Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 9 May 1942.
Sallie Barbour‘s credit as Wilson County’s earliest proponent of the Rosenwald Fund is an interesting detail in this obituary. It’s also puzzling. The Stantonsburg School was in Stantonsburg. The Stantonsburg Street School, formerly known as the Colored Graded School and later formally renamed for Barbour, was on Stantonsburg Street in Wilson, but was built well before the Rosenwald era.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 13 February 1954.
I feature this obituary primarily for its mention of “Bishop S.C. Johnson’s Church” on Walnut Street, a church formally known The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith. and founded in 1930 by Edgecombe County native Sherrod C. Johnson. The church purchased several adjoining parcels — which were consolidated as 513 and 515 East Walnut Street — from Asa and Annie Locus in July 1950 after commencing a radio ministry earlier that year. Church trustee Isaiah Mercer founded the adjoining Whole Truth Lunchroom. The church’s adherents, known colloquially as “Bishop Johnsons,” were once numerous in Wilson.
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Hattie Dafney died 29 January 1954 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 10 February 1892 in Cumberland County, N.C.; was married; and lived at 927 Carolina Street. Mary McIntosh was informant.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 9 June 1934.
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In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Hilliard Farmer, 53; wife Annie, 53; children John, 20, Bettie, 15, Mahaly, 13, Contesta, 12, and Jesse, 11; and grandchildren Lou Genie, 14, and Eddie, 21.
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: William Lonzie, 35; wife Bettie, 33; children Paul, 16, Willis, 13, and Bertha, 11; and lodger Solomon Bullock, 33.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 305 North Hackney, rented for $16/month, grocery store salesman William Lonze, 44; wife Bittie, 43, laundress; and daughter Alberta, 21.
Bettie Lonzie died 20 May 1934 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 47 years old; was born in Wilson County to Hilliard Farmer and Bobie Mason; was married to William Lonzie; lived at 803 East Nash Street; and was buried in Wilson.
Norfolk Ledger-Star, 4 March 1915.
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In the 1870 census of Deep Run township, Edgecombe County, North Carolina: farmer Jarrett Staton, 34; wife Penina, 32; and children Henry, 18, William, 15, Louisa, 12, Nancy, 10, Hoyt, 7, and Ida, 4.
In the 1880 census of Deep Run township, Edgecombe County, North Carolina: farmer Jarrett Staton, 42; wife Penina, 32; and children Nancy, 19, Hoyt, 16, Ietta, 14, Jarrett, 9, and Leander, 6.
On 4 January 1899, Jarrett Staton, 60, of Edgecombe County, son of Rena Staton, married Mary Jane Knight, 30, of Edgecombe County, in No. 2 township, Edgecombe County.
On 9 August 1907, Jarrett Staton, 68, of Edgecombe County, married Mary Ellen Alsbrook, 35, of Edgecombe County, in Edgecombe County.
In the 1900 census of Deep Creek township, Edgecombe County: Jarrett Staton, 64; wife Mary J., 38; and grandsons William, 17, and Jarrett Langley, 21.
In the 1910 census of Deep Creek township, Edgecombe County: farmer Jarrett Staton, 70; wife Mary, 37; and children Ida, 18, Pattie, 17, and Carrol, 1.
On 25 January 1915, Jarette Staton, about 80, died in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born in North Carolina, but informant J.Z. Staton could provide little additional information.
On 28 February 1937, Jarrett Z. Staton died in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he resided at 905 Viola Street; was 66 years old; was born in Edgecombe County to Jarrett Staton and Penina Thomas; was divorced; and had worked as a laborer. Informant was [his sister] Nancy Staton Boykin, 812 East Viola Street.
Nancy S. Boykins died 12 December 1946. Per her death certificate, she was 88 years old; was born in Edgecombe County to Jarrett Staton and Pennina [last name unknown]; resided at 812 East Viola; was a retired midwife; and was buried in Rountree cemetery. Nina Pitts of East Vance Street was informant.
Ietta R.M. Reid died 14 February 1951 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 12 August 1867 in Edgecombe County to Jainett [sic] Staton; was a widow; and was a retired teacher. Odessa Reid was informant. [Ietta R.M. Staton married veterinarian Elijah Reid of Wilson.]
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 30 June 1934.
Bettie Alford DuBissette‘s husband Michael E. DuBissette set up a medical practice in Wilson, and the family lived there from about 1922 to about 1928.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.,) 25 April 1942.
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In the 1870 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: Margiana Smith, 12, domestic servant in the household of Benjamin Mills, 33, black.
On 28 October 1874, Amos Bunn, 22, married Morgann Gowins, 20, in Edgecombe County.
In the 1880 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: blacksmith Amos Bunn, 26; wife Morgia, 23; children Matilda, 3, John Henry, 2, and Amos, 11 months; and servant Mary Sharp, 16.
In the 1900 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Amos Bunn, 51; wife Mojano, 40; children Tildy, 24, Amos, 21, William G., 19, Lewis B., 17, Genetta B., 14, Sallie B., 13, Jonas B., 10, Louisannie, 7, Eddie B., 3, and James W., 2; and mother Tobitha, 80, widow.
In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Amos B. Bunn, 58; wife Margeanner, 45; and children Sudie, 23, Sam, 19, Lender, 17, and Ed Mc., 14.
In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Winstead Road, Amos Bunn, 65; wife Anna, 48; and sons Junie, 24, Lundie, 23; and Ed, 22.
Marganna Bunn died 8 April 1942 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 23 March 1853 in Thelma [sic], N.C.; was the widow of Amos Bunn; and was buried in Elm City Cemetery. Mitilda Clark, 1405 North 18th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was informant.
Sudie Bunn Johnson died 8 April 1947 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 8 April 1888 in Wilson County to Amos Bunn of Wilson County and Margie Anna Jones of Halifax County; was married to Bennie Johnson; and was buried in Elm City Cemetery.
Wilson Daily Times, 25 May 1937.
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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Woodard Street, widow Etta Reavis, 45, tobacco factory worker; children Louise, 18, and James, 6; brother-in-law Fred Reavis, 26, carpenter; his wife Cornelia, 19, and son Ralph, 4. Louise and Cornelia worked as tobacco factory laborers.
On 4 October 1923, Levi H. Peacock Jr., 22, of Wilson, son of Levi and Hannah Peacock, married Elouise Reavis, 20, of Wilson, daughter of Joseph and Etta Reavis, on 4 October 1922 in Wilson. W.A. Mitchner applied for the license, and Presbyterian minister A.H. George performed the ceremony in the presence of John D. Henry, Henrietta Foster and John H. Parris.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 204 Vick Street, hotel bellboy Levi Peacock, 30; wife Elouise, 28, a public school teacher; children Jewel D., 4, and Thomas L., 14; and mother-in-law Etta Reaves, 50, post office maid. [This entry contains errors. Jual D. Peacock was a daughter, rather than son, of Levi and Eloise Peacock, and Thomas was in fact just over a year old in 1930.]
Mary Etta Reavis died 22 May 1937 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 59 years old; was born in Vance County, N.C., to Thomas Fain and Clara Thomas; was a widow; lived at 418 Reid Street; worked as a charwoman in government service; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Eloise Peacock was informant.
Elouise R. Peacock died 15 June 1951 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 July 1906 in Wilson to Etta Fain; was a public school teacher; was married; and resided at 414 North Reid Street. Informant was Jeuetta Anderson.
Wilson Times, 7 May 1918.
John Pettiford was likely closer to 90 than 106.
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On 31 December 1885, John Pettiford, 50, married Dizey Stancil, 50, at the Wilson County Court House.
In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer John Pettifoot, 75; wife Diza A., 70; and niece Cassanda Aycock, 22, farm laborer.
Wilson Daily Times, 2 May 1939.
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In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: drayman Jefferson Farmer, 40; wife Blanch, 28; and children May, 12, Turner, 11, Jesse, 8, Charley, 4, and Gola, 2.
In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 615 Hines Street, Jeff Farmer, 50; wife Blanch, 37; and children Turner, 20, Jessie, 16, Charlie, 13, Goler, 10, Jeff Jr., 7, Henry, 3, Allice, 2, and Gola, 1.
In 1917, Turner Farmer registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 23 November 1891 in Wilson; lived on West Nash Street; was married; and worked as a butler for S.H. Anderson.
On 6 April 1929, Turner Gray Farmer, 38, of Wilson, son of Jeff and Blanche Farmer, married Emma Simms, 27, of Wilson, daughter of Will and Mary Simms, at the courthouse in Wilson.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 901 East Nash, in the household of warehouse proprietor Selba H. Anderson, servants Carrie Melton, 48, cook, Turner Farmer, 38, chauffeur, and his wife Emma, 36, maid.
Turner Gray Farmer died 2 May 1939 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 50 years old; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Jeff Farmer and Blanch Gay; lived at 901 West Nash Street; was married to Emma Farmer; worked as a chauffeur; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.]
Application for military headstone for Turner Farmer.
