My Paternal Grandparents

My family was definitely not the idyllic nuclear group portrayed on the television series of the 1950s and early 1960s. There were lots of reasons for that, and some that I am certain that I have not discovered. However, this is the beginning of the story of the most important - and favorite - woman in my life.

Let's begin at the beginning, and that begins with my paternal grandparents.

My father's mother was born Laura Augusta Wilson on 24 January 1873 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. She was the ninth and youngest child of her parents, Dr. Joseph McKnitt Wilson and Lydia Lenora Patterson. The family story is that her mother invited a friend to stay with her during the last weeks of her confinement. It is said that the friend exclaimed when the baby was born that, "Oh, she looks so much like me! You'll have to name her "Minnie." Whether there was or was not any resemblance is unknown, but the child was called Minnie thereafter.

Minnie was a child of privilege. Her father, and indeed his father (Dr. Isaac Wilson), were well-respected physicians in the northwest part of Mecklenburg County. Minnie's mother, whose nickname was "Nora", was also from a well-off family. Nora had attended the Salem Female Academy in Salem, North Carolina. I have two receipts issued to her father, William Patterson. One is dated 29 July 1850 for the sum of $50 "in advance on account of Board and Tuition for Miss Lydia L. Patterson" and another from May 1852 in the amount of $151.59 that itemized her expenses for the entire 1851-1852 school year.

Joseph McKnitt Wilson and Lydia Lenora Patterson were married on 8 April 1856 in Mecklenburg County, and their first child was born in March of 1857. In the 1860 US Federal Census, Joseph M. Wilson is listed with seven slaves.

As the youngest child, it was said that Minnie had whatever she wanted and was spoiled by her father. The well-to-do doctor and his wife endured the Civil War and were in good condition in 1870, and by 1880 Joseph was farming. Minnie recounted to me that by the age of 17, she had two carriages: one for everyday and one for special occasions. From infancy, she had had African-American women to "look after her."

Minnie & Jeter (right) with her sister and fiance.

On 2 February 1898, Minnie married Jeter Ernest Murphy, from Iredell County, North Carolina. The wedding occurred at her parents' home in Sheva in the northwest corner of Mecklenburg County.

Jeter was employed as a salesman at The Green Front Store in Statesville, Iredell County, North Carolina. He was a member if the Junior Order United American Mechanics, a nativist organization. The couple moved to Statesville to settle. Unfortunately, Minnie's life took a tragic turn soon after. Jeter was stricken with typhoid fever in June. After a slight improvement, the Semi-Weekly Landmark, published in Statesville, reported in its Friday, 8 July 1898 edition, page 2: "Miss Della Wilson of Mecklenburg is here with her sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Jeter Murphy. My Murphy has fever and is very low." He succumbed the next day, 9 July 1898.

Jeter died intestate, and the Junior Order United American Mechanics paid to Minnie a sum of $250, the amount of the funeral benefit due her as the widow of a member. Minnie returned to her parents' home to live. Jeter's estate was entered into probate and an administrator, Mr. Eugene Morrison, was qualified as administrator on 23 January 1899. The sole heirs were identified as "Wm. Murphy and sister, Miss Murphy."

My paternal grandfather was Samuel Goodloe Morgan, born on 6 April 1879 in Caswell County, North Carolina, He was the oldest of three sons born to Rainey Baines Morgan (27 November 1851 - 13 September 1891) and Caroline Alice Whitefield (23 August 1853 - 26 June 1917). His father was a farmer who died at the age of 39 of an infection in his leg.

Sam Morgan and Minnie Wilson Murphy met through a somewhat convoluted set of circumstances that I'll describe another time. However, they were married on 24 December 1902 in a wedding at her parents home.

Samuel Goodloe Morgan and Minnie Wilson Murphy Morgan.

The next installment will discuss the early years of their marriage and the births of their two children, Mary Allen Morgan and Samuel Thomas Morgan. The story becomes more intriguing.

(c) 2016 George G. Morgan

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