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.
Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 3 May 1958.
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Odell Artis was born and reared in the Eureka area of northeast Wayne County, North Carolina, as was his wife, Lizzie Olivia Diggs Artis. However, the couple married in Wilson, where both had numerous relatives. When Odell Artis died in Washington, D.C., in 1958, his body was returned to Wilson for his funeral and burial.
Odell Artis was a grandson of Adam T. Artis and had several aunts and uncles living in Wilson County. His brother Leslie Artis (who married Olivia Diggs Artis’ cousin Minnie Diggs) also owned property in Wilson and Wilson County.
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On 20 January 1921, Odell Artis of Wayne County, son of Napoleon and Sally Artis, married Olivia Diggs of Wilson County, daughter of Suler Diggs, in Wilson. A.M.E. Zion minister B.P. Coward performed the ceremony in the presence of Edgar Diggs, Alma E. Brooks, and S.A. Coward.
The Afro-American (Baltimore, Md.), 12 March 1938.
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In the 1917 Springfield, Massachusetts, city directory: Strickland Joseph emp B&A h 37 Franklin
In the 1920 census of Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts: at 43 Grays Avenue, Joseph Stricklan, 52, factory laborer, born in N.C.; wife Lizzie, 42; and lodgers Charles Custeen, 28, and Herman Caudill, 25.
The Morning Union (Springfield, Mass.), 4 September 1923.
The Morning Union (Springfield, Mass.), 14 August 1929.
In the 1930 census of Springfield, Hampden County, Massachusetts: at 38 Congress Street, paying $12/month rent, Joseph Strickland, 65, born in N.C., railroad laborer, widower. Strickland shared the building with three other families and was the sole African-American tenant.
Wilson Daily Times, 30 April 1948.
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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Gay Street, plumbing shop laborer Cooper Bynum, 47; wife Annie, 33; and children Ruth, 12, house servant, Joe, 9, Curley, 8, Lucy, 5, Phebia, 3, and Floyd, 9 months.
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 511 Narroway, widow Annie Bynum, 47, and children Ruth, 23, Joseph, 17, Curley C., 16, Feedy, 14, Lucy, 15, and Lizzie M., 7.
In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum Joseph C (c) deliverymn h 214 N East
In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Bynum Jos C (c) delmn h 208 N East
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 East Street, rented for $20/month, widow Annie Bynum, 48, cook; children Joseph, 21, grocery store delivery boy, Curley, plumber, 20, Lucy, 19, cook, Feba, 18, cook, and Lizzie, 16; and granddaughter Annie, 4.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 109 East Street, Curley Bynum, 35, plumber; wife Pearl, 30; daughter Mamie, 13; brother-in-law [sic] Joseph, no age given; nephew Joseph F., 5; and sister-in-law [sic] Pheriby, 30.
In 1942, Joseph Cooper Bynum registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 27 September 1901 in Wilson; lived at 109 North East Street; his contact was Mary Robinson, 810 East Vance Street; and he worked for John H. Drone at West End Grocery. The registrar noted “doubt age.”
Joseph C. Bynum died 27 April 1948 at his home at 405 North Vick Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 9 April 1911 in Wilson to Cooper Bynum and Annie Woodard, both born in Edgecombe County, N.C.; worked as a delivery man; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery [likely, Vick Cemetery]. Curlie Bynum was informant.
Wilson Daily Times, 19 May 1961.
William Roberson‘s obituary is especially notable for its reference to “Old” Rountree Cemetery. By 1961, Rountree, Odd Fellows, and Vick Cemeteries were overgrown and seldom-used, and Rest Haven was firmly established as the public cemetery for African-Americans in Wilson.
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In the 1930 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: Hoyet Robinson, 72; wife Lenorah, 55; and son William, 19.
In the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: Hart Roberson, 81; wife Leandora, 64; and son William, 29, farm laborer.
In 1940, William Robinson registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 7 March 1911 in Wilson County; lived at R.F.D. #1, Wilson; his contact was mother Lenoria Robinson; and he worked for Selby Brewer.
William Roberson died 15 May 1961 in Taylor township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 7 March 1912 in Wilson County to Hart Roberson and Leonora Atkinson; was married to Esther Roberson; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery. Lizzie Knight was informant.
Wilson Daily Times, 27 November 1944.
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In the 1880 census of Brogden township, Wayne County, N.C.: Adline Brown, 30 (“H left her”), and daughters Sallie, 10, Jane, 6, and Lizzie, 3.
In the 1900 census of Mount Olive, Brogden township, Wayne County, N.C.: Adlene Spells, 54, and daughters Jane, 23, and Mattie, 17, all day laborers, and grandson Edgar, 4.
In the 1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Williams Jane (c) h 647 E Vance
In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Williams Jane (c) h 206 E Spruce
In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Williams Jane (c) factory hd h 213 E Spruce
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 213 Spruce, Jane Williams, 46, and son Edgar, 24, both tobacco factory workers.
In the 1920 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Williams Janie (c) dom h 213 E Spruce
In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Williams Jane (c) janitress h 207 E Spruce
In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Williams Jane (c) dom h 207 E Spruce
In the 1928 and 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Williams Jane (c) lndrs h 207 E Spruce
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Jane Williams, 55, laundress, widow; Elizabeth Bowden, 12; and Josh Smith, 56, widower, brickmason.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 207 Spruce, washerwoman Jane S. Williams, 68, and bricklayer Josh Smith, 65, born Kentucky.
Jannie Williams died 25 November 1944 at her home at 207 Spruce Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 68 years old; was born in Mount Olive, N.C., to Isaac and Adline Spells, and was buried in Rountree Cemetery, Wilson.
Wilson Daily Times, 28 October 1939.
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Wilson Daily Times, 27 March 1948.
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In the 1900 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Spencer Wilkins, 45; wife Martha A., 27; and children Mary J., 18, Silva A., 17, Walter, 14, John, 9, Steller, 7, Annie B., 5, Susia, 3, Alger, 1, and Dianie, 0 months.
On 9 January 1906, John Wilkins, 20, of Oldfields township, son of S.M. and Riney Wilkins, married Rosa Arrington, 21, of Oldfields township, daughter of Tempy Arrington Coley, in Oldfields township, Wilson County. Ed Coley applied for the license.
On 26 July 1920, Johnie Wilkins, 38, of Nash County, N.C., married Effie Allen, 28, of Taylor township, in Wilson,
In the 1930 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer John Wilkins, 53, and wife Effie, 38.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 617 Hines, John Wilkins, 59; wife Effie, 50; daughter Victoria, 28; and grandson David W. Wolf[?], 6.
John W. Wilkins died 22 March 1948 at the County Home, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 20 October 1882 in Wilson County to Spence Wilkins and Ronnie Locus; lived 617 West Hines Street; was married; worked in farming; and was buried in New Vester Cemetery. Walter Wilkins was informant.
Wilson Daily Times, 7 March 1950.
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In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: Charlie Proctor, 48, farmer; daughters Bessie, 14, Lessie, 10, Emma, 9, and Gessie, 7; sister-in-law Rosa Ruffin, widow, 37; and her sons Garfield, 19, and Thomas, 14.
In 1940, Thurman Ruffin registered for the World war II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 3 March 1907 in Lucama, N.C.; lived at 518 East Walnut Street, Wilson; his contact was mother Rosa Ruffin, 901 Mercer Street; and he worked for Williams Lumber Company.
Rosa O. Ruffin died 5 March 1950 at 604 South Spring Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 15 January 1897 in Wilson County to Steven Ruffin and Etta [no maiden name listed] and was a widow. Emma Bradberry was informant.