How Did I Get Here? My Amazing Genealogy Journey

Tombstone Tuesday: Cesar M. Jones --My Maternal Great Grand Uncle

2013-05-21T15:04:00.001-07:00

Stone reads, "Here lies our loving Cesar M.

Son of A. H. & Rosa Jones

Born Dec 6, 1885 Died June 3, 1898

Asleep in Jesus

Bayview Cemetery, Morehead City, NC

Mappy Monday: YooHoo, Elizabeth Jones Where Are You?

2013-05-20T17:03:00.000-07:00

Microsoft Office Downloaded Image

If you missed my prior posts that mention Elizabeth Jones, my 2nd great grand aunt, here are the links:

On The Hunt For Elizabeth Jones

Sunday's Obituary: Dr. Oscar Dunn Jones

After figuring out that Elizabeth Jones was alive and living in Philadelphia as of 1943, I decided to see if I could locate her on the census. Good news! I did.

Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2002. Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1930. T626, 2,667 rolls.

I found an Elizabeth Jones on the 1930 census living at 2124 Fitzwater Street who I believe was my ancestor. She was listed as single and owner of her own home. Three roomers resided with her, two of which were an Alexander and Daisy Jones. I bet you anything that they were related to Elizabeth in some way. I will get back to you on this one after I do some more research. Her age was listed as 50 years old which would have been off by almost 20 years but ages listed on the census were often just approximations.

Source Information:Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012.

Original data: United States of America, Bureau of the Census. Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940. Washington, D.C.: National Archives

and Records Administration, 1940. T627, 4,643 rolls.

In 1940 Elizabeth was still living at the 2124 Fitzwater St address. She had three different roomers this time and her age was recorded as being 68.

Here's what 2124 Fitzwater St, Philadelphia looks like today courtesy of Google Maps.

Here's the street view.

Images courtesy of Google Maps

It looks like the building was torn down some time ago. It's nice to see a garden there instead of just an empty lot.

So how do I know that this was my Elizabeth Jones?

To be continued...

Sunday's Obituary: Dr. Oscar Dunn Jones

2013-05-19T17:36:00.000-07:00

Dr. Oscar Dunn Jones

February 29, 1888--July 29, 1943

As you may already know, I am currently On The Hunt For Elizabeth Jones. In the midst of this hunt I remembered a mention of an Elizabeth Jones in my 1st cousin 3x removed obituary. Dr. Oscar Dunn Jones was the grandson of Cesar Jones and Mary Mitchel Jones. His parents were William Henry Jones and Emma Shepard Jones. William Henry Jones was Elizabeth's brother. After growing up in Morehead City, Oscar went off in the world and earned his degree from St Augustine's College. He studied dentistry at Howard University and was a well respected dentist in Baltimore, Maryland.

Here's his obituary. Pay special attention to the last sentence.

Image courtesy of ProQuest Historical Newspapers: The Baltimore Afro-American (1893--1988) pg. 16

"...and an aunt, Miss Elizabeth Jones of Philadelphia"

This must be the Elizabeth Jones I've been looking for. There it was right there in an obituary I already had. Guess what? I found another mention of her in an article I featured on this blog last year.

Image courtesy of New Journal and Guide (1916--2003) January 10, 1942; ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Norfolk Journal and Guide (1921--2003)

I had made an assumption when I began researching my family tree that Elizabeth Jones had died shortly after 1880. Why you may ask? Well, I couldn't find her in any of the later census records for Morehead City. She wasn't to be found in the marriage records as well. Silly me just thought she had died. Why didn't I think she could have simply moved away? When I reviewed Mary Mitchel Jones's will recently and saw Elizabeth was indeed alive and well as of 1900, then it dawned on me what I had done. I had made a bad assumption. Dr. Oscar Dunn Jones died in 1943. Elizabeth Jones was alive and living in Philadelphia at the time of his death. You'll have to tune in tomorrow to see what I found on Miss Elizabeth Jones.

Something About Me Saturday: Do You Remember The TV Show "The Phoneix"?

2013-05-18T17:41:00.000-07:00

Okay this post came up in a completely random fashion today. I've been hanging out with my best friend chatting and somehow we got on the subject of 70's and 80's TV shows. Specifically, it started when she mentioned the show "The Phoneix." Now don't ask me how this came up in the conversation. We've been laughing about random nonsense all afternoon. But that's when I thought to myself, I wonder how many other people remember this show?

Here's a clip.

"The Phoneix" circa 1982

This show description came straight up from Wikipedia:

The Phoenix is a 1982 television series starring Judson Scott which was on ABC for about one month. The plot revolved around an ancient extraterrestrial named Bennu of the Golden Light, who is discovered in a sarcophagus in Peru and awakened in the 20th Century. The series was first seen on a TV-movie on April 26, 1981

After viewing this, my friend and I got to talking about other TV shows we watched while growing up and we noticed a common theme emerging. It seems that we both grew up watching a lot of cheesy sci-fi.

Here are a few we got to talking about.

"Shazam" 1974--1977

"Manimal" circa --1983

"The Powers of Matthew Star" circa 1982--1983

"Misfits of Science" circa 1985--1986

Now this last one is for my brother. I know he will laugh his butt off when he sees this.

"Land of the Lost" circa 1974--1976

On The Hunt For Elizabeth Jones

2013-05-15T19:41:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Well, I learned a lot from the will I featured last week on my post Amanuensis Monday: The Will of Mary Mitchel Jones.

1) Mary Mitchel Jones owned property! She had a house and a lot that was inherited by her daughter Elizabeth Jones.

2) My 3rd great grandparents had a total of 6 children. Caroline Jones was a child I hadn't known about. I was not able to locate her on any of the Morehead City census schedules but there she was, plain as day, mentioned in the will. What happened to her? Why wasn't she shown living with the family group in 1880. Was she one of the older children of Cesar and Mary M. Jones?

The answer to that last question, I think one can sort of figure out from Mary's own words in the will.

"To which, I want devided among my six children Names to wit, - Oliver Violet Ann Caroline Alexander, William & Elizabeth Jones"

I thinks she listed her children in birth order, so Caroline was the third oldest. Still, more questions need answering. Had she already passed away when the will was probated. Or perhaps she had married and was going by another surname. So far I haven't been able to find out much on her, but I will keep you posted.

3) Elizabeth Jones appears to have been the youngest child and not married when the will was written. I know from the 1880 census "Lizzie" is shown still living at home with parents and her older brother William. Violet, Alexander and Oliver were all married and each headed up their own household.

Source Citation: Year: 1880; Census Place: Morehead City, Carteret, North Carolina; Roll: 956; Family History Film: 1254956; Page: 115D; Enumeration District: 024; Image: 0232. Source Information: Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA

With the other children already established, perhaps my 3rd great grandmother wanted to make sure Elizabeth was taken care of when she was gone. Which leads to the question, what happened to Elizabeth Jones?

I knew from prior research that some of the Jones descendants had moved to Philadelphia. Would I find her there?

Tombstone Tuesday: Violet Ann Jones Devaughn

2013-05-14T10:47:00.000-07:00

Stone reads: Violet A. Wife of Warren Devaughn Born Oct. 21, 1845

Died Dec. 2, 1880 Asleep in Jesus

Grave of Violet Ann Jones Devaughn

My 2nd great grand aunt.

Bayview Cemetery, Morehead City

Happy Mother's Day!

2013-05-12T06:54:00.000-07:00

My mother's day flowers from my kids.

Happy Mother's Day!

Something About Me Saturday: Psst...I Have A Secret

2013-05-11T19:24:00.001-07:00

Summer of 1995

Okay, I have a little secret. I used to have pet snakes. Now this snake in this picture wasn't mine but seeing this picture today reminded me of a certain period in my life when I did own snakes. What is it about when your young, it seems as if you always have something to prove. For me, I have to admit that although I did love my snakes (yes I did just say I loved my snakes), I had them because I wanted to look cool. Snakes were cool to me...much cooler than a dog or a cat.

The picture featured above was taken during the summer of 1995. I was working as a radio advertising executive for a local station. It was my first real grown-up job after graduating college. We were doing a live broadcast from my client's place of business, a pet store. At the time, I was the proud owner of two baby corn snakes which for most people would probably be two snakes too many.

Image courtesy of Wikipedia: Description

This six month old corn snake is eating a "pinkie" (a baby mouse)

Author Dustin Miller

And yes I did have to feed them mice, but let's not go to much into that now. I was feeling the need to expand "my family" and thought it would be cool to have a full grown corn snake. My client had a beautiful adult albino that I eventually adopted. We lived together in beautiful snake harmony for about a year and half. The cool factor then wore off. The trials of snake motherhood began to get to me. Had to clean the tanks. Getting feeder mice became a chore. Then one of the baby snakes escaped it's tank. I must be getting old or something because I don't remember what happened to the other baby snake. The albino one who I lovingly named Ernie eventually died of a respiratory infection. So there ya have it. I once owned snakes. Anybody got a problem with that? LOL!

Dear Mom...Thank You

2013-05-10T08:13:00.001-07:00

Dear Mom...Thank you. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.

Thank you for having had to grow up entirely too soon. For helping to raise your baby brother and for being the mother to your mom because she didn't know how to. For being "the mother" in that household when you were just a precious little girl. So sweet and innocent but so wise beyond your years. Thank you for your strength, your courage, your honesty. Thank you for being my friend when I have needed someone to lean on. Thank you for all the sacrifices you've made. Thank you for your honesty even when it meant sometimes telling me things I didn't want to hear. Thank you for the hugs, the love and tenderness. Thank you for all of it and for all that is still to come. You are my precious mother and I love you.

Wordless Wednesday: Postcard View Of Morehead City

2013-05-08T16:37:00.001-07:00

I collect postcards that show some of the places

where my ancestors lived. Here's one from my collection.

Amanuensis Monday: The Will Of Mary Mitchel Jones

2013-05-06T19:46:00.002-07:00

Microsoft Office Downloaded Image

This will is another treasure that I came across fairly recently. Let me give you some background on who's it is. Mary Mitchel Jones (Jan 21, 1823--Feb 22, 1900) was my 3rd great grandmother, wife to Cesar Jones (abt 1821--Aug 14, 1899.) My 3rd great grandparents died about 6 months apart. I wasn't surprised to see that their deaths were so close together. So often it seems that couples die this way. Anyway, after searching through North Carolina, Probate Records for Carteret County on Family Search.org, I came across the will of Mary Mitchel Jones.

Image courtesy of FamilySearch.org: North Carolina, Probate Records, 1735-1970 Carteret Wills, 1898-1916, Vol. C Image 44

Image courtesy of FamilySearch.org: North Carolina, Probate Records, 1735-1970 Carteret Wills, 1898-1916, Vol. C Image 45

Carteret County: In Superior Court
In the Matter of the } Before L. A. Gamer
Will of Mary M. Jones Clerk Superior Court

Elizabeth Jones being duly sworn dost sage that Mary M. Jones late of said county, is dead, having first made and published her last Will and Testament; and that Elizabeth Jones is the proper person entitled to Letters of Administration on the estate of the said Mary M. Jones no execution being named in the will further, that the property of the said Mary M. Jones consisting of House & lot & 6 shares in the Shepards Point land Co. is worth about $250, so far as can be ascertained at the date of this application; and that Elizabeth Jones, Oliver Jones, Violet Ann DVaugn, Caroline Jones, Wm Jones, A. H. Jones M. City N.C. all over 21 years old, are the parties entitled under said will to the said property
Sworn to and subscribed
before me this 13th Elizabeth Jones
day of June 1900
L. A. Gamer
Clerk Superior Court.
Morehead City N.C.
Marcn 25th 1898
This certifies that I Mary M. Jones Do will & convey or give my House and Lot to my Daughter Elizabeth Jones To come in full possession and owner After my Death.

I have six shares in the Shepard Point Land Company in my name, three shears belongs to myself and Husband. Caesar & Mary M. Jones.
To which, I want devided among my six children Names to wit, - Oliver Violet Ann Caroline Alexander, William & Elizabeth Jones
The other three Shears belongs to Oliver & Caroline Jones and Warren DVaughn, my son in Law.
X
Mary M Jones }
Alexander H. Jones } Witness
Elizabeth Jones } Oliver Jones
Rosa Jones } W. H. Jones

State of North Carolina } ss
Carteret County } In the Superior Court.

A paper purported to be the last Will and Testament of Mary M. Jones deceased is exhibited before me the undersigned Clerk of The Superior Court for said County by Elizabeth Jones and the dire execution thereof by the said Mary M. Jones by the oath and examination of Alexander H. Jones and Rosa Jones the subscribing witness thereto who being duly sworn each depose and say and each for himself deposed and saith, that he is a subscribing witness to the paper writing now shown him, purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Mary M. Jones that the said Mary M. Jones in the presence of this deponent subscribed her name at the end of said paper writing, which is now shown as aforesaid, and which hears date of the 25th day of March 1898 And the deponent further saith that the said Mary M. Jones the testatrix aforesaid did at the time of subscribing her name as aforesaid declare the said paper writing so subscribed by her, and exhibited to be her last Will and Testament, and this deponent did thereupon subscribe his name at the end of said Will as an attesting Witness thereto and at the request and in the presence of said Testatrix And this deponent further saith, that at the said time when the said testatrix subscribed her name to the said last Will as aforesaid and at the time of the deponents subscribing his name as an attesting witness thereto, as aforesaid, the said Mary M. Jones was of sound mind and memory, of full age to execute a will, and was not under any restraint to the knowledge, information or belief of this deponent, and further these deponents say not
Severally sworn and Alexander H. Jones,
subscribed, this 13th day Rosa Jones
of June 1900, before me,
L. A. Gamer
Clerk Superior Court,
North Carolina }ss
Carteret County } In the Superior Court
It is therefore considered and adjudged by this Court that the said paper writing and every part thereof is the last Will and Testament of Mary M. Jones, deceased, Let the said Will together with in probate be recorded and filed
This 13th day of June 1900
L. A. Gamer
Clerk of Superior Court

Who Was Annie Marie Bryant Barnes?

2013-05-05T07:40:00.001-07:00

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles Image ID: 10067213/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net

On my post Friday Funny: Bryant Siblings Having Some Fun, I left off with the question, "Who was Annie Marie Bryant Barnes?" Previously when I talked about the Bryant siblings in my family, I only referred to 7 siblings. My maternal great grandparents Frank and Ophelia Bryant's children from oldest to youngest were Frank Jr., Linwood, Loris, Ray, Mary, Rosa and Eloise. Well, it turns out that my great grandfather Frank had an eye for the ladies and "Yadayadayada" Annie Marie Bryant was born. You're probably saying, "What?! What the heck, you yadayadahed the best part!" In case you don't get this reference please refer to the following Seinfeld clip.

I guess I should try and explain a bit. Frank Bryant had an affair with a woman by the name of Carreta Bell. She was born January 14, 1900 in Morehead City to James and Annie Bell. The Bell family lived in the same neighborhood as my great grandparents. Caretta never married but she had at least 3 children, one of which was fathered by my great grandfather.

Here's the 1910 census for Morehead City. Caretta's shown living with her widowed mother Annie and brother Andrew. If you look a little further down on the page, guess who you see? That's right, Frank Bryant's family.

Source Citation: Year: 1910; Census Place: Morehead, Carteret, North Carolina; Roll: T624_1095; Page: 8A; Enumeration District: 0002; FHL microfilm: 1375108. Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA:

Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

In 1920, Caretta Bell was shown living with her mother who had remarried and her step-father Anthony Dudley.

Source Citation: Year: 1920; Census Place: Morehead, Carteret, North Carolina; Roll: T625_1284; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 3; Image: 866.

Source Information: Ancestry.com. 1920 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch.

Fast forward to 1925, and my great grandfather Frank welcomes not one but two children into the world that year. Annie Marie Bryant was born on April 1st. Rosa Nezabeth Bryant's birth followed on September 17th.

Of course this situation poses all sorts of questions in my head. Did my great grandmother know about this other child? If she did, how did she find out? What about my grandmother and her siblings? When did they find out about this?

I didn't find out about Annie Marie Bryant Barnes until I read about it on my aunt Rosa's funeral program. It's funny sometimes how when you go ask people about something they react kind of like, "Oh I thought you knew." When I asked my mother about it, she said she didn't know about Annie until she met her while visiting Morehead City one year. That's when she remembered the picture I featured in yesterday's post. Here's a closeup of Annie.

Annie Marie Bryant Barnes

Now I know this picture was taken earlier than I previously thought because Annie died April 7, 1993.

Image courtesy of FamilySearch.org: "North Carolina, Deaths, 1931-1994," index, FamilySearch
(https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FGX1-WJN : accessed 05 May 2013), Annie Marie Barnes, 07 Apr 1993.

Something About Me Saturday: When I Worked For Bath And Body Works

2013-05-04T16:39:00.001-07:00

Me with coworkers, Wendy and Amy

Yes folks, that is me with the pink hat on. I worked in retail for many years. I can't believe that the time stamp on this picture says it is from May 13, 2000. That's crazy! It seems like it was yesterday. I have tons of good memories from that place. This picture was taken the Saturday before Mother's Day that year.

Friday Funny: Bryant Siblings Having Some Fun

2013-05-03T16:12:00.000-07:00

Ray Bryant, Mary Bryant Horton (my grandmother), Annie Marie Bryant Barnes seated on couch.

Eloise Bryant Grigsby seated on the floor. My Uncle Nat is kneeling on the right.

(He's the husband to Rosa Bryant Sanders who isn't in the picture.)

The caption for this picture should read, "Come here you. I am going to cut that hair!"

I love this picture because it shows clearly how the Bryant siblings enjoyed each others company. I am not certain what year this was. I thing it may have been 1995 or 1996. I spoke with my Mom this week about what was the story behind this photo. She said that out of all 8 siblings, Uncle Ray liked to clown around the most. He always had people laughing.

Wait a minute, I thought there were only 7 Bryant Siblings. Who was Annie Marie Bryant Barnes? Tune in tomorrow folks for the answer.

Wordless Wednesday: I Love You Big Brother :)

2013-05-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

Me and my brother goofing around.

Picture taken probably Fall 1990.

Tombstone Tuesday: The Grave Of Mary Mitchel Jones

2013-04-30T08:14:00.000-07:00

Mary Mitchel Jones

My 3rd great grandmother

Stone reads: Mary M. wife of Cesar Jones, Born Jan. 21, 1823, died Feb. 22, 1900.

I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith.

Bayview Cemetery, Morehead City, NC

Psst! Guess who's will I found recently. Look for it in an upcoming post.

The Atlantic Hotel In Morehead City

2013-04-29T15:02:00.000-07:00

Postcard of the Atlantic Hotel in Morehead City, N.C., sitting right on the water. Date

1909. Image courtesy of the Digital Collections, Eastern North Carolina Postcard Collection

"Atlantic Hotel, Morehead City, NC." Photograph taken by Bayard Wooten, ca. 1905-1915
Image courtesy of Durwood Barbour Collection of North Carolina Postcards (P077), North Carolina Collection Photographic Archives, Wilson Library, UNC-Chapel Hil

The building of the Atlantic Hotel in Morehead City in 1880 had an incredible impact on the city's economy. The area became known as the "The Summer Capital by the Sea." and created many jobs and opportunities for those who lived nearby. One of my Jones ancestors may have worked at the Atlantic Hotel. For certain, I know that the husband of my 2nd great grand aunt was affiliated with the establishment.

Here are my Jones ancestors listed in the 1880 census for Morehead City.

Image courtesy of Ancestry.com: Source Information: Ancestry.com and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. 1880 United States Federal Census [database on-line].

My 3rd great grandfather Cesar Jones was a farmer in 1880 while his wife Mary worked in the home. His children, William Henry, Lizzie (Elizabeth), and a nephew, John Carter, were listed as laborers, perhaps working on Cesar's farm. In the next household, resided Violet Jones Devaughn, my 2nd great grand aunt, who's occupation reads "cook in hotel." Could this have been the Atlantic Hotel?"

My 2nd great grandmother, Jonas Bryant, had a sister named Sidney. Sidney Bryant married a man by the name of Mott Hester. Now this part makes my husband chuckle. The reason why is that he is can't believe how often I have come across information regarding some of my ancestors in books or articles. I can't believe it either sometimes. A couple of years back I ordered a lovely book written by Virginia Pou Doughton called, "Tales of the Atlantic Hotel 1880--1933." It is a fabulous resource that tells year by year what it was like to reside at the hotel. There's tales about the guests who stayed there as well as stories about some of the folks who worked at the establishment.

Well amazingly enough there's a small section about Mott Hester in this book and it even includes a picture!

Here's the snippet from the book:

Captain W. L. Kennedy was such an ardent fisherman that he purchased a boat, the India, and hired a permanent captain Mot Hester. The Hester family had come from Jamesville, North Carolina, to fish in Carteret County a number of years before.

Images courtesy of the book "Tales of the Atlantic Hotel 1880-1933"
by Virginia Pou Doughton, page 40.

Mott was not the only Hester mentioned in this book. In fact, Mott's nephew Jim is mentioned on another page. Jim Hester was the son of Mott's sister, Nannie.

Image courtesy of the book "Tales of the Atlantic Hotel 1880-1933,"
by Virginia Pou Doughton page 47

In fact, Virginia Pou Doughton wrote a book prior to this one titled, "The Atlantic Hotel." This book tells the tale of the hotel when it was in Beaufort, Carteret, NC from it's creation in 1859 until it was destroyed by a storm in 1879. In that book she mentions the heroics of certain individuals on the night of the storm.

Here's a passage:

The Hester brothers from Morehead City were in Beaufort at the time of the tempest and they helped many guests reach safety.

That family continues to produce descendants of character and decorum as is seen in James Arthur Hester at the Morehead City Yacht Basin and in Alice Hester Walker of the Coral Bay Club.

The Hester brothers she referred to in this book, I believe may have been Mott Hester's older brothers, Benjamin and John.

Something About Me Saturday: When We Were Young

2013-04-27T20:26:00.000-07:00

Tom and I --September 1995

Now don't get me wrong, I know that I am not that old so maybe excuse the title just a bit. It's just interesting to look at this picture now. It was taken on the back deck of the apartment my then boyfriend, now husband was living at. We were celebrating his 40th birthday. Now, I am the age he was in this picture. It's interesting to be in these shoes now. I realize how much of a baby I was then and I still wonder what on earth was he thinking, picking up this fresh out college girl. This leads me to the story of how we met.
My first job out of school was selling advertising for a local radio station. I was very excited to get the job. I even had my own business cards. (In my mind, having business cards of my own, meant I was grown. Ha!) Anyway one day I walked into a certain shop and guess who I tried to sell air time to? You guessed it. Tom. He listened intently to my sales pitch and then politely declined. He walked me out of his shop and that's when he said, "You know your station really isn't for me but....Are you seeing anyone?"
I had been seeing someone but things had pretty much run their course with that relationship. I ended it and within a couple of weeks, Tom and I went on our first date.

Morehead City...The Beginning --part two

2013-04-25T16:41:00.000-07:00

Image courtesy of North Carolina Civil War Image Portfolio from the UNC Library.

"Beaufort, Fort Macon and Morehead City, from the balcony of the Macon House, Morehead City." 1862.

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, April 26, 1862, p. 388.

If you missed part one to this series here's the link: Morehead City...The Beginning. One piece of information that was mentioned in "Morehead City Centennial Jubilee Book," I want to highlight here again.

Only about one-half of the 600 acres of the Arendell property was surveyed and laid off into streets and building lots in readiness for the first auction sale.

This section of land ran from the terminus of the railroad at the wharf to 15th street in the city. I will go over a theory I have regarding the family land in an upcoming post and how this last statement plays a role in that.

There's also lots of information about the founding of the town in another book I own called, "A Pictorial Review of Morehead City: History Through 1981." The following section picks up with the year 1858.

Not until the completion of the railroad and the start of its operation on July 7, 1858 did any construction of homes or business places get underway. Within the next two years, building activities were in full swing. Shipments over the new railroad began to arrive from upstate for reshipment by boats to other ports.

One of those first buildings built was a hotel called the Macon House. It was built in 1860. The hotel was practically brand new when it was taken over by Federal troops just two years later and used for a hospital. Eventually, it was used for officer's quarters. The image at the beginning of this post was drawn from the balcony of this hotel.

Image from "A Pictorial Review of Morehead City: History Through 1981

This next section describes the demographics of the population in Morehead City in 1860.

Morehead City's first census was taken in 1860 by Durant H. L. Bell, whose title was "United States Assistant Marshall in the County of Carteret." At that time the population of Beaufort was 1,611 compared to Morehead City's 316. Beaufort was 139 years old and Morehead City was 3 years old. There were about 50 buildings in town.

Morehead City's free colored people was 4 and the number of slaves 197.

Now when I saw this last sentence, I had a flashback to a conversation I had once with my mother. She was telling me about one of her childhood visits to Morehead City and how whenever her mother introduced her to folks it always seemed to be with a, "Here's cousin such and such..." My mother flat out asked her mother, "Mom, we can't be related to all these people. Can we?" Well, what I know now is that most of the folks my mother met were in fact cousins and if they were not blood related...they were as good as. Families in this neck of the woods all knew each other, like from forever. So yes, they were cousins. :)
`
During the Civil War, development came to a standstill and the population slightly declined. Once the war was over, the economy picked up again slowly at first, but then it gained momentum with the building of the Atlantic Hotel in Morehead City in 1880.

My next post will pick up with my family's connection to the Atlantic Hotel. Until next time....

Morehead City...The Beginning

2013-04-23T18:36:00.001-07:00

Image taken from "Plan of the city of Morehead: at the termination of the Atlantic & North Carolina Rail Road, Beaufort Harbor" Created by Charles L. Ludwig for the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad Company. Date depicted circa 1857. From the North Carolina Maps Digital Collection, hosted by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

The last couple of days I have been pouring over books I have in my collection regarding Morehead City, NC. This town holds a special place in my heart because it was the home place of many of my maternal ancestors. In fact, my roots have ties to this town going back almost to it's beginnings. I will go into further detail about that in an upcoming post. For now, I thought it would be good to share some history about this special place.

John Motley Morehead, who was the 29th governor of North Carolina, had the idea to develop this area, to take full advantage of it's great natural harbor.

The following is an excerpt from a book called "Morehead City Centennial Jubilee Book," that was published in 1957. This section discusses how the town was founded.

As early as 1852 Mr. Morehead directed his attention to the advantages of the harbor in this section. His investigations resulted in the purchase of 600 acres of land owned by the members of the Arendell family. He purchased the first 300 acres for the sum of $933.33, paying the sum of $1,200.00 for the other 300 acres. The purchase of the 600 acres comprise the present site of Morehead City from 24th Street to Newport River.

Following the purchase of this property Mr. Morehead organized the Shepard Point Land Company, acting as its first president. He seems to have taken no active steps to develop his holdings into a city until the railroad was actually under construction in 1855.

In August 1857, Mr. Morehead began advertising that lots would be sold on November 11th in the new city laid off by the Shepard Point Land Company at the terminus of the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad. He stated the railroad would pass through the entire length of the city to its wharf at 18 feet of water.

The law granting the incorporation of the Shepard Point Land Company states in part: "Be it enacted by the General Assembly... that William H. Arendell and John M. Morehead and such other persons as they may associate with be incorporated by the name and style of the Shepard Point Land Company with a capital not to exceed $500,000.00 That said corporation shall have power and authority to improve their land and property by filling and raising same above high water, to build wharfs, dredge out navigable channels, build hotels houses and make such improvements in said property as they deem proper, and the same to occupy, use and employ, for the benefit of said corporation, to lease, rent, sell, or any manner dispose of as they deem best for the interests of the corporation."

Only about one-half of the 600 acres of the Arendell property was surveyed and laid off into streets and building lots in readiness for the first auction sale. This section extended from 15th street to the terminus of the Atlantic and North Carolina Railroad at Newport River. It was not until after the close of the Civil War that the balance of the town site from 15th to 24th streets was gradually improved.

My eyes are getting tired so I think I am going to call it a night folks. More to come tomorrow.

Something About Me Saturday: My First Baby Picture

2013-04-20T13:16:00.000-07:00

On the outside of the card that holds my first baby picture.

And here's me.

Some Answers...More Questions

2013-04-19T21:56:00.000-07:00

After I celebrated finding out Frank Bryant Jr.'s middle name was Mitchell on my post Amanuensis Monday: The Will of Rosa Mitchell Jones, I reviewed what other information was on the will.

a)Frank Mitchell Bryant received his grandmother's house and land that the home resided on.

1400 Fisher St, Morehead City, NC

Frank Sr. and Ophelia Bryant's home.

Lot where 1404 Fisher St once stood.

Part of 1400 Fisher St can be seen on the right.

The house that once stood here was very similar in design to 1400 Fisher St

My 2nd great grandmother, Rosa Jones, lived at 1404 Fisher St in Morehead City, NC, next door to her daughter Ophelia Bryant. Frank Jr. was the oldest of Ophelia's seven children, so perhaps it makes sense that he inherited his grandmother's home. According to my mother, Frank always lived with his grandmother and referred to her as "mother." Upon learning this, I questioned why? Then I thought about the circumstances. Ophelia gave birth to Frank in 1912 when she was she was only 18 years old. Rosa probably stepped in to help her daughter who eventually went on to become a school teacher. Having her grandson to raise probably helped Rosa fill the void left by the death of her husband, Alexander Jones in 1915. I wonder if any of Frank's siblings were jealous of him inheriting his grandmother's home? Another thing I learned from my mother about Frank, was that he attended the funeral for his grandmother but he didn't attend the funeral for Ophelia, who passed away in 1939. Not attending your mother's funeral...now what was that all about?! Hmm.

b) In Rosa Jones's will it states, "I give and bequeath to my daughter, Madeline T Harris, my breast pin, set with rubies."

In actuality, Madeline Teresa Harris was Rosa's granddaughter. Madeline's mother was Rosa's daughter, Lovie Jones. I don't know a lot about Lovie. I know she was a professional nurse and was married twice. Her first marriage took place on March 24, 1902 in Morehead City to a John M Harris. The marriage was short lived because according to the 1910 census she is listed as being divorced and residing back home with her parents. Her second marriage was to a Thomas D. Watson

Ancestry.com. 1910 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 2006.

Was it a mistake that Madeline Harris was referred to as Rosa Jones's daughter in the will? Or was this some indication of the relationship they had? Perhaps Rosa assisted with raising her granddaughter too.

c)According to the will, the remainder of Rosa's real and personal property was to be divided equally between her three daughters Lovey Jones, Mary E. Wooten and Ophelia Bryant or their heirs.

It states "that then my Executor or his successor, shall sell all of this balance and residue of my property, both real and personal, and distribute the same equally between my three daughters or their heirs, after paying any of my debts that may be then unpaid." The Executor of the will was a W. C. Gorham, an actual lawyer. I have discovered only a few wills for my ancestors but this is the first one that I have come across that someone had a lawyer handle their affairs.

Family Tree Magazine 40 Best Genealogy Blogs In 2013

2013-04-17T15:21:00.000-07:00

I was so surprised to find my blog listed on Family Tree Magazine's 40 Best Genealogy Blogs list for 2013. I found out when my friend and fellow genealogy blogger Yvette Porter Moore of The Ancestors Have Spoken sent me a message on my Facebook wall. Her message read, "Girl!! Your blog made the Top 40 Genealogy Blogs!!! Congrats to you!!!" I would like to send a huge thank you out to Family Tree Magazine for this recognition and to all my readers for following me on my genealogy journey.

Here's the link to the article at Family Tree Magazine: http://familytreemagazine.com/article/Top-40-Genealogy-Blogs-2013

Sometimes It's The Little Things That Make Me So Happy

2013-04-16T08:22:00.000-07:00

Microsoft Office Downloaded Images

On my last post, Amanuensis Monday: The Will of Rosa Mitchell Jones, I got the biggest kick out of one the little things revealed by the will. I bet many of you can relate to this next topic. I have discovered ancestors with middle initials that I have no idea what they stand for. You'll go around asking different family members, "Hey, Do you know what such and such's middle name was?" You ask maybe in just a little too excited tone of voice and your family looks at you like, "Okay is that middle initial really all that important?" Well, for me it is. I don't know. I just like to know as much as possible about my ancestors and yes even those teeny weeny little details, I get excited about.

The relative with the mystery middle initial this time was Frank M. Bryant, the grandson of Rosa Mitchell Jones. Frank was the eldest child to my great grandparents Frank and Ophelia Bryant of Morehead City, NC. No one in the family knew what the M stood for until I found this will. Lo and behold it was Mitchell. Now, I had suspected that it might have been this prior to finding the will, but I had no documentation. So when I came across it with laptop in lap while watching TV with my husband, you probably can guess what happened. Hubby was all enthralled in the program we were watching and here I go yelling "A-HA! I knew it!" Startled, he looks at me in that manner that says, okay I married a crazy person. Then he kindly asks "What?" That's when I tell him my grand uncle's middle name was Mitchell.

Silly, right? Well not for me. I found this picture today online and I found it fitting to describe how I feel, when I make these little discoveries. How about you? Do any of you celebrate the little discoveries?

Amanuensis Monday: The Will of Rosa Mitchell Jones

2013-04-15T21:08:00.002-07:00

Rosa Mitchell Jones

My 2nd great grandmother

Sometimes I feel like a bit of a fraud when it comes to this whole genealogy thing. The reason is that I have been blessed to have access to so much information on-line. My ancestors managed to reside in places where good records were kept and those records have made their way into cyberspace. I shake my head and say to myself, "Why should I be so lucky?" Then I say, it has to be for a reason. These folks want their voices to be heard. So with that being said, here's another thing I came across recently, the will of Rosa Mitchell Jones. I wrote about my 2nd great grandmother on other posts. In case you missed those, here are the links.
So our people owned land...
The audacity to own land.,
Fearless Females --Six Word Memoir Tribute

Image courtesy of FamilySearch.org : North Carolina, Probate Records, 1735-1970

Carteret Wills, 1925-1948, Vol. G Image 124

North Carolina,
Carteret County,

I, Rosa M. Jones, of the aforesaid County and State being of sound mind, but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence, do make and declare this my last Will and Testament;
First: My executor, hereinafter named, shall give my body a decent burial, suitable to the wishes of my friends and relatives and pay all funeral expenses, together with all my just debts, out of the first moneys which may come into his hand belonging to my estate.
Second: I give and devise to my gran-son Frank Mitchell Bryant, my home place, consisting of the house and two lots upon which the house is situated. But should I survive my said gran-senthen the property to go to all of the children of Ophelia Bryant living at my death, share and share alike.
Third: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Madeline T Harris, my breast pin, set with rubies.
Fourth: My will and desire is that all of the residue of my estate both real and personal, after taking out the devises and legacies above mentioned, if it cannot be agreeably divided between my three daughters, Lovey Jones, Mary E. Wooten and Ophelia Bryant, equally, share and share alike, to all of the parties concerned,that then my Executor or his successor, shall sell all of this balance and residue of my property, both real and personal, and distribute the same equally between my three daughters or their heirs, after paying any of my debts that may be then unpaid.
Fifth: I hereby appoint Mr. W. C. Gorham, my lawful Executor to all intents and purposes, to execute this, my last Will and Testament, according to the true intent and meaning of the same, and every part and claus thereof-hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made.

Image courtesy of FamilySearch.org.: North Carolina, Probate Records, 1735-1970

Carteret Wills, 1925-1948, Vol. G Image 125

In witness whereof, I, the said Rosa M. Jones, do hereunto set my hand and seal this the 14th, day of October, 1926.

Rosa M. Jones (SEAL)

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Roas Amm Jones, to be her last Will and Testament, in the presence of us, who, at her request and in her presence, and in the presence of each other, do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto.

Nellie Piner,

Lillie Piner,

North Carolina, ] ss. In the Superior Court.

Carteret County, ]

-----------------------

A paper writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Rosa M. Jones, deceased, is exhibited before me, the undersigned, Clerk of the Superior Court for said County, by W. C. Gorham, the executor therein mentioned, and the due execution thereof by the said Rosa M. Jones, is proven by the oath and examination of Nellie Piner and Lillie Piner, the subscribing witnesses theret, who being duly sworn, doth depose and say, and each for her self, deposeth and saith, that she is a subscribing witness to the paper writing which is now shown as aforesaid, and which bears the date of the 14th, day of October, 1926.
And this deponent further saith, that the said Rosa M. Jones the testatrix aforesaid, did, at the time of subscribing her name as aforesaid, declare the said paper writing so subscribed by her and exhibited to be her last Will and Testament, and this deponent did thereupon subscribe her name at the end of said Will as an attesting witness thereto, and at the request and in the presence of the said testatrix. And this deponent further saith, that at the same time when the said testatrix subscribed her name to the said last Will as aforesaid, and at the time of the deponeht's subscribing her name as attesting witness thereto, as aforesaid, the said Rosa M. Jones, was of sound mind and memory of full age to execute a Will, and was not under any restraint, to the knowledge, information or belief of this deponent:

And Further these deponents say not.

Severally sworn and subscribed, this 2nd, day of November, 1931.

before me,
L. W. Hassell, Nellie Piner
Clerk Superior Court. Lillie Piner

North Carolina, ] ss. In the Superior Court.
Carteret County,]
---------------------
It is therefore considered and adjudged by the Court that the said paper writing and every part thereof is the last Will and Testament of Rosa M. Jones, deceased, Let said Will, together with the probate, be recorded and filed.
This 2nd, day of November, 1931.

L. W. Hassell,
Clerk Superior Court.