influenza

Rev. Taylor returns from Y.M.C.A. service.

Wilson Daily Times, 2 September 1919.

——

Camp Zachary Taylor, near Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1918.

  • Rev. H.B. Taylor — for more about Rev. Taylor’s appointment, see here.
  • Camp Zachary Taylor

Caufield & Shook, photographers; digital image courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C. 

Auction of the estate of Wiley Williams.

Wilson Daily Times, 30 June 1919.

Wiley Williams‘ wife Carrie died of post-influenza pneumonia when the flu pandemic swept through Wilson County in late 1918. Perhaps overwhelmed by grief, Williams took his own life seven months later. Nicodemus Patterson, from whom Williams had rented farmland, stepped in to arrange the sale of Williams’ belongings for the benefit of his three teenaged children.

——

On 8 March 1899, Wiley Williams, 21, of Wilson County, son of Harriett Williams, married Carrie Sessoms, 22, of Wilson County, daughter of Claude Sessoms, in Gardners township, Wilson County.

In the 1910 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Wiley Williams, 30; wife Carrie, 40; and children Arthur, 10, Ivor M., 7, and Lizzie, 4.

Wiley Williams registered for the World War I draft in 1918. Per his draft registration card, he was born 28 October 1878; lived at R.F.D. 4, Elm City; was a tenant farmer for Nick Patterson; and his nearest relative was wife Carrie Williams. He signed his name with an X.

Carrie Williams died 3 November 1918 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her birth certificate, she was about 47 years old; was born to Claude and Betsy Sessoms; was married to Wiley Williams and was a farm laborer for N.D. Patterson. G.W. Williams was informant.

Wiley Williams died 11 June 1919 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was about 41 years old; was a widower; was born in Wilson County to Duck Barnes and Harritt Williams; and was a tenant farmer. G.W. Williams was informant.

On 16 June 1919, N.D. Patterson filed for letters of administration in Wiley Williams’ estate, identifying his heirs as Arthur V., Lizzie, and Ivah Williams, all minors, and valuing his estate at about $500.

Arthur Williams died 28 January 1928 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 February 1900 in North Carolina to Wylie Williams and Carrie Session; was married to Della Williams; and worked as a laborer. Daughter Clementine Wormsley was informant.

The remains of West Vick, a colored soldier, return.

Screen Shot 2020-03-03 at 9.41.30 PM.png

Wilson Daily Times, 18 March 1919.

In the 1900 census of Stony Creek township, Nash County: farm laborer John Vick, 45; wife Hanna, 40; and children Tassey, 21, Clara, 19, Johnnie, 17, Berry, 15, Elisha, 13, Joseph, 10, Westray, 9, Paul 3, and Baby, 1.

Wesley Vick, 21, son of John and Hannah Vick, married Sarah Locus, 20, daughter of Jesse and Florida Locus, on 25 May 1912, in Wilson.

Influenza cases.

Screen Shot 2019-03-04 at 8.55.03 PM.png

Wilson Times, 7 January 1919.

  • Frank Mitchell, Grab Neck — in the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Nash Street, laborer Frank Mitchell, 27, wife Alice, 23, daughter Nora M., 1, and boarder Noah Bess, 63.
  • Alex Hall, Elm City — in the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: widower Alex Farmer, 50; his mother Saro, 80; sister Maggie, 45; and children Leaston, 18, Randolf, 17, and Annie, 8.
  • Albert Wright, South Elm City — Albert Wright registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County in 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 17 May 1890 in Clinton, N.C.; resided in Elm City; farmed for Jno. D. Bailey in Toisnot township; had a wife and four children; and had a “stiff foot.”
  • Kirby Haskins, Stantonsburg — in the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Kirby Hoskins, 22, wife Lula, 24, and son Eddie, 7 months.
  • Maria Lipscomb, Route 1, Wilson

He knows nothing of the death of his wife.

201706301516175421

Wilson Daily Times, 25 October 1918.

Lucy Barnes‘ death certificate:

In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Ransom Ruffin, 30; wife Maggie, 33; and children Claudius, 7, Floyd, 6, and Selia Ruffin, 3; plus “son-in-law” William Barnes, 17, and “daughters-in-law” Lucy, 15, and Bertha Barnes, 13. [The Barneses were Ransom Ruffin’s step-children rather than his in-laws. Allen Barnes, presumably, had died, and Ruffin was Maggie’s second husband.]

On 2 December 1903, Lucy Barnes, 21, daughter of Allen Barnes and Maggie Ruffin, married Amos Bynum, 23, son of Joe and Hagar Bynum, in Wilson County. Ransom Ruffin, R.M. Joyner and Pattie Williams were witnesses. [Why, then, was Lucy a Barnes on her death certificate?]

In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: on Plank Road, farmer Amos Bynum, 31; wife Lucy, 25; and daughters Clyde, 8, and Penny, 4 months. [The article describes three small children. Clyde was probably the daughter who stepped in to care for her younger siblings, including Penny and a son Amos Bynum Jr. (Lucy and Amos are listed on his 1946 marriage license and his death certificate.)]

Pandemic.

The 1918 influenza flu pandemic (January 1918–December 1920) was an unusually deadly outbreak. “Spanish flu” infected 500 million people across the world, including remote Pacific islands and the Arctic, and killed 50 to 100 million of them—3 to 5 percent of the world’s population—making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in human history.

Wilson County did not escape the scourge. October opened with a smattering of flu deaths that quickly swelled to shocking numbers. The beginning of November seemed to spell an end to fatalities, but they surged again mid-month. A survey of death certificates yields insight into the impact of this pandemic on Wilson County’s African-American community.

October

5 — Carrie Horne, 20, Saratoga township.

5 — Sudie Smith, 30, Black Creek township.

6 — infant of Roda and Ed Barnes, 12 days, Saratoga township.

11 — David Mack, 40, Saratoga township.

11 — Florence Pleasant, 39, Black Creek township.

11 — Edward Sims, 8, Wilson town.

11 — Lula Winstead, 11, Wilson.

12 — Leslie Brooks, 37, Black Creek township.

13 — Stella Brooks, 28, Black Creek township.

13 — Cora Lee Howard, 18, Taylors township.

13 — Benjamin Jones, 54, Wilson town.

13 — Georgeanna King, 1, Wilson township.

13 — Arch Morrison, 37, Wilson town.

13 — Abon Neal, 30, Wilson town.

13 — William Henry Williams, 21 Toisnot township.

15 — Dutch Bennett, 65, Wilson town.

15 — Beatrice Edwards, 23, Wilson town.

15 — Bertha Lee Mack, 2, Saratoga township.  [Bertha Lee was the daughter of David Mack, who died on the 11th.]

16 — Fred Barnes, 18, Black Creek township.

16 — Alex McCray, 22, Wilson township.

16 — Laurence Wells, 28, Wilson township.

17 — Zula Leach, 16, Wilson town.

17 — Peter Mack, 4, Saratoga township. [Peter was the son of David Mack, who died on the 11th.]

17 — Ola Lee Rowe, 5, Cross Roads township.

18 — Ed Jones, 13, Saratoga township.

18 — Joseph Sanders, 28, Wilson town.

18 — Elma Stokes, 35, Wilson town.

18 — Theresa Carolina Williams, 4, Wilson town.

19 — Mannie Battle, 38, Wilson town.

19 — Rosevelt Dawes, 8, Toisnot township.

19 — Rosevell Campbell, 13, Gardners township.

20 — Handy Dawes, 1, Toisnot township.

21 — Paul Mercer, 30, Gardners township.

21 — Jim Offie Jr., 1, Wilson town.

21 — Fredrick Douglass Rountree, 1, Wilson township.

22 — Henry Artis, 51, Stantonsburg township.

22 — Martha Batts, 18, Toisnot township.

22 — Daisy Farmer, 37, Toisnot township.

22 — Mary Susan Farmer, 35, Stantonsburg township.

22 — Samuel Jenkins, 35, Wilson town.

22 — Nathanael Rountree, 6, Cross Roads.

22 — Gertie Skipper, 23, Wilson town.

22 — Ulus Ward, 1, Elm City.

23 — Irene Bynum, 26, Wilson town.

23 — Thomas Dawes, 4, Toisnot township.

23 — Sam Ellis, 20, Stantonsburg township.

23 — Jackson Ellis, 17, Stantonsburg township.

24 — Turner Anderson, 48, Toisnot township.

24 — Austin Dawes, 49, Toisnot township. [Austin Dawes was the father of Roosevelt, Thomas and Handy Dawes.]

24 — Earnest Far, 23, Toisnot township.

24 — Will Johnson, 29, Wilson town.

24 — Minnie Knight, 49, Gardners township.

24 — Appie Ann Parker, 1, Wilson township.

25 — Minnie Ellis, 13, Saratoga township.

25 — Louise Edmunson, 6 months, Black Creek township.

25 — Mary Farmer, 32, Wilson town.

25 — Jobie Joyner, 15, Wilson town.

25 — Lizzie Ruffin, 30, Wilson town.

25 — Mary Elizabeth Williams, 19, Wilson township.

26 — Avester Evans, 6, Wilson town.

26 — George Williams, 2, Toisnot township.

27 — Olive Barnes, 20, Wilson town.

28 — Olivia Barnes, 19, Cross Roads township.

28 — Frances R. Batts, 20, Wilson town.

28 — James Batts, 33, Wilson township.

28 — Dora Brazil, 19, Stantonsburg township.

28 — Orran Ellis, 8, Stantonsburg township. [Sam, Jackson and Orran Ellis were sons of Daniel and Celia Lewis Ellis.]

29 — Mary Hines, 18, Wilson town.

29 — John Berthia, 33, Wilson town.

29 — Julia Jones, 29, Wilson town.

29 — Rosa Williamson, 16, Springhill township.

30 — Elvis Alston, 4, Wilson town.

30 — Luburta Bynum, 3, Wilson township.

30 — Martha Bynum, 26, Cross Roads township.

30 — Curley Rozin, 35, Wilson town.

November

1 — Mark Floyd, 28, Wilson town.

1 — Emanul Lundsford, 21, Wilson town.

2 — Floyd Lee Braswell, 16, Toisnot township.

2 — Lula Bullock, 28, Stantonsburg township.

3 — Manboy Anderson, 12, Toisnot township. [Manboy was the son of Turner Anderson, who died October 24.]

3 — Bennie Roberson, 2, Wilson town.

3 — Carrie Williams, 47, Toisnot township.

4 — William Creech, 33, Cross Roads township.

5 — Andrew Barnes, 8, Wilson township.

5 — Hattie Novilla Bynum, 5, Wilson town.

5 — Pearl Pearce, 21, Springhill township.

6 — Josh Winstead, 38, Wilson town.

7 — Isaac Wright, 19, Toisnot township.

16 — Herbert Campbell, 20, Gardners township.

16 — Easter Mitchell, 40, Cross Roads township.

17 — Sarah Haggens, 37, Wilson town.

25 — Savanah Rice, 29, Springhill township.

25 — Alex Williamston, 1, Springhill township.

27 — Willie Chamblis, 36, Wilson.

28 — Lula Bullock, 12, Stantonsburg township.

December

1 — William Barnes, 18, Taylors township.

11 — Floyd Carter, 20, Taylors township.

20 — Mims Edwards, 26, Wilson township.

28 — Lizzie Jenkins, 29, Wilson township.

29 — Ellen Nora Carter, 20, Saratoga township.

29 — Earnest Carter, 3 months, Saratoga township. [He was the son of Ellen Nora Carter.]

Screen Shot 2017-06-03 at 10.26.28 PM

For an in-depth understanding of this pandemic, check out:

great influenza

North Carolina Death Certificates, 1909-1976 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.

The Colored Red Cross battles the 1918 influenza pandemic.

wdt-11-19-1918

Wilson Times, 19 November 1918.

wdt-12-31-1918

Wilson Daily Times, 31 December 1918.

  • Bessie Weeks — Bessie M. Weeks, sister-in-law of Annie Cook Weeks, below, is listed in the 1922 Wilson city directory as a teacher living at 500 Hadley Street.
  • Eva Mitchell — Eva Mae Mitchell Haywood. In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Nash Street, Annie Mitchell, 70, her children Sallie, 46, Eddie, 44, Albert, 42, Eva, 36, and Floyd, 34, plus niece Sevreane, 18, and nephew Lester, 15. On 16 April 1923, Eva Mitchell, 33, obtained a license to marry Lucien F. Haywood, 41, of Wake County, in Wilson. The license was not returned. On 1 October 1925, Eva Mae Haywood died in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born about 1885 in Wayne County to Edward J. Mitchell and Anna Peacock; resided at 540 East Nash, Wilson; was the widow of Lucien Haywood; and worked as a dressmaker. Walter Mitchell was informant.
  • Frankie Best — In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 330 South Spring Street: widowed Nannie Best, 61, her daughter Frank, 30, son Aaron, 21, daughter-in-law Estelle, 19, widowed brother Harper Best, 65, and a lodger, nurse Henrietta Colvert, 24. In the 1922 Wilson city directory, Frankie Best was listed as a domestic living at 320 South Spring.
  • Glace Battle
  • Mrs. Mary Taylor — probably Mary John Pender Taylor. In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: barber Roderick Taylor, 47, wife Mary J., 39, and children Edna G., 8, Mary J., 4, and Roderick, 1. Mary John Taylor died 17 September 1972 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 20 July 1896 in Wilson County to Maggie Pender and was a widow. Informant was Roderick Taylor.
  • Mrs. A.L.E. WeeksAnnie Elizabeth Cook Weeks. In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: church minister Alfred Weeks, 44, wife Annie E., 44, daughter Marie, 14, and sister Bessie Weeks, 26. Annie Elizabeth Cook Weeks died 19 April 1943 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 December 1875 in Wake Forest, North Carolina, to Henderson T. Cook and Mariah D. Batchelor; was married; was a retired teacher; and resided in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Informant was Jerry L. Cook, 916 East Green Street, Wilson.
  • Sarah Coley — Sarah Sherard Coley. Sarah E. Coley died 18 July 1926 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 25 March 1883 in Wayne County to Swinson Sherrood and Laura Hooks, both of Wayne. She was the widow of Rufus Coley and resided at 1012 East Atlantic Street, Wilson. John Sherrood was informant.
  • Mrs. N.J. Tate. Hattie Pearce Tate. In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 Pender Street, barber Noah Tate, 42, wife Hattie, 34, boarder Mary Jennings, 28, and children Helen, 16, Mary Jane, 8, Andrew, 11, and Noah Jr., 3.
  • Mrs. Robt. N. Perry.
  • Mrs. Lawrence Coley — probably, Laurena Coley. Laura V. Coley died 12 May 1923 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born about 1883 in Wayne County to Isaac and Penny Coley, was a teacher, was married to Jasper Coley, and was buried in Pikesville township, Wayne County. [Jasper Coley married Lydia Grissom the following year; see below.]
  • Mrs. H.A. Faulk — Arzulia Mitchell Faulk. In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 210 Pender Street, barber Hiram Faulk, 44, dressmaker Arzulia, 40, and daughter Marie, 14. Arzulia Faulk died 7 March 1922 in a tornado accident. Per her death certificate, she was born 16 April 1879 in Perquimans County, North Carolina, to John Mitchell of Pasquotank County and Rossie Kirk of Gates County; was a teacher; and was married to Hiram Faulk. She was buried in Hertford County.
  • Nancy Crocker — Nancy Dew Crocker. In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: James W. Crocker, 40, odd jobs laborer, and wife Nancy, 34. Nancy D. Crocker died 10 October 1958 at her home at 617 Darden’s Alley, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 25 December 1880; her father was Ned Dew; and she was widowed. Informant was Robert Sheridan of her home address.
  • Mrs. L. Grissom — Lydia Meeks Grissom Coley. In the 1922 Wilson City directory, Lydia Grissom was listed at 201 North Vick Street. On 9 October 1924, Lydia Grissom, 30, married Jasper Coley, 40, in Wilson. Lydia Lee Coley died 7 March 1946 at Lincoln Hospital in Durham, North Carolina. Per her death certificate, she resided at 201 North Vick Street, Wilson; was born 9 October 1892 in Tarboro, North Carolina, to Rebecca Meeks; was a teacher; and was married to Jasper Coley. Informant was Dorothy Parker, 624 East Green Street, Wilson.
  • Mrs. Elijah ReedIetta R.M. Staton Reid. In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: veterinary surgeon Elija Reid, 35, wife Ietta, 30, and daughter Beatrice, 13. Ietta R.M. Reid died 14 February 1951 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 12 August 1867 in Edgecombe County, her father was Jainett Staton, she was a widow and retired teacher, and resided at 816 Elvie Street. Odessa Reid was informant.
  • Della Barnes — this seems unlikely to be Della Barnes, mother of William and Walter Hines. Perhaps, in the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: day laborer George Barnes, 40, wife Mary, 42, and children Della, 23, and John, 22.
  • Mildred Toler — in the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: butler Claude Toler, 24, and wife Mildred, 20. Mildred Toler died 29 December 1921 in Wilson of pulmonary tuberculosis. Per her death certificate, she was born about 1901 in Wayne County to Isiar and Lizzie Moore, was a teacher, and was married to Claude Toler. She was buried in Goldsboro, North Carolina.
  • S.E. Hines — Sarah Elizabeth Dortch Hines. In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Green Street, Walter Hines, 40, wife Sara, 37, and children Elizabeth, 11, Walter, 10, and Carl, 5. Sarah Elizabeth Hines died 22 October 1967 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 12 September 1879 in Wayne County to Ralph Whitley Dortch and Mattie [last name unknown]; resided at 617 East Green Street; and was married to Walter Scot Hines. Carl W. Hines was informant.
  • S.H. Vick — Samuel H. Vick.
  • W.S. Hines — Walter S. Hines.
  • Clarence Carter — in the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 423 Green Street, barber Clarence Carter, 36; wife Meena, 25; and children Omega, 9, Clarence H., 7, and Mina G., 5.
  • Wm. Hines — William Hines.
  • Ben Muncey — Benjamin J. Mincey. In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg Street, Ben Mency, 38, pipefitter for town; wife Mattie, 37; and children Benj. J., 11, Mildred, 7, Maddison, 5, and John, 3 months. Benjamin J. Mincey died 14 July 1950 at his home at 712 Wiggins Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born about 1883 in Greene County to Prince Mincey and Susan Suggs, was married, worked as a plumber for the Town of Wilson, and was buried at Rountree Cemetery.
  • James Woodard
  • John Bullock
  • Mary Williams
  • Junius Best
  • Geneva Sims — in the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Raleigh Road, sawmill worker Ellic Simms, 27; wife Geneva, 26, a farm laborer; stepdaughter Lelia Butts, 7; and sons Ned, 4, and Ed Simms, 1.
  • B.J. Mincey — see Benjamin J. Mincey, above.
  • Luanna Brown

 

The accommodating and faithful transfer man.

WDT 3 14 1919 Henry Tart

Wilson Daily Times, 14 March 1919.

——

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Walter S. Mitchel, 42, mason; wife Elizabeth, 36, laundress; and children Ada, 14, and Esther, 18; plus, wagon factory laborer Oleone Brooks, 18, and laborer Henry Tart, 18.

Henry Tart registered for the World War I draft on 18 September 1918. He recorded his address as the corner of Green and Reid Streets, his birth date as 11 April 1884, and his occupation as self-employed in the transfer business. His wife Julia C[lark] Tart was his next-of-kin, and he signed his card in a neat, well-spaced hand.

Upon Henry’s death, Tart’s wife applied for Letters of Administration for her husband’s estate. She listed four surviving daughters, all minors — indeed, young children — Olivia, Julia, Josephine, and Miriam Tart.

007639925_00280

North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998 [database online], http://www.ancestry.com.