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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 Edward Eury July 4th 1923 – February 20th 1943 Edward and his father Josephus at the Caswell Developmental Center in Kinston NC Into the Life Edward L. Eury was born on July 4, 1923, in Norwood, Stanly, North Carolina, to Josephus Sanford Eury and Rosa Agnes Hill. His mother, Rosa, passed away in August 1933 when Edward was just 10 years old. Edward was disabled and as a result, his father placed him in the Caswell Developmental Center in Kinston, North Carolina. Edward tragically passed away at the age of 19 on February 20, 1943, due to epilepsy. Death Certificate Father: Josephus Eury Mother : Rosa Agnes Hill Brothers: Leonard , Lester , Hugh , Paul , Willie , Joe Jr , Lawson , Craig Sisters: Mary Velma , Nannie (died at age 2), Lela ________________ _______ Caswell Developmental Center in Kinston NC

Click here to view profile Mary Frances Singleton September 27th 1872 – February 6th 1950 L to R: Mary Frances and her husband, Alexander Livingston Mary Frances Livingston in Norwood NC Early Life Father: Henry Singleton Mother : Elizabeth Hogan ________________ _______ Husband : Alexander Livingston Children : Fannie Mae Livingston , William Harrison Livingston, Carson Livingston, Betty Livingston, Lemuel Sears Livingston, Lillie Jane Livingston, James Thomas Livingston Mary Frances Singleton was born on Septermber 27th, 1872 to Henry Singleton and Elizabeth Hogan. She grew up and spent most of her life in Montgomery County, North Carolina and had 6 siblings. On January 5th, 1890, she married Alexander Livingston. They had seven children together: Fannie Mae Livingston (born 1893), William Harrison Livingston (born 1895), Carson Livingston (born 1898), Betty Livingston (born 1903), Lemuel Sears Livingston (1907), Lillie Jane Livingston (born 1910), and James Thomas Livingston (born 1913). Alexander was a farmer and Mary Frances took care of the cooking and raising the children. She lived at Capelsie in Troy with her family, up until 1927, when they moved to Norwood, North Carolina. L to R: Annie, Lillie Mae, Fannie Mae (holding baby Erion), George Richardson, James Thomas, Betty (holding baby Frances), Nancy Jane Morton (Neighbor), Mary Frances Singleton, Abbie Gale Singleton, Alexander Livingston Early Life Mary Frances Singleton was known as "Granny" to many of her family in her later years. She was known to always wear a bonnet and an apron. She also always had snuff in her mouth. On Febuary 6th, 1950, Mary Frances died of an intracranial hemorrhage due to Hypertensive Cardiovascular Disease. She had a previous hemorrhage one year prior. She is buried at Norwood Cemetery with her husband, Alexander. Mary Frances Livingston's funeral in Norwood

Click here to view profile Lela Tance Eury April 20th 1914 – April 8th 2008 Into the Life Lela Tance Eury was born on April 20, 1914, in Stanly County, North Carolina, to Josephus Sanford Eury and Rosa Agnes Hill. Lela married Matthew Ransom Luther Sr. on July 1, 1936, in Chesterfield, South Carolina. They had seven children: Matthew Ransom Luther Jr. (1940–2016), Linda Darnell Luther (1941–2010), Brenda Joyce Luther (born 1941), Thomas Edward Luther Sr. (1943–2023), Larry Malcolm Luther (1944–2003), Audrey Jean Luther (1946–2018), and Annie Agnes Luther (1948–2016) Lela spent much of her life in North Carolina, raising her children. She endured hardships, including an abusive marriage. When her husband became violent, her father, Josephus Eury, intervened and shot Matthew Ransom Luther Sr. in the hand to protect his daughter. They later got divorced. Lela's ex husband, Matthew, died after being hit by a train in 1971 while being intoxicated. Lela passed away on April 8, 2008, in Norwood, Stanly County, North Carolina, at the age of 93. She is buried at Cottonville Baptist Church in Norwood, North Carolina. Father: Josephus Eury Mother : Rosa Agnes Hill Brothers: Leonard , Lester , Hugh , Paul , Willie , Joe Jr , Edward , Lawson , Craig Sisters: Mary Velma , Nannie (died at age 2) ________________ _______

Discover the intriguing story of Harve Wesley Deaton and his family's journey in Banks County, Georgia and Robbinsville, North Carolina. Explore the life of Harve Wesley Deaton today! Harve Wesley Deaton November 14th 1907 - July 3rd 1997 Harve Wesley Deaton was the youngest son of John Starlin Deaton and Etta Icie Davis. He was born on November 14th of 1907 in Robbinsville, North Carolina. He was only three months old when his father was shot and killed near Hanging Dog, North Carolina. Harve's mother, 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. Father : John Starlin Deaton Mother : Etta Icie Davis Brothers : John Henry Deaton , Jacob Leander Deaton Half Brothers : Reuben Deaton , David Deaton , Isaac Deaton , Robert Lee Deaton , Charlie Meeler , Robert Lee Meeler Half Sisters : Odell Meeler , Elsie Meeler ____________________ Wife : Bertie Mae Deaton Children : Martha Ann Deaton , Harry Wayne Deaton Child with Dicey Lawrence: Fred Gibson L to R: Harve Wesley Deaton, Etta Meeler, John Henry Deaton They were welcomed by John Starlin's sister, Martha Ann Wheeler. Harve loved Martha Ann Wheeler; so much so that he eventually named his first daughter after her. She was very outspoken and Harve loved to ask her questions about the past. Martha Ann Wheeler (Harve's Aunt) John Starlin Deaton (Harve's father) Growing up in Banks County Etta and the children eventually moved to Banks County and Etta remarried to James W. Meeler. He started to become very mean to the Deaton children. John Henry, Jake and Harve frequently huddled up outside the house in the chimney corner to stay warm. Etta would secretly slip them in through the window at night after Meeler had went to sleep. During the day they stayed in the barn and Etta had to slip them bread out of the house in her apron in order to feed them. Things continued to get worse and Etta had to start begging the neighbors to raise the older children. At the age of 9 years old, Harve went to live with Robert "Chub" and Hannah Lawrence, who also took care of the elderly. Harve really liked Hannah Lawrence and helped her take care of the old folks. Harve went to school to the 3rd grade, so he had to teach himself how to read, write, and do math. His teacher was Tom E. Anderson at Grady Academy. He lived with Hannah and Chub until he was 16 years old and then decided to go work in the logging camp of the mountains of North Carolina, where his brothers had worked. Hannah Elizabeth Watson Lawrence Harve's first child, Fred Gibson When he first arrived at the logging camp he was the cook's helper. He had to prepare the meals and clean the mess hall. Later, he graduated to logging with the horses. He sent all the money he could to his mother back home to help her with the Meeler children. Around 1926, Harve must have returned to Banks for a visit. He ended up having a relationship with one of Chub and Hannah Lawrence's daughters, Dicey Jane Lawrence. She was also the sister of his brother's wife, Cora Jane Lawrence (John Henry's wife). Harve and Dicey had a child together named Fred, but Dicey did not tell anyone that the child was Harve's and made people believe that Fred was the son of Owen Gibson, Dicey's soon to be husband. The relationship was later confirmed after Ancestry DNA testing of Fred's son, Eddie Randall Gibson. Harve at 19 years old (1926) This was the same year Fred was born. A group picture of the Logging Camp Harve worked at. (Harve is not pictured here) In 1929, when Harve learned of his step father's passing, he sent his brother, John Henry, a letter from Tapoco NC, stating how he plans to come back home and take care of his mother while sending all the money he can for now. (I have this letter to this day, attached below). He agreed to stay and help raise the Meeler children like they were his own. Harve's 1928 letter from Tapoco NC when he was working for the logging camp- addressed to John Henry Deaton in Baldwin Route 1. He talks about the death of his step father, Jim Meeler. Living during the Prohibition era in the United States, a period marked by the nationwide ban on the production, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages. It was a time when speakeasies thrived, and individuals sought inventive ways to skirt the law to quench their thirst for alcohol. Harve was no exception, and he ventured into the world of bootlegging as a means of supporting his family and making ends meet. Harve used his knowledge of corn to make moonshine along with his brothers, John Henry Deaton, Robert Lee Deaton, and Charlie Meeler. One day, the law caught up with the gang and the local sheriff, armed with information about bootlegging activities, embarked on a mission to apprehend him and put an end to the moonshining operation. Fueled by adrenaline and the fear of losing his freedom, Harve's actions took an unexpected turn. With a burst of strength, he managed to pull the sheriff's arm out of place trying to get away. Harve and Charlie would go on to serve six months in jail for trying to outrun the law. Robert Lee and John Henry Deaton managed to stay out of jail. A story told by Roy Gibson, son of Dicey and Owen Gibson: In 1929, Harve Deaton, John Henry Deaton, Owen Gibson, and Ralph Waters were all together. There was a dispute and Owen allegedly hit Ralph in the head with a 2x4 which fractured his skull and killed him. Owen went to prison for manslaughter. He tried to pin the murder on the Deaton's, in particular, John Henry. It is unsure if Owen was the real killer but he had no evidence that it wasn't him so he served several years for it and worked on the chain gang. Dicey (Left) and husband Owen Gibson (Right) The Death Certificate of Ralph Waters Harve (left) and his brother, John Henry (Right) 1932 Title Note where Harve and brother John Henry cosigned to pay for a mule. Harve (Right) and his Logging Buddy (Left) I believe the years of 1932-1942 were very hard for Harve. He lost three of his brothers within that ten year span. Reuben Deaton died in 1932, Robert Lee Deaton died in 1941, and his full brother, Jake Deaton, died in 1942. Harve (Left) and John Henry (Right) at brother Jacob Deaton's funeral Harve (standing in the back) with his mother and siblings Harve Deaton at a Smoke House at Isaac Deaton's home. First Marriage Harve married Bertie Mae Ausburn on February 21st, 1935 in Banks County, Georgia by Rev. Freeman Rice. He always said he picked her out for his wife when she was five years old and she cussed him out for it. Bertie's mother, Mittie, was very sickly. She had two other children and she wasn't really able to care for them. Harve and Bertie 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. Before she passed, she pulled Harve aside and asked him to take care of the children. Harve promised that he would take care of them as long as they would stay with him. With WW2 approaching, Harve was 35 years old so he didn't have to go to war but he did go to work for R.J. Letourneau building military equipment. It took him several hours to get to work and he worked long hours to defend the country's freedom. Other people worked the farm to keep it going while Harve was busy building military equipment. 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. Harry Wayne Deaton was born on July 29, 1946 and the war had ended. First Home in Georiga Harve and Bertie Mae Deaton lived in two homes in Georgia together, both in Baldwin and only a few miles apart. The first home was right on the creek where Daniel Deaton, Harve's nephew, showed me where he, Boyd Jackson, Lucille Jackson, and Earl Deaton used to come play and try to "drown ducks". I pictured these areas in 2024. This was the location where Martha Ann Deaton was born. Coordinates to the creek: 34.42748° N, 83.45566° W Coordinates to possible house location: 34.42635° N, 83.45549° W Second Home in Georiga The second home was on Taylor Road a half mile from Damascus Church Cemetery. The images below were taken in 2010 by my grandmother, Martha Ann Deaton. I am unsure when the picture to left was taken, likely around the early 2000s. Coordinates to the home: 34.43498° N, 83.44093° W In 2023, I revisited the home place and retook some more images. Fireplace still standing in 2023. 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. Meeting Molly Runningwolf Harve's brother Reuben died in 1932 after getting hit in the head. It was speculated that the son of Molly Runningwolf was the one who did it; however, Molly Runningwolf took the blame and served 21 months in prison for it. In 1947, Harve came to get answers to find out who really killed his half brother. Molly Runningwolf thought he had come to kill her. In reality, he just wanted the truth. Molly begged him to believe her, stating 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 her time in prison. Click here to listen to Molly Runningwolf interview The family eventually decided to move to Cramerton, North Carolina on March 10th, 1950. 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, he was living with his friend, Garnett Smith. Working in the mill was simply not for him, he enjoyed being outside and not cooped up inside a mill all day long. He 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 Harve had with a bathroom, running water, and electricity. Harve was working directly for Rebecca Cramer, Stewart Cramer's third wife. Stewart Cramer was the founder of Cramerton and lived in the famous Maymont Mansion on the top of Cramer mountain. Harve took care of Rebecca's land, surrounding the mansion. He often reported the farm's morning news while she was sitting on the toilet. Working for the Cramers The Maymont House in August 2023. The home of Rebecca Cramer, where Harve Deaton oversaw the land. Harve with his children at their home L to R: Martha Ann, Harve, Wayne, Bertie Mae at the Cramer Mansion A postcard from Rebecca Cramer addresed to Mr. and Mrs. Harve Deaton of Cramer Farms L to R: Boyd Jackson and Harve Deaton at the Cramer chicken house L to R: Wayne, Harve, Martha Ann at the Cramer Mansion L to R: Wayne Deaton, Boyd Jackson, Harve Deaton, Big John working in the Cramer hay fields L to R: Boyd Jackson and Harve Deaton at the Cramer Mansion L to R: Harve Deaton and Fred Gibson fishing in Cramerton L to R: Boyd Jackson and Harve Deaton in Cramerton Tragedies Sensitive Content 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 Bertie Mae. Her measles had 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. Albert Pressley Millen, the preacher at Friendship Baptist Church, was very helpful during these times. He and his wife, Nellie, came to visit on numerous occasions to help anyway they could. Things simply did not get better for Bertie Mae. She had attempted suicide by attempting to drown herself in the lake but Harve was close enough to pull her out. Harve had to have her committed to Broughton Mental Hospital on May 3rd 1954. She was discharged on June 30th 1955. Two years later, on Sunday, June 16th 1957, she had gotten a .32 pistol and shot herself in the right temple. This is something Harve never got over for the rest of his life. He took Bertie's death very hard and never remarried again after that. Bertie and Harve on their porch Preacher Millen and Wife Nellie Killing of John Robert Kendrick Tragedy continued to loom. On February 13th, 1960, a man by the name of John Robert Kendrick was attempting to break into the screen door of the Cramerton home of Harve, Wayne, and Martha Ann Deaton. At about 1:30 am, Martha Ann altered her father that she heard a noise outside. Harve quickly got his .32 pistol and shot John Robert Kendrick in the head. Kendrick fell on the steps, the police were called and he was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Charlotte, where he was pronounced dead. Kendrick lived on 553 Baltimore Street, Cramerton. He had previously been sentenced to state prison on October 1953 for two counts of burglary, he was then transferred to Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro, North Carolina in April 1956 until being released. Harve was acquitted for the killing as it was an act of self defense. John Robert Kendrick's Death Certificate Later in Life In 1962, Harve moved to Midland to work at Jonas Pharr's farm for a short time until shortly later moving to Concord, North Carolina to work on Carl Propst's farm. After suffering a stroke in the 1970s, Harve moved in with his daughter, Martha Ann, in Harrisburg. He also lived with his nephew, Earl Deaton for some time. In the 1980s, he lived with his son, Wayne. Harve was evenutally moved to a nursing home and lived to 89 years old. He passed away on July 3rd 1997. Extra Stories about Harve Harve had always been known to be the jokester. His nephew, Lee Looney, told me the story that when he was young he had a date with this girl and on the way back home he had to travel through a graveyard. Harve felt something touch his back and he was sacred to death, he thought a ghost had came to visit him and was following him on the way back home. When Harve finally reached the house, he looked and found that it was an acorn that had fallen on top of him. Harve's nephew, Eddie Daniel Deaton, said "Harve and Bertie Mae were something else". They would go on squirrel hunting trips together and Bertie would always come back with more squirrels killed. It would seem that Bertie Mae was the better shot. Libby Gunter, a 1963 graduate of Cramerton High School, told me the story of how when she was little, she used to sneak up to the Cramer mansion with friends and Harve would find her and catch her every time . She said that he was always super nice and never got them in trouble with the police, even though they deserved it; instead, he brought them by the house and Bertie Mae brought them some punch to drink. Roy Gibson, the son of Dicey Jane Lawrence and Owen Gibson, told me the story that when he was a kid, on Christmas, Harve gave him a toy shotgun. Harve put peanuts in it and shot Roy in the eye with it. He never forgot that. He told me that story 70+ years later. Harve's WW2 Draft Registration Card In 1940, he was 6'2 193 pounds Every picture I have seen of Harve Wesley Deaton 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 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 Lucinda Duncan 1844 – 21 March 1900 Lucinda Duncan was born in 1833. She married Azor Carver on January 22nd 1861. The minister was Jacob Weaver . "R.B Vance" was their witness. They had three children: Robert Lee Carver, Leutica Candis Carver, John Henry "Jack" Carver. Lucinda's husband, Azor, went off to serve in the civil war. When he came back, he was able to own a fair amount of land. Azor was a farmer. Lucinda's granddaughter, Etta Davis, always said she was raised by her grandparents. This likely would have been around 1890. Lucinda died on March 21st 1900 and her husband, Azor, died a few months after. Picture of Lucinda Duncan Fa ther: John Henry Duncan Mother : Matilda Owens _______________________ Husband: Azor Carver Children : Robert Lee Carver, Leutica Candis Carver , John Henry Carver Lucinda's son, John Henry Carver Headstone of Lucinda Duncan Marriage Registry of Lucinda and Azor All Census Records

Click here to view profile Fred Gibson October 14th 1926 – July 15th 2010 Fred Gibson was born on October 14th 1926 in Banks County, Georgia. He was raised by Dicey Jane Lawrence and Owen Gibson; however, his biological father was Harve Wesley Deaton who had him out of wedlock. He married Lucille Jackson on December 4th 1948. They had 3 children: Roger, Randy, and Patsy Jean; however, Patsy Jean died at the age of 3 months. Fred passed away on July 15th 2010. Father: Harve Wesley Deaton Mother: Dicey Jane Lawrence Half Brother: Wayne Deaton , Roy Gibson Half Sister: Martha Ann Deaton , Edith Gibson, Florene Gibson ____________________ Wife : Lucille Jackson Children : Roger Gibson, Randy Gibson Fred and his wife, Lucille Gibson Fred and his son, Roger L to R: Lucille, Fred, Roger, Randy Fred and his two sons L to R: Martha Ann Deaton, Fred Gibson, Wayne Deaton L to R: Maud Ausburn and Fred Gibson

Click here to the Eury and Livingston Family Tree! Originated in Stanly and Montgomery County, North Carolina. Eury and Livingston Family Tree Click a profile and learn more!

Click here to view profile Hazel Deaton Hazel Deaton was born on March 10th 1928 in Banks County, Georgia. Everyone loved Hazel, as she was very outgoing and intelligent. Hazel drowned when she was only thirteen years old. She was at a school picnic and the children were playing at the edge of the water at Soque River. A girl (Sarah Jane Haslett) was swept under the water by a swift undercurrent, and a boy (Gordon Foster) went in to help her. He was swept under. Hazel, being an excellent swimmer, went in to save them. All three died on May 19, 1942. Father: John Henry Deaton Mother : Cora Jane Lawrence Sister : Ruth Deaton, Johnnie Deaton Brother : Stark Deaton ________________ _______ March 18th 1928 - May 19th 1942 Savannah Morning News, 5/42 Hazel Deaton L to R: Hazel, Stark, Cora, John Henry, Johnnie, Ruth Hazel Deaton Hazel's Death Location (Habersham Mill 2024) Newspaper Clip when Hazel was in Second Grade Last Book Hazel Read Hazel's Handwriting