lightning strike

Uzzell dazed, horse killed in lightning strike.

As a bad thunderstorm rolled over Wilson in August 1899, a bolt of lightning stunned Green Uzzell and killed a horse in the barn in which he was working.

The Wilson News, 10 August 1899.

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In the 1870 census of New Hope township, Wayne County, North Carolina: farmer James Tolar, 42; wife Sallie, 51; children Haywood, 16, Elizar, 19, Dilla, 15, and Margarett, 13; Green Uzzel, 6; and Darkis Atkinson, 85.

On 19 November 1892, Green Uzzell, 26, married Molly Wood, 24, in Wayne County, N.C.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farm laborer Green Uzzell, 35, and wife Mollie, 30, wash woman.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: factory laborer Green Uzzell, 40, and wife Mollie, 35, laborer.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 709 South Goldsboro Street, tobacco factory laborer Green Uzzell, 61, and wife Mollie, 48, laborer.

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Uzzell Green (c; Mollie) tobwkr h 709 S Goldsboro

Molly Uzzell died 26 October 1928 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was about 55 years old; was born in Lenoir County, N.C., to Bob and Molly May; was married to Green Uzzell; and was buried in Wilson. [Mollie Uzzell’s fine marble headstone is one of the few standing in Rountree Cemetery. Presumably, Green Uzzell was buried nearby.]

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 709 South Goldsboro Street, tobacco factory laborer Green Uzzell, 60, widower.

Green Uzzell died 24 May 1935 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 61 years old; was born in Wayne County, N.C., to Harriet Uzzell; was the widower of Mollie Uzzell; lived at 709 South Goldsboro; and worked as a laborer. Margaret Haggans of Stantonsburg, N.C., was informant. Uzzell was buried in Wilson.

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 Beaman. Willie McLondon, a Free Will Baptist minister, performed the ceremony at 707 Suggs Street in the presence of Jack Rountree, Alice 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.