Post by Brian on Jul 12, 2009 2:20:45 GMT -5
02/27/07 at 02:29 PM
pamtfloyd
Hello all-
I am just finding this site and haven't had time to read all the threads. I am wondering if anyone is related to me on this site. I am a descendent of Ezekiel Taylor and Katherine Taylor (great granddaughter). Katherine Taylor's maiden name was Lawson. It is my understanding that she was Charlie Lawson's first or second cousin. I will ask my grandmother (Nancy Joyce Minor) this evening to clarify. Just wondering if any of you are my relatives. This story has always fascinated my family and my grandmother remembers the family talking about this part of its history. My dad (Richard Taylor) and my grandmother and I visited the gravesites last summer. We met a woman who has a strawberry farm near there whose grandfather was one of the first to respond that morning. I actually have an autographed copy of the White Christmas book. Had no idea it was worth money. I'll post more later. Have to get back to work. Pam
pamtfloyd
02/27/07 at 02:34 PM
ladebug
Hi Pam,
Welcome to the forum you will find lots of interesting conversation on this subject and I would guess someone will see your post and respond to the family connection.
Ladebug
02/27/07 at 03:23 PM
ecalhoun
Hey Pam -
You must be talking about Ruby Savage. I'll never forget chatting with her, after the interview, and her telling me how she planted 1000 strawberry plants on her 90th birthday. What a lady!
Break of Dawn Productions
"Bringing Light to the Darkest Night"
ecalhoun
02/27/07 at 03:57 PM
pamtfloyd
Hi Mr. Calhoun,
I don't think it was Ruby. This lady was younger, maybe in late 30's early 40's. I think she said she inherited the strawberry farm from her father? I think her name was Christine, but my memory could be totally off. I know there were signs for a lot of strawberry farms on the road that the gravesite and farm were on. This lady told me that the farm now has a big house on it but she thinks there is still one barn left from the original. Finding the sight was such an interesting trip. We used the map from the White Christmas book and my grandmother and father's memory of the area. I really couldn't believe we found it, if you'll remember that map was pretty simple. I have a copy of the documentary waiting for me at Borders. I live in Raleigh and will check out the showing at the Unity Church also, if it isn't yet sold out. My grandmother is not going to believe there is actually a documentary made about this. I can't wait to call her tonight!
pamtfloyd
02/27/07 at 04:06 PM
sissy
Hey Pam,
I just recently found out that I was related to Charlie on his mothers side. If you don't mind me asking how did you find our little corner of the internet?
sissy
02/27/07 at 04:16 PM
Hi Pam,
You may be talking about the Mabe Farm. Bill and Emma
Lou Mabe once lived in a house where they grew lots of strawberrys and if my files are correct they have a daughter named Crystal (not Christine) whose married name is Rogers and she lives at 1625 Greenfield Road.The address of Bill and Emma Lou's farm is 1060 Berry Hill Lane, Walnut Cove. Emma Lou is still living but Bill has died. Emma no longer grows strawberries on her farm but Crystal does. Does this sound familiar?
Maria
02/27/07 at 07:26 PM
pamtfloyd
Hello all-
Sissy-I found this site quite by accident. I was walking in downtown Raleigh on my lunch break today and saw a big banner with the famous Lawson Family photo on it across the street. It took me a minute to realize what it was. I immediately exclaimed to my friend-'that's my family, the ones I was telling you about!" It was a banner for the documentary that is being shown at a church here in town. It was kind of strange seeing the photo in the middle of downtown! I found the website from the banner.
Maria-You are exactly right. It was the Mabe strawberry Farm. Christal was really nice (and had some great strawberries). She rode with us to the gravesite to make sure we found it. She also said it's quite a "tourist" attraction and the locals are protective of it. She said we wouldn't have any problem if she explained we were "family." It was a moving experience. I am going to call my grandma now to get my facts straight about the lineage.
Pam
pamtfloyd
02/27/07 at 09:08 PM
pamtfloyd
Well, I just spoke to my grandmother and have some clarity on the lineage. My grandmother married Richard Troy Taylor. His mother was Katherine Lawson Taylor. She was Charlie's first cousin. Since she was a Lawson by birth, I surmise that I am related on the paternal side. Her father must have been Charlie's uncle? Is that right? My grandmother has no information past this generation. My geneology knowledge is very poor, any help is greatly appreciated.
Pam
pamtfloyd
02/27/07 at 09:11 PM
pamtfloyd
oops.My grandmother married Troy Madison Taylor-the son of Katherine Lawson Taylor. Richard Troy Taylor is my dad. Gosh, I'm so confused.
pamtfloyd
02/27/07 at 09:25 PM
Lou
Do you know Katherine Lawson's birthday? I think you may be related through Nancy Lawson Lawson, Charlie Davis Lawson's mother.
Lou
02/27/07 at 10:05 PM
pamtfloyd
LOU,
Thanks for your reply. I talked to my grandmother again. She doesn't know Katherine's birthday, but she is going to make some calls to find out. I wish I hadn't cancelled my subscription to ancestry.com. I do know that Katherine Lawson was alive during my lifetime. I am 36. She died at in her early 80's or 90.. So, she died sometime after 1970. remember my grandfather Taylor's (her husband) funeral. I was 15. So, that was 1986. She died sometime before that. So, I estimate she was bom in 1900 or shortly before. Another interesting story about that family (the Taylor's) is that the house Katherine Lawson Taylor and Ezekiel Taylor lived in was haunted. It is in Sommersville, NC. My dad saw the ghost of a doctor that died in the house....The intrigue never ends. I know this has nothing to do with this site but it is just another interesting facet of my family history..Thanks again for your help. Pam
pamtfloyd
02/27/07 at 10:15 PM
Lou
Go to world connect gedcom. Just type it in the search. Connecting one gedcom at a time will come up. Click on that and then type in your ancestor. You can also do an advance search, type in NC as well as the name and it will narrow your search. You will find your ancestors there and it is free!
Good Luck!
Lou
02/28/07 at 05:31PM
iluvnumber3
Pam,
What is the address of this home in Sommersville? Also, what is Sommersville close to? I have been to
Summersville (going to Greensboro).....Is that what you meant?
Is this house still standing and occupied?
iluvnumber3
02/28/07 at 08:46 PM
pamtfloyd
Holly,
Yes, it's that Summersville near Greensboro, I think. The house is indeed still there and someone in my family (The Taylors) owns it and live in it. I think its my dad's uncle and aunt. I haven't been there since I was a child, but I remeber the stones and always being scared to go in by myself....
pamtfloyd
03/01/07 at 10:48 AM
iluvnumber3
Thanks Pam. You ought to ask them if they have recently seen or heard anything. I would go with you.....
iluvnumber3
03/01/07 at 11:19 PM
cindytilley
hi,pam ,i could be related to ya . my greatgrandmother was mammie loudie lawson tilley lawson, lol she was a lawson before getting married to a tilley then married a second time to a lawson. she lived in lawsonville n.c. from what i'm told charlie was her cousin, or brother? she passed away afew years ago/my grandfatherher son who passed away about 3 years ago sam tilley would tell us about the charlie lawson murders, would like to find out more of my family tree, do you know either of the names of mammie lawson or sam tilley or even kin?
cindy littles
03/01/07 at 11:23 PM
cindytilley
oh and the house is no longer there was bought by someone and tore down but a covered bridge was made out of the wood from the house , a memorial to the family , they did put a flag on the land beside the new house built there where the old home used to be.
cindy littles
03/02/07 at 01:29 PM
iluvnumber3
Cindy,
Are you referring to the house Pam is speaking of in Summersville? Or the Lawson house being turned into a covered bridge? I just saw your input about the "house" and was wondering which one you were referring to. Maybe it was just a random response.
Also.....Pam,
The house that you were speaking of in Summersville, is it off of 220?
iluvnumber3
03/02/07 at 11:17 PM
pamtfloyd
It's the Lawson house that was turned into a bridge. I'm not sure where the Summersville house is. It's been 30 years since I was there. I'll ask my grandmother and get back to you...
pamtfloyd
pamtfloyd
Hello all-
I am just finding this site and haven't had time to read all the threads. I am wondering if anyone is related to me on this site. I am a descendent of Ezekiel Taylor and Katherine Taylor (great granddaughter). Katherine Taylor's maiden name was Lawson. It is my understanding that she was Charlie Lawson's first or second cousin. I will ask my grandmother (Nancy Joyce Minor) this evening to clarify. Just wondering if any of you are my relatives. This story has always fascinated my family and my grandmother remembers the family talking about this part of its history. My dad (Richard Taylor) and my grandmother and I visited the gravesites last summer. We met a woman who has a strawberry farm near there whose grandfather was one of the first to respond that morning. I actually have an autographed copy of the White Christmas book. Had no idea it was worth money. I'll post more later. Have to get back to work. Pam
pamtfloyd
02/27/07 at 02:34 PM
ladebug
Hi Pam,
Welcome to the forum you will find lots of interesting conversation on this subject and I would guess someone will see your post and respond to the family connection.
Ladebug
02/27/07 at 03:23 PM
ecalhoun
Hey Pam -
You must be talking about Ruby Savage. I'll never forget chatting with her, after the interview, and her telling me how she planted 1000 strawberry plants on her 90th birthday. What a lady!
Break of Dawn Productions
"Bringing Light to the Darkest Night"
ecalhoun
02/27/07 at 03:57 PM
pamtfloyd
Hi Mr. Calhoun,
I don't think it was Ruby. This lady was younger, maybe in late 30's early 40's. I think she said she inherited the strawberry farm from her father? I think her name was Christine, but my memory could be totally off. I know there were signs for a lot of strawberry farms on the road that the gravesite and farm were on. This lady told me that the farm now has a big house on it but she thinks there is still one barn left from the original. Finding the sight was such an interesting trip. We used the map from the White Christmas book and my grandmother and father's memory of the area. I really couldn't believe we found it, if you'll remember that map was pretty simple. I have a copy of the documentary waiting for me at Borders. I live in Raleigh and will check out the showing at the Unity Church also, if it isn't yet sold out. My grandmother is not going to believe there is actually a documentary made about this. I can't wait to call her tonight!
pamtfloyd
02/27/07 at 04:06 PM
sissy
Hey Pam,
I just recently found out that I was related to Charlie on his mothers side. If you don't mind me asking how did you find our little corner of the internet?
sissy
02/27/07 at 04:16 PM
Hi Pam,
You may be talking about the Mabe Farm. Bill and Emma
Lou Mabe once lived in a house where they grew lots of strawberrys and if my files are correct they have a daughter named Crystal (not Christine) whose married name is Rogers and she lives at 1625 Greenfield Road.The address of Bill and Emma Lou's farm is 1060 Berry Hill Lane, Walnut Cove. Emma Lou is still living but Bill has died. Emma no longer grows strawberries on her farm but Crystal does. Does this sound familiar?
Maria
02/27/07 at 07:26 PM
pamtfloyd
Hello all-
Sissy-I found this site quite by accident. I was walking in downtown Raleigh on my lunch break today and saw a big banner with the famous Lawson Family photo on it across the street. It took me a minute to realize what it was. I immediately exclaimed to my friend-'that's my family, the ones I was telling you about!" It was a banner for the documentary that is being shown at a church here in town. It was kind of strange seeing the photo in the middle of downtown! I found the website from the banner.
Maria-You are exactly right. It was the Mabe strawberry Farm. Christal was really nice (and had some great strawberries). She rode with us to the gravesite to make sure we found it. She also said it's quite a "tourist" attraction and the locals are protective of it. She said we wouldn't have any problem if she explained we were "family." It was a moving experience. I am going to call my grandma now to get my facts straight about the lineage.
Pam
pamtfloyd
02/27/07 at 09:08 PM
pamtfloyd
Well, I just spoke to my grandmother and have some clarity on the lineage. My grandmother married Richard Troy Taylor. His mother was Katherine Lawson Taylor. She was Charlie's first cousin. Since she was a Lawson by birth, I surmise that I am related on the paternal side. Her father must have been Charlie's uncle? Is that right? My grandmother has no information past this generation. My geneology knowledge is very poor, any help is greatly appreciated.
Pam
pamtfloyd
02/27/07 at 09:11 PM
pamtfloyd
oops.My grandmother married Troy Madison Taylor-the son of Katherine Lawson Taylor. Richard Troy Taylor is my dad. Gosh, I'm so confused.
pamtfloyd
02/27/07 at 09:25 PM
Lou
Do you know Katherine Lawson's birthday? I think you may be related through Nancy Lawson Lawson, Charlie Davis Lawson's mother.
Lou
02/27/07 at 10:05 PM
pamtfloyd
LOU,
Thanks for your reply. I talked to my grandmother again. She doesn't know Katherine's birthday, but she is going to make some calls to find out. I wish I hadn't cancelled my subscription to ancestry.com. I do know that Katherine Lawson was alive during my lifetime. I am 36. She died at in her early 80's or 90.. So, she died sometime after 1970. remember my grandfather Taylor's (her husband) funeral. I was 15. So, that was 1986. She died sometime before that. So, I estimate she was bom in 1900 or shortly before. Another interesting story about that family (the Taylor's) is that the house Katherine Lawson Taylor and Ezekiel Taylor lived in was haunted. It is in Sommersville, NC. My dad saw the ghost of a doctor that died in the house....The intrigue never ends. I know this has nothing to do with this site but it is just another interesting facet of my family history..Thanks again for your help. Pam
pamtfloyd
02/27/07 at 10:15 PM
Lou
Go to world connect gedcom. Just type it in the search. Connecting one gedcom at a time will come up. Click on that and then type in your ancestor. You can also do an advance search, type in NC as well as the name and it will narrow your search. You will find your ancestors there and it is free!
Good Luck!
Lou
02/28/07 at 05:31PM
iluvnumber3
Pam,
What is the address of this home in Sommersville? Also, what is Sommersville close to? I have been to
Summersville (going to Greensboro).....Is that what you meant?
Is this house still standing and occupied?
iluvnumber3
02/28/07 at 08:46 PM
pamtfloyd
Holly,
Yes, it's that Summersville near Greensboro, I think. The house is indeed still there and someone in my family (The Taylors) owns it and live in it. I think its my dad's uncle and aunt. I haven't been there since I was a child, but I remeber the stones and always being scared to go in by myself....
pamtfloyd
03/01/07 at 10:48 AM
iluvnumber3
Thanks Pam. You ought to ask them if they have recently seen or heard anything. I would go with you.....
iluvnumber3
03/01/07 at 11:19 PM
cindytilley
hi,pam ,i could be related to ya . my greatgrandmother was mammie loudie lawson tilley lawson, lol she was a lawson before getting married to a tilley then married a second time to a lawson. she lived in lawsonville n.c. from what i'm told charlie was her cousin, or brother? she passed away afew years ago/my grandfatherher son who passed away about 3 years ago sam tilley would tell us about the charlie lawson murders, would like to find out more of my family tree, do you know either of the names of mammie lawson or sam tilley or even kin?
cindy littles
03/01/07 at 11:23 PM
cindytilley
oh and the house is no longer there was bought by someone and tore down but a covered bridge was made out of the wood from the house , a memorial to the family , they did put a flag on the land beside the new house built there where the old home used to be.
cindy littles
03/02/07 at 01:29 PM
iluvnumber3
Cindy,
Are you referring to the house Pam is speaking of in Summersville? Or the Lawson house being turned into a covered bridge? I just saw your input about the "house" and was wondering which one you were referring to. Maybe it was just a random response.
Also.....Pam,
The house that you were speaking of in Summersville, is it off of 220?
iluvnumber3
03/02/07 at 11:17 PM
pamtfloyd
It's the Lawson house that was turned into a bridge. I'm not sure where the Summersville house is. It's been 30 years since I was there. I'll ask my grandmother and get back to you...
pamtfloyd