Comments on: Documents on the Shelton Laurel Massacre from the North Carolina State Archives

By: Bill Mchaffie

Bill Mchaffie — Sat, 04 May 2013 15:43:22 +0000

Went to live and hide in “The Dark Corner.” That would be Northern Greenville, County, SC.

By: Bill Mchaffie

Bill Mchaffie — Sat, 04 May 2013 15:41:17 +0000

The road name is Allegany Rd. Burial site is behind the old tobacco barn up on the hill. Go past the old stone fire place.

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 17:30:50 +0000

Does anyone know what ever became of James A Keith after he escaped from jail ?

By: Deborah Carter

Deborah Carter — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:21:32 +0000

Thank you so much for posting this! I am descended from Lifus Shelton (Eliphaz – one of those arrested) through his daughter Elizabeth. Two of his sons, William and Azariah, were killed in the massacre. Also his brother James,and two nephews were also killed. I read somewhere that he was arrested, but forgot where I saw it. Now you have saved me the trouble of looking for it. Thanks again!

By: Dan Slagle

Dan Slagle — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 18:04:47 +0000

Not all the prisoners were killed. Following is part of a letter from W. H. Bailey to Governor Vance, dated February 18, 1863. Bailey was Assistant Adjutant General on Col. Allen’s staff.
“. . . There were six men brought in as prisoners & three othres came in & surrendered themselves – the six were Issaac Shelton, Lifus Shelton Sr. & his two sons, William Norton Sr. & his son – the three were Hackley Norton Sr. & his two sons – Hackley Norton being [enlisted?] as a pilot. I forwarded him to Lt. Col. Keith – the rest I started to Gen. Davis at Warm Springs but they were sent back & an order from Gen. Davis to hand them to me to be turned over to the civil authorities.
There was no pretence or proof direct or indirect against any except Issaac Shelton Lifus Shelton Sr. David Shelton & William Norton Sr. I caused these men to be arrested under a states warrant for burglary & they were committed to Buncombe jail – one of the othres being a conscript I forwarded him to the conscript camp at [Greeneville?].
The other three werre mere boys & I consulted the prominent citizens as to their disposition & we agreed that they ought not to be sent to Laurel. I sent for them & paroled them to remain in Marshall & bring wood & water for the jail. I learn that they obeyed their parole strictly – & the other day a squad of Col. Allen’s men went to Marshall & seized three boys declaring that they intended removing them to the Military Prison at Tuscaloosa to be kept there the balance of the War – when citizens protested against it they were [threatened?] to be impressed into the service if they expected [cannot read two words]. The names are William Norton Jr. John Norton & Joseph [Teeter?] Norton.
My address at present is Salisbury.”

By: Steven Tweed

Steven Tweed — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 17:10:42 +0000

I mispoke when I said the driveway was called Log Cabin Lane. I need to ride up there and look, as it’s only about 4.5 miles from here.
The directions are otherwise correct though. My apologies.

By: Steven Tweed

Steven Tweed — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 16:49:12 +0000

Per the above request by Gary Bullock, here is a link to the listings of those who served in the North Carolina 64th.

http://www.echoesofmadisonnc.com/64th.htm

I think it may be a little incomplete, as I know of at least one Tweed who served but cannot find him listed.
Hope this helps.

Steve

By: renegadesouth

renegadesouth — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:28:25 +0000

Note: the following comment from Steven Tweed was posted on “About Renegade South. I’m reposting it here to make certain everyone interested sees it:

As a child, a friend of mine lived just a few yards in front of the burial site.
Here are the directions:
At the junction of Hwy 208 & Hwy 212, turn right onto Hwy 212 East.
Travel approximately 8 miles until you come to the intersection of 212 & Cutshall Town Road.
Log Cabin Lane will be on your left.
If you turn onto Log Cabin Lane, you will travel approximately 400 yards and will come to a two story stone and log cabin.
The burial site, marked by two flat granite stones with the victims names on them is directly behind the cabin, along a barbed wire fence and is surrounded by trees and brush.
Google Earth or some other site as such might allow you to zoom in.

As far as the site of the massacre, there is dispute to this day, but it is between two places:
The first would be behind and across the creek from what is now Old Creek General Store, which will be on the right, about 2 miles before you get to the burial site.
The other site would be what is now known as the Hayes Landers Farm, which is almost adjacent to the burial site.
This dispute has always made me wonder if the massacre actually took place in two different locations but the burial in one?
Never have been able to figure out why something so significant could be troubled my misinformation or dispute.

Steven Tweed

By: Steven Tweed

Steven Tweed — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 13:59:46 +0000

This site is being difficult. I had a lengthy reply typed out, but it wouldn’t let me post.
My name is Steven Tweed and I live in the Shelton Laurel community, more specifically the Whiterock area.
I know exactly where the burial site is (mass grave).
My family fought for the Union (1st Tennessee Cavalry) and my Great Great Grandfather Thomas Tweed’s brother, Neeley Tweed, is locally famous for having killed Sherriff Ransom Merrill on election day, 1861. Neeley and Merrill were former friends, Neeley ahving been the first Clerk of Superior Court in Madison County, as well as a Justice of the Peace.
Thomas was married to Celia Sams. Oddly enough, Celia’s uncle was Wade Hampton, one of the Carolina’s largest slave holders.
I have a LOT of local history that I can share.

By: Bill McHaffie

Bill McHaffie — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 15:18:38 +0000

Atrocities on both sides. A very tough place for people whose only desire was to be left alone!