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Jacob Leander Deaton March 8th 1904 – April 23rd 1942 Jacob Leander Deaton was the second son of John Starlin Deaton and Etta Icie Davis Deaton. He was born March 8, 1904 in Graham County, NC. After John Starlin Deaton was killed Etta Deaton and her family lived with James and Martha Ann Wheeler in Towns County, GA for a few years. Etta Deaton married James Meeler and there were hard times. Etta’s children from the Deaton family were sent out to work for other families. Jacob stayed with Ulysses and Rhilla Martin where he worked in the cotton gin. John Deaton, Jacob’s brother, also stayed with this family. He farmed most of his life in Banks and Franklin Counties. He also worked on the WPA and cut cross ties in the winter for the railroad. He married Bertha Cornelia Smith on August 24, 1924. Bertha Smith was born on September 26, 1907 in Hart County, GA. Her parents were Earl and Millie Mae Saylors Smith. They had six children: Carrie Mae, Earl Starlin, Eddie Daniel, Ophelia Henrietta, Thomas Emory, and Ernest Lee Deaton. When he was going to the hospital with pneumonia he told Carrie, “Sis, you are the oldest. Take care of the little ones”. He was not to come home again for he died of kidney failure on April 24, 1942. He is buried in Fairfield Cemetery in Demorest, GA. Carrie took this challenge seriously. She went to Belmont, NC to stay with her Grandmother Smith. She lied about her age and got a job in the cotton mill. She sent her mother every penny that she did not need to live on. Fa ther : John Starlin Deaton Mother : Etta Icie Davis Brothers : Harve Wesley Deaton , John Henry Deaton Half Brothers : Reuben Deaton , David Deaton , Isaac Deaton , Robert Lee Deaton , Charlie Meeler , Robert Lee Meeler Half Sisters : Odell Meeler , Elsie Meeler ____________________ Wife : Bertha Cornelia Smith Children: Carrie Deaton, Earl Deaton, Eddie Daniel Deaton, Ophelia Deaton, Thomas Emory Deaton, Ernest Lee Deaton Jacob "Jake" Deaton L to R: Jake, Carrie, Bertha Jake and wife Bertha Later in Life Jake was six feet seven inches tall. He was a hard working man who taught his children to work hard. On Sundays he liked to play with the children. He made toys for the children using tall round trees to saw wheels and using hot iron rods to burn holes in the wheels. With these wheels he made wagons, wheelbarrows and cars. The family was very happy. He liked to rabbit hunt and fish. He loved his family. On his birthday his wife always made him a huge chicken pie. All of his family would come by to see him that day. When any of his brothers visited the children would gather around to hear all the jokes, hunting tales, and laughter.​ Jake holding niece, Ruth Deaton L to R: Eddie Daniel, Thomas Emory, Earl, Jake, Bertha, Ernest, Ophelia, Carrie Jake Deaton Carrie Deaton's Recollections of her Father Death One day when plowing the fields, Jake hit a rock and the plow came back and hit him in the chest. As a result of this, he had to go to the hospital with pneumonia and he told his daughter, Carrie, “Sis, you are the oldest. Take care of the little ones”. He was not to come home again for he died on April 24, 1942. He is buried in Fairfield Cemetery in Demorest, GA. Carrie took this challenge seriously. She went to Belmont, NC to stay with her Grandmother Smith. She lied about her age and got a job in the cotton mill. She sent her mother every penny that she did not need to live on. Location of where Jake Deaton was plowing that caused his death. Coordinates: 34.60791° N, 83.63753° W Homes Jake Deaton's Baldwin home in the 1930s. Coordinates: 34.42173° N, 83.46785° W ​ Jake Deaton's house was in location of white car pictured. Oak tree was still there and Jake once killed a hen in the same oak tree pictured on the right and ate it for dinner. Jake Deaton's Baldwin home in the 1940s. Coordinates: 34.60791° N, 83.63753° W​ ​ Jake Deaton's house was in location of red circle. This was his last home and the land in which he died. Every Photo I have seen of Jake Deaton All Census Records

Mittie Lou Ausburn November 27th 1897 - July 6th 1941 Mittie Lou Ausburn was born to Benjamin Ausburn and Mary Louise Caudell on November 27th 1897 in Banks County, North Carolina. Mittie's mother, Mary, died when she was only 15 years old. Father: Benjamin Ausburn Mother: Mary Louise Caudell Brother: Grant Wilmer Ausburn Sisters: Essie Ausburn , Maud Ausburn _______________________ Child with Unknown Father: B ertie Mae Ausburn Children with Luther Watson: Boyd Jackson , Lucille Jackson Husband: Claude Homer Jackson L to R: Benjamin Ausburn, Mittie Lou Ausburn, Essie Ausburn holding Bobbie Jean Lewallen Sensitive Content Unknown Father of Child When Mittie Ausburn was 18 years old, she had a daughter named Bertie Mae Ausburn; however, it is currently unknown who the father is. This was not talked about by the family and the information may have been lost through time. Mittie's great grandson told me that when Harve (Mittie's son-in-law) was in his older age and had suffered many strokes, he had brought it up and mentioned the name of the man. Unfortunately the name that was told to him has become a blur, he believes that Harve told him that it was a Charles "Langley" or "Langtree" or "Langford". Hopefully one day this will be revealed through lots of DNA testing. Marriage Mittie married Claude Homer Jackson on April 28th 1921. It was originally believed that they had three children together: Laurene Jackson born October 9th 1925, Boyd Jackson born August 11th 1929, and Lucille Jackson born May 1st 1932; however, after DNA testing, through the son of Lucille Jackson, it has been determined that Claude Jackson was not the biological father of Lucille, rather it was a man by the name of "Luther Huttie Watson". This was apparently known to a select few, including Boyd Jackson's son, Ronnie Jackson, who told me that Luther "Luke" Watson, was his biological grandfather and that his father, Boyd Jackson, always knew this. It is unknown why or how the relationship between Luther and Mittie came to pass, but it is speculated that Claude Jackson may have been unable to have children. On June 8th 1927, Mittie lost her two-year old baby Laurene due to Bronchiolitis. Top Row (L to R): Bently Lewallen holding Bobbie Jean Lewallen, Benjamin Ausburn, Bertie Mae Ausburn, Claude Homer Jackson Bottom Row (L to R): Benny Euline Lewallen, Mittie Lou Jackson, Lucille Jackson, Boyd Jackson Mittie's father, Benjamin, died on September 13th 1937. He developed sepsis due to cellulitis in the right axillary region. Mittie at her fathers funeral Claude Jackson and Mittie's granddaughter, Martha Ann Deaton Death Mittie Lou Ausburn Jackson died on July 6th 1941, the day after her first grandchild was born. She had a gastroenteritis infection. Before she died, she asked her son-in-law, Harve Deaton, to take care of her two children, Boyd and Lucille for her when she was gone. Harve told her he would take care of them for as long as they would stay with him. The Banks County Journal Newspaper from July 18th, 1941 Death Certificate of Mittie Ausburn Mittie's Headstone Every Picture I Have Seen of Mittie Lou Ausburn All Census Records

Martha Ann Deaton July 5th 1941- November 13th 2020 Martha Ann at three and a half months old Growing Up in Banks Martha Ann Deaton was born in Banks County, Georgia on July 5th, 1941 to Harve and Bertie Mae Deaton. Growing up in the 1940s, nestled in the quiet landscapes of rural Georgia, my grandmother came of age in a world quite different from today's modern comforts. She fondly recounted stories of her upbringing in a simple wooden-built home. Her everyday life also bore witness to challenges that are now distant memories. The absence of indoor plumbing meant that a trip to the outhouse was a regular excursion. Toilet paper was a luxury not readily available in their wooden-built home, leading to an ingeniously simple alternative: newspaper. When Martha was twenty months old, her newborn brother passed away the day he was born. Kenneth Wesley Deaton arrived too early and wasn't strong enough to make it. He died on March 13th, 1943 and is buried at Damascus Cemetery. ​ She attended Grady Elementary School from 1947 to 1950, located in Homer, Georgia. The school is no longer standing. She also regularly attended Damascus Baptist Church with her family. At some point in the early 1940's, the family decided to move to a new house a little closer to the church. This house was the only one that Martha Ann said she remembered in Georgia. In 1946, Martha's younger brother was born, Wayne Harry Deaton. ​ Martha Ann Deaton with her aunt Lucille Jackson Top Row (L to R): Maud, Claude, Lucille Jackson Bottom Row: Harve holding Martha Ann Martha Ann's childhood home in Banks County, Georgia L to R: Martha Ann, Maud Ausburn, and Wayne L to R: Harve, Martha Ann, Bertie Mae Martha Ann with her dog Martha Ann in the early 1940s Father : Harve Wesley Deaton Mother : Bertie Mae Ausburn Brother : Wayne Harry Deaton ________________ _______ 1st Husband : Stephen Duncan Children : Daryll Duncan 2nd Husband : James Phillip Eury Children : Angela Eury 3rd Husband : George Nural Sheppard Martha Ann and father Harve Deaton Martha Ann Deaton feeding her little brother Wayne Bertie Mae holding Martha Ann in 1941 Recollections of Grady School written by Martha Ann Deaton "I loved Miss Margie Caudell. She taught me in the first grade. She was our neighbor and gave me a little feist dog when I was born. Her name was Penny and I had her until I was eleven years old. When the Damascus road flooded near the old covered bridge, Monroe Boling would bring "Miss Grace" on the tractor through the water and meet us on the other side. Then Dad and I would take her to school with us. In the middle of the classrooms stood wood heaters. One of the older boys that lived near the school always started a fire in both rooms. No one used the upstairs then. Miss Winnie taught grades 1, 2, and 3, and "Miss Grace" taught grades 4, 5, 6, and 7. Parents would bring veggies to school and Miss Winnie would cook them on the old wood heater. We brought a bowl and spoon from home so we had something hot to go with our bagged lunch. The big boys took turns drawing a cool fresh bucket of water." Martha Ann Deaton Grady School Picture Martha Ann Deaton with her aunt Lucille Jackson Grady School building in 2003 Mrs. Grace Boling Mrs. Winnie Brown Kessee Martha Ann Deaton with her grandaunt Maud Ausburn L to R: Lucille Jackson, Martha Ann Deaton, Geraldine Watson L to R: Harve, Wayne, Martha Ann, Bertie Mae L to R: Martha Ann, Bertie Mae, Wayne L to R: Martha Ann, Wayne, and Bobbie Jean Lewallen L to R: Lucille, Bobbie Jean, Bertie Mae, Harve, Martha Ann Martha Ann with her dogs (holding Penny) 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. ​ The photo I have of Jack Peyton holding Martha Ann Deaton (Writing on the back by Bertie Mae Ausburn) 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. Jack Peyton is on the far right. Also shown are friends Hoyt Moss and Carl Maney Jack Peyton WW2 picture; where he earned a purple heart The Move to Cramerton The family eventually decided to move to Cramerton, North Carolina on March 10th, 1950. Martha's father, Harve, had already been working in the mill there because farming was not productive enough to support the family. While working in the mill, he was living with his friend, Garnett Smith. 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. Martha was almost 9 years old and this was the first house she had lived in 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. In the mornings, he would give a daily report to Mrs. Cramer, often when she was sitting on the toilet. Martha Ann and Wayne loved to go up to the mansion and visit. Every easter, Mrs. Cramer would make them Easter baskets and in return they would take Mrs. Cramer's brother, Mr. Tinkham, a dyed easter egg. Before Rebecca passed in 1957, she told Martha Ann she could have any piece of furniture from the mansion that she wanted. She picked a dining room chair, which is still in good condition today. Even though the quality of life had improved, life was still difficult for her and the family. On Christmas Eve of 1953, while 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 mother, Bertie Mae. Her measles 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. This caused a lot of tension between Bertie Mae and her daughter, Martha Ann. She would frequently tell her daughter that she is her father's child and Wayne was hers. On January 16th 1957, the Charlotte Observer announced that Martha Ann and Tommy J Cabe were engaged. This is something she never told anyone so it was a shock to find this in the newspaper. I spoke to Tommy in August of 2023, he told me that they neutrally decided to break off the wedding due to them being too young at the time. ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ There was a point where Martha had enough of Bertie being so mean to her. While Martha was ironing, Bertie had made a very rude remark to her. She had enough of it and told Bertie Mae off. This caused Bertie Mae to get a kitchen knife in attempt to attack her daughter. Martha said that she was so skinny and weak at that point due to her sickness, that she was able to simply take the knife away. Things did not get better for Bertie Mae; there were two instances where she had attempted suicide by drowning herself in the lake and Harve jumped in to pull her out. Harve had her committed to Broughton Mental Hospital on May 3rd 1954 and she was discharged on June 30th 1955. ​ 1957 was a difficult year for the Deaton family. The tension between Martha Ann and her mother had heightened. Martha Ann, seeking solace, would frequently leave the house at night, reportedly visiting acquaintances from Baltimore Village, an African-American community in Cramerton. When I visited Baltimore Village on December 6th, 2023, locals who had resided there in 1957 instantly recalled Martha Ann's presence. According to their recollections, she had accused three men of rape, leading to their imprisonment. The men were: Clifford Hill, Bobby Shanks, and AC Anderson. ​ On Sunday, June 16th 1957 at 9:15 pm, Martha's mother, Bertie Mae Deaton, got a .32 pistol and shot herself in the right temple outside of their garage. Martha was 15 years old at the time. Martha's brother Wayne saw Bertie Mae take the gun outside and she told him "Do your mother one last favor and go back inside the house.” Wayne rushed in and told Martha Ann and she replied "She isn't going to do it.” According to Roy Gibson (Fred Gibson's younger brother), a few weeks prior to her death, Bertie Mae wrote a letter and gave it to her half brother, Boyd Jackson. The letter read, "Make sure Blackie takes care of my flowers.” ​ An African-American man whose father worked for Carothers Funeral Home, was supposed to be cleaning the hearse but instead took it out for a joy ride. This man and his four friends offered Martha Ann and her friend a ride. There was a routine traffic check but the man driving did not stop. This led to a high speed car chase with Martha Ann and her friend in the car. They ended up getting into a wreck. Martha Ann was 16 years old at the time while her friend was 15; therefore, Martha Ann was charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor. She was then sent off to training school. The town of Cramerton assumed that Martha and her friend were dating those black men. The local Ku Klux Klan heard about this and burned a cross in the Deaton's yard. Libby Gunter (Cramerton Local), vividly recalls that day. She told me that her dad was good friends with Martha's father, Harve Deaton, and when her father heard the news, he went to show him support; however, upon arrival in his truck with his daughter Libby, the KKK threatened to kill them if they didn't leave. Libby said it was the biggest cross she had ever seen and that the it was a very frightening moment. Sensitive Content Martha and cousin at the New Cramerton Home Charlotte Observer- January 16th 1957 Martha Ann Deaton (Left) and her friend Betty Louise Smith (Right) Martha Ann standing in the front yard of the Deaton household in Cramerton Page 1 of The Gastonia Gazette December 7th 1957 Martha Ann on the front steps of the Deaton household in Cramerton L to R: Martha Ann Deaton, Odell Meeler, Elsie Meeler Martha and Wayne at the Maymont Mansion Pool L to R: Wayne, Bertie Mae, Martha Ann Deaton Martha Ann Deaton on a Bison Martha and Wayne at Kings Mountain U.S. Monument 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 alerted 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 at 553 Baltimore Street with his mother, Sallie, and step-father, Jessie Williams. Prior to this incident, John Robert Kendrick was 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 quickly acquitted for the killing as it was an act of self defense. This is something Martha Ann never spoke about. It is believed she was partly traumatized by this and scared it would bring shame to the family. According the residents in Baltimore Village, they believed that John Robert Kendrick was drunk at the time and had just wandered to the wrong house that night. They also mentioned he had serious mental problems. Gastonia Gazette February 13th 1960 Page 1 Martha Ann in front of her Cramerton Home Duncan Marriage Martha Ann married her first husband, Stephen Benjamin Franklin Duncan, on December 8th 1962 in South Point Township, Gaston, North Carolina. Martha Ann was 21 years old, Stephen was 19. The best man was Harold Wayne Hanna (1931-2010). The matron of honor was Betty Jean Davenport Best (1928-2009). Mary Bollick Stowe Dellinger was the organist. ​ Stephen became abusive and gave Martha a black eye on two different occasions. It is said that after the first one, Martha's father, Harve, gave him a warning. But after it happened again, Stephen was ran off at the end of Harve's pistol. Before the divorce finalized, Martha welcomed her first child, Daryll, on December 11th 1963. Martha and her son Daryll moved back in with her father, Harve, who was living in Concord at the time. Stephen and his father, Manus Duncan Martha and Stephen's mother, Lillian Odell Duncan The Gastonia Gazette- December 9th 1962 Page 23 L to R: Mary Bollick Stowe (Organist), Albert Pressley Millan (Preacher), Harve Deaton, Martha Ann Deaton, Stephen Duncan, Betty Jean Best, Harold Hanna, Wayne Deaton, David Ross Dellinger (Singer) Bridal shower hosted by Roxie Clark (A friend of Martha's who worked at the beauty shop with her) Stephen and Martha at the Wedding Martha Ann with son, Daryll Duncan Harve Deaton with daughter Martha Ann Harve Deaton with Grandson, Daryll Duncan Eury Marriage One day after experiencing some issues with the sewing machine in the hallway of her fathers Concord farm house, Martha Ann, called Sears for a repair service. A man showed up in a Sears & Roebuck repair van. This man was James Phillip Eury. After quickly fixing the sewing machine, he asked if it would be acceptable for him to take Martha out on a date sometime. Martha agreed. ​ When the first date was coming up, it just so happened that Martha's son Daryll, got sick and threw up all over the living room rug right before he got there. Martha wasn't going to go but her father Harve said, "Sis, I'll look after the boy, go out and have fun.” The rest was history as James and Martha were perfect for one another. They got married on December 27th 1968 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. ​ Things were going well and James bought a piece of land to build a house on. James and Harve had already started clearing the land to build, but when Martha got pregnant, they decided to buy a house already built at 129 Autumn Lane, Harrisburg, North Carolina. James and Martha welcomed their first daughter, Angela Renee Eury, on August 13th 1970. They also decided to accept a foster child into their home, Nora Biggers. The Eury's had a full house! ​ ​ L to R: Wayne, Daryll, Harve, Martha, James The Wedding of James Eury and Martha Ann Deaton The year was 1975 and James started to feel very sick. After going to the hospital, the doctors decided to do an exploratory surgery. During the surgery, there were complications and James went into a coma. James never woke up and died on November 17th 1975 from Hepatic Failure. Martha Ann was single yet again but this time with two children to care for. Top (L to R): Martha Eury, James Eury Bottom (L to R): Nora Biggers, Daryll Duncan, Angela Eury Martha and James with newborn daughter, Angela Eury. Voicemail of Martha Ann Deaton Martha Ann Deaton Eury with husband, James Phillip Eury Final Marriage and Later Years Getting over the death of James Eury was quite difficult for Martha and the family. He was a good man that was loved by everyone that knew him. Martha had plenty to occupy herself through the difficult times. She was working to support her two children and also volunteering on the Harrisburg rescue squad. While on the rescue squad, she met a man named Joe Miller Morris. He was born July 3rd 1929. Joe and Martha started dating and things became very serious until Martha decided to break it off before marrying. The children were devastated because they really liked him. It is unknown the reason for breaking it off but it may have been because she felt he had a mean streak to him. He always drove really fast in the ambulance and slung Martha around in the back. Joe ended up dying just four years later. ​ Martha then began dating the captain of the rescue squad, George Nural Sheppard. He was born December 21st 1931 in Forest City, North Carolina. They got married on March 17th 1977. They were together for 41 years until his passing in 2018. ​ ​ Martha in the Rescue Squad Yearbook Now that Martha's family was stable, I wish I could say all the trials and tribulations were over; however, in early 1997, Martha discovered that she had stage four colon cancer. Around the same time, her father, Harve, passed away. Harve was buried on her birthday. A few years later, her younger brother, Wayne, died of heart failure. Despite all this, she was able to beat cancer and continue to persevere through the difficult times. I would like to say that the next 20 years were the best years of her life (2000-2020). This always reminds me that when you are upon bad times, sometimes the best thing to do is to wait it out. The bad times will pass and the best years of your life may still be ahead of you. Martha Ann Deaton died on November 13th 2020 near the beaches of North Carolina in Onslow County. She authored cookbooks and genealogy books. She loved crafts, cooking, canning, gardening, and sewing. Martha Ann was adored by her children and grandchildren. She will always be remembered as an exceptionally selfless and giving person. She is buried at the Salisbury National Cemetery beside her husband, George. George and Martha Sheppard Martha and George Sheppard celebrate Christmas with their children and grandchildren Every picture I have of Martha Ann Deaton All Census Records

John Henry Deaton February 14th 1902 – September 27th 1980 John Henry Deaton was born on February 14th 1902 in Robbinsville, North Carolina to Etta and John Starlin Deaton. After his father died, John's family stayed for a time with Martha Ann Wheeler. When Etta Deaton married James Meeler, times were hard for the Meeler family, so at an early age John Henry went to live with Ulysses and Rhilla Martin. There he earned his keep by working in the cotton gin. He did not have much formal education. He married Cora Jane Lawrence, (daughter of Hannah Watson and Chub Lawrence) on October 7, 1919 in Banks County, GA. They had a daughter, Ruth Deaton, born in 1923 in Banks County, GA. The family moved to Swain County, NC, where John worked in a logging camp. A son, Stark Deaton, was born there in 1925. Cora Deaton then developed TB and the family moved back to Banks County, GA. They had two daughters born there, Hazel in 1929 and Johnnie in 1933. At this time John farmed and worked in construction, often in another state. At those times he would be gone for two or three months at a time. Early in 1942, John bought a farm in Demorest, GA. He really cared about people and they always had other people staying with them. Father : John Starlin Deaton Mother : Etta Icie Davis Brothers : Harve Wesley 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 : Cora Jane Lawrence Children: Ruth Deaton, Stark Deaton, Hazel Deaton, Johnnie Deaton L to R: Harve Deaton, Etta Meeler, John Henry Deaton L to R: Hazel, Stark, Cora, John Henry, Johnnie, Ruth John Henry with Wife Cora Birth of John Henry On a trip to the Robbinsville courthouse in 2023, I noticed that John Henry had returned to his birthplace in 1943 to obtain a delayed birth certificate. The doctor that delivered John Henry in 1902 was named S.F. Howell. John Henry was the first child of Etta and John Starlin. He was born almost a full year before they got married in December of 1902. Dr. Swinfield Howell making his rounds. ​ ​ Dr. Howell came to Graham County from Yancey County in 1901. He began the practice of medicine while living near what is now the Thunderbird boat dock, and later moved to what is now known as Howell Gap in the Yellow Creek Township. Later he moved to Robbinsville and opened an office. For several years he was doctor for the Kanawah Hardwood Lumber Company. He used a four-wheeled pedal cycle equipped with flanged wheels to run on the narrow gauge Snowbird Valley railroad. Dr. Howell, in addition to a large practice, was official doctor for the prison camp established at Harris Creek (a road building operation). Dr. Howell's wife, Margaret, often capably assisted Dr. Howell as a nurse. Early Years 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. John Henry was no exception, and he ventured into the world of bootlegging as a means of supporting his family and making ends meet. John Henry used his knowledge of corn to make moonshine along with his brothers, Harve 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. 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, nephew of Cora Deaton: 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. Later in Life 1941-1942 were bad years for the Deaton family. In 1941, John's half brother, Robert Lee Deaton died of a heart attack. In 1942, John Henry's brother, Jacob, died and three weeks later his daughter Hazel drowned. Hazel 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 was swept under the water by a swift undercurrent, and a boy 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. (John's brother, Harve Deaton never got over this accident for Hazel was his favorite niece.) Everyone loved Hazel, as she was very outgoing. Savannah Morning News, 5/42 Funeral of Robert Lee Deaton John Henry and his wife, Cora John Henry's house in Georgia In 1948, John Deaton began his career in law enforcement. He served as a policeman and sheriff's deputy until he retired. He died in September 27, 1980 in Habersham County, GA. He is buried beside his daughter Hazel in the Demorest Cemetery in Demorest, Habersham County, GA. His wife, Cora Deaton was also buried beside him on February 25, 1993. WW2 Draft Registration Card John Henry's daughter, Hazel Deaton Funeral of Hazel Deaton Funeral of Jake Deaton John Henry Deaton as a Police Officer L to R: Harve Deaton, John Henry Deaton L to R: Cora, Ruth, John Henry, Johnnie John Henry with Wife Cora Every Photo I have seen of John Henry Deaton All Census Records

Lucille Mary Jackson May 1st 1932 - June 7th, 2017 L to R: Harve Deaton, Martha Ann Deaton, Boyd Jackson, Lucille Jackson, Bobbie Jean Lewallen L to R: Lucille Jackson, Martha Ann Deaton L to R: Martha Ann Deaton, Lucille Jackson Lucille and Fred Gibson Growing Up in Banks Lucille Mary Jackson was born in Banks County, Georgia to Mittie Jackson. It was believed by most that Claude Jackson, husband of Mittie Ausburn, was the father of Lucille; however, after DNA testing, through the son of Lucille, it has been determined that Claude Jackson may not have been the biological father of Lucille, rather it was a man by the name of "Luther Huttie Watson". This was apparently known to a select few, including Boyd Jackson's son, Ronnie Jackson, who told me that Luther "Luke" Watson, was his biological grandfather and that his father, Boyd Jackson, always knew this. It is unknown why or how the relationship between Luther and Mittie came to pass, but it is speculated that Claude Jackson may have been unable to have children. She had one older brother, Boyd Jackson, and an older half-sister, Bertie Mae Ausburn. ​ Lucille's mother, Mittie, became very sickly. With Claude working the farm, she wasn't able to take care of Boyd and Lucille by herself. Lucille's sister, Bertie Mae, would pick up Boyd and Lucille on Sunday afternoon and keep them at their house until Friday afternoon so they could go to school. So Lucille was essentially raised by Bertie Mae and her husband, Harve Deaton. Lucille became very close with her niece, Martha Ann Deaton, who was born on July 5th, 1941 to Harve and Bertie Mae Deaton. Lucille's mother died the next day on July 6th, 1941. Before she passed, she pulled Harve Deaton aside and asked him to take care of her children. Harve promised that he would take care of them as long as they would stay with him. ​ Father : Luther "Luke" Huttie Watson Mother : Mittie Lou Ausburn Brother : Boyd Jackson Half Sister : Bertie Mae Ausburn ________________ _______ Husband : Fred Gibson Children : Roger Carroll Gibson, Eddie Randall Gibson L to R: Lucille Jackson, Bobbie Jean Lewallen, Bertie Mae Ausburn, Harve Deaton, Martha Ann Deaton Lucille in the 1940s Lucille's infants funeral Lucille's childhood home in Banks County, Georgia Top Row (L to R): Maud, Claude, Lucille Jackson Bottom Row: Harve holding Martha Ann Lucille with her two children Lucille married Fred Gibson on Dec. 4, 1948. They had three children, Roger Carroll Gibson, Eddie Randall Gibson, and Patsy Jean Gibson. Roger Carroll Gibson was born January 5, 1950 in Jackson County, GA. Eddie Randall Gibson was born February 17, 1952 in Jackson County, GA. Patsy Jean Gibson was born October 5, 1953, in Habersham County, GA, and died January 9, 1954 in Banks County, GA. She is buried at Damascus Church Cemetery, Banks County, GA. Lucille holding her child L to R: Lucille, Martha Ann holding Daryll Duncan, Roger Gibson Lucille holding her child L to R: Lucille, Fred, Roger, Randy Lucille and children Martha Ann Deaton and Lucille Gibson

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