Daniels

R.A. and Matilda Daniels Givens of Muskogee, Oklahoma.

We’ve met L. Henry Daniels and Elizabeth Lassiter Daniels, who joined the migration from Wilson County to Arkansas with their eldest children around 1890.

In the 1900 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: day laborer Henry Daniels, 55; wife Elizabeth, 46; and children William H., 17, Matilda A., 15, Mary J., 15, and Rice B., 7. All were born in North Carolina except the youngest child.

On 26 May 1904, Matilda Daniels, 19, married R.A. Givens, 30, in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas. Within months, the Givenses relocated to Muskogee, Indian Territory [now Oklahoma], where Rufus A. Givens opened a jewelry and watchmaking business and blitzed the local Black press with advertising.

Muskogee Cimeter, 28 July 1904. 

Muskogee Cimeter, 22 September 1904. 

Muskogee Cimeter, 23 February 1905. 

Muskogee Cimeter, 4 May 1905.

The Muskogee Unionist, 23 June 1905.

Muskogee Cimeter, 17 August 1905.

Muskogee Cimeter, 9 November 1905.

Muskogee Phoenix, 11 January 1906.

Muskogee Cimeter, 28 February 1908.  

In the 1910 census of Muskogee, Porter township, Muskogee County, Oklahoma: at 124 South 2nd Street, Rufus A. Givens, 36, jeweler in own shop; wife Matilda, 35; and children Thelma, 5, Mable E., 4, Neomia Y., 3, and son Rufus P., 1. [Curiously, Matilda’s age is off (she was about 25), and her birthplace is listed as Kentucky, though her parents’ was North Carolina.]

Creek Baptist Herald, 4 January 1912.

In the 1912 Muskogee, Oklahoma, city directory: Givens Rufus A (Matilda A) c[olored] silver smith res Lincoln Add

By 1916, the Givenses had opened an eponymous hotel near the Midland Valley Railroad Depot in downtown Muskogee.

The Muskogee Tattler, 29 July 1916.

The Muskogee Tattler, 5 August 1916.

In 1918, Rufus Adolphus Givens registered for the World War I draft in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Per his registration card, he was born 24 February 1874; lived at 703 Dunbar Avenue, Muskogee; was a self-employed watchmaker at 226 Elgin, Muskogee; and his contact was Matilda Givens.

The Tulsa Star, 2 February 1918.

In the 1930 census of Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma: at 1103 South 2nd Street, rented for $17/month, Rufus A. Givens, 54, jewelry shop proprietor; wife Matilda, 43; daughter Mable Robins, 23, and granddaughter Juanita Robins, 3; and children Neoma, 20, Rufus Jr., 18, shoe repair apprentice, Lillian, 15, Earl, 11, and Arthuree, 7.

Rufus Adolphus Givens died about 1933.

Arthuree Matilda Daniels Givens died 23 December 1963 in Muskogee.

Many thanks to Thelma Simmons for the tip about her ancestors Matilda and Rufus Givens!

B.W.A. Historical Marker Series, no. 20: Golden Rule Kindergarten.

In this series, which will post on occasional Wednesdays, I populate the landscape of Wilson County with imaginary “historical markers” commemorating people, places, and events significant to African-American history or culture.

We been here.

Former site of Golden Rule Kindergarten. The Daniels home, which stood in front of the school building, was recently demolished.

GOLDEN RULE KINDERGARTEN

Founded 1947 by Rev. Hattie Daniels. Operated in building behind her home at 908 Wainwright St. For nearly 30 years, educated hundreds of East Wilson children. Legacy continues at Hattie Daniels Day Care Center.

The last will and testament of Sarah Daniel.

On 17 March 1863, Sarah Daniel made her mark on a will that, among other things, bequeathed twelve enslaved African-Americans to her daughters and granddaughter.

Daughter Elizabeth Rountree was to receive Silvia, Anarchy, Henry, and May.

Granddaughter Elizabeth Daniel was to receive Celia.

Daughter Penelope Daniel was to receive Serena, Esther, Lawrence, little Serena, Amos, Caroline, and Rufus.

Sarah Daniel appears in the 1850 census of Wayne County, North Carolina, with her daughter Penney. She lived near present-day Eureka and reported owning nine people in the 1850 slave schedule. By 1860, she had moved a few miles north into the Black Creek area of Wilson County and reported owning 14 enslaved people. Despite her relative wealth, I have not found much about her, including her maiden name or husband’s name.

Daniel died in 1864, and her son-in-law James Rountree handled her affairs. The auction of her personal property reveals a robust In a petition found in her estate records, Rountree asserted that Daniel’s daughter Penelope was “non compos” (non compos mentis, “of unsound mind”) and under the guardianship of Dr. A.G. Brooks, that her son Moses Daniel had moved out of state and could not be found for distribution of the $1000 she left him, that her granddaughter was married and now known as Elizabeth G. Upchurch, but that otherwise the estate had been settled.

Within a year, of course, Sarah Daniel’s plans were undone, and all those named in her will as property went free.

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On 4 January 1870, Amos Daniel, son of Matthew Barnes and Serrena Daniel, married Jane Simms, daughter of Axum Barden, at J.P. Barden’s in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Rena Daniels, 55, with Leah, 32, Carolin, 16, John, 11, Gray, 9, and Elizabeth, 1 month. Next door: Amos Daniel, 20, and wife Jane, 19.  [This appears to be “big” Serena, Caroline, and Amos in the will above. Where was Leah in 1863? Was the bequest to Penelope Daniel a family group, i.e. Serena and her children? ]

Around 1871, Gray Rountree, son of Thomas Barnes and Fanny Rountree, applied for a  license to marry Leah Daniels, daughter of Matthew Barnes and Rainey Daniel, in Wilson County. (They did not return the marriage license.)

On 1 February 1873, Joseph Horn, 22, married Caroline Daniel, 18, at Cerena Daniel’s in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer Gray Rountree, 38; wife Lear, 38; children Elizabeth, 11, Walter, 9, Fannie, 7, Rena, 6, West, 3, and Neelie Rountree, 1; and son Gray Newsome, 15.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Joseph Horn, 27, farmer; wife Caroline, 24; children Slah [Selah?], 7, and Jefferson Horn, 5; and Milbry Horn, 14.

Cancer instruction.

Wilson Daily Times, 6 August 1949.

The Wilson County chapter of the American Cancer Society sent Mercy Hospital nurse Sylvia Daniels to attend a training course in cancer nursing at Durham’s North Carolina College (now North Carolina Central University.)

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Hill’s Wilson, N.C., City Directory (1947).

Clipping courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.

Pray to God for rain.

Wilson Daily Times, 30 June 1944.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 62 East Nash, wood and coal salesman Henry Edwards, 73, widower.

Henry Evan Edwards died 21 November 1944 at Mercy Hospital in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 17 March 1869 in Greene County, N.C., to Lafayett Edwards; and lived at 620 East Nash Street. He was struck by a car while crossing a street. Joseph Edwards, 620 East Nash, was informant.

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35 When heaven is shut up and there is no rain because they have sinned against you, if they pray toward this place and acknowledge your name and turn from their sin, when you afflict them,

36 then hear in heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel, when you teach them the good way in which they should walk, and grant rain upon your land, which you have given to your people as an inheritance.

37 If there is famine in the land, if there is pestilence or blight or mildew or locust or caterpillar, if their enemy besieges them in the land at their gates, whatever plague, whatever sickness there is,

38 whatever prayer, whatever plea is made by any man or by all your people Israel, each knowing the affliction of his own heart and stretching out his hands toward this house,

39 then hear in heaven your dwelling place and forgive and act and render to each whose heart you know, according to all his ways (for you, you only, know the hearts of all the children of mankind),

40 that they may fear you all the days that they live in the land that you gave to our fathers.

The obituary of Thomas Daniel.

Wilson Daily Times, 9 June 1948.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Mac Daniel, 45; wife Fanny, 36; and children Thomas, 5, Annie, 4, Willie, 3, Jane, 1, and Beatrice, 5 months.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 635 Vance Street, widow Fannie Daniel, 35, and children Thomas, 17, Annie, 15, Willie, 14, James, 13, Beatrice, 9, and Mary, 8.

On 30 November 1936, Tom Daniel, 36, of Wilson, son of Mark and Fannie Daniel, married Mamie Dixon, 31, of Wilson, daughter of Robert and Nilia Hodges, in Wilson.

In 1940, Tom Daniel registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 12 June 1905 in Wilson County; lived at 715 East Vance Street, Wilson; his contact was his mother Fannie Daniel of the same address; and he was unemployed.

Thomas Daniels died at his home at 544 East Nash Street on 7 June 1948. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 June 1903 in Wilson County to James Mal Daniels of Reidsville, N.C., and Fannie McGowan of Kernersville, North Carolina; worked as a common laborer; was married to Lossie Daniels; and was buried in Rest Haven cemetery. Mary Daniels, 715 East Vance Street, was informant.

Clipping courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.

L. Henry and Elizabeth Lassiter Daniels, exodusters.

After reading the recent post about Hardy Lassiter, Thelma Simmons reached out to alert Black Wide-Awake that another Lassiter migrated to Arkansas. Elizabeth Lassiter Daniels and her family arrived in Pine Bluff around the same time as her cousin Hardy.

In the 1860 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Silas Lassiter, 38; wife Orpie, 34; children Sallie, 12, Mary, 11, James, 9, John, 7, Elizabeth, 5, Penina, 4, Hardy, 3, Silas, 1, and George, 2 months; and Delpha Simpson, 14. [Note: there were several Hardy Lassiters in this family. Silas Lassiter’s father was named Hardy Lassiter, and Silas named a son after him. Similarly, Silas’ brother Green Lassiter also named a son Hardy, and this Hardy was the one who migrated to Arkansas.]

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Silas Lassiter, 47, and children Ophelia, 25, Mary, 20, Elizabeth, 16, Handy, 14, Penninah, 15, Silas W., 12, Milly, 8, and Jerusha, 4.

On 24 December 1879, Henry Daniels, 33, married Elizabeth Lassiter, 24, at E. Lassiter’s in Wilson County. B. Barnes and Short Barnes were witnesses.

On 20 May 1892, Henry Daniels, alias Henry Lewis Daniels, applied for an invalid pension for his service in Company K, 14th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery. [I am seeking more information about his Civil War service.] Daniels filed from Arkansas, the state to which the family had recently migrated.

In the 1900 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: day laborer Henry Daniels, 55; wife Elizabeth, 46; and children William H., 17, Martha A., 15, Mary J., 15, and Rice B., 7. All were born in North Carolina except the youngest child.

In the 1908 Pine Bluff, Arkansas, city directory: Daniels Henry (c) mach Prescott Table & Furn Co r 1013 w 8th av

In the 1910 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: odd jobs laborer Henry Daniels, 66; wife Bettie, 37; and children Henry, 27, street laborer, and Matilda, 10. Bettie reported that only three of her ten children were living.

On 3 March 1912, W.H. Daniel, 30, married Willie Floyd, 24, in Pine Bluff.

In 1918, William Henry Daniels registered for the World War I draft in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Per his registration card, he was born 23 September 1879; lived at 506 East 17th Avenue; worked as a laborer for Standard Lumber Company, Pine Bluff.

In the 1920 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: at 500 East 17th, Henry Daniels, 78; wife Elizabeth, 65; daughter Mary Webb, 30, and grandchildren Ulus, 10, Felton, 9, Louise E., 8, and Mary, 3. Next door: W. Henry Daniels, 38, born in N.C., railroad shop laborer; wife Willie, 32, born in Georgia; and children Justine, 6, Thurland, 4, Rosabelle, 3, and Doretha, 4 months. [Hardy and Nellie Lassiter occupied the household on the other side of Henry and Elizabeth Daniels, in effect right around the corner.]

Lewis Henry Daniels died 30 May 1920 in Pine Bluff. Per his death certificate, he was 79 years old; was married; was born in North Carolina; was “bright” colored [i.e. very light-skinned]; and lived at 500 East 17th Street. W.H. Daniel was informant. The cause of death: “operation of the eye and heart troubles.” Contributing factor: “Old cival war Soldier.”

In the 1927 Pine Bluff, Arkansas, city directory: Daniels Elizabeth (c) h 500 e 17th av

In 1942, William Henry Daniels registered for the World War II draft in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Per his registration card, he was born in 23 September 1881 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 506 East 17th; he worked for Cotton Belt Railroad, East 2nd Avenue, Pine Bluff; and his contact was Mrs. Willie F. Daniels.

William Henry Daniels Sr. died 25 November 1945 in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 September 1880 in Wilson, N.C., to Lewis Henry Daniels and Elizabeth Lassiter; was a laborer; and was married to Willie L. Daniels. Doretha M. Daniels was informant.