gospel quartet

Roosevelt Weaver, gospel quartet member, dies suddenly.

Wilson Daily Times, 31 March 1945.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Frank Weaver, 30; wife Mattie, 26; and children Freddie, 11, Johnie, 5, and Rosa Bell [Roosevelt], 3.

In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Frank Weaver, 40; wife Mattie, 37; and sons Fred, 20, Johnnie, 15, and Roosevelt, 12.

On 19 November 1925, Rosevelt Weaver, 19, married Carrie Melton, 18, in Wilson County.

In the 1930 census of Coopers township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer Rosevlt Weaver, 23; wife Carry, 22; and children Mattie L., 3, and Emmer, 1.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: fertilizer plant laborer Rosevelt Weaver, 32; wife Mattie, 29, tobacco factory laborer; children Mattie, 13, Emma, 11, Frank Jr., 7, and Velma, 3; brother-in-law Henry Melton, 30, farm laborer; sister-in-law Savannah, 26, farm laborer; and nephew James Melton, 11.

In 1940, Roosevelt Weaver registered for the World War II draft. Per his registration card, he was 33 years old and born in Wilson; lived at 705 Gay Street, Wilson; his contact was wife Carrie M. Weaver, 705 Gay Street; and he worked for T.A. Loving Company, Cherry Point, N.C.

In 1942, Eddie Gray Weaver registered for the World War II draft. Per his registration card, he was born 2 August 1903 in Wilson County; lived in Gardners township, Wilson County; his contact was Roosevelt Weaver, 208 Manchester Street; and he worked for Contentnea Guano Company, Wilson.

Rosevelt Weaver died 18 March 1945 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 July 1907 in Wilson County to Frank Weaver and Mattie Braswell; was married to Carrie Weaver; worked as a laborer; lived at 627 Railroad Street; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery.

Emma L. Weaver died 26 October 1945 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 21 December 1929 in Wilson County to Rosevelt Weaver and Carrie Melton; lived at N.S. Railroad [now Norfolk Street]; and was buried in Rest Haven. She died of complications from childbirth.

Quartets perform at community sing.

Wilson Daily News, 5 November 1949.

In November 1949, the Eastern Star Quartet, which actually had five members, appeared at a community sing program at Reid Street Community Center alongside the Stantonsburg Jubilaires and Elm City’s Harris Brothers Quartet.

I think Junius Lucas has the guitar, and Ernest Edwards stands behind him to the left. Can you identify the other singers?

Clipping courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.

A.M.E. Zion churches host gospel groups.

Wilson Daily Times, 7 September 1948.

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  • Carolina Jubilee Singers
  • Trinity A.M.E. Zion Church
  • Rev. A.G. Dunston — in the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 707 Goldsboro Street, Mary Humphrey, 65, widow, and lodgers A.G. Dunston, 59, minister; Charlie Smith, 31, redrying tobacco factory worker, and Henrietta Smith, 28, cook. Dunston reported that he was living in Lumberton, N.C., five years previously, and the Smiths reported they were living in Atlanta, Georgia. Alfred Grifton Dunston died 18 January 1965 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 26 January 1880 in Currituck County, N.C., to Henry and Emily Dunston; lived near Stantonsburg; was married; and was a minister. Lona E. Dunston was informant. [Note Rev. Dunston’s son, A.G. Dunston Jr., was an A.M.E. Zion bishop and civil rights leader in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.]
  • The Arigenaires
  • Saint John A.M.E. Zion Church

Benefit for Mercy Hospital.

Unlike this benefit in 1930, the program below was aimed at an African-American audience.

Wilson Daily Times, 3 December 1946.

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