Octavia Hinton

Octavia-HintonOctavia Hinton (1893 – 1977) was born on July 1, 1893 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina to Joseph and Clarissa (Classic) Hinton. His father had nine children. They were Malissia, Ed, Octavia, Mary, Classic, Lee, Jeurshia, Roberta and Mary Frances Hinton. He was raised in Edgecombe County in the rural area of Tarboro, North Carolina where he went to school. Octavia met and married Mattie Lula Johnson. They had six children. They were; Josephine, Roxie, Jesse Sr., Elizabeth (Doll), Thomas and John Hinton.

Octavia and Mattie Lula worked on a farm. They separated for a while, and eventually reconciled, and moved to Port Island Farm on 64 Highway. Octavia would buy his wife, Mattie Lula, anything that she wanted if he could afford it. It was customary for a man to try to give his wife the best. Octavia and Mattie Lula had separated twice against her mother, Mary Jane’s wishes. She had warned her daughter that she was making a big mistake by leaving Octavia. The second time was the final separation and they were divorced. The separation was difficult on their children. Some of them had to live with other relatives.

Later, Octavia met and married Alice Farmer. She had a daughter, Minne Bell. One of Octavia’s daughters, Elizabeth (Doll) lived with him and his new family. Alice and Octavia were married until her death. Minne Bell was received well by the other Hinton children. They became one family. Minnie Bell stayed closed to the family until her death. Lazard Hill went to live with his uncle Octavia and his wife Alice Farmer Hinton, when his grandfather Joseph Hinton became ill. Lazard continued to live with his uncle Octavia until he was married.

After Alice Farmer’s death Octavia remarried for the third time. He married Alice Baker who had two daughters, Mamie Lee and Charlotte Baker. They lived on a farm near Pinetops, North Carolina. They stayed there for many years. Alice always enjoyed cooking. Octavia was a jolly man and he did not like being around people who argued. He would leave home when conflict arose. Eventually, Octavia and Alice retired from farming when her daughter, Charlotte, brought them a house in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.

Octavia died on February 25, 1977 and was buried on March 2, 1977 at Pittman Grove Church Cemetery in Rocky Mount North Carolina. He died from heart complications. His wife, Alice Baker, was born in the year of 1900 and lived to be ninety-nine years old. She died December 1999 in a nursing home in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.