B.W.A. Historical Marker Series, no. 19: Lofton School.

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.

LOFTON SCHOOL

Probably originally school for white students; converted to Black school. Located near bridge over Contentnea Creek on present-day Downing Rd. Not a Rosenwald School. Closed in 1951 with consolidation of rural schools.

We know little about Lofton School, but for more see here and here and here.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, August 2024.

The obituary of Carrie Jones of Dayton, Ohio.

Dayton Daily News, 29 November 1971.

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In the 1930 census of Durham, Durham County, North Carolina: tobacco factory stemmer Carrie Jones, 27, and children Hester, 12, Carson, 17, and Viola, 14.

In the 1940 census of Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio: Carrie Jones, 40, and children and grandchildren Viola, 22, Hester, 21, Robert, 7, Shirley, 5, Joseph, 1, and Charles, 7 months.

In the 1950 census of Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio: widow Carrie Jones, 49, motor shop maid; daughters Hester Jones, 33, restaurant busgirl, and Viola Byrd, 34; and grandchildren Robert, 18, and Shirley Jones, 14, and Joe Lee, 11, Charles, 10, Emmajean, 9, Jane, 8, Donald, 4, Pauline, 5, and Carol Ann Byrd, newborn.

The death of little Isaac Bridges.

Three year-old Isaac Bridges died of kidney disease on 7 April 1895 in Kenton County, Kentucky. Per his death certificate, he was born in Wilson, North Carolina, to Esta Bridges and Andrew Bardon; had lived [in Covington] for one year; lived in Ellison House; and was buried in Linden Grove Cemetery.

Isaac’s mother Esther Bridges died of tuberculosis on 1 July 1895 in Saint Elizabeth Hospital, Covington, Kentucky. Her age was birthplace were unknown; she was a widow; she worked as a domestic; and was buried in Linden Grove.

The obituary of John H. Forbes of Vincennes, Indiana.

Vincennes Sun-Commercial, 15 February 1929.

John H. Forbes‘ attendance at Raleigh, North Carolina’s Shaw University signals that he was African-American, and he is found in the institution’s 1874-75 catalogue as a student in the College Department.

However, Forbes is described as white in every record in which I found him in Vincennes, Indiana. Was he the unheard-of white student at Shaw in the 1870s? Or did he spend the rest of his life in Ohio passing?

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Stella May Forbes was born 24 August 1883 in Knox County, Indiana, to John W. Forbes and Anna T. Marsh.

In the 1900 census of Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana: farmer John Forbes, 52; wife Anna, 38; and children Stella, 16, Harry, 15, Anna, 13, Charles, 7, and John, 2.

In the 1910 census of Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana: farmer John H. Forbes, 58; wife Anna, 48; and children Harry B., 24, Anna, 23, Charles, 16, and Johnie, 11.

In the 1920 census of Vincennes, Knox County, Indiana: farmer John Forbes, 58; wife Anna, 58; and children Charley, 26, and Anna, 32.

Brooks School scholars.

This priceless photograph depicts the students of Black Creek township’s Brooks School in 1914. Ada Harris Sharpe Reid stands second from left on the front row. Teacher Louvenia Woodard clutches a large book or ledger at right.

Photo courtesy of Ada H. Reid via George K. Butterfield Jr.