Alleghany Historical-Genealogical Society, Inc.

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

President: Mildred Torney			
Vice President: Pauline Jolly
Secretary-Treasurer:  Elvira Crouse

Vol. 12, No.1	 	           		 March 1990			BULLETIN NO. 40

FROM THE PRESIDENT:

	Spring is here and it is time for everyone to put on a thinking cap and send us the old ghost stories, family and human interest stories, sayings, etc. that have been passed down in your family.  We would like to compile them to be kept for future generations to enjoy in the years to come.  This is a part of our heritage and Alleghany County's history.

	Here are some examples of things remembered in our family:

	“Plant corn when the oak leaves are the size of squirrel ears.”

	“Plant cucumbers before breakfast on the first day of May.”

	Dr. B.C. Waddell was our family doctor when I was a child.  He traveled on horse-back or by buggy because of bad roads.  He only had office hours on Saturday mornings.  The rest of the time he made home visits.  We children looked forward to his visits because of his stories.  Our favorite was about when he was in medical school.  They had trouble getting bodies to study and some of the people started raiding graves and selling the bodies to the school.  This was giving the school a bad name, so some of the students decided to do something about it.  After a funeral, they hid in the cemetery that night.  The grave robbers came and removed the body from the grave and laid it aside while they refilled the grave.  One of the students took the place of the body.  The robbers lifted the student into the wagon and stated down the road.  Well, these grave robbers had whiskey to keep them brave.  They were all having a drink and one robber took the bottle and turned to the back of the wagon and said “Don't you want a drink?”  The student raised up and said “I believe I will!”  The robbers left the wagon, horses and “body”! The students reburied the body and the community was not bothered with grave robberies again.

	Okay—its your turn!  Write us your favorite stories—about people you remember for the things they did and said.  

									Mildred Torney

	“Diary of Paul W. Swisher, New London, Connecticut.  142nd Co. U.S. Marine Corps.”  
	“Merry Christmas from Dad—1919”

	This material was submitted by Pauline Meals.  It is from the diary kept by her father while sill in service following World War I.

	Wed Jan 1.  Warm today—rained all day.  On guard at the Iron Works.  Not much excitement there but everybody in town celebrated.  Most of the Marines stewed.  Two corporals busted.  Made only one New Year's resolution—quit smoking.  Started two weeks ago and it easy now.  Am writing to S. Bardell in Guam—guess there are worse places than New London.

	Thur Jan 2. Still raining.  Went on guard at Experimental Station.  Put in application for discharge.  

	Fri Jan 3.   Light rain turning colder this evening.  Am staying in tonight to get a little sleep.

	Sat Jan 4. Turned colder tonight.  Must be to zero.  Went on guard at the State Pier.  Put in brig here.

	Sun Jan 5.  Still cold and clear.  Did a lot of odd jobs this afternoon “crumbing up.” Am going to the free show at the Lyceum tonight.  Davidson caught.  Put in brig here.

	Mon Jan 6. Clear and cold.  Clothing inspections and troop in the morning. Went on guard at Pier.  Theodore Roosevelt dead.  All flags ordered at halfmast.  Were paid—I drew $15.37 and owed over $5.00.  Had a visitor on 3 post.

	Tue Jan 7. Sill having fine weather.  Snowed some  in the morning and turning a little warmer.  Went up town in the evening, took my girl to the Lyceum. Fairly good show.  Lots of jobs here again now.

	Wed Jan 8. Raining again.  Had bayonet exercise in the morning.  Went on guard at Exp. Station.  Cleared off and turned colder.  Got the home paper.

	Thurs Jan 9. Clear and cold.  State Pier and Exp. Station leased for six months more.  Doesn't look much like we were going to get away from here very soon. Went up town in the evening and saw Fatty Arbuckle at the Crown.  Good show.  

	Fri Jan 10. Clear and cold.  Windy.  Was lucky enough to get orderly post at State Pier.  Pretty soft.  Got the home paper in the morning.  Had two fire drills and was on 2nd relief.  Didn't get much sleep.

	Sat Jan 11. Weather the same.  142nd Co. put under Cap. De Freeze of Exp. Station as Tanant leaves to take charge of attack fleet.  Came home from guard, did a lot of work and after chow went to a party at Waterford.  Walked three miles.  11 of us went out.  Had a good time.  Got in at 1:30.  C.O. Smith drunk on post.  In the brig waiting on general court martial.  

	Sun Jan 12. Getting colder.  10 above zero this morning.  Ice freezing on roads.  Fifteen men came in from Quantico. Got here at noon.  I guess we were glad to see them.  I went on guard at State Pier.  Down to zero.  Had quite a fire uptown about midnight.  Big brick residence burned down.  Got a letter from Mother.  

	Mon Jan 13.  Still clear and fine.  Got a letter from Aaron.  He's anxious for me to come down.  Will not  leave Brooklyn for another month yet.  Did my work, wrote some letters and went to the show with Steve Moore.  Came in early.

	Tue Jan 14. Warming up and turning to rain.  Spring weather for January.  Nobody has put up ice yet, only 6 inches.  2nd watch, had bayonet work, combat this a.m.  Went to the Lyceum with Sgt. Engles in the evening.

	Sat Jan 18. Started in raining again this morning.  Came off guard at 2:30, bathed and pressed some clothes.  Tom Akins and I went out to the show.  I had another Marnie's girl.  Some baby.  Didn't get home till 12:30.  Her mother called her in.  I intend to bunk out but put off too late to get a room.  Paul Bardell in New York sent Tribune to Aaron. 

	Sun Jan 19.  Clear this morning and everything froze up. Went out with the girls this morning to take some pictures.  Went on guard at Experimental Station.  Had No. 1 Post on the 3rd Relief.  

	Mon Jan 20. Missed inspection this morning but had clothing inspection as soon as we got back from guard.  Have to wear green cord leggings now.  Got my affidavit from Berrenoff today.  Am going tout with Bessie tonight.  Later: She had to stay at home and take care of the kids, so I stayed in.  Not feeling very well tonight.  

	Wed Jan 22. Still warm.  Double-time a half mile this morning.  Sgt. Engles Pendleton drilled us.  Guess the bayonet work is over.  Am going on guard at the Pier.  Got No. 2 Post, turned foggy, got very thick toward morning.  Tex Vaughan knocked out on job.  Signed up my discharge papers and all ready to be sent to Washington.

	Thurs Jan 23.  Still foggy.  Parker and Harrison had a fight behind garage.  H. Licked.  Lots of black eyes around now.  Cleaned up and went down to the Lyceum with Bush in the evening.  Came home early and went to bed at 9:30.  Got a letter from Aaron. Had been with Paul B. in NY.

	Fri Jan 24.  Warm and clear this morning.  Drilled and had bayonet work this forenoon.  S.A. Inspection.  On guard at Exp. Station.  Got No. 3 Post, had a lantern in sentry box.  Tex Vaughan made fun for the whole bunch.  Had a new guard house all to ourselves.  

	Sun Jan 26.  Cloudy and warmer.  Slept until 10:30 this morning.  Have been pressing clothes nearly all afternoon.  Webb and I went down to the free show at the Crown.  On the way home encountered Greek wedding and two married women.  Got home at 12.  

	Tue Jan 28. Foggy and rainy this morning.  Came off guard and washed some clothes.  Got a letter from Mother.  Grandma sick.  Webb and I went to Lyceum.  Good show. Musical comedy.

	Fri Jan 31. Fine day. Medium cold.  Signed the Payroll.  Am drawing $17.36.  Bayonet work this a.m. And Inspection by Lt. Holderby.  Got room orderly job today.  Will get caught up on sleep.  Got a letter from Aaron saying that he is getting his discharge, leaving for Great Lakes today.

	Sat Feb 1. Windy and cold, 15 above zero. Had plenty of work but got along fine.  No inspection till after dinner.  Did some work int eh afternoon cleaning up.  Took Bessie and a friend to the show, then came back to Bessie's house.  Got in about 1:00.

	Tue Feb 4. Cloudy this morning and trying to snow.  Were relieved at 12:30 and came back to get ready for parade in honor of 56th Regiment.  Marched downtown without arms.  Were dismissed about 3:#0.  Came back to barracks.  After chow went down to Bessie's house and stayed till 7:45.  She wasn't expecting me so I went downtown.  Took M.H. To the show.  Came home at 11:00 as I was told.  

	Thur Feb 6.  Clear and cold, wind blowing.  Didn't' get but about 4 hours sleep as I was on 2nd relief.  Were relieved on time. Came back, bathed, shaved and washed clothes.  Bessie called up.  Got the home paper.  Grandma Swisher dead and my father gone to Kansas with the body.  Went to the Bonfire with Bessie.  Fire put out about 6:00.  Came home at 11:00.

	Fri Feb 7. Fine day, clear and bright. Wrote to Mother.  Ogden drilled us this morning.  Got a 48 and did odd jobs all afternoon.  Butler and I went to Lyceum and saw a very good show.

	Sat Feb 8. Clear and cold.  Field day.  I was on a detail scrubbing tables on the beach.  Nearly froze to death.  Went on guard at Pier, got the first relief.  Snowed some.

	Tue Feb 11. Cold.  Slept from 6 to 9 and didn't go over for chow. Came off guard and did a big bunch of work.  Drew clothes, all second hand stuff.  Sgt. Mullins bad hurt by street car.  Went down to Bessie's after show.  Walked home from the show and stayed at the house for lunch.  Came home at 11:00.  Thornburg gets B.C. Discharge.

	Wed Feb 12. Clear and cold.  Double time this morning. No holiday. Cronin being transferred to Boston.  Got a 48 and pressed clothes in the afternoon.  Vanderpool Snow and I went down to the skating rink after chow.  My first attempt.  Got along first rate and had lost of fun.  Came home about 10:30.  Yates came in stewed and talked too much to Lt. Pendleton.  Put in the brig.  

	Fri Feb 14. Raining this morning.  Had a lecture on the machine guns.  Did up some work.  Went up town in the afternoon on a little business.  Off again today. Life of Riley.  Lost my name on the guard list, I guess.  Went down to the skating rink after chow, learning fast. Met Bessie and Jewel and went to the show.  Accounts came back from Washington.  

SKETCH OF WEAVER HISTORY

	Submitted by Robert B. Weaver, author of the book “William Weaver, Jr. and His Descendants” 1981:

	William Waver, Jr. was twice married.  His first wife was Rebecca Sturgill.  They settled on the South Fork of New River, Alleghany County, North Carolina.  Unto them were born two sons and four daughters. The sons: Nathan and James.  The daughters: Nancy, Mary “Polly”, Nancy Clarinda and Alpha.  The second wife of William Weaver, Jr. was Sarah Johnson.  Unto them were born three sons: Alexander, William Harrison and Andrew Jackson “Andy”. 

	James Weaver, second son of William Weaver, Jr. was born Sept. 1815.  He married Anne Johnson of Surry County, North Carolina.  They made their home on Piney Creek, Alleghany County, North Carolina.  Unto them were born eleven children.  Some of them died while in youth.  Those who grew up to manhood and womanhood were: William Johnson, Felix C., John F., James Andrew and Alexander Pinkney.  The daughters: Nancy who married Solomon Parsons, Mary Jane who married Bryan Edwards, Anne Caroline who married Lee Black.  All were of Alleghany County.  

	William Johnson Weaver and Felix C. Weaver enlisted and went to the Civil War in August 1862.  They joined the 21st Virginia Cavalry.  They served under Col. W.W. Peters of Virginia.  Their first Brigadier was Gen. Williams of Kentucky. They were afterwards put under Brigadier Gen. W.E. Jones, who was killed at Piedmont, Virginia 1864.  At this time and place Felix C. Weaver was captured and sent to prison at Fort Morton where he died before the war ended.  William Johnson Weaver was next put under Brigadier Gen. Bradley Johnson of Frederic City, Maryland.  The Commander was Gen. Early, known for his attack and near capture of Washington City, having skirmishes at many other places.  William Johnson did not receive a flesh wound, though he was hit with a ball twice.  The firs time the bullet hit his shoulder and glanced.  The second time the bullet hit his pistol cartridge butt and glanced.

	In March 1865 he took pneumonia and was sent to the hospital at Gordenville, Virginia.  He was there in the hospital when Gen. Robert E. Lee feel back from Richmond and Petersburg.  He then was able to make an effort to get to his Commander and was in hearing of the guns when Gen. Lee surrendered at Appomattox.  William Johnson then made his way home on foot.  He reached home April 18, 1865.  

PUBLICATION:

	Dave Sturgill has made two more family histories available to the Society's Genealogical Library.  They are the HANKS family history and the FOWLKES family history.  Both families are from North Carolina and Virginia.  Be sure to look for these books next time you visit the Library.  If you are interested in obtaining a copy contact David A. Sturgill, Piney Creek, NC. 

	From an old newspaper clipping submitted by Betty Bledsoe:

	CONFEDERATE REUNION: The old soldiers met in annual reunion at Whitehead September 19th, 1918.  Formed in line and called the roll, there being 17 present, namely: MVB Norman Co C 21 NC Reg., Allen Jones Co H 1 NC Cav., H.D. Estep Co I 61 NC Reg., D.C. Williams Co A 34 NC Reg., John Petty Co A 34 NC Reg., Thomas Clery Co A 34 NC Reg., John Roup Co A 34 NC Reg., Robert Brooks Co I 37 Va Reg., Samuel Edwards Co F 22 NC Reg., Wm. Watson Co F 22 NC Reg., Buras Andrews Co I 61 NC Reg., J.J. Atwood Co I 61 NC Reg., H.M. Crouse Co I 61 NC Reg., J.L. Laurance Co A 1 NC Reg., R.C. Gentry Co A 1 NC Cav., G.H. Phillips Co B 6 NC Cav., Martin Landreth.

	Then marched into the academy and entered on the program prepared by the committee appointed to take charge of the reunion.  

	1St, a song “There is a Fountain” by the ladies and gentlemen of the community.  2Nd, Prayer by Eld. S. L. Blevins.  3Rd, Song “Our Land.”  4th Sermon by Eld. S.L. Blevins 5th, Song “Before the Battle”.  Recitation by Mrs. Meredith Richardson.  6Th, Song “Battle Hymn of Republic.”  7th, Song “Dixie Land.”  8th, Song “Battle Hymn.”  9th, Address by Gov. R.A. Douhgton, which was one of his best oratory and of great interest to all present, as there was many subjects discussed in which all was interested, old as well as young.  10Th, The partaking of a wonderful good dinner prepared and served by the ladies of the community around Whitehead.  For which we feel thankful to them and the program committee and all the citizens who took part in the good dinner.

	Our next reunion will be held at Shiloh church on the 3th Thursday in September 1919.  Selected as the program committee: S.J. Thomas, C.A. Doughton, Dr. J.L. Doughton, Ross Hawthorne and F.M. Osborne.  Then adjourned.  

								MVB Norman, Capt.
								H D. Estep, Secy.

	More newspaper clippings submitted by Betty Bledsoe:

	“Something Over There” - Mrs. Katherine Dial is in receipt of the following letter, under date of June 17th, from her brother, McKinley Steadham who is now in France.

	Dear Sister: Will write you a few lines to let you know that I arrived safely in France; have been here almost three weeks.

	I am well and getting along just fine and truly hope this will find you all the same.  

	Well, we had a long trip and saw many nice places on our way and all seemed to enjoy the trip very much.  I am now “Somewhere in France” but dont know where; we are in camp training.  

	All of Alleghany boys I know over here are getting along just fine.  

	This certainly is a nice looking country but nothing like America to me.  The weather here is real cool for this time of year, and the nights are only about five hours long.

	Well I could write you lots but wont take time as I want to write home.  Answer real soon and tell all the news.  I am your loving brother.  

	The following letter has been received by Mrs I.M. Higgins from her nephew, Dillon Edwards at Camp Hancock, Augusta, GA:

	Dear Aunt: With much pleasure I will endeavor to answer your kind letter receiving a few days past.  This leaves me just fine and dandy and I hope it will find you all O.K.  I am getting by easy and not much work along now—if it will just hold.  Uncle Sam seems to be getting the best of the Germans now.  I cant help but think by 1919 they will have enough war.

	Cant ever tell when we will leave, probably we will move about August.  

	Omar wrote me about his car.  I expect he is having some fun this summer and I dont blame him for we dont know how soon the draft age will be lowered. 

	Life is just what you make it.  That is the trouble with the world.  I think sometimes people are trying to live....

	Well Aunt, it is supper time so I must close.  Hoping to hear from you soon.  With love to all.

	“Somewhere in France” - Tom D. Carson, 1st Sergt. 98th Aero Squadron in recent letters says: I am still pegging away and thinking I am working hard.  Things are just so-so at camp. W e got to work at 4 a.m. And I'm not in until 10 at night.  I still hold my record of never being sick since entering the army.  

	Am very glad that the 3rd Liberty Loan was such a howling success.  It makes us realize that the folks over there are behind as to the last.  Was very sorry indeed to hear of Dean Parish's death.  It ought to make the slackers at home ashamed.  I'd rather go as he did than to be there.  Give my love to all the folks.  

   	Squire Morgan Edwards is in receipt of the following card from his nephew, Garnet Edwards, who is now in England: (Garnet is son of Joseph Edwards).  Dear Uncle Morg: I have been thinking I would rite to you for a long time but have neglected it.  I never had better health than I am now enjoying.  I like England alright.  It is the prettiest country I have ever seen.  The Englishmen always treat us very friendly.  I expect to go to France before long.  I am real anxious to get over a little nearer the Huns.  Write me when you have time.  With love, Garnet Edwards.  

INQUIRIES:

	Would like to contact those researching the descendants of Francis BRYAN, Sr., b 25 Jun 1770, and wife Phebe WOODRUFF, b 22 Aug 1777.  Will exchange information.  Delwood S. Jackson, Cincinnati, Ohio.  

	Would like to contact those researching the descendants of John Allen WOODRUFF and Jane McBRIDE.  Children born 1792-1815: John M, Aaron, Mary, Moses A., Gideon, Daniel, Pheobe, William, Henry, Young Allen, and Andrew Jackson WOODRUFF. Delwood S. Jackson, Cincinnati, Ohio.  

	Would like to correspond with descendants of Stephen (Stepheny) HOLLAWAY and sons John born ca 1766, James born ca 1770, daughter: Nancy (Married Amos WAGGONER).  In 1784-87 Cen. Wilkes Co. Stephen has himself over 60 (?), 2 other males besides John, James; wife (who was she?) and another daughter or female besides Nancy.  Who? Orella (Holloway) Chadwick, Tillamook, OR.

	NOTE! In Bulletin No. 40, September-December 1989 we ran an item under “Inquries” indicating PARSONS/STURGILL/PRIVETT/ADAMS families.  Due to circumstances beyond her control, she is unable to respond to correspondence at this time. Please suspend any inquiries to her until further notice!