Finch

The apprenticeship of Alonzo Finch, revisited.

On 3 June 1899, a Wilson County Superior Court clerk ordered brothers Alonzo Finch, 14, and Jack Finch, 5, bound as an apprentice to Zealous Howard. The arrangement proved disastrous for the elder boy.

On 2 October 1902, an attorney submitted a petition to the clerk of Superior Court In the Matter of Alonzo Finch, Apprentice. The document asserted that Finch had served Howard faithfully until forced to leave “by threats or other conduct.” Finch claimed Howard had failed to provide him with adequate clothing, that “outside parties” gave him clothes, and that he often had to work at night to earn money to buy clothes. Further, Howard had not educated him as required per the terms of his indenture, such that Finch “did not know the letters of the alphabet and therefore [was] unable to read and write.” Worse, Howard hired Finch out and took the money the boy earned. Because of Howard’s “cruel treatment,” Finch requested that the indenture be annulled and cancelled.

After hearing the evidence, clerk J.D. Bardin found Howard “morally unfit” and released Alonzo Finch from his indenture.

The apprenticeship of Alonzo Finch (1899).

On 3 June 1899, a Wilson County Superior Court judge ordered 14 year-old Alonzo Finch bound as an apprentice to Zealous Howard until he reached 21 years of age.

In the 1900 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Zealous Howard, 69, wife Roda, 64, daughter Anna, 24, and two bound boys Lonza, 15, and Jack Howard, 5.

United States Indenture and Manumission Records, 1780-1939, database at https://familysearch.org.

Snaps, no. 114: William and Martha Ann Bynum Finch.

William and Martha Ann Bynum Finch.

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In the 1880 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: Calvin Bynum, 31, farmer; wife Pherabe, 28; and children Olive, 9, Fannie, 7, Martha Ann, 5, Joseph, 2, and Benjamin, 3 months.

On 23 January 1898, William Finch, 29, married Martha Bynum, 22, in Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer William Finch, 39; wife Martha A., 25; children Luginia, 12, Anachy, 9, and David, 1; and aunt Lanie Finch, 54.

In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: William Finch, 44; wife Mattie, 36; and children Anachie, 18, David, 12, John W., 10, Lafayette L., 6, Pearlie, 4, Leora, 2, and James H., 1 month.

In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer William Finch, 56; wife Mattie, 45; and children David, 20, John William, 19, Lafayette L., 15, Pearlie, 14, Leora, 12, James, 8, Willie, 6, and Lessie, 1.

In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer William Finch, 65; wife Martha, 57; and children Lafayette L., 24, James, 20, Willie, 17, Lessie, 13, and Moses, 7.

William Finch died & March 1936 in Lucama, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 November 1860 in Nash County; was married to Marthann Finch; worked as a farmer; and was buried in “home cem.” Johnnie Finch was informant.

In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Marthy Finch, 68; sons Layette, 36, Lessie, 21, and Mose, 19; daughter-in-law Eldora, 35; and grandson Robert Lee, 4.

Martha Finch died 7 February 1958 in Lucama, Springhill township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 17 June 1873 in Wilson to Calvin Bynum and Farbee [maiden name unknown]; was the widow of William Finch; and was buried in Finch Cemetery. Pearley Finch was informant.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com Neshele Godfrey.

Albert Finch’s patriotic utterances.

Wilson Daily Times, 29 August 1918.

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On 27 October 1909, William A. Finch, 27, of Nash County, son of Z.D. Finch and Minnie Ann Finch, married Lougene Finch, 20, of Cross Roads township, daughter of Billie and Mattie Finch, in Wilson.

In the 1910 census of Dry Wells township, Nash County, North Carolina: farmer Albert Finch, 25, and wife Lula, 20.

In 1918, William Albert Finch registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 3 December 1881; lived at R.F.D. #3, Lucama, Wilson County; farmed for W.J. Newsome; and his nearest relative was Lugenia Finch.

In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Albert Finch, 33, and wife Lugenia, 31.

Lougenia Finch died 30 August 1923 in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, her birthdate was unknown; she was born in Wilson County to William and Flossie Finch; was married to Albert Finch; and was buried in the Zid Finch Cemetery in Middlesex [Nash County].

In the 1930 census of Dry Wells township, Nash County, North Carolina: Zid D. Finch, 78; wife Minnie A., 68; son Albert, 51; daughter Mamie, 24; and grandchildren Joseph W., 14, Clois E., 10, James T., 8, and Warnealy Ward, 6.

In the 1940 census of Dry Wells township, Nash County, North Carolina: Albert Finch, 58; son Thomas, 19; and daughter Junita, 16.

William Albert Finch died 26 May 1962 in Rocky Mount, Nash County. Per his death certificate, he was born 3 December 1881 in Wilson to Zid and Men Finch; was the widower of Lugenia Finch; lived in Middlesex, Nash County; and was buried in Finch Cemetery, Nash County.

The death of Julius Finch of Whitaker, Pennsylvania.

In the 1940 census of Whitaker township, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania: Julius Finch, 34, W.P.A. worker, born in North Carolina, and wife Emily, 28, born in Georgia.

In 1942, Julius Finch registered for the World War II draft in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. Per his registration card, he was born in Wilson, North Carolina; his contact was Emily Finch; and he worked for the Eighth Street Foundry in Braddock, Pennsylvania.

In the 1950 census of Whitaker, Allegheny township, Pennsylvania: at 1214 River Road, upstairs, Julius Finch, 55, supplyman at electrical appliance manufacturer, and wife Emily C., 39.

Pittsburgh Press, 10 December 1974.

Per his application for military headstone, Julius Finch was buried in Homewood Cemetery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was born in 1895 and died in 1974 and served as a private in the United States Army during World War I.

Studio shots, no. 162: Annie Finch Cotton Ricks.

Annie F.C. Ricks (1880-1977).

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On 10 January 1899, Lumas Cotton, 21, of Nash County, son of John and Puss Cotton, married Annie Finch, 19, of Nash County, daughter of Z.D. and Minnie Finch, in Oldfields township, Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Bailey township, Nash County: farmer Lumis Cotton, 20, and wife Annie, 19.

In the 1910 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Lumis Cotton, 31; wife Annie, 30; and children Chester A., 10, Onnie, 8, Claudie, 7, Lillie M., 5, George W., 3, and John G., 9 months.

In the 1920 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: on Wilson and Raleigh Road, farmer Lumas Cotton, 39; wife Annie, 39; and children Arthur, 19, Ormie, 18, Claud, 16, Lillie May, 14, George W., 11, John S., 10, Joe Brandice, 8, Velmer, 6, Thelmer, 4, Maggie Lee, 3, and Minnie Ann, 1 month.

Loomis Cotton died 19 March 1924 in Bailey township, Nash County. Per his death certificate, he was born 18 March 1881 in Nash County to John Cotton of Wilson County and Charity Taylor of Johnston County; was married to Annie Cotton; and was a farmer.

In the 1930 census of Bailey township, Nash County: farmer John Z. Cotton, 21; widowed mother Annie, 52; and siblings Joe B., 19, Thelma, 16, Maggie, 13, Menda, 11, and Dosie M., 8.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: laundry presser Richard Tarbor, 26; wife Doshie, 24; sister-in-law Maggie Perry, 24, widow; niece Mary Harris, 6; and mother-in-law Annie Ricks, 59, widow. The women all worked as housekeepers.

Annie Finch Cotton Ricks died 6 March 1977 in Baltimore, Maryland.

Baltimore Afro-American, 25 May 1974.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user profitbrown.

The family of Annie H.F. Pender.

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Annie Hines Finch Pender (1904-1999).

The family history of Annie H.F. Pender illustrates the movement of families among neighboring counties to find the best farming arrangements. The Hineses and Finches moved between Franklin and Nash Counties before settling near Stantonsburg in Wilson County in the 1920s.

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In the 1900 census of Cypress Creek township, Franklin County, North Carolina: Phil Hines, 21, farm laborer.

In the 1900 census of Cypress Creek township, Franklin County, North Carolina: farmer Marcellus Harris, 57; wife Ann, 55; children Anna, 36, William, 21, Laura, 18, and Jesse, 17; grandchildren Anthony, 10, and Sallie, 6; son Daniel, 24; daughter-in-law Drucilla, 25; and grandchildren Pearlie, 2, Mosey, 1, and an unnamed infant boy.

On 22 October 1901, Phil Hines, 22, of Franklin County, son of Jonas and Isado Hines, married Laura Harris, 21, of Franklin County, daughter of Marcillus and Anna Harris.

In the 1910 census of Harris township, Franklin County: on Lower Road, James Hines, 30, farm laborer; wife Laura, 28; and children Wiley, 7, Lula, 6, Anna, 6, Pernolia, 4, and Aron, 2.

Phil Hines registered for the World War I draft in Nash County in 1918. Per his registration card, he was born 13 December 1876; resided at R.F.D. #2, Bailey, Nash County; farmed for M.F. Morgan, Bailey; his nearest relative was wife Laura Hines; and he was literate, signed his name “Phill Hines.”

On 29 June 1923, Mozelle Hines died in Dry Wells township, Nash County. Per his death certificate, he was 4 years old; was born in Nash County to Phil Hines and Laura Harris; and was buried in Wiggins cemetery. Phil Hines, Middlesex, N.C., was informant.

On 21 July 1923, Annie Hines, 21, of Nash County, daughter of Phil and Laura Hines, married Howard Finch, 21, of Nash County son of Bennett and Annie Finch, in Nash County.

Albert Lee Finch died 12 July 1924 in Stantonsburg township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 October 1923 in Nash County to Howard Finch and Annie Hines and was buried in Bethel Cemetery.

In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: on Snow Hill Road, Aaron Hines, 19; wife Grace H., 21; son James W., Jr., 2; father James W., Sr., 51; mother Laura, 47; widowed sister Phoenolia, 21; brothers Wiley, 25, John E., 14, George, 13, and Mozelle, 12; niece Fannie, 6; and nephews Raymond, 7, Robert L., 3, and Stephen Finch, Jr., 1. [This entry appears to contain significant naming errors.]

In the 1930 census of Jackson township, Nash County: farmer Howard Finch, 23; wife Annie, 22; sons Howard L., 5, Grover, 3, and James A., 2; and lodger Charlie Webb, 28.

In the 1940 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: sawmill laborer Phillip Hines, 55; wife Laura, 45; sons John, 23, Mozelle, 19, and Robert Lee, 17; grandchildren Raymond, 12, Stephen, 10, and Fannie, 13; daughter Lula, 37; grandchildren Dorabelle, 10, Justus Lee, 5, and Sadie Mae, 2; widowed daughter Anna Finch, 37, and her sons Howard, 17, Grover, 13, Randolph, 10, and James, 8; [grand]son-in-law Eddie Freeman, 20; granddaughter Ella, 19, and great-granddaughter Blonnie, 1.

In 1940, John Hines registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 17 October 1913 in Nash County; lived in Stantonsburg; his contact was mother Laura Hines, Stantonsburg; and he worked for Stantonsburg Lumber Company. In red grease pencil: “Cancelled dead Feb 9 1943.”

John M. Hines died 9 February 1943 in Stantonsburg township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born in Franklin County in 1921 to Phillip Hines and Laura Harry, both of Franklin County; worked as a common laborer; was single; and was buried in Red Hill cemetery, Wilson County. Informant was Laura Edmeson, Petersburg, Virginia.

In 1944, Raymond Hines registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 March 1926 in Farmville, N.C.; lived in Stantonsburg; his contact was grandmother Laura Hines, Stantonsburg; and he worked for Will Rogers at Stantonsburg Lumber Company.

Phill Hines died 15 March 1946 in Stantonsburg township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 65 years old; was born in Nash County to Jonas Hines and Isadora High; worked as a common laborer; was married to Laura Hines, age 52; and was buried in Red Hill cemetery, Wayne County. Laura Hines was informant.

Laura Hines died 4 August 1960 in Stantonsburg township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 22 March 1896 [actually, closer to 1880] in Franklin County to Sellus and Ann Harris and was widowed. Robert Hines was informant.

Annie Hines Pender, born 11 December 1904 in Franklin County, died 30 October 1999 in Wilson County.

Thank you to Annie Finch Artis for sharing this photograph of her grandmother.

The Gospel Four.

The Gospel Four, circa 1940.

Like The Soul Stirrers, the Gospel Four were a quartet with five members. Founded in the Lucama area, the Gospel Four achieved local fame fed by their weekly radio show during the 1940s. Shown above, they were Jim Lawrence Jones, his brother Paul H. Jones, brothers Robert Powell and Russell Powell, and Eddie Finch, who was married to the Jones brothers’ sister Ida Mae.

Wilson Daily Times, 15 February 1947.

  • Jim Lawrence, Paul and Ida Mae Jones — Jim Lawrence Jones (1917-1976), Paul Henderson Jones, and Ida Mae Jones were children of Thomas and Mary Ida Bagley Jones.
  • Robert Powell — Robert (1908-1956) and David Russell Powell (1911-1990) were sons of David B. and Sarah Boykin Powell.
  • Eddie Finch — Nash County native Edward Finch (1909-1978), son of William and Mattie Finch, married Ida Mae Jones (1912-1986) in Johnston County, North Carolina, on 10 January 1931.

Photograph courtesy of Edith Jones Garnett. (It appears to have been taken at Baker Studio.) Thank you!