Roanoke Beacon Blog

From the 10 Mar 1899 issue of the Roanoke Beacon

Editor Beacon: Please allow me space in your columns for a few lines to the memory of my dear brother, McG. AUSBON, who departed this life at the Soldiers’ Home, near Raleigh, N.C., on Feb. 1st, 1899.

“Precious is the sight of the Lord are the death of his saints.” Yes, precious are His jewels, called home to fill a high and holy destiny with that ever living Hand. We feel to hope he now rests in the sweet paradise of God, where sorry and afflictions are known no more, and peace and love will reign for ever more. I was with this dear brother most of the time in his useful part of life. We were together through the war between the North and South up to the time he received a wound and was taken to the hospital, and he was ever brave and true to go where duty called. I was with him in the battle at Bermuda Hundreds, where the enemy was driven from their intrenchments; he advanced over their works, gathering up overcoats and throwing over the breastwork. Again, I was by his side in the great battle at Cold Harbor, and again in front of Petersburg, where he received a wound. He ever seemed to have a spirit of true devotion to his country in time of war, and in time of peace no change could ever lead him away from true democracy. There are yet living witnesses that what I have written is true, our dear old Captain S.L. JOHNSTON is yet alive. May we all meet in peace beyond this vale. — T.E. AUSBON, Palmyra, N.C.

Roanoke Beacon
30 Sep 1898

We extend to Mr. & Mrs. Joe E. JOHNSTON, of Mackey’s Ferry, our heartfelt sympathies in the death of their little boy, which died last week from diphtheria.

On Ancestry.com, there is a book titled Branson’s North Carolina Business Directory: containing facts, figures, names and locations, revised and corrected annually – that includes some information about Washington County. I thought it would be of interest to share an excerpt here as many of these names I have come across in the newspaper:

COUNTY OFFICERS
Clerk of Superior Court – J.A. Nelson
Coroner – Theophilus Ash
Commissioners – R.S. Goelet, Ch; J.B. Chesson, jun.; M. Jackson, A.M. Phelps, G.W. Jones
Register of Deeds – John Carroll
Sheriff – J.M. Bateman
Surveryor – H.F. Phelps
Solicitor 2nd District – Joseph J. Martin
Treasurer – Levi Jackson, jun.

Hotels & Boarding Houses
Hotel, Plymouth – Spruill & Davenport
Hotel, Plymouth – Mary Lee (col.)
Sanders House, Plymouth – R. Sanders

Lawyers
Armistead, T.S., Plymouth
Collins, Josiah, Scuppernong
Jones, E.W., Plymouth
Johnston, S.L, Plymouth
Latham, L.C., Plymouth

Physicians
Hardison, H., Scuppernong
Lewis, H.G., Mackeys Ferry
Norman, H.H., Scuppernong
Wolfe, H.E., Lees Mills
Walker, Barry M., Plymouth
Ward, W., Plymouth

There is more here, so if you have an Ancestry membership, it’s worth checking out [link here], not only for this county, but others. If you

Roanoke Beacon – 22 Jul 1898

Cupid’s Capers – The M.E. Church at Roper was the scene of a pretty marriage last night at 8 o’clock, the contracting parties being Mr. W.B. Jones, a popular salesman of that town, and Miss Florida Spruill, one of Washington county’s most lovable young ladies.  The attendants were: Miss Alice Cahoon with Mr. Johnnie Hassell,  Miss Bessie Brown with Mr. Clem Chesson; Maid of Honor, Miss Eloise Johnston; Best Man, Mr. Jas. Spruill.  The wedding march was played by Mrs. J.T. Lewis.

After the ceremony the bridal party, with a few invited friends,  repaired to the home of the bride’s parents, where a reception was held until 11 o’clock.  Our best wishes are extended to the happy couple.

Marriage Licenses
January 3, 1890
pg. 3

The following marriage licenses were issued by Register, J. P. Hilliard, during the month of December, 1889:

• White:
  • L L Newberry and Lena Reid
  • W A Forbes and Katie Johnston
  • Charles Martin & Bertha Newberry
  • Ellis Davenport and Mary Lamb
  • James Craddock and Carthia Lamb
  • Wm. Ange and Mary Reddic
  • W. W. Chambers and Jennie Skittletharpe
  • A S Johnston and Inez Lewis
• Colored:
  • N B Bell and Susan Armistead
  • James Clagon and Eliza Kenedy
  • W H Pettiford and Mary Moore
  • Wm. Cooper and Clemie James
  • Wilder Smith and Mary Reddick
  • Amithy Giffer (Anthony Giliam) and Caroline Phelps
  • Littleton Ford and Jane Carter

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Married
January 3, 1890
Pg. 3

At the residence of the bride’s father, Mr. G. W. Lewis, at Roper, on the evening of Dec. 31, 1889, Mr. A. S. Johnston, one of the popular salesman at T. W. Blounts and Miss Inez Lewis, one of the most charming daughters of that place, Rev. C. W. Robinson officiating. The Beacon extends best wishes for a bright future.

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Hotel Arrivals
December 20, 1889
Pg. 3

The following named persons were registered at the Latham House during the past week:

• B.W. Cobb
• A. S. Brown
• Sam. Cobs
• C. H. Janey
• W.C. Cooke
• E. F. Cooper
• C. F. Weyfourth
• L. W. Fargo
• T. C. Cox
• J. F. Anderson
• C. H. James and sister
• G. H. Toavine
• W. K. Gardner
• J. L Sydnor
• H. L. Durall
• G. E. Crabtree
• J. M. Fitzgerald
• S. H. Marens
• M. E. Mayer
• A. H. Ashburn
• J. H. Johnston
• W. B. Jordan

issuedec201889

Marriage Licenses
December 6, 1889
Pg. 3

The following marriage licenses were issued by Register, J. P. Hilliard, during the month of November:

• White: W. L. Robertson and H. G. Johnston
• Colored: Alfred McDonald and L. Moore, Cicero Moore and Margaret Patrick, Samuel Smith and Margaret Cooper

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