jeweler

R.A. and Matilda Daniels Givens of Muskogee, Oklahoma.

We’ve met L. Henry Daniels and Elizabeth Lassiter Daniels, who joined the migration from Wilson County to Arkansas with their eldest children around 1890.

In the 1900 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: day laborer Henry Daniels, 55; wife Elizabeth, 46; and children William H., 17, Matilda A., 15, Mary J., 15, and Rice B., 7. All were born in North Carolina except the youngest child.

On 26 May 1904, Matilda Daniels, 19, married R.A. Givens, 30, in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas. Within months, the Givenses relocated to Muskogee, Indian Territory [now Oklahoma], where Rufus A. Givens opened a jewelry and watchmaking business and blitzed the local Black press with advertising.

Muskogee Cimeter, 28 July 1904. 

Muskogee Cimeter, 22 September 1904. 

Muskogee Cimeter, 23 February 1905. 

Muskogee Cimeter, 4 May 1905.

The Muskogee Unionist, 23 June 1905.

Muskogee Cimeter, 17 August 1905.

Muskogee Cimeter, 9 November 1905.

Muskogee Phoenix, 11 January 1906.

Muskogee Cimeter, 28 February 1908.  

In the 1910 census of Muskogee, Porter township, Muskogee County, Oklahoma: at 124 South 2nd Street, Rufus A. Givens, 36, jeweler in own shop; wife Matilda, 35; and children Thelma, 5, Mable E., 4, Neomia Y., 3, and son Rufus P., 1. [Curiously, Matilda’s age is off (she was about 25), and her birthplace is listed as Kentucky, though her parents’ was North Carolina.]

Creek Baptist Herald, 4 January 1912.

In the 1912 Muskogee, Oklahoma, city directory: Givens Rufus A (Matilda A) c[olored] silver smith res Lincoln Add

By 1916, the Givenses had opened an eponymous hotel near the Midland Valley Railroad Depot in downtown Muskogee.

The Muskogee Tattler, 29 July 1916.

The Muskogee Tattler, 5 August 1916.

In 1918, Rufus Adolphus Givens registered for the World War I draft in Muskogee, Oklahoma. Per his registration card, he was born 24 February 1874; lived at 703 Dunbar Avenue, Muskogee; was a self-employed watchmaker at 226 Elgin, Muskogee; and his contact was Matilda Givens.

The Tulsa Star, 2 February 1918.

In the 1930 census of Muskogee, Muskogee County, Oklahoma: at 1103 South 2nd Street, rented for $17/month, Rufus A. Givens, 54, jewelry shop proprietor; wife Matilda, 43; daughter Mable Robins, 23, and granddaughter Juanita Robins, 3; and children Neoma, 20, Rufus Jr., 18, shoe repair apprentice, Lillian, 15, Earl, 11, and Arthuree, 7.

Rufus Adolphus Givens died about 1933.

Arthuree Matilda Daniels Givens died 23 December 1963 in Muskogee.

Many thanks to Thelma Simmons for the tip about her ancestors Matilda and Rufus Givens!

A colored jeweler.

By what feat of alchemy did Robert T. Alston convert himself from farmhand to schoolteacher to jeweler and watchmaker?

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Wilson Daily Times, 23 August 1919.

Per the nomination form for the Wilson Central Business-Tobacco Warehouse Historic District, Alston-William Building at 552 East Nash Street [once part of Stantonsburg Street]: “Built ca 1920 as a jewelry shop for Robert T. Alston, this plainly finished, one-story brick commercial building was occupied by him until the 1940s. [In fact, Alston died in 1931.] The flat-roofed building as a tile-capped parapet and its original recessed entrance and flanking display windows, but displays no decorative brickwork on the upper facade. The single interior space has been renovated and has a lowered ceiling. since being vacated by Alston, this building has been occupied by Lamm’s Fish Shop, Hill’s Bicycle Shop, Keen’s Seafood Market, and since 1968, by William’s Barber Shop.”

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In the 1870 census of Walnut Grove township, Granville County, North Carolina: Aron Alston, 47; wife Rosetta, 48; and children Anna, 15, Haywood, 14, Robert, 12, Sallie, 10, Agnes, 9, Mary J., 4, and John H., 1.

In the 1880 census of Walnut Grove township, Granville County: Aaron Alston, 52; wife Rosetta, 55; and children Robert, 21, Agnes, 18, Thomas, 16, Mary G., 14, and John H., 11.

Robert T. Alston, 22, married Julia Wortham, 19, on 16 March 1881 in Walnut Grove township, Granville County.

On 24 January 1899, John Edge, 21, of Edgecombe County, son of Randall and Milly Edge, married Mary Eva Alston, 18, of Edgecombe County, daughter of Robert T. Alston.

In the 1900 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, North Carolina: widower Robert T. Alston, 42, school teacher, and son  John T., 15, farm laborer. In the 1900 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: farmer John Edge, 22, wife Mary, 18, and sister-in-law Carrie Auston, 10.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: laundress Mattie Cory, 35, widow; daughter Evelyn, 9; widower Robert Alston, 63, general repair laborer; and [no first name listed] Albriton, 34, lodger, house carpenter.

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Alston Robt T (c) 107 Pender watchmaker

In an undated 1914 newspaper insert “Progressive Colored Citizens of Wilson, N.C.,” Robert T. Alston paid for this ad: “Watches, clocks, jewelry, eye glasses, spectacles, etc. I handle the very best grade of watches, such as the Elgin, Waltham, Illinois, Hampden, and Hamilton. Your credit is good. Yes, I will sell you a watch on the weekly payment plan: that is, ‘So much down and so much each week.’ I do a mail order business also. If you want a watch or other jewelry, write me for terms and order blanks. Now in a few days I shall have a large stock of watches, clocks, etc. on hand. Call to see me or write.”

Mary E. Edge died 13 November 1920 on Coopers township, Nash County. Per her death certificate, she was about 37 years old; was born in Granville County to Robert Alston and Julia Wortham; and was married to John Edge, who was informant.

In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Alston Robt T (c) jeweler 552 E Nash

In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Alston Robt T (c) jeweler and watchmaker 552 E Nash

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Alston Robt T (c) jeweler 552 E Nash

On 16 January 1929, John T. Alston, 43, of Toisnot township, son of R.T. Alston and Julia [no maiden name listed], married Annie Artis, 32, of Taylors township, daughter of Ed and Zanie Artis. A.M.E. Zion minister J.E. Kennedy performed the service in the presence of Chas. S. Thomas, Hugh C. Reid, and Clarence Artis.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Alston Robt T (c) watch repr 552 E Nash h d[itto]

Robert T. Alston died 10 August 1930 in Wilson township. Per his death certificate, he was 72 years old; was born in Granville County, North Carolina, to Aaron Alston and Rosetta Alston; was the widower of Julia Alston; and worked as a jewelry and watchmaker. John T. Alston, Elm City, was informant.

After Alston’s death, his estate defaulted on payment of the mortgage on his Nash Street property, and the trustee advertised its sale.

Wilson Daily Times, 14 April 1933.

Carrie Lindsey died 5 October 1944 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 7 April 1890 in Granville County to R.T. Alston and Julia Wortham; was the widow of John Lindsey; worked in farming; and was buried at William Chapel. Arthur Lindsey, Elm City, was informant.

John T. Alston died died 3 April 1952 in Elm City, Toisnot township. Per his death certificate, he was born 7 March 1889 in Granville County to Robert T. Alston and Charity Worthly; was a farmer; and was married. Informant was Annie Alston.