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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 Mary Velma Eury 13 July 1910 – 19 February 1974 Mary Velma Eury Into the Life Mary Velma Eury was born on July 13, 1910, in Stanly County, North Carolina, to Josephus Sanford Eury and Rosa Agnes Hill. She grew up alongside her many siblings and spent most of her life in Stanly County. In 1930, Mary was residing in Center Township, Stanly County. She spent many years working in the local yarn mills, a common occupation in the region during that time. She continued to live in Norwood, North Carolina, for the remainder of her life. On February 19, 1974, Mary Velma Eury passed away in Norwood. She was buried at Cottonville Baptist Church alongside most of her family. Mary Velma and her niece, Mary Mary Velma Eury 1960 Father: Josephus Eury Mother : Rosa Agnes Hill Brothers: Leonard , Lester , Hugh , Paul , Willie , Joe Jr , Edward , Lawson , Craig Sisters: Nannie (died at age 2), Lela ________________ _______

Click here to view profile Annie Starkey July 14th 1839 – October 20th 1913 An article in the files of the Polk County Historical Society Library, written by former county historian J. D. Clemmer, says Kit Lowery shot and killed Annie's father, John Starkey after an all day shooting match held on the north side of the Hiwassee River at the mouth of Spring Creek. " . . . after the day's match, they started home. Starkey and another one of the boys crossed the river first in the bateau. When they landed, Starkey yelled back across the river that he was not going to let Lowery across, to which Lowery declared he would shoot Starkey if he didn't come back for him" - and he did. John, Milly, and the children (Anna, Elizabeth, Malinda, Thaney and Mahaley E.) are listed as Duggans in the 1850 Polk Census, and then they all go by Starkeys from 1860 on. Why he goes by two different surnames is not clear. It says he was born in North Carolina. John's widow, Milly Clayton, daughter of Elijah Clayton and Betsy Webb Roach, appears in the 1860 census of Polk County, Tennessee with children Ann, Betsy, Mary, Thanie, Mahaly, James, Robert, and Florence. Names in the 1870 are Elizabeth, Malinda, Emeline, James, Robert, and Florence, so the middle name of the girls may be used here. Since the last child was born about 1855, we can conjecture that John was killed 1856-'58. There is no record that we know of as to where John is buried, but considering the difficulty in crossing the Hiwassee River in a boat with a casket, family, and mourners, it is assumed he is interred in the closest cemetery to where he lived, which would be the Hiwassee Union Cemetery, later called the Reliance Community, accessed without crossing the river. That burial ground is known to have at least 150 or more graves either marked with fieldstones and no names, or no markers at all. If other information becomes available we will gladly move the memorial, but feel it important that he at least has one. Note: The article says that Kit Lowery left that night and was never heard from again. The only Lowery who lived in that neighborhood appears to be a fisherman, Christopher and Matilda Lowery from Jefferson Co., GA who are in the Polk 1840-1850 census. Whether him or related is not known, but it did say he lived on the south bank of the Hiwassee on what was later called Hiwassee Beach, and there are remains of an old rock house right there on Lowry Branch. Annie passed away due to known reasons in 1913 and is buried in Lone Oak Cemetery in Robbinsville, North Carolina beside his wife, John, and son, James Thomas Davis . Fa ther: John Duggan-Starkey Mother : Millie Clayton ____________________ Husband: John Robert Davis Annie Starkey was born on July 14th 1839 to father John Starkey and mother Millie Clayton. Around 1863, she married John Davis and had many children together. Headstone of Annie Starkey Davis

Click here to view profile James M. Eury March 30th 1850 – December 30th 1921 Into the Life James M. Eury was born on March 30th, 1850 to Abraham Eury and Nancy Hitchcock in Stanly County, North Carolina. In 1867, he married Sarah Honeycutt. They had 6 children: Amanda Elizabeth Eury (born 1868), William Henderson Eury (born 1873), Eva Helen Eury (born 1882), Josephus Sanford Eury (born 1884), Mary Jane Eury (born 1889), Lela Pearl Eury (born 1890). James' wife died in 1909 due to unknown reasons (Death certificates in NC weren't required until 1913). Through 1910-1920, he lived with two of his daughters. In 1909, James had his foot amputated likely due to complications with diabetes. He died on Friday Decemeber 30th, 1921 due to complications with his foot. Father: Abraham Eury Mother : Nancy Hitchcock ________________ _______ Wife: Sarah Honeycutt Children : Amanda Elizabeth Eury, William Henderson Eury, Eva Helen Eury, Josephus Sanford Eury , Mary Jane Eury, Lela Pearl Eury Stanly News and Press Thu, Sep 09, 1909 ·Page 2 Stanly News and Press Fri, Jan 07, 1921 ·Page 6 James and Sarah's headstone at Cottonville Baptist Church Death Certificate James brother, Adam Edna Eury

Click here to view profile Martha Patsy Cantwell November 17th 1800 – around 1870 Martha Cantwell was born on November 17th 1800. She was the daughter of John & Jane (Barnett) Cantwell. She married Lanceford Cantrell, about 1817, Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Fa ther: John Cantwell Mother : Jane Barnett _________________________ Husband: Lanceford Cantrell

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

Click here to view profile Dicey Dixie Duncan About 1800 - About 1860 Dicey Dixie Duncan was born around 1811 via census records and died around 1860. She was married to Thomas Granville Carver and had many children. She is buried in Lone Oak Cemetery with her family. ____________________ Husband: Thomas Granville Carver ____________________