Lane Street Project: Statesville’s Green Street Cemetery report.

Iredell County Public Library has released its final report on Green Street Cemetery, and I stand up and applaud. This is what respect and reclamation look like!

The entire report is too long to reproduce in this post, but here’s a link, and here are the first few pages. I am a member of the Green Street Cemetery descendant community; my maternal grandmother was from Statesville. I’m grateful for the many individuals and organizations that have worked to honor this sacred space and to create a successful model for other cities across North Carolina.

 

 

Service of Memory for Ada Daniel Williams.

Ada Daniel Williams died in Washington, D.C., and was returned to Wilson for burial. (The typist was one key off when typing her middle name for the funeral program.)

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In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Tarboro Road, widow Venus Farmer, 60; children Jamarmah, 38, Rhodie, 28, John D., 22, and Flora Farmer, 13; son Zecal McCaw, 34; and [granddaughter] Ader D. Farmer, 4.

Jerry Williams, 34, of Wilson, son of John and Mary Williams of Edgecombe County, N.C., married Rhoda Farmer, 20, daughter of Daniel and Venus Farmer, at the bride’s sister’s house in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Frank Savage, Ned Barnes, and Jonas Bynum witnessed.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 217 Manchester, wood cutter Jerry Williams, 42; wife Rhoda, 38, laundress; and daughter Ada, 14, nurse.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 211 Manchester, owned and valued at $800, laundress Rhoda Williams, 49, widow; daughter Ada, 24, cook; and grandchildren Aline, 5, and Inza, 3.

Rhoda Williamson died 19 August 1931 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 46 years old; was born in Wilson County to Daniel Farmer of Virginia and Venus Woodard of North Carolina; was a widow; lived at 211 Manchester; and was buried in Wilson [most likely, Vick Cemetery.] Ada Williams was informant.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 211 Manchester, owned and valued at $800, tobacco factory laborer Ada Williams, 34, and daughters Allean, 14, and Inza, 13.

1013 East Nash Street, revisited.

In the category “East Wilson Renovations” — 10, 10, 10s across the board!!

The renovation of the house is nearly complete at 1013 East Nash Street, the Queen Anne cottage most closely associated with Willie and Ada Harris Reid, but built more than 20 years before they took occupancy. Judging by the exterior, it’s a lovely job.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, October 2023.

The homegoing of William G. Bynum.

Like many in eastern North Carolina, William G. Bynum migrated to Tidewater Virginia. At the time of his death in 1984, none of his closest relatives remained in Wilson County.

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In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer Isaac Bynum, 36; wife Dorsey, 36; and children Martha, 17, Mammie, 16, Daisy, 15, Hagar, 13, Mary, 11, William, 8, Essie M., 6, Hula G., 4, and Mavis G., 1.

In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm operator Isaac Bynum, 48; wife Dossie Ann, 45; children William G., 17, Essie Mae, 16, Hulla Gray, 14, and Mavis Greer, 11; and grandsons Ernest Burner Farmer, 5, and Dorsey E. Blackstone, 3.

In 1942, William Bynum registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 17 November 1921 in Wilson County; resided at Route 2, Elm City; his nearest relative was mother Dorsey Bynum; and he worked for John L. Bailey, Elm City.

On 10 October 1950, William Bynum, 28, barber, born in Wilson County, N.C., to Isaac Bynum and Dorsey Farmer, married Leila Ruth Reavis, 26, born in Brunswick County, Virginia, to George Reavis and Carrie Green, in Newport News, Virginia.

William G. Bynum died 30 January 1930 in Hampton, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born 17 November 1921 in North Carolina to James Isaac Bynum and Dorsie Farmer; was a retired barber; and was married to Lelia Ruth Bynum.

Funeral program courtesy of Levolyre Farmer Pitt from the collection of her mother Savannah Powell Farmer.

J. Barnes burns down family house.

Wilson Daily Times, 1 October 1945.

  • Johnny Barnes
  • Howard Barrett

In the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: widower Howard Barrett, 44; children William A., 16 [a daughter], Ines, 14, Beatrice, 12, and Thelma Lee, 10; and grandson Howard, 5.

In the 1950 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: widower Howard Barrett, 53; daughter Willia Barnes, 26; and grandchildren Howard Barrett, 16, and Barbara, 9, Johnnie F., 6, Joseph, 5, and Judy, 4.

Stephen Woodard’s enslaved, part 3.

When Stephen Woodard Sr. executed his last will and testament in 1858, he determined the fates of 72 enslaved African-Americans.

In Item 11th, daughter Elizabeth Woodard Newsome received 15 enslaved people. Stephen Woodard died in 1864, and all were likely freed before his estate was distributed. Though they presumably were in Wilson County at Emancipation, I’m able to trace forward relatively few people.

  • Alfred

In 1866, Harriet Woodard and Alfred Woodard registered their ten-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Alfred Woodard, 40; wife Harriet, 28; and children Ned, 14, Rosa, 15, Zilly, 4, London, 3, and Minny, 2 months. Harriet died before 13 February 1873, when Alfred married her widowed sister Sarah Woodard Rountree. [Harriet and Sarah Woodard were daughters of London and Venus Woodard and had been enslaved by James B. Woodard.]

In the 1880 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Alfred Woodard, 50; wife Sarah, 45; children Florence, 28, Mary, 22, Howell, 18, Sarah E., 16, Zilly A., 17, Lundon, 13, Minnie, 12, Willie, 10, Josephine, 7, and Evvy, 4; and grandchildren Elizabeth, 7, Robt. B., 5, and John H. Bynum, 4.

  • Washington

Perhaps: in the 1880 census of New Hope township, Wayne County: farmer Washington Woodard, 54; wife Harriet, 24; and servant Esteller Pitt, 20.

In the 1900 census of New Hope township, Wayne County: farmer Washington Woodard, 65; wife Harrett, 55; and boarders Malissie, 23, and Henry A., 8.

  • Sherard
  • Ned
  • Wright
  • Frank

Frank Woodard and Appa Thompson were married in Wilson County on 15 October 1866.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Frank Woodard, 25, farm laborer; wife Appie, 23; son Frank Jr., 1; and Samuel Woodard, 20, farm laborer.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Frank Woodard, 37, farmer; wife Appie, 32; and sons Frank, 11, and Romulus, 9.

  • Auston

On 1 January 1870, Austin Woodard, son of Cooper Woodard and Chacey Woodard, married Easter Newsome, daughter of Cezar Newsome and Jane Simms, in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Cooper Woodard, 56; wife Candiss, 56; and Austin, 21, Jonas, 24, Handy, 17, and Esther Woodard, 21. Cooper claimed $225 in personal property. [Candis was the stepmother of Austin, Jonas, and Handy. Esther was Austin’s wife.]

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Austin Woodard, 29; wife Easter, 30; and children Foy, 10, Marion, 5, George, 3, John, 2, and Chasey, 1.

  • Etney and her three children Jane, Hugh, and Oliver

Perhaps: Oliver Woodard died 14 May 1929 in Saulston township, Wayne County. Per his death certificate, he was about 75 years old; his marital status was unknown; and he was a farmer.

  • Jincy and her child Chany
  • Hester
  • Lucy

622 East Vance Street.

The one hundred eighty-seventh in a series of posts highlighting buildings in East Wilson Historic District, a national historic district located in Wilson, North Carolina. As originally approved, the district encompasses 858 contributing buildings and two contributing structures in a historically African-American section of Wilson. (A significant number have since been lost.) The district was developed between about 1890 to 1940 and includes notable examples of Queen Anne, Bungalow/American Craftsman, and Shotgun-style architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

622 East Vance burned the night of 18 October 2023 and was demolished the next morning.

As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District: “ca. 1908; 1-story; Triple-A cottage.”

Detail from the 1922 Sanborn fire insurance maps of Wilson, N.C. The house was originally numbered 631.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 622 East Vance, widow Janie Cameron, 52; sons Lonzo, 21, Eugene, 15, and James, 11; and roomers Phillipp Gaskin, 38, and Amos Singletarry, 22.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Cameron Eug (c) delmn John T Worrell h 622 E Vance; Cameron Jane (c) h 622 E Vance; Cameron Lonnie (c) lab h 622 E Vance

Wilson Daily Times, 25 November 1932.

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Morgan Jas (c; Laura; 2) h 622 E Vance

In the 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Petway Allen (c; Annie) lab h 622 E Vance

Wilson Daily Times, 7 June 1960.

The house per Google Street View, March 2022.

The resting place of Hattie Maryland Wright.

Hattie Maryland Wright‘s headstone gleaming in a patch of sunlight in Sharpsburg Cemetery. Though tilted, it is nearly as pristine as it was when it placed and was so lovely I wanted it to have its own post.

She is not dead but sleeping. We trust our loss will be her gain.

Hattie Maryland Wright (1872-1930).

——

In the 1880 census of Rocky Mount township, Edgecombe County, North Carolina: farmer John Maryland, 58; wife Melvel, 40; and children Haywood, 17, Schofield, 16 (who was deaf), Walter, 10, Mary, 9, John, 7, Hattie, 6, Primus, 4, and Jonas, 2.

On 11 September 1895, Turner Ward, 21, of Nash County, son of Mack and Rhoda Ward, married Hattie Maryland, 19, of Nash County, daughter of John and Penelope Maryland, at John Maryland in Coopers township, Nash County.

In the 1900 census of Rocky Mounty, Edgecombe County: day laborer Turner Ward, 25; wife Hattie, 25; children James H., 3, Minnie P., 2, and Ernest, 6 months; and niece Emma Maryland, 7.

On 4 September 1908, George Wright, 35, of Nash County, married Hattie Ward, 40, of Nash County, in Rocky Mount township, Nash County.

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township: on Elm City and Tarbor0 Road, farmer George Wright, 35; wife Hattie, 35; daughter Delia, 2; wife’s children Jessie, 18, James, 12, and El Gray, 6; and boarder Mamie Brant, 30.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Wilson Rocky Mount Road, farmer George Wright, 45; wife Hattie, 45; and children Elvira, 17, Estella, 11, Georgeanna, 9, and Samuel, 6. Next door: James Wright, 22, and wife Maggie, 18; Jordan Armstrong, 24, farmer, and Cella, 23; and boarder Charley Ford, 22, farmer.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user marj11249.