Oxford Public Ledger
Friday, April 20, 1906
Death of Mrs. Elizabeth Ragan in Texas.
Death descended suddenly and without warning into the home of J. T. Ragan, in Coggin addition, last Friday morning and took hence the wife and mother, Mrs.
Elizabeth B. Ragan. She arose that morning apparently in her usual health and good spirits, and shortly after her husband had gone to the city she went into
the yard to wash out a skirt. Coming into the house a few minutes later her daughter, Mrs. T. L. Crawford, saw her mother as of to fall. She rushed to her
mothers side and eased her to the floor. Prof. Starnes, who was passing the house at the moment heard Mrs. Crawford’s cry of alarm and he came to her
assistance, but there was nothing to be done Mrs. Ragan was dead. The physician summoned said her death was due to heart disease, a malady that had taken
off Mrs. Ragan’s father and her brother just the same unwarned manner that had characterized her own swift and silent end.
Mrs. Ragan was in her 72nd year. She came to Brownwood with her husband from North Carolina in December, 1904, and they made their home with their
daughter’s family. A son, L. H. Ragan lived with them and another son, J. F. Ragan, they left behind in the old state.
She was a woman in whose character was distinctly revealed the charming mannerism of the old South.
Her death is a terrible blow to her loved ones and a shock to the friends of her new home, who deeply sympathize with family in this distressing calamity.
The burial occurred at Green Leaf cemetery Saturday, Rev. G. W. McCall officiating.
The pallbearers were Confederate veterans and comrades of Mr. Ragan-Brownwood, Texas, news.
Besides those mentioned above she leaves in this State to mourn her death three brothers and one sister, Messrs. L. P. O’Brian, of Durham, S. R. and J. L.
O’Brian, and Miss Joana O’Brian, all of Granville county, and many friends. She professed faith in Christ in early life and joined Mount Zion Baptist
Church, and remained a member until a few years ago when the family left Granville and moved to Wake and later to Brownwood and joined the Baptist Church
there.
Truly a good Christian woman, wife and mother has gone to spend eternity with her savior whom she loved and served so faithfully all through life.
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Oxford Torch Light
Tuesday, September 21, 1886
Death of Mrs. W. A. Ramsey.
The Augusta, Ga. Chronicle. of the 12th inst., contains the following: The decease was sister of Mrs. Thos. J. Crews, of this county.
After an illness of a week, Mrs. W. A. Ramsey breathed her last yesterday afternoon just as the shades of eve were disappearing. The death of this Christian
and good lady leaves a vacant which can never be filled. A devoted and attached mother, whose every thought was for her family. Mrs. Ramsey was a
particularly active lady, whose chief aim and object in life was to do good and help those in distress. She was a member of St. John’s church. She will be
buried this afternoon at 4:30 from the church.
To the heart broken husband and sorely afflicted family, the hearts and sympathies of the community are extended.
Mrs. Ramsey was the daughter of Judge J. Snead, and the sister of Judge Claiborne Snead.
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The Torch Light
Monday, December 11, 1877
Suicide.
Mr. Jas. T. Regan Hangs Himself
A sad case of self destruction occurred in Walnut Grove Township on Wednesday last. Mr. Jas. T. Regan, living on the plantation of Mr. Thorp, was found by
his wife, in one of the rooms up stairs in his dwelling, hanging by the neck dead. He hang himself with a piece of bed cord fastened by the joist. He was
about 25 years of age. He leaves a wife and one child.
Mr. W. A. Davis was appointed special coroner and head an, inquest over the body Friday morning. The verdict of the jury was that he came to his death by
his own hands. Nothing was developed before the coroner as the cause of the terrible deed.
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Oxford Public Ledger
Friday, January 31, 1896
Death Of Mr. J. H. Reid.
On Tuesday evening, the 17th, Kittrell was shocked by a telegram announcing the death of Mr. John Henry Reid at Los Angeles, Cal. Mr. Reid was a son of the
late Mr. Jas. C. Reid. Mr. Reid had for several years lived in the Western Carolina Railroad as agent at Round Knob, Lenoir and Morganton. He was a first
class operator and a favorite of the railroad men.
Owing such close confinement his health gave away. The doctors at Morganton advised him to take a trip to California as they thought that climate would
improve his health. The railroad men also thought the change might be beneficial and obtained passes for him to Los Angeles, Cal. Where he spent his last
days with his cousin Mr. Arthur Reid. Mr. Reid went to Los Angeles the latter part of the past summer and was to remain there until after the Christmas
holidays and if his health improved and he should decide to stay his family was to go to him. He had several good jobs offered him while there and had
accepted one and was to commence work in a few days. On Friday, the 3rd instant, he was returning from a trip out on the city and was taken with a severe
hemorrhage and lost lots of blood which weakened him very much. He had the best of medical attention, but on the following Tuesday a second hemorrhage
resulted in his death.
On May 10th, 1893 he was happily married to Miss Annie Persnal, of Morganton, NC. And was a devoted husband, a loving son, and a brother and a strict
faithful member of the Presbyterian church. The latter half of his life he spent in trying to serve his Lord and master. He was naturally a good boy—a model
young man—in his thirtieth year. He always wore a bright smile and had a plesant word for everybody. He made many friends wherever he went. God saw in his
wise providence best to take him from us without an extended spell of sickness. He was a victim of that dread malady , lung disease. Little did we think
when we saw him last in Kittrell spending a few days with his mother, Mrs. R. M. Reid, before his departure to California that we would be called upon so
soon to chronicle his death. His remains were embalmed and expressed to Morganton. Mr. Reid leaves a wife, mother, four sisters, and three brothers to mourn
his loss.
The people of Kittrell with the many friends of John greatly sympathize with the bereaved ones in the loss of such a noble character, yet we submit as we
know and feel that God doeth all things well. God had a higher, a grander, a nobler work for this man than he could ever have accomplished on this earth and
may the bereaved relatives and friends press forward to the mark of the high calling which is in Christ Jesus, and may they strive to meet him who has gone
before to await and welcome their coming to that eternal home where there is no parting. -----
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Oxford Torch Light
Tuesday, May 3, 1887
Deaths.
Mr. and Mrs. A. H. Renn, Residing on Clement street, have had the misfortune to lose two children in a short time, both from measles. Monday night, April
18th, Lucy, aged nine years, and exactly a week later, Oscar aged fourteen months, departed this life. We extend our warm sympathies to the bereaved family.
Died, Sunday April 24th, in Northern Granville county, Robert Taylor Green, in the fiftieth year of his age, of heart disease. He was buried April 26th, at
“ Goshen”, Rev. L. W. Rose officiating at the funeral.
Near Centre Grove, in Person county, on the 26th inst., Mrs. James Bullock and on the 3oth inst., Mr. James Bullock, both about eighty years of age. Died ,
at his residence at Satterwhite’s Shop.
Mr. Absalmon Adcock, about sixty years of age.
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Public Ledger
February 7, 1890
Worthy Colored Woman.
Evelina Ridley, wife of Wm. Cotton, departed this life on February 2nd. This good colored woman deserves an obituary from her white friends. She was so
faithful in the discharge of every duty. The last years of her life have been full of suffering, but she bore absence with great fortitude, insisting to the
promise of her survivor for the hope of final rest in a better world. Paralysis ended her life and deprived her of speech to give utterance to sorrow at
parting with her deserted family, but her life beyonds an example worthy of their imitation. She has always been respectful had attached to her white
friends and loved to tell of how well she was trained by Mrs. Ridley. For twenty odd years, she has been honest, faithful laundress for the writer, never
unwilling to oblige outside of her regular rules, and she hopes, her last sleep is one of eternal rest in heaven.
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Public Ledger
Thursday, September 14, 1899
Death of Capt. Robards at Henderson
Capt. William J. Robards, a prominent citizen of Henderson, died Saturday night Sept. 4, at 12 o’clock .
The funeral services were held next afternoon at 5:30 at the Episcopal church. Rev. Julian E. Ingle officiated, assisted by the Rev. W. S. Pettigrew, of
Ridgeway. The pall bearers were Messrs. Henry Macy, W. E. Gary, and Fred Bill, Col. W. H. S. Burgwin, Col. Thomas Jones and Mr. A. C. Zollicoffer, Honorary
pall-bearers, Messrs. J. D. Cooper and Samuel Watkins. The remains were interred in the Elmwood Cemetery. The floral offerings were beautiful.
Capt. Robards was a member of the Episcopal Church and highly thought of in the community. His family was prominent in the state in early colonial times.
His grandfather Robards was Treasurer of the State of North Carolina in Revolutionary times.
Capt. Robards married Miss Annie Andrews, sister of Col. A. B. Andrews, and Mr. P. H. Andrews of Raleigh. He leaves a devoted wife and six children.
Misses Bettie and Sue Robards and Mr. Henry Robards, of Oxford attended the funeral of their brother, Capt. W. J. Robards, Messrs. Watkins Robards, of
Raleigh, and Clifton Robards, of Winston, attended the funeral of their father.
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Oxford Public Ledger
Thursday, May 5, 1898
Death Of a Good Woman.
The community was shocked Sunday by the announcement of the death of Mrs. C. M. Rogers. She was stricken with paralysis on Friday and died very unexpectedly
on Sunday morning. The deceased leaves a husband and three children Mrs. R. P. Taylor, Mrs. Emmett and Mrs. James S. Rogers who have the sympathy of many
friends in their sudden bereavement. Mrs. Rogers will be sadly missed in her home and by her neighbors where she was ever ready to contribute to the
happiness of others. She possessed an affectionate and kind disposition and her heart was ever open to the calls of the needy and afflicted,., leaving in
remembrance many acts of love and generosity, which consecrates her memory. The funeral was conducted at her residence Monday evening by Rev. Mr. Hardaway
and Rev. Mr. Cadwell and the burial was in Elmwood cemetery, where many friends gathered to perform the last sad rites in memory of this good wife and
mother. The following were the pallbearers:
Messrs. S. W. Copper, J. A. Taylor, W. J. Long and L. R. Hunt, Dr. J. G. Hunt, Col. W. A. Bobbitt.
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Oxford Public Ledger
Friday August 23, 1907
Death Of Col. Rogers
Buried Sunday Afternoon With Masonic Honors.
Served the People of Granville as Sheriff and Commissioner-- Was A Good Farmer
Col. Clinton M. Rogers, one of the prominent farmers and citizens of Brassfield township, died Sunday morning at the home of his son-in-law, Mr. R. P.
Taylor, in Oxford, after an illness of about a month, surrounded by all the members of his family.
He was taken sick at his home in Brassfield township and was brought to the home of his daughter in Oxford, and after 3 weeks illness passed "beneath the
shadows."
Col. Rogers was 71 years old, and until his health began to give away, was a successful farmer as he owned two fine farms in Brassfield township, and most
highly esteemed by his neighbors as he was kind hearted and obliging.
He was a good business man, and served the people of Granville faithfully and well as Sheriff and County Commissioner.
Col. Rogers was pleasant and companionable, and will be much missed in the community with which he was so long identified, and the members of his family
have the sympathy of the community in their bereavement.
He leaves one son and two daughters, Mrs. James Rogers, of Railway Mail service, and Mrs. R. P. Taylor and Mrs. S. H. Brown, and several grandchildren, of
Oxford, to mourn his taking away.
The funeral took place Sunday afternoon at 6 o'clock from the resident of Mr. R. P. Taylor conducted by Rev. C. G. Christian and largely attended. At the
conclusion of the services the Masons, of which the deceased was an honored member, took charge of the body, and on arrival of the funeral cortege at
Elmwood Cemetery consigned all that was mortal of their departed brother to the silent tomb with the honors of that Ancient Order, after which the sacred
mound was covered with beautiful flowers. Peace to our old friends ashes.
Floral Bearers were: Messrs. A. A. Hicks, F. P. Hobgood, J. G. Hunt, W. H. Hunt, B. s. Royster, S. D. Booth.
Pallbears: Messrs. Robt. Butler, L. B. Turner, E. H. Crenshaw, F. H. Gregory, Wm. Landis, Josh King, C. A. Carroll, Pete Bullock.
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Oxford Public Ledger
Tuesday, July 22, 1890
Dutchville Driftings.
Mrs. Martha Rogers, who has been afflicted with that dreadful disease, cancer for several years, died Thursday, 3rd of March. We suppose her age to be about
62.
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Public Ledger
April 12, 1895
Death of Mr. R. I. Rogers
The Durham Sun, of April 4 says: Our town was shocked this morning by the announcement of the sudden death of Mr. R. I. Rogers, which occurred this morning
about nine o’clock at his home on Broadway. He was down town yesterday evening in good spirits and health as he ever was. During the night he had an acute
attack of indigestion, and a physician was called in and he was relieved. This morning he was again attacked, and it resulted in some heart affection from
which he died almost instantly. He leaves a family consisting of a wife and five small children. He was 38 years of age.
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Torch Light
Tuesday, March 3, 1874
Died
In Granville County, Near Mt. Energy, on Wednesday morning the 25th February, Mr. Thomas I. Rogers, in the 69th year of his age.
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The Torch Light
Tuesday, January 30, 1877
In Memoriam.
Died at her residence in this county, on Dec 26th 1876, Mrs. Elizabeth T., wife of Fabian Royster, aged 73 years.
“Religion is like the breath of heaven if it goes abroad in the open air it scatters and dissolves, taking root downward in humility and bringing forth
fruit upward in the substantial graces of a Christian. In the life of this estimable lady, how beautifully the truth of the above quotation was exemplified,
sunshine, and storms, fair weather or foul it was all one as to the performing of good which from the influence of religion in her heart was incorporated
with the periodical work of every day. From my first acquaintance, I have known many a sad heart made light and joyous from the untiring generosity which
she displayed, preparing daily, delicacies for the sick that money could not buy when deprived of home with its many comforts, and this was done, when her
heart was bleeding at every pore over the loss of her gallant son--the first of the Granville Gray’s brought to be buried in his native dust, That was the
time to try men’s souls and cause women to weep and lament, yea--and many were the heart-felt lamentations.
Though tears coursed her checks from a broken heart yet her Christian duties were duly observed, the poor and needy, the widow and stranger received her
constant care and attention. As a mother she loved, and cared for her children with an unselfish love, still she was diligent and active in all the
relations of life, and her immediate family and relatives sincerely mourn their loss, with many sympathizing friends. Weep not for her, she has only fallen
asleep in Jesus and gone to rest in the arms of the Savior she loved and served for forty years, as a member of the Presbyterian Church. Anticipate her
welcome in the home above the skies, as sweeter far, than the one that has always awaited you in her hospitable home. Her record of contentment, everyday
usefulness, kindness and true charity, with her genial disposition may well be preserved as an Heir Loom in her extensive family.
The honored head of thirty grandchildren had bequeathed a legacy more precious than gold or rubies.
Before retiring the evening of her death, she read her Bible as usual and repeated favorable hymns --with faith for a foundation and the anchor of hope she
fell asleep, and ere the dawn of another day, suddenly departed.
With the emblems of this faith wrought in bloom about her, she was laid beneath the pure snow to her quiet repose, side lay side of her brave boy in the
Oxford Cemetery, and from true affection 1 offer this feeble, tribute to her memory. -----S.A.E. Jan. 29th, 1877.
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Public Ledger
Thursday, October 21, 1897
Death Of A Good Woman.
Fell sweetly in Jesus, after many moths of suffering, on Sept. 18th 1897, at 6 o’clock in the morning, Mrs. Rowana Daniel Royster aged 76 and 3 months. She
was laid to rest in the family cemetery by the side of her husband Banister Royster at her home in Adoniram. Her death was peaceful and hopeful, and those
who ministered to her wants during he afflictions knew that she would be ready when the summons came. God called her home just as the sun rising, and me
thinks I could hear the exclamation of her blessed Savior as she entered the beautiful gates, “Well done thou into eternal rest.” She had many loved ones
across the river awaiting to welcome her home who now waits and watches for those she left behind.
She left behind four children to mourn her loss who were devoted to her, besides a large number of relatives and friends. She is not dead. Oh, blessed
thought! Just resting safe in the arms of Jesus, never to know a sorrow, never to know a pain. Without one struggle se closed her eyes to all earthy visions
to gaze upon the smiling faces of Jesus and to hear His sweet voice saying, “ Welcome Home.” Her seat is vacant, her voice is hushed, and oh, how she will
be missed by loved ones, but if it was possible would you call her back to the sorrows and pains of this life? Oh No! While she can not come to you, you can
go to her, and may your sad hearts look up through the blinding tears and exclaim, Thy will be done oh ! Lord, not mine for you know and feel there is
another white robed saint in Heaven. Then weep no more. Who would not give up friends in Heaven ! Tis another link binding us together to that better world
and I feel that she is watching and waiting to welcome her children home. Yes she will be the first to meet you. Tis the precious poetry of our glorious
faith, the eternal excellence of Christianity to know that we will recognize our loved ones in heaven and to feel that we can go to them.
“ Precious mother, sainted mother, Loving mother fond and true! Resting now in peace with Jesus, Loving hearts remember you.”
It was the writer’s privilege to be with her a great deal in sickness and health and I never met a more self sacrificing person, ready to minister to all in
distress and sickness, continuing instant in prayer and spotlessly pure in character, she has let behind to those who loved her a legacy of Christian
humility, worth and work. May God in His mercy grant the bereaved family and friend humble submission to His divine will and may we so live that when the
summons come we also will and may we so live that when the summons come we also will be found ready to join the heavenly choir. A large concourse of grief
stricken friends and relatives attended her burial. She was a consistent member of the Amis Chapel Baptist Church, though sickness and distance prevented
her attending service in her church, as often as she wanted. Sad was the parting on earth, but sweet will be the meeting in heaven.-----A FRIEND---
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Oxford Public Ledger
Saturday, March 16, 1912
Thomas Duke Royster.
Banister Royster and Lucy Morgan Royster, his wife lived in Granville county, near Bullock Station. There were born unto them six sons and two daughters,
William Royster, John, James, Thomas D., Davis, George, Mrs. Thomas Pittard and Mrs. Fannie Ezell. Davis died in 1860 and left five stalwart brothers for
the Confederate army.
Thomas Duke Royster was born September 23, 1836, and died in Granville February 27, 1912, age 76 years. He was married to Miss Emma Stone, who died in 1880,
leaving behind David T. Royster and Miss Florence M. Royster, both living.
Mr. Thomas D. Royster enlisted in Company D, Twelfth North Carolina Regiment, in 1861, and surrendered with General Lee at Appomattox in 1865. He was with
General Lee in Every important engagement in Virginia, and came out unhurt. Captain Gus Landis in giving an account of his candidate after the war, said,
when he came to the home of Thomas D. Royster, “ The Bravest Brave” After the war he returned to his native county and died in sight of the place of his
birth. We called him “Uncle Tom,” and honored him for his bravery, his patriotism and great personal worth of kindness.
He was a member of Bullock Baptist Church, punctual and beloved. He was buried at the old family cemetery in the presence of a large company of admiring
friends. Thus has passed away another honored Confederate veteran, and the last member of a distinguished Granville family. --R. H. M.---
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Oxford Torch Light
Tuesday, March 31, 1885
Death.
Died on 26th instant of accidental wound received the previous, William D. Royster, of Vance County.
The subject of this notice was the eldest son of the late Col. S. S. Royster, so long and favorably known in this community. He came of noble stock on the
side of both parents and was the recipient of fine educational advantages. He served bravely and faithfully during the whole of the late war; received a
wound and was a suffering prisioner for many moths. Being of a quiet and domestic turn of mind, he devoted himself to farming, and was for many years the
constant companion of an old mother, who with and unusually large number of sons occupied the old family seat of La Grange, once the home of elegant
hospitality. Mr. Royster was a communicant of the Episcopal church. Peace to his ashes. -R.-
Williamsboro, March 28, 1885. |
