News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.), 7 April 1943.
Raleigh’s major newspaper followed up on the sentence levied on James Parker, who refused to move to the back of a Wilson bus twelve years before Rosa Parks. All things considered, Parker’s punishment was surprisingly light — perhaps, none yet perceived a real threat to the Jim Crow system.
In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.
We been here.
Opened 1928 by Greek immigrant George C. Woller for an African-American audience. Featured motion pictures, musical and theatrical acts; hosted fundraisers for black schools and hospital. Badly damaged in fire in December 1932; did not reopen.
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, October 2025.
Wilson Daily Times, 21 November 1942.
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Erudite agricultural extension agent Cecil L. Spellman not only editorialized about the Scottsboro boys in the Norfolk Journal and Guide, he spoke of the case during his weekly program on Wilson’s WGTM radio station. He was immediately dropped.
His was not the only African-American programming impacted by “radical revisions” in station policy. The Laddie Springs Orchestra (who were they??) had been booted from the main studio to Studio B, a space so small that a quartet would have felt squeezed. The orchestra cut ties “rather than suffer further indignities.” Handel’s Chorus, Hartford Bess‘ widely acclaimed singing group, was directed to limit their vocal offerings to “old spirituals.” No classical pieces or solo numbers. Chorus president Jack Sherrod announced they would leave the station, too, as they preferred variety.
In response, businessmen Daniel McKeithan, William F. Potts, Spellman, and Sherrod made plans for a 15-week half-hour weekly show to start in September. (On WGTM??? How would that work? Did it work?)
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 14 August 1937.
The Wilson County Negro Library added bookmobile service for rural residents in 1950.
Wilson Daily Times, 29 November 1950.
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Kudos to the Sherrod family for caring for and sharing their incredible legacy.
Wilson Daily Times, 11 November 2025.
Read more about the 135th Regiment here.
Wilson Daily Times, 24 February 1994.
What a testimony!
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In the 1910 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: Henry Coleman, 38, farmer; wife Mary J., 28; and children Stella, 13, Willie, 8, Josiah, 7, William, 5, Mattie J., 4, and Sallie, 2.
In the 1920 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: on Old Wilson and Raleigh Road, farmer Henry Coleman, 50; wife Mary Jane, 40; and children Stella, 22, Willie, 19, Joesire, 17, William H., 16, Mattie J., 13, Sallie, 12, Bell, 10, Stephen, 8, Wiley, 7, and Eva, 1.
In the 1930 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Henery D. Coleman, 58; wife Mary J., 52; children Bill, 18, Stephen, 17, Willey, 15, Mattie, 22, Sallie, 20, Eva, 13, Guyes E., 9, Gurtice, 5; and grandson Ollie L., 10 months.
Sallie Coleman Bynum died 6 December 1994 in Wilson.
Lamm’s School stood on Lamm Road just north of present-day U.S. 64. The school was built in 1923 as Wilson County consolidated one- and two-room schools for white children into modern masonry buildings. The building was recently demolished to make way for a Chick Fil A.
Images of Historic Wilson County N.C., Images of North Carolina, lib.digitalnc.org.
A 14 May 2014 Wilson Daily Times article, “Education’s still a priority: Williamson-Springfield alumni holding gospel festival Saturday,” included this history of Williamson High School:
“In 1939, James Boykin spoke with Luther Wilder about the need for a high school for black children in the western part of the county.
“Students had to attend school in surrounding areas, including Johnson County or Darden High School in Wilson, both of which long distances for students to travel.
“A meeting was eventually held at Rocky Branch Church in Kenly, where then Wilson County Schools Superintendent K.R. Curtis attended. Parents were concerned about the future of their children’s education.
“In July 1940, the Wilson County Board of Education met and discussed the idea about purchasing property for the high school. A six-acre plot was purchased for $600 from Jennie Whitley, was the sister of Paul Williamson, who owned the land.
“A group of 40 young people, both black and white, helped with the construction of the building, which would become Williamson High School. Construction was completed in March 1941. Until then, Rocky Branch Church held classes there until the school was completed. During the 1941 school year, classes were held on Saturdays at the church and school in order to get credit. Opened in 1942, the Williamson School was a six-room high school that offered grades 9-12. Williamson School merged with Springfield in the fall of 1951. While the first graduating class was in 1952, the first full class, who spent all 12 years at the school, was in 1964.”
Wilson Daily Times, 7 July 1994.
