The Death of Lawrence W. Ransom “Rance” Dry

Missing births, deaths and baptism dates in our southern states is a given especially in those affected by the War for Independence and those burned counties throughout the Southern States. Finding these dates becomes complexed to impossible in some cases due to destroyed records. Finding a short death notice for Ransom Dry became a "serendipity" moment.  

Lawrence W. “Rance” Dry was alive and well when the 1900 census was enumerated in June 1900. He died at some point after the census was taken in June 1900. But when did he die? 

1900 CENSUS: Furr, Stanly, North Carolina; Roll: 1218; Enumeration District: 0125; FHL microfilm: 1241218; 18 June 1900, Page: 16B/250 (stamped); Line 100, Dwelling 300, Family 303; Lawrence W. DRY, Male, age 57, born 1843 in NC; Betta DRY, Wife, age 30, born Apr 1870 in NC and Traverse DRY, Son, age 15, born May 1885 in NC. 

After days of research I narrowed his death date down to between 1905 and 1907. His FindAGrave Memorial (46878941) say he died in 1900. Based on my research Lawrence W. Ransom “Rance” Dry died on 11 December 1906 and this is his Death Notice and it’s source.  

Big Lick: Ransom Dry died last Tuesday 11th inst. and was buried in St. Paul cemetery Wednesday.
[The Enterprise, Albemarle, North Carolina, 20 Dec 1906, Thu., Page 2, Col. 2.]

Lawrence W. Ransom “Rance” Dry is my 2nd Cousin 4X removed.

______________________

[1] 1850 U. S. Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Cabarrus, North Carolina, Page: 483B(stamped); Line 1, Dwelling 1247, Family 1247, Household of Solomon DRY; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 May 2016); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 622.

[2] Cabarrus County, North Carolina, Probate Files & Loose papers, Esther DRY; digital images, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, FamilySearch (http://www.familysearch.org: viewed 5 May 2016); Will Book 3, page 242.

[3] 1900 US Census, Stanly County, North Carolina, population schedule, Furr, Stanly, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0125, Page: 16B/250 (stamped); Line 100, Dwelling 300, Family 303, Household of Lawrence W. DRY; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 21 January 2021); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 1218.

[4] Ransom Dry death notice, The Enterprise, Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina, United States, 20 December 1906, Page 2, Col. 2.

[5] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 21 January 2021); Memorial page for Lawrence W Ransom "Rance" Dry; (1838–11 December 1906); Find a Grave memorial #46878941, Citing Saint Paul United Methodist Church Cemetery; Cabarrus County, North Carolina, USA.

It’s Family Time~The Stephen Brown Family

Stephen Brown, son of John H. Brown and Sarah Rivers, was born about 1823 in Monroe County, Alabama.

Stephen Brown married Susan Griffith about 1849 in Mississippi. She was borne about 1828 in South Carolina a daughter of Joab Griffith and his wife Sarah.

Stephen and Susan can be found in the following censuses:

•     1850 - Lauderdale County, Mississippi.
•     1855 - Jasper County, Mississippi.
•     1860 - Smith County, Mississippi
• On 18 Feb 1860 he was appointed Postmaster in Pineville, Smith, Mississippi.
•      1866 - Smith County, Mississippi.
      
  Susan Griffith Brown died after the 1866 census and before the 1870 Census. Stephen remarried during this time to a lady by the name of Rosa Ann Adams. Stephen and Rosa are enumerated as husband and wife in the 1870 Sunflower County Mississippi population censes.

•     1870 - Sunflower County, Mississippi.
•      1876 - Lauderdale County, Alabama.
•      1880 - Carroll County, Arkansas; Stephen & Rosa with son John H. Brown.

Stephen Brown and Susan Griffith had the following children:

        i.    Sarah "Sally" Brown, born abt Nov 1851, Mississippi; married Steve Bates; died 7 Nov 1899.
         ii.    Nancy "Nannie" Brown was born about 1852 in Mississippi.
         iii.    John Hancock "Jack" Brown, born 3 Jul 1855, Mississippi; married Susan Eff Adams, 9 Jul 1876, Mississippi; died 11 Feb 1900, Whitefield, Haskell County, Oklahoma.
         iv.    Joe Abb Brown, born 21 Oct 1857, Near Meridian, Mississippi; married Margaret Frances Bell, 24 Dec 1884, Foreman, Little River, Arkansas; died 26 Oct 1945, Oklahoma.
         v.    Henry C. Brown was born about 1860 in Mississippi. He died young sometime between 1866-1870.

Stephen Brown died about 1890 at the age of 67 in either Union or Carroll County, Arkansas. No death dates, obits, notices or tombstones have been found for either Stephen Brown or his 1st wife Susan Griffith.

Stephen Brown is my 1st Cousin 5X Removed.

_______________________________

1. 1850 Census, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, population schedule, Southern District, Lauderdale County, Mississippi, Page 386B, Line 34,, Dwelling 843, Family 856, Household of Stephen BROWN; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 August 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 375.
  2. 1860 U. S. Census, Smith County, Mississippi, population schedule, No Twp Listed, Smith County, Mississippi, Page: 285, Line 6, Dwelling 335, Family 335, Household of Stephen BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 August 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: M653_591.
3. 1870 U S Census, Sunflower County, Mississippi, population schedule, District 1, Sunflower County, Mississippi, Page: 459A, Line 34, Dwelling 145, Family 133, Household of Stephen BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 August 2011); citing  National Archives Microfilm M593_749.
4. 1880 U. S. Census, Carroll County, Arkansas, population schedule, Osage, Carroll County, Arkansas, enumeration district (ED) #28, Page: 244D, Line 6, Dwelling 236, Family 239, Household of  John H. BROWN; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 August 2011); citing NARA publication Roll: T9-0043.

Obituary Monday~John Martin Dry

A double tragedy strikes the John Martin and Mary Jane McCollums Dry family in early October 1899. the first to occur was the death of the head of the household Mr. John Martin Dry, age 79. His death left his widow, Mary Jane (nee McCollums) and 4 children; two sons and two daughters. The couple had previously lost two others sons at an early age.    

MARTIN DRY DEAD.
He Received a Fall More Than a Week Ago and Remained Unconscious Ever Since That Time.
More than a week ago Mr. Martin Dry. who lives below town, received a fall. On the following day he became unconscious and gradually sank until Monday night after midnight he died. Mr. Dry had reached the ripe old age of nearly 79 years. He leaves two sons, Levi Dry and Will Dry, and two daughters, Mrs. W. F. Hess and Mrs. Bettie Dry. The funeral will be conducted Wednesday morning at the home by Rev. Chas. B Miller. The remains will be interred in the old Lutheran cemetery.

[Daily Concord Standard, Concord, North Carolina, 03 Oct 1899, Tue., Page 1 Column 2]
 

Dry, Martin.  Mr. Martin Dry, an aged citizen of East Concord, died last Monday night.  He had a stroke of paralysis about ten days ago.  He was 79 years old, and a quiet, inoffensive citizen.  He leaves two sons and two daughters.  One of his daughters, Mrs. Hess, is now lying at the point of death.  Mr. Dry was a member of the Lutheran church.  Rev. C. B. Miller conducted the funeral services Friday, and the body was interred in the old Lutheran cemetery.  (Source: The Concord Times, Concord, North Carolina, October 5, 1899.)
http://www.countyoffice.org/public-records/genealogy-sc-94a/

As stated in the above obituaries, daughter Margaret Jane “Maggie” Dry Hess was on her death bed and not expected to survive. Maggie died on 10 October 1899 leaving a husband and two sons surviving.

John Martin Dry was a son of Peter Dry and Hetty Elizabeth A. Teeter. 

John Martin Dry and Mary Jane McCollums had the following children:

i. Martin L. Dry was born about Sep 1859 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. He died before 1870 at the age of 11.

ii. William Franklin Dry, born abt 1863, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Eliza Julia Page, 9 Feb 1886, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; died 2 Apr 1906.

iii. Adam Monroe Dry was born about 1866 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. He died before 1880 at the age of 14.

iv. Margaret Jane "Maggie" Dry, born abt 1868, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married William Franklin Hess, 25 Sep 1887, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; died 10 Oct 1899.

v. Elizabeth Catherine "Bettie" Dry, born 30 Oct 1873, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married John A. Dry, 28 Dec 1893, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Mathew William Benfield, 23 Feb 1908, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; died 22 Dec 1935, Cayuga, Anderson, Texas.

vi. Levi Lafate Dry, born 2 Sep 1875, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Betty Boswell, 25 Feb 1906, Anson County, North Carolina; died 20 Jul 1919, Burnsville, Anson, North Carolina.

John Martin Dry is my 1st Cousin 4X Removed.

__________________________

1. Adelaide and Eugenia Lore, St_Johns_Lutheran Church: Baptismal_Records_1797_1847 (Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina: Self-Published as PDF, 1977), page 28.

2. 1850 U. S. Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Cabarrus, North Carolina, Page 445B(stamped), Line 14, Dwelling 670, Family 670; Peter DRY, Household of Peter DRY; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 May 2018); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 622.

3. 1860 U. S. Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Subdivision East of NC RR, Cabarrus, North Carolina, Page: 54 (stamped); Line 33, Dwelling 357, Family 357, Household of John M. DRY; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 May 2018); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 890.

4. 1870 Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Township 11, Cabarrus, North Carolina, Page: 438A(stamped); Line 30, Dwelling 122, Family 124, Household of Martin DRY; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 May 2018); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M593, Roll 1126.

5. 1880 U. S. Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Old Field, Cabarrus, North Carolina;, enumeration district (ED) 029, Page: 376C; (stamped); Line 28,, Dwelling 173, Family 173, Household of Martin DRY; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 May 2018); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 0955.

6. Mr. Martin Dry obituary, The Concord (NC) Times, Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, 5 October 1899. Died Monday night, age 79.

7. "Index to North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 May 1018), MARRIAGE~Martin Dry & Mary Jane McCollums; North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1977; Marriage Date: 11 Sep 1856.

It’s Family Time~The Daniel and Leah C. Dry Melchor Family.

Leah C. Dry was borne June 1828 according to a 1900 census entry. A Widow, she is living with her son Victor and his family in Iredell County, North Carolina. Many on-line trees on both Ancestry and FamilySearch show her birth to be 29 November 1828. [There is no SOURCE for this date]. The 1900 Census has her birth as June 1828; her North Carolina Death Certificate#585 shows her birth as 08 June 1827. These are the only two birth sources that I have found. 

Leah C. Dry Melchor can be found in the following Censuses listed with the following Age/Birth Years. 

On 13 October 1848, Leah C. Dry, daughter of John N. Dry, married Daniel Melchor, son of  John Melchor and Sophia Dry.

Daniel Melchor and Leah C. Dry had a family of 8 children; five daughters and 3 sons.

i. Henrietta Loudema Melchor, born 15 Apr 1851, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married William Merchant Davis, 24 Feb 1897, Iredell County, North Carolina; died 12 Apr 1941, Iredell County, North Carolina.

ii. Margaret Caroline Melchor, born 5 Jun 1853, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married James R. McCommons, 17 Oct 1871, Cabarrus, North Carolina. James R. McCommons was killed in 23 August 1872. 

iii. John Valentine Melchor, born 18 Mar 1856, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Minnie Eugenia  Dearman, 3 Mar 1887, Iredell County, North Carolina; died 29 May 1929, Mooresville, Iredell, North Carolina.

iv. Martha Jane Melchor, born 4 Aug 1858, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Andrew Augustus Davidson Jr., 1 Jan 1885, Iredell County, North Carolina; died 24 Dec 1944, Mooresville, Iredell, North Carolina.

v. Victor Theophilus Melchor, born 27 Jun 1861, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Lillie Elizabeth  Bass, 13 Apr 1899, Iredell County, North Carolina; died 2 Oct 1941, Iredell County, North Carolina.

vi. Mary S. Melchor was born on 27 Jun 1861 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. She died on 3 May 1922 at the age of 60 in Iredell County, North Carolina.

vii. George David Melchor was born on 10 Oct 1866 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. He died on 13 Oct 1916 at the age of 50 in Iredell County, North Carolina.

viii. Ila Catherine Melchor, born 10 Apr 1869, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Henry Marcus Sherrill, 13 Mar 1890, Iredell County, North Carolina; died 1 Apr 1937, Troutman, Iredell, North Carolina.

Daniel Melchor died after the 1880 Census was taken but no specific death date or burial place has been found at this time.

Leah C. Dry Melchor, Daniel’s widow, lived until 28 April 1911 when she passed away due to old age and kidney failure (Chronic Nephritis). She was interred in Saint Michaels Cemetery, Troutman, Iredell County, North Carolina. 

Leah C. Dry Melchor is my 1st Cousin 4X Removed.

_____________________

1. 1850 U. S. Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Cabarrus, North Carolina, Page 481(Stamped), Line 19, Dwelling 1214, Family 1214, Household of Daniel MELCHER; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 June 2021); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 622.
2. 1870 Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Township 2, Cabarrus, North Carolina, Page 583 (Stamped), Line 36, Dwelling 120, Family 120, Household of Daniel MELCHOR; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 June 2021); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M593, Roll 1126.
3. 1880 U. S. Census, Iredell County, North Carolina, population schedule, Fallstown, Iredell, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 142, Page 66 (Stamped), Line 27, Dwelling 43, Family 43, Household of Danl. MELCHOR; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 June 2021); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 968.
4. "North Carolina, Marriages Index, 1741-1868," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 6 June 2021), Marriage - Daniel Melchor & Leah C. Dry, Married 0n 13 Oct 1848.
5.  North Carolina, Death Certificates, 1909-1976,  Images. Ancestry, (https://www.ancestry.com:  ),  North Carolina, Death Certificates, 1909-1976, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, Leah C. Dry MELCHOR; Certificate number 585, 28 April 1911.
6. 1900 U. S. Census, Iredell County, North Carolina, population schedule, Fallstown, Iredell, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 095, Page 13B/149 (Stamped), Line 94, Dwelling 203, Family 208, Household of Victor F. MELCHOR; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 13 June 2021); citing National Archives Microfilm T623.
7. 1910 U. S. Census, Iredell County, North Carolina, population schedule, Coddle Creek, Iredell, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 72, Page 12B/82(Stamped), Line 60, Dwelling 235, Family 243, Household of Augustus DAVIDSON; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 June 2021); citing National Archives Microfilm T624,.
8.  Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed  6 April 2021); Memorial page for Leah C. Dry Melchor; (1828–28 April 1911); Find a Grave memorial #177580284, Citing Saint Michaels Cemetery; Troutman, Iredell County, North Carolina, USA.

The Untimely Death of James R. McCommons

 Leah C. Dry was a child of my 3rd Great Grand Uncle John N. Dry and his wife Sophia Barrier. At some point  between 1850 and 1860 John N. Dry and Sophie, with most of their children, packed their belongings in Cabarrus County, North Carolina and moved to Independence, Arkansas. Remaining in North Carolina was daughters Leah C. and Martha Caroline.

Leah C. Dry had married Daniel Melchor on 13 October 1849 and daughter Martha Caroline was a mystery for quite some time until last week. Last week I received a very informative Email concerning John N. Dry and the author of that email provided details concerning the marriage of Martha Caroline and a man called Leonard Pliler/Plyler.

Time to add the family of Leah C. Dry Melchor and Martha Caroline Dry Pliler to my tree. During the researching of the Daniel Melchor family I learned that he and Leah C. had 8 children. When all my initial efforts were complete I had a large history of the entire family with one exception, daughter Martha Caroline Melchor. For Margaret Caroline also known as “Maggie” I had 4 entries.

First was her birth date, 5 June 1853, second was her Baptism date 26 September 1853; 3rd was the 1870 census and 4th was the 1880 census.

Then it seems that  Margaret Caroline “Maggie” disappeared into thin air. There the history of Maggie may have remained if it wasn’t for the tree of my new email contact. While the information was confusing it had suggested that Martha Caroline Melchor had married a young man by the name of James R. McCommons.  James R. McCommons  son of Nelson and Elizabeth McCommons were married in Cabarrus County, North Carolina on 17 October 1871.   

As I continued my research I found a Probate Record for James R. McCommons. Contained within this file was the sad news that James R. McCommons met an untimely and unjust death at the hands of a young orphan in March 1871. He and Martha Caroline had only been married for about 10 months. 

From Probate File of James R. McCommons

Daniel Melchor

Administrator of
James R. McCommons
vs
Brainerd Kimmons
Deft.

The plaintiff alleges & complains:

1st. That on the _23_ day of August 1872 the Deft above named did wrongfully kill one James R. McCommons.
2. That on____day of Sept 1872 the plaintiff was duly appointed administrator of said  James McCommons by the Probate Court of Cabarrus County & took out Letters of Administration on his estate.
3rd. That Plaintiff is informed and believes that defendant is [a] minor of about twenty years of age that Samuel Pharr is his Guardian appointed by the proper court and that Plaintiff has caused  notice of this action to be served on said Guardian Pharr as Guardian aforesaid.
Wherefore plaintiff demands judgment against the Defendant for the sum of the five thousand dollars damages as pecuniary compensation for the injury resulting from the death of his intestate & for costs of action. 
                                                                     W. M. {illegible}
                                                                     Atty for Plff

After an extensive search on Newspapers.com and ChroniclingAmerica I was unable to find any mention of an arrest or trial for the perpetrator of this crime. No Tombstone has been found for James R. McCommons nor have I found his Widow after the 1880 Census where she is listed as Maggie C. MELCHOR, Daughter, age 25, born in NC in the household of her father.

Margaret Caroline Melchor McCommons had not been found beyond the 1880 Census. If you have information concerning Margaret Caroline Melchor McCommons I would love to hear from you.

Margaret Caroline Melchor McCommons is my 2nd Cousin 3X Removed.

_________________________

[1] Bostian Frank K. and Cruse B. W. (Bernard W.), Dutch Buffalo Creek Meeting House, 1745-1806 (Mount Pleasant, N.C.: Bethel Bear Creek United Church of Christ, 1974), page 82.

[2] Ibid.

[3] 1870 Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Township 2, Cabarrus, North Carolina, Page 583 (Stamped), Line 36, Dwelling 120, Family 120, Household of Daniel MELCHOR; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 June 2021); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M593, Roll 1126.

[4] 1880 U. S. Census, Iredell County, North Carolina, population schedule, Fallstown, Iredell, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 142, Page 66 (Stamped), Line 27, Dwelling 43, Family 43, Household of Danl. MELCHOR; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 June 2021); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 968.

[5] https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9061/images/004968684_01243?usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true&pId=92526

It’s Family Time~The Phillip A. Sellers & Martha Ann Brooks Family

Phillip A. Sellers was borne on 3 May 1818 in Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.¹ Phillip was the first borne child of Roland Sellers and Margaret Eddins. He had 13 siblings: 5 sisters and 9 brothers.

Phillip A. Sellers married Martha Ann Brooks about 1844 in Anson County, North Carolina. Martha Ann Brooks, daughter of Thomas Brooks and Sarah Pratt, was born on 16 Aug 1830 in Mississippi. Phillip owned a 250 acre farm (near Gum Springs) south of Lilesville, which he farmed while Martha stayed home to care for the large growing family.

When the Civil War was ignited in 1861, Phillip A. Sellers signed on with Company I, North Carolina 3rd Light Artillery.

Phillip A. Sellers and Martha Ann Brooks had the following children:

i. Eliza Frances Sellers, born 6 May 1844, Anson County, North Carolina; married James M. Hinson, 1865; died 12 Sep 1931, Rockingham, Richmond, North Carolina.

ii. Sarah Emeline Sellers was born about 1849 in Anson County, North Carolina. She died before Mar 1868 at the age of 19 in Anson County, North Carolina.

iii. William Brooks Sellers, born abt 1850, Anson County, North Carolina; married Mary Elimira Carter, 23 Feb 1881; died 19 Jan 1922, Richmond County, North Carolina.

iv. Harriet A. Sellers, born 14 Feb 1851, Anson County, North Carolina; married John W. Deese, 16 Jan 1873, Morven, Anson, North Carolina; died 6 Jul 1925, Morven, Anson, North Carolina.

v. Margaret Jane Sellers, born abt 1852, Anson County, North Carolina; married Thomas Benjamin Hinson, 9 Jan 1873, Wadesboro, Anson, North Carolina; died 11 May 1913, Richmond County., North Carolina.

vi. Thomas Brooks Sellers, born abt 1855, Anson County, North Carolina; married Mary M. Hinson, 3 Apr 1889, Anson County, North Carolina; died 25 Apr 1894, Anson County, North Carolina.

vii. M. Dora Sellers, born 5 Jan 1855, Anson County, North Carolina; married J. Franklin Smith, 19 Jan 1881, Anson County, North Carolina; died 20 Aug 1929, Wadesboro, Anson, North Carolina.

viii. Susannna Sellers, born Nov 1860, Anson County, North Carolina; married Daniel R. Webb, 22 Dec 1891, Anson County, North Carolina; died 22 Feb 1921, Lilesville, Anson, North Carolina.

ix. Martha Ella Sellers, born abt 1861, Anson County, North Carolina; married William Thomas Wright, 23 Feb 1879, Anson County, North Carolina; died Jul 1896, Anson County, North Carolina.

x. Flora Sellers was born in May 1865 in Anson County, North Carolina. ¹⁶ She died after 1902 at the age of 37 in Anson County, North Carolina.

xi. Helen Sellers, born 22 Apr 1866, Anson County, North Carolina; married Henry Riley Hinson, 20 Dec 1906, Lilesville, Anson, North Carolina; died 17 Jul 1933, Lilesville, Anson, North Carolina.

xii. Alice Virginia Sellers, born 27 Mar 1867, Anson County, North Carolina; married John Scott Swink, 30 Aug 1896, Anson County, North Carolina; died 26 Mar 1917, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina.

xiii. John Calvin Sellers, born 15 Jul 1872, Anson County, North Carolina; married Katherine A. Harris, 1895, Anson County, North Carolina; died 9 Jul 1931, Wadesboro, Anson, North Carolina.

Martha Ann Brooks Sellers died on 27 Dec 1889 at the age of 59 in Anson County, North Carolina. She was buried at the Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery on 28 Dec 1889 in Anson County, North Carolina.

On 13 February 1901, Phillip A. Sellers wrote his Last Will and Testament.

• https://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2012/04/will-of-p-sellers.html

On 2 July 1902, Phillip A. Sellers died while working on his farm.

P. A. Sellers

Mr. Sellers was at work in his field when the summons came to him. Without a moment's warning, the Reaper's scythe cut him down. But it was only a delicate thread that was cut, as Mr. Sellers had been a sufferer for years of heart disease and being very old - over 70 - his death, while sadden, was not a surprise. Mr. Sellers lived near Cairo, was a most estimable citizen, of many excellent traits of character he leaves a large family to mourn his death.

On 23 Feb 1905 the homeplace of Phillip A. Sellers was sold to H. W. Little.

23 February 1905 - The home place of the late P. A. Sellers, in Lilesville township, was sold Monday at public auction. Mr. H. VV. Little was the purchaser. The place contains 250 acres, and the consideration was $1,100. [The Messenger and Intelligencer, Wadesboro, North Carolina, 23 Feb 1905, Page 3, Column 1.]

Phillip A. Sellers is my 1^st Cousin 4X Removed.

__________________________________________

1. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 1 January 2013); Memorial page for Phillip A. Sellers; (3 May 1818–2 July 1902); Find a Grave memorial #23368532, Citing Shiloh United Methodist Church Cemetery; Cairo, Anson County, North Carolina.

2. 1850 Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Sandy Point, Anson County, North Carolina, Page 188B[stamped]; Line 16, Dwelling 436, Family 436, Household of Sarah ADAMS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : Viewed 8 February 2014); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 619.

3. Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Deed Book 6: pages 112 & 113, Rolin R. Sellers and Phillip A. Sellers to William R. Sellers Deed; 7 October 1850, Register of Deeds, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

4. 1860 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Morven, Anson County, North Carolina, Page: 278B (page 116 , top right corner); Line 27, Dwelling 899, Family 864, Household of Philip SELLERS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 January 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 887.

5. 1880 U. S. Census, Anson County, North Carolina, population schedule, Lilesville, Anson County, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 008, Page: 482B, Line 1, Dwelling 349, Family 358, Household of Philip A. SELLERS; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 February 2012); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 0951.

6. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Phillip A. Sellers (3 May 1818–2 July 1902), Memorial # 23368532.

7. Anson County, North Carolina, Will Book "D", pages 512-514 WILL of P. A. Sellers; Family History Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.

8. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Phillip A. Sellers (3 May 1818–2 July 1902), Memorial # 23368532.

9. Mr. Phillip A. Sellers obituary, The Charlotte Observer, Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, 3 July 1902, page 4. Three Deaths.

Obituary Monday~Mary Emeline Sanders

This past week has been spent researching the family of John W. Sanders and his wife Mary Ann Dry with very little results to show for that effort. I did however find the obituary for their daughter Mary Emeline Sanders.

According to her obituary Mary Emeline Sanders was borne 26 June 1860. Marry Emeline is listed with her parents in 1870 and 1880 Census for Lenoir and Cabarrus County, North Carolina. The next record of Mary Emeline was her obituary which appeared in “The Concord Times”, Concord, North Carolina, 05 Sep 1890, Fri., Page 3, Column 5.

Obituary: Mary Emeline Sanders
  Mary Emeline,  daughter of J. W. and Mary A. Sanders, was born June 26th 1860, and departed this life August 26th, 1890, age 30 years and 2 months. The deceased  was early converted to Christ, and for fifteen years had been a faithful consistent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The highest expression of praise as to her life and character is the universal expression that she not only professed, but lived so as to exemplify pure and undefiled religion. In all the suffering of the illness that caused her departure from this earth she expressed most confidently her implicit trust in the Savoir. She passed away calmly and sweetly, and now rests from her labors. May the Lord comfort the friends left behind.
                                                                          H. M. B.

The obituary names her parents, Mr. & Mrs. J. W. Sanders, gives her birth date, 26 June 1860, her death date 26 August 1890 and age 30 years and 2 months.  None of her 4 siblings are mentioned. Nor is there a mentioned as to her final resting place.

Mary Emeline Sanders is my 2nd Cousin 3X Removed.

__________________

[1]"Mary Emeline Sanders," Obituary, The Concord Times, Concord, North Carolina, 5 September 1890, Page 3, Column 5; Digital On-Line Archives, Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/ : viewed 4 June 2021); https://www.newspapers.com/.

It’s Family Time~The Peter Dry Family

Peter Dry was born in 1787 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
He was a son of Johan Martin Dry and wife, Catherine Keppel. He was the second borne of 9 children. He was a farmer living in Cabarrus County, NC along the waters of Little Buffalo Creek.

Peter Dry and Hetty Elizabeth A. Teter were married on 11 Jul 1809 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. Hetty Elizabeth A. Teter was born in 1787. At present her parents are unknown. To this union were borne 5 known children: 4 daughters and one son.

The children of Peter Dry and Hetty Elizabeth A. Teter are:

i. Margaret Ann Dry, born abt 1813, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Simon E. Speight, 5 Sep 1846, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; died aft 1880.

ii. John Martin Dry, born 22 May 1820, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Mary Jane McCollums, 11 Sep 1856, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; died 2 Oct 1899, Concord, Cabarrus, North Carolina.

iii. Marian Carline Dry was born on 7 Jan 1824 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. She died before 1850 at the age of 26.

iv. Mary Ann M. Dry, born abt 1827, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married John W. Sanders, 8 Sep 1853, Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

v. Elizabeth Catherine Dry, born abt 1829, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Levi Hinseman; married Martin Kees, 24 May 1851, Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

I wrote about Mary Ann (the 3^rd daughter) earlier this week and the major mistakes of individuals attaching her to the wrong parents. There are several documents that show who her parents are that can be found with little research. So I leave you with one quote from such a document: “the tract of land belonging to Peter Dry deceased and given by the Said Peter Dry in his last Will and Testament to his three children Martin Dry, Mary Ann Sanders, Catherine Kess and his grand son Charles Franklin Dry...”

On 23 May 1850, Peter Dry signed his Last Will and Testament. No death date has been found for Peter Dry but we know from Probate that he died before 17 Dec 1853.

§ Cabarrus County January Sefsions 1856

Inventory. Amount of Property of Peter Dry sold on the 17th day of December 1853 by James Welliford Adm with the WILL annexed on a credit of Six months with interest from date. Total Amt of Sale $141.25

                                            Jas. Welliford Adm with Will annexed.

Hetty Elizabeth Dry, age 75, was enumerated with her son John M. Dry in the 1860 Cabarrus County Census. Her death date is also unknown; but, we know she died before the next Census in 1870.

Peter and Hetty Dry are my 3rd Great Grand Uncle & Aunt.

___________________________________ 

1. Ancestry, "Revolutionary War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (https://www.fold3.com : accessed 3 June 2015), entry for Martin Penninger, S-41951, Private; Colonies; https://www.fold3.com/image/27197132.

2. 1850 U. S. Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Cabarrus, North Carolina, Page 445B(stamped), Line 14, Dwelling 670, Family 670; Peter DRY, Household of Peter DRY; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 May 2018); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 622.

3. Peter DRY (1850), WILL BOOK: 1; Page 253 & 254; Probate Office, Concord, Cabarrus, North Carolina.

4. "Index to North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : Viewed 4 June 2016), Elizabeth Teter and Peter Dry; North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1977.; Bond Date: 10 Jul 1809.

5. 1860 U. S. Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Subdivision East of NC RR, Cabarrus, North Carolina, Page: 54 (stamped); Line 33, Dwelling 357, Family 357, Household of John M. DRY; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 3 May 2018); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 890.

The Marriage of John W. Sanders and Mary Ann Dry

 Mary Ann Dry was borne about 1837, a daughter of Peter Dry and his wife  Hetty Elizabeth A. Teter. There are many trees on line that show Mary Ann married to John with the WRONG PARENTS. Most of these trees say that Mary Ann is the daughter of Daniel Dry and Rachel Lipe. Daniel and Rachel did have a daughter borne in 1826. She married George H. Barrier.

But, Mary Ann daughter of Peter and Hetty Teter Dry married John W. Sanders on 8 September 1853 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

John W. Sanders and Mary Ann Dry Sanders had the following children's.

• i.    John F. Sanders was born about 1855.
  ii.    William M. Sanders, born 1 Jun 1857, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Mary Elizabeth Hudson, 5 Nov 1891, Anson County, North Carolina; died 5 Jun 1911, Concord, Cabarrus, North Carolina.
  iii.    Mary Emeline Sanders was born on 26 Jun 1860 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. She died on 26 Aug 1890 at the age of 30 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. 
  iv.    Margaret Sanders was born about 1863.
  v.    Charles C. Sanders was born about 1866.

A search for the death and burial information about John and Mary Ann was unsuccessful at this time. There are no tombstones, obituaries or any other known documents related to their death. With the exception of William and Mary Emeline very little have been found regarding these five children. But, the search continues.

Mary Ann Dry Sanders is my 1st Cousin 4X Removed.

__________________________________

1. 1860 U. S. Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Subdivision East of NC RR, Cabarrus, North Carolina, Pages; 54B & 55A(Stamped); Line 40, Dwelling 358, Family 358, Household of  J. W. SANDERS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 August 2019); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 890.
2. 1870 U. S. Census, Lenoir County, North Carolina, population schedule, Kinston, Lenoir, North Carolina, Page: 37B(Stamped); Line 12, Dwelling 274, Family 274, Household of J. W. SAUNDERS; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 March 2019); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M593, Roll 1144.
3. 1880 U. S. Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Poplar Tent, Cabarrus, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 038, Page: 508B(Stamped); Line 40, Dwelling 173, Family 173, Household of John SANDERS; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 March 2019); citing National Archives Microfilm T9, Roll 0955.
4. "North Carolina Marriage Index, 1741-1868," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : Viewed 1 March 2019), Marriage: John W. Sanders & Mary Ann Dry; North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1977; Marriage Date: 8 Sep 1853.