Batts

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.

——

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.

Booze in the bed (but not enough).

News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.), 6 August 1907.

Both the Daily Times and the News & Observer got a lot of mileage out of covering root doctor Benjamin Woodard. (Josephus Daniels, the N&O’s founder and editor, had known Woodard personally during his Wilson years.) Here, despite detailed description of the liquor found in Woodard’s house, Woodard was acquitted. However, state’s witness Bloss Batts (who was jailed pending hearing, as was done in those days) was charged with “retailing,” i.e. selling alcohol illegally. I have not found evidence of the outcome of that matter.

——

For more about Ben Woodard, see here and here and here and here.

  • Bloss Batts

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

In 1918, Blos Batts registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born in March 1883; lived on Stantonsburg Street, Wilson; worked as a laborer for Farmers Cotton Oil Company; and his nearest relative was Buddy Marlowe, Stantonsburg Street.

On 23 November 1919, Bloss Batts, 40, of Wilson, son of Tom and Mariah Batts, married Lizzie Taylor, 25, of Wilson, at Bettie Marable‘s in Wilson. Oliver Marable applied for the license, and Free Will Baptist minister C.L. Johnson, of Craven County, performed the ceremony.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Batts Bloss (c; Lizzie) h 203 Ashe

In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Wiley Batts, 68; wife Lucy, 59; daughters Anna Knight, 34, and Mary Batts, 25; grandchildren James Thomas, 3, and Jimmy Lee Batts, 2 months, and Junior, 11, and Mamie Knight, 9; and brother Bloss Batts, 56, widower.

Bloss Batts died 9 April 1942 at the Wilson County Home. Per his death certificate, he was 56 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.

Reverse-N Style headstones.

I’ve gone on and on about the artistry of Clarence B. Best, the marble cutter who carved thousands of gravestones in and around Wilson County between the 1920s and mid-1970s. Now, after a few years of exploring local African-American cemeteries, I recognize the signature work of other monument makers. Whether the work of an individual, like Best, or a company, they were likely produced in Wilson or an adjoining county, and perhaps by African-American craftsmen.

On a recent visit to the former Elm City Colored Cemetery, now known as Heritage Cemetery, I noticed these two concrete markers, clearly produced by the same maker. Other than one other (Charlie Armstrong) I saw on an earlier visit to Heritage, these are the only markers I have seen in this style, but I will be on the lookout for more. All are simple cement slabs with half-round tops, and their inscriptions feature large letters deeply drawn in a natural handwritten style. Two are decorated by a large naturalistic leaf — one a sweetgum and the other an oak — drawn above the inscription. Two of the names on the headstones are spelled with double N’s, the first of which is reversed.

The three Reverse-N Style headstones found so far mark the graves of two siblings (Charlie Armstrong and Annie Armstrong Braswell Dawson) and a collateral relative (Dennis Batts, who was the father of Annie Dawson’s husband’s second wife).

  • Dennis Batts

Dennis Batts Died June th 8 1932

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.

On 8 February 1877, Dennis Batts, 22, married Rose Farmer, 21, at Jarman Farmer’s in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Dennis Batts, 26, farmer; wife Rhoda A., 26; sons John H., 2, and William A., 5 months; and sister-in-law Maggie Farmer, 12, domestic servant.

In the 1900 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: widower Dennis Batts, 46, farmer, and children John H., 22, William A., 20, Mary J., 17, Patience, 15, Haywood, 13, Hattie, 11, Samuel, 9, Gorman, 6, and Rosa, 3.

On 25 October 1900, Dennis Batts, 47, son of Orren and Mary Batts, married William Ann Whitley, 23, daughter of Mingo and Catharine Whitley, at Isaac Page’s in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Baptist minister Joseph Barnes performed the ceremony in the presence of Red Mack, Bloss Barnes, and Anna Brown.

On 17 February 1909, Sidney Harriss, 24, of Toisnot, son of Matthew and Tempy Ann Harris, married Hattie Lena Batts, 19, of Toisnot, daughter of Dennis and Rose Ann Batts at Dennis Batts’ house. Witnesses were G.A. Gaston, J.G. Mitchell, and J.F. Carter, all of Elm City.

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Gooch and Parkers School House Road, farmer Dennis Batts, 46, and children Mary J., 27, Patsy, 25, Samy, 18, Jarman, 15, Jannie, 7, and Turner, 4.

On 8 November 1916, Dennis Batts, 62, of Toisnot township, son of Orrin and Mary Batts, married Eliza Allen, 23, of Toisnot township, daughter of Owen and Minnie Allen, at Rose Bud. Free Will Baptist minister J.H. Lynn performed the ceremony in the presence of Lu Hagans, William Pitt, and Walter Barnes, all of Wilson.

Jessie Batts died 26 May 1921 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 26 November 1919 in Wilson County to Dennis Batts and Eliza Allen. Dennis Batts was informant.

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: paying $5/month rent, Dennis Batts, 75; wife Eliza, 50, hotel servant; and children Lou, 13, and George R., 8.

Dennis Batts died 9 June 1932 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 30 May 1854 in Wilson County to Arnold Batts and Mary Farmer; was married to Eliza Batts; worked as a tenant farmer; and was buried in Elm City. Sidney Harris was informant.

On 2 September 1932, Van Dawson, 56, of Toisnot township, son of Sarah Dawson, married Jennie Batts, 30, of Toisnot township, daughter of Dennis and William Ann Batts, in Wilson.

  • Annie Dawson

Annie Dawson (with large incised sweetgum leaf)

In the 1870 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: farm laborer Wright Barnes, 54, Lucinda Armstrong, 31, and Charles, 7, Ann, 5, Shade, 16, and Goddin Armstrong, 7.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Lizette Armstrong, 51, Lucinda, 41, Charley L., 16, Gray Anna, 13, and Shadrick, 10.

On 6 February 1886, Gray Braswell, 28, married Aner Armstrong, 19, at Lucinder Armstrong’s residence in Wilson County. Missionary Baptist minister S.G. Alston performed the ceremony in the presence of Fred McGuire, James J. Taylor, and Frank Barnes.

On 18 February 1897, Van Dawson, 21, married Annie Braswell, 27, at the bride’s residence in Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: day laborer Van Dawson, 23; wife Anne, 37; and niece Sally Armstrong, 17.

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Elm City Lane, lumber wagon teamster Van Dawson, 36; wife Annie, 42, laundress; and daughter Estell, 9.

In 1918, Van Dawson registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 2 March 1873; lived in Elm City, Wilson County; was a self-employed farmer; and his nearest relative was wife Annie Dawson. He signed his card with an X.

Annie Dawson died 22 August 1929 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 55 years old; was born in Elm City to P[illegible] and Lucinda Armstrong; was married; and farmed for Dr. E.G. Moon. Van Dawson was informant. [Van Dawson later married a daughter of Dennis Batts; see above.]

Corp. Amos L. Batts, Army and Navy veteran, drowns.

Wilson Daily Times, 26 September 1950.

——

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: widowed farmer Elizabeth Batts, 43; and children James H., 19, Roosevelt, 16, and Leander, 12.

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

Corporal Batts’ body was eventually recovered and returned to Wilson for burial in Rest Haven Cemetery. On 19 February 1951, his mother applied for a military headstone for his grave.

The reverse of the application card reveals interesting details of Corporal Batts’ military service:

“Prior service: induction and active duty date 6 September 1944 honorably discharged 30January 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.”

Presumably, this was service in the U.S. Army. At the time of his death, Batts was enlisted in the U.S. Navy and working aboard USNS Gen. W.F. Hase, a Military Sealift Command vessel.