migration to Georgia

Helen Tate Huggins marries in Atlanta.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 16 December 1939.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: barber Noah Tate, 28; wife Hattie, 24; and children John P., 3, and Helen, 2.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 Pender, barber Noah Tate, 42; wife Hattie, 34; boarder Mary Jennings, 28, a public school teacher; and children Helen, 13, Mary Jane, 8, Andrew, 11, and Noah Jr., 3.

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Tate Helen (c) sch tchr 307 Pender

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 307 North Pender, seamstress Hattie Tate, 44, widow, and children Hellen, 23, insurance agent, and Andrew, 21, hotel bellboy, as well as lodger Lucy Davis, a public school teacher.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Tate Helen (c) clk r 307 Pender

In the 1941 and 1947 Atlanta, Georgia, city directory: Huggins Edw (c; Helen) tile str h 713 Greensferry Av SW

In the 1951 Atlanta, Georgia, city directory: Huggins Edw (c; Helen T) tile str Albert W Cook h 657 Greensferry Av SW

Andrew Tate died 16 May 1977 in Wilson. He was born 8 September 1908 to Noah Tate and Hattie Pierce; was married to Helen Whitfield; lived at 506 East Vance; and was buried in Rest Haven cemetery. Informant was Helen Tate Huggins, Atlanta, Georgia.

Atlanta Constitution, 18 September 1981.

Funeral Program Friday: Rosemary Fitts Funderburg.

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In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1007 Washington Street, Howdard Fitts, 37, and wife Courtney, 36, both teachers, with children Howdard Jr., 8, and Rosemary, 6.

In the 1949 Durham, N.C., city directory: Fitts Rosemary case wkr Family Serv r1611 Fville

In the 1950 Durham, N.C., city directory: Fitts Rosemary P case wkr Family Serv r809 Fville

On 3 June 1950, Ilon Owen Funderburg, 25, of Durham, son of Dr. F.D. Funderburg and Ethel Westmoreland Funderburg, married Rosemary Fitts, 26, of Durham and Wilson, daughter of Howard M. Fitts and Courtney Plummer Fitts, at Saint Alphonsus Church, Wilson.

Atlanta Funeral Programs Collection, Auburn Avenue Research Library on African-American Culture and History, digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu

The last will and testament of Argent Harper.

In a will executed 22 May 1928, Argent Harper left her daughter Deborah Swindell her house and part of the lot it sat upon on Suggs Street, and the remainder of her property to all her children — Swindell, Charles Harper, Elizabeth Hampton, and Effie Lewis. She nominated Camillus L. Darden her executor.

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In the 1870 census of Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina: Thomas Morris, 40, works in blacksmith shop; wife Judia, 30; children Clarissey, 21, Argeant, 13, Allice, 11, and Fannie, 5; Jonah Phillips, 26, farm laborer; Eunice Phillips, 1; and Argeant Morris, 66, midwife.

On 6 November 1879, Richard Harper, 28, of Wilson County, son of James and Cloe Harper, married Argent Morris, 19, of Lenoir County, daughter of Tom and Judah Morris, at the A.M.E.Z. church in Kinston.

In the 1880 census of Kinston, Lenoir County, North Carolina: blacksmith Thomas Morris, 56; wife Judy, 45; children Alice, 20, and Fannie Morris, 6; daughter Clarisa Phillips, 30, laborer; daughter Argent Harper, 22, laborer; and grandchildren Henrietta, 7, Jonah, 6, Sally, 1, and Mary Phillips, 13.

In the 1900 census of Pinetucky district, Laurens County, Georgia: farmer Richard Harper, 59; wife Argen, 43; and children Cora, 17, Dora, 16, Deby, 13, Charlie, 12, Estella, 10, Richard, 7, and Elizabeth, 5.

On 8 November 1917, Whit Lewis, 29, of Wilson, married Effie Harper, 24, of Wilson, in Wilson. A.M.E. Zion minister B.P. Coward performed the ceremony in the presence of Alice Carington, Thomas Cooke, and John Graham.

Richard James Harper died 8 January 1918 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 31 August 1851 in Greene County, N.C., to James and Clara Harper; was married to Argent Harper; worked as a tenant farmer for Ashley Young; and was buried in Wilson County.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Argent Harper, 58, and daughters Deba, 25, seamstress, and Elizabeth, 17.

In the 1920 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Harper Argent (c) dom h 141 Suggs

On 30 January 1924, Louis Swindell, 24, of Washington, N.C., son of Lewis Swindell and Selista [no maiden name], married Deborah Harper, 27, of Wilson, daughter of Richard and Argene Harper, in Wilson. A.M.E.Z. minister B.P. Coward performed the ceremony in the presence of Julia Bryant, Effie Lewis, and Whit Lewis.

In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Harper Argent (c) laundress h 630 Suggs

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Harper Argent (c) lndrs h 630 Suggs

Argen Harper died 1 August 1929 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 60 years old; was born in Kinston, N.C., to Tom Morris and Judy Morris; was the widow of Richard Harper; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Deborah Swindell was informant.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 630 Suggs, owned and valued at $1000, Debbie Swindell, 40, helper at beauty parlor; roomer [sic; sister] Effie Lewis, 35, widow, servant; roomers [Effie’s children?] Essie M., 10, Mathew, 8, and William J. Lewis, 4; and daughter Deborar Swindell, 6.

Effie Lewis died 14 March 1958 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 15 March 1890 in Georgia to Richard Harper and Argent Morris; was a widow; lived at 413 Stantonsburg Street, Wilson; and worked as a domestic. Effie Mae Fields was informant.

Charles H. Harper died 11 May 1965 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was 29 March 1890 in South Carolina to Richard Harper and Argent Morris; was married to Lucinda Harper; and was retired.

Deborah Harper Swindell died 2 February 1979 in Burlington, Alamance County, N.C. Per a North Carolina Death Index, she was born 24 August 1886.

Black History Month talks in Wilson.

I love to share African-American history with a hometown audience, and a weather delay means I’ll be speaking two nights in a row at Wilson County Public Library!

Tonight, February 24, 6:30 PM:

Tomorrow night, February 25, 6:00 PM, Wilson County Genealogical Society meeting (open to the public):

 

Hardy Lassiter, who went to Georgia.

We have read of Hardy Lassiter, a free man of color born about 1780, who died in what is now Wilson County in 1853. Hardy Lassiter had a son, Hardy Lassiter Jr. (1828-?), but also had grandsons, great-grandsons, and even great-great-grandsons named Hardy Lassiter, who carried his name out across the United States.

We have already met Hardy Lassiter (1864-1928), who migrated to Arkansas as an Exoduster. This man was the son of Green Lassiter, nephew of Hardy Lassiter Jr., and grandson of Hardy Lassiter Sr. 1864 Hardy’s son Hardy Lassiter was born about 1886, just before the family went west.

In this post, we will follow the Hardy Lassiter who migrated to Georgia, and in a later post, we will meet a Baltimore Hardy Lassiter. Georgia Hardy was the son of Silas Lassiter, first cousin of Arkansas Hardy, and grandson of the first Hardy.

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In the 1860 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Silas Lassiter, 38, farmer; 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 Delphia Simpson, 14. Silas reported $490 in real estate and $155 in personal property.

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 27 January 1884, Hardy Laster married Elizabeth Jenkins in Pierce County, Georgia. [We cannot be sure, but it appears Lassiter migrated to south Georgia to work in the turpentine industry.]

In the 1900 census of Blackshear, Pierce County, Georgia: turpentine chipper Hardy Laster, 51; wife Lizzie, 37; and children Trudy, 15, Janie, 11, Gaynell, 9, Colier, 7, Earnest, 5, and Draroza, 3. All were born in Georgia except Hardy.

In the 1910 census of Blackshear, Pierce County, Georgia: farmer Hardy Laster, 53; wife Elizabeth, 38; and children Vanelia Neal, 19, and Collier, 17, Earnest, 15, Deargie, 13, Jessie D., 4, and Sylvestus, 2; and grandson Alonzo Washington, 5.

In 1917, Ernest Lassiter registered for the World War I draft in Hernando County, Florida. Per his registration card, he was born 10 August 1897 in Little Rock, Arkansas; his father was born in Wilmington, North Carolina; he worked for Central Cypress Company, Centralia, Florida; and his nearest relative was Hardy Lassiter, Blackshear, Georgia.

Janie Sims died 15 November 1918 in Jacksonville, Duval County, Florida. Per her death certificate, she was 28 years old; was born in Blackshear, Georgia, to Hardy Laster; was married to Jesse Sims; worked as a laundress; and was buried in Blackshear.

In the 1920 census of Blackshear, Pierce County, Georgia: machine shop laborer Hardy Laster, 68; wife Elizabeth, 46, cook; and son Sylvester, 13.

Hardley Lassiter died 20 November 1922 in Blackshear, Pierce County, Georgia. Per his death certificate, he was born 3 March 1851 in North Carolina to Sirlis and Orphia Lassiter; was married to Eleziabeth Lassiter; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Blackshear Colored Cemetery.

Vanilla Chisholm died 25 July 1927 in Manhattan, New York, New York. Per her death certificate, she was born in 1897 to Hardy Lassiter and Elizabeth Jenkins; was married to Jon J. Chisholm; worked as a hairdresser; and was buried in Blackshear, Georgia.

Georgia, U.S., Marriages from Select Counties, 1828-1978, database on-line, http://www.ancestry.com; Georgia, U.S., Death Records, 1914-1940, database on-line, http://www.ancestry.com.

Nathan Best of the Confederate Veterans Home.

An abstract of “‘Every Comfort, Freedom, and Liberty‘: A Case Study of Mississippi’s Confederate Home,” Susannah J. Ural, Journal of the Civil War Era, volume 9, number 1 (March 2019), tells us:

“This case study of Mississippi’s Confederate veteran home, popularly known as Beauvoir, challenges historians to see these southern facilities as more than relics of the Lost Cause. This state-run home had a diverse resident population that included women as early as 1904 and that also included three African-American residents. It provided well-trained physicians in the Beauvoir hospital, and a powerful and popular woman superintendent ran the home as early as 1926. This article analyzes the lives of the veterans, wives, and widows of Mississippi’s Confederate home as well as the state’s policies for them, revealing a facility connected to the Civil War, but grounded in New South efficiency, regulation, and reform.”

One of Beauvoir’s three African-Americans, all former Confederate body servants, was Nathan Best, born enslaved in Greene County, North Carolina, in 1845. Henry Best, then his son Robert, held Nathan Best in slavery and sent him to war to serve Robert’s younger brother Rufus Best. Nathan Best and his family moved to Wilson County before 1880, then migrated south to Georgia’s turpentine belt, then further south to Ocean Springs, Mississippi. In the early 1930s, as he neared 90, Nathan Best applied for admission to Beauvoir.

Nathan Best, at right, with Frank Childress, another former body servant, at Beauvoir. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College Dixie Press Collection.

Nathan Best was interviewed by a Works Progress Administration fieldworker during his time at Beauvoir. His “slave narrative” does not explicitly mention his time in Wilson County, but does offer a wrenching account of his experience on the Best plantations near Snow Hill — an experience that would have been familiar twenty miles up the road.

1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Worth County, Georgia, Nathan Best headed a household that included wife Hester and three grandchildren. The elder two were born in North Carolina in 1886 and 1888, and the youngest in Georgia in 1891. The Bests, then, migrated from North Carolina around 1890, when hundreds left the state’s depleted turpentine industry for Georgia’s piney woods. Presumably, Best’s children and grandchildren born in the decade between 1880 and 1890 were born in Wilson County.

Nathan Best was eventually released from the Confederate Home and died at his daughter Lina B. Jones’ home in Biloxi. (Was Angelina Best Jones born in Wilson County? Per her headstone in Biloxi City Cemetery, she was born 25 November 1882.)

Sun Herald (Biloxi, Miss.), 18 January 1940.

[Side note: Elnathan Tartt was Beauvoir’s superintendent most of the years between 1916 and 1945, which encompasses the time Best was there. Tartt’s unusual first name signals his descent from slaveholding Tartts who lived in the area between modern-day Wilson and Saratoga in eastern Wilson County.]

Selden Institute.

When Lucy A. Dawson died in 1917, her daughter Mattie Dawson was teaching at Selden Institute in Brunswick, Georgia.

Established in 1903, Selden merged in 1933 with Gillespie Institute, the Cordele, Georgia, school run by another Wilson native, Augustus S. Clark.

The site of the school’s campus is now a public park, and only the headmaster’s house remains of the original buildings.

Photos by Lisa Y. Henderson, June 2024.

25 experienced agents wanted at once.

Savannah Tribune, 22 February 1908.

Samuel H. Vick‘s cohort, born into slavery and educated by Joseph C. Price, produced phenomenally successful men. As wealthy as Vick was at him prime, he may not have been the wealthiest of the group. Daniel C. Suggs, educator and entrepreneur, was said to be a millionaire, and his diverse portfolio included an insurance company, Savannah Mutual and Fire Association.

An oasis in the land of Jim Crow.

In 1989, the Atlanta Journal and Constitution published an in-depth piece celebrating Wilson native Augustus S. Clark, his wife Anna W. Clark, and the life-changing school they founded in Cordele, Georgia, in 1902.

I visited Gillespie Institute in the summer of 2021 and wrote about it here.

Atlanta Journal and Constitution, 12 March 1989.