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).
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 28 February 1942.
Dr. John W. Darden, friend of Booker T. Washington, arrived in Opelika, Alabama, in 1902. His younger brother James B. Darden briefly served as pharmacist in his drugstore before settling in Petersburg, Virginia.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 2 August 1941.
Within a few months of Ethel Jane Foster‘s birth in the summer of 1940, Rev. Richard A.G. Foster moved his family to Connecticut.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 2 August 1930.
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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.
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 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!
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 26 January 1952.
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In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Dotson Locus, 26; wife Nellie, 27; orphan Riley F., 13; and sons Joe P., 8, Elias, 7, and Offie, 5.
In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Dodson Lucas, 40; wife Nellie, 39; sons Elice, 17, and Offie, 14.
In the 1940 census of Elizabeth City, Pasquotank County, N.C.: Charlie Lucas, 36, N.&S.R.R. laborer; wife Annie, 40, boarding cook; and son Leander, 23; lodger Fulton Martin, 30, cement finisher; and nephews James, 13, and Lamar Page, 12.
In 1942, Charles Eliase Lucas registered for the World War II draft in Norfolk, Virginia. Per his registration card, he was born 7 July 1903 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 511 Reilly Street, Wilson; his contact was Annie Reilly; and he worked on the naval base in Norfolk.
In the 1950 census of Norfolk, Virginia: at 509 Reilly, Charles E. Lucas, 47, and wife Annie Mary, 49.
Charles Lucas died 8 January 1952 in Norfolk, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born 7 July 1903 in Wilson, N.C., to Joe Dodson Lucas and Nellie Joyner; lived at 509 Reilly Street, Norfolk; worked as a stevedore; and was married to Annie Lucas.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 2 May 1942.
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