Wilson County

Snaps, no. 109: James E. and Narcissa Dunn Howard.

James E. Howard and Narcissa “Cisco” Dunn Howard.

In the 1880 census of Jackson township, Nash County, N.C.: Ira Howard, 22; wife Harriet, 21; son James E., 1; servant Merica Fanner, 8; and brother George Howard, 21.

In the 1880 census of Dunn township, Franklin County, N.C.: John Dunn, 35; wife Jone, 26; and children Maggie, 7, Victora, 6, Welden, 5, Narcissa, 3, and an unnamed boy, 10 months.

On 22 November 1899, James Howard, 22, of Taylor township, married Cisco Dunn, 20, of Wilson, in Taylor township.

In the 1900 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer James Howard, 20, and wife Cisco, 20.

In the 1910 census of Dry Wells township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer James Howard, 36; wife Sisco, 30; and children William, 10, John, 9, James R., 7, Dempsy P., 5, Miria, 4, and Alice, 2.

In the 1920 census of Jackson township, Nash County: farmer James Howard, 47; wife Sisco, 40; and children Wm., 19, John, 17, James, 16, Dempsey, 14, Myrtle, 13, Sam, 9, Erley, 8, Beulah, 6, Ernest, 5, and Laura, 2.

James Howard died 18 November 1923 in “Col. Hospital,” Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 52 years old; was born in Wilson County to Ora Howard and Harriet Wilkins; and was a tenant farmer for J.R. Brantley. Sisco Howard was informant.

In the 1930 census of Mannings township, Nash County: farmer Cisco Howard, 51, widow, and children James, 25, Dempsie P., 23, Alice, 20, Faro, 19, Early, 18, Beulah, 15, Earnest, 13, and Lorene, 12.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Sisco Howard, 63, laundress; son Dempsie Howard, 34, servant; daughter Earlie Hester, 28, servant; granddaughter Eva May Hester, 7; and daughter Laura Howard, 22, tobacco stemmer.

In 1940, Ernest Howard registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 15 April 1915 in Wilson; his contact was mother Sisco Howard, 312 Pender Street; and he worked for Mollie Howard, R.F.D. #1, Wilson.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Pender Street Alley, widow Sisco Howard, 71; daughter Early, 28, widow; and granddaughter Eva Mae, 17, servant.

Sisco Howard died 29 July 1958 at her home at 312 Pender Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 15 July 1885 in Franklin County, N.C., to John Dunn and Flora Harris; she was a widow; and her informant was Earlie Hester.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Joshua Freeman.

James H. Adams of Gary, Indiana (by way of Wilson and Mississippi).

Most African-American migrants to the steel mills of Gary, Indiana, came from the Middle and Deep South. James H. Adams was born in Wilson County, but his family migrated to Mississippi in the 1890s. More than 20 years later, he joined the Great Migration stream north.

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On 4 January 1880, Arnley Adams, 23, married Sarah Atkinson, 18, at Handy Atkinson‘s in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Arnol Adams, 24, and wife Sarho, 18. [Next door: Arnold Adams‘ widowed mother and siblings, farmer Spicy Adams, 39, and children Frank, 19, Carline, 15,  James, 12, Calvin, 8, Albert, 6, and Dora, 1.

In the 1900 census of Beat #3, Coahoma County, Mississippi: farmer Arnold Adams, 42, and children James, 21, Bettie, 16, John, 13, and Rosa, 7. All were born in North Carolina except Rosa.

In the 1910 census of Beat #3, Bolivar County, Mississippi: farmer Arnold Adams, 54, and sons James, 30, and John, 22. All were described as widowers.

In 1918, James Adams registered for the World War I draft in Bolivar County, Mississippi. Per his registration card, he was born 15 September 1876; lived in Boyle, Bolivar County; was a farmer; and his nearest relative was Ida Adams.

In the 1930 census of Gary, Lake County, Indiana: at 2201 Madison, steel plant laborer James Adams, 48, born in N.C.; wife Ida, 46, born in Mississippi; and grandchildren Ida, 12, born in Mississippi, and Raymond, 5, born in Indiana.

In the 1940 census of Gary, Lake County, Indiana: on West 22nd Avenue, steel mill laborer James Adams, 59, born in N.C.; wife Ida, 46, born in Mississippi; and grandson Raymond, 15, born in Indiana.

In 1942, James Henry Adams registered for the World War II draft in Gary, Indiana. Per his registration card, he was born 15 September 1881 in Wilson, North Carolina; lived at 320 West 22nd Avenue; his contact was John Mason; and he worked for C.I.S. Mill, Gary.

James H. Adams died 18 April 1953 in Gary, Indiana. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 September 1881 in North Carolina to Arnold Adams and Sarah Atkinson; was a widower; lived at 320 West 22nd Avenue; and was retired. [Sister] Rosie Bentley of Chicago was informant.

The estate of Phoebe Boykin (1863).

Phoebe Boykin of Oldfields township, Wilson County, died in late 1863 possessed of five enslaved people — Peter, Watey, and Watey’s three children.

The children apparently were quite young, as in the 1860 slave schedule of Oldfields township, Phebe Boykin reported only a 62 year-old man, a 17 year-old young woman, and a 1 year-old boy.

At the 28 November 1863 sale of Boykin’s perishable property, Peter was hired out to Hackney Eatmon [of neighboring Nash County] for $52.50, and Watey and her children went to Chrissey Bailey “for keepin.” [Bailey appears to have been Phoebe Boykin’s daughter.] Peter was to receive one pair of shoes, a coat, two pairs of pants, two shirts, and one pair of socks. Watey and her children were to have two suits each, with Watey to get a pair of socks and a pair of shoes as well.

On 28 November 1864, Crissy Bailey marked her X on a receipt for the $350 she was paid for caring for Watey and the children the previous year.

The same day, Peter was hired out to Haywood Eatmon for $101.50, and Watey and her children returned to Bailey for $101.

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  • Peter

In the 1880 census of Taylors township, Wilson County, there is Peter Eatmon, 28, hireling by the day; wife Lucinda, 30; and children Henry, 8, and Doctor, 4. This Peter, however, was much too young to have been the elderly man listed in the 1860 slave schedule.

  • Watey and three children

I have not found this family.

Estate File of Phebe Boykin (1863), Wilson County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, http://www.familysearch.org

James A. Barnes’ enslaved community.

We saw here the last will and testament of James A. Barnes, who died childless and dispersed 20 enslaved people among an array of relatives. What do we know of the 20? Not much.

  • Tom (to wife Sarah Barnes for her lifetime, then to choose his owner)
  • Mary (to wife Sarah Barnes, then to nephew Theophilus Bass)
  • Esther (to wife Sarah Barnes, then to nephew Theophilus Bass)

On 11 August 1866, Howell Darden and Easter Bass registered their cohabitation with a county justice of the peace and thereby legalized their 18-year marriage.

In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Howard Darden, 47, farm laborer; wife Esther, 38; and children Warren, 20, Eliza, 18, Martin, 17, Toby, 12, and Crawford, 1.

On 22 December 1871, Martin Darden, son of Howell Darden and Esther Jordan, married Jane Dew, daughter of Haywood and Jane Dew, at H. Dew’s in Wilson County.

On 29 December 1892, Henry Dortch, 52, of Wilson, son of Isaac Thorne and Bedie Artis, married Eliza Darden, 42, at Crawford Darden‘s in Wilson County. Free Will Baptist minister Daniel Blount performed, and Frank Woodard, Warren Darden, and Isom Sutton witnessed the ceremony.

Martin Darden died 22 December 1926 in Kenansville township, Duplin County. Per his death certificate, he was 74 years old; was married to Jane Darden; was born in Wilson County to Howard and Easter Darden; and worked as a farmer and blacksmith. Howard Darden of Fremont was informant.

  • Charles (to wife Sarah Barnes, then to nephew Theophilus Bass)

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Charles Bass, 41.

On 16 January 1880, Charles Bass, 51, married Rhoda A. Jordan, 23, at C. Bass’ [probably Charles Bass] residence. Justice of the Peace David G.W. Ward performed the ceremony.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Charles Bass, 51; wife Rhoda, 23; and an unnamed four month-old infant daughter. [This child was Cornelia Bass Reddick.]

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Charles Bass, 71, widower, and son James, 10.

  • Amos (to wife Sarah Barnes)
  • Bob (to wife Sarah Barnes)
  • Silvia (to wife Sarah Barnes)
  • Ransom (to wife Sarah Barnes)
  • Rose (to wife Sarah Barnes)
  • Dinah (to Martha Tomberlin)
  • Jack (to McKinley Darden’s daughter Tresy Darden)

Perhaps, on 19 January 1869, Jack Darden married Vina Artist in Wayne County, N.C.

  • Howell (to McKinley Darden)

On 11 August 1866, Howell Darden and Easter Bass registered their cohabitation with a county justice of the peace and thereby legalized their 18-year marriage.

In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Howard Darden, 47, farm laborer; wife Esther, 38; and children Warren, 20, Eliza, 18, Martin, 17, Toby, 12, and Crawford, 1.

On 22 December 1871, Martin Darden, son of Howell Darden and Esther Jordan, married Jane Dew, daughter of Haywood and Jane Dew, at H. Dew’s in Wilson County.

Martin Darden died 22 December 1926 in Kenansville township, Duplin County. Per his death certificate, he was 74 years old; was married to Jane Darden; was born in Wilson County to Howard and Easter Darden; and worked as a farmer and blacksmith. Howard Darden of Fremont was informant.

  • Irvin (to sister Beedy Woodard in Georgia)

Obedience Barnes Woodard appears in the 1850 census of Dooly County, Georgia, as Obedience Woodard, a 65 year-old head of household in the 1850 census of Dooly County, Georgia. I have found no trace of Irvin.

  • Jordan (to Eliza Bass, widow of James Bass)

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Jordan Bass, 68; Rodah, 39; George, 24; Amos, 23; Etheldred, 17; and Frederick, 12.

  • Rindy (jointly to George Washington Bass, Thomas Warren Bass, and Jesse Jackson Bass, the sons of Theophilus Bass, deceased)
  • Abraham (jointly to George Washington Bass, Thomas Warren Bass, and Jesse Jackson Bass, the sons of Theophilus Bass, deceased; to James B. Bass, then to George W. Bass)
  • Rhody (jointly to George Washington Bass, Thomas Warren Bass, and Jesse Jackson Bass, the sons of Theophilus Bass, deceased; to James B. Bass, then to Jesse Bass)
  • Alexander (jointly to George Washington Bass, Thomas Warren Bass, and Jesse Jackson Bass, the sons of Theophilus Bass, deceased)
  • Bob (jointly to George Washington Bass, Thomas Warren Bass, and Jesse Jackson Bass, the sons of Theophilus Bass, deceased; to James B. Bass, then to Jesse Bass)
  • Gatsey (sold)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Among the many things I am grateful for this Thanksgiving are

the science of ground-penetrating radar and North Carolina’s public records laws. For the first time, we know, if not who, then how many, lie in Vick Cemetery;

all who gathered on a steamy August morning to recognize and celebrate sacred Vick Cemetery;

all who stand shoulder to shoulder to demand justice for Vick and those who cloak us in prayer;

all who have worked to clear Odd Fellows of decades of overgrowth and debris, and all who intend to do so in Season 4;

all who support Lane Street Project in any way, shape, or form;

all who read Black Wide-Awake and like, comment, or contribute ideas, feedback, and photos;

sound body, strong mind!

The estate of John S. Benton (1863).

Twenty-seven year-old John S. Benton of Wilson County enlisted in the Confederate Army on 28 June 1861 in Craven County, North Carolina. He was assigned to Company F, 4th North Carolina Infantry; was wounded at Seven Pines, Virginia, on 31 May 1862; and died of his wounds on 10 June 1862.

As administrator of Benton’s small estate, Willie Lamm filed this account of the sale of Benton’s property, which included “one Negroman Sezar.” The low price Caesar brought suggests that he was very old and/or infirm.

Estate File of John S. Benton (1863), Wilson County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, http://www.familysearch.org

N.A.A.C.P. calls for removal of Confederate monument.

We’ve examined the Confederate monument that stands on front of the Wilson County Courthouse here and here. Recently, Wilson’s N.A.A.C.P. called upon Wilson County Commissioners to remove the 1926 monument, which once featured segregated water fountains.

Wilson Times, 14 November 2023.

The death of Julius Finch of Whitaker, Pennsylvania.

In the 1940 census of Whitaker township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: Julius Finch, 34, W.P.A. worker, born in North Carolina, and wife Emily, 28, born in Georgia.

In 1942, Julius Finch registered for the World War II draft in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Per his registration card, he was born in Wilson, North Carolina; his contact was Emily Finch; and he worked for the Eighth Street Foundry in Braddock, Pennsylvania.

In the 1950 census of Whitaker, Allegheny township, Pennsylvania: at 1214 River Road, upstairs, Julius Finch, 55, supplyman at electrical appliance manufacturer, and wife Emily C., 39.

Pittsburgh Press, 10 December 1974.

Per his application for military headstone, Julius Finch was buried in Homewood Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was born in 1895 and died in 1974 and served as a private in the United States Army during World War I.