migration from Alabama

Who was Edward G. Calhoun?

Four of the five African-American men named in 1883 as Republican Party officers or candidates were familiar, long-term Wilson County residents. The fifth, however, is unfamiliar. Who was Edward G. Calhoun?

The scant record reveals that Calhoun may have been born in North Carolina, but came back into the state in the 1870s as a freedman from Bullock County, Alabama. We have some evidence of his political activity in Wilson County in the 1880s, then he disappears from the record.

Calhoun is first found as Ned Calhoun in a 1867 Bullock County voter registration ledger.

On 28 July 1868, freedman Ned Calhoun married freedwoman Rachel Shepherd in Bullock County.

In the 1870 census of Greenwood township, Bullock County, Alabama: Ned Calhoun, 23, farm laborer; wife Rachael, 21; farm laborer; and daughter Rebecca, 1.

By the mid-1870s, the Calhouns were in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: laborer Ned Calhoon, 35; wife Rachel, 27; and children Henry G., 6, Elexander, 4, James M., 2, and Sarah A.L., 8 months. Ned reported that he and his parents were born in North Carolina. Rachel reported that she was born in South Carolina to North Carolina-born parents.

A notice in the 19 October 1881 Wilmington Morning Star advised that E.G. Calhoun was among residents with letters waiting at the post office. Is this the same man?

In 1882, E.G. Calhoun was elected secretary of the Wilson County Republican Party and in April 1883 submitted a letter to an African-American newspaper in Raleigh.

The Banner-Enterprise (Raleigh, N.C.), 19 April 1883. 

This is our last glimpse of Calhoun in real time.

By 1900, his widow Rachel had remarried and been widowed again and lived in south Georgia with their younger children.

In the 1900 census of Douglas district, Coffee County, Georgia: widow Rachel Towns, 40, and children Henry C., 26, James C., 22, Marcellus, 18, Walter, 13, Bessie, 11, and Ada, 8. Rachel reported that she was born in Alabama to South Carolina-born parents; Henry and James were reported as born in Alabama; Marcellus, Walter, and Bessie, in North Carolina; and Ada in Georgia.

On 22 February 1903, Henry Calhoun married Lessie Sturdivant in Coffee County, Georgia. On 3 May 1903, Marcellus Calhoun married Annie Dixon in Coffee County.

In the 1910 census of Precinct 9, Hernando County, Florida: Walter Calhoun, 23, turpentine laborer, born in N.C., and wife Cora, 17.

In the 1910 census of Precinct 9, Hernando County, Florida: J.M. Calhoun, 33, turpentine laborer, born in North Carolina; wife Elizabeth, 30; and children Bertha, 6, and Willie G., 3.

In the 1910 census of Coffee County, Georgia: Marcellus Calhoun, 28, turpentine laborer, born in N.C.; wife Anna, 21; and children Rozel, 6, Esther, 3, and Lula, 17 months.

In 1918, James Monroe Calhoun registered for the World War I draft in Hernando County, Florida. Per his registration card, he was born 7 August 1877; lived in Centralia, Hernando County; worked as a laborer for L.P. Petteway; and his nearest relative was Elizabeth Calhoun.

In the 1923 Waycross, Georgia, city directory: Calhoun Walter D (Cora) driver h 631 Pittman

In the 1930 census of Brooks County, Georgia: Walter Calhoun, 53, naval stores laborer; wife Pearl, 29; and children Robert, 7, Walter D., 4, Lorena, 2, and Bessie, 3 months.

In the 1930 census of Brooksville, Hernando County, Florida: on A.C.L. Street, renting for $6/month, lumberyard laborer James M. Calhoun, 52; wife Elizabeth, 50; children Willie G., 23, hauling blocks at veneer mill, and Ruby O., 18; and granddaughter Mary L., 11.

In the 1935 state census of Hernando County, Florida: inside Brooksville town limits,  Jim Calhoun, 57, born in N.C., renter, crosstie cutter; wife Elizabeth, 55, born in N.C.; and granddaughter Mary Lee, 16, born in Florida, cook.

James Monroe Calhoun died 20 September 1937 in Brooksville, Hernando County, Florida. Per his death certificate, he was born 7 August 1877 in Wilson County, North Carolina, to Edward G. Calhoun. He was married to Elizabeth Calhoun; worked as a laborer; and died of laceration to his left leg sustained while cutting a tree.

In 1940, Herbert Lee Calhoun registered for the World War II draft in Waycross, Ware County, Georgia. Per his registration card, he was born 20 June 1913 in Orlando, Florida; lived at 719 Daniel Street, Waycross; his contact was father Walter David Calhoun, 911 Daniel Street; he worked at the Bund Building; and he had a defective left eye.

Alabama, U.S., County Marriage Records 1805-1967, http://www.ancestry.com.

The obituary of Rev. Willie McLondon.

Wilson Daily Times, 5 April 1950.

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On 6 March 1929, Willie McLondon, 30, of Wilson, son of George McLondon and Lela [maiden name unknown], married Etta Bynum, 21, of Wilson, daughter of Charlie and Sarah Bynum, at the home of “Demcy Laster” [Dempsey Lassiter] in Wilson. Free Will Baptist minister R.A. Horton performed the ceremony in the presence of John Knight, Dock Cooper, and Walter Tinsley.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Willie McLondon, 41, preacher of “Baptist connection”; wife Etta, 32; and daughter Madeline, 15.

In 1942, Willie Mack London [sic] registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 25 January 1899 in Livingston, Alabama; lived at 508 South Stantonsburg Street; his contact was C.L. Darden; and he was a minister.

Willie McLondon died 13 April 1950 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born in Alabama to George McLondon and Lela Crawford; lived at 508 Stantonsburg Street; was married to Etta McLondon; and was a minister.

Up from Alabama.

Migrants from Georgia commonly settled in Wilson County. From Alabama, less so. Victor Thomas‘ family were an exception.

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In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farm Leeman Thomas, 40; wife Louisa, 28; and children Bertha, 9, Lewa, 7, Joseph, 5, Zictor, 4, Alenda, 2, and Sarah, 4 months. All were born in Alabama except Sarah.

In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: widower Lemon Thomas, 50, and  children Charlie W., 20, Joe, 18, Victor, 16, Orlanda, 14, Sarah, 12, and Beget, 7.

On 14 August 1937, Victor Thomas, 21, of Stantonsburg, son of Leamon and Louisa Thomas, married Ola Farmer, 24, of Stantonsburg, daughter of Gusta and Matilda Farmer, in Wilson. Marcellus Farmer applied for the license.

In the 1950 census of Stantonsburg, Wilson County: farmer Victor Thomas, 37; wife Ora, 38; and children Dorothy G., 15, Minnie L., 12, Bertha L., 11, Willie L., 7, Victor Jr., 5, Robert, 3, Romme, 2, and Erline, 1.

Victor Thomas died 30 May 1994 in Wilson.

Studio shots, no. 212: Minnie Bell Florence Barnes Bolton.

Minnie Bell Florence Barnes Bolton (1905-1986) at Sparrow’s Beach, a Black-owned resort on Maryland’s Annapolis Neck Peninsula that catered to African-American families across the mid-Atlantic states.

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In the 1910 census of Dothan, Houston County, Alabama: washwoman Lizzie Larry, 37, widow, and children Florence A., 15, Jeff, 12, Anna B., 11, Claudie, 9, Thomas, 8, Rosa B., 6, and Minnie B., 3.

On 1 January 1918, Ardella Florence, 24, of Wilson, daughter of Dave and Lizzie Larry of Alabama, married Jackson Matthews, 22, of Wilson, son of Precious and Sarah Matthews of Alabama.

In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Jackson Matthews, 24, farmer; wife Adelle, 24; daughter Minnie, 12; and brother Adol, 19; all born in Alabama.

Om 25 December 1923, James M. Barnes, 23, of Black Creek, married Minnie Bell Florence, 19, of Black Creek, in Black Creek. Primitive Baptist elder Robert Edwards performed the ceremony in the presence of L.E. Grice, Murray Dew, and Calvin Woodard.

In the 1930 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: laborer James M. Barnes, 29; wife Minnie, 23; and son James, 5.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 405 Pine Street, private family cook Minnie B. Barnes, 24 [sic], and son James, 15.

In the 1950 census of Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland: at 1032 Monument Street, 2nd Floor, domestic worker Minnie Barnes, 42, separated, born in Alabama, and son James, 26, born in North Carolina, laborer at bathtub manufacturing company.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Barnes_PA.

Studio shots, no. 211: Adele Lawrey Florence Matthews.

Adele Lawrey Florence Matthews (1890-1960).

Migration into Wilson County from Alabama was relatively unusual. However, Adele Lawrey Florence arrived around the time of World War I (as did Jackson Matthews, whom she would marry in Wilson), and a few years later her mother Lizzie Lofton Lawrey (also spelled Larry), siblings, and grandmother Amanda Lofton also came. The family remained in Wilson for a few decades before migrating further north to Baltimore, Maryland.

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In the 1900 census of Precint 6 Rutledge, Crenshaw County, Alabama: day laborer Dave Lowery, 45; wifee Lizzie, 40; and children Addell, 10, Jeff D., 8, Annie Bell, 7, Claudie, 4, and Thomas, 1.

On 2 May 1904, Adele Lairy married Jink Florence in Crenshaw County, Alabama.

In the 1910 census of Dothan, Houston County, Alabama: washwoman Lizzie Larry, 37, widow, and children Florence A., 15, Jeff, 12, Anna B., 11, Claudie, 9, Thomas, 8, Rosa B., 6, and Minnie B., 3.

On 1 January 1918, Ardella Florence, 24, of Wilson, daughter of Dave and Lizzie Larry of Alabama, married Jackson Matthews, 22, of Wilson, son of Precious and Sarah Matthews of Alabama.

In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Jackson Matthews, 24, farmer; wife Adelle, 24; daughter Minnie, 12; and brother Adol, 19; all born in Alabama.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 405 Pine Street, laundress Adele Matthews, 45, and lodger Sarah McMullen, 23.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 204 Lee Street, Lizzie Larry, 49, widow; mother Mandy Lofty, 100, widow, born in Virginia; daughter Anabel Larry, 28, laundress; and grandsons John H., 12, and M.C., 13. All the Larrys were born in Alabama. [In the 1920 census of Bradleyton township, Crenshaw County, Alabama: Filbert Lofton, 75, farmer, and wife Mandie, 85, born in Virginia. Mandy Lofton had most likely been carried south during slavery and had made a reverse migration of sorts.]

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 204 Lee Street, Annabel Larry, 36, laundress, and mother Lizzie, 65, both born in Alabama.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Barnes_PA.

Australian?

Fourteen year-old Lessie Manor, described as “colored,” died of heart disease in April 1927. She was a student living in Saratoga township, and her parents were listed as M.E. Manor and Minnie Henderson. Of Australia and Arizona. … What?

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Lessie’s birthplace was also listed as Arizona, though the person completing the form had begun to write “California” in the field. It is not impossible that Australians and Arizonans were living in Saratoga in the 1920s, but it’s unlikely. Did “colored” mean Aborigine? Native American? What is the story here?

A little digging turns up Lessie’s sister’s death certificate.

Lena Mainor died 16 October 1923 at the Colored Hospital in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was Negro and was born 17 August 1908 in North Carolina to M.E. Mainor of Milburn, Australia, and Minnie Henderson of Arizona.

Lessie and Lena’s mother’s death certificate yields important answers. Minnie Maynard, colored, died in March 1920 in Wilson township. Her birthplace? Troy, Alabama. Her parents were described as Alabama-born as well. M.E. Maynard was informant. The Arizona attribution, then, began after Minnie Maynard’s death.

M.E. Mainor remarried quickly. On 10 October 1920, in Black Creek, M.E. Mainor, 31, colored, of Wilson, son of Charles and Julia Mainor of Alabama, married Rebecca Blackman, 19, colored, of Black Creek, daughter of Green and Lizzie Blackman. A.M.E. Zion minister B.J. Kornegay performed the ceremony in the presence of John Ellis, Lira Clay, and Joseph Clay. (Per the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Blackman was a Georgia native and was black.)

Rebecker Maynard died 7 June 1928 in Black Creek township. Per her death certificate, she was colored; was born 13 May 1903 in Wilson County to Green Blackwell of Caseda, Georgia, and Lizzie Burk of Steward County, Georgia; was married to M.E. Maynard; and farmer for Wade Brooks.

Evilla Rebecca Brown died in 1973 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Her death certificate, with information provided by sister Lucille Speight of Stantonsburg, identified her parents as Moyed Efford Maynor and Rebecca Blackmon. And she was Negro.

Evidence of Lessie and Lena Maynor’s death certificates notwithstanding, it appears that the family was African-American and its roots were in Alabama.

He supposes it’s a boll weevil.

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Wilson Daily Times, 24 December 1919.

By 1922, there was no longer any question that boll weevils could thrive in North Carolina. The rapacious insect was not eradicated in the state until 1987.

  • Jim Summerlin — in the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Jim Summerlin, 59, farmer, born in Alabama; wife Rosa, 57, born in Alabama; and son Lucius, 14, born in North Carolina; plus, lodger Olvin Horne, 17, farm laborer.