Headstone for Charles Arthur Wilson

Item

Legacies Classification
Memorial Artwork
Memorial Type
Sculptural Memorial
Memorial Context
Reparative
Memorialized Subject
Full profile photograph of Charlie WilsonWilson, Charlie A.
Title
Headstone for Charles Arthur Wilson
Background and Context
After working at Davidson College for twenty-five years, Charlie Arthur Wilson, also referred to as “Doc” Charley (Charlie), died on February 18, 1935, from serious kidney troubles. Students, alumni, and family attended his funeral at the Christian Aid Society Cemetery, where his wife, Charlotte L. Black, later joined him.
Known for his loyalty, good nature, dependability, and game-day rituals, Wilson was seen by the students as more than an employee. The Davidsonian published a eulogy praising his dedication and recalling stories from fellow staff, players and family members. The articles reflected the racialized language of the time but mainly emphasized Wilson’s importance to the entire Davidson community.
His headstone features a tall pillar structure with a star between his names, possibly symbolizing how impactful he was on people in his life. His family was involved in creating his headstone. While Davidson records usually misspelled his name, the headstone bears the correct spelling. His headstone has not been moved or altered.
Physical Description
Originally, it was a light gray/white marble, but it is now very aged and covered with some dirt, moss, and other natural substances. There is a tall pillar-like structure sitting upon two cube blocks(the base is about 18’’x18’’ and the height is about 32’’), the one on top smaller than the one it is sitting upon. There is a star between his name, possibly signifying how much people appreciated him.
Memorial Inscription
Charlie Arthur Wilson
December 25, 1889
February 18, 1935
Front: A Janitor and Trainer in Davidson College Athletic Association for 28 years. Back: Erected by Friends to a …(illegible words due to damage. Based on closer examination, it is assumed to state: "Erected by Friends to a true faithful servant")
Creator/Participating Person(s)
Charlotte Black Wilson
Family of Charlie A. Wilson
Walter L. Lee, Davidson College president
Davidson College Faculty and Students
Full profile photograph of Charlie WilsonWilson, Charlie A.
Date created, installed or dedicated
1935
Historical Period
1890-1945: Era of the Lost Cause, Jim Crow legal segregation and discrimination, and organized anti-Black racism
Funded by
Surviving Family and Friends of Charles A. Wilson
Davidson College; Davidson, North Carolina
Campus Location
Wooden outdoor sign with black letter of the name of the cemetery on a white background.Christian Aid Society Cemetery
Location: Institution, City, State
Davidson College; Davidson, North Carolina
Learn More About this Subject
“‘Doc' Charley Dies Following Quarter Century of Service," The Davidsonian, February 20, 1935, 1.
"Doc Charley," The Davidsonian, February 20, 1935, 6.
"Death Certificate of Charlie Wilson," Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, U.S., Death Index, 1992-2012, Ancestry.com
"Death Certificate of Charlotte Wilson," North Carolina, U.S., Death Certificates, 1909-1976, Ancestry.com
Ralph W. Johnson, David Played a Harp: An Autobiography of A Free Black Man's Fight for Independence (Davidson, N.C: Blackwell Ink, 2000)

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