Acclaimed African-American painted John W. Hardrick painted this life-size portrait of Wilson native Dr. Joseph H. Ward circa 1932. The painting was stolen from the Ward family’s Indianapolis, Indiana, home in the mid-1950s, and his descendants seek its return.
Mr. W.G. Britt, Goldsboro, N.C.
Dear Sir:-
Please send license by return mail for the marriage of Mingo Ward colored age 25 years son of Lam Ward living, Mother dead to Lizzie Smith Age 21 years daughter of Wright Smith Mother dead. All of Wayne County. These are n*ggers and are all right.
Enclose you will please find County order for $3.00 if any more due let me know.
Very truly yours, B.F. Aycock
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I can only guess at the backstory, but my guess is not wild, and the thing practically speaks for itself. The young people wanted to get married; they had no way to get to Goldsboro and probably no time to go; they certainly had no money to pay for the license. Benjamin F. Aycock extended them credit or maybe even vouchsafed the three dollars; he put in a good word with the Register of Deeds; he slurred these young lovers; he felt himself generous.
To love oneself and to find love in such a world as this? Revolutionary.
Happy Valentine’s Day.
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In the 1880 census of Speights Bridge township, Greene County, North Carolina: Lem Ward, 40; wife Mariah, 35; and children Kater, 14, and twins Sarah and Sophia, 12, Susan, 8, Lam, 9, Lawrence, 5, Mingo, 3, and Junius, 2.
The marriage license issued in response to Aycock’s letter.
On 14 March 1907, Mingo Ward, 25, of Wayne County, son of Lam Ward, married Lizzie Smith, 21, of Wayne County, daughter of Wright Smith, in Great Swamp township, Wayne County, North Carolina. Free Will Baptist minister G.W. Davis performed the ceremony.
In the 1910 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer Mingle Ward, 28; wife Lizzie, 24; and son Junious, 7 months.
In the 1920 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer Meng[illegible] Ward, 42; wife Lizzie, 37; and daughters Bettie E., 9, and Gladies, 7.
In the 1930 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Mingo Ward, 46; wife Lizzie, 44; and children Bettie, 18, Gladys, 12, Christine, 8, and Sarah, 6.
In the 1940 census of Crossroads township, Wilson County: farmer Mingo Ward, 60; wife Lizzie, 56; daughters Christine, 18, and Sarah, 16; daughter Gladys Thompson, 20, and son-in-law Edward Thompson, 21.
Mingo Ward died 27 January 1941. I have not found his death certificate, but he is buried in Daniel Quarters Cemetery, near Fremont, Wayne County.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 1317 Washington Street, Lizzie Ward, 65, “picking cotton”; daughter Sarah, 26, housecleaning; and grandchildren James Edward Thomas, 9, and Jean Elizabeth Thomas, 8.
Lizzie Ward died 30 October 1965 at her home at 1321 Atlantic Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 9 March 1885 in Wayne County to Wright and Lizzie Smith; was a widower; and was born in Daniel Quarters cemetery, Wayne County. Bettye Ingram, Washington, D.C., was informant.
A biographical feature on Dr. Joseph H. Ward noted that he left Wilson to secure work as a waiter at LaGrange, North Carolina’s Davis Military Academy. This notice for Davis ran in a short-lived Wilson newspaper, The Advertiser, in 1888, around the time Ward might have seen it.
The Advertiser (Wilson, N.C.), 27 September 1888.
Leon Ward (1924-2007).
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In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer James Ward, 50; wife Addie, 39; children Maggie, 19, Oz, 17, Ida, 16, Joseph, 15, Ora, 12, Bourgard, 11, Charlie, 8, Leland, 5, Minnie L., 3, and Annie, newborn; and mother Sarah, 72, widow.
In the 1940 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: on Highway No. 264, farmer James Ward, 58; wife Addie, 46; children Ida, 24, Charles, 18, Leland, 14, Minnie, 13, Annie, 10, Molena, 5, and Beauregard, 20; daughter-in-law Bertha Lee, 20; and grandson John Lewis Barnes, 9.
In 1944, Leon Ward registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 12 December 1926 in Wilson County; lived at Route 3, Saratoga, Wilson County; his contact was brother Joe Ward, Saratoga; and he worked on Marion Howard’s farm, Saratoga.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 321 New Grabneck, Leon Ward, 25, carpenter for contractor; wife Maebell, 23; and daughters Alma R., 5, and Josephine, 2.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user GeraldNelson31.
James Preston Ward (1902-1984).
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In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Austin Ward, 52; wife Carrie, 31; children Charlie, 20, Classie, 19, Leslie, 12, Ernest, 11, Leona, 12, Preston, 10, Cherry, 9, Austin, 7, Annie, 3, and Alvia, 5 months; sister-in-law Barbara, 29; boarder Dollie, 5; and grandson Nathan, 3.
On 15 June 1919, Preston Ward, 18, of Saratoga, married Edna Taylor, 18, of Saratoga, in Saratoga.
In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Preston Ward, 19; wife Edna, 16; and son James, 2 months.
In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Ward Preston (c) plstr Powell nr Finch
In the 1928 and 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Ward Preston (c; Edna) plstr h206 Powell
In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Powell Street, owned and valued at $1200, Preston Ward, 27, public building plasterer; wife Edna, 26; and children Preston, 10, Elonzy, 8, Johnie, 6, Janie, 5, Virginia, 3, and Sylvester, 8 months.
In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Powell Street, widower Preston Ward, 38, building plasterer; sister Annie, 26; and children James P., 20, building plasterer, Alonza, 18, Johnny Lee, 17, Rosa, 14, Virginia, 12, Sylvester, 10, Ruby, 8, Doris, 6, and Golden, 2.
In the 1941 and 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Ward J Preston (c; Pauline) plstr h206 Powell; Ward J Preston jr plstr h206 Powell
In 1941, James Preston Ward Jr. registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 1 January 1920 in Wilson County; lived at 305(?) Powell Street, Wilson; his contact was James P. Ward Sr., 305 Powell Street; and he worked for Jones Bros. & Co., Wilson.
In 1942, James Preston Ward registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 August 1903 in Wilson County; lived at Route 4, Box 24, Wilson; his contact was C.L. Darden, 108 Pender Street; and he self-employed as a plasterer.
In 1942, Alonzo Ward registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 20 August 1921 in Wilson County; lived at 224 Powell Street, Wilson; his contact was Preston Ward, 224 Power Street; and he worked for Preston Ward [sic], Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C. The card is marked “deceased.”
In 1942, Johnnie Lee Ward registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 April 1923 in Wilson County; lived at 224 Power Street, Wilson; his contact was Preston Ward, 224 Power Street; and he worked for T.A. Loving & Co., Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C.
Alonzo Ward died 21 July 1944 at N.C. Sanatorium, Quewhiffle, Hoe County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 August 1921 in Wilson to Preston Ward and Edna Taylor; was single; was a student; and lived at 224 Powell Street, Wilson.
Photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user livefreenlove21.
Mother and daughter Ella Jane Goff Ward (1892-1939) and Fannie Ward Dixon (1914-1942).
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In the 1900 census of Bayboro township, Horry County, South Carolina: farmer Alva G. Goff, 47, widower, and children Julius E., 18, Samuel D., 17, Wilbur C., 15, Isaiah S., 13, Ella J., 11, Lorenzo C., 9, Carrie A., 6, and McLaurin, 3.
In the 1910 census of Floyds township, Horry County: farmer Dave Ward, 25, and wife Ella, 23, farm laborer.
In the 1920 census of Tatums township, Columbus County, North Carolina: David, 29; wife Ella, 28; and children Mary F., 8, Fannie, 6, Willie, 4, Clarence H., 3, and Elloasar, 5 months.
In the 1930 census of Speights Bridge township, Greene County, North Carolina : farmer Clarence D. Ward, 40; wife Ella, 35; children Mary, 18, Fannie, 16, Willie, 15, Clarence, 12, Ella J., 10, Goldie, 8, David V., 5; and nieces and nephew Ilene, 13, Hellen, 9, and James Lane, 6.
On 8 May 1933, Sylvester Dixon, 21, of Saratoga, son of Jodie Dixon, married Fannie Ward, 19, of Greene County, daughter of David and Ella J. Ward. A.M.E. Zion minister R.B. Taylor performed the ceremony at 536 East Nash Street, Wilson, in the presence of Joe H. Best, David Ward, and Ella Ward.
Ella J. Ward died 12 April 1939 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 47 years old; was born in South Carolina to Alsey Goff; was married to Clarence D. Ward; and lived at Route 3, Wilson.
Jene Arthur Ward died 29 January 1938 in Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 8 January 1938 to Sylvester Dixon and Fannie Ward; lived at Allen Webb’s farm; and was buried in Ellis cemetery.
In the 1940 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Silvester Dixon, 26; wife Annie, 26; and children Beatrice, 6, Ardelia, 4, Sylvester Jr., 2, and Annie P., 8 months; brother-in-law Jona L. Ward, 15; and cousin Jack Lane, 17.
In 1940, Sylvester Dixon registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 17 August 1913 in Wilson County; lived on R.F.D. 3, Wilson; his contact was wife Fannie Dixon; and he was a farmer.
This lovely photo courtesy of Ancestry.com user BlairGoff.
This house lies a block beyond the border of the East Wilson Historic District on a lot carved from land once owned by Oliver and Willie Mae Hendley Freeman.
The legal description of this lot is: “Beginning at a stake at Daniels corner running along Daniels line 140 feet to a stake westerly; cornering, thence southerly 50 feet to a stake; cornering, thence easterly 140 feet along Freeman line to a stake on Powell Street; cornering, northerly on Powell Street to the beginning 50 feet. It being the identical property conveyed to Preston Ward and wife, Edna Ward by deed of O.N. Freeman and wife, Willie Mae Freeman dated November 22, 1924 and recorded in Book 153, Page 470, Wilson County Registry.”
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In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Ward Preston (c) plstr Powell nr Finch
In the 1928 and 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Ward Preston (c; Edna) plstr h206 Powell
In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Powell Street, owned and valued at $1200, Preston Ward, 27, public building plasterer; wife Edna, 26; and children Preston, 10, Elonzy, 8, Johnie, 6, Janie, 5, Virginia, 3, and Sylvester, 8 months.
Edna Ward died 2 January 1939 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 35 years old; was born in Wilson County to Jesse Taylor and Martha Ellis; and lived on Powell Street, Wilson.
In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Powell Street, widower Preston Ward, 38, building plasterer; sister Annie, 26; and children James P., 20, building plasterer, Alonza, 18, Johnny Lee, 17, Rosa, 14, Virginia, 12, Sylvester, 10, Ruby, 8, Doris, 6, and Golden, 2.
In the 1940s, the address of this house seems to have vacillated between 206 and 224 Powell.
In the 1941 and 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Ward J Preston (c; Pauline) plstr h206 Powell; Ward J Preston jr plstr h206 Powell
In 1941, James Preston Ward Jr. registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 1 January 1920 in Wilson County; lived at 305(?) Powell Street, Wilson; his contact was James P. Ward Sr., 305 Powell Street; and he worked for Jones Bros. & Co., Wilson.
In 1942, James Preston Ward registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 August 1903 in Wilson County; lived at Route 4, Box 24, Wilson; his contact was C.L. Darden, 108 Pender Street; and he self-employed as a plasterer.
In 1942, Alonzo Ward registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 20 August 1921 in Wilson County; lived at 224 Powell Street, Wilson; his contact was Preston Ward, 224 Power Street; and he worked for Preston Ward [sic], Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C. The card is marked “deceased.”
In 1942, Johnnie Lee Ward registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 April 1923 in Wilson County; lived at 224 Power Street, Wilson; his contact was Preston Ward, 224 Power Street; and he worked for T.A. Loving & Co., Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, N.C.
Alonzo Ward died 21 July 1944 at N.C. Sanatorium, Quewhiffle, Hoe County, N.C. Per his death certificate, he was born 23 August 1921 in Wilson to Preston Ward and Edna Taylor; was single; was a student; and lived at 224 Powell Street, Wilson.
On 10 September 1965, the Daily Times reported that James P. Ward had been granted a license for an addition to his house:
Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, September 2022.
Wilson Daily Times, 15 August 1932.
Nineteen year-old Johnny Ward succumbed to his injuries three days after this article was published.
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In the 1910 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Rufus Whitley, 49; wife Mattie, 45; and children Mattie, 8, Wiley, 3, and Rufus B., newborn.
In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Rufus Whitley, 49; wife Mattie, 45; and children Wiley, 13, Benjamin, 12, Bettie, 7, and Lizzie, 11 months.
In the 1930 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: Rufus Whitley, 59; wife Mattie, 52; and children Ben, 20, Bettie A., 18, Lizzie J., 11, and Matta B., 6; and lodger Jesse King, 22.
On 9 December 1933, Benjamin Whitley, 24, of Wilson County, son of Rufus and Mattie Whitley, married Cillie Barnes, 20, of Wilson County, daughter of Ed and Dora Barnes, at the courthouse in Greenville, Pitt County, N.C.
Benjamin R. Whitley died 4 November 1971 in Lumberton, Robeson County, North Carolina. Per his death certificate, he was born 29 November 1909 to Rufus Whitley and Mattie Dupree; was a widower; resided in Middlesex, Nash County, N.C.; and worked as a farmer.
Johnie Ward died 18 August 1932 at Mercy Hospital, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 19 years old; was born in Greene County, North Carolina, to David Ward and Nancy Barnes; was single; and worked as a common laborer.
Wilson Daily Times, 5 October 1950.
Wilson Daily Times, 7 October 1950.
In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: cook Maggie L. Ward, 38; cook Ida Mae, 35; sister Annie, 20, maid; sister Addie, 15; brother Vertice B., 14; nephew Thurman Barnes, 14; and nieces Mable Barnes, 18, and Patricia A. Ward, 1.
Wilson Daily Times, 7 October 1950.
Vertice Bruce Ward was the uncle of Therman G. Barnes, above.
Clipping courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.
Wilson Daily Times, 13 March 1924.
In early 1924, Wilson native Dr. Joseph H. Ward, a major in the Army Medical Corps and a pioneering physician in Indianapolis, was appointed first African-American chief surgeon and medical director of a Veterans Administration hospital. The appointment was poorly received by many in Tuskegee, Alabama, and the displacement of former personnel by a nearly all-Black staff was initially stiffly resisted.