16 May, 2015

May 16, 1771, The Battle of Alamance was fought in North Carolina.

May 16, 1771, The Battle of Alamance was fought in North Carolina. Some say that this event is the Spark that ignited the American Revolution.

No stately column marks the hallowed place
Where in silence sleeps their sacred dust,
The first free martyrs of a glorious race-
Their fame a people's wealth, a nation's trust.
Above their tomb the golden harvest waves,
The glorious stars stand sentinel on high,
While in sad requiem near their turfless graves
The great Alamance slowly moaning murmurs by.
But holier watchers here their vigil keep
Than storied urn or monumental stone;
For love and justice guard their dreamless sleep
And plenty smiles above their bloody home.
Immortal youth shall crown their deathless fame,
And as their country's glories still advance,
Shall brighter glow, o'er all the earth thy name,
Our first-fought field for FREEDOM-ALAMANCE.

29 March, 2015

David A. Keever Company H of the 52nd Regiment N.C. Troops

Flag of the 52nd Regiment N.C. Troops
My 3rd cousin 4x removed, David A. Keever is the son of Henry Keever (1809 – 1885) and Diney Jane Stroup (1808 – 1875). David was born in Lincoln County N.C on 17 June 1836
David enlisted as a private in Company H of the 52nd Regiment N.C. Troops at the age of 25, on July 6, 1862. Records show that he was absent on wounded furlough during May-June of 1864. He returned to duty during the months of September-October 1864.
David was captured near Petersburg, Virginia on March 25, 1865. He was confined at Point Lookout, Maryland on March 28, 1865. Private Keever was released from Point Lookout on June 28, 1865.
Postwar records indicate that David was shot through the body at the battle of the Wilderness, but survived even though such a wound was "usually mortal."
Private David A. Keever passed away on the 26th of December, 1922. He is buried at the Marvin United Methodist Church in Lincolnton, NC

17 February, 2015

Resting place of the Hunley Crew Members, Magnolia Cemetery, Charleston SC


On February 17, 1864, the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley Sinks the USS Housatonic in
Charleston Harbor SC.

09 February, 2015

Private Manoah Helms 1st North Carolina Cavalry Regiment

Looking for NC's Civil War: Flag of the 1st NC Cavalry http://michaelchardy.blogspot.com/

My 4th great grand uncle Manoah Helms was born on 11 July 1822 in NC, his parents are Joel Helms (1794 – 1862) and Sarah Pyron (1796 – 1890). Monah married Caroline "Colen" Mullis (1823 – 1900) in 1847.
He was conscripted as a Private on 16 September 1863 at the age of 41 in Company D of McRae's NC Cavalry Battalion. Manoah transferred out of McRae's Battalion on 15 May 1864 and was assigned to I Company of the 1st North Carolina Cavalry Regiment (also known as the 9th Regiment N. C. State Troops) on 15 Jun 1864.
Private Manoah Helms passed away on the 24th of September in the year 1900 at Union county North Carolina. He is buried at Crooked Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery.