Jefferson

State vs. Jake Tucker.

In November 1912, Mayor O.P. Dickerson heard preliminary evidence in a charge against of Jake Tucker for assault with a deadly weapon. 

Mack Sharp testified that he was at Tucker’s store, heard Tucker and his son fighting, and heard Tucker fire a shot.

Will Jefferson testified that Tucker “had some trouble” with his son Smoot Tucker, shot at him, and hit Jefferson.

Frank Jenkins corroborated Jefferson’s statement.

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  • Jake Tucker — in the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Spring Street, retail grocer Jake Tucker, 45, wife Jane, 45, and children Andrew, 19, a factory laborer, Walter, 15, a bootblack at a barbershop, Pet, 13, Joe, 12, Bessie, 10, and Viola, 7.
  • Mack Sharp — in the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: tobacco factory laborer Mack Sharp, 43; wife Katie, 29, laundress; and children Harvey, 12, servant, Williard C., 10, Earnest, 8, Samson, 6, Nellie B., 3, and Elexander, 18 months.
  • Will Jefferson — perhaps: William Jefferies died 29 October 1914 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1875 to William Jefferies and Harriet High; lived at Daniel Street Extended. Kattie Jefferies was informant. 
  • Smoot Tucker — Andrew Tucker.
  • Frank Jenkins — in the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Sarah Wells, 52; children Sarah, 22, laundress, Mabel, 5, and Frank, 3; grandson Russell, 2; lodgers Frank Jenkins, 25, horseshoer at blacksmith’s shop, and Sarah Marrian, 29, factory laborer; and brother John Wells, 43, odd jobs.

Criminal Action Papers, 1912, Wilson County Records, North Carolina State Archives.

The obituary of John W. Jeffries (or Jefferson), member of the Red Hots.

Wilson Daily Times, 27 June 1938.

The “local negro fire company” was, of course, the Red Hots.

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On 20 November 1887, John W. Jefferson, 36, of Wilson County, son of Jack Jefferson, married Lizzie D. Dotson (or Doster) at “the rectory at St. Timothys church.” Episcopal priest B.S. Bronson performed the ceremony.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: day laborer John Jefferson, 52, widower.

In the 1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Jeffreys John V (c) lab h 708 S Spring

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 360 Spring Street, odd jobs laborer John Jeffries, 60, and wife Maggie, 30.

In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Jefferson John (c) lab h 708 S Spring

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 607 Spring, house carper John Jefferson, 68, and wife Maggie, 31.

In the 1920 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Jefferson John (c) lab h 607 S Spring

In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Jefferson John (c) carp h 521 Spring

In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Jeffreys Jno W (c) carp h 521 Spring

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Jeffries John W (c) carp h 521 Spring

John Wesley Jeffrey died 27 June 1938 at Mercy Hospital in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 9 May 1849 in Harnett County, N.C.; lived at 307 Spruce Street, Wilson; was divorced from Maggie Wilson; and was a laborer.

Unemployment fraud?

On 30 April 1938, the Pittsburgh Courier reported that three African-American Wilson women were facing fraud and misrepresentation charges connected with unemployment compensation applications. Though the details of their alleged crimes are not listed, the article notes that several others had recently been penalized after refusing employment in strawberry fields.

Pittsburgh Courier, 30 April 1938.

  • Maggie Rogers — in the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: perhaps, at 705 Dew Street, high school lunchroom cook Maggie Rogers, 40, and her sons Phillip Henry, 18, a tobacco factory laborer, Millard Jr., 16, and Coach V., 14.
  • Lena Kirby
  • Tiny Hobbs Jefferson — in the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: fertilizer plant laborer Tom Jefferson, 43; wife Tiny, 32; and children George, 12, Lena, 10, Tom Jr., 4, and Momynise, 2.