migration to Washington DC

Mother and accomplices believed to have kidnapped boy.

Wilson Daily Times, 19 May 1937.

When 16 year-old John Lane was snatched from one of U.H. Cozart’s fields in May 1937, authorities blamed his mother. Seven years earlier, she had allowed a family named Williams to adopt the boy, and she migrated to Washington, D.C. A radio bulletin went out seeking three men and a women traveling in older model Paige automobile with D.C. tags.

The Ward-Moody family of Washington, D.C.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Sarah Darden, 57, son-in-law Algia Vaughn, 23, daughter Mittie, 22, and grandchildren Joseph, 8, Sarah, 6, and Macinda Vaughn, 5 months. [Joseph “Vaughn” was actually Joseph Ward, listed with his stepfather’s surname. “Macinda” appears to be Minerva Vaughn.]

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Pettigrew Street,  Virginia-born Fannie Moody,  35, “keeping house” with sons William, 11, and John, 8.

On 18 February 1892, William Moody, 23, of Wilson, son of Fanny Moody (who lived in Washington, D.C.) married Sarah Ward, 18, daughter of Mittie Ward, in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony at Sam Williams‘ residence in the presence S.W. Williams and J.W. Jeffreys, both of Wilson, and W.T. Williams of Halifax, N.C.

Sarah Ward Moody, her husband William M. Moody, their children Augustus and Christina Moody, and William’s mother Fannie Moody Harris migrated to Washington, D.C., between 1896 and 1898.

In the 1899 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody William M, waiter, 1617 V nw

In the 1901 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody William, waiter, 2531 15th nw

In the 1900 census of Washington, D.C: waiter William Moody, 27, wife Sarah S., 24, dressmaker, and children Augustus, 5, and Crist Moody, 4, plus sister-in-law Minerva Vaughn, 10, mother-in-law Mittie Vaughn, 46, cook, and mother Fannie Harris, 55, cook, all born in North Carolina.

In the 1910 and 1912 Washington, D.C., city directories: Moody William, waiter, 1443 Pierce pl nw

In the 1913 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody Wm M, waiter, 1443 Swann nw

In the 1915 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody Wm, waiter, h Whittingham pl ne

In the 1919 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody Wm M, waiter, h 1032 Whittingham pl ne

In the 1920 census of Washington, District of Columbia: at 1032 Whittingham Place, paper hanger William Moody, 48; wife Sarah, 44; son Augustus, 26, hotel waiter; widowed daughter Christiana, 24; her children Lorine, 5, Robert W., 3, and Earl, 18 months; William’s mother Fanny Harris, 75; and lodger Hattie Carter, 12.

Fannie Moody Harris died 24 April 1920 in Washington, D.C.

The Washington Times, 28 April 1920.

In the 1921, 1922, and 1923 Washington, D.C., city directories: Moody Wm M, paperhngr, h 1032 Whittingham pl ne

In the 1922 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody Sarah, laundress, h 1032 Whittingham pl ne

Christine Moody Briggs Payne died 22 July 1928 at the family home at 1032 Whittingham Place, N.E., in D.C.’s Deanwood neighborhood.

The Washington Times, 23 July 1928.

In the 1933 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody Wm M (Sarah), paperhngr, h 1032 Whittingham pl ne h[ome] d[itto]

In the 1936 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody Wm M, h 1032 Whittingham pl ne

William M. Moody died 11 May 1936 on Whittingham Place.

The Washington Times, 13 May 1936.

Five months later, on 16 October 1936, Sarah Helen Ward Moody died.

The Washington Times, 5 August 1936.

Augustus Moody injured in fall.

Washington Times, 5 August 1936.

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Augustus Moody migrated with his family to Washington, D.C., between 1895 and 1900.

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Sarah Darden, 57, son-in-law Algia Vaughn, 23, daughter Mittie, 22, and grandchildren Joseph, 8, Sarah, 6, and Macinda Vaughn, 5 months. [Joseph “Vaughn” was actually Joseph H. Ward, listed with his stepfather’s surname. “Macinda” was Minerva Vaughn.]

In the 1900 census of Washington, D.C: William Moody, 27, wife Sarah S., 24, and children Augustus, 5, and Crist Moody, 4, plus sister-in-law Minerva Vaughn, 10, mother-in-law Mittie Vaughn, 46, and mother Fannie Harris, 55, all born in North Carolina.

In the 1910 census of Indianapolis, Marion County, Indiana: at 722 Indiana Avenue, Joseph H. Ward, 39, doctor at sanatorium; wife Zela, 27; son Joseph H. Jr., 1; roomers Fern G. Gibson, 22, and Grace M. Winburn, 26, nurses at sanatorium; nephew Agustus A. Moody, 17, student; and roomer Beaula Porter, 42, schoolteacher.

On 7 March 1914, Augustus Moody, 22, married Adelle Minor, 18, in Washington, D.C.

In the 1915 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody Augustus waiter r 43 Hanover nw

In 1917, Augustus Moody registered for the World War I draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 27 June, about 1892, in Wilson, North Carolina; lived at 43 Hanover, N.W., Washington; worked as a waiter at Washington Terminal Company; and was married.

Augustus Moody’s signature on his World War I draft registration card.

In the 1933 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody Augustus paperhngr Wm M Moody r 1032 Whittingham pl ne

In the 1936 Washington, D.C., city directory: Moody Augustus interior decorator r 1032 Whittingham pl ne

In 1942, Augustus Moody registered for the World War II draft in Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland. Per his registration card, he was born 27 June 1892 in Wilson, N.C.; resided at 64 Larkin Street, Annapolis (later, 1525-5th Street N.W., Washington, D.C.); his contact was Sadie Harvey, 1525-5th Street; and he was a self-employed contractor.

The obituary of Walter P. Diggs.

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In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 205 Vick Street, barber Edgar Diggs, 49; wife Mary, 39; and children Edgar, 12, Mary, 9, and Preston, 11.

In 1946, Preston Walter Diggs registered for the draft in Wilson, Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 27 September 1928 in Wilson; lived at 205 North Vick Street, Wilson; was a student at Mary Potter School in Oxford, N.C.; and his contact was Mary Diggs, 205 North Vick.

The 1948  Maroon and Gray,  the yearbook of North Carolina Central University (then North Carolina College.)

Hat tip to Dr. Michael Barnes for alerting me to this obituary.

70 years of wedded bliss.

This charming piece celebrates the life and seven-decade love of Aaron and Mamie Ricks Dantley, whom we first met here. Dantley was born in Georgia, but moved to Elm City as a boy. There he met his future wife on the playground of their four-room school. He migrated to Washington, D.C., first. She followed, and they married in a funeral home on 30 June 1930.

The New Mexican (Santa Fe, N.M.), 27 February 2000.

The Dantleys celebrated one more anniversary together. Mamie Ricks Dantley died 13 May 2001, and Aaron Dantley, 18 June 2003.

The death of Sister Sarah Artis.

The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 20 February 1928.

The John Marshall Harlan Relief Association [a benevolent society?] announced the death of Sarah Artis in February 1928. Her body was returned to Wilson for burial.

——

In 1918, Jesse James Artis registered for the World War I draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 18 April 1877; lived at 2219 – 13th Street, N.W.; worked as a laborer for Murray Brothers at Commercial National Bank Building; and his nearest relative was Sarah Jane Artis.

In the 1920 census of Washington, District of Columbia: at 2219 – 13th Street, Jesse Artis, 42, city express driver, born in North Carolina; wife Sarah, 37, born in North Carolina; son Robert J., 2, born in Washington, D.C.; and cousin Lottie Wilson, 22, hotel waitress, born in North Carolina.

In 1940, Robert James Artis registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his registration card, he was born 16 November 1917 in Washington, D.C.; lived at 1822 – 13th Street, N.W.; his contact was father Jesse James Artis; and he was a student at Miner Teachers College [now University of the District of Columbia], Washington, D.C.

Maggie Ricks Barnes’ marriage announced.

The New York Age, 5 July 1930.

Maggie Marie Ricks married John Barnes, not Banner.

——

  • Nannie Ricks

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer William Gaston, 24; wife Maria, 21; children Willie, 7, Lola E., 5, Clara, 4, and Nannie, 2; and George Harrison, 35, schoolteacher.

In the 1900 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: widow Mirah Gaston, 33; children Lola, 22, Nancy, 19, Lula, 16, Eddie, 15, Cora, 13, Fredrick, 8, and Elma, 6; and orphans, Eva, 11, and Mary Barnes, 20.

On 4 July 1900, Ed Ricks, 33, of Wilson County, son of Ben and Abby Ricks, married Nannie Gaston, 21, of Wilson County, daughter of William and Mariah Gaston, at the bride’s residence in Elm City, Wilson County.

In the 1910 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Church Street, Ed Ricks, 33, odd jobs laborer; wife Nanie, 30, laundress; and children Sidney, 11, C[illegible], 7, Maggie, 3, and Minnie C., 1 month.

In the 1920 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Railroad Street, Ed Ricks, 41, digs wells; wife Nanie, 38; children Siddie, 20, Annie, 17, Maggie, 11, Nannie, 10, Raph, 8, and Ruth, 5; and niece Albie Walker, 17.

In the 1930 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: laborer Ed Ricks, 52; wife Nannie, 50; children Mamie, 21, and Ruth, 16; and grandson Eugene, 10 months.

In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: Aaron Dantley, 32; wife Mamie, 31; children Eugene, 10, Dorothy, 8, Annie, 6, Ralph, 4, Aaron, 3, and Ruth, 3 months; brother-in-law John Barnes, 33, and sister-in-law Maggie, 33; brother-in-law Alonzo Pender, 27, and sister-in-law Ruth, 26; mother-in-law Nannie Ricks, 60; Velmont Ricks, 24, nephew; and lodgers Robert Blackwell, 28, and wife Minnie, 26.

In 1940, Ralph Ricks registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 16 September 1911 in Elm City, N.C.; lived at 1530 Swann Street, N.W.; his contact was mother Nannie Ricks, 1742-6th Street, N.W.; and he worked for Joseph Westline.

Nannie Gaston Ricks died 8 February 1949 in Washington, D.C.

Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 9 February 1949.

  • Maggie Marie Ricks Barnes

In the 1910 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Church Street, Ed Ricks, 33, odd jobs laborer; wife Nanie, 30, laundress; and children Sidney, 11, C[illegible], 7, Maggie, 3, and Minnie C., 1 month.

In the 1920 census of Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Railroad Street, Ed Ricks, 41, digs wells; wife Nanie, 38; children Siddie, 20, Annie, 17, Maggie, 11, Nannie, 10, Raph, 8, and Ruth, 5; and niece Albie Walker, 17.

On 31 [sic] June 1930, John Barnes, 22, of Toisnot township, son of John and Hattie Barnes, married Maggie Ricks, 23, of Toisnot township, daughter of Ed and Nannie Ricks, in Wilson, Wilson County.

In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: at 1742 Sixth Street, Aaron Dantley, 32; wife Mamie, 31; children Eugene, 10, Dorothy, 8, Annie, 6, Ralph, 4, Aaron, 3, and Ruth, 3 months; brother-in-law John Barnes, 33, and sister-in-law Maggie, 33; brother-in-law Alonzo Pender, 27, and sister-in-law Ruth, 26; mother-in-law Nannie Ricks, 60; Velmont Ricks, 24, nephew; and lodgers Robert Blackwell, 28, and wife Minnie, 26.

In the 1950 census of Washington, D.C.: at 1742 Sixth Street, Aaron Dantley, 42, machine operator, born in Georgia; wife Mamie, 39, rooming house maid service, 39; born in N.C.; children Eugene, 21, Dorothy, 18, Annie, 16, Ralph, 15, Avon, 14, Elaine, 10, and Mamie, 9; brother-in-law Elonza Pender, 34; sister-in-law Ruth Pender, 32; sister-in-law Marie Barnes, 42, and brother-in-law John Barnes, 42.

The extended Ricks-Dantley family (of which former NBA star Adrian Dantley is a member) shared the three-story building at 1742 Sixth Street, N.W., in D.C.’s Shaw neighborhood for decades. The three condominiums in the building are now valued from $500,000 to $700,000. Image courtesy of Google Maps.