obituary

The obituaries of Mary Etta Woodard and Calvin Baker.

Wilson Daily Times, 18 March 1944.

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  • Mary Etta Woodard

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Mintus Woodard, 28; wife Mary L., 26; children Nancy, 6, Johnie L., 5, Willie, 4, James, 3, and Mary E., 1; and brothers Lonnie, 17, and Jim Woodard, 12.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: tenant farmer Bud Woodard, 37; wife Mary, 34; and children Nancy, 16, John Lee, 15, Willie, 12, Mary Ella, 11, Harvey, 8, Sid, 6, and Jone, 4.

Mary Etta Woodard died 15 March 1944 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 January 1929 in Wilson County to Minter Woodard and Mary Lillie Ward; was a schoolgirl; and was buried in Rountree cemetery. [Lane Street Project has not found a grave marker for her.]

  • Calvin H. Baker

In the 1880 census of Harris township, Franklin County, North Carolina: Osborn Baker, 26; wife Georgeanna, 26; and sons William H., 3, and Calvin H., 2.

In the 1900 census of Dunn township, Franklin County: widow Georgianna Baker, 46; children Calvin H., 21, Anna R., 18, Metta S., 16, Gaivy, 14, Annie B., 12, and Alice, M., 9; and grandchildren Loreca E. Anderson, 3, and Osburn C. Anderson, 2.

On 27 December 1917, Calvin Baker, 36, of Franklin County, son of Osborn and Georgina Baker, married Minnie Williams, 30, daughter of Sal and Helen Williams, in Louisburg, Franklin County.

In the 1920 census of Dunn township, Franklin County: farmer Calvin Baker, 41; wife Minnie, 35; children Eula and Carrie, 8; and boarders Rob’t McCray, 28, and Richard Allen, 19.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on South Lodge Street, rented for $18/month, Calvin Baker, 50, laborer for town; wife Minnie, 40; and children Eula, 18, tobacco factory laborer, Connie, 16, tobacco factory laborer, and Eddie, 9.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 507 East Walnut, William H. Barnes, 29, private cook; wife Eula Belle, 27, school lunchroom cook; father-in-law Calvin H. Baker, 61, widower; lodger Mark Crawford, 30, steam laundry laborer; and James Simon, 35, odd jobs laborer.

In 1942, Cleveland Perry registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 13 February 1899 in Franklin County, Tennessee; lived at 505 East Walnut Street, Wilson; his contact was Calvin Baker, 509 East Walnut; and worked for W.G. Wilford, superintendent of the County Home.

Calvin Hilliard Baker died 13 March 1944 at his home at 511 East Walnut Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 51 years old was born in Franklin County, North Carolina, to Osborne Baker and Georgie Anna Jones; and he was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery. Eula Bell Barnes was informant.

The obituary of Rev. Fred M. Davis.

Wilson Daily Times, 6 July 1951.

Eyeballing the records, I estimate that Rev. Fred M. Davis performed more weddings among African-Americans in Wilson in the first half of the twentieth century than any minister of any denomination. He served as pastor of several of the city’s Black Missionary Baptist churches and was recognized among the “who’s who” of African-American Baptist leaders in North Carolina. Rev. Davis’ obituary reveals the breadth of his influence across eastern North Carolina, pastoring churches in Scotland Neck, Mount Olive, Clinton, Dunn, and Goldsboro, as well as several in Wilson and Elm City. The obituary also identifies Rev. Davis as one of the young Wilson freedmen, like Samuel H. Vick, Daniel C. Suggs, and Braswell R. Winstead, who left home to attend Pennsylvania’s Lincoln University.

The obituary of James Woodard.

Wilson Daily Times, 6 January 1950.

  • James Woodard

In the 1900 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer James Woodard, 21, is listed in the household of farmer John E. Finch, 25.

On 17 December 1903, James Woodard, 24, son of Hilliard Woodard and Rose Copeland, married Annie Batts, 18, daughter of John Batts, at John Batts’ in Wilson County. Primitive Baptist minister Jonah Williams performed the ceremony.

In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer James Woodard, 31; Wife Annie, 27; children John, 3, Richard, 2, and Willie, 4 months; and sisters-in-law Minnie, 13, and Martha Batts, 11.

In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer James Woodard, 40; wife Annie, 35; and children Johnnie, 13, Richard, 11, L. Willie, 10, Della, 6, Aaron, 5, Walter, 3, and H. William, 1.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: James Woodard, 51; wife Annie, 47; and children Willie L., 20, Della M., 17, Aron, 15, Walter L., 13, and William H., 11.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on London Church Road, farmer James Woodard, 61; wife Annie, 55; son Henry, 20; grandson Aaron H., 5; and lodger Fred Coley, 18.

James Woodard died 3 January 1950 at his home at 519 Hadley Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 29 January 1879 in Wilson County to Hilliard Woodard and an unknown mother; was married to Annie Woodard; and was a farmer.

In the 1910 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Mack Melton, 60, wife Sarah, 45, and children Lafyette, 14, Lillie, 12, Gilber, 10, and Warren Melton, 8. Both Mack and Sarah reported that this was a second marriage for each. Sarah reported that seven of her nine children were living.

On 24 November 1921, Warren Melton, 20, son of Mack and Sarah Melton, married Rosetta B. Simms, 16, daughter of Isaac and Rosetta Simms, at Isaac Simms’ in Wilson County.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farmer Warren Melton, 28; wife Rosetta, 24; and children Warren Jr., 6, Daisey B., 5, Isaac R., 1, and Willie N., 8 months.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1213 East Nash Street, Warren Melton, 47, tobacco factory storage warehouse worker; wife Hester, 38, presser in laundry; son Thomas Lee, 10; and adopted daughter Lucy Gray, 8.

Elder Warren Melton died 1 January 1973 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 May 1902; was married to Hester Jones; was a minister; and lived at 517 South Lodge Street.

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.”

She taught him to play.

Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 11 May 1954.

When I first saw “Hinnant,” “jazz,” and “church organ,” I thought this was the obituary of one of the hundreds of African-American natives of Wilson County that migrated to Washington, D.C.

However — no. The clue: Carl Hinnant learned to play piano from “his old colored mammy and helped him sound out ‘Coonshine.'”

Carl Hinnant was born in Wilson in 1896. No “colored mammy” is listed in his family’s household in 1900 or 1910, and we may never know the name of the talented African-American woman who launched his musical career.

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.

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.