Farmer

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.

The obituary of Gray Farmer Hooker of Washington, D.C.

Evening Star, 17 December 1980.

Gray Farmer Hooker migrated from Wilson to Washington, D.C., in 1929. We have met his family here and here and here.

——

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Manchester Street, Frank Hooker, 57 [sic], wood sawyer; wife Ella, 33; and children Emma R., 8, Grey, 6, Clarence D., 4, and Argent, [age illegible.]

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 656 Viola Street, Frank Hooker, 47, woodyard sawyer; wife Elinor, 37, sewing woman; and children Ruth, 17, Gray, 14, Henry, 12, Inez, 19, Irmadeen, 7, Sylvester, 4, and Theodore, 2.

In the 1930 census of Washington, D.C.: at Freedmen’s Hospital, Grey F. Hooker, 26, orderly.

Farmer was big on social clubs, as this brief piece on the doings of the Khan Social Club in May 1938.

Washington Tribune, 28 May 1938.

In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: Gray Hooker, 36; wife Bernice, 32; and daughters Montez, 18, Clementine, 16, and Merida, 7 months; plus lodger Edward Richburg, 33

In 1942, Gray Farmer Hooker registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 19 June 1903 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 135 U Street, N.W., Washington; his contact was Elna Hooker, 708 East Green Street, Wilson, N.C.; and he worked at Freedmen’s Hospital, 6th and Bryant Streets, N.W.

In the 1950 census of Washington, D.C.: hospital clerical Gray Farmer Hooker, 46; wife Bernice W., 42; daughters Merida Gray, 10, and Elynore Ruth, 4; and lodger Eugene N. Lewis, 22, custodian at Pentagon.

Lane Street Project: WTVD ABC-11 reports on Vick Cemetery.

The struggle continues. Eight months after City Manager Grant Goings announced at a council meeting that he would soon introduce his recommendations for Vick Cemetery, and five months after our meeting with the Mayor and Councilmember Gillettia Morgan to discuss Lane Street Project’s vision for next steps, the City has not made one move toward redemption.

ABC-11’s report on Vick aired today and reminds us all of the stakes here. Can’t stop, won’t stop.


View reporter Akilah Davis’ report here:

https://abc11.com/black-cemetery-vick-destroyed-missing-headstones/14501270/

My thanks to Levolyre Farmer Pitt for sharing her thoughts about the state of Vick Cemetery and to Akilah Davis for her dogged pursuit of the truth.

Thank you, M.E. Barnes!

Ben Reid survived; Nolia Reid did not.

Wilson Daily Times, 6 May 1921.

This brief report fails to name Nolia Reid as the murdered woman or to state the first name of the man — her husband — who killed her. He was Ben Reid.

Nolia Reid died 1 May 1921 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 19 years old; was born in Wilson to George Best and Louisa Farmer; worked as a laundress; lived on Nash Street; and was married to Ben Reid. She died of “homicide–stab wound.” Her uncle Thomas Farmer was informant. She was buried in Wilson [likely, Vick Cemetery.]

Rocky Branch School hosts citizenship program.

In the lead-up to my February 8 talk at Wilson County Public Library, every day I’ll feature a post related to Wilson County’s Rosenwald schools. Here, extension agent Carter W. Foster invited farmers from the Rocky Branch, Williamson, and New Vester school districts in southwest Wilson County to attend a citizenship program.

Wilson Daily Times, 27 April 1950.

In an era in which few African-Americans qualified to register to vote, it is interesting to consider what “responsibilities and privileges as a good citizen” were being imparted.

——

“I’m spiritually fed, and I have lovely friends”: centenarian Rosa Arrington looks back.

Rosa Farmer Arrington‘s 1984 interview with the Daily Times shortly before her 102nd birthday is a joy to read! (Where are her photographs now??)

Wilson Daily Times, 31 December 1984.

——

In the 1900 census of the Town of Wilson, Wilson County: day laborer James Farmer, 22, and his siblings Rosa, 17, Freeda, 10, Robert, 7, Richard, 5, Mark, 2, and Erickers, 7 months, plus boarder Tobias Farmer, 47, a barber.

On 19 September 1900, Warren Crank, 21, of Wilson, married Rosa Farmer, 18, of Wilson, daughter of Tobias Farmer and Chunnie Farmer, at Rosa Farmer’s house in Wilson. P.H. Leach applied for the license; Rev. William Baker performed the ceremony; and R.H.W. Wilkerson, Joe Edwards, and G.A. Martin were witnesses.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: oil mill laborer Warren Crank, 30; wife Rosie, 27, laundress; brother-in-law Mark Farmer, 12; and boarder Mute Land, 31, oil mill laborer.

Tobias Farmer died in Wilson on 17 May 1914. Per his death certificate, he was born 5 January 1854 in North Carolina to Elija Farmer and Rosa Barnes; was a widower; and worked as a barber. Rosa Crank was informant.

Warren Crank died 2 June 1917 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 8 December 1880 in Lynchburg, Virginia, to Thomas Crank; worked in a tobacco factory; and was married. Rosa Crank was informant. Crank was buried in Wilson, N.C. (which likely meant Vick or Odd Fellows Cemeteries.)

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 646 Green Street, house carpenter Levi Arrington, 33; wife Rosa, 33; and daughter Zelma, 7.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 Reid Street, carpenter Levi Arrington, 38, wife Rosa, 40, daughter Zelma, 16, and lodger Nelly Sharp, 20, a cook.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Arrington Zelma (c) student 208 N Reid

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 Reid Street, construction carpenter Levi Arrington, 53, born in Nash County; wife Rosa, 57, tobacco stemmer, born in Enfield; daughter Zelma, 28, born in Wilson, beauty parlor operator; and roomer Mary Johnson, 22, born in Winston-Salem, public school teacher.

On 25 February 1948, Hector Henry McPhail, 44, of Wilson, son of R.J. and Laura McPhail, married Zelma Mae Arrington, 35, of Wilson, son of Levi and Rosa Arrington, in Greensboro, Guilford County, North Carolina.

Zelma Arrington McPhail died 27 December 1948 at her home at 208 North Reid Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 April 1912 in Wilson to Levi Arrington and  Rosa Farmer; was married to Hector McPhail; worked as a beautician; and was buried in “Wilson/Roundtree” cemetery.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 Reid Street, carpenter Levi Arrington, 62; wife Rosa, 67, beauty parlor proprietor; and foster daughter Margaret Kenny, 9.

Robert Farmer died 23 March 1957 at his home at 803 South Railroad Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 26 March 1890 in Wilson County to Tobe Farmer and Eunice Hunter; was a laborer; and was a widower. Rosa Arrington was informant.

Levi Arrington died 11 June 1964 at his home at 208 North Reid Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 2 May 1887 in Nash County to Amie Salvage; was married to Rosa Arrington; and was a carpenter.

The estate of Asael Barnes Farmer (1856).

Asael Barnes Farmer, who lived between present-day Wilson and Elm City, held people in slavery for most of his life, claiming three in the 1800 census (when he was about 22 years old), six in 1810, and 13 in 1820. Farmer died about 1856 possessed of two dozen or more enslaved people. An account of the hire of these people — mostly to Farmer’s relatives — for 1856 included Spencer, Sampson, Belford, David, Moses, Jarmon, Daniel, Benjamin, Howard, Blount, Berry, Washington, Joshua, Patsey and her children, Clark and Titus, Della, Jane, Mar, Ellen and her children, Clarkey, and Delila.

Much of Farmer’s estate file concerns State v. Dave, an enslaved man accused of breaking into a white woman’s house and stealing clothes. In connection with that case, in December 1863, the court issued jury summons to 25 “good and lawful men being slave holders.”

——

How many of Asael Farmer’s enslaved can we trace forward?

  • Spencer

Perhaps: on 12 January 1869, Watson Farmer, son of Aaron Barnes and Cherry Barnes, married Martha Barnes, daughter of Spencer Taylor and Cherry Taylor, at Pattie Farmer’s in Wilson County.

On 16 January 1869, Jolly Taylor, son of Spencer Farmer and Cherry Taylor, married Patsey Farmer, daughter of Benj. and Ellen Farmer, in Wilson.

On 4 January 1870, Daniel Farmer, son of Spencer Farmer and Cherry Farmer, married Axa Cherry, daughter of Joseph Forbs and Judy Barnes, in Wilson County.

On 24 April 1870, Hardy Farmer, son of Spencer Farmer and Cherry Farmer, married Silvey Hooks at Hardy Farmer’s home in Wilson County.

  • Sampson

Perhaps: on 25 August 1866, Sampson Farmer and Lucy Stephens registered their 12-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

in the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Samson Farmer, 55, farm laborer, and wife Lucy, 47.

In the 1880 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farmer Samson Farmer, 60, and wife Lucy A., 54.

Or: on 23 August 1866, Sampson Farmer and Phillis Jordan registered their 18(?)-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Samson Farmer, 57; wife Phillis, 25; son Warren, 12; and Rebecca Taylor, 31.

in the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Sampson Farmer, 59, farm laborer; wife Phillis, 29; son Warren, 26; and Amos Simms, 62.

Hannah Barnes died 25 May 1920 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 1841 in Wilson County to Samson Farmer and Annie Barnes; was married to Robert Barnes; and was buried in Elm City. Julius Barnes was informant.

  • Belford

On 22 September 1870, Belford Farmer, son of Ben and Ellen Farmer, married Peggy Flowers, daughter of Henry and Annie Flowers, in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Bellford Farmer, 46, farmer; wife Peggy, 36; children Morning, 17, Benj’n, 10, Alice, 13, Moses, 8, Anna, 5, and Ida, 1; and Allen Battle, 21.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widowed laundress Peggy Farmer, 43, and children Mourning, 23, Alice, 21, Annie, 13, Moses, 16, Ida, 10, Belford, 7, and Mary, 5, and grandsons Willie, 3, and Henry, 1.

  • David

This was the Dave of State v. Dave.

  • Moses

In 1866, Moses Farmer and Emla Farmer registered their 15-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Moses Farmer, 43, farm laborer; wife Emily, 38; Adeline Farmer, 20; Agnes Farmer, 65; Paton Farmer; 8; and John Farmer, 7.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Spring Street, farm worker Moses Farmer, 54, and wife Emily, 45.

  • Jarmon

In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farmer Jarman Farmer, 34; wife Virginia, 30; and children Jackson, 17, Green, 13, Rose, 15, Jane, 10, Julia, 8, Ella, 6, and Maggie, 4.

On 8 February 1877, Rose Farmer, 21, married Dennis Batts, 22, at Jarman Farmer’s house in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Jarman Farmer, 52; wife Jennie, 45; children Greene, 22, Julia A., 15, Mary E., 13, Jarman, 4, and Isaac, 3; and brother Blount Farmer, 45.

In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Jarman Farmer, 75; wife Jennie, 68; sons Jarman, 25, and Isaac, 22; and grandsons Walter, 19, and Sam Faulklin, 22.

On 9 January 1901, Jarman Farmer Jr., 26, son of Jarman Farmer, married Maud Sessoms, 23, daughter of Claude Sessoms, at Dock Thomas‘ in Toisnot township, Wilson County.

Julia Farmer died 27 July 1943 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 April 1880 [actually, more like 1865] in Wilson County to Jarman Farmer and Jennie Farmer; was the widow of Bennie Farmer; and was buried in Elm City Cemetery. Jennie Armstrong was informant.

Jarman Farmer died 17 December 1954 in Richmond, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was 77 years old; was born in Wilson County, N.C., to Jarman Farmer and Jennie Farmer; lived at 619 North 26th Street, Richmond; was the widower of Maude Farmer; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery. Lessie Farmer was informant.

  • Daniel

In 1866, Daniel Farmer and Cherry Barefoot registered their three-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

On 4 January 1870, Daniel Farmer, son of Spencer Farmer and Cherry Farmer, married Axa Cherry, daughter of Joseph Forbs and Judy Barnes, in Wilson County. [Is this is same Daniel as above?]

In the 1870 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farm laborer Daniel Farmer, 37; wife Axele, 36; and children Rosa, 14, Cherry, 12, Hardy, 7, and Elbert, 3.

In the 1880 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Daniel Farmer, 46; wife Axel, 40; children Hardy, 16, Lou, 12, Aaron, 10, Spencer, 8, and Elitia, 4.

Aaron Lumford Farmer died 25 April 1933 in Bull Head township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 June 1870 in Elm City, Wilson County, to Dan Farmer and Axey Barnes; was married to the “daughter of Marcus Shepherd”; and was a farmer. Aaron Farmer Jr. was informant.

  • Benjamin

On 19 December 1868, Isaac Wells, son of Cain and Milly Wells, married Clarkey Farmer, daughter of Ben and Ellen Dowly, in Wilson County. See Clarkey and Titus, below.

On 16 January 1869, Jolly Taylor, son of Spencer Farmer and Cherry Taylor, married Patsey Farmer, daughter of Benj. and Ellen Farmer, in Wilson.

On 22 September 1870, Belford Farmer, son of Ben and Ellen Farmer, married Peggy Flowers, daughter of Henry and Annie Flowers, in Wilson County.

  • Haywood
  • Blount

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Jarman Farmer, 52; wife Jennie, 45; children Greene, 22, Julia A., 15, Mary E., 13, Jarman, 4, and Isaac, 3; and brother Blount Farmer, 45.

  • Berry

Perhaps, on 22 August 1866, Berry Farmer and Hester Viverette registered their 12-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Berry Farmer, 45; wife Hester, 44; children Jane, 13, Cherry, 11, Leah, 8, Rose, 6, and Georgiana, 1; and farm laborer Harriss Parker, 20; Miller Ricks, 10, and Ellie Vines, 19.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer Berry Farmer, 40, and Cherry, 23, Rose, 15, Anna, 12, and Addie, 7.

Or: on 25 August 1866, Berry Farmer and Harrett Farmer registered their ten-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Berry Farmer, 32; wife Harriet, 38; and Andrew, 7.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Berry Farmer, 50, and wife Harriet, 45.

  • Washington

Perhaps, Washington Farmer, whose wife Waity Harris and children were enslaved by a different owner, but see here.

  • Joshua
  • Patsey and her children

Is this the Martha, above, who married Watson Farmer on 12 January 1869 in Wilson County? (Patsey was a nickname for Martha.)

  • Clark and Titus

On 19 December 1868, Isaac Wells, son of Cain and Milly Wells, married Clarkey Farmer, daughter of Ben and Ellen Dowly, in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Isaac Wells, 28, farm laborer, and wife Clarkey, 34.

In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Morriss Barnes, 27, farm laborer; wife Della, 27; children Benjamin, 10, Dilly, 6, Robert, 4, Wesley, 3, and Harriett, 1; and Titus Farmer, 18.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer Isaac Wells, 39; wife Clarke, 45; stepson Titus Farmer, 26, farm laborer; and James Chisel, 17, farm laborer.

Clarkie Wells died 1 February 1924 at the County Home, Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 90 years old and a widow.

  • Della
  • Jane
  • Mar
  • Ellen and her children

On 19 December 1868, Isaac Wells, son of Cain and Milly Wells, married Clarkey Farmer, daughter of Ben and Ellen Dowly, in Wilson County.

On 22 September 1870, Belford Farmer, son of Ben and Ellen Farmer, married Peggy Flowers, daughter of Henry and Annie Flowers, in Wilson County.

Possibly: in the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: Nellie Farmer, 62; Mary Farmer, 47; and Joshua Farmer, 22. [“Nellie” was a nickname for Ellen. Next door, Berry and Harriet Farmer. Joshua was too young to have been the Joshua listed among Asael Farmer’s slaves.]

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Nellie Farmer, 75; grandsons George, 20, Drewey, 17, and Berry Farmer, 17; and great-granddaughter Martha A. Parker, 8.

  • Clarkey
  • Delila

These records establish three nuclear families among the group — (1) Spencer and Cherry and their children Daniel, Hardy, and possibly Patsey; (2) Ben and Ellen and their children Belford and Clarkey (as well as Clarkey’s son Titus); and brothers Blount and Jarman.

Asael Farmer Estate File (1856), Wilson County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, http://www.familysearch.org.