Dew

Snaps, no. 110: Maggie Lucas Dew and daughter Aleazer.

Maggie and Aleazer Dew, circa 1940.

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In the 1920 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Edward Locus, 37; wife Cora, 27; and children Linwood, 10, Maggie, 9, Beulah, 8, Winnie, 6, Chicken, 4, Delphy, 3, John Ed., 1, and Quinton, 6 months.

In the 1930 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Ed Locus, 47; wife Cora, 35; and children Linward, 20, Maggie, 19, Ula, 18, Winnie, 17, Alma, 16, Redelpha, 13, John E., 11, Clinton, 10, Kenny, 9, Josephine, 7, Easter, 5, Louise, 4, Frank, 3, and Nancy, an infant.

In the 1940 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Walter Farmer, 31; wife Maggie, 24; and children Esther [Aleazer], 4, Walter Jr., 3, Clyde, 2, and Cleo, 1.

In the 1950 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Walter Dew, 41; wife Maggie, 39; and children Aleazer, 15, Walter Jr., 13, Clyde T., 12, Ceala, 11, Robert, 8, Geraldine, 7, Winnie J., 5, Marvin, 3, and Louise, 1.

Photo courtesy of Europe A. Farmer, Free in a Slave Society: The Lucas/Locus Family of Virginia and North Carolina (2006).

The last will and testament of Bushrod Dew.

Bushrod “Bush” Dew executed an unusually detailed will two months before he died in April 1920.

First, he requested a decent burial with “suitable headstones,” which we have seen here.

He then bequeathed his wife Susan Melton Dew a life estate in the house in which they lived, which was situated on one-eighth acre of land. That land was part of a one-acre tract Dew bought from Donaldson [Dollison?] Powell. After Susan Dew’s death, the house and small lot were to pass to their son Van Dew.

Susan Dew was also to receive all household and kitchen furniture. Daughters Nannie Dew, Effie Dew Parker, and Lossie Dew Best received one-quarter acre each from the one acre purchased from Powell.

Bush Dew’s son Van and three daughters were to divide equally 13 acres adjoining the property of Walter Woodard, Wiley Rountree, and others, and Van Dew was to receive the remaining one-eighth acre of the one-acre parcel above.

However, “on account of the unfaithfulness of my son Ed Dew to his parents and on account of his neglect to take advantage of the opportunity of an education which I have tried to give him,” Ed Dew was to receive twenty-five dollars and nothing more.  All other property, other than money, was to be divided among Bush Dew’s daughters.

Any remaining money was to be held in trust for five years, then equally divided among Dew’s daughters and son Van.

For more about Bushrod “Bush” Dew, see here and here and here.

Will of Bush Dew (1920), North Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The last will and testament of Alfred Dew.

Alfred Dew signed an X to his will on 22 June 1910, witnessed by Samuel H. Vick and Elijah L. Reid. (Reid was a close neighbor on Viola Street; Vick lived a block away on East Green Street.) Dew left his wife Laura Dew a life estate in all his property, with a remainder in son R.D. Dew. Sons Jack Dew and Needham Dew were to receive ten dollars each and daughter Martha Alston, sixty dollars.

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On 11 August 1866, Alfred Dew and Susan Dew registered their five-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Alford Due, 26; wife Susan, 23; and children Jack, 6, Redick, 4, and “no name,” 1 month; plus Oliver Due, 48, Amos Barnes, 23, and Anna Due, 19.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Alford Dew, 39; wife Louiza, 35; mother Olivia, 60, widow; and children Jackson, 18, Redick, 16, and George, 15, Needham, 12, and Martha, 10; and niece Hatta, 4. [George was likely George W. White, Louisa’s son from prior relationship.]

On 13 March 1889, Jackson Dew, 25, son of Alfred Dew and Susan Dew, married Maggie Thompson, 22, daughter of Enos and Elis Thompson, at Thompson’s father’s residence.

On 4 December 1889, Alfred Dew, 50, of Wilson township, son of Jack and Olive Dew, married Eveline Mitchel, 35, of Stantonsburg township, daughter of Olive Kilabrew, at F.W. Barnes’ farm, Stantonsburg.

On 4 January 1893, James Alston, 21, son of Charles and Anna Alston, married Martha Dew, 21, daughter of Alfred Dew, in Wilson.

On 17 January 1894, C.D. Dew, 24, of Wilson County, son of Alfred and Susan Dew, married Cora Wells, 18, of Wilson County, daughter of Jason and Ellen Wells, at Jason Wells’ residence in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. [Needham Dew changed his name to Cornelius D. Dew.]

On 28 June 1898, Reddick D. Dew, 30, of Wilmington, whose father Alfred Dew lived in Wilson and whose mother Susan was deceased, married Addie J. Cash, 30, daughter of John and Martha Cash of Wilmington.

George White, 34, of Craven County, son of Louisa Dew, married Lucinda Parker, 20, of Craven County, on 27 December 1898 at Jackson Dew‘s residence in Wilson township, Wilson County. Alfred Dew applied for the license, and Baptist minister J.T. Deans performed the ceremony in the presence of James T. Alston, L.A. Allen, and Jackson Dew.

On 9 May 1900, Alfred Dew, 55, of Wilson County, son of Jack and Olive Dew, married Margarette Hinton, 48, of Wilson County, at her house in Wilson. Henry Cotton applied for the license, and Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony in the presence of Mamie E. Parker, Lee Simms, and Mary Simms.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: day laborer Alfred Dew, 50; wife Maggie, 47; sons Hassell, 14, and Will, 13, and stepson Charlie Hinnant, 14, day laborer.

On 4 March 1903, Alford Dew, 56, son of Jackson and Olif Dew, married Laura Watson, 45, at Watson’s residence in Wilson. Charles Oats applied for the license, and Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Viola Street, Alfred Dew, 63, street laborer; wife Laura, 54, laundress; and daughter Eva, 13.

On 24 May 1911, Hassell Dew, 26, of Wilson, N.C., son of Alfred Dew and Evalina Kilbrew, married Daisy Robinson, 25, of Winston-Salem, N.C., daughter of Samuel Robinson and Elvira [no maiden name listed], in Manhattan County, New York.

Alfred Dew died 23 August 1910 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was about 66 years old; was born in Wilson County to Jackson Dew and Olive Dew; lived on Viola Street; was married; and worked as a common laborer. Martha Aulston was informant, and he was buried in Wilson [likely, Oakdale or Odd Fellows Cemeteries.]

Martha Alston died 3 April 1929 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 10 March 1871 in Wilson County to Alford Dew and Barbray Woodard; was married to James Alston; lived at 507 East Green Street; and was buried in Wilson [likely, Vick Cemetery]. Rufus Edmundson was informant.

Redick Diew died 6 August 1933 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 3 August 1868 in Wilson County to Alfred and Susan Diew; was a barber; was a widower; and resided at 1108 Wainwright Avenue. Eula Locus of the home was informant.

“Cornelius Dew (nick name) Needham Dew” died 30 July 1944 in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 May 1881 in Wilson to Albert [sic] Dew and Susian [maiden name unknown]; was married to Maggie Dew; and worked as a farmer.

Will of Alfred Dew (1910), Wilson County, North Carolina, U.S. Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The estate of David Dew.

When David Dew died about 1862, he left an estate that included seven enslaved people — Everett, Fortin, Rose, Dick, Sally, Gray, and Martha. Dew had neither wife nor children and bequeathed his assets to the children of his brother Larry Dew.

For reasons that are not clear, Dew’s enslaved people were hired out for several years rather than immediately distributed per the terms of his will. Perhaps the plan was to wait until the youngest, Nancy Dew, turned 18 in 1865.

In 1864, Dew’s nephews Jonathan T. Dew, Arthur B. Dew, and William L. Dew hired out the seven.

In January 1865, Joseph Barbee (Harriet Dew’s husband), as agent for W.L. Dew & Bros. hired out four people people; Jonathan T. Dew took in Fortin and Sally; and Edith Barnes Dew (Arthur B. Dew’s wife) took in Martha. The arrangements did not last long — freedom came in April.

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  • Everett

On August 10, 1866, Everett Dew and Sarah Taylor registered their 35-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

Iin the 1870 census of Wilson township: farm laborer Everett Due, 58, wife Sarah, 59, and Joseph, 23, and Rachel Due, 18.

  • Fortin and her children Rose, Dick, and Sally

On 27 June 1866, Fortice Dew and George Rountree registered their 21-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer George Rountree, 70; wife Forte, 66; and children Richd., 23, Rose, 23; Sallie, 19, and Ellis, 4.

On 6 February 1878, Richard Rountree, 25, married Feby Rountree, 20, in Wilson County.

In the 1880 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: Richard Rountree, 30; wife Feeby, 26; and children Lilly, 5, James, 5 months, and stepdaughter Louisa, 11, nurse.

In the 1900 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Richard Rowntree, 53; wife Feby, 49; and children James, 19, Loula, 11, Richard T., 10, Waren, 7, Ardinia, 5, Martha, 3, and Howard, 1.

On 22 December 1921, Nancy Farmer died in Taylor township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 96 years old; was born in Wilson County to George Rountree and Forton Rountree; and was the widow of Washington Farmer. Thomas Coleman was informant.

Sallie Rountree died 2 July 1925 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 80 years old; was born in Wilson County to George Rountree and Fordnet Dew; was single; and was buried in Rountree family cemetery. James Rountree was informant.

On 18 December 1927, Lillie Jones died in Wilson, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 51 years old; was born in Wilson County to Richard Rountree and Phebie Rountree; was married to Josiah Jones; lived on Mercer Street; and was buried in a family cemetery. James Rountree was informant.

Warren Rountree died 24 February 1943 in Wilson, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, he was born 22 June 1894 in Wilson County to Richard Rountree and Phoebe Rountree “before marr.”; was married to Maggie Rountree; worked in a factory; and was buried in Rountree [family] cemetery. Maggie Rountree was informant.

  • Gray
  • Martha

David Dew Estate Records (1862), Wilson County, North Carolina Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

Dew children perish in fire.

Wilson Daily Times, 19 December 1911.

It is difficult to know what to take away from this erratum. Unfortunately, the previous day’s paper is not available for details of the Dew children’s tragedy.

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  • Oscar Dew — in the 1910 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Oscar Dew, 32; wife Annie, 24, farm laborer; children George F., 2, and Bettie M., 5 months; sister-in-law Fannie Strickland, 26, widow, farm laborer; and “sister-in-law son” Sydney Woodard, 10, farm laborer. In the 1920 census, Oscar and Annie Dew’s children were George F., 12, Annie Bell, 5, Rita Bell, 2, and James Arthur, 5 months. Presumably, the children killed in the fire were Bettie and a child born after the 1910 census was taken.
  • Nora Woodard — most likely: in the 1900 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: farmer Alfred Woodard, 69; wife Sarah, 59; daughters Nora, 21, and Francis, 17; and servant Bessa Foard, 19. [It appears that Alfred Woodard died 1900-10 — did Nora inherit farmland from him?] In the 1912 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Woodard Norah (c) h s of Cemetery rd nr A C L Ry

Bushrod Dew’s crop lien.

On 17 January 1903, Howard, Graves & Company agreed to advance Bush Dew up to one hundred thirty dollars in supplies to enable Dew to cultivate the land in Wilson township Dew rented from S.H. Morris. In return, Dew gave Howard, Graves a lien on his crop as well as a eleven year-old black mare mule, an iron axle cart, an open buggy and harness, and all his farming implements.

Deed book 66, page 233, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office. 

Dew attends Boys State.

Wilson Daily Times, 12 June 1948.

Billy Dew attended the “colored encampment” of Boys State in 1948.

Here’s William Lyman Dew‘s senior portrait in the 1949 edition of Darden High School’s Trojan yearbook.

William Dew was born 28 October 1931 in Wilson to Irma I. Dew and Edwin Cooke. He joined the United States Air Force in 1951 and, when he married Martha Lucretia Reid of Portsmouth, Virginia, in 1957, was working as an assistant air traffic controller with the Civil Aeronautics Administration at Stapleton Air Field, Denver, Colorado. Dew died in Denver in 1987 and is buried in Rest Haven Cemetery, Wilson.

United States Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007, http://www.ancestry.com; Pittsburgh Courier, 3 August 1957, page 15; clipping courtesy of J. Robert Boykin III.

Gone fishing.

Wilson Daily Times, 15 June 1948.

Two couples and a set of sisters learned the hard way that Wiggins Mill pond was not open to free fishing.

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  • Rosetta Tune and Willie James Tune — in the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Willie Tune, 29; wife Rosetta, 29; and son Willie Lee, 10.
  • Bessie Dew — Bessie Dupree Dew. In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: William Dupree, 26; wife Nettar, 17; son Sylvester, 5 months; brother Ernest, 20; and Ernest’s wife Ora Lee, 19; sister Sudie, 16; brother Frank Jr., 19; sister Bessie, 15, Charity, 12, and Ada, 9; and nephew James Petway, 6. On 17 September 1941, Moses Dew, 23, of Wilson, son of Moses and Eliza Dew, married Bessie Dupree, 19, of Wilson, son of Preston and Ada Dupree, in Wilson.   
  • Moses Dew — in the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County [next door to the Tunes]: widow Eliza Dew, 69; daughter-in-law Naomi, 28, widow; son Moses, 21, farmer; niece Elizabeth, 13; and grandchildren Catherine, 7, and Eva, 5 months.
  • Lizzie Vick and Mary Vick — probably, in the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: John Vick, 55, divorced, boiler tender at auto body company; sister Mary Vick Hooks, 44, widow, farming hired hand; sister Lizzie Vick, 38, widow, farming hired hand; nephew Charlie Hooks, 19, farm laborer; niece Betty May Hooks, 15; and daughter Lumizer Vick, 26, divorced, private family cook.

620 Viola Street.

The one hundred sixty-seventh 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, this building is: “ca. 1950; 1 story; two-room, gable-roofed cottage.” This house appears to have replaced an earlier building on the site that dated from the mid-1920s. (The lot was empty at the time of the 1922 Sanborn fire insurance map.)

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In the 1928 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Picott Wm (c; Annie) pntr h 620 Viola

In the 1930 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Williams Chas (c; Ellen) lab h 620 Viola

In the 1930 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 620 Viola, rented for $9/month, Charlie Williams, 25, body plant laborer; wife Elandor, 28; and stepson Dav S. Shaw, 12.  

On 17 September 1938, the Wilson Daily Times listed the property among those subject to auction for delinquent taxes. The owners were the heirs of Della Barnes.

In 1940, Lester Dew registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his draft registration card, he was born 7 February 1911 in Wilson County; lived at 620 Viola; his contact was wife Grace Dew; and he worked for Southern Tobacco Company, Wilson.

In the 1940 census of Wilson, Wilson County: at 610 Viola, Lester Dew, 29, tobacco packer, and wife Grace, 26, tobacco hanger.

In the 1941 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory: Dew Lester E (c; Grace) lab h 620 Viola

In the 1947 Hill’s Wilson, N.C., city directory, the house was listed as vacant.

Photo by Lisa Y. Henderson, April 2022.

Crop liens and mortgage deeds, no. 1.

On 6 April 1936, General Supply Store Inc. agreed to advance brothers Will Artis and Roselle Artis a fifty dollar merchandise account for the cultivation of crops on the lands of W.J. Davis in Stantonsburg township. In consideration, the Artises agreed to convey to General Supply “a light brown Guernsey cow about 3 yrs old & increase 1 Poland China sow & 14 pigs 4 Poland China shoats about six weeks old” as well as a lien on all the crops grown on the land, in the event of default.

Deed book 220, page 160.

In the 1920 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Willie Artis, 43; wife Francis, 43; children Alexander, 21, Harvie, 20, Willie Jr., 16, Nora E., 14, Marion, 11, Rosel, 9, Jessie, 8, Elcy, 5, and Johnie, 18; laborer Miles Warren, 40; and boarder Albert Thompson, 19.

In the 1930 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Will Artis, 53; wife Francis, 52; children Roselle, 19, Jesse, 18, and Elsie M., 15, and Johnie, 18; lodger Myrs Warren, 50; and sister Beatrice Sauls, 19.

On 1 December 1934, Rozell Artis, 23, of Wilson County, son of Will and Frances Artis, married Rencie Bynum, 16, of Wilson County, daughter of William and Rosa Bynum, in Nashville, Nash County, North Carolina. Will Artis, William Bynum, and Frank Williams were witnesses.

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On 22 May 1936, P.L. Woodard & Co. agreed to advance Captain Rountree and Freeman Rountree $27.50 in money, merchandise and supplies for the cultivation of crops on an eight and one-fifth acre lot in Wilson township, “the identical land deeded to Freeman Rountree by Margaret Dew and having been a part of the Jeff Dew estate.” The Rountrees gave P.L. Woodard & Co. a lien on their crop as well as on the land they had purchased from Jeff Dew’s daughter. The Rountrees paid off the loan in October of the same year.

Deed Book 220, page 180.

In the 1900 census of Taylor township, Wilson County: Willie Rowntree, 29; wife Martha, 27; and children Freeman, 9, Willie, 8, Rapherd, 6, Captan, 3, Dasie, 2, and Andrew, 1.

In the 1910 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Tarboro Road, Wiley Rountree, 42; wife Matilda, 34; daughter Matha, 20, and her son Roscoe, 2; children Freeman, 19, Wiley Jr., 18, Raford, 16, Captain, 14, Daisey, 13, Andrew, 10, Husband, 9, Nellie, 8, and Frank, 6; and grandson Bosy, 3 months.

On 31 August 1916, Freeman Rountree, 25, of Wilson, son of Wiley Rountree and Martha (last name not listed, married Vinie Wilson, 18, of Wilson, daughter of Tom Wilson and Anna Wilson. Rev. John A. Barnes, A.M.E.Z. minister, performed the ceremony in the presence of Jesse C. Lassiter, William Knight and Johnnie A. Barnes Jr.

In 1917, Freeman Rountree registered for the World War I draft. Per his card, he was born 5 October 1890; was born in South Carolina; was a self-employed farmer; and lived in Black Creek township. He was literate.

In 1917, Captain Rountree registered for the World War I draft. Per his card, he was born 25 December 1895; was born in Wilson County; farmed for his father; and lived at R.F.D. #5, Wilson. He signed his name with an X.

On 24 May 1918, Captain Rountree, 22, of Wilson, son of Wiley and Sarah Rountree, married Lizzie Horne, 19, of Wilson, daughter of Simon and Nancy Horne, at the residence of Simon Horne. Fred Weaver, Jonah Dew, and Andrew Rountree were witnesses.

In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Freeman Rountree, 29, and wife Viana, 20.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Freeman Rountree, 37; wife Vinie, 30; and adopted son Eddie Bynum, 14.

In the 1930 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: on Rocky Mount to Wilson Road, farmer Captain Rountree, 35; wife Lizzie, 28; and children Viola, 10, Lossie, 9, Martha, 5, Surisa, 3, Will Jr., 2, and Annie M., newborn.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Freeman Roundtree, 49, born in Florida; wife Viney, 38; and cousin Paul, 18, farm helper.

In the 1940 census of Toisnot township, Wilson County: farmer Calvin [sic] Rountree, 40; wife Lizzie, 40; and children Viola, 19, Mathie, 15, Swanee Belle, 13, Willie Jr., 12, Annie Mae, 9, Rosa Lee, 7, Calvin Jr., 6, Mavis, 4, and Doris, 1.

Deed books, Wilson County Register of Deeds Office, Wilson.