Category Archives: Genealogy News

David and Christine Rodgers Interviews

In 1970, David W. Rodgers and his wife, Christine Slaughter Rodgers (my father’s 1st cousin), interviewed my grandfather’s sister, Rachel Slaughter, and my grandfather’s brother’s wife and grandfather’s 1st cousin, Ethel Slaughter. On September 24, 1975, they did a further interview with Rachel Slaughter.

I have divided the two hours of tape into short clips, so I can explain what they’re about. Also, Aunt Rachel and Aunt Ethel were both old, so they were a little difficult to understand, especially Aunt Rachel, as her voice wavered a lot.

Aunt Rachel was born February 4, 1881, and Aunt Ethel was born September 5, 1883. Aunt Rachel’s parents were Nuptial Blair “Tonch” Slaughter and Martha Ann Hicks. Aunt Ethel’s parents were William Thomas “Billy” Slaughter and Mildred Booker Clark. Nuptial was my great-grandfather, and Uncle Billy was his brother. Aunt Ethel was married to her first cousin, Sylvanus Toppin “Vanus” Slaughter. Aunt Rachel never married.

Here is one clip of Aunt Rachel telling a story about my grandfather, Charlie Slaughter. This is from the 1975 portion of the interviews. Christine Rodgers is asking the questions. Aunt Rachel tells that my grandfather used deer skins to make heads for his banjo, but his banjo head was broken one day with no replacement available. He saw a large cat in the yard, so he killed the cat, skinned it, tanned the hide, and had it on banjo so he could play it that night. I have heard my grandfather tell the same story.

©2022 Michael T. Slaughter

Mystery Photo – Daisy Pittman

Many years ago, my mother gave me the photos that had belonged to her grandmother, Tensie Humphrey. Years later, I started labeling them. I found out some names from my mother and some from my grandmother.

One that has puzzled me is one of a lady that my grandmother said was Daisy Pittman. She only knew the name and that she was a friend of the family. Here is the photo:

DaisyPittman(oval)

I decided today to research her and try to see who she actually was. Here is what I found.

There was only one Daisy Pittman to be found in the records of any county in the area around where my great-grandmother, Tensie Humphrey, lived any time during her life. I found a Daisy Pittman who was born and died in Onslow Co., NC. I did further research on her and found that her full name was Laura Venters “Daisy” Pittman. She was born June 9, 1882 and died June 25, 1972. She was married to Bryant Hatsell, who was born February 17, 1875 in Onslow Co., NC, and died June 8, 1931 in Oriental, Pamlico Co., NC.

Here is Daisy’s death certificate:

DaisyPittmanHatsell-DeathCert

One interesting thing to note about Daisy is that she had a daughter in 1909 whom she named Thelma. You will note in the above death certificate, that Thelma was the informant. My grandmother, Thelma, was born the year before, on May 6, 1908. Perhaps Daisy’s daughter was named after my grandmother. Maybe I’ll find out someday.

© Copyright 2017 Michael T. Slaughter