Susan Richardson Gaston Ratley drafted her will on 4 March 1925, several years before she died. She left eldest son John Henry Gaston a “grind rock” (presumably, grindstone) and “Opants bed quilt.” The remainder of her property went to children Ivory Gaston, Charlie Gaston, and Nonia Gaston Carney. Son-in-law George Carney was appointed executor, as well as guardian of Charlie Gaston, who was “of an unsound mind, and not mentally capable of looking after his own affairs.” Ratley explained that she used “some discrimination in the division of [her] humble estate” because her younger children “by hard work and co-operation with [her], enabled [her] to thus save that [she has,] without the aid of [her]oldest son Henry Gaston ….” Thus, “they are justly entitled to the greater part of my estate.’

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On 20 April 1876, Simon Gaston, 25, married Susan Richardson, 20, in Stantonsburg, Wilson County, in the presence of H. Richardson, Ned Ellis, and H. Donell.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Simon Gaston, 28, farm laborer; wife Susan, 23; and children Henry, 3, Joseph, 1, and a 1 month-old infant.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farm laborer John Gaston, 21; mother Susan, 48; and siblings Charley, 13, Ivor, 10, and Mary M., 8.

On 16 November 1904, John Radcliffe, 70, of Wilson, son of Jack and Martha Radcliffe, married Susan Gaston, 48, of Wilson, at William Jenkins‘ residence in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister William Baker performed the ceremony in the presence of B.S. Jordan, R.B. Ellis, and Henry Mitchell.

In the 1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory, Charles, Ivy, and Joseph Gaston, all laborers, are listed at 610 Stantonsburg Street.

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory, Charles and Ivey Gaston, both laborers, are listed at 615 Stantonsburg Street.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 313 Manchester, oil mill laborer Henry Gaston, 31; wife Dora, 28; and daughter Josephine, 3.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 618 Nash, George Carney, 30, laborer in auto shop, and wife Nonnie, 28.

In the 1928 and 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Rattley Susan (c) h 408 Manchester

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 408 Manchester, owned and valued at $400, widow Susan Rattley, 74, and son Charlie Gatsin, 23, odd jobs.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 508 Woodard, Henry Gaston, 42, town laborer; wife Dora, 38; and stepdaughter Josephine Whitaker, 14.

Susan Rattley died 15 October 1931 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 75 years old; was born in Wake County to Frank Richardson; was the widow of John Rattler; lived at 408 Manchester Street; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Nonia Carney was informant.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Nonia Connie, 45; brother Ivry Gaston, 50, plumber for City of Wilson; husband George Connie, 49; and James H. Williams, 24, tobacco factory laborer.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Henry Gaston, 58, clerk in own store; wife Dora, 48; stepdaughter Josephine Ward, 24; and step grandson Walter Whitaker, 7.

In the 1940 census of Raleigh, Wake County, N.C.: at North Carolina State Penitentiary, Charlie Gaston, 47, inmate. [In 1938, Gaston was charged in the rape of a ten year-old girl. A judge accepted his plea of guilty to a lesser charge in consideration of Gaston’s “low mentality,” which was estimated to be equivalent to a six or seven year-old child. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.]

Henry Gaston died 27 December 1940 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was verb 19 January 1881 in Wilson County to Handy Heart; lived on Taylor Street; was married to Dora Gaston; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery.

In 1943, Charlie Gaston registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was about 45 years old; he was born in Wilson County; his contact was sister Nome Carney, Wilson; he was “employed” at Central Prison; and he was blind.

Charlie Gaston died 11 December 1949 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1888 to Simon Gaston and Susan Rattley Richardson [sic]; was single; lived at 502 Manchester Street; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery. Nonia Carney was informant.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: George Carney, 61, janitor at private club; wife Nonie, 50, hanging tobacco; brother-in-law Ivory Gaston, 56, fireman at city electric plant; and James H. Williams, 33, tobacco packer.

George T. Carney died 7 July 1958 at his home at 502 Manchester Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 10 June 1895 in Edgecombe County, N.C., to John Carney and Amanda Freeman; was married to Nonie Carney; and worked as a laborer.

Ivory Gaston died 27 May 1968 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 4 January 1904 to Susan Richardson and lived at 502 Manchester Street. Nonie Carney was informant.

Nonie Carney died 9 January 1972 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 15 May 1896 to Sue Riley; was a widow; had worked as a laborer; and lived at 502 Manchester Street. James Williams was informant.