Another bit of documentation regarding Lucama’s “lost” A.M.E. church:
On 9 March 1919, Walter Bethea, 18, of Crossroads township, son of R.D. and Mary Bethea, married Mattie Westley, 16, of Crossroads township, daughter of John Anne Westley, in Wilson County. Herbert Bethea applied for the license, and A.M.E. minister J.F. McNair performed the ceremony at “the A.M.E. ch. in Lucama N.C.” in the presence of R.D. Bethea, Will Hines, and James Bunn.
Twin City Daily Sentinel (Winston-Salem, N.C.), 3 December 1921.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 20 March 1943.
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In the 1940 census of Springhill township, Wilson County: farmer William Kirby, 55; wife Nannie, 52; children Hobby Lee, 17, Havey Isa, 15, Nettie, 13, Willie K., 13, and Roxia A., 22; niece Lucille Shaw, 18; and lodger Jr. Barnes, 4.
Per their marriage license, Levell Exum and Roxanna Eva Kirby, both 25, were married 7 March 1943 in Johnston County, N.C. Primitive Baptist minister David Bynum lived near Lucama, in Wilson County, however, as did Mamie B. Williamson and David Bynum Jr.
Daniel Vick registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County in 1940. Per his registration card, he was born 3 January 1917 in Wilson; his contact was mother Bethaniel Allen; he lived at Mount 1, Lucama; and he worked for farmer Joe Moore, Lucama.
Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 5 November 1948.
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From the website of First Baptist Church of Lucama:
“The Founders of this church in the 1800’s were given a vision from God. The vision was to establish a black Baptist church in Lucama for the purpose of winning souls to Christ. They built this church on the Solid Rock, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. They knew that all other grounds would be sinking sand.
“Some might say ‘why is it so important to know the history of this church?’ Well, it is important so we can look back and see how the Lord has blessed this church through the years. After looking back, we can then give thanks to our Father for all he has done for our church. We can recall and we can visualize just how great, how powerful, how wonderful he is and how his precious Holy Spirit continues to dwell with us today.
“The first services were held under a bush shelter made of a few planks and a top made out of bushes; just enough protection to keep out the rain, snow, and sun in the summer. These pioneers were Brother John Hardy and Sister Lutoria Battle, Sister Mary E. Morgan, Brother Elias Barnes, Rev. Needham Dew, Sister Mabel Austin, Brother Rufus Kent and Brother John Newkirk. Soon the first building was erected and stood beside the railroad in downtown Lucama. After a few years, a lot was purchased and the church moved because of noise from the trains. In 1917, the cornerstone was laid at the new and our present location. First Missionary Baptist Church of Lucama celebrated 80 Years of praising God for his blessing’s in the year of 1997 (Specific dates of the bush shelter were not recorded).”
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In the 1880 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: Eliza Battle, 21, and sons Lummy, 6, John H., 4, and J. Hardy, 2.
In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: day laborer Columbus Battle, 24; wife Minnie, 20; and brother John H., 23, day laborer.
On 9 November 1905, John H. Battle, 20, of Cross Roads township, married Lutora Fields, 18, in Lucama, Wilson County.
In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 28; wife Loutorie, 24; and Johnie L., 2.
In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 39; wife Lutoria F., 30; and children John L., 16, Lenetta, 7, Bessie L., 5, Mary L., 3, Thurman, 1, and Armetta, 2 months.
In the 1930 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 49; wife Loutoria, 40; children Johnie L., 21, Nettie, 19, Bessie L., 16, Mary L., 15, Roosevelt, 14, Armettie, 11, Alphnza, 8, Estelle, 7, Augustus, 4, and Harvey L., 2.
In the 1940 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John Battle, 59; wife Lutory, 50; children Estell, 17, Augustus, 15, Harvey, 13, Luberta, 8, Alberta, 7; son-in-law Leondus Speight, 26, and granddaughter Katherine, 4.
In the 1950 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 70; wife Lulorie, 60; and children Agustus, 25, Harvey L., 22, Lubortha, 18, and Aberta, 16.
John Hardy Battle died 9 March 1962 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 8 July 1878 in Wilson County to Haywood Battle and Eliza Battle; lived near Lucama; worked in farming; was married to Lutory Battle; and was buried in Mary Grove cemetery.
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.
On 9 November 1905, John H. Battle, 20, of Cross Roads township, married Lutora Fields, 18, in Lucama, Wilson County.
In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 28; wife Loutorie, 24; and Johnie L., 2.
In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 39; wife Lutoria F., 30; and children John L., 16, Lenetta, 7, Bessie L., 5, Mary L., 3, Thurman, 1, and Armetta, 2 months.
In the 1930 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 49; wife Loutoria, 40; children Johnie L., 21, Nettie, 19, Bessie L., 16, Mary L., 15, Roosevelt, 14, Armettie, 11, Alphnza, 8, Estelle, 7, Augustus, 4, and Harvey L., 2.
In the 1940 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John Battle, 59; wife Lutory, 50; children Estell, 17, Augustus, 15, Harvey, 13, Luberta, 8, Alberta, 7; son-in-law Leondus Speight, 26, and granddaughter Katherine, 4.
In the 1950 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer John H. Battle, 70; wife Lulorie, 60; and children Agustus, 25, Harvey L., 22, Lubortha, 18, and Aberta, 16.
John Hardy Battle died 9 March 1962 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 8 July 1878 in Wilson County to Haywood Battle and Eliza Battle; lived near Lucama; worked in farming; was married to Lutory Battle; and was buried in Mary Grove cemetery.
Lutory Battle died 22 April 1964 in Lucama, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 12 February 1890 in Wilson County to Wilbert [last name unknown] and Janie Field; was married to John Hardy Battle; worked in farming; and lived near Lucama. Hester Chatman was informant.
On 1 January 1891, William Morgan married Mary Sanders in Johnston County, N.C.
In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: day laborer William Morgan, 35; wife Mary, 24; and children Annie, 8, Beattrice, 6, Mamie, 2, and Willie, 5 months.
In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer William Morgan, 48; wife Mary E., 30; and children Anna, 15, Beattrice, 14, Mamie, 10, Willie, 8, Thomas, 5, and Johnie, 2 months.
In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer William Morgan, 54; wife Mary S., 45; and sons Willie, 18, and Tommie, 12.
In the 1930 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: Mary E. Morgan, 53; husband William, 64; and grandson George Cole, 11.
In the 1940 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: widow Mary Morgan, 65, and son Willie, 27.
In the 1950 census of Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County: on Goldsboro Street, widow Mary Morgan, 74, and son Thomas, 40, presser at dry cleaning plant.
Mary Elizabeth Morgan died 18 November 1955 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 1879 in Wake County, N.C., to William Sanders and Sallie [maiden name unknown]; was a widow; lived near Lucama; was unemployed; and was buried in Pate Cemetery. Anna Coley, Lucama, was informant.
On 18 December 1898, Elias Barnes, 22, of Wilson County, son of Simon and Elvy Barnes, married Ida Gold, 30, of Wilson County, daughter of Rayford Coley and Smithy Barnes, at Simon Barnes’ residence in Springhill township, Wilson County.
In the 1910 census of Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County: on Main Street, farm laborer Elias Barnes, 34, and wife Ida, 41.
In the 1880 census of Spring Hill township, Wilson County: Elbert Kent, 36, farmer; wife Rebeca, 29; and children Mary, 10, Rufus, 9, Saraha, 7, Flournes J., 6, Martha M., 4, and Pharrow, 1.
On 3 August 1896, Rufus Kent, 25, of Cross Roads township, married Maggie Wells, 18, of Cross Roads township, in Cross Roads.
In the 1900 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: railroad laborer Rufus Kent, 29, and wife Maggie, 20.
In the 1910 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: railroad laborer Rufus Kent, 40; wife Maggie, 28; and children Lena, 7, Beattrice, 5, Eligah, 4, and Lemichael, 1.
Rufus Kent died 8 May 1915 in Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 18 March 1867 in Oldfields township to Elbert Kent and Rebecca Barnes; was married; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Lamm graveyard. Joe Kent was informant.
Here’s another reference to an African Methodist Episcopal church in Lucama. This deed, dated 13 December 1917, records the sale of a one-quarter acre lot on Main Street to trustees of an A.M.E. church for $475. The lot was identified as “the lot upon which St. Pauls Church stands.”
The metes and bounds description is slightly different, but this appears to be the same quarter-acre lot the church bought in 1903. I’ll need to research that further. In the meantime, though we now know what happened to the church, I still don’t know exactly where it was.
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On 30 January 1901, Willis Hines, 44, of Wilson County, son of Simon and Easter Hines, married Edith Jones, 31, daughter of Noel and Sarah Jones, in Lucama, Wilson County.
In the 1910 census of Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County: on Railroad Street, Willie Hines, 62, brickyard laborer; wife Edith, 46; children Lee H., 7, John H., 6, and Arcadie, 3; and stepdaughters Addie, 18, and Ida Deans, both servants.
Edith Hines died 15 May 1929 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 59 years old; was born in Wilson County to Noah Jones and Sarah Jones; was married to Willis Hines; and lived at 200 Pender Street, Wilson. Sarah Barnes was informant.
In the 1930 census of Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farm laborer Willis Hines, 72, widower, and boarder Arnly Adams, 84, widower.
Ida Hines died 16 January 1931 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 28 March 1901 in Lucama to Will Hines and Sarah Barnes; lived at Route 5, Wilson; worked as a laundress; and was buried in Wilson.
In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Roddie Bethea, 50; wife Mary R., 45; and children Lillie, 15, James A., 11, Clifton, 9, Vashtie, 6, and Hubert, 22.
In the 1910 census of Lucama, Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Jacob L. Wright, 41; wife Mary, 37; and children Willie M. [Wright], 20, Arece, 3, Annie M., 10 months, and Lenora, 20.
In the 1920 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Willie Wright, 30; wife Lenora, 30; children Robert, 6, Silas, 4, and Mary, 1; father Jacob, 51, widower; and siblings Arsee, 13, Annie, 10, and Carlie, 9.
In the 1930 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: R.C. Wright, 22; father Jake Wright, 62; sister Annie Mae McCoy, 20, and her children James F., 5, Bernetha, 3, and James H., newborn.
Annie Mae Pettiford died 9 November 1968 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 6 July 1911 in Wilson County to Jacob Wright and Mary Jones; lived in 908 Stantonsburg Street; and was married to Benjamin Pettiford. Rematha Pettiford was informant.
Deed book 49, page 560, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.
On 1 September 1903, the Trustees for the A.M.E. Church of Lucama paid W.R. Davis and wife Neppie Davis $25 for a quarter-acre lot on Main Street in Lucama.
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There is no longer an African Methodist Episcopal church in Lucama. Is anyone familiar with this one? Where was it on Main Street?
Friendship Primitive Baptist Church trustee Ransom Howell made two purchases on behalf of the church in just over two weeks in 1901.
On September 13, Isaac and Jackanna Rich sold the church for $12.50 an acre and a half on the north side of the railroad “except timber” rights. If the church later decided to sell the property, the Riches were to receive a right of first refusal.
Deed book 49, page 308, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office.
On October 1, L.R. and Mary Lamm sold the church for $25 a one-acre parcel on the “road leading from Black Creek road to Wilson” “on condition that if said Church shall go down or cease to exist,” the land would go to adjoining property holder W.H. Tomlinson.
Deed book 49, page 316, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office.
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In the 1880 census of Black Creek township, Wilson County: Ransom Howell, 31, farmer; wife Barbry, 28; children Alice, 3, Tobias, 8, and Diannah, 2; and Andrew Bass, 24.
In the 1900 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Ransom Howell, 51; wife Barbara, 47; and children Dina, 22, William, 19, Mary A., 18, Janettie, 16, Lucinda, 14, James R., 9, Sarah E., 6, and John D., 3.
In the 1910 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Ransom Howell, 61; wife Barbara, 58; and children Janettie, 26, James R., 19, and John D., 13.
Dinah Bynum died 4 June 1940 in Crossroads township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 6 March 1881 in Wilson County to Ransom Howell and Bobbie Howell; was married to Benj. Bynum; and was buried in Newsome cemetery, Wilson County.
James Howell died 28 October 1945 in Sharpsburg, Nash County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 April 1893 in Wilson County to Ransom Howell and Bobbie Woodard; was married to Lena Howell; worked as a farmer; and was buried in Rest Haven. Nettie M. Howell was informant.
Wilson Daily Times, 1 June 1911.
News and Observer (Raleigh, N.C.), 12 September 1911.
I haven’t been able to determine whether one-armed Henry Howard was a Wilson County native.
In the spring of 1913, an anonymous Lucama resident, a woman, wrote a scornful letter to the editor, complaining of blind tigers operating with impunity nearby. Two of the five on Route 1, she noted, were operated by African-Americans.
Wilson Daily Times, 3 April 1913.