Roanoke Beacon Blog

My last post of news from Skinnersville had a mention of a Susan Tarkenton who was visiting her daughter Mrs. Thos. Marrier. Often, the papers would report women by the names of their husbands.

Mrs. Thos. Marriner is Virginia Caroline Tarkington. She was born to Henry Zebulon Tarkington & Susan Woodley Tarkington around 1882 [1], though, Virginia’s death certificate [2], says she was born in 1874. The 1900 census says 1876. March 29th appears to be her birthday though.

Henry & Susan were married in January 9, 1868 in Washington County [3] and I know of at least 7 of their children from census records – Mariah, Virginia Caroline, Jane, Henry, Mary M., Zebulon Thomas, and Duart (sp?). Virginia married Thomas Franklin Marriner about 1898 and in the 1900 census they have a daughter Cora L who was brand new (0 months), but had lost a child previous to her. [4]

Virginia & Thomas in the 1900 census

By 1910 Virginia had more children – William, Maggie, Thomas Jr., Ethel & Richard. By 1920, two more joined the family – Earnest & Clara, and in 1930, I find another daughter, Ruth – 10 kids total (and there may have been more). [5,6,7]

Thomas died January 4th, 1951 and Virginia died October 7, 1961. The couple is buried at the Holly Neck Church Cemetery in Roper [2,8].

In the index, there are already several articles I’ve put in that mention Tarkingtons/Tarkentons & Marriners. I can’t be 100% sure this is Virginia & Thomas, but there was an blurb in the March 25, 1898 that “Mr. Thomas Marriner and his bride have been terribly frightened by the appearance of a ghost.” What a great way to kick off your marriage. In the Sept 2, 1898 issue, it was reported that Virginia’s sister Maggie came to visit her and in the October 8, 1898 issue it was reported that Virginia’s mom was visiting her. Gotta love the way comings and goings got reported in the papers back then :- )

SOURCES

[1] Year: 1880; Census Place: Scuppernong, Washington, North Carolina; Roll: T9_986; Family History Film: 1254986; Page: 316.2000; Enumeration District: 139; Image: 0211. (Ancestry Link)

[2] Death Certificate of Virginia Caroline Tarkington Marriner. Ancestry.com. North Carolina Death Certificates, 1909-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007. Original data: North Carolina State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. North Carolina Death Certificates. Microfilm S.123. Rolls 19-242, 280, 313-682, 1040-1297. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. (Ancestry Link)

[3] Marriage Licenses of Washington County, 1851-1920. (Link)

[4] Year: 1900; Census Place: Lees Mill, Washington, North Carolina; Roll: T623 1222; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 92. (Ancestry Link)

[5] Year: 1910; Census Place: Lees Mills, Washington, North Carolina; Roll: T624_1131; Page: 18B; Enumeration District: 108; Image: 852. (Ancestry Link)

[6] Year: 1920;Census Place: Lees Mills, Washington, North Carolina; Roll: T625_1327; Page: 17B; Enumeration District: 64; Image: 652. (Ancestry Link)

[7] Year: 1930; Census Place: Lees Mills, Washington, North Carolina; Roll: 1724; Page: 3B; Enumeration District: 2; Image: 315.0. (Ancestry Link)

[8] Death Certificate of Thomas Franklin Marriner. Ancestry.com. North Carolina Death Certificates, 1909-1975 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: The Generations Network, Inc., 2007. Original data: North Carolina State Board of Health, Bureau of Vital Statistics. North Carolina Death Certificates. Microfilm S.123. Rolls 19-242, 280, 313-682, 1040-1297. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina. (Ancestry Link)

County Commissioner Proceedings – Afternoon session
July 15, 1898
Roanoke Beacon

The Board met at 1:30pm and proceeded to let the public roads in accordance with previous notice, commencing with Beaver Dam township viz:

• C.W. Clifton being the lowest bidder for Beaver Dam Township at $300.
• T C Holmes being the lowest bidder for Scuppernong township at $515.
• H. Freeman being the lowest bidder for Skinnersville township at $590
• C H Swain being the lowest bidder for Lee’s Mills township at $500
• Jordan Hopkins being the lowest bidder for Plymouth township at $675.

The bids by townships not satisfactory to the Board the roads of the whole county were then offered to the lowest bidder. Frank Gray being the lowest bidder for all the public roads of the county at the sum of @2,240 the same were knocked off to him at that price. The said Frank Gray being allowed until Monday next the 11th instant to give bond for the faithful p of his contract.

• Ordered that H.H. Brown be allowed the sum of $43 his account for taking tax list in Plymouth township.
• Ordered that J.T. Sitterson be allowed the sum of $30.15 his account for taking tax list in Lees Mills township, returning list, &c.
• Ordered that J.H. Snell be allowed the sum of $26.65 his account for taking tax list in Scuppernong and Beaver Dam townships, returning lists, &c.
• Ordered that M.D. Clifton be allowed the sum of $16 his account for taking tax list in Skinnersville township, retuning lists, &c.
• Ordered that N.W. Ambrose be allowed the sum of $4.80 his account for one days service as county commissioner and mileage.
• Ordered that the Roanoke Pub. Co. be allowed the sum of $5 for publishing proceedings of the Board for June and publishing notice of change in voting place in New Land precinct.
• Ordered that W H Stubbs be allowed the sum of %58.70 his account for services as Clerk of the Board of County Commissioner, issuing county and road orders, recording Sheriff’s and Treasurer’s reports, and for other services and fees.
• Ordered that J.A. Harrison be allowed the sum of $8.48 his account for one month service as keeper of poor house and one chicken for Mrs. Davenport.
• Ordered that W H Hampton be allowed the sum of $21.96 his account for supplies furnished to poor house and outside poor for June 1898.
• Ordered that T J Marriner, C.S.C., be allowed the sum of $2.20 his account for recording the names of 44 jurors at Spring term 1898.
• Ordered that Jane Stewart be allowed the sum of $1.05 her account for bal due her in case State vs. John Harris.
• Ordered that hereafter no more lawn parties or other entertainments will be allowed on the Court House grounds.

Board adjourned to meet on Monday next, July 11, 1898

Treat. W H Stubbs, Clerk

County Commissioner’s Proceedings
27 May 1898

At a special meeting of the Board of Commissioners of Washington county held on Monday May 2nd with all members present the following business was transacted:

Gone to Rest
October 25, 1889
pg. 3

At twenty minutes past 1 o’clock Saturday afternoon last, the golden gates of Heaven swung open for the entrance of another little angle, and at the home of its parents. Mr. L. C. and Jennie Marriner, of Mackey’s Ferry, lay the lifeless form of their infant son, Louis C. Marriner.

Grieve not, fond parents, for God says: “Suffer, little children to come unto Me and forbid them not, for of such is the Kingdom on Heaven.”

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Hotel Arrivals
December 6, 1889
pg. 3

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

• A. Wakefield
• W.W. Watt
• E.M. Wooten
• C.G. Morgan
• R. Schultz
• H. Buff
• B.F. Hassell and wife
• Geo. Poindexter
• W.W. Faring
• John Armstrong
• R.C. Lawrence
• Edmon Levy
• W.H. Owom
• Geo. B. Fleming
• C. A. Overman
• Q. Sawyer
• G.A. Guilford
• J.C. Dames
• A. Myers
• M.S. Roper
• A.A. Martie
• E. D. Barnes
• H.H. Carrow
• C.H. Durggins
• D. D. Farril
• W.K. Gardner
• W.C. Marriner

issuedec61889

“Flipp”
October 18, 1889
Pg. 3

He spends a night with an Alliance man – takes in the town and has a chat with some our business men.

Mr. Editor — I never did write any for a journal before and may not succeed now, but I am in town again and to occupy my mind I will write you a short letter.

I was out in that rain on Sunday night last, was coming up the second road in a cloud of dust when night sod and the rain came on. I stopped all night at a man’s house don’t remember his name, but this I do remember, that he was an Alliance man – gave me ‘liance for supper and for breakfast so I left next morning determined to be an alliance man myself. I came into town by Mr. B. F. Owens house, which I notice is one of the handsome residences to be seen on the road between Plymouth and Columbia. I noticed many other fine and comfortably situated residents on this street among which are J. M. Reid’s, A.O. Gaylord’s, E. A. Carter’s, J. F. Norman’s, E. R. Latham’s and others.

While driving in I was wondering where to stop my horse, and remembering that I saw the name of B.F. Owens in the Beacon, I drove up to that large stable of his, and just as you said, he keeps polite grooms and everything in order. Why Mr. Editor them darkies were so dog gone polite one of the fall down over the other to get to my horse first. Mr. Owens waled out of his office, whip in one hand, cigar in the other and was so courteous that I accepted his invitation to look at his fine stock, and bless my life that man talked so fast that before the boy got the harness off of my horse I had traded for a fine black and we were on our way down to D.O. Brinkley & Co.’s to get a, no not a drink, but one of the best cigars you ever puffed away at. Mr. Brinkley told me that his partner, Col. Fitchett, was up in the mountains and would be home in a few days, but if we wished anything in the way of accommodation just call on him. I tell you he is one of the finest men that ever mixed a cocktail, he gave us a knock down to his clerk, Mr. Louis Landing, who Mr. Owens says is the best boy that ever slung red liquor over a bar counter. Just here let me say that I never visited a bar that was kept in a more orderly manner, everything is quiet and every one has to behave when in this bar so “Dave” says.

Here I left Mr. Owens to go back to his stables and I walked across the street to see S. Adler. I was surprised to find such a large and well assorted stock of general merchandise, the old man was standing in the door and said as I came up, “py tam its wet come in,” we went in and were glad to see behind the counter the handsome face of Mr. E. S. Chesson, he seems to be quite proficient in the manipulation of the yard stick. Behind the other counter Master Tommie Rogerson was just appearing out of a barrel of flour. We walked back to the office where, upon a high school at his desk, found Mr. T. J. Lewis he seemed sorter glad to see us but brushing the hair back from his brow, asked us to excuse him as he was quite busy, we did so and walked out of the store.

[...] Murray the medical man and E. E. Murray the dentist, both busy, they are doing a big business. We did not get chance to talk to them as the medical man was called out and some man came in with about three yards of red flanel on his jaw and told the dentist that the tooth ache, they [..] his office and in a few seconds reappeared leaving the red flanel and aching tooth behind, the patients face was about ten inches shorter, and with a smile of satisfaction he said, “Dat air doctor gits there.”

After leaving the Murray Drug Store I loafed down to Reid & Duke’s and after pushing and shoving for several minutes I succeeded in getting through the immense crowd of customers and into the office, here I met Mr. E. F. Duke and Mr. J. E. Reid the junior members of the firm, they told that Mr. J. M. Reid, the senior member, was out at the time attending to some business around their shingle yard. Taking a look down behind the long counters I saw Mess. R.H Brown, Joe Norman, C A Walker, E R Marriner and two other salesmen moving with lightening speed from one customer to another. Turning to Mr. Duke I asked if those men were kept as busy as that all the time and he said “almost and said “almost and sometimes we have to leave the office to help them.” From the office I made a visit to the meat department where barrel after barrel of pork and fish was roled out. From here I went to the second story where I found the furniture and clothing clerks busy. From there I made my way to the street, satisfied in my own mind that Reid and Duke were getting their share of the public patronage.

Weary with my days adventure, I wended my way home, hoping to find a good supper waiting for me, but instead, that wife of mine had been down to Mrs. S. A Blount’s Millinery store and bought one of those new winter hats, which she had to take around and show to all the neighbors, and asked their opinion iof it and tell them how cheap it was, hence I found no supper, but as she seemed to be so happy over the hat I said nothing and went to bed. Thus ended the day. — “Flipp”

issueoct181889