Orange County NC

Biography of William M’Kerrall

This well-known subject was born in Orange county, N. C., June 17,1824. At sixteen he received the appointment to West Point Military Academy, and entered same class with Gen. Hancock. He was compelled to leave school, however, on account of ill health, and returned to North Carolina. There he entered Caldwell Institute, John Wilson, D.D., president, and took a regular collegiate course. At the outbreak of the Mexican war, young McKerall volunteered and was elected first lieutenant of Co. E of the North Carolina regiment, which company he served with during the war, latterly as acting captain. On one occasion, … Read more

Eno Indians

The Eno tribe, likely of Siouan linguistic stock, was historically situated along the Eno River in present-day Orange and Durham Counties, North Carolina. Their exact origins remain unclear, with some doubts raised about their classification due to unique characteristics. Closely associated with the Shakori tribe, the Eno shared a village named Adshusheer, located near modern-day Hillsboro. First mentioned in 1645, they were noted for resisting Spanish advances and later appeared in colonial records as part of a confederation with other tribes like the Saponi and Occaneechi. By 1714, they began migrating toward Virginia, eventually settling in South Carolina, where they likely merged with the Catawba. The tribe’s name endures in several geographic features, including the Eno River and Enoree River, reflecting their historical presence in the region.

H. O. Bivins

Corp., Air Service Mechanic. Co. 16th, 2nd Reg., Air Service; of Orange County; son of J. A. and Mrs. S. E. Bivins. Husband of Mrs. Alda Bivins. Entered service July 25, 1917, at Durham, N.C. Sent to Camp Sevier, S. C. Transferred to Camp Hancock, Ga., then to Camp Merritt, N. J. Sailed for France March 4, 1918. Fought at Champagne Sector. Returned to USA June 19, 1919, at Hoboken, N. J. Mustered out at Camp Lee, Va., Aug. 10, 1919.

Slave Narrative of “Aunt” Nina Scott

Interviewer: F. S. DuPre Person Interviewed: Nina Scott Date of Interview: May 17, 1937 Location: Spartanburg, South Carolina “Aunt” Nina Scot sat on her front porch. She was drinking some liquid from a bottle which she said would help her trouble. Being short of breath, she was not able to talk very much. She said that she was very small at the time she was set free. “My Marster and his folks did not treat me like a nigger,” she said, “they treated me like they did other white folks.” She said that she and her mother had belonged to … Read more

Alex W. Clark

Private 1st class, Inf., Co. M, 30th Div., 120th Reg.; of Orange County; born Aug. 3, 1897; son of J. A. and Venie Clark. Entered service July 14, 1916, at Carrboro, N.C. Sent to Camp Glenn, N.C. Transferred to Camp Sevier, S. C. Sailed for France. Landed June 5, 1918. Fought at Bellicourt. Killed at Bellicourt Sept. 29, 1918. On Mexican border from Oct. 1, 1916, until March 25, 1917.

Duffy Carr

Private, 120th Inf., Co. I, 30th Div. Born in Orange County; son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Carr. Entered the service at Hillsboro, N.C., July 25, 1917. Was sent to Camp Sevier, S. C., and from there to Camp Merritt. Sailed for France May 17, 1918. Was in all battles with the 120th. Returned to USA April 13, 1919. Mustered out at Camp Jackson April 18, 1919.

Coleman W. Allison

Sergt., 120th Infantry, Co. H, 30th Div. Born in Orange County; the son of Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Allison. Entered the service at Warrenton, N.C., July 25, 1917. Was sent to Camp Sevier, S. C., and from there to Camp Merritt, N. J. Sailed for France May 12, 1918. Fought at Ypres, Voormizelle, Bellicourt, Nauroy, Brancourt, Busigny, Mont-Brehain, St. Souplet. Returned to USA April 13, 1919. Landed at Charleston, S. C. Was mustered out at Camp Jackson, S. C., April 18, 1919.

S. M. Gattis, Jr.

1st Lt., F. Artly., Batry. C, B’tln Staff, 30th Div., 113th F. A. Regt.; of Orange County; son of S. M. and Mrs. Margaret Gattis. Entered service May, 1917, at Hillsboro, N.C. Sent to Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga. Transferred to Camp Sevier, S. C. Sailed for France May 8, 1918. Promoted to rank of 1st Lt. July 21, 1917. Fought at St. Mihiel and Argonne, Woevre Sector. Served with 3rd Army of Occupation in Germany. Returned to USA Aug. 1919. Mustered out at Camp Dix, N. J., Aug. 12, 1919.

Biograhy of Dennis Heartt

If history consists of the lives of great men, whose names are “wrought into the verbs of language, their works and effigies in our houses,” North Carolina should contribute many pages to the epitome of civilization; for her institutions, public and private, have been established by men of superior abilities, who have spared neither time nor resources in the founding of a great State. In journalism, as in economic and political growth, the pioneer work has been done by men of strong personal character, who possessed the art of citizenship as well as the talents requisite for their chosen work. … Read more

James W. Neville

Wagoner, Supply Tr., Supply Co., 2nd Div., 12th Regt., F. A.; of Orange County; son of C. A. and Mrs. Sarah Neville. Husband of Mrs. Bessie Brown Neville. Entered service April 2, 1917, at Raleigh, N.C. Sent to Ft. Thomas, Ky. Transferred to Boston, Mass., then to Ft. Myers, Va. Sailed for France Feb. 16, 1918. Fought at Chateau Thierry, Soissons, St. Mihiel, Mt. Blanc Ridge, Argonne Forest. Landed in USA Aug. 6, 1919, New York. Mustered out at Camp Lee, Va., Aug. 13, 1919.

J. L. Roberts

Sergt., Heavy Artly., Btry. E, 81st Div., 316th Regt.; of Orange County; son of W. R. and Mrs. Mary Roberts. Entered service Sept. 19, 1917, at Hillsboro, N.C. Sent to Camp Jackson, S. C. Transferred to Camp Mills, N. Y. Sailed for France Aug. 4, 1918. Returned to USA June 8, 1919, Newport News, Va. Mustered out at Camp Lee, Va., June 20, 1919.

Herbert G. Riley

Blacksmith 1st Class, Naval A. S.; of Orange County; son of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Riley. Husband of Mrs. Mary Riley. Entered service Dec. 10, 1917, at Hillsboro. Sent to Bay Shore, L. I. Sailed for France Feb. 5, 1918, on French ship “La Touraine.” Was in France and Italy in Naval Air Service. Returned to USA Dec. 16, 1918. Mustered out at Hampton Roads, Va., July 30, 1919.

Claude C. Woods

Private 1st Class, Inf., Co. I, 107th Regt., 27th Div.; of Orange County; son of W. D. and Mrs. Nettie Woods. Entered service Aug. 5, 1918, at Hillsboro, N.C. Sent to Camp Wadsworth, transferred to Camp Stuart, Va. Sailed for France Sept. 15, 1918. Returned to USA March 9, 1919. Mustered out at Camp Jackson April 3, 1919.

Sam Adams

1st Class Private, F. A., 1st Div., 5th Field Artillery. Born in Orange County; the son of Mr. and Mrs. S. A. Adams. Entered the service May 25, 1918, at Hillsboro, N. C. Was sent to Camp Jackson, S. C. Sailed for France in August, 1918. Fought at St. Mihiel, Meuse, Argonne, Sedan. Returned to U. S. A. Sept. 5, 1919; landed at Hoboken, N. J. Mustered out at Camp Lee, Va., Sept. 24, 1920. Was with Army of Occupation eight months.

Claude M. Tolar

1st Lt., Adjt. Gen. Staff. Born in Orange County; the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Tolar. Entered the service at Hillsboro, N.C., May 17, 1917. Was sent to Ft. Logan H. Roots, Ark., and from there to Camp Pike, Ark. Commissioned as 2nd Lt. Aug. 15, 1917, and promoted to rank of 1st Lt. Sept. 12, 1918. Mustered out at Camp Pike, Ark., July 29, 1919.

Slave Narrative of John Coggin

Interviewer: Mary A. Hicks Person Interviewed: John Coggin Location: Method, North Carolina Date of Birth: March 1, 1852 Location of Birth: Orange County NC Ex-Slave Story. An interview with John Coggin 85, of Method, N. C. When the interviewer first visited Uncle John he was busy cutting hay for a white family nearby, swinging the scythe with the vigor of a young man. In late afternoon he was found sitting on the doorsteps of his granddaughter’s house after a supper which certainly had onions on the menu and was followed by something stronger than water. “I was borned on March … Read more

Biographical Sketch of Anderson Cates

Anderson Cates (deceased) was born November 9, 1810, in Orange County, N. C. While young he had few opportunities for educating himself and when only ten years old he left his mother and went to Louisiana. After remaining there some years he lived alternately in Mississippi and Tennessee until 1836, when he came to what is now Lake County. In 1850 he married Susan Box, who was born November 19, 1827, in Decatur County, Tennessee, and they had six sons and three daughters; six of the children are now living. Mrs. Cates was a Methodist. Mr. Cates was a farmer, … Read more

Biography of Hon. Henry Montague Willis

Hon. Henry Montague Willis, San Bernardino, was born in Baltimore, Maryland, September 21. 1831. His ancestors were among the first English settlers of the colony of Virginia and Maryland prior to the Revolution. His father, Mr. Henry H. Willis, was a captain in the merchant marine, with whom the subject of this memoir made a number of voyages before he was twelve years of age, alternating between school and the sea. At the age of twelve he adopted a seafaring life, and during six years’ sailing the briny deep he visited the ports of the Mediterranean, England, France, Ireland, Rio … Read more

Slave Narrative of Mary Anngady

Interviewer: T. Pat Matthews Person Interviewed: Mary Anngady Location: 1110 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina Age: 80 (Princess Quango Hennadonah Perceriah) 1110 Oakwood Avenue, Raleigh, North Carolina. I was eighteen years old in 1875 but I wanted to get married so I gave my age as nineteen. I wish I could recall some of the ole days when I was with my missus in Orange County, playing with my brothers and other slave children. I was owned by Mr. Franklin Davis and my madam was Mrs. Bettie Davis. I and my brother used to scratch her feet and rub them … Read more

Joe A. Terrell

1st Class Private, 11th Cavalry. Born in Orange County; the son of Mr. and Mrs. G. W. Terrell. Husband of Mrs. Mary Mae Terrell. Entered the service Dec. 5, 1912, at Columbus, Ohio. Was sent to Ft. Oglethorpe, Ga., and from there to Camp Stuart, Va. Served as Troop Instructor. Mustered out at Camp Stuart, Va., Dec. 18, 1918. Served in Colorado during the 1914 coal strike.