Lawrence Alexander Huneycutt

Ambrose Ervin Huneycutt married Jane Elizabeth Hinson and they had a son named,
...William Eli Huneycutt (my direct ancestor), but they also had another son named Alvin S. Huneycutt aka "Alvie" who married Mary Ellen Stafford and they had a son named,
.........Lawrence Alexander Huneycutt who married Daisy McSwain and they had a son named,
............. Elbert Neal Huneycutt

This story is about Lawrence Alexander Huneycutt. He and his son, Elbert, were killed in a coal mine explosion. But we will get to that momentarily.
Lawrence Alexander Huneycutt was born 1/31/1890 or 1/31/1889 in Stanly County, NC or Iredell County, NC to Alvin Huneycutt "Alvie" (DOB: 11/11/1861 in Stanly County, NC; DOD: 11/22/1907 in Wadesboro, Anson County, NC when his wagon was struck by a train) and Mary Ellen Stafford (DOB: 9/16/1871 in South Carolina; DOD: 12/26/1954 in Stanly County, NC). He is aka Larnce A. Honeycutt, Larnce A. Hunnicut, Launce A. Hunycutt, Lawrence A. Honeycutt, and Lawrence Alex Honeycutt, L.A. Huneycutt, Lawrence A. Hunnicutt

1900 U.S. Census of Tyson,  Stanly County,  North Carolina; Roll:  T623_ 1218; Page:  10A; Enumeration District:  128, Lines 38-45, "Alden Honeycutt" (sic, should be Alvie Huneycutt but Ancestry.com has him indexed as Alden Honeycutt)
Alden Honeycutt, Head, W(hite), M(ale), Born Sept, 1861, 38 yrs old, Married 12 yrs, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Farmer, rents farm, Can read and write
Mary E. Honeycutt, Wife, W, F, Born Sept, 1871, 28 yrs old, Married 12 yrs, 10 children with 6 still living, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Larnce A. Honeycutt (sic), Son, W, M, Born Jan, 1890, 10 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Farm Laborer
Vance A. Honeycutt, Son, W, M, Born Sept, 1891, 8 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Mannie Honeycutt (sic, should be Minnie Huneycutt), Daughter, W, F, Born Jan, 1893, 7 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Iler P. Honeycutt, Daughter, W, F, Born Dec, 1894, 5 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Olley L. Honeycutt, Daughter, W, F, Born Feb, 1896, 4 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Marshel R. Honeycutt (sic), Son, W, M, Born Dec, 1898, 2 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC

Lawrence A. Huneycutt first married Daisy McSwain (DOB: 4/21/1887 in Stanly County, NC to William A. McSwain and Lucy Lee; DOD: 7/12/1922 in Montgomery County, NC). She is aka Darcey Hunycutt, Daisey Huneycutt, Daisy Honeycutt.

1910 U.S. Census of Winfield Rd., Tyson,  Stanly County,  North Carolina; Roll:  T624_1125; Page:  4A; Enumeration District:  0125; Image:  531; FHL Number:  1375138, Lines 12-18, "Hunley Cuntwill E." (sic, should be Huneycutt, Will E. but because of the way the census taker wrote Huney cutt with a space between the first and second syllables and his messy handwriting)
Cuntwill E. Hunley, Head, M(ale), W(hite), 33 yrs old (DOB 1876), First marriage, Married 12 yrs (DOM 1898), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Farmer of home farm
Lendy Hunley (sic, should be Malinda), Wife, F, W, 33 yrs old (DOB 1876), First marriage, Married 12 yrs, 6 children with 5 still living, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Laborer on home farm
Oscar A. Hunley, Son, M, W, 11 yrs old (DOB 1899), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Laborer on home farm
Allie Hunley, Daughter, F, W, 6 yrs old (DOB 1904), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Dellie Hunley (sic, should be Dallie), Daughter, F, W, 6 yrs old (DOB 1904), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Grover Hunley, Son, M, W, 4 yrs old (DOB 1906), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Emmia Hunley (sic, should be Vernia), Daughter, F, W, 1 yrs 7/12 mos old (DOB 1908), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Bud and Bessy Floyd
Felt J. and Fannie Linger
Harry and Mary Crump
Crett Mary E. Hurrey (sic, should be Mary E. Huneycutt), Head, F, W, 38 yrs old (DOB 1872), Married 19 yrs now Widowed, 10 children with 9 still living, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Farmer on home farm (widow of Alexander McKinley Huneycutt, brother of William Eli Huneycutt)
Nance Hurrey (sic), Son, M, W, 18 yrs old (DOB 1892), Son, M, W, Single, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Laborer on home farm
Minnie Hurrey, Daughter, F, W, 17 yrs old (DOB 1893), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
I. Loe Hurrey (sic), Daughter, F, W, 15 yrs old (DOB 1895), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Olla Hurrey (sic), Daughter, F, W, 14 yrs old (DOB 1896), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Marshall Hurrey, Son, M, W, 11 yrs old (DOB 1899), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Jenenia Hurrey (sic), Daughter, F, W, 7 yrs old (DOB 1903), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Johnnie Hurrey, Son, M, W, 6 yrs old (DOB 1904), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Leaured Hurrey, Son, M, W, 4 yrs old (DOB 1906), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Launce A. Hunycutt (sic, should be Lawrence A. Huneycutt), Head, M, W, 20 yrs old (DOB 1890), First marriage, Married 1 yr, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Farmer of home farm (son of Alvin and Mary Huneycutt)
Daisey Hunycutt (sic), Wife, F, W, 22 yrs old (DOB 1888), First marriage, Married 1 yr, 1 child with 1 still living, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Lucy Hunycutt, Daughter, F, W, 7/12 mos old (1909), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC


WWI Draft Registration
FHL Roll Number: 1765691, DraftBoard: 0, Handwritten at top #602, No. 21, Lawrence A. Honeycutt, 27 yrs old, DOB: 1/31/1890 in Iredell County, NC
Address: Capelsie, NC
Occupation: Laborer in cotton mill for Capelsie Cotton Mill, Capelsie, Montgomery County, NC
Dependents: Wife and 4 children
Married, Caucasian
"Wife and 4 children to support"
32-1-35-A
Medium Height, Stout Build, Brown Hair, Black Eyes
Signed by Lawrence A. Honeycutt on 6/5/1917 in Troy, Montgomery County, NC


1920 U.S. Census of Troy, Montgomery County, North Carolina; Roll: T625_1311; Page: 4A; Enumeration District: 81; Image: 889, Lines 39-44, "Larnce Hunnicut" (sic)
Larnce Hunnicut, Head, Rents home, M(ale), W(hite), 32 yrs old (DOB 1888), Married, Can read and write, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Laborer in cotton mill
Daisy Hunnicut, Wife, F, W, 33 yrs old (DOB 1887), Married, Can read and write, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Laborer in cotton mill
Lucy Hunnicut, Daughter, F, W, 10 yrs old (DOB 1910), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Loise Hunnicut, Daughter, F, W, 8 yrs old (DOB 1912), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Elber Hunnicut (sic), Son, M, W, 5 yrs old (DOB 1915), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Ceacil Hunnicut (sic), Son, M, W, 3 yrs 4/12 mos old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC

Lawrence Alexander Huneycutt and Daisy McSwain had 6 children:
1) Lucy Huneycutt (DOB: 1909-1910 in Stanly County, NC)
2) Lois Huneycutt (DOB: 1912 in Stanly County, NC)
3) Elbert Neal Huneycutt (DOB: 1/26/1914 in NC; DOD: 3/28/1931 in Chatham County, NC)
4) Cecil W. Huneycutt (DOB: 1917 in NC)
5) Paul A. Huneycutt (DOB 1920 in NC)
6) Unnamed Boy Huneycutt (DOB: 6/21/1922 in Troy, Montgomery County, NC; DOD: 6/21/1922 in Troy, Montgomery County, NC)

Daisy accidentally fell and the baby died in utero. Unfortunately, she didn't give birth for a few days and by then she had peritonitis and she died 7/12/1922.


NC Death Certificate #142, Registration District #62-5830, Certificate #14, Darcey Hunycutt (sic), DOD: 7/12/1922 in Troy, Montgomery County, NC
Female, White, Married to L.A. Huneycutt, DOB: 4/21/1887 in Stanly County, NC, 34 yrs, 2 mos, 21 days old
Occupation: Domestic
Father: W.A. McSwain, born in Stanly County, NC
Mother: Lucy Lee, born in Anson County, NC
Informant: L.A. Huneycutt, Capelsie, NC
DOD: 7/12/1922 at 7pm
Cause of death: Peritonitis general due to injury during childbirth
Burial: 7/13/1922 at Cottonville, NC



NC Death Certificate #582, Registration District #62-5830, Certificate #7, Unnamed Huneycutt, DOD: 6/21/1922 in Troy, Montgomery County, NC
Male, White, DOB: 6/21/1922 in Montgomery County, NC, "Born dead"
Father: L.A. Huneycutt, born in Idle County, NC (sic)
Mother: Daisy McSwain, born in Stanly County, NC
Informant: L.A. Huneycutt, Cander, NC (sic)
DOD: 6/21/1922
Cause of death: "Born dead. Had been dead in utero for few days"
Contributory Cause: "Mother sustaining a fall"
Burial: Laurel Hill Cemetery, NC on 6/21/1922
No undertaker


Lawrence then married Daisy's sister, Bertha Emaline McSwain (DOB: 9/11/1896 in NC to William A. McSwain and Lucy Lee; DOD: 8/22/1971 in Onslow, Jackson County, NC).

Lawrence and Bertha Huneycutt had 3 known children:
1) Sam L. Huneycutt (DOB: 1923 in NC)
2) L.A. Huneycutt (DOB: 1926 in NC)
3) Frances G. Huneycutt (DOB: 1927 in NC)


1930 U.S. Census of New Hope, Chatham County, North Carolina; Roll: 1681; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 23; Image: 169.0, Lines 40-47, "Lawrence A. Hunnicutt"
Lawrence A. Hunnicutt, Head, Rents home $12/mos, No radio set, M(ale), W(hite), 40 yrs old (DOB 1890), Married at age 19 yrs old, Can read and write, Born in NC, Father born in NC, Mother born in SC, Miner at coal mines
Bertha Hunnicutt, Wife, F, W, 38 yrs old (DOB 1892), Married at age 18 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Cecil W. Hunnicutt, Son, M, W, 13 yrs old (DOB 1917), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Paul A. Hunnicutt, Son, M, W, 10 yrs old (DOB 1920), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Sam L. Hunnicutt, Son, M, W, 7 yrs old (DOB 1923), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
L. A. Hunnicutt, Son, M, W, 4 yrs old (DOB 1926), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Frances G. Hunnicutt, Daughter, F, W, 2 yrs old (DOB 1928), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Elma Thomas, Stepdaughter, F, W, 10 yrs old (DOB 1920), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC


Lawrence and Bertha moved to Oakland, Chatham County, NC where he worked in the coal mines. He and his son, Elbert, were killed in a mine explosion. There is a short summary history of the coal mines further down.

NC Death Certificate #176, Registration District #19-2243, Registrar's Certificate #5, Lawrence Alex Huneycutt, DOD: 3/28/1931 in Oakland, Chatham County, NC
Male, White, Married to Bertha Huneycutt, DOB: 1/31/1889 in NC, 40 yrs old
Occupation: Coal mines
Father: Alvin Huneycutt, born in "don't know"
Mother: Mary Stafford, born in "don't know"
Informant: Mrs. L.A. Huneycutt, Route 4, Sanford, NC
DOD: 3/28/1931
Burial: 3/31/1931 at Cottonville
If death was due to external causes (violence) fill in also the following:
Accident, Suicide, Homicide? "Accident", Date of Injury: 3/28/1931
Where did injury occur? "Chatham County, NC"
Specify whether injury occurred in industry, in home, in public place:
"In coal mines"
Manner of injury? "Killed from glass explosion" (sic, his son was killed at the same time and his death certificate says "killed from gas explosion")
Nature of injury? "Body burned"
Was disease or injury in any way related to occupation of deceased? "Yes"
If so, specify? "Was looking after pump in mine "
George Brooks, Coroner, Pittsboro, NC



NC Death Certificate #177, Regisrtation District #92-43, Certificate #6, Elbert Neal Huneycutt, DOD: 3/28/1931 in Oakland, Chatham County, NC
Male, White, Single, DOB: 1/26/1914 (sic) , in Stanly County, NC, 17 yrs old (sic)
Occupation: "Coal mines"
Father: Lawrence N. Huneycutt (sic), born in Stanly County, NC
Mother: Daisy McSwain, born in Stanly County, NC
Informant: Mrs. L.A. Huneycutt, RFD #4, Sanford, NC
DOD: 3/28/1931
Burial: 3/31/1931 in Cottonville
If death was due to external causes (violence) fill in also the following:
Accident, Suicide, Homicide? "Accident", Date of Injury: 3/28/1931
Where did injury occur? "Chatham County, NC"
Specify whether injury occurred in industry, in home, in public place:
"In coal mines"
Manner of injury? "Killed from gas explosion"
Nature of injury? "Body burned"
Was disease or injury in any way related to occupation of deceased? "Yes"
If so, specify? "Was looking after cump in m______ " (illegible, according to his father's death certificate this probably should have read "Was looking after pump in mine".)



The Coal Glen-Farmville Mine Disaster was the worst industrial accident in North Carolina history. Lawrence A. Honeycutt was killed in 1931, 6 years after the 1925 Coal Glen Mine Disaster. But according to the article below, he may have been hired just to watch the pumps that pumped the flood waters out and that pump may have exploded. He may not have been working the coal, per se.

The State Magazine
June 1987 Issue
The Coal Demon
Of Deep River
Tragedy and failure have plagued miners' efforts for 200 years, but men are ready once again to try their luck.
By MICHAEL HETZER
... In 1921 one of the most important events that ever occurred on the Deep River Coal Bed took place. The Carolina Coal Company was formed with the intention of developing a mine near Farmville across the river from the Egypt Mine. The mining town that would arise was to be called Coal Glen. The Carolina Mine is often called the Coal Glen Mine, or the Farmville Mine.
The Carolina Mine was the most ambitious mining operation ever begun on the Deep River Coal Bed. In 1923, its first year of full-scale operation, its output more than doubled the best of the Old Egypt Mine. Once again the future looked bright for a mine on the Deep River - Coal Bed. But the profits never came. In 1925 the demon dealt its most vicious blow ever.
At seven in the morning on May 25, the morning shift, numbering seventy-four miners, descended into the dark of the Carolina Mine. Two and a half hours later the first of three terrific explosions tore through the mine. Its vibrations were felt as far as a mile away. Families and company officials rushed to the mine entrance Poisonous, yellow gas billowed from the mine entrance, making rescue impossible. It took five days to pull all the bodies from the mine. The story made front page news all across the country.
Fifty-three men died that morning.
The Carolina Mine closed four years later.  Ironically, it was not a mine explosion that closed the mine, but water and human carelessness. Rains swelled the Deep River in 1929 and the mine began to flood through an air shaft.  The water was pumped free, but no precautions were taken against subsequent flooding. The mine flooded again in 1930 putting an end to the Carolina Mine, after less than mine years of operation. The flood waters, the prohibitive cost of transportation, the accidents, and the market crash of 1929 had conspired to bankrupt the Carolina Coal Company. Another Deep River mine had closed in failure.
The Carolina Mine was opened again between 1947 and 1951 but failed to turn a profit and was allowed to reflood. It has not been opened since...
Coal Glen Mining Disaster
History of Cumnock Coal Mine
Chatham County, NC


Bertha Emaline McSwain Huneycutt died in Jackson County, NC.
NC Death Certificate #28780, Registration District #6780, Local # , Bertha Emaline Honeycutt, DOD: 8/22/1971 in Onslow Memorial Hospital, Onslow, Jackson County, NC
Female, White, DOB: 9/11/1896 in NC, 74 yrs old
Usual Residence: Church St., Saxapahaw, Alamance County, NC
SS#: 241-09-5130
Occupation: Textile worker in textile mill
Father: William A. McSwain, Mother: Lucy Lee, Informant: Mrs. Crayton Hardin, Saxapahaw, NC
DOD: 8/22/1971 at 12:35pm
Cause of death: Cardio pulmonary due to cerebral infraction and cerebral vascular disease
Burial: 8/24/1971 at Moore's Chapel, Alamance County, NC

Amaneunsis Monday - Newspaper Articles About The Death of Alvin A. Huneycutt

Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging prompt used by many genealogy bloggers to help them post content on their sites. An Amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another. Amanuensis Monday is a daily blogging theme which encourages the family historian to transcribe family letters, journals, audiotapes, and other historical artifacts. Not only do the documents contain genealogical information, the words breathe life into kin - some we never met - others we see a time in their life before we knew them.

Ambrose Ervin Huneycutt married Jane Elizabeth Hinson and they had a son named, William Eli Huneycutt (my direct ancestor). They had another son named,
... Alvin S. Huneycutt who married Mary Ellen Stafford.

William Eli Huneycutt and Alvin S. Huneycutt were brothers so Alvie would be my Great Great Uncle. This story is about Alvie Huneycutt.


Alvin S. Huneycutt was born on 11/11/1861 in Stanly County, NC to Ambrose Ervin Huneycutt (DOB: 9/1836 in Montgomery County, NC; DOD: 5/20/1914 in Stanly County, NC) and Elizabeth Jane Hinson (DOB: 1838-1843 in NC; DOD: 1912 in Stanly County, NC).

1870 U.S. Census of Big Lick, Stanly County, North Carolina; Roll: M593_1160; Page: 34A; Image:  77; Family History Library Film: 552659, Lines 2-5, "A. E. Huneycutt"
A.E. Huneycutt, 33 yrs old (DOB 1837), M(ale), W(hite), Farming, $0 Real Estate Value, $0 Personal Estate Value, Born in NC
Elizabeth Huneycutt, 27 yrs old (DOB 1843), F, W, Housekeeping, Born in NC
Alia J. Huneycutt (sic, it looks like Alvie S. Huneycutt to me but Ancestry.com has him indexed as Alia J. Huneycutt), 8 yrs old (DOB 1862), Born in NC
Alexander Huneycutt, 10/12 mos old (DOB 1869), Born in NC

1880 U.S. Census of Big Lick, Stanly County, North Carolina; Roll: 982; Family History Film 1254982; Page 320A; Enumeration District: 206; Image: 0314, Lines 2-9, "A. Esaw Hunycutt" (sic)
A. Esaw Hunycutt, W(hite), M(ale), 46 yrs old (DOB 1834), Head, Married, Farmer, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
J. Elizabeth Hunycutt, W, F, 42 yrs old (DOB 1836), Wife, Married, Keeping House, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Alvay Hunycutt (sic, should be Alvie Huneycutt), W, M, 19 yrs old (DOB 1861), Son, Single, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Farm Laborer
Alexander Hunycutt, W, M, 10 yrs old (DOB 1870), Son, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Joeaner Hunycutt (sic, should be Sarah Joanna Huneycutt), W, F, 8 yrs old (DOB 1872), Daughter, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
William Hunycutt, W, M, 4 yrs old (DOB 1876), Son, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Montgomery Hunycutt, W, M, 2 yrs old (DOB 1878), Son, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Elizabeth Hunycutt, W, F, 18 yrs old (DOB 1862), Daughter, Keeping house, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC (Alvie Hunycutt's first wife)

Alvie was married twice. His first wife was Elizabeth McIntyre, aka Sis McIntyre. She was 17 yrs old when they got married on 2/26/1880 in Stanly County, NC. She was the daughter of George Emery McIntyre and Caroline Carpenter. Her brother, Henry Watson McIntyre, was the father of Roy Frank McIntyre who married Dallie Honeycutt (a niece of Alvie's, his brother, William Eli Huneycutt's, daughter).

Alvie and Elizabeth had one child, Adolphus Franklin Huneycutt (aka Tink McIntyre, Tink Huneycutt, Dolph McIntyre and Dolph Huneycutt). Alvie and Elizabeth divorced between 1881-1889.

Alvie then married Mary Ellen Stafford (DOB: 9/15/1871, in SC; DOD: 12/26/1954 in Stanly County, NC) on 4/26/1889 in Cheraw, SC.

Mary Ellen Stafford Huneycutt


Alvie and Mary Huneycutt had 9 children:
1) Lawrence Alexander Huneycutt (DOB: 1/31/1890 in Stanly County, NC; DOD: 3/28/1931 in Stanly County, NC) who married sisters, Daisy McSwain and, then, Bertha Emaline McSwain.
2) Vance Alexander Huneycutt (DOB: 9/18/1891 in Stanly County, NC; DOD: 9/5/1954) married Minnie Lee Wallace, Dorothy Floyd, and Clara Gallimore.
3) Minnie Estell Huneycutt (DOB: 1/25/1893 in Stanly County, NC; DOD: 10/20/1962) married Toll Cline Tucker.
4) Iler Pearl Huneycutt (DOB: 12/13/1894 in Stanly County, NC; DOD: 6/3/1987) married Jape C. Burleson.
5) Ollie Lee Huneycutt (DOB: 2/22/1896 in Stanly County, NC; DOD: 2/15/1975) married Jessie William Russell.
6) Marshall Ray Huneycutt (DOB: 12/25/1898 in Stanly County, NC; DOD: 3/4/1981) married Maude Wilma Shuping.
7) Sarah Jane Huneycutt (DOB: 8/23/1902 in Stanly County, NC; DOD: 5/2/1999) married John Waldo Kendall.
8) John Ervin Huneycutt (DOB: 3/19/1904 in Stanly County, NC; DOD: 11/21/1974) married Minnie Lou Aldridge.
9) Leonard Huneycutt (DOB: 3/29/1906; DOD: ) married ?


1900 U.S. Census of Tyson, Stanly County, North Carolina; Roll: T623_ 1218; Page: 10A; Enumeration District: 128, Lines 38-45, "Alden Honeycutt" (sic, should be Alvie Huneycutt)
Alden Honeycutt, Head, W(hite), M(ale), Born Sept, 1861, 38 yrs old, Married 12 yrs, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Farmer, rents farm, Can read and write
Mary E. Honeycutt, Wife, W, F, Born Sept, 1871, 28 yrs old, Married 12 yrs, 10 children with 6 still living, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Larnce A. Honeycutt (sic), Son, W, M, Born Jan, 1890, 10 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Farm Laborer
Vance A. Honeycutt, Son, W, M, Born Sept, 1891, 8 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Mannie Honeycutt (sic, should be Minnie Huneycutt), Daughter, W, F, Born Jan, 1893, 7 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Iler P. Honeycutt, Daughter, W, F, Born Dec, 1894, 5 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Olley L. Honeycutt, Daughter, W, F, Born Feb, 1896, 4 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Marshel R. Honeycutt (sic), Son, W, M, Born Dec, 1898, 2 yrs old, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC



The Ansonian, Nov 26, 1907
Alvin Honeycutt Killed
Thrown From Wagon By S.A.L. Passenger Train Friday – Wife and Child Wounded.

Friday afternoon as Alvin S. Honeycutt of Burnsville township was returning to his home from some point in South Carolina, where he had been to visit relatives of his wife, his wagon was struck at the Concord road crossing one and a half miles from here, killing him instantly and seriously wounding his wife. Besides the husband and wife, one son about 16 years of age and another two years of age were in the wagon. The older son escaped without any injury and the little child is only slightly wounded. The mules were unhurt, but the wagon completely demolished, every wheel being broken. The accident occurred about 1 o’clock and the train figuring in it was an extra passenger which had been run in the morning to Hamlet from Monroe, being on the return trip.

After the train had passed the crossing about 200 yards, it backed to the scene and took aboard the dead man and his family, carrying them to Polkton, a station seven miles farther on the road. There the body of the father and his two children were left, the mother being taken to Monroe for hospital treatment.

Coroner Fenton was notified from Polkton and went there at once to hold an inquest. He found the body neatly dressed at the request of the railroad and in a coffin bought by the road. The only witness to examine was Vance Honeycutt, the son who was driving the wagon at the time. Vance is about 16 years of age and very intelligent. He stated, in addition to the following evidence, that he did not know what had struck the wagon until he saw the train up the road after it had passed, not having heard the least noise at the time. Honeycutt’s skull was crushed from a point near the right eye to the center of the neck behind and also at the forehead. Besides this, bruises were found on different parts of the body, some probably due to the fall. Blood was found on the ground where his body lay. Following is the report of the Coroner’s inquest with the evidence of the only witness examined:
Coroner’s Report

Vance Honeycutt being sworn says: “We were in a two-horse No. 21 Nissen wagon going from Wadesboro home on the Brown Creek church road on Friday, the 22nd of November, 1907. We were going on the Wadesboro road in a slow trot. One mule dashed off just as we got on railroad. I pulled her down and deceased said, 'Let her go.' I slacked the reins and she went on. Just as the hind wheel got on the railroad, the wagon turned over by being struck by train. The wagon was covered. My father, mother,baby and myself, were in the wagon. I was thrown about ten feet. My father was thrown about sixty feet and was dead when I got to him. I got to my father before the train backed to the place where he was lying. I heard no whistle,but think that I could have heard one if it had blown. The train passed the scene, the hind car being two hundred yards from where my father lay. The train backed back and the train crew placed the body of my father on the train. My mother was also placed on the train there. My father was not drinking. This was about 1 o’clock, November 22nd. The scene of the accident was at Concord crossing. “ Vance Honeycutt.

“We the jury, duly empanelled by Coroner E.F. Fenton to try the cause of death of A.S.Honeycutt, find that deceased came to his death on Friday afternoon. November 22nd, 1907, by wounds on head and other parts of the body. Said wounds being caused by a blow from a passing train at above named date and hour.”  Thomas Smith, W.G. Huntley, D.A.Carter, G.T. Boyette, J.C. Goodman, W.R.A. Hanna.

Alvin Honeycutt lived near Wightman church in Burnsville township and was a well-to-do farmer.He was an unusually sober and industrious man and while he had not accumulated much property, he lived at home, paid his debts and conducted himself, he and his family, as to justly merit the high esteem with which they are held in the community. He was a member of the Cottonville Baptist church in Stanly county,near his home four years ago when he lived in that county. He was devoted to his church and tried as best he could to live the Christian life. Not having been endowed with an enviable ancestry, he was endeavoring to do better by his progeny.

The burial was at Cottonville. Seven small children survive the father who was about 45 years of age.

Mrs. Honeycutt has apparently lost the sight of her eyes and is at the point of death at Monroe where she was carried.


The Messenger and Intelligencer (Wadesboro, NC), Nov 27, 1907
Terrible Tragedy
Man Killed; Wife Dangerously Injured

A covered wagon, in which was riding Mr. and Mrs. Alvin S. Honeycutt and two of their children, struck by a S.A.L. train, Friday afternoon, at the Concord Road Crossing - Mr. Honeycutt instantly killed and Mrs. Honeycutt dangerously wounded.

Wednesday of last week Mr. and Mrs. Alvin S. Honeycutt, of Burnsville Township, and two of their children, Vance, aged 16, and a 2-year old infant, passed through Wadesboro on their way to a point near Cheraw to visit the father of Mrs. Honeycutt, who is a Mr. Stafford. Friday morning they returned to Wadesboro and fed their mules and did some shopping. About 1 o'clock in the afternoon they left town for their home traveling in a covered wagon. The boy Vance was driving and Mr. and Mrs. Honeycutt and the baby were in the back part of the wagon.

A short time after this news was brought here that the wagon had been struck by a Seaboard Air Line passenger train at the Concord Road crossing, two miles north of town and both Mr. and Mrs. Honeycutt killed. This report turned out to be true as to Mr. Honeycutt. He was knocked some 60 feet by the impact of the engine and his skull crushed and neck broken. Mrs. Honeycutt recieved dangerous internal injuries but the latest news from her bedside is to the effect that she will probably recover.

The train, after running more than 200 yards past the crossing, stopped and backed to the scene of the tragedy. Mrs. Honeycutt and the children (neither of whom were hurt) and the remains of Mr. Honeycutt, were taken on board, after which the train proceeded on it's way. At Polkton the two children and the dead body of the father were taken from the train. The wife and mother was carried on to Monroe and placed in a hospital, where she still is.

The Scene of the Accident

The railroad, in the direction from which the train was coming, approaches the Concord Road crossing through a shallow cut and trains are not clearly visible from the dirt road at any distance from the rail road. This fact, together with further facts that it was a dark rainy day and the Honeycutts were traveling in a covered wagon, is probably responsible for the accident.

So far as known the only persons who witnessed the accident were two colored men, who were working in a nearby field. These men say that the engineer on the train failed to blow for the crossing as he appraoched it.

The Dead Man

Mr. Honeycutt, who was about 45 years of age, moved to Anson four years ago from Cottonville, Stanly County, and settled on the Shep Lee old place, in Burnsville township. He was a good citizen in every way and made many friends in his new home. At the time of his death he was superintendent of the Sunday school at Rocky River church. The interment was at Cottonville Saturday afternoon.

The Coroner's Inquest

Coroner Fenton went to Polkton Friday afternoon and held an inquest over the dead body of Mr. Honeycutt. The only witnesses examined was the son, Vance Honeycutt, who testified as follows:

"We were in a two-horse No. 21 Nissen (?) wagon going from Wadesboro home on Brown Creek church road on Friday, the 22nd of November, 1907. We were going on the Wadesboro Road in a slow trot. One mule dashed off just as we got on railroad. I pulled her down and deceased said, 'Let her go.' I slacked the reins and she went on. Just as the hind wheel got on the railroad, the wagon turned over by being struck by the train. The wagon was covered. My father, mother, baby and myself were in the wagon. I was thrown some distance and the baby was thrown about ten feet. My father was thrown about sixty feet and was dead when I got to him. I got to my father before the train backed up to the place where he was lying. I heard no whistle, but think that I could have heard one if it had blown. The train passed the scene, the hind car being two hundred yards from where my father lay. The train backed back and the train crew placed the body of my father on the train. My mother was also placed on the train there. My father was not drinking. This was about 1 o'clock, November 22nd. The scene of the accident was at Concord crossing."

After hearing this testimony the coroner's jury, consisting of Messrs. Thos. Smith, W.G. Huntley, D.A. Carter, G.T. Boyette, J.C. Goodman and W.R. A. Hanna, returned the following verdict:

"We, jury duly empanelled by Coroner E.F. Fenton to try the cause of the death of A.S. Huneycutt, find that deceased came to his death on Friday afternoon, November 22nd 1907, by wounds on head and other parts of the body. Said wounds being caused by a blow from a passing train at above named date and hour."


The mules spooked and ran onto the railroad track and it's a wonder that they all weren't killed!  Leonard, Alvie and Mary's youngest son was the 2 year old child mentioned in the article. Lawrence Alexander Huneycutt (Alvie's eldest son) and William McSwain went to Polkton, NC to bring Alvie's body back in a wagon. They had to cross the Rocky River and it was high. They crossed on a ferry. Mary Ellen Stafford Huneycutt survived and married the above mentioned William McSwain. She and William had 2 children: Curtis and Lena McSwain. Mary died at 83 yrs old on 12/26/1954 in Stanly County, NC.

1910 U.S. Census of Winfield Rd., Tyson,  Stanly,  North Carolina; Roll:  T624_1125; Page:  4A; Enumeration District:  0125; Image:  531; FHL Number:  1375138, Lines 12-18, "Hunley Cuntwill E." (sic, because of the way the census taker wrote Huney cutt with a space between the first and second syllables and his messy handwriting),
Cuntwill E. Hunley, Head, M(ale), W(hite), 33 yrs old (DOB 1876), First marriage, Married 12 yrs (DOM 1898), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Farmer of home farm
Lendy Hunley (sic, should be Malinda), Wife, F, W, 33 yrs old (DOB 1876), First marriage, Married 12 yrs, 6 children with 5 still living, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Laborer on home farm
Oscar A. Hunley, Son, M, W, 11 yrs old (DOB 1899), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Laborer on home farm
Allie Hunley, Daughter, F, W, 6 yrs old (DOB 1904), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Dellie Hunley (sic, should be Dallie), Daughter, F, W, 6 yrs old (DOB 1904), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Grover Hunley, Son, M, W, 4 yrs old (DOB 1906), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Emmia Hunley (sic, should be Vernia), Daughter, F, W, 1 yrs 7/12 mos old (DOB 1908), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Bud and Bessy Floyd
Felt J. and Fannie Linger
Harry and Mary Crump
Crett Mary E. Hurrey (sic, should be Mary E. Huneycutt), Head, F, W, 38 yrs old (DOB 1872), Married 19 yrs now Widowed, 10 children with 9 still living, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Farmer on home farm (widow of Alexander McKinley Huneycutt, brother of William Eli Huneycutt)
Nance Hurrey (sic), Son, M, W, 18 yrs old (DOB 1892), Son, M, W, Single, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Laborer on home farm
Minnie Hurrey, Daughter, F, W, 17 yrs old (DOB 1893), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
I. Loe Hurrey (sic), Daughter, F, W, 15 yrs old (DOB 1895), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Olla Hurrey (sic), Daughter, F, W, 14 yrs old (DOB 1896), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Marshall Hurrey, Son, M, W, 11 yrs old (DOB 1899), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Jenenia Hurrey (sic), Daughter, F, W, 7 yrs old (DOB 1903), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Johnnie Hurrey, Son, M, W, 6 yrs old (DOB 1904), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Leaured Hurrey, Son, M, W, 4 yrs old (DOB 1906), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Launce A. Hunycutt (sic, should be Lawrence A. Huneycutt), Head, M, W, 20 yrs old (DOB 1890), First marriage, Married 1 yr, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC, Farmer of home farm (Brother of William Eli and Alexander McKinley Huneycutt)
Margarret Hunycutt (sic), Wife, F, W, 22 yrs old (DOB 1888), First marriage, Married 1 yr, 1 child with 1 still living, Born in NC, Both parents born in NC
Lucy Hunycutt, Daughter, F, W, 7/12 mos old (1909), Born in NC, Both parents born in NC


NC Death Certificate #30432, Registration District #84-80, Registrar's Certificate #150, Mary Ellen Stafford Huneycutt McSwain, DOD: 12/26/1954 at 1491 White Oak Ave., Albemarle, Stanly County, NC (home)
White, Married, Widow, DOB: 9/16/1871 in SC, 83 yrs old, 3 mos, 10 days old
Occupation: Domestic
Father: John Stafford, Mother: Sarah Polson, Informant: J.C. McSwain, 1491 White Oak Ave., Albemarle, NC
DOD: 12/26/1954 at 4:00am
Cause of death: Acute coronary thrombosis (sudden) due to arteriosclerosis and hypertension
Burial: 12/29/1954 at Cottonville



Special thanks to William "Bill" Lee Honeycutt who wrote Hunnicutt-Honeycutt-Huneycutt, Virginia to NC, Descendents of George Honeycutt, Sr. of Stanly County, NC, copyright 1992

-AND-

Hunnacott-Hunnicutt, Honeycutt-Huneycutt, England to Virginia and Beyond, 1587-2009, Augustine and John Hunnicutt's Family History Lines, copyright 2009, ISBN 0-9632664-1-1. His is my cousin and has done years of research.