| Name: | Elzora Cranford | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age: | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birth Year: | abt 1846 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Birthplace: | North Carolina | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home in 1850: | Montgomery, North Carolina | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gender: | Female | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Family Number: | 850 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Household Members: |
|
Sunday, May 25, 2014
Love Cranford
Thursday, May 8, 2014
The Beginnings: Balaam Absalom Carter.
Balaam A. Carter was not included in usual list of the descendants of the Revolutionary patriot, Samuel Carter, but I've discovered that he was in fact the Great Grandson of Samuel. Balaam's parents are listed on the license of his second marriage in 1879 to Bettie Rummage as James and Mary Carter.
There is a James Carter who shows up in the 1830 and 1840 census of Montgomery County, West Side, which became Stanly in 1841. Neither James nor Balaam show up in the 1850 census, but I believe they were probably just missed. James was at least alive in 1842, when on Tuesday, May 10, in the Pleas and Quarters a deed from James Carter to Mathias Moose was proved.
He was dead at least by May of 1857, when Balaam A. Carter and his mother, Mary Carter became indebited to Julius A. Kendall, 'for one dollar in hand, one bay mare, one cow, 3 head of hogs and all our growing crop of wheat, after the rent is paid, all our crop of corn and fodder, payment of one note made payable to Peter E. Fouts for $55.'
There are a few mentions of James in the early land records of Montgomery County, which included present day Stanly County, in conjunction with activities of other Carters. The landmarks are on the Stanly County side of the river, in the exact area the Carter's were known to habitate. He also appears to have perhaps been a friend of Isaac Burleson.
"Isaac Cooper, 100 acres, West side of Yadkin River, both sides of Little 'Bar' Creek. James Carter and Isaac Burleson, chain carriers."
"Isaac Burleson 10 acres, west side of Yadkin River, joins Isaac Burelson, James Carter and Isaac Burleson, chain carriers".
By the 1860 census, Balaam has married wife, Alvina Holt, daughter of Allen and Phoebe Holt. Allen passed away in 1850 and Phoebe in 1858. Also living with them is her little brother, Benjamin Holt, his motber, Mary, 'Polly', and 20 year old Susan Carter, whom I believe to be his sister, but her realtionship is never given anywhere, so it is indefinate.
I found in the Holt research of other persons, a Joe Holt in particular, that Balaam and Almira married in 1854, but I have not found a marriage document for them. That may be forth coming. I have the estate records of her parents on order from the Archives. Perhaps they will reveal a little more information.
What I do know is that several land records identify Alley as his wife.
9 Jan. 1875 Balaam Carter to John A. Lilly
Balaam Carter and wife Alvina Carter.....adjoining lands of George Rummage.
26 Jan. 1876 Mortgage to Mauney and Co.
B.A. Carter and wife Alley Carter.
5 April 1873 Balaam Carter to Daniel Freeman
Balaam Carter and wife Elvina, 50 acres adjoining John Kelly. Satisfied in 1875, B.A. Carter and wife Alvina.
Alley's name is seen interchangibly as Alvina, Almena, Elvina or Alley. Her tombstone apparently reads 'Alley Carter.' In the book, ' These Hallowed Ground's', published by The Stanly County Genealogical Society 2012, a survey of the Isaac Marbry Cemetery, located south of Albemarle, notes that "Richard Ingold remembered a stone for Alley Carter" being there. The cemetery is very old.
Alley died between the 1876 deed in which she was named and Balaam's 1879 marriage to Elizabeth "Bettie" Ann Rummage.
A much earlier deed reveals how Balaam fits into the Carter puzzle, however.
On the 12th of September, 1844, the year that Labon Carter passed away, B.A. Carter sold 'a certain interest or parcel of land known as the land of Labon Carter, deceased....viz, one third of one tenth parts of the said land being the full share of said Balaam Carter.
What this implies is that Labon Carter had at least 10 heirs that were either alive in 1844, or had living heirs themselves. Balaam's one third of one tenth means that child predeceased the father, Labon, and left 3 heirs his or herself. Knowing that James Carter was the father of Balaam and that his mother was living until at least 1880, we can now surmise that James Carter was the son of Labon Carter and the missing tenth heir of Labon Carter.
Balaam cements the fact in a 1860 indenture between himself and his uncle, Green Carter, by 'bargain grant and sell the said Green Carter all my right interest & claims in and to all of the claims lands owned by my grandfather Laban Carter. This was witnessed by Tillman Carter, another Uncle, and July A. Howell., who was an unusual choice.
This last one was not registered until 1906.
Since James Carter was alive in May of 1842, and dead before his father in 1844, I can narrow his date of death to that 2 year span.
Assuming 20 year old Susan Carter in the 1860 census was his sister, that leaves one unidentified heir of James Carter.
There are also two interesting relationships in the life of Balaam Carter, besides the ladies in his life, and that is the triangle of himself, Richard Carter and Nancy Cranford.
A case between Richard Carter and Balaam Carter bounced through the courts, first showing up in the Spring of 1864. In 1867, it was referred to Supreme Court and in 1869, it was eventually dismissed and never came to fruition.
This is it's 3 mentions:
Spring Term 1864: Richard Carter vs. Balaam Carter Time until next term to answer
September 1867: Richard Carter vs. Balaam Carter Transfered to Supreme Court
No. 25 Richard Carter vs. Balaam Carter Dismissed (see papers).
That is another document I would love to order from the Archives.
I wonder what that was about. Knowing who Balaam is now, I wondered who Richard was, in relation to him, exactly. It was not difficult to find, although there were several Richards, and several Doctor Richard A. Carter's as well. The first one, at least, must have been named for Dr. Richard Anderson, as it seems he was a popular and well-like physcian. He was known to have made the speech in Albemarle that enticed many a Stanly County boy to join up for the Conferate Army, and several of those to loose their lives. The following is a link to the memoirs of Mrs. Carter-Hoffman, submitted by Jodie Gee, which tells the tale of this event:
Dr. Richard Anderson's Speech
The following is the link to the story of the Freeman-Marks house and how is served as an office to Dr. Anderson and also to a Dr. William Lilly.
Freeman-Marks House office of Dr. Richard Anderson
Dr. Anderson was first mentioned in my post on Martha Jane Rummage, sister-in-law of Balaam Carter. Dr. Anderson owned property adjoining the Rummages, and Martha Jane named one of her sons in honor of him, as did a couple of Carters.
Richard Carter, who was the most likely one involved in the lawsuit, was the one born in 1803, and the son of Henry Carter and Mary Frances Stoker Carter. He also had a son, Richard Jr., who, being born in 1847, would have still been in his teens when the lawsuit ensued, so I feel that it was more apt to have been Richard, the father, than Richard the son.
Henry Carter and Balaam's grandfather, Labon Carter, were brothers, according to the research I've found. I've not looked into this link in depth on my own, but judging from online information and other family trees.
If so, that would have made Richard and James, Balaam's father, first cousins and Balaam and Richard first cousins once removed. Not an extremely close relation in those days, as most neighbors were relatives in some manner.
Nancy Cranford first shows up in an indenture dated March 10, 1866 between herself and Richard Carter and 'the heirs of her body' for 11 1/4 acres adjoining E.B. Nash. This is during the time of the lawsuit between Richard and Balaam. It is also in the years just after the Civil War.
The Cranfords were a Montgomery County, east side of the river family. There were few in Stanly County at that time and none at an earlier date.
Later, an agreement is made between Nancy Cranford and Balaam Carter.
Then in the 1900 census, Nancy Cranford is shown as a boarder in the home of Balaam Simpson, along with his daughter, her husband and baby.
So who was Nancy Cranford? Her presence just seems to add more questions to the equation.
Next I will explore identity of Nancy Cranford, along with that of the other women in Balaam's life.
There is a James Carter who shows up in the 1830 and 1840 census of Montgomery County, West Side, which became Stanly in 1841. Neither James nor Balaam show up in the 1850 census, but I believe they were probably just missed. James was at least alive in 1842, when on Tuesday, May 10, in the Pleas and Quarters a deed from James Carter to Mathias Moose was proved.
He was dead at least by May of 1857, when Balaam A. Carter and his mother, Mary Carter became indebited to Julius A. Kendall, 'for one dollar in hand, one bay mare, one cow, 3 head of hogs and all our growing crop of wheat, after the rent is paid, all our crop of corn and fodder, payment of one note made payable to Peter E. Fouts for $55.'
There are a few mentions of James in the early land records of Montgomery County, which included present day Stanly County, in conjunction with activities of other Carters. The landmarks are on the Stanly County side of the river, in the exact area the Carter's were known to habitate. He also appears to have perhaps been a friend of Isaac Burleson.
"Isaac Cooper, 100 acres, West side of Yadkin River, both sides of Little 'Bar' Creek. James Carter and Isaac Burleson, chain carriers."
"Isaac Burleson 10 acres, west side of Yadkin River, joins Isaac Burelson, James Carter and Isaac Burleson, chain carriers".
By the 1860 census, Balaam has married wife, Alvina Holt, daughter of Allen and Phoebe Holt. Allen passed away in 1850 and Phoebe in 1858. Also living with them is her little brother, Benjamin Holt, his motber, Mary, 'Polly', and 20 year old Susan Carter, whom I believe to be his sister, but her realtionship is never given anywhere, so it is indefinate.
I found in the Holt research of other persons, a Joe Holt in particular, that Balaam and Almira married in 1854, but I have not found a marriage document for them. That may be forth coming. I have the estate records of her parents on order from the Archives. Perhaps they will reveal a little more information.
What I do know is that several land records identify Alley as his wife.
9 Jan. 1875 Balaam Carter to John A. Lilly
Balaam Carter and wife Alvina Carter.....adjoining lands of George Rummage.
26 Jan. 1876 Mortgage to Mauney and Co.
B.A. Carter and wife Alley Carter.
5 April 1873 Balaam Carter to Daniel Freeman
Balaam Carter and wife Elvina, 50 acres adjoining John Kelly. Satisfied in 1875, B.A. Carter and wife Alvina.
Alley's name is seen interchangibly as Alvina, Almena, Elvina or Alley. Her tombstone apparently reads 'Alley Carter.' In the book, ' These Hallowed Ground's', published by The Stanly County Genealogical Society 2012, a survey of the Isaac Marbry Cemetery, located south of Albemarle, notes that "Richard Ingold remembered a stone for Alley Carter" being there. The cemetery is very old.
Alley died between the 1876 deed in which she was named and Balaam's 1879 marriage to Elizabeth "Bettie" Ann Rummage.
A much earlier deed reveals how Balaam fits into the Carter puzzle, however.
On the 12th of September, 1844, the year that Labon Carter passed away, B.A. Carter sold 'a certain interest or parcel of land known as the land of Labon Carter, deceased....viz, one third of one tenth parts of the said land being the full share of said Balaam Carter.
What this implies is that Labon Carter had at least 10 heirs that were either alive in 1844, or had living heirs themselves. Balaam's one third of one tenth means that child predeceased the father, Labon, and left 3 heirs his or herself. Knowing that James Carter was the father of Balaam and that his mother was living until at least 1880, we can now surmise that James Carter was the son of Labon Carter and the missing tenth heir of Labon Carter.
Balaam cements the fact in a 1860 indenture between himself and his uncle, Green Carter, by 'bargain grant and sell the said Green Carter all my right interest & claims in and to all of the claims lands owned by my grandfather Laban Carter. This was witnessed by Tillman Carter, another Uncle, and July A. Howell., who was an unusual choice.
This last one was not registered until 1906.
Since James Carter was alive in May of 1842, and dead before his father in 1844, I can narrow his date of death to that 2 year span.
Assuming 20 year old Susan Carter in the 1860 census was his sister, that leaves one unidentified heir of James Carter.
There are also two interesting relationships in the life of Balaam Carter, besides the ladies in his life, and that is the triangle of himself, Richard Carter and Nancy Cranford.
A case between Richard Carter and Balaam Carter bounced through the courts, first showing up in the Spring of 1864. In 1867, it was referred to Supreme Court and in 1869, it was eventually dismissed and never came to fruition.
This is it's 3 mentions:
Spring Term 1864: Richard Carter vs. Balaam Carter Time until next term to answer
September 1867: Richard Carter vs. Balaam Carter Transfered to Supreme Court
No. 25 Richard Carter vs. Balaam Carter Dismissed (see papers).
That is another document I would love to order from the Archives.
I wonder what that was about. Knowing who Balaam is now, I wondered who Richard was, in relation to him, exactly. It was not difficult to find, although there were several Richards, and several Doctor Richard A. Carter's as well. The first one, at least, must have been named for Dr. Richard Anderson, as it seems he was a popular and well-like physcian. He was known to have made the speech in Albemarle that enticed many a Stanly County boy to join up for the Conferate Army, and several of those to loose their lives. The following is a link to the memoirs of Mrs. Carter-Hoffman, submitted by Jodie Gee, which tells the tale of this event:
Dr. Richard Anderson's Speech
The following is the link to the story of the Freeman-Marks house and how is served as an office to Dr. Anderson and also to a Dr. William Lilly.
Freeman-Marks House office of Dr. Richard Anderson
Dr. Anderson was first mentioned in my post on Martha Jane Rummage, sister-in-law of Balaam Carter. Dr. Anderson owned property adjoining the Rummages, and Martha Jane named one of her sons in honor of him, as did a couple of Carters.
Richard Carter, who was the most likely one involved in the lawsuit, was the one born in 1803, and the son of Henry Carter and Mary Frances Stoker Carter. He also had a son, Richard Jr., who, being born in 1847, would have still been in his teens when the lawsuit ensued, so I feel that it was more apt to have been Richard, the father, than Richard the son.
Henry Carter and Balaam's grandfather, Labon Carter, were brothers, according to the research I've found. I've not looked into this link in depth on my own, but judging from online information and other family trees.
If so, that would have made Richard and James, Balaam's father, first cousins and Balaam and Richard first cousins once removed. Not an extremely close relation in those days, as most neighbors were relatives in some manner.
Nancy Cranford first shows up in an indenture dated March 10, 1866 between herself and Richard Carter and 'the heirs of her body' for 11 1/4 acres adjoining E.B. Nash. This is during the time of the lawsuit between Richard and Balaam. It is also in the years just after the Civil War.
The Cranfords were a Montgomery County, east side of the river family. There were few in Stanly County at that time and none at an earlier date.
Later, an agreement is made between Nancy Cranford and Balaam Carter.
Then in the 1900 census, Nancy Cranford is shown as a boarder in the home of Balaam Simpson, along with his daughter, her husband and baby.
So who was Nancy Cranford? Her presence just seems to add more questions to the equation.
Next I will explore identity of Nancy Cranford, along with that of the other women in Balaam's life.
Thursday, May 1, 2014
Balaam and Bettie
Balaam A. Carter was the 'other Carter' I was looking into in my previous post Marcus P Carter and the Estate of Joshua Carter.
While he mentions the names of his parents in his marriage certificate and appears in a number of consecutive census records, B. A. Carter was still a bit of a mystery.
He does not show up in the 1850 census of Stanly County. Actually, I've not been able to find him anywhere, yet. It may be that his household was simply missed. That was not uncommon.
He first shows up in the 1860 census. He was living within the area of "Albemarle Post Office" and was listed as a Shoemaker and 28 years old. Neighbors included Miller Easley and Henry Easley, Betsy Hill and Harriett Hill and Henry Marshall. Living with him were Alley Carter, 29, a young boy Benjamin Holt, 49 year old Polly Carter and 20 year old Susan Carter.
This census appears like Alley Carter may have been his wife. I would find out later through land records that she was. I would also find out from the 1880 census and other land records, that Polly Carter was his mother. I have no proof, but am pretty confident from the placing of the person in the household that Susan Carter was most likely his sister. I did, however, discover from research that Benjamin Holt was the son of Allen and Phoebe Holt. His father had died shortly after the 1850 census. At this juncture, I don't know if there was a relationship between the Holts and the Carters. There were several Holt/Carter intermarriages. As I don't know Alley's maiden name yet, or Phoebe's maiden name, it's possible that there was an unknown kinship.
From the ages of Balaam and Alley in 1860, it's likely they were married after the 1850 census, so I might be able to find Alley's identity by finding her in that year. Research is always ongoing.
Ten years later, Balaam and Almena are on their own. At first glance, this would appear to be an entirely different woman than Alley, due to the age difference. However, land records float easily back and forth between Alley and Almira and Almena as being the wife of B. A. Carter. Same woman. The transcription of this age is incorrect. The '5' looks like it could be a '3' and the '0' could as easily be an 8, so I believe the actual age recorded here would be 38.
B. A. Carter, like most men of his generation, served in the Civil War, and luckily for him, he survived.
The late 'Seventies' was a busy time for Balaam Carter. The last year his wife Alley (or Alvina, Alvira, Elvira, Almena as she is variously noted) appears in a deed with him is in January 1876.
In June of 1877 B. A. Simpson was brought to court on the the word of Catherine Simpson Mabry on charges of bastardy.
In the document after Catherine's first name, you can see the "Simpson" marked over and Mabry written in it's place. This page was witnessed by T. A. , or Thomas Alexander Simpson. Catherine was the daughter of Isaac and Lucy Simpson. I've never discovered Lucy Simpson's maiden name, however, another researchers notes, her maiden name was given as "Dee" and it was noted that she was Native American. I've not seen proof or disproof of this claim either way.
T. A. Simpson was a cousin of Catherine Simpson, who must have been married to a Mabry at some point. There is no marriage record for her in Stanly County. The child born was Ann Eliza Carter, whom B. A. Carter fully embraced, as she was his only child. On her marriage license, she lists her father as B. A. Carter and her mother as Kate Simpson.
The second page of this document involves another Simpson, J. B., or John Brantley Simpson, of whom I featured in :The Intriguing John Brantley Simpson.
John Brantley Simpson had an out-of-wedlock child himself, with Martha Jane Rummage, whose sister, Bettie, Balaam Absalom Carter would marry two years after the birth of his daughter Ann Eliza with Catherine Simpson Mabry.
This second page reads "Know all men by these presents that we B A Carter + J. B. Simpson are held and firmly bound unto the said State in the sum of $200 to the payment of which we bind ourselves, our heirs + assigns jointly and severally firmly by these presents sealed this 7th day of June 1877, .......charging him with the the maintenances of a certain bastard child begotten on the body of Catharine Mabry and shall indemnity the said county from any + all charges for the maintenance of said child. "
It is signed by B. A. Carter and J. B. Simpson, who were obviously close friends. J. B. Simpson would also be a first cousin of Catherine Simpson as his father Thomas, and her father Isaac were brothers.
On November 23, 1879, B. A. Carter, son of James (d) and Mary Carter, age 50, married Bettie Rummage, 35, daughter of David Rummage. No mother's name was given for Bettie, but it was noted that she was deceased. The official was Joseph S. Dunn and the event took place in Stanly County.
In 1880, we have a bit of transcription error problems, but in looking at the actual handwritten census, we have the right family.
S. A. was actually B. A. , of course and "Tellie" was actually written "Bettie". 14 year old male, Lonna O. Carter was not a Carter. His correct surname was omitted, so he comes up as a Carter, when he was actually Bettie's son Lonnie or Lonna Oscar Rummage. Polly Carter is confirmed as Balaam's mother "Mary" and also appeared within his household in 1860.
A series of land records involving the Rummage family tells a tale that involves Balaam Carter.
Book 10 Page 79 - Sept. 25, 1875 Eli Rummage to Richard Anderson 'for which he holds my note to be due.'
Book 10 Page 531 - Sept. 15, 1876 David Rummage to Richard Anderson, trustee, adjoining Thomas Rummage, Balaam Carter and John Cox. Note: Balaam Carter was a neighbor already of David Rummage. Davids' daughter Martha Jane Rummage had a son named Richard Anderson Rummage, father unknown, possibly named for neighbor Richard Anderson, whom I believe was a physician and had several boys named "Richard Anderson" insert surname, in honor of him.
Book 11 Page 56 David Rummage to Bettie S Rummage and Martha J Rummage June 25th, 1875.
...as follows "On the north side of Jacobs Creek where the said David Rummage now lives 170 acres part of a large survey granted to Thomas Capson (?) and William Mabges (sp?, maybe Mabry?), by the State of North Carolina adjoining Thomas Rummage, Balaam Carter, John Cox, R. Anderson + others.
signed
Bettie A. Rummage
Martha J. Rummage
In the presence of J. B. Simpson
Book 14 page 255 Martha J Rummage et al to Benjamin Gurley Nov. 12, 1880
Martha J. Rummage, B. A. Carter and wife Bettie A. Carter to Benjamin Gurley of Mecklenburg County for $250.00 on the waters of the North Branch of Jacobs Creek adjoining B. A. Carter, Sarah Mauldin, and John Cox. Registered 22 Sept. 1885.
Book 17 Page 436 B. A. Carter and wife to Martha J Rummage Feb. 18, 1888
B. A and Bettie Carter to M. J Rummage for $50, land on Jacob's Creek adjoining R. Anderson, B. A. Carter, B. F. Gurley and others.
And then in the course of 4 years, a major rift and change occured
Book 24 Page 600 23 May 1892
Between Bettie S. Rummage, Mattie J Rummage and B. A. Carter for $150 to L. O. Rummage (son of Bettie Rummage Carter). 'North fork of Jacob's Creek, beginning at Martha Rummage's corner east with Ben Gurley's line, John Cox's corner, R. Anderson's line, 45 acres more or less, known as part of David Rummage's line.'
Bettie has dropped the Carter from the end of her name and returned to being a Rummage, and apparently, or possibly, moved back in with her sister Martha Jane or "Mattie". L. O. Rummage was Bettie's son.
In 1900, Balaam's daughter Anna and her husband John F. Russell are living with her father along with George C. Russell, their infant son. The person of Nancy Cranford is another mystery as is her relationship to the Carter family.
Book 30 Page 262 B. A. Carter to L. O. Rummage Nov. 19, 1903
W. E. Whitleys line, Jacob's Creek 35 4/10 acres, adjoinin Tom Cole's line.
Book 31 Page 480 B A Carter to W. B. Talbert April 18, 1905
...from a stake in Jacob's creek, W. E. Whitley's line, Justice Efirds corner, 82 1/2 acres.
(William Brantley Talbert was the son of William H. H. Talbert who married Martha J. Rummage. He and B. A. Carter would have been brother-in-laws at one point).
Book 37 Page 63, Dec 3 1906 B. A. Carter to William Parker, Albemarle Township.
Book 37 Page 280 Indenture 7 Dec 1909 Will and Lucy Ann Parker + Hampton Talbert
located in South Albemarle known as part of the B. A. Carter home tract place, formerly W. H. Talberts adjoining lands of W. H. Talbert, B. A. Carter and others. See deed B. A. Carter to Will Parker dated 6 Dec. 1906 signed by B. A. Carter.
Neither B. A. Carter, Ann Eliza or John F. Russell appear in the 1910 census.
And another mystery involving B. A. Carter involves his stepson. Lonnie Oscar Rummage.
Lonnie Oscar Rummage was married twice, first to Mary Ann "Molly" Talbert on September 13, 1885. She was the daughter of Josiah Pinkney Talbert and Sarah C. Melchor Talbert. Secondly to Talitha Cumi Whitley, daugther of Lloyd Hathcock Whitley and Sarah Susanna Hinson Whitley, on January 7, 1906.
She would also marry Hosea Alexander Simpson prior to the death of Lonnie O. Rummage and have another son, in addition to the four she had with Lonnie, including one who died as an infant.
Another researcher logged a marriage between Mary Ann "Molly" Talbert and a "Balium Carter". Who could "Balium" be, but Balaam A. Carter. No other local Carter came close to sharing his name. The closest being the well-documented Rev. Baldwin Henderson "Baldy" Carter who married Minty Holt.
The case of Balaam Absalom Carter is far from solved. His marriage to Elizabeth "Bettie" A. Rummage was intact from 1879 to at least 1888. By 1892, she had returned to using the name "Rummage". Bettie was buried under the name "Bettie Ann Carter", however. She died on December 2, 1899 and is buried at Anderson Grove Church right outside of Albemarle, North Carolina, her final resting place marked with a slab rock. Balaam Carter's obituary also noted that he was buried at Anderson Grove, but his marker is not to be found.
Balaam Carter died in 1910, but did not appear in the census for that year. His obituary is below.
The Enterprise
(Albemarle, North Carolina)17 February 1910 • Page 3
While he mentions the names of his parents in his marriage certificate and appears in a number of consecutive census records, B. A. Carter was still a bit of a mystery.
He does not show up in the 1850 census of Stanly County. Actually, I've not been able to find him anywhere, yet. It may be that his household was simply missed. That was not uncommon.
He first shows up in the 1860 census. He was living within the area of "Albemarle Post Office" and was listed as a Shoemaker and 28 years old. Neighbors included Miller Easley and Henry Easley, Betsy Hill and Harriett Hill and Henry Marshall. Living with him were Alley Carter, 29, a young boy Benjamin Holt, 49 year old Polly Carter and 20 year old Susan Carter.
This census appears like Alley Carter may have been his wife. I would find out later through land records that she was. I would also find out from the 1880 census and other land records, that Polly Carter was his mother. I have no proof, but am pretty confident from the placing of the person in the household that Susan Carter was most likely his sister. I did, however, discover from research that Benjamin Holt was the son of Allen and Phoebe Holt. His father had died shortly after the 1850 census. At this juncture, I don't know if there was a relationship between the Holts and the Carters. There were several Holt/Carter intermarriages. As I don't know Alley's maiden name yet, or Phoebe's maiden name, it's possible that there was an unknown kinship.
| ame: | Balem Carter | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age in 1860: | 28 | ||||||||||||
| Birth Year: | abt 1832 | ||||||||||||
| Birthplace: | North Carolina | ||||||||||||
| Home in 1860: | Stanly, North Carolina | ||||||||||||
| Gender: | Male | ||||||||||||
| Post Office: | Albemarle | ||||||||||||
| Value of real estate: | View image | ||||||||||||
| Household Members: |
|
| ame: | B A Carter | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age in 1870: | 38 | ||||||
| Birth Year: | abt 1832 | ||||||
| Birthplace: | North Carolina | ||||||
| Home in 1870: | Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina | ||||||
| Race: | White | ||||||
| Gender: | Male | ||||||
| Post Office: | Albemarle | ||||||
| Value of real estate: | View image | ||||||
| Household Members: |
|
Ten years later, Balaam and Almena are on their own. At first glance, this would appear to be an entirely different woman than Alley, due to the age difference. However, land records float easily back and forth between Alley and Almira and Almena as being the wife of B. A. Carter. Same woman. The transcription of this age is incorrect. The '5' looks like it could be a '3' and the '0' could as easily be an 8, so I believe the actual age recorded here would be 38.
B. A. Carter, like most men of his generation, served in the Civil War, and luckily for him, he survived.
| Name: | B A Carter |
|---|---|
| Residence: | North Carolina |
| Rank at enlistment: | Private |
| State Served: | North Carolina |
| Service Record: | Enlisted in Company K, North Carolina 42nd Infantry Regiment on 26 May 1862. |
| Sources: | North Carolina Troops 1861-65, A Roster |
The late 'Seventies' was a busy time for Balaam Carter. The last year his wife Alley (or Alvina, Alvira, Elvira, Almena as she is variously noted) appears in a deed with him is in January 1876.
In June of 1877 B. A. Simpson was brought to court on the the word of Catherine Simpson Mabry on charges of bastardy.
In the document after Catherine's first name, you can see the "Simpson" marked over and Mabry written in it's place. This page was witnessed by T. A. , or Thomas Alexander Simpson. Catherine was the daughter of Isaac and Lucy Simpson. I've never discovered Lucy Simpson's maiden name, however, another researchers notes, her maiden name was given as "Dee" and it was noted that she was Native American. I've not seen proof or disproof of this claim either way.
T. A. Simpson was a cousin of Catherine Simpson, who must have been married to a Mabry at some point. There is no marriage record for her in Stanly County. The child born was Ann Eliza Carter, whom B. A. Carter fully embraced, as she was his only child. On her marriage license, she lists her father as B. A. Carter and her mother as Kate Simpson.
The second page of this document involves another Simpson, J. B., or John Brantley Simpson, of whom I featured in :The Intriguing John Brantley Simpson.
John Brantley Simpson had an out-of-wedlock child himself, with Martha Jane Rummage, whose sister, Bettie, Balaam Absalom Carter would marry two years after the birth of his daughter Ann Eliza with Catherine Simpson Mabry.
This second page reads "Know all men by these presents that we B A Carter + J. B. Simpson are held and firmly bound unto the said State in the sum of $200 to the payment of which we bind ourselves, our heirs + assigns jointly and severally firmly by these presents sealed this 7th day of June 1877, .......charging him with the the maintenances of a certain bastard child begotten on the body of Catharine Mabry and shall indemnity the said county from any + all charges for the maintenance of said child. "
It is signed by B. A. Carter and J. B. Simpson, who were obviously close friends. J. B. Simpson would also be a first cousin of Catherine Simpson as his father Thomas, and her father Isaac were brothers.
On November 23, 1879, B. A. Carter, son of James (d) and Mary Carter, age 50, married Bettie Rummage, 35, daughter of David Rummage. No mother's name was given for Bettie, but it was noted that she was deceased. The official was Joseph S. Dunn and the event took place in Stanly County.
| Name: | B A Carter |
| Birth Date: | |
| Birthplace: | |
| Age: | |
| Spouse's Name: | Bettie Rumage |
| Spouse's Birth Date: | |
| Spouse's Birthplace: | |
| Spouse's Age: | |
| Event Date: | 23 Nov 1879 |
| Event Place: | Stanly, North Carolina |
| Father's Name: | James Carter |
| Mother's Name: | Mary |
| Spouse's Father's Name: | David Rumage |
In 1880, we have a bit of transcription error problems, but in looking at the actual handwritten census, we have the right family.
| Name: | S. A. Carter | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age: | 51 | ||||||||||
| Birth Year: | abt 1829 | ||||||||||
| Birthplace: | North Carolina | ||||||||||
| Home in 1880: | Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina | ||||||||||
| Race: | White | ||||||||||
| Gender: | Male | ||||||||||
| Relation to Head of House: | Self (Head) | ||||||||||
| Marital Status: | Married | ||||||||||
| Spouse's Name: | Tellie Carter | ||||||||||
| Father's Birthplace: | North Carolina | ||||||||||
| Mother's name: | Polly Carter | ||||||||||
| Mother's Birthplace: | North Carolina | ||||||||||
| Neighbors: | View others on page | ||||||||||
| Occupation: | Farmer | ||||||||||
Cannot read/write:
Blind: Deaf and Dumb: Otherwise disabled: Idiotic or insane: |  | ||||||||||
| Household Members: |
|
A series of land records involving the Rummage family tells a tale that involves Balaam Carter.
Book 10 Page 79 - Sept. 25, 1875 Eli Rummage to Richard Anderson 'for which he holds my note to be due.'
Book 10 Page 531 - Sept. 15, 1876 David Rummage to Richard Anderson, trustee, adjoining Thomas Rummage, Balaam Carter and John Cox. Note: Balaam Carter was a neighbor already of David Rummage. Davids' daughter Martha Jane Rummage had a son named Richard Anderson Rummage, father unknown, possibly named for neighbor Richard Anderson, whom I believe was a physician and had several boys named "Richard Anderson" insert surname, in honor of him.
Book 11 Page 56 David Rummage to Bettie S Rummage and Martha J Rummage June 25th, 1875.
...as follows "On the north side of Jacobs Creek where the said David Rummage now lives 170 acres part of a large survey granted to Thomas Capson (?) and William Mabges (sp?, maybe Mabry?), by the State of North Carolina adjoining Thomas Rummage, Balaam Carter, John Cox, R. Anderson + others.
signed
Bettie A. Rummage
Martha J. Rummage
In the presence of J. B. Simpson
Book 14 page 255 Martha J Rummage et al to Benjamin Gurley Nov. 12, 1880
Martha J. Rummage, B. A. Carter and wife Bettie A. Carter to Benjamin Gurley of Mecklenburg County for $250.00 on the waters of the North Branch of Jacobs Creek adjoining B. A. Carter, Sarah Mauldin, and John Cox. Registered 22 Sept. 1885.
Book 17 Page 436 B. A. Carter and wife to Martha J Rummage Feb. 18, 1888
B. A and Bettie Carter to M. J Rummage for $50, land on Jacob's Creek adjoining R. Anderson, B. A. Carter, B. F. Gurley and others.
And then in the course of 4 years, a major rift and change occured
Book 24 Page 600 23 May 1892
Between Bettie S. Rummage, Mattie J Rummage and B. A. Carter for $150 to L. O. Rummage (son of Bettie Rummage Carter). 'North fork of Jacob's Creek, beginning at Martha Rummage's corner east with Ben Gurley's line, John Cox's corner, R. Anderson's line, 45 acres more or less, known as part of David Rummage's line.'
Bettie has dropped the Carter from the end of her name and returned to being a Rummage, and apparently, or possibly, moved back in with her sister Martha Jane or "Mattie". L. O. Rummage was Bettie's son.
| Name: | Balaam A Carter [Balaam Carter] | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Age: | 68 | ||||||||||||
| Birth Date: | May 1832 | ||||||||||||
| Birthplace: | North Carolina | ||||||||||||
| Home in 1900: | Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina | ||||||||||||
| Race: | White | ||||||||||||
| Gender: | Male | ||||||||||||
| Relation to Head of House: | Head | ||||||||||||
| Marital Status: | Widowed | ||||||||||||
| Father's Birthplace: | North Carolina | ||||||||||||
| Mother's Birthplace: | North Carolina | ||||||||||||
| Occupation: | View on Image | ||||||||||||
| Neighbors: | View others on page | ||||||||||||
| Household Members: |
|
Book 30 Page 262 B. A. Carter to L. O. Rummage Nov. 19, 1903
W. E. Whitleys line, Jacob's Creek 35 4/10 acres, adjoinin Tom Cole's line.
Book 31 Page 480 B A Carter to W. B. Talbert April 18, 1905
...from a stake in Jacob's creek, W. E. Whitley's line, Justice Efirds corner, 82 1/2 acres.
(William Brantley Talbert was the son of William H. H. Talbert who married Martha J. Rummage. He and B. A. Carter would have been brother-in-laws at one point).
Book 37 Page 63, Dec 3 1906 B. A. Carter to William Parker, Albemarle Township.
Book 37 Page 280 Indenture 7 Dec 1909 Will and Lucy Ann Parker + Hampton Talbert
located in South Albemarle known as part of the B. A. Carter home tract place, formerly W. H. Talberts adjoining lands of W. H. Talbert, B. A. Carter and others. See deed B. A. Carter to Will Parker dated 6 Dec. 1906 signed by B. A. Carter.
Neither B. A. Carter, Ann Eliza or John F. Russell appear in the 1910 census.
And another mystery involving B. A. Carter involves his stepson. Lonnie Oscar Rummage.
Lonnie Oscar Rummage was married twice, first to Mary Ann "Molly" Talbert on September 13, 1885. She was the daughter of Josiah Pinkney Talbert and Sarah C. Melchor Talbert. Secondly to Talitha Cumi Whitley, daugther of Lloyd Hathcock Whitley and Sarah Susanna Hinson Whitley, on January 7, 1906.
She would also marry Hosea Alexander Simpson prior to the death of Lonnie O. Rummage and have another son, in addition to the four she had with Lonnie, including one who died as an infant.
Another researcher logged a marriage between Mary Ann "Molly" Talbert and a "Balium Carter". Who could "Balium" be, but Balaam A. Carter. No other local Carter came close to sharing his name. The closest being the well-documented Rev. Baldwin Henderson "Baldy" Carter who married Minty Holt.
The case of Balaam Absalom Carter is far from solved. His marriage to Elizabeth "Bettie" A. Rummage was intact from 1879 to at least 1888. By 1892, she had returned to using the name "Rummage". Bettie was buried under the name "Bettie Ann Carter", however. She died on December 2, 1899 and is buried at Anderson Grove Church right outside of Albemarle, North Carolina, her final resting place marked with a slab rock. Balaam Carter's obituary also noted that he was buried at Anderson Grove, but his marker is not to be found.
Balaam Carter died in 1910, but did not appear in the census for that year. His obituary is below.
The Enterprise
(Albemarle, North Carolina)17 February 1910 • Page 3
Sunday, April 27, 2014
Marcus P. Carter and the Estate of Joshua Carter
One of the most frustrating mysteries that has been vexing me of late is the origins of Marcus Princeton Carter.
I covered Marcus in my post: Marcus Princeton Carter.
I just know he is connected to other Stanly County Carters, but how?
While looking for info on another 'parentless' Stanly County Carter, I came across the name of Marcus in an unexpected but reasonable place, in the estate records of Joshua Carter.
Now, I know estate records normally lend no proof of relationship or suggest any. However, after perusing dozens of estate records of families I was very familiar with, I've discovered that a large numbers of persons mentioned in estate records are usually family members, and if not, usually neighbors. But especially those persons of the same surname. While it does not 'name that relationship', it hints that you might be looking in the correct pumpkin patch.
An example of this would be in the estate record of Job Davis, for whom this blog is named. I've so researched this family that I knew who each person mentioned in the papers was. Every Davis mentioned was the son or grandson of Job. And persons like Jeremiah Broadaway, who no one would devise as a relative, I knew was his hmmm, 'step-grandson-in-law'. Two of Job's wife Sarah's sons by her first marriage, John W. and Jordan Howell, had migrated to Fayetteville, NC and settled there. After the death of Jordan, his daughters returned to Stanly County to live with their grandmother and step-grandfather, and met husbands who lived in this part of the state. Jeremiah Broadaway was one of those husbands and married Clarissa Ann Howell.
So, while I have discovered the name of Marcus Carter in the estate records of Joshua Carter, this by no means proves, mentions or suggests any relationship between Joshua Carter and Marcus P. Carter, but it could mean I need to search this pumpkin patch for more hints. I do believe that in the case of Marcus P. Carter, we have a case of what I call an "UnIdentified Dash".
Many times, descendants will start a family with only the children who show up in the 1850 census, while the 1840 and 1830 census show other, older "dashes" who could be children, possibly those who are grown up and on their own by 1850. If the parents die intestate and no land records indicate descendants, then there is nothing to tie these older, independent children to their parents.I do believe this is what happened with our Marcus. I've poured over family trees and information on other Carters, and feel Marcus is just an unidentified dash in the 1840 and 1830 census of an established Carter family of early Stanly County. He did not fall from the sky.
And now for the estate record of Joshua Carter:
An Inventory of the personal property of Joshua Carter, deceased, which came into my hands as his Administrator-
-Account on David Crowell .50
" on Peter Crowell .50
" on Francis Locke .52 total 1.52
all desperate---
2 Head Cattle, 16 Head Hogs, 1 Rifle gun, 1 bed and furniture, 1 Wheel and Cards, 1 Loom, 2 Barrels, 1 bush. Salt, 1 Clock Reel, 1 paddock, 1 lot sundries, two mattocks, 5 axes, 1 shovel, 1 tub, 1 cutting knife, 1 lot ploughs, 1 single tee, 2 pots, 1 skillet, 1 oven, 1 cupboard, 1 lot Ware, 1 lot knives and forks, 1 pail, 1 piggin, 1 toilet, 1 chest, 1 weeding hoe, 1 pr. Hames and Traces, 1 pr Steelyards, 1 drawing knife, 1 adze, 2 planes, 1 croze cutter, 1 hand saw, 1 lot books, 5 chairs, 1 hammer and chizel, 1 lot Oats, 1 potatoe patch.
Note on MARCUS CARTER and James Parker 17.43
" Nathan Carter and Samuel Morton 3.85
" John Morris and William Morris 1.65
" Calvin Carter & James Parker 1.28
" Alex. Kirk & Samuel P. Morton 1.30
" Josiah L. Carter and Nathan Carter 11.53
" Nancy Carter and Nathan Carter 7.66
" Benjamin New and Edmd. W. Lilly 1.27
" James Parker, Sr. 1.87
" Francis Locke .55
" Samuel S. Stone .81
" Daniel Biles 1.00
" Samuel P. Morton .60
" George C. Morton .20
" John A. Craven 23.62
Travis Carter, Administrator
Returned to August Sessions 1842 & ordered to be recorded.
Marcus Carter would have been a young man, just coming into himself and of age in 1842.
His note, in conjunction with James Parker, is the largest, with the exception of that of John A. Craven. Perhaps if I look into the relationships between Joshua Carter and the other Carter's mentioned in this document, I will discover a possible connection to Marcus.
James Parker is also mentioned on a note in conjunction with Calvin Carter. Then later, a James Parker Sr., to himself. I also want to know the connection to James Parker.
I have the advantage of knowing what individuals were businessmen in the community who had a financial interest in many local farmers and individuals. For instance, Samuel S. Stone, Daniel Biles, Edmund Lilly and Francis Locke. No relationship there, or not likely to be.
I also know my ancestor, Samuel P. Morton, was a minister.
So, finding Marcus Carter's name in a document involving other Carters is a big find. Proof of nothing, but hopefully a lead to something.
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