centenarian

Jennie Ransome Shaffer, centenarian.

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Wilson Daily Times, 10 May 1979.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: carpenter John M. Ransome, 41; wife Clanie, 23; and daughters Jennie, 6, and Lizzie, 2; plus brother-in-law Bat Mason, 30, carpenter.

On 15 December 1909, Quince Shavings, 36, of Toisnot, son of Tom and Mary Shavings, married Jennie Ransom, 36, of Toisnot, daughter of George and Fannie Ransom, in Elm City.

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: laborer Joe Q. Shawfer, 35; wife  Jennie, 43, cook; son Howard, 12; and daughter-in-law(?) Jennie, 8.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: house carpenter Quincey Shaffer,  45; wife Jennie, 43; and widowed mother Emma, 78.

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: town laborer Quincy Shaffer, 55; wife Genney, 54; daughter Lena, 29; and boarder Mable Dison, 7.

John [Quincey] Shaffer died 19 May 1940 in Elm City. Per his death certificate, he was 67 years old; married to Jennie Shaffer; worked as laborer; and was born in Elm City to Emma Moore. He was buried in Elm City cemetery.

Jennie Ransome Shaffer died 9 January 1981 in Wilson, aged 107.

Rosa Craddock McCoy, centenarian, loved to give orders.

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Wilson Daily Times, 20 March 2009.

In the 1910 census of Minish township, Jackson township, Georgia: farmer Ed Craddock, 32; wife Elizabeth, 27; and children Fred, 8, Besy, 6, Rosalee, 4, May L., 2, and Patt, 10 months.

In the 1920 census of Harrisburg township, Jackson County, Georgia: farmer Edward Craddock, 42; wife Eltha E., 38; and children Frederick, 18, Bessie, 16, Rosa L., 14, Mary L,, 12, Patrick, 10, Ruby, 8, John A. and Allie, 6, Christine, 3, and Eddie, 1.

John McKoy, 27, of Red Springs, married Rosa Craddock, 18, of Red Springs, on 18 December 1923 in Hoke County, North Carolina.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: John McCoy, 29, guano company laborer; wife Rosa, 25, laundress; and children James, 5, Dorris, 3, and Pearl Mae, 1; and sister Sarah, 31. Rosa reported that she was born in Georgia.

In the 1940 census of Faison township, Duplin County: farmer John McKoy, 40; wife Rosie, 36; and children James, 15, Dorothy, 13, Pearlie Mae, 12, Sarah Lee, 11; Horlina, 8; Bettie and Barbara, 6, Geraldine, 2, and B.C., 2 months.

Rosa Craddock McCoy died 29 November 2012 in Middlesex, Nash County.

Lona Edwards Alston Dunston, centenarian.

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Wilson Daily Times, 10 November 2001.

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Wilson Daily Times, 15 November 2002.

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In the 1910 census of Speights Bridge township, Greene County: farm laborer Stephen Edwards, 31; wife Charity, 29; and children Lonnie, 9, John H., 7, Charity, 4, William, 2, and Mary, 7 months.

On 14 January 1917, Thomas Alston, 22, of Greene County, son of Thomas and Peggy Alston, married Lonie Edwards, 18, of Stantonsburg, daughter of Steve and Charity Edwards, in Stantonsburg, Wilson County. Rev. W.J. Fox of “A.M.E. Zion connection,” performed the ceremony.

In the 1940 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: widow Lonie Alston, 40, farmer, and children Napoleon, 23, Willie Marie, 20, Thomas Lee, 17, J.C., 15, Stephen, 12, Jesse, 9, Mattie, 7, Lonnie, 5, and Lillian, 3.

In 1940, Napoleon Alston registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 26 August 1918 in Greene County; he lived in Stantonsburg; his contact was his mother Lonie Alston; and he was self-employed.

In 1944, J.C. Alston registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 26 October 1926 in Wilson County; his contact was his mother Lonie Alston; and he worked for John Lane, Stantonsburg, as a farmer.

Lona Edwards Alston Dunston died 1 October 2003, just weeks before her 103rd birthday.

Pitt County’s oldest citizen.

More about Cromwell Bullock, known as “Crummell,” who lived at various times in the areas of Wilson, Edgecombe and Pitt Counties between the towns of Saratoga and Fountain.

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Greenville News, 23 April 1919.

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Some notes:

  • Plymouth is in Washington County, North Carolina, east of Wilson County near the coast.
  • The 1860 slave schedule of Edgecombe County, North Carolina, lists Joshua K. Bullock as the owner of 50 enslaved people, including a 40 year-old male described as mulatto who might have been Cromwell.
  • Cromwell Bullock and Charity Farmer were married, though not legally, well prior to Emancipation. In 1866, they recorded their 17-year cohabitation in Wilson County.
  • The farm he purchased was likely in far southeastern Edgecombe County, near the Pitt County border. (I need to search further for a definitive location.)
  • Polly Wooten was Cromwell Bullock’s third wife. He was married briefly to a woman named Fannie between his first wife’s death in 1893 and his marriage to Polly in 1903.
  • I have only been able to identify ten children: John Bullock, Nathaniel Bullock, Cromwell Bullock Jr., Caroline Bullock Moore James White, Milly Bullock Scarborough, Peter Bullock, Harry Bullock, Jesse Bullock, Dempsey Bullock, and Leah Bullock Moore.

The obituary of Nora A. Jones, 101.

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Nora A. Jones, 2 January 1919-18 May 2020.

Nora A. Jones, age 101, of Wilson transitioned from labor to reward on Monday, May 18, 2020.  Funeral service will be held Monday, May 25 at 12 noon at St. John AME Zion Church, Wilson.  Interment will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Nash Street, Frank Mitchell, 27, laborer; wife Allice, 23; and daughter Nora A., 1; plus boarder Noah Bess, 63, widower.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: in New Grabneck, carpenter Frank Mitchell, 37; wife Alice, 31, teacher; and daughter Nora A., 10.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: in New Grabneck, carpenter Frank Mitchell, 52; wife Alice, 39, teacher; and daughter Nora Allen, 19.

On 27 October 1946, Walter A. Jones, 24, of Wilson, son of Joe Jones and Virginia Applewhite Jones, married Nora Allen Mitchel, 25, of Wilson, daughter of Frank and Alice Mitchell, in Wilson. A.M.E. Zion minister William A. Hilliard performed the ceremony in the presence of Frank Mitchell, Alice Mitchell, and Mrs. Louis Thomas.

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107 year-old groom: “I never paid more than $3 for a woman in my life.”

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Wilson Daily Times, 22 April 1949.

[Note: A death certificate was filed for William Pailen, son of Jupiter Pailen and Lucretia Martin. Per this record, Pailen was born 12 May 1868 in North Carolina and died 23 May 1913 in Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina. Curious.]

Cora Barnes Melton, centenarian.

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Wilson Daily Times, 4 May 1993.

Wilson Daily Times, 4 May 1995.

Wilson Daily Times, 2 May 1997.

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On 29 October 1917, John Melton, 26, married Cora Barnes, 25, at Zena Barnes’ in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony in the presence of Linnie Wilson, M.H. Wilson and Lorene E. Griggs.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Washington Street, carpenter John Melton, 28; wife Cora, 26; son Robert O., 1; and cousin Della Griswell, 24.

John Melton died 17 August 1933 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 8 July 1889 in Wilson County to John and Lucy Melton; was married to Cora Melton; lived at 1206 Washington Street; and worked as a carpenter.

In 1944, John Melton registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 11 September 1926 in Wilson County; lived at 1206 East Washington Street; his contact was his mother Cora Melton; and he worked at Imperial Tobacco Company.

In 1946, William Thomas Melton registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 11 October 1928 in Wilson County; lived at 1206 East Washington Street; his contact was his mother Cora Melton; and was a student.

Cora Barnes Melton passed away 4 May 1997, two days after the Daily Times featured her birth celebration.

Sular Sharpe celebrates her 102nd birthday.

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Wilson Daily Times, 15 December 2006.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Tarboro Road, John Sharp, 46, farmer; wife Patience, 37; and children Roscoe, 8, Sula, 4, and Chas, 2.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 318 Pender Street, rented for $14/month, Sula Sharpe, 35, servant; son Russell, 19, chauffeur; and brothers Roscoe, 38, deliveryman for retail coal dealer; Charlie, 30, farm laborer; Frank B., 27, deliveryman for retail ice plant; and Johnie, 25, and Leon, 23, both ice plant laborers.

In 1942, Rosco Sharpe registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 2 September 1902 in Wilson County; lived at 318 Pender Street, Wilson; his nearest relative was Sular T. Sharpe; and he worked for Independent Ice Company, Wilson.

In 1942, Adrick Russell Sharpe registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 14 February 1921 in Wilson County; lived at 318 Pender Street, Wilson; his nearest relative was Sular T. Sharpe; and he worked at the Marine Barracks, New River. The card contains this hand-written notation in red: “Dead 9-9-43 Cancelled/ Reported Oct. 5-43.”

Russell Sharp died 9 September 1943 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 14 February 1921 in Wilson County to Ross Cherry and Sular Sharp; was married to Blanche Sharp; was a laborer; and lived at 318 Pender Street.

Roscoe M. Sharpe died 26 December 1964 at his home at 318 Pender Street. Per his death certificate, he was 63 years old; a widower; a laborer at A.C. College; was born in Edgecombe County to John Sharpe and Patience [maiden name not given]; and the informant was Sudie [sic] Sharpe.

Sular T. Sharpe died 24 November 2008, aged 104.

The obituary of Dorothy H. Ellis, 100.

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July 3, 1919 — Dec. 15, 2019

“Dorothy Geneva Hammond Ellis, 100, of Wilson, died Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, at the UNC Hillsborough Hospital campus in Hillsborough.

“Dorothy was a beloved retired schoolteacher who taught eighth grade at Darden High School starting in 1942. She and her husband, Coach [James C.] “Shank” Ellis, went on to teach at Coon Junior High School until they retired early in 1979. While teaching at Darden, she was asked to use her basketball skills to coach the basketball team while the men went off to fight in World War II.

“The funeral will be held at noon on Monday, Dec. 23, at Calvary Presbyterian Church, 209 Pender St. N., Wilson. The Rev. Rogers E. Randall Jr. will officiate. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery, 1717 Lane St. SE, Wilson.

“A public viewing will be 2-7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 22, in the Chapel of Edwards Funeral Home with the family visitation from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

“Dorothy was born July 3, 1919, in Cheraw, South Carolina.

“Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home.”