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Odell Meeler November 6th 1916 - January 29th 2000 Odell Meeler was born November 6, 1916 in Banks County, GA. She was the second child of Etta Davis Meeler and James W. Meeler. She married E. C. Gerrell December 26, 1946. E. C. was born December 16, 1920. Etta Davis Meeler made her home with them as long as she lived. They had no children but they are remembered as being a very special "aunt" and "uncle". E.C. Gerrell retired from the hardware store. Odell Gerrell retired from a sewing factory. Odell died as a result of diabetes on January 29, 2000. Her husband E.C. was in a nursing home due to strokes and passed away July 8, 2000. They are buried at Yonah Memorial Gardens in Habersham County, GA. Father: James Meeler Mother: Etta Davis _ ______________________ Brothers: Robert Meeler, Charlie Meeler Sisters: Elsie Meeler Half Brother: John Henry Deaton , Jake Deaton , Harve Deaton ________________ ______ Top Row (L to R): Robert Meeler, Charlie Meeler Bottom Row (L to R): Etta Meeler, Elsie Meeler, Odell Meeler L to R: Elsie Meeler, Odell Meeler, Etta Meeler, Robert Meeler L to R: Martha Ann Deaton, Odell Meeler, Elsie Meeler Elsie and Odell Meeler

Fred Gibson October 14th 1926 – July 15th 2010 Fred Gibson was born on October 14th 1926 in Banks County, Georgia. He was raised by Dicey Jane Lawrence and Owen Gibson; however, his biological father was Harve Wesley Deaton who had him out of wedlock. He married Lucille Jackson on December 4th 1948. They had 3 children: Roger, Randy, and Patsy Jean; however, Patsy Jean died at the age of 3 months. Fred passed away on July 15th 2010. Father: Harve Wesley Deaton Mother: Dicey Jane Lawrence Half Brother: Wayne Deaton , Roy Gibson Half Sister: Martha Ann Deaton , Edith Gibson, Florene Gibson ____________________ Wife : Lucille Jackson Children : Roger Gibson, Randy Gibson Fred and his wife, Lucille Gibson Fred and his son, Roger L to R: Lucille, Fred, Roger, Randy Fred and his two sons L to R: Maud Ausburn and Fred Gibson

John Murray December 10th 1803 - September 24th 1885 John Murray was born December 10, 1803 in NC and died September 24, 1885 in Banks County, GA. He was the son of James Murray and Anna Murray. He married Sarah Caudell about 1826 in Franklin County, GA. She was born March 26, 1807 in NC and died January 10, 1871 in Banks County, GA. She was the daughter of Benjamin Caudell, Jr. and Francis 'Fannie' Caudell. John and Sarah Murray are buried at the Murray Family Cemetery, Banks County, GA. There are other tombstones in that old family cemetery but all the names on them are illegible. They are Ben Ausburn's maternal grandparents. There is a deed recording the sale of 80 acres of land on December 28, 1833 to John Murray. He paid one hundred dollars for the tract of land. One day before John Murray's purchase, his brother, Josiah bought one hundred acres for two hundred dollars. Both parcels of land were bought from William Catlett. The land was described as being on Webs Creek in Franklin County. The land owners next to them were Benjamin Caudell, David Caudell, Crawford, and James Murray. Father: James Murray Mother : Anna Hamilton ____________________ Wife: Sarah Jane Caudill Copied as written is a letter John Murray wrote to his daughter, Elizabeth, in Saline County, AR. Banks County, Georgia August 6, 1876 Dear daughter I seat my Self to write to let you know that I am in common health at this time hoping these lines may come safe to hand and find upon all well my arme is not improved much Sence I wrote to you. I can rest better I can't doo no hard labor the conection is ginerele well at this time I received your letter in dew time and was glad to here from you and here that you was all well. I wood have wrote Sooner but I have neglected William Floyd Murray was born Feb. 20th 1828 Tanna Malinda Murray was born Feb. 19th 1830 Maryan Murray was born January 6th 1832 James T. Murray was born July 29th 1834 Sarah Jane Murray was born March 4th 1837 22

Hazel Deaton Hazel Deaton was born on March 10th 1928 in Banks County, Georgia. Everyone loved Hazel, as she was very outgoing and intelligent. Hazel drowned when she was only thirteen years old. She was at a school picnic and the children were playing at the edge of the water at Soque River. A girl (Sarah Jane Haslett) was swept under the water by a swift undercurrent, and a boy (Gordon Foster) went in to help her. He was swept under. Hazel, being an excellent swimmer, went in to save them. All three died on May 19, 1942. Father: John Henry Deaton Mother : Cora Jane Lawrence Sister : Ruth Deaton, Johnnie Deaton Brother : Stark Deaton ________________ _______ March 18th 1928 - May 19th 1942 Savannah Morning News, 5/42 Hazel Deaton L to R: Hazel, Stark, Cora, John Henry, Johnnie, Ruth Hazel Deaton Hazel's Death Location (Habersham Mill 2024) Newspaper Clip when Hazel was in Second Grade Last Book Hazel Read Hazel's Handwriting

Isaac Abraham Deaton July 10th 1897 – April 9th 1988 Isaac Abraham Deaton, known as Ike, was born July 8, 1897. He was the third son of Leuticia Carver and John Starlin Deaton. After his father was killed he chose not to go with his half-sister, Etta Davis Deaton, to Georgia. So he lived with Dr. Leonard at first and later with several other families in Telico Plains, TN growing up. When he was nineteen years old there were no jobs to be found. He said he was hungry and saw a sign that read, "THE MARINES ARE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MEN". He went in, joined and stayed thirty-four months. He spoke Spanish fluently, even though he only finished the second grade. All of the Deaton men had very little formal education but had excellent minds. He married Phebie Ellis on August 24, 1922. Phebie was born June 29, 1905. Her parents were John Ellis and Cordelia Kilby Ellis. Ike and Phebie had thirteen children but four of them died as infants. When Rueben Deaton's wife died, Ike went to Cherokee and got his brother's son, Johnnie, and brought him home to live with the family. Johnnie stayed with them until he married. Ike spent most of his life working in logging camps. He owned a farm in Madisonville, TN. His wife, children, and hired hands worked the farm. He had a small house on the farm and usually there was a family living in it that helped with the work. (Lucille Deaton Roberts, Robert Lee Deaton's daughter, has fond memories of living in that house for about four years when she was very young. She enjoyed the time spent with Uncle Ike's children.) He would be gone for long periods of time working at the logging camp. His specific duty was keeping the saws sharpened. The story goes that often the younger children would forget who he was during the absences. Murlon, one of the younger children, was outside playing when Ike returned home one day from the logging camp. He asked the child if he could speak to his mother. He immediately ran inside and told his mother some old man outside wanted to speak with her. He was a hard-working man who loved his family. The Deaton's were notorious for making and drinking whiskey. Yet here was a man that only had whiskey touch his lips one time which was enough for him. Isaac during his time in the Military Fa ther : John Starlin Deaton Mother : Leuticia Carver Brothers: Reuben Deaton , David Deaton , Robert Lee Deaton Half Brothers : John Henry Deaton, Jacob Leander Deaton , Harve Wesley Deaton ____________________ Wife : Phebie Ellis Children : Edia, James Jurlon, Inis, Clarence Murlon, Arthur Starlon, Inez, Farley, Robert Earl, Lavonda Isaac and his wife Phebie Front row (L to R): Farley, Murlon, Edia Second row (L to R): Phebie, Starlon, Ike, Inez Back (L to R): Inis, Jurlon Isaac's wife, Phebie, died September 23, 1980 and Ike died April 9, 1988. They are buried at Big Creek Cemetery in Monroe County, TN. Marie McDonald, his granddaughter, said he was a very stately man, and reminded her of Abraham Lincoln. She remembers her grandmother as being a very kind person and the best fisherman in the world. Christine Pressley remembers as the oldest grandchild, she played with her aunts and uncles. The house was always full of neighborhood children. She remembers that her grandmother always swept and mopped the kitchen every morning after breakfast. Karen Palmer has fond memories of visiting on the farm with her grandparents in Lenoir City, TN. She would help her grandfather mend the fences and plant tobacco. She remembers helping her grandmother taking care of the chickens and storing canned items in the cellar. Since they lived in Army housing it was a huge treat to go to the farm to visit. Every Photo I have seen of Isaac Deaton

Hugh B. Ausburn August 15th 1827- March 26th 1890 Headstone of Hugh B. Ausburn. It is very hard to read due to age. It reads "H.B. Ausburn" at the top. Hugh B. Ausburn was the second child of Thomas and Virginia Jane Brown Ausburn. He is Benjamin Ausburn's Father. He was born August 15, 1827 in Habersham County, GA. He married Mary Ann 'Polly' Murray on December 28, 1850 in Franklin County, GA. She was born in Franklin County, GA to John and Sarah Caudell Murray. She was born January 6, 1832. Hugh B. Ausburn served in Company G, First Regiment, Georgia State Line with the Chattahoochee Rangers of Banks and White Counties in the Civil War. He and 'Polly' had ten children. He died March 26, 1890 in Banks County, GA. He is buried in the Ausburn Family Cemetery in Banks County, GA with his parents. She died June 26, 1899 in Banks County and is buried in the Damascus Church Cemetery in Banks County, GA near her son, Joseph B. Ausburn. Fa ther: Thomas Ausburn Mother : Virginia Jane Brown ____________________ Wife: Mary Ann Murray

Robert Lee Deaton December 31st 1899 – July 8th 1941 L to R: Marjorie, Lucille, Robert Lee Deaton Robert Lee Deaton holding his two children with his wife Robert Lee Deaton was born on December 31st 1899. He was the last son born to John Starlin and Leutica Carver Deaton. He married Marjorie Mae Taylor, born on October 19, 1900. They were married on November 9, 1922 in Toccoa, GA. and Marjorie moved to Toccoa lies in Stephens County. Robert Cherokee where he logged with Rueben Deaton, his older brother. While there they had a daughter, Lucille. Two years later the family moved back to Toccoa, GA where a son, David Lee Deaton, was born. They then moved to TN and lived on Robert's brother, Ike's, farm. While there he farmed, but Lucille, his daughter, remembers the good times she had with her Uncle Ike's children. They moved back to GA four or five years later. He operated his own taxi service. After Mittie Jackson died on July 6th 1941, Robert was at the funeral and said the words, "You never know when it's your time to go". He had a heart attack the day after the funeral while operating his cab. He died on July 8, 1941. He is buried at Fairfield Cemetery in Demorest, GA. Marjorie Deaton died May 16, 1948 and is buried beside her beloved husband. ​ He is remembered by his daughter, Lucille, as a loving and devoted father. He also loved his aunt, Martha Ann Wheeler, and all his brothers. L to R: Robert Lee Deaton and son Dave Deaton Father : John Starlin Deaton Mother : Leuticia Carver Brothers: Reuben Deaton , David Deaton , Isaac Deaton Half Brothers : John Henry Deaton, Jacob Leander Deaton , Harve Wesley Deaton ____________________ Wife : Marjorie Mae Taylor Children : Lucille Deaton, Dave Lee Deaton Robert Lee Deaton L to R: Marjorie, Lucille, Robert Landmarks Robert Lee Deaton's house in Demorest, Georgia. Address: 444 Holley St Demorest, GA 30535 United States All Deaton brothers would gather here and tell stories. (John Henry, Harve Wesley, Jacob Leander, Robert Lee, Isaac)​ Robert Lee Deaton's Death Location. Coordinates: 34.60954° N, 83.52199° W When Robert Deaton had a heart attack while driving his cab, he ran into a lamp pole on the street. The lamp pole was removed and the concrete was redone which caused a different color in the sidewalk that is still visible as of 2024. Every Picture I have seen of Robert Lee Deaton

Azor Alexander Carver October 19th 1830 – June 13th 1900 Azor Carver was born October 19, 1830 in Cherokee County, NC. He had two daughters with an unknown women; Dicy Emeline and Edie Roxanna Carver. He married Lucinda Duncan on January 22nd 1861. The minister was Jacob Weaver. "R.B Vance" was their witness.​ They had two sons and a daughter. They were: Robert Lee Carver, Candis Loutisha Carver, and John Henry Carver. Azor served in Company H, Infantry Regiment, Thomas Legion, NC in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He enlisted July 23, 1862 as a Private and was discharged as a Private. His legion fought until the end of the war so we do not know when he returned home. Fa ther: Thomas Granville Carver Sr. Mother : Dicey Dixie Duncan ____________________ Children: Dicy Emeline Carver, Edie Roxanna Carver Wife : Lucinda Duncan Children : Robert Lee Carver, Leutica Carver , John Henry Carver Headstone of Azor Carver War Records Azor was listed as a farmer in the census of 1860, 1870, and 1880. Lucinda Carver died March 21, 1900. Azor Carver died June 13, 1900 and they are both buried in Lone Oak Cemetery, Graham County, NC. ​ Azor was 5'8 at 33 years old. He had dark skin, blue eyes, and dark hair.

Harve Wesley Deaton November 14th 1907 - July 3rd 1997 Harve Wesley Deaton was the youngest son of John Starlin Deaton and Etta Icie Davis. He was born on November 14th of 1907 in Robbinsville, North Carolina. He was only three months old when his father was shot and killed near Hanging Dog, North Carolina. Harve's mother, Etta, packed up everything they owned onto a cart pulled by an ox to take her and her children all the way to Towns County, Georgia. Etta's half brothers, David and Robert Lee Deaton went with them too. Father : John Starlin Deaton Mother : Etta Icie Davis Brothers : John Henry Deaton , Jacob Leander Deaton Half Brothers : Reuben Deaton , David Deaton , Isaac Deaton , Robert Lee Deaton , Charlie Meeler , Robert Lee Meeler Half Sisters : Odell Meeler , Elsie Meeler ____________________ Wife : Bertie Mae Deaton Children : Martha Ann Deaton , Harry Wayne Deaton Child with Dicey Lawrence: Fred Gibson L to R: Harve Wesley Deaton, Etta Meeler, John Henry Deaton They were welcomed by John Starlin's sister, Martha Ann Wheeler. Harve loved Martha Ann Wheeler; so much so that he eventually named his first daughter after her. She was very outspoken and Harve loved to ask her questions about the past. Martha Ann Wheeler (Harve's Aunt) John Starlin Deaton (Harve's father) Growing up in Banks County Etta and the children eventually moved to Banks County and Etta remarried to James W. Meeler. He started to become very mean to the Deaton children. John Henry, Jake and Harve frequently huddled up outside the house in the chimney corner to stay warm. Etta would secretly slip them in through the window at night after Meeler had went to sleep. During the day they stayed in the barn and Etta had to slip them bread out of the house in her apron in order to feed them. Things continued to get worse and Etta had to start begging the neighbors to raise the older children. At the age of 9 years old, Harve went to live with Robert "Chub" and Hannah Lawrence, who also took care of the elderly. Harve really liked Hannah Lawrence and helped her take care of the old folks. Harve went to school to the 3rd grade, so he had to teach himself how to read, write, and do math. His teacher was Tom E. Anderson at Grady Academy. He lived with Hannah and Chub until he was 16 years old and then decided to go work in the logging camp of the mountains of North Carolina, where his brothers had worked. Hannah Elizabeth Watson Lawrence Harve's first child, Fred Gibson When he first arrived at the logging camp he was the cook's helper. He had to prepare the meals and clean the mess hall. Later, he graduated to logging with the horses. He sent all the money he could to his mother back home to help her with the Meeler children. Around 1926, Harve must have returned to Banks for a visit. He ended up having a relationship with one of Chub and Hannah Lawrence's daughters, Dicey Jane Lawrence. She was also the sister of his brother's wife, Cora Jane Lawrence (John Henry's wife). Harve and Dicey had a child together named Fred, but Dicey did not tell anyone that the child was Harve's and made people believe that Fred was the son of Owen Gibson, Dicey's soon to be husband. The relationship was later confirmed after Ancestry DNA testing of Fred's son, Eddie Randall Gibson. Harve at 19 years old (1926) This was the same year Fred was born. A group picture of the Logging Camp Harve worked at. (Harve is not pictured here) In 1929, when Harve learned of his step father's passing, he sent his brother, John Henry, a letter from Tapoco NC, stating how he plans to come back home and take care of his mother while sending all the money he can for now. (I have this letter to this day, attached below). He agreed to stay and help raise the Meeler children like they were his own.​ ​ ​ Harve's 1928 letter from Tapoco NC when he was working for the logging camp- addressed to John Henry Deaton in Baldwin Route 1. He talks about the death of his step father, Jim Meeler. Living during the Prohibition era in the United States, a period marked by the nationwide ban on the production, sale, and distribution of alcoholic beverages. It was a time when speakeasies thrived, and individuals sought inventive ways to skirt the law to quench their thirst for alcohol. Harve was no exception, and he ventured into the world of bootlegging as a means of supporting his family and making ends meet. Harve used his knowledge of corn to make moonshine along with his brothers, John Henry Deaton, Robert Lee Deaton, and Charlie Meeler. ​ One day, the law caught up with the gang and the local sheriff, armed with information about bootlegging activities, embarked on a mission to apprehend him and put an end to the moonshining operation. Fueled by adrenaline and the fear of losing his freedom, Harve's actions took an unexpected turn. With a burst of strength, he managed to pull the sheriff's arm out of place trying to get away. Harve and Charlie would go on to serve six months in jail for trying to outrun the law. Robert Lee and John Henry Deaton managed to stay out of jail. A story told by Roy Gibson, son of Dicey and Owen Gibson: In 1929, Harve Deaton, John Henry Deaton, Owen Gibson, and Ralph Waters were all together. There was a dispute and Owen allegedly hit Ralph in the head with a 2x4 which fractured his skull and killed him. Owen went to prison for manslaughter. He tried to pin the murder on the Deaton's, in particular, John Henry. It is unsure if Owen was the real killer but he had no evidence that it wasn't him so he served several years for it and worked on the chain gang. Dicey (Left) and husband Owen Gibson (Right) The Death Certificate of Ralph Waters Harve (left) and his brother, John Henry (Right) 1932 Title Note where Harve and brother John Henry cosigned to pay for a mule. Harve (Right) and his Logging Buddy (Left) I believe the years of 1932-1942 were very hard for Harve. He lost three of his brothers within that ten year span. Reuben Deaton died in 1932, Robert Lee Deaton died in 1941, and his full brother, Jake Deaton, died in 1942. Harve (Left) and John Henry (Right) at brother Jacob Deaton's funeral Harve (standing in the back) with his mother and siblings Harve Deaton at a Smoke House at Isaac Deaton's home. First Marriage Harve married Bertie Mae Ausburn on February 21st, 1935 in Banks County, Georgia by Rev. Freeman Rice. He always said he picked her out for his wife when she was five years old and she cussed him out for it. ​ Bertie's mother, Mittie, was very sickly. She had two other children and she wasn't really able to care for them. Harve and Bertie would pick Mittie's children up on Sunday afternoon and keep them at their house until Friday afternoon so they could go to school. ​ Bertie got pregnant and they welcomed their first child, Martha Ann Deaton on July 5th 1941. Bertie's mother, Mittie, died the next day on July 6th 1941. Before she passed, she pulled Harve aside and asked him to take care of the children. Harve promised that he would take care of them as long as they would stay with him. ​ With WW2 approaching, Harve was 35 years old so he didn't have to go to war but he did go to work for R.J. Letourneau building military equipment. It took him several hours to get to work and he worked long hours to defend the country's freedom. ​ Other people worked the farm to keep it going while Harve was busy building military equipment. It was a sharecropper's farm. There was always someone staying with them that worked for a room. Everyday there was someone at the door asking Harve and Bertie for food; they were always fed leftovers and given water while sitting on Harve's backdoor step. ​ Bertie got pregnant once more but they had to bury their baby boy, Kenneth Wesley Deaton on March 13th 1943. He arrived too early and wasn't strong enough to make it. ​ Harry Wayne Deaton was born on July 29, 1946 and the war had ended. ​ ​ First Home in Georiga Harve and Bertie Mae Deaton lived in two homes in Georgia together, both in Baldwin and only a few miles apart. The first home was right on the creek where Daniel Deaton, Harve's nephew, showed me where he, Boyd Jackson, Lucille Jackson, and Earl Deaton used to come play and try to "drown ducks". I pictured these areas in 2024. This was the location where Martha Ann Deaton was born. Coordinates to the creek: 34.42748° N, 83.45566° W Coordinates to possible house location: 34.42635° N, 83.45549° W ​ ​ Second Home in Georiga The second home was on Taylor Road a half mile from Damascus Church Cemetery. The images below were taken in 2010 by my grandmother, Martha Ann Deaton. I am unsure when the picture to left was taken, likely around the early 2000s. ​ Coordinates to the home: 34.43498° N, 83.44093° W ​ In 2023, I revisited the home place and retook some more images. Fireplace still standing in 2023. Jack Peyton In August of 2023, a seemingly routine decision led to a profound discovery that would reshape the understanding of one family's history. It all began when my mother decided to take a DNA test through Ancestry.com. Little did we know that the results of this test would unravel a hidden chapter in our family's past. As the test results arrived, we were met with a shock that left us bewildered. Contrary to our expectations, the DNA analysis revealed that we did not share any DNA connection with the "Deaton" family, despite our longstanding belief that we were firmly rooted in this ancestral line. Even more bewildering was the fact that we shared 0% DNA with many of my grandmother Martha Ann Deaton's first cousins, individuals who were assumed to be close relatives. We were at a loss for what to make of this unexpected turn of events. However, as we delved deeper into the test results, another name emerged as a prominent clue. We noticed a significant number of first cousin matches with individuals bearing the surname "Peyton." The name struck a chord for my mom and I because we have a photograph from 1941 depicting a man named Jack Peyton holding a baby Martha Ann. ​ Jack Peyton holding Martha Ann Deaton With newfound determination, we embarked on a quest to uncover the truth behind the connection between the Deaton and Peyton families. Our journey led us to uncover a crucial piece of evidence in the form of Jack Peyton's World War II registration card. It revealed that Jack Peyton had been the farmhand for Harve Deaton, Martha Ann's father, back in 1940. The card listed Bertie Mae Deaton, Martha Ann's mother, as someone who would always know Jack Peyton's address. With this newfound information in hand, our quest led us to the last living link in the chain, Jack Peyton's only son, Ronald Peyton. At the age of 77, Ronald was surprised to receive our call, as he had always known about the existence of a half-sister living in North Carolina. However, he had never known her name or her identity. Our call offered him the long-awaited answers he had sought for many years. To confirm the connection, we convinced Ronald Peyton to take a DNA test. The results of the test confirmed our suspicions, as it revealed that he shared 9% DNA (634 centimorgans) with my mother, which is consistent with the genetic relationship of a half-uncle. It became increasingly clear that Jack Peyton was likely the biological father of Martha Ann Deaton. The revelation of this hidden family secret left us with a profound sense of empathy for Martha Ann and Harve Deaton, who possibly lived their entire lives without ever discovering the truth. The circumstances of how Bertie Mae Deaton became pregnant by Jack Peyton remain unknown, buried in the annals of time, and lost to history. Meeting Molly Runningwolf Harve's brother Reuben died in 1932 after getting hit in the head. It was speculated that the son of Molly Runningwolf was the one who did it; however, Molly Runningwolf took the blame and served 21 months in prison for it. ​ In 1947, Harve came to get answers to find out who really killed his half brother. Molly Runningwolf had thought he had come to kill her. In reality, he just wanted the truth. Molly begged him to believe her that it was not her or her son, but that it was a member of the Swayney family who did it. ​ The meeting ended cordially. Harve brough along his wife Bertie Mae, children Fred, Martha Ann, Wayne, and his wife's half brother Boyd Jackson. ​ In the interview below, there is a audio recording mentioning her time in prison. Click here to listen to Molly Runningwolf interview The family eventually decided to move to Cramerton, North Carolina on March 10th, 1950. Harve, had already been working in the Mill there because farming was not productive enough to support a family of four. While working in the mill, he was living with his friend, Garnett Smith. Working in the mill was simply not for him, he enjoyed being outside and not cooped up inside a mill all day long. He was eventually offered a job to be the caretaker for the Cramer farm and a house came with the job; therefore, Bertie and the children made the full time move to Cramerton. Their house address was 583 Mountain Road, Cramerton NC. This was the first house Harve had with a bathroom, running water, and electricity. Harve was working directly for Rebecca Cramer, Stewart Cramer's third wife. Stewart Cramer was the founder of Cramerton and lived in the famous Maymont Mansion on the top of Cramer mountain. Harve took care of Rebecca's land, surrounding the mansion. He often reported the farm's morning news while she was sitting on the toilet. ​ Working for the Cramers The Maymont House in August 2023. The home of Rebecca Cramer, where Harve Deaton oversaw the land. Harve with his children at their home L to R: Martha Ann, Harve, Wayne, Bertie Mae at the Cramer Mansion A postcard from Rebecca Cramer addresed to Mr. and Mrs. Harve Deaton of Cramer Farms L to R: Boyd Jackson and Harve Deaton at the Cramer chicken house L to R: Wayne, Harve, Martha Ann at the Cramer Mansion L to R: Wayne Deaton, Boyd Jackson, Harve Deaton, Big John working in the Cramer hay fields L to R: Boyd Jackson and Harve Deaton at the Cramer Mansion L to R: Harve Deaton and Fred Gibson fishing in Cramerton L to R: Boyd Jackson and Harve Deaton in Cramerton Tragedies Sensitive Content When attending a church dinner at Friendship Baptist Church in Belmont, the family got red measles (also known as rubeola). Everyone had gotten better except for Bertie Mae. Her measles had turned into spinal meningitis. She laid in the hospital and went into a coma for 42 days. When she awoke, she was never quite right again and suffered physically and mentally. Albert Pressley Millen, the preacher at Friendship Baptist Church, was very helpful during these times. He and his wife, Nellie, came to visit on numerous occasions to help anyway they could. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ Things simply did not get better for Bertie Mae. She had attempted suicide by attempting to drown herself in the lake but Harve was close enough to pull her out. Harve had to have her committed to Broughton Mental Hospital on May 3rd 1954. She was discharged on June 30th 1955. Two years later, on Sunday, June 16th 1957, she had gotten a .32 pistol and shot herself in the right temple. This is something Harve never got over for the rest of his life. He took Bertie's death very hard and never remarried again after that. Bertie and Harve on their porch Preacher Millen and Wife Nellie Killing of John Robert Kendrick Tragedy continued to loom. On February 13th, 1960, a man by the name of John Robert Kendrick was attempting to break into the screen door of the Cramerton home of Harve, Wayne, and Martha Ann Deaton. At about 1:30 am, Martha Ann altered her father that she heard a noise outside. Harve quickly got his .32 pistol and shot John Robert Kendrick in the head. Kendrick fell on the steps, the police were called and he was taken to Good Samaritan Hospital in Charlotte, where he was pronounced dead. Kendrick lived on 553 Baltimore Street, Cramerton. He had previously been sentenced to state prison on October 1953 for two counts of burglary, he was then transferred to Cherry Hospital in Goldsboro, North Carolina in April 1956 until being released. Harve was acquitted for the killing as it was an act of self defense. John Robert Kendrick's Death Certificate Later in Life In 1962, Harve moved to Midland to work at Jonas Pharr's farm for a short time until shortly later moving to Concord, North Carolina to work on Carl Propst's farm. ​ After suffering a stroke in the 1970s, Harve moved in with his daughter, Martha Ann, in Harrisburg. He also lived with his nephew, Earl Deaton for some time. In the 1980s, he lived with his son, Wayne. ​ Harve was evenutally moved to a nursing home and lived to 89 years old. He passed away on July 3rd 1997. Extra Stories about Harve Harve had always been known to be the jokester. His nephew, Lee Looney, told me the story that when he was young he had a date with this girl and on the way back home he had to travel through a graveyard. Harve felt something touch his back and he was sacred to death, he thought a ghost had came to visit him and was following him on the way back home. When Harve finally reached the house, he looked and found that it was an acorn that had fallen on top of him. ​ Harve's nephew, Eddie Daniel Deaton, said "Harve and Bertie Mae were something else". They would go on squirrel hunting trips together and Bertie would always come back with more squirrels killed. It would seem that Bertie Mae was the better shot. ​ Libby Gunter, a 1963 graduate of Cramerton High School, told me the story of how when she was little, she used to sneak up to the Cramer mansion with friends and Harve would find her and catch her every time . She said that he was always super nice and never got them in trouble with the police, even though they deserved it; instead, he brought them by the house and Bertie Mae brought them some punch to drink. ​ Roy Gibson, the son of Dicey Jane Lawrence and Owen Gibson, told me the story that when he was a kid, on Christmas, Harve gave him a toy shotgun. Harve put peanuts in it and shot Roy in the eye with it. He never forgot that. He told me that story 70+ years later. Harve's WW2 Draft Registration Card ​ In 1940, he was 6'2 193 pounds Every picture I have seen of Harve Wesley Deaton All Census Records

Martha Patsy Cantwell November 17th 1800 – around 1870 Martha Cantwell was born on November 17th 1800. She was the daughter of John & Jane (Barnett) Cantwell. She married Lanceford Cantrell, about 1817, Spartanburg County, South Carolina. Fa ther: John Cantwell Mother : Jane Barnett _________________________ Husband: Lanceford Cantrell

Johnnie Deaton Johnnie at her house in Demorest with father John Henry Deaton Johnnie Deaton was born in Homer, Banks County on November 18th 1933. She was the first descendant of John Starlin Deaton to graduate from college. She married Joe Downer in 1954. They had two daughters. Deborah Diane Downer was born in July of 1958 and Hazel Joann Downer born in September of 1963 in Habersham County, GA. Deborah Dianne Downer had two daughters. Hannah Erin Cunningham was born July 21, 1983 and Leah April Cunningham was born April 29, 1986. Hannah Erin Cunningham married Dustan Wilbanks in November of 2001 in Habersham County, GA. Hazel Joann Downer (Named Hazel because the first time her grandfather, John Deaton, saw her he thought she looked just like her Aunt Hazel did when she was born.) married Johnny Loudermilk in September of 1981 in Habersham County. They have a daughter, Melody Anna, born April 4, 1995, and a son, John Mark, born December 23, 1996 in Habersham County, GA. Johnnie passed away from cancer on September 2, 2003. Father: John Henry Deaton Mother : Cora Jane Lawrence Sister : Ruth Deaton, Hazel Deaton Brother : Stark Deaton ________________ _______ Husband : Joseph Tillman Downer Children : Deborah Dianne Downer, Joann Hazel Downer November 18th 1933 - February 2nd 2003 Johnnie and sister Ruth Deaton L to R: Cora, Johnnie, John Henry, Ruth Johnnie and husband Joseph Downer Johnnie (Far Right) with her family L to R: Cora, Ruth, John Henry, Johnnie L to R: Johnnie holding daughter Joann, beside her is daughter Dianne Downer Johnnie at her house in Demorest L to R: Martha Ann Deaton, Ernest Lee Deaton, Johnnie Deaton, Joseph Tillman Downer

Robert Lee Meeler September 13th 1923 – June 19th 2018 Robert Lee Meeler was born September 13, 1923 in Banks County, GA. He was the third child of Etta Davis Meeler and James Meeler. His father passed away when he was five years old so his early years were spent working on the farm. He was drafted into the army in 1943 and remained there until 1975. He married Ina Wiley in 1947. They had two children, Carol and David. He married Teresa Sternes in 1971. Robert Meeler passed away on June 19th, 2018. Father: James Meeler Mother: Etta Davis _ ______________________ Brother: Charlie Meeler Sisters: Odell Meeler , Elsie Meeler Half Brother: John Henry Deaton , Jake Deaton , Harve Deaton ________________ ______ Top Row (L to R): Robert Meeler, Charlie Meeler Bottom Row (L to R): Etta Meeler, Elsie Meeler, Odell Meeler L to R: Harve Deaton, Bertie Mae Ausburn, Odell Meeler, Robert Meeler, Charlie Meeler Robert Meeler a nd Etta Meeler