This is the family tree for Lavinia Emily Burton, wife of Rev. Duncan Hyder Selph:
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Showing posts with label Keeling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Keeling. Show all posts
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Monday, July 14, 2014
Judge John Williams: A 19th Century Newspaper Article
© Kathy Duncan, 2014
I came across this late nineteen century newspaper article about Judge John Williams. Judge John Williams lived at Nutbush, Granville County, North Carolina, now Williamsboro, Vance County, North Carolina with his wife Agnes (Bullock) Keeling Williams. The article is notewrothy for its description of the grounds around Judge William's estate, Montpelier, and for a little story about the Williamses that I have never come across anywhere else. These are the only parts of the article that I am repeating here since the other information it contains concerns biographical information about Judge Willaims that is readily available elsewhere. The story of the snake is humorous; however, I doubt that Judge John Williams, who had traveled to and from Bonesborough, Kentucky in its infancy, would have been that squemish over the prospect of eating a snake.
Early Times in Granville
by Mrs. Cicero w. Harris
(from the Oxford Torchlight.)
"...The house is built of the heart of Granville pine. The front lawn is connected with the Oxford and Williamsboro road by an avenue, half a mile in length and wide enough, over grown as it is at the present day, for two carriages to pass each other. The view down this avenue was once said to be very fine, and now it is not to be despised. The long, level drive is partly overgrown with grass and spring dasies [sic], but the mammoth sentinel oaks of the long ago only partially conceal the forest aisles that lose themselves in the shades of the woods that stretch out on both boundaries of the avenue. At this season of the year these woods are fragrant with aromatic herbs and flowers. Often when walking on the pavements of our sandy streets, I recall this beautiful Granville promenade, with its emerald carpet, its gnarled cedars and century oaks, its singing birds, its breezes, freighted with odors sweeter than Arabian incense, its treasured memories and historic traditions of other days. A few years ago I remember seeing in the grounds around Montpelier the remains of several immense cone shaped box trees. Mrs. Judge Williams hid her silver and jewels in these trees when Lord Cornwallis threatened to march through that portion of Granville. The foliage of the box tree was so dense that it entirely protected the casket concealed within its branches. An amusing incident connected with Montpelier occurs to my mind as I write. Judge Williams was very hospitable, and invited strangers, friends, rich, and poor, promiscuously, to be his guests. On one occasion he met a foreigner who had travelled a great deal and who was entitled to some distinction on account of various offices of trust he had repeatedly filled. Judge Williams invited this gentleman to visit Montpelier, and spend some time as his guest. The invitation was accepted. The host and hostess naturally exerted themselves to entertain their visitor. It seems, that on going through the fields one morning where the negroes were at word Judge Williams and his companion, saw a negro--perhaps he was a recent importation from the wilds of Africa--frying a savory bit of meat on a plantation fire. The gentleman asked what it was. The negro said it was 'snake's tail.' Judge Williams was disgusted. His guest, however, nodded his approbation, and informed the Judge that the body of a snake that had never been bitten, when properly dressed and cooked made a most savory dish, that he had eaten it himself, and he would be obliged if the Judge would direct the negro to catch a snake or two of the desired species and have it prepared for his own table. Judge Williams signified the gentleman's peculiar preference to his wife and that lady indignantly replied, 'He may eat snake flesh if he wishes to do so, but he cannot have it cooked in my kitchen, nor served on my table!'
...St. John's Church at Williamsboro was built on land given for that purpose by Judge Williams. He also contributed liberally towards building the edifice--which is one of the most attractive country churches in the State. There is a clause in Judge William's last will and testament, which bequeaths this church and the "glebe land" to the heirs of Chief Justice Henderson, in case St. John's should ever cease to be used as a church..."
[Source: Oberver; Raleigh, NM; 12 June 1878]
Keywords: Agnes Bullock, Agnes Keeling, Agnes Williams, F N W Burton
I came across this late nineteen century newspaper article about Judge John Williams. Judge John Williams lived at Nutbush, Granville County, North Carolina, now Williamsboro, Vance County, North Carolina with his wife Agnes (Bullock) Keeling Williams. The article is notewrothy for its description of the grounds around Judge William's estate, Montpelier, and for a little story about the Williamses that I have never come across anywhere else. These are the only parts of the article that I am repeating here since the other information it contains concerns biographical information about Judge Willaims that is readily available elsewhere. The story of the snake is humorous; however, I doubt that Judge John Williams, who had traveled to and from Bonesborough, Kentucky in its infancy, would have been that squemish over the prospect of eating a snake.
Early Times in Granville
by Mrs. Cicero w. Harris
(from the Oxford Torchlight.)
"...The house is built of the heart of Granville pine. The front lawn is connected with the Oxford and Williamsboro road by an avenue, half a mile in length and wide enough, over grown as it is at the present day, for two carriages to pass each other. The view down this avenue was once said to be very fine, and now it is not to be despised. The long, level drive is partly overgrown with grass and spring dasies [sic], but the mammoth sentinel oaks of the long ago only partially conceal the forest aisles that lose themselves in the shades of the woods that stretch out on both boundaries of the avenue. At this season of the year these woods are fragrant with aromatic herbs and flowers. Often when walking on the pavements of our sandy streets, I recall this beautiful Granville promenade, with its emerald carpet, its gnarled cedars and century oaks, its singing birds, its breezes, freighted with odors sweeter than Arabian incense, its treasured memories and historic traditions of other days. A few years ago I remember seeing in the grounds around Montpelier the remains of several immense cone shaped box trees. Mrs. Judge Williams hid her silver and jewels in these trees when Lord Cornwallis threatened to march through that portion of Granville. The foliage of the box tree was so dense that it entirely protected the casket concealed within its branches. An amusing incident connected with Montpelier occurs to my mind as I write. Judge Williams was very hospitable, and invited strangers, friends, rich, and poor, promiscuously, to be his guests. On one occasion he met a foreigner who had travelled a great deal and who was entitled to some distinction on account of various offices of trust he had repeatedly filled. Judge Williams invited this gentleman to visit Montpelier, and spend some time as his guest. The invitation was accepted. The host and hostess naturally exerted themselves to entertain their visitor. It seems, that on going through the fields one morning where the negroes were at word Judge Williams and his companion, saw a negro--perhaps he was a recent importation from the wilds of Africa--frying a savory bit of meat on a plantation fire. The gentleman asked what it was. The negro said it was 'snake's tail.' Judge Williams was disgusted. His guest, however, nodded his approbation, and informed the Judge that the body of a snake that had never been bitten, when properly dressed and cooked made a most savory dish, that he had eaten it himself, and he would be obliged if the Judge would direct the negro to catch a snake or two of the desired species and have it prepared for his own table. Judge Williams signified the gentleman's peculiar preference to his wife and that lady indignantly replied, 'He may eat snake flesh if he wishes to do so, but he cannot have it cooked in my kitchen, nor served on my table!'
...St. John's Church at Williamsboro was built on land given for that purpose by Judge Williams. He also contributed liberally towards building the edifice--which is one of the most attractive country churches in the State. There is a clause in Judge William's last will and testament, which bequeaths this church and the "glebe land" to the heirs of Chief Justice Henderson, in case St. John's should ever cease to be used as a church..."
[Source: Oberver; Raleigh, NM; 12 June 1878]
Keywords: Agnes Bullock, Agnes Keeling, Agnes Williams, F N W Burton
Thursday, March 14, 2013
AGATHA BURTON's Obituary
© Kathy Duncan, 2013
It is a pity early obituaries like that of Agatha (Keeling aka Williams) Burton's are so brief. Still, it is rare to find an obituary for a woman in the early periods.
DEATHS.--Near Williamsborough, in Granville county, (N.C.) on 31st ult. Mrs. Agatha Burton, relict of the late Col. Robert Burton, aged 73 years.
[Source: Charleston Courier; Charleston, SC; Tues., Feb. 15, 1831]
It is a pity early obituaries like that of Agatha (Keeling aka Williams) Burton's are so brief. Still, it is rare to find an obituary for a woman in the early periods.
DEATHS.--Near Williamsborough, in Granville county, (N.C.) on 31st ult. Mrs. Agatha Burton, relict of the late Col. Robert Burton, aged 73 years.
[Source: Charleston Courier; Charleston, SC; Tues., Feb. 15, 1831]
Sunday, March 10, 2013
BURTONS of Beattie's Ford, North Carolina
© Kathy Duncan, 2013
Two sons of Col. Robert and Agatha (Keeling aka Williams) Burton, of Granville County, North Carolina, settled at Bettie's Ford, Lincoln County, North Carolina, in about 1813. They were brothers Robert H. Burton and Alfred Moore Burton. They each married daughters of John Fullenwider.
In the late 1800s, the Charlotte Observer ran long histories of the area of Lincoln County, North Carolina that embraced the Beattie's Ford area of the county. Interesting tidbits of the Burton family included references to silver forks, an eccentric grandfather clock, and mouse-eaten poetry.
"Another potent influence in this section was the Burton family. Robert and Alfred Burton came from Granville county and settled at Beattie's Ford with their families. They were both learned lawyers and each had a large practice. Robert had four sons, only one of whom, Henry W., of Lincolnton is living. One daughter married Michael Hoke and was the mother of General Robert F. Hoke, of Raleigh, and grandmother of Hoke and Burton Smith, of Atlanta. Alfred Burton had four sons, all of whom are dead. Three daughters survive, Mrs. Elizabeth Hoyle and Mrs. S. V. Young, of Charlotte, and Mrs. Mary Conner, of Lincoln.
"One of the first grandfather clocks brought to Beattie's Ford was ordered from Boston by Alfred Burton, and as it arrived before the completion of the dwelling, a place was cut in the kitchen ceiling for its upright accommodation. The base of the clock resting on the lower floor and the face protruding into the upper, it was necessary to go into the second story when the time-piece needed winding. It is said by the old people that the Burtons were the first families of the neighborhood that used silver forks, two tine steel being the implements in vogue in most of the other households. The silver tableware doubtless came from Boston with the clock. As two-prong steel forks were precarious food conductors, the gentlemen of the old school, resorted to knives as more reliable conveyances. The Alfred Burton homestead is beautifully located and commands a fine view of the Catawba. It has been occupied since its erection by members of the family until a few months ago, when the death of Miss Fanny Burton caused Mrs. Hoyle, her sister, to move away. So neatly and methodically was the house arranged, that Mrs. S. V. Young, one of the sisters, has related that she could have gone in the dark and placed her hand on certain books she remembered in childhood. Neither the piano, nor family portraits, have been moved, save to be dusted, and all the articles of furniture occupy the same positions allotted to them more than 60 years ago.
" ...James Anderson, who bought the Forney homestead, married a sister of Robert and Alfred Burton. His son, Robert, married a daughter of the celebrated Dr. Thornwell, and was himself a talented Presbyterian minister."
[Source: Charlotte Observer; Charlotte, NM; Sunday, April 11, 1897]
" ...The Connor and Burton homesteads were formerly included in a grant to a Beattie, from whom Beattie's Ford was named. Mr. and Mrs. Beattie were members and regular attendants of Unity Church.
" ...The land was purchased by Mr. Fulinweder, whose daughters married Robt. H. and Alfred Burton, and thus were founded the Connor and Burton homesteads.
"....The Connor and Burton dwellings still stand on the historic heights from which Cornwallis viewed the beautiful Catawba at Beattie's Ford, and though somewhat dilapidated, still retain the beauty of historic interest, and the ivy of historic recollection, green in the minds of every inhabitant of east Lincoln today; still clings around their walls.
" ...Adjoining the Connor homestead was that of James King, who came to Boston from England about the year 1763. There he was educated and learned the tailor's trade. During the Revolutionary War he moved to Maryland. Being too young to belong to the regular army he did guard duty. After the war he settled on the Potomac, in the neighborhood opposite Mt. Vernon, married Miss Elizabeth Emerson, and lived there, working at his trade, and doing tailor work for General George Washington, until Gen. Washington's death. He came to Lincoln about the year 1801, and worked at his trade as long as he was able.
"He was an Episcopalian, but as there was no church of his faith in the neighborhood, he attended Unity. He was said to have been the most thorough scholar of his neighborhood, having mastered the English, the Latin, the French, the German and the Greek languages, and, as his library showed, was well versed in general literature and the sciences.
"He lived to be ninety-six years old, and at this death had read the Bible through sixty-nine times, having read it through every year for that many years. He was also a poet, and after his death his manuscript was bought at his sale by Robert H. Burton, who intended to have it published, but the mice had had access to the old trunk in which it was kept, and had so badly eaten the paper, that not a single one of his poems could be preserved from the fragments..."
[Source: Charlotte Observer; Charlotte, NM; Sunday, July 4, 1897]
Two sons of Col. Robert and Agatha (Keeling aka Williams) Burton, of Granville County, North Carolina, settled at Bettie's Ford, Lincoln County, North Carolina, in about 1813. They were brothers Robert H. Burton and Alfred Moore Burton. They each married daughters of John Fullenwider.
In the late 1800s, the Charlotte Observer ran long histories of the area of Lincoln County, North Carolina that embraced the Beattie's Ford area of the county. Interesting tidbits of the Burton family included references to silver forks, an eccentric grandfather clock, and mouse-eaten poetry.
From an article entitled, "Broad Axe and The Forge," a brief history of the old Unity Church neighborhood:
"Another potent influence in this section was the Burton family. Robert and Alfred Burton came from Granville county and settled at Beattie's Ford with their families. They were both learned lawyers and each had a large practice. Robert had four sons, only one of whom, Henry W., of Lincolnton is living. One daughter married Michael Hoke and was the mother of General Robert F. Hoke, of Raleigh, and grandmother of Hoke and Burton Smith, of Atlanta. Alfred Burton had four sons, all of whom are dead. Three daughters survive, Mrs. Elizabeth Hoyle and Mrs. S. V. Young, of Charlotte, and Mrs. Mary Conner, of Lincoln.
"One of the first grandfather clocks brought to Beattie's Ford was ordered from Boston by Alfred Burton, and as it arrived before the completion of the dwelling, a place was cut in the kitchen ceiling for its upright accommodation. The base of the clock resting on the lower floor and the face protruding into the upper, it was necessary to go into the second story when the time-piece needed winding. It is said by the old people that the Burtons were the first families of the neighborhood that used silver forks, two tine steel being the implements in vogue in most of the other households. The silver tableware doubtless came from Boston with the clock. As two-prong steel forks were precarious food conductors, the gentlemen of the old school, resorted to knives as more reliable conveyances. The Alfred Burton homestead is beautifully located and commands a fine view of the Catawba. It has been occupied since its erection by members of the family until a few months ago, when the death of Miss Fanny Burton caused Mrs. Hoyle, her sister, to move away. So neatly and methodically was the house arranged, that Mrs. S. V. Young, one of the sisters, has related that she could have gone in the dark and placed her hand on certain books she remembered in childhood. Neither the piano, nor family portraits, have been moved, save to be dusted, and all the articles of furniture occupy the same positions allotted to them more than 60 years ago.
" ...James Anderson, who bought the Forney homestead, married a sister of Robert and Alfred Burton. His son, Robert, married a daughter of the celebrated Dr. Thornwell, and was himself a talented Presbyterian minister."
[Source: Charlotte Observer; Charlotte, NM; Sunday, April 11, 1897]
From an article entitled, "Old Homestead's of Lincoln," by Mr. Brevard Nixon:
" ...The Connor and Burton homesteads were formerly included in a grant to a Beattie, from whom Beattie's Ford was named. Mr. and Mrs. Beattie were members and regular attendants of Unity Church.
" ...The land was purchased by Mr. Fulinweder, whose daughters married Robt. H. and Alfred Burton, and thus were founded the Connor and Burton homesteads.
"....The Connor and Burton dwellings still stand on the historic heights from which Cornwallis viewed the beautiful Catawba at Beattie's Ford, and though somewhat dilapidated, still retain the beauty of historic interest, and the ivy of historic recollection, green in the minds of every inhabitant of east Lincoln today; still clings around their walls.
" ...Adjoining the Connor homestead was that of James King, who came to Boston from England about the year 1763. There he was educated and learned the tailor's trade. During the Revolutionary War he moved to Maryland. Being too young to belong to the regular army he did guard duty. After the war he settled on the Potomac, in the neighborhood opposite Mt. Vernon, married Miss Elizabeth Emerson, and lived there, working at his trade, and doing tailor work for General George Washington, until Gen. Washington's death. He came to Lincoln about the year 1801, and worked at his trade as long as he was able.
"He was an Episcopalian, but as there was no church of his faith in the neighborhood, he attended Unity. He was said to have been the most thorough scholar of his neighborhood, having mastered the English, the Latin, the French, the German and the Greek languages, and, as his library showed, was well versed in general literature and the sciences.
"He lived to be ninety-six years old, and at this death had read the Bible through sixty-nine times, having read it through every year for that many years. He was also a poet, and after his death his manuscript was bought at his sale by Robert H. Burton, who intended to have it published, but the mice had had access to the old trunk in which it was kept, and had so badly eaten the paper, that not a single one of his poems could be preserved from the fragments..."
[Source: Charlotte Observer; Charlotte, NM; Sunday, July 4, 1897]
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