The stories in this book are some of the stories that were told a long time ago. Some are about people who have acted bravely in the face of danger and have become heroes. Some are about places in the county that are like no other places in the state. Some are stories that have been invented just for fun. All of the stories have one thing in common — they are unique to Randolph County.
The Kedzies Family Genealogy tells of the migration of the Kedzie family from Scotland to this country, and gives a list of their relatives and descendants. The list of relatives and descendants provides names, dates and places of birth, marriages, occupations and deaths, so far as they could ascertain.
Emma Nora Gatlin, born on February 2, 1889, was the daughter of Frank and May Hanks Rhomer. She received her education at Webber Falls and the Cherokee National Female Seminary. Emma married Samuel Bell Maxey Gatlin, born May 25, 1887, a descendant of James and Matilda Yearby Gatlin. The couple resides in Webbers Falls. Emma’s family lineage includes connections to Calvin Jones Hanks and Emma Walker, adding depth to her familial narrative.
James Cornelius, a 90+ year old former slave from Magnolia, Mississippi, recounts his life experiences, including his enslavement in Franklin, Louisiana, and service during the Civil War. Sold as a child, he recalls working under Marse Murry, who was relatively kind, despite administering punishment when necessary. Cornelius vividly describes his wartime experiences, witnessing death and injury. Post-war, he struggled to find fair wages and worked various jobs, eventually marrying Maggie Ransom and raising seven children. He now receives a Confederate pension and remains an active member of his church.
The Cherokee Indians, primarily from the Southeastern U.S., have a rich history marked by their early adoption of a written language and a government structure similar to that of the United States. Despite their forced relocation to Oklahoma in the 1830s, they maintained significant genealogical ties, often intermarrying with Whites. Emmet Starr’s “History of the Cherokee Indians and Their Legends and Folklore” emphasizes personal biographies and genealogies, providing insights into the lives and connections of many Cherokee families across generations, thereby enriching their cultural narrative.