Town of Stantonsburg

Moyton Lodge #5101 buys a lot.

In 1909, Moyton Lodge #5101 — the Stantonsburg-area Odd Fellows — bought a lot at the corner of Broad Avenue and South Yelverton Street. Did they ever build a lodge hall there?

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STANTONSBURG LAND & IMP. CO.

TO

MOYTON LODGE #5101 OF THE O. F. OF WILSON CO.

(DEED)

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, WILSON COUNTY }

THIS DEED, Made this the 28 day of December, 1909, by the Stantonsburg Land and Improvement Company, a Corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of North Carolina, party of the first part, and S.H. Burney, G.W. Applewhite, A.J.S. Edwards, C.B. Best, J.H. Edwards, Joseph Jones, Sr., and W.H. Hall, Trustees of Moyton Lodge  No. 5101 of the G.U.O. of O.F. of Wilson County, State of N. C., parties of the second part,

WITNESSETH: THAT the said party of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of One Hundred and Twenty-Five Dollars to it paid, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, has bargained and sold, and by these presents does bargain, sell and convey to the said parties of the second part and their successors in Office, a certain tract or parcel of land in Stantonsburg Township, Wilson County, State of North Carolina; being known as lot No. 12 in block 23 of a town site laid out and plotted for said party of the first part, said plot being recorded in the Office of the Register of Deeds of Wilson County in Book …., page ….. and more particularly described as follows, to-wit:

Beginning at the corner of Broad Ave. and ….. St., and runs North 150 feet, corners, thence East 50 ft. to corner of lot No. 11, thence South 150 ft. to Broad Ave., thence West with Broad Ave 50 ft. to the beginning.

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the aforesaid tract or lot of land and all privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging to the said party of the second part, Trustees as aforesaid, and their successors in Office, to their only use and behoof forever.

And the said party of the first part covenant that it is seized of said premises in fee and has a good right to convey the same in fee simple; that the same is free and clear from all incumbrances, and that it will warrant and defend the title to the same against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever.

IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF the said Stantonsburg Land and Improvement Company has caused its name to be hereunto signed by its president, attested by its Secretary, and its corporate seal hereto affixed, all by order of its Board of Directors, this the day and year first above written.

Stantonsburg Land & Improvement Co.

BY: S. H. Crocker, President.

Attest: H. E. Thompson, Secretary

Broad and Yelverton today. Bethel A.M.E. Zion is visible at the other end of the block.

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  • S.H. Burney — probably, in the 1910 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: on Ruffin Bridge Road, farmer Henry Burney, 60; wife Hannah, 40; daughter Lillie Applewhite, 23; and grandsons John H., 8, and Marlvin Applewhite, 7.
  • G.W. Applewhite
  • A.J.S. Edwards — probably, in the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Alcinda J. Edwards, 46; wife Virginia A., 53; son John H., 25; and daughter-in-law, Nelie A., 17.
  • C.B. Best — is this Clarence B. Best?
  • J.H. Edwards — probably, in the 1910 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: on Ruffin Bridge Road, farmer John Edwards, 35; wife Maddie, 23; children Martha A., 9, Mary, 7, Julia, 6, John H., 5, and Joseph, 2; sister-in-law Ida Artis, 24, and nieces Amelia, 5, Salena, 2, and Rennie Artis, 2 months.
  • Joseph Jones, Sr. — in the 1910 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: on Morton [Moyton] Road, farmer Joseph Jones, 53; wife Violet, 36; and children Agnes, 11, Roscoe, 10, Frances, 6, William H., 4, and Benjamin, 2.
  • W.H. Hall — William H. Hall Sr. or William H. Hall Jr.

Deed book 91, page 381, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson; photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, October 2025.

Stantonsburg news, June 1934.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.,), 23 June 1934.

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This piece offers a rare look at the social life of Stantonsburg’s African American community.

  • Marion Artis — It opens with an account of the funeral of Marion Artis. Though detailed, the decedent was misgendered. (This suggests that the correspondent did not know Artis personally and was making assumptions from second-hand information.) Marion Artis died 8 June 1934 in Stantonsburg, Wilson County. He was born in 1909 in Wilson County to Will Artis and Frances Ford; was married to Bessie Lee Artis; and worked as a farmer.
  • Bethel A.M.E. Zion Church
  • Rev. C.W. Jones
  • J.E. Edwards
  • C.E. Artis — Columbus E. Artis, a Wilson undertaker with roots across the county line near Eureka. Artis operated a small grocery in Stantonsburg circa 1910.
  • C.F Fuller — probably, Clyde Fuller. In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg, Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: on “Delaware Line (on street),” renting for $8/month, Clyde Fuller, 40, chauffeur; wife Mattie, 34, servant; and lodger Pete Whitley, 35, sawmill fireman.
  • Artelia Whitley and Irene Whitley were sisters. In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg, Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: on “Delaware Line (on street),” owned and valued at $600, John Whitley, 49, blacksmith; wife Mollie, 25; children Artillia, 18, Irene, 15, D.H., 13, John W., 10, Mary F., 8, Marjorie, 3, and Claron, 1 month; and father-in-law Wiley Locus, 70, widower, school janitor. Artelia and Irene worked as washerwomen.
  • Katie B. Coward — Katie Coward was the daughter of Rev. Bryant P. and Sarah Coward. In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Coward Katie B (c) student r 1013 Atlantic av
  • Marion B. Jordan

Rountree unearths ancient bones.

I don’t even know what to say about this one.

Goldsboro News-Argus, 10 January 1939.

The story of Stantonsburg’s mastodon (whale? dinosaur?) caromed around the state for a week or so, then faded away. Perhaps a call to the North Carolina State Natural History Museum is in order.

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In 1940, Moses Rountree registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 24 October 1906 in Saratoga, N.C.; lived at 413 Warren Street, Wilson; his contact was wife Mamie Mitchell Rountree; and he worked for the W.P.A.

Map of June Artis subdivision.

Plat book 9, page 21, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

June Scott Artis began buying lots in the town of Stantonsburg in the early 1900s. This 1961 plat map shows the subdivision of a chunk of his land between Main and Travis Streets. Landowners included June Artis, his wife Ethel B. Artis, their son Edgar Artis, Hadie B. Ham, Oscar Ellis, Tom Braswell, James Ham, Will Harper, Minnie Best, Scott Ward, Arthur Winstead, Howard Daniel, and Oscar Edwards.

Google Maps aeriel view of June S. Artis’ former property.

The public school lot for the colored race?

On 1 February 1912, 11 Wayne and Greene County residents — members of an extended family — sold Robert Manuel, also of Wayne County and an in-law, a parcel of land described, in part, as “Lot No. 5 in the Division of the Public School lot for colored race District No. 1” on Stantonsburg and Moyton Road just outside the town of Stantonsburg.

Deed book 97, page 574, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.

What was Colored District No. 1? Where are its records? (And those of any other African-American county school districts?) Where on Stantonsburg and Moyton Road  (N.C. 58?) was the public school lot in Stantonsburg? When was the lot divided?

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  • Andrew and Ada Lewis Sauls

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Caleb Sauls, 35; wife Zany, 28; and children Henry, 4, Andrew, 2, and Mollie, 1.

In the 1900 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Caleb Sauls, 51; wife Zany, 45; and children Henry, 23, Andrew, 21, Mollie, 20, Sudie, 18, Emma, 16, and Pet, 12.

In the 1910 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County, N.C.: Andrew Sauls, 31; wife Ada, 20; and children James, 4, Henry, 2, and Ed Rena, 1.

In the 1920 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: Andrew Sauls, 41; wife Ada. 32; and children James, 14, Henry B., 12, Edrena, 11, William, 8, Lila Bell, 6, Lemon, 5, and Fremon, 2.

Andrew Sauls died 15 October 1930 in Nahunta township, Wayne County. Per his death certificate, he was born in 1880 in Wilson County to Calop Sauls and Zanie Butler; was married to Ada Lewis Sauls; and worked in farming. I.W. Lee handled his burial in Yelverton graveyard.

  • Henry and Emma Artis Sauls

In the 1910 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County:

In the 1920 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County:

Henry Sauls died 17 September 1922 in Nahunta township, Wayne County. Per his death certificate, he was born 25 January 1877 in Wilson County to Caleb Sauls and Zanie [maiden name unknown] and was married to Emma Sauls. Andrew Sauls was informant.

Emma Sauls died 27 January 1924 in Stantonsburg, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 April 1886 in Wilson County to John Cheatam and Sarah Artis; and was the widow of Henry Sauls.

  • Oliver and Annie Woodard

In the 1900 census of Bull Head township, Greene County: Oliver Woodard, 39; wife Ellar, 33; and children Willie, 18, John, 16, Jessie, 8, and Annie, 4.

On 20 May 1905, Oliver Woodard, 43, of Greene County, son of Barton and Sena Woodard, married Annie Sutton, 45, of Wayne County, in Wayne County.

In the 1910 census of Bull Head township, Greene County: Oliver Woodard, 50; wife Annie, 47; and son Jessie, 19. Next door:

In the 1920 census of Bull Head township, Greene County: farmer Oliver Woodard, 58, and wife Annie, 56. Next door: Exum Woodard, 44; mother Senia, 90; sister Martha, 48; and niece Annie, 15.

Oliver Woodard died 14 May 1929 in Saulston township, Wayne County. Per his death certificate, he was about 75 years old and worked as a farmer.

Greensboro Daily News, 17 May 1929.

  • Robert and Smithia Manuel

In 1870 census of Snow Hill township, Greene County: Baden Woodard, 49, farm laborer; wife Serenia, 40; and children Jesse, 16, Smithy, 19, Amos, 18, Mitchel, 13, Ollin, 10, Mary, 3, Mike, 6, and John, 1.

In the 1880 census of Bull Head township, Greene County: Robert Manuel, 18, laborer, heading a household comprised of himself and Samuel and Martha A.E. Webber and their children, who were white.

On 20 March 1884, Robert Manuel, 54, of Greene County, married Smitha Woodard, 3o, of Greene County, daughter of Barden and Seney Woodard, at Barden Woodard’s in Snow Hill township, Greene County. Oliver Woodard was among the witnesses.

In the 1930 census of Bull Head township, Greene County: Mary Newal, 54, widow; grandson Arthur, 12; mother Smithy Manuel, 82; and niece Mary Woodard, 10.

Smithie Manuely died 15 March 1936 in Bull Head township, Greene County. Per her death certificate, she was born 1845 in Wilson County to Oliver Woodard of Greene County and Smithie Woodard of Wilson County and was the widow of Bob Manuel.

  • Amos and Nollan Woodard

In the 1880 census of Bull Head township, Greene County: Borton Woodard, 59; wife Smithy, 54; children Rena, 30, Amos, 25, Marshal, 18, Zacharia, 15, and Sarah, 12; and grandchildren Amos Jr., 10, Mary, 6, and Charles, 5.

  • Exum Woodard

In 1870 census of Snow Hill township, Greene County: Baden Woodard, 49, farm laborer; wife Serenia, 40; and children Jesse, 16, Smithy, 19, Amos, 18, Mitchel, 13, Ollin, 10, Mary, 3, Mike, 6, and John, 1.

In the 1880 census of Bull Head township, Greene County: Borton Woodard, 59; wife Smithy, 54; children Rena, 30, Amos, 25, Marshal, 18, Zacharia, 15, and Sarah, 12; and grandchildren Amos Jr., 10, Mary, 6, and Charles, 5.

On 8 January 1891, Exum Woodard, 23, son of Benjamin Bardner and Sena Woodard, married Emma Applewhite, 18, daughter of Dock Applewhite, in Greene County.

In the 1900 census of Bull Head township, Greene County: farmer Exum Woodard, 34; mother Thenia, 61; nephew Joe, 14; niece Lucie, 13; and stepsister Michel, 45.

In the 1910 census of Bull Head township, Greene County: farmer Exum Woodard, 44; mother Senia, 90; sister Martha, 48; and niece Annie, 15.

In the 1920 census of Bull head township, Greene County: farmer Exum Woodard, 55; sister Martha, 61; and niece Annie, 23.

Mother Rosa Edwards Yelverton of Saint Luke F.W.B. Church.

Rosa Edwards Yelverton (1890-1992).

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In the 1940 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: widow Annie Edwards, 69; daughter Rosa, 49, cook; son Josh, 35, lumber laborer; and daughter Hildrene, 14.

In 1950 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Josh Edwards, 43, hauls logs; sister Rosa, 57; and nephew Hubert, 7.

Wilson Daily Times, 30 July 1992.

Photo courtesy of Saint Luke Free Will Baptist Church, Stantonsburg. Thank you!

Mother Emma F. Winstead of Saint Luke F.W.B. Church.

Emma Ford Winstead (1891-1950).

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On 21 July 1917, Emma Ford, 22, of Stantonsburg, daughter of Smith and Mary Ford, married Walter Winstead, 20, of Stantonsburg, son of James and Eliza Winstead, in Wilson.

In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm tenant Walter Winstead, 23; wife Emma, 24; and daughter Anlizer, 2.

In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Walter Winstead, 39; wife Emma, 30, washwoman; and children Anna Liza, 12, Nancy B., 10, Clara, 8. Walter L., 6, Milton, 5, Clarence, 3, and Willie, 1.

In 1942, Walter Lee Winstead registered for the World War II in Wilson County, North Carolina. Per his registration card, he was born 12 October 1924 in Wilson County, N.C.; lived in Stantonsburg; his contact was his mother Emma Winstead; he worked “helping father on farm,” and had a scar on his right cheek.

In the 1950 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Walter Winstead, 45; wife Emma, 50; and children Nancy, 28, Walter, 23, Clarence, 20, Willie, 19, Lois, 18, Jessie, 10, and William, 6.

Photo courtesy of Saint Luke Free Will Baptist Church, Stantonsburg. Thank you!

The Peacock-Applewhite-Yelverton house.

An unidentified African-American woman stands with three white adults while holding a white child. Behind them, the house built in Stantonsburg about 1860 by James B. Peacock and later owned by Jonathan Applewhite, John L. Yelverton, and Yelverton’s descendants. The photo is undated, but was taken before 1914, when an enormous portico was added to the front of the house.

Though this photo was taken well after slavery, enslaved people lived and worked in this house. Peacock reported four enslaved people in the 1860 federal slave schedule — an 18 year-old woman and three girls aged 10, 3, and 1. His mother, Sarah Peacock, who lived with him, reported another eight enslaved people — men and boys aged 60, 52, 23, 4, and 2, and women and girls aged 50, 19, and one month. Per the population schedule, the Peacock household also included free people of color, Eliza Hall, 45, and her children William, 15, Patrick, 14, Margaret, 13, Lou, 12, and Balum, 11, whose father was James B. Woodard. 

Photo courtesy of Stantonsburg Historical Society’s A History of Stantonsburg Circa 1780 to 1980 (1981).