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

Click here to view profile Alexander Livingston August 25th 1854 – July 23rd 1929 Early Life Alexander and his wife, Mary Frances Alexander Livingston was born on August 25th, 1854 to William and Hannah Livingston. He grew up and spent most of his life in Montgomery County, North Carolina and was the youngest of 8 siblings. On January 5th, 1890, he married Mary Frances Singleton. 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 lived at Capelsie in Troy with his family up until 1927, when they moved to Norwood, North Carolina. Alexander was Scottish, as his grandfather was born in Scotland. Father: William Livingston Mother: Hannah Robinson ________________ _______ Wife: Mary Frances Singleton Children : Fannie Mae Livingston , William Harrison Livingston, Carson Livingston, Betty Livingston, Lemuel Sears Livingston, Lillie Jane Livingston, James Thomas Livingston About Alexander In an interview I found in 2025, Fannie Mae Livingston (Alexander's daughter) talked about Alexander. She said that he only drank black coffee and often quoted "When I make coffee, I make coffee. I don't want to be fooled. I don't want 9 grains to the gallon." Alexander said that's the way people make their coffee; 9 grains of coffee to the gallon. The interview is attached below. Alexander and his family were very poor. The entire family of 7-12 people all lived in a four-room house that was never painted, had no attic, and was warmed by a wood stove. Their laundry was done in the yard using a big tub, and their home was lit by oil lamps. The children shared a 12x14 room with three beds and minimal furniture. The family often traveled by horse and buggy and they did take a train from Troy to Norwood, NC. The family owned at least 121 acres in Montgomery County. When they decided to move to Norwood, Alexander sold 10 acres to his son, William, for 100 dollars. When Alexander died in 1929, the family split the money and sold the rest to W. J. Morton for 342 dollars. Fannie Livingston talks about her father, Alexander Livingston (1970s) 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 Montgomery County Land Deed (Sold land to son, William Livingston) Death The Livingston Mongtgomery County house in 2025. Coordinates: 35.31288° N, 79.85472° W On July 23rd, 1929, Alexander was walking down the streets of Norwood when he had a heart attack while carrying an axe on his back. Alexander passed away at the age of 74. He is buried at Norwood Cemetery with his wife, Mary Frances. Alexander's headstone at Norwood Cemetery Death Certificate

Click here to view profile Lester Carl Eury November 30th 1908 - February 5th 1980 Into the Life Hugh Eury's Funeral (Lester's brother) Top Row: Joseph Jr. Middle Row (L to R): Lawson and Craig Bottom Row (L to R): Paul, Lester, Leonard Lester Carl Eury was born on November 30, 1908, in Stanly County, North Carolina, to Josephus Sanford Eury and Rosa Agnes Hill. Lester spent his childhood in Stanly County, North Carolina. In 1910, he was living in Tyson Township, Stanly County. As he grew up, his family moved around the region, including residences in Center, Stanly County, in 1930 and Norwood, Stanly County, in 1935. On April 19, 1928, Lester married Queenie Victoria Mauldin in Chesterfield, South Carolina. Together, they had seven children. Lester registered for the military draft in 1940 while residing in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina. He was too old to have served in active military duty during WW2. Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Lester lived in various locations such as, Cabarrus County, in 1940 and Albemarle, Stanly County, in 1950. He later settled in Concord, Cabarrus County, where he spent his remaining years. Lester Carl Eury passed away on February 5, 1980, at the age of 71. His wife, Queenie, passed the following year in 1981. Their legacy continues through their children and extended family. Father: Josephus Eury Mother : Rosa Agnes Hill Brothers: Leonard , Hugh , Paul , Willie , Joe Jr , Edward , Lawson , Craig Sisters: Mary Velma , Nannie (died at age 2), Lela ________________ _______

Click here to view profile John Henry Deaton February 14th 1902 – September 27th 1980 John Henry Deaton was born on February 14th 1902 in Robbinsville, North Carolina to Etta and John Starlin Deaton. After his father died, John's family stayed for a time with Martha Ann Wheeler. When Etta Deaton married James Meeler, times were hard for the Meeler family, so at an early age John Henry went to live with Ulysses and Rhilla Martin. There he earned his keep by working in the cotton gin. He did not have much formal education. He married Cora Jane Lawrence, (daughter of Hannah Watson and Chub Lawrence) on October 7, 1919 in Banks County, GA. They had a daughter, Ruth Deaton, born in 1923 in Banks County, GA. The family moved to Swain County, NC, where John worked in a logging camp. A son, Stark Deaton, was born there in 1925. Cora Deaton then developed TB and the family moved back to Banks County, GA. They had two daughters born there, Hazel in 1929 and Johnnie in 1933. At this time John farmed and worked in construction, often in another state. At those times he would be gone for two or three months at a time. Early in 1942, John bought a farm in Demorest, GA. He really cared about people and they always had other people staying with them. Father : John Starlin Deaton Mother : Etta Icie Davis Brothers : Harve Wesley 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 : Cora Jane Lawrence Children: Ruth Deaton, Stark Deaton, Hazel Deaton, Johnnie Deaton L to R: Harve Deaton, Etta Meeler, John Henry Deaton L to R: Hazel, Stark, Cora, John Henry, Johnnie, Ruth John Henry with Wife Cora Birth of John Henry On a trip to the Robbinsville courthouse in 2023, I noticed that John Henry had returned to his birthplace in 1943 to obtain a delayed birth certificate. The doctor that delivered John Henry in 1902 was named S.F. Howell. John Henry was the first child of Etta and John Starlin. He was born almost a full year before they got married in December of 1902. Dr. Swinfield Howell making his rounds Dr. Howell came to Graham County from Yancey County in 1901. He began the practice of medicine while living near what is now the Thunderbird boat dock, and later moved to what is now known as Howell Gap in the Yellow Creek Township. Later he moved to Robbinsville and opened an office. For several years he was doctor for the Kanawah Hardwood Lumber Company. He used a four-wheeled pedal cycle equipped with flanged wheels to run on the narrow gauge Snowbird Valley railroad. Dr. Howell, in addition to a large practice, was official doctor for the prison camp established at Harris Creek (a road building operation). Dr. Howell's wife, Margaret, often capably assisted Dr. Howell as a nurse. Early Years 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. John Henry was no exception, and he ventured into the world of bootlegging as a means of supporting his family and making ends meet. John Henry used his knowledge of corn to make moonshine along with his brothers, Harve 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. 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, nephew of Cora Deaton: 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. Later in Life 1941-1942 were bad years for the Deaton family. In 1941, John's half brother, Robert Lee Deaton died of a heart attack. In 1942, John Henry's brother, Jacob, died and three weeks later his daughter Hazel drowned. Hazel 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 was swept under the water by a swift undercurrent, and a boy 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. (John's brother, Harve Deaton never got over this accident for Hazel was his favorite niece.) Everyone loved Hazel, as she was very outgoing. Savannah Morning News, 5/42 Funeral of Robert Lee Deaton John Henry and his wife, Cora John Henry's house in Georgia In 1948, John Deaton began his career in law enforcement. He served as a policeman and sheriff's deputy until he retired. He died in September 27, 1980 in Habersham County, GA. He is buried beside his daughter Hazel in the Demorest Cemetery in Demorest, Habersham County, GA. His wife, Cora Deaton was also buried beside him on February 25, 1993. WW2 Draft Registration Card John Henry's daughter, Hazel Deaton Funeral of Hazel Deaton Funeral of Jake Deaton John Henry Deaton as a Police Officer L to R: Harve Deaton, John Henry Deaton L to R: Cora, Ruth, John Henry, Johnnie John Henry with Wife Cora Every Photo I have seen of John Henry Deaton All Census Records

Click here to view profile Mary Louise Caudell July 17th 1872 – July 3rd 1913 Mary Louise Caudell was the husband to Benjamin Ausburn. She was born on July 17th 1872 in Banks County, Georgia. She had four children: Grant Wilmer Ausburn on September 17th 1889. Mittie Lou Ausburn on November 27th 1897. Essie Ausburn on March 17th 1904. Maud Lee Ausburn on November 17th 1908. She died on July 3rd 1913 for a currently unknown reason. I have never seen a picture of Mary Louise Caudell but hoping to find one someday. Father: Wilborn Mickel Caudell Mother: Lucinda Edna Ausburn ________________ _______ Husband: Benjamin Ausburn Children: Grant Wilmer Ausburn , Mittie Lou Ausburn , Essie Ausburn , Maud Lee Ausburn All Census Records

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 Lucinda Edna Ausburn May 9th 1834 - December 31st 1923 Lucinda Edna Ausburn was married to Wilborn Mickel Caudell on April 28th 1859 by James Brown in Banks County. They had eight children. His parents were John Caudell and Jane "June" Brown. She received a widows pension after her husband died in a wagon accident. She lived with her daughter Missouri in 1900, and lived with her daughter Emma in 1910 till her death in 1923. Fa ther : John Ausburn Mother : Jane Brown ____________________ Husband : Wilborn Mickel Caudell Children : Basheby, Missouri, John, James, Mary , Stephen, Cordelia, Emma Lucinda's grandfather, James Brown, was the first preacher of the Old Damascus Church. All Census Records

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

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

Click here to view profile Alvin Roger Eury October 21st 1934 – April 29th 1992 Into the Life Alvin Roger Eury was born 1934 in Stanly County, North Carolina to Hugh and Annie Eury. He was their first child and the oldest of his three brothers, James (born 1936) and Carvin (born 1939). He also had a half-brother, Malcom Ray Tucker (born 1933). He attended Hartsell School in Concord along with his 2 brothers. Growing up he lived on Swink Street, a short walking distance away from Hartsell school. He married Lois Ann Wray Sechler on July 1st, 1955 in Cabarrus, North Carolina. They had two children. Alvin worked at Connecticut Mutual Life Insurance Company in downtown Charlotte. He passed away on April 29th, 1992 from multiple organ failure and Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome. He is buried beside his wife, Lois, in Carolina Memorial Park. Father: Hugh Kennie Eury Mother : Annie Rachel Livingston Brothers : James Eury , Carvin Eury Half Brother : Malcom Tucker ________________ _______ Wife : Lois Ann Wray Sechler Children : Roger Eury, LuAnn Eury L to R: Alvin, Hugh, James L to R: James and Alvin and cousins L to R: James and Alvin with their cousins L to R: Alvin, Fannie Mae Livingston (grandmother), Barbara Livingston, Rebeth Livingston L to R: Alvin, Carvin, James L to R: James and Alvin L to R: James and Alvin with their cousins L to R: James and Alvin with their cousins L to R: Hugh, Carvin, James, Alvin, Annie Alvin is on the far left with his brothers and cousins L to R: Carvin and Alvin L to R: Alvin, Carvin, James L to R: Alvin, Hugh, Carvin, Annie, James L to R: Hugh and Alvin L to R: Lois Eury, Martha Ann Deaton, James Eury, Roger Eury, Alvin Eury L to R: Hugh, Annie, Alvin L to R: Lois and Alvin L to R: Roger, LuAnn, Lois, Alvin, Shelia, and Annie Eury L to R: Alvin, Fannie Mae, Roger, Annie L to R: Malcom Ray Tucker and Alvin 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