Caswell County Top Ten Historians

 Caswell County Top Ten Historians

1. Millard Quentin Plumblee (1906-1987)

2. William Stevens Powell (1919-2015)

3. Eliza Katharine Kerr Kendall (1921-1997)

4. Richmond Stanfield Frederick, Jr., J.D. (1947-    )

5. Sallie Gibbs Pridgen Anderson (1915-2012)

6. Dr. Houston Gwynn Jones, Ph.D. (1924-2018)

7. George Andrew Anderson (1869-1945)

8. Mary Yarbrough McAden Satterfield (1907-1993)

9. Dr. Emilie Vanessa Siddle Walker, Ed.D. (1958-    )

10. Elizabeth Pierce Parker McPherson (1929-2019)

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Bill Powell and HG Jones are the only "professional" historians on the list.

Of course Bill Powell authored "A History of Caswell County North Carolina 1777-1977" (1977), with much of the information upon which Powell relied provided by M. Q. Plumblee. Plumblee had extensive Caswell County research files and actually drove Powell around the county as Powell was gathering materials for the book.

HG Jones was a friend for decades. We corresponded extensively. Because of his other interests and responsibilities he could not focus much of his attention on Caswell County. However, when he found a subject of interest he wrote about it, this includes his excellent history of Bedford Brown (1795-1870). That is why I, somewhat presumptuously, placed myself ahead of HG on the list. While this was tough, I know more about Caswell County overall than HG. My writings are extensive, having written every word you will find at the following:

https://ncccha.org/

The ranking is based upon my many decades of studying Caswell County and its environs. I new personally seven people on the list. Of course, I am welcome to all input that would suggest a different order and/or additions/deletions. Thanks, Rick

I understand. Jean Scott has helped me greatly over the years with respect to Milton history. She is a gem. I have known her all my life and love her. I have read every "Milton Memories" column she wrote for The Caswell Messenger.

But, her focus is very narrow. I recently re-read "Their Highest Potential" by Dr. Emilie Vanessa Siddle Walker. Jean's focus remains very narrow. She shared her memories of Milton and what her mother and Mary Satterfield told her (and left to her in written form).

Please understand this is no criticism of Jean. And, of course my list is subjective. However, I believe I know more about the history of Caswell County than any living person. Thus, I have eliminated Jean from the top-ten list.

A major reason for posting a top-10 list was to encourage comments and discussion. Please read all 259 pages of "Their Highest Potential" and let me know what you think -- especially Chapter Six.

I love Jean Scott's anecdotes describing the "characters" of Milton and who sat in front of her at the Milton Presbyterian Church, who graduated with her, about her family, about Connally Methodist Church, etc. However, her remembrances, which I have enjoyed for many years, do not, in my opinion, merit inclusion on the top-10 list. Of course, I may be wrong.

For many years Sallie (a native of Duplin County, NC) served as editor of the Caswell County Historical Association's monthly newsletter. She actually was more than the editor. She wrote all the content!

Sallie and husband Zeke extensively studied the history of Caswell County, along the way collecting many research materials, which now are housed in the Sallie and Zeke Anderson Research Room at the Richmond-Miles History Museum in Yanceyville. Unfortunately, because the museum is rarely open, access to those materials is greatly limited.

A few years back, in memory of Sallie and Zeke, I donated five large boxes of Caswell County materials I had collected over the years. I last met with Sallie in 2007. She died in 2012. Zeke died in 2005.