death certificates

Where did they go?: Georgia death certificates, no. 2.

The counties in which these Wilson County natives died are all in south Georgia and suggest migration to work in the naval stores industry after North Carolina’s longleaf pines were tapped out.

  • Joseph Horne

In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farm laborer Abraham Horne, 45, with Jefferson, 30, Gray, 15, Lettuce, 17, Rayford, 13, Jeff Davis, 8, and Milburn Horne, 6; and Martha Holland, 14.

In the 1880 census of District 384, Dodge County, Georgia: Columbus Barnes, 24; Gray Horne, 22; Samuel Jenkins, 18; Alfred Caruthers, 20; and Everett Farmer, 20. All were described as laborers, and all were born in North Carolina except Caruthers, who was a native Georgian.

On 12 December 1893, Joseph Grey Horn married Tena Small in Glynn County, Georgia.

In the 1920 census of Militia District 1356, Glynn County, Georgia: farmer Joe Horne, 74; wife Clementina, 42; daughter Rosalee Henry, 2 [sic]; and grandson Edwin Henry, 3 months.

Joseph Horne died 22 June 1924 in Southern Junction, Glynn County, Georgia; was about 59 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Abraham Horne and an unnamed mother; was married; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Freeman Rest cemetery. Clementine Horne was informant.

In the 1930 census of Militia District 1356, Glynn County, Georgia: widow Climentine Horn, 48, farm laborer; daughter Rosalee Club, 24, widow; and grandson Edwin Hinry, 10.

  • Grant Thorn

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Warren Thorne, 28; wife Rachel, 28; and children Louisa, 16, Stephen, 15, Rosa, 5, Grant, 4, John, 3, and Patsey, 10 months.

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Lewis Woodard, 36; wife Bashaby, 32; son Henry, 16, farm laborer; and servant Grant Thorn, 14.

In the 1900 census of Arabi village, Dooly County, Georgia: turpentine laborer Grant Thorn, 35, born in North Carolina, and wife Evie, 35.

In the 1910 census of Militia District 762, Crisp County, Georgia: turpentine laborer Grant Thomas, 45, born in North Carolina; wife Julia, 28; and daughter Florie M., 9; sister-in-law Dina Shivers, 40, private family cook, and niece Adel Shivers, 18, public school teacher.

In the 1920 census of Arabi township, Crisp County, Georgia: in Turpentine Quarters, naval stores laborer Grant T. Thorn, 55, born in North Carolina; wife Julia, 36; and children Grant T., Jr., 7, and Evans L., 4.

Grant Thorn died 10 May 1925 in Arabi, Crisp County, Georgia. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1859 in Wilson County, N.C., to Warren Thorn and Rachal Thorn; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Little Rock Cemetery, Arabi. John Thorn was informant.

In 1940, Evans Lawton Thornes registered for the World War II draft in Palm Beach County, Florida. Per his registration card, he was born 1 February 1915 in Arabi, Georgia; lived at 2126 Contentment Avenue, West Palm Beach, Florida; his contact was mother Julia Thornes; and worked for John Zennie, West Palm Beach

In 1941, G.T. Thornes registered for the World War II draft in Crisp County. Per his registration card, he was born 17 July 1912 in Crisp County; lived at R.F.D. No. 2, Arabi, Crisp County; his contact was mother Julia Ray Thornes; and worked for H.W. Hamilton, Arabi, Crisp County.

  • Lucy Burgess

In the 1920 census of District 1157, Berrien County, Georgia: farmer Joe W. Burgess, 50; wife Lucy, 48; nephews Brie, 10, and Jim, 8; and nieces Minnie, 16, and Agnes Perry, 13.

Lucy Burgess died 20 March 1926 in Nashville, Berrien County, Georgia. Per her death certificate, she was 52 years old; was born in Wilson County, N.C., to Trim Body and Jennie [maiden name not listed]; was married; and worked as a cook. J.N. Burgess was informant.

  • Lizzie Bradley

Lizzie Bradley died 6 October 1924 in Fort Mudge, Ware County, Georgia. Per her death certificate, she was born 28 May 1882 in Wilson, N.C., to Ike Williams and an unnamed mother; was married to R.B. Bradley; and worked as a domestic. Mattie Williams was informant.

  • Allen Mercy

In the 1900 census of Smiths township, Laurens County, Georgia: farmer Allen Mercer, 40, farmer; wife Bettie, 44; son Willie, 18; and daughter Anna, 14.

In the 1910 census of Smiths township, Laurens County, Georgia: farmer Allen Mercer, 50, born in North Carolina, and wife Bettie, 52, born in Virginia.

Allen Mercy [Mercer] died 22 April 1922 in Dublin, Laurens County, Georgia. Per his death certificate, he was 65 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to John and Sarah Mercy; was a widower; and worked as a ditcher. Johnny Mercy was informant.

  • Daniel Barnes

In the 1900 census of Abbeville, Wilcox County, Georgia; Alison Atwater[?], 60; wife Mollie, 45; stepson Daniel Barnes, 21; and grandsons Mager Shaws, 13, and Richard Barnes, 4. All were born in North Carolina except Richard, who was born in Georgia.

Daniel Barnes died 23 November 1920 in Fitzgerald, Ben Hill County, Georgia. Per her death certificate, he was 42 years old; was born in Wilson County, North Carolina, to Daniel Barnes and Mollie [maiden name not given]; was married; lived in Osierfield, Georgia; and was buried in Abbeville, Wilcox County, Georgia. Lawyer Davis was informant.

Where did they go?: Georgia death certificates, no. 1.

The counties in which these Wilson County natives died are all in south Georgia and suggest migration to work in the naval stores industry after North Carolina’s longleaf pines were tapped out.

  • Adam Oates

In the 1880 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: Albert Oates, 51; wife Bettie, 34; and children Charles, 13, Turner, 11, Adam, 9, and Willie, 3.

In the 1910 census of Cairo, Grady County, Georgia: city drayman Adams Oates, 37, and wife Emma, 35.

In the 1920 census of Cairo, Grady County, Georgia: sawmill laborer Adams Oates, 57, and wife Emma, 46.

Adam Oates died 7 February 1928 in Cairo, Georgia. Per his death certificate, he was an estimated 47 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Albert Oates and Rebecca [maiden name not known]; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Cairo Cemetery.

  • William Barden

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Bryant Bardin, 61, farm worker; wife Annise, 52; and children Francis, 15, William, 10, and Richard, 8.

William Barden died 6 May 1928 at Charity Hospital, Savannah, Georgia. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 June 1872 in Wilson, N.C., to Bryant Barden and an unnamed mother; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Laurel Grove Cemetery.

  • John Lynch and Noah Lynch (brothers)

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: brick maker Wyatt Lynch, 48, wife Nicey, 35, and children Harriet, 4, and John, 1.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on the south side of the Plank Road, widow Nicy Lynch, 40, children Harriot, 13, John, 11, Noah, 9, Sammy, 7, and Mary Wyatt, 3, with mother-in-law Nancy Lynch, 98.

On 12 January 1892, Noah Lynch married Mary A. Horne in Dodge County, Georgia.

In the 1910 census of Rawlings township, Dodge County, Georgia: farmer Noah Lynch, 40, born in North Carolina; wife Mary, 35; and children John, 18, odd jobs laborer, Noah Jr., 15, Hattie, 13, Rachel, 10, and George, 6.

In the 1920 census of Rawlings township, Dodge County, Georgia: farmer Noah Lynch, 50, born in N.C.; wife Mary, 48; son George, 20; daughter-in-law Cary, 16; son John, 25l daughter-in-law Pinkey, 23; and orphan Edgar Thomas, 12.

John Lynch died 5 March 1929 in Eastman, Dodge County, Georgia. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1869 in Wilson, N.C., to Wyatt Lynch and an unnamed mother; was married to Queen Lynch; and worked in farming. He was buried in Pleasant Hill cemetery, Dodge County. Noah Lynch was informant.

In the 1930 census of the Town of Eastman, Dodge County, Georgia: Noah Lynch, 60, born in N.C.; wife Mary, 53; daughters Hattie M., 26, and Rachel, 23; and granddaughter Hattie M. Jones, 7.

In the 1940 census of the Town of Eastman, Dodge County, Georgia: at 520 Sixth Street, Noah Lynch, 67, farmer, born in N.C.; wife Mary, 65, laundress; roomer Hattie M. Jones, 18; and granddaughter Johnnie M. Lynch, 1.

In the 1950 census of the Town of Eastman, Dodge County, Georgia: Noah Lynch, 78, born in N.C.; wife Mary, 76; and granddaughter Johnnie Mae Lynch, 11.

Noah Lynch, 78, died 2 December 1950 in Decatur, Georgia. Daughter Rachel Chatman was appointed temporary administrator.

  • Harvey Williams

In the 1920 census of Douglas, Coffee County, Georgia: at 615 Coffee Street, fertilizer factory worker Harvey Williams, 45, born in North Carolina, and wife Susan, 39, born in South Carolina.

Harvey Williams died 22 August 1928 in Douglas, Coffee County, Georgia. Per his death certificate, he was about 50 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C.; did public work; was married to Susan Williams; and was buried in Douglas Cemetery.

  • Victoria Bird

In the 1910 census of Militia District 58, Emanuel County, Georgia: on Wadley Southern Railroad, Willie Byrd, 28; wife Victoria, 18, born in South [sic] Carolina; and children Earnest, 6, Wiley Lee, 4, Ethel, 2, and Katie, 2 months.

In the 1920 census of the Town of Aline, Candler County, Georgia: farmer Willie Bird, 35; wife Sugar, 22; and children Ethel, 12, Ernie Lee, 14, Ernest, 16, Katie, 10, Lula, 7, and Willie, 3.

Victoria Bird died 13 March 1920 in Aline, Candler County, Georgia. Per her death certificate, she was 27 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Willie Strickland and Silvie Binon; was married to Will Bird; and worked as a farmer. She was buried in New Life Cemetery. [Hillard Strickland, 21, married Silvia Bynum, 20, on 21 March 1879 in Wilson County.]

Where did they go?: Pennsylvania death certificates, no. 7.

The seventh in a series — Pennsylvania death certificates for Wilson County natives:

  • Minnie McCowan Brown

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In the 1870 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Anna McGown, 35, washerwoman; and children William, 16, Emma, 15, Bettie, 13, Margaret, 8, Charles, 6, and Samuel, 2.

  • Matilda Roberts Battle

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In the 1910 census of Suffolk, Virginia: furniture salesman W.M. Roberts, 37; wife Sally, 32; and children Leroy, 12, Matilda, 7, Sally A., 4, and Bessie May, 2, all born in North Carolina.

  • Emma Ellis Bunn

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In the 1870 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: Hilliard Ellis, 43, farmer; wife Feribee, 40; and children Caroline, 16, William, 14, George, 11, Emily, 9, Hilliard, 6, Mary A., 4, and Warren, 8 months.

  • Benjamin Edward Earle

  • Harvey Chesterfield Dasher

Per an index of delayed birth certificates, Harvey Chesterfield Dasher was born in 1902 in Wilson County to Charles Dasher and Carrie Pitts.

In the 1920 census of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County, Ohio: at 2403 East 39th Street, pullman porter Harvey C. Dasher, 36, born in New York; wife Carrie, 34, born in North Carolina; son Harvey Jr., 17, department store elevator operator, born in North Carolina; and lodger Hattie Johnson, 42, born in North Carolina.

In the 1930 census of Manhattan, New York County, New York: dining car waiter Harry Newsome, 39; wife Carrie, 43; and son Harvey Dasher, 25, barber; all born in Virginia.

In the 1940 census of Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts: in the state prison, Harvey Dasher, 38, born in North Carolina.

 

Where did they go?: Indiana death certificates, no. 2.

Death certificates of Wilson County natives who died in Indiana.

  • Caroline Shirley Simms

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Caroline Simms died 30 July 1922 in Indianapolis. Her death certificate reports that she was born September 1850 in Wilson, North Carolina, to Robert Shirley and Caroline Barnes.

Jefrey Simms, son of Willis Hagans and Dicey Simms, married Carolin Barnes, daughter of Robert Dupree and Meneney Dupree, on 19 April 1869 in Wilson County. In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Jeffrey Simms, 24, wife Caroline, 21, and an unnamed one month-old daughter.

In the 1880 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: North Carolina-born laborer Jeff Sims, 35, wife Carline, 25, and daughters Martha, 10, Maliza, 6, Lillie, 3, and Laura, 1.

In the 1900 census of Indianapolis, Center township, Marion County, Indiana: at 746 Walnut, North Carolina-born widow Caroline Simms, 47, a washerwoman, with daughters Mary, 27, Laura, 21, and Bessie, 17. Mary was a divorced washerwoman. Laura was a servant, and Bessie, the only child born in Indiana, was a student.

In the 1920 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: at 2323 North Rural Street, Virginia-born Robert Evans, 43, hotel porter, Indiana-born wife Elizabeth, 33, public school teacher, and North Carolina-born mother Caroline Sims, 63. (All described as white.)

The death certificates of her daughters Mary Simms Berry and Laura Simms Clemmons are here.

  • Stella Tomlinson Maxwell

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Stella Maxwell died 17 October 2000 aged 100. Her death certificate reports that she was born in Wilson County, North Carolina, on 24 April 1900 to Ernest Thomlingson and Nancy Newsom.

  • Lewis Henry Deans Sr.

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Lewis H. Deans died 25 January 2004 in Indianapolis. His death certificate reports that he was born 11 October 1913 in Elm City, North Carolina, to Joshua Deans and Julia Arrington.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Josuah Deams, 62; wife Julia, 39; and children Glendora, 19, Minnie, 14, Daisy, 13, James, 11, Ernest, 9, Allen 8, Louis, 6, Armon and Norman, 4, John, 2, and Mary and Martha, 8 months.

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on the By Road, Josh Deans, 71; wife Julia, 50; and children James, 21, Louis, 16, Orman and Norman, 15, John, 13, and Mary and Martha M., 10, Josh A., 9, and Julia, 7.

Lewis left Wilson County in the 1930s. In 1938, he married Gilberdia T. Lathery in Macomb County, Michigan, north of Detroit. Their marriage license listed his residence as Washington, D.C., and occupation as porter.

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  • Lilly Evora Simms Harris

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Lilly Harris died 8 February 1911 in Warren, Marion County, Indiana. Her death certificate reported that she was born in Wilson, North Carolina, on 26 January 1875 to Jeff Simms and Caroline Shirley. [See above.]

In the 1880 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: North Carolina-born laborer Jeff Sims, 35, wife Carline, 25, and daughters Martha, 10, Maliza, 6, Lillie, 3, and Laura, 1.

In the 1900 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: at 1818 Rural, day laborer Robert Harris, 24, and wife Lillie, 23.

  • Louisa Artis Hester

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Louisa Hester died 10 June 1921 in Indianapolis. Her death certificate states that she was born 27 December 1855 in Wilson, North Carolina, to Lewis Artis and Louisa Artis.

In the 1900 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: at 1021 South West Street, day laborer William Hester, 55, wife Louisa, 53, Indiana-born daughter Clarissa McGown, 23, son-in-law Nathen, 25, a railroad porter, grandson Harreld, 5, and granddaughter Babe, 2 months.

In the 1910 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: train cook Ned McGowan, 36, wife Clara, 36, and children Harold, 15, and Abbie, 10, plus William Hester, 58, and wife Louisa Hester, 62.

  • Henry Joyner

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Henry Joyner died 11 February 1940 in Indianapolis, Indiana. His death certificate reports that he was born 15 October 1861 in Wilson, North Carolina to unknown parents.

On 24 January 1882, Henry Joyner, 24, married Annie Knight, 26, in Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: at 1117 North Tremont Street, Henry Joyner, 49, wife Anna, 35, and children Edwin, 13, Stella, 11, Laura, 9, George, 7, Thomas, 4, and Cora, 2.

In the 1910 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: at 1117 North Tremont Street, Henry Joyner, 55, wife Annie, 44, and children Edwin, 23, Laura, 19, George, 16, Thomas, 14, Cora, 11, Cecil, 9, and Henry, 7. Edwin was born in North Carolina; the other children in Indiana.

In the 1920 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: at 1117 North Tremont Street, Henry Joyner, 60, wife Anna, 5o, and children Laura, 28, George, 26, and Thomas, 24.

In the 1930 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: at 2858 Highland Place, Henry Joyner, 73, wife Annie C., 65, son George E., 36, grandsons Harry Booker, 10, and Chas. R. Joyner, 7.

  • John D. Kersey

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John D. Kersey died 24 June 1901. His death certificate reported that he was 13 years old and born in Wilson, North Carolina, to Walter D. Kersey and Anis Williams.

  • Walter D. Kersey

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Walter D. Kersey died 30 March 1915 in Indianapolis’ City Hospital. His death certificate reports that he was born 28 May 1862 in North Carolina to John Kersey and Julia Richardson.

In the 1870 census of Wilson, Wilson County: blacksmith John Kirsey, 45, wife Julia, 42, and children Louisa 19, Idella, 16, John, 13, Walter, 10, and Robt., 9.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: blacksmith John Kersey, 61; wife Julia, 53; and son Walter, 21; plus boarder William Joyner, who worked in the blacksmith shop.

In the 1910 census of Center township, Marion County, Indiana: widower Walter Kersey, 40, a blacksmith, was a boarder in a household at 914 Weikel Street.

  • Sidney Lucas 

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  • Martha Ann Simms Ratcliffe

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Martha Ann Ratcliffe died 12 February 1961 at her home at 711 Dorman Street, Indianapolis. Her death certificate reports that she was born 8 May 1871 in Wilson, North Carolina, to Jeff Sims and Caroline Shirley. (See Caroline Simms above.)

In the 1880 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: North Carolina-born laborer Jeff Sims, 35, wife Carline, 25, and daughters Martha, 10, Maliza, 6, Lillie, 3, and Laura, 1.

In the 1900 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: day laborer Xanophene Sims [sic], 35, wife Martha, 29, and children Roy, 4, Wallie, 3, and Ruth, 5.

Martha and Xenophon Ratcliffe lost a son, Wayne, on the same day he was born, 19 June 1908. In 1916, another tragedy struck Martha Simms Ratcliff’s family:

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Indianapolis News, 2 May 1916.

In the 1920 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: Kentucky-born Xenophon Ratcliff, 63, a school board janitor; wife Martha, 55, a cook; Walter, 22, meat presser in a packing house; Ruth, 21, , Carrie, 20, Elizabeth, 18, Jeff S., 15, Martha, 13, and nephew Walter Ratcliff.