migration to Washington DC

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.

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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.

Artis is the first to volunteer.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 5 February 1918.

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We knew Columbus E. Artis migrated from Wilson to Washington, D.C., between 1915 and 1918 and remained just a few years. Now we know what drew him North.

Early in 1918, Artis jumped to respond to a call for volunteer shipbuilders and was lauded as the first to get his application in. Though it is not clear what skills Artis brought to the job — he had been a farm laborer, a grocer, a restaurateur, and an undertaker — he was recognized as “honor man” for his enthusiastic response.

The obituary of Odell Artis of Washington, D.C.

Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 3 May 1958.

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Odell Artis was born and reared in the Eureka area of northeast Wayne County, North Carolina, as was his wife, Lizzie Olivia Diggs Artis. However, the couple married in Wilson, where both had numerous relatives. When Odell Artis died in Washington, D.C., in 1958, his body was returned to Wilson for his funeral and burial.

Odell Artis was a grandson of Adam T. Artis and had several aunts and uncles living in Wilson County. His brother Leslie Artis (who married Olivia Diggs Artis’ cousin Minnie Diggs) also owned property in Wilson and Wilson County.

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On 20 January 1921, Odell Artis of Wayne County, son of Napoleon and Sally Artis, married Olivia Diggs of Wilson County, daughter of Suler Diggs, in Wilson. A.M.E. Zion minister B.P. Coward performed the ceremony in the presence of Edgar Diggs, Alma E. Brooks, and S.A. Coward.

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

Harold H. Taylor, Johnson C. Smith ’51.

The Bull (1951), the yearbook of Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, N.C.

Harold Herbert Taylor was born after his family left Wilson for New Jersey, then Washington, D.C., but I include him on general principle. His father, Rev. Halley B. Taylor, was arguably the most influential early twentieth-century pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church.

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In the 1930 census of Washington, D.C.: at 1715 First Street, minister Halley B. Taylor, 50; wife Marie L., 45; and children Bettie S., 19, M. Louise, 17, Robert E., 14, Halley B., Jr., 12, and Harold H., 1.

The obituary of Marie Ravennah Taylor.

The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 18 June 1942.

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Marie Louise Ravennah was born about 1885 in Hampton County, South Carolina, to Emile J. Ravennah and Georgianna Rivers Ravennah. She married Rev. Halley B. Taylor in 1909; they likely met while students in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Taylors lived in Wilson about a decade, where Rev. Halley led Calvary Presbyterian Church.

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In the 1920 census of Town of Wilson, Wilson County: at 700 Green Street, preacher Henry [sic; Halley] Taylor, 40; wife Louise, 28; and children Bettie, 8, Louise, 6, Robert, 5, and Halley, 4.

In the 1930 census of Washington, D.C.: at 1715 First Street, minister Halley B. Taylor, 50; wife Marie L., 45; and children Bettie S., 19, M. Louise, 17, Robert E., 14, Halley B., Jr., 12, and Harold H., 1.

In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: Halley B. Taylor, 60; wife Marie L., 54; and sons Halley Jr., 22, and Holard T., 11.

 

Marie Louise Taylor, honor graduate.

Washington Tribune, 30 June 1932.

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In the 1920 census of Town of Wilson, Wilson County: at 700 Green Street, preacher Henry [sic; Halley] Taylor, 40; wife Louise, 28; and children Bettie, 8, Louise, 6, Robert, 5, and Halley, 4.

In the 1930 census of Washington, D.C.: at 1715 First Street, minister Halley B. Taylor, 50; wife Marie L., 45; and children Bettie S., 19, M. Louise, 17, Robert E., 14, Halley B., Jr., 12, and Harold H., 1.

The Bison, Howard University yearbook (1932).

On 29 June 1938, Marie Louise Taylor married Walter Harvey Primas in Washington, D.C.

In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: Walter H. Primas, 29, Howard University postmaster, and wife Marie T., 27.

In 1940, Walter Harvey Primas registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 18 January 1911 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; lived at 815 – 2oth Street, N.E., Washington; his contact was wife Marie T. Primas; and he worked for Howard University.

In the 1950 census of Washington, D.C.: Walter H. Primas, 39, bookstore manager; wife Marie T., 37; and children Marie L., 9, Walter H. Jr., 8, William R., 5, Jewel Y., 4, and Elizabeth V., 1.

The Techite (1966), the yearbook of McKinley Technical High School, Washington, D.C.

Marie Taylor Primas died 5 August 2009 in Washington, D.C.

The obituary of James Haskins of Washington, D.C.

Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 18 February 1962.

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In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farm laborer Damp Haskins; wife Hester, 43; and children Dora, 24, Martha, 19, Lossie, 18, Robert, 16, William, 15, James, 13, Lesley, 10, John, 9, Norma, 7, Earnest, 4, and Damp, 1.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, WIlson County: on “N&S RR,” farmer Damp Haskins, 60; wife Stella, 52, servant; children Martha, 23, cook, James, 18, wagon factory laborer, Lessie, 16, lumber mill laborer, John, 15, lumber mill laborer, Annie, 8, Earnest, 7, and Damp, 3; plus grandsons Simeon, 15, retail grocery laborer, and Ambrose Hoskins, 7.

In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: at 1231 W Street, N.W., barber John Jones, 37, wife Sarah, 37, and daughter Ruby, 13; and hotel waiter Joseph Haskins, 27, mother Martha, 58, and uncle James Haskins, 36, post office department laborer. Both Joseph and Martha reported being divorced, and both had lived in Wilson, North Carolina, five years previously.

In 1942, James Haskins registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 10 August 1892 in Wilson; lived at 1323 R Street, N.W.; his contact was “Rev. Melvin,” same address; and he worked at “Post Office, Benj. Franklin, 12th & Pa. Ave. Wash.”

The obituary of Martha Sharpe Haskins, formerly of Wilson County and Washington, D.C.

Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 13 February 1963.

Martha Sharpe Haskins, the daughter of Damp Haskins and Hester Sharpe, was born 13 January 1882 in Edgecombe County, N.C., and reared in Wilson County.

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In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farm laborer Damp Haskins; wife Hester, 43; and children Dora, 24, Martha, 19, Lossie, 18, Robert, 16, William, 15, James, 13, Lesley, 10, John, 9, Norma, 7, Earnest, 4, and Damp, 1.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, WIlson County: on “N&S RR,” farmer Damp Haskins, 60; wife Stella, 52, servant; children Martha, 23, cook, James, 18, wagon factory laborer, Lessie, 16, lumber mill laborer, John, 15, lumber mill laborer, Annie, 8, Earnest, 7, and Damp, 3; plus grandsons Simeon, 15, retail grocery laborer, and Ambrose Hoskins, 7.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Warren Street, Hester Haskins, 56; and Estella, 18, Annie, 22, Martha, 36, Ernest, 21, Ambroga, 17, Damp, 12, and [grandson] Joseph Haskins, 8.

On 15 November 1922, George Pitt, 31, of Nash County, son of Wiley Pitt and Ida McNair, married Martha Haskins, 30, of Wilson, daughter of Damp and Hester Haskins. James Haskins applied for the license, and Missionary Baptist minister John A. Mebane performed the ceremony in the presence of Glenn S. McBrayer, Jeff Holloway and Eula Farmer.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1200 Wainwright Street, owned and valued at $1700, Damp Haskins, 24, laborer at Coca-Cola plant; wife Sudie B., 21; children Damp Jr., 2, and Hellen, 6 months; widowed mother Hester, 72; brother [nephew] Joseph, 18; Martha Pitt, 52; and nephew Jim R. Haskins, 10.

On 18 February 1931, Joseph F. Haskins, 19, son of James Haskins and Martha H. Pitt, married Beatrice Bryant, 17, daughter of Isham and Rossie Bryant, at Isham Bryant’s house. Rev. J.T. Douglas of Calvary Presbyterian performed the ceremony in the presence of Judge Mitchell, Isham Bryant, and Rossie Bryant.

In 1940, Joseph Franklin Haskins registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 18 January 1913 in Durham, N.C.; lived at 1231 W Street, N.W., Washington; his contact was mother Martha Whitehead Haskins; and he worked for Dr. R.M. Williams, 1914 – 11th Street, N.W.

In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: at 1231 W Street, N.W., barber John Jones, 37, wife Sarah, 37, and daughter Ruby, 13; and hotel waiter Joseph Haskins, 27, mother Martha, 58, and uncle James Haskins, 36, post office department laborer. Both Joseph and Martha reported being divorced, and both had lived in Wilson, North Carolina, five years previously.

In 1942, Ernest Haskins registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 12 May 1898 in Wilson; lived at Route 1, Wilson; his contact was Martha Haskins, Washington, D.C.; and he worked for Wilson Tobacco Company.

Martha S. Haskins died 10 February 1963 in Middleburg, Loudoun County, Virginia. Per her death certificate, she was born 23 January 1897 in North Carolina to Damp Sharp and Hester Lassiter; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery, Wilson. Rev. Joseph Haskins was informant.