Myrtle Pearl Hill ¹⁵⁵

  General Notes:

Family stories from Robert F. Hill related in 2004 indicate that James Barnes carried a correspondence with Pearl and went to Lawrence Co., Ohio to meet and marry Pearl. After their marriage they returned to Norfolk, Va. Pearl divorced Barnes and took up with and married a Mr. Baker during the depression.
She did abortions, made lots of $$$ and invested wisely in real estate.

The 1900 Federal Census, North Carolina, Nash Co., Nashville, District 62, page records James D. Barnes (Sept 1864) and wife of 1 year, Myrtie D. (May 1880) with son James C. (Jan 1895). Myrtie is listed as having had 1 child that did not live. Therefore James C. must be the son by his father's first marriage and a step son to Myrtie. James D. is listed as a blacksmith.

The 1910 Federal Census, Virginia, Norfolk City, 1-Ward, District 22, page 54A records James B. Barnes (44 - born in N.C.) and wife Pearl (27 - born in Ohio) with daughter Clara (7 - born in North Carolina). It is recorded that they have been married 12 years, first for each, and have had 2 children of which 1 is still alive. James is listed as employed as a house carpenter.

The 1920 Federal Census, Virginia, Norfolk City, Madison Ward, District 89, page 28B, dated January 9, 1920 records Myrtle Barnes (38 - Ohio/Ohio/Ohio) with daughters Clara Barnes (18 - Ohio/NC/Ohio) and Ruth Barnes (8 - VA/NC/Ohio) renting at 207 Grayson (sic) [Graydon according to Bob Hill] Ave. Myrtle is a dressmaker and reports that she is divorced.

The 1930 census lists James Barnes in Norfolk as married but living as a lodger without Pearl.

The 1930 Federal Census, Virginia, Norfolk City, District 40, page 58A, dated April 15, 1930 records Pearl Baker (46 - Ohio/Ohio/Ohio) with husband Charles M. Baker (50 - Nova Scotia/Nova Scotia/Nova Scotia) living at 207 Graydon Ave. They own the home that is valued at $5,000. Charles immigrated to the United States in 1882 and is employed as the Captain of a Boat while Pearl has no employment. Charles and Pearl have been married for 1 year.

In February 2008 that Bob Hill recalls Pearl Hill owned a dark green super charged Cord automobile. Bob remembers riding in the car at about aged 6 and it was very fast.


The 1941 Hill's Norfolk and Portsmouth (Norfolk County, VA) City Directory, Virginia records:
Chas M. Baker (Pearl M.), rigger NNYd [Norfolk Navy Yard] h211 Graydon

The 1944 Hill's Norfolk and Portsmouth (Norfolk County, VA) City Directory, Virginia records:
Chas M. Baker, rigger NNYd [Norfolk Navy Yard] h211 Graydon av
(as a separate listing) Mrs. Myrtle P. Baker, h211 Graydon

The 1946 Hill's Norfolk and Portsmouth (Norfolk County, VA) City Directory, Virginia records:
Mrs. Myrtle P. Baker, h211 Graydon Ave.

Myrtle married James Davis Barnes circa 1898. (James Davis Barnes was born in Sep 1864 in North Carolina and died after 1930 in Norfolk City, Virginia.)

Myrtle next married Captain Charles M. Baker circa 1929 in Norfolk, VA. (Captain Charles M. Baker was born circa 1880 in Nova Scotia, Canada and died after 1944 in Norfolk, VA.)