Alston

The obituary of Plummer C. Alston Sr.

Wilson Daily Times, 29 March 1950.

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Plummer Columbus Alston registered for the World War II draft in Nash County in 1943. Per his registration card, he was born 27 November 1925 in Wilson; lived at Route 2, Elm City, Nash County; his contact was Joe Alston; and he worked for Joe Alston.

Plummer Columbus Alston, 23, of Nash County, N.C., son of Joseph and Norma Davis Alston, married Geraldine Wilkins, 19, of Wilson County, daughter of Willie Wilkins and Lucille Powell Wilkins, on 8 December 1948 in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister C.T. Jones performed the ceremony in the presence of Rev. H.W. Farmer, Louise Bullock, and Mary J. Lassiter.

Plummer C. Alston died 26 March 1950 near Elm City, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 29 November 1925 in Wilson County to Joe and Nancy Alston; was married; worked in farming; and was a World War II veteran. He was buried in the Alston Cemetery, Nash County, N.C.

The obituaries of John Brooks and Alice Alston.

Wilson Daily Times,

  • John Brooks
  • Alice Alston

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Alston Alice (c) dom h 208 E Jones

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Alston Alice (c) tobwkr h 318 S Lodge

Alice Alston died 22 February 1944 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 5 October 1885 in Warren County, N.C., to Major and Agnes Williams; was a widow; lived at 213 Spruce Street; and was buried in Rest Haven. Sam Alston was informant.

708 Viola Street.

The one hundred-seventy-second in a series of posts highlighting buildings in East Wilson Historic District, a national historic district located in Wilson, North Carolina. As originally approved, the district encompasses 858 contributing buildings and two contributing structures in a historically African-American section of Wilson. (A significant number have since been lost.) The district was developed between about 1890 to 1940 and includes notable examples of Queen Anne, Bungalow/American Craftsman, and Shotgun-style architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District, this building is: “ca. 1913; 1 story; L-plan cottage with cutaway bay; aluminum-sided.”

Charles S. and Lessie Barbrey Alston lived at 708 Viola Street in 1921.

Wilson Daily Times, 16 August 1921.

In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Cotton Mark H (c) lab h 708 Viola

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Cotton Mark H (c; Minnie) h 708 Viola

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Cotton Mark H (c; Minnie) h 708 Viola

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: owned and valued at $2000, Mark Cotton, 87; wife Minnie, 37, servant; and stepdaughters Ruline, 19, and Eunice Brooks, 17, farm laborer.

The 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory lists Elizabeth Robinson, cook; Evelyn Robinson, cook; Lucile Robinson, maid; and William Robinson, laborer, at 708 Viola.

In the 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Robinson Eliz (c) h 708 Viola

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, June 2022.

Lona Edwards Alston Dunston, centenarian.

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Wilson Daily Times, 10 November 2001.

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Wilson Daily Times, 15 November 2002.

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In the 1910 census of Speights Bridge township, Greene County: farm laborer Stephen Edwards, 31; wife Charity, 29; and children Lonnie, 9, John H., 7, Charity, 4, William, 2, and Mary, 7 months.

On 14 January 1917, Thomas Alston, 22, of Greene County, son of Thomas and Peggy Alston, married Lonie Edwards, 18, of Stantonsburg, daughter of Steve and Charity Edwards, in Stantonsburg, Wilson County. Rev. W.J. Fox of “A.M.E. Zion connection,” performed the ceremony.

In the 1940 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: widow Lonie Alston, 40, farmer, and children Napoleon, 23, Willie Marie, 20, Thomas Lee, 17, J.C., 15, Stephen, 12, Jesse, 9, Mattie, 7, Lonnie, 5, and Lillian, 3.

In 1940, Napoleon Alston registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 26 August 1918 in Greene County; he lived in Stantonsburg; his contact was his mother Lonie Alston; and he was self-employed.

In 1944, J.C. Alston registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 26 October 1926 in Wilson County; his contact was his mother Lonie Alston; and he worked for John Lane, Stantonsburg, as a farmer.

Lona Edwards Alston Dunston died 1 October 2003, just weeks before her 103rd birthday.

A colored jeweler.

By what feat of alchemy did Robert T. Alston convert himself from farmhand to schoolteacher to jeweler and watchmaker?

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Wilson Daily Times, 23 August 1919.

Per the nomination form for the Wilson Central Business-Tobacco Warehouse Historic District, Alston-William Building at 552 East Nash Street [once part of Stantonsburg Street]: “Built ca 1920 as a jewelry shop for Robert T. Alston, this plainly finished, one-story brick commercial building was occupied by him until the 1940s. [In fact, Alston died in 1931.] The flat-roofed building as a tile-capped parapet and its original recessed entrance and flanking display windows, but displays no decorative brickwork on the upper facade. The single interior space has been renovated and has a lowered ceiling. since being vacated by Alston, this building has been occupied by Lamm’s Fish Shop, Hill’s Bicycle Shop, Keen’s Seafood Market, and since 1968, by William’s Barber Shop.”

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In the 1870 census of Walnut Grove township, Granville County, North Carolina: Aron Alston, 47; wife Rosetta, 48; and children Anna, 15, Haywood, 14, Robert, 12, Sallie, 10, Agnes, 9, Mary J., 4, and John H., 1.

In the 1880 census of Walnut Grove township, Granville County: Aaron Alston, 52; wife Rosetta, 55; and children Robert, 21, Agnes, 18, Thomas, 16, Mary G., 14, and John H., 11.

Robert T. Alston, 22, married Julia Wortham, 19, on 16 March 1881 in Walnut Grove township, Granville County.

On 24 January 1899, John Edge, 21, of Edgecombe County, son of Randall and Milly Edge, married Mary Eva Alston, 18, of Edgecombe County, daughter of Robert T. Alston.

In the 1900 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, North Carolina: widower Robert T. Alston, 42, school teacher, and son  John T., 15, farm laborer. In the 1900 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: farmer John Edge, 22, wife Mary, 18, and sister-in-law Carrie Auston, 10.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: laundress Mattie Cory, 35, widow; daughter Evelyn, 9; widower Robert Alston, 63, general repair laborer; and [no first name listed] Albriton, 34, lodger, house carpenter.

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Alston Robt T (c) 107 Pender watchmaker

In an undated 1914 newspaper insert “Progressive Colored Citizens of Wilson, N.C.,” Robert T. Alston paid for this ad: “Watches, clocks, jewelry, eye glasses, spectacles, etc. I handle the very best grade of watches, such as the Elgin, Waltham, Illinois, Hampden, and Hamilton. Your credit is good. Yes, I will sell you a watch on the weekly payment plan: that is, ‘So much down and so much each week.’ I do a mail order business also. If you want a watch or other jewelry, write me for terms and order blanks. Now in a few days I shall have a large stock of watches, clocks, etc. on hand. Call to see me or write.”

Mary E. Edge died 13 November 1920 on Coopers township, Nash County. Per her death certificate, she was about 37 years old; was born in Granville County to Robert Alston and Julia Wortham; and was married to John Edge, who was informant.

In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Alston Robt T (c) jeweler 552 E Nash

In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Alston Robt T (c) jeweler and watchmaker 552 E Nash

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Alston Robt T (c) jeweler 552 E Nash

On 16 January 1929, John T. Alston, 43, of Toisnot township, son of R.T. Alston and Julia [no maiden name listed], married Annie Artis, 32, of Taylors township, daughter of Ed and Zanie Artis. A.M.E. Zion minister J.E. Kennedy performed the service in the presence of Chas. S. Thomas, Hugh C. Reid, and Clarence Artis.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Alston Robt T (c) watch repr 552 E Nash h d[itto]

Robert T. Alston died 10 August 1930 in Wilson township. Per his death certificate, he was 72 years old; was born in Granville County, North Carolina, to Aaron Alston and Rosetta Alston; was the widower of Julia Alston; and worked as a jewelry and watchmaker. John T. Alston, Elm City, was informant.

After Alston’s death, his estate defaulted on payment of the mortgage on his Nash Street property, and the trustee advertised its sale.

Wilson Daily Times, 14 April 1933.

Carrie Lindsey died 5 October 1944 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 7 April 1890 in Granville County to R.T. Alston and Julia Wortham; was the widow of John Lindsey; worked in farming; and was buried at William Chapel. Arthur Lindsey, Elm City, was informant.

John T. Alston died died 3 April 1952 in Elm City, Toisnot township. Per his death certificate, he was born 7 March 1889 in Granville County to Robert T. Alston and Charity Worthly; was a farmer; and was married. Informant was Annie Alston.

In observance of Veterans Day.

3-21-1911

Wilson Daily Times, 21 March 1911.

On 12 June 1866, Richard Pate married Rebecca Daniel in Wayne County.

In the 1870 census of Goldsboro township, Wayne County: farm laborer Richard Pate, 37, wife Becky, 32, and daughter Polly, 12. [Next door was a household headed by white farmer Brtant Pate, 48, and nearby were other white Pates. Perhaps Richard’s former owner was one.]

In the 1880 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: Richard Pate, 36, wife Rebecca, 36, and daughter(?) Trecinda, 3.

In the 1900 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Richard Pate, 59, and wife Rebecca, 57.

In the 1910 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Richard Pate, 74, wife Rebecca, 72, and grandchildren Louis Daniel, 30, Roscoe Barnes, 12, and Leanne Barnes, 10.

Richard Pate died 21 March 1915 in Crossroads township. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1855, worked as a farmer, and was buried in the Pete Daniels graveyard. William H. Pate was informant.

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3-14-1919

Wilson Daily Times, 14 March 1919.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: printing office laborer Charlie Thomas, 49, wife Sarah, 44, and children Elton, 20, hack driver, Lizzie, 18, carpenter (?), Louis, 15, Hattie M., 11, Mary, 5, and Sarah, 18 months. Elton Thomas died 15 December 1970 in Goldsboro, aged 79.

Dave Barnes was the son of Dave and Della Hines Barnes. He died 12 May 1966 at the Veterans Hospital in Durham, North Carolina.

John Parker Battle was the son of Parker and Ella Burston Battle. In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: foundry laborer Parker Battle, 54, wife Ella, and children Roberta, 24, a teacher, Grace, 22, a factory laborer, and John, 19.

Charlie Austin was, in fact, Charles Alston. In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: day laborer James H. Alston, 29, wife Martha, 28, and children Eula Lee, 6, and Charley, 4. Charles S. Alston eventually migrated to Newark, New Jersey, where he was living when he registered for the draft of World War II.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Richard Parker, 73, wife Lottie, 71, daughter Elizabeth, 27, son David, 28, and grandchildren Moses, 10, and William Henry, 8.

005152194_05419

World War I draft registration card of Moses Parker.

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8-2-1919

News & Observer (Raleigh), 2 August 1919.

Charles Barnes was the son of Wesley and Ella Mercer Barnes. In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on the N.&S. Railroad, drayman West Barnes, 22, wife Ella, 47, laundress, and children Sylvester, 17, drayman, Viola, 15, cook, and Charlie, 13, laborer at wholesale store, plus son-in-law James Watson, 23, drayman, wife Lucy, 22, cook, and children West, 4, and Lucy, 3 months. Charlie Barnes died of tuberculosis at an Army hospital in Asheville.

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ny-age-8-8-42

New York Age, 8 August 1942.

Matthew Stanley Gilliam Jr. was the son of Dr. Matthew and Annie Davis Gilliam.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: filling station attendant Herman Gilliam, 20; his widowed mother Annie, 48, a cook in a private home; and brothers Charles, 28, a waiter at Cherry Hotel, Stanley, 26, a teacher, and George, 22, a janitor at Carolina Theatre.

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World War II draft registration card of Matthew S. Gilliam.

M.S. Gilliam died of a heart attack at a Veterans Administration hospital in Petersburg, Virginia, on 7 March 1978. He was 64 years old.

U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com; U.S. World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1942 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.

Cemeteries, no. 6: Sane Williams cemetery.

On Saint Rose Church Road in western Wilson County, very nearly across from the Saint Rose United Holy Church, is the Sane Williams cemetery. It contains about 60 identifiable graves, including these:

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  • Spicey Williamson

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In the 1870 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: 45 year-old farm laborer Patrick Williamson, wife Spicy, 40, and children Katy, 15, Gracy, 13, Turner, 10, Mahalah, 7, Elijah, 4, and Henry, 1.

In the 1880 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: 54 year-old farmer Patrick Williamson, wife Spicey, 46, and children George T., 20, Mahalah J., 17, Eligh, 14, Henry S., 11, Eli T., 8, and Edney E., 6.

  • Martha Williamson

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  • Geneva Williamson

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Martha and Geneva Williamson were two of the three wives of Henry Singletary Williamson, son of Patrick and Spicey Williamson.

On 12 July 1891, Henry S. Williamson, 22, of Old Fields, son of Patrick and Spicey Williamson, married Martha Jones, 22, of Old Fields, daughter of William and Jane Jones. Witnesses were Thomas A. Jones, J.F. Marsh[illegible], and J.H. Jones.

In the 1900 census of Old Fields, Wilson County: farmer Henry Williamson, 31, wife Martha, 32, and son William, 11.

On 8 April 1908 (less than three months after Martha’s death), Henry S. Williamson, 39, married Jeneva Thompson, 33, in Old Fields in the presence of John A. Jones, John Lucas and H.I. High.

In the 1920 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: on Jones Hill Road, Henry S. Williamson, 53, wife Jeneva, 40, laborer Mary Lizzie Jones, 13, niece Zilphia Deadman, 41, great-niece Addie Deadman, 15, and laborer Dave Powell, 48.

On 11 February 1925, Henry S. Williamson, 57, married Irene Mary Greene, 24, in the presence of Dock High, Alvin Howard, and Sallie High.

In the 1930 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Henery S. Williamson, 62, and wife Marry I., 24.

Henry Singletary Williamson, a farmer, died 28 March 1939 in Old Fields township of organic heart disease. He was born 7 November 1868 in Wilson County to Parriot and Spicie Williamson of Wilson County. Informant was Sylvester T. Jones.

  • Mary Alston 

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  • Henry Alston

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Henry and Mary Alston are somewhat elusive in the record, and I have not found them  together in any census records. Nor have I found their marriage license. However, Mary Alston died 1 September 1933 at Mercy Hospital in Wilson of an intestinal obstruction due to massive umbilical hernia. She was 58 years old and the widow of Henry Alston. She was born in Wilson County to Daniel Taylor and Lucinda Renfrow.

Lincoln Alumni.

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In the 1930 census of Newark, Essex County, New Jersey: doorman Charles S. Alston, 34, wife Lessie, 30, and son Charles W. Alston, 9, with roomer Clarence Wiggins, 33, all born in North Carolina.

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In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: 39 year-old farmer Henry Clark, wife Florah, 38, and children John, 16, Mary J., 14, Ella, 12, Henrietta, 9, Henry, 8, Augustin, 5, Thomas, 3, and Margaret, 10 months.

In the 1920 census of Cordele, Crisp County, Georgia: North Carolina-born Rev. Augustus S. Clark, 46, Alabama-born wife Annie, 40, and Alabama-born adopted daughter Louise, 14. Augustus and Annie were teachers.

In the 1930 census, Cordele, Crisp County, Georgia: A.S. Clark, superintendent of the Gillespie School; wife Annie W., teacher; and K. Louise, 24, teacher.

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In the 1910 census of Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina, at South Ashe Street: insurance agent John O’Daniel, 25, wife Ernestine, 19, and son Thurman, 1.

In the 1920 census of Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina, at 729 South Ashe Street: widow Margaret Rhodes, 49, daughters Ernestine O’Daniel, 21, and Margaret Williams, 16, grandsons Thurman O’Daniel, 11, John W. O’Daniel, 9, and Robert O’Daniel, 7, plus two boarders.

On 4 June 1935, in Mecklenburg County, Therman Benjamin O’Daniel married Lillian Gertrude Davis. (Their marriage license erroneously describes them as “white.”)

In the 1939 Columbia, South Carolina, city directory:

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Fort Valley State University, The Peachite: The Official Organ of Student Expression, Volume 2, Number 3 (1944). http://digitalcommons.fvsu.edu/peachites/3

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Fort Valley State University, The Peachite: The Official Organ of Student Expression, Volume 3, Number 2 (1945). http://digitalcommons.fvsu.edu/peachites/4

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Foster, Lawrence, ed., The Alumni Directory of Lincoln University (1946).

William Henry Vick was a brother of Samuel Hynes Vick, who was also a Lincoln graduate.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: gristmill worker Daniel Vick, 38, wife Fannie, 35, and children Samuel, 16, Nettie, 14, Earnest Linwood, 12, Henry, 10, and James O.F., 8, plus Frank O. Blount, 20, and Marcus W. Blount, 26.

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The Bulletin of Pharmacy, volume XI (1897).

In the 1910 census of Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey: druggist William H. Vick, wife Carrie J., 32, daughter Fannie  M., 6, and William, 2.

In the 1930 census of Orange, Essex County, New Jersey, at 450 Orange Road: drugstore owner William Vick, 58, wife Carrie, 53, and daughter Fannie, 24, with two boarders. Vick’s home was valued at $10,000.

William H. and Carrie J. Vick are listed in the 1959 city directory of Montclair, New Jersey, at 150 Claremont Avenue.