Latham Phelps
Latham Phelps
Greensboro, N C
PS: I was born in Person County. N C in the Bushy Fork Community at the
homeplace, no longer standing but the Phelps Family cemetery, enclosed
several years ago by descendants, sitting in cow pasture and with about13
graves. My GG Grandfather, Thomas Haywood Phelps is buried there, but no
marker and my Grandfather, Wyatt Edward Phelps and his two wives Robennia(Beanie) Blackwell and my grandmother, Susan (Mollie) Fitzgerald.
The homeplace was "T" shaped withtop of the "T" being the front section, surrounded large orchard,"T" section was two stories with four rooms, pump type organ, crankphone on wall but not working, siding was white pine and painted white and roofwas tin, porch supported by large columns wrapped around right side into the"I" part to the other-side where it continued, but screened in backto the smoke house and with a nearby outdoor well. The interior of the"I" section consisted of large kitchen, dining room with a handpumped water pump at the sink, and with a large cooking and heating ofwater wood stove. The other side of this section was screened in joining astorage room. The back section was over a full basement. In the summer time, alarge block of ice was kept in the ice box on the side porch. The"jonnie" was outside and
always tuned to the existing climate. There was also sitting on the property avery old pine (logs appeared to be two foot tall, scaled, and pegged), kitchenin back and an enclosed area in the rafters.
Here is some oral history: several of my living cousins recall from their youngdays being told that our family (two brothers, one of which had red hair, camefrom PA; my younger brother remembers being told they came from VA; and Dougremembers it was three brothers with one settling in the eastern part of NC.
My Dad, Lewis Elmo Phelps attended church all his life in a community churchcall ''Wheelers Primitive Church', believed it was established in 1760. Whileattend church, estimated to be when I was around 16, and by a member witha last name of Snipes saying his wife was a Phelps family member and hehad in his possession old deed showing that the Phelps farm at one time hadmore 5 K acres. Last year I visited the area, off HW # 49 North towardRoxboro, N C and turning left just before the now developed area at anintersection on the left at a brick store just to drive through the area.
None of my living cousins were unaware of this information! Hopefully by theend of this summer, I can revisit the area. Also this summer, I will have abetter selection of old family pictures for scanning to our FTM Program
WHOW! WHAT A PS.