Wilson Daily Times, 2 June 1948.
Alexander Allen registered for the World War II draft in Bailey, Nash County, North Carolina, in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 14 June 1905 in Clarendon, South Carolina; his contact was his wife; and he worked for J.B. Manning, Bailey.
It is likely that Allen was a tenant farmer or sharecropper and had not lived in the Black Creek area long when he died. (Where were Victory Church and its cemetery??)
The Pegues family is most closely associated with the Elm City area, largely due to the athletic achievements of several of its members. Like many African-American families, the Pegueses migrated to Wilson County from the Sandhills area of North and South Carolina around World War I.
On 15 January 1918, for $1600, A.L.E. and Annie E. Weeks sold Aaron and Maggie Pegues a lot with a five-room house on lot 1, block 14 of the Singletary property, today’s New Bern Street.
Deed book 111, page 595, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.
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In 1918, John Pegues registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 25 May 1900; lived at 11 Barnes; was a farmer “east of Wilson”; and his nearest relative was Aaron Pegues, “11 Barnes,” Wilson.
In 1918, Lott Pegues registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 12 November 1898; lived on Barnes Line; was a farmer for Babe Pridgen on Finch Mill Road; and his nearest relative was father Aaron Pegues, Barnes Line, Wilson.
In the 1920 census of Jackson township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer Aaron Pegues, 63; wife Maggie, 48; and sons Lot, 21, and John K., 20.
Maggie Pegues died 2 July 1929 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 55 years old; was born in Rockingham, N.C.; was married to Aaron Pegues; was a tenant farmer for Sam Daniel; and was buried in Wilson [probably Vick Cemetery.]
Mae Ella Blue Burkes (1897-1931).
In the 1900 census of Garvin township, Anderson County, S.C.: farmer Joseph Blue, 32; wife Ella, 21; and children Roxie, 11, Eliza, 10, Laura, 7, Joe, 5, Claudie, 4, and Mary, 3.
In the 1910 census of Centerville township, Anderson County, S.C.: farmer Joe Blue, 43; wife Ella, 42; and children Roxie, 22, Liza, 20, Laura, 18, Josephus, 16, Claude, 15, May Ella, 13, Clarissa, 7, and Freddie, 3.
On 24 November 1917, John Burke, 21, and Mary Ella Blue, 18, both of Hopewell township, were married in Anderson County, S.C.
Nettie May Burke was born 11 October 1918 in Savannah township, Anderson County, S.C., to Johnie Burke, 20, and Maryella Blue, 19.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 Reid Street, rented at $10/month, odd jobs laborer John Burk, 29; wife May E., 28; and children Nettie, 11, Thelma, 7, Elizabeth, 5, John D., 4, and Ruby M., 2. [The youngest three children were born in North Carolina; all others, in South Carolina.]
Mae Ella Burkes died 23 December 1931 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 May 1897 in Anderson, South Carolina, to Joseph Blue of Abbeville, S.C., and Ella Willerford of Elbert County, Georgia; lived at Vick and East Streets [how? these streets are parallel]; was married to John Burkes; worked as a day laborer at a tobacco manufacturing company; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery].
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Ella Blue, 72, and grandchildren Betty, 19, Thelma, 17, John D., 14, and Ruby May Burks, 12; great-grandson James Blue, 10; and grandson David Blue, 15.
John Burks died 19 February 1941 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 1899 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to Warren and Kate Burks; was the widower of May Ella Burks; lived in the Wilson Welfare TB Home on Railroad Street; worked as a tenant farmer; and was buried in Roundtree [probably, Vick] Cemetery. Ella Blue was informant.
On 8 June 1941, George Wesley Hines, 27, born in Wilson, N.C., to John and Allie Hines, married Nettie Burkes, 22, born in Anderson, S.C., to John and Ella Burkes, in Manhattan, New York, New York.
On 20 June 1941, Jesse Woodson, 24, born in Macon, Georgia, to Jesse and Lila Woodson, married Thelma Burks, 18, born in Wilson, N.C., to John and Mary Ella Burks, in Manhattan, New York, New York.
On 19 July 1943, Claudis Lassiter, 25, helper, born in Edgecombe County, N.C., to Roy Lassiter and Annie Mitchell, married Bettie Burke, 20, fountain girl, born in Wilson, N.C., to John Burke and May Ella Blue, in Norfolk, Virginia.
In 1944, John Davis Burke registered for the World War II draft in Baltimore, Maryland. Per his registration card, he was born 27 February 1926 in Wilson, N.C.;
Photo, adapted, courtesy of Morris Applewhite.
Joseph Blue (ca. 1862-1950).
In the 1870 census of Magnolia township, Abbeville County, South Carolina: Aaron Blue, 43; wife Clarisa, 42; and children Robt., 14, Beng’n, 9, Joe, 7, and George, 5.
In the 1880 census of Magnolia township, Abbeville County, South Carolina: Aaron Blue, 47; wife Clarister, 39; children Robert, 24, Benjamin, 17, Joseph, 14, George, 12, Laura, 6, and Ezekiel, 2 months; and mother-in-law Patsy Bryant, 83.
In the 1900 census of Garvin township, Anderson County, S.C.: farmer Joseph Blue, 32; wife Ella, 21; and children Roxie, 11, Eliza, 10, Laura, 7, Joe, 5, Claudie, 4, and Mary, 3.
In the 1910 census of Centerville township, Anderson County, S.C.: farmer Joe Blue, 43; wife Ella, 42; and children Roxie, 22, Liza, 20, Laura, 18, Josephus, 16, Claude, 15, May Ella, 13, Clarissa, 7, and Freddie, 3.
In the 1920 census of Varennes township, Anderson County, S.C.: Joseph Blue, 51, farmer; wife Ella, 51; children Claracy, 17, and Fred Aron, 13; and granddaughter Minnie Lee Aiken, 9.
In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Blue Joseph (c: Ella) bellmn Cherry Hotel h 1220 Carolina
In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Blue Jos (c; Ella) lab h 1220 Carolina
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: odd jobs laborer Joe Blue, 60; wife Ella, 58; granddaughter Minnie Edwards, 19; daughter Gladys Smith, 24, tobacco factory laborer; and grandson James Edwards, 7. (Only James was born in North Carolina.)
Ella Blue died 24 November 1943 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 March 1874 in Elberton [sic] County, Georgia, to Auston Williford and Eliza Hull; was married to Joe Blue; lived at 29 Carolina Street; and was buried in Rountree [likely, Vick] Cemetery.
Joseph Blue died 25 January 1950 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 14 April 1882 [sic] in Abbeville, S.C., to Aaron Blue and Cassie Calhune; was a widower; had worked as a gardener and laborer; and was buried in Rountree [likely, Vick] Cemetery.
Wilson Daily Times, 26 January 1950.
Photo, adapted, courtesy of Morris Applewhite.
Wilson Daily Times, 4 December 1945.
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In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Mantha Gerald, 46, and children Gussie, 18, Grippie, 17, Willie, 13, Price, 10, Sarah, 7, and Stella, 4.
In the 1940 census of Stony Creek township, Nash County, N.C.: Willie Gerald, 23, inmate at State Prison Camp.
In 1940, Willie Gerald registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 6 October 1916 in Nicker, South Carolina; lived at 620 East Viola Street; his contact was mother Mantha Jane Gerald; and he was unemployed.
Willie Gerald died 1 December 1945 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 14 August 1921 in South Carolina to Stellie and Matha Gerald; lived at 620 Viola; was married to Morris M. Gerald; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery.
Wilson Daily Times, 3 March 1955.
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In the 1900 census of Township #5, Fairfield County, South Carolina: farmer Etta Russel, 46, and children Henry, 17, Ed, 15, Robert, 14, Jeff, 11, Ira, 9, Samuel, 7, Earnest, 2, and Rosa, 1.
In the 1910 census of Township #5, Fairfield County, South Carolina: Jeff Russell, 21; wife Francis, 21; and sons Frank, 1, and Robert, 2 months.
In 1917, Jeff Russell registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 8 August 1890 in Winnsboro, South Carolina; lived on Virginia Street, Wilson; worked as a bricklayer for Bill McGowan; and supported a wife and three children. [Where was Virginia Street?]
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Atlantic Street, laborer Jeff Russell, 35; wife Julia, 32; and daughter Annie, 9.
In the 1920 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Russell Jeff E (c) bricklyer h Atlanta nr East
In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Russell Jeff E (c) bricklyer h 910 Atlanta; also Russell Julia (c) dom h 910 Atlanta
In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Russell Jeff E (c) bricklyer h 915 Atlanta
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: brickmason James [sic] Russell, 42; wife Julia, 42; daughter Annie, 17; and lodger James E. Amos, 41, public school teacher.
In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Russell Jefferson E (c; Julia) brklyr h 919 Atlantic av
On 21 December 1936, Annie Russell, 24, daughter of Jeff and Julia Russell, married James McNeill, 28, son of Bernie and Lacy McNeill, in Wilson. Baptist minister B.F. Jordan performed the ceremony.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 623 Green Street, truck driver Albert Gay, 24; his siblings Harrell, 19, Samuel, 17, Annie M., 14, and Ralph, 12; lodger Mrs. Julia Russell, 40, widow, servant; and lodger’s son Albert, 22, brickmason. [This is curious. Julia Russell was not a widow, as Jeff Russell was very much alive in 1940. Where was he? And where was Albert in earlier censuses?]
The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 8 March 1950.
Jefferson Elliott Russell died 2 March 1955 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 10 August 1894 in Fairfield County, South Carolina, to Robert Russell and Henrietta Rudgley; worked as a laborer; lived at 203 North Reid Street; and was married. Informant was Francis Gunthorp, Winnsboro, S.C.
Annie Russell Phillips died 12 April 1985 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 18 November 1910 in York County, South Carolina, to Jeff Russell and Julia Jones; lived at 912 East Nash Street; was married to Preston P. Phillips; worked as a nurse; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery.
The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 18 June 1942.
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Marie Louise Ravennah was born about 1885 in Hampton County, South Carolina, to Emile J. Ravennah and Georgianna Rivers Ravennah. She married Rev. Halley B. Taylor in 1909; they likely met while students in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Taylors lived in Wilson about a decade, where Rev. Halley led Calvary Presbyterian Church.
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In the 1920 census of Town of Wilson, Wilson County: at 700 Green Street, preacher Henry [sic; Halley] Taylor, 40; wife Louise, 28; and children Bettie, 8, Louise, 6, Robert, 5, and Halley, 4.
In the 1930 census of Washington, D.C.: at 1715 First Street, minister Halley B. Taylor, 50; wife Marie L., 45; and children Bettie S., 19, M. Louise, 17, Robert E., 14, Halley B., Jr., 12, and Harold H., 1.
In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: Halley B. Taylor, 60; wife Marie L., 54; and sons Halley Jr., 22, and Holard T., 11.
I did not know her, but these snapshots of Mattie Gibson Shelley are windows onto the landscape of my childhood.
Mattie Shelley, three girls, and boy, out in the country. A tiny cemetery; a fresh grave. Corn fields; a young sweetgum tree.
Mattie Shelley with cat eye glasses and a slight smile, in town. A classic metal porch chair. (Ubiquitous, yet so uncomfortable. There’s a glider on the porch across the street.) Puffy white cloud, a young tree.
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In the 1910 census of Cartersville township, Florence County, South Carolina: Walie Gibson, 36; wife Mary, 39; and children Cora, 15, Ada, 13, Julius, 9, Walter, 7, Joseph, 5, Mattie, 3, and Annie, 10 months.
In the 1920 census of Cartersville township, Florence County, South Carolina: Wallie Gibson, 46; wife Ella, 26; and children Walter, 18, Joseph, 15, Mattie, 12, Annie, 10, Eva, 7, and Willie, 5.
In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Roy Shelley, 44; wife Mattie, 31; and children Marthy Lee, 11, Walter, 9, Lee Roy, 7, William, 4, and Willie, 1.
In the 1950 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Roy Shelley, 53; wife Mattie, 42; children Martha, 21, Walter, 19, Leroy, 17, William, 14, Willie, 11, Dorthy, 7, Bearnice, 5, and James, 3; and granddaughter Bobbie Hardin, 2.
Mattie Gibson Shelley died 1 October 1973 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 13 December 1907 in South Carolina to Wallie Gibson and Mary Anthony; was a widow; lived at 925 Poplar Street; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery. Martha Chestnut, 501 Lane Street, was informant.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry user T’Keyah Fleming. Thank you!
Lemore Hannah (1908-1946).
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In the 1910 census of Ridge township, Williamsburg County, South Carolina: David Hanna, 29; wife Ollie, 21; children Mitchel, 4, Lemore, 2, and Drusilla, 4 months; and widow Sue A. Hannah, 43.
In the 1920 census of Lake township, Florence County, South Carolina: farmer Davis Hannah, 33, widower; children Michael, 13, Leemore, 12, Drucilla, 10, Alafair, 8, Mary, 7, Aaron, 5, Nathaniel, 3, and Ruth, 6 months; and mother Susana, 64.
In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Hannah Lemore (c) h 404 Manchester
On 12 September 1929, Lee Moore Hannah, 21, married Almeater Morgan, 16, in Wilson.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 600 Stantonsburg Street, rented for $12/month, Calvin Morgan, 52, laborer at Colored High School; wife Almeta, 40; sons Willie, 23, tobacco factory laborer, Surrender, 21, radio company laborer, and Calvin Jr., 17, bellboy at Cherry Hotel; Almeta Hannah Jr., 16; son Fred D. Morgan, 14; daughters Mary A., 9, Sarah J., 8, Rubie, 7, and Ninie L., 3; and son Lindberg, 2; daughter-in-law Eloise Morgan, 18; and son-in-law Lemore Hannah, 22, fertilizer factory laborer.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Lemore Hannah, 30; sister Ruth Hannah, 20; and daughters Ollie, 7, and Camilla, 5.
In 1940, Lemore Hannah registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 31 July 1908 in Lake City, S.C.; lived at 709 East Vance Street Wilson; his contact was sister Ruth Hannah; and he worked for W.L. Wooten, 417 East Nash Street.
Leamore Hannah died 16 November 1946 in Wake Forest, Wake County, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born 38 years old; lived at 540 East Nash Street, Wilson; was a widower; was born in South Carolina to Davis Hannah and Ollie Brown; and worked as a taxi driver. Mitchell Hannah, 509 Moore Street, was informant.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user 806gayst.
Wilson Daily Times, 13 January 1945.
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Gus Maple died 9 January 1945 in Micro township, Johnston County, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 April 1911 in Sumter, South Carolina; worked as a laborer; was married to Laura Maple; and lived at 400 South Lodge Street, Wilson. His cause of death: “Accidental death body caught on pulley & beat to death.” He was buried in Allen Chapel cemetery, Sumter.