Taylor

The sale of William Taylor’s property.

After William Taylor‘s death, likely at the end of 1885, his administrator Toby Farmer oversaw the auction of his household furniture. The buyers, who probably bought more to help the family than from a need for these commonplace items, included Jacob Pitt, Charles Darden, Treasy Taylor, Nicey Harper, Haywood Freeman, Ennis [Enos] Thompson, Alfred Dew, Henry Young, John H. Lassiter, Jerry Washington, Mack Bynum, Charles Bynum, Charles Gay, Cary Gray, Daniel Vick, B.R. Winstead, and S.H. Vick.

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  • William Taylor

Perhaps: in the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: carpenter William Taylor, 22, and wife Anna, 16.

And, in the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: house carpenter William Taylor, 32; wife William Ann, 26; daughter Hattie, 2; and niece Mary Gay, 9.

  • Jacob Pitt

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Jacobs Pitt, 40; wife Quilla, 35, farm laborer; and daughter Vinah, 3; and Turner Strickland, 20, farm laborer.

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Jacobb Pitt, 53; wife Quiley, 34; and daughter Vinah, 13.

  • Treasy Taylor

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: drayman Aaron Jones, 30; wife Mollie, 25; and daughter Emma, 13; mother Theresa Taylor, 40; and boarder Blake Watson, 36, laborer.

  • Nicey Harper

Nicey A. Barnes died 11 April 1963 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 28 December 1871 to John and Edna Harper; was a widow; lived on Route 4, Wilson; and was buried in the Masonic Cemetery, Wilson. Alene Harper of Snow Hill, N.C., was informant.

  • Ennis Thompson

Probably Enos Thompson. In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County:  farmer Enos Thompson, 41; wife Hellon, 41; and children John, 17, Margaret, 16, Lucy, 6, Pet, 4, and Ennis, 3.

  • Henry Young

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Henry Young, 34; wife Anna, 37; and children Jane, 4, John, 2, and George, 5 months.

On 15 November 1879, Henry Young, 45, married Zilpha Barnes, 24, in Wilson. Minister Daniel Blount performed the ceremony at his home in the presence of Sam Williams and Elias Strickland.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Henry Young, 45; wife Zilpha Ann, 21; and children Joseph, 15, Nettie, 13, and George, 10.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Henry Young, 65; wife Annie, 42; and boarder Pennie Young, 22.

Henry Young died 9 March 1910 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 72 years old; was born in Franklin County, N.C., to Herbert and Clarisa Young; was married; and was buried in Wilson. Walter Foster was informant.

  • Cary Gray

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Cary Gray, 35, farm laborer; wife Fillis, 25; and children Mary, 12, Cherry, 10, Henry, 8, Susan, 5, and Robert, 1.

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: Cary Gray, 45, farmer; wife Phillis, 30; and children Susan, 14, Henry, 18, Robert, 12, Colia, 9, Fannie, 6, and Caroline, 2.

Family ties, no. 12: the Faucettes of Goldsboro, North Carolina.

To date, my Family Ties series has focused on the ways my grandmother Hattie Henderson Ricks and her adoptive mother (her great-aunt) Sarah Henderson Jacobs Silver maintained ties with the Henderson diaspora, which had begun spreading out from Wayne County, North Carolina, in the late 19th century. However, a chance find in a newspaper clipping sends this post in a different direction.

I’ve written of my great-great-grandparents, Green and Fereby Taylor, who were enslaved in far northern Nash County on the plantation of Kinchen Taylor, but appear in 1870 in Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, near present-day Pinetops. In the 1880 census, their household was multi-generational, with five grandchildren — Nannie, Carrie, Lizzie, Louisa, and Isaiah — whose parentage is not clear.

1880 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County.

I puzzled out Lizzie Taylor‘s identity (if not her parents) some time ago. As Eliza Taylor — the name she used throughout adulthood — she married Jordan Taylor and lived in Wilson for several decades. The others remained a mystery until I recently stumbled upon this notice of a funeral service:

Goldsboro News-Argus, 24 January 1965.

Edna Gray Taylor Desvigne, Joyce Taylor Crisp, and Roderick Taylor Jr. were my father’s half-siblings — children of Roderick Taylor Sr. and great-grandchildren of Green and Fereby Taylor. Mary John Pender Taylor was their mother. Who was Lula Faucette to them?

Her death certificate answered the question. Lula Faucette was Louisa Lula Taylor Faucette — the Louisa listed in the 1880 census, and Roderick Taylor Sr.’s first cousin. She was born 2 February 1882 [or thereabouts] in Wilson County to parents who were unknown to informant Roderick Taylor Jr. [her first cousin once removed]; lived at 306 South Leslie Street; and was a widow. She was buried in Elmwood Cemetery.

The Faucettes prospered in Goldsboro, and records show Lula Taylor Faucette maintained contact with her Wilson kin for the rest of her life.

On 26 May 1898, J.T. Faucett, 22, of Wayne County, married Lula Taylor, 18, of Wilson County, at the residence of M. Taylor [probably, Mike Taylor, Lula’s uncle.] W.J. Moore, [A.M.E. Zion] minister of the gospel, performed the ceremony in the presence of T.A. Saunders, Mary E. Moore, and Elsie McCullers. The marriage register does not name her parents.

In the 1910 census of Goldsboro township, Wayne County: locomotive fireman Thomas Faucette, 37; wife Louisa, 29; and daughter Susie, 11.

The 1914-1915 catalogue of Scotia Seminary in Concord, N.C., lists Susie Mae Faucette of Goldsboro as a first-year seminary student.

In the 1920 census of Goldsboro, Wayne County: at 508 Canal Street, owned and valued at $5000, Thomas Faucette, 46, locomotive fireman; wife Louise, 40; and daughter Susie, 21, public school teacher.

On 23 November 1921, the Goldsboro News-Argus reported that the Civics Department of the Woman’s Club had organized a civic club “among the colored people” that would go house to house to campaign for planting and cleaning up. Mrs. Thomas Faucette was named as the representative for District #5, Little Washington, from the railroad to the Old Folks’ Home.

In this photo taken circa 1925, Susie Faucette is third from right on the top row. Goldsboro News-Argus, 12 December 1976.

In the 1930 census of Goldsboro, Wayne County: at 426 Canal Street, owned and valued at $5000, Thomas Faucette, 54, steam railway fireman; wife Lula, 50; and daughter Susie, 31, public school teacher.

1930 Goldsboro, N.C., city directory.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 30 May 1934.

My review of available death certificates for Wilson County in May 1934 did not establish the identity of the sister who died. However, Eliza Taylor Taylor died 25 May 1934 in Rose Hill township, Duplin County, and I would bet good money that she was the sister.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 28 July 1934.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 27 January 1937.

Thomas Faucett died 27 January 1937 in Goldsboro, Wayne County. Per his death certificate, he was born 11 December 1876 in Hillsboro[ugh], North Carolina, to Ray Faucett and Susan Wortham; was married to Louise Faucett; lived at 209 South James; worked as a railroad fireman; and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery.

The Faucettes’ charitable contributions were regularly noted in the News-Argus‘ Black society column.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 14 December 1938.

Two years later, principal Hugh V. Brown submitted this tribute to the local newspaper:

Goldsboro News-Argus, 2 February 1939.

Later that year, Lula and Susie Faucette sold their house on Canal Street in Goldsboro’s Little Washington neighborhood. They bought a house at 209 South James Street. In 1959, they built and moved into a house at 308 South Leslie Street, which still stands.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 21 July 1939.

Per the First African Baptist Church 1864-1978: Dedicational Year church history book, in the late 1930s, Lula Faucette, with Henrietta Wooten, founded the Stitch and Chatter Club “for spiritual, social, and financial and to help First African Baptist meet its financial obligations.”

Per News-Argus reports, beginning about 1942, Lula and Susie Faucette began sponsoring the Thomas Faucette Award, given to the “most useful boy” in senior class at Goldsboro’s Dillard High School.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 2 April 1942.

Mrs. Jimmie Reaves was Bertha Taylor Reaves, daughter of Mike and Rachel Barnes Taylor and Lula Faucette’s first cousin.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 3 July 1944.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 5 August 1944.

(Who were these Philadelphia relatives??)

Goldsboro News-Argus, 26 April 1948.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 28 March 1950.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 28 June 1950.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 24 March 1951.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 11 July 1951.

Rev. Fred M. Davis, most closely associated with Wilson’s Jackson Chapel First Missionary Baptist Church, served as pastor of First African Baptist from 1916 to 1924.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 14 August 1957.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 29 June 1962.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 6 February 1963.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 8 February 1963.

Susie Mae Faucette died 6 February 1963 in Goldsboro. Per her death certificate, she was born 9 March 1906 [sic] in Wayne County to Thomas Faucette and Louise Taylor; was never married; worked as a teacher; and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 14 March 1963.

Susie Faucette’s estate was valued at nearly $187,000 in 2025 dollars.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 20 March 1963.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 11 February 1965.

Louise Faucette’s estate was valued at about $234,ooo in 2025 dollars.

308 South Leslie Street, Goldsboro, per Google Street View, June 2022.

A Taylor family migrates to Louisiana.

On 16 January 1869, Jolly Taylor, son of Spencer Farmer and Cherry Taylor, married Patsey Farmer, daughter of Benj. and Ellen Farmer, in Wilson.

In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Jolly Taylor, 35; wife Patsey, 48; Dock Taylor, 15; and Nellie, 12, Haywood and Richard, 12, and George Farmer, 16.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Jolly Taylor, 60; wife Cherry, 38; son Richard, 18, farm laborer; and David Cotton, 18, farm laborer.

In the 1900 census of Concordia Parish, Louisiana: farmer Patrick Jackson, 44, born in Mississippi; wife Anna, 26; stepson Charlie Armstrong, 12; uncle Jolly Taylor, 86; aunt Cherry Taylor, 69; and orphan Susie Harris, 8. All except Patrick Jackson were born in North Carolina. [Pat Jackson married Anna Armstrong 16 October 1899 in Concordia Parish, Louisiana.]

Cherry Tillery died 30 November 1916 in Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was about 72 years old; was born in Wilson County to Jollie Taylor and Jinnie Farmer; was married; and was buried in Elm City. Henry Ruffin was informant.

Ellen Taylor died 21 February 1919 in Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was about 70 years old; was born in Wilson County to Jolly Taylor; and was buried in Elm, City. Charlie Armstrong was informant.

Lucy Taylor died 25 June 1928 in Township No. 10, Edgecombe County. Per her death certificate, she was about 74 years old; was born in Wilson County to Jollie Taylor; was married; and was buried in Pitt Burying Ground, Edgecombe County.

The apprenticeship of Doctor Taylor.

On 20 November 1871, a Wilson County Probate Court judge ordered 13 year-old Doctor Taylor bound as an apprentice to Jolly Taylor until he reached 21 years of age.

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In the 1870 census of Joyners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Jolly Taylor, 35; wife Patsey, 48; Dock Taylor, 15; and Nellie, 12, Haywood and Richard, 12, and George Farmer, 16.

In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Dock Taylor, 23 farm laborer, living alone.

On 14 March 1889, Dock Taylor, 36, married Ellen Taylor, 36, at Dock Taylor’s home in Toisnot township, Wilson County. A.M.E. Zion minister James M. Copeland performed the ceremony in the presence of William R. Taylor, Curtis Taylor, and Flonny Taylor.

[More about Jolly Taylor later.]

United States Indenture and Manumission Records, 1780-1939, database at https://familysearch.org.

The guardianship of the Henderson children.

In 1907, Samuel H. Vick was named guardian of the children of Sandy D. Henderson‘s children Maty J. Henderson, Charles J. Henderson, and Mollie Henderson.

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On 27 May 1897, Sandy Henderson, 40, married Mary Jane Taylor, 40, in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony at the A.M.E. Zion church. S.A. Smith, Charles H. Darden, and Wyatt Studaway were witnesses.

In the 1900 census of Wilson, Wilson County: hack driver Sa[illegible] Henderson, 54; wife Mary J., 40, restaurant keeper; and children Buxton, 19, hotel waiter, Leonidas F., 13, tobacco stemmer, Charles J.A.W., 9, and Mattie M.J., 7. [R. Buxton and Leonidas F. Taylor were Mary Henderson’s children by a previous marriage.]

In the 1908 Wilson, N.C., city directory: Henderson Charles (c) lab h 547 E Nash

On 14 January 1909, Fate Barnes, 22, of Wilson, married Mattie Henderson, 17, of Wilson, daughter of Sandy and Florence Henderson, in Wilson. Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony at the residence of Henderson’s guardian James Somerville in the presence of Rear Thomas, Malvinnie Rosser, and Delphia Ellis.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Viola Street, box factory laborer Fate Barnes, 23; wife Mattie, 19; brother Sam, 29, buggy factory laborer; sister-in-law Emma, 23, laundress; nephew William A., 4, and niece Annie, 5 months.

In 1917, Lafayette Barnes registered for the World War I draft in Wilson. Per his registration card, he was born 5 June 1887 in Elm City, N.C.; lived at 63[illegible] Nash Street; worked for C. Woodard as a drayman; and had a wife and child.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Fate Barnes, 33, drayman at wholesaler; wife Mattie, 29; children Charles, 8, and Elane, 7 months; and Sarah Taylor, 53, widow.

Mattie Barnes died 25 June 1936 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 44 years old; was born in Henderson, N.C., to Sandy Henderson of Henderson, N.C.; was married to Fate Barnes; lived at 717 East Green Street; and she was buried in Wilson [probably, Vick Cemetery.]

Wilson, North Carolina, Guardianship Records 1897-1905, http://www.familysearch.org. [Sidenote: Henderson is not a Wilson County name. African-American Hendersons in North Carolina generally have roots in one of three areas — Onslow County (like my family, which came to Wilson via Wayne County), Rowan County, and Vance County (like Sandy D. Henderson).]

The apprenticeship of Dora Ann Taylor.

On 20 October 1884, a Wilson County Probate Court judge ordered 12 year-old Dora Ann Taylor bound as an apprentice to Jordan Taylor until she reached 18 years of age.

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  • Jordan Taylor

In the 1880 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Jordan Taylor, 35, works on R.R.; wife Jane, 22; and children James Grant, 7, Manora Ann, 4, General Washington, 3, and Lilly Green, 1; or, in the 1880 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Jordan Taylor, 30, farm laborer; wife Adline, 22; and children Caroline, 5, and Elizabeth, 2 months.

  • Dora Ann Taylor

Perhaps: on 29 May 1887, Joseph Eatmon, 30, of Wilson County, son of R. Jordan and Wilmot Eatmon, married Dora Taylor, 15, of Nash County, N.C., daughter of N[illegible] Locus and Mary Taylor, in Wilson County, with Mary Taylor’s permission. Thomas Hagans and Gilbert Howard witnessed the ceremony.

The obituary of Christine T. Flowers.

Wilson Daily Times, 24 January 1945.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Lila Spencer, 50; daughter Mamie Taylor, 30, tobacco factory laborer; grandchildren Ida, 13, Mildred, 11, James H., 9, Lila C., 7, Hermon, 5, and Bruce C., 3; and roomer Henry Bullock, 25.

On 11 October 1931, William Flowers, 21, of Washington, N.C., son of William Flowers, and Georgia [no maiden name], married Christine Taylor, 18, of Wilson, daughter of William James Taylor and Mamie S. Taylor, in Wilson township, Wilson County. John H. Clark and Mamie S. Taylor applied for the license, and Protestant Episcopal minister Michael R. Barton performed the ceremony in the presence of W.M. Bethel, J. Wesley Rogers, and Clark. 

The dissolution of Coley & Taylor Barbershop.

We saw here that David H. Coley and my grandfather Roderick Taylor Sr. briefly operated a barbershop on South Goldsboro Street. The document below pinpoints the date of the dissolution of their business partnership. Unable to agree on terms, on 20 April 1926, Coley and Taylor turned over “all fixtures, equipment, barber supplies” and other property in the shop at 105 South Goldsboro to trustee Calvin F. Young. Young was to sell the property, pay off any liens, pay wages due any “workmen, barbers and servants,” pay off debts, and pay out the remainder to the parties.

Wilson County, North Carolina, Miscellaneous Records, http://www.familysearch.org.