New Details about Billy & Betty Patterson

 After all these years, and this weekend I have stumbled across information regarding the actual death dates of my great-great-grandparents that I had overlooked for decades. I had been told many years ago that William Harden Patterson (Billy) had died in 1884. But his tombstone, which was placed many years after his death, says "1883". So I wasn't sure. The stone also has his wife's death as "1914", but no specific date. Her name was Elizabeth Jane Akins Patterson (Betty).

  

I had been aware of some anecdotal writings of Claude Patterson (1901-1970) but had not paid much attention to it many years ago, and had subsequently forgotten about them. This past weekend, while in Blairsville, GA, I stopped into the old court house in the town square where the historical society operates. Among the papers they pulled out and showed me, were two different (similar but still different) writings of Claude Patterson. I had them scan these and email them to me.

Claude wrote these in 1943. He does have some errors in them but his information is still more reliable than my own, as he actually lived among and knew these people. Claude was the twin brother of Clyde Patterson, and they were the 3rd and 4th sons of Elisha "Lishe" Patterson (b. 1871). Lishe was the twin of my great-grandpa, Elijah "Lige" Patterson. Therefore, Billy and Betty Patterson were the grandparents of Claude.

Claude was born in 1901, although at one point he writes 1900, which is strange to me. His first cousin was my grandpa, Clint Patterson, born June 4, 1904.

At any rate, Claude specifically states that Betty died on Jan 10, 1914. He further states that Billy took ill suddenly on April 19, 1884. There's the 1884 year again, which so many relatives have put in their personal writings. Therefore I will go by that year from now on. But he also gives a specific date that Billy became ill, and that he died "about 10 days later". So, I am estimating his death to be April 29, 1884 from now on, based on Claude's writings.

Billy Patterson was born in Cherokee Indian Lands on April 10, 1832 - in what became Union County, GA the following December. The family had initially settled around Ivy Log and Lower Young Cane around 1831, having moved from Rabun Co., GA (the northeastern-most county in GA). 

Betty was born April 16, 1836 in GA. They were married on November 5, 1853 in Union County, GA. See the following marriage license.

Wes

Newfound Church Minutes Book is Here!

The long-awaited book with the church minutes for Newfound Baptist Church from 1802-1865 in Buncombe County NC is now available.

The direct link to the OBCGS eBay store for this book is: Newfound Baptist Church Minutes 1802-1865 by Wes Patterson.

For all books published by the Old Buncombe County Genealogical Society, go to either https://www.obcgs.com/bookstore/ or https://www.ebay.com/str/obcgsbookstore

I initially focused on the early years of 1802-1815, but then later expanded to 1865. My Patterson ancestors attended there from 1802-1815, along with many other relatives from the families of Ponder, Black, Harrison, and many others.

Here are some excerpts from the minutes to give you a flavor for what is included:

May the 14th Day 1803 Met according to the appointment & after divine worship proceided to the buisness of the day, 1) the church adops a rule for the members of the church to trade in spiritous liqueors, agreed on that, that no of the church shall trade in liqueors disagreeable to the Sivil Laws of our land, having seen shall not carry Liqueor to any publick places, & Brother Snelson to attend on the Saturday beefor the 2) Sunday in June on Pigeon with five to wit: Daniel Ponder, John Grantham, Nathan Smith, Aaron Freeman & Elijah Lee, & Dalligats apointed for the assosiation to wit: Brother Snelson, John Patitison [John Patterson]; an aligation brought forward against Brother John Kelley laid over tel next meating in course, Brother John Paison [John Patterson] & Brother Hughes to sight him to our next meting. adg [Adjourned].

and a few years later...

March 14th Day 1807. the church [met] according to apointment & after worship proceded to the Buisness of the Day. 1) Recieved John Goldman & his wife Margaret Buy letter, 2) the the minuits of the assosiation red & approbated By the church, 3) Sister Rachel Plemmons aplied & obtained A letter of dismishion & Bro. John Patterson to right said Letter, 4) Agreas that we send A letter & 7 Deligates to the Baptist Conferance the 4th Saturday in Aprile at Cain Creek meeting House, 5) appointed Brother Thomas Worth, Ponder, John Patterson, Longmire & John Grantham Be appointed as formeley to try any Matter of Dealings Between any members of this church before going to Law, 6) this church deligats church to inquire into thear ability to wit: Thomas Snelson, Jehu Wever, Ponder, Woods, Smith, John [Patterson] and Robert Patterson, Black & Freeman, John Pleman [Plemmons], Ingrm [Ingram], John Grantham & Longmire. appointment of members to the confernce is as follows: Thomas Snelson, Ponder, Weever, Smith, Wells, Longmire, Freemon. A D [Adjourned].

I am very proud of this 150 page book, and it is very useful for those researching families of Buncombe Co NC during the early 1800's.

Wes

Thomas Patterson of Buncombe County NC book status

The last three years have been very time consuming with a career change and many life changes. But all is good and writing has resumed on the book pertaining to my Thomas Patterson ancestor and related families. The book is called "Thomas Patterson of Buncombe County NC". 

I am currently working my way through the branches of John Patterson and Margaret Black's family. John was the oldest son of Thomas Patterson and Margaret Harrison. My rough draft has already completed the two older generations, plus the branches of Joseph B. Patterson Sr and George Patterson. Currently working on the branch of Amy Jane Patterson Kincaid. Also yet to work on are Robert Patterson, John Patterson Jr and Amos Patterson.

Thus far, over 800 pages are completed in the book. We'll have to see how much has to be edited out. Hopefully none. Perhaps it will have to be broken into multiple volumes?

More coming...

Wes