In February 1943, a Wilson County draft board announced the names of several dozen African-American men who had been sent to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, for induction into the United States Army.
On 30 March 1918, the Wilson County Draft Board inducted these 24 African-American men into military service and ordered them sent to Camp Grant, Illinois, for basic training.
Will McNeill registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born in 1895 near Denver, Colorado; resided on Sugg Street, Wilson; was a laborer for R.G. Lassiter & Company, Wilson; and was single. He was of medium height and slender, with black eyes and black hair. He signed his card with an X.
Zion Powell registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 4 April 1889 in Newport News, Virginia; resided in Wilson; was a laborer for Jake Matthews, Wilson; and was single. He was of medium height and weight, with black eyes and black hair. He signed his card with an X.
Alexander B. Joyner registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 5 June 1896, Wilson; resided at 616 Viola Street, Wilson; was a chair pusher (?) for Shill Company, Atlantic City; and was single. He was of medium height and weight, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his card ‘A.B. Joyner.’
Willis Hackaday
Samies Simpson registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 11 May 1896 in Rocky Point, North Carolina; resided at 525 Bank Street, Wilson; was a laborer for W.T. Russel Box Company, Wilson; and was single. He was of medium height and weight, with black eyes and black hair. He signed his card ‘Samie Simpson.’
Abert Robert Lee Bullock registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 19 February 1895 in Wilson; resided at 410 North Pine Street, Wilson; was a cook at the New Briggs Hotel in Wilson; and was single. He was short and medium build, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his card ‘Abert Robert Lee Bullock.’
Columbus Stewart registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 25 December 1895 in Feuquay Springs, North Carolina; resided in Wilson; was a convict in Wilson County; and was married. He was of medium height and weight, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his card ‘Columbus Stewart.’
Waverly Murfey registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born in 1896 in Mount Olive, North Carolina; resided in Wilson; was a prisoner on Wayne County Public Roads; and was single. He was tall and of medium build, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his card with an X.
Solister Coleman registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 30 April 1894 in Nichols, South Carolina; resided at 517 East Nash Street, Wilson; worked as an express laborer for Saw[?] Express, Wilson; and was single. He was of medium height and weight, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his card ‘Solister Coleman.’
Two African-American men named Will Barnes registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per their registration cards, the first was born 6 January 1890 in Wilson County; resided on East Street, Wilson; was a cook for C.E. Artis in Wilson; and was single. He was tall and of medium weight, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his card ‘Will Barnes.’ The second was born 13 August 1892 in Wilson; resided at 310 Kenan Street, Wilson; was a laborer for John Dew, Wilson; was married with a child. He was tall and of medium weight, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name with an X.
Raston Williams
George Hawkins registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born on an unspecified date in Wilson County; resided in Wilson, care of Wiley Corbett; was a stable boy for Ed Dillard, Wilson; and was single. He was tall and stout, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his card with an X.
Ernest Hines registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born on 24 December 1895 in Elm City; resided in Elm City; was a farm laborer for Geo. Gaston in Elm City; and was single. He was of medium height and weight, with black eyes and black hair. He signed his card with an X. The card carried this notation: “Registered by order of U.S. Marshal.”
Five African-American men named Henry Williams registered for the draft in Wilson County. This is most likely the Henry Williams born 1 January 1895 in Lynchburg, Virginia. Per his registration card, he resided in Wilson; worked on the roads of Wilson County; and was single. He was short and slender, with black eyes and black hair. He signed his card with an X.
Floyd Pender registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born in 14 March 1896 in Wilson County; resided in Wilson; was a bootblack for Tate & Hines in Wilson; and was single. He was short and medium weight, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his card ‘Floyd Pender.’
Stacey Edwards
Three African-American men named John Artis registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. This was most likely either John Ed Artis born 31 March 1889 in Stantonsburg or John Artis born 16 March 1894 in Wilson County. Per his registration card, the elder John Artis worked as a farmer for E.B. Graves of Wilson; was married with four children; medium height and weight, with dark eyes and hair. He signed his card with the X. The younger John Artis resided on East Green Street, Wilson; was a porter at Hotel Briggs, Wilson; and was single. He was short and of medium weight, with black eyes and hair. He signed his card with an X.
Lonnie Jackson registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 12 September 1895 in Beaufort County, North Carolina; resided at 217 Railroad Street, Wilson; was a laborer for Wilson Cotton Mill; and was single. He was short and of medium weight, with brown eyes and black hair. Notation: “Hand has been injured.” He signed his card with an X.
Burley Brooks registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 7 April 1896 in Greene County, North Carolina; resided at 615 Robinson Street, Wilson; worked repairing machinery forC.H. Darden in Wilson; and was single. He was tall and stout, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his card ‘Burly Brooks.’
Earnest Chester Byrd registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 17 March 1896 in Harnett County, Nirth Carolina; resided at 404 Goldsboro Street, Wilson; was a butler for Mrs. Ed. Woodard, Wilson; and was single. He was tall and of medium weight, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his card ‘Earnest C. Byrd.’
Strat Barnes registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born in 1895 in resided in Wilson; was a laborer for R.G. Lassiter & Company, Wilson; and was single. He was of medium height and weight, with black eyes and black hair. He signed his card with an X.
Amos Brooks registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born in 1896 in Black Creek; resided in Wilson; was a farm laborer for P.S. Horne, Black Creek township; and was single. He was of medium height and weight, with black eyes and hair. He signed his card with an X.
Plummer Williams registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born in 1896 in Pitt County, North Carolina; resided on R.F.D. 6, Wilson; was a farming hand for W.F. Woodard, Wilson; and was single. He was of medium height and weight, with dark eyes and hair. He signed his card with an X.
U.S. Lists of Men Ordered to Report to Local Board for Military Duty, 1917-1918, [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com; U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.
This undated form lists men to be inducted into military service by the Wilson County Draft Board.
James Davis registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 24 November 1889 in Vance County, North Carolina; lived in Spring Hope, North Carolina; was married; and was a fireman for Harris G Quarry Company, Neverson, North Carolina. He was tall, with dark eyes and black hair. He had a broken ankle, but “don’t know any thing about broken ancle.” He signed his name “James Norman Davis.”
Burley Brooks registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 2 April 1896 in Greene County, North Carolina; lived at 615 Robinson Street, Wilson; was married; and repaired machinery for C.H. Darden, Wilson. He was tall and stout, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name “Burly Brooks.”
Wade Brooks registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born in 1895 in Black Creek, North Carolina; lived in Wilson; was single with a dependent; and was a self-employed farmer in Black Creek. He was of medium height and build, with black eyes and black hair. He signed his name with an X.
McKinley Justice registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 15 March 1896 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina; lived at RFD#1, Elm City; was single; and was a farmer for Frank Williams, RFD#1, Elm City. He was of medium height and slender build, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name “McKinley Justice.”
Thomas Townsend registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 8 November 1885 in Person County, North Carolina; lived at 415 East Hines Street, Wilson; was single; and was a laborer for Imperial Tobacco Company, Wilson. He was of medium height and build, with black eyes and black hair. He signed his name “Thos Townsend.”
Earnest Chester Byrd registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 17 March 1896 in Harnett County, North Carolina; lived at 404 Goldsboro Street, Wilson; was single; and was a butler for Mrs. Ed. Woodard, Wilson. He was tall and of medium build, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name “Earnest C. Byrd.”
Strat Barnes registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born in 1895 in Wilson, North Carolina; lived on Goldsboro Street, Wilson; was single; and was a laborer for R.G. Lassiter & Co., Wilson. He was of medium height and build, with black eyes and black hair. He signed his name with an X.
Winsor Darden registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born September 1895 in Wilson, North Carolina; lived in Wilson; was single; and was a self-employed farmer. He was of medium height and stout, with black eyes and black hair. He signed his name with an X.
Charlie Sylvester Alston registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 27 March 1896 in Wilson, North Carolina; lived at 605 Green Street, Wilson; was single; and was a delivery boy for S.D. Moody, Wilson. He was of medium height and build, with dark brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name “Charles Sylvester Alston.”
Walter Applewhite registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 8 February 1896 in Saratoga, North Carolina; lived in Walstonburg, North Carolina; was married; and was a laborer at a saw mill for R.R. Shackleford. He was of medium height and build, with black eyes and black hair. He signed his name with an X.
Amos Brooks registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 1896 in Black Creek, North Carolina; lived in Wilson; was single; and was a farm laborer for J.S. Horne, Black Creek. He was of medium height and build, with black eyes and hair. He signed his name with an X.
Nathan Dunnican registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was 21 years old; born in Wilson township; lived at RFD#2, Wilson; was single; and was a farmer for S.J. Watson, RFD #2, Wilson. He was of short and slender, with dark black eyes and hair. He signed his name “Nathan Dunnisan.”
Plummer Williams registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 1896 in Pitt County, North Carolina; lived at RFD #6, Wilson; was single; and was a farm laborer for W.F. Woodard, Wilson. He was of medium height and build, with dark eyes and hair. He signed his name with an X.
Two men named Charlie Harris registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. (1) Per his registration card, the first was born 22 May 1891 in Wilson, North Carolina; lived at 504 Green Street, Wilson; was single; and was a laborer for Hackney Wagon Company, Wilson. He was of medium height and build, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name “Charlie Harris.” (2) Per his registration card, the second was born March 1894 in Wilson County; lived in Elm City; was single; and worked as a laborer for Williams Lumber Company, Wilson. He was of medium height and build and had black eyes and hair. He signed his card with an X.
Albert Howard registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 1892 in Wilson, North Carolina; lived in Wilson; was single; and was self-employed farmer. He was short and of medium height, with black eyes and black hair. He signed his name with an X.
Fred Woodard registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 1893 in Black Creek, North Carolina; lived in Stantonsburg; was single; and was a farmer for Fred Washington, Wilson. He was of medium height and slender build, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name with an X,
Matthew Whitehurst registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born October 1889 in Martin County, North Carolina; lived at RFD#1, Elm City; was single; and was a delivery boy for S.D. Moody, Wilson. He was of medium height and build, with dark brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name “Matthew Whitehurst.”
Willie Donald registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 7 March 1888 in Wilson County, North Carolina; lived at Stantonsburg, Wilson County; was single; and was unemployed laborer. He was of medium height and build, with black eyes and hair. He signed his name “Willie Donald.”
Ed Rogers Taylor registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 8 May 1896 in Wilson County, North Carolina; lived in Elm City; was married; and was a farmer. He was short and stout, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name with an X.
Arthur Darring registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 4 October 1894 in Wayne County, North Carolina; lived at 210 Carroll Street, Wilson; was single; and was an auto truck driver for Barnes-Harrell Company, Wilson. He was short and stout, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name “Arthur Darring.”
Elijah Farmer registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 24 September 1889 in Saint Louis [Lewis], North Carolina; lived in Wilson; was single; and was self-employed farmer in Black Creek. He was tall and of medium build, with black eyes and hair. He signed his name “Elijah Farmer.”
Paul Antrim Kelly registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 28 February 1896 in Wilson County, North Carolina; lived in Elm City; was single; and was a laborer at Williams Lumber Company, Elm City. He was tall and slender, with black eyes and hair. He signed his name “Paul Antrim Kelly.”
Walter Haskins
William Gaskins
David Barnes registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 3 March 1895 in Wilson, North Carolina; lived at 612 East Green Street, Wilson; was single; and worked as a barber for Tate & Hines, Wilson. He was short and medium build, with blue eyes and brown hair. He signed his name “David Barnes.”
U.S. Lists of Men Ordered to Report to Local Board for Military Duty, 1917-1918, [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com; U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.
On 31 July 1918, the Wilson County Draft Board inducted these 17 African-American men into military service and sent them to Camp Greene, outside Charlotte, North Carolina, for basic training.
John Henry Hunt registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born January 1891 in Spring Hope, North Carolina; lived at 613 Goldsboro Street, Wilson; was married; and was a laborer for contract and engineering company R.G. Lassiter & Co., Wilson. He was of medium height and build, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name “John Henry Hunt.”
Lovett B. Harris
Mark Guy Smith registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born March 1896 in Wilson; lived on RFD#2, Wilson; was single; and was a laborer for his father. He was medium height, slender, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name with an X.
Louis Lampley registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 29 April 1896 in Red Springs, North Carolina; lived at Black Creek; was single; and was a self-employed farmer in Black Creek township. He was tall and slender, with black eyes and hair. He signed his name “Louie Lampley.”
Luther Harris
John Coon
Frank G. Newsom registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 15 February 1889 in Lucama; lived in Lucama; had a wife and child; and was a self-employed farmer in Black Creek township. He was of medium height and build, with black eyes and hair. He signed his name “Frank G. Newsome.”
Henry Bullock registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 1 June 1896 in Wilson; lived at RFD#1, Wilson; was single; and was a quarry hand for The [illegible] Granite Quarries Company, Neverson, North Carolina. He was of medium height and build, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name with an X.
Joseph Palmer registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 15 August 1893 in Wilmington, North Carolina; lived in Wilson; was married with dependents; and was a prisoner in Wilson County. He was of medium height and build, with dark eyes and hair. He signed his name “Joe Palmer.”
Jonah Artis registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 7 August 1895 in Wayne County, North Carolina; lived in Stantonsburg; was single; and worked as a laborer and farmer. He was of medium height and build, with black eyes and black hair. He signed his name with an X.
Turner Mitchell
Columbus King registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 13 July 1890 in Wilson County; lived Stantonsburg; was single; and was a farm laborer for W.T. Harrison. He was short and stout, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name with an X.
Johnie Farmer registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 4 February 1895 in Wilson; lived on Finch Mill Road, Wilson; was single; and was a butler for Mrs. F.S. Davis. He was tall and stout, with black eyes and black hair. He signed his name “Johnie Farmer.”
Arthur Vance Williams registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 25 February 1896 in Wilson County; lived on R.F.D. route, Elm City; was single; and farmed for W.M. Whitehead near Elm City. He was of medium height and build, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name “Arthur Williams.”
Howard Barnes registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born May 1889 in Wilson township; lived on Green Street, Wilson; was single; and was a servant for W.S. Harriss. He was tall and stout. He signed his name with an X.
Abner Gorham registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 19 November 1893 in Washington, North Carolina; lived at East Goldsboro Street, Wilson; was married; and was a drayman for Wells Grocery Company. He was tall, of medium build, with brown eyes and black hair. He signed his name with an X.
Liston Hales registered for the draft on 5 June 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 3 June 1896 in Lake View, South Carolina; lived at 605 Green Street, Wilson; was single; and was a laborer for W.W. Simms Company. He was of medium height, stout with brown eyes and black hair, and his “arm [had] been broken.” He signed his name with an X.
U.S. Lists of Men Ordered to Report to Local Board for Military Duty, 1917-1918, [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com; U.S. World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.
