Obituary of Michael Dean Stanfield (1977-2007)

(click on photograph for larger image)

Michael Dean Stanfield, age 30, of 858 Kerr’s Chapel Rd. passed away Monday.A native of Alamance County, he was the son of Stephen M. and Tommie Pattillo Stanfield who survive. He was a HVAC technician with the Carrboro- Chapel Hill School System, a member of Kerr’s Chapel Baptist Church, and the Anderson Volunteer Fire Department. He was an avid hunter and wildlife enthusiast. Survivors include his parents Stephen M. and Tommie Patillo Stanfield of Burlington; brother, Neal Stanfield and wife Laura of Burlington; fiancee, Heather Vernon of Mebane; grandparents, Tommy and Carolyn Pattillo of Burlington and Herbert Stanfield, and the late Sara Stanfield of Burlington and a host of friends.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM Friday September 14, 2007 at Kerr’s Chapel Baptist Church. Interment will follow in Kerr’s Chapel Baptist Church Cemetery. Mr. Stanfield will remain at Lowe Funeral Home and Crematory until being taken to the church to lie in state 30 minutes prior to the funeral service.

Historic Ghost Walk Tours

(click on graphic for larger image)

Permalink

Yanceyville Presbyterian Church Homecoming

The Rev. Dr. Robert S. Ledbetter of Murrells Inlet, SC , will be guest preacher at a Homecoming service at Yanceyville Presbyterian Church on Sunday, September 30, at 10:30 AM. His sermon is entitled The Ponce de Leon Anxiety, the same sermon he preached on his first Sunday in Yanceyville in 1966. His wife, Julia K. Ledbetter, will be soloist at the service. Members, former members, and friends are invited to the gathering at Yanceyville Presbyterian. A luncheon will be served in Bason Fellowship Hall following the worship service which begins at 10:30 am. For additional information, phone 694-4145.

Dr. Ledbetter served as pastor of the Yanceyville Church from September 1966 through September 1971. Since leaving Yanceyville, he has been pastor in Norfolk, Virginia, and Metairie, Louisiana. Since 1990 he has served in interim positions in 13 churches. He is now pastor of the Friendfield Presbyterian Church in Georgetown, SC.

Organized in 1838, the Yanceyville Presbyterian Church was the first church organized in Yanceyville. The original church was located on Wall Street one block from the present location. The first services in the present building were held in 1850 during the pastorate of Rev. Henry Grasty. The building has been meticulously maintained across the decades. Rev. Grasty’s diary contains details of the construction of the new church, and social life in Yanceyville including accounts of balls in Clarendon Hall (now the home of Ben and Margaret Williams), home of the Johnston Family, leaders in the Presbyterian Church. Architect for the new building was Dr. Roan, Clerk of the Session in the church, and a beloved physician in the area whose home on East Main Street is part of the Yanceyville Historic District. Bricks for the church were made by slaves on Dr. Roan’s plantation. Dr. Roan’s personal collection of Thomas Day furniture is well know today and is owned by his great-grandson, Dr. Ed Hardy of Danville. It is believed that some of the pulpit furniture still in use and the original pews (several of which are still in the church) were also made by Thomas Day.

The church's membership has never been large, but the faithful stewardship of its members and leaders have enabled its ministry to reach out within the community and around the world.

Oakview Presbyterian Church south of Yanceyville began as a chapel and Sunday School sponsored by the church and led by Mr. C. D. Covington and Mrs. Mary Oliver Kerr. Many members have served on boards and committees of Orange Presbytery and now Salem Presbytery. Both home and global missions have been supported over the years. In 2005 the church was recognized by Salem Presbytery for having missions of all the 151 churches in the presbytery. Caswell Parish has been the primary home mission ministry of the church from the beginning of the parish and continues to be. Beyond the regular benevolent giving for missions, the church has strongly supported Pennies for Hunger, a ministry that provides crisis support and long-term efforts to alleviate the root causes of hunger at home and abroad. Beginning in 2006 the church provides food for a dozen homeless orphans in North Korea.

Milton Presbyterian Church is the “mother church” of Yanceyville Presbyterian Church. Reverend Nehemiah Henry Harding was the organizing pastor. Reverend Harding grew up in Maine and went to sea as a young man. The vessel on which he served was caught in a terrible storm off Cape Hatteras while the captain was quite inebriated. Nehemiah Harding took command of the ship and promised God that if he would guide him through the storm to survival, he would serve Him faithfully wherever He led for the rest of his life. After the storm he left the ship in New Bern, NC, made his way to Princeton Seminary in New Jersey where he earned a degree in theology and came to North Carolina where he served several churches in the North Central Piedmont before his call to Milton.

Maud Gatewood Exhibit

Permanent Gatewood Exhibit to Open in Caswell Saturday (29 September 2007)

A new exhibit featuring the artwork of Maud Gatewood and artifacts highlighting her family's life in Yanceyville opens this weekend at the Caswell County Historical Association's Richmond -Miles Museum.

Included among the displayed canvasses spanning Gatewood's half-decade career is the last -- and unfinished -- piece on which she worked: "Untitled (Kitchen)," a 50-by-50 inch work in acrylics.

There are also samples of Gatewood's prints, charcoal, and pen and ink drawings, and works in graphite and oil.

Visitors will see her baby clothes, a photograph of Gatewood on her prized pony and the toy gun and holster she carried with her as a child while accompanying her sheriff father, as well as her high school yearbook, programs detailing her exhibits and magazine articles written about her.


Gatewood's globe is also on display, punctuated with orange push pins identifying the many places she visited in her travels around the world and blue push pins showing where she studied or taught.

Maud Gatewood was born in 1934 in the upstairs room of the Florance-Gatewood House where the Historical Association museum exhibit is now displayed.

Having skipped two grades in school, she attended UNCG, then called Woman's College, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in 1954. She went on to earn a Master's degree from Ohio State the following year.

Gatewood was not only a prolific artist but was active in community affairs as well. In 1976, she was slected the first woman on the Caswell County board of commis-
sioners. She died at the age of 70 in 2004.

Beginning with this weekend's Bright Leaf Hoedown, the Historical Association will now charge a $5 admission fee to the museums for nonmember adults. (Children under 12 enter free.) CCHA President Karen Oestreicher said the decision to charge was based on financial necessity. She's hoping people will take the opportunity now to join the Historical Association and enjoy free admission to the museum.

The Caswell County Historical Association's next general meeting will be held Sunday, October 14 at 2:30 p.m. at Yanceyville Presbyterian Church. The family of Bartlett Yancey will present a portrait of the town's namesake at the meeting.

Source: The Caswell Messenger, 19 September 2007 (by Lauren Eaken, Messenger Staff Writer). Photographs (unfinished work and globe) courtesy The Caswell Messenger. Photograph (Maud Gatewood seated) Courtesy the Charlotte Observer © 2004 Charlotte Observer.

Click on the above photographs to see if a larger image is available. Please be warned that if you click on "Untitled (Kitchen)" or globe in the text you will be directed to large bmp files of these images that may take several minutes to load, depending upon the speed of your Internet connection. These are the same images as shown above, but much larger.
_______________

For more on this famous artist and her family go to Maud Gatewood and the Caswell County Family Tree.

Permalink

Jennie Simmons Brandon (1857-1947)

Located in the Gilead Presbyterian Church cemetery in Estelle, Caswell County, North Carolina (between Yanceyville and Milton) are the graves of three seemingly unrelated people:

Jennie Simmons Brandon (1857-1947)
Virgie Estelle Francisco (1881-1961)
Pearlie B. Lea (1895-1951) and her husband Samuel Isaac Lea (1893-1984)

The central person is Jennie Simmons Brandon. Her full maiden name was Louisa Jane Simmons, and she was married twice.

Her first husband was Charles Chesley Firesheets. One of their children was Virgie Estelle Firesheets, who married George Francisco. Thus, she is the Virgie Estelle Francisco whose gravestone is in the Gilead Presbyterian Church.

The second husband of Louisa Jane (Jennie) Simmons was James A. Brandon (1867-1937). He is buried at the Shiloh Baptist Church cemetery (Yarbrough's Mill Road, Caswell County, North Carolina). James and Jenny had two daughters. One was Pearlie Lee Brandon. She married Samuel Isaac Lea in 1918 and is the Pearlie B. Lea whose gravestone is in the Gilead Presbyterian cemetery, along with that of her husband.

Thus, the mystery is solved. Both Virgie Estelle Francisco and Pearlie B. Lea were daughters of Jennie Simmons Brandon, but had different fathers.

To see these and all the other gravestones in the Gilead Presbyterian Church cemetery go to the Caswell County Cemetery Census.

For more on these families see the Caswell County Family Tree.

Permalink

Josiah T. Settle (1850-1915)

The article set forth below has its focus on Josiah T. Settle (1850-1915), but it also tells the story of mulatto slave Nancy Graves, his mother, and his father who was also his owner.



Below is the 1858 marriage record of Josiah Thomas Settle and his wife Nancy:

(for larger images click on the above)

Permalink

Kingston (sic) Assassinations

(click on text for larger image)

Permalink

Will of Josiah Settle (1799-1869)

Set forth below is the will of Josiah Thomas Settle (1799-1869). He was the son of David Settle (1758-1833) and Rhoda Mullins (1768-1852)

WILL OF JOSIAH SETTLE

JOSIAH SETTLE, dec. Exemplification of nunciepative will

J. M. Walker et al ex Josiah Settle, dec.

This day come this cause on to be heard, on the petition of said J. M. Walker, E. G. Howard [Elizabeth Graves Settle Howard], and her husband W. A . Howard [Henry Allen Howard, M.D.] and Thomas L. Graves, alleging that Josiah Settle, late of the County of Tishomingo, Mississippi, departed this life, sometime in the month of May 1869, leaving a last Will and Testament; that said Will, was left with A. B. Delworth, of the County of Tishomingo, State of Mississippi that said Will, was accidentally lost by said Delworth, that diligent search has been made for said Will in all places where it was probable the same would be found, and that said Will cannot be found; that said Will was duly signed and Witnessed by three attesting Witnesses, Josiah Walker, Daniel Hudson and W. F. Wallace, That said Will, contained the following bequests, namely; to his daughter Elizabeth G. Howard, he gave the following Negroes, namely, Lovenia and her children, John and Margaret, Julia and her children; Martha and her children, Winston, Moses, Madison, Lucinda, and her child. To W. A. Howard, he gave Dick, and his wife, Hester and Whet. To his granddaughter, F. T. Howard, he gave a girl, Ray. To his grandson, Josiah Howard he gave a boy John. To his daughter F. L . Seams [Graves], he gave Patsey , and her child Lafayette, Anderson and his wife Eliza, and her child Aaron, Cid and his wife, Lucy and her children , Albert, Enos, Dianna, and two children. To his grandson J . Graves, he gave Frank and his wife Jane, and her children and the residue of his Estate both real and personal, bequeathed to his two daughters, the petitioners above named , E. G. Howard and F. L. Graves, share and share alike. To Nancy and her children, Sidney, Pinkney, W. H. Harrison, Henry Clay, Winfield Scott, Cornelia, Josiah, Josephine, his former Slaves, the property which he had before the making of said Will given them in the State of Ohio. That the said petitioners E. G. Howard , and F. L. Graves, are heirs at law of the said Testator, and praying that said Will, as set forth in said petition, be upon due proof established and admitted to Probate and made as matters of record in this Court; and that said J. M. Walker, one of the petitioners be appointed Executor of said Will & after due consideration, and after having the affidavits and depositions made by petitioners, and the testimony of Witnesses in open Court, it is adjudged by the court, that in the fall of 1860, the said Josiah Settle, made a last Will and Testament, which was duly signed by him and published; that said Will was attested by three subscribing witnesses who subscribed their names to said Will, at the request of said Settle and that said Settle signed said Will in the presence of said subscribing Witnesses, and that the Witness signed in the presence of the Testator, and in the presence of each other.

The said above Will, as set forth, be admitted to probate , as the last Will and Testament of Josiah Settle, dec. Tis therefore now ordered and decreed by the court, that said J. M. Walker, be appointed Executor of the last Will and Testament of the said Josiah Settle, deceased, and that letters issue and be recorded, he having this day appeared in open court, and taken the oath prescribed by law and entered into bond, in the penalty of one thousand dollars, with B. B. Boone and W. O. Howard, as his Sureties.

J. W. Stevens, Probate Judge

Sept. 14, 1869 Second days minutes State of Mississippi, Tishomingo County; I. J. Webster, Clerk of Probate Court for said County, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy or transcript of an order of the Probate Court of said County, of the probate of the Will and grant o f letters thereon of Josiah Settle, deceased, as appears of record on the minutes of said Court, Witness my hand and official seal at office Jacinto, Miss. this 17th day of Sept. A. D . 1869 Joshua Webster, Clerk

The State of Ohio, Butler County Ss:-Probate Court:- Be it remembered that at the probate court of Butler County, Ohio holden at Hamilton, in said County and State, on the 5th day of March 1870, a copy of the last Will and Testament of Josiah Settle, deceased, was produced in open court, and it appearing that said Will, was duly proven and allowed in the Probate Court of Tishomingo County, in the State of Mississippi, as the valid last Will and Testament of Josiah Settle deceased. It is therefore ordered, adjudged and decreed by the Court, that the same be admitted to record, among the records of Wills of this office, as the valid last Will and Testament of Josiah Settle, deceased . By the Court Joseph Traber Probate Judge

Joseph J. Whitice (1845-1851)

(click on photograph for larger image0

Above is a gravestone in the First Baptist Church of Yanceyville cemetery (Yanceyville, Caswell County, North Carolina). It is located in the section that contains some of the oldest graves in the cemetery and has for many years been a mystery. Here is the inscription:

Joseph J.
Son of
J.R. & C.M.
Whitice
Died
Aug. 31, 1851

Who were the parents, J. R. Whitice and C. M. Whitice? As this is the only Whitice buried in this cemetery, where were his parents buried?

Just this week additional information came to light. A Caswell County native whose family owns property on the County Home Road (just outside Yanceyville) informed the Caswell County Historical Association that a gravestone was located on their farm. The inscription showed:

Joseph R. Whitice
Died December 26, 1845

As Whitice was not a common Caswell County name, it appeared that this Joseph R. Whitice could be the father of the Joseph J. Whitice buried in the First Baptist Church of Yanceyville cemetery. Locating the following marriage record helped unravel the mystery:

North Carolina Marriage Collection, 1741-2004
Name: Joseph R. Whitice
Spouse: Catharine Dodson
Marriage Date: 17 Jul 1844
Marriage County: Caswell
Marriage State: North Carolina

Now we had a possible mother, Catharine Dodson Whitice. This is consistent with the gravestone inscription of the child, which showed "C. M. Whitice." For what the "M" stands is not known.

The next helpful record was:

Groom: John A. Graves
Bride: Catherine M. Whited (widow)
Bond Date: 31 May 1848
Bondsman/Witness: Jno. K. Graves, R. Y. Graves
Location: Caswell County, North Carolina
Source: Caswell County, North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1778-1868, Katharine Kerr Kendall (1981)

It seems likely that this Catherine M. Whited (widow) actually was Catherine M. Dodson Whitice, the widow of Joseph R. Whitice. The dates work: A Catharine Dodson married Joseph R. Whitice 17 July 1844. The child, Joseph J. Whitice, was born (according to Caswell County records), 5 December 1845. Joseph R. Whitice died 26 December 1845. The widow Catherine M. Whited [probably Whitice] married John A. Graves 31 May 1848 (bond date).

Thus, it is reasonable to conclude that the parents of Joseph J. Whitice (1845-1851), whose gravestone is shown above (First Baptist Church of Yanceyville), were:

Joseph R. Whitice and Catherine M. Dodson

The second husband of Catherine M. Dodson Whitice apparently was John A. Graves. However, who was this John A. Graves? Other researchers had shown John Azariah Graves, son of William Graves (1780-1845) and Ann Lea Graves Graves, with a wife named Catherine M. D. Whittick. While not conclusive, it certainly is reasonable to conclude that this Catherine M. D. Whittick is the same person as Catherine M. Dodson Whitice. See the Yancey Family Genealogical Database.

These researchers also showed John A. Graves and Catherine M. D. Whittick having a daughter named Mary Johns Graves. The only John A. Graves in the CCHA database with a daughter named Mary Johns Graves (also seen as Mary E. Graves) is John Azariah Graves (born c. 1823). He is the son of William Graves (1780-1845) and Ann Lea Graves (b. 1794). Thus, while not satisfactorily documented, a reasonable working hypothesis is that the second husband of Catherine M. Dodson Whitice was John Azariah Graves, who was a prominent lawyer in Yanceyville, North Carolina.

And, the 1850 US Census (Yanceyville, Caswell County) helps bring all the pieces together. In 1850, James Poteat and his wife Isabella were operating the Poteat Hotel in Yanceyville, North Carolina. Listed among their boarders in the 1850 US Census were John A. and Catherine Graves (27 and 23, respectively). John A. Graves was shown as a lawyer, with both John and Catherine born in Caswell County. Apparently associated with them was one-year-old Mary E. Graves, possibly their daughter. A four-year-old Joseph J. Whitice may also have been part of their household. It is possible (likely), as explored above, that this Joseph J. Whitice was the child of Catherine M. Dodson and Joseph R. Whitice.

Much of the foregoing lacks the documentation required to form solid conclusions with respect to the familial relationships. However, the assumptions made appear reasonable. Do you know more about this family? If so, please share it here or at the CCHA Message Board.

Permalink

Josiah Rucks House

The following is from The Heritage of Caswell County, North Carolina, Jeannine D. Whitlow, Editor (1985) at 461 (Article #613, "Josiah Rucks" by Mary Frances Kerr Donaldson)

One of the oldest houses in Yanceyville, formerly hte law office of D. E. Scarborough, was built by Josiah Rucks. Mr. Rucks was born in Virginia in 1814 and was a resident of the town in the 1830's, 40's, 50's, and 60's. The 1850 census gives his occupation as coachmaker. Legend says he was the architect and may have been the contractor for the Kerr house and the Johnston (now Jones) house.

The Milton Chronicle in 1857 advertises "May, Rucks, and Lowns, coaches and harnesses made." In 1858 the firm was dissolved and Mr. Rucks evidently suffered financial reverses. He sold his home the same year to Dr. Bedford Brown who lived in the brick house next door, the deed indicating he was in debt to Dr. Brown. Other property he owned was sold at the same time. Also in the same year, he lost a son -- for buried in the Presbyterian Church cemetery is William Quinn Rucks, 1845-1858, son of Josiah and Sallie Rucks.

In the 1860 census, Mr. Rucks was listed as a hotel keeper with his wife, Sallie, as hostess. There were 23 guests at the hotel. It is unknown where the hotel was located. A daughter, Virginia, was married to R. C. Gilliam on November 30, 1863 by Jacob Doll, minister of the Presbyterian Church. After the War, he returned to Virginia.

In 1874 the Rucks house was sold along with the Brown house to John H. Kerr. It served as the post office when Mrs. E. Catherine Kerr was postmistress. Later it was used as a private school for the neighborhood children. It has also been a private residence and an office. The two rear rooms were added in the 1930's.

In 2006-2007 the building was restored by the son of Dawson Emerson Scarborough.

Rascoe's Store

(click on photograph for larger image)

The following is from The Heritage of Caswell County, North Carolina, Jeannine D. Whitlow, Editor (1985) at 445 (Article #583, "Rascoe's Store" by C. Gilmer Rascoe):

The picture above shows the second location of Rascoe's Store around 1917. The first, and original, was located about one-quarter of a mile north of the new store on the Rascoe-Dameron Road, about ten miles south of Yanceyville, in Anderson Township.

It was opened in the late nineteenth century by James Sanders Rascoe. After the turn of the century, the store was relocated to this new building. The store then became a partnership with Mr. Rascoe's son Benjamin, and was known as the J. S. & B. F. Rascoe Store.

In this store one could find all standard lines of groceries, clothing, piece goods, hardware, as well as a line of caskets. Gasoline, oil and kerosene was also available. It is interesting to note that the oversize kerosene lantern mounted on a post beside Mr. Rascoe, was the forerunner of outdoor lighting in the community.

The building in the background was an automotive garage to service the cars in the area. it was owned by the Rascoe's and operated by J. F. "Jimmy" Rice as mechanic. This community general service center was closed at the death of the founder, in 1926.

James Saunders Rascoe was born in Caswell County, North Carolina 18 August 1859. He was the son of Henry T. Rascoe and Elizabeth A. Loyd Rascoe. He married 18 December 1879 his first cousin Mary Elizabeth Rascoe, also of Caswell County. She was born 28 August 1860, the daughter of John W. Rascoe and Sarah Elizabeth Coleman Rascoe.

James Saunders Rascoe died 21 March 1925. His obituary provided:

James S. Rascoe, Former Caswell Official, Is Dead

James S. Rascoe, age 65, former treasurer of Caswell, and one of the most widely known citizens of his county, was laid to rest yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock in the church cemtery at Bethel in the Anderson section of South Caswell. Mr. Rascoe passed away at his home Saturday afternoon, following an illness of two weeks. The funeral services were attended by more than fifteen hundred of his friends from many sections of his native county, and from James S. Rascoe, age 65, former treasurer of Caswell, and one of the most widely known citizens of his county, was laid to rest yesterday afternoon at 5 o'clock in the church cemetery at Bethel in the Anderson section of South Caswell. Mr. RascoeAlamance, Guilford and Danville.

Source: The Heritage of Caswell County, North Carolina, Jeannine D. Whitlow, Editor (1985) at 446 (Article #585, "James Saunders Rascoe" by E. Christine B. Massey).

For more on the Rascoe family visit the Caswell County Family Tree.

Permalink

Obituary of Spencer Tribue (Kack) Richmond (1911-2007)

Spencer Tribue (Kack) Richmond (1911-2007)
Sep 12, 2007 - 07:39:16 am CDT

Leasburg - Mr. Spencer "Kack" Trib Richmond, 96, of Leasburg, N.C., passed away Monday, September 3, 2007. Born in Caswell County, he was the son of James Trib Richmond and Lillie Bell Marcilliotte Kimbro Richmond. He was a life member of Union United Methodist Church over 90 years. Treasure of Union Cemetery for 45 years. Burlington District Lay Person of the Year for Oustanding Christian Service. Charter member of Leasburg Ruritan and Ruritan of the Year three times and Piedmont District Ruritan of the Year.. Charter member of Leasburg Hunting Club, Vice President for 30 years. Tobacco and cattle farmer until retirement.

Preceded in death by brother J A Kimbro, sisters Nanny Kimbro Briggs and Frances Richmond Ashby. Preceded by death Pearl Fuqua Richmond wife of 47 years. He is survived by his wife Eva Webster Willis Richmond for 25 years. Four sons, Spencer "Red" and Velma deceased, Leon and Mary Jane Richmond, Jerry and Faye Richmond, Paul and Dixie Richmond, and two daughters, Evelyn Richmond Pulliam and Arnie deceased, and Priss Richmond Webster and Fred Webster. Grandchildren, Deborah Hawley, Clay Richmond, Ron Richmond, Richie Richmond, Karen Titka, Sharon Curtis, Marcus Richmond, Ashlee Richmond, Michelle Broyles, and Russ Webster. Great Grandchildren, Christy Phillips, Jennifer Kennedy, Jason Richmond, Matt Richmond, Ryan Richmond , Spencer Richmond, Mallory Richmond, Jordan Richmond, Courtney Richmond, Zachary Titka, Olivia Titka, Drake Curtis, Ashlyn Curtis, Candace Lancaster, Amber Guinn, Kimmer Broyles, Britteny Webster, Rusty Webster, and Bri'anna Webster. Great Great Grandchildren, Brandon Hardy, Jessica Phillips, Billy Phillips, JR Kennedy, and Ruth Kennedy.

Family of Eva Richmond

Jimmy Willis, Sherby Mahaley, Polly Sykes, Jeanette Walters, Elaine Merritt, Angela Oakley, Joyce Mahaley and Nat Willis deceased.

Grandchildren, Nicky Willis, Jennifer Harden, Carl Carver, Tommy Carver, Jody Sykes, Steve Walters, Stephanie Walters, Paula Cobb, Joyce Jett, Lawrence Merritt Jr., Mickey Oakley, David Oakley, Dean Oakley, Dawn Soloman, Diana Mahaley, Jeff Willis, Penny Willis (deceased), and Sylvia Sykes(deceased).

Great Grandchildren, Meakate Harden, Michelle Carver, April Carver, Jonathan Carver, Chad Carver, Joshua Sykes, Marcus Walters, Nicholas Walters, Lauren Gates, Ashley Gates, Chris Merritt, Tristan Jett, McKenna Merritt, Brooke Soloman, Devin Soloman, Chanler Willis and Nathan Willis.

Great Great Grandchildren, Abby Carver and J.T. Carver.

Pall Bearers are Lawrence Merritt Jr., Jamey Soloman Jr., Brad Webster, Mitchell Ashby, Mark Brann, Tommy McDuffie Jr., J. C. Winstead III , and Gene Williams.

Honary Pall Bearers, David Welsh, Richard Fowlkes, and Jonah Kirby.

The Family will receive friends Friday Sept. 7 from 6 to 8 pm at Harrelson Funeral Service in Yanceyville. A funeral service will be held Saturday Sept. 8 at 2 p.m. by Pastor Joe Jackson and Rev. Tommy Dail Fuqua at Union United Methodist Church.

Memorials can be made to Union United Methodist Church Cemetary Fund at 3871 Hwy 119N Leasburg NC 27291. The Family will be at the home of Leon and Mary Jane Richmond at 3871 Hwy 119N Leasburg.

Source: Obituary of Spencer Tribue (Kack) Richmond (1911-2007) (The Caswell Messenger, 12 September 2007).
_____________

Spencer Tribue Richmond was born 29 July 1911 in Caswell County. On Christmas Eve 1932 he married Pearl Lea Fuqua (1913-1979). The couple had six children:

Spencer Clay Richmond
Evelyn Marie Richmond
Henry Leon Richmond
Jerry Fuqua Richmond
Minnie Pearl Richmond
Paul Marcelliote Richmond

After losing his beloved wife, Pearl Lea Fuqua, in 1979, Spencer Tribue Richmond married Eva Webster Willis.

He was a great family historian, contributing numerous Richmond family articles to The Heritage of Caswell County, North Carolina, Jeannine D. Whitlow, Editor (1985). In one of these articles he provided the following about himself:

"Spencer Tribue Richmond lives on a farm on Highway 119 near Leasburg. His farm is part of the original plantation owned by the Richmond Family during the 1700s and 1800s."

His parents were James Tribue Richmond (1855-1926) and Lillie Bell Marcilliotte (1874-1960). His paternal grandparents were Henry A. Richmond (1815-1908) and Elizabeth Evans (1832-1892). His maternal grandparents were Julius Leonard Marcilliotte (1849-1898) and Nancy Ann Willis (1841-1874).

Permalink

Douglas Reid Watlington (1945-2007)

On September 5, 2007, Douglas Reid Watlington, a native of Yanceyville, NC and Poquoson resident the past 28 years, passed away peacefully in his home. Reid was a blessed man. He will be missed by his friends, coworkers, family, and especially his immediate family: his wife Dede; his daughter Jenny, two sons, Gabriel and Paul, and their spouses, Peter, Robbi and Erin; his grandchildren, Eli, Grace, Luke, Quinn, Gabriel, and Nolan – who called him Papa; and two brothers, John Malcolm Watlington and James White Watlington, both of Yanceyville. Reid was a generous man, a perpetual “Santa”, and a good listener. He was a man with a heart full of good, down to earth humor. He loved the Lord, butter beans, his dogs, rubber chickens, George Jones, living in Poquoson, buying cars for his children, telling stories, painting, and watering the flowers. His family always came first and the good in him lives on in his children and grandchildren. Reid attended Elon College and received his B.A. degree from Baptist College of Charleston, and went on to earn his Masters degree. He served his country in the Air Force for 20 years. He retired from USAF Office of Special Investigation in 1991. He continued his career with probation and parole in Hampton and then as an investigator for USAA insurance company. He was proud to return to OSI as a federal agent in 2002. Family and friends are invited to share good memories and honor Reid at Poquoson Baptist Church, where he & his wife were members, on Saturday, Sept. 15, 2:00 PM, with full Air Force honors, followed by fellowship until 4:00 PM, a “Festivus for the rest of us”. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking donations be sent to the Salvation Army-Homeless Veterans Agency, VANC 52, 100 Emancipation Dr., Hampton, VA, 23667. “The family thanks Dr. Brian McCormick and staff for their excellent care”. Claytor Rollins Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements. Online condolences to www.claytorrollins.com.

Source: Obituary of Douglas Reid Watlington (1945-2007) (The Caswell Messenger, 12 September 2007).

His parents were Joseph Malcolm Watlington (1906-1993) and Virginia White Watlington (1912-2001). He had two brothers: Johnny Mac Watlington; and Jimmy Watlington. His paternal grandparents were John Mills Watlington (1880-1955) and Pearl Reagan (1883-1955). His maternal grandparents were James Franklin White, Jr. (born 1883) and Mary Emma Worsham (born 1880).

Reid played in the backfield of a very successful Bartlett Yancey High School football team. He is survived by his wife DeeDee and children Jenny, Gabriel, and Paul.

Permalink

Gilead Presbyterian Church Cemetery

Below are photographs of some gravestones in the Gilead Presbyterian Church cemetery (Estelle, Caswell County, North Carolina) that were cleaned in 2007. Phil Allen (and relatives) cleaned them, against my advice:







For photographs of all the gravestones in the Gilead Presbyterian Church cemetery go to:

Caswell County Photograph Collection

Gilead Presbyterian Church Burned

The ruins of the Gilead Presbyterian Church burned 28 July 2007. Here are photographs:

Before the Fire

During the Fire

During the Fire

After the Fire

After the Fire

For the history of this church and more photographs visit the Caswell County Photograph Collection.
_______________

In 1897, the North Carolina General Assembly enacted a law making it unlawful for any person to manufacture, sell or otherwise dispose of, with a view to remuneration, any spiritous, vinous, malt or other intoxicating liquors within two miles of Gilead Presbyterian Church in Caswell County, North Carolina.

Permalink

Bedford Jackson (Buck) Page (1925-2011)

Everybody Knows Buck

Mr. and Mrs. Bedford J. "Buck" Page, of County Home Road, will have been married for 55 years on August 6 of this year [2006]. They were married in the spring of 1951.

Period Dresses

(click on photographs for larger image)

The dresses shown above belonged to Miss Ella Graves Thompson (1886-1970) (darker dress) and Miss Helen Williams Graves (1882-1964) (lighter dress). The dresses were were stored in a trunk under the downstairs stairway on the kitchen side. The house was the Nicholas Thompson homeplace in Leasburg, Caswell County, North Carolina. These photographs were given to a family friend after Ella Graves Thompson died in 1970.

The young ladies wearing the old dresses are thought to be nieces of Ella Graves Thompson, possibly Ella Williams Thompson and Nancy Thompson, daughter's of Azariah Graves Thompson (1885-1963) and Lula Belle Stephens (1890-1977). The location is the Nicholas Thompson House in Leasburg, Caswell County, North Carolina.

To see more on these families go to the Caswell County Family Tree.

Permalink

Mrs. Mary Roberts Letter (1862)

It is possible that this Mrs. Mary Roberts is the wife of John. R. L. Roberts (1829-1880) and that she was living in the home of her father-in-law during the Civil War. Her father-in-law was Elijah Roberts (1804-1862). Note the following:

John R. L. Roberts was a Confederated States of America veteran, serving in Company A of the 13th Regiment of North Carolina Troops for four years: from 29 April 1861 until the parole at Appommatox, Virginia, on 9 April 1865. The Heritage of Caswell County, North Carolina, Jeannine D. Whitlow, Editor (1985) at 457 (Article #606 "John Willie Roberts" by Mrs. Joyce G. Miller)

Was this a letter from John R. L. Roberts to his wife Mary J. Parish Roberts while John was serving during the Civil War? Did John have time to write home during the "lull" before the Battle of Fredericksburg on 13 December 1862? Frederisburg is near Richmond, Virginia.
_______________

Embarrassed by General McClellan's repeated defeats and apparent lack of commitment in prosecuting the war, Lincoln replaced him on November 7 with General Ambrose Burnside. Burnside launched a winter campaign against the Confederate capital, Richmond, by way of Fredericksburg, a strategically important town on the Rappahannock River. The Federal Army of the Potomac, 115,000-strong, raced to Fredericksburg, arriving on November 17. There were only a few thousand Confederates on hand to challenge them, yet the Federal advance ground to a halt on the eastern bank of the Rappahannock, opposite the city. Burnside's campaign was delayed for over a week when material he had ordered for pontoon bridges failed to arrive. Disappointed by the delay, Burnside marked time for a further two weeks. Meanwhile, Lee took advantage of the stalled Federal drive to concentrate and entrench his Army of Northern Virginia, some 78,000-strong, on the high ground behind Fredericksburg.

With the arrival of the pontoons, Burnside crossed the river on December 11, despite fierce fire from Confederate snipers concealed in buildings along the city's river front. When the Confederates withdrew, Federal soldiers looted the town, from which the inhabitants had been evacuated. By December 13, Burnside was prepared to launch a two-pronged attack to drive Lee's forces from an imposing set of hills just outside Fredericksburg.

The main assault struck south of the city. Misunderstandings and bungled leadership on the part of the commander of the Federal left, Major General William B. Franklin, limited the attacking force to two small divisions - Major General George G. Meade to lead; Major General John Gibbon in support. Meade's troops broke through an unguarded gap in the Confederate lines, but Jackson's men expelled the unsupported Federals, inflicting heavy losses. Burnside launched his second attack from Fredericksburg against the Confederate left on Marye's Heights. Wave after wave of Federal attackers were mown down by Confederate troops firing from an unassailable position in a sunken road protected by a stone wall. Over the course of the afternoon, no fewer than fourteen successive Federal brigades charged the wall of Confederate fire. Not a single Federal soldier reached Longstreet's line.

On December 15, Burnside ordered his beaten army back across the Rappahannock.The Union had lost 13,000 soldiers in a battle in which the dreadful carnage was matched only by its futility. Federal morale plummeted, and Burnside was swiftly relieved of his command. By contrast, the morale of the Confederacy reached a peak. Their casualties had been considerably lighter than the Union's, totaling only 5,000. Lee's substantial victory at Fredericksburg, won with relative ease, increased the already buoyant confidence of the Army of Northern Virginia, which led subsequently to the invasion of the North the following summer.

Source: "The Atlas of the Civil War" by James M. McPherson

Permalink

Totten Family Cemetery

(click on photograph for larger image)

Above are two photographs of the Totten family cemetery in Locust Hill, Caswell County, North Carolina. According to a Totten family member there are only four marked graves in this small cemetery. One is that of Jacob T. Van Hook, born 1 Sept 1827 died 15 Apr 1882. His stone is broken and in need of repair.

Jacob T. Van Hook was the son of Kindal Van Hook (c. 1792 - 1880) and Diannah Burton (c. 1795 - 1880). He married Nancy W. Totten, daughter of John C. Totten (c. 1800 - 1862) and Dorcas M. Harrelson (c. 1806 - c. 1892).

Jacob T. Van Hook and Nancy W. Totten were married c. 19 July 1865 (bond date).

Permalink

Crowell Auto Company

Crowell Automobile Company employees in 1927:

Johnnie Gunn, Manager (seated to left with white shirt)

Lindsey T. (Lynn) Bowe, Utility (seated beside Johnnie Gunn) (born c. 1905)

Standing, Left-to-Right:

E. L. Poteat, Salesman [Earmine Lee Poteat, Sr. (1898-1979)]
Otis Powell, Mechanic [Otis A. Powell (1900-1960]
T. H. Hodges, Salesman [Thomas Hiram Hodges (1882-1972)]
Woody Lillard, Shop Foreman [Woody Lillard (born c. 1893)]
Pattie Gunn, Office [Pattie Griffin Gunn (1895-1956), sister of Johnnie Gunn]
Hubert Page, Stock Room [Hubert Hodnett Page (1897-1974)]
Harry Bradner, Mechanic [Harry Bradner (1898-1980)]
Loyd Johnson, Mechanic [Loyd Johnson (born c. 1883]
_______________

Marriage License: Bedford Jackson Page and Martha Susan Gunn

(click on photograph for larger image)

Above is the 1869 marriage license for Bedford Jackson Page (1836-1912) and Martha Susan Gunn (1845-1908).

Bedford Jackson Page was the son of Stephen Page and Elizabeth Sheppard. Martha Susan Gunn was the daughter of John Wesley Gunn and Martha Jane Harrelson.

Permalink

Marriage License: Willard J. Page and Mary E. Gwyn

(click on photograph for larger image)

(click on photograph for larger image)

Above are the marriage records for Willard Jackson Page (1874-1962) and Mary E. Gwyn (c. 1875-1958). They were married at the Pleasant Grove Primitive Baptist Church in Locust Hill Township, Caswell County, North Carolina, by Reverend Francis L. Oakley.

Willard Jackson Page was the son of Bedford Jackson Page (1836-1912) and Martha Susan Gunn (1845-1908). Mary E. Gwyn was the daughter of Robert Zera Gwyn (1840-1927) and Mary E. Watlington (c. 1847-bef. 16 Oct 1895).

Permalink

Terrell Family of Caswell County

Samuel Wesley Terrell (1858-1941) and Nancy Susan Rudd Terrell (1868-1933)

(click on photograph for larger image)

John William Terrell (1853-1936) and Ida Florence Rudd Terrell

(click on photograph for larger image)

James Henry Freedle Family

(click photograph for larger image)

Pictured above are: James Henry Freedle (1844 - 1937), wife, Cinderella Harris Freedle, with sons, Charles Pleasant Freedle (1869-1953) and Edgar L. Freedle (1870-1912).

James Henry Freedle was a son of James H. Freedle and Catherine Scott McAden, granddaughter of Reverend Hugh McAden.

James Henry Freedle (1844-1937) was born in Sumner County, Tennessee, and was a Civil War veteran.

Charles Pleasant Freedle (1869-1953) was a Tennessee state senator.

This wonderful photograph was shared by a Freedle ancestor, who also provided the following:

Catherine McAden married James B. Bradley Feb. 5, 1828 in Sumner County TN with Henry Strange as a witness.(Sumner City Marriage Records). In a book, A Pictorial History of Sumner County, TN,1786-1986 by Durham and Thomas (Sumner City Archives), there is a picture of a brick house built abt. 1798 by a Capt. James Bradley of NC in the eastern edge of Sumner County that became Smith County in 1799. This James Bradley was reported as serving in the Revolutionary War and, after moving to the TN country, the TN Militia. A James Bradley was in Smith County, TN in the 1830 Census (1 male and 1 female age 20-30, 1 male 30-40, and 1 male under 5). Possibly the James Bradley who married Catherine was a grandson of the Rev War hero. Later Sumner County, TN Census records suggest that Catherine and James Bradley had a son named Thomas. After James B. Bradley's death (abt 1840), Catherine married James Freedle in Sumner County (Jan 4, 1842) and they had two sons, James Henry Freedle (b. 1844) and Charles Ramsey Freedle (b. 1846). Their grandson, Charles Pleasant Freedle (son of James Henry and Ella Harris Freedle) became a TN State Senator in 1914. We have more info on Catherine's McAden family but our main interest is in Catherine's second husband, James Freedle, who was born in 1798 we believe in NC. We are looking for any information prior to 1826 when his name was included on a militia list in Sumner County, TN.

Here is a brief descendancy outline from Reverend Hugh McAden:

Hugh McAden m. Catherine Scott
Henry McAden m. Mary Bradley
Catherine Scott McAden m. (1) James Burton Bradley (2) James H. Freedle
James Henry Freedle m. Cinderella Harris

Permalink

Terrell Chairs

This is a Caswell Co. Terrell chair that Chip Pottage in Halifax, Va. has for sale. Chip can be reached at 434-476-2431.

Dower Rights

Dower

Conducting genealogical research often results in reviewing deeds and wills. Even if legible, the total impact of the document may not be obvious. One concept to keep in mind when reviewing these old documents is dower. 

At common law, dower was a widow's right to a lifetime interest in one-third of all land owned by her husband, unless she chose, in place of dower, to accept other property left to her under her husband's will. Generally, dower applied to each parcel of land in which the husband held an inheritable interest at any time during the marriage. In the United States, dower is found in the eastern and mid-western states where law was derived from the common law of England.

You must know exactly how dower operated at a particular time and place to form a hypothesis or a conclusion from the presence or absence of a wife or mother's mention in a deed, will, or intestate land distribution. For example, if you found a deed from a married man which his wife had not joined in making, does it mean that she had already died, or for other reasons did not join in the conveyance? In most American colonies and their successor states, a wife who had not joined in the deed could sue the purchaser after her husband's death to recover her dower interest.

To avoid such future problems, cautious purchasers insisted that the wife join in the deed, so the absence of her signature strongly suggests her earlier death. However, you'll find many differences from one state to another, including North Carolina.

A researcher noticed certain Caswell County real estate transactions by a married man where no mention was made of the wife's dower rights, even though she was living. Here is an overview of North Carolina dower rights over the years:

1663-1783: Throughout marriage a wife had a right to one-third of her husband's real estate. She could not sell it, but he could not sell property without her consent. This was called dower by common law.

1784-1868: A wife's right to one-third of her husband's land became effective only at his death, meaning that during marriage his control was absolute. He could sell any and all of the property. His control was called his "curtesy." It probably was during this period that the transactions noted by the subscriber to this message board were made.

1869: Dower by common law was reinstated.

1959/1960: Dower was abolished along with the husband's curtesy.

Carolyn Bason Long

A while back the following was posted to the CCHA Message Board:

Huey Long (1893-1935) Huey Long was, among many things, Governor of Louisiana and United States Senator from that state. His self-adopted nickname was "The Kingfish." To some he was outrageous, to all he was colorful. To see more about him click on the heading above. What connection could this Louisiana politician, who was assassinated in 1935, possibly have to Caswell County?

A son of Huey Long and Rose McConnell Long, Russell Billu Long, was a United States Senator from Louisiana for many years (1948-1987). He also married Carolyn Elizabeth Bason in 1969. Carolyn Bason Long, born in Caswell County, is the daughter of long-time Yanceyville residents Samuel Murphy Bason (1894-1896) and Martha Eliza (Marnie) Hatchett Bason (1896-1993).

Sam Bason was President of The Bank of Yanceyville, and Marnie Bason was a much-loved member of the community. For more on the Long and Bason families visit the Caswell County Family Tree.

William Howard (1658-1719) Family

William Howard (1658 - 1719)

bd. 2 Feb 1658, York county, VA

dd. 16 Dec 1719, York county, VA

& Mary Groves

| Margaret Howard (1690 - )

| bd. 21 Sep 1690, York county, VA

| Mary Howard (1692 - )

| bd. 28 Aug 1692, York county, VA

| John Howard (1695 - 1713)

| bd. 31 Mar 1695, York county, VA

| dd. 18 Aug 1713, York county, VA

| Groves Howard (1697 - 1700)

| bd. 19 Nov 1697, York county, VA

| dd. 10 Oct 1700, York county, VA

| Diana Howard (1700 - )

Old Leasburg Methodist Church

(Click on Photograph for Larger Image)

Above is the old Leasburg Methodist Church as it appeared in 1950.

The following is from The Heritage of Caswell County, North Carolina, Jeannine D. Whitlow, Editor (1985) at 37-38 ("Leasburg United Methodist Church" by Mary Linda Winstead Janke):

In 1857, members of the Methodist Church in Leasburg, Caswell County, North Carolina, and the local Masons built a rectangular, frame, two-story building on land donated by Martha Paylor Hambrick. It was located next door to the parsonage. This building was described as resembling, and was often mistaken for, the tobacco factory nearby. Worship services were held on the first floor. the second floor was used for the meetings of the Masons and other community organizations.

The Masons disbanded and in 1896 the upper story was removed. In 1910 there was further renovation and the little frame structure, which now looked very much like a church, was given a fresh coat of white paint. Its appearance remained unchanged until the building was razed in the early 1950s. At this time it was decided that a new church building was needed because of drastically increased membership. This much larger brick structure was dedicated on May 17, 1953 and is the building presently in use. A steeple was added in 1963 and at this time Miss Ella Thompson and Miss Helen Graves donated the chimes which call people to worship services, funerals, and to meditation in the evening. Ernest Winstead sees that these are working properly. The fellowship hall was added to the rear of the church in 1967. It was built by church members, the pastor, nonmembers, and people from other churches. The latest change to the appearance of this building has been the covered walkway added to the front of the entrance in the late 1970s.

In 1961 a new parsonage was built to the left of the church. Land for the parsonage was donated by the Connally family. The old parsonage was sold to Raymond Bradsher, Jr.

Below is a photograph of the current Leasburg United Methodist Church building:

(Click on Photograph for Larger Image)

Permalink