Greene-Lenoir County, NC - Obituaries from Zion's Landmark - Part 1

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Martha Mewborn Marble

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OBITUARIES FROM ZION'S LANDMARK

Used with permission of Elder J. M Mewborn dec., owner and publisher of Zion's Landmark.
These are selected obits abstracted by the late Ima Mewborn and are mostly members of the
extended Mewborn/Hardy family of Greene and Lenoir Co. All were members of the Primitive
Baptist Church.

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OBITUARY OF BENJAMIN GEORGE HARDY
The subject of this obituary was the son of Lemuel & Patsy Hardy:
He was born Nov. 13th, 1831, and was married to Mary Mewborn on the 23rd day of March
1852, and lived with her until April 19th, 1864 when she died.
On the 3rd day of July 1864, he was married to Temesia A. Hardy, the widow of Lemuel M.
Hardy, deceased; and lived with her till his death which took place the 8th day of June, 1873.
He was received a member of the Old School Baptist Church at Mewborn, August meeting
1852, and baptised by Elder Parrott Mewborn. He was chosen Clerk of the church at September
Meeting 1860, and Deacon June 1864, which offices he faithfully filled until he died.
He was true to attend preaching and also a careful provider for his family. He was a kind and
loving husband, a good and tender father, and obliging neighbor.
He was apparently in good health on Saturday evening, taken to bed on Sunday morning and
died very suddenly about 12 o'clock. He left a widow and six children, five stepchildren and
many friends and other relatives to mourn their loss; but we hope that our loss is his eternal gain;
therefore we mourn not as those who have no hope.
And though I can never forget the object of my love, and though it was so hard to give him up,
yet I try to be submissive to the will of the Lord, and hope that I can say with Job "The Lord
giveth, and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord." We read: Blessed are the
dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth yea saieth the spirit that they may rest from their
labors, and their works do follow them. Oh! That we may all be prepared by grace through faith,
to die the death of the righteous.
"Why do we mourn departed friends,
Or shake at death's alarms?
'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends,
To call us to His arms."
Brother Gold, and all the Brethren and Sisters whom this may concern: Please remember me
and my dear children in your prayers to Him who can temper the storm and protect the lamb with
the lion, that He may take care of us, and save us by His grace, and finally bring us in that rest
prepared for the people of God, where there will be no more sorrow, sickness, pain nor death, but
all will be peace and joy forever.
I remain as I hope, your sister in Christ.
Temesia A. Hardy
(Zion's Landmark dated July 15, 1873, page 135)

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OBIT OF TEMESIA ANN HARDY
Mrs. Temesia Ann Hardy was the daughter of Elder Parrott Mewborn and Mary (Aldridge), his
wife, and was born 11/20/1822. She was the oldest of ten children, and was very industrious
from a child, her chief desire being to learn her parent's wishes and to act accordingly.
In those days much of the clothing for both men and women was made at home and she often
on a race with her neighbors to who should make the nicest dress goods, blankets, etc.
It was while sitting in a loom weaving a nice dress for herself that she was seized with sudden
and lasting conviction, and there she was killed to the love of the fashions of the world. She left
the loom, took off every piece of ornament from her dresses and the remainder of her life, plain,
and neat dresses, and a meek and quite spirit were her adornings.
On 2/26/1845, she was married to Lemuel M. Hardy, who was a member of the Primitive
Baptist Church at Bear Creek, Lenoir County, NC. They at once set to housekeeping and she
enjoyed her new life very much. The dear Lord blessed her with a good hope through grace. It
came in these words, "Those Egyptians whom you see today, you shall see them again no more
forever," and on the first Sunday in September 1846, she was baptized into the fellowship of the
Bear Creek church, by her father, who was their pastor. She was one of the constituted members
of the church at Mewborn's in Greene County, NC. She was a careful and prayerful reader of
the Bible and liked well to converse on its teachings. To live as Jesus lived was the desire of her
life.
She loved hospitality and the stranger always found a resting place under her roof and that
without charge. Her home was always a welcome one to her brethren and sisters.
In cases of trouble her mourning was deep and she always secreted herself in prayer to God
thus casting all her cares on him who could and did care for her. Three sons and two daughters,
all of whom survive her, were born to her, and then on the 13th of April, 1863, her husband was
called from her by death, leaving her the whole care of the family. This she managed and
became a woman of business under the care of the Lord.
After her husband's death she returned thanks at her table, not being willing that her children
should be raised otherwise.
On the first Sunday in July 1864, she was married to her husband's brother, Benjamin G.
(George) Hardy.
Both her husbands were both deacons and clerks of the Mewborn Church. In October after
their marriage her husband was called to the army and he did not get home till July 1st, 1865.
Thus her cares were greatly increased, but by the Lord's blessings her large family were well
provided for.
Eight of her father's children and four of her children were members of the Baptist Church and
she had evidences which led to a good hope for the others. In June, 1873, her husband was
called away by death, leaving her a widow again.
In 1875, her son, Elder Lemuel H Hardy, became convinced that he was called to the eastern
counties to preach and she sold her old homestead and afterwards lived with her children, mostly
with her youngest daughter. She was ever ready to make any reasonable sacrifice for her
children.
Since 1877 she has been a faithful and loving member of the church at Sandy Grove in
Beaufort County, NC, and was always when not providentially hindered in her seat. Her's was
indeed a life that was worthy of imitation. She had a remarkable constitution, though a small
woman, and when near 80 years old was able to travel near 200 miles to see her son, Elder
Lemuel H Hardy, and his family.
She was partially deaf in her latter years and only a few preachers spoke sufficiently clear and
distinct for her to hear all of a sermon. Elder L. H. Hardy, her son, always did this for her and so
he was her preferred preacher.
Her health has been failing for some time and since last November she was confined to the
house almost constantly and gradually grew weaker while loving hands administered to her until
the 20th of July, 1904, when she quietly and gently fell asleep and went home to her blessed
Savior to sing his praises evermore. We all miss her more than we can tell.
Her loving son, Geo. M. Hardy (Zion's Landmark, dated 9/1/1904, pp 478-479)

There was also an OBIT in the Primitive or Old School Baptist Ministers of the United States,
edited by R. H. Pittman - p 330

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GEORGE MEWBORN HARDY - Zion's Landmark - dated 3-15-1939, page 144.
Mr. George Mewborn Hardy, brother of the late Elder Lemuel H. Hardy, for more than sixty
years a loyal and faithful member of the Primitive Baptist Church, departed this life the 24th of
January at the home of his son, J. A. Hardy, who resides near Aurora, in Beaufort County.
Mr. Hardy was 88 years old, and had enjoyed remarkable health all of his life. He leaves seven
children, and a great many grandchildren and great grandchildren. His funeral was conducted by
Elder J. E. Mewborn at Sandy Grove Church, the church of his membership, in Beaufort County,
in the presence of a large number of friends and relatives.

OBITUARY OF GEORGE MEWBORN HARDY
George Mewborn Hardy, son of Lemuel and Temesia A. Hardy, was born Feb. 3, 1851 in
Greene County near what is now Jason and died at Small in Beaufort County Jan. 24, 1939. He
was buried at Sandy Grove Dec. 5, 1870. He married Lucy A. Fields of Greene County who
died June 1, 1890. They had 11 children, seven of whom survive him.
On Dec. 8, 1890 he married Agnes Mann of Newport who died Dec. 8, 1932. They had one
child who died in infancy.
He joined church at old Milton Meeting House in Pamlico June 10, 1876 and was baptized the
following day by Eld. J. S. Brinson. He moved his membership to what is now Sandy Grove in
Beaufort County in 1880, where it has since remained except for about four years ('93 to '97)
when he moved to Atlantic in Carteret County.
He was ordained a deacon in 1898 at Sandy Grove and has since served in that capacity. He
was a great reader and writer until his eyesight failed him in 1935. He was in failing health only
about six weeks before his death.
Written by J. A. Hardy

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LUCY ANN HARDY - Pages 406, 407, Zion's Landmark, dated 7-15-1890.
The subject of this notice was the daughter of Thomas and Sarah Fields and was born in Lenoir
County, N. C., December 30th, 1850. Her father was not a member of any church, died before
she was two years old. Her mother was a member of the Primitive Baptist church at Bear Creek
(now LaGrange) some years before her birth, but eventually took a letter and joined at
Mewborn's, Greene County, where she remained a faithful member until her death in 1874. She
had three daughters, all very young, and no means to support them, except her wheel and loom,
yet she raised them up so as to be respected by all who knew them, until Lucy was in her seventh
year. She then made her home with brother Thomas H. and sister Huldah T. Dawson, and lived
in their good home and under their excellent care and training until December 5th, 1870, when
she was married to the unworthy writer.
We commenced life poor, and all the while have lived in humble style. I have ever found her
to be a true, faithful, loving wife, always trying to do everything in her power to the comfort of
her husband and children. For several years she has been a fond lover of Zion's Landmark and
"The Gospel Messenger", spending most of her leisure time in reading the obituaries and
experiences. She always loved these parts best, she said,, because she understood them best.
She never united with the church, I am sure from no other reason than feelings of
unworthiness, for I have seen all the evidences of conviction, conversion, and newness of life in
Jesus. She was a faithful attendant at church and always paid attention to preaching. She said
that she loved to hear most of the Primitive Baptist preach, but liked brother J. R. Rowe best,
because she could understand him best.
She was the mother of eleven children. Eight of them, four boys and four girls are now living.
The obituaries of George and Nancy appeared in the Landmark about four years ago. Ruth
Caroline died on consumption September 22nd, 1888, aged ten months and twenty one days.
She was generally healthy until about two years ago when she very slowly commenced
showing signs of consumption. On the 27th day of February, 1890 she was taken with articular
consumption and before it was well, with pyema and ptyrosis of the liver, with which she
suffered until she was relieved by death on the first day of June, about 6 o'clock, P. M.
What she suffered during those long thirteen weeks and three days no tongue can ever tell. We
are surrounded by the best neighbors, among whom I would make special mention of dear sisters
Penelope Rowe, Josephine and Mary Dowty and all, together with our family physician, did all
they could to relieve her; but the Lord's time for her departure had come and none could stay the
dread summons. Yea! Her Lord had a use for her in the courts of heaven. Though her bodily
powers all failed ' till she was as helpless as an infant, yet she retained her mind 'till the last.
Three days before her death sister P. Rowe and myself were sitting by her and she commenced to
try to do something with her hands. She asked me if her hands were cold. I told her they were
warm and sweating. She replied, "My Lord told me that when he came after me my hands would
be cold." She laid her hands down and was quiet.
On Sunday morning, June 1st, I found that her hands were cold. I examined her feet and they
were warm. During the day this was the case, while her hands grew colder and colder all day
until I thing they were the coldest flesh I ever felt. Much colder than they were after death - all
other parts of her were warm. In the evening she tried very hard to tell us something that we
could not understand, she was so weak. She passed away without a groan or struggle, as one
going to sleep.
On Monday while surrounded by many sympathizing friends, Elder J. R. Rowe made a few
very appropriate remarks, had singing and prayer and her remains were laid in the silent tomb to
await the resurrection morn. She leaves two sisters, a husband, and eight children with many
relatives and friends to mourn their loss, but we have strong hope that while we are sorrowing,
she is rejoicing with Jesus her Savior. Darling, I miss you; we all miss you; our little children
miss you, but may the Lord prepare us all to meet you in that happy place where parting will be
known no more, is my prayer, for Christ sake, Amen.
Mother, my dear mother, is helping me take care of the little children. Who know the love of a
dear mother?
Brethren and sisters, pray for us. Your unworthy brother, George M. Hardy

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JAMES TURNER HARDY - Pages 94, 95, Zion's Landmark, dated 1-1-1894.
Infant son of George Mewborn Hardy and Agnes (Mann) Hardy was born August 11th 1892,
and died August 16th, 1893.
Jimmie was the only child of his mother and was indeed a lovely child. He was very bright for
a little child and he and his little half brother were very fond of play and were company for their
mother while the rest of the family were at work or at school, and thus you see they were left
very lonely. Jimmie seemed to think more of me than anyone else and it has been the case that
my children who have loved me best when young have been taken from me, but the Lord
knoweth best and doeth all things well, and we desire to feel resigned to his will, however tightly
we maybe bound by the ties of nature, and however much it grieves us to part. I have never seen
a more patient sufferer. He was sick a long while and suffered a great deal, but did not cry. It
was a wonder to all who saw him that he did not cry when suffering so much. He was supposed
to die with some form of blood poison. We do not know, but we do know that he is taken from
us by our Heavenly Father and we believe that while we are yet in a land of sorrow and
mourning, he is with his blessed Savior never to know the troubles of this life.
May the Lord grant that we be submissive to His will, and so care for us and watch over us that
we may yet meet Him with all the redeemed hosts of heaven is my prayer.
His father, George Mewborn Hardy

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LEMUEL H. HARDY V (1852-1930)
Lemuel H. Hardy, V, b. March 17, 1852, m. in 1874, Bettie J Hartsfield, d. April 3, 1930. His
obituary, published in the Raleigh, NC, "News and Observer", April 4, 1930, extracts from
which follow, make an elegant thumbnail sketch. It was headed: "Primitive Elder Dies in
Harness," and subheaded: "He Had Repeated a Thousand Times the Injunction Love One
Another'".
Kinston, April 3, 1931. "I have preached the truth, and I know that I have preached the truth."
With these words the venerable Elder L.H. Hardy fell dead in the pulpit of the Primitive Baptist
Church in Loris, SC, last Sunday. The 77-year-old minister was pastor of several scattered
congregations in this state and SC, one of them located here. His local parishioners today heard
the story of his dramatic death, and said they were glad Elder Hardy had died in that fashion.
"He wanted to die in the pulpit preaching the living word," they said.
For more than 55 years the preacher made the rounds of his churches. He preached 10,000
sermons from Florida to Canada. He was not an orator in the accepted sense, but his voice had
great carrying power, his words were carefully chosen, and he knew the Bible as few men have
known it. His was one of the kindest of faces. He repeated a thousand times the injunction,
"Love one another." The story of his funeral came up from the little town of Atlantic . . . All
business was suspended . . . schools closed . . . the entire population turned out . . . Three of his
brotherhood veteran ministers . . . conducted the services . . .
It was nothing for Elder Hardy to travel several hundred miles to fill an appointment. One of
his charges was at Reidsville, in other times a day's journey from his Core Sound home. He
lived in Atlantic 43 years. He was loved as few have been loved in the "Banks" country. The
body of the aged minister lies in a community cemetery in the outskirts of Atlantic. (The Eastern
North Carolina Hardy-Hardee Family in the South and Southwest, by David L Hardee, pp. 290-
91) (Note: Lemuel Hardy V, was the son of Lemuel Mewborn Hardy and Temesia Ann
Mewborn.)

EDITOR'S NOTE: There are some of our subscribers and readers who will, no doubt,
remember the late Elder Lemuel H. Hardy, of Atlantic, NC. Elder Hardy was regarded and loved
as a faithful minister of the Gospel and as a predestinarian Baptist. He was born in 1853, at
Jason Greene County NC, and united with the church at Mewborn's, near the place of his birth,
in 1873. His father was Lemuel Hardy, and his mother was Temesia Mewborn Hardy. He was
pastor of the churches at Wheeler's, Ebenezer, Prospect Hill, for several years, also at Kinston,
NC and at Reidsville, and Atlantic (Hunting Quarter), the latter two for approximately fifty
years. He was moderator of the Country Line Association in the early 1900's.
It was the pleasure of my wife and me, along with our eldest son, who was about two years of
age at the time, to visit this dear Elder, his family, and the Church at Atlantic, where he served
long and faithfully. This was about the year 1918. In those days we had public roads and a
railroad to Beaufort, NC, but there was no outlet to Atlantic, NC, except by boat. The journey by
boat was about thirty five miles, and required several hours to make this trip. This dear old Elder
made this journey many, many times in going to and from his churches and appointments before
a permanent road was made to this community. This took place only a few years just prior to his
death. He was largely instrumental in procuring the road by land which today is the Eastern
terminal of US Highway 70.
Elder Hardy died in the stand at Simpson Creek Church, Horry County, SC, Mill Branch
Association, on March 29, 1930. He was about to finish a discourse from the texts, "We know
that we have passed from death unto life because we love the brethren," and "We know that all
things work together for good to them who love God," etc. He had stood, as I am told, on hour,
and those who heard him said it was a powerful sermon. Just at the close he said, "I saw Christ
crucified for the whole house of God, and for me, for me." As he said, "for me" he laid his hand
on his heart. With his hand still on his left side he said, "I have a pain here." The brethren laid
him on a bench, and a physician was summoned. Soon thereafter, he passed from the scenes of
mortal strife. Before falling asleep he took his wife's hand and said, "My dear, I have preached
the truth - I know that I have preached the truth." He died as he had wished to die, at his post
defending and declaring the truth of God, and with his beloved brethren to minister to him.
What a blessed way for such a one to be taken! Elder Hardy requested that these words be
placed above his grave, "Go tell my brethren I died at my post."
The three articles which are to follow are entitled, "Adam - The Two Seeds," "Unrighteous
Mamon," and "If It Had Not Been This Way, How Would It Have Been?' We believe that you
will enjoy these articles, and that many will concur with him in the sentiment of his last few
words. He was a man of God. These articles were written in the 1920's. Ed. (T. Floyd Adams)
(Zion's Landmark dated 8/15/1970, p.296) (Note: Space limits the inclusion of the articles,
I.E.M.)

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ELDER HARDY DIES SUDDENLY
Elder L. H. Hardy passed away suddenly Saturday, March the 29th. He was preaching in the
church at Mullins, SC or near there when the summons came and he was called to a higher
service with his Master whom he loved so well and served so faithfully.
His remains were taken to Atlantic, his home, and the funeral was conducted at eleven o'clock,
Monday the 31st, by elder E L Cobb of Wilson and Elder Joshua E Mewborn of Greene County.
Both spoke of his faithfulness and devotion to the Primitive Baptist cause, and of his ministry
which has covered the greater portion of his life of 79 years.
His health has been poor for the past few years, and his wife who has ministered to him so
kindly and who accompanied him wherever he went was with him when he died.
There was a great outpouring of people at his funeral and the affection with which he was held,
both in and out of the church was in evidence. (Zion's Landmark, dated 4/1/1930 p.158)

In memory and respect of our ages Brethren, Elder L. H. Hardy and Isaac Jones who have
passed away.
Elder L. H. Hardy served our church for seventeen years until he left these upper counties.
Brother Hardy was a faithful pastor. The weather was never too rough to prevent his going to his
appointments if possible to get there. He was an able minister, well established in the gospel
truth. He was a good disciplinarian. We felt that he was a safe guide in our church order. He
was a great instructor and teacher of the writer in church business, in his younger days as well as
in older age. He was well versed in church matters and in knowledge of business, and his death
caused a feeling of great loss to us.
When the Country Line Association divided for convenience in 1906 because it was so large,
Brother L. H. Hardy drew up the articles of faith which were adopted by the Upper Country Line
Association. When it was organized in 1907 before they were presented to the association they
were approved by our oldest minister, Elder F. L. Oakley, who had been in the ministry for more
than fifty years. He said he had no objection to them.
We feel that our loss also has been great in the death of our brother, Elder Isaac Jones, who
visited our churches and Country Line Association for fifty years. He was an able, gifted, and
acceptable minister and preached to the comfort of many of our people. Since Brother L. H.
Hardy left us we have been blessed to have our Brother B. F. McKinney to serve us as pastor
who preaches the same doctrine that Elders Hardy, Jones, and Oakley preached those many years
in the past.
Resolved, first: That we may bow in humble submission to an all wise God who doeth all
things well.
Resolved, second: A copy of these resolutions appear in Zion's Landmark and also in the Lone
Pilgrim.
Done by the order of the church at Prospect Hill on Saturday before the 4th, Sunday in may,
1930. (Elder B F McKinney, Mod., W D Blalock, Clerk, Zion's Landmark dated July 1, 1930 p.
255)

There was also an OBIT in the Primitive or Old School Baptist Ministers of the United States,
edited by R. H. Pittman - p 175

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ANNIE ISON HARDY
Zion's Landmark - dated 2-1-1961, p.95)
Sister Annie Ison Hardy was born July 5th, 1861 and died December the 7th, 1960; making her
stay on earth 99 years, five months, and two days. The foregoing dates mark the boundaries of a
life replete with kindly and noble deeds, a life that came to a peaceful and triumphant close
through faith in the Jesus Christ. She had an amiable and magnetic personality, which not only
made new friends, but kept the old ones. When lowering clouds gathered thick and darkly
around her, she seemed to see a bright spot that was hidden to others. She was united in
marriage November the 28th, 1878 to William Lincoln Ison. To this union, seven children were
born, four sons: J.G., W.F., R.D., and F.L., and three daughters: Mrs. Robert Preston Dixon, Mrs.
J.D. Butler, and Mrs. A.H. Cooledge; six grandchildren and forty six great-grandchildren, and
three great-great-grandchildren.
After the death of Mr. Ison July 23rd, 1917 she was married to Elder Lemuel H. Hardy, in
September 1926; the writer performing the ceremony at the East Atlanta P.B. Church, after
which she and Elder Hardy made their home in Atlantic, NC. Shortly after the death of Elder
Hardy, she returned to Atlanta, Georgia, where she lived until her passing.
She united with the East Atlanta P.B. Church in October 1903, and was a devoted and faithful
Member until her death. About twelve years ago, she sustained a broken hip in a fall, and in
subsequent years was confined to a wheel chair; and in which she was brought to her meetings
by a faithful and devoted grandson.
A great number of her brethren, sisters, and friends attended the graveside service conducted
by the writer; after which, all that was mortal was laid to rest in Westview Cemetery; to await the
call of Him who spake as never man spake, saying, "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the
Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world".
Elder H.O. Nash

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OBIT - BETTIE JOHN HARTSFIELD HARDY
My dear Bettie was born July 7th, 1847. She was the daughter of Thomas Pickney Hartsfield
and Lydia Hartsfield, his wife. Her birthplace was in Lenoir Co, NC. When Bettie was four
years old her father emigrated with his family to Jefferson Co, FL, where she grew up to young
womanhood. Before he left NC Father Hartsfield was baptized by Elder Parrott Mewborn (II),
my grandfather. When he got to Florida he wanted to unit himself with a Primitive Baptist
church there, but they would not be convinced that he had been baptized by a Primitive Baptist
and therefore they refused to receive him. He with all his family turned away from us and united
with the Missionary Baptist.
When Bettie was sixteen years old she with some others of her young friends joined
themselves to the Methodist. She was immersed by one of their preachers. She was so
impressed with the solemnity of the communion that she never communed with them during her
connection there. Her father married a widow woman there with several children after the death
of her mother, and when he was growing old he thought it best to send his daughters back, to live
with and be taken care of by his people. Therefore in the year 1866, dear Bettie came back to the
neighborhood of her birth which was well filled with the Cambellite Religion. All of her people
and companions belonging to that Society, she obtained a letter from the Methodist and put it in
with the Disciples.
In December, 1872, Bettie came to one of her cousins, John P. Gray, who had married two of
the daughters of Elder Parrott Mewborn (II), my grandfather. There it was I got acquainted with
my cousin, Bettie J. Hartsfield. I was with her right much during the year 1873, and became of
the opinion that she was a young woman of sterling worth, and a very amiable disposition.
Therefore in December I proposed to her to become my wife. She consented and on January
29th, 1874 we were united in marriage. From that day it appeared to be her desire to make me
happy, and I felt the same way towards her. In February when the time of her meeting was
coming on I asked her if she wanted to go. She said, "Only to see my folks and old friends." I
asked her if she did not love to hear the preaching. She said, "No, I don't care anything about it.
They don't love one another, and since, I have been with them but once to the communion, for it
appears to me, they make a mock of that Holy thing." She went with me to Nahunta to our
meeting, and she told me that it appeared to her that there was sincerity in the worship of the
Primitive Baptist. It was not long after that, when she sat down on my knees and began to cry. I
asked her why she cried. She said, "I am such a poor sinner that I do not feel worthy to be your
wife." I told her that she was much better than I and I hoped the Lord would so bless her and
that she would not feel that way about herself. She was a regular attendant with me at all the
churches I visited, and was very fond of our brethren and sisters, and I feel that they were the
same way about her. It was in May, 1874, that I began to try to bear the yoke of the ministry,
and from the very first attempt, dear Bettie put in her sweet helping hand by trying to encourage
me to go and not to look back. Soon it became manifest that I would have to leave our old home
and go down on the seacoast. She felt that she rather stay among our relatives and friends, with
who she was so well acquainted, and not go to live with those who were altogether strangers to
both of us, but she felt it might be the best for us to do whatever I felt the Lord required me to
do. It was in November, 1875, that we left our old home in Greene County, NC and came to
Pamlico Co, NC. We were twelve miles from our nearest church, but whenever it came time for
the meeting she was ready to go with me. My dear mother lived in those days, and I feel sure
that she and my dear Bettie loved one another as well as if they had been actual mother and
daughter.
The year 1877 found us trying to farm on Goose Creek Island. It was during the month of
February, that I came home from the field. It was just before the birth of our son (Lemuel
Hartsfield Hardy) in April that year, and dear Bettie's condition was delicate. That day I found
her sitting by the fire crying. I asked he why she was crying. She said, "Oh Lemmy, I am going
to die and go to Hell." I put my arms around her neck and said, "Why do you think so my dear?"
She said, "Today something spoke in me and said, Depart from me ye cursed into everlasting
punishment, prepare for the Devil and his angels,' and it is a curse from the Lord to me." She
wept aloud, I tried to comfort her but all whom have felt the sting of conviction for sin know that
one in such conviction cannot be comforted until the Lord please. This terrible curse was with
her for more than a year, but not all the time so severe. In April 1878 I was going home from the
field, when about on hundred and fifty yards from the house a feeling of great confidence settled
on me and all over me, that dear Bettie had been delivered, that God had given her a good hope.
I began to sing, I heard singing and listened, and she was singing the same song with me. I
hastened and got in the house as soon as I could, and put my arms around her neck and said,
"The Lord has blessed you, and given you a good hope." She said, "Yes, it came today. I took
up the bucket to go get some water when it seemed to be the voice which spoke to me last year,
but it said, "Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest." My
burden, which has so distressed me for more than a year passed quickly away, and I have felt
since then that I want to sing all the time." Her dreams to her and to me were as sweet as honey
as we could join with each other in praising the Lord. Her life was so good and sweet that it
often appeared to me that my own life by hers was not worthy to consider in Christianity.
However, she continued to be a visitor with me to the churches and among the brethren until
September, 1884. On Saturday before the third Sunday in said September, in company with the
present Elder R. E. Adams, Wilson, NC, she came before the Primitive Baptist Church at
Newport, NC and was received, and it was my privilege to her on that third Sunday in the waters
of Newport River. From that day she has ever been a consistent member of the Primitive
Baptist, and a great helper to her oft despondent husband in his labors of love in the gospel
ministry. She has never said nor done one word or thing to in any wise put a stumbling block in
my way, but to the contrary she has always given me all the encouragement that lay in her
power.
She proved to be a very loving mother to our two children that the good Lord was pleased to
give to us, and to our daughter's two children who by the reason of her husband's death it
became our privilege to help her to raise.
Dear Betty became afflicted with some internal trouble which finally developed into cancer of
the stomach. From this terrible disease she suffered more than any mortal can tell or even know.
In connection with this deadly disease she had diabetes and a slight symptom of Bright's disease.
On the first Sunday in October, 1924, she had a light stroke of paralysis which during her
sickness was renewed several times. This soon took away her strength and speech. We moved
her from place to place by pulling her chair. Then for four or five weeks she could not be moved
and became fully confined to her bed, where we both dressed her and turned her on a sheet.
During all this seven weeks of our sitting up and caring for her we sat up alone but on night. Our
dear neighbors made their own arrangements and came to our relief each night. For fifty two
days and nights the fire burned in the stove, and during those nights our lights were not turned
out.
For the entire time of seven weeks dear Bettie did not eat a much as one-half pound of food of
any description except a little soup, a little orange juice, a little toddy and a little water. All these
failed so she could take nothing but a little water which formed in her own stomach.
On Saturday, January 31st as I sat by her on my knees she said, "Lemmy, I am going to die." I
said, "And leave me so lonely?" She said, "I don't want to leave you, but I must go." I said,
"You will be with our dear Jesus." She said, "Yes, you will come." I saw a tear in her eye, and I
wiped it away with my own handkerchief. That is the only tear any of us saw in all her sickness.
On Friday night, February 6th, I went to her bed and said, "Darling I am going to try to lie down
and rest a little, and I want to kiss you good night." I reached down and kissed her on the cheek.
She could not turn her head but she kissed very clearly which made me know that she knew me.
I reached over and gave our parting kiss in consciousness. Saturday morning she had passed all
knowledge of this world, but continued to breathe very heavy until 2 o'clock when the dying
groans made us know that the end was near. She could not speak to us neither by word nor by
sign, nor let us know that she knew what was going on. At 2:45 the angel of mercy came and
delivered her from all her great sufferings, and she slept in our Lord Jesus to be awakened by
Him I that last great day when He shall call up the sleeping dust of all the redeemed of God to be
with Him, and to be like Him Forever.
My darling Bettie left her poor heart distressed husband, and with me our dear daughter to
comfort and help me. Her two children who we helped her to raise. Our son, who lives in
Reidsville, NC with his wife and eight children and two little grandchildren and one sister, with
the brethren, sisters, and many friends to mourn that she is gone, while she is praising God in
glory for His great salvation.
Dear brethren and sisters I cannot feel rebellious against our God in this dispensation of His
grace to my dear wife, nor us who are left to mourn, for we have no doubt of her happiness with
God. L. H. Hardy. (Zion's Landmark dated 3/1/1925, pp. 126-127)

*******

WINNIFORD MEWBORN

Obituary of Winniford Mewborn, wife of Joshua Mewborn, daughter of Thomas and Nancy
Wootten, was borned Sunday, April 17, 1831, and died Sunday morning without a struggle Jan.
25, 1903, making her pilgrimage here 71 years 9 months and 8 days.
She was married to the writer Tuesday, October 11, 1853. Of this union eight living children
was borned. She lived to see all grown but one which died in infancy and all married but the
youngest.
She leaves a husband, two children, twenty-four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and
one sister, with a host of relatives, friends and the church to mourn their lost.
She had in her family at one time a preacher, two deacons, a magistrate, a lawyer, a doctor and
four school teachers.
She offered to the Primitive Baptist Church Sunday before the 3rd Sunday in August 1853 and
was received at Mewborn's meeting house in Greene County, N. C. and was baptized by Elder
Parrott Mewborn, Sr. She was a faithful member over fifty years. Not a charge was ever
brought against her. She attended her meetings faithfully when not providentially hindered.
She was a good wife, indulgent mother and a good neighbor.
I don't believe she had an enemy.

Why do we mourn departing friends.
Or shake at death's alarms?
'Tis but the voice that Jesus sends.
To call them to his arms.

Feb. 24, 1903, Joshua Mewborn, Snow Hill, N. C. R.F.D. # 4
Pages 190-191, Zion's Landmark, dated 3-1-1903

*******

JOSHUA MEWBORN

Elder P. D. Gold

Dear Brother:

Brother Joshua (Mewborn) fell to sleep this morning a little after 5 o'clock, after a long spell of
sickness. His death was not unexpected. He has been a member of the church since 1850 with
not a scratch against him. I feel the church has lost a bright and faithful member, but our
temporary loss is his eternal gain.
I guess an obituary notice will be prepared after awhile.
Your brother,
L. J. H. Mewborn

Remarks: yes, Brother Joshua Mewborn was a solid man in trust and sincerity. He was an old-
fashioned Baptist. This is a great thing to be. (P. D. G.)

Page 164, Zion's Landmark, dated 2-15-1907.

DEACON JOSHUA MEWBORN

Deacon Joshua Mewborn was the son of Elder Parrott and Mary Mewborn, was born April
18th, 1827, and fell asleep on the morning of January 29th, 1907, making his stay here on earth
four score years, less two months and nineteen days. Physically he was always delicate, not
knowing what health was as many do.
He was united in marriage to Miss Winifred Wooten on the 11th day of October, 1853, and of
this union there were born eight living children, three sons and five daughters, one daughter died
in infancy. He lived to see all the rest grown, and all married to good loving companions, except
one, the youngest. Three of them were members of the same church he was, and all preceded
him to the grave save two, a son and a daughter.
He with his brother, George, united with the church on the 23rd day of September, 1850, at
Mewborn's meeting house, Greene County, N. C., and lived a faithful member until called to go
home above, never missing a meeting unless prevented by sickness. There was not a scratch
against him. He let no worldly matters come in between him and his church duties. He was a
hard student for the truth laid down in the Bible. I have often found him all alone with his Bible
in silent meditation of the revealed things of God. He was as well versed in the scriptures as
most any one I knew of and loved to talk of them. He was chosen deacon of the church in
September, 1865, said office he filled satisfactorily to the church and honor to himself. He was
not only a deacon in name but a deacon in word and truth.
At the September meeting, 1873, he was chosen clerk of the church and filled that office
satisfactorily until 1884. He then resigned and this writer was chosen to succeed him.
He leaves to mourn, two children, twenty-one grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren, two
brothers, one sister, the church and a host of friends, and no enemies.
At his request his grandsons, viz: William, Erastus, and Herbert Herring, J. Thomas Whitted,
Noah and Titus Mewborn were chosen pall-bearers.
A large gathering of friends and neighbors assembled at the family burying place to pay their
last sad respects to him. Just before he passed away he raised his hands and spoke as though he
was speaking to someone and exclaimed, Jesus. He then laid his hands gently down, closed his
eyes and fell gently to sleep so quickly and easy that those not looking at him could not tell it.
None will miss his wise council more than the writer. I esteemed him a wise and noble
councilor in church affairs. Surely a father in Israel is gone, he greatly desired to go and be with
Jesus. He said this world had no attractions for him. He was always thankful it was as well with
him as it was, and while he greatly desired to go, he was willing to abide the Lord's time. He had
been confined to the house for a year or more.
There was in his family beside himself, one deacon, a preacher, a magistrate, a lawyer, a
doctor, and four school teachers.
He was a faithful soldier in the late Civil War. I feel much more might be written of his noble
qualities and the half not told.
Read in conference, Saturday before the second Sunday in March, 1907, and ordered to be
placed upon the church record and a copy sent to the Landmark for publication.

T. B. Lancaster, Moderator
Levi J. H. Mewborn, Clerk
Pages 236, 237, Zion's Landmark, dated 4-1-1907

*******

EVELYN (Ebbie) EUGINE MEWBORN

Evelyn (Ebbie) Eugine Mewborn was born June 4, 1874, and passed away at her home, near
Snow Hill, N. C., where she had resided for more than ninety years on April 20, 1965. She was
the youngest of ten children, and was the daughter of Joshua and Winifred Wooten Mewborn.
She united with the Church of Mewborn's on the second Sunday in December 1897, and was
baptized with her cousin. Lela Mewborn, on the following Friday by Elder John W. Gardner,
who was pastor of the church at that time, with a large crowd witnessing same. She was the
oldest in membership as well as in age in the church at the time of her death.
Her life was inspiring and helpful to the people in her community. She was blessed with the
gift of knowing how to entertain people of all ages, and she was always teaching in her everyday
life the better way. She took several orphaned girls into her home, trained them and sent them to
school. She boarded many teachers of the local public school, and gave her services freely in the
civic affairs of her community and county, as well as for the betterment of education.
She was reared with her parent's orphaned grandson, John Thomas Whitted, who was about the
same age, in her parent's home. This grandson and she lived in the home with these parents and
cared for them until their deaths. After her month's death, she took the place of a grandmother.
When Agnes Potts Whitted, died on Sept. 27, 1914, she reared his four children, namely, Willie,
Temesia, Winnie and William, as her own. Some of them lived with her at different intervals
during her life. By settlement her home became the portion of Temesia Whitted Benton, and her
husband, William Benton. They kept her in their home and cared for her as long as she lived.
So, she died at the same home site where she was born after ninety years and some months.
When she was feeble the other children came and helped and she appreciated their help. She
seemed generally happy and contented and appreciated and enjoyed the beauties of nature, the
beautiful sunsets and flowers, the upkeep and improvement of the home and its surroundings as
well as keeping the church building and its surroundings clean, the latter which she cared for
many years.
She was blest to be able to attend her church meetings for many, many years as the record will
show. She read and enjoyed the Zion's Landmark practically all of her life. She especially
enjoyed hearing people sing, and in her younger years she managed to get a teacher to go to the
different churches two days to the week in the summer and this teacher taught the rudiments of
music and singing to the children in the communities. The effect of this influence is seen until
this day.
When I could see how she was cared for by those who were reared in her home, I was
reminded of the dear family ties which are used in the scriptures. Such explains to our finite
minds the meaning of the love of God, and of the Last commandment, "Little Children Love One
Another."
I feel to say in closing that her life may be compared to a shock of corn, being fully ripe and
ready for harvest, blessed with the fruits of the spirit, has she laid down this mortal life, awaiting
the time when the Lord shall gather the precious grain, when the mortality of His saints shall put
on immortality, to live with Him forever.
Her last rites were conducted in Mewborn's Church, by Elder T. F. Adams and Elder J. M.
Mewborn, her grandnephew, the latter in the absence of her pastor and nephew, Elder J. E.
Mewborn, who could not attend because of illness. Her grandnephew's remarks were based on
Hebrews 11:13, 14, which were appropriate for the occasion. Her remains were interred in the
family burial plot with her parents.
With pleasant memories have I written these words.

Her niece, Eula V. Mewborn

Zion's Landmark dated 11-15-1965, pages 15-16

*******

OBITUARY OF SISTER CAROLINE MEWBORN
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, for their works do follow them. We feel this is true
of this departed sister. We read that God's ways and thoughts are as much above man's as the
heavens is above the earth, and if her joys are as much greater over her sufferings and pains as
the heavens are about the earth, they must be great for no tongue can tell or describe her
sufferings and pains that she had to undergo the last twenty-one long months of her life. I
suspose there was not an hour that she was free from pain or suffering in some way, physically
or mentally. She saw no peace only while under the influence of some medicine. The family
physician said he had tried every known remedy to the medical profession and nothing did her
any good, only temporially. Still she bore it all with the patience that God gave her. She had
been a great sufferer for 35 years or more with deafness and tried many specialist for deafness
but found no relief from any of them. They said her deafness was caused by catarrah. Her death
sickness was a combination of diseases, principally muscular Rheumatism.
She was the mother of 11 children, five sons and six daughters. She leaves four sons and three
daughters, six grandchildren, a loving husband, two brothers, two sisters with kind neighbors and
friends and the church to mourn. Every attention was given her that a kind companion, good
dutiful children, a good physician, good neighbors and money could procure; but none could
keep her here. The death angle came and called "Child come home". Her spirit took its light
from the tenement body of clay on the night of the 20th November 1910 and we feel she is now
enjoying the sweet peace reserved for the faithful. I feel pages could be written and the half not
told; but space will not admit in a notice of this kind.
She was united in marriage to the writer on the 4th day July 1866.
She professed a hope in Our Lord in her sixteenth year and joined the Missionary Baptist
Church in Chapel Hill, not knowing that there was such a denomination as the Primitive Baptist;
but after becoming acquainted with them and giving the subject a prayerful consideration and
searching of the bible to get the truth she was fully satisfied that the Primitive was the true
church, so on Saturday before the second Sunday in December 1889 she united with the church
at Mewborn's and was baptised by the pastor, Elder John W. Gardner and remained a faithul
member ever filling her seat when able though she was deprived of hearing much of the
preaching. She was always ready to go, saying she could see the members if she could not hear
the services.
She was the daughter of Sidney and Sarah Whitted of Chapel Hill and was born Feby. 5th,
1845.
Read in conference and ordered to be spread upon the record at December Meeting.
Levi J. H. Mewborn
Copied from Mewborn Church Book 2, Pages 84-85
Also in ZION'S LANDMARK pages 94, 95, dated 1 January 1911 and signed by T. B.
Lancaster, Mod and Levi J. H. Mewborn, Clerk and husband

*******

OBIT - PARROTT HARDY MEWBORN
On November 17, 1915, it pleased the good Lord to take from our midst, our loving father,
Parrott Hardy Mewborn, who was born August 29, 1850, making his stay on earth sixty-five
years, two months, and eighteen days.
For over two years before his death he was a great sufferer from Bright's Disease, the last four
months being confined to his bed. He bore his sufferings with great patience, looking unto the
Lord for relief. It seemed that his whole desire was to die and go home to the Lord. He said his
case was an outside one and was a mystery to him, that he had never seen or read of one like it.
He joined the Primitive Baptist Church at Mewborn's and was baptized by Elder John W.
Garner on Saturday before the second Sunday in September, 1883.
He lived a consistent member of that church until death, always attending his meetings when he
lived near enough unless providentially hindred. If he lived too far to go to Mewborn's he would
go to the nearer churches. For over two years before he died he was not able to attend any.
I spent several days with him during his last days and he told me while I was with him that he
did not care to talk about things of this world, and said" "Oh, if I could see Brother Lancaster and
talk with him about heavenly things it would be so much consolation to me."
Everything was done for him that could be done by a dear loving wife and loving children but
nothing could stay the cold, icy hands of death.
He was married to Lany Louisa Hardy January 16, 1872, and they lived happily together until
March 4, 1897, when it pleased the good Lord to call her home to himself. Unto them were born
eleven children, six girls and five boys. Two boys died in infancy.
The following September he was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Outlaw, and unto them were
born two children, one son and one daughter. The Daughter died at birth. In September 1902, it
pleased God to take her from our midst.
On March 1, 1903, he was married to Miss Addie Patterson and unto them was born eight
children, six sons and two daughters. Three sons preceded him to the grave. He leaves behind to
mourn their loss fifteen children, thirty four grandchildren, two brothers and one sister.
Though we miss him ever so much we feel that our loss is his heavenly gain.
May the Lord bless all that is left behind to mourn is the earnest prayer of his loving daughter.
Effie J. Creech
ZION'S LANDMARK 15 September 1916, page 497
Mewborn Church Books - Book 2, pages 118-119

*******

OBIT - LANY L. MEWBORN
It becomes my sad duty to try and write a notice of the death of our beloved sister, Lany L.
Mewborn, which took place on the 4th day of March 1897. Sister Mewborn was the daughter of
Lemuel E. and Elizabeth Hardy, and was born on Jan. 1st, 1854. She was of a notable family.
Her mother's maiden name was Tyson, and was a member of our church. Sister Mewborn, when
about 18 years of age, was married to Parrott H. Mewborn, and of this union there were born 11
children, 5 boys and 6 girls, 2 boys preceded her to the grave. Sister Mewborn, as all of Adamic
race, was a sinner, and lived in that element and enjoyed herself as such until it pleased the Lord
through his mercy to show her lost and ruined condition, and in his own way and time revealed
himself to her as the chiefest of ten thousand and the one altogether lovely. She offered herself to
the church at our May meeting, 1877, and was received and baptized by Elder I. J. Taylor. She
ever filled her seat when not providentially prevented and was one loved and beloved by the
whole church. She was good, interesting company and could make one feel welcome, and
always enjoyed a religious conversation. Oh how we do miss her sweet, musical voice and
happy, smiling countenance. She leaves a husband, 9 children, 1 brother and sister, the church
and a host of friends to mourn, but thanks be to our Redeemer we mourn, but rejoice in her
happy transit to that eternal home prepared before the foundation for predestinated and
redeemed. Much might be written in her praise and the half not told, but I think best to speak in
behalf of one while living and not so much after they are gone.
Respectfully submitted to the church and approved, and ordered to be spread upon the record.
L. J. H. Mewborn, Cl'k
John W. Gardner, Mod
ZION'S LANDMARK 1 August 1897 pages 430, 431
Mewborn Church Book, Book 2, pages 93 94

*******

JESSE MEWBORN AND FAMILY

If It wasn't asking too much of you, I would like very much to see a notice of the life and death
of some of my people.
My father, Jesse L. Mewborn, was born July 30th 1852, in Greene County, near the little village
of Jason, NC. He lived in this vicinity until he was 40 years old. He then lived in Lenoir
County, one year near Kinston, NC, and in Beaufort County, near Aurora, NC for five years.
(Note: Daughter, Florence D. Mewborn died while the family lived here and is buried in the old
Sandy Grove Church Yard - IEM) Then he moved back in Greene County to a place called Shine
and lived there for eighteen years. He then moved to Wayne County, about seven miles from
Goldsboro, NC and stayed there about seven years. In his declining years he broke up
housekeeping, and with his wife and youngest daughter went to Cove City in Craven County,
NC to live with a widowed daughter, Mrs. Lydia Mewborn Heath, and stayed there until his
death, January 24, 1928.
He was the father of eleven children. Their names are : John, Florence, Morris, Van, Lydia,
Stella, Nannie, Mary, Ruth, Rachel, and Annie. Three girls preceded him in death, Mary,
Florence, and Stella. He had "flu" and pneumonia and lived only a few days. He was taken back
to the old family burying ground, Mewborn's graveyard, in which his parents were buried, and
there laid to rest, to await the coming of the Lord.
He joined the church at Mewborn's when he was a young man, and his name stayed on the
church book until his death.
He never possessed much of this world's goods, but he was an honest, upright man, a good
neighbor wherever he lived. He was thought of as superior to most men, in every place he lived.
He never used slang words of any kind. The worst word I ever heard him use was "dog-gone"
and that only once. There could be more said, but this is enough. Thus he lived and died.
His wife, Mary Mewborn
His wife, Mary Mewborn, was born April 4 1852, in the same neighborhood with him, and was
his double first cousin. They were married February 12, 1870, and lived together nearly fifty
eight (58) years.
After the death of father, mother and my two sisters moved to Tarboro, NC where three of the
other children lived, and she died there June 8th, 1933, making her 79 years, one month and 4
days old, and she was a very good woman, and devoted mother. She was loved by all.
She joined the same church of her husband, in a short time after he did and died with her name
there.
She suffered with heart trouble several years, and died quite suddenly just before day, but we
were up with her. She was buried beside her husband. Thus she lived and died.
Their Fifth Child
Their fifth child, Lydia Mewborn, was born June 25th, 1879 and died June 6th, 1929 making
her nearly 50 years old. She married Mr. E. H. Heath, April 20th, 1910. She joined the
Primitive Baptist Church in Kinston, NC about the year 1923, and was clerk of the church when
she died. She had no children and was blessed to be able to help take care of her father and
mother in their last days. She had cancer and suffered untold agony for six months before she
died. She taught school in her early womanhood and was a good business woman. Her husband
died Nov 15, 1921. She lived a widow the rest of her days. Thus she lived and died.
Their First Child
Their first child, John Mewborn, was born July 13, 1872. He was killed by an automobile in
front of his home Nov 16, 1936 making him 64 years, 4 months, and 3 days old. He was born in
Greene County in the same community that his father and mother were. He lived with them until
he was 21 years old, then he stayed with his uncle for several years, and in Alabama 3 or 4 years,
and in different places until in 1912, he bought a place of business in Tarboro, NC, and moved
there. He put in a grist mill, and has been a very successful man in business at that place.
He was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Tarboro, NC.
He was a Mason, and this order was in charge of the funeral.
We the remaining children, wish to thank each person for their kind expressions of sympathy.
He did not belong to any church.
Written by his sister with whom he had lived since 1919, when he took her and her husband in
with him, and since that time had given the business to them. Thus he lived and died.
Written by the seventh child of Jesse L. and Mary Mewborn.
Mrs. Nannie L. Mewborn
Tarboro, NC

ZION'S LANDMARK - dated 15 December 1936, page 48

*******

GEORGE WASHINGTON MEWBORN
George Washington Mewborn was born in the year 1856. He was the third son of George
Mewborn and Nancy L. (Hardy), his wife, and the grandson of Elder Parrott Mewborn, Sr. His
twin sister died in infancy, his father soon after, his mother while he was yet quite young.
We grew up boys together and were very familiar. When he was quite a young man he
manifested a thirst for knowledge and closed out all of his little property and entered the school
of Col. A. C. Davis, which was then located at LaGrange.
He was very studious and soon acquired a good knowledge of books. He was a man of good
executive ability and his skill in managing schools and school work was seldom excelled. He
was a natural born teacher and student. Col. Davis once told me he had rather put a child of his
under Prof. Mewborn than any man he ever saw. He taught a number of schools in different
sections and like all successful men he had his friends and his enemies.
Soon after he finished his student days he marrried Miss "Bettie" Peacock. This was in 1885.
To them were born four children, two boys and two girls. (Esther, Moses, Bryon, and Vida) One
of the boys died when he was one year old and the other at eight months of age. The daughters
are yet living. His good wife proved to be a helpmate to him in his school work for she
possessed that special gift and was educated at the Salem Moravian College. They equipped
their oldest daughter for the school work and now she is a help to her mother in carrying on their
school.
Prof. Mewborn attained the degree of Batchelor of Science. At the time of his death he was
principal of a school near Taylors in Wilson County, NC. He had been quite ill all the fall and
suffered much. He had been a sufferer with Bright's disease for ten years, and this with its usual
combination of diseases led up to his death in the town of Wilson on the 1st Sunday in
December, 1908, and on Tuesday following his remains were laid to rest in the family cemetery
within one eighth of a mile of where he was born.
He was ever a believer in the doctrine of salvation by grace as taught by the Bible and preached
by Primitive Baptists. He so often told me that he rejoiced that we had such a grandfather and
that all his children and so many of his grandchildren had been given grace to believe the same
truth that he believed and so ably preached.
I do not know the date of his conviction or of his deliverance, but for some years before he
came to the church he showed in his love for the blessed truth that deep down in his heart there
was an indelible hand-writing, not the Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin, which sealed the fate of
Babylon's host, but the blessed covenant of mercy which manifested that he was washed in the
blood of our dear Savior.
The Lord blessed him to satisfy the church at Hamilton, in Martin County, NC, of this fact for
on the first Sunday in August, 1903, he was received and that afternoon was baptized by Elder
M. T. Lawrence, whom he loved very much.
While he rambled much in his profession as teacher and doctor of optics, yet he held his
membership with the church at Hamilton until the day of his death.
All over the country he has left many warm hearts to remember him and in many minds
monuments have been erected to his memory but in none other so great as in those of his loving
wife and sweet daughters who must now battle with life's tempestuous waves without his advice.
But there is one, even God, whom he loved, to watch over them as judge and father. He left
besides these, three brothers and one sister, with a host of relatives and warm friends to mourn,
but all in the blessed faith and hope that his trials have ended and that he is resting with his dear
Lord in glory.
The Lord keep his wife and daughters that they may be pure in his eyes and prepare them to
meet him in glory.
By a loving cousin
L. H. Hardy
Reidsville, NC
From ZION'S LANDMARK - 15 April 1909 pages 262, 263

*******

OBIT - ELIZA A. MEWBORN
Dear Brother Gold,
I send you for publication in the LANDMARK the obituary of Mrs. Eliza A., wife of Walter D.
Mewborn. She was the daughter of Thomas and Eliza Dawson; was born in Lenoir County, NC,
Sept 6, 1862; married Nov. 16th, 1881; and died at her home in Greene County, NC, Nov. 7th,
1887. She was the mother of three children - two of whom having preceded her to the grave. She
left a loving husband, one child, and numerous relatives and friends to mourn her death; but
while we mourn over her absence from this world, we should bow in humble submission to the
will of him who doeth all things well, and say, sleep on loved one, believing that she is released
from toil and pain, while we are left to mourn and grieve at the departure of our loved one, as
well as at our own sinful and depraved natures.
The deceased was not a member of any denomination at the time of her death. She had been a
member of the Free Will Baptist Church, but feeling her unworthiness, she requested her name to
be erased.
I think from many conversations that I have had with her on the subject of religion, that she
believed in salvation by grace. Although she did not understand the doctrine advocated by the
Primitive Baptists, I have reason to hope that she had been renewed by grace, but of this she had
never made any acknowledgement that I know of.
I also send you a vision that I had of the subject of the preceding memoir:
On the night of the 11th, after she had died on the 7th, about the same time of night (she died
about 11 o'clock), I was lying awake mediating, when I seemed to be dreaming, and at the
graveyard in which she was buried. Standing over the right-hand side of the coffin I saw her
youngest brother, Mr. J. T. Dawson, step up to the foot of the coffin and go around on the
opposite side, stopping in front of me, when the foot end of the side piece dropped to the ground,
the pieces of the head end remaining in their places. I saw the inside of the coffin which looked
very dark, and what should have been her body looked more like a dark log. Just then I heard a
voice at the head of the coffin saying: "My spirit, my spirit is ascending to a world of bliss." I
said: Lord, Lord, show me Lidie's spirit (she was called Lidie), and I saw something like white
smoke or steam asending above the coffin and a shadow ascending in it. I commenced crying
and turned to leave when I said, why is it I could not cry when she died, nor while she was a
corpse, nor at the burial, and am crying now? I heard a voice saying: You are rejoycing in the
pleasing view of meeting her on high. Here I came to myself and was really crying, and did
rejoice and do still rejoice over it at times.
L. L. Mewborn
ZION'S LANDMARK 15 March 1888 p 213

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OBIT - BARBARA ANN FIELDS MEWBORN
1854 - 1938
On the fourth Sunday morning, July 24, 1938, about sunrise, God saw fit to take from our
midst and from this world with its earthly cares our Mother, who believes, taught, and often
quoted the beautiful words of Job "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away." " Blessed be the
name of the Lord." She was born May 8th, 1854, making her stay on earth 84 years, two
months, and eleven days. She and her husband, John Moses Mewborn were married on the 21st
day of January, 1874. Father preceded her to the grave nearly thirty eight years. He died on the
28th of August, 1900. There was born to them ten children, seven of whom survive at the time
of her death. There were forty six grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. She united
with the church at Mewborn's, Greene County, NC and was baptized by Elder Shadrack Pate.
Mewborn's Church at this time did not have a pastor. I have heard my Mother say that she went
to Nahunta church in Wayne County, NC the following Sunday morning where Elder Pate was
serving as pastor, that it was a very cold day, the ice being nearly an inch thick on the swollen
stream at the old church where she was baptized. In offering herself to the church for
membership, we were told that she related a beautiful experience, giving God all the glory for the
hope of her salvation, and the many mercies bestowed on her all of her life. Truly she was a
faithful member all her days, and was one of the most active members at the time of her death,
particulalrly in sharing or doing her part in a financial way. Oftentimes she would assist the
poorer members in a financial way. A few months before she died and the last time she attended
services at the church, she very actively would turn to the hymns as they are given and her voice
could be heard beautifully and distinctly. Her greatest pleasure was attending her church duties,
and while she was busy all of her life in caring for her family, and many other duties, she always
found time to attend church meetings. I don't know of a time when she missed one unless she
was providentially hindered. A young man made the statement shortly before her death that not
only was she interested but she wanted everyone else to be interested. In her deep trials she
would take time often to pray. She would take her troubles to God and her faith was
unwavering. She lived most of her last years with her daughters, who were faithful in doing
what they could for her. Mother knew her faults and thoroughly understood her weaknesses, and
often mourned on account of them, yet I find myself at a loss in trying to describe the many and
beautiful traits and characteristics which composed her noble life. Father said in his lifetime and
I still say that the only fair description of her life is found in Proverbs 31:10 - 31.
Her body was taken to the old church where many friends and relatives and even people I had
never seen or met before assembled. Elder W. B. Kearney, her pastor, and Elder J. B. Roberts
conducted the funeral. A number of her favorite hymns were sung. Afterwards her body was
taken to Mewborn's cemetery, near the church, to await the resurrection morn when we believe
she will be satisfied when awakened in his likeness.
Written by her son: Elder Joshua Eugene Mewborn
From Mewborn Church Records

OBIT - The News and Observer - 25 July 1938 - Snow Hill - MRS. BARBARA MEWBORN
Mrs. Barbara Mewborn, 84, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. G. L. Mewborn. She had
been in ill health for several months, and her condition had been considered serious for
sometime, so death was not unexpected.
Mrs. Mewborn was a daughter of the late Alexander and Maria Fields. She was born and
reared in Greene County. When a young woman she married John M. Mewborn who preceded
her to the grave 38 years ago. After her husband's death Mrs. Mewborn took over the
management of her farms and made an enviable name for herself as one of the best farmers in the
county. This kept her busy, but she always found time to take part in religious and social
activities in her community, and to be a model mother to her children. In early life she joined the
Primitive Baptist Church, and at her death was the oldest member of Mewborn's Church, not
only in age but in years of service to the church. A son, Elder J. E. Mewborn, is co-pastor of this
church and a leader in church work in this section of the State.
Funeral services will be conducted at Mewborn's Church, near Jason, Monday afternoon at 3
o'clock, by Elder W. B. Kearney, her pastor assisted by Elder J. B. Roberts of Farmville.
Interment will follow in the family burial ground.
Surviving are three sons, Elder J. E. Mewborn, clerk of court of Greene County, N.U.
Mewborn, former sheriff of Greene County, and R. A. Mewborn member of the firm of C. L.
Hardy Horse and Mule Company, all of Snow Hill; four daughters, Mesdames Ada Barrow, A.
D. Mewborn, G. L. Mewborn and L. A. Mewborn, all of Greene County. Surviving also are a
number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

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OBIT - Obituary of LEVI JESSE HARDY MEWBORN
Levi Jesse Hardy Mewborn was the son of Elder Parrott Mewborn and his wife, Mary Aldridge
Mewborn.
He was born August 31, 1842 and died March 22, 1926. Had he lived until August 31st, he
would have been 84 years old. He says of himself in a letter dated October 7th, 1921: I was
raised on the farm I now own, had to work as the other hands did, so my education was at the
plow, hoe, and shovel handles until I had to go into the Confederate Army on July 15th, 1862. I
served until the close of the war and not a scratch against me. I served as a non-commissioned
officer for several months as nearly all our offiers were prisoners.
I was wounded at the Battle of Cold Harbor the 3rd day of June 1862 which gave me a furlough
of 90 days. I have often thought that this minnie ball was a God-sent ball for it kept me out of the
most severe fighting of the war. After the close of the war, I came home and found all team and
everything taken away: but with health and a will we went to work with hoe and an ox and
cultivated a corn crop.
During this time Elder Parrott Mewborn, his father, Elder George Mewborn, his brother, and
two of his sisters had died. He had three brothers and one brother-in-law in the war, the
youngest one being Elder D. A. Mewborn who is now nearing his 87th year. He further says that
on the 4th day of July I had the honor to lead to the altar as a life companion Ruth G. Whitted of
Chapel HIll. She was teaching down this way.
In 1872 I was appointed on a school committee for Snow Hill Township. We had only four
townships in the county at that time and only two school houses, one public and one private, and
this private house we neighbors built. I went forward to build up the school system with not little
help. Here he fails to tell of his accomplishments, for he could not. It has often been said by the
good people of his county that he had done more for the public schools than any man in it. He
served 18 years as a member of the Board of Education.
He served twenty years as magistrate and refused to serve longer. He was considered by far the
best justice in the county. He also served on the auditing and finance committee for several
years.
In 1898 he was nominated to represent Greene in the General Assembly; but would not serve at
that time. In 1912 he was nominated to represent Greene in the Legislature and was elected by
the largest majority any one had ever received at that time. He served two regular terms and one
extra term. It was said by the old members of that body that he was the most faithful member.
Mr. Joseph Kinsey of LaGrange, NC, the only surviving member of their company who served
side by side with him in the Civil War says concerning his life that "He was one of the cleanest
men he ever knew."
Mr. George W. Hart, Clerk of the Superior Court, Greene County, says that he had the brightest
mind and was one of the best business men in the county. One of his neighbors who has know
him for 60 years says he never knew him to break the law of the land; neither the moral law. He
was a member of the Primitive Baptist Church for 44 years and served as deacon about 20 years,
served as clerk of the Contentnea Union about 15 years and clerk of the Contentnea Association
for 24 years.
Seven of his children survive him. Mrs. G. M. Herring, Snow Hill, NC; Mr. S. G. Mewborn,
Wilson, NC; Mr. E. S. Mewborn, LaGrange, NC; Mrs. Lula Lancaster, Snow Hill, NC (widow of
the late Elder T. B. Lancaster); Mr. Asa D. Mewborn, Snow Hill, NC; Miss Lydia Mewborn,
Snow Hill, NC; and Mr. L. J. Mewborn, Tarboro.
His children, neighbors, friends with a good nurse and doctor did all they could for him.
Funeral services were conducted by Elder John W. Gardner and Elder D. A. Mewborn in the
midst of a very large crowd. He was laid to rest in the Mewborn Cemetery to await the
resurrection.
J. E. Mewborn
Zion's Landmark, 1 May 1927