studio photograph

Studio shots, no. 271: Annie Bell Jacobs Gay.

Annie Bell Jacobs Gay (1896-1981), circa 1940s.

The back of the photo is stamped GGG Photo Studio, 272 Lenox Avenue, New York. (Gasp!) That was James Van Der Zee‘s studio!

Van Der Zee’s photograph of his studio in the 1940s, around the time Annie Bell Gay sat for her portrait.

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In the 1900 census of Dudley, Brogden township, Wayne County: farmer Jessey Jacobs, 42; wife Sarah D., 28; and children Aner S., 17, Redis J., 15, Carie, 13, Docter, 8, Hatie, 6, and Anie B., 3. [Sarah D. Henderson Jacobs was Jesse Jacobs’ second wife and stepmother to his children James Daniel, Anna, Reddick, Carrie, Doctor, and Annie Bell. Their mother, Sallie Bridges Jacobs died shortly after Annie Bell was born. Hattie was Sarah’s child by a previous relationship.]

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Jesse Jacob,  53, deliveryman for stable; wife Sarah, 35; daughter Annie Belle, 15; and boarders Jesse Henderson, 17, Herbert Jones, 23, both stable laborers, and Nina Fasin, 32, a housemaid.

On 20 February 1913, Albert S. Gay, 23, of Wilson, son of Samuel and Alice Gay, married Annie B. Jacobs, 18, of Wilson, daughter of Jesse and Sarah Jacobs, in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. Rev. N.D. King performed the ceremony at his residence at 38 Bunnell Avenue, Elizabeth City. Witnesses included Albert’s sister, Mrs. Mamie R. King.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Alice Gay, 45; daughter Beatrice, 26; grandson Jerome Wood, 11; granddaughter Gereddine, 10; son Albert, 30; daughter-in-law Anabell, 24; grandsons Albert Jr., 4, and Jesse, 2; son-in-law Fredrick Bolling, 35; daughter Lillie, 23; and grandchildren Delma, 4, and Fredrick, 2.

Wilson N.C., city directory, 1928.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 623 Green, Annie B. Gay, 30, a laundress; husband Albert, 40, a bellboy; mother-in-law Alic, 73; and children Albert Jr., 14, Jessie, 11, Hal, 8, Samual, 6, Mirrian, 4, and Ralph, 2. The house was valued at $8000.

Albert Gay Sr. died 4 October 1932 at Moore-Herring Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 29 August 1889 in Wilson to Samuel Gay and Louisa Bryant; was married to Annie Bell Gay; worked for 25 years as a hotel bellman at Cherry Hotel; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Beatrice Holden was informant.

In 1940, Albert Sylvester Gay registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 5 December 1915 in Wilson; lived at 623 East Green; his contact was Annie Bell Gay, same address; and he worked for J.W. Thomas, Thomas-Yelverton.

Wilson Daily Times, 27 March 1981.

Photo courtesy of Nina McCoy Hawkins. Thank you!

Isaiah P. Thorne, as imagined.

I am ambivalent about using artificial intelligence to restore photographs. Or, more specifically, I’m concerned about manipulated photographs supplanting original images and further blurring the line between reality and misinformation. However, the allure of AI-enhanced images is strong, as I often contend with blurry, poorly lit photographs in unnatural sepia or black-and-white tones. Photographs whose condition sometimes exacerbates the distance between us and our ancestors.

I have been experimenting with ChatGPT lately, feeding it queries and images to be restored and colorized. The results are somewhat haphazard, with many images weird and off-putting. Other times, the images are breathtakingly sharp and … alive. Black Wide-Awake exists to resurrect forgotten lives, and I believe these images are valuable to help us connect with the men and women we read about in these posts. From time to time, I’ll share the better ones here, clearly marked as AI-generated.

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Isaiah Prophet Thorne (1885-??), vaudeville artist, musician.

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).

Studio shots, no. 267: Maggie Elizabeth Foster Barnes.

Maggie Foster Barnes (1911-1945).

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In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: tenant farmer Claud Foster, 37; wife Cora, 37; and children Mammie, 16, Booker T., 12, Maggie, 9, Claud Jr., 7, Carry, 6, Leroy, 5, Sammie, 1, and Estell, 1 month.

On 11 December 1927, Rosevelt Barnes, 19, of Stantonsburg, son of Jim Henry and Appie Barnes, married Maggie Foster, 15, of Stantonsburg, daughter of Claud and Cora Foster, in Stantonsburg. A.M.E. Zion minister M.M. Patrick performed the ceremony in the presence of Edith Bell Barnes, Orlando Williams, and Pearlie Camron.

In the 1930 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Roosevelt Barnes, 19; wife Maggie, 18; and daughter Hellen, 2.

Roosevelt Barnes Jr. died 21 February 1934 in Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 June 1933 in Wilson County to Roosevelt Barnes and Maggie Foster; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.]

In the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Roosevelt Barnes, 32; wife Maggie, 29; children Hellen, 12, Mammie Lee, 8, and Claud, 2; and lodger [nephew] Jimmie D. Foster, 19.

Roosevelt Barnes registered for the 1940 draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 28 February 1911 in Wilson County; lived on Route 1, Wilson; his contact was wife Maggie Foster Barnes; and he worked for Doc Mercer.

Maggie Barnes died 23 April 1945 in Brooklyn, New York.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Robert Faithful.

Studio shots, no. 265: Mary Jane Davis Horton.

Mary Jane Davis Horton (1877-1967).

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On 5 July 1896, Rufus Horton, 23, of Johnston County, son of Nash and Elizabeth Horton, married Mary J. Davis, 19, of Johnston, daughter of Ollin and Mary F. Davis, in Pine Level, Johnston County. [Rufus, in fact, was a grandson of Nash Horton and was reared by Horton and his wife.]

In the 1910 census of Pine Level township, Johnston County: farmer Rufus A. Horton, 37; wife Mary J., 33; and children William O., 12, Fredie, 10, Alonzo V., 9, Callie M., 7, Flossie V., 5, Romie, 3, and Rufus Jr., 2 months.

In the 1920 census of Smithfield, Johnson County: farmer Ruffes Horton, 47; wife Mary J., 44; and children Van Dan, 19, Calla M., 18, Flosie, 16, Ramon, 13, Ruffes, 9, and Etheal, 4.

In the 1930 census of Smithfield, Johnson County: Baptist minister Ruffus A. Horton, 55; wife Mary J., 51; and children Ruffus, 19, Elthel, 15, and Ulla M., 8.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 721 East Green Street, Floyd Johnson, 28, tobacco factory laborer; wife Flossie, 32, tobacco factory hanger; daughters Ella M., 11, Ernestine, 5, and Bobbie J., 2; and mother-in-law Mary Horton, 59.

The Sunday Star (Washington, D.C.), 2 April 1967.

Photo courtesy of Rodger Creech.

Studio shots, no. 263: Lovett Barnes.

Lovett Barnes (1859-1934).

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On 9 January 1879, Lovett Barnes, 20, and Etna Barnes, 18, both of Wilson County, were married in Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Lovet Barnes, 40; wife Edney, 39; and lodgers Charley Davis, 30; Jane Battle, 59; Lucy Carr, 22; and Alley Bynum, 16.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Raleigh Road, farmer Lovette Barnes, 49; wife Edney, 40; hired woman Lucy Carr, 30, and her children Victoria, 8, Rebecca, 4, and McKinley, 17 months.

In the 1920 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: tenant farmer Lovett Barnes, 60; wife Edna, 60; children Victoria, 18, Rebecca, 15, Kenly, 12, and Clarence, 10; and Lucie Carr, 40, laborer.

In the 1930 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: Lovett Barnes, 70; wife Edna, 68; children Victoria, 28, McKinley, 21, and Clarence, 18; and granddaughters Clarence [sic], newborn, and Lizzie M., 10.

Lovett Barnes died 27 January 1934 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 5 August 1859 in Wilson County to Jannie Barnes; was married to Lucy Barnes; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Wilson.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user armassey.

Happy 100th birthday, Amanda Mitchell Cameron!

Sending extra-special 100th birthday wishes to the beautiful, warm, charming Amanda Gray Mitchell Cameron!

Mrs. Cameron lives independently on the land she grew up on and is always so generous with her time and memories of the Elm City area, Frederick Douglass High School, and her family’s fight for educational and economic opportunity. She is a treasure!