Vance County NC

Slave Narrative of Reverend Squire Dowd

Reverend Squire Dowd, born April 3, 1855, reflects on his life as a slave under General W. D. Dowd in Moore County, North Carolina. He portrays slavery as a complex experience, noting that while physical abuse was uncommon, the institution itself was harsh. Dowd emphasizes a sense of community among slaves, detailing prayer meetings, social gatherings, and limited economic activities. He describes his post-war realization of freedom as gradual and complicated by societal changes, including the impact of the Freedmen’s Bureau and tensions with white communities.

Shakori Indians

The Shakori Tribe, possibly linked to the term Sugari meaning “stingy,” belonged to the Siouan linguistic family, closely related to the Sissipahaw. Their historical presence is tied to Shocco and Big Shocco Creeks in present-day North Carolina. They may have named the province of Chicora, documented by Spanish explorers in the early 16th century. The Shakori’s fortunes were intertwined with the Eno tribe, and their legacy is reflected in local geographical names, with Mooney estimating their population at 1,500 in 1600.

William E. Woodlief

William E. Woodlief served as a Private 1st Class in Company B of the 30th Division, 119th Regiment. Hailing from Vance County, he enlisted on September 21, 1917, and underwent training at various camps in South Carolina before being deployed to France. He participated in key battles, including at Ypres and Meuse-Argonne, where he was gassed. Following his recovery at a British hospital, he was mustered out on April 1, 1919, at Camp Jackson, South Carolina.

Bennett Hester Perry

Bennett Hester Perry served as a Captain in the Motor Transport Corps during World War I. A resident of Vance County, he was born to Redding and Fannie C. Perry. He enlisted on May 15, 1917, and underwent training at various locations before being deployed to France in January 1918. He achieved the ranks of 2nd Lieutenant in June, 1st Lieutenant in October, and Captain by January 1919, before being mustered out at Camp Mills on January 24, 1919.

Henry S. Moss

Henry S. Moss, born in Vance County to B. H. and Katie Moss, served as a Private in the 3rd Casualty, 41st Division. He entered military service on August 27, 1918, in Henderson, North Carolina, and was initially stationed at Camp Jackson, South Carolina. He was later transferred to Newport News, Virginia, before being deployed to France on November 9, 1918. After the war, he was mustered out at Camp Lee, Virginia, on May 26, 1919.

Frank E. Marston

Private 1st Class Frank E. Marston served in the Medical Corps of the 30th Division, 120th Regiment, hailing from Vance County. He enlisted on July 25, 1917, in Henderson, North Carolina, underwent training at Camp Sevier, South Carolina, and was transferred to New York. He sailed to France on May 28, 1918, participating in all battles involving his division. He was mustered out at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, on April 15, 1919.

John Lee Wester

Sergt. John Lee Wester, born in Vance County to W. H. and Lena W. Wester, began his military service on September 6, 1918, in Henderson, North Carolina. He was subsequently stationed at Camp Jackson, where he served until his discharge on March 7, 1919.

L. A. Jackson

Sergt. L. A. Jackson served in Company C of the 120th Regiment, 30th Division, hailing from Vance County. The son of Mr. and Mrs. J. L. Jackson and husband to Zelma Jackson, he entered military service in April 1916. After training in various camps, he sailed for France in May 1918 and fought in the Meuse-Argonne offensive. Wounded by shrapnel at Bellicourt on September 29, he was treated at a British hospital and was mustered out in April 1919.

David Britt Grissom

David Britt Grissom, a Private in the 324th Regiment of the 81st Division, was born to R. G. and Mary Grissom in Vance County. He entered military service on May 25, 1918, training at various camps in South Carolina and New York before deploying to France in August. Grissom participated in key battles, including Meuse-Argonne and Vosges, before returning home and being mustered out on January 25, 1919, at Camp Jackson, South Carolina.

Edward C. Harris

2nd Lt. Edward C. Harris, a member of the M. G. Co., 81st Division, was born in Vance County to Edward W. and Meta Earl Harris. He entered military service in April 1917 and sailed for France in August 1918. Harris was wounded on Armistice Day, November 11, 1918, and died the following day. Renowned for his bravery, he positioned his machine gun under intense fire and urged his men to fight on. He was posthumously awarded the Croix de Guerre with Palm and Distinguished Service Cross for his valor.

Talton E. Harris

Sergt. Artly Harris, born in Vance County to E.W. Harris and his wife, entered military service on July 25, 1917, in Raleigh, N.C. He trained at Camp Sevier, South Carolina, before deploying to France in May 1918. Harris was promoted to Corporal in July 1917 and to Sergeant by September 1918. He participated in significant battles including the Toul Sector, St. Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, and Woevre, ultimately mustering out at Camp Jackson in March 1919.

Claude C. Evans

Claude C. Evans served as a 1st Sergeant in Company C of the 120th Regiment, part of the 30th Division, during World War I. A resident of Vance County and married to C. C. Evans, he enlisted on May 7, 1915, and trained at various camps before deploying to France on May 12, 1918. He saw action in all engagements until he was slightly wounded by shrapnel on October 18, 1918. After recovery, he was mustered out on April 18, 1919, at Camp Jackson, S.C.

William B. Daniel

Sergt. William B. Daniel, of Vance County, served in Company C of the 324th Regiment, 81st Division during World War I. He entered the military on May 25, 1918, and was trained at several camps before sailing for France on August 12. Daniel was promoted to Corporal in September 1918 and to Sergeant in April 1919. He fought bravely in the Meuse-Argonne offensive and received commendation for his bravery. He was mustered out on June 25, 1919.

James Crawford Cooper

James Crawford Cooper, a 2nd Lieutenant in the Marines, served in the 74th Company, 2nd Division, 6th Regiment. Born in Vance County to C. J. and M. A. F. Cooper, he was married to Lucy Parham Cooper. He enlisted on April 11, 1917, and was deployed to France, participating in battles at Verdun and Chateau Thierry. Cooper was ultimately gassed during combat and served as an instructor before being mustered out on January 13, 1919, at Camp Jackson, S.C.

Joel T. Cheatham

Seaman 2nd Class Joel T. Cheatham, of the U.S. Navy, was born in Vance County to W. T. Cheatham and his wife. He was married to Belle Davis Cheatham. Cheatham entered military service on June 11, 1918, in Norfolk, Virginia, and was subsequently assigned to the U.S.S. Pamlico before being transferred to the Naval Operating Base at Hampton Roads, Virginia.

J.C. Briggs

Cook, Inf., Co. C, 30th Division, 120th Infantry, hailing from Vance County, was the son of W. S. and Mrs. S. J. Briggs. He entered military service on July 25, 1917, at Henderson, North Carolina, was trained at Camp Sevier, South Carolina, and later transferred to Boston, Massachusetts. Cook sailed for France on May 12, 1918, and participated in key battles including Ypres and the Hindenburg Line. He returned to the United States on April 14, 1919, and was mustered out on April 17, 1919, at Camp Jackson, South Carolina.

William Johnie Beckham

William Johnie Beckham served as a Private 1st Class in Company C, 81st Division, Field Signal Battalion during World War I. Born to J. O. and Ada Beckham in Vance County, he entered the military on May 25, 1918, at Camp Sevier, South Carolina. After training at Camp Mills, New York, he departed for France on August 22, 1918, where he participated in significant battles including Meuse-Argonne and St. Mihiel. Beckham was mustered out on July 2, 1919, at Camp Jackson, South Carolina.

T. DeWitt Beckham

2nd Lt. T. DeWitt Beckham served in the Machine Gun Company of the 120th Infantry Regiment as part of the 29th and 30th Divisions during World War I. A resident of Vance County, he entered service on July 25, 1917, and was deployed to France on June 5, 1918. He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on September 29, 1918, and was wounded at the Meuse-Argonne offensive on October 23. Beckham was mustered out on April 15, 1919, after recovery.

Robert O. Biggs

Corporal Robert O. Biggs served in Battery B of the 3rd Regiment Field Artillery from Vance County. Born to Mr. J.H. and Mrs. N.E. Biggs, he was married to Mrs. Della Biggs. He entered military service on March 29, 1918, in Henderson, North Carolina, and was stationed at Camp Jackson, where he was mustered out on December 31, 1918.

Harold W. Anderson

Harold W. Anderson served as a 1st Class Private in Field Hospital No. 312 of the 78th Division, 303rd Sanitary Train. A resident of Vance County and son of N. and Mrs. Hulda Anderson, he entered military service on May 1, 1918, at Camp Dix, New Jersey. He sailed for France on June 9, 1918, and participated in key battles including St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. He was mustered out at Camp Meade, Maryland, on June 3, 1919.