migration to Washington DC

The obituary of James B. Ruffin of Washington, D.C, barber and musician.

Evening Star, 13 July 1975.

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In the 1930 census of Washington, D.C.: at 828 – 12th Street, barber James G. Ruffin, 45; wife Parthenia, 36; and children Emma, 19, laundress, Mary E., 18, laundress, Cora, 16, Naomi, 15, Kernice, 12, Parthenia, 11, James B., 9, Linwood, 7, Izah, 6, Calvin C., 4, and Canlice, 2. All but the youngest two children were born in North Carolina.

In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: James Ruffin, 18, porter in barbershop; wife Effie, 16; and son Daniel E., 1 month; with lodgers Alfred Breto, 53, David Hall, 27, and James Beaner, 20.

In 1942, James Badger Ruffin registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 17 March 1920 in Wilkerson [sic], North Carolina; lived at 1818 – 4th Street, N.W., Washington; his contact was Parthenia Ruffin, 828 – 12th Street, N.E.; and he worked at Ruffin’s Barber Shop, 1229 – 7th Street, N.W.

The obituary of Raymond Bynum Sr. of Washington, D.C.

Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 26 November 1948.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Suggs Street, odd jobs worker Arch Bynum, 37; wife Lillie, 31; and children Nnes, 11, Junis, 7, George, 4, Rena, 2, and Ressie, 6 months.

On 21 October 1929, Raymond Bynum, 19, of Wilson, son of Arch Bynum and Lettie [no maiden name], married Helen Battle, 18, of Wilson, daughter of John Battle and Emma Battle, in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister F.F. Battle performed the ceremony in the presence of J.H. Battle, Carrie Hardy, and Dollie Roberts.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum Raymond (c; Helen) cook h 628 Suggs

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: restaurant cook Raymond Bynum, 30; wife Helen, 29; children Raymond Jr., 10, Lillie M., 7, Alease, 5, and Dolores, 4; and partners Joe, 29, Frances, 23, Joe Jr., 4, and Reginald Hockaday, 3; and Edward, 30, and Mary Whitley, 28.

In 1940, Raymond Bynum registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 14 March 1910 in Wilson; lived at 2042 L Street, N.W., Washington; her contact was wife Helen Bynum; and he worked Samuel L. Baber.

The obituary of Willie J. Bynum Sr.

Washington Times, 18 February 1988.

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In 1940, Willie James Bynum registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 23 December 1912 in Holdens Crossroads, Wilson County; lived at 1025 – 22nd Street, N.W., Washington; his contact was wife Lydia Bynum; and he worked for George Van Darkinhouse, Emerson & Orme Company, 17th and M Streets, N.W., Washington.

In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: Willie Bynum, 27, car washer at retail auto dealer; wife Lydia, 23; and daughter Alberta, 9. All had lived in Greene County, N.C., in 1935.

The obituary of Gray Farmer Hooker of Washington, D.C.

Evening Star, 17 December 1980.

Gray Farmer Hooker migrated from Wilson to Washington, D.C., in 1929. We have met his family here and here and here.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Manchester Street, Frank Hooker, 57 [sic], wood sawyer; wife Ella, 33; and children Emma R., 8, Grey, 6, Clarence D., 4, and Argent, [age illegible.]

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 656 Viola Street, Frank Hooker, 47, woodyard sawyer; wife Elinor, 37, sewing woman; and children Ruth, 17, Gray, 14, Henry, 12, Inez, 19, Irmadeen, 7, Sylvester, 4, and Theodore, 2.

In the 1930 census of Washington, D.C.: at Freedmen’s Hospital, Grey F. Hooker, 26, orderly.

Farmer was big on social clubs, as this brief piece on the doings of the Khan Social Club in May 1938.

Washington Tribune, 28 May 1938.

In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: Gray Hooker, 36; wife Bernice, 32; and daughters Montez, 18, Clementine, 16, and Merida, 7 months; plus lodger Edward Richburg, 33

In 1942, Gray Farmer Hooker registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 19 June 1903 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 135 U Street, N.W., Washington; his contact was Elna Hooker, 708 East Green Street, Wilson, N.C.; and he worked at Freedmen’s Hospital, 6th and Bryant Streets, N.W.

In the 1950 census of Washington, D.C.: hospital clerical Gray Farmer Hooker, 46; wife Bernice W., 42; daughters Merida Gray, 10, and Elynore Ruth, 4; and lodger Eugene N. Lewis, 22, custodian at Pentagon.

The obituary of Jarrett J. Langley, grocery store manager.

Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 15 March 1967.

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In the 1880 census of Pactolus township, Pitt County, N.C.: Snowden Langley, 26; wife Jennett L., 21; and son Jarrett, 1.

In the 1900 census of Deep Creek township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: Jarrett Staton, 64; wife Mary J., 38; and grandsons William, 17, and Jarrett Langley, 21.

On 6 January 1902, in Township 4, Edgecombe County, J.J Langley, 23, of Edgecombe County, son of William S. and Jeanette L. Langley, married Lydia Savage, 21, of Edgecombe County, daughter of George and Harriet Savage.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Jerry Langley, 31, blacksmith at wagon company; wife L., 29; children Hattie, 6, Roswell, 4, Ivery M., 2, and Judge, 6 months; and boarder Frank Bell, 21, dredge boat laborer.

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Langley Jarrett J (c) lab h Viola cor Reed

In the 1916  Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Langley Jarrett J (c) blacksmith  h 800 Viola

In 1918, Jarrette Judge Langley registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 8 September 1878; lived at 800 Viola; worked as a blacksmith for Hackney Wagon Company; and his nearest relative was Lydia Langley.

In the 1920 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Langley Jarrett J (c) blksmith h 800 Viola

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Jarot Langley, 40, blacksmith at wagon factory; wife Lydia, 38; and children Hattie, 15, Thedore, 14, Marie, 12, Carnell, 7, Ruline, 6, Alcestus, 4, and Oris, 2.

Lydia Langley died 20 July 1922 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 May 1880 in Edgecombe County to George Savage and Harriet Thorpe; was married to Jarrette J. Langley; and lived at 901 Viola Street.

On 7 October 1924, J.J. Langley, 45, married Mary Hyman, 38, in Wilson. Presbyterian minister A.H. George performed the ceremony in the presence of C.L. Darden, D.W. Crawford, and Norma E. Darden.

In the 1928 and 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directories: Langley Jarrette J (c; Mary) gro 602 N Reid h 901 Viola

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 901 Viola, owned and valued at $4000, grocery store merchant Jarrette J. Langley, 49; wife Mary, 43; and children Ivary, 21, public school teacher, grocery store delivery boy Esmond, 18, Ruttena, 16, Alcesta, 14, and Eunice, 8.

Ruttena Elizabeth Langley died 4 February 1931 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 16 years old; was born in Wilson to Jarrette J. Langley and Lydia Savage; lived at 901 Viola Street; and was buried in Wilson.

Eunice Z. Langley died 6 January 1936 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 July 1923 in Wilson to Jarrett J. Langley and Lydia Savage and was single. She was buried in Wilson.

On 22 May 1938, Spencer J. Satchell, 28, of Hampton, Virginia, son of S.J. Satchell and Julia Satchell, married Ivary Langley, 28, of Wilson, daughter of J.J. Langley and Mary Langley, at 901 East Viola Street, Wilson. M.S. Gilliam Jr. applied for the license, and Presbyterian minister O.E. Sanders performed the ceremony in the presence of Rosa L. Williams, Malcolm D. Williams, and J.J. Langley.

On 26 December 1939, Alcestia Jarrette Langley, 24, of Wilson, daughter of Jarrette J. Langley and Lydia Savage, married Joseph John Lang Jr., 27, teacher, of Greensboro, N.C., son of Joseph J. Lang and Selina Pyle, in Courtland, Southampton County, Virginia.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 901 Viola Street, retail grocer Jarrette J. Langley, 60; wife Mary, 60; daughter Orris, 21; Virginia-born son-in-law Spencer Satchell, 29, teacher; and daughter Ivory, 30, teacher.

Ivary Satchell died 7 September 1948 at Lincoln Hospital, Durham, North Carolina. Per her death certificate, she was born 16 October 1909 in Wilson County to J.J. Langley and Lydia Savage; was married to S.J. Satchell; lived 901 Viola Street; and was buried in the Masonic Cemetery, Wilson.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: S.J. Satchell, 39, teacher of music and English at city public school; sister-in-law Orris L., 31, secretary at city public school; and father-in-law J.J. Langley, 71, cigar store manager.

The remarkable life of Luther Hinnant.

Washington Star, 18 November 1978.

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In the 1910 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: farmer Vandorne Hinnant, 48, wife Betsy J., 47, and children Ezekiel, 22, Billie, 19, Willie, 13, Oscar, 12, Luther, 10, Regest W., 9, Roland, 8, Ralon, 6, Ollion, 4, and Roy E., 2.

In 1918, Luther Hinnant registered for the World War I draft in Johnston County, N.C. Per his registration card, he was born 12 January 1900; lived at Route 3, Kenly, Johnston County; farmed for Vandorn Hinnant; and his nearest relative was Vandorn Hinnant.

Harriet Bernice Hinnant was born 17 February 1919 in Richmond, Virginia, to Luther Hinnant, 20, farmer, of North Carolina, and Hattie Jackson, 27, of 406 Baker Street, public school teacher, of Virginia.

Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 10 March 1919.

Luther Hinnant, 21, married Hattie M. Jackson, 27, on 21 March 1919 in Washington, D.C.

Luther Hinnant was among 90 pupils awarded diplomas for “complet[ing] the elementary course in the colored night schools” in May 1924.

Evening Star, 29 May 1924.

A summary of house transactions in the 11 July 1925 edition of the Evening Star reported that J.R. Brooks had sold Luther Hinnant the property at 729 Girard Street, N.W. [This Columbia Heights row house, the western half of a duplex, is just a few blocks north of Howard University. Its May 2024 value is $800,000+.]

In the 1930 census of Washington, D.C.: at 729 Girard Street, owned and valued at $7000, Luther Hinnant, 31, cleaner at dry cleaning establishment; wife Hattie M., 33, chambermaid; and daughters Harriet B., 11, and Mildred L., 8.

In 1930, Hinnant received a diploma from Armstrong Night High School:

Evening Star, 30 May 1930.

In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: at 729 Girard Street, rented for $50/month, presser Luther Hinnant, 40; wife Hattie, 42, servant; and daughters Harriet, 21, and Mildred, 18.

Richmond Afro-American, 9 August 1947.

In the 1950 census of Washington, D.C.: at 729 Girard Street, Hattie J. Hinnant, 57, beauty parlor maid; wife Luther, 52; and daughters Harriet B., 29, waitress, and Mildred L., 27, elementary teacher.

Washington Star, 22 January 1980.

Cumberland Times-News, 22 December 1992.

Luther Hinnant died 26 March 1998.

The obituary of Eleanor P. Reid of Washington, D.C.

More than six years ago, I wrote about a letter my grandmother Hattie Henderson Ricks received from her friend Cora Miller Washington Artis. The note contained this brief mention:

At the time, I could not identify “Pet” Reid, but my recent discovery of her obituary cleared the mystery.

Evening Star, 8 December 1958.

“Pet” Reid was Eleanor P. Frederick Reid, long-time Wilson teacher and principal of the Colored Graded School after her husband J.D. Reid was forced out in the wake of the Mary C. Euell incident.

The obituaries of Lucinda Taylor Waugh and family of Washington, D.C.

Evening Star, 19 May 1968.

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In the six years before and after Lucinda T. Waugh‘s death, the Taylor family lost at least four other members in Washington, D.C.

Sunday Star, 5 August 1962.

Evening Star, 2 November 1965.

Evening Star, 20 October 1972.

Washington Star News, 20 September 1974.

In the 1900 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Daniel Taylor, 56, wife Lucinda, 43, and children Ardellis, 18, Willie T., 17, Joseph, 15, Martha, 12, Allis, 10, and Jesse, 6.

On 6 March 1906, Joe Taylor, 21, of Od Fields township, son of Daniel and Cindy Taylor, married Milly Smith, 21, of Old Fields, daughter of Penny Smith, in Wilson County. Original Free Will Baptist minister B.H. Boykin performed the ceremony in the presence of George Hinnant, Amos T. Perry, and Arthur Hinnant.

In the 1910 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph Taylor, 23; wife Mollie, 23; and son Percy, 2.

In 1918, Joe Dan Taylor registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 8 November 1886; lived at R.F.D. #1, Sims; was a tenant farmer for A.T. Stott; and his nearest relative was Mollie Taylor.

In the 1920 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: farmer Joe Taylor, 34; wife Mollie, 29; and children Perry, 12, David D., 8, Julian, 6, and James R., 3.

In the 1930 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: farmer Joe Taylor, 44; wife Mollie, 40; and children Julian, 16, James R., 13, Lucinda, 9, John R., 7, and Beatrice, 3.

In the 1940 census of Washington, District of Columbia: Mollie Taylor, 49; children James, 24, paint store truck driver; John R., 17, barber shop shoe shiner; and Beatrice, 13; granddaughter Ella Mae, 9; and lodgers Maxcine Ruffin, 24, Clarence Young, 25, and Mattie Lee Jones, 22.

Also, in the 1940 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: Percy Taylor, 32, WPA roadwork construction; wife Mary M., 33; children Sylvania, 12, Leonard, 10, Marie, 7, Walter, 5, James R., 4, and Nathaniel, 1; and father Joe Taylor, 53, farm laborer.

In 1940, James Ranson Taylor registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 1 July 1916 in Wilson, N.C.: lived at 232 G Street, N.E., Washington; his contact was mother Mollie Taylor, same address; and he worked for John E. German, Washington, D.C.

In the 1950 census of Washington, District of Columbia: retail market saleswoman Mollie Taylor, 59; daughter Beatrice, 23; grandchildren Deloris, 9, Melvin, 6, Linda, 2, Ella M., 19, domestic, and Owens, 16, railroad mail handler; daughter Lucinda Waugh, 29, cashier at Dunham Hotel; and lodger [sic] Joseph Taylor, 65.