I was on my way to peek at the site of old Jones Hill School when I pulled up short.  When I first posted about Jones Hill Cemetery, I had to fight my way in. Now — chainsaws, machetes, and weedwhackers later — look at it! Kudos to those who tackled this delicate task.

Not only are the cemetery’s headstones clear and clean, the depressions of unmarked graves are now clearly visible. 

Per survey, there are 44 marked graves in Jones Hill (labeled Old Fields Cemetery at http://www.findagrave.com). Here a few:

• Julious Locus, “He Followed Virtue As His Trusty Guide”

In the 1870 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: Ganes Locust, 40; wife Zana, 35; and children Penny, 15, Hasty, 12, James, 9, Julius, 5, Sarah, 4, and Amanda, 1.

In the 1880 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Gaines Lucas, about 55; wife Zaney, about 50; and children James, 18, Julius, 16, Sarah, 13, Amanda, 11, John, 9, and Fanny R., 5.

On 31 October 1886, Julius Locus, 22, married Zilley Ann Williamson, 20, at J.A. Jones’ in Wilson County. J.H. Jones and Penny Jones were witnesses.

On 7 October 1902, Julius Locus, 30, of Oldfields, son of Ganes and Zaney Locus, married Adelia Bryant, 34, of Oldfields daughter of Jim Bryant, in Oldfields township, Wilson County.

In the 1910 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: Julius Lucas, 42; wife Adelia, 39; and children Ada, 14, Charley, 11, and Tincey, 1.

In the 1920 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: Julius Locus, 55; wife Adelia, 51; children Ada S., 14 [sic], Tinsey, 11, and Mary Lizzie, 8; and servant Hattie Wyatt, 15.

• Ben Coley, “At Rest”

Ben Coley was a Prince Hall Mason. [I know of only three lodges in Wilson County — Mount Hebron #42, Rocky Blue #56, and Pride of Wilson #484. Did Ben Coley belong to Rocky Blue?]

On 20 October 1883, Ben Coley, 19, of Nash County, son of James and Mary Coley, married Elizabeth Griffin, 18, of Nash County, daughter of Wesley and Nancy Griffin, in Griffins township, Nash County.

In the 1900 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: Benjamin Coley, 38; wife Tempy, 35; and sons James, 16, and Eddie, 13.

On 6 January 1907, Ben Coley, 40, of Nash County, son of Jim Coley, married Tempie Arrington, 30, of Nash County, in Jackson township, Nash County.

In the 1910 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Benjamin Coley, 47; wife Mamie [Tempie], 45; and granddaughter Mary, 3.

In the 1920 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: Ben Coley, 60; wife Tempie, 60; granddaughter Maggie, 13; and servant George Kerney, 17.

Benjmon Colley died 10 February 1921 in Oldfields township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 56 years old; was born in Nash County, N.C., to James Colley and Marry Battle; was married to Tempey Coley; and worked in farming. J.A. Jones was informant.

• William H. Bullock

In the 1910 census of Tarboro township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: farm laborer Owen Bullock, 39, widower; sons William, 14, and Moses, 12; and partner Rachel Bullock, age unknown.

In 1917, Henry Bullock registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 1 June 1896 in Wilson County; lived at R.F.D. #1; and worked as a quarry hand.

In the 1920 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Joe Powell, 35; wife Alice, 19; son David R., 8 months; and brother-in-law William H. Bullock, 22, farm laborer.

On 3 March 1922, Wm. Henry Bullock, 25, of Nash County, married Estelle Coleman, 22, of Oldfields township, Wilson County, in Wilson County. Burley Graham and A.D. Dawson were witnesses.

In the 1930 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer William H. Bullock, 38; wife Estella, 32; and children Mary, 7, William, 6, Essie, 4, Bettie, 3, and Mattie, 1.

In the 1940 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Henry Bullock, 44; wife Estella, 46; and children Mary, 17, William, 16, Essie, 14, Bettie and Mattie, 13, Pearlie, 8, Leonord, 7, James, 6, Charles, 4, and Henry, 5 months.

In the 1950 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer William H. Bullock, 53; wife Estelle, 55; children Essie, 23, Pearly L., 20 Leonard, 19, James, 16, Charles C., 15, Henry Jr., 10, and Jeraldine, 8; and grandchildren Erlene, 7, Edward L., 4, and Mattie B., 1.

William Henry Bullock died 1 March 1956 in Sims, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 31 January 1897 in Edgecombe County to Owen Bullock and Henrietta [no maiden name]; was married to Estelle Bullock; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Jones Hill Cemetery.

Headstone Applications for Military Veterans 1861-1965, http://www.ancestry.com.

• Hazel G. Parker, “God Called Her Home”

Clarence B. Best engraved Hazel G. Parker’s headstone.

On 26 January 1929, Sylvester Parker, 20, of Taylor township, son of Tom and Emma Parker, married Gladys Knight, 19, of Taylor township, daughter of Jim and Caroline Knight, in Wilson, Wilson County.

• Josiah Jones

This is the grave of either Josiah Jones, son of Noel and Sarah Jones, or Josiah Jones, son of Jacob and Milly Jones, who were born less than ten years apart. Both were buried in Jones Hill Cemetery.

In the 1870 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farm laborer Noel Jones, 26, wife Sarah, 23, and children Josiah, 3, Charity, 1, and Edith, 4 months.

In the 1870 census of Old Fields township, Wilson County: steam sawmill worker Jacob Jones, 43, wife Milley, 43, and children John H., 17, Stephen, 15, Joanna, 13, Josiah, 11, Nancy, 7, and Milly A., 3, plus Jesse, 21, and Eliza Jones, 21.

In the 1880 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: laborer Noel Jones, 34, wife Sarah, 32, and children Josiah, 13, Charity, 12, Edieth J., 10, and Noel J., 6.

In the 1880 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: Milly Jones, about 52, and children Josiah, 17, Nancy, 15, Milly A., 14, and Mibary, about 35.

On 27 January 1886, Josiah Jones, 22, [son of Jacob and Milly Jones?] married Hasty Locus, 26, in Wilson County.

On 15 March 1891, Josiah Jones, 25, son of Noel and Sarah Jones, married Thaney Jane Powell, 19, daughter of Jabe and Mary Powell, in Oldfields township, Wilson County.

On 6 January 1909, Josiah Jones, 40, son of Noah and Sarah Jones, married Lillie Barnes, 30, daughter of Richard and Phoeby Rountree, in Taylor township, Wilson County.

In the 1910 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: Josiah Jones, 49; wife Fannie, 35; mother Millie, 85, widow; sister Sallie A., 37, widow; and nieces Lillie, 11, and Dinah Jones, 2.

Josiah Jones died 6 April 1939 in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born June 1866 in Nash County, N.C., to Noah [Noel] Jones and Sarah Brown, both of Wilson County; was the widower of Lillie Roundtree Jones; was a farmer; and was buried in Jones Hill Cemetery. [Note the discrepancy between this information and the birth and death dates on the headstone — 22 July 1862 and 20 February 1925.]

• Elijah Powell, “His toils are past, his work is done, he fought the fight — the victory won.”

In the 1910 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Elijah Powell, 39, wife Sarah, 31, and children Roxie, 12, Daisy, 10, Emma L., 8, Bettie, 6, and Elijah, 3.

In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: on the Road to Horns Bridge, Elijah Powell, 51, wife Sarah, 45, and children Daisy, 19, Emma, 16, Bettie, 14, and Elijah Jr., 13.

Elijah Powell died 16 September 1928 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 June 1907 in Wilson County to Elijah Powell and Sarah Tabron; farmed for Jimmie High; and was single.

• John M. Lucas, K. of K.

John M. Locus (also Lucas) was a Prince Hall Mason, and “K. of K.” presumably indicated that he had achieved the rank of Knight of Kadosh, or 30th degree. [Did John Locus belong to Rocky Blue?]

In the 1880 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Gaines Lucas, about 55; wife Zaney, about 50; and children James, 18, Julius, 16, Sarah, 13, Amanda, 11, John, 9, and Fanny R., 5.

In the 1900 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer John Locus, 27, and sister Fannie, 24.

On 6 February 1902, John Locus, 28, of Oldfields township, married Annie Batts, 22, of Oldfields township, in Oldfields township. Julius Locus and W.H. Jones were witnesses.

In the 1910 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer John Locus, 37; wife Annie, 31; and children Flonnie, 9, Floid, 8, and Levy, 3.

In the 1920 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: on Old Wilson and Raleigh Road, John Locus, 43; wife Annie, 39; and children Floid, 17, Levi, 14, and Wiley F., 4.

• Raymond Sessoms, “At Rest”

Raymond Sessoms died 31 May 1922 in Oldfields township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was one year, three months, and 21 days old; was born in Wilson County to Haywood Sessoms and Maggie Batts; and was buried in a family cemetery. 

• Willie Coleman Jr. 

Clarence B. Best engraved Willie Coleman Jr.’s headstone.

In the 1930 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Willis E. Coleman, 28; wife Daisy, 22; and children James T., 2, Willis C., 1, and Montie, 1 month; brother-on-law Hubert L. Bynum, 13. 

In the 1940 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Willie Coleman, 39; wife Daisey, 32; and children John T., 14, Willie Jr., 10, Monnie M., 9, Bennie, 8, L.V., 6, Christine, 4, and Lula M., 2.

In 1946, Willie Junior Coleman registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 25 October 1928 in Wilson County; lived on Route 2, Wilson; his contact was Will Coleman; and he worked at J.D. Lamm farm.

In the 1950 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Willie J. Coleman, 21; wife Naomah, 19; son Ronnie, 1; and siblings Bennie, 18, Christine, 14, Lula M., 12, Daisy L., 10, and Elisiah, 7.

Photos by Lisa Y. Henderson, March 2025.