By Tonia Kendrick on 13 Jul 2010

Andrew Hemphill was born 08 Nov 1782 and died 22 Nov 1858. He married Catherine McDonald, who immigrated from Enniskillen, Ireland.
Andrew was probably born in Old Fort, North Carolina; his father is enumerated in Burke County on 1790 census (Old Fort was part of Burke County at that time). He was the son . . . → : CONTINUE READING
By Tonia Kendrick on 26 Jan 2010

Building Erected More than 150 Years Ago Destroyed By Fire Last Sunday Afternoon
One of the historic homes of McDowell County passed Sunday when the Burgin home on Catawba river was destroyed by fire at 1:30 p. m.
This old homestead, which was situated a mile east of Old Fort, was built over 150 years ago and was . . . → : CONTINUE READING
By Tonia Kendrick on 29 Nov 2009

The topic for 85th edition of the Carnival of Genealogy is Orphans and Orphans; we’re invited tell the story of traditional orphans – children who lost their parents, or “reverse orphans” – those who left no descendents of their own to tell their story.
A branch of my family that represents both kinds of “orphans” has haunted . . . → : CONTINUE READING
By Tonia Kendrick on 16 Aug 2009
I got home today from the genealogy road trip to Asheville, North Carolina that I’ve been planning for a couple of weeks. Many of my ancestors lived in the Old Fort area (about 20 miles outside Asheville) for several generations before coming to Georgia. My plan for the trip was to visit the McDowell County courthouse, . . . → : CONTINUE READING
By Tonia Kendrick on 1 Jul 2009
On this, the first day of July, let’s recognize ancestors and close relatives who were born in July:
Weyrich Norrente Rudisill, 7x-great-grandfather, born 08 Jul 1695 in Germany.
Thomas Hemphill, 4x, 5x, and 6x-great-grandfather, born 09 Jul 1746.
Thomas McEntire Hemphill, 3x and 4x-great-grandfather, born 09 Jul 1796 in Old Fort, NC.
Malinda Burgin, 4x-great-grandmother, born 04 Jul 1801 in . . . → : CONTINUE READING
By Tonia Kendrick on 23 Dec 2008
Captain Thomas Hemphill was my six-times great-grandfather. This marker was placed at a SAR ceremony that I was privileged to attend about ten years ago. The text of the service’s program can be found here.
The inscription on the stone reads:
Thomas Hemphill
Captain N. C. Mil.
Rev War
May 4, 1826
Thomas fought at the battles of Ramsour’s Mill and King’s . . . → : CONTINUE READING
By Tonia Kendrick on 26 Feb 2008
Several years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a ceremony commemorating the service of Captain Thomas Hemphill in the American Revolution. This biography, written by Mrs. Margaret Hemphill Anthony, was included in the program for the service, which was held at Old Siloam Cemetery, near Old Fort, NC, June 13, 1998.
“Thomas Hemphill, a son of . . . → : CONTINUE READING