Genealogy - November, 1984

Issue: November, 1984

[Dear Editor,]

Both my parents were from the Ferrum, Virginia area. (Charles Fleming Janney and Nora Rakes Janney). My grandfathers - Maternal, Lewis Marshall Rakes, born 1849 and Paternal, James A. Janney, born 1854, owned farms on or just off state road 623 near Ferrum.

The James A. Janney farm was behind the ole Republican Primitive Baptist Church established Aug. 2, 1877, and still active today.

Each farm has a family cemetery and at present I am trying to contact relatives interested in preserving the Janney Family Cemetery.

My Maternal and Paternal grandmothers were Abigail Smith Rakes and Fannie (Frances) Hale Janney. I am interested in anyone having information about the above families.

Thank you,

Ray M. Janney
2824 S. Fairview Dr.
Burlington, N.C. 27215

[Dear Editor,]

I have a cousin who is 85 years old and knows quite a bit about families around the Ferrum area, if anyone would care to contact her:

Mrs. Laura Rakes Young
Rt. 1, Box 98
Henry, Va. 24102

Dear Editor,

I have had such nice letters in response to my query in The Mountain Laurel, not only nice but very helpful in my research. Also, I want to thank you for printing the article written by my aunt, Arlene Yeatts Banks. It was a pleasant "shock" to see her name.

Query: Seeking information on Joseph "Davis" Marshall, (1791- 1859) M. Katherine Samuel (1794- 1864) and Joel C. Bowman, (1832- 1902) M. Annie E. Marshall. Need further info on the parents of Columbus Penn Vaughan(1844-1927), Wilson and Susie Vaughan probably of Floyd Co.?? Love to exchange info with anyone having further data on these and related lines.

Sincerely,

Carolyn Banks Coyle
1220 S. Carpenter Rd.
Titusville, FL 32796

[Dear Editor,]

I'm looking for any information anyone can give me on Bill Patton (spelled Patten in the early years). He came with several brothers from Ireland in the late 1700's or early 1800's and lived in "Pittsvania" or Pennsylvania County at one time. He married Lucinda Watkins. Her family was a well known, large land owner from Henry County. I think her father's name was Daniel. They lived in or near Lawsonville or the Walnut Cove area of N.C. at one time. She had a brother named "Pete" who had only one arm. She was disowned from the family for marrying this red-haired Irishman. He was sometimes called "fighting Bill Patten" because in those days, a sport of friendly fighting was popular.

I would appreciate any information from anyone who has ever heard of these people, my great-grandparents.

Thank you,

Bess Patton Brinkley
Holly Spring Rd.
Rt. 1, Box 752
Mount Airy, N.C. 27030