aquillar denson, jr.
1919-1975
Life Story
From Newton County to Hattiesburg
Early Life and Family Roots
Aquillar Denson, Jr., who appears in the 1920 federal census under the name Andrew O. Denson, was born in Newton, Mississippi, in May 1919 to Aquillar (A.Q.) Denson, Sr. and Laura Watkins Denson.
Raised in Newton County, Aquillar grew up in a large and close-knit household where family life centered on work, faith, and community. He shared his childhood with his brothers Julius and Howard, and his sisters Lillian, Callie Mae, Willie Anna, Annie Mae, and Flossie. Like many African American families in rural Mississippi during the early twentieth century, the Densons relied upon one another as they navigated the challenges of segregation while building opportunities for future generations.
Although early records identify him as Andrew, he would become known throughout adulthood as Aquillar Denson, Jr., carrying forward his father’s name.
A New Beginning in Hattiesburg
During the late 1930s or early 1940s, Aquillar left Newton County and relocated to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, joining many young African Americans who sought greater employment opportunities in Mississippi’s growing urban centers.
On October 16, 1940, he registered for the World War II draft in Hattiesburg. His registration described him as standing 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing 135 pounds, with a light brown complexion, black hair, and black eyes. At the time, he was employed by the Blue Ribbon Bakery, one of Hattiesburg’s local businesses, and was married to his first wife, Thelma Whitehead.
Work, Family, and Community
By 1950, Aquillar and Thelma had established their home at 310 Dewey Street in Hattiesburg, where they were raising their three children—Nanetta, Geneva, and James Denson.
To support his family, Aquillar worked full-time in the naval stores industry, where he was employed as a drammer. Naval stores workers harvested and processed pine products such as turpentine and rosin, industries that remained important to Mississippi’s economy during the mid-twentieth century. The work demanded physical endurance and long hours, yet it provided steady employment for many working families.
By 1954, city directories listed him as a filler, indicating his continued employment in industrial work while remaining at the family’s Dewey Street residence.
Later Years
In later years, Aquillar made his home at 1014 Dewey Street in Hattiesburg.
Following the end of his first marriage, he married Jenell Jordan (formerly Jenell Gaines). Through this marriage, he welcomed Ellis R. Smith and Deborah Gaines into his family as stepchildren, expanding the household he cherished.
Friends and family remembered him as a hardworking provider whose adult life was devoted to supporting his family and maintaining strong ties within the Hattiesburg community.
Passing and Legacy
Aquillar Denson, Jr. passed away at his home on May 7, 1975, at the age of fifty-six.
Following his death, his wife, Jenell Denson, was appointed administratrix of his estate.
Funeral services were conducted at True Light Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. W. C. Davis, after which Aquillar was laid to rest in City Cemetery.
He was survived by his wife; his father; his children, Nanetta, Geneva, and James Thurman; his stepchildren, Ellis R. Smith and Deborah Gaines; his seven siblings; and six grandchildren.
Legacy
Aquillar Denson, Jr.’s life reflects the experiences of many African Americans who came of age in rural Mississippi during the early twentieth century and built their futures in the state’s growing cities.
From his childhood in Newton County to his years of steady industrial labor in Hattiesburg, he dedicated himself to providing for his family while helping sustain Mississippi’s workforce during a period of significant economic change.
Though his life was relatively brief, he left behind a legacy measured not only by his years but also by the family he nurtured, the work he performed, and the generations that continue to remember him.
Resting Place
City Cemetery, Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Photos/Albums
Sources
- 1920 U.S. Census, Newton County, Mississippi, population schedule, household of Aquillar (A.Q.) Denson, Sr.; enumerating Andrew O. Denson, age eight months, later known as Aquillar Denson, Jr.
- 1930 and 1940 U.S. Census, Newton County, Mississippi, population schedules, household of Aquillar Denson, Sr.; documenting the Denson family and the siblings of Aquillar Denson, Jr.
- U.S. World War II Draft Registration Card, Aquillar Denson, Jr., Hattiesburg, Forrest County, Mississippi, October 16, 1940; describing his physical characteristics, residence, wife, and employment with Blue Ribbon Bakery.
- 1950 U.S. Census, Forrest County, Mississippi, population schedule, Hattiesburg, household of Aquillar Denson; documenting his residence at 310 Dewey Street, his wife Thelma, children Nanetta, Geneva, and James Denson, and his occupation as a drammer employed by a naval stores factor.
- During the first half of the twentieth century, Mississippi’s naval stores industry harvested and processed pine products—including turpentine, rosin, and tar—which were used in manufacturing, shipbuilding, paints, varnishes, and other commercial products. A drammer was responsible for collecting crude gum from pine trees and transferring it into drums for transport and processing.
- Hattiesburg City Directory (Hattiesburg, Miss., 1954); listing Aquillar Denson as a filler residing at 310 Dewey Street. Obituary for A.Q. Denson, Aged 56
- (Obituary_for_A_Q_Denson_Aged_56.jpg); identifying his surviving wife as Mrs. Janell Denson and listing his stepchildren, Ellis R. Smith and Deborah Gaines.
- Administratrix’s Notice, Hattiesburg American, July 1, 1975 (Hattiesburg_American_1975_07_01_25.jpg); identifying Jenell Jordan Denson as the administratrix of Aquillar Denson, Jr.’s estate.
- Hattiesburg American, June 28, 1962, police court log (Hattiesburg_American_1962_06_28_10.jpg); listing Jenell Gaines and A.Q. Denson together in connection with the same local ordinance citation. When considered alongside Aquillar’s obituary and the later estate notice identifying his widow as Jenell Jordan Denson, these records collectively support the conclusion that Jenell Gaines and Jenell Jordan Denson were the same individual and that she later became Aquillar Denson’s second wife.
- Mississippi Death Certificate and Obituary of Aquillar Denson, Jr.; documenting his death at his residence on May 7, 1975, at the age of fifty-six. Obituary for A.Q. Denson, Aged 56
- (Obituary_for_A_Q_Denson_Aged_56.jpg); documenting funeral services at True Light Baptist Church, officiated by Rev. W. C. Davis, and his burial in City Cemetery, Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
- The life of Aquillar Denson, Jr. reflects the experiences of many African Americans who left rural Mississippi communities during the mid-twentieth century to pursue employment in the state’s growing urban and industrial centers while maintaining strong family and community ties.
- Federal census records, World War II draft registration records, Hattiesburg city directories, newspaper accounts, probate notices, obituary records, cemetery records, and family research collectively document the life of Aquillar Denson, Jr.
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