I recently ran across this tribute to cousin Doris Newsome Barfield.
Doris Newsome Barfield is my paternal grandmother’s first cousin, the daughter of Edward and Correna Aldridge Newsome.
Category Archives: Uncategorized
The obituary of Lt. Herven P. Exum, Tuskegee Airman.
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In the 1930 census of Eureka, Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer John E. Artis, 41; wife Cora, 39; and children Virginia D., 17, Ed R., 13, Oscar O., 11, Mary L., 10, Hurvin P., 9, Devaughn, 7, Olga M., 4, and Erman D., 2.
In the 1940 census of Nahunta township, Wayne County: farmer John Ed Exum, 51, and children Hervin, 18, Devon, 17, Ossie Mae, 14, Erman D., 12, and John Collins Exum, 8.
In 1942, Herven Percy Exum registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 6 November 1921 in Eureka, N.C.; lived at 611 East Green Street, Wilson; his contact was C.E. Artis, 571 East Nash Street; and he worked for undertaker C.E. Artis, 571 East Nash Street, Wilson.
Henry W. McNeely, teacher.
I knew from oral history and the 1870 census that my great-great-great-grandfather Henry W. McNeely was a teacher during Reconstruction. Born in 1841 to John W. McNeely, a white slaveowner, and Lucinda McNeely, the woman he enslaved, Henry presumably learned to read and write during slavery.
The document above is extracted from “List of School Teachers & School-buildings North Carolina” compiled by a Freedmen’s Bureau official. Miranda was a community on present-day Millbridge Road in Rowan County, southwest of Salisbury and just a few miles northwest of China Grove. Henry’s home was closer to Mount Ulla, a few miles northwest of Miranda. Another document in this dataset notes that H.W. McNeely taught 138 students in one building under the patronage of the Friends Freedmen’s Association.
Roll 028, Monthly and Other School Reports North Carolina July 1868-Dec 1870, Records of the Education Division, Headquarters Records, U.S. Freedmen’s Bureau Records 1865-1878, http://www.ancestry.com.
Some light on Nancy Henderson Dove Mills.
I’ve written before about Nancy Henderson Dove, who I believe was the sister of my great-great-great-great-grandmother Patsey Henderson. Last night, I happened upon another reference to Nancy in the February 1871 will of her last husband, London Mills.
In the first item, Mills devises to his “beloved wife, Nancy Mills (formerly Nancy Henderson and then Nancy Dove)” a life estate in most of his property. If only everyone had been so precise in identifying their legatees.
Mills’ estate file yields a 6 March 1872 account statement from C.G. Cox for medical services throughout 1871, including, on 15 May 1871 “One visit to wife & adjusting thigh fracture,” a brutal injury for anyone then or now, but especially a woman who was perhaps 70 years old at the time. Cox treated Nancy twice more in the next six weeks, then provided medical attention to someone named Eliza, and finally to London himself for a fever near the end of July. Nancy survived her injury, as she appears in the account of the sale of London’s property on 24 February 1872, purchasing two sheep and some geese.
In the 1870 census of Richlands township, Onslow County: Lunen Mills, 80, farmer; wife Nancy, 65; and Eliza Mills, 13; Jesse White, 21; Wiley Dove, 18; Lucy Bowen, 84; and Gatsey Dove, 44. Next door: farm laborer Lewis Mills, 36; wife Minerva, 45; and children Caroline, 8, William, 6, and Henry, 4.
Eliza Mills was the Eliza named in the medical bill, as well as the “Eliza White (daughter of Manerva Mills)” named in London Mills’ will. Manerva Mills and Jesse White, son of Manerva Mills are also legatees.
Minerva was Minerva Dove, daughter of Nancy Henderson and [presumed] Simon Dove. Lewis Mills was her second husband. Her daughter Caroline lived long enough to be memorialized in a death certificate: Caroline Manervie Canady died — June 1942 in Richland, Onslow County. Per her death certificate, she was born 26 December 1861 in Onslow County to Louis Mills and Manervie Dove and was the widow of Louis H. Canady.
In the 1880 census of Richlands township, Onslow County, Nancy Henderson Dove Mills’ descendants lived in a cluster around her. In household #375, eldest son Durant Dove, 75; wife Rosanna, 35; and children Phillis, 19, Elizabeth, 17, Jonas, 3, James W., 1, and George R.H., 1 month. In #376, Nancy Henderson, 90, knitting, and daughter Gatsey Dove, 60. In #377, Lewis Mills, 47; wife Mernervia, 55; [her] daughter Elisa Henderson, 21; their children Caroline, 18, Edward F., 17, Lucy, 15, and Hastenquickly, 14; plus Eliza’s son David J. Henderson, 3. In #378, Durant Dove’s son Lewis Dove, 46; wife Polly A., 35; and son George Savage, 9.
Another daughter of Aaron Seaberry.
I’m not sure how I missed this death certificate for Tabitha Hagans, another child of Aaron Seaberry! More soon as I explore this new clue.
Why the Holmeses went to Charles City County.
I have so much incredible new information about my Holmes family, both in Charlotte and Charles City Counties, but haven’t had (or maybe taken) the time to sort out my notes. For now, this place marker, the earliest evidence of Jasper Holmes in Charles City County:
Daily Dispatch (Richmond, Va.), 12 October 1869.
Season’s greetings!
Echoing cousin Margaret Holt Brown (may she rest in peace!) and wishing you a Merry Christmas!
A candle was lit in his honor.
My thanks to the worshippers of Village Church.
“This morning, at Village Church in Charlotte Court House, Virginia, we observed All Saints’ Eve by remembering and paying tribute to those who have gone before us, who helped shape our faith journeys, and whose walks on this earth offer illustrations of the life of Christ. A candle was lit in honor of Joseph R. Holmes, and his name was spoken aloud.” — Jim Watkins
Uncle Major A. Allen.
I have not had great luck finding descendants of my great-grandfather John C. Allen‘s half-siblings, but today I found a promising clue for further searches for Major Alexander Allen, who was about ten years John’s junior. Major A. Allen registered for the World War I draft in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, having joined the Great Migration north — and his registration card indicates that he had a child!
Irving Houser Jr., sailor.
Irving Houser Jr. (1920-2001) was the youngest son of Irving and Emma McNeely Houser. Born and reared in Bayonne, New Jersey, Cousin Irving served in the United States Navy during and after World War II.
Special thanks to Todd D. Le Bon, Cousin Irving’s grandson, for sharing this photo.
Scuffalong: Genealogy. 