Barnes

The last will and testament of Harry Barnes.

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In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Sherod Barnes, 67, and children Rosa A., 22, Shepard, 17, Harry, 15, Warren, 13, Harriet, 10, Haywood, 6, and Hec Barnes, 19.

On 11 August 1879, Harry Barnes, 21, married Mary A. Dawson, 19, in Wilson County.

On 2 February 1898, Harry Barnes, 40, of Gardners township, son of Sherrod and Penny Barnes, married Cora Woodard, 24, of Gardners township, daughter of Mentus and Sarah Woodard at Harry Barnes’ residence. Haywood Barnes applied for the license.

In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Harry Barnes, 46; wife Cora, 28; son Lewis, 2; and sisters [Lewis’ sisters?] Ella, 17, and Penny, 16.

In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Harry Barnes, 53; wife Cora, 35; and children Lewis, 13, Paul, 8, Rose, 3, and Estell, 4 months.

In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Harry Barnes, 66; wife Cora, 40; and children Paul, 17, Rosa, 14, Stella, 13, and Adell, 12; nieces Mary, 14, and Ary, 5; nephew Robert, 15; and lodger Julie Bone (?), 60.

On 15 February 1923, Harry Barnes, 60, of Gardners township, married Salinda Battle, 40, of Gardners township, at Haywood Barnes’ residence. Primitive Baptist preacher John R. Barnes performed the ceremony in the presence of H.S. Stanback, Richard Gest, and George Battle.

Harry Barnes died 29 September 1928 in Gardners township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 68 years old; was born in Wilson County to Sherrod Barnes and Pennie Bullock; was married to Adinger Barnes; and worked as a farmer.

Will of Harry Barnes (1927), North Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

Edward M. Barnes, as imagined.

I am ambivalent about using artificial intelligence to restore photographs. Or, more specifically, I’m concerned about manipulated photographs supplanting original images and further blurring the line between reality and misinformation. However, the allure of AI-enhanced images is strong, as I often contend with blurry, poorly lit photographs in unnatural sepia or black-and-white tones. Photographs whose condition sometimes exacerbates the distance between us and our ancestors.

I have been experimenting with ChatGPT lately, feeding it queries and images to be restored and colorized. The results are somewhat haphazard, with many images weird and off-putting. Other times, the images are breathtakingly sharp and … alive. Black Wide-Awake exists to resurrect forgotten lives, and I believe these images are valuable to help us connect with the men and women we read about in these posts. From time to time, I’ll share the better ones here, clearly marked as AI-generated. Let me know what you think about them.

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Edward M. Barnes (1905-2002), high school principal.

Engagement of teachers Howard and Miller announced.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 3 December 1938.

Marian A. Howard and John M. Miller Jr. were teachers at Darden High School.

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Marian Adeline Howard was born 31 December 1916 in Albemarle County, Virginia, to Eli A. Howard, janitor, and Mary Elizabeth Brown, seamstress, 411 Dice Street, Charlottesville, Virginia.

In the 1920 census of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Virginia: at 411 Dice Street, Eli Howard, 45, and children Elizabeth, 12, Augustus, 7, and Marian, 3.

In the 1930 census of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, Virginia: at 411 Dice Street, owned and valued at $1500, widow Eli Howard, 55, and children Agustus, 16, printing office porter, and Marian, 13.

On 28 December 1938, John Maxwell Miller Jr., 28, teacher, resident of 307 Pender Street, Wilson; born in Chesterfield, S.C., to John Maxwell Miller and Elizabeth Orr, married Marian Adeleane Howard, 21; born in Charlottesville, Virginia, to Eli A. Howard and Elizabeth Brown, in Charlottesville, Virginia.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 307 Pender, owned and valued at $8000, widow Hattie Tate, 54, servant; daughter Helen T. Huggins, 33, elementary school teacher; son Andrew Tate, 31, hotel bellboy; lodgers John M. Miller, 29, and wife Marian H., 23, both high school teachers; Walter Mitchell, 22, insurance collector; and Ruth Hagans, 29, servant.

In 1940, John Maxwell Miller Jr. registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 22 June 1910 in Chesterfield, South Carolina; lived at 613 East Green, Wilson; his contact was wife Marian Howard Miller; and he was employed by the City Board of Education.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 704 Green Street, John M. Miller Jr., 39, elementary school teacher; wife Marian H., 34, high school English and French teacher; and daughter Sylvia M. Chappell, 4.

Artelia Barnes leads Rockingham School to music prize.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 9 May 1942.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: brickmason John M. Barnes, 44, wife Annie L., 32, Leonard E., 5, Lee J. [Leo Artelia], 4, Selma [Thelma] F., 2, and John W., 3 months.

On 22 June 1929, Leo Artelia Barnes, 22, of Wilson, married Emanuel D. Jones, 26, of Brooklyn, New York, in Wilson. Rev. J.E. Kennedy performed the ceremony in the presence of C.L. Darden, Annie L. Kennedy, and W.A. Mitchner.

In the 1930 census of Brooklyn, Kings County, New York: Emanuel W. Jones, 27, Pullman waiter, and wife Artelia L., 24.

Leo Artelia Davis died 16 December 1982 in Houston, Texas. Per her death certificate, she was born 6 May 1906 in North Carolina to John M. Barnes and Annie Darden; was a widow; was a music teacher; and her regular residence was in Stafford, Fort Bend County, Indiana.

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.

Greenville links.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 17 October 1925.

Notes of Greenville’s social doings reveal numerous links with folks in Wilson:

  • Katherine Bynum — Catherine Whitehead Bynum.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, Henry Whitehead, 48; wife Victoria, 32; and children Willie, 27, Della Mae, 13, Catherine, 9, Odell, 7, James, 5, Grace, 2, and Rosalie, 1.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Highway 91, owned and valued at $2500, oil mill contractor Henry Whitehead, 53; wife Victoria, 43, seamstress; and children Katherine, 19, Odell, 17, James, 15, Grace, 13, Rosalyn, 11, Herbert, 9, Gertrude, 6, Mable, 4, and Victoria, 2.

On 8 September 1933, Graham Bynum, 25, of Wilson, son of Peter and Dora Bynum, married Catherine Whitehead, 23, of Wilson, daughter of Henry and Victoria Whitehead. C.E. Artis applied for the license, and Missionary Baptist minister Charles T. Jones performed the ceremony in the presence of Ash Hines, George Green, and Francis Rosser.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 817 East Green, Graham Bynum, 31, building carpenter, and wife Katherine, 29, hospital nurse.

In 1940, Graham Gregory Bynum registered for the World War II draft. Per his registration card, he was born 28 July 1908 in Wilson; lived at 909 East Green Street, Wilson; his contact was wife Catherine Lethia Bynum; and was self-employed.

In the 1950 census of Raleigh, Wake County, N.C.: at Shaw University, Catherine W. Bynum, 39, dean of women.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: the widower Mark Blount, 38, a cook, and his children Coneva, 10, Dotsey, 9, and Theodore W., 6, were lodgers in the household of George Faggin.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: cook at cafe Mark Blount, 60, wife Mary, 29, children Allen, 2, Frances E., 1, Dotsey, 19, a nurse, and Walter, 17, a tobacco factory laborer.

On 21 June 1916, A.B. Barnhill, 27, of Greenville, N.C., son of Fred and Atha Barnhill, married Dotsie Blount, 24, of Wilson, daughter of Mark and Annie Blount, at Calvary Presbyterian Church. John Perrington applied for the license, and Presbyterian minister H.B. Taylor performed the ceremony under the presence of G.W. Joyner, M. Ada Perry, and C.C. McCoy.

In the 1920 census of Greenville, Pitt County: Alfred Barnhill, 31, milk wagon driver; wife Dotsie, 28; and children Dorothy L., 2, and Alfred D., 8 months.

In the 1930 census of Greenville, Pitt County: Alfred Barnhill, 41, cook at college; wife Dotsie, 38; and children Dortha L., 12, Alfred, 11, Ethel G., 6, and James N., 6.

In the 1940 census of Greenville, Pitt County: widow Dotsie Barnhill, 48, laundress; daughters Dorothy, 22, assistant nurse, and Ethel, 16; and son James, 15.

In 1942, James Norward Barnhill registered for the World War II draft in Pitt County. Per his registration card, he was born 6 November 1924 in Pitt County; lived at 310 Tyson Street, Greenville; his contact was mother Dotsie Barnhill; and he worked for Bell’s Cafe, 310 Albemarle Avenue.

In the 1950 census of Greenville, Pitt County: widow Dotsie Barnhill, 58; son Alfred Jr., 30, funeral home embalmer; daughter Ethel, 26, house service; son James, 25, delivers ice; and daughter-in-law Margaret, 22, beauty parlor operator.

  • Edgar Barnes

On 4 October 1909, Edgar Barnes, 21, of Wilson, son of Willis Barnes and Cherry Barnes, married Mary Hill, 19, daughter of Joe Hill and Anna Hill, at Saint John A.M.E. Zion in Wilson.

In 1917, Edgar Barnes registered for the World War I draft in Pitt County, N.C. Per his registration card, he was born 15 January 1892 in Wilson; lived on Second Street, Greenville; worked as a laborer for W.S. Skinner; and was single.

On 24 September 1921, Edgar Barnes, 27, of Greenville, son of Willis Barnes and Cherry Barnes, married Delia Hawkins, 22, daughter of Will Hawkins and Ella Hawkins, in Greenville, Pitt County.

In the 1930 census of Greenville, Pitt County, N.C.: at 1311 North 4th Street, owned and valued at $3000, Edgar Barnes, 36, plasterer, and wife Delia, 25, presser.

In the 1940 census of Greenville, Pitt County, N.C.: at 1311 North 4th Street, Edger Barnes, 47, plasterer, and wife Delia, 33.

Edgar Barnes died 6 April 1940 at the Veterans Hospital in Kecoughtan, Elizabeth City County, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born 8 March 1893 in Wilson to Willis Barnes and Cherry Eatman, both of Wilson County; was married to Delhia Barnes; worked as a plasterer; and was buried in Greenville.

Funeral of teen held in Wilson.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 1 February 1947.

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On 12 June 1928, tobacco laborer Sylvester Barnes, 28, of Wilson, N.C., son of West Barnes and Ellar Mercer, married Effie Moore, 25, of Wilson, N.C., daughter of Ive Moore and Jennie Evans, in Danville, Virginia. Both were residents of Burlington, North Carolina.

In the 1930 census of Burlington, Alamance County, N.C.: odd jobs laborer Sylvester Barnes, 33; wife Effie, 30; daughter Eloise, 1; and sons Carl Barnes, 15, and Fred Gibson, 14.

Effie Barnes died 3 October 1933 in Burlington, Alamance County, N.C. Per her death certificate, she was born in 1896 in Alamance County to Ive Moore and Jennie Evans; was married; and did domestic work. She was buried in Alamance County.

Sylvester Barnes died 12 October 1936 at the Veterans Administration hospital in Oteen, Buncombe County, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born June 1891 in Wilson to Wesley Barnes and Ella Mercer; was a widower; resided in Wilson; and was buried in Wilson [most likely, Vick Cemetery].

Elouise Watson Barnes died 10 January 1947 at the Wilson County Sanatorium, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 17 years old; was born in Burlington, N.C., to Sylvester Barnes of Wilson and Effie Moore of Burlington; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery. Lucy Watson was informant. [Like both her parents, Eloise Barnes died of pulmonary tuberculosis. A sister, Marion E. Barnes, died two years later.]

Mr. and Mrs. Johnnie Johnson quietly marry.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 8 May 1943.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 903 Nash, lumber company engineer William Barnes, 37; wife Julia, 33; daughters Evelyn, 4, and Mary, 2; and roomer Gladys Jones, 16.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1020 Wainwright, owned and valued at $900, lumber mill laborer William Barnes, 46; wife Julia, 42; and children Evelyn, 13, Mary B., 11, and William Jr., 8.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1020 Wainwright, owned and valued at $1800, cotton mill engineer William Barnes, 58; wife Julia, 55; daughters Evylene, 25, beauty parlor beautician, and Mary, 19; adopted daughter Nebraska, 11.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Wainwright, Evelyn Johnson, 34, beauty shop proprietor, and Johnnie Johnson, 43.

Evelyn Barnes Johnson died 12 May 1957 at her home at 1020 Wainwright Avenue, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 21 December 1914 in Wilson to William Barnes Sr. and Julia Fields; was a beautician; and was married to Monk Johnson. She was buried in the Masonic cemetery, Wilson.

News and Observer (Raleigh, N.C.), 13 May 1957.

Barnes displays an enormous tarantula.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 16 April 1931.

A tarantula is bad enough, but one with “nine tentacles”? Kudos to whoever had the presence of mind of kill it in a manner that allowed display. (Spiders in crates of tropical fruit are not uncommon, even today.)

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In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1118 East Nash Street, rented for $20/month, Johnnie Barnes, 33, cafe proprietor; wife Rachel G., 35, cafe cook; cousin Leatha Clark, 22; and Henrietta Walker, 25, both cafe waitresses.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Barnes Rachel G (c) restr 503 E Nash r 1118 E Nash

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 526 East Nash Street [the Orange Hotel], Rachel G. Barnes, 49, “housekeeper-rents rooms”; husband Johnnie, 42, “dry cleaner-retail pressing concern”; daughter Mary Lee, 17; cousin Clarence Holley, 18, “shoeshiner-barber shop”; and lodger William Robert Faison, 66, widower.

Rachel Barnes died 11 August 1957 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 25 July 1887 in Bertie County, N.C., to Henry Pugh and Mary Basmore; and lived at 1013 Atlantic Street, Wilson. Mary Lee Barnes was informant.