Wilson Daily Times, 30 April 1945.
——
minister
The obituary of Rev. Bryant P. Coward.
Rev. Taylor visits.
Wilson Daily Times, 19 August 1932.
——
- Rev. H.B. Taylor — Halley B. Taylor was the outspoken pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church. (The child mentioned, by the way, daughter Marie Louise Taylor, graduated from Howard University in three years.)
Rev. Richard D. Dunn, doing great service to create better feeling between the races?
The Day (New London, Conn.), 27 July 1925.
I have not identified which Missionary Baptist church Richard D. Dunn pastored. Maybe because … he was actually an A.M.E. Zion minister?
Charlotte News, 9 April 1928.
Asheville Citizen-Times, 30 March 1929.
——
In the 1880 census of Contentnea Neck township, Lenoir County, North Carolina: on Harper River Road, farmer Richard Dunn, 52; wife Martha, 44; children William, 26, Jennie, 21, Sarah, 15, Manoah, 14, Robert, 12, John L., 9, Richard, 5, and Martha, 2; and grandson Herman, 2.
In the 1900 census of Falling Creek township, Lenoir County: Richard Dunn, 24; wife Qunce Ann, 22; and children John, 5, Almeter, 3, and Charlie, 1.
In the 1910 census of Falling Creek township, Lenoir County: on Harper River Road, Richard Dunn, 34; wife Quincey Ann, 30; children John, 15, Almeta, 13, Charlie, 11, Noah, 8, Lillian B., 7, and Rosa A., 2; and Pearlie Johnson, 22, widow.
In the 1922 and 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Dunn Richd Rev (c) h 800 E Nash
In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Dunn Richd Rev (c; Annie) h 220 (140) Ashe
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 140 Ashe, rented for $13/month, church minister Richard Dunn, 50; wife Annie, 43; children Rosa, 21, tobacco factory stemmer, Hattie, 17, and Burl, 14; and grandchildren Rosa L., 4, and Annie M., 2.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Richard Dunn, 64; wife Annie, 58, washing; daughter Rosa, 24, tobacco factory stemmer, and son Burrell, 23, tobacco factory laborer.
Lillie B. Dunn died 10 April 1941 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 36 years old; was the widow of Raymond Ried; lived on Spruce Street; was born in Kinston, N.C., to Richard Dunn of Snow Hill, N.C., and Annie Gardner of Kinston, N.C.; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery.
Annie Dunn died 27 May 1948 at her home at 112 North East Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 25 June 1884 in Lenoir County, N.C., to Quincey Gardner and Mariah Bryant; was the widow of Richard Dunn; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery. Quincey Gardner, 708 Suggs Street, was informant.
Rev. Wood asks for help.
Wilson Daily Times, 18 July 1948.
Whatever the short-term solution to Rev. Wood’s housing situation was, no longer-term decision was necessary. He passed away in not eighteen months later, and his obituary revealed just who the reverend was.
Wilson Daily Times, 16 December 1949.
——
- Rev. G.A. Wood — George Albert Wood.
In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Wood George A Rev h 1116 E Nash
In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Wood Geo A Rev h 1116 E Nash
In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Wood Geo A Rev (c; Ella) Wm Pride of Wilson Lodge No 484 A F & A M h 1116 E Nash
In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Wood Geo A Rev (c; Ella) h 1116 E Nash
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1116 East Nash Street, owned and valued at $1500, Methodist minister George A. Wood, 60, and wife Ella, 52. [If Rev. Wood were actually born in 1870, he would not have been one of the first A.M.E.Z. ministers in the state.]
In the summer of 1930, the Daily Times published a series of notices in Town of Wilson vs. G.A. Wood and wife Ella Wood, F.S. Hargraves and Ed Nicholson. The town had made improvements to the street and sidewalks in front of the Woods’ property, and they apparently had failed to pay the share assessed them for the work.
Wilson Daily Times, 26 July 1930.
In 1940, John Wesley Williams registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 6 April 1909 in Wilson; lived at 204 South Reid Street; his contact was grandfather George Albert Wood; and he was employed by R.P. Waters, South Street, Wilson.
In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Woods Geo (c) h 204 S Reid
- Herbert Woodard‘s Filling Station Cabin
- Rev. E.E. Morgan — Eugene E. Morgan, pastor of Saint John A.M.E. Zion Church
- C.L. Darden — Camillus L. Darden.
Clipping courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.
The A.M.E. Zions come to town.
Wilson Daily Times, 23 November 1913.
When A.M.E. Zions convened in Wilson in November 1913, several of their pastors dispersed to deliver guest sermons at churches across the town.
- William J.F. Moore — probably, William J. Moore, an A.M.E. Zion presiding elder.
Studio shots, no. 149 and 150: Rev. Nash Horton and Rev. Rufus A. Horton.
Rev. Nash Horton (ca. 1835-aft. 1910).
——
Immediately after Emancipation, Nash Horton threw himself into political and religious activity. Horton lived in Buckhorn township, Wake County, adjacent to Chatham County, and in 1867 was one of the commissioners of a Fourth of July celebration in the area.
The Daily Standard (Raleigh, N.C.), 16 July 1867.
Three months later, Horton met in Raleigh for the organization of the North Carolina Colored Christian Conference as a representative of Christian Chapel. (Founded in 1866, Greater Christian Chapel Church began as a brush arbor meeting. Per the church’s website, Nash Horton served as its first pastor. Rev. Horton’s first wife Elizabeth Horton is buried in Greater Christian Chapel cemetery near Apex in Buckhorn township, Wake County. Her headstone records her birthdate as 4 March 1829 and her death date as 20 September 1869.)
Weekly Standard (Raleigh, N.C.), 27 October 1867.
In the 1870 census of Buckhorn township, Wake County, North Carolina: Nash Horton, 35; wife Elizabeth, 25; and children James, 14, Allis, 9, Jane, 6, Susan, 4, George, 2, and Matthew, 2 months. [Per her headstone, Elizabeth died in the fall of 1869.]
In the 1880 census of Buckhorn township, Wake County: Nash Horton, 46, minister; wife Hannah, 27; son Gray Horton, 27; stepchildren Martha, 13, Alvis, 8, and William Walker, 5; boarders [who were his children] Jane, 17, and Susan Horton, 15; children Bartley and Matthew, 10, and Leonidas Horton, 8; and nephew Rufus Horton, 6.
Just after 1880, Nash Horton and his children moved to Springhill township, Wilson County. (Several were later active in Saint Delight Original Free Will Baptist Church near Kenly and are buried in its cemetery.)
On 21 May 1882, Joshua Beckwith, 28, of Chatham County, son of Wiley and Lucy Costin, married Susan Horton, 17, of Wilson, daughter of Nash and Elizabeth Horton, at Nash Horton‘s in Springhill township. Witnesses were John T. Hinnant, Nash Horton and Isaac Kirby.
Rose Ayers, 45, married Nash Horton, 50, son of Ben Bynum and Delly Horton, on 5 December 1888 at Meeksville post office, Spring Hill township. James G., Ishmael, and Guilford Wilder were witnesses.
On 28 September 1890, Savanah Scott, 20, daughter of John and Nannie Scott, married Mathew Horton, 21, son of Nash and Betsey Horton, all of Springhill township, Wilson County. Rufus Horton applied for the license, and he, Samuel Taylor and Anderson Horton witnessed.
In the mid-1890s, Nash Horton moved a few miles southwest into Johnston County.
On 5 July 1896, Rufus Horton, 23, of Johnston County, son of Nash and Elizabeth Horton, married Mary J. Davis, 19, of Johnston, daughter of Ollin and Mary F. Davis, in Pine Level, Johnston County. [Rufus, in fact, was a grandson of Nash Horton and was reared by Horton and his wife.]
On 10 December 1896, Nathaniel Horton, 25, son of Nash Horton, married Mila Shepherd, 21, in Clayton, Johnston County.
In the 1900 census of Selma township, Johnston County: Nash Horton, 60, and wife Rosa, 50.
In the 1910 census of Pine Level township, Johnston County: Nash Horton, 75, shoemaker in own shop. He reported that he had been married four times.
It appears that Nash Horton died shortly after 1910. I have not found his death certificate.
Rev. Rufus A. Horton, who founded Mount Zion Original Free Will Baptist Church in Wilson, died of a heart attack in Washington, D.C., on 30 October 1938. [He is not to be confused with Rufus G. Horton, who was born 1867 in Wake County to John and Essie Hackney Horton and died in 1935 in Springhill township, Wilson County.]
Rev. Rufus A. Horton (1873-1938).
Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 31 October 1938.
James H. Horton died 8 May 1943 in Springhill township. Per his death certificate, he was born 7 June 1860 in Wake County to Nash Horton and an unknown mother; was the widower of Lunar Taylor; and was buried in the Free Will Baptist cemetery. Henry Horton was informant.
Susan Horton died 18 January 1945 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 14 July 1866 in Wake County to Nash Horton and an unnamed mother; resided at 417 South Goldsboro Street, Wilson; was the widow of Dock Farmer; and was buried in Boyett cemetery. Informant was Carrie Boykin, 417 South Goldsboro.
Thank you, Rodger Creech Jr.!
Many thanks.
Goldsboro Daily Argus, 26 January 1918.
During a brief stretch in which he was not pastor of Wilson’s First Baptist Church, Rev. Fred M. Davis Sr. led the flock at Goldsboro’s First African Baptist.
Another history of London Woodard and his church.
Rocky Mount Telegram, 29 January 1960.
The take-away:
- London’s Primitive Baptist is possibly the oldest African-American church in Wilson County.
- London Woodard was born in 1808. In 1827, James Bullock Woodard purchased him for $500 from the estate of Julan Woodard.
- In 1828, London Woodard was baptized at Toisnot Primitive Baptist.
- In 1866, he sought permission to preach among his people.
- In 1870, he was “dismissed” from Toisnot so that he could pastor the church he founded. He died lass than a month later.
- London Church appears to have become disorganized after Woodard’s death, but in 1895, Toisnot P.B. dismissed several “colored brethren and sisters” who wanted to reestablish worship at London’s. The same year Union (now Upper Town Creek) P.B. released Haywood Pender, George Braswell, Dublin Barnes, and couple Charles and Rebeckah Barnes for the same purpose.
- London Woodard married Pennie Lassiter, born free about 1810 and possessed of considerable property, including 29 acres purchased from James B. Woodard in 1859. [Penelope Lassiter was his second wife. His first, Venus, was enslaved.]
- London and Pennie Woodard’s children were Priscilla (1846), Theresa (1848), Hardy (1850), Haywood (1852), William (1854), and Penina (1858). “Another child was probably named Elba, born in 1844; she was working for the John Batts family in 1860.” [London and Venus Woodard had nine children; Elba was not among either set.]
- Many “old-time colored Christians” remained members of the churches they attended during slavery. Their children and grandchildren, however, gradually formed separate congregations.
——
- Haywood Pender — in the 1900 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Haywood Pender, 50, farmer; wife Feraby, 45; children Mollie, 39, and Ann, 8; and grandchildren Gold, 5, Nancy, 3, and Willie, 16. Haywood Pender died 15 July 1942 in Elm City, Toisnot township. Per his death certificate, he was born 6 October 1852 in Wilson County to Abram Sharp and Sookie Pender; was a farmer; was a widower; and was buried in Piney Grove cemetery, Elm City.
- Dublin Barnes — in the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Doublin Barnes, 25; wife Eliza, 21; daughter Sattena, 2; and Jane Thomas, 12, farmhand.
- Charles and Rebecca Barnes — in the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farmhand Charley Barnes, 50; wife Rebecca, 57; and children John, 26, William, 23, Annie, 17, Tom, 18, and Corah, 12.
- George Braswell
“He lived a fine Christian life” — the obituary of Rev. John A. Barnes.
Wilson Daily Times, 22 July 1944.
In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Wade Barnes, 33; wife Adline, 25; children John, 6, Willis, 3, and Varina, 1; and Dury Simons, 60.
On 23 November 1894, John A. Barnes, 21, of Wilson County, married Sarah Jane Staten, 23, of Wilson County, at Margarett Staten‘s in Wilson. Witnesses were Aaron Sharp, William Weaver and George Weaver.
In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: day laborer Johnny Barnes, 25; wife Sarah, 29; and children Victoria, 10, Robert, 8, Ella, 2, and Johnny, 8 months.
In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: John Barnes, 36, church preacher; wife Sarah, 38, dressmaker; and children Robert, 16, Mary E., 12, John E., 11, Wade, 8, Rosa L., 4, and Frank, 3.
In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: on Lipscomb Road, farmer John A. Barnes, 44; wife Sarah J., 45; and children Ella M., 22, John, 20, Wade, 17, Rosa L., 15, Frank, 12, Willie C., 10, Bessie M.C., 8, Roy L., 7, and Elson, 6. John Jr. and Wade worked as wagon factory laborers.
In the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: at 739 Lipscomb, owned and valued at $2000, farmer John A. Barnes, 55; wife Sarah, 55; aunt Lucy Bynum, 65; and son Frank W., 23, cook at cafe.
Mary Ella Barnes died 24 March 1934 at Mercy Hospital. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 July 1897 in Wilson County to John Allen Barnes of Wilson County and Sarah Jane Staton of Tarboro; was single; worked as a laundress; and resided at 403 Viola Street.
In the 1940 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: at 739 Lipscomb Road, garden worker John A. Barnes, 65; wife Sarah J., 71; son John A., Jr., body work-Hackney Bus Bodies; daughter-in-law Emma, 35, laundry; son Wade, 36; grandson James D., 17; and grandchildren George, 15, Odell, 13, and Margaret McAllister, 10, and Inez Tart, 9.
John Allen Barnes died 20 July 1944 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 January 1879 in Wilson County to Wade Barnes and Adeline Bynum; was married to Sarah Jane Barnes; lived at 739 Lipton [Lipscomb] Street; and was a preacher.