Greensboro Daily News, 17 May 1939.
The “Wilson County negro” was a nine year-old boy.
Ned Kent was born 1 January 1930 in Wilson County to Isiah Kent and Clyde Pettieford; lived at Route 1, Wilson; and was a student. He was taken to Woodard-Herring Hospital, where he was pronounced dead of a fractured skull.
This editorial questioning the police powers of Alcoholic Beverage Control employees reveals the death of an unnamed black Wilson County man who jumped into the Tar River to escape arrest in Nash County. His body was not recovered for nearly three months.
Greensboro (N.C.) Daily Record, 16 April 1936.
A search of death certificates reveals that the decedent was Freeman Tump Leach. Leach was born 21 April 1902 in Rowland, North Carolina, to Jack Leach and Nellie Johnson; died 21 January 1936 in Cooper township, Nash County; lived at 900 Elvie Street; was married; worked as a railroad worker for Norfolk Southern Railroad; died “by falling in Tar River accidentally drowning”; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Jessie Leach was informant.
Wilson Daily Times, 24 January 1936.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 20 October 1931.
Death certificates reveal that John Howard and Ardelia Whitley Howard‘s children Rosevelt Howard, born 8 March 1928, and Mary Ida Howard, born 8 February 1931, died in the fire. Ardelia Howard was pregnant when she rushed into the house to try to save her children. She gave birth the following February 8 to Martha Lee Howard. Tragically, that child died in September 1933 of colitis.
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In the 1930 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farm laborer John Howard, 25; wife Ardelia, 20; and sons Herman, 3, and Rosavelt, 1.
Wilson Daily Times, 1 September 1948.
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In the 1940 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: widow Winnie Mitchell, 72; nephew Robert Barnes, 44; son Lonnie Barnes, 36; and lodgers Beulah, 13, Jimmie, 11, Reby, 8, and S.D. Ellis, 7.
In 1946, Jimmie Lee Ellis registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 28 March 1928 in Wilson County; lived at Route 1, Wilson; his contact was Winnie Mitchell; and he worked for Ronie Williams.
Jimmie Lee Ellis died 31 August 1928 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 27 March 1928 in Wilson County to Jim Ellis and Sellie Hines; worked as a day laborer; lived on Route 1, Stantonsburg; and was buried in a family cemetery.
Goldsboro News-Argus, 2 March 1945.
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On 8 February 1926, Luther Bell, 23, of Wilson township, married Lula Locas, 18, of Gardners township, in Wilson.
In the 1930 census of : farmer Luther Bell, 25, born in South Carolina; wife Lula, 24; children Addie, 5, Raymond, 3, and Carrie L., 4 months; and cousin Maggie Gurrell, 19.
In the 1940 census of : farm operator Luther Bell, 37; wife Cora, 28; children Carry Lee, 10, and Herbert James, 6 months; and stepdaughter Mable Lee, 10.
In 1942, James Luther Bell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 26 December 1902 in Dillon, S.C.; lived at Route 4, Toisnot township, Wilson County; and worked for Leslie Mathews, Wilson.
Luther Bell died 25 February 1945 in Wilson township, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 December 1901 in South Carolina; was married to Cora Bell; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Rest Haven cemetery.
On 20 June 1878, a Wilson County coroner’s jury met to determine the circumstances of the deaths of Thomas Hooks and his son Al. Hooks. The verdict: “accidental drowning.”
Coroner’s Records, Miscellaneous Records, Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives.
Wilson Daily Times, 29 October 1946.
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Pettigrew Gaston died 28 October 1946 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 5 November 1933 in Wilson to Charley Gaston of Craven County, N.C., and Narcissus Pate of Wake County; lived at 111 Manchester Street; and was a schoolboy. His death was ruled an accident, and he was buried in Zebulon, N.C.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: carpenter Henry Dudley, 42; wife Della, 38; and children Carl, 17, James, 14, Minnie, 12, and Robert, 9.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 109 Manchester, construction contractor Henry Dudley, 51; wife Della, 46; children James, 24, and Minnie B., 22; grandson Robert L., 20; and [Robert’s?] son Bernard, 2.
The Morning Star (Wilmington, N.C.), 3 June 1876.
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Wormseed oil, or oil of chenopodrem, was a treatment for intestinal parasites. Described as a “pale yellow liquid with an unpleasant odor and a bitter, burning taste,” wormseed oil worked by paralyzing the worm and was frequently toxic.
Statesville Record and Landmark, 20 August 1907.
