This is 1870 Reuben not the 50s!

“This is 1870 Reuben, not the 50s” Sarah was trying to show her husband that she was a modern woman. And a modern woman can drive herself to town.

“Ain’t fit for a woman to seen in town unescorted. No wife of mine is goin be thought a Jezebel” Reuben gently reminded his wife.

“Oh Reuben!”

Sarah stormed out of the barn. Reuben had turned to the side so she didn’t see the grin on his face. He so loved the high spirit Sarah was blessed with even thought she hasn’t tempered it yet. Of course her big heart and seeing good in everyone kept her temper from appearing most of the time….But when it did :.)


Sarah talked herself down while making the biscuits for supper.
“Guess it don’t matter anyway” It really doesn’t sense we are surrounded by family so always somebody to ride with a woman.

The Lindsay house was a small one bedroom old farm house on her father R Beasley’s land.

They moved in it when they married nearly 7 years ago. Reuben had returned from the war right after his brother had died while serving. Reuben was barely alive when his father Larkin went to collect him in Asheville that Feb 1862. The fever had taken a lot out of Reuben and took his ma Rachel and Sarah most of a year to get his strength back to normal.

Reuben worked hard on his father in law farm while farming their own section of land and raise livestock to feed their young family. Wasn’t much money anywhere after the war but they were always fed. That made them blessed when so many had lost so much.

Sarah was the happy homemaker with their own home but surrounded by family and friends. The good Lord blessed them first with a daughter Harriet in 1864. Then 1867 with twins James and Mary. By 3 James was slim but tall for his age while his sister was short and tiny. “ No One would ever think they were twins ifin they they didn’t know.

The baby was one years old now and starting to pull up , ready to take off. Double stockings were used to keep her feet ready for walking. and thick cloth diapers cushioned her bottom if she landed on that part.

Sarah’s younger sister Leticia was a close friend in those days. Leticia was a sturdy hard working girl in her teens. All the farming wives were the same in that respect. Toting big bushels of seed or loading and unloading bales of hay was never given a second thought as during the war women had to do her share and more and no time to figure out how not to. You just did it and got it done.

On Saturday morning The Lindsays loaded in the wagon with Sarah’s special dishes. The Masons had suffered the loss of their barn from a fire the week before. In those days, no insurance was needed. Your neighbors has a barn raising. That was an occasion for neighbors to gather. Build the barn , men socialized, women cooked and discussed life and the children played and had a good time. A happy time by all. What good eating too.

This day was no differ, Plenty of rabbits and squirrels were stewed with potatoes, onions and beans. Finishing off the meals were some of the best breads and pies ever baked.
The barn raising was also a good way for the teenagers to keep in contact. Wasn’t too long ago that one of the neighborhood gatherings was a scene for Sarah and Reuben’s courting or seemed more like “fireworks”





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1870 Census







R A Lindsay
Birth Year:
abt 1843
Age in 1870:
27
Birthplace:
North Carolina
Home in 1870:
Cowee, Macon, North Carolina
Race:
White
Gender:
Male
Value of real estate:
View image
Post Office:
Franklin




R A Lindsay
27
Sarah A Lindsay
27
Harriett A Lindsay
6
James A Lindsay
3
Minetta Lindsay
3
Isabella J Lindsay
1








Reuben Beasley
Birth Year:
abt 1813
Age in 1870:
57
Birthplace:
South Carolina
Home in 1870:
Cowee, Macon, North Carolina
Race:
White
Gender:
Male
Value of real estate:
View image
Post Office:
Franklin








Reuben Beasley
57
Jone Beasley
55
Luvada Beasley
34
Letta C Beasley (Leticia)
14
Tolap Hibbard (Jane's Mother Julia Hubbard)
92
T M Beasley
16

Sarah Beasley's Life is put on hold...June 20, 1861

George Lindsay had enjoyed working on the Hubbard farm for the past year but duty calls and as a man he has to answer. The Hubbards hated seeing George leave but hoped he would be back soon.

George walked into his parent's kitchen, His Mom Rachel was completing her task at hand on the wood stove. The normally robust woman was eerily quiet.

The 44 year year old woman had a happy life but lots of work and life had taken a toll on the once raven haired beauty.Tomorrow was adding 20 more years to her.

Finally she spoke "George ring the bell"

Within moments Larkin and his son Reuben were washing on the back porch for the noon meal. Larkin was a good man but ruled the farm with stern rules and his wife Rachel ruled the house the same way. But don't be mistaken the love flowed.
The table was packed with the large Lindsay family joining together. Rachel was heavy with child that day but her concern was over her older boys.
Rachel looked at George, William and Reuben. At 23,22 and 19 they still had the childhood enthusiasm but thought they were grown. None married but Reuben sure is taken with that Beasley girl. Of course none of that would matter after tomorrow.

The Lindsay household, were early risers and this morning was not any different in that respect. The girls' normal chores were feeding, milking and gathering eggs then finished off with house chores. The field work was tackled by the male folks until harvesting then the women joined in. That changes today!
After the chores,the boys were met at the front door with the whole family.Saying good bye to 3 sons heading to join the war was hard. Larkin and Rachel had to face difficult times before but nothing like this.

The family prayer that day was for the safe return of all 3.Larkin knew with the boys serving together in the same unit that they could help each other and gave them a good chance of returning.
George her first born was the last to let go of his mom's embrace. Reuben was saying good bye to Sally (Sarah) Beasley while William was listening to his father's words of advice. The 3 brothers smiled at each other and jumped on the back of the wagon already loaded with other young men. The wagon was headed for Franklin in Macon County NC. The enlisting post was there on this day...June 20th, 1861....The day that the young boys were leaving their innocence, love ones and their only known existence. They were just farmers but in a few hours they would be soldiers. Time of war every body's life changed!
The last day of the year was a day Rachel would never forget. She was nursing her new born daughter when Larkin gave her the news their son George would not be returning. The whole community grieved but were proud of George Lindsay!


*********************************************************************************
Name: R A Lindsay
Residence: Macon County, North Carolina
Occupation: Farmer
Age at Enlistment: 19
Enlistment Date: 20 Jun 1861
Rank at enlistment: Private
Enlistment Place: Macon County, NC
State Served: North Carolina
Survived the War?: Yes
Service Record: Enlisted in Company H, North Carolina 16th Infantry Regiment on 20 Jun 1861.
Mustered out on 06 Feb 1862.

Birth Date: abt 1842
Sources: North Carolina Troops 1861-65, A Roster

George Lindsay
Residence: Macon County, North Carolina
Occupation: Farmer
Enlistment Date: 20 Jun 1861
Enlistment Place: Macon County, North Carolina
Side Served: Confederacy
State Served: North Carolina
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 20 June 1861 at the age of 20.
Enlisted in Company H, 16th Infantry Regiment North Carolina on 20 Jun 1861.
Died Company H, 16th Infantry Regiment North Carolina on 16 Dec 1861 at Staunton, VA.







Name: William Lindsay
Residence: Macon County, North Carolina
Occupation: Farmer
Enlistment Date: 20 Jun 1861
Enlistment Place: Macon County, North Carolina
Side Served: Confederacy
State Served: North Carolina
Service Record: Enlisted as a Private on 20 June 1861 at the age of 22.
Enlisted in Company H, 16th Infantry Regiment North Carolina on 20 Jun 1861

Sarah Beasley

Working a farm in the 1860s took from dawn to dusk and then some. Add a large family to that and the work eases a bite but grows in other ways. Kids to raise, keep dressed and taught farm work. The 3 Rs were taught if the Parents knew them. If a settlement was lucky enough to had a school room and had a teacher…..Schooling took time and a family farm didn’t have any extra.
The Beasley Family in Macon Co NC was one of those family farms. With over 100 acres and 5 daughters and 1 son left Reuben and his wife Jane with nary a second to themselves. Daughters are great on the house work and tending growing youngins but takes twice the time to handle the heavy weight tasks.
Sarah Beasley was as gangly and emotional as the normal 17 year old girl. That’s as far as the normalcy went. With her blonde hair and blue eyes she was a stunning, intriguing specimen but her fun spirit and good heart made her the center of attention Pleasing to the eye and lots of good hearty laughter.
Sarah was nearing the end of barn cleaning. And singing to the top of her lungs. The soul sings when happiness rings. Having half a day of chores today was a rarity. She was lucky to accompany her grandmother Julia Hubbard on a visit to Elijah and Ruth Caler Hubbard this afternoon.

Elijah and Ruth Hubbard were overjoyed to spend afew hours with his mother Julia and niece Sarah. Elijah’s recent 57th birthday was still a topic of discussion on this day, as was the hiring of a new farm hand. With the only help being his wife Ruth who was nearing 60, Elijah was quick to accept the services of George Lindsay.
The tall 20 year old helper was as hard a worker as could be asked for. George’s character was never in question as he was the son of Larkin and Rachel Lindsay. The Lindsays were a local and well respected farming family.

The possible work arrangement was brought to the attention of Elijah by William Beasley, Reuben’s oldest son. Young William Beasley and his family lived a few
farms up from the Lindsay Farm and knew the Lindsay patriarch, Larkin had plenty of farm hands with his large family and George wanted to save for a house of his own one day. So the neighbor grapevine was again the solution to a problem. Elijah needing strong arms to help his farm and George needing work. Pass it on it was solved..
George Lindsay was coming in from the fields that afternoon when he saw The buggy carrying Old Widow Hubbard and Sarah Beasley. A quick jerk backwards of the head was all time allowed and all needed. That simple action spoke volumes- How youins doin? God be with youins? And See again soon.

George’s thoughts turned back to the last time he saw Sarah. For the past year when his brother Reuben and Sarah were within yelling distance fireworks exploded.
The calm and collected Reuben was a smooth talker. His words and charm paved his way. Except when Sarah Beasley was around. She got his ire up just by breathing. Neither could put it in words since descent Folks don’t argue in public. The chemistry between them was understood by all except Reuben and Sarah. Time will tell…..


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Notes: You can find Sarah and her family on the Macon Co NC 1860 census. George Lindsay is documented as living with his family and Elijah Hubbard (misspelled Hibbards) Don’t peek at the 1870 census until the next the next segment.

Without the neighbor grapevine, this country would not have grown and survived. If a man thought, planned and cared only about himself and his family. He would have perished! That was the way in the NC mountains in that day and still runs true today. If another needs help, you never falter in your help, that’s the way ………

You can find Sarah and her family on the Macon Co NC 1860 census. George Lindsay is documented as living with his family and Elijah Hubbard (misspelled Hibbards) Don’t peek at the 1870 census until the next the next segment.

Name: Sarah E Beasly
Age in 1860: 17
Birth Year: abt 1843
Birthplace: Macon
Home in 1860: Tennessee Valley, Macon, North Carolina
Gender: Female
Post Office: Franklin
Name: Reuben Lindsey
Age in 1860: 16
Birth Year: abt 1844
Birthplace: Macon
Home in 1860: Cowee, Macon, North Carolina
Gender: Male
Post Office: Franklin

1850 Macon County NC Census

Name Age
Reuben Beasley
37
Jane Beasley
33
William Beasley
18
Lucinda Beasley
16
John Beasley
14
Charles Beasley
12
Sally Beasley (Sarah)
8
Joseph Beasley
6
Nancy Beasley
5
Ruth Beasley
0
Eleanor Childers
3
Jaila Hibbards
62


1860 Macon County NC Census
Dwelling 476 Family 488

Reuben Beasly

49
Jane Beasly
46
Lucinda Beasly
23
Sarah E Beasly
17
Joseph M Beasly
14
Nancy T Beasly
12
Letty C Beasly
5
Jabah Hibbards
80

Dwelling 467 Family 479
Elijah Hibbards
56
Ruth Hibbards
60
George Lindsey
20

Dwelling 770 Family 786

Son of Reuben Beasley
William J Beasley




27
Rhoda Beasley
27
Agnus J Beasley
8
Joseph M Beasley
6
Ruben A Beasley
4
Sarah L Beasley
2
Nancy L Beasley
4/12

Dwelling 774 Family 790
Larkin Lindsey
45
Rachael Lindsey
40
George J Lindsey
20
William E Lindsey
18
Reuben Lindsey
16
Sarah A Lindsey
14
Margaret R Lindsey
12
Ruth A Lindsey
10
Charlotte K Lindsey
3
Arty M Lindsey
1
Mary J Lindsey
8
Louisa Lindsey
6
Letta E Lindsey
5

First photo is courtesy of:

Image: Marc Aert / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

All remining photos are the property of Real Mountain Women and can not be copied or reproduced without written permission.


See you-ins soon!