Batts

Pvt. Roosevelt Batts recovers in the South Pacific.

Wilson Daily Times, 19 May 1945.

——

In the 1930 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Amos Batts, 29; wife Elizabeth, 29; and children Arlettie, 10, James, 8, Roosevelt, 7, and Amos Lee, 5.

In the 1940 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: widow Elizabeth Batts, 42, farmer, and sons James H., 19, Rosevelt, 16, and Leander, 12. [Amos Leander Batts died while in service.]

Roosevelt Batts registered for the draft in 1940.

In the 1950 census of New York, New York County, New York: Roosevelt Batts, 25, and wife Hattie Margaret, 25, secretary, roomers in 331 Quincy Street.

Roosevelt Batts died 17 September 1986 and was buried in Calverton National Cemetery, Calverton, New York.

Corporal William Batts, stationed at Camp Swift, Texas.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 628 Warren Street, farm laborer Willie Batts, 28, wife Olivia, 29, and children Ernest, 8, Claria, 5, Elizabeth, 3, and twins Jodie and Josephine, 6 months.

In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Willie Batts, 39, wife Olivia, 39, and children Ernest, 17, Clara, 16, Elizabeth, 13, Josephine, 10, William, 7, E. George, 5, and M. Mary, 1 1/2.

In the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Will Batts, 50, wife Olivia, 50, and children Ernest, 25, William, 16, Georgiana, 14, Magdelene, 11, Rosa L., 10, and Henry, 8.

On 1 April 1938, Wm. Batts, 23, of Taylors township, Wilson County, son of Will and Olivia Batts, married Bessie Lee Williams, 18, of Wilson, daughter of Isaac and Lucy Williams, in Wilson. Elder Abram Hill performed the ceremony. 

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 303 Finch Street, brick laborer William Batts, 25; wife Bessie, 20, tobacco factory laborer; children Thelma, 2, and Lucille, 9 months; and sister Dollie Williams, 17.

In 1940, William Batts registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County:

Image courtesy of Veterans of World War II Wilson County, spiral-bound volume, Wilson County Public Library.

Snaps, no. 120: Josh and Annie Sharpe Batts.

Josh and Annie Sharpe Batts.

In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: on the Plank Road, farmer Jim Sharp, 38; wife Bettie, 35; and children Sarah, 15, Sunny, 13, Etta, 12, Mary, 10, Mahala, 9, Jimmie, 7, Della, 5, Bettie, 3, and Annie, 2.

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Rose Bud Church Road, Balin Batts, 30; wife Mary, 25; and children Mamie, 7, Josh, 3, Sam, 4, and Troy, 3 months.

In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: on the Tarboro Road, farmer James Sharp, 47; wife Bettie, 40; and children Sonnie, 21, Effie, 18, Mahaly, 17, Jimmie, 15, Dolena, 14, Annie, 13, Bettie, 12, and Willie, 7.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on the Tarboro Road, Balaam Batts, 45; wife Mary, 38; and children Mamie, 18, Lemon, 16, Joshua, 13, Troy, 8, Charlie, 7, Arthur, 5, Alice, 3, Willie, 2, and Florence, 3 months.

On 21 January 1930, Joshua Batts, 21, married Annie Sharpe, 19, in Gardners township, Wilson County.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Bailum Batts, 50; wife Mary, 48; children Seller, 25, Joshua, 23, Troy, 19, Charlie, 17, Authur, 14, Alice, 12, and Willie B., 10, Florence, 9, [daughters-in-law] Nettie B., 20, and Annie, 19; and grandchildren Robert, 1, and Minnie, 1.

In 1940, Josh Batts registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 31 March 1907 in Elm City, N.C.; lived at Route 4, Box 25-A, Wilson; his contact was landlord J.D. Lee; and he worked for J.D. Lee.

In the 1940 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Josh Batts, 33; wife Annie, 23; children Minnie L., 12, Ray L., 6, Mary, 5, and Josh D., 2; and father-in-law Jim Sharpe, 60, widow.

In the 1950 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Josh Batts, 44; wife Annie, 34; children Minnie L., 20, Roy L., 18, Mary A., 17, Josh D., 15, Jimmy N. and Mary D., 12; and grandson James, 2.

Annie Lee Batts died 5 November 1961 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 June 1921 [sic] in Wilson County to James Sharpe and Bettie E. Batts and was married to Josh Batts.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user GeraldNelson31.

Undertaker.

Page 31, 1922 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson, N.C.

Which undertaker operated this business at the corner of Nash and Carroll Streets shown in the 1922 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson?

Almost certainly, this was the establishment of one of the undertaking businesses with which Amos Batts was associated. Batts lived next door at 1113 East Nash Street and was in business around this time with Columbus E. Artis. In an era in which the deceased were generally laid out at home, the building likely was used for embalming and preparation, but not actually funerals.

Batts is charged in Seattle.

Amos L. Batts got into a bit of difficulty in the spring of 1950, catching a charge for second-degree burglary in Seattle, Washington. On June 5, he received a deferred sentence and, not long after, joined the crew of a naval transport ship that plied a Seattle-Yokohama route. He accidentally drowned in Alaska as the ship neared its return to Washington in September.

Washington State Corrections and Records, 1877-1970, Ancestry.com.

The obituary of Amos L. Batts, soldier.

Wilson Daily Times, 2 December 1950.

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In the 1930 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Amos Batts, 29; wife Elizabeth, 29; and children Arlettie, 10, James, 8, Roosevelt, 7, and Amos Lee, 5.

In the 1940 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Elizabeth Batts, 43, and sons James H., 19, Rosevelt, 16, and Leander, 12.

Amos Leander Batts registered for the World War II draft in 1944. Per his registration card, he was born 22 May 1926 in Black Creek, N.C.; lived at 1207 Queen Street, Wilson; his contact was mother Elizabeth B. Batts; he was a student at Darden High; and he worked after school for Paul Bissette, Bissette’s Drug Store, Wilson.

Batts was among the crew of the USNS General W.F. Hase, which sailed from Yokohama, Japan, for Seattle, Washington. He worked as a laundryman. The incident that led to his death on 19 (not 24) September 1950 apparently occurred during this voyage.

Elizabeth Batts applied for a military headstone for her son. 

On the reverse: “Prior service: induction and active duty date 6 September 1944 honorably discharged 30 January 1946. Re-enlisted 31 January 1946 active duty same date Honorably discharged 2 December 1946. Enlisted Reserve Corps from 3 December 1946 to 19 December 1946; re-enlisted on 20 December 1946 discharged under honorable conditions 11 February 1949.”

Amos L. Batts was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery.

Washington, Arriving and Departing Passenger and Crew Lists, 1882-1965, http://www.ancestry.com; U.S. Headstone Applications for Military Veterans 1861-1985, http://www.ancestry.com.

William Batts Sr.’s enslaved community.

We saw here the 1856 will of William Batts Sr., which dispersed 25 enslaved people among his children and grandchildren. What do we know of the 25?

  • Isaac

Perhaps, in the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Isaac Batts, 58, and Violet, 56.

  • Elsy and her youngest son Thomas

Hugh B. Johnston revealed the revealed the relationships between several of William Batts’ enslaved people in this cruel Emancipation anecdote. Jesse Farmer had married Batts’ daughter Polly and claimed ownership of “blind Nellie, old Clarkey, her daughter Ailsey, Ailsey’s daughter Dinah, and Dinah’s children Jim, Jerry, Hilliard, and Cindy.”

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Ailsey Batts, 68, and Nellie Batts, 35, described as “idiot.”

In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Thomas Batts, 27; wife Mariah, 24; and children Pricilla, 7, Joseph, 5, Henry, 5, John, 3, and Bettie, 1 month.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer Tom Batts, 37; wife Maria, 34; children Joseph, 15, Henry, 13, John, 12, Bettie, 10, George, 8, Amos, 6, Willie, 4, Charles, 3, and unnamed, 1; and granddaughter Eliza, 1.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Tom Batts, 69; wife Mariah, 60; and children Eddie, 22, Willie, 20, Blossom, 18, William, 15, Bettie, 29, and Frank, 11.

John Batts died 26 January 1927 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 60 years old; was born in Wilson County to Thomas Batts and Maria Anaki [this appears to be a middle name — Anarcha, often pronounce Anaky]; was single; lived on Roberson Street; worked in farming; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery. George Batts was informant.

Bloss Batts died 9 April 1942 in the Wilson County Home, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 55 years old; was born in Wilson County to Tom Batts and Mariah Jones;  was married to Lizzie Batts; worked in farming; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery.

  • Amos

There were several men named Amos Batts in Wilson County in the late nineteenth century, but none were born prior to 1856.

  • Meedy

There appear to be two Meedys named in Batts’ will, one of whom was a young child. See below.

  • Young Isaac
  • Ben
  • Orren

A note in the estate file of William Batts Sr. mentions “Negro man Orren.”

On 23 August 1866, Orren Batts and Mary Batts registered their 14-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Orren Batts, 41, wife Mary, 34, and children Dennis, 16, Amos, 14, Henriet, 10, Haywood, 9, Precilla, 5, and Louisa, 3.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot: Orren Batts, 53, wife Mary, 47, and children Haywood, 19, Priscilla, 14, Louiza, 12, John, 9, Reddick, 7, and James B. Batts, 1.

Harriet Barnes died 27 August 1926 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 65 years old; was born in Wilson County to Orange Batts and Mary Batts; was the widow of John Barnes; was engaged in farming; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Roscoe Barnes was informant.

  • Haywood

In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Haywood Batts, 34; wife Rodah, 27; Lucy, 17; and Alice, 4.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Haywood Batts, 49, farmer; wife Rhoda, 36; children Alvana, 13, and Jack H., 4; and brother-in-law Amos Pender, 27.

In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Haywood Batts, 66, farmer, and wife Rodia, 53.

On 31 December 1903, Haywood Batts, 70, married Tempy Woodard, 55, in Toisnot township, Wilson County.

In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Mark Barnes, 60; wife Allie, 43; children Rodie, 20, Eva, 17, William F., 13, Bertha, 10, Lucy, 7, Ida, 5, and Haywood, 2; grandchildren James, 4, and Hattie, 2; and father-in-law Haywood Batts, 77, widower.

Allie Barnes died 8 November 1917 in Gardners township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born about late 1862 in Wilson County to Haywood Batts and Rhoda Pender; was a tenant farmer; and was married. Mark Barnes was informant.

In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Mark Barnes, 60; wide Adeline, 49; children Bertha, 20, Lucy, 17, Ida, 15, Henry, 14, Haywood, 13, and Hattie, 12; and father Haywood Batts, 87, widower.

Haywood Batts died 27 January 1921 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 100 years old [actually, more like 85]; was born in Wilson County to Jack Batts and Venus Batts; was a widower; was a farm hand for “Mr. Banks” (!!); and was buried in the family graveyard. Jack Batts was informant. [See Venice, below.]

  • Venice and her five children
  • Harriet
  • Peter

Possibly, on 31 August 1866, Peter Farmer and Mariah Loften registered their four-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Peter Farmer, 34; wife Mariah, 30; and children Seth, 15, Daniel, 10, and infant, 2.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Peter Farmer, 45; wife Maria, 42; and children Adline, 17, Colonel, 13, Alsy, 10, Margaret, 8, Hardy, 5, Julius, 3, and Joshua, 1.

In the 1900 census of Cold Water township, Cross County, Arkansas: farmer Peter Farmer, 73; wife Mariah, 51; children John Farmer, 28; Margaret Bunn, 21; Isaac, 18, Eley, 17, and Louisa Farmer, 15; and grandsons Sanders, 6, and Theodrick Bunn, 5. All except the grandchildren were born in North Carolina.

Hardy Farmer died 14 April 1948 in Jackson township, Crittenden County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 March 1874 in Wilson, N.C., to Peter Farmer and Mariah Pender; was married to Alice Farmer; and he worked as a farmer.

Maggie Newsome died 25 May 1955 in Memphis, Shelby County, Tennessee. Per her death certificate, she was 83 years old; was born in North Carolina to Peter Farmer and an unknown mother; was a widow; and worked as a maid.

  • Charles
  • Nelly

See Elsy/Ailsey, above.

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Ailsey Batts, 68, and Nellie Batts, 35, described as “idiot.”

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Lewis Robbins, 43; wife Diana, 53; children Henry, 14, Frank, 11, Alice, 9, and Jerry, 8; and sister-in-law Nellie Batts, 45, described as blind and “idiotic.”

  • Dinah and her children Jerry, Hilliard, and Sidney

See Elsy/Ailsey, above.

On 6 October 1869, Dina Batts, daughter of Charles Horne and Alecy Batts, married Lewis Robbins, son of Lewis and Mariah Scott, at Lewis Robbins’.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Lewis Robbins, 43; wife Diana, 53; children Henry, 14, Frank, 11, Alice, 9, and Jerry, 8; and sister-in-law Nellie Batts, 45, described as blind and “idiotic.”

In 1866, Jerry Farmer and Kate Sugs registered their two-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Jerry Farmer, 26, and wife Kate, 26.

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Jerry Farmer, 37, widower.

On 10 January 1884, Jerry Farmer, 39, married Annice Pender, 23, at Abram Sharpe’s. Charles Barnes, Haywood Batts, and Haywood Pender were witnesses.

Hilliard Farmer and Elva Farmer registered their two-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace on 1 September 1866.

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Hilliard Farmer, 25; wife Ann, 24; and children Louisa, 6, Henrietta, 5, and Julia, 1 month. [Per the 1870 mortality schedule, Farron Farmer, 1, of this household, died in August 1869 of cholera infantum.]

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Hilliard Farmer, 34, farm laborer; wife Arann, 33; children Julian, 9, Tiny, 6, Roxie, 5, Willie, 3, and Henry, 1; and grandson Eddie, 11 months.

  • Hagar
  • Meedy

There are appear to be two Meedys named in Batts’ will, one of whom was a young child in 1856. See above.

In the 1870 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: Arthur Sharpe, 58; wife Harriet, 50; children Toney, 13, Wedley, 11, and Caroline, 25; and Meedy Farmer, 21.

In the 1880 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: Meedy Farmer, 30; wife Caroline, 30; and children Cromwell, 8, James, 4, and Mary, 1.

In the 1900 census of Township #8, Edgecombe County: Meady Farmer, 50; wife Caroline, 38; and children James, 22, Mary, 17, Willie, 14, Ada, 13, Alice, 12, John, 10, Lonnie, 7, and Floyd, 2.

Cromwell Farmer died 13 September 1939 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 20 January 1872 in Wilson County to Meedy Farmer and Caroline Sharpe; was married to Mary Jane Farmer; lived at Bryant Farm; and was a farmer. [Floyd Willie Farmer was his son.]

Willie Farmer died 22 February 1960 in Gardners township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 3 February 1885 in Wilson County to Meaty Farmer and Caroline [no maiden name]; was married to Martha Farmer; and was a farmer.

Floyd Farmer died 11 March 1988 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born 11 March 1888 in Edgecombe County to Meady Farmer and Caroline Sharpe; was married to Lugene Lane; and lived in Rocky Mount.