His was not the only African-American programming impacted by “radical revisions” in station policy. The Laddie Springs Orchestra (who were they??) had been booted from the main studio to Studio B, a space so small that a quartet would have felt squeezed. The orchestra cut ties “rather than suffer further indignities.” Handel’s Chorus, Hartford Bess‘ widely acclaimed singing group, was directed to limit their vocal offerings to “old spirituals.” No classical pieces or solo numbers. Chorus president Jack Sherrod announced they would leave the station, too, as they preferred variety.
In response, businessmen Daniel McKeithan, William F. Potts, Spellman, and Sherrod made plans for a 15-week half-hour weekly show to start in September. (On WGTM??? How would that work? Did it work?)
Heartfelt thanks to Wilson Times for covering last week’s Lane Street Project service day carried out by the Homeschoolers Honoring Ancestors chapter of Tarheel Junior Historians!
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.
EBENEZER MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH
Founded about 1917 as Tabernacle Missionary Baptist Church. Orig. a wood-framed bldg. Also known as Weeks Chapel after Rev. A.L.E. Weeks. Remodeled in 1937 under Rev. Charles T. Jones; name changed to Ebenezer. Current building constructed in 1956.
In the face of stiff resistance by tobacco stemming companies against paying a minimum wage — $11/week — the ever-fiery Rev. Richard A.G. Foster made a blunt statement. As these businesses wanted to “keep Negroes poor and ignorant,” and “the white South still feels that Negro labor is slave labor,” “Negroes that live in the South must turn their attention to self help.”
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 19 November 1938.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 18 November 1944.
——
Donnie McNeil and family
In the 1930 census of Bailey township, Nash County, N.C.: John McNeal, 42, laborer “logs wood”; wife Donnie, 24; and children Gertrude, 3, Thelma, 2, and Josephine, 3 months. The family is described as Indian of “mixed blood” or “full blood” descent. [Though described as “Cherokee,” the McNeil family were from Robeson County, North Carolina, and were likely members of the group we know now as Lumbee.]
1930 census, Bailey township, Nash County.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Donnie McNeil, 36, housekeeper; children Gertrude, 14, Thelma, 12, Josephine, 9, and Bernice, 8; and lodger Celma McMillian, 25, housekeeper. All are described as “Neg.”
Bernice McNeil died 2 November 1944 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per her death certificate, she was born 31 December 1930 in Rocky Mount, N.C., to J.C. McNeil and Donnell Hunt, both of Lumberton, N.C.; lived at 1132 West Oxford Street, Philadelphia; and was buried in Wilson, North Carolina.
Bernice McNeil’s burial site was likely in what we now know as Vick Cemetery, though described here as “Rountree cemetery.”
Frances Melton
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Thomas Melton, 49, tobacco factory mechanic; wife Frances, 34, tobacco factory sweeper; and daughter Doris, 10.
In the 1900 census of Raft Swamp township, Robeson County, N.C.: Calvin Tompson, 37; wife Jennie, 48; and children Nathan, 14, Jadie, 12, Robert, 8, Edna, 5, Lettie, 3, and John C., 1.
In the 1910 census of Pembroke township, Robeson County, N.C.: Calvin Thompson, 43; wife Martha J., 40; children Jadie, 22, Edna, 15, Lettie H., 13, Johnie, 11, Alford, 9, Willie, 4, and Carlie, 2; and sister Rosa 50.
In 1917, Jadie Thompson registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 25 April 1888 in Lowe, N.C.; lived in Lucama, N.C.; was a tenant farmer for Wiley Love; and was single. He signed his card “Jaddie Thompson.”
On 4 May 1918, J.D. Thompson, 29, of Cross Roads, son of Calvin and Jennie Thompson, married Irene Rowe, 17, of Cross Roads, daughter of Ruffin and Piety Rowe, in Wilson County. Missionary Baptist minister C.D. Dew performed the ceremony.
In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Jaddie D. Thompson, 31; wife Jennie, 19; and son Jaddie L., 10 months.
In the 1930 census of Jackson township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer Jadie Thompson, 42; wife Rena, 29; children Jadie, 12, Carrie, 9, Emma, 7, Lonnie, 6, Rosa, 5, and Willard, 9 months; and aunt Rosa Moore, 70.
In the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer J.D. Thompson, 52; wife Rethea, 41; and children Lonnie, 16, Cary, 18, Bessie, 18, Rosamarie, 15; Willard, 9, David, 6, Beatrice, 5, and Pauline, 1.
In 1940, Jadie Lee Thompson registered for the World War II draft in Nash County. Per his registration card, he was born 10 March 1919 in Wilson County; lived on R.F.D. 1, Wilson, Nash County; worked for J.H. Robins; and his contact was Jadie Thompson, R.F.D., Wilson, Wilson County.
In the 1950 census of Jackson township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer Jadie Thompson, 61; wife Irene, 50; children Carrie, 29, Willard, 19; David, 18; Beatrice, 15; Minnie L., 11; Pauline, 10; and Nathaniel, 6; and sister Edna T. Finch, 49.
Jadie Thompson died 15 November 1950 in Nash County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 April 1888 in Wilson County to Calvin Thompson and Jennie Smith; lived in Wilson County; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Sandy Fork Cemetery.
