Betts Family Information Being Sought

The Fuquay-Varina Museums has acquired a copy of a diary of Chaplain Alexander Davis Betts entitled “Experiences of a Confederate Chaplain 1861-1865. Edited by his son, William Archibald Betts, the diary is housed at the University of North Carolina.

Rev. Betts was serving at Smithville (Southport) when Governor Clark enlisted him to serve as chaplain for the 30th North Carolina Regiment on October 25, 1861. Surviving the war, Rev. A. D. Betts, DD was renowned for his service to the Methodist Episcopal Church across North Carolina.

The only member of his family to receive a college education, this fourth son of William “Billie” Betts and Temperance Utley Betts, was thrown from a wild steer and crippled at seventeen years. Educated at the University of North Carolina, he both taught school and preached. Upon his death in 1918, he was buried at Green Hill Cemetery, Greensboro, NC.

William and Temperance Betts bought fifty acres in 1825 along Hector’s Creek in Cumberland County (later Harnett County) where they built a cabin and raised six sons and one daughter. The estate records, prepared by his son, Andrew, list William (1799-1843) and Temperance (1795-1876) and declare their tombstones to be near the chimney of their cabin. The museums are currently seeking to establish the site and find these tombstones. Numerous sites have been explored, but the graves remain illusive.

William’s brother James Betts lived along the Raleigh-Lillington Road and was the grandfather of James Archibald Campbell, founder of Buie’s Creek Academy.

William’s six sons in birth order were: Andrew (1824-1898), Allen ( 1827-1897), Alvin (1828-1910), Anderson ( 1830-1912), Alexander (1832-1919), Archibald (1836-1929). All six boys names began with “A” and each adopted a middle name or initial later in life. Daughter, Sarah Catherine Betts (1840-1859) completed the family. Sara married Henry Stinson.

Andrew Betts served in the North Carolina Troops 31st Infantry and is buried at Apex Methodist Church.

Our J D. Squire Ballentine’s second wife, Cornelia was the daughter of Allen Betts. The Rev. Allen Betts was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh. Cornelia later married William Patrick Campbell, who had earlier served as minister at the Fuquay Springs Baptist Church. They are all buried in Oakwood Cemetery which is where she also buried our “Squire” Ballentine.

Archibald married Emily and raised a family in Duncan area. A descendant, Aaron Betts, has given us the tobacco slide for our barn recently.

A relative, Marie Jordan of Arden, NC has communicated with the museums seeking family information and the gravesites of Temperance and William.

A relative, Don Betts, has supplied the museums with a copy of the Betts Genealogy prepared by Wilbur C. Betts of Raleigh. Descended from William Betts on the Isle of Wright, the first known Betts in Wake County appear to be Joseph & Andrew Betts. From Andrew, came William and James of Harnett County (then Cumberland County).

Betts House

The museums have uncovered an article on the ancestral home in the 1942 Independent. The picture states that Gordon Reuschling, Jr., a fifth generation descendant, stands on the porch. SO WE ARE STILL LOOKING FOR THE SITE of the house and the graves of William and Temperance. Has anyone seen these two tombstones somewhere along Hector’s Creek?

The Norfolk Southern Caboose #375: Two Different Views

We have the caboose as it looked upon arrival in Ashworth Park on the day of the solar eclipse in August of 2017.

Then there is the caboose under interior construction in October with her new smokestack.

And the caboose sporting her NEW doors of red in December just after the Christmas Parade.

BUT how pretty she looks in the snow, thanks to some kind friends who braved the snow to showcase her wrapped in white.

Keep waiting, our workers are going to get back on the task. We are hoping for a SPECIAL DEDICATION day this spring!

Good Looking Gentlemen but Who Are You?

The Fuquay-Varina Museums is qualified as an archive because of its large photographic collection, its collection of annuals, the Independent resources and bound volumes, and a good start on family genealogy. Additional archival materials relate to the Durham & Southern Railroad, historic houses in Fuquay-Varina, the Lion’s Club, the FV Woman’s Club, and many others. We are very HOPEFUL that we can expand the museums and really set up an archival room for research patrons.

Most of our photographic collection has been identified and digitized. BUT sometimes we receive a mystery photo such as these young men pose.

Continue reading “Good Looking Gentlemen but Who Are You?”

A Museum Mystery

From time to time the Fuquay-Varina Museums receive information or materials which raise questions some of which can be settled by research. Others are solved through contacts who can shed light on the subject. Then we receive those for which we have no idea or source in our sights.

The matter of the J. F. Miller collection is just such a “mystery.” For solution, we are hoping that publicity might bring some clarification. Maybe someone will have a small piece of information which can direct our search.

Continue reading “A Museum Mystery”

Preserving Our Warehouse History

The Fuquay-Varina Museums plan to honor the History of Warehouses in our area by preserving some of the bricks salvaged from the Varina Brick Warehouse in our Ashworth Park. With the Tobacco Barn as a primary historic building, the museums have honored the myriad of small farmers on one side through the “Ghost Farmer” sculpture and now plan to honor the warehouse history on the other side of the barn.

Continue reading “Preserving Our Warehouse History”