migration to Arkansas

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.

 

Attention Arkansas families with Wilson County roots.

I’ve been surprised by the number of African-American Wilson County families that migrated to Arkansas as Exodusters in the 1880s and 1890s. These families tended to travel together and settle in close proximity, especially in Lonoke County. Descendants of several have made contact here at Black Wide-Awake, and it’s time for a Facebook to try to connect with more. If these are your people, join us there!

Odius and Della Coleman Farmer, exodusters.

Odius and Della Coleman Farmer were among the Wilson County migrants who streamed to Arkansas in the last Exoduster wave.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Washington Farmer, 43, wife Wady, 44, children Edith, 14, Fortin, 13, Gimsey, 11, John W., 8, Nancy, 6, and Orgius, 6, and farm laborer Nelson Thomas, 21.

In the 1880 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Washington Farmer, 52, wife Waity, 50, children Edieth, 25, Gincy, 21, John W., 18, Nancy, 16, and Ojus, 13, and granddaughters Mariah J., 5, and Margaret, 2.

In the 1880 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Nancy Coleman, 45, widow, and children Margaret, 13, Thomas, 12, Amos, 10, Della, 9, Henry, 7, and Fannie, 5.

On 6 February 1884, Washington Farmer, 55, married Nancy Coleman, 45 [Squire Coleman’s widow], at Nancy Coleman’s in Wilson County.

On 17 June 1887, Ossie Farmer, 20, of Wilson County, son of Wash Farmer and Nannie Coleman [sic] married Dellar Coleman, 17, of Wilson County, daughter of Squire Coleman and Nancy Coleman, at Washington Farmer’s in Oldfields township, Wilson County. J.H. Locus, N.T. Bagley, and Thomas Coleman witnessed the ceremony. [Odious Farmer and Della Coleman were step-siblings.]

In the 1900 census of Spring Creek township, Lee County, Arkansas: Odias Farmer, 33, farmer, born in North Carolina; wife Della, 25; and children Green, 11, Fannie, 7, Odias, 4, Mittie, 2, and Jackson, 10 months.

On 25 February 1912, Odeaus Farmer, 45, married Lizzie Jamerson, 34, in Aubrey, Lee County, Arkansas.

In the 1920 census of Spring Creek township, Lee County, Arkansas: Odius Farmer, 54, farmer, born in North Carolina; wife Annie, 41; and children Mittie B., 23, and Albert, 10. Next door: Odius Farmer Jr., 24; wife Mary E., 24; and son Tommy, 1.

In the 1930 census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois: at 162o West 14th Street, Oidus Farmer, 60, lumberyard laborer, and wife Ida, 40.

In the 1940 census of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois: Odious Farmer, 73, widower, in the household of Leo and Evelyn Carter.

1942 draft registration card of Green Washington Farmer, son of Odius and Della Coleman Farmer. Green was born Wilson County shortly before the family migrated to Arkansas.

Odius Farmer, son of Washington Farmer, died 20 September 1940 in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois.

The family of Nathan and Lucy Barnes, exodusters.

Nathan and Lucy King Barnes and their children were among thousands of North Carolinians, many from Wilson County, who sought greener pastures in Arkansas.

On 29 March 1877, Nathan Barnes married Lucy King in Wayne County, North Carolina.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Nathan Barnes, 28; wife Lucy, 20; and children Morrison, 2, and Dinah, 6 months.

On 31 January 1897, Deana Barnes and John Edmondson were married in Cross County, Arkansas.

In the 1900 census of Searcy township, Cross County, Arkansas: farmer Nathan Barnes, 48; wife Lucy, 37; children Marson, 22, Mary Jane, 16, Claudie, 14, Elroy, 12, Maggie, 8, and Rosco L., 5; son-in-law John Edmondson, 21; daughter Diana, 21; grandson Snode, 6 months; and boarder, Mack Stewart, 19. The Barnes’ two youngest children were born in Arkansas; the rest in North Carolina. Thus, we can pinpoint their migration to years between 1888 and 1892.

In the 1910 census of Searcy township, Cross County, Arkansas: farmer Nathan Barnes, 48; wife Lucy, 37; and children Claudy, 23, Leroy, 22, May[illegible], 17, Reskin, 15, and Tike, 10. All, curiously, were described as born in Alabama except Tike, who was born in Arkansas.

In the 1910 census of Smith township, Cross County, Arkansas: Marshel [sic] Barnes, 32; wife Valley, 20; and son Thomas L., 1.

Nathan Barnes died 7 September 1917 in Searcey township, Cross County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 January 1852 in North Carolina to Ben Barnes; was a farmer; and was buried in Mount Zion Cemetery. C.D. Barnes was informant.

In 1918, Morrison Barnes registered for the World War I draft in Cross County, Arkansas. Per his registration card, he was born 15 January 1878; lived in Vanndale, Cross County; worked as a farmer; and his nearest relative was Vallie Barnes.

On 11 January 1920, Roscoe Barnes married Bessie R. Vause in Cross County, Arkansas.

In the 1920 census of Searcy township, Cross County, Arkansas: Morrison Barnes, 41; wife Vallie, 31, and children Thomas, 11, Tennie, 7, Sister, 3, and Elliott, 1.

In the 1920 census of Searcy township, Cross County, Arkansas: Elroy Barnes, 31; wife Daisy, 21; and children Callie, 8, and Savannah Barnes, 3, and Ernest Futrel, 4.

Daddy [Claudie] Barnes died 11 January 1930 in Forrest City, Madison township, Saint Francis County, Arkansas. Per his death certificate, he was 44 years old; was born in North Carolina to Nathan and Lucy Barnes; worked as a farmer for C. Barton; was married to Lucy Barnes; and was buried in Hinton cemetery.

In the 1930 census of Smith township, Cross County, Arkansas: Marshal Vaughnes [sic], 53; wife Rosey, 42; children Surtina E., 13, John E., 11, and Joshway R., 9; and mother Lucy Barnes, 68.

In the 1940 census of Wynne township, Cross County, Arkansas: Lucy Barnes, 87, is a lodger in the household of Alex Abraham.

In 1942, Elroy Barnes registered for the World War II draft in Saint Francis County, Arkansas. Per his registration card, he was born 23 May 1888 in Wilson, N.C.; lived in Palestine, Saint Francis County, Arkansas; and his contact was Daisy Barnes.

On 16 October 1932, Morrison Barnes, 54, married Mary Sweeten, 27, in Wittsburg, Cross County, Arkansas.

In 1942, Roscoe Lee Barnes registered for the World War II draft in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Per his registration card, he was born 12 March 1895 in Wynne, Arkansas; lived on Valley Forde Road, Devon, Chester County; his contact was daughter Lolly Barnes; and he worked for McAlvoy Brickyard, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania.

On 15 September 1945, Roscoe L. Barnes, 50, widower, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born in Arkansas to Nathaniel and Lucy Barnes, married Thelma H. Moultrie, 39, of Philadelphia, born in South Carolina to West and Addie Hunter, in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware.

Elroy R. Barnes died 23 December 1962 in Saint Louis, Missouri. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 May 1888 in North Carolina to Nathan Barnes and Lucy (maiden name unknown) and was a minister. Daisy Barnes was informant.

Roscoe Barnes died 24 January 1966 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 March 1895 in Wynne, Arkansas, to Nathan Barnes; lived in Chester, Pennsylvania; was a widower; and worked as a laborer.

The death of Rosetta Ellis McCoy, Exoduster.

In a post about the Littleton and Judie Ellis cemetery on today’s Forest Hills Road in Wilson, I asked if the Ellises had migrated to Arkansas with the Exoduster movement, then returned to Wilson. The death certificate of their daughter Maggie Ellis Darden reported that she was born in Arkansas in 1886.

Below, the death certificate of Rosetta McCoy, filed in North Little Rock, Pulaski township, Arkansas, states she was born 22 October 1887  in Wilson, N.C., to Littleton Ellis and Mary [is this a mistake?; maiden name unknown]. Thus we have additional evidence that Littleton Ellis and family made the long journey west, but returned to Wilson County before 1900.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Littleton Ellis, 45; wife Judah, 30; and children Bryant, 14, Martha, 12, Patsey, 10, Mary, 8, Bud, 6, Thomas, 4, Rose, 2, and James, 1.

On 28 November 1897, James McCoy, 21, of Toltec, Lonoke County, Arkansas, married Rosetta Ellis, 19, of same, in Lonoke County, Arkansas.

In the 1900 census of Williams township, Lonoke County, Arkansas: farmer James McCoy, 23; wife Rosetta, 22; and children Alberta and Birtrice, 1; also, Sarah Smith, 26, a cook.

In the 1910 census of Lafayette township, Lonoke County, Arkansas: on Witherspoon Road, farmer James McCoy, 33, born in North Carolina; wife Rosetta, 32; and children Bertrice and Alberta, 11; Willie, 9; Johnny, 8; Asillie, 6; Gus C., 4, and James M., 1.

In the 1920 census of Lafayette township, Lonoke County, Arkansas: on Keo Road, James H. McCoy, 47; wife Rosetta, 43; children Bertrice and Alberta, 21, Willie, 19, Johnnie, 18, James M., 11, Norah, 8, L.C., 7, Nathaniel, 5, Ruthie, 2, and Thomas, 6 months; daughter Rosa L. Huggins, 16, and son-in-law James Huggins, 19.

In the 1940 census of Lafayette township, Lonoke County, Arkansas: farmer Rosetta McCoy, 45, widow; children L.C., 17, Nathaniel, 15, Ruthie, 13, and Thomas, 10; and grandson Willie Henry, 8.

In the 1940 census of North Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas: Rosetta McCoy, 63, widow, born in North Carolina; daughter Gertrude Duckery, 40, widow, maid; and grandchildren Rosetta Howard, 15, Artelia Howard, 12, James Duckery, 9, Famous Hall, 15, and Rosie Anne McCoy, 4.

The outrages against the negro race will stop.

Lonoke County was a popular destination for Wilson County Exodusters migrating to Arkansas in the late 1800s. By 1898, white men were trying to drive out their Black neighbors, and the Wilson Advance ran a brief wire service piece entitled “Race War Threatened.” Lonoke’s African-American community was not intimidated: “When the negroes of Lonoke kill about 25 of these lawless men, the outrages against the negro race will stop, and not until then.”

Wilson Advance, 3 February 1898.

For more about Lonoke families with Wilson County roots, see here and here and here and here.

Where did they go?: an Arkansas birth certificate.

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I have not identified this Samuel Jones in Wilson County. (He was not Samuel Jones, son of Duke and Emily Jones.)

On 10 February 1918, Sam Jones, 47, of Badgett township, Pulaski County, Arkansas, married Bertha Martin, 28, of Badgett township, Pulaski County, Arkansas, in Pulaski County.

In the 1920 census of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas: city laborer Sam Jones, 48; wife Bertha, 30; daughter Annie May, 8 months; and stepson Edwin Martin, 8. Sam Jones was born in North Carolina; his wife and children in Arkansas.

Bertha Jones died 21 November 1925 in Gray township, Pulaski County, Arkansas. Per her death certificate, she was born 17 May 1899 in Pulaski County to [unnamed] Houston and Mary Houston; was married to Sam Jones; lived on Jacksonville, Arkansas; and was buried in Johnson Cemetery.

In the 1930 census of Eatman township, Pulaski County, Arkansas: farmer Sam Jones, 57, and daughters Annie M., 10, and Sammie L., 6.

The death of Etna Woodard Daniel.

Wilson Daily Times, 8 April 1916.

A brief article reporting the mysterious death of Etna Daniel is chock-full of detail, not all of it accurate. Ben Woodard was a well-known root doctor in Wilson County. Daniel was his step-daughter though, not his daughter. By 1916, wealthy agribusinessman Graham Woodard lived in his town, but his farm was on or near ancestral Woodard land in the White Oak Swamp area. “Darden’s shop” was Charles H. Darden‘s undertaking business.

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In the 1870 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farm laborer Benj’n Woodard, 32, wife Harriet, 31, and children Edna, 13, Frederick, 9, and Venah, 6.

On 17 August 1876, Harry Daniels, 27, married Etna Woodard, 20, at B. Woodard’s, Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Harry Daniel, 30, and wife Etna, 22.

In the 1900 census of Little Rock, Pulaski County, Arkansas: railroad laborer Harry Daniels, 50; wife Edna, 35; and boarder James Bynum, 21, grocery clerk. [Is this the same couple? If so, when did they, or just Etna, return to Wilson County?]

Per her death certificate, Eatna Daniel died 7 or 8 April 1916 in Wilson. She was 60 years old; was born in Wilson to Isaac Barnes and Harrett Aycock; “fell dead on country road — cause unknown”; and buried in Black Creek. Ben Woodard was informant. [Per the information Woodard supplied, Etna Daniel was not his daughter by his first wife, rather she was his step-daughter.]

Studio shots, no. 216: Wilson L. Bynum.

Wilson Leroy Bynum (1857-??).

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Preston Bynum, 34; wife Violet, 30; and children Wilson, 12, George, 4, and Hugh, 2.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Preston Bynum, 48; wife Violet, 39; children Wilson, 18, George, 17, Major, 12, Phariba, 7, Debby, 6, Patience, 4, and Silvia, 2.

In the 1900 census of Spring township, Jefferson County, Arkansas: day laborer Wilson Bynum, 35; wife Louisiana, 30; and children Calvin, 6, Stephen, 2, and Wilson, 6 months.

In the 1910 census of Melton township, Jefferson County, Arkansas: farm laborer Wilson Bynum, 50; wife Louvena, 41; and children Calvin, 16, Charley, 10, Minnie, 7, Celia, 6, Florence, 4, and Lucinda, 11 months.

In the 1920 census of Melton township, Jefferson County, Arkansas: farmer Wilson Bynum, 58; wife Lue, 50; daughters Celia, 16, and Florence, 14, and granddaughter Louisia, 3 months.

On 5 August 1922, Wilson Bynum, 60, married Polly Ford, 48, in Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user LesBynum.

L. Henry and Elizabeth Lassiter Daniels, exodusters.

After reading the recent post about Hardy Lassiter, Thelma Simmons reached out to alert Black Wide-Awake that another Lassiter migrated to Arkansas. Elizabeth Lassiter Daniels and her family arrived in Pine Bluff around the same time as her cousin Hardy.

In the 1860 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Silas Lassiter, 38; wife Orpie, 34; children Sallie, 12, Mary, 11, James, 9, John, 7, Elizabeth, 5, Penina, 4, Hardy, 3, Silas, 1, and George, 2 months; and Delpha Simpson, 14. [Note: there were several Hardy Lassiters in this family. Silas Lassiter’s father was named Hardy Lassiter, and Silas named a son after him. Similarly, Silas’ brother Green Lassiter also named a son Hardy, and this Hardy was the one who migrated to Arkansas.]

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Silas Lassiter, 47, and children Ophelia, 25, Mary, 20, Elizabeth, 16, Handy, 14, Penninah, 15, Silas W., 12, Milly, 8, and Jerusha, 4.

On 24 December 1879, Henry Daniels, 33, married Elizabeth Lassiter, 24, at E. Lassiter’s in Wilson County. B. Barnes and Short Barnes were witnesses.

On 20 May 1892, Henry Daniels, alias Henry Lewis Daniels, applied for an invalid pension for his service in Company K, 14th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery. [I am seeking more information about his Civil War service.] Daniels filed from Arkansas, the state to which the family had recently migrated.

In the 1900 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: day laborer Henry Daniels, 55; wife Elizabeth, 46; and children William H., 17, Martha A., 15, Mary J., 15, and Rice B., 7. All were born in North Carolina except the youngest child.

In the 1908 Pine Bluff, Arkansas, city directory: Daniels Henry (c) mach Prescott Table & Furn Co r 1013 w 8th av

In the 1910 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: odd jobs laborer Henry Daniels, 66; wife Bettie, 37; and children Henry, 27, street laborer, and Matilda, 10. Bettie reported that only three of her ten children were living.

On 3 March 1912, W.H. Daniel, 30, married Willie Floyd, 24, in Pine Bluff.

In 1918, William Henry Daniels registered for the World War I draft in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Per his registration card, he was born 23 September 1879; lived at 506 East 17th Avenue; worked as a laborer for Standard Lumber Company, Pine Bluff.

In the 1920 census of Pine Bluff, Jefferson County, Arkansas: at 500 East 17th, Henry Daniels, 78; wife Elizabeth, 65; daughter Mary Webb, 30, and grandchildren Ulus, 10, Felton, 9, Louise E., 8, and Mary, 3. Next door: W. Henry Daniels, 38, born in N.C., railroad shop laborer; wife Willie, 32, born in Georgia; and children Justine, 6, Thurland, 4, Rosabelle, 3, and Doretha, 4 months. [Hardy and Nellie Lassiter occupied the household on the other side of Henry and Elizabeth Daniels, in effect right around the corner.]

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.”

In the 1927 Pine Bluff, Arkansas, city directory: Daniels Elizabeth (c) h 500 e 17th av

In 1942, William Henry Daniels registered for the World War II draft in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. Per his registration card, he was born in 23 September 1881 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 506 East 17th; he worked for Cotton Belt Railroad, East 2nd Avenue, Pine Bluff; and his contact was Mrs. Willie F. Daniels.

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 a laborer; and was married to Willie L. Daniels. Doretha M. Daniels was informant.