World War I

World War I service cards, no. 1.
  • Obert Bullock

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Lee Street, Frank Bullock, 65; wife Lizzie, 60; and children Ernest, 25, Hady, 23, Petrony, 26, and Obert, 16.

On 23 December 1919, Cordy Tillery applied for a marriage license for Obert Bullock, 24, son of Frank and Lizzie Bullock, and Lorena Ellis, 21. The license was never used and was cancelled in June 1920.

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 410 Pine, Lizzie Bullock, 65, widow, cook for McLean; daughter Gertruge, 25, cook, and son Obert, 24, cafe cook.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 409 Pine, widow Lizzie Bullock, 70, practical nurse; children Ernest, 43, house painter, Obert, 33, hotel cook, and Gertrude, 35, private home laundress; and lodgers Charlie Moye, 29, truck farmer, and Edward Williams, 53, farm laborer.

On 26 December 1934, Obert Bullock, 39, of Wilson, son of Frank and Lizzie Bullock, married Hattie Smith, 23, of Wilson, daughter of Sam and Silly Ann Smith, in Wilson.

  • Mack Bullock

In 1917, Mack Bullock registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 26 May 1895 in Edgecombe County, N.C.; lived in Wilson; worked in Noah Tate‘s pool room; and was single.

  • George J. Bullock

In the 1900 census of Rocky Mount township, Nash County: on Thomas Street, farm laborer George Bulock, 35; wife Ella, 25; and children Sallie A., 9, Jack, 7, Lucy, 5, Isaac, 3, and Bettie, 1.

In the 1910 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Town Creek Road, farmer George Bullock, 48; wife Ella, 39; and children Sallie A., 20, George, 17, Lucy, 15, Isaac, 13, Bettie, 12, Rosa, 9, Charlie, 6, James, 4, and Etta and Effie, 2.

In 1917, George Junius Bullock registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born in 1896 in Warren County, N.C.; lived on West Nash Street, Wilson; worked as a laborer for M.W. Edmundson, Anderson Street, Wilson; and was single.

On 2 July 1920, George J. Bullock, 24, of Wilson, son of George and Ella Bullock, married Lucinda Jones, 19, of Wilson, daughter of Duff and Rebecca Jones, in Wilson. Missionary Baptist minister Charles T. Jones performed the ceremony in the presence of Gertrude Jones, Louisa Johnson, and Ruth Jones.

George Junius “Jack” Bullock died 24 December 1965 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 15 December 1894 in Wilson to George Bullock and Ella Hargrove; lived at 712 Suggs Street; worked as a tobacco factory laborer; was married; and was a World War I veteran. Etta Bullock was informant.

  • Rochelle Bullock

In 1917, Rochell Carter Bullock registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born in 1896 in Wilson County; lived in Elm City; worked as a sawmill laborer for John Flowers; and was single.

Rochell Bullock died 6 May 1935 in Sleepy Hole, Nansemond County, Virginia; was single; was born in Wilson, N.C., to Edward Bullock and Lucy Allen; and worked as a laborer.

Ledger-Star (Norfolk, Va.), 14 May 1935.

  • Lendery Bunn

North Carolina World War I Service Cards 1917-1919, http://www.ancestry.com

Artis is the first to volunteer.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 5 February 1918.

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We knew Columbus E. Artis migrated from Wilson to Washington, D.C., between 1915 and 1918 and remained just a few years. Now we know what drew him North.

Early in 1918, Artis jumped to respond to a call for volunteer shipbuilders and was lauded as the first to get his application in. Though it is not clear what skills Artis brought to the job — he had been a farm laborer, a grocer, a restaurateur, and an undertaker — he was recognized as “honor man” for his enthusiastic response.

Charles Barnes, who died in service to his country.

Wilson Daily Times, 31 July 1919.

Charles Barnes was the son of Wesley and Ella Mercer Barnes. In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on the N.&S. Railroad, drayman West Barnes, 22, wife Ella, 47, laundress, and children Sylvester, 17, drayman, Viola, 15, cook, and Charlie, 13, laborer at wholesale store, plus son-in-law James Watson, 23, drayman, wife Lucy, 22, cook, and children West, 4, and Lucy, 3 months. Charlie Barnes died of tuberculosis at an Army hospital in Asheville.

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  • Rev. B.P. Coward — Bryant P. Coward.
  • Arthur N. Darden
  • Elton Thomas
  • Arthur Moore — in the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: farm laborer John Moore, 36; wife Mattie, 36, dressmaker; and sons Arthur, 14, William B., 7, Zack, 6, and James, 5.
  • Brodie Reed — Brodie Reid.
  • Charlie Will Farmer
  • Moses Parker
  • Connie Rountree
  • George Batts
  • Cordie Tillery — Cordy Tillery registered for the World War I draft in Wilson in 1917. Per his registration card, he was born 9 August 1889 in Manchester, Virginia; lived on Spring Street, Wilson; and was a convict (“misdemeanants”) with County of Wilson. Per his service card, he served two years honorably.

  • Joseph Faulkland — in the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: widow Rachel Falkland, 44, and sons Jessie, 18, wagon factory laborer, Freddie, 18, farm laborer, John, 16, brickyard laborer, and Joseph, 13, farm laborer.
  • David McPhail
  • Burley Brooks

Albert Finch’s patriotic utterances.

Wilson Daily Times, 29 August 1918.

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On 27 October 1909, William A. Finch, 27, of Nash County, son of Z.D. Finch and Minnie Ann Finch, married Lougene Finch, 20, of Cross Roads township, daughter of Billie and Mattie Finch, in Wilson.

In the 1910 census of Dry Wells township, Nash County, North Carolina: farmer Albert Finch, 25, and wife Lula, 20.

In 1918, William Albert Finch registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 3 December 1881; lived at R.F.D. #3, Lucama, Wilson County; farmed for W.J. Newsome; and his nearest relative was Lugenia Finch.

In the 1920 census of Cross Roads township, Wilson County: farmer Albert Finch, 33, and wife Lugenia, 31.

Lougenia Finch died 30 August 1923 in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, her birthdate was unknown; she was born in Wilson County to William and Flossie Finch; was married to Albert Finch; and was buried in the Zid Finch Cemetery in Middlesex [Nash County].

In the 1930 census of Dry Wells township, Nash County, North Carolina: Zid D. Finch, 78; wife Minnie A., 68; son Albert, 51; daughter Mamie, 24; and grandchildren Joseph W., 14, Clois E., 10, James T., 8, and Warnealy Ward, 6.

In the 1940 census of Dry Wells township, Nash County, North Carolina: Albert Finch, 58; son Thomas, 19; and daughter Junita, 16.

William Albert Finch died 26 May 1962 in Rocky Mount, Nash County. Per his death certificate, he was born 3 December 1881 in Wilson to Zid and Men Finch; was the widower of Lugenia Finch; lived in Middlesex, Nash County; and was buried in Finch Cemetery, Nash County.

The obituary of John Henry Dudley.

Wilson Daily Times, 15 June 1950.

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In the 1900 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Henry Dudley, 45; wife Fannie, 24; children Meaner, 14, Maggie, 13, Lorence, 10, Lossie, 9, Rosa, 7, Henry, 5, Jacob, 3, and Lizza N., 6 months; and boarder Phillis Gray, 59, widow.

On 10 January 1917, John Henry Dudley, 22, of Black Creek township, son of Henry Dudley and Fannie Dudley, married Della Brooks, 19, of Black Creek township, daughter of Dave Brooks and Ret Brooks, at Charlie Spell’s house in Black Creek township. Henry Dudley, Isaac Daniel, and Charlie Spell were witnesses.

In 1917, John Henry Dudley registered for the World War I draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born in 1896 in Black Creek; lived in Black Creek; worked as a farm laborer for Mac Gilber, Rocky Mount, N.C.; and was married.

In the 1920 census of Oldfields township, Wilson County: farmer J.H. Dudley, 23, and wife Della, 20.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 403 Carroll Street, carpenter John Dudley, 32; wife Della, 27; children Carl D., 7, James H., 5, and Minnie, 2; and niece Fanie Farmer, 22.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: carpenter Henry Dudley, 42; wife Della, 38; and children Carl, 17, James, 14, Minnie, 12, and Robert, 9.

In the 1950 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 109 Manchester, construction contractor Henry Dudley, 51; wife Della, 46; children James, 24, and Minnie B., 22; grandson Robert L., 20; and [Robert’s?] son Bernard, 2.

John Henry Dudley died 12 Jun 1950 at his home at 109 Manchester Street, Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was born 26 January 1895 in Wilson County to Henry Dudley and Fannie Gray; was married to Della B. Dudley; worked as a carpenter; and was a World War I veteran.

U.S. Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1970, http://www.ancestry.com.

There will be no provision made for the colored soldiers.

1919. World War I had ended. Wilson planned Memorial Day Exercises and a Home Celebration for “the boys who answered their country’s call.” Or most of them, anyway.

The Daily Times published this clarification days before the festivities. Bottom line: Black soldiers were not invited. The mayor had designated “July 4th as the day on which the colored people of Wilson County will honor the returned heroes of their race ….” The good white businessmen of the town had agreed to throw a little money at the later event, but “… there will be no provision made for the returned colored soldiers in [the] parade or barbecue dinner.”

Wilson Daily Times, 10 May 1919.