In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 616 Green Street, Joseph S. Jackson, 48, minister; wife Annie H., 45; and children Mary E., 18, Joseph S., Jr., 15, Paul L., 11, and John B., 9.
In the 1930 census of Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland: on 1003 Monument Street, roomers John Jackson, 21, railroad laborer; wife Blanche, 25; and son John E., 19 months, in the household of Hugh Lucus. [Is this the same John Jackson?]
On 9 September 1935, J.B. Jackson, 26, of Wilson, son of J.S. and A.H. Jackson, married Annabelle Scott, 23, of New Bern, daughter of Charles Scott and Golda Johnson, in New Bern, N.C.
In 1940, John Burns Jackson registered for the World War II draft in Baltimore. Per his registration card, he was born 4 March 1910 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 827 Hamilton Terrace [later, 518 Sanford Place and 1728 North Carey Street], Baltimore; his contact was mother Annie Horton Jackson, 618 East Green Street, Wilson; and he worked at Wm. Martien & Co., Baltimore Trust Building, Baltimore.
In the 1940 census of Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland: J. Burns Jackson, 30, apartment house janitor, and wife Annabella, 26. [The couple described themselved as Indian and reported living in Goldsboro, N.C., in 1935.]
In the 1950 census of Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland: John Jackson, 40, research chemist; wife Annabelle, 38, research laboratory assistant; and lodger Melvin Dulaney, 30, bricklayer.
In the 1910 census of Willow Grove township, Greene County, N.C.: farmer Henry J. Jackson, 38; wide Addie, 27; and children Macon H., 8, Permiller, 6, Preston, 4, and Nellie, 2.
In 1918, John Henry Jackson registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 27 September 1872; lived at R.F.D. #6, Wilson; worked as a farmer for H.H. Walston; and his contact was wife Addie Jackson.
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Black Creek Road, farmer John H. Jackson, 47; wife Addie, 34; and children Macon, 17, Permiller, 16, Preston, 13, Nellie, 11, Loyd, 9, Herbert, 7, Mabel, 5, Willie, 3, and Bertha Lee, 1.
Addie Jackson died 8 March 1920 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 September 1881 in Henderson, N.C., to John Daniel; was married to John Jackson; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery].
On 24 November 1920, Jno. Henry Jackson, 47, married Ida May Bryant, 20, in Wilson. Free Will Baptist minister A. Bynum performed the ceremony in the presence of Henry Bryant, HenryOats, and Charles White.
In the 1930 census of Jackson township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer John Jackson, 57; wife Ida, 29; and children Layse, 19, Mable, 16, Herbert, 17, Willie, 13, Bertha, 12, and Addie, 10.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1201 Washington Street, rented for $12/months, J.H. Jackson, 67, “unable” to work; wife Ilamae, 39, sewing; daughter Addie, 20, tobacco factory laborer; grandchild Estella Stevens, 17; and mother[-in-law] Harriett Bryant, 62, private nurse.
In 1940, Preston Jackson registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 28 May 1906 in Microfield [Macclesfield], N.C.; lived at 910 Washington Street, Wilson; his contact was father John Henry Jackson, 1201 Washington Street; and he worked for F.M. Valentine, Wilson.
John H. Jackson died 7 April 1947 at the Veterans Administration hospital in Asheville, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born 27 September 1872 in Surry County, N.C., to Tom Jackson; was married to Ila Mae Jackson; lived at 12o1 East Washington Street, Wilson; worked as a laborer; and was a veteran of the Spanish-American War.
Howard M. Fitts applied for a military headstone on his behalf. It was placed on his grave in “Rountrees” Cemetery — most likely what we now know as Vick Cemetery — and apparently among those covered over or destroyed by the City of Wilson circa 1995.
“He is said to have been drinking,” but was “an unknown white man.”
Per his death certificate, the murdered man was named Sam Jackson. His employer, George Dew, knew little else about him. A coroner’s inquest ruled his death a homicide.
Two weeks later, Joe Cockerell was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in Jackson’s death. He was convicted in December and sentenced to ten years in prison.
Wilson Daily Times, 19 December 1924.
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On 9 December 1918, Sam Jackson, 19, of Wilson, son of Turner and Nellie Jackson of South Carolina, married Victoria Watson, 18, of Wilson, daughter of Will and Alice Watson, in Wilson.
Victoria Watson Jackson died 19 December 1918 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 14 April 1900 to William Watson and Alice Dew; lived at 423 Railroad Street; was married to Samuel Jackson; worked as a tobacco factory stemmer; and was buried in Clayton, N.C.
On 4 January 1919, Sam Jackson, 20, of Wilson, son of Simon and Nellie Jackson of Conway, S.C., married Mary Carroll, 19, of Wilson, daughter of Major and Dollie Carroll. Free Will Baptist minister A.A.J. Davis performed the ceremony.
In the 1920 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: Sam Jackson, 22, and wife Mary, 23, both farm laborers.
In the 1910 census of Back Swamp township, Robeson County, N.C.: farmer York McNeill, 49; wife Francess, 46; and children Franklin, 16, Lillie, 14, Tonnie, 11, Walter, 8, Lulu, 6, Lonie, 4, and Dewey, 2.
In the 1920 census of Lumberton township, Robeson County: farmer John W. McNeill, 59; wife Frances, 53; and children Lillie, 24, Fonnie, 22, Walter, 19, Lula, 16, Lona, 14, and Hughie, 12.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: barber Macon Jackson, 38; wife Lona, 34, worked in green tobacco; and children Margaret, 14, Thurman, 13, Louise, 12, Theodore, 7, and Doris, 5.
In 1944, Thurman Willis Jackson registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 5 August 1926 in Saratoga, N.C.; lived at 1203 Carolina Street; his contact was mother Lona Jackson, same address; and he worked for P.B. Coley, Elks Club, Goldsboro Street, Wilson.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: barber Macon H. Jackson, 49; wife Lona, 44; and children Margaret, 24, housecleaner, Louise, 22, Theodore, 17, Dorthory, 15, and Levarne, 3.
Macon Henry Jackson died 1 July 1958 in Chapel Hill, Orange County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 22 November 1903 in Greene County, N.C., to Macon Jackson and Frances Walton; was married to Lona McNeill; resided in Wilson; and worked as a barber.
Wilberforce University graduate Hattie Jackson Hinnant taught briefly in Wilson before migrating to Washington, D.C. There she met her husband, Luther Hinnant, a Wilson County native. (More about them soon.)
On 18 August 1924, Joe Cockrell, white, interrupted four African-American men — Sam Jackson, Tom Smith, Otis Taylor, and John Smith — pulling fodder in a corn field on George Dew’s farm. After demanding liquor, Cockrell argued with Jackson. Shortly after, a shot rang out, Jackson dropped to the ground, and Cockrell fled. He was on the lam for about two weeks before being arrested at his uncle’s house, charged and held without bail.
On 6 November 1924, Raleigh’s News and Observer reported that a judge had determined there was not enough evidence to hold Cockrell on first degree murder charges and had reduced the charge to second degree and released Cockrell on $5000 bond.
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On 9 December 1918, Sam Jackson, 19, of Wilson, son of Turner and Nellie Jackson of South Carolina, married Victoria Watson, 18, of Wilson, daughter of Will and Alice Watson of Clayton, North Carolina, at the courthouse in Wilson.
On 4 January 1919, Sam Jackson, 20, of Wilson, son of Simon and Nellie Jackson of Conway, South Carolina, and Mary Carroll, 19, of Wilson, daughter of Major and Dollie Carroll, in Wilson. Free Will Baptist minister A.A.J. Davis performed the ceremony in the presence of William Cassill, Molley Wright, and Mary Davis. [A month after Jackson married Victoria Watson??]
In the 1920 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farm laborer Sam Jackson, 22, and wife Mary, 23.
Sam Jackson died 18 August 1924 in Taylor’s township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 30 years old; was married; and was a farmer. He was buried in Coleman’s cemetery. George Dew was informant.
The one hundred-fifty-seventh in a series of posts highlighting buildings in East Wilson Historic District, a national historic district located in Wilson, North Carolina. As originally approved, the district encompasses 858 contributing buildings and two contributing structures in a historically African-American section of Wilson. (A significant number have since been lost.) The district was developed between about 1890 to 1940 and includes notable examples of Queen Anne, Bungalow/American Craftsman, and Shotgun-style architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.
As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District, this building is: “ca. 1908; 1 story; two-room, central-hall house with turned post porch.”
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In the 1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Jackson William H Rev h 613 Viola
The 1913 Sanborn fire insurance map shows that the original house number was 613.
In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: White James (c) hostler h 613 Viola
In 1918, George Lane registered for the World War I draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 1 June 1879; lived at 613 Viola Street; worked as a brick laborer for John M. Barnes, Green Street, Wilson; and his nearest relative was Mamie Lane, 613 Viola. He signed his card with an X.
In the 1920 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Lane George (c) col h 613 Viola
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: renting at 613 Viola, George Lane, 43, tobacco factory laborer; wife Mamie, 30, washing and ironing; and children John, 11, Clyde, 7, George Jr., 6, and Louise, 1.
On 21 November 1920, an unnamed infant girl was born dead at 613 Viola to George Lane and Mamie Washington Lane. Her mother was informant for her death certificate.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 602 Viola Street, Samuel Sweny, 53, painter, and children Neoma, 17, Laney, 15, Easter, 13, Gracy, 12, John H., 10, and George P., 7.
In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Swinney Saml (c) pntr h 602 Viola; also, Swinney Naomi (c) student h 602 Viola
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 602 Viola Street, Samuel Swinney, 76, painter, daughters Ester, 22, a tobacco stemmer, and Gracie, 22, superintendent at NYA project, and sons Johnnie R., 18, “in CCC camp,” and George, 17.
Samuel W. Swinney died 24 December 1940 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 59 years old; born in Roberson County to Richard Swinney and Fannie Manning, both of Dillon, South Carolina; and a widower. Grace Swinney of 602 Viola Street was informant.
The 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory lists Elizabeth Swinney, maid; George Swinney, tobacco worker; Grace Swinney, teacher; and John Swinney, grocer, at 602 Viola. John Swinney’s grocery store was at 612 Viola.
In 1942, Johnnie Richard Swinney registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 13 May 1921 in Wilson; lived at 602 East Viola Street, Wilson; his contact was Lonnie Thompson, 602 East Viola, Wilson; and he worked in “business (store).”
In 1942, George Cleo Swinney registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 April 1923 in Wilson; lived at 602 East Viola Street, Wilson; his contact was Naomi Hunter, 11 1/2 North Pender Street, Wilson; and he worked for Thurston Motor Line, Wilson.
In the 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Swinney Geo (c) student h 602 Viola; also, Thompson Lanie S (c) cook ACC h 602 Viola
The Clarence Best-carved double headstone of Benjamin and Annie F. Jackson stands over their graves in Rest Haven Cemetery.
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In the 1900 census of New Bern, Craven County, N.C.: baker Edward Jackson, 58; wife Sophia, 46; sons Benjamin, 10, and George, 7; and nephew Hallie Taylor, 20.
In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: wagon driver John W. Farmer, 37; wife Edmonia, 33; and children George, 13, Paul, 12, Annie, 9, Mary, 7, and Fannie, 5.
In the 1910 census of New Bern, Craven County, N.C.: baker Edward Jackson, 56; wife Sophia, 54; and children Ida J., 37, seamstress — dressmaking; Benjamin, 21, butcher at meat market; George, 19, delivery boy for retail dry goods store; and Garfield, 22.
In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: express wagon driver John Farmer, 48; wife Edmonia, 41, a laundress; and children George, 23, factory laborer; Paul, 19, hotel servant; Annie, 18; Mary, 16; Fannie, 14; Arthur, 8; Melton, 6; and William, 4.
On 21 August 1917, Ben H. Jackson, 28, of Wilson, son of Ed and Sophia Jackson of New Bern, married Annie Lee Farmer, 26, of Wilson, daughter of John Wash and Edmonia Farmer, at the residence of the bride’s father. Walter Maynor applied for the license, and Presbyterian minister H.B. Taylor performed the ceremony in the presence of Emily M. Daniels, Cornelia E. Maynor, and S.B. Thomas. [Note that the officiant, Halley B. Taylor, was Benjamin Jackson’s first cousin and had lived with the Jackson family in New Bern at the time of the 1900 census.]
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Vick Street, barber Ben Jackson, 30, and wife Annie, 28.
In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Jackson Benjamin H barber W M Hines h 721 e Green
In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Jackson Benj H (c) barber h 721 e Green
In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Jackson Annie (c) cook h 721 e Green
In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Jackson Benj H (c; Annie) barber Wm Hines h 1212 Washington
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1212 Washington Street, owned and valued at $1500, barber Benjiman Jackson, 39; wife Annie, 38; and daughter Devaria, 4.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1212 Washington Street, paying $10/month in rent, Robert Shaw, 30, presser at Moore’s Cleaners; wife Bertha, 25; and roomer Ben Jackson, 50, barber. [What happened here? Where was Annie Jackson? If Ben Jackson was a roomer, who actually owned the house at 1212? I suspect this is an enumerator error.]
Benjamin Harrison Jackson died 24 October 1951 in Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 9 November 1890 in New Bern, N.C., to Edward Jackson and Sophie [maiden name unknown]; lived at 1212 E. Washington Street; and worked as a barber.
Annie Farmer Jackson died 8 February 1983 in New York.
