Finding my birthfather less than two years ago was one of the most exciting things I have ever experienced. But I will never forget the day that someone loaned me Mr. Pilson's book of the cemeteries in Patrick Co. I was born in Greensboro, Guilford Co, NC in 1948 and was adopted at the age of 4 months. When I found out some of the surnames in my birth family, I began to search diligently to see "who I was" and "where I was from". When I brought Mr. Pilson's book home with me from NC to Alabama, I began to devour the book. I had looked and looked for infomation on my great grandmother but it seemed I could get no where. After I had kept the book for approximately 6 months, I decided I had better return the book to its owner. I decided to take one last evening and see if I had missed anything. I will never forget when I found what I thought to be my great grandmother I had been looking for. It was her! That opened up a new channel for research and I have been able to find two more generations before her. I feel like Mr Pilson had a part in helping me locate my family and fill in a lot of missing pieces of my life. I now have my own copy of his book. I regret I never met him. Elizabeth Joy Childress Shelton (adopted and renamed Joyce Elizabeth Greggs) Researching: Boyd, Childress, Dawson, Deatherage, DeHart, Gwyn, Rakes, Shelton, Turner, Vaughn

I am still a somewhat neophyte genealogist who wandered down to Patrick Co to research my husband's Moran ancestors. Mr. Pilson's book is legendary at the UVA library for its sources of cemetary info for the Patrick area. We were able to find Morans in several locations as a result of his book. So many people have been fortunate that his dedication to research has allowed us to "find" family and family home sites. Pamela Moran

I, too, am saddened by the news of Mr. Pilson's death. After seeing a relatives's copy of his cemetery book, I requested that she help me get a copy. She took me to his home where we were gratiously received and we spend a couple of hours talking to Mr. and Mrs. Pilsons. I have often remembered this time while using the book and will continue to do so. I have also enjoyed the flower cuttings she shared with me. My condolences to Mrs Pilson and the other family members. bnc

My condolences go out to the family of Mr Pilson. While i never met him, or spoke to him , I feel i know him through his work. I know he spent many hours working on family history, walking through cemeteries, recording Gravestones, and compiling the information. Many of us would never find our families , were it not for this wonderful person. I do own his Cemetery Book and have found many of my family members. I regret that i never had the pleasure of meeting him personally. Rena B Worthen cc Patrick County Web site

It is amazing how many wonderful people one meets through genealogy. I called Mr. Pilson one Saturday afternoon with various questions about my ancestors and cemeteries. I had one terrific conversation with him. He knew my family (1810-1870), knew why they weren't in his book, knew probably where they were buried. He was so enthusiastic about life and knowlegdeable about Patrick County. I do have his book, but more so, I am grateful that I was able to spend that one afternoon with Mr. Pilson. A loss for everyone. Betsy Young

Hi Jane, I have some Craddock families in my computer that is not connected with any Craddock line. If I send the names to you can you check to see if any of them is in your line of Craddocks? Thank for any help. FRANK ROUNDY froundy1@juno.com ___________________________________________________________________ You don't need to buy Internet access to use free Internet e-mail. Get completely free e-mail from Juno at http://www.juno.com/getjuno.html or call Juno at (800) 654-JUNO [654-5866]

I am printing the kind words you folks are writing about Mr. Pilson and will give them to the family. If anyone else has anything they would like to add, I will be glad to include them. Eunice B. Kirkman ***** ekirkman@swva.net

Carol, I sure do cherish the trip we made up Rock Castle Creek now more than I had. He was always very helpful whenever I gave him a call. David -----Original Message----- From: Chathampit@aol.com [mailto:Chathampit@aol.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 1999 6:57 PM To: VAPATRIC-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: Death of O.E. Pilson Truman, Thank you for putting the obit information online. It was the most distressing news I've heard in a long time. Mr. Pilson and I have gone on tours of cemeteries of Patrick County on several occasions and I have grown to love him and value him as a dear friend. His contribution to genealogy has been remarkable and we will all miss him. Again, thanks for sharing this heartbreaking news, because not living closeby, I wouldn't have known except for you. Carol

Hi there folks it's me and i want you all to bear with me on the Patrick County Page I did all the changes and added all the queries i received in the last few days . I have been working on trying to upload them since Sunday. without success. Rootsweb sponsors this home page and they are working on their system. I did not get my uploading of the graphics done before they started the work so if the page looks odd for a few days, fear not it will all be taken care of as soon as rootsweb completes adding the new equiptment to handle the load of the new users. Check back in a few days . hopefully i'l be successful in uploading next try. Sincerely Rena B Worthen cc Patrick County. Researching ThomasJEWELL,William HATCHER, AndrewHOWARD, AsaHALL, Sarah FARLEY, James GRAHAM, George BOOTHE, any HICKLIN, William GREEN,Thurman BAXTER,John "the settler" BISHOP, Ezra COLLINS, William CUNNINGHAM, Clarence SMITH, Pierce BOYER, Christopher TYNAN, Georg (Dresher)THRASHER , Sarah COX, anyOBENCHAIN,any AKERS, Emra ALTIZER,Henry VANOVER doreatr@rbnet.com rena@genealogy.org http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Woods/3798/index.html http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapatric http://members.bellatlantic.net/~scotnroa/Barb/floyd.html

Truman, It was so thoughtful of you to post Mr. Pilson's obituary. I will miss him. We had talked numerous times over the past 10 years. I valued his opinion and enjoyed his stories. He was "one of a kind" a true gentleman. Cindy ---------- > From: Truman Adkins <tadkins@kimbanet.com> > To: VAPATRIC-L@rootsweb.com > Subject: Death of O.E. Pilson > Date: Tuesday, January 19, 1999 6:13 PM > > From Martinsville Bulletin, 19 January 1999: > > Pilson, noted educator, genealogist dies at 88 > > O.E. Pilson, a longtime educator in both Patrick and Henry counties, and an > author > and genealogist, died Monday morning after suffering a heart attack at his > home in > Ridgeway. He was 88. > > Pilson served as principal at Drewry Mason High School and at Ridgeway > Elementary School, and worked in public education for 37 years before > retiring in > 1975. > > Born Ophus Eugene Pilson on Jan. 18, 1910 in the Elamsville section of > Patrick County, he attended > Elamsville School and the Blue Ridge Mission School, which closed in 1941. > Pilson later worked on > a successful effort to get a state historical marker placed at the mission > school site, located in the > Buffalo Ridge section of Patrick County. > > He received a bachelor's degree from Georgetown College in Kentucky in 1932. > > Pilson taught at Stuart High School, served as principal at the combination > elementary-high Red > Bank School and in 1945 became one of the first visiting teachers in the > state and the first in Patrick > County, serving in that capacity until 1949. > > When Henry County schools were consolidated and Drewry Mason High School > opened in 1952, > Pilson accepted the position as principal. After 13 years at Drewry Mason, > he became the principal > of Ridgeway Elementary School and remained there until his retirement. > > A resident of 456 Church St., Ridgeway, Pilson had served as vice mayor and > as a member of > Ridgeway's Town Council. He was twice president and twice secretary of the > Ridgeway Lions Club, > and had held every office in the Ridgeway Ruritan Club. > > Among the numerous civic and service organizations in which Pilson was > active were: the Red Cross > board; president of the Blue Ridge Mission School Alumni Association; on > the board and president > of the Patrick Henry Allied Families of Virginia; and on the public service > committee of the West > Piedmont Planning District. > > After retirement, Pilson became a genealogist researching the history of > cemeteries in Patrick > County. For eight years he did research before authoring a book on > tombstone inscriptions. > > He also helped research and author a book on the history of Patrick County. > At the time of his > death, Pilson was working on other family trees. > > Pilson had been a member of the board and past president of the District > Retired Teachers > Association; past state director and vice president to the > Martinsville-Henry County Retired > Teachers Association; secretary of the Patrick Henry Archeological Society, > member of the Henry > County Historical Association and Patrick County Historical Society, and > was a member of the now > disbanded Martinsville-Henry County Bicentennial Commission. He also was a > member of the Phi > Delta Kappa educational fraternity and the Sons of the American Revolution. > > Pilson remained active in the A.A.R.P., the Ridgeway Ruritan Club and Lions > Club, and Trinity > Lutheran Church. >

>From Martinsville Bulletin, 19 January 1999: Pilson, noted educator, genealogist dies at 88 O.E. Pilson, a longtime educator in both Patrick and Henry counties, and an author and genealogist, died Monday morning after suffering a heart attack at his home in Ridgeway. He was 88. Pilson served as principal at Drewry Mason High School and at Ridgeway Elementary School, and worked in public education for 37 years before retiring in 1975. Born Ophus Eugene Pilson on Jan. 18, 1910 in the Elamsville section of Patrick County, he attended Elamsville School and the Blue Ridge Mission School, which closed in 1941. Pilson later worked on a successful effort to get a state historical marker placed at the mission school site, located in the Buffalo Ridge section of Patrick County. He received a bachelor's degree from Georgetown College in Kentucky in 1932. Pilson taught at Stuart High School, served as principal at the combination elementary-high Red Bank School and in 1945 became one of the first visiting teachers in the state and the first in Patrick County, serving in that capacity until 1949. When Henry County schools were consolidated and Drewry Mason High School opened in 1952, Pilson accepted the position as principal. After 13 years at Drewry Mason, he became the principal of Ridgeway Elementary School and remained there until his retirement. A resident of 456 Church St., Ridgeway, Pilson had served as vice mayor and as a member of Ridgeway's Town Council. He was twice president and twice secretary of the Ridgeway Lions Club, and had held every office in the Ridgeway Ruritan Club. Among the numerous civic and service organizations in which Pilson was active were: the Red Cross board; president of the Blue Ridge Mission School Alumni Association; on the board and president of the Patrick Henry Allied Families of Virginia; and on the public service committee of the West Piedmont Planning District. After retirement, Pilson became a genealogist researching the history of cemeteries in Patrick County. For eight years he did research before authoring a book on tombstone inscriptions. He also helped research and author a book on the history of Patrick County. At the time of his death, Pilson was working on other family trees. Pilson had been a member of the board and past president of the District Retired Teachers Association; past state director and vice president to the Martinsville-Henry County Retired Teachers Association; secretary of the Patrick Henry Archeological Society, member of the Henry County Historical Association and Patrick County Historical Society, and was a member of the now disbanded Martinsville-Henry County Bicentennial Commission. He also was a member of the Phi Delta Kappa educational fraternity and the Sons of the American Revolution. Pilson remained active in the A.A.R.P., the Ridgeway Ruritan Club and Lions Club, and Trinity Lutheran Church.

Hi, I am sorry to hear Mr Pilson passed away. Can a person still purchase his book? I am very interested. The area where Mr Pilson lived and worked, was also the area where many of my Kinfolks lived and went to school. The family name is Craddock. I would love to purchase the Cem Book. JANEMCAN@aol.com Thanks Jane Craddock Canada from California

I too thank you for posting this Obit for Mr. Pilson. he was quite the gentleman. I met him at the Patrick County Historical Society building one day as I was traveling through looking for my ancestors and he was kind enough to direct me to the BOWLING Cemetery on the hill there in Stuart. I also bought his book the same day and have used it more times than I can count. The Genealogical Community has suffered a tremendous loss today. Carlisle Bowling P. O. Box 1177 Flagler Beach, Florida 32136-1177

Truman, Thank you for putting the obit information online. It was the most distressing news I've heard in a long time. Mr. Pilson and I have gone on tours of cemeteries of Patrick County on several occasions and I have grown to love him and value him as a dear friend. His contribution to genealogy has been remarkable and we will all miss him. Again, thanks for sharing this heartbreaking news, because not living closeby, I wouldn't have known except for you. Carol

This is what I have in my database. BTW, James A. and Lum Childress were the parents of Rev. Bob Childress who built the Slate Mtn. Pres. Church and the Rock Church at Buffalo Mtn. Descendants of: John Martin Childress 1 John Martin Childress b. ca 1828 m. Martha Francis "Frankie" Bowman b. ca 1830 1850, 1860, and 1870 Census state John Martin was born in North Carolina. 2 Cornelia "Annie" Childress b. ca 1850 d. 7 Sep 1865 2 John W. Childress b. ca 1851 2 Osborne F. Childress b. ca 1853 2 James Anderson "Babe" CHILDRESS b. ca 1857 d. 1907 m. 15 Feb 1875 Frances Columbia "Lum" SMITH b. ca 1854 d. 1920 3 Charles Hastings "Hasten" CHILDRESS b. 14 Nov 1875 d. 13 May 1956 m. Mary A. b. 14 Feb 1875 d. 25 Nov 1918 3 Hattie Laura CHILDRESS b. 1877 3 George Savanna CHILDRESS b. 1880 3 William "Bill" Osborne CHILDRESS b. 9 Sep 1883 d. 25 Apr 1953 3 Nettie Victoria CHILDRESS b. 1886 d. 1949 m. Willie I. WHITAKER b. 1891 3 Samuel Taylor CHILDRESS b. 1887 3 Robert "Bob" Walter CHILDRESS b. 19 Jan 1890 d. 16 Jan 1956 m. Pearl AYERS b. 6 Sep 1889 d. 21 Nov 1918 Pearl: Died of Influenza (epidemic of 1918) 4 Conduff CHILDRESS 4 Evelyn CHILDRESS 3 Bessie CHILDRESS b. 1893 3 Everett Martin CHILDRESS b. 1894 2 Francis "Fannie" M. Childress b. ca 1860 d. 7 Dec 1862 2 Elizabeth M. Childress b. ca 1864 2 Charles R. Childress b. ca 1869 -----Original Message----- From: Barb Stanley [mailto:bobnroa@pipeline.com] Sent: Tuesday, January 19, 1999 11:02 AM To: VAPATRIC-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: CHILDRESS, Martin 1850 Patrick Co. Census Martin Childress - age 24 - Blacksmith - $150. - b. NC Frances - age 21 - b. Va. Cornelia - age 1 - b. Va. 1870 Patrick Co. Census # 374 Martin Childress - age 46 - $390. - b. NC Martha F. - 42 - b. Va. John W. - 18 - B. Va. Osburn F. - 16 - b. Va. James A. - 13 - b. Va. Elizabeth M. - 6 - b. Va. Charles R. - 1 - b. Va. Frances M. Childress d. 7 Dec. 1862 (born March 6, 1860) male COD diphtheria age 2 yrs. 9 months 1 day par. Martin & Frances Childress Barb S. ================== At 07:58 AM 1/19/99 -0600, you wrote: >Looking for info on Martin Childress, b. abt 1826 in NC, married Martha or >Frances, b. VA. Their children were born in Patrick Co as far as I know. >They were: > >Cornelia A Childress, b. abt 1849 > >John W Childress, b. abt 1851, married R V? > >Osborne Franklin Childress, b 23 Oct 1853, d. 11 Sept 1918, m. Eliza Jane >Gwyn 6 Jan 1873 (my great grandparents) > >James A Childress, b. abt 1854 > >Annie Childress, b. abt 1855 > >Francis M Childress, b. abt 1860, d. 7 Dec 1862 > >Elizabeth "Fannie" M Childress, b. abt 1861, d. 4 JaN 1890, married J L >Mankins. > >I would love to have information on any of the above people. > >--Joyce Bunch >rosejoy@mindspring.com > > >==== VAPATRIC Mailing List ==== >Patrick County, Virginia Home Page >http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapatric/ > ==== VAPATRIC Mailing List ==== Patrick County, Virginia Home Page http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapatric/

1850 Patrick Co. Census Martin Childress - age 24 - Blacksmith - $150. - b. NC Frances - age 21 - b. Va. Cornelia - age 1 - b. Va. 1870 Patrick Co. Census # 374 Martin Childress - age 46 - $390. - b. NC Martha F. - 42 - b. Va. John W. - 18 - B. Va. Osburn F. - 16 - b. Va. James A. - 13 - b. Va. Elizabeth M. - 6 - b. Va. Charles R. - 1 - b. Va. Frances M. Childress d. 7 Dec. 1862 (born March 6, 1860) male COD diphtheria age 2 yrs. 9 months 1 day par. Martin & Frances Childress Barb S. ================== At 07:58 AM 1/19/99 -0600, you wrote: >Looking for info on Martin Childress, b. abt 1826 in NC, married Martha or >Frances, b. VA. Their children were born in Patrick Co as far as I know. >They were: > >Cornelia A Childress, b. abt 1849 > >John W Childress, b. abt 1851, married R V? > >Osborne Franklin Childress, b 23 Oct 1853, d. 11 Sept 1918, m. Eliza Jane >Gwyn 6 Jan 1873 (my great grandparents) > >James A Childress, b. abt 1854 > >Annie Childress, b. abt 1855 > >Francis M Childress, b. abt 1860, d. 7 Dec 1862 > >Elizabeth "Fannie" M Childress, b. abt 1861, d. 4 JaN 1890, married J L >Mankins. > >I would love to have information on any of the above people. > >--Joyce Bunch >rosejoy@mindspring.com > > >==== VAPATRIC Mailing List ==== >Patrick County, Virginia Home Page >http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapatric/ >

Patrick Co Death Records Annie Childress dod 9-7-1865 age 10 s f cod feaver p Martin & Frances pob PCVA podPCVA Francis M Childres dod 12-7-1865 age 2 s m cod diptheria p Martin & Frances Childres pob PCVA pod PCVA Tombstone Inscriptions of the Cemeteries of Patrick County Virginia by O E Pilson Ruth M w/o J W Childress 3-7-1853 9-11-1895 James A Childress 1855 1907 & Columbia F Smith Childress his wife b 18--d 1920 William Osborne Childress 9-9-1883 4-25-1953 Mary Etta Childress 11-25-1890 4-16-1929 I dont know about some of these.but i hope they help. Rena ---------- From: Joyce Shelton Bunch <rosejoy@mindspring.com> To: VAPATRIC-L@rootsweb.com Subject: CHILDRESS, Martin Date: Tuesday, January 19, 1999 8:58 AM Looking for info on Martin Childress, b. abt 1826 in NC, married Martha or Frances, b. VA. Their children were born in Patrick Co as far as I know. They were: Cornelia A Childress, b. abt 1849 John W Childress, b. abt 1851, married R V? Osborne Franklin Childress, b 23 Oct 1853, d. 11 Sept 1918, m. Eliza Jane Gwyn 6 Jan 1873 (my great grandparents) James A Childress, b. abt 1854 Annie Childress, b. abt 1855 Francis M Childress, b. abt 1860, d. 7 Dec 1862 Elizabeth "Fannie" M Childress, b. abt 1861, d. 4 JaN 1890, married J L Mankins. I would love to have information on any of the above people. --Joyce Bunch rosejoy@mindspring.com ==== VAPATRIC Mailing List ==== Patrick County, Virginia Home Page http://www.rootsweb.com/~vapatric/

Looking for info on Martin Childress, b. abt 1826 in NC, married Martha or Frances, b. VA. Their children were born in Patrick Co as far as I know. They were: Cornelia A Childress, b. abt 1849 John W Childress, b. abt 1851, married R V? Osborne Franklin Childress, b 23 Oct 1853, d. 11 Sept 1918, m. Eliza Jane Gwyn 6 Jan 1873 (my great grandparents) James A Childress, b. abt 1854 Annie Childress, b. abt 1855 Francis M Childress, b. abt 1860, d. 7 Dec 1862 Elizabeth "Fannie" M Childress, b. abt 1861, d. 4 JaN 1890, married J L Mankins. I would love to have information on any of the above people. --Joyce Bunch rosejoy@mindspring.com

Hi -- I received an e-mail from someone who was a descendant of Frederick. I cannot find it at this exact moment but I do remember that he said that after the Civil War, Frederick went to MD and went by the name of WOODS. I will find the e-mail later and get the man's address. Regards, Barb G.

-----Original Message----- From: Barb Stanley <bobnroa@pipeline.com> To: Sherry <dansher@cybrtown.com> Date: Monday, January 18, 1999 5:16 PM Subject: Re: Joseph HALL/Ann PLASTERS >Was she married twice?? There is a marriage for Joseph Hall and Anna >Midkiff. Surety Conrad Plaster. Nov. 14, 1839. > >Barb S. Barb S., Thanks for the info.That's a good possibility. I don't have a marriage date for Joseph and Anna Plasters(maybe Midkiff). If she married Joseph second, it may have been a second marriage for him also. A death record for Joseph would help, too, if he died before she did. Sherry