Per his death certificate, 16 year-old Wallace Kent died of conditions brought about by schizophrenia. Given contemporary attitudes toward mental illness, the esteem in which his community held him is noteworthy.
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In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Joe Kent, 48, farmer; wife Minnie, 42; and children Joseph, 17, Elbert, 15, Elek, 13, Pauline, 10, Elve, 8, Addilee, 5, and Wallace, 3.
In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Joe Kent, 48; wife Minnie, 51; and children Elbert, 25, Alex, 23, Ella, 17, Addie Lee, 15, and Wallace, 13; as well as daughter Lillie Powell, 25, and her children Joseph, 9, Elmer Lee, 5, and Bill, 3.
Wallace Kent died 28 June 1943 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 16 years old; was born in Wilson County to Joe Kent of Johnston County, N.C., and Minnie Bailey of Harnett County, N.C.; was engaged in farming; and was single. He was buried at Mary Grove cemetery.
In the 1910 census of Clayton township, Johnston County, North Carolina: farm laborer Fisher Patterson, 36; wife Minnie B., 28; and children John L., 7, Claudius, 3, and Clee, 7 months; father Chester Patterson, 79; and nephew William Patterson, 9.
In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Joe Kent, 38, farmer; wife Minnie, 30; and children Fannie, 11, Lillie, 9, Joe, 7, Elbert, 5, Ellic, 3, and Pauline, 5 months.
In the 1920 census of Clayton township, Johnston County: farmer Fisher Patterson, 49; wife Minnie, 39; children Leamon, 17, Claude, 14, Cleatho, 10, and Rubin, 4; sister India Cooper, 38, widow; and nephew Bill Cooper, 10.
On 22 December 1928, Claudie Patterson, 21, of Springhill township, married Fannie Kent, 20, of Springhill township, in Wilson.
In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Claud Patterson, 22; wife Fannie, 21; and daughter Layeruth, 1.
In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Claude Patterson, 33; wife Fannie, 31; and children Ruth, 11, L.O., 6, Minnie, 5, and Alberta, 2.
In 1940, Claude Patterson registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 1 August 1906 in Johnston County, N.C.; lived at R.F.D. #3, Kenly, Wilson County; his contact was wife Fannie Patterson; and he worked for Thelma Barnes, Kenly, Wilson County.
Claude Patterson died in 1984; Fannie K. Patterson died 26 May 2003.
Albert Kent was the third African-American killed in car accidents in Wilson County over a ten-day period in April-May 1938. Though described as “aged,” Kent was only 54 years old.
Wilson Daily Times, 9 May 1938.
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In the 1870 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: farm laborer Elbert Kent, 25, wife Rebecca, 23; and daughter Mary, 1.
In the 1880 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: Elbert Kent, 36, farmer; wife Rebeca, 29; and children Mary, 10, Rufus, 9, Saraha, 7, Flournes J., 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.
On 24 April 1909, Albert Kent, 23, of Springhill township, son of Elbert and Rebecca Kent, married Martha Short, 22, of Springhill, daughter of John and Mandy Short, in Wilson.
In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: railroad laborer Albert Kent, 32, and wife Mary, 30.
In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Albert Kent, 35; wife Mary S., 31; and children Alta M., 9, James A., 7, George, 5, and Napoleon, 2 months.
In the 1930 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Albert Kent, 46; wife Maggie L., 31; and children Elsie, 19, James A., 17, Robert, 15, Napoleon, 10, Mary M., 9, Sallie M., 6, and Elbert, 3.
I have not identified William or Richard Jones with certainty.
Lena Mitchell Kent, 104, of Wilson, died Tuesday, July 30, 2019. Funeral will be 1 p.m. Friday at Mount Zion Progressive Primitive Baptist Church. Burial will follow in Hamilton Burial Gardens. Visitation will be 7 p.m. Thursday at Carrons Funeral Home. Arrangements are by Carrons Funeral Home.
Wilson Daily Times, 31 July 2019.
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On 15 December 1888, Laurence Mitchel, 21, of Cross Roads township, son of Primus Mitchel, married Ester Darden, 18, of Cross Roads township, daughter of Martin and Jane Darden, at Primus Mitchel’s in Cross Roads.
In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farm laborer Laurence Michel, 29; wife Easter, 24; and children Alonza, 8, Nettie, 6, Eddie, 4, and Babe, 1.
In the 1910 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Lawrence Mitchell, 40; wife Easter, 36; and children Alonzo, 19, Nellie, 17, Eddie, 13, Jesse, 11, Bettie, 7, Coy S., 5, Mattie, 3, and an infant, 11 months.
In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Lawrence Mitchell, 30; wife Louisa, 30; and children Altie, 29, Bettie, 17, Colasta, 14, Mattie, 12, Wiley, 9, Cleveland, 6, and Lena, 4.
In the 1930 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Lawrence Mitchel, 57; wife Louisa, 45; and children Cleveland, 17, Lena, 15, and Easter, 16.
On 9 October 1937, in Smithfield, Johnston County, Joseph Kent, 25, of Lucama, son of Joseph Kent and Minnie Kent, married Lena Mitchell, 22, of Lucama, daughter of Lawrence Mitchell and Easter Mitchell.
In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Joe Kent, 27, and wife Lena, 24.
In 1940, Joe Kent Jr. registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 8 October 1912 in Wilson; lived at R.F.D. #1, Lucama; was married to Lena Kent, wife; and worked for T.R. Smith, Lucama.
Joe and Minnie Bailey Kent and eldest daughter Fannie, circa 1910.
Joseph Kent, 26, of Cross Roads township, son of Elbert and Bacy Kent, married Minnie Bailiey, 20, of Cross Roads, daughter of Julia Bailey on 19 February 1907. Free Will Baptist minister J.W. Richardson performed the ceremony in the presence of J.H. Rowe, T.W.A. Thompson, and W.H. Richardson, all of Lucama.
In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph Kent, 28; wife Minnie, 22; daughter Fannie, 1; and sister-in-law Rosa Bailey, 18.
In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Joe Kent, 38, farmer; wife Minnie, 30; and children Fannie, 11, Lillie, 9, Joe, 7, Elbert, 5, Ellic, 3, and Pauline, 5 months.
In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Joe Kent, 48, farmer; wife Minnie, 42; and children Joseph, 17, Elbert, 15, Elek, 13, Pauline, 10, Elve, 8, Addilee, 5, and Wallace, 3.
In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Joe Kent, 48; wife Minnie, 51; and children Elbert, 25, Alex, 23, Ella, 17, Addie Lee, 15, and Wallace, 13; as well as daughter Lillie Powell, 25, and her children Joseph, 9, Elmer Lee, 5, and Bill, 3.
Joe Kent died 22 November 1957 at Mercy Hospital in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 6 August 1890 in Wilson County to Elbert Kent; resided in Lucama; was married to Minnie Kent; and was buried in Mary Grove cemetery. Fannie Patterson was informant.
Minnie B. Kent died 15 February 1966 in Lucama. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 March 1890 in Harnett County to George Bailey and Julia Bailey; was a widow; and she was buried in Mary Grove cemetery. Pauline Ward was informant.
Many thanks to Bernard Patterson for sharing this photograph.
Ned Kent of Springhill township passed away 22 July 1940. The details of his will are detailed here.
Nearly eight years later, Wilson County Superior Court accepted the report of the commissioners appointed to divide Kent’s land among his many heirs. Born into slavery, he had accumulated 159 acres in southern Wilson County.
Book 150, pages 409-410, Register of Deeds Office, Wilson County Courthouse.
The interested parties were: James Kent and wife Nettie; Louise Kent Barnes and husband William Barnes; Narcissus Kent Lucas and husband John Lucas; Percy Kent and wife Cherrie; Cassanda Kent Williams; Jane Boykin; Jennie Lucas and husband W. Fred Lucas; Charlie Kent and wife Victoria Kent; Roscoe Kent and wife Mary; the children of Clara Ann Kent Hamilton (Purcelle Hamilton, Clara Beatrice Hamilton Payne and Matthew Hamilton); Fred Kent’s daughter Thelma Kent Barnes; Ada Kent Williams‘ son Willie Kent; the children of Arcelars Kent (Daisy Kent Williams, Chaney Kent Parker, Helen Kent Lipton, Ned Kent and Jim Kent); the children of James Kent (James R. Kent, Joseph W. Kent, Bessie Hardy, Thaddeus Kent, Johnnie W. Kent, Algie Marie Kent and Flora May Kent); the children of Narcissus Kent Lucas (Pearl Lucas Barnes, Kezzie Lucas Boykin); the children of Percy Kent (Carnell Kent, Lydie Frances Kent Craddock and Davie Nell Kent); the children of Louise Kent Barnes (Nannie Barnes Paschall, Sophie Mae Pulley, Benjamin Barnes, Randolph Barnes, Lydia Barnes Griffin, Gaybella Barnes Harris, Willie Mae Barnes Strickland, Glintle Lee Barnes Finch, Marcus Barnes, Mercedes Barnes, Joya Dennis Barnes, Kay Georgia Barnes and Shirley Barnes); the children of Jane Boykin (Grady Boykin, Willie Foster Boykin, William Gay Boykin, John Henry Boykin, Lillie Mae Boykin; Addie Boykin Miles, Fannie Boykin Clark, Tincie Boykin Williams, and Lydia Boykin Finch); the children of Jennie Lucas (Carrie Lucas Williams, George Lucas, William Lucas, Raspor Lucas, Callie Lucas, Emily Lucas, Chellie Lucas Gastings and Oscar Lucas); the children of Charlie Kent (James O. Kent, Roy Kent, George Kent, James T. Kent, Hubert Kent, Ned Kent, Ruth Kent Hinnant, and Janie Kent Richardson); and Casanda Kent Williams’ son Eddie Williams., plus any “unborn and unascertained children.”
Ned Kent’s farm was divided into 13 lots of just over 12 acres each. Lot #4, which contained the family cemetery, was slightly larger to compensate. A plat map shows an unpaved road running through lots 1 through 6 and a creek running at the edge of lots 7 through 10. Lots 1, 6 and 12 contained dwellings.
Plat Book 5, page 71, Register of Deeds office, Wilson County Courthouse.
The Kent land today, just west of Sullivan Road in far southwestern Wilson County. The road remains unpaved, and the cemetery is well-kept. Per Wilson County, North Carolina Cemeteries — Volume 1, a publication of the Wilson County Genealogical Society, the graveyard contains about 51 graves, including Ned Kent and wife Lydia; their daughter Mary Jane Kent Boykin, her husband John H. and son Grady; their sons Charlie and Marcellus; and others. The tiny creek at the bottom edge of the plat map is now an arm of Buckhorn Reservoir.
A close-up of the Ned Kent family cemetery and the road that runs past it:
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.
On 17 December 1897, Mary Jane Kent, 18, daughter of Ned and Liddie Kent, married James Boykin, 21, son of Henry and Silvy Boykin, in Wilson County.
On 23 November 1899, Arcellous Kent, 23, son of Ned and Liddy Kent, married Jane Aycock, 19, daughter of Alf and Charity Aycock, in Springhill township, Wilson County. Witnesses were Joel O’Neil of Springhill and Walter Sadler and James R. Darden of Wilson.
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.
On 29 January 1908, Fred Kent, 21, son of Ned and Liddie Kent, married Arcissa Atkinson, 19, daughter of Arch and Martha Atkinson, at Arch Atkinson’s house. W.H. Dugger, Christian Church minister, performed the ceremony in the presence of J.D. Baily, G.A. Shaw, and J.H. Barnes, all of Springhill.
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.
On 21 December 1911, Clara Kent, 20, daughter of Ned and Liddie Kent, married O.W. Hamilton, son of H.K. and Nora Hamilton, in Johnston County.
On 23 March 1913, Louisa Kent, 19, daughter of Ned and Lydia Kent, married William Barnes, 19, son of Joe and Mary Barnes, in Wilson County.
On 7 December 1917, James Kent, 24, son of Ned and Lydia Kent, married Lula Creech, 19, daughter of Haywood Hinnant and Flora Creech, all of Springhill township. Josiah Hinnant applied for the license, and Free Will Baptist minister A. Brown performed the ceremony in the presence of Hardy Hinnant, Battle Barham and Persey Kent.
On 15 June 1919, Percy Kent, 21, son of Ned and Lydia Kent, married Mallie Lucas, daughter of Jim and Missour
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.
Arcellus Kent died 5 March 1920 in Beulah township, Johnston County. Per his death certificate, he was 44 years old; married; born in Wilson County to Ned Kent and Lydia Barnes; a farmer; and was buried in the family cemetery in Wilson County. Informant was Julia Kent.
On 6 May 1925, Ada Kent, 23, daughter of Ned and Liddie Kent, married Abston Williams, 22, son of Edmund and Cassandy Williams in Johnston County.
On 16 May 1929, Fred Kent, 26, son of Ned Kent and Lydia Kent, married Lou Bettie Ellis, 23, daughter of John Daniel Ellis and Mary Ellis, in Wilson. James T. Barnes, Devonie Powell and Lawrence Powell witnessed the ceremony.
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.
Franklin Kent died 3 March 1938 in Rocky Mount, Nash County. Per his death certificate, he was born in May 1900 in Wilson County to Ned Kent and Liddy Barnes; was divorced from Lugenia Richardson; resided at 538 Dexter Street, Rocky Mount; and worked as a mechanic. Informant was Ned Kent, Elm City.
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 farmers; and was born in Johnston County to Elbert and Abbie Sanders of Johnston County. He was buried at the home place; Earnest Hinnant was informant. [Note that a family story published at Ancestry.com names Lightfoot Sanders and Angeline Kent as Ned Kent’s parents.]
Lydia Kent died 5 November 1949 in Springhill township. Per her death certificate, she was born 5 May 1875 in Wilson County to Isaac and Abbie Barnes and was a widow. She was buried in the Kent family cemetery, and Gennie Lucas was informant.
Percy Kent died 5 June 1973 in Smithfield, Johnston County. Per his death certificate, he was born 4 March 1903 to Ned Kent and Lydie Barnes; was a widower; resided in Smithfield; and worked as a laborer. David Kent was informant.
