I’m going searching for the place the Indians were buried at Indian grave gap on the Tn. /N.C. Border. Most people don’t realize there was actual graves up there. My dad is passing away and he surveyed it back in the 70’s I’ll video it if I make it. Thanks for this.
My ancestors lived in western NC for hundreds of years mostly in Burke and McDowell counties on my dads side. It’s on my bucket list to visit. Thanks for sharing! I find it addictive! Lol
'NC Land Grant Images and Data' or 'North Carolina. Secretary of State. Land Grant Office. Land records, North Carolina and Tennessee; indexes, 1600-1959'. I'm uncertain (either one) if you need a surname or plot number for these sites, but both are public information, no fee. Also Google Earth may help you find old homesteads, look for newer vegetation patches in old growth forest. Love this kind of thing!
My ancestors settled NC and spread from there staring in the 1700’s. There are so many dead ends in my genealogical search. Thank you for helping myself and others that are not in the area, find answers.
I enjoyed watching this. A lot of my ancestors are from this part of NC. Thank you for showing the importance of preserving and honoring these historic cemeteries. I’m new to your channel and look forward to watching some more of your episodes.
Im 54yo i was born and raised in Southern Granville County in the piedmont of North Carolina. Beside the house i grew up in was a graveyard in the middle of a tobacco field that had trees around it. The headstones looked just like those. Wasnt those same ones but looked just like that. 18 years later when im grown with children my best friend calls and says can you help me put a head stone on my relatives grave i said sure. To make a long long story short. Those graves were his ancestors that fought and died in the civil war. And a organization called S.C.V. sons of the confederate veterans. Sent him brand new headstones engraved for all his family free of charge. The deaths on those stones were 1862 1863 1864. They everyone were soldiers. Needless to say i couldn't hold back tears of sadness and joy With every stone we set.
My great-grandmother on my father's side, whose maiden name was Perry, was born and raised in Ashe County, NC, and moved eventually with her entire family to Oklahoma where I live. I'm deeply interested in both history of all kinds and genealogy. I've solved some of my own families mysteries just because I love to research so deep. I searched out this channel in hopes of finding more answers. I do know that one of my Perry ancestors has their house and land registered on the national history register. Thank you for caring enough, too!
If I were looking for the Byrd homeplace, I would look at some old topo maps and try to locate a spring close to the area. back in those days, people used springs as their water source. Perhaps the lady you spoke with knows where the old homeplace is. Good video. Keep up the good work. Local history is one of the most important histories you can find.
Thanks Byron! I have a couple guesses as to where it may have been located. Unfortunately I think it might have been bulldozed and replaced by a modern home.
When I was in second grade, in LA (lower Alabama) running around in the woods with friends, we stumbled across an overgrown small family plot-sized gravesite, it had a waist-high wrought iron fence around it, covered in vines, the standing tombstones were barely legible covered in moss and lichens, but I remember some of the dates were the late 1700s.
I was especially blessed by this video. Losing history, or worse yet, destroying history is a sure way to lose track of where we are going. America staggers in the noon day. Thanks for taking the time to look into this long forgotten piece of history. Your endeavors to clean up this cemetery are most appreciated. God bless brother.
@@HistoryHoundDetecting I have an old graveyard on my property that's been here since the 1600 and 1700's. A man came to my house one day looking for it and it was his family but his nephew used to come and trim the tree's and keep it up, I'm not able to because I have Multiple Sclerosis and I want to know how to go about finding someone to keep it up. It really means a lot to me and my family, some of the graves are just rocks. The man said it was the Solomon-Smith graveyard. He had a headstone made telling about the family.
@@diannemartin7500 Hey Dianne. 336-593-9407. That’s the number to the Stokes County Historical Society. That would be a good place to start looking for help. It’s very nice of you to concern yourself. Your efforts might just mean everything to a surviving family member.
I would love to explore with you, I live in Newland NC and spend all my time when I'm not at work in the hills . I really enjoyed this video thank you very much .
Thank you for sharing this. These were probably some of our family and we always wondered why there was a difference in the spelling. If it was two different Byrd's or bird but from what you showed it was all the same family.
My family came from the area of SW Virginia where Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina all meet, I was doing research last night and was shocked to find a ancestor born in the early 1700's that died very early in the 1800's at the age of 92, I think that was pretty rare back then but it fits in with my current family genetics of lots of family members making it to 90+
Thank you for this video! ❤ I live in n.c. born and raised ! My daddy taught me a lot about these old mountains! Different herbs the trees, he sawmilled, pulled galax, made princesses pine wreaths whatever he had to do, to raise us 5 daughters, adopted my 2 oldest sisters! He had to work as a child to help raise his brothers and sisters! There we’re 3 or 4 siblings lost to scarlet fever and small pox! On this solid rock I stand!!! My friend moved to Hampton Tn a couple years ago but still worked up here?! Anyway, in potter town Hampton Tn there are 3 stones there at her driveway! 💔😢 I can’t remember the address but you cut up waycaster rd I believe and it’s a little driveway that circles around on the right and the graveyard is at the end of the driveway next to the road! Thaught you might want to check it out?!
Thank you for sharing those wonderful memories with me Mildred. Thanks for the tip on the graves. Who knows, might just make it up there some day. Thanks for watching!
You might be interested in Sidestep Adventures on TH-cam ! He goes around in Alabama , Georgia and I believe other southern states looking for old forgotten cemeteries and documenting them ! He has a few stories to tell about some of the people in some of them ! He also tells how to tell where graves are at ! Same graves are marked with fieldstone markers only !
I was so moved by this video. Families used to take care of their family resting places; now more and more of them are being neglected. I would love to see more of this story.
I was born and raised in Boston. My dad bought a cabin in New Hampshire. I’d spend the summer there exploring the woods. This was the early 1970’s. One day I found the rock foundation of an old home and the graves of the settlers. I returned with some tracing paper and chalk. The grave markers date back to the late 1600’s.
That’s awesome! Such a great area for some of the oldest history of America. I’m currently reading a book by Jeff Sharra that about the early days of the Revolution. Boston area is in the thick of it!
@@HistoryHoundDetecting It was great growing up there. In school we would learn about the revolutionary war then take a field trip down the street to visit locations like the Old North Church in the North End. Bunker Hill. Breeds Hill. The old cemeteries were really cool. I’m now living in Union County, Georgia which has a different history which I’m enjoying. I especially enjoy your videos.
@@MrSouthofBoston Definitely my neighbor then! Your channel name has me curious. Do you guys rodeo? I dated a barrel racer from Blairsville when I was younger and spent a lot of time around the rodeo scene. Great folks!
@@HistoryHoundDetecting No that would not be us though my daughter used to barrel race in Florida. She has four horses. We are selling our Florida home and will be building a cabin here in Suches. Maybe one day you can scope our place out. There’s an old homesite and stream.
Like your video. I manage and maintain our old family cemetery in franklinton nc. If you take shaving cream and rub it on the headstone it's easier to read. Then wash off.. an old man showed me years ago. Works well.
I really like these types of video's...very interesting. 16 kids! Holy smokes! I for one would really like to hear more and see where the homestead was. Thanks for sharing this Ben!
I think the homestead may have been lost to development nearby. A more modern home sits in the only real logical spot for a home that is anywhere close to cemetery
I found this very compelling and comforting in these uncertain times. Our roots and history really need to be preserved. I appreciate the reverence you showed in acknowledging the real people who committed their loved ones to that piece of land.
Another great video and adventure. Speculation is where the quest begins. Getting answers by chance was a God send. Thanks for caring for the past. I'm sure we haven't heard the last from the Byrd/Bird family. Curious how the family name on the list of children is spelled Bird as well as Byrd. Stay safe
Good point and great video. Im actually planning a trip to whittier. Gonna drive up from South Houston, do some exploring/look at some property for sale. Beautiful land up there boys.
Jesus is King! If you do not know Jesus as Savior please pray, “ Jesus save me. At this moment I choose to have faith that You gave Your life for me and rose from the dead. Doing this You defeated death, even though it meant You had to die. You surrendered Your life for me, so I chose to surrender my life to You. Forgive me Jesus, my God. Amen.” Jesus loves you so much. Please accept His love. I encourage you to read the Bible and pray. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only begotten Son into this world, that whoever believes that in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 🙏❤️🙏 Jesus is enough! Again I tell you, Jesus loves you!
Where is this? I was born in Waynesville, Haywood county but 6 generations back I come from lots of Hoxits, Baumgarners, Watts from Sylvia, Cashiers and all over those mountains,. Currently in Ratcliffe cove, Big Stomp mountain….last 3 generations of Galloways.
I found a Bird in my family tree from Burke County moved to Macon County. Eliszabeth Bird (1811-1909) married a Josiah Curtis. I have them on Ancestry page. It's not a direct line to me but I found it interesting. I have a lot of Carpenters, Stiles, Allens and Renos from the Otto area all the way up to Beaver Dam in Haywood County.
Bird…likely an Indian woman from one of the “Bird Tribes” imo or had a bird like Indian name..Many Carpenters are Cherokee, married into Cherokee tribe in early 17th century…became Moytoys, Overhill Cherokee.
If that's at Uwharrie, I've been there. There is also 2super of cemeteries inside the Birkhead Mt Wilderness north of there. They are both several miles into the woods. Easy to get to though
Wow, my grandfathers family came to the Brevard area from Macon county. They moved over the mountain and settled in 1900. There are some old sight graves like this in this area I've run into over the years. In the back of my families graveyard there are stones just like this
Theres alot of young saplings growing there, so in time that will be a forgotten graveyard to us when the trees get bigger....but they have not been forgotten by the Lord, because he is wrapping them in his arms!
My Ancient Planter Virginia ancestor descendants, Cecily Jordan Ferrar and daughter Temperance who married Richard Cocke of Malvern Hills, Henrico would eventually sell their vast plantation and land holdings 6 generations later to the Byrd family of Virginia. Both families had extensive land holdings from coast to mountains back then. My Watts-Sherrill ancestors owned land in Bedford and Ashe county NC, Qualla before and after Civil War. Hoxits still reside in Jackson County NC. Sherrills we’re from TN Big Stomp mountain is featured in movie Cold Mountain, where Home Guards shot Inman. His descendants are alive and well, have his diaries.
Such a cool story. Imagine coming across that lady at the perfect time. I'm sure the old homesite isn't too far away from the family plot. I know just how steep those mountains are. It will test your lungs. I truly enjoyed it.
I live in the NC mountains and when I was a kid we found an old graveyard up in the mountain behind my house. Deep woods. Trees growing up in between grave's. Creepy when I was a kid.
I’m related to the Byrd Family, my Byrd (Bird) has been here in colonies Sometime later in 1600’s in Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and we’re originally from England and they spelled name Le Byrd. I’ll look into theses Byrd’s some spelled both ways Bird too but Byrd….
Since I left this comment I’ve gone back a little further in my bird family and they just spell it LE BYRD When he came from Normandy with William the conqueror he was a since I left this comment I’ve gone further in my bird family and the first one to come from Normandy with William the conqueror was a skilled falconer name Hugh and then you spelled his name capital LE BYRD
@clf8668 Very nice to see that your discovering more about your ancestors! We recently learned the we have a French connection in the family…a 3x great grandfather named Laflam.
My family history is from Mitchell County, NC. I know of them being in the area well back into the early 1700s. I am a Hughes and we have a very similar cemetery in Pigeon Roost that is known as the Hughes/Byrd cemetery. As close as those two counties are I have little doubt that some of the Byrd's buried with my relatives are related to this group of Byrd's. Our cemetery has many very similar graves with the head and foot stones. This video brings back a lot of memories of my two trips to our cemetery.
I live near cherryville nc.l know where there is an old church cememtary nearby where there are graves from the early 1800s.the foundation of the church is still there.
I know a huge property in Old Fort adjacent to the train tracks where the homeowners are quite accustomed to native Indians periodically making a pilgrimage there to gain access and approval to follow up the ridge line to their ancestral graves deep in the woods. Fascinating stuff when they just show up with gifts and kindly asking permission to return to their buried bloodline that only the homeowners and those select few (Cherokee?) Indians are even aware of.
I actually drove through Old Fort for the first time in my life earlier this year. Kinda random, was on a little trip and needed to mail something at a post office. The nearest one was in Old Fort. The place definitely had the feel of history about it.
Im sorry i didnt watch the whole video before i commented before.......Id say maybe 3 brothers was in the Civil War. Exspecially #12 Jessie he died in 1865 the last year of the war. But im sure with out looking or checking 2 or more brothers fought in the war.
I came across some soldiers head stones near Fontana. It was over thirty years ago and the markers read "Rainbow Division". I believe it was Civil war era.
I know we're 2 more are I could tell you right were are show you one in old fort one in Brevard hit me up ill tell you some cool spots you tell me some squirrel holes lol
In the 1830's the Indigenous American's removal act caused what we know as the trail of tears, many natives hid in the mountains to avoid being caught, It wouldn't be a leap of logic that they buried their dead up in the mountains and disguised it to look like settler graveyards to remain undetected.
The Byrds of Grayson County Virginia migrated to Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina . The graves you found could be my kin. I'm currently farming close by near the Little Tennessee River. I sure would like to see the site if possible.
@@HistoryHoundDetecting Do you have a way for me to send you my contact information? Also, there is a known pre-Columbian gravesite where I am farming. The site is protected. No one allowed to disturb it. Though lots of artifacts are popping up in the plowed fields that are being collected.
I have seen archeologists with cleaning processes they use that will make the writing pop right out. Maybe go up there with a weed eater etc and clean area up, there may be fallen stones. The A name could also be Absalom, that was a more common name in Appalachia at that time that now obviously.
Thank-you for sharing your adventure on TH-cam! I’m probably way off, but your comment in the beginning, “Now why would they stay way up here?”…got me thinking… could they be a melungeon family? It’s the right area, and if they had a hint of their ancestors possible darker complexion, or if mom and dad didn’t share the same skin color, then they’d have good reason to keep the family out of sight. A wild guess! If you find out anything, please let us viewers know. I’m subscribing & grateful to you for sharing your journey to connect with history; Thank-you!!
Outstanding. Thanks so much for sharing this almost forgotten history. I wonder if you place the last name in the title or in the tag section if it will make it easier for a family member or someone researching their family tree to find this video down the road. Thanks for sharing, good luck, happy hunting and take care.
We got 2 of those cemeteries here on our dairy farm here in Madison county NC. Pretty creepy tbh considering what's on the stones... strange symbols and pentagrams carved into them in one of the cemeteries. The other is like the one you found the dates range from 1673 is the oldest n the youngest dates back to the 1790s. And then there is slaves buried on the property as well. Along with the Shelton laurel massacre victims.. that happened on our farm back in the 1870s
My family has lived in NC since the late 1700's, in all lines of my family tree. Where is this grave site located? This is pretty awesome. Glad someone is taking care of it.
@@HistoryHoundDetecting well it's awesome. The old stones like that wear down. The ones from the early 1800s in my family cemetery are only legible due to the care they've received over the years. Some of my husband's family in Arizona don't even have headstones. They were buried under rock mounds. Pretty interesting.
Another explorer of hidden and forgotten cemeteries (Robert of Sidestep Adventures) says that for every identifiable/marked grave you see, you should multiply by at least 2 to have a true count of graves. So many graves are just lost to time. Thanks for making this video. I very much enjoyed it. I subscribed, can’t wait to see what else you do.
I would agree completely….although this particular cemetery straddles a very narrow ridge top… so room was very limited. But I’d say there are still a few unmarked. Thanks for watching!
Probably a community/family cemetery... my family cemetery in Avery County NC has all kinds of unmarked rock head stones. I'm guessing as far back as the 1700s.. you could find out who owned that property and find out its history Probably. If records were destroyed just find some old people who have lived there all their life..
My ancestry search turned up that the Parker Clan, Thomas Parker from England, landed in The Carolinas after migrating and landing in New Hampshire, early 1600's. Later migrated down through the Carolinas, and was part of the Clan that drove the Natives on the Trail of Tears...historical info...
Back in the day they did the best they could do. I’ve lived in western NC for close to 40 years. People back in the day couldn’t afford the tomb stones you see today. I’ve seen a lot of graves like that.
What part of NC is this, and where is this? Ancestors of them, I cannot find graves. Where do you live? I would love to come along with you on one of your trips. I am on the NC & SC line near Landrum.
I was born and raised in Macon County, my maiden name is Southard. My family has been there for generations and settled in the Cartoogechaye community.
I know where old cemetery is in Maryland up on Cherry Hill Rd. The cemetery in street Maryland . I am not sure who buried there. I know that people have robbed the grades.
I met a fella who did rubbings of gravestones trying to find Thompson graves. I believe he'd put a piece of paper to the marker and then rub across the paper with a stick of charcoal. He said he could then read the inscription on the stone.
Theres a pioneer cemetary on the border of kansas city mo. And independence that has some well pronounced stones with full names and dates and then some that are just field stones. One mass grave of 5 confederate soldiers and 1 revolutionary soldier buried in it. Its called pitcher cemetery. Google it if u want. Its been taken care of by boy scouts and others. They added a picnic shelter and a walkway around the shelter area. At least someone is keeping the brush down there. Very cool
I have a few relatives graves locations that are not known from the early 18th and late 17th century. Id say they are in the mountains somewhere under the shade of the trees resting peacefully. Maybe its better that way. They now have true peace.
I live in Rowan County and I have uncovered a 17th century Graveyard in Gold Hill NC. Most may not know but the 1st gold rush was in Gold Hill. Reeds Goldmine was active for 6 years before the Gold rush out west. The cemetery is the family plot of the Reeds. Now that all the landowners have passed a Hydroelectric Dam incorporation have claimed the land and are actively trying to erase them. I will leave the link under this comment. It is a rabbit hole worth delving into!
I Live in Foot hills in N.C. My county has a Heritage book that goes back to the 1700 hundreds and earlier. To the 6 FAMILIES that settled this town. A story in this book states during the battle of Kings mountain a Tory Soldier was wounded and walked 100 miles or so north and died and was the first person buried in the cemetery. Eventually a little church was built, years later a second bigger church was built. My family owns property that joins the church on the cemetery side. There are grave Stones that you can't make out any letters. There are Revolutionary graves,Civil War graves, 1st and 2nd world wars. My family Grandparents, Uncles and aunts, cousins buried 10 ft from all the oldest grave stones
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I’m going searching for the place the Indians were buried at Indian grave gap on the Tn. /N.C. Border. Most people don’t realize there was actual graves up there. My dad is passing away and he surveyed it back in the 70’s I’ll video it if I make it. Thanks for this.
are you lookin in the harmon den area?
American Indian
We have an Indian grave rd here in Caldwell county nc
My ancestors lived in western NC for hundreds of years mostly in Burke and McDowell counties on my dads side. It’s on my bucket list to visit. Thanks for sharing! I find it addictive! Lol
They existed. Thats just beautiful.
'NC Land Grant Images and Data' or 'North Carolina. Secretary of State. Land Grant Office. Land records, North Carolina and Tennessee; indexes, 1600-1959'. I'm uncertain (either one) if you need a surname or plot number for these sites, but both are public information, no fee. Also Google Earth may help you find old homesteads, look for newer vegetation patches in old growth forest. Love this kind of thing!
Great job on the history of the family and cemetery. Nobody should be forgotten. Kudos 👍
My ancestors settled NC and spread from there staring in the 1700’s. There are so many dead ends in my genealogical search. Thank you for helping myself and others that are not in the area, find answers.
Likewise! My tree is missing so many branches from N C. I hope you find yours too. This kind of video can hold so much lost info.
Same story here thanks for this I am 2500 miles away at least
Very interesting, and fortunate to put history on it that quickly.
Thanks for watching!
I enjoyed watching this. A lot of my ancestors are from this part of NC. Thank you for showing the importance of preserving and honoring these historic cemeteries. I’m new to your channel and look forward to watching some more of your episodes.
Thanks Baker! I appreciate the kind words and support!
Im 54yo i was born and raised in Southern Granville County in the piedmont of North Carolina. Beside the house i grew up in was a graveyard in the middle of a tobacco field that had trees around it. The headstones looked just like those. Wasnt those same ones but looked just like that. 18 years later when im grown with children my best friend calls and says can you help me put a head stone on my relatives grave i said sure. To make a long long story short. Those graves were his ancestors that fought and died in the civil war. And a organization called
S.C.V. sons of the confederate veterans. Sent him brand new headstones engraved for all his family free of charge. The deaths on those stones were
1862 1863 1864. They everyone were soldiers. Needless to say i couldn't hold back tears of sadness and joy
With every stone we set.
Good to hear that they were remembered.
Very nice thanks for posting. Sincerely Erin Schlameus
Thanks for watching Erin!
amazing!!!
Thank you!!
My great-grandmother on my father's side, whose maiden name was Perry, was born and raised in Ashe County, NC, and moved eventually with her entire family to Oklahoma where I live. I'm deeply interested in both history of all kinds and genealogy. I've solved some of my own families mysteries just because I love to research so deep. I searched out this channel in hopes of finding more answers. I do know that one of my Perry ancestors has their house and land registered on the national history register. Thank you for caring enough, too!
This was super interesting! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Jenn!
I live in Alexander county nc. I know several people by the last name Byrd.
Great video and great find
Thanks for watching Shelley!
If I were looking for the Byrd homeplace, I would look at some old topo maps and try to locate a spring close to the area. back in those days, people used springs as their water source. Perhaps the lady you spoke with knows where the old homeplace is. Good video. Keep up the good work. Local history is one of the most important histories you can find.
Thanks Byron! I have a couple guesses as to where it may have been located. Unfortunately I think it might have been bulldozed and replaced by a modern home.
When I was in second grade, in LA (lower Alabama) running around in the woods with friends, we stumbled across an overgrown small family plot-sized gravesite, it had a waist-high wrought iron fence around it, covered in vines, the standing tombstones were barely legible covered in moss and lichens, but I remember some of the dates were the late 1700s.
I thoroughly enjoyed this video! Im a sucker for old graveyards & geneology!!
Thanks for watching Mary!
I was especially blessed by this video. Losing history, or worse yet, destroying history is a sure way to lose track of where we are going. America staggers in the noon day. Thanks for taking the time to look into this long forgotten piece of history. Your endeavors to clean up this cemetery are most appreciated. God bless brother.
Thank Thomas! It’s a little thing but I think it’s worth doing.
Indeed and the channel deserve many more views
@@HistoryHoundDetecting I have an old graveyard on my property that's been here since the 1600 and 1700's. A man came to my house one day looking for it and it was his family but his nephew used to come and trim the tree's and keep it up, I'm not able to because I have Multiple Sclerosis and I want to know how to go about finding someone to keep it up. It really means a lot to me and my family, some of the graves are just rocks. The man said it was the Solomon-Smith graveyard. He had a headstone made telling about the family.
@@HistoryHoundDetecting I live in Stokes County, North Carolina
@@diannemartin7500 Hey Dianne. 336-593-9407. That’s the number to the Stokes County Historical Society. That would be a good place to start looking for help. It’s very nice of you to concern yourself. Your efforts might just mean everything to a surviving family member.
My family on my grandmother's side was from Macon county back to the early 1800s
I would love to explore with you, I live in Newland NC and spend all my time when I'm not at work in the hills . I really enjoyed this video thank you very much .
Thank you for sharing this. These were probably some of our family and we always wondered why there was a difference in the spelling. If it was two different Byrd's or bird but from what you showed it was all the same family.
My family came from the area of SW Virginia where Virginia, Tennessee and North Carolina all meet, I was doing research last night and was shocked to find a ancestor born in the early 1700's that died very early in the 1800's at the age of 92, I think that was pretty rare back then but it fits in with my current family genetics of lots of family members making it to 90+
Thank you for this video! ❤ I live in n.c. born and raised ! My daddy taught me a lot about these old mountains! Different herbs the trees, he sawmilled, pulled galax, made princesses pine wreaths whatever he had to do, to raise us 5 daughters, adopted my 2 oldest sisters! He had to work as a child to help raise his brothers and sisters! There we’re 3 or 4 siblings lost to scarlet fever and small pox! On this solid rock I stand!!! My friend moved to Hampton Tn a couple years ago but still worked up here?! Anyway, in potter town Hampton Tn there are 3 stones there at her driveway! 💔😢 I can’t remember the address but you cut up waycaster rd I believe and it’s a little driveway that circles around on the right and the graveyard is at the end of the driveway next to the road! Thaught you might want to check it out?!
Thank you for sharing those wonderful memories with me Mildred. Thanks for the tip on the graves. Who knows, might just make it up there some day. Thanks for watching!
You might be interested in Sidestep Adventures on TH-cam ! He goes around in Alabama , Georgia and I believe other southern states looking for old forgotten cemeteries and documenting them ! He has a few stories to tell about some of the people in some of them ! He also tells how to tell where graves are at ! Same graves are marked with fieldstone markers only !
Thanks for the heads up. I’ll definitely check him out!
@@HistoryHoundDetecting you're welcome
I watch Sidestep Adventures all of the time. Good people and interesting content.
I second thatbas been watching him for over a yr now .
Thanks, awesome video..
Thank you for this story.
Thank you for watching!
I was so moved by this video. Families used to take care of their family resting places; now more and more of them are being neglected. I would love to see more of this story.
I was born and raised in Boston. My dad bought a cabin in New Hampshire. I’d spend the summer there exploring the woods. This was the early 1970’s. One day I found the rock foundation of an old home and the graves of the settlers. I returned with some tracing paper and chalk. The grave markers date back to the late 1600’s.
That’s awesome! Such a great area for some of the oldest history of America. I’m currently reading a book by Jeff Sharra that about the early days of the Revolution. Boston area is in the thick of it!
@@HistoryHoundDetecting It was great growing up there. In school we would learn about the revolutionary war then take a field trip down the street to visit locations like the Old North Church in the North End. Bunker Hill. Breeds Hill. The old cemeteries were really cool. I’m now living in Union County, Georgia which has a different history which I’m enjoying. I especially enjoy your videos.
@@MrSouthofBoston Definitely my neighbor then! Your channel name has me curious. Do you guys rodeo? I dated a barrel racer from Blairsville when I was younger and spent a lot of time around the rodeo scene. Great folks!
@@HistoryHoundDetecting No that would not be us though my daughter used to barrel race in Florida. She has four horses. We are selling our Florida home and will be building a cabin here in Suches. Maybe one day you can scope our place out. There’s an old homesite and stream.
@@MrSouthofBoston Best of luck on the sale and build of the cabin. Going through the same process ourselves!
Like your video. I manage and maintain our old family cemetery in franklinton nc. If you take shaving cream and rub it on the headstone it's easier to read. Then wash off.. an old man showed me years ago. Works well.
Thanks for the tips!
Outstanding video
Thanks for watching Kenneth!
I really like these types of video's...very interesting. 16 kids! Holy smokes! I for one would really like to hear more and see where the homestead was. Thanks for sharing this Ben!
I think the homestead may have been lost to development nearby. A more modern home sits in the only real logical spot for a home that is anywhere close to cemetery
I found this very compelling and comforting in these uncertain times. Our roots and history really need to be preserved. I appreciate the reverence you showed in acknowledging the real people who committed their loved ones to that piece of land.
Thank you Carol! I’m glad you are able to comment now!
It’s on mine as well. My 3x great grandfather fought at the Devils Den for 22 hours during the Gettysburg battle.
Another great video and adventure. Speculation is where the quest begins. Getting answers by chance was a God send. Thanks for caring for the past. I'm sure we haven't heard the last from the Byrd/Bird family. Curious how the family name on the list of children is spelled Bird as well as Byrd. Stay safe
I noticed that too! That’s a genealogists nightmare right there. But it happened a lot. Thanks for watching!
Good point and great video. Im actually planning a trip to whittier. Gonna drive up from South Houston, do some exploring/look at some property for sale. Beautiful land up there boys.
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Jesus loves you so much. Please accept His love. I encourage you to read the Bible and pray.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only begotten Son into this world, that whoever believes that in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
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Where is this? I was born in Waynesville, Haywood county but 6 generations back I come from lots of Hoxits, Baumgarners, Watts from Sylvia, Cashiers and all over those mountains,. Currently in Ratcliffe cove, Big Stomp mountain….last 3 generations of Galloways.
I found a Bird in my family tree from Burke County moved to Macon County. Eliszabeth Bird (1811-1909) married a Josiah Curtis. I have them on Ancestry page. It's not a direct line to me but I found it interesting. I have a lot of Carpenters, Stiles, Allens and Renos from the Otto area all the way up to Beaver Dam in Haywood County.
Bird in a tree
Bird…likely an Indian woman from one of the “Bird Tribes” imo or had a bird like Indian name..Many Carpenters are Cherokee, married into Cherokee tribe in early 17th century…became Moytoys, Overhill Cherokee.
If that's at Uwharrie, I've been there. There is also 2super of cemeteries inside the Birkhead Mt Wilderness north of there.
They are both several miles into the woods. Easy to get to though
It’s a couple hours west of Uwharrie, close to Franklin, NC
Wow, my grandfathers family came to the Brevard area from Macon county. They moved over the mountain and settled in 1900. There are some old sight graves like this in this area I've run into over the years. In the back of my families graveyard there are stones just like this
Theres alot of young saplings growing there, so in time that will be a forgotten graveyard to us when the trees get bigger....but they have not been forgotten by the Lord, because he is wrapping them in his arms!
My Ancient Planter Virginia ancestor descendants, Cecily Jordan Ferrar and daughter Temperance who married Richard Cocke of Malvern Hills, Henrico would eventually sell their vast plantation and land holdings 6 generations later to the Byrd family of Virginia. Both families had extensive land holdings from coast to mountains back then. My Watts-Sherrill ancestors owned land in Bedford and Ashe county NC, Qualla before and after Civil War. Hoxits still reside in Jackson County NC. Sherrills we’re from TN
Big Stomp mountain is featured in movie Cold Mountain, where Home Guards shot Inman. His descendants are alive and well, have his diaries.
Such a cool story. Imagine coming across that lady at the perfect time. I'm sure the old homesite isn't too far away from the family plot. I know just how steep those mountains are. It will test your lungs. I truly enjoyed it.
Thanks Kathy! I know this was a hike you would have loved. It was so quiet up there!
I live in the NC mountains and when I was a kid we found an old graveyard up in the mountain behind my house. Deep woods. Trees growing up in between grave's. Creepy when I was a kid.
I’m related to the Byrd Family, my Byrd (Bird) has been here in colonies Sometime later in 1600’s in Delaware, Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee and we’re originally from England and they spelled name Le Byrd. I’ll look into theses Byrd’s some spelled both ways Bird too but Byrd….
Since I left this comment I’ve gone back a little further in my bird family and they just spell it LE BYRD When he came from Normandy with William the conqueror he was a since I left this comment I’ve gone further in my bird family and the first one to come from Normandy with William the conqueror was a skilled falconer name Hugh and then you spelled his name capital LE BYRD
@clf8668 Very nice to see that your discovering more about your ancestors! We recently learned the we have a French connection in the family…a 3x great grandfather named Laflam.
My family history is from Mitchell County, NC. I know of them being in the area well back into the early 1700s. I am a Hughes and we have a very similar cemetery in Pigeon Roost that is known as the Hughes/Byrd cemetery. As close as those two counties are I have little doubt that some of the Byrd's buried with my relatives are related to this group of Byrd's. Our cemetery has many very similar graves with the head and foot stones. This video brings back a lot of memories of my two trips to our cemetery.
I live near cherryville nc.l know where there is an old church cememtary nearby where there are graves from the early 1800s.the foundation of the church is still there.
Great job
Thanks Russell!
I know a huge property in Old Fort adjacent to the train tracks where the homeowners are quite accustomed to native Indians periodically making a pilgrimage there to gain access and approval to follow up the ridge line to their ancestral graves deep in the woods. Fascinating stuff when they just show up with gifts and kindly asking permission to return to their buried bloodline that only the homeowners and those select few (Cherokee?) Indians are even aware of.
I actually drove through Old Fort for the first time in my life earlier this year. Kinda random, was on a little trip and needed to mail something at a post office. The nearest one was in Old Fort. The place definitely had the feel of history about it.
One of the earliest known exploration of North Carolina was most likely the 1520s the possibilities could be endless
Very true. Spanish definitely moved through the area.... but extreme western nc remained very isolated even in the early 1800’s
@@HistoryHoundDetecting that’s kinda similar to where I am very early exploration but where I live way upstate the first settlement wasn’t until 1797
Im sorry i didnt watch the whole video before i commented before.......Id say maybe 3 brothers was in the Civil War. Exspecially #12 Jessie he died in 1865 the last year of the war. But im sure with out looking or checking 2 or more brothers fought in the war.
I came across some soldiers head stones near Fontana. It was over thirty years ago and the markers read "Rainbow Division". I believe it was Civil war era.
Oh wow. I’ve never heard of it before. That old be interesting to research. Thanks!
I know we're 2 more are I could tell you right were are show you one in old fort one in Brevard hit me up ill tell you some cool spots you tell me some squirrel holes lol
I love you're story tellin ,you could have you're own t.v. channel, I'D DEFINITELY WATCH
That very kind of you to say. Thank you! ..and thanks for watching.
Very informative video..
Thanks Cathy!
thank you for helping to keep that cemetery cleaned up.you are heavens helper. god bless you
Thanks for watching Mark!
There are some Byrd families still living in Macon County.
In the 1830's the Indigenous American's removal act caused what we know as the trail of tears, many natives hid in the mountains to avoid being caught, It wouldn't be a leap of logic that they buried their dead up in the mountains and disguised it to look like settler graveyards to remain undetected.
The Byrds of Grayson County Virginia migrated to Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina . The graves you found could be my kin. I'm currently farming close by near the Little Tennessee River. I sure would like to see the site if possible.
I sure wish I could give you permission but it’s on privately owned and gated land. I will ask though.
@@HistoryHoundDetecting Do you have a way for me to send you my contact information? Also, there is a known pre-Columbian gravesite where I am farming. The site is protected. No one allowed to disturb it. Though lots of artifacts are popping up in the plowed fields that are being collected.
@@lawnguyva you can shoot me an email. benjpope1818@gmail.com
I have seen archeologists with cleaning processes they use that will make the writing pop right out. Maybe go up there with a weed eater etc and clean area up, there may be fallen stones. The A name could also be Absalom, that was a more common name in Appalachia at that time that now obviously.
Nice find! Love seeing old cemeteries. Glad you tried reading the names & dates.
Thanks for watching Barbara!
I wonder if thats indicating April 1845
Macon County, NC
Thank-you for sharing your adventure on TH-cam! I’m probably way off, but your comment in the beginning, “Now why would they stay way up here?”…got me thinking… could they be a melungeon family? It’s the right area, and if they had a hint of their ancestors possible darker complexion, or if mom and dad didn’t share the same skin color, then they’d have good reason to keep the family out of sight. A wild guess! If you find out anything, please let us viewers know. I’m subscribing & grateful to you for sharing your journey to connect with history; Thank-you!!
Outstanding. Thanks so much for sharing this almost forgotten history. I wonder if you place the last name in the title or in the tag section if it will make it easier for a family member or someone researching their family tree to find this video down the road. Thanks for sharing, good luck, happy hunting and take care.
Good thoughts. I loaded up the tags with family names and multiple spellings. It’d be awesome to see some family connected as a result of the video.
We got 2 of those cemeteries here on our dairy farm here in Madison county NC. Pretty creepy tbh considering what's on the stones... strange symbols and pentagrams carved into them in one of the cemeteries. The other is like the one you found the dates range from 1673 is the oldest n the youngest dates back to the 1790s. And then there is slaves buried on the property as well. Along with the Shelton laurel massacre victims.. that happened on our farm back in the 1870s
Was there ever any church records documented to find out who some of these people are
This is the Bird/Byrd Family cemetery. Several local families have knowledge of its existence and visit from time to time.
My family has lived in NC since the late 1700's, in all lines of my family tree. Where is this grave site located? This is pretty awesome. Glad someone is taking care of it.
I can’t give exact location due to its being on private land but it is located in Macon County.
@@HistoryHoundDetecting well it's awesome. The old stones like that wear down. The ones from the early 1800s in my family cemetery are only legible due to the care they've received over the years. Some of my husband's family in Arizona don't even have headstones. They were buried under rock mounds. Pretty interesting.
My ancestors lived in Surry county and Rockingham County, they were the Moore (FPC), Gibson (FPC), Goins(FPC), Goodman families
Another explorer of hidden and forgotten cemeteries (Robert of Sidestep Adventures) says that for every identifiable/marked grave you see, you should multiply by at least 2 to have a true count of graves. So many graves are just lost to time. Thanks for making this video. I very much enjoyed it. I subscribed, can’t wait to see what else you do.
I would agree completely….although this particular cemetery straddles a very narrow ridge top… so room was very limited. But I’d say there are still a few unmarked. Thanks for watching!
Probably a community/family cemetery... my family cemetery in Avery County NC has all kinds of unmarked rock head stones. I'm guessing as far back as the 1700s.. you could find out who owned that property and find out its history Probably. If records were destroyed just find some old people who have lived there all their life..
Hey just found this. I am fasinating with hisyory and old cemeteries
Don't know if you have ever watched the TH-camr that has Sidestep Adventures and The Old Byrd Farm in Georgia. Wonder if these Byrds are related.
My ancestry search turned up that the Parker Clan, Thomas Parker from England, landed in The Carolinas after migrating and landing in New Hampshire, early 1600's. Later migrated down through the Carolinas, and was part of the Clan that drove the Natives on the Trail of Tears...historical info...
If you find some veterans, you might could get some help, with flags and such!
Weren’t those the years of the civil war? 1843-1845? Or am I off?
The Civil War was from 1861-1865.
Back in the day they did the best they could do. I’ve lived in western NC for close to 40 years. People back in the day couldn’t afford the tomb stones you see today. I’ve seen a lot of graves like that.
What part of NC is this, and where is this? Ancestors of them, I cannot find graves. Where do you live? I would love to come along with you on one of your trips. I am on the NC & SC line near Landrum.
The French were here long before the English landed at Plymouth Rock. It's hard to trace everything.
I was born and raised in Macon County, my maiden name is Southard. My family has been there for generations and settled in the Cartoogechaye community.
I know where old cemetery is in Maryland up on Cherry Hill Rd. The cemetery in street Maryland . I am not sure who buried there. I know that people have robbed the grades.
That’s really sad. Too few with the proper respect these days!
My videos are very similar to yours! Burke county is about 15 minutes from me.
I met a fella who did rubbings of gravestones trying to find Thompson graves.
I believe he'd put a piece of paper to the marker and then rub across the paper with a stick of charcoal. He said he could then read the inscription on the stone.
Great tip! Thanks!
I have no graves for my wood ancestors before the early 1800’s. No idea where they are but the definitely died between Virginia and Tennessee.
Haywood county nc has 2 of the oldest marked graves 1821 was a Ferguson from Scotland.
Is it anywhere close to cove hollow look kinda like I've seen that.
McDaniel some portic and Duncan
Theres a pioneer cemetary on the border of kansas city mo. And independence that has some well pronounced stones with full names and dates and then some that are just field stones. One mass grave of 5 confederate soldiers and 1 revolutionary soldier buried in it. Its called pitcher cemetery. Google it if u want. Its been taken care of by boy scouts and others. They added a picnic shelter and a walkway around the shelter area. At least someone is keeping the brush down there. Very cool
Yeah, it’s nice to see the place has been completely forgotten. Hopefully I can help to keep it cleaned and remembered for a little while longer
There's so many out there. I been to one next to a road. also over grown. If you don't know you miss it. Also 1800's.
I have a few relatives graves locations that are not known from the early 18th and late 17th century. Id say they are in the mountains somewhere under the shade of the trees resting peacefully. Maybe its better that way. They now have true peace.
One my distant grandfather was the chief of the chowan tride of north Carolina my freeman and lee family came from North Carolina 7:41
7:51
8:08
Do me a favor. Zoom in on the fungus/ moss on top right. Do you see what I see? It looks like a female child. Let me know what you think.
The government was also giving land grants.
What county are you in???
Macon
I live in Rowan County and I have uncovered a 17th century Graveyard in Gold Hill NC. Most may not know but the 1st gold rush was in Gold Hill. Reeds Goldmine was active for 6 years before the Gold rush out west.
The cemetery is the family plot of the Reeds. Now that all the landowners have passed a Hydroelectric Dam incorporation have claimed the land and are actively trying to erase them.
I will leave the link under this comment. It is a rabbit hole worth delving into!
th-cam.com/video/d0MEuBr2GWI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=UsDSCGy76FRbwo2i
I live on mt Pisgah, up 151 before you get to the park way, just outside of Asheville. i love the mountains and it’s where I’ll die. Lol
FOLKS USEA FLASHLIGHT ON THE GRAVE STONES TO READ THE EPITAPHS BETTER.
Have you tried using a cleaner or scraping off the moss collected on them?
They may be stone cairns that layers of soil have accumulated on....from decaying leaves.
between Cataloochee and some other old family plots that are on land stolen by the gooberment I feel like I need an appointment to visit my ancestors
Look to see if there was an old church there, It could be black or white.
Clean the stones thoroughly and then take rubbings with tracing paper and charcoal sketching sticks.
I Live in Foot hills in N.C. My county has a Heritage book that goes back to the 1700 hundreds and earlier. To the 6 FAMILIES that settled this town. A story in this book states during the battle of Kings mountain a Tory Soldier was wounded and walked 100 miles or so north and died and was the first person buried in the cemetery. Eventually a little church was built, years later a second bigger church was built. My family owns property that joins the church on the cemetery side. There are grave Stones that you can't make out any letters. There are Revolutionary graves,Civil War graves, 1st and 2nd world wars. My family Grandparents, Uncles and aunts, cousins buried 10 ft from all the oldest grave stones
Wow! That sounds like a whole passel of videos could be made there. Lots of stories to tell!
Very interesting