John W Leach & Alice Lee Beach

John W Leach and Alice Lee Beach were my 2x great-grandparents. Their daughter, Minerva, was my great-grandmother.

John W Leach

John W Leach was born in about 1864 in Georgia. His parents were probably Reuben Leach and Jane Bell of Gilmer County, GA although there is no definitive documentation to support this fact. I've drawn this conclusion from tracing the family of Marcus Y Leach, second husband of Hester Priscilla Edmonds. John is listed on the 1870 and 1880 census in Georgia. Then he disappears from records until 1910 when he is listed on the federal census in Catoosa, OK with Alice and their children, David, Dicie, Sylva, and Minerva, as well as a woman named Betsey Hooker (see note under Alice Lee Beach). The Leach family is on the census record in Catoosa in 1920, but John disappears again after that date. Alice is on the 1930 census as a widow, so John must have died between 1920-1930. Norma Garrison, John's granddaughter, remembered that he died before she was born in 1933 and was buried in Catoosa, OK. No records of his death or burial have been found at the time this article was written.

Alice Lee Beach

Alice Lee Beach was born in 1867 in Tennessee. Her parents were George Washington Beach and Margaret Hancock (or possibly Hawkins). She lived in Oklahoma until at least 1935. By 1940 she was living in Kansas City, KS with her adopted son, Arnold. Alice died on 20 April 1956 and was buried in Kansas City at Maple Hill Cemetery.

NOTE: The 1910 census lists John and Alice Beach living with a woman named Betsey Hooker, born 1849 in Pennsylvania, and names her as Alice's mother. This is an error by the census taker. According to Minerva Leach Garrison, my great-grandmother, Betsey Hooker was a woman who lived with the family as a boarder but was no relation to them.

The Marriage and Children of John & Alice Leach

John and Alice Leach were married in approximately 1885, most likely in Georgia. No documentation has been found; conclusions have been drawn based on census records and birth dates of their children. They had seven children according to the 1910 census, but only four children are listed: David, Dicie, Sylva, and Minerva. There is also an older sister, Maggie, who is not listed with the family because she lived elsewhere. Minerva told her daughter, Norma, about an older brother nicknamed "Cap" who left home and lost contact with the family.  David is apparently "Cap". Here is what is known about the Leach children:

Maggie N Leach was born on 2 March 1886 in Dalton, GA. She married Mark B Whittle in Rogers County, OK on 4 October 1916. By 1930 they were living in Kansas City and managed a hotel there. I have not found documentation that Mark and Maggie had any children; they married when Maggie was 30 years old so it is likely they did not. Mark's date of death is unknown. Maggie died in 1954 in Kansas City, and is buried there at Maple Hill Cemetery near her mother.

David Edman "Cap" Leach was born on 5 November 1888 in Georgia or Tennessee. He married Pearl White in about 1913, and they lived in Catoosa until at least 1917. After 1917 David and Pearl moved from Oklahoma to Denver, CO and then eventually settled in San Diego, CA around 1928. They had three children:

• Truman Wilford, b. 19 November 1916, d. 24 February 1989; married Lorene Maxine Welch Bullowe
• Paul E, b. 3 August 1919, d. 10 November 1942 in Morocco; Paul was part of the 7th Infantry Regiment and died during Operation Torch, the British-American invasion of North Africa
• Velma Marguerite, b. 13 February 1922, d. 16 September 2002; married Leonard T Overcash. She may also have been married to men with the last name Remington and Holiman.

 David died on 12 December 1954 in San Diego, CA.

Dicie Bell Leach was born on 31 December 1895 in Texas. She married Joseph Russell between 1910-1920. They had no children, and Joseph died in 1933. On 2 December 1955 Dicie married Charlie Staggs. They were happily married until his death in October 1980. Dicie lived next door to her sister, Minerva, for many years. She had a small white poodle named Susie, and the family joke is that Susie and Dicie looked exactly alike with their fluffy white hair. When Dicie aged enough to no longer be able to live alone she moved to Tacoma, WA to live with her stepson, Alvin Dewayne "Bud" Staggs. Dicie died on 9 September 1989 in Tacoma. She is buried in Tulsa, OK at Memorial Park Cemetery.

Sylva Leach was born in about 1902 in Arkansas. No information has been found for Sylva other than the 1910 Census.

Minerva Leach. Click here for information about Minerva.

Arnold Leach

Arnold R Leach was adopted by John and Alice Leach. The identity of his parents is currently unknown; he is listed as John's nephew on the 1930 Census. Arnold was born on 27 September 1918 in Catoosa, OK. He was married to Edith "Marian" Hall, and it appears they did not have any children. Arnold died on 6 April 2006 in Broken Arrow, OK and is buried in Shawnee, KS.

Read Next: 
Reuben Leach & Jane Bell
George Washington Beach & Margaret Hancock

George Washington Beach & Margaret Hancock

**Information Coming Soon**

William Riley Edmonds and Sarah Catherine Edmonds

William Riley Edmonds and Sarah Catherine Edmonds were my 3x great-grandparents through my great-grandfather Jacob Fulton Garrison.

William Riley Edmonds was born on 7 January 1839. He was the second of nine children born to Robert William Edmonds and Cynthia P Hyatt. Sarah Catherine Edmonds was born on 14 May 1844. Her father was William Edmonds, Jr, the brother of Robert William Edmonds, and her mother was Nancy Reese. William and Sarah were first cousins, both raised in Buncombe County, NC. They married on 3 February 1861, and, like most of the Edmonds family, they were farmers.

Two months after their wedding the Civil War began. On 15 July 1862, at the age of 23, William enlisted in the Confederate Army along with his younger brother, Robert Chrisley, at Marshall, NC. Their enlistment was for a term of three years or the entirety of the war, and it appears they did not officially report for duty until around November 1862. They were assigned to the 64th Regiment North Carolina Infantry, Company D. The unit was part of the 11th Battalion NC Infantry, also known as Allen's Regiment. Both men were part of a group of Confederate soldiers that surrendered at Cumberland Gap on 9 September 1863. They spent the rest of the war as prisoners at Camp Douglas (Fort Douglas) near Chicago. This camp was notorious for its horrendous living conditions and high prisoner mortality rate. Four letters William wrote to Sarah were found in a trunk and have been transcribed as fully as possible; they were not in good condition.*

William Riley Edmonds*

  

Clinton Ten  on the -----4   1863

dear Wife it is with pleasure that i seat my self to let you now that i am well at this time  hopeing those few lines may find you enjoying the same blesings  i hav nothing of importance to write at this time  i want you to take good care of your self  i dont now when i will get to come to home  i am going to try to get a furlough to come to home but i dont now whether i will get it or not and if i dont i dont now what i will do for it dont seem to me like i Can stay her and think of you having to get ------ of your wood your self  Cris is tolerble bad off with his leg  it is some thing like the rheu nitids but it has swelled a bout as tite as it can and dis-grter of to purple Color  it has been So-- ever sense Sunday

page 2

i Can tell you that i have got close  penty  i have got four shirt and three par of drawers and three par of  pants  i think they will do me for as long as i will hav to stay in this ----- for i think A g----t they ---are out i will be --------------------------- i want you to write to me every week i hav not ---- this makes -----  letters and i now ------ more has got be -------- that you sent --------- --------- Well i Can tell you i begin to want to here from you  i want you to write to me as often as you Can  tell W.E. Eller that i have wrote him two letter  tel him that i hav ----- his close yet  i must close for this ------ of time so now more at ------- ------- i remain yours till deth   W. R. Edmonds

Camp Douglas Ill 

June 12th 1864

Dear wife it is with treate plesure that I am a gain permit to write you I am well at this time hoping this time will finde you all well I wold like to see you very much I have not heard from you since the tenth of april I wold like to heair from you again sone I am doing very well I have anuff to Eat a plenty of close Crisley is well the boys is jinerley well the wilds boys is well W.M. Davis is well  So I will Close Write Sone and as ofton as you can I remain your Husband til Death.

W.R. Edmonds

to S.C. Edmonds

Camp Douglas Ill 

June 12th 1864

Dear wife it is with treate plesure that I am a gain permit to write you I am well at this time hoping this time will finde you all well I wold like to see you very much I have not heard from you since the tenth of april I wold like to heair from you again sone I am doing very well I have anuff to Eat a plenty of close Crisley is well the boys is jinerley well the wilds boys is well W.M. Davis is well  So I will Close Write Sone and as ofton as you can I remain your Husband til Death.

W.R. Edmonds

to S.C. Edmonds

Camp Douglas Illinois

Feb. The 4th, 1865

Dear Catherine I seat my self to answer your verry kind letter receive a few days ago  I am glad to hear that all the folks are well  Kiss our little babe for me I think I will get out of prison when the war ends  I will have to tell you very sad news  brother Crisley is dead  died the 3rd of January I am fairing verry well I hope and trust to god it will not be long till peace is made. So we can enjoy the society of our friends  write often as you can short letters come best  I have had my health well ever since we came here I will close giving you all my best wishes my love all  your true husband

William R Edmonds

Com D.  4th N.C.  Regtm

Barracks No 25

William was released after the war, came home, and regained his health. The 1900 Census lists them as the parents of ten children, but only three were still living. The identity of only four children is known: James Wesley, Hester Priscilla, Asker Fulton, and Eura Lala.

James Wesley Edmonds was born 15 May 1863 while his father was away at war. He spent his whole life as a farmer in Buncombe County, NC. On 21 February 1885 he married Mary Dorcus Barnes. They had six children: 

• Vinnie, b. 25 October 1886, d. 15 October 1996; married William Alonzo Jones
• L.H., b. 20 December 1888, d. 10 April 1891
• William Edgar, b. 7 September 1891, d. 19 November 1932; married Leketh Rachel Eller
• Esley Elmer, b. 3 March 1892, d. 12 December 1950; married Minerva Ford
• Jessie May, b. 19 November 1897, d. 17 April 1898
• Hezron Holloway, b. 7 April 1899, d. 7 May 1964; married Jo Diora Gentry

James and Mary were married for 22 years. Mary died on 1 January 1907 at the age of 40. James lived as a widower until a stroke caused his death on 28 October 1931. He is buried in Weaverville, NC at Clarks Chapel Cemetery.

Children of James Wesley Edmonds, Left to Right: Hezron Holloway, Esley Elmer, William Edgar, Vinnie*

Hester Priscilla Edmonds. Click here for information about Hester.

Asker Fulton "Fult" Edmonds was born on 9 January 1870, and, expectedly, was a Buncombe County, NC farmer. He married Minnie Sue Rice on 4 November 1900. They had twelve children, many of whom died in infancy:

• Sadie, b. 5 November 1901, d. 9 July 1933; married James Herman Riddle (d. 1929) and Lee Sams
• Unnamed Infant Son, b. 25 August 1903, d. 25 August 1903
• Eva (“Evie”), b. 15 July 1904, d. 15 January 2007; married Cecil Alonzo Kent
• Unnamed Infant Daughter, b. 13 July 1907; d. 13 July 1907
• Cordia May, b. 29 May 1909, d. 9 October 1909
• Minnie Belle, b. 9 December 1912, d. 8 December 1988; married Oliver Alonzo Hensley
• James Fulton (“Big Jim”), b. 11 June 1915, d. 20 August 1993; married Meece Iola Sprinkle
• William Henry, b. 25 Dec 1918, d. 8 Jun 1945 (World War II casualty; Pacific Theater); married Blanche Chambers
• Nabula (twin of Vistula), b. 17 August 1921, d. 17 August 1921
• Vistula (twin of Nabula), b. 17 August 1921, d. 23 July 2015; married Carl Marcus Robinson
• Unnamed Infant Son, b. 2 May 1923, d. 2 May 1923   
• John Riley, b. 22 February 1926, d. 19 February 1997; never married

Asker died of a stroke on 9 October 1959. He is buried in Weaverville, NC at Clarks Chapel Cemetery.

Asker Fulton Edmonds and Minnie Sue Rice Edmonds*

Asker Fulton Edmonds Family, Left to Right: (kneeling) Vistula, Minnie Belle; (standing) Asker Fulton, James Fulton, William Henry, Minnie Sue, John Riley, Eva*

William Henry Edmonds*

Eva Edmonds and Cecil Kent*

Eura Lala Edmonds was born on 9 March 1872 and died on 19 September 1872 in Buncombe County, NC. She is buried in Weaverville, NC at Clarks Chapel Cemetery.

William and Sarah Edmonds spent the rest of their lives after the Civil War farming in Buncombe County, NC. Sarah passed away on 14 January 1923 at the age of 78. One year later William died of pneumonia on 2 January 1924. They are both buried in Weaverville, NC at Clarks Chapel Cemetery.

Shortly after William’s death a family friend, Gallatin Roberts, wrote the following letter to the editor of the local paper, The Citizen:

Editor the Citizen.

I have just learned of the death of my friend, Mr. William R. Edmonds, who lived in Flat Creek Township, Buncombe County, North Carolina.

Since I was a little boy, forty years ago, he was my friend  --  a real friend.  I shall ever remember him and his good wife.  When I was a little boy, he would sit for hours in the evenings and tell me thrilling experiences he had during the War Between the States.

He was a Confederate soldier, was captured at Cumberland Gap, and marched weary and foot sore through Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois to Fort Douglas where he was kept in prison for many months.  His description of his capture at Cumberland Gap, long march to Fort Douglas, and imprisonment, was intensely interesting to me as a boy, and would be to any one now.  Wish that I might write it out just as he related it to me then.  His description of the burning of the mill at Cumberland Gap by the advance guard of the Federal forces a few hours before his company was captured, was truly dramatic.  He suffered greatly during the long Winter at Fort Douglas, and in a measure lost his health, but after the war was over, he came home and his shattered health was restored.  Since 1865, Mr. Edmonds lived quietly on his farm three miles north of the Town of Weaverville.  I never knew anyone who would go farther to serve his fellow man in times of sickness and bereavement than Mr. Edmonds and his good wife who died only a few months ago.

They were substantial people, and this is my simple tribute to them.

GALLATIN ROBERTS

William Riley and Sarah Catherine Edmonds*

*Source of letters and photographs is Gwen Edmonds and various other Ancestry.com users.

William J. M. Garrison & Elizabeth E. A. Roberts

William John Mitchell Garrison and Elmira Elizabeth Ann Roberts were my 3x great-grandparents.

William John Mitchell Garrison

William John Mitchell Garrison, known as "Mitch", was the oldest child of William Claiborne Garrison, Jr and Malinda Minerva Wilson. He was born on 5 May 1831 in Buncombe County, NC. He had no formal education, but according to the 1900 census he was able to read and write. At age 31, Mitch enlisted in the Confederate Army on 8 July 1862, leaving his wife and two-year old daughter behind. He was assigned to the North Carolina 60th Infantry Regiment, Company C, but it appears he did not serve long as he was mustered out on 29 October 1862.

Mitch was a farmer, and spent his life on the family farm in Buncombe County. According to family history (per Ancestry.com user Marjory M Watts), his death came as a result of working in the fields. He apparently had a stroke and was attempting to make it back to his daughter, Mary's, house when he fell off a log footbridge into the creek. He died a few days later on 7 August 1915 due to what the death certificate lists as "sun stroke and complications". He was 84 years old. Mitch is buried beside his wife, Myra, at Mt Zion Methodist Cemetery (now called Jupiter Cemetery) in Jupiter, NC.

Elizabeth Elmira Ann Roberts

Elizabeth Elmira Ann "Myra" Roberts was born on 24 May 1834 to Thomas Osbourn Roberts and Cinthia Fox. Myra had no formal education; she learned to read but was not able to write according to the 1900 census. She was born in Buncombe County, NC and lived there her entire life, moving from her family farm to the Garrison farm when she married William John Mitchell "Mitch" Garrison at the age of 16

Myra died on 3 August 1907 when, according to family historian Janice Black, she was thrown from a buggy due to her horse getting "spooked". She hit her head on a tree stump and was killed. She was 73 years old. She and Mitch had been married 56 years when she died, and she is buried beside Mitch at Mt Zion Methodist Cemetery (now called Jupiter Cemetery) in Jupiter, NC.

The Marriage and Children of Mitch and Myra Garrison

Mitch and Myra Garrison were married on13 February 1851 in Buncombe County, NC. According to the 1900 census, they had eleven children. Sadly, many of these children died in early childhood and have not been identified. The known children of Mitch and Myra Garrison are: Syntha Wilson Catherine, Robert F, James, Mary Elizabeth, Jacob, Absolem Jerome, and Sarah.

Syntha Wilson Catherine "Kate" Garrison was the oldest surviving child of Mitch and Myra Garrison. She was born on 3 May 1860 in Buncombe County, NC. According to family historian, Janice Black, she was named after her grandmother, Cinthia Fox Roberts. Kate married Andrew Thomas Garrison, her first cousin once removed, on 18 Jan 1880. The story passed down orally through the family says Andrew - who had lived in Texas, Iowa, and Missouri - rode into Flat Creek on a big white horse, and Kate was smitten from the moment she saw him. They had three children:

• Andrew, b. October 1880, d. abt 1902
• Edward Ethan, b. 20 August 1882, d. 14 May 1966, married Cora Mae Burnette
• Unidentified child listed on the 1900 census as deceased. 

Kate and Andrew's marriage ended dramatically. Andrew had not told Kate that he had a wife, Emily Frances Stotts, and a child in Missouri. When Andrew left Missouri for North Carolina, Emily had been granted a divorce and remarried, but her new husband was abusive and Emily sent a letter to Andrew asking if his daughter could come live with him in North Carolina. Kate found the letter, discovered what had happened, and threw Andrew out. Andrew then went back to Missouri and eventually to Oklahoma. When Kate and Andrew's son, Andrew, was about 19 years old he went to Oklahoma to see his father. He became ill either on his way home or soon after he got there and died a short time later. Kate never remarried; she listed herself as a widow on census records and lived with her son, Edward, and his family. She also apparently had a close relationship with her brother, Jerry (Absolem Jerome). Kate died of heart failure related to senility on 23 May 1953 at the age of 93. She had lived in Buncombe County, NC her entire life and was buried at Flat Creek Cemetery in Weaverville, NC.

Syntha "Kate" Garrison and Absolem Jerome "Ab"/"Albert Jerry" Garrison (Unknown children)

Robert F. Garrison. Click here for information about Robert.

James Garrison was born in Buncombe County, NC. Information about James and his family is scarce. I have only discovered three documents where James is listed: the censuses in 1870, 1880, and 1900. Each census has a different year of birth; 1869, 1868, and Dec 1865, respectively. James married Adelia Davis in 1887. They had six children:

• Carrie, b. 3 November 1885, d. 4 July 1988 (102 years old!), married Thomas Chester Craigo
• Dora, b. 26 December 1889, d. 18 November 1947, married Ambros Haskin Brock
• Horace William, b. 13 November 1890, d. 25 September 1954, married Bonetia Austin
• Kittie, b. May 1891, d. Unknown
• Zeb, b. August 1894, d. Unknown
• Effie, b. June 1899, d. Unknown. 

James and Adelia's dates of death are unknown.

Mary Elizabeth Garrison was born on 30 June 1872. Like her parents and siblings she lived in Buncombe County and worked as a farmer her whole life. She had an eighth grade education. At age 16, on 8 October, 1888, she married Cornelius Pitzer Black, a railroad worker, son of Montreville Black and Susannah Edmonds Black. (The Garrison, Black, and Edmonds families intermarried frequently during this time period. Buncombe County wasn't exactly a large city with a lot of options. Even today the area where the families lived is very rural and remains unincorporated.) Janice Black, a 2x great-granddaughter of Cornelius, shares this story about their courtship:

"My father, Wilfred F Black used to tell a oral history tale he heard as a boy about Pitt Black [his paternal grandfather] when he was "courting" Mary Elizabeth Garrison.It went this way...... Pitt Black had been coming for a while to "court" Mary Elizabeth. Every time he came the Mitch Garrison family killed and cooked up a chicken. So after while the chickens became alarmed. So every time they saw Pitt coming they would cluck at a high and fast pitched cadence as only chickens could saying "...Pitt Black, Pitt Black, Oh god here comes Pitt Black!" In his telling... the last part was said like a chicken clucking fast and furious...One of the amazing things to me about this story... more than the story itself, were the smiles and chuckling "the telling" of the story evoked from my Dad.... with out fail every time he told it! I could easily imagine how he was remembering the setting and person(s) who had told it to him."

Mary and Cornelius had 16 children of their own and adopted two more after the death of Cornelius's brother in about 1889. Incredibly, all but four of these children survived to adulthood, and thankfully the Black family has preserved their history well enough that in many cases their stories are able to be shared.

• Susan L "Sue", b. 12 July 1889, d. 31 December 1926, married John Sherman Chandler. Sue was named for her paternal grandmother, Susannah Edmonds. She died of pellagra (a disease caused by nutrient deficiency, commonly associated with people whose main source of food energy is from corn/maize) at age 37. Janice Black shared her obituary: 

"Mrs. Sue (Susan) Black Chandler was born to brighten the home of Mr. and Mrs. C.P. Black July 12, 1889. At the age of 37 years, 5 months, and 19 days, the death angel came and took her just in time to begin the new year in heaven. In her childhood she was obedient and tried hard to follow the wishes of her parents. As a school girl she studied hard and was loved by all her playmates. At the age of 14 she was converted at Flat Creek Baptist Church and joined herself to Mt. Zion Methodist Church, where she remained until about 5 years ago. Bro. J.M. Pickens baptized her into the fellowship of this Church, where she was a faithful member until God transferred her to the Church triumphant. Her faith in God and love for his Church was two outstanding principles of her life. All who knew her, loved her, and praised her for her sweet disposition. From her girlhood up, she was never known to speak unfriendly words. On February 18, 1914 she was happily married to Bro John Chandler, with whom she walked life's road until death. A journey not without trials, but one of loving and happy companionship. For quite a long time she has been an invalid, but with patience and Christian fortitude, she bore her suffering without a murmur of complaint. She leaves a sorrowing husband, father, mother, 6 brothers, 5 sisters, a devoted mother-in-law, and a host of friends to mourn their loss, but we know it is her eternal gain. Heaven is more sweet to us, as we expect some bright day to clasp her hand on the other side of the river. May the Lord sustain the bereaved ones and may her passing be to them an attraction to draw them to the sunny shore of the bright clime where family ties are never broken. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth; Yea, asyeth the spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them." Written by Mr. E.J. Roberts and Mr. L.H. & Mrs. L.H. Roberts" [deacons of Locust Grove Baptist Church in Buncombe County]

 

Susan "Sue" Black Chandler, Photo Source: Estate of Wilfred F. Black by Janice Black

• Arthur Jerome, b. 24 October 1890, d. 12 August 1931, married Nannie Crowell Garrison (his 2nd cousin once removed, daughter of Jacob Shuffler Garrison and Mollie McKinney). Arthur worked as a guard at the state prison. He died of pneumonia at age 41.
• Annie K., b. March 1892, d. 1902
• Jacob Sylvania, b. 15 December 1892, d. 30 December 1975, married Julia Maude Williams
• William Mont "Will", b. 5 October 1895, d. 17 March 1992, married Ossie Mae "Mamie" Watts. Will was named after his grandfathers, William J.M. Garrison and Montreville Black. He served in the army during World War I, training at Camp Sevier. Will lived to be 96 years old.

William Mont Black - Photo Source: Ancestry.com

William Mont Black in World War I - Photo Source:Ancestry.com

William Mont Black, Ossie Mae "Mamie" Watts Black, Mabel Thelma Black, ca 1921 - Photo Source: Janice Black

William Mont Black and Ossie Mae "Mamie" Watts Black, ca 1980 - Photo Source: Ancestry.com

William Mont Black and Ossie Mae "Mamie" Watts Black, ca 1980 - Photo Source: Ancestry.com

William Mont Black - Photo Source: Ancestry.com and Josephine Bartlett

• Hester Lee "Lela Mae", b. 19 December 1897, d. 15 July 1988, married Lester Tilson Watts
• Robert Clay, b. 20 January 1900, d. 12 September 1971, married Bonnie Allman. Bonnie passed away in 1925 at age 25 due to complications after childbirth (puerperal eclampsia). The baby, a daughter, also passed away. After Bonnie's death, Robert married Ivora Mae Shepherd Maney in 1928.
• Woodfin, b. 1902, d. 1902
• Thelma, b. 30 October 1903, d. 7 January 1919. Thelma died of the flu during the 1918-19 pandemic. She was only 15 years old. According to Janice Black, family historian, "My Grandfather - William Mont Black - several times talked about having to carry her body down a narrow flight of stairs in the log cabin they all lived in. He said, hardly anyone came to the funeral because of the flu - everyone was either sick or afraid to come cause they didn't want to get sick. In honor of his sister - he named his first child and oldest daughter... Mabel Thelma". Thelma wrote the following letter to her brother, William Mont, a little more than one month before she became ill. Will was training at Camp Sevier at the time (World War I). 

"Dear Brother: Wonder what you are doing this morning. Wish you were here. The ground is white with snow. If you were here we would go a rabbit hunting. I think I shall go. Brother, when do you think you will get home. We heard that they were going to turn Camp Sevier loose this week? Do hope they will? Maybe you will get home for Christmas if you don't before. I guess you thought I wasn't going to write anymore but I have been so busy sewing and making the children's clothes that I just haven't had time to write to anyone and then another thing I have been out of paper and couldn't get any one to go to the store. I haven't heard from Lela since you left as we don't know when she is coming home. I wrote and she won't answer so I have just quit. Well brother, you just about to be here. Mamma is having a time trying to keep the kids in the house. Edna is well now but Mamma won't let her out any. Well I guess I can't write anymore this morning for its mail time. Write at once and let us hear from you. So bye, bye. ++++++ Lovingly Thelma

• Alma Gertrude, b. 6 June 1907, d. 29 May 1979, married Fred Rufus Love. Fred Love was a United Methodist Minister.
• Ida Margaret, b. 6 September 1909, d. 16 January 2001, married William Weaver Hunter
• Cornelius Glenn, b. 1 May 1911, d. 2 March 1983, married Katherine Louise Wilson
• Myra Edna, twin of Mary Edith, b. 16 October 1912, d. 9 January 1997, married Robert Noel Rogers
• Mary Edith, twin of Myra Edna, b. 16 October 1912, d. 23 April 1990, married Clarence Farrell Rogers
• James Caryl, twin of Callie, b. 27 January 1914, d. 17 March 1996, married Mary Kate Garrison (his 1st cousin once removed, daughter of Edward Ethan Garrison, granddaughter of Syntha "Kate" Garrison)
• Callie, twin of James Caryl, b. 27 January 1914, d. early 1914

Mary and Cornelius had been married 48 years when Cornelius died of a heart attack on 27 October 1936. Mary was a widow for 28 years before she died of heart disease on 14 September 1964 at the age of 92. Mary and Cornelius are buried together at Locust Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Weaverville, NC.

Cornelius and Mary Black family, ca. 1901 - Front Row left to right: William Mont, Hester Lee "Lela Mae", Jacob Sylvania, Robert Clay - Second Row left to right: Mary Black (sister of Cornelius), Cornelius, Mary Garrison Black (wife of Cornelius) - Third Row left to right: Arthur Jerome, Susan L "Sue", Annie K - Fourth Row left to right: Syntha "Kate" Garrison (sister of Mary Garrison Black), Lattie Cleveland (nephew/adopted son of Cornelius), Janie (niece/adopted daughter of Cornelius) - Photo Source: Estate of Wilfred F. Black by Janice Black

Cornelius and Mary Garrison Black family, ca 1911 - Children left to right: Thelma, Ida Margaret, Myra Edna/Mary Edith, Cornelius Glenn, Myra Edna/Mary Edith, James Caryl (being held), Alma Gertrude - Adults left to right: Mary Elizabeth Garrison Black, Cornelius Pitzer Black, Mary Black (sister of Cornelius) - Photo Source: Estate of Wilfred F. Black by Janice Black

Jacob Garrison was born around 1874. I have found no record of Jacob after the 1880 census.

Absolem Jerome "Ab" or "Albert Jerry" Garrison was born on 22 June 1875 in Buncombe County, NC. According to Janice Black,

"...there is some difference of opinion regarding his first and middle names. I have "Black and Garrison family" records from my Grandfather, William Mont Black (1895-1992) son of Ab's sister Mary Elizabeth Garrison Black; showing his birth name as Absolem Jerome Garrison. He is shown in the 1880 census as Absolem. I recently tried to reconfirm this with my Uncle William Black, age 88. Uncle Bill confirmed that he had always heard and had been taught that his name was Absolem Jerome. He said, he has never heard him called Albert Jerry by any family in the Jupiter area where he was born and raised; and was surprised when I asked him about "Albert Jerry." Uncle Bill saw Uncle Ab alot while he was growing up. He also stated that Mary Elizabeth Garrison Black (wife of CP Black) and sister of Absolem Jerome; named her first son with the middle name of Jerome to honor her closest brother. I know his death certificate says Albert Jerry. He was born in a era when people sometimes changed their "old fashioned" names as detailed government record keeping (like social security numbers) become more prevalent. By 1910, he was showing up in census records as Albert Jerry"

Ab was farmer and, keeping with the family tradition, lived in Buncombe County his entire life. He married his first wife, Minnie Lee Harrison, on 22 December 1895, and they had ten children:

• Jacob Edward "Jake", b. 12 January 1896, d. 26 January 1961, married Irene Buckner and Berta R. Lunsford
• John Mitchell "Johnny", b. 4 July 1899, d. 2 June 1977, married Emma Gibson
• Pauline, b. about 1902, d. Unknown, married W P Stegall and Mr. Lint (first name unknown)
• Minnie Aldine, b. 19 January 1904, d. 22 January 1989, married Ormond Elihue Chambers
• Blake H, b. about 1906, d. before 1970, married Margaret Martucci
• Raymond Charles, b. 23 March 1907, d. 14 February 1941, married Willogene Farmer. The story surrounding Raymond's death is mysterious. According to family history, "Raymond stopped by the small store in Grace on his way home from work at the Enka Corporation to get a coke.  He was merry and joking with everyone as he knew the employees.  A very short time later he was dead.  The death certificate reads he committed suicide by shooting himself in the chest, but no one believed he killed himself."
• Earl A, b. 9 September 1911, d. 7 June 1991, married Jean M. Esposito
• William Thomas "Bill", b. 26 January 1914, d. 29 July 2006, married Laura Louis Morris
• Virginia Lee, b. 21 June 1917, d. after 1970, married Mr. Toal (first name unknown)
• Albert Jerry, Jr., b. 30 July 1924, d. 9 December 1991, never married

Minnie died of a cerebral hemorrhage on 20 January 1927 at the age of 51. Ab married Kate Wright, 19 years his junior, in 1928. They had no children together, and were married for only about six years when Kate died of the measles on 18 May 1934. Ab then married Pearl Dillingham Black on 20 December 1936. Pearl was 18 years younger than Ab and had previously been married to Lattie Cleveland Black, nephew/adopted son of Cornelius Black (Ab's brother-in-law). Ab and Pearl were married for 34 years when Ab died on 27 May 1970. The cause of death on his death certificate is listed as cerebral hemorrhage with a contributing factor of a broken femur. He was 94 years old. Ab is buried at Sluder Cemetery in Asheville, NC.

Sarah Garrison was born around 1880. I have found no record of Sarah after the 1880 census.