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Snaps, no. 120: Josh and Annie Sharpe Batts.

Josh and Annie Sharpe Batts.

In the 1910 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: on the Plank Road, farmer Jim Sharp, 38; wife Bettie, 35; and children Sarah, 15, Sunny, 13, Etta, 12, Mary, 10, Mahala, 9, Jimmie, 7, Della, 5, Bettie, 3, and Annie, 2.

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Rose Bud Church Road, Balin Batts, 30; wife Mary, 25; and children Mamie, 7, Josh, 3, Sam, 4, and Troy, 3 months.

In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: on the Tarboro Road, farmer James Sharp, 47; wife Bettie, 40; and children Sonnie, 21, Effie, 18, Mahaly, 17, Jimmie, 15, Dolena, 14, Annie, 13, Bettie, 12, and Willie, 7.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on the Tarboro Road, Balaam Batts, 45; wife Mary, 38; and children Mamie, 18, Lemon, 16, Joshua, 13, Troy, 8, Charlie, 7, Arthur, 5, Alice, 3, Willie, 2, and Florence, 3 months.

On 21 January 1930, Joshua Batts, 21, married Annie Sharpe, 19, in Gardners township, Wilson County.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Bailum Batts, 50; wife Mary, 48; children Seller, 25, Joshua, 23, Troy, 19, Charlie, 17, Authur, 14, Alice, 12, and Willie B., 10, Florence, 9, [daughters-in-law] Nettie B., 20, and Annie, 19; and grandchildren Robert, 1, and Minnie, 1.

In 1940, Josh Batts registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 31 March 1907 in Elm City, N.C.; lived at Route 4, Box 25-A, Wilson; his contact was landlord J.D. Lee; and he worked for J.D. Lee.

In the 1940 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Josh Batts, 33; wife Annie, 23; children Minnie L., 12, Ray L., 6, Mary, 5, and Josh D., 2; and father-in-law Jim Sharpe, 60, widow.

In the 1950 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Josh Batts, 44; wife Annie, 34; children Minnie L., 20, Roy L., 18, Mary A., 17, Josh D., 15, Jimmy N. and Mary D., 12; and grandson James, 2.

Annie Lee Batts died 5 November 1961 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 June 1921 [sic] in Wilson County to James Sharpe and Bettie E. Batts and was married to Josh Batts.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user GeraldNelson31.

Studio shots, no. 268: the Diggs family.

Though a Wayne County native (and descendant of Celia Artis), Edgar H. Diggs spent most of his adult life in Wilson. He was well-known barber for decades at Walter Hines Barbershop and lived at 205 North Vick Street.

Diggs’ granddaughter Sheila Diggs has graciously shared photos of three generations of her family.

Sula Diggs Artis (ca. 1866-1919), probably taken in a Goldsboro, N.C., studio.

Sula Diggs Artis’ daughter Lizzie Olivia Diggs (1894-1988), circa mid-1910s. Edgar H. Diggs (1890-1970) was her brother. This photo was taken in the studio of Wilson’s Picture-Taking George W. Barnes. That’s his signature one-armed chair, and we’ve seen the window prop before, too.

Olivia Diggs Artis a few years later, with a bob and tiered, drop-waist day dress characteristic of the early 1920s. 

Edgar H. Diggs and youngest son Preston Diggs at their Vick Street home, circa late 1940s. The camera is a twin-lens reflex camera, perhaps a Rolleiflex.

Walter Preston Diggs (1928-2024).

Snaps, no. 118: Daniel Vick and his granddaughter.

Here, Samuel H. Vick‘s father Daniel Vick is seated in front of a living screen of fig leaves. The girl standing beside him is likely one of his granddaughters — Annie or Nettie Jones, whose mother Nettie Vick Jones had been murdered by their father A. Wilson Jones in 1897. Daniel Vick died in 1908, and this photo likely was taken shortly before then.

Vick is holding a photograph that appears to depict a young girl. Was she the girl’s sister? Both girls — and their brother Samuel Henry Jones — outlived their grandfather, but Annie and Nettie have not been traced into adulthood.

Photo courtesy of Vicki Cowan.

Snaps, no. 116: Walter Craig Whitted.

Walter Craig Whitted (1890-1975).

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In the 1900 census of Durham, Durham County, North Carolina: letter carrier James A. Whitted, 38; wife Tempa, 33; children Walter, 9, Minnie, 7, Benjamin, 5, and James, 1; and brother John, 18.

In the 1910 census of Durham, Durham County, North Carolina: mail clerk J.A. Whitted, 48; wife Tempie, 43; and children Walter C., 19, Minnie, 16, Ben, 15, James, 6, Samuel, 4, and Harry, no age given.

On 24 December 1913, Walter Whitted, 24, of Durham, married Helen Beckwith, 22, of Wilson, in Wilson. Rev. M.A. Talley performed the ceremony, and A.J. Townsend and Robert Haskins were witnesses.

On 5 June 1917, Walter Whitted of 516 South Lodge Street, Wilson, registered with the Wilson County draft board. He reported that he was born in Durham, North Carolina, on 3 October 1889; that he was a self-employed tailor in Wilson; and that he had a wife and two children to support. He was described as medium height and weight with dark brown eyes and black hair.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Cora Beckworth, 42; daughter Dezelle Whitick, 28; son-in-law Walter Whitick, 32; and grandchildren Cora, 3, and Walter Jr., 4.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on South Lodge Street, house carpenter Walter Whitted, 38, wife Delzle H., 35, a public school teacher, and children Walter H., 14, and Cora J. Whitted, 13.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: W.C. Whitted, 47; wife Helen Delzell, 49; son Walter H., 24; daughter-in-law Cora, 23; and daughter Louise, 13.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Milton Fitch, 30, U.S. letter carrier; wife Cora, 31; children Jerome, 7, Milton, 3, Patricia, 2, Ernestine and Christine, born in December; and in-laws Walter, 58, carpenter, and Helen Whitted, 51, 6th grade teacher.

Walter Craig Whitted died 12 January 1975 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 3 October 1890 in Durham, N.C., to James A. Whitted and Tempie Jordan; was the widower of Helen D. Beckwith; was a retired carpenter; and lived at 516 Lodge Street.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user krish_mayfield.

Snaps, no. 114: William and Martha Ann Bynum Finch.

William and Martha Ann Bynum Finch.

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In the 1880 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: Calvin Bynum, 31, farmer; wife Pherabe, 28; and children Olive, 9, Fannie, 7, Martha Ann, 5, Joseph, 2, and Benjamin, 3 months.

On 23 January 1898, William Finch, 29, married Martha Bynum, 22, in Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer William Finch, 39; wife Martha A., 25; children Luginia, 12, Anachy, 9, and David, 1; and aunt Lanie Finch, 54.

In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: William Finch, 44; wife Mattie, 36; and children Anachie, 18, David, 12, John W., 10, Lafayette L., 6, Pearlie, 4, Leora, 2, and James H., 1 month.

In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer William Finch, 56; wife Mattie, 45; and children David, 20, John William, 19, Lafayette L., 15, Pearlie, 14, Leora, 12, James, 8, Willie, 6, and Lessie, 1.

In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer William Finch, 65; wife Martha, 57; and children Lafayette L., 24, James, 20, Willie, 17, Lessie, 13, and Moses, 7.

William Finch died & March 1936 in Lucama, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 November 1860 in Nash County; was married to Marthann Finch; worked as a farmer; and was buried in “home cem.” Johnnie Finch was informant.

In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Marthy Finch, 68; sons Layette, 36, Lessie, 21, and Mose, 19; daughter-in-law Eldora, 35; and grandson Robert Lee, 4.

Martha Finch died 7 February 1958 in Lucama, Springhill township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 17 June 1873 in Wilson to Calvin Bynum and Farbee [maiden name unknown]; was the widow of William Finch; and was buried in Finch Cemetery. Pearley Finch was informant.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com Neshele Godfrey.

Snaps, no. 113: Mattie Gibson Shelley.

I did not know her, but these snapshots of Mattie Gibson Shelley are windows onto the landscape of my childhood.

Mattie Shelley, three girls, and boy, out in the country. A tiny cemetery; a fresh grave. Corn fields; a young sweetgum tree.

Mattie Shelley with cat eye glasses and a slight smile, in town. A classic metal porch chair. (Ubiquitous, yet so uncomfortable. There’s a glider on the porch across the street.) Puffy white cloud, a young tree.

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In the 1910 census of Cartersville township, Florence County, South Carolina: Walie Gibson, 36; wife Mary, 39; and children Cora, 15, Ada, 13, Julius, 9, Walter, 7, Joseph, 5, Mattie, 3, and Annie, 10 months.

In the 1920 census of Cartersville township, Florence County, South Carolina: Wallie Gibson, 46; wife Ella, 26; and children Walter, 18, Joseph, 15, Mattie, 12, Annie, 10, Eva, 7, and Willie, 5.

In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Roy Shelley, 44; wife Mattie, 31; and children Marthy Lee, 11, Walter, 9, Lee Roy, 7, William, 4, and Willie, 1.

In the 1950 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Roy Shelley, 53; wife Mattie, 42; children Martha, 21, Walter, 19, Leroy, 17, William, 14, Willie, 11, Dorthy, 7, Bearnice, 5, and James, 3; and granddaughter Bobbie Hardin, 2.

Mattie Gibson Shelley died 1 October 1973 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 13 December 1907 in South Carolina to Wallie Gibson and Mary Anthony; was a widow; lived at 925 Poplar Street; and was buried in Rest Haven Cemetery. Martha Chestnut, 501 Lane Street, was informant.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry user T’Keyah Fleming. Thank you!