Smith

The Vicks entertain.

The Colored American, 21 February 1903.

The headline, I think, should say “Mr. and Mrs. Vick Entertained at Wilson, North Carolina.” This charming social piece, submitted pseudonymously by “Juliet,” details a dinner party hosted by Samuel and Annie Washington Vick in 1903. (Where was their home at that time? The house we now know as the Vick residence was not yet built.)

Guests included Rev. Owen L.W. Smith, former minister to Liberia; Annie Vick’s brother Paul Washington; Mrs. M.E. Dortch; Po_a S[illegible]; and Julia A. Amee. Geneva Battle and Sarah Dortch assisted Annie Vick as hostesses. (Four years later, Sarah Dortch would marry Walter S. Hines.)

 

The obituaries of Willie Gerald and Thomas S. Smith.

Wilson Daily Times, 4 December 1945.

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  • Willie Gerald

Willie Gerald was born 18 October 1915 in Floyd township, Horry County, South Carolina. Per his birth certificate, he was the son of Postell Gerald and Mantha Jane Bullock, both of Tabor, N.C.

In the 1920 census of Marietta township, Robeson County, N.C.: P.S. Jerald, 41; wife Mantha J., 30; and children Berkley, 16, Vass, 14, Ross, 12, Bessie, 10, Grace, 8. Gussie, 6. Agrippa, 5, Willie, 3, and Price, 3 months.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Mantha Gerald, 46, and children Gussie, 18, Grippie, 17, Willie, 13, Price, 10, Sarah, 7, and Stella, 4.

In 1940, Willie Gerald registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 6 October 1916 in Nicker, South Carolina; lived at 620 East Viola Street, Wilson; his contact was mother Mantha Jane Gerald; and he was unemployed.

In the 1940 census of Stony Creek township, Nash County, N.C., Willie Gerald, 23, born in S.C., earlier resident of Wilson, is listed among inmates of the state prison camp.

Willie Gerald died 1 December 1945 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 14 August 1921 in South Carolina to Stellie Gerald and Matha Gerald; was married to Morris M. Gerald; worked as a laborer; and lived at 620 Viola Street. Gussie Gerald, Norfolk, Virginia, was informant.

  • Thomas S. Smith

In the 1870 census of Carvers Creek township, Cumberland County, N.C.: Gabriel Smith, 30; wife Leah, 30; and children Randal, 9, Haywood, 7, Thomas, 5, Gabriel, 3, and Sarah, 1.

In the 1880 census of Stewarts Creek township, Harnett County, N.C.: farmer Gabril Smith, 43; wife Leah, 35; and children Augustus, 20, Hayward, 17, Thos., 14, Gabe, 13, Sarah, 10, Margaret, 8, Campbell, 4, Farqued, 3, and Isac, 1.

On 20 January 1887, Thomas Smith, 21, of Flea Hill township, son of Gabrel and Lear Smith, married Matilda McKeithan, 21, of Flea Hill township, daughter of Wilson and Adline McKeithan, at Wilson McKeithan’s house in Cumberland County, N.C.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Black Creek Road, Thomas Smith, 44; wife Bella, 31; and children Charlie, 18, Varo, 13, Christianna, 10, Rosa, 8, Teddie, 1, and Georganna, 5.

In the 1920 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Thomas Smith, 54; wife Bella, 39; and children John, 12, and Claud, 7.

In the 1930 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farm laborer Thomas Smith, 54; wife Bella, 50; sons Claud, 18, and Carl, 16; grandchildren Hattie Smith, 23; Austin, 23, Thomas, 17, and Lida E. Parker, 3; and boarder Odis Taylor, 25.

Thomas Smith died 3 December 1945 in Elm City, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 10 June 1865 in Cumberland County, N.C., to Haywood Smith and Leah McKeithen; was married to Belle Smith; and worked as a farmer. Claude Smith was informant.

The obituary of Ed Smith.

Wilson Daily Times, 31 March 1948.

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In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: bricklayer Ed Smith, 49; wife Sallie, 44; and nieces Carrie, 20, nurse, and Channie, 24, cooking.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: mechanic Ed Smith, 50; wife Sallie, 49; and son Albert, 3. 

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 408 Pine, owned and valued at $8000, house plasterer Edward Smith, 68, and wife Sallie, 68, both born in Virginia.

In 1942, George Albert Williams registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 9 January 1903 in Camden, New Jersey; his contact was Sallie Smith, 408 North Pine Street, Wilson; and he worked for E.L. Cobb, Wilson Marble and Granite.

Ed Smith died 31 March 1948 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 October 1860 in Henderson, N.C.; was married to Sallie Smith; worked as a brickmason; lived at 408 Pine Street; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery. Dave Woodard was informant.

Sixteen year-old killed in bawdy house shooting.

Wilson Daily Times, 20 March 1950.

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  • William D. Smith — in the 1940 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Wilson golf course laborer Mitchell Smith, 38; wife Annie Bell, 33; children Alfonsa, 20, Oliva, 18, James, 14, Felton, 13, Willie D., 10, and Queen Ester, 7; and lodger Oscar Bynum, 33. In the 1950 census, both William Smith and his uncle Jesse McMillan are listed in the Wilson County prison.
  • Jessie McMillan
  • James Earl Wilson — James Earl Wilson died 18 March 1950 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 14 July 1934 in Wayne County, N.C., to Bennie Shaddin and Annie Belle Wilson; was single; and worked in farming. Lela Sherrod was informant. His cause of death: “brain tissue destruction cerebral hemorrhage due to gun shot blast to the face.”

  • Willie Fields — see below.
  • James Isom
  • James Williams
  • Gladys Eatmon
  • Eva Pringle — in the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Eva Pringle, 40; son James Jr., 14; and roomer Willie Fields, 38, farm helper. Eva Harris Pringle died 5 October 1964 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 11 August 1911 in South Carolina to Ransom and Isabell Scott; was a widow; and worked as a domestic.

410 North Reid Street.

The one hundred eighty-sixth in a series of posts highlighting buildings in East Wilson Historic District, a national historic district located in Wilson, North Carolina. As originally approved, the district encompasses 858 contributing buildings and two contributing structures in a historically African-American section of Wilson. (A significant number have since been lost.) The district was developed between about 1890 to 1940 and includes notable examples of Queen Anne, Bungalow/American Craftsman, and Shotgun-style architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District, this house is: “ca. 1940; 1 story; bungalow with gable roof and shed-roofed porch with standard tapered posts on brick piers.” 

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 408 Reid, rented for $14/month, taxi driver Essie Smith, 28, born in Red Springs, N.C.; wife Alice, 26, maid at Woodard-Herring; and daughter Aggie Nora, 2; plus Annie McCohan, 50, widow, also from Red Springs. [The Smiths may have been in house next door, which was later numbered 410.]

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory, two entries: Smith Essie (c; Alice; 1) taxi driver h 408(2) N Reid; and Woodard Oscar (c; Katie J) janitor Branch Banking & Tr Co h 408 (407) N Reid

On 28 April 1947, the Wilson Daily Times published a memorial to Jennette Barnes submitted by her daughter Alice Barnes Smith of 410 North Reid. 

Essie Smith died 25 March 1962 at his home at 410 North Reid. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 December 1896 in Robeson County, North Carolina; was married to Alice Smith; and was a self-employed taxi driver. 

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, March 2022.

Born in Africa.

A.M.E. Zion minister Owen L.W. Smith served as United States consul general to Liberia from 1898 to 1902. His family, which included second wife Adora Oden Smith and their children Flossie and George E. Smith, remained in Wilson during his post.

Flossie Smith died in 1901, and baby George and Adora Smith in 1906. On 24 February 1908, Rev. Smith married Cynthia A. King Isler in Pitt County, North Carolina.

The 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County, lists Owen W. Smith, 58; wife Lency A., 45;  children Jessy A., 27, and Carry E. Smith, 10; and stepchildren John H., 12, and Mary A. Isler, 10. John and Mary Isler were Cynthia “Lency” Smith’s children. Jesse Alexander Smith is described in Rev. Smith’s will as an adopted son. And what of Carrie E. Smith?

Carrie Emma Smith died 2 September 1917 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 29 December 1899 in “African (Liberia)” to Owen L.W. Smith and Mary Johnson. The certificate does not specify her place of burial, but we know she was laid to rest in the Masonic cemetery in the Smith family plot.

Her headstone is one of four remaining in the plot — Rev. Smith’s is not visible — and states: CARRIE EMMA Adopted Daughter of Rev. O.L.W. & Adora Smith Dec. 29 1899 Sept. 2  1917.

Carrie Emma Smith’s headstone in the Masonic Cemetery. The stone lying flat is that of O.L.W. Smith’s mother, Maria Hicks, who died in 1902. 

Adopted?

Carrie E. Smith was born in Liberia during Rev. Smith’s stint at consul. His wife Adora Smith remained in Wilson. Carrie Smith’s mother is named, per information provided by Rev. Smith, as Mary Johnson of South Carolina. Was O.L.W. Smith Carrie Smith’s biological or adoptive father? Did he bring the child home to Wilson when returned from his diplomatic post in Liberia? Who was Mary Johnson?

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, September 2022.