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SAMPSON COUNTY HISTORICAL
SOCIETY
The Sampson County Historical Society is located at the following address:
2336 Horine Road, Clinton, NC 28328
Telephone 910-564-6471Publications by the Sampson County Historical Society can be found on the Publications page.
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1998 --- Sep 1998 --- Jun
2000 --- Dec 2002 ---
Full January 2005 Huckleberry Historian (PDF,- 1.23 MB file size - 12 pages) Full April 2007 Huckleberry Historian (PDF, 1.51 MB file size - 12 pages) Full April 2011 Huckleberry Historian (PDF, 959 kb file size - 16 pages) Full October 2011 Huckleberry Historian (PDF, 166 kb file size - 16 pages) |
These are a sample only. For all additions, become a member of the Sampson County Historical Society.
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"The Huckleberry Historian", News and Announcements of the Sampson County Historical Society. Usually seven pages per issue. Published four times a year since 1979. Features local history, genealogy and folklore items by the members. Includes membership in the Society. $7.50 for regular members and $5 for email or associate members
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE SAMPSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Volume XX, Number 2 .......... 15 June 1998
President: Virginia L. Bizzell, P.O Box 194, Newton Grove, NC 28366 Phone 594-0577 First V.P.: Jerome D. Tew, 600 Gloucester Rd., Goldsboro, NC 27534 Phone 735-4848 Second V.P.: Robeania Hobbs, 112 Harmony Church Rd. Clinton, NC 28328 Phone 564-4745 Secretary: Evelyn Taylor, Rt. 3, Box 75, Roseboro, NC 28382 ....Phone 531-3574 Treasurer: Leta Bass, 319 Underwood St., Clinton, NC 28328 ..... Phone 592-2693 Editor: Huckleberry Historian, Oscar Bizzell - same as for Virginia Bizzell above Associate Editor: Micki Cottle, 99 Pike Dr., Clinton, NC 28328 .. Phone 592-6705
NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING ON SATURDAY, 11 July 1998, starting at 2:00 PM.
The next quarterly meeting of the Sampson County Historical Society will be held in the auditorium of the Clinton City Hall, 309 Lisbon Street, starting at 2:00 PM. The speaker will be J. Frank Carroll of Danville, Va., and his subject will be "CONFEDERATE TREASURE STILL IN DANVILLE"?. A native of Reidsville, NC, Frank first heard rumors of the missing treasure in 1951. However, the chase to find it had to wait until retirement years provided the time. Since 1978 Frank has researched the mysterious fortune, traveling thousands of miles, pouring over National Archive records, public documents, special collections, nearly 100 books, private letters and listening to scads of tales.
COURTHOUSE RECORDS ABOUT JOHN SAMPSON AND RICHARD CLINTON
by Oscar M. Bizzell
Over the past few months, there has been consider-able interest in the Clinton name and its origin. The President bears the name, as well as does our county seat. We have had inquiries asking for court-house documentation of the Clinton family lineage. We know there was a northern branch and a southern branch, so these lineage’s will be about the southern branch. Moreover, we will distinguish be-tween Richard Clinton of North Carolina and Richard Clinton of South Carolina who lived during the approximate same years. The following records are "public documents" available to anyone who wishes to look up and read them.
- New Hanover County, NC: sixteen leaves from old deed Book B containing pages from 213 to 246 were cut out and lost or destroyed. However, the names on them (to and from whom given) were not destroyed in the index. These are transcribed in Mrs. Elizabeth F. McKoy's book. (See EARLY NEW HANOVER COUNTY RECORDS, by Elizabeth F. McKoy, Wilmington, NC. See her page 192.) Names from the missing pages show that a deed from John Sampson to William Faris once appeared on page 226. This is the first recorded appearance of John Sampson in America, and also tells some interesting facts about William Faris. Faris was in partnership with one David Lindsay. As a firm they owned property on Front Street in the town of Wilmington - a lot that ran 300 feet to the river where stood their wharf, ready to receive goods from sailing ships newly arrived from foreign lands, or ready with goods to re-load those ships. This firm of Faris and Lindsay acted as agents for their customers, and in other places as attorneys.
- On 14 March 1738, Ralph Sampson and John Sampson gave bond to the New Hanover County Court to "discharge said precinct and parish from all charges on account of a bastard child which Catherine McDaid charges the aforesaid Ralph Sampson to be the father of". Reference: New Hanover County Court minutes.
- In March 1738, Roger Leonard was ac-cidentally drowned in the Cape Fear River. Rachel Clinton gave a deposition to the New Hanover County Coroner stating that a fortnight ago Roger Leonard came to the house of Mr. Ralph Sampson and told her he wanted a passage to Brunswick and that he intended to go from there to Ireland. (It appears that Rachel Clinton was living in the home of Ralph Sampson as an indentured servant). Reference: Secretary of State - Committee of Claims, Coroner's Inquest, 1738 - 1775.
- On 7 August 1762, John Sampson gave land to Richard Clinton, as follows: For affec-tion, love, and good will and five shill-ings for 507 acres (of land) on the east side of Great Coharie and on both sides of the Beaverdam Swamp, being part of the same survey where the said John Sampson now hath his dwelling" (called Sampson Hall. This area is in present-day north-east Clinton.) Reference: Deed from John Sampson to Richard Clinton, on file at Sampson County Court-house, Clinton, N.C.
- In Colonial North Carolina, a person had to be 21 years old to legally enter into land. If we subtract 21 from 1762, we find that Richard Clinton was born about August 1741.
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"The Huckleberry Historian", News and Announcements of the Sampson County Historical Society. Usually seven pages per issue. Published four times a year since 1979. Features local history, genealogy and folklore items by the members. Includes membership in the Society. $7.50 for regular members and $5 for email or associate members
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE SAMPSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Volume XX, Number 3 ...... 15 September 1998
President:
Virginia L. Bizzell, P.O Box 194, Newton Grove, NC 28366 Phone 594-0577
NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING ON SATURDAY, 10 October 1998, starting at 2:00 pm.
The next quarterly
meeting of the Sampson County Historical Society will be held in the
auditorium
GEDDIE HERRING, A MAN TO REMEMBER
by Oscar M. Bizzell
In January 1996,
James Hunt, our North Carolina Governor, presented the Order of the
Long Leaf Geddie Herring
died 31 January 1996, and it is fitting that we retell his story at
this time. His Geddie, a 90-day
wonder Navy Lieutenant, was in command of a landing craft that had been
Herring and
the men with him began their barrage with 20 mm and 40 mm shells to
soften the "It all happened
in 45 seconds," Herring said. "The first shell hit our forward gun and
killed that In 45 seconds,
40 men died or had been wounded. Herring's arm was shattered at the
elbow and a "There were
14 crew members below deck and somebody had to try to save them. The
ship was (Story Continued in printed issue - available upon subscription request)
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"The Huckleberry Historian", News and Announcements of the Sampson County Historical Society. Usually seven pages per issue. Published four times a year since 1979. Features local history, genealogy and folklore items by the members. Includes membership in the Society. $7.50 for regular members and $5 for email or associate members
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE SAMPSON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Volume XXII, Number 2...... 15 June 2000
President: Virginia L. Bizzell, P.O Box 194, Newton Grove,
NC 28366 Phone 594-0577
NEXT QUARTERLY MEETING ON SATURDAY 8 July 2000, starting at 2:00 pm the Golden Corral Restaurant, Clinton, NC The speaker will be Micki Cottle who writes folklore columns for Sampson and Duplin newspapers, and church history books. She is a charming storyteller and you'll be glad you came to hear her
TOBACCO ONCE KING IN CAROLINA
by Joseph T. McCullen
Folks used to say it takes thirteen months a year to produce a crop of tobacco. This statement has little to do with exaggeration. In a wooded area, we grubbed up a plant bed to reduce weed problems. Once a bed had been adequately dug-up several inches deep, we surrounded it with logs to support netting to cover the bed. (Always, mind you, the site was chosen with due regard for changing positions of the sun as it returns from the south northward during the approach of spring and summer.) After seed had been planted, with buckets we watered the bed, if need be; and, beside the bed, we kept a barrel filled for sprinkling plants whenever they need water. In the event rainfall was excessive, we ditched around the bed - always grateful if the site accommodated natural drainage. Once growth had begun, we weeded the bed as need be and replaced the netting until no more frost was to be feared. When not occupied by requirements of hoped-for plants, we were in the woods with a cross-cut saw and axes cutting wood with which to cure the tobacco. Once plants had grown big enough for transplanting, we went to the tobacco field. It had already consumed time for various preparations such as stalk-cutting, disking, breaking, harrowing, fertilizing and ridging. Transplanting involved many individuals; and provident families not overstocked with household members shared labor to set their individual patches. Someone pulled up plants at the bed; someone else rushed them to the field. There, procedures continued thus: with a peg about 10 inches long, a hand punched holes in the ridge; next came one who carefully placed a tobacco plant in each hole; then arrived one with a bucket of water and a dipper with which he dumped a pint of water around the roots. Finally, another individual carefully fingered soil around the roots and stem. While plants were strengthening for tillage, we went down rows to uncover leaves onto which sand had blown and to water the puny ones. Once they were rooted with prospects of survival, we stirred them with a hoe and then sided them with a plow. Someone followed to uncover leaves onto which soil had fallen. This attention continued a few weeks, weeks during which we also had to pluck worms from the tobacco. Once stalks had reached a desired height and begun forming blooms, we topped all plants except a few chosen for seed. Topped plants began producing suckers at the leaves; and, routinely until about 5 weeks of barning had cleared stalks of leaves, we suckered the tobacco. Chances are that such details in barning tobacco as cropping, handing, tying and hanging sticks on tier poles are too well known to justify much comment. Once the tobacco was in the barn, curing night and day began. Each stage, coloring leaves, drying leaves and killing stems, required almost constant attention. Wood of proper amounts for maintaining a temperature exacted by each stage was lugged into furnaces. Someone working in a nearby field went to the tobacco barn throughout the day, and someone stayed at the barn all night when drying leaves and killing stems were in progress. Time involved from filling to emptying a barn was about six days each week. A curing taken from a barn was packed down in a warehouse; and when there was time to spare, sticks of tobacco were ordered (the moisture regulated) for grading. Sometimes, sticks hung up in the warehouse whose doors and windows were left open overnight acquired good order. If above-ground humidity were inadequate, we hung sticks in a pit for leaves to absorb moisture from the earth. Then grading began. Carefully examining each leaf, we separated the tobacco into four or five grades and discarded trash leaves. Meanwhile, expert tiers produced hands by wrapping a leaf around stems about 1 1/2 inches large. These hands were then placed on sanded sticks, and ultimately each grade was packed down and covered. Once a desired quantity had accumulated, the tied tobacco was ordered overnight (either in the warehouse or in a pit) for loading and marketing next day. All this work had earned a trip to the market for anyone constitutionally strong enough to look at tickets once the auctioneer had ended his palaver. Since, during my youth, there were no tobacco markets in Sampson County, going to market was a two-day venture into some other county. My first jaunt was to the market in Smithfield. There being no highways that early, which byways and pig paths we traveled will remain a mystery for me. What I remember is our lumbering around on an old Model-T truck for hours but arriving before sundown. After the truck had chugged onto the warehouse floor and an attendant had assigned us a space, we carefully placed each grade in a large oval basket, had it weighed and lined up for sale. By that time, we had exhausted what remained of a large breakfast. Pa took me to a nearby eating joint, which could have won no blue ribbons for looks but which served fish that would have induced Henry VIII to seize the cook and enroll her as his seventh wife. After rambling through a street or two, Pa and I returned to the warehouse. He talked with farmers, but I curled up in a stack of to bags and slept soundly till sunrise. An early sale was a fascinating sight, my first view of buyers disarranging beautiful stacks of tobacco while an auctioneer chanted away. I don't recall prices the tobacco brought but do remember that Pa did not have to borrow money to pay the trucker a cent per pound for taking us to market. We sold tobacco at various markets - Goldsboro, Wilson and after roads were paved, even at boarder markets to make early sales. In general, procedures and accommodations were the same: good food at cheap joints and tobags for bedding. For some reason, we once sold in a small town called Fair Bluff. I remember that place because a tiny movie palace displayed an ad that introduced Bob Hope to the U. S. A. The boarder market that attracted larger crowds was in a larger town, a town with more variety. I recall stumbling across a sunrise service conducted by a female evangelist surveying the predicament of folk and their offspring who survived Noah's flood. A sizable audience remained attentive until a couple of aids with collection plates invaded the scene. On another occasion, attractions appeared to be more nocturnal. Ladies of pleasure were looking for customers. Most kept to the streets, but some ventured into the warehouse. Among the latter was an obvious novice, a beautiful teenage Indian (I take nomenclature of that area on faith, since those people don't look exactly like Indians one sees in New Mexico, Arizona and Central America) girl. Each time she took a step forward, she turned for a look at the exit. Finally, she approached and said, "For $2.00 you can spend the night with me." Fortunately, I didn't have $2.00. Again, I curled up on burlap sacks.
WORD FROM BOB LEWIS, ONE OF OUR MEMBERS WHO LIVES IN GEORGIA
Dear Virginia and Oscar: This note is long overdue - for that I apologize. I want to first of all thank you for your delightful greeting card. It was forwarded to our new address. Secondly, I hope you and Oscar are doing well. I also want to express my gratitude for the work you and Oscar put in on the Revolutionary records. As usual it was a superb effort. I have found it very useful in tying families together. For one, it explains who Laban Tatum's wife is, and her father and family. Thank you so much for your time and effort. 1999 was a very BUSY year. I retired September 3rd but have had less free time than when I was gainfully employed. I thought things were supposed to slow down once you "hit the gate". I now feel like I'm "out of the gate" in a mad dash. Many people were concerned that I would be "bored" - "left with nothing to do", etc. I never realized how much I used work as a "resting place". In September 1998, I began in earnest to look for a "retirement place". Along with retirement I was seriously contemplating remarrying. Many factors influenced my judgment on where to settle. The bottom line was I wanted to live in the mountains, but not too far from family and surprisingly, not too far from Atlanta. I did not realize how the last 42 years had influenced my attachment to Atlanta. I had wanted to go back to a childhood place called Mentone, Alabama, atop Lookout Mountain about 50 miles south-southwest of my hometown of Chattanooga. It had been a real refuge when I was a kid and I yearned to return to those fun days of my memory. We searched many places and found a limited number of sites that appealed to us. In the fall of 1998, we bought a place at a gated community called Big Canoe. It is located on the north Georgia foothills about 60 miles (as the crow flies) due north of Atlanta. In December 1998, we started building a house on this property, completing it in late summer of 1999. Actually, I guess you never finish, but we were able to move in October 1999. We finished the "move in" by the 5th of November. The summer was largely spent with my building the cabinets for the house. When I designed the house, I wanted a place for things. I did not realize how many cabinets were in this plan. Basically, when the house got where I could handle it, I started doing most of the work. The rear of the house, located at the 2550-foot elevation, has good southern exposure looking directly over Atlanta. On a clear day (rare anymore) you can see the Atlanta skyline in the distance. In the foreground are beautiful valleys of south Pickens County. The rear deck is about 25 feet above the ground. The house collects a lot of solar radiation in the winter when the sun is low and the leaves are gone. The property is covered with about 75% hickories and some 25% oaks. It is truly a very restful place. Apparently we are not to far from "things" as we have guests or family almost every week-end. August 1999, [my last full month to work] was a blur. I flew to London every Fri-Sat-Sun, plus the trip on September 1st. That put 3 trips (9 days) in my last two weeks of employment. I flew right to the very end. Delta required that international pilots return to base on their final trip with 24 hours to spare. Turning 60 on September 5th meant I would have to leave home by midnight on September 3rd. It reminded me of high school after the prom. During my last trip there was a great retirement party in Brighton [England] at the hotel where we layover. The hotel staff was delightful to this old captain. We had a dinner for 25 people. My fiancée had flown to London with me in August and was able to accompany me on the final flight. (Delta provided her with a positive space business seat). Two of my daughters and a son-in-law were also there. A good friend of mine, a retired Delta captain I flew with a lot in the 1970s bought a full fare ticket to accompany me on my final trip. Then on arrival in Atlanta, there was a crowd outside customs in the arrival hall. The chief pilot met the flight and held a small touching ceremony. That completed almost 33 years [32 years and 10 months] with Delta. That Friday [after the flight] there was a reception at a restaurant near the airport given by my fiancée. It was well attended by many friends not able to make the trip to London. Then on Sunday there was a retirement/birthday party at a golf club in Fayetteville, GA. The Fayetteville location gave more opportunity to see old friends. Quite a few retired captains that I had flown co-pilot for were in attendance. All in all, if one had to retire, I could not have done it better. The balance of September was spent happily planning our October wedding. We went to Hawaii and were married there by a Methodist minister on October 2nd. It's the best thing I ever did! I've known Delane about a year and a half. It has been the best part of my life. I dreaded retirement in my past family situation. I hated to break up a 27-year marriage, but I did not think I would survive in it. My wife Delane McAllster is a flight attendant with 17 years at Delta. Before Delta she was a schoolteacher and guidance counselor for 15 years. She came to Delta as a counselor for the drug program. She began in an entry position in In-Flight [flight attendant]. From there she became a flight attendant instructor and was later promoted to Director of Flight Attendant Training. However, 60-hour workweeks took their toll and she opted to go to "line flying". She was flying international [London] when we met. After we got married she went on an auxiliary program of flying. It's great. She flies the last two weeks of the month. Last month I went with her to Stuttgart, Germany on a four-day trip. It was good to see some of the old folks. Delane has vacation in March and we are planning a trip to South Africa. We leave March 27th, returning April 10th. I had hoped to come to the April meeting but I fear it will be on April 8th when we are gone. Another nice trip we had together was to London in November. She was teaching with the Delta Care Team in London for eleven days and I tagged along. She was busy during the day so I spent the time sight-seeing, something I had not done a lot when I was working. I did some genealogical research on the Blackburn and Tatum lines. If we [Oscar and Bob] descend from Nathaniel Tatum of London, I stood in the very church where he was baptized. According to parish records, a Nathaniel was baptized November 18, 1599, in Holy Trinity the Less, London, England. If we are related, Nathaniel would be our [Oscar and I] 9th great-grandfather. Laban's wife Susannah was the daughter of James Love and Jane Kenan. Jane was the daughter of Thomas Kenan and Elizabeth Johnston. Jane's brother, Colonel James Kenan, was our 6th great uncle. [Ref: Revolutionary War Records, Duplin and Sampson Counties, North Carolina, by Virginia and Oscar Bizzell, l997.] Thank you so much for the book. It is a real family treasure. Two of my daughters are already thoroughly interested in genealogy. Folks, this started as "just a note" but so much has passed over the last few months, I just couldn't stop. I'm sure you have figured out by now that I will talk given a slight opportunity. My elementary school teachers affirmed that, years ago. I look forward to my next visit to Sampson County. I just hope it's soon. Oscar replied: "With such a splendid opportunity to see and hear Bob again, we hereby invite him to speak at our October 7th meeting.
HOW DUPLIN COUNTY GOT ITS NAME
For 34 years, before Duplin and Sampson were divided into two counties, the Sampson area was part of old Duplin County from 1750 to 1784. Thus the following story from The Wallace Enterprise" is of interest to Sampson folks. With Duplin County celebrating its 250th birthday, it was interesting to research how the county got its name. Duplin County was named for Sir Thomas Hay, Lord Dupplin, Eighth Earl of Kinnoull, who lived in Dupplin Castle near Perth, Scotland. Lord Dupplin was born 1710 and died in Dupplin in 1778. He held the following titles: Viscount Duplin and Byron Hay of Kinfauns, Scotland, and Baron Hay of Pedwarden, England. He was appointed Paymaster General of His Majesty's Forces in 1755, became Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster in 1758, served as Ambassador Extraordinary to the Court of Portugal in 1759, and elected Chancellor of the University of St. Andrews in 1765. (The above information was furnished by Col. Arthur William H. Hay, Drummond, Cromlix, Dunblane, Perthshire, Scotland, Heir to the 15th Earl of Kinnoull.)
Original Dupplin Castle Dates to 1600s The following information relating to the construction of the original Dupplin Castle was obtained through a letter from Jim Murray Smith, The Factor Dupplin Estate, Perth, Scotland, dated 12 January 2000. "As far as the date Dupplin Castle, the original Castle, was built - we are all guessing - Lord Forteviot thinks it may have been in the 1600s, but this is purely speculative. It may have been before the Kinnoull family owned Dupplin Castle and the families of Oliphant and possibly Belches (who owned the adjoining estate of Invermay just south of Dupplin). They may have owned some or all of Dupplin at some earlier time. Lord Kinnouull would, I hope, provide far more accurate information. " Original Dupplin Castle - Size of Estate An earlier letter from Jim Murray Smith, The Factor of Dupplin Estate, Perth, Scotland, dated 7 Sept. 1999, shed further light on the extensiveness of the estate. "At one time Kinnoull extended to a very sizeable estate, including the whole of Perth and would have been in excess of 100,000 acres (in 1860), being ten tines its present size. Various information suggest that due to bad management, gambling and other vices, the estate was whittled away to its present size of 12,500 acres when it was sold at the turn of the century. Reports suggest that the Kinnoull Estate arose following a local battle after which the supporters of the then ruler decided to give the Kinnoull supporters all the land that could be seen by a falcon's eye from Kinnoull Hill which is a prominent hill on the east edge of Perth overlooking the Tay estuary. From this vantage point you can see a very large part of Scotland and it is not clear how far a falcon could see but certainly at one time Kinnoull was a very large property indeed. "The present owners are the Demar family who bought what is left of the estate in 1911 from Lord Kinnoull and in area the estate has remained fairly unchanged since that time, currently comprising approximately 12,500 acres," Smith said. "I understand that the Dupplin Castle burnt down or crumbled due to partial damage by fire in the 1860s and was rebuilt at that time. For a variety of reasons this building was eventually demolished in 1967 because of damage from dry rot and deterioration of stone work. The current Dupplin Castle, a bed and breakfast (house of lodging), was erected in 1969. Sadly this building is not nearly as impressive as the previous building. "The present owner's title is Lord Forteviot. Forteviot is a local village in the center of the estate. The village was rebuilt by the first Lord Forteviot in 1927. Since then, the title has been inherited and the present Lord Forteviot is the fourth generation of Dewars whose name I am sure you will probably be familiar with regard to whisky. "I am sorry I cannot be more helpful regarding the Hay connection but Lord Kinnoull and his family still retain some connections with Perth, and I believe one of his sons is Viscount Dupplin," Smith concluded. "Lord Kinnoull may be contacted at his office address c/o Langley Taylor, Chartered Surveyors, 10 Great Stuart Street, Edinburgh, EH37TN." Signed J. M. Smith, F.R.I.C.S., Perth, Scotland.
Dupplin Castle Is Bed and Breakfast After the original castle was destroyed, Dupplin Castle Bed and Breakfast was built in 1969 near the site of the original castle. It is set amidst an extensive estate of woods and parkland with specimen trees and reached by a mile long drive lined with rhododendrons The castle itself is set above very beautiful gardens. In front of the house balustrade terraces and rose beds overlook ancient maples, shrubberies and a miniature glen with a rushing burn and waterfall, and beyond, lawns and avenues of trees, looking out over the River Earn to the Ochil Hills beyond. Its well-proportioned rooms, each with a fine outlook and with all modern comforts, have that rare atmosphere of quiet and restfulness. Guests are welcome to stay for bed and breakfast with optional (delicious home cooked gourmet) dinner. It is recommended that, if possible, guests try to stay for a few days, not only to get to know the acres of beautiful surroundings, but also because it's so ideally placed for exploring the center of Scotland, from Glasgow to Edinburgh, St. Andrews to Stirling and the Highlands beyond, all of which are within a day's excursion. The luxurious bedrooms are individually appointed, with en suite facilities, and the gracious reception rooms are elegantly furnished with fine antiques, paintings and books, creating an atmosphere of a bygone era of tranquility and elegance.
EMPTY TOBACCO BARNS HAUNT US
by Micki Cottle
Dotted around the countryside, tin roofs rusting, paint peeled backsides exposed to the merciless elements: exteriors saggy and gray, begging it seems for at least a chorus of that old song of respect that used to be theirs: pitiful backdrops of a southern society, tobacco barns. Sadly neglected, most remain as only a memory of a once prosperous crop, and the days of the reign of the golden leaf, the days of the golden crop that sported many N.C. farmers and their families and helped bring them back to their feet after the devastation of the War Between The States. There old barns stand as quiet monuments to man's innocent folly, say many crumbling reminders of our past. Part of our heritage. And here and there, scattered among the ruins are a few of the old barns that are still in use. But for the most part, the tobacco barns haunt us with their emptiness and like recent movies are gone forever. There was once a time in the Carolinas that tobacco dominated the time and conversation, tobacco and the weather. There was a promise in the leaf and courage in the farmers. Young men full of vigor and life. Old men tired. Some with half their teeth missing, making them look like six year olds when they grinned. Sitting on benches in front of gray country stores, working from sun-up to sun-down, they talked the "baccer" talk while minding the golden leaf. The leaf was their life. That was primarily how they fed their families. The women-folk had their quilting and canning and youngun raising, but they had the leaf. The leaf was theirs. They mulled over the weather, how it was going to be another scorcher and how the tobacco might burn `right up in the fields.' Or if the forecast was for rain they would rumble and grumble and agree it would either wash them out or send the crop into second growth and they'd be ruined. Whichever way it went, tobacco was the money-weed that ruled their lives. The old men would shake their heads and sigh, umm, ummm, ummmm. Jaws bulging from a "chew" or a "dip." Young men puffed on strong cigarettes and looked at the sky, sometimes wishing they might never have to look at the hind end of a mule, or another row of tobacco for the rest of their lives. Still, it was a heritage, the only way of life they knew. And secretly they enjoyed the freedom and the challenge of slowly coaxing the land back to life each year. From the middle of July to the last of September, the old barns took on a life of their own. The temperature had to be just right, and the old men and the young took turns watching that temperature gauge all night, all day. At night the barn became a magic thing with the heat waves rising. The night air danced in a shivery motion around the sides, and even the stars twinkled a little differently or so it seemed on those long tobacco-curing nights. You could hear the prime leaves rustling inside in the heat and the smell was different from the warehouse, not as pungent, but sweet and green. The tobacco was alive when it went in the barn and the first heat wasn't meant to kill it but to burn up the stored sugar in the leaves. So a barn of tobacco would live out a whole lifetime in a single day. For many years tobacco was cured with wood. Some still swore by their wood-burners even when the oil burners oil-burners finally came on the scene. "More durn trouble than it was worth," my uncle would complain, even when he had the option of changing to oil. Every year would be his last time, cutting all that wood." And usually his sons would remind him. "I b'lieve I heard you say the same thing last year and the year before that, Papa," they'd smirk, punching each other in the ribs, nowing it would take a miracle to make Papa see the light. Cooking at the barn was one way to keep awake and have a little fun. Sitting around a makeshift grill strung together with scrap pieces of chicken wire, held up at the corners with sticks, fried chicken was never better. Corn on the cob, cooked in the shucks - so that it let off a puff of steam when you stripped it open and drenched it in melted home-made butter. Sweet potatoes were tucked around the coals, under the edge. There was feasting, there were games and there certainly was a little courting going on, as the night closed in still and hot. The barns stood like timeless sentinels, demanding and protecting, listening and watching. Many a tale was swapped and many a dream was shared by those still young enough to fill the nights with their dreams. They would throw some logs inside the furnace, and the wind would blow through the tops of the trees. Tired young men would stretch their legs and doze in the summer night protected by a Carolina Moon and heated by the magic of the golden leaf. In the twinkling of an eye, that era ended and it seemed even the lightning bugs disappeared. Gone were the old-timers with their wit and perseverance. Gone too were the young men and their dreams. The golden weed had begun to lose its luster, and those nights under the stars were slowly becoming only a fading memory.
THINGS TO HATE IN GROWING TOBACCO
There is plenty to hate in growing tobacco, so take your pick. The plant grows quickly, so let's start with topping the stalk. After topping, all the strength goes into growing suckers. These must be removed by hand. Suckers produce an abundance of black gum, which covers the worker's body and makes him/her untouchable. Next comes the problem of horn-worms produced by night-time moths that flit about and lay eggs by the million. These hatch quickly and the baby worm is born with an insatiable appetite for green tobacco leaves. The old-timey defense was to pull them off the leaves, drop them in a container of kerosene where they immediately died. Another defense was to grab the 3-inch worm and fling it to the ground where it split apart and died. These creatures also will eat lead based poisons, which takes them quickly to death, but we couldn't afford this pesticide in the 1930s. Harvesting tobacco over a period of 5 to 7 weeks required a lot of help in both the field and at the barn. Most farmers scraped together enough money to pay the crowd of folks who had helped him. But one man in the neighborhood came up with a plan to "swap hands" between his children and those from other nearby farmers willing to participate. On the final day of harvest he walked among those who had helped him and chortled that he had harvested his entire crop and it hadn't cost him a cent. That man is now dead and gone, but I still remember his sneaky plan to avoid paying anyone of his helpers. There are many other things that quickly help to build up a hate for tending and harvesting tobacco. For children, the list keeps growing as you think up new ways to destroy the plant. My brother Walter and I studied about this and finally concluded that we could get some relief by chopping the stalks just as soon as the tip leaves were harvested. On the last day of barning, we took two heavy duty Scovil hoes with us to the tobacco patch, with mayhem in mind. As the tip leaves were harvested, leaving a bare stalk, we grabbed a hoe and chopped down the stalks. Thus, we claimed victory over that year's crop. (Story Continued in printed issue - available upon subscription request)
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NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE Volume XXIV, Number 4 ... 15 December 2002
President: Jerome Tew, 600
First V.P.: Kenneth Wrench,
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NEXT QUARTERLY
The speaker will be Charles Ellis, Retired Navy Colonel
and member and former President of Olde Dobbs Historical Society for
years. His wife Betty also works in the Olde Dobbs Genealogical Society
and is connected to the Noah Royal, Denning, and King Family of Sampson
Co. NC. He will speak on 2003 DUES ARE GOING UP Due to increase cost of printing we
are increasing the cost to $10 for 2003. Please make your check
or money order for $10.00 or $5 payable to the
Lost Revolutionary War Soldiers Can you add to the information on these or their families? Information collected from pensions, Pearce’s Register, Census, and various family descendants. These men are believed to have lived some in Duplin or Sampson Co. NC. If you can add to this file, contact the editor.
BARFIELD, Solomon, Private, North Carolina-Dobbs Militia. Soldier was the son Richard Barfield of Duplin who died
in 1754 and left a Will. Soldier married Sarah Crow. He is listed in
pay vouchers for revolutionary service and served in
BLAND, Joseph, Private, N.C. Militia, NC. Soldier was the son of William Bland who died in 1775 and is listed in Pierce’s Register. Soldier was born about 1760 and died about 1827. He is the brother of James and John Bland who also served in the Revolutionary War.
BOYET, Samuel, Private, N.C. Militia. Soldier died in 1791 and wife was named Phereby.
Sons were John and Hardy Boyet. Soldier was the son of Moses Boyet and
soldier was reared in
BOYET, William, Private, N.C. Line & Militia, Pension # R1115. Soldier was born c1745 [
BRADLEY, Thomas, Private, NC Militia. Soldier was born on Dec. 25, 1762 to Richard Bradley
and wife Elizabeth Ashbridge Sharpness. Thomas married Elizabeth Taylor
on Sept. 29, 1782.
BRADSHAW/Bracher, Isaac, Private, NC Line. Soldier is listed in Pearce’s Register and in a 1779 & 1780 deed in Duplin. Soldier was living in Dobbs with his father John Bracher in 1769. He moved to Duplin Co. about 1780 and lived in the Sampson part of Duplin Co. Soldier was born about 1749 and likely married to Dorcas ______. Soldier enlisted 8 Feb. 1782 and died on 18 Sept. 1782.
BRADSHAW/Bracher, Thomas, Private, NC Militia. Soldier lived in Dobbs in 1769 and two sons, Jesse and Ephraim are identified in Sampson Co. records. Soldier moved to Duplin in 1778 and lived past 1790 and is listed in the 1790c for Sampson Co. NC. Soldier in listed in Pierce’s Register.
BRANCH, Arthur, Private, N.C. Militia. Soldier is in Pierce’s Register and Soldier died during the war. Soldier is likely the brother or father of Archibald Branch Sr.
BRYAN, Son of William and Second wife, Anne Whitfield Bryan died in 1817.
BURKS, Charles, Pvt. Duplin Militia. Listed in a 1800 deed as served. Issue: 1-Tabitha md: Patrick Carr about 1775. 2- Hester Burks.
BUTLER, James, Captain, Duplin Co. Militia. Captain James Butler is listed as serving in 1782. James was born about 1750 and married Mary Williams about 1785, she was born about 1768. Soldier is listed in the 1790 James was the brother of Major Robert Butler, William Butler, and Charles Butler. One son is identified as James Butler Jr. born about 1781.
BYRD (BIRD), John, Private, S.C. Militia. Soldier was born in 1754 in Duplin, moved to CALDWELL, Soldier and Widow was deceased by 1838.
CARR, Archibald, Private, N. C. Militia. Archibald Carr is listed on Pierce’s Register for the Wilmington District and was the son William and Hannah Carr. William wrote his will in 1753. Soldier patented land in 1774 and is listed in a 1779 deed. Soldier lived in Sampson Co. when it was created.
CARR, Jonathan, Private, N. C. Militia. Soldier is listed on Pierce’s Register for the Wilmington District and was the son of Thomas and Mary Carr of Bertie Co. NC and moved to Duplin in 1772 and lived in Sampson Co. when it was formed. Jonathan was born c1730 and married Patience Turner and at lease three children are identified. 1-Benjamin, 2-Turner Carr, and 3-Jesse Carr. Soldier died about 1799 or early 1800 in Sampson Co. Also likely Patrick Carr of Burke and Jefferson Co. GA were his sons
CARR, Patrick, Captain, Burke Co. GA Militia. Soldier is likely the son of Jonathan Carr of Bertie and
Duplin Co. NC and gs of Patrick and Tamar Carr. Soldier fought at the
siege of
CLARK, James, Private, N.C. Militia. Soldier was the son of John Clark who died in 1767. Soldier drew pay voucher for Revolutionary War and is listed in 1790c for Sampson Co. and Pierce’ Register. James married in 1790, Mary Wright.
CLARK, Nathan, Duplin Militia. Soldier listed in Pierce’ Register for the Wilmington
District and 1790c for
COOK, Reuben, Private, N.C. Militia. Soldier was born 1760 and died 7-21-1856. He was listed in the 1784 state census for Duplin Co. NC. He married Elizabeth Harrison.
DAVIS, Sampson, Private, NC Militia. Soldier is in Pierce's Register. Soldier was born Mar.
12, 1755 in
DICKSON, Michael, Major, in SC and GA. Michael was born June 17, 1731 in Down Major MICHAEL DICKSON was five years of age when
he came to
DUDLEY, Daniel, Private, N.C Militia. On 27 Sept 1828, Daniel Dudley in
DUNCAN (Dunkin), William, Private, NC Militia Soldier served under Capt. William Taylor and Col.
James Kenan, and according to Caswell's Journal, they participated
in the At the 1790 census for
FLOWERS, Thomas, Private, NC Militia. Soldier was born April 16, 1740 and died October
12, 1794 in
FOWLER, Daniel, Patriot, NC. Patriot was born about 1724 in Nansemond Co. VA and moved to Duplin about 1753. He died 1793. He married Mary Jane Rollins about 1745 in Nansemond Co. VA. His issue was 1-John born 1747, 2-Daniel Jr. born about 1752, 3-William c1755, 4-Richard born about 1758, 5-Peter born about 1752, 6-Elizabeth born about 1760 married RS Edmond Spivey, 7-Thomas born about 1771, and 8-Francis born about 1774.
FOWLER, John, Private, NC Militia. Soldier was born in Bladen Co. NC and was the son of John Fowler and first cousin to the above John Fowler. Soldier moved to Sampson Co. NC after the war. He married Hannah Sutton. Soldier is listed in 1790c in Sampson with five males and two other females with wife. This soldier had four sons and three daughters in 1800.
FOWLER, William, Private, Minuteman, NC Militia. Soldier was born about 1755 and the son of Daniel and Mary Rollins Fowler. Soldier is listed in 1790c in Sampson with one male under 16 and 3 other females with wife.
GAINEY, Matthew, Private, NC Militia. Soldier was born December 10, 1751 and he died May 12,
1832. He married in 1782 Soldier is listed in the 1790c for Duplin with three males and females and wife. Likely not all his or he was married twice.
GRAY, Thomas, Private, NC Militia.Soldier is listed in Pierce’s Register and in the 1784-6 state census in Duplin with seven children.
GREEN, Lott, Private, N.C. Militia. Soldier received from N.C. Army Accounts, Vol. VI, Bk. 23, pg. 106, voucher # 56 from Duplin County for a principal due of 13/19/6 pounds. In 1784/6 special census for Lott GREEN was b. ca. 1760/1766, and likely in According
to work by William L. Murphy on file at the J. Y. Joyner Library,
GREER, David, Private, NC Militia. Soldier is listed in Pearce’s Register.
GRIMES, James,
Private, Soldier was born c1747 and was the son of Hugh and Elizabeth
Whitehead Grimes and married Sarah Winders (1759), they married
February 19, 1777. James was the oldest brother of
Sampson and Joseph Grimes. 1-Son William Grimes, who died in 1837.
2-Son John c1788 married Catherine (Kitty)
GRIMES, Joseph, Lieutenant Duplin NC Militia Soldier served in the Joseph was born in 1756 and married Ellender _____, he died in January of 1790. Sons: 1-Charles Grimes, 2-John Grimes, 3-Joseph Grimes, 4-James Grimes, and 5-Thomas Grimes. Wife was pregnant when Joseph died. Parents were Hugh Grimes and Elizabeth Whitehead.
HARRIS, Edward, Private, NC Militia. Soldier is listed in Pearce’s Register. Soldier lived in Duplin in 1790 with a wife and one son.
HAWES, Ezekiel, Private, NC Line and local Militia. Soldier was born in On this the 12th day of November, 1832, personally appeared
in open Court, before the worshipful Linnon Moore, Bythel Haynes and
Lott Williamson, Justices of the Peace for the County of Columbus presiding
in the Superior Court for said County now sitting - Ezekiel Hawes, a
resident of Columbus County, aged seventy-three years and upwards, who
being first duly sworn according to Law, doth on his oath, make the
following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of
Congress passed June 7th, 1832. That he entered the service of the 1. "In the Spring of the Year 1776 (as well as can
now be recollected) it being about the time of planting corn,
then a resident of New Hanover County and the British then laying in
two ships of war below the Flats in the Cape Fear River. He became
a volunteer in a Company of New Carolina, when he was discharged, having served three months,
the period for which he was called into service. He was paid at
2. Some time in the early
part of the year, 1779 as well as can now be recollected, he received
seventy-two dollars Proclamation Money from Captain James Morehead of
Bladen County, North Carolina, as a bounty to join what was called the
New Levies on the Continental establishment, it being understood at
the time, that they were destined for the Northern Army. The men
enlisted in Bladen marched to officers were so frequently changed or transferred, he
has no recollection to what company he was first attached. He
was at last attached to Captain (afterwards Major) Doherty's Company.
From Purrysburgh, they were marched to Black Swamp on the Savannah River,
thence to Col. Golphen's (?) plantation, between that place and Augusta
were they crossed the Savannah and marched three days towards the town
of Savannah when an express arrived there - oath of an informant that
the British were pushing to Charleston (April 1780). On this information
being received, the army under General Lincoln recrossed the Savannah
River and made a forced march in order to overtake the British
(before) crossed with his army the head of Salt Catchers and the Before they reached the 3. After the above detailed tour of Continental Service,
he was exempt from service for three years, by Act of the General Assembly,
but not availing himself of the exemption, he again entered the service,
then residing in Duplin County, as a private in a Troop of Duplin Volunteer
Cavalry, under the command of Captain William Vann, Lieut. John Matthews,
and Ensign Robert Merritt, belonging to a company of militia under the
command of Col. Thomas Bludworth, who were called into service for three
months on order to suppress the Tories who had collected in considerable
numbers under the command of Captain Peter Scarborough - they were subdued
and Scarborough and eight of his men were taken prisoners after he had
been very troublesome and done much mischief to the inhabitants of New
Hanover County and the counties adjoining. Capt. Vann, by order
of Colonel Kenan of Duplin, carried them to Before the tour of service above
detailed, and shortly after Lord Cornwallis (February 1781) had left
Major James Craig in the command of Wilmington, orders were issued to
Capt. Vann by Col. James Kenan, to repair with his Company (of which
he was a private) to the Big Bridge (Blueford's) on the northeast twelve
miles above Wilmington, to guard against incursions of the Tories, and
to prevent the disaffected from going into Wilmington. The Company
rendezvoused at the Big Bridge where they were joined by a Company from
Bladen, one from New Hanover, and another from Onslow Counties all under
the command of Col. James Kenan - In a skirmish with the British at
that place, who made an attack on Col. Kenan's command and were defeated,
a man by the name of Simmons, a private, was killed. He received
a written discharge for three months service. The discharge which
he received from the Continental service, he delivered to one William
Anderson, in order to receive his pay many years ago and knows not what
has become of
Sworn to and subscribed the Ezekiel X Hawes day and year first above his mark written.
Answers to the Questions Prescribed by the War Department as Propounded to the applicant by the Court:
1.
(Born) in 2. I have not. (record of age.) 3.
(Lived) in New Bladen, Duplin, and I now reside in Columbus County, NC. 4. I enlisted once and was a volunteer in every other instance. 5. When in the Continental Service, besides the officers already named, I was acquainted with General Sumner, General Hager, Major Eaton who was the Major of Armstrong's Regiment, Major Daniel Williams, Captain Hardy Holmes, Major Raiford, Colonel Malmady. The general circumstances of my service are embodied in my declaration. 6. This interrogatory is answered in the body of my declaration. 7.
Joseph Gore, Colonel John Gore, Major Thomas Frink, William Gore, Joseph Carlisle, Henry Best Esquire. William Kemp, a Clergyman residing in the County of Columbus and John H. White residing in the same, hereby certify that we are well acquainted with Ezekiel Hawes who has sworn to and subscribed the above declaration that we believe him to be seventy three years of age, that he is reputed and believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the Revolution and that we concur in that opinion. Sworn to and subscribed the day and year aforesaid. William Kemp John H. White The remaining items received from the pension file are summarized as follows: On the same day, Charles Hay appeared, was sworn in and
deposed. He stated that he remembered that Ezekiel Hawes served
with him in a company of militia that were called into service for three
months under the command of Captain William Vann and Lieutenant John
Matthews. They marched to John Fowler also appeared and swore to the same. The Court declared that they believed the applicant was a Revolutionary Soldier and that the witnesses were credible. The Court further declared that Charles Hay and John Fowler whose names appear in the certificate were sworn in and subscribed to the above in open Court and were credible witnesses. Linnon Moore, Chairman Bythel Haynes, J.P. Lott Williamson, J.P. War Department Revolutionary claim January 26, 1833 Ezekiel Hawes was granted a pension of $50.00 annually which was to be paid semiannually on the 4th of March and the 4th of September in every year. It was paid in arrears to Sept. 4, 1832. Signed by Hon. James McKay. Soldier married Bethany Vann, probably the daughter
of Stephen Vann, in
HAYS, Charles, Private, NC Militia. Soldier was living in Sampson Co. NC in 1790. He had a wife, one son, and two daughters. Charles Hay appeared (In Columbus Co. NC Nov. 1832), was
sworn in and deposed. He stated that he remembered that Ezekiel
Hawes served with him in a company of militia that were called into
service for three months under the command of Captain William Vann and
Lieutenant John Matthews. They marched to
HOLMES, John, Ensign Holmes served under Captain Jonathan Tayloe and Colonel James Kenan in 1779. He was the son of Edward Holmes and is listed in his 1761 will.
HOWARD, James, Private, N.C. Militia. In N.C. Army Accounts, Vol. IV, Bk. G, is voucher # 161, report 12 ‑ pay for Geese. In Vol. V, Bk. 176 is voucher # 3705 M for pay of 22/5/8 pounds. In the 1784/6 special census for Sons, 1-Edmund Howard was born abt. 1771 in DUPLIN Co, NC, and died About 1839 in HAYWOOD Co, TN. He married EDITH MURPHY about 1790 in SAMPSON Co., NC. She was born about 1774 in SAMPSON Co., NC, and died 1831 in HAYWOOD Co., TN. 2-James Howard Jr. Married May 8, 1812 Ann McCullen 1795- the daughter of RS Bryan McCullen.
HUBBARD, William, Captain, NC Militia. Soldier listed in 1784/6 state tax list for Duplin.
HURST, Jacob, Private, Duplin Militia. Soldier was born 1749 and was the son of William and Sarah Oliver Hurst. Soldier is in Pearce’s Reg.
JACKSON, John, Private, NC Militia. Soldier
is listed in Pierce's Register for Soldier was born about 1738 and lived is
JACKSON, Nathan, Private, N.C. Militia. Soldier is listed in Pierce's Register for the Children are listed as 1-Fanny born 1783 and married c1805 Joel Godwin who died in 1812. Fanny later married a Strickland and moved to MS. Joel had three children who remained in Sampson; 2- Dickson born about 1790 and married Sarah Underwood. Dickson died in 1834, Sarah in 1855; 3-Irwin born about 1786 and died in 1852. Irwin married Nancy Warren; 4-Susannah c1788 and married Sion Barefoot; 5-Julian Jackson c1791 and married Alexander Tew; 6-Elizabeth Ann Jackson c1793 and married Henry Godwin; and 7-Matilda who was born in 1799 and married Osborn Tew who was born in 1795.
JACKSON, William, Private, NC Militia. Soldier is listed in Pierce's Register for the Wilmington District. Soldier was born about 1754 and lived in Sampson County, his children as identified are, 1-Maredith c1776-1850+, 2-Josiah 1778-1814 who married Mary, 3-William who was born about 1779 and married Sally, 4- Middleton 1785-1844+, 5-Rachel, 6-Polly, 7-Donaldson born about 1795 and died in 1819, 8-Phebebee, 9-Handy, and 10-Betsey Jackson.
JAMES, Thomas JAMES was born c1750 in New Hanover Co., NC. He
died after 1793 in Duplin Co., NC. He married Elizabeth Hinton Rand,
14 Jan 1783. She was born c1762 in Wake Co., NC and died after 1817
in Duplin Co. NC
JOHNSON, Joel, Private, N.C. Militia. Soldier married Aug 21, 1777 Temperance Green and later
married Rachael Magee, who likely was a Crumpler. Children: 1-Enoch
Johnson, 2-Jacob Johnson, and 3- Joshua Johnson. Other children? John,
Reuben, Lott and Patsy. Soldier lived in
JONES, Jethro, Private, N.C. Line. Soldier is listed in Pierce'S Register
as a Soldier. No other information. He is believed to have been the
brother of Elisha Jones and born in
JONES, Stephen, Private, NC Militia. Soldier lived in Duplin in 1790. Soldier is listed in Pearce’s Register.
KENEDAY, Thomas, Private, N.C. Continental Line. Soldier was born August
20. 1763 in Carteret Co. NC and drew a pension in Soldier was married to a Sarah ? Issue: James
1785, Joseph 1786, John 1788, David 1790, Felix 1792, Samuel 1794.
He then married 24 Oct. 1796 Nancy Bishop dau. Of Robert Bishop and
they had 10 children. Robert 1798, Rhilly 1799, Dilly 1802,
Mary 1803, Sarah 1805, Catherine 1808, Henry 1809,
LANIER, Frederick Lanier b. c1745 Brunswick County, Virginia, d.
c1805 in Pendleton District, S. C. His wife's name is unknown,
but it is possible that she was Mary Nance, as her sister Sarah married
John, brother of
MAGEE or McGEHEE, William, Private, Duplin Militia. William McGehee (Magee-MeGee) was living in Issue: 1-James McGehee (died 1820) married Peggy Ayers and lived in Marboro SC; 2-a daughter who married a Mr. Hodges; 3-a son who married and lived in South Carolina; 4-Hartwell McGehee; 5-Martha McGehee who married the Reverend Evans Pugh; and 6-Elizabeth McGehee (1760-1849) who married James Harrington.
NOLLEY, (Knolty) Josiah, Lieutenant, NC Militia. Soldier served in the Duplin Militia in
1777 under Captain Elias Faison and lived in
WILLIAMS, John Joseph, There were six men named Joseph Williams in the 1790 census for Sampson and Duplin and several in NC are listed as soldiers in the Revolutionary War. Family researches indicate that Rev. John Joseph Williams served as a chaplain. He was mostly called Rev. Joseph Williams. He was sent in 1776, by the Colonial fathers, to Anson Co. to teach. We do not know how long he stayed but he apparently lived mostly in Sampson and did not move his family from Sampson Co. to Anson Co. NC until about 1800. Joseph Williams, the Immigrant, was raised some
in an orphanage, his father died when he was quite young and he
was bound out to a man by the name of Paul (Powell) as a boy and was
treated so cruelly that when he was twelve years of age a friend by
the name of Mewborne told him that he was old enough to choose his own
guardian. Mr. Mewborne went with him before the magistrate and
assisted in arranging the papers releasing him from Mr. Paul (Powell.)
Joseph Williams then chose Mr. Mewborne as his guardian. Later
they sailed for This soldier lived in Sampson and is not connected to the other Joseph William Jr. who served in Duplin during the Revolutionary war with his brother Aaron. This soldier was born in 1748 and moved his family to Anson Co. NC and died there in 1825 after leaving his Last Will and Testament. BOOKS FOR 1. Duplin-Sampson NC Revolutionary war Soldiers. Price is $42. 260 pgs. 2.
Sampson Co. Heritage
Book. Republished in 2 volumes. $70. 3.
Sampson Co. CourtMinutes
1784-1800 or 1820-1830. Price is $38. 4.
Sampson Co. CourtMinutes
1800-1810. Price is $33. 5. Sampson Co. Court Minutes 1810-1820. Price is $35. 6. Sampson Co. 1850 or 1860 US Census. Price is $22.50. 7. Sampson Co. 1870 US Census. $28.
Census online and free… 1880 1881 Canadian Census 1881 British Census http://www.familysearch.org/eng/default.asp
QUERY: Mary Gladys Wilson-Starr, John Simmons b 1794, Richard Haywood Wilson b.1853, Mary Jones, Mary Nancy Octavia Green-Wilson b.1874 Mary’s dad was Charles Haywood Wilson b.1905. Email is mgladstarr@aol.com . Jerome D. Tew Happy Trails |
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