Thursday, June 7, 2012
Thursday, May 17, 2012
Sarah Anna Fowle
Born: June 17, 1823 in Washington, N.C.
Died: July 31, 1906 in Washington, N.C.
Died: July 31, 1906 in Washington, N.C.
Written on back of the photo is S. F. T. My best guess is that it's Sarah Telfair.
Sarah Anna Fowle married Thomas Telfair on December 22, 1846. She is the grandmother to Laura Telfair Cordon.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
Rev. James Henry Cordon, (1851-1893)
Historical research provided by Mershon and Gene White.
James Henry Cordon is the father to Laura Telfair Cordon, who is our second great grandmother.
Rev. James Henry Cordon, D.D.
(1851-1893)
James Henry Cordon descends from Rev. Haute Wyatt (son of George Wyatt and Lady Jane Finch) who matriculated at Queen College, Oxford, October 25,1611, aged 17, and was a student at Gray's Inn. He was later ordained a Priest in the Church of England. Wyatt came to Jamestown, Virginia, in 1621 with his brother Gov. Francis Wyatt to serve as minister for the Church of England. Cordon descends from Rev. Wyatt as follows:
James Henry Cordon's father, William Sylvester Cordon was born February 24, 1808 in Hyde County, North Carolina where the family had resided for several generations. He was a farmer during his early years, and for the last twenty-one years of his life he was the Clerk of the Court and Register of Deeds in Beaufort County, North Carolina. During the twenty-one years, William S. Cordon had only two opponents, and of these it is said that one received six votes in the county, and the other twelve. He was a decided Whig all of his life. William was a Presbyterian and in 1842, he was married to Nancy Satchwell, his first cousin, daughter of James Satchwell and Elizabeth Windley Satchwell of Beaufort County, North Carolina. To them were born three children, of whom two survived. They were:
James Henry Cordon was born in Washington, Beaufort County, North Carolina, July 9, 1851, where grew up. In August 1866, at the age of fifteen, he enrolled in the Bingham School at Mebaneville, Orange County, North Carolina. This was a classical school for boys with Colonel William Bingham as superintendent. The school used a military organization as it was found to be conducive to discipline, health, and scholarship. No attempt was made to make soldiers of the students. The "object is to train boys to think for themselves; to give them that mental culture and discipline which would enable them to master any subject to which they may apply themselves; to confirm them to habits of patient, persevering application, which alone render intellectual capacity available for success in life.
Facts are valuable only as they furnish material for thought; and are deemed worse than useless to cram the mind in early youth with a mass of undigested facts, which, like undigested food in the stomach, are not appropriated, and induce only weakness and disease ........ and, as any system of instruction is extremely defective which cultivates the intellect to the neglect of the moral character, it is our constant aim to educate the hearts and consciences of our pupils." Tuition was $380 per year. (Footnote 1)
James Henry Cordon attended the Bingham School for five years, including a year of post-graduate studies. He graduated in May, 1871. The course of studies included Algebra, Geometry (Plain and Solid), Trigonometry, including Navigation and Surveying, Analytical Geometry, Descriptive Geometry, Differential and Integral Calculus, Latin including Grammar and Prose Composition, Greek, French, and English Literature.
Discipline was no problem at the Bingham School. Everyone with more than a certain number of demerits within a week was imprisoned in a guard house all day on Monday, which was the weekly holiday, instead of Saturday as was the custom at most schools. The ten guard houses were about four feet wide by five feet long with a "cowcatcher extension" at one end to accommodate the feet if one chose to lie down. Entering just after breakfast, the student received his midday meal on a tray and was released just in time for supper. Often there were more culprits than guard houses, so, for some there was the alternative punishment, a vigorous beating with a leather strap by the Colonel himself.
No boy was ever beaten against his will. He was always permitted to do his tum in the guard house when one became available on a Monday. There was no secrecy about the Whipping. It was tradition that no disgrace was attached to the "lickin", it was simply a price that was paid for excessive neglect of the rules for idleness, for lack of cleanliness of room or person and so on. Though the rules forbade fighting, if enmity between two boys reached a boiling point, Colonel Bingham sanctioned a fight in the presence of him and the student body, but only after he had failed to get the boys to settle their differences without one. (Footnote 2)
After graduation from the Bingham School, James Henry Cordon went back home to Washington, NC. In 1872 he was elected Register of Deeds, for Beaufort County, NC. He served two years in that capacity, during which time he studied law under the Honorable Edwin G. Reade, who was then a Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. Mr. Cordon was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in
1874.
On November 19, 1872, James Henry Cordon married Martha Fowle "Mattie" Telfair, the daughter of Dr. Thomas Telfair and Sarah Anna Richardson Fowle Telfair, a Presbyterian. Mattie Telfair was the niece of Governor Daniel Gould Fowle, a graduate ofthe Bingham School.
To James and Mattie Cordon were born ten children, of whom five survived:
After passing the North Carolina Bar in 1874, James Henry Cordon practiced law in Washington, North Carolina. He moved to Statesville, North Carolina in 1877 to continue his law practice. "During this period Mr. Cordon became greatly interested in the subject of religion, and uniting with a highly moral character, a
conscientious purpose to discharge all duties, his convictions let him to long for a closer walk with the Saviour. With warm religious fervor he undertook the work in life whereunto he was called, and abandoning his law practice. He joined the North Carolina Conference of the M.E. Church, South in 1877". (Footnote 3)
Reverend James Henry Cordon served the following appointments:
The motion was adopted and the following brothern were appointed; G. W. Wynne, L. A Partin, Jos. G. Brown, W. S. Waitt, and W. J. Young. Dr. J. W. McGee moved that the Treas. Be authorized to expend twenty five dollars in the purchase of provisions for the use of the Pastor & family; motion carried. The Board met again on Wed., December 26, I 888.Pastor Rev. J. H. Cordon met with the Board, this being his first official meeting.
In 1889, the Reverend Cordon was elected Trustee of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In May 1890, he was awarded the Doctor of Divinity Degree by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in recognition of his "eminence in his profession and his purity of life." (Footnote 5)
Dr. Cordon was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows. He was Grand Master of the L.O.O.F. for the State of North Carolina from May 1888, to May 1889, and was elected Grand Representative of the Sovereign Grand Lodge in 1890. He held that office until his death. He also belonged to the William G. Hill Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and to the Raleigh chapter of the Royal Arch Masons.
Mary Stuart Cordon, oldest daughter of Dr. Cordon and Mattie Cordon, attended Peace College 1888-1889 and 1889-1890 where she studied latin, french and drawing (art). Laura Cordon attended Peace College in 1889-1890 and 1890-1891 where she studied latin, french and music (voice).
Dr. Cordon and family moved to Oxford, NC, in January 1893. The following are quotes from the Oxford Public Ledger dated:
January 29, 1893; There was quite a good congregation at the Methodist Church Sunday. Dr. Cordon discussed Faith with much warmth and vigor. He cited many things to prove that it was the bulwark of our religion. The offertory by Miss Cordon was well rendered. She has a sweet voice and is quite an addition to the Choir.
February 10, 1893: At the Methodist Church on Sunday after the sermon Dr. Cordon stated that the assessed portion of missionary debt of the Church was $56.00, and asked the congregation to cancel the debt, which they promptly did. The collection amounted to $60.00. Dr. Cordon, Chaplain to the Granville Grays, will preach a sermon on Sunday morning next to these gallant young gentlemen. It seems that the State Guard are great friends to Dr. Cordon, as he has been Chaplain to every company in the town which he has been stationed since the organization of the State Guard.
February 17, 1893; Dr. Cordon, pastor of the Methodist Church, on Monday while unpacking some books stepped on a wire nail going through his shoe and into his foot. We are glad to know that the Dr. is getting along all right.
February 27,1893; Death ofJ. H. Cordon, D.D. An able Minister of The N.C. Conference Gathered to His Reward. Rev. James H. Cordon, D.D., died at his parsonage home in this place (Oxford, NC) at 6 a. m., on Wednesday last (February 22,1893). About ten days before while engaged in unpacking a box of books he trod upon an upturned nail in the top of the box, which inflicted a painful, but not as he thought a serious wound. He was advised to take his bed until his foot should be free of pain. At first he gave but little heed to this advice and being greatly interested in his work was unwilling to be confined for so slight a cause.
On Friday he made a trip to Raleigh, returning the same day. Saturday he was on the street mingling cheerfully with his friends. Sunday he preached three times, morning and night at the church, and in the afternoon to the orphans at the Asylum. On Monday he was quite unwell. with uncomfortable nervous conditions accompanied with some muscular contractions. His symptoms awakened serious apprehensions. Physicians were called in. By Tuesday morning a well defined case of tetanus or lockjaw was developed. Frequent and distressing paroxysms followed through the day and night.
When his condition became generally known on Tuesday the whole community was moved with sympathy and alarm. Crowds of anxious friends were constantly calling, eager to learn of every new phase of his case and to render such assistance as they could. All that medical skill and warm affection could do, with nnremitting attention was done, but in vain. Death had set its seal upon him, and as the morning sun was clothing the East with purple and gold, his spirit departed to the light and glory of eternal day.
Dr. Cordon had taken a deep hold upon the affections of the people of Oxford. No man who has ever lived amongst us was more universally beloved. Old and young, white and colored, in the churches and out of the churches, all loved him. He was a man of wonderful personal magnetism. With a big brain and a warm, affectionate and generous heart, he drew to him all classes and conditions.
On Sunday last he preached to a crowded house from Mark 10: 35-37. His theme was prayer. He spoke of the spirit that should enter into prayer, of the forms of prayer, of the manner of prayer, and of God's methods of answering prayer, that the blessing sought often came in a manor least expected, and sometimes only through the crucible of affliction.
At night he preached from the text Matthew 15:28. He treated this text as an illustration offaith, humility, earnestness and importunity. Both these were preached with great power and beauty and tenderness, and some passages have seemed to be prophetic of the sad event that has since occurred. The congregations were charmed and many a moist eye testified of the effect produced ....... .
The whole town mourns. Hearts that were made glad by his presence in life, and were charmed by his cordial spirit and tender sympathy are saddened to know that they shall look upon his face and hear his voice never again on earth. His last words from the pulpit was a request that congregation meet him at the church Wednesday night and many looked forward to the occasion in pleasing anticipation of joining at that time in his service of prayer.
When Wednesday night came his friends were gathered in sorrow and tears about his dead body. The appointed service of prayer had to him become a service of praise with the glorified around the great white throne.
We fail to comprehend the Providence that has taken him away just as a fresh career of so much usefulness was opening before him. But we know that his life was in the hands of one who is supremely wise and good, whose ways are not as our ways and whose thoughts are not as our thought, and so we bow in sorrowful submission in this dispensation of the infinite Father, not doubting that when we come to the knowledge of his purpose we shall see and understand the wisdom that has thus stricken and bereaved us.The funeral took place from the Methodist Church at 3:30 o'clock, on Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. A. Cunninggim, presiding elder, assisted by other ministers. (Rev. Dr. Reid and Rev. J. N. Cole)
The church was full to overflowing by all classes of our citizens to attend the last rites over the body of the noble man and minister. The crowd was noted not only for its size but the depth of sorrow which pervaded the large assembly. The pulpit and chancel was appropriately draped in emblems of mourning with the three links of Odd Fellowship properly inserted.
Oxford Lodge l.O.O.F. and the Granville Grays were in the funeral cortege.
The remains were consigned to the tomb in Elmwood Cemetery (Oxford, NC) in the presence of the immense concourse of people, the burial service of Odd Fellows being rendered. (Footnote 4)
Dr. Cordon's tombstone was especially appropriate for a man of his dedication to the word of God. An open Bible laid upon a lectern was chosen to mark his burial spot in Elmwood Cemetery, Oxford, NC.
After Dr. Cordon's death, his widow and children were allowed to continue to live in the parsonage for six months. The Methodist Conference gave his family $46.89 and $1.69 in 1893 and $100.00 and $1.69 per year for 1894-1897. John Stedman, a owner of the local drug store, a pharmacist, unmarried, 39 years of age, and a Presbyterian, befriended the family and on July 3, 1893, married Laura Cordon, the 18 year old daughter of Dr. Cordon. He also provided the burial plot for Rev. Cordon.
The North Carolina Archives lists the estate of James H. Cordon, November, 1893:
Mattie Fowle Telfair Cordon moved into the Marsh-Telfair House with her mother Sarah Anna Fowle Telfair, the widow of Dr. Thomas Telfair and daughter of Samuel Richardson Fowle. The house is located at 410 Water Street, Washington, Beaufort County, North Carolina.
Martha Fowle Telfair "Mattie" Cordon lived there and raised her children, with the help of family and community. She worked with Young Women at the Church and later the Bright Jewels Children Missionary Sociely. Mattie died in Salisbury, North Carolina, while visiting her daughter, May 28, 1917, and was buried in the Oakdale Cemetery in Washington, Beaufort County, North Carolina.
The family honors the memory of Dr. James Henry Cordon by naming descendants his name in
loving memory of him.
James Henry Cordon is the father to Laura Telfair Cordon, who is our second great grandmother.
Rev. James Henry Cordon, D.D.
(1851-1893)
James Henry Cordon descends from Rev. Haute Wyatt (son of George Wyatt and Lady Jane Finch) who matriculated at Queen College, Oxford, October 25,1611, aged 17, and was a student at Gray's Inn. He was later ordained a Priest in the Church of England. Wyatt came to Jamestown, Virginia, in 1621 with his brother Gov. Francis Wyatt to serve as minister for the Church of England. Cordon descends from Rev. Wyatt as follows:
- Rev. Haute Wyatt m. 2nd Anne Coxe
- Son John Wyatt m. Jane Osborne
- Son John Wyatt, Jr. m. Anne Jones
- Daughter Ann Wyatt m. John Stafford
- Daughter Dinah Stafford m. William Cording
- Son William Cording m. Mary E. Satchwell
- Son William Sylvester Cordon m. Nancy Satchwell
- Son Dr. Rev. James Henry Cordon m. Martha Fowle Telfair
- Laura S. Cordon, born 1842, married Henry F. Price;
- James Henry Cordon, born 1851, married Martha Fowle Telfair.
James Henry Cordon was born in Washington, Beaufort County, North Carolina, July 9, 1851, where grew up. In August 1866, at the age of fifteen, he enrolled in the Bingham School at Mebaneville, Orange County, North Carolina. This was a classical school for boys with Colonel William Bingham as superintendent. The school used a military organization as it was found to be conducive to discipline, health, and scholarship. No attempt was made to make soldiers of the students. The "object is to train boys to think for themselves; to give them that mental culture and discipline which would enable them to master any subject to which they may apply themselves; to confirm them to habits of patient, persevering application, which alone render intellectual capacity available for success in life.
Facts are valuable only as they furnish material for thought; and are deemed worse than useless to cram the mind in early youth with a mass of undigested facts, which, like undigested food in the stomach, are not appropriated, and induce only weakness and disease ........ and, as any system of instruction is extremely defective which cultivates the intellect to the neglect of the moral character, it is our constant aim to educate the hearts and consciences of our pupils." Tuition was $380 per year. (Footnote 1)
James Henry Cordon attended the Bingham School for five years, including a year of post-graduate studies. He graduated in May, 1871. The course of studies included Algebra, Geometry (Plain and Solid), Trigonometry, including Navigation and Surveying, Analytical Geometry, Descriptive Geometry, Differential and Integral Calculus, Latin including Grammar and Prose Composition, Greek, French, and English Literature.
Discipline was no problem at the Bingham School. Everyone with more than a certain number of demerits within a week was imprisoned in a guard house all day on Monday, which was the weekly holiday, instead of Saturday as was the custom at most schools. The ten guard houses were about four feet wide by five feet long with a "cowcatcher extension" at one end to accommodate the feet if one chose to lie down. Entering just after breakfast, the student received his midday meal on a tray and was released just in time for supper. Often there were more culprits than guard houses, so, for some there was the alternative punishment, a vigorous beating with a leather strap by the Colonel himself.
No boy was ever beaten against his will. He was always permitted to do his tum in the guard house when one became available on a Monday. There was no secrecy about the Whipping. It was tradition that no disgrace was attached to the "lickin", it was simply a price that was paid for excessive neglect of the rules for idleness, for lack of cleanliness of room or person and so on. Though the rules forbade fighting, if enmity between two boys reached a boiling point, Colonel Bingham sanctioned a fight in the presence of him and the student body, but only after he had failed to get the boys to settle their differences without one. (Footnote 2)
After graduation from the Bingham School, James Henry Cordon went back home to Washington, NC. In 1872 he was elected Register of Deeds, for Beaufort County, NC. He served two years in that capacity, during which time he studied law under the Honorable Edwin G. Reade, who was then a Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. Mr. Cordon was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in
1874.
On November 19, 1872, James Henry Cordon married Martha Fowle "Mattie" Telfair, the daughter of Dr. Thomas Telfair and Sarah Anna Richardson Fowle Telfair, a Presbyterian. Mattie Telfair was the niece of Governor Daniel Gould Fowle, a graduate ofthe Bingham School.
To James and Mattie Cordon were born ten children, of whom five survived:
- Mary Stuart Cordon, born November 21,1873, married August 9. 1892, Thomas Adkinson Davis. The marriage was performed by Rev. James Henry Cordon, D.D., father of the bride, in Wilson, North Carolina.
- Laura Telfair Cordon, born June 27, 1875, married July 3 1893, John PorterfieldStedman of Oxford, North Carolina.
- Etta Fulford Cordon, born February 23,1882, married October 10, 1905 to David Miller Carter of Washington, North Carolina.
- Nancy Telfair Cordon, born January 18, 1885, married November 21, 1906, to John Percy Grimes of Salisbury, North Carolina.
- James Henry Cordon, Jr., born September 291889, married December 7, 1911, to Bettie Louise London of Pittsboro, North Carolina.
After passing the North Carolina Bar in 1874, James Henry Cordon practiced law in Washington, North Carolina. He moved to Statesville, North Carolina in 1877 to continue his law practice. "During this period Mr. Cordon became greatly interested in the subject of religion, and uniting with a highly moral character, a
conscientious purpose to discharge all duties, his convictions let him to long for a closer walk with the Saviour. With warm religious fervor he undertook the work in life whereunto he was called, and abandoning his law practice. He joined the North Carolina Conference of the M.E. Church, South in 1877". (Footnote 3)
Reverend James Henry Cordon served the following appointments:
- 1878, 1879, 1880 Mattamuskeet Circuit. During this time he was ordained a deacon at Winston in 1879, and two years later he was ordained an elder. Cordon was proud of his horse which was stolen in Hyde County by a negro who had escaped from jail. The horse got mired in Kilkenay Marsh. Cordon rescued his horse.
- 1881, 1882, 1883, 1884 South Edgecombe Circuit, Toisnott, NC, (present day Elm City, NC.)
- 1885,1886 Statesville Station (Salary $800/ Year in 1885)
- 1887, 1888 Wilson Station
- 1889, 1890, 1891 Edenton Street Station, Raleigh, NC; (the leading church in the conference). The congregation numbered 730, and Rev. Cordon most faithfully, and acceptably served the large congregation who accorded him unbounded affection and esteem. (Footnote 4)
- 1892 Wilson Station
- 1893 Oxford Station
The motion was adopted and the following brothern were appointed; G. W. Wynne, L. A Partin, Jos. G. Brown, W. S. Waitt, and W. J. Young. Dr. J. W. McGee moved that the Treas. Be authorized to expend twenty five dollars in the purchase of provisions for the use of the Pastor & family; motion carried. The Board met again on Wed., December 26, I 888.Pastor Rev. J. H. Cordon met with the Board, this being his first official meeting.
In 1889, the Reverend Cordon was elected Trustee of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In May 1890, he was awarded the Doctor of Divinity Degree by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in recognition of his "eminence in his profession and his purity of life." (Footnote 5)
Dr. Cordon was a member of the International Order of Odd Fellows. He was Grand Master of the L.O.O.F. for the State of North Carolina from May 1888, to May 1889, and was elected Grand Representative of the Sovereign Grand Lodge in 1890. He held that office until his death. He also belonged to the William G. Hill Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and to the Raleigh chapter of the Royal Arch Masons.
Mary Stuart Cordon, oldest daughter of Dr. Cordon and Mattie Cordon, attended Peace College 1888-1889 and 1889-1890 where she studied latin, french and drawing (art). Laura Cordon attended Peace College in 1889-1890 and 1890-1891 where she studied latin, french and music (voice).
Dr. Cordon and family moved to Oxford, NC, in January 1893. The following are quotes from the Oxford Public Ledger dated:
- January 13, 1893: Our whole community, irrespective of creed, is to be congratulated upon having among us that distinguished and scholarly Divine, the Rev. J. H. Cordon, D.D.
- While every corpuscle of blood which flows in the Doctor's veins bears the stamp of Methodism upon it, it may be truly said that he is a gentleman of broad and liberal views by nature as well as education and scorns the fetters of sectarianism and bigotry as weights which beset the minister who is earnestly striving to fraternize the world and win it for the Master.
- Imposing in presence, genial in disposition, earnest in his work, his heart melting in sympathy with the suffering and his whole nature going out in pity for those who are still in spiritual darkness; it does not require that the cloak of inspiration should rest upon him who prophesies that our people will early recognize in him the well rounded man, the ripe scholar, the eloquent preacher and the whole souled neighbor and friend whose presence is sunshine and whose counsels are radiant. Dr. Cordon is about forty- two years of age ...
- To each of the charges he has served has proved eminently acceptable, and has easily risen to position of distinguished prominence among his ministerial brethem. The fact that he is ex-Graod Representative of the Graod Lodge of Odd Fellows of the State to the Sovereign Graod Lodge evidences the esteem in which he is held by the order. This able divine preached two very excellent sermons on Sunday morning aod night, to large aod appreciative congregations.
January 29, 1893; There was quite a good congregation at the Methodist Church Sunday. Dr. Cordon discussed Faith with much warmth and vigor. He cited many things to prove that it was the bulwark of our religion. The offertory by Miss Cordon was well rendered. She has a sweet voice and is quite an addition to the Choir.
February 10, 1893: At the Methodist Church on Sunday after the sermon Dr. Cordon stated that the assessed portion of missionary debt of the Church was $56.00, and asked the congregation to cancel the debt, which they promptly did. The collection amounted to $60.00. Dr. Cordon, Chaplain to the Granville Grays, will preach a sermon on Sunday morning next to these gallant young gentlemen. It seems that the State Guard are great friends to Dr. Cordon, as he has been Chaplain to every company in the town which he has been stationed since the organization of the State Guard.
February 17, 1893; Dr. Cordon, pastor of the Methodist Church, on Monday while unpacking some books stepped on a wire nail going through his shoe and into his foot. We are glad to know that the Dr. is getting along all right.
February 27,1893; Death ofJ. H. Cordon, D.D. An able Minister of The N.C. Conference Gathered to His Reward. Rev. James H. Cordon, D.D., died at his parsonage home in this place (Oxford, NC) at 6 a. m., on Wednesday last (February 22,1893). About ten days before while engaged in unpacking a box of books he trod upon an upturned nail in the top of the box, which inflicted a painful, but not as he thought a serious wound. He was advised to take his bed until his foot should be free of pain. At first he gave but little heed to this advice and being greatly interested in his work was unwilling to be confined for so slight a cause.
On Friday he made a trip to Raleigh, returning the same day. Saturday he was on the street mingling cheerfully with his friends. Sunday he preached three times, morning and night at the church, and in the afternoon to the orphans at the Asylum. On Monday he was quite unwell. with uncomfortable nervous conditions accompanied with some muscular contractions. His symptoms awakened serious apprehensions. Physicians were called in. By Tuesday morning a well defined case of tetanus or lockjaw was developed. Frequent and distressing paroxysms followed through the day and night.
When his condition became generally known on Tuesday the whole community was moved with sympathy and alarm. Crowds of anxious friends were constantly calling, eager to learn of every new phase of his case and to render such assistance as they could. All that medical skill and warm affection could do, with nnremitting attention was done, but in vain. Death had set its seal upon him, and as the morning sun was clothing the East with purple and gold, his spirit departed to the light and glory of eternal day.
Dr. Cordon had taken a deep hold upon the affections of the people of Oxford. No man who has ever lived amongst us was more universally beloved. Old and young, white and colored, in the churches and out of the churches, all loved him. He was a man of wonderful personal magnetism. With a big brain and a warm, affectionate and generous heart, he drew to him all classes and conditions.
On Sunday last he preached to a crowded house from Mark 10: 35-37. His theme was prayer. He spoke of the spirit that should enter into prayer, of the forms of prayer, of the manner of prayer, and of God's methods of answering prayer, that the blessing sought often came in a manor least expected, and sometimes only through the crucible of affliction.
At night he preached from the text Matthew 15:28. He treated this text as an illustration offaith, humility, earnestness and importunity. Both these were preached with great power and beauty and tenderness, and some passages have seemed to be prophetic of the sad event that has since occurred. The congregations were charmed and many a moist eye testified of the effect produced ....... .
The whole town mourns. Hearts that were made glad by his presence in life, and were charmed by his cordial spirit and tender sympathy are saddened to know that they shall look upon his face and hear his voice never again on earth. His last words from the pulpit was a request that congregation meet him at the church Wednesday night and many looked forward to the occasion in pleasing anticipation of joining at that time in his service of prayer.
When Wednesday night came his friends were gathered in sorrow and tears about his dead body. The appointed service of prayer had to him become a service of praise with the glorified around the great white throne.
We fail to comprehend the Providence that has taken him away just as a fresh career of so much usefulness was opening before him. But we know that his life was in the hands of one who is supremely wise and good, whose ways are not as our ways and whose thoughts are not as our thought, and so we bow in sorrowful submission in this dispensation of the infinite Father, not doubting that when we come to the knowledge of his purpose we shall see and understand the wisdom that has thus stricken and bereaved us.The funeral took place from the Methodist Church at 3:30 o'clock, on Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. A. Cunninggim, presiding elder, assisted by other ministers. (Rev. Dr. Reid and Rev. J. N. Cole)
The church was full to overflowing by all classes of our citizens to attend the last rites over the body of the noble man and minister. The crowd was noted not only for its size but the depth of sorrow which pervaded the large assembly. The pulpit and chancel was appropriately draped in emblems of mourning with the three links of Odd Fellowship properly inserted.
Oxford Lodge l.O.O.F. and the Granville Grays were in the funeral cortege.
The remains were consigned to the tomb in Elmwood Cemetery (Oxford, NC) in the presence of the immense concourse of people, the burial service of Odd Fellows being rendered. (Footnote 4)
Dr. Cordon's tombstone was especially appropriate for a man of his dedication to the word of God. An open Bible laid upon a lectern was chosen to mark his burial spot in Elmwood Cemetery, Oxford, NC.
After Dr. Cordon's death, his widow and children were allowed to continue to live in the parsonage for six months. The Methodist Conference gave his family $46.89 and $1.69 in 1893 and $100.00 and $1.69 per year for 1894-1897. John Stedman, a owner of the local drug store, a pharmacist, unmarried, 39 years of age, and a Presbyterian, befriended the family and on July 3, 1893, married Laura Cordon, the 18 year old daughter of Dr. Cordon. He also provided the burial plot for Rev. Cordon.
The North Carolina Archives lists the estate of James H. Cordon, November, 1893:
- S. F. Telfair, Guardian of Etta Cordon, 12 years of age
- Nannie Cordon, 9 years of age
- James Cordon, 6 years of age who reside in Washington, Beaufort County, North Carolina with their mother, (Martha Fowle "Mattie" Telfair Cordon) who is of limited means and unable to give the children sucheducational advantages, proper clothing, and support as they require. The entire estate amounts to $1888.00 derived from an insurance policy upon the life of James H. Cordon, the father. Interest is not sufficient to meet the needs and requests permission to be allowed to spend $300.00, one hundred each from the principal sum on December 26, 1893. Sum to be paid to Mattie F. Cordon, the mother, as needed. (Footnote 6)
Mattie Fowle Telfair Cordon moved into the Marsh-Telfair House with her mother Sarah Anna Fowle Telfair, the widow of Dr. Thomas Telfair and daughter of Samuel Richardson Fowle. The house is located at 410 Water Street, Washington, Beaufort County, North Carolina.
Martha Fowle Telfair "Mattie" Cordon lived there and raised her children, with the help of family and community. She worked with Young Women at the Church and later the Bright Jewels Children Missionary Sociely. Mattie died in Salisbury, North Carolina, while visiting her daughter, May 28, 1917, and was buried in the Oakdale Cemetery in Washington, Beaufort County, North Carolina.
The family honors the memory of Dr. James Henry Cordon by naming descendants his name in
loving memory of him.
- Footnote 1: A Catalogue of the Bingham School, for the sessions of 1868,1869, &1870, Post Office, Mebaneville, N. C.; Wilmington, N.C. the Morning Star PowerPresses,1870.
- Footnote 2: The State Magazine, (North Carolina) March 1986
- Footnote 3: Cyclopedia of Eminent and Representative Men of the Carolinas; Vol 2,NC, Page 380-381.
- Footnote 4: Oxford Public Ledger (North Carolina), January 13, 1893.
- Footnote 5: University Magazine 1889-90 (University of North Carolina at ChapelHill) Commencement of 1890, page 343.
- Footnote 6: North Carolina Archives, Estate of James Henry Cordon, November, 1893
Friday, May 4, 2012
Edwin Ayers letter to Laura Stedman, June 28, 1917
Washington, N.C.
June 28, 1917
Dear-heart
Just feel so
good this morning that I hardly know what to do with myself, can't stay still
one minute. Am just waiting for night to come, because I feel that I am going
to be with you.
New since I know you are going to
write me, I wonder if it is going to be a real long sweet letter or is it going
to be part lecture? Don't lecture to me dear, I am going to be better, we both
have agreed not to give it anther though.
Just bet you
go to see Josephine at diner time. Bet you both have something on hand. Well
you are a foolish little girl if you love me, and then let Josephine make
another match for you. I hope that is not her intentions, you would tell me if that
were the case? Well I'll just wait patiently and see. So if you love me a whole
lots remember and don't fall in love with no one else. Hear.
I am going
to find out about to-night and phone you. If I can't go to-night we will some
ether time. I want you to meet this girl, you will find her nice, and as for me
falling in love with her that is all out of the question, and you will win your
$10.00, from Laura. You know who I love and how much I love to, Dear lets don’t
give that another thought, and when she sees how much I am in love with you, she
would not have us separate for anything. Know that is my honest confession.
Now you
think of some of the things you tell me. Here are some of them. Gee I'll be
glad when next month comes. All the soldiers are in camp at Fayetteville and
Frances Is there, Frederic is there, Roy is there, Joe is there and some sixteen
others that I cant call their names. Believe I'll stay about two month or I may
never come back, you say I don’t care, that I am going to forget you any way
when you leave. I don't say much, but believe me I think a whole lots. I know
just as well as you, that you don’t mean those things well you may when it
comes to seeing the boys, but the others, so for that reason, don, don’t do it again,
it just all-upsets me. You want to know why I don’t 1ove to have you tell me
these things. Well because I love you I want you. I am jealous to a certain
extent over you. I don’t want you to love any body else or even have me believe
you do. I want every speck of your love for myself. To have and hold forever.
Do what ever you want to, to have a good time, go with any body--any where, as
for that is concerned, but don’t fall in love with any body else, or don’t let
any body come between us. Promise me that to-night.
The little
ducks have begun to hatch now, the cutest little thing you ever want to see,
just as soon as they take one out of the Incubator I am going to bring him or her
to you. Try your hand and see if you can’t raise him. Think of that good duck
diner when he gets grown. Do you suppose we will have duck fits after eating him?
You may give him a name, what do you to name him?
Will be so glad
when diner time comes, I want your letter. I wonder what you had to tell me and
to-night, Will you tell me what I want you to. That you are not going back home
to stay. That you do love me and nobody else and that it is always going to be
so and then you will prove it how? My darling sweet-heart you know who I love.
You know how devoted I am to you, so don’t tell me things to discourage me like
going back home to see some of your old sweethearts.
Be my sweetheart
and love me just as much as I love you. Let it be that way, now, to-morrow and
so on forever. With a heart full of love, to the one I hold so dearly and
respect, honor and love, I am with or with out your content, your devoted sweetheart.
Edwin Ayers at Seaboard Station, 1930s
Edwin Ayers is in the middle of the photograph with a white shirt and his hand on his hat. I believe this could be Raleigh's Seaboard Station or the Atlantic Coastline Railroad Depot in Washington, NC around 1930.
Thursday, May 3, 2012
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