migration to Maryland

The obituary of John B. Jackson of Baltimore, Maryland.

Baltimore Sun, 20 August 1973. 

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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Joseph Jackson, 37, minister; wife Annie, 45; and children Eloise, 8, Joseph, 5, Paul L., 2, and John, 2 months.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 616 Green Street, Joseph S. Jackson, 48, minister; wife Annie H., 45; and children Mary E., 18, Joseph S., Jr., 15, Paul L., 11, and John B., 9.

In the 1930 census of Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland: on 1003 Monument Street, roomers John Jackson, 21, railroad laborer; wife Blanche, 25; and son John E., 19 months, in the household of Hugh Lucus. [Is this the same John Jackson?]

On 9 September 1935, J.B. Jackson, 26, of Wilson, son of J.S. and A.H. Jackson, married Annabelle Scott, 23, of New Bern, daughter of Charles Scott and Golda Johnson, in New Bern, N.C.

In 1940, John Burns Jackson registered for the World War II draft in Baltimore. Per his registration card, he was born 4 March 1910 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 827 Hamilton Terrace [later, 518 Sanford Place and 1728 North Carey Street], Baltimore; his contact was mother Annie Horton Jackson, 618 East Green Street, Wilson; and he worked at Wm. Martien & Co., Baltimore Trust Building, Baltimore.

In the 1940 census of Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland: J. Burns Jackson, 30, apartment house janitor, and wife Annabella, 26. [The couple described themselved as Indian and reported living in Goldsboro, N.C., in 1935.]

In the 1950 census of Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland: John Jackson, 40, research chemist; wife Annabelle, 38, research laboratory assistant; and lodger Melvin Dulaney, 30, bricklayer.

Locks Funeral Home Records, 1936-2007, http://www.ancestry.com.

The birth of Willie Alonza Wynn.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 16 October 1937.

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In the 1940 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Main Street, widow Lillie Jane Wynn, 26, cook, and children Genie U., 5, Pink, 4, and Willie A., 2.

Pink Wynne died 14 February 1940 in Durham, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 October 1909 in Wilson County to Willie Wynne and Jenny Hussey; was married to Lilly Jane Wynne; lived in Elm City, N.C.; and was buried in Elm City.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Ernest Dew, 39, house plasterer; wife Geneva, 38, owner/operator of store and beer parlor; daughter Vilma, 15; and nephew Willie A. Wynn, 12.

Baltimore Sun, 27 April 1999.

The death of Henry Green.

Baltimore Sun, 6 October 1941.

Henry Green migrated temporarily to Maryland to work at a dairy. Tragically, he did not come home.

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In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Grace Street, public service laborer Henry Green, 47; wife Lottie, 40, cook; and children Cora, 12, Fred, 9, Henry Jr., 7, Edward, 2, and James, no age given.

Where did they go?: Washington, D.C., death certificates.

Washington, D.C., was a popular destination for eastern North Carolina migrants. These death certificates primarily record deaths of African-Americans who left Wilson County before the Great Migration.

  • William Anderson Pridgeon

William Anderson Pridgeon died 26 June 1896 in Washington, D.C., at 73 H Street N.E. Per his death certificate, he was ten months old; colored; born in Wilson, North Carolina; had lived in Washington, D.C., for two weeks; and both his parents were born in North Carolina.

  • George Barnes

George Barnes died 17 November 1906 in Washington, D.C., at Washington Asylum Hospital. Per his death certificate, he was 30 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C. to parents born in Wilson; was married; and worked as a laborer.

  • Eva Vailes

Eva Vailes died 4 March 1918 in Washington, D.C., at 1116 Minnesota Avenue, N.E. Per her death certificate, she was 4 years, 2 months, 3 days old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to parents born in Wayne County and Wilson County, N.C.; and had lived in Washington for 18 months.

  • James H. Ellis

James H. Ellis died 17 March 1919 in Washington, D.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 30 April 1869 in Wilson, N.C., to Bob Ellis; was married to Emma Ellis; lived at 1331 You Street, N.W.; worked as a barber; and was buried in Harmony Cemetery. Mother-in-law Mollie Huff was informant.

In the 1915 Washington, D.C., city directory: Ellis Jas H barber 901 U St h 905 U St

  • Sarah Best Young

Sarah Young died 25 February 1923 in Washington, D.C. Per her death certificate, she was 28 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Daniel Best; lived at 1027 Fourth Street, N.W.; was married to Henry Young; had lived in D.C. two years; and was buried in Wilson, N.C. [probably, in Vick Cemetery.]

  • Joe Perry

Joe Perry died 23 April 1924 in Washington, D.C., at Freedmen’s Hospital. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1905 in Wilson, N.C., to Edward Perry and Nancy Smith; worked as a elevator operator; was single; had lived in D.C. 19 years; and was removed to the Anatomical Board.

  • Alexander Moore

Alexander Moore died 18 February 1930 in Washington, D.C., in Freedmen’s Hospital. Per his death certificate, he was 42 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Lawrence Moore and Vina [no maiden name]; lived in Fairmount Heights, Maryland; was a widower; was an ex-soldier; and was buried in Baltimore, Maryland. Informant was sister Delia Moore, Baltimore.

On 23 January 1873, Lawrence Moore, 30, married Vina Moore, 25, in Wilson County. “Col’d minister” London Johnson performed the ceremony.

In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Lawrence Moore, 38; wife Viny, 25; and children Lee, 16, Nellie, 13, Esther and Delah Ann, 10, John, 7, David, 5, and Austin, 2.

In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Lawrence Moore, 50, widower, and children Branie, 20, Joseph, 12, Alexandrie, 8, and Charlie, 6.

On 5 July 1913, Delia Moore, 30, born in North Carolina to Lawrence and Venie Moore, married Amos D. Moore, 31, born in North Carolina to Anthony and Mary Moore, in Danville, Virginia.

Washington, District of Columbia, Death Certificates 1874-1931, http://www.ancestry.com

The obituary of George H. Barnes of Baltimore, Maryland.

Baltimore Sun, 26 February 1972.

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In the 1928 Baltimore, Maryland, city directory: Barnes Geo H hlpr r1016 Park av

In the 1930 census of Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland: George H. Barnes, 21, stevedore on wharf, and wife Cecilia M., 24, restaurant maid.

In 1940, George H. Barnes registered for the World War II draft in Baltimore County, Maryland. Per his registration card, he was born 16 September 1910 in Wilson; lived at 901 Park Avenue, Baltimore; his contact was wife Catherine Barnes; and he worked for Gas & Electric Company.

Funeral Program Friday: Bessie Henderson Smith (1917-1996).

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 318 Pender Street, Jack Henderson, truck driver, 38; wife Pauline, 31, and children Bessie, 12, Alic, 10, Joice, 8, Mildred, 6, and Archy, 4, listed in the household of mother-in-law Alic Artis, 49, private cook, paying $18/month rent.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 309 Pender Street, Alice Artis, 56; daughter Pauline Henderson, 39, household servant; granddaughters Bessie L., 23, hotel elevator girl, Alice, 20, household servant, Joyce, 18, household servant, Mildred, 16, and Doris, 10; and grandson Robert [Bobby], 4.

Sisters Alice Henderson Mabin and Bessie Henderson Smith, Wilson, 1986.

Bessie Henderson Smith died 28 October 1996.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, 1986.

Hardy Lassiter of Baltimore (and his brother Henry Lassiter.)

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. We also met the Hardy Lassiter, son of Silas Lassiter, who migrated to Georgia.

Here, yet another Hardy Lassiter, this one the son of John Henry Lassiter, who was a brother to Green and Silas Lassiter.

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  • Hardy Lassiter

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: drayman John Lassiter, 50; wife Isabella, 33, wash woman; and children and grandchildren Ida, 17, Henry G., 9, Marcellus, 7, Hardy, 5, and Ora, 7 months.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg Road, John H. Lassiter, 57, and children and grandchildren Marcellious, 18, Hardie, 16, and Oeta, 14, all odd jobs laborers.

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Lassiter Hardy (c) lab h 644 Wiggins

In the 1940 census of Baltimore, Maryland: WPA laborer Henry Lassiter, 52; wife Nettie, cook; children Alberta, 18, and Lillian, 17; brother Hardy Lassiter, 44, WPA laborer; wife Adlenna, 40, laundress; roomer Edgar Molock, 18; sister-in-law Almeater Jones, 35, cook; and nieces Martha Weaver, 15, and Katie Powell, 20.

In 1942, Hardy Lassiter registered for the World War II draft in Baltimore, Maryland. Per his registration card, he was born 15 December 1896 in Wilson, North Carolina; lived at 1511 West Mulberry Street, Baltimore; his contact was Lena Lassiter, same address; and he worked for Mrs. B. Dunning, Curtis Bay, Ord. Depot, Maryland.

In the 1950 census of Baltimore, Maryland: laborer Hardy Lassiter, 54; wife Lena, 53, domestic; and Emma Lassiter, 83, widow.

Hardy Lassiter died 12 September 1960 in Baltimore. As a World War I veteran, he was buried in Baltimore National Cemetery.

  • Henry Lassiter

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: drayman John Lassiter, 50; wife Isabella, 33, wash woman; and children and grandchildren Ida, 17, Henry G., 9, Marcellus, 7, Hardy, 5, and Ora, 7 months.

On 15 July 1914, Henry Lassiter, 22, of Wilson, son of J.H. Lassiter and Isabella [no maiden name], married Frances Pender, 21, of Wilson, daughter of Isaac and Lou Pender, at Isaac Pender’s in Wilson. Primitive Baptist minister Jonah Williams performed the ceremony in the presence of Willie Arrington, Thomas Cooke, and C.H. Barnes.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farm operator Henry Lassiter, 29, and wife Francis, 31.

In the 1930 census of Baltimore, Maryland: Henry Lassiter, 38, tub factory laborer; wife Frances, 39, servant; and daughters Alverta, 8, and Lillian, 7.

In the 1940 census of Baltimore, Maryland: WPA laborer Henry Lassiter, 52; wife Nettie, cook; children Alberta, 18, and Lillian, 17; brother Hardy Lassiter, 44, WPA laborer; wife Adlenna, 40, laundress; roomer Edgar Molock, 18; sister-in-law Almeater Jones, 35, cook; and nieces Martha Weaver, 15, and Katie Powell, 20.

In 1942, Henry Lassiter registered for the World War II draft in Baltimore, Maryland. Per his registration card, he was born 5 November 1892 in Wilson, North Carolina; lived at 1511 West Mulberry Street, Baltimore; his contact was Nettie Lassiter, same address; and he worked for Earl Kerns, Gref Company, Fairfield, Maryland.

In the 1950 census of Baltimore, Maryland: Henry Lassiter, 53; wife Nettie, 43; grandchild Ralph, 12; nephew Hardy, 20 [yet another Hardy Lassiter, born in 1929, who had a son Hardy Lassiter Jr. in 1951]; and lodger Mandora Knox, 20.

Henry Lassiter died in July 1966.

Baltimore Afro-American, 2 August 1966.

The obituary of Sargent A. Simms of Salisbury, Maryland.

daily Times salisbury md 10 4 62.png

The Daily Times (Salisbury, Maryland), 4 October 1962.

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In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Gemima Simms, 65, farm laborer; mother Mary, 89; and grandchildren Annie, 7, Ashley, 4, and Reubin, 2.

In 1917, Ashley Sims registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his draft registration, he was born 10 January 1896 in Wilson; lived at R.F.D. 4, Wilson; was single; and worked as a farm laborer for W.I. Condon.

On 24 December 1918, Ashley Simms, 22, of Wilson, son of Needham and Jane Simms, married Effie Spell, 18, of Wilson, daughter of Hugh and Patsy Spell, at the bride’s residence in Wilson. Rubin Ellis applied for the license, and Free Will Baptist minister E.S. Hargrove performed the ceremony in the presence of Whit Lewis, Nathan Weaver, and Frank Hodge.

In the 1920 census of Jackson township, Nash County: on Wilson and Stanhope Road, Ashley Sims, 27, farm laborer, and wife Effie, 23.

On 14 September 1935, Sargent Ashley Simms, 35, of Wilson, N.C., divorced, son of Nedim Simms and Elizabeth Ellis, married Elizabeth Bryant, 21, single, of Northampton County, Virginia, daughter of Richard Bryant and Mary Hargrove, in Cheriton, Northampton County, Virginia.

In 1942, Ashley Simms registered for the World War II draft in Brooklyn, Kings County, New York. Per his registration card, he was born 10 January 1896 in Wilson County; lived at 1521 Pacific Street, Kings County; his contact was Joe Davis, same address; and he worked for P. Savor[?], Chestnut and Fulton Streets, New York.

In the 1950 census of Salisbury, Wicomico County, Maryland: Sargent Simms, 55, born in Virginia [sic], laborer for building contractor.

The obituary of Margaret Barnes Watkins of Baltimore, Maryland.

Baltimore Afro-American, 22 January 1972.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, Jesse Barnes, 37, farmer; wife Sarah, 31, public school teacher; and children Lucresia, 16, Ned, 14, Nancy, 12, Lemon, 11, Jessie Bell, 10, Maggie May, 7, and Ardenia, 5.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, farmer Jesse Barnes, 46; wife Sarah, 47; and children Ned, 23, Nancy, 22, Lemon, 20, Jessie Belle, 18, Maggie, 15, Ardenia, 13, Frank, 11, James, 6, and Mildred, 3.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Powell Street, farmer Jessie R. Barnes, 55; wife Sarah, 56; and children Mildred, 16, James, 13, and Frank, 18; granddaughter Alma, 10; daughter Nancey Farmer, 30, and son-in-law Andrew Farmer, 29, truck driver for Wilson Sales Grocery.

In the 1930 census of Baltimore, Maryland: Margaret Watkins, 35, born in North Carolina, house work for private family, roomer in the household of Carrie White at 1124 Whatcoat Street.

The Baltimore Lucases return from a visit to Wilson.

“In the social whirl …”

Baltimore Afro-American, 17 October 1919.

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In the 1924, 1927 and 1928 Baltimore, Maryland, city directories: Lucas Joshua J (Ida) lab h 204 Pearl

In the 1929 Baltimore, Maryland, city directory: Lucas Joshua J (Ida) lab h 804 Vine

In the 1930 census of Baltimore, Maryland: at 804 Vine, iron foundry laborer Josheray Lucas, 47; wife Ida, 35; and son James, 16, all described as born in Maryland.

In 1942, Joshua James Lucas registered for the World War II draft in Baltimore, Maryland. Per his registration card, he was born 11 August 1883 in Elm City, North Carolina; lived at 520 West Biddle Street, Baltimore; his contact was Eliza Jones, same address; and he was self-employed at Red Ring Barber Shop, 501 1/2 West Biddle Street, Baltimore.