Saturday, August 20, 2011
2011 Petteway Family Reunion
The direct descendents of George Washington and Cecilia Ann White Petteway, both Former Slaves, held their family reunion recently on the grounds of the Edney Primative Baptist Church School house.
The Primative Baptist Church and school was established ca. 1872, by George W. Petteway, fellow Former Slaves and local White citizens of Richlands, Onslow County, North Carolina. Since 1872, a Petteway family member has cared for the land and buildings.
There are scant "official" records for the Edney Primative Baptist Church and school house. By chance, if a reader has material dealing with this subject, please contact me. The School house was in continuous operation from ca.1872 to late 1950, when National education policies were changed.
Some of the Petteway family members who once attended the Edney Primative Baptist Church School house. Framed photograph depicts the school house prior to 1960 Hurricane damage.
Today, the remaining portion of the Edney School house still stands on the grounds where it was built. Due to severe damage caused by the 1960 era Hurricane, the church was evetually torn down and replaced, by Odell Petteway, with a new cinder-block style building. This new church is still being used for church, education and family gatherings.
Dalton Odell Petteway, Grandson of G.W. & Cecilia Ann Petteway, received the Petteway family "Hero Award," for his life-long dedication in protecting the Edney Primative Baptist church and School house.
Framed picture, being held by Ms. Shelia Blue, is a re-discovered image of the original Endney School house, ca. 1935.
Someone, somewhere, may have material dealing with the Edney Primative Baptist Church and school. Before the Petteway's next family reunion, hopefully, more of their Heritage can be rediscovered and presented to them--for their continued dedication in preserving our local & family histories.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Cemetery vandalized in southeastern North Carolina
Another Onslow County cemetery (southeastern North Carolina) has been vadilized. No information is available at this time.
I will post updates as news develop and I am able to this newest endangered cemetery.
In the meantime, here is a link my primary Internet site:
http://www.resurrection-mission.com
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Endangered cemetery dirt storms
Recently, I was asked by a land developer to attempt to locate an old cemetery that may have been located within a plot of land that is currently a crop field. Currently, no physical evidence of the late 19th cemetery exists. No headstones, markers or, even the slightest ground depressions.
The developer was extremely concerned that, if there was a cemetery, somewhere on the plot of land, he wanted to ensure it was not only protected but, more importantly, respected.
When dealing with pre-1900, misplaced cemeteries, it is not uncommon to have no evidence of a grave yard. There are numerous reasons for this: over-growth of foliage; headstones being "disasembled" to use land for other purposes; never had headstones, as in the common practice when dealing with old African American cemeteries. These graves were often identified by wooden stakes, stones, pottery--eventually destroyed by the environment.
When dealing with an old cemetery that is adjacent to a crop field, another often not thought of reason for "misplacing" a cemetery occurs. The catalys for the disappearing cemetery begins just before planting season and ends during harvesting.
(above & below images)
Airborn dirt, flowing over road, caused by plowing of the cropfield
Imagine the above dirt storm flowing not over a road but instead, onto an adjacent small family cemetery located within the neighboring tree line of the crop field. Now, add ten; twenty-five; one hundred or, even two hundred years of this flowing dirt, coming to rest on that same cemetery.
The cemetery that was located "at one time" within the crop field area has been re-discovered. I had to spend some detailed time researching the grounds. The image below, is from this specific cemetery and represents, clearly, how plowed crop fields can, over time, encrouch a cemetery:
(Left; A) Grave head stone located nearly twenty inches under "visible" surface.
(Left; B) Actual headstone from the crop field cemetery---After washing stone, with only clear water & soft brush, information was re-discovered.
First name is hard to decifer.
Born: December 1825
Died: July16, 1908
I hope these images help to explain how some old & endangered cemeteries can become "mis-placed." Urban sprawling has dominated the once plentiful farm land. There are, however, land developers out there, who insist on taking the most extreme steps and care to protect the final resting places of people who once lived in their communities.
Take just a moment and think of all of the "forgotten" military Veterans who are laid to rest in the endangered cemeteries within your neighborhood.
To make a contribution to Resurrection Mission--protecting endangered cemeteries and search for our "forgotten" military Veterans please visit the Resurrection Mission Website.
Happy Easter & say thanks to our military troops and Veterans when you see them.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Brick Mill Cemetery Burial roster
I have finalized the Brick Mill Cemetery burial roster for section "A," only. There are 107 confirmed graves, some unmarked, within this area of the cemetery. There are more but, due to the harsh treatment of the cemetery over the past fifty years, these graves may never be re-discovered.
There are another seven sections to re-confirm the marked, unmarked and possible grave locations.
There will be numerous family reunions being held in the summer of 2011. I hope to have the burial roster complete by June. This will give me time to publish my findings and present a copy to some of the direct descendents of their Ancestors who were laid to rest within the Brick Mill Cemetery.
I have worked for five years on the Brick Mill Cemetery. Nearly all costs, labor and required equipment and supplies were at my own expense.
Thank you all for your support,
Jack
To make a modest donation:
To learn more about Resurrection Mission:
Thursday, March 03, 2011
Time to let off some steam about gas prices
Visit the Gas Out Day group page on Face Book and express your thoughts to people all over the Nation who are upset about the price of gas.
Tuesday, October 05, 2010
Tombstone Tuesday--Possible Civil War Vet?
One of the most recent cemeteries that I have been documenting through Resurrection Mission, the Langley/Burton cemetery; Cauc., ca.1848, contain numerous graves of Civil War Veterans. All appear to be related.
Another individual, John L. Langley, is also buried within this small family cemetery. What is interesting in regards to his grave, is the date of his death; 1863.
Why is this an interesting date? At the age of 28, John died during the Civil war. John's siblings and cousins, are laid to rest beside him. Each have their personalized Veterans' commemorative grave marker.
Grave marker for John L. LangleyBorn: 1835 Died:1863
Was John L. Langley a Civil War Vet?
Additional research needs to be done to confirm this possibility.
"I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith""...fight; course; kept the faith" Could these be clues to his military service?
One of the goals of Resurrection Mission is to locate our "forgotten" military Veterans. In time, hopefully, we will learn if John was or was not a veteran of the American Civil war. And, if he was, he too must be properly recognized for his commitment and duty to his military service.
Friday, October 01, 2010
Rising waters along my house! 1 Oct 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Wordless Wednesday~~Recognizing our military K.I.A.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Langley cemetery update; Richlands, N.C.
Recently, Annie Bishop, direct descendent of individuals laid to rest within the Langley family cemetery; est. ca.1850, was kind enough to visit and spend time with me telling stories of her Ancestors who are laid to rest within this cemetery.
First, this cemetery, although dominated by the Langely surname, is known by local Elders of the community as the Burton cemetery. Over decades other nearby residents have come to know it as the former name, based on the number of Langley family graves.
Annie Bishop stands behind her G-G-grandparents: Lorenzo & Clara Bryan
Second, something Annie confirmed and was elighted to hear, is that not-less-then eight Ancestors in this small family cemetery; served in the War Between the States (American Civil War). She had known that Lorenzo was a C/W Veteran and also believed that there were one; maybe two, additional C/W Veterans.
Carol Bryan-ca.1900, Onslow County, Richlands, N.C.; Standing in front of family homestead.
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
Langley family cemetery; ca.1848
James & Susan LangleyNotice the birth and death dates.
Images depicted are initial photographs taken when I first went to the graveyard. During the rest of 2010, and through 2011, I will be stabilizing this cemetery, along with the other graveyards; under the care through Resurrection Mission.In addition to the preservation of this cemetery, a detailed research will be conducted in regards to the individuals laid to rest in this graveyard. Special attention will be during the research to confirm all Veterans of the Langely cemetery.
Very old and tall tree stands over the cemetery
Tall grass hides not-less-then thirty grave sites.
Fallen headstones lay in or, are encrusted by wild foliage.
Three headstones are stacked against one of the older trees.Friday, September 03, 2010
September 3, 2010--day after Hurricane Earl
I would believe since there is little damage in the area; most of the endangered cemeteries that I care for should be safe and not too damaged.
Best wishes to all, have fun and be safe.
Jack
Thursday, September 02, 2010
Reason for not using scotch tape in photo albums
The old photo album was very brittle and had seen it's better days generations ago. Carefully I scanned the images into my computer to make digital copies. With this "Master" digital file; family members can place the original images into a safe, dry and away from direct sunlight. They are now able to use the computer files to make as many "newer versions" of the images as they want to share among them.
The below series of images were scanned as a whole due to the fragile photo album paper. Notice the use of scotch tape to hold the pictures in place. Today, we have special "acid-free" scotch tape that will adhere to paper without cause the "yellowing" of photos.
Members of the Rhodes family of Richlands, N.C. Date: ca.1910-20.________________________________
There are now thousands of "photo or image editing" programs on the market today that even the novice of photo restoration student can develop a quality enhancement of a photograph. The images below depict members of the Rhodes & Bryan family in front of their new home; just outside of Richlands, Onslow County, North Carolina. The structure is long gone due to a multitude of reasons and in it's place--a crop field.
Rhodes & Bryan family standing outside their newly built home.
This is a "cropped" version of the family group photo from above.
Mah, was the Elder of the Rhodes' family _________________________________
Best wishes to all and I hope you return to this site again soon.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Tombstone Tuesday- WWI Navy Vet
Frank Namon Edens; U.S. Navy; WWIBorn: November 14, 1896
Died: Novemeber 17, 1918
Frank Namon Edens' headstone is not a Veteran's headstone although numerous other graves indicate military with such grave markers. This headstone appears to have been provided by the family of this young Veteran.
Take special notice of the markings at the top of the headstone--an anchor. A second interesting and as of this posting, is yet unresearched, is that this Navy veteran died in 1918-possibly a KIA or, soon after returning home from the war. In either case, a sad time for his family.
Do you notice a third fact pertaining to the date he died compared to the date of his birth?
Saturday, July 17, 2010
Great new Tattoo shop in Jacksonville, N.C. Mall
Gypsy Rose studio is located to the left, just outside the "Sears" mall entrance.
David, owner of Gypsy Rose studio, begins the process of etching my tattoo.
Finished tattooTo make an appointment for a new tattoo, touch up or, body piercing call David or, his staff, at Gypsy Rose 1-910-938-1200.
You can visit the studio each day during the week and weekends.
Custom tattoo art is welcomed.
Give them a call and tell them the Old Marine who writes about War of 1812 Privateers and Naval battles sent you.
Currently, my research projects consist of locating "endangered " cemeteries and caring for them In addition, I attempt to locate our "forgotten" military Veterans who were laid to rest decades ago with no one to give them their due respect and recognition.
Semper Fi !
Jack
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Twitter T.C. Thursday- A misplaced family herloom
Making money, sadly, is one of the final goals of a shop keeper.
The young lady in the photograph below, possibly from the late 1800s and from New York State, is somebody's Ancestor.
This image is a missing piece of a family's past. Someday, hopefully, she will be reunited with her family and be set on a fireplace mantel or, hung on a wall in a prominent section of a house.
I do not know the lady in this photograph. Printed on the back of the image are clues as to where she lived or, vacationed.
Thank you for stopping by and taking a look at this site. Come again, I will be posting more interesting images.
Jack
Unknown lady in white dress
Reverse side of photograph
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