Henry Robert Vinson was born on July 22, 1886, although census records provide conflicting information about whether his birthplace was New York or New Jersey. His World War II draft registration provides the most specific birthplace, identifying Saratoga Springs, New York. His earliest known public record is his World War I draft registration, which identified him as Black and a resident of Clinton County, New York. He was described as tall and of medium build, with black hair and brown eyes.
In the 1920 U.S. Federal Census, Henry was thirty-three years old and living in Beekmantown. He worked as a servant and farm laborer in the household of Lloyd F. Vosbury and his family. Henry could read and write, and English was his native language. His race was recorded as Black, although “white” also appeared in parentheses in the record, illustrating one of several inconsistencies in the documentation of his identity.
By 1930, Henry had established an independent household in Beekmantown at 54 Point Au Roche Lake Road. He was single and lived alone, but significantly, he owned his home, valued at $1,500. His occupation was laborer, and he was employed at the time of the census. A surviving photograph reportedly shows Henry with a dog at Long Point and may connect him with Hiram Conner, although additional documentation would be needed to confirm an employment relationship.
The 1940 U.S. Federal Census continued to document Henry living alone in Beekmantown, this time on Point Au Roche Road. He was working as a handyman, although the census transcription of his occupation or industry appears unclear. He had completed the sixth grade and worked for wages in private employment. During 1939, Henry worked twenty weeks and earned $130, while also receiving income from another source.
Henry registered for the draft again during World War II in 1942. This record identified him as Black and gave his birthplace as Saratoga Springs, New York. At the time, he was living in Beekmantown and was associated through his employment information with E. C. Lanborn, manager of Camp Red Cloud. The registration described Henry as five feet six inches tall and approximately 150 pounds, with brown eyes, gray hair, and a dark-brown complexion. He identified Orville Haylett as his next of kin.
Henry Robert Vinson’s records provide a valuable glimpse into the life of a Black man who lived and worked for decades in rural Clinton County during the first half of the twentieth century. His progression from farm laborer and household servant to living independently and owning property is particularly noteworthy. His story also demonstrates the challenges of historical research, as official records vary in his birthplace, age, racial classification, address, and occupation. Despite these inconsistencies, the surviving documents establish Henry as a long-term member of the Beekmantown and Point Au Roche communities and contribute to a fuller understanding of African American life in New York’s North Country.