Best

Petition by the Best heirs to partition land, part 1.

North Carolina    }    Superior Court

Wilson County    }

David Crocket Best and Germima Best

vs.

William Best, Dennis Best, Frank Best, John Best, Angeline Best, Richard Best, and Mary Jane Best

Petition to sell land for partition.

To the Superior Court, Wilson County

The petitioners complain and allege:

  1. That on the 5 day of September, 1898, Joel P. Price and wife executed and delivered unto David Crocket Best and wife, Caroline Best, a deed conveying unto them a life estate in and to the lands hereinafter described, with remainder in fee to George Best and Germima Best and their heirs, said deed being recorded in book 49 on page 29 Wilson County Registry,
  2. That Caroline Best died during the year 1905; that George Best died during the year 1904, without issue, he never having married,
  3. That Germima Best, Hillary Best, Dennis Best, Frank Best, Richard Best, John Best, Angeline Best and Mary Jane Best are the only brothers and sisters of the said George Best, deceased, and as such are his heirs at law and are entitled to the interest of the said George Best deceased, in the lands hereinafter described; that all of said brothers and sisters are now living and all of them, except Germima Best, who resides in Wilson, N.C., are non residents of the State of North Carolina,
  4. That the petitioner, together with the defendants, are tenants in common, and are seized in fee simple and are now in the possession of that certain lot or parcel of land lying and being situate in the town of Wilson Wilson County, North Carolina, adjoining the lots of Jack Wells and others, and described as follows, to wit: Beginning at a point in the public road, leading from Wilson to Wiggins Mill, in Dr. Albert Anderson’s corner, thence South with said road 105 feet, thence east parallel with said Anderson’s line 105 feet, thence north parallel with said road 105 feet, cornering in Dr. Albert Anderson’s line, thence west with said Anderson’s line 105 feet to the beginning, containing one quarter of an acre, more or less, the same being situate in the east side of said road, and being the same land conveyed by Joel P. Price and wife to David Crocket Best and others by deed recorded in book 49 on page 29, Wilson County Registry,
  5. That the interest of the petitioners and the defendants in said land are as follows, viz: David Crocket Best is entitled to the whole of said land for life; Germima Best, in her own right, is entitled to one half, eight sixteenths, and as sister and heir of George Best, deceased, is entitled to one sixteenth, making her interest nine-sixteenths; that Hillory Best, Dennis Best, Frank Best, John Best, Richard Best, Angeline Best and Mary Jane Best, are each entitled to one-sixteenth, all of their interest being subject to the life estate of the said David Crocket Best,
  6. That all of the above named persons, both plaintiffs and defendants, are more than twenty one years of age,
  7. That the petitioners desire to hold their interest in said lands, or the process thereof, in severalty,
  8. That an actual partition of said lands cannot be made without injury to the parties interested, owing to the small quantity of land to which each would be entitled by a division,

Wherefore, the petitioners pray that the court will appoint some suitable person to sell said lands, after due advertisement, to the highest bidder for Cash, and report his proceedings in report to said sale within ten days after said sale into the office of the Court.   Jany 5 1906   W.A. Finch Atty for Petitioners

…

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In the 1870 census of Saulston township, Wayne County: farm laborer Crocket Best, 35; wife Caroline, 30; children Hilry, 12, Dennis, 10, Frank, 8, Anjaline, 6, John, 4, and Richard, 6 months; plus Milley, 20, and Bedy Best, 17.

In the 1880 census of New Hope township, Wayne County: farmer Crocket Best, 44; wife Caroline, 42; children Dennis, 20, Franklin, 18, Angeline, 15, John, 12, Richard, 9, Rachel, 6, Mary, 4, and Jamimie, 1; and aunt Rachel Best, 80.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: carpenter Crocket Best, 64; wife Caroline, 62; daughter Mary, 23; and granddaughters Elizabeth, 2, and Loretta, 8.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widower Crocket Best, 87; daughter Mamie, 30, cook; grandson Buster B., 5; and Bennett Stanton, 47.

The apprenticeship of Mary Simms (1893).

On 7 February 1893, a Wilson County Probate Court judge ordered 8 year-old Mary Simms bound as an apprentice to Crocket Best until she reached 18 years of age.

——

  • Mary Simms
  • Crocket Best

In the 1870 census of Saulston township, Wayne County: farm laborer Crocket Best, 35; wife Caroline, 30; children Hilry, 12, Dennis, 10, Frank, 8, Anjaline, 6, John, 4, and Richard, 6 months; plus Milley, 20, and Bedy Best, 17.

In the 1880 census of New Hope township, Wayne County: farmer Crocket Best, 44; wife Caroline, 42; children Dennis, 20, Franklin, 18, Angeline, 15, John, 12, Richard, 9, Rachel, 6, Mary, 4, and Jamimie, 1; and aunt Rachel Best, 80.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: carpenter Crocket Best, 64; wife Caroline, 62; daughter Mary, 23; and granddaughters Elizabeth, 2, and Loretta, 8.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widower Crocket Best, 87; daughter Mamie, 30, cook; grandson Buster B., 5; and Bennett Stanton, 47.

The guardianship of the Best children.

On 1 January 1906, Eliza Best applied in Wilson County Superior Court for guardianship of her and her late husband B.J. Best’s children Corintha, Milton, Rematha, Ollin, and Clarence Best. The children shared a small inheritance valued at $147.85. (Benjamin J. Best died about 1904, and his estate was estimated at $1600.) Samuel H. Vick and Jonah Williams posted bond with Eliza Best to guarantee her sound stewardship.

——

On 22 October 1874, Benjamin Best, 22, married Eliza Ellis, 18, at James Ellis‘ in Wilson County. James Ellis, Gilford Ellis, and Aaron Ward were witnesses.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farmer Benjamin Best, 26; wife Eliza, 23; and children Virginia, 4, Priscilla, 3, and Columbus, 1.

In the 1900 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Benjamin Best, 47; wife Eliza, 44; and children Virgin N., 25, teaching school, Mildred, 19, Junius, 18, Soprenia, 17, Benjamin, 15, Corinthia, 13, Milton, 12, Ramantha, 9, Olian, 7, and Clarence, 6.

In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: widow Eliza Best, 53, with children Junius, 29, Rematha, 20, Allen, 18, and Clarence, 16, plus grandchildren Suprema, 5, and Martha A., 3.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, marble cutter Clarence Best, 26, wife Geneva, 26, and son Clarence H., 1, plus Eliza Best, 68, Martha Ann Best, 11, and Suprema Hooks, 11. Next door, Junius Best, 38, wagon factory assembly man, wife Mary A., 27, and children Mary Olivia, 2, and Colonius, 4 months.

Virginetta Newsome died 5 August 1920 in Wilson Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 17 August 1875 in Greene County, N.C., to Benjamin Best and Eliza Ellis; was married to Joseph Newsome; worked in farming; and lived near Lucama.

Eliza Best died 1 September 1929 in Wilson of “injury of rt. leg; cut her leg on a piece of tin.” She resided at 1310 East Nash Street, Wilson, and was the widow of Benjamin Best. She was about 64 years old and had been born in Wilson County to Jim Ellis and Zannie Applewhite. She was buried in Rountree cemetery; Clarence Best was informant.

The obituary of William Aaron Best.

Wilson Daily Times, 23 August 1949.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Nannie Best, 48, cook; her children Francis, 28, cook, Eliza, 24, public school teacher, and son Aaron, 9; and lodgers, Lula, 24, cook, and Nannie Best, 16, private nurse.

On 27 November 1919, Aaron Best, 21, of Wilson, son of Aaron and Nan Best, married Willie Burton, 21, of Wilson, daughter of Will and Mary Burton, in Wilson. A.M.E. Zion minister B.P. Coward performed the ceremony in the presence of William H. Phillips, Jewel J. Phillips, and Thomas Bowser.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 330 South Spring Street: widow Nannie Best, 61, her daughter Frank, 30, son Aaron, 21, daughter-in-law Estelle, 19, widowed brother Harper Best, 65, and a lodger, nurse Henrietta Colvert, 24.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 406 East Walnut, ice plant laborer Aaron Best, 31; wife Estell, 31; and children William A., 9, Audry L., 6, Rudolph V., 5, Vera M., 3, and Royce D., 1.

Vera Mae Best died 15 June 1938 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 November 1927 in Wilson to Aaron Best and Estelle Burton; was a student; and lived at 406 Walnut Street. She was buried in Wilson. 

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 406 Walnut, rented for $12/month, Aaron Best, 39; wife Estelle, 39; and children Rudolph, 14, Royce, 10, Harper and Gerald, 8, Eddie, 7, and Nannie Jean, 5.

Willie Estelle Best died 16 November 1940 at her home at 1009 East Nash Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 6 April 1900 in Henderson, N.C., to William Burton and Mary Jane Hicks and was married to Aaron Best. She was buried in Rountree Cemetery [perhaps the Best plot in Odd Fellows?]

In 1942, Aaron Best registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 21 September 1899 in Wilson; lived at 1009 East Nash Street; his contact was mother Nan E. Best, same address; and he worked for a contractor at Marine Barracks, New River, Onslow County, North Carolina.

In 1943, Rudolph Best registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 17 September 1925 in Wilson; lived at 1009 East Nash Street; his contact was Aaron Best, same address; and he worked part-time at Briggs Hotel.

William Aaron Best died 21 August 1949. Per his death certificate, he was born 21 September 1900 in Wilson County to Aaron and Nannie Best; was a widower; and worked as a laborer for Export Tobacco Company. Audrey Best, 1009 East Nash, was informant. He was buried in Rountree Cemetery [perhaps the Best plot in Odd Fellows?]

A surprise in Black Creek Cemetery.

I did a quick tour of Black Creek’s tidy little cemetery. As noted earlier, historically it was not open to burials of African-Americans, but I had this unexpected encounter while there:

A Clarence B. Best monument!

Off the top of my head, I cannot think of another headstone Best carved for a white customer, but I am not surprised that he welcomed the trade. (Note that Inez S. Holland’s death date was hand-cut in Best’s style 15 years after he died.)

Nathan Best of the Confederate Veterans Home.

An abstract of “‘Every Comfort, Freedom, and Liberty‘: A Case Study of Mississippi’s Confederate Home,” Susannah J. Ural, Journal of the Civil War Era, volume 9, number 1 (March 2019), tells us:

“This case study of Mississippi’s Confederate veteran home, popularly known as Beauvoir, challenges historians to see these southern facilities as more than relics of the Lost Cause. This state-run home had a diverse resident population that included women as early as 1904 and that also included three African-American residents. It provided well-trained physicians in the Beauvoir hospital, and a powerful and popular woman superintendent ran the home as early as 1926. This article analyzes the lives of the veterans, wives, and widows of Mississippi’s Confederate home as well as the state’s policies for them, revealing a facility connected to the Civil War, but grounded in New South efficiency, regulation, and reform.”

One of Beauvoir’s three African-Americans, all former Confederate body servants, was Nathan Best, born enslaved in Greene County, North Carolina, in 1845. Henry Best, then his son Robert, held Nathan Best in slavery and sent him to war to serve Robert’s younger brother Rufus Best. Nathan Best and his family moved to Wilson County before 1880, then migrated south to Georgia’s turpentine belt, then further south to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. In the early 1930s, as he neared 90, Nathan Best applied for admission to Beauvoir.

Nathan Best, at right, with Frank Childress, another former body servant, at Beauvoir. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Dixie Press Collection.

Nathan Best was interviewed by a Works Progress Administration fieldworker during his time at Beauvoir. His “slave narrative” does not explicitly mention his time in Wilson County, but does offer a wrenching account of his experience on the Best plantations near Snow Hill — an experience that would have been familiar twenty miles up the road.

1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Worth County, Georgia, Nathan Best headed a household that included wife Hester and three grandchildren. The elder two were born in North Carolina in 1886 and 1888, and the youngest in Georgia in 1891. The Bests, then, migrated from North Carolina around 1890, when hundreds left the state’s depleted turpentine industry for Georgia’s piney woods. Presumably, Best’s children and grandchildren born in the decade between 1880 and 1890 were born in Wilson County.

Nathan Best was eventually released from the Confederate Home and died at his daughter Lina B. Jones’ home in Biloxi. (Was Angelina Best Jones born in Wilson County? Per her headstone in Biloxi City Cemetery, she was born 25 November 1882.)

Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.), 18 January 1940.

[Side note: Elnathan Tartt was Beauvoir’s superintendent most of the years between 1916 and 1945, which encompasses the time Best was there. Tartt’s unusual first name signals his descent from slaveholding Tartts who lived in the area between modern-day Wilson and Saratoga in eastern Wilson County.]

Saint Stephen’s A.M.E. Zion Church of Grabneck.

Deed book 68, page 10, Wilson County Register of Deeds, Wilson, N.C.

In December 1903, Orren and Hancy Best sold, for the nominal sum of five dollars, a lot on Nash Road to William J. Moore, Henry C. Phillips, John T. Tarboro, G. Albert Wood, and Byron D. McIver, trustees of Saint Stephen’s A.M.E. Zion Church. The 1200 square-foot lot bordered parcels owned by the Bests and Orren Best’s brother, Noah Best.

The deed of sale carried a restriction that the “premises shall be kept, used, maintained and disposed of as a place of worship for the use of the ministry and membership of the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in America.” It’s not clear if a church were ever constructed on the site (or in fact, exactly where on West Nash Street the lot was, though we know it was in Grabneck and roughly in today’s 1000 or 1100 block.)

——

  • Henry C. Phillips
  • John T. Tarboro — in the 1910 census of Plant City, Hillsborough County, Florida: preacher John T. Tarbor, 50, and wife Elberta, 20, laundress. In the 1920 census of Lincolnton, Lincoln County, N.C.: clergyman John T. Tarboro, 64, and wife Alberta, 29.
  • Byron D. McIver — in the 1900 census of Hookerton township, Greene County, N.C.: clergyman Byron D. McIver, 44; wife Amanda, 29; and daughters Laura, 16, Minnie, 11, Katie, 6, Sarah, 3, and Bettie, 2. Byron David McIver died 25 September 1926 in Wilmington, N.C. and was buried in Snow Hill, Greene County.

The obituary of Joe Henry Best.

Wilson Daily Times, 7 March 1950.

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In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: laborer Blunt J. Bess, 32; Sarah, 23; children William L., 9, Nellie J., 6, Joseph H., 4, and Ivory, 8 months; and sister-in-law Annie Barnes, 11.

In the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Blount Best, 53; wife Sarah, 44; children Joe H., 24, John I., 20, Minnie, 18, Blount, 16, Iola, 14, Annie, 13, Mariah, 10, Ella, 8, Albert, 4, Sack, 3, Joshua, 1, and Leslie, newborn; and servant Mariah Bynum, 32.

On 17 May 1906, Joe Henry Best, 30, of Wilson, son of Blount and Sarah Best, married Minnie Moore, 18, of Edgecombe, daughter of Sam and Caroline Moore, at Cromwell Bullock’s house in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.

In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on Plank Road, Joe H. Best, 35, farmer; wife Minnie, 20; daughter Nellie, 2; and boarders Lula Roundtree, 17, and Bettie Moore, 7.

In 1918, Joseph Henry Best registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 11 September 1875; lived at Route 1, Walstonburg, Wilson County; farmed for J.T. Williams; and his nearest relative was Minnie Best.

In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on Plank Road, farmer J.H. Best, 45; wife Minnie, 33; children Nellie, 12, and Norman, 6; and cousin Gray Bynum, 17.

In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on North Carolina State Highway 91, farmer J.H. Best, 55; wife Minnie, 40; children Nellie, 19, Norman, 17, and Sylvester, 15.

In the 1940 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Joe Henry Best, 65; wife Minnie, 50; son Norman, 26; daughter Lucille, 22; grandson Joe Lee, 5; granddaughter Vernice, 10 months; and brother Albert Best, 43.

In 1940, Norman Best registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his draft card, he was born 14 April 1911 in Wilson County; lived at Route 4, Wilson; his contact was father Joe Henry Best; and he worked for Lina Webb.

In 1942, Romon Manning registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his draft card, he was born 1 July 1922 in Nash County; lived at Route 4, Wilson; his contact was Joe Henry Best; and he worked for U.H. Mozart.

Joe Henry Best died 5 March 1950 in Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 11 September 1976 in Wilson County to Blunt Best and Sarah Applewhite; was a farmer; and was buried in Bullock Cemetery near Fountain, N.C. Albert Best was informant.

Historic Black Business Series, no. 13: Oscar Best’s grocery.

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!

Oscar Best operated a grocery in the Grabneck community, which was comprised largely of his extended family. I don’t know at which corner of Nash Street near Bynum his shop operated, and took liberties to take this photo at the site of a more recent Black-owned business at that intersection, Richie’s Automotive Service Center (now at 735 Goldsboro Street SW).

1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farmer Orren Best, 31; wife Hansey, 31; and children James, 9, Oscar, 6, George, 4, Fannie, 2, and Hattie, 3 months.

On 23 December 1896, Oscar Best, 24, married Lizzie Harris, 21, at Thomas D. Johnson‘s house in Wilson. A.M.E. Zion Church Nicholas D. King performed the ceremony in the presence of G.W. Sugg, L.D. Johnson, and S.A. Smith.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: carpenter Orange Best, 67, wife Hansey, 61, children Oscar, 37, a widowed grocer, Roberta, 22, Bethena, 19, Robert, 17, and granddaughter Sarah, 8.