Journeys Through Jackson 2003 Vol.13 No.11-12

Journeys Through Jackson is the official journal of the Jackson County Genealogical Society, Inc. The journal began as a monthly publication in July 1991, was published bimonthly from 1994 to 2003, and continues today as a quarterly publication. The journal issues in this digital collection are presented as annual compilations.c J o u r n e y s T h r o u g h J a c k s o n m C A > S , £ ° ^ f D E D j B 5 > ^ ^ T h e Official J o u r n a l of t h e J a c k s o n C o u n t y G e n e a l o g i c a l S o c i e t y , Inc. Vol. X I I I , No. 1 1 - 1 2 N o v e m b e r - D e c e m b e r 2 0 03 o JACKSON COUNTY GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, INC. 2003 Officers ^j President . Dorris D. Beck Vice President. L. Roy Shuler Secretary Lynn Allen Treasurer E. Lawrence Morton Librarian Dorris D. Beck Office Manager Ruth C. Shuler Computer Coordinator. Deanne G. Roles Chair, Publications (Editor) R. Larry Crawford Journeys Through Jackson is the official publication of the Jackson County Genealogical Society. Members and non-members are invited to submit genealogical materials for publication, with the understanding that the editor reserves the right to edit these materials for genealogical content, clarity, or taste. The Society assumes no responsibility for errors of fact that may be contained in submissions, and except where noted, the opinions expressed are not those of the editor or of the Jackson County Genealogical Society. The Society accepts no advertising for this publication except for notices for other non-profit groups. From the Editor Another year gone, and where did it go? When you find it, let us know. We finish another very successful year in JCGS, with only a very small decrease in members from 2002, thanks to some hard-working new members who have joined our ranks. We missed all of those who did not renew, and we hope that you will "jine" up again this next year. ._^ In our final issue for the year, see that Dan Johnson has been back at work with his Caney Fork folks. Also find the next crowd of FuUbrights, thanks to Danny Jones, and a couple of pages on a well-known preacher from Jackson County, thanks to Alvin Conner. As usual, we include our membership list in this issue, along with the map of our members. With this issue, you will find a letter that every member needs to read carefully. Recruit! May each of you have a safe and happy holiday season. Resolve in 2004 to do more genealogy, and get involved with your society. Your ideas are valued and welcome here. V i s i t u s a t o u r W e b s i t e : h t t p : / / w w w . j c n c g s . c o m/ Journeys Through Jackson November - December 2003 T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s Announcements a n d Expressions of Sympathy......................................................... 171 JCGS Photo Album 172-174 Update on t h e Aikens 175-182 1960 Jackson County Death Certificates 183 - 1 8 6 JCGS L i b r a r y Acquisitions.................................. ;.:................................ 186 The Fullbright Ancestry of Danny Jones 187 - 1 9 2 Focus on Reverend C h a r l i e Conner............................. 193 - 1 9 4 JCGS Membership List for 2003 195 - 201 Where J C G S Members Live 1 202 Index 203-204 In Sympathy We express our sincere sympathy to JCGS members Barbara Nations Ashe, James Conner, and Sue Kilby Fouts, all of whom have recently lost loved ones. For all of us who believe, we realize that as painful as this loss can be, it is also only temporary. The Society celebrated its thirteenth year on Thursday December 11 by enjoying a covered - dish meal and by installing the officers for the coming year. Please read your accompanying letter for some new information from your Society. 171 Journeys Through Jackson November - December 2003 J C G S P h o t o A l b um The photograph below certainly is an attention-getter. It shows Edd Conner of Whittier with his casket Shared by Deanne Gibson Roles via Christine Jones. KJ -^J Ky 172 Journeys' Through Jackson November - December 2003 J C G S P h o t o A l b u m c 3 / / f c / ( . &»*( ^/fr-i/y "^"JM '' /5«£Jis<y<?r) The very fine photograph above shows Silas McCall, his wife Emma Buchanan, and a family of handsome children. Emma fits into the Frizzell family, a granddaughter of Joseph Buchanan and Mary Magdalene Frizzell. Photograph submitted by JCGS member Anita Rudd. 173 Journeys Through Jackson November - December 2003 J C G S P h o t o A l b u m ^J \ j Above, another fine old photograph. It shows Will Cook and Flora Aiken, probably on their wedding day on Caney Fork May 4, 1911. The woman to the left is unidentified. JCGS member Dan Johnson, who submits the picture, has written an update to his Aiken story which appeared previously in these pages. The two articles follow as our first subject in this issue. V ^ 174 Journeys Through Jackson November - December 2003 A n U p d a t e o n G r a n n y B e c k A i k e n ; A L o o k a t J o h n H . A i k e n [Ed. The following articles are submitted by JCGS member Dan Johnson, a lineal descendant. His Caney Fork ancestors were fascinating people.] Ongoing research continues t o fill in some or" t h e gaps on Granny Beck (see Journeys through Jackson, vol. XIL no. 1-2, Jan-Feb 2002, pgs. 5-8) a 19th century embodiment of the Samaritan woman at the well. It has been determined that her last t w o children, Mary and 'Jack,' were not Aikens at all, having been bora in 18651 a n d 14 November 18682 respectively on Caney Fork, and not in Henderson county as the other children. Mary died sometime between 1870 and 18803, but Jack lived until 6 February I9604. It is related that Granny Beck on her deathbed, confessed to Jack that he wasn't an Aiken after all, but that his father was a Sanders/Saunders5. This clarifies the mystery about his father; concerning Mary's father, any guess would be pure speculation at this point. To date, a chronology of her 'men' is as follows: (1) a Galloway—(Lewis Perry?) who fathered Lewis 'Perry' Galloway/Aiken ca. 18486 (2) Thomas Aiken, they were together ca. 1850-ca. 1860. He was the father of 'Sally,' Arch, Ben, John and Hannah7 (3) James Bracken, ca. 1860/1861, who fathered a child who later died8 (4) A Sanders/Saunders, father of Jack9 (5)JohnHammet1 0 It is still unknown how many of these men to whom she was actually married, the more likely scenario being that she married only Thomas Aiken and John Hammet. She and John cohabhated for at least 8 years before they were married11, and stayed together until shortly before his death in Broughton Hospital in Morganton, N C in 190812. Granny Beck was a midwife and an herbal d&ctor. One time there was a sick child, and i t ' s father came riding on a horse as fast jas h e could, t o get her t o come. She assured him she'd be right along, and he took off, galloping with all his might to his baby, which was quite a distance away. When he arrived breathless and t h e horse all lathered up, Granny Beck (without a horse) was already there!13 Another story tells of a time when she got mad at someone, pronounced a curse on them, and they heard cattle tromping through their cornfield all night long, mooing and making all kinds of racket. The next morning there wasn't a cow's print t o be seen in t h e whole field! Her legendary temper was also displayed on someone's prize heifer t h a t ' d just given birth t o a valuable calf—she changed it into a rabbit! On still another occasion, she became envious of another woman's shawl; Granny Beck asked her for it, and when the woman refused, another curse came and the shawl erupted in flames right then and there.14 175 Journeys Through Jackson November - December 2003 Speculation continues to swirl around her childhood and origins. One family tale tells that during the Indian Removal of 1838 (when she was still a little girl), her (Indian) mother was caught in the march of the Trail of Tears; but apparently Granny Beck v^ somehow avoided it. Her older brother Jack (16 at the time) caught up with their mother, rescued her, and he led them both into Georgia briefly to wait out the removal. There are a couple of 'painter' stories that have come to light. The cabin they lived in had great gaps in between the logs, and one night while little Jack was near the wall, a panther snuck up, reached through the gap, and grabbed him by the shoulder, determined to somehow carry him off. Granny Beck fought it off, and they stayed up all night afraid of it. Jack's injury was substantial, and proven by his scarred shoulder that he carried all throughout his life.16 It is also related that whenever Granny Beck would be frying up bacon for breakfast, the panthers would come and try to find their way in to the house to get at that bacon.17 Her old homestead, still known today as t h e 'Granny Beck place' among bear hunters, is located at the end of Caney Fork, between the Caney Fork and John's Creek roads; the chimney of t h e old place is still standing. F O O T N O T E S : 1Inscription on tombstone, Balsam Grove Baptist cemetery. Also, 1870 Jackson co., NC census, Caney Fork township, p 224 21870 Jackson co., NC census, Caney Fork township, p 224; also, Holly Springs Baptist \J Church cemetery, Pickens, SC tombstone inscription 3As evidenced by her absence in the 1880 Jackson co., NC census, Caney Fork township, household #79, p 308 4 Holly Springs Baptist Church cemetery, Pickens, SC tombstone inscription 5Personal interview with L.G. Queen, July 2003 6See 1850 Henderson co., NC census. Lewis Perry Galloway was a first cousin to Thomas Aiken. 7Compare 1850 and 1860 Henderson co., NC censuses, Cherryfield township 8According to Linda Hoxit Raxter, the first case of the Transylvania county pleas and quarter session of 1861? was a bastardy bond brought against James Bracken by Rebecca Galloway. One theory is that Thomas Aiken went off to war, [having served in Company K, 62nd NC Regiment from Transylvania county. See http://www.rootsweb.com/~nctransv/communitv/PSheppard/CSA.htm1. and having returned to discover his wife pregnant with another man's child, he left to never return again. KJ 176 Journeys Through Jackson November - December 2003 Personal interviews with L.G. Queen, Hazel Marler and Joe Aiken,, the latter two gr gr grandchildren o f Granny Beck. July 2003. 101900 Jackson co., NC census, Caney Fork township, household #15, p 8570 11 A s evidenced by his presence in the 1880 Jackson co., NC census as a 'farm hand.' They apparently were 'nudged' towards'marriage by their arrest in the fall of 1888 for fornication. Jackson County Marriage Register 1872-1901. Jackson County Courthouse, Sylva, NC, p 63: John Hammet, 64, Caroline Aikin, 53,applied for a marriage license on. 7 Dec 1888 and were married 10 December 1888 by G. W. Hawkins, J.P. in Jackson co., NC. Witnesses: James Henson, J.H. Hawkins. l2Journevs through Jackson, vol XU, no. 3-4 March-April 2002, p 39 "Area Persons Interred at Broughton Hospital Cemetery*' Jackson County: Hammitt, John: Row 13, Grave 8, born 1843, died 6 November 1908, admitted 7 October 1908. Broughton Hospital is a mental hospital and it is supposed that at his advanced age his admission was due to dementia and/or senility (Alzheimer's disease) 13Pers6nal interviews with James Alvin Prince, and his mother, Ocey Prince, gr gr grandson, and gr granddaughter respectively. August 2003. uIbid 15Personal interview with Hazel Marler and Joe Aiken, July 2003. l6lbid 17 Personal interview with Ocey Prince, gr granddaughter. August 2003. 177 Journeys Through Jackson November - December 2003 JOHN H. AIKEN, son of THOMAS (1825-ca 1900) and REBECCA (HOXIT) AIKEN (1831-1912)1 was born January 8, 1855 in Chenyfield, Henderson co., NC the fifth of \^J what would be eight children. His father left the family sometime between 1860 and 1870. By 1870 the family was living in Jackson county, NC2 where they would live out the rest o f their lives on Caney Fork. NANCY COWARD, daughter of BENJAMIN and NELLIE (FISHER) COWARD had caught the fancy of young John, and they were married on September 8, 1880 in Cowarts.3 One factor that made this marriage a little remarkable is that Nancy was already the mother of 2 out-of-wedlock daughters.4 ARZELA (born in 1873) and MAGGIE VIOLA MEG' (born January 19, 1877)5 are attributed by family lore to be the fruit o f rapes by 'soldiers.' WORTH HOOPER6 was sued by Nancy Coward through a bastardy bond in the fall of 1876,7 and TOM HOOPER* is listed as Meg's father. Both Worth and Tom ^j had served North Carolina in the confederacy.9 It is significant that John didn't seem to bat an eye at this added responsibility right from the start, and it couldn't have been easy trying to be a father to two little girls who had never known one. But their family was instant, and began to grow immediately: BENJAMIN COLEMAN 'COLEY', born in June o f 1881 PERRY, born in September of 1883 CICERO LOFTIS, born March 12,1884 MINNIE, born in January o f 1885 FLORENCE, born in Juen of 1887 FLORA VIOLA, born October 18,1890 W 178 Journeys Through Jackson. . November - December 2003 ELLEN, born April 4,1891 JESSE, born December 8,1892 EULA HUDSON, bom-February 8 , 1 8 94 MARY, born in January o f 1896 SHIRLEY, bom in January o f 1898 JOHNNY, bornJFebruary.5, 1900 John Sr., like almost every other Caney Fork man, was quite the 'rounder' in his early life. Caney Fork seems to have been the 'wild west' of western North Carolina where lawlessness prevailed and weak men didn't survive. Tall and lanky, he was arrested for 'affray' in 1895, a 19th century legal term for fighting.10 But somewhere before 1901, John had an encounter with Jesus Christ that changed his life, and transformed him into a life-long, deeply committed churchman. Several times between 1901 and his tragic death* in 1939, he was appointed and sent as a delegate from the Balsam Grove Baptist church to the Tuckaseegee Baptist Association conventions, as well as the frequent 'union' meetings that were celebrated locally.11 •Death became a frequent visitor to the Aiken home, located at the end o f Sugar Creek Road off o f Caney Fork. Between .1900 and 1910 four.of their daughters died: Florence, Mary, Shirley , and Minnie, who had married Vaughn Rogers. She died in 1909 at the age of 24, after having lost their only child.12 Nancy died July 9, 192913, Reaving John at home with spinsters El and Jess, and the youngest, Johnny. For-John Sr. the .next 10 years were filled with church activities and 179 Journeys Through Jackson November - December 2003 the never-ending farming that kept food on the table. Daughter Flora, and sons Cole and Eula, and their families had moved out to Washington state, and one November Sunday morning as he walked the mile-or-so route to church that was so familiar to him, tragedy struck. His son in law's 23 your old nephew came around that tight curve above the church in a car, and struck him. After straggling for almost a Week, John's earthly life came to an end on November 10,193914, and his obituary reads as follows:15 "Man Killed on Way to Church " "Funeral services for John Aiken, 80 year old Cowarts resident who died in the C.J. Harris community hospital here Friday morning of injuries received last Sunday when struck by an automobile, were held Saturday morning at the Balsam Grove Baptist church near Cowarts. The Rev. Calvin Massingale, assisted by the Rev. Ben Cook, officiated Burial was in the church cemetery. Mr. Aiken was the third victim of an automobile in Jackson county in less than two weeks. He was on his way to church when hit by the car which was said to have been drive by Ethan Hooper, also of Cowarts, in what witnesses said was an unavoidable accident. Surviving are five sons: Cole of Sedro Woolley, Wash., Perry of Charlotte, Cicero of Cowarts, Enloe [note: Eula] of Darrington, Wash., and Johnnie of Cowarts; three daughters, Mrs. Flora Cook of Darrington, Wash., and Ella and Jessie of Cowarts; one brother, Jackson Aiken ofEasley, SC and several grandchildren." Considering the inter-relatedness of the families involved and the intensity of the emotions and respect so many felt for John, this tragic incident could have easily 180 \ J KJ \ J Journeys Through Jackson November - December 2003 escalated into a 'Hatfield/McCoy' type feud to last for generations. However, nothing could be further from the truth, and h is a testimony t o the faith, strength, love and convictions of the Aiken family that their grief was quickly overcome with no guilt attributed. In fact, Ethan, the unfortunate driver of the car involved, and his wife Hazel upon moving tp Washington state became very close t o John's daughter Flora, visiting her regularly and having her over to spend the night frequently. This close and long lasting relationship continued on up until Flora's death in 1974.16 FOOTNOTES: 1 See: Journeys through Jackson, 'The Witch of Caney Fork: Granny Beck Aiken' vol. XII, no. 1-2, Jan-Feb 2002 21870 NC Federal census, Jackson county, Caney Fork township, p 224 ^Marriage Register (1872-1901). Jackson county Courthouse, Sylva, NC 4There is a bit of a question about the date of Cole's birth as well. His delayed birth certificate (with information provided by his father) gives his birth year as 1878, two years before his parents were married. However, he does not appear in the 1880 census in the household of his grandfather Coward, whereas his mother, Arzela and Mag are present. In addition in the 1900 census his birth date is listed as June of 1881, so this author has concluded that the date on his birth record is mistaken. 51880 NC Federal census, Jackson county, Caney Fork township, p 306. Microfilm 341c, reel 20. Ben Coward is listed as head of household, with (among others) daughter Nancy, 24, and granddaughters Arzela, 7, and Maggie V., 3. 6It is believed that this was William Worth Hooper. 1 Docket Book Jackson County Superior Court 1866-1896. compiled by Rick Frizzel, p 24, line 19. *North Carolina State Board of Health Death certificate #42, September 5, 1959: Meg Green. Father: Tom Hooper, mother: Nancy Coward The identity of this Tom Hooper has not been established t o date. There were at least two Tom Hoopers on Caney Fork at this time, one being 'Cotton Tom' Hooper, and the other, Thomas HUman Hooper both being possible candidates. 181 Journeys Through Jackson November - December 2003 KJ 9See www, knees, com/civibvar/alpha. htm. W.W. Hooper served with Co B, 25* NC Inf and'Cotton Tom'Hooper served with Co G, 62nd NC Inf 10Docket Book Jackson County Superior Court 1866-1896. compiled by Rick Frizzel, p 97, line 53: "The State vs. John Aiken et al: Affray: Aiken called and failed judgement NiSi, Instanter Capias trail verdict guilty, judgement suspended on payment of cost." 11Balsam Grove Baptist Church Record minutes 7 September 1912-31 October 1936; also, Minutes of the Tuckaseegee Baptist Association, WCU, Hunter Library microfilm 12Gravestone at Lower Coward cemetery; also, personal interview with L.G. Queen, 15 July 2003. 13North Carolina State Board o f Health Death certificate 14 North Carolina State Board of Health Death certificate #38, Vol. 25-27 w* liJackson County Journal. 16 November 1939. WCU, Hunter Library microfilm, Cullowhee, NC 16Personal interview with Hazel Hooper, August, 2002. ^y 182 Journeys Through Jackson • November - December 2003 O 1 9 6 0 D e a t h C e r t i f i c a t e s o f J a c k s o n C o u n t y P e r s o n s B o r n P r i o r t o 1 9 0 0 [Key to the following: Name of deceased;' spouse (occasionally given); date of birth; place of birth; date of death; township; father's name; mother's name; informant's name; informant's address; cemetery. * indicates a known error in the certificate. Abstracted by Larry Crawford in the Jackson County Jlegister of Deeds Office November 2003.] Allen, Ila Ensley; 24 Aug 1897; Dillsboro; 21 Jun; Sylva; John B. Ensley; Vallie-Dalton; Martha Allen; Sylva; Keener Ashe, Margaret Candis; 6 Jul 1873; Speedwell; 9 Feb; .Sylva; Hampton Pressley*; Emma Frizzell; Beaulah Ensley; Waynesville; Hooper-Speedwell Barnes, Mary Ann Nicholson; w/o W.L.; 2 Sep 1882; Jackson Co.; 21 Jun; Cashiers; Bennett Nicholson; Melvira'Nicholson; W.L. Barnes; Cashiers; Buck Creek Barron, Fred Lee; h/o Ella; 3 Sep 1884; Gay; 27 Oct; Savannah; Frank Barron; Alora Ashe; John Barron; Bakersville; Wesleyanna Beasley, Ellis Jesrow; h/o Arlie; 20 Oct 1889; Macon Co.; 4 Jun; Sylva; Jerry Beasley; Mattie Leatherman; Mrs. Furman Shuler; Sylva; Keener Bradley, Callie Mae; w/o Joe; 5 Mar 1894; Jackson Co.; 26 Apr; Qualla; Clingman Fisher; Alice Miller; Ruth Warren; Oak Ridge, TN; Camp Creek (? Ward Cemetery?) Brendle, David Barton; 2 Mar 1878; Swain Co.; 8 Feb; Sylva; John Brendle; Elizabeth Chastain; Ralph Brendle; Bryson City; Forest Hill-Morganton Bromell, John Rundell; h/o Marion B.; 3 Nov 1895; Richmond, VA; 20 Aug; Qualla; Joseph Bromell; nothing else given Brooks, Charlie C ; h/o Lula Cabe; 12 Feb 1889; Jackson Co.; 26 Jan; Sylva; John W. Brooks; Carolina Buchanan; Mrs. Walter Middleton; Sylva; Barker's Creek Brown, Callie Nicholson; 4 Jan 1889; Jackson Co.; 27 Mar; Sylva; George W. Nicholson; Miranda Hooper; George W. Brown; Monroe; Coward Brown; Jesse Franklin; h/o Gusqelia; 1 May 1884; Cullowhee; 18 Nov; Sylva; Huriah Brown; Leticia Bishop; Fred Brown; CuUowhee; Rogers Buchanan,.Thomas Ezell; h/o Lilly;. 27 Sep 1889; GA; 13 Apr; .Sylva; William Buchanan; Cindy Sisk; Lilly Buchanan; Sylva; Fairview Bumgarner, George Estes; 3 Mar 1876; Sylva; 6 Jan; Sylva; Nathan Wilburn Bumgarner; Margaret Parris; Mrs. Lewis Bumgarner, Sylva; Lovedale Bumgarner, Mary Etta; 28 Jul 1867; Jackson Co.; 7 May; Mountain; Milton Stewart; Rhoda Hooper; Hayes Bryson; Hazelwood; Pine Creek Bumgarner, Sarah Samantha; 30 Oct 1878; TN; 24 Dec; Sylva; Has Biddix; Lynda Brown; Maudi