maternal great great great great great grandfather

PERSONAL INFORMATION AND HISTORY

Born on July 11, 1732 in Sheffield, Mass. (No proof)
Died on April 1, 1811 in Wilkes County, NC
Married?
Name of spouses: (1)Stamper? (2) Jane Andrews
Name of children:(1) Amos, John, Benjamin, Phillip, Martha, Elijah, Elisha, Joel, Aaron*: (2) Gabriel, Betsy, Massey and Anna
Name of parents: John Church and Thankful? No proof!
U.S. military service record: Revolutionary War
Places lived: Sheffield, Mass.?, Virginia, Rowan County, NC,Ashe County and Wilkes County, NC.

Total 14 Children. John moved from Virginia to Rowan County, NC in 1760 and from Rowan to Wilkes County, NC in 1773.

PART A -- THE FAMILY AND DESCENDANTS OF JOHN CHURCH 1
by John Scalf

CHAPTER I - YANKEE JOHN (1734-1806)

John Church I (Yankee John) lived in Rowan County, North Carolina by 1760. The Revolutionary War pension application for his son John II listed this county as his place of birth in that year. John's name appears on a 1761 list of taxable living in a section of Rowan County that is now in Davie County. This listing was certified by the county court on 8 Oct 1761.
Unfortunately, nothing is known about Yankee John prior to 1758. The pension application of his son Amos stated that he (Amos) was born in Virginia in the year 1758. No established area of residency has yet been discovered in that state. Many Church family researchers have speculated that the family probably was migrating south at the time of this birth and did not establish permanent residency in the state of Virginia. Some descendants have known him as Yankee John, thereby indicating the possibility that his origins were further to the north. The Virginia problem is complicated by the loss of all early records in several counties of that state.
There are other references to the presence of John I in Rowan during the 1760's. On 3 Oct 1764 A summary of claim made to the county during the year was entered into the court minutes. John Church had received ten shillings bounty money for bringing in a wolf scalp during the year. It is interesting to note that the same listing contains an identical payment to Daniel Boone, making a personal acquaintance between them a distinct probability.
No land records for John have been uncovered in the Rowan records. However, many early settlers were living on land considered theirs but land that was never registered at the courthouse. He must have been a landowner. The colonial custom of putting orphans in the hands of community members required that the overseeing adult be part of the landed gentry. The court minutes of 15 Apr 1767, record a summons issued to John Church to bring into the next court Sarah Burch an orphan to be dealt with legally. The 16 Jul 1767 court ordered that Rachal Burch be apprenticed to John till she attains to the age of 18 years she being 14 years and 5 months old, and the Master is to give the said apprentice a suite freedom cloath and a colt and calf and a spinning wheel. The last entry relative to this matter occurred in the 4 Nov 1774 session when John Church was requested to come to the next court and explain why he had not freed "...his indentured servant Rachel Burch, agreeable to law." John had moved his family to the New River area of Wilkes County in 1773.
Only one other reference to John has been found in the Rowan records. On Wednesday, 14 Nov 1770, he recorded his personal livestock mark as, "a crop in the left ear." Thus, it is apparent that John was a part of the land owning planters of early Rowan life. He owned some livestock and was certified as a legal representative of the county court.
Amos, presumably the oldest son, stated that the family lived in Rowan from l760 to l773 when they moved to Wilkes County. Thus, the legal documents pertaining to John after that date are to be bound in the Wilkes's records. In l772, Surry County has been formed from Rowan. This new county contained the area where John moved. This was later to be in Wilkes which was created in l778.
An excellent article by William Doub Bennett dealing with the settlement problems of the New River area was published in the Feb. l984 issue of the North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal. Bennett reported that Granville Grants of land were made in the western part of the state until the death of Lord Granville which led to the closing of that office in l763. He further states that:
"From that time until 1778, when the State of North Carolina assumed title to all vacant lands and began issuing grants, it was impossible to obtain title to vacant land in Ashe County. The lack of title to land in western North Carolina was such a problem, that the North Carolina Assembly passed the following resolution on 19 Aug 1778. Whereas there are so few persons in Wilkes, Burke, Washington and Surrey Counties who have obtained Titles to their Lands, that legal juries cannot be obtained. Resolved therefore that Reputable House Holders in the aforesaid Counties be and are hereby to be capable of Acting as Jury Men upon all occasions within their respective Counties."
Undoubtedly John Church was caught in the dilemma described above. Wilkes County land entry # 731 indicates that Benjamin Cleveland entered on 2 Jan 1779 100 acres on the waters of New River, the Little Fork of Pine Swamp, including the plantation whereon John Church now lives. Benjamin Cleveland's name was marked out and John Church's name was written over it in the entry book. Presumably John had moved his family there in 1773, was unable to enter the land originally, failed to do so promptly with the opening of the state land office, and was preempted by Cleveland. Some type negotiation allowed the entry to revert to John's name since his improvements (houses, barns, etc.) were noted on the original entry. This land, which would later fall in Ashe County when it was formed in 1801, was deeded to John by the state on 6 May 1782.
The 1782 deed reported above indicated that the Church home was still maintained on Pine Swamp through that date. It is important to note here that it appears that John later moved his family to land across the crest of the Blue Ridge in or near the present Summit community on property that remains in Wilkes County today. This move took place prior to the 1801 formation of Ashe County for his post-1801 legal documents are to be found in the Wilkes records. The original Pine Swamp site was sold by John in 1802 to John Judd for 100 pounds as recorded in the Ashe records. John had entered and received one other 100 acre tract on New River in 1785. He sold this land to David Owen for 200 pounds in 1794. On 18 May 1789 he received two grants of 100 acres each on Lewis Fork. One of these tracts began at a chestnut on the top of the mountain and was located on the North Fork of Lewis Fork. This piece he sold to Elijah Church in 1795 for 12 pounds. The other tract was probably the one on which he lived at his death. At least there is no record of his selling it. John made one other land purchase in Wilkes. In 1795 he bought another tract on Lewis Fork from William Floid for 20 pounds. He sold this in Oct of 1805 to Elizabeth Blackburn for 40 pounds. That document was the last legal transaction known regarding John Church I. The following is a summary of his various land deals in Ashe and Wilkes Counties.

Date Bought Acres Date Sold Location
6 May 1782 100 16 Aug 1802 Pine Swamp - New River
18 May 1789 100 16 Nov 1795 N. Fork - Lewis Fork
18 May 1789 100 Ft.of Mtn.- Lewis Fork
22 Sep 1785 100 20 Sep 1794 S. Fork - New River
16 Sep 1795 100 31 Oct 1805 N. Fork - Lewis Fork

A 1782 tax list of Captain Cleveland's district of Wilkes County contains the following entries for John Church, Senr.:
400 acres, value 80 pounds
4 horses and mules: value 24 pounds
13 cattle, value 13 pounds
Total value: 117 pounds

The next name on the list was John Church, Junr. with no land but 2 horses and mules valued at 8 pounds.
There have been several speculations as to the early years of Yankee John's life. The most persistent of these center around the records of Richard Church of Plymouth, Massachusetts. Richard came to New England in 1630 and married Elizabeth, the dau of Richard Warren, a Mayflower passenger, in 1636. one of Richard Church's descendants named John was born in 1738 and later disappeared from the Mansfield, Connecticut records where his father, also named John, had died in 1748. This John did sell land in Mansfield in 1772, but this could have been done by proxy or by a trip back from North Carolina. He certainly continues to be a prime suspect in the search. Richard had another great, great grandson named John (son of Edward) who was born in 1732 in Little Compton, Rhode Island. The life of this John is also obscure and void of records.
A further possibility has been found in the records of the State of Maryland. One John Church married Unis Austin 5 Jul 1734 in the St. Anne's Parish. The birth of their son named John was recorded as occurring on 12 Aug 1736 in the St. James Parish. A search has been undertaken to uncover additional data on this family to no avail. It is highly possible that they moved a short distance away to one of the northern Virginia counties where the records are not extant.
The birth dates of all of the above possibilities are well within the range of Yankee John's dates. The migration to North Carolina in 1760 would have occurred in his early 20's in any of the cases. A major difficulty is the lack of knowledge concerning Yankee John's first wife. Not even her name is known at the present time. It is known that he remarried Jane, the dau of James Andrews who had been a neighbor in Rowan County in the 1760's. Jane's sister Sarah had remarried John's son Phillip. The will of Jane's devised to both John and Phillip Church.
Not much more is known from the record concerning Yankee John's life. The Aug 1777 court notes that he had been appointed a constable of Captain Mosby's District. In 1804 he was appointed to a committee to lay off a new road from the new meeting house on Reddies River by John shepherd, Junr. into the road that leads to New River. His 1805 deed has been mentioned earlier. It is thought that his death occurred around 1806. No will or estate papers have ever been discovered to fully confirm this date. Both his birth and death are unconfirmed but considered logically consistent with the known facts of his life.
His second wife, Jane ("Jennie" or "Jean") Andrews outlived him by many years. She appeared in the 1810 census with one son and five females besides herself. This was probably Gabriel, the youngest son, Gabriel's wife, and four of Yankee John's daughters. She was living alone when the census taker came by in 1820. She witnessed a court receipt for attendance at a trial on 19 Dec 1825. Her record seem to give out after that date.
Any listing of the children of John Church I has to include some speculating. No actual documents have been unearthed to prove most of his children. However, the vast burden of circumstantial evidence favors the inclusion of all on the list contained herein with some questions that will be raised during later discussions. That Amos, John, and Phillip were all his sons is confirmed by various Revolutionary War pension applications. Years of research by many people have led to the acceptance of the following list with much consensus among the researchers: (Many of the dates below are approximate).

CHILD-----BIRTH-------MARRIAGE
Amos------1758--------1. Elizabeth Swink
2. Rebecca Foster Davis

John------1760--------Nancy Moore

Benjamin--1763--------Unknown

Phillip---1767--------Sara Hannah Andrews

Martha----1771--------Jonathan Parsons

Elijah----1773--------Charity Roberts

Elisha----1775--------Sarah ?

Joel------1775--------Margaret Adams

Aaron-----1786--------Nancy Owens

Gabriel---1794--------1. Mary Beshears
2. Sarah (Sallie) Beshears

Betsy-----1795--------Lewis Triplett

Massey----1799--------James Parsons
Anna

Byers

It has been commonly accepted that Gabriel, the three last listed daughters and one other unknown dau were the children of the second marriage to Jane Andrews. The others were born to Yankee John's first wife.
So ends the known information regarding John Church I. The remaining chapters of Part A will tell the stories of his descendants in the order they are listed above.

PART A CHAPTER I - AMOS 1 (1758-1842)

Amos I lived most of his adult years on a 150 acre farm that was adjacent to the site of the dam built in recent years to control the flood waters of the Yadkin River. It was land originally granted to the Moravians, fought over in numerous court battles and finally paid for at least twice by Amos and his descendants. Fifty two graves still remain in the old cemetery that spreads down the slope towards the new dam.

It is through Amos' pension application and related documents that we learn much regarding the early years of the Church family in western North Carolina. The importance of the original document is such as to merit inclusion herein in its entirity. It follows:

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

WILKES COUNTY

On the 19th day of October in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirty Three personally appeared before me James Wellborn, a Justice of the Peace and for the County of Wilkes and State aforesaid, Amos Church, resident in said county who being duly sworn according to law (for the purpose of obtaining a pension, under an act of Congress pass'd June the 7th 1832). Deposeth and saith that he has no written evidence of his age but believes that he was born in the State of Virginia in the year 1758, being so informed by his parents. That at two years old his parents removed to Rowan County, North Carolina where they lived about thirteen years as this affiant was informed and believes, they then moved to Wilkes County where this affiant has liv'd ever since. This affiant states that in the Spring of the year 1778, He volunteered and was call'ed into service for three months under the command of Colonel Benjamin Cleveland, Capt. John Cleveland, and Lieut. Gambill, as a private, was march'd from Wilkes across the Blue Ridge to the head of New River where a division of the company took place and Lieut. Gambill took the command of the company to which this affiant was attached as Capt. We march'd down New River in pursuit of the tories thro' Cox's Settlement, where we captured a tory by the name of Ingram and executed him, we then pursued them to the Virginia line, and captured several of them, but did not have any engagements, we then returned home to Wilkes County, where we were discharged having served about five weeks, which discharge this affiant has long since lost. This affiant further states that in the Summer of 1778 he was drafted and call'd into service for three months under the command of Col. Benjamin Cleveland and Capt. Richard Allen, was march'd up the Yadkin River out at its head into Burke County to what was called Criders Fort in pursuit of a company of Tories under the command of a Tory Col. by the name of Roberts.

On arriving at the fort we were informed that the Tories had retreated towards the Catawba River, we pursued them on, when we reach'd the river we continued our march down the river, and we had not gone many miles before we were fir'd upon by the Tories from the cliffts - the Captain of our light horse, Capt. Larkin Cleveland, was shot through the thigh, when the Tories retreated we remain'd along said river for several days, scouting and guarding the country, when we were marched back to Wilkes County and discharged for three months by our Captain, which discharge this affiant has lost: he further states that in the Month of October 1779 he volunteered and was call'd into service for three months under the command of Captain Reuben Stringer, and Lieut. William Brown, we marched from Wilkes County across the Blue Ridge to Cove Creek crossing the Stone Mountain to the Watauga River in pursuit of the above named Col. Roberts a Tory and his company; The Tories retreated before us some miles as we understood, when our company arrived at the Watauga River they remain'd there some days, engaged in scouting expeditions, and guarding the country, when we were march'd back to Wilkes having served one month which discharge of our captain this affiant has lost: He further states that in the month of November 1779, he volunteered and was call'd into service for three months under the command of Capt. Robert Cleveland, march'd across the Blue Ridge to the South Fork of the New River at a place call'd the old fields in pursuit of a company of Tories: who had captur'd Col. Benjamin Cleveland, we pursued them across the mountains, near the North fork of Said River, where we overtook them and fir'd upon them, wounded one tory and made three prisoners, and rescued Col. Cleveland, we then returned to the old fields, and remained a few days and return'd home in ten days from the time we started. He further states that in the months of July or August he served a short tour after the Indians, commanded by Capt. Benjamin Greer, and Lieut. William Stringer, that in the month of August or September he volunteered and was call'd into service for three months, under the command of Col. Benjamin Cleveland, and Capt. George Morris, march to the Calloway Settlement on New River in pursuit of Tories, and returb'd to Wilkes, this was in 1780. - He received no discharge: this affiant further states that in the fall of the year 1730, he volunteered for three months and join'd headquarters at Salisbury, North Carolina, under the command of Col. Lark and Capt. William Glenn of Virginia, we were stationed at Salisbury, Rowan County for some time, when an express came on for the troop to march to Mecklenburg County where there were a number of the British prisoners to guard, we were stationed there for some time, when the prisoners were taken sick, and several died, we then marched back to Salisbury, guarding the prisoners, where we were discharged by our Capt. for three months service which discharge this affiant has lost. He further states that he did not return home to Wilkes before he volunteered, and was called into service for three months under the command of Capt. William Fletcher, there being no commanding col. as well as I recollect,To guard the tory prisoners in the stockade or kind of fort in Salisbury where he remained station'd for three months and received a discharge from Capt. Fletcher, which he has long since lost. This affiant further states that in the Spring or Summer of 1781 he volunteered and was call'd into service for three months under the command of Capt. Joel Lewis, and march'd from Wilkes County through Rowan crossing Yadkin at the trading ford below Salisbury, passing through Randolph County to some creek, as this affiant understood to join Gen. Greene's army, our company was stationed at Cane's Creek for some time, when news came for them to be marched back to Wilkes, where we were discharged for three months having served altogether two years and three months under orders which discharge this affiant has lost.
This affiant further states that he has no documentary evidence of his services and that he knows of no living witness to his services except his brother John Church who served several tours with him. He further states that his name is not upon the pension roll of any state, and that he relinquishes all pension claims whatsoever save that stated in his declaration.
his
Amos X Church
mark
Sworn to and subscribed before me
a justice of the peace for Wilkes County
and State aforesaid this 19th day of October
A.D. 1833. - J.Wellborn, J.P.
State of North Carolina
Wilkes County We, Hugh Brown and Thomas Fletcher being a clergyman do swear and depose and say that we are acquainted with Amos Church who lives in our immediate neighborhood, that he has always been reputed to have been a whig and soldier of the revolutionary war, and we believe he was so, and that his veracity is unimpeach'd. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of October A.D. 1833.
J.Wellborn,J.P. Hugh Brown
Thomas Fletcher, Clergiman


State of North Carolina
Wilkes County This day came before me, James Wellborn, as justice of the peace in and for the county of Wilkes and State aforesaid John Church and made oath that his age is about Seventy Three years, that he served in the revolutionary war with his brother Amos Church, was with him in the expeditions to Cox's Settlement, the Catawba River and Crider's fort, to Cove creek and the Watauga River, against the indians and to the Calloway Settlement, that they parted during the service, but he believes said Amos Church was frequently if not constantly in service to the close of the war.

Sworn to and subscribed this his
19th day of October a.d. 1833 John X Church
mark

An analysis of the above application immediately answers one of the questions often asked regarding the absence of Amos at the Battle of Kings Mountain. That battle occurred 7 Oct 1780. During that time Amos was serving at the prison and headquarters in Salisbury. He was already guarding British soldiers.
Soon after the war Amos m Elizabeth Swink. The marriage bond was issued in Rowan County on 26 Feb 1783. It could be assummed that Elizabeth was a childhood sweetheart for Amos was 15 years old when his family had moved from Rowan to Wilkes.

Eight children were born to Amos and Elizabeth as follows:
CHILD BIRTH MARRIAGE
A. John 1783 Sally Billing
B . Mary 1785 James Crane
C. Margaret l.Levi Laws
2.Joshua Fletcher
D. Elijah 1790 Ann Blanton
E. Elizabeth 1792 Michael Bumgarner
F. Rebecca 1793 George Minton
G . Amos Jr. 1797 Ally Billing
H. Franky 1802 Larkin Joines
After the death of Amos, his youngest son, Amos, Jr. administered his estate. The appointment of an administrator normally indicates the presence of a will but none has been found. However, a Wilkes County deed of 3 Oct 1842 provides rather complete proof of the first family of Amos. All members of this union and the daughter's husbands are listed and all signed this document. Amos, Jr. paid the other seven heirs a total of $425 for which they gave to him all rights to the original 150 acre Yadkin river homeplace. Further payments were made by Amos, Jr. to the descendants of the second family of Amos Sr.
After the death of Elizabeth Swink Church, Amos Sr. m Rebecca Foster Davis. She was the dau of George and Amy Grey Foster, Sr. and the widow of Thomas Davis by whom she had five or six children according to the census reports and 1841 school records. Amos I and Rebecca were m I Jul 1835 as listed in pension application data. To that union three children were born, two living at the time of Amos' death. They were Amy Selena and Robert Burton. The only knowledge of the third child exist because of a civil suit Amy filed in 1881 to recover some unpaid portions of her inheritance from the estate of Amos Sr.
Soon after the death of her husband, Rebecca must have begun living with John Wood. In the fall session of the county court the two of them were charged with cohabitation. By the census data of 1850 John and Rebecca are listed as man and wife. He was 27 and she 45. The young son Robert was living with them but listed simply as Robert Wood. In the 1860 census he is still in this household but now listed as Burton Davis. The 1881 court case by Amy provides more knowledge of the family. Probably Rebecca was dead by that time. Robert Burton has disappeared from the records. After the death of Amos 1, Amy had lived with her maternal grandparents, George and Amey Foster. Rebecca's brother, Thomas H., had been willed their property dependent upon his not marrying until after their deaths; thus Amy was cared for at length by Thomas H., She later lived with a half-brother Thomas Davis for at couple of years when she was about 12. At about 19 she m Jethro Smithey. The court finally awarded her $92.75 in principal and interest due from the estate of Amos.
Several additional facts are known about the Amos Church family from the suit by Amy. The clerk of court at that time gave as his reason for the absence of further estate papers for Amos I the absence of the records of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions from 1839 to 1844 inclusive caused by the burning of the storehouse of Carmichael and Call in Wilkesboro. No reason was given as to why the court records were at the site of the fire.
The value of the lands of Amos Sr. at his death were listed variantly from $1000.00 to $2000.00. Amos Jr. had originally paid Rebecca $40.00 for her widow's share of the 150 acre homeplace, and he supposedly paid $60.00 for Amy's share in 1858 and again $75.00 to the widow. It was also stated that another son of Amos Sr., Elijah and his wife Ann Blanton, lived on a portion of the property on the north side of the Yadkin River above Fish Dam Creek. A deed of 5 Mar 1834 indicates that Amos Sr. had purchased an additional 100 acre tract from Conrad Eller. This land was on the south side of the Yadkin. Since Amos Jr. had also died by the time of the 1881 suit, two of his sons, Thomas J. and Joel L., were subpoened to testify in Amy's behalf.
In Mar of 1855 applications for bounty land based on Amos' war service were filed in behalf of his minor children, Amy S. and Robert B. Their uncle, Thomas H. Foster, filed the application before Amos Jr. who was a Justice of the Court by that time. Depositions were also filed by Rebecca's sister Mary and her father George Foster. Both testified as to the marriage of Amos and Rebecca, Mary stating that she had been present when William P. Waugh, a Justice, had performed the ceremony. There is no reord of these children having received this land; however, Amos had recived an $80.00 per annum pension from 1834 to 1843.
Several miscellaneous entries in the Wilkes courts refer to Amos I though none of them shed much insight into his life. He was cited to court in May of 1801 along with his, father John and his brother Elisha for having fought with Mark Ammons. On 3 Aug 1801 receipts were written that are now in the Wilkes civil action papers that indicated John Sr. and Amos lost a resultant suit filed by Ammons. Again in Aug 1815 Amos was tried in court for permitting the road "...from the ford of the river Yadkin opposite to Mr. Brown's to Warrior Creek" to be out of repair as of the 29th day of Jul 1815. Amos' fine amounted to 3 pounds, 6 shillings, and 7 pence. He was the overseer of the road at the time.

Each family of the children of Amos I will be dealt with next in the order of their birth when known.
A. JOHN III (Amos ll John ll)
Undoubtedly named for his grandfather, the oldest son of Amos and Elizabeth was b in 1733 and d in 1875. He m Sarah ("Sallie") Billings on 29 Oct 1811. It is probable that Sarah was a sister to Allie Billings who was to become the wife of John's brother Amos Jr. though this has not been documented. They both must have been daughters of Jasper Billing-., who lived in the area at the time and for whose estate Amos Jr. was appointed administrator.
John III did not seek the limelight. There are few records left concerning him, but his life seemed to be characterized by quiet, honest labor and love of family. He divided his farm between three of his sons prior to his death and according to his will devised most of his personal estate to his other children during his lifetime.
John and Sarah lived their married days on Yates Creek, a branch of Lewis Fork
rearing a family of ten children as follows:

CHILD BIRTH MARRIAGE
1. Amos 1812 Vicey Minton, m 30 Jan 1834
2. John A. 1814 Never Married
3. Elizabeth 1816 David Yates
4. Margaret 1818 Franklin Carwell
5. Jasper 1820
6. Elmira 1822 Winborn Minton
7. Hiram 1824 Martha Jane Payne
8. Sarah 1824
9. William 1826 Rebecca Walsh
10. Alexander 1831 Martha A.

On 12 Apr 1851 John went to the courthouse in Wilkesboro where he made deeds of gift for 246 acres and sold an additional 50 acres to his son John A. He gave Alexander 143 acres, Hiram 50 and John A. 53 acres. Each of these deeds specified that the land would remain under John III's control during his lifetime and would be used for the support of Sarah if she were to become a widow. His additional 50 acres on Yates Creek he also sold that day to John A. for $160.00. Both Alexander and Hiram were present for the drawing of the deeds for they witnessed the documents.

On the 26th of Jul 1870 John III wrote his will. His family been decimated by the deaths of his wife and three of his sons (two giving their lives in the Civil War). The division of his will follows:

I give and bequeath to my son John A. Church one black mare, one two horse wagon, one pair of bellows and smith tools, three head of cattle, eleven head of hogs, two rifle guns, one half of the chairs, two pots, one oven and lid, one skillet, one crosscut saw, one cupboard, and all farming tools of whatsoever kind, also one large chest and two beds and furniture, half of a set of pewter plaits, one set of delph plaits, all my grain tubs, one table, one clock as his part and portion of my estate as his legacy and for services rendered and to be rendered me in my declining years.
To my daughter Sarah Church (single woman) I will and bequeath one cow and calf and one cow with calf, two head of hogs, four beds and furniture, two bureaus, one kitching-cupboard, two chests and all my house hold and kitching furniture not otherwise disposed of in this will, whether mentioned or not, one side saddle, all to be to her own use and benefit forever.
To my son Amos Church I have given and do give and bequeath before his death one mare at one hundred dollars and one cow and calf at twelve dollar,.
To my daughter Elizabeth Yates I have given of my personal estate to the amount of one hundred dollars.
To my dau Margaret Cardwell I have given and do give and bequeath of my personal and real estate to the amount of one hundred and eighty dollars.
To my daughter Elmiry Minton I have given and do give and bequeath of my real and personal estate to the amount of one hundred dollars.
To my son Hiram Church I have given and do give and bequeath of my real and personal estate to the amount of one hundred dollars.
To my son William Church I have given and do give and bequeath, before his death, of my real and personal estate to the amount of one hundred dollars.
To my son Alexander Church I have given before his death and do give and bequeath of my real and personal estate to the amount of one hundred dollars.

John appointed his son Hiram to administer the will. Peter Eller, G. F. McNeil, and William H. Stout were witnesses. John was to live 5 more years to the age of 92. The will was probated 29 May 1875.
1. AMOS III (JOHNC III-AMOS I-JOHN 1) Amos III was b on 30 Aug 1812 according to his brother Hiram's Bible. He m Vicie (Violet) Minton, the dau of James and Polly Lovelace Minton on 30 Jan 1834.
Amos and Vicie were the parents of seven children prior to his absence in the home. Vicie had three additional children afterwards who also were known as Church. These three will be discussed more thoroughly later. The complete list of children follows:

CHILD B I R I H MARRIAGE

a) Louisa 1834 1. Peter Eller
2. Will Laws
b) James Wilson 1835 Mary E. Griffith
c) Mary 1838 Alfred Minton
d) Martha Jane 1840 Thomas Harvey Foster
e) John Allen 1841 Zibba Bullis
f) Leander 1845
g) William Amos 1845 Susannah Huffman
h) Bethania Jane 1849 James Calvin Bumgarner
i) Delpha 1854 Thomas Crane
j) Emaline Sarilda 1858 Charles Franklin Hall
The initial absence and ultimate declaration of death of Amos III contain many elements of mystery. The records do not clarify the obvious discrepancies in fact. The Feb 1845 court records that Martha Church, orphan, was bound to John Church. None of the other children were mentioned at that time. William Amos was not born until Mar of that year, possible indicating that Amos III d while Vicie was carrying his last child. However, Vicie did not petition for her dower until the Aug term of court in 1851. In the meantime she went to court in Sep of 1849 and named John Hamby the father of Bethania Jane who was
born that year. In the 1850 census Vicie was obviously having a difficult time managing the family affairs. She must have moved about considerably and depended upon family help to care for her brood. The census taker picked up and listed some of the children with Vicie three different times at three different houses in 1850. Other of the children were listed with their paternal grandparents.
In the Apr 1850 court Louisa was bound to David Yates (who had m Amos III's sister Elizabeth); Martha and Leander were bound to their grandfather John Ill... The Jul 1850 term subpoenaed Vicie to bring to court Wilson, Mary, John A. and Amos to be bound out. In the term of 1851 James Calloway was appointed administrator of the estate of Amos Church, deceased, David Yates was released from the indenture of Louisa (he died soon after), and Mr. Mastin, clerk of the court was appointed guardian all of Amos' children. Listed in that last order were Louisa, Wilson, Mary, Martha, Allen, Leander, and Amos. The absence of Bethania Jane from the list is noted. In the Aug term a petition was finally filed in Vicie's behalf for her dower as Amos' widow. James Calloway, the administrator of Amos III was granted a order to sell the land that Amos had owned. It must have been an extremely difficult time for Vicie and the children.
The father of Delpha was named b Vicie during the Feb term of 1854 as Benjamin Milam. The father of Emaline Sarida (Rilda) is not known at this time. Absent from the family in the 1860 and 1870 census, she and a six year old child were living in Job's Cabin Township in 1880. Copies are extant of important letters linking Bethania and Rilda. One of them, dated 18 Apr 1896, was written by Rilda to Bethania and signed "Your Sister". It was posted in Sutherland, N. C., a small community in west Ashe County.

a) Louisa (Amos III-John III-Amos I-John I)

According to her death certificate, Louisa was b on 4 Nov 1834 and d on 11 Nov 1920. She was shifted back and forth between relatives after her father's death until sometime in the late 1860's when she went to live and work in the home of Col. Peter Eller. The pressures of her early disappointments must have taken their toll in her behavior for on 3 Aug 1862 her grandfather John Church III signed a bond assuring that her newly born son Vance would not become a ward of the county. The only Vance Church known of during that period grew up in the home of Gabriel Church, (a cousin of Louisa's grandfather) and his 2nd wife, Fanny Adams. One could only speculate as to the significance thereof. Perhaps Louisa's child did not survive. Col. Eller was the commanding officer of the Wilkes County militia and served two terms in the North Carolina legislature, representing Wilkes County during the Civil War. After the death of Col. Eller's wife, he chose Louisa as his 2nd wife, and they were m on 15 Nov 1863.
On 19 Nov 1372 the court appointed Elijah Dyer and David Huffman to lay off a widow's dower for Louisa and her two minor heirs, Gaither Alex Eller and Robert Lee Eller. Col. Eller was buried in the New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery. Louisa sold her dower's rights to the Peter Eller farm in 1882 for $750 to a distant cousin, Anderson Mitchell Church who served as sheriff of the county. The purchase of this farm and later litigations relative to it were finally settled many years later by the North Carolina Supreme Court.
Louisa's second marriage was to William F. Laws by whom she had two additional children, Christopher C. Laws and Cora B. Laws. Louisa d 11 Nov 1920 in the Stanton Township of Wilkes and is buried at Parsonville.
The following data are all that has been found regarding the descendants of Louisa:
1) Gaither Alex Eller was b 22 Jul 1865 in Wilkes and d 11 Oct 1941 in Surry in an automobile tragedy along with his son Carl. Gaither had m Martha Alice Shepherd on 2 March 1887, who was b in 1872 and d 15 Mar 1941. Both are buried in the Zion Hill Cemetery at Boomer. They had 11 children as follows:

CHILD BIRTH DEATH MARRIAGE
Edgar Mansfield 14 Jan 1887 17 May 1969 Mary Alvertie Bare
Eugene Jarvis 26 Dec 1887 24 Jan 1889
Robert Franklin 6 Nov 1888 7 Sep 1968 Annie
Charlotte NC
Peter Alex 28 Nov 1892 11 Oct 1907
Thomas Albert 9 Feb 1895 23 Mar 1960
Nolar Belle 31 Jan 1900 Arvil E. Hefner
Clevelin Webster 28 Aug 1904
Ambrose Clarke 13 Jul 1906 27 Feb 1924 Never Married, b Zion Hill Bapt
Gaither Carl 20 Jun 1908 13 Oct 1941 Never Married, b Zion Hill Bapt
Walter Worth 16 Jul 1909
Lawrence Cowles 18 Jul 1918 3 Jul 1948 b Zion Hill Bapt


2) Robert Lee Eller was b in 1870. He m Rebecca (Becky) Hamby on 26 Jan 1893. He had at least three daughters, one named Nellie. Robert lived with his family at Ferguson.

3 ) Christopher (Christer C. ) Laws was b in 1874 and d prior to 1921. On 9 Aug 1896 he m Ida Mary, the dau of James M. (Buck) and Amanda Powell Parsons at the bride's home. She is buried at the Stoney Hill Church in Parsonville having lived from 6 Oct I877 to 20 Feb 1951.
4) Cora B. Laws was b in 1875. She m Ben F. Brown, the son of a baptist preacher b in Tennessee, Joel H. Brown and his wife Elizabeth.
Louisa told the 1910 census taker that she had had five children with three still living. Probably Christopher had already died. Unfortunately no further material has been forthcoming relative to the descendants of Louisa. Much additional data needs to be saved on these families.

b) JAMES WILSON (AMOS III-JOHN III -AM0S-I-J0HN I)
Known most often as Wilson, James Wilson Church and his wife Mary Elizabeth Griffith were the progenitors of a very large and distinguished band of descendants. He was b in May of 1835, she in Mar of 1845.
In Apr of 1862 Wilson enlisted in Company F of the 52nd North Carolina Regular Troops. In Jul he was wounded in the arm at Gettysburg. Dr.F.H. Gilreath examined him at the time of his pension application (25 Jul 1904) and stated that Wilson "Is at the ripe age of seventy-one and has a weak-senile heart but otherwise seems in fair health. I consider a man of his age however healthy to be disabled to the extent of 3/4 for manual labor." On 24 Jun 1907 Mary Elizabeth applied for a pension as the widow indicating Wilson's death during the spring of 1907.
On a beautiful winter day in Jan of 1981, Ira Pilkenton (87 at the time) and his son served as guide on a trip up Rendevous Mountain to the home site and graves of WiIson and Mary Elizabeth. Ira and his family had been neighbors to the Wilson Church family. The Pilkentons still live about 500 yards from the White Oak Baptist Church on the White Oak Church Road. Wilson's farm was about 2.5 miles beyond the church toward the top of the mountain. There is a government issued grave marker for Wilson indicating his service in the CSA and three other field stone marked graves. These memorials are about 30 feet to the left of the winding trail on a little ridge which must have been near the top of their farm. The remains of the old log house can still be seen in the hollow below the graves next to their long-desrted fields. Their children were:

CHILD BIRTH MARRIAGE
1) William Amot 1862 Delphia Bethany Rash
2) Julia A. 1864 John Milam
3) James Anderson 1866 Alverty N. Vannoy
4) Carra V. 1869 Harper A. Lovette
5) Amanda Amelia 1872 Wiley C. Lovette
6) Freelus B. 1874 Lillie Anna Vickus
7) Eliz. Malinda 1875 Gaither A. Canter
8) Finley Horton 1877 Alice Elizabeth Yates
9) Martha Isobelle 1879 Franklin Hackett Nichols
10) Noah Cleveland 1882 Frances Carolina Yates

Each of the ten families will be dealt with according to the data that are available.

1) WILLIAM AMOS (WILSON-AMOS III-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1)
William Amos was b in Sep of 1861 and m Bethany (Beth Ain) Rash on 24 Aug 1884. A delayed birth certificate listed her as Delphia Bethany Rash. Her grave marker lists her dates as 19 Mar 1869 and 14 Apr 1919 (Mt. Pleasant Baptist church Cemetery). She was b in Iredell Co.
The following information is all that is presently gathered about this family.
CHILD BIRTH DEATH MARRIAGE
Amanda Eldora Feb 1890 28 Dec 1928 J.L. Cardwell
Bessie Melanda Mar 1892 1962 Cardwell
Mary Isobell Jan 1894 19 May 1966 James Thomas Crane
Lannie M. Feb 1896
Myrtle D. Jan 1899
(Unnamed Female) Mar 1900
Nellie Viola 25 Oct 1902
Howard Lee 15 Jan 1909 15 Jun 1969 Retha Ford

Only a few additional facts can be cited. Eldora was called Dora. Both she and Bessie Melanda are buried in the Mt. Pleasant Church with their mother. Mary Isobelle's husband, James Thomas Crane, was the son of Delpha, Wilson's half-sister, and will be expanded under Delpha's section. Howard d in Burke County and is buried in Burke Memorial Park. His marriage to Retha Ford took place in Watauga County. Retha, b in 1918, is the dau of Cordira Ford.
2) JULIA A. (WILSON-AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1) No additional data are available for Julia except that her marriage to John Milam took place on 23 Apr 1884.
3) JAMES ANDERSON (WILSON-AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1)
The full birth and death dates of James Anderson Church are 2 Oct 1866 and 17 Jul 1942. He d in Mooresville where he is buried in the Willow Valley Cemetery. His marriage to Vertie Vannoy took place on 28 Jun 1892. Their four known children are:

CHILD BIRTH DEATH MARRIAGE
Mamie Ida 2 May 1894 Grover Starnes
Cicereo Conley 1896 Sarah Eliz. Smith
Joe Never Married
J . B . 1904 Mary Stewart

There is additional data only for Cicero Conley. His wife Sarah was originally from Burke County. They had six children.
<a>Charles Anderson, b in 1917, m Nannie Vae, dau of T. 0. and Ida Mae Farabee. She was b in 1916 and is buried in the Bethel Church Cemetery. Charles lives in the Tyro community near Lexington. They had two daughters. The oldest, Janice, was b 12 Dec 1938 in Davidson County and d 12 Feb 1980 in Lexington. She m Charles "Bill" Jenkins, Jr.and had two children Jeff and Lori Michelle. Janice was a member of Reed's United Methodist Church and d in an automobile tragedy. The youngest m Dale Morris.
<b>Grant, b in 1919, d at 2 weeks, buried at Brookton, N. C.
<c>Leo Alexander, b in 1921, m Mary Ellen "Dot" Coble.
<d>Roy Samuel, b Dec 1923, m Wilma Graves. He is a retired Colonel in the U.S. Army and lives in Atlanta, Ga.
<e>lra Wells, b 1926, m Leonida Sargent.
<f>Max, b Oct 1932, m Martha Swink.

4) CARRA V. (WILSON-AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1)
No other information has come about Carra except that her marriage to Harper Lovette (b in 1865) took place on 9 Mar 1884 at her father's home.
5) AMANDA AMELIA (WILSON-AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1)
The marriage of Amanda and Wiley Lovette occurred at the home of Hersey Lovette on 26 May 1890. Wiley was b in 1870, and Amanda on 12 Feb 1871. She d on 20 Dec 1935 and is buried at the Pleasant Home Baptist Church. Their children are:

CHILD BIRTH DEATH MARRIAGE
Cora Belle 14 Mar 1892
Anderson Jerome 18 Apr 1894
J. F. 22 Feb 1896 20 Aug 1947
Mary 20 Jan 1900
Bessie Octavia 15 Jul 1904
Hattie 1907 31 Dec 1937 R.P. Cardwell
Robert Elmore 11 Oct 1911

There are probably others. The data above was taken from delayed birth certificates in Wilkes County.
6) FREELUS B. (WILSON-AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-John 1)
Freelus Bynum Church, b 9 aug 1873 and d I Oct 1952, is buried at the New Hope Baptist Church. On 4 Mar 1900 he m Lillie Annie Vickers, b in 1884 to Sis Vickers. The 1910 census shows him living in the Job's Cabin township with four children; Vester M. (b 1901), Lily B. (b 1903), Lela C. (b.1907), and Venie May, (b I May 1909). There are probably others.
7) ELIZABETH MALINDA (WILSON-AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN)
Known as Linda, she also was m "in his father's home. Her marriage to Gaither A. Canter occurred in 2 Sep 1893. His birth was in 1873, hers in 1874. Her death was in 1942.
8) FINLEY HORTON (WILSON-AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1) Finley Horton, b 19 Jul 1877 and d 11 May 1913, m Allie Yates, b 11 Apr 1883 and d 23 Apr 1962, the dau of Laura A. Yates. Members of New Hope Baptist Church and are buried in the cemetery there. Their children were:

CHILD BIRTH DEATH MARRIAGE
Ethel 15 Dec 1900 1. Mitch Walsh
2. Fred E. Bare
Newton 4 Jul 1904
Male infant 2 Mar 1906 24 May 1906
James Carl 1 Dec 1908 26 Oct 1971 Ihling Fletcher
Ina Nell 13 Jul 1910 25 Apr 1984 Dewey Phillip Yates
Virginia Dare 15 May 1913 Crump
Vernon

Ethel's first marriage was to Mitch, the son of G. W. and America Walsh and took place 10 Mar 1918. She m her second husband, Fred, son of Jesse and Lizzie Bare, on 23 Jan 1926.
Carl d 26 Oct 1971 in Iredell County. His wife, lhling, was the dau of W. E. and Frances Fletcher. Married on 20 Jun 1931, they have a son, Robert Finley, b 17 May 1936.
Phillip and Ina Nell, m 3 Jul 1926, have a son buried in the New Hope Cemetery , Jerry Allen (Born 18 Oct 1 942 and d 3 Nov 1942 . Two other sons, Tommy and Rex, lived in Purlear in 1984.

9) MARTHA ISOBELLE (WILSON-AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1)
Married to Franklin Hackett Nichols, b in 1871, Martha Isobelle was b 15 Aug 1879 and d 13 Nov 1955. She is buried at the Shady Grove Church. Their children are:

CHILD BIRTH DEATH MARRIAGE
Stewart 24 Jul 1906 1970
Dexter Lowe 26 Jul 1909
Charlie Lee 16 Nov 1911 1982
Fred Milluc 4 Apr 1914 19 Feb 1982 Alice Geneive
(dau) Jonnie H.H. Jarvis
(dau) Walter Huffman
Mollie Nichols

The obituary of Fred indicates he was a widower at his death in 1982. His wife's surname possibly was Nichols and they had at least four daughters. One m Albert Duncan, Othelia m a Faw, Naolam a Smithy, and Udeanna m a Patrum.
10) NOAH CLEVELAND (WILSON-AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1)
Noah C. Church joined New Hope Baptist Church in Nov of 1901. His relationship with that church was permanent with his physical remains being laid to eternal rest in the church cemetery. According to the grave stone, he was b on 8 May 1882 and d 15 Feb 1961 in Daytona Beach, Florida. He m Frances Carolina Yates, the dau of P. Cleveland and Laura Eller Yates, on 21 Aug 1906 at the bride's home. She life was begun of 30 May 1893 and ended 10 Apr 1979, also in Daytona.
The integrity and industriousness of this couple certainly contributed to the exceptional successes experienced by their children. This has been an exemplary family. It is regretable that so little data are available for inclusion herein beyond the following material regarding the children:

The children of Noah C. Church and Frances Carolina Yates
CHILD BIRTH DEATH MARRIAGE
Dr. Avery Milton 9 Jan 1909 Eula M. Lowe
m. 25 Mar 1934
James Releigh 14 Sep 1911 6 Feb 1945 Mamie Anna Church
(ww II) m. 30 Dec 1941
L. H. 17 Jun 1916 Louise Ridehaugh
m. 16 Mar 1946
Dr. WAYNE 12 Jan 1919 Lula Mae Teague
m. 27 Dec 1951
Carl Mullins 13 Jan 1931 Joan Moan
m. 10 Jan 1953
Edith 15 Jan 1914 Joe Welborn
m. 12 Jan 1940
Vetra 27 Jul 1921 Ben Tadlock
m. Aug 1939
Freda 13 Feb 1926 Sam Rushtin
m. 21 Jun 1946
Avery became a very prominent Baptist minister in his native state, residing in his retirement in Winston-Salem. L.H. was highly successful in the lumbering buisness in Florida. Wayne received his Ed.D. degree and in 1979 was the assistant ,Superintendent of the Charlotte school system, probably the largest such organization in the state.
c) MARY (AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1)
It appears that Mary, b 1838, did not marry until late in life when she married a widower, Alfred Minton, on 14 Feb 1898 with two of her brothers, John Allen and William Amos serving as witnesses. Alfred, b 1826, had first married Bethania Eller, on 26 Oct 1848.
d) MARTHA JANE (AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1)
The story of the marriage of Martha Jane and Thomas Harvey Foster was made for story books. Many years before their wedding Thomas Harvey had agreed to remain with his parents, George and Amey Gray Foster, and to take care of them until their deaths in return for which he would receive the family farm. When his parents were very advanced in age, and he was over 40 himself, he watched a young girl playing and remarked to friends that he was going to marry her after he received his inheritance. On 21 Sep 1858 that marriage took place at his home. Thomas Harvey, b 27 Jul 1807, was 51, and Martha Jane, b 10 Dec 1939,, was almost 18.
On 7 Mar 1859, they, along with ten others, became charter members of the Pilgrim Baptist Church, moving their church letters from New Hope Baptist Church. Their names' were associated with Pilgrim during their remaining years. There were five children born to them as follows:

CHILD BIRTH DEATH MIRRAGE
Margaret A. 9 Oct 1859 Phillip Gordon Church
m. 22 Feb 1883
Lemira Jane 13 Oct 1862 21 Mar 1938 Zeb Vance Church
Rebecca Emeline 20 May 1866 1903 Newton Fairchild
George Pinkney 13 Apr 1869 7 Feb 1952 Etty Minton
m. 27 Nov 1892
Nolia Isabel 1875 10 Jul 1932 George Wash. Nichols

Margaret's husband, Phillip Gordon Church, was a first cousin of her mother, Martha Jane. His father, William Church IV was a brother of Amos 111. Phillip Gordon will be treated further with his father's section. Zeb Vance Church, Lemira Jane's husband, grew up in the household of Gabriel and Fanny Adams Church and will be treated further in their section.
Rebecca and Newton Fairchild had two sons, Harvey and Cleveland. Harvey has a dau, Arlee, who married a Bonham and lives in Roanoke, Va. Cleveland has a dau, Ethel, who married W. T. (Bill) Yopp and lives in Covington, Va. Newton reportedly hanged him self.
George Pinkney's wife, Ettie (Euny) was the dau of Zackary and Sarah O'Rilla Minton. Pinkney and Ettie had three children; Walter. M., b 5 Oct 1899, Floyd, b 19 Feb 1896 and d 10 Oct 1918 (in WWI), and Nellie Isoley, b 17 Jun 1904.

e) JOHN ALLEN (AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1)
Known as "Stormy Allen" by his close friends, John Allen married Zibba Huffman on 2 Aug 1866, He had served through the Civil War at a member of Co. F of the 52nd N.C. State Troop or Pa. 7-30-1860. On I Mar 1862, he was wounded at Gettysburg and again on 3 Jul 1864 at Petersburg. Zibba's parents were David Huffman, Sr. and Zibba Bullis. She was b 14 Feb 1843 and died 23 Aug 1917. Both are buried at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. Their children were:

CHILD BIRTH MARRIAGE
1) James Arthur 1866 I.Mary Jane Summerlin
2.Laura Vickers
2) Leroy 1879 I.Rebecca Stikes
2.Laura V. Dillard
3) Margaret 1880 Phineas H. Eller
4) Hildie (Hilda) 1881 Joseph P. Parsons
5) Roxie 1884 Millard 0. Faw

There is considerable information about the above.
1) James Arthur, known as Arthur usually, married Mary Jane, the dau of Alfred and Mariah Spears Summerlin, in 1885. He was b 6 Oct 1866 and d 24 Feb 1938. She was b in Feb 1852 and d 10 Oct 1936. They are both buried at Bullis Tabernacle Baptist Church Cemetery. Mary Jane was reportedly an invalid who could not have children. In the 1900 census she listed 15 years of marriage with no issue. Soon after 1900 Laura Vickers moved in with Mary Jane and Arthur to assist with the housework, bringing her two children. By the time Mary Jane died Laura had given birth to three additional children. Twelve days after Mary Jane's death, Arthur married Laura. All five of Laura's children took the surname Vickers.
Laura's first child was Hoy who spent most of his formative years with a family in the Reddies River area and lived in West Virginia in adulthood. The second child, Coy Alexander, was b 20 Oct 1897 and d 31 Jul 1969. He married Winnie Pearl Bullis, the dau of Lindsey Alexander and Frances Isabelle Minton Bullis on 20 Apr 1920. Lindsay Alexander is a descendant of Aaron Church I and will be further treated in his chapter. Laura's next child, Blanche, married another child of Lindsay Alexander, Sherri] "Hoke"s Bullis. Blanche, b 12 Feb 1901, and Hoke, b 22 Aug 1898, were married 22 Jul 1922. They lived in West Virginia where Hoke worked in the mines. Their four children were Hazel Emma Lee, b 26 Feb 1927, Vernon, Opal, b 2 Oct 1928, and Shirley. After the death of Hoke, Blanche moved to Maryland where she lives with her two unmarried daughters, Opal and Shirley.
The fourth child, James Odell, married Mary Alvinia, the dau of Maude Carlton. Mary was b 22 Feb 1911. She and James Odell had 16 children who grew to adulthood and 3 more who died at birth. Those who survived are listed below:

CHILD BIRTH DEATH MARRIAGE

James Franklin 11 Jun 1926 Louise Era Money
m 15 Mar 1947
Hoy Glenn 12 Sep 1927 Ann Jarvis
Bill 25 Nov 1928 Katie Marie Parsons m 25 Jan 1947
Leona Mozelle 13 Aug 1930 Paul Pardue
Junior Clellan 9 Dec 1931 20 Nov 1978 Delores Jones
Doris Fern 27 Jan 1934 Leonard Perkins George Wesley 23 Sep 1935 Linda
Archie Dale 28 Aug 1937 1 Sep 1963 Kay Frances Johnson Emma Ree 9 Mar 1939 Carl Cleary
Muriel Lee 29 Jan 1941 Lawrence Johnson Bobby Roosevelt 25 Sep 1942 Karen Howitt Jerry Wayne 26 Nov 1944 Janet
David Bruce 7 Dec 1946 Mattie Marie Denny
m 21 Dec 1965
Roy Donald 8 Dec 1948 Brenda
Linda Sue 4 Oct 1950 Larry Joel Davis
Otis Paul Jeanette.

There are some known children of the above marriages. James Franklin had Brenda Kay, b I Jun 1951. Hoy Glenn had Mike and Laurel. Bill had Lonnie Eugene, b 29 Nov 1953. Leona Mozelle had Wanda and Gail. Junior Clellan had Karen, Diane, and Keith. George Wesley had Debbie Lee, b 28 Dec 1958, who married Jeffrey J . Montgomery (21 Apr 1978), George Wesley, Jr., b I Oct 1960, Brenda Lynn, b 1961 and d 1962/3, Bonnie Lynn, b 5 Jun 1970 and Sara Lynn, b 20 Jul 1973. Archie Dale had Mary Ellen, Cathy, Stephia, Donna, and Archie, Jr. Emma Ree had Charles, Larry Tammie and Terry. Muriel Lee had Ricky and Steve. Bobby Roosevelt had Todd, Jennifer, Vincent, and Vickie. Jerry_Wayne had Jennette and Jeffrey. David Bruce had Deanna Lynn, b 15 Mar 1965, David Bruce, Jr., b 27 Jan 1970,1 and Timmie Ray, b 26 Sep 1974. Linda Sue had Joel.
Laura's fifth child was Robert ("Rob") Glenn, b 16 Apr 1907 and d 223 Mar 1971. He married Nettie Nichols Duncan 26 Jan 1929 She, b 23 Sep 1898, was the dau of Calvin and Ida Nichols and had first married Clarence Duncan by whom she had children, but had none by Rob. He next married (Mar 1939) Fannie Louise Roberson in Speedville Va. She had one prior child, Kenneth Cecil Roberson, b 24 Apr 1935 who married first Janice Howett and later Cathy (surname unknown). Rob and Fannie had two children, Ellen Louise, b I Jul 1941, who married James Walter ("Sam") Watkins, and Robert Glenn, Jr., b 30 Nov 1944 and d 19 Feb 1979 after having married Ile Dean Reeves Church, the dau of John Allen and Ruth Morrison Reeves. They had three children, Daniel Shane, Michelle Suzanne, and John Robert.
2) Leroy's first wife, Rebecca Stikes, whom he m 16 Jan 1897, died soon thereafter with no known children. He then m Laura V. Dillard, the dau of Jacob and Fanny Shepherd Dillard on 10 Feb 1901. She was b 16 Sep 1880 and d 13 Dec 1951. They lived near Hudson. They had the following:

CHILD BIRTH DEATH MARRIAGE
Arthur Randolph 28 Apr 1902 14 Jul 1963 Texie Munday
Stella Beatrice 7 Sep 1905 Bumgarner
Thomac Kitchen 1 May 1907 5 Oct 1966 Nellie Church?
Veola 1 Sep 1916 7 Mar 1956 Woody?
Jake Lewis 29 Jul 1917 6 Dec 1973 Rosa church?

Arthur's wife, Texie, b 28 May 1903 and d 5 Dec 1963, was the dau of Stewart and Maggie Smith Munday. There were no children. Both are buried in Mt. Zion Cemetery.
3) Margaret's husband, Finley H., b 1856, was the son of George and Polly Eller. They were m 29 Oct 1912. Their only known dau, Ethel, m Lafe Deal. Margaret is buried at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Cemetery.

4) Hildie's m to Joe Parsons, b 1877, occurred 10 Jan 1901. They had the eight children as follow:

CHILD BIRTH DEATH MARRIAGE
Samuel Bradshaw 20 Sep 1903 28 Dec 1922
Carlos 1905 1960 Parsons
Jarvay 1. Elmer Shepherd
2.
Roxey 28 Jun 1909 1.Carl Ellis
2.Marshall Dunn
Lyda 1911 1930 Henry Adams
Sadie Marie 6 Oct 1915
Norvella 14 Jun 1913
Leauna Ethel 19 Jan 1918

Samuel Bradshaw was buried at Champion. Jarvey had a dau, Pansy, by her first husband, no children by her second. Marshall Dunn was b 1891 and d 1975.
5) Roxie died young in childbirth. She m Millard Odell Faw 24 Dec 1904 at New Hope Church where they worshipped and are buried. Millard, b 26 Aug 1884 and d 16 Oct 1952, later m Ethel Phillips by whom he had three children, Lorie Mae who m Troy Church, Nettie Y. who m a Cooper, and Nora Belle who m Clyde Thomas Eller. Millard's parents were John and Sarah Faw.

f) LEANDER (AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1)
Known as "Ander" it is thought that he died before he was 20 years of age in the Civil War. He never married as far as is known.
g) WILLIAM AMOS (AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1)
The story of William Amos and Susannan ("Sisie") Huffman Church was well told in a book by Troy Huffman called Descendants of David Huffman, Sr. and Zibba Bullis. Their three children, Leander,Zibba and David W., died when their house burned on 17 Mar 1876, trapping them inside. William Amos was b 6 Jul 1845 and d 24 Feb 1902. Sisie, b Feb 1839 and d 20 dec 1914, was the dau of David and Zibba. Both William Amos and Sisie were buried on the old David Huffman Place at Purlear.
h) BETHANIA JANE (AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1)
Listed once in the census as Anny, she was called Bethane in a letter from her sister. Her gravestone lists her dates as 9 Sep 1349 and.6 Nov 1937. Her marriage to James Calvin Bumgarner occurred on I Jun 1867. He was b 15 Dec 1847 and d 7 Mar 1928. Jim took Bethania to Tennessee for a while where the limestone of the area was supposed to relieve some ailment she had. Their two children were:

CHILD BIRTH DEATH MARRIAGE
James Rufus 4 Jun 1869 28 Feb 1947 Mary Elizabeth Wyatt
Molly (Mary E.) 17 Sep 1871 9 Sep 1955 Arthur ELLER

I)James Rufus Bumgarner m Mary Elizabeth, the dau of Calvin and Polly Adams Wyatt on 14 Jul 1895. She was b 25 Jun 1874 and d 21 Sep 1957. Both are buried at Union Baptist Church. Their 11 children were all born at the homeplace which is now owned by Ronnie Hamby who married a granddaughter.

The children of Jim and Mary Elizabeth were:

CHILD BIRTH DEATH MARRIAGE
James Talmadge 17 Jan 1897 I.Virchew Yates
2.Odessie Pilkenton
Ethel 2 May 1898 Rome Spears
Ollie 30 Aug 1899 John Eller
Zoille Thomas 22 Aug 1901 4 Dec 1960 I.Mae Johnson
2.lsadora Cleary
Nora 14 Feb 1904 28 Apr 1966 Quincse Yates
Bertha 12 Sep 1905 Jesse James South
Conrad 5 Apr 1907 Ethel Bolden
Mary Virginia I Jan 1909 Carl Faw
Dewey 22 Apr 1911 Lovie Mash
Ila 3 Sep 1914 Joe Cleary
Mamie 6 Jul 1916 Avery Barnes

The first son above was known as Talmadge. He and Virchew, the dau of Jesse and Candace Hall Yates had seven children as follows: <a>Howard who m Hazel (dau of Pate and Maudie Huffman Yates) and had Bobby, Duard, Billy, Evangeline, and Peggy, <b>Wayne who m Ola (dau of Wiley and Ellen Roten Dillard) and had several children, <c>Hazel who m Ist Hardin Seaver and had Wanda and Glenn and m 2nd Reubin (Bill) Eller (son of Spainhour Eller) and had no children, <d>Jimmy who m Mae Woods (dau of "Babe" Woods) and had Brenda and Debbie, <e> Holbert who m Shirley (dau of Foster Miller) and had three children, one dau and two sons, Larry and Scott, <f>Kyle who m Betty (the dau of George and Christine Pilkinton Wyatt) and had Sallie, and <g>Lois who m Thomas McGuire (son of Romulus and C Flossie Dancy McGuire) and had Linda, Larry, and one other dau. After the death of Virchew, Talmadge m Odessie, the dau of Ira and Myrtle Griffin Pilkenton.
The next child, Ethel, m Rome Spears, the son of, Emma Spears, on 17 Apr 1926. No children are known.
Ollie Mae m John Eller, son of Franklin and Betty Spears Eller, on 22 Mar 1923 and have the following children: <a>Callie Mae, b 5 Jun 1928, and m Estel Wyatt (son of Charlie and Adline Haire Wyatt) on 29 Jun 1945, <b>Virgil Adel], b 22 Feb 1930, m Albert Bowlin (son of Harrison and Ardie Bare Bowlin) on 7 Sep 1951, <c>Ruby Faye, b 12 Feb 1932, m Charlie Bare (son of Roland and Ida Miller Bare) on I May 1949, <d>Margie Ellendor, b 15 Mar 1934, m Bill Roten (son of Dave and Ola Roten) on 9 Jan 1954, <e>Paul Franklin, b 14 dec 1935, m Sabre Hanes (dau of Ambrose and Hazel Roten Hanes) on 6 Jul 1955.
No children are known for either of the marriages of Zollie Thomas (Tom) Bumgarner. He m Mae Johnson, the dau of Lee Johnson, on 17 Feb 1922. He m Isadara Clary, the dau of Andy and Morrie Ashley Clary, on I May 1924.
Nora's m to Quince Yates, son of Jesse and Candace Hall Yates, took place on 23 Oct 1924.
Bertha m Jesse James South, b 27 Aug 1902 and d 3 Jun 1974, on 12 Jun 1924. He is buried at Union Baptist Church. His parents were Sanford and Caroline Spears South. Their children. <a>James Woodrow who m. Marie Roten, dau of Gold and Mertie Hanes Roten, and had Reta Louise (m. James Tyron Sebastian) and Steve (m Mary Whittington, dau of Calvin and Thelma Miller Whittington, <b>Bernie Estelle who m Charlie Miller, son of John and Alice Bryant Miller, and had Charles (Danny) who m Barbara Griffin, dau of Glenn and Faye Wyatt Griffin, <c>Thomas Wade who m Helen Wyatt, dau of Filmore "Jake" and Mamie Kilby Wyatt, and had Lanny Thomas who m Jeannie Dancy, dau of Jay and Laura Miller Dancy, and Patsy Elizabeth, and <d>Doris Nell and husband Archie Church, son of Mack and Grace Farrington Church, had two children, Kathy Denise and Konnie Reece.
Conrad's m to Ethel Boldin, dau of Lee and Cooney Boldin took place 13 Jun 1927.
Mary Virginia ("Ginny" or "Jeanie") m Carl Faw on 24 Dec 1927. He is the son of Tom and Gerty Church Faw.
Dewey's m to Loisa Mash, dau of Ham and Julie Seavet Mash, occurred on 24 Dec 1931.They are both buried at Union Baptist Church. Their children are Garland, James Carmel, Virgil, Christine (who m a Dillard), and Willa Dean who m Ronnie Hamby and had two children, Kenneth and Lorie.
Ila m Joe Cleary, son of Andy and Mira Sheets Cleary on 10 Oct 1936.
Mamie m Avery Barnes, son of Hoyt Barnes and wife(a Miller), on 8 Jan
1938.
2) Mollie m Authur S Eller, son of Bethania Eller. He was b 13 Oct 1867 and d 1 Sep 1950. They are both buried at New Hope Baptist Church. Their children were Commie ("Com") who m Nell Pierce, Archie who d at 4 months, Rommie who never married, and Nettie who m James Wiley McNeil.
i) Delphia (AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1) DELPHIA, b Feb la54 and d 29 Jul 1935, m Thomas Calloway Crane, son of William and Polly Builis Crane. They are both buried in New Hope Baptist Church Cemetery. Their children:

CHILD BIRTH DEATH MARRIAGE
Landen Greene 26 Aug 1873 1 Dec 1944 Martha Geneva Church
Sarah Octavia
Lunnie 1 Jun 1877 23 Sep 1925 Wyatt L. Foster
Elvira Feb 1881 Wm Stace Church, Jr.
Daisy 15 Jul 1883 21 Aug 1960 Harry Prestwood
Martha 18 Sep 1886 Monroe Bishop
Mary Vertie 18 Sep 1886 5 Sep 1915 1. Ray
2.Robert Milas
Binnie Ann Jul 1888 1.James Church
2.Carl Craig
James Thomas 2 Feb 1889 Mary Isobelle Church
Ilar Shobe Minton
1) Landen G. Crane m Martha, dau of Hiram L. (Wesley) and Candis Brown, on 25 Mar 1897. Wesly Church was a brother of Amos 111. Martha was b 18 Sep 1881 and d 16 Feb 1953. Both are buried at Lewis Fork Baptist Church. They had six children:
<a>Rommie McCoy, b Apr 1898 m Mollie Church, dau of Emma Church who in turn was the dau of the above mentioned Wesley and Candis Church. Mollie was b 22 Mar 1895 and d 11 Jan 1923. Their m took place 16 Nov 1917.
<b>Zola m Rommie Whittington who was the son of Decatur Whittington.
<c>Mamie m. William Doughton Foster, the son of Kansas (Candis?) Foster
whose father was Akillis Foster. Their sons established Salem Carpets, a very successful buisness venture. Mamie is buried in the Forsyth Memorial Park near Germantown where they lived at her death. Their known children are Elton Worth, b 5 t4ay 1923 and d 25 Apr 1924 (buried at Lewis Fork), Billie who m Henry Kern, Juanita who m Carl Smith, Arlie 0, A.G., Vernon, and Ocie C. The sons were all living in Winston-Salem in 1984.
<d>Thomas Gentry's wife, Frances Eleanor Adkins, creates a linkage between the two major Church lines in Wilkes County. She was the dau of Jim Adkins and his wife Mollie Church whose family were descendants of the subject of PART B -- WILLIAM'CHURCH I. They will be dealt with in that section more thoroughly.
<e>Cornice C., a lumberman in Wilkes County, m Winnie Triplett, the dau of Sherman and Nan Triplett. Cornice is buried at Lewis Fork Baptist Church. They had two daughters, Josephine m Arlie C. Greene, the other m Bobby Lambert. Their two sons are Willard and Bruce. <f>The last child of Landen and Martha, Sanford m Ella Mae Green in 1935. She was the dau of Grady and Loretta Benge Green. He worked for Gardner Mirror and was buried at Lewis Fork. They had two children, Sanford Boyce who m Janet Foster, dau of Jones Foster, and Marie who married Jerry Reeves (one child, Angela)
2) Sarah Octavia Crane - nothing known.
3) Lunnie Crane m another child of Akillis Foster, Wyatt L. No further information has been forthcoming except Lunnie's burial site, Lewis Fork Baptist Church.
4) Elvira Crane was known as "Tip" and lived in West Virginia. Her husband William Stace Church, Jr. listed his parents as J.W. and Rebecca Church of Johnson City, Tn. on his marriage license dated 11 Dec 1905. Elvira reportedly had four children, two before her marriage to Stace, Robert and Dewey and two after this marriage.
5) Daisy Crane and her husband reared Robert Crane, the son of Elvira mentioned above. Harry Prestwood was b 20 Aug 1883 and d 2 Jan 1950. Both are buried at Lewis Fork. There were no children
6) Martha Crane - no further info.
7) Mary Vertie and Milas R. Laws, her 2nd husband are both buried at New Hope Church. Note- Mary is not at New Hope. He wa5 b 12 Mar 1397 and d 10 Aug
1969. No known issue. Note-Miles Robert is buried with his 2nd wife, For a Missouir Yates.
8) Binnie (Byne) Ann Crane m 1st James Church, son of Isaac and Ruslina Church on 4 Nov 1905. His birth was in 1887. She later m Carl Craig, son of Austin and Maggie Craig, on 10 Aug 1918.
9) James Thomas Crane lived to be 90 of age, spending his last years in
Vespers Nursing Home but owned a farm on Sparta Road. He and his wife, Mary
Isobelle Church are buried at Lewis Fork Church. She was the dau of William Amos Church and Bethany Rash. She was b 1 Jan 1893 and d 19 May 1966. Their children: <a> Romulus Lee Crane was b 22 Mar 1916 and d 21 Jun 1916, <b> Otis Darling Crane was born 14 Jul 1917, d 11 Nov 1975 and m Mary Lee Hendrix, <c> Naomi m Richard Byrd, <d>Roby Kermit was b 10 Dec 1919, d 1982, m Pear Hendrix, and had Tracy, Frank, Reba (m a Johnson), Frances, and Dora Mae.
10) Ilar (Ila?) Crane - no further info.

j) EMALINE SARILDA (AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS I-JOHN 1)
She was b 4 Jul 1858 and d 4 Aug 1908 in Gastonia. Her husband, Charles Hall, son of Riley Hall and wife Milly Lunsford, was b 15 Oct 1859 and d 6 Jan 1930. They are buried in Hollywood Cemetery, East Gastonia. Their m took place about 1880. He was a tanner and patent medicine salesman. Their children were:

CHILD BIRTH DEATH MARRIAGE
Letitia James Mathias Harless Jonathan Heggie 3 Jul 1883 20 Apr 1958 Edna Eula Hudson
Beuregard Alex. 5 May 1835 18 Sep 1909 Never married
Nancy Virginia 1887 31 Jan 1930 William Dickson
James Thomas 27 Sep 1888 10 Oct 1952 I.Eva Lydia Price
2.Rosa Leland Little

1) Letitia Hall and James Harless had eight children. They were <a> Eula who m Fletcher Croker <b> Bernice who m Russell Shuford <c> Vera who m James Gilliam <c> Conrad who m Kate Gist and had James, Max, Fred, Dorothy, Irma, Caroline, and Pat <d> James who m Pearl Looney <e> Andrew who m Estelle Thornburg <f> Charlie who m Mamie Yarborough and had Shirley (m James,Budd) and Charle (a dentist in Denver, Col.) and <g> Margaret who m Max Huntley.
2) Jonathan Heggie Hall and his wife Edna lived many years in Roanoke, Va. She was b in 1893 in Durham to Furman Down Hudson and wife Lula Crain. They are buried in Sherwood Memorial Park in Roanoke. Their children are <a> Olive Ruth, b 30 Dec 1922 and d 127 Jan 1977 and m Rev. Thomas Tolar <b> Louis Alton, b 6 Feb 1926 and 1m Margaret Peggy Wood Smith and <c> Rev. Charles Furman, b 4 Mar 1927 (an antique dealer in San Francisco in 1978).
3) Beuregard Alexander ("Burch") Hall was never married and died in a tragic hunting accident electrocuted by a power line.
4) Nancy Virginia Hall had seven children who were: <a> Venice <b> Elsie m Jack Jenkins <c> Avis m Herman Jordan <d> Virginia m Frank Major <e> Inez m a Faircloth <f> Montez and <f> William, Jr.
5) James Thomas Hall m Ist Eva Lydia Price, dau of Thomas Price and wife Geneva A. Mullis on 4 Feb 1917. She was from Charlotte. They had the following three children: <a> Margaret Armetta, b 30 Sep 1917 in Charlotte, m Francis E. Mask, a chemist for E.I. Dupont who was b 20 Nov 1914. He was the son of Homer Hosea Belton Mask and wife Gillie Lee Trimble. They were m 3 Sep 1938 in Sanford, N.C. and had two children, Diana Margaret, b 11 Aug 1941 in Joliet, 111. (m Gary Kent Higgs on 29 Aug 1964) and Ronald Homer, b 24 Nov 1943 in Oak Ridge, Tn. (m Iris Sandra Heath on 7 Aug 1965). Diana Margaret and Gary have one child, Karen Ann, b 2 Jun 1973 in East Lansing, Mich. Ronald Homer and Iris Sandra have three children, Karen Tracey, b 17 Sep 1967 in
Los Angeles, Kathrine Elizabeth, b 4 Feb 1970 in Los Angeles, and John Spencer. b 14 Feb 1976 in Wilmington, Del. <b> James Thomas, Jr., b 29 Oct 1919 in Durham, m Jane Piper, Sep 1945 in Fairfax, Ala. Jane, b 13 Dec 1925 in Bartlett's Ferry, Ala. is the dau of Talley Watson Piper and wife Anne Lamb. They have a son, James Piper, b 27 Sep 1950 in Atlanta, Ga.
<c> Frances Helen, b 23 Apr 1923 in Spartanburg, S.C., m Douglas C. Montgomery, Jr., son of 0. C. Montgomery and wife Mary Winifred Grout, on 14 Sep 1946 in Richland, Wash. Douglas is a mechanical engineer and business consultant. Their two children are Edith Frances, b 19 Feb 1953 in Schenectady, NY who m William Barrett, son of Leroy Barrett and wife Grace Horn, on 27 Aug 1975 in Columbia, SC and Mary Margaret, b 11 Aug 1959 in Columbia, SC.
James Thomas Sr. m 2nd Rosa Leland Little of Marshsville, MC, dau of Zeb M. Little and wife Hazeltine Griffin. They were m 6 Apr 1927 and have one child, Maurice, b 24 Dec 1930 in Spartanburg, SC. Maurice m Marcai Kay Rusher, dau of John Rusher, on 25 Jun 1960 in Wilmington, NC. They have two children, Thomas Maurice, b 15 Dec 1961, and Allison Ann, b 4 Mar 1964.

2. JOHN A. (AMOS 111-JOHN 111-AMOS 1-iomm 1)

Additional Information:

1. "YANKEE" JOHN CHURCH) was born October 27, 1736 in Sheffield, Ma., and died April 01, 1811 in Wilkes County, North Carolina. He married (1) UNKNOWN STAMPER. He married (2) JANE ANDREWS 1790, daughter of JAMES ANDREWS and SARAH ANDREWS.

Notes for "YANKEE" JOHN CHURCH:
Good evening Cousins. The following is submitted by Cousin Freddie. I think I like old Yankee John better this way. If he were just a veteran we wouldn't have the good story. This should clear up any misunderstanding about Yankee Johns status during the war.

Dave

Date: Friday, October 22, 1999 11:44 PM
Subject: Yankee John


I contacted Mary Frances Colson about Yankee Johns' war record.

"I think I said that he was recognized or accepted by the DAR as a
patriot. To be qualified as a Patriot means that there is proof that
he helped in the cause of freedom during the Revolutionary War, I found
his name in a recent DAR Magazine on a list of newly accepted patriots
and wrote the DAR National HQ in Washington, DC for whatever information
they had on him. They sent me back copies of several deeds and enough
information to know that this is indeed our Yankee John and that he is
recognized by the DAR as a patriot. He would not have received a
pension for this. I think what he did was supply food and supplies to
the Continental Army. This would qualify any descendant of his to join
the DAR or SAR if they can document direct lineage to Yankee John.

Cousin Freddie
------------------------------------------------------------

More About "YANKEE" JOHN CHURCH:
Fact 1: 1760, Emigration from Va., to Rowan Co., NC
Fact 2: 1773, Emigration from Rowan Co., to Wilkes Co., NC.

Notes for JANE ANDREWS:
John's second, and last wife was "Jane Andrews" she was a much younger woman, and out lived John by several years...She was the daughter of James Andrews, who had been a neighbor in Rowan County in the 1760s...Jane's sister "Sarah" remarried John's son Phillip...Jane Andrews Church appeared in the 1810 census with one son, and five females besides herself..This was probably "Gabriel", the youngest son,along with his wife, and four of john's youngest daughters...Jane was living alone when the census taker came by in 1820 ...She witnessed a court receipt for attendance at a trial on Dec. 19th. 1825...I can't find anything about her after that... Raymond E. Church