Alleghany Historical-Genealogical Society, Inc.

P.O. BOX 817, Sparta, N.C. 28675

President: Marvie Shelor			
Vice President: Pauline Jolly
Secretary-Treasurer:  Elvira Crouse

Vol. 10, No.3	 	             	  September 1988		BULLETIN NO. 36

FROM THE PRESIDENT:

	Our trip to Newbern, Virginia was a success.  About 14 of us went to this historic town and spent an enjoyable afternoon and evening.  Emily Boehler told our group about her trip to Mexico at our August meeting, we are planning a picnic at Grayson Highlands Park, so we are looking forward to another good day.

	Our MOST EXCITING NEWS is the publication of our Alleghany County Cemeteries book.  It will be available on October 15, 1988 for $15.00, plus .75 State and local tax, and $2.00 for postage and handling if mailing is required. Until October 15, we will be happy to take your order for books at a pre-publication price of $12.00 per copy, plus .60 tax, $2.00 postage and handling.  Order now for yourself and for gifts!! Spread the word!! This is an opportunity to save money and to help the Society raise money to pay for the books.

INQUIRY:

	Mary Elizabeth Miller, daughter of Joseph and Catherine Miller, born 9 Jan 1787 married Josiah Connely 1803, Ashe/Alleghany County.  Would appreciate any history of this Miller family.  Connie Weatherly, Tulsa, OK.

The following marriage records		ALLEGHANY COUNTY 
are taken from the Registrar’s Office		MARRIAGE RECORDS
at the Court House in Sparta, N.C.

Name of Male 		Name of Female			Father of Male		Mother of Male
Reeves Edwards		Susan Jennings			Berry Edwards		Amanda Edwards
John Mabe		Mary Hines			John Mabe		Rhody Mabe
David W Chappel	Susanah Joines			Wm J Chappel		Mary Chappel
Newton J Nelson		Sarah E James			John L Nelson		Catherine Nelson
Samuel W. Young	Helen E. Carson			Jesse Young		Mazy Young
Edmond Long		Nancy Colbert			Unknown		Rindy Long
James C Pasley		Ellinor E Young			Wiley Pasley		Eveline Pasley
William T Ross		Sallia J Sprinkle			Wilborn Ross		Adah Ross
George W Thompson	Phebe E Jennings			Alfred Thompson	Sarah Thompson
C ? Carpenter		Susan F. Willey			William Carpenter	Lindia Carpenter
John W Duvall		Cynthia Guin?			James Duvall		Tamsy Duvall
Joseph Duncan		Nancy Guillin			Jackson Duncan		Rebecca Duncan
Riley Hash		Clementine Peak			John Hash		Polly Hash
Alexander Black		Martha E Hampton		William Black		Nancy Black
John Irvin		Ellen Carvin			John Irvin		Anna Irvin
Levi Willey		Martha Choat			Unknown		Catherine Willey
Marshal B W Pugh	R Ann Hampton			Ellis Pugh		Nancy Pugh
H B Lamburn		Frances Snavely			Jackson Lamburn		M J Lamburn
H M Humberger		Minea Snavely			Ephraim Humberger	Polly Humberger
Bledso Caudill		Margaret Douglass		J P Caudill		Bidy Caudill
Leroy Jones		Nancy Pugh			John A Jones		Elizabeth Jones
William Sanders		Jane Osborn			Richard Sanders		Anna Sanders
B ? Andress		Lucy J Dority			James Andress		Elizabeth Andress
Johnson Shaw		Nancy Cox			Johnson Shaw		Nancy Shaw
Thomas Higgins		Margaret A Evans		John Higgins		Susan Higgins
Spicer Higgins		Sarah Delane Chappel		Thomas Higgins		Sally Higgins
Father of Female	Mother of Female	     Date		           By Whom Married 
Martin Jennings		Frances Jennings		Sep 9 1875		Rev James Shumate
Richard Hines		Rachel Hines		Dec 26 1875		H S Reeves, JP
Ezekiel Joines		Jane Joines		Nov 2 1875		Daniel Whitead
Shadrek Joines		Jane Joines		Feb 16 1875		John L Pugh, JP
Robert Carson		Caroline Carson		May 20 1875		John L Pugh, JP
Unknown		Martha Colbert		Oct 13 1875		Rev J K Baldwin
John Young		Rebecca Young		?Dec 19 1875		Nathan Weaver, JP
George Sprinkle		Emeline Sprinkle		Apr 24 1875		John L Pugh, JP
John J Jennings		Mary Jennings		Apr 17 1875		Rev Martin Church
Ambrose Willey		Polly Willey		Dec 24 1875		Wm H Joines, JP
Eli Guin			Levina A B Guin		Oct 30 1875		RE C C Stump
Silas Guillin		Martha Guillin		Oct 2 1875		RE C C Stump
Uriah Peak		Nelly Peak		Sep 25 1875		RE C C Stump
Alexander Hampton	Justine Hampton		Jan 24 1875		Rev James Mehaney
Unknown		Lisa Carvin		Jan 8 1875		C J Edwards, JP
John Fender		Patsy Fender		Apr 22 1875		Rev James Shumate
Alexander Hampton	Elizabeth Hampton	Jun 20 1875		John L Pugh, JP
James Snavely		Jane Snavely		May 19 1875		Geo McReeves, JP
James Snavely		Jane Snavely		May 19 1875		Geo McReeves, JP
Thomas Douglas 		Matilda Douglas		Dec 8 1875		Joseph Caudill, JP
William Pugh		Matilda Pugh		Jan 23 1875		Rev J W Landreth
Unknown		Polly Osborn		Nov 27 1875		Rev B E Caudill
Unknown		Sally Dority		July 8 1875		PC Higgins, JP
Zechariah Osborn	Jiney Osborn		Oct 17 1875		PC Higgins, JP
Davis Evans		Margaret Evans		Nov 18 1875		PC Higgins, JP
A C Chappel		Merah Chappel		Aug 29 1875		PC Higgins, JP

FROM THE PAGES OF LUNA WEAVER'S SCRAPBOOK:
1966: COUPLE WILL MARK 65th YEAR, BY Jeanette Reid
SPARTA: “I remember it well...a Sunday in 1899” said Mrs. Celia Edwards Caudill, as a smile spread beneath her gold-rimmed glasses.

	“We went to church on horseback then,” she said. “I didn't know him, but he led my horse to the block for me to get on.  And from then on...”

	She was describing how she met Henry Cleve Caudill, her future husband.  On Christmas Day they will celebrate their 65th wedding anniversary.  

	They lived most of their life near Air Bellows on what is now the Blue Ridge Parkway.  “The snow drifts were even with the hills,” said Mrs. Caudill, “and we'd be snowbound for weeks at the time...couldn't even get out on a horse.  We got along all right, but the children worried about us especially in the winter when they couldn't get in to us.”

	Eight years ago the Caudill's moved into a new brick house only a shout away from eh home of their son, Sherman Caudill, in the Cherry Lane community six miles south of Sparta.

	Mrs. Caudill is 85 now.  Mr. Caudill, 92, has trouble with neuritis occasionally, giving him a bad leg.  But when the leg isn't bothering him, he mows his own lawn, digs in the yard, cuts weeds with a scythe and tends a garden which is “pretty good this year considering the weather.”

	He says he doesn't enjoy riding in cars—they make him feel cramped.  But (his wife tells this on him) he still gets on a board and slides down the hill every time a good snow comes along.

	The Caudills had 12 children, all born at home.  One daughter was stillborn, another died from a blood clot, and tow sons met tragic deaths.  A 16-year old son was a construction foreman's assistant when the parkway was being built.  A dynamite charge which failed to go off at first discharged later and killed him.  “Bells its heart,” said Mrs. Caudill.  “It was a good child.  I feel it was ready to go.”  Another son had been working in the West Virginia coal mines 27 years when a cave-in killed him.  “Once they start working in the mines, “Mrs. Caudill said, “you can't get them to quit. He was a strong Mason and had lived a good life.”  His death left his nine month old daughter an orphan, and the Caudills took the baby to live with them.

	“Did grandmother spoil her? “No,” Mrs. Caudill answered. “She had to mind.  All my children did.  That was the hardest part—trying to raise them right.  Seems like children nowadays, you can't do anything with them.”  The granddaughter is now Mrs. Herbert McCann, who lives nearby.  The Caudill's also have 30 other grandchildren and 24 great-great-grandchildren.

	Their eight living children include four sons—Kyle a Sparta mechanic who won the Democratic nomination in May for Alleghany County sheriff; Sherman, a carpenter; Kemp, a career service man stationed in the Panama Canal Zone; and Clay, chief ranger for the Cape Hatteras National Seashore Park.

	Their daughters are Mrs. Joe Gregson of Liberty; Mrs. Odell Andrew of Bel Air, Md.; Mrs. W.B. Branson of High Point; and Mrs. Rex Moxely of Galax, Va.  “They are so good to us now,” said Mrs. Caudill.  Its not surprising, the couple feels, that they are living longer than average.  Caudill has a sister who is 93, and his mother was only 34 days from her 100th birthday when she died.  Mrs. Caudill, who has three sisters living, said her mother lived to be almost 93.  

	If prodded, the couple can delight a listener for hours with stories of the way they lived as a mountain family with 93 acres of land, but no modern conveniences.  They went into each winter with a pantry full of canned goods and pork and beef aplenty.  They had a supply of firewood and enough feed for the livestock.  One winter a big pine was felled before the snows started, Caudill said.  Its long branches were barely sticking out above the top of the drifted snow between his and his father's houses.  Caudill dug to the trunk, set it afire, and the tree melted out a hole as big as a room in the snow, then smoldered enough to keep the “room” warm all winter.  Caudill punched a hole in the “roof” to let out the smoke and had a marking spot to break the trip.

	“The worst time,” said Mrs. Caudill, “was when the mountains caught fire about 1938...I didn't take my shoes off for three days.  I was afraid to.”  Neighbors' houses burned, but not the Caudills.

	In 1916 when all the rains come for about a month a saturated the mountains, landslides took two houses more than a mile down the mountain side.  Three persons died.  Rather than recall the old days, Mrs. Caudill prefers to spend time in her garden.  “I feel the best,” she explained, “when I'm working in the garden.  Could you use some tomatoes?”  She still follows that neighborly custom of giving a visitor something to take home.

1916 OBITUARY:

	Ansil Hendrix was born August 5, 1806 and departed this life on August 25, 1916 making his stay on earth one hundred and ten years and twenty days.  He was buried at Mt. Zion church, the services being conducted by the writer.  

	Bro. Hendrix had been a member of the church for about sixty years.  At the time of his death he was living with his son-in-law, Franklin Douglas.  A short time before he died he was looking up and said he was looking for a better world, and we believe his spirit is now living in that better world.  Twenty days before his death he told the writer there was nothing in his way and he could see his way clear.  Let us all strive to meet him in heaven.  He leaves five children and many friends to mourn his loss.  We believe their loss is his eternal  gain.  Children I will say to you the Lord has called your dear papa home so don't weep nor sigh.  We hope all can meet him by and by.  Written by request.

									E.E. Wyatt

SCRAPBOOK:

OBITUARY 1931

JAMES CARR WAGONER

	On the eighth day of April 1931, the Death Angel came into our midst and took form us one of our most beloved citizens, James Carr Wagoner.  He had been in feeble health for some time and his death was not unexpected.  Born April 21, 1851, he lacked only thirteen days being eighty years of age.

	“Uncle Jim” as he was familiarly known in his latter years, was married to Martha Frances Joines, March 22, 1874.  To this union was born six children, four boys and two girls, one son, Charlie, died in infancy.

	The children living are: J. Mack Wagoner, Johnny Wagoner, Andy Wagoner, Mrs. Jim Collins, and Mrs. Isaac Cheek.

	On March 20, 1929 this good man's beloved companion passed on to the great beyond.  A little more than two years later we see the passing of this beloved soldier of the cross to join those who have gone before.  

	He often seemed very lonely as he walked about the old home which his good companion had helped to make so happy for him in former years.  He often spoke of her and also of his children before he died.

	About thirty-eight years ago he joined the Primitive Baptist church at Zion.  A little later on he moved his membership to Little River church where he remained a faithful member until death.

	Uncle Jim was a good man, a good neighbor, and a reared a good law abiding family of children.  This is clearly exemplified in their good characters.  Such men as have been instrumental in helping to make this country better from a moral stand point. He was a very industrious man and accumulated a good living.

	Many have spoken of him as a model man and a good person to follow as an example.  His influence will be felt in the home, in the community and the church for years to come. 

	He was laid to rest in the cemetery at Zion by the side of his wife.  A large crowd of people were there to pay their last tribute of respect to this dear old man.  Elder Price Vass conducted the funeral services.

ODDS AND ENDS:

	Ben C. Van Dyke, son of Mr. And Mrs. D.C. Van Dyke, entered the Army October 7, 1942.  Now stationed at San Francisco, California.  He writes that he likes army life fine, and is proud to be in it.

	1961: Linda Lois Boyer became the bride of Marvie Blaine Shelor in Brush Creek Baptist Church near Independence.  She is the daughter of Burton and Nancy Boyer. They are making their home in Sparta.  

RESOLUTIONS IN MEMORY OF CALVIN JONES

	Again death has entered our midst and taken from us one highly esteemed friend and much beloved Brother, James Calvin Jones.  Brother Jones was born April 18th, 1840.  He made a profession of faith in Christ and joined the Baptist Church at Elk Creek about 34 years prior to his death; and united with New Hope Baptist Church December the 17th, 1881, and lived a consistent Church member till his death.

	Brother Jones was married to Miss Mazie E. McMillan June 28th, 1879, and died Aug. the 19th, 1900.  his remains were deposited in the tomb in the Cemetery at New Hope Church in the midst of a large concourse of sorrowing friends and weeping relatives.

	He leaves a Wife and nine Children to mourn their loss.  The Community loses one of its best and most accommodating neighbors, the County one of her best citizens, and the Church one of its best members.

	Kind and Loving Father, in the departure of our dear Brother,
	
	RESOLVED 2nd, that the people of this Community have lost a kind-hearted and affectionate friend, the Sunday School a god officer, the Church a consecrated member.

	RESOLVED 3rd, that we extend to the sorrowing family our most sincere sympathy and that we assure them that we are partakers with them  in their sorrows and troubles. 

	RESOLVED 4, that these resolutions be spred on our Church Book and a copy be sent to the bereaved family and also to the STAR NEWS AND RECORDER for publication.  

						Allen Jones)
						S.O. Edwards)		Committee		
						J.H. Wagoner)

Note: This material was found among other historical papers saved by the late Mrs. Dan (Maggie Black) Jones.  Copies were recently Xeroxed and distributed by her oldest daughter, Mrs. Tom (Doris Jones) Greene.

Resolution number one was the opening one to enter the carefully worded phrases on the Church Book.  Each ensuing resolution was then passed with congregation approval – perhaps an “Amen” - as was customary in those days.  The hand-written obituary given to the family is completed.  No copies were found of the newspaper clipping.

							Edited and typed by Jay Jones Johnson

							State of North Carolina 
							Alleghany County, June 5, 1859

Dear brother and sister and family:

	I again with pleasure make another trail to converse with you by letter.  I have many things to write, something new and something comon, I suppose.  I received your letter on the 28thof May last, which gave me some satisfaction to hear from you that all was well and you was doing well.  We are all in tolerable health at present.

	You wanted to know about father and all the connexion.  I will write about them some.  My father is dead.  He was taken with the jaundice in June 57.  He lingered until October the 13thin the evening he died.  His dying word was consoling, he seemed very patient and said their was a better world for him than this.  I had good physicians to tend  on him.  I attended to him myself very close and was on his bed side when he died.  He went without a struggle, very easy and I believe very happy.  I found his will among his papers.  It was made about four years before he died.  He will to his wife sixty acres of land, including the meadows, orchard and buildings.  Rebeca and Carolina, a horse each.  The balance of his property and notes to be equally divided between his wife and his daughters and the land to me at the death of his wife.  I am the executer.  I had a sale.  The amount of the sale and the debts is about Nine Hundred and 80 dollars.  Sinthy can come or send and get her part.  By November next.

	In answers to you about yours and Sinthy's connexion, hear Wm. And Riley P. Stamper is doing much after the same when you was hear.  Will Benn Stamper's wife and Calvin Long is living together.  They could not get married hear.  They have gone over to Virginia to git shet for inditement.  I haven't learned whether they have got married or not.  Your mother has bin living with Priely P. Stamper but had some ill blood between them and has left and is going from the country.  Eli Stamper lives on Helton and is doing well.  Susana Long lives with her son Solomon.  John Long lives in Wilkes by himself and is doing well.  John Long, Jr. and Eli is well and doing very well, their family is all with them.  Joshua and Tobias Long is well and stands as fair as any man and labours a great deal in the gospel.  

	John Owens is dead.  Jacob Poe is dead.  Uncle John Jones and Lear is living but very frail.  Rebeca Jones married Horton Doutan and lives on Cranberry and is doing well, has 2 children, one dead.  Calvin Stidhorn and Caroline lives with my step-mother on the old place.  Charles Tolover and Patience is well and doing only moderate.  Six of their children is married, there at home single.  James married and left his wife  and went to Kansas.  The rest lives here.  I get letters from all my connexion in the west  Lear and Phebe lives in Illinois, Kindall County, Little Rock postoffice.  Rachel lives in Ohio, Miami County, Troy postoffice.  Polly moved to Missouri, Stain Lewis county, Cranvs Canyon postoffice.  Tobias lives in Missouri, Merser County, Tovington postoffice.  

	Our county is divided, the name of Alleghany.  The county line is as follows: from the Mulbery gap with the old road to Flint Hill, then to the mouth of Puratory creek, then down the river to the fork, then north to the Virginia line.  The county seat is not settled on yet, the name will be Sparta.  We think it will come about the gap civel.  The times in this country is since (?) and the signs of the times worse.  

	There is a killing frost this morning, bit the most of my corn to the ground.  Corn is worth 75 cents per bushel, wheat $1.00.  Money matters is better than it has been.  Last summer was very dry, made crops light.  Last winter was very warm.  Crops look very well till this frost, it looks like it was ruined.

	So in conclusion I will write about myself and family.  W e have 10 children, seven sons and three daughters all living with us.  William is 21 and is working on his own farm.  I have finished my new house.  It cost me the six of $600.00.  I have bought the place where Samuel Phipps lived and just made the last payment on it. I own 1200 acres of land here.  This old country is improving slowly.  

	I must conclude ( ) .  Wishing to be remembered to you all especially in your prayers.  I carelessly wrote my letter backwards.  Pray excuse me.  Write to me soon and direct your letter to Scottsville, Alleghany County.  Remaining your expectant (?) brother.
										John A. Jones

				To Jonathan Stamper
				& Sinthy Stamper & family.

	One thing forgot about, William Spurlin.  He gained the negro suit and took all the negroes and left his family and cleared out.  We hear he is in Kentucky.

	This letter was submitted by Thomas D. Hamm, realizing the fact that it would be of interest top the readers of this BULLETIN.  He also furnishes the following information:

	John A. Jones, the author of above letter, was born in what is now Alleghany County, April 13, 1813, and died there in 1871, the son of Daniel and Elanor (Long) Jones.  Daniel Jones was born Dec. 26, 1775, and died, as the letter shows Oct. 13, 1857 in what is now Alleghany.  Daniel was married twice.  His first wife was Eleanor Long, daughter of “Old John” Long, born Jan. 11, 1781, died in what is now Alleghany March 12, 1821. Daniel and Eleanor, as well as John A., are buried in a family cemetery.  Daniel married his second wife Elizabeth (Sturgill) Weaver Stidham, a widow, born in 1799 and died in 1881.  Daniel and Eleanor (Long) Jones had Charles Toliver, Ann Mary who married James Crumpler, Phebe who married David Cox, Isabel who married William Mukley, John A. who married first a Blevins and second Elizabeth Baldwin, Martha who married Eli Long, Leah married Jonathan Stamper, and Tobias who married Nancy Clarinda Weaver.  Daniel and Elizabeth (Sturgill) Jones had two daughters: Rebecca who married Capt. J. Horton Doughton and was the mother of Rufus A. and Robert L. Doughton, and Caroline who married Frank Hash.

	Many of the other people mentioned here will be familiar to Jones researchers and others. “Uncle John Jones and Lear” are my ancestors: John Jones (1772-1865) married Leah Long (1779-1862).  John was a brother of Daniel Jones, while Leah was a sister of Eleanor.