Caswell County Students

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Caswell Students: Mystery Photograph

This photograph of "Caswell Students" ran in the "Looking Back" section of The Caswell Messenger (Yanceyville, North Carolina) 27 November 2010. The location apparently is the Bartlett Yancey School in Yanceyville, North Carolina.

Bartlett Yancey House

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The following is from The Caswell Messenger (17 November 2010):

Back in July, during the Best Dish in NC competition, contest judge Amber Nimocks asked if I would be a guest on the WUNC radio show. Of course, I said yes. I jump at any chance to promote Caswell County and the restaurant. It wasn't until the end of last week, when the show's producer told me we needed to do a "pre-interview" that I began to feel a bit uneasy.

Swift Family Bible

Mary Molly DeJarnette Murder (1880)

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Slave Bill of Sale 1843 (Caswell County, North Carolina)

This document is a slave bill of sale for the purchase of seven negro slaves. The text of the document is as follows (and as written).

Simpson School House (1886-1909)

Simpson School House 1886-1909 (Caswell County, North Carolina): Vance E. Swift's "Alma Mater" - This one room log school house was built in 1886 and served as the public school for descendants of Richard Simpson of Fairfax County, Virginia, who settled on the headwaters of Stoney Creek and Country Line Creek, Local school district number one -- Caswell County, North Carolina. Drawing made in 1986 by Vance E. Swift, the author of this booklet, as he recalls to memory the old school house and grounds when he attended public school there during the years 1904-1909. The old school house was still standing in 1929 when Vance Swift returned to Caswell as County Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Allen's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church

The following is from In the Beginning: The Churches of Caswell County, Jean B. Scott, Compiler (undated). Note that some of the dates are confusing, but the text shown below is verbatim. For example, if the church was organized in 1886, why was the first church building erected in 1856? And what is the significance of a "plot" in 1873?
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James Stanley McCullock (1937-2010)

Mr. James Stanley McCullock, age 72, of Yanceyville, died Monday, November 15, 2010 at Alamance Regional Medical Center after several years of failing health. Born in Orange County, he was the son of the late Otho Thomas McCullough and the late Betty Frances Parker McCullough and was married for over 51 years to Mrs. Mary Jo Cheek McCullock, who survives. James was retired from Burlington industries and had over 43 years of service. Mr. McCullock is survived by his wife of the home; two sons, Joel McCullock and his wife, Nina, of Hurdle Mills, NC and Shannon McCullock and his wife, Kim, of Knoxville, TN; a grandson, Ryker McCullock; a sister, Iris McCullock McGee of Graham; and a brother, Bobby McCullock of Graham. He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Hazel Cooley; and two brothers, Buddy McCullock and Aubrey McCullock. There will be a private family service at a later date. You may sign the online register book at www.lowefuneralhome.com
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William Norman Pension Letter 1866

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Pelham Depot
Caswell Co
Nov 13th 1866

Mr John P. Auld

Sir,

Mr Brandon, Clerk of our County Court informs me of the contents of a letter received from you mentioning that there were two pensioners in this County. I write you this in behalf of William Norman's widow. Mr. Norman died last June and at the time of his death he was taking steps to secure his pension due for the last four years. I desire to know if you have arrangements so as to collect the pension and also to know your charges.

What proof will be necessary to establish his loyalty during the War & c. He was very old and feeble and can satisfactorily establish his loyalty during the entire War. Is his widow entitled to any pension after his death? Please write me at your earliest convenience and give me the necessary information and we will forward the papers with the power of attorney.

I am sir very _____,

E. B. Withers
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Can Gravestones Be Trusted?

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When conducting genealogical research, just who (and what) can be trusted? We know that mistakes can be made on gravestones, both by those providing the information and by the stonemason. Examples of both, while not common, are known to exist in Caswell County cemeteries. Thus, gravestones, while usually helpful, are not considered a primary source.

Travis-Wilson Family

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Left to Right - Standing: Unidentified, Mrs. Marion Travis (standing behind her husband), Virginia Adelaide Travis Wilson (tall in light dress, standing behind her husband), Miss Sue Foster; Seated: Marion Travis (light suit), Robert Peyton Wilson (dark suit).

Photograph courtesy Robin Wilson Nelson.
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Lawrence Thornton Manley (1923-2010)

Nov 09, 2010: Elder Lawrence Thornton Manley, 86, went home on Wednesday, November 3, 2010 after a long illness. A funeral service was held on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. at Wilkerson Funeral Home Chapel. Interment followed in Apple Cemetery, Ashland Road in Caswell County. Mr. Manley was born on December 20, 1923 to the late Lawrence Franklin and Laura Lynn Manley. He was a lifelong member of the Primitive Baptist faith and served four churches as their preacher. Thornton served in the United States Army and was employed by Burlington Industries with 41 years of service. Along with his parents he is preceded in death by his beloved wife of 63 years, Mary Apple Manley; brothers, Russell, Elwood and Webster Manley.

Ida Elizabeth Evans (c.1925-2010)

Nov 09, 2010: Semora - Ida Elizabeth Evans, age 85, of 16456 NC Hwy. 119 North, died Tuesday, November 2, 2010 at her home. Born in Halifax County Virginia, she was the daughter of the late George "Bunn" and Ida Viola Evans. Ms. Evans had been a member of the Semora Homemaker Club for 50 years. She was a member of Semora United Methodist Church and also attended Lebanon Christian Church. Funeral services were held at 2:00 p.m. Sunday, November 7, 2010 at the Lebanon Christian Church in Semora. The Rev. Hunter Thompson and the Rev. John Upton officiated. Burial followed in the church cemetery. Friends gathered in the church at the conclusion of the service. Memorials may be made to Lebanon Christian Church c/o Nancy Henderson, 15106 Philpott Rd. Alton, VA 24520. Condolences may be sent online at www.brooksandwhite.com.
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Boswell Cemetery (Henderson County, Tennessee)

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Boswell Cemetery is a well-maintained family cemetery at the site of the old Boswell homplace on the west side of Longsought Road about 1 mile south of Strayleaf Road in Henderson County, Tennessee. In addition to the identified burials, five graves (four adults, one child) are marked with fieldstones and jonquils at other locations suggest six additional unmarked burials. GPS Coordinates: Latitude: 35.74030, Longitude: -88.41780.

Bank of Yanceyville/Northwestern Bank Employees

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Left to Right: Phyllis Ann Barker Dailey Barker; Bertha Cornelia Barnwell Cobb; Georgia Ann Pleasant Smith; Nancy Willis Shelton; Unidentified; Doris Mae H. Moore; Thomas Hurley Rudd; Sarah Frances Carter Watlington; Earl Jones Smith; and Samuel Murphey Bason.

Photograph courtesy The Caswell Messenger (Yanceyville, North Carolina).
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Donald Keith Blackwell (c.1963-2010)

Nov 03, 2010 (The Caswell Messenger): Reidsville - Donald Keith Blackwell, Sr., 47, died Sunday, October 31, 2010. He was a member of Brown's Chapel Missionary Baptist Church and was employed by Griffin Construction Company. As an avid sportsman, he was a member of the Stoney Creek Baseball Team and enjoyed fishing. His father, James Robert Blackwell and grandson, Michael Thaxton, preceded him in death.

Lorene Bera Brann Lunsord Sykes (1921-2010)

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Nov 03, 2010: Semora, Caswell County, North Carolina - Lorene Brann Sykes age 89 of Highway 57 died October 28, 2010 in the Gulf Coast Hospital in Ft. Myers, Florida. She was born in Caswell County to the late John Charlie Brann and his wife, Jennie Duncan Brann. Mrs. Sykes was preceded in death by her husband, Lee V. Sykes, her siblings, Allie Brann, Percy Brann, Jack Brann, Loney Tatum, Lottie Oakes, Onie Idol, Ola Briggs, Odell Denny, and Mabene Briggs. She was a member of the Hobby Club of St. James City, Florida.

Hazel Sykes Goodson (1913-2010)

Nov 03, 2010 (The Caswell Messenger): Providence, North Carolina - Hazel Sykes Goodson, 97, formerly of 7114 Old N.C. Highway 86 N. went to be with her Lord Friday October 29, 2010 at Brian Nursing Center, Yanceyville. She had experience health problems for quite some time. She was born in Caswell County October 27, 1913 to Alfred Thomas Sykes and Lillie Jackson Sykes. Educated in Caswell County Schools, she retired from Dan River Mills after thirty seven years of employment. She was a lifetime member of Providence Baptist Church, where she was a choir member and served as church secretary for many years. Her retirement life was devoted to serving others.