Genealogy Trip 2018... State Lines and Fair Play

Mom and I set out yesterday from DFW on our way to Statesville, North Carolina. Mission: To meet our 5th (or so) cousins, visit our ancestral land, and generally stalk dead people. I didn't post yesterday because 1) I didn't think about it; 2) I fell asleep as soon as we hit the hotel room; 3) We didn't stalk any dead people. The whole of yesterday was driving... Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama. Spent one night in Eutaw, AL, and had some amazing ribs (mom said) and catfish for dinner. Even more amazing (to me) was the potato salad and pecan pie.



We hit the Georgia Welcome Center and picked up a map (didn't realize I didn't have one yet)... where I also squished and rubbed the face of a 5 month old Neapolitan Mastiff and lamented the plight of a Silky named Bailey who wanted desperately to run off-leash with the big dogs.

Lunch was a special surprise. We were going to just pull through Chick-Fil-A for a quick lunch, but the particular one we chose was a special one called a Dwarf House. When we first walked in, I pointed out the little red door, but had no idea the significance. Turns out, these special restaurants are only in the Atlanta area, and harken back to the CFA founder's first diner. They have a special section that is not your regular fast food dining, but full service with wait staff and extra special southern sides... like collard greens and sweet potato soufflé (both of which mom got, and both of which were really yummy).



Today, I didn't anticipate any genealogy missions, but turned out we had one. I didn't realize that our most direct route was going to take us through the corner of South Carolina, but it did. So, at the Welcome Center (map, restroom), I pulled out my computer and looked for dead people in the northwest corner. In doing so, I tried to connect to the free wifi, which was called "Fair Play Welcome Center." I didn't really know what that meant until, lo and behold, my Family Tree Maker popped up with someone who died in "Fair Play, South Carolina." Who knew?




Our Fair Play, Pickens County dead people are my 4th Great Grandparents Philip Cox and Jemima Taylor Cox (mom's 3rd Greats). There was no record of where they were buried, but their son Jacob Ralston Cox married Jane Emaline Vandiver, whose dad for sure was buried in Fair Play. We knew where, but hadn't been there. So, off to the Beaverdam Baptist Church Cemetery... 6 miles away and on our way! George Vandiver was the founding pastor there back in 1803, and I'm not sure the exact relationship yet. But Jane's father Rev. Peter Sanford Vandiver, is buried right on the corner closest to the church. And an Edward Vandiver right next to him is also an unknown connection... could be a son, nephew, etc. We'll figure it out.


There were many unmarked (or time-worn and no longer readable) graves in this cemetery. I think it's entirely possible that Philip and Jemima are some of the unmarked ones. Many of these were interesting grave markers... stacked stones (slate, maybe?) made to resemble above-ground tombs. All unfortunately unreadable... worn away by 200 years of wind, rain, dust, and neglect.



It was H. O. T. out in that South Carolina cemetery in May... so we moved on. We need to go back there. 2020?

Back on the road, we made a beeline for the North Carolina border, where we made our last Welcome Center stop (map, restroom, 10 minute power nap).


On to Statesville! After checking in and unloading, we rung up Jeanie Harding (mom's 4th cousin / my 4th cousin once removed) who arrived from England yesterday. She's originally from Houston, Arkansas, but lives across the pond now. It was great to finally put a face with a name. We had a short visit, which we'll continue tomorrow.

We ended the evening with a late-night Statesville Sampler from the hotel's restaurant/bar... fried green beans, mac and cheese, chicken pieces... all quite tasty and just hit the spot!

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