The Lewis Devereux Giddens and Margaret Louisa Ireland Bible 1866 - Part 1: Births

The Family Record pages in this Giddens Bible contain genealogical gold for someone (like me) researching Giddens and related family. It belonged to Lewis and Margaret Giddens, who raised their family in Wayne County, North Carolina.  Lewis was a jeweler and the family genealogist. He was born in 1835 in Sampson County and married Margaret Louisa Ireland, also of Sampson County, in 1866. I am sure that Lewis and Margaret personally knew so much of the family I research.  

On these pages, I was especially happy to see a death date for John Giddens, my 4th great-grandfather, and birth dates for David Giddens and his wife, Sophia Britt. An added bonus was some named children of William Britt, another 4th great-grandfather. Some of the Britt children were not named including my 3rd great-grandmother Latisha Britt who was born in 1817. 

The Bible, published in 1866, contains four pages of vital statistics for the Giddens and related family. Births, along with other important facts, were found on the pages pictured in this post. 

This is my transcription of the two family record pages detailing births. Marriage and death records will be posted soon. 

FAMILY RECORD

BIRTHS

Page 1

Column 1

S.R. Ireland was born July 16th 1802. 

Father of M. L. Giddens 

Eliza Newton, wife of S. R. Ireland was born January 19th 1819. 

Mother of M. L. Giddens

David Giddens was born May 11th 1800

Sophia Britt wife of David Giddens was born July 16th 1811

John, father of David Giddens was born 1755. died October 21st 1802.

H.B. Giddens Born Dec 28th 1833 (Brother of LD Giddens)

William Britt Grandfather of LD Giddens was Borne Jan 19th 1779 was married in 1806 to Patience Bell

Sarah Bradshaw Daughter of William Britt Bornd October 23. 1806

Henry son of William Born Sept 5 1808

Sophia Daughter of William Born July 16 1811

James Britt                   "              "                 1812

Page 1

Column 2

Lewis Devereux Giddens Son of D & S Giddens was born Sept 9th 1835.

Margaret Louisa daughter of SR & E. Ireland was born Nov 22nd 1842.

Eliza Newton, daughter of L. D. & M. L. Giddens was born Jan. 29th 1867.

Died July 25 1946 Fayetteville

Samuel Ireland, son of L. D. & M. L. Giddens was born July 4th 1868. 

Charlie Henry Giddens son of L. D. & M.L. Giddens was born August 25th 1869. 

Fannie Victoria daughter of L. D. & M. L. Giddens was born January 7th 1871. 

Lewis son of L. D. & M. L. Giddens was born July 26th 1873

James Franklin son of L. D. & M. L. Giddens was born Aug 1st 1875

FAMILY RECORD

BIRTHS

Page 2

Column 1

Maggie L. Daughter of L. D. & M. L. Giddens Born Tues March 15th 11 o.clock 15 mins PM 1877

Ross [illegible but known by Ross I.] son of L. D. & M. L. Giddens was born Sept 26 1878

Willie son of L. D. and M. L. Giddens was born March 22, 1880

Mary Emma daughter of L. D. and M. L. Giddens was born Sept 24th Sat 1882

Josephine Ireland daughter of L. D. & M. L. Giddens was born July 23-1884 

Wesley son of L. D. and M. L. Giddens was born Sept. 26, 1885. [dead is written above the word born]

Merle Louise daughter of Eliza N. & R. E. Weaver - born, Nov 22 - 1894 - Goldsboro N.C.

Wayland Giddens, son of Fannie & J Wayland Jones born July 10, 1902 at Goldsboro, N. C. 

Page 2

Column 2

Margaret Virginia daughter of Margaret L. & Dr. M. L. Smoot born Jan 30, 1907, Spencer N. C. 

Marvin Le Roi Smoot Jr. son of Margaret L. & Dr. M. L. Smoot born July 16, 1908, Spencer, N C. 

James Ross Smoot  son of M. L. & M. L. Smoot born Dec. 25th 1913. Fayetteville North Carolina   Died Jan. 19 - 1915 - Goldsboro, NC

Irene Stanley Giddens daughter of Lewis D. Jr & Eva S. Giddens, born Norfolk, Va. July 4, 1900 : Died

Sara Louise Giddens daughter of Lewis D. Jr & Eva S. Giddens, born Elizabeth City, N. C. Jan - 21 - 1903

Lewis D III son of Lewis D. Jr & Eva S. Giddens born Goldsboro, N. C. Jan. 28, 1904

Margaret Ireland Giddens, daughter of Lewis D. Jr & Eva S. Giddens, born Wilson, N. C. Dec. 25, 1907.

Ralph Giddens, son of Lewis D. Jr & Eva S. Giddens born Jun 27, 1911 Wilson N. C.  Died (Killed) Palau Island, War 1941- 45. Oct 15, 1944

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page, where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2023 

Giddens Family Record pages from a Giddens Bible, scanned image, original scan from the privately-held collection of Kathryn Ryan, NC, 2023. Used with permission. 

Friday's Photo: Jennie Louise Giddens Britt

Jennie Louise Giddens was the daughter of Henry Benjamin Giddens and Martha Jane Vann of Clinton in Sampson County, North Carolina. 

Jennie married Mangum T. Britt on 22 April 1908 in Clinton. A detailed description of their wedding can be seen by clicking here. 

Jennie is pictured with her first child, Mangum Deleon Britt, born in 1909. She was born on 20 December 1884, making her about 25 years old in these photos. 

For family who might want to know our connection, Jennie's grandfather was David Giddens, brother of my 3rd great-grandfather, Mitchell Giddens. Mitchell was married to Latisha Britt, sister to Jennie's grandmother, Sophia Britt. And, it appears that Jennie's husband Mangum may descend from my Britt family as well. 

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page, where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2022 

Jennie Louise Giddens Britt with son, NC, photo, 1909; scanned images, from the privately-held collection of Gus Grubba, NC, 2022. 

grubba, "Jordans, Britts and beyond," public tree, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/tree/64204927?cfpid=44116712787&dtid=100 : accessed 27 October 2022). 

Friday's Photo: A Sampson County Family

The scans of the above photos were generously shared with me by a Giddens researcher whose family descends from Henry Benjamin Giddens and his wife, Margaret Jane Vann.[1]

Identified were Margaret Jane Vann and Henry Benjamin Giddens, seated on the far right. No other persons were identified. Confirming Margaret and Henry's identity was easy as their photos are attached to their shared cemetery stone.[2] 

The second photo indicates a family relationship. And, the manner of dress for young and old alike shows that this wasn't just any family gathering. I suspect a funeral. 

The group in the photo was thought to be a Giddens or Britt family of Sampson County, North Carolina, but Margaret Jane Vann's large family of Lisbon in Sampson County should not be ruled out as a likely candidate. Margaret Jane Vann was the daughter of Kedar Vann and Louisa Robinson, and according to Kedar Vann's obituary, Margaret had at least eight siblings.[3] 

Left - This man resembles a photo of Preston Stewart Vann. 

Right - This man resembles a photo of Dallas Herring.

Investigation of Margaret's siblings led to the possible identification of two men seen in both photos. Photos of Preston Stewart Vann, Margaret's younger brother, and Dallas Herring, husband of Margaret's sister, Mary, were found by searching Ancestry.com's All Public Member Photos & Scanned Documents. These found photos strongly resemble the two men pictured above. I do not have permission to post the images found at Ancestry, but source number four below this post contains links accessible to those with memberships.[4] 

The young women's clothing and hairstyles date the photo to just after 1900.[5] 

If I am correct in the identification of Dallas Herring, the photo would have to have been taken before his death date of 20 December 1910. If my identification of Dallas Herring is not correct, we know that the last possible date for the photo would be Margaret Vann Giddens' death date of 5 September 1918.[6] 

I have enlarged and cropped portions of the larger photo for better viewing and identification. If you have this photo or can identify others in the image, please contact me by commenting on this page or through my Facebook page. 

Gathering Giddens: David Giddens and Sophia Britt of Wayne and Sampson Counties in North Carolina

David Giddens was still considered a minor on 21 November 1815.[1]

David was the son of John Giddens and probably John's wife, the said to be Sarah Taylor.[2] In a family history found in The Heritage of Wayne County, North Carolina 1982, it is stated that David was the fifth son, born in 1780; however, David was a minor when his father died in 1802, and census records are consistent with a birth year of about 1800. The family history was correct in naming him the fifth son as he was preceded by Isaac, John, Abraham, and Jacob, and followed by the youngest, Mitchell.[3] 

These receipts, to Needham Stevens and J. L. Clifton, were signed by David Giddens in 1836
and 1838. They were found in the John L. Clifton Papers, 1784 (1830-1889) 1916.[4]

Land transactions and census records indicate that David spent his entire life in Wayne County or Sampson County. The first land transaction found naming David was in 1823. Asher Flowers sold land to David Giddens located on Jethro's Marsh Branch and described as land received by Abraham Giddens, David's brother, in the division of their father's land. One stipulation in the deed was that Jesse Flowers and his wife be allowed to live in their home on the land for the duration of their lives. Jesse's wife was the widow of John Giddens, probably David's mother.[5] 

David was reported to be a farmer in the 1850 and 1860 census records.[6] He is said to have married Sophia Britt. No date or documentation has been found of this marriage, but their first known child, Henry Benjamin Giddens, was born in 1833, and the death certificate of their son, Lewis D. Giddens, states that his parents were David Giddens and Sophia Britt.[7] 

Found in the Daily Journal, 14 Feb 1867 at
Newspapers.com[8]

Found in the Goldsboro Messinger 25, Jun 1877 at

Newspapers.com[9]

The last found record naming David Giddens was a land purchase on 28 December 1865.[10] Only Sophia was found in the 1870 census.[11] The article above could easily be David Giddens as his age and the time of his suspected death match. Although not documented, many Public Trees at Ancestry.com give a death date for David Giddens as 4 February 1867.[12] Sophia died in 1877 at the home of her daughter, Patience Best.[13] The burial place for David and Sophia Giddens is unknown. 

This letter, written by Dr. John Tomline Walsh to John L. Clifton of Sampson County in 1855, was in regard to subscriptions for Dr. Walsh's publication, Christian Friends. David "Giddings" was named as a subscriber.[14]

Friday's Photo: Connections to my Giddens and Bryan Families - Joseph W. McMichael and Willie Marie Bryan

Joseph Walker McMichael and Willie Marie Bryan, ca. 1940 [1]

Yesterday, I posted the obituary of Joseph Walker McMichael.[2] I wanted to add a photo, but checked my digital files and did not find one. It wasn't until after I posted the obituary that I thought to look in my paper files. Julia McMichael Brittain (1942-2018) sent me copies of the above photo and much more in 1999.[3] 

This chart shows the relationship between Willie Marie

and my family. Julia, Willie Marie's grandaughter, was 

my third cousin-once-removed on my father's Bryan

side of the family. [5]

I knew how Willie Marie was connected to my Bryan family; however, until this morning, I had completely forgotten that Joseph Walker McMichael was connected to my Giddens family. 

Julia was my first source of information for both my Giddens and Bryan families when I began my research. She answered my genealogical query on the old Genforum in 1998 after my mother asked me to try to find something on my "new Internet" about her Giddens family. [4] Julia responded and sent me a large envelope containing an indexed descendants report of my Giddens family. 

George Lullen Giddens, a Merchant from North Carolina

According to his Confederate service record, George Lullen Giddens was tall (6'1/2"), earned his living as a merchant, and was born in Wayne County, North Carolina. 

George was born on September 12, 1840.  His parents were Mitchell Giddens and Letisha Britt. The 1840 census places the Mitchell Giddens family as living in the Buck Swamp District of Wayne County. Mitchell was a shoemaker and the son of John Giddens and his wife, Sally. Letisha was the daughter of William C. Britt and Patience Bell. 

In 1850, the Giddens family was living in Duplin County and it was reported that on December 18, 1852, Mitchell Giddens, father of George, died. His burial place is currently unknown. George had siblings John William, Sarah Jane, James Thomas, Patience Elizabeth, Henry Clay, David Crockett, Mary Susan, Bryant Rustus (also seen as Rustus Westly), and Sophia Alice. 

Was Louis D. Giddens' Genealogy Research Preserved?

Charles A. Giddens
1865-1958
Charles was born in Giddensville, 
graduated from Jonesboro High School, 
worked as a postmaster in Giddensville, 
worked as a milkman in NYC, 
and owned stores in Crew VA, 
Phillipsburg NJ, and St. Louis MO. 
Before he retired to Sedalia MO, he
purchased and ran a hotel in Edinburg TX. 

The letter below is a transcription of a letter written in 1952 by my great-grandfather, Charles Allen Giddens. The letter was written to his half-sister, Lena Letisha Giddens Byrd who was looking for family information. The letter was dated June 7, 1952. Lina passed away on August 20 of that same year. 

In the letter, Charles mentions talking to Louis Giddens of Goldsboro, North Carolina several years prior to this letter.  Louis's hobby was genealogy.  

On page 243 of The Heritage of Wayne County, North Carolina, Arthur Fountain Smoot wrote about the Giddens family. His sources were L. D. Giddens Sr.'s diaries, L. D. Giddens family Bible, Goldsboro newspapers and personal interviews. 

Louis D. Giddens, Sr. died in 1909. Where can I find Louis Giddens' Bible, diaries, and other research? 

June 7- 52

Dear Lina your letter of 1 / 2 received    Glad to hear from you and to learn where your Fla residence is located.  My son Charles lives at Hollywood Fla which is not far from your place.  We were down to see him and Louise his wife in 1946. That was before we left St. Louis for Tex.  We were in Florida in 1928 and in 1939 and covered both east and west Fla, but in 46 we went by Deland , Sanford, Orlando Kissin then Okeechobie then around the lake.  Then on down to Hollywood.  We had quite a trip.  Geneology or family tree you wrote about I know a little which I learned from Louis Giddens of Goldsboro several years ago I knew nothing until he mentioned it to me that was his hobby.  The first known to come to this country were from Wales and they came over with lord Baltimore and landed in Baltimore, Md.  One of them drifted down to N.C. Wayne County and married a Miss Taylor I think her first name was Mary.  The next I know anything about was our grandfather Mitchell and his brother which was Louis Giddens' father both married sisters whos names was Britts.  Our grandmother was Laticha or something like that.  This is where you branch off and drop all except the Mitchell branch.  I was born Nov 22nd1865 at Giddensville Sampson Co NC You can get sisters history from Hugh and Pearl she was about two years younger than I.  My children are all dead but two Charles and Edith I do not know where Edith is Charles may be able to tell you if you write him his address is Hollywood Box 1042 Fla. Lucy my first wife was borned in Vermont and about three months younger than I, her last name was Glenn. Our great-grandfather was married when he was quite old and had two sons George Britt one of the boys used to visit us at Giddensville and we went to dances together around the Holliday.  He was about three or four years older than I was, he was a good sport.  Let me hear from you often and come to see us sometime.                           Love and best wishes                                Charles and Stella Giddens                                2005 E. Broadway Sedalia, MO. Charles A. Giddens wrote, "The first known to come to this country were from Wales and they came over with lord Baltimore and landed in Baltimore, Md.  One of them drifted down to N.C. Wayne County and married a Miss Taylor I think her first name was Mary.  The next I know anything about was our grandfather Mitchell and his brother which was Louis Giddens' father both married sisters whos names was Britts." My great-grandfather's story is similar to the one found in The Heritage of Wayne County, North Carolina (1982). Arthur Fountain Smoot wrote, "John Giddens was born in Maryland in 1755 and moved to Dobbs County in 1770 where he married Sarah Taylor."   My research shows that John fought in the American Revolution and received land in Wayne and Duplin Counties. At the time of his death in 1802, John lived in Wayne County. He and his wife had eight children. As described in the letter, two sons married Britt sisters. David married Sophia Britt and Mitchell married Letisha Britt. Louis D. Giddens was the son of David and Charles Giddens was the grandson of Mitchell.  Information about others mentioned in the letter can be found below.  Charles Allen Giddens was the son of Luellen Bradshaw and George L. Giddens and was born in Giddensville, Sampson County, North Carolina. His first wife was Mary Lucy Glynn and his second wife,  Estella Moyer Rosenberger. He mentioned his grandfather, Mitchell Giddens who was married to Letisha Britt (George Britt was her half-brother). Edith Giddens Davis Charles William Giddens His son, Charles William Giddens was living in Hollywood, Florida with his wife, Louise.  His daughter (and my grandmother), Edith Giddens Davis, was living in New York at the time he wrote the letter. Charles mentioned his nephew, Hugh, son of Frances "Frankie" Giddens and Warren Harper. Hugh and his wife, Pearl, lived in Texas.

If you want to know more about the families I research, click here to like my Facebook page where you will see each post and other genealogical finds. 

Diana

© 2019

Sources

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn

“The Heritage of Wayne County, North Carolina, 1982: Wayne County Heritage Book Committee: Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming: Internet Archive.” https://archive.org/details/WayneCountyHeritageFamilyHistories/page/n249. Accessed 6 Apr. 2019.

#52ancestors Post Forty-Eight: Next to Last - Bryant Rustus Giddens

This photo was taken between 1910 and 1918. If Mildred and Albert were already married when this photo was taken, the photo would have been taken after the marriage of the
Northcutts in 1917 and prior to the death of Cleo Patra Giddens O'Cain in 1918.
Click on the photos to see a larger version. 

The writing prompt for #52ancestors, post-forty-eight is next to last. Bryant Rustus Giddens was the next to last child of Mitchell Giddens and Letisha Britt of the North Carolina. Bryant Rustus Giddens was probably born in Duplin County. According to Bible records, he was born on September 2, 1851. His father was living in Duplin County when recorded in the 1850 census and appeared to remain in Duplin until at least November 1852. 

#52ancestors Post Thirty-Six: Mitchell Giddens was a Shoemaker

August 4, 1834 - Sale of shoes, by Mitchell Giddens, as well as patching, mending,
and adding soles to shoes for Jesse Oates. This was found with other receipts
paid by the administrator of Jesse Oates' estate.

This week's writing prompt for #52ancestors is work.  I choose to write about Mitchell Giddens as one of the few documented facts about Mitchell is his occupation of shoemaker. 

December 25, 1833 - Sale of shoes, by Mitchell Giddens, as well as patching, mending,
and adding soles to shoes for John L. Clifton. 

According to a handwritten record from another family member's research, Mitchell was born on October 12, 1802, and died on December 18, 1852.  Dates for other family members have been accurate so I can only assume this is correct. I suspect these dates were copied from a Bible, but I may never know. 

Sunday's Obituary: James Thomas Giddens

The obituary for James Thomas Giddens, brother to my great-great grandfather, George Lullen Giddens. He was the son of Mitchell Giddens and Letisha Britt of Sampson County, North Carolina.

J. T. Giddens, of Durham

Correspondence of The Observer

Durham, Aug. 19 – Mr. J. T. Giddens, for more than fifteen years clerk of the city market, died suddenly last night between 9 and 10 o’clock at his home on West Main street. Heart trouble was the cause of his sudden end. Mr. Giddens was as well as usual prior to his death. He went home from the market in his usual good humor and cheerfulness.  He at a hearty supper and sat on the front porch with his wife until nearly 9:30.  A few minutes later he was taken with a violent coughing spell and complained that he could not breathe.  He went to the porch again and sat in a chair. Ten minutes later he was a corpse. 

Mr. Giddens was about 70 years of age and came to Durham from Sampson county little more than 20 years ago. Soon after coming here he was appointed market clerk and during the many upheavls and changes in officers he held his position.  He was married twice, his first wife being Mrs. Frances Turner. Of this union there are eight living children, two sons (one in Florida and the other in Georgia) and six daughters. Two of the daughters reside here. His second wife was Miss Mattie Nichols, who survives him.  He has three brothers – George Giddens, of Dunn; Henry Giddens, of Sampson County, and R. Giddens, of Arkansas. Also one sister, Mrs. Sallie Bradsher {Bradshaw}, of Dunn, survives. The funeral and burial took place this afternoon, the funeral service being conducted from the home at 4:30 o’clock by Rev. M. Bradshaw, pastor of Main Street Methodist church, of which Mr. Giddens was a member, assisted by Dr. J. C. Kilgo, President of Trinity College.

                                                             Charlotte Observer August 21, 1908

Diana

© 2012, copyright Diana Quinn