migration to Arkansas

Where did they go?: Arkansas death certificates, part 1.
  • Haywood Wesley

Haywood Wesley’s surname was originally Worsley, and he may, in fact, have been born in Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County.

In the 1870 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: farm laborer Elisha Worsley, 25; wife Charity, 22; and sons William, 2, and Haywood, 8 months.

In the 1880 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County: farmer Elijah Worsley, 36; wife Charity, 26; and children William, 12, Haywood, 10, John, 9, Mark, 5, Emma, 4, and Henry, 1.

On 2 November 1896, Haywood Westley and Amy Simmons were married in Lafayette County, Arkansas.

In the 1900 census of Brown township, Columbia County, Arkansas: farmer Haywood Wesley, 29; wife Amie, 22; and children W. Henry, 2, and Kaleb, 1.

On 30 March 1905, Haywood Wesley received from the land office at Camden, Arkansas, a 40-acre homestead in the “North East quarter of the South West quarter of Section twenty one of Township nineteen South of Range nineteen West of the Fifth Principal Meridian in Arkansas.”

In the 191o census of Brown township, Columbia County, Arkansas: farmer Haywood Wesley, 44; wife Amie, 34; and children Henry, 13, Caleb, 11, Leona, 6, Viola, 4, and Pharisee, 1.

In the 1920 census of Smackover township, Ouachita County, Arkansas: farmer Haywood Wesley, 50; wife Amie, 44; children Lona, 17, Viola, 14, Pharisee, 12, Mabel, 11, Charity, 7, Elijah, 3, and Annie, 1; and son Henry, 22, and his wife Clyde, 18.

Hayward Wesley died 23 July 1924 in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 27 October 1871 in Wilson, N.C., to Lisha Wesley; was married; lived on Dollarway Road; worked as a merchant; and was buried in Wesley Cemetery.

  • George Scarborough Jr.

In the 1900 census of Richwoods township, Lonoke County, Arkansas: George Scarborough, 47; wife Millie, 37; and children Walter, 16, George, 15, Martin, 11, Charity, 8, Council, 8, Ava Mariah, 6, Jessie, 4, Fannie, 2, and Joseph, 11 months. The oldest four children were born in North Carolina.

On 26 November 1906, George Scarborough, 24, of Cobbs, Lonoke County, married Rachel Scarborough, 17, of Cobbs, Lonoke County, in Lonoke County, Arkansas.

George Orange Scarborough registered for the World War I draft in 1918 in Lonoke County. Per his registration card, he was born 25 January 1884; lived on Route 2, Scott township, Lonoke County; farmed for Smith Daniels; and his contact was Rachel Scarborough.

In the 1920 census of Walls township, Lonoke County, Arkansas: on Community Road, George Scarborough, 36; wife Rachel, 30; and children James, 11, Berthrie, 9. Other, 5, Elsie, 3, and Ugine, 21 months.

George Scarborough Jr. died 22 May 1926 in Lonoke County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 22 March 1885 in Wilson, N.C., to George Scarborough and Millie [illegible]; was married to Rachel Scarborough; worked as farmer; and was buried in Hickory Grove Cemetery.

  • Elizabeth Daniels and William Henry Daniels Sr.

On 24 December 1879, Henry Daniel, 33, married Elizabeth Lassiter, 24, at E. Lassiter’s in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Speights Bridge township, Greene County, N.C.: Henry Daniel, 35; wife Elizabeth, 26; and son Lovejoy, 2.

In the 1900 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: Henry Daniels, 55; Elizabeth, 46; and children William H., 17, Matilda A., 15, Mary J., 13, and Rice B., 7. (The eldest three children were born in N.C.)

In the 1910 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: Henry Daniels, 66, odd jobs laborer; wife Bettie, 57; and children Henry, 27, street laborer, and Matilda, 10.

On 3 March 1912, W.H. Daniel married Willie Floyd in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas.

In the 1920 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: Henry Daniels, 78; wife Elizabeth, 65; daughter Mary Webb, 30; and grandchildren Ulus, 10, Felton, 9, Loise E., 8, and Mary Webb, 3. Next door: W. Henry Daniels, 38; wife Willie, 32; and children Justine, 6, Thurburd, 4, Rosabelle, 3, and Doretha, 7 months.

Lewis Henry Daniels died 30 May 1920 in Pine Bluff. Per his death certificate, he was 79 years old; was married; was born in North Carolina; was “bright” colored [i.e. very light-skinned]; and lived at 500 East 17th Street. W.H. Daniel was informant. The cause of death: “operation of the eye and heart troubles.” Contributing factor: “Old cival war Soldier.”

Elizabeth Daniels died 10 December 1928 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Per her death certificate, she was 74 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C.; and was a widow.

In the 1930 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: William H. Daniels, 56; wife Willie L., 40; and children Justine L., 16, Turland, 14, Rosebell, 12, Doratha, 10, Henry W., 8, Zeratha, 4, Julda V., 3, Floyd, 2, and Eloise, 1.

In the 1940 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: Wm. H. Daniels, 56; wife Willie M., 52; children Dorotha, 19, Wm. Henry Jr., 17, Zereta, 14, Floyd, 13, Eloise, 11, Robert, 9; and father[-in-law] Robert Floyd, 83.

In 1942, William Henry Daniels registered for the World War II draft in Jefferson County, Arkansas. Per his registration, he was born 23 September 1881 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 506 East 17th, Pine Bluff, Arkansas; his contact was Mrs. Willie F. Daniels; and he worked for Cotton Belt R.R.

William Henry Daniels Sr. died 25 November 1945 in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 September 1880 in Wilson, N.C., to Lewis Henry Daniels and Elizabeth Lassiter; was married to Willie L. Daniels; and worked as a laborer.

  • D.L. Armstrong

On 2 December 1866, Isaac Armstrong and Laura Armstrong were married in Edgecombe County, N.C.

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Isac Armstrong, 30; wife Laura, 24; and children Wiley, 10, Lilly, 8, and Lucy, 4.

In the 1900 census of Portland township, Ashley County, Arkansas: farmer Isaac Armstrong, 50; wife Laura, 47; and children William, 29, David L., 18, Mary B., 11, James G., 13, and Viola, 10. All but Viola were born in N.C.

In the 1910 census of Portland township, Ashley County, Arkansas: farmer Isaac Armstrong, 60; wife Laura, 57; and daughter Viola, 17. Next door: William Armstrong, 41; wife Elnora, 27, plus sister-in-law Rosie Nimmer, 17.

On 16 February 1915, David L. Armstrong, 22, married Maggie Rollend, 18, in Ashley County, Arkansas.

In 1918, David Leslie Armstrong registered for the World War I draft in Jefferson County, Arkansas. Per his registration card, he was born 18 May 1882; lived in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; worked as a boilermaker helper for Cotton Belt Railway; and his nearest relative was Maggie Armstrong.

In the 1920 census of Portland township, Ashley County, Arkansas: farmer Isaac Armstrong, 74, and wife Laura, 67. Next door: William Armstrong, 50; wife Elnora, 35; and children James D., 8, Isaac and Inez, 6, Simmie, 4, and Percy, 1.

In the 1920 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: David Armstrong, 38, car shops laborer; wife Maggie, 32; and children Casseitty, 12, Dorothy, 10, Laura, 8, Willie, 6, Leonard, 3, and Nettie, 5 months.

Isaac Armstrong died 24 March 1926 in Portland township, Ashley County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1876 [sic] in North Carolina to Fremon[?] Armstrong and Violet Brizle; was married; and worked as a farmer.

D.L. Armstrong died 25 February 1930 in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was 47 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Isaac Armstrong and Laura Armstrong; was married to Maggie Armstrong; lived at 2206 Reed Street; and worked as a laborer.

  • Dora Barnes

Per her death certificate, Dora Barnes was born in Alabama, perhaps as her parents migrated from Wilson County to a new home in Arkansas.

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Sherod Barnes, 67, and children Rosa A., 22, Shepard, 17, Harry, 15, Warren, 13, Harriet, 10, Haywood, 6, and Hec Barnes, 19.

On 23 December 1883, Warren Barnes, 23, married Delaney Ann Ruffin, 18, in Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Owen township, Saline County, Arkansas: farm laborer Warren Barnes, 45; wife Anna, 34; and children William, 15, Dora, 14, Mary, 12, John, 10, Adline, 8, Ida, 7, Joda, 5, Carrie, 4, Lula, 1, and Walter, 5 months.

In the 1910 census of Live Oak township, Drew County, Arkansas: Warren Barnes,

Dora Barnes died 7 March 1914 in Winchester, Live Oak township, Drew County, Arkansas. Per her death certificate, she was 28 years old; was born in Alabama to Warren Barnes of Wilson County, N.C., and Annie Ruffins of North Carolina; and was single.

In the 1920 census of Live Oak township, Drew County, Arkansas: Warren Barnes, 60; wife Annie, 55; and daughters Mary, 30, Betta, 12, Artea, 10, and Ottea, 9. (Warren, Annie, and Mary were born in N.C.) Next door: John Barnes, 30; wife Marie, 30; and children Hermon, 9, Walter, 7, Carrie, 5, Jenneta, 3, and Lillian, 1. (John and Marie were born in N.C.)

Warren Barnes died 19 September 1937 in Winchester, Live Oak township, Drew County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 20 November 1860 in North Carolina to Isia Barnes; was married to Annie Barnes; and was a farmer.

  • William Davis

In 1869, Stephen Moore, son of Stephen and Jinsy Moore, married Rhoda Anderson, daughter of Lee and Olif Anderson, in Wilson County, North Carolina.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Stephen Moore, 23; wife Rodah, 23; and Lazarus, 8 months.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Rhoda Moore, 30, and children Lazarus, 10, Peter, 8, and Nelly, 4.

On 27 December 1899, John Davis and Nellie Moore married in Ashley County, Arkansas.

In the 1900 census of Portland township, Ashley County, Arkansas: farmer John Davis, 24, and wife Nellie, 23.

In the 1910 census of Portland township, Ashley County, Arkansas: farmer John Davis, 37; wife Nellie, 34; and children Lucy, 15, Lenard, 7, Johnny Jr., 4, Janie, 5, Jesse, 2, and Roda, 5 months. The parents were born in N.C., the first four children in Louisiana, and the last two in Arkansas.

Ida Jenkins died 29 December 1921 in Helena, Phillips County, Arkansas. Per her death certificate, she was 36 years old; was born in North Carolina to Stephen Moore and Rhoda [no maiden name]; was married; and was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery, Helena, Arkansas.

William Davis died 19 November 1926 in Portland township, Ashley County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 6 January 1903 in Monroe, Louisiana, to John Davis and Nellie Moore, both of Wilson, North Carolina.

Lucille Caldwell died 4 April 1980 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Per her death certificate, she was born 21 November 1891 in Louisiana to John Davis and Nellie Moore; was widowed; had worked as a nurse’s aide; and was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery.

Where did they go?: Washington obituaries.
  • Georgia Jiles

In the 1880 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: Wesley Tayborne, 30; wife Madora, 23; and Martha, 6 months.

The Taborns joined the exodus to Arkansas circa 1891, settling in Saint Francis County,

In the 1900 census of Telico township, Saint Francis County, Arkansas: Wesley Taborn, 47; wife Dora, 43; children Henrietta, 20, Arnie, 18, Lula, 16, Claudia, 13, Georanna, 10, Hattie, 7, and Walter, 1; and boarder Robert Lucas, 46. All were born in North Carolina except Hattie and Walter, who were born in Arkansas.

In the 1920 census of Wynne township, Cross County, Arkansas: Arlie Taborne, 45; sister Gergia, 24; daughter Hattie, 22; daughter Grattice, 2; son Herman, 2; and uncle Robert Lucas, 63. The two children were born in Arkansas; everyone else in North Carolina.

1939 Seattle, Washington city directory.

The Northwest Enterprise (Seattle, Wash.), 6 January 1940.

In the 1940 census of Seattle, King County, Washington: at 1534 – 23rd Avenue, widow Hattie B. Lewis, 43; son Herman L. Lewis, 22; sister Georgia Jiles, 45; nephew Grattis T. Scott, 22; niece Alberta Morrow, 23; and nephew Millard Morrow, 23. All but the Morrows reported they had been in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1935.

Georgia Jiles died 10 February 1956 in Seattle, King County, Washington. Per her death certificate, she was born 20 October 1896 in Wilson, N.C., to Westley Taborn and Dora Jones; was a widow; lived at 1615 – 20th Avenue; and was buried in Washelli Cemetery.

  • Mancie Gaston

In the 1900 census of Town of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Pender Street, barber and plasterer George W. Gaston, 44, wife Cilla, 44, a cook; and children Rosco, 18, bricklayer; John, 16, common laborer; Georgia, 15, cook; Addar, 12, nurse; Nina, 11, nurse; Mancy, 6; Lacy, 6; Augustas, 6; Boston, 1; and Dewey, 6 months.

In the 1910 census of Town of Elm City, Wilson County: on Wilson Street, barber George Gaston, 55, wife Priscilla, 53; and children Roscoe, 28, barber; John, 26, barber; Georgie, 25; Ada, 23, teacher; Nina, 21; Mancie, 17; Augustus, 16; Flossy, 16; Boisy, 14; Dewey, 9; and Lee J. Gaston, 7.

In 1917, Mancie Gaston registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 10 June 1892 in Elm City; lived in Elm City; worked as a barber for G.A. Gaston; and was single.

World War I service card for Mancie Gaston.

1922 Wilson, N.C., city directory.

Dewey Gaston, 23, son of George and Priscilla Gaston, married Mary B. Howard, 24, daughter of Mary E. Darden, on 8 March 1923 in Tarboro, Edgecombe County. Witnesses were Mancie Gaston and Fannie F. Ricks of Elm City.

Around 1930, Gaston headed west, living briefly in Albuquerque, New Mexico, before moving on to Reno, Nevada.

1931 Albuquerque, New Mexico, city directory.

In the 27 October 1932 edition of the Reno Evening Gazette, Mancie Gaston was listed as a registered voter in Washoe County, Nevada. He spent an eventful few years in the state before relocating to Seattle, Washington.

Reno Evening Gazette, 25 January 1933.

Nevada State Journal (Reno, Nev.), 4 February 1936.

In the 1940 census of Seattle, King County, Washington: at 121 Maynard Avenue [a single-room occupancy dwelling], Mancie Gaston, 47, W.P.A. laborer.

In 1942, Mancie Gaston registered for the World War II draft in Seattle. Per his registration card, he was born 10 June 1892 in Elm City, North Carolina; lived at 413 1/2 Maynard Avenue, Seattle; and worked for I.D. Dudley [white barber Isaac D. Dudley], 609 Jackson, Seattle.

At the time he registered for the draft, Gaston lived in Seattle’s Chinatown. This 12 May 1941 photo, courtesy of the Seattle Times Archives, depicts a funeral procession in the block of Maynard, between Jackson and King, that he lived in.

In the 9 June 1943 issue of The Northwest Enterprise, Mancie Gaston is listed as a paid member during a N.A.A.C.P. membership drive.

Mancie Gaston died 7 August 1946 in Seattle, King County, Washington. Per his death certificate, he was born 10 June 1892 in Elm City, N.C., to George Gaston and Priscilla Mercer; lived at 613 1/2 Jackson Street; was a widower; worked as a barber; was a veteran; and was returned to Elm City for burial.

Isaac Woodard of Smithfield, North Carolina.

The Johnsenior (1926), yearbook of Johnston County Training School, Smithfield, N.C.

Undertaker Isaac Woodard of Smithfield, Johnston County, N.C., was a Wilson County native.

——

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Isaac Woodard, 32; wife Anner, 26; and children Fannie, 12, Nellie, 10, James, 9, Frank, 6, Isaac, 3, and Sis, 1.

In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Frank Farmer, 22; wife Fannie, 23; son John H., 4; nephew George, 18; and boarder Isaac Woodard, 20.

In the  1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: house mover John Boykin, 50; wife Dicy, 44, cooking; and children Sallie, 19, cooking, James, 18, day laborer, Dotia, 14, Susia, 14, Lillie, 10, and Eliza, 7.

On 26 November 1905, Isaac Woodard, 23, of Wilson, son of Isaac and Susan Woodard (he, living in Arkansas), married Sudie Boykin, 19, of Wilson, daughter of Jno. and Eliza Boykin, in Wilson township, Wilson County. Missionary Baptist minister W.H. Woodard performed the ceremony in the presence of C.L. Darden, Thomas Barnes, and J.J. Langley.

In the 1908 Rocky Mount, NC., city directory: Woodard Isaac (c) blksmith h 907 Beal

In the 1910 census of Rocky Mount, Nash County, N.C.: Isaac Woodard, 25; wife Sudie, 24; children Pauline, 3, and Russell, 18 months; and grandmother Edith Woodard, 65.

In 1918, Isaac Woodard registered for the World War I draft in Johnston County. Per his registration card, he was born 4 July 1882; lived on Market in Smithfield; worked for himself as a horseshoer and undertaker; and his contact was Sudie Woodard.

In the 1920 census of Smithfield, Johnston County: blacksmith Isaac Woodard, 35; wife Sudie, 33; and children Pauline, 13, and Russell, 11; and grandmother Edith Woodard, 83.

Edith Woodard died 16 October 1920 in Smithfield, Johnston County. Per her death certificate, she was 86 years old; was born in Wilson to Ester (no surname given); was a widow; and was buried in Wilson County by Isaac Woodard. Sudie Woodard was informant.

In 1926, Russell Woodard was one of four boys in the Johnston County Training School’s junior class. From the The Johnsenior.

In the 1930 census of Smithfield, Johnston County: on Market Street, Isic Woodard, 43, undertaker; wife Sudie, 40, public school teacher; children Pauline, 23, Russell, 21, Isic Jr., 4, and Hattie, 11 (adopted); and boarder St. Julian Walker, 25, high school teacher.

In the 1940 census of Smithfield, Johnston County: funeral director/undertaker Isaac W. Woodard, 48; wife Suda, 46, public school teacher; and son Isaac Jr., 14.

In 1943, Isaac Woodard Jr. registered for the World War II draft in Smithfield, Johnston County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 November 1925 in Smithfield; lived at 811 East Market Street; his contact was Isaac Woodard Sr.; and he was a student at A.&T.

The Washington Star, 19 November 1978.

Funeral Program Friday: Victoria Scarborough Notree.

A reader, Antoinette Dickens, recently emailed me a copy of her great-great-grandmother’s funeral program. Victoria Scarborough Notree was born in Wilson County and, like dozens, maybe hundreds, of others, migrated to Arkansas with her family circa 1890.

——

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Charles Bynum, 59; wife Bunney, 50; and children Mary, 23, Daniel, 20, Henry, 18, Herbert, 16, Adiline, 14, and Charles, 10.

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Jason Scarboro, 20, servant. [Likely, in the household of white farmer Devro Whitley, next door.]

On 14 October 1886, Jason Scarborough, 26, married Adline Bynum, 21, at Charles Bynum’s in the presence of Haywood Bynum, David Bynum, and Charles Bynum. (Justice of the Peace Seth H. Tyson performed the ceremony, which indicates it likely took place in the Saratoga area.)

In the 1900 census of Owen township, Saline County, Arkansas: Jason Scarber, 46; wife Adline, 36; and children Ella, 16, Jessie, 16, Victoria, 11, Hugh, 8, Arch, 7, Joe, 6, Cora, 4, and Florence, 1. The five youngest children were born in Arkansas; the rest of the family, including Victoria, in North Carolina.

In the 1910 census of Lafayette township, Lonoke County, Arkansas: farmer Albert Maxwell, 46; wife Ellah, 25, born in N.C.; children Ray, 7, Virginia, 5, and Albert, 8 months; and sister-in-law Victoria Scarber, 21, born in N.C.

On 18 October 1910, Ed Notree, 34, married Victoria Scarborough in Lonoke County, Arkansas.

In the 1920 census of Walls township, Lonoke County, Arkansas: farmer Edd Notree, 46; wife Victoria, 25, born in N.C.; and children Alice, 9, Little Edd, 5, Pankie, 3, and Johnie, 7 months.

In the 1930 census of Lafayette township, Lonoke County, Arkansas: farmer Ed Notree, 45; wife Victoria, 38, born in N.C.; and children Ed Jr., 15, Pinkie, 13, and Johnie, 9.

In the 1940 census of Keo, Lonoke County, Arkansas: on Fordyce Street, Ed Notree, 64, farm laborer; wife Victoria, 50; “s-son” T.B. Mahone, 7; and sister Littie Phillips, 45.

Annie Bell Notree died 3 April 1941 in Little Rock, Big Rock township, Pulaski County, Arkansas. Per her death certificate, she was born 24 December 1922 to Eddie Notree and Victoria Scoggins; lived at 1718 Cedar Street, Little Rock; and was a schoolgirl.

In 1942, John Notree registered for the World War II draft in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois. Per his registration card, he was born 21 April 1922 in Little Rock, Arkansas; lived at 5529 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago; his contact was Mrs. V. Notree, 1468 Randolph Street, Chicago; and he worked for Penfield Oil Company.

In the 1950 census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois: Victoria Q. Notree, 55, maid, widow, born in N.C., and daughter Allie M., 16.

Thank you, Antoinette!

The Scarboroughs migrate to Oklahoma and Illinois via Arkansas.

Ned Scarborough married Beda Thompson on 24 August 1866 in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Ned Scarborough, 23; wife Obedience, 18; and children Rufus, 3, and Ida, 1.

In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: laborer Ned Scarboro, 35; wife Bedie, 27; and children Rufus, 14, Lida, 11, Jinnie, 8, Polly, 6, Martha, 3, and Penny, 1.

In the 1910 census of Tullahassee township, Wagoner township, Oklahoma: Ned Scarbough, 63; wife Beaty, 60; and children Bessy, 18, and Willie, 15. Willie was born in Arkansas; the others in North Carolina.

Tulsa World, 14 June 1912. 

In the 1920 census of Porter township, Wagoner County, Oklahoma: Pat Heron, 46; wife Bessie, 26; sons Henry, 15, and Gabe M., 14; daughter Lady B., 12; stepdaughter Esty Lee, 8; and son Fred, 4.

Tulsa Tribune, 6 April 1925.

Ida James died 2 August 1927 in Chicago, Illinois. Per her death certificate, she was 37 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Ned and Beedee Scarborough of Wilson; was married to Henry; and was a housewife.

Per the U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index 1936-2007, Bessie Scarbouth Heron was born 16 May 1897 [sic] in North Carolina to Ned Scarbouth and Bedie Thomas

Peg-Leg Williams and the Exodusters.

Goldsboro Headlight, 6 November 1889.

This brief, disparaging piece appeared in the Goldsboro Headlight in 1889, but very well could have described attitudes in Wilson County. Silas Herring was an African-American Wayne County native, but Alabama-born, former Confederate Robert A. “Peg-Leg” Williams criss-crossed the Upper South as a labor agent, partnering with local Black men to entice African-Americans to migrate to the Deep South.

On 27 November 1889, the Wilson Mirror reprinted a Goldsboro Argus piece that described Williams and Herring as “railroad hirelings and speculators.” “However much the desire should be divided among our people — and by this we mean the white people — for the negro to exodus this country or remain, the solid, stubborn truth shall not be kept from the poor, deluded, half-informed negro, that this is his home, the climate of his nature; that our people are the most tolerant and generous in the world; and his best friends, and that, therefore, he should stay right here where his associations date back through the centuries; where his faults, and there are many (but who of us is without faults?) are borne with from custom; where his privileges as a free citizen are unquestioned and untrammeled, and where his destinies are linked by law with the whites, who, under a Democratic administration, have for twenty years paid 90 per cent. of his government and education, while he has furnished 90 per cent. of the crime and ignorance of the State.” Best friends, indeed.

The 20 December 1889 issue of the Wilmington Messenger chimed in with mockery, noting that “Peg leg Williams and Silas Herring have not dissolved copartnership. Peg leg is now in [Goldsboro], and he and Silas are as active as bees in inducing the ‘coons’ of this section to leave their homes of peace and plenty here, to go the far off miasmatic lands of the West, there to die like cattle with the black tongue.”

“Peg-Leg” Williams is memorialized in 100 Americans Making Constitutional History: A Biographical History, edited by Melvin I. Urofsky. Described as the most famous and successful of Southern “emigrant agents, Mississippi-born Williams, a Civil War veteran, assisted 16,000 African-Americans in leaving North Carolina in the wake of discriminatory labor laws passed in 1889.”

Working as an agent for plantation owners and railroad companies from the lower Mississippi Valley states and Texas, Williams recruited laborers to work their immense cotton plantations or, in the case of the railroads, buy up their vast acreages of former federal land. Williams generally paid transportation costs for migrating families, who would have been required to enter into onerous agreements to repay the money the planters had fronted to Williams.

Daily Journal (New Bern, N.C.), 28 May 1890.

Mecklenburg Times (Charlotte, N.C.), 25 December 1891.

After two years of perceived depredations, in 1891 the North Carolina legislature joined other states in enacting a law aimed directly at men like Williams, imposing one thousand dollar fees on labor recruiters, who overwhelmingly targeted African-Americans. The law stayed on the books for seven years.

The Wilmington Messenger, 5 November 1901.

By 1913, Peg-Leg Williams was the stuff of nostalgia….

The News-Herald (Morganton, N.C.), 3 July 1913.

… and as late as 1947, his name and work could still inspire journalists. If you skim the condescension off the top, this lengthy piece is noteworthy for details about Exoduster life provided by men and women who made the journey (or knew someone who had.)

News and Record (Greensboro, N.C.), 26 October 1947.

The Baileys of Drew County, Arkansas.

On 26 September 1876, Sampson Bailey of Monticello, Arkansas, filed acknowledgement of receipt of the payout made to his wife, Charity “Cherry” Bailey, from the estate of Arnold Peele of Wilson County. The Baileys were among the earliest Wilson County Exodusters to Arkansas.

In the 1870 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farm laborer George Thomson, 51; wife Rilda, 43; and son Rufus, 8; Cherry Bailey, 42, Bitha Bailey, 25, and Mittie Baily, 16.

On 19 June 1870, Jacob Thomson, son of George Thomson and Silvey Ritchardson, married Betha Bailey, daughter of Sampson and Cherry Bailey, at George Thomson’s in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Prairie township, Drew County, Arkansas: Sampson Bailey, 50; wife Cherry, 53; and son Eli, 14.

Chaney Mayes died 10 May 1930 in Demun township, Randolph County, Arkansas. Per her death certificate, she was of unknown age; was born in an unknown location to Sampson Bailey and Cherry [maiden name unknown]; and was the widow of Anderson Mayes. Delia Peterson was informant.

Chitown, by way of Arkansas.

Direct migration from North Carolina to Chicago was relatively unusual, but many Wilson County Exodusters eventually left Arkansas (or Mississippi) to join the Great Migration to Chicago.

  • Farris Langston

In 1918, Farris Langston registered for the World War I draft in Bolivar County, Mississippi. Per his registration card, he was born 17 December 1884; lived in Rosedale, Bolivar County; worked as a laborer for Refuge Cotton Oil Company; and his contact was Washington Langston, Louisville, Arkansas.

In 1942, Farris Langston registered for the World War II draft in Chicago, Illinois. Per his registration card, he was born 17 December 1884 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 738 East 44th Street, then 5029 Michigan Avenue; his contact was Mrs. Gains, 738 East 44th Street; and he worked for Consumers, 7066 South Chicago.

  • Amos Lewis

Herbert Lewis was born 11 August 1902 in Helena, Phillips County, Arkansas. Per his birth certificate, his father was Amos Lewis, 19, porter, 508 College Street, born in Wilson, N.C., and his mother was Mattie Smith, 14, housewife, 508 College Street, born in Marianna, Arkansas.

In the 1910 census of Marianna township, Lee County, Arkansas: farm laborer Amos Lewis, 35; wife Mattie, 31; and children Herbert, 8, Lessie, 6, N[illegible], 4, and Sam, 2.

In the 1930 census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois: Amos Lewis, 47, janitor at Union railroad station; wife Mattie M., 41; daughter Myrtle Latrelle, 20; [son-in-law] Frank C. Latrelle, 28, porter at Walgreen drugstore; and grandson Frank C. Latrelle Jr., 3; nephew Carrel Latrelle, 16; daughter Mattie J. Lewis, 17; roomer Smith Jones, 21; and sister-in-law Anna Griffin, 46.

In 1942, Amos Lewis registered for the World War II draft in Chicago, Illinois. Per his registration card, he was born 30 August 1888 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 5629 Indiana Avenue, Chicago; his contact was Mattie M. Lewis; he had a crippled left hand; and he worked for Rick Walters Cooperage Company, 48 South Hayne, Chicago.

The obituaries of brothers James and Charlie Bynum of North Little Rock, Arkansas.

James C. and Charles A. Bynum were born in Wilson County, but migrated to Lonoke County, Arkansas, as children with their parents Lawrence and Edna Bynum Bynum.

Arkansas Gazette, 18 March 1960.

Arkansas Gazette, 3 July 1979.

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In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: laborer Larence Bynum, 24; wife Edney, 19; children James, 1, and Mary J., 1 month; mother-in-law Liddie, 55; brother Isac, 22, and sister-in-law Anna, 17.

In the 1900 census of Brodie township, Pulaski County, Arkansas: James Bynum, 21, farm laborer, is listed in the household of Lester Lemons.

On 20 January 1901, Jas. Bynum, 22, of Cobbs, Lonoke County, married Florence Hynes, 21, of Scott, Lonoke County, in Lonoke County, Arkansas.

In the 1910 census of Augusta, Hill township, Pulaski County, Arkansas: James C. Bynum, 21, boilermaker helper; wife Florence, 30; and newborn son Freddie J., at 305 Hazel.

In the 1920 census of Walls township, Lonoke County: James Binum, 41, farmer; wife Florence, 40; daughter Odessa, 1; mother Edna, 57, widow; and brother Willie, 17.

In the 1930 census of Walls township, Lonoke County: J.C. Bynum, 50, farmer; wife Florence, 50; daughter Odessa, 12; and adopted son Columbus Webb, 5.

In the 1940 census of Lafayette township, Lonoke County: on Old Key Rock Road, James Bynum, 61, farm laborer; wife Florence, 60; and Columbus Webb, 40 [sic].

James Columbus Bynum registered for the World War I draft in Lonoke County. Per his registration card, he was born 13 November 1878 in Wilson, N.C.; lived in “Keo (Redwine),” Lonoke County; his contact was Florence Bynum; and he was a self-employed farmer.

In the 1950 census of Walls township, Lonoke County: J.C. Bynum, 71, farmer, and wife Florence, 70.

James C. Bynum died 13 March 1960 in North Little Rock, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 13 November 1884 in North Carolina to Lawrence Bynum and Edna Hopper; was married; lived at 816 Cedar Street, North Little Rock; and was buried in Hickory Grove Cemetery, Keo, Arkansas. Florence Bynum was informant.