Wilson Daily Times, 27 May 1947.
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Rev. Frank Moore and his wife, Ara Moore, regularly ministered to residents of the Wilson County home, which was located near the intersection of present-day Ward Boulevard and Goldsboro Street.
Frank Hilliard is listed in the 1940 census of Wilson as one of 46 lodgers at the home, 19 of whom were African-American.
“Very old negro died at County House & very little information as to family history to be had.”
Green Mercer‘s regular home was on Church Street, but he died in the Wilson County poorhouse. He was described as married, but his wife did not serve as informant on his death certificate. The role was left to Clarcy Taylor, who apparently knew very little. Mercer was buried in the “colored cemetery,” which at that time was Oakdale, near Cemetery Street.
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I have found very little record of Mercer in Wilson County:
On 25 August 1866, Green Mercer married Margarett Wilkins in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.
In the 1870 census of Cokey township, Edgecombe County, North Carolina: farm laborer Green Mercer, 27; wife Margaret, 27; and children Fanny, 3, Major Talton, 1, William, 12, and Redding, 5; Frederick Cotten, 53; Randle Parker, 24; and Lewis Ruffin, 21.
In the 1880 census of Cocoa township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: Green Mercer, 42; wife Margarett, 37; and children Redin, 15, Fannie, 14, Tatin, 11, William, 8, and Joseph, 3.
On 12 December 1884, the Wilson Advance published the annual statement of accounts paid by Board of Wilson County Commissioners. In September 1884, this entry: No 331 for work at poor house to Green Mercer 2.00.