In January 1952, in the midst of the N.A.A.C.P.’s push to integrate Cairo, Illinois, schools, the home of Dr. Urbane F. Bass; his wife, Wilson native Mary Della Wilkins Bass; and their four children was rocked by a dynamite blast. No one was injured, but the rear of the house was heavily damaged. The bombing followed burning crosses set as a warning to Black parents seeking to transfer their children to all-white Cairo schools.
Clinton Daily Journal and Public Record, 30 January 1952.
Within days, the police arrested and charged five white men with the crime. A year later, used car salesman Robert Hogan pleaded guilty and received a one-year suspended sentence. Charges against the rest were dismissed.
This intriguing entry appears in the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory:
Did George Farmer own his own barbecue restaurant? (If so, where was it?) Was he a pit master?
In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County, we find farm laborer George Farmer, 28; wife Bettie, 25; and children Annie, 7, George, 3, and Mena, 8 months.
In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: teamster George Farmer, 51; wife Bettie, 46; and children George N., 21, Miner, 19, Aulander, 18, Willie, 17, Johney, 15, and Emma, 12.
In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Finch’s Rd, George Farmer, 78, livery laborer; wife Bettie, 62; and children John, 18, and Emma, 16. [There’s a 27-year discrepancy in George Farmer’s age over this ten-year period, and 16 years for Bettie Farmer. I’d wager their actual ages were closer to the 1900 designation. Finch’s Road, by the way, was described in the 1912 directory as the “continuation of Kenan at junction of Bynum.” Today, this would be Kenan past Raleigh Road Parkway. More about this African-American neighborhood here.]
Page 31, 1922 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson, N.C.
Which undertaker operated this business at the corner of Nash and Carroll Streets shown in the 1922 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson?
Almost certainly, this was the establishment of one of the undertaking businesses with which Amos Batts was associated. Batts lived next door at 1113 East Nash Street and was in business around this time with Columbus E. Artis. In an era in which the deceased were generally laid out at home, the building likely was used for embalming and preparation, but not actually funerals.
In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: dealer in real estate Samuel Vick, 47; wife Annie, 38; and children Elma, 17, Daniel L., 13, Samuel E., 10, George, 7, Anna, 5, and Robert, 2.
In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Vick Elba (c) tchr h 623 E Green
On 26 December 1921, Carlos Valle, 28, of Durham, N.C., son of Celedonio and Leticia Valle, married Elba Vick, 27, of Edgecombe County, N.C., in Rocky Mount, Edgecombe County. Methodist minister A.P. Pearce performed the ceremony.
But also: on 12 July 1922, Carlos C. Valle, 29, of Wilson, married Elba L. Vick, 25, of Wilson, in Wilson. Presbyterian minister Arthur H. George performed the ceremony in the presence of Georgia M. Burke, A.B. Bowser, and James H. Battle.
In the 1930 census of Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee: at 572 Stephens, lodge secretary Carlos Valle, 37, born in “Porto Rico”; wife Elba, 33; and children Melba G., 6, born in New York, and Carlos Jr., 4, born in New Jersey.
In the 1940 census of New York, New York: at 111th Street, Colas Valle, 42, automobile trailer chauffeur; wife Elva, 40; and daughter Melba, 16. Carlos and Elba were described as white and born in Puerto Rico.
Elba Vick Valle died 28 December 1980 in Brooklyn, New York.
Wilson’s “hidden figure,” Christine Barnes Richie, passed peacefully late last month and was funeralized yesterday in Newport News, Virginia.
“Christine B. Richie was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, cousin, aunt, church member, and friend. On January 26, 1932, she began her earthly journey as the second of six daughters born to McKinley Barnes and Hagar Hagans Barnes. Christine B. Richie, or “Babe” as she was affectionally called by family and friends was educated in the public schools of Wilson County North Carolina. She attended Barnes Elementary-Middle School, and in 1950 she graduated from Frederick Douglas High School in Elm City North Carolina as the valedictorian of her class. Christine was a dedicated and hardworking student. She was always working to get 100% and was never satisfied with 99.5%. Christine continued her education graduating with honors from North Carolina Central University in Durham with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics and Science.
“Christine B. Richie started her professional career after graduating from North Carolina Central University and moving to Newport News, Virginia, where she was hired as a math teacher at Huntington High School. She worked there for only one year before learning that NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) was looking for mathematicians. She applied and took the qualifying exam and was hired as one of the “Human Computers” working in the West Wing section of Langley Field. A few years later NACA became NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) as a result of the Space Act. Christine B. Richie continued working at NASA as a mathematician for thirty-two years before she retired in 1987.
“While working at NASA Christine co-authored and contributed to several research projects including the Application of phase-change technique to thin sections with heating on both surfaces (National Aeronautics and Space Administration; 1973), the Fail-safe system for actively cooled supersonic and hypersonic aircraft (National Aeronautics and Space Administration;1975), the Aerodynamic characteristics at Mach 6 of a hypersonic research airplane concept having a 70 ̊ swept delta wing (National Aeronautics and Space Administration; 1977), and in 2017 Christine B. Richie received the group achievement award from NASA for being one of the “Human Computers” depicted in the movie Hidden Figures, who helped put the first man on the moon.
“Christine was not only an accomplished mathematician, but she was a faithful member of Trinity Baptist church for more than 60 years. As a faithful member she served as the treasurer for the Women’s Club. She was also a “Life Time Member” of the Missionary Society, and was a recipient of the Trinity Baptist Church Rosa Parks Award. After retirement, Christine served her community delivering meals on wheels for 25 years. She was a quiet humble person whose Christian faith was lived out in the loving way she patiently sacrificed her time, talents and treasure for her family, friends, and those who were dear to her.
“Christine B. Richie was preceded in death by one sister, Emma Dean Barnes; her loving husband, Walter E. Richie Sr.; her son, Walter E. Richie Jr.; and son-in- law, Timothy A. Chandler Jr. She leaves behind 1 daughter, Rev. Dr. Faye Richie-Chandler; 2 grandchildren, Timothy A. Chandler III and Morgan Faye Chandler; 1 granddaughter-in-law, Lorion Chandler; 2 great grandchildren, Rielyn Chandler and Reign Timara Faye Chandler; 4 sisters, Catherine B. Slade, Ruby B. Spoons, Romaine B. Harris, and Mavis B. Harris; 3 first cousins, Verona B. True, Jeraldene B. Massey and Alice B. Freeman; nieces and nephews, Julia S. McCullough, Theresa S. Moore, Katherine Slade, James Slade, Solita Spoons, Sybil Spoons, Sanchia Spoons, Joydana Harris, Willie Harris, Monica Harris, Rev. Dr. Willis T. Richie Jr., Gloria Boston, Harry C. Richie Jr., Willistine Betts, Georgene Thweatt, Bishop Carroll Richie, Randolph Richie and a host of great nieces, great nephews and cousins. All will remember and cherish the memory of Christine B. Richie for the sweetness of her character. She was truly a “Babe,” and her life speaks for itself; a job well done.
“A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 6, 2023, at Trinity Baptist Church, Newport News. Viewing will be from 3-6 p.m., Friday, January 5, 2023, at the funeral home. O. H. Smith & Son Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.”
My thanks to Leroy Barnes for alerting me to Mrs. Richie’s passing.
Brothers Harry and Haywood Barnes were widely known and lauded for their folk doctoring skills.
——
In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Sherod Barnes, 67, and Rosa A., 22, Shepard, 17, Harry, 15, Warren, 13, Harriet, 10, Haywood, 6, and HecBarnes, 19.
On 2 February 1898, Harry Barnes, 40, of Gerdners township, son of Sherrod and Penny Barnes, married Cora Woodard, 24, of Gardners township, daughter of Mentus and Sarah Woodard at Harry Barnes’ residence. Haywood Barnes applied for the license.
In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Harry Barnes, 46; wife Cora, 28; son Lewis, 2; and sisters [Lewis’ sisters?] Ella, 17, and Penny, 16. Next door: farmer Haywood Barnes, 35; wife Mary, 22; and son Sherrod, 8 months.
In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Harry Barnes, 53; wife Cora, 35; and children Lewis, 13, Paul, 8, Rose, 3, and Estell, 4 months. Next door: farmer Haywood Barnes, 48; wife Mary, 34; and son Frank, 14 months.
Paul Barnes died on an unknown day in September 1920 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 18 years in Wilson to Haywood Barnes and Cora Woodard; was single; worked as a farmer; and was born in Wilson County.
On 15 February 1923, Harry Barnes, 60, of Gardners township, married Salinda Battle, 40, of Gardners township, at Haywood Barnes’ residence. Primitive Baptist preacher John R. Barnes performed the ceremony in the presence of H.S. Stanback, Richard Gest, and George Battle.
Adel Barnes died 7 December 1928 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 14 years old; was born in Wilson County to Harry Barnes and Cora Woodard; was single; and was buried in Wilson. Arlender Barnes was informant.
Harry Barnes died 29 September 1928 in Gardners township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 68 years old; was born in Wilson County to Sherrod Barnes and Pennie Bullock; was married to Adinger Barnes; and worked as a farmer.
Haywood Barnes died 30 July 1935 at Mary Barnes’ farm, Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 June 1860 in Wilson County to Sherod Barnes and Penny [no maiden name]; was married to Mary Barnes; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Taylor cemetery.
Frank Barnes died 26 July 1938 in Mary Barnes’ farm, Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 March 1911 in Wilson County to Haywood Barnes and Mary Taylor; was single; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Taylor Cemetery. Dazel Barnes was informant.
Estella Barnes died 4 February 1942 in Wilson, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 27 years old; was born in Wilson County to Harry Barnes and Cora Woodard; was single; lived at 213 South Vick; and was buried in Barnes Cemetery. Informant was George Battle.
This photograph posted yesterday to the Instagram account @blackarchives.co, and my inbox blew up. Here’s the back story.
Back in September 2013, a couple of years before Black Wide-Awake launched, Will Robinson posted this to Wilson County Public Library’s local history and genealogy blog:
I jumped on it:
Suddenly:
… which led to an email exchange:
… which led to Will Robinson finding this 23 February 1952 Daily Times article about the event, which took place at Reid Street Community Center:
Wilson County Public Library later exhibited the prints Linda Zimmerman donated, and she graciously extended me the opportunity to purchase a print of the photo @blackarchives.co posted yesterday. Almost exactly ten years after I first saw John Zimmerman’s work, I’m delighted to these priceless images find a wider audience.
We Built This: Profiles of Black Architects and Builders in North Carolina
1 September-31 October 2023
Oliver Nestus Freeman Round House & African-American Museum 1202 Hines Street SE Wilson, NC 27893
This traveling exhibit, presented by Preservation North Carolina, highlights the stories of those who constructed and designed many of North Carolina’s most treasured historic sites. Spanning more than three centuries, We Built This provides more than two dozen personal profiles and historic context on key topics including slavery and Reconstruction; the founding of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Black churches; Jim Crow and segregation; and the rise of Black politicians and professionals.
Tuesday–Saturday
10 A.M.–3 P.M.
Free Admission
Big thanks to Preservation North Carolina and Wilson Arts for helping bring this exhibit to Wilson.
