centenarian

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.”

The obituary of Rosa Lee Moye Ward, 101.

Rose Lee Moye Ward (1918-2019).

“Mrs. Rosa Lee Ward, 101, of Wilson, NC, passed away on December 10, 2019 at Wilson Medical Center in Wilson, NC.

“The funeral service is scheduled for Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 1:00 pm at L N Forbes OFW Baptist Tabernacle, 1800 Lane Street, Ext., Wilson, NC.  A public visitation will be held Friday, December 13, 2019 from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Stevens Funeral Home, 1820 Martin Luther King Jr. Pkwy., Wilson, NC.   Burial will follow in Saint Delight Cemetery, Walstonburg, NC.

“Mrs. Ward was preceded in death by:  her husband, Willie Ward; one son, Willie E. Ward; her parents, Johnnie Moye and Sarah Moye; three brothers, Lloyd Moye, John Junior Moye and Glaster Moye; and three sisters, Betty L. Gay, Sarah E. Williams and Hattie M. Morgan.

“Many loving and cherished memories will linger in the hearts of:  her daughter, Veatrice A. Mills (Norman J.) of Wilson; three grandchildren, Clifton E. Cheeks (Barbara) of Randallstown, MD, Roland J. Cheeks (Carla) of Atlanta, GA and Kevin D. Cheeks of Washington, DC; four great grandchildren, LaShaunda P. Griffith (Ronnie) of Baltimore, MD, Clifton E. Cheeks, Jr. (Rajanna) and Maurice J. Cheeks (Cheryl), all of Atlanta, GA and Kevonda R. Proctor of Waldorf, MD; six great grandchildren, Cayden Cheeks, Royce Cheeks, Alijah Cheeks, Jackson Griffith, Jordan Cheeks and Za’Kari Barton; her daughter-in-law,  Tanya Fletcher-Ward of Wilson, NC; her former daughter-in-law, Doris Ward of Temple Hill, MD; one sister, Thelma Barnes of Virginia Beach, VA; one brother, Hubert M. Moye (Mary Alice) of Hyattsville, MD; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

“Arrangements are entrusted to Stevens Funeral Home, 1820 Martin Luther King, Jr. Parkway, Wilson, NC.”

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Willie Ward, 21, of Greene County, son of Mayo and Eliza Ward, married Rosa Lee Moye, 17, of Greene County, daughter of Johnnie and Sarah Moye, in Greene County on 7 March 1936.

The obituary of Herman P. Lucas, Sr., 103.

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Herman P. Lucas Sr., 103, of Wilson, died Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2019. Funeral will be 2 p.m. Sunday at Contending for the Faith Church Ministries. Burial will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery. Visitation will be 3 p.m. Saturday at Stevens Funeral Home. Arrangements are by Stevens Funeral Home. www.wilsontimes.com, 6 December 2019.

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I am not entirely sure, but I believe Herman P. Lucas Sr. to have been the son of Robert and Etta Howard Lucas. Corrections requested.

In the 1920 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Bob Lucas, 30; wife Etta, 30; and children Nannie, 10, Ella, 8, Addie, 6, Herman, 4, and Lillie, 1.

In the 1930 census of Jackson township, Nash County: farm laborer Robert Lucas, 42; wife Etta, 41; children Ella, 18, Addie, 16, Herman, 14, Lillie, 12, James, 10, and Willie, 8; and grandchildren Doretha, 3, and Chaner, 3 months.

On 23 November 1934, Herman Lucas, 21, of Wilson County, son of Bob and Etta Lucas, and Mamie Lee Brockington, 19, of Wilson County, daughter of John and Mary Brockington, in Nashville, North Carolina. Witnesses were D. Elbert Williams, Addie Williams and Silas Wright, all of Wilson.

Herman Lucas registered for the World War II draft in 1940 in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 27 February 1915 in Wilson; lived at R.F.D. #1, Wilson; was married to Mamie Lucas; and worked for Mollie Howard. [If this is in fact Herman Lucas’ correct birth date, he was 104 at his death, not 103.]

Florence Williams Maryland’s 103rd birthday.

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Wilson Daily Times, 30 August 1995.

Mrs. Maryland passed away on 4 September 1995, less than a week after this news photo was published.

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Jonas Maryland, 23, of Toisnot, married Florence Williams, 19, of Toisnot, on 4 October 1911 at Town Creek School house. Missionary Baptist minister J.J. Thompson performed the ceremony.

In 1918, Jonas Maryland registered for the World War I draft in Edgecombe County. Per his registration card, he was born 4 April 1878; resided at R.F.D. 1, Sharpsburg; was a farm laborer for Jessie Williams; and his nearest relative was Florence Maryland.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on the Wilson and Rocky Mount Road, farmer Jonah Maryland, 40; wife Vinie, 22; and children Clarence, 8, Willis, 5, Allie, 4, Fannie, 3, and Annie, 7 months.

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on the Rocky Mount and Town Creek Road, Janos Maryland, 53, widower, house carpenter; and children Clarence, 19, Ernest, 17, Fannie, 15, Addie B., 13, Ruth, 11, and Essie, 8.

In the 1940 census of Bronx, New York: Elizabeth Hayes, 33, domestic for private family; daughter Ethel Hayes, 6; and partner Florence Maryland, 44, domestic for private family. The women were born in North Carolina; Ethel, in New York.