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Click here to view profile Johnnie Deaton Johnnie at her house in Demorest with father John Henry Deaton Johnnie Deaton was born in Homer, Banks County on November 18th 1933. She was the first descendant of John Starlin Deaton to graduate from college. She married Joe Downer in 1954. They had two daughters. Deborah Diane Downer was born in July of 1958 and Hazel Joann Downer born in September of 1963 in Habersham County, GA. Deborah Dianne Downer had two daughters. Hannah Erin Cunningham was born July 21, 1983 and Leah April Cunningham was born April 29, 1986. Hannah Erin Cunningham married Dustan Wilbanks in November of 2001 in Habersham County, GA. Hazel Joann Downer (Named Hazel because the first time her grandfather, John Deaton, saw her he thought she looked just like her Aunt Hazel did when she was born.) married Johnny Loudermilk in September of 1981 in Habersham County. They have a daughter, Melody Anna, born April 4, 1995, and a son, John Mark, born December 23, 1996 in Habersham County, GA. Johnnie passed away from cancer on September 2, 2003. Father: John Henry Deaton Mother : Cora Jane Lawrence Sister : Ruth Deaton, Hazel Deaton Brother : Stark Deaton ________________ _______ Husband : Joseph Tillman Downer Children : Deborah Dianne Downer, Joann Hazel Downer November 18th 1933 - February 2nd 2003 Johnnie and sister Ruth Deaton L to R: Cora, Johnnie, John Henry, Ruth Johnnie and husband Joseph Downer Johnnie (Far Right) with her family L to R: Cora, Ruth, John Henry, Johnnie L to R: Johnnie holding daughter Joann, beside her is daughter Dianne Downer Johnnie at her house in Demorest L to R: Martha Ann Deaton, Ernest Lee Deaton, Johnnie Deaton, Joseph Tillman Downer

Click here to view profile Mittie Lou Ausburn November 27th 1897 - July 6th 1941 Mittie Lou Ausburn was born to Benjamin Ausburn and Mary Louise Caudell on November 27th 1897 in Banks County, North Carolina. Mittie's mother, Mary, died when she was only 15 years old. Father: Benjamin Ausburn Mother: Mary Louise Caudell Brother: Grant Wilmer Ausburn Sisters: Essie Ausburn , Maud Ausburn _______________________ Child with Unknown Father: B ertie Mae Ausburn Children with Luther Watson: Boyd Jackson , Lucille Jackson Husband: Claude Homer Jackson L to R: Benjamin Ausburn, Mittie Lou Ausburn, Essie Ausburn holding Bobbie Jean Lewallen Sensitive Content Unknown Father of Child When Mittie Ausburn was 18 years old, she had a daughter named Bertie Mae Ausburn; however, it is currently unknown who the father is. This was not talked about by the family and the information may have been lost through time. Mittie's great grandson told me that when Harve (Mittie's son-in-law) was in his older age and had suffered many strokes, he had brought it up and mentioned the name of the man. Unfortunately the name that was told to him has become a blur, he believes that Harve told him that it was a Charles "Langley" or "Langtree" or "Langford". Hopefully one day this will be revealed through lots of DNA testing. Marriage Mittie married Claude Homer Jackson on April 28th 1921. It was originally believed that they had three children together: Laurene Jackson born October 9th 1925, Boyd Jackson born August 11th 1929, and Lucille Jackson born May 1st 1932; however, after DNA testing, through the son of Lucille Jackson, it has been determined that Claude Jackson was not the biological father of Lucille, rather it was a man by the name of "Luther Huttie Watson". This was apparently known to a select few, including Boyd Jackson's son, Ronnie Jackson, who told me that Luther "Luke" Watson, was his biological grandfather and that his father, Boyd Jackson, always knew this. It is unknown why or how the relationship between Luther and Mittie came to pass, but it is speculated that Claude Jackson may have been unable to have children. On June 8th 1927, Mittie lost her two-year old baby Laurene due to Bronchiolitis. Top Row (L to R): Bently Lewallen holding Bobbie Jean Lewallen, Benjamin Ausburn, Bertie Mae Ausburn, Claude Homer Jackson Bottom Row (L to R): Benny Euline Lewallen, Mittie Lou Jackson, Lucille Jackson, Boyd Jackson Mittie's father, Benjamin, died on September 13th 1937. He developed sepsis due to cellulitis in the right axillary region. Mittie at her fathers funeral Claude Jackson and Mittie's granddaughter, Martha Ann Deaton Death Mittie Lou Ausburn Jackson died on July 6th 1941, the day after her first grandchild was born. She had a gastroenteritis infection. Before she died, she asked her son-in-law, Harve Deaton, to take care of her two children, Boyd and Lucille for her when she was gone. Harve told her he would take care of them for as long as they would stay with him. The Banks County Journal Newspaper from July 18th, 1941 Death Certificate of Mittie Ausburn Mittie's Headstone Every Picture I Have Seen of Mittie Lou Ausburn All Census Records

Click here to view profile Reuben Deaton April 28th 1891 – September 1931 Rueben Deaton was the eldest son of Leutica Carver and John Starlin Deaton. He was born in April of 1892 in Graham County, NC. He married Lillie McDonald on March 25, 1913 in Graham County, NC. With her came Rube's new step-child. They later had a child of their own, Johnnie Starlin Deaton (February 7th 1915 - May 15th 1988). Rueben Deaton later married Calcina "Callie" Swayney, 1/8th Cherokee Indian. They had four children; however, only two survived to adulthood: Woodroe Deaton (February 20th 1928 - February 27th 2010) and Nellie Deaton (February 21st 1926 - July 31st 2020). Their first child was named "Lutitia Deaton", named after Rube's mother. She was born June 8th, 1923 and died December 24th 1923 at 6 months old of pneumonia in Swain County. Rube buried her on Christmas Day. They had another child, Charles Deaton, on May 4th 1925, he passed away May 12th 1925. Father : John Starlin Deaton Mother : Leuticia Carver Brothers: David Deaton , Isaac Deaton , Robert Lee Deaton Half Brothers : John Henry Deaton, Jacob Leander Deaton , Harve Wesley Deaton ____________________ Wife : Lydia McDonald Children: Johnnie Deaton Wife: Callie Swayney Children: Woodroe Deaton, Nellie Deaton Rube and wife Lydia McDonald pregnant with Johnnie, also with her son in 1915 L to R: Isaac Deaton and brother Rube Deaton When Callie Swayney Deaton died about 1924, Rueben took the children to Georgia. He left Nellie and Woodroe in the care of Margie and Bob Deaton, his brother and sister-in-law. They stayed there, with Rube visiting them, while remaining in Cherokee to work. When they were old enough, Woodroe and Nellie went to live at the school on the Cherokee Indian Reservation. In either 1932 or 1933, a large black car drove into the yard of Robert Deaton and several Indians got out. They informed him that Rueben had been killed. They took Robert Deaton back to Cherokee, NC to bury his brother. Brothers Harve and Isaac Deaton always said a member of the Swayney family killed Rueben. Jurlon Deaton quotes his father, Ike Deaton, as telling the following story. Rube was bad to drink and he went to sleep wherever he was at the time. He always slept with his head hanging off the bed. This particular night he was sleeping in another woman's house and someone came in and hit him in the head with a crowbar. In a newspaper article, Rube was accused by step-son for killing Callie Swayney. The body was exhumed and found that Callie had a crack in her skull. Rube's consequences for this are unknown. Callie Swayney's death certificate. Lutitia Deaton's death certificate. Charles Deaton's death certificate. Rube Deaton's WW1 Draft Registration Card Death Reuben died in 1932 after getting hit in the head. It was speculated that the son of Cherokee Indian, Molly Runningwolf, was the one who did it; however, Molly Runningwolf took the blame and served 21 months in prison. In 1947, Harve Deaton came to get answers to find out who really killed his half brother. Molly Runningwolf had thought he had come to kill her. In reality, he just wanted the truth. Molly begged him to believe her that it was not her or her son, but that it was a member of the Swayney family who did it. The meeting ended cordially. Harve brought along his wife Bertie Mae, children Fred, Martha Ann, Wayne, and his wife's half brother Boyd Jackson. In the interview below, there is a audio recording mentioning Molly Runningwolf's time in prison. Click here to listen to Molly Runningwolf interview Census Records

Click here to view profile Lanceford Cantrell Around 1787 – Around 1850 Lanceford Cantrell was born around 1787. He has an undocumented burial as no tombstone has been found. His grave was most likely marked with a fieldstone. He was the son of Isaac & Mary (Linder) Cantrell. In his youth he moved, with his parents, to Spartanburg County, South Carolina. He married Martha Cantwell about 1817 bringing his bride into the home of his mother. They lived there on the banks of Buck Creek for over twenty years. After his mother died he moved his family to a part of Union County Georgia that become Towns County in 1856. His family was recorded there on the 1850 census. Fa ther: Isaac Cantrell Mother : Mary Linder ____________________ Wife : Martha Patsy Cantrell

Click here to view profile Essie Ausburn March 17th 1904 - January 15th 1996 Essie Ausburn was born March 17, 1904 in Banks County, GA. She was the daughter of Benjamin and Mary Caudell Ausburn. She married Joseph Bentley Lewallen June 27, 1921. He was born May 9, 1902. His parents were Nancy and Jay Lewallen. His parents are buried at BC Church Cemetery, Habersham County, GA. Bentley and Essie Lewallen had four children; Ralph Mckenley, Vassie Mae, Betty Eulean, and Bobbie Jean Lewallen. Bentley spent his life as a farmer. They lived in GA, SC and NC. Bentley Lewallen died October 6, 1984 in Stephens County, GA and Essie Lewallen died January 15, 1996 in Cleveland County, NC. They are buried at Damascus Church Cemetery, Banks County, GA. L to R: Essie and husband Bentley Lewallen Father: Benjamin Ausburn Mother : Mary Louise Caudell Brother : Grant Wilmer Ausburn Sister : Mittie Lou Ausburn , Maud Lee Ausburn ________________ _______ Husband : Bently Lewallen Children : Ralph Mckenley, Vassie Mae, Betty Eulean, and Bobbie Jean Lewallen Memories of Uncle Bentley and Aunt Essie written by Martha Ann Deaton : "Bobbie Jean remembers them being wonderful parents. The most enjoyable times she remembers was going home after she was married. They always had Pepsi’s there for them, their favorite drink. She liked to go to the cupboard and find homemade biscuits and country ham that were left over from breakfast. I remember loving to go to their house as a child. I, too, liked to go into the pie safe and get a snack from her leftovers or a piece of pie. Uncle Bentley carved little monkeys out of a peach seed. They had such minute details. I wore them on a ribbon around my neck. Somehow I always managed to lose them. How I wish I had one today! This story goes about Aunt Essie: When Wayne was born Aunt Essie came to our house to help. She had cooked a big dinner. She knew that sweet potato pie was my favorite so this was the dessert she prepared. As you know, homegrown sweet potatoes have strings in them, or they did then. Aunt Essie had long red hair. She gave me a big helping of the pie and I did not eat it. She asked why I wasn’t eating my pie since it was my favorite. I retorted that I was not going to eat it because it had her red hair in it. She never let me forget this story as long as she lived." L to R: Benjamin Ausburn, Mittie Lou Ausburn, Essie Ausburn holding Bobbie Jean Lewallen On April 6th 1939, Essie's 5 year old daughter, Betty Eulean Lewallen, passed away from lobar pneumonia and emphysema. She is buried at Damascus Church Cemetery, Banks County, GA. Martha Ann Deaton remembered her parents, Harve and Bertie Mae Deaton , saying she was such a sweet little girl. Harve caught fish and put them in a bucket for her to look at when she was bedfast.

Click here to view profile George Nural Sheppard December 21st 1931 – March 20th 2018 Geore's parents, Nural and Glessie Into the Life George Nural Sheppard was born on December 21, 1931, in Forest City, Rutherford County, North Carolina, to Nural Hathren Shepherd and Glessie McGaha. He grew up alongside his three siblings: Imogene, Nancy, and Dorcas Naomi Sheppard. He was saved in 1940 and joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church in Forest City, NC, in 1941. During his high school years, he worked multiple jobs, starting with a paper route, followed by shining shoes at a local shoe shop, and then working as a printer at A&M Press. He graduated high school in May 1950. George Sheppard and his three siblings Father: Nural Hathern Sheppard Mother : Glessie McGaha ________________ _______ 1st Wife: Jeanne Stoffa 2nd Wife: Martha Ann Deaton Yearbook superlatives L to R: Nural and George Sheppard Marines and Living in Pittsburgh PA L to R: Jeanne Stoffa and George Sheppard George enlisted in the US Marine Corps on March 20, 1951, and completed boot camp at Parris Island in Beaufort, SC. He was then transferred to Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC, where he was promoted to Sergeant on March 1, 1952. Afterward, he was transferred to a recruiting station in Pittsburgh, PA. While in Pittsburgh, he met Jeanne Stoffa, and the two started a family. Their first child, Beverly, was born in McKees Rocks, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. George was honorably discharged on December 17, 1954, and returned to Rutherford County, North Carolina where he had two more children, Barbara and George Jr. However, when Jeanne left unexpectedly, George was left to raise their children on his own. Forest City House Deed George and daughter Beverly Naomi (George's Sister), Glessie (George's mother), along with his two daughters, Beverly and Barbara George and his son, George Jr. George and his daughters Hunting George in 1966 apart of the Hamlett Hunt Club Charlotte Observer - October 16th, 1966 2nd Marriage George in the Rescue Squad Yearbook After moving to Harrisburg, North Carolina, George became involved in emergency medical services as an EMT instructor. It was during this time that he met Martha Ann Deaton while serving on the local EMT squad. Their shared dedication to helping others brought them together, and on March 17, 1977, they married. Through this union, George became a stepfather to Martha’s two children. The couple built a life together in Gold Hill and later Salisbury, North Carolina, where they spent their later years. George passed away on March 20, 2018, in Salisbury, leaving behind a legacy of service, resilience, and dedication to his family. George and Martha Sheppard

Click here to view profile Robert Lee Meeler September 13th 1923 – June 19th 2018 Robert Lee Meeler was born September 13, 1923 in Banks County, GA. He was the third child of Etta Davis Meeler and James Meeler. His father passed away when he was five years old so his early years were spent working on the farm. He was drafted into the army in 1943 and remained there until 1975. He married Ina Wiley in 1947. They had two children, Carol and David. He married Teresa Sternes in 1971. Robert Meeler passed away on June 19th, 2018 and is buried at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery in Augusta, Georgia. Father : James Meeler Mother : Etta Davis ______________________ Brother: Charlie Meeler Sisters : Odell Meeler , Elsie Meeler Half Brother : John Henry Deaton , Jake Deaton , Harve Deaton ______________________ First Wife : Catherine Ina Wiley Children : Carole Elaine Meeler, David Meeler Top Row (L to R): Charlie Meeler, Robert Meeler Bottom Row (L to R): Etta Meeler, Elsie Meeler, Odell Meeler Top (L to R): Harve, John Henry Middle (L to R): Etta, Elsie, Odell Bottom (L to R): Robert, Charlie L to R: Harve Deaton, Bertie Mae Ausburn , Odell Meeler, Robert Meeler, Charlie Meeler L to R: Verner Looney, Edwin Looney, Lee Looney, Reggie Wade, Robert Meeler, Carole Meeler, Odell Meeler, E.C. Gerrell, Ina Wiley L to R: Odell and Robert Meeler Robert Meeler and Carrie Deaton Robert Meeler and wife Ina L to R: Earl Deaton, Ernest Lee Deaton, Robert Meeler, Daniel Deaton, Jacob Leander Deaton L to R: Harve Deaton, Dauphine Deaton, Robert Meeler L to R: Elsie, Odell, Etta, Robert L to R: Robert and Etta Meele

Click here to view profile Eliza Cantrell October 1838 – around 1897 Eliza Cantrell was born in 1838 in Spartanburg, South Carolina. She was the daughter of William Lanceford Cantrell and Martha Patsy (Cantwell) Cantrell. Little is known about Eliza. Eliza was married to Joab M. Deyton/Dayton/Deaton on or about 22 March 1860. Her husband, Joab M. Deyton died on 22 July 1862 while in the service with Company D, of the 24th Regiment, of the Georgia Volunteers (CSA). He died of Fever in the hospital located in Richmond Virginia. He is listed as Joal M. Dayton on the CSA military roster. Eliza received a pension from the Widows' Pension in the State of Georgia from 1891-1897. Eliza had four children total: Silas L. Dayton born 1861 (Lived with his paternal grandparents after father died in Civil War). John Starlin Deaton born 1868 (Headstone is incorrect) and father is unknown. Martha Ann Deaton Wheeler born 1870 (Death Certificate says 1869) and father was Jeremiah Marion Osborn. James Wesley Dayton born 1873 and father was Wyle Trusty. The 1870 Census for Towns County Georgia shows Eliza living with her mother, Martha Patsy Cantrell, with three children in the house: Francis 13 years, John S. 3 years, and Martha A.E. 9 months. The same census shows Silas living in the household of John and Sarah Deaton, who were parents to Joab M. Deyton. The 1880 Census for Towns County Georgia shows Elizer Denton as head of household with three children in the house: John S. 13 years, Martha A. 10 years, and James W. 6 years. No mention of Eliza Cantrell Deyton/Denton/Deaton can be found in the Census of 1900. It is presumed she passed away sometime between 1897, the last recorded year of her receiving a Widows' Pension, and 1900 when the Census was taken. Eliza's parents and some siblings are reported to be buried in the Upper Hightower Cemetery, Hiawassee, Towns County, Georgia. It is believed by the Towns County Historical Society, Eliza is also buried in the same cemetery, but no record of her burial there can be found. Most probably one of the graves with crumbled headstones. Fa ther: William Lanceford Cantrell Mother : Martha Patsy Cantwell _______________________ Husband: Joab Dayton Children : Silas Dayton Children with unknown father: John Starlin Deaton Children with Jeremiah Marion Osborn : Martha Ann Deyton Children with Wyle Trusty : James Wesley Dayton _______________________ All Census Records

Click here to view profile Bertie Mae Ausburn July 24th 1916 - June 16th 1957 Bertie Mae Ausburn was born on July 24th 1916 in Banks County, Georgia. She grew up in a household with her mother, Mittie Ausburn, and her grandfather, Benjamin Ausburn, who she looked up to as a father. She always said that she was raised by her grandfather and that she loved him dearly. When Benjamin was plowing the fields, he would gladly stop when Bertie Mae would bring him a glass of water. Bertie Mae (Right) and her Aunt Maud (Left) Father: Unknown Mother: Mittie Ausburn Half Siblings: Boyd Jackson , Lucille Jackson ________________ _______ Husband: Harve Deaton Children: Wayne Deaton Child with Jack Peyton: Martha Ann Deaton , Sensitive Content Unknown Father When Bertie's mother, Mittie Ausburn, was 18 years old, she had a child out of wedlock. It is currently unknown who the father of Bertie Mae Ausburn is. This was not talked about by the family and the information may have been lost through time. Bertie Mae's grandson told me that when Harve (Bertie's husband) was in his older age and had suffered many strokes, that he had brought it up and mentioned the name of Bertie's father. Unfortunately the name that was told to him has become a blur, he believes that Harve told him that it was a Charles "Langley" or "Langtree" or "Langford". Hopefully one day this will be revealed through lots of DNA testing. Early Life Bertie Mae was an active member at Damascus Church in Homer, Georgia. when she was five years old, Harve Deaton, had said she would be his wife some day and apparently Bertie Mae had cussed him out for it. Bertie Mae grew up with two aunts and one uncle. Maud, Essie, and Grant Ausburn . 1920 Census showing Bertie Mae Ausburn living with her grandfather, mother, and aunt In 1921, Bertie Mae's mother, Mittie, got married to Claude Homer Jackson. This would be her new step father. Mittie had two more children, Boyd and Lucille. Bertie Mae loved those children with a passion. Bertie Mae in her teenage years with unknown children Bertie Mae standing with step-son, Fred Gibson Top Row (L to R): Bentley Lewallen, Bobbie Jean, Benjamin Ausburn, Bertie Mae Ausburn, Claude Homer Jackson Bottom Row (L to R): Benny Lewallen, Mittie Ausburn, Lucille Jackson, Boyd Jackson L to R: Harve Deaton, Bertie Ausburn, Odell Meeler, Robert Meeler, Charlie Meeler This picture was taken when Ben Ausburn died. The Ausburn family is well represented here. The children on the front row left to right are Ruby and Rudolph Ausburn, Boyd Jackson and Eulean Lewallen. The second row: Bertie Mae Deaton, Belle Ausburn, Vassie Lewallen, Montene Ausburn, Marie Ausburn and Bentley Lewallen. Back row: Hubert Ausburn, Harve Deaton, unknown, Daisy Ausburn, Duck Ausburn, unknown, Grant Ausburn, unknown, Ralph Lewallen and Claude Jackson Bertie Mae Ausburn is on the right. She is with an unknown friend. Working for the Garrisons Bertie Mae Ausburn completed school up to the 7th grade and at age 16, she went to Cornelia and stayed with the family of Brawner Martin and Fletcher Garrison. She kept the house, cooked, and took care of the children. The children were Oland and Jacqueline. Bertie Mae stayed there until she got married at the age of 19. In 2023, I contacted Jackie Garrison at the age of 94. When I asked about Bertie Mae, she said that she remembered that Bertie was a "really country girl" and that "she was really poor". L to R: Brawner Martin, Jackie Garrison, Bertie Mae Deaton L to R: Jackie Garrison, Bertie Mae Deaton Marriage Bertie Mae Ausburn married Harve Wesley Deaton on February 21st, 1935 in Banks County, Georgia by Rev. Freeman Rice. Bertie's mother, Mittie, became very sickly. Bertie and Harve would pick Mittie's children up on Sunday afternoon and keep them at their house until Friday afternoon so they could go to school. Bertie got pregnant and they welcomed their first child, Martha Ann Deaton on July 5th 1941. Bertie's mother, Mittie, died the next day on July 6th 1941. Other people worked the farm to keep it going while Harve was busy building military equipment during WW2. It was a sharecropper's farm. There was always someone staying with them that worked for a room. Everyday there was someone at the door asking Harve and Bertie for food; they were always fed leftovers and given water while sitting on Harve's backdoor step. Bertie got pregnant once more but they had to bury their baby boy, Kenneth Wesley Deaton on March 13th 1943. He arrived too early and wasn't strong enough to make it. Bertie Mae was pregnant once more and Harry Wayne Deaton was born on July 29, 1946 and the war had ended. Headstone of Infant Kenneth Deaton L to R: Harve, Martha Ann, Bertie Mae L to R: Harve, Wayne, Martha, Bertie Bertie Mae holding Wayne Deaton and standing with Martha Ann. Bertie Mae holding daughter Martha Ann and standing with husband Harve L to R: Lucille Jackson, Bobbie Jean Lewallen, Bertie Mae and Harve Deaton holding Martha Ann Bertie Mae holding daughter Martha Ann Postcard send from cousin Ralph Lewallen to Bertie Mae Deaton while he was overseas in Africa during the war. Bertie and Harve's marriage certificate (Picture taken from Banks County Courthouse) Jack Peyton In August of 2023, a seemingly routine decision led to a profound discovery that would reshape the understanding of one family's history. It all began when my mother decided to take a DNA test through Ancestry.com. Little did we know that the results of this test would unravel a hidden chapter in our family's past. As the test results arrived, we were met with a shock that left us bewildered. Contrary to our expectations, the DNA analysis revealed that we did not share any DNA connection with the "Deaton" family, despite our longstanding belief that we were firmly rooted in this ancestral line. Even more bewildering was the fact that we shared 0% DNA with many of my grandmother Martha Ann Deaton's first cousins, individuals who were assumed to be close relatives. We were at a loss for what to make of this unexpected turn of events. However, as we delved deeper into the test results, another name emerged as a prominent clue. We noticed a significant number of first cousin matches with individuals bearing the surname "Peyton." The name struck a chord for my mom and I because we have a photograph from 1941 depicting a man named Jack Peyton holding a baby Martha Ann. Jack Peyton holding Martha Ann Deaton With newfound determination, we embarked on a quest to uncover the truth behind the connection between the Deaton and Peyton families. Our journey led us to uncover a crucial piece of evidence in the form of Jack Peyton's World War II registration card. It revealed that Jack Peyton had been the farmhand for Harve Deaton, Martha Ann's father, back in 1940. The card listed Bertie Mae Deaton, Martha Ann's mother, as someone who would always know Jack Peyton's address. With this newfound information in hand, our quest led us to the last living link in the chain, Jack Peyton's only son, Ronald Peyton. At the age of 77, Ronald was surprised to receive our call, as he had always known about the existence of a half-sister living in North Carolina. However, he had never known her name or her identity. Our call offered him the long-awaited answers he had sought for many years. To confirm the connection, we convinced Ronald Peyton to take a DNA test. The results of the test confirmed our suspicions, as it revealed that he shared 9% DNA (634 centimorgans) with my mother, which is consistent with the genetic relationship of a half-uncle. It became increasingly clear that Jack Peyton was likely the biological father of Martha Ann Deaton. The revelation of this hidden family secret left us with a profound sense of empathy for Martha Ann and Harve Deaton, who possibly lived their entire lives without ever discovering the truth. The circumstances of how Bertie Mae Deaton became pregnant by Jack Peyton remain unknown, buried in the annals of time, and lost to history. Living in Cramerton The family eventually decided to move to Cramerton, North Carolina on March 10th, 1950. Bertie's husband, Harve, had already been working in the Mill there because farming was not productive enough to support a family of four. While working in the mill, Harve was living with Bertie's cousin, Vassie Lewallen and her husband Garnett Smith. Harve was eventually offered a job to be the caretaker for the Cramer farm and a house came with the job; therefore, Bertie and the children made the full time move to Cramerton. Their house address was 583 Mountain Road, Cramerton NC. This was the first house Bertie Mae had with a bathroom, running water, and electricity. Bertie Mae and Harve Deaton at their Cramerton House Bertie Mae with her children, Wayne and Martha Ann Deaton Deaton Family in the yard of Stuart Cramer at the Maymont Mansion The family loved going to Friendship Baptist Church, this is where Bertie Mae's cousin, Vassie and Garnett Smith attended church. Harve and Bertie had became good friends with the preacher, Albert Pressley Millen, and his wife, Nellie. When attending a church dinner at Friendship Baptist Church in Belmont, the family got red measles (also known as rubeola). Everyone had gotten better except for mother Bertie Mae. Her measles turned into spinal meningitis. She laid in the hospital and went into a coma for 42 days. When she awoke, she was never quite right again and suffered physically and mentally. Things did not get better for Bertie Mae as there were instances where she had attempted suicide by trying to drown herself in the lake and her husband Harve jumped in and pulled her out. Harve had her committed to Broughton Mental Hospital on May 3rd 1954 and was she discharged on June 30th 1955. I was able to obtain Bertie's admission card to Broughton Hospital through the Broughton Hospital Library, everything that I was told was confirmed to be tru e about her medical conditions. On Sunday, June 16th 1957 at 9:15 pm, Bertie Mae Deaton, had gotten her husband's .32 pistol and shot herself in the right temple outside of the garage of her house . She was followed by her son Wayne outside and she told him, "Do your mother a favor and go back inside the house". Wayne ran back inside the house and told his sister, Martha. Martha replied "She's not gonna do it" and then the gun shot went off. Shortly before Bertie's death, her daughter, Martha Ann, had apparently been sneaking out of the house at night and was forming relations with the black folk down the road in "Baltimore Village". The town of Cramerton had assumed that Martha was dating black men. The local Ku Klux Klan heard about this and burned a cross in the Deaton's yard. Before Bertie Mae's death, she wrote a letter to her half brother, Boyd Jackson , which read "Make sure Blackie takes care of my flowers". According to Boyd's son, Ronnie, Boyd held onto this letter for a long time but that it was eventually burned in a house fire. Bertie Mae and friend Nellie Millen. Bertie Mae's Broughton Hospital Admission Card. Bertie Mae after contracting Spinal M eningitis The Gastonia Gazette June 18th 1957, Tue · Page 9 According to members of the family, there was a post-mortem photograph of Bertie Mae, but as of this writing, I have never seen the picture and it is unknown if it still exists today. Death Certificate of Bertie Mae Deaton Memory of Bertie Mae Deaton Written by Daughter, Martha Ann Deaton Bertie Mae was an excellent seamstress. She could cut a pattern out of a newspaper and it would look great. She made her daughter's fourth grade school teacher a velvet dress with sequins all over. She was a very good cook and loved all the Ausburn generation. As a child I remember a death in the community and the family was very poor. Mama went over to the house and each neighbor gave what they could to help out. Mama took chickens, eggs, ect. to the country store and traded them. She was so proud she was able to get each child and the father in the family a new set of clothes. She pruchased cloth and went home. She procceeded to make the mother a new dress. By late afternoon she delivered the clothes and had cooked their dinner as well. She always tried to help others. A message written by Bertie Mae in Martha Ann Deaton's 1956 yearbook Bertie Mae (Right) with brother-in-law, Isaac Deaton (Left) Extra Stories about Bertie Mae Ausburn In 2023, I visited Baltimore Village (African-American Community) in Cramerton with my mother. Baltimore Village is directly across the street to where Bertie and the family lived in Cramerton from 1950-1962. When knocking on the door of the oldest living locals in Baltimore Village, I told them that my great grandparents lived across the street in the 1950s. Immediately, I got the response, "Martha Ann Deaton?". All 3 locals that I spoke to, remembered Bertie Mae and the family like they spoke to them yesterday. One lady told me that she remembered Bertie Mae sitting on the porch of the house and when the children from Baltimore would walk to the store and pass the Deaton household, Bertie Mae would look out for cars to make sure no one got hit. One man told me that he remembered Bertie Mae coming over to help the people in Baltimore sew some clothing and that she was a very friendly woman. In 2023, I also spoke with a classmate of Martha Ann Deaton, she said she remembered Bertie well and that she had a real country voice and that she was always real friendly to her. She said she does remember Bertie Mae having breakdowns when she came to visit them and she would sometimes see Bertie cry for no reason. She also recollected the goodie bags that Bertie would sent her home with, filled with cake and cookies. Bertie Mae Deaton's Social Security Card Bertie Mae with children and famous Cherokee Indian, Molly Runningwolf Sequoyah In 2023, Roy Gibson (Brother of Fred Gibson) told me that he remembered walking down Baldwin mountain when Bertie Mae recognized him and picked him up in her and Harve's Ford A model coupe. He said she was driving with Martha Ann and Wayne in the car. Linda Deaton (Earl Deaton's daughter), told me the story that when Bertie Mae passed away, her glasses were left on the right side of the fireplace in their Cramerton home. When the family decided to put them away, the next day they suddenly reappeared right back on that mantle and the family decided to just leave them be and the glasses stayed their until they moved out. Every Picture I have seen of Bertie Mae Ausburn All Census Records

Click here to view profile Craig Allen Eury February 6th 1927 – February 7th 1976 Into the Life Craig Allen Eury was born on February 6, 1927, in Stanly County, North Carolina. He was the youngest child of Josephus Sanford Eury and Rosa Agnes Hill. His mother, Rosa, passed away in August 1933, when Craig was just 6 years old. He grew up in the Norwood area and later enlisted in the U.S. Army on February 27, 1946, at Camp Pickett, Blackstone, Virginia. Craig served in Company F, 350th Infantry Regiment. His service number was 44083959. He was released from active duty on April 17, 1947, after completing his one-year enlistment. Craig married Anna Carroll Johnson on February 8, 1948, in Chesterfield, South Carolina. Craig passed away on February 7, 1976, in Tennessee. He was buried at Cottonville Baptist Church Cemetery in Norwood, Stanly County, North Carolina. Father: Josephus Eury Mother : Rosa Agnes Hill Brothers: Leonard , Lester , Hugh , Paul , Willie , Joe Jr , Lawson Sisters: Mary Velma , Nannie (died at age 2), Lela ________________ _______ Craig's WW2 Registration Card. In 1945, he was 5'10 and 145 pounds. Obituary Hugh Eury's Funeral (Craig's brother) Top Row: Joseph Jr. Middle Row (L to R): Lawson and Craig Bottom Row (L to R): Paul, Lester, Leonard Veteran Headstone Registration

Click here to view profile David Wilson Poole October 5th 1844 – May 25th 1917 Into the Life David Wilson Poole was born on October 5, 1844, in Montgomery County, North Carolina, to David Pool and Susan Chappell. Throughout his life, he resided in various parts of Montgomery County, including Rock Spring, Cheek Creek Township, and Eldorado Township. He was married multiple times. His first marriage was to Flora Livingston on October 6, 1869, in Montgomery County, and they had many children together. He later married Francenia L. Coggins on January 3, 1889, in Eldorado, Montgomery County. David lived in North Carolina his entire life, passing away on May 25, 1917, in Montgomery County. He was buried at Chandlers Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery in Montgomery County, North Carolina. Father: David Poole Mother : Susan Chappell ________________ _______ Wife : Flora Livingston Death Certificate Headstone

Click here to view profile Benjamin Ausburn December 25th 1869 – September 13th 1937 Benjamin Ausburn was born on Christmas day 1869 in Banks County, Georgia. He was a farmer. He had four children with Mary Caudell: Grant, Mittie, Essie, and Maud. After his wife, Mary, died in 1913, he remarried on July 25th 1921 to Harriet Hailey Lewallen (1877-1948). They did not stay married long. Harriet had a great big furry cat and she slept with that cat. Benjamin vowed that he would never sleep in the bed with a cat. Benjamin's grandson, Boyd Jackson, tells this story: Benjamin was the strongest man I had ever seen. Ben cut down trees with only an axe, never a saw. He could plow a mule all day long, stopping only for a glass of water that his granddaughter, Bertie Mae, would gladly take him. Father : Hugh B. Ausburn Mother : Mary Ann Murray ____________________ Wife : Mary Louise Caudell Children : Grant Wilmer Ausburn , Mittie Lou Ausburn , Essie Ausburn , Maud Lee Ausburn Moderee Sisk (1927-2017), great granddaugther to Hugh Ausburn (Benjamin's father) remembered Benjamin. She said that Benjamin often came over to help her family kill hogs. She called him Uncle Ben. He always picked up the hog and scalded it in a barrel. He always said he would kill the biggest hog anyone had on Thanksgiving day. Benjamin Ausburn ran the Ragsdale Gristmill in the early 1930s. The mill is still in excellent condition . I visited the mill in 2023 and owner, Dock Sisk, showed me around and took me inside the Mill house where the mill workers lived. It is very possible Benjamin lived inside there at some point. Ragsdale Mill built in early 1860s Ragsdale Mill House (Possible living place for Benjamin Ausburn) Benjamin sitting at a table Top Row (L to R): Bently Lewallen holding Bobbie Jean Lewallen, Benjamin Ausburn, Bertie Mae Ausburn, Claude Homer Jackson Bottom Row (L to R): Benny Euline Lewallen, Mittie Lou Jackson, Lucille Jackson, Boyd Jackson L to R: Benjamin, Mittie, Essie holding Bobbie Jean Stories Funeral of Benjamin Ausburn Benjamin's funeral. Daughter Mittie in front of his casket. Death Benjamin Ausburn in Homer, Georgia on September 13th 1937. He developed Sepsis due to Cellulitis in the Right Axillary Region. Benjamin's post-mortem picture is attached to the left. Benjamin's death certificate Benjamin's headstone This picture was taken when Ben Ausburn died. The Ausburn family is well represented here. The children on the front row left to right are Ruby and Rudolph Ausburn, Boyd Jackson and Eulean Lewallen. The second row: Bertie Mae Deaton, Belle Ausburn, Vassie Lewallen, Montene Ausburn, Marie Ausburn and Bentley Lewallen. Back row: Hubert Ausburn, Harve Deaton, unknown, Daisy Ausburn, Duck Ausburn, unknown, Grant Ausburn, unknown, Ralph Lewallen and Claude Jackson Every Picture I have seen of Benjamin Ausburn All Census Records