We’re keeping the birthday love flowing for Cora Green Wellington Dawson, who turned 98 on February 28!
Dawson
The obituary of Sophia Dawson Artice of Cleveland, Ohio.
The Call and Post (Cleveland, Oh.), 7 June 1952.
Sophia Dawson Artice was another of Alexander D. and Lucy Hill Dawson‘s accomplished children. After graduating Scotia Seminary, she married Jesse A. Artice, but he died less than two years later. Artice taught for decades in Wilson County before migrating to Cleveland, Ohio.
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In the 1900 census of Concord Town, Township #12, Cabarrus County, N.C.: at Scotia Seminary, student Sophia L. Dawson, 16.
In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: restaurant cook Alexander Dawson, 50; wife Lucy, 49; and children Sophie, 25, school teacher, Mattie, 23, stenographer, Virginia, 19, school teacher, Lucile, 17, Alexander, 15, Clarence, 13, Augusta, 11, and Arlander, 1.
Also, in the 1910 census of Huntington, Cabell County, West Virginia: at Colored Orphans Home, teacher Sophia L. Dawson, 25, born in N.C.
In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Dawson Sophia (c) tchr h 505 E Vance
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: A.D. Dawson, 59, widower, and daughter Sophey Dawson, 28, public school teacher.
On 26 May 1920, Jesse Artis, 37, of Wayne County, son of Jesse and Lucinda Artis, married Sophia Dawson, 30, daughter of A.D. Dawson, in Wilson. Presbyterian minister H.B. Taylor performed the ceremony at 650 East Green Street in the presence of C.L. Darden, F.L. Artice, and Eugene Norman.
Jessie Arthur Artis died 9 March 1922 in Nahunta township, Wayne County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was 39 years old; was born in Wayne County to Jessie Artis and Lucinda Hobbs; worked as a tenant farmer for his mother; and was buried in the “country” by C.H. Darden & Son. Sophia Artis of Wilson was informant.
Sophia Artis is listed in the 1925, 1928, and 1930 Wilson city directories.
Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory (1928).
In the 1950 census of Cleveland, Cuyahoga township, Ohio: Sophia Artice, 64, widow, and Lucy Artice, 38, lodgers.
The partition of Joseph Dawson’s lot.
We examined Joseph Dawson‘s estate file here.
The same day administrator Elijah L. Reid distributed one-tenth shares to Dawson’s widow and children, he filed suit seeking the sale of a house and lot on an alleyway north of and parallel to Green Street, i.e. Viola Street. Plaintiffs were widow Emma Artis Dawson and minors William H. Dawson and Joseph Dawson Jr. Defendants were (Emma Dawson’s step-children) W.H.O. Dawson and wife Emma Dawson; Alfred Dawson and wife Dora Dawson; William Sherrod and wife Polly A. Dawson Sherrod; Allison Dawson; Frank Dawson; Dempsey Dawson; and Fred Dawson.
Given the number of parties with interests in the property, an actual partition of the land was impractical. Division of the proceeds of a sale made more sense. Emma Dawson averred that she was 27 years old and had a life expectancy of 37.4 [additional?] years, which would factor into the calculation of her dower amount.
W.M.O. Dawson and wife Emma Dawson, Alfred Dawson and wife Dora Dawson, Frank Dawson, and Dempsey Dawson lived out-of-state, and plaintiff Emma Dawson requested their summonses be served by publication.
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- Emma Artis Dawson Reid
In the 1880 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer Richard Artis, 30; wife Susan A., 23; children Lucinda, 5, Emma, 3, and Ivey, 1; and brother Noah Artis, 23, farm laborer.
In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Joseph Dawson, 45, farmer; wife Emma, 22; sons William H., 2 months, Frank, 19, and Fred, 17; and other relatives.
In the 1910 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer John G. Reid, 40; wife Emma, 32; and sons William H., 10, Joseph, 8, and Johnie E., 1.
In the 1920 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer John G. Reid, 50; wife Emma, 42; and children Joseph, 17, John Eddie, 11, Jesse, 9, Rosa Mae, 7, Leander, 6, and Marvin, 4.
In the 1930 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer John G. Reid, 60; wife Emma, 52; and children John E., 21, Jessie, 19, Rosa M., 17, Leanders, 15, Marvin, 14, and Hadie, 10.
In the 1940 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer John G. Reed, 70; wife Emma, 62; and children Leanders, 27, Marvin, 25, and Hadie, 20.
Emma D. Reed died 5 December 1964 in Fremont, Wayne County. Per her death certificate, she was born 26 June 1890 [more like 1866] in Wayne County to Richard Artis and Susizanna [no maiden name]; and was buried in Turner Swamp cemetery. Rosa M. Yelverton was informant.
- William H. Dawson
In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Joseph Dawson, 45, farmer; wife Emma, 22; sons William H., 2 months, Frank, 19, and Fred, 17; and others.
In the 1910 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer John G. Reid, 40; wife Emma, 32; and sons William H., 10, Joseph, 8, and Johnie E., 1.
In 1918, William Henry Dawson registered for the World War I draft in Wayne County. Per his registration card, he was born 16 December 1899; lived near Fremont, Wayne County; farmed for John G. Reid; and his contact was Emma Reid.
On 25 January 1920, William Dawson, 24, of Nahunta township, Wayne County, son of Emma Reed, married Appie Thompson, 23, of Nahunta, daughter of Cussie Thompson, in Nahunta township, Wayne County, N.C. Joseph Dawson was one of the witnesses.
In the 1930 census of Eureka precinct, Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer William H. Dawson, 30; wife Appie, 33; and children Hubert L., 8, William O., 5, and Bertha M., 4 months.
In the 1940 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer William H. Dawson, 40; wife Appie, 43; and children Hubert Lee, 17, William O., 14, and Bertha Mae, 10.
In 1942, William Henry Dawson registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 16 December 1899 in Wilson; lived as 625 East Viola, Wilson; his contact was William Oscar Dawson; and he worked under contract at Marine Barracks, New River, Onslow County, N.C.
William H. Dawson died 15 June 1964 and was buried in Turner Swamp Primitive Baptist Church cemetery, Eureka, Wayne County.
- Joseph Dawson Jr.
In the 1910 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer John G. Reid, 40; wife Emma, 32; and sons William H., 10, Joseph, 8, and Johnie E., 1.
In the 1920 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer John G. Reid, 50; wife Emma, 22; and children Joseph, 17, John Eddie, 11, Jesse, 9, Rosa Mae, 7, Leander, 6, and Marvin, 4.
On 24 August 1924, Joseph Dawson, 22, of Nahunta township, son of Joe and Emma Dawson, married Corintha Rowe, 19, of Nahunta township, daughter of Julius and Sarah Rowe, at Julius Rowe’s house in Nahunta township, Wayne County.
In the 1930 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer Joseph Dawson, 28; wife Corrina, 25; and children Annie, 8, Hattie R., 7, Sarah J., 5, Joseph Jr., 3, Alfonza, 2, and Emma, 11 months.
Annie Dawson died 15 December 1930 in Nahunta township, Wayne County. Per her death certificate, she was 8 years old; was born in Wayne County to Joe Dawson and Corena Rowe, both of Wilson County; and was buried in Daniel graveyard, Wayne County.
In the 1940 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer Jospeh Dawson, 38; wife Corina, 35; and children Hattie, 17, Sara Jane, 15, Joseph Jr., 13, Alphonso, 12, Emma, 11, Irene, 9, Bula May, 7, Mary Ann, 6, Lilly Ruth, 4, and Pauline, 3 months.
Joseph Dawson Jr. and wife Corinthia Rowe Dawson. Photo courtesy of Bernard Patterson.
Joseph Dawson [Jr.] died 12 September 1958 in Black Creek township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 March 1902 in Wilson County to Joseph Dawson and Emma Artis; resided in Fremont, Wayne County; was married to Corintha Dawson; and was buried in Turner Swamp cemetery.
- W.M.O. Dawson and wife Emma Dawson
- Alfred Dawson and wife Dora Dawson
In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farm laborer Joseph Dawson, 23; wife Waity, 24; children Alfred, 5, and Rosey, 7 months; and others.
In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph Dawson, 34; wife Waity, 38; children Alfred, 15, Roscoe, 11, Dempsey, 8, Polly Ann, 6, Mathew, 4, Alison, 2, and infant, 2 months; and others.
On 16 December 1886, Alfred S. Dawson, 22, of Wilson County, married Polly Coley, 17, of Wayne County, daughter of Raiford and Smithy Coley, at the bride’s father’s residence in Nahunta township, Wayne County.
On 25 January 1894, Alfred S. Dawson, 28, of Edgecombe County, son of Joseph and Waittie Dawson of Wilson County, married Tasandre Maclin, 27, in Rocky Mount, Edgecombe County.
- William Sherrod and wife Polly Ann Sherrod Dawson
In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph Dawson, 34; wife Waity, 38; children Alfred, 15, Roscoe, 11, Dempsey, 8, Polly Ann, 6, Mathew, 4, Alison, 2, and infant, 2 months; and Tobithy Sanders, 20, farmworker.
On 6 December 1892, Willie Sherwood [Sherrod], 21, of Black Creek township, son of Jack and Catherine Sherwood, married Polly Dawson, 18, of Black Creek township, daughter of Joe and Waity Dawson, in Black Creek.
- Allison Dawson
In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph Dawson, 34; wife Waity, 38; children Alfred, 15, Roscoe, 11, Dempsey, 8, Polly Ann, 6, Mathew, 4, Alison, 2, and infant, 2 months; and Tobithy Sanders, 20, farmworker.
Perhaps: Albert Dawson died 2 April 1918 in Durham, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was about 32 years old; was born in Wilson County to Joseph Dawson; was married to Bettie Dawson; worked as a foreman at Liggett & Myers; and lived at 1008 Lynchburg Street. He was buried in Violet Park cemetery.
- Frank Dawson
In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Joseph Dawson, 45, farmer; wife Emma, 22; sons William H., 2 months, Frank, 19, and Fred, 17; nieces Martha, 23, Laura A., 20, and Charity Saunders, 10; and boarder James Allen, 21.
- Dempsey Dawson
In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph Dawson, 34; wife Waity, 38; children Alfred, 15, Roscoe, 11, Dempsey, 8, Polly Ann, 6, Mathew, 4, Alison, 2, and infant, 2 months; and others.
On 23 June 1910, E.L. Reid in Wilson County filed for letters of administration for the estate of Dempsey Dawson. His estate was estimated at a value of $74, and his heirs were Allison Dawson, W.M.O. Dawson, Polly Ann Sherrod, Frank Dawson, and Fred Dawson.
- Fred Dawson
In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Joseph Dawson, 45, farmer; wife Emma, 22; sons William H., 2 months, Frank, 19, and Fred, 17; nieces Martha, 23, Laura A., 20, and Charity Saunders, 10; and boarder James Allen, 21.
The estate of Joseph Dawson.
Records from Joseph Dawson‘s estate file offer a detailed look at the possessions of a prosperous African-American Wilson County farmer at the very beginning of the twentieth century.
Dawson died in early 1902, Samuel H. Vick and Henry C. Rountree were appointed to assess Dawson’s personal estate for the calculation of Emma Artis Dawson‘s support for herself and her two young children.
Elijah L. Reid was later appointed administrator of the estate. He filed with the court an exquisitely detailed inventory and account of the sale of Dawson’s personal property and, in January 1904, a final account of receipts and disbursements. Among those who picked over Dawson’s farm tools, animals, produce, and furnishings were family members and African-American men like Raiford Dew, Huel Newsome, Elijah L. Reid, Edmond Williams, James Grice, and Henry S. Reid.
Dawson’s heirs divided $431.04, each receiving one-tenth. Dr. Reid noted that son Dempsey Dawson had left North Carolina “some years ago, and when last heard from was in the city of New York. This was in 1900.” His share was paid to the clerk’s office for safekeeping.
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In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farm laborer Joseph Dawson, 23; wife Waity, 24; children son Alfred, 5, and Rosey, 7 months; Rachel Sanderson, 18, and Betha Sanderson, 10.
In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph Dawson, 34; wife Waity, 38; children Alfred, 15, Roscoe, 11, Dempsey, 8, Polly Ann, 6, Mathew, 4, Alison, 2, and infant, 2 months; and Tobithy Sanders, 20, farmworker.
On 28 January 1897, Joseph Dawson, 46, married Emma Artis, 18, in Nahunta, Wayne County, N.C.
In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Joseph Dawson, 45, farmer; wife Emma, 22; sons William H., 2 months, Frank, 19, and Fred, 17; nieces Martha, 23, Laura A., 20, and Charity Saunders, 10; and boarder James Allen, 21.
Albert Dawson died 2 April 1918 in Durham, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was about 32 years old; was born in Wilson County to Joseph Dawson; was married to Bettie Dawson; worked as a foreman at Liggett & Myers; and lived at 1008 Lynchburg Street. He was buried in Violet Park cemetery.
Joseph Dawson [Jr.] died 12 September 1958 in Black Creek township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 March 1902 in Wilson County to Joseph Dawson and Emma Artis; resided in Fremont, Wayne County; was married to Corintha Dawson; and was buried in Turner Swamp cemetery.
A guardian for Fannie Oates.
Odd Fellows members frequently stood to handle the personal affairs of their lodge brothers’ families. Emma Oates died in 1908, leaving her minor daughter Fannie Oates a small inheritance. [Fannie’s father Charles Oates was still living. Was he divorced from Emma Oates at her death?] Samuel H. Vick applied to serve as guardian for Fannie’s financial affairs, and Alexander D. Dawson joined him to post a bond. Vick, Dawson, and Charles Oates were members of Hannibal Lodge #1552, and all were buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Funeral Program Friday: Elnora Cotton Dawson (1914-2015).
Selden Institute.
When Lucy A. Dawson died in 1917, her daughter Mattie Dawson was teaching at Selden Institute in Brunswick, Georgia.
Established in 1903, Selden merged in 1933 with Gillespie Institute, the Cordele, Georgia, school run by another Wilson native, Augustus S. Clark.
The site of the school’s campus is now a public park, and only the headmaster’s house remains of the original buildings.
Photos by Lisa Y. Henderson, June 2024.
Dawson nuptials in Norfolk.
The New Pittsburgh Courier covered the 1947 wedding of A.D. and Lucy Hill Dawson‘s granddaughter Wilhelmina Elaine Dawson to Robert L. Smith in Norfolk, Virginia. The bride’s father, Alexander D. Dawson Jr., migrated from Wilson to Norfolk around 1915.
New Pittsburgh Courier, 28 June 1947.
- Alexander D. Dawson
In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: restaurant cook Alexander Dawson, 50; wife Lucy, 49; and children Sophie, 25, school teacher, Mattie, 23, stenographer, Virginia, 19, school teacher, Lucile, 17, Alexander, 15, Clarence, 13, Augusta, 11, and Arlander, 1.
In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory Dawson Alex D Jr (c) barber h 505 E Vance
In 1917, Alexander Dawson registered for the World War I draft in Norfolk, Virginia. Per his registration card, he was born 26 July 1894 in Wilson, North Carolina; lived at 363 Queen Street, Norfolk; was single and had one child; and worked as a barber for J.H. Jackson, Norfolk.
In the 1920 census of Norfolk, Virginia: journeyman barber Alexander Dawson, 25, and wife Madie, 23.
In the 1930 Norfolk, Virginia, city directory: Dawson Alex D (c; Maddie) barber Terminal Barber Shop h 432 Lewis
- Cora Fitch and son Jerome Fitch
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 516 Lodge, letter carrier Milton Fitch, 30; wife Cora, 31; children Jerome, 7, Milton, 3, Patricia, 2, and Ernestine and Christine, born the previous December; father-in-law Walter Whitted, 58; and mother-in-law Helen Whitted, 56, 6th grade school teacher.
- Eva Hines
Probably, in the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 303 Elba Street, Eva Hines, 50, household servant; son Charlie, 21, yard boy; and daughter Henrietta, 13, shared a household with Louis Hines Jr., 21, whiskey storage loader; wife Dolly M., 19, tobacco stemmer; and daughter Martha L., 6 months.
Historic Black Business Series, no. 7: Alexander D. Dawson’s fish and oyster shop.
The 500 block of East Nash Street is justly remembered as the 20th century epicenter of Wilson’s African-American-owned businesses. However, in the late 1800s and early 1900s, Black entrepreneurs and tradespeople also operated across the tracks. As Wilson’s downtown experiences a resurgence, let’s rediscover and celebrate these pioneering men and women.
Check in each Sunday for the latest in the Historic Black Business Series!
(I missed last Sunday — I ran out of photographed signs — so you’ll get two this week. Or maybe I’ll just double up every week for Black History Month.)
In 1908, Alexander D. Dawson, a former teacher and local Republican Party stalwart, operated a fish and oyster stall in the city hall and market building in the 100 block of North Goldsboro Street. (Also the present-day site of City Hall.) Dawson was listed as a “dealer in fish” in the 1900 census, but it’s not clear when he been hawking his wares at the city market.
Wilson city hall, market, and fire department, circa 1900.
However, it appears he shut down the stall soon after. In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: restaurant cook Alexander Dawson, 50; wife Lucy, 49; and children Sophie, 25, school teacher, Mattie, 23, stenographer, Virginia, 19, school teacher, Lucile, 17, Alexander, 15, Clarence, 13, Augusta, 11, and Arlander, 1. By 1912, Dawson operated a small eating house two blocks away from the city market at 215 South Goldsboro Street, the heart of Wilson’s tobacco warehouse district.
Though A.D. Dawson lived until 1930, it appears that he closed his restaurant before 1916.
Postcard courtesy of North Carolina Digital Heritage Center’s digitalnc.org.
Students at North Carolina College.
From the 1949 edition of The Eagle, the yearbook of North Carolina College for Negroes [now North Carolina Central University], sophomore Johnnie Parker and freshman Thomas V. Dawson.
- Johnnie Parker — Johnnie Parker registered for the World War II draft in 1941. Per his registration card, he was born 12 October 1923 in Wilson County; lived at Route 4, Gardners township, Wilson; his contact was Cary Banks, Wilson; and he worked for Julius Parker.
- Thomas V. Dawson — Thomas Virgil Dawson registered for the World War II draft in 1944 in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 1 April 1926 in Wilson; lived at 619 East Green Street; his contact was grandfather Charlie Thomas; and he was a student at Darden High School.