Wilson County

An inquiry into the murder of Dave Hagans.

An argument among Etheldred Hagans‘ children precipitated the stabbing death of one by an intervening neighbor. The transcripts of witnesses at the coroner’s inquest into David Hagans‘ murder:

John Lancaster — I was at old man Hagans. Jim Hagan cussed sister said didnt have enough to eat cooked younger brother took it up. Jim said he was drunk & wouldnt notice it. Dave took it up but I got him out doors. Then Dave went back & I went back. Dave said to father you going to let Louis run over every body here. Louis said G- D- he wont going to let Jim run over him that he (Jim) lay around & wouldnt work but wanted to boss. Jim didn’t notice Louis. John Summerlin had hold of Jim to keep him from fighting. Dave ran at me and said G- D- I am a man. I pushed Dave off from me & he run over to corner where John & Dave were. Dave struck John & John said I aint doing anything but trying to keep them apart. Then I pushed Dave one way & John the other & got John out the door. Then Warren Ward & Jim sisters & I were standing out at the wagon shelter 25 yds from house. I hear chairs falling & signs of scuffling in the house. Warren said John don’t let this girl go back in the house I am going back in there. I tried to hold her but she broke away from me crying & ran back into the house. Warren went back in the house & I followed Geneva & she was in the midst of the fighting trying to part them. They were using their fists fighting. Dave, Jim & old man Dred & Louis Hagan were all fighting. Then I left & got with Jim Ellis & Oscar Ellis & Willie Pittman who were outside the house & started down the road then Warren Ward ran out of the house & asked me to go back & get his hat said Dave struck me three licks on the face but I am satisfied I had him to kill. Then we went on up to the store. Last year Dave & Warren got in some trouble last year at Saratoga had fist fight. I started to Pittmans store after leaving house but didnt get there some said Dave was hurt so I went back had been gone about ten or twelve minutes when I got back they had Dave on a buggy.   John X Lancaster

Jim Hagan — When I went to supper I got after Geneva my sister for not staying home and cooking enough supper. Louis my brother who was in the next room & drunk said to me Jim G- D- you ought not to be here cussing Geneva. I went in the kitchen & the others went in the house. After we got back in the house Jim was jumping around cursing I told him he was drunk & I wouldnt notice him. Dave Hagan my brother said Jim if I was staying here like you I wouldn’t let Louis curse me like that Warren Ward came in & said Dave if you & Jim get 21 years old leave home because liable to have trouble. & I told him Geneva was young & I was tending a crop there & had a right to tell her what to do. John Summerlin came in & all were talking all were drinking. Dave told Louis if he had cursed him like he had cursed Jim he would beat H-ll out of him. John Summerlin said no Dave you wont do any such D- thing. Dave said John you aint got a D- thing to do with it & Dave & John ran together & grappled. Old man Dred & Tom & me we got in there & tried push them out the door. Oscar Ellis got John Summerlin out of the house & down the road. Then everything quieted then Dave & Louis got to quarreling again & Warren Ward ran in there & said Dave G- D- you shan’t run over Louis. Dave said to Warren you aint got a G.D. thing to do with it then he & Warren ran together. I ran up to them & said you aint going to have any trouble here. Then I ran into the next room & got my pistol off the organ & before I got back Warren ran out the door. Dave was cursing about how old man Dred let Louis do as he pleased. We talked about 5 min. Dave went out the door I heard him curse & then heard the licks being passed in a fight. Then I ran to the door & Dave said Jim G.D. Warren has cut me & fell on his knees. I jumped down & ran after Warren but he got away. Before I got to the door & I heard fighting both were cursing & I recognized Warrens voice & knew who was fighting with Dave. Before I got my pistol & when Warren & Dave ran together in the house Warren had his knife open in his hand. I took Dave & carried him to the house. I then hitched up & took Dave over to John Lancasters house & went to John Rogers John Rogers got up & came with me to John Lancasters & sent me for Dr Crocker & before I got back I [met] Albert Ward & he told me Dave was dead. When I took him in the house he was bleeding from both arms. Warren & Dave last summer had fight at Saratoga. Warren owed Dave some money didnt speak till 2 months after when both joined same society but wont on good terms This happened about 8 o’clock last night. Jim X Hagan

Aaron Cameron — When Jim & Louis were quarreling Louis got two butcher knives after him. They quarreled a while & Dave got in it. Then old man Dred got in it after a while John Lancaster & I left & heard a gun shot back of the house. Then Warren come running as hard as he could. Warren said that Dave had beat him in a fist fight but he was satisfied now. Then asked us to go back and get his cap. We went back & Louis said Dave was cut. When they were quarreling in the house old man got his gun & said if they were going to take his house he would get out & he went out in the field.  Aaron X Cameron

Dred Hagan testified same as others. Warren & Dave were pushing when I went out. I didnt see any knife & heard no threats. I went out in the field. I shot the gun but not towards the house & the crowd scattered.  Dred X Hagan

We the Coroners Jury find that Dave Hagans came to his death from being cut with a knife in the hands of Warren Ward and the cutting was felonious.

R.E. Bynum, Stephen Craft, J.H. Gar[illegible], J.B. Walston, W.J. Mercer Jr., J.I. Rodgers, W.H. Anderson Coroner

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Charlotte Observer, 16 May 1908.

[Sidenote: Though their content is heavy and violent, transcripts from coroner’s inquests provide unique windows into family and social interaction in late 19th and early century Wilson County. They also allow us to “hear” the speech of Black men and women of the era. I was struck here by the use of “wont” in John Lancaster and Jim Hagans’ testimony. Pronounced with a long o like “won’t,” this is a common rendering of “wasn’t” in eastern North Carolina dialect even to this day. Until my roommate my freshman year at Carolina — she was from Shelby, in the western Piedmont — queried me about it, I had not paid attention to my own usage of the word.]

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  • Dred Hagans and his children David, Jim, Lewis, and Geneva Hagans

In the 1870 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farm laborer Wilson Hagans, 62; wife Rodah, 50; sons James, 14, David, 9, and Etheldred, 7; and farm laborer Delphi Locus, 24.

On 17 February 1884, Dred Hagans, 23, married Martha Speight, 21, at Seth H. Tyson’s in Saratoga, Wilson County.

On 21 February 1900, Dred Hagan, 38, of Saratoga township, married Correnia Artis, 23, at Robert Ellis’ farm, Saratoga township. Seventh-Day Adventist minister Thomas H. Moore performed the ceremony in the presence of Effie Artis, Susan Rodgers, and Henry Bailey.

In the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer David [sic] Hagans, 40, and children Corinna, 24, Dave, 16, Jim, 15, Martha, 13, Lewis, 11, Geneva, 9, and Charley, 7.

On 7 January 1904, David Hagans, 21, of Saratoga township, son of Dred Hagans, married Almena Ellis, 20, of Saratoga township, daughter of Oscar Ellis, at Eason Brothers Store in Saratoga. Falcon Ellis applied for the license.

In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Dred Hagins, 49, and children Louis, 19, Geneva, 18, and Charlie, 16, as well as Hilliard Wootern 20, servant.

On 2 May 1909, Jim Hagans, 22, of Saratoga township, son of Dred and Mattie Hagans, married Maria Artis, 19, of Saratoga township, daughter of John and Sarah Artis, at John Artis’ in Saratoga township. A.M.E. Zion minister G.A. Wood performed the ceremony in the presence of Frank C. Ellis, Tom Speight, and A.A. Maron.

On 10 January 1912, Aaron Applewhite, 22, of Saratoga township, son of Warren and Delpha Applewhite, married Jeneva Hagans, 18, of Saratoga township, daughter of Dred Hagans. A.M.E. Zion minister G.A. Wood performed the ceremony at Dred Hagans’ house in the presence of

On 13 January 1923, Louis Hagans, 30, of Saratoga township, son of Dred Hagans and Martha [no maiden name], married Louisa Edwards, 23, of Saratoga township, daughter of Aaron and Katie Edwards, in Wilson.

Dred Hagans died 6 June 1927 in Speights Bridge township, Greene County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was 73 years old; was born in Wilson County to Wilson Hagens; was the widower of Mathua Hagen’s; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Harrin Cemetery, Greene County. Louis Hagans, Walstonburg, was informant.

Louis Hagans died 28 January 1949 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 28 August 1890 in Wilson County to Dread Hagans and Martha Speight; lived near Walstonburg, in Wilson County; was the widower of Daisy Hagans; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Saint Delight Cemetery, Greene County. Louis Hagans Jr. was informant.

  • John Lancaster
  • John Summerlin

In the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Nelson Sumlin, 41; wife Anna, 36; and children John, 13, Ben, 10, Laura, 8, and Bud, 4.

In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer John Sumlin, 22, and wife Ruth, 18.

In 1917, Jno. Summerlin registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 19 August 1888 in Wilson County; lived near Elm City; farmed for James Bass; and supported a wife and four children. He signed his name “John Sumlin.”

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer John Sumerline, 33; wife Ruth, 27; and children Adell, 8, Nora, 7, Leslie, 4, and Margaret, 3.

In the 1930 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, North Carolina: John Sumlin, 43; with Ruth, 37; and children Elnora, 16, Marvis, 14, Lossie, 13, John B. Jr., 12, Almena, 10, and Izell, 6.

John Sumlin died 6 March 1939 in Rocky Mount, Edgecombe County. Per his death certificate, he was born 19 August 1888 in Wilson County to Nelson Sumlin of Warrington [Warrenton], N.C. and Anna Eliza Hudson of Conetoe, N.C.; was married to Ruth Sumlin; worked as a day laborer at a factory; and was buried in Wilson County.

  • Warren Ward

In the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Scott Ward, 48; wife Tinie, 45; and children Nathan, 24, Scott, 19, Warren, 17, Frances, 14, George, 11, Manda, 9, and Mary, 5.

  • Albert Ward

Possibly, in the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Albert Ward, 30, cropper; wife Ella, 25; and sons Willie, 4, and Robert, 11 months.

  • Aaron Cameron
  • Jim Ellis

In the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Lue Ellis, 55, and children Alvenia, 14, Jim, 14, Oscar, 12, and Lue, 1 month.

In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Lou Ellis, 45, widow, children James, 22, Oscar, 20, and Elijah, 6; Louvenia Hagans, 5; Isaac Ward, 24; and Fannie Mitchell, 39. [Louvenia Jones died 6 June 1927 in Stantonsburg township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 22 years old; was born in Wilson County to Dave Hagans and Almeta Ellis; was married to Roscoe Jones; and was buried in Bethel Cemetery. Oscar Ellis was informant.]

Coroner’s Inquests (1908), Miscellaneous Records, Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

The obituary of Christine T. Flowers.

Wilson Daily Times, 24 January 1945.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Lila Spencer, 50; daughter Mamie Taylor, 30, tobacco factory laborer; grandchildren Ida, 13, Mildred, 11, James H., 9, Lila C., 7, Hermon, 5, and Bruce C., 3; and roomer Henry Bullock, 25.

On 11 October 1931, William Flowers, 21, of Washington, N.C., son of William Flowers, and Georgia [no maiden name], married Christine Taylor, 18, of Wilson, daughter of William James Taylor and Mamie S. Taylor, in Wilson township, Wilson County. John H. Clark and Mamie S. Taylor applied for the license, and Protestant Episcopal minister Michael R. Barton performed the ceremony in the presence of W.M. Bethel, J. Wesley Rogers, and Clark. 

Buried at the schoolhouse?

When 17 month-old John Jones Jr. died of malaria and meningitis in 1916, he was buried at “Jones Schoolhouse.”

Jones Schoolhouse? Was there a cemetery at Jones Hill School? Or was this the cemetery for Jones Hill Primitive Baptist Church, which was close by the school?

John Jones’ father William Anderson Jones was the son of Nathan and Joanna Jones and grandson of Joseph and Zilla Locus Jones, and thus a member of the large extended Jones family with roots as free people of color in Nash County. Many are buried in the Jones Hill cemetery, which seems the most likely location for this baby’s grave. (Another of William and Amanda Rowe Jones’ children — William Thomas Jones — was buried in New Vester church cemetery in 1915, as was Amanda Jones after her death in Wake County in 1927.)

The last will and testament of Leah Ellis Barnes.

Leah Barnes executed her last will and testament in November 1914 with the following provisions:

  • to grandsons Paul and Louis Barnes, her house and lot on Viola Street adjoining the property of J.Z. Staton and Wash Pitt
  • to children Edward Barnes, Maggie Barnes, Mary Jane Lane, and Frank Barnes and grandsons Paul and Louis Barnes, all personal property, to be divided equally
  • Elder Jonah Williams to serve as executor and guardian to Paul and Louis if they were not yet 21 years of age

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In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Laurence Barnes, 53; wife Lizzie [sic], 48;  and children Edwin, 18, Maggie, 15, Frank, 14, and Joseph, 12.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Lela [sic] Barnes, 55, widow, odd jobs laborer; children Edward, 26, wagon factory laborer, and Frank, 25, blacksmith; grandchildren Lewis, 9, and Maggie, 25, servant; and boarder Harry Draughn, 24. Leah Barnes reported that 6 of her 11 children were living.

Lear Barnes died 1 June 1915 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 62 years old; was born in Wilson County to Amos Ellis and Mary Edmundson; was a widow; and was buried in Wilson [likely, Vick Cemetery.] Maggie Barnes was informant.

Historic Black Business Series, no. 31: Moore & Battle, soft drinks.

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!

Around 1912, Henry Moore and John Battle ran a soft drink shop at 217 South Goldsboro Street.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, December 2024.

Williamson and Williams post bond for distressed farmer.

In August 1912, Luther Vailes‘ landlords, George W. Dew and D.W. Dew, sued him for allegedly failing to produce the crops due under the terms of a sharecropping agreement.

Pending a judgment, the Wilson County sheriff seized from Vailes a thousand pounds of tobacco and four acres each of fodder and cotton. Alex Williamson and Jonah Williams stepped forward to post bond for Vailes, each averring that they owned sufficient property to do so. Williamson was one of the most prosperous African-American farmers in Springhill township, and his involvement is not surprising. Primitive Baptist elder Williams was also relatively well-to-do, but has no obvious links to Vailes beyond a shared home county.

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In the 1900 census of Goldsboro, Wayne County, N.C.: farmer Lafayette Vail, 30; wife Jane, 27; and children Luther, 9, Minnie, 3, Dallas, 1, and Lafayette, 6 months; plus Hattie Edmondson, 23, servant.

In the 1910 census of Bull Head township, Greene County, N.C.: farmer Lafyette Vales, 40; wife Jane, 38; and children Luther, 19, Dallas, 11, Lafyette, 9, Clarence, 7, and Pearlie Jane, 1.

On 12 August 1911, Luther Vail, 20, of Springhill township, married Della Whitley, 19, of Springhill township, in Wilson County. Rev. J.M. Richardson performed the ceremony in the presence of Willie Edmundson, Elizzi Edmundson, and John Newsom.

In 1917, Luther Vailes registered for the World War I draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 3 October 1891 in Wayne County, N.C.; lived in Deanwood, Washington, D.C.; worked for C.H. Thompkins; and supported a wife and four children.

In the 1920 census of Washington, D.C.: Luther Valle, 29, wiper at round house; wife Della, 27; children Leonard, 7, Ola, 5, Ethel, 3, J.T., 9 months; and brother Lafayette, 18.

In the 1930 census of Dale township, Chesterfield County, Virginia: Luther Vailes, 39, odd jobs laborer; wife Della, 37; and children Leard, 18, Alia, 15, Ethel, 13, Claud, 7, Olive B., 5, Bernie, 4, Kenneth, 2, and Virginia, 5 months.

In the 1940 census of Richmond, Virginia: Luther Vailes, city government laborer; wife Della, 42; and children Ollie, 23, Claude, 17, Ollie B., 15, Bernice, 13, Kenneth, 11, Virginia, 8, Dorsey, 6, and Dolores, 4.

In 1942, Luther Vailes registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 3 October 1891 in Wane [sic] County, North Carolina; lived at 1704 V Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.; his contact was Della Vailes; and he worked for Ross Company Construction, Captain Johns, Maryland. Vailes was measured at 4’5″ tall.

In the 1950 census of Kings County, New York: Luther Vailes, 58, butler; wife Della, 54; children Ollie B., 27, Bernice, 25, Virginia, 19, Dorsey, 16, and Delores, 13; and grandchildren Gloria Jean Vailes, 4, Patricia Ann Harvey, 4, Robbie Stuckey, 2, Carol Stuckey, 18 months, and Deborea Vailes, 1.

Civil Issues Dockets, Wilson County, N.C., Miscellaneous Records, http://www.familysearch.org.

Selling liquor to slaves.

Selling liquor to enslaved people was a crime so common that Superior Court kept forms specially worded for indictments. At Fall Term 1857, a solicitor signed off on a charge against John Caligan for selling a “pint of spiritous liquors” to “a slave named Joshua the property of Josiah Rawls.”

The same year, a grand jury considered a charge against Henry Locus, a free man of color, for buying liquor for an enslaved man. Another enslaved man, Reddick, was a witness to the alleged crime.

Selling to a Slave (1857), Wilson County Slave Records 1834-1863, www. familysearch.org.

The will and estate of Barnes Simms (1805).

Barnes Simms (1764-1805), the son of Robert and Mary Barnes Simms, lived in the area between Black Creek and Contentnea Creek in what is now Wilson County. He executed a will on 6 September 1805 providing for the distribution of land, livestock, personal property, and people. Simms’ wife Martha was to receive, among other property, a “negroeman” named Laze and two women, Peggy and Agathy.

Further down, another provision encapsulates slaveholders’ purely transactional view of Black lives. Barnes directed that Toby, Hannah, Rose, and Violet remain with his family after his death — “and the benefits of the labour to be applyed to the use of raiseing and schooling of my Children until my son James attains to the age of nineteen years.” And then they were to be sold.

Also, Barnes directed “my negroes Harry, Sue, and Phillis be sold and their value to be applied toward the raising the legacies” elsewhere directed.

Simms died soon after, and his estate entered probate. On 12 December 1805, Etheldred Deberry bought Harry at an estate sale for just over $195 and Sue for $100. Thomas Barrow bought Phillis for $127.

After Simms’ youngest children reached maturity, another sale was set. There, his widow Martha Simms purchased Toby, Rose, and Hannah and three of her children for $1430.

Barnes Simms Will (1805), Estate of Barnes Simms (1808), North Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The hire of boy Wilson.

$132.50  Twelve months after date we or either of us promise to pay Henry C.D. Mitchell one hundred and thirty two dollars and fifty cents for the hire negro boy Wilson said negro to be furnished three suits cloths two for summer one for winter two double sole pr shoes hat[?] & Blanket being for valu Rec’d given under our hands and seals this 2nd day Jany 1853   W.H. Proctor, G.H. Barnes, J.D. Rountree, Stephen Privett

Civil Action Papers, Wilson [County, North Carolina] Court Records 1856, http://www.familysearch.org.

The last will and testament of Andrew Parker.

Andrew Parker executed his last will and testament in May 1923, leaving all his property to his daughter Nancy Parker Locus [Lucas] and her daughter Rose Ella Parker. Parker lived another 12 years and, though he remarried, he apparently did not update his will.

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In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer James Parker, 39; wife Louisa, 40; children Andrew, 18, Martha Ann, 16, Samuel, 15, Henry, 13, James, 7, Sallie, 5, and Johnny, 2; grandson Charlie Vick, 2; and widowed mother-in-law Cherry Lindsey, 70.

On 5 February 1903, Andrew Parker, 21, of Wilson township, son of James and Louisa Parker, married Conteaster Vick, 25, of Toisnot township, daughter of Payton and Ellen Vick, in Wilson County.

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer Andrew Parker, 38; wife Lucas T., 26; children Julia A., 14, Nancy, 12, and Sylvester, 10; and brothers Johnie, 12, Joshua, 9, and Alex, 7.

On 7 September 1919, C. Floyd Locus, 21, of Toisnot township, married Nancy Parker, 20, of Toisnot township, in Wilson County. Missionary Baptist minister Elias Lucas performed the ceremony.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Langley Road, farmer Andrew Parker, 43; wife Leasie, 43; Mary, 17, and Rosey, 4.

Lue C. Parker died 2 March 1922 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 46 years old; was born in Wilson County to Payton Vick and Ellen Vick; and was married to Andrew Parker.

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Andrew Parker, 55; wife Minnie, 33; Rosella, 15, and Catharine B., 12.

In the 1930 census of Bethesda, Maryland: coal yard laborer Floyd Lucas, 30; wife Nancy, 30, cook; children Elsie, 9, and Nanabel, 6; and brother Edward, 18.

Andrew Parker died 26 September 1935 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 67 years old; was born in Nash County, N.C., to James Parker and Lucy Lindsey, both of Edgecombe County, N.C.; was married to Minnie Parker; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Wilson.

Wilson Daily Times, 29 October 1935.

The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 12 January 1948.