The Road to Peppers Creek

The Road to Peppers Creek

Ruth Lawrence, state supervisor of Negro Elementary Schools, reported, after a visit to Mitchell County in 1950, that she observed 7 boys and girls “learning their lessons” in a church at the foot of an unidentified mountain. She reported that this was the only black...
Patrolman Charles L. Radcliffe

Patrolman Charles L. Radcliffe

Charles Lewis Radcliffe was born 10/30/1926 in Roanoke Rapids, Halifax County, NC.  His parents were Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Radcliffe; his father worked as an electrician at Rosemary Manufacturing Company.  Charles had a brother and 2 sisters. When Charles was 7 years...
Miss Dorothy and her Books

Miss Dorothy and her Books

Dorothy Lee Anderson was born in Bakersville on November 15, 1929. She was the youngest daughter of Lee and Dora Masters Greene. She grew up in Bakersville and was a graduate of Bowman High School. In 1950 she married Milton A. Anderson Jr. According to an Asheville...
Mary Whitson Byrd, “Mountain Gal”

Mary Whitson Byrd, “Mountain Gal”

Mary Elizabeth Whitson Byrd was born 11-27-1882 in Tipton Hill, and except for 2 years, she lived in that Mitchell County community her entire life.  She was the daughter of David Clingman Whitson (1858-1948) and Nancy Levisa Tipton (1856-1941).   Other children born...
POLLY WRIGHT STEWART SAW FIVE GENERATIONS

POLLY WRIGHT STEWART SAW FIVE GENERATIONS

Mary Wright was born about 1836 according to her death certificate, but most census records show her as being a few years younger, born perhaps about 1839.  Her parents, Solomon and Hannah Hughes Wright, were living in the Red Hill community of what was then Yancey...