We’ve met Prince Albert Aldridge here, He was a native of Fremont, in northern Wayne County, and was buried in Fremont’s African American cemetery.

This unusual gray granite triple headstone marks the graves of Aldridge, his wife Annie Aldridge, and her mother Bettie Edmundson Baker.  At the foot, another narrow block inscribed with first initials — P. A. B.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Ann E. Aldridge, 60, tobacco factory feeding machine; husband Prince A., 63; and mother Betty Baker, 78.

Prince Albert Aldridge died 15 May 1953 at his home at 303 North Reid Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 11 January 1902 in Wayne County to George Aldridge and Dora Green; was married to Annie Aldridge; and worked as a plasterer. Oddly, his place of burial is listed as “family cemetery” in Wilson County.

Bettie Baker died 29 April 1960 at her home at 1313 Atlantic Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 10 June 1889 in Greene County, N.C., to Jack Edmundson and Rena Sauls and was a widow. She was buried in Fremont Cemetery, Wayne County. Annie Aldridge was informant. 

Annie Edmondson Aldridge died 27 February 1981 in Goldsboro, Wayne County. Per her death certificate, she was born 5 July 1888 to Bettie Edmondson; was widowed; worked as a laborer; and lived in Kinston, Lenoir County, N.C.

It is likely that Annie Aldridge purchased this set of grave markers from Clarence B. Best after her husband and mother died, and no relative stepped forward after her death to get the headstone updated. 

Look at the little town of Fremont putting everybody to shame in its care of its historically African-American cemetery. (Its historically white cemetery is Elmwood, which is in town. Fremont Cemetery lies down Highway 222, across Interstate 795 from the town proper.) There are likely more Wilson County residents here; I’ll check.

Photos by Lisa Y. Henderson, October 2023.