In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.
We been here.
1925. Black brickmason John M. Barnes built this Charles Benton-designed house for undertaker Camillus L. Darden and wife Norma. Now home to local chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, August 2024.
The chance find of David Reid’s Atlantic City obituary led me to this set of siblings that migrated with their spouses to the Jersey Shore in the late 1920s.
On 8 August 1922, David Reid, 21, of Wilson County, son of John and Olivia Reid, married Lieucinda Barnes, 19, of Wilson County, daughter of Pattie Barnes, in Wilson County. Disciples minister W.W. Webb performed the ceremony in the present of Mollie V. Williams, Richard Winstead, and Eligar Reid.
Hattie Olivia Reid was born 28 December 1922 in Wilson to David Reid and Lucinda Barnes.
In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Reid David (c; Lucinda) hlpr h 712 W Walnut
In the 1930 census of Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey: at 1317 Arctic Avenue, James Lucas, 26, hotel bus driver; wife Pattie, 26, hotel chambermaid; roomer David Reid, 24, garage mechanic; wife Lucinda, 25; children Olivia, 6, David, 4, and Wallace Reid, 3; and roomer Sydney Briggs, 20, hotel mechanic.
In the 1935 Atlantic City city directory: Reid David (Lucinda) garage attendant h 1322 Baltic av
David Reid died in March 1971.
Atlantic City Press, 8 March 1971.
Wallace Reid died just three years after his father.
Atlantic City Press, 24 July 1974.
Lucinda Reid Crosley died 29 March 2003 at age 97.
In the 1930 census of Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey: at 1317 Arctic Avenue, James Lucas, 26, hotel bus driver; wife Pattie, 26, hotel chambermaid; roomer David Reid, 24, garage mechanic; wife Lucinda, 25; children Olivia, 6, David, 4, and Wallace Reid, 3; and roomer Sydney Briggs, 20, hotel mechanic.
In 1940, James Oscar Lucas registered for the World War II draft in Atlantic County, New Jersey. Per his registration card, he was born 22 February 1905 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 117 1/2 Center Street, Atlantic City, N.J., [later, 760 Chelton Avenue, Apartment B, Camden, N.J.]; his contact was wife Pattie Lucas; and he worked for “U.S. Government Cement Contracting” at Fort Dix, N.J.
In the 1940 census of Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey: at 105 New York Avenue, James Lucas, 36, W.P.A. laborer; wife Patty, 38; daughter Willa Mae, 17; brother Buddy, 24, helper in restaurant kitchen; and lodger Vera Williams, 48, widow, seamstress in W.P.A. sewing project, and her son Ernest, 13.
In the 1950 census of Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey: James Lucas, 45, construction company laborer; wife Pattie, 49, hotel maid; nephews Dowel, 7, and Willie Lucas, 5; and cousin-in-law Lizzie G. Reid, 23, hotel maid.
James Lucas died 23 July 1956 in Atlantic City.
Atlantic City Press, 27 July 1956.
Pattie Lucas died in August 1973.
Atlantic City Press, 29 August 1973.
Benjamin Reid registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County in 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 1896 in Edgecombe County, N.C.; lived on Mercer Street, Wilson; worked as a delivery boy for H.M. McMullen; and was single.
On 28 November 1918, Bennie Reid, 22, of Wilson, son of John and Olivia Reid, married Mollie Turnage, 19, of Wilson, daughter of Louisa Turnage, at her home in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister William Baker performed the ceremony in the presence of Carrie Melton, W.H.H. Howard, and Noel Jones.
On 12 May 1927, Ben Reid, 31, of Wilson, married Mollie Hembey, 22, of Wilson, in Wilson. Disciples minister W.W. Webb performed the ceremony in the presence of Oscar Barker, Ella Adams, and James Baker.
In the 1930 census of Atlantic City, Atlantic County, New Jersey: Ben Reid, 35, restaurant dishwasher, and wife Mollie, 25, lodgers in the household of William Peterson.
Atlantic City Press, 30 March 1935.
Atlantic City Press, 26 April 1939.
Benjamin Franklin Reid registered for the World War II draft in 1942. Per his registration card, he was born 4 June 1896 in Pick [Pitt] County, N.C.; lived 1309 Arctic Avenue, Atlantic City; worked for W.P.A. Watershed; and his contact was Nanie May Reid, same address.
Atlantic City Press, 10 March 1942.
Wilson Daily Times, 28 October 1921.
——
In 1942, when the descendants of Spicey Barnes Barnes and Hannah Barnes Coleman gathered for a birthday dinner to honor both sisters, they began a tradition that has lasted more than eight decades!
If Coleman-Barnes Reunion isn’t the longest-running African-American family gathering in Wilson County, I want to know what is!
——
In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: George Barnes, 55; wife Gracy, 45; and daughters Spicey, 7, and Hannah, 5.
On 5 January 1899, Joe Barnes, 35, of Wilson County, son of Richard Barnes and Amanda Toodle, married Spicy Barnes, 23, of Wilson County, daughter of George Barnes and Grace Strickland. Nestus Bagley applied for the license, and Free Will Baptist minister Daniel Blount performed the ceremony.
In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Jospeh Barnes, 26; wife Spicy, 25; and children Daisy A., 9, Wiley, 8, Naster, 7, Gray, 6, and Earnest, 1 month.
In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Joseph Barnes, 52; wife Spicy, 39; children Earnest, 10, George E., 8, Annie, 4, and Turner, 3; step-daughter Gracie Moore, 21; and children Daisy, 21, Leslie, 15, and Wily, 18.
In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Joe Barnes, 52; wife Spicy, 42; and children Ernest, 19, Geo., 16, Annie, 14, and Turner, 11.
On 23 December 1929, Ernest Barnes, 29, of Wilson, son of Joe and Spicy Barnes, married Lillie Ellis, 29, of Wilson, daughter of Jack and Mintree Yancey, in Wilson. Disciple minister W.W. Webb performed the ceremony in the presence of Calvin Baker, Ella Adams, and Martha Ellis.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Ernest Barnes, 40, widower; sister Annie, 38; and mother Spicey, 60, widow.
In 1942, Ernest Barnes registered for the World War II in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 12 May 1900 in Wilson; lived in Wilson County; his contact was mother Spicey Barnes; and he worked for Zell Winstead, Tarboro Street Extension.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 313 Finch, Ernest Barnes, 49, widower, cement mixer at concrete pipe company; mother Spicey, 78, widow; sister Annie, 44, tobacco factory picker; and cousin Stephen Coleman, 43, barber.
Spicey Barnes died 9 August 1963 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 June 1868 in Wilson County to George Barnes and Grace Barnes; lived at 414 Lane Street; and was a widow. Annie B. Barnes was informant.
On 30 March 1894, Robert Coleman, 23, of Oldfields township, son of Jack and Nancy Coleman, married Hannah Barnes, 18, of Oldfields township, in Oldfields township, Wilson County.
In the 1900 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Robert Coleman, 39; wife Hannah, 25; and children Mary, 9, James, 7, and Clary, 4.
In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Finch Mill Road, farmer Robert Coleman, 46; wife Hannah, 39; and children James, 16, Clara, 14, Martha, 8, Thomas, 6, Stephen, 4, and Katrina, 3 months.
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Finch Mill Road, farmer Robert Coleman, 52; wife Annie, 45; and children Martha, 18, Tom, 16, Stephen, 12, and Katie, 9.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Hannah Coleman, 57, and children James, 38, William G., 26, both farm laborers, and Stephen, 23, barber.
Martha Holley died 19 July 1934 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 33 years old; was born in Wilson County to Robert Coleman and Hannah Barnes; was married to Will Holley; lived in New Grabneck; worked on a farm; and was buried in Wilson [likely, Vick Cemetery.]
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Hannah Coleman, 68; son Thomas, 36; and grandsons Robert Holiday Holly, 14, William Holly, 13, and Cal Waddell Holly, 8.
William Thomas Coleman died 11 April 1973 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 18 February 1904 to Robert Coleman and Hannah Barnes; was a widower; lived on Black Creek Road; and had worked as a laborer. Darnell Coleman was informant.
Image of reunion program courtesy of Tijuana Locus. Thank you!
Wilson Daily Times, 19 August 1950.
Wilson Daily Times, 7 August 1937.
Young adult Samson Barnes died suddenly of young disease. This notice includes a detail presumably affixed by the copy writer: Barnes worked or sharecropped for Herman and Lilly Mattox, who rented land owned by a Woodard.
——
In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Preston Barnes, 27; wife Rosettar, 20; and children Samson, 5, Aulander, 3, and Sallie, 5 months.
In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: widow Mollie Williams, 59, and grandchildren Lorenzo, 17, Nathaniel, 15, and Mary Williams, 12, and Samson, 16, Orlando, 14, and Sally Barnes, 12.
Samptson Barnes died 3 August 1937 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 22 years old; was born in Wilson County to Preston Barnes and Rosetta Williams; was 22 years old; worked as a farmer; and was single. Drew Barnes was informant.
——
In the 1870 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Anthony Barnes, 59; wife Hester, 58; children Caroline, 18, Mike, 12, Joseph, 8, and Harriet, 6; James Renfrow, 85; and Barney Barnes, 21.
In the 1880 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Antha Barnes, 70; wife Hester, 60; and children Joseph, 20, and Harriet, 15.
On 30 July 1885, Joseph Barnes, 25, married Mary Shaw, 18, in Wilson County.
In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph C. Barnes, 39; wife Mary, 31; and children Devro, 13, James B., 10, Lillie, 9, William, 7, Ullis, 4, and Mattie, 1.
On 15 January 1904, Joe Barnes, 43, of Springhill township, son of Andy and Hester Barnes, married Spicy Atkinson, 21, of Springhill township, daughter of Arch and Martha Atkinson, at Arch Atkinson’s.
In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph Barnes, 49; wife Spicy J., 27; and children James B., 16, Henry W., 14, Mattie F., 12, Grover G., 10, Addora, 5, Martha J., 2, and Naoma, 5 months.
In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Joe Barnes, 59; wife Spicy, 36; and children Adora, 15, Martha, 12, Carolina, 8, Irey J., 6, Levi, 4, Suveller, 3, and Mary E., 1.
On 2 June 1928, Jos. C. Barnes, 65, of Springhill township, married Kizzie Hinnant, 53, of Springhill township, in Wilson.
In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Josep C. Barnes, 70; wife Kizzie E., 58; and children Martha J., 22, Levie, 14, Suvella, 12, Mary E., 10, and Ester, 8.
In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Joe Barnes, 82; wife Kizzie, 65; daughter Ester, 18; niece Gladys Smith, 14; grandchildren Frances and Bubbie Ashby, 5; son Levie Barnes, 24; and son’s wife Bulah Barnes, 24.
Per his headstone, Joseph C. Barnes died 25 April 1945.
Photo adapted, courtesy of Ancestry.com user eventlady28.
——
In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: tenant farmer Redman Barnes, 47; wife Genette, 43; children Dora, 20, Fred, 19, Mary E., 17, Minie B., 15, Eddie Bell, 13, Petcandy, 11, Nora Lee, 9, Alice, 7, Lula Mae, 4, and Redman Jr., 1.
In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Raymond [Redmond] Barnes, 59; wife Jeanette, 50; children Dora, 29, Fred, Fred, 25, Mary, 23, Minnie B., 20, Edith, 18, Bettie L., 17, Nora L., 16, Alice J., 14, Lula Mae, 12, Raymond Jr., 10, and John H., 8; and nephew Author Ellis, 20.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1116 East Nash Street, Mary Barnes, 33, who taught at Healthy Plains Grade School; her widowed mother Jenettie Barnes, 62; brothers Redman, 22, a shoe repairer at Rex Shoe Shop, and John, 19, a tobacco factory laborer; brother-in-law Doll Speight, 26, apartment elevator operator; sister Lula, 23, and their daughters Letrice, 2, and Bettie, 8 months.
In 1940, Doll Speight registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 13 May 1916 in Greene County, N.C.; lived at 1116 East Green Street, Wilson; his contact was wife Lula Mae Speight; and he worked for Mrs. W.D. Hackney Sr., 301 East Nash Street, Wilson.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Doll Speight Jr., 34, janitor at professional building; wife Lula M., 34; and children Leatrice, 12, Betty Lou, 10, and Donald E., 1.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry user gb1405. My aunt married Lula Barnes Speight’s nephew, and my family spent many a happy holiday around a table at one or another of the Barnes’ sisters’ homes.
The 500 block of East Nash Street is justly remembered as the 20th century epicenter of Wilson’s African-American-owned businesses. However, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Black entrepreneurs and tradespeople also operated across the tracks. As Wilson’s downtown experiences a resurgence, let’s rediscover and celebrate these pioneering men and women.
Check in each Sunday for the latest in the Historic Black Business Series!
Short W. Barnes was a carpenter, not a barber, but at least briefly he invested in a barbershop in downtown Wilson that catered to white customers.
1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory.
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, March 2024.
Nathan and Lucy King Barnes and their children were among thousands of North Carolinians, many from Wilson County, who sought greener pastures in Arkansas.
On 29 March 1877, Nathan Barnes married Lucy King in Wayne County, North Carolina.
In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Nathan Barnes, 28; wife Lucy, 20; and children Morrison, 2, and Dinah, 6 months.
On 31 January 1897, Deana Barnes and John Edmondson were married in Cross County, Arkansas.
In the 1900 census of Searcy township, Cross County, Arkansas: farmer Nathan Barnes, 48; wife Lucy, 37; children Marson, 22, Mary Jane, 16, Claudie, 14, Elroy, 12, Maggie, 8, and Rosco L., 5; son-in-law John Edmondson, 21; daughter Diana, 21; grandson Snode, 6 months; and boarder, Mack Stewart, 19. The Barnes’ two youngest children were born in Arkansas; the rest in North Carolina. Thus, we can pinpoint their migration to years between 1888 and 1892.
In the 1910 census of Searcy township, Cross County, Arkansas: farmer Nathan Barnes, 48; wife Lucy, 37; and children Claudy, 23, Leroy, 22, May[illegible], 17, Reskin, 15, and Tike, 10. All, curiously, were described as born in Alabama except Tike, who was born in Arkansas.
In the 1910 census of Smith township, Cross County, Arkansas: Marshel [sic] Barnes, 32; wife Valley, 20; and son Thomas L., 1.
Nathan Barnes died 7 September 1917 in Searcey township, Cross County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 January 1852 in North Carolina to Ben Barnes; was a farmer; and was buried in Mount Zion Cemetery. C.D. Barnes was informant.
In 1918, Morrison Barnes registered for the World War I draft in Cross County, Arkansas. Per his registration card, he was born 15 January 1878; lived in Vanndale, Cross County; worked as a farmer; and his nearest relative was Vallie Barnes.
On 11 January 1920, Roscoe Barnes married Bessie R. Vause in Cross County, Arkansas.
In the 1920 census of Searcy township, Cross County, Arkansas: Morrison Barnes, 41; wife Vallie, 31, and children Thomas, 11, Tennie, 7, Sister, 3, and Elliott, 1.
In the 1920 census of Searcy township, Cross County, Arkansas: Elroy Barnes, 31; wife Daisy, 21; and children Callie, 8, and Savannah Barnes, 3, and Ernest Futrel, 4.
Daddy [Claudie] Barnes died 11 January 1930 in Forrest City, Madison township, Saint Francis County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was 44 years old; was born in North Carolina to Nathan and Lucy Barnes; worked as a farmer for C. Barton; was married to Lucy Barnes; and was buried in Hinton cemetery.
In the 1930 census of Smith township, Cross County, Arkansas: Marshal Vaughnes [sic], 53; wife Rosey, 42; children Surtina E., 13, John E., 11, and Joshway R., 9; and mother Lucy Barnes, 68.
In the 1940 census of Wynne township, Cross County, Arkansas: Lucy Barnes, 87, is a lodger in the household of Alex Abraham.
In 1942, Elroy Barnes registered for the World War II draft in Saint Francis County, Arkansas. Per his registration card, he was born 23 May 1888 in Wilson, N.C.; lived in Palestine, Saint Francis County, Arkansas; and his contact was Daisy Barnes.
On 16 October 1932, Morrison Barnes, 54, married Mary Sweeten, 27, in Wittsburg, Cross County, Arkansas.
In 1942, Roscoe Lee Barnes registered for the World War II draft in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Per his registration card, he was born 12 March 1895 in Wynne, Arkansas; lived on Valley Forde Road, Devon, Chester County; his contact was daughter Lolly Barnes; and he worked for McAlvoy Brickyard, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.
On 15 September 1945, Roscoe L. Barnes, 50, widower, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born in Arkansas to Nathaniel and Lucy Barnes, married Thelma H. Moultrie, 39, of Philadelphia, born in South Carolina to West and Addie Hunter, in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware.
Elroy R. Barnes died 23 December 1962 in Saint Louis, Missouri. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 May 1888 in North Carolina to Nathan Barnes and Lucy (maiden name unknown) and was a minister. Daisy Barnes was informant.
Roscoe Barnes died 24 January 1966 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 March 1895 in Wynne, Arkansas, to Nathan Barnes; lived in Chester, Pennsylvania; was a widower; and worked as a laborer.