Richmond County NC African American Family History

10/05/2021

Are you a descendant of the Pankey Family of Richmond County NC? Thanks to Ms. Nickie Newberry for providing GPS coordinates to this old abandoned cemetery;

08/10/2021

North Carolina Sheriff's Association President, Sheriff Ed McMahon (second from left), and others present a North Carolina Flag to the son and sister of Sheriff James E. Clemmons, Jr. who died last week. The flag was flown over the State Capitol in honor and memory of Sheriff Clemmons and his many years of dedicated public service to the citizens and residents of Richmond County and the State of North Carolina.

NC Sheriff's Association Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/NcSheriffsAssociation

08/05/2021

Rest in Peace Sheriff Clemmons - Richmond County Daily Journal issue of Thursday, August 5, 2021 Page 1 - ROCKINGHAM NC — Sheriff James Clemmons passed away of natural causes at his home Thursday morning, according to county leadership.

Clemmons was first hired as a patrol deputy for the Sheriff’s Office in 1989, and was then promoted from Lieutenant, to Captain, and then as Major before being elected as Sheriff in 2011. Clemmons served as president of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association from ‘18-‘19, chaired the Executive Committee from ‘19-‘20, and was a vice president of the association from ‘14-‘18.

Richmond County government offered condolences in a post on their official page.

“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts that we inform you of the death of our colleague and friend, Sheriff James ‘Clem’ Clemmons, who passed away unexpectedly while at home this morning,” the post read. “We will all miss him more than any words can express. He was not just our co-worker, but a great friend to all and an awesome leader in our Community.”

The post continued, “Please keep our Deputies, coworkers, staff and most of all Sheriff Clemmons’ family in your thoughts and prayers.”

Eddie Caldwell, executive vice president and general counsel of NC Sheriffs’ Association, said that Clemmons’ passing is a “tremendous loss” that will be felt by law enforcement throughout the state.

“Sheriff James Clemmons was an outstanding and long-time leader of the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, he held many leadership roles, and was a friend to everyone, was always a voice for doing the right thing and doing it professionally,” Caldwell said. “His passing will be a tremendous loss for all of us affiliated with the association, whether it’s sheriffs and staff, and numerous law enforcement professionals all across the state.”

Condolences poured in from the public in the comment section of the county’s Facebook post. Among them was Wayne Goodwin, former Chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party and the former Insurance Commissioner for North Carolina, who recalled a special moment between Clemmons and Goodwin’s wife, Melanie, who recently passed away after a long battle with cancer.

“Just learned the very sad, tragic news. Tremendous loss for Richmond County and law enforcement. Hurts greatly to lose a dear friend,” Goodwin wrote. “I will never forget the special surprise final birthday video message the Sheriff made for my wife Melanie before she passed last year. Prayers to all Clem’s loved ones and colleagues.”

Clemmons represented the Association on the North Carolina Sentencing and Policy Advisory Commission, and was very active on the Legislative Committee, according to Caldwell. He was also a part of the working group that produced the Association’s “Report on Law Enforcement Professionalism” released in October 2020 which came out of a desire to ensure the “protection of the rights and safety of all citizens” following the death of George Floyd in police custody.

Clemmons was named to President Donald Trump’s Presidential Commission on Law Enforcement and the Administration of Justice in January 2020, which was formed with the goal of “exploring modern issues affecting law enforcement that most impact the ability of American policing to reduce crime.”

Then in July 2020, Governor Roy Cooper appointed Clemmons as a sheriff representative to the new North Carolina Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice, which has since put out 125 recommendations for best practices for law enforcement for the state.

In what may have been his last public appearance, Clemmons spoke at the Stop the Violence March in Dobbins Heights last month.. Speaking in the context of the ongoing debate about how law enforcement conduct themselves while still addressing crime, Clemmons said the solution to violence in our communities is not to “arrest our way” out of the problem, but rather to renew focus on strengthening families.

“We all know somebody in this community that is suffering, we all know what our children are doing. We know what our nieces and nephews are into, we know who their friends are. Half of them are carrying guns they got from us,” Clemmons said. “Let’s stop the violence by strengthening the family. Let’s stop the violence by getting together and being that neighbor that speaks out on what they see and know that it’s wrong.”

https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/news/102298/sheriff-james-clemmons-has-passed-away-county-confirms #

06/22/2021

06/21/2021

I hear it quite often when folks say they wished they had taken notes of every word that came out of the mouth of their older relatives, when they wanted to tell the family about their history from days gone by.

04/02/2021

Richmond County Daily Journal issue of March 7, 2018 - Elisabeth Harrell has received The Golden Anniversary Scholarship from The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International.

The honor Society for women educators promotes excellence in education and personal and professional growth of women educators, leading in the field of graduate scholarships given to members and emphasizing leadership development for its more than 70,000 members in 17 countries.

A member of the Society’s Tau Chapter (Richmond and Anson counties) in North Carolina, Harrell is attending the University of North Carolina-Wilmington, where she is majoring in educational leadership.

Harrell, a 1994 graduate of Richmond Senior High School, is currently an assistant prinicpal at Ellis Johnson Elementary School in Scotland County.

Riitta-Liisa Arpiainen of Finland, International Scholarship Committee chairman, announced the recipients following the committee’s recent meeting at Society Headquarters in Austin, Texas. “We granted nine scholarships of $10,000 each for the 2017-2018 academic year,” Arpiainen said.

Recipients must have earned a bachelor’s degree, be enrolled in a recognized graduate program and have been a Society member for at least three years to qualify for scholarship consideration. Since its scholarship program began in 1940, The Delta Kappa Gamma Society International has given 1109 women educators $4 million in scholarships.

In addition to the international scholarships, many state organizations and local chapters have scholarship funds to assist members pursuing graduate study. In 2016 all three levels of the Society provided approximately $454,544.02 in scholarships for members.

The honor organization of key women educators was formed in Austin, Texas, on May 11, 1929, by Dr. Annie Webb Blanton from a nucleus of 12 founders representing all levels of education, kindergarten through university, from various parts of Texas. Professor of rural education at the University of Texas, Dr. Blanton was elected president of the Texas State Teachers’ Association in 1916, the first woman to hold the office. Blanton was also the first woman to serve Texas as State Superintendent of Public Instruction, having been elected to that post in 1918.

https://www.yourdailyjournal.com/features/79243/local-educator-receives-10k-scholarship #

03/16/2021

The enslaved man named Perry named in the 11th paragraph was born about 1828 & died after 1900 & was buried at Sandy Ridge Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery in Morven Township of Anson County.

Montgomery County NC Last Will & Testament of Edmund Deberry – Written September 19, 1859 – Probated January Term of Court in 1860;

I, Edmund Deberry, Senior of the County of Montgomery & State of North Carolina, being now in good health and of sound mind and memory do hereby make & publish this as my Last Will & Testament in manner & form as follows.

I nominate & appoint Calvin W. Wooley & William G. Deberry (my son) my Executors to this my Last Will & Testament with full power & authority to execute the same.

I leave to my wife Tempy Deberry, during her life all my lands on Clarks Creek and the waters thereof with the improvements thereon, including my dwelling house, mills, plantation tools, etc., except the tracts left to William G. Deberry and Ann Wooley and after my wife’s death, it is my will and desire that the said lands & improvements shall go to and belong to my son Edmund Deberry and my two daughters, Elizabeth Deberry and Sarah Deberry jointly upon the expressed condition that when either or both the girls might die that their interest in said lands shall be vested in & belong to my said son Edmund Deberry and his heirs, reserving to William G. Deberry the use of part of my dwelling house while he may think proper to live with his sisters to take care of them.

I will & bequeath to my daughter Ann Wooley, that part of my land lying north & west of Alexander McKinnon’s tract and south of the road leading from my creek mill to Zion Church, the dividing line from my mill tract of land to begin at said McKinnon’s northwest corner of his tract and to run due north to the said road and west with the road to Andrews line and then with Andrews line and with my line south to Lewis Scarborough’s line and then with my outlines east and north, to the beginning containing one hundred acres more or less.

I give and bequeath to my son William G. Deberry, my tract of about one hundred and twenty acres of land which I lately bought of William Wilson on Clarks Creek near my mill, being the former residence of Joseph Wilson, deceased, with all the improvements thereof.

I give to my son Lemuel Deberry the use of all that part of my tract of land in Stanly County on P*e Dee River which I bought of David Tillman and did not sell to Arthur Atkins for his benefit and support during his life and after his death, it is my will and desire that the said lands and their improvements shall go to and belong to his children and that he should possess and enjoy the same during his life.

I will and bequeath to my son Henry W. Deberry, my mill seat on the P*e Dee River in Stanly County where my river mill formerly stood and the land and water privileges and fishery attached to it as deeded to me by Henry Delamoth and also the money I advanced to him to buy land in Anson County some years ago.

I will and bequeath to my son William G. Deberry, a tract of land containing three hundred acres, located on the stony fork of Clark’s Creek which was originally granted to John Frazier and adjoining his tract of one hundred acres granted to him by the State, to him & his heirs forever.

I will and bequeath to all my children jointly all my undivided half of the gold mine lands on Island Creek which belong to me and Regina (?) McRae and also all my part or interest in the cotton factory and the lands, buildings and machinery thereunto belonging and the dwelling house and other buildings which formerly belonged to James W. McRae on Little River subject expressly to the following conditions and restrictions, that is to say, that my Executors may sell at any time at their discretion either at public or private sale all or any part of my interest in the said gold mining lands or cotton factory or they may work them or lease them or use them as they may think best for the benefit of my estate and that all the part or interest in the same that may be apportioned to my daughter Mary McRae shall be held by my Executors in trust for her benefit and support, to be used & applied as they may think best for her benefit and that any part of the proceeds of the sales or leases of said properties may be used by my Executors in the settlement of my business if they think it necessary.

I leave to my wife Tempy Deberry and my two daughters, Elizabeth Deberry and Sarah Deberry, during the lifetime of my said wife the following Negroes; Abram, Stephen, Eaton, Clary, Esther, Mima, Eli, Patience, Winny, Dave and Jim and after the death of my wife, it is my will and desire that Abram and Esther shall belong to my son Edmund Deberry and all the others to go to and belong to my said daughters, Elizabeth Deberry and Sarah Deberry.

I will and bequeath to my son Henry W. Deberry, three Negro men, whereas two of the men are already in his possession, Jim and Perry and Nelson who is currently in my possession, to him and his heirs.

I lend to my son Lemuel Deberry during his lifetime the following Negroes; Hal, Martha and Robin, and after his death it is my will and desire that they should go to his children along with their increase.

I lend to my daughter during her lifetime two Negro women by the names of Hannah and Harriett and all their children and increase that they have heretofore had or may hereafter have and it is my will and desire that after the death of her my said daughter Nancy Ann Wooley that the said Negroes and all their increase shall go to and be equally divided among all her children and the heirs of her body and her husband Calvin W. Wooley if he then should be living, to them and their heirs.

I leave to my Executors in trust the following Negroes for the benefit and support of my daughter Mary McRae and her children; two boys by the names of Ben & Frank and three girls by the names of Rachel, Agnes and Laura during her lifetime and after her death it is my will and desire that the said Negroes go to and belong to her children, the heirs of her body.

I give and bequeath to my son William G. Deberry, the following Negroes; Bob, Lewis, Ben, Maria and her child Fannie, to him and his heirs.

I give and bequeath to my son Edmund Deberry, the following Negroes; Jesse, Jack, Caleb, Margaret and Henry.

I give to my wife Tempy Deberry during her life the use of all my household and kitchen furniture and stock of horses, mules, cattle, hogs, and sheep, plantation tools, wagon cart, one buggy, and harness, or as much thereof as she and my Executors may deem necessary for her use and service and the balance to be sold at the discretion of my Executors.

I will and bequeath to William G. Deberry, Edmund Deberry, Elizabeth Deberry, and Sarah Deberry, each two feather beds, bedsteads and furniture, and to Edmund Deberry my set of carpenter and joiners tools, to them and their heirs. I also will to my son Edmund Deberry, one of my buggies and harnesses.

It is also my will and desire after the death of my wife, the stock of horses, mules, cattle, hogs, sheep and the household and kitchen furniture as she may have left to go to and belong to my son Edmund Deberry and my daughter Sarah Deberry jointly, to them and their heirs.

It is my will and desire that all such books belonging to my library as my wife and children wish to keep may be fairly and equally divided amongst them all by some persons acquainted with the value of books, all the others may be sold, by my Executors either at public or private sale or divided among them if they prefer and they are not likely to sell at a reasonable price.

It is my will and desire that all the other personal property that belongs to me not disposed of by this Last Will and Testament shall be sold by my Executors and the proceeds thereof together with the debts that may be due me and the money that I may leave on hand if any, Negroes excepted may be applied by my Executors in the payment of my debts and the settlement of my business and the balance to be equally be divided among my wife and all my children.

In witness and testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the 19th day of September in the year of our Lord 1859.

Edmund Deberry - Last Will & Testament witnessed by Mr. A. Zachary & Mr. W.J. Boggan

02/26/2021

Shared from Kisha Ratliff Ellerbe's page - As we celebrate Black History Month, we would like to recognize our father, Craig W. Ratliff, who was the first black Judicial District Manager of NC Probation/Parole (Community Corrections) in Richmond and Anson County. Craig W. Ratliff graduated from the first racially integrated class of Bowman Senior High School in 1968. Then he received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in English at Winston-Salem State University in 1972. Upon graduation, Craig began his career with NC Probation/Parole on September 11, 1972. He served as Chief PPO for over twenty years before being promoted to Judicial District Manager of Richmond and Anson County in 2000. He retired from NC Probation/Parole on February 28, 2007. Craig is married to Olivia Kersey Ratliff. He has two daughters, Kisha and Tamekia. He also has two grandchildren, Kaitlyn and Omari. We are proud to call him Husband, Daddy, and Granddaddy

02/09/2021

His family was living in Richmond County in the 1910's & 1920's & then "Blind Boy Fuller" & his girlfriend were married in Marlboro County SC in 1927 -- "Blind Boy Fuller" was born Fulton Allen in Ansonville Township in Anson County NC in July of 1907. He was one of 16 children born to Calvin & Mary Jane Hyatt Allen & probably grew up around Pleasant Hill Baptist Church on the Ansonville-Polkton Road where some of his relatives are buried. He was always surrounded by music & learned to play the guitar with the help of an older brother or sister. His grandparents were Sidney & Elizabeth Allen & Washington & Annie Hyatt.

The family was still living in Ansonville in 1910 but were living in Rockingham NC by 1917 when two of his brothers were married in February & March of that year at Pleasant Hill Baptist Church. Blind Boy Fuller married Cora Martin on September 10, 1927 in Marlboro County SC when he was 22 years old & she was 14 years old. The marriage license stated they were residents of Rockingham, NC. During this time, his eyesight started to fail him which was caused by a congenital disease, whereas he became dependent upon his guitar playing to make a living, realizing that performing was one of the few alternatives that were available to the working class blind in the 1920’s.

By the time he & his wife had moved to Durham NC in 1929, he was entirely dependent on his guitar playing that helped to supplement the meager wages his wife earned as a domestic servant. Durham NC had an abundance of African American middle class with African American owned banks, insurance companies, funeral homes & a host of other businesses contributing to a vibrant African American urban life. Recognizing the unique opportunities that Durham had to offer to musicians that were forced to rely on the public for support, he set out to improve the mastery of the guitar. As his playing improved, he became a favorite at local house parties.

In 1935 his musical talents caught the ear of James Long, the white manager of Durham’s United Dollar Store who was an informal agent of the American Record Corporation (ARC). Sensing that Fulton’s versatile guitar playing, witty lyrics & robust singing could lead to a successful recording career, Long arranged for Fulton to travel to ARC’s New York studios for a recording session. ARC released all twelve songs recorded at that session & soon called him back into the studio.

Over the next five years, Fulton, who appeared on record as “Blind Boy Fuller” recorded more than 125 titles, all of which were released? Those recordings made him one of the most popular blues artists of all time. His guitar style came to define the blues sound of the southeastern states. Blind Boy Fuller died from a severe bladder infection on February 13, 1941 at his home in Durham NC & he was buried at Durham’s Grove Hill Cemetery.

Blind Boy Fuller has been recognized on two different plaques in the City of Durham. The Division of Archives and History plaque is located a few miles north of Fuller's gravesite, along Fayetteville Street in Durham NC & the City of Durham officially recognized Fuller on July 16, 2001, and the commemorating plaque is located along the American To***co Trail adjacent to the property where Fuller's unmarked grave is located (several hundred feet east of Fayetteville St.).

02/09/2021

Shared from the "Visit Richmond County Facebook Group" Keeping with the Super Bowl spirit, another Hamlet NC native, Dannell Ellerbe, is also a two-time champ (XLVII-2013 & LII-2018). Along with being from Hamlet and winning two Super Bowls, Dannell shares another similarity to Perry Williams, as he was also a two-sport star in football and track. He attended the University of Georgia and played four seasons before being drafted in 2009 when he began his career in the NFL with the Baltimore Ravens. He has since played for the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, and, most recently, the Philadelphia Eagles, where he earned his second Super Bowl win.

Dannell not only makes a huge impact on a football field, but also in his community. This past summer of 2020, was the first since 2012 that he did not host his annual FUNdamentals football camp at Richmond Senior High School, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
In addition to the summer camps that he and his wife, Shervella, organized to give back to the community, he has supported numerous programs in the county by donating both his time and money, including funding and distributing meals with Richmond County Aging Services and partnering with Richmond County Social Service to shop with and purchase gifts for countless children in the county at Christmas.

Join us in celebrating this champion for his achievements in the NFL, dedication to our community, and for representing Richmond County to the fullest!

02/08/2021

Shared from the "Visit Richmond County" Facebook Group - Super Bowl LV day is the perfect day to recognize one of our own two-time Super Bowl champions, Hamlet native, Perry Lamar Williams. He graduated from Richmond Senior High School in 1979 and received a dual scholarship to North Carolina State University for track and field and football. Perry’s talent in football, and subsequent accomplished career in the NFL, often overshadows his other athletic passion in track and field. He was recognized as All American in both sports and qualified for the 1980 Olympics when he broke a world record in the 200 meter sprint, outranking Olympian Carl Lewis, but he did not get to compete since no Americans participated in the 1980 Olympics, due to then President Jimmy Carter ordering a boycott of the Games. He still holds several records at NCSU including ACC individual champion in 1982 for sprinting 200 meters in 21.03 seconds and an All-American in 1983 for indoor track 55 meters with a time of 6.22 seconds.

Perry began his 10 year career with the New York Giants after being drafted in 1983. As a Giant, he played in 150 games, 11 playoff games, and won two Super Bowls (XXI- 1987 and XXV-1991).
Perry received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham in 1987 through the NFL degree completion program and also holds a Master’s in Public Administration.

Perry received a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham in 1987 through the NFL degree completion program and also holds a Master’s in Public Administration.

Williams spent 22 years as an adjunct professor, administrator, and lecturer at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Currently, he is the Director of Sports Management at Long Island University Post (LIU).
Perry is following a personal mission to touch and transform the lives of young people through a multitude of channels, including as a college instructor, a motivational speaker, a camp director, a curriculum designer, and a spokesperson for Beyond the Laces, a collaboration between himself and Bob Salomon, who has written a children’s book and created a movement by that same name.


Beyond the Laces is intended to inspire children and families to face life’s challenges and obstacles courageously. It promotes the importance of kindness and the message that persistence and faith can overcome any adversity.

Although he has lived in the New Jersey/ New York area for the past 35 years, Perry has returned to his home in Hamlet every year and participated in multiple supports for the young people in Richmond County and collaborated with the local school system.

Join us today in celebrating our very own two-time Super Bowl Champion for his amazing accomplishments on and off the football field, his dedication to inspiring the youth to succeed, and his lifelong commitment to education!

https://www.newsday.com/sports/football/giants/perry-williams-giants-liu-1.38387231?fbclid=IwAR0ur7KaQV5MFQc2EXURJYrkWkBjTVc12VO3_vEMez9YhMoqj00dh2SO72w

01/13/2021

Richmond County Daily Journal issue of Wednesday, January 13, 2021 -- FAYETTEVILLE NC — After only scoring four points in last week’s season opener, sophomore Zion Baldwin went off for the Richmond junior varsity boys’ basketball team on Tuesday.

The Raiders made the trip to Jack Britt High School and scored a season-high in points en route to an 80-39 victory. In the process, Baldwin recorded a double-double with a game-high 26 points and 18 rebounds.

Unlike their varsity counterparts, the JV Raiders were able to play their second game of the season despite much of the Sandhills Athletic Conference being impacted by COVID-19 protocols. Richmond’s win helped the team to a 2-0 start.

Head coach Kenta Hutchinson said the team was gracious to get the chance to play, and said his message ahead of time was for the team to spark its own energy.

“It was just another good team win and our first on the road,” Hutchinson said. “The guys had been eager to play since Friday’s home game was canceled. Traveling on the road is always tough, and with the idea of having no fans, we didn’t know what to expect.

“I told the guys we had to create our own energy, playing for each other and cheering each other on. And for all 32 minutes, that’s exactly what we did.”

Two other Raiders would finish with double-digit points — freshmen Zay Hubbard and Javian Drake tallied 12 and 10 points, respectively. Sophomore Emoni McBride (nine points) and freshman Jamison Jones (seven points) contributed to the offensive attack.

Hutchinson stressed to his team to get off to a fast start, and in the first five minutes of play Richmond held a 17-7 lead. Drake scored all 10 of his points during that span, and is a player who has helped establish the rhythm of games this season.

“JV (Drake) set the tone early again on defense forcing five turnovers within the game’s opening minutes and that helped us jump out 11-0,” Hutchinson said.

“I was really impressed with Zion — he was just a man amongst boys. He can do it all and he has a motor like no other JV guy I’ve seen.”

Baldwin started his night with six points in the first quarter and McBride splashed down a three-pointer. Sophomore Xavier Wall connected for two of his six total points.

Richmond outscored the Buccaneers 19-8 in the second stanza, getting 11 more points from Baldwin. McBride, Wall and Hubbard each added a bucket and Jamerson Walton notched two of his five points.

Hutchinson pulled many of his starters after the Raiders went up big at the break, 43-15.

The only quarter that Richmond didn’t outpace the Bucs was the third, which saw the home team net 13 points to the Raiders’ nine. Jones, who scored all of his points in the second half, started with a bucket.

Hubbard led the way in the third with three points, scoring a field goal and adding a free throw. Wall capped his night with a final bucket and Baldwin added two more points to his final tally.

Richmond put the game away with an impressive fourth quarter, netting 28 points in the final eight minutes of play. Seven different players would find the hoop, including a team-best seven points from Hubbard.

Jones tacked on his final five points, and Baldwin, McBride and freshman Tristan Wall each added four points. Walton hit a bucket and a shot from the charity stripe and sophomore Zyion Baldwin hit a pair of free throws for his two points.

Now Richmond will gear up for another road game on Friday, playing at Hoke County High School, another tough SAC opponent.

“We’re just looking to keep moving forward and progressing along the way,” Hutchinson said. “Friday’s matchup is against a good friend of mine, John Rich, so those games always mean a little more.

“Friday will prove what type of team we really are. Hoke county is always a hostile environment and their guys always come to compete.”

Photo posted below of Sophomore Zion Baldwin scored 26 points and recorded 18 rebounds in Richmond's win over Jack Britt.