Nettie Louise Barnhill , daughter of Robert Bizzell Barnhill and Katherine Sherman , was born on 30 Jan 1893 in Atkinson, Pender County, NC, died on 4 Jul 1927 in Topsail Beach, NC, at age 34, and was buried on 6 Jul 1927 in Woodcock Cem., Atkinson, Pender County, NC.

General Notes:

Nettie drowned at Topsail beach along with her husband, Troy, who was trying to rescue her. Scroll down to information on husband Troy and the event that happened that day.

North Carolina Death Collection
Name: Nettie L Woodcock
Death Date: 4 Jul 1927
Death County: Pender
Death State: North Carolina
Death Age: 32
Birth Date: 1895
Source: NC State Archives. North Carolina Deaths, 1908-67

North Carolina Death Certificates, 1909-1975
Name: Nettie Louise Woodcock
Gender: Female
Race: White
Age: 32
Birth Date: abt 1895
Birth Place: Atkinson, North Carolina, United States
Death Date: 4 Jul 1927
Death Location: Topsail, Pender
Spouse's Name: Troy Woodcock
Father's Name: R B Barnhill
Mother's Name: Katie Sherman

Nettie married Troy Scott Woodcock , son of George Washington Woodcock and Mary "Mollie" Ellen Barnhill , on 10 Mar 1915 in Pender County, NC. Troy was born on 3 Jun 1894 in Atkinson, Pender County, NC, died on 4 Jul 1927 in Topsail Beach, NC, at age 33, and was buried on 12 Jul 1927 in Woodcock Cem., Atkinson, Pender County, NC.

General Notes:

World War I Draft Registration Cards
Name: Troy Scott Woodcock
City: Not Stated
County: Pender
State: North Carolina
Birthplace: North Carolina
Birth Date: 3 Jun 1894
Race: Caucasian
Roll: 1765816

Troy worked as a laborer at the saw mill. He lived in Atkinson. He was medium build and medium height. He had blue eyes and dark hair. He is married with a child at time of registration.


1920 Federal Census, Caswell Township, Pender County, NC
Troy S. Woodcock 25
Nettie 24
Troy C. 3 yrs, 4 mos.
James E. 1 yr, 9 mos.
Edith R. 1 month

Troy is employed at the sawmill as a sawyer. He rents his farm, on which the family lives.

July 4, 1927 Tragedy   Read the original newspaper accounts of the day!

Troy and Nettie drowned at Topsail Beach, NC while on a church outing. Nettie went wading and got caught in a bad undertow and it carried her out. Troy tried to get her and he got caught in the undertow also.

As I understand from another family member and direct descendant of Troy and Nettie, their son Troy Curtis believed he was spared that day and became a minister as a result.

Troy's sister, Bertha, took daughter, Mary, to raise and Nettie's sister, Inez, took Edith Ray.

Several more deaths occurred that day at the beach. Arthur Leon Barnhill, son of John Hulon and Ella Barnhill and two Bloodworth sisters, Susan Elizabeth and Annie Wake, daughters of Alexander Medford and Annie Bloodworth also drowned that day. The body of Arthur Leon Barnhill was not recovered according to his death certificate.


North Carolina Death Collection, 1908-1996 Record
Name: Troy S Woodcock
Death Date: 4 Jul 1927
Death County: Pender
Death State: North Carolina
Death Age: 33
Birth Date: abt. 1894


North Carolina Death Certificates, 1909-1975
Name: Troy Scott Woodcock
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 33
Birth Date: abt 1894
Birth Place: Atkinson, North Carolina, United States
Death Date: 4 Jul 1927
Death Location: Topsail, Pender
Father's Name: Geo W Woodcock
Mother's Name: Mary Barnhill

Children from this marriage were:

Troy Curtis Woodcock was born on 5 Aug 1916 in Pender County, NC, died on 25 Sep 1986 in Benson, Johnston County, NC, at age 70, and was buried in Sep 1986 in NC.

James Ellis Woodcock was born on 11 Mar 1918 in Pender County, NC, died on 2 Aug 1974 in Dunn, Johnston County, NC, at age 56, and was buried in Aug 1974 in Onslow Mem. Park, Jacksonville, NC.

Edith Ray Woodcock was born on 14 Jan 1920 in Pender County, NC, died 23 Nov 2006 (Thanksgiving Day) in Lower Cape Fear Hospice Life Care Center, at age 86, and was buried 25 Nov 2006 (Saturday) in Woodcock Cem., Atkinson, Pender County, NC.

Mary Woodcock was born in Pender County, NC.

Infant Son Woodcock was born in 1920 in Pender County, NC, died in 1920 in Pender County, NC, and was buried in 1920 in Woodcock Cem., Atkinson, Pender County, NC.