estate file

The estate of Elisha Felton (1858).

When Elisha Felton made out his will in 1854, he made no mention of enslaved people. Rather, after making several cash bequests, he directed that the remainder of his property be sold. Felton, who lived in the White Oak area, died in 1858, his son William Felton and James Barnes handled his estate of Elisha Felton. Estate records reveal that Felton and Barnes sold three women at two sales in the liquidation of the elder Felton’s estate..

At a sale held 22 October 1858, Felton and Barnes sold Piney and Louezer to Rubin Felton and Patrick Byrum.

At a sale held 19 March 1859, Esther, who was either very elderly or disabled, was sold for $68.75 to Byrum.

Elisha Felton Estate File, Wilson County, N.C., U.S. Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The estate of Wright Edmundson (1861).

Wright Edmondson, who lived on 1800 acres on Toisnot Swamp, was one of the largest slaveholders in Wilson County. Like most wealthy men of his time and place, he died with lengthy lists of both debtors and creditors, and the probate of his estate was considerably complicated by his failure to make a will and his many gifts to his children of slaves and other property a decade or so before he died on Christmas Eve 1860.

This list of “Names of all the slaves of the estate of W. Edmondson at his death except the increase of such as were advanced by him” includes 96 people. The subsets of people indicated by dividing lines represent some of the groups distributed together. Were they groupings random? Did they comprise nuclear families?

The 96 were: Esther, Cassel, Mariah, James, Edmond, Sarah, Lucy, Louis, Isaac, Lucindy, Bil, Silvy, Josh, Charles, Elith, Willis, Arthur, Esther, Rose, Howel, Eliza, Henry, Pheby, and Epsy; Sarah, Frank, Ann, Levy, Isaac, Edny and child, Tom, Jesse, Liza, Byrum, Peggy, Mary, Manuel, Arthur, Lewis, Mary, Jane, Lewis, Ruben, Mary (yellow), Sherard, Gatsy, Elias, Jason, Burt, Riley, Margaret, Nancy, Anica, Laura, Sampson, Emily, Calvin, Caroline, Julia, Dick, Patrick, Kate, Beck, Allen, Luvinia, London, Henry, Dury, Sarah, Adline, Haywood, Betsey, Lizz, John, Ephraim, Aaron, Gray, Winny, Morrison, Ben, Alsy, Violet, Bob, Hilyard, Ester, Pherby and child, Levi, Mac, Samuel, Arnold, Synthia, Ellen, Fondney, and Claricy.

Rufus W. Edmundson acknowledged that in 1842 he had received three enslaved people from his father along with land, work animals, two carts, and food staples. Curiously, none of the enslaved were named. Rather, they were “1 Negro Fellow likely age about 21 years …,” “1 [Negroe] Woman” about 18 years old, and “1 [Negroe] Boye” about 12.

Redmond S. Petway acknowledged receipt, on behalf of his wife Elizabeth Jane Edmundson, of Easter, Edmon, Jim, Cassel, and Mariah in December 1843 and March 1844.

Garry Edmundson confirmed that in 1843 his “Pa” had given him Bill, age 23 (but a “boy”); Silvy, age 26 (but a “girl”); Josh, age 10; Charles, age 7; and Elitha, an infant. He took the opportunity to grade Bill as medium quality; Silvy and Josh as inferior; and the youngest children as “likely,” i.e. strong and healthy.

In 1853, William L. Quarles, on behalf of his wife Caroline Edmundson, had received Rose, about 20, likely; Howell, 8 or 9, likely; Eliza, 8 or 9, ordinary; and Henry, 23 or 24, average. In 1855, he had received Phiby, 8, diseased (“did not recover”), and Epsy, 8, likely.

John F. Sanders (husband of Martha Edmundson) affirmed that in 1848 he had received Lewis; Lucy, 14, Sary, 13, Isaac, 7, and Lucinda, 6 (plus a mule and some cash.) All except Lewis were described as “likely.”

The rest of Edmundson’s children and his widow Susan Edmundson “took charge” of certain slaves before the estate was divided. Zilly Edmundson claimed Mary, Ann, Frank, Manuel, and little Mary. Penelope Edmundson snagged Alcy, Ester, Bob, Arthur, and Violet. Susan W. Edmundson took Cate, Beck, Patrick, Allen, and Luvinia. James P. Edmundson claimed Dury, Allen, Lun, Tom, and Lear. Their mother took Sherard, Gatsey, Jason, Sampson, Elias, Burt, Riley, Aniky and child Laura, Nancy, and Margaret.

Finally, the remaining unclaimed enslaved people were divided — “Drawn for by all children after setting apart certain slaves for equalizing advancements and certain slaves taken charge of by the widow.”

James Edmundson received Henry, Sarah, and Haywood, valued at $1800. Rufus Edmundson received Lizzie, Gray, Winny, Ann, and Betsey valued at $1675. John F. Saunders received Reuben, Cintha, Ellen, Fonzy, and Claricy, valued at $1850. Redmond S. Petway received Isaac, Edny, Eliza, Jesse, and Byron, valued at $1950. William L. Quarles received Calvin, Caroline, and Julia Ann, valued at $2150. Zillah Edmundson received Mary, Jane, Lewis, and Arnold, valued at $1500. Penelope Edmundson received Levi, Feriby, Mac, and Sam, valued at $1800. Susan Edmundson received Ephraim and Emily and her child, valued at $1900. Garry Edmundson received Ben, Sarah and her child, and Hilliard, valued at $1950.

The only black person who received anything of value among the multitude of transactions needed to resolve Edmundson’s estate was Sherrod, a “servant,” i.e. enslaved man. Sherrod filed a claim against the estate, asserting that Edmundson owed him nine dollars. As an enslaved person, Sherrod was incapable of entering into a binding contract, but Rufus W. Edmundson paid him nonetheless. On Christmas Day 1861.

We recognize several of the people distributed among Wright Edmundson’s wife and children as people he obtained in a controversial series of transactions with Abner Eason circa 1830: Sampson, born about 1811; Nancy (1806) and her daughter Phereby (1825); London (1827), Henry, and Sherrod. Edmundson also owned Nancy’s later-born children Alfred, Rose, Calvin, Nanna, Ann, and Howell, and Phereby’s daughter Lucinda.

Relatively few freedpeople in Wilson County adopted the surname Edmundson after Emancipation, and it is difficult to trace forward more than a handful of the men, women, and children Wright Edmundson held.

These couples registered cohabitations with Wilson County justices of the peace in 1866: Benjamin Edmundson* and Alsa Edmundson*, 12 years; Ephraim Edmundson* and Gatsey Rodgers, 3 years; John Edmundson* and Marie Edmundson, 1 year; Safronia Edmundson and Henry Peacock; Bettie Edmundson and Arthur Barnes, 17 years; Dewey Edmundson* and Solomon Woodard, 4 years; Gatsy Edmundson* and Sherard Ham, 24 years; Kate Edmundson* and Mason Bass, 4 years; Mary Edmundson* and Amos Ellis, 18 years. I have marked with an asterisk those couples that appear to have been held by Wright Edmundson.

The families I have found:

  • Benjamin and Alsa Edmundson and daughter Violet Edmundson Pitt

In the 1870 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County, North Carolina: Ben Edmundson, 55, farm laborer; wife Alsa, 39; and Violet, 18. [Alsa and Violet went to Penelope Edmundson, above. Ben went to Garry Edmundson.]

On 24 January 1871, Violet Edmundson married William Pitts in Wayne County.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Pettigrew Street, farmer William Pitts, 34; wife Violet, 25; and children Ailsey, 10, Martha, 5, Hattie, 3; and Laura, 10 months.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Ben Edmonson, 77, drayman; wife Elsy, 71; and boarder [granddaughter] Elsy Pitt, 25, “cooking”.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Violet Pit, 50, washing, and children Martha, 24, washing, Hattie, 22, cooking, Lula, 21, cooking, Ben, 19, tobacco stemmer, Carry, 12, cooking, Rosa, 16, nurse, Meaner, 11, Jenney, 5, and Edward, 2.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: laundress Violett Pitt, 58; daughters Lula, 28, Matha, 34, and Hattie, 30; and grandchildren Mary, 10, Harvey, 8, Frank, 7, Lizzie, 6, Jonie, 18, and William, 9; and daughter Mena, 20.

On 7 November 1915, Ed Battle, 24, of Wilson, son of Allan and Mariah Battle, married Rosa Pitt, 24, of Wilson, daughter of Bill and Viola Pitt, in Wilson. Shade Hines applied for the license, and A.M.E. Zion minister B.P. Coward performed the ceremony in the presence of Frank Barnes, Leonard Kornegay, and B[illegible] Edmundson.

Rosa Pitt Battle died 26 December 1919 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 2 January 1884 in Wilson County, N.C, to William Pitt and Violet Edmundson; was married to Eddie Battle; and lived at 804 Vance. Mena Pitt was informant.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 804 Vance, widow Violet Pitt, 70, and daughters Elise, 45, Lula, 39, Mena, 29, and Elizabeth, 16.

Elsie Pitt died 19 June 1938 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born in 1875 in Wilson to William Pitt of Nash County and Violet Emerson [Edmundson] of Wilson County; was single; lived at 903 East Vance; and was buried in Wilson [probably in Vick Cemetery, but possibly the newly opened Rest Haven.] Ximena Martinez was informant.

  • Ephraim Edmundson

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Ephram Edmundson, 25, farm laborer; wife Gatsey, 23; and children Mary, 6, and Buck, 4.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Gatsey Edmundson, 35; children Buck, 14, Mattie, 12, Louise, 10, Jorden, 8, and Marcellus, 1; and Waity Barnes, 18.

On 4 February 1890, Ephram Edmundson, 45, married Harriet Ruffin, 20, in Wayne County, N.C.

In the 1900 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County, N.C.: farmer Lewis Artice, 49; wife Mattie, 46; children Loney, 21, Arthur, 18, Ida, 17, Andrew J., 14, Minnie, 11, Floyd, 8, and Ivey, 26; boarder Ephram Edmundson, 60, widower; and mother-in-law Sarah Evans, 70, widow.

In the 1910 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County, N.C.: Ephram Edmundson, 60, and daughters Sarah, 19, Sallie, 16, and Merdy, 1.

Sallie Mayo died 15 January 1943 in Nahunta township, Wayne County. Per her death certificate, she was born 10 April 1894 in Wayne County to Ephrim Edmundson and Harrett Ruffins; was single; and was buried in Lanes cemetery, Stantonsburg.

  • Drury Edmundson Woodard Randall

On 3 April 1866, Solomon Woodard and Dewey Edmundson registered their four-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Solomon Woodard, 30, farmer; wife Dewry, 25; and Mary, 3.

Solomon Woodard died early in 1878, and Drury Woodard relinquished administration of his estate to James S. Woodard.

On 25 December 1879, George Randal, 23, married Dury Woodard, 33, in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer George Randal, 23; wife Drewry, 34; and stepdaughter Mary, 14.

  • Kate Edmundson Bass

On 12 May 1866, Mason Bass and Kate Edmundson registered their four-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Mason Bass, 32; wife Katy, 33; children Spicy, 7, Bettie, 6, Riley, 1, and Nathaniel, 2 months; Mary, 53, Eliza, 28, and Sarah Bass, 16; and Ruffin Barnes, 18.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Mason Bass, 43; wife Kate, 45; and children Isicy, 17, Bettie, 16, Amanuel, 2, and Mattie, 10 months.

In the 1900 census of Coahoma County, Mississippi: North Carolina-born Mason Bass, 63; wife Katie, 65; children Emanuel, 22, and Amelia, 18; and granddaughter Conelus, 1. Next door: Olie Henry, 45; wife Spicie, 37; and their children Amie, 14, William, 5, and Nathan, 3.

  • Mary Edmundson Ellis

Amos Ellis and Mary Edmundson registered their 18-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace on 2 July 1866.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: next door to Isom and Patience Ellis, farm laborer Amos P. Ellis, 47; wife Mary 40; and children Adeline, 23, Authur, 19, Learh, 17, Mary, 15, Jane, 11, and Lewis, 10; plus Authur, 65, and Betsey Barnes, 60.

  • Levi and Phenly [Phereby?] Edmundson and children Allen, Mack, Samuel, and infant

This family went to Penelope Edmundson as a partially intact group, without their oldest children. Son Allen, for example, was placed with Susan Edmundson.

In 1867, Levi Edmundson, son of Dick and Peggy Barnes, married Ferly Edmundson, daughter of Ned Amerson and Nancy Edmundson, in Wilson County. [Nancy and her daughter Phenly/Pherly/Phereby came to Wright Edmundson from Abner Eason. Phenly had a daughter Lucinda, and Nancy’s additional children included Alfred, Rose, Calvin, Nanna, Ann, and Howell.]

In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Levi Edmondson, 55; wife Phenly, 47; and children Mack, 16, Samuel, 13, Milly, 10, Cora, 8, and Dock, 5.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Pheny Edmundson, 60, and children Mack, 24, Allen, 28, Lumilar, Doctor, 15, and Albert, 10.

On 23 December 1880, Allen Edmundson, 30, son of Levi and Fearby Edmundson, married Vicy Woodard, 29, daughter of Bright Thompson and Bidie Thompson, at Benjamin Woodard‘s residence in Wilson County. D.G.W. Ward performed the ceremony.

On 3 November 1883, Mack Edmundson, 26, married Harrett Newsom, 24, in Stantonsburg, Wilson County,

In the 1900 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer Mack Edmundson, 44; wife Harriet, 38; and children Levy, 16, Annah, 13, Mack, 9, Arthur, 7, Cora, 5, and Albert, 3.

On 26 February 1907, Mack Edmundson, 50, son of Levi and P[illegible] Edmundson, married Fannie Wooten, 40, daughter of Irvin and Bedie Exum, in Wayne County.

In the 1910 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer Mack Edmundson, 54; wife Fannie, 44; and children Mack, 19, Arthur, 16, Cora, 15, Albert, 13, and Almeter, 11.

On 17 February 1915, Mack Edmondson, 22, of Wayne County, son of Mack Edmondson and Harriet [no maiden name], married Pearline Taylor, 19, of Black Creek, daughter of Arnold and Alice Taylor, at Arnold Taylor’s in Black Creek, Wilson County. Walter H. Artis, John H. Artis, and Edward Artis were witnesses.

Cora Artis died 16 October 1936 in Nahunta, Wayne County. Per his death certificate, she was born 1894 in Wayne County to Mack and Harriet Edmundson and was married to Walter Artis.

Mack Edmundson died 6 May 1961 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was born 5 May 1891 in North Carolina to Mack Edmundson and was married to Pauline Edmundson.

Almeter Edmundson Dickerson died 2 August 1975 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 20 February 1902 to Mack Edmundson and Ferbie(?) Edmundson; was married to Fred Dickerson; and resided at 308 Finch Street.

Estate File of Wright Edmundson, Wilson County, N.C., U.S. Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The estate of Benajah Scott (1856).

Benajah Scott died intestate in 1856. His son David A. Scott was appointed administrator of an estate that included seven enslaved people — Will, Lucinda, Tempy, Maria, Chaney, Kedar, and Gideon. In late December 1856, David Scott arranged for Chaney, Lucinda, Tempy, and Will to be hired out for a year to kin and neighbors. Maria, Kedar, and Gideon (described as “parish Negroes,” a term I’m not familiar with) could not be placed — too young, too old, pregnant or postpartum, or disabled — so remained with widow Zilpha Scott, who received $15 for their care.

Estate of Benajah Scott, Probate Estate Case Files 1854-1959, http://www.familysearch.org.

An account of the estate of John H. Aiken, livery operator.

John H. Aiken died 20 July 1914 in Wilson. He operated a livery stable at 125 South Goldsboro Street. Livery stables were the essential equivalent of parking lots and car rental offices, offering boarding, feeding, and care of privately owned horses and rental of horses, carriages, and buggies. Aiken’s wife Georgia Crockett Aiken served as administrator of his estate before resigning on 27 August 1914 and joining Aiken’s heirs — children Quince Aiken, William Aiken, Samuel Aiken, Nannie Eperson, John McDaniel, Gollie Aiken, Levi Aiken, Lizzie Aiken, and Alice Aiken — to request the appointment of W.R. Bryan.

Georgia Aiken’s inventory and final account, filed 29 August 1914, offers a detailed look at a successful black-owned business in pre-World War I Wilson. The inventory reveals a large, though heavily mortgaged, stock in trade — 13 horses, 14 buggies, 5 closed carriages, 2 single surries, and 4 wagons of various types. (There’s also a fifty-dollar debt to Aiken owed by veterinarian Elijah L. Reid.)

Receipts show that Aiken did a healthy business renting out his conveyances. In the last 15 days of July, Georgia Aiken collected almost $190.00 “for teams and buggies,” averaging $12.65 a day [$413.38 in today’s dollars].

Georgia Aiken also took in payments from Briggs Hotel and Wilson Hardware Company, both white-owned businesses, for boarding the companies’ horses.

Most of Aiken’s disbursements were wage payments to laborers William Best, Henry Best, Edward Mooring, William Selby, George Lane, and Dave McPhail. J.Y. Buchanan received four payments for shoeing horses; Hackney Brothers and C. Mack Wells were paid for hack repairs; A.J. Ford was paid for repairing a harness; and Thomas & Barnes for an unspecified repair.

Aiken paid bills from Carolina Telephone Company, Barnes-Graves Grocery Company, and J. & D. Oettinger. She paid two feed bills from C. Woodard Company and made seven payments to Quinn-McGowan Furniture Company, likely for the costs of her husband’s funeral. She also paid stable rent to S.M. Richardson and unspecified rent to S.H. Vick, as well as miscellaneous fees related to probate. Interestingly, Georgia Aiken paid $79.39 — quite a large sum — to T.S. Beatty of the Knights of Gideon lodge. What was this for?

Wilson [County, North Carolina] Property Settlement Records 1905-1923, http://www.familysearch.org.

Advertising sale of negroes.

University of Pennsylvania-trained physician Lewis J. Dortch of Stantonsburg died in October 1854, leaving an estate that included nearly three dozen enslaved people. We examined here the disruption created by movement of these people into short-term hires in Stantonsburg and over the county line in Nahunta district, Wayne County.

In fact, W.T. Dortch, the Goldsboro lawyer appointed to administer his brother’s estate,  placed multiple rounds of advertisements for the “sale of Negroes” as far away as the Wilmington Journal.

Receipt for ads placed in 1855 in Goldsboro newspapers the North Carolina Telegraph and the Tribune.

Receipt for 1859 ad in the Wilmington Journal.

I have not been able to find digital copies of the newspapers in which these notices were published.

Estate of L.J. Dortch, Probate Estate Case Files 1854-1959, Wilson County, N.C., http://www.familysearch.org.

The estate of Edith Fordham.

Edith Fordham’s estate reaped a momentary windfall a year before the Civil War ended. Confident that the Confederacy would prevail, four buyers paid a total of more than $11,000 to purchase seven enslaved people from her administrator, William Barnes. William J. Barnes bought Ned for $1950; Mahala Barnes bought Joe for $2025; David Sharpe bought Lucinda for $2025; and John Sharpe bought Gray, Bunnie, Hilliard, and Nancy for $5775.

In May 1865, all seven went free, and the Confederate dollars with which they were purchased crumbled to dust.

Estate File of Edith Fordham, Wilson County, N.C., U.S. Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The sale of Arthur, Richmond, Celia and her child Winny, and Lydia.

James W. Bridgers died without a will in the spring of 1850 in what was then Edgecombe County. (He and his family lived near Shallingtons Mill, adjacent to James Barnes, David Shallington, and Eli Robbins.) He left a widow, Millicent Freeman Bridgers, and eight children, adults William F. Bridgers, Reddin Bridgers, Thomas Bridgers, and Mary Ann Bridgers Barnes (wife of James W. Bridgers), and minors John Bridgers, Sally Ann Bridgers, Joseph Bridgers, and Edwin Bridgers.

James Barnes (a “miller”) was appointed administrator of the estate. After settlement of all debts, there remained five enslaved people — Arthur, Richmond, Celia, Lydia, and Winny. William F. Bridgers had paid off the purchase of some of the enslaved people. All the children wished to divide the enslaved people equitably, which was not possible without liquidation by sale, which they petitioned a court to approve.

John G. Williams was appointed commissioner to sell the five on six months’ credit with interest from date of sale. On Christmas Eve day, 1852, Williams opened bidding at the Bridgers’ house. Arthur was “nocked off” to Allen May for $701.15. David Williams bought Rich for $687. James W. Barnes bought Celia and her child Winny for $665, and William Thomas was high bidder for Lydia at $307. Thus, a small community, perhaps of kinspeople, was torn four ways.

 

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.

——

  • 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 final account of the estate of Nunnie Barnes.

My post about Nunnie Barnes‘ striking Odd Fellows Cemetery headstone including details of her estate administration. On 9 September 1922, her administrator filed a final account of receipts and distributions.

The estate received more than $1800 from a savings account at Wilson Trust & Savings Bank. It paid out $408 to C.H. Darden & Son for an undertaker’s bill and funeral expenses. Two different hospitals — Carolina General and Moore-Herring — were paid, as was Wilson Drug Company. Wilson Marble & Granite Company received $67.50 for manufacturing Barnes’ gray-and-white striated grave marker.

Wilson County, North Carolina, Property Settlement Records 1905-1923, http://www.familysearch.org.

London Woodard’s bed.

Elder London Woodard‘s estate file contains this glimpse of the creature comforts he enjoyed, however briefly. On 4 October 1870, just over a month before he died, Woodard bought an eight-dollar mattress from R.R. Cotten & Company. He paid five dollars cash on November 5, and his executor paid off the bill the following January.

Wilson, North Carolina, Probate Estate Files 1854-1959, http://www.familysearch.org.