2015 2.pdf Davie Dossier, April 2015 page 1
DAVIE DOSSIER
Issued by
Davie County Historical and Genealogical Society
Mocksville, North Carolina
April 2015, Issue 2
Where’d that name come from?
Davie Dossier, April 2015 page 2
DAVIE COUNTY HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
President, Linda Leonard
Vice President, Margaret Cevasco
Secretary, Pat Reilly
Treasurer, Marie Roth
Board of Directors, Claude Horn
Dossier Editor, Marie Roth
Webmaster, Marie Roth
Our Website, www.rootsweb.ancestry.com.com/~ncdavhgs has these features:
All the churches in Davie County
Cemeteries in Davie County with locations
Names on the War Memorial in Mocksville
Index to Bible Family Records at DCPL
Order blanks so you don’t tear up Dossier
History of nine newspapers in Davie County
Meeting Dates and Programs
Guardian Accounts, Davie Co., 1846-1859
Apprentice Bonds, Davie Co., 1829-1959
1974 booklet about old schools in Davie
Branson’s NC Business Directories for Davie Co.
Sources for black family history
Another Website about Davie County genealogy and history:
http://wiki.familysearch.org/en/Davie_County%2C_North_Carolina
Meetings are on the fourth Thursdays at 7 pm at Davie County Library History Room.
DCHGS PROGRAMS IN 2015:
Jan. 22: Alvin Howard, artist of Davie County scenes
Feb. 26: postponed due to winter weather
March 26: Mike Cevasco, Civil War Medicine
April 23: Bill Thompson, author and lecturer talks about NC heritage, his columns in My State magazine, and his four
books
May 2: Help with Daniel Boone Day on the Mocksville Square
June 25: Diana Bromley from the Davie County Quilt Guild, talks about textiles
August 15: Yadkinville United Methodist Church:,Yadkin Valley Historical Association workshop, “Stoneman’s Raid
in the Yadkin Valley, March-April 1865” Chris Hartley, author, Stoneman’s Raid 1865, will discuss the purpose
of Stoneman’s Raid and how well it succeeded; Ed and Sue Curtis, organizers, Salisbury Prison Symposium, will
review the Salisbury Prison and its importance to the Raiders. For more information and registration form, see
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ncyadvha/2015flyerregistration.pdf
September 24
October 22
November 19
QUERY
Our Samuel Bailey was quite the man. After his beloved Sarah Bryan passed on, he soon remarried a teen age
girl TABITHA PEARSON who soon remarried a GAITHER.
My curiosity and of others is WHO WAS TABITHA? Knowing that there were many prominent PEARSONS in
your area, does anyone know from whence she came?
I love my current reading of DAVIE and now ROWAN. You all were and are amazing…I shall look forward to
meeting with all again. Robert Bailey Lee Carmody, Santa Barbara, California. [Mr. Carmody paid a visit to our Davie
County History Room last fall.] Respond to DCHGSlist@gmail.com if you have information.
Davie Dossier, April 2015 page 3
CHILDREN’S HOME ROAD:
In the northwest corner of Davie County next to highway 601, there is a road sign that says “Childrens Home”. I
consulted my team of experts who meet every morning at Bojangles in Hillsdale. One man gave me a name to telephone,
and I had an interesting interview with him. He now lives on the land that instigated this sign.
There was never a home there, but someone had donated 460 acres for a farm to be used by the Methodist
Children’s Home in Winston-Salem. Every summer about 6 young men from the orphanage came to the farm and lived in
a bunk house. They worked the land and cared for the cattle. The meat and crops went to feed the children at the home.
Some of the men at Bojangles remembered it being in operation in the 1950s. The land was divided and sold when it was
no longer an active farm. The bunk house is no longer standing but the two barns have been remodeled and exist today.
See image of barn below.
He also told me that at one time, that Thomasville Orphanage owned farm land near Bear Creek Baptist Church in
Davie County
Sign for Childrens Home Rd.
Two barns remaining from
Children’s Home Farm
MADSTONES
When I was in the wonderful Surry County Museum a few months
ago, I was intrigued by a display that had an object about 3 inches
across and an inch thick. It was round but had parallel flat sides. The
texture of it seemed to look like honey comb. This was the
explanation on a nearby card. “Madstones are small, light, porous,
stone-like objects. They possess definite absorptive qualities and are
believed to be capable of extracting the poison from a poisonous bite,
especially from a mad dog. The stone is first moistened in warm
water or fresh milk and then the flat surface is applied to wounds
made by mad dogs, snakes, spiders, etc. It is held in place with
bandages for eight or more hours, then removed and placed in warm
milk where it is said to ooze a greenish scum which is the poison
coming out of the stone. Madstones were heirlooms passed down
from one generation to the next, often considered the most valuable
inheritance one could receive. The owner of a madstone was a
revered member of a community.”
I did some more research and found that it’s actually a
calcium deposit found in the stomach of a deer. I had never heard of
this before, but a few days later was reading an early newspaper from
Davie on www.newspapers.com and found this article. (29 July 1887,
Davie Times)
Davie Dossier, April 2015 page 4
COUNTY HOME ROAD
The road that turns by Ingersoll Rand starts out being labeled Sanford Avenue and then it morphs into “County
Home Road”. Mr. Wall discusses the county home in his history of Davie County on pages 309-310.
“In 1831 the North Carolina General Assembly authorized counties to build poorhouses and to purchase lands for
the support of the poor. In 1839 the Davie County Court named a committee ‘for the purpose of Selecting a Situation for
a Poor House and contracting for Buildings on the same.’ A County Home is said to have been located near the
Clarksville Post Office. About 1865 the county purchased a 138-acre tract on the County Home Road [as it’s now named]
and built a home for its indigent citizens. In 1875 three months’ care for ten paupers at the County Home cost a total of
$127.72.
“In 1913 a large brick-veneer structure was erected containing about 40 rooms to accommodate 28 inmates. The
cost was approximately $10,000. According to Dewey Sain, caretaker from 1945 to 1955, average occupancy during
those years was about twelve. A farm operated by the caretaker provided some of the food. Residents who were
physically and mentally able helped with the work on the farm and in the home.”
“A ‘pesthouse’ primarily for isolating smallpox patients, was built on the County Home property about 1905. In
1936 Dr. Lester P. Martin, County Physician, instigated the building of a ‘T.B. Cottage” there to treat those unable to nter
sanitariums.
“The county commissioners discontinued the County Home in 1955 and transferred the nine residents to rest
homes.
“In 1936 the commissioners sold 63 acres of the County Home property for a state prison facility; in 1963 two
acres were deeded to the Davie County Rescue Squad, and in 1964 the remaining 81 acres were sold to private
ownership.”
Further research yielded an article in Davie County Heritage Book, section 577: “Cora Layfayette, known by
“Faitie”, she was the daughter of James Monroe and Tabitha Belle Driver Seamon. She was the oldest of 8 children, born
October 31, 1898. Her family worked together to run the County Home. This was a place for elderly and ill people that
had no one to care for them. Faitie helped her mother with the food preparation. Her specialty was biscuits and she made
enough in her life to go around the world.”
In a Davie Times article of 19 December 1884, I found a list of county expenditures: “B. Bailey, bacon for pauper
at poor house, $11.32; B.F. Stonestreet making clothes for paupers, $2.50”
Davie Record, 21 December 1910: “M.B. Bailey, who has been steward of the county home for the past six years,
has moved to town, and is occupying the Clement house on Sanford Ave. H.C. Jones succeeds Mr. Bailey at the county
home.”
Davie Record, 11 September 1912: “The county commissioners have decided to build a new county home, work
to begin at an early date. The building will be of brick, with sewerage and heating fixtures, and will cost between $5,000
and $8,000. A new county home has been needed for a long time, and no man in the county will raise a kick on building
one.”
Davie Record, 28 January 1914: “The editor took a stroll to the county home Sunday and selected his room. The
new building is nearing completion, and is something that every citizen in the county can well be proud of. The building
is of brick with metal shingle roof, and contains 45 rooms, which are plastered. There are 28 rooms for inmates, several
pantries, bath rooms, office, reception room and living rooms for the superintendent. The building is supposed to be
steam-heated and have a sewerage system. D.R. Cecil, of Lexington, is the contractor, and he is a good one. The building
will cost about $10,000.”
Davie Record, 17 June 1914: “Mrs. Viney Keaton, an aged lady, died at the county home last Tuesday and was
buried Wednesday.”
Davie Record, 30 August 1916: “Mr. Holman Dwiggins, a Confederate veteran, aged 81 years, died at the county
home Saturday evening, and was buried Sunday morning at 11 o’clock, at Center, Rev. T.S. Coble conducting the funeral
services. Mr. Dwiggins became mentally deranged some time ago and was carried to the county home.”
Undated, later article: “The county built a county home at a cost of about $15,000.” [Notice the price going up?]
There is a photograph of the brick buildings on page 125 of Images of America: Mocksville.
I am writing a book about the 14 men from Davie who served in the Spanish American War in 1898. If you
have information or photos, please share with me. Thanks. Marie’s email: dchgslist@gmail.com.
Davie Dossier, April 2015 page 5
DAVIE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT HISTORY
Current director: Suzanne Wright
Current Web site: http://www.daviecountync.gov/index.aspx?NID=96
First entry in book of minutes for Health Department:
Mocksville NC, April 3, 1911
In accordance with section nine of the Public Health laws of North Carolina as amended by the Assembly of
1911, C. G. Bailey, chairman of County Commission, G.E. Horne, mayor of town Mocksville N.C. and E.P. Bradley, Supt.
Of Public Instruction, met April 3, 1911 in office of Supt. and elected Drs. W. C. Martin and T.T. Watkins member of the
County Board of Health.
Who were these people listed in 1911?
C.G. Bailey was Casper Giles Bailey (8 June 1845 – 14 September 1920), single, who was the son of Richmond
and Eliza Foster Bailey. On the 1870 census, he was 25, a huckster [door to door salesman], living with his father
and siblings. On the 1910 census, he is 64, living in Fulton township, listed as a farmer, but with two male
servants. In 1920, he is single, living with his nephew, James H. Ratledge, and his family in Shady Grove. He is
buried in Advance Methodist Church Cemetery and has a large tombstone with these words “served as County
Commissioner of Davie County eighteen years; Gone but not Forgotten”.
G.E. Horne was Gaston Everett Horne (8 October 1859 - 9 February 1929). His parents were Lewis Giles and
Esther H. Campbell, and his wife was Mollie. Davie County Heritage Book, page 222, left column tells that his
father died in the Civil War when Gaston and his brother were babies. The two brothers later formed a milling
company, and Gaston years later formed Mocksville Chair Company in 1901, being superintendent and general
manager. The address of the chair factory was approximately current-day 416 Salisbury Street. It closed in 1917.
E.P. Bradley was Rev. Edward Pascal Bradley (11 November 1869 – 28 May 1931) who served at the Presby-
terian Church in Mocksville. On the 1910 census, he and his wife Fannie Hogan Gregory Bradley are living on
South Main St. in Mocksville. They later had 2 daughters, Fanny G. and Jane W. He was born in Kingstree SC.
He died in Salisbury and is buried in Statesville. He served as school superintendent from 24 July 1909 to 1931.
Dr. W.C. Martin was Willson C. (21 March 1865 – 5 December 1937) and was married to Frances C. Eaton.
Their son, Lester Poindexter Martin, was also a doctor and served in similar roles as his father had done Lester’s
sister was Flossie Martin, science teacher at Mocksville High School and creator/manager of the History Room at
Davie County Public Library.
Dr. T.T. Watkins was Dr. Thomas T. Watkins (1869 – 21 June 1951) and was married to Mary Henrietta Lewis
(17 September 1873 – 11 November 1946). On the 1910 census for Shady Grove, Thomas T. is 40 and a
physician; Mary H. is 36. They had been married for 17 years. She had had 13 children with only 2 living. Son,
Lindsay, was 12 and Mary H. was 5. On the 1920 census for Shady Grove, Thomas is 50 and Mary H. is 46. On
the 1930 census they are living in Clemmonsville (previous name of Clemmons). They are buried at Clemmons
First Baptist Church Cemetery. His parents were Peter Daniel and Sarah Jane Amos Watkins.
SUMMARY:
Early minutes list the county physician and his salary of $40 per month.
Through the years, they have provided treatments, immunizations and quarantines for diphtheria, scarlet fever, whooping
cough, measles, tuberculosis and polio.
From 1927 to 1931, they provided tonsils and adenoid clinics.
They regulated midwifery.
They continue to monitor sanitary conditions in schools and restaurants.
The first location was in the Johnstone building with three small rooms in the back. There were wood stoves in each room
that they operated. Nurses would take the gowns and sheets home each night to wash.
In 1955, a new building was dedicated at 210 Hospital Street. An acre of land had been donated by Mr. and Mrs.
Raymond Foster. It was built at a cost of $27,000 of which Davie’s share was $6,700.
In 1976, it became a separate county health department. Previously, it had been part of a multi-county district.
That same year, the building was renovated and a two-story wing was added to the back at a cost of $144,000.
Davie Dossier, April 2015 page 6
1886 SHAFFER’S MAP
When I was researching at the
North Carolina Archives in
March of 2015, I found this
interesting old state map. I was
able to copy our section with
my iPhone.
The things I found interesting:
Calahan is now spelled Calahaln
Right above it is County Line
which still uses that name.
Just above it is River Hill which
is actually in Iredell County.
Above that word, is Calahan
which is the community within
the township of Calahan.
Clarksville also has a township
and community with the same
name, as does Farmington to the
east and Jerusalem to the south.
In the top right corner, is Hall’s
Fy (Ferry) which is several
miles from the Yadkin River.
Across the river to the east, you
can see Clemmonsville, early
name of Clemmons.
Coming down the right edge,
we see Smith’s Grove, instead
of Smith Grove.
Shady Grove is next with Elbaville mapped. Below that is Fulton township and Fulton community. Yadkin College is in
Davidson County.
South River, in the lower point of the county is mentioned in my gazetteer as being in Rowan County.
Just to the left of the word Jerusalem is “Kappa”. That community was previously called Ketchie’s Mill and now called
Davie Academy after the school that was there. (See page 35 of History of Davie County Schools.)
You’ll notice that the big town in Forsyth is called Winston. The only rail road shown is south of Statesville and east
from Winston going to Greensboro. You won’t find the town of Cooleemee yet in 1886.
I hope you enjoy maps as much as I do. It’s really neat to think about all the towns, rivers, people, roads, changes that
have happened through the years. UNC has this North Carolina map online for you to download:
http://dc.lib.unc.edu/cdm/ref/collection/ncmaps/id/1185
Davie Dossier, April 2015 page 7
ORDERING BOOKS AND MAPS (Out of state residents don’t pay state tax when ordering.)
Title Author Non-NC NC No. Cost
Davie County. A Brief History, paperback James W. Wall, 128 pages $9.00 $9.39
The Boone Families in Davie County Wall, Howell Boone, Flossie Martin $8.00 $8.31
Davie County Marriages 1836-1900 Nancy K. Murphy $25.00 $26.55
Davie County Marriages 1901-1959 Nancy K. Murphy $25.00 $26.55
Davie County Cemeteries, a 2-volume set D.C. Historical/Gen. Soc. $55.00 $58.88
1850 Federal Census-Davie County Forsyth Genealogical Society $15.00 $15.68
1860 Federal Census-Davie County Nancy K. Murphy and Everette Sain $20.00 $21.16
1870 Federal Census-Davie County Nancy K. Murphy and Everette Sain $20.00 $21.16
Lagle Land Grant $8.00 $8.31
Hughes Historical, 1700's, drawn in 1977 $8.00 $8.31
J.T. Alderman, 1887 $6.00 $6.47
Wilson F. Merrell, 1928 $6.00 $6.47
POSTCARDS OF DAVIE CO. SCENES, (set of 8) $2.50 $2.50
CD of all issues Davie Dossier since 1987 $7.00 $7.39
TOTAL NUMBER AND COST
Davie County Heritage Book, non-NC resident cost is $45; NC resident cost is $48.10.
Make check to Davie County Heritage Book. Use DCHGS address below.
The Historic Architecture of Davie Co., non-NC resident cost is $30; NC resident cost is $31.94.
History of Davie County, hardback, by James W. Wall, 449 pages; non-NC resident cost is $30; NC resident cost is
$31.94. Make check to Davie County Public Library. Use DCHGS address below.
The Civil War Roster of Davie County by Mary Alice Miller Hasty and Hazel Miller Winfree incorporates
biographical and military service sketches of 1,147 Davie County Civil War veterans. Non-NC resident cost is $60. NC
resident cost is $64.26. Checks should be made out to M & M Books and sent to Mary Alice Hasty, 105 East Brick
Walk Court, Mocksville NC 27028.
Images of America, Davie County by Debra Dotson and Jane McAllister. 128 page book of old photos and
descriptions. Order from Jane McAllister, DCPL, 371 N. Main St., Mocksville NC 27028. Make check to Jane
McAllister. Non-NC resident cost is $26.99. NC resident cost is $28.69.
History of Davie County Schools, 318 pages, by Marie Benge Craig Roth has photos, locations, longitude/latitude,
names of students, and teachers. There is an 18 page index of 3,222 names. A chronology describes the evolution of the
school system in Davie. Make check to Marie Roth for $40.26 for non-residents and $43 for NC resident. Order: 276
Park Ave., Mocksville NC
Davie County in World War One by Marie Benge Craig Roth has 670 biographies of Davie men and women who
served, photographs, old letters, description of military bases, and extensive index. 400 pages. Make check to Marie
Roth for $42.47 for non-residents and $45 for NC resident. Order: 276 Park Ave., Mocksville NC 27028.
Davie County Veterans’ Memorial, by Marie Benge Craig Roth has lists of all war deaths and biographies and photos
of WW2, Korean, Vietnam, and Beirut Bombing deaths. Tom Ferebee’s 32 minute talk at the dedication in 1987 is
included. $31.23 for non-resident and $33 for NC resident. Order: 276 Park Ave., Mocksville NC 27028.
NEW: Remembering Davie County Protection and Service Personnel by Marie Benge Craig Roth contains
biographies of the five law enforcement personnel who died on duty and also photos and descriptions of the monument
erected in their memory. The monument also honors all first responders in Davie County. Order: 276 Park Ave.; total
cost $17.
Cana Connections, 201 pages, by Betty Etchison West; Life in Cana in the Thirties and Forties and Special People
with Cana Connections. There are many biographies and photos of people and buildings. Order from Betty West, 3532
NC Hwy. 801 North, Mocksville NC 27028. Make check to Betty West for $35, which includes tax and shipping.
Looking Back at Davie County II by Charles Crenshaw and Ron Smith. $45. Mail orders to Charles Crenshaw, 421
Park Avenue, Mocksville NC 27028
DCHGS, 371 North Main Street, Mocksville NC 27028
You are encouraged to send articles and queries to be published in this next issue.
Send to DCHGSList@gmail.com
Davie Dossier, April 2015 page 8
Davie county historical/genealogical society
371 North Main Street
Mocksville NC 27028
If you would like to receive your Dossier as a PDF attachment in an E-mail instead of a paper copy,
please send an E-mail message to the editor at dchgslist@gmail.com.
Please state “E-mail my Dossier instead of mailing a paper copy” and include your E-mail address. This
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name, you have paid dues through 2014 and owe us for 2015, or $5. 2015 Dues are Due !
MEMBERSHIP for a calendar year is still just $5.00/year. Life Membership is $100 per person.
We are 501(c)(3) and dues are tax deductible.
Below is a registration form for your use; checks, payable to the Society.
DAVIE COUNTY HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY (DCHGS)
Davie County Public Library, 371 Main Street
Mocksville, North Carolina 27028
NAME ________________________________________________________________________
ADDRESS _____________________________________________________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS ______________________________________________________________
Send my copy by E-mail instead of paper; yes, no