guardianship

The guardianship of the McIver girls.

In November 1908, Wilson County Superior Court named George W. Suggs guardian to sisters Kate, Sarah, Bettie and Ida McIver, the minor children of Amanda McIver. Their father, Rev. Byron D. McIver, was still alive, but had been removed as guardian overseeing the tiny inheritance from their deceased mother. L.A. Moore signed the bond with Suggs.

——

In the 1900 census of Hookerton, Greene County, N.C.: clergyman Byron D. McIver, 44; wife Amanda, 29; and daughters Laura, 16, Minnie, 11, Katie, 6, Sarah, 3, and Bettie, 2.

Wilson County, N.C., Guardianship Records 1903-1909, http://www.familysearch.org.

The guardianship of the Henderson children.

In 1907, Samuel H. Vick was named guardian of the children of Sandy D. Henderson‘s children Maty J. Henderson, Charles J. Henderson, and Mollie Henderson.

——

On 27 May 1897, Sandy Henderson, 40, married Mary Jane Taylor, 40, in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony at the A.M.E. Zion church. S.A. Smith, Charles H. Darden, and Wyatt Studaway were witnesses.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: hack driver Sa[illegible] Henderson, 54; wife Mary J., 40, restaurant keeper; and children Buxton, 19, hotel waiter, Leonidas F., 13, tobacco stemmer, Charles J.A.W., 9, and Mattie M.J., 7. [R. Buxton and Leonidas F. Taylor were Mary Henderson’s children by a previous marriage.]

In the 1908 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Henderson Charles (c) lab h 547 E Nash

On 14 January 1909, Fate Barnes, 22, of Wilson, married Mattie Henderson, 17, of Wilson, daughter of Sandy and Florence Henderson, in Wilson. Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony at the residence of Henderson’s guardian James Somerville in the presence of Rear Thomas, Malvinnie Rosser, and Delphia Ellis.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Viola Street, box factory laborer Fate Barnes, 23; wife Mattie, 19; brother Sam, 29, buggy factory laborer; sister-in-law Emma, 23, laundress; nephew William A., 4, and niece Annie, 5 months.

In 1917, Lafayette Barnes registered for the World War I draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 5 June 1887 in Elm City, N.C.; lived at 63[illegible] Nash Street; worked for C. Woodard as a drayman; and had a wife and child.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Fate Barnes, 33, drayman at wholesaler; wife Mattie, 29; children Charles, 8, and Elane, 7 months; and Sarah Taylor, 53, widow.

Mattie Barnes died 25 June 1936 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 44 years old; was born in Henderson, N.C., to Sandy Henderson of Henderson, N.C.; was married to Fate Barnes; lived at 717 East Green Street; and she was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.]

Wilson, North Carolina, Guardianship Records 1897-1905, http://www.familysearch.org. [Sidenote: Henderson is not a Wilson County name. African-American Hendersons in North Carolina generally have roots in one of three areas — Onslow County (like my family, which came to Wilson via Wayne County), Rowan County, and Vance County (like Sandy D. Henderson).]

The guardianship of the Best children.

On 1 January 1906, Eliza Best applied in Wilson County Superior Court for guardianship of her and her late husband B.J. Best’s children Corintha, Milton, Rematha, Ollin, and Clarence Best. The children shared a small inheritance valued at $147.85. (Benjamin J. Best died about 1904, and his estate was estimated at $1600.) Samuel H. Vick and Jonah Williams posted bond with Eliza Best to guarantee her sound stewardship.

——

On 22 October 1874, Benjamin Best, 22, married Eliza Ellis, 18, at James Ellis‘ in Wilson County. James Ellis, Gilford Ellis, and Aaron Ward were witnesses.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farmer Benjamin Best, 26; wife Eliza, 23; and children Virginia, 4, Priscilla, 3, and Columbus, 1.

In the 1900 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Benjamin Best, 47; wife Eliza, 44; and children Virgin N., 25, teaching school, Mildred, 19, Junius, 18, Soprenia, 17, Benjamin, 15, Corinthia, 13, Milton, 12, Ramantha, 9, Olian, 7, and Clarence, 6.

In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: widow Eliza Best, 53, with children Junius, 29, Rematha, 20, Allen, 18, and Clarence, 16, plus grandchildren Suprema, 5, and Martha A., 3.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, marble cutter Clarence Best, 26, wife Geneva, 26, and son Clarence H., 1, plus Eliza Best, 68, Martha Ann Best, 11, and Suprema Hooks, 11. Next door, Junius Best, 38, wagon factory assembly man, wife Mary A., 27, and children Mary Olivia, 2, and Colonius, 4 months.

Virginetta Newsome died 5 August 1920 in Wilson Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 17 August 1875 in Greene County, N.C., to Benjamin Best and Eliza Ellis; was married to Joseph Newsome; worked in farming; and lived near Lucama.

Eliza Best died 1 September 1929 in Wilson of “injury of rt. leg; cut her leg on a piece of tin.” She resided at 1310 East Nash Street, Wilson, and was the widow of Benjamin Best. She was about 64 years old and had been born in Wilson County to Jim Ellis and Zannie Applewhite. She was buried in Rountree cemetery; Clarence Best was informant.

A guardian for Fannie Oates.

Odd Fellows members frequently stood to handle the personal affairs of their lodge brothers’ families. Emma Oates died in 1908, leaving her minor daughter Fannie Oates a small inheritance. [Fannie’s father Charles Oates was still living. Was he divorced from Emma Oates at her death?] Samuel H. Vick applied to serve as guardian for Fannie’s financial affairs, and Alexander D. Dawson joined him to post a bond. Vick, Dawson, and Charles Oates were members of Hannibal Lodge #1552, and all were buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery.