Peele Cemetery

 

Peele Cemetery data is given in a Book titled "Old Cemeteries" as found in the Bertie County Courthouse. It was located 9.5 miles S.W. of the town of Aulander, on the left-hand side of the road leading to Republican NC and completely grown up with undergrowth.

 

The site is approx three miles northeast of Lewiston, Kelford and just a couple of miles from the present Bertie County High School.

 

James William Peele GGF and Elizabeth "Bettie" "Betsey" "Aunt Bet" Rawls Peele GGM are both buried in Peele Cemetery what was formally the Rawls Farm in Snakebite Township, Bertie Co NC. Family records stated that it was between Rhodes Place Crossroads and the Peele school.

 

My Great Great Grandfather James William Peele severed with Company C 68" NC Inf. Text on William follows:

 

James William Peele was listed as William Peele in the 1850 census. He was given as being 12 years of age and born in NC. Recorded as the oldest child in the Jarrod Peele household. Other siblings listed in the 1850 census were Thomas, Sarah, Dempsey, Jackson and Celia E. Peele all living in the same household with their father Jarrod Peele.

 

A cemetery census conducted by a WPA worker gave the following about the inscription on the tombstone of James W. Peele. Born Sept 10,1845 and died March 3, 1925 Company "C 68" H.C.Inf CSA. Either the WPA worker made an error in reporting birth date or the date on the tombstone was a mistake.

 

My cousin Wade Roscoe Peele located and visited the gravesites of this Peele cemetery in Feb. 2001. He stated that the Cemetery is located approximately one mile east on Rhodes Place Crossroad on the north (left) side of the road to Francis Mill. He said that six of the graves had been destroyed apparently by a paper company, while they were planting trees. Wade wrote that he found the tombstones of James W and Bettie Rawls Peele. Also was the tombstone of Joseph S Parker (b July 9, 1843 -d. Feb 12 1905 who was the brother-in-law of Elizabeth "Bettie" Rawls GGM He had married his wife's sister Mary Moore Rawls. Both were daughters of Moore Rawls 2nd GGF and Mary Arabella Smith 2nd GGM who were My (Pete Austin) great, great, grandparents. Moore's parents were Jonas Rawls 3rd GGF and Sarah "Sally" Moore 3rd GGM who at one time owned the property on which the Peele Cemetery is located. Another graves found there is that of Augustine Parker who was recorded as a child. I feel that she was probable a daughter of Joseph S Parker and his wife Mary Moore Rawls Cox Parker who had died young.

 

Joseph S Parker was the second husband of Mary Moore Rawls Cox Parker. Records show that Mary Moore Rawls Cox Parker died within a week of the death of her husband Joseph in Feb. 1906. Her gravesite has never been located. Could one of these unmarked gravesites be that of Mary Moore Rawls? There are two graves with concrete slabs with no head marker.

 

James W. Peele & Elizabeth were my great grandparents. James William Peele severed in the Civil War, CSA with Co C, and 68th North Carolina Infantry. This is the same unit in which David Thomas Minton (1837-1881) served. Wayne Modlin, a 4th cousin-once removed of mine sent data to me on the Peele, Modlin and Minton families.  Wayne is a direct descendant of Dempsey Peele #15148 who was uncle to my g.g.grandfather James W. Peele #92. Dempsey was a son of Josiah Peelle #15148. Dempsey and his family lived on the Moore Road off State Road 11 toward Kelford, where he lived and died. Record show there was a tombstone of Sallie Jernigan in the Peele cemetery with no other data given. A purge of my files gives no hint as to her identity.

 

James served in the C.S.A., as given above, with David Thomas Minton #3710 who married his 1st cousin-once remover Mary Elizabeth Powell #3711.

 

Henry Averitt Sr #225 (will probated in 1722) was father of Henry Averitt Jr #223 (will 1771) that married Millia X?  Their daughter Martha Averitt m. John Young #217 (will 1836 Book G, page 263 and names five daughters {#1} Lavernia Young Cotton #219 wife of Jesse Cotton {#2} Sarah Young Peele the 1st Wife of James William Peele #92. They were married before 1812. Sarah's father John Young  #217 gave his daughter Sarah with love and affection 287 7/8 acres of land in as found in deed book V page 727 Bertie Co NC. Witnesses were Jarrod Young her uncle, Jarrod Peele #105 [Sarah's father-in-law. and Jannett Young. {#3} Wiley Young Bond #552 wife of Bayliss H Bond, {#4} Celia Young Harston #221 and {#5} Elizabeth Young Sholars #222 wife of George J Shoulars and had a son Cullen that may have severed in War of 1812. Records of Bertie Co show that a Cullin Shoulars was a veteran of that War. John Young in his will gave several slaves and land to each of his children. I have an extensive family record of this Shoulars clan. Additional data on Shoulars family: Bob Shoulars, a cousin, lived next door to my family when I was growing up in Kelford. Cousins Julius Earl Shoulars and George Washington Shoulars were classmates and friends of mine. I never knew this connection until years later.

 

 

 

 

Contributed to the USGenWeb Bertie County, NC Project by:

Pete Austin ~ [pete.austin@worldnet.att.net]