TO: Greg Cronk, Information Technology Director, Alexander County, NC Government Sarah Bowman, Computer Support Technician II, Alexander County, NC Government Deal descendants, Dear folks, My personal experience with Alexander County IT has been nothing less than excellent. Their progress in digitizing public records puts Catawba County to shame. Aside from expressing my gratitude for being on the leading edge in technology, I thankthe folks at the Alexander County Register of Deeds for their superb cooperation and friendly attitude. I have never been as warmly received at any records office in this country as I have at Taylorsville, NC. Perhaps someone in the county government could help me discover the identity of the gentleman that "Silas Deal Road" in named after. Could it be that the Silas Deal Road in Alexander County is named after William Silas Deal, son of Solomon, and recognized by his Confederate Military record: DEAL, WILLIAM S., Private - Previously served as Private in Company B, Mallett's N.C. Battalion (Camp Guard). Transferred to this company (Co. F, 38th Regiment, NC Troops) on June 7, 1864. Captured at Hatcher's Run, Virginia, April 2, 1865. Confined at Point Lookout, Maryland, April 6, 1865. Died at Point Lookout on May 30, 1,865, of "remit[tent] fever." [NC Troops-A Roster:10:60/CPOW:345] OBJECT OF THIS PROJECT: To provide a memorial stone for William Silas Deal, son of Solomon Deal. Old at the age of 41, he was wounded at Hatcher's Run and overlooked by his company, and unfortunately, left behind. Captured by the enemy, he spent seven weeks in the malaria-ridden prison of Point Lookout before succumbing to disease. Long before serving for the Confederate States Army, he was Secretary at St. John's and synod representative. (At the time, St. Johns Church was well attended by Reformists from Alexander County). William Silas originally served his country as a camp guard in Mallat's Batallion. He was well known and respected in his community during his life-time. Sadly, he is not remembered either in Catawba County or Alexander County with anything of a permanent nature. Perhaps Silas Deal existed on the boundary between anonymity and renown. Nevertheless, he is not remembered in either county to this day by any sort of memorial. On behalf of the descendants of Solomon and his son, William Silas Deal, I petition the conscience of this community to come together and remember this proud ancestor who came before all of us. Cut down in the autumn of his life, he is yet to be remembered. I propose that a memorial marker be erected in St. John's cemetery as near as possible to his Hoke, Smith and Yount ancestors as possible. Unless his wife's marker (Lilly Amanda Hoke 1828-1902) can be found, I also propose a marker to be erected to her, next to his. Please stay connected on the progress through: http://www.rootsweb.com/~nccatawb/family/WilliamSilasDEAL.pdf Respectfully, Derick S. Hartshorn Conover, NC