studio photograph

Studio shots, no. 239: Harry B. Harris.

Harry Bryant Harris (1914-1950).

In the 1920 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: on Stantonsburg Road, farmer Benjamin Harris, 25, and siblings Rhodie, 22, John, 20, Nanie, 18, Vicie and Nicie, 16, Edgar, 14, Oscar and Rosca, 11, Leland, 9, and Hamilton B., 7.

On 30 October 1937, Harry B. Harris, 24, of Wilson, son of Ed and Bettie Harris, married Sarah Lee Graham, 22, of Wilson, daughter of Rosa Graham, in Wilson. Luther Locus applied for the license, and Elder Isaac Williams performed the ceremony.

In 1940, Harry Bryant Harris registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 April 1914 in Wayne County, N.C.; lived at 206 South Reid Street; his contact was brother Ben Amos Harris, 701 Lane Street; and he worked for Ben A. Harris.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 Manchester Street, bricklayer Harry B. Harris, 36, and wife Sarah, 34.

Harry Bryant Harris died 26 May 1960 at his home in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 April 1915 in Wayne County to Ed Harris and Bettie Daniel; was married to Sarah L. Harris; lived at 208 Manchester Street; and worked as a laborer. Vicy Scott, 813 Stantonsburg Street, was informant.

Photo courtesy of Harry B. Harris Jr.

Studio shots, no. 238: Nora Williams Battle.

Nora Williams Battle (1883-1958)

In the 1900 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: widower Levi Williams, 55, widower, and children Maggie, 18, Norah, 16, James, 14, Joseph, 12, Arthur, 10, Walter, 8, Hattie, 6, and Ora, 4.

William Battle, 36, married Nora Williams, 22, in Wilson County on 4 November 1908 in Wilson. Primitive Baptist minister Jonah Williams performed the ceremony in the presence of Dempsey Lassiter, Harvey Mercer, and Jessie Whitehead.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 609 East Green Street, William Battle, 43; wife Nora, 30; and children Ester, 12, Jessie, 9, William Jr., 7, Aurtha L., 4, and Walter E., 1; and roomers William, 57, widower, and Mary Christmas, 24.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 609 East Green, widow Nora Battle, 49, washing; daughter Esther Moye, 30, widow, tobacco factory stemmer; and seven other families.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 608 East Green, downstairs, widow Nora Battle, 65; son Jessie Battle, 35, cook; daughter Ester Moye, 37, widow, cook; grandchildren Fred Jr., 18, cook, Cornelius, 16, and William A. Moye, 13; and lodgers Arthur Cobb, 59, and Sally Phillips, 75.

Nora Elizabeth Battle died 4 March 1958 at her home at 701 Viola Street in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 10 February 1890 in Edgecombe County, N.C., to Levi Williams and Harriett Bullock and  was a widow.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user PHILLYEVANS44.

Studio shots, no. 237: William B. Battle Jr.

William B. Battle (1913-1961).

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 609 East Green Street, William Battle, 43; wife Nora, 30; and children Ester, 12, Jessie, 9, William Jr., 7, Aurtha L., 4, and Walter E., 1; and roomers William, 57, widower, and Mary Christmas, 24.

In the 1940 census of Washington, D.C.: Wm. Battle, 28, porter at the Times-Herald, was a lodger in the household of Jessie C. Wormsley at 1501 R Street.

William Blackwell Battle registered for the World War II draft in Washington, D.C., in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 26 February 1913 in Wilson; lived at 2009 – 13th Street N.W., Washington, D.C.; his contact was friend Rose Lofon; and he worked at the Times-Herald Building, 1319 H Street, N.W., Washington.

In the 1950 census of Washington, D.C.: William B. Battle, 37, newspaper paper handler, was a lodger in the household of Rosa B. Lawson, 35, beautician.

William B. Battle died in August 1961.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user PHILLYEVANS44.

Studio shots, no. 235: Lottie Locus McKinnon.

Lottie Locus McKinnon (1924-1978).

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In the 1930 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Ed Locus, 47; wife Cora, 35; and children Linward, 20, Maggie, 19, Ula, 18, Winnie, 17, Alma, 16, Redelpha, 13, John E., 11, Clinton, 10, Kenny, 9, Josephine, 7, Easter, 5, Louise, 4, Frank, 3, and Nancy, an infant.

In the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farm laborer Ed Locus, 55; wife Clara, 45; and children Ella, 26, Redelphine, 23, Jhonnie Ed, 21, Qunnion, 19, Kenney, 18, Jasperine, 17, Lottie and Louise, 15, Frank, 12, and Nancy, 10.

Lottie Locus McKinnon died 22 October 1978 in Wilson.

Photo courtesy of Europe A. Farmer, Free in a Slave Society: The Lucas/Locus Family of Virginia and North Carolina (2006).

Studio shots, no. 234: A. John Locus.

Asa John Locus (1895-1974), son of Asa and Annie Eatmon Locus.

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In the 1900 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Asa Locus, 27, wife Anna, 22, and children Larry, 5, Johney, 4, and Kniver, 1.

In the 1910 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: on Nash Road, farmer Acy Locust, 40, wife Annie, 33, and children Larry, 15, John, 13, Eva, 11, James, 8, Ada, 6, and Paul, 3, and mother-in-law Wilmur Eatman, 68.

On 1 September 1917, John Lucas, 21, of Nash County, son of Asa and Annie Lucas of Taylors township, married Susie Stamper, 18, of Oldfields township, daughter of John and Ella Stamper, at the courthouse in Wilson. Gray Ellis applied for the license.

In the 1920 census of Griffins township, Nash County: farmer John Lucas, 24; wife Suddie, 20; and children Paul, 2, and Queenaster, 10 months.

In the 1950 census of Jackson township, Nash County: farmer John Lucas, 57; wife Sudie, 50; hired hand James Morgan, 44, farmhand; and mother Annie Lucas, 74.

John Lucas died 21 December 1974 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 March 1899 to Ace Lucas and Annie Eatmon; was married to Suddie Stample; lived at 401 East Banks; and was engaged in farming.

Photo courtesy of Europe A. Farmer, Free in a Slave Society: The Lucas/Locus Family of Virginia and North Carolina (2006).

Studio shots, no. 232: Ichabud and Mary Ann Lassiter Powell.

Ichabud and Mary Ann Lassiter Powell.

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In the 1880 census of Taylor township, Wilson County, N.C.: farmer Ichabud Powell, 32; wife Mary A., 32; and children Beedy A., 9, Pheny, 7, John, 5, James W., 4, Henry G., 3, and Mary A.E., 11 months.

In the 1900 census of Jackson township, Nash County, N.C.: Ichabod Powell, 50, farmer; wife Mary A., 50; children Mary A., 20, Martha, 18, Joseph, 16, Margarett, 14, Geneva, 12, Billie P., 11, Dempsey H., 9, and Paul J., 6; and nephew Henry Lassiter, 28.

Mary Ann Powell died 5 April 1921 in Jackson township, Nash County. Per her death certificate, she was 74 years old; was born in Wilson County to Silas Lassiter and Orpie Lassiter of Wilson County; was the widow of Ickibuck Powell; and was buried in Powell graveyard, Nash County.

Many thanks to Levolyre Farmer Pitt for sharing this photo of her great-grandparents.

Studio shots, no. 228: the Powell children.

Julius, Sally, Julia, and Savannah Powell, circa 1918.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, Howard Powell, 21; wife Geneva, 24; and children Savannah Lee, 19 months, and Sallie V., 1 month.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Saratoga Road, Howard Powell, 31; wife Geneva, 33; and children Savannah L., 11, Sallie, 9, Julius and Julia, 6, Johnny H., 4, and Christine, 2.

Thank you to Levolyre Farmer Pitt for sharing a copy of this precious photograph.

Studio shots, no. 227: Bedie Powell Blackwell.

Bedie Powell Blackwell (1871-??)

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In the 1880 census of Taylor township, Wilson County, N.C.: farmer Ichabud Powell, 32; wife Mary A., 32; and children Beedy A., 9, Pheny, 7, John, 5, James W., 4, Henry G., 3, and Mary A.E., 11 months.

On 9 April 1892, Asberry Blackwell, 35, of Wilson township, married Beedey Powell, 25, of Wilson township, in Taylor township, Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Bedie Blackwell, 27, tobacco stemmer.

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Powell Bedie (c) lndrs h 311 Mercer

Asberry Blackwell died 21 September 1919 in Oldfields township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1857 in Wilson County; was a widower [actually, it appears he and Bedie were separated or divorced]; and worked as a farmhand for Grover Lamm.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Mercer Street, lodging house landlady Beady Powell, xx, widow, with lodgers James Daniel, xx, machinist, and Zeb Dew, 28, cafe cook.

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Powell Bedie (c) lndrs 401 N Reid

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Powell Bedie (c) lndrs 400 (401) N Reid

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 400 North Reid, laundress Beddie Powell, 72; great-nephew Reubin Hammond, 11; and lodgers Lucius Faison, 67, cleaning yards, and A.G. Dunston, 69, dishwasher at state sanitorium.

Copy of photo courtesy of Levolyre Farmer Pitt.