studio photograph

Studio shots, no. 250: Joseph Blue.

Joseph Blue (ca. 1862-1950).

In the 1870 census of Magnolia township, Abbeville County, South Carolina: Aaron Blue, 43; wife Clarisa, 42; and children Robt., 14, Beng’n, 9, Joe, 7, and George, 5.

In the 1880 census of Magnolia township, Abbeville County, South Carolina: Aaron Blue, 47; wife Clarister, 39; children Robert, 24, Benjamin, 17, Joseph, 14, George, 12, Laura, 6, and Ezekiel, 2 months; and mother-in-law Patsy Bryant, 83.

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.

In the 1920 census of Varennes township, Anderson County, S.C.: Joseph Blue, 51, farmer; wife Ella, 51; children Claracy, 17, and Fred Aron, 13; and granddaughter Minnie Lee Aiken, 9.

In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Blue Joseph (c: Ella) bellmn Cherry Hotel h 1220 Carolina

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Blue Jos (c; Ella) lab h 1220 Carolina

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: odd jobs laborer Joe Blue, 60; wife Ella, 58; granddaughter Minnie Edwards, 19; daughter Gladys Smith, 24, tobacco factory laborer; and grandson James Edwards, 7. (Only James was born in North Carolina.)

Ella Blue died 24 November 1943 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 4 March 1874 in Elberton [sic] County, Georgia, to Auston Williford and Eliza Hull; was married to Joe Blue; lived at 29 Carolina Street; and was buried in Rountree [likely, Vick] Cemetery.

Joseph Blue died 25 January 1950 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 14 April 1882 [sic] in Abbeville, S.C., to Aaron Blue and Cassie Calhune; was a widower; had worked as a gardener and laborer; and was buried in Rountree [likely, Vick] Cemetery.

Wilson Daily Times, 26 January 1950.

Photo, adapted, courtesy of Morris Applewhite.

Studio shots, no. 246: Ora Renfrow Parker.

Ora Renfrow Parker (1899-??).

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In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer John Rentfrow, 40; wife Marguaratt, 37; and children Franklin, 19, John T., 15, Mattie H., 12, Fannie, 10, Clinton, 7, and Oria, 1.

W.H. Parker, 24, of Springhill township, son of Nancy Parker, married Ora Renfrow, 19, of Old Fields township, daughter of John and Margarette Renfrow, on 6 January 1918 in Old Fields. G.W. Carter applied for the license.

In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer William H. Parker, 26; wife Ora, 21; and son Clovis, 10 months.

In the 1930 census of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: at 3905 Folsom Street, railroad porter Henry Parker, 36; wife Ora, 31; and children Clovis, 11, Tarrel, 9, Dorothy, 7, and Henry, 5.

In the 1940 census of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: at 3905 Folsom Street, Pullman Company porter Henry Parker, 45; wife Ora, 40; and children Clovis, 21, retail store porter, Henry, 18, truck driver, and Dorthy, 17.

In 1942, William Henry Parker registered for the World War II draft in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Per his registration card, he resided at 3905 Folsom Street; was born 26 December 1894 in Wilson County, North Carolina; worked for the Pullman Company, P.R.R. 30th Street Station, Philadelphia; and his contact person was Mrs. Ora Parker.

In the 1950 census of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: at 3905 Folsom, William H. Parker, 56, watch repair; wife Ora, 51; and sons Clovis H., 31, studio ceramic artist, and Henry J., 24, shoemaker.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user Sierra Barrett.

Studio shots, no. 244: Joseph C. Barnes.

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In the 1870 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Anthony Barnes, 59; wife Hester, 58; children Caroline, 18, Mike, 12, Joseph, 8, and Harriet, 6; James Renfrow, 85; and Barney Barnes, 21.

In the 1880 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Antha Barnes, 70; wife Hester, 60; and children Joseph, 20, and Harriet, 15.

On 30 July 1885, Joseph Barnes, 25, married Mary Shaw, 18, in Wilson County.

In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph C. Barnes, 39; wife Mary, 31; and children Devro, 13, James B., 10, Lillie, 9, William, 7, Ullis, 4, and Mattie, 1.

On 15 January 1904, Joe Barnes, 43, of Springhill township, son of Andy and Hester Barnes, married Spicy Atkinson, 21, of Springhill township, daughter of Arch and Martha Atkinson, at Arch Atkinson’s.

In the 1910 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Joseph Barnes, 49; wife Spicy J., 27; and children James B., 16, Henry W., 14, Mattie F., 12, Grover G., 10, Addora, 5, Martha J., 2, and Naoma, 5 months.

In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Joe Barnes, 59; wife Spicy, 36; and children Adora, 15, Martha, 12, Carolina, 8, Irey J., 6, Levi, 4, Suveller, 3, and Mary E., 1.

On 2 June 1928, Jos. C. Barnes, 65, of Springhill township, married Kizzie Hinnant, 53, of Springhill township, in Wilson.

In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Josep C. Barnes, 70; wife Kizzie E., 58; and children Martha J., 22, Levie, 14, Suvella, 12, Mary E., 10, and Ester, 8.

In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Joe Barnes, 82; wife Kizzie, 65; daughter Ester, 18; niece Gladys Smith, 14; grandchildren Frances and Bubbie Ashby, 5; son Levie Barnes, 24; and son’s wife Bulah Barnes, 24.

Per his headstone, Joseph C. Barnes died 25 April 1945.

Photo adapted, courtesy of Ancestry.com user eventlady28.

Studio shots, no. 243: Lula Mae Barnes Speight.

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In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: tenant farmer Redman Barnes, 47; wife Genette, 43; children Dora, 20, Fred, 19, Mary E., 17, Minie B., 15, Eddie Bell, 13, Petcandy, 11, Nora Lee, 9, Alice, 7, Lula Mae, 4, and Redman Jr., 1.

In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Raymond [Redmond] Barnes, 59; wife Jeanette, 50; children Dora, 29, Fred, Fred, 25, Mary, 23, Minnie B., 20, Edith, 18, Bettie L., 17, Nora L., 16, Alice J., 14, Lula Mae, 12, Raymond Jr., 10, and John H., 8; and nephew Author Ellis, 20.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1116 East Nash Street, Mary Barnes, 33, who taught at Healthy Plains Grade School; her widowed mother Jenettie Barnes, 62; brothers Redman, 22, a shoe repairer at Rex Shoe Shop, and John, 19, a tobacco factory laborer; brother-in-law Doll Speight, 26, apartment elevator operator; sister Lula, 23, and their daughters Letrice, 2, and Bettie, 8 months.

In 1940, Doll Speight registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 13 May 1916 in Greene County, N.C.; lived at 1116 East Green Street, Wilson; his contact was wife Lula Mae Speight; and he worked for Mrs. W.D. Hackney Sr., 301 East Nash Street, Wilson.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Doll Speight Jr., 34, janitor at professional building; wife Lula M., 34; and children Leatrice, 12, Betty Lou, 10, and Donald E., 1.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry user gb1405. My aunt married Lula Barnes Speight’s nephew, and my family spent many a happy holiday around a table at one or another of the Barnes’ sisters’ homes.

Studio shots, no. 242: Elmer Langston.

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In the 1930 census of Great Swamp township, Wayne County, North Carolina: farmer Barney Langston, 34; wife Jennie, 43; and children Canaan, 13, Mattie, 10, Corena, 8, Junius, 6, Elma and Thelma, 4, Ethel, 3, and Troy L., 1 month.

In the 1940 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Barney Lancaster, 47; wife Jenny, 49; and children Kiney, 23, Pauline, 21, June, 19, Thelma, 17, Elmer and Ethel, 15, and Troy, 11.

In 1943, Elmon Langston registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. per his registration card, he was born 20 February 1925 in Wayne County; lived at Route 1, Fremont, Wilson County; was a student at Mincey [Minshew] School; and worked at Jessie Edmundson farm, Fremont. he signed his card ‘Elmar Langston.’

In the 1950 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: farmer Bonnie Langston, 54; wife Maggie, 54; children Thelma, 24, Ethel Lee, 22, Troy D., 19, and Elmer, 24; daughter-in-law Harriet, 23; grandchildren Louise, 2, and Elmer Lee, 1; and grandchildren Carolyn, newborn, and Virginia, 3.

On 2 April 1960, Elmer Langston, 31, of Fremont, married Daisy Hooks, 32, of Fremont, in Wilson County.

Photo courtesy of Ancestry user Chakela Barrington.

Studio shots, no. 241: the young Rev. Fred M. Davis.

A couple of weeks ago, a photo collector reached out to me concerning this priceless image. His research had identified the man as Rev. Fred M. Davis, the most prominent African-American Baptist minister in Wilson in the first half of the twentieth century, and he wanted to reconnect the portrait with Rev. Davis’ descendants. They are cherished family friends, and I was delighted to help.

Yesterday, after a meet-up in North Carolina, Rev. Davis’ portrait went home.

Diana Davis Myers gazes at a portrait of her grandfather, Rev. Fred M. Davis.

Thank you, G.G., for the diligent search that ultimately led you to Black Wide-Awake and the return of this family treasure. Photo courtesy of Michelle Myers Young.

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.