supercentenarian

Isaac Williams, age 109, speaks of his life and times.

In December 1940, Isaac Williams made his way to Wilson to meet with a Daily Times reporter. Reportedly nearly 110 years old, Williams told of his birth in what is now Wilson County; his enslavement in Nash County; and, most recently, his long voyage to Conroe, Texas, to testify in a massive lawsuit over a $24,000,000 oil fortune due to the rightful descendants of Wilson Strickland. Descendants of 36 different men named Wilson Strickland contested the claim, including Luther E. Williams of Nash County, whose grandfather Guilford H. Williams had been Isaac Williams’ owner and was said to be a close relative of Wilson Strickland.

Wilson Daily Times, 20 December 1940.

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In the 1940 census of Bailey township, Nash County, N.C.: Isaac Williams, 109, and wife Jennie, 51. Both were described as unable to work.

The death of Washington Fields, supercentenarian?

Wilson Daily Times, 9 February 1925.

Both George Washington Fields and Julia Moore Fields were probably somewhere closer to 80-90 years old at the times of their deaths. 

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George W. Fields married Julia Moore on 26 March 1869 in Pitt County, North Carolina.

In the 1870 census of California township, Pitt County: farmer Wash Fields, 35; wife Julia, 35; and children Haywood, 10, Mary, 4, and Jane, 1.

In the 1880 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Washington Fields, 30; wife Julia, 35; and children Renda, 12, Penninah, 11, Jane, 9, Christany, 8, London, 6, William, 5, and twins Isaac and Jacob, 3.

In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Washington Fields, 60; wife Julia, 53; daughters Chrischanie, 25, Amanda, 15, and Lutory, 10; grandson Peter, 10; and granddaughters Julia, 5, and Lillie, 7 months.

In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Washington Fields, 68; wife Julia, 70; grandson Peter J., 18; and granddaughters Julia A., 14, and Mary Lilly, 9.

In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer George W. Fields, 65; wife Julia M., 70; daughter Christina, 48; and grandson Willie, 10.

Julia Fields died 20 June 1924 in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 102 years old; was married to Wash Fields; was born in Greene County, N.C., to Peter Woodard and Renda Woodard; and was buried in a family cemetery. William Fields was informant. 

Washington Fields died 7 February 1925 in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 115 years old; was a widower; was born in Wilson County; and was buried in a family cemetery. Ira Barnes was informant.

Christchana Allen died 20 May 1944 near Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 10 April 1876 in Wilson County to Washington Fields and Julia [maiden name unknown]; was the widow of William Allen; and was buried in Lamon cemetery near Lucama. Julia Fields Rountree was informant.

Amanda Lipscombe died 27 December 1967 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born October 1873 in Wilson County to Washington Field and Julia [maiden name unknown]; worked in farming; and was buried at Mary Grove cemetery. Lessie Lipscombe of Wilson was informant.

Clipping courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.

The obituary of Rose Artis Stewart, 106.

Ms. Rose Artis Stewart, age 106, of 2578 W. 5th Street, Greenville, formerly of Wilson was called from labor to reward on Saturday, January 18, 2020.  A celebration of her life and legacy will be held Saturday, January 25, 2020 at 12 noon in the Robert King, Sr. Memorial Chapel of Carrons Funeral Home, 726 South Tarboro Street, Wilson.  Evangelist Myra Artis will deliver the eulogy, and Minister Gail Batts Shiver will preside.  Interment will follow in Rest Haven Cemetery.

To celebrate her life and cherish precious memories, Mother Rose leaves her son, Lester Artis; her daughter, Ruth Artis Smith; three grandchildren, James Artis (Cheryl), Kirk Artis (Angie) and Alice Lavinia Dozier (Ronald); eight great grandchildren, Keith, Quiana (Amaree), Jason (Latonya), Jerrod (Laura), Kaleisha, D’netra, Michael, Crystal (Jamal) and Maysha (Vadym); thirteen great great grandchildren, Mckeever, McKayla, McKenzie, Mya, Jordan, Reagan, Ava, Alivia, Jason II,  Solanam, Nailah, Amir and Emma; a god daughter, Anetra; two dear close friends, Virginia Bolling and Mother Rumella Patterson; her special nieces, Marie and Geneva; her spiritual father, Bishop Ed W. Thomas; a host of nieces, nephews, Redeemer Church Family, other church families and a host of other relatives and friends.

Obituary courtesy of Carrons Funeral Home.

Annie Parker Daniels, supercentenarian.

When Annie Parker Daniels celebrated her 100th birthday in 1994, no one could have predicted that she would be blessed with eleven more!

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Wilson Daily Times, 22 February 1994.

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Wilson Daily Times, 18 February 1997.

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Wilson Daily Times, 18 February 1999.

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Wilson Daily Times, 8 March 2000.

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Wilson Daily Times, 20 February 2002.

Shortly after her 109th birthday, the Daily Times ran a more in-depth feature on the remarkable Annie Daniels. Among the details: her parents worked a farm near the present location of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church on N.C. Highway 58 North; she joined Ellis Chapel Free Will Baptist Church in 1904 and remained a lifelong member; she attended Battle School; she did housework, cooking and childcare for Eunice Williams; she was the oldest of twelve children; she married Herman Daniels in 1912 [actually, 1913] and had four children [who survived infancy] before he died in 1933.

Wilson Daily Times, 17 March 2003.

Wilson Daily Times, 29 October 2005.

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On 17 August 1913, Herman Daniel, 21, of Wilson, married Annie Parker, 19, of Wilson, at J.B. Vick’s residence.

Moses Daniel died 26 July 1915 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 11 March 1914 in Wilson County to Herman Daniel and Annie Parker.

In the 1920 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: tenant farmer Herman Daniel, 25; wife Annie, 22; and daughter Irene, 3.

The unnamed infant of Herman Daniel died 10 June 1920 in Wilson Township. Per his death certificate, he was born 3 June 1920 in Wilson County to Herman Daniel of Wilson County and Annie Parker of Nashville, Tennessee [sic]. Herman Daniel was informant.

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Silver Lake Road, farmer Herman Daniel, 36, farmer; Annie, 30; and children Arene, 13, Lucy, 3, and David, 1.

Herman Daniel died 19 October 1934 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 35 years old; was born in Wilson County to George Daniel and Lucy Daniel; was a farmer; was married; and was buried in Rountree cemetery. Annie Daniel was informant.

In the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: widowed farmer Annie Daniel, 40, with children Lucy, 12, David, 10, and James, 9.

On 7 September 1955, James R[ogers] Daniel, 25, son of Herman and Annie Parker Daniel, married Myrtle Grace Winstead, 26, daughter of Charlie and Lillie Smith Winstead, in Wilson.

Lucy Daniels Fulghum Farr died 18 October 1966 in Durham, North Carolina. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 February 1927 in Wilson to Herman Daniels and Annie Parker; resided in Nashville, Nash County; and was married to Ernest Farr.

Annie Parker Daniels died 27 October 2005.

Martha Rountree, supercentenarian.

Wilson Daily Times, 8 April 1997.

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Wilson Daily Times, 10 May 2003.

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Wilson Daily Times, 10 April 2004.

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News & Observer (Raleigh, N.C.), 4 February 2005.

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Richard Rountree, 25, married Feby Rountree, 20, on 6 February 1878 in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Richard Rountree, 30; wife Feeby, 26; and children Lilly, 5, James, 5 months, and Louezer, 11 (described as stepdaughter).

In the 1900 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Richard Rowntree, 53; wife Feby, 49; and children James, 19, Loula, 11, Richard T., 10, Waren, 7, Ardenia, 5, Martha, 3, and Howard, 1.

In the 1910 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: widowed farmer Phebee Rountree, 59, and children Richard, 19, Warren, 17, Ardenia, 15, and Martha, 12.

In the 1920 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: widowed farmer Phoebe Rountree, 72, and children Richard, 26, Warren, 24, Ardena, 22, and Martha, 20.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 913 Mercer Street, Ardena Roundtree, 38, “maid of general work”; her sister Martha, 36, “does cleaning”; and son William J., 17, new worker.

In 1940, Rufus W. Wallace registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he lived at Route 4, Wilson, Gardners township, Wilson County; he was born 7 January 1904 in Robeson County, North Carolina; worked for J.W. Corbett; and his contact was Martha Rountree, 913 Mercey Street, Wilson.

In 1942, Richard Roundtree registered for the World War II draft in Baltimore, Maryland. Per his registration card, he was born 18 January 1890 in Wilson, N.C.; lived at 906 North Eutaw Street, Baltimore; worked for Dell Roofing Company, 12 Branch Alley, Baltimore; and his contact was sister Martha Roundtree, 1004 Mercer Street, Wilson.

Studio shots, no. 88: Jack Armstrong, supercentenarian.

Among the dozens of families who migrated up to Wilson County from North Carolina’s southern Sandhills area were those of Dock Roberson and Margaret Armstrong McDougal Blue. After her husband Levi Blue died in Wilson County in 1919, Maggie Blue and Dock Roberson married, and Maggie’s parents John “Jack” and Annie Murphy Armstrong briefly came to live with their blended family in Taylors township. Likely during this time, Jack Armstrong traveled into Wilson to sit for a portrait in Picture-Taking George W. Barnes‘ studio. Jack’s descendants explained that his curled fingers were the result of an injury inflicted during slavery.

John “Jack” Armstrong (ca. 1820-1932), circa 1920.

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In the 1870 census of Flea Hill township, Cumberland County, North Carolina: farm laborer John Armstrong, 40; wife Anna, 38; and children Dublin, 14, Charles, 9, Penny, 8, Margrett, 7, Elizabeth, 5, Barbry, 4, William, 3, and David, 2; plus Amy Armstrong, 52.

In the 1880 census of Flea Hill township, Cumberland County, North Carolina: farmer John Armstrong, 54; wife Annie J., 43; and children Charley, 18, Margret, 16, Barbra A., 12, William J., 10, David, 8, Joe, 6, Daniel R., 4, and Rebecca, 3; plus A. Murphy, 60, mother-in-law.

In the 1900 census of Geddies Gin township, Cumberland County, North Carolina: farm laborer Jack Armstrong, 75; wife Annie, 68; daughter Janie, 15; and grandson George W. Murphy, 12.

In the 1920 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: tenant farmer Doc Robinson, 55; wife Maggie, 53; children Mary, 18, James C., 19, Virginia, 17, David, 14, Elijah, 12, and Jessie B., 3; Vangie, 32, Geneva, 17, and Addie McDoogle, 15; and Moses Robinson, 8, and lodgers Jack, 103, and Annie Armstrong, 101.

Annie Armstrong died 5 April 1920 in Taylor township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 103 years old; was born in Johnston County to Annie Murphy and an unknown father; worked as a farmer for George Piage; and was married to Jack Armstrong. William Jas. Armstrong was informant.

Maggie Roberson died 5 April 1928 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 55 years old; was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina, to Jack and Annie Armstrong; was married to George Roberson; and farmed for Will Carr.

Jack Armstrong died 5 January 1932 in Mingo township, Sampson County, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born 11 February 1815 to John Wood and an unknown mother; was widowed; and was a farmer.

Newspapers across the state reported that Jack Armstrong had been “the oldest North Carolinian” at the time of his death.

Wilson Daily Times, 12 January 1932.

Photo courtesy of F. Cooper Jr., great-great-grandson of Jack Armstrong.

Supercentenarian.

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Maggie Hinnant Barnes at age 115.

“Maggie Pauline Barnes (née Hinnant; 6 March 1882 – 19 January 1998) was a verified American supercentenarian who holds the record for the oldest verified person from the state of North Carolina. She claimed to be 117 but her age was verified as being born on 6 March 1882 (according to a family bible; the 1900 census said “Mar 1881”) and she died 19 January 1998, from gangrene infection, at the age of 115 years, 319 days. She was survived by 4 of her 15 children. She was the 3rd-oldest verified living person and the 2nd-oldest in the United States after Sarah Knauss, although she has since been surpassed by Jeralean Talley, Besse Cooper, and Susannah Mushatt Jones, among others.

“Maggie Pauline Hinnant was born in Black Creek, Wilson, North Carolina as the daughter of Louzaine Hinnant and an unknown father. She married William Orangie Barnes at Maggie’s stepfather Dread’s farm in Black Creek, Wilson 22 October 1899. The couple would have 15 children, of which eight would reach an adult age: Lillian, Clara, Gladys, Nell, Willie, Mary, Ruth and Mildred. The family moved to Kenly, Wilson, North Carolina in 1904 and Maggie spent the remaining part of her life in this area. Maggie Barnes died in Kenly, Johnston, North Carolina 19 January 1998 aged 115 years, 319 years.”

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On 22 October 1899, William Barnes, 22, of Wilson County, son of Gastin and Waity Barnes, married Maggie Hinnant, 19, of Wilson County, daughter of Luzana Hinnant, at Dread Barnes‘ house in Black Creek. Joseph Farmer, Grant Farmer and C.H. Darden were witnesses.

In the 1900 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Orange W. Barnes, 21, sawmill laborer, and wife Maggie, 18, farm laborer.

Entry and photo from gerontology.wikia.com.