Richard Artis.
by Lisa Y. Henderson
There had been a photograph of Adam Artis, cousin Daisy told me, but it had been stored with other things in a barn, and rain had ruined it. She recalled an image of a brown-skinned man, or the suggestion of one anyway in the soft sepia and charcoal portraits of the day.
If no photograph of Adam exists, however, there is one of his youngest brother. His image, in fact, is the only one known of any of Vicey Artis and Solomon Williams’ children.
Richard Artis was born in 1850 in Greene County, very near Wayne. He spent his youth out of sight of censustakers, but in 1873, he married Susanna Yelverton (also known as Susanna Hall, the daughter of free woman of color Nicey [or Caroline] Hall and a white Yelverton.) Their children included: Lucinda Artis Shearod, Emma Artis Reid, Ivory L. Artis, Loumiza Artis Grantham, Richard Artis Jr., Susan Artis Cooper, Jonah Artis, Charity Artis Coley, Frances Artis Newsome, John Henry Artis and Walter Clinton Artis.
Richard Artis farmed in northern Wayne County all his life. He died 12 February 1923 in Great Swamp township of apoplexy and was buried the next day by the son of his sister, Zilpha Artis Wilson.
——
Photo courtesy of Teresa C. Artis.
Fourth Generation Inclusive 
Hi…Great Work! Love reading through the information. I do have one question…Do you know where the Mount Olive colored Cemetery is located? I have a lot of relatives that were buried their in the early and mid 1900’s.
Thank you! I have an idea where the cemetery, and it’s on my list to hunt it down next time I’m in North Carolina. I don’t have direct ancestors there, but probably have some tangential relatives.
Jonah Artis served in the military and charged yp San Juan hill in cuba. He was one of the many Blacks who served and not receive their due. My grandfather Jonah told me as a little boy about the war.
Hi, cousin! Thanks so much for your comment! I grew up with several of Jonah’s descendants and went to college with others, but didn’t know we were related until I was grown! I’ll see what I can find on Jonah’s service in the Spanish-American War. — Lisa
I think perhaps we are talking about different Jonah Artises. Jonah Artis, son of Richard and Susannah Artis, was born about 1890. The Battle of San Juan Hill took place in 1898. This Jonah may have fought in World War I, but he could not have been in the Spanish-American War.
Hi Lisa Y. Henderson
There is a possibility that I am related to you and the Artis family of Richard Artis. My Grandfather’s name was Alexander Artis (born abt. 1896-1981, Wilson, NC). Some of his siblings were: Estelle Artis, Darden, Inez Hutchins, Mary Ruffin, Floyd Artis, King Arthur, Jesse Artis, and Harvey Artis
As far as I know, their father’s name was Willie Artis.
Sorry, I misspelled, my own name. Lois ARTIS, Daniels.
Hi, Lois. Those names don’t look familiar, but I’ll check. There were several dozen Artis lines in Wayne/Wilson counties, and their relationship to one another, if any, is not clear.
Hi!! Mr Richard Artis is my great great great grandfather! I am the great grandaughter of Rosa Mae Yelverton who was the daughter of Emma Artis. This is amazing!!! Thanks!
vwilli26@gmail.com
Hi! This is so amazing! Richard Artis happens to be my great great great grandfather! His daughter Emma Artis was my great great grandmother. Her daughters name was Rosa Mae Reid Yelverton which was my great grandmother. This is exciting! I cant wait to show my mom and grandmother! Thanks for all the info!!
Hi,Valencia! Glad you found my blog, and thanks for the thanks!