Williams

Child killed by wrong-way driver.

Hertford County Herald, 16 July 1942.

Bessie Mae Williams was actually just over three years old when she was struck on Wilson-Pinetops highway (now known as N.C. Highway 42) by a driver on the wrong side of the road. She lingered for two days at Mercy Hospital before succumbing to a brain injury.

I have not been able to determine if the driver, Mrs. J.J. Taylor, was charged.

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In the 1940 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Willie Williams, 30; wife Lucy, 22; and daughters Maggie L., 4, and Bessie M., infant.

604 East Green Street.

The two hundred-second in a series of posts highlighting buildings in East Wilson Historic District, a national historic district located in Wilson, North Carolina. As originally approved, the district encompasses 858 contributing buildings and two contributing structures in a historically African-American section of Wilson. (A significant number have since been lost.) The district was developed between about 1890 to 1940 and includes notable examples of Queen Anne, Bungalow/American Craftsman, and Shotgun-style architecture. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988.

As described in the nomination form for the East Wilson Historic District: “ca. 1913; 2 stories; Dr. William Michner [sic] house; L-plan Queen Anne structure with cutaway front-facing bay; Michner was a physician.”

Prior to Dr. William A. Mitchner’s purchase of this house, it was numbered 605. Primitive Baptist elder Jonah Williams likely built the house around 1910. His daughter, teacher Clarissa Williams, inherited it and lived there with her niece’s family.

Earnestine Ford died 10 November 1916 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was five months old; was born in Wilson to Curtis Ford of Dillon County, S.C., and Mamie Battle of Wayne County, N.C. Curtis Ford, 605 East Green Street, was informant.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Clarcy Williams, 50; roomer Curtis Ford, 37, house carpenter; [niece] Mamie Ford, 24, and her children Lear L., 4, and Quincey B., 2.

Williams died in October 1921. Her estate consisted of a house and lot (at 605 East Green Street) worth about $3000 and an estimated $100 in personal property. Her heirs at law were her nieces and nephews Mamie Ford, Fanny Battle, Clinton Battle, and Glynn Battle.

In the 1925 Wilson, N.C., city directory:

In the 1928 Wilson, N.C., city directory:

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 604 East Green, physician William Mincher [sic], 55, divorced; mother Lucy, 65, widow; and nephew Hubert, 30, tobacco factory laborer.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 604 East Green Street, Dr. W.A. Mitchner, 53, born Johnston County; wife Marie, 40, born Wake County; and mother Lucy Mitchner, 80, born in Johnston County.

Dr. Mitchner died in 1941, and his mother in 1946.

Wilson Daily Times, 5 November 1941.

Wilson Daily Times, 25 April 1946.

Marie Mitchner began to take lodgers into the large home, including members of her family.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 604 East Green, widow Marie R. Mitchner, 49, and lodgers Doris Raynor, 36, city social worker, and Mary A. Huggins, 24, elementary teacher in city schools.

Wilson Daily Times, 7 January 1956.

Wilson Daily Times, 21 April 1962.

Marie Mitchner died 30 April 1971 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 24 December 1899 in Henry Person and Dora Radley; was a widow; lived at 604 East Green Street; and was a retired teacher.

604 East Green Street was converted into apartments after Mitchner’s death, and tenants cycled in and out well into the 1990s. In January 2003, Wilson City Council accepted donation of the property by its owner, Jean Tedder. It was later demolished.

N.87-12-274-278 [N.80.11.904], Dr. William Michner House, 604 E. Green Street, East Wilson Historic District, Wilson, Wilson County, Survey and National Register Branch, State Historic Preservation Office.

James Williams stabbed to death while feeding stock.

Wilson Daily Times, 9 May 1945.

James Williams was a Wilson County native working in Nash County when he was killed by his employer.

Though the attack was unprovoked, Davis was charged only with manslaughter. He pleaded nolo contendere, a legal response in a criminal case where the defendant does not admit guilt, but foregoes trial and accepts the punishment as if he were guilty. Davis was sentenced to 3 to 5 years in state prison, which was suspended, and five years probation. He paid Williams’ hospital and funeral expenses and was ordered to pay Williams’ estate $4750. In essence, Davis got away with murder.

Nashville Graphic, 30 August 1945.

Williams’ death certificate reveals that he was stabbed in the left lung, liver, and stomach.

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On 12 August 1938, James Williams, 22, of Nash County, son of Will and Rosa Williams, married Senora Hall, 16, daughter of Weldon and Pearlie Williams, in Nash County, N.C.

In the 1940 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer James Williams, 23; wife Senora, 17; and daughter Jearleen, 1.

In 1940, James Joseph Williams registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 9 April 1916 in Wilson County; lived at Route 1, Wilson, Wilson County; his contact was wife Senora Williams; and he worked for Watson Tobacco Company, South Lodge Street, Wilson.

In July 1945, Senora Williams was named administrator of her husband’s estate and named herself and daughters Geraldine and Bettie Lou Williams as his heirs.

The obituary of Rosa Lee Kittrell Williams of Nashville, Tennessee.

The Tennesseean (Nashville, Va.), December 1981.

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In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: bricklayer William Kittrell, 36; wife Mary, 30; and daughter Rosa L., 4.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 637 Green, brickmason William H. Kittrell, 45; wife Mary, 42; and daughter Rosa L., 14.

In the 1925 and 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directories: Kittrell Rosa L (c) student h 708 E Green

In the 1938 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Kittrell Rosa L (c) school tchr h 708 E Green

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Julas B. Highsmith, 60, schoolteacher; wife Maggie, 45; niece Ethel Cowan, 19; and boarders Idella McCreary, 27, schoolteacher; Matthew S. Branch, 44, schoolteacher; and Ros L. Kittrell, 24, schoolteacher.

On 6 June 1930, Malcolm D. Williams, 24, of Warsaw, N.C., son of Holley and Martha Williams, married Rosa Lee Kittrell, 24, daughter of Wm. and Mary Kittrell, at 708 Green Street, Wilson. William Hines applied for the license, and Presbyterian minister J.T. Douglas performed the ceremony in the presence of W.H. Kittrell, Mary Kittrell, and H.D. Douglas.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 6xx Green, owned and valued at $3500, Dr. B.O. Barnes, 38, medical doctor; wife Flossie H., 34; and children Helen N., 6, and John H., 3; also, renting at $15/month; teacher M.D. Williams, 30; wife Rosa L., 33,  teacher; daughter Frances E., 9; mother Martha E., 70; and Opie H. Williams, 48, teacher.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 703 Green, Malcolm Williams, 40, supervisor of city public schools; wife Rosa L., 43, “teacher (English)” in city public schools; father-in-law William Kittrell, 79, widower; and lodger Cecil C. Clinton, 26, born in Alabama, primary school teacher.

The estate of Clarissa Williams.

Clarissa Williams, teacher and principal at Wilson Colored Graded School, died in October 1921. Her niece Mamie Battle Ford, daughter of her maternal half-brother Richard Battle, was issued letters of administration.

North Carolina Wills and Estates, 1665-1998 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.

Williams’ estate consisted of a house and lot (at 605 East Green Street) worth about $3000 and an estimated $100 in personal property. Her heirs at law were her nieces and nephews Mamie Ford, Fanny Battle, Clinton Battle, and Glynn Battle.

The inventory of Williams’ property, prepared in June 1922, included two dressers, two washstands, four bedsteads, six trunks, a table and six chairs, two sewing machines, a writing desk, two stoves, four center tables, a safe, two bowls and pitchers, 11 bed quilts, eight pillows, two feather beds, three sets of springs, and two rockers.

Ford filed her final report on 24 March 1923. The sale of Williams’ personal property had netted what must have been a disappointing $77. Nearly half of that amount went to pay a tax bill and $15.oo went to pay medical bills, including five dollars to Henrietta Colvert for nursing services.

Wilson County, N.C., Property Settlement Records 1923-1931, http://www.familysearch.org.

Ford reported that she was “unable to give the bond for the proceeds of the house and lot sold by the mortgagee” and resigned as administrator.  In her stead, the Superior Court appointed E.A. Darden, trust officer for Branch Banking and Trust, as the bank held the mortgage on Clarissa Williams’ house.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Clarcy Williams, 50; roomer Curtis Ford, 37, house carpenter; nephew [sic] Mamie Ford, 24; and roomers [sic] Lias L., 4, and Quincey B. Ford, 2.

Funeral Program Friday: Rosa Lee Williams Mitchell.

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In the 1930 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farm laborer Joe Williams, 32; wife Bettie, 25; children Leroy, 15, Rosa L., 11, Hurbert, 13, and Madie, 7; and mother-in-law Minnie Williams, 40, widow.

On 20 December 1939, William Mitchell, 24, of Wilson County, son of J.G. and Mamie Mitchell, married Rosa Lee Williams, 19, of Wilson County, daughter of Joe and Hattie Williams, in Nashville, Nash County, North Carolina.

In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farm laborer William Mitchell, 23; wife Rosa, 20; father Gray, 65; and brother Samiel, 21.

In 1940, William Pharroh Mitchell registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 7 November 1917 in Wilson County; lived on Route 2, Elm City; his contact was wife Rosa Lee Mitchell; and he worked for Ernest Batts.

Funeral program courtesy of Amanda M. Cameron.

Seeking Eddie Rudson?

The Afro-American (Baltimore, Md.), 25 September 1948.

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I have not found parties by these names in Wilson County records. However, in the 1950 census of Elizabeth, Union County, New Jersey: George Wilson, 38, laborer at copper wire factory; wife Ethel, 30; daughter Patricia, newborn; and brother-in-law Paul Rudisill, 28. All but the baby were born in North Carolina.

Subbing Rudisill for “Rudson,” I hit pay dirt.

In 1918, Edgar Rudisill registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 20 March 1899; lived in Sims, Wilson County; worked as a tenant farmer for S.T. Pace; and his nearest relative was Inez Rudisill.

In the 1920 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: on Neverson Stone Quarry Road, stone quarry hand Edgar Rudisill, 20, and wife Ina, 16.

Lottie Grey Rudisill was born in Wilson County in 1921 to Edgar Rudisill and Ivey Williams.

In the 1940 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer Edgar Rudisill, 40; wife Lizzie, 45; lodger Christen White, 7; and mother Mary White, 65, widow.

The obituary of Janie Williams.

Wilson Daily Times, 27 November 1944.

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In the 1880 census of Brogden township, Wayne County, N.C.: Adline Brown, 30 (“H left her”), and daughters Sallie, 10, Jane, 6, and Lizzie, 3.

In the 1900 census of Mount Olive, Brogden township, Wayne County, N.C.: Adlene Spells, 54, and daughters Jane, 23, and Mattie, 17, all day laborers, and grandson Edgar, 4.

In the 1908 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Williams Jane (c) h 647 E Vance

In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Williams Jane (c) h 206 E Spruce

In the 1916 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Williams Jane (c) factory hd h 213 E Spruce

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 213 Spruce, Jane Williams, 46, and son Edgar, 24, both tobacco factory workers.

In the 1920 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Williams Janie (c) dom h 213 E Spruce

In the 1922 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Williams Jane (c) janitress h 207 E Spruce

In the 1925 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Williams Jane (c) dom h 207 E Spruce

In the 1928 and 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Williams Jane (c) lndrs h 207 E Spruce

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: Jane Williams, 55, laundress, widow; Elizabeth Bowden, 12; and Josh Smith, 56, widower, brickmason.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 207 Spruce, washerwoman Jane S. Williams, 68, and bricklayer  Josh Smith, 65, born Kentucky.

Jannie Williams died 25 November 1944 at her home at 207 Spruce Street, Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was 68 years old; was born in Mount Olive, N.C., to Isaac and Adline Spells, and was buried in Rountree Cemetery, Wilson.

Studio shots, no. 261: Malcolm D. Williams.

Yearbooks can be a valuable source of photographs of community members whose images were infrequently captured or retained. The 1952 edition of Charles H. Darden High School’s yearbook, The Trojan, included this photograph of Dr. Malcolm D. Williams, Supervisor of Wilson Negro Schools. 

Foster and Williams get paid.

Wilson’s Town Clerk John R. Moore died in 1905, and the administrator of his estate was charged with paying off his debts.

Grant T. Foster, purveyor of beef, pork, mutton, sausage, and country produce at Wilson City Market submitted a bill for $3.37 for small purchases Moore made in December 1904 and January 1905.

Moore’s son submitted a brief note — “Mr. Hales: Please pay Annie Williams $10.00 for services as cook same to be charged to papa’s estate. Respt, J.H. Moore.”

Williams was paid with a check made out simply to “Cook.”

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Wilson, North Carolina, Probate Estate Files 1854-1959, http://www.familysearch.org.