The Search For Ney Continues…

An update to the investigation into whether a man who died in Davie county might be one of Napoleon’s commanders. Previously I had written about the exhumation of the mysterious teacher by a documentary crew from France who hoped to confirm or refute the old local tale. Well, the results are in. Sort of. WritingContinue reading “The Search For Ney Continues…”

Moss Chapel

It might not look like much today, but the history of this little Iredell county church goes back over 200 years. It is also unfortunately somewhat murky. As best I can discover, the earliest use of this land tied to what it would become was in the late 1790’s when Methodist evangelists began a seriesContinue reading “Moss Chapel”

The Johnson and Patterson Cemetery Rediscovered

Over the years, I’ve developed a knack for looking at a property and realizing that there’s more to it than might be readily evident to your average rubbernecker.Recently, on a trip down some back roads in Yadkin county a chance glance at a piece of land turned up something amazing. I knew from the wayContinue reading “The Johnson and Patterson Cemetery Rediscovered”

St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church

I haven’t been able to find a full history, but one can assume like many local churches St Matthew’s started as a revival or brush arbor meeting.By 1839, forty three people in total are requesting from the North Carolina Lutheran Synod someone “to break unto them the bread of eternal truth, to baptize their children,Continue reading “St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church”

Turner’s Grove AME Zion Church

It’s been difficult finding much information about this little church in print. In fact the only reason I know when it was built is the cornerstone has an inscription with the date September, 1907. It may have also served a dual role as a colored school in the 1920’s/1930’s.The land was originally granted to DavidContinue reading “Turner’s Grove AME Zion Church”

Photo of The Day: Set In Stone

To err is human, to forgive divine, but I would have had trouble with this one. I came across Charlie Tulbert’s marker today recording some stones for Find A Grave. I can only imagine the family gathering to mourn the passing of a loved one and realizing that the mason botched his name. I don’tContinue reading “Photo of The Day: Set In Stone”

Photo of the Day +

Today’s photo of the day is really several. On a quick trip through the county I made a stop at Hunting Creek Friend’s Meeting in Hamptonville, a small church that I’ve found some old pictures of researching another story.It’s a fascinating little church with an interesting style to it’s steeple that I haven’t seen inContinue reading “Photo of the Day +”

Where Are The Houstonville Moravian Graves?

When exploring the history of the Houstonville Moravian Church, it quickly became evident there was an unresolved mystery concerning it’s graveyard.To simplify the content of the full post on that church into relevant data, here is the history of the graveyard I have been able to discover. The first recorded death in the church isContinue reading “Where Are The Houstonville Moravian Graves?”

Houstonville Moravian Church

Houstonville, North Carolina is a little community on the north end of Iredell county. It hasn’t always been as small as it is now- today it’s most notable feature is a crossroads where a few buildings still sit on NC highway 21, but it’s history is much larger than what that modest little crossroads canContinue reading “Houstonville Moravian Church”

Researchers exhuming the body of “Marshal Ney” in hopes of DNA testing.

The old stories are all new again. Despite all the past efforts and the various learned men and women opining on the matter, it looks like there might finally be conclusive proof as to whether the man who immigrated to America and died in Mocksville was actually one of Napoleon’s most trusted men.Today, French researchersContinue reading “Researchers exhuming the body of “Marshal Ney” in hopes of DNA testing.”