migration to New York City

Remembering Tarheel Slim.

We were talking about Wilson County surnames that you don’t really find among black people. One said, “Lamm.” Then, “Fulghum.” I said, “Bunn,” but Grover Jones Jr. said, “Tarheel Slim! His real name was Allen Bunn,” and that sent me down a rabbit hole.

It turns out Tarheel Slim was born in Nash County, but he had Wilson County roots, and he and his family frequently moved back and forth across the Wilson-Nash line. That’s plenty reason to call his name this Black Music Month.

Alden Bunn was a guitarist, singer, and songwriter whose work spanned gospel, blues, doo-wop, R&B, pop, and rockabilly. He was born in 1924 near Bailey in Nash County (or maybe near Lucama in Wilson County) to a sharecropping family. In the early 1940s, he sang with local gospel groups  the Gospel Four and the Selah Jubilee Singers, but eventually moved into secular music. He married Carrie Ella Dingle, whose family had migrated to Wilson County from South Carolina. Bunn joined Wilson native David McNeil as a member of The Larks before migrating to New York City around 1950. He achieved his greatest acclaim recording with his second wife Anna Lee “Little Ann” Sandford circa 1960, then enjoyed a new album and a revival on college campuses and in hipster circles in the early 1970s.

Tarheel Slim’s “Number 9 Train,” Fury Records, 1958.

Bridgeport (Conn.) Telegram, 19 March 1960.

Washington (D.C.) Daily News, 23 January 1961.

Alden “Tarheel Slim” Bunn died in August 1977.

New York Times, 26 August 1977.

A few years after his death: “Charly, the independent blues and R ‘n B label, has delved back into the 50s and 60s for an enterprising reissue series of 25 three-track singles.” One of the records showcased Tarheel Slim.

Manchester (England) Evening News, 26 September 1980.

In the early 1990s, the era of feverish CD reissues of whole catalogs of nearly forgotten labels, Tarheel Slim and Little Ann appeared on a two-disc compilation of songs recorded by the Harlem-based Fire and Fury labels.

Hartford (Conn.) Courant, 18 April 1993.

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In 1918, Henry Ramphson Bunn registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 4 July 1899; lived in Lucama, Wilson County; and worked for Jim Bunn.

On 26 January 1919, Henry Bunn, 19, of Cross Roads township, son of Jim and Millie Bunn, married Leona Owens, 20, of Cross Roads, in Lucama, Wilson County. Missionary Baptist minister R. Crockett performed the ceremony at the Baptist church in Lucama in the presence of Rev. C.D. Dew, Rev. Emson Hooks, and J.H. Battle.

In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: laborer Henry Bunn, 23; wife Leonia A., 24; and son Valise, 3 months.

Nash County, North Carolina, birth records indexes show Allen Rathel Bunn born 24 September 1923 in Bailey, Nash County, to Henry R. Bunn and Leona Owens.

On 23 July 1927, Israel Thomas, 38, married Leona Bunn, 23, in Wilson. Church of God minister Hattie L. Daniels performed the ceremony at her church at 207 East Reid Street in the presence of Andrew Williams, Bettie Cooper, and T.W. Owens.

In the 1930 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: Isrel Thomas, 46; wife Leonia, 34; and [her] sons Valee, 11, and Alten B., 7.

In the 1940 census of Mannings township, Nash County: Isarel Thomas, 57; wife Leona Thomas, 43; and stepsons Vailience, 20, and Alden Bunn, 16, all day laborers. Israel Thomas reported that the family was living in Wilson County in 1935.

In 1942, Alden Rathell Bunn registered for the World War II draft in Nash County. Per his registration card, he was born 24 September 1924 in Nash County; lived at R.F.D. #2, Middlesex, Nash County; his contact was Leonia Thomas; and he worked for Rufus Fulghum. He was described as 6’3″ and 172 lbs.

Leonia Thomas died 5 November 1947 in Lucama, Springhill township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 July 1897 in South Carolina to Mack Owens and Mary Gardner; was married to Issrael Thomas; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery, Wilson. Allen Bunn, Route 1, Lucama, was informant.

The obituary of Mamie Cooper Bunn.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 8 March 1947.

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In the 1900 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: shoemaker Watson Cooper, 40; wife Fannie, 34; and daughters Savanah M., 15, Minnie, 12, Eva, 10, Mamie A., 6, and Ether P., 2.

In the 1910 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: Watson J. Cooper, 51; wife Fannie, 43; and children Minnie, 20, Eva, 16, Mamie, 13, Ethel, 11, Lubia, 8, and James, 5.

On 12 June 1912, Willie Shirley, 21, of Toisnot township, son of A.S. and Lizzie Shirley, married Mamie Cooper, 18, of Toisnot township, daughter of Watt and Fannie Cooper, at Fannie Cooper’s house. Buck Locus applied for the license in Wilson County.

In the 1912 Rocky Mount, N.C., city directory: Shirley Mamie (c) laundress h 210 Dunn

In the 1940 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: widow Fannie Cooper, 73, cook; daughter Mamie Bunn, 45, widow, and granddaughter Susie, 7.

Darden completes beauty culture course in New York.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 17 February 1934.

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On 2 July 1925, Arthur Darden, 35, of Wilson, son of Charlie and Dianah Darden, married Olive Blanks, 21, of Wilson, daughter of J.B. and Susan Blanks, in Wilson. C.L. Darden applied for the license, and A.M.E. Zion minister J.E. Kennedy performed the ceremony in the presence of L.A. Moore, C.L. Darden, and V.L. Moore.

1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 109 Stantonsburg Street, Arthur Darden, 38, proprietor of undertaking environment; wife Olive, 21, public school teacher, born in South Carolina; son Charles R., 3; and roomer Estella Williamson, 17.

In the 1940 census of Bronx, New York: at 1324 Prospect Street, Olive Darden, 32, and son Charles, 13, both born in North Carolina.

In 1945, Charles Arthur Darden registered for the World War II draft in Queens, New York. Per his registration card, he was born 11 February 1927 in Wilson, N.C.; he lived at 167-08 111th Avenue, Jamaica, Queens, N.Y.; his contact was mother Olive Darden Edinboro; he was unemployed; and had a scar under his right eye.

Escapes death — now a stage star!

Jackson (Miss.) Advocate, 9 March 1946.

Javotte Sutton Greene was born in Wilson, but her family lived there only briefly, and she grew up in Durham, North Carolina.

More about “Striver’s Row” from the 2 March 1946 edition of The Ohio State News:

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Per the U.S. Social Security Applications and Claims Index 1936-2007, Javotte Sutton Greene was born 6 January 1922 in Wilson, North Carolina, to Ezekiel Sutton and Allensia M. McKinnon.  She died 4 November 1998.

The obituary of Christine T. Flowers.

Wilson Daily Times, 24 January 1945.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Lila Spencer, 50; daughter Mamie Taylor, 30, tobacco factory laborer; grandchildren Ida, 13, Mildred, 11, James H., 9, Lila C., 7, Hermon, 5, and Bruce C., 3; and roomer Henry Bullock, 25.

On 11 October 1931, William Flowers, 21, of Washington, N.C., son of William Flowers, and Georgia [no maiden name], married Christine Taylor, 18, of Wilson, daughter of William James Taylor and Mamie S. Taylor, in Wilson township, Wilson County. John H. Clark and Mamie S. Taylor applied for the license, and Protestant Episcopal minister Michael R. Barton performed the ceremony in the presence of W.M. Bethel, J. Wesley Rogers, and Clark. 

The obituary of Herman Taylor of New York City.

Wilson Daily Times, 12 October 1949.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on East Nash Street, widow Lila Spicer, 50; daughter Mamie Taylor, 30, tobacco factory laborer; and grandchildren Ida, 13, Mildred, 11, James H., 9, Lila C., 7, Hermon, 5, and Bruce Taylor, 3; and roomer Henry Bullock, 25.

In the 1940 census of Manhattan borough, New York, New York: hat factory porter Herman Taylor, 24, lodger in the household of William Mitchell at 240 West 134th Street.

Herman Spicer Taylor registered for the World War II draft in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 16 November 1915 in Wilson; lived in New York City; his contact was mother Mamie Taylor, 809 East Nash Street, Wilson; and he worked for Luther Smith.

The obituary of Fletcher Pierce of Greencastle, Pennsylvania.

Public Opinion (Chambersburg, Penna.), 18 April 1952.

Public Opinion (Chambersburg, Penna.), 19 April 1952.

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This is not the Fletcher F. Pierce who left Wilson to settle in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Also, there is conflicting evidence of this Fletcher Pierce‘s birthplace. His draft registrations show Franklin County, North Carolina, but his death certificate and obituary list Wilson, North Carolina.

In 1917, Fletcher Pearce registered for the World War I draft in New Britain, Connecticut. Per his registration card, he was born 5 February 1890 in Franklin, North Carolina lived at 60 Chestnut, New Britain; and worked as a chauffeur for F.P. Upson.

In the 1920 census of New Britain, Hartford County, Connecticut: Fletcher Pierce, 29, chauffeur, born in N.C.; wife Para, 35, born in Virginia; children Suzie, 2, and Clara, 5 months; and brothers Sam, 36, and Bethel Pierce, 32, both machinists in a hardware factory.

In the 1930 census of Manhattan, New York County, New York: on Saint Nicholas Place, Fletcher Pierce, 41, trucking chauffeur, and wife Elizabeth, 42.

In 1942, Fletcher Pierce registered for the World War II draft in Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania. Per his registration card, he was born 5 February 1889 in Franklinton, North Carolina; was married to Elizabeth Pierce; lived at R.D. #1, Clark’s Summit; and worked for John L. Ryan.

Fletcher Pierce died 18 April 1952 in Greencastle, Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was born 5 February 1889 in Wilson, N.C., to Allen and Mary Jane Pierce; was married; lived at 36 West Franklin Street, Greencastle; worked as a laborer in a machine shop; and was buried in Cedar Hill Cemetery.

The Vick-Valle family.

We met Elba Vick Valle, eldest daughter of Samuel H. and Annie Washington Vick, here. A regular contributor to Black Wide-Awake shared these wonderful photos of the Valle family:

Curiously, Elba Vick and Carlos C. Valle were married twice — in December 1921 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, and again in July 1922 in Wilson. The photo above appears to have been taken at or after the second ceremony, held at Samuel and Annie Vick’s Green Street home. Samuel Vick Sr. and Annie Vick are at far left, with Samuel Vick Jr. standing beside them. Cousin Bessie Parker Hargrave stands with a small girl, who is the youngest Vick child, Monte Vick Cowan. Newlyweds Carlos Valle and Elba Vick Valle stand at center. One of the flower girls is Doris Vick Walker. Daniel L. Vick may be the man standing behind the couple.

Carlos Valle is seated in the middle on the running board. Daughter Melba Gwendolyn Valle is seated in the lap of an unidentified man in the car.

Elba Vick Valle in about the 1950s.

Carlos Celedonio Valle y Ugarte (1892-1964) in an official portrait in his position as Grand Organizer for the Improved Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Valle, a native of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, studied at Tuskegee Institute among a cadre of Afro-Latino students whose experience is set forth in Brian McClure’s 2013 University of Memphis dissertation, “Educating the Globe: Foreign Students and Cultural Exchange at Tuskegee Institute, 1898-1935.” (Mount Olive, North Carolina’s long-time Black physician Tomas Monte Rivera was also part of the Tuskegee-Puerto Rico program.)

Many thanks to V. Cowan!

The obituary of Hazel Roberson.

Wilson Daily Times, 10 December 1950.

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  • Hazel Roberson
  • Mr. and Mrs. Charles Whitley
  • Alice Smith
  • Sue Roberson — in the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 508 Goldsboro Street, Sue Roberson, 42, washing; daughter Nellie, 17, servant; and son Sam, 24, private cook.