Davidson County NC

Slave Narrative of Bill Crump

Bill Crump, interviewed at age 82, recounts his childhood on Mr. Whitman Smith’s plantation in Davidson County, North Carolina. He describes a relatively positive experience with kind masters, ample food, and community gatherings, where his father, a fiddler, played at dances. Crump shares about the absence of physical punishment and how sick slaves received prompt medical attention. He reflects on post-war life, his brief education, and a tragic incident leading to his imprisonment. Overall, his narrative emphasizes community resilience amid the complexities of plantation life.

Biography of Hon. Winfield Scott Pope

Winfield Scott Pope, born on July 20, 1847, in North Carolina, became a prominent attorney and legislator in Jefferson City, Missouri. He was known for his high ethical standards and significant contributions to the legal profession and state governance. Admitted to the bar at 19, he built a successful practice and served in the Missouri legislature. A descendant of notable ministers, Pope’s legacy includes fostering a strong legal system, marked by civic duty and integrity. He passed away at seventy-four, leaving behind a distinguished reputation in Missouri’s legal history.

Keyauwee Indians

The Keyauwee Indians, part of the Siouan linguistic family, were located near the present-day borders of Guilford, Davidson, and Randolph Counties. First documented in 1701 by Lawson, they lived in a palisaded village and sought alliance with neighboring tribes for protection. Their history suggests a migration southward toward Pee Dee and potential integration with the Catawba. With an estimated population of around 500 in 1600, they later became part of a larger group of tribes totaling 750 but do not appear in historical records afterward.

Biography of Charles L. Heitman

Charles L. Heitman, a distinguished lawyer from Rathdrum, Idaho, has significantly influenced his community through his dedication to the law and public service. Born into a prominent North Carolina family, he graduated at the top of his class from Trinity College in 1876 and practiced law for nine years in Lexington before moving to Idaho in 1890. An active Republican, Heitman declined a nomination for district judge to focus on his legal career. He is known for his exceptional oratory skills and has a well-regarded law library. He married Stella Smith in 1894 and has three children.

James G. Ayers

Private James G. Ayers served in the Supply Company of the 317th Field Artillery, 81st Division. He was born in Davidson County to J. M. and Mrs. Ayers and enlisted in Statesville, N.C., on April 1, 1918. After training at Camp Jackson, he deployed to France in June 1918, returning to the United States on October 1, 1918. Sadly, he passed away in Lakewood, New Jersey, on May 9, 1919, and was buried in Ebenezer Cemetery, Lexington.

James Shaw

James Shaw served as a Private in Company F of the 53rd Pioneer Infantry during World War I. Born to E. C. and L. Shaw and married to Nannie Shaw from Davidson County, he entered military service on May 29, 1918. After training at various camps, he was deployed to France, arriving on August 18, 1918. Shaw participated in significant battles, including St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne, before returning to the United States on May 4, 1919, and being mustered out on May 12, 1919.

C. R. Welch

C. R. Welch, a sergeant in Company A of the 30th Division, 120th Regiment, was the son of M. M. and Mrs. M. E. Welch from Davidson County. He enlisted on March 2, 1914, and served in France after sailing on May 24, 1918. Promoted to sergeant in 1916, Welch fought at Ypres and was wounded in both legs at the battle of Vaux-Andigny on October 10, 1918. After recuperating in England, he returned to the U.S. and was mustered out on April 9, 1919.

Fred Welch

Fred Welch served as a 1st Class Private in Co. D, 30th Division, 119th Regiment during World War I. Born in March 1889 in Davidson County to M. M. and Mary E. Welch, he entered the military on August 26, 1918, training at Camp Jackson and Camp Sevier before deploying to France on May 28. He fought in the Ypres Sector and was killed in action during the Hindenburg Drive on September 29, 1918, and was laid to rest in Roscell, France.

Lawrence O. Warser

Sergt. Lawrence O. Warser served in Company A of the 30th Division, 120th Regiment, hailing from Davidson County. He enlisted on April 14, 1916, and was mobilized for federal service on October 2, 1917. After training at various camps, he deployed to France on May 28, 1918, where he participated in intense combat, notably during the Hindenburg Drive. Wounded by shrapnel on September 29, 1918, he spent nine months recovering before returning to the U.S. and being mustered out on December 12, 1919.

Ray Williams

Ray Williams, a musician in Company A of the 30th Division, 120th Regiment, served in World War I after enlisting on May 1, 1916, in Lexington, North Carolina. He was deployed to Camp Sevier and sailed to France on May 12, 1918. During the war, he became a casualty of gas attack at Vaux-Andigny on October 10, 1918, and participated in several offensives, including Ypres-Lys and Somme. He returned to the U.S. on April 11, 1919, and was mustered out a week later.

R. B. Talbert

Sup. Sergt. R. B. Talbert served in Company L of the 30th Division, 120th Regiment. Born to R. L. and M. D. Talbert in Davidson County, he entered military service on June 16, 1916. His training included posts at Camp Glenn and Camp Sevier, with a deployment to the Mexican border. He sailed to France on May 17, 1918, and participated in all engagements with his regiment, returning to the U.S. on April 13, 1919, and mustering out at Camp Jackson on April 17, 1919.

Sam J. Tesh

Sam J. Tesh, a fireman on the U.S.S. Utah, was born in Davidson County to E. and Lula Tesh. He enlisted on December 8, 1917, in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and was stationed in Berkley, Virginia. Tesh sailed for France on August 28, 1918, where he served convoying troop ships at Base Bantry Bay, Ireland. He completed his service and was mustered out in New York City on January 20, 1919.

Clay Teague

Clay Teague served as a Private in the Medical Corps at General Hospital No. 5 in Davidson County. The son of J. C. and Betty Teague, he entered military service on July 6, 1918, in High Point, North Carolina. Initially sent to Camp Greenleaf in Georgia, he was later transferred to Fort Ontario in New York, where he also served in the Medical Motor Corps. Teague was mustered out of service at Fort Ontario on September 5, 1918.

Ray S. Smith

Corporal Ray S. Smith of Company H, 119th Infantry, 30th Division, was born in Davidson County to J. L. Smith and his wife. He enlisted in the military on September 21, 1917, in Lexington, North Carolina, and underwent training at Camp Jackson and Camp Sevier before being deployed to France on May 28, 1918. Smith fought in significant battles, including Ypres, and was gassed at Cambrai Hill. He returned to the U.S. on April 2, 1919, and was discharged a week later.

F. Lee Smith

Private 1st Class Trench Artly, from Davidson County and the son of J. F. Smith, enlisted on July 15, 1918, in Lexington, North Carolina. After initial training at Clemson College, South Carolina, he was transferred to Fort Caswell and Camp Merritt in New Jersey. He sailed for France on November 9, 1918, for further training as a mechanic and was mustered out of service at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, on January 19, 1919.

Lee Smith

Private 1st Class Lee Smith, from Davidson County, was the son of J. W. and Mrs. Lizzie Smith. He entered military service on August 26, 1918, at Lexington, N.C., and was initially stationed at Camp Jackson, S.C., before being transferred to Newport News, Va. He was aboard a ship prepared to deploy when the armistice was signed. Smith was mustered out of service at Camp Jackson on December 14, 1919.

Leslie W. Stone

Leslie W. Stone, born in Davidson County to Mr. and Mrs. M. S. Stone, served in the Medical Department of the 636th Ambulance Company during World War I. He entered the military on March 8, 1918, in Thomasville, N.C., underwent training at Camp Jackson, S.C., and Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., before sailing to France on June 8, 1918. He was stationed on the Marne Front and returned to the United States on April 23, 1919, being mustered out on May 5, 1919, at Camp Lee, Va.

William Fred Saintsing

William Fred Saintsing was born in Davidson County to W. M. Saintsing and his wife. He was married to Annie Saintsing. He enlisted in the military on August 26, 1918, in Lexington, North Carolina, was trained at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, and deployed to France on October 28, 1918. He returned to the United States on May 26, 1919, and was honorably discharged at Camp Lee, Virginia, on May 30, 1919.

Watson Lee Saintsing

Watson Lee Saintsing served as a Private in Battery D of the 318th Field Artillery, 81st Division. Born in Davidson County to W. M. Saintsing and his wife, he enlisted in the military on May 29, 1917, in Lexington, North Carolina. After training at Camp Jackson and Camp Mills, he sailed to France on August 7, 1918. He returned to the United States on February 4, 1919, and was officially discharged on February 29, 1919.

Ralph H. Shytles

Ralph H. Shytles served as a Corporal in Company B of the 106th Infantry, 27th Division. Born in Davidson County to C. H. Shytles and his wife, he was married to Shula Hughes Shytles. Shytles enlisted on August 12, 1918, at Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina, and was later deployed to France on September 18, 1918. He returned to the United States on March 6, 1919, and was mustered out at Camp Lee, Virginia, on April 5, 1919.