Phillips

Rev. Phillips?

We’ve met Rev. Henry C. Phillips, who arrived in Wilson from Edgecombe County in the late 1880s. This 1868 letter was written to a Freedmen’s Bureau official by a Henry C. Phillips, “a teacher of the Colored Children in the Hookerton village” in Greene County.

Was this the same man? His signature in the letter is very different than it appears on numerous marriage licenses 20 to 30 years later, when it is bold and assured and even a bit flamboyant. In 1868, however, Phillips would have been just a few years out of slavery, with relatively few chances to practice his penmanship. As an ordained A.M.E. Zion minister, Phillips, however, had daily opportunities to strengthen and polish his handwriting.

 

Petition to divide the Phillips property.

In the 1880 census of Tarboro, Edgecombe County, N.C.: minister H.C. Philips, 37, wife Emma, 34, and children Louisa, 12, Hood, 9, Walton, 6, and Cornelius, 3.

On 6 January 1887, Methodist minister H.C. Phillips united Charles Williamson, 21, and Clara Vick, 18, in marriage at the A.M.E. Zion Church in Wilson. Witnesses were S.H. Vick, H.C. Rountree, and Daniel Vick. This is the earliest marriage recorded in Wilson performed by Rev. Phillips.

On 23 January 1891, Henry Clay Phillips and Emma Elizabeth Moore Phillips obtained a $300 loan from Wilson Building & Loan Association, secured with a property on Green Street. A note on the mortgage deed shows the Phillipses paid off the loan in January 1897.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Emma Phillips,  and sons Alonzo, 17, and William, 16. [Though Emma Phillips was listed as married, H.C. Phillips was not listed in the household. Records show that he continued to perform marriages in Wilson after the turn of the century and was named on a 1903 deed as a trustee of Saint Stephen’s A.M.E. Zion Church.]

Rev. Henry C. Phillips died circa 1907, probably in Wilson. As death certificates were not yet required by the State of North Carolina, and no cemetery ledgers survive for any of the African-American cemeteries active at the time, we have no firm record of his death.

In the 1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory, Cornelius Phillips and Elizabeth Phillips are listed at 608 East Green Street.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Elizabeth Phillips, 66, laundress; son Rhemus [Cornelius], 30, express office laborer, and daughter-in-law Sallie, 28, cook.

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory, Alonzo, Cornelius and his wife Sallie, and Lizzie B. Phillips are listed at 608 East Green.

Emily [Emma] Elizabeth Phillips died 27 August 1918 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born January 1845 in North Carolina; was the widow of H.C. Phillips; and was buried in Wilson County [likely, Vick Cemetery.] William Phillips was informant.

Eldest son Hood S. Phillips died in 1919. He and his brothers William, Cornelius, Alonzo R., and Walter Phillips held an undivided interest in the lot on Green Street, and his widow Phillis Gay Phillips claimed a dower interest in her husband’s share. As dividing the small property would not have benefitted anyone, a petition was filed and granted to sell the lot and divide the proceeds.

 

Alonzo R. Phillips marries in Connecticut.

The Newtown (Conn.) Bee, 12 June 1903.

The Newtown (Conn.) Bee, 8 January 1904.

——

In the 1880 census of Tarboro, Edgecombe County, N.C.: minister H.C. Philips, 37, wife Emma, 34, and children Louisa, 12, Hood, 9, Walton, 6, and Cornelius, 3.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Emma Phillips, 53, and sons Alonzo, 17, and William, 16.

Alonzo R. Phillips and James H. Bynum were freshmen classmates at Lincoln University. Bynum graduated in 1906; Phillips dropped out before their junior year. Catalogue of Lincoln University, Academical Year 1902-1903 (Philadelphia: 1903.)

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Phillips Alonzo (c) painter h608 E Green

In 1918, Alonzo Robert Phillips registered for the World War I draft in Franklin County, N.C. Per his registration card, he was born 1 July 1882; lived in Franklinton, Franklin County; worked as a farmer and teacher for Freedman’s Board [Presbyterian Board of Missions for Freedmen], Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and his nearest relative was Mrs. Alonzo R. Phillips.

In the 1920 census of Franklinton, Franklin County, N.C.: A.R. Phillips, 37, teacher at Albion Academy; wife Sallie, 37; and children Kenneth, 15, janitor at Albion Academy, Robt., 14, Ethel, 12, Sarah, 9, Julia, 8, Henry C., 5, Ruth, 2, and Oliver Q., 3 months.

Alonzo R. Phillips died 26 July 1924 in Franklinton, Franklin County. Per his death certificate, he was 42 years old; was married; was born in New Bern, N.C., to Henry C. Phillips and Elizabeth Phillips; and was a schoolteacher. He was buried in “Fr.Col.Cem.”

Jewel Jennifer Phillips, teacher, singer, songwriter.

The Evening Star, 1 December 1917.

On 30 November 1917, William H. Phillips, 25, of Raleigh, North Carolina, married accomplished pianist Jewel Jennifer, 18, in Washington, D.C. Dr. Phillips, in fact, had recently established a dental practice in Wilson, and the couple set up their home there.

The Phillipses had no children, and the marriage did not last. Before 1930 (when her former husband remarried), Jewell J. Phillips had returned to D.C., where she commenced a remarkable musical career under her maiden name and took a position in the business college her brother W. Emile Jennifer founded, the first of its kind for African-Americans in Washington.

——

In the 1910 census of Washington, D.C.: at 445 Second Street, census office clerk William Jennifer, 40, born in Maryland; wife Syme, 31, born in Mississippi; children Harold, 15, born in Louisiana, Jewel, 13, and William, 10, born in Texas, and Archibald, born in D.C.; and mother-in-law Bettie Jones, 50, widow, born in Mississippi.

Washington Bee, 17 May 1913.

In 1917, Jewel Jennifer was appointed teacher at the Banneker School.

The Evening Star, 17 June 1917.

The Evening Star, 22 November 1917.

Six months later, newly married, she requested an official name change:

Strangely, Jennifer is also listed in the 1917-18 Catalogue of

In 1919, Jewel J. Phillips appears in the Raleigh, N.C., city directory as a teacher at Shaw University.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 332 South Spring, widow Ella Battle, 52, and her children Grace [Glace], 27, teacher Roberta, 29, tobacco worker John, 25, and Olga Battle, 11, shared their home with boarders Georgia Burks, 25, a Georgia-born teacher; chauffeur Theodore Speight, 17; and roomers William Phillips, 35, a dentist, and his wife Jewel, 23.

Washington Bee, 20 March 1920.

Jewel J. Phillips was still in Wilson when her brother Archibald Jennifer died in 1925.

The Evening Star, 

And she appears in the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory:

However, the same year, she filed a copyright for an original composition and listed her address as Washington, D.C.

In the 1929 Washington, D.C., city directory: Jennifer Jewel musician r 1243 N J av nw

In the 1930 census of Washington, D.C.: at 1243 N.J. Avenue, owned and valued at $20,000, Syme Jennifer, 49, manager at business college; daughter Jewel, 28, Jennifer School teacher; and roomer Flo. K. Williamson, 34.

Washington Tribune, 8 September 1934.

In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: at 1243 New Jersey Avenue, N.W., Emile W. Jennifer, 39, private school teacher; mother Syme L. Jennifer, 60, notary; and sister Jewel J. Phillips, 33, pianist for fraternal corporation.

Times Herald (Washington, D.C.), 1 February 1947.

Jewell Jennifer Phillips died 8 June 1949 at her family home at 1243 New Jersey Avenue, Washington, D.C.

The Evening Star, 11 June 1949.

The obituary of Jefferson E. Russell.

Wilson Daily Times, 3 March 1955.

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In the 1900 census of Township #5, Fairfield County, South Carolina: farmer Etta Russel, 46, and children Henry, 17, Ed, 15, Robert, 14, Jeff, 11, Ira, 9, Samuel, 7, Earnest, 2, and Rosa, 1.

In the 1910 census of Township #5, Fairfield County, South Carolina: Jeff Russell, 21; wife Francis, 21; and sons Frank, 1, and Robert, 2 months.

In 1917, Jeff Russell registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 8 August 1890 in Winnsboro, South Carolina; lived on Virginia Street, Wilson; worked as a bricklayer for Bill McGowan; and supported a wife and three children. [Where was Virginia Street?]

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Atlantic Street, laborer Jeff Russell, 35; wife Julia, 32; and daughter Annie, 9.

In the 1920 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Russell Jeff E (c) bricklyer h Atlanta nr East

In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Russell Jeff E (c) bricklyer h 910 Atlanta; also Russell Julia (c) dom h 910 Atlanta

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Russell Jeff E (c) bricklyer h 915 Atlanta

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: brickmason James [sic] Russell, 42; wife Julia, 42; daughter Annie, 17; and lodger James E. Amos, 41, public school teacher.

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Russell Jefferson E (c; Julia) brklyr h 919 Atlantic av

On 21 December 1936, Annie Russell, 24, daughter of Jeff and Julia Russell, married James McNeill, 28, son of Bernie and Lacy McNeill, in Wilson. Baptist minister B.F. Jordan performed the ceremony.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 623 Green Street, truck driver Albert Gay, 24; his siblings Harrell, 19, Samuel, 17, Annie M., 14, and Ralph, 12; lodger Mrs. Julia Russell, 40, widow, servant; and lodger’s son Albert, 22, brickmason. [This is curious. Julia Russell was not a widow, as Jeff Russell was very much alive in 1940. Where was he? And where was Albert in earlier censuses?]

The Evening Star (Washington, D.C.), 8 March 1950.

Jefferson Elliott Russell died 2 March 1955 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 10 August 1894 in Fairfield County, South Carolina, to Robert Russell and Henrietta Rudgley; worked as a laborer; lived at 203 North Reid Street; and was married. Informant was Francis Gunthorp, Winnsboro, S.C.

Annie Russell Phillips died 12 April 1985 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 18 November 1910 in York County, South Carolina, to Jeff Russell and Julia Jones; lived at 912 East Nash Street; was married to Preston P. Phillips; worked as a nurse; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery.

The shoe shine contest.

This photograph posted yesterday to the Instagram account @blackarchives.co, and my inbox blew up. Here’s the back story.

Back in September 2013, a couple of years before Black Wide-Awake launched, Will Robinson posted this to Wilson County Public Library’s local history and genealogy blog:

I jumped on it:

Suddenly:

… which led to an email exchange:

… which led to Will Robinson finding this 23 February 1952 Daily Times article about the event, which took place at Reid Street Community Center:

… which led to this September 2014 WUNC article that includes a dozen contest photos and short video featuring contest winner Curtis Phillips (and my cousin Otis Sherrod talking about his brother Earnest Sherrod, who’s the boy at far left.) 

Wilson County Public Library later exhibited the prints Linda Zimmerman donated, and she graciously extended me the opportunity to purchase a print of the photo @blackarchives.co posted yesterday. Almost exactly ten years after I first saw John Zimmerman’s work, I’m delighted to these priceless images find a wider audience. 

Look! The first colored fair!

Wilson Daily Times, 10 November 1920.

“It will be up-to-date in every way. Exhibits of every kind, good racing, good riders, good speaking, good shows, good midway, good free attractions, in fact, everything that it takes to make a good fair!”

  • Hon. Robert H. Terrell
  • Prof. E.J. Hayes — Edgar J. Hayes, superintendent of Wilson’s colored graded schools.
  • F.E. Edwards — Frank E. Edwards died 17 February 1931 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 57 years old; was born in Wayne County to King and Eliza Edwards; was married to Addie Edwards; lived at 426 Spring Street; and worked as a house mover.
  • W.M. Phillips — William H. Phillips, dentist.

Clipping courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.

Lane Street Project: Hood S. Phillips.

H.S. Phillips Born Dec. 6, 1870 Died Feb. 22, 1919 Gone, but not forgotten

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In the 1880 census of Tarboro, Edgecombe County: minister H.C. Philips, 37, wife Emma, 34, and children Louisa, 12, Hood, 9, Walton, 6, and Cornelius, 3.

On 18 May 1893, Hood S. Phillips, 22, of the town of Wilson, son of H.C. and E.E. Phillips, married Phillis Gay, 24, of the town of Wilson, daughter of Wiley and Catharine Gay. Rev. H.C. Phillips performed the ceremony at the A.M.E. Zion church. Witnesses were Annie Mincy, Annie Thorn and Alex Warren.

Hood Phillips is listed as a barber living at 623 Viola in the 1908 Wilson City directory.

On 26 December 1916, Richard Renfrow, 50, married Matilda Taylor, 50, in Wilson. Hood Phillips applied for the license, and Missionary Baptist minister A.L.E. Weeks performed the ceremony in the presence of Boston Griffin, J.E. Farmer and Henry Lucas.

Alma Phillips died 9 December 1916 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 12 August 1901 in Wilson County to Hood Phillips and Bessie Ralia; was a school girl; and was buried in Wilson County [possibly in Odd Fellows Cemetery.]

Hood S. Phillup died 22 February 1919 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 48 years old; was born in North Carolina to Henry Phillip and Elezbith Moore, both of South Carolina; lived on Stantonsburg Road extended; was married to Phillis Phillips; worked as a barber for hire for Garfield Ruffin; and was buried in Wilson County. William Phillup, Green Street, was informant.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 415 Stantonsburg Street, widow Phillis Phillips, 33, tobacco factory laborer, and roomers John Bogans, 46, and Carl Goods, 25, both oil mill laborers.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 808 East Nash, paying $8/month rent, widow Phillis Phillips, 42, and, also paying $8, Ardena Barnes, 46, both tobacco factory stemmers.

Phillis Phillips died 22 May 1932 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 51 years old; the widow of Hood Phillips; was born in Wilson to Wylie Gay and Catherine Speights, both of Greene County, N.C.; and was buried in Wilson [probably in Odd Fellows Cemetery.] Catherine Arrington of Richmond, Virginia, was informant.

Numbers racket.

Wilson Daily Times, 6 March 1947.

  • Prince Aldridge — Prince Albert Aldridge. In the 1947-48 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Aldridge Prince (c; Annie) lab h 303 N Reid
  • Charlie Phillip — Probably, in the 1947-48 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Phillips Chas (c; Mable) h 503 Smith
  • James Nicholson — In the 1947-48 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Nicholson Jas (c) driver Safety Ca Co h 103 N Vick