The New York Age, 2 April 1932.
The family of Charles H. Darden marked the first anniversary of his passing with this notice in The New York Age.
in memoriam
In memoriam: Allen Sharpe.
Rest in power, Radcliffe Bailey Jr.
I encountered the work of Radcliffe Bailey Jr. shortly after moving to Atlanta in 1994. Interrogating themes of race, culture, ancestry, and memory, neither before nor since has an artist’s work spoken so forcefully to me.
Bailey had no explicit ties to Wilson, but his work embodies a collective consciousness that embraces Black Wide-Awake. In gratitude, I honor his life and passing here.
Strangest Fruit, 1997. Courtesy of Studio Museum in Harlem.
In memoriam: her daddy, Willie Taylor.
Wilson Daily Times, 7 November 1939.
What a lovely tribute by ten year-old Fannie Beatrice Taylor to her father. (It’s a fading practice, by the way, but until recently “Daddy” was unselfconsciously used by Southerners of any and every age to call their fathers.)
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In the 1910 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Joe Taylor, 42; wife Hattie, 28; and children Emmit, 10, Rosetta, 8, Willie, 6, and Daisey, 5.
In the 1920 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Joe Taylor, 51; wife Hattie, 57; and children Willie Robert, 16, and Hattie Lee, 14.
In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Willie Taylor, 24; father Joe, 62; mother Hattie, 51; sister Daisy, 23; and niece Hattie M., 10.
Willie Taylor died 6 November 1938 in Gardners township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 18 October 1903 in Wilson County to Joseph Taylor and Hattie Lucas; was married to Maybelle Taylor; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Wilson [his headstone stands in Rest Haven Cemetery.]
On 11 March 1948, Fannie B. Taylor, 19, of Saratoga, daughter of Willie Taylor and Mable Best Taylor, married Wright Horne, 20, of Saratoga, son of Osborn Horne and Annie Lane Horne, in Wilson, Wilson County.
In memory of Maggie Barnes Crawford.
Wilson Daily Times, 20 March 1979.
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In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Short W. Barnes, 38; wife Frances, 40; daughters Armena, 13, and Maggie, 6; and cousin Ella, 19.
In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: carpenter Short Barnes, 50; wife Francis, 50; daughter Maggie, 16; and Mark Ellis, 25.
In 1917, Clarence Allen Crawford registered for the World War I draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 23 September 1891 in Durham, North Carolina; resided at 617 East Green Street; worked in brick laying for Wilkins Brothers; and supported a wife and child.
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 617 Green, carpenter Short W. Barnes, 60; wife Francis, 62; son-in-law Clarence A. Crawford, 28, brickmason; daughter Maggie L., 26; and grandchildren Verest A., 2, and Clarence A., Jr., 9 months. Barnes owned his house free of mortgage.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: carpenter Short W. Barnes, 70, wife Francis, 71, daughter Maggie Crawford, 36, son-in-law Clarance Crawford, 39, and their children Verda, 13, Clarance, 10, and Annie, 8. The house was valued at $6000.
Frances Barnes died 30 May 1938 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 78 years old; was born in Wilson County, N.C., to Morrison Woodard and Martha Thorn; was married to Short W. Barnes; and lived at 616 East Green Street. Maggie Crawford was informant.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: carpenter Short W. Barnes, 80; daughter Maggie Crawford, 46, and grandchildren Vertist, 22, truck driver Clarance, 20, and Annie F., 18. The house was valued at $3000.
In 1940, Clarence Allen Crawford registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 1 June 1919 in Wilson; lived at 616 East Green Street; his contact was mother Maggie Barnes Crawford; and he worked for C. Woodard Co., 417 & 419 East Barnes Street.
In 1940, Daniel Willard Crawford registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 3 January 1901 in Wilson; lived at 605 Spring Street; his contact was Maggie Crawford, 616 East Green; and he worked for carpenter Louis Thomas, 715 East Green Street.
Short William Barnes died 30 November 1943 at his home at 616 East Green Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 14 February 1860 in Wilson County to Redman and Nellie Barnes; was a widower; was a carpenter; and was buried in the Masonic cemetery. Maggie Crawford, 616 East Green Street, was informant.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 616 East Green, Maggie Crawford, 56, widow, born in Georgia(?); son Clarence J. Crawford, 31; his wife Retha S., 29; and their children Ralph, 11, Barbara J., 9, and Felice M. and Florece M., 4.
Magelene “Maggie” Barnes Crawford died 20 March 1971 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 2 August 1893 in Wilson County to Short Barnes and Frances Woodard; was a widow; lived at 616 East Green Street; and was a retired music teacher. Vertist C. Edwards of Tacoma, Washington, was informant. She was buried in the Masonic Cemetery.
Lane Street Project: in memory of infant Chapman-Adams (1929-1929).
I’ve spoken of the database I am developing of likely burials in Vick, Odd Fellows, and Rountree Cemeteries. My spreadsheet draws upon death certificates, obituaries, and other sources — most distressingly imprecise. The term “Rountree Cemetery” on these documents may refer to Vick, Odd Fellows, or Rountree. Some documents broadly refer only to burial in Wilson. However, in the absence of official burial records for any of the cemeteries, we make do.
This series honors the men, women, and children who never had grave markers, or whose stones have been lost or stolen or destroyed. Graves believed to be in Vick Cemetery, which the City of Wilson stripped of remaining markers in 1996, will be identified with a Vick Cemetery logo.
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A stillborn female was born 23 September 1929 in Wilson, Wilson County, to Charlie Chapman of Wilson County and Adlaide Adams of Greene County, North Carolina. Per her death certificate, she resided at 910 Roberson Street and was buried in Rountree Cemetery. Eliza Woodard was midwife at her birth, and Estella Adams was informant for the death certificate.
In honor and memory of Della Mae Hooks.
Della Mae Gary Hooks (1961-2023). Rest in power.
Today we honor the memory of Della Hooks, beloved wife and helpmeet of our stalwart warrior, Castonoble Hooks. Della was the force behind Lane Street Project’s Senior Force, and her sudden loss leaves us bereft. Her kindness, her quiet strength, her boundless generosity were gifts she shared with all she encountered. When my own family was hurting, she spoke to us in her love language by sending dish after dish of barbecued ribs, chicken salad, cabbage, and macaroni and cheese, and we were grateful.
Cass, we honor the beautiful life and spirit of your wife Della. We lift you up in this dark hour. Your bond with Della was profoundly blessed, and your poetic tributes to her on even ordinary days showed us love in action. May your grief come gently. We love you.
Photo courtesy of Chris Facey.
Lane Street Project: in memory of Fannie Preston Allen (1885-1943).
I’ve spoken of the database I am developing of likely burials in Vick, Odd Fellows, and Rountree Cemeteries. My spreadsheet draws upon death certificates, obituaries, and other sources — most distressingly imprecise. The term “Rountree Cemetery” on these documents may refer to Vick, Odd Fellows, or Rountree. Some documents broadly refer only to burial in Wilson. However, in the absence of official burial records for any of the cemeteries, we make do.
This series honors the men, women, and children who never had grave markers, or whose stones have been lost or stolen or destroyed. Graves believed to be in Vick Cemetery, which the City of Wilson stripped of remaining markers in 1996, will be identified with a Vick Cemetery logo.
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Fannie Preston Allen died 26 November 1943 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 8 May 1885 in Robeson County, N.C., to Sandy Ashley; was married to Samuel Allen; lived at 706 Roberson Street; and was buried in Rountree [likely Vick] Cemetery. Creavorn Allen of Berkley, Virginia, was informant.
Lane Street Project: in memory of Mary Dunston Allen (1878-1942).
I’ve spoken of the database I am developing of likely burials in Vick, Odd Fellows, and Rountree Cemeteries. My spreadsheet draws upon death certificates, obituaries, and other sources — most distressingly imprecise. The term “Rountree Cemetery” on these documents may refer to Vick, Odd Fellows, or Rountree. Some documents broadly refer only to burial in Wilson. However, in the absence of official burial records for any of the cemeteries, we make do.
This series honors the men, women, and children who never had grave markers, or whose stones have been lost or stolen or destroyed. Graves believed to be in Vick Cemetery, which the City of Wilson stripped of remaining markers in 1996, will be identified with a Vick Cemetery logo.
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Mary Allen died 8 December 1942 at her home at 606 Spring Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 10 May 1878 in Wilson County to Alston [Osborne] Dunston of Louisburg, N.C., and Merria E. Mandia [Mariah Monday], of Richmond, Virginia; was married to Ernest Allen; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery [likely Vick Cemetery.] Delleze [Delzelle] Whitted, 516 Lodge Street, was informant.
In memoriam: Alexander Edwards, age 92.
My parents’ long-time neighbor passed away last week. Alexander Edwards was a well-known and skillful brickmason, one of the last of a multi-generational family line of brickmasons and other building tradesmen that began when carpenter Julius F. Freeman Sr. sent his sons O.N. and Julius F. Freeman Jr. to famed Tuskegee Institute. The Freeman brothers’ maternal first cousins Benjamin A. Harris Sr. and Harry B. Harris followed them into the masonry trades and, eventually, Ben Harris’ sons and nephew, Alex Edwards, took up the trowel.
Mr. Edwards was a fine neighbor and my father’s great friend, a loving husband and father, a dapper dresser, and a craftsman of the old school. May he rest in peace.
Photo courtesy of http://www.carronsfuneralhome.com.