Other African American Autry Families of Sampson County: William Autry

William Autry

Information on William's Dismal family is still being researched. I have heard much talk about his son Rayford or Rayfield from a very elderly white man of the present Dismal area. I had the pleasure of working for him a couple of weeks last year. His name is Houston Wrench.

William was first found living in the Dismal Township of Sampson County in 1880. At the time he is a 30 year old farmer married to his wife Jane with five children. The following is a summary of the 1880 home of William.


William H. Autry 30 - head
Jane T. Autry 30 - wife
James Autry 12 - son
Alice Autry 11 - daughter
John Autry 9 - son
Mary B. Autry 7 - daughter
Raiford Autry 5 - son
Margaret Autry 3 - daughter
Unica Autry (Eunice) 4M - daughter.

In 1890 William was still living in the Dismal Township. His sons James, Rayford, and daughters Mary and Margaret have left the home. The following is a summary of the 1890.

Name: William H Autry
household# 28
Home in 1900: Dismal, Sampson, North Carolina

William H Autry 56
Jane T Autry 52
John B Autry 26
Unicie e Autry (Eunice)18
Lucy C Autry 12

Williams next door neighbor in 1890 was his son Rayford. The following is a summary of Rayfords family.

Household Members: Name Age
Rafe R Autry 26
Romeliar Autry 23
Mary B Autry 3
Jeronia l Autry 10.12

By 1910 all of Williams children have left the home. He is found living alone with his wife Jane.

William Antry 64
Janie Antry 62

William's son James D. Autry is now married to Lucy M. The family is found living in the Dismal Township. The following is a summary of his family.

James D Autry 47
Lucy M Autry 34
Hattie O Autry 20 (Hettie - married William Hood)
William M Autry 15
Annie J Autry 12
Lessie Autry 11
Mary M Autry 7
Cora B Autry 5
Branson D Autry 2

In 1920, Williams son Rayford was found in the Dismal Township. He's still married to Romeliear. His family has now grown and includes six children. The following is a summary of Rayfords family at the time.

Rayford R Autry 47
Romefia Autry 45
Earnest Autry 18
Harvey Autry 16
Ester F Autry 15
Osela Autry 14
Rillia C Autry 12
Ottae E Autry 4/12

In 1920, Rayfords next door neighbor was his sister Eunice. She is now married to John Simmons. Living with Eunice and John was 75 year old Jane Autry. The following is a summary of the Eunice's family at the time.

Jhon Summons 59
Eunice Summons 36
A C Summons 14
I V Summons 12
W R Summons 10
Autry 3
Ghent Autry 75 -widowed (Jane Autry)

Not to far from his brother and sister Rayford and Eunice, James D Autry is found living with his wife Lucy (Lou). The following is a summary of his home at the time.

James D Autry 57
Lou M Autry 40
Lessie M Autry 20 daughter 1900
Mary M Autry 17 daughter 1903
Cora B Autry 15 daughter 1905
Bronson D Autry 12 son 1908
Jhon C Autry 5 son 1915
Mossila Autry 3 daughter 1917

James' next door neighbor at this time was his brother John. John is found living alone with his son Authur Autry

Household Members: Name Age
J B L Artry 52 (head)
Authur Artry 16 (son)

William M Autry is found living three house down from his father James D. Autry.

Household Members: Name Age
W M Autry 25
Ina Autry 24
Alman D Autry 4
Louie G Autry 1 1/12