Coleman

Sallie Coleman Bynum remembers.

Wilson Daily Times, 24 February 1994.

What a testimony!

——

  • Sallie Coleman Bynum

In the 1910 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: Henry Coleman, 38, farmer; wife Mary J., 28; and children Stella, 13, Willie, 8, Josiah, 7, William, 5, Mattie J., 4, and Sallie, 2.

In the 1920 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: on Old Wilson and Raleigh Road, farmer Henry Coleman, 50; wife Mary Jane, 40; and children Stella, 22, Willie, 19, Joesire, 17, William H., 16, Mattie J., 13, Sallie, 12, Bell, 10, Stephen, 8, Wiley, 7, and Eva, 1.

In the 1930 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Henery D. Coleman, 58; wife Mary J., 52; children Bill, 18, Stephen, 17, Willey, 15, Mattie, 22, Sallie, 20, Eva, 13, Guyes E., 9, Gurtice, 5; and grandson Ollie L., 10 months.

Sallie Coleman Bynum died 6 December 1994 in Wilson.

Lamm’s School stood on Lamm Road just north of present-day U.S. 64. The school was built in 1923 as Wilson County consolidated one- and two-room schools for white children into modern masonry buildings. The building was recently demolished to make way for a Chick Fil A.

  • Sugar Hill — An African-American neighborhood just west of Sims’ town limits.

Images of Historic Wilson County N.C., Images of North Carolina, lib.digitalnc.org.

The Coleman farmstead.

Mattie Barnes Robinson recently led me on a tour of her extended family’s current and former lands on Airport Boulevard. Mrs. Robinson attended Barnes School, which was just down the road and across the street from the farmstead on which she grew up. The house is gone, but traces remain on the land.

This tumbled chimney is all that remains of the house.

Remnants of the outbuildings. The pecan was already a mature tree during Mrs. Robinson’s childhood.

The well.

The pump in front of the Barnes School site.

Photos by Lisa Y. Henderson, October 2025.

Cemeteries, no. 36: the Coleman cemetery.

Descendants of Squire and Nancy Rountree Coleman once owned dozens of acres on the west side of Airport Boulevard south of Nash Street. Their family cemetery is tucked behind a cluster of commercial buildings at the corner of Airport Drive.

Gray Coleman Died [Illegible]

Fannie C. Harrison Born May 20 1877 Died Dec 17 1961

Maddie Coleman Aug. 14, 1911 Nov. 6, 1988 Memories of You Will Always Dwell In Our Hearts. Sleep On Aunt Mate. We Love You. The Family

S.J. Coleman Dec. 4, 1881 Aug. 27, 1956 God Touched Him And He Slept

Several pines and an old walnut tree shade the grounds.

Photos by Lisa Y. Henderson, October 2025.

Update: The removal of graves from Jones-Hill-Coleman cemetery.

I’ve written about the removal of graves from “Jones-Hill-Coleman” Cemetery in 1995. I was puzzled by the name of the cemetery, its unclear location, and the location of the “Eva Coleman Cemetery” to which some of the burials were reinterred.

Jones-Hill-Coleman Cemetery is clearly the cemetery more commonly called Jones Hill. The removal of graves certificate filed in October 1995 identified 11 graves to be removed to “the new Coleman” cemetery and ten to be moved to Rest Haven Cemetery because of “road construction.” An attached map, labeled “Jones-Hill-Coleman Cemetery,” shows an orderly six-row graveyard adjacent to Old Raleigh Road. I was thrown initially because this sketch bears little resemblance to Jones Hill in its current state. Also, while 44 graves in Jones Hill have been identified, the graves on this map mostly were labeled “adult,” “baby,” or “no one found.” I assumed, in error I now see, that this meant the graves were unidentified, which puzzled me because Jones Hill contains dozens of headstones. Last, though the map is marked not to scale, the graves seemed awfully close to the road compared to the front edge of Jones Hill now.

I’m still a little confused, but with further study, I have a somewhat better understanding. A road construction project required the removal of graves from the right-of-way buffering Old Raleigh Road.

Wilson Daily Times, 25 July 1995.

The burials in the public right-of-way primarily were descendants of Henry and Mary Jane Thompson Coleman, who had owned a 68-acre tract of land just north of the cemetery.

In 1990, that tract was divided among Henry Coleman’s heirs. Daughter Eva Coleman, now deceased, received tracts 2 and 3, containing 13.7 acres, at bottom right. See Wilson County deed book 1410, page 341.

Plat book 21, page 150, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

Google Maps aerial view of the area with a dotted line marking the lower boundary of the Coleman tracts and (A) at Jones Hill Cemetery.

Detail of 2013 plat map showing Jones Hill Cemetery, bottom left above “Old,” and the bottom edge of the Coleman tracts. Plat book 39, page 184.

Per the map attached to the removal of graves certificate, ten identified remains — mostly Joneses and Edmundsons — were moved to Rest Haven Cemetery in Wilson.

John Thomas Edmundson’s relocated grave in Rest Haven, courtesy of findagrave.com.

The other eleven graves — all but two unidentified — were moved to a new cemetery created on Eva Coleman’s land at a location described on a map of the cemetery attached to the certificate as:

The graves are not recorded at Findagrave.com. A zoomed-in perusal of the Eva Coleman tract on Google Maps reveals an area with housing and outbuildings surrounded by plowed fields. At the bottom corner of the tract, however, this clear area appears:

Though its location does not square easily with the description above, this would seem to be the Eva Coleman Cemetery. Can any family members confirm?

“Passing the legacy” — the Coleman-Barnes Family Reunion.

In 1942, when the descendants of Spicey Barnes Barnes and Hannah Barnes Coleman gathered for a birthday dinner to honor both sisters, they began a tradition that has lasted more than eight decades!

If Coleman-Barnes Reunion isn’t the longest-running African-American family gathering in Wilson County, I want to know what is!

——

  • Spicey Barnes Barnes

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: George Barnes, 55; wife Gracy, 45; and daughters Spicey, 7, and Hannah, 5.

On 5 January 1899, Joe Barnes, 35, of Wilson County, son of Richard Barnes and Amanda Toodle, married Spicy Barnes, 23, of Wilson County, daughter of George Barnes and Grace Strickland. Nestus Bagley applied for the license, and Free Will Baptist minister Daniel Blount performed the ceremony.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Jospeh Barnes, 26; wife Spicy, 25; and children Daisy A., 9, Wiley, 8, Naster, 7, Gray, 6, and Earnest, 1 month.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Joseph Barnes, 52; wife Spicy, 39; children Earnest, 10, George E., 8, Annie, 4, and Turner, 3; step-daughter Gracie Moore, 21; and children Daisy, 21, Leslie, 15, and Wily, 18.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Joe Barnes, 52; wife Spicy, 42; and children Ernest, 19, Geo., 16, Annie, 14, and Turner, 11.

On 23 December 1929, Ernest Barnes, 29, of Wilson, son of Joe and Spicy Barnes, married Lillie Ellis, 29, of Wilson, daughter of Jack and Mintree Yancey, in Wilson. Disciple minister W.W. Webb performed the ceremony in the presence of Calvin Baker, Ella Adams, and Martha Ellis.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Ernest Barnes, 40, widower; sister Annie, 38; and mother Spicey, 60, widow.

In 1942, Ernest Barnes registered for the World War II in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 12 May 1900 in Wilson; lived in Wilson County; his contact was mother Spicey Barnes; and he worked for Zell Winstead, Tarboro Street Extension.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 313 Finch, Ernest Barnes, 49, widower, cement mixer at concrete pipe company; mother Spicey, 78, widow; sister Annie, 44, tobacco factory picker; and cousin Stephen Coleman, 43, barber.

Spicey Barnes died 9 August 1963 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 June 1868 in Wilson County to George Barnes and Grace Barnes; lived at 414 Lane Street; and was a widow. Annie B. Barnes was informant.

  • Hannah Barnes Coleman

On 30 March 1894, Robert Coleman, 23, of Oldfields township, son of Jack and Nancy Coleman, married Hannah Barnes, 18, of Oldfields township, in Oldfields township, Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Robert Coleman, 39; wife Hannah, 25; and children Mary, 9, James, 7, and Clary, 4.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Finch Mill Road, farmer Robert Coleman, 46; wife Hannah, 39; and children James, 16, Clara, 14, Martha, 8, Thomas, 6, Stephen, 4, and Katrina, 3 months.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Finch Mill Road, farmer Robert Coleman, 52; wife Annie, 45; and children Martha, 18, Tom, 16, Stephen, 12, and Katie, 9.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Hannah Coleman, 57, and children James, 38, William G., 26, both farm laborers, and Stephen, 23, barber.

Martha Holley died 19 July 1934 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 33 years old; was born in Wilson County to Robert Coleman and Hannah Barnes; was married to Will Holley; lived in New Grabneck; worked on a farm; and was buried in Wilson [likely, Vick Cemetery.]

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Hannah Coleman, 68; son Thomas, 36; and grandsons Robert Holiday Holly, 14, William Holly, 13, and Cal Waddell Holly, 8.

William Thomas Coleman died 11 April 1973 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 18 February 1904 to Robert Coleman and Hannah Barnes; was a widower; lived on Black Creek Road; and had worked as a laborer. Darnell Coleman was informant.

Image of reunion program courtesy of Tijuana Locus. Thank you!

Odius and Della Coleman Farmer, exodusters.

Odius and Della Coleman Farmer were among the Wilson County migrants who streamed to Arkansas in the last Exoduster wave.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Washington Farmer, 43, wife Wady, 44, children Edith, 14, Fortin, 13, Gimsey, 11, John W., 8, Nancy, 6, and Orgius, 6, and farm laborer Nelson Thomas, 21.

In the 1880 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Washington Farmer, 52, wife Waity, 50, children Edieth, 25, Gincy, 21, John W., 18, Nancy, 16, and Ojus, 13, and granddaughters Mariah J., 5, and Margaret, 2.

In the 1880 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Nancy Coleman, 45, widow, and children Margaret, 13, Thomas, 12, Amos, 10, Della, 9, Henry, 7, and Fannie, 5.

On 6 February 1884, Washington Farmer, 55, married Nancy Coleman, 45 [Squire Coleman’s widow], at Nancy Coleman’s in Wilson County.

On 17 June 1887, Ossie Farmer, 20, of Wilson County, son of Wash Farmer and Nannie Coleman [sic] married Dellar Coleman, 17, of Wilson County, daughter of Squire Coleman and Nancy Coleman, at Washington Farmer’s in Oldfields township, Wilson County. J.H. Locus, N.T. Bagley, and Thomas Coleman witnessed the ceremony. [Odious Farmer and Della Coleman were step-siblings.]

In the 1900 census of Spring Creek township, Lee County, Arkansas: Odias Farmer, 33, farmer, born in North Carolina; wife Della, 25; and children Green, 11, Fannie, 7, Odias, 4, Mittie, 2, and Jackson, 10 months.

On 25 February 1912, Odeaus Farmer, 45, married Lizzie Jamerson, 34, in Aubrey, Lee County, Arkansas.

In the 1920 census of Spring Creek township, Lee County, Arkansas: Odius Farmer, 54, farmer, born in North Carolina; wife Annie, 41; and children Mittie B., 23, and Albert, 10. Next door: Odius Farmer Jr., 24; wife Mary E., 24; and son Tommy, 1.

In the 1930 census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois: at 162o West 14th Street, Oidus Farmer, 60, lumberyard laborer, and wife Ida, 40.

In the 1940 census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois: Odious Farmer, 73, widower, in the household of Leo and Evelyn Carter.

1942 draft registration card of Green Washington Farmer, son of Odius and Della Coleman Farmer. Green was born Wilson County shortly before the family migrated to Arkansas.

Odius Farmer, son of Washington Farmer, died 20 September 1940 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

The estate of Squire Coleman.

Years after his death, Squire Coleman’s children received their portions of the division of his land. On 1 June 1887, five of Coleman’s neighbors divided Coleman’s roughly 88 1/2 acres into equal shares among Margaret Bagley, wife of Nestus Bagley; Mary Atha Barnes, wife of Simon Morrison Barnes; Alphonzo Coleman; Gray Coleman; Della Coleman; Henry Coleman; Fannie Coleman; Amos Coleman; and Thomas Coleman.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Squier Coleman, 47, wife Nancy, 36, and children Gray, 18, Mary, 16, Afonzo, 9, Margret, 4, and Thomas, 2, plus Cassa Jordan, 70, Riley Jordan, 7, and Thomas Jordan, 25.

On 12 May 1875, Morrison Barnes, 23, married Mary A. Coleman, 23, at Squire Coleman’s in Wilson County.

Alphonso Coleman, 21, married Annis Barnes, 18, on 18 September 1878 in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Nancy Coleman, 45, widow, and children Margaret, 13, Thomas, 12, Amos, 10, Della, 9, Henry, 7, and Fannie, 5.

On 6 February 1884, Washington Farmer, 55, married Nancy Coleman, 45 [Squire Coleman’s widow], at Nancy Coleman’s in Wilson County.

On 18 December 1884, Nestus Bagley, 22, married Margarett Coleman, 20, at Washington Farmer‘s with J.W. Turner, Oscar Jones and James Locus witnessing.

On 17 June 1887, Ossie Farmer, 20, married Dellar Coleman, 17, at Washington Farmer’s in Wilson County. J.H. Locus, N.T. Bagley, and Thomas Coleman witnessed the ceremony.

On 24 September 1890, Thomas Coleman, 21, of Oldfields, son of Squire Coleman and Nancy Farmer, married Mollie Woodard, 17, of Taylors, daughter of Ben and Clara Woodard, in Wilson township. Witnesses were J.W. Farmer, John Barnes and Annie Peacock.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Washington Farmer, 73; wife Nancy, 69; and stepdaughter Fannie, 23.

On 27 January 1913, William Harrison, 50, of Taylors township, married Fannie Coleman, 35, of Taylors township, at Fannie Coleman’s. Missionary Baptist minister William Rogers performed the ceremony in the presence of Howard Farmer, Nestus Bagley, and Thomas Williams.

Nancy Farmer died 22 December 1921 in Taylors township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 96 years old; was the widow of Washington Farmer; was born Wilson County to George and Forten Rountree; and Thomas Coleman was informant.

Thomas Coleman died 1 December 1933 in Oldfields township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born December 1862 in Wilson County to Squire J. and Nancy Roundtree Coleman; was married to Mollie Coleman; and worked as a farmer. Fannie Coleman of 115 West Walnut Street, Wilson, was informant.

Margret Bagley died 23 February 1934 in Bailey township, Nash County, North Carolina. Per her death certificate, she was 68 years old; was born in Wilson County to Squire Coleman and Nancy Dew; was married to Nestus Bagley; and worked in farming.

On 6 July 1936, John W. [Alphonzo] Coleman died in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 73 years old; was born in Wilson County to Squire Coleman and Nancy Johnson; was married to Annis Coleman; was a farmer; and was buried in the farmer cemetery. Squire J. Coleman was informant.

Amos Carroll Coleman migrated to Orange County, Florida. When he applied for Social Security in 1938, he gave his birthdate as 3 March 1874 and his parents as Squire Coleman and Nancy Roundfield.

Mary Barnes died 7 August 1941 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 13 February 1845 in Wilson County to Squire Coleman; was the widow of Silas Barnes; and was buried in Barnes Cemetery.

Fannie Coleman Harrison died 17 December 1961 in Taylor township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 20 May 1879 in Wilson County to Square Coleman and Nancy Coleman; was widowed; was engaged in farming; and was buried in Coleman Cemetery. Mary B. Rountree was informant.

Estate of Squire Coleman (1887), North Carolina, U.S. Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

Amos C. Coleman of Winter Garden, Florida.

Migrants streaming out of Wilson County headed in many directions. Amos Carroll Coleman headed south to Florida.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Squier Coleman, 47, wife Nancy, 36, and children Gray, 18, Mary, 16, Afonzo, 9, Margret, 4, and Thomas, 2, plus Cassa Jordan, 70, Riley Jordan, 7, and Thomas Jordan, 25.

In the 1880 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Nancy Coleman, 45, widow, and children Margaret, 13, Thomas, 12, Amos, 10, Della, 9, Henry, 7, and Fannie, 5.

In the 1900 census of Midway precinct, Gadsden County, Florida: cooper Amos Coleman, 35, born in North Carolina; wife Fannie B., 29, born in Georgia; and children John H., 9, Annie M., 6, Dora B., 4, and Connie B., 2. All the children were born in Florida.

In the 1910 census of Winter Garden township, Orange County, Florida: Amos C. Coleman, 38, born in North Carolina, truck [farm] laborer.

Doll Baby Coleman died 9 October 1918 in Winter Garden, Orange County. Per her death certificate, he was born 27 February 1917 in Florida to Amos C. Coleman and Leila Smith, both of North Carolina.

In the 1920 census of Winter Garden township, Orange County, Florida: Amos C. Coleman, 46, farmer; wife Lela, 33; stepchildren Nancie L., 15, Lila, 12, Albert, 10, and Samuel, 9; and children Ina M., 6, Fannie, 5, and Idella, 11 months.

In the 1930 census of Winter Garden township, Orange County, Florida: in a home owned and valued at $500, Amos Coleman, 54, truck and orange farmer, and children Inamae, 17, Fannie, 16, Beatris, 9, and Arthur, 2.

In the 1935 state census of Florida: in Winter Garden, Amos C. Coleman, 61, laborer, and daughters Fannie, 21, and Beatrice, 14.

When Amos Carroll Coleman applied for Social Security in 1938, he gave his birthdate as 3 March 1874 and his parents as Squire Coleman and Nancy Roundfield.

In the 1940 census of Winter Garden township, Orange County, Florida: on the north side of Black Lake, Amos Coleman, 65, widower, dock construction laborer; daughters Fannie, 24, and Beatrice, 17; and grandsons Arthur, 9, and Amos Jr., 3.

Per the Florida Death Index, 1877-1998, Amos Coleman died in Orange County in 1945.