Bynum

Who was James H. Bynum?

I don’t know how I missed him, but I recently came across a Lincoln University catalog listing James H. Bynum of Wilson as a freshman in 1902-’03. Bynum graduated from Lincoln with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1906 and entered the university’s Theological Department.

I have not identified Bynum in Wilson records or found him after he left Lincoln. A search for “Rev. James H. Bynum” revealed a Methodist minister by that name in Mississippi, but he was already preaching when Bynum of Wilson was still a student.

Employee tries to burn down the Elks Club.

Wilson Daily Times, 15 November 1943.

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  • George Washington Bynum
  • Elks Club — This article refers to the club’s founding in 1942. Marshall Lodge #297, Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World (I.B.P.O.E.W), was established in 1921 and met at the lodge hall at 541 East Nash Street until it constructed a two-story brick building at the corner of East Nash and Vick Streets in 1954.

Snaps, no. 114: William and Martha Ann Bynum Finch.

William and Martha Ann Bynum Finch.

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In the 1880 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: Calvin Bynum, 31, farmer; wife Pherabe, 28; and children Olive, 9, Fannie, 7, Martha Ann, 5, Joseph, 2, and Benjamin, 3 months.

On 23 January 1898, William Finch, 29, married Martha Bynum, 22, in Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer William Finch, 39; wife Martha A., 25; children Luginia, 12, Anachy, 9, and David, 1; and aunt Lanie Finch, 54.

In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: William Finch, 44; wife Mattie, 36; and children Anachie, 18, David, 12, John W., 10, Lafayette L., 6, Pearlie, 4, Leora, 2, and James H., 1 month.

In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer William Finch, 56; wife Mattie, 45; and children David, 20, John William, 19, Lafayette L., 15, Pearlie, 14, Leora, 12, James, 8, Willie, 6, and Lessie, 1.

In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer William Finch, 65; wife Martha, 57; and children Lafayette L., 24, James, 20, Willie, 17, Lessie, 13, and Moses, 7.

William Finch died & March 1936 in Lucama, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 November 1860 in Nash County; was married to Marthann Finch; worked as a farmer; and was buried in “home cem.” Johnnie Finch was informant.

In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Marthy Finch, 68; sons Layette, 36, Lessie, 21, and Mose, 19; daughter-in-law Eldora, 35; and grandson Robert Lee, 4.

Martha Finch died 7 February 1958 in Lucama, Springhill township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 17 June 1873 in Wilson to Calvin Bynum and Farbee [maiden name unknown]; was the widow of William Finch; and was buried in Finch Cemetery. Pearley Finch was informant.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com Neshele Godfrey.

The obituary of Jonas Bynum of Saint Petersburg, Florida.

Tampa Bay Times, 9 March 1962.

 Tampa Bay Times, 10 March 1962. 

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On 27 December 1911, Jonas Bynum, 25, of Gardners township, married Bessie Pittman, 19, of Gardners township, in Gardners township, Wilson County.

In 1917, Jonas Bynum registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 6 August 1886 in Wilson County and farmed for H.D. Lane.

In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Jonas Bynum, 34, farmer; wife Bessie, 27; and cousin Johnnie Harris, 22.

In an article headed “Pinellas Fair Awards” published in the 27 January 1933 issue of the Tampa Bay Times, Bessie Bynum of Saint Petersburg was identified as winner in the chocolate cake category.

In the 1934 Saint Petersburg, Florida, city directory: Bynum Jonas (c; Bessie) lab h 415 8th st s

In the 1935 state census of Precinct 7, Pinellas County, Florida: at 415 8th Street South, Jonas Bynum, 42, born in N.C., janitor, and wife Bessie, 38, born in N.C.

In the 1940 census of Saint Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida: apartment house painter Jonas Bynum, 51, and wife Bessie, 47.

In the 1950 census of Saint Petersburg, Pinellas County, Florida: Mercy Hospital groundsman Jones Bynum, 62, and wife Bessie, 56.

Jonas Bynum died 5 March 1962. His daughter Bessie Mae Bynum Ford died 28 March 1989.

Tampa Bay Times, 30 March 1989.

Bessie Pittman Bynum died in July 1992.

917 Atlantic Street.

The one hundred ninety-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.

As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District: “ca. 1913; 1 story; Queen Anne cottage with double-pile, hip-roofed form, projecting front wing; remodeled with aluminum siding and metal porch posts.”

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In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Turner Jasper (c; Madie) mill hd h 917 Atlanta

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum Dudley (c; Olie) barber h 917 Atlantic av

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 917 Atlantic, barber Dudley Bynum, 49, and wife Ola, 45, laundress at Hotel Cherry.

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum Dudley (c; Oleona) barber Wm Hines h 917 Atlantic

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Oleona R. Bynum, 55; husband Dudley Bynum, 59; and lodger Cora Parker, 51, widow.

Wilson Daily Times, 24 October 1959.

Oleonia Brooks Bynum died 21 October 1959 in Chapel Hill, Orange County, North Carolina. Per her death certificate, she was born 8 June 1893 to Dennis Brooks and Mary Ann Helms; was married to Dudley Bynum; and lived at 917 Atlantic Street, Wilson.

Wilson Daily Times, 19 July 1962.

Dudley Bynum died 19 July 1962 in Wilson, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born August 1889 in Wilson County to Berry Bynum and Loddie [no maiden name]; lived at 917 Atlantic Street; was a widower; was a barber; and was buried in Masonic Cemetery. Lydia B. Knight, 311 Manchester Street, was informant.

Wilson Daily Times, 15 August 1962.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, September 2024.

Funeral Program Friday: Etta Bullock McAllister (1909-2002).

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In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: George Bullock, 48; wife Ella, 39; and children Sallie A., 20, George, 17, Lovey, 15, Isaac, 13, Bettie, 12, Rosa, 9, Charlie, James, Etta, and Effie, .

On 14 October 1926, Henry Woodard, 18, of Toisnot township, Wilson County, son of Louis and Edie Woodard, married Etta Bullock, 18, of Toisnot township, daughter of George and Ella Bullock, in Elm City. Church of God minister A.J. Bowman performed the ceremony.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Eugene McAllister, 33; wife Ella, 29; and children Eugene, 4, and Yvonne, 8 months.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Eugene McAllister, 42, truck driver for auto body manufacturing company; wife Etta, 39; children Eugene Jr., 13, Shirley, 12, Yvonne, 11, Annie D., 10, Alfred, 4, and Nathaniel, 3; and lodger Charlie L. Bullock, 35.

Eugene McAllister died 16 March 1963 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 May 1907 in Florence County, South Carolina, to Weldon McAllister and Beulah Smith; was married; worked as a laborer; and lived at 1506 Carolina Street. Informant was Etta McAllister, 1414 Atlantic Street.

Etta Bullock Woodard McAllister died 30 May 2002.

Man walks eight miles to kill his neighbor.

Pittsburgh Courier, 8 February 1941.

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  • Herbert Bynum

Perhaps, in the 1940 census of Rocky Mount township, Edgecombe County, North Carolina: Herbert Bynum, 26, bottling company laborer, in the household of Mary Battle.

In 1940, Herbert Bynum registered for the World War II draft in Elm City, Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 7 June 1913 in Wilson County; lived in Sharpsburg, Wilson County; his contact was friend Claude Albritton; and he was unemployed.

On 1 September 1940, Herbert Bynum, 27, of Edgecombe County, son of Joe and Emma Bynum, married Mary Lee Ellis, 17, of Wilson County, daughter of Robert and Ida Ellis, at Herbert Bynum’s home in Number 14 township, Edgecombe County. Missionary Baptist minister J.W. Fuller performed the ceremony in the presence of Dempsey Batts and Sam Wright of Sharpsburg and Robert Ellis of Elm City.

Herbert Bynum died 9 February 1962 in Chapel Hill, Orange County, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born 6 June 1913 to Joe Bynum and Mary McMillon; his usual residence was Sharpsburg, Nash County; he had never been married [sic]; and he was buried in Poplar Springs Cemetery, Sharpsburg.

[Note: a different Herbert Bynum, born about 1910, is found in Orange County records. He died in 1980.]

  • Adam Farmer

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Edmond Farmer, 49; wife Elvia, 26; and children Tena, 16, Minnie, 14, Della, 12, Luke, 11, James, 8, Adam, 6, Lowd, 4, and Isabella, 3 months.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Ed Farmer, 57; wife Elva, 38; and children Lossie, 20, Minnie, 19, Mary Della, 18, Luke, 17, Adam, 15, Lode, 14, Isabla, 12, Lizzie, 10, Thad, 8, Ed B., 5, Annie, 3, and Ed Jr., 8 months.

In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer Adam Farmer, 33; wife Dorothy, 24; children Vanzella, 2, and Frank Alton, 9 months; and mother-in-law Etta Ruffins, 70, widow.

In 1940, Adam Farmer registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 May 1916 in Edgecombe County, N.C.; lived at Route 2, Elm City; his contact was mother Elva Campbell Farmer, Scotland Neck, Halifax County, N.C.; and he worked for Raleigh Granite Company, Sims, N.C.

Adam Farmer died 27 January 1941 in Toisnot township, Wilson County, of “gunshot wound of chest.” Per his death certificate, he was born 13 May 1905 in Wilson County to Ed Farmer and Elvie Campbell; was married to Dicey Ward Farmer; resided in Sharpsburg, Wilson County; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Williams Cemetery. Load Farmer was informant.

The obituaries of brothers James and Charlie Bynum of North Little Rock, Arkansas.

James C. and Charles A. Bynum were born in Wilson County, but migrated to Lonoke County, Arkansas, as children with their parents Lawrence and Edna Bynum Bynum.

Arkansas Gazette, 18 March 1960.

Arkansas Gazette, 3 July 1979.

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In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: laborer Larence Bynum, 24; wife Edney, 19; children James, 1, and Mary J., 1 month; mother-in-law Liddie, 55; brother Isac, 22, and sister-in-law Anna, 17.

In the 1900 census of Brodie township, Pulaski County, Arkansas: James Bynum, 21, farm laborer, is listed in the household of Lester Lemons.

On 20 January 1901, Jas. Bynum, 22, of Cobbs, Lonoke County, married Florence Hynes, 21, of Scott, Lonoke County, in Lonoke County, Arkansas.

In the 1910 census of Augusta, Hill township, Pulaski County, Arkansas: James C. Bynum, 21, boilermaker helper; wife Florence, 30; and newborn son Freddie J., at 305 Hazel.

In the 1920 census of Walls township, Lonoke County: James Binum, 41, farmer; wife Florence, 40; daughter Odessa, 1; mother Edna, 57, widow; and brother Willie, 17.

In the 1930 census of Walls township, Lonoke County: J.C. Bynum, 50, farmer; wife Florence, 50; daughter Odessa, 12; and adopted son Columbus Webb, 5.

In the 1940 census of Lafayette township, Lonoke County: on Old Key Rock Road, James Bynum, 61, farm laborer; wife Florence, 60; and Columbus Webb, 40 [sic].

James Columbus Bynum registered for the World War I draft in Lonoke County. Per his registration card, he was born 13 November 1878 in Wilson, N.C.; lived in “Keo (Redwine),” Lonoke County; his contact was Florence Bynum; and he was a self-employed farmer.

In the 1950 census of Walls township, Lonoke County: J.C. Bynum, 71, farmer, and wife Florence, 70.

James C. Bynum died 13 March 1960 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 13 November 1884 in North Carolina to Lawrence Bynum and Edna Hopper; was married; lived at 816 Cedar Street, North Little Rock; and was buried in Hickory Grove Cemetery, Keo, Arkansas. Florence Bynum was informant.

 

The obituary of Raymond Bynum Sr. of Washington, D.C.

Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 26 November 1948.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Suggs Street, odd jobs worker Arch Bynum, 37; wife Lillie, 31; and children Nnes, 11, Junis, 7, George, 4, Rena, 2, and Ressie, 6 months.

On 21 October 1929, Raymond Bynum, 19, of Wilson, son of Arch Bynum and Lettie [no maiden name], married Helen Battle, 18, of Wilson, daughter of John Battle and Emma Battle, in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister F.F. Battle performed the ceremony in the presence of J.H. Battle, Carrie Hardy, and Dollie Roberts.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum Raymond (c; Helen) cook h 628 Suggs

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: restaurant cook Raymond Bynum, 30; wife Helen, 29; children Raymond Jr., 10, Lillie M., 7, Alease, 5, and Dolores, 4; and partners Joe, 29, Frances, 23, Joe Jr., 4, and Reginald Hockaday, 3; and Edward, 30, and Mary Whitley, 28.

In 1940, Raymond Bynum registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 14 March 1910 in Wilson; lived at 2042 L Street, N.W., Washington; her contact was wife Helen Bynum; and he worked Samuel L. Baber.

The obituary of Willie J. Bynum Sr.

Washington Times, 18 February 1988.

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In 1940, Willie James Bynum registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 23 December 1912 in Holdens Crossroads, Wilson County; lived at 1025 – 22nd Street, N.W., Washington; his contact was wife Lydia Bynum; and he worked for George Van Darkinhouse, Emerson & Orme Company, 17th and M Streets, N.W., Washington.

In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: Willie Bynum, 27, car washer at retail auto dealer; wife Lydia, 23; and daughter Alberta, 9. All had lived in Greene County, N.C., in 1935.