World War II

The obituary of James D. Barnes.

Wilson Daily Times, 26 March 1948.

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In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: John A. Barnes, 65, garden worker; wife Sarah J., 71; son John A., Jr., 39, works at Hackney Bus Bodies; daughter-in-law Emma, 35; son Wade, 36; and grandchildren James D. Barnes, 17;  George, 15, Odell, 13, and Margaret McAllister, 10, and Inez Tart, 9.

 

Howell and Crawford serve as recreational hostesses.

Washington (D.C.) Afro-American, 29 September 1945.

Recreational hostesses were civilian women who served with the American Red Cross or the United States Army’s Special Services to provide entertainment and wholesome companionship for soldiers. Nicknamed “Donut Dollies,” they often traveled military bases in mobile units delivering coffee, doughnuts, music, and conversation.

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  • Ethel G. Howell
  • Vertist Crawford

In the 1920 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 617 Green, carpenter Short W. Barnes, 60; wife Francis, 62; son-in-law Clarence A. Crawford, 28, brickmason; daughter Maggie L., 26; and grandchildren Verest A., 2, and Clarence A., Jr., 9 months.

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: carpenter Short W. Barnes, 70, wife Francis, 71, daughter Maggie Crawford, 36, son-in-law Clarance Crawford, 39, and their children Verda, 13, Clarance, 10, and Annie, 8.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 617 Green, carpenter Short W. Barnes, 80; daughter Maggie Crawford, 46, and grandchildren Vertist, 22, truck driver Clarance, 20, and Annie F., 18.

On 29 May 1952, the list of outbound passengers aboard the USNS General Alexander M. Patch included:

U.S. Departing Passenger and Crew Lists 1914-1966, http://www.ancestry.com.

Lt. H.P. Exum, Tuskegee Airman.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 24 February 1945.

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In the 1930 census of Eureka, Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer John E. Artis, 41; wife Cora, 39; and children Virginia D., 17, Ed R., 13, Oscar O., 11, Mary L., 10, Hurvin P., 9, Devaughn, 7, Olga M., 4, and Erman D., 2.

In the 1940 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer John Ed Exum, 51, and children Hervin, 18, Devon, 17, Ossie Mae, 14, Erman D., 12, and John Collins Exum, 8.

In 1942, Herven Percy Exum registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 6 November 1921 in Eureka, N.C.; lived at 611 East Green Street, Wilson; his contact was C.E. Artis, 571 East Nash Street; and he worked for undertaker C.E. Artis, 571 East Nash Street, Wilson.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 28 October 1944.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 11 November 1944.

Lt. Exum’s obituary appeared in the Washington Post with a clear copy of his photo in flying goggles.

[Sidenotes: Exum’s ancestors had lived in or adjacent to northeastern Wayne County for generations. His mother Cora Artis Exum was the daughter of Noah Artis and Lucinda Artis (later Sherrod), who were first cousins, as was not uncommon at the time. His father John Ed Exum was the son of George B. Exum, who had been enslaved in Wayne County, and Pernicey Hobbs Artis, who was born free in Johnston County. The uncle for whom Exum worked was his father’s half-brother, Columbus E. Artis. I have not been able to determine who the Bahamian or the Cherokee were.]

First Lieutenant Jesse F. Barnes’ ordeal.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 6 May 1944.

Over the course of a year, Jesse F. Barnes‘ family went from elation to despair to rejoicing when his return home to recuperate from the wounds that earned him four Purple Hearts.

Journal and Guide (Norfolk, Va.), 25 November 1944.

Rocky Mount Telegram, 21 April 1945.