Edgecombe County NC

Signal Boost: Freedom Organization’s cemetery project.

Among its many initiatives, Edgecombe County’s Freedom Organization has been working to restore Princeville’s Wilson Cemetery, the resting place of many of that historic community’s early residents. Many hands make light work, and I share here news of their next Community Conversation. The event falls on the Saturday between Lane Street Project’s two February service days, so you can make all three!

JOIN FREEDOM ORG AT THE NEXT COMMUNITY CONVERSATION
February 15, 2025, 12:00pm – 2:30pm
Princeville Town Hall
201 S. Main Street, Princeville, NC 27886

“Through our Wilson Cemetery Restoration Project, we’re working to restore and preserve sacred community landmarks. By mapping unmarked burial sites and clearing historic spaces, we’re ensuring that these stories remain part of our shared cultural heritage.

“Stay tuned for updates and ways to get involved. Together, we can honor the past and protect it for future generations.”

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For more information about Freedom Org and its work in community economic development, agriculture, and historic and cultural preservation, see http://www.freedomorg.org and follow them on Instagram @freedomorgnc.

Studio shots, no. 253: Vesta Mae Joyner Hagans.

Vesta Mae Joyner Hagans (1866-1940).

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In the 1880 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: Henry Joyner, 35, farmer; sister Mary Joyner, 35; nieces Adline, 20, Georgianna, 19, India, 17, and Harriet, 13, and Vesta Joyner, 17; nephews Henry, 8, and Lafayett Joyner, 16, laborer; and mother Nancy Joyner, 84.

On 12 March 1891, Bisco Hagins, 24, of Gardners township, son of Richard and Allie Hagins, married Vesta Joyner, 24, of Gardners township, daughter of Charlotte Joyner, in Gardners township, Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Bisco Hagan, 33; wife Vesta, 33; and children Lee, 7, Willie, 4, and Carrie, 2.

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Gooch and Parkers School House Road, farmer Briscoe Haggin, 44; wife Vistie, 44; and children Lee, 16, Willie, 14, Clara, 12, Joseph, 9, and Johnie, 5.

Willie Hagans died 21 January 1915 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1896 to Bisco Hagan and Vester Joyner; and worked as a farmer; was single.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Rocky Mount Road, Brisco Hagins, 53; wife Lestie, 53; children Clara, 22, Joseph, 19, and John, 15; granddaughters Minnie, 8, and Bessie Hagins, 5; and boarder Noah Vick, 19.

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Brisco Hagans, 63; wife Vestie, 63; and granddaughters, Minnie, 18, and Bessie, 15.

In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Bisco Heggans, 74; wife Vistie, 74; and grandchildren Minnie, 27, and Sam, 21.

Vesta Hagans died 29 June 1940.

On 2 March 1941, Joseph Hagans, 40, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born in North Carolina to Bisco and Vestie Hagan, widower, and Juverna Holloman, 26, of Philadelphia, daughter of William and Bessie Holloman, were married in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Anne Wimberley.

The sale of Dinah.

Know all men by these presents that I Redmon Curl of the County of Edgecombe And State of North Carolina for and in the consideration of the sum of fifty dollars to me on hand paid by Brittain Barker of the county and state a fore said have bargain sold and delivered And by these presents do Bargain sell and deliver unto the said Brittain Barker a certain Negro Woman Known by the name of Dinah to have and to hold the said Woman Dinah from me the said Redmon Curl my heirs Executors and Administrators unto him the said Brittain Barker his heirs Exers Admrs or assigns And I the said Redmon Curl doth hereby covenant promise and agree that I will Warrant and forever defend the title of the said Woman Dinah from my self my heirs Exers Admrs in witness whereof I the said Redmon Curl have hereunto Set my hand and seal this 27th day of October 1834

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Robert Barnes /s/ Redmon Curl

Wilson [County, North Carolina] Enslavement Records, 1855-1864, http://www.familysearch.org.

Allen A. Hines of Temperance Hall (and Toisnot.)

We’ve met Frank M. Hines, the young Edgecombe County register of deeds who attended Lincoln University with Samuel H. Vick and other young lions of Wilson. Hines’ hometown is listed in Lincoln’s 1882-83 catalog as Toisnot, i.e. Elm City. Similarly, Shaw University’s combined 1878-82 catalog includes A.A. Hines of Toisnot as a student in its Classical Department.

A.A. Hines, in fact, was Frank M. Hines’ elder brother (and both were sisters to Susan Hines Pyatt.) As they claimed a Wilson County residence, we claim them.

In the 1870 census of Cokey township, Edgecombe County: domestic servant Hannah Hines, 42, and children Harriet, 21, Susan, 17, Sarah, 11, Jerry, 13, Frank, 7, and Allen, 20, farmer.

On 26 May 1872, Allen Hines married Amanda Baker in Edgecombe County.

However, Amanda Baker Hines remarried in 1878 in Edgecombe County. Curiously, her and her husband’s household two years later included her former husband. In the 1880 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: Elbert Mordecai, 28; wife Amanda, 25; children Lewis, 7, Katherine, 5, and George, 1; and Allen Hines, 24 laborer. [Louis and Catherine were Allen Hines’ children.]

In 1883, a newspaper brief lists Allen Hines as a Edgecombe County grand juror. In the 19 August 1886 edition of the Greensboro North State, reporting on Edgecombe County’s Republican convention. A.A. Hines is named as a member of the committee on credentials (with W. Lee Person), and Frank M. Hines was nominated as county register of deeds. Jarrett Staton was appointed delegate to the judicial convention.

Allen Hines’ brother Frank died in 1889. His estate consisted of a small lot in Rocky Mount, and his heirs were Sallie Norris (wife of Ed Norris), Susan Pyatt (wife of Booker Pyatt), Harriet Barnes (wife of Demus Barnes), John Hines, and Louis and Catherine Hines, the children of Allen Hines, deceased. Allen Hines’ slender estate file contains a single sheet — his brother John’s 1892 application for guardianship for his niece and nephew, whose estate was valued at $175. (Their mother, stepfather, and half-siblings migrated to East Feliciana Parish, Louisiana, in the late 1890s.)

He may be around Stantonsburg.

The North-Carolina Standard (Raleigh, N.C.), 22 November 1848.

Rufus W. Edmondson, who lived in what was then far southeastern Edgecombe County, near Stantonsburg, sold a man named Cager to William T. Hopkins, who appears to have lived in Wake County, North Carolina. In October 1848, Cager stole away — perhaps to return “home.”

Now look at Edgecombe County!

I’m super-excited to learn of this partnership between North Carolina Department of Transportation and North Carolina State University to map unmarked burial sites in Edgecombe County. 

Especially this part: “‘A part of Edgecombe County was absorbed by the formation of Wilson County in 1855, which demonstrates that neighboring areas are likely to be impacted by this research,’ [Tunya] Smith said. ‘Family histories are not confined to county lines. If you have roots in eastern North Carolina, you may find that you have a story to share with this project team.'” Indeed!

Lane Street Project: Rocky Mount’s Displaced Cemetery.

Last summer, I was so caught up in awe and amazement at Rocky Mount’s support of Union Cemetery that I completely missed this.

On 27 June 2023, Rocky Mount’s Historic Preservation Commission presented to city council a request to designate as a Local Historic Landmark a small city-owned African-American cemetery active from about 1915 to about 1981. The overgrown cemetery contains, among others, graves of several prominent African-Americans, including W. Lee Person and Charles H. Darden‘s brother Peter Darden. The packet submitted in support of the request is top-tier, starting with the declaration in “I. General Information” that “one goal of this application is to recover history that has been largely erased.” The history and significance of Displaced Cemetery are then set out in detailed context.

I have included here the text portions of the packet. For more, see here. It is not clear to me whether the City of Rocky Mount accepted the recommendation. The Commission’s website appears to need updating and does not list the Displaced Cemetery among the City’s Local Historic Landmarks.

The obituary of Gray Reid.

Wilson Daily Times, 13 March 1950.

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In the 1910 census of Otter Creek township, Edgecombe County: farmer Amos Read, 64; lodger Gray Read, 57, and children Gray, 18, Eligh, 15, Margrett, 13, and John, 13.

On 11 February 1915, Gray Reed Jr., 23, of Gardners township, son of Gray and Lucy Reed, married Mary Hagans, 18, of Gardners township, daughter of James and Hannah Hagans, in Wilson County. Primitive Baptist minister Ruffin Hyman performed the ceremony.

In 1917, Gray Reid registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born July 1891 in Edgecombe County, N.C.; and had an injured leg.

In the 1940 census of Burgaw, Pender County, North Carolina: Gray Reid, 48, formerly of Edgecombe County, N.C., inmate at North Carolina State Prison Camp.

Gray Reid died 11 March 19 1950 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 22 November 1891 in Edgecombe County to Gray Reid and Lucy Joyner; lived at Route 3, Wilson; was a widower; and worked as a laborer. Elijah Reid, 300 South East Street, was informant.

Dunn struck and killed while riding bicycle.

Wilson Daily Times, 20 March 1950.

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In the 1920 census of Cokey township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: farmer Rosette Dunn, 42; son Joe, 19; daughter-in-law Bettie; sons Clarence, 17, and Paul, 13; daughter Caroline, 11; and grandson Jesse Lee, 8 months.

In the 1930 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: farmer Joe Dunn, 28; wife Bettie, 26; children Jesse L., 10, Lenora, 9, T[illegible] E., 5, and Elisha, 1; brother Paul, 24; and boarder Niza Williams, 20.

In 1940, Jesse Lee Dunn registered for the World War II draft in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Per his registration card, he was born in 1919 in Wilson County; lived at Route 2, Rocky Mount, Edgecombe County; his contact was friend Anna Hines, Rocky Mount; and he worked for Eugene Bone.

On 6 February 1946, Jesse Lee Dunn, 25, son of Joe and Bettie Dunn, married Annie McDowell, 19, daughter of Charlie and Ethel McDowell, in Tarboro, North Carolina.

Jessie Lee Dunn died 18 March 1950 in Black Creek, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 11 March 1919 in Edgecombe County, N.C., to Joe Dunn and Bettie Dunn; was married; and worked in farming. Henry Fobbs was informant.

The death of Ed Bynum.

Wilson Daily Times, 16 February 1945.

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In the 1900 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: widower Henry Bynum, 54, and children Jonas, 24, Ellen, 22, Alison, 20, Eddie, 18, Patsy and Reddin, 16, and Mary, 13.

On 26 May 1912, Ed Bynum, 27, of Saratoga township, married Mahala King, 25, of Saratoga township, in Saratoga township, Wilson County.

In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Ed Bynum, 40; wife Mahada, 30; children Annie, 15, and Seth, 11; and nieces and nephews Willie, 17, Louisa, 15, Ellen, 9, Anna Jane, 10, and Caroline, 5.

Mahaley Bynum died 27 November 1923 in Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 45 years old; was born in Wilson County to Shanny King and Nancy Barnes; was married to Eddie Bynum; and farmed for M.J. Felton.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: auto shop manager Ed Bynum, 49, widower, and daughter Caroline, 15.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: in a house owned and valued at $500, widower Ed Bynum, 59, grocery manager.

In 1940, Jessie Roy Edwards registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 May 1920 in Pitt County, N.C.; lived at Route 4, Wilson; worked as a laborer at Marine Barracks New River, N.C.; and his contact was first cousin Ed Bynum, Route 4, Wilson.

Anna Foster died 8 March 1941 in Sand Hills township, Moore County, N.C. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 February 1901 in Wilson County to Edd Bynum and Mahala Lou [no maiden name]; was married to Kelly Foster; and lived in Jackson Springs, N.C.

Edd Bynum died 14 February 1945 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 October 1881 in Edgecombe County to Henry Bynum and Nannie Cobb; was the widow of Mahalia Bynum; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Caroline Smith was informant.

Ed Bynum left a fascinating will. The version we have access to is the transcription typed into court records. The original was handwritten by a man with little formal education, but a debt-free estate built from a lifetime of hard work and firm plans for its distribution. Bynum owned a house, a grocery, and investment properties, as well as a significant amount of cash.

[June 26, 1934. This is Ed Bynum’s will. I want Willie Bynum to have Alex Williams‘ house [and automobile?]. Seth Bynum to have the store.]

[Caroline Bynum to have the big house. Anna Bynum to have the little lot.

Caroline Bynum, Anna Bynum, Doll Bynum, Louise Bynum, Ellen Bynum divide the money, about $1600.

Give [Crockett Best?] $50. Give Mary $25. Give Ida Speight $50 for attending to me when I was sick and I don’t own no one not a penny.

Divide the goods in the store.

Witness Caroline Bynum, Ida Speight

Let Anderson Bynum [Ed Bynum’s brother] do this dividing.

This is Ed Bynum writing my will to the children.

Give me a 200 dollar steel vat 100 [?]

Louise & Ellen & Doll have the six lots back in the field.

Give Crater King 25 dollars.]