Blount

Dupree mortgages a quarter-acre.

Deed Book 66, page 489. Wilson County Register of Deeds, Wilson.

In December 1903, Henry Dupree borrowed $100 from his neighbor Calvin Blount. He secured the loan with a mortgage on the quarter acre piece of land he owned “east of and off of the road leading from the town of Wilson, to William Bynum’s in the southeast suburbs of the town of Wilson … south of a path or lane leading to the colored cemetery from said road ….”

The “colored cemetery,” of course, was Oakdale.

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  • Henry Dupree

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg Road, farm laborer Henry Dupree, 34, and wife Ellar, 38.

Wilson, N.C., city directory (1912).

Henry Dupree registered for the World War I draft in 1918 in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 3 December 1873; lived in Bynum Lane, Wilson; farmed “for self” “with D.C. Sugg“; and his nearest relative was wife Ella Dupree.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Railroad Street, Henry Dupree, 44; wife Ella, 47; granddaughter Ella Faison, 13; and nephew Issac Thigpen, 22.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widower Henry Dupree, 68, farm laborer, and lodgers David Brewington, 80, Issac Thigpen, 40, and David Faison, 19, public service laborer.

In 1942, Davis Faison registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 24 November 1921 in Wilson; lived at 606 South Blount Street; his contact was Henry Dupree, 606 South Blount Street; and he worked for L. Arner Junk Shop, Jones and Railroad Streets, Wilson.

Henry Dupree died 18 April 1956 in Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 2 December 1881 in North Carolina to Celie Dupree; lived at 610 Blount Street; was separated from wife Bessie Dupree; and worked as a farmer. Dave Faison was informant. 

Where did they go?: Missouri death certificates.

  • Wright C. Blount

In the 1870 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Calvin Blount, 35; John Bantler, 23, born in South Carolina, and sons Dick, 12, Tillman, 10, Frank, 6, Wright, 7, and William, 4.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Calvin Blount, 44, wife Emily, 48, and sons Wright, 17, William, 14, and Franklin, 16.

In the 1887 Saint Louis, Missouri, city directory: Blount Wright, servant, r. al. rear 2212 Franklin

Saint Louis Post-Dispatch, 22 August 1889.

In the 1889 Saint Louis, Missouri, city directory: Blount Wright, lab. r. 5 N. Ewing av.

On 19 December 1889, W.C. Blount married Lula C. Wright in Saint Clair County, Illinois.

Saint Louis, Missouri, city directory (1895.)

Eldredge Lucina Blount was born 24 June 1895 in Saint Louis to Wright C. Blount and Lulu Wright.

In the 1900 census of Saint Louis, Missouri: at 116 1/2 Leonard Avenue, Wright Blount, 33, day laborer; wife Lula, about 30; and children Norma, 10, Alta, 8, Eldridge, 4, and Josephine, 2.

In the 1901 Saint Louis, Missouri, city directory: Blount Wright, lab. r. 116A S Leonard av

In the 1908 Saint Louis, Missouri, city directory: Blount Wright, porter. r. 318 S Compton av

In the 1910 census of Saint Louis, Missouri: at 2915 Lawton, Wright C. Blount, 46, jobber; wife Loden, 28, working out; and children Attie, 20, laundress, Eldrage, 13, Josephine, 11, and Nick, 6.

In the 1917 Saint Louis, Missouri, city directory: Blount Wright, janitor. r. 3439 Lawton av

Saint Louis Argus, 7 December 1917.

In the 1920 census of Saint Louis, Missouri: Lula Blunt, 45; children Josephine Mosby, 20, and Eldridge, 24, Melvin, 16, and Alto Blount, 26; and grandchildren Helen, 4, and Ester Mosby, 2. [Lula was described as a widow.]

In the 1930 census of Mermen township, Saint Louis County, Missouri: Lulu Wright, 60, servant, with Katherine Logan. [Again, Lula was described as a widow.]

Wright Blount died 15 July 1936 in Saint Louis, Missouri. Per his death certificate, he was about 74 years old; was born in North Carolina to Calvin Blount; was the widower of Lula Blount; and had worked as a common laborer. Josephine Mosley was informant.

Eldredge Blount died 11 June 1969 in Saint Louis. Per her death certificate, she was born 24 September 1898 in Saint Louis to Wright Blount and Lula Wright; never married; and worked as a domestic. Josephine Mosby of Cleveland, Ohio, was informant.

  • Henry Artis

Though his death certificate lists Wilson County, North Carolina, other records point to Wayne County, North Carolina, as Henry Artis’ birthplace. His family migrated to Mississippi around 1890 and then on to Missouri.

In the 1850 census of the North Side of the Neuse, Wayne County: in the household of white farmer Burkett Barnes, four free children of color, Henry, 15, Duncan, 13, Leonard, 10, and Ashberry Artice, 7.

On 9 September 1862, Leonard Artis and Pernicy Hagans were married in Wayne County.

In the 1870 census of Pikeville township, Wayne County: Leonard Artice, 34; wife Pearcy, 23; and children Diza, 8, John, 7, Lousar, 6, Larrance, 2, and Wiley J., 4 months.

In the 1880 census of Pikeville township, Wayne County: Leonard Artice, 43; wife Demecia, 35; children John W., 16, Loudy, 13, Wiley J., 10, Hubard A., 6, Frances, 4, Martha A., 3, and Hattie, 1; and niece Dizer, 16.

In the 1900 census of Glen Allen township, Washington County, Mississippi: Lenord Artis, 67; wife Pernicy, 54; children Henry G., 16, Calvin, 19, and Adam and Addie, 12; grandchildren Elnora, 6, and Lupattie, 4; and niece Pearl G. Miller, 8. (All but the youngest three were born in North Carolina.)

In the 1930 census of Saint Louis, Missouri: Henry Artisy, 35, steel plant laborer, and wife Lula, 34, roomers in household of Albert L. England.

In the 1940 census of Saint Louis, Missouri: Henry Artis, 50, W.P.A. power plant laborer; wife Lula, 48; and brother Addie, 46.

In 1940, Henry Artis registered for the World War II draft in Saint Louis. Per his registration card, he was born 12 March 1890 in Goldsboro, N.C.; lived at 2613 Delmar Street; and his contact was Lulu Artis.

Henry Artis died 10 February 1943 in Saint Louis, Missouri. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 March 1899 in Wilson County, N.C., to Lenard Artis and Neice Higgins; and worked as a wholesale drug company porter.

In the 1950 census of Caruthersville, Pemiscot County, Missouri: Addie Artis, 64, widower.

Addie Artice died 22 February 1958 in Hayti, Pemiscot County, Missouri. Per his death certificate, he was born 4 April 1885 in North Carolina to Leonard Artice and Pernecia [no maiden name]; was a widower; worked as a laborer.

Wiley Blount is incensed.

Wilson Advance, 12 October 1883.

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  • John Hardy

Perhaps, in the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Henry Barnes, 52, works on farm; wife wife Mila, 40; son Amanuel Robins, 20, works on farm; and boarder John Hardy, 20, works on farm.

  • Wiley Blount

On 8 April 1880, Wilie Blount, 23, married Adelade Mangum, 22, in Wilson County. Minister F.R. Bird performed the ceremony in the presence of Harper Best, H. Winsted, and Richard Harper.

On Wiley Blount, 70, of Edgecombe County, married Ella Lindsey, 62, of Edgecombe County, in Tarboro, Edgecombe County.

Wiley Blount died 2 November 1924 in Township #9, Edgecombe County. Per his death certificate, he was about 80 years old; was born in Wilson County; was married to Ella Blount; and was buried near Fountain, N.C.

Greenville links.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 17 October 1925.

Notes of Greenville’s social doings reveal numerous links with folks in Wilson:

  • Katherine Bynum — Catherine Whitehead Bynum.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, Henry Whitehead, 48; wife Victoria, 32; and children Willie, 27, Della Mae, 13, Catherine, 9, Odell, 7, James, 5, Grace, 2, and Rosalie, 1.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Highway 91, owned and valued at $2500, oil mill contractor Henry Whitehead, 53; wife Victoria, 43, seamstress; and children Katherine, 19, Odell, 17, James, 15, Grace, 13, Rosalyn, 11, Herbert, 9, Gertrude, 6, Mable, 4, and Victoria, 2.

On 8 September 1933, Graham Bynum, 25, of Wilson, son of Peter and Dora Bynum, married Catherine Whitehead, 23, of Wilson, daughter of Henry and Victoria Whitehead. C.E. Artis applied for the license, and Missionary Baptist minister Charles T. Jones performed the ceremony in the presence of Ash Hines, George Green, and Francis Rosser.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 817 East Green, Graham Bynum, 31, building carpenter, and wife Katherine, 29, hospital nurse.

In 1940, Graham Gregory Bynum registered for the World War II draft. Per his registration card, he was born 28 July 1908 in Wilson; lived at 909 East Green Street, Wilson; his contact was wife Catherine Lethia Bynum; and was self-employed.

In the 1950 census of Raleigh, Wake County, N.C.: at Shaw University, Catherine W. Bynum, 39, dean of women.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: the widower Mark Blount, 38, a cook, and his children Coneva, 10, Dotsey, 9, and Theodore W., 6, were lodgers in the household of George Faggin.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: cook at cafe Mark Blount, 60, wife Mary, 29, children Allen, 2, Frances E., 1, Dotsey, 19, a nurse, and Walter, 17, a tobacco factory laborer.

On 21 June 1916, A.B. Barnhill, 27, of Greenville, N.C., son of Fred and Atha Barnhill, married Dotsie Blount, 24, of Wilson, daughter of Mark and Annie Blount, at Calvary Presbyterian Church. John Perrington applied for the license, and Presbyterian minister H.B. Taylor performed the ceremony under the presence of G.W. Joyner, M. Ada Perry, and C.C. McCoy.

In the 1920 census of Greenville, Pitt County: Alfred Barnhill, 31, milk wagon driver; wife Dotsie, 28; and children Dorothy L., 2, and Alfred D., 8 months.

In the 1930 census of Greenville, Pitt County: Alfred Barnhill, 41, cook at college; wife Dotsie, 38; and children Dortha L., 12, Alfred, 11, Ethel G., 6, and James N., 6.

In the 1940 census of Greenville, Pitt County: widow Dotsie Barnhill, 48, laundress; daughters Dorothy, 22, assistant nurse, and Ethel, 16; and son James, 15.

In 1942, James Norward Barnhill registered for the World War II draft in Pitt County. Per his registration card, he was born 6 November 1924 in Pitt County; lived at 310 Tyson Street, Greenville; his contact was mother Dotsie Barnhill; and he worked for Bell’s Cafe, 310 Albemarle Avenue.

In the 1950 census of Greenville, Pitt County: widow Dotsie Barnhill, 58; son Alfred Jr., 30, funeral home embalmer; daughter Ethel, 26, house service; son James, 25, delivers ice; and daughter-in-law Margaret, 22, beauty parlor operator.

  • Edgar Barnes

On 4 October 1909, Edgar Barnes, 21, of Wilson, son of Willis Barnes and Cherry Barnes, married Mary Hill, 19, daughter of Joe Hill and Anna Hill, at Saint John A.M.E. Zion in Wilson.

In 1917, Edgar Barnes registered for the World War I draft in Pitt County, N.C. Per his registration card, he was born 15 January 1892 in Wilson; lived on Second Street, Greenville; worked as a laborer for W.S. Skinner; and was single.

On 24 September 1921, Edgar Barnes, 27, of Greenville, son of Willis Barnes and Cherry Barnes, married Delia Hawkins, 22, daughter of Will Hawkins and Ella Hawkins, in Greenville, Pitt County.

In the 1930 census of Greenville, Pitt County, N.C.: at 1311 North 4th Street, owned and valued at $3000, Edgar Barnes, 36, plasterer, and wife Delia, 25, presser.

In the 1940 census of Greenville, Pitt County, N.C.: at 1311 North 4th Street, Edger Barnes, 47, plasterer, and wife Delia, 33.

Edgar Barnes died 6 April 1940 at the Veterans Hospital in Kecoughtan, Elizabeth City County, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born 8 March 1893 in Wilson to Willis Barnes and Cherry Eatman, both of Wilson County; was married to Delhia Barnes; worked as a plasterer; and was buried in Greenville.

Studio shots, no. 255: Ella Blount Faith Hopkins.

Ella Blount Faith Hopkins (ca. 1900-1951)

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On 25 March 1918, John Faith, 33, of Wilson, son of Henry and Nancy A. Faith, married Ella Blount, 22, of Wilson, daughter of Daniel and Susanna Blount, in Wilson township, Wilson County. Disciples minister J.W. Pitt performed the ceremony in the presence of Violar Blount, Lonny Hopkins, and Annie Morgan.

In the 1930 census of Beaver Dam township, Pitt County, North Carolina: farmer Kimp E. Hopkins, 50; wife Ella, 30; and children Jasper, 13, Rosa L., 11, Susie, 10, Ed and Fred, 8, Sylvester, 6, Earnest, 5, and Lee R., 1.

In the 1940 census of Beaver Dam township, Pitt County: widow Ella Hopkins, 39, farmer, and children Edd and Fred, 18, Rosa D., 21, Sudie Bell, 20, Silvester, 16, Ernest, 14, Leroy, 12, Willie Gray, 8, and James Earl, 6.

In the 1950 census of Beaver Dam township, Pitt County: farmer Ella Hopkins, 50; children Sylvester, 26, LeRoy, 21, and Willie Gray, 18; daughter-in-law Mildred, 18; and granddaughter Shirley Vernell, 10 months.

Ella Hopkins died 26 April 1951 in Greenville, Pitt County. Per her death certificate, she was born 15 October 1898 in Wilson County to Daniel Blount and Susan Barnes and was a widow. Robert Lee Anderson was informant.

Photo (cropped) courtesy of Ancestry.com user Kishka Hopkins.

Calvin Blount vs. Effie Blount.

On 9 July 1904, Calvin Blount, 67, of Wilson married Effie Hinnant, 28, of Lucama, in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister William Baker performed the ceremony at Emma Barnes’ home in the presence of Moses Dupree, Washington Suggs, and Ben Wooten.

This May-December romance did not last. At May Term 1909, a Wilson County Superior Court judge granted Calvin Blount a divorce from Effie Blount on the grounds of adultery.

Orders & Decrees Volume 2; Wilson County Court Records 1904-1916, http://www.familysearch.org.

Where we worked: Barrett’s Printing House.

1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory.

In the 1912 city directory, Charles Blount reported that he was a porter at Barrett’s Printing House and took rooms at Union Hotel on East Nash Street. Founded in 1896, Barrett’s is the oldest continuously-owned family business in Wilson and now operates at 409 South Goldsboro Street.

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In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Daniel Blunt, 35; wife Susan, 26; and children Ellen, 5, Eva, 3, Demsey, 1, Daniel, 12, and Charley, 10.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at New Briggs Hotel, Charles Blount, 19, hotel “floor boy.” [The hotel reported 11 African-American staff members living onsite — four bellboys, two cooks, two chambermaids, and the floor boy. However, this may be a different Charles Blount, as the 1912 city directory lists two.]

The obituary of Fannie Blount Vick.

The Morning Post (Raleigh, N.C.), 2 January 1902.

The Morning Post (Raleigh, N.C.), 4 January 1902.

Though Daniel and Fannie Vick’s damaged headstone seems to indicate that Fannie Blount Vick died in the 1800s, in fact she lived until the very end of 1901.

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