Goldsboro News-Argus, 28 May 1932.
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From the column “Doings of the Race,”
Cleveland Gazette, 11 May 1918.
For more about this incident, see here.
Wilson Daily Times, 14 May 1940.
I have not found a North Carolina death certificate for Lubert Thompson.
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In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Lula Sanders, 39, farm laborer, and children Rosa, 22, Rena, 19, Odessa, 13, James, 11, and Rubby, 4.
1948 Ayantee yearbook, North Carolina A.&T. State University.
Wilson County native Idell Jones, seated center, with sorors of Alpha Mu Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority.
Wilson Daily Times, 25 May 1937.
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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Woodard Street, widow Etta Reavis, 45, tobacco factory worker; children Louise, 18, and James, 6; brother-in-law Fred Reavis, 26, carpenter; his wife Cornelia, 19, and son Ralph, 4. Louise and Cornelia worked as tobacco factory laborers.
On 4 October 1923, Levi H. Peacock Jr., 22, of Wilson, son of Levi and Hannah Peacock, married Elouise Reavis, 20, of Wilson, daughter of Joseph and Etta Reavis, on 4 October 1922 in Wilson. W.A. Mitchner applied for the license, and Presbyterian minister A.H. George performed the ceremony in the presence of John D. Henry, Henrietta Foster and John H. Parris.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 204 Vick Street, hotel bellboy Levi Peacock, 30; wife Elouise, 28, a public school teacher; children Jewel D., 4, and Thomas L., 14; and mother-in-law Etta Reaves, 50, post office maid. [This entry contains errors. Jual D. Peacock was a daughter, rather than son, of Levi and Eloise Peacock, and Thomas was in fact just over a year old in 1930.]
Mary Etta Reavis died 22 May 1937 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 59 years old; was born in Vance County, N.C., to Thomas Fain and Clara Thomas; was a widow; lived at 418 Reid Street; worked as a charwoman in government service; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Eloise Peacock was informant.
Elouise R. Peacock died 15 June 1951 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 July 1906 in Wilson to Etta Fain; was a public school teacher; was married; and resided at 414 North Reid Street. Informant was Jeuetta Anderson.
Sallie Joyner Edwards (1842-1925).
Sallie Joyner Edwards spent most of her life in Nash County, but was a matriarch of two impactful Wilson County families. Rev. Buck H. Edwards was pastor of Sandy Fork Missionary Baptist and Mary Grove Missionary Baptist Churches, as well as others in Nash and Edgecombe Counties, and father of Oliver H. and James W. Edwards, founders of Edwards Funeral Home. Amanda Edwards Mitchell and her husband James Gray Mitchell were a prosperous farming family whose children were impactful leaders in the Elm City community. Mitchell School was named for J.G. Mitchell.
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In the 1880 census of Rocky Mount township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer Rob Edwards, 40; wife Sallie, 38; children Waitie, 20, Mary E., 19, Lucy, 17, Georgeanna, 15, Jerryhill, 12, Mandy, 11, Morning, 9, Charity, 7, Cora, 5, Maddieann, 3, and Buckhill, 4 months; and grandson Aaron, 1.
In the 1900 census of Coopers township, Nash County: farmer Robert Edwards, 65; wife Sallie, 68; and children Charity, 26, and Buck, 20.
In the 1910 census of Coopers township, Nash County: farmer Robert Edwards, 75; wife Salaan, 68; and grandchildren James W., 20, Lydie, 16, and Sallie Norfleet, 12, and Blonie Dew, 5.
Sallie Joyner died 1o March 1925 in Taylors township, Wilson County, N.C. Per her death certificate, she was 82 years old; a widow; was born in Nash County to Pomp Joyner; and was buried in Wilson County. B.H. Edwards was informant.
Photo courtesy of Amanda Mitchell Cameron.
Bulletin of A.&T. College, 1949-1950.
The 1949-50 bulletin of A.&T. College, now North Carolina State Agricultural and Technical University, reported 24 students from Wilson County the previous year, including three graduating seniors — Idell Jones, B.S. Home Economics, and cousins Kester Congress Mitchell, B.S. Business Administration, and Warren Harding Mitchell, B.S. Agriculture. The ’48 Ayantee, the school’s yearbook, reveals a fourth — John Wesley Jones.
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In the 1930 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Silvester T. Jones, 42; wife Ida, 38; children William J., 19, Alford T., 15, Willey E., 13, S.T., Jr., 10, Sallie C., 7, Jonie A., 5, and Idell, 2; and nephew Willey R. Jones, 23.
In the 1940 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Sylvester Jones, 53; wife Ida, 46; and children John A., 15, Iredell, 12, Stanley E., 9, and Louie, 7.
1946 Ayantee yearbook.
In the 1950 census of Greensboro, Guilford County, N.C.: in the household of Fredrick D. Caldwell, lodger Idell Jones, 22, assistant 4-H Club state agent at state agricultural extension service.
On 26 October 1951, Idell Jones, 24, of Greensboro, N.C., daughter of Sylvester and Ida Boykin Jones, married Morris W. Randall, 30, of Greensboro, son of M.H. and Joanna Wright Randall, in Wilson. Rev. J.A. Fisher of United Holy Church of America performed the ceremony in the presence of Ida Jones, S.T. Jones, and Cleo Wood.
In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Caster [Kester] Mitchell, 37; wife Martha, 35; and children Flora L., 14, Mamie L., 12, Kester C., 10, Willie R., 8, Christine, 6, Amanda G., 4, Purzzell and Inell, 2; and Caster [Cashe], 10 months.
In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Kester Mitchell, 45; wife Martha, 44; and children Flora Lee, 23, Mamie, 21, Kester Jr., 20, Roy, 18, Christine, 16, Amanda Gray, 14, Purnell and Inell, 12, Cash, 10, and Mildred, 8.
In 1940, Kester Congress Mitchell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 23 July 1919 in Wilson County; lived at Route 2, Elm City; his contact was mother Martha Ann Mitchell; and he worked for Kester Mitchell.
In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Robert L. Mitchell, 35; wife Ellenora, 26, public school teacher; and sons Warren H., 9, Robert L., Jr., 8, and Arthur P., 5.
In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Robert Lee Mitchell, 43; wife Ellenora, 35; and sons Warren Harding, 19, and Arthur Payton, 14.
In 1942, Warren Harding Mitchell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 6 December 1920 in Wilson County; lived at R.F.D. 2, Elm City; his mailing address was Box 576, A.&.T College, Greensboro; his conduct was Mrs. Robert L. Mitchell; and he was a student at A.&.T. College.
In the 1950 census of Beaverdam township, Richmond County, N.C.: at Morrison Training School of Correction, school farm supervisor Warren H. Mitchell, 29; wife Joycelyn, 31; and daughter Joycelyn D., 2.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 901 Stantonsburg Street, fertilizer plant laborer Westley Jones, 41; wife Martha, 42; and children Mildred, 15, Lucille, 12, Marion B., 10, Willie B., 6, John W., 4, James T., 2, and Elroy, 3 months.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 901 Stantonsburg Street, Wesley Jones, 51, fertilizer plant laborer; wife Martha, 52, tobacco factory laborer; and children Lucille, 22, teacher at Fremont School, Vernon, 20, Willie, 16, John, 14, James, 12, and Elroy, 10.
In 1943, John Wesley Jones registered for the World War II draft. Per his registration card, he was born 10 October 1925 in Wilson; lived at 901 Stantonsburg Street, Wilson; his mailing address was A.&T. College, Greensboro; his contact was Wesley Jones; and he was a student.
A new boutique hotel has opened on Tarboro Street in downtown Wilson — the Harriss.
Its guest suites include The Coleman, named in homage to Mattie B. Coleman, long-time proprietor of East Wilson’s Orange Hotel. Samuel H. Vick built the hotel in 1906 in the 500 block of East Nash Street.
The Orange’s stories have gone quiet; the building awaits investment and renovation. In the meantime, Carrie and Holton Wilkerson are honoring part of its legacy of “resilience, progress, and inclusivity.”
Cheers to the Wilkersons — and if you want to book The Coleman, go to http://www.theharriss.com.
To date, my Family Ties series has focused on the ways my grandmother Hattie Henderson Ricks and her adoptive mother (her great-aunt) Sarah Henderson Jacobs Silver maintained ties with the Henderson diaspora, which had begun spreading out from Wayne County, North Carolina, in the late 19th century. However, a chance find in a newspaper clipping sends this post in a different direction.
I’ve written of my great-great-grandparents, Green and Fereby Taylor, who were enslaved in far northern Nash County on the plantation of Kinchen Taylor, but appear in 1870 in Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, near present-day Pinetops. In the 1880 census, their household was multi-generational, with five grandchildren — Nannie, Carrie, Lizzie, Louisa, and Isaiah — whose parentage is not clear.
1880 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County.
I puzzled out Lizzie Taylor‘s identity (if not her parents) some time ago. As Eliza Taylor — the name she used throughout adulthood — she married Jordan Taylor and lived in Wilson for several decades. The others remained a mystery until I recently stumbled upon this notice of a funeral service:
Goldsboro News-Argus, 24 January 1965.
Edna Gray Taylor Desvigne, Joyce Taylor Crisp, and Roderick Taylor Jr. were my father’s half-siblings — children of Roderick Taylor Sr. and great-grandchildren of Green and Fereby Taylor. Mary John Pender Taylor was their mother. Who was Lula Faucette to them?
Her death certificate answered the question. Lula Faucette was Louisa Lula Taylor Faucette — the Louisa listed in the 1880 census, and Roderick Taylor Sr.’s first cousin. She was born 2 February 1882 [or thereabouts] in Wilson County to parents who were unknown to informant Roderick Taylor Jr. [her first cousin once removed]; lived at 306 South Leslie Street; and was a widow. She was buried in Elmwood Cemetery.
The Faucettes prospered in Goldsboro, and records show Lula Taylor Faucette maintained contact with her Wilson kin for the rest of her life.
On 26 May 1898, J.T. Faucett, 22, of Wayne County, married Lula Taylor, 18, of Wilson County, at the residence of M. Taylor [probably, Mike Taylor, Lula’s uncle.] W.J. Moore, [A.M.E. Zion] minister of the gospel, performed the ceremony in the presence of T.A. Saunders, Mary E. Moore, and Elsie McCullers. The marriage register does not name her parents.
In the 1910 census of Goldsboro township, Wayne County: locomotive fireman Thomas Faucette, 37; wife Louisa, 29; and daughter Susie, 11.
The 1914-1915 catalogue of Scotia Seminary in Concord, N.C., lists Susie Mae Faucette of Goldsboro as a first-year seminary student.
In the 1920 census of Goldsboro, Wayne County: at 508 Canal Street, owned and valued at $5000, Thomas Faucette, 46, locomotive fireman; wife Louise, 40; and daughter Susie, 21, public school teacher.
On 23 November 1921, the Goldsboro News-Argus reported that the Civics Department of the Woman’s Club had organized a civic club “among the colored people” that would go house to house to campaign for planting and cleaning up. Mrs. Thomas Faucette was named as the representative for District #5, Little Washington, from the railroad to the Old Folks’ Home.
In this photo taken circa 1925, Susie Faucette is third from right on the top row. Goldsboro News-Argus, 12 December 1976.
In the 1930 census of Goldsboro, Wayne County: at 426 Canal Street, owned and valued at $5000, Thomas Faucette, 54, steam railway fireman; wife Lula, 50; and daughter Susie, 31, public school teacher.
1930 Goldsboro, N.C., city directory.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 30 May 1934.
My review of available death certificates for Wilson County in May 1934 did not establish the identity of the sister who died. However, Eliza Taylor Taylor died 25 May 1934 in Rose Hill township, Duplin County, and I would bet good money that she was the sister.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 28 July 1934.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 27 January 1937.
Thomas Faucett died 27 January 1937 in Goldsboro, Wayne County. Per his death certificate, he was born 11 December 1876 in Hillsboro[ugh], North Carolina, to Ray Faucett and Susan Wortham; was married to Louise Faucett; lived at 209 South James; worked as a railroad fireman; and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery.
The Faucettes’ charitable contributions were regularly noted in the News-Argus‘ Black society column.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 14 December 1938.
Two years later, principal Hugh V. Brown submitted this tribute to the local newspaper:
Goldsboro News-Argus, 2 February 1939.
Later that year, Lula and Susie Faucette sold their house on Canal Street in Goldsboro’s Little Washington neighborhood. They bought a house at 209 South James Street. In 1959, they built and moved into a house at 308 South Leslie Street, which still stands.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 21 July 1939.
Per the First African Baptist Church 1864-1978: Dedicational Year church history book, in the late 1930s, Lula Faucette, with Henrietta Wooten, founded the Stitch and Chatter Club “for spiritual, social, and financial and to help First African Baptist meet its financial obligations.”
Per News-Argus reports, beginning about 1942, Lula and Susie Faucette began sponsoring the Thomas Faucette Award, given to the “most useful boy” in senior class at Goldsboro’s Dillard High School.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 2 April 1942.
Mrs. Jimmie Reaves was Bertha Taylor Reaves, daughter of Mike and Rachel Barnes Taylor and Lula Faucette’s first cousin.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 3 July 1944.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 5 August 1944.
(Who were these Philadelphia relatives??)
Goldsboro News-Argus, 26 April 1948.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 28 March 1950.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 28 June 1950.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 24 March 1951.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 11 July 1951.
Rev. Fred M. Davis, most closely associated with Wilson’s Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church, served as pastor of First African Baptist from 1916 to 1924.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 14 August 1957.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 29 June 1962.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 6 February 1963.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 8 February 1963.
Susie Mae Faucette died 6 February 1963 in Goldsboro. Per her death certificate, she was born 9 March 1906 [sic] in Wayne County to Thomas Faucette and Louise Taylor; was never married; worked as a teacher; and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 14 March 1963.
Susie Faucette’s estate was valued at nearly $187,000 in 2025 dollars.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 20 March 1963.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 11 February 1965.
Louise Faucette’s estate was valued at about $234,ooo in 2025 dollars.
308 South Leslie Street, Goldsboro, per Google Street View, June 2022.