The North Carolinian Republican - Jan. 4, 1812  (Submitted by Linda Lau)

Baltimore Patriot - August 4, 1821; pg. 2
MARRIED - On the 14th ult. at Kinnakeet, Currituck County, North Carolina, by Pharaoh Harrow, Esq. (more than likely this was Pharoah Farrow), Mr. Samuel Stow, aged 35, to Miss Judith Scarborough, aged 23--both of that county.

The Newbern Sentinel - Jan. 26, 1828  (Submitted by Linda Lau)

The North State Whig - March 21, 1844    (Submitted by Linda Lau)

The North Carolina Star (Raleigh, NC) - September 30, 1846  (Submitted by Linda Lau)

The Charlotte Democrat - January 20, 1863    (Submitted by Linda Lau)

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Wednesday, January 31, 1877; pg. 3; col. 3
DEATH -
    At Hatteras, Dare County; January 12^th, Mrs. Patsy Gaskins, wife of Capt. John Gaskins [should be Gaskill], aged 39 years.
    On the 13^th January at the same place, Mrs. Ferrebee Peel, wife of John Peel, aged 76 years.
    January 17^th at the same place, Mrs. Sarah Burruss, widow of [no first name written] Burruss.

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Wednesday, October 24, 1877; pg. 3; col. 4
DEATH -
    Departed this life at Hatteras, Dare County, on Friday, October 12^th, Ebbie Quidley, an interesting twin boy of four years, son of Mrs. V.L. Quidley [Virginia L. Simpson, wife of Reuben B. Quidley who had died in 1873]

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Wednesday, November 28, 1877; pg. 3; col. 3
NEWS FROM THE COUNTIES -- DARE
    At the close of the war, R.W. Midyett, who was a corporal in the Union Army, was in a regiment at the time stationed near Newberne; when the regiment was disbanded and the arms given up, he marked the initials of his name on the breech of the musket, saying at the time, that it would come back some day.  Recently he was coming up to E. City in a vessel when a flock of wild ducks flew over.  A gun was handed out to Mr. Midyett to shoot the ducks.  After shooting he saw his initials on the breech of the gun and recognized it as the gun he had marked.  It had been bought from a junk store in Philadelphia by Capt. John C. Simpson.
    On the 14^th inst. a child, Tilman O’Neal, was choked to death while eating on the sea beach 6 miles north of Hatteras Light House.  On the same day Amos Wade died 12 miles below Hatteras.  [Tilmon J. O’Neal was the son of Warren Davis O’Neal, Sr. and Charity Ann Williams.]

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Tuesday, March 12, 1878; pg. 3; col. 4
NEWS FROM THE COUNTIES – DARE
    Mrs. Rebecca Haman who lives with her son, Capt. Daniel Haman on Powell’s Point, at the advanced age of 123 years says she has never known so many persons drowned in one year as she has during this winter.  (We have heard that Mrs. Haman was the oldest person in this section and that she was over 100 but 123!  Give us your proof with some account of her life.  /s/ Editor of The Economist)
DEATH –
    At Kennekeet, Dare County, Feb. 21^st, Mr. Curtis Gray.  Also recently at the same place, Mrs. Rosa Price.

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Tuesday, March 19, 1878; pg. 3; col. 3
NEWS FROM THE COUNTIES – DARE
    On Sunday morning, Feb. 10^th, when Mr. Wm. Goodwin, the Jailer at Manteo, went into the jail to feed the inmate, Wm. Meekins, a lunatic who ought to be at the asylum, attacked the jailer and beat him badly.  Mr. Goodwin, who did all he could to protect himself from a violent insane person, was finally rescued by Mr. Hassel who heard the struggle while passing.
    Tilmon F. Smith, of Cape Hatteras, has been appointed Keeper of the Beacon Light at the Station in place of Oliver N. Barnett, removed.

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Tuesday, April 9, 1878; pg. 3; col. 4
NEWS FROM THE COUNTIES – DARE
    On the 22^nd March John E. Berry & P.M. Foster of Roanoke Island and Hatteras, were turned over in Pamlico Sound near the Pamlico Fishery and came near being drowned.  The boat was loaded with fish and sunk.  The wind was blowing very hard and they would have drowned but for the timely arrival of a boat from the ice house which came to their rescue.  Two days after, C.B. Blivens and Bailey Daniel of Roanoke Island were turned over in the same spot.

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Tuesday, May 7, 1878; pg. 2; col. 3
LETTER TO THE EDITOR – Manteo, Dare County, May 1^st
    I write to inform your readers of a sad affair that occurred at the Screw Pile Light House on the 27^th of April.  Miss Melissa Smith, a young lady who lived with the keeper of the light at that time, accidentally fell through the trap door of the Light House and was drowned.  The keeper was an old man and sick and was unable to save her.  The assistant keeper was absent.  The body has not yet been found.  /s/ Lewis S. Mann

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Tuesday, May 28, 1878; pg. 3; col. 3 & 4
DARE COURT – State Docket
    State v. [no first name written] Tolson; bastardy; paternity admitted; subsequent marriage proved.
    State v. A. Quidly and Ada Johnson; marriage proved; judgment for costs.  [This was Asberry C. Quidley who married Ada Johnson in Hatteras Twp. on Feb. 18, 1877.]
    State & Sarah F. Gray v. J.M. Midgett; bastardy; guilty
    State & Nancy Farrow v. A.J. Simpson; bastardy; paternity admitted
NEWS FROM THE COUNTIES – DARE
    Etheridge Daniel, a respected citizen of Roanoke Island, has been dangerously ill for some time.
    The body of Miss Smith, who was drowned at Hatteras Light House some weeks since, was found at sea between Hatteras and Ocracoke with her neck broken and a hole in her side.
DEATH –
    On the 11^th inst. at the residence of Hezekiah Quidley at Trent, Dare County, Miss Mary E. O’Neal, aged about 22 years.  Miss O’Neal has been sick with dropsey for two years.

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Tuesday, June 4, 1878; pg. 2; col. 4
NEWS FROM THE COUNTIES – DARE
    Mrs. Maria Chaddick, who has been quite ill, has recovered and resumed her school.
    The death of Mr. Etheridge Daniels has left a large family and friends to mourn his loss.

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Tuesday, August 20, 1878; pg. 3; col. 4
MARRIAGE –
    On Roanoke Island Thursday 15^th by Rev. Wm. Hayes, at the residence of Morris Midyett, the bride’s father, Benjamin Franklin Meekins and Miss Nancy Midyett.
DEATH –
    Recently at Kennakeet, Dare County, aged 57 years, Tilghman Miller.

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Tuesday, August 27, 1878; pg. 2; col. 4
DEATH –
    At Kinnekeet, NC, August 10^th, Mr. Tilghmon F. Miller, aged 58 years.  His demise was very sudden and unexpected.  He was born here and has always been a member of the community.

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Tuesday, September 10, 1878; pg. 2; col. 3
NEWS FROM THE COUNTIES – DARE
    Thomas Perry of Collington Island while out on the sound fishing on Friday the 20^th of August, fell overboard and drowned.

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Tuesday, October 1, 1878; pg. 3; col. 4
MARRIAGE –
    At Manteo, Dare County, at the residence of the bride’s father, on Monday, Sept. 16, H.E. Goodwin of Elizabeth City and Miss Mana? Chadick of Manteo.

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Tuesday, March 18, 1879; pg. 3; col. 4
DEATHS –
    Departed this life at Trent, Cape Hatteras, on Wednesday, 12^th inst., Alfred Murphy, aged 38 years.
    At Trent, Cape Hatteras, early in March, Mrs. Kitty Fulcher, aged 68 years.
CAPE HATTERAS –
    The oldest person on Cape Hatteras from the Cape to Chicamacomico is Mrs. Cela Rollinson, aged 88 years.

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) - Tuesday, May 20, 1879; pg. 2; col. 4
ABOUT OUR LEGISLATORS -
    George Leffers Fulcher was born in Hyde County on March 14, 1838.  He was educated at Trinity College.  He married Miss Cinthia Stowe by whom he has 5 Children living.  He was elected County Commissioner in Hyde in 1868 and Elected to the House from Dare County in 1876.  By profession he is a school teacher.

The Raleigh News  – August 14, 1879

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Tuesday, November 18, 1879; pg. 3; col. 3
NEWS FROM THE COUNTIES – DARE
Dare County
Rodantha--Nov. 5, '79
Mr. Editor:
    Although we live down here on the rugged coast and have to contend with the storms and fight the raging billows, we often think of you sitting quietly in your sanctum playing with your fingers for "Berry's" amusement or edification.  Today while the elements were combined in furious rage, Captain Thomas P. Midyett, Keeper of U.S. Life Saving Station #19, led to the altar of matrimony, Miss Sarah H. Midyett, the beautiful daughter of Ebenezer Midyett, Esq. of this place.  The ceremony was performed at the Life Saving Station by Israel B. Midyett, Esq. at 3 o'clock p.m. and witnessed by a large number of spectators.  As the party were returning home from the Station a horse became unmanageable and threw Mrs. Mary S. Midyett, mother of the bride, to the ground and stepped on her head inflicting very severe injuries, but not so bad as feared.  She was carried to her home and at last account was gradually improving.  The bride and groom are at the Station where they will remain until Spring.  [signed No. 3]

The Elyria Democrat [Elyria, OH] – November 10, 1887; pg. 2
Schooner Capsized - NORFOLK, Va., Nov. 6.—A distressing accident, by which twelve or more persons lost their lives, happened in Pasquotank Sound, N. C., Thursday night. The schooner Ocean Bird, Captain Daniels [listed as Edward C. Daniels in another newspaper], with passengers from Nag's Head and Manteo, N. C., left the latter port for Elizabeth City, Thursday. The vessel failed to reach her destination, and searching parties were organized, one of which found an up-turned boat of the schooner adrift in the Sound. From the condition of the boat it is thought that the schooner was capsized by a squall, immediately sank, and that all on board perished. Besides Captain Daniels and the crew, there are known to have been on the vessel, as passengers, E. C. Howe, a school-teacher, of Elizabeth City; H.A. Hendricks, a painter, of Nag's Head; Walter Midgett, a colored man of Kitty Hawk, and a son of Captain Daniels who was a United States mail contractor and in charge of the Ocean Bird . Relief parties are out searching for the missing vessel and any survivors.

The Perquimans Record (Hertford, NC) – May 27, 1891  (Submitted by Linda Lau)

The Perquimans Record (Hertford, NC) – October 28, 1891  (Submitted by Linda Lau)

Raleigh Christian Advocate (Raleigh, NC) – June 15, 1892; pg. 7  (Submitted by Linda Lau)

The Weekly Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – November 17, 1893  (Submitted by Linda Lau)

The Economist-Falcon (Elizabeth City) – Friday March 2, 1894; pg. 3; col. 4
NEWS FROM THE COUNTIES – DARE
    Mr. S.T. Midgett and Miss S.E. Hooker were married on the 12th inst. at the residence of the bride.  Also Mr. Z.B. Forbes and Mrs. E.H. Wescott, all married by Capt. J.W. Ward, Sr., J.P.

The Economist-Falcon (Elizabeth City) – Friday July 26, 1895; pg. 2; col. 5
NEWS FROM THE COUNTIES – DARE (Hatteras)
    On the 4^th inst. Mr. B.S. Clark [Bondaman S. Clark] and Crelina Fulcher [Evelina Fulcher, d/o David F. Fulcher & Barzilla Brittania Midgett] were united in matrimony by Elder M.F. Whedbee of the Disciples Church.  On the 10^th inst. Mr. E.E. Burrus [Elmer Ellsworth Burrus] and Miss Liconia Huster [Laura Leona Austin] followed suit at the Methodist Church.  Mr. Galloway officiated.

The Economist-Falcon (Elizabeth City) – Friday August 30, 1895; pg. 2; col. 4
OBITUARY – DARE COUNTY (Buxton)
    Mrs. Emma B. Miller departed this life on the 17^th day of July 1815 [misprint, should be 1895], aged 50 years.  She was the youngest daughter of Benjamin T. and Lillia Fulcher and married C.C. Miller soon after the war.

The Economist-Falcon (Elizabeth City) – Friday Sept. 6, 1895; pg. 2; col. 4
FROM THE COUNTIES – DARE (Buxton)
    Mr. Randolph Fulcher and Miss Fannie Tolson were married on August 10^th by Rev. Miles F. Whitby.  [Dare Co. marriage license states they married on the 11^th.]

The Economist-Falcon (Elizabeth City) – Friday Sept. 13, 1895; pg. 3; col. 3
MARRIAGE –
    Capt. J.W. Ward, Sr. and Mrs. Sarah F. Midgett of Roanoke Island, were married at Manteo by Rev. J.G. Langston on Wednesday, September 4^th.

The Economist-Falcon (Elizabeth City) – Friday October 4, 1895; pg. 3; col. 2
LOCAL NEWS –
    Miss Maggie L. Sanders and Mr. Isaac E. Tillett were united in marriage by Rev. Sanderson Payne at the residence of Isaac E. Tillett in Nags Head Township on Sunday, September 29.

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Friday, January 24, 1896; pg. 3; col. 3
DEATH OF CAPTAIN DAN TATE - Departed this life at Kitty Hawk, Currituck County, Januasry 20, 1896, Captain D.M. Tate, aged 66 years.  Capt. Tate had been a sead-faring man nearly all his life, most of the time commander in the clipper ship line between New York and Liverpool and later in life in the corn trade of North Carolina in connection with C.W. Grand & Sons of Norfolk, Va.  After an active life on the sea he settled at Kitty Hawk Beach 15 years ago and remained until his death on Monday.

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Friday, March 26, 1897
W.T. Cahoon, S.B. Pugh, G.W. Williams and R.W. Midgett have been appointed Commissioners of Wrecks for Dare County by Gov. Russell.

Fisherman & Farmer (Elizabeth City, NC) – Friday, August 6, 1897
MANTEO - Cornelius Payne of Stumpy Point went last Friday to Salisbury, Maryland to be treated for cancer where he is to remain 3 or 4 weeks.  He was accompanied by his brother-in-law, S.R. Hazen of Elizabeth City who returned Monday.

The Weekly Economist – September 23, 1898  (Submitted by Linda Lau)

Charlotte Observer – January 29, 1899  (Submitted by Linda Lau)

Unknown newspaper – December 1900

The Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Friday, March 30, 1900; pg. 3
LOCAL NEWS - Mr. J.B. Owens, an esteemed citizen of Kittyhawk, Currituck County, departed this life at his home at Kittyhawk on Monday.
OBITUARY - Joseph B. Owens died at Kitty Hawk on March 20, 1900 at 11 a.m. After a prolonged illness of many months God saw fit to relieve him of his sufferings and summoned him to eternal rest. The deceased leaves a wife and two children to mourn his loss. The funeral was conducted by the Masonic fraternity. The deceased was a member of Eureka Lodge AF&AM of Elizabeth City but on account of the distance he was buried by the members of Currituck Lodge of this county.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, September 26, 1902; pg. 2
HATTERAS - Mr. Isaiah Willis and Miss Bertie Austin of this place, have for some time been seriously considering the subject of matrimony.  Miss Bertie's parents were very much opposed and deceit was the only available resort.  So last Thursday evening Miss Bertie left home to go to church, she met Mr. Willis on her way, he had a boat waiting at the creek nearby and they decided to take a sail.  They kept on to Beaufort, Carteret County, where they secured license and were married.  They returned Sunday morning a very happy couple.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, November 14, 1902; pg. 2
WANCHESE - Two visits from the Angel of Death have darkened as many homes in our midst. The one was the home of Mr. Timothy Tillett from whom an infant daughter was taken; the other, the home of Mr. I.N. Davis and was the infant son.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, March 6, 1903; pg. 2
DIED AT MANTEO - Mrs. Elisha Twine [Alvania F. Midgett Twine] died at her home near Manteo Monday [March 2]. She had been a sufferer for some months and the end was not unexpected. Mr. Twine loses a noble and faithful wife. Two or three children are without a fond mother and the community will miss the good woman.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - April 24, 1903; pg. 2 & 8
GUM NECK - We were all made sad last week to learn of the accident which occurred near the Lake Landing at East Lake, when Mr. Frank Creef, his wife, son and child who had been visiting Mrs. Creef's people at this place, were overturned and Mrs. Creef and one of the children were drowned. Mrs. Creef was a former native of this place and was dearly loved by all who knew her. She was always known to have a pleasant word for everyone and to know her was to be her friend.
DROWNED IN THE STORM - HORRIFIED FATHER SEES HIS WIFE AND CHILD PERISH - On April 14th about 4 o'clock p.m., Mr. F.F. Creef and wife and two children, and Mr. W.J. BASNIGHT of East Lake, suffered an accident while returning from a visit to friends. The party was in a shad boat which was struck by the cyclone mentioned in last week's Tar Heel. The fierce gale suddenly swooped down on the little craft and before the sail could be lowered the mast was wrenched from its socket and carried away, taking Mr. Creef with it and at the same time overturning the vessel, throwing the woman and her two children and Mr. Basnight into the foamed capped waves which the wind created. Mrs. Creef and a three year old child were drowned. The two men and a twelve year old boy saved themselve. The body of the baby was found afterwards jammed in-between a section of the vessel but the remains of the ill-fated mother have not yet been recovered. It was thought she was blown some distance away. Every effort to recover it is being made. The bereaved family is one of East Lake's most respected and esteemed. The entire community is shadowed by the terrible fatality of the mother and babe.

The Weekly Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) - May 29, 1903    (Submitted by Linda Lau)

The Charotte News – August 17, 1903  (Submitted by Linda Lau)

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, December 18, 1903; pg. 5
BUXTON - We are sorry to chronicle the death of one of our best citizens, Mr. R.W. Midgett, whose death occurred on December 8th. He leaves a wife and 7 children to mourn his loss. We extend our sympathies to the bereaved family.

The Daily Economist (Elizabeth City, NC) – Saturday, May 26, 1906
Popular Couple Weds At Hatteras -- Mr. Luther Burrus wed Miss Blanche Austin who is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Hiram Austin.

Alexandria Gazette  – Saturday, August 17, 1907

The Times-Dispatch (Richmond, Va. - Sunday, December 29, 1907

North Carolina Christian Advocate - Jan. 21, 1909  (Submitted by Linda Lau)

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, August 13, 1909; pg. 1
SHOOTS WIFE, NOW IN JAIL - A tragedy was enacted on Roanoke Island Wednesday and as a result of which Al Thompson, a highly respected white man of Manteo, is now in the Pasquotank County jail, while his former and unfaithful wife is cold in the embrace of death from the effects of a pistol ball fired by the unhappy father and former husband. It is but the culmination of a long story of 9 years of domestic infidelity. The woman was a Miss Daniels and was reared on Roanoke Island. She is prominently connected, and from all accounts, the first 2 years of her matrimonial life were as those pictured in a novel. She forgot her marriage vows, was unfaithful, and the last 9 years have been the long story of trouble. She met a man by the name of Seaman. He was supposed to have come from the state of New Jersey and had a living wife. He induced her to elope with him and at the time of the tragedy they were living in Elizabeth City. It is reported that they were married in Hertford, N.C. From her marriage with the first husband, two children were born. They were bright and interesting and their father's love for them was intense. He kept the children but the mother and the second husband had attempted to kidnap the smaller one. Seaman and the mother left Elizabeth City Wednesday for Manteo and succeeded in kidnapping the smaller child before Thompson was aware of their presence on the historical island. Thompson demanded the child from Seaman who refused upon the threat that they would have trouble before parting with the child. It is said that Thompson was about to enter the house for the purpose of taking his children when Seaman had once before pointed a pistol in the face of Thompson, was in the act of throwing his hand to his hip pocket when Thompson was quicker of the action and fired two shots, the first of which struck the collar bone and the second penetrated the right hand. Thompson then pursued the woman who fled into an adjoining room with her child in her arms. She swore she would kill the child in her arms rather than Thompson should have it. He fired the fatal shot which penetrated the brain. She died almost instantly. Thompson immediately went to the sheriff and surrendered. He was tried before J.W. Evans and J.Q. Homer and was committed to jail. He arrived in Elizabeth City yesterday in company with Mr. Isaiah Edwards. They took dinner at a restaurant, visited a barber and a few other places before going to jail. Mr. Thompson has the undivided sympathy of the people of Roanoke Island. It is reported that even the relatives of the dead woman have been sympathizing with Mr. Thompson in his trouble and that now they are not sensuring him for the rash deed. Thompson's married life has been eventful. Before the final tragedy there was a drama in which he was the principal actor and the scenes of which were laid largely in the City of Portsmouth, Va. and in the Virginia State Penitentiary at Richmond. The facts are these: Thompson had been married before he met the lady whose death was ended by his pistol this week. He and his wife had separated for some cause unknown to the writer. He had not heard from her in more than 6 years and having been told that there is a principal of the old English law which presumes a person to be dead after not having been heard from for 7 years, he remarried, presuming the first wife to be dead. He moved to Portsmouth, Va. and rented a house next door to which was residing a woman who he afterwards learned was his former wife. He was arrested and convicted in the Virginia courts on the charge of bigamy and served 3 years in the State Penitentiary at Richmond when he was pardoned by Governor Swanson.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, January 7, 1910
COLLINGTON NEWS - Misses Willie Griffin, Sybil Gates, Mattie Daniels and Rena Griffin of Manteo passed through the city last Monday enroute to Greensboro to resume their studies in the Greensboro Female College.  They have spent the holidays with their parents.
    On the first day of January 1910, Mr. and Mrs. John O'Neal lost their daughter Mary Holland.  Funeral and interment was conducted at Collington by J.J. Williams.  The child was just a year old, having been born on the 1^st day of January 1909.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, January 14, 1910
A kerosene lamp exploded in the home of Misses Bessie & Lessie Wescott in Manteo and their clothes became saturated with oil which quickly ignited.  Miss Lessie Wescott is so badly burned that she is not expected to live.  They were removed to the home of a friend where medical aid was rendered.  The young ladies are 18 and 16 years old and are the daughters of the late Captain Joe Wescott who died suddenly last fall while enroute to his home from the life saving station at new inlet.  They have lived in their home in Manteo since the death of their father.

Later--Manteo, Jan. 11--Miss Lessie Wescott was burned to death here yesterday.  She was alone at the time of the accident.  A lamp fell on a red hot stove in the sitting room.  the stove and part of the floor was covered with burning oil which she tried to put out with her dress.  Her cries brought her older sister, Miss Bessie, who was in another part of the house.  She was taken to the home of D.W. Etheridge but despite the physician's best efforts she died about 12 o'clock last night.  The deceased was a beautiful young lady, about 17 years of age and was engaged to be married.  The funeral services will take place at the Baptist church tomorrow at 10 o'clock.  The Rev. D.A. Tedder, the pastor, will be assisted by Rev. A.W. Price of the Manteo Methodist Church and by Rev. W.R. Haight of Elizabeth City.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, January 20, 1910
HATTERAS NEWS -
    Miss Martha Swain of Frisco came down Saturday and will spend some time at Hatteras visiting her cousin, Miss Ruth Styron.
    Mrs. Daniel Baum of Manteo came down this week and will spend some time at Hatteras Inlet Station where her husband is engaged in some building work for the Life Saving Service.
    Mr. Cale Stowe, of the Diamond Shoals light ship, came home this week on account of the serious illness of his sister, Miss Laney, and will remain at home some time before joining his ship at Baltimore.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, February 11, 1910
    Miss Lucy Hooper has gone to Baltimore on business connected with the millinery establishment in Edenton.  She is employed by this company fro this season as manager of the store.
    The report became general lore the first of the week that Captain Scott Quidley and his son John had been drowned in Pamlico while carrying net stakes in a small vessel from Wysockin, Hyde Co. to Manns Harbor.  The schooner left Wysockin last Saturday a week ago and the run was only about 3 hours.  There had been reports of an overturned vessel in the route of Captain Quidley.  Family members became convinced that they had been drowned when Wednesday morning the captain and his son came sailing into port in perfect health.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, February 18, 1910; pg. 1 & 8
    NOTHING HEARD YET OF CAPTAIN GASKINS - Great uneasiness is experienced by the family of Captain Zora Gakins at his prolonged delay in reaching Wilmington, NC from Baltimore with the schooner George I. Phillips, laden with fertilizer. Captain Gaskins cleared 3 weeks ago, and since the date of his clearance nothing has been seen or heard of him or his vessel. It was reported several days ago that his vessel was sighted burning at seas, but this report was an error, since the burning vessel proved to be the J.S. Hopkins, whose crew was rescued by a Danish ship. Shipbrokers in Baltimore are of the opinion that Captain Gaskins has been blown offshore by the heavy winds and will eventually arrive in port safe and sound. They express no uneasiness at his long delay in arriving at his destination. Captain Gaskins' friends at Hatteras feel confident that he will eventually show up as his vessel is an able one and Captain Gaskins is an experienced seaman. A number of his friends in this city do not feel so hopeful of his safety and they greatly fear that the captain and his crew are lost.
    Pg. 8 - HATTERAS NOTES - The many friends of Captain Zora Gaskins of the schooner George F. Phillips, have been very much disturbed for the past week or more over the report that Captain Gaskins' schooner had been passed at sea on fire and abandoned. It was learned here today, however, that the vessel so reported was the schooner J.S. Hoskins and that her crew was picked up by a Danish steamer and safely landed. Captain Gaskins' friend and relatives here feel very much relieved to know that he and his vessel have met with no mishap.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, February 25, 1910; pg. 1
CAPTAIN GASKINS RESCUED AT SEA - News was received here from Baltimore Wednesday at noon stating that Captain Zora Gaskins and crew of the schooner George T. Phillips had been rescued by the Spanish steamship Arzkarai Mendi and that the ship passed Lizzard Head, England bound for Hamburg, Germany on Wednesday morning with the crew all safe. Captain Gaskins loaded the George F. Phillips with a cargo of fertilizer in Baltimore more than a month ago bound to Wilmington, NC. The schooner met severe gales on the coast and nothing was heard from them until the message came that they had been picked up at sea and were being taken to Germany. The greatest uneasiness has been felt for the safety of the Captain by his family and a host of friends and the first message to be received regarding his whereabouts has taken a great load from their minds. The Captain and crew will likely return to the United States at an early date and then will return to their homes in this city.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, March 4, 1910
Captain G.K. Rollinson of Hatteras passed through the city Monday enroute to Norfolk to take charge of a school with which he will establish a regular route between this city and Hatteras.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, March 11, 1910
    HOOPER CASE TO BE TRIED AGAIN - The Spring Term of Pasquotank County Superior Court will convene here next Monday and try the case of I.L. Hooper and Mrs. Gray upon the charge of attempting to burn the dwelling house occupied by Mrs. Gray more than a year ago.  They were tried in last Spring's Term and Hooper was convicted and sentenced to the roads for 2 years.  The case was "not pressed" as to Mrs. Gray.  Hooper took an appeal to the Supreme Court and was granted a new trial.  Mrs. Gray has been rearrested and bound over and will be tried as a co-defendant with Hooper.
    IN DARE CO. SUPERIOR COURT - SAMUEL SALYEAR VS EASY LAKE LUMBER CO. - Action is for partition of lands described in a deed from Trimegan Sanderlin to Beard & Roper dated Oct. 16, 1875 in which lands petitioner claims the undivided interests of John Sanderlin and Civility Sanderlin and one undivided 1/8 of the interest of Polly Sanderlen, dec'd.  Dated Feb. 26, 1910.  /s/ S.E. Midgett, Clerk Of Court

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, March 17, 1910; pg. 1
CAPT. Z.B. GASKINS ARRIVED IN NEW YORK - New York, March 14 -- Capt. Z.B. Gaskins and his crew of 5 men of the wrecked schooner George F. Phillips, arrived today from Hamburg, Germany on the Steamer Amerika and told the story of a struggle with the waves in which they all but lost their lives. The Phillips left Baltimore on January 23^rd for Wilmington, N.C. with a cargo of phosphate rock. Nothing was heard of the schooner for several weeks and it was believed she had gone down with all on board. The first word that the men had been saved came from the Spanish steamer Aizkarai Mendi, which was passing. Captain Gaskins said today that the schooner on clearing the capes of the Chesapeake was headed by west winds when the weather became so rough that the vessel labored heavily. After 2 days of severe weather the schooner sprung a leak. The pumps were worked with little avail, the water in the well increasing to such an extent that the captain saw that his vessel was doomed. A flare was burned and it was seen by the Aizkarai Mendi. The steamer reached the schooner barely in time to save the men who left everything behind. The Mendi, which was bound from Brunswick, Ga. for Hamburg took the rescued men on to Hamburg landing them there February 26. The United States consul at Hamburg sent them here on the Amerika.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, March 25, 1910; pg. 1
CAPTAIN ZORA GASKINS HOME WITH FAMILY -- We on land securely shelter ourselves by day from the storms and at night snugly sleep, while the roaring winds howl about our eaves, whooly unconscious of the fierce battles that our brother, the sailor, fights with the winds and the waves out on the ocean. The short telegram that bore a world of information to friends and loved ones told that a Spanish tramp steamer enroute from Brunswick, Ga. to Hamburg, Germany had discovered the dangerous plight of the crew of the Phillips, rescued them and were taking them to Hamburg. Friends joyfully bore the news to other friends and soon the news was circulated in the city and community. It was then a long an anxious wait for the family for Captain Gaskins to retrace his journey across the ocean, arriving in New York on the Amerika several days ago and home last Thursday. That people admire the man who faces danger, goes down into the jaws of death and emerges unharmed is demonstrated in the case of Captain Zora Gaskins, who has just arrived home from a ten thousand mile journey to escape death in the storms of the Atlantic Ocean. Captain Gaskins and his crew, after they had passed out to sea enroute to Wilmington, N.C., encountered a severe gale and their conflict with wind and wave for 10-12 days was heroic in the extreme. The schooner became disabled in the gale and waterlogged on account of leaks while the crew were unable to work the pumps. On the evening of the rescue the captain and crew had completely abandoned all hope of being saved and weary and worn out with days and nights of toil, they had sought their berth fully expecting to go down into a watery grave before the sun arose again over a stormy sea. The cook agreed to stand by the wheel a little longer and in the darkness of night a light beamed across the ocean. despair was turned into hope and the captain and crew rushed out to make a signal light of distress. This was answered by a Spanish steamer which came to their rescue. The yawl which was also badly damaged from the incessant beating of the waves was pressed into service to make the short trip from the sinking schooner to the steamer and just as the yawl containing the crew reached the side of the steamer and the last man was being taken aboard it sank and was lost. The captain and crew lost everything, not being able to save even a piece of clothing. Captain Gaskins says that from the time he went up the side of the steamer until he arrived in New York he was well cared for. The Spanish captain and his crew did everything they could for the comfort of the shipwrecked sailors. When they arrived in Hamburg the American Consul took charge of them, provided them with clothes and sent them home.

I.L. Hooper and his sister-in-law, Mary Gray, are found not guilty of setting fire to Mrs. Gray's Home.  Hooper and Gray have been residents of Elizabeth City for several years, coming from the coast section, where they were both well known and held in high esteem.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, April 15, 1910
HATTERAS NEWS--April 11, 1910; Mr. E.L. Styron of Baltimore, formerly of Hatteras, who is chief engineer on light ship #45 in the Chesapeake Bay, came down with Mrs. Styron on Saturday and will spend some time with his parents.  Mrs. Styron, who has been seriously ill for a long time and who has been under special treatment at Johns Hopkins Hospital of Baltimore for the past year, is now much improved.  She intends to remain in Hatteras for several months.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, April 22, 1910
Calvin Burrus and Miss Essie Spries, both residents of this city, were married last Sunday afternoon in Camden.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, May 13, 1910
The climax of another romance was reached in the marriage of Miss Eugenia Midgett and Mr. John Wescott last Thursday evening, May 5 at the Methodist Church of Manteo.  Maid of honor: Dorothy Midgett.  Bridesmaids: Hattie Creef & Mabel Evans.  Flower girls: Eulah & Mary Griffin.  Groomsmen: E. Griffin & Lewis Midgett.  After the wedding a reception was given at the home of Mr. G.W. Rowly.  Mrs. Wescott is the daughter of Mr. J.H. Midgett and Mr. Wescott is the son of the late Captain J. Wescott of the New Inlet Life Saving Station.

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, May 20, 1910; pg. 2
News was received here this morning that a young fisherman named J.F. [John Forman] Midgett was drowned at Rodanthe Thursday afternoon while in the Sound fishing his nets. The fisherman in the lower Sound section have a practice of using a long board across the boat, with the end of it sticking far out over the water. On the end of this board a man is place for ballast while they are sailing. This was what young Midgett was doing when the plank broke and he was thrown into the water and drowned. His companion hastily anchored the boat and jumped into the water to save him. He managed to get hold of Midgett and get him back to the side of the boat but the waves were strong and he became exhausted before he could get into the boat and had to turn Midgett loose. When the other fishermen reached the boat they found that Midgett had sunk and that his companion was nearly drowned too. Mr Midgett was about 21 years old. He lived at Manns Harbor where he had a wife, a bride of one week. [John Forman Midgett married Frances Blivens Midgett on May 8, 1910.]

The Tar Heel (Elizabeth City) - Friday, September 23, 1910
Entry #77 - Jesse B. Etheridge claims a parcel of land containing about 20 acres in Kennekeet Township near New Inlet and bound by 2 grass islands lying on a northerly course from the old New Inlet Life Saving Station adjacent to the lands of The Pea Island Gunning Club.  Dated Sept. 5, 1910

Unknown newspaper - August 1911

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) - unknown date.  This is a 1916 photo but appeared many years later in this newspaper. (Submitted by Dorothy Surrett)

The Washington Post - March 1917
NAMES OF DROWNED - The name of the 10 members of the crew of the Coast Guard cutter Yamacraw who lost their lives Sunday night in going to the rescue of the stranded oil steamer Louisiana, with the names of their nearest relatives, was given out yesterday by the Coast Guard Service, as follows:
    Ross Harris, gunner - Mrs. Mary M. Fulcher, aunt, of Stacy, N.C.
    R.J. Grady, master-at-arms - Mrs. Elizabeth Gray, mother, of 919 South 60th Street, Philadelphia
    M.L. Kambran, quartermaster - Mrs. Mary E. Kambran, mother, of Chincoteague, Va.
    G.V. Jarvis, seaman - James W. Jarvis, father, of 439 Holt Street, Hampton, Va.
    R.L. Garrish, ordinary seaman - Mrs. A.H. Garrish, mother, of Ocracoke, N.C.
    D. [Davis] Fulcher, ordinary seaman - Mrs. Ethel R. Fulcher, wife, of Frisco, N.C.
    M.L. [Monford Lambert] Austin, ordinary seaman - no address recorded
    Thomas L. Midgett, ordinary seaman - Mrs. Sabrina Midgett, mother, of Manteo, N.C.
    J.A. Dugger, boy, first class - Mrs. Alice Dugger, mother, of 916 Bolton Street, Baltimore, MD
    R. Simmons, ordinary seaman - Mrs. Mary Simmons, mother, of Virginia Beach, Va.

The Independent (Elizabeth City, NC) - Friday, July 4, 1919; pg. 4
AN ODD PAIR OF STUDENTS - Newspaper readers generally like to read odd facts. Here is an odd incident or coincidence of local interest. There are two boys by the name of Midgett in the Southern Shorthand & Business University in Norfolk--one has only one arm and the other has only one leg; both came from the same county and they are not related. Luther Midgett, the legless student is a son of Joe Spencer Midgett of Wanchese, Dare County. He is taking a commercial course at the university. David B. Midgett, the armless student is the son of Joseph Midgett of Rodanthe, Dare County. He is taking a course in Wireless Telegraphy and bookkeeping. Prof. J.M. Ressler, head of the University, points with a great deal of pride to both of these boys and says they are making splendid progress in spite of their physical handicaps. He says they will both make good in the world.

The Independent (Elizabeth City, NC) - Friday, January 7, 1921; pg. 8)
THE FATHER AND FIVE SONS ALL BOATBUILDERS - Seldom is it seen in one family where as many as five sons have taken up the tricks of the father.  The five sons of W.O. Dough of Manteo make one of the exceptions.  The father is a boatbuilder and the son of a boatbuilder and sea captain.  He heired all his father's seamanship and mechanical skill.  His sons have taken up the boatbuilding tendencies inherent in the family and none of them seem satisfied unless they are building boats.  Today his boats may be seen all over North Carolina and in many ports up and down the Atlantic coast.  His name has become a byword among fishermen who depend thruout the year on the safety of the craft with which they must pursue their livelihood.  For the entire period of the war, Dough and three of the sons served at shipbuilding in a leading American shipyard.  And when the war was over they went home and started building boats again.

The Independent (Elizabeth City, NC) - Friday, July 1, 1921; pg. 1

The Independent (Elizabeth City, NC) - Friday, November 25, 1921; pg. 1

The Independent (Elizabeth City, NC) - Friday, December 30, 1921; pg. 1

The Independent (Elizabeth City, NC) - Friday, May 12, 1922; pg. 1

The Independent (Elizabeth City, NC) - Friday, June 16, 1922; pg. 5
SIXTY-ONE YEARS OLD AND STILL "DAD'S BOY" - A familiar figure of portly mien is often seen on the streets of Elizabeth City appraising the passing throngs here and there along the wharves peering with anxious eyes at the vessels from down the sound as they slip their moorings. A pleasant face he has, and a twinkling eye and seldom much to say except to those who know the things he likes to talk about. Such a man is Capt. Avery Beloved Tillett, one of the four remaining old-timers in the Seventh Coast Guard District. Entering the Coast Guard Service when he was 18 years old, Capt. Tillett spent 35 years of his life at two stations within five miles of each other on one of the most lonely spots on the North Carolina beaches. He made his home at Kitty Hawk and one year later on December 1, 1881, he got married. After 35 years in the Coast Guard his wife died, the service retired him with a competency for old age, and he tried to settle down in the village. But life wasn't right in the village. The trees cut him off from the water and deadened the sound of the waves rolling on the beach. The routine of station life had passed out from him. Younger fellows were in his place. Capt. Tillett got lonesome and restless. He sold out his home and came up to Elizabeth City amid new scenes and new people where he thought the hustling life would keep time from hanging heavily on his hands. In Elizabeth City the first few days were fine for the old man. He was like a boy away from home on his camping trip. But like a boy away from home, he wanted to be back at the end of the week. So instead of staying in town all the time he went back to Kitty Hawk to see his father who is 82 years old. But the change of scene had put the home place in a different light. Capt. Tillett again got restless and came back to town. And so it has been with him for eight years. Back and forth between Elizabeth City and Kitty Hawk, the former Coast Guard Keeper goes, dividing his time between the two. No matter which, as soon as in one place, he longs to be in the other. Altho 61 years old, Capt. Tillett is active. He is quiet and modest in the extreme with respect to his adventures in the service. But his memory is phenomenal and he can tell the exact date and the names of every wreck at which he was present, recalling as if yesterday his trips to sea in the face of storms to save some sailor who was stranded: readily enumerating over 100 men he helped to land in the breeches bouy. Capt. Tillett was one of the youngest men to be promoted, and of the old time keepers who were in the service in his day, only three others are left. Sometimes Capt. Tillett goes on a trip as far as Washington, but inevitably he hurries back to Kitty Hawk to see his father. He still speaks of the old man as a boy would speak of his Dad, and says the only thing he thinks of in life is to make his father comfortable in his old age.

The Independent (Elizabeth City, NC) - Friday, May 4, 1923; pg. 1
DISSATISFIED, WIFE LEAVES - After 21 years of married life, Mrs. Mattie Mann Midgett, 40-year old wife of A.M. Midgett, traveling salesman of Fearing Street in this city, has left her home, taking with her their 12-year old daughter, and the $3,900 automobile her husband had given her to enjoy herself with while he was away from home.  Mrs. Midgett left home Saturday, April 22, taking her daughter, her 19-year old son, and her automobile to Norfolk.  She stayed in Norfolk a day or two and sold her car for $1,000.  The husband went down to Norfolk to plead with his wife to return and make a home for her children, but she refused and when he urged her, she shut the door in his face and told him to go home.  The last heard of Mrs. Midgett, she had gone to New York City with her young daughter.  Her son has returned to Elizabeth City.  And if her husband knows her whereabouts, he hasn't told his relatives.  The story of Mrs. Midgett's home life is simple.  She had a husband who was a good provider, and who lavished a good income on his family.  Mr. Midgett is a man who his acquaintances call a model husband and father.  Mrs. Midgett had little work at home to do.  Her husband was away from home most of the time and she had lots of time on her hands.  She had a fine automobile to drive about in and a liberal husband to pay all the bills.  After a while the neighbors began to notice Mrs. Midgett keeping company with one Columbus Baum, an automobile merchant who came to this city from Grandy, Currituck County.  Baum had a wife living, but whom he would not support.  His reputation was unsavory and the neighbors began to talk.  Mrs. Midgett had too much time on her hands and nothing to do with it in Elizabeth City.  She grew irritable and neglectful of her husband and his comfort, and with the gossip bothering her, she decided to leave home.  Baum, who wouldn't work regular, has left town too.  He is about 33 years old.  The last that was heard of him, he had gone to California, having drawn all his money, amounting to about $1,200 out of a local bank.

The Independent (Elizabeth City, NC) - Friday, June 8, 1923; pg. 1
GIRL'S BETRAYER MUST SERVE IN THE ARMY - Considerable dissatisfaction is being voiced in Dare County. The verdict of the jury last Friday freed Fowler Twiford, young man about 27 years old of East Lake in Dare County, for seduction under promise of marriage to Miss Mary Creef, 24 years old. Young Twiford had been engaged to Miss Creef about three years off and on, according to testimony in evidence. When his fiancee advised him of her condition several weeks ago, he ran away and joined the U.S. Artillery at Fortress Monroe, Va. Authorities brought him back for trial and altho his lawyers, E.F. Aydlett, J.C.B. Eringhouse, and Chas. Grady got him off, he must fulfill his enlistment in the Army. The defendant didn't take the stand in the case, and used his own brothers chiefly as evidence. He is the son of M.D. Twiford, age 80 years old of East Lake, who figured recently in a breach of promise case in this city wherein Mrs. Sarah Salter sought damages. Young Twiford served in the world war with his brother Dennis Twiford, and the two took out insurance policies for $10,000, each making the other the beneficiary. Dennis was killed and Fowler got the money. Solicitor W.L. Small was assisted in the presentation by members of the firm of Meekins & McMullis of this city. Miss Creef had little resources with which to fight her case. She will become a mother in a short time.
CANADIAN BOY CARRIES OFF AN ELIZABETH CITY BRIDE - Miss Lillian Irvin Hooper was married to Mr. W.H. Steacy at City Road M.E. Church in this city Tuesday evening. The bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis S. Hooper and one of Elizabeth City's prettiest girls. Mr. Steacy, a native of Vancouver, B.C., had been a resident of Elizabeth City about two years, holding a position as watchmaker at Louis Selig's. Mr. and Mrs. Steacy will make their home in New Haven, Conn. after their honeymoon, Mr. Steacy having accepted a position in that city.

The Independent (Elizabeth City, NC) - Friday, April 11, 1924; pg. 1
CHARGED WITH BABY'S MURDER - Wanchese Woman to be Tried Saturday for Strangling New Born Grandchild - The crime of infanticide is lodged against Mrs. W.C. Saunders of Wanchese, who is to be tried in Magistrate's Count in Manteo on Saturday this week, on a charge of strangling the new born infant of her 16-year old daughter, Hyacinth Saunders. The crime, alleged to have been committed three weeks ago, was first publicly aired last week when Solicitor W.L. Small had the Dare County coroner dig up the baby and hold an autopsy. The baby in question was the second child of this young girl and was born at the home of her aunt some three weeks ago. Mrs. Saunders is alleged to have threatened to kill the next infant her daughter gave birth to, and seems to have carried out her promise. The story might not have come out but two women living nearby are said to have heard the screams of the infant, and keeping watch, saw Mrs. Saunders slip out and bury a shoebox. A choice morsel of scandal such as this could not long remain covered in a thickly settled, open-eyed community like Wanchese where all live alert for gossip and have no secrets in particular from one another. The gossip was enlivened the next day when the young girl helped do the family wash within a few hours after her delivery. The news quickly came to Elizabeth City and Solicitor Small instructed Dr. H.B. Hoyle, the county coroner, to dig up the baby and hold an autopsy. Dr. Hoyle and Dr. W.W. Johnston, the County Health Officer, and a jury went to Wanchese and dug up the baby, cut out it's lungs and found that the baby had breathed. Thumb and finger prints plainly visible on the baby's throat indicated that it met death by strangulation, to which the medical men agreed. Wanchese folks appear enraged over the crime which they think is a disgrace on their community and are demanding a prosecution. So the charge of infanticide and of concealing the birth of a child will be pushed. The case is one for the Superior Court and will give some choice speculation to sandwich in with local political topics during the campaign. Final trial will come at the May term of Court and will insure a large court attendance, as Dare seldom has many criminal cases on its docket.
Pg. 8 - MANTEO MAN DROWNED OFF FLORIDA COAST RECENTLY - Meager details of the drowning of Samuel E. Midgett of Manteo was received this week by his wife at Manteo. Mr. Midgett was first officer on one of the tank ships of The Texas Company and fell overboard while the ship was off the Florida coast last week. He was about 41 years old and had been an interesting figure in local politics until the war; when he enlisted in the Navy and shortly rose to rank as lieutenant commander, and gained a considerable recognition by rescuing the crew of a torpedoed vessel. He is survived by his wife who was Mrs. Annie Cudworth, and two sons, Boyd and Samuel Midgett of Manteo. He had recently spent a month with his family and was drowned only a few days after leaving home.

Source: The Independent (Elizabeth City, NC) - Friday, April 25, 1924; pg. 8 [lengthy article, not here in its entirety]
MYSTERY SHROUDS THE DROWNING OF MIDGETT - The strange disappearance of S.E. Midgett of Manteo, who was first officer on one of the tank ships of The Texas Company, is considered an unusual mystery by his friends who declare that Mr. Midgett had been a different man for many months. He was reported missing on Friday, April 4, according to advisories received by his family, stating that he was last seen on the ship, which was then on the Florida coast, at 11 o'clock at night. When called for his watch which was from midnight to four o'clock, he could not be found. He failed to eat his supper that night and seemed unusually depressed. Sam Midgett was an out of the ordinary sort of fellow who had the knack of making strong friends and holding them wherever he went. At one time he was one of the most active men in his county, sometimes violent and intemperate, but a hard worker, a passionate fighter and a heavy drinker. His ability to make himself popular won him several political offices. Sam came of sea faring stock and was an able boatman. When the world war came on he found it no task to land a good job on a ship and it wasn't long before he had a commission in the Navy. Luck favored him and he saved the crew of a foundered vessel by his daring and seamanship. He came out of the war with a good record which easily landed him a job as master of one of the biggest oil tankers plying between New York and Florida. He leaves a wife and two sons. Some believe he became despondent over his lower position aboard ship & drowned himself but it is not believed that he premeditated suicide.

Source: The Independent (Elizabeth City, NC) - Friday, October 10, 1924; pg. 1

Trenton Evening Times - September 13, 1927

Lancaster Daily Eagle (Lancaster, Ohio) - October 5, 1927

Dare County Times [Manteo, NC] - August 9, 1935

Dare County Times [Manteo, NC] - Friday, August 23, 1935

Dare County Times [Manteo, NC] - April 24, 1936; pg. 1
WOMAN ON DARE COAST MAY HAVE FORTUNE IN ENGLAND
Daughter of Jim Lyons Who Ran Away from Liverpool at age 15, Came to Hatteras and Died in 1891, May be the Heir to Huge Estate Across the Sea

    In an old home under the shade of a huge live oak in the woods of Frisco near Cape Hatteras, lives a stout middle aged woman who may be the heiress to a huge fortune in England. Mrs. Lula Farrow, who lives within sound of the sea that sings its songs through the pines, who never has been far from the lovely green island of Hatteras, and whose life has been spent amid the storms and calms of the coastland, revived the other day, the story of her father's early boyhood. It is she who some day may be wealthy beyond the dreams of any of her neighbors.
    In 1865 when the maritime world was afire with the glamour of the English blockaders who ran the gauntlet of the American guns that bristled along the southern seaboard, the imagination of many a boy was stirred by dreams of going to sea, to sail on the romantic ships that ran the blockade to aid the Confederate cause. The stories of the privateers, of those days arousing their love of adventure, and shipping from England, the country which aided the south in the days of the Civil War brought forth many a lad anxious to go to sea.
    It was then that James Henry Bertrell Lyons appeared one day at the port of Liverpool and signed on a ship as cabin boy. He was a sprightly lad, intelligent and able and adventurous. And so he set sail from that ancient port and turned his face from old England, never to return. His life in England had not been a happy one, he often told his new acquaintances. His mother had died when he was eleven years old and his father had brought a new wife to be a step-mother to himself and a sister, the only children.
    For a matter of 8 or 9 years he roamed the bounding main and as a man grown, began the profession of diving, which paid well, and put him in a distinctive class by himself. For the time being he forgot his home in England, no doubt his father had died in the meantime. Finally he came to Cape Hatteras where a diver was needed to do some work in the salvaging of the cargo of a brig that was wrecked on the beach. During his stay down there he met a young woman named Martha Williams, and married her and settled down under the shelter of the pine forest at Frisco where he built a home and lived for many years.
    Mrs. Farrow, the only child, now remembers how her father often spoke of his early boyhood in the old homeland across the sea. He told his family and neighbors about having lived in comfortable circumstances and that his people always had plenty of money to spend and plenty of servants to wait upon them. He often spoke about going back home sometime, and he might, had he lived longer, but he died at the age of 41. Mr. Lyons was quite satisfied with his lot. He made more money than he could spend at Hatteras for the comforts, as well as the luxuries then available. He made more money than most of his neighbors, for the diving profession paid well. Life came easy for him, for he had been known to make as much as $1100.00 in one week. In his new home at Frisco, he was very friendly with the natives and kept open house to all so that many came and enjoyed his hospitality. His friendship was highly valued by the rough-going and hard-working natives who had no other recreation.
    Mr. Lyons too, had his failings. He had whiskey sent down from Elizabeth City by the barrel and he liked his dram and used to give most of it away to his friends.
    About the time Mr. Lyons came to Hatteras, there also landed one Tom Wallace, an Irishman, an able mariner and a good citizen, and these two became fast friends--a friendship that was never broken throughout the years.
    Mr, Lyons' profession took him away from home for weeks and sometimes months at a spell when he would go away to the north to follow his trade, he lived like a lord. When we went away, he left his family under the care and protection of his friend Tom Wallace who later became postmaster and is said to have named the post office of Frisco. But Mr. Lyons' falling helped to bring him to his grave. despite his polish and evident class, he would drink too much, although he kept to himself and never disturbed anyone. The strenuous nature of his work also tore down his resistance and one day at the age of 41 he suddenly reappeared at Frisco, stricken with a mortal illness. They buried him on a little hill a dew yards from the home he had built on the happy island of Hatteras that he had grown to love so much. And time marched on above his grave.
    The widow and daughter lived on together. Miss Lula later married young Dick Farrow, a lighthouse keeper, and they continued to live at the old home. One day there drifted to Hatteras another Englishman, or rather a wandering preacher, who had been to England or knew England and told the Farrow family that there was a huge estate worth maybe millions tied up in the chancery courts of England belonging to the Lyons family. Mrs. Farrow remembered how often her father had told about the comfortable circumstances of his people, of the fine type in which they lived, how they flourished in property with plenty of money and servants, and that some day he expected to take them there when he went back to see his people and his boyhood home.
    Mrs. Farrow wrote to England and she was advised it was quite true that the son of a wealthy Lyons family had disappeared at the age of 15, at the same time her father left England, and that this boy had long been given up for dead. She received further word that a huge estate in the courts was awaiting proof of the lawful heir to claim it. The lawyers offered to start proceedings for the estate if she would advance a modest retainer. Mrs. Farrow was without means and her husband being plain, honest, hard-working, practical man was skeptical of the whole business. He was not given to believing in fairy tales nor to placing credence in things that might savor of gold brick schemes he had read about. He laughed at her and declined to spend any money in the cause. Thus died, for the time being, her dream of vast riches so far away, but rightfully hers

Dare County Times [Manteo, NC] - 1937

Dare County Times - 1938

Wisconsin State Journal - June 30, 1939; pg. 21

The Daily Times-News (Burlington, NC) - Monday, Sept. 11, 1939; pgs. 1 & 5 [Actual photo from the collection of Lou Ellen Quinn.  Thanks LouLou!)

(Unknown newspaper - c. 1939)  Article kindly submitted by Vickie Craddock

The Dare County Times (Manteo, NC) -  Unknown date but before December 1942  Article kindly submitted by Vickie Craddock

The Dare County Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, November 13, 1942; pg. 1
BIRTHS IN MANTEO - Mr. & Mrs. Augustus Holly Etheridge announce the birth of a 7 1/2 pound son, Augustus Holly Jr. born Friday, November 6.

The Dare County Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, Jan. 1, 1943; pg. 1
DARE COUNTY'S OLDEST CITIZEN IS MIGHTY ILL [photo accompanied article] - Mrs. Courtney Gaskill, 95, Dare County's oldest citizen, is reported seriously ill at her home in Hatteras.  Until a few months ago she kept house and cooked for her son and grandchildren but recently she has been living with a daughter and the other day walked down the road on a visit to a granddaughters.  She produced a number of splendid citizens and lived to see several of her grandchildren's grandchildren well along in life.  As a young woman during the Civil War, she went through days of disappointment and deprivation and remembered vividly all her experiences of those days, and often told her friends about them.  She was the wife of the late William Wise Gaskill and mother of the late Litchfield Gaskill, and Capt. John Curtis Gaskill, retired Coast Guard officer now of Engelhard and who is also very sick.  Other children include Henry Gaskill and Mrs. U.G. Stowe of Hatteras.  Throughout her lifetime Mrs. Gaskill has always been a helpful neighbor and useful citizen generally.  She had a wholesome, tolerant saving outlook on life, and thrived on the true Christian spirit.

The Dare County Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, March 12, 1943; pg. 4
Mrs. J.I. Willis of Hatteras while visiting at the home of Ensign Steve Basnight in Manteo was stricken with serious illness Wednesday night.  Mr. Willis was with her at the time and she was removed the next day to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Ralph Burrus at Kill Devil Hills.

The Dare County Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, August 6, 1943; pg. 3
Mrs. Lily Cox, formerly of Manteo and Manns Harbor but now of Baltimore, Md., visited her father, B.F. Twiford, at Manns Harbor this week, returning Friday to Baltimore after visiting other relatives and friends at Manteo and Nags Head.  Her daughter, Miss Elva Cox, is employed in Baltimore.  Her son, Delton Cox, is with the Navy.

The Dare County Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, April 28, 1944; pg. 1
ETHERIDGE-PRICE - A wedding of interest to many in Dare County was solemnized at 3:30 Saturday, April 22, in the Miller Ave. Reformed Church in Akron, Ohio, when Miss Margaret Lee Price of Akron became the bride of Roy L. Etheridge, Jr., WT 1/c USCG of Manteo.  The vows were spoken to Rev. Hennessey.  Mrs. Etheridge is the daughter of Joseph Price and the late Mrs. Price of Akron.  She is a graduate of Talmadge High School in Akron and is employed by the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.  Mr. Etheridge is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Etheridge of Manteo.  He has been in the Coast Guard for about 4 years and is stationed in Brooklyn, NY.  Mrs. Etheridge will make her home in Akron for the duration.

The Dare County Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, May 12, 1944; pg. 1
OLD HISTORY REVEALED IN HOBBS' LETTER
    An old letter recently came to light, written in 1909 by James R. Hobbs of Kitty Hawk to his old friend Thos. T. Toler of Skyco brings out many interesting things.  It tells of the undying pride of an old couple doing their own housework and cooking.
    The late Capt. James Hobbs once was a famous character at Kitty Hawk.  He was once tried for murder and acquitted when he shot and killed Theophilus Daniels of Wanchese for insulting remarks directed to his family.  Capt. Hobbs died some 30 years ago at Kitty Hawk and Capt. Tom Toler died much later.  As young men they sailed the seas.  Their friendship lasted until death.  It is a far cry from 92 years ago when it took more than three and a half months to reach California from New York.  There was no Panama Canal then--travel was in sailing ships.
    Mrs. Pattie Toler, the widow of Capt. Toler, found the letter the other day.  It says:

Kitty Hawk, N.C. - Nov. 7, 1909
Dear Tom and Old Friend and Playmate and Shipmate

After love to you and family I oftimes think of you and oftimes think to write to you but 'crastination is always the thief of time.  The other day while overlooking my old books I found the dates when we left New York for San Francisco.  December 10, 1852 we went on board of the clipper ship "Winged Racer" and sailed on the 12th for San Francisco, 53 days to Cape Horn and 55 more to the Golden Gate, making 108 days; 57 years this December--that is a lifetime for some people.  Well, dear friend I have a hard time of it in this world in my old age, but thank God it is no worse but time will fetch all things to a close.  Nothing here has any appearance of our boyhood.  Well, my old woman (I mean that beautiful girl I married 54 years ago) part of the time she can make out to cook what we eat by my waiting on her but thanks to God I am yet on the stage of action--able to cut and saw my own wood and keep a fire.  Well, dear Tom I hope this will reach you all right and find you and family enjoying good health.  As for me I am most worn out but as well as can be expected and my old darling will never be well.

Yours most truly old shipmate,
James R. Hobbs

Like his father, young John Toler of Skyco went to sea for many years but has been hopelessly crippled as the result of some malady contracted in India.  He is a cripple at home but many old friends and neighbors come to see him.  Every Sunday afternoon for the past year, except for two when weather conditions prevented, his friends and neighbors have come to his home and brought him a hymn and prayer service.  With his wife, mother and little son, there are quite comfortable and enjoy the highest esteem and affection.

The Dare County Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, August 11, 1944; pg. 1
Clarence Payne, a young man of 25 at Wanchese, is to be tried Tuesday, August 15, for beating his wife and for assaulting Rev. George Willis, Coast Guard Chaplain of Hatteras, in the home of Mrs. McCleary of Wanchese.  Payne and his wife had rooms at the home of Mrs. McCleary, a sister of Mr. Willis.  On Monday of this week she called for assistance reporting Payne as being drunk and beating his young wife.

The Dare County Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, Sept. 8, 1944; pg. 1

Dare County Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, September 22, 1944; pg. 4
CAPTAIN DAN HAYMAN ALWAYS COMES ON TOP - Capt. Dan Hayman is well known in eastern North Carolina. He was born at Kill Devil Hills, raised by his uncles Jess and Mathias at Wanchese and as soon as he got away from home lived on boats. He was engaged in many other enterprises than steamboating--logging, real estate, treasure hunting, etc., but invariably he goes back to the sea and is always successful in landing a good job, particularly in war time. The other day he bounced up in the news in a big way. Ben Lambe of Washington and Vance Brinkley both on the same day sent us a clipping from a Washington paper about him. We have also seen the story printed in many other papers. It is said in part: The 195-foot ocean-going tug with Capt. "Dynamite Dan" Hayman as skipper, paid a visit to Washington yesterday, ending a 13,800 mile cruise which took her across the English Channel in connection with landings in Normandy on D-Day and for nearly two months thereafter. At a press conference in the crews' mess, Capt. Hayman, a 57-year old weather-beaten seaman who went to sea at age 9, told of his ship's operations in France. A Navy Dept. review officer ruled out most of the story, however, on the grounds of security, although Capt. Hayman pointed out that most English newspapers had carried pictures and accounts of the doughty tug's feats across the Channel. Trinidad Head's job included towing a torpedoed destroyer back to the United Kingdom, towing several ammunition barges to France and then finally bringing back to the United States a stricken 18,000 ton tanker. "We made that trip in 19 days and 20 hours," Capt. Hayman proudly said. He also had great praise for the 44 crew members who served with him in European waters and for the ship he commanded. "She's a perfect vessel in design. I don't know of one bad feature", he added. The ship is known to the WSA as V4-M-A1 and according to officials, all of the 49 ships seems to have a charmed life. They have been in virtually all theatres of war and subjected to some tough weather. Trinidad Head, in her maiden voyage to the United Kingdom, fought gales most of the way. She came through even with towing two oil barges in tandem astern and another on deck. They carry enough oil to remain at sea for 75 days and have aboard a Navy gun crew. The latter, incidentally, took some shots at Nazi planes crossing the Channel but Capt. Hayman is sorry to report they bagged not a one. The crew required to man these tugs are almost as large as those on the big Liberty ships. Her towing hawser is large as a man's wrist. They cruise at 13 knots or better and can handle an ordinary tow almost as fast as the speed of a Liberty ship.

Dare County Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, December 15, 1944; pg. 1
ANOTHER SON OF THE BEACH WINS HIGH HONOR FOR WAR TIME BRAVERY - There are many instances where men from the North Carolina Coastland distinguished themselves. Another one of these who recently won the Bronze Star Medal and was greatly heralded by the Naval Coast Guard and Merchant Marine is Captain Daniel W. Hayman, who was in the thick of things navigating the tug boat "Trinidad Head" in the invasion of Europe in June. His educational opportunities were limited. He was born in the shadow of Kill devil Hills and wss orphaned at an early age, the son of the late Dan Hayman. Captain Hayman's grandfather was also named Daniel and he was a seafaring man like his famous grandson. It was he who was credited with bringing the Hayman sweet potato to the United States. He made many journeys to the West Indies and the South American coast, transporting things to and from North Carolina coast counties. Dan Hayman used to navigate regularly on steamers that sailed to Kitty Hawk, Nags Head, Wanchese and New Bern. He is a very likeable man and in World War I he had a position of great responsibility piloting vessels for the War Dept.. Captain Hayman is now in San Francisco, California where he had wound up a series of journeys of more than 25,000 miles. He might be on his way to the assignment in the Far East. Captain Hayman is a fellow who always loved Dare County and from time to time he would come back to visit old friends. nearly 20 years ago he engaged in the real estate business and encouraged many northern people in buying large areas of land. Captain Hayman is strong in his praise for the boys from his own locality who are doing their best in Europe for the World War. he said that while in Europe he saw Willie Etheridge who visited him on his ship and he had then just come from India.

Dare County Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, March 9, 1945; pg. 1
Shipwrecks often led to romances along the North Carolina coast in the old days when men and sailors from sailing vessels were stranded.  Bodie Island was noted for it and in more recent years, one sea captain married the sister of a Coast Guardsman and later when his wife died, returned to marry her niece.  He was Captain Ernest Arey who married a sister of the late Apollos D. Midgett after becoming acquainted following the wreck of his ship.  His last wife is the former Miss Annie Midgett, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Midgett.  In the old days some 75 years ago, there came ashore on Bodie Island the widowed shipmaster Isaac Andrews of Jamaica, New York.  With him was his only daughter, Miss Fredanna Andrews, who on the death of her mother had taken to the sea with her father.  Capt. Andrews tarried on the beach and found the home of Capt. Jackie Midgett most interesting and married his daughter, Elizabeth.  From this marriage descended Hulda Andrews who married Eben Roe of New York, and they were the parents of Mrs. Vance Brinkley of Manteo.  The daughter, Fredanna, married William Hayes, the son of the late Rev. William Hayes, famous coastland character.  By this marriage was born Isaac Hayes of Wanchese; Lovie, who married the late Frank Midgett of Manteo and Margaret, who marriage Capt. Major Pugh and who was the mother of Mrs. L.D. Hooper of Stumpy Point.  Mr. Hayes died when his children were small and Mrs. Hayes married the late William T. Meekins of Wanchese, and two children came of this union.  Rev. William Hayes, who was the owner of the old Hayes place near Wanchese, married Margaret (Peggy) Etheridge who was an aunt of the late Capt. Micajah W. Etheridge, well-known keeper of Oregon Inlet Coast Guard Station. Many of the Hayes people are buried in the old Etheridge Cemetery.

Dare County Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, April 20, 1945; pg. 1
BACHELOR WILLS ALL TO HIS SWEETHEART - Isaac Eurby Tillett, Jr. Dies Suddenly at Wanchese; Was Preparing for Marriage
    By his will Isaac Eurby Tillett, Jr. of Wanchese, leaves all his property to his sweetheart, Miss Elvari Payne of Wanchese.  Mr. Tillett died suddenly at the home of D.B. Payne Saturday evening at the age of 58.  He had been making his home at Wanchese for the past year.  He had bought the old I.N. Davis home and was reconditioning it, and was to have married his old sweetheart, Miss Payne, whom he calls his "beloved friend" in his will.  He was worth about $2,000.  Mr. Tillett was a native of Nags Head, and had spent many years in New York where he was employed by the U.S. Engineer Department.  He was a member of Kitty Hawk Methodist Church.  He had never married.  Funeral services were conducted at Wanchese by Rev. V.A. Lewis, Methodist pastor, and Rev. G.W. Crutchfield of Kitty Hawk.  He was buried in the Davis Cemetery.  His surviving relatives are his father and step-mother, Mr. & Mrs. I.E. Tillett, Sr. of Nags Head; six half-sisters, Mrs. Lizzie Harris of Kitty Hawk, Mrs. Cal Perry of Norfolk, Mrs. John Austin of Corolla, Mrs. Aurelia Leward [Lewark?] and Mrs. Esther Beacham of Washington, DC, Mrs. Mary Chapman of Smithfield, Va.  Four half-brothers, John, Walter and Boone D. Tillett of New York and Herman Tillett of Norfolk.

Dare County Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, June 27, 1947 [very lengthy article and not shown here in its entirety]
MANNS HARBOR'S FAMOUS SISTERS - In all this grand old North Carolina, there is no doubt no more interesting group of women than the seven Hayman sisters of Manns Harbor.  Two of them are now dead and now five remain, but they look well to their own household, and eat not the bread of idleness.  Nowhere could you find a more useful or happy group of women, and truly they are such as inspired the most popular proverbs of Solomon.  The late Capt. Dan Hayman and his good wife Abbie, brought into the world many children.  Among these children were the late M.D. Hayman of Wanchese who once represented Dare County in the legislature, and J.D. Hayman, former sheriff and now caretaker at Fort Raleigh.  Captain Hayman had some children by a former marriage also.  But his most distinguished children were his seven daughters, five of whom are now very much alive at Manns Harbor.  Some of them are approaching three score and ten.  All are still at the heads of their own households.  Cynthia, who was the wife of T.A. Tillett, died a few years ago, and Mrs. Spencer is dead.  The five now living, in order of their ages is as follows: Mrs. Jennie Mann, widow of the late Sam Ed Mann and mother of Carl D. Mann, merchant and former county Commissioner; Varina who is the widow of Sam Tillett [the rest of this sentence is unreadable] citizen of Manns Harbor; Mrs. Maggie Midgett, widow of the late Robert Midgett and mother of Clarence L. Midgett; Sallie, widow of the late Capt. Tom Gard of Manns Harbor; Mary, widow of the late J.L. Midgett, former Manns Harbor merchant; Jennie, Sally, Varina, Mary, Maggie.  Two of these sisters married brothers, another two of them married brothers.  Nowhere in the country, ever live seven more upright and useful men than the men who married these girls.  Never was there a blot on the reputation of themselves or their families.  Never lived harder working people, more honest people, or people who commanded more of the love and respect of their neighbors.

NEARLY A HUNDRED DESCENDANTS
    Twenty six children in all have been born to these seven women and about 50 grandchildren are living.  Their family connections reach into practically every family in Manns Harbor.
    Mrs. Jennie Mann, who is still active in her own household, has two sons, Carl of Manns Harbor and Joe Mann of Henderson; two daughters, Mrs. Lucy Bell Gard and Mrs. Louis Hooper of Manns Harbor.  Mrs. Mann has about 12 grandchildren.
    Mrs. Varina Tillett and Capt. Sam Tillett have the following children: W.F. (Bug) Tillett, Mrs. Bertha Gibbs, Mrs. Bessie Thompson, Mrs. Olive Midgett and Mrs. Elwood Twiford, all of Manns Harbor.  One daughter, who died a few years ago, married R.E. Burrus.  Aunt Varina is one of the hardest working people you ever saw, and goes day and night.  She has about 12 grandchildren.
    Mrs. Sally Gard, whose husband, the late W.T. Gard, was a prominent and prosperous citizen, has the following children: Will, Cleveland, Murray and Mrs. Gertrude Midgett, and Mrs. Dallas Rayburn; and has 10 grandchildren.
    Mrs. Maggie Midgett, whose husband, the late Capt. Robert Midgett, died a few years ago, has the following children: Clarence L., Roy, and Mrs. Theresa Midgett.  She has 2 grandchildren.
    Mrs. Mary Midgett, widow of the late J.L. Midgett, has two children, Guthrie Midgett of Castle Mayne? and Mrs. Stella Goodwin of Silver [the rest of this sentence is unreadable].
    Mrs. Lizzie Spencer, wife of B.E. Spencer, had the following children: Mrs. Wallace Taylor of Manns Harbor, and Ira Spencer of Mashoes.  They lost a son, Clifton, who was drowned in Rhode Island.
    Mrs. Cynthia Tillett, who was the wife of T.A. Tillett, had two sons, Roy and Tom, and a daughter, Mrs. Essie Gard of Manns Harbor

The Daily Times News - September 22, 1948  (Submitted by Linda Lau)

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, April 2, 1952; pg. 3
WISE-ASKEW WEDDING IN ELIZABETH CITY - Miss Rose Marie Askew of Elizabeth City became the bride of Orville Linwood Wise on Monday, March 24, in a ceremony performed at Blackwell Memorial Baptist Church in Elizabeth City.  The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Askew of Elizabeth City.  Mr. Wise is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ulysses G. Wise of Stumpy Point.  He is a member of the State Highway Patrol.

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, May 30, 1952; pg. 1
Miss Jeannette Tillett of Kitty Hawk, graduated on May 19 from East Carolina College in Greenville with a Bachelor of Science degree in primary education. She plans to teach in the primary grades in Elizabeth City starting in September. Miss Tillett is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. N.A. Tillett of Kitty Hawk. [A photo accompanied this article.]

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, June 6, 1952; pg. 4
KITTY HAWK COUPLE'S GOLDEN WEDDING JUNE 6 - A popular couple of Kitty Hawk is Mr. and Mrs. A.D. (Fonny) Tillett, whose Golden Wedding celebration will take place at their home on Friday afternoon, June 6th from four to six p.m. Mr. Tillett is a retired Coast Guardsman.

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, June 20, 1952; pg. 1
Mr. and Mrs. A.D. Tillet celebrated their golden wedding at their home in Kitty Hawk on Friday, June 6, when their children entertained for them. More than 100 guests called during the evening. Hosts and hostesses were Mr. & Mrs. Avery Tillett and Mr. & Mrs. Allen Tillett of Kitty Hawk, Mrs. & Mrs. Clay Tillett of Virginia Beach, and Mr. & Mrs. Harry Hamilton of Sea Level. Guests were greeted at the door by Jackie Tillett and Martha Leary, granddaughter and great-granddaughter of the couple. The bride of 50 years was dressed in a navy blue with shoulder corsage of gold-colored roses. Four of the six attendants at the wedding which took place at Kitty Hawk in 1902 were present, these being Will Tillet, Mrs. Ella O'Neal, Zenith Perry and Mrs. Polly Harris. Rev. J.P. Tingle, pastor of the Kitty Hawk Primitive Baptist Chruch, made a short address of welcome and Rev. W.J. Freeman, pastor of the Kitty Hawk Methodist Church, led the prayer. Besides 3 sons and a daughter, Mr. & Mrs. Tillett have 9 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. [A photo accompanied this article.]

Excerpt from "The Courier" Dec. 19, 1952 United States Naval Hospital and Hospital Corps School Portsmouth, VA submitted by Grace Gleason
One of the comparative newcomers to the school staff is Jack Dea Adams, Jr. HMC. Chief Adams has been assigned to faculty.  He comes from the historical North Carolina town of Manteo, the site of the "Lost Colony".  If we could turn back the calendar a few years, back to the days before bridges were built between Manteo and the mainland, we could stand on the wharf at Elizabeth City, NC, watching and waiting for the old steamer to come up from Manteo. This steamer was the method of connecting Manteo with the mainland. As the steamer pulls alongside the dock, we watch the passengers disembark. This is a great past-time. One of the passengers attracts our attention by his nervousness.  He boards a bus for Norfolk, VA, which isn't unusual, and we follow him aboard. Upon arrival in Norfolk, we have a dickens of a time "following the chase," which leads us finally to the U. S. Post Office Building. Now where? No, not in there! The sign printed in large black letters reads, "U. S. Navy Recruiting Office." The story could very easily end here, for we have found our answer.  But what happened after he left this office? The Navy sent him to boot camp at Norfolk for a period of about sixteen weeks, after which he was transferred to the "old" Hospital Corps School here at Portsmouth. Upon completion of school, he went to the Naval Hospital at Annapolis, MD, for duty. This first duty at a hospital is always quite a nerve-racking experience, because not only the new corpsmen, but everyone else at the hospital will know what he knows and many times this is embarrassing.  When the tour of duty at Annapolis was completed, Adams was transferred to Mobile Hospital Unit No.1 at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and later followed this unit to Bermuda.  Among the several other duty tours he has had, was aboard the YMS-404, an LST, and an AKA. While he was serving aboard the AKA Procyon in 1945, his ship participated in the invasion of Okinawa and the Japanese occupation.  Chief Adams' most recent duty prior to coming to the school was at Cherry Point, NC. Note: Jack Dea Adams, Jr. was the son of Jack Dea Adams, USCG, and Maretta William Midgett,  and the husband of Frances Etta (Francetta) White.

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, December 11; 1953; pg. 7
SHAD BOAT COURTSHIP SWAPPED LOTS OF BRIDES BETWEEN HYDE AND STUMPY POINT IN 70 YEARS (by Nell Wise Wechter)  Courting by shad boat might not have been too comfortable back in the old days before there was a highway linking Hyde County to Dare, but it certainly brought results, proving again in the truth in the old adage that "love will find a way."  The two communities are closely linked today by the blood ties of Hyde girls marrying Dare boys and vice versa.  In the village of Stumpy Point some 30 families can trace their origin to some part of Hyde County.  Beginning at the south end of the village, the Albert Best family has perhaps the highest percentage.  The late Albert married Miss Lucy Cuthrell of Lake Landing 45 years ago.  To their union was born nine children, three of the boys married Hyde County girls.  Alton, the oldest, married Miss Ruby Gibbs of the Nebraska community, Guy married Miss Cora Ballance of North Lake, and Woodrow married Miss Edith Credle of Rose Bay.  All live in the village and have established home of their own.  Marvin Hooper, prominent Stumpy Point merchant of today, married Miss Caddie Mason of Gulrock, Mount Pleasant it was called in those days.  To this union three daughters were born.  Mae, the middle girl, grew up and married Calvin Watson of Engelhard.  The Watson's claim both Stumpy Point and Engelhard as their home.  When Leander Wise and Herbert Hooper courted the Midgett girls, Mollie and Ada, over 40 years ago, Engelhard was called Far Creek.  Some of the old timers still call it that but the number is small.  Both Mollie and Ada decided to marry their Stumpy Point sweethearts.  Thus two newcomers from Hyde added to the number of marriages added to the number of marriages between the two counties.  During the years after their marriages and establishment of their homes, Mollie and Ada's nieces, Jean and Martha Midgett, came up to visit their relatives.  Sam Nixon of Engelhard had married Miss Elizabeth Hooper many, many years prior, and one of their sons, Rosser, took a great fancy to Miss Martha Midgett.  The upshot was that Miss Martha remained on Stumpy Point as the bride of Rosser.  Will Wise couldn't see the sense of letting Miss Jean get away single either so both the Midgett girls found new husbands in Dare County.  The Brinn sisters, Annie and Judy of the Poppin section of Engelhard, also found husbands at Stumpy Point.  They married brothers, Wellington Payne and Hyman Payne, nearly 50 years ago.  Probably on some visit to his sister's house, William T. Mason, brother of Mrs. Marvin Hooper, married Mrs. Delton Hooper and set up a prosperous mercantile business which served the north end of the community.  Their family came along--two girls and one boy.  When Carl, the son, grew up he married Miss Allie Midgett of Engelhard.  Allie has a brother named Roland.  About 20 years ago Zion Mason employed Roland as his engineer.  About that time, Miss Lillian Twiford was considered just about the prettiest young maiden in the village.  Roland was struck with her beauty and personality so the couple took on the bonds of holy matrimony.  Today they have 3 fine sons.  The family moved to Norfolk just before the beginning of World War II.  Rudolph Francis is another old timer who came to Stumpy Point from Mount Pleasant to get his bride.  He married Miss Susan Payne, a sister of Wellington and Hyman Payne.  When Miss Edie Brinn used to come up from her home in Hyde to visit her cousins, Judy and Annie who had married the Payne boys, Ed Midgett, the oldest son of Uncle Thomas Midgett, saw his future wife.  It wasn't long before Ed and Elsie were married and established a home on the old Midgett plantation.  Murl Twiford married Miss Ruby Berry of Mount Pleasant.  That couple also established their home in the village.

Unknown newspaper - 1954  (Submitted by Catherine Stever)

The Belhaven Pilot (Belhaven, NC) - Thursday, November 25, 1954; pg. 8 (Submitted by Linda Lau)

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) - Friday, October 24, 1958; pg. 1

The Daily Advance  (Elizabeth City, NC) - Monday, August 5, 1963
MOTHER VINEYARD AND NEARBY GRAVEYARD by E.O. (Jack) Baum - Editors Note--Whole on a recent visit to Roanoke Island I became interested in the old grape-vine long known as Mother Vineyard and the old graveyard nearby of the family who owned and cultivated it for over two hundred years.  Due to heavy undergrowth, the records were copied from only about a half of the headstones, the oldest was Abraham Baum (1742-1833).  Peter Baum, who owned more than 250 acres, secured before 1729, of the surrounding land on which this vine thrives today, may have been buried in the same burying ground some seventy or eighty years before his grandson Abraham.
    Many of the old headstone are in remarkably fine state of preservation today and easy to decipher.  Relative to the old scuppernong grape vine, the following information may be of interest:
    The late Dr. William C. Etheridge, native of Roanoke Island and Dean Emeritus of the College of Agriculture of the University of Missouri, has written the following about the vine "....The first title to the land which includes the site of the Mother Vineyard was granted to Peter Baum.  This was previous to 1729....Solomon Baum (1813-1898) often told the father and uncle of the author that the vine had not changed during his life time; that in his old age it looked the same as when he was a boy; that his father, Maurice Baum II (1772-1839) and his grandfather, Abraham Baum, had told him that the trunks were big and old from their earliest recollections and during their lives had not changed...."
    An odd echo of the voice of Abraham is lately quoted by the late John C. Bragaw in the October issue of The State.  He drew from North Carolina Reader (1858) the following reference to Mother Vineyard, by a roving reporter: 'The first vine of this name (Scuppernong) was found near the banks of the Scuppernong River....by some of the party composing of the first Anglo-Saxon settlement on Roanoke Island....one small vine was transplanted very soon on Roanoke Island, where, only a few years ago I was told by old Abraham Baum, then 84 years old, that when he was a boy the vine was the largest on the Island.'
    The boyhood of Abraham Baum, born in 1742, was in the late 1740's and early 1750's.  If Mother Vineyard so long ago could have been described in such terms as 'big and old and largest on the Island', it obviously was too far advance in age to have been set by the earliest of the Baums.  Peter Baum could scarcely obtained his grant before 1715, indeed a later date is likely.  So at most, there was a period of only some 35 years for the trunks to have reached the stage described by Abraham.  If the vine had been planted by the Baums, the old generations of the family would have known it, for the vine was a conspicuous feature of their ancestral homestead.  They didn't know it.  Almost certainly the Baums did not plant Mother Vineyard.  Why was this vine called Mother Vineyard?  The author doesn't know that either; perhaps the name just grew, as names of old things do grow, such as "Father of Waters" for the Mississippi River."
    The exact age of this remarkable vine is unknown but many historians believe it antidates the first attempted settlement by the English on Roanoke Island in July 1587.

GRAVE-YARD
Mahala Meekins	Nov. 16, 1819 - Apr. 11, 1882
Abel C. Ashbee	Died Sept. 5, 1887; Age 59 yrs.
Elizabeth M. Meekins	Mar. 8, 1823 - Oct. 6, 1897
W.G. Forbes	1856 - 1908
Joseph Baum	Mar. 29, 1807 - Mar. 23, 1861
Nancy Meekins	May 4, 1858 - Feb. 7, 1888
J.E. Brinkley	Mar. 11, 1870 - Oct. 25, 1926 [The death year should be 1906]
Sarah Baum	Died Feb. 17, 1837; Age 55 yrs., 2mos., 3days
Winnie Forbes	Dec. 23, 1817 - July 12, 1876
Morris Baum	Mar. 15, 1772 - Dec. 14, 1839
Lavinia Brinkley	Dec. 24, 1851 - Jan. 11, 1900
Solomon A. Baum	May 2, 1813 - Nov. 19, 1898
Adolphus G. Styron	1849 - 1879
Sallie Baum	Wife of Joseph Baum Feb. 1, 1809 - May 4, 1880
Morris M. Midgett	May 2, 1882 - May 23, 1888 [Birth year should be 1832]
James L. Howard	Nov. 11, 1884 - Nov. 29, 1898; Age 64 yrs. [Birth year should be 1834]
W.T. Brinkley	May 1, 1845 - Dec. 3, 1886
Isaac Chauncey Meekins	May 15, 1822 - Mar. 29, 1885
Benj. Howard	Feb. 14, 1795 - Nov. 19, 1842
Benj. Baum	Died May 10, 1896; Age 33 yrs, 4 mos., 10 days [Death year should be 1836]
Abraham Baum	Oct. 10, 1742 - Jan. 25, 1833
H.C. Etheridge	Wife of D.W. Etheridge Mar. 26, 1859 - Sept. 3, 1889
Martha Blivens	Daughter of G.B. & M.B. Blivens Died May 15, 1856; Age 3 yrs, 9 mos. [Death year should be 1876]
Hattie Berry	July 31, 1906 - Aug. 19, 1907
Mary Lavinia Arey	Wife of Capt. E.G. Arey July 4, 1878 - Jan. 25, 1906
Camille Brinkley	Jan. 15, 1885 - June 5, 1915
In 1963 when this article was written the above stones were perhaps all the author found, however, a survey in 1992 showed more headstones.

The Coastland Times  (Manteo, NC) – April 17, 1964
Mrs. Delora Fulcher celebrated her 82nd birthday on March 28, with seven of her children and grandchildren present, son, Earl Fulcher of Portsmouth, Va., Mr. & Mrs. Bill Pelegrim and sons of Winston-Salem, Mrs. Jennie Sharp of Chesapeake, Va., Mrs. Linda Whidbee and family, Mrs. Ina Burrus, Mrs. Nina Good and family, Mrs. Hilda Rollinson and family, all of Frisco.  Others attending were Mr. & Mrs. Perry Austin, Mrs. Crawford Austin and Son, Mrs. Blanche Burrus, Dexter Willis and Red Rollinson.  Refreshments were served and everyone had an enjoyable evening.

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) – October 12, 1964; pgs. 1 & 6

Unknown Newspaper - dated probably in July 1968  (Submitted by Ray M. Midgett)

Big Spring Daily Herald (Big Spring, TX) – April 24, 1972
25 PERSONS KILLED ON ROADS; VIOLENCE MARS WEEKEND – Truman B. Saunderman of Wanchese, N.C., was killed Sunday when his small foreign car collided with another in Houston.

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) - circa 1976

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Atlanta Journal / The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, GA) - November 29, 1992  [Article written and kindly submitted by Evan Wilson]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Atlanta Journal / The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, GA) - March 7, 1993  [Article written and kindly submitted by Evan Wilson]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Atlanta Journal / The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, GA) - March 28, 1993  [Article written and kindly submitted by Evan Wilson]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Atlanta Journal / The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, GA) - July 25, 1993  [Article written and kindly submitted by Evan Wilson]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Atlanta Journal / The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, GA) - September 5, 1993  [Article written and kindly submitted by Evan Wilson]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Atlanta Journal / The Atlanta Constitution (Atlanta, GA) - November 14, 1993  [Article written and kindly submitted by Evan Wilson]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) - May 3, 1994
100th Birthday Reception May 12 - Aunt Gracie Ballance will be the guest of honor at a birthday reception to be held May 12 at Hatteras Community Center. This celebration is being given by her nieces and nephews.

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) - May 29, 1994
ASH-BASNIGHT VOWS - Angela Kay Ash and Hugh Thomas Basnight, both of Manteo, exchanged vows April 30 in the Elizabethan Gardens.  The bride is the daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Holloman of Roanoke Rapids.  The bridegroom is the son of Mr. & Mrs. Stephen G. Basnight, Jr. of Manteo.  Tommy Midgett served as organist.  The bride's sister, Allyson M. Cloutz, and the bridegroom's brother, Stephen G. Basnight, III, were the soloists.  The bride was given in marriage by her father and attended by her sister, Allyson Cloutz of Raleigh.  The bride's daughter, Rebecca Ash, served as bridesmaid.  The bridegroom's father served as best man, and his brother, Stephen Basnight, III of Manteo, served as usher.  A reception, hosted by Mr. & Mrs. Steve Daniels of Manteo, was held at Pirate's Cove clubhouse immediately following the ceremony.  The bride is employed at Mike Keller, Ltd. and the bridegroom is employed with N.C. Power.

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) – July 16, 1995
Wilma Gard Aldridge, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Alton E. Gard, Jr., and student at College Of The Albemarle, has been selected as one of the country's most outstanding campus leaders in "Who's Who Among Students In American Universities And Colleges".  She will be included in the 1995 edition, an annual directory of outstanding students first published in 1934.  A campus nomination committee and editors of the publication have included the name of this student based on her academic activities and potential for continued success.

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) – Thursday, August 26, 1999; pg. 6A
DESCENDANTS HONOR HEROIC LIFE-SAVER - A mighty deed was commerated on Wednesday, Aug. 18 at the Chicamacomico Lifesaving Station.  On this 100th anniversary day, descendants and historians gathered to hear and celebrate the heroic story of lifesaver Erasmus Scarborough Midgett.
    Sponsored by the Chicamacomico Historical Association, the celebration featured storytelling, a wreath laying at the Rasmus Midgett gravesite in Waves and the in-gathering of young and old descendants of the famed lifesaver.
    Prominently displayed on the station's grounds was a newly developed 1676-1999 genealogy of Rasmus Midgett.  Inside the 1911 station hung an on-loan photograph of Rasmus and his spouse, Matilda Ann.  Under a yellow and white canopy, storytellers Dick Darcey and John Gillikin told the amazing story of Rasmus Midgett.
    One hundred years ago, a ferocious hurricane slammed into Puerto Rico on San Ciriaco feast day, Aug. 12.  Thus named San Ciriaco, the hurricane moved toward North Carolina's Outer Banks.  Advanced winds were felt by August 15.  On Aug. 17, the full fury of the storm struck with winds as high as 120 miles per hour and tide of one to four feet in Hatteras Island homes.
    Numerous ships were caught in the hurricane.  Under Capt. Benjamin E. Springsteen, the barkentine Priscilla had sailed from Baltimore bound for Rio de Janeiro with a crew of 12 and two passengers, the captain's wife, Virginia, and a son, Elmer 12.  Springsteen reported "the seas were running mountain high".  His 12-year old son was swept out of his arms.  The seas took Springsteen's wife, his elder son who was serving in the crew and the ship's boy.  The barkentine, still afloat, split in two and came to rest two miles south of Gull Shoal Station.
    By Aug. 18, the winds had subsided and lifesavers resumed patrols.  Thus, Rasmus Midgett was patrolling south on horseback when he encountered beach debris--barrels, boards, timbers.  He spotted the Priscilla and heard its surviving crew.
    The annual report of the U.S. Life-saving Service for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1900 states: "Here was a dilemma that called for the exercise of sound judgment and faultless courage."
    Rasmus Midgett waited until the next big wave slammed the beach, then followed the water out to the broken ship.  One by one, seven men jumped to Rasmus Midgett who carried each to the safety of the shore.  But three men, including Capt. Springsteen, were so badly injured they couldn't help themselves.  So Rasmus ran out, climbed the side of the ship and carried each of the wounded back through the surf to shore safety.
    For his deed, Erasmus S. Midgett was awarded the Gold Lifesaving Medal of Honor.  On August 16, some 19 years later, his son, Arthur V. Midgett, would participate in the famed Mirlo rescue and received the Grand Cross of the American Cross of Honor.
    Under the canopy, John Golden from Wilmington, led participants in singing "Let the lower lights keep burning, send the gleam across the way.  Some poor, fainting, struggling seaman, you my rescue, you may save."
    That's exactly what Rasmus did 100 years ago.

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) – Thursday, February 12, 2004; pg. 1

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) – Thursday, February 19, 2004; pg. 3A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) – Tuesday, May 25, 2004; pg. 6A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This photograph was identified the next week by Ivadean Wilson Priest, a Roanoke Island Native, who called to say that "Uncle Jeff" Hayman was the gentleman dressing the goose. Mr. Hayman is remembered for many walks of life, but probably most outstanding was his tenure at Fort Raleigh, operating as a vendor under the auspices of the National Park Service. Mrs. Priest won a year's paid subscription to the Coastland Times for her identification.  [Submitted by Mary Hayman Kemp who received the original newspaper article from Shirley Jeanette Ambrose.]

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) – Tuesday, September 4, 2004; pg. 7A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) – Tuesday, December 30, 2008; pgs. 1 & 13A)

 

 

 

[Excerpts of a very lengthy article] A Dare County son was aboard the US Coat Guard Cutter White Alder when it went down in the Mississippi River 40 years ago, December 7, 1968.  Only four of the 21 ship's crew survived--one was on shore leave and the other three were pulled from the river--17 went down with the ship, of which two were recovered; 15 are still entombed in the sunken cutter.  Engineman First Class John B. Rollinson was on of the crewmen honored during the 40th anniversary memorial ceremony, held at the USS Kidd Veterans Museum in Baton Rouge, La., December 6.  Several members of Rollinson's family were in attendance: his sons, Skipper of Farmington, N.M. and Buddy of Las Vegas, Nev.; his sisters: Celia R. Meekins of Manteo, Audrey R. Rollinson of Buxton, and Bette R. Gray of Waves; and brother, Victor of Wanchese.  Constructed entirely of steel, the White Alder was a former Navy tender.  It was commissioned as a USCG cutter in 1947 and was homeported in New Orleans.  Its main mission was aids to navigation (bouy tending).  On that fateful evening in 1968, the White Alder collided with Steam Ship Helena, a 455-foot Taiwanese freighter in the Mississippi River near White Castle, La.  The cutter sank almost immediately in 75 feet of water.  It remains there today.  In 1969, the USCG dedicated a memorial in honor of the White Alder.  In 2002 it was moved to Coast Guard Sector New Orleans in Bucktown, La. and rededicated. It has since served as a place to meditate and gain strength from the courage of those who have gone before.  A flagpole flying a Coast Guard insignia has been erected on the river bank at the wreck site near White Castle.  The survivors were Chief Boatswain's Mate Richard F. Batista (on shore leave), Seaman Apprentice Lawrence E. Miller, Boatswain's Mate Second Class Richard Kraus, and Fireman Bruce L. Kopowski.  An interview with Miller relayed that at 6:30 p.m. that evening 40 years ago, the ship had just completed its mission of collecting 21 low-water bouys from the Mississippi.  He was in the galley washing dishes when he heard the four blasts from the ship's whistle.  Miller said "As soon as that happened, everybody jumps up in the eating area, and one of the sailors came running back and said 'Get off the ship!'"  That sailor was John Rollinson.  Miller made it out, Rollinson did not.  Crewmen lost were Engineman First Class John B. Rollinson, Chief Warrant Officer Samuel C. Brown, Jr. (commanding officer), Chief Engineman William J. Vitt, Commissaryman Second Class Charles R. Morrison, Electrician's Mate Second Class Michael R. Agnew, Quartermaster Second Class John R. Cooper, Jr., Yeoman Second Class Joseph A.R. Morin, Boatswain's Mate Third Class Guy T. Wood, Engineman Third Class Walton E. O'Quinn, Jr., Seaman Frank P. Campisano, III, Seaman Richard W. Duncan, Seaman Roger R. Jacks, Seaman Steven D. Lundquist, Fireman Maurice Cason, Seaman Apprentice Walter P. Abbott, III, Seaman Apprentice Larry V. Fregia, and Seaman Apprentice Ramon J. Guitierrez.  The program for the 40th memorial ceremony included a poem written by Pat W. Rollinson and dedicated to the White Alder in loving memory of her son, John Boyd, and his shipmates.

 

 

 

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) – Tuesday, March 3, 2009; pg. 1A & 11A
GUARDSMAN TRAVELS WORLD; RETURNS TO HATTERAS HOME - Manson Meekins, retired Coast Guardsman, waterman, storyteller, and artist, celebrated his 93rd birthday, Wednesday, February 18.  Mrrlins' Coast Guard career spanned 37 years.  He enlisted in Strathmere, N.J. in 1935 and carried on his family's traditional career.  Meekins' father, grandfather and great-grandfather all served in the U.S. Coast Guard or U.S. Life-saving Service.  In his Coast Guard careet, Meekins was not tethered to one base or life-saving station.  During World War II, he was the revolver instructor for secret service officers in Washington, D.C.  He trained merchant marines and served on a training shop homeported in St. Petersburg. Fla.  He delivered water to Key West where contractors were building a defense installation.  In 1943, on a short leave, Meekins returned to Avon and swooped up Vera Williams.  After a train ride to Tampa, Fla., the couple stood before a judge to take their wedding vows.  Meekins attended the U.S. Coast Guard academy for Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an ensign.  He was assigned to an attack transport, the Samuel Chase, with homeport in San Francisco.  Sailing from the Philippines, Meekins helped deliver occupation forces to Japan and China.  He returned to the United States to New York City, but went right back to the Pacific Ocean, this time to Honolulu, where he served as senior investigation officer for merchant marine affairs and then legal officer.  Meekins returned to New York City as merchant marine inspection officer.  He held positions as senior investigating officer of marine safety in Norfolk, Va. and Detroit, Mich.  In Portsmouth, Meekins was the marine safety officer and senior inspector for personnel, the assignment from which he retired.  In 1979, the couple moved back to Avon from Virginia.  The lived for a year in the "old homestead" while a new home was under construction.  Meekins still fishes only now he has someone go with him to "do the hard pulling."  He maintains three duck blinds on the Kinnakeet reef.  He is a storyteller.  He'll hold forth at an upcoming event with the Land of Beginnings Festival.  On Saturday, March 28 at 7 p.m. Meekins, Carol White Dillon and Zenovah Hooper will tell tales at the Hatteras Village Civic Center.  Meekins is an accomplished artist too.  His drawings are featured in the Ethnohistorical Description of the Eight Villages Adjoining the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, published by the National Park Service.  One of his drawings is also displayed in the updated Corridor Management Plan for the Outer Banks Scenic Byway.  Daughter Kathy was born in Honolulu and now lives in Great Bridge, Va.  Daughter Kristin was born in Norfolk and now lives in Virginia Beach.  Son Leslie, who died a couple of years ago, was the fifth generation of Meekins to serve in the U.S. Coast Guard.

 

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) – Sunday, June 27, 2010; pg. 1A & 10A by Pat Fearing
Francis Warren Meekins was the epitome of a newspaper editor and publisher.  He was justifiably proud of The Coastland Times and its related publications, The Resorter, The Coastlander, and Sea Shelters.  The business was in his blood; his father D. Victor Meekins, and mother, Catherine Deaton Meekins, started the paper in 1935.  Catherine, daughter of a well-known Mooresville newspaper family, was the perfect consort for Victor in the business.  She was greatly responsible for the venture's success.  Francis loved the paper--even more, he loved the book publishing and printing business.  He learned the latter as a teenager and took tremendous pride in all the printing activities of Times Printing Company (TPC).  He loved books and purchased North Carolina Books from David Stick several decades ago.  He replaced the old bookstore with a newer one at the TPC store at the beach.  Later on the opened the Roanoke Press/Croatoan Bookery, also at the beach; then an additional store, Burnside Books, again, as an accompanying business for TPC in Manteo.  He was highly respected and well liked in the newspaper business throughout North Carolina and in Virginia.  His friends in the profession numbered in the hundreds.  His friends and family called him Francis, his employees Mr. Francis or Mr. Meekins; to his children Daddy, and later to his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he was "Pops".  A few of his more artistic friends called him "Francois", I usually referred to him as FWM and to his wife, my dear friend Virginia, as VHM.  FWM was an enigma to many; some thought him tough, which he certainly could be when the occasion demanded.  He was however, a loving and lovable man with a wry sense of humor, a witty tongue and an appreciation for clever absurdities.  He did not suffer fools gladly.  He detested dishonesty, laziness and carelessness.  He, himself, had a work ethic second to none.  He was honest enough to tell one exactly what he thought and felt.  He edited the paper in the same way--with an honesty and willingness to "tell it like it is" and let the chips fall where they might.  Virginia worked along with him in the businesses.  He was grateful and pleased that his children and grandchildren make the paper their career as well, carrying on the tradition of his parents and Deaton grandparents.  It would be impossible to list all the friends and colleagues he helped in business and helped to save.  Countless people called him friend and benefactor.  He hired and trained numerous young writers and photographers, then happily sent them on their way to bigger and better things.  Francis recognized and valued the talent of his artistic staff and was always willing to give a helping hand to those who were loyal and hardworking.  Virginia and Francis loved to have people at their home in Sunnyside for picnics, fish fries and crab stews.  The gatherings were a must for all who like fun, good food and fellowship (not a fish eater, I survived on carrot sticks and cheese until I discovered steamed crabs).  He loved to fish from a boat in the sound in front of his house with his Uncle Bill; they usually caught enough fish for the fish fries.  They had a special relationship as he did with his Aunt Emmie, Mary Moore Deaton Meekins (Catherine's sister).  Bill and Francis together were a trip.  They took my prissy 80-year-old mother fishing several times, and she loved it.  It was FWM and Bill who taught the Meekins children to fish and crab from the shores of the Croatan Sound.  He and his uncle Bill participated in the annual Pirate's Jamboree, dressed in pirate garb and sporting full beards.  He appreciated many forms of music and played accordion in his early band, "The Sea Tones".  One of his other favorite hobbies was "collecting things".  This was anything from a back scratcher in the shape of a dog to a beautiful rolltop antique desk.  His close friend Irvin Aldridge toured the highways and backroads of North Carolina and Virginia with him and declared that Francis knew everybody that they saw intimately.  "You wouldn't believe the number of people who called him friend," Aldridge quipped.  Another good friend, Doward Jones, Jr., described his trips with FWM as "camel" trips.  It did not matter to Francis what he bought--it was the thrill of the search and discovery.  He even bought a huge statue of a basset hound because it reminded him of my dog Barney.  He thought Barney was the most hilarious dog and he loved to make Barney sing (howl).  Another favorite thing was clamming.  He adored going out clamming with Aldridge and other friends.  He loved Roanoke Island and what The Coastland Times describes as the Walter Raleigh coastland.  he never missed an opportunity to promote the area--publishing thousands of Aycock Brown's photographs, lauding the works of David Stick, Ben Dixon McNeill, Huntington Cairns and many others who were interested in the local heritage and history.  He encouraged articles and photographs of The Lost Colony, which his father helped start in 1937.  It is so very fitting that the 2010 production of the drama was dedicated to Francis and Virginia Meekins: after all, it is were Francis and Virginia met.  How fortunate that this tribute was made before his death and that he was aware of it and greatly pleased by it.  I first met the Francis and Virginia Meekins family when I came to work for The Lost Colony in 1966.  I lived in one of their cottages at Sunnyside and later worked as a reporter for the paper and as editor of The Coastlander for more than a decade.  They have been my friends and adopted family for more than 40 years.  I will greatly miss FWM.  He was a special friend to me.  He was so grateful for the care and compassion of his caregivers, nurses, CNA's, Dr. Walter Holton and staff, and the extended Outer Banks medical community.  He told his children to "never miss the opportunity to perform a kindness", and often expressed his gratitude for the many acts of kindness extended to him and VHM since his 2005 stroke.  We will miss this truly delightful man but we will keep his memory alive with a plethora of stories.  He will always, to paraphrase Paul Green's Old Tom, "be remembered".

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) – Sunday, August 22, 2010; pg. 5A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) – Tuesday, September 28, 2010; pg. 1A & 11A

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) – Sunday, November 28, 2010; pg. 1

The Coastland Times (Manteo, NC) – Thursday, April 17, 2014

For an explanation of what a "baseline" really is go to: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Survey_marker