Artis

Nurse Ellis throws a surprise party.

With the help of C.E. Artis, nurse Mable Ellis threw her husband George Ellis a surprise birthday party in February 1928.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 17 March 1928.

Contrast the tone of this piece, published in a Black newspaper, with the snark of white newspapers of the era, which often sneered at even the most joyous occasion. The Ellises were newlyweds, having married the previous September. George Ellis was 52, and Mable Weaver Ellis, 26, when they wed. Told with humor and charming detail, here were Black people via a Black gaze.

The obituary of Odell Artis of Washington, D.C.

Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 3 May 1958.

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Odell Artis was born and reared in the Eureka area of northeast Wayne County, North Carolina, as was his wife, Lizzie Olivia Diggs Artis. However, the couple married in Wilson, where both had numerous relatives. When Odell Artis died in Washington, D.C., in 1958, his body was returned to Wilson for his funeral and burial.

Odell Artis was a grandson of Adam T. Artis and had several aunts and uncles living in Wilson County. His brother Leslie Artis (who married Olivia Diggs Artis’ cousin Minnie Diggs) also owned property in Wilson and Wilson County.

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On 20 January 1921, Odell Artis of Wayne County, son of Napoleon and Sally Artis, married Olivia Diggs of Wilson County, daughter of Suler Diggs, in Wilson. A.M.E. Zion minister B.P. Coward performed the ceremony in the presence of Edgar Diggs, Alma E. Brooks, and S.A. Coward.

The apprenticeship of James Mitchell, also known as James Artice.

During Wilson County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions’ January Term 1858, the clerk made this entry in court minutes:

“Ordered by the court that James Mitchell alias (James Artice) aged Five years Son of Susan Mitchell be bound apprentice to Bryant L. Barnes upon his entering into Bond with John Dew as surety (Bond filed)”

James Mitchell’s alias suggests he also used his father’s surname, at least in childhood, as was not uncommon among free children of color whose parents were not formally married. “Artice” is a variant spelling of Artis, the name of a large free family of color in the Wayne/Greene/Edgecombe/Wilson County area.

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In the 1860 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Susan Mitchell, 26, washing, and children James, 10, Annie, 7, and George Mitchell, 2.

In the 1870 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Stella Best, 12, Claudius Little, 14, Mary Parker, 15, Henrietta Knight, 19, and Charlotte Adams, 16, all domestic servants; James Mitchell, 19, store porter; and Harriet Dunstan, 18, domestic servant. [This household was listed next to Robert Taylor, a white farmer and miller who claimed $20,000 in real property and may have been their employer.]

Frank Artis regains consciousness, points finger at Ed Whitfield.

Wilson Daily Times, 13 November 1936.

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  • Frank Artis

In the 1910 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Lee Artis, 40; wife Lilie, 38; and children Frank, 13, Bertie, 8, Fletcher, 6, Nathaniel, 5, Rematha, 2, and Alvin, 11 months.

In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: tenant farmer Frank Artis, 23, and wife Lissie, 18.

In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Frank Artis, 32; wife Lizzie, 25; and children Frank Jr., 8, Florence, 7, Wiley, 6, and Sylva G., 3.

In the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Frank Artis, 43; wife Lizzie, 35; children Frank Jr., 19, Wiley, 17, Selby J., 14; and mother-in-law Mary S. Barnes, 50.

Frank Artis died 9 May 1964 in Stantonsburg, Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 26 December 1898 in Wilson County to Lee Artis and Sylvia Reid; was married; and worked in farming. Jack Artis was informant.

  • Ed Whitfield

In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Isaac Braswell, 58; wife Margaret, 45; Alice, 23, Guilford, 18, John, 16, Haywood, 12, and Eddie Whitfield, 9; and Cathrine Braswell, 6.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Isic Hagans, 68; wife Margaret, 54; children George, 9, and Catherine Hagans, 16, Bennie Glas(?), 14, and Eddie Whitfield, 18.

On 17 December 1915, Ed Whitfield, 22, of Stantonsburg, son of Margarett Whitfield, married Blanche Barnes, 21, of Stantonsburg, daughter of Thomas and Mary Barnes, in Wilson County. 

In 1917, Eddie Whitfield registered for the World War I draft in Stantonsburg precinct, Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born November 1894 in Wilson County; lived at Route 6, Wilson; was a farmer for Joe Davis; and was married.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Margaret Hagins, 65, and sons George Hagins, 19, and Eddie Whitfield, 28.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Ed Whitfield, 30, farm laborer; wife Caroline, 32; and lodgers Willie, 28, and Etta Clayborn, 20.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Edward Whitfield, 45, receptionist at Imperial Tobacco factory; lodger Carry Haskins, 44, stemmer at Watson Tobacco factory; and her grandson Leroy Haskins, 7.

In 1942, Eddie Whitfield registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 25 October 1897 in Wilson; lived at 1120 East Nash Street; his contact was Fanny Guest, same address; and he worked for Southern Cotton & Oil Company.

On 20 July 1944, Essie Mae Whitfield, 24, of Portsmouth, Virginia, born in Wilson County, N.C., daughter of Edward Field [sic] and Blanche Barnes, married William Hooks, 26, stevedore, of Portsmouth, born in Greene County, N.C., son of Charlie Hooks and Alice Rogers.

Cellus Whitfield died 23 May 1961 at the Veterans Administration hospital in Durham, North Carolina. Per his registration card, he was born 15 January 1918 in Wilson County to Ed Whitfield and Blanch Barnes; worked as a baker; was a World War II vet; and was married to Catherine Whitfield.

The murder of Sudie Tune.

Wilson Daily Times, 16 March 1935.

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  • London Ruffin

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer H. Gray Ruffin, 28; wife Maria, 35; and children Hubbard, 13, William, 12, Delphia, 11, Lizzie, 9, Mary, 8, Pattie, 7, Franklin, 6, London, 4, and Bessie, [illegible] months.

In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: on Wilson Road, farmer Gray Ruffin, age unknown; wife Maria, 45; and children G. Herbert, 22, H. William, 21, Delpha, 20, Lizzie, 18, Mary, 16, Pattie, 15, B. Frank, 14, London, 13, Bessie, 11, Dora, 10, and W. George, 9. 

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Gray Ruffin, 58, widower, and children Elizabeth, 29, Pattie, 26, London, 23, Bessie, 20, Dora, 19, and George, 18.

In 1940, London Ruffin registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 22 February 1910 in Wilson County; lived on Route 4, Wilson; his contact was father Gray Ruffin; and he worked for N.W. Webb.

  • Sudie Tune — Sudie Artis Tune.

In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Sam Artis, 56; wife Mary, 45; and children Mary Sims, 23, and Bessie, 18, William, 17, Harriet and Lonnie, 15, Clara, 12, James, 10, Sudie, 8, and Minnie, 5.

In the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Sam Artis, 66; wife Mary, 55; children William, 25, James, 22, Sudie, 17, and Sammie, 9, 

On 31 January 1931, Willie James Tune, 21, of Wilson, son of John and Mary Tune, married Sudie Artis, 19, daughter of Sam and Mary Artis, in Wilson. Baptist minister F.F. Battle performed the ceremony in the presence of Laura McPhail, Mary L. Hines, and Winnie Mercer.

London Ruffin and Susie Artis’ son Wallace Artis was born 30 June 1932.

Sudie M. Tune died 8 December 1934 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 20 years; was born in Wilson County to Samuel and Mary Artis; was married to Flenawl Tune; was engaged in farming; and was buried in Wilson [probably in Vick Cemetery.]

Sharp loses government insurance policy.

Wilson Daily Times, 27 December 1918.

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In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Benj’n Artis, 46, farm laborer; wife Phebee, 42; and children Mary, 2, Julia, 6, Sarah, 17, Debby, 18, and Benjamin, 20.

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Oren Sharp, 26; wife Debby, 25; and children Lary, 2, Thomas, 4 months, and James, 8.

In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Orren Sharpe, 46; wife Debby, 45; and children Robert, 17, Media, 14, William Ann, 9, Gray, 7, Roscoe, 3, and Jessie, newborn.

In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: on Plank Road, farmer Orren Sharpe, 57; wife Delphia, 55; and children Medie, 30, Winnie, 17, Robert, 27, Gray, 16, Williamann, 14, James, 15, and Rome, 12.

In 1917, Roman Sharp registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 23 March 1896 in Wilson County; worked as a farmer; was single; and supported his father and mother.

Ferabia Sharp died 20 February 1919 in Gardners township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 66 years old; was born in Gardners township to Ben Arthis and Fabia Artis; was married; and Orange Sharp was informant. [This is clearly Debbie Artis Sharp. Was she named Ferebee after her mother and given “Debbie” as a nickname?]

Meddie Sharp died 1 October 1919 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 36 years old; was born in Wilson County to Orange Sharp and Debby Artis; and was married to Winnie [sic] Sharp.

Arn Sharpe, 66, widower; sons Larry, 40, and Roman, 23; daughter-in-law Bessie, 22; grandson H. Willie, 2; and sister-in-law Sarah Bynum, 65.

Robert Sharpe died 17 January 1947 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 22 January 1881 in Wilson County to Orange Sharpe and Debbie Artis; was married to Annie Sharpe; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Barnes Cemetery, Wilson County.

Larry Sharpe died 4 October 1953 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 77 years old; was born in Wilson County to Orange Sharpe and Debbie Artis; was married to Bessie Sharpe; and was buried in Simon Barnes Cemetery, Wilson County.

Gray Sharpe Sr. died 22 January 1961 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 30 October 1889 in Wilson County to Owens Sharpe; was married to Mary Sharpe; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Barnes Cemetery, Wilson County.

Annie Sharpe Barnes died 20 January 1974 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 27 May 1891 to Orin Sharpe and Debbie Sharpe; was a widow; and lived at 110 South Carroll Street, Wilson.

 

The roots of many Wilson County Artises, no. 6: Richard Artis.

I wrote here of Vicey Artis, a free woman of color, and Solomon Williams, an enslaved man, whose marriage in Greene (or perhaps Wayne) County, North Carolina, produced eleven children. Though only one — the busy Primitive Baptist elder Jonah Williams — actually lived in Wilson, descendants of several others are in Wilson County even today.

Richard Artis was the youngest of Vicey and Solomon’s sons. He married Susannah Yelverton Hall Yelverton, and their children were Lucinda, Emma, Ivory L., Louisa, Richard Jr., Susan A., Jonah, Charity, Cora P., Frances, John Henry, and Walter C. Artis. Richard Artis and his children lived primarily in Wayne and Greene Counties — except Emma Artis Dawson Reid, who lived in the Black Creek area for a few years — but many of their children moved (permanently or temporarily) into Wilson County. These included Susan Artis Cooper’s sons James Elijah Cooper (1907-1995) and John Hardy Cooper (1909-1979); Jonah Artis’ sons Milford Odell Artis (1918-2001) and Jonah Artis Jr. (1927-2015); Cora Artis Exum’s son Herven P. Exum (1921-2013); and Ivory L. Artis’ son Claude Artis (1917-1979).

Photo courtesy of Teresa C. Artis.

No need for exodusting.

In March 1880, Wayne County farmer Napoleon Hagans testified before a Senate committee on the migration of African-American farmers out of North Carolina. It was not his last word on the subject. Nine months later, he — or someone writing for him, as he was unlettered — penned a letter to the editor of the local newspaper, recounting his agricultural success and exhorting his “race” to cast down their buckets where they were. His sentiments were echoed by Jonah Williams, his friend, neighbor, sometime pastor, and brother of Hagans’ brother-in-law Adam T. Artis.

Before Williams was setting up Primitive Baptist churches, he farmed 58 acres near Turner Swamp, just north of Eureka (formerly Sauls Cross Roads) in far northeast Wayne County. Though an intelligent man, Like Hagans, Williams was illiterate. Thus, he did not actually write the letter tacitly discouraging Black farmers from joining the exodus to Indiana and other points west and midwest, and we don’t know the circumstances under which he or Hagans agreed to lend their names to this propaganda.

Goldsboro Messenger, 30 December 1880.