The records before the emancipation are far, few, and close to none. I have been able to go back to my Great-great-great grandmother.  Her name was "ELIZA LUTZ RINK" born December 26 1826 - Died December 26 1926. She is buried in the "Clines Cemetery" in Hildebran, NC, Burke County.  Maybe your expertise can help me?   The story throughout our family has been that Eliza was a Caucasian woman who married an African by the name of Miles a.k.a Milas (last name) Rink/Wrink.

  I know of 4 children born to Eliza and Miles:  

Rev. Levi/Lee J. Rink (**which I noticed labeled in the Ridgeview Cemetery) Born 1850 Died 1955....which was my Great-grandfather  

Ellen Rink Evans: She was interview by the Hickory Daily Record as the oldest living free slave.  She recalled in her article the uniforms of the officer in the Civil War.  

Frances Rink Brooks: Which has about 8 generations residing in Catawba County  

Barbara Rink: We have a picture of Great-great Aunt Barb. She settled all Eliza's affairs, she was listed as the informant on Eliza's death certificate.  The were found in the 1850-1860 Caldwell County Census in the John Rivers Township.   It was believed that Eliza had many children some of whom we can not find.

  I have sent for copies of documents in the State Achieves for Eliza Rink located in the Burke Co. Estate Records 1776-1934 CR 014.508.45 Eliza Rink 1928.   Now our mystery is that Eliza is said to be the disowned daughter of a prominent family.  Her Father is said to be Ambrose Lutz of Catawba County and Mother Susannah Cline.

We can not find Eliza no where, except in the Clines Cemetery.  Can you help.  

Please contact me at 704-735-7380 or grady@charterinternet.com   Sincerely Grady Spruell   

NAME

Carolyn Corpening Rowe

CORPENING, FRY, FRYE, HEWITT, SMITH, HUITT,LAWRENCE, LORANCE, LORETZ, LOWRANCE

cecrowe@juno.com

Ann Coleman

HULL, GROSS and HOOPER

cannie2@comcast.net

Jeannette Jamison

DULA or DOOLEY

nannajay@earthlink.net