Contentnea Creek

Willie Richardson, age 13, drowns.

Wilson Daily Times, 11 June 1934.

Wilson Daily Times, 12 June 1934.

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In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 East Hines Street, at $12/month, coal yard helper Junious Richardson, 31; wife Rose, 27; and children Willie, 9, and Henry, 2 months.

Willie Richardson died 10 June 1934 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 9 May 1921 in Wilson to Junius Richardson of Selma, N.C., and Rosevelt Battle of Portsmouth, Virginia; was in school and unmarried; and lived at 412 East Walnut Street, Wilson.

The death by drowning of Leander Sauls.

Wilson Daily Times, 10 March 1922.

Wilson Daily Times, 25 March 1922.

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Lee Ander Sauls registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County in 1918. Per his registration card, he was born 11 [illegible] 1899; lived at Route 3, Stantonsburg; was a farm laborer for Claude Foster; his contact was Ivery Artis, Fremont, Wayne County; and he had lost one eye. He signed his card “Leander Sauls.”

On 19 July 1919, Lee Sauls, 21, of Stantonsburg, married Bessie Barnes, 20, of Stantonsburg, in Wilson County.

In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: tenant farmer Lee A. Sauls, 21; wife Bessie, 20; children Mary F., 14 months, and John L., 1 month; and mother-in-law Ceilie Barnes, 61, widow.

Leander Sauls died 26 February 1922 in Stantonsburg township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 23 years old; was born in Wilson County to Ivey Artis and Emia Sauls; was married; and farmed for W.A. Batts. Eddie Sauls was informant.

Found in Contentnea Creek.

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Wilson Daily Times, 27 April 1938.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: John Ellis, 48, day laborer; wife Marry, 50, washing; and children Antney, 21, and Alex, 18, draymen, James, 16, Marry, 14, and Delphia, 8.

James Ellis, 45, daughter of John and Mary Ellis, married Viola Keath, 35, daughter of James and Edmonia Perrington, on 6 January 1934 in Wilson.

James Ellis died 16 April 1938. Per his death certificate, he was born 22 March 1884 in Wilson to John Ellis and Mary Daniel; lived at 621 Suggs; was married to Viola Ellis; and worked as a laborer. His cause of death: “suicide by drowning in creek/body found 4-26-38.”

Baptizing at Contentnea Creek.

WDT_6_6_1911_J_Williams_baptizing_at_Contentnea_Creek 1

Wilson Daily Times, 6 June 1911.

Rev. Jonah Williams (1845-1915) was a Primitive Baptist elder who led several African-American congregations in Wayne, Wilson and Edgecombe Counties, including London Church and Barnes Chapel in Wilson and Little Union near Town Creek, east of Elm City. Born free near Eureka in Wayne County to Vicey Artis, a free woman, and Solomon Williams, her enslaved husband, Rev. Williams spent his final years living in Wilson.