Photographs

The Ruffins bring their produce to market.

Chicago Defender, 19 July 1947.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 19 July 1947.

The Ruffins feature prominently in newspaper articles about successful Black Wilson County farm families. This piece highlights not only the “what” of their success, but the “why” — the education of their children.

As the family lived in the Saratoga area close to the county line and their parents were active in Yelverton Farm and Home Demonstration Clubs, the Ruffin children likely attended Yelverton School. That school, however, went only to seventh or eighth grade. In 1947, the only high schools for Black children in Wilson County were Williamson, near Lucama, and Frederick Douglass in Elm City. The Ruffin children may have boarded with friends or relatives in Wilson to attend Darden High School or may have crossed county lines to attend a closer high school in a neighboring county.

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In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on Howards Path, farmer Jesse Ward, 26; wife Arey, 32; and children William, 14, Walton, 10, Henrietta, 10, Susan, 6, Kizie, 5, and Juanita, 1 month.

In 1918, Charlie James Ruffin registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 22 May 1900; lived at Route #3, Walstonsburg, Greene County, N.C.; farmed for J.R. Eagles; and his nearest relative was Ida Ruffin.

On 25 January 1920, Charlie Ruffin, 21, of Saratoga township, son of Ida Ruffin, married Henretta Moore, 18, of Saratoga township, daughter of Ara Moore. Disciple minister Washington Little performed the ceremony at John Bynum’s residence.

In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Charles Ruffin, 19; wife Henrietta, 19; mother Ida, 50; sister Daisy, 13; and niece Mary, 12.

In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Charles Ruffin, 30; wife Henrietta, 28; and children Bertha, 9, Charlie Jr., 8, James R., 6, Juntia, 2, and Gladis L., 10 months.

In the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Charles Ruffin, 39; wife Henrietta, 38; and children Bertha, 19, Charles, 17, James R., 16, Juanita, 12, Gladys Lee, 10, Christine, 8, Bruce, 7, Bertie Mae, 4, and Curtis, 10 months.

In 1942, Charles James Ruffin registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 12 May 1900 in Wilson; lived at Route 1, Fountain, Saratoga township, Wilson County; and farmed for J.B. Eagles.

In the 1950 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Charles Ruffin, 49; wife Heneretta, 47; and children James, 25, Juanita, 23, Gladys, 20, Christine, 18, Bruce, 17, Bertha M., 14, and Curtis, 10.

Lula Howard goes North to visit.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 1 June 1940.

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In the 1900 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Doctor Farmer, 45; wife Elizabeth, 43; children Loula, 16, William L., 13, Ella E., 12, Emma L., 9, Walter W., 5, and Geneva A., 2; plus, boarder Sarah Parker, 24.

On 28 March 1905, William Howard, 22, of Taylor township, son of Ira and Harriet Howard, married Lula Farmer, 22, of Taylor township, daughter of Dock and Elizabeth Farmer, in Wilson.

In the 1910 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer William Howard, 26; wife Lula A., 26; and children Percy Lee, 3, and Essie May, 11 months.

William Howard died 18 January 1918 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 30 June 1892 in Wilson County to Ira Howard and Harriett Wilkins; was married; and worked as a farmer. Lula Howard of Wilson was informant.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 906 Atlanta [sic] Street, owned and valued at $2000, Lula Howdard [sic], 47; daughter Essie Pender, 22; son-in-law Fred Pender, 24; children Lara, 17, William, 16, Arthur P., 14, and Walter L., 11.

In 1940, William Ira Howard registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 27 October 1913 in Wilson; lived at 906 East Atlantic; his contact was other Lula Annie Howard; and he worked for C.L. Hardy at Service Barber Shop, 113 South Tarboro Street. He “can’t hear out of right ear.”

In 1940, Arthur Poe Howard registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 12 October 1915 in Wilson; lived at 906 Atlanta; his contact was other Lula Anna Howard; and worked for Imperial Tobacco Company.

In 1940, Walter Lenord Howard registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 6 May 1917 in Wilson; lived at 906 Atlanta; his contact was other Lula Anna Howard; and he was unemployed.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 906 Atlanta, widow Lula A. Howard, 66; children Ezzie M., 40; and granddaughter Barbara J., 3.

Lula Howard died 27 May 1959 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 23 November 1883 in Wilson County to Dock Farmer; was the widow of William Howard; and was buried in Howard Cemetery, Wilson County.

The funeral of Ida Ross Clark.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 24 January 1942.

This remarkable photograph captures Ida Ross Clark‘s coffin as it was wheeled from old Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church in January 1942. She was buried in the Masonic Cemetery.

Though the Wilson Daily Times ran a brief obituary, only Black newspapers like the Journal and Guide could be relied upon to run respectful images for events the community deemed important.

Harry B. Harris Sr., as imagined.

I am ambivalent about using artificial intelligence to restore photographs. Or, more specifically, I’m concerned about manipulated photographs supplanting original images and further blurring the line between reality and misinformation. However, the allure of AI-enhanced images is strong, as I often contend with blurry, poorly lit photographs in unnatural sepia or black-and-white tones. Photographs whose condition sometimes exacerbates the distance between us and our ancestors.

I have been experimenting with ChatGPT lately, feeding it queries and images to be restored and colorized. The results are somewhat haphazard, with many images weird and off-putting. Other times, the images are breathtakingly sharp and … alive. Black Wide-Awake exists to resurrect forgotten lives, and I believe these images are valuable to help us connect with the men and women we read about in these posts. From time to time, I’ll share the better ones here, clearly marked as AI-generated. Let me know what you think about them.

Harry B. Harris Sr. (1915-1960), brickmason.

Wilson-born pharmacist joins successful Newport News business.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 18 May 1946.

Pharmacist Albre Russell Artice was born in 1901 in Wilson to Elroy and Cora Artice Artice. Trained at Temple University, Artice practiced in Raleigh, North Carolina; Elizabeth City, North Carolina; and Newport News, Virginia.

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In the 1910 census of Western Branch township, Norfolk County, Virginia: odd jobs laborer  Elroy E. Artice, 36; wife Cora, 37; and children Atwood, 13, and Albrey, 9.

In the 1920 census of Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia: on Mount Vernon Avenue, Navy Yard boilermaker helper Elroy Artice, 46; wife Cora, 45; sons Atwood, 22, railroad shop machinist’s helper, and Albre, 17; and brother-in-law Freddie Artice, 28, railroad freight handler.

Daily Press (Newport News, Va.), 21 April 1928.

In the 1930 census of Elizabeth City, Pasquotank County, N.C.: renting at 18 Speede Street, druggist Arbrey R. Artice, 29, and wife Sallie, 26.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 1 April 1939.

In the 1940 census of Elizabeth City, Pasquotank County, N.C.: at 509 East White Street, Albre Artice, 41, pharmacist; wife Sallie, 37, teacher; and two lodgers.

Richmond Times-Dispatch, 23 April 1946.

In the 1950 census of Newport News, Virginia: drugstore pharmacist Albre R. Artice, 50; wife Sallie W., 45, city school teacher; and foster son Claude Richardson, 11.

Albre Russell Artice died 1 August 1964 in Newport News, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born 9 May 1901 in North Carolina to Elroy Artice and Cora Artice; was married to Sallie W. Artice; worked as a pharmacist; and was buried in Lincoln Cemetery, Portsmouth, Va.

Daily Press (Newport News, Va.,) 4 August 1964.

W.L. Morgan, newspaper salesman.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 29 August 1942.

The Norfolk Journal and Guide enjoyed wide readership in Wilson County, and young Winford Lee Morgan was one of their local salesmen.

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In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 611 Spring Street, James Morgan, 34, redrying plant laborer; wife Addie May Morgan, 29, redrying plant laborer; son Winford Lee Morgan, 9; mother Eunice Lou Fisher, 55, widow; and cousin Ruth Richard, 14.

 

Lane Street Project: Police open investigation at Vick Cemetery. UPDATED.

Have our worst fears come true?

A profound thank you to Castonoble Hooks for sounding the alarm about worsening erosion at Vick Cemetery; to Olivia Neeley and Drew Wilson of the Wilson Times, whose immediate investigation spotted what may be bones in the ditch; and the Wilson city and county officials who quickly reported to the scene today.

If these dry bones are human, whether recent or ancestral, we honor the memory of the deceased and commit ourselves to ensuring a more peaceful rest for this person and all who lie in Vick Cemetery.

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Mercifully, the bones are not human. Nonetheless, we urge the City to take steps to address the erosion issue at Vick Cemetery, starting with additional ground-penetrating radar of the public right-of-way. Human bones have been found in these ditches before. We can forestall more.

NYA student Kittrell gets job training.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 2 December 1939.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 704 Viola Street, laborer Saul Kittrell, 41; wife Lettie, 35; and children Rebecca, 16, Saul, 15, Bernice, 10, Lillie, 8, Margaret, 7, Charles, 2, and William, 1.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 804 East Vance, painter Saul Kittrell, 52; wife Lettie, 48, practical nurse; and children Bernice, 19, Lilly, 18, Margaret, 17, Charles, 10, and Henry, 9. Sol valued their house at $10,000.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 804 East Vance, building painter Solomon Kittrell, 65; wife Lettie, 63; children Berenice, 32, a tobacco factory hanger, and Charles, 22, assistant county agent’s office; and lodgers Charles Beatty, 40, a blacksmith in a repair shop, and his wife Emma, 28, who reported living in Clinton, North Carolina, in 1935.

In 1940, Charles Elva Kittrell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 12 March 1918 in Wilson; lived at 804 East Vance Street; his contact was mother Lettie Kittrell; and he worked for the National Youth Administration.