Unidentified newspaper.
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On 19 September 1907, F.S. Hargrave, 33, of Wilson, son of Henry and Laura Hargrave, married Bessie Parker, 20, of Wilson, in Wilson. Presbyterian minister Charles E. Tucker performed the ceremony at Calvary Presbyterian Church in the presence of J.D. Reid, Fred M. Davis, and Lena N. Harris.
Parker was a cousin of Samuel H. Vick and appears in his household in the 1900 census of Wilson.
Courtesy of V. Cowan. Thank you!
Wilson Advance, 25 February 1881.
As he wound his way through Crossroads township, Wilson County, in 1880, the census taker encountered farmer Tarrell Parker, 45; wife Minerva, 18; and children Trecy, 5, Jesse, 3, and Mancy Ann, 1.
A year later, Parker placed a notice in the Wilson Advance, offering a reward for anyone bringing to justice his wife Minerva and Ruffin Rowe, who had run off together.
Rowe [whose surname appears in early records as Rose] was married to Tilithia Locus, and they appear in the 1880 census of Crossroads, too: farmer Ruffin Rowe, 31; wife Tillitha, 26; and children James William, 5, David, 3, and John Hardy, 1. [A fourth son, Ruffin Haywood Jr., was born 1879-80.]
Tarrell Parker lived the remainder of his life in Wilson County. I find no further record of Minerva Parker and Ruffin Rowe Sr. Rowe was omitted from his father David Rowe‘s will, and his wife was described as divorced in the 1900 census.
From the 1949 edition of The Eagle, the yearbook of North Carolina College for Negroes [now North Carolina Central University], sophomore Johnnie Parker and freshman Thomas V. Dawson.
Deed book 22, page 209, Edgecombe County Register of Deeds Office, Tarboro, N.C.
State of North Carolina, Edgecomb County} Know all men by these presents that I Amos J. Battle for and in consideration of the sum of Twelve hundred and fifty Dollars to me in hand paid by Weeks Parker have bargained and sold and by these presents do bargain and sell unto the said Weeks Parker and his assigns forever Four negro slaves named Dover, Dinah, Bynum and Frances aged about fifteen, thirteen, eleven and nine years the right and title to which said Slaves I will forever warrant and defend. Witness my hand and seal This the first day of January 1835 Amos J. Battle {seal} Witness Simmons B. Parker
Edgecombe County February Court 1835 The foregoing Bill of Sale was exhibited in open Court and proved by the oath of Simmons B. Parker the subscribing witness thereto — ordered to be recorded. Test. Mich’l Hearn Clk.
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We have met Amos J. Battle and his father-in-law Weeks Parker before. In an earlier post, I examined the slaveholdings of the Battle family of Walnut Hill plantation. Amos J. and Margaret Parker Battle’s youngest son, Jesse Mercer Battle, published a memoir in 1911 that includes this passage: “Negroes were my companions. I played with them, and spent my time with them all day, till I was about seven years old, when I was started to school. I knew my alphabet and how to read a little. This start on my way to an education was given to me by a good old colored woman I called Mammy. (Her name was Dinah.) … This good woman remained with our family till 1865, when the Civil War ended, when she left us and moved down to Greenville, N.C., where her husband, whose name was ‘Shade,’ lived. After the emancipation of the slaves she said that she could never enjoy her ‘freedom’ as long as she lived with her master and mistress.” Jesse elsewhere mentioned that Dinah had lived with the family at a farm called Walnut Hill, “about three miles from Wilson N.C., on the railroad toward Rocky Mount.”
Was this Dinah the same Dinah that Amos Battle bought from Weeks Parker?
Calvin J. Parker lived in far southeastern Nash County — the area that would become Oldfields township, Wilson County, a few years before he died. He was a prosperous farmer who worked his land with enslaved laborers. He died in late 1860, and a December 1860 account of the sale of his personal property included this list of the hire terms of the 13 people he had enslaved. Milly and her three children, Alexander, Elias, and Lize went to widow Evelina Parker for the next year for $82 (offset by the $75 she received for care of Milly and her children). Harris Winstead hired Isaac — obviously a strong capable man — for $170. Amos, Elbert and Lucinda, all working adults, went to W. Parker for $447 for the year. Jason went to J.J. Sharp for $114, and Luinda to R.D. Wells for $60.
On 31 December 1861, appointed commissioners divided Parker’s enslaved into six roughly even lots to be distributed among his children. William T. Parker drew the first lot, consisting of man Amos ($1200) and girl Harriet ($350). W. David Parker drew the second lot, consisting of woman Milly ($600), Loney [Milly’s child?] ($200), and boy Jason ($900). Henrietta Parker drew the third lot — man Ellick ($825) and girl Louenda ($805). John S. Parker drew man Elbert ($1000) and girl Lizzy ($550) in the fourth lot. Evelina Parker drew lot five — man Isaac ($750), boy Hines ($400), and girl Adeline ($600), who appear to have been Milly’s older children. W.W. Flowers drew lot six on behalf of his wife Pennetta Parker Flowers — girl Sinda ($900) and boy Elias ($700).
William T., W. David, Henrietta, and John S. Parker were minors, and the enslaved people they remained in “common stock” until their new owners reached adulthood.
What became of the men, women, and children Parker enslaved?
Milly was born about 1830 and was the mother of Elbert, Harriet, Adeline, Hines, and Loney, as well as Lena and Della.
In 1866, Milla Parker and Jacob Thomas registered their 23-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
On 15 July 1869, Elbert Parker, son of Jacob Thomas and Milly Parker, married Pennina Strickland, daughter of Abram Strickland and Milly Strickland, in Wilson County.
In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Milly Parker, 40; Harriet, 12, Mahala, 19, Henry, 5, Jemmima, 4, and Hines R., 14.
Harriet Parker, 15, married Henry Waters, 23, on 30 July 1875, at Milly Parker’s home in Wilson County. Alf. Parker and Lucy Parker were witnesses.
Alex was born about 1836.
In 1866, Alex Parker and Mary Hardy registered their three-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Ellec Parker, 34; wife Mary, 30; Della, 7 [who may have been the same child as the Della listed in Adeline Parker Battle’s household in 1870, see below] ; and Turner Rountree, 11.
Isaac was born about 1825.
In 1866, Isaac Parker and Fannie Sharp registered their ten-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.
In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Isaac Parker, 45; wife Fanny, 41; Martha Parker, 18; and Julius Parker, 1.
Isaac Parker apparently died between 1870 and 1880. In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer Fannie Parker, 51; daughter Martha, 28, farm laborer; grandchildren Julius S., 10, and Joseph W., 4; and nephew Ned Winstead, 22.
Hines was born about 1856.
In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Milly Parker, 40; Harriet, 12, Mahala, 19, Henry, 5, Jemmima, 4, and Hines R., 14. [If these were Milly’s children, where were Harriet and Mahala in 1861? Per her marriage license (see above), Harriet was born circa 1860.]
In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Barnes Street, Henry Waters, 22, works on farm; wife Harriet, 20; children Rosa, 5, John, 3, and Alonzo Waters, 1; sisters Della, 17, and Lena Parker, 19; brother Hines Parker, 21; and nephew Henry Parker, 15. [Where was Lena in 1870? Della was with her sister Adeline Parker Battle, see below.]
On 5 August 1885, Hines Parker, 24, married Prescilla Rountree, 28, at the home of Free Will Baptist minister Solomon Arrington in Wilson County.
In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Hines Parker, 45; wife Pricy, 40; and Wiley, 22.
In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Wiggins Mill Road, Hines Parker, 42, farm laborer, and wife Prissy, 43, farm laborer.
Hines Parker died 6 April 1924 in Black Creek township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 60 years old; was born in Wilson County; and was married. He was buried in “Taylor graveyard.”
Adeline was born about 1852.
On 29 April 1869, Ned Battle, son of Frank Sharp, married Ada Parker, daughter of Milly Parker and Jacob Thomas, at Harris Winstead’s in Wilson County.
In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Ned Battle, 19; wife Adeline, 17; and daughter Hannah, 1 month; Della Parker, 8; and farm laborer Haywood Battle, 23.
In the 1880 census of Griffin township, Nash County: farmer Ned Battle, 30; wife Adaline, 28; and children Ella, 10, Louisa, 8, Edward, 8, Elias, 4, and Mattie, 1.
In the 1900 census of Nashville township, Nash County, N.C.: farmer Ned Battle, 55; wife Adeline, 43; and children Nannie, 16, Frank, 14, Lonnie, 10, and Minnie, 7; William A. Battle, 30; wife Patty, 24; and son Lucian, 1; and boarder Jennie Myrick, 17.
In the 1910 census of Griffins township, Nash County: farm laborer Ned Battle, 70; wife Adline, 30; and granddaughters Lena, 9, and Marietta, 8.
Minnie Lodge died 18 April 1914 in East Dover, Dover, Kent County, Delaware. Per her death certificate, she was 20 years old; was born in North Carolina to Ned Battle and Adline Parker; lived at 37 Kirkwood; and she was buried at the almshouse. Henry Parker was informant.
Pearly Battle Simmons died 13 August 1948 in Rocky Mount, Nash County. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 July 1889 in Nash County to Ned Battle and Adline Parker, both of Wilson County; was married to Charlie Simmons; lived in Rocky Mount; and was buried in Unity Cemetery.
Elbert was born about 1853.
On 15 July 1869, Elbert Parker, son of Jacob Thomas and Milly Parker, married Pennina Strickland, daughter of Abram Strickland and Milly Strickland, in Wilson County.
In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farmer Elbert Parker, 27; wife Penninah, 25; and daughter Telitha, 5.
In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Spring Street, drayman Elbert Parker, 35; wife Penny, 28; children William H., 6, Sidney, 4, and Leland, 2; daughter Lilie Taylor, 14, house servant; and boarder Hepsey Ann Hicks, 22, house servant.
Estate File of Calvin J. Parker (1860), Wilson County, North Carolina Estate Files 1663-1979, http://www.familysearch.org
Wilson Daily Times, 14 November 1949.
Bobby Lee Parker died 12 November 1949 at Mercy Hospital in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 18 May 1945 to Walter Parker and Daisy Harris; resided in Sharpsburg, Wilson County; and was buried in Cherry’s Chapel Cemetery.
Wilson Daily Times, 17 May 1944.
Chester Parker‘s first murder victim was Ed Howard.
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In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer David L. Parker, 39; wife Elizabeth, 38; and children William E., 15, Richard, 13, Anna, 12, Sarah, 10, Sylvanter, 9, Millie J., 7, Mary L., 5, Chester, 3, and John F., 7 months.
In the 1930 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: Floyd Ellis, 38; mother Cora Ellis, 60, widow; and boarder Chester Parker, 22; all farm laborers.
On 30 September 1937, Chester Parker, 28, of Taylor township, son of David and Liner Parker of Georgia, married Polly Barnes, 19, of Toisnot township, daughter of John and Pennie Barnes, in Wilson.
In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer Chester Parker, 32, and wife Pollie, 21, cook.
In 1940, Chester Parker registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. per his registration card, he was born 22 October 1905 in Wilson County; lived at Route 2, Box 225, Elm City, Wilson County; his contact was wife Polly Barnes Parker; and he worked for Raleigh Granite Company, Bailey, Nash County, N.C.
In October 1941, Parker, already on bond on a charge of assault with a deadly weapon for stabbing his wife, was arrested again after threatening to kill her and then himself.
Wilson Daily Times, 3 October 1941.
Chester Parker died 9 July 1966 in Zebulon, Wake County, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 January 1908 in Wilson County to David Parker and Elizabeth [maiden name unknown]; worked as a saw mill fireman; and was married to Odell Parker.
In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Penny Edwards, 46, widow, and children Jesse J., 20, Sarah, 16, Mary, 14, Pollyanna, 11, and Arron, 9.
Polly Ann Parker died 24 April 1944 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 17 October 1918 in Wilson County to John and Pennie Barnes; was married; lived at 608 East Vance Street; and worked as a domestic. Cause of death: “gun shot wound of stomach; due to homicide.”
We’ve seen a photo of the African-American men that tended Dixie Inn’s barbecue pits. Frank Parker may have been one such pitmaster, or he may have cooked in the roadhouse’s kitchen; he lived onsite.
Wilson Daily Times, 2 November 1943.
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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 511 East Green Street, laborer Jessie R. Parker, 31; wife Minnie, 29; and sons Jesse R., 3, and Charles J., 1.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1110 Washington Street, owned and valued at $2500, Jessie Parker, 39; Minnie Parker, 41, cook; and children Jessie Jr., 13; Charley G., 11; Gertrude, 9; Walter, 7; Jasper, 5, and Minnie L., 3; and lodger Nathan Harriss, 14,
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1110 Washington Street, widow Minnie Parker, 51, cook, and children Gertrude, 18, beauty parlor operator, Joseph, 15, Minnie, 13, Louise, 9, David, 7, and Charles, 21, CCC.
Charles James Parker registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 27 January 1919 in Wilson; lived at 1110 Washington Street; his contact was mother Minnie Daniel Parker, same address; and he worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps, Company 410, Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
In the 1950 census of Washington, D.C.: in the household of Wilbert and Betty Spencer, Charles J. Parker, 30, nephew, born in N.C., claims clerk, U.S. Veterans Administration.
Wilson Daily Times, 7 October 1950.
In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: S.T. Parker, 39; wife Irene, 20; children Elma, 5, William, 3, and Fannie P., 1; sister Bertha, 34; nephew Jessie Lewis, 8, and Daisy Lee Parker, 4.
Wilson Daily Times, 6 October 1950.
Wilson Daily Times, 6 October 1950.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 507 Hadley Street, plowman Henry L. Hill, 64; wife Rosa, 43, seamstress; daughter Mammie, 36, beautician; and grandchildren Delores, 16, Dorothy, 14, Timothy, 12, and Peggie J., 8.