Union County NC

Slave Narrative of Mandy Coverson

Mandy Coverson, 78, recounts her life as an ex-slave from Union County, North Carolina, during an interview with Mary A. Hicks. Born to Sarah and Henderson Tomberlin, she lived under the care of Marster Moses Coverson, though her mother endured harsh labor. Mandy’s early memories include playing while her mother worked and the family’s preparations for the arrival of Union soldiers. After marrying Daniel Coverson, also a former slave, they faced challenges but take pride in their freedom.

Waxhaw Indians

The Waxhaw tribe, also known as Flatheads due to their head deformation practices, had cultural ties to the Catawba and were likely part of the Siouan linguistic group. Historically located in South Carolina and North Carolina, they were first noted in the 1560s and suffered significant losses post-Yamasee War. While their language remains unrecorded, they are acknowledged in early literature, and their legacy continues in place names within the region. Their population is included within that of the Catawba, estimated at 5,000 in the late 1920s.

R. E. Lee

Seaman 2nd Class, from Union County, served in the U.S. Navy during World War I. The son of W. S. and Ella Lee, he enlisted on June 14, 1918, in Monroe, North Carolina, and was assigned to the Naval Base at Hampton Roads, Virginia. He achieved the rank of Seaman 2nd Class upon enlistment and was discharged from service on December 1, 1918, at Camp Hampton Roads, Virginia.

Jason I. Stroud

1st Class Private Jason I. Stroud served in the 324th Regiment, 81st Division, Headquarters Company during World War I. Born in Union County to R. C. Stroud and his wife, he enlisted on May 25, 1918, in Wilson, North Carolina. After training at Camp Jackson and Camp Mills, he sailed to France on August 5, 1918, and participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. Stroud returned to the United States on June 17, 1919, and was mustered out at Camp Jackson on June 25.

Frank Townley Redfearn

2nd Lieutenant Frank Townley Redfearn served in Company F of the 3rd Pioneer Regiment during World War I. Hailing from Union County, he entered military service on August 27, 1917. After training at various posts, including Ft. Oglethorpe and Camp Wadsworth, he sailed for France on August 30, 1918. Redfearn participated in the Meuse-Argonne offensive and returned to the United States on July 24, 1919, being mustered out at Camp Lee, Virginia, on August 15, 1919.

James M. Morrow, Jr.

Sergt. 1st Class F. A. C. O. T. S. served in the 41st Battery and was born in Union County. He enlisted on August 4, 1917, and trained at various military installations, including Ft. Thomas, Kentucky, and Kelly and Sam Houston Fields in Texas. Promoted to Sergt. on December 24, 1917, and then to Sergt., 1st Class by March 15, 1918, he worked in the Air Service Department. He was mustered out on November 30, 1918, at Camp Taylor, Kentucky.

Henry C. Newsome

Henry C. Newsome served as a Private in the Medical Corps of the 81st Division, 306th Regiment, and was born in Union County to A. M. and Sally Newsome. He married Jennie W. Newsome and enlisted on April 25, 1918, at Marshville, North Carolina. After training at Camp Jackson and Camp Mills, he deployed to France on August 8, 1918, and participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. He returned to the United States in June 1919 and was mustered out at Camp Jackson.

Frank H. McCollum

Frank H. McCollum, born in Union County to J.H. McCollum and his wife, served as a Private in Battery F of the 9th Field Artillery. He enlisted on August 27, 1918, in Monroe, North Carolina, and subsequently trained at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, before being transferred to Camp Hill, Virginia. He was mustered out of service at Camp Jackson on December 7, 1918.

Daniel S. McCollum

Private Daniel S. McCollum, of Company D, 30th Division, 113th Machine Gun Regiment, was born in Union County to J.H. McCollum and his wife. He enlisted in Monroe, North Carolina, on September 8, 1917, and trained at Camp Jackson and Camp Sevier before being transferred to Camp Merritt. McCollum sailed for France on May 8, 1918, and participated in all battles with his unit. He returned to the United States on March 24, 1919, and was mustered out at Camp Jackson on April 2, 1919.

Louie F. Hart

Louie F. Hart served as a private in Company C of the 56th Regiment during World War I. A resident of Union County and the son of S. B. and Hattie Hart, he entered service on August 8, 1918, at Monroe, North Carolina. After training at Camp Wadsworth, he was transferred to Camp Merritt and sailed for France on September 4, 1918. He participated in the Meuse-Argonne offensive and served with the Army of Occupation until May 1919. He returned to the United States on June 25, 1919, and was mustered out on July 5, 1919, at Camp Lee, Virginia.

Jason H. Helms

Jason H. Helms, born in Union County to T. L. A. Helms and his wife, served as a musician in the Navy during World War I. He enlisted on June 27, 1917, in Monroe, North Carolina, and was first assigned to Norfolk, Virginia, before transferring to the U.S.S. Minnesota and later the U.S.S. Utah. Helms participated in convoy and patrol duties off the Irish coast and was mustered out at Norfolk on August 12, 1919.

Joseph A. Helms

Joseph A. Helms was born in Union County and was the son of T. L. A. Helms. He entered the Navy on June 1, 1917, in Monroe and received training in Brooklyn and Norfolk, Virginia. He attended Engineering School in New York, where he was promoted to Ensign in July 1919 and was mustered out in New York in August of the same year.

Bryson Blake Belk

Sergt. Bryson Blake Belk, from Union County and son of S. E. and Mary Belk, enlisted in the Air Service on August 2, 1917. Following training at various locations, he sailed for France on December 25, 1918, serving with the 80th Squadron for 15 months. He was promoted to Corporal on August 24, 1917, and later to Sergeant before being mustered out at Camp Jackson, S.C., on April 8, 1919.

Waxhaw Tribe

The Waxhaw Indians were a small Siouan tribe residing in 17th-century Lancaster County, South Carolina, and Union and Mecklenburg Counties, North Carolina. Related to the Catawba, they practiced head flattening and were noted for their tall stature. The tribe’s villages were situated about ten miles apart, with a central council house larger than typical dwellings. By 1715, following the Yamasee War, their numbers likely diminished, leading to their eventual incorporation into the Catawba Tribe.

The Waxhaw and Sugeree Indians

The Waxhaw and Sugeree tribes, located near Waxhaw and Sugeree creeks in present-day South Carolina and North Carolina, were small groups eventually integrated into the Catawba. Early accounts by explorers like Lederer and Lawson highlight their customs, notably head flattening, and their societal structure, which included large council houses for ceremonies. By the early 18th century, both tribes faced challenges from neighboring groups and warfare, leading to their decline and incorporation into the Catawba tribe.