It’s always wonderful when readers share photographs of the men and women of Black Wide-Awake. Special thanks to Belinda Pitt-Bulluck for these images of her great-aunt Ximena Pitt Martinez and great-uncle Ramon Martinez!
Ximena Pitt Martinez (1896-1973).
Ramon Jose Martinez (1900-1973) on the front porch of 903 East Vance Street. He may have been the only Afro-Argentinian ever to live in Wilson.
Charles Bowden, Ximena P. Martinez, R. Jose Martinez.
Joseph and Nettie Peacock Shaw, not long after they married in 1916.
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In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Spencer Shaw, 40, wife Tabitha, 41, and children George A., 17, James R., 11, Hattie, 9, Joeseph G., 6, Seth T., 5, and Albert S., 2.
In the 1900 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: Nathan(?) Peacock, 18, farmer; siblings Merroe, 21, James P., 20, Amos H., 15, Georg A., 7, and Nettie, 5; and grandmother Celia Thompson, 80, widow.
In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: on Wilson and Raleigh Branch Road, Spencer Shaw, 51, wife Bitha, 49, and children James R., 21, Joseph G., 16, Seth T.,14, Albert S., 11, Merlin S., 9, Willie H., 7, and Alice M., 5.
In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer James G. Pate, 39; wife Heterow, 33; children Albert, 13, Daisy P., 9, Mamie L., 7, Alvester, 5, Purvis, 3, General G., 2, and Grant, 9 months; sisters-in-law Nellie Peacock, 20, and Nettie Peacock, 15; and “uncle-in-law” [surely, as to James Pate, wife’s nephew] James L. Peacock, 6.
On 2 January 1916, Joe Grocer Shaw, 22, of Springhill township, Wilson County, married Nettie Peacock, 22, of Springhill township, Wilson County. J.R. Shaw, S.T. Shaw, and C.M. Hinnant were witnesses.
Thomas Cozie Shaw died 17 November 1916 in Springhill township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 29 February 1916 in Wilson County to J. Grocer Shaw and Nettie Peacock and was buried at Barnes Graveyard.
In 1917, Joseph Grocer Shaw registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 9 July 1893 on Route 1, Kenly, North Carolina; lived at Route 3, Kenly; was a farmer for himself; and had a wife and one child.
In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Grocie Shaw, 26; wife Nettie, 26; and children Rosa, 2, and Grover C., 1.
In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Grover Shaw, 36; wife Nettie, 36; and children Rosa M., 12, Grover M., 11, William S., 9, Ruith, 7, Arthar, 2, and Neoma, 11 months.
In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Grover Shaw, 36; wife Nettie, 36; and children Grover, 21, William, 19, Ruth, 17, Auther, 12, Noamia, 11, Ester, 8, and Katie, 6.
In 1940, Grover T. Shaw registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 November 1918 in Wilson County; lived at R.F.D. 3, Kenly, Wilson County; his contact was mother Nettie Peacock Shaw; and he worked for Stephen R. Watson.
Joseph G. Shaw died 25 May 1940 and is buried in Rocky Branch Christian Church cemetery.
Nettie Shaw Kent died 20 February 1969 in Lucama, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 22 August 1893 in Wilson County to Henry Peacock and Courtner Thompson; was married to James Kent; and was buried in Rocky Branch cemetery. Ruth Bynum was informant.
Photo courtesy of LeRoy Barnes.
Spencer “Fox” Shaw and Tabitha Richardson Shaw.
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In the 1870 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Thomas Shaw, 36, wife Katy, 37, and children Frances, 16, Eliza, 14, Fox, 12, David, 11, Martha, 4, and Mary, 2.
In the 1880 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Fox Shaw, 21, wife Bithal, 18, and daughter Mary, 2 months.
In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Spencer Shaw, 40, wife Tabitha, 41, and children George A., 17, James R., 11, Hattie, 9, Joeseph G., 6, Seth T., 5, and Albert S., 2.
In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: on Wilson and Raleigh Branch Road, Spencer Shaw, 51, wife Bitha, 49, and children James R., 21, Joseph T., 16, Seth T.,14, Albert S., 11, Merlin S., 9, Willie H., 7, and Alice M., 5.
In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: on Shaw Avenue on Springhill Road, farmer Spencer S. Shaw, 60; wife Bitha, 60; and children Albert, 22, Marlie, 19, Willie, 16, and Alice, 14.
In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: on Buckhorn Road, farmer Spencer S. Shaw, 70; wife Bitha J., 70; sons William H., 26, and Seth T., 34; daughter-in-law Georgeanna, 24; and grandchildren Alice M., 4, Seth T. Jr., 2, and Franklin S., 6 months.
In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: Seth T. Shaw, 44, wife Georgiana, 34, mother Bitha, 79, and children Alice M., 14, Seth T., 12, Franklin G., 10, George C., 7, Daisy May, 5, and James C., 3.
Bitha Shaw died 25 August 1957 at Mercy Hospital in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 30 June 1877 [actually, circa 1860] in Wake County, North Carolina. She was buried at Rocky Branch. Informant was Hattie Boykins.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Regan Crump.
Laura Joyner Bullock (1897-1959).
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In the 1910 census of Speights Bridge township, Greene County, North Carolina: farm laborer Connor Bullock, 28; wife Pennie, 28; and children Laura, 9, Ceif, 8, Bert, 6, Gatsey, 4, and Sarah, 9 months.
On 27 December 1930, Jesse Joyner, 35, of Greene County, son of Charles and Linda Joyner, married Laura Bullock, 24, of Greene County, daughter of Connie and Pennie Bullock, in Snow Hill, Greene County.
In the 1930 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farm laborer Jessie Joyner, 35; wife Laura, 25; and children Clara, 14, Daisy B., 11, John V., 7, Girtrue, 5, Douglas, 3, and Minnie L., 2.
In the 1940 census of Chinquapin township, Jones County, North Carolina: farm operator Jesse Joyner, 49; wife Laura, 45; children Daisy B., 19, John, 16, Gertie, 15, Douglass, 13, Minnie L., 12, Pattie M., 9, Agnes, 7, and Shirley R., 1; niece Ethel Bullock, 14, and nephew Jesse Bullock, 3.
Jessie Joyner died 10 December 1941 in Chinquapin township, Jones County. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1892 in Wayne County, N.C., to John Joyner and Laura Bulard; was married to Laury Joyner; and worked in farming.
Laura Joyner died 15 October 1959 in Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 September 1897 in Greene County, N.C., to Paul Speight and Pennie Bullock; was widowed; and lived near Stantonsburg, Wilson County.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user belinda1joyner.
James Preston Ward (1902-1984).
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In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Austin Ward, 52; wife Carrie, 31; children Charlie, 20, Classie, 19, Leslie, 12, Ernest, 11, Leona, 12, Preston, 10, Cherry, 9, Austin, 7, Annie, 3, and Alvia, 5 months; sister-in-law Barbara, 29; boarder Dollie, 5; and grandson Nathan, 3.
On 15 June 1919, Preston Ward, 18, of Saratoga, married Edna Taylor, 18, of Saratoga, in Saratoga.
In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Preston Ward, 19; wife Edna, 16; and son James, 2 months.
In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Ward Preston (c) plstr Powell nr Finch
In the 1928 and 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Ward Preston (c; Edna) plstr h206 Powell
In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Powell Street, owned and valued at $1200, Preston Ward, 27, public building plasterer; wife Edna, 26; and children Preston, 10, Elonzy, 8, Johnie, 6, Janie, 5, Virginia, 3, and Sylvester, 8 months.
In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Powell Street, widower Preston Ward, 38, building plasterer; sister Annie, 26; and children James P., 20, building plasterer, Alonza, 18, Johnny Lee, 17, Rosa, 14, Virginia, 12, Sylvester, 10, Ruby, 8, Doris, 6, and Golden, 2.
In the 1941 and 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Ward J Preston (c; Pauline) plstr h206 Powell; Ward J Preston jr plstr h206 Powell
In 1941, James Preston Ward Jr. registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 1 January 1920 in Wilson County; lived at 305(?) Powell Street, Wilson; his contact was James P. Ward Sr., 305 Powell Street; and he worked for Jones Bros. & Co., Wilson.
In 1942, James Preston Ward registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 August 1903 in Wilson County; lived at Route 4, Box 24, Wilson; his contact was C.L. Darden, 108 Pender Street; and he self-employed as a plasterer.
In 1942, Alonzo Ward registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 20 August 1921 in Wilson County; lived at 224 Powell Street, Wilson; his contact was Preston Ward, 224 Power Street; and he worked for Preston Ward [sic], Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C. The card is marked “deceased.”
In 1942, Johnnie Lee Ward registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 April 1923 in Wilson County; lived at 224 Power Street, Wilson; his contact was Preston Ward, 224 Power Street; and he worked for T.A. Loving & Co., Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C.
Alonzo Ward died 21 July 1944 at N.C. Sanatorium, Quewhiffle, Hoe County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 August 1921 in Wilson to Preston Ward and Edna Taylor; was single; was a student; and lived at 224 Powell Street, Wilson.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user livefreenlove21.
Evangeline Dancy Barnes (1919-1993).
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In the 1920 census of Contentnea Neck township, Lenoir County, North Carolina: farm laborer John C. Dancy, 24; wife Penny E., 19; and daughter Enlishel V., 2 months.
On 9 May 1924, John Allen Dancy, age 18 months, died in Ormonds township, Greene County. Per his death certificate, he was born to John Dancy of Ayden, N.C., and Pennie Mills of Pitt County, and was buried in Mills cemetery, Pitt County.
In the 1930 census of Township 9, Craven County, North Carolina: farmer Johnie C. Dancy, 34; wife Pennie, 29; and children Evangeline, 10, Lovie, 8, R.J., 5, and Aribell, 1.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: John Dancy, 44, city of Wilson laborer; wife Pennie, 39, tobacco factory laborer; and children Evangline, 20, tobacco factory laborer, Lovie, 18, R.J., 15, Olie, 11, Mildred, 8, and Leo, 5.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1319 East Nash Street, Frank R. Barnes, 35, worked in tobacco factory blending room, and wife Evangeline, 30, tobacco factory sweeper.
Photo courtesy of Angelo A. Barnes.
Callie Horton Creech (1902-1980).
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In the 1910 census of Pine Level township, Johnston County, N.C.: 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.
On 15 September 1923, Alonzo Creech, 37, of Smithfield, son of Bristol and Susanna Creech, married Callie Horton, 21, of Smithfield, daughter of Rufus and Mary Jane Horton, in Wilson’s Mill, Johnston County.
In the 1930 census of Smithfield, Johnston County: farm laborer Alonzo Creech, 49; wife Callie M., 29; and children Roger, 4, Hortense, 3, Odessa, 2, and Roland, 7 months.
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farmer Alonza Creech, 57; wife Callie, 37; and children Alonza Jr., 15, Roger, 14, Odessa, 12, Roland, 9, and Doris, 8.
In 1943, Roger Olander Creech registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 3 October 1925 in Johnston County; lived at 1100 East Nash Street, Wilson; his contact was Callie M. Creech, 1100 East Nash; and he worked for A.B. Carr, Kenan Street, Wilson.
Photo courtesy of Rodger Creech Jr. Thank you!
Lula Reid Wilson (1889-1958).
Lula Reid married Willie Wilson on 15 September 1909 in Wayne County, North Carolina.
In the 1910 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: Willie Wilson, 29; wife Lula, 21; and children May, 7, William, 5, Jonah, 3, and Gertrude, 11 months.
In the 1920 census of of Nahunta township, Wayne County: on Stantonsburg Road, Willie Wilson, 39; wife Lula, 30; and children William, 14, Jonah, 12, Gertrude, 10, Anna Bell, 8, Lela, 6, Woodrow, 3, and Retha, 1.
In the 1930 census of Eureka township, Wilson County: Willie Wilson, 49; wife Lula, 40; and children Anna B., 18, Lila, 15, Woodrow, 13, Retha, 10, Adam, 7, and Fred D., 6.
William Wilson died 5 March 1939 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 33 years old; was born in Wayne County to Willie Wilson and Lula Reid; was married to Lillie Wilson; and worked as a farmer. Lula Wilson, 609 East Nash Street, was informant.
In 1940, Woodrow Wilson registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 1 January 1918 in Wilson County; lived in Stantonsburg, Wilson County; his contact was mother Lula Wilson, 534 East Nash Street, Wilson; and he worked for W.R. Rodgers, Stantonsburg.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County, Lula Wilson, 60, house cleaner, widow, was a lodger at Mattie B. Coleman‘s Nash Street boarding house, otherwise known as the Orange Hotel.
Lula Reid Wilson died 6 December 1958 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Per her death certificate, she was born 22 November 1893 to Julius Reid and Lula Holms; was separated from Willie Wilson; and lived at 143 Narrow[ay] Street, Wilson. Her death was attributed to a malignancy of stomach caused by swallowing lye water when she was two years old.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user M. Perricone.
Hattie Sutton Taylor Joyner (1877-1957).
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In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Calvin Sutton, 25; wife Silvania, 26; children Hattie, 3, and twins Joel B. and Josephin, 1; mother Dolly, 55; brothers Dallow, 18, and Henry, 16; and sister Mary, 12.
On 20 December 1899, Frank Taylor, 21, of Wayne County, son of Alfred and Pleasant Taylor, married Hattie Sutton, 22, daughter of Calvin and Sylvania Sutton, at Calvin Sutton‘s house in Spring Hill township, Wilson County. Rev. W.H. Horton performed the ceremony in the presence of R.R. Braswell, A.B. Braswell, and L.H. Horton.
In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Frank Taylor, 19; wife Hattie, 23; and nephew Alfred, 7.
In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: on Upper Black Creek Road, farmer Calvin Sutton, 54; wife Sylvania, 58; daughter Hattie Taylor, 33; and grandchildren Olivia, 9, Viola, 7, Lillie M., 5, Georgiana, 4, and Mittie, 2; plus adopted grandson Frank McNeal, 16.
Olivia Barnes died 28 October 1918 in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born in 1899 in Wayne County, N.C., to Frank Taylor and Hattie Sutton; was married to Rossie Barnes; and was buried in Pate graveyard.
In the 1920 census of Selma township, Johnston County, N.C.: farmer Icm J. Joyner, 52; wife Hattie, 40; and children Viola D., 17, Lillie M., 15, George A., 14, Mittie L., 12, Lizzie, 7, Annie, 3, Zalista, 2, and James I., 5 months.
In the 1930 census of Beulah township, Johnston County: farmer James I. Joyner, 59; wife Hattie, 50; and children Lillie, 24, Lizzie, 18, Annie, 12, and James I., Jr., 10.
In the 1940 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farm laborer Isom Joyner, 67; wife Hattie, 61; daughter Annie, 23; son James, 20; daughter-in-law Victoria, 20; and granddaughter Lenis Atkinson, 5.
Isom Joyner died 3 June 1943 in Spring Hill township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 28 July 1875 in Wilson County to Mary Barnes; was married to Hattie Joyner; was a farmer; and was buried in Polly Watson.
Hattie Joyner died 4 August 1957 in Spring Hill township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 26 January 1878 in Wilson County to Calvin Sutton and Sylvania Simmons; was the widow of Isom Joyner; was a retired farmer; and was buried in Polly Watson cemetery. Annie Edwards was informant.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Regan Crump.
Frank Taylor (ca. 1880-??).
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On 20 December 1899, Frank Taylor, 21, of Wayne County, son of Alfred and Pleasant Taylor, married Hattie Sutton, 22, daughter of Calvin and Sylvania Sutton, at Calvin Sutton‘s house in Spring Hill township, Wilson County. Rev. W.H. Horton performed the ceremony in the presence of R.R. Braswell, A.B. Braswell, and L.H. Horton. [Note: Per family information, Frank Taylor’s biological father was not Alfred Taylor, but a white man.]
In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Frank Taylor, 19; wife Hattie, 23; and nephew Alfred, 7.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Regan Crump.