Return to Currituck Co.

L.D. Hayman, Pastor of First Methodist Church, Washington, NC
to
Mrs. Walter Jones of Elizabeth City
Letter postmarked Washington, NC - Sept. 29, 1925 (2 cent stamp)

Joe Tom Daniels was born 58 years ago at Wanchese, N.C. [Currituck County at the time] and was the youngest son of a prominent family whose ancestors were among the early settlers of Roanoke Island. This good man passed to his reward on September 17, 1925. It had been my good fortune to know Joe Tom (as he was familiarly known at home) for 20 years. And for all this time in a most intimate way. He was more than a friend to me. In my college days he was to me what any kind-hearted father would have been to his son. It was he who in deed and with encouragement kept my face towards the goal which I set out to attain in those days, after living under his roof as one of his family for more than 10 years. But it is not of these personal things that I wish to write so much as to say a word concerning the real worth of the man to his home, his community, and to the Church which he loved with all his heart. He was a good father and a kind husband. God was feared in his home. Prayer was a familiar thing, and the religious influences of Joe Tom have borne fruit in the good family of children, all of whom are lovers of the Church of God. In the community he was a leader in all good causes: school and civic matters. He believed in his people and loved to work towards their interests. He was a helper in the time of need, and no one has ever heard him to ask for alms, that this good man did not respond liberally, and urge his neighbors to do likewise. He was a faithful steward for many years and one who had the preacher and the people at heart, never discriminating against either. No man will be missed more from these circles than Joe Tom. He had been in failing health for a long time but not until the last few months did his case become serious. He realized that he would go soon and accordingly he "set his house in order". At noon on September 17th he sat down to dinner with his family. In a minute he complained of hurting in his breast and 15 minutes later he was gone to be with the Lord whom he had followed all these years. The writer was notified of his death immediately and went to be with his family in their sadness to mingle his sorrow with theirs. Joe Tom Daniels left to mourn his loss, a faithful wife, Florence Ward Daniels, and the following children: Lynton R., Basil, Hubert, George, Arnold, Robert, Mrs. Walter Jones, & Mrs. Louise Cudworth. One other child was born to this union, dying in infancy. He bore the name of George also. Joe Tom was laid to rest with the funeral service conducted from his home by his pastor, W.R. Hardesty, and a much beloved former pastor, Rev. W.A.Price. The Masonic rites were administered at the grave.  /s/ L.D. Hayman

Note: Joseph Thomas "Joe Tom" Daniels was born Dec. 18, 1867 in Wanchese and died there Sept. 17, 1925.  He married Florence E. Ward in Manteo on June 17, 1888 and to them were born 9 children.  One of those children was Thelma Daniels who married Walter Franklin Jones.  This letter was written to her in 1925 when she lived at 107 North Dyer St. in Elizabeth City, NC.

From the personal files of Kay Midgett Sheppard.  No part of these records may be used for any commercial purposes. However, please feel free to copy any of this material for your own personal use and family research. If you find anything here that pertains to your families, I would strongly suggest that you look at the record on your own to check for errors or possibly other additional and helpful information.
 

© 2005 Kay Midgett Sheppard