Figure 12 1996: Ruth Davis, Sara Walthall, Walter Davis

Figure 13: Descendants of Ruth Barwick

Figure 14: Descendants Of Mary Ethel BARWICK-4 (1894-1966) Figure 15: Descendants Of Samuel Coward BARWICK-5 (1896-1975) Figure 16: Descendants Of Rachel BARWICK-7 (1900-1989)

Figure 17: Descendants Of Susan Winifred Winnie BARWICK-8 (19021979)

Figure 18: Descendants Of John DAVIS (c. 1909-1995)

Figure 19: "Mama's House"

INTRODUCTION AND FOREWORD

This is the first reunion as such of the descendants of John Henry and Sarah May Barwick. For some this reunion will be a trek back into the past to revisit a time when life was both happy and sad, simple but also complex, slow moving while yet an era so fast in transition that it only seems like yesterday that Mama and Granddaddy were celebrating their Golden wedding anniversary (around 1941). Some can still see Mama sitting on the “veranda” in the corner where there was always a breeze blowing and it was never too hot; where in her gentle way she would redirect the mischievous ways of her children and

grandchildren without a harsh word; where she would fret over Mr. John's ways and shortcomings without his ever knowing it; and where she would silently grieve his death that preceded her's by fifteen years - which at times seemed like an eternity to her in her longing to be with him in his final resting place. Others, have come to the reunion to remember the times of special joy when all the family came together to celebrate Christmas,

birthdays, anniversaries, and even final farewells. Many still remember their Golden Wedding Anniversary where Miss May and John were at the pinnacle of their life. That picture of Joe Debnam and Becky Keel in the swing on the front porch has always stuck in many of our memories; the times when John Moore took charge and installed running water and moved the out house inside something for which we would all be eternally thankful. There were too many happy times to count, and there were also an ample number of sad times. We can still remember Mama tell about her sister Cassie that died in the front room of this old house after having her arm cut off in the cotton gin that was out front - how grandpa Coward came running in the house with the child in his arms and blood all over his white shirt and how she died from lack of medical attention. Mama was ten at the time (1879); can you imagine the impression this must have left in her heart.

Then there was the trying time when Mr. John had a paralyzing stroke while he was in his early fifties, just after he and Sam had formed a partnership to revive the Coward Farm from bankruptcy. I'm sure this was a test of Mama's faith to see her husband struck down in his prime. Of course, we all know that his determination and the use of home remedies for several years resulted in his great recovery. His residual paralysis was only a minor hindrance to him till his death in 1948. For those of us that can remember, we have an obligation to pass the legacy on to our posterity in our own ways.

One reason many have come today is to see where it all started and to meet strangers that we have heard about, but never met. For some it will be the establishment of first-time and hopefully lasting family ties and for the rest it will be one more opportunity to reminisce and have fun with those that have not seen each other for years.

In keeping with the hope and spirit of kindling renewed and lasting ties, a brief history and genealogy of the Barwick and Coward families is presented in this document. The author encourages you to read carefully and offer corrections, criticisms, new births, marriages, and deaths in order that periodic updates can be made to the family histroy data base and this report.

Most of our ancestors came from one of North Carolina's "lost" counties, Dobbs County. Not only does the county no longer exist, most of the records pertaining to the county and its people have been destroyed in several disastrous courthouse fires. These fires were a great tragedy to the area because these records which dated from as early as 1730 pertained to the present counties of Greene, Wayne, Lenoir and Jones with a great number of records concerning land and people in Pitt, Wilson, Craven and Johnston Counties. Thus, those of us doing research into the history and genealogy of this area are faced with a great vacuum which unless one discovers some of these records in some lost courthouse file or musty attic trunk, we have to do a lot of inferential work based usually on secondary sources to establish solid relationships between our family lines.

During my research for the Barwick Family of Dobbs County, I also accumulated data on the family of Sarah May Coward Barwick, my father's (Samuel Coward Barwick) mother. My visits to the North Carolina Department of Archives and History have uncovered a number of sources of information on the Coward families. Most of these books or publications trace the migration of the Coward(t) families into the South and states west of North Carolina with a good number of these families having their origins from the Dobbs County Cowards of the early to mid 1700's. Joseph A. Cowart [1972], Eleazer P. Scarborough [1984], Kyser Cowart Ptomey

[1984], Dr. Samuel Omar Barwick [1906], Robert D. Barwick [1993] and Gladys Barwick Weeks [1988] 1 represent published sources of Coward and/or Barwick genealogies. The sources of much of the data came from unpublished reports, files, etc. include: Mrs. Anne Coward Salter, Martha Scarborough Brooks, and Jesse Vaughan - all listed in the Bibliography. In developing my own lines, I have relied heavily on these publications in filling the gaps caused by the courthouse fires.

I am indebted to many relatives and friends for help and the North Carolina Department of Archives and History for providing data, records and other documents essential to the development of this document.

OUR ENGLISH ROOTS AND COLONIAL ANCESTORS

The Barwicks and Cowards have strong ancestorial ties to England. In Figure 1 the early generations are displayed for the direct family lines to John Henry Barwick and Sarah May Coward. A brief discussion of our English and Colonial roots follows.

Barwicks

The following account comes from Robert D. Barwick's 1993 manuscript of the Barwick's of Florida and the Southeastern U.S. Figure 1 shows the line of nine Barwick generations from John Barwick I (1696-1712) to John Henry Barwick. Robert's account follows:

"The first mention of any person named Barwick other than John occurs in Maryland records in the very early eighteenth century. Rebecca, believed to be John's daughter, married Thomas Olridge in Maryland in 1702. Of even more interest is a witness on a power of attorney of William Coursey in Talbot County in 1701. A man named Edward "Bonwicke" is reported to have witnessed the document. William Coursey was the brother of Henry Coursey, the man to whom John was a servant from 1664 until 1671. It is likely that Edward Bonwicke was Edward Barwick and that a transcriber misread the script and mistook on "ar" for "on"--an easy mistake in old handwriting.

John Barwick I died in 1712. His son John II is known to have engaged in land transactions after his death. John Barwick II sold 157 acres of Normanton in 1717. The land in this case was a portion of the property on the Wye River purchased by John I and William Hatfield in 1679. Later records show John, Edward, and William as related. By examination of recorded events in Maryland several writers have concluded that John Barwick I had at least four children, John II, William, Edward, and Rebecca. Rebecca probably married and gave up the Barwick name thus making the task of tracing her activities very difficult.

John Barwick II married a woman named Sarah and remained in Maryland. Little is known of his life except that he continued to engage in land transactions indicating that he was likely a "planter". His will dated in April, 1736 in Talbot County, left his property to his wife, Sarah, and his sons, James and John. The will was recorded in June of the same year indicating that John died between April and June, 1736. James received the bulk of the estate and was said to be the youngest son. John was left a paltry and likely sarcastic one shilling. Evidently John III

had not stood well in his father's eyes.

John Barwick III remained in Talbot County and died there in 1755 or 1756. he married Rebecca Oldfield, the daughter of Harry Oldfield and Sarah Barber Oldfield. An inventory, identifying his wife as Rebecca Barnett (by then remarried) was conducted on 20 February 1756. A final distribution of the estate was made later in 1756. The latter document identifies John's children as William, Mary, Rebecca, Ann, and John. William, here, is William Barwick Sr.. who migrated to North Carolina and became our ancestor."

William Sr., Joshua (John), Isaac, Craven Tull and John Henry Barwick are all discussed in a latter section.

Cowards

The Coward families in America are of English ancestry. The name is spelled three different ways by different branches of the family: Cowhered, Coward, and Cowart. Ptomey [1984] [1984] indicates in the Preface of his book, that: " . . . the Coward name appears in early English records and is thought by many a derivative of the name Cowherd, which designated the occupation of the family. The will of one William Coward, Sergeant-at-Law, of the city of Wells, in the county of Somersett, England, dated March 5, 1704, is recorded in the Records Office, Taunton (Somersett) England. William was survived by his widow Lady Mohun and sons William and James. Record books at the Local History Library in Taunton Castle, Taunton, England, contain much information about numerous Coward Families in the sixteenth century and earlier who were wealthy and held English Titles."

Eleazer P. Scarborough [1984] and Joe A. Cowart [1972] both establish 1600 England ties. The line shown in Figure 1 from Robert Cowart (171) to William Coward II (3250) comes from Joe A. Cowart. (The number in the parenthesis is the "reference identification number" or RIN number use frequently throughout this report.) Scarborough's account differs only slightly from Joe A. Cowart's.

As Kathi Cowart [no date] indicates: " . . . the research of Joe

A. Cowart reveals that over 95% of all the present Cowherd-CowardCowart families now in the Southern United States originate from three - apparently unrelated - men:

1. James (2607) of Rappahannock County, Virginia, through his

son William III (2503). This is the oldest, largest and

most widespread Coward family lines in the U.S. which is

located primarily in eastern N.C., all of S.C., Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas.

2. James of Rutherford County, N. C. - the second main southern

family line commences before 1785 in Rutherford County, N. C. and spreads in southwestern N. C. (Buncombe, Haywood, Jackson and Clay counties) and over into northwestern Georgia (Murray, Gilmer, Pickens, Cherokee, Rabun, Towns, and Milton (now Fulton) counties).

3. John Coward, Revolutionary soldier, who was born in New

Jersey but settled in Jefferson County Georgia after the Revolutionary War.

The several Northern U.S. lines originate with Richard Coward in Talbot County, Md. , and James Coward of Dorchester County, Md.,

and with Hugh Coward of Monmouth County, N.J. of which county John Coward of Jefferson County, Georgia, is a descendant. The northern lines, and the Rutherford County, N.C., southern line, tend to retain the original name Coward while the other southern lines generally changed to Cowart soon after the Revolutionary War. The Virginia and Kentucky lines of 1. James used the older form of the same name - Cowherd."

Was the first James mentioned above the first to come to North Carolina? Using an unknown source provided to me by Anne Coward Salter [1993-94], of Marshallburg, North Carolina, who received this from her cousin, I have formed a slightly different conclusion as to whom the line of Eastern North Carolina or Dobbs County Cowards emminate. My argument follows.

Even though the date and authorship of this source isn’t known, it appears to be a later version of the Joe Cowart work published in 1972, perhaps done by his daughter, Kathi Cowart. I have added RIN numbers to each name to help keep the individuals with the same first name from being confused. The account with my commentary follows:

"Robert Cowart (171) of Winterbourne Gunner, lived in Yorkshire and had one son named John.

John Coward (3242) was in Yorkshire in 1540. He married Catherine Leigh of Wells. It is thought that this is when the Coward family went to Wells, England.

Thomas Coward (3245) is the son of John Coward (3242) of Wells. He married Mary Watkins.

William Coward I (3247) is son of Thomas born 1601 who died in Wells. William married Catherine___.

William Coward II (3250) was called Sir William of Lincoln's Inn. He was born in 1634 and died April 8, 1705. He married Bridget daughter of Sir Thomas Hall of Bradford in Wiltshire.

Sir William (3250) represented Wells in the English Parliment.

He was a merchant and had interest in America. Bridget Coward died March 22, 1662 and Sir William II (3250) married as his second wife Phillipa, daughter of Auther Anneslsey, Earl of Anglesey. William Coward III (2503) was a child by his first wife, other children if any not known."

Joe Cowart's 1972 study indicates that William III (2503) was the son of James (2607) (b aft 1662) and Mary Collidge. E. P. Scarborough agrees, but indicates that William II's (3250) first wife was Bridgett Hall (d. 1662) and they had several children prior to her death, one being William III (b. bfr 1662). The estimated years of birth of James (2607) and William III (2503) were too close together for James to be the father of William III. Thus I assume2 that this James (2607) and William III (1503) were step brothers-contrary to the Cowart and Scarborough accounts.

Cowart and Scarborough further indicate that William III (2503),"son of James (2607)", had two sons- John (b. c. 1690) (2497) and James (b. c. 1700 - d. c. 1742)(2505). Since James (2607) was born after 1662 it’s hard to perceive that he was the father of William III (2503) who was the father of John (2497). Therefore, it is assumed that William III (2503), John's (2497) father, was not the son of James (2607), but rather, his step brother.

The account of our unknown author continues:

"William Coward III, born --- died 1792 (I assume this to be 1729). William was a Colonel in the British Army and also was a member of Parliament representing the city of Wells. William III had 2 children (known) one John Coward (2497) whose wife was Elizabeth and one named James (2505).

John Coward (2497), born --- died 1737 left will leaving his property to 4 children and his wife Elizabeth. Children were John (2500), William IV (2517), Edward I (2462) and Benjamin (2501).

James Coward (2505), born -- died 1780-90, his wife unknown, had one child, John Coward who moved to Williamsburg District of South Carolina. John Coward's will is in the Archieves Building at the University of South Carolina."

This author goes on to indicate -- " . . . that John Coward (2497) came to America with his father, William III (2503). William III was granted a large tract of land in the Albermarle Sound area of North Carolina, but which in the latter 1600's was considered a part of the Colony of Virginia. The property became a part of Chowan County, NC then in 1722 in Bertie County, NC, when it was formed out of Chowan. The large plantation there was operated by Sir William III (2503) until his death April 5, 1705. John (2497) was about seven years old when the family emigrated from England . . . "

"John Coward's (2497) will written in 1733, was filed for probate in Chowan County March 28, 1737, and was probated August term of court, 1737. He bequeathed his plantation to " . . . my sons William (2517) and John (2500)" subject to his wife's use for her lifetime; and gave the remainder of the estate to his wife Elizabeth, son Edward I (2462) and the child his wife was then pregnant with, which child after birth was named Benjamin . . . "

Cowart, Scarborough, and Ptomey generally agree that from John (2497) came most of the Cowards of Eastern North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The Cowards of Dobbs County issued from Edward I (2462), Edward II (2461), Edward III (2085), Samuel H. Coward (46), and Albert G. Coward (19). (See Figure 1 for a descendancy chart of the male members of the Coward and Barwick families. )

Figure 1: J H Barwick & Sarah M. Coward Ancestors

BARWICK/COWARD PEDIGREE

Genealogies would be incomplete without pedigree charts. Webster's Dictionary gives synonyms such as progeny, brood,

family, lineage, breed, etc. for the word "pedigree". True "blueblood" pedigrees trace family lines to very important people, and it’s generally a source of much pride for such families. The Barwick/Coward pedigree has its very important people; too many

2 John Henry BARWICK-1: b 9 October 1869 Edwards Bridge Community, Lenoir County,N.C.; m 23 Dec 1891 Lenoir County,N.C.; d 14 Aug 1948 Kinston, N.C.

3 Sarah May COWARD-2: b 1 Aug 1869 Tick Bite, Lenoir County, N.C.; d 28 Feb 1963

Kinston, N.C.

3rd GENERATION

4 Craven TULL BARWICK-10: b 7 Jul 1833 Lenoir County, N.C.; m 1868; d 12 Nov

1885 Barwick Farm, Edwards Bridge Community, Lenoir County, N.C.

5 Nancy Ann BROOKS-11: b 14 May 1843; d 13 May 1919 Kinston, N.C.

6 Albert Galletin COWARD-19: b 31 May 1848 Coward Place,Tick Bite, N.C.; m 23 Dec 1866 Coward Place, Tick Bite, N.C.; d 7 Oct 1928 Kinston, N.C.

7 Nancy Wright STANLY-20: b 19 Apr 1848 Jones County; d 23 May 1934 Kinston, N.C.

4th GENERATION

8 ISAAC BARWICK-32: b 11 Aug 1789 Lenoir County, N.C.; m 17 Jan 1811; d 28

Sep 1854

9 Sally Sarah TULL-150: b 18 May 1793; d 24 Mar 1845

10 Edmon BROOKS-183: b 1812; m 1838; d 15 Nov 1880 Lenoir County, N.C.

11 Mary A. PITTMAN-184: b 1816

12 Samuel Hart COWARD-46: b 20 Jan 1815 Greene County, N.C.; m 29 Oct 1835

Edwards Bridge, Lenoir County; d 25 Jul 1851 Greene County, N.C.

13 Lucretia EDWARDS-47: b 5 Apr 1815; d Jul 1865 Greene County, N.C.

14 Wright STANLY-52: b 21 Mar 1800 Jones County, N.C.; m 1829; d 4 Aug 1856

Jones County, N.C.

15 Sarah Penelope BECTON-53: b 17 Oct 1814; d Abt 1850 Jones County, N.C.

5th GENERATION

16 Joshua (John) BARWICK-227: b 1753 Maryland

17 Mary XX-156

18 Charles TULL-139: b 2 Dec 1753; m 6 Feb 1777; d 9 Oct 1836

19 Sarah HARDY-140: b 21 Oct 1761; d 12 Feb 1803

20 James BROOKS-252: b Abt 1783

21 unknown -191

22 Elijah Vail PITTMAN-614: b Abt 1787; m 1807

23 Nancy BROOKS-615: b Abt 1788;

24 Edward COWARD III-2085: b 9 Nov 1785; d 19 Jul 1863 Greene County, N.C.

25 Liewcasica (Lucassie) HART-2276: b 29 Feb 1792; d 25 Dec 1854 Greene County, N.C.

26 Charles EDWARDS-2292: b 1784; d 1859

27 Frances ROGERS-2466: b Abt 1784

28 John STANLY-491: b 30 Mar 1766 Jones County, N.C.; m 20 Dec 1797; d 12 Oct

1837 Jones County, N.C.

29 Mary Polly FORDHAM-492: b 8 Mar 1773; d 1 Dec 1816

30 John Blackman BECTON-235: b 1777; m 3 Mar 1806; d 1836 31 Clarissa WADSWORTH-236: b 13 Jan 1787; d 16 Sep 1818

6th GENERATION

32 William BARWICK Sr.-226: b Abt 1730 Maryland; d Aft 1790 South Carolina

36 ISAAC TULL-138: b 16 Dec 1718; m 24 Feb 1743; d 1784 37 Winifred CALDWELL-216: b 23 Oct 1720 Baltimore, Md.; d

18 May 1806

38 Lemuel HARDY-224

39 Sarah SUTTON-225: b Pitt County, N.C.

40 James BROOKS Sr.-247: b Abt 1740

41 Ruth UNKNOWN-249

48 Edward COWARD II-2461: b Bef 1742 Johnston/Dobbs, N.C.; d Aft 1820

49 May UNKNOWN-3302

50 Robert HART-2623: b 1756; m 1788; d 7 Apr 1811

51 Hannah HOLLIDAY-2624: b 1768; d 17 Oct 1833 Greene County, N.C.

52 Newitt EDWARDS-2471: b Abt 1750 Southampton County,Va. 53 Mary DREW-2472

56 James STANLY-489: b 1 Feb 1725 Jones County, N.C. ; m 1754; d 19 Apr 1793 Jones County, N.C.

57 Winifred UNKNOWN-490: b 1725; d 14 Jun 1800 Jones County N. C.

58 Benjamin FORDHAM Jr.-2482: b 27 Nov 1743 Craven County N. C.; d Aft 1791

59 Mary BLACKSHEAR-2483: b 1745; d Aft 1785

60 Michael BECTON-147: b 1745; d 1799

61 Mary BLACKMAN-155: b Abt 1745; d 1802

62 Ignatius WADSWORTH-2638

63 Sara MORRIS-2639

7th GENERATION

64 John BARWICK-1106: b Abt 1710; m 1743/1744; d 1756 Talbot County, Md.

65 Rebecca OLDFIELD-2257: b Abt 1720

80 John BROOKS Sr.-244

descendants come from a combination of sources including The Tull/Barwick Family Bible (currently in the possession of Allen J Barwick), and various decenial Census (1790 through 1880).

Interesting quotations from page 145 of the Heritage Foundation publication on Lenoir County gives information fundamental to the establishment of William Barwick Sr. as probably the first Barwick in Lenoir County in the mid to late 1700's. These quotations by Gladys B. Weeks [1988] follow:

"William Barwick came from Caroline County, Maryland and took up a patent of land for 168 acres on the north side of the Neuse River and the west side of Falling Creek and lying on the said Creek in Dobbs County, N.C.

In the Old Grantee Index found in the N.C. Archives in Raleigh, William Barwick bought from William Aylor land on Falling Creek in 1769. This land had been patented to William Aylor in 1768, (An earlier deed in The North Carolina Archives, not referenced here, but copy in the possession of Allen J. Barwick, indicates that William Barwick purchased 90 acres of land from John Cotton in 1766. A transcript of this deed follows on another page.)

In the 1769 Tax List for Dobbs County, N.C., we find William Barwick and son Joshua; and in 1776, William Barwick deeded land to William Barwick Jr. and to John Barwick of Dobbs County N.C.

In the 1782 Tax List for Dobbs County we find William Barwick Sr. , Joshua Barwick and Menoah Barwick. William Barwick Sr. does not appear in the 1800 Census for Lenoir County, but Joshua and Menoah are listed as living in the County at that time.3

Captain Kennedy's Company of Militia of Dobbs County lists William Barwick Jr., Joshua Barwick, William Barwick and John Barwick (Joshua?). The 1790 Census for Dobbs County does not list William Barwick Sr., but does show a John Barwick and a Margaret Barwick.

Joshua, son of William Barwick, died in Lenoir County after 1800. He was shown in the 1800 Census with six in family. He was born in Maryland about 1753 and came to Dobbs County, North Carolina with his father in 1768.

It is not known whom Joshua married, but according to the TullBarwick Bible, Joshua had among other children, Isaac Barwick born about 1789 and Joshua Barwick Jr. born about 1787.

Joshua Jr. son of Joshua (John) Barwick, was born 1787 in Lenoir County and died 17 April 1855. He married, about 1810 or 1811, Sarah Winifred Sutton, born about 1787 and died 11 July 1871 in Lenoir County .”

An account of Isaac Barwick follows the transcript of the William Barwick to John Cotton deed transfer.

1766

The below has been transcribed from a copy of the original deed found in the Lovit Hines Collection in the N.C. Department of Archives and History

Allen J. Barwick

February 24, 1989 -----------------------------------------------------------Dobbs County July Inferior Court 1767

Present his Majesties Justices then was the within Deed of Sale duly acknowledged in open court by the ??. John Cotten and ordered to the registered

Test. W. Caswell, Clerk

Dobbs County -- Enrolled in the Registers Office Inliber M-c No. 2.a Pages 10 & 11 this 16th March 1768

W. Caswell Reg.

------------------------------------------------------------

Deed Transfering Ninety Acres of Land in Dobbs County from John Cotton to William Barwick. November 25, 1766.

This indenture made this twenty fifth day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Six between John Cotton of Dobbs county and Province of North Carolina of the one part and William Barwick of Craven county and Province a foresaid of the other part. Witnesseth the said John Cotton for and in consideration of the sum of six ?? pounds proclamation money to me in hand paid at and before the ensealing and delivery hereof. The receipt here of I do acknowledge myself therewith fully satisfied, contented and paid and of every part thereof have bargained for, and conveyed unto the said William Barwick his heirs executors administrators or assigns a certain tract or

parcel of land situate lying and being in Dobbs County formerly Johnston County and on the north Side of the Nuce River on the lower side of Falling Creek and on the upper side of White Marsh beginning at a pine on the upper side of White Mash running N 29 E 32 poles to a light wood stake on (Bassess??) line then with that line down to White Mash then up White Mash Bassess upper line then with this line to a scrub oak acorn tree of Williamson's patent then N5 E 120 poles to a red oak thence S 34? W 120 poles to a pine near the mash of Falling creek thence down the same.

To the beginning for and containing ninety acres be the same more or less being a survey of land taken up by Thomas Williams. To have and to hold the said bargain...?? them used unto the said William Barwick his heirs...

To their proper use and behold forever, and I the said John Cotten for myself my heirs e??? & administrators do covenant, grant, promise and agree to and with the said William Barwick this heirs and assigns shall and may from time to time and all times hereafter peaceably and quietly have, hold, use, occupy, possess, and enjoy the pre bargained premises and all its appurtenances and every part and parcel thereof free and clear of and from all and all manner of former or other gifts, grants, bargains, sale? joiners?, dowers, entails, reversions...? executors, ??, and all other charges and encumbrances whatsoever. The annual rents now growing due ..??.. always excepted and that the said John Cotton and my heirs, ??..& admin. the pre bargained promises & promises & appurtenances unto him the said William Barwick his heirs executors?admin. & assigns against all and all manner of persons whatsoever claiming by from or under me?? by any other means ways, or protance?? whatsoever. Shall & ?? warrant & forever defend by these prevents.

In witness whereof the said John Cotten have hereunto set as my hand and seal the day and year first above written.

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Philip Stone., William Barwick and Austin?? Stone

Willaim Barwick mark John Cotten Mark

Seal

Copied by Allen J. BarwickFebruary 24, 1989

Isaac Barwick (32) (1789-1854)

Isaac Barwick, the second male son in the family of Joshua (John) Barwick (b. 1753) was born in 1789, a few years after the Revolutionary War was over. His older brother, Joshua Barwick Jr. (b. 1787), was the ancestor of many of the Barwicks of Wayne and Duplin Counties, and his genealogy has been compiled by Gladys Barwick Weeks [1988]of Goldsboro in her 1988 Genealogical History of the Family Of Barwick. Isaac 's first wife was Sally Sarah Tull (b. 1789). There were ten children - the youngest being Craven Tull Barwick (b. 1833). After Sarah's death in 1845 he married Louisa Baker (b. 1825). There were at least three children by this second marriage; i.e. William Manoah (b. 1846), Sally A. (b. 1848), and Julia (b. 1850).

According to the 1810 Census of Lenoir County, Isaac Barwick lived in the vicinity of Charles Tull, his father in law. His wife, Sally, was the eighth of eleven children born to Charles and Sarah Hardy Tull. Charles Tull's will, dated May 11, 1837, lists Isaac Barwick as executor indicating a "favored son" relationship between Charles and Isaac. The Charles Tull home

was "between the Neuse River and Briary Branch", near what is now the vicinity of Lenoir Memorial Hospital in Kinston. Apparently, Isaac was still living in the same area in the 1830’s and 1840's since the Census for these two decades show some of his neighbors as J. Kilpatrick, W. Lovick, R. Moore, Parrot, Walter Dunn, J. Rouse, M. Lofton, and C. Tull. By 1850, however, Isaac must have moved to the Edwards Bridge area since the 1850 Census shows him living in the Contentnea Neck Township where some of his neighbors included: Lewis Kilpatrick, Eliza Jones, Wilson Tilghman4, Elijah Pittman, Edmond Brooks5 and Samuel Coward (who lived in Tick Bite).

Isaac died in 1854 at the age of 65 leaving his wife Lousia and 4 children living in the household. Lousia Baker Barwick later married William Dupree sometime before 1860 since the 1860 Census shows her living in the Kinston Township with bonded children Menoah Barwick (age 14) Sarah A. Barwick (age 12), Julia Barwick (age 8) and Malvina Barwick (age 5). (See the Isaac Barwick Descendancy Chart)

Craven Tull Barwick (10) (1833-1885)

The Tull-Barwick Bible shows that Craven Tull Barwick was born July 7, 1833 and died November 12, 1885. He was the 10th child of Isaac and Sally Barwick and the father of John Henry Barwick (b. 1869). Craven Tull married twice; his first wife was Ann Tilghman who was born in 1840 and died May 30, 1864. As we will see later, Craven Tull was a prisoner of war in the federal prison camp at Point Lookout, Maryland from October, 1863 till February, 1865. Thus, we see that his first wife died while he was still captured. We know not the circumstances of her death, but can only imagine the heartbreak involved during this tragic time in their lives.

Craven Tull Barwick married his second wife, Nancy Ann Brooks (1843-1919), in 1868. She was the daughter of Edmon Brooks (b. 1812) and Mary A. Pittman (b. 1816) (the daughter of Elijah Vail Pittman). An interesting aside is that Craven Tull Barwick and Edward Jones Brooks (b. 1843) were in Point Lookout at the same time and returned home about the same time. In 1869, Edward J. Brooks married Martha (Patty) Brooks his third cousin (kissing cousins), Nancy Ann Brook's younger sister. Both Craven Tull and Edward J. Brooks had neighboring farms in the Edwards Bridge

Community of Contentnea Neck Township. Eugene Clyde Brooks (18711948) was the second child born to Edward and Martha Brooks, and was the first cousin of John Henry Barwick. Eugene Clyde Brooks was the President of North Carolina State College from 1923 to 1934.

Craven Tull's death in 1885 at age 52 was somewhat premature, and one can only speculate as to whether his 2-year stay in Point Lookout shortened his life. In June of 1885 he issued his will and later made a codicil to it in October, 1885 to allow Nancy to sell the Barney Phillips land if needed to cover his debts. This will and codicil was probated November 26, 1885 and accompanies this report. He was buried on the old Barwick Farm in the

north front of Hagerstown. Stayed in this area skirmishing with

enemy in area.

· July 14, Cross back into Va.

· July 24, Chester Gap to Warrenton. With General James

Longstreet. Establish pickets on south bank of Rappahannoak at

Kellys Ford.

· July 24,-Sept. Two armies watch each other using cavalry to

probe for indications of movement or weakness.

· Sept 9, Cavalry reorganized commanded by Gen. L.S. Baker.

· Sept 22, Active battle at Jack’s Shop, Va.

· Sept 28, Col. James B. Gordon promoted to Brigadier General.

This group assigned to General Hampton's Division under J.E.B.

Stuart.

· Oct 9-20, Bristoe Campaign. Cavalry protects flanks of

infantry and engaged the Federal Cavalry on numerous occasions. · Oct 10, Gordon's Brigade was engaged at Russells Ford and

James City.

· Oct 14 At Auburn Mills/Catletts Station. Corporal Craven

Tull Barwick captured this day by Federal Troops. Imprisoned at

Point Lookout, Md.

October 15, 1863 Through February 15, 1865

· October 15, 1863 to February 15, 1864 Imprisoned at Point

Lookout, Md.

· Feb. 14-15,'65 Corporal Barwick was paroled and

exchanged at Coxes Landing,James River Va.

John Henry Barwick (1) (1869-1948)

The 1906 Industrial Edition of the Kinston Free Press describes John as: “One of the leading citizens of the county is J. H. Barwick, of Contentnea Neck. He was born in that township one mile south of his present home, October 9, 1869. (This was in the vicinity of the current Craven Brooks and Luther Pittman farms.) His parents were Craven Tull Barwick and Nancy Ann, daughter of Edward7 and Mary Brooks. Mr. Barwick's father 8was a Master Mason and was Worshipful Master of Bethel lodge at the time of his death in 1885.

John Henry Barwick attended Bethel Academy and was preparing to go to college at the time of his father's death. Circumstances then compelled a change of plans. He went to farming and has been a farmer all his life with the exception of one year, which he spent in the sawmill business. He now owns 617 acres of land with 250 cleared and under cultivation. He has an excellent range for hogs and raises abut 150 or 200 for market each year.

Mr. Barwick has always been a staunch Democrat, and received a large vote for Register of Deeds at the last primary. (He was elected Register of Deeds for Lenoir County in 1907, the approximate time the Barwick family moved to Kinston.) He is a Mason, a member of the Christian Church, and a member of the township school committee, of which he is secretary. He is enthusiastic in his support of schools, considering them essential to the healthy material and social development of any community.

Mr. Barwick's brothers are Joseph R., a merchant of Ayden, and Allen J., superintendent of schools of Albany, Ga. His sisters are Mrs. Fred (Mary Ada) Brooks, of Kinston, Mrs. Susan (Susan Winifred) Griffin of Goldsboro, Miss Jennie (Jennie Brooks Harper) a teacher in the public schools, Miss Nancy (Nancy Louise), stenographer and typewriter for Einstein Bros. Kinston, and Miss Maggie (Magnolia Willis), who attends the State Normal and Industrial at Greensboro. Mr. Barwick married Miss May, daughter of A.G. and Nancy Stanley Coward. The children are Ruth, Mary Ethel, Sam, Rodney, Rachel, and Susan Winifred (and Eugene Tull born 7 September 1906).”

John Barwick was a proud and determined man. He was very enterprising as illustrated by his diverse farming and business practices. He farmed a variety of crops on the Tick Bite farm including tobacco, corn, cotton, and truck crops such as watermelons, strawberries, etc. John Davis, granddaddy’s protégé and confidant, summarized all of these traits in his interview with me in 1988: “Mr. Barwick took me in when I was just a boy (around 1919 when John Davis was about 10 years old) and offered to give me work any time I needed it. He taught me to farm just about any crop you can imagine as well as how to butcher and cut beef. We butchered billy goat and sold it for prime cuts of beef during the depression days. Most of the folks were glad to get it and couldn’t tell the difference.” Minnie Bell Davis, John Davis’ wife, tells a different story, however: “I let the cat out of the bag one Sunday at church when cousin Bessie said that she had some of the best beef stew she had ever had that John and Mr. Barwick had sold her yesterday. When I told her it was billy goat, she nearly threw up.”

In addition to truck farming and selling “prime cuts of beef”, Granddady was also an innovative “medicine-man.” Mr. J. D. Hood, a Kinston pharmacists, patented a medication used to fight streptype infections, acne, etc. The primary ingredient for this salve came from the altar tree, commonly found in the low ground areas of eastern North Carolina. Granddaddy, Sam, my father, and John Davis were the only people that knew the recipe for cooking and extracting alter tea from the leaves and tags that grew on these trees, and they had a contract with Mr. Hood to provide him with the essental element of his patented medicine. This arrangement was passed down from father to son until father, son and Mr. Hood all passed away. Often, Sam would mix up a brew for family consumption without going through Mr. Hood to get it. Alter tea was second only to cod-liver oil as one of the worst remedies I have ever had to suffer through. I don’t know which was worse, the affliction or the alter tea cure. But, who was I to challenge years of wisdom and success in the home remedy business!

John Henry’ determination allowed him to overcome the series of strokes he had that started in 1928. While the strokes ultimately resulted in partial paralysis, his persistent self rehabilitation and home remedies kept him from being completely

bed-ridden. John Davis relayed the following humorous account to me: “Mr. Barwick was a very proud and determined man that was dead set on getting over his strokes by his own will power and persistence. One of his routines was to be buried up to his chin in the warm sand in front of the house in the pecan orchard near the mail box. Each day I would dig the hole and help him get in it and then cover him up to stay there in the cool of the day. One day I went down to the low grounds to cut some wood and forgot Mr. John. Well, when I came back, Mr. Barwick was as red as a beet and fit to be tied. It wasn’t too long afterwards that he was able to get around quite well without my help.”

Rachel Keel9 also tells an interesting account of John Henry’s pride. “When your uncle Gene (Eugene Tull Barwick, born 1906) finally graduated from N.C. State College in the early 1930’s, the President of the College, Dr. Eugene Clyde Brooks, (Granddaddy’s cousin and next door neighbor during their childhood days), wrote John expressing as how he should be very proud of his son (even though it did take 5-6 years for him to graduate) for accomplishing this great milestone in his career, and reminded him that they expected him to be present on graduation day. Well, Father found time to go to Gene’s graduation. But, to all of our horrors, Father came back as mad as a wet stetting hen! Being that he was on a first-name basis with Dr. Brooks and, after all, it was his son that was graduating, he automatically assumed that this was his golden opportunity to sit on the stage on this grand occasion. Of course, Father had to sit in the audience with the rest of the parents, thus, the reason for his great consternation.”

John died August 14, 1948. The announcement in the Kinston Daily Free Press Page 1, August 16, 1948 and burial announcement in the "Sectional News" section of the Kinston Daily Free Press, p10 August 18, 1948 follow:

"BARWICK RITES AT 4 O'CLOCK MONDAY (AUGUST 16, 1948): The funeral of John Henry Barwick, 78, prominent Lenoir County farmer of the Grifton section, died in a local hospital at 2 p.m. Saturday after a long illness. The funeral will be from Edwards' Funeral Home at 4 p.m. Monday, with intenment in Maplewood Cemetery here. Rev. E.W. Downum, Methodist of Grifton, will officiate. Nephews will be pall bearers. The family requested that no flowers be sent.

Surviving are his widow, three sons, S.C. Barwick of Griton, R. E. of New York and E. T. Barwick of Argentina; four daughters, Mrs. E.A. Moore of Ocean View, Va., Mrs. H.H. Walthall of Ocean View, Va., Mrs H.S. Keel of Bethel, and Mrs. D.W. Debnam of Roanoke Rapids; 12 grand children, and two sisters, Mrs. W. F. Harper and Mrs. L. B. Robinson of Washington, D.C., Mr. Barwick served six years as Register of Deeds in Lenoir County several years ago.."

Others attending the funeral as reported in the August 18, 1948 Sectional News included: Mrs. Sara Griffith, John Moore, Lucinda Walthall of Ocean View, Va., Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Degnam, Miss Sara Lou Debnam of Roanoke Rapids, Mr. an Mrs Howard Keel, Rebekah and Sam Gray Keel of Bethel, Mrs. R. E. Pittman, Miss Louise Delle Pittman of Durham, Mrs. Alton Fields of Swansboro, Mrs Luke Roberson and Mrs. W.F. Harper of Washington, D.C.

lived in Chowan Precinct which later became Bertie County, N.C. He was a land owner, bought and sold land, served on juries, and witnessed numerous documents. The evidence indicates he was prominent in the community. The inventory of his estate included coopers tools, (a cooper was one who made or repaired wooden casks or tubs). William III had a trade and in addition was probably a farmer. He died in 1728 leaving no will. We do not have an authentic list of the children of William and Mary Coward. But, we do know that he had a son named John (2497) and one named James (2505). He could have had a daughter named Martha also. (See Ptomey [1984], p. 11, and Scarborough [1984] for numerous references to deed transfers, wills, etc.)

John Coward (2497) (c. 1693-1737)

The will of John Coward, dated March 28, 1737, is listed in the Will Book, NC Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, NC. The will names his wife Elizabeth, three sons, William IV (2517), John (2500), and Edward (2462), and one unborn child (Benjamin (2501)). According to Ptomey, p. 6, 13,

"The will proved in the August term of the Bertie Court,

1737, named Joseph Wimberly executor of the estate. (photocopy of the will sent to Ptomey by Margaret Cowart, Huntsville, Alabama). On the date of this will, March 28, 1737, John also executed a deed for 250 acres of land to Joseph Wimberly. Deed Book E. p. 160, Register of Deeds, Bertie County."

See Ptomey [1984] (p. 3-6) for extensive list of other land transactions, etc. related to John Coward (2497).

There is some confusion as to whether John's wife was Elizabeth Griffin or Elizabeth Wimberly. Documentation in favor of Griffin includes:

Will of Martin Griffin, dated June 3, 1718, probated October 3, 1718. Sons Edward, John, and William, son Martin, daughters Sarah and Elizabeth: wife Elizabeth, executrix. Hathaway, The NC Register, Vol. II. No. 1. p. 46.

Arguments in favor of Wimberly:

On March 22, 1750/51, Joseph Wimberly and Elizabeth Coward witnessed a deed in Bertie County which confirms the long association of Elizabeth Coward and John Wimberly. Deed Book C, p. 374. Register of Deeds, Bertie County (Ptomey, p. 14)

Edward Coward I (2462) (1719-1780)

Edward Coward I (2462) is important to this research because he was a patriarch for most of Eastern North Carolina Cowards and many of the other lines in the Southern United States. Both Kyser Ptomey and Joe A. Coward(t) have done considerable research to establish the Edward I lines. Ptomey and Joe Cowart are descendants of Ezekiel (2669), one of nine of Edward's I children, and have both established Edward's relation to William III (2503) as grandson, to John (2497) as father, and brother to William IV (2517), John (2500) and Benjamin (2501). Some of Ptomey's extensive notes are repeated here to help further

document and establish his ties with eastern North Carolina and Dobbs County and his relationship to so many Coward lines. The Ptomey notes follow:

"The will of John Coward, dated March 28, 1737, names his wife Elizabeth, three sons, William, John, and Edward, and one unborn child (Benjamin) and was proved in the August term of the Bertie Court, 1737." (p. 13)

From other data and John Coward's will in 1737, Ptomey concludes that Edward I was born c. 1719. Additionally, he feels that the deed, James Roberts to Edward Coward, 1754 (property in Johnston County became Dobbs County in 1758) implies that James Roberts may have been the father-in-law of Edward I. (p. 37, 39)

". . . nine sons of Edward I; i.e. Edward II, Ezekiel, James, Needham, Zachariah, Nathaniel, Ephraim, Lewis, and Cullen. . . From the 1790 U.S. Census of NC and 1790 U.S. Census of SC, I found Edward I had five sons married: Edward II, James, Needham, Ezekiel, and Lewis and total of thirty three [grand] children." (p. 44)

"On April 2, 1764, Edward Coward I was given authority for a patent of 200 acres of land in Dobbs County a little below the Great Meadow on Polecat Branch in Dobbs County, NC. Edward Coward, Jr., was a chainbearer. The record does not state whether or not Edward I perfected this patent, but it does establish Edward's residency in Dobbs County in 1764. Dobbs County was discontinued in 1791 and became part of Glasgow County, and in 1799 was divided and changed to Greene and Lenoir County." (p. 38)

"Edward I lived in Dobbs County and is on the 1780 Tax list. The 1780 Dobbs County Tax list shows Edward Coward, Sr. (Edward I) with valuation of $507. He was not on the 1790 US Census, and I think he died in Dobbs County between 1780 and 1790. I found no evidence that he moved to SC with his sons and the other Cowards." (p. 42)

Joe A. Cowart found the 1769 Dobbs County Tax list to be of value as follows:

"The 1769 Tax list of Dobbs County NC has 7 lines in 2 groupings relating to Cowards. The first grouping of 4 lines shows (1) Nathaniel, (2) 'Edward I and son Needham', (3) 'James and son Edward Coward Jun', (4) Ezekiel. The second grouping shows (5) William V and his Negro Hercules, (6) Elisha and (7) John. . . " (p. 6)

Joe uses the Tax list to confirm other sources that Edward I was the father of Nathaniel, Needham, and James. The statement “James and son Edward Coward Jun” is not mentioned by Cowart. He goes on further to give additional information from the Dobbs Grantee Index Books:

"When the courthouse in Dobbs County opened in January 1777, after being closed since May 1775 because of the Revolutionary War, Edward I and wife recorded three deeds of distribution, one (Grantee Index Book C Page 58- Deed Book 9, Page 47) was to Ezekiel, the second (Grantee Index Book C page 58 - Deed Book 9, page 41) was to Edward Jr., and the third (Grantee Index Book C page 58 - Deed Book 9, page 48) was to Needham." (pp. 6-7)

Edward Coward II (2461) (Before 1742- after 1820)

Ptomey lists the following transactions concerning Edward Coward II (2461):

"The 1780 Dobbs County Tax list, District No. 6 - Greene County - North of Great Contentnea Creek from Hookerton, Maury vicinity and west to near Snow Hill shows Edward, Sr. The total valuation of his property was listed as $507. A second Edward Coward, assumed to be Edward Coward II, Edward, Sr. I's son is shown to have holdings worth 902. . . . Edward Coward, Jr. was granted land grant number 2469 on

the north side of Contentnea Creek, August 26, 1766." (p.

42)

"On April 2, 1764 Edward I was given authority for a patent of 200 acres a little below the Great Meadow on Polecat Branch in Dobbs County." Edward, Jr. II was a chainbearer. This is currently in Greene County. (p. 38)

"On September 26, 1766 Edward II was issued patent for 200 acres of land on the north side of Contentnea Creek below the place of James Coward in Craven County. This land was probably on the Dobbs County line. James Coward and Nathaniel Coward were chainbearers. This is Edward II who would have been about 24 in 1766. James and Nathaniel were his brothers." (p. 39)

"On July 21, 1774 Edward Coward was issued patent for 150 acres of land in Dobbs County on the north side of Great Contentnea between James and Edward Coward's line. Needham and James Coward were chainbearers. This probably is Edward II." (p. 39)

"Edward II is on the 1790 Census of Dobbs County In his household - two males over 16 years (himself and one son), two males under 16 years old, and four females (his wife and three daughters)." (p. 42)

"Edward II does not show up in the 1810 Census, but does in 1820 in Greene County. He is shown as Edward Coward, Sr., over 45 years old, wife over 45 years, and one daughter of at least 16 but under 26 years. (Edward II would have been around 78.) On the same Census there is Edward, Jr., age at least 26 but under 45 years old. It appears from this that after the death of Edward I, Edward, Jr. II became Edward, Sr, and the Edward, Jr. (Edward III) on this Census was grandson of Edward I." (p. 44)

"On January 2, 1780, Needham Coward was issued patent for 50 acres of land in Dobbs County, NC on the south side of Great Contentnea Creek, joining William Miller, Edward Coward's and John Brinkley's line. Chainbearers were Edward Coward and James Coward." (p. 40)

"On November 1, 1792, Edward Coward was issued patent for 550 acres of land on the north side of Contentnea Creek, joining James Coward, William McCoy, and his own lines near the Craven County line in Glasgow County. Chainbearers, Cullen Coward (Edward II's son) and Timothy Pirse." (p. 40) (I assume this is Edward II, b.1742).

"On March 11, 1795, John Coward (2932), Esquire, was issued 50 acres by patent on the south side of Great Contentnea

Creek joining Conners Basse's and his own lines. Chainbearers, Wills Granger, Shadrack Coward (John's son). This John was son of William Coward V (and brother to Frederick and Elisha). He apparently acquired this land on the opposite side of Contentnea Creek from Needham, Edward, and James." (p. 40)

Arthur Coward (2973) (1782-1849)

Arthur was the oldest son of Edward Coward II. The Arthur Coward Family birth and death dates given in the descendancy chart of the next chapter came from the Coward/Dixon Bible. The Coward and Dixon families lived on the north side of Contentnea Creek in Greene County. Both Families lived along the Brick Kitchen Road where the Willis Dixon House and cemetery are still located.

This Bible is currently in the possession of Anne Vunelson of Greenville, NC.

The 1850 Greene County Census shows Mary Coward, age 64, head of household living in the Olds District in dwelling no. 27. Others living in the household included Courtney Moore, age 33, Arthur Moore, age 10 and Ollon, age 7. Mary is apparently Arthur's wife.

Edward Coward III (2085) (1785-1863)

The 1820 Census of Greene County has an Edward, Jr., age at least 26 but under 45 years old. It appears from this Census that after the death of Edward I, Edward, Jr., II became Edward, Sr. and the Edward, Jr., on this Census was grandson of Edward I. Edward III was 35 in the 1820 Census.

The 1850 Census of Greene County indicates that Edward III's neighbors were Richard Phillips (22nd house), Barny Phillips (31st house), William McKay (27th house), William Chase (50th house), Charles Edwards (58th house).

In 1860 Edward lived in Greene County in the Olds District, dwelling 45, p. 674 of the Census. He was listed as a farmer with real property worth $4000 and personal property worth $12,000. His age was 74 in 1860 (b. in 1785).

Also in the 1860 Census, William Coward, age 29, lived next door to Edward in dwelling no. 416. His wife, age 20, was Carolinet, b. January 15, 1840 and died January 3, 1862.

Allen J. Barwick has in his possession an abstract of a deed that was transferred from Edward III to Samuel H. Coward as a warranty deed of gift on December 15, 1839. The deed did not mention that Edward had a wife. (However, her tombstone indicates she died in 1854.) Edward III's death date of 1863 is based on the death date on Edward's tombstone in the Coward graveyard in Greene County.

From the tombstone record, we know that Edward died in 1863.

Samuel Hart Coward (46) (1815-1851)

The Pittman Bible and Coward Graveyard in Greene County give Samuel's birth and death dates. He was married to Lucretia Edwards, eldest daughter of Charles Edwards October 29, 1835, at Edwards Bridge by Windsor Dixon (the Spectator), Records of Craven County p. 188. vol 1.

Abstracts of Albert G. Coward deeds, reconstructed in 1909, (the Lenoir County Courthouse burned about 1875) indicate that parcels of land in the Tick Bite Community of Lenoir County were transferred from Edward III to Samuel H. Coward as a warranty deed of gift on December 15, 1839. Part of the abstract is repeated below:

"Alfred Cheeney, being duly sworn says: That affiant is a Civil Engineer by profession. That affiant is acquainted with Albert Gallatin Coward of the County and State aforesaid. That affiant is acquainted with the land on which the said Albert Gallatin Coward now resides in Contentnea Neck Township, said county and State. That affiant on the___day of September 1909 made survey of said land and that said land on which said Albert Gallatin Coward now resides contained 497 acres by my survey is a part of the same lands mentioned and described in deed from Edward Coward to Samuel H. Coward, date of deed December 15, 1839 and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds for said County of Lenoir in Book 39, page 287, and deed from George Washington to Charles J. Rountree and Samuel H. Coward, date of deed February 7, 1842, and recorded in the office of the Register of Deeds for said County of Lenoir in Book 39, page 286, and also deed from Charles J. Rountree to Samuel H. Rountree, date of deed Nov. 15, 1844, of record in the office of the Register of Deeds for said County of Lenoir in Book 39, page 289, and also the same land mentioned and described in deed from W.F. Stanly, W.F. Stanly, Jr. and wife Angeline L. Stanly, and Hattie N. Scarborough to Albert Gallatin Coward, of record in the office of the Register of Deeds for said County of Lenoir in Book 39, page 161, except in my survey in running the lines I make the courses and distances some different and a shortage of 23 1/2 acres, as will appear from copy of my Plat here to attached.

Sworn to subscribed before me _____________________(Alfred Cheney)

H.C.V. Peebles J.P. Seal Lenoir County, NC"

Neighbors to Samuel Coward, according to the 1850 Census were: Isaac Chestnut, Warren Bell, S. Chestnut, P. Phillips, D. Moore, W. Ormand and G. Moor. Others living in the household at Tick Bite in 1850 were: Lucretia, his wife, and children Eugenia (13), Nancy (7) and Albert G. (3).

Samuel Coward lived in the neck formed by the Contentnea Creek and the Neuse River in Lenoir County currently called Tick Bite. The house, of colonial vintage, still stands on the banks of the Contentnea Creek in a bend in the creek commonly called "Yellow Bank." This area was the community for several families during the middle 1800's including the Cowards, Pittmans, Patricks and Stanlys. The Coward-Pittman cemetery is in this area on the Barwick land near the old location of Coward Bridge that was burned during the Civil war.

1850 Lenoir County, N.C. Census reports Eugenia (age 13) as living in the Contentnea Neck Township. The 1860 Census also indicated that Eugenia (age 22) lived in the Kinston Township with her husband, John Stanly (age 30), and four bonded adolescent children; i.e., Albert Coward (age 11), Nannie Coward (age 16), Nancy Wright Stanly ( age 12), and William F. Stanly (age 16). Samuel Coward, Eugenia’s father, died July 25, 1851 and Lucretia, his wife, died in 1865. In addition, Wright Stanly, John Stanly’s father, died in 1856 (his mother’s death date is unknown). These deaths resulted in John and Eugenia taking in their own brothers and sisters - who later married each other.

Eugenia first married John B. Stanly around 1858. She later married Moses Spivey 11 July, 1880, after John died 6 April, 1879. She died 30 May, 1902 at the age of 64. Both John and Eugenia are buried in the Coward cemetery in Tick Bite, N.C.

Nancy Elizabeth (Nannie) Coward (48) (1844-1870

I am indebted to Martha Scarborough Brooks (170) and Jesse Lee Vaughan (2531) for providing some of the information on Nancy Elizabeth Coward's descendants. Nancy had two children before she died in 1870 at the age of 26 - Hattie Nannie Stanly (497) and William Franklin Stanly (495). It is believed that she lived in the Tick Bite vicinity near her brother Albert and her sister Eugenia. She inherited a portion of the 1200 acres left by her father, Samuel H. Coward, to her and the other two children when he died in 1851. It is interesting to note that when the 1860 Lenoir County Census was taken, Albert Coward (age 11), Nannie Coward (age 16), William F. Stanly (age 16), and Nancy W. Stanly (11) all lived in the household of John B. (age 29) and Eugenia Stanly (age 23) (Eugenia Coward) in the Contentnea Neck Township - most likely Tick Bite. Also, it is equally interesting to realize that the Stanly's and Coward's brothers and sisters married each other.

Martha Scarborough Brooks' mother was Hattie Stanly, Nannie and W. F. Stanly's oldest child, and Jesse Lee Vaughan's great grandfather, William Franklin Stanly was their youngest child.

Albert G. Coward (19) (1848-1928)

Albert, the father of Sarah May Coward, most likely was born in Tick Bite in the old colonial home that still stands at “YellowBank” on the Contentnea Creek. He was three years old when his father died in 1851. According to the 1860 Census, at age 13 he was staying in the household of John B. Stanly, Eugenia Coward’s husband, along with his sister Nancy (Nannie) age 16, William F. Stanly age 16 (who later married Nannie), and Nancy W. Stanly age 11 (who also became Albert’s wife in 1866). Albert was guardian over 14 slaves and Nannie was guardian over one slave. Albert married Nancy Wright Stanly on December 23, 1866 just after the Civil War ended. There is no record of his serving in the War Between the States. After their marriage, Albert moved out of the low grounds of Tick Bite to higher ground - the site of the current Barwick-Coward home at Route 2 Grifton. Tradition has it that he built this house around 1870 just after Sarah May Coward was born. Moses Spivey who later married Eugenia Coward after her husband, John B. Stanly, died was a long time friend of Albert and probably assisted Albert in building this house. Albert moved to Grifton after the 1910 Census to run a store on

the bank of the Contentnea Creek near the old Grifton bridge. John Barwick bought Albert’s farm around 1919. The remainder of the original Edward Coward Tick Bite estate was owned by the heirs of Albert’s sisters - Eugenia Coward (spouse - John B. Stanly) and Nannie Coward ( Hattie Stanly and husband Ben F. Scarborough andWilliam Franklin Stanly Jr.)

As indicated elsewhere, Albert Coward was an engertic business man and an active church member. (See the Kinston Free Press clippings later in this report.) He died in 1928 and his death announcement in the October 8, 1928 Kinston Daily Free Press follows:

“DEATH MR. COWARD: WELL-KNOWN FARMER PASSES AT PITT COUNTY HOME

Albert G. Coward, 80, well known farmer died at his home in Pitt County yesterday afternoon. He had been in ill health sometime and death was due to the infirmities of old age. He took a prominent part in community affairs and was highly esteemed. The deceased is survived by a widow, Nancy Stanley Coward, and the following daughters: Mrs. Marvin Taylor, Mrs. R. E. Pittman, Mrs. L. O. Cox, Mrs. G T. Gardner, Mrs. J. H. Barwick and Mrs. R. C. McCotter. The decedent was prominently related. The funeral was held from his late home in Pitt Count today at 2. Burial was to be made in Maplewood Cemetery here about 4 o'clock, the following to serve as pallbearers: Active -- Cecil Cobb, Harry L. Worthington, Howard Keel, Douglas Debnam, Henry Walthall, Jack Hewitt, Arthur Hooper, Joseph McLawhorn, Wyatt Dixon, Jack Frizzelle, Elbert Moore and George Sugg, grandsons - law. Honorary -- Lloyd Patrick, Francis Pittman, Levi Pittman, Rodney Barwick, Sam Barwick, Frederick Cox, and Thomas Gardner, Jr. grandsons, and Raymond McCotter, L.O. Cox, G.T. Gardner, R.E. Pittman, Allen Patrick, Marvin Taylor and John H. Barwick, sonsin-law.”

Sarah May Coward (2) (1869-1963)

Sarah May Coward (1869-1963) was the second child of eleven children born to Albert G. Coward and his wife, Nancy Wright Stanly. She was born probably in a log cabin in the vicinity of the Coward home that was built around 1870 by her father-the current Barwick-Coward house. She lived in this house till she married John Henry on December 23, 1891. They moved from the Edwards Bridge Barwick farm area to Kinston in 1907; moved to Grifton around 1914 where they lived in the Cobb Hotel; and finally moved back to the old Coward home around 1919. She died in this old place when she was 94 years old. So, of her 94 years, she lived 66 in the same house - a place she loved dearly. One of her favorite songs in her later years was "This Old House." She openly admitted that she was referring to her aging and frail body, but she probably was including the place that also meant so much to her.

Sarah May's death was recorded in the February 28, 1963 Kinston Daily Free Press and is repeated next.

“Mrs. Sarah May Coward Barwick, 94, widow of John H. Barwick of Grifton Route 2, died at her home at 10:15 a.m. Thursday after an illness of some time. She was a daughter of the late Albert G. and Nancy Stanley Coward of Lenoir County. Surviving are three sons, Sam C. of the home, Rodney of Sarasota, Fla. and Eugene of Buenos Aires, Argentina; four daughters, Mrs. E. A. Moore of Virginia Beach, Mrs. Henry H. Walthall of the home, Mrs. W. Debnam of Venice, Fla., and Mrs. Rachel Keel of Bethel; 13

grandchildren, a number of great grandchildren and four greatgreat-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. Rachel Taylor and Mrs. Addie McCotter, both of Grifton; several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday from the chapel of Garner's Funeral Home in Kinston. Her pastor, Rev. Wayne G. Wegwart of Grifton Methodist Church, will officiate. Burial will follow in Maplewood Cemetery in Kinston.”

SETTLEMENT IN LENOIR COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

Dobbs County, North Carolina

In the first decade of the eighteenth century, John Lawson, the English Surveyor - General, traveled through the province of Carolina. In his account of this exploration, published in 1709, he described the eastern area inhabited by the belligerent Tuscarora Indians as consisting of vast swamps and marshes, dense forests of loblolly pine trees, and lazy tributaries of the Neuse River. Between the time of publication of Lawson's travel account and the outbreak of the American Revolution, the area underwent a significant change. During this period North Carolina became a separate province and passed from the control of the Lords Proprietors to the English Crown. The population increased, settlements gradually moved up the eastern rivers, and the Indian menace was removed. The scattered villages and broad cultivated acres presented a picture radically different from Lawson's description.

The Barwick and Coward families participated in this transformation of the colony of North Carolina. Members of these two families had settled in the state as early as 1700. The Cowards settled or moved to Dobbs or Greene county receiving land grants north of the Contentnea Creek and in the Contentnea Neck area of Lenoir (Dobbs) County. The Barwicks settled along the Neuse just west of Kinston in the Mosley Hall township in the mid 1750's. Some of the details of these settlements are presented elsewhere in this document.

Contentnea Neck Township In 1906

According to the1906 Industrial Issue of Kinston Free Press, “. . . Contentnea Neck township comprises that portion of Lenoir

county which forms a neck between Contentnea Creek and Neuse river. It is a fertile portion of the county, and is rather closely settled. Contentnea Neck is said to have been the last home of the Tuscarora Indians, before their emigration to Oswego county, New York, prior to the Revolutionary war. The remains of one of their old forts may be seen on the John H. Barwick plantation. (now owned by Luther Pittman).

Grifton, one of the progressive towns represented in this publication lies partly in Contentnea Neck township; and Grainger's station on the A.C. L., six miles from Kinston, is also in this township . . .

The township has five white churches and one colored, Rev. S.W. Sumerell is the minister at the Bethel Disciple Church (John Barwick's family church), which enrolls about 125 members. The superintendent of the Sunday School is John Jones. Rev. B.W. Nash is pastor of the Bethel Baptist Church, which has a membership of about 25. (This church building has been moved and

is now used as a barn back of the William Hill home.) The Methodist Church at Sharon has about 125 members. It is on the Grifton circuit, which is served by Rev. L.S. Ethredge. The Free Will Baptist Church at Sharon has about 75 members; and a Sunday School is maintained in connection with the Church. Rev. L.S. Ethridge is pastor of Edwards Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church. There is an attendance of 75 members, and Mr. W.F. Harper (Jennie Brooks Barwick's husband) is superintendent of the Sunday School.

There are six white and two colored schools in the township. Children from two districts of the township attend the Grifton Graded school, which town lies partly in Contentnea Neck. The school at Bethel is taught by Miss Dwilla Heath, and has an average of 25 pupils. The school at Barwick's school house has two teachers-Misses Jennie Barwick and Annie Rhodes. (This school was also known as Skeeter-Pond School). It has about 40 pupils. So also has the school at Hugo, which is taught by Miss Bessie Moore and Mrs. Joseph Rouse. Miss Bessie Harvey teaches the school at Sharon; and the one at Graingers is taught by Miss Rebecca Pope. The two colored schools enroll about 150 pupils.”

Figure 2: Barwick (Skeeter Pond) School about 190

Figure 3: Grangers Station C. 1905 Grifton In 1906

Again, we repeat from the 1906 Kinston Free Press article: “. . . Several years ago Grifton was accounted an unhealthy location. The citizens lived down on the low-grounds of Contentnea Creek, and drank surface water. The result was chills and fever. Now they have placed their town upon a hill, built nice new houses, and dug deep wells. The result is that Dr. Dawson, the only resident physician, finds it necessary -- so it is said- to cultivate a farm in order to relieve himself of "that tired feeling," and to replenish his depleted exchequer, since his most arduous professional duties in Grifton seem to consist in making it easy for the stork to alight.

Everybody in the town takes a pride in the Grifton Graded school. The school has an enrollment of 125 pupils. The teachers are W.F. Amick, principal; Misses Olivia Cox, Mary Edwards, and Ruth R. Matthews. The Board of Trustees comprises J.L. Keen, Jr. and R.E. Pittman, of Lenoir county, and Dr. W.W. Dawson, J.Z. Brooks, and C.J. Tucker, of Pitt County.

The people of the town support two churches. These are a Disciple church with an enrollment of about 200, and the Methodist Episcopal church, with about the same membership. The pastor of the Disciple church is Rev. R.H. Jones, and the Sunday school superintendent is W. J. Allen. The Methodist pastor is Rev. L.S. Ethridge, and the Sunday-Scool superintendent is Albert G. Coward. The Sunday school is a large one, and is doing excellent work.

Grifton is a town of pretty cottage homes and nice business houses, principally of brick. It is situated on Contentnea Creek, and has water navigation at nearly all seasons of the year.

The A.C.L. railroad station does a business of at least $1,500 a month. It ships on an average 4,000 bales of cotton, 50,000 pounds of tobacco, and 2,000 barrels of Irish Potatoes in the course of a year, besides various other lines of freight. C.E. Gardner is the genial and courteous agent.

One of the promising enterprises of the town is the Grifton

Manufacturing company, for making and repairing buggies, wagons and various kinds of farm implements. At present the establishment employees ten men, on an average. Dr. W.W. Dawson is president of the Company, and J.R. Harvey secretary and treasurer; S.W. Spock, L.J. Chapman, L.O. Cox and A.L. Jackson are other members of the board of directors. Another manufacturing plant that does a flourishing business is the lumber mill of Keene and Kittrell.

The town has over two dozen business houses, including two millinery establishments, two meat markets, two barber shops, six general merchandise and farm supply stores, two livery stables and a drug store.

The mayor of the town is R.F. Jenkins, and the Board of Aldermen includes C.E. Gardner, I.E. Jenkins, and W.H. McCotter. The town Marshal is D.G. Beddard. The Masons have a nicely fitted up lodge in Grifton., The present officers: W.W. Dawson, W.M.; J.L. Keene, Jr., S. W.: C.H. Gaskins, J.W.; C.J. Tucker, S.D.; R.F. Jenkins, J.D.; S.K. Jackson, Tyler; H.E. Rice, Secretary; G.T. Gardner, Treasurer.

Grifton was originally known as Bell's Ferry, from the fact that Warren Bell conducted a ferry at his chair factory there on Contentnea Creek. This was more than fifty years ago, and Bell was the only man there. Later-early in the '80's- the town was incorporated and Dr. S.B. Wood was the first mayor. The town was then called Grifton, after a Mr. Griffin, who was the first merchant and the biggest propery holder of the town.

Contentnea Creek, flows through the town of Grifton. During the high water season this is navigable up to the Grifton dock and up to a point seven miles from town at all seasons of the year.

This is a big saving to the merchants and farmers generally on all farm supplies such as fertilizers, etc. Captain Tillman makes two trips a week with his passenger and freight boat between New Berne and Grifton. The town is coming to the front rapidly, and there is a general tone of posperity about the place that appeals at once to the casual observer.”

Figure 4: Grifton Main Street (J.R. Harvey & Compahy) about 1905

Figure 5: Grifton Depot about 1905

Bethel Academy

Bethel Academy, (the building in front of Bethel Christian Church) just one mile from Grainger's station, was one of the first institutions of learning in the State. It was established by E. J. Brooks, A.G. Coward, W.H. Rountree, M. Spivey, J.L. Ives, R.M. Abbott, Benjamin Phillips and C.T. Barwick. J.D. Murphy a graduate of the University of North Carolina, was the first teacher.

John Barwick was educated for the most part at Bethel Academy. The academy was located in the heart of Bethel community about a mile and half from the Barwick farm and about a mile from the Albert Coward farm at Tick Bite. The building contained two stories: the upper story was a Masonic hall; and lower floor, a large room with "high homemade desks." The academy stood in a grove of large oak trees near the Disciple and Primitive Baptist churches, a blacksmith shop and a country store. For nearly ten years after the establishment of the school Bethel was the most cultured community in Contentnea Neck. (State Archives).

Figure 6: Bethel Academy

Figure 7: Bethel Christian Church

Edwards Bridge Community

Shortly after the beginning of the Civil War, Craven Tull Barwick joined a cavalry outfit in the Confederate Army. He served throughout the war and was captured by the enemy and was placed in a federal prisioner of war camp at Point Lookout, Maryland from October 1863 until February 1865. With the collapse of the Confederacy, Craven Tull started a bleak trek back to North Carolina and probably to tend his father, Isaac’s, farm. (Isaac died in 1863 while Craven was away in the war.) While in prison, he must have know Edward J. Brooks who was also at Point Lookout. They were both released about the same time and they both ultimately returned to Lenoir County to live in the Edwards Bridge Community. Their farms were located near the place where the English Surveyor-General, John Lawson, had crossed Contentnea Creek in the rural community of Bethel in Contentnea Neck Township about a mile from the present town of Grifton. Contentnea Neck township is in that north eastern corner of Lenoir County between the Neuse River and Contentnea Creek bordering Pitt and Greene counties. John H. Barwick was born on this farm. His childhood companions included his brothers and sisters, numerous relatives in the area, and the children of such neighboring families as the Brooks and Pittmans.

Coward Bridge History

Building the Bridge

Coward's Bridge, currently know to very few people from the Grifton community was built in 1849 at what was then referred to as Coward's Landing. This bridge, a few miles from the mouth of the Contentnea Creek, must have served as the major crossing of the Contentnea Creek from Lenoir County to Pitt County between Jolley's Old Field and Edwards Bridge. Warren Bell later established a ferry across the Contentnea in the area know as the "Bottom" about where Alf 10 Coward's home was, or near the cemetery where Alf is buried. Warren apparently had a ferry crossing the creek near the Coward Bridge. He filed a petition in 1857 complaining of encroachment of the completed bridge on his property (see Document 4). The settlement of this complaint is not known. He obviously moved further up the creek to the present community of Grifton to reestablish his ferry business.

The Coward Bridge was destroyed during the Civil War to impede the movement of Yankee troops that eventually occupied the area sometime after 1863. The submerged timber pilings from the old bridge used to be visible during low water. Sam Barwick pointed them out to me one day while fishing from the Coward Landing site in the 1950's. Breast work protected the bridge and some of it is still evident on the south side of the creek. Records of the Civil war indicate that there was an encampment at this site during 1862.(See the next section.) The bridge was built planned by a joint committee described in the transcripts of the documents to follow.

Document Number 1

Berry S. Hazelton James Kilpatrick Saml. H. Coward Isaac Chestnutt

Document Number 3

Copy of Records. Bridge Court of Pitt County Court

Colonial Records p. 46

State of North Carolina, Pitt County

Be it remembered that heretofore to wit at the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions began and held from the County of Pitt at the Court House in Greenville on the first Monday of February A.D. 1849 a majority of Justices being present the following order was passed and adopted as appeared in record in our said court. viz;

On motion it is ordered by the court a majority of the Justices on the Bench that Jesse Nobles, Lewis B. Pugh, and Berry Y. Hazleton be and they are hereby appointed

commissioners whose duty it shall be to confer with such commissioners as may be here after appointed on behalf of Lenoir County when the propriety of constructing a bridge across Contentnea Creek at or near Cowards landing and if in their opinions it shall be advisable to build said bridge they are further authorized to contract with some person or persons to build said bridge at a sum not exceeding six hundred dollars.

State of North Carolina, Pitt County NC

Henry Sheppard clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Session fr the County aforesaid do hereby certify that the foregoing order is a true copy as appears of record in my office. Given under my name and seal of office at Greenville the 9th day of October A.D. 1852

H. Sheppard Clerk

Document Number 4

Warren Bell and Citizens of Lenoir and Pitt

Colonial Records p. 25

Warren bot the lands in Lenoir - the ferry way a Hacher to the R. H. Card, W.J. [W?] to the Lenoir lands and bot by Bell of W. Rphyton, Laig called the Walln Ferry - Bridge ferry ??

Certain individuals apply to Pitt and Lenoir County Courts by permission to build a Bridge. They built the bridge across Contentnea Creek about 1 1/4 to 12 1/3 yards from Walla Ferry nown by Tho. H. Hooker. ?? by entarried by him. -- Did not fine Bell any notice of petition or building the bridge - the Contentnea Creek is the dividing line between Pitt County and Lenoir County. The defts contend that because the bridge is not in Pitt land he has no right to complain ----

Find out when ferry first established - first called Peters Ferry, then Brook - now called Waller ferry - Ferry bywaus Reslerrs - Nothing done under the act of the Legislature to build the bridge - Yele Bill for Warren Bell.

In case of building a toll bridge within a prohibited distance of another bridge. Evidence may be given of the number of persons that have asked the defts bridge at different time is proof of damages --- Yourssend and Bluvett Hoav.

This R. 503 ??1 vol 44 p. 87 July 7, 1857

The destruction of the bridge ultimately resulted in this community's gradual population decay up till recent times. A real “iron” bridge was later built in the late 1800’s and is pictured below.

Figure 8: Grifton Bridge about 1905

Account 11 of Civil War Activity at Coward's Bridge

“The origin of this battalion was a company of Heavy Artillery raised for the defence of New Bern. After its fall, this company and three others (Mayo's, Leecraft's and Herring's) in like

predicament, were organized into a temporary battalion under Captain John N. Whitford 17 March, 1862. He soon raised a permanent battalion and General Pettigrew 17 March, 1863, complimented the men and especially their commander as "a gallant and efficient officer.". In May, 1863, he was at Coward's Bridge with 400 men. The battalion was commanded by him as Major, and did efficient and daring service in scouting and in driving back predatory expeditions of the enemy. In was reported that on 25 November, 1863, the federals captured 52 men (killing some) and 100 horse and arms, etc., but we do not know how true this was. It was reported else where a loss of twenty men captured at Haddock's Mills, near Greenville. In 1863 the battalion was recruited to six companies, of which Major Whitford became Lieutenant-Colonel, and was at Kinston December, 1863 with 627 present. On 18 January, 1864, it was raised to a full regiment, the Sixty - seventh, of which he was made Colonel and whose history has already been told in Vol. 3 of this Work.”

Coward Farm Bell in Tick Bite

Albert Coward, the great grandfather of Allen J. Barwick, inherited the tracts of land in the Tick Bite areas. He relocated the homestead from the banks of the Contentnea Creek, near Cowards landing, to the current site that is about one mile west. This old homestead is still owned by Coward heirs, Gene, John, Allen and Jimmy Barwick. An integral part of the home place was the old church bell in the back yard. This bell came out of the Grifton Methodist Church around the early part of the century and was returned to the third church building that was razed in 1972 to make room for the fourth and current church building.

The following letter, addressed to the Minister of Grifton Methodist church on the day that a memorial window was dedicated to Sam and Glen Barwick for their service to this Church, gives an account of the church bell that should be of interest. The letter follows:

4509 Waterbury Road Raleigh NC 27604

October 29, 1993

Reverend Samuel W. Loy

Grifton United Methodist Church

Grifton, NC 28530

Dear Rev. Loy:

I wanted to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for being invited to the dedication of the Narthex Memorial Window on October 10, 1993. My parents, Sam and Glen Barwick were devoted members of your Church and I am sure they are pleased with the honor you all have bestowed upon them along with their friends. Our visitation allowed us the opportunity to renew old acquaintances and see people we haven't seen in 30 or more years.

I was also delighted to see that you have located and

returned the bell to the Church. Your request for someone to offer the history of the bell was too much for me to resist, although there are others that are probably more knowledgeable than I on this subject. So, the following is my account, based on my knowledge and some speculation of the bell's long history. If I am mistaken in any of my statements, I stand to be

corrected, and would like to know what the truth is in the cases where I am wrong. So, here goes:

According to the history of the Grifton United Methodist Church, written by Dorothy G. Reeves, whose grandmother was Johnnie Cassie Coward Gardner and great, grandfather was Albert Galletin Coward, the bell was given by Moses Spivey when the first Church was built around 1885. At that time, A. G. Coward, father of Annie L. Coward Patrick, Sarah May Coward Barwick, Eugenia Albert Coward Pittman, Bessie Nannie Coward Patrick, Johnnie Cassie Coward Gardner, Addie Caroline Coward McCotter, Rachael Oliva Coward Taylor, and Jessie Vernon Coward Cox was in his late thirties. Moses Spivey, approximately 35 when the Church was built, was the second husband of Eugenia Coward, A. G. Coward's sister. There is evidence that Albert Coward and Moses Spivey were close friends, but my records are incomplete as to where Moses lived. He helped build the first church, and tradition has it that he helped Albert build the house that all the girls were raised in, the old John Barwick place near Tick Bite. John Barwick, my grandfather, bought the farm from Albert in 1919 and begin farming it with his son Sam Coward Barwick, my father, that same year. You may also be interested in knowing that the current site for the sanctuary was sold to the Church by my father.

The bell was removed from the original Church and placed on a platform behind the old Coward-Barwick home and was used as time-piece for all the farm hands and surrounding neighbors. The date the bell was moved to the farm was either in 1900 or 1918 the times when the original and the second Churches were demolished. I think it probably happened in 1900 while Albert Coward still owned the Coward place. My grandmother, "Miss May Coward Barwick," would ring the bell the start of each day, at lunch (dinner) and at the close of each working day. The bell's resonance could be heard for several miles around (all way to Grifton on a clear day) and was used by the neighbors as a time piece to set their watches by. It was rung during emergencies, fires and at the end of WWII on VJ day (and probably at the end of WWI). As a youngster, I had the privilege to ring the bell, usually at lunch and after lunch. The bell's sound was music to our ears when it was time to quit during a hot day in the middle of the tobacco patch, but early in the morning or the wake up call after lunch was pure drudgery. Sam Coward Barwick returned the bell to the Church in the late '50s where it was placed in the steeple till the building was demolished to make room for the current structure. Its journey from there to this date, I am not aware of, but I delight in its return home.

There are many people that knew the bell. Some or most of the descendants of Edward Coward listed on the accompanying table knew about the bell, and the ones that are living probably share my interest in seeing that the bell remain with the church. It would be great if it could be put back to use where its familiar ring could once again be heard throughout the Grifton community. Except now, its ring would be the wake up call for Christ rather than the wake up call for labor. (Of course, my dad thought that the work of labor and the work of Christ were one and the same as most good Protestants still believe.)

I have given all this detail on names to also show the importance of the founding families in the early development of the Grifton Methodist Church. In addition to the Coward descendants, the Pittman and Patrick families and their descendants make up a large number of the original families of this Church. Interestingly enough, they were all related in some way either by kin or marriage. Allen Patrick, one of the framers

of the Church, was married first to Annie L. Coward and later to Bessie Nannie Coward, both daughters of A. G. Coward. Similarly, Robert Elijah Pittman was married to Eugenia Albert Coward. Robert's father was Francis Marion Pittman, founder of the Church and John Henry Barwick's first cousin, once removed. Miss Appie Spivey, the stepdaughter of Moses and Eugenia Coward Spivey, was the niece of Albert Coward. The current day families of Barwick, Gardner, Cobb, Cox, Haynes, Reeves and Harris are related by kin or marriage to the Coward and/or Pittman families. I am also including a C. T. Barwick, Edward Coward and Joel Patrick, and E.V. Pittman descendancy lists so that you can see the family ties.

I hope this is helpful to you and the members of Grifton United Methodist Church in establishing the bell's history and seeing the family ties within this great Church. Please share this with your congregation as you see fit. If I can be of help in interpreting all of this please let me know.

Love,

Allen Joseph Barwick

BIBLE INFORMATION

Isaac Tull Bible

Isaac Tull was born in Somerset County, Maryland and married Winifred Caldwell in Baltimore County. They moved from Marlyand to Dobbs County in about 1755 and settled on Briary Branch near Kinston. He and his wife are buried in the family cemetery near present day Caswell Center. This record is located in the Lovit Hines Collection in the North Carolina State Archives.

· January 24 th Day 1762

· Isaac Tull Son of Thomas Tull and Sarah his Wife was born

December ye: 24 Day 1743/3

· Isaac Tull was Married to Winefred Caldwell febr. ye: 24 Day

1743/4

· Winifred Tull was born october 25th 1720

· an account of My Childrens age

· John Tull was born october ye: 15 Day 1744

· Charles Tull was born october: 19th 1746 and Died ye: 18th

of June 1750

· Elisabeth Tull was born Febr: ye: 6 1748/9

· Ann Tull was born ye: 23 Day of May 1751

The following pages have been copied from the Coward-Pittman Bible. The probable source is Mr. Robert (Bob) Pittman of Greenville, N.C.

CEMETERY LOCATIONS

Tick Bite

Tick Bite Tombstones. Survey about 1974. Located on Contentnea Creek banks in Tick Bite, Lenoir County;

· Bell, Ernest, 15 May 1884 - 30 March, 1941

· Coward, Cassie Wright 31 May, 1874 - 27 September, 1879

· Coward, Enoch b. and d. 15 November, 1891. Son of A. G. and

Nancy W. S. Coward.

· Coward, Moses Carroll 26 January, 1883 - 26 July, 1885

· Coward, Samuel Stanley 28 October, 1881 - 11 October, 1896.

· Mills, Gladys no dates.

· Patrick, Annie L. 6 December 1867 - 21 June, 1895

· Patrick, Bessie N. Mother 15 October, 1876 -21 March, 1912.

Wife of A. L. Patrick. (Patrick and third wife buried in Grifton Cemetery.)

· Patrick, Infant 16 June, 1885 - 16 June, 1885

· Patrick, John Stanley 23 June, 1891 - 15 Oct, 1895 Son of

Allen and Annie Patrick.

· Pittman, Albert Marion, 8 October, 1897 - 8 October, 1897

Son of R. E. and E. A. Pittman. E.H. Pittman was a daughter of

A.G. Coward and Nancy W. S. Coward.

· Pittman, Kathleen 5 July, 1892 - 5 July, 1892. Daughter of

R. E. and E. A. Pittman.

· Pittman, Little Robin - 8 July, 1899 - 19 October, 1899. Son

of R. E. and E. A. Pittman.

· Spivey, Eugenia 29 October, 1838 - 30 May, 1902. Daughter of

Samuel H. Coward and wife Lucretia. Eugenia married moses

spivey.

Stanley, John 21 September, 1830 - 6 April, 1879. Brother of Nancy W. Stanley Coward, wife of A. B. Coward.

Greene County Brick Kitchen Road Area

Located on rural road 1405 on the Old Brick Kitchen Road near Four-way crossroads in front of the Edwards home. Copied March 1971 by Mrs. H. Landeaus and Mrs. M.L. Lewis

COWARD FAMILIES

· Carolinet, wife of William Coward, Jan. 15, 1840 - Jan. 3,

1862. Age: 21 yrs. 11 mons. 18 days.

· Clarey C., dau. of Wm & Martha A. COward, died Oct. 3, 1855.

Age: 2 yrs. 3 mons. 25 days.

· Cordilia, dau. of Edward & Liewcasica Coward, Jul. 3, 1836 -

Dec. 25, 1854.

· Edward, Nov. 9, 1785 - Jul. 19, 1863

· Edward, son of Wm. & Martha A. Coward, died Jul. 11, 1855.

Age: 1 mon. 14 days.

· Liewcasica, wife of Edward Coward, Feb 29, 1792 - May 26,

1854.

· Martha A., wife of William Coward, died Jul. 21, 1855. Age:

24 yrs. 6 mons. 6 days.

· Martha Elizabeth, dau. of Wm. & Ann H. Coward, Mar. 13, 1867

- Oct. 3, 1875.

· Samuel H., Jan. 20, 1815 - Jul. 25, 1851.

· Samuel, son of Wm. & Martha A. Coward, died Jun. 23, 1855.

Age: 1 yr. 7 mons. 12 days.

· William, Nov. 14, 1830 - Sept. 1, 1896

DIXON FAMILIES

· Nancy Coward, wife of Wm. Dixon, Aug. 12, 1818 - Aug. 11,

1882

· William, Jan. 26, 1804 - Aug. 25, 1864

Grifton

· Samuel Coward Barwick, September 15, 1896 - November, 1975