USA > North Carolina > North Carolina historical and genealogical record > Part 13
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The home of Samuel (3) erected
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105
N. C. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
at Sunshine about one hundred and Mrs. James Arthur) and Jennie thirty-two years ago is still stand- (Mrs. William Green). James, son ing and is still a very substantial of William, was tall and had blue structure. The barn nearby, equally eyes, and was once a school teacher. as substantial, was finished on April His wife was Catherine Bell. Seven 1, 1801. One corner of the barn daughters and two sons were born was "raised" by a man nicknamed to James and Catherine. Three of "Ccon rod" Wassum. the daughters married Biggerstaff
The children of Samuel Biggerstaff brothers, as noted above. The other (3) and wife Sarah are: Benjamin daughters were: Rebecca (Mrs. Wil- (4) and Mary (4) (namesakes of liam DePriest), Cynthia (Mrs. Elisha their Biggerstaff grandparents), Jos- Long), Jane (Mrs. Calton). eph (4) and Isabella (4) (namesak- and Mattie, the youngest of the ser- es of their Eakins grandparents), en sisters, who married Elisha Big- Samuel (4) and Aaron (4).
gerstaff (5) son of Benjamin (4).
Benjamin (4) was born 1807 and By so marrying Mattie made her lived to the ripe old age of 93. He three sisters, her aunts!
was familiarly known as "Uncle The three Biggerstaff brothers, Benjy." His last resting place is at who married Babers, took up resi- Centennial churchyard. He was first dence on Robinson's Creek. Samuel married to Jane G forth and next to (1) lived at the old ancestrai home. a Miss Vickers. Joseph Biggerstaff Joseph (4) resided across the creck (4) was born 1808. married Mary and a few hundred yards further Elizabeth ( Polly) Baber, and was down stream. Still further down killed 1865 by robbers. Samuel steam was the home of Aaron. Ben- (4) was born 1811, and died 1878. jamin (4), the oldest brother, lived He married Nancy Baber (born 1821 on Comp Creek further north. The died 1885). Aaron '(4) was born old family burying ground is located 1816 and married Millie Baber.
on the brow of the hill overlooking
A history of the Biggerstaff fam- "the Shoals" at Sunshine. However, ily would not be complete without a some of the bodies laid to rest at this sketch of the Baber family, with spot have been exhumed and rein- which it is so closely related. The terred in Cedar Grove churchyard Babers are of English descent, the one mile away. name appearing in many old records
Samuel Biggerstaff (4) was com- of England. The Baber immigrants missioned a "Second Lieutenant of to this country landed in Virginia the Company of the 76th Regiment and their names appear in the 1790 of the North Carolina Militia." His census for that state. William Baber commission, still preserved, bears pr: genitor of the Rutherford Babers, date of October 9, 1841, and is sigr- came to Rutherford county, N. C., ed by his Excellency, Governor John about 1800. from Bedford county, M. Morehead. Samuel (4) also served Virginia. William's sons were John, Rutherford county as Commissioner James, Barney. Rev. Robert, and a and was serving in this official ca- son who was accidentally killed by pacity at his death in 1878. For many mistake for a turkey. William's years he made one or two trips an- daughters were Anna (Mrs. Kinchen nually to Columbia, S. C., in a cov- Carpenter), Sallie (Mrs. Crook, later ered wagon to carry produce for
1
106
N. C. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
sale and bring home needed supplies. mount the mule and ride with them Columbia at that time was an im- down the creek to Mr. Joe Bigger- porcant market for western North staff's.
Carolina products.
"Arriving at Mr. Joe Biggerstaff's
Samuel (4) . was devoutly religious they made his little twelve year old and was thoroughly familiar with his son Sam, who was my host the night Bible which he studied regularly. I spent at this memorable place, The children of Samuel (4) were: hold their horses. They then demand- John Wesley (5) ; Jane, Mrs. J. W. ed Mr. Joe Biggerstaff's money, and McDaniel (5) ; Catherine, Mrs. L. he reluctantly handed them fourteen E. Powers (5); Abi, Mrs. B. A. dollars, telling them this was all he Baber (5); Mary Etta, Mrs. W. N. had. The four bandits sat down to Davis, (5) ; and Samuel Bascom (5). the table to divide the money. And Samuel (4) died November 4, 1878 while they were engaged in the di- and lies buried in Cedar Grove vision, Mr. Joe Biggerstaff looked Methodist churchyard at Sunshine. at Mr. Waters and pointed to an
Joseph Biggerstaff (4) was mur- axe nearby, snatched one himself and dered in 1865. An account of his cut one man's skull open and felling death as published in the Shelby two more, when the fourth man (N. C.) Aurora about 1900, follows: opened fire with a revolver upon him,
"Sometime the latter part of May shooting him down the fourth shot. 1865, a few cut throats from the The robber then ran to the front
Confederate Army making their way yard where the horses were left and back to their homes in Virginia and found them galloping in every direc- Kentucky, pitched their camp just tion, and the little twelve year old beyond Mr. Joe Biggerstaff. There Sammy running in the direction of were about one dozen men and hors- a nearby fence which he scaled just es in this band, and they terrorized as a bullet whizzed past, which was the surrounding community, by bold- intended for his brain; but the boy ly taking just what they wanted, had the presence of mind to fall off pretending that they had the sanc- the fence on the opposite side and tion of the Southern Army to im- lie there. The bandit then returned press horses, mules and provisions. into the house, and seeing Mr. Wat- There were only a few men in the ers hiding behind a door, placed the neighborhood, as the few who es- pistol to his breast, and shot him to caped death in the four years' strug- death. By this time his two com- gle had not reached home yet, con- rades whom Mr. Joe Biggerstaff had sequently these desperadoes had the only stunned by the blow he gave community at their mercies. On them, had regained consciousness, the day of the slaying of Mr. Big- and all left, leaving their comrade, gersteff four of the gang went to their two victims, and a house of Samuel Biggerstaff, who was about sorrow.
60 years old and forced him by "The bandit Mr. Biggerstaff slew threats of death to hand over what was a MeDaniel from Kentucky, money he had, about twenty dollars, whose father was a North Carolinian and taking one of his young mules, and he was buried by the men whom they made a Mr. W. M. Waters, why he helped to rob.
was working for Mr. Biggerstaff
"A few days later news spread
SAM L. BIG MOVED TO AND HAS
BACON ONDERSTAFF M. MAX .... BECAME LAND SHINER IN PUTRERFORD CO. NE MAY 19 57Z LOYALIST CAPTAIN
& AARON; PROGEN- MANY BIRCEISTAFFS EFORD CO.
BENJ. BIGGERSTAFF, B-1001 M (I) . JANE GOFORTH, In(2).
AARON BIGGERSTAFF MI. MILLIE BABER
"DOCK" OF MATICHE CO.
24040 D 1923; 8100
BARAK M. _ MOORHEAD
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ELIJAH BIGGERSTAFF 8.1835, 0 1905. M MATIE BABER SURVEYOR DEN- TUR CO TEXAS
CHILDREN: MAS JA HAREN MAKS M.SULTON LARLE JAMES
MR
DOR
SEBASTIAN E BIGE
CHILD H: MARS MM: MAS, BARRON, K.A. DIGGERSTA
ماداً
PENCE ARKE
F - PIONEER.
IN YOUTH. ORT NOUSE
ATLANTA OR, 2578. 807
F.1 6% .1:49
BLANTOR
CLARENCE
SAMUEL BIGGERSTAFF PIONEER; TO AMERICA FROM ENGLAND, MAR- BIED ELIZABETH MOORE, DILD 1764 .
SAM L. BIGGERSTAFF MOVED TO KY- MARRIED AND HAS DESCENDANTS
BERT. BIGGERSTAFF, M MARGARET VAN- ZANT SOLDIER OF AMER RESOLUTION. ARY ARMY DIED IN SERVICE AT CHARLESON SE 1780. (BIBLE RECORDS) .
SARON CHAQUEKSIAFF :1 Mag -. BECAME LAND GRINER IN
LOYALIST CAPTAIN
THREE DAUGHTERS
SAMT BIGGERSTAFF B. 1774 M. SARAH EAKINS. D. 1850
SON'S. BEN.L. & AARON; PROGEH-
ITORS OF MANY BIGGERSTAFFS Of RUTHERFORD CO.
BENJ. BIGGERSTAFF, D.1801 M(1). JANE GOFORTH, M(2) __ VICKERS
.. JSS BIGGERSTAFF. . ICOQ-K. 1865. M. MARY ELIZABETH (POLLY) MAREN
MARY
SAMUEL BIGGERSTAFF 21311, 0.1973.M. NANCY SAOGAT N.C. MILITIA 211
AAUGN BIGGERSTAFF M MILLIE DABER
"DOCK' OF MLICH'L CO.
CHILD'N BY ZND WIFE
MIGHTLYS: MÍPJ.ABE NUNT. PISAA PAS VOLK ENGLAND; NOS.A R.YEL TON; MAS DICK ENGLAND LATER MAS.IN.CAJFFALO
CHILITHISE WIFE .. ESW., BELLE, CANEST.
CHAS, COPY; WIR BLANTON & RUB. CLARENCE YOUNG
ELIJAH RIGGERSTAST 8 1835, 0 1905. M MATTIE BABER SURVEYOR DEN- TON CO TEXAS
SAM I .. BIGGERSTAFF 01849, D. 1922, M. AURA BLANKENSHIP
CATHERINE, MAS L.E POWERS
Luce CUCHA THã
(JUNTAFF) MUY. .. HEATWELL, ME>>
VISTA. M. R 3.
JAS.A. CETTYY
SEBASTIAN C SCIAC
OKEY U EULERSTA.F M. LYDIA 1 IL BLANCHE BIG.
TOTAIS: AELLIE AT
FUI. RLOJGKIDEZ WILBUR ETRED.
GENT
S C. S. M. ANA
FOYC E., RALPH, FRANK KANNIE LEE
MILDRED GUY
JOS. SHERMAN BILDEASTAGS M YOUKG
CHILEN: I. LLOYD, LELAND.
ATG GASGLENN: MARY REIL; SAM OLIVER. EUGENIA: WE. M. JER.
MILDRED B. CLARKE AS. CLARKE JR.
SOME OF THE DESCENDANTS OF SAMUEL BIGGERSTAFF - PIONEER.
B. BORN; D . DIED; K = KILLED; M = MARRIED. CHILDREN DYING IN YOUTH. NOT SHOWN. COMPILED FROM FAMILY BIBLE RECORDS, COURT HOUSE RECORDS, PRIVATE DOCUMENTS, AND OTHER SOURCES.
2 ATLANTA CA. 1523
SAN"L. 6 B. GEERSTAFF M. CORRIS EAVES
0.1646.01923; h(+ SUSAH COTTAN K m(2)
BARAK M. _ MOORHEAD
MRS COOLEY MAS GLO. WATSON PARE JAS BARRES
RO ALICE ATKINS M (2)
AVLER, SAML. MRS. HAWKINS, ROGERT.
GED. BIGGERSTAFF 81 - HUNT EX IKEAS RUTH FOCO -
BRED HAYNES, MAIL)
CHI !. D'N: MAS A.J. won sanstr; mits PLA. DAVIINS; LSE ; MR5. COPPLE; DIE; MRS. STRINGFIELD DORCAS
PAUTHYLAY' MES KOST CANES MARS MARVIN BAUERFINES H.C KIDD MKS BC BAGER
WIA OLIVER IA HUNTER PATTON BIGGERSTAFF
FRANCO WILLARCI
CHILDREN: MKS J.AHAREN MKS M.FULTON LARLE JAMES
CHILD K: 14/25 MILLS MPS. BARRON, & MRS. H.K. BIGGERSTAFF
· HOWARU
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N. C. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
through the neighborhood that the placing the old home. Children: Mrs. F.deral troops were coming, when Robert Eaves (6), William Olive. the gang became alarmed and broke (6): Mrs. Marvin Baber (6) ; Mrs. camp going in the direction of the H. C. Kidd (3), of Virginia; Mrs. mountains, thus ending the terror B. C. Baber (6); Hunter Patton these good people had lived in for (6); Okey Byron (6) ; Herman Keu- several week's." dall (6). Okey B., of Forest City,
The children of Joseph (4) are: married Lydia Washburn: children, , Mrs. Abe Hunt (5) ; Mrs. Dock Eng- Fora (7): Ralph (7) ; Frank (7) land (5); Mrs. A. R. Yelton (5); and Annie Lee (7). Herman Kendall Mrs. Dick England (5) : Samuel (5) ; Biggerstaff, of Atlanta. Ga., married James (5) ; and Joseph Sherman Blanche Biggerstaff (6) daughter of Sebastian Cabct Biggerstaff (5),
(5).
The children of Benjamin (1) are: children: S. C. (7) and Mariana (7). Dock (5) of Mitchell county, N. C .; James Biggerstaff (3) son Elisha (5); Barak (5) ; Sebastain Joseph (4) married first Alice Atkins. Cabot (5); now deceased; George children: Edward (6) ; Bell (6); (5) ex-treasurer and representative Ern-st (6) ; Joe (6) and Homer (6). of Rutherford county; the foregoing Joseph Sherman Biggerstaff (5) being children by his first marriage son of Joseph (5) married a Young to Jane Goforth. His second mar- children: Lloyd (6); Leland (C) and riage was to a Miss Vielers. chil- a daughter.
dren: Ella (5); "Catb" (5) ; Mrs. Cooley (5); Mrs. George Watson (5) and Mrs. James Barnes (5).
moved to Texas 1872; children, James (6) ; Earle (6) ; Mrs. J. A. Haren (6); Mrs. Marshall Fulton (6). He was a surveyor for Denton county, Texas, for a number of
years.
John Wesley Biggerstaff (6) sen of Samuel (5) was born 1845 died 1910. He married first Mildred Aaron Biggerstaff (4) was the father of three children: George (5) ; Isaac Newton (3); and James (5). Haynes, daughter of Rev. H. M Haynes and wife Sara C. Lee-Hay- nes. His second marriage was to Mrs. Elijah Biggerstaff (5) born .1535, died 1905, married Mattie Baber, Elizabeth Robinson. daughter of J. B. Dill, of South Carolina. Children: 1 -- Alice Buena Vista (6) ; who was educated at the Methodist collage for women, at Columbia, S. C., and married Robert B. Babington; chil- dren: Robert Kenneth Babington (7) and Mildred Babington George Biggerstaff (5) son of Benjamin, married a Hunt. children : Mrs. A. J. Whisnant (6) : Mrs. Plato Rollins (6); Lee (6); MIrs. Copple (6); Ocie (6); Mrs. Stringfield (6) ; Dorcas (6). (7) (Mrs. J. S. Clarke) ; 2-Lelia Forest (6). married John Oliver Gettys and had children: James A. Gettys (7! ! Winnie (7); Nellie (7); and Buens Green (7). 3-Delia May (6) : 4- John Howard Haynes (G). J. W. Samuel Biggerstaff (5) son Joseph (4), was born 1849, of Biggerstaff lost his wife. Mildred and died his four children named above dur- 1922, married Sarah Ann Blanken- ing the summer of 1897, all dying ship. He lived at the home place of of typhoid fever. Della was gren- his father on Robinson's Creek in uated from Leesville, S. C., college Sunshine, in a modern structure re- a few weeks before she died. J. W.
N. C. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
Dieguistaff was a merchant at SIG- Hoyle (6); Mes. John McClurd (G) : shine, Rutherford county. N. C., twins, Mrs. Roger Laughridge and and a man of great influence and in- Wilbur (6); Fred (6). Hery Etta teligonce, one whose judgment was married first R. J. Findley (no chil- much sought. He once served as dreal, married second William Neil county commissioner. He was zealous Davis, of Gastonia, children: Mrs. in ch: rch work at Cedar Grove Meth- G. E. S Glenn (6) ; Mary Neil (6), odist church. serving on its official Sam Oliver (6), Eugene .(6). W. N. board for many years. He now rests Jr., (6).
in the family plot in the churchyard. Aaron Bigg rstaff (4) had three He was buried with Masonic honors. sons: George (5), Isaac Newton (5). To his wife MIAred is accredited th. James (5). Isaac Newton Biggerstaff naming of the "Sunshine" commu- was born 1346 and died 1923. He nity. She was a woman of high in- was a successful merchant of For- tellectual ability and a writer of est City, N. C., and a highly res- merit. pected citizen. He served in the 16th Samuel Bascom Biggerstaff (5) N. C. Regiment during the War Be- a'n of Samuel (4), might be called tween the States, fighting with valor the historian of the family, as many around Richmond and in various en- of the valuable old records and heir- gagements. His first marriage was in looms are preserved by him. He Susan Cowan, children: Charles (6), married Corrie Eaves and their chil- Robert (6) banker at Forest City; Ida dren are Baxter (6) now postmast- (Mrs. Blanton) (6), Mary, (Mrs. er at Bostic, N. C., and Nora (6). Clarence Young) (d) deceased, form-
The daughters of Samuel (4) are erly of Italy, Texas. His second mar- as follows: Jane, Mrs. S. W. Me- riage was to Susan Young. "James Oscar (6); Mrs. Lula Butler (6): Biggerstaff (5) was familiarly knows Samuel (6) ; Mrs. Nannie Hawkins as "Jimstaff." He married first Id: (6); and Robert (6). Catherine, Heatwell and had one daughter. Mrs. L. E. Powers (5), of Ruther- Marion, (6). His second wife was fordton, children: Frances Willard Sarah Logan, daughter of Col. El -- (6), Mrs. Etta Foster (6); Lewis bert Logan, children: Twins, Nellie E, Jr., (6) ;Abi, Mrs. B. A. Baber (6) and Nettie (6), the latter be- (5) deceased: children: Mrs. Geo. ing Mrs. Albert, of Honolulu.
A Private List of Revolutionary Ancestors
Forty thousand names from unindexed material in the Archives of the Library of the State of Virginia. Available for the first time to any one wishing to join the Daughters of the American Revolution or other pat- riotie societies,
ANNE WALLER REDDY, 1005 E. Marshall Street, Richmond, Virginia.
109
N. C. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF JACKSON COUNTY, N. C.
By JOHN PARRISH, JR. Sylva, N. C. In Collaboration With CLARENCE GRIFFIN Forest City, N. C.
We must go back to May, 1765, Haywood county had been form- to get to the real founding of Jack- ed in 1808 by Revolutionary soldiers. son county. I- was then that a lit- The county wes named in honor of tle ship set out to America from John Haywood, who had been state Carrickfergus with a small band of treasurer for forty years. Waynes- col nists. Among them were the fath- ville was named for "Mad" Anthony er and mother of one Andrew Jack- Wayne, an officer in the army of son. the man for whom the county Washington. Macon was erected in is named. But it was some years lat- 1828 and named for Nathaniel Ma- er that this famous man, Andrew con, the bachelor congressman and Jackson. was born in the present senator. Frank.in, the county seat Union county, N. C. was dubbed for Jesse Franklin one-
The name of the ship which car- time governor of the State. It will ried this band of brave settlers we be said before passing that the new do not know, but the name of the county was engineered and officered Captain was later to become John in the main by men who had form- Paul Jones-the most romantic char- erly been citizens of Haywood coun- acter in American maritime annals. ty. Like the man of whom we have spok-
Now we take up the true founding en. he was connected with our State of the county. As before said Jack- for he affixed Jones to his original son was created in 1851. It required name out of consideration for a two years from that date to set the North Carolina gentleman of that government going. It was four years name. Willie Jones.
from the latter date before the
For many years it was very hard county had a seat and a house of its to erect a western county in our state own in which to toke care of the on account of eastern jealousy of business of the county.
growing western representation. But
The first superior court was or- in 1850-52, the carving of the local ganized by Judge John W. Ellis, af- county was finished, and by act of terwards Governor of North Caro- the General Assembly of 1851 Jack- lina, at the residence of Daniel Bry- son was created from the counties son. Sr., at what is now Beta, on of Haywood and Macon. As original- the third Monday in March 1853. ly formed it was bounded on the J. Newton Bryson was appointed north by Henderson, on the south clerk of the court and Allen Fisher by South Carolina, and on the north- clerk and master in equity. west by Tennessee. This was the ter- The second superior court was ritorial status of the county for ten cpened Monday, September 19, 1853. years, to 1861.
at "Allen Fisher's new store house."
110
N. C. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
Superior court sessions were held whereabouts and be in a land of here continuously until the new court dream. Topographically Webster house at Webster was completed in with surroundings is one of the most 1855. The first term of court was attractive spots in the county. There held at Webster on September 17, is a queer greenish semi-rock forma- 1855.
The first county seat, Webster, was located a few miles southeast of the
5
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Jackson county's first court house, located at Webster. Completed 1855 and abandoned in 1913 when Sylva was made the county seat.
tion in the earth around Webster which is rich with nickel. Here is found the largest nickel deposit in the United States. At one time there was a large nickel mine in operation in Webster. But it is now extinct because there can be found no pos- sible process in this country to sep- arate the nickel from the other min- erals which are combined with the nickel.
Webster, back in the 80's was in the height of her glory. Without a care in the world and little realiz- ing that someday she would be stripped of her glorious possessions, Back then Webster was the one town in Jackson. But today she sleeps in the beauty of her sur- roundings.
Webster has some famous citi- zens: Prof. R. L. Madison, found- er cf W. C. T. C. and a member of the same Madison family of Virginia that gave to the nation the distinguished President Madı- son, is a resident of Webster. Judge Walter E. Moore, of the North Carolina Superior Court, is a former resident of Webster, hav-
present site. At that time the county ing moved to Sylva several years seat was a few miles west of the een- ago. ter of the county. The place first Webster once had the honor of chosen was situated on a broad roll- entertaining for a whole week
ing elevation overlooking the beauti- Thomas A. Edison, the noted in- ful Tuckasecgee river. A sweep of ventor. The old Mountain View
the horizon, looking east and south Hotel, the only hotel in Webster from the town of Webster, will af- had the honor of keeping Mr. ford the eye a delightful view,-one Edison.
long worth remembering. The water So Webster like many other is pure and the drainage is natural. towns was given a set-back in 1913 With a breeze from the forests of that proved to be more than she the west one will almost forget his could stand. The county seat
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111
N. C. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
moved to Sylva because of the ad- in Feb. 5, 1805, at the very begin- vantages of the railroad. ning of frontier colonization in west-
Webster still lives on, and in ern North Carolina, was one of the summer the "spirits" of a "ghost most colorful and famous characters town" come back to live
once glorious memories
over the this section of the South has ever of the produced.
town of Webster. As the days go A few days before he was born by Webster hangs on, hoping that his father was drowned in a stream in someday she will be the debutante North Georgia. His father came to that she once was. Today, remains North Carolina prior to 1800. The of the old court house are still stand- boy grew up into a busy and pro- ing. The old jail still remains. It has ductive manhcod. He read a great been repaired and is now being used deal and at his death in 1893 had as a dwelling house.
acquired one of the best privately
Every one was interested in the owned libraries west of Raleigh. He founding of a county but there were also firmed a great deal and accu- only a few that took the lead and mulated thousands of acres of moun- did the work. Among these was tain lands. Next, to broaden his edu- Daniel Bryson, Sr., the first cation, he studied law under the permanent settler at what is now famous John C. Calhoun.
A colonel in the Confederate Beta. There was no place to organ- ize a court-one of the first steps armies, he led "Thomas Legion" and in government. The fine old pioneer was one of the last officers to sur- with the generosity which all would render his company. He also was the like to claim, threw open the doors oldest colonel in the service of the of his own home and there the first Confederate States of America.
court of Jackson county was held.
Like many other noted men of this
E. Douglas Davis was another state, Colonel Thomas entered poli- county builder. He served the coun- tics early in his career. He served ty in peace and war for twenty years, in the State Senate continuously as high sheriff, as clerk of the su- from 1848 to 1861 from Haywood perior court and also represented and Jackson counties, when he re- the county in the General Assembly. signed. He was a first cousin of Gen-
Allen Fisher was another splen- eral Zachary Taylor, leader of the did old time gentleman. So was American forces in the war with Joseph Keener and John B. Allison. Mexico, and also was related to the
Thaddeus Dillard Bryson was an- Madison family of which James other able and influential leader in Madison. a president of the United the building of the county. He was States, was a member.
a Colonel during the War Between islature for ten terms, five
Colonel Thomas was actively in- the States. He was in the state leg- terested in the building of the from Western North Carolina railroad. Jackson of which he was the first Several years before the road came Representative, and five from Swain through the mountains, he gave the county of which he was the founder site for a depot at Dillsboro. and first representative.
Colonel Thomas was the adopted Colonel William H. Thomas, states- son of Yonaguski, famous Cherokee man. Confederate officer, railroad chief, and a close friend to the In- builder, farmer, and pioneer, born dians in Western North Carolina. He
112
N. C. HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
4
Present Jackson county court house at Sylva, built in 1913.
owned a farm on the Tuckaseegee is one of the modern towns of the river, two miles from Whittier, his mountains. Here you will find peo- farm having been named "Stekoa" ple in all the walks of life. Mrs. E. by the Indians. Here his mother liy- L. McKee, the first woman in the ed with him to a greatly advanced Senate of North Carolina, is a na- age.
tive of Jackson county and a resi-
There was once in Sylva one who dent of Sylva. Col. C. J. Harris, of was gifted with a pen. This was none Dillsboro, is another prominent citi- other than James H. Cathey, author zen of Jackson county. In 1920 Mr. of "Genesis of Abraham Lincoln," Harris was a candidate for Gover- also "The History of a County -- nor of North Carolina. He is presi- Jackson of Applachia, N. C." which dent of the Jackson county bank in was never published.
Sylva. He is also a mining capitalist
In 1913 the county seat was mov- of note and owns mining interests in ed from Webster to Sylva. There various places of the state.
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