The obituary of Ruth Neal Webb.

Journey and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 14 July 1946.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 105 Wainwright, widowed barber Austin Neal, 42, with children Bryant, 21, also a barber, Daisy, 16, Annie, 13, Samuel, 7, and Ruth, 5.

In the 1930 census, Wilson, Wilson County: at 1114 East Nash Street, odd jobs laborer Jessie Adams, 43; wife Rosa, 34, cook; daughter Larcinia, 15; and roomer Ruth Neal, 16.

On 5 June 1943, Oliver DuBois Webb, 37, born in Norfolk to Joseph C. Webb and Mattie Martha Brown, married Ruth Neal, 24, born Wilson to Austin Neal and Lula Thompson.

Ruth Neal Webb died 26 June 1945 in Norfolk, Virginia. Per her death certificate, she was born 1918 in Wilson, N.C., to Austin and Lula Neal; was married to Oliver D. Neal; lived at 854 Norchester Avenue, Norfolk; and was buried in Wilson.

The death of Benjamin F. Jordan Jr., college student.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 13 March 1937.

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In the 1920 census of Mullins township, Marion County, South Carolina: on Laurel Street, clergymen Benjamin F. Jordan, 40; wife Maggie, 32; and children Benjamin F., Jr., 6; Marion, 4, Milford, 2, and Odis, 1.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1113 East Nash Street, minister Benjiman Jordan, 50; wife Maggie, 44; and children Benjiman F., 16, Mary B., 14,  Milford L., 12, Odis, 11, Williard, 10, Irene C., 8, and James D., 6.

Benjamin F. Jordan Jr. died 15 February 1937 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 23 years old; was born in Robeson County, N.C., to Benjamin F. Jordan Sr. of Beaufort, N.C., and Maggie L. Dickens of Edgecombe County, N.C.; was a student; and lived at 1113 East Nash Street, Wilson.

First Lieutenant Jesse F. Barnes’ ordeal.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 6 May 1944.

Over the course of a year, Jesse F. Barnes‘ family went from elation to despair to rejoicing when his return home to recuperate from the wounds that earned him four Purple Hearts.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 25 November 1944.

Rocky Mount Telegram, 21 April 1945.

The Baker family, redux.

Verona Barnes True allowed me to make a clearer copy of the photo of her mother’s family, which I first posted here.  Mollie Cooper Baker and James Baker stand at far right. Their little dog, with a ribbon around his neck, stands between them and their children. In ascending order, they are Lossie, Roney, Moses, and Rena, plus Mollie Baker’s younger brother. The house is believed to have been on Stantonsburg Street (now Pender Street S/Black Creek Road S).

The obituary of Lucinda Miller and other news.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 2 August 1930.

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  • Lucinda (or Lucintha) Miller

On 15 August 1901, George Henry Washington, 38, of Wilson, son of Jerry and Jane Washington, married Cora Miller, 25, of Wilson, daughter of Cynthia Miller, at the bride’s residence on Green Street. A.M.E. Zion minister C.L. Alexander performed the service in the presence of Sallie M. Barbour and Alice F. Moore.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widowed cook Lou Miller; her daughter Cora Washington, 34, a widowed school teacher; her grandchildren Irene, 7, James, 4, and Cora Washington 1; and two boarders, Mary Hadley, 20, cook, and Mary Pender, 60, widowed servant. [“Lou,” as in Lucinda Miller, was the Cynthia Miller named on Cora Washington’s marriage license. Also, Cora’s second child was in fact a girl named Janie, not a boy James. Though no street is identified on the enumeration sheet, it is clear from the names of the Miller-Washingtons’ neighbors that they lived on or just off East Green Street.]

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Miller Lucinda (c) h 701 E Green

Lucintha Miller died 18 July 1930 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 70 years old; was born in Greene County, N.C., to Stephen Parker and Ara Parker; was a widow; and was buried in Wilson. Cora Miller was informant.

  • Bessie Hodge — in the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 904 East Nash, Nathaniel Hodge, 26; wife Bessie, 21; and son Nathaniel Jr., 11 months.
  • Modern We — Modern We was one of dozens of social clubs flourishing in East Wilson in the first half of the twentieth century.
  • Bedford Savage and Elias Lucas
  • Dr. and Mrs. Z.M. Johnson

Pierce searches for her son.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 19 March 1938.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 515 Warren, barber Andrew Pierce, 35; wife Loss, 35; and children Alice, 15, Mayzie [Boisy], 11, Hellen, 7, Benford, 5, and Ruby, 3.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1212 East Nash, Andrew Pierce, 44, barber; wife Lossie, 43, nurse; and children Boisy, 22, Hester, 17, Benford, 16, Ruby, 13, and Louise, 3.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 707 Vance, Andrew Pierce, 55, nurse at home (“usually barber”); wife Lossie, 55, in hospital; daughters Alice, 35, and Hester, 27; sons Boise, 29, cafe [cook?], and Binford, 24; daughter Ruby, 19, “cook school;” and grandchildren Randolph, 9, and Montheal Foster, 7, and Mickey Pierce, 1.

In 1941, Benford Pierce registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C [specifically, the D.C. Reformatory in Lorton, Virginia]. Per his registration card, he was born 31 March 1915 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 1231 W Street, N.W., Washington; his contact was mother Lossie Pierce, 538 East Nash Street, Wilson; and had no listed employment.

Benford Pierce died 14 May 1955 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was 40 years old; husband birthplace and parents were unknown to the informant; he he lived at 2221 North Chadwick Street, Philadelphia; and worked as a porter. His body was turned over to the city’s Anatomical Board.

Harry Renfrow, Company K, 14th Heavy Artillery, U.S. Colored Troops.

Harry Renfrow enlisted in Company K, 14th Regiment, United States Colored Heavy Artillery, at the very end of the Civil War. He was 33 years old and tall for the time — 5’11”. He enlisted in Kinston, about 40 miles southeast of Wilson. Though he signed up for a three-year stint, he likely mustered out at the end of the year.

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In the 1870 mortality schedule of Wilson township, Wilson County: Harry Renfrow, 46, farm laborer, died in October 1869. He lived in household #73.

In the 1870 population census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Sarah Renfrow, 45, Isaac Renfrow, 16, Rosa Renfrow, 30, domestic servant, and Dennis Renfrow, 4; plus Lewis Kelly, 23, farm laborer. [This is the household #73, that of the man who died in 1869. I do not believe he is the same man as the soldier.]

In the 1870 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: Penelope Renfrow, 29, farm laborer, and sons Jacob, 16, Esaw, 13, and Isaac, 10, all farm laborers. [This is more likely the family of soldier Renfrow, and it seems he died also before 1870.]

In the 1880 Springhill township, Wilson County: Esaur Rentfrow, 22, farmer; mother Penny, 47; and brother Isaac, 19.

Isaac Renfrow died 6 March 1915 in Springhill township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born about 1856 to Harry Renfrow and Pennie Renfrow; was married; and worked as a farmer.

Many thanks to Louretha Renfrow Johnson for the tip!