Photographs

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.

Columbus E. Artis, 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.

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Columbus E. Artis (1886-1973), grocer, restaurateur, undertaker.

[Sidenote: this interpretation seems a little off, but reasonable, given the poor condition of the original image. Young C.E. Artis’ face was narrower, I believe, and his nose a little thinner.]

Rev. Prince Mincey.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 6 April 1940.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farm laborer John Minsie, 30; wife Olivia, 28; and children Laurena, 12, James, 11, Robeta, 9, Joseph, 4, Etta, 2, and Prince, 6 months.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: tobacco factory worker Jack Mency, 45; wife Olivia, 40; and children Laura, 20, James, 18, Beatrice, 16, Joseph, 13, Etta, 11, Prince, 8, Olivia, 5, Margory, 3, and Susan, 1.

On 12 September 1929, Prince Mincey, 22, of Wilson, son of Jack and Olivia Mincey, married Alice Hannah, 20, of Wilson, daughter of Davis and Ollie Hannah, in Wilson. Holiness minister July Wells performed the ceremony in the presence of W.E. Holliday, Dock Cooper, and Rob Batts.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: tobacco factory laborer John Mincey, 50; wife Olivia, 46; children Olivia D., 17, Joseph, 23; Margie, 15, Susie M., 12, Johnie C., 8, Percy, 6, and Prince, 21, and Prince’s wife Alice, 19; and grandsons James, 12, Lawrence L., 7, and Willie L. Carroll, infant.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 511 Stantonsburg, Prince Mincey, 30, fertilizer plant laborer, and wife Alice, 29, tobacco factory laborer.

In 1940, Prince Mincey registered in the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 18 March 1908 in Wilson; lived at 511 Stantonsburg Street, Wilson; his contact was wife Alice Hiunh [Hannah] Mincey; and he was employed by C.J. Moore in Wilson.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 511 Stantonsburg, Prince Mincey, 40, stacks fertilizer at fertilizer plant, and wife Alice, 39.

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.