Chicago Defender, 26 October 1935.
——
- Rev. Joseph Jordan
pandemic
In memoriam: Sgt. Anthony M. Hopkins.
A spur-of-the-moment search of The New York Times yielded the obituary of Wilson native Anthony M. Hopkins, a decorated war veteran. He was one of the more than 200,000 Americans to die of COVID in the first seven months of the pandemic. The Times featured Hopkins’ death in its “Those We’ve Lost” series, which profiled more than 500 people, both famous and ordinary, who succumbed to the disease.
Anthony Hopkins’ paternal grandparents, Jason and Catherine Bryant Hopkins, arrived in Wilson County in the early 1920s from Pitt County by way of Greene County. They settled in Gardners township and worked as sharecroppers or tenant farmers. His maternal grandparents, James and Addie Tart Ward, had deep roots in the area of the Wilson and Greene County border between present-day Saratoga, Stantonsburg, and Walstonburg.
- Jason Hopkins and Catherine Bryant Hopkins Brown
Jason Hopkins died 25 March 1929 in Wilson [Mercy] Hospital. Per his death certificate, he was 41 years old; was born in Pitt County to Luke and Dollie Hopkins; was married to Catherine Hopkins; was a preacher; and was buried in Jones Field, Wilson County.
In the 1930 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Kathrine Hopkins, 37; children James C., 12, Irena, 10, Octavia, 9, Jason Jr., 8, Etter C., 7, and Mattie, 3; and roomer [illegible] Bryant, 26.
In the 1940 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Becton Brown, 47; wife Katherine, 47; his children George, 22, Edrine, 20, Millie, 18, May E., 16, B.K., 15, Collie, 13, and Wittonia Brown, 11; and step-children Irene, 21, Octavia, 20, Jason, 19, Ophelia, 17, and Mattie Hopkins, 14.
In 1942, Jason Hopkins registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 29 April 1921 in Greene County; lived at R.F.D. #3, Gardners township; his contact was mother Cassie Brown; and he worked for Pattie W. Uzzell in Wilson.
On 6 March 1946, Jason Hopkins, 24, son of Jason Hopkins and Catherine Bryant Hopkins, married Minnie Lou Ward, 19, daughter of James and Addie Tart Ward, in Wilson County.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 522 Hadley Street, Jason Hopkins, 28, serviceman at auto sales/service; wife Minnie, 23; and children Jason III, 3, Thomas L., 1, and Anthony M., born the previous September.
Jason Hopkins Jr. died 31 May 1969 in Norfolk, Virginia. Per his death certificate, he was born 29 April 1921 in Wilson, N.C., to Jason Hopkins Sr. and Catherine Bryant; was married to Minnie Lea Hopkins; worked as a laborer; and was a World War II veteran.
Minnie Lee W. Hopkins, 716 Hooks Street, Wilson, applied for a military headstone for her husband Jason Hopkins. Per the application, he was born 29 April 1921 and died 31 May 1969 and served from 10 October 1942 to 14 December 1945 in the 647th Port Company.
Minnie Lea Hopkins died 28 February 2013.
- James Ward and Addie Tart Ward
On __ January 1899, James Ward, 18, of Greene County, son of Larance Ward and Sarah [Ward] Artis, married Mit Ellis, 21, of Greene County, daughter of Jacob Ellis, in Greene County, N.C.
In the 1900 census of Speights Bridge township, Greene County: James Ward, 20, day laborer; wife Mitt, 20; and son Nathan, 1. Two households down: widow Sarah Ward, 43, and children Walter, 14, Bessie, 12, and Etta, 9, all day laborers.
On 13 June 1909, James Wood [sic; Ward], 28, of Stantonsburg, married Addie Ward [sic; Tart], 19, of Saratoga, in Saratoga township, Wilson County.
In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg Road, farmer James Ward, 29; wife Addie, 20; and children Jim, 9, Sarah, 8, Tiny, 5, Mary E., 4, and Maggie, newborn.
In 1918, James Ward registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 October 1879; lived at Route 2, Stantonsburg; farmed for Charlie Whitley; and his nearest relative was Addie Ward.
In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer James Ward, 40; wife Addie, 29; and children Maliza, 14, Maggie, 10, Ozee, 8, Ida, 6, Joseph, 4, and Ora, 4.
In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer James Ward, 50; wife Addie, 39; children Maggie, 19, Oz, 17, Ida, 16, Joseph, 15, Ora, 12, Bourgard, 11, Charlie, 8, Leland, 5, Minnie L., 3, and Annie M., 0; and mother Sarah Ward, 72, widow.
In the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer James Ward, 58; wife Addie, 46; children Ida, 24, Charles, 18, Leland, 14, Minnie, 13, Annie, 10, Molena, 5, and Beauregard, 20; daughter-in-law Bertha Lee, 20; and grandson John Lewis Barnes, 9.
Addie Ward died 21 July 1943 in Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 2 January 1893 in Greene County to Gray Tart and Mittie Ward, both of Greene County; was married to James Ward; and was buried in Community Cemetery, Greene County.
James Ward Sr. died 11 November 1944 in Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 October 1882 in Wilson County to Lawrence Ward and Sarah Artis; was the widower of Addie Ward; was a farmer; and was buried Saint Delight cemetery, Greene County, N.C.
The toll.
The Spanish flu pandemic decimated families within days.
Between October 23 and 28, 1918, Daniel and Celia Lewis Ellis lost sons Sam, 20, Jackson, 17, and Orran Ellis, 8.
Sam Ellis died 23 October 1918.
His brother Jackson Ellis had passed three hours earlier.
Their little brother Orran Ellis died five days later on 28 October 1918. Will Artis buried all three on the E.C. Exum place in Wayne County.
Austin and Clara Lawrence Dawes lost sons Rosevelt, 8, Handy, 1, and Thomas Dawes, 4, over a four-day span.
Rosevelt Handy died 19 October 1918.
Handy Dawes died the next day.
Thomas Dawes died on the 23rd.
And then their father Austin died.
Austin Dawes, 49, tenant farmer.
——
In the 1910 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg Road, farmer Daniel Ellis, 50; wife Celia, 35; and children Maeliza, 13, Willie, 14, Samson, 11, Harry, 10, Robert, 7, and Jackson, 8.
In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Austin Daws, 37; wife Clara, 26; and children Hazel M., 9, Annah M., 4, Lara L., 2, and Theodore R., newborn.
Lane Street Project: in memory of victims of the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic.
This month marks the 105th anniversary of the arrival of the Spanish influenza pandemic to Wilson County. As detailed here, scores died as the virus scorched its way from house to house. This 14 October 1918 expressed hope that “disease” in the city had reached a climax. Though the contagion did peak that month, influenza swirled through Wilson County the rest of the year.
Wilson Daily Times, 14 October 1918.
I have not found death certificates for the children named in the article. However, the men, women, and children below died of influenza October through December 1918 and were likely buried in Vick Cemetery.
October
11 — Lula Winstead, 23, a Liggett & Meyers tobacco factory stemmer.
13 — Benjamin Jones, 54, a city worker who lived at 628 Viola Street.
13 — Arch Morrison, 37, a Hackney Wagon employee who lived at 217 Banks Street.
13 — Abon Neal, 30, a laborer.
15 — Beatrice Edwards, 23, a homemaker who lived at 113 Pender Street.
17 — Zula Leach, 16, a tobacco factory stemmer who lived on Wiggins Street.
18 — Elma Stokes, 35, a cook who lived on Stantonsburg Street.
18 — Theresa Carolina Williams, 4, who lived at 413 Walnut Street.
18? — Wallie Campbell, 19, laborer for Lee Woodard.
19 — Annie Mae Parker, 1. (And perhaps her brother, Jessie Parker, 15, a farmer who died on the 16th.)
19 — Mannie Battle, 38, a homemaker.
21 — Jim Offie Jr., 1.
22 — Samuel Jenkins, 35, a brickmason.
23 — Irene Bynum, 26, a cook who lived on Daniel Street.
24 — Will Johnson, 29, a prisoner in Wilson County jail.
25 — Mary Farmer, 32, a laborer.
25 — Lizzie Ruffin, 30, a homemaker.
25 — Mary Elizabeth Williams, 19 months.
26 — Avester Evans, 6, who lived on Green Street.
26 — John Farmer, 6, who lived on Suggs Street.
27 — Olive Barnes, 20.
28 — Frances R. Batts, 20.
28 — Jennie Batts, 33, a homemaker.
29 — John Berthia, 33, who was on the chain gang.
29 — Julia Jones, 29, a homemaker who lived at 645 Green Street.
30 — Elvis Alston, 4, who lived on Walnut Street.
30 — Luburta Bynum, 3.
30 — Curley Rozin, 35, who was on the chain gang.
November
1 — Emanul Lundsford, 21, a grocery store deliveryman who lived at 637 Vance Street.
3 — Bennie Roberson, 2, who lived on Hackney Street.
5 — Hattie Novilla Bynum, 5, sister of Luburta, above.
17 — Sarah Haggens, 37, a laborer.
December
28 — Lizzie Jenkins, 29, a tenant farmer.
Rev. Taylor returns from Y.M.C.A. service.
Wilson Daily Times, 2 September 1919.
——
Camp Zachary Taylor, near Louisville, Kentucky, circa 1918.
- Rev. H.B. Taylor — for more about Rev. Taylor’s appointment, see here.
- Camp Zachary Taylor
Caufield & Shook, photographers; digital image courtesy of Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division, Washington, D.C.
Auction of the estate of Wiley Williams.
Wilson Daily Times, 30 June 1919.
Wiley Williams‘ wife Carrie died of post-influenza pneumonia when the flu pandemic swept through Wilson County in late 1918. Perhaps overwhelmed by grief, Williams took his own life seven months later. Nicodemus Patterson, from whom Williams had rented farmland, stepped in to arrange the sale of Williams’ belongings for the benefit of his three teenaged children.
——
On 8 March 1899, Wiley Williams, 21, of Wilson County, son of Harriett Williams, married Carrie Sessoms, 22, of Wilson County, daughter of Claude Sessoms, in Gardners township, Wilson County.
In the 1910 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Wiley Williams, 30; wife Carrie, 40; and children Arthur, 10, Ivor M., 7, and Lizzie, 4.
Wiley Williams registered for the World War I draft in 1918. Per his draft registration card, he was born 28 October 1878; lived at R.F.D. 4, Elm City; was a tenant farmer for Nick Patterson; and his nearest relative was wife Carrie Williams. He signed his name with an X.
Carrie Williams died 3 November 1918 in Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her birth certificate, she was about 47 years old; was born to Claude and Betsy Sessoms; was married to Wiley Williams and was a farm laborer for N.D. Patterson. G.W. Williams was informant.
Wiley Williams died 11 June 1919 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was about 41 years old; was a widower; was born in Wilson County to Duck Barnes and Harritt Williams; and was a tenant farmer. G.W. Williams was informant.
On 16 June 1919, N.D. Patterson filed for letters of administration in Wiley Williams’ estate, identifying his heirs as Arthur V., Lizzie, and Ivah Williams, all minors, and valuing his estate at about $500.
Arthur Williams died 28 January 1928 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 February 1900 in North Carolina to Wylie Williams and Carrie Session; was married to Della Williams; and worked as a laborer. Daughter Clementine Wormsley was informant.
The remains of West Vick, a colored soldier, return.
Wilson Daily Times, 18 March 1919.
In the 1900 census of Stony Creek township, Nash County: farm laborer John Vick, 45; wife Hanna, 40; and children Tassey, 21, Clara, 19, Johnnie, 17, Berry, 15, Elisha, 13, Joseph, 10, Westray, 9, Paul 3, and Baby, 1.
Wesley Vick, 21, son of John and Hannah Vick, married Sarah Locus, 20, daughter of Jesse and Florida Locus, on 25 May 1912, in Wilson.
Pandemic.
The 1918 influenza flu pandemic (January 1918–December 1920) was an unusually deadly outbreak. “Spanish flu” infected 500 million people across the world, including remote Pacific islands and the Arctic, and killed 50 to 100 million of them—3 to 5 percent of the world’s population—making it one of the deadliest natural disasters in human history.
Wilson County did not escape the scourge. October 1918 opened with a smattering of flu deaths that quickly swelled to shocking numbers. The beginning of November seemed to spell an end to fatalities, but they surged again mid-month. A survey of death certificates yields insight into the impact of this pandemic on Wilson County’s African-American community.
October
5 — Carrie Horne, 20, Saratoga township.
5 — Sudie Smith, 30, Black Creek township.
6 — infant of Roda and Ed Barnes, 12 days, Saratoga township.
11 — David Mack, 40, Saratoga township.
11 — Florence Pleasant, 39, Black Creek township.
11 — Edward Sims, 8, Wilson town.
11 — Lula Winstead, 23, Wilson.
12 — Leslie Brooks, 37, Black Creek township.
13 — Stella Brooks, 28, Black Creek township.
13 — Cora Lee Howard, 18, Taylors township.
13 — Benjamin Jones, 54, Wilson town.
13 — Georgeanna King, 1, Wilson township.
13 — Arch Morrison, 37, Wilson town.
13 — Abon Neal, 30, Wilson town.
13 — William Henry Williams, 21 Toisnot township.
15 — Dutch Bennett, 65, Wilson town.
15 — Beatrice Edwards, 23, Wilson town.
15 — Bertha Lee Mack, 2, Saratoga township. [Bertha Lee was the daughter of David Mack, who died on the 11th.]
16 — Fred Barnes, 18, Black Creek township.
16 — Alex McCray, 22, Wilson township.
16 — Laurence Wells, 28, Wilson township.
17 — Zula Leach, 16, Wilson town.
17 — Peter Mack, 4, Saratoga township. [Peter was the son of David Mack, who died on the 11th.]
17 — Ola Lee Rowe, 5, Cross Roads township.
18 — Ed Jones, 13, Saratoga township.
18 — Joseph Sanders, 28, Wilson town.
18 — Elma Stokes, 35, Wilson town.
18 — Theresa Carolina Williams, 4, Wilson town.
19 — Mannie Battle, 38, Wilson town.
19 — Rosevelt Dawes, 8, Toisnot township.
19 — Rosevell Campbell, 13, Gardners township.
20 — Handy Dawes, 1, Toisnot township.
21 — Paul Mercer, 30, Gardners township.
21 — Jim Offie Jr., 1, Wilson town.
21 — Fredrick Douglass Rountree, 1, Wilson township.
22 — Henry Artis, 51, Stantonsburg township.
22 — Martha Batts, 18, Toisnot township.
22 — Daisy Farmer, 37, Toisnot township.
22 — Mary Susan Farmer, 35, Stantonsburg township.
22 — Samuel Jenkins, 35, Wilson town.
22 — Nathanael Rountree, 6, Cross Roads.
22 — Gertie Skipper, 23, Wilson town.
22 — Ulus Ward, 1, Elm City.
23 — Irene Bynum, 26, Wilson town.
23 — Thomas Dawes, 4, Toisnot township.
23 — Sam Ellis, 20, Stantonsburg township.
23 — Jackson Ellis, 17, Stantonsburg township.
24 — Turner Anderson, 48, Toisnot township.
24 — Austin Dawes, 49, Toisnot township. [Austin Dawes was the father of Roosevelt, Thomas and Handy Dawes.]
24 — Earnest Far, 23, Toisnot township.
24 — Will Johnson, 29, Wilson town.
24 — Minnie Knight, 49, Gardners township.
24 — Appie Ann Parker, 1, Wilson township.
25 — Minnie Ellis, 13, Saratoga township.
25 — Louise Edmunson, 6 months, Black Creek township.
25 — Mary Farmer, 32, Wilson town.
25 — Jobie Joyner, 15, Wilson town.
25 — Lizzie Ruffin, 30, Wilson town.
25 — Mary Elizabeth Williams, 19, Wilson township.
26 — Avester Evans, 6, Wilson town.
26 — George Williams, 2, Toisnot township.
27 — Olive Barnes, 20, Wilson town.
28 — Olivia Barnes, 19, Cross Roads township.
28 — Frances R. Batts, 20, Wilson town.
28 — James Batts, 33, Wilson township.
28 — Dora Brazil, 19, Stantonsburg township.
28 — Orran Ellis, 8, Stantonsburg township. [Sam, Jackson and Orran Ellis were sons of Daniel and Celia Lewis Ellis.]
29 — Mary Hines, 18, Wilson town.
29 — John Berthia, 33, Wilson town.
29 — Julia Jones, 29, Wilson town.
29 — Rosa Williamson, 16, Springhill township.
30 — Elvis Alston, 4, Wilson town.
30 — Luburta Bynum, 3, Wilson township.
30 — Martha Bynum, 26, Cross Roads township.
30 — Curley Rozin, 35, Wilson town.
November
1 — Mark Floyd, 28, Wilson town.
1 — Emanul Lundsford, 21, Wilson town.
2 — Floyd Lee Braswell, 16, Toisnot township.
2 — Lula Bullock, 28, Stantonsburg township.
3 — Manboy Anderson, 12, Toisnot township. [Manboy was the son of Turner Anderson, who died October 24.]
3 — Bennie Roberson, 2, Wilson town.
3 — Carrie Williams, 47, Toisnot township.
4 — William Creech, 33, Cross Roads township.
5 — Andrew Barnes, 8, Wilson township.
5 — Hattie Novilla Bynum, 5, Wilson town.
5 — Pearl Pearce, 21, Springhill township.
6 — Josh Winstead, 38, Wilson town.
7 — Isaac Wright, 19, Toisnot township.
16 — Herbert Campbell, 20, Gardners township.
16 — Easter Mitchell, 40, Cross Roads township.
17 — Sarah Haggens, 37, Wilson town.
25 — Savanah Rice, 29, Springhill township.
25 — Alex Williamston, 1, Springhill township.
27 — Willie Chamblis, 36, Wilson.
28 — Lula Bullock, 12, Stantonsburg township.
December
1 — William Barnes, 18, Taylors township.
11 — Floyd Carter, 20, Taylors township.
20 — Mims Edwards, 26, Wilson township.
28 — Lizzie Jenkins, 29, Wilson township.
29 — Ellen Nora Carter, 20, Saratoga township.
29 — Earnest Carter, 3 months, Saratoga township. [He was the son of Ellen Nora Carter.]
For an in-depth understanding of this pandemic, check out:
North Carolina Death Certificates, 1909-1976 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.