Missed the previous message. However , could you be referring to the Red Springs Academy for Girls, which may have been part of Bladen at one time, but would now be part of Robeson County?

>From # 50 STEWART, PATRICK December 14, 1777. Father and Executor: William Stewart. Sisters: Margaret, Ann. Brothers: Duncan, James. Other legatee: Jemima Matthews. Executors: David Bailey, William Cromartie. Witnesses: William Cromartie, Alex'r. Carmichael, John Doane. STEWART, WILLIAM August 2, 1778. Wife and Executrix: Jannett. Plantations: Boonesfield, Newfield, Skipper's Field. Sons: Charles, Duncan, James. Daughters: Catherine, Jannett, Ann, Elizabeth, Helen, Margaret Spiler. Wife's granddaughters: Jannette Bailey, Jannette White. Grandson: Walter Stewart. Other legatees: William Stewart Beatty, William Stewart Wright. Executors: Duncan Stewart (son), David Bailey. Witnesses: Robert Hendrey, Ann Stewart, Elizabeth Stewart. Dee For details on sources used, refer to this link: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncbladen/lookups.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: K. Williams <kwill@ionet.net> To: <d7777@worldnet.att.net> Sent: Wednesday, October 17, 2001 5:08 PM Subject: Bladen_County_lookup Hello, Could you please look-up the following two wills in your resource No. 50 (the Bladen County Will Book)? Thanks ever so much! Stewart, Patrick - Bladen Co. - c1777 - Will Book 2, p. 284 Stewart, William - Bladen Co. - c1778 - Will Book 2, p. 296 Sincerely, Kelsey J. Williams P.S. The index entries are from "North Carolina Wills: A Testator Index, 1665-1900."

A SHORT HISTORY OF BRIAR BRANCH BAPTIST CHURCH BLADEN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA By Rev. Nash A. Odom, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Dublin,N.C. and President of the Bladen County Historical Society. Briar Branch Baptist Church is the third oldest Baptist Church in Bladen County. The church had its beginning as a mission of the Beaver Dam Baptist Church of Sampson County [ed: Cumberland County] which some years ago was in Bladen County. According to the records of the Beaver Dam Baptist Church that church began holding conferences at Briar Branch on Saturday before the fourth Lords Day in October of 1828. This was some four years before White Lake Baptist Church was constituted as the Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and some six years before Hickory Grove Baptist Church was constituted. But Briar Branch continued to be a mission of Beaverdam Church until 1843, and was not duly constituted. In a conference at Briar Branch on Saturday before the fourth Lord's Day in October of 1843, Beaver Dam Baptist Church agreed to dismiss the following members to constitute the church at Briar Branch: Amos Cain, Daniel L. Smith, Daniel Smith, Daniel Register, George W. Downing, Thomas Sessoms, William D. Smith, Baseter Davis, Edward Davis, Beaman West, Sarah A. Smith, Rhoda Gardner, Mary A. Downing, Elizabeth Smith, Aley Bryant, Margaret Sessoms, Anna M. Tatum, Elsa McLemore, May J. Tatum, Mary J. Reeves, Mary Register, John Smith, Sr., Evin Downing, William Harvey, John H. Tatum, William J. Cowan, Daniel R. Cain, John D. Smith, Owen J. Gardner, Nathan H. Jones, Meredith Cain, Helen Davis, Francis Sessoms, Ann J. Harvey, Mary Smith, Susan Smith, Martha Smith, Elizabeth A.Downing, Jane Weeks, Susan Smith, Sr., Mary Sessoms, Molsey Davis, James Smith, Theophlus Tatum, Wright McLemore, John Downing, James S. Beard, John Cain, Milton J. Smith, Thomas B. Cowan, William C. West, John Edge, Elizabeth Cain, Mary Downing, Pen[n]y Hayes, Sarah Suggs, Claressa Beard, Susan Smith, Zillpha Smith, Mary A. Cain, Francis Sessoms, Martha West. On September 15, 1848, George W. Downing gave land to Briar Branch Church. John Cain and Theopheles Tatum were the deacons and trustees that handled the transaction. The deed states that it was a certain tract or parcel of land lying on the West side of Turnbull Creek containing one acre more or less. The witnesses were J, J. Jones and D. R. Cain. This deed is found in the Register of Deeds Office, Bladen County, Book 44, Page 5. Briar Branch Church became a member of the old Cape Fear Baptist Association soon after her organization. The minutes of the Cape Fear Association for 1851 records Briar Branch as a member of that body with 9 baptisms that year and 139 members. It was the second largest member of the Association in Bladen County that year, second only to Beaverdam Church which was the mother church of Briar Branch. Delegates to the 1851 Association were T. Tatum, J. Downing, and D.R. Cain. Their report sent in says, This church has had a revival. No Pastor. The minutes of the Cape Fear Association for 1854 that D.C. Shaw, John H. Tatum, and D.R. Cain were the delegates and the churches report read, Complain of difficulties, which have produced coldness and discord, Elder James Cashwell is Pastor. The minutes of the Fifty-third Session of the Cape Fear Association for 1857 reports the following delegates, Theophilus Tatum, W.T. Jessup, J.H.Tatumt and the church had 141 members. Their report concerning the church reads, Has a flourishing Bible Society, and thinks that appearance be token good. Elder Wm. Ayers is Pastor. The minutes of the Cape Fear Association for 1857 mentions that the Briar Branch Bible Society contributed $6.70 to the Association and $5.00 to the Domestic Mission Board. The Minutes for 1858 gives the following report; Communicates nothing interesting, Elder William Ayers is supply. Delegates for 1858 were Jonathan Jones, Nathan Johnson and W.F. Jessup and there were 155 members. The minutes of the Cape Fear Association for 1859 records the following delegates: G. W. Downing, E.J. Cain, J.H. Tatum, and W K.Register and there were 122 members. The report for that year read, Has nothing interesting. Has dismissed a considerable number to join other churches. Elder William Ayers is Supply." ; Two new churches being constituted that year that perhaps drew members from Briar Branch were Paradise Baptist Church and White Oak Baptist Church. Surely White Oak Church took some of the members. The trend for Briar Branch continues to go downward. The minutes for 1861 lists the following delegates: T. Tatum, J.H. Tatum, and A.Smith. There were 106 members, and their report reads, Difficulties, has no pastor and no additions of members. One interesting question was presented to the Cape Fear Association for 1862. The question presented on Oct. 25th of that year for the association to consider was, I"s it right for a member of the church to distill his own fruit and that of his neighbors, and use the spirits as he pleases or sell it to good citizens?". The answer given was "The quere from Briar Branch Church was again taken up and answered as follows to-wit: Such are the circumstances with which we are now surrounded, that any other than that of medicinal and mechanical purposes savors the spirit of extortion that characterizes the present course of the wicked world, and that any toleration beyond that will lend to evil." Briar Branch, made an application for a letter of dismission to join the Cedar Creek Association and the application was granted that same year. They were represented at this last association by T. Davis, J.H. Tatum, and G.W, Downing and there were 105 members. Their report for 1862 read: "No special change. Has been without a Pastor the past year. Brother Joab Smith has labored with them." The minutes of the Cedar Creek Association for 1863 records that Briar Branch was a member of that Association and was represented by W. T. Jessup, J. R. Tatum, and W.Downing. The church grew to 128 members that year. Their report reads "This church has enjoyed a revival season, Christians revived, sinners awakened and mourners converted. Elder Joab Smith is their Pastor. "The minutes of the Cedar Creek Association of 1864 reports, Nothing special. F. Prevail, Pastor". Delegates were J.H. Tatum, E.J. Cain and D.S. Tatum. The minutes of the Cedar Creek for 1867 mentions "Have enjoyedsome precious meetings. Twenty added by baptism, Elder Martin is Pastor. Delegates were Wm. Suggs, W.H. Downing, and J.H. Tatum. There were 103 members. The minutes of the session of the Cedar Creek for 1869 reveal the following resolution passed: "Resolved, that the next session of this body be held with the church at Briar Branch, Bladen County, N.C. commencing at half past 10o'clock A.M. on Thursday before third Sabbath in October, 1870. Elder A.B.Alderman, to preach the Introductory Sermon; Elder E. D. Johnson, Alternate Pastor for 1869 was W.S. Melvin, Clerk was W.T. Jessup. The following interesting item is found in the minutes for 1869. A young lady, a member of one of the churches, (who died in Florida) having on her death bed, given her breast pin to be sold for Foreign Missions, the Association buys the same at five dollars and presents the pin to her youngest sister. Included among those who contributed to buying the pin from Briar Branch were A.S. Smith, $ .25; J.S. Beard, $ .25; Elder J. Smith, $ .25; and V. Downing, $ .50. The minutes ofthe Cedar Creek Association for 1872 records that W. S. Melvin was the pastor and clerk W.T. Jessup. Briar Branch Church continued as a member of the Cedar Creek Association until 1892. The minutes for 1891 record the following delegates: M. Johnson, H. W. Cain, and T.L. Jones. There were 103 members. Eleven of the twenty-six churches in the Cedar Creek Association that year were located in Bladen County. In 1891, H.W. Cain was Superintendent of the Sunday School which had 22 enrolled, The pastor was D. S. Bullard and the clerk was D.C. Shaw. The last year that Briar Branch was a member of the Cedar Creek Association was 1892.Her delegates that year to the association that met at White Oak Church were D.S. Bullard, J.J. Bullard, and H. Smith. The church had 85 members, Elder C.E. Beard was the Pastor and D. C. Shaw was the clerk. Letters for granted the following churches that year from Cedar Creek Association to join the Bladen Baptist Association: Briar Branch, Beard's Chapel, Cypress Creek, Centre Road, Kate's Chapel, Smith's Chapel, Suggs Grove, White Oak, and White Lake. We know very little about the first church house that Briar Branch occupied. It was probably a one-room log or frame wooden building which was the style or nature of Baptist buildings of that day. There was a building standing in 1848 for the church building is mentioned in the deed filed. This building was used until a new one was built in 1898. The first house of worship was lost by fire. The present house of worship was the one built in 1898. The Bladen Associational minutes for 1927 states that this building was valued at $1,500. The minutes of Briar Branch Church for November 2, 1947, relates that, a vote was cast to put Sunday School rooms at the back of the church. Mrs. Lula Long gave timber to be cut for framing. Briar Branch licensed Richard McDuffie to preach the gospel in June of 1949. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. Glenn McDuffie of Briar Branch Church and is currently the pastor of the Carolina Beach Baptist Church. He was ordained at a special service held on the fourth Sunday in February of 1952 at Briar Branch. Among those having served as pastors have been: J.H. Dobson, M.L. Mintz, D.L.Johnson, A.J. Freeman, Alex Peterson, C.B. Horne, W.A.Coleman, A.D. Carter, A.C. Herring, A.H. Dove, T.R. Spell, L.L.Todd, Ervin Jerrell, E.C. Reeves, George Denton, E.L.Anderson. The present pastor is Rev. L.L. Barnes. He has served for 19 years. The church has just completed are modeling program under Rev. Barnes and added a porch and steeple. The church has used Jones Lake and Salters Lake for many years as places for baptismal Services. Among the early members was William J. Cowan who was a very prominent citizen of Bladen County. He was the son of John Cowan who married Elizabeth Salter. Elizabeth was the daughter of William Salter and Sarah Lloyd Salter Bladen County's famous heroine in the Battle of Elizabethtown. The Cowans lived at one time in that section of the county near the Salters. General W.J. Cowan was a member of the House of Commons in North Carolina in 1817, 1818, and 1821. His wife, Charlotte is buried in the Cowan-Lesesne Cemetery near Dublin, also his adopted son whose monument reads thus: William Cowan, Son of James W. and Lucy Ann Lesesne and adopted son of W.J. Cowan. Born July 11, 1832 - Died September 2, 1850. His wife's monument reads, Charlotte, Wife of Gen. W.J. Cowan, Died Aug. 6, 1846, Aged 62 years. There is a Cowan's Branch that flows nearby. General William J. Cowan will is recorded in Bladen County and was dated Apr 14, 1855, and his will states that he was formerly a resident of Bladen County but was residing in 1855 in Washington, D. C. He was buried Washington, D.C. His sister was a prominent member the old Welsh Neck Baptist Church in South Carolina and married General Evander McIver. Note: This article was published in The Bladen Journal, Elizabethtown, North Carolina, December 28, 1972. GPS coordinates are: N 34° 44.273' - W 078° 36.256']

I would love to have a story to print!!! Many of my ancesters came from Robeson C ounty - the family is HALL. After many years of trying I have been unable to get any information from them. Will they be in any form in the Heritage Book??? Thank you very much. Jane ----- Original Message ----- From: <NCBLADEN-D-request@rootsweb.com> To: <NCBLADEN-D@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2001 7:01 AM Subject: NCBLADEN-D Digest V01 #227

Please change my email address to Pisces0308@hotmail.com Thank You, Donna

Please change my email address to Pisces0308@hotmail.com Thank You, Donna

oh, ok. sorry to hear y'all had to postpone the event, and why. perhaps there is a local library that might have information on the school, or maybe there's something in the state library or the NC state archives. Julie ----- Original Message ----- From: <Meredith.Page@med.va.gov> To: <NCBLADEN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2001 5:53 AM Subject: RE: [NCBLADEN-L] Redstone Academy for Girls > Ironically, Christina Page is me. We had to postpone since the main person > who wants to go see this school is dying. I just had never heard of this > school before until my cousin mentioned it.... > > -----Original Message----- > From: Tony and Julie Howell [mailto:tjhowell1@mediaone.net] > Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2001 11:52 AM > To: NCBLADEN-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Re: [NCBLADEN-L] Redstone Academy for Girls > > > hi Meredith - i know nothing about the school, but i did a search on > Google and came up with a family reunion who was going to see the "Redstone > Academy for Girls" as one of their "places to see" during their reunion. > you might check out the page and see if you can contact anyone from that > source: > > http://www.afrigeneas.com/forumb/index.cgi?read=1363 > > good luck, > Julie Thames Howell > Jax, Fla > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: <Meredith.Page@med.va.gov> > To: <NCBLADEN-L@rootsweb.com> > Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2001 5:38 AM > Subject: [NCBLADEN-L] Redstone Academy for Girls > > > > Has anyone heard of this school? > > >

Ironically, Christina Page is me. We had to postpone since the main person who wants to go see this school is dying. I just had never heard of this school before until my cousin mentioned it.... -----Original Message----- From: Tony and Julie Howell [mailto:tjhowell1@mediaone.net] Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2001 11:52 AM To: NCBLADEN-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [NCBLADEN-L] Redstone Academy for Girls hi Meredith - i know nothing about the school, but i did a search on Google and came up with a family reunion who was going to see the "Redstone Academy for Girls" as one of their "places to see" during their reunion. you might check out the page and see if you can contact anyone from that source: http://www.afrigeneas.com/forumb/index.cgi?read=1363 good luck, Julie Thames Howell Jax, Fla ----- Original Message ----- From: <Meredith.Page@med.va.gov> To: <NCBLADEN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2001 5:38 AM Subject: [NCBLADEN-L] Redstone Academy for Girls > Has anyone heard of this school? >

hi Meredith - i know nothing about the school, but i did a search on Google and came up with a family reunion who was going to see the "Redstone Academy for Girls" as one of their "places to see" during their reunion. you might check out the page and see if you can contact anyone from that source: http://www.afrigeneas.com/forumb/index.cgi?read=1363 good luck, Julie Thames Howell Jax, Fla ----- Original Message ----- From: <Meredith.Page@med.va.gov> To: <NCBLADEN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Tuesday, October 16, 2001 5:38 AM Subject: [NCBLADEN-L] Redstone Academy for Girls > Has anyone heard of this school? >

Has anyone heard of this school?

Hi, Since you are in search of Robeson County Ancestors, you are cordially invited to take part in the Robeson County Heritage Book Project. The only qualifications is that you either reside in Robeson County, you are a past resident, or your ancestors were residents here in Robeson County, North Carolina. This is not a formal history so it is not being written by only one person, with only one point of view, but it is being written by many people about their own ancestors with their own personal and/or family's views.  The invitation is to all to submit articles on themselves or their ancestors who were here. Please remember that this invitation is directly to you, and if you don't submit your family's story, then it can not be published.  This is a deal of a lifetime. You may submit your family story for publication in high quality hard bound book for free.  Please click on to the site below for more information and details: http://www.geocities.com/bjbarnhill/heritage.html All submissions of articles/stories should be mailed directly to: Robeson County Heritage Book Committee PO Box 2292 Lumberton, NC   28359 Best wishes, Sam West Lumberton [Robeson Co], NC

Listmembers, Quite some time ago, I was given this MELVIN/WEST information by someone on the Bladen list. Will the person who sent the information to me, please contact me? I would like to obtain sources of the information so that I may include that information in my Bladen County WEST article. Thanks very much. Fran fpowellsr@starpower.net ________________________________________________________________________ Daniel Melvin, the seventh and last child of Daniel Melvin and Jane Thomas, was born on August 27, 1769 and died on August 26, 1846. He married on May 23, 1791 Sarah West who was born on June 26, 1772 and died on November 12, 1844, daughter of James West. The couple had 10 children, all born in Bladen County, NC. Both Daniel and Jane were buried in the Edgar Melvin Cemetery 1.5 miles off N.C. Highway 242 in Turnbull Township, but moved in the 1930's to the Robert Melvin (John Stephen Melvin) cemetery near Ammon. John West and Sarah West were brother and sister. James Bizzell West, grandson of John West married Mary Jane Melvin, granddaughter of Sarah West who married Daniel Melvin, Sr.

At 07:15 AM 10/13/2001 -0700, you wrote: >At 11:01 PM 10/12/2001 -0400, you wrote: >>Does any one have a copy of the 1880 Census that is willing to do a >>lookup? I wish to find the parents of Laura Etta Gooden. A family >>member said that were told her father was Christopher Columbus Gooden, >>however, I have no supporting documentation. >---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Doris, Ancestry.com, North Carolina Revolutionary War Soldiers: Pierce'S Register Volume X page 252 No.: 958. To whom granted and rank: The heir of Christopher Gooden, Capt No. acres: 3,840 Service in months: 84 : Colo. Brown C. — View full context Pierce'S Register [p.313] VOUCHERS page 339 No.: Continental To whom granted and rank: Capt. Christopher Gooden No. acres: 408 Service in months: Halifax Dist.

At 07:15 AM 10/13/2001 -0700, you wrote: >At 11:01 PM 10/12/2001 -0400, you wrote: >>Does any one have a copy of the 1880 Census that is willing to do a >>lookup? I wish to find the parents of Laura Etta Gooden. A family >>member said that were told her father was Christopher Columbus Gooden, >>however, I have no supporting documentation. >---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Doris, Source: Ancestry.com, North Carolina Census, 1790-1890 downloaded 13 Oct 2001: Year Surname Given Name (s) County State Page Township or Other Info Record Type Database ID# 1840 GOODEN CHRISTOPHER Bladen County NC 173 No Township Listed Federal Population Schedule NC 1840 Federal Census Index NCS4a1039071 1850 GOODEN CHRISTOPHER Bladen County NC 109 Cape Fear S.W. Federal Population Schedule NC 1850 Federal Census Index NCS5a664169

At 07:15 AM 10/13/2001 -0700, you wrote: >At 11:01 PM 10/12/2001 -0400, you wrote: >>Does any one have a copy of the 1880 Census that is willing to do a >>lookup? I wish to find the parents of Laura Etta Gooden. A family >>member said that were told her father was Christopher Columbus Gooden, >>however, I have no supporting documentation. >---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Doris, Source: Ancestry.com, Ancestry World Tree, downloaded 13 Oct 2001: MARION BANKS McGEE GENEALOGY Entries: 73578 Updated: Sat Aug 4 22:26:55 2001 Contact: Marion Banks McGee <marionbmc@aol.com> Home Page: MBM-Family Tree Maker Reports, Photos, etc. ID: I07279 Name: Christopher Columbus Gooden Sex: M ALIA: Lum /Gooden/ Birth: 15 JAN 1859 in Bladen Co., NC Death: 10 MAR 1923 in Bladen Co., NC Father: James L. Gooden b: 9 AUG 1819 in Bladen Co., NC Mother: Mary M. Pate b: APR 1822 in Bladen Co., NC

At 11:01 PM 10/12/2001 -0400, you wrote: >Does any one have a copy of the 1880 Census that is willing to do a >lookup? I wish to find the parents of Laura Etta Gooden. A family member >said that were told her father was Christopher Columbus Gooden, however, I >have no supporting documentation. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Doris, Source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, Family History Resource File 1880 US Census, CD-ROM CD #14 North & South Carolina (Salt Lake City, Utah: Intellectual Reserve, Inc, 2001), Census Place: Abbottsburg, Bladen, North Carolina Source: FHL Film 1254953 National Archives Film T9-0953 Page 359D James Gooden household: Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace James GOODEN Self M M W 63 NC Occ: Farmer Fa: NC Mo: NC Mary GOODEN Wife F M W 58 NC Occ: Keeping House Fa: NC Mo: NC Christopher C. GOODEN Son M S W 21 NC Occ: Laborer Fa: NC Mo: NC Elizabeth C. GOODEN Dau F S W 17 NC Occ: Keeping House Fa: NC Mo: NC Nadine

Does any one have a copy of the 1880 Census that is willing to do a lookup? I wish to find the parents of Laura Etta Gooden. A family member said that were told her father was Christopher Columbus Gooden, however, I have no supporting documentation. Thank you Doris

Hello Barb I was just looking in Arundel Md. last night strange you should mention it. IM looking for information on the ship St.George, It came from Waterford Ireland in 1677. A John Quigley applied for land there in MD. for his family and 180 passengers. IM specifically looking for information on the following individuals James Carroll, John Britt, Pat Bryan, Honner Bryan and Mary Bryan. I hope IM not asking for to much take your time I will appreciate anything. Thanks marntz1071@aol.com

Hi Barb, >From # 33 18. MT. HOREB CHURCH CEMETERY BETHEL MARK MEARES, Sept. 10, 1864 - Jan. 16, 1934 BETHEL MARK MEARES, JR., July 25, 1889 - April 18, 1983 both wives are also listed 8. MEARES CEMETERY (only 1 MEARES/MEARS) ELIHU MEARS, the husband of MARTHA A. MEARS, Oct. 29, 1833-Aug. 2, 1921, PVT, 2ND CO. I, 36TH REGT., CSA, enlisted Oct. 19, 1861. I can't find Jesse. Dee For details on sources used, refer to this link: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncbladen/lookups.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: CBN <maushaus@ametro.net> To: <NCBLADEN-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2001 11:19 AM Subject: [NCBLADEN-L] Mears Cemetery Good Morning Dee! In Mears Cemetery I am looking any MEARS/MEARES, specifically for Jesse MEARS/MEARES or Mark MEARS/MEARES. Thanks so much! Also, if any list members are researching back to Anne Arundel County, MD, I have "First Families 1649-1658, Vol I". Would be happy to do lookups. Barb in MS

Hi Bob, The Bladen County Heritage Book didn't list Briar Branch in either the Churches or Historic Places and Events section. That was my reference source. Dee For details on sources used, refer to this link: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncbladen/lookups.htm ----- Original Message ----- From: Robert M Butler To: Dee Thompson Sent: Thursday, October 11, 2001 6:35 AM Subject: Balden Churches... Dee...We noticed that your list of Bladen Churches did not list Briar Branch Baptist? Thanks for all the good work. Bob Butler - Fuquay Varina, NC