lightning strike

Bynum killed by lightning in tobacco barn.

Wilson Daily Times, 24 July 1931.

This Times article provides more details of the tragic death of Abraham Bynum, which was also reported in the Pittsburgh Courier

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In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: sawyer Charley Bynum, 41; wife Julia Ann, 43; and children Calvin, 21, Mary Jane, 18, Ameta, 16, Annie, 13, John C., 9, and Abraham, 1.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Charlie Bynum, 52, factory laborer, born in N.C. to Virginia-born parents; wife Sarah, 26; and children Abraham, 10, Augusta, 4, and Etta, 2; and lodgers John Call, 17, factory laborer (born in Mississippi to a N.C.-born father and Mississippi-born mother), Calvin Bynum, 26, factory laborer, and Anna Boon, 20, house servant.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Suggs Street, Sarah Bynum, 30, widow, and children Abraham, 25, Anna, 20, Charlie, 6, Augustas, 15, Etta, 13, and James, 10.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 807 Stantonsburg Street, owned and valued at $800, John C. Bynum, 38; wife Estelle, 37; daughter Cora A., 10; and siblings Abraham, 32, Augusta, 24, and James, 19. 

On 2 February 1931, Abraham Bynum, 30, son of Charlie and Julia Bynum, married Carrie Beaman, 23, daughter of Dave and Sarah BeamanWillie McLondon, a Free Will Baptist minister, performed the ceremony at 707 Suggs Street in the presence of Jack RountreeAlice Davis and Leemoor Hannah.

Per his death certificate, Abraham Bynum died 21 July 1931, “killed accidentally by being struck by lightning during electrical storm.” He resided at 1008 Woodard Street, Wilson; was 31 years old; was married to Carrie Bynum; and worked as a day laborer at a tobacco manufacturing plant. He was born in Wilson to Charles Bynum and July Ann Davis, a Pitt County native, and J.C. Bynum of 807 Stantonsburg Street was informant.

Artis’ miracle.

Wilson Daily Times, 29 May 1939.

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In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg and Wilson Road, tenant farmer Willie Artis, 43; wife Francis, 43; children Alexander, 21, Harvie, 20, Willie Jr., 16, Nora E., 14, Marion, 11, Rosel, 9, Jessie, 8, Elcy, 5, and Johnie, 18; laborer Miles Warren, 40; and boarder Albert Thompson, 19.

In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg and Wilson Road, farmer Willie Artis, 53; wife Francis, 42; children Roselle, 19, Jesse, 18, and Elsie M., 15; lodger Myrs Warren, 50; and sister Beatrice Sauls, 19.

On 1 December 1934, Rozell Artis, 23, of Wilson County, son of Will and Frances Artis, married Rencie Bynum, 16, of Wilson County, daughter of William and Rosa Bynum, in Nashville, Nash County, North Carolina. Will Artis, William Bynum, and Frank Williams were witnesses.

Helen Jean Artis died 10 June 1939 in Wilson township [12 days after her father survived his lightning strike.] Per her death certificate, she was born 24 February 1939 in Wilson County to Rosell Artis and Rencie Bynum.

In the 1940 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: on Old Wilson Road, farmer Roselle Artis, 27; wife Rencie, 20; son Milton, 4; mother Frances, 60, widow; nephews Marion Jr., 10, and Thomas S., 9;  lodgers Jimmie D. Barnes, 21, and Miles Warren, 60.

Roselle Artis registered for the World War II draft in 1940 in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 5 April 1911 in Wilson County; lived at Route 3, Wilson; his nearest contact was his wife Rencie Bynum Artis; and he worked for W.J. Davis, Wilson.

Jimmie Dee Barnes registered for the World War II draft in 1940 in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 6 January 1918 in Wilson County; lived at Route 3, Wilson; and his nearest contact was his employer Roselle Artis, Route 3, Wilson.