blacksmith

Isaac Woodard of Smithfield, North Carolina.

The Johnsenior (1926), yearbook of Johnston County Training School, Smithfield, N.C.

Undertaker Isaac Woodard of Smithfield, Johnston County, N.C., was a Wilson County native.

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In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Isaac Woodard, 32; wife Anner, 26; and children Fannie, 12, Nellie, 10, James, 9, Frank, 6, Isaac, 3, and Sis, 1.

In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Frank Farmer, 22; wife Fannie, 23; son John H., 4; nephew George, 18; and boarder Isaac Woodard, 20.

In the  1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: house mover John Boykin, 50; wife Dicy, 44, cooking; and children Sallie, 19, cooking, James, 18, day laborer, Dotia, 14, Susia, 14, Lillie, 10, and Eliza, 7.

On 26 November 1905, Isaac Woodard, 23, of Wilson, son of Isaac and Susan Woodard (he, living in Arkansas), married Sudie Boykin, 19, of Wilson, daughter of Jno. and Eliza Boykin, in Wilson township, Wilson County. Missionary Baptist minister W.H. Woodard performed the ceremony in the presence of C.L. Darden, Thomas Barnes, and J.J. Langley.

In the 1908 Rocky Mount, NC., city directory: Woodard Isaac (c) blksmith h 907 Beal

In the 1910 census of Rocky Mount, Nash County, N.C.: Isaac Woodard, 25; wife Sudie, 24; children Pauline, 3, and Russell, 18 months; and grandmother Edith Woodard, 65.

In 1918, Isaac Woodard registered for the World War I draft in Johnston County. Per his registration card, he was born 4 July 1882; lived on Market in Smithfield; worked for himself as a horseshoer and undertaker; and his contact was Sudie Woodard.

In the 1920 census of Smithfield, Johnston County: blacksmith Isaac Woodard, 35; wife Sudie, 33; and children Pauline, 13, and Russell, 11; and grandmother Edith Woodard, 83.

Edith Woodard died 16 October 1920 in Smithfield, Johnston County. Per her death certificate, she was 86 years old; was born in Wilson to Ester (no surname given); was a widow; and was buried in Wilson County by Isaac Woodard. Sudie Woodard was informant.

In 1926, Russell Woodard was one of four boys in the Johnston County Training School’s junior class. From the The Johnsenior.

In the 1930 census of Smithfield, Johnston County: on Market Street, Isic Woodard, 43, undertaker; wife Sudie, 40, public school teacher; children Pauline, 23, Russell, 21, Isic Jr., 4, and Hattie, 11 (adopted); and boarder St. Julian Walker, 25, high school teacher.

In the 1940 census of Smithfield, Johnston County: funeral director/undertaker Isaac W. Woodard, 48; wife Suda, 46, public school teacher; and son Isaac Jr., 14.

In 1943, Isaac Woodard Jr. registered for the World War II draft in Smithfield, Johnston County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 November 1925 in Smithfield; lived at 811 East Market Street; his contact was Isaac Woodard Sr.; and he was a student at A.&T.

The Washington Star, 19 November 1978.

Historic Black Business Series, no. 34: Isaac J. Young’s blacksmith shop.

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!

In the 1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Young Isaac J blacksmith 213 S Goldsboro h 427 Banks

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 315 Spring Street, horseshoer Isaac J. Young, 46; wife Laura, 27; children Cornelius, 12, and Robert, 9; and laborer Henry May, 5 [sic].

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Young Isaac J blksmith 213 S Goldsboro h 427 Banks

Also, in the 1912 directory:

Isic J. Young died 15 March 1913 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 May 1864 to Grandison Young and Nancy Cooper; was married; lived at 427 Banks; worked as a horseshoer; and was buried in Oxford, North Carolina. Laura Young was informant.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, December 2024.

Historic Black Business Series, no. 30: C.M. Wells’ blacksmith shop.

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!

Charles Malachi “Mack” Wells‘ blacksmith shop stood on South Tarboro Street near the intersection of Kenan Street. Wells’ broad skill set went beyond blacksmithing to carpentry, wheelwright work, and, late in life, gunsmithing.

In February 1894, Wilson County reimbursed C.M. Wells $2.75 for repair work on a cart.

Wilson Mirror, 26 December 1894.

In September 1896, a man broke into “Mack” Wells’ “tool-chest” and stole some of his tools.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: wheelwright Mack Wells, 40; wife Cherry, 38; and children Bertha, 11, Willie, 9, Clifton, 5, Lillie, 4, and Mary, 2.

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

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory, Charles M. Wells is listed as owner of a blacksmith shop, and Clifton and William Wells as blacksmiths working for him.

A few years later, Wells moved his shop across the street. In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory, Charles M. Wells is listed as owner of a blacksmith shop at 244 South Tarboro, and Clifton and Willie Wells as blacksmiths working for him.

When Clifton M. Wells’ registered for the World War I draft in 1917, he listed his occupation as blacksmith and machinist for C.M. Wells.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 624 Viola, blacksmith Mack Wells. 57; wife Cherry, 55, washing and ironing; children Clifton, 25, blacksmith, and Marie, 22, washing and ironing; and granddaughter Minnie Green, 8.

In the 1920 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory, C. Mack Wells is listed as a blacksmith at East Kenan near Tarboro. Clinton [sic] Wells is also listed as a blacksmith.

In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory, Charles M. Wells is listed as a blacksmith at 107 East Kenan.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory; Wells C Malachi (c; Cherry) gunsmith h 615 Viola.

Charles Malacih [Malachi] Wells died 22 August 1939 at Mercy Hospital in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 October 1862 in Nash County to Dennis Wells of Nash and Nellie Adams of Nash; was married; resided at 615 Viola; and was a self-employed machinist at Wells Machinery. Informant was Clifton Wells, 700 Warren Street, Wilson.

Payment for services.

As guardian of M.C. Farmer, Warren Woodard filed regular expense reports in Wilson County Superior Court. In 1883, Woodard paid an unnamed washerwoman, who was almost certainly African-American, a total of $12.00 on eleven occasions between January and December. He also paid Lemon Taborn a total of $10.95 for three barber services.

Howell G. Whitehead’s guardian Frank W. Barnes filed regular reports detailing all income and funds paid out for Whitehead’s support, including small payments for two visits to barber Lemon Taborn on 29 December 1890 ($3.30) and 15 December 1891 ($1.40).

Around the same time, Barnes was the executor of Mary J. Anderson’s estate. For October and November 1889, he reported receiving payments for “rent cotton” totaling $83.67 from Mack Bynum and $74.30 from West Bynum. On 23 October 1889, Barnes paid Charlotte Brinkley and her unnamed daughter wages of $10.00 and on 25 November 1889 paid Lemon Taborn’s barber bill in full at $4.95. The Brinkleys were paid $6.00 on December 7 and $4.50 on December 23, and on the 14th Louisa Hinnant received $1.80 for two weeks of washing. Also on the 23rd, a woman named Effie, who was almost certainly Black, was paid 90 cents for “Washing for children.” On 10 February 1890, Barnes paid blacksmith Charlie Battle $3.55.

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  • Lemon Taborn
  • Mack Bynum
  • West Bynum
  • Charlotte Brinkley
  • Louisa Hinnant — in the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Pine Street, hireling William Hinnant, 26; wife Ann, 29; sister Louisa, 21, “wash & irons”; and nieces H.E., 20, servant, and Berdin Stancil, 13.
  • Charlie Battle

Wilson Probate Estate Case Files 1854-1959, http://www.familysearch.org.

Historic Black Business Series, no. 15: Jack Williamson’s blacksmith shop.

The 1872 map of Wilson shows Jack Williamson‘s blacksmith shop on Tarboro Street, west of Barnes Street. The approximate location is now a parking lot.

Williamson, born enslaved in the Rock Ridge area, came to Wilson shortly after Emancipation. His wife, Ann Jackson Williamson, learned blacksmithing and horseshoeing from him and worked alongside him and their son Charles Williamson.

Jack Williamson died in 1899.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, March 2024.

Historic Black Business Series, no. 3: William Hargrove’s blacksmith shop.

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!

Edgecombe County native William Hargrove arrived in Wilson in the late 1880s. By 1897, he was shoeing horses in Wilson “back of Wiggins’ Prize House.” (J.T. Wiggins’ Tobacco Prize House stood at the southeast corner of Goldsboro and Barnes Streets. It is not clear if Hargrove had his own shop behind the prize house, or he shoed horses in a space belonging to James T. Wiggins and on Wiggins’ property. The 1897 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson shows a wagon shed and an unidentified outbuilding near the prize house.) By 1900, Hargrove was describing himself as blacksmith and, in the 1908 city directory, lists his workshop address as 206 South Goldsboro.

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In the 1870 census of Cokey township, Edgecombe County: Jerry Hargrove, 29; wife Sarah, 29; and children Anna, 9, Gordon, 6, William, 4, and Marcus, 1.

In the 1880 census of Cocoa township, Edgecombe County: Gerry Hargrove, 39; wife Sarah, 38; and children Gordon, 15, William, 13, Marcus, 11, Farrar, 8, Matthew, 6, Frank, 6, and Henry, 10 months.

On 30 December 1890, William Hargrove, 23, of Wilson, son of Jerry and Sarah Hargrove, and Louvenia Hines, 21, of Edgecombe, daughter of Joshua Bulluck and Harriet Hines, were married at Joshua Bulluck’s in Township #14, Edgecombe County. Hilliard Reid and Bush Dew of Wilson were witnesses. 

Wilson Daily Times, 6 August 1897.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: blacksmith William Hargrove, 32; wife Leuvenia, 30, washing; daughters Bessie, 6, and Lillie, 3; widowed sister Mary Boddie, 25, cooking; and cousin Julious Heat, 20, farm hand.

In the 1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Hargrove Wm blksmith 206 E Goldsboro h 606 E Green

Detail, 1908 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson, N.C.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 606 Green, blacksmith William Hargrove, 43; wife Louvenia, 40; daughters Bessie, 17, and Willie L., 13; and boarder John Howard, 18. But also, in the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Henry Joyner, 51; wife Annie, 51; and boarder William Hargrove, 40, horse shoer in own shop. Did Hargrove maintain shops in both Wilson and Elm City?

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Hargrove Wm blksmith h 606 E Green

William Hargrove died 4 January 1914.

The obituary of Ed Smith.

Wilson Daily Times, 31 March 1948.

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In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: bricklayer Ed Smith, 49; wife Sallie, 44; and nieces Carrie, 20, nurse, and Channie, 24, cooking.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: mechanic Ed Smith, 50; wife Sallie, 49; and son Albert, 3. 

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 408 Pine, owned and valued at $8000, house plasterer Edward Smith, 68, and wife Sallie, 68, both born in Virginia.

In 1942, George Albert Williams registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 9 January 1903 in Camden, New Jersey; his contact was Sallie Smith, 408 North Pine Street, Wilson; and he worked for E.L. Cobb, Wilson Marble and Granite.

Ed Smith died 31 March 1948 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 October 1860 in Henderson, N.C.; was married to Sallie Smith; worked as a brickmason; lived at 408 Pine Street; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery. Dave Woodard was informant.

Where we worked: J.Y. Buchanan, blacksmith.

In 1942, Fletcher Williams registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he worked for “J.Y. Buchanan, Blacksmith Alley, back of Old Quinn Store” in “Alley between Clark Fac. & Old Quinn Furn. Sto.” Two years earlier, Williams had reported to a census taker that he was a blacksmith; he was likely one of the last African-Americans to ply that trade in Wilson.

Virginia native James Younger Buchanan arrived in Wilson circa 1910. He practiced horseshoeing at various stables downtown before establishing his own blacksmithing and horseshoeing business with a sideline in welding and general machine repair. Buchanan died in 1949.

Wilson Daily Times, 29 August 1918.

The encircled building on this detail of the 1922 Wilson, N.C., Sanborn fire insurance map is marked BL. SM. and appears to be the location of J.Y. Buchanan’s shop. Today, it would stand directly behind Casita Brewing Company. “Old Quinn Store,” i.e. R.E. Quinn & Company, was at 231-233 South Goldsboro Street, at top left in this image. “Clark Fac.” was W.T. Clark & Company Tobacco Re-Drying Factory, whose location is now a large municipal parking lot.

Wilson Daily Times, 3 February 1928.

Save your money by seeing us.

Wilson Blade, 20 November 1897.

Ed Smith and Goodsey H. Holden ran this ad in the Blade, a late nineteenth-century African-American newspaper published in Wilson.

For more highlights of the single surviving issue of the Blade, the original of which is housed at Freeman Round House and Museum, see here and here and here and here.