Discovering and sharing the stories of East Wilson brings me joy. I’ve often said that I would curate Black Wide-Awake even if no one read it, but you do read it, and for that I’m immeasurably grateful. Thank you for another year of close scrutiny and careful commentary, of food and feedback, of time and attention. Send me your ideas, your clues, and your grandmas to be interviewed. Let’s do it again!
Photo by Janelle Booth Clevinger.
Wilson Daily Times, 7 August 1937.
Young adult Samson Barnes died suddenly of young disease. This notice includes a detail presumably affixed by the copy writer: Barnes worked or sharecropped for Herman and Lilly Mattox, who rented land owned by a Woodard.
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In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Preston Barnes, 27; wife Rosettar, 20; and children Samson, 5, Aulander, 3, and Sallie, 5 months.
In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: widow Mollie Williams, 59, and grandchildren Lorenzo, 17, Nathaniel, 15, and Mary Williams, 12, and Samson, 16, Orlando, 14, and Sally Barnes, 12.
Samptson Barnes died 3 August 1937 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 22 years old; was born in Wilson County to Preston Barnes and Rosetta Williams; was 22 years old; worked as a farmer; and was single. Drew Barnes was informant.
On its way to the seven men and women of the Wilson County Commission. They’ve been grappling with the Confederate memorial issue for several years. Reaching consensus could not have been easy, nor finding a solid way to effectuate their decision, but here we are. The monument, with its capped segregated water fountains, Confederate battle flag, and ten Saint Andrew’s crosses, has been removed from courthouse grounds.
Wilson City Council, you’re on the clock.