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Click here to view profile John Starlin Deaton October 1865 – February 1908 John Starlin Deaton was born to Eliza Cantrell and an unknown father in Towns County, Georgia. Eliza gave John the last name "Deyton" in honor of her deceased husband, Joab M Deyton, who had died on July 22nd 1862, while in the service with Company D, of the 24th Regiment, of the Georgia Volunteers (CSA). Joab died of Fever in the hospital located in Richmond, Virginia. It is unknown who John's father at the time of me writing this, but hopefully the answer will become clear through a lot of DNA testing. (NOTICE: the spelling of Deaton varied throughout John Starlin's life, it is someitmes spelled "Deaton", "Deyton" or "Dayton") John Starlin had 3 half siblings, Silas L. Dayton born in 1861 who lived with his paternal grandparents after his father, Joab, died in Civil War. A sister named Martha Ann Deaton who was born in 1870. Her father was Jeremiah Marion Osborn. And another brother named James Wesley Dayton born in 1873. His father was Wyle Trusty. Father: Unknown Mother : Eliza Cantrell Half Brothers : Silas Dayton, James Wesley Dayton Half Sisters : Martha Ann Deyton ____________________ First Wife : R.L. Murphy Second Wife : Leutica Carver Children : Reuben Deaton , David Deaton , Isaac Deaton , Robert Lee Deaton Third Wife : Etta Icie Davis Ch ildren : Jo hn Henry Deaton , Jacob Leander Deaton , Harve Wesley Deaton Photographic enlargement of John Starlin Deaton Towns County, Georiga John Starlin Deyton grew up living with his mother Eliza Cantrell, grandmother Martha Cantrell, and sister Martha Ann Deyton. Who are all listed with him in the 1870 census. In 1880, John Starlin Deyton was living with his Eliza, Martha Ann, and James Wesley Dayton. Based on compiled marriages records in Towns County, Georgia. John Starlin married "R.L. Murphy" on March 21st 1886. Nothing is known about R.L. Murphy but the marriage apparently did not last long as John Starlin soon moved to Robbinsville, North Carolina sometime between 1886 and 1891. Click Here to View Records of Towns County, Georgia Marriages 1855-1900 Living in North Carolina John Starlin Deaton was prone to fighting and drinking, he was often known as "Fighting John Deaton", he was considered the strongest man in two different counties. It is said that he helped build the second ever courthouse in Robbinsville, NC and got into a fight with another worker. This made him the first case trialed in the new courthouse. A story told by Farley Deaton: (Grandson of John Starlin Deaton) John once made a bet in which his friends said they would give him a dollar for every foot he carried a metal railroad track. He ended up carrying it twenty feet and made twenty dollars. This is equivalent to over 700 dollars in 2023. Farley also told me that John Starlin was so strong that he picked up a giant concrete stone and moved it all by himself while working on the courthouse, leaving everyone in awe. This is a picture of the second courthouse in Robbinsville, North Carolina shortly after completion in 1895. It is unknown if John is in the picture or not. Second Marriage On August 8th, 1891, John Starlin Deaton married Leutica Candis Carver in Robbinsville, North Carolina. They were married by Justice of the Peace, TJ Wakefield. Witnesses were William Carpenter, R.L. Carver, and Elizabeth Carver. Through the marriage, John Starlin received two new stepchildren. Etta and Cena Davis, who were the children of Leutica and James Davis of Robbinsville. John and Tishie had four boys together. On April 28th 1891, Reuben Deaton. On November 25th 1894, David Deaton. On July 10th 1897, Isaac Deaton. On December 31st 1899, Robert Lee Deaton. Then in December of 1900, it is suspected that Leuticia died during childbirth, as she is buried in Lone Oak Cemetery with an "Infant Deyton" beside her. Justice of the Peace: Thomas Jefferson Wakefield The fate of John Starlin's step daughter Cena, is currently unknown. Is is suspected that she died sometime between 1900-1908. She was listed in the 1900 census and then suddenly disappears from all records with no named headstone. Mysterious Disappearnce of Cena Headstone of "Infant of John & Leutica Deyton" Headstone of Leuticia Deyton Third Marriage On December 23rd 1902, John Starlin married his stepdaughter, Etta Icie Davis. They were married by Justice of the Peace, W.M. Flemming. Witnesses were C.M. Pittman, B.C. Deyton, and John Deyton. They had their first child on February 14th 1902, John Henry Deaton. During a trip to the Graham County courthouse, I received John Henry's Delayed Birth Certificate. He had gone back to Robbinsville to obtain a birth certificate in 1943. It says the doctor that delivered the child was S.F. Howell. Dr Swinfield F Howell making his rounds Delayed Birth Certificate of John Henry Deaton On March 8th 1904, John Starlin and Etta had their second son together, Jacob Leander Deaton. On November 14th 1907, the youngest son of John Starlin and Etta was born Harve Wesley Deaton. Killing of John Starlin Deaton It is belived that John Starlin was shot and killed by his cousin, Grayson Garrett, near Hanging Dog, North Carolina. The story goes, "While clearing logs off a new ground with his son, Isaac, John Starlin was ambushed from behind and shot in the back of the head. Isaac Deaton followed the river all the way to Tellico Plains, TN to get help. He walked 13 miles and did not arrive until 7pm that night. When they returned it was too late and John Starlin Deaton had passed away." For a long time, no one knew who the killer of John Starlin Deaton was. One day, Isaac's son, Jurlon Deaton, was in the hospital. A nurse came into his room with tears in her eyes and confessed that her uncle, Grayson Garrett, had killed John Starlin. Apparently, Garrett was a good friend of John Starlin's. Garrett wanted a man killed in Georgia and one of Garrett's friends wanted to John Starling killed, so Garrett killed John Starlin and the friend of Garrett, killed the man in Georgia for him in return. John Starlin Deaton is buried in the Garrett Cemetery. He is understood to be one of the first people buried here. His original headstone was falling apart so it was replaced with a new headstone in the late 1990s or early 2000s. In a book called Coker Creek by Fred Brown, the author talks about Grayson Garrett and his life as an outlaw. He went to prison for killing another man. The author also mentions that stories were passed down that Grayson Garrett had also killed his cousin (he couldn't remember the cousins name), which would be John Starlin Deaton. Second Headstone of John Starlin Deaton in August 2023 First Headstone of John Starlin Deaton Picture from Coker Creek Book by Fred Brown William Grayson Garrett John Starlin's wife, Etta, packed up everything they owned onto a cart pulled by an ox to take her and her children all the way to Towns County, Georgia. Etta's half brothers, David and Robert Lee Deaton went with them too. They had to camp out over an open fire, while it tooks months to arrive in Georgia. They were welcomed by John Starlin's sister, Martha Ann Wheeler. Whom they lived with for a while until moving to Banks County, Georgia. It is understood that Etta did not talk about John Starlin in her later years. There is only one picture that exists of John Starlin, that my great grandfather, Harve Deaton, kept in his house for as long as he lived. This original picture and frame is now in my possession. It is a photographic enlargement that was retouched with artist’s crayon (circa ≈1900). Polaroid picture believed to have been taken sometime in the late 50s of the original photographic enlargement of John Starlin Deaton Half Sister of John Starlin Deaton, Martha Ann Deyton Wheeler All Census Records

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 Leutica Candis Carver November 1868 – December 1900 Leutica Carver was born in November of 1868. She was the daughter of Azor Carver and Lucinda Duncan. Leutica had two children with James Davis, Etta and Cena. To my knowledge, they were never married. Etta Davis always told her son, Robert Meeler, that she was raised by her grandparents. If we had access to the census records of 1890 we quite possibly would have a record of this but those census records were destroyed by fire. In the census of 1900 in Graham County, NC, Etta and Cena were listed living with John and "Tishie" Deaton and were listed as daughters. Leutica's parents both died in 1900. Fa ther: Azor Carver Mother : Lucinda Duncan _______________________ Children with James Davis : Etta D avis , Cena Davis Husband : John Starlin Deaton Children : Reuben Deaton , David Deaton , Isaac Deaton , Robert Lee Deaton _______________________ Marriage On August 8th, 1891, Leutica Candis Carver married John Starlin Deaton in Robbinsville, North Carolina. They were married by Justice of the Peace, TJ Wakefield. Witnesses were William Carpenter, R.L. Carver, and Elizabeth Carver. Through the marriage, John Starlin received two new stepchildren. Etta and Cena Davis, who were the children of Leutica and James Davis of Robbinsville. John and Tishie had four boys together. On April 28th 1891, Reuben Deaton. On November 25th 1894, David Deaton. On July 10th 1897, Isaac Deaton. On December 31st 1899, Robert Lee Deaton. Then in December of 1900, it is suspected that Leuticia died during childbirth, as she is buried in Lone Oak Cemetery with an "Infant Deyton" beside her. The fate of John Starlin's step daughter Cena, is currently unknown. Is is suspected that she died sometime between 1900-1908. She was listed in the 1900 census and then suddenly disappears from all records with no named headstone. Mysterious Disappearnce of Cena Justice of the Peace, TJ Wakefield Headstone of "Infant of John & Leutica Deyton" Headstone of Leuticia Deyton

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 Azor Alexander Carver October 19th 1830 – June 13th 1900 Azor Carver was born October 19, 1830 in Cherokee County, NC. He had two daughters with an unknown women; Dicy Emeline and Edie Roxanna Carver. He married Lucinda Duncan on January 22nd 1861. The minister was Jacob Weaver. "R.B Vance" was their witness. They had two sons and a daughter. They were: Robert Lee Carver, Candis Loutisha Carver, and John Henry Carver. Azor served in Company H, Infantry Regiment, Thomas Legion, NC in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He enlisted July 23, 1862 as a Private and was discharged as a Private. His legion fought until the end of the war so we do not know when he returned home. Fa ther: Thomas Granville Carver Sr. Mother : Dicey Dixie Duncan ____________________ Children: Dicy Emeline Carver, Edie Roxanna Carver Wife : Lucinda Duncan Children : Robert Lee Carver, Leutica Carver , John Henry Carver Headstone of Azor Carver War Records Azor was listed as a farmer in the census of 1860, 1870, and 1880. Lucinda Carver died March 21, 1900. Azor Carver died June 13, 1900 and they are both buried in Lone Oak Cemetery, Graham County, NC. Azor was 5'8 at 33 years old. He had dark skin, blue eyes, and dark hair.

Click here to view profile David Deaton 25 November 1894 – 30 March 1921 David Deaton was born in November of 1894 in Graham County, NC. He was the second son of Leutica Carver and John Starlin Deaton. After his father died he went with his half-sister, Etta Carver Davis Deaton to Martha and James Wheeler's home in Towns County, GA. In the 1910 Census of Towns County, GA, he is listed as still living in the home with them. We have no knowledge of the year he left there. Harve Wesley Deaton, his half-brother, said he developed Tuberculosis and moved to New Mexico for his health. Photographic enlargement of David Deaton and friend. I have the original picture of this in a frame. Fa ther : John Starlin Deaton Mother : Leutica Carver Brothers: Reuben Deaton , Isaac Deaton , Robert Lee Deaton Half Brothers : John Henry Deaton, Jacob Leander Deaton , Harve Wesley Deaton ____________________ David Deaton is on the far right. It is unknown who the other men are.

Click here to explore the life of Horace Poole from Randolph County, North Carolina in the 1900s! Horace Ceaser Poole November 11th 1895 - December 27th 1988 Into the Life Horace Ceaser Poole was born on November 11th, 1895 to David Zebedee "Zeb" Poole and Charlotte Ann Parsons in Candor, North Carolina. He grew up in Cheek Creek Township in Montgomery County, North Carolina with his 3 siblings. His mother, Charlotte, died when Horace was 17 years old due to unknown cause (Death Certificates weren't required in NC until a few months after Charlotte passed). Horace worked at the Russell and King saw mill as a young adult in Candor, NC. In 1918, Horace Poole and his cousin, Fannie Mae Livingston, had a child named Annie Rachel Livingston. It is unknown if Horace and Fannie were in a relationship. Horace's grandmother, Flora Livingston, was Fannie's aunt. Horace did not meet his daughter, Annie, until 1984, after Fannie had passed away. Shorty after Annie's birth, Horace was inducted into the military on August 25th, 1918. He served at Fort Jackson in South Carolina, which was a training center and demobilization camp during World War I. Father: David Zebedee Poole Mother : Charlotte Ann Parsons ______________________ Child with Fannie Mae Livingston : Annie Rachel Livingston 1st Wife : Minnie Ella Harris Children : Verta Mae Poole, Ethel Elenor Poole, Roy Kenneth Poole, Alma Elizabeth Poole 2nd Wife : Dorothy Everheart WW1 Service Card Horace (middle) and his sisters, Annie Belle Poole (left), Johnsie Pool (right) Horace (left) and his brother-in-law, Oliver Pressley Harris (right) Horace's WW1 Registration Card Horace's Birth Certificate Minnie Ella Harris Montgomery Herald: February 9th, 1922 - Page 1 Horace Poole's 91st birthday with his wife, Dorothy Everheart Annie and father Horace Poole WW1 P assanger List First Wife On January 17th 1922, Horace Poole married Minnie Ella Harris in Troy, North Carolina. They had four children together: Verta Mae Poole (born 1924), Ethel Elenor Poole (born 1926), Roy Kenneth Poole (born 1928), and Alma Elizabeth Poole (born 1931). Minnie passed away in 1957 from uremia due to pyonephritis. Second Wife Horace Poole second marriage was to Dorothy Everheart, whose previous husband was Minnie's brother, Bethel Letlow Harris. Horace stayed married to Dorothy until his passing in 1988. Meeting daugter Annie Out of respect for her mother, Fannie Mae, Annie never met her father, Horace Poole, while her mother was alive. However, in 1984, after Fannie’s passing, Annie’s granddaughter, Shelia, set out to find him. When they finally met, the reunion was cordial, and Annie was able to meet her half-sisters as well. Though she had spent most of her life without knowing him, this meeting brought her a sense of closure and connection to a family she had never known. Annie and father Horace Poole

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 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 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 David Zebedee Poole May 15th 1867 - April 18th 1935 Into the Life David Zebedee "Zeb" Poole was born May 15th, 1867 to David Wilson Poole and Flora Livingston in Montgomery County, North Carolina. On January 19th, 1887 he married Charlotte Parsons. They had four children together: Johnsie A Poole (born 1888), Annie Belle Poole (born 1889), David Franklin Poole (born 1993), Horace Ceaser Poole (born 1895). His wife, Charlotte, died in 1913 due to an unknown cause (Death Certificates weren't required in NC until a few months after Charlotte passed). He remarried Hannah Bell Freeman on March 7th, 1916 in Randolph County, North Carolina. Zeb passed away on April 18th, 1935 due to arteriosclerosis. Father: David Wilson Poole Mother : Flora Livingston ________________ _______ 1st Wife : Charlotte Parsons Children : Johnsie A Poole, Annie Belle Poole, David Franklin Poole, Horace Ceaser Poole 2nd Wife : Hannah Bell Freeman The picture to the left is believed to be Zeb Poole (right) making moonshine. It is possible that the man to the left is Zeb's son, David Franklin Poole. Having multiple conversations with Zeb's grandchildren, he was often reported being a mean man with a big mustache.

Click here to view the Deaton Family Tree! Originated in the rocky mountains of North Carolina, foothills of Banks and Towns County, Georgia. Deaton Family Tree Click a profile and learn more!