Photographs

Studio shots, no. 253: Vesta Mae Joyner Hagans.

Vesta Mae Joyner Hagans (1866-1940).

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In the 1880 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: Henry Joyner, 35, farmer; sister Mary Joyner, 35; nieces Adline, 20, Georgianna, 19, India, 17, and Harriet, 13, and Vesta Joyner, 17; nephews Henry, 8, and Lafayett Joyner, 16, laborer; and mother Nancy Joyner, 84.

On 12 March 1891, Bisco Hagins, 24, of Gardners township, son of Richard and Allie Hagins, married Vesta Joyner, 24, of Gardners township, daughter of Charlotte Joyner, in Gardners township, Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Bisco Hagan, 33; wife Vesta, 33; and children Lee, 7, Willie, 4, and Carrie, 2.

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Gooch and Parkers School House Road, farmer Briscoe Haggin, 44; wife Vistie, 44; and children Lee, 16, Willie, 14, Clara, 12, Joseph, 9, and Johnie, 5.

Willie Hagans died 21 January 1915 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1896 to Bisco Hagan and Vester Joyner; and worked as a farmer; was single.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Rocky Mount Road, Brisco Hagins, 53; wife Lestie, 53; children Clara, 22, Joseph, 19, and John, 15; granddaughters Minnie, 8, and Bessie Hagins, 5; and boarder Noah Vick, 19.

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Brisco Hagans, 63; wife Vestie, 63; and granddaughters, Minnie, 18, and Bessie, 15.

In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Bisco Heggans, 74; wife Vistie, 74; and grandchildren Minnie, 27, and Sam, 21.

Vesta Hagans died 29 June 1940.

On 2 March 1941, Joseph Hagans, 40, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born in North Carolina to Bisco and Vestie Hagan, widower, and Juverna Holloman, 26, of Philadelphia, daughter of William and Bessie Holloman, were married in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Anne Wimberley.

In memoriam: Doris Lula Henderson Ward (1930-2025).

On 21 January 2025, Doris Lula Henderson Ward passed peacefully at her home in Wilson. She was 94 years old. Cousin Doris was the last surviving child of Jack Henderson and Pauline Artis Henderson.

In this photograph taken at my uncle Jesse A. Henderson‘s funeral in August 2005, Cousin Doris is fourth from right. With her passing, only the bookends remain. Rest in peace, Cousin Doris.

Cousins Hattie Henderson Ellis, Rederick C. Henderson, James Beasley, Mildred Henderson Hall, Doris Holt Beasley, Doris Henderson Ward, Louise Holt Tisdale, Margaret Holt Brown, Barbara Hall Jones.

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In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 309 Pender Street, Alice Artis, 56; daughter Pauline Henderson, 39, household servant; granddaughters Bessie L., 23, hotel elevator girl, Alice, 20, household servant, Joyce, 18, household servant, Mildred, 16, and Doris, 10; and grandson Robert, 4.

Around 1945, Doris Henderson married Thomas Person Ward, who would go on to become a legendary gospel music disc jockey, promoter, and recording artist, as well as general manager of Wilson’s AM radio station WGTM.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 707 East Vance, Thomas Ward, 25, shoeshine boy at barbershop; wife Doris, 21; and children Doris Lee, 5, Merl, 4, and Purline, 1.

Doris H. Ward is survived by her children Doris Lee Ward Wilkins, Mary Lee Ward Miller, Thomas P. Ward Jr., James F. Ward, and Ray A. Ward, and many, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Her husband and daughter Pearline Ward Hardy are deceased.

Top photo borrowed from obituary; bottom photo in collection of Lisa Y. Henderson.

Studio shots, no. 252: Biscoe Hagans.

Biscoe Hagans (1866-1943).

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In the 1870 census of Tarboro township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: farm laborer Dick Hagans, 45; wife Ellen, 43; and children Joseph L., 20, Cornelia E., 12, Ch’s. Henry, 10, Julius, 6, Bisco, 4, and George Th., 1.

In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Richard Hagans, 52; wife Alley, 51; and sons Charley, 20, Julus, 16, Bisco, 14, Thomas, 11, and Joe, 1.

On 12 March 1891, Bisco Hagins, 24, of Gardners township, son of Richard and Allie Hagins, married Vesta Joyner, 24, of Gardners township, daughter of Charlotte Joyner, in Gardners township, Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Bisco Hagan, 33; wife Vesta, 33; and children Lee, 7, Willie, 4, and Carrie, 2.

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Gooch and Parkers School House Road, farmer Briscoe Haggin, 44; wife Vistie, 44; and children Lee, 16, Willie, 14, Clara, 12, Joseph, 9, and Johnie, 5.

Willie Hagans died 21 January 1915 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1896 to Bisco Hagan and Vester Joyner; and worked as a farmer; was single.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Rocky Mount Road, Brisco Hagins, 53; wife Lestie, 53; children Clara, 22, Joseph, 19, and John, 15; granddaughters Minnie, 8, and Bessie Hagins, 5; and boarder Noah Vick, 19.

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Brisco Hagans, 63; wife Vestie, 63; and granddaughters, Minnie, 18, and Bessie, 15.

In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Bisco Heggans, 74; wife Vistie, 74; and grandchildren Minnie, 27, and Sam, 21.

On 2 March 1941, Joseph Hagans, 40, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born in North Carolina to Bisco and Vestie Hagan, widower, and Juverna Holloman, 26, of Philadelphia, daughter of William and Bessie Holloman, were married in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware.

Biscoe Hagans died 16 January 1943 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 22 June 1877 in Edgecombe County, N.C., to Richard Hagans and Alice Fate; was married to Julia Hagans; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Elm City Cemetery. Johnnie Hagans was informant.

Albert L. Hagans died 16 October 1961 in East Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was born 1897 in Elm City, North Carolina, to Briscoe Hagans; was a widower; lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and worked as a laborer. Willie Hagans of Philadelphia was informant.

Clara M. Batts died 9 January 1970 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 November 1897 to Bisco Hagans and Vester Joyner; was a widow; and lived at 706 Edward Street. Johnnie Hagans was informant.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Anne Wimberley.

Righteous Progress, no. 3: in memoriam.

From the Jackson Chapel First Baptist Church’s 85th anniversary booklet:

On 17 April 1913, Walter Foster, 38, married Rosa Parker, 23, in Wilson. Rev. M.A. Talley performed the rites in the presence of L.A. Moore, A.F. Broadie, and E.H. Thomas.

In 1918, Walter Macklin Foster registered for the World War I draft. He reported that he was born 13 May 1874, that he resided on East Vance Street, worked as a fireman for Hackney Wagon, and his nearest relative was wife Rosa Foster.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 707 Vance Street, Walter Foster, 46, fireman at wagon company; wife Rosa, 34; children Heneretta, 18, Carl, 6, and Naomi, 4; and sister-in-law Etta Parker, 32, a school teacher.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 808 East Vance, owned and valued at $2000, widow Rosa Foster, 42, public school teacher; her children Carter, 16, Daily Times newsboy, and Naomi, 14; and roomers Alice Jones, 36, and Mamie Key, 20, public school teachers.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County, at 808 East Vance, Rosa P. Foster was operating her house at 808 East Vance Street as a teacherage. Her household included teachers Alice H. Jones, 46 (and her son James R., 23); Floreta J. Walson, 31; W. Arlene Gilmore, 30; Mary G. Harris, 33; and Mamie E. Whitehead, 33.

Rosa Foster died 7 October 1954 at her home at 808 East Vance Street. Per her death certificate, she was born 24 March 1888 in Nash County, N.C., to Allison Parker and Mary [maiden name not stated]; was a retired school teacher; and was widowed. Carter Foster was informant.

In the 1910 census of Dry Wells township, Nash County: lumber mill grader William Ellis, 33; wife Sarah, 31, laundress; children Willie Lee, 9, James C., 4, and Walter M., 8 months; and boarder Shaw Ellis, 22.

In the 1920 census of Dry Wells township, Nash County: farmer William C. Ellis, 42; wife Sarah C., 40; and children James, 13, Marion, 10, Wilborn W., 7, and Mabel, 5.

Minnie Woodard, 22, of Wilson County, [daughter of James and Jennie Farmer Woodard,] married James Ellis, 22, of Wilson County, [son of William and Sarah Barnes Ellis,] on 22 March 1928 in Wilson County. Missionary Baptist minister Geo. Cooper performed the ceremony.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: auto garage mechanic James Ellis, 24; wife Minnie, 25; and son James Jr., 2 months.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: garage mechanic James Ellis, 33; wife Minnie, 33, tobacco factory stemmer; and children James Jr., 10, and Minnie D., 8.

In 1940, James Cornell Ellis registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 1 August 1906 in Wilson County; lived at 705 East Green Street; his contact was wife Minnie Virginia Ellis; and he worked for Raines Motor Company.

James Cornell Ellis died 31 December 1956 at his home at 721 East Green Street. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 August 1906 in Wilson County to William Ellis and Sarah Barnes; and worked as a railway porter.

On 12 July 1905, Willie Hunter, 22, of Elm City, son of Hilliard and Mary J. Hunter, married Mary Whitehead, 20, of Elm City, daughter of Ben and Frances Whitehead, at Ben Drake‘s house in Elm City. T.H. Nicholson applied for the license, and he, William Short, and W.A. Whitfield were official witnesses.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Smith Street, oil mill laborer Will Hunter, 25, and wife Mary, 23, shared a home with Henry Whitehead, 34, brickyard laborer; his wife Victory, 23; their children Della M., 3, and Lucile, 1; and Willie Whitehead, 18, hotel waiter.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: laborer Will Hunter, 30; wife Mary, 32; daughters Dorothy, 6, and Doris, 5; and laborers Arthur, 37, and David Hagans, 27.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 204 East Street, owned and valued at $2000, oil mill laborer Will J. Hunter, 46; wife Mary, 42, tobacco factory stemmer; and daughters Dorotha, 17, and Doris, 15.

Mary Hunter died 1 July 1930 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 44 years old; was born in Nash County to Benjamin Whitehead and Frances [no maiden name]; was married to Willie Hunter; lived at 204 South East Street; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Willie Whitehead was informant.

Thank you, Dr. Michael Barnes!

Historic Black Business Series, no. 33: Moses Parker, wood dealer.

The 500 block of East Nash Street is justly remembered as the 20th century epicenter of Wilson’s African-American-owned businesses. However, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Black entrepreneurs and tradespeople also operated across the tracks. As Wilson’s downtown experiences a resurgence, let’s rediscover and celebrate these pioneering men and women.

Check in each Sunday for the latest in the Historic Black Business Series!

Moses Parker was a carpenter and wood dealer whose woodyard today would lie under home plate of the Wilson Warbirds baseball stadium, seen under construction above.

Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory (1916).

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, December 2024.

Studio shots, no. 251: Mae Ella Blue Burke.

Mae Ella Blue Burkes (1897-1931).

In the 1900 census of Garvin township, Anderson County, S.C.: farmer Joseph Blue, 32; wife Ella, 21; and children Roxie, 11, Eliza, 10, Laura, 7, Joe, 5, Claudie, 4, and Mary, 3.

In the 1910 census of Centerville township, Anderson County, S.C.: farmer Joe Blue, 43; wife Ella, 42; and children Roxie, 22, Liza, 20, Laura, 18, Josephus, 16, Claude, 15, May Ella, 13, Clarissa, 7, and Freddie, 3.

On 24 November 1917, John Burke, 21, and Mary Ella Blue, 18, both of Hopewell township, were married in Anderson County, S.C.

Nettie May Burke was born 11 October 1918 in Savannah township, Anderson County, S.C., to Johnie Burke, 20, and Maryella Blue, 19.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 Reid Street, rented at $10/month, odd jobs laborer John Burk, 29; wife May E., 28; and children Nettie, 11, Thelma, 7, Elizabeth, 5, John D., 4, and Ruby M., 2. [The youngest three children were born in North Carolina; all others, in South Carolina.]

Mae Ella Burkes died 23 December 1931 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 May 1897 in Anderson, South Carolina, to Joseph Blue of Abbeville, S.C., and Ella Willerford of Elbert County, Georgia; lived at Vick and East Streets [how? these streets are parallel]; was married to John Burkes; worked as a day laborer at a tobacco manufacturing company; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery].

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Ella Blue, 72, and grandchildren Betty, 19, Thelma, 17, John D., 14, and Ruby May Burks, 12; great-grandson James Blue, 10; and grandson David Blue, 15.

John Burks died 19 February 1941 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 1899 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to Warren and Kate Burks; was the widower of May Ella Burks; lived in the Wilson Welfare TB Home on Railroad Street; worked as a tenant farmer; and was buried in Roundtree [probably, Vick] Cemetery. Ella Blue was informant.

On 8 June 1941, George Wesley Hines, 27, born in Wilson, N.C., to John and Allie Hines, married Nettie Burkes, 22, born in Anderson, S.C., to John and Ella Burkes, in Manhattan, New York, New York.

On 20 June 1941, Jesse Woodson, 24, born in Macon, Georgia, to Jesse and Lila Woodson, married Thelma Burks, 18, born in Wilson, N.C., to John and Mary Ella Burks, in Manhattan, New York, New York.

On 19 July 1943, Claudis Lassiter, 25, helper, born in Edgecombe County, N.C., to Roy Lassiter and Annie Mitchell, married Bettie Burke, 20, fountain girl, born in Wilson, N.C., to John Burke and May Ella Blue, in Norfolk, Virginia.

In 1944, John Davis Burke registered for the World War II draft in Baltimore, Maryland. Per his registration card, he was born 27 February 1926 in Wilson, N.C.;

Photo, adapted, courtesy of Morris Applewhite.

Historic Black Business Series, no. 32: Sidney Wheeler’s eating house and barbershop.

The 500 block of East Nash Street is justly remembered as the 20th century epicenter of Wilson’s African-American-owned businesses. However, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Black entrepreneurs and tradespeople also operated across the tracks. As Wilson’s downtown experiences a resurgence, let’s rediscover and celebrate these pioneering men and women.

Check in each Sunday for the latest in the Historic Black Business Series!

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Sidney Wheeler, 40, barber; wife Lou, 40, private cook; and children Sidney, 9, Dave, 7, Floyd, 4, and Emma, 2.

Sidney Wheeler’s twin businesses in the 1908 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson. 

Sidney Wheeler died 8 March 1912 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 35 years old; was born in Nash County to Richard and Annie Wheeler; worked as a barber; was married; and resided at 710 Vance Street. Lula Wheeler was informant.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, December 2024.

Lane Street Project: what to expect on a service day.

So, you and your friends, family, or coworkers have decided to observe the spirit of the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday or Black History Month by joining a Lane Street Project service day! Thank you!!

What can you expect at a clean-up day?

When you arrive, seasoned volunteers will be there to greet you. They’ll ask you to sign a waiver and invite you to add your name to a contact sheet to get more information about LSP activities. You’ll receive a brief orientation about our work, including do’s and don’ts, and will learn of the history and significance of Odd Fellows Cemetery. You’ll be asked what kind of tasks you’d like to engage in. (Remember: all ages and abilities are welcome!)

To help you decide how you might best contribute, here’s what you’ll see and where we’ll need the most help the first four service days.

  • Mowing and weedwhacking the front section

Ordinary lawnmowers and weedwhackers will work for this section, which contains the Dawson, Tate, Hines-Barnes, Mincey, and Vick family plots, among others. Be careful cutting around the headstones, as the soft marble is easily damaged by trimmer string.

  • New growth elimination

Inside the tree line, you’ll see light-colored twigs sprouting waist-high. These are new wisteria vines. Wisteria infests Odd Fellows Cemetery. We’ve made tremendous progress in eliminating the older growth — some of the vines were as thick as a man’s arm! — but cutting back new growth is a perennial task. Weedwhackers fitted with cutting disks are the best option for cutting these sprouts, which will then need to be raked to tarps for easy transport to the curb. There may also be dead tree limbs that can easily be dragged away. Place any brush in neat piles of lengths of about 6 feet for claw truck collection by the city’s Sanitation Department.

Removing the heavy canopy of wisteria has exposed the cemetery to increased sunlight, which spurs other new growth like these tiny pines. Cute as they are, they have to go. Weedeaters will make short work of this task.

On the other hand, never cut the yucca! These tough little plants were placed by families as grave decoration, and may be seventy to one hundred years old.

Privet, the green bushes seen above, are also highly invasive. They should be pulled up by the root if small or otherwise cut very low. Pruners, loppers, or hedge trimmers are best for this job.

  • Fence clean-up

We use the fence between Odd Fellows and Vick Cemeteries to post information and seasonal decoration. The little orange streamers that bear the names of all known Odd Fellows burials are torn and faded, as are flowers placed at the beginning of last season. A few small vines have also begun to grow through the wire. If you’d like to help remove them, please bring scissors or other small snipping tools.

The only known Wilson County grave of an African-American Spanish-American war veteran lies in Odd Fellows, about thirty feet from the fence. We know there are many World War I veterans buried here, too. Will anyone commit to replace our little flag and to remember our veterans on Memorial and Veterans Days?

  • Odds and ends

A shallow ditch partially separates the boundaries between Odd Fellows and Rountree Cemeteries. We cleared the worst of it last year, but need to tackle the regrowth.

Our Senior Force, led by Castonoble Hooks and Briggs Sherwood, has identified additional small trees for removal in the interior of Odd Fellows. This work will be done under their discretion and direction, depending on the skillsets and tools of volunteers and weather conditions.

If you’ve been out to Odd Fellows before, THANK YOU and WELCOME BACK!! If you’re a first-timer, THANK YOU — WE’RE GLAD TO HAVE YOU!

Photos by Lisa Y. Henderson, December 2024.

Happy 97th birthday, Donald Lee Woodard Sr.!

Today we celebrate the 97th birthday of Donald Lee Woodard Sr.!

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In the 1930 census of Eureka township, Wayne County: farm laborer Marcelius Woodard, 36; wide Adlonia, 26, farm laborer; sons Andrew, 6, Roscoe, 5, Donie L., 3, and Kelvin [Calvin], 1; and boarders Leslie Malone, 30, farm laborer, and Nannie Hastings, 48.

In the 1940 census of Faison township, Duplin County, N.C.: farmer Marcellus Woodard, 46; wife Adlonia, 35; and children Andrew 17, Rosker, 15, Donie, 13, Calvin, 11, Rosevelt, 9, Mary, 7, Margree, 4, and Jessie James, 5 months.

In 1944, Donald Lee Woodard registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County.

On 28 December 1949, Donald Lee Woodard, 22, of Walstonsburg, married Hazel Artis, 20, of Stantonsburg in Wilson, Wilson County.

In the 1950 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: hired farm laborer Clinton Artis, 50; wife Mattie, 45; children Charles E., 19, lumber company laborer, Appie Louise, 17, cook, Constance B., 15, maid, William H., 13, Cleveland O., 10, Harley M., 7, Douglas, 5, Lois Jean, 3, and Carolyn E., 2; daughter Mary Hazel Woodard, 21; son-in-law Donald Woodard, 23, lumber company employee; and granddaughter Brenda Joyce Woodard, 1.

Many thanks to Portia Newman for sharing this joyful photo of her grandfather. We wish him so many more fantastic birthdays!