Johnston County NC

Isaac Woodard of Smithfield, North Carolina.

The Johnsenior (1926), yearbook of Johnston County Training School, Smithfield, N.C.

Undertaker Isaac Woodard of Smithfield, Johnston County, N.C., was a Wilson County native.

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In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Isaac Woodard, 32; wife Anner, 26; and children Fannie, 12, Nellie, 10, James, 9, Frank, 6, Isaac, 3, and Sis, 1.

In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Frank Farmer, 22; wife Fannie, 23; son John H., 4; nephew George, 18; and boarder Isaac Woodard, 20.

In the  1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: house mover John Boykin, 50; wife Dicy, 44, cooking; and children Sallie, 19, cooking, James, 18, day laborer, Dotia, 14, Susia, 14, Lillie, 10, and Eliza, 7.

On 26 November 1905, Isaac Woodard, 23, of Wilson, son of Isaac and Susan Woodard (he, living in Arkansas), married Sudie Boykin, 19, of Wilson, daughter of Jno. and Eliza Boykin, in Wilson township, Wilson County. Missionary Baptist minister W.H. Woodard performed the ceremony in the presence of C.L. Darden, Thomas Barnes, and J.J. Langley.

In the 1908 Rocky Mount, NC., city directory: Woodard Isaac (c) blksmith h 907 Beal

In the 1910 census of Rocky Mount, Nash County, N.C.: Isaac Woodard, 25; wife Sudie, 24; children Pauline, 3, and Russell, 18 months; and grandmother Edith Woodard, 65.

In 1918, Isaac Woodard registered for the World War I draft in Johnston County. Per his registration card, he was born 4 July 1882; lived on Market in Smithfield; worked for himself as a horseshoer and undertaker; and his contact was Sudie Woodard.

In the 1920 census of Smithfield, Johnston County: blacksmith Isaac Woodard, 35; wife Sudie, 33; and children Pauline, 13, and Russell, 11; and grandmother Edith Woodard, 83.

Edith Woodard died 16 October 1920 in Smithfield, Johnston County. Per her death certificate, she was 86 years old; was born in Wilson to Ester (no surname given); was a widow; and was buried in Wilson County by Isaac Woodard. Sudie Woodard was informant.

In 1926, Russell Woodard was one of four boys in the Johnston County Training School’s junior class. From the The Johnsenior.

In the 1930 census of Smithfield, Johnston County: on Market Street, Isic Woodard, 43, undertaker; wife Sudie, 40, public school teacher; children Pauline, 23, Russell, 21, Isic Jr., 4, and Hattie, 11 (adopted); and boarder St. Julian Walker, 25, high school teacher.

In the 1940 census of Smithfield, Johnston County: funeral director/undertaker Isaac W. Woodard, 48; wife Suda, 46, public school teacher; and son Isaac Jr., 14.

In 1943, Isaac Woodard Jr. registered for the World War II draft in Smithfield, Johnston County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 November 1925 in Smithfield; lived at 811 East Market Street; his contact was Isaac Woodard Sr.; and he was a student at A.&T.

The Washington Star, 19 November 1978.

Studio shots, no. 265: Mary Jane Davis Horton.

Mary Jane Davis Horton (1877-1967).

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On 5 July 1896, Rufus Horton, 23, of Johnston County, son of Nash and Elizabeth Horton, married Mary J. Davis, 19, of Johnston, daughter of Ollin and Mary F. Davis, in Pine Level, Johnston County. [Rufus, in fact, was a grandson of Nash Horton and was reared by Horton and his wife.]

In the 1910 census of Pine Level township, Johnston County: farmer Rufus A. Horton, 37; wife Mary J., 33; and children William O., 12, Fredie, 10, Alonzo V., 9, Callie M., 7, Flossie V., 5, Romie, 3, and Rufus Jr., 2 months.

In the 1920 census of Smithfield, Johnson County: farmer Ruffes Horton, 47; wife Mary J., 44; and children Van Dan, 19, Calla M., 18, Flosie, 16, Ramon, 13, Ruffes, 9, and Etheal, 4.

In the 1930 census of Smithfield, Johnson County: Baptist minister Ruffus A. Horton, 55; wife Mary J., 51; and children Ruffus, 19, Elthel, 15, and Ulla M., 8.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 721 East Green Street, Floyd Johnson, 28, tobacco factory laborer; wife Flossie, 32, tobacco factory hanger; daughters Ella M., 11, Ernestine, 5, and Bobbie J., 2; and mother-in-law Mary Horton, 59.

The Sunday Star (Washington, D.C.), 2 April 1967.

Photo courtesy of Rodger Creech.

The Freemans’ Johnston County roots?

In 1986, Mary Freeman Ellis published The Way It Was, a memoir of life with her father, noted stonemason Oliver Nestus Freeman. Early in the work, she wrote that Nestus Freeman’s father, Julius Franklin Freeman, was born in Johnston County, North Carolina.

Julius Freeman moved to Wilson County before 1870, when he appears in the first post-slavery census as a 21 year-old carpenter living with Alfred Boyit, 26, and his wife Eliza, 29, in the household of white farmer John R. Farmer, 56. [Alfred Boyette was also born Johnston County, and research links him to George Boyette (owner of the extant Boyette slave cabin) and his son James Boyette, who settled in Oldfields township, Wilson County.] I have found no formal records placing him in Johnston County or identifying his birth family. (Note, however, Nestus Freeman of Ohio, born just a few years before Julius Freeman, and likely a relative.)

“Julius” and “Nestus” were uncommon names among enslaved people in this area. Recently, however, while researching for a Johnston County client, I encountered both names among records of people enslaved by members of the extended Sanders family, who were wealthy plantation owners. I also found “Olive,” which was the name Julius Freeman gave one of his daughters and, of course, the feminine version of “Oliver,” the first name of two of his sons — Oliver Lovett Freeman and Oliver Nestus Freeman. In  addition, I found “Lydia,” the name of Julius Freeman’s eldest daughter, Lydia Freeman Norwood.

The evidence is thin, but suggestive. Then, as now, some given names gained local popularity and were used repeatedly among unrelated people. Nestus seems to have been such a name, as it is used as early as the 1830s among Johnston County white families. However, the clustering of four given names that Julius F. Freeman passed to his own offspring may signal a link between him and the enslaved communities held by the extended white Sanders family.

Baldy Sanders’ slave records, which have been digitized by Johnston County Heritage Center, include a register of births (and some deaths) of people Baldy Sanders enslaved. The register includes Oliff [Olive], whose birthdate is not specified but can be inferred as January 1841; Julius, who was born 9 August 1851 and died 3 June 1852; and Lydia, born 12 July 1863.

Mary Boddie Sanders’ estate file, opened in 1843, contains a reference to Lydia, whose ownership passed to her son John F. Sanders.

In 1863, North Carolina’s Confederate General Assembly ordered that tax lists included  enslaved people name. Few of these assessments survive, but Johnston County’s lists show:

  • Julius, age 18, blind, enslaved by Sarah Sanders
  • Olive, 22, enslaved by Sarah Sanders
  • Julius, 18, enslaved by William E. Sanders
  • Lydia, 3, enslaved by William E. Sanders
  • Nestus, 17, enslaved by William E. Sanders
  • Julius, 21, enslaved by Willis H. Sanders
  • Lydia, 20, enslaved by Willis H. Sanders
  • Nestus, 24, enslaved by Willis H. Sanders
  • Olive, 41, enslaved by Willis H. Sanders

The Kents try to get their land back.

Brothers Elbert and Ned Kent are the forefathers of most African-American Kents from Wilson County’s Lucama area. Both were born enslaved in neighboring Johnston County to Lightfoot Sanders. Elbert Kent’s mother was Angeline Kent. Ned Kent’s possibly was was Angeline Kent, but may have been named Abbie. In 1902, the Kent brothers sued in Johnston County to regain their father’s 19 acres of land.

In short, the Kents alleged that Lightfoot Sanders died in 1887, leaving widow Wealthy Sanders and two sons (Wealthy’s stepsons) Elbert and Ned Kent. After Wealthy Sanders died, the Kent brothers took possession of the land and rented it out. In 1898, Harrison and Henrietta Avera took control of the property. (See the complaint below.)

The Averas responded that Lightfoot and Wealthy Sanders had bought the land together in November 1871 from J.B. Dunn; that Wealthy worked and contributed to the purchase; and that the parties intended for the deed to be made in the name of both Sanderses. However, by accident, it was made out to Lightfoot Sanders only. Wealthy Sanders executed a will in February 1896 leaving the 19 acres to her daughter (the Kent brothers’ stepsister) Henrietta Avera.

A judge found that the Kents and Henrietta Avera (and her husband) each owned one-half the property and ordered it sold and the proceeds to be divided. Henrietta Avera was to receive the 1903 rents from the property and pay the 1903 taxes. The land sold at auction on 30 January 1904 for $180.

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North Carolina, Johnston County

In the Superior Court, Feb Term 1903

Elbert Kent and Ned Kent
vs
Harrison Avera and Henrietta Avera

Complaint

The plaintiffs complaining of the defendants allege:

I. That Lightfoot Sanders, dec’d, was at and before his death seized in fee simple of the following described land and premises:

Beginning on a stake standing on North side of Sander’s Branch in Bettie Burnette’s line and runs with her line N 3 E. 65 poles to a stake her corner; thence as her line N 88 W 54 poles to a stake Jno. W. Pool’s corner, thence his line S 3 W 52 poles to a large ditch, thence as the ditch N 75 E 10 poles, thence N 62 E 16 poles, thence S 70 E 10 poles, thence S 83 E 12 poles, thence 150 E 5 poles to the beginning point containing (19) acres. See Registry of Johnston Co., Book E. No 3 – page 354 and said Lightfoot Sanders was at the time of his death in possession of said land and premises.

II. That when said Lightfoot Sanders died, he left surviving him a widow Wealthy Sanders who lived upon and occupied the land described in paragraph I of this complaint as his widow during her lifetime.

III. That upon the death of said widow Wealthy Sanders these plaintiffs entered upon said land took possession of said land and premises and rented same to Quinnie[?].

IV. That on or about 28th day of Jan. 1887 Lightfoot Sanders died intestate leaving surviving the plaintiffs his only children and heirs at law.

V. That on or about Jan. 1st 1898 the defendants entered into possession and are now in possession of said land and premises without leave of the plaintiffs or any right or title thereto and do now unlawfully withhold possession thereof from the plaintiffs.

Wherefore plaintiffs demand judgment:

1st. That plaintiffs recover possession of the land and premises

2nd. For the sum of Fifty Dollars as rents for detaining and withholding said land and premises from the owners

3rd. For such other and further relief as plaintiffs are entitled to

4th. For the cost of this action.

E.S. Abell and Wellon & Morgan Attys for Plaintiffs

Elbert Kent one of the plaintiffs being duly sworn says that the facts set forth in the foregoing complaint are true of his own knowledge except as to those matters therein stated upon information and belief and as to those matters he believes it to be true.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this Feb. 16th 1903   Elbert (X) Kent
W.S. Stevens C.S.C.

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  • Lightfoot Sanders

In an 1863 assessment of enslaved property directed by North Carolina’s Confederate government, Lightfoot, age 46, appears in a list of people enslaved by Ashley Sanders, Avera’s district, Johnston County.

In 1866, Lightfoot Sanders and Welthy Sanders registered their 11-year cohabitation with a Johnston County clerk of court.

In the 1870 census of Smithfield township, Johnston County: Lightfoot Sanders, 54, farmer; wife Weltha, 50; and Jack Tomlinson, 75, pauper.

In the 1880 census of Smithfield township, Johnston County: Lightfoot Sanders, 65, farmer, and wife Wealthy, 70.

  • Elbert Kent

On 1 November 1868, Elbert Kent, son of Lightfoot Sanders and Angeline Kent, married Rebecer Kent, daughter of Rebecer Creach, in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farm laborer Elbert Kent, 25; wife Rebecca, 23; and Mary, 1.

In the 1880 census of Beulah township, Johnston County: laborer Elbert Kent, 36; wife Rebecca, 29; and children Mary, 10, Rufus, 9, Saraha, 7, Flourens 6, Martha M., 4, and Pharrow, 1.

In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Elbert Kent, 55, widower, and children Joseph, 18, Albert, 15, Bettie, 8, Rebecca, 7, and Isaiah, 4; plus daughter Martha Barnes, 23, widow, and her children Rebecca, 4, and Joseph, 2.

  • Ned Kent

In the 1880 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Kent, 25, wife Liddy, 24, and children Isaac, 4, Cassanda, 3, and Jane, 2.

In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Kent, 46, wife Lydia, 43, and children Cassanda, 22, Gennie, 18, George, 17, Roscoe, 15, Frederick, 13, Charley, 11, Clara A., 10, Bud, 8, Louisa, 6, Narcissa, 4, Percy, 2, and Franklin, 1.

In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: on the path leading to Raleigh Road, farmer Ned Kent, 56, wife Liddie, 51, and children Casandy, 32, Charley, 21, Clara, 20, James W., 18, Louisa, 16, Narcissus, 14, Percy, 12, Franklin, 10, and Ada, 7.

In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Kent, 59, wife Liddie, 58, children Frank, 20, and Ada, 18, and grandson Willie, 1.

In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Kent, 71; wife Liddie C., 69; son Percy, 32; and grandchildren Percy C., 9, Leda F., 8; David N., 5, and Willie, 12. Ned’s farm was valued at $4500.

In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Ned Kent, 74, wife Liddie, 83, and grandsons Willie, 21, Carnell, 19, and Daniel, 16.

Ned Kent died 22 July 1940 in Springhill township. Per his death certificate, he was 85 years; was married to Lydia Kent, 84; was a farmer; and was born in Johnston County to Elbert Sanders [sic] and Abbie Sanders of Johnston County. He was buried at the home place; Earnest Hinnant was informant.

Signal Boost: The History of Boyette Slave and School House.

Beth Nevarez of Beth Nevarez Historical Consulting passed along some information about Boyette Slave and School House she knew the Black Wide-Awake audience would be interested in. I couldn’t find a flyer for the event, so I made one.

From Kenly Area Historical Society’s Facebook event post:
“The Boyette Slave and School House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 and is the only representative from the Kenly area. The small one-room cabin has a distinctive mud and stick chimney and is only one of two such buildings left in the state. The cabin was built on land that George Boyett bought from the State of North Carolina in 1797. How has the cabin lasted this long? How old is it? Who built it? How was it built? How has it changed over time? Who lived there? Vann Stancil, a descendant of George Boyett, will take a multi-disciplinary approach to addressing these questions and share primary records and images as he discusses the Boyette Slave and School House.
“Join us for this historical presentation on Sunday, February 2, at 3:00 pm at Kenly Scout Center at 410 E. 1st Street, Kenly. Questions or for more information call 919-284-3591.”

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia user DanTD, uploaded to Wikipedia 16 December 2021.

Lane Street Project: in memory of Alice Artis (1877-??)

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.

In the 1900 census of Ingrams, Johnston County: widower farmer Archie Artis, 78; daughters Bathanie, 32, and Alice E., 22; and granddaughters Victoria, 13, Effie, 10, and Pollie, 1.

In the 1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Artis Alice (c) cook h Vance nr Pender

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Joe Evans, 26; wife Effie, 17; daughter Never E., 3; sister Victory E., 22, widow; [her?] children William, 7, Maggie, 6, and Harvey, 3; mother-in-law Bettie Artice, 37; aunt Alice, 35; and her daughter Polly, 10.

On 3 Dec 1914, Solomon Ward applied for a marriage license for Jesse Henderson of Wilson, age 21, son [great-nephew] of Jesse Jacobs and Sarah Jacobs, both dead, and Pauline Artis of Wilson, age 18, daughter of Alice Artis. On the same day, Fred M. Davis, Baptist minister, performed the ceremony at his residence before Mary Barnes, Annie Hines, and Willie Cromartie, all of Wilson.  [Jesse and Sarah Henderson Jacobs, who were very much alive, reared Jesse, who was the son of Sarah’s sister.]

In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Artis Alice (c) dom h 219 1/2 Pender

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 217 Pender Street, Jesse Henderson with wife Pauline, daughter Bessie, and mother-in-law Alice Artis. Jesse worked as a truck driver for a woodyard. Alice Artis was a cook for a private family.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 318 Pender Street, Jack Henderson, truck driver, 38; wife Pauline, 31, and children Bessie, 12, Alic, 10, Joice, 8, Mildred, 6, and Archy, 4, listed in the household of mother-in-law Alic Artis, 49, private cook, paying $18/month rent.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 309 Pender Street, Alice Artis, 56; daughter Pauline Henderson, 39, household servant; granddaughters Bessie L., 23, hotel elevator girl, Alice, 20, household servant, Joyce, 18, household servant, Mildred, 16, and Doris, 10; and grandson Robert [Bobby], 4.

I have not found Alice Artis’ death certificate. Her grandchildren, however, report that she was buried in Vick Cemetery.

The estate of Elizabeth Hinnant (1855).

When Elizabeth Hinnant made out her will on 10 April 1854, she left to Alvin H. Atkinson “one negroe boy named Joe,” the sole person she enslaved.

At the time she dictated her will, Hinnant lived in Johnston County, but by her death Wilson County had been formed. Loverd Atkinson filed in Wilson County court the inventory of Hinnant’s property shown below. First on the list, ahead of a sorrel mare, a bay horse, and three head of cattle, was Joe.

Atkinson hired Joe out to unnamed persons for 18 days, and then until the following January.

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On 31 August 1866, Joseph Hinnant and Roda Godwin registered their six-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Joseph Hinniard, 30; wife Rodah, 27; and children Vandier, 8, Zadok, 6, Roxy, 4, and James, 1.

In the 1880 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph Hinnant, 45; wife Rhoda, 43; and children Vandorne, 18, Dock, 16, Rocksey, 14, James T., 12, Toby, 10, Josiah, 8, Leviser, 6, John E., 4, and Martha, 1.

In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: James T. Hinnant, 31; mother Rhoda, 59; father Joseph, 70; and sisters Lovisa, 25, Martha, 21, and Mary, 18.

Lane Street Project: Johnston County reclaims its past.

This past weekend, Johnston County Heritage Center and Johnston County Heritage Commission put on a fantastic series of events focused on preserving the county’s African-American history and culture. Beth Nevarez, founder and principal of Beth Nevarez Historical Consulting, took notes for those of us who couldn’t be there:

“This past weekend I sponsored & attended @johnstoncountyheritage’s event: Reclaiming the Black Past: An Artifactual Journey. The event highlighted the importance of preserving spaces/places, artifacts and songs & stories that relate to African American history.
Friday evening we had a campfire conversation at the Boyette Slave House led by Joseph McGill of the @slavedwellingproject. Our gathering of about 25 discussed everything from those who lived in the Boyette Slave House & family history to issues of book bans and curriculums in schools today. We reflected on the importance of bringing awareness to the built environment that stands as a primary source of slavery’s past, as well as the importance of learning about that past in the present. Many thanks to Joseph McGill for leading this conversation & to the Stancil family who owns the property the Boyette Slave House sits on for hosting us.

“Saturday’s program included hearing more from Joe McGill on how he started the Slave Dwelling Project and the many ways in which it has evolved over the years. He spoke of the myths he works against including that slavery was only a southern institution.

“Then we heard from @philip_j_merrill of @nanny_jack_and_co about the importance and power of physical artifacts to preserve and share Black history. He brought along a number of interesting artifacts and spoke about ‘peeling back the onion layers’ of meaning and the many different ways artifacts, even some you wouldn’t expect, can be used to talk about Black history.

“We also heard both songs and history from @maryd.w who sang spirituals throughout her powerful presentation about the historical context of these songs and how they were used by enslaved people and later in the civil rights movement with coded messages hidden in their lyrics. These songs were passed down orally rather than in writing and contained messages of freedom and resistance.

“We concluded the day with a visit to the Sanders-Smith cemetery where descendants spoke the names of their ancestors buried there.”

WRAL News covered the gathering at Sanders-Smith Cemetery:

“Why is a cemetery hidden [in] a wooded stretch of land running alongside the highway – and directly adjacent to a modern day parking lot for the Johnston County Agricultural Center?

“According to [Todd] Johnson[, Executive Director for Johnston County Heritage Center], the land was all once part of the Sanders plantation.

“‘Ashley Sanders owned this land, which was roughly a 1,500 acre plantation,’ said Johnson. ‘His father was one of the largest landowners, who owned probably around 10,000 acres total. He left plots of land to his children.'”

…

“After the families enslaved here were emancipated after the Civil War, one of the men that had been enslaved on the property bought 25 acres of the plantation — including the cemetery.

“‘His name was Adam Sanders,’ said Johnson.

“By purchasing the cemetery land, Adam Sanders helped preserve the burial ground for future generations of his family – and help protect those who were already interred there.

“‘His parents were likely buried here,’ said Johnson.”

Many descendants of those enslaved by Ashley Sanders and family later migrated into Wilson County, such as Rodger Creech Jr., who attended Saturday’s observance at the cemetery. Future posts in Black Wide-Awake will attempt to make some of these connections.

Kudos to Johnston County for recognizing the importance of African-American history outside of Black History Month, for bringing Joseph McGill’s groundbreaking work to eastern North Carolina, and for recognizing Sanders-Smith Cemetery as an historic sacred space.

Seeking descendants of Alfred Boyette.

I recently shared news of an exciting September event — Joseph McGill’s visit to Boyette slave dwelling, sponsored by Johnston County Museum of History.

Beth Nevarez let me know that Todd Johnson, Executive Director of Johnston County Heritage Center, has researched a connection between the Boyette slave cabin and Alfred Boyette, whom we met here and here. Johnson is seeking descendants of men and women, like Alfred Boyette, who might have inhabited the small, plank-clad house.

George Boyette owned the farm on which the Boyette dwelling was built and the enslaved people who lived there. In 1844, Boyette drafted a will that include a bequest to his son James Boyette of “one negro boy named Alford.”

Other enslaved people named in the will were Silvy, Carolina, and James Henderson, who were bequeathed to George’s son Larkin G. Boyette, and Maryan, who was designated for daughter Martha Brotten [Broughton]. William and Hardy Hinnant were witnesses to Boyette’s signature.

Boyette’s estate entered probate in 1852. A property inventory lists nine enslaved people — Sylva, 37; Caroline, 16; James, 14; Alfred, 12; Maryan, 9; Annylise, 7; Wm. Hardy, 4; Emsly, 3; and Jol, 10 months. Sylvia is likely the mother of the children.

 James Boyette lived in present-day Old Fields township, Wilson County. The 1860 slave schedule lists him with eight enslaved people — a 28 year-old woman; an 8 year-old girl; a 19 year-old man [likely Alfred]; and five boys, aged 12, 9, 7, 4, and 2.

On 20 January 1867, Alfred Boyette and Liza Barnes were married in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Alfred Boyette, 26, farm laborer; wife Eliza, 29; and Julius Freeman, 21, carpenter. [Freeman, of course, was the father of O.N. and Julius Freeman Jr., among other. We know he was born in Johnston County, but have no concrete information about his life before 1870, or his relationship, if any, to Alfred or Eliza.]

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Spring Street, Alfred Boyette, 40, working on street; wife Eliza, 45; daughter Sylvia, 9; and boarder Albert Barnes, 22, working at ice house. [Sylvia was apparently named for her father’s mother.]

On 18 November 1897, Alfred Boyette, 55, son of Hady [Hardy] Hinnant, married Mrs. Mary Armstrong, 37, daughter of Raford Dew, at the home of Raford Dew in Wilson township. Missionary Baptist minister M. Strickland performed the ceremony in the presence of Bush Dew, Moses Dew and Henry Melton. [Was Alfred Boyette’s father the white Hardy Hinnant that witnessed George Boyette’s will, or an enslaved man named Hardy, who is listed among people enslaved by Johnston County farmer James Hinnent, or someone else with that name?]

In the 1900 census of “genater” [janitor] Alfred Boyett, 59; wife Mary, 32; and children Alfred, 1, Etna, 9, and Willie, 13.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Alfred Boyette, 75, laborer for court; wife Mary, 40; and children Millian, 21, and Willie, 18, both factory laborers, Edna, 11, and Gincy, 9.

Jincy McBride died 3 November 1925 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 6 September 1901 in Wilson to Alford Boyett and Mary Dew; was married to Harrison McBride; and worked as a tobacco factory day laborer. Informant was Mary Dew, 304 Walnut Street.

Amie Lee, who died 18 December 1928 in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, was possibly Alfred Boyette’s sister. Per her death certificate, she was 91 years old; was born to Hardy Hinton [Hinnant?] and an unknown mother; was the widow of Henderson Lee [a United States Colored Troops veteran]; and lived at 1296 East Edenton. [In the 1880 census of Wilders township, Johnston County, Amy Lee, 30, is the head of a household that includes Hardy, 15, Octavia, 12, Elizabeth, 3, and Aaron, 1.]

James Boyette Sr. died 4 March 1960 at his home at 504 Stantonsburg Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 18 February 1899 in Wilson County to Alfred B0yette and Mary Magdalene Dew; and worked as a laborer. Informant was James Boyette Jr.

——

Are you an Alfred Boyette descendant? If so, please reach out to Todd Johnson at todd.johnson@johnstonnc.com.

Reclaiming the Black Past: an Artifactual Journey.

Fantastic programming coming up from Johnston County Museum of History! I’ve featured the Boyette cabin here and have just learned there may be a direct Wilson County link. (More to come on that.) Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Joseph McGill Jr. of The Slave Dwelling Project speak!

Hat tip to Beth Nevarez for sharing this flyer.