Christmas

December services at Baker Chapel.

Wilson Daily Times, 28 December 1948.

  • Baker Chapel — Baker Chapel, on East Vance Street, seems to have been in existence from about 1947 to about 1951.
  • Addie Sutton — Addie Mae Sutton died 17 April 1950 at her home at 901 Mercer Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 19 February 1904 in Wayne County to Prince Barnes and Josephine Bowden; was married to George Sutton; and worked as a laundress. She was buried in Agusta Cemetery, Wayne County.
  • Rev. W.E. Willoughby — Rev. Willie E. Willoughby died 3 September 1874 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 6 September 1897 to Stanley Willoughby and Nellie Fisher; was a widower; was a minister; and lived at 112 South Reid Street. Mrs. A.F. Morgan, 1302 Washington Street, was informant.

Colored business district sponsors Christmas festivities.

Wilson Daily Times, __ December 1949.

“‘The East Nash street block between the railroad and Stantonsburg Street will be decorated for the first time in the last decade,’ Hartford Bess said.”

“The Darden High school band will parade in the main parade and play a few selections in front of the Wilson court house. After this it will march on down to Stantonsburg and East Nash streets where it will provide the music at [a lighting] ceremony.”

Lane Street Project: Christmas Wish List (and an early surprise!)

Christmas came early for Lane Street Project! John Kirk Barnes of downtown Wilson’s The Kirk’s Flowers surprised me with an incredible gift this week. Thanks to his generosity, in January, Wright Brothers Lawn Care of Goldsboro will undertake professional removal of large overgrowth in Odd Fellows Cemetery. Josiah Wright’s expertise and equipment will move us further and faster than ever toward opening up the interior of Odd Fellows Cemetery.

I am deeply grateful to John for this gift to Lane Street Project, for his enthusiasm for our work, and for his vision for ways we can honor those who lie in these historic cemeteries. If you have floral or landscaping needs in Wilson or Wayne Counties, please support those who support us by considering The Kirk’s or Wright Brothers for the work.

Now to cross the rest of the items off our wish list!!

Xmas Night Dance at the Center.

Wilson Daily Times, 23 December 1943.

Twenty-one year-old impresario Percy Mincey put together an impressive Christmas night dance in 1943, five months before he enlisted in the United States Army. (Note the reduced price for white “spectators,” who could watch, but not dance.)

  • Percy Mincy

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 500 Stantonsburg Street, John Mincey, 50, tobacco factory laborer; wife Olivia, 46; children Olivia D., 17, tobacco factory laborer, Joseph, 23, Margie, 15, Susie M., 12, Johnie M., 8, Percy, 6, and Prince, 21, and his wife Alice, 19; and grandchildren James, 12, Lawrence L., 7, and Willie L. Carroll, newborn.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 500 Stantonsburg Street, Jack Mincey, 61; wife wife Olivia, 58; sons Johnie, 20, and Percell, 19; and grandson Darance, 17.

In 1942, Percy Mincey registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 29 December 1922 in Wilson; lived at 500 Stantonsburg Street; his contact was Ben Mincey, 650 Wiggins; and he worked for Watson Warehouse, Goldsboro Street.

  • Ike Carpenter and his 12 Piece Orchestra — This would seem to be Isaac Carpenter, a white jazz bandleader from Durham, N.C., but biographies of Carpenter indicate he did not form his first band until 1945, and he generally led octets.
  • The Three Aces — This is another conundrum. The most well-known Three Aces group did not form until 1951.