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Index to Deed Book A: 1774-1787

In 1993, the Martin County Historical Society published books of deed abstracts from Martin County.  I’ve photocopied the index pages of Deed Book A that covers 1774-1887.   The book is available for sale from the society here. 

If there is something you are interested in, you can order the book from the society, check to see if there is a library near you that has it, or contact me for a lookup (only if you can wait about 30 days).  

The index can be downloaded as a PDF file if you’d like to store your own copy locally.

Index to Martin County Deed Book A: 1774-1787

JOHNSTON, child (d. 1883)

As part of the North Carolina news section of the Chicago Defender in their November 26, 1838 issue this brief news item appeared:

Williamston, NC. – Earl Johnson, four-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Clinton Johnston, was fatally burned Monday when he upset a pot of hot water.  He was rushed to the hospital where efforts to save him were in vain.

I checked the NC Death Certficates database at Ancestry and it seems that young Earl died in Washington, Beaufort County, NC. His death certificate shows that both parents were born in Williamston though and he was buried in Martin County.

I have some relatives with Martin County connections that are Johnsons; I wonder if Earl is in any way related to them.  Something to investigate in the future….

Mob Operates on Man Charged with Assaulting Girl

From the March 30, 1925 issue of the Robesonian, newspaper of Lumberton, NC

A mob, numbering 50 or more, forced their way into the Martin County jail at Williamston,N.C., about 3 o’clock this morning and took therefrom Joseph A. Needleman, traveling salesman for a tobacco company, and carried him to a nearby piece of woods where a serious operation was performed upon him, according to a telephone message received here tonight from Deputy Sheriff Luther Peel, at Williamston.  Needleman is now in a Washington, N.C., hospital, and his condition is regarded as serious. 

Needleman, according to Deputy Peele, had been lodges in the Martin county jail on charge of  making at attack on a 17 year-old girl, whome he had out riding recently.  About 2:30 o’clock this morning, the deputy stated, several men went to the house of Sheriff H.T. Robeson and demanded that the keys of the jail be turned over to them.  Sheriff Robeson, he said, refused to accede to the demands of the mob.  Before he could dress and secure assistance, however, the men had forced the bars of the jail and removed the prisoner.

On leaving the jail the mob took Needleman to a nearby piece of woods, where the operation was performed.  A knife, according to Deputy Peele, was used in performing the operation.  The members of the mob then left in automobiles, leaving their victim behind.  He was found a fwe minutes later by Sheriff Robeson and a posse he had organized to disperse the mob.

Sheriff Robeson, according to the deputy, is making a thorough investigation of the affair, but anticipates no further trouble.  Needleman gave his age, when arrested last Friday on the assualt charge, as 21.  He makes his headquarters at Kinston, N.C.,  but claims that his home is in New Jersey.

Prof. W.C. Chance – Principal of Higgs Industrial Institute

From the December 30, 1909 issue of the Robesonian, newspaper of Lumberton, NC

Prof. W.C. Chance, colored, principal of Higgs Industrial Institute at Parmele, Martin county, is in Lumberton canvassing for his school.  He has a letter from Congressman Jno. H. Small highly recommending him.  Prof. Chance got his training at the A. and M. College at Greensboro.  His school was started last October, employs three teachers and emphasizes industrial work, especially agriculture.  J.G. Goddard, cashier of the Martin County Bank at Williamston, is treasurer of the institution and R.J. Peele, superintendent of public instruction is secretary.  Congressman Small says that Prof. Chance is doing a good work and is worthy of any assistance that may be given him.

GRIFFIN, Simon (d. 1883)

From the Feburary 9, 1883 issue of The Landmark, newspaper of Statesville, NC.

The Martin County Times, of the 2nd inst., says: Last Friday, about two miles from Williamston, occurred a most horrible tragedy, the participants being father and son, King and Simon Griffin. King Griffin, the father, was coming from the premises of his son Simon, when some altercation took place between them.  Simon went for his father with an axe, when the old man retreated to the house, picked up a gun and emptied the contents into Simon’s breast, killing him.

Reuben Bland: The Largest Family

From the December 22, 1926 issue of the Gastonia Daily Gazette, paper of Gastonia, NC

Reuben Bland Martin county, is figuring on going to the national capital to keep his story straight.  Bland is the father of 34 children.  He expressed resentment that representative Upshaw and the United States house of representatives made such an ado last week over a Georgia farmer with only 28.  Bland claimes he is the father of the largest family in the United States.

NC State Archives Flickr Photostream

The NC State Archives has a Flickr photostream. While I could only locate a few pictures relevant to Martin County, this is a great resource to check if you’re researching other areas of NC.  The images are great quality and cover a wide variety of topics.  And, even if there is nothing there you find interesting today, you can always subscribe to the Flickr feed to stay aware of updates as they make them. 

Some images I did find include this one below of the Hardison BBQ business near Jamesville. 

hardisonbbqHardison BBQ Business. Digital image. NC State Archives Flickr Photostream. 27 Nov. 2008 <http://www.flickr.com/photos/north-carolina-state-archives/>.

Fresh Start

It’s time for a new “Welcome” post for the blog.  This week I redesigned the site and am now using WordPress as the content management system.  Using WordPress allows me to spend less time worried about HTML and more time focused on pulling together resources to help those researching in Martin County. 

The new site has a couple of neat applications and I hope to add more. 

  • Use the tag cloud in the sidebar to quickly note if your surnames of interest appear in any of the blog posts. This is still not going to cover all the resources attached to the site, but it’s a start. 
  • On the Cemeteries page there is a search box to search across all the Martin county burials listed at FindAGrave.com.  If you know of other burials, please add them there too!

Hope you enjoy the redesign and be sure to subscribe to the blog to stay up-to-date as I make new posts.