Farmer

Service of Memory for Ada Daniel Williams.

Ada Daniel Williams died in Washington, D.C., and was returned to Wilson for burial. (The typist was one key off when typing her middle name for the funeral program.)

——

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Tarboro Road, widow Venus Farmer, 60; children Jamarmah, 38, Rhodie, 28, John D., 22, and Flora Farmer, 13; son Zecal McCaw, 34; and [granddaughter] Ader D. Farmer, 4.

Jerry Williams, 34, of Wilson, son of John and Mary Williams of Edgecombe County, N.C., married Rhoda Farmer, 20, daughter of Daniel and Venus Farmer, at the bride’s sister’s house in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Frank Savage, Ned Barnes, and Jonas Bynum witnessed.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 217 Manchester, wood cutter Jerry Williams, 42; wife Rhoda, 38, laundress; and daughter Ada, 14, nurse.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 211 Manchester, owned and valued at $800, laundress Rhoda Williams, 49, widow; daughter Ada, 24, cook; and grandchildren Aline, 5, and Inza, 3.

Rhoda Williamson died 19 August 1931 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 46 years old; was born in Wilson County to Daniel Farmer of Virginia and Venus Woodard of North Carolina; was a widow; lived at 211 Manchester; and was buried in Wilson [most likely, Vick Cemetery.] Ada Williams was informant.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 211 Manchester, owned and valued at $800, tobacco factory laborer Ada Williams, 34, and daughters Allean, 14, and Inza, 13.

The homegoing of William G. Bynum.

Like many in eastern North Carolina, William G. Bynum migrated to Tidewater Virginia. At the time of his death in 1984, none of his closest relatives remained in Wilson County.

——

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer Isaac Bynum, 36; wife Dorsey, 36; and children Martha, 17, Mammie, 16, Daisy, 15, Hagar, 13, Mary, 11, William, 8, Essie M., 6, Hula G., 4, and Mavis G., 1.

In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm operator Isaac Bynum, 48; wife Dossie Ann, 45; children William G., 17, Essie Mae, 16, Hulla Gray, 14, and Mavis Greer, 11; and grandsons Ernest Burner Farmer, 5, and Dorsey E. Blackstone, 3.

In 1942, William Bynum registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 17 November 1921 in Wilson County; resided at Route 2, Elm City; his nearest relative was mother Dorsey Bynum; and he worked for John L. Bailey, Elm City.

On 10 October 1950, William Bynum, 28, barber, born in Wilson County, N.C., to Isaac Bynum and Dorsey Farmer, married Leila Ruth Reavis, 26, born in Brunswick County, Virginia, to George Reavis and Carrie Green, in Newport News, Virginia.

William G. Bynum died 30 January 1930 in Hampton, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born 17 November 1921 in North Carolina to James Isaac Bynum and Dorsie Farmer; was a retired barber; and was married to Lelia Ruth Bynum.

Funeral program courtesy of Levolyre Farmer Pitt from the collection of her mother Savannah Powell Farmer.

Sharpsburg Cemetery?

Does anyone know where Sharpsburg’s historic African-American cemetery is?

UPDATE, same day: Found!!

——

In the 1900 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Jordan Cooper, 55, farmer; wife Judy, 35; and children Daisey, 21, Thomas, 16, Thadeous, 11, Willie, 9, Golden, 7, Mary, 6, Elizabeth, 3, and Stella, 1.

On 4 January 1906, Albert Farmer, 21, of Edgecombe County, son of Orrin and Malvina Farmer, married Daisey Cooper, 24, of Edgecombe County, daughter of  Jordan and julia Cooper, at Fenner Gay’s in Edgecombe County.

In the 1910 census of Township #14, Edgecombe County, North Carolina: farmer Albert Farmer, 24; wife Daisie, 28; daughters Luler and Lillie, 3, and Adlona, 9 months; and brother-in-law Willie Cooper, 15.

Daisy Farmer died 22 October 1918 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 37 years old; was married; worked at “house duties”; was born in Edgecombe County to Jordan Cooper and Julie Barefoot; and was buried in Sharpsburg Cemetery. Albert Farmer was informant.

Johnnie Farmer writes home, no. 2.

Virginia Pou Doughton Papers, housed in the North Carolina State Archives’ Private Collections, contain dozens of letters written by an African-American man named Johnnie Farmer, who had worked as butler and cook for Doughton’s grandparents, Floyd S. and Elizabeth Barnes Davis. (Farmer’s mother, Bettie Farmer, and sister, Emma Farmer, also worked as servants for the Davises.) Farmer, a World War I veteran, had been hospitalized at the Veterans Administration hospital in Kecoughtan, Virginia, apparently for complications from diabetes.

Farmer’s letters make reference to several Davis family members, including Miss Lizzie (Elizabeth B. Davis), Miss Helen (Virginia Doughton’s aunt by marriage, Helen Patterson Davis), Mr. Frank (her uncle, Frank Barnes Davis), and Sammy Pou (Doughton, herself, by a childhood nickname.) Miss Harris was likely Alice Barnes Wright Harriss, who lived next door to the Davises at 701 West Nash Street and was Lizzie B. Davis’ sister.

In this letter to an unknown recipient, written in October 1941, Farmer speaks briefly of how he is faring, mentions two unknown men, and expresses sympathy for “Teance,” who has to wear glasses. He finishes by giving, I think, instructions for care of a boxwood.

——

                                                                                             Wed Oct 8 1941

Rec your Letter Monday after noon and sunday is the First day the Doc would Let me set up Eanny and then in bed at that saw you all can see that i have time to see them about Enny Like that it was some, Whair around 11 oclock in i got hear did not see but one Doc and one nuce they ak a Lots of Qustions and gave me some cind of a Little white Pill and when I went to bed I did not know nothen untill the next morning I am in the man part of the hospital and Howard and John B. is just a bout a half mile from me and you see it is hard to see them so glad you all wend dow to hope she is getting along all Right and the same thing We are only arlied to see out three Letters a week unless you have your own stampe and then you can seend as miney as you wont so sorry teance has got to wair glases hope she wont have to wair then all the time I am still in bid yet so I am going to write you all Just as often as I can my ankles and Leges has gone down still they wont Let me be op Except in bet the stuff I pout the Box Wood is in the gareige is true and you dont have mix Enny thing with it tharr is a Little sprain in the aket but it may not be Long Enuff to do Enny good so Just Pour the stuff in a Pan and take that bug Brush and Just sprankly it on Like that

Hospital at Veterans’ Administration Facility, Hampton, Va., 1940s. “C.T. Art-Colortone” Postcard, Curt Teich Company.

Update: the estate of Moses Farmer Sr.

When I first examined the estate file of Moses Farmer Sr., who died in 1844, I missed this recitation of names of the people he enslaved — Marina (purchased at his direction), Reuben, London, Luke, Glasgow, Dick, Harry, Thomas, Washington, Greene, Valentine, Rachel, Charity, Caroline, Alice, Nelly, Elva, America, Fortune, big Rose, Chain, Jinny, Ofie, Daniel, Jason, Watson, Drewry, Chain, Venus, little Rose, Sylvia, Maria, Warren, Nan, and [blank.] Per the terms of Farmer’s will, all but “Big Chainny” were to be sold.

——

  • Reuben — Reuben Farmer. In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Reuben Farmer, 68, Nancy, 71, and Luke Farmer, 11.
  • London
  • Luke
  • Glasgow — on 11 August 1866, Glasco Farmer and Clary Farmer registered their 20-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Glasses Farmer, 49; wife Clara, 36; Morning, 17, Haywood, 18, Rosa, 15, Ferby, 3, and Louisa Farmer, 9 months; and Mae Barnes, 7.
  • Dick
  • Harry
  • Thomas — in 1866, Thomas Farmer and Polly Woodard registered their ten-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Thomas Farmer, 40; wife Mary, 34; and children April, 13, Liberty, 4, and Eliza, 1.
  • Washington — Washington Farmer. His wife Waity Harris and children were enslaved by a different owner.
  • Greene
  • Valentine — Valentine Farmer. Per his daughter Martha Farmer Ruffin, Valentine’s parents were Reuben and Nancy Farmer. His wife Quinnie and children were enslaved by Robert Bynum. Val Farmer and his parents remained within the white Farmer family after Moses Farmer’s death.
  • Rachel — in 1866, Warren Farmer and Rachel Farmer registered their ten-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
  • Charity
  • Caroline
  • Olive
  • Nelly — Nellie Farmer. In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Nellie Farmer, 62; Mary, 47; and Joshua, 22. In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Nelly Farmer, 75; grandsons George, 20, Drewry, 17, and Berry, 17; and great-granddaughter Martha A. Parker, 8.
  • Elva — in 1866, Hilliard Farmer and Elva Farmer registered their two-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Hilliard Farmer, 30; wife Elery, 29; and children Jason, 4, and Adeline, 12.
  • America — possibly, in the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farmer Sydnor Campbell, 48; wife America, 40; York, 16, Thomas, 12, Pennina, 7, Reuben, 5, Nelly, 3, Lawrence, 2, and Nancy, 1; and stepdaughters Maggie Woodard, 12, and R. Rountree, 18. (The death certificates of Lawrence Campbell and Pennina Campbell Williams list their mother’s maiden name as Farmer. Several of America Campbell’s children bear names found in the community enslaved by Moses Farmer, including Thomas, Reuben, Nelly, Nancy, and Elva.)
  • Fortune
  • Big Rose
  • Chain
  • Jinny — in 1866, Jenny Farmer and John Farmer registered their 13-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
  • Ofie
  • Daniel
  • Jason — in 1866, Jason Farmer and Candis Gay registered their seven-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Jason Farmer, 33, farm laborer; wife Candas, 29; and children Florence, 9, Isiah, 6, and George, 4.
  • Watson
  • Drewry
  • Chain
  • Venus — in 1866, Venice Farmer and Arch Barnes registered their  cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace. Perhaps: in the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Rosa Farmer, 35, and children Gray, 16, Turner, 17, Mary, 16, Thomas, 13, Daniel, 12, Leah, 10, Jefferson, 8, Louisa, 10 months, and Anna, 3, plus Arche Barnes, 73, cooper (if so, Venus likely died 1866-1870.)
  • Little Rose — perhaps, in the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Rosa Farmer, 35, and children Gray, 16, Turner, 17, Mary, 16, Thomas, 13, Daniel, 12, Leah, 10, Jefferson, 8, Louisa, 10 months, and Anna, 3, plus Arche Barnes, 73, cooper.
  • Sylvia
  • Maria
  • Warren — in 1866, Warren Farmer and Rachel Farmer registered their ten-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
  • Nan — see Reuben, above.

The last will and testament of Jennie Farmer Braswell.

In a will signed 21 May 1907, Jennie Braswell left all her personal and real estate to her sister Venus Farmer.

——

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: widow Rhoda Farmer, 70; daughter Jennie Braswell, 40, widow; daughter Martha Wooten, 28; grandchildren Howard, 17, Rena, 15, Lulu, 13, Minnie, 7, Walter, 10, and Lily [Wooten?], 20; and Dennis A. Thadis, 33.

Will of Jennie Braswell (1907), North Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

Johnnie Farmer writes home, no. 1.

Virginia Pou Doughton Papers, housed in the North Carolina State Archives’ Private Collections, contain dozens of letters written by an African-American man named Johnnie Farmer, who had worked as butler and cook for Doughton’s grandparents, Floyd S. and Elizabeth Barnes Davis. (Farmer’s mother, Bettie Farmer, and sister, Emma Farmer, also worked as servants for the Davises.) Farmer, a World War I veteran, had been hospitalized at the Veterans Administration hospital in Kecoughtan, Virginia, apparently for complications from diabetes.

Farmer’s letters make reference to several Davis family members, including Miss Lizzie (Elizabeth B. Davis), Miss Helen (Virginia Doughton’s aunt by marriage, Helen Patterson Davis), Mr. Frank (her uncle, Frank Barnes Davis), and Sammy Pou (Doughton, herself, by a childhood nickname.) Miss Harris was likely Alice Barnes Wright Harriss, who lived next door to the Davises at 701 West Nash Street and was Lizzie B. Davis’ sister.

In this letter to Lizzie Davis, written sometime in 1941, Farmer laments being flat on his back and unable to get around, expresses cautious optimism about the condition of his feet, and asks Davis not to share his update.

Ward 3 Room 363     1941

Miss Lizzie I know theease has bin werren you all to deth and it hasen warred you all half a bad as it has warred you know lenying flalt of you back and cant get up and get around to do nothen for your self it is a hard job to get enny baurdy to do enny thing for yo now; write miss Hellen about my foot now i realy dont wornt you all to write the Doc a boud of corse he haven tould me so but I got infore machen from the nurs and the

she said she did not know theeair was a little life comming back in it and she said as long as you see som kind of life in it ther was some so dont say enny thing to enny baurdy at hom and dont write the doc for if you all d he will come stratt to me and give me the Devel a bout it i gave the Dcoc the blanker [about?] three [??] and there  is not bout one doc on this warrd and thear is a 300 mens he have to look at and i ask him to day and he said he would look after them

Just a soon a he could as warred as I am I haven eve got the blanks to thank [think?] I wont to day againg not to say enny thing about the foot untell you hear from me again tell Mr Flank I got his letter and yours togather will write him when i feal like up tell Miss Harris I am goinge to write hear soon i got enny more to say this time write when ever you feal like got a real long lettler from Sammey Pou sure did enjoy readin it Johnnie Farmer

——

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer George Farmer, 51; wife Bettie, 46; and children George W., 21, Miner, 19, Aulander, 18, Willie, 17, Johnny, 15, and Emma, 12.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: laborer George Farmer, 71; wife Bettie, 62; and children John, 18, and Emma, 16.

George Farmer died 4 April 1918 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 88 years old; was born in Wilson County to Harry Farmer and Betty Crumley; was married to Betty Farmer; worked as a farmer; and was buried in the Masonic Cemetery. William Farmer was informant.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Bynum Street, widow Bettie Farmer, 56; daughter Emma, 23, cook, and son Johnnie, 25, butler.

Emma Farmer died 12 October 1926 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 28 years old; was born in Wilson County to George Farmer and Betty Crumble; was single; lived at 808 West Broad Street; and worked as a cook for Mrs. Jas. H. Pou. John Farmer was informant, and she was buried in Wilson, N.C. [probably Vick Cemetery.]

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 705 West Nash, owned and valued at $20,000, widow Elizabeth B. Davis, 59; son Frank B., 35; daughter-in-law Hellen P., 34; grandchildren Frank B. Jr., 13, and Hellen P., 4; and servants Jollie [sic], 40, and Bettie Farmer, 72.

Will Farmer died 7 April 1938 in Wilson after an auto accident near Goldsboro, Wayne County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was 51 years old; was born in Wilson County to George farmer and Betty Crummel; was married to Eula Farmer; lived at 903 East Green Street; and worked as a hotel porter. He was buried in Wilson, N.C. [probably Vick Cemetery.]

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 714 Stronach Street, Johnny Farmer, 50, cook, and widowed mother Bettie Farmer, 85.

Arlanda Farmer died 14 March 1940 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 55 years old; was born in Wilson County to George Farmer and Bettie Crumble; was married to Marsha Farmer; worked as a truck driver for Carolina Ice Company; and was a veteran. He was buried in Wilson, N.C. [probably Vick Cemetery.]

Johnie Farmer died 30 March 1944 at the Veterans Administration hospital in Kecoughtan, Elizabeth City County, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1893 to George Farmer and Betty Crowell; his usual residence was 714 Stronach Alley, Wilson; and his body was returned to Wilson for burial.

Bettie Cromartie Farmer died 23 July 1945 at her home at 913 Faison Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 5 August 1857 in Edgecombe County, N.C.; was widowed; and was buried in the Masonic cemetery.

Johnny Farmer Letters, 1941-1944, Virginia Pou Doughton Family Papers, P.C. 1981.1, Private Collections, State Archives of North Carolina.

Winners of the cotton contest.

The calendar in this photograph dates it to January 1949. It depicts ten men — four African-American — standing in what appears to be the lobby or a wide hallway of an office building. One man is accepting a document, perhaps a check, from another. I don’t have any other context for the image and don’t know the identity of any of the men.

[Update, 25 May 2023: John Hackney provided the essential clue — the man at far right is his grandfather Tom Bridgers. With that information, I was able to find an article in the 8 January 1949 issue of the Daily Times. At the Wilson Chamber of Commerce’s farm aware program, on behalf of Kiwanis Club, Bridgers presented awards to winners in the “cotton contest” — W.P. Proctor of Stantonsburg; John Farmer, Rufus Brewer, and Charlie Batts of Elm City; Tom Morris, E.G. Lindsey, Hardy Hooks, Henry Trevathan, James Faison, and Joe Hester of Wilson. The photo above, taken by a Chamber photographer, did not run with the article. I’ve amended the title of this post.]

Photo courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.