Tales of Catawba, by RV Whitener

This is once removed from the Jackson Creek line but nevertheless, an amazing find.   My father was given an old leatherbound typed book given to his grandmother Rosalie Whitener Prevost who married Roscoe Lee Prevost.

Rosalie was a beautiful young lady who married my great grandfather when he lived in Hickory working for the furniture industry after he left the Jackson Creek area in the early 1900s.

This book was a labor of love given to her by her uncle who was a University of Virginia History professor and which was written in 1922.   Mr. Whitener died two years later in February of 1924.

This 100 page book tells the rich history of Heinrich Weidner, my great grandmothers great great grandfather who arrived on the ship Molly in Philadelphia on October 17, 1741.   The book tells of the The Whiteners, The Wilfongs, and the Dellingers   . . . (and some others).  I'll scan and post soon.

This book was one of my great grandmother's most prized possessions.  She gave it with great care to my Dad who just entrusted it to me.  I can't wait to read it and to share it with Heinrich's many ancestors.

First page

Robert W Prevost letter to Ann

This letter to my cousin Ann Prevost Smith (our most talented family researcher) in the late 1970s shares his recollection of facts and information about the Jackson Creek family.


robert w prevost letter to ann 3-79

In this letter, he suggests that Mrs. Mary (E.C.) Loflin of Asheboro, NC may have more information on the family.   I believe Mary comes from Hazel Prevost's and Nineveh's branch of the Jackson Creek family.

In Robert's closing, he quoted a Bible scripture Phillipians 2:5-11

Philippians 2:5-11

New International Version (NIV)

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

⁶ Who, being in very nature^[a] God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature^[b] of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
    and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.

Canadian Prevost Family Association

My cousin Anne Prevost Smith shared with me a letter written to her brother Harris Prevost in 1994.

My cousin Harris is frequently mentioned in statewide publications and magazines with his work with the NC Travel and Tourism Board and his role with Grandfather Mountain.

Harris received a letter from Adrien Prevost of the Prevost d' Amerique, a "Prevost Provost Family Association" which publishes a quarterly newsletter.

Adrien Provost letter to Harris

In reviewing the associations current website,

The Prévost-Provost Family Association was incorporated on March 26th, 1990.  Five temporary administrators put the plans in place needed to promote the growth of our Association as years go by.  These pioneers were : Pierre Provost, the first President; Adrien Provost the founding Secretary ; Robert Prévost, journalist and renowned Genealogist and Historian; Arthur Prévost ,a Journalist (brother of Robert) and Michel Provost who was the first Treasurer and Archivist-Genealogist. Michel kept his position of Archivist-genealogist and was elected new President at the 1994 annual meeting. The first general meeting was held on June 29th, 1991 in Laval, Quebec.  

The main goal of the Association is to find all the people bearing our name and all those interested in our association..  

As I look at the original ancestors associated with this part of the Prevost clan, I do not see an immediate link to our Jackson Creek, NC ancestors in either timeframe or geography but my research is certainly not exhaustive.

David Provoost/Provost & Margaretta Ten Waert  Elias Provoost/Provost

John Antoine Prévost & Cecelia Lefevre

Nicholas Provost & Marie-Jeanne Prévot

Nicolas dit Collet Provost & Yse Ines Dubau

Joseph Pruvost/Provost & Marie-Anne salloit / Sailliot

I will drop a line to the current leadership of this Quebec based family association and let them know of the NC line.

Kevin Prevost and Hazel's Family Tree

When I visited Hazel Prevost and her family, Hazel let me know that her nephew Kevin had been doing some research on the family tree.  In an earlier post, Hazel shared her view of how the family grew and developed in Jackson Creek.   Hazel shared this version of our family tree which was researched by Kevin.

Family Tree Info From Kevin Prevost

I believe the questions we have are:

1. Who was Thomas parents? Kevin views that is probably Alex who was likely Samuel's brother.  Can we confirm that with records and sources?
2. Can we confirm William Alexander was Thomas son?
3. What was the relationship between Alex, thomas, and the two Samuel's who were early american settlers in the mid 1700s?  Brothers?  Sons?  Cousins?
4. How did our original ancestors get to America?  Was it through Delaware as Saumel obviously spent some time there (wills witnessed and records there)?   Or was it through Charleston and French Hugenauts as Hazel thinks?
5. What was the connection with Illinois in the 1700s?

We will keep following the clues. 

Interview with Hazel Prevost

I interviewed Hazel Prevost, granddaughter of Ninevah Harris Prevost.  Hazel tells the story of the Jackson Creek Prevos including Alexander Wesley and William Alexander.   She lives in Clark/New Bern, NC.

William Alexander's Will

Anne Prevost Smith (Pennsylvania) sent me a copy of William Alexander's will.  This will in longhand dated in July of 1901 shows the passing of the Jackson Creek farm to his two daughters Eldora Belle and Mary Jane.

William Alex Will

The questions I have:

1. Is the family farm still in Eldora's and Mary Jane's line? 
2. Where exactly is it?
3. What is there now?

Collaboration with Ken Garner of Davidson

I swapped some emails with Ken Garner in High Point who is tracking his Garner family tree.  Ken posted an incredible old letter that is the first hand account of a visit with "Squire Billy" and his family. This was Andrew Wesley's father William Alexander.  



Click to enlarge

Ken says:

Hello,My name is Ken Garner, and I live in High Point,NC.
The article from old letters was written by Ella Beck Sinder (my great aunt). Her Mother was Eliza Prevo Beck. Eliza Prevo's mother was Sally and William Prevo. Ella Beck was a siter to my Grandmother Ida Rebecca Beck On my father's side of family.
This letter was given to me by Kate Snider Austin. It was her Mother who wrote this even though she was not well educated. 
Ella was telling about things she was told or remembered.
...The Prevos lived in Randolph County. Jackson Creek was a community in Randolph. It is not far from Denton, NC where I grew up.

One hypothesis of our original US ancestor

Samuel Prevo -- Birth, immigration and marriage dates have, so far, been lost to us for this "first generation" of US members of our Prevo Family. What is known is that he was a protestant and members of the family living the United States practiced the teachings of Quakerism from at least the 1780s through the 1890s. It is quite possible; however, this was a conversion from their roots as French Camisards (French Calvinists) who emmigrated from the Souther Lozere and Gard regions of Franche near Alais and Florac.

An Interview with R. L. "Pop" Prevost

R. L. "Pop" Prevost

by: Harris Prevost

In 1909, Pop Prevost moved to Hazelwood, N.C. He saw the need for Hazelwood to have electricity but the town didn't have the money for it. No one seemed willing to take the first step so Pop got the wires and telephone poles himself, had them installed, then had the bill sent to him. He kept it until the town could issue bonds and pay for it's electricity. When Pop served as chairman of the Board of Education, he saw a need for the county high schools to offer business education and typing for young girls who would be making their careers as secretaries. He could get no help from Raleigh in establishing this department. There was no money available and none could be expected in the near future. Again, someone had to take the first step. Pop bought the typewriters himself and established the business education department in the local schools. He left the bill in the bottom of his drawer until proper funding became available. Over and over, the pattern of Pop's life was to take the lead to meet a business or community need, even though no one else was willing. His favorite expression was "Make it go!" He took for granted that there wasn't anything he couldn't do.

Tracking the Jackson Creek Prevo family

My cousin Trey and I along with our cousin Anne Smith Prevost have been building out a family tree tracking our ancestor Roscoe Lee Prevost and his family who lived in the Jackson Creek, NC area near Asheboro.  His father was Andew Wesley Prevo son of William Alexander Prevo.

A link to the Geni family tree:
http://www.geni.com/share?t=4845242060660024350

Or:

View more of Ralph's tree  |   Get your own family tree at Geni.com