studio photography

Studio shots, no. 248: Alonza G. Creech.

Alonza G. Creech (1924-2020).

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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 1942, Alonza G. Creech Jr. registered for the World War II draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 16 September 1924 in Johnston County, N.C.,; lived at 1100 East Nash Street, Wilson; his contact was Callie Horton Creech; and he worked for Glide Base, Edenton, N.C.

On 26 June 1947, Alonzo Creech, 21, of Wilson, son of Alonzo L. and Callie Horton Creech, married Geraldine Gaylord, 16, of Wilson, daughter of Jerry and Elizabeth Williams Gaylord, at the Gaylords’ home at 806 East Green Street. Missionary Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony.

Photo courtesy of Rodger Creech Jr.

Studio shot, no. 197: the Henderson-Taylor family.

This is not, strictly speaking, a studio shot, but it was taken by a studio photographer, Ray J. Dancy. Dancy made a house call to photograph Roderick Taylor Sr., Hattie Henderson, and their children in the front room of the Hendersons’ home at 1109 Queen Street, circa 1944.

Studio shots, no. 116: Josephus and Minnie Taylor Johnson family.

The unsuccessful legal battle of Josephus Johnson to have his children educated in white Wilson County schools is chronicled here. As noted in earlier posts, despite admitted remote African ancestry and the verdict of the North Carolina Supreme Court, the Johnsons continued to live as white people in their community and beyond.

Here are Minnie Etta Taylor Johnson, Josephus S. Johnson, and their oldest children Carl, Arthur and Fannie.

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And three of the Johnsons’ sons as adults:

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Carl Johnson (1903-1978).

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Luther Johnson (1908-1985).

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James Clinton Johnson (1911-1962).

Photos courtesy of Ancestry.com users Mary Barber, Joe Whisnant, and welderpbr.

Studio shots, no. 34: W. Thomas Ayers.

Thomas Ayers

William Thomas Ayers (1883-1963), who appears to be seated in Picture-taking Barnes‘ one-armed wicker chair.

In the 1900 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: William Ayers, 45; wife Zilphia, 35; and children William T., 17, Sallie A., 15, Paul E., 13, William J., 11, Henry, 10, Josiah, 8, Rhoda, 7, David J., 5, Viola, 3, and Lilly M., 1.

On 26 September 1918, Thomas Ayers, 34, son of Bill and Zilphia Ayers, married Callie Hood, 25, daughter of Gollett Hood, in Spring Hill township, Wilson County. Witnesses were James H. Barnes, Ivory Atkinson and Harry Barnes, and Missionary Baptist minister R.M.C. Robertson performed the ceremony.

On 12 September 1918, William Thomas Ayers registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 3 February 1883; farmed for G.W. Watson, Lucama; resided at Route 1, Lucama; and his nearest relative was Callie Ayers.

In the 1920 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: on Spring Hill and Black Creek Road, farmer Tom W. Airs, 39; wife Callie, 27; and children James W., 1, and Lillie M., 3 months, plus daughter-in-law Hazel, 19.

In the 1930 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Tom Ayers, 47; wife Callie, 37; and children James W., 11, Lillie M., 10, Eddie, 8, Harvey, 7, Arthur, 3, Marvis, 2, and Vivian, 1 month.

In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer Tom Ayers, 57; wife Callie, 46; and children Eddie, 18, Harvey, 17, Ather, 14, Marvin, 12, and Vivian, 10.

W. Thomas Ayers died 15 September 1963.

Photograph courtesy of Ancestry.com user AngelAyers.