and children Lonnie, 16, Cary, 18, Bessie, 18, Rosamarie, 15; Willard, 9, David, 6, Beatrice, 5, and Pauline, 1.

In 1940, Jadie Lee Thompson registered for the World War II draft in Nash County. Per his registration card, he was born 10 March 1919 in Wilson County; lived on R.F.D. 1, Wilson, Nash County; worked for J.H. Robins; and his contact was Jadie Thompson, R.F.D., Wilson, Wilson County. 

In the 1950 census of Jackson township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer Jadie Thompson, 61; wife Irene, 50; children Carrie, 29, Willard, 19; David, 18; Beatrice, 15; Minnie L., 11; Pauline, 10; and Nathaniel, 6; and sister Edna T. Finch, 49.

Jadie Thompson died 15 November 1950 in Nash County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 April 1888 in Wilson County to Calvin Thompson and Jennie Smith; lived in Wilson County; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Sandy Fork Cemetery.

Negro Library adds bookmobile.

The Wilson County Negro Library added bookmobile service for rural residents in 1950.

Wilson Daily Times, 29 November 1950.

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  • Azalea Cowan 
  • Mateele Gay — Matteele Floyd Gay Robinson. On 2 August 1950 Matteele Floyd, 26, of Wilson County, daughter of Ambrose and Mattie Floyd, married Harold E. Gay, 30, of Wilson County, son of Albert and Annie Bell Gay, in Nash County, N.C.
  • Mary L. Wright — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 625 East Green, Henry Wright, 51, farm mechanic; wife Lelia, 47; and children Mary L., 31, Ethel G., 23, and Roosevelt, 15; and grandchildren James H., 6, and Delois, newborn. 

The McNeil-Russell wedding.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 14 November 1936.

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  • Annie Lee Russell

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Atlantic Street, laborer Jeff Russell, 35; wife Julia, 32; and daughter Annie, 9.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: brickmason James [sic] Russell, 42; wife Julia, 42; daughter Annie, 17; and lodger James E. Amos, 41, public school teacher.

Per their marriage license, on 21 December 1936, Annie Russell, 24, daughter of Jeff and Julia Russell, married James McNeill, 28, son of Bernie and Lacy McNeill, in Wilson. Baptist minister B.F. Jordan performed the ceremony. [Jordan applied for the license on October 21, but the certification he signed at the bottom of the license gives the marriage date as December 21, which is inconsistent with the date of the news article.]

  • James McNeil

 

The obituary of William Hamm.

Wilson Daily Times, 18 November 1950.

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In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: oil mill laborer William Ham, 34; wife Ida B., 33; and children James M. Ham, 18, and Betty J., 7, Willie H., 10, Betty J. [sic], 13, Floris M., 6, Dorothy L., 5, Joyce L., 3, and Matilda Smith, infant. 

William Hamm died 13 November 1950 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 19 April 1917 in Snow Hill, N.C., to C.C. Hamm and H. Best; was married; lived at 514 Smith Street, Wilson; and worked as a laborer. He was buried in Taylor Cemetery, Greene County, N.C.