A.A. Morisey‘s column Carolina Chronicles reported the surprising news that Camillus L. Darden had been called to jury duty in Wilson County Superior Court.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 24 February 1940.
Newspapers
Butler Jones, juror.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 17 July 1937.
In 1937, an African-American man selected to serve on a Superior Court jury was the stuff of newspaper articles.
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Vick family and friends take a roadtrip.
The Afro-American (Baltimore, Md.), 25 September 1926.
Samuel H. Vick, his daughter Doris Vick, and Vick’s cousin (whom he informally adopted) Bessie Parker Hargrave drove from North Carolina “North” (probably to New Jersey) with Presbyterian minister and educator Clarence Dillard and Eliza Bass, whom I have not identified further.
Funeral of teen held in Wilson.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 1 February 1947.
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On 12 June 1928, tobacco laborer Sylvester Barnes, 28, of Wilson, N.C., son of West Barnes and Ellar Mercer, married Effie Moore, 25, of Wilson, N.C., daughter of Ive Moore and Jennie Evans, in Danville, Virginia. Both were residents of Burlington, North Carolina.
In the 1930 census of Burlington, Alamance County, N.C.: odd jobs laborer Sylvester Barnes, 33; wife Effie, 30; daughter Eloise, 1; and sons Carl Barnes, 15, and Fred Gibson, 14.
Effie Barnes died 3 October 1933 in Burlington, Alamance County, N.C. Per her death certificate, she was born in 1896 in Alamance County to Ive Moore and Jennie Evans; was married; and did domestic work. She was buried in Alamance County.
Sylvester Barnes died 12 October 1936 at the Veterans Administration hospital in Oteen, Buncombe County, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born June 1891 in Wilson to Wesley Barnes and Ella Mercer; was a widower; resided in Wilson; and was buried in Wilson [most likely, Vick Cemetery].
Elouise Watson Barnes died 10 January 1947 at the Wilson County Sanatorium, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 17 years old; was born in Burlington, N.C., to Sylvester Barnes of Wilson and Effie Moore of Burlington; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery. Lucy Watson was informant. [Like both her parents, Eloise Barnes died of pulmonary tuberculosis. A sister, Marion E. Barnes, died two years later.]
Freemans announce daughter’s engagement.
Guard goose.
The Dixie Trotters play ball.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 8 January 1938.
The Dixie Trotters, a semi-pro basketball team, competed in the late 1930s. Player-coach Jack Sherrod led a squad of ten players that included Nat Saunders, Peanut Strickland, Rob Haskins, Thomas Monroe, Jim Pennington, Rat Bynum, Earle Ennis, Chick Lassiter, and Eugene Tennessee.
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- Jack Sherrod
In 1940, Jack Benjamin Sherrod registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 27 October 1912 in Speed, N.C.; lived at 807 East Nash Street, Wilson; his contact was mother Lucy E. Sherrod; and he worked for William Barnes Jr., Cherry Hotel, Wilson. He was 5’11”.
- Nat Saunders
In 1940, Nathaniel Saunders registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 2 December 1914 in Middlesex, N.C.; lived at 102 North East Street, Wilson; his contact was wife Mrs. Nathaniel Saunders; and he worked for T.A. Loving Company, Goldsboro, N.C. He was 5’6″.
- Peanut Strickland
- Rob Haskins
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Robert Haskins, 55, drug company salesman; wife Gertrude, 48; and children Mandy, 36; Elizabeth, 33, cook; Estelle, 29, beauty shop cleaner; Robert D. Jr., 29, hotel kitchen worker; Lossie, 24, N.Y.A. stenographer; and Thomas, 20, barbershop shoeblack; plus granddaughter Delores Haskins, 15, and lodger Henry Whitehead, 21.
In 1940, Robert Douglas Haskins registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 1 June 1913 in Wilson; lived at 1300 Atlantic Street, Wilson; his contact was father Robert Haskins; and he worked for Robert Haskins as a salesman. He was 5’9″.
- Thomas Monroe
- Jim Pennington
- Rat Byrum
- Earle Ennis — Earl E. Ennis.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 904 Viola, rented for $15/month, Maggie Ennis, 45, and children Freeman, 22, barbershop bootblack, Earl, 12, and Hennie, 10, and roomer Julus Barnes, 27, laborer at Hackney body plant.
In 1940, Earl Edward Ennis registered for the World War II draft in Manhattan, New York, New York. Per his registration card, he was born 11 March 1917 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at several addresses in Manhattan; his contact was sister Dolores Ennis; and he worked for Schecter, Strauss, Beckman Inc., Brooklyn, N.Y. He was 6’1″.
- Chick Lassiter
- Eugene Tennessee
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 111 Pender Street, Elizabeth James, 45, nursery school cook; son Randle James, 23, assistant undertaker at Darden Funeral, his wife Ruth, 22, and their daughter Dianne, 1; son Charles, 26, undertaker at Darden Funeral; cousin Eugene Tennessee, 22, field agent for Darden Funeral; and brother Arthur Darden, 40, [occupation illegible.]
In 1940, Eugene Leonard Tennessee registered for the World War II draft in Elizabeth City County, Virginia. Per his registration card, he was born 1 August 1918 in Phoebus, Elizabeth City County, Virginia; lived at 58 West County Street, Phoebus, Elizabeth City County; his contact was mother Artelia Tennessee; and he worked for Newport News Shipyard-Erectors Department, Washington Avenue, Newport News, Virginia. He was 5’7″.
Boston U. awards Davis master’s degree.
Robinson, 85, weds again.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 14 November 1936.
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- Alfred Robinson
- Roland and Julia Davis Winstead — Winstead’s father, Braswell R. Winstead, had been a colleague of Robinson in postal service employment.
Dr. Ward receives honorary degree.
In 1931, Howard University awarded an honorary degree to Dr. Joseph H. Ward, a colonel (and later major) in the United States Army Medical Corps.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 13 June 1931.
Here’s a clearer look at Dr. Ward’s photo:
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 18 July 1925.