Photo Booth Picture of Edwin and Margaret Ayers

Margaret Ayers with her father

Celebrate Golden Wedding Year

Celebrate Golden Wedding Year


Mr. and Mrs. Edwin White Ayers were honored at a reception commemoration their fiftieth wedding anniversary on Sunday, November 5, in the Fellowship hall of teh First Presbyterian church. Hosting the event were their sons and daughters:
Mr. and Mrs. Edwin W. Ayers, Jr., St. Pauls;
Mr. and Mrs. John Lumberton,
Mr. and Mrs. Johnseph E. Davis and 
Mr. and Mrs.William A. White, Raleigh;
Mr. and Mrs. David T. Auers, Elizabethtown; and
Mr. and Mrs. James C. Ayers, Durham.

Receiving with Mr. and Mrs. Ayers and their children were Mrs. Edmund Buckman, maid of honor; Mrs. James Hackney who played the wedding music; and Mrs. James Samouce of Alexandria, Va., junior bridesmaid.

Mr. Ayers was Chief auditor of the Gasoline Tax division of the State Department of Revue in Raleigh until his retirement five years ago. Since that time they have resided at 740 West Main street, Washington. Mrs. Ayers before their marriage was Laura Cordon Stedman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Porterfield Stedman of Oxford.

Granville County Revisited, John and Laura Stedman

The bottom picture is from the Images of America, Granville County Revisited. This goat is showing all the horses around Oxford that he can be useful also. John Herndon follows John and Laura Stedman as the proud goat marches on. (Courtesy of Liz Falkner.)

Top picture: Bob Walker holds two of his horses on McClanahan Street in Oxford in 1905. (Courtesy of Nettie Dickerson.)

Ebenezer W. Ayers Deed Notes from Washington County, NC

Deed Ref 826/266

On February 12, 1884, in Book 56, Page 335, Beaufort County Registry, Seth Bridgman, and wife Mary Eliza Bridgman sold E.W. Ayers (Ebenezer Wilson Ayers) from Washington County Lots No. 79 and 82 of Bonners Newport, on the Southwest corner of Market and Fourth Streets, fronting 210 feet on Market Street, and 211 feet on Fourth Street. This lot was later reduced in size as E.W. Ayers sold a lot on the corner of Fourth and Market Streets, fronting 60 feet on Market Street and 210 feet on Fourth Street to Walter E. Jones and wife Helen R. Jones by deed dated July 12, 1886, as recorded in Book 63, Page 328, Beaufort County Registry. (Apparently, two houses now sit on this lot, one of which contains the office of Guy Wilson, Architect). The lot was further reduced when a sale was made (this was formerly the Tankard house, now owned by Bonner Hawkins and wife).

N Market St & W 4th St, 401 North Market St.

Washington, NC 27889

 [806/244 Deed Reference to other part of Ayers lots]

The Walter E. Jones referred to was an individual who once attempted to install a trolley in Washington and had Fourth Street torn up for some considerable length of time, perhaps two years, beginning at Harvey Street, but insufficient funds were raised, and the project failed. This was according to Ralph Hodges, Sr. Mr. Jones had seven daughters. They are listed as follows: Norma Floss, Latham Capart...

Notes: E.W. Ayers was a widely known merchant in this community who original came from Washington County. He operated successfully, for many years, the store beside Ayers home (formerly Cox's Shoe store more recently) on Main Street. The distinctive wall around the Ayers/Hackney home place at 326 N. Market Street is repeated at the Episcopal Church on Bonner Street and several other places. E.W. Ayers supposedly is responsible for building all of the types of walls. 

Fred Arthur (E.W. Ayers grandson) and Annie Mae Ayers (E.W. Ayers daughter in law at the BC Nursing home - Age 92) know much Ayers family history. 

The lot for the house was purchased in 1884. The ? lot was sold in 1886, sold suspect the house.

Ebenezer W. Ayers (b.February 26, 1849 d.November 7, 1931)

E.W.AYERS DIES SATURDAY AFTER SHORT ILLNESS
Former Merchant Had Been Confined To His Bed since November First
OUTSTANDING CITIZEN

Lived Life Of Usefulness For 83 Years. Name Ever Connected With Worthwhile Things.

After living a life of unusual usefulness for the past 83 years, a life filled with faith, love and charity. E.W. Ayers, one of Washington's best known and most highly esteemed citizens died at one o'clock today at his residence on North Market Street, after an illness of six days duration. 

In each community there are certain individuals who have so lived that their names are ever associated with all worth while things, and the name of E. W. Ayers will ever be remembered here in connection, with the First Methodist church of which he was a faithful member;  the love for his wife and children and his fellow man. His religion to him was a principle to be adhered to in each and every daily undertaking. It can truly, be said that a 'grand old man has passed unto his reward.

He was conscious during his entire illness and even the pastors of the city churches, who have ministered to him during the past week, holding periods of prayer each day, agree that his faith will ever be a benediction to them.

The deceased was born near Plymouth, N. C. in February, 1849, the son of the late David T. and Ada Evertt Ayers, the site of the old home place being used by Generals Hoke and Ran-om as their headquarters during the battle of Plymouth occurring during the Civil war.

He was active in the community life while a resident of Plymouth, becoming one of the leading citizens of that entire section serving as Sheriff of Washington county; chief of police and mayor of the town of Plymouth; and maintained there one of the leading mercantile establishments of the day which was established in 1869.

In 1870 he was married to Miss Everett,  of near Washington, N. C., who died within the year following Later, in August, of the year 1876 he was united in marriage to Jennette Baker Keith, of Plymouth, who father was a renowned surgeon actively taking part in the Civil a war. She too, preceded him in death,  in the year 1897. To this union were born all the children who survive him today.

Stopping- over in this city overnight in January, 1884, en route to Greensboro, N. C., to open a mercantile business there, Mr. Ayers was so favorably impressed with Washington that he decided to locate here, opening his first place of business in a small wooden structure located on the lot where the Harris Hardware Company's building stands today.

In the year 1890 the property just across the street was purchased and on it he erected the present brick building now standing, which was occupied by E. W. Ayers and Son1 from 1890 until the beginning of this year at which time the business was sold, and Mr. Ayers then retired from active business life, having been associated with the commercial interests of this town for the past 47 years. The store erected in 1890 was one of the first brick structures ever to be constructed here.

On November 15th, 1899, the deceased was married to Miss Louisa Ritch, of this city, and the devotion, manifested by this much  loved couple for the past 32 years has been an inspiration to all those who knew them. For the past eleven months, since Mr. Ayers retired from active business life, this happy couple have spent their entire time together interested in the things about their home.

No other  local citizen has been more closely associated with the civic and commercial life of this community than Mr. Ayers.  He served as chairman of the County' Board of Education for 22 years; served 40 years as a steward of the First Methodist church, and at the time of his death was one of the church  trustees. He was a Mason and also a member of the local order of Odd Fellows, and the last living original director of the Bank of Washington, having been notified of his appointment to fill this place in the year 1893, when the bank was established, being then in Jerusalem where he had gone for the purpose of making a tour of the Holy lands.

Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Louisa Ritch Ayers; three daughters: Mrs. John Arthur, Miss Will Clark, and Mrs. James Hackney;  two sons.  Fred Ayer and E. W. Ayers, Jr., of Raleigh. One sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Bell of Oklahoma and 14 grandchildren. Funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at three o'clock from the Methodist Church.

The Rev.  H. I. Glass. of the First Methodist  church, assisted by the Rev. J. H. McCracken will-officiate.

A complete list of the pallbearers were not arranged at press time but a partial list is as follows:

Active:—William Rumley. Millaws McKeel, Jr., Sam Mallison.,  J. T. Lew is, Frank Buckman and J. K. Hoyt.

Honorary—Entire Board of Stewards of First Methodist church, directors of the Bank of Washington.  Dr. D. T. Tayloe Sr.,  Dr. P. A. Nicholson, Dr. J. L. Nicholson, Dr. Claude McGowan, of Plymouth, A. M. Dumpy, Jesse B. Ross, George Leach, Hoyt  Moore, F. C. Kugler. W. B. Rodman, Jr., Howard Winfield, W. A. Blount, Sr.,  George Olds,  F. B. Justus, W. B. Harding, W. Z. Lackland, Wm.  Bragaw,  W. L. Vaughan, William Baugham, Henry Oden, J. M. Harrington.

Letter to Nattie T. Cordon, December 25th, 1897

December 25th, 1897

Mrs. Mattie T. Cordon

Mannie Cordon

Dear Cousin Mattie, 

This Christmas night is not we hoped and expected is it. I have thought of you and of Laura all day and the dear old times when we were all together that Thanksgiving day in Raleigh! This Christmas day must be to Laura such a glorious Thanks-giving. No more pain. No more sorrow- for her, but for us what a difference.

It seemed impossible to me to realize that our Laura can be anything but the brightest and liveliest and really she is not different. Tis only we who are sad this Christmas. You-Oh boy Matt. I'm so sorry for you. I know so well how you loved Laura and what reason you had to love her. What a help she was to you when you most needed her. I suffered her work must be exuded here. Maybe God wants her to sing for him.

I can't say anything to comfort you. There's nothing to say. Only I loved her too and I think of her and of you so often. We will ? make our visit together. ? I hope we will all meet some day and that will be so much nicer. I'm afraid with your nursing and ? you mush be worn out. Do take care of yourself. You have dear sweet children at home. Etta is much the Laura in many years and the dear child will help you all she can. I'm sure.

Kiss the dear little baby for me. I hope it will be live its mother. I can't write any more. Wanted you to know that I thought of you and love you.

Lovingly,
Julia Wiswall

Raleigh First Presbyterian Church 1950s prayer

Dr. Sprunt was the reverend at  First Presbyterian Church in Raleigh, NC. I believe this was written and read by Edwin White Ayers around Dec 1950/Jan 1951.

Laura Telfair Cordon

Laura Telfair Cordon
b.June 27 1875 in Fairfield, NC
d.Dec 22 1897 in Oxford, NC 

Married to John Porterfield Stedman in Oxford, NC 1892.
b. Feb 26, 1854 in Fayetteville, NC
d. April 19, 1914 in Oxford, NC

Oxford, NC Newspaper Sept. 25th, 1975

Oxford Ledger
Oxford, NC
September 25, 1975

 

AT TURN OF CENTURY - 

Bicycles and buggies - mostly the former - were popular modes of transportation here prior to turn of the century. This group of bike riders was photographed on the city's unpaved street in 1897. The Williams-Breedlove building at the corner of Main and Court Streets had not then been erected. The Odd Fellows building in the right background has since been erected as has the smaller white front building at the left. 

There was no Confederate monument in the street. This picture was published in Oxford Ledger about 1935 through courtesy of the last Postmaster W. Peace. At that time, identities of many of the riders was established. - Copy photo by Tom Johnson.

Edwin White Ayers at the Manlius School in 1911

Brief History of Manlius School

The Manlius School was founded in 1869 in Manlius, New York as the St. John's School by Bishop Frederic D. Huntington, of the Episcopal Diocese of Central New York. However, by 1880 attendance had fallen to the point where the school became insolvent. As a result, in 1881 it was reorganized as the St. John's Military School.

By 1887 the reorganized St. John's again found itself with enrollment and financial problems, and the trustees looked for someone who could not only turn the school around, but also assume all financial risks. This person was General William Verbeck, who at the time was the co-principal of a military academy in Aurora, NY. Starting off with approximately 18 returning students, he had raised enrollment to 120 within five years. By the time of his death in 1930, what was now known as The Manlius School had become one of the top military schools in the United States.

 Edwin White Ayers in middle, about 1911. Manlius, New York

 Edwin White Ayers, far left

Manlius School
Manlius, New York

Closing Exercises
Thursday, June 15, 1911

Butts' Manual 3:00 P.M.
Cavalry Drill 3:15 P.M.
Sham Battle 3:45 P.M.
Battalion Parade and Review 4:45 P.M.

E.W. Ayers NC General Assembly Invitation

The Governor of North Carolina and Mrs. Hoey request the pleasure of the company of Mr. and Mrs. E.W. Ayers at a reception on Thursday, the fifth of January from eight to ten o'clock

The General Assembly