Gay

Lewis Battle recovers.

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Wilson Advance, 12 October 1883.

One hundred thirty-three years ago today, the Wilson Advance approvingly commented on the recuperation of Lewis Battle, a worthy colored man. Battle was a house servant of Alpheus Branch, who founded Branch Banking & Trust Company (now BB&T) in Wilson in 1887.

The fight had taken place a week earlier:

10-5-1883

Wilson Advance, 5 October 1883.

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In the 1880 census of Town of Wilson, Wilson County: in the household of white merchant Alpheus Branch, 37, servants Louis Battle, 34, and Elias Taylor, 11.

On 2 October 1884, Lewis Battle, 35, married Jomima Terry, 23, at Samuel Williams‘ in Wilson. Methodist minister P.W. Howard performed the ceremony before John Thompson, H.P. Best and Edward Parish.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Louis Battle, 52, driver, and wife Joemima, 31, washer.

Gay’s old stand.

A regular meeting of the Board of Aldermen of the Town of Wilson was held in the office of C.A. Young this Monday evening, January 2, 1888.

…

Liquor License was granted to the following parties:

  • Wiley Corbett at Bates Stand
  • Hawkins & Bridgers on Tarboro Street
  • Edwin Rose on Fulcher’s Block
  • Emma Gay at her old stand

No other business appearing the Board adjourned.       C.A. Young, Secretary

——

In the 1870 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farm laborer Charles Gay, 35, wife Emma, 25, children Charles, 5, and Mary, 1, and two farm laborers Rich’d Harper, 20, and Haywood Watson, 17.

Charles Gay died in late early 1874. Emma was appointed administratrix of his estate, which consisted of personal possessions, cash, accounts receivable, and liquor and groceries from the store he operated. Emma carried on his business; this was her “old stand.”

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In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Emma Gay, 35; children Charlie, 15, a steam-mill worker, Mary, 11, Etheldred, 8, and Willie, 6; plus a boarder Fannie Thompson, 19, cook.

In early 1885, pursuant to a judgment against her, Emma Gay lost the half-acre lot upon which she and her family lived.

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Wilson Advance, 12 December 1884.

On 4 February 1892, Henry C. Rountree, 44, married Emma Gay, 44, at the bride’s residence in Wilson. Presbyterian minister L.J. Melton performed the ceremony, and witnesses were Edward Pool, Mark Blount and S.H. Vick.

Emma Gay Rountree’s will entered probate in Wilson County Superior Court in June 1917:

Last Will and Testament of Emma Rountree of Wilson, North Carolina.

Know all men by these presents that, I, Emma Rountree of Wilson, Wilson County, state of North Carolina, being of sound mind and disposing memory, do hereby make and publish this, my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me at any time heretofore made.

(1) I give, devise, and bequeath to my children Mary Strickland, William Gay, Dred Gay, and the estate of my late son Chas Gay all of my property both real and personal with the exception of one dining room table, and one organ. The organ is hereby bequeathed to my beloved granddaughter Emma Gay.

(2) I give, devise and bequeath to Lizzie Whitfield, one dining room table, the same now in use in my dining room.

(3) I give, devise, and bequeath to my children Mary Strickland, William Gay, Dred Gay, and Lizzie Whitfield all money that may be left after paying all debts and expenses of my funeral. The same to be divided equally among them.

(4) I, hereby appoint Rev. H.B. Taylor the executor of this my last will and testament and recommend to the proper authorities that he be appointed guardian for Dred Gay and Mary Strickland, whose mental abilities incapacitates them to manage an estate.     Emma (X) Rountree

Signed by said Testatrix, Emma Rountree, as for her last will and testament, in the presence of us, who at her request, in her presence and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as attesting witnesses. Louis Thomas, W.H. Kittrell, S.H. Vick

——

This Board of Aldermen entry appears Minutes of City Council, Wilson, North Carolina, May 1, 1885-June 16, 1892, transcribed in a bound volume shelved at Wilson County Public Library, Wilson; North Carolina Wills and Estates, 1665-1998 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.

One acre, more or less.

This Indenture made and entered into this the 28th day of Sept., A.D. 1877 between R.J. Taylor and wife Sallie A. Taylor of the first part and Daniel Vick  of the second part all of the County of Wilson & State of North Carolina Witnesseth, that for & in consideration of the sum of four hundred dollars the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, hath bargained, Sold & by these presents the party of the first part does give grant bargain sell and deliver to the party of the second part his heirs & assigns a certain piece of land near the Town of Wilson and the Barefoot road beginning on said road at Spencer Gays corner then with said road to the Peter Taylor lot owned by G.W. Blount Est. Say 328 feet then with said Blount Lot to the old Edwin Barnes line then South with said Edwin Barnes line to Ester McGown line say 248 feet then with Ester McGown & Spencer Gay lines to the beginning containing one acre more or less To have and to hold to the party of the Second part his heirs and assigns forever.

And the party of the first for themselves their heirs & assigned warrant and defend the title to above lot forever Given under our hands and seals the the … /s/ R.J. Taylor, S.A. Taylor

——

This deed is Daniel Vick’s first recorded purchase of property.

The 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County, shows several of the families named above in close proximity “south of the plank road,” which is above called the Barefoot road and is now Nash Street. It’s hard to say precisely where Daniel Vick’s property was, but it safe to bet that it was just east of modern Manchester Street, an area then well outside of city limits.

1880

Spencer Gay, son of Anthony and Catherine Gay, married Adeline Barnes, daughter of Baalam and Jinny Barnes, on 9 August 1868 in Wilson County. Spencer is listed in the 1880 mortality schedule for Wilson, Wilson County, having died of consumption that February. He was a brick yard laborer.

Peter Taylor and family are listed next door to Washington Suggs in the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County. Peter seems to have died before the 1900 census was taken, but his wife Clarissa lived well into the next century. Clarissy Taylor of 522 Church Street, Wilson, died 16 September 1922. Her death certificate reports that she was 85 years old, that she had been born in Wilson County, and that her father had been Dempsey Cotton. Mark Cotton was informant.

Deed Book 22, page 439, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson, North Carolina.

Family fracas.

WA 6 10 1881 fight

Wilson Advance, 10 June 1881.

“The old African Methodist church” is likely the earliest location of Saint John A.M.E. Zion church.

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In the 1870 census of Wilson, Wilson County: domestic servant Clay Farmer, 60; brickyard worker Gray W. Farmer, 13; and domestic servant Jonas Gay, 14.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Jonas Gay, 20, laborer, living alone. Also, laborer Ephraim McMannin, 60, wife Abigail, 48, and children Atha Simms, 13, and Sherrard Simms, 3. [Abigail McMannin was Jonas Gay’s mother.]

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: servant Wright Bynum, 37; wife Amanda, 30; with four lodgers, teamster Jonas Gay, 36, tobacco grader Joseph McMannin, 27, and servants Joseph Crawford, 22, and Shepard Sharp, 20. [The relationship of Joseph McMannin to Ephraim McMannin is unknown.]

Jonas Gay died of consumption [tuberculosis] 17 February 1910. His supposed age was 52, which is within the range of the ages given for him in census entries. Informant Lee Simms‘ relationship to the Simms’ children living with Abigail Gay McMannin in 1880 is unknown.

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Overindulgence in the ardent.

Wil Adv 4 14 1898 J gay

Wilson Advance, 14 April 1898.

In the 1870 census of Wilson, Wilson County: domestic servant Clay Farmer, 60; brickyard worker Gray W. Farmer, 13; and domestic servant Jonas Gay, 14.

In the 1880 census of Wilson , Wilson County: Jonas Gay, 20, laborer, living alone.

On 4 January 1892, Jonas Gay, 39, parents unknown, married Farilla Thorn, 22, daughter of James and Adaline Thorne in the presence of Geo. W. Battle, F.A. Moore and Trecy Gay.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: servant Wright Bynum, 37; wife Amanda, 30; with four lodgers, teamster Jonas Gay, 36, tobacco grader Joseph McMannin, 27, and servants Joseph Crawford, 22, and Shepard Sharp, 20.

In the 1908 city directory of Wilson: Gay Jonas, lab h 615 e Barnes

That’s your wife.

Wilson_News_9_21_1899_wedding

Wilson News, 21 September 1899.

Ignore the snark, which was par for the course for newspapers covering African-American social and cultural events. This is a fascinating peek into early East Wilson’s social circles.

  • Henry S. Perry — Henry S. Perry (1873-1927) was a native of Lagrange, Lenoir County. He worked as a bellhop, porter and waiter.
  • Centha Barnes — Center Barnes (1881-circa 1909), known as “Cintha” or “Cindy,” was the youngest daughter of Willis and Cherry Battle Barnes.
  • Roebertha E. Long
  • Rev. S.B. Hunter — Rev. Southey B. Hunter (1847-??) was an A.M.E. Zion minister.
  • Chas. B. Gay — Charles Benjamin Gay (1878-1953) was the son of Samuel and Alice Bryant Gay.
  • J.H. Brown
  • Michael Taylor — Henry Michael Taylor (1861-1927), married to Rachel Barnes, was the bride’s brother-in-law. Known as “Mike,” he worked as a drayman.
  • Edward Barnes — Edward Barnes (1869-1912) was the bride’s brother. He was much better known as Ned Barnes and married Charles and Lucy Gay’s sister Louisa Gay.
  • Walter Clark — Walter Clark (1884-??) was the son of mechanic Rhoden Clark and Sarah Hill Clark, who were Halifax County natives. The family lived at 606 E. Green Street.
  • Lucy Gay — Lucy Gay was a sister of Charles Gay. She later married John H. Lewis in Wilson.
  • L.H. Jones — Levi Hunter Jones (1877-1961), a native of Hertford County, North Carolina, was a barber.
  • E.J. Tate — This is possibly Noah J. Tate, (1876-1926), a barber, and son of brickmason Hardy Tate (1854-1938) and wife Mary.
  • Williams Barnes — William Barnes (1879-1917) was also the bride’s brother.
  • Leutha Clark — Alethia Clark (1882-1936) was the sister of Walter Clark.
  • John Coleman
  • Sattena Barnes — Sattena Barnes (1878-1928) was born in Elm City, Wilson County, to Dublin and Eliza Batts Barnes. She later married John Gaston.
  • William Kittrel — William Kittrell (1875-??) was an Oxford, North Carolina, native and bricklayer.
  • Catharine Clark — Catherine Clark (1880-1933) was a sister of Walter and Lethia Clark.
  • Maggie Taylor — Maggie Taylor (1885-) was Mike and Rachel Barnes Taylor’s daughter.
  • Virginia Dawson — Virginia Dawson (1890-1933), daughter of fishmonger/merchant Alexander D. Dawson and dressmaker Lucy Annie Hill Dawson.
  • Bettie Clark — Bettie Clark (1885-??) was another of Rhoden and Sarah Clark’s children.
  • Lucy Hines — Lucy Hines (1886-??) was the daughter of Della Hines Battle.
  • Anna Pridgen
  • Glace Battle — Glace Battle (circa 1890-??), also known as Grace, was the daughter of Parker and Ella Battle. She later married Timothy Black.
  • Alice Pierce — Alice Pierce (1889-1915) was the daughter of Andrew Pierce and Alice Knight Pierce. She later married Walter A. Maynor.
  • Bertha Taylor — Bertha Taylor (1891-1962) was also Mike and Rachel Barnes Taylor’s daughter.

Where did they go?: Tennessee death certificates.

Death certificates for residents of Tennessee born in Wilson, North Carolina:

  • Mamie Lee King, Chattanooga

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In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farm worker Samuel Gay, 29; wife Allice, 25; and children Blanch, 9, Louizah, 7, Edgar, 4, Charlie, 2, and Mamie, 1 month.

  • Minnie Carey, Knoxville

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  • Maluel Coleman, Collinsville, Shelby County

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  • James Watson, Davidson County

33113_257804-00157

  • Charlie James Barnes, Memphis

33113_258062-02626

Tennessee Death Records, 1908-1958 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.

Class portrait, Stantonsburg Street School.

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Colored Graded or Stantonsburg Street School (later known as the Sallie Barbour School), circa 1933. Annie Marian Gay is second from left on the top row. First on the row below her is Lucian J. Henderson. The boy at far right on the third row from the bottom is a Diggs. The teacher is believed to be Elizabeth Courtney Plummer Fitts. Please contact me if you can positively identify any more of these children.

The last will and testament of Henry C. Rountree.

H Rountree Will p 1

H Rountree Will p 2

Last Will and Testament of Henry C. Rountree.

Know all men by these presents, that I, Henry C. Rountree, of Wilson in the County of Wilson and State of North Carolina, being of sound mind and memory does make and publish this my last will and testament revoking all former wills at any time before made.

And as to my worldly estate, and all property real, personal or mixed of which I shall die seized and possessed, or to which I shall be entitled at the time of my decease, I devise, bequeath and dispose of in the following manner:

First. My will is, that all of my just debts and funeral expense shall by my executor hereinafter named be paid as soon after my decease as shall by him be found convenient.

I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Emma Rountree, all my household furniture, my horse, wagon and harness and all personal property and all moneys with which I may died possessed with the exception of money sufficient to pay my just debts and one hundred and twenty five dollars to be hereinafter disposed to her and to hold the same to her and her assigned forever.

I also give to her the use, improvements and income of my dwelling house land, and its appurtenances situated on Stantonsburg road, the dwelling in which I now reside, to have and to hold the same to her forever during her natural life.

To my son, Ernest Rountree, I give and bequeath the sum of five dollars.

I give, devise and bequeath to S.H. Vick ten dollars.

I give, devise and bequeath to Calvary Presbyterian Church Ten dollars.

I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife in addition to the above amount the sum of one hundred dollars to be held in trust for her and to be paid only when necessity demands it.

In case my wife dies before the said one hundred dollars is needed, I give, devise and bequeath to my wife’s grand daughter, Emma Gay, the said one hundred dollars.

After the demise of my beloved wife my house and lot situate on Stantonsburg road is to be sold, and the proceeds divided as follows:

I give, devise and bequeath to my Brother DeWitt Rountree one third of the proceeds of the sale of the house and lot.

I give, devise and bequeath to my sister, Lucy Rountree, one sixth of the proceeds of the house and lot.

I give, devise and bequeath to my niece, Josephine Hoskins, one twelfth of the proceeds of the sale of the house and lot.

I give, devise and bequeath to my niece, Mena Carter one twelfth of the proceeds of the sale of the house and lot.

And, lastly, I do nominate and appoint Rev. H.B. Taylor to be the executor of this my last will and testament.

Henry C. {X} Rountree

Subscribed by the testator in the presence of each of us, and at the same time declared by him to be his last will and testament and thereupon we, at the request of the testator and in his presence sign our names as witnesses — this 15th day of September, 1916, at Wilson, N.C.

/s/ S.H. Vick, J.D. Reid   } Wilson, N.C.

——

  • Henry C. Rountree (1848-1916) was the son of Jesse Artis and Rebecca Rountree. (The Artises were a free family of color. Several Jesse Artises lived in southeast Wilson/northeast Wayne Counties in that era, but Henry’s father was likely the Jesse H. Artis listed in the 1850 census of the Town of Wilson.) He owned a grocery on Stantonsburg Road. In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Henry and his brother Benjamin reported their occupation as butcher. Another brother, John Rountree, was a barber. Other siblings included Dempsy, Charles, Mary, Joseph, and Willie. Lucy was Benjamin’s wife, and Worden and the younger Charles were their sons.)

1870HCRountree

  • Emma Gay Rountree (1845-?) married Henry Rountree on 4 February 1892 at her home in Wilson. Witnesses to the ceremony, apparently a second for both, were Edmund Pool, Mark Blount and Samuel H. Vick. She was likely the widow of Charles Gay; the family appears in the 1870 census of Wilson township.
  • Ernest Rountree (1872-?)
  • Emma Gay was Emma Gay Rountree’s granddaughter.
  • DeWitt Rountree
  • Lucy Simms Rountree was Henry’s sister-in-law, rather than sister. Her husband Benjamin Rountree was also a son of Jesse Artis and Rebecca Rountree. Lucy was the daughter of Reddick (or Redrick) Simms and Harriet Simms of Wilson County.
  • Josephine Rountree Hoskins (1878-?) was a daughter of Ben and Lucy Rountree.
  • Mena Rountree Carter (1890-1983) was a daughter of Ben and Lucy Rountree and wife of Clarence Carter.
  • Halley B. Taylor, a New Bern native, was pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church.
  • Samuel H. Vick (1863-1946), arguably early 20th century East Wilson’s most prominent resident, was an educator, a postmaster and a real estate developer.
  • Judge James D. “J.D.” Reid was a school principal and bank officer.