Cause of death unclear for Johnson.

Wilson Daily Times, 22 November 1950.

——

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 312 South East Street, Allie Cannon, 45; son James D. Cannon, 8; son-in-law Ernest Johnson, 33, cement mixer at concrete block company; wife Brownie M., 27; and daughter Helen R. Kirby, 10.

Earnest Johnson Jr. died 20 November 1950 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 17 June 1917 in Plymouth, N.C., to Earnest Johnson Sr. and Mary Rose; lived at 312 East Street; and was married. He was buried in Plymouth Cemetery, Washington County, N.C.

B.W.A. Historical Marker Series, no. 31: Herbert O. Reid.

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.

HERBERT O. REID

1915-1991

Civil rights attorney, mayoral adviser, acting dean and constitutional law professor at Howard Law School. Helped dismantle racial segregation in public facilities in Washington, D.C. Graduate of Darden High School, Howard University, and Harvard Law School. World War II veteran. Grew up in this house.

In memoriam: Capt. William W. Farmer Jr. (1932-1961).

Capt. William Woody Farmer Jr., 341st Bombardment Squadron, 4038th Strategic Wing, Dow Air Force Base, Maine.

On 30 March 1961, a B-52 went down near Denton, North Carolina, killing five of the seven crewmen aboard. Among them was Captain William Woody Farmer, Jr., of Wilson.

This account of that terrible accident is found in a post in a Denton history blog:

Photos courtesy of Levolyre Farmer Pitt.

Sponsors of the Interstate Classic.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 20 September 1941.

Five Black businesses in the 500 block of East Nash Street took out a joint ad welcoming fans to the 1941 Interstate Classic — North Carolina College for Negroes (now North Carolina Central University) vs. South Carolina State College.

After the game, Johnson’s Happy Pals were playing a dance at Reid Street Community Center.

Where did they go?: Pennsylvania death certificates, no. 10.

The tenth in a series — Pennsylvania death certificates for Wilson County natives:

  • Kinney Marcellous Merritt and James Robert Merritt

In the 1880 census of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania: laborer Solomon Merritt, 24; wife Amanda, 23; and Robert, 1.

In the 1900 census of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania: at 1326 Wood Street, hostler Solomon Merritt, 39; wife Amanda, 40; and sons Robert, 20, and Kinney, 16, all born in North Carolina.

In the 1910 census of Kings County, New York: Kinny M. Merritt, 26, born in North Carolina, fireman in U.S. Naval Service.

James Robert Merritt Jr. was born 30 November 1916 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his birth certificate, he was the son of James Robert Merritt, 34, born in Wilson, N.C., worker, and Nannie Dade, 28, born in Philadelphia, housewife. The family lived at 1224 Ogden Street. [He died 12 December 1916.]

In the 1918 Philadelphia city directory: Merritt Robert J waiter h 951 N Jessup

In 1918, James Robert Merritt registered for the World War I draft in Philadelphia. Per his registration card, he was born 28 November 1881; lived at 951 North Jessup; was a waiter for Harry Howell, 1421 Columbia Avenue, Philadelphia; and his nearest relative was Nanie Merritt.

In the 1920 census of Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania: Robert Merritt, 37, unemployed steward; wife Nannie, 31; and daughters Dorothy D., 6, and Reba M., 2.

In the 1920 census of Manhattan, New York: Ethel B. Merritt, 24, and Kinney M. Merritt, 34, lodgers, in the household of John C. Payne.

James Robert Merritt died 22 August 1922 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was 30 years old; was born in North Carolina to Solomon Merritt and Amanda Thompson; was a sailor; was married; and lived at 826 Burns.

In the 1930 census of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: at 808 North Capitol, Kenney Merritt, 45, laborer, and wife Lula, 40, housework.

Kinney M. Merritt died 3 February 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 March 1881 in North Carolina to Solomon [no last name] and Amanda Taylor; was married; lived at 2102 Warnock Street, Philadelphia; and was returned.