2008 1.pdfDavie Dossier
Issued by
Davie County Historical and Genealogical Society
Mocksville, North Carolina
January 2008 Issue
SOCIETY NEWS
Mary Alice Hasty, a native of Cooleemee is in the process of writing a book about Davie
County Civil War enlistees/veterans. She is asking that anyone who has information about
ancestors or other Davie County residents who participated in the ‘Fight for Liberty’ to contact
her. This is a great chance for local people to contribute to a worthwhile project.The library
history room has new equipment to copy photos and will return them to any who will allow to
share with her. If you have any questions or comments for Mrs. Hasty, her phone number is
336-753-0436. We look forward to the publication of this historical book.
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Cyrette Sanford, Caretaker of Joppa Cemetery,was the speaker at the meeting of the
Society on January 22, 2008. She told of the efforts taken to maintain and upgrade the cemetery.
It is a long known fact that the cemetery is the burial place of Daniel Boone’s parents, Squire and
Sarah Boone, and now it has been discovered that Israel Boone’s grave is here also. Cyrette
recommended the book, “Grave Yard Preservation Premier”, as a reference for anyone interested
in this project for their own community or family cemetery.
In new business, Jane McAllister has a project in mind to put our two reference books of
Davie County cemeteries on the internet.
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At our next meeting on Tuesday, February 26th, Bill Urdanick will present a program
about the over-lay map of Davie County. He has worked long and hard on this project and we
are sure you will enjoy seeing, and hearing about,this work.
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A very exciting meeting will be coming in April. We are moving our usual Tuesday
night meeting scheduled for April 22, to Thursday, April 24, at 7:00 p.m., as the Davie County
Public Library has scheduled a visit by Robert Morgan, author of Boone: A Biography at that
time. He will talk about his book and Daniel Boone, and will sign copies of the book afterwards.
The presentation is free and open to the public. We are sure you will not want to miss this
informative presentation. For any questions, the library can be contacted at 336-753-6030.
DAVIE DOSSIER Janurary 2008
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THE ROWAN REGISTER
The Rowan Register was published by Jo White Linn, C.G.,from February 1986 through
November 2001. Part of the material included information from what is now Davie County.
Some excerpts follow:
Rowan County Wills (Vol. l:3)
G:6 Charles (X) Hunter, 9 Feb 1808, prb. 1808. Wife Eve Roasanh Hunter to have entire estate
while a widow “to support and to rise my children.” Sons Valentine and John are to divide the
land adjoining Basil Gaither. Daus: May Burgess, Hanna Hunter, Betsey, Sussannah, Nelley,
Rachel, Rosenah, and Lidia Hunter. Exrs: sons Valentine and John., Wit: Basil Gaither,
Niclaus W. Gaither. [Ed. Note: working on this line is Miss Jane Barekman, genealogist, 2905 N.
Kilbourne Ave., Chicago, IL 60641]
G:11. Samuel (X) Merrell, n.d., prb. Feb 1803. Wife, Susannah, Son Azariah to have the 300-A
home plantation. Son Smith Merrell to have the 170-A plantation on which he now lives and the
land adjoining it. Daus: Jemimah Farbrough and Sarah. Exrs: sons Benjamin S. and Azariah.
Wit: William Strange, Silas Baggett. [Ed note; Rowan County Deed Book 23:295 shows that
on 25 Jan 1814 Thomas Yarbrough, Sr. and wife Jemima sold Peter Owens, Jr., 10A on the
eastside of the Yadkin River on both sides of the Muddy Run near its head adj. John Claver,
Henry Kepley, John Berkhart, and Azariah Merrell, the deed being proved by John Goss. This
land was willed Tho mas Yarbrough by the deed Samuel Merrell. Samuel Merrell was the son of
Benjamin Merrill and his wife Jemima Smith who migrated to Rowan County from Hopewell,
NJ, in the 1760;s]
C:35 Joseph (X) Howell, Sr., 12 Dec 1807,prb. 2 Feb 1808. Low state of health. Son Stephen
to have negro girl Beck now in his possession. Son John to have negro girl Nanny now in his
poss. Son Joseph to have home planta. remainder of estate, negroes Absolem, Alford, Amy, and
Dina who is to be kept in his care but no longer in bondage. Dau. Sally Horn and her dau. Polly
Horn to have negro girl Genny and $50.00. Dau. Polly Steelman and her son Joseph Steelman to
have negro girl Alse and child Edy in her poss, and $50.00. Dau. Elizabeth Humphreys to have
$200.00. Exr: son Joseph. Wit: John Hunt, Abraham Ester [prb. Estep.]
(Ed. Note: Rowan Co. Deed Book 15:139, 5 Aug. 1797, Joseph Howell and wf Mary to John
Howell for ₤100, 200 A on Dutchmans Crk adj Wilson Hunt and John Bryan, Samuel
Humphreys, Robert Horn.]
G:35. Benjamin Gaither. 21 May 1808. prb. 1803. Weak, Wife, Elizabeth. Son Brice to have
103 A bought from John Little and Willm Patrick and 100 A bought from Willm Parker. Son
Thomas to have 100 A on S side of homeplace. Son Johnsey to have 100 A of homeplace. Son
Beal to have the house and remainder of homeplace except 10 A which is to go to my son Basil
with 108 adj A. 3 oldest daus: Margaret Howard, Eleoner Parker, Aria Parker. 2 youngest daus:
Harriet Howard and Sally Gaither. Exrs: son Thomas Gaither and brother Burgess Gaither. Wit:
John Little, Gassaw(ay) Gaither, James Reed.
G:61. Basil Gaither. 8 Nov. 1802, prb. 1803 Wife Margaret to have “uninterrupted use of my
dwelling plantation and mill and negro man Barker and mullatter women Judey, Jacob, Salomon
and Minty.” and personalty. Son Walter to have 220 A from Austons line to C.Hunters. Son
DAVIE DOSSIER Janurary 2008
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Gassaway to have 200 A adj Walter’s. Son Nathan to have 220 A willed to his mother and the
turner’s shops now standing in my yard. Son Basil to have my 180 A state grant and 70 A more.
Dau. Betsey Gait her to have negroes Solomon and Minty when she marries. Dau. Neley Jones to
have $100.00 and all the property put with her since the death of her husband. Grandsons:
Thomas C. Jones, Basil G. Jones, Abraham R. Jones, Isaac D. Jones, and Walter G. Jones.,
Grandaus: Margaret W. Jones and Mary C. Jones. Grandchildren to have jointly the negro man
Sam and negro woman Sall and “a tract conveyed by deed to Isaac Jones from Ralph Van Cleave
and from sd Jones to me, quantity not ascertained but supposed to be 200 acres reserving
specially the use & benefit of the above land to Neley Jones during her natural life.” My
executors are to sell the tract where Nelley Jones lives adj the county line at the head of
Dutchmans Crk.“If my son Gassaway will give $200.00 for my half the Stud horse, he may have
him & in case he will not give it, either of my other sons may take him at that price.” Exrs: sons
Walter and Basil Gaither. Wit: Wm Moore, Joseph Dial, Vachell Ijams.
[Ed. Note: The Rowan County marriage bond of Isaac Jones to Nelley Gaither is dated 2 Apr
1787 with Basil Gaither bondsman.]
Rowan County Deeds
11:2. 5 May 1787. William Whitecker, Sr., to John Strunk for ₤40, 100 A on Dutchmans Crk,
being part of tract where sd Whitaker now lives. Basil Gaither, John (x) Willcockson. Prvd May
Court 1787 by Gaither.
11:8. 14 Aug 1786. Isaac Eaton, farmer , to William Clark, farmer, for ₤20, 162 A on Great
Dutchmans Crk in the forks of the Yadkin, being part of a tract where Eaton now lives, adj
Michael Clifford near Charles Westerman’s planta(tion). Isaac Jones, James (X) Simpson,
Joseph Eaton. Prvd May Court 1787 by Jones.
11:11. 5 Feb 1787. Wilson Hunt to Jonathen Hunt for ₤10, 299 A adj Joseph Bryan and John
Bryan. Joseph Bryan, Samuel Reed. Prvd by Reed at May Court 1787.
11:14. 6 Sept 1786. Morgan Bryan to George Bryan for ₤100, 212 A on Dutchmans Crk adj
John Bryan and Hunt. Lazarus Whitehead, Joseph Bryan. Prvd by Whitehead at May Court
1787.
11:16. 18 Sept 1786. Morgan Bryan to Joseph Bryan for ₤40, 101 A. Lazarus Whitehead,
George Bryan. Prvd by Whitehead at May Court 1787.
11:18. 11 Apr. 1783. Michael Clifford, Sr., to Richard Hains for 25 shillings, 50 A in the forks
of the Yadkin on Dutchmans Crk adj Charles Westmor. Basil Gaither, Jacob Clifford. Elizabeth
(+) Clifford makes her mark. Prvd by Gaither at May Court 1787.
11:33. 7 Mar 1787. Asa Martin & wf Elizabeth to Charles Caton, Jr., planter, for ₤1.4.0. 13 A
in the forks of the Yadkin R adj Richard Dowal, it being part of a tract granted 7 Mar 1787.
Jesse Caton, John (X) Jacks. Prvd by Caton at May Court 1787.
DAVIE DOSSIER Janurary 2008
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Salisbury District Superior Court Minutes:
William McMahan, William Sheppard K& Andrew Bailey under bond to King, McMahan for
₤100 and others for ₤50 to appear at Nov. Court.
Jeremiah Bailey & Mary, his wife, came into Court and acknowledged themselves indebted to
the King in the sun of ₤120 & to appear next Court & give evidence against Elias Brock. John
Clayton to do same.
13. Elias Brock, Peter Arrand & Richard Crunk under ₤100 and ₤50 bonds to appear at next
Court.
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Tips for Genealogists Working in ‘North Carolina’ Records
By Jo White Linn, C. G.
Continued from of Davie Dossier, October 2007
The editor, having compiled these tips from long experience, hopes they will be helpful to the reader, and
will be delighted to include additional ones supplied by other genealogists. Often, working alone, we
reach certain conclusions on the basis of our findings. In sharing our observations, we may help others.
10. All males and females enumerated in the census records prior to 1850 are not necessarily members of
the immediate family; they are merely members of the household and may not even be related. Census
records after 1850 frequently reveal persons in a household who are unrelated to the head of household.
Many a man may be a hidden statistic in someone else’s household prior to 1850. He cannot be presumed
not to have been in the area simply because he does not appear as a head of household. Other records beg
to be checked.
11. “Junior” did not necessarily mean “son of,” but was a designation for a younger man of the same
name in the same area. A man could be “junior” at one period and “senior” at a later period, as today.
12. “Infant” did not mean a babe in arms but someone under the age of 21, i.e., a legal minor.
13. An “orphan” was someone under 21 who had lost his or her father; the mother might well be living
when guardians were appointed for the “orphans” of Dick Jones decd.
14. German wills using the term “my friend” in appointing executors, etc., have to be examined carefully,
for “friend” usually meant a relative such as cousin or brother-in-law, someone related outside the
immediate family.
15. In German families when the sons all have the same first name, it should be understood that they
went by the second name.
16. A Palatine immigrant with the name Felix, Christian, Ulrich, Benedict, Vincent or another of the
saints probably had a Swiss provenience.
17. An illegitimate child almost invariably took the surname of the mother.
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18. If a man died in Rowan County, for example, devising land which then fell into Davidson County,
there will not be a grantee deed in Davidson County to show the transmittal of that property. The will
allowed for the transmittal of the property, and the will was not required to be filed in the county where
the land lay.
19. In 1964 (sic) in NC, married women were granted the legal right to transmit property by will.
20. In cases of intestacy, the Court appointed as administrator(s) the widow & relict [who may already
have remarried and may have a different name] and/or son(s) who are of legal age. If they relinquished
the right to administer the estate, the largest creditor was appointed.
21. When a woman’s name comes first in any instrument, she may be assumed to be the widow who,
with a son or someone else, is settling an estate. A married woman’s name never proceeds that of her
husband in an instrument.
22. In using land records, make certain to note whether a deed is proved by the subscribing witnesses and
which one, or whether it is acknowledged by the grantor. The grantor had to be present to acknowledge a
deed, and this may prove his residence in a place at a particular time. Obviously, the subscribing witness
who proved the instrument also had to be present in that place. You will not find the word “jurat”
following the name of a Quaker witness to a deed, for a Quaker would not swear. If you find that a man
affirmed the deed, you may be certain he was a Quaker.
23. Note whether a person had a particular mark or particular way of signing. Clerks and registers
normally preserved the form of the mark, and it can be an identifying attribute in differentiating between
persons of the same name in the same area.
24. When trying to differentiate between men of the same name in the same area, always trace the land.
The land will prove the descent and is recognized as the purest proof of lineage.
25. A posthumous child, even if not mentioned in the will, will share equally with the other children.
To be continued next issue.
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THE DAVIE RECORD
Frank Stroud, Sr., Editor
Excerpts from Issue of January 1908
The Davie Record
And that hot insect known as
The Yellow Jacket,
Both one year for Seventy-five Cents.
Hunting Creek Items:
Our enterprising merchant, Mr. A. A. Dwiggins, is shipping rabbits by the barrel this week.
Rail Splitter made a flying trip over the creek last Sunday evening. Thomas Dwiggins made a business
trip to Statesville one day last week.Mr. Grover Dwiggins spent one day at Farmington last week. Mr.
Thomas Glasscock is a frequent visitor in the neighborhood. How about it, Miss S----? Sausage,
backbones and spareribs, pumpkin pie and fat ‘possum for New Year’s.
DAVIE DOSSIER Janurary 2008
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Bailey Items:
Quite a number of young people from here engaged in a graphophone entertainment last Friday
night at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Anderson of Calahaln.
Dutchman’s Creek Happenings:
Mrs. Jessie Daniel of Lexington was buried at Dutchman Creek church Dec. 24th. She was the
oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Lagle, and was visiting her parents at the time of her death.
Tennyson News:
Mr. John A. Hendricks and little daughter of Marshall, N.C., have been visiting his mother and
relatives for the last few days. He returned Monday to Marshall, where he will spend a few days with his
family before leaving for Texas to engage in the law business.
Bank of Cooleemee
J. B. Mason, President J. N. Ledford, V. President J.H. L. Rice, Cashier
Directors:
J. B. Mason Cashier, National Bank, Durham, N.C.
J. F. Willy Cashier, The Fidelity Bank, Durham, N.C.
B. N. Duke Director, American Tobacco Co. and Capitalist
F. L. Fuller Attorney at Law
W. R. Hartness Agent, Southern Railway Company
H. J. Forsyth Supt., Cooleemee Cotton Mills
T. V. Terrell Treas., Cooleemee Cotton Mills
J. W. Zachary Book-keeper, Cooleemee Cotton Mills
J. H. L. Rice With Cooleemee Cotton Mills
W. A. Erwin President, Cooleemee Cotton Mills and Capitalist
Treas. And M Treas. and Mgr., The J. N. Ledford Co.
Miss Emma Cherry, sister of C. C. Cherry, of this city will have charge of the primary department
of Rutherford College this year.
Mrs. Nora Brock and son Will of Darlington, Ind., are spending the winter at the home of Dr. M.
D. Kimbrough at Smith Grove.
Ralph Morris returned to Newport News, Va., Monday,where he will resume his studies in the
Old Point Comfort College
W. B. Granger says he sold during 1907, $36.79 worth of chickens, $41.53 worth of eggs and
$18.85 worth of butter. The cost of producing the above was $15.40, which leaves Mr. Granger the sum
of $81.77 clear cash. It pays to raise chickens and keep a cow. Mr. Granger used a good deal of products
on his own table, which was not counted in the profits.
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Thanks to: Alice Sawyer
A man emigrating from Ireland landed at Ellis Island in New York.
The official asked him his nationality. He replied, "Scottish."
The officer seemed confused and said,
"But your papers say you were born in Ireland."
The proud immigrant squared his shoulders and explained. "If a man is
born in a barn, that doesn't make him a horse."
He entered his new homeland as a Scotsman.
DAVIE DOSSIER Janurary 2008
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D C H G S 2008 OFFICERS
President -Linda Leonard
Vice-President -
Secretary/Treasurer -Frances Beck
Board of Directors -Dale McCullough, Diane Webb,
Bill Urdanick
Dossier Editors -Nancy Murphy, Doris Frye
ITEMS FOR SALE
Postage and handling included in price
Davie County...A Brief History (Wall) Paperback 7.50
The Daniel, Squire, and John Boone Families in Davie County
(Wall, Boone, & Martin)5.00
Davie County Marriages 1836-1900, by Nancy K. Murphy 25.00
Davie County Marriages 1901-1959, by Nancy K. Murphy 25.00
Davie County Cemeteries, a two-volume set 55.00
by D.C. Historical & Genealogical Society
1860 Federal Census-Davie County, by Murphy & Sain 17.00
1870 Federal Census-Davie County, by Murphy & Sain 17.00
1880 Federal Census-Davie County, by Murphy & Sain 22.50
Maps -Lagle Land Grant 6.50
-Hughes Historical 6.50
-1887 Alderman 2.50
Postcards (set of 8 )2.50
Davie County Heritage Book 45.00
These items can be ordered from the Davie County Historical and Genealogical Society
Office. North Carolina residents need to add 7% sales tax to the total.
Membership for Calendar year 2008 is still just $5.00/year. The number following your
name on the address label indicates the year through which your dues are paid. Below is a
registration form for your use; checks are to be made payable to the Society.
DAVIE COUNTY HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
Frances Atkinson Beck
1131 Wagner Road
Mocksville, North Carolina 27028
NAME _____________________________________________________________
ADDRESS ____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
EMAIL ADDRESS _______________________________________________________