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.2	 	           		 June 1992			BULLETIN NO. 50

From the President:

	For a number of years a museum has been at the top of our priority list.  We have considered numerous possibilities and pondered the advantages and disadvantages of various locations. 

	Several months ago, D.W. And Barbara Miles offered us museum space in the Trojan Village Shopping Center.  It was a very generous offer and would be an excellent location.

	After many meetings and much deliberation, we realized that our main problem would be volunteers to keep the museum open as many hours as would be required in the Trojan Village Shopping Center.  Due to the small number and the advanced ages of most of our active members, we decided to ask for help.

	A County Museum should be supported by the whole county!  So we wrote letters to all the other organizations, asking for support and a commitment to volunteer hours to this project.  We had practically no response.

	After investigating all of the possibilities and recognizing the lack of resources we have, we sadly felt we could not proceed with this offer.  We are truly grateful to Mr. & Mrs. Miles however, for making this space available to us.

	A museum will remain a priority and we hope to continue to work toward making it a cooperative reality and encourage the citizens and other organizations of Alleghany County to support such a monument to our heritage.

									Pauline Jolly

FOR THE RECORD:

 	The Alleghany Historical-Genealogical Society was first instituted in August 1978, later becoming organized and chartered. Bulletin No. 1 was published for November 1979 and with No. 50 we are in our 13th year.  The Museum was mentioned in that first Bulletin and we are sad to admit that it is still not a reality.  We have to accept the fact that it is a tremendous project and that much ground work has been done.  It is our hope that these efforts will not be in vain and that the right set of circumstances will prevail in the near future. 

	In our March Bulletin (No. 49) Mary Harless submitted an inquiry concerning an old Song Book called SOUTHER HARMONY.  She heard from a friend in South Carolina who discovered the title “The History of Spartanburg County, South Carolina.”  She thinks the following excerpts may be of interest to others:

 	FROM THE HISTORY OF SPARTANBURG COUNTY, SC by Dr. J.B.O. Landrum, Copyrighted 1900 by J.B.O. Landrum.  Page 366.  PROFESSOR WILLIAM WALKER, A.S.H. (Author Southern Harmony), was born in Union County, SC May 6th, 180-9 on the Tyger River near the village of Cross Keys.  He was of Welsh decent, his father emigrating from Wales in the eighteenth century. His mother was a Miss Jackson, granddaughter of Ralph Jackson, esq. Who was elected by the State Legislature a justice of the quorum in the Union district, SC only a few years after the close of the Revolution.  

	The scholastic education of the son, the subject of this sketch, was of an elementary kind.  He made a good use of the advantages afforded him.  He joined the Baptist Church at an early age.  Seeing the need to advance the psalmody (singing) of his church he conceived the idea “Praise the Lord” on stringed instruments, the pslatery and harp, as well as the human voice.

	To perfect the vocal modes of praise became the leading ambition of his long, laborious and useful life.  Determined, at once he resorted to pen and paper.  He soon gathered and arranged into meter and melody a wonderful book suitably adapted to the praise and glory of God.  He soon published a musical work entitled THE SOUTHERN HARMONY.  This popular book comprised the shapes of notes or that peculiar style of musical notion contra—distinguished the same from the more current literature of the present age.  His reputation for attainments in his science soon spread all through the South and Southwest.  “Everywhere his popularity as a must teacher went and his work received a most popular endorsement.”

	To distinguish him from others of the same name, he was known as Wm. Walker, A.S.H. (Author Souther Harmony).  Mr. Walker, not content with his first publication, determined to prepare and publish a more elaborate and thoroughly revised musical work, which he did under the title of CHRISTAIN HARMONY.  This book has met with a like popular currency and the two conjointly have given him a most enviable reputation as author, vocalist and teacher.  Everywhere within the limitations of the South and the West he organized “singing schools” as they were called and in each prepared, qualified and commissioned in person many of the brightest of his pupils as instructors in the department of music.  

	He was author and co-publisher with the Miller Publishing House of Philadelphia, PA in publishing his musical works, he realized a large sum from the sale of his books throughout the country.  Mr. Walker was devoted to the service of a religious and pious life from early youth and steadfastly held to it during his sojourn here on earth.

	He was a man of quite liberal views and was ever ready with his means and influence to advance the cause of any enterprise which seemed to be a public benefit.  It is said that Mr. Walker died, as it were, with melodies on his tongue for the goodness and tender mercies of God.  

	At the age of 24 years, Mr. Walker married Miss Amy Gloightly and settled near Spartanburg, Sc.  His marriage was a happy one, their tastes being congenial and their dispositions naturally equable and uniform.  By this marriage ten children were born, five sons and five daughters., nine of whom survived him.  

	Miss Mary Walker, his third daughter, died in Spartanburg, some years after the death of her father, which took place September 24, 1875.  She was laid to rest beside her father in Magnolia Cemetery, Spartanburg, SC.  His wife died 1897 or 98 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Flora Justice, in Rutherfordton, NC.

	What follows is a letter written during the Civil War.  It is from a Confederate Soldier, Rufus W. Colvard, a native of Wilkes County. It is copied from the August 13, 1959 edition of THE ALLEGHANY NEWS which was submitted by Jessie J. Johnson.

 									Point Lookout Prison
										Point Lookout, Md.
											June 15th, 1865

Dear Father:

	I am yet alive and enjoying excellent health.  I was very sick some two weeks ago.  I had something like the chills and fever.

	There are several of the Wilkes Johnnys here, about 90.  Daniel E. Dancy died here of measles Jun 1st.  John McGrady Anderson's son died of the same disease the same date.  I'll mention the names of some of those who still remain here, viz: William R. Whittington, John Pierce, M. Pilkenton, Vick Adams, Simeon A. Bumgarner, Finley Curtis, Tobe Absher, Jessie Brown, Will Hamilton, Henry Burkett and a host of others of your acquaintance too numerous to mention. T here were about 500 Rebs released from here daily.  I hope my time is not too far distant.  Perhaps I may get off in a few days for about 6 weeks.  I think the prison will be cleared out in that time.

	I have never heard a word from home since I left the 6th of March.  You may guess I am getting anxious to hear, but I would much prefer going to see.  I am uneasy for fear that Johnson's Army robbed you of everything they possible could.  I have seen accounts of the stragglers of the army committing many depredations as they passed through western North Carolina.  I hear that Stoneman's Cavalry paid Wilkes a visit.  I hope he did not find Reddies River.

	Our rations are small, but still we can make out. If I had money I could live here very well, but that is the difficutly. Money is scarce.  In fact, nearly none.  I have had a little most of the time, 10 c per day with the rations I draw.  The worst with myself is that my clothes are nearly worn thin.  I can live very well.  Since I have been here, I have bought me a jacket and blanket.  The Yankees made me throw down all my tricks when I was captured.  They took $!0.95 in Confed. And my pocket knife from me.  A great many prisoners tricks were not touched.  I happened to meet up with one who had been captured and scaled.  He retaliated on me.

	My love to all my acquaintances, etc. No time to mention names.  I intend sending this?? special application approved by President Johnson.

						Yours as ever, Rufus

(MARRIAGE BOND HERE)

YOU WERE BORN BEFORE 1945 IF....

If you were born before 1945, just think about all the changes that you've seen during your lifetime.

	You were born before television, before penicillin, before polio shots, frozen food, Xerox, contact lenses, frisbees, expressways, CD's and microwaves.

	You were born before radar, credit cards, split atoms, laser beams and ballpoint pens.  You were before panty hose, dishwashers, clothes dryers, electric blankets, air—conditioning, drip-dry clothes and before man walked on the moon.

	You got married first then lived together.  Closets were for clothes, not “coming out of.” Bunnies were small rabbits, and rabbits were not Volkswagens.  Pizza, McDonald's and instant coffee were still unheard-of.

	Fast food was what you ate during Lent, and having a “meaningful relationship” meant getting along with your cousins.

	You were before “House husbands”, computer dating, dual careers and commuter marriages.  You were before day-care centers, group therapy and retirement communities.  

	Before 1945..you never heard of FM radio, tape decks, electric type writers, artificial hearts, word processors, yogurt, VCR's and guys wearing earrings.

	“Time-sharing” meant togetherness and had nothing to do with computers or condominiums; a “chip” meant a piece of wood; hardware meant hardware and software wasn't even a word.

	You hit the scene when five-and-ten stores sold things for 5 cents and 10 cents.  For a nickel you could buy five suckers, a pack of gum or an ice cream cone, ride a streetcar or buy enough stamps to mail one letter and two postcards.

	You could buy a Chevy coupe for $600, but who could afford one?  A pity, too, because gas back then was only 11 cents a gallon.

	In your day, cigarette smoking was fashionable. Grass was something that was mowed.  Coke was a cold rink, pot was what you cooked in and rock music was a grandma's lullaby.

	No wonder there is such a  generation gap today.  But, overall, those years before '45 were pretty good times, weren't they?

REMEMBER?

	Does anyone remember any old partyline stories to share with our readers?  How about first car memories?  Or perhaps some family reunion traditions that would be of interest?  We would like to hear from you folks who are willing to pass along some great family experiences.  

INQUIRIES:

	Caraleen Andres, Shelley, ID needs information on the wives of Mark Andrews of Edwards Crossroads: (1) Nancy HAWTHORNE; (2) Polly Reynolds b 1840 d 1880, had a dau Casey b?, d 1880; (3) Matilda YOUNG b 19 Mar 1854 md 26 Feb 1882, dau Georgia Anna Young who married David Anders.  Mark is buried in Alleghany Co near Edwards Crossroads.  We think Matilda's family live din Grayson Co, VA.

NOTE:

	The North Carolina Scottish Heritage Society was established in April 1992.  Its purpose will include furthering research and publication in the fields of genealogy and biography.  THE ARGYLL COLONY PLUS, a six year old genealogical quarterly, has been designated the Society's official publication.  This publication is a clearing house for information on the Scots of North Carolina, both before and after they came to the state.  The Society will hold its Annual General Meeting and Dinner in connection with the Flora MacDonald Highland Games at Red Springs on 2 October 1992.  To become a member of the Society, for further information and to receive THE ARGYLL COLONY PLUS, write to North Carolina Scottish Heritage Society, Southern Pines, NC.  

NOTICE:

	TO THE DESCENDANTS OF YOUNG & CATHERINE (COX) EDWARDS: Mrs. Hazel H. Cooper plans to put a headstone on Young & Catherine's graves, the cost will be about $250.  These graves have no markers.  Mrs. Cooper has maintained this cemetery the past years, with not too much help.  She is now 83 years old.  Would all who descend from Young & Catherine PLEASE pitch in and help Mrs. Cooper pay for this wonderful deed?  Her address is Ennice, NC.

PUBLICATIONS:

	WHISNANTS THROUGH THE AGES – Hardback book containing family histories of our American and European ancestors.  Fully indexed, includes the genealogical relationships of over 20,000 individuals.  The many different spellings of the family name are included: Visinand, Whisenhunt, Whisennand, Whisendand, Whisenant, Whisanant, Whisinant, Whisonant, Wishnand, and Whisnant.  Raymond C. Whisnant is the author. The cost before August 1, 1992 is $43.00, including shipping and handling.  Order from Raymond C. Whisnant, Dallas, TX.

THANKS:

	Many thanks to the several who pointed out the incorrect date on the “Civil War Letter” in the March Bulletin.  It of course should have been 1864 instead of 1844.  

AS YOU CAN SEE, OUR MEMBERSHIP
LIST IS GETTING SHORTER!!! WE URGE THOSE
WHO DID NOT RENEW THEIR MEMBERSHIP FOR
1992 TO REJOIN FOR 1993.  EACH OF OUR
 ACTIVE MEMBERS NEED TO TRY TO INTEREST
ADDITIONAL MEMBERS, ESPECIALLY YOUNGER 
PEOPLE WHO WILL SOMEDAY BE THE ONES TO
CARRY ON THE HERITAGE OF THIS COUNTY