Alleghany Historical-Genealogical Society, Inc.

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

President: Pauline Jolly			
Vice President:  Mildred Torney
Secretary-Treasurer:  Irene Wagner

Vol. 14, No.1	 	           		 March 1992			BULLETIN NO. 49

From the President:

	For many years, as Librarian of the Alleghany County Library, I have been interested in our Historical-Genealogical Society.  I have watched our genealogy collection grow. I have met so many interesting people from all over the country who came to do family research.

	Our society has met many of the goals that have been set over the years.  For the past few years a historical museum has been our number one priority. That is still at the top of our list, but we are such a small group that we will not be bale to accomplish this without the support of other organizations in the county.  We have mailed letters to all of these organizations and we are waiting for a response from them.  We have a number of items stored for a museum and many more promised.

	After many years of planning and working for a museum by past-president, Mildred Torney, and by other members, lets hope this will be the year it will become a reality.  

	Members of my family have letters that were exchanged during the Civil War with other members who were serving in the war.  These letters contain family and county news.  I'm starting a file in the library with these letters. I'm sure many of you have similar letters.  If you would be interested in adding them to this file, send a copy of them to our society.  

	We're also collecting “folklore and traditions” which was initiated by Mildred Torney several years ago.  All this type of information will be valuable history to our descendent's.  

	We want to remind you that membership fees for 1992 are past-due as of January 1, 1992.  Many of you just paid your 1991 dies, so the time slips up on us!  We need new members, so please help us recruit from among your friends and neighbors.  
				
										Pauline Jolly.

	

	
	This is a Civil War Letter submitted by Pauline Jolly.  The original letters belong to Lorene Sturgill.  Additional letters will be published from time to time.  This letter was to Alexander Black.  

								State of North Carolina
									Alleghany County
										August 11, 1844
Alexander as you will like to hear from home, I will write a few lines to let you know something of the times here.  We are all well as common but Nancy and Nana. They are both unwell at this time.  Mary went down after Dr. Fowlkes and he says they both have the fever.
	Since I wrote to you Lee Young, his wife and one of his children has died.  Jane died on Monday and the child the next day and Lee the following and I helped dig the grave to bury Lee and the child in.  They was both buried in one grave.  As you are acquainted with them I need not say anything ore than their neighbors and friends was sorry to lost them from our midst as they was kind and obliging to all who had any dealings with them.  But they are gone from the troubles of this world.  They left an evidence they was prepared for death.  
	I must say to you that I have come home today from a town over in Wilkes.  We was called on to go over there.  Captain McMillans company and John__?__ and Captain Reeves Company with several men out of Ashe County was there and while we was there, one of our men was fired on by some men hiding in ambush and a ball about the size of a common squirrel bullet went through John Millers leg above the knee below the bone and before this, one of your co. was killed somewhere between Wilkesboro and Traphill.  I do not recollect his name but I hear he was of Wilkes Co. N.C. And after it is all summed together it seems like a rough piece of business.  
	We have received a letter from James Reedy.  He is in the Ohio.  He says he is getting $30.00 per month and William the same with rations. They have had some sickness in their family but I think they was all alive when he wrote.  Jane has another son.  I understand Horton is elected for the Senate and Col. Fields McMillan for the Commons and Jesse Bledsoe is elected Sheriff for this county.  
	We have had very little rain in this neighborhood this summer and I think our corn crop will not be good as common.  But I think there has been plenty of rain all around here.  The drought with the little bugs has caused my oats to be light.  The wheat and rye crops is nrealy as good as it was last year.  Meadows is better than common that was not pastured off too close las spring.
	Jacob and Joseph Rudy has been to see us since you was here.  They have stood the Service pretty well.  I saw some of the boys that belongs to Mack's Co.  They say your horse is in bad condition but that is a small matter compared to a man's life.  I hear a man by the name of Anderson in your company was killed by a man in his own company accidently, that happened in Wilkes.
	Fathers folks has took care of your small grain and has commenced with your oats.  Mr. Parish has been helping them pretty faithfully.  I think your oats is tolerable good.  Fathers oats is I think about the best in this neighborhood.  The field above the stable looks like the best oats I ever saw in that field. 
	I lost my pistol the other day at our muster-ground.  It was in my belt around my body.  I did not know how it got out.  
		This from John and Mary Ann Black
1920 CHERRY LANE TAX RECORDS
NAME				ADDRESS		AGE		POLL TAX	    	ACREAGE
Cooper, G.L.			Sparta, NC		89		1			88

Crouse, H.H.			Devotion, NC							61 Headwater

Crouse, Hugh F.			Cucumber, W VA							51 Part of Ed ?

Course, W.P.			Sparta, NC							200 Home

Crouse, Mc D.			Sparta, NC							93

Crouse, Wm. F.			Sparta, NC							53 Home

Crutchfield, G.W.		Greensborough, NC						17

Chatham, H.G.			Winston Salem, NC						4

Chatham, H.G.			Winston Salem, NC

Chatham, H.G. & R.M.		Winston Salem, NC					         1726 Roaring Gap

Chatham, Alec Sen		Elkin, NC							1676

Carson, T.J. & Associates		Sparta, NC							440

Crouse, Caroline			Sparta, NC							80 Home

Carsen, T.J.			Sparta, NC							92 Brush C

Duncan, F.M.			Glade Valley, NC		32		1			17 Home

Duncan, J.W.			Sparta, NC		53					423 Home

Durham, Watson			Cherry Lane, NC		28		1

Douglas, B.W.			Laurel Branch, NC						34

Dylin, Walter G.			Glade Valley, NC							15 

Eldridge, E.B.			Glade Valley, NC		29		1			

Edwards, G.R. 			Glade Valley, NC		55					29 Fall Branch

Edwards, W.C.			Glade Valley, NC							80 Home

Edwards, Ennice			Sold to Lester Higgins						30

Edwards, G.Y.			Glade Valley		43		1			

Edwards, James			Sparta, NC		46		1			92

Edwards, Leff			Sparta, NC		28		1			64

Edwards, Flora			Sparta, NC							17

Edwards, E.R.			 Sparta, NC							39

Edwards, N.E. & Eula		 Sparta, NC							86
Richardson

Evans, Allen			 Sparta, NC		38		1			59

Evans, J.A.			Glade Valley, NC		39		1			101 Home

Evans, A.B.			Glade Valley, NC		58					40

Ervin, C.W.			Glade Valley, NC		38		1

Evans, Mrs. George		Elkin, NC							3 Glade Valley

Eckard, ? & Covington ?		Donnaha, NC							72

Evans, Mary & Geneva		Winston Salem, NC	

Franklin, W.T.			Glade Valley, NC		65					100 Home

Franklin, J.V.			Glade Valley, NC		60					208 Home

Franklin, T.R.			Glade Valley, NC							5

Fender, Teny			Glade Valley, NC							50

Fender, L.W.			Glade Valley, NC		56					72 Home

Fender, D.C.			Glade Valley, NC		

Fries, H.E.			Winston Salem, NC						125 Roberts

Finely, Thomas			N. Wilkesboro, NC						200

Green, H.G.			Glade Valley, NC		37		1			150 Home

Green, J.L.			Glade Valley, NC		28		1			121

Gentry, W.E.			Glade Valley, NC		24		1			68

Gentry, J.C.			Glade Valley, NC							28

Gentry, S.M.			Glade Valley, NC		29		1			

Gentry, Joseph			Glade Valley, NC		58					183 Home

Gentry, F. Doughton		Glade Valley, NC		24		1

INQUIRIES:

	Lenora Smith, San Diego, CA is seeking information on Elizabeth “Eliza” ANDERSON, born 1837, possibly Ashe County, NC and Eli SWINDALL, born 1832, Ashe County, NC.  Their children were: Julia Ann, Albert John Wesley (Doc), Ida B., Emmet Arthur, Mary, Lillian, Polly Ann, Lewis Benjamin Gregory (Grigsby), and “Judge.”  Would this be the same Eliza ANDERSON Whose parents were Swinfield ANDERSON and Elizabeth “Betty” DELP? Eli SWINDALL was the son of Elizabeth “Betsy” SWINDLE.  Eli's father was a PHIPPS, but he and Betsy never married.  Betsy SWINDLE's parents were John SWINDLE and Ruth FRYER.  

	Clifton Courtney, Jr.is researching the GIBSON branch of his ancestry.  Joel GIBSON born about 1750, died Dec 23, 1830.  he fought in the Revolutionary War—applied for pension in 1825 in Kentucky.  He owned and sold property on top of Peach Bottom Mountain in Wilkes Co.  He paid taxes for himself in Surrey County in 1774 and was enumerated in census in 1790 in Wilkes Co., and in 1800 in Ashe County.  Need to know if he married Mary Davis—need marriage record and date.  Where is Peach Bottom Mountain? He notes a Gibsonville in Wilkes County—were there other relatives there?  Did Joel live in Gibsonville? Any help on this family will be appreciated.  Mr. Courtney's address Indianapolis, IN.

	Joyce Naccarato, Salt Lake City, UT, wants to know: Who was the wifeof Thomas Jefferson Douglas, born 15 Aug 1847, died 3 July 1930, son of William T. Douglas?

	James C. Cox, Jr., needs to know the parentsof Enoch WILLAMS, born 6 Oct 1818 in VA, died 14 Nov 1905, Carrol Co., VA., buried Crooked Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, married Rachel DAVIS.  Believe he had a sister Edith who married Dr. William Mack Crawford and perhaps a brother, Alfonzo Williams.  Mr. Cox's address, Roanoke, VA.  

	Gloria Spangersubmits the following: John LONG, Sr born about 1750, married ? Maybe a Vannoy. Had eleven children.  One son, Jesse born 5 July 1789 Alleghany/Ashe County, married ? Levina?  Son Owen born about 1793 married Elizabeth ? Need names and dates.  Jesse, Owen and sister Anne went to Owen County, Indiana after 1830.  Will exchange info and reimburse postage.  Gloria Spanger, Edwardsport, IN.  

	FRIED APPLE PIES!! Could someone please send a recipe for old-fashioned friend apple pies to Mrs. Helen Martell, Marinette, WI.  

INQUIRIES:

	Norma Brooks, Clemmons, NC is seeking the following information

1.	Would like to know if anyone has information on Rebecca Brooks, supposed mother of Young Brooks born Mar 29, 1805 and Stokes Brooks born Jan 6, 1802.
2.	Who are the parents of Ulyssess Sylvester (Jack) McLean born in Watauga County Apr 28, 1858?
3.	The parents of Jonathan Welch Gentry, born Dec 25, 1815 possibly in Wilkes County.  He married Amanda Crutchfield Hanks Gentry, born Jan 3, 1817. They are buried in the Woodruff Cemetery in Alleghany County.
4.	The parents of John Cockerham born May 25, 1847, married to Mary Little Kennedy Cockerham, born Aug 3, 1856.  They lived in Wilkes and Alleghany Counties and are buried in Galax, VA.
5.	The parents of John Hutchinson, born Feb 16, 1830, married Cidney Brown Hutchinson, born Oct 29, 1835. Any information on her family would also be appreciated.

	Mary Harless submitted a copy of an old song she things may go back to the early nineteenth century.  Mary and her sister and their daddy used to sing the song together. It came from an old song book entitled “Southern Harmony.” If anyone has any information about this song or the book—name of publisher, date of publication, name of composer, etc. she would appreciate hearing from you.  Her address is Sparta, NC.

TWILIGHT IS FALLING

Twilight is stealing over the sea
Shadows are falling dark on the lea:
Borne on the night winds, voices of yore,
Come from the far off shore.

Chorus:
Far a-way be-yond the star-lit skies,
Where the love-light never, never dies,
Gleameth a mansion filled with delight,
Sweet happy home so bright

Voices of loved ones! Song songs of the past!
Still linger round me, while life shall last, 
Lonely I wanter, sadly I roam
Seeking that far-off home.

(Chorus)

Come in the twilight, come, come to me
Bringing some message over the sea,
Cheering my pathway while I roam
Seeking that far-off home.

(Chorus)

	We are sorry to report the deaths of more of our members:L Mrs. Virginia Richardson in September 1991, Mrs. Louis (Beulah) Crouse in November 1991 and Mr. James Walter Richardson in February 1992.  

THE ALLEGHANY NEWS
                                								(Submitted by J.J. Johnson)                    
AND STAR-TIMES 

Time to Celebrate									August 13, 1959

	Next week Alleghany county will mark the hundreth anniversary of its founding, with a real celebration.  We hope that friends and neighbros join in with the good people of this excellent county. 

	Since Alleghany was a part of Ashe until 1859, Ashe County people should have special interest in this celebration.  

	History will be relived in a drama.  Color and pageantry will be a part of the celebration; but along with the fanfare this county has real reasons for celebrating.  It has made much progress and indications point to an even brighter future.

	It is a county which has managed its financial problems far better than most others and has achieved results in its spending.  

	Alleghany can be justly proud of its health facilities, its schools, churches and many other fine institutions.  

	But most of all, Alleghany can be proud of its people; for its citizens have made this county what it is today.  Many of them have done far more than that, for they have served this State, nation and the world.  Among the many distinguished families are the Doughtons who have gone down in history for their public service.  There are others who have and are making noteworthy contributions.  

	We take this occasion to congratulate all of those who have worked to make this centennial observance a real success.  We predict that within the next century there will be even more cause to celebrate.  

	Present trends show that Alleghany is on the march and history in the making!