Yearbooks can be a valuable source of photographs of community members whose images were infrequently captured or retained. The 1952 edition of Charles H. Darden High School’s yearbook, The Trojan, included this photograph of Dr. Malcolm D. Williams, Supervisor of Wilson Negro Schools.
Yearbooks can be a valuable source of photographs of community members whose images were infrequently captured or retained. The 1952 edition of Charles H. Darden High School’s yearbook, The Trojan, included this photograph of Oswald W. Harris, who briefly taught math at the school. A native of Warrenton, North Carolina, Harris went on to become a professor of mathematics at Union College-New Jersey and University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. He died in Pompano Beach, Florida, in 2001.
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In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 210 Powell Street, Oswald W. Harris, 40, math teacher at city high school; wife Johnnie, 37, home economics teacher at city high school; sons John M., 5, and Anthony W., 2; and cousin Lucy J. Oneill, 25, “caretaking of home.”
Yearbooks can be a valuable source of photographs of community members whose images were infrequently captured or retained. The 1952 edition of Charles H. Darden High School’s yearbook, The Trojan, highlighted the custodial staff, which included Lessie Mercer, born in Wilson County in 1892.
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In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: day laborer Hayard Cooper, 50; wife Jula, 30, washing; and children Willie, 8, Lessy, 7, Hallie, 4, and George, 2.
In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Lipscomb Road, widow Julia Cooper, 40, farm laborer, and children Lessie, 18, cook, Mahaly, 16, cook, Jessie, 9, and Allen, 5.
On 21 March 1911, Isiah Mercer, 2o, of Wilson, son of Henry and Florence Mercer of Wilson, married Less Cooper, 19, daughter of Heywood and Julia Cooper of Wilson, at July Cooper’s residence in Wilson. Primitive Baptist Minister Jonah Williams performed the ceremony.
In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Mercer Lessie (c) lab h Harper’s Ln nr Herring av
Mable Mercer died 28 January 1915 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 8 March 1913 in Wilson to Isear Mercer of Florida and Lessie Cooper of North Carolina and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.]
In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 217 Hackney, Isax Mercer, 28, factory laborer; wife Lessie, 27; and lodger Walter Mumford, 19, lumber yard laborer.
In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Mercer Lessie (c) laundress h 314 Hackney
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 908 Carolina Street, tobacco factory laborer Isear Mercer, 51; wife Lessie, 48, laundress; and mother Julia Johnston, 68.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Isear Mercer, 63, “drives floor truck – local tobacco factory”; wife Lessie, 58, maid at local colored school; mother-in-law Julia Johnson, 76, widow; and nephew Augustus Mercer, 25.
Isear Mercer died 4 June 1953 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 13 June 1892 in Wilson County to Henry Mercer and Florence Farmer; was married; lived at 908 Carolina Street; and worked as a laborer. Lessie Mercer was informant.
Lessie Cooper Mercer died in August 1975.
This large charcoal portrait is believed to depict Samuel H. Vick‘s mother, Fannie Blount Vick. She is buried in Odd Fellows Cemetery.
Thanks for sharing this beautiful image, Vicki Cowan!
Lawrence Hagans (1916-1965).
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In the 1920 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: James Haggans, 45, farmer; wife Annie, 40; children James, 17, Mallie, 15, Etta, 11, Joe and Jonah, 9, Nelia, 7, Haggar, 6, and Lawrence, 4; and cousin Will Coley, 25, laborer.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson township: James Hagan, 53; wife Nora, 50; children John and Joe, 18, Lawrence, 16, and Etta, 21; grandchildren Elizabeth, 15, Eliza, 13, Susa M., 10, Leeoma, 8, David, 5, Bessie M., 3, Lillie M., 1, and Charlie Reid, 4; and daughter Ida Reid, 32.
In the 1940 census of Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey: at 25-A Jewett Avenue, postal clerk Edward Williams, 42, and wife Ella, 43, domestic, both of Texas; children Ella, 12, Albert, 10, Herbert, 6, and Dorothy, 5, all born in N.J.; son-in-law Lawrence Hagan, 24, porter at U.S. Testing Company, born in N.C.; daughter Amy Hagan, 20, born in New York; granddaughter Barbara Hagan, 4 months, born in N.J.; son-in-law Harold Harris, 18, steel mill riveter, born in N.J.; daughter Bernice, 16, born in N.J.; granddaughter Janice, 3 months, born in N.J.; and mother Elenora Days, 60, born in Texas.
In 1940, Lawrence Hagan registered for the World War II draft in Hudson County, New Jersey. Per his registration card, he was born 27 March 1916 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 25-A Jewett Avenue, Jersey City, N.J.; his contact was wife Amy Hagan; and he worked for U.S. Testing Company, Hoboken, N.J.
In the 1950 census of Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey: Lawrence Hagans, 35, testing company porter; wife Amy, 30; and children Barbara, 10, Patricia, 9, and Lawrence Jr., 7.
Lawrence Hagans died in 21 September 1965 in New Jersey.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com Carla Tyler.
Ella Blount Faith Hopkins (ca. 1900-1951)
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On 25 March 1918, John Faith, 33, of Wilson, son of Henry and Nancy A. Faith, married Ella Blount, 22, of Wilson, daughter of Daniel and Susanna Blount, in Wilson township, Wilson County. Disciples minister J.W. Pitt performed the ceremony in the presence of Violar Blount, Lonny Hopkins, and Annie Morgan.
In the 1930 census of Beaver Dam township, Pitt County, North Carolina: farmer Kimp E. Hopkins, 50; wife Ella, 30; and children Jasper, 13, Rosa L., 11, Susie, 10, Ed and Fred, 8, Sylvester, 6, Earnest, 5, and Lee R., 1.
In the 1940 census of Beaver Dam township, Pitt County: widow Ella Hopkins, 39, farmer, and children Edd and Fred, 18, Rosa D., 21, Sudie Bell, 20, Silvester, 16, Ernest, 14, Leroy, 12, Willie Gray, 8, and James Earl, 6.
In the 1950 census of Beaver Dam township, Pitt County: farmer Ella Hopkins, 50; children Sylvester, 26, LeRoy, 21, and Willie Gray, 18; daughter-in-law Mildred, 18; and granddaughter Shirley Vernell, 10 months.
Ella Hopkins died 26 April 1951 in Greenville, Pitt County. Per her death certificate, she was born 15 October 1898 in Wilson County to Daniel Blount and Susan Barnes and was a widow. Robert Lee Anderson was informant.
Photo (cropped) courtesy of Ancestry.com user Kishka Hopkins.
Albert Lee Hagans (1893-1965).
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In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Bisco Hagan, 33; wife Vesta, 33; and children Lee, 7, Willie, 4, and Carrie, 2.
In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Gooch and Parkers School House Road, farmer Briscoe Haggin, 44; wife Vistie, 44; and children Lee, 16, Willie, 14, Clara, 12, Joseph, 9, and Johnie, 5.
On 20 January 1915, Lee Hagans, 21, of Wilson County, son of Briscoe and Vesta Hagans, married Maggie Croon [Crooms], 20, of Wilson County, daughter of John and Priscilla Croon, at Biscoe Hagans’ residence in Wilson township.
In 1917, Albert Lee Hagan registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 1 June 1893 in Wilson County; lived in Elm City; farmed for J.L. Bailey; and had a wife and one child.
In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Rocky Mount Road, farmer Lee Hagins, 27; wife Maggie, 24; and sons Willie, 4, Richard, 2, and Sammie, 11 months.
In the 1930 census of Fremont, Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer Lee Hagans, 36; wife Maggie, 29; and children Willie, 13, Richard, 12, Sammie, 9, Bessie, 8, Addie M., 6, Gladys, 5, and Mildred, 2.
In the 1940 census of Great Swamp township, Wayne County: farm laborer Lee Albert Hagans, 46; wife Maggie, 41; and children Richard, 20, Jesse James, 19, Addie May, 16, Gladys M., 14, Mildred C., 12, and Biscoe, 9.
Albert L. Hagans died 16 October 1961 in East Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1897 in Elm City, North Carolina, to Brisco Hagans; lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and was a widower. He was buried in Elm City Cemetery. Willie Hagans was informant.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Anne Wimberley.
Vesta Mae Joyner Hagans (1866-1940).
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In the 1880 census of Upper Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: Henry Joyner, 35, farmer; sister Mary Joyner, 35; nieces Adline, 20, Georgianna, 19, India, 17, and Harriet, 13, and Vesta Joyner, 17; nephews Henry, 8, and Lafayett Joyner, 16, laborer; and mother Nancy Joyner, 84.
On 12 March 1891, Bisco Hagins, 24, of Gardners township, son of Richard and Allie Hagins, married Vesta Joyner, 24, of Gardners township, daughter of Charlotte Joyner, in Gardners township, Wilson County.
In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Bisco Hagan, 33; wife Vesta, 33; and children Lee, 7, Willie, 4, and Carrie, 2.
In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Gooch and Parkers School House Road, farmer Briscoe Haggin, 44; wife Vistie, 44; and children Lee, 16, Willie, 14, Clara, 12, Joseph, 9, and Johnie, 5.
Willie Hagans died 21 January 1915 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1896 to Bisco Hagan and Vester Joyner; and worked as a farmer; was single.
In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Rocky Mount Road, Brisco Hagins, 53; wife Lestie, 53; children Clara, 22, Joseph, 19, and John, 15; granddaughters Minnie, 8, and Bessie Hagins, 5; and boarder Noah Vick, 19.
In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Brisco Hagans, 63; wife Vestie, 63; and granddaughters, Minnie, 18, and Bessie, 15.
In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Bisco Heggans, 74; wife Vistie, 74; and grandchildren Minnie, 27, and Sam, 21.
Vesta Hagans died 29 June 1940.
On 2 March 1941, Joseph Hagans, 40, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born in North Carolina to Bisco and Vestie Hagan, widower, and Juverna Holloman, 26, of Philadelphia, daughter of William and Bessie Holloman, were married in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Anne Wimberley.
Biscoe Hagans (1866-1943).
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In the 1870 census of Tarboro township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: farm laborer Dick Hagans, 45; wife Ellen, 43; and children Joseph L., 20, Cornelia E., 12, Ch’s. Henry, 10, Julius, 6, Bisco, 4, and George Th., 1.
In the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Richard Hagans, 52; wife Alley, 51; and sons Charley, 20, Julus, 16, Bisco, 14, Thomas, 11, and Joe, 1.
On 12 March 1891, Bisco Hagins, 24, of Gardners township, son of Richard and Allie Hagins, married Vesta Joyner, 24, of Gardners township, daughter of Charlotte Joyner, in Gardners township, Wilson County.
In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Bisco Hagan, 33; wife Vesta, 33; and children Lee, 7, Willie, 4, and Carrie, 2.
In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Gooch and Parkers School House Road, farmer Briscoe Haggin, 44; wife Vistie, 44; and children Lee, 16, Willie, 14, Clara, 12, Joseph, 9, and Johnie, 5.
Willie Hagans died 21 January 1915 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1896 to Bisco Hagan and Vester Joyner; and worked as a farmer; was single.
In the 1920 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Rocky Mount Road, Brisco Hagins, 53; wife Lestie, 53; children Clara, 22, Joseph, 19, and John, 15; granddaughters Minnie, 8, and Bessie Hagins, 5; and boarder Noah Vick, 19.
In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Brisco Hagans, 63; wife Vestie, 63; and granddaughters, Minnie, 18, and Bessie, 15.
In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Bisco Heggans, 74; wife Vistie, 74; and grandchildren Minnie, 27, and Sam, 21.
On 2 March 1941, Joseph Hagans, 40, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, born in North Carolina to Bisco and Vestie Hagan, widower, and Juverna Holloman, 26, of Philadelphia, daughter of William and Bessie Holloman, were married in Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware.
Biscoe Hagans died 16 January 1943 in Elm City, Toisnot township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 22 June 1877 in Edgecombe County, N.C., to Richard Hagans and Alice Fate; was married to Julia Hagans; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Elm City Cemetery. Johnnie Hagans was informant.
Albert L. Hagans died 16 October 1961 in East Stroudsburg, Monroe County, Pennsylvania. Per his death certificate, he was born 1897 in Elm City, North Carolina, to Briscoe Hagans; was a widower; lived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and worked as a laborer. Willie Hagans of Philadelphia was informant.
Clara M. Batts died 9 January 1970 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 1 November 1897 to Bisco Hagans and Vester Joyner; was a widow; and lived at 706 Edward Street. Johnnie Hagans was informant.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Anne Wimberley.
Mae Ella Blue Burkes (1897-1931).
In the 1900 census of Garvin township, Anderson County, S.C.: farmer Joseph Blue, 32; wife Ella, 21; and children Roxie, 11, Eliza, 10, Laura, 7, Joe, 5, Claudie, 4, and Mary, 3.
In the 1910 census of Centerville township, Anderson County, S.C.: farmer Joe Blue, 43; wife Ella, 42; and children Roxie, 22, Liza, 20, Laura, 18, Josephus, 16, Claude, 15, May Ella, 13, Clarissa, 7, and Freddie, 3.
On 24 November 1917, John Burke, 21, and Mary Ella Blue, 18, both of Hopewell township, were married in Anderson County, S.C.
Nettie May Burke was born 11 October 1918 in Savannah township, Anderson County, S.C., to Johnie Burke, 20, and Maryella Blue, 19.
In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 208 Reid Street, rented at $10/month, odd jobs laborer John Burk, 29; wife May E., 28; and children Nettie, 11, Thelma, 7, Elizabeth, 5, John D., 4, and Ruby M., 2. [The youngest three children were born in North Carolina; all others, in South Carolina.]
Mae Ella Burkes died 23 December 1931 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 May 1897 in Anderson, South Carolina, to Joseph Blue of Abbeville, S.C., and Ella Willerford of Elbert County, Georgia; lived at Vick and East Streets [how? these streets are parallel]; was married to John Burkes; worked as a day laborer at a tobacco manufacturing company; and was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery].
In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Ella Blue, 72, and grandchildren Betty, 19, Thelma, 17, John D., 14, and Ruby May Burks, 12; great-grandson James Blue, 10; and grandson David Blue, 15.
John Burks died 19 February 1941 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 1899 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, to Warren and Kate Burks; was the widower of May Ella Burks; lived in the Wilson Welfare TB Home on Railroad Street; worked as a tenant farmer; and was buried in Roundtree [probably, Vick] Cemetery. Ella Blue was informant.
On 8 June 1941, George Wesley Hines, 27, born in Wilson, N.C., to John and Allie Hines, married Nettie Burkes, 22, born in Anderson, S.C., to John and Ella Burkes, in Manhattan, New York, New York.
On 20 June 1941, Jesse Woodson, 24, born in Macon, Georgia, to Jesse and Lila Woodson, married Thelma Burks, 18, born in Wilson, N.C., to John and Mary Ella Burks, in Manhattan, New York, New York.
On 19 July 1943, Claudis Lassiter, 25, helper, born in Edgecombe County, N.C., to Roy Lassiter and Annie Mitchell, married Bettie Burke, 20, fountain girl, born in Wilson, N.C., to John Burke and May Ella Blue, in Norfolk, Virginia.
In 1944, John Davis Burke registered for the World War II draft in Baltimore, Maryland. Per his registration card, he was born 27 February 1926 in Wilson, N.C.;
Photo, adapted, courtesy of Morris Applewhite.