Bertie COUNTY NC BIOGRAPHY - Smith, Silas Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Pete Austin pete.austin@worldnet.att.net http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/bertie.htm SILAS SMITH FAMILY Mr Smith* 5th great grandfather, b. ca.1725. He married Unknown*(Wife:Mr Smith & m/o Silas #236), b. c1725. Mr Smith is the first of my Smith clan to be identified in my family tree. The first known Smith was living on the south side of Flagg Run Wharf Road that ended at the Roanoke River. The house that his son grandson Abram Smith owned has now burned. Later living in the house was Hezekiah Thomas, Lewis Thompson and Dr Barnard. This Mr Smith was the g.g.grandfather of Mary Arabella Smith #204 who married Moore Rawls my g.g.g.Grandfather on 11-01-1838 in Bertie Co. Mr Smith had only one known son who was named Silas #236. Silas had a son Ebenezer Smith #231 who was the father of the above Mary Arabella Smith Note: A James Smith sold to John Harrell of Nansemond Co VA 8 acres for 32 shillings on May 11 1927. This property was on the north side of the Morratock "Roanoke" River and south side of Flagg Run that was also called "Wharf Road". No connection found at this time with James and My Mr Smith who was born ic1725. James Smith could have been the above Mr Smith's father? On February 11, 1733 Needham Bryan bought 200 acres from Timothy Ryall on the North side of Flaggy Run, adjacent to John Harrell and Joseph Moor. Moore Rawls may have been named after this Joseph Moor (e). Needham Bryan owned Snowfield Plantation and the surrounding land that was located just pass Hill Ferry Road ("Weeping Mary Road"), which is south of Woodville. His home, which has now been destroyed, was on the right just off Taylor's Ferry Road ("now Hwy #11 the road to Oak City"). A portion of the Snowfield Cemetery still remains there on the property. A short distance to the north from Needham's Plantation was Flagg Run Wharf Road where the Smith and Rawls families lived in the 1725's. I. Silas Smith 4th GGF, b. 1750. He married Celia Ellis, b. c1750, (daughter of Moses Ellis my 5th Great Grandfather and Unknown (Wife Moses Ellis #18230)) d. 1822, Woodville NC. Silas died 1829, Woodville NC. Silas Smith was my (Pete Austin) g.g.g.g.grandfather. His home was located east of Woodville, NC on the current Jack Branch Road that leads to Windsor NC in Bertie Co. It was originally called the "Old Silas Smith" House. It is found on a map that was reconstructed from records given by Dr. Charles Smallwood from b 1830 - d 1899. Later John Small Smallwood moved from Indian Woods area and lived there in the Silas Smith house from 1831-32 for the purpose of sending his children to the Academy in Woodville. Dr Charles Smallwood's brother Robert Watson Smallwood was born there in the old Silas Smith house. Later John Smallwood moving to a house at the fork of the road leading to Hills Ferry Road and Taylors Road and lived there until his death June 26,1843 leaving a wife and seven children. Adjoining the property of Silas and Celia Ellis Smith was located a couple of miles east on Jack Branch Road near that of Col. Jesse Averitt. Col then sold his property to Joseph Pugh and moved with his family to Flordia. Later W.C. Thompson bought this plantation. See Col.Jesse Averitt # 17028 for additional information. Jesse was my 4th great uncle and a veteran of the war of 1812. Across the Jack Branch Road and south from Silas & Celia Smith place was the property of John Ruffin. As you returned to Woodville and passed through the crossroads at the intersection where Jack Branch Road, Taylor Ferry Road that went SW to Oak City, and the Roxobel-Kelford Road joined each other was the Old General Store that Edward and Robert Watson built. Just pass this intersection going SW on Taylor's Ferry Road was the Grace Episcopal Church that was built on the left side of the road. Next was the property of William Alston Pugh. Mr Pugh also owned property adjoin Silas and Cilia Smith. He built his house in 1812. Williams Griffin later owned this property. His descendants still live there. According to Cathy Farris' research she found that Silas SMITH place as being adj to Michael BRYAN(T) who was her ancestor. A search of deeds of Bertie County will give a more accurate location of each property. The reproduction of a map of Dr Smallwood description of the neighborhood shows that Silas and Cilia Smith had a son Abram Smith who was living approximately two-miles south on a dirt path called Flag Run Wharf that went from Woodville to the Roanoke River. The property was later bought by Hezekiah Thompson, then owned by Lewis Thompson and then deeded to Dr Barnard. The house was destroyed by fire sometime before 1899. According to Cathy Farris. William BRYAN(T) married 1st Catherine (unknown maiden name). After William's death in 1744 in Bertie County Catherine married as her second husband Aaron ELLIS the brother of Moses Ellis. There are quite a few deeds recorded showing where Aaron ELLIS purchasing land in Roquist Swamp section. Note Flagg Run Wharf Road becomes Jack Branch Road when it crosses Taylor Ferry Road in Woodville. At the intersection at Flagg Run Wharf Road was a Tavern plus an Old Store that at one time was operated by Robert Watson & Grimes. Abram Smith (My 3rd great Uncle) lived down this road and was next door was Mrs R.C. Watson who lived near the end of the path. Aaron ELLIS died abt 1769. It was his obligation to leave part of his estate to Celia ELLIS, daughter of his brother Moses ELLIS who died about 1760? Celia also had a sister that was named Mary SKEETO Caty Farris <cfarris@paciffic.net> stated, "I have always wondered if the Celia mentioned with Silas SMITH was the above Celia. She stated that she found a confirmation to this in the following court petition; made years later in record found on film #1672647 in Salt Lake City that was filmed in 1990, "Bertie Estate Records" Moses ELLIS- Benton KING and wife et al Per Part Abram SMITH filed 14 Aug 1830 (handwriting was a challenge). State of North Carolina to Bertie County, September Superior Court 1830 To the Honorable __? Judge of the said court. This petition of Benton KING and Salley his wife, of Simon REA and wife Elizabeth, William HODGES of age? Salley, Mary and Jesse HODGES infants by their next friend William HODGES Luke RABY and wife Trusa and Mary SMITH of age and Thomas and (Dr) Starkey SMITH infants by their next friend Luke RABY of? Silas SMITH and wife Treacy, humbly sheweth that Celia ELLIS the daughter of Moses ELLIS inherited a tract of land herein after named as the only heir at law of Aaron ELLIS who died interstate many years past - That Celia ELLIS inherited many years ago with Silas SMITH who lately died in Bertie County. That said Celia and Silas lived together in the married state until the death of Celia who died in the year 1822. That Silas SMITH lived on the premises until his death in the years 1829 and was tenant ___niz? the curtese? of said tract of land. That said Celia died interstate and left the following persons who come were her heirs at law. Abram SMITH son of said Celia and Silas, Salley a daughter who is the wife of Benton KING, Mary a daughter who was the wife of John HODGES both living at the death of Celia and since dead leaving pew? their children Elizabeth who has married with Simon REA William HODGES of age Sally HODGES an infant, Mary and Jesse HODGES both infants and without guardian. Ebenezer a son of said Celia since dead who left your? four? ___le? living Trusa who is the wife of Luke RABY, Mary SMITH of age, Thomas SMITH and Sharkey SMITH infants without guardian and Treace SMTIH (a daughter of Celia) the wife of Willie SMITH both living your petition and? said Celia SMITH dec'd seized in fee of this before mentioned tract of land situate in Bertie County and bounded by the lands of Jesse AVERTT, William PUGH, John RUFFIN and others estimate to contain 200ac it being a tract of land on which Silas SMITH lived at his death. Your petitioners show that at the death of Silas SMITH they became seized in fee of said tract of land ____? in common with Abram SMITH also one of the heirs at law of Celia SMITH as before stated. Your petitioners being thus entitled have frequently? applied? to said Abram SMITH and requested him to joint in a petition with then for the ___ of having said premises divided among the parties entitled, ___? the several proportions to which they heirs of Celia SMITH are entitled and they and that the said Abram being in the possession of said lands refuses to join with your petitioners to have the land divided but retain? the possession from some unfair motive and design. Your petitioners being desirous that partition should be made of said land in order that each party may have and hold his and her share in pernoty? per? Pray your Honor to grant proper process to be served on said Abram SMITH to ___? in this court and be made a party defend? one? to this petition of the petitioners and that your Honor will grant your court of partition such? other and for their relief as to your Honor shall seem equally to law and your petitioners will pray Ye? Jas T? Jones __ pilimo? Recorded here is information on property that was owned next to Silas Smith. S231 Deed 1800 John HAYES to William Bryan SPIVEY This indenture made the ___18 between William Bryan SPIVEY of Bertie County and state of North Carolina of the one part I John HAYES of the said state of the other part witnesseth that the said John HAYES part in consideration of the sum of one hundred and twenty actual dollars to me in hand paid __?__? Delivers of his presents the receipt whereon acknowledge of the said William Bryan SPIVEY his heirs forever scituate? The same__? John HAYS doth by these presents sell, bargain, deliver, convey, __? To the said to William Bryan SPIVEY his heirs, assigns forever a __tract or parcel of land lying in Bertie County state of North Carolina bounded as follows on the SS of Roquist Swamp beginning at Needom BRYAN corner tree, a pine thence up said Cypress Swamp bending on William RUFFINS land, thence running up said Roquist Branch, bindery? On Balis HOUSE land, thence ___ ____ course bind on Silas SMITH land thence binding Needham BRYANS land containing by estimation 100ac be the same more or less to have and to hold the said bargained, granted, paid with all furnishings thereunto belong or anywise appertains with all houses ___, water courses___ the same heirs said William Bryan SPIVEY his heirs and assignments to his and their only proper use and heirs forever clear and free from encumbrances of any kind and the said John HAYES ___ have his heirs and assigns doth by these presents forever warrant, secure and defend the said land and all the privileges thereunto belonging to him the said William Bryan SPIVEY his heirs and assigns to the lawful claims or damage of person or persons whatsoever. In witness thereof I the said John HAYS have set my hand and seal the day and date above mentioned. Signed, Sealed, Acknowledged and Delivered in presences of us John HAYES Catherine HAYS Lewis COTTON Patty COTTON State North Carolina Nov Term 1800 Bertie Court The ___ ___ John and Catherine HAYSE to William B SPIVEY was proved in open court by oath of Lewis COTTON ___ the subscriber ___and ordered to be registered. George GRAY ccc SILAS SMITH--- Will 1825 Bertie Co NC In the name of God amen, I Silas SMITH of Bertie County state of Carolina Do this 7th March 1825 make and publish this my last will and Testament in manner and form as follows (to wit) 1st I give and bequeath unto Thomas SMITH son of Ebenezer SMITH dec'd one Negro boy named Joe, 100ac of land wherein his father Ebenezer SMITH lived. 2nd I give and bequeath unto Starkey SMITH son of Ebenezer SMITH dec'd one negro girl named Dicy? 100ac of land being the land I bought of John MORRIS it is to contain 1/2 of the tract of land I bought of said MORRIS and to consist where Charles JORDAN formerly lived. 3rd I give and bequeath unto Whitmell HODGE son of my daughter Polly HODGES one Negro named Sarah and her increase boy Arthur to him and his Heirs forever. 4th I give and bequeath unto my daughter Polley HODGES two cows and calves to hers her heirs forever. 5th I give and bequeath to my grandson Joseph KING son of Sally KING one Negro woman named Mealy and should Mealy have increase before my death her future increase as to be divided equally among all the children that Sally KING may have before my death except Joseph Jarrod and Isaac KING. 6th I give and bequeath to my grandson Garrod KING one tract of land that I bought of Benton KING containing ninety-two acres for the bounding see the said deed. 7th I give and bequeath to my grandson Isaac KING one Negro girl named Winafred should the said Negro have any increase before my death her increase I wish divided amongst Sally KING's children except Joseph Jarrod and Isaac KING. 8th I give and bequeath to my grand daughters of Sally KING named Jennet KING and Ferry? KING ten head of cattle eight stack of Bees 27 head of hogs now on the plantation where Benton KING now lives To them and their heirs forever. 9th I give and bequeath unto my daughter Treasy SMITH one Negro girl Clo one Boy Harry girl Sally one Feather bed and furniture four cows and calves two sows and pigs one woman saddle twenty dollars money one young horse and five kidd sheep to her and her heirs forever. 10ths I give and bequeath to my son Abram SMITH the mannor and plantation whereon I now live containing 220ac more or less 100ac of land lying on Roquist Swamp adj the land of William CLARK and the land formerly belonged to Martin GARDNER and John RUFFIN for particular boundary have reference to deed and patent- also negro man George negro woman Fanny and child Levina and her future__? Boy Peter girl Hasty and her increase girl Mary? and her increase one Boy Hill? two featherbeds and furniture, the bed I sleep on and the one I __? On one wheat tare all the cows and fodder __?__? one__? steers and cart five cows and calves and all my hogs except those given away all the kitchen furniture all money goats silo Bank notes and all the plantation __? whatsoever one horse and the remainder of my sheep on Desk? Disk? all the wheat to him his heirs forever. 11th I give and bequeath unto William Britton SMITH son of Abram SMITH one girl named Maria to him and his heirs forever. My two grand children named Thomas and Starkey SMITH in this___? Legacies is to be and remain in the hands of my son Abram SMITH until they arrive at the age of twenty one years should they or either of them die without heirs lawfully begotten by their own body I give the same to my son Abram SMITH to him and his heris forever. My grandson Isaac KING's land is to stay and remain in the possession of my son Abram SMITH until he arrives at the age of twenty one years should he died without heirs lawfully begotten of his own body I give unto Charles KING son of my daughter Sally KING to his and his heirs forever. 12th I give unto my daughter Treasy SMITH one Bofat the furniture Bofat I leave to be equally divided between my son Abram SMITH and Treasy SMITH to them and their heirs forever. 13th I give unto my grand daughters Jennett KING one colt which is in the possession of Benton KING to her and her heirs forever. 14th I give unto Liza SMITH daughter of Treasy SMITH one Negro girl named Basharg? to her and her heirs forever. All my stock of cattle not willed except my Brandy? I leave to be equally divided amongst my children Polly HODGES, Sally KING, Treasy SMITH and Abram SMITH the property I want? __ without sale at he discretion of my Executors and children, part given to Sally KING it is my desire for it to remain in the hands of my son Abram SMITH and for him to give it to her as he thinks proper. Lastly I constitute nominate and appoint my son Abram SMITH and friend James CHERRY Executors to this my last will and testament discharge? this and no others to be my last will and testament. Signed sealed published declared by him the said Silas SMITH to be his last will and testament the date and year above written. Witness Preston ASKEW Edward SWAIN Silas X SMITH County Court Nov term 1829 Oath of Justine ASKEW, Abram SMITH one of the Executors. E.A. RHODES, Clk. A. Abram 'Abraham' Smith, b. c1780, Woodville, Bertie Co NC. He married Martha (Wife:Abram Smith #238). Abram died aft 1820. His brother Ebenezer Smith #232 was born 1783 and died 5-9-1846. Abram lived in 1793 just south of Woodville between the Flag Run Wharf road and Hill's Ferry Road (now Weeping Mary Road). His home was approximately 2/3 of the way towards the Roanoke (Murdock) River and just south of Lewark Swamp. Continuing south was the home of Mrs R.C.Watson (later in 1890 it became the Hezekiah Griffin home). Also living near was Hezekiah Thompson brother to Lewis Thompson (Dr Blanchard later moved into this house) that was destroyed by fire before 1895. Abram and his wife Martha (maiden name unknown) were my g.g.g. uncle and aunt. Abram was also the uncle of Mary Arabella Smith #204 h/o Moore Rawls #203 who were my 2nd great grand parents. See Silas Smith #236 for addition information on the Smith family of Woodville NC. In the recollections of Woodville Bertie Co NC Dr Charles Smallwood names Abram and his neighbor Mrs. Watson. Children of both families are named but to which family they belong is not clear? 1. Pricilla Smith. She married W.R Savage, 05-1850, in Near Roxobel NC. Moved to Miss. B. Ebenezer Smith* g.g.g.grandfather, b. 1783, Woodville NC. He married Elizabeth* (Wife:Ebenezer Smith #231)*, b. c1783. Ebenezer died 05-09-1816. Ebenezer Smith #231 was my ("Pete" #1) 3rd Great Grandfather. Died at 33 years of age leaving four small children. Elizabeth*: Went by the name of Betsy Smith. In 1895 she died in the home of her son Moore Rawls who at that time was overseer on the Lewis Thompson Plantation. This house was located west of Woodville beyound the Saint Frances Church (now relocated across the street in Lewiston from my uncles Bruce Austin and wife Ann Menton Austin house: Ann at the present time is in a retirement home in VA on the road towards Kelford. Reference; Recllections of Woodville by Dr Charles Smallwood (1828-1899) written in 1895. Grandmother "Bet" had only one hand. It was amputated after she was bitten by a Black Widow Spider. She out lived her daughter Mary Arabella Smith Rawls that died in 1854 at 42 years of age. Betsey acted as mother of Moore Rawls' children: Elizabeth Watson Rawls, Mary Moore Rawls, Starkey Robert Smith Rawls and Sarah Elizabeth Rawls that died at two years of age. Probably Grandmother "Bet" was a Watson because her granddaughter Elizabeth Watson and g.g.g.g granddaughter Mary Watson Peele were given this name. Mary Watson's father was Joshiah "Joe" Smith Moore Peele. Another child of Moore Rawls by his 2nd wife Judith Frances Garrett was named Robert Watson Rawls (h/o) Lena Rivers Cherry #590. Lena was my 4th cousin, twice removed through my mother. 1. Mary Arabella Smith* g.g.gandmother, b. 03-28-1810. She married Moore Rawls* g.g.grandfather, 11-01-1838, b. 01-26-1811, Rhodes Place Crossroad, Bertie Co NC, (son of Jonas Rawls g.g.g.grandfather and Sarah (Sally) Moore 3rd GGM) d. 09-16-1879, Woodville, NC. Mary died 09-06- 1854. Mary Arabella Smith #204 was my ("Pete" #1) g.g. grand mother. Mother of Mary Debra Arabella Peele #39 that Married Jacob Lafayette Austin #38 and was her namesake. She died at 44 years of age. Was called "Betty". Lived in Woodville on the road leading to Kelford. On the left, beyond Nora Hinton house which later occupied by John B Griffin c1849 and then W.C.Thompson in 1863. Betsey was the daughter of Elbernezer #331 & Elizabeth Smith #332 (maiden name is not known at this time) His parents were Silas #236 Born c1750 and Celia Smith. Ebenezer's brother was Abram #238 h/o Martha. Sisters Elizabeth, Treacy #239, Mary "Polly" that married a Mr Hodge, and Sarah "Sally" #244 h/o Jarrod King who moved to Tenn? The old Silas Smith house was on the left side of the road on the way to Windsor. It was across from the home of Dr Charles Smallwood who lived there until 1889. Dr. died in 1899. His father John Smaw Smallwood later lived in the Silas Smith house. A neighbor was John Ruffin who lived eastward a little farther towards Windsor. This highway is now named the Jack Branch Road. Moore: Moore Rawls joined St. Francis Methodist-Episcopal Church, South, 06- 11-1851. He was the overseer for the Thompson Plantation. Have excerpt from his diary as supplied by Jesse Bazemore Parker. Moore Rawls was my ("Pete" Austin #1) 3rd Great Grandfather a descendant of William Rawls Sr. #622. Note: The Thompson Children's home in Charlotte was started with a single gift in memory of Lewis F Thompson. Described as a man of correct taste, of thorough sense of propriety, of ripe judgement and great energy of character. He was an influential, highly respected figure in his region. When he was 59, tragedy struck Lewis Thompson's family. His eighteen-year-old daughter Pattie died and one month later a deeply grieved Mr. Thompson died, too. In memory of her husband and daughter his wife Margaret Ann Cathart Clark Thompson gave the St. Peters Church through Rev. Benjamin Bronson: Rector, what has been described as a considerable sum of money. This gift led to the establishment of Thompson Orphanage. It was a haven for the multitude of post war orphans in 1886. Today Thompson Children's home is a modern residential treatment facility for emotionally disturbed children. It also provides group home care and counseling service across NC and has served literally thousand of children. My g.g. Grandfather Moore Rawls was the overseer for Lewis F Thompson #12085 plantation before and after slavery. Lewis Whitmel Thompson Jr #14594 was a personal friend and the grandson of Lewis F.Thompson #12085. Lewis Jr and his wife Betsy Murry lived with his Uncle William "Billy" Clark Thompson #14567 in the family home just at the edge of Woodville. When he died he gave all his belongings to what he thought was the "next of Kin". thinking that it was his nephew Lewis Whitmel Thompson Jr. When in fact it would include the family of his 1st cousin Sallie Eaton Norfleet. Big family debate that resulted with the court ruling in favor of a share belonged to Sally Norfleet family. It was a sizeable estate with lots of farm property that consisted of the river plantations that dated back to land grants from the King of England. Lewis' wife Betsy Murry was from Windsor, NC. She died about 1960 of a fatal stoke just after going to bed. Lewis Jr spoke to her but got no answer and then found she had passed away. Betsy was one of my father's favorite people and mine. He and Lewis Jr. were close friends that fished and hunted together a great deal of the time. It was at one of Lewis' farms that I once shot at a running deer but when I went over to investigate I found two lying there. I never saw the other deer. Only fired at it one time! It was on his farm that I witnessed the largest buck deer that I have ever seen in the wild. He could have been a ten or twelve pointer or larger that passed just out-of- range of my stand in a broom straw field. It just loped across the field and paid no attention to my out-of-the-range buckshot that I fired at him. A twelve pointer ran out in front of a car and was killed a weeks later near this place. Now! They should believe my big BUCK story. Written in the papers of Dr Charles Smallwood "Recollections of Woodville" dated from 1830 to 1899 (papers were sent to me by Margaret "Molly" Urquhart) he names many of my ancestors. Silas Smith #236 (h/o Celia) lived on the road (now Jack Branch Road) that connected from Woodville to Windsor. A distant cousin on mine lived nearby.was the lovely home of Colonel Jesse Averitt who lived just beyond the crossroads of Jack Branch Road and on the road that led to Kelford. HENRY AVERITT---Henry Averitt was (Pete #1) my g.g.g.g.g. Grandfather and related to the Colonel. Moore Rawls #203 married first Mary Arabella Smith (grand daughter of Silas Smith) who had a daughter Elizabeth Watson Rawls #43 that married my great grandfather James W Peele #92. His grandfather on his wife's side John Young #217 married Martha Averitt #218. Additional data found in Bertie Co in the Will Book E page 439 dated 1845. Martha's father was Henry Averitt Jr #223 (h/o) Millie. Henry Averitt who was probably a brother or cousin of Col. Jesse Averitt. Also named in Smallwood's Journal was Abram Smith #238 the uncle of my g.g.gramdfather Moore Rawls' and wife Mary Arabella Smith. Her father was Ebenezer Smith #231 born 1783 and died in 1846 (h/o) Elizabeth of Woodville, Bertie Co NC. In the Smallwood record on page #6 of this typed journal is recorded data that needs some clarification. ABRAM SMITH---"Mr Abram Smith lived near Mrs Watson. There was quite a large family of children. Eliza married Rob Powell; they moved to Mississippi. William married Miss Goodman of Virginia, lived at the old Smith place a few years and move near Suffolk VA. He and his wife are dead, leaving several children. Priscilla married W.R.Savage, moved near Roxobel. lived there a few years and went to Miss - both living when last heard from. David went to Miss and died there. John read medicine and died in VA. Robert went to Mississippi and read law. I (Doctor said) think that there was another daughter but have forgotten her name; think it was Celia. The family broke up from the old homestead many years ago and moved to Mississippi. Whit Pugh [son of William Whitmel Hill Pugh, who moved his family to Louisiana in 1819] returned from Louisiana about 1860, bought the place (Abram Smith house) and died there in 1867. Dr Bernard, after his death, bought it, lived there a few years and moved to Battleboro. After his death the house was rented by Negroes and finally burned". Question, are the above children those of Abram Smith or Mr Watson? " This place was near Mr Watson and the house was occupied by Hezekiah Thompson who died their [in 1836], then by his brother Lewis Thompson until he built in Woodville (~1840 where Mr Burgess Urquhart now lives (in 1895)). Near this place Dennis Linton and his sister Old Miss Rachel lived. Old Dennis had a daughter Edna who married Marcey Bishop of Halifax Co. She died leaving one son who died during the Civil War. Old Dennis moved west in his early years. There his wife left him and he returned to NC bringing his daughter an infant. He had another sister Miss Sallie; both of them died at Mrs Jenkins in the Indian Woods. Old Dennis was sometimes given of the marvelous. Mr Robert Watson, Abram Smith [my Pete Austin #1 g.g.g.uncle] and Dennis went Possum hunting; they only caught one possum and Mr Watson proposed that the one that told the biggest lie should have the possum. All agreed to it and Mr Watson commenced first. Mr Smith next, and Dennis last. I do not remember what Mr Watson or Smith told but old Dennis said that on the way to the west he heard one day, as he traveled along, quite a noise in the woods among the bushes and they examined it closely to see the cause. He discovered a log rolling about, it being toO crooked to lie still. On his return from the west...he looked for the log and it was still rolling around. Mr Watson and Smith both agreed that Dennis was entitled to the possum. He hauled fish in the spring of the year to Woodville from the sound, and there he learned that Mr Sutton had dunked one of his neighbors for some offense in the sound. Meeting him one day in the road, old Dennis raised his head to say 'Good Morning' expecting him to say 'good morning' in return, but what should he say but boo', and relating it said 'I said boo, and damn you into the middle of Edenton Sound". Dr Smallwood REPORTED "that the old store of Watson and Grimes stood just below the Old Tavern just where the road leaves the main road; this road crossed Lewark Swamp, passed by the dwelling where Mr Watson lived to Flag Run on the Roanoke. Mr Abram Smith (My Pete #1 g.g.g.uncle) and Hezekiah Thompson lived on this road. The country people would meet at this store on Saturday, drink apple brandy, get drunk and on occasional fight. The Doctor said "I have seen many a fight their. Old Ned Williams, a soldier of the Revolutionary War died there sitting on the steps. I think a man named Wimberly was also stabbed in a fight there and died before he could be carried away to see a doctor. Elections and musters were held there. After Mr Watson died, Jack Grimes and James Lee were the merchants (I may be mistaken about this for my father and Lewis Thompson did business there around that time) - in fact it was the time before Grimes and Lee. Mr Grimes moved to TN and was killed there. James Lee and Dr H.F.Williams were merchants after them; then James Lee and Edward Watson. Ned and Robert Watson then built in front of the Old Tavern.where McRae now lives and did business there. Dr Watson moved to Texas and Ned went out of business" Dr Charles Smallwood tells of " the family of Colonel Jessie Averitt [ connected to my g.g.g.grandmother Martha Averitt (d/o) Henry Averitt Jr. ] family consisted of himself [Colonel], wife, and six children, and a miss Spain, I think. Miss Mary Eliza who was not married when I heard from her last, and I do not know if she is still living. Sally married Jacob Parker, and died in Murfreesboro about 1857, and was buried in old Averitt Graveyard near the place Alfred Spivey now lives. Lousia was married. Henry married a lady in Petersburg, VA and is dead, and the other son, I have not heard from. Colonel Averitt sold his place many years ago, which was bought by Joseph James Pugh; he Averitt moved to Florida. My father [John Smaw Smallwood) moved to the Silas Smith place (Silas was my Pete Austin #1 g.g.g.g.grandfather) in 1831 or 1832 for the purpose of sending his children to the Academy. My brother was born there". Dr Smallwood gave information that Saint Frances Church was build by Thomas Bragg, father of General Bragg and Governor Bragg with the money coming from Mrs Frances Pugh wife of William Oilstone Pugh. I found numerous transactions in the Carolina Room in the Mecklenburg County Library regarding Moore Rawls. In the micro film Estate Section I located and identified where Moore Rawls was the Grantor to:[1] Hardy Hayes, [2] John Dunning, [3] Harvey J White, [4] James L Burden, [5] Augustine Powell Admrx, [6] J.P.Johnson, [7] Joseph P Bazemore, [8] my 3rd cousin thrice remove Joseph William Cherry #613 [father-in-law on Moore ] to his son Robert Watson Rawls #589 (h/o) Lena Rivers Cherry #590] my (Pete #1) 4th cousin twice removed on my mother's side, [9] Dr.Charles Smallwood, [10]Joseph S Parker [ Moore's son-in-law through his 2nd wife Mary Watson Rawls #205], [11] Sabry Askew & Son, [12] Bettie W Peele,1st wife of Moore Rawls and my g.g.grandmother [13] William Walton the husband of Celia Cherry #1819 granddaughter of my (Pete #1) g.g.g.g grandfather Solomon Cherry #801 [on my mothers side] as the Grantee. From the above estate transactions Moore Rawls was involved in at least 13 pieces of property in Bertie County. He also was educated enough to write, as found in his daily journal during his position as overseer for Louis Thompson. There is a Rawls Cemetery according to records in Bertie Co Courthouse, which gives that Moore Rawls' daughter Elizabeth Watson Rawls #93 was buried in this place. 2. Fruzia "Trusa" Smith, b. c1812, Woodville Bertie Co NC. She married Luke Raby. 3. Stark "Starkey" B Smith, b. around 1810/20, d. bef 1895. Starkey was a merchant in Woodville for several years for Robert C Watson and his brother Edward Watson. Both were large landowner and operated a store at the crossroads where Jack Branch Road, Roxobel/Kelford Road and Taylor Ferry Road (now NC 11 that goes to Oak City) crossed in Hotel that is now the town of Lewiston- Woodville. "Starkey" later relocated to Windsor NC where he also was a merchant. 4. Thomas Smith, d. 10-1860, David C Clark farm. "Tom" Smith went to Flordia as an overseer for Noah "Soak" Thompson. Later returnrd to NC as overseer for Lewis Thompson/Dr Kenneth Thompson and Samuel Clark on the old Clark farm in the Indian Wood's. He died about the middle of October 1860 on the farm of David C Clark in the marshes. C. Treasy Smith, b. c1885. She married Willie Smith. D. Mary "Polly" Smith, b. c1887. She married John Hodges. Mary died c1825-27. 1. Whitmell Hodges. 2. Elizabeth Hodges. She married Simmon Rea. 3. William Hodges. Of age in 1830. 4. Mary Hodges, b. aft 1830. 5. Salley Hodge, b. aft 1830. 6. Jesse Hodges, d. after 1820. E. Sarah (Sally) Smith, b. c1889, Woodville NC. She married Benton King. Dau. of Silas Smith #236. This family moved to Tenn. No additional info available. 1. Joseph King. 2. Jarred King. 3. Isaac King. 4. Jennet King. 5. Ferry King. II. Henry Smith. Henry Smith owned 200ac joining Silas Smith in 1819 as given on list of taxables in Bertie Co.