by Ashley Flewellen

Purvis John Chesson was born in the south of Plymouth, North Carolina on February 23, 1891 and was a citizen. Chesson’s mom’s name was Laura Chesson, and his father’s name was Henry Chesson. Purvis was Methodist, and he was a good citizen who voted as well. The Chesson family moved to Norfolk sometime between 1900 and 1910 and lived at 27 Pulaski Street. Purvis was the third of seven children, and his eldest sister Arline lived with their parents with her son, Cleon. Purvis worked as a laborer at a factory as a young man.

Purvis attended high school and started college, but only remained enrolled for a year before the war. He attended Howard University in Washington D.C. Chesson joined a popular fraternal order called Stl St. Marks Mutual Aid Society which is church-based group that made help communities. He also was married, and no children were found while doing research on him .The organization seem to be developed in churches international but popular in Methodist, Catholics, and Episcopal churches.

Before Purvis joined the war, he worked a as carpenter for the Porter Brothers construction company. During that time this was considered a good paying job and to have one year of college was looked good upon as well. He enlisted in the services July 17, 1918 and served in the Quartermaster Corps, which deals with logistics. Purvis was stationed and trained as private at Camp Lee in Virginia from July 18, 1918 through January 28 ,1919. He said that his service was good for his body, but not his mind. When discharged, he returned to Norfolk.

After his return to Virginia, he married Florence L. Lomax on March 29, 1923, whom he met while finishing his degree at Hampton University. He graduated from Hampton in 1923. The couple settled into a home on Hale Street in Norfolk. He worked as a teacher and then principal for Norfolk Public Schools until he retired in 1959. His career and work for Norfolk Public Schools is well documented in the Journal and Guide. He is most well known for helping to found the Norfolk Teachers’ Credit Union and for working for pay parity for Virginia teachers. He died of carcinoma of the liver at the VA Hospital in Hampton, Virginia on February 13, 1961. His wife, Florence, who also worked in the Norfolk Public School system, passed in 1987.

Sources:

“United States Census, 1910,” database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MPLH-34Y : accessed 5 May 2022), Purvis Chesson in household of Henry Chesson, Norfolk Ward 4, Norfolk (Independent City), Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 38, sheet 5A, family 108, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1637; FHL microfilm 1,375,650.

“United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918”, database with images, FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:7HJZ-YV3Z : 25 December 2021), Purvis John Chesson, 1917-1918.

“Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940”, database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XRMV-5DQ : 29 January 2020), Purnis John Chesson, 1923.

“United States Census, 1940,” database with images, Family Search (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VTM3-WFS: accessed 5 May 2022), Purvis J. Chesson

“P. J. Chesson: Veteran Principal to Retire after 35 Years” New Journal and Guide (1916-); Norfolk, Va.[Norfolk, Va]. 30 May 1959: 6. 

The Minerva: 1922. Howard University Yearbooks, Howard University. Available online: https://dh.howard.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1190&context=bison_yearbooks

by Charles Nicholas III

Benjamin Cicero Dancy was born on December 18, 1895 in Driver, Virginia. His parents were Cicero Dancy, Sr. and Annie Dancy. He had two brothers, Jessie and Cicero Jr. The family lived in Sleepy Hole, Virginia while he was growing up. Both Benjamin and his father worked as laborers on a truck (vegetable) farm. A year before enlisting (1917) into the Army, he married his fiancé Mrs. Olivia Lewis. A year later he was sent to France in response of the war effort. Before the war, he worked at the Portsmouth Navy Yard and supported his wife and mother in their home at 914 Salter St., Norfolk.

Dancy enlisted in the National Army in 1917. While initially serving with the 540^th Combat Engineer Regiment, Charlie company, Dancy was an infantryman during his time served. On October 27, 1918, Dancy embarked on a voyage from New Jersey to England on the USS Leviathan. From England, he then proceeded to Cherbourg, France. While abroad he was either trained or station in Abbeville, France from November 15, 1918, to August of 1919. 

His military career and time in France were cut short due to reasons unknown. There could have been several reasons as the war escalated at that time. Sickness, war, and or disease from war injuries could have taken his life as these things were and still are undocumented. On February 20, 1919, Dancy died in a Gorgenoort, France hospital. He only spent one day being treated in the hospital. Private Dancy was to be buried in an American soldier cemetery in France. 

It is very unfortunate that as a soldier who gave their freedoms away to fight for the freedoms of others doesn’t have proper documentation after their death. Dancy left behind his wife as beneficiary with no known children. His cousin, Rosa Williams completed the questionnaire about his service. This happened to many soldiers, sailors, and airmen at the time of war. As the influx of individuals joined the fight for humanity, many of them became lost and forgotten about in the system of war. Benjamin C. Dancy a young man who fraught for his country will now be forever remembered. 

Sources:

“Cicero Dancy” United States World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918.” Available online: FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K6Z3-YBB : 23 December 2021).

“United States, World War I American Expeditionary Forces Deaths, 1917-1919”, database, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPH4-KJKP : 3 December 2019).

“United States Census, 1900”, database with images, FamilySearch(https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MMNV-FRH : 11 March 2022), Benjamin Dancy in entry for Simon Dancy, 1900.

“United States Census, 1910,” database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MPGS-6RM : accessed 5 May 2022), Ben James Dancy in household of Cicero Dancy Sr., Sleepy Hole, Nansemond, Virginia, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 16, sheet 4A, family 65, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1636; FHL microfilm 1,375,649.

by D’Angelo Darby

Clarence Bullock born to Carrie and Peter Bullock on June 30^th, 1897 served in the military during World War I. He served out of Norfolk, Va enlisting in the Naval Reserve on June 5^th, 1917. Before he enlisted, he worked as a bus boy after he left active duty he worked for the military as a civilian at a U.S. Army Base. A command he served under was the USS Legonia II. Prior to its commissioning for military use, the Legonia was a yacht built in Delaware. The U.S. Navy purchased it in 1917 and utilized it as a messenger, escort, and guard ship. Records show that he also spent time aboard the USS Fish Hawk a Fish Commission boat. Its Chief Boatswain volunteered her for patrol and inspection duty in an informal agreement. Although the U.S. Navy officially took her on loan and reassigned her to New London, Connecticut.

Bullock served as a Mess Attendant 3^rd class within the U.S Navy. Blacks were only allowed to serve in menial roles in the Navy. They were not allowed to serve at all in the Marines. However, in the Army they could serve in any capacity that was not in aviation. So it is not surprising that as a sailor he would have been a Mess Attendant. After the war, he returned home to Norfolk, Va.

Clarence Bullock had a son who became a prominent black artist.  His son enrolled in what is now known as North Carolina A&T. After graduating, he moved to Philadephia, PA and worked as a substitute teacher. While working he attended night courses and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a Master’s degree in oil painting. He was commissioned to create a portrait of John F. Kennedy.

Unfortunately, Clarence Senior had a stroke causing temporary paralysis in the right side of his body due to a brain abscess. He died August 9^th, 1960 due to complications associated with hypertension. He was be survived by his wife Susie Bullock and son Clarence C. Bullock of Norfolk, Va.

Sources:

“Meeting with Mr. Kennedy: That’s Artist’s Goal: To Present President’s Portrait Clarence Bullock Overcame Obstacles to Score in Art.” New Journal and Guide (1916-), Dec 15, 1962, pp. 1. ProQuest, http://0-search.proquest.com.library.nsu.edu/historical-newspapers/meeting-with-mr-kennedy-thats-artists-goal/docview/568678296/se-2?accountid=28204

“African-American Participation during World War I.” Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs – State of Delaware, 13 Apr. 2021, https://history.delaware.gov/world-war-i/african-americans-ww1/. 

Civilian Ships–Legonia II (Steam Yacht, 1909), https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/OnlineLibrary/photos/sh-civil/civsh-l/legonia2.htm.

Fish Hawk, https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/f/fish-hawk.html.

by Patrica Brown

Dr. Abram Hayman Buck was a World War I veteran and physician. He was born March 5^th 1895, in Marion, South Carolina to Maggie Hamilton and Abram Buck, both South Carolina natives. He was a Methodist and completed 4 years of high school. Along with Abram H., Maggie and Abram had four other children, Theodore Buck, Ivado Buck, Isdore Buck, and Christable Buck. They went on to give Abram more 12 nieces and nephews combined. Due to the lack of accurate record keeping, it is difficult to gather an exact number. 

He married his wife Margaret Theresa (Luke) Buck. Her birth date is estimated to be around November 1876/1878 or October 4^th, 1900, and she passed away April 2^nd 1971. The couple had three children, Loretta Marie (Buck) Duverney, Margaret Frances Buck Saunders, and Abram Hayman Buck Jr. Together, they gave the couple over 10 grandchildren. 

While residing in Norfolk, VA, Abram Hayman Buck enlisted in the National Army on June 20^th, 1918, and was discharged March 8^th, 1919. He was an Infantry Private while stationed at Company 45, 12 BN, 155, D.B. Camp Lee, VA. Eventually he transferred to Company 13, 4 BN, 155, D.B, Camp Lee, VA, and was promoted to the rank of Corporal. 

After returning from the war, Dr. Buck attended and graduated from Meharry Medical College, a historically black college, in 1927. He was a member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, National Medical Association, and Old Dominion Medical Association. He was also the founder of Royal Social Club and Hiawatha Social and Savings club. Along with all these accomplishments, he was also elected to the Board as a member of the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Company. 

Dr. Abram Buck passed away July 29^th, 1965, at the age of 70 in the Hampton VA hospital from Myocardial infarction due to coronary occlusion within one week. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery, Norfolk VA next to his wife with a shared headstone. 

by Camilia Bell

Born in Norfolk, Virginia on August 22, 1886/1887, Luther Jordan Brown was the son of Adeline (Addie) L. Parker and Robert J. Brown Sr. After his parents got married in Norfolk, Virginia in 1881, the family grew. Adeline and Robert had four or five children: Robert Junius (1883-1957), Luther Jordan, Clarence Jalette (1889-1953), Mary Evelyn (1895-1976), and possibly another sibling named Brown (Nov 1890). The Browns lived oatn 816 Fremont St., Norfolk, Virginia for decades. While his mother was working as a servant and his father a laborer, Luther, along with his other siblings, attended school. As a private school kid, he knew how to read, write, and speak English (Family Search). 

When the U.S. entered WWI in 1917, African American men viewing the opportunity to draft as a chance to prove their patriotism, citizenship, and commitment to the community, and joined the war effort in significant numbers. Among them was 31-year old Luther J. Brown. When Brown enlisted in the U.S. Army in July 1918 he was self-employed as a merchant tailor and was unmarried and childless. In service, he was stationed in the Mechanical Corps of the 808th Pioneer Infantry stationed for training in Camp Meade, Maryland. As a part of the Pioneer regiment, Luther was among the essential units to support the U.S. Army in building bridges, roads, and maintaining railroads to aid troops getting further into Europe. In fact, in the reorganization of the army in the deployment of army corps like the Pioneer Infantry, the U.S. gained continued strength for the war efforts (Davis). These pioneers “marched at the head of each battalion to clear a passage for it through woods or other obstructions, im- prove roads, make bridges and generally do any minor engineering or construction work that may be necessary” (Davis). And by September of 1918, Brown had been promoted to the military rank of Colonel Luther J. Brown and the 808th Pioneer Infantry became one of the first to arrive in France during WWI (Bates). 

The first combat the infantry saw with Brown was the infamous battles of the Meuse-Argonne between September 26 and November 11, 1918, which were instrumental in ending WWI. During the battle, the Pioneer Infantry was involved in combat engineering, the construction of trenches, and “ in [U.S. Army] as regiments trained and equipped as infantry to be used as troops of emergency, either for combat or simple engineering construction” (Davis). Strengthened by their training, the infantry troops utilized their offensive skills to push further into German-occupied territory. As colonel, Luther J. Brown maintained administrative duties of commanding the infantry during the battles, he held his rank title in the 808th Pioneer Infantry in France for the 7 months he was stationed in France. While the U.S. Infantries bombarded the German troops with excessive manpower and weaponry, once further allied enforcement arrived, U.S. victory became reality for the 808th Pioneer Infantry, and the end of the First World War (History). In the aftermath, the 808th Pioneer Infantry assisted in “clearing and repairing the streets”, and worked with the 805th Infantry to “pile up shells and trench mortar bombs at the First Army ammunition salvage dump”(Department of Defense).

Prior to the victory, as the war in France continued from 1918 to 1919, the severe epidemic of Spanish influenza impacted the efforts of the U.S. troops. Many soldiers not only died from their wounds but from disease (Davis). Unfortunately, possibly by the spreading of disease or wounds from combat, at 32-years-old, Colonel Luther J. Brown was pronounced dead at the No. 15 Evacuation Hospital, in Verdun Meuse, France on April 7, 1919. His body is buried with his family at the Calvary Cemetary in Norfolk, Norfolk City, Virginia under two headstones. One stone bears the the honorary mantra, “Gone But Not Forgotten” (Find A Grave). 

Sources:

by Ashley Pulido

Gessie Davis was born August 13, 1890 to McDonald Davis and Isobella Davis. He was born in Norfolk, Virginia. Both of his parents were from Norfolk, Virginia as well. He grew up Methodist. Before he enlisted in service, he worked as a longshoreman for C.O. Turner Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. He was also a huckster and a businessman. Davis was never married and he did not have any children. Davis enlisted in the regular Army. He was a part of the 370th Machine Gun Company. He was also in A. E. F. from April 10, 1918 to January 16, 1919 in Sevolyne, Belgium. Gessie Davis died on February 1, 1919.

by Joseph Hardaway

“Clarence Clements” was really Clarence Clemmons. Born December 23^rd 1889 to Amos Clemmons and Josey Clemmons. Clarence had a total of eight siblings: Antha, Walter, Clarra, Tommy, Kitty, Hal, Bobbie, and Cleveland. When Clarence was ten, he and his siblings helped their parents with the family farm in Sumter, Georgia.

            Clarence was working in Norfolk, Virginia for the Baker Brothers as a porter when he was drafted on June 5, 1917. He was officially inducted into military service for the United States Army on July 30, 1917. On his draft papers Clarence was described as a medium built and medium-sized individual. He severed as a porter while in the military at Camp Mead in Maryland . Once he left military service somewhere around the year of 1920 Clarence returned to working as a civilian porter for the T.G. Youngman company in Norfolk, Virginia and lived at 804 Monticello Ave., in Norfolk.

 At some point Clarence moved to Buffalo, New York where in 1923 he met his wife Adeline Crosby. They were married on July 23, 1923. Clarence worked as a molder in the local foundry while raising his family of two step children, Frank and Elizabeth. Frank attended some college, but it is not clear as to how much. Clarence died on January 11, 1943 and is buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, New York. His wife Adeline died April 23 1949 and is also buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery. 

by Raymond Beredo

Willis Quincy Browne (Brown) was born on February 6, 1885 to parents Miles Brown and Sarah Smith. His father, Miles served in the Army’s 38th Infantry during the Civil War, starting in 1864 and was discharged in 1865 as a Private. After leaving, he remained in Norfolk and settled his family there.

Willis has an older sister named Hattie Waldon. She remained in Norfolk for most of her life, marrying, and living there. According to Willis’ records, unlike his sister, he was single for the entirety of his life. It is confirmed that Willis was in Norfolk till at least 1897.

Not much is known about his whereabouts nor what life was like but he was educated, went to public schools early in his life and attended college in Ann Arbor. In his later years, he moved to Chelsea, Massachusetts. On July 15, 1918, Browne enlisted in the United States Navy Reserves as a Warrant Officer’s Cook. His time served was short. On August 26, 1918, Willis died from a malignant tumor at the Naval Hospital in Chelsea. On August 27, 1918 he was buried in his hometown of Norfolk, Virginia.

A few years later, his niece, Sarah Evelyn Perry signed off his service record, confirming information about his religion and his academic past.. To this day, his reasoning for venturing north remains unknown.

Sources

https://fromthepage.com/lva/norfolk-va/brown-willis-quincy/display/645056

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS1C-H3T1-C?cc=2968245&personaUrl= %2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQPZB-Z75B

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9TBG-9N5Q?i=433&cc=1928860&persona Url=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3A23T9-1JB

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5TS8-8T?i=67&cc=1877095&personaUrl= %2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AK8SW-RXN

https://www.proquest.com/hnpnorfolkjournalguide/docview/566956174/26682AE4EEFF42FCP Q/2?accountid=28204

https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:939V-5TS8-8T?i=67&cc=1877095&personaUrl= %2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AK8SW-RXN

https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/21996:2324?tid=&pid=&queryId=1f7d8f89f 4b2830cdab1ee252c30a2e8&_phsrc=Arc23&_phstart=successSource&nreg=1

https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/55648950:6061?tid=&pid=&queryId=cfeab baa5322202c90062a9f3ca94bcd&_phsrc=Arc91&_phstart=successSource

https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/199065:1107?tid=&pid=&queryId=ffe70e0f c3731b2056eacac87e3f065d&_phsrc=Arc125&_phstart=successSource

https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/562115463:2469?tid=&pid=&queryId=7e50 378795e5771736089a5301cbfc55&_phsrc=Arc116&_phstart=successSource

by Rajanae Hopkins

John Washington King was born on 15^th December 1899 in Carrsville, Virginia. His mother’s name as Matila Herron, and his father’ name was George King. His parents who were both born in Carrsville, Virginia. He was a Baptist of African American origin. He did not attain any University or College degrees.

By the time he registered for the draft in 1917, he and his widowed mother had moved to Norfolk and he worked for the Old Bay Line. He worked for City Gas Co. before joining the military and after joining he worked at Baltimore Steam Pack Co. He was enlisted in the Army on 5^th July 1918 at Armory Hall as a Private-1^st Class e where he received his first assignment in Company 144. He didn’t go abroad. He was discharged on 26^th Dec 1918 at Camp Alexander, Virginia while he was still serving in the Private rank.

King returned home to his wife Jennie Gates. He worked for the Baltimore Steam Packet Company and appears on the census report of the Freight Boat Quantico in 1920 as a messmate. The couple had one daughter, Rosa Lee, born in 1930. King worked as a longshoreman after his daughter was born.

King died October 31, 1949 of a cerebral hemorrhage. He is buried in Calvary Cemetery.

by Tamia Houston

“I know that I was an American citizen and [I] was willing to help and defend my country.[I] was not anything [more than] excit[ed] when my country called me; [I] was only glad to go.”

Those were the words of John Anderson, an African American veteran of World War I. John Anderson was born September 8, 1886 in Harrington, Kent County, Delaware to Letitia Webb and John H. Anderson of Maryland. He was a sibling to three brothers and one sister, Walter Anderson, James Anderson, Joseph Anderson, and Edna Jones. Anderson was one who had no education but was a talented musician. Even with his service in WWI, Anderson was a musician before and after the war.

When asked about his attitude towards military service, Anderson states that “there was nothing for [him] to consider, only go with a will and mind to do all that was in [his] power to do, when [his] country called, to help defend the U.S.A.” Anderson provided his service through the U.S. Army. He enlisted on August 5, 1918 in Norfolk, Virginia as a musician in the Engineers Battalion. He was a part of the Company C, 540 Battalion. Anderson’s training took place in Camp Humphreys, Virginia from August 5,1918 to October 23, 1918. Anderson says that “the effects of camp experience was very good, in regard to health and the physical exercise that was a part of the discipline, were simply grand, and helpful.” After his training at Camp Humphreys, Virginia, Anderson was transferred to the Spec, Cas. CO. 5447 in St. Aignan, France. Anderson was embarked from Hoboken, New Jersey on October 27, 1918 via the Leviathan and arrived at Liverpool, England on November 3, 1918. From that point on, Anderson toured England from Liverpool to Winchester, to Southampton, and lastly to Cherbourg with his tour ending on November 11,1918. He then trained in Abensville, France up until June of 1919. Anderson says his touring experience “was so great,that [he] can’t explain, but [it] was wonderful.”

On June 27, 1919 Anderson arrived in New York on the Armenia from Marseilles, France. He was discharged from service at Camp Mills, Long Island on July 8, 1919 as a bugler (musician). John’s belief after the war was that “God, our Father, won this World War.”

After his discharge, Anderson spent a portion of his life in Norfolk, Virginia with his wife Mattie Kemp. Anderson worked as a driver for The Wood Yard while his wife did housework. The couple did not have any children. On February 14, 1924, his wife, Mattie Kemp passed away. Eventually after the death of his wife, Anderson returned to Delaware. He never remarried or had any children; he worked as paper hanger and painter. On February 7, 1972, John Anderson passed away from prostate cancer.

Sources:

World War I Questionnaire. Anderson, John. Retrieved April 29, 2021, from https://fromthepage.com/lva/norfolk-va/anderson-john

“Obituary of John H. Anderson” Familysearch.org. (n.d.). Retrieved April 30, 2021, from https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q53R-2ZX2

United States Census, 1920,

“Death Certificate of John Anderson” FamilySearch. (n.d.). Retrieved April 30, 2021, from https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS3B-WSM5-F?cc=1447341&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQGNR-RVHX

“Death Certificate of Mattie Kemp Anderson” FamilySearch. (n.d.). Retrieved April 30, 2021, from https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9GL-T26F?i=351&cc=2377565