Farmer

The obituary of Turner Gray Farmer.

Wilson Daily Times, 2 May 1939.

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In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: drayman Jefferson Farmer, 40; wife Blanch, 28; and children May, 12, Turner, 11, Jesse, 8, Charley, 4, and Gola, 2.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 615 Hines Street, Jeff Farmer, 50; wife Blanch, 37; and children Turner, 20, Jessie, 16, Charlie, 13, Goler, 10, Jeff Jr., 7, Henry, 3, Allice, 2, and Gola, 1.

In 1917, Turner Farmer registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 23 November 1891 in Wilson; lived on West Nash Street; was married; and worked as a butler for S.H. Anderson.

On 6 April 1929, Turner Gray Farmer, 38, of Wilson, son of Jeff and Blanche Farmer, married Emma Simms, 27, of Wilson, daughter of Will and Mary Simms, at the courthouse in Wilson.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 901 East Nash, in the household of warehouse proprietor Selba H. Anderson, servants Carrie Melton, 48, cook, Turner Farmer, 38, chauffeur, and his wife Emma, 36, maid.

Turner Gray Farmer died 2 May 1939 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 50 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Jeff Farmer and Blanch Gay; lived at 901 West Nash Street; was married to Emma Farmer; worked as a chauffeur; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.]

Application for military headstone for Turner Farmer.

In memoriam: James E. Farmer Jr. (1933-2025).

My childhood “village” has lost another father — James Edward Farmer Jr. Mr. Farmer and my dad were members of Darden High School’s beloved Class of 1952, and I last saw him at my father‘s funeral in 2022. He had deep, deep Wilson County roots, and I’ve written of his childhood home and his Farmer, Barnes, and Hunter-Whitehead kin.

My deepest condolences to his wife of nearly 67 years (and childhood sweetheart), Marian Sewell Farmer; his sons James Edward III and Allegro M. Farmer; his grandson James Edward IV; and all who loved him.

Top photo courtesy of the family; bottom photos from 1952 Darden High School yearbook.

The obituary of Josh Farmer.

Wilson Daily Times, 7 March 1950.

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In the 1880 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: Edward Farmer, 22, hireling on farm; wife Sarah, 23; and children Cora, 3, and Joshuway, 9 months.

On 24 December 1905, Joshua Farmer, 25, of Taylor township, son of Ed Farmer (living in Georgia) and Sarah Farmer (deceased), married Mattie Lucas [Locus], 21, daughter of Margaret Ann Lucas [Locus], at Lenora Taylor’s in Taylor township, Wilson County.

In the 1910 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: Joshwa Farmer, 27; wife Mattie, 24; sons William A., 2, and Luthur, 4 months; cousin Alice Taylor, 16; 2nd cousin Annie M. Taylor, 15 months.

In the 1920 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: Josh Farmer, 42; wife Mattie, 35; and children William A., 12, Luther, 9, Johia [sic] W., 6, Warneda, 4, Lonnie D., 2, and Baby, 6 months.

In the 1930 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: Josh Farmer, 51; wife Mattie, 46; and children William A., 21, Josh W., 17, Waneta, 14, Lonnie D., 12, Robert, 10, Albert H., 6, and J.C., 3.

In the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: Jack Farmer, 59; wife Mattie, 55; and children Authur, 24, Jack Jr., 23, Robert, 20, Harry, 16, J.C., 13, and Juanita Barnes, 22, and her children Mattie Lee, 3, and Marjorie, 1.

In 1944, J.C. Farmer registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 20 October 1926 in Wilson County; lived at Route 1, Sims; worked for J.T. Dew; and his contact was Josh Farmer.

Josh O. Farmer died 4 March 1950 in Taylor township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 5 June 1882 in Wilson County to Ed Farmer and Sallie [no maiden name]; was married; worked as a tenant farmer; and was buried in Farmer family cemetery. Mattie Farmer was informant.

The sale of Huldah, Hilliard, Alex, Fortune, Clarkie, Amos, Hardy, Rose, and Peg.

We have seen the will of Moses Farmer Sr., executed in 1844, and documents from his estate file, which was opened after his death in 1848. These records include references by name to 35 enslaved people.

Perhaps sensing failing health, Farmer was making moves to divest himself of property even before he made out his will. On 2 February 1843, Farmer gave his son Larry D. Farmer 320 acres on Buck Branch and Toisnot Swamp, as well as nine enslaved people — Huldah, Hilliard, Alex, Fortune, Clarkie, Amos, Hardy, Rose, and Peg. The deed of sale does not list their ages or relationships.

Deed Book 23, page 268, Edgecombe County Register of Deeds Office, Tarboro, North Carolina.

Recommended reading, no. 23: In the Pines.

We’ve read of J.C. Farmer, shot to death by a posse in his mother’s yard in 1946. The official version of the altercation that led to Farmer’s murder has never sat right with me, and Hale’s searing work helps me understand my discomfort. In this award-winning work, Hale explores white supremacy, violence, (in)justice, and her own family’s role in the murder of an unarmed Black man in piney-woods Mississippi.

Man walks eight miles to kill his neighbor.

Pittsburgh Courier, 8 February 1941.

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  • Herbert Bynum

Perhaps, in the 1940 census of Rocky Mount township, Edgecombe County, North Carolina: Herbert Bynum, 26, bottling company laborer, in the household of Mary Battle.

In 1940, Herbert Bynum registered for the World War II draft in Elm City, Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 7 June 1913 in Wilson County; lived in Sharpsburg, Wilson County; his contact was friend Claude Albritton; and he was unemployed.

On 1 September 1940, Herbert Bynum, 27, of Edgecombe County, son of Joe and Emma Bynum, married Mary Lee Ellis, 17, of Wilson County, daughter of Robert and Ida Ellis, at Herbert Bynum’s home in Number 14 township, Edgecombe County. Missionary Baptist minister J.W. Fuller performed the ceremony in the presence of Dempsey Batts and Sam Wright of Sharpsburg and Robert Ellis of Elm City.

Herbert Bynum died 9 February 1962 in Chapel Hill, Orange County, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born 6 June 1913 to Joe Bynum and Mary McMillon; his usual residence was Sharpsburg, Nash County; he had never been married [sic]; and he was buried in Poplar Springs Cemetery, Sharpsburg.

[Note: a different Herbert Bynum, born about 1910, is found in Orange County records. He died in 1980.]

  • Adam Farmer

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Edmond Farmer, 49; wife Elvia, 26; and children Tena, 16, Minnie, 14, Della, 12, Luke, 11, James, 8, Adam, 6, Lowd, 4, and Isabella, 3 months.

In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Ed Farmer, 57; wife Elva, 38; and children Lossie, 20, Minnie, 19, Mary Della, 18, Luke, 17, Adam, 15, Lode, 14, Isabla, 12, Lizzie, 10, Thad, 8, Ed B., 5, Annie, 3, and Ed Jr., 8 months.

In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer Adam Farmer, 33; wife Dorothy, 24; children Vanzella, 2, and Frank Alton, 9 months; and mother-in-law Etta Ruffins, 70, widow.

In 1940, Adam Farmer registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 May 1916 in Edgecombe County, N.C.; lived at Route 2, Elm City; his contact was mother Elva Campbell Farmer, Scotland Neck, Halifax County, N.C.; and he worked for Raleigh Granite Company, Sims, N.C.

Adam Farmer died 27 January 1941 in Toisnot township, Wilson County, of “gunshot wound of chest.” Per his death certificate, he was born 13 May 1905 in Wilson County to Ed Farmer and Elvie Campbell; was married to Dicey Ward Farmer; resided in Sharpsburg, Wilson County; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Williams Cemetery. Load Farmer was informant.

Gibson opines on mowing pasture land.

Wilson Daily Times, 1 July 1943.

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In the 1910 census of Cartersville township, Florence County, South Carolina: Walie Gibson, 36; wife Mary, 39; and children Cora, 15, Ada, 13, Julius, 9, Walter, 7, Joseph, 5, Mattie, 3, and Annie, 10 months.

In the 1920 census of Cartersville township, Florence County, South Carolina: Wallie Gibson, 46; wife Ella, 26; and children Walter, 18, Joseph, 15, Mattie, 12, Annie, 10, Eva, 7, and Willie, 5.

On 8 January 1927, Joe Gibson, 21, of Black Creek township, married Seretha Brockington, 21, of Wilson township, in Wilson. John Brockington was a witness to the marriage.

In the 1930 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: Joseph Gibson, 24, farmer, and wife Surether, 22.

In the 1940 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Joe Gibson, 37; wife Suretha, 32; and children Joseph, 9, and Lara, 2.

In 1942, Joseph Gibson registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 5 May 1902 in Florence, South Carolina; lived at Route 1, Fremont, Wilson County; his contact was May Broughton [Brockington]; and he worked at A.P. Farm.

In the 1950 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Joe Gibson, 40; wife Suretha, 40; and children Joe Jr., 18, Lora, 12, Vernera, 8, and Joyce, 2.

Joseph Gibson died 8 August 1958 in Fremont township, Wayne County. Per his death certificate, he was born 5 May 1903 in Florence, South Carolina, to Walker Gibson; worked as a farmer; was married; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery, Wilson. Suretha Gibson was informant.

[Sidenote: Minshew School.]

Odius and Della Coleman Farmer, exodusters.

Odius and Della Coleman Farmer were among the Wilson County migrants who streamed to Arkansas in the last Exoduster wave.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Washington Farmer, 43, wife Wady, 44, children Edith, 14, Fortin, 13, Gimsey, 11, John W., 8, Nancy, 6, and Orgius, 6, and farm laborer Nelson Thomas, 21.

In the 1880 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Washington Farmer, 52, wife Waity, 50, children Edieth, 25, Gincy, 21, John W., 18, Nancy, 16, and Ojus, 13, and granddaughters Mariah J., 5, and Margaret, 2.

In the 1880 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Nancy Coleman, 45, widow, and children Margaret, 13, Thomas, 12, Amos, 10, Della, 9, Henry, 7, and Fannie, 5.

On 6 February 1884, Washington Farmer, 55, married Nancy Coleman, 45 [Squire Coleman’s widow], at Nancy Coleman’s in Wilson County.

On 17 June 1887, Ossie Farmer, 20, of Wilson County, son of Wash Farmer and Nannie Coleman [sic] married Dellar Coleman, 17, of Wilson County, daughter of Squire Coleman and Nancy Coleman, at Washington Farmer’s in Oldfields township, Wilson County. J.H. Locus, N.T. Bagley, and Thomas Coleman witnessed the ceremony. [Odious Farmer and Della Coleman were step-siblings.]

In the 1900 census of Spring Creek township, Lee County, Arkansas: Odias Farmer, 33, farmer, born in North Carolina; wife Della, 25; and children Green, 11, Fannie, 7, Odias, 4, Mittie, 2, and Jackson, 10 months.

On 25 February 1912, Odeaus Farmer, 45, married Lizzie Jamerson, 34, in Aubrey, Lee County, Arkansas.

In the 1920 census of Spring Creek township, Lee County, Arkansas: Odius Farmer, 54, farmer, born in North Carolina; wife Annie, 41; and children Mittie B., 23, and Albert, 10. Next door: Odius Farmer Jr., 24; wife Mary E., 24; and son Tommy, 1.

In the 1930 census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois: at 162o West 14th Street, Oidus Farmer, 60, lumberyard laborer, and wife Ida, 40.

In the 1940 census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois: Odious Farmer, 73, widower, in the household of Leo and Evelyn Carter.

1942 draft registration card of Green Washington Farmer, son of Odius and Della Coleman Farmer. Green was born Wilson County shortly before the family migrated to Arkansas.

Odius Farmer, son of Washington Farmer, died 20 September 1940 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.