Lewis Colvert, Statesville NC – drayman, circa 1895.

Haywood Artis, Norfolk VA – driver, 1897.

Isham Smith, Goldsboro NC – husband of Nancy Henderson Smith; wagon driver, circa 1900.

Wesley Barnes, Wilson NC – teamster, 1900-1910; drayman, Tomlinson Co., circa 1919.

Mike Taylor, Wilson NC – drayman, circa 1900; drayman, circa 1908-1910s.

Dock Simmons, Logansport IN – teamster, 1900s-1920s; trucking, circa 1945.

Luther McNeely, Statesville NC – driver, dray wagon, circa 1910; driver, Statesville Grocery Company, 1916.

John W. Colvert, Statesville NC – dray wagon driver, circa 1910; driver, circa 1916; teamster, circa 1920.

William Henderson, Goldsboro NC – driver, circa 1916.

Jack Henderson, Wilson NC – transfer driver, Sam Vick, circa 1917; truck driver for woodyard, circa 1920; truck driver, Liggett & Myers tobacco company, 1930s-1940s.

Junius Allen, Newport News VA – drayman, circa 1920.

John Sampson, Goldsboro NC – husband of Cora Reid Sampson; drayman for city, circa 1920.

Bazel Holt, Greensboro NC – husband of Mamie Henderson Holt; driver, 1920s-1950s; Foster-Caveness, Inc., circa 1930.

John Long, Statesville NC – husband of Lizzie McNeely Long; railway truck driver, circa 1930.

James L. Henderson, Goldsboro NC – truck helper, “CoCola” plant, circa 1936.

Jimmie Reaves, Greenville NC – husband of Bertha Taylor Reaves; driver for department store, circa 1940.

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“Drayman” — historically, the driver of a dray, a low, flat-bed wagon without sides, pulled generally by horses or mules and used to transport goods.

“Teamster” — historically, the driver of a wagon drawn by a team of draft animals, usually oxen, horses, or mules.

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The fourth in an occasional series exploring the ways in which my kinfolk made their livings in the 19th and early 20th centuries.