Blog EMail Subscription Problems

For many years FEEDBURNER has provided reliable email delivery service FOR Owner of a blog powered by Blogger another Google own service. In early 2021 Google warned all Blog owners that they would be terminating their Feedburner service in early fall of 2021. When it actually terminated seem to have varied between users; but, now Feedburner is no more.

At that time I added a button on by blog homepage that allowed my subscribers to obtain a copy of Carolina Family Roots through a service program called Feedly. But, Feedly must be installed on your computer to use this service. If you are using a phone or IPad like device I highly recommend an app called Newsify.

In the meantime, I set up an email service thru MailChimp but all of a sudden MailChimp quit working around the 23^rd of July 2022. I’m still working with MailChimp to get it working again; but, my efforts had taken second place to the hospitalization of my wife.

My blog posting has also been suspended for the past few weeks.

_________________________

1. https://www.feedburner-alternatives.com/

Devoide Gulledge~Accident Victim

 Devoide Gulledge was born 9 December 1922, a son of William Harley Gulledge and Sarah Jane Brock. He was the fourth of ten children borne into this family.

On the night of 10 September 1942, Devoide Gulledge and nine other men, working as pulp wood Cutters, were involved in an vehicle accident on Highway 1, two miles south of Patrick, South Carolina, their home town. Devoide Gulledge, age 21, was killed instantly.  

The truck in which the 10 men were riding was North bound bringing the men to their homes in Patrick. The south bound vehicle was an empty automobile carrier driven by Gordon Deardorff of LaGrange, Illinois.  

The Corner’s Inquest reads as follows:   

COD Inquest Finding: 

upon their oaths do say that Devoid Gulledge received in Chesterfield County a mortal wound by Transport Truck in the hands of Gordon Deardorff.

SECOND WITNESS: J. J. Gainey, duly sworn testified as follows: When we first saw the transport truck coming we had passed the curve and were on straight road. The transport truck was coming around the curve when I saw it. The driver took the whole curve, straightened back up but gave it a pull just as it was going against us. The trailer hit us. The driver of the transport truck went about 100 yards before it stopped. Devoid Gulledge was riding up on the left side of the truck. As best I know, the trailer made the curve and then hit our rear tire. The transport truck was on the left side and the trailer followed the tractor. We were sitting in the back of the truck with our feet inside the tires. . .

Four other men were injured in this accident. They were: William Heustess, Roy Gulledge, Blease Gainey and Frank Gulledge.

Devoide Gulledge was laid to rest in Saint John Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

Devoide Gulledge is my 2nd Cousin once Removed. 

_________________________________

1. 1930 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cole Hill, Chesterfield, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0012, Page: 4B/248 (Stamped); Line 80, Dwelling 77, Family 77, Household of Harley GULLEDGE; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 3 August 2022); citing National Archives Microfilm T626_2192.

2.  Coroner’s Inquest: https://csidixie.org/inquests/4431

3. Four Others Injured When Trucks Crash Near Town of Patrick obituary, The Columbia Record, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, United States, 10 September 1942, Page 2, Column 5.

4. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 3 August 2022); Memorial page for Dovide Gulledge; (9 December 1922–9 September 1942); Find a Grave memorial # 73546294, Citing Saint John Freewill Baptist Church Cemetery; Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA

1797 Land Deed~Frederick Rivers to William Rivers

This 1797 Land Deed has been passed down from generation to generation in the Rivers Family by descendants of Frederick Rivers. 

The Land Deed was transcribed by Minnie Sanders Rivers in the 1920’s. The first page of her transcription is here. 

This hand written Copy was passed to Betty Lee Hefty and her 1st Cousin Thelma Larson in the 1970’s. I acquired a copy of this Deed in the 1980’s while stationed at Hill AFB, Utah and began a search for the original Land Deed.  After moving back to North Carolina in 2000 I found the current Rivers owner of this deed and acquired a copy of the original Deed. I shared a copy of the original deed in March 2015 with Betty Lee. She died 5 months later.

My transcription of this 1797 Land Deed.

Land Deed between Frederick Rivers and William Rivers
State of South Carolina
This indenture made the eleventh day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
hundred and ninety-seven and of the Independence of the United States of North America the
twenty first between Frederick Rivers of Chesterfield County and state of South Carolina of the
one part and William Rivers of the same county and State parties of the other part.
Witnesseth that the said Frederick Rivers for and in consideration of the sum of Fifty pounds
lawful sterling money to him in hand well and truly paid by the said William Rivers the receipt
whereof he doth hereby acknowledge and himself to be therewith fully contented satisfied and
paid. He the said Frederick Rivers hath granted bargained sold aliened empraffed conveyed and
confirmed and by these presents doth grant bargain sell alien empraff conveyance confirm unto
the said William Rivers and to his heirs and assigns forever all of a certain Plantation parcel or
part of a tract of land containing three hundred and fifty acres be the same more or less being
part of a tract of two hundred acres of land granted unto the said Frederick Rivers on the second
day of January one thousand seven hundred and eighty six and part of a tract of one thousand
acres granted unto the said Frederick Rivers on the sixth day of November in the year of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty six. Situate and being in Chesterfield County on
Abrams Creek and is bound by Gilbert Purvis land Druery Lunday’s land Peter Hays land,
Barnebe Wells land John Frantain land and Mark Rivers land being land sold by the said
Frederick Rivers to the aforesaid persons out of the aforesaid two tracts or plantations of land.
Together with all and singular the Houses out houses yards Gardens woods under woods timber
and timber trees ways waters and water courses passages privileges profits commodities
advantages hereditaments rights members and appurtenances to the said land belonging or in any
wise appertaining and the aversion and aversions and remain unto issues and profits thereof and
of every part and parcel thereof and all deeds evidences and writings touching or concerning the
same to have and to hold all and singular the said three hundred and fifty acres of land with the
premises and appurtenances thereunto belonging unto the said William Rivers his heirs and
assigns in manner and form following that is to say that the said Frederick Rivers stands seizes of
a good sure and indefeasible estate of inheritance in fee simple of in and to the aforesaid land and
premises and every part and parcel thereof and that he hath good rights and lawful and absolute
authority to sell and convey the same and every part and parcel thereof and that free and clear
and freely and clearly and sufficiently kept harmless from all and all former and other debts
grants bargains sales titles leases executions judgments dower or title of dower or any other
encumbrances whatsoever to other changes or determine the same or any part or parcel thereof
and that he the said William Rivers and his heirs and assigns shall and lawfully may from time
and at all times forever hereafter peaceably and quietly into have hold (sic) use occupy possess
and enjoy the aforesaid land and premises and every part and parcel thereof without the suit let
trouble hindrance molestation interruption or denial of him the said Frederick Rivers or of his
heirs and assigns or any other person or persons whomsoever and lastly that he the said Frederick
Rivers and his heirs and assigns the aforesaid tract of three hundred and fifty acres with the
premises and appurtenances thereunto belonging unto the said William Rivers and to his heirs
assigns against him the said Frederick Rivers and his heirs and assigns and against all person or
persons whomsoever claiming or to claim the same shall warrant and forever defend by virtue of
these presents In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first
above written.
Signed, sealed and delivered}
In the presence of }
John Johnston }
John Craig }
Memorandum that on the day of the date the within written. Indenture full and peaceable
possession and seizure was made by the within named Frederick Rivers of the land and premises
within mentioned to have and to hold to the said William Rivers and to his heirs and assigns
forever according to the form and effect of the within written
Indenture.
In the presence of }
John Johnston }                                                                              Frederick Rivers
John Craig }
Received the day of the date of the within written Indenture from the within named William
Rivers the sum of Fifty ... pounds lawful money being the consideration money within
mentioned to be paid by him or Issues received by me.
Witness
John Johnston }
John Craig }
State of South Carolina}
Chesterfield County}
Personally appeared before me Alexander Craig Clerk of the County Court of Chesterfield
County John Craig who being dully sworn make plain that he was present and did see the within
named Frederick Rivers sign seal and as his act and deed deliver the within Instrument of writing
unto the within named William Rivers for the uses and purposes therein contained and that he
saw the said Frederick Rivers sign the Memorandum and receipt thereon endorsed and that he
saw John Johnston subscribe his name as a witness to the same together with himself.
Sworn before me }
15th day of March 1797}
John Craig
Alex. Craig }
Chesterfield County Clerk Office recorder in Book No. 3, Pages 24 to 26 this 16th day of March
1797 and examined by Alex. Craig Clk, C.C.

________________________

It’s Family Time~William Riley and Hannah Davis Grant

 William Riley Grant was born about 1831 in Chesterfield County, South Carolina.  In the 1860 Census, he listed his occupation as a cooper.  A cooper was a Craftsmen who make wooden barrels.

When the Civil War broke out in January 1861, William Riley Grant enlisted on 20 December 1861, age 30, born 1831 at Cheraw, SC.
William Riley Grant had an uneventful tour of duty except for a couple bouts of illness where he was hospitalized until January 15, 1865 when he was Captured and made a POW at Fort Fisher, NC. 
He was paroled at Elmira, N.Y. for Exchange, March 2, 1865, at James River.
March 8, 1865, Hospitalized at Jackson Hospital, Richmond, Virginia with Diabilitas (weakness).  

After the war was over, William Riley returned to Chesterfield and married Hannah Davis about late 1866 or early 1867. Hannah Davis, born May 1846, was the daughter of  Robert Richard "Ricks" Davis and his wife, Sarah "Sallie" Rivers. The marriage date is based on the birth of their known first child Nancy Jane Grant who was born on 31 December 1867.  .

William Riley Grant and Hannah Davis had the following known children:

i. Nancy Jane Grant, born 31 Dec 1867, a is mom Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Henry Pegues; died 18 Aug 1898, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

ii. Sarah Frances Grant, born Apr 1873, Chesterfield, Chesterfield, South Carolina; married Henry Eddins.

William Riley Grant died 17 August 1898, cause unknown. Hannah Davis Grant died in her sleep on 23 June 1923. Hannah Davis Grant is buried at Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery. 

Hannah Davis Grant is my 2nd Cousin, 3 Times Removed. 

___________________________________

1. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 108; Line 26, Dwelling 206; Family 204, Household of Riley GRANT; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 July 2022); citing National Archives Microfilm M653_1217.

2. Pvt. William Riley Grant, compiled military record (21 Regiment Company D, South Carolina Infantry, CSA), U.S. Civil War Soldier Records and Profiles, U.S. Civil War Soldiers, 1861-1865 (Provo, Utah: www.ancestry.com), N/A.

3. 1880 U S Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 005, Page: 334A; Line 1, Dwelling 430, Family 430, Household of Rilah GRANT; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 31 July 2022); citing National Archives Microfilm T9-1225.

4. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 26 August 2011); Memorial page for Pvt. William R. Grant; (unknown - Aug. 17, 1898); Find a Grave memorial # 50687275, Citing Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery; Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.

5. 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #17, Page: 37A; Line 25, Dwelling 322, Family 322, Household of Henry EDDINGS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 26 August 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T623_Roll: 1523.

6. 1850 U. S. Census, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, population schedule, Chesterfield District, South Carolina, Page 179B, Line 16, family 1242, dwelling 1242, Household of William Rivers; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 2010); citing National Archives Microfilm M432 Roll 851.

7. 1860 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Population Schedule, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, Page: 128B; Line 8, Dwelling/Family 489/488, Household of Sarah [RIVERS] DAVIS.

8. 1900 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, ED #17, Page: 37A; Line 25, Dwelling 322, Family 322, Household of Henry EDDINGS.

9. 1910 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #0032, Page 40B; Line 76, Dwelling 301, Family 305, Household of Henry EDDINGS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 27 August 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T624_1455.

10. 1920 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Court House, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) #40, Page: 171B; Line 84, Dwelling 276, Family 284, Household of Jno W. DAVIS; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 27 August 2011); citing National Archives Microfilm T625_1690.

11. Hanna Grant, death certificate #009173 (23 June 1923), Vital Records, Department of Health, Austin, Travis County, Texas.

12. James C. Pigg, Chesterfield County Cemetery Survey; Self-Published, 1995, Page #831. Tombstone of Hannah GRANT; No Birth date - June 13, 1923, Zoar United Methodist Church Cemetery, Chesterfield, Chesterfield County, South Carolina.

Conley C. Melton, Spanish American War Veteran

Conley C. Melton was born 3 May 1871, a son of Alexander Melton and Martha Deese.

He married Rebecca E. Williams in 1890.

Shortly after their married and Armed Conflict broke out between Spain and the United States, called the “Spanish American War (April 21- August 13, 1898).

“The Spanish-America War was a short-lived conflict. Due to unrest in Cuba, President McKinney sent the U.S.S. Maine to Cuba to protect American citizens. He delayed notifying Spain and that upset the Spanish Government.
On the night of February 15, 1898 there was an explosion on-board the U.S.S. Maine and it sank in the bay killing 266 soldiers.

This explosion was the catalyst that started the Spanish American War.

James served as a Private in Company M, 2nd Regiment S.C. Volunteer Infantry, Spanish American War.

The 2nd South Carolina Volunteer Infantry served as part of the occupation forces in Cuba.

The Infantry unit was mustered into service between May 14 and June 15, 1898.

The regiment departed Columbia, South Carolina on September 15, for Jacksonville, Florida's Camp Cuba Libre. On October 21, the regiment was transferred to Savannah, Georgia and was assigned to the Seventh Army Corp, becoming part of the Second Brigade of the First Division.1

The 2nd South Carolina served in Cuba until late March 1898.

Companies I, K, L and M returned on the transport YARMOUTH, arriving at Savannah on March 28.

Private Conley C. Melton was released from service/discharged on 26 Dec 1898.

The Unit was mustered out of service at Augusta, Georgia's Camp McKenzie on April 19, 1899.

During it’s activation the Unit losses were:

Disease = 19

Court-Martial = 3

Desertion = 51

After the War, Conley tried his hand at farming, as a Cattle dealer and as a Taxi driver. He died on 26 May 1931 from a cerebral hemorrhage. His occupation at that time was listed as a taxi driver. His wife, Rebecca died 2 years later on 20 May 1933. Conley and Rebecca are both buried at Old Saint David’s Episcopal Church Cemetery.

Conley C. Melton is my 1st Cousin twice removed. 

______________________

1. https://www.spanamwar.com/2ndsouthcarolina

2. https://loc.gov/rr/hispanic/1898/intro.html

3. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed  3 June 2020); Memorial page for Conly C. Melton; (3 May 1871–26 May 1931); Find a Grave memorial # 70382261, Citing Old Saint David's Episcopal Church Cemetery; Cheraw, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, USA.

4. Spanish American War Volunteers Index to Compiled Military Service Records, 1898, Record Group 15: Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773 - 2007, National Archives Identifier: 76193916 (St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, U.S.A.: Department of Veterans Affairs/Ancestrry.com,, 1940), , Private Conley Melton, Company "M";  2 South Carolina Infantry.

5. 1900 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Smithville, Marlboro, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0099, Page: 10/286 (stamped); Line 16, Dwelling 184, Family 184, Household of  Cornel MELTON; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 6 June 2020); citing National Archives Microfilm  T623_1536.

7. 1910 U. S. Census, Marlboro County, South Carolina, population schedule, Smithville, Marlboro, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0090, Page: 16B/86(Stamped); Line 65, Dwelling 100, Family 106, Household of C. C. MELTON; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 6 June 2020); citing National Archives Microfilm  T624_1468.

8. 1920 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 36, Page: 25A/86 (Stamped); Line 4, Dwelling 504, Family 508, Household of Colonel MELTON; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 6 June 2020); citing National Archives Microfilm T625_1690.

9. 1930 U. S. Census, Chesterfield County, South Carolina, population schedule, Cheraw, Chesterfield, South Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0007, Page: 2B/198 (Stamped); Line 96, Dwelling 46, Family 47, Household of Conley MELTON; digital images, Ancestry.com (http://ancestry.com : viewed 6 June 2020); citing National Archives Microfilm T626_Roll: 2192.

10. Conley C. Melton obituary, The State, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina, 1 June 1931, page 5, column 8.

11. Rebecca W Melton, death certificate #6528 (Death Date: 20 May 1933), Vital Records, Department of Health and Environmental Control, Columbia, Richland County, South Carolina.

12. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database, "Record, Rebecca Williams Melton (February 1866–20 May 1933), Memorial # 70382040.