According to the 1830 Burke Co NC tax list, Benjamin Pugh was dead, because the listing referred to the heirs of Benjamin Pue. He was born between 1784-1794 according to the 1810 census, so he was from 36 to 46 years old when he died. That census also indicates that his wife was born between 1765 and 1784; I believe she was born about 1782.

Suspecting that Mary Settlemire married Benjamin Pew (Pugh), I found the address of R. E. Pugh in Connelly Springs, NC and wrote to him. To my delight, he responded that in fact Mary had married Benjamin Pugh and had the four children named in Jacob Settlemire’s will. He also wrote that he went to the cemetery at Friendship Methodist Church, Connelly Springs, NC to make sure that the birth and death dates he gave were correct. Several months later, I was able to visit that cemetery, where I found several Pugh graves, as well as quite a number of Settlemyres and their descendants.

According to a record of cemeteries in the NC State Archives, the Friendship Cemetery has 100 unmarked graves in it, and the earliest marked grave dates to 1856. This seems to be quite old, because the Old St. Paul’s Lutheran Church near Newton has as its oldest marked grave one from the year 1831. I cannot help but wonder whether Jacob II and his wife Mary, as well as Adam Settlemire and much of the following generation, might be buried there in unmarked graves. I had long assumed that Jacob II and Jacob III were probably buried on their own land, and they may well be. However, it is quite likely that much of the early family was buried in this cemetery.

Mary and Benjamin had four children:

1. Rebecca Pugh—born about 1800; died 19 Jun 1866. She is buried in Friendship Methodist Church Cemetery, Connelly Springs, NC. R E. Pugh wrote me that she never married, but that she lived with Thomas and his wife. He mentioned "Old Tom" and that suggested to me that there might have been a "young" Tom. Certainly the Thomas B. Pugh who served in the Civil War could not have been "Old Tom," because he was born in 1832; Benjamin’s son Tom was born between 1800 and 1813.

2. Thomas Pugh

3. Jacob Pugh—born about 1807. Nothing more is known about him.

4. John Pugh—born about 1810. Nothing more is known about him.

Fifth Generation

Thomas Pugh was born about 1805 to Mary Settlemire and Benjamin Pugh. He married (name unknown) and they had two children:

1. Thomas B. Pugh

2. Mary C. Pugh—nothing known about her.

Thomas B. Pugh was born 27 Mar 1832 to Thomas Pugh and wife; he died 12 Nov 1912. Thomas married Perlina Ada Lewis, who was born 5 Jan 1832 and died 24 Feb 1902.

Thomas was a Confederate soldier, serving in Company E, 16^th NC Infantry, having enlisted 10 May 1861 in Morganton. The next year, his first cousin once removed, Eli Settlemire, joined the unit. An entry in Thomas’ Compiled Service Record indicates that he lost a bayonet, for which his pay was reduced by $5 on 31 Aug 1863. Then a report of 31 Dec 1863 reported that he was due $5 for a bayonet that he had lost and found again. Perhaps he did find it, but pay was short enough that he may well have "borrowed" a bayonet from a dead soldier. He had health problems while in the service: by 31 Aug 1861 he was present with his Company, but sick. Then on 4 Jan 1862 he was admitted to General Hospital No. 1 at Danville, VA for rheumatism. Again on 13 May 1864, he was reported absent sick; he returned to duty 15 Dec 1864.

1863 records cause some confusion about him. There is a reference to a court martial on 26 Mar 1863, by General Order #48, Headquarters Department, Northern Virginia (Lee). He was reported as wounded at Mechanicsville, VA,, 29 Apr 1863. He must have received medical treatment, because he was on a receipt roll for clothing from 3^rd Div. General Hospital, Camp Winder, Richmond, VA on 15 Mar 1863. The July-August Company Muster Roll showed him present and that he was last paid 30 Apr 1863. A notation shows that his pay was stopped for a period by sentence of G.C.M. (General Court Martial?). Another report states that he deserted in July, yet he was reported present on the Company Muster Rolls of September-October and November-December.

Thomas was captured by the Federals some time in 1865, as he was listed as a POW paroled at Farmville, VA during the period 11 Apr to 21 Apr 1865. One final record of interest was a 14 Sep 1864 special requisition to him of one jacket, one shirt, one pair drawers, as he was "being much in need of the articles."

Although I could not find Thomas in the 1850 census (even in South Carolina, where his children were said to have been born), I did locate him in Burke Co NC in 1860. He was not listed in the agricultural schedule until 1870, at which time he farmed 140 acres, 35 of which were improved. This acreage roughly fits the 150-acre tract that Jacob II had left to his daughter Mary for her life, after which her four children were to own the land. (Since he listed the farm, we may safely assume that either his two brothers died without issue, or that they and Rebecca deeded their interests in the land to him.) 35 acres were improved, with the rest being woodland; the tract was valued at $200. He listed farm implements worth $45 and animals worth $202, which included 2 horses, 2 milk cows, one non-milk cow, 3 sheep, and 11 swine. He produced 42 bushels of winter wheat, 150 bushels of corn, 20 bushels of oats, 20 bushels of buckwheat, 6 pounds of wool, 6 bushels of Irish potatoes, 15 bushels of sweet potatoes, 75 pounds of butter, 12 gallons of molasses and 25 pounds of honey. Together with homemade manufactures of $15 value and $50 worth of animals slaughtered, his total farm production amounted to $560.

By 1880 Thomas had increased his improved land to 38 acres and he valued his land at $800. His implements were worth only $40 and his stock $125; the farm had produced only $225 worth of crops and products. He kept 4 acres as mown grassland and one acre for hay. He cultivated his crops with his one mule. His one milk cow produced 50 pounds of butter; he also owned 2 other cattle and 6 swine. From his poultry—25 barn-yard and 4 other—he got 40 dozen eggs. Thomas planted 15 acres in corn, which yielded 250 bushels. He produced 20 bushels of oats on 3 acres; 56 bushels of wheat on 12 acres; 30 gallons of molasses from ¼ acre of sorghum; and 15 bushels of sweet potatoes from 1/10 acre. His orchard consisted of 50 apple trees planted on one acre and 150 peach trees on 2 acres.

The 1880 census for Icard Twp, Burke Co NC gave his age as 48, his birthplace as South Carolina, and his occupation as farmer. Perlina was also 48 and Mary Lowman, age 11, was living in their home. In 1900 both Thomas and Perlina were age 68 and had been married for 35 years. She had four children, only one of whom was still living. Grandson Robert G. Pugh, age 14, lived with them.

The 16 Jul 1874 issue of The Piedmont Press of Hickory, NC, contained the following interesting item about Thomas:

T. B. Pugh, constable of Icard Township, Burke county, who shot a negro for rests ting arrest a few weeks ago, has had the matter thoroughly investigated before Hon. B. S. Gaither and that distinguished lawyer pronounces it a plain case of justifiable homicide.

There is a brief estate file for Thomas B. Pugh in the NC State Archives. In the file is an account, dated 22 Feb 1913, with J. W. Shuford, Furniture Dealer and Funeral Director, in the amount of $18.00 for a casket and $2.50 for a robe. Shuford was the husband of Thomas’ second cousin, Henrietta Settlemire, the adopted daughter of Harvey S. Settlemire.

Thomas and Perlina are buried in the Friendship Methodist Church Cemetery, Connelly Springs, NC. They had three children:

1. John Pugh—born about 5 Sep 1851 and died 25 Dec 1869. The Mortality Schedule for the 1870 Burke Co NC census, Icard Township, shows that John Pugh, age 18, died in December of typhoid fever. He was said to have been born in South Carolina; his occupation had been farm laborer. He is buried in the Friendship Methodist Church Cemetery, Connelly Springs, NC. His tombstone gives his age as 18 years, 3 months, 20 days, from which I computed an approximate date of birth.

2. Joseph Elijah Pugh

3. Annie Lorina Pugh—birth date unknown; died 24 Feb 1935 according to the Burke Co NC deaths index. The index identified her father as Thomas Pugh.

Joseph Elijah Pugh was born 8 Feb 1852 to Thomas B. Pugh and Perlina Ada Lewis. About 1880 he married Hulda Mozelle Taylor, who was born 27 May 1856. 

According to the 1880 and 1900 Burke Co NC censuses, Icard Twp, Joseph reported the place of birth for himself and his parents to have been South Carolina. In 1880 he was 24 and farming; his wife was 22 and daughter Hattie M. was age 1. In 1900 he was age 48 and had been married for 20 years; Huldah was 44 and nine of her ten children were living. Children Rosa E., age 10; Josephes E., 11; Doctor E., 8; Elisabeth P., 6; Henry C., 4; and Martha J., 1, were in the home. The 1910 census gave Joseph’s age as 56, Hula E.’s as 54; Rosa M., 19; Dock R., 18; Lizzie, 16; Henry, 14; and Jennie, 11. 

Joseph died 11 Nov 1930 and Hulda died 22 May 1945. They are buried in the Friendship Methodist Church Cemetery, Connelly Springs, NC. Joseph and Hulda had nine children:

1. Hattie Mae Pugh

2. John Thomas Pugh

3. Robert G. Pugh

4. Josephus Elijah Pugh—born 23 Jul 1886; married 4 Feb 1909 Burke Co NC Fannie Miller, who was born about 1888. His sister, Rosa, was a witness at the wedding.

5. Rosa E. Pugh

6. Doctor Elvester Pugh

7. Elizabeth P. Pugh

8. Henry Calvin Pugh

9. Martha Jenny Pugh

Hattie Mae Pugh was born 14 Oct 1878 to Joseph Elijah Pugh and Hulda Mozelle Taylor. She married 8 Sep 1901 Burke Co NC Adolphus T. Ervin, who was born 23 Sep 1872. Hattie Mae died 22 Aug 1971 and Adolphus died 3 Jan 1934. They are buried in the Hildebran First Baptist Church Cemetery, Burke Co NC. They had seven children:

1. Carl Ervin—born 27 May 1903 and died 3 Jun 1903. He is buried in the Hildebran First Baptist Church Cemetery, Burke Co NC.

2. John Odell Ervin—born 29 May 1905.

3. William Forest Ervin—born 22 Dec 1906 and died 16 Aug 1977.

4. Akie Beatrice Ervin—born 9 Jun 1909.

5. Vivian Pearl Ervin—born 8 Apr 1911.

6. Fred Samuel Ervin—born 5 Jan 1913

7. Robert Edwin Ervin—born 4 Aug 1914

Eighth Generation

John Thomas Pugh was born 18 Jul 1880 to Joseph Elijah Pugh and Hulda Mozelle Taylor; he died 28 May 1931. He married 9 Jul 1905 Burke Co NC Martha Vanner Burns, who was born about 1887. In the 1900 Caldwell Co NC census, Lovelady Township, John was living in the household of Robert W. Icard and was listed as a servant, working as a laborer in a sawmill. According to the birth certificates of his children I have found, he was a foundryman. John and Martha had nine children:

1. child Pugh—no further information.

2. child Pugh—no further information.

3. child Pugh—no further information.

4. Myrtle Pugh—born 29 Jul 1914.

5. Ted Theodore Pugh—born 14 Jan 1917 and died 18 Nov 1944.

6. Elon McDuffy Pugh—born 6 May 1920.

7. Mildred Kay Pugh—born 20 Aug 1922.

8. Shirley May Pugh—born 17 Oct 1924.

9. Annie Burnell Pugh—born 29 Dec 1927; married John Clyde Settlemire, who was born 14 Nov 1917.

Eighth Generation

Robert G. Pugh was born 24 Feb 1886 to Joseph Elijah Pugh and Hulda Mozelle Taylor. Robert died 15 Aug 1917. He married Edith A. Brendle, who was born about 1878 and died 30 Jan 1967. The 1910 Icard Twp, Burke Co NC census listed Robert, age 23 as having been married for 2 years. Edith, age 32, had 6 children, four living: Thelma J., age 9; Hellen M., age 7; Bonnie M., age 3; and Jessie N., age 7/12. The first five children were clearly from a previous marriage. Robert’s father, Thomas B., also lived with them. He was age 78 and widowed. Robert and Edith had two children:

1. Jessie N. Pugh—born about 1909.

2. female Pugh—born 1917.

Eighth Generation

Rosa E. Pugh was born May 1890 to Joseph Elijah Pugh and Hulda Mozelle Taylor. She married 5 Apr 1916 Burke Co NC Ezekiel Berry, who was born in 1876. They had two children:

1. male Pugh—born and died 16 Jun 1914.

2. Corrine E. Berry—born 10 Nov 1916.

Eighth Generation

Doctor Elvester Pugh was born Oct 1891 to Joseph Elijah Pugh and Hulda Mozelle Taylor; he died 15 Dec 1968. Dock married 11 Jun 1925 Catawba Co NC Octa Stamey, who was born about 1910. They had six children:

1. Ralph Eugene Pugh

2. Nellie Sue Pugh

3. James Elliot Pugh

4. Thad Pugh

5. Betty Mae Pugh

6. Bobby Lewis Pugh

Eighth Generation

Elizabeth P. Pugh was born Jul 1893 to Joseph Elijah Pugh and Hulda Mozelle Taylor. She married Robert F. Bailey. They had eight children:

1. male Bailey

2. male Bailey

3. Roy Russell Bailey

4. Harry Matthew Bailey

5. Bessie Lee Bailey

6. Margaret Elizabeth Bailey

7. female Bailey

8. female Bailey

Eighth Generation

Henry Calvin Pugh was born Oct 1895 to Joseph Elijah Pugh and Hulda Mozelle Taylor and died 21 May 1966. He married 1st Laura Cannon and they had two children:

1. male Pugh

2. Thomas Benjamin Pugh

Henry Calvin Pugh married 2nd Ada Bollinger, who died 27 Oct 1959. They had four children:

3. Blanche Bleka Pugh

4. Billie Pugh

5. Luke Jenny Pugh

6. Perry Andrew Pugh

Eighth Generation

Martha Jenny Pugh was born 1 Dec 1898 to Joseph Elijah Pugh and Hulda Mozelle Taylor and she died 28 May 1977. She married William Harvey Settlemyre, who was born 7 Apr 1899 and died 15 Aug 1957. They had one child:

1. Grady Ellis Settlemyre.