Daniel Gunn Watkins House (Blanch, North Carolina)

(click on photograph for larger image)
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John Pettit of Caswell County, North Carolina

Farley's Deed from Pettit

October 29,1788 between John Pettit of Caswell County, North County and Daniel L Farley of Halifax County, Virginia for 150 pounds currency, a tract of land on the waters of the Upper Double Creek and Wolfhills Branch containg by estimation 362 acres. Bounded: Gabriel Richards' line, David Allen's line, WAddil's line said Daniel L Farley's line, William Richardson's and Pleasant Shields corner, Nimrod Scott's line, James Woody's line.

s/John Pettit

Wit: Robert Walters, John Walters, William Harrison

April 17, 1789

pg269
Pg 495 Deed book
Old Halifax County (part of which now is Pittsylvania County), Virginia
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Squire G. G. Dailey (c.1842-1909)

George Graham Dailey

Dailey, Squire G. G.
Aged about 67 years
One of the most prominent citizens of Caswell County
Died Sunday morning at Prospect Church near Yanceyville
After suffering a stroke of apoplexy during the service
He was an old Confederate soldier
State Dispatch July 28, 1909
Copied from the Reidsville Review
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William Matkins (1832-1909)

Matkins, William
Aged 77 years, 8 mos., 3 days
Of near Gilliam’s Academy, Caswell County
Died July 13, 1909
He was born Nov. 10, 1832 and married Sarah B. Walker Dec. 16, 1866. He was an old Confederate soldier and served 3 years in the War and was a member of the M. E. Church South for 60 years. He had 8 children and is survived by his wife and 6 children—5 sons and 1 daughter.
Burial at Shiloah (sic)
State Dispatch July 21, 1909
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Tommy Foster (c.1921-1999)

Mebane — Mr. Tommy Foster, 78, of 640 N.C. 119 North, Burlington, died Thursday, April 15, 1999, at Alamance Regional Medical Center. A native of Caswell County, he was the son of Mr. Jim Henry Foster and Mrs. Lillian Richmond Foster, both deceased. He was a member of Sweet Gum Baptist Church. Survivors include a brother, Mr. Robert Foster of Burlington; two sisters, Mrs. Gennie B. Foster of Mebane and Ms. Luella Bigelow of Burlington.

A graveside service will be conducted at 4 p.m. today at Sweet Gum Baptist Church cemetery in Caswell County by the Rev. Eli Burton. The family will be at the home of the brother, 2532 E. Simpson Road, Burlington. Burrus and Burrus Funeral Service in Graham is in charge of arrangements.
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Nannie Ann Graves (c.1946-2000)

Semora — Ms. Nannie Ann Graves, 54, of 168 Adams Road, Semora, died Sunday, Aug. 13, 2000, at her home after a sudden illness. Blackwell Funeral Home in Yanceyville is in charge of arrangements which are incomplete.
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William Darrell Coppersmith (1925-2000)

Yanceyville — Mr. William Darrell “Bill” Coppersmith, 75, of 583 Main St., Apt. 8-E, died Friday, Aug. 11, 2000, at UNC Hospitals in Chapel Hill, after a long illness. Born Jan. 4, 1925, in Lafayette, Ohio, he was the husband of Mrs. Kenova Hurst Coppersmith, who survives. He was the son of Mr. William David Coppersmith and Mrs. Mildred Leithe Cole Coppersmith, both deceased. Before his retirement due to disability, he was a piano technician and served with the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses. Survivors other than his wife of the home include two sons, Mr. Bobby Coppersmith of Florida and Mr. Phillip Coppersmith of Yanceyville; a daughter, Ms. Rebekah Wilson of Yanceyville; two sisters, Ms. Mildred Coppersmith and Ms. Hildred Bertucelli, both of Florida; 14 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.

The funeral will be conducted at 11 a.m. Friday at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, N.C. 62 North, by Mr. John Ontko. Burial will be in the Farabow Family Cemetery. Marley Funeral Home in Yanceyville is in charge of arrangements.
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Hollis Preston Bigelow (1918-2000)

Yanceyville — Mr. Hollis Bigelow of 287 North Ave., died Thursday, Feb. 24, 2000, at his home. Born Oct. 14, 1918, in Caswell County, he was the husband of the late Mrs. Mary Fuller Bigelow and the son of Mr. Ullysses Grant Bigelow and Mrs. Hattie Graves Bigelow, both deceased. He was a retired long distance truck driver and a U.S. Navy veteran. He was a member of Graves Chapel Baptist Church Survivors include three sons, Mr. Ervin Bigelow of Yanceyville, Mr. Hollis Rice Bigelow of Burlington and Mr. Kenneth Bigelow of Winston-Salem; four daughters, Mrs. Clarice Poole and Mrs. Judy Corbett, both of Yanceyville, Mrs. Margaret Mitchell of Burlington and Mrs. Janet Royal of Greensboro; 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and three great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by a son, Mr. Willard Bigelow.

The funeral will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday at Graves Chapel Baptist Church by the Rev. Kenneth Walker. Burial will be in the church cemetery. The family will be at Fulton Funeral Home from 7 to 8 this evening, and at other times at the home.
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Hollis Rice (Ricky) Bigelow (c.1954-2010)

Burlington, N.C. - Hollis Rice "Ricky" Bigelow, 56, of 208 E. Fifth Street, Burlington, N.C. died Tuesday, May 25, 2010 at his residence. A native of Caswell County, N.C., he was employed by the City of Burlington, and a member of Friendship Baptist Church. Survivors include his wife, Brenda Conyers Bigelow of the home; daughter, Zsa Zsa Monique Conyers of Burlington, N.C.; grandchildren, Tionna McKenney, Jaheim McKenney, and Jalen McKenney, all of Burlington, and Kayla McKenney of Florida; sisters, Judy Corbett of Yanceyville, N.C., Margaret Mitchell and husband King of Burlington, N.C., Janet Royal and husband Ralph of Greensboro, N.C.; brothers, Ervin Bigelow and wife Geneva of Yanceyville, N.C. and Kenneth Bigelow and wife Coretta of Winston-Salem, N.C.; and many other relatives and friends.

Caswell County Jail Lease/License (2010)

Caswell County Board of Commissioners
17 May 2010

Caswell County Historical Association

Ms. Karen Oestreicher, President, Caswell County Historical Association, came before the Board to request renewal of the Caswell County Historic Jail Lease between the County and the Historical Association. Ms. Oestreicher requested that the terms of the renewal lease remain as they are currently, which consists of a 25-year lease for the sum of one dollar. Ms. Oestreicher added that the Historical Association has met the terms of the lease by using it as an educational tool for tours, etc. Ms. Oestreicher also requested that the Caswell County Historical Association be allowed to obtain a key to the Historic Courthouse in order to conduct tours on weekends. Ms. Oestreicher noted that sometimes they are not aware of weekend tours until the groups arrive. Mr. Michael Ferrell, County Attorney, requested that the Board allow him a moment to research the legal issues surrounding the Board of Commissioners granting a 25 year lease. The Board was agreeable to this. Chairman Ward noted that the Board would return to this issue.

Ancient Planters (Jamestowne, Virginia)

ANCIENT PLANTERS OF JAMESTOWNE by Bebe Fox

Several families in old Orange can claim descent from Ancient Planters... those who paid their own passage, arrived in Virginia before 1616, and remained for a minimum of three years. Right off hand the names which occur to me are the Norwoods of Chatham, who descend from William Farrar, as do the Burtons of Caswell, and the Cox family, who built "Riverside" on the Eno, descend from William Spencer, owner of twelve acres on the island itself who became a Burgess representing Surry County across the James River at a later date. A number of descendants of Capt. Graves reside in Caswell County. Your compiler had the distinct pleasure of being a charter member in 1991 of the The Order of Descendants of Ancient Planters founded in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Lillian Chilton Tate (1916-2009)

Lillian Chilton Tate (May 07, 1916 - August 10, 2009)

Reidsville– Lillian Chilton Tate, 93, of 670 Camp Springs Road, passed away, Tuesday, August 10, 2009 at her home. Funeral services will be held 11:00 AM, Thursday, August 13, 2009 at Burton Memorial Baptist Church with Rev. James Hodges officiating. The interment will follow in the church cemetery. Mrs. Tate was born in Caswell County to the late Broughton and Bertha Ware Chilton. She was a homemaker and the oldest charter member of Burton Memorial Baptist Church. Mrs. Tate was a loving wife, mother and grandmother.

Along with her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Boyd E. Tate and her brother, Scott Chilton. Survivors include her sons, Harold H. Tate and wife, Peggy and Boyd Marion Tate all of Reidsville; grandsons, Ronald Tate and wife, Jean, Kenneth Tate and wife, Sandra and Kevin Tate and wife, Misty; great grandchildren, Jessica Tate, Zachary Tate, Tyler Tate and Conner Tate; brother, Charlie Chilton of Reidsville; sister-in-law, Carolyn Chilton of Reidsville and several nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening from 6:00 to 8:00 PM at Wilkerson Funeral Home and other times at the residence. Source: Wilkerson Funeral Home, Reidsville, North Carolina (August 2009).
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John B. (Jack) Taylor

(click on photograph for larger image)
John B. “Jack” Taylor, Nexsen, Pruet LLC (Charlotte, North Carolina). Born Oct. 4, 1937, in Caswell County; bachelor’s from N.C. State University and law degree from UNC Chapel Hill; wife, two daughters and seven grandchildren. Though I went to college to be an engineer, I have always felt that I would have loved being a high-school football coach and science or history teacher. My mother was a teacher and a businesswoman, and education was the family’s No. 1 priority. As a young associate in a Greensboro law firm, I received a call from Jack Blythe of Blythe Construction, a large contractor in Charlotte. He asked whether I would be interested in joining the company as in-house counsel, allowing me the opportunity to utilize my dual degrees in engineering and law. That began an eight-year hands-on training period toward becoming a construction lawyer.

My most memorable case was the installation of a large-diameter sewer line under Meeting Street in Charleston, S.C. My passions are working on and driving vintage British sports cars, especially Austin-Healeys. My favorite book is The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. My favorite place is my garage. It is meticulously organized (unlike my desk at work), and there are no deadlines. My heroes are my father; Winston Churchill, for his unwavering resolve and determination; and my high-school football coach, who taught me to never quit. Don't ask me to do something halfway.
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Earl Brame (Caswell County, North Carolina)

Remembering Earl Brame

Caswell County Emergency Services Director Joe Wright has shared a story with us about one of their EMS Week celebrations, held on Wednesday, May 21st. Not only was there a steak dinner, sponsored by local businesses in Yanceyville, for EMS employees and their families, but the service took the opportunity to honor Earl Brame, one of their captains, who passed away on 7 December 2002. Earl had worked for 36 hours during the December ice storm, finally going home to his family and leaving his uniform shirt still hanging in the apparatus bay. He had supper with his wife and children, laid down to rest, and never got up. He died in his sleep that evening.

For some time, no one would take the uniform shirt down from where it hung in the bay, but in a show of respect by his fellow employees for Earl, at the EMS Week dinner the shirt, now framed, was dedicated as a memorial and it will share a place of honor at the base. Our thanks to the folks at Caswell County Emergency Services for sharing this moment with us.
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Deptford Axe (Caswell County, North Carolina)

(click on photograph for larger image)
Classic full-grooved Deptford ax may be the best of its type and one of the few from North Carolina (Caswell County). 4” by 9 ¼.” Ex-Billy Bush and Floyd Ritter.

The Deptford culture (800 BC—700 AD) was an archaeological culture in southeastern North America characterized by the appearance of elaborate ceremonial complexes, increasing social and political complexity, mound burial, permanent settlements, population growth, and an increasing reliance on cultivated plants.
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Barbara Lynn Joyce (1940-2009)

Barbara Lynn Joyce (February 28, 1940 - September 29, 2009)

Reidsville- Barbara Lynn Joyce, 69, of 132 Hudspeth Park Road, passed away on Tuesday, September 29, 2009, at Annie Penn Hospital. Funeral services will be held at Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel on Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 1:00 PM with Rev. Ron Tuck officiating. Entombment will follow in Roselawn Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Mrs. Joyce was born in Caswell County to the late John William and Ollie Pearl Ward Lynn and was a homemaker. She was of the Baptist faith and a member of Lawsonville Road Baptist Church. Barbara enjoyed tending flowers and plants along with caring for her hummingbirds and animals. She was a loving wife for over 48 years and loved her entire family. Barbara never met a stranger and everyone that knew her fell in love with her. Along with her parents she is preceded in death by her brother, Garrett Early Lynn and her sister Margaret Hudspeth Ward. She is survived by her loving husband, Robert Joyce of the home; sister, Linda L. Norman of Summerfield; sister-in-law, Shirley Lynn of Reidsville and many special nieces and nephews.

Joseph Scott (c.1758-1835)

Raleigh Register, and North Carolina Gazette
Death of Joseph SCOTT.
Date: September 22 1835
Newspaper published in: Raleigh, NC

In Caswell county, on the 3d ult. Joseph SCOTT, father of Solicitor General John SCOTT, in the 67th year of his age. In his life he was an excellent example of honesty, industry, economy and godliness. For more than forty years he lived in devotion to God, and for more than thirty years he was a highly useful Elder in the Presbyterian Church. His life was governed by his own maxim, which he always pressed on others; "Take care that you do no harm--If you do no good, do no harm." He has left a wife and three children and numerous grand children to bemoan their loss.
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Louisa Henderson Glenn (1825-1905)

Louisa Henderson Glenn (1825-1905)

The Biloxi Daily Herald
Obituary of Louisa Henderson GLENN
Date: August 30 1905
Newspaper published in: Biloxi,MS
Page/Column: 4/3

After a long, and beautiful life of Christian patience and fortitude, Louisa Henderson GLENN entered into her promised rest Aug. 24, 1905. She was born at Milton, N.C., March 12, 1825, the daughter of Alexander Martin HENDERSON and his wife, Mary WADE. Alexander HENDERSON, was the son of Thomas and Jane (MARTIN) HENDERSON, and was named for his mother's brother, Alexander MARTIN, Governor of North Carolina, and heired everything Gov. MARTIN owned--houses, lands, furniture, etc. Thomas HENDERSON, the secretary of Gov. MARTIN, was the son of Samuel HENDERSON, who at an early date moved from Hanover county, Virginia to North Carolina. It would be hard to find a family that has left their impress upon a state as has this HENDERSON family; distinguished for their great legal ability and integrity, they passed into history.

Caswell County 1940: Community and Neighborhood Grouping of White Population

(click on photograph for larger image)
For an even larger image go to 1940 Caswell County Map.

Why it was thought important to have a map in 1940 of Caswell County's white population groupings is not known. However, that aside, the map is very interesting.
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Alice Elizabeth Simmons (c.1929-2010)

Jun 22, 2010 - 07:40:59 pm CDT (The Caswell Messenger) - Alice Elizabeth Simmons Stokes Harrison, age 81, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, June 21, 2010 at the Hospice Home. She was a native of Caswell County and the daughter of the late Porter Gold and Minnie Alice Terrell Simmons. Alice retired after 30 years with Burlington Industries, Williamsburg plant. She was a member of Trinity Missionary Baptist Church where she served as WMU Director for many years along with other capacities within the church.

Willie Junior Turner (1942-2010)

Jun 22, 2010 - 07:40:59 pm CDT Yanceyville, NC (The Caswell Messenger) - It is with profound sorrow we announce the death of Mr. Willie Junior Turner, 67, of 645 Cobb Rd., Yanceyville, NC, who died Friday, June 18, 2010 in the Alamance and Caswell Hospice Home, Burlington, NC. He was a native of Caswell County, NC, the son of the late Willie Banks Turner and Flossie Mae Miles Turner, born June 7, 1943. He was a member of Providence Baptist Church where he was a member of the Trustee Board, Male Chorus, Sunday School, and he was the church van driver. He was an employee of the Department of Transportation for 26 years before retirement and he was a volunteer at the Caswell Parrish in Yanceyville, NC.

Buzzards' Roost (Caswell County, North Carolina)

A 1940 map called "Community and Neighborhood Grouping of White Population" is the only document that I have seen that locates Buzzards' Roost, Caswell County. As you will see, it is an amorphous area on the south side of Country Line Creek, starting near Locust Hill and extending northeasterly past Womack's Mill. We always called the area "The Hills;" it was a favorite wild-turkey-hunting area. Source: Dr. H. G. Jones.

See: Map (1940): Community and Neighborhood Grouping of White Population.
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Stickridge Post Office

Julius Brackin apparently initially thought Stickridge was a humorous name when he established the post office there in 1885, but two years later he changed its name to Eastland (whose mail was moved to Thompsonville in 1905, two years before the latter was renamed McIver). Stickridge/Eastland was located just a mile or so off NC 150, near Trinity Baptist Church, on a road leading toward Cherry Grove. Source: Dr. H. G. Jones.

Julius A. Brackin was the first U.S. Postmaster at Eastland, Caswell County, North Carolina, which operated from 23 December 1887 until 14 October 1905. Earlier the post office was Stickridge (which operated from 8 December 1885 until 23 December 1887). Source: Caswell County, North Carolina Post Offices.
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James Elmer (Shorty) Arnold (1928-2010)

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June 22, 2010 - 07:40:58 pm CDT (The Caswell Messenger): James E. (Shorty) Arnold, 82, of 203 Oakview Loop Road, died Thursday June 16, 2010, at his residence. He was born in Caswell County June 3, 1928 to the late James Franklin Arnold and Maggie Bowes Arnold. He was married to Edith Smith Arnold February 14, 1946, who predeceased him April 9, 2007. He retired from Caswell County School Bus Garage after 30 years of service and was a member of Grace Baptist Church. Funeral Service was held Saturday, June 19, 2010 at 10 am at Harrelson Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Pastor John Crews and assisted by James Albert. Interment followed at Oakview Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

McIver Post Office (Rockingham County, North Carolina)

McIver Post Office was in Rockingham County, North Carolina, not Caswell County, North Carolina, but it served Caswell County residents, as the following will explain. It was located on the present NC 150/NC 87 about a mile east of Thompsonville (now Williamsburg) in Rockingham County. McIver was the successor to several other rural post offices along the Caswell/Rockingham border. For example, Lenox Castle (1799) and High Rock (1814) in Rockingham and Ashland (1878), Eastland (1887), and Gannaway (1887) in Caswell, eventually gave way to Thompsonville.

Revolutionary War: Capt. Robt. Moore Enlistees (Caswell County)

Capt. Robt. Moore Enlistees
Revolutionary War Rolls M246-79
National Archives & Records Administration
Transcribed & Abstracted by Billy Markland

Men Inrolled [sic] for Capt. Robert Moore from Caswell

Milton Chronicle 1862

From The Greensborough Patriot (April 17, 1862 – Pg. 1)

"Two precious Scamps."

When the Milton Blues left here last April for the war they were joined by a couple of good looking Yankees, named Streeter and Dunton. The first of these scamps professed to have been born in Ga., where he said his parents resided. He came here selling a book called “Cotton Is King,” and if he is not a genuine blue bellied Down cast yankee he has the twang. Dunton came about here peddling on Sewing Machines, and looked like he might be kin to the nigger; he was, however intelligent and polite. Well, this prepares us to remark that these two scamps eloped from camp at Todd’s Point, to parts unknown last week, but the impression is that they slipped over to Newport News, where they no doubt emptied a big budget of news, touching our forces, &c. Some of the Blues always mistrusted these scamps, (particularly Lt. Hunt,) while others thought them sound and reliable. – Milton Chronicle.

Captain William P. Watlington

From The Greensborough Patriot (March 6, 1862 – Pg. 1)
For the Patriot.

Captain Watlington.
Camp Fisher, Newbern, N. C.
February, 14th, 1862.

Mr. Editor:--Permit me through your paper, to say a word in recommendation of my friend and fellow soldier, Wm. P. Watlington. He is a gentleman, and soldier worthy any position. He has been a member of my Cavalry Company since last June, and his good common sense, and cool determination have almost been invaluable to me and the company. He has always, under all circumstances, proved himself an excellent soldier, and well worthy of promotion, and although I regret to give him up and lose his valuable services, I rejoice to say that his soldiery qualities have been noticed and he has been promoted. He will very soon visit our county to enlist volunteers, and I hope you will use your influence to aid him to enlist men to defend our country which is now standing in such great need of defenders. No one is better qualified either in mind, coolness, determination or experience. Having been in the Mexican war nearly two years, and a soldier from the beginning of this war, he is well drilled and experienced in all the minutia of military evolutions and thoroughly understands camp life and how to provide for the soldier. Aid him and you will aid your country. Respectfully, &c.,

B. L. COLE,

Capt. Co. F, 19th Reg. N. C. S. T.
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In the Caswell County Family Tree database is an entry for a William Paul Watlington (1828-1895). That the above Captain William P. Watlington is the same person has not been confirmed.
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Captain John A. Graves (1822-1864)

From The Greensborough Patriot (Jan. 9, 1862 – Pg. 1)

A Screw Loose.

We are not disposed to complain of our State or Confederate authorities, or to copy many complaints of both that we find in our exchange papers. But the following is so singular a case, presented by a well known Democrat, and published in a Democratic paper, that we think it but right to copy it. Capt. Graves is from Caswell, of which county he was formerly a Representative in the Legislature:--Fayetteville Observer.

Frank Preston Baker, Jr. (1945-2010)

Wilmington, North Carolina (June 21, 2010): Frank Preston Baker, Jr, of Wilmington, died Sunday, June 20, 2010. He was born in Danville, VA, May 30, 1945 the son of the late Frank P. Baker and Naomi Carlton Baker. Frank was very proud to have served in the US Navy aboard the USS Intrepid during the Vietnam War. He had retired from Sears Commercial Sales servicing the building industry for over 30 years. He was loved by all that met him and as said by one of his many friends: “He was an outstanding man of honor and integrity”. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.

"Melrose"

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George (Royal George) Williamson (1788-1859)

George Williamson's grave marker at the Williamson family cemetery at "Melrose" states that he was the builder of the second (front) section of "Melrose" (built 1820), and that he died 22 August 1856 in his 67th year.

Yanceyville Little League Baseball Team (c.1960)

(click on photograph for larger image)Left-to-right:

Back Row: Larry Stogner, Ben Daniel, Wayne Moore, Mike Reynolds, Durwood Matkins.

Middle Row: Sammy Cooper, John Wesley Willis, J. C. Winstead, Keith Stogner, Wayne Cross, Bobby Brewer, Robert Crumpton, David Mitchell, Dalton Proctor.

Front Row (Kneeling): Jeff Reynolds,, Earl Watlington, Jr., Bennie Atwater, Keith Brewer, Ricky Matkins.
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Bessie Edna Weatherford Henderson (died 2010)

Bessie Edna Weatherford Henderson

Jun 15, 2010 - 03:18:38 pm CDT Reidsville, North Carolina - Mrs. Bessie Edna Weatherford Henderson of 328 Jackson Street died Saturday. She was a native of Caswell County and a resident of Reidsville for the majority of her life. Mrs. Henderson was a member of High Rock Grove Baptist Church where she served with the Senior Choir and Missionary Society. She was a retired cook and nursing assistant. Survivors are: stepson, Jeffery Carnell Mc Cain (Shirley); one grandchild; great-grandchild; two sisters, Lillie Galloway and Mary Heckstall; two brothers, William Weatherford and Percy Weatherford (Carolyn); special friends, Mae Wade, Ed Obey and Hosea Williamson; other relatives and friends.

George Claude Blackwell (1936-2010)

George Claude Blackwell (1936-2010)

Jun 15, 2010 - 03:18:37 pm CDT Reidsville, North Carolina - George Claude Blackwell of 315 South Washington Avenue died Wednesday. He was a native of Caswell County and a resident of Reidsville for the majority of his life. Mr. Blackwell was a graduate of Caswell Training School, Class of 1954 and a retiree of American Tobacco Company. Spiritually, he was a member of Camp Springs United Methodist Church. His parents, Lemuel and Betty Brown Blackwell; siblings, Naomi Turner, Curtis and Jesse Blackwell, preceded him in death. Survivors are: one daughter, Ramona Dickerson; two grandchildren, Ariel and Armon Dickerson; three sisters, Ruth Grant, Shelby Badgett (Harold) and Ivinia Badgett (Bobby); one brother, Sherman Blackwell (Laura): aunt, Margaret Turner; special friend, Barbara Morehead; other relatives and friends.

Ruth Lee Tate Huffines (c.1933-2010)

Ruth Lee Tate (c.1933-2010)

Jun 15, 2010 - 03:18:38 pm CDT. Burlington, North Carolina - Ruth Lee Tate Huffines, age 77, of Huffines Road went home to be with the Lord on Friday, June 11, 2010 at ARMC surrounded by her family. She was a native of Caswell County and the wife of the late John William Huffines. Ruth was a homemaker and member of Bethel Christian Church. She was a member of the Women's Fellowship Circle where she served in the past as President and Treasurer. Ruth had a heart for children serving as a teacher in the Nursery Sunday school class for many years. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.

1843 H. H. Thompson Letter to Richard Ivy Smith

1843 Letter from H. H. Thompson of Spartanburg, South Carolina, to Richard Ivy Smith of Caswell County, North Carolina, concerning litigation (or other court proceedings) with respect to the sale of certain slaves.

The following is a transcription of a letter found behind a wall in the "Old House" at Hycotee, Semora, NC, and given to me by Yancey Moorefield Smith. While the circumstances of the suit mentioned are still unknown to me, the letter gives a flavor of the legal practices of the time. Any knowledge of the suit or the witnesses involved would be thankfully received.

Transcribed by John Douglas Storey, great-great-grandson of Richard Ivy Smith June 6, 2010.

Photograph Identification Project

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Any help identifying this photograph submitted by Vicki Cox would be greatly appreciated:

My grandparents were Howard and Sue Apple Cox. I know the photograph is of no one in the Apple family, so it probably belonged to my grandfather. My grandmother's parents were Shuford and Mary Frances Nunn Apple. My grandfather's parents were Charlie and Sallie Lillard Cox. I think it may be a Lillard family but the dates for the children I have don't seem to match up. Other family names on my grandmother's side were McKinney, Sartin and Cornwell. Other family names on my grandfather's side were Gammon, Vernon, and Williams. I know most all of these families were people from Rockingham County, but I am hoping somebody recognizes them.
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Slave Children

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(June 11, 2010) -- The boys in the photograph are barefoot, dressed in rags and small. And, according to art historians, they are likely slaves. Almost 150 years after slavery ended in the U.S., more proof of its dark history has been found in a North Carolina attic, a rare photo of slave children that may date to the early 1860s. The photograph was found at a garage sale in Charlotte. With it was a handwritten document from 1854 describing the sale of "John" for $1,150.

Bartlett Yancey High School Agriculture Class 1937-1938

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Bartlett Yancey High School (Yanceyville, North Carolina) Agriculture Class 1937-1938
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Bartlett Yancey High School Class of 1932

Bartlett Yancey High School (Yanceyville, North Carolina) Class of 1932

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Left-to-right:

Front Row: Lady Alice Henderson (Wilkerson), Frank Powell, Annie Davis (Linnens), Clarice Smith (Wilson), Blancy Denny Riley, Allen Slaughter, Virginia Myers (Thompson), Kermit Smith, Lillian Bradner (Gribble).

Second Row: Estelle Wood, Carolyn Moore (Upchurch Thomas), Bob White Wilson, Maben Brann (Briggs), Reba Vernon (Sadler), Glenn Rice, Elizabeth Pleasant (Covington), Henry Gunn.

Third Row: Garrett Neal, Thelma Massey (Rice), Marion Foster, Virginia Hodges, Holland Phillips, Helen Manley (Doggett), David Yarbrough.

Fourth Row: Earline Adkins (Boyd Bryant), Alma Gibson (Jefferson), Norman Oliver, Ella Satterfield (Howerton), Thelma Carter (Atwell).
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Dr. Emilie Vanessa Siddle-Walker

Dr. Emilie Vanessa Siddle was born in Caswell County, North Carolina, to Reverend Theodore Roosevelt Walker (1911-2000) and Helen Elizabeth Beasley Siddle (1929-1991). She attended the local elementary school and graduated in 1976 from Bartlett Yancey High School (Yanceyville, North Carolina). She is the Winship Distinguished Research Professor at Emory University.

Walker began her career as a high school teacher in Chapel Hill High School and then at Cummings High School. She also taught English seminars for minority students at Phillips Academy. Prior to accepting a position at Emory, she taught at Wheelock and Elon Colleges and the University of Pennsylvania.

John Laborn Ford

The following was posted to the Caswell County Historical Association Message Board 5 June 2010 by Raymond Ford Sabell (tuccilv@yahoo.com)

My second-great grandfather John Laborn Ford was born in Caswell County, North Carolina in 1811. It seems that his mother was born in Scotland in 1770. The family history gets a little murky here. It seems that Aritta Davis, John's mother was married twice and both times she was married to a Ford. Her first marriage and only marriage took place in Scotland in 1793. She was married to "John Laborn Ford" and about four year later they moved to America. In this version of our family history she had a son, John Laborn Ford who was born in Caswell County. Within days of her son's birth she passed away. John Laborn Ford Sr. remarried and moved to Tennessee and started a second family. John, Arita's son remained in Caswell County with a grandfather. We don't know if the grandfather was a Ford or a Davis.

Spencer Clay Richmond (1933-2010)

Jun 04, 2010 - 02:38:43 pm CDT Spencer Clay Richmond, 76, of 1710 Pennrose Dr. died on Friday, June 4, 2010, at UNC Hospital in Chapel Hill. Funeral services will be conducted at 2:00PM Monday, June 7, 2010, at First Baptist Church, where he was a faithful member, and burial will follow in Reidlawn Cemetery. A native of Caswell Co., he was a son of the late Spencer Trib and Pearl Fuqua Richmond and he had lived in Lexington, KY before moving to Reidsville in 1984. Spencer was retired from the American Tobacco Co., a member of the First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and as a member of the Property Committee. He was a member of the Reidsville Men's Garden Club where he had served as its president several times, and was currently serving as Treasurer. Spencer was very active in caring for the Rose Garden and in maintaining the grounds at the garden center. He was a member of the Reidsville Lions Club, the Leasburg Hunting Club, and he volunteered with Habitat for Humanity.

John Chandler at Jamestown

Contact: C. M. Chandler, President
Chandler Family Association
Telephone: 423-842-1308
E-mail: cchandlerj@comcast.net
Website: www.thecfa.org

JUNE 10, 2010, MARKS 400TH ANNIVERSARY OF JOHN CHANDLER,
AMERICA'S YOUNGEST IMMIGRANT BEFORE 1610

Descendants to Visit His Home Site at Hampton, Virginia

John Robert Payne (c.1929-2010)

Jun 01, 2010 - 08:35:25 pm CDT John Robert Payne, 81, of Raleigh, died Monday, May 31, 2010 at Duke Health Raleigh. Graveside Funeral Service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday at Montlawn Memorial Park. The family will receive friends at Montlawn Funeral Home from 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Thursday prior to the service. A native of Rockingham County, John was the son of the late Thomas Jess Payne and Mamie McBride Payne. He was a retired technician with Dover Elevator Co. with over 40 years of service and served many years as the business agent for the IUEC. John was a member of Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church and served his country in the United States Air Force.

Barbara Jean Lipscomb Shearin (1946-2010)

Jun 01, 2010 - 08:35:25 pm CDT DURHAM - It is with profound sorrow we announce the death of Mrs. Barbara Jean Lipscomb Shearin, 64, of 3630 Shewsbury St. Durham, NC, who died Sunday, May 30, 2010 at her residence. She was a native of Caswell County, NC, the daughter of the late John Lewis Lipscomb, Sr. and Annie D. Johnson Lipscomb, born February 4, 1946. She was member of Hamer Baptist Church, where she was church clerk and a former member of the community chorus. She was also a graduate of Caswell County High School Class of 1964. She furthered her education and attended and graduated from North Carolina Central University, where she received her BS in Early Elementary Education and a Masters in education.

Beatrice Gunn Mitchell (c.1918 - 2010)

Beatrice Gunn Mitchell (c.1918 - 2010)

Jun 01, 2010 - 08:35:25 pm CDT Beatrice Gunn Mitchell, 92, of 38 Gunns Place, Yanceyville, NC died Saturday, May 22, 2010 at the Carillon Roanoke Memorial Hospital in Roanoke, VA. She was married 61 years to John Mitchell, who survives. In addition to her husband, survivors include one daughter, Theressa Mitchell of Columbia, MD; one son, John C. Mitchell of Danville, VA; one sister, Daisy Ernesta Blackwell of Yanceyville, NC; and a host of other relatives and friends. She was a graduate of Winston - Salem State University with her Bachelor of Education and her Masters degree from A & T University and a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority.

Liza Quarles Orr Scearce (1924-2010)

Jun 01, 2010 - 08:35:24 pm CDT Liza Orr Scearce, of 1113 Allison Road, died Wednesday May 26 after a period of declining health. She was born in Bedford, Virginia January 26, 1924, to James Q. Quarles and Minnie Shields Quarles. She was of Baptists faith and a member of New Heights Baptist Church and of the Women's Circle. Funeral service will be 11 am Friday, May 28, 2010 at Harrelson Funeral Home Chapel conducted by Dr. Harold Venable with interment following at Bethesda Presbyterian Church Cemetery.

Sadie Belle Howard Badgett

Jun 01, 2010 - 08:35:24 pm CDT RUFFIN - Mrs. Sadie Belle Howard Badgett of 985 Ashland Road died Tuesday. As a native and lifelong resident of Caswell County, she was a graduate of Caswell County Training School, Class of 1947 and was a retiree of Burlington Industries. Mrs. Badgett was a faithful member of Red Hill Missionary Baptist Church where she served with the Senior Choir, Widow's Organization, Communion Committee, Missionary Circle, Past President of Senior Choir, Mother of the Church and former member of the Board of Ushers. In the community, she was a member of the Pride of Locust Hill, Order of Eastern Star No. 624 and the Senior Citizens of Yanceyville.