Carroll Alonso Patterson and Nora Cambey of Swain Co, NC
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I (Marty Grant) am a Great Great Grandson of Carroll Alonso Patterson.
Carroll Alonso Patterson was born in Swain County, NC. I have not been able to determine his exact date of birth, however, the 1880 census showed him as 4 months old, and born in February 1880. His death certificate reports his death on 9 Feb 1922, and says that he was 45 years, 11 months and 3 days old, which calculates to a birth date of 6 Mar 1876. This is not compatible with his census records, so I'm not sure what the deal is. I suspect that his exact age at death was miscalculated. His older brother William H. Patterson was the informant, so presumably he would know his brothers birth date, but he may have gotten the year part wrong, so I've assumed (perhaps incorrectly) that he was born in the year 1880, and that he was born 6 Mar 1880 (which is somewhat compatible with the 1880 census record showing him born in Feb 1880). I'm making two assumptions here. One is that his age in months and days (as reported on his death certificate) was accurate, but that the years were not, and that the 1880 census was accurate, in him being just a few months old at that time. It is very common for a death certificate to be inaccurate as to the birth date or parents names of the deceased.
He was probably named "Carroll" after his father, and "Alonzo" presumably after his Uncle Alonzo R. Cathey. He was generally known as either "Lon" or "Lonzo". When my Great Grandfather Marvin R. Grant spoke of him, he called him "Lonzo".
Lon Patterson was a son of Carroll Moore Patterson and Lavina Elizabeth Cathey. This is proven by him being at home with them on the 1880 census, and listed as their "son". It is also proven by his death certificate, showing his father as "Carroll Patterson" and mother as "Lavina Cathey".
Lon was home with his parents for the 1880 census in Swain Co, NC. His family lived in the Grassy Branch area of Swain County, which is very close to the waters of present Fontana Lake, west of Bryson City.
Lon was not home with his parents for the 1900 census, nor have I been able to find him on that census. He would have been 20 years old, so could have been anywhere on his own, or just missed for some reason. He may also have been in another county working, or at school.
Around April 1901, apparently had a relationship with Hattie Thermudas Grant, a neighbor of his on Grassy Branch. This relationship produced a child out of wedlock, Marvin R. Grant (my Great Grandfather), born 13 Jan 1902. I have not found any official records proving that Lon Patterson was Marvin's father, but Marvin told me himself that Lon was his father. I have no knowledge (nor does anyone in the family) about what kind of relationship Lon and Hattie had, nor whether they ever discussed marriage. Whatever the circumstances were, they never married, and just a few years later (ca 1909) the Grant family left for Union Co, GA.
My Grandparents (Garland and Luella Grant) told me that when Marvin Grant was a teenager (ca 1918 or so), he was working as a laborer (either for the Railroad, or for the Highway Department, I can't remember now). While working in North Carolina, he "met" his father Lon Patterson who was also working on the same project. This was their only meeting as far as anyone recalls. They spent a few minutes talking, but that was all.
On 15 Jun 1907, Lon Patterson married Nora B. Cambey in Swain Co, NC. Their marriage record showed both as residents of Swain County, "Lon" age 25, and Nora age 19. They were married at Chris Cambey's home (her father). Nora B. Cambey was born April 1888in Swain Co, NC, daughter of Christopher C. Cambey and Mary ---.
Lon Patterson did not seem to be fond of census takers, for I was unable to locate him on the 1910 census (same as in 1900). He and Nora were apparently residents of Swain County at the time, but were not listed, at least as far as I've been able to find.
Lon and Nora were listed on the 1920 census in Swain County in Forney Creek Township. His occupation was listed as Saw Miller.
- 1920 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
- (Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)
1920 SWAIN CO, NC Page 182B House/Family # 200/ 202--FORNEY CREEK Twp PATTERSON ALONZO HD O F M W 43 M NC NC NC SAW MILLING SAWYER 1876/1877 PATTERSON NORA WF F W 31 M NC NC NC 1888/1889 PATTERSON WILLIE BELLE D F W 11 S NC NC NC 1908/1909
I found Lon Patterson's name mentioned in the Court Minutes for Swain County a few times, but have not yet abstracted those records to see what they pertained to. They may have been for debt, or something else.
Lon Patterson died on 9 Feb 1922 in Bryson City, Swain Co, NC. His death certificate reported his cause of death as "Calea Cistntion & Mitsul Regnsgibation". I'm sure that is spelled wrong, but it was hard to read. I've been told it probably means he bled to death from a wound of some sort. I don't know if this means he was murdered, or if he died as a result of an accident or what.
Lon Patterson is buried near his parents at the Sawyer Cemetery in Swain County. His grave is marked by a very small stone (the size of a brick) that says simply "Lon Patterson" with no dates.
I don't know when his wife Nora died, but she is buried beside him, with a small brick-like stone also that reads "Nora Patterson".
I've been to Lon and Nora's graves a couple of times. I often wonder if Nora knew about Lon's illegitimate son, or if that was something that was kept secret. None of the Pattersons that I've been in touch with were aware of this fact. (Cats out of the bag now!) If Lon had lived longer, perhaps the Grant family and the Patterson family might have become reacquainted.
Children
Lon Patterson had one child out of wedlock with Hattie Grant, a son Marvin R. Grant born in 1902. Marvin was my Great Grandfather. I have found no direct evidence that Marvin is his son, but Marvin told me so.
Lon Patterson and wife Nora Cambey had one child, a daughter named Willie Bell Patterson. I have not been able to find much information on her. She was born ca 1909, presumably in Swain County.
I found a grave marker just two stones from her parents at the Sawyer Cemetery for "Willabell Rexrode" with no dates. Could this be Willie Bell Patterson? If so, she married a Mr. Rexrode sometime after 1920.
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Register Report
No register report for this family to protect privacy of living members.
Last Updated January 16, 2006
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