Betty Lou Beckwith Bland, 80, passed away Friday, February 10, 2006.
A native of Raleigh, she retired to Lake Gaston before moving to Franklin County. She was born December 31, 1925 to the late Vernon Beckwith of Raleigh and Cornealia Rich of Graham, NC.
Mrs. Bland and her brother, Bill Beckwith skated competitively in her younger years.
She and her husband owned and operated the State Soda Shop in Raleigh for 17 years. In retirement, she enjoyed painting, raising flowers, swimming, fishing and had a true love for the ocean.
Rev. Richard Myers conducted funeral services at 2:00 p.m. Sunday at Oak Level Christian Church with burial in the church cemetery.
The family received friends after the ceremony in the Oak Level Christian Church Fellowship Hall.
Surviving are her husband of 55 years, Edward Francis Bland, Sr; daughters, Susan Maher of New Bern and Jane Andersen of Raleigh; sons, Ed Bland, Jr. and wife, Lysa of Raleigh, Bill Bland and wife, Tina of Youngsville and Dan Bland and wife, April of Wilson; her grandchildren, Sam Andersen, Carrie and Catherine Maher, Ashley Davis and husband, Logan, Winston Bland, Laura and Anna Bland; brothers, Donald Ernest Beckwith of Charlotte and Keith Nicholson of Raleigh; and sister, Elizabeth Harrell Thach (deceased) of Hertford.
Flowers are acceptable or contributions may be made to the Oak Level Christian Church, P.O. Box 216, Youngsville, NC 27596.
Arrangements were handled by Blaylock Funeral Home in Warrenton.
A soft goodbye (for my beloved Aunt Betty Lou)
When the light begins to fade,
And shadows fall across the sea,
One bright star in the evening sky,
Your love’s light leads me on my way.
There’s a dream that will not sleep,
A burning hope that will not die,
So I must go now with the wind,
And leave you waiting on the tide.
Time to fly, time to touch the sky.
One voice alone - a haunting cry.
One song, one star burning bright,
Let it carry me through darkest night.
Rain comes over the grey hills,
And on the air, a soft goodbye.
Hear the song that I sing to you,
When the time has come to fly.
When I leave and take the wing,
And find the land that fate will bring,
The brightest star in the evening sky,
Is your love waiting far for me.
- Celtic Woman
Showing posts with label Raleigh. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Raleigh. Show all posts
Tuesday, February 14, 2006
Sunday, March 13, 2005
Mother of the father of the North Carolina Symphony Orchestra.
Oscar & Ellie Beckwith Stringfield
Ellie Beckwith, wife of Oscar Larkin Stringfield daughter of Calvin Beckwith, grand-daughter of Green Beckwith, and great-grand-daughter of Isaac Beckwith, who was my 4th great-grandfather -- making her my 2nd cousin, 3 times removed -- was the mother of the father of the North Carolina Symphony. No wonder I sometimes whistle.
Pulitzer Traveling Fellowship recipient and North Carolina native Lamar Stringfield had a passion for music. In the early 1930's, Stringfield envisioned what would become his legacy. His deep love for music and performing arts consumed Stringfield's every ounce of devotion as he tried to assemble an orchestra. Through Stringfield's hard work and the dedication of many volunteers, the North Carolina Symphony was formed in 1932. On March 16, 1932, the new North Carolina Symphony Orchestra performed its first formal concert at Meredith College auditorium in Raleigh. Comprised initially of unpaid musicians from local communities, and even some individuals from as far away as Richmond, Virginia, the Symphony and small factions had performed more than 140 concerts in 50 towns and cities around North Carolina by 1935.
Monday, June 21, 2004
Dr. John Beckwith & the Capitol at Raleigh
Dr. John Beckwith & the Capitol at Raleigh
Margaret Cogdell Stanley b 3-26-1787 m 12-3-1807 Dr John Beckwith. Dr Beckwith was one or the commissioners for building the capitol in Raleigh which was completed in 1840, He died in Petersburg, Va.
Dr Thomas Stanley Beckwith b 5-16-1813 d 11-16-1865 m 6-6-1838
Agnes Ruffin b 10-3-1816, son Charles:
Charles M Beckwith b in Prince George Co, Va. 6-3-1851 m 7-31-1888 oi
Lucy Cooke in Houston, Texas. He was 4th Bishop of Alabama
MORE
Margaret Cogdell Stanley b 3-26-1787 m 12-3-1807 Dr John Beckwith. Dr Beckwith was one or the commissioners for building the capitol in Raleigh which was completed in 1840, He died in Petersburg, Va.
Dr Thomas Stanley Beckwith b 5-16-1813 d 11-16-1865 m 6-6-1838
Agnes Ruffin b 10-3-1816, son Charles:
Charles M Beckwith b in Prince George Co, Va. 6-3-1851 m 7-31-1888 oi
Lucy Cooke in Houston, Texas. He was 4th Bishop of Alabama
MORE
Thursday, January 01, 2004
Places and Names
UK:
Acaster Malbis Aketon Aldborough Appleton Roebuck Ashby Parva Averham
Barwick-in-Elmet Beckwith Beckwithshaw Beningborough Bexhill Bolton Percy
Bramhope Bridlington Burton Agnes
Cambridge Castleford Clifton Clint Coxwold
Dacre Deighton Durham Easingwold
Farnham Featherstone Filey
Galphay Gilling East Glastonbury Grafton Great Barugh Guiseley
Harrogate Herrington Isle of Iona
Kenilworth Kilburn Knaresborough
Leeds Lichfield Little Gidding London
Masham Muston Old Bramhope Otley
Pannal Ash Pickering Pontefract Ripon
Scriven Scrooby Sheffield Skelton Solihull Stanley Sutton-on-Trent
Tamworth Thirsk Thorpe Thurcroft Trimdon
Ugglebarnby Warsop West Bromwich Wheldrake Wighill York
SURNAMES
Anjou Aragon Arden Audley Bainville Baldwin Ball Balliol Barcelona Barnes Baruch Baskerville Beauchamp Beaufort Beaumont Beckwith Beckwourth Berenger Berkeley Borrel Borthwick Bosworth Braiose Brakenbury Bresch Brewster Brugge Brychan Brooks Brockenbrough Bruce Burgundy Burton Butler Capet Carcassonne Carter Cary Castile Champaign Chaworth Chatworth Clare Cole Collins Cologne Cone Comyn Corbin Cornwall Courteney Council Crawford Crophull Curzon Dammartin Danby Deinnes Deiville Devereaux Digby Despencer Dorset Douglas Drummond Dyneley Dudley Fairfax Fauntleroy Faust Ferrars Ferrers Fiennes Finn Fitzalan Fitzpatrick Fitzwilliam Flanders Forrester Gascoigne Gaunt Gifford Goodwin Griswold Hackney Hainault Hampden Hardy Hepburn Heton Holland Hulse Hungerford Hunter Hotchkiss Huntingdon Huntington Ives James Jennings Latham LaZouche Lascelles Lee Lincoln Lorraine Luxembourg Malbisse Manly Marshall Mason Massey Mather Miles Montagu Montgomery Mortimer Morton Muir Navarre Neville Normandy Oldham Parker Paynel Pearce Peck Pember Percy Plantagenet Plumpton Ponthieu Pope Radcliff Raleigh Randolph Rennes Rich Ruffin Salisbury Sanchez Saunders Seton Shakespeare Shepard Skipwith Simpson Smith Sparrow Stapleton Stringfield Stockbridge Stafford Sutherland Stanley Stuart Sutton Tayloe Taylor Toulouse Tucker Turner Vavasour Venables Von Brunswick Walker Warner Warrenne Washington Wentworth Whalesborough Windsor Wood Wolfe Wyvill Yale Yates ...
Acaster Malbis Aketon Aldborough Appleton Roebuck Ashby Parva Averham
Barwick-in-Elmet Beckwith Beckwithshaw Beningborough Bexhill Bolton Percy
Bramhope Bridlington Burton Agnes
Cambridge Castleford Clifton Clint Coxwold
Dacre Deighton Durham Easingwold
Farnham Featherstone Filey
Galphay Gilling East Glastonbury Grafton Great Barugh Guiseley
Harrogate Herrington Isle of Iona
Kenilworth Kilburn Knaresborough
Leeds Lichfield Little Gidding London
Masham Muston Old Bramhope Otley
Pannal Ash Pickering Pontefract Ripon
Scriven Scrooby Sheffield Skelton Solihull Stanley Sutton-on-Trent
Tamworth Thirsk Thorpe Thurcroft Trimdon
Ugglebarnby Warsop West Bromwich Wheldrake Wighill York
SURNAMES
Anjou Aragon Arden Audley Bainville Baldwin Ball Balliol Barcelona Barnes Baruch Baskerville Beauchamp Beaufort Beaumont Beckwith Beckwourth Berenger Berkeley Borrel Borthwick Bosworth Braiose Brakenbury Bresch Brewster Brugge Brychan Brooks Brockenbrough Bruce Burgundy Burton Butler Capet Carcassonne Carter Cary Castile Champaign Chaworth Chatworth Clare Cole Collins Cologne Cone Comyn Corbin Cornwall Courteney Council Crawford Crophull Curzon Dammartin Danby Deinnes Deiville Devereaux Digby Despencer Dorset Douglas Drummond Dyneley Dudley Fairfax Fauntleroy Faust Ferrars Ferrers Fiennes Finn Fitzalan Fitzpatrick Fitzwilliam Flanders Forrester Gascoigne Gaunt Gifford Goodwin Griswold Hackney Hainault Hampden Hardy Hepburn Heton Holland Hulse Hungerford Hunter Hotchkiss Huntingdon Huntington Ives James Jennings Latham LaZouche Lascelles Lee Lincoln Lorraine Luxembourg Malbisse Manly Marshall Mason Massey Mather Miles Montagu Montgomery Mortimer Morton Muir Navarre Neville Normandy Oldham Parker Paynel Pearce Peck Pember Percy Plantagenet Plumpton Ponthieu Pope Radcliff Raleigh Randolph Rennes Rich Ruffin Salisbury Sanchez Saunders Seton Shakespeare Shepard Skipwith Simpson Smith Sparrow Stapleton Stringfield Stockbridge Stafford Sutherland Stanley Stuart Sutton Tayloe Taylor Toulouse Tucker Turner Vavasour Venables Von Brunswick Walker Warner Warrenne Washington Wentworth Whalesborough Windsor Wood Wolfe Wyvill Yale Yates ...
Monday, May 12, 2003
High Strangeness: When Flesh and Blood Fell from the Sky
When Flesh and Blood Fell from the Sky
by John Hairr*
The fall of flesh and blood from the sky would generate no small amount of curiosity, even in our technologically advanced society acquainted with air travel. We can only imagine the consternation that such events had upon people in the days before powered flight. Falls of blood, and in some cases even flesh, have been chronicled throughout history from all over the world. Understandably, these events sometimes caused consternation among the people, and were often seen as portents of ill luck or doom.
In North Carolina in the nineteenth century, two different incidents of blood and flesh falling from the sky were recorded. The episodes, one in Sampson County and the other in Chatham County, occurred 34 years apart.
The first flesh fall recorded in North Carolina occurred on 15 February 1850 on the farm of Thomas Clarkson, thirteen miles southwest of the county seat of Clinton. His account of the incident, and a sample of the material, was taken to Fayetteville by a Mr. Holland.
Clarkson's description of the event was taken down by Mr. Holland and printed in the North Carolinian, a newspaper published in Fayetteville. He noted, "On the 15th Feb'y, 1850, there fell within 100 yards of the residence of Thos. M. Clarkson in Sampson county, a shower of Flesh and Blood, about 250 or 300 yards in length. The pieces appeared to be flesh, liver, lights, brains and blood. Some of the blood ran on the leaves, apparently very fresh. Three of his (T.M.C.'s) children were in it, and ran to their mother exclaiming, "Mother there is meat falling!" Their mother went immediately to see, but the shower was over; but there lay the flesh, &c. Neill Campbell, Esq. living close by, was on the spot shortly after it fell, and pronounced it as above. One of his children was about 150 yards from the shower and came running to the rest saying he smelt something like blood. During the time it was falling there was a cloud overhead, having a red appearance like a wind cloud. There was no rain." (1)
The writer for the North Carolinian went on to note that the materials brought in by Mr. Holland was examined "with two of the best microscopes in the place." All who looked at the samples agreed that it was flesh and blood, but from what was unknown. (2)
The second flesh fall recorded in North Carolina occurred on 25 February 1884. Mrs. Kit Lasater, wife of a black tenant farmer who lived on the farm of Silas Beckworth in New Hope Township in Chatham County on the north side of the Pittsboro-Raleigh Road, was standing in a freshly plowed field near a barn a short distance from her family's one room cabin when blood fell from a clear sky upon the ground, bushes and fence all around her.
As word spread of the event, curious people dropped in to investigate the site. At first it was neighbors and friends, but as the news spread, curiosity seekers from further afield came by. Soon, the event was chronicled in the local newspaper, the Chatham Record. Of the event, the paper reported, "Many of the neighbors, after hearing of her statement, visited the spot and they all say that the ground--embracing an area of about 60 feet in circumference--was covered with splotches of something like blood: and an examination of the trees in this place showed blood on the branches. We are informed that a reputable physician of the neighborhood visited the spot and said it was blood." (3)
S.A. Holleman was one of the first people to visit the site. He reported the following particulars. "The space covered was about fifty by seventy feet, and nearly in a rectangular form. The drops were of sizes varying from that of a small pea to that of a man's finger and averaged about one to the square foot. Smaller drops were instantly absorbed, larger ones, with those on the wood, coagulated. Some fell in the bushes and coagulated upon the limbs."
When Flesh and Blood Fell from the Sky
by John Hairr*
The fall of flesh and blood from the sky would generate no small amount of curiosity, even in our technologically advanced society acquainted with air travel. We can only imagine the consternation that such events had upon people in the days before powered flight. Falls of blood, and in some cases even flesh, have been chronicled throughout history from all over the world. Understandably, these events sometimes caused consternation among the people, and were often seen as portents of ill luck or doom.
In North Carolina in the nineteenth century, two different incidents of blood and flesh falling from the sky were recorded. The episodes, one in Sampson County and the other in Chatham County, occurred 34 years apart.
The first flesh fall recorded in North Carolina occurred on 15 February 1850 on the farm of Thomas Clarkson, thirteen miles southwest of the county seat of Clinton. His account of the incident, and a sample of the material, was taken to Fayetteville by a Mr. Holland.
Clarkson's description of the event was taken down by Mr. Holland and printed in the North Carolinian, a newspaper published in Fayetteville. He noted, "On the 15th Feb'y, 1850, there fell within 100 yards of the residence of Thos. M. Clarkson in Sampson county, a shower of Flesh and Blood, about 250 or 300 yards in length. The pieces appeared to be flesh, liver, lights, brains and blood. Some of the blood ran on the leaves, apparently very fresh. Three of his (T.M.C.'s) children were in it, and ran to their mother exclaiming, "Mother there is meat falling!" Their mother went immediately to see, but the shower was over; but there lay the flesh, &c. Neill Campbell, Esq. living close by, was on the spot shortly after it fell, and pronounced it as above. One of his children was about 150 yards from the shower and came running to the rest saying he smelt something like blood. During the time it was falling there was a cloud overhead, having a red appearance like a wind cloud. There was no rain." (1)
The writer for the North Carolinian went on to note that the materials brought in by Mr. Holland was examined "with two of the best microscopes in the place." All who looked at the samples agreed that it was flesh and blood, but from what was unknown. (2)
The second flesh fall recorded in North Carolina occurred on 25 February 1884. Mrs. Kit Lasater, wife of a black tenant farmer who lived on the farm of Silas Beckworth in New Hope Township in Chatham County on the north side of the Pittsboro-Raleigh Road, was standing in a freshly plowed field near a barn a short distance from her family's one room cabin when blood fell from a clear sky upon the ground, bushes and fence all around her.
As word spread of the event, curious people dropped in to investigate the site. At first it was neighbors and friends, but as the news spread, curiosity seekers from further afield came by. Soon, the event was chronicled in the local newspaper, the Chatham Record. Of the event, the paper reported, "Many of the neighbors, after hearing of her statement, visited the spot and they all say that the ground--embracing an area of about 60 feet in circumference--was covered with splotches of something like blood: and an examination of the trees in this place showed blood on the branches. We are informed that a reputable physician of the neighborhood visited the spot and said it was blood." (3)
S.A. Holleman was one of the first people to visit the site. He reported the following particulars. "The space covered was about fifty by seventy feet, and nearly in a rectangular form. The drops were of sizes varying from that of a small pea to that of a man's finger and averaged about one to the square foot. Smaller drops were instantly absorbed, larger ones, with those on the wood, coagulated. Some fell in the bushes and coagulated upon the limbs."
Johnson, Guion Griffis, 1900- 1989. Ante-Bellum North Carolina: A Social History: Electronic Edition.
The general practitioner usually performed operations upon the head whenever such cases arose, for there were few specialists in this field of surgery in the State. One such specialist, however, was Dr. John Beckwith of Raleigh who treated diseases of the eye for a period of more than twenty years until his removal to Petersburg, Virginia, in the forties. In the issue of September 7, 1839, the Raleigh Register referred with pride to his operations for the relief of blindness, declaring that he had as few instances of failure as the more famed doctors at the North.
The general practitioner usually performed operations upon the head whenever such cases arose, for there were few specialists in this field of surgery in the State. One such specialist, however, was Dr. John Beckwith of Raleigh who treated diseases of the eye for a period of more than twenty years until his removal to Petersburg, Virginia, in the forties. In the issue of September 7, 1839, the Raleigh Register referred with pride to his operations for the relief of blindness, declaring that he had as few instances of failure as the more famed doctors at the North.
Documenting the American South: The Southern Experience in 19-th Century America
ELDER JOHNSON OLIVE
was born in Chatham county, North Carolina, June 7th, 1816. His boyhood was spent on a farm, attending, at intervals, such primary schools as the neighborhood afforded. During his youth he often felt concerned for his soul's salvation. In that
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 308
day camp-meetings were quite common. He attended one at Buckhorn, Chatham county, in 1837. Here he repented and believed, and was soon after baptized by Elder P. W. Dowd, a member of Shady Grove Church. In the neighborhood prayer-meetings he first began to lead in public prayer - then in the church. Having a good voice for singing, and being otherwise gifted, his pastor, Elder Dowd, took special interest in him, urging him to go to school and prepare himself for future usefulness, not hinting that some day he might want to preach. Taking his pastor's advice, he entered Thompson's Academy (George W. Thompson, Principal), in the northern. part of Wake county. He also attended Pleasant Hill Academy, in Chatham county, Baxter Clegg, Principal. After thus having been at school some time, he returned home. He soon began to teach in the family of his old pastor, in 1841. Elder Dowd and wife were exceedingly kind to him and interested in him, which begot in him a life-long attachment for them.
During this year (1841), he married Martha Hunter, daughter of Alsey Hunter, of Wake county, and settled near where Olive's Chapel now is, where for a time he engaged in farming. During this time he was much impressed and concerned about his duty to enter the ministry. He felt that he must do something more than he was doing. The great question in his mind was, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" He began to make appointments for "religious services" at the neighboring churches.
He talked with much freedom and effect. Pastors around him began to have him fill their appointments. In after life he often spoke of this period, and always made most affectionate allusions to Elders Dowd, James Dennis and Jesse Howell. He was licensed to preach soon, and five years later, by request of his church, he was ordained at the Raleigh Association, meeting at Cumberland Union Church (now in Harnett), in the year 1847. Ministers present: John Purefoy. James S. Purefoy, William Jones, David Williams, S. Senter, Ezekiel Holland, James Dennis and Robert J. Dennis. He then took
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 309
charge of and held the pastorate for a number of years of the churches at Shady Grove, Mt.. Pisgah, Holly Spring and Cedar Fork.
He was very active in the ministry till 1861; he then was afflicted with "spiritual darkness" - such he called it. His many friends were much saddened by it, for he ceased to preach entirely. Some thought he had lost his mind, but he always insisted that such was not the case; that his judgment, memory, mental powers, all were the same as ever. He said for some purpose the Lord had withdrawn spiritual light from him; that he could not hold communion with God as he had done before, and as he did afterwards. Be this as it may, he was for nearly four years a very miserable man. Gradually the darkness began to lift, and light and joy began to break in upon his spirit. He again, in 1865, entered actively upon his ministry, and remained at his post till the Master called him home to rest. This took place at his new home in Apex, January 24th, 1885. At the time of his death he was pastor of Cary, Holly Springs, Swift Creek and New Bethel churches. His last sermon was at Holly Springs, from the text, Phil. 2: 16., "Holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain" It seems almost prophetic. Many thought it his best sermon. His body lies in the village and church burying- ground at Apex, N. C.
ELDER JOHNSON OLIVE
was born in Chatham county, North Carolina, June 7th, 1816. His boyhood was spent on a farm, attending, at intervals, such primary schools as the neighborhood afforded. During his youth he often felt concerned for his soul's salvation. In that
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 308
day camp-meetings were quite common. He attended one at Buckhorn, Chatham county, in 1837. Here he repented and believed, and was soon after baptized by Elder P. W. Dowd, a member of Shady Grove Church. In the neighborhood prayer-meetings he first began to lead in public prayer - then in the church. Having a good voice for singing, and being otherwise gifted, his pastor, Elder Dowd, took special interest in him, urging him to go to school and prepare himself for future usefulness, not hinting that some day he might want to preach. Taking his pastor's advice, he entered Thompson's Academy (George W. Thompson, Principal), in the northern. part of Wake county. He also attended Pleasant Hill Academy, in Chatham county, Baxter Clegg, Principal. After thus having been at school some time, he returned home. He soon began to teach in the family of his old pastor, in 1841. Elder Dowd and wife were exceedingly kind to him and interested in him, which begot in him a life-long attachment for them.
During this year (1841), he married Martha Hunter, daughter of Alsey Hunter, of Wake county, and settled near where Olive's Chapel now is, where for a time he engaged in farming. During this time he was much impressed and concerned about his duty to enter the ministry. He felt that he must do something more than he was doing. The great question in his mind was, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" He began to make appointments for "religious services" at the neighboring churches.
He talked with much freedom and effect. Pastors around him began to have him fill their appointments. In after life he often spoke of this period, and always made most affectionate allusions to Elders Dowd, James Dennis and Jesse Howell. He was licensed to preach soon, and five years later, by request of his church, he was ordained at the Raleigh Association, meeting at Cumberland Union Church (now in Harnett), in the year 1847. Ministers present: John Purefoy. James S. Purefoy, William Jones, David Williams, S. Senter, Ezekiel Holland, James Dennis and Robert J. Dennis. He then took
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Page 309
charge of and held the pastorate for a number of years of the churches at Shady Grove, Mt.. Pisgah, Holly Spring and Cedar Fork.
He was very active in the ministry till 1861; he then was afflicted with "spiritual darkness" - such he called it. His many friends were much saddened by it, for he ceased to preach entirely. Some thought he had lost his mind, but he always insisted that such was not the case; that his judgment, memory, mental powers, all were the same as ever. He said for some purpose the Lord had withdrawn spiritual light from him; that he could not hold communion with God as he had done before, and as he did afterwards. Be this as it may, he was for nearly four years a very miserable man. Gradually the darkness began to lift, and light and joy began to break in upon his spirit. He again, in 1865, entered actively upon his ministry, and remained at his post till the Master called him home to rest. This took place at his new home in Apex, January 24th, 1885. At the time of his death he was pastor of Cary, Holly Springs, Swift Creek and New Bethel churches. His last sermon was at Holly Springs, from the text, Phil. 2: 16., "Holding forth the word of life, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain" It seems almost prophetic. Many thought it his best sermon. His body lies in the village and church burying- ground at Apex, N. C.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)