Jesse Daws — in the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Ed Daws, 38; wife Cora, 27; and children Jesse, 14, Lena, 12, Della, 10, Lonny, 2, and Ned, 4 months.
Thad Bynum — on 18 January 1906, Thad Bynum, 22, of Toisnot township, Wilson County, son of Jennie Bynum of Edgecombe County, married Jennie Williams, 23, of Toisnot township, daughter of White Williams, at Batts place, Toisnot township. Primitive Baptist minister Nathan Johnson performed the ceremony.
On 11 January 1870, a Wilson County Probate Court judge ordered 14 year-old Isaac Bynum bound as an apprentice to Jolly Bynum until he reached 21 years of age.
Jolly Bynum and Isaac Bynum
In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Jolly Bynum, 60, farm laborer; wife Amy, 54; and Isaac, 15. [Was Isaac the grandson of Jolly and Amy Bynum?]
Perhaps, in the 1880 census of Garders township, Wilson County: Isaac Bynum, 27, farm laborer, living alone.
United States Indenture and Manumission Records, 1780-1939, database at https://familysearch.org.
On 26 December 1864, a court-appointed committee divided the enslaved people held by Council Applewhite, deceased, into roughly equal parts by value. (Applewhite was the elder brother of Henry Applewhite.)
William P. Applewhite drew the first lot, valued at $12,250 and consisting of Adison, Gray, George, Delia and her child Renna, Ada, Eliza, and Bedy.
Samuel H. Applewhite drew the second lot, valued at $13,200 and consisting of Dock, Hyman, Warren, Della, Clary, Sary, McKoy, and Larrence.
The estate of Joseph J. Applewhite drew the third lot, valued at $11,600 and consisting of Luke, Rufus, John, Zany, Osker, Martha, Rose, and Abraham. This group was further divided among Joseph Applewhite’s heirs, with Sarah H. Applewhite receiving Rufus and Abraham ($2300); Isaac C. Applewhite receiving Osker and Rose ($1200); William P. Applewhite receiving Luke ($1800); and Samuel H. Applewhite receiving John ($2100).
William R. Peacock, husband of Mary Applewhite Peacock, received Martha ($2600), and Thomas J. Applewhite, Zany ($1600). Various amounts of cash exchanged hands to even out the numbers.
Four months later, all were free.
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The 24 people Council Applewhite enslaved likely consisted of one or more mothers with children, young and/or adult; perhaps nuclear families with both parents present; men whose families lived elsewhere; and unattached adults. Obedience “Bedie” Applewhite was the mother of Doc Applewhite (ca. 1831), Addison Applewhite (ca. 1835), George Applewhite (ca. 1840), and Adelia Bynum (ca. 1841). Adelia Bynum, whose husband Lewis Bynum was enslaved elsewhere, was the mother of George and Ada Bynum. Della Applewhite (ca. 1836) was the mother of Sarah and Clara Applewhite.
Adison
On 15 August 1866, Addison Applewhite and Jane Ellis formalized their marriage by registering their two-year cohabitation with a Wayne County, N.C., justice of the peace.
In the 1870 census of Burnt Swamp township, Robeson County, N.C.: turpentine laborer Addison Appelwhite, 33; wife Jane, 24; and children Eustus, 9, Delia, 2 months, and John, 15.
In the 1880 census of Goldsboro, Wayne County, N.C.: huckster Addison Applewhite, 46; wife Jane, 34; and children Eustace, 20, huckster, Delia, 10, Mary, 7, Hattie, 5, and Minnie, 4 months; plus mother Obedience, 75.
On 5 May 1881, the Goldsboro Messenger reported that Addison Applewhite had been elected to represent Goldsboro’s First Ward as city alderman.
In the 1900 census of Astor township, Lake County, Florida: Adison Applewhite, 65, turpentine dipper; granddaughter Mary Vanstory, 11; and boarder William Ford, 33, railroad section hand.
Gray
In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Gray Applewhite, 19, farm laborer, is listed in the household of Nancy Newsom, 62.
On 25 October 1872, Gray Applewhite, 22, married Cary A. Parker, 23, in Wilson. J.P. Clark, Levi Melton, and Fanny Moody were witnesses.
George
A George Applewhite enslaved by Council Applewhite went on to achieve national notoriety and will be featured in a future post.
Delia and Renna
In 1866, Lewis Bynum and Delia Bynum registered their cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
In the 1870 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Lewis Bynum, 30, farm laborer; wife Adelia, 29; children George, 10, Ada, 9, Scott, 7, Penny, 6, Pet, 4, Isabella, 2, and Charles, 8 months; and Obedience Applewhite, 63.
I have not found Renna.
Ada
Probably, Ada Bynum, born about 1861, listed in Lewis and Adelia Bynum’s household in 1870, above.
Eliza
Is this Eliza Ellis, born about 1856, daughter of Zana Applewhite Ellis, below?
Bedy
See the 1870 household of Lewis and Adelia Bynum, above.
See the 1880 household of Addison Applewhite, above.
However: in August 1866, Beady Applewhite and Wilson Hagan registered their 19-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
Dock
In 1866, Dock Applewhite and Clara Barnes registered their cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
In the 1870 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County, N.C.: farm laborer Dock Applewhite, 35, and wife Claricy, 30.
On 9 April 1872, Doc Applewhite, son of Nathan Hooks and Beedie Applewhite, married Mervona Barnes, daughter of M[illegible] Barnes, in Wayne County.
In the 1880 census of Bullhead township, Greene County: Dock Applewhite, 46, laborer; wife Malvina, 35; and children Missouri, 15, Emma, 8, Henrietta, 6, Bud, 4, and Martha, 2.
Hyman
Perhaps Hyman Bynum, born about 1849, listed below in Della Applewhite’s 1870 household.
Warren
On 22 October 1873, Warren Applewhite, 21, married Delsey Bynum, 20, at Elbert Felton’s in Wilson County.
In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Warren Applewhite, 23; wife Delpha, 22; children Lillie, 3, and Marcellus, 2; and Sallie Ruffin, 6.
Della
In the 1870 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Della Applewhite, 34, domestic servant; Haywood, 19, farm laborer, Sarah, 14, domestic servant, Alice and Anna, 2, and Clara Applewhite, 7; Hyman Bynum, 21; Blount Best, 21; Abraham Bynum, 17; Moses Bynum, 20; and William Pittman, 21, all farm laborers.
In the 1880 census of Bullhead township, Greene County, N.C.: Della Applewhite, 40, domestic servant; daughters An, 14, nurse, Lora, 8, and Ora, 4; and son Oscar, 3 months.
Clary
See Clara Applewhite, born about 1863, in the 1870 household of Della Applewhite, above.
Sary
See Sarah Applewhite, born about 1856, in the 1870 household of Della Applewhite, above.
On 29 July 1872, Blount Best, 24, married Sarah Applewhite, 18, at Elbert Felton’s in Wilson County.
In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Blunt J. Bess, 32, laborer; wife Sarah, 23; children William L., 9, Nellie J., 6, Joseph H., 4, and Ivory, 8 months; plus sister-in-law Annie Barnes, 11.
In the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Blount Best, 53; wife Sarah, 44; and children Joe H., 27, John I., 20, Minnie, 18, Blount, 16, Ida, 14, Annie, 13, Mariah, 10, Ella, 8, Albert, 4, Sack, 2, and Joshua, 1.
McKoy
Is this Macordia Ellis, born about 1860, daughter of Zana Applewhite Ellis, below?
Larrence
Luke
This is likely Luke Applewhite “Jr.,” son of Luke Applewhite (ca. 1815-bef. 1900) and Malinda [maiden name unknown].
Luke Applewhite, 22, son of Luke Applewhite and Malinda Bridgers, married Henrietta Bridgers, 20, daughter of Liberty Bridgers, on 16 October 1879, at Ben Sauls’ plantation in Nahunta, Wayne County.
In the 1880 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer Eliza Bridgers, 45; daughter Emily, 11; son[-in-law] Luke Applewhite, 22, farm laborer; daughter Henry E., 20; [granddaughter] Charity B., 8 months; and Victoria, 8.
In the 1900 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer Luke Applewhite, 45; wife Henrietta, 44; and children Frances, 18, Edward, 16, Liberty, 15, Bennie, 10, Lindie, 7, Willie, 4, Dancy, 2, and James, 3.
In the 1910 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer Luke Applewhite, 52; wife Henrietta, 47; children Frances, 27, Ben, 20, Malinda, 14, Willie, 12, Frank D., 10, and Anna, 7; and grandchildren James, 11, Nancy, 6, and Roosavelt, 4.
In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Luke Applewhite, 69; wife Henrietta, 63; children Malindia, 23, Willie, 22, Frank, 19, Annie, 16, Nancy, 15, James, 20, Rosevelt, 14, and Stella, 8; and grandchildren Eva, 5, Edgar, 4, and Henrietta, 3.
Luke Applewhite died 13 June 1923 in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1855 in Nahunta township, Wayne County, to Luke Applewhite, Nahunta, and Malindia [last name unknown], Nahunta; was a farmer; and was “Husbane of Henry Etta.” Informant, B.F. Applewhite.
Rufus
John
Zany
In the 1870 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: James Ellis, 48, farm laborer; wife Zana, 38; and children Eliza, 14, James, 5 months, Cora, 13, Macord, 10, Oscar, 6, and Anna, 1.
In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: James Ellis, 59, farm laborer; wife Zany, 49; and children Mccoid, 18, Oscar, 17, Anna, 11, James, 10, Johnathan C., 8, and Benjamin S., 5.
In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Johnathan Ellis, 27; mother Zaney Ellis, 68, widow, sister Mccarda, 35, and brother James Applewhite, 29 [who appears to be the same James as James Ellis above in 1870 and 1880.]
Jonathan Ellis died 12 February 1944 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 14 October 1875 in Saratoga to James Ellis and Zannie Applewhite; was married to Annie Ellis; was a farmer.
Osker
Martha
Rose
Abraham
Perhaps Abraham Bynum, born about 1853, listed above in Della Applewhite’s 1870 household.
Estate File of Council Applewhite, Wilson County, North Carolina Wills and Estates, 1665-1998 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.
Among the most rewarding aspects of researching for Black Wide-Awake are discovering, uncovering, and recovering lost family connections, both my own and others’. I was particularly excited to piece together the Taylor family puzzle, which linked three of my childhood friends. Wilson County is small enough that it’s not surprising that many of us share distant common ancestry, but just who those long-lost cousins are can be surprising indeed.
This house is not within the bounds of East Wilson Historic District. However, the blocks of Mercer Street southwest of the Norfolk & Southern Railroad lines have been an African-American residential area since the early twentieth century.
The house was likely built 1900-1920 and appears on the 1922 Sanborn fire insurance map.
In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Holloway Henry (c; Millie) lab h 908 Mercer. Also: Holloway Narcissus (c) dish washer h 908 Mercer. Also: Holloway Elizabeth (c) maid h 908 Mercer
In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory, 908 Mercer is listed as vacant.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: renting for $4/month, Priscilla Little, 47, laundress; daughter Margaret, 21, “hang or shake tobacco” at redrying plant; and granddaughters Leigh Virginia, 2, and Romaine, 7 months.
In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum Paul (c; Dollena; 3) lab h 908 Mercer. Also: Bynum Mollie (c) h 908 Mercer
Delores Bynum died 9 November 1941 at her home at 908 Mercer Street. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 June 1941 in Wilson to Paul Bynum and Dorlena Anderson and was buried in Rountree Cemetery.
Mollie Bynum died 25 October 1947 at her home at 908 Mercer Street. Per her death certificate, she was born 22 November 1879 to Louis Haggans and was a widower. She was buried in Rountree Cemetery. Paul Bynum, 2306 Marshall Avenue, Newport News, Virginia, was informant.
Wilson Daily Times, 27 October 1947.
In the 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Whitley James (c; Hazel) carp h 908 Mercer
In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Suggs Street, odd jobs laborer Archie Bynum, 37; wife Lillie, 31; and children Nnez, 11, Junis, 7, George, 4, Rena, 2, and Bessie, 6 months.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 617 East Suggs Street, owned and valued at $1000, Lillie Bynum, 50, widow; children Gorge, 21, Earnest, 28, Rosa L., 17, Estella, 14, Lillie M., 11; and grandchildren Leroy, 6, and Mattie B., 4.
In the 1940 census of Richmond, Virginia: in the Virginia State Penitentiary, George Bynum, 32, divorced, born in North Carolina.
In 1943, George Bynum registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 1 October 1907 in Wilson; lived at 665 Suggs Street; his contact was mother Lillie Barnes of the same address; and he was not employed.
The one hundred sixty-fourth in a series of posts highlighting buildings in East Wilson Historic District, a national historic district located in Wilson, North Carolina. As originally approved, the district encompasses 858 contributing buildings and two contributing structures in a historically African-American section of Wilson. (A significant number have since been lost.) The district was developed between about 1890 to 1940 and includes notable examples of Queen Anne, Bungalow/American Craftsman, and Shotgun-style architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
The original address of this house was 807 Stantonsburg Street. It was demolished prior to the 1988 survey for the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District.
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Detail of 1922 Sanborn fire insurance map of Wilson showing 807 Stantonsburg Street in the block after the Colored Graded School. East Contentnea Street, at top right, is Cemetery Street. Argus Road no longer exists.
In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum John (c) lab h 807 Stantonsburg
In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum Jno (c) lab h 807 Stantonsburg
In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum Jno C (c; Estella) lab h 807 Stantonsburg
In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum John C (c; Estella) lab h 807 Stantonsburg
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 807 Stantonsburg Street, freight depot laborer John C. Bynum, 38, born in Mississippi; wife Estella, 37, stemmer; daughter Cora A., 10; and siblings Abraham, 36, tobacco factory laborer, Augusta, 24, servant, and James Bynum, 19, tobacco factory laborer.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: freight station laborer John Bynum, 48, born in Missouri [sic], and wife Estella, 46.
In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum John C (c; Estelle) lab ACLRR Co h 807 Stantonsburg
Estelle Bynum died 30 January 1944 at her home in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 October 1894 in Johnston County, N.C., to George Barnes and Cora Cook; was married to John Bynum; and lived at 807 Stantonsburg Street.
In the 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum Jno C (c; Beadie) lab ACL h 807 Stantonsburg
John Columbus Bynum died 30 October 1967 at his home at 807 Stantonsburg Street. Per his death certificate, he was born 30 June 1891 in Mississippi to Charles Bynum and Julia Ann Davis; was married to Beadie Bynum; and was a retired laborer for A.C.L.
In the 1900 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Gray Bynum, 41; wife Hagar, 41; and children Rose, 18, John, 17, Martha, 9, Gray, 7, and Isaac, 12.
In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Green Farmer, 40; wife Jennie, 33; and children Jeneva, 14, Mammie L., 9, Hattie M., 8, Annie D., 6, John G., 4, Ella E., 2, and Jona, 6 months.
In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Gray Bynum, 52; wife Hagar, 54; and children Jonas, 19, and Isaac, 16.
In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Green Farmer, 50, widower, and children Jennie, 24, Mamie, 18, Hattie, 16, Doracy, 15, John, 13, Jonah, 10, Ambrose, 6, and Nunnie, 4.
On 6 December 1911, Isaac Bynum, 19, of Saratoga township, son of Grey and Haga Bynum, married Dorsey Farmer, 18, of Gardners township, daughter of Green Farmer, in Gardners township.
In 1917, Isaac Bynum registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 31 May 1882 in Wilson County; lived in Stantonsburg; farmed for Jack Watson; and had a wife and four children. He signed his card in a clear, strong hand.
In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Isaac Bynum, 28; wife Dorsey, 27; and children Martha, 7, Mamie, 6, Daisye, 6, Hagar, 3, and Mary, 1.
In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Isaac Bynum, 36; wife Dorsey, 36; and children Martha, 17, Mammie, 16, Daisy, 15, Hagar, 13, Mary, 11, William, 8, Essie M., 6, Hula G., 4, and Mavis G., 1.
In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm operator Isaac Bynum, 48; wife Dossie Ann, 45; children William G., 17, Essie Mae, 16, Hulda Gray, 14, Mavis Green, 11; and grandsons Ernest Burner Farmer, 5, and Dorsey E. Blackstone, 3.
Dossie Ann Farmer Bynum died 28 August 1967 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 November 1895 in Wilson County to Greene Farmer and Jennie Farmer; and was married to Isaac Bynum.
Isaac Bynum died 6 January 1986 in Newport News, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born 31 May 1893 in North Carolina to Gray Bynum and Haggar Anderson; lived in Hampton, Virginia; was the widower of Dossie A. Bynum; and was retired. Informant was daughter Hula Atkinson.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user vanessasmith0328.
In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: sawyer Charley Bynum, 41; wife Julia Ann, 43; and children Calvin, 21, Mary Jane, 18, Ameta, 16, Annie, 13, John C., 9, and Abraham, 1.
In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charlie Bynum, 52, factory laborer, born in N.C. to Virginia-born parents; wife Sarah, 26; and children Abraham, 10, Augusta, 4, and Etta, 2; and lodgers John Call, 17, factory laborer (born in Mississippi to a N.C.-born father and Mississippi-born mother), Calvin Bynum, 26, factory laborer, and Anna Boon, 20, house servant.
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Suggs Street, Sarah Bynum, 30, widow, and children Abraham, 25, Anna, 20, Charlie, 6, Augustas, 15, Etta, 13, and James, 10.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 807 Stantonsburg Street, owned and valued at $800, John C. Bynum, 38; wife Estelle, 37; daughter Cora A., 10; and siblings Abraham, 32, Augusta, 24, and James, 19.
On 2 February 1931, Abraham Bynum, 30, son of Charlie and Julia Bynum, married Carrie Beaman, 23, daughter of Dave and Sarah Beaman. WillieMcLondon, a Free Will Baptist minister, performed the ceremony at 707 Suggs Street in the presence of Jack Rountree, Alice Davis and Leemoor Hannah.
Per his death certificate, Abraham Bynum died 21 July 1931, “killed accidentally by being struck by lightning during electrical storm.” He resided at 1008 Woodard Street, Wilson; was 31 years old; was married to Carrie Bynum; and worked as a day laborer at a tobacco manufacturing plant. He was born in Wilson to Charles Bynum and July Ann Davis, a Pitt County native, and J.C. Bynum of 807 Stantonsburg Street was informant.
