Death certificates of Wilson County natives who died in Indiana.
Caroline Simms died 30 July 1922 in Indianapolis. Her death certificate reports that she was born September 1850 in Wilson, North Carolina, to Robert Shirley and Caroline Barnes.
Jefrey Simms, son of Willis Hagans and Dicey Simms, married Carolin Barnes, daughter of Robert Dupree and Meneney Dupree, on 19 April 1869 in Wilson County. In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Jeffrey Simms, 24, wife Caroline, 21, and an unnamed one month-old daughter.
In the 1880 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: North Carolina-born laborer Jeff Sims, 35, wife Carline, 25, and daughters Martha, 10, Maliza, 6, Lillie, 3, and Laura, 1.
In the 1900 census of Indianapolis, Center township, Marion County, Indiana: at 746 Walnut, North Carolina-born widow Caroline Simms, 47, a washerwoman, with daughters Mary, 27, Laura, 21, and Bessie, 17. Mary was a divorced washerwoman. Laura was a servant, and Bessie, the only child born in Indiana, was a student.
In the 1920 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: at 2323 North Rural Street, Virginia-born Robert Evans, 43, hotel porter, Indiana-born wife Elizabeth, 33, public school teacher, and North Carolina-born mother Caroline Sims, 63. (All described as white.)
The death certificates of her daughters Mary Simms Berry and Laura Simms Clemmons are here.
Stella Maxwell died 17 October 2000 aged 100. Her death certificate reports that she was born in Wilson County, North Carolina, on 24 April 1900 to Ernest Thomlingson and Nancy Newsom.
Lewis H. Deans died 25 January 2004 in Indianapolis. His death certificate reports that he was born 11 October 1913 in Elm City, North Carolina, to Joshua Deans and Julia Arrington.
In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Josuah Deams, 62; wife Julia, 39; and children Glendora, 19, Minnie, 14, Daisy, 13, James, 11, Ernest, 9, Allen 8, Louis, 6, Armon and Norman, 4, John, 2, and Mary and Martha, 8 months.
In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on the By Road, Josh Deans, 71; wife Julia, 50; and children James, 21, Louis, 16, Orman and Norman, 15, John, 13, and Mary and Martha M., 10, Josh A., 9, and Julia, 7.
Lewis left Wilson County in the 1930s. In 1938, he married Gilberdia T. Lathery in Macomb County, Michigan, north of Detroit. Their marriage license listed his residence as Washington, D.C., and occupation as porter.
Lilly Harris died 8 February 1911 in Warren, Marion County, Indiana. Her death certificate reported that she was born in Wilson, North Carolina, on 26 January 1875 to Jeff Simms and Caroline Shirley. [See above.]
In the 1880 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: North Carolina-born laborer Jeff Sims, 35, wife Carline, 25, and daughters Martha, 10, Maliza, 6, Lillie, 3, and Laura, 1.
In the 1900 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: at 1818 Rural, day laborer Robert Harris, 24, and wife Lillie, 23.
Louisa Hester died 10 June 1921 in Indianapolis. Her death certificate states that she was born 27 December 1855 in Wilson, North Carolina, to Lewis Artis and Louisa Artis.
In the 1900 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: at 1021 South West Street, day laborer William Hester, 55, wife Louisa, 53, Indiana-born daughter Clarissa McGown, 23, son-in-law Nathen, 25, a railroad porter, grandson Harreld, 5, and granddaughter Babe, 2 months.
In the 1910 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: train cook Ned McGowan, 36, wife Clara, 36, and children Harold, 15, and Abbie, 10, plus William Hester, 58, and wife Louisa Hester, 62.
Henry Joyner died 11 February 1940 in Indianapolis, Indiana. His death certificate reports that he was born 15 October 1861 in Wilson, North Carolina to unknown parents.
On 24 January 1882, Henry Joyner, 24, married Annie Knight, 26, in Wilson County.
In the 1900 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: at 1117 North Tremont Street, Henry Joyner, 49, wife Anna, 35, and children Edwin, 13, Stella, 11, Laura, 9, George, 7, Thomas, 4, and Cora, 2.
In the 1910 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: at 1117 North Tremont Street, Henry Joyner, 55, wife Annie, 44, and children Edwin, 23, Laura, 19, George, 16, Thomas, 14, Cora, 11, Cecil, 9, and Henry, 7. Edwin was born in North Carolina; the other children in Indiana.
In the 1920 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: at 1117 North Tremont Street, Henry Joyner, 60, wife Anna, 5o, and children Laura, 28, George, 26, and Thomas, 24.
In the 1930 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: at 2858 Highland Place, Henry Joyner, 73, wife Annie C., 65, son George E., 36, grandsons Harry Booker, 10, and Chas. R. Joyner, 7.
John D. Kersey died 24 June 1901. His death certificate reported that he was 13 years old and born in Wilson, North Carolina, to Walter D. Kersey and Anis Williams.
Walter D. Kersey died 30 March 1915 in Indianapolis’ City Hospital. His death certificate reports that he was born 28 May 1862 in North Carolina to John Kersey and Julia Richardson.
In the 1870 census of Wilson, Wilson County: blacksmith John Kirsey, 45, wife Julia, 42, and children Louisa 19, Idella, 16, John, 13, Walter, 10, and Robt., 9.
In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: blacksmith John Kersey, 61; wife Julia, 53; and son Walter, 21; plus boarder William Joyner, who worked in the blacksmith shop.
In the 1910 census of Center township, Marion County, Indiana: widower Walter Kersey, 40, a blacksmith, was a boarder in a household at 914 Weikel Street.
- Martha Ann Simms Ratcliffe
Martha Ann Ratcliffe died 12 February 1961 at her home at 711 Dorman Street, Indianapolis. Her death certificate reports that she was born 8 May 1871 in Wilson, North Carolina, to Jeff Sims and Caroline Shirley. (See Caroline Simms above.)
In the 1880 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: North Carolina-born laborer Jeff Sims, 35, wife Carline, 25, and daughters Martha, 10, Maliza, 6, Lillie, 3, and Laura, 1.
In the 1900 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: day laborer Xanophene Sims [sic], 35, wife Martha, 29, and children Roy, 4, Wallie, 3, and Ruth, 5.
Martha and Xenophon Ratcliffe lost a son, Wayne, on the same day he was born, 19 June 1908. In 1916, another tragedy struck Martha Simms Ratcliff’s family:
Indianapolis News, 2 May 1916.
In the 1920 census of Indianapolis, Indiana: Kentucky-born Xenophon Ratcliff, 63, a school board janitor; wife Martha, 55, a cook; Walter, 22, meat presser in a packing house; Ruth, 21, , Carrie, 20, Elizabeth, 18, Jeff S., 15, Martha, 13, and nephew Walter Ratcliff.
