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Little Bannister Midgett, IV
May 30, 1852 - Jan. 24, 1928
Source: Dictionary of North Carolina Biography edited by William S. Powell; Vol. 4; pgs. 267-268
All photos & news clippings contributed by Juanita Wescott.


Little Bannister Midgett, IV & his wife Sabrina


Little Bannister Midgett & his crew at Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station - from The Lost Colony Archives


Little Bannister Midgett & his son-in-law Hiram Clyde Gallop


From the Lewark Family

THEIR CHILDREN

The 1st child, Colenda David Midgett was born in Rodanthe, NC on Feb. 1, 1878 to Little Bannister & Sabrina Midgett and died March 25, 1963.  She married Clinton Hasten Barnett (1873 Camden, NJ - 1936) on July 17, 1897.  Clinton (seen to the left as a younger man) started with the USLSS and retired in the Coast Guard.  They had 8 known children and are buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery (aka Manteo Cemetery) in Manteo.

Colenda's obituary appeared in The Coastland Times on March 29, 1963.
          Mrs. Colenda Midgett Barnett, 85, widow of Clinton H. Barnett, died Monday, March 25 in the Albemarle Hospital In Elizabeth City after a lingering illness. She was a native of Salvo and had been a resident of Manteo for 66 years. She was the daughter of the late Sabrina Midgett and Bannister L. Midgett. She was a member of Mt. Olivet Methodist Church and a member of WSCS. Survivors are 3 sons: Bannister L. of Miami, Fl., Clinton of Seattle, Washington and James Barnett of Point Pleasant, N.J.; two daughters: Mrs. Jasper L. Simpson of Manteo and Mrs. S.M. Stewart of Norfolk; one brother, Etheridge Midgett of Freeport, Long Island, N.Y.; 9 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Funeral services were conducted Wednesday, March 27, at Twiford's Chapel by the Rev. Harold F. Leatherman, pastor of Mount Olivet Methodist Church.


Clinton Hasten & Colenda (Midgett) Barnett

 

The 2nd & 3rd children of Little Bannister and Sabrina Midgett was a set of twin boys.  Both were born in December 1879.  The first one was unnamed and lived less than a month and died in January 1880.  The second twin was Thomas P. Midgett who lived to be 21 years of age.  He died Feb 14, 1900.  His tombstone in Mt. Olivet Cemetery says he was born in 1880 but from the 1880 Mortality Census below, we believe the twins were born at the very end of 1879.

Source: 1880 Dare Co., NC Mortality Census by Sandra Lee Almasy
Mortality Census -- Year ending May 31, 1880
Chickamacomico-Kennekeet Township, Alpheus W. Simpson, enumerator

House #20
Infant (No Name)
Age: 1/12
Male/White/Single
Born: NC Parents Born: NC
Died: January
CAUSE: Natural
Remarks: "There is no physician in this place. The infant is one of a pair of twins who was sick from his birth. No one knows the nature of the disease but we suppose it to have been the result of mismanagement at birth by either the midwife or nurse as the other child is healthy and doing well."

The 4th & 5th children were daughters, Maria S. Midgett & Orenda W. Midgett.  Maria was born on Feb. 22, 1882 and died in Norfolk, VA on June 30, 1957 [see death certificate].  She married William Van Lewark (1881-1971) in Manteo on April 8, 1908 and they had 3 sons, the last one being stillborn.  Maria & Wm. Van Lewark are buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. 

Maria's obituary appeared in The Coastland Times on July 5, 1957.
          Mrs. Maria Midgett Lewark, 76, died Sunday morning at 11:00 in a Norfolk hospital after a short illness.  She was a native of Rodanthe, but had been living in Manteo for the past 68 years.  She was the daughter of the late Bannister and Sobrina Midgett and the wife of William V. Lewark.  She was a member of the Mt. Olivet Methodist Church.  Besides her husband, she is survived by 2 sons, William D. Lewark & Rondal O. Lewark, of Manteo; three Sisters, Mrs. Orrenda Simpson, Mrs. Colinda Barnett and Mrs Nettie Midgett of Manteo; one brother, Etheridge Midgett Of Freeport, L.I., New York; and six grandchildren.  Burial followed in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery.


Left to Right: Maria S. & Orenda W. Midgett

Orenda W. Midgett was born Feb, 5, 1884 and died Dec. 22, 1962 [see death certificate].  She married widower, Cecil Mortimer Simpson (1882-1955) in Creswell, NC on Feb. 4, 1925.  They are buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.


Cecil Mortimer Simpson

Orenda's obituary appeared in The Coastland Times on Dec. 28, 1962.
          Mrs. Orenda Midgett Simpson, 78, died Saturday in her home in Manteo after a long illness. A native of Rodanthe, she lived principally in Manteo over 50 years. She was a daughter of the late Capt. Banister and Mrs. Sabrina Midgett and the widow of Cecil M. Simpson. She was a member of Mt. Olivet Methodist Church. She is survived by two step-daughters: Mrs. Erie Tarkington of Elizabeth City and Mrs. Mamie Brickhouse of Columbia; three step-sons: Odell Simpson of Washington, Henry Simpson of Plymouth and Howard Simpson of Roper; a sister, Mrs. Colenda Barnett of Manteo; a brother, Etheridge Midgett of Freeport, Long Island, N.Y. Mrs. Simpson was a beloved figure in her profession of teaching. She had taught in various schools in Dare County and while teaching in Washington County, married Cecil M. Simpson and helped him rear a large orphaned family. She had devoted her life to the service of others. Her father, Capt. Banister Midgett, was known for his generous heart, and was one of the most famed coastguardsmen of his day. Funeral services were conducted Monday in Mt. Olivet Methodist Church by the Rev. Harold F. Leatherman. "Beautiful Garden of Prayer" and "Does Jesus Care" were sung by Lawrence Swain, John H. Long, Miss Mary Jolliff and Miss Nancy Leatherman. Mrs. Rennie Williamson accompanied at the organ. The casket was covered with a pall made of lavender and white mums and fern. Active pallbearers were Sheldon O'Neal, Jerry Simpson, Dan Lewark, Warren Gallop, Keith Fearing and Chesley Midgett, Sr. Burial followed in the Manteo Cemetery.

The 6th child of Little Bannister & Sabrina Midgett was Joseph Etheridge Midgett who was born in Rodanthe on Dec. 27, 1885 and died on June 15, 1970 in Freeport, Nassau Co., New York.  He married Essie Zorado Liverman (1885-1966) in Manteo, NC on Dec. 12, 1905.  They had 5 children and are buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery.

This article was in an unknown newspaper--
          GOING STRONG AFTER 38 YEARS OF SERVICE - JOE ETHERIDGE MIDGETT
Joe Etheridge Midgett is well-known along the N.C. coast where he did for so many years look after the telephone line of the Coast Guard. The other day, at Third District Headquarters, New York City, he received congratulations from Rear Admiral Ed. Smith. Along with Etheridge Midgett were Charles F. Scott of Elizabeth City and Lester C. Quarles of Bayshore, NY with 22 years and 12 years of service respectively. Chief Midgett is a Chief Electrician's Mate. He is a son of the late Capt. Bannister Midgett, so greatly famed in the days of the Life Saving Service. He is assigned to the Electronic Repair Shop, Bay Shore, Long Island, N.Y. He originally enlisted in the Coast Guard at the New Inlet Lifeboat Station on August 1, 1911, after having served 3 1/2 years with the U.S. Weather Bureau. He served at several other lifeboat stations before his transfer in 1918 to Coast Guard Communication in which department he has since supervised the building of telephone lines and laying of cable along the entire east coast. Chief Midgett is a native of Manteo where he has 4 married sisters: Colenda Barnett, Mariah Lewark, Orenda Simpson and Nettie Midgett. His father, Bannister Midgett, died in 1926 after having served 40 years in the Lifesaving Service. His brother, Daniel B. Midgett, is a retired Coast Guard Chief Boatswain's Mate now residing at Rodanthe. His son, Chesley C. Midgett, is a Chief Boatswain's Mate currently serving at the Coast Guard Air Station in Elizabeth City, NC. Chief and Mrs. Midgett are the parents of two other sons and a daughter, all married. They reside at 36 Morris Street, Freeport, Long Island, New York.

His obituary was found in The Coastland Times on June 18, 1970
          Etheridge Midgett, 84, of 62 Prince Ave., Freeport, Long Island, N.Y., died Monday [June 15, 1970] at 5:30 p.m. at the home of his daughter in Freeport. He was a native of Rodanthe, but had resided in Long Island for the past 40 years. He worked for the Weather Bureau for 3 years, was a retired U.S. Coast Guardsman after 39 years of service, and was a veteran of World Wars I and II. He was also a member of the Baptist Church. He was the son of the Late L. Bannister and Sabrina Midgett and the husband of the late Essie Liverman Midgett. He is survived by two sons, Donald Midgett of Freeport, N.Y. and Chesley C. Midgett of Wanchese, N.C.; and 17 great grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 3 p.m. in Bethany United Methodist Church by the Rev. Luther Wesley, pastor of the church. Burial will follow in the Manteo Cemetery. The body will be carried from Twiford Colony Chapel, Manteo, to the church and lie in state 1 hour prior to the service.

 

 

Joseph Etheridge Midgett

Joseph Etheridge Midgett Family

Seated: Joseph E. Midgett holding son Alvah Ray Midgett (1906-1967); Essie (Liverman) Midgett holding Chesley Colis Midgett (1910-1997).
Standing: Hubert James "Hugh" Liverman (1891-1982), brother of Essie.


Chesley Colis Midgett, Sr.

Standing: Alvah Ray, Donald E. & Chesley C. Midgett
Seated: Elizabeth "Lib" Midgett & their father Joseph

 

The 7th child of Little Bannister & Sabrina Midgett was Matilda B. Midgett.  She was born in Rodanthe, NC on Feb. 27, 1887 & died March 16, 1916 [see death certificate] in Manteo from pregnancy complications.  She married Hiram Clyde Gallop (1891-1939) in Manteo on June 6, 1912.  Matilda is buried in the Manteo Cemetery.  Hiram remarried and is buried in Currituck Co., NC.

The 8th child of Little Bannister & Sabrina Midgett was Little Nettie Delaware Midgett.  She was born May 4, 1888 & died in Elizabeth City, NC on May 6, 1962 [see death certificate].  She married Robert Thomas Midgett (1885-1943) in Manteo on Aug. 11, 1909.  According to the 1932 birth certificate of Montez Midgett, Robert & Nettie had 8 children but only 3 were living in 1932, including Montez.  This indicates there were several stillborn births or miscarriages. Robert and Nettie are buried in the Manteo Cemetery.

Nettie's obituary was found in The Coastland Times on Friday, May 11, 1962.
          REBEKAH SERVICE FOR MRS. NETTIE MIDGETT - Mrs. Nettie M. Midgett, 74, died Sunday morning at 9:20 o'clock in Winslow Memorial Home in Elizabeth City following a long illness.  She was a native of Salvo and lived in Manteo for the past 60 years.  She was the daughter of the late Bannister L. and Sabrina M. Midgett and widow of Robert T. Midgett.  She was a member of Mt. Olivet Methodist Church and a member of Rebekah Lodge No. 52 of Manteo.  She is survived by two daughters, Mrs. Montez Midgett of Freetport, Ill. and Mrs. Matilda Gray of Wanchese; one son, John A. Midgett of Key West, Fla.; two sisters, Mrs. Colenda Barnett and Mrs. Orenda Simpson of Manteo; one brother, J. Etheridge Midgett of Freeport, N.Y.; eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.  Funeral services were conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock in the chapel of the Twiford Funeral Home here by the Rev. Harold F. Leatherman, pastor of Mt. Olivet Methodist Church.  Burial was in the Manteo Cemetery with the Rebekah's Lodge holding services.


Nettie Delaware (Midgett) Midgett
The 9th child of Little Bannister & Sabrina Midgett was Eletha Emeles Midgett who was born in Rodanthe on Oct. 1, 1889 and died in Norfolk, VA on June 16, 1932 [see death certificate].  Eletha married Marion G. Gallop, Jr. in Manteo on Jan. 15, 1915.  They had one child, Louie Warren Gallop.  Eletha & Marion are buried in the Manteo Cemetery.


Eletha Emeles (Midgett) Gallop


Marion Gallop, Jr.
The 10th child of Little Bannister & Sabrina Midgett was Daniel Banister Midgett who was born in Salvo, NC on Oct. 22, 1894 & died in Norfolk, VA on Jan. 3, 1956 [see death certificate].  He married Anna Eva Midgett (1892-1957 see obituary) in Rodanthe, NC on Apr. 20. 1915.  They are both buried in the Midgett Cemetery in Waves.  No known children were born to this union.


Daniel Banister Midgett


March 31, 1952 - Retirement
L-R: Daniel Banister Midgett; Capt. Conroy
Official Photo from the USCG Headquarters, Washington, DC
Compliments of LCDR Donald R. Midgette
The 11th child of Little Bannister & Sabrina Midgett was Little Banister Midgett, V who died at birth on April 11, 1898.  He was a twin to Thomas Luther Midgett (seen below as the 12th child)

The 12th child of Little Bannister & Sabrina Midgett was Thomas Luther Midgett who was born in Manteo on April 11, 1898.  He and many others, were lost at sea in Ocean City, MD when the CG Cutter Yamacraw capsized while trying to assist the American tanker Louisana which had grounded on Little Gull Shoals.  He never married and is buried in Manteo Cemetery.

Thomas Luther Midgett
Thomas Luther Midgett

In memory of our son, Thomas L. Midgett born
April 11, 1898
Who gave his life in the rescue of his fellowmen
March 4, 1917
----
"Greater love than this, hath no man"

Yamacraw

    Little Bannister Midgett, IV, keeper of Chicamacomico and New Inlet stations, U.S. Life Saving Service (1879-94), chief boatswain’s mate and officer-in-charge, Chicamacomico Coast Guard Station (1894-1916), was born at Clarks (now Salvo, N.C.) of English ancestry.  He was the son of Dorothy Payne and Little Bannister Midgett, III.
    Young Midgett, who was living on the Outer Banks and coming to school age at the time of the general upheaval of southern institutions during the Civil War, was penalized in obtaining a formal education.  All of his life he felt his educational limitation, blaming it on the "treasonable neglect of the Confederacy to maintain schools during the Rebellion".  However, as he grew up, it became apparent that the his lack of education would never hamper him in his chosen work.  In his teens and early twenties, he worked as a surfman and as a surf-fisherman.  Both vocations were difficult and dangerous.  He was an apt pupil, learning the rigors of the sea, particularly that dangerous part of the ocean, “the graveyard of the Atlantic”, opposite the shores on which he lived.  Already ingrained within him was the Midgett tradition of lifesaving handed down by his grandfather and father before him.
    In the 1870s, the U.S. Life-Saving Service expanded its operations to include the North Carolina coast, constructing seven stations and placing the Outer Banks in the Sixth District .  At that time, the stations went by number.  Official life-saving records state that Midgett served two seasons as a surfman in Station No. 20.  On august 7, 1879, J.W. Etheridge, superintendent of lifesaving stations in the Sixth District, sent a letter to Sumner Kimball, general superintendent of all lifesaving stations in the United States, recommending Midgett as keeper of No. 18, stating that "this man is considered to be the best surfman on the coast of North Carolina".  Station No. 18 was Chicamacomico Station, built, together with two other stations on Hatteras Island, under the Congressional Enactment of 1878.  In 1878 Midgett had been named contractor and supervised the building of this station.  On October 13, 1879, he was appointed keeper of Chicamacomico at $400.00 a year.  He served there until 1888 when he transferred to New Inlet.  In 1894, he was sent back to Chicamacomico and was serving there when the Life-Saving Service and the Revenue Cutter Service formally merged and became the U.S. Coast Guard in 1915--a union which Midgett denounced to the day he died as "a shotgun wedding".
    Midgett was a mighty man with an oar.  He had an instinctive knowledge of the sea and how to use an oar in a surfboat.  His logbook, in which he wrote most often in private, reflects a simplicity and directness that never showed a consciousness of his own heroism.  His feats in a surfboat with an oar are legend.  Of all the “Mighty Midgetts,” he safely can be called the Paul Bunyan, because so many traditions have grown out of his life.  A proud, yet humble man, he was descended from a long line of Outer Banks Midgetts who were not afraid of anything in the sea or out of it.  It would be difficult to list all of the shipwrecks in which he participated as a lifesaver.  Perhaps no one will ever know for sure the exact number of lives he saved.  In 1881 he rescued six survivors from the rigging of the stranded Thomas J. Lancaster which broke up in a hurricane off Chicamacomico.  When the George L. Fessenden broke into pieces off the Outer Banks in 1898, Midgett fired his Lyle gun, placing the line almost in the hands of the sailors hanging onto the boom.  However, the seamen were unable to grab it because the vessel suddenly disintegrated, killing two crewmen with debris and knocking the others into the churning waters.  Midgett with his surfmen, heaved lines and succeeded in dragging three survivors from the surf.
    In 1899, "San Ciriaco", the name the Puerto Ricans gave to the hurricane of 1899, spawned in the southern oceans near the equator, bred on the islands of the Caribbean, and spent most of its mature life off the Outer Banks of North Carolina.  During the terrible days of that hurricane, numerous ships met their end and many lives were lost and saved.  Midgett and his crew were busy night and day.  When the Aaron Reppard wrecked, they were able to save only three of its company.  Ship after ship fell apart.  Midgett's logbook records the names of these vessels.  Tirelessly, he and his surfmen worked, watching, waiting for opportunities to launch surfboats, to use the Lyle gun when possible; sometimes even jumping into the surf to reach a drowning man.  Midgett’s philosophy was the traditional one of the Outer Banks lifesavers: “Regulations say you have to go out; regulations do not say anything about coming back.”.  He was remembered for his honesty, his confidence that superseded fear, his love for his fellowman, and his forbearance and compassion.  He left behind him, in other Midgetts, the conviction and the will to carry on the great tradition of lifesaving for which the U.S. Coast Guard is famed.
    Ambitious and interested in politics, Midgett was a Republican by tradition.  He was active in the Methodist church in Chicamacomico, serving in many official capacities during his lifetime.  He was a Master Mason, belonging to an Elizabeth City fraternity.
    He married Sabrina Midgett of Chicamacomico on January 11, 1874,  The had four sons & six daughters.  Three of his sons, Etheridge, Dan and Thomas, chose the U.S. Coast Guard as a career; two of his daughters married coastguardsmen.  Midgett died in Manteo on January 24, 1928.  He and his wife are buried in the Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Manteo.

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