In 1853 the third child of Etheldred Harrison Blalock (1817-1896) and Mary Ann Campbell-Blalock (1820-1890), Matilda C. Blalock (1853-1880) was born in Pigeon Township, Haywood Co., NC, USA.

On July 14th, 1860 we find "E. H. Blaylock" on page 74, line 2 of the Federal Census of 1860 living in District 37, Haywood Co., NC, USA

E. H. Blaylock, 43yrs, house carpenter, born in NC.
"Etheldred Harrison Blalock (1817-1896)"

Mary A. Blaylock, 35yrs, Domestic, born in NC.
"Mary Ann Campbell-Blalock (1820-1890)"

Eliza J. Blaylock, 20yrs, Domestic, born in NC.
"Eliza Jane Blalock-Singleton (1840-1884)"

Sary A. Blaylock, 18yrs, Domestic, born in NC.
"Sarah Ann Blalock-Evans (1841-1923)"

Joseph M. Blaylock, 17yrs, Farming, born in NC.
"Joseph Manning Blalock (1842-1910)"

Nancy E. Blaylock, 15yrs, servant, born in NC.
"Nancy Elizabeth Blalock-Rogers (1843-1883)"

Mary C. Blaylock, 14yrs, born in NC.
"Mary "Polly" Caroline Blalock (1844-1919)"

Margaret Blaylock, 10yrs, born in NC.
"Margaret Louisa Blalock-Deaver (1851-1933)"

Matilda Blaylock, 7yrs, born in NC.
"Matilda C. Blalock-Free (1853-1880)"

Thomas L. Blaylock, 6yrs, born in NC.
"Thomas Lenoir Blalock (1852-1934)"

Wm B. Blaylock, 4yrs, born in NC.
"William Baxter Blalock (1856-1928)"

John C. Blaylock, 2yrs, born in NC
"John Campbell Blalock (1856-1936)"

Lucinda E. Blaylock, 6mo, born in NC.
"Lucinda E. Blalock-Hargrove (1859-1883)"

George Blaylock, 7mo, born in NC.
"George Blalock (?)"
NOTE: Son of George Blalock (1823-1910)

George Blaylock, 34yrs, farming, born in NC.
"George H. Blalock (1823-1910)"
NOTE: Etheldred's Younger Brother

James A. Blaylock, 23yrs, painter, born in NC.
"James Madison Blalock (1815-1895).
NOTE: Etheldred's Younger Brother

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United States Census of 1860

On August 9th, 1870 we find "E. H. Blalock" on page 22, line 17 of the Federal Census of 1870 living in Forks of Pigeon Township, Haywood Co., NC, USA.

E. H. Blalock, 54yrs, house carpenter, born in NC.
"Etheldred Harrison Blalock (1817-1896)"

Mary Blalock, 50yrs, keeping house, born in NC.
Mary Ann Campbell-Blalock (1820-1890)

Margaret Blalock, 19yrs, at home, born in NC.
"Margaret Louisa Blalock-Deaver (1851-1933)"

Matilda Blalock, 16yrs, at home, born in NC.
"Matilda C. Blalock-Free (1853-1880)"

Thomas Blalock, 15yrs, works on farm, born in NC.
"Thomas Lenoir Blalock (1852-1934)"

Baxter Blalock, 13yrs, works on farm, born in NC.
"William Baxter Blalock (1856-1928)"

John Blalock, 12yrs, works on farm, born in NC.
"John Campbell Blalock (1856-1936)"

Lucinda Blalock, 10yrs, at home, born in NC.
"Lucinda E. Blalock-Hargrove (1859-1883)"

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United States Census of 1870

Matilda C. Blalock (1853-1880) went on to marry James Albert Free (1856-1897) on October 14th, 1874 in Haywood Co., NC, USA.

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North Carolina Marriages, 1762-1979

James Albert Free (1856-1897) was born May 13th, 1856 in Cocke Co., TN, USA to Issac N. Free (1824-1872) and Mary Cooper-Free (1826-1880).

On August 12th, 1870 we find "Isaac Free" on page 17, line 23 of the Federal Census of 1870 living in District 7, Cocke Co., TN, USA>

Isaac Free, 52yrs, farmer, born in TN.
"Isaac N. Free (1824-1872)"

Mary Free, 48yrs, keeping house, born in TN.
"Mary Cooper-Free (1826-1880)"

Margaret Free, 20yrs, born in TN.
"Margaret Free (1846-?)"

Elbert Free, 18yrs, laborer on farm, born in TN.
"Elbert Free (1845-1906)"

Elijah Free, 16yrs, laborer on farm, born in TN.
"Elijah Free (1848-1908)"

Albert Free, 14yrs, laborer of farm, born in TN.
"James Albert Free (1856-1897)"

Sarah J. Free, 12yrs, born in TN.
"Sarah J. Free-Hall (1857-1884)"

Isaac Free, 9yrs, born in TN.
"Isaac M. Free (1857-1910)"

Alice Free, 8yrs, born in TN.
"Alice Free-Campbell (1862-1917)"

Roena Free, 6yrs, born in TN.
"Rowena Laura Free-Sneed (1864-?)"

Rebecca Free, 5yrs, born in TN.
"Rebecca Free (1865-?)"

Joseph Free, 1yrs, born in TN.
<Joseph Daniel Free (1869-1944)"

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United States Census of 1870

From the marriage of James Albert Free (1856-1897) and Matilda C. Blalock-Free (1853-1880) at least 1 child was born;

On May 2nd, 1879 their first and only child, John Baxter Free (1879-1953) was born in Haywood Co., NC, USA. He went on to marry Mehaley Catherine Medford (1879-1931) on March 14th 1908 in Haywood County, North Carolina. Mehaley Catherine Medford (1879-1931) was born on April 2nd, 1879 in Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA to Jonas M. Medford (1852-1932) and Margaret Elizabeth "Eliza" Snyder-Medford (1862-1898). From the marriage of John Baxter Free (1879-1953) and Mehaley Catherine Medford (1879-1931) at least 6 children were born; Marjorie Free-Haney 1909-1930 (Paul Cornelius Haney 1916-1964), Ora Mae Free-Wood 1910-1986 (Lucius Cordell Wood 1910-1950), Leana Thelma Free-Underwood 1912-1992 (Charles Edgar Underwood 1908-1980), Bonnie Lee Free-Frady 1914-1993 (James Logan Frady 1909-1973), Herman Albert Free 1917-1988 (Evelyn Irene Griffin-Free 1921-1994) and Sherman Free 1917-1935 (never married/children). On August 19th, 1931 Mehaley Catherine Medford (1879-1931) died in Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA. She was buried in Green Hill Cem., Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA. At the time of her death she was 52 years old. On August 19th, 1953 John dies in Roanoke, Roanoke County, Virginia. He was brought back to North Carolina and buried in Green Hill Cemetery in Waynesville, Haywood County, North Carolina. At the time of his death he was 73 years old.

On June 7th, 1880 we find "Albert Free" on page 6, line 47 of the Federal Census of 1880 living in Pigeon Township, Haywood Co., NC, USA.

Albert Free, 21yrs, works on farm, born in TN.
"James Albert Free (1856-1897)"

Matilda C. Free, Wife, 26yrs, born in NC.
"Matilda C. Blalock-Free (1853-1880)"

John B. Free, Son, 1yrs, born in NC.
"John Baxter Free (1879-1953)"

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United States Census, 1880

Not long after the census of 1880 was taken Matilda C. Blalock-Free (1853-1880) dies leaving her young husband with their child to raise. She was buried in what is today Smoky Cove Cemetery in Canton, Haywood County, North Carolina.

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Photo submitted by David Pressley
Smoky Cove Cemetery is a very small family cemetery still on private land. It is not open to the public with out permission. It's located just off Smoky Cove Road, Canton, NC

James Albert Free (1856-1897) soon remarries on December 24th, 1881 to Margaret Bigham (1861-1935) in Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA.

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North Carolina Marriages, 1759-1979

Margaret Bigham (1861-1935) was born in 1861 in Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA to Drury Bigham (1807-1888) and Mary Young-Bigham (1827-1870).

On June 24th, 1870 we find "Drury Bigham" on page 7, line 27 of the Federal Census of 1870 living in Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA.

Drury Bigham, 63yrs, farmer, born in NC.
"Drury Bigham (1807-1888)"

Mary Bigham, 43yrs, keeping house, born in NC.
"Mary Young-Bigham (1827-1870)"

Sarah F. Bigham, 17yrs, at home, born in NC.
"Sarah F. Bigham (1853-?)"

William D. Bigham, 15yrs, works on farm, born in NC.
"William Dawson Bingham (1855-?)"

Mary B. Bigham, 11yrs, at home, born in NC.
"Mary B. Bigham (1859-?)'

Martgaret Bigham, 9yrs, born in NC.
"Margaret Bigham (1861-1935)"

Nancy E. Bigham, 5yrs, born in NC.
Nancy Louanna Bigham-Freeman (1864-1910)"

Marilla Bigham, 4yrs, born in NC.
"Marilla Bigham-Revis (1865-1936)"

Ida Bigham, 2yrs, born in NC.
"Ida F. Bigham (1868-?)"

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United States Census, 1870

On June 2nd, 1880 we find "Drury Bigham" on page 123, line 23 of the Federal Census of 1880 living in Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA.

Drury Bigham, 72yrs, farmer, born in NC.
"Drury Bigham (1807-1888)"

Mary Bigham, 45yrs, keeping house, born in NC.
"Mary Young-Bigham (1827-1870)"

Margaret Bigham, 19yrs, born in NC.
"Margaret Bigham (1861-1935)"

Marilla Bigham, 14yrs, born in NC.
"Marilla Bigham-Revis (1865-1936)"

Ida F. Bigham, 12yrs, born in NC.
"Ida F. Bigham (1868-?)"

Doctor C. Bigham, 9yrs, born in NC.
"Doctor C. Bigham (1871-?)"

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United States Census, 1880

From the marriage of James Albert Free (1856-1897) to Margaret Bigham-Free (1861-1935) at least 4 children were born.

In July of 1884 their first child, Mary L. Free (1884-?) was born in Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA. I have no other information about this child.

On February 22nd, 1886 their second child, Samuel Esaw Free (1886-1959) was born in Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA. He went on to marry Cora Williams (1890-1958) on July 24th, 1911 in Haywood Co., NC, USA. Cora Williams (1890-1958) was born on January 17th, 1890 in Pigeon, Haywood Co., NC, USA to General Sherman Williams (1865-1938) and Mary Jane Griffin-Williams (1862-1930). From the marriage of Samuel Esaw Free (1886-1959) and Cora Williams-Free (1890-1958) at least 9 children were born; Mary Ethel Free-Burnette 1912-1997 (Ed Burnette), Estella Pearl Free 1914-1994, Annie Roberta Free-Pace 1916-1960 (William J. Pace), Samuel Albert Free 1919-1979, Ruth Evelyn Free-Ball 1923-2007 (Terry L. Ball), Edward Marshall Free 1925-2016 (Nancy S.-Free), Roy J. Free 1926-1949, Louie W. Free 1928-1930 (Infant) and Carlos Monroe Free 1930-2012 (Emily Frances Metcalf-Free 1928-?). On  May 18th, 1958 Cora Williams (1890-1958) died in East Fork, Haywood Co., NC, USA. She was buried in in Bethel Mem. Ch. Cem., Canton, Haywood Co., NC, USA. At the time of her death she was 68 years old. On March 25th, 1959 Samuel Esaw Free (1886-1959) died in Canton, Haywood Co., NC, USA. He was buried on March 27th, 1959 in Bethel Mem. Ch. Cem., Canton, Haywood Co., NC, USA. At the time of his death he was 73 years old.

On June 15th, 1887 their third child, Roberta "Bertha" L. Free (1887-1960) was born in Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA. She went on to marry David Luther Putman (1880-1970) on Janurary 15th, 1902 in Haywood Co., NC, USA. David Luther Putman (1880-1970) was born on April 15th, 1880 to Thomas Putman (1843-?) and Amanda W.-Putman (1956-1909). From the marriage of David Luther Putman (1880-1970) and Roberta "Bertha" L. Free (1887-1960) at least 8 children were born; Nellie Robenia Putman-Golden 1904-1979 (Grover Cleveland Golden 1891-1967), Mary Evelyn Putman 1906-1996, David Thomas Putman 1911-1995 (Mary), Maud Ellen Putman-Dennis 1914-1980 (Carl O. Dennis), Ruth Virginia Putman-Campbell 1916-2006 (Woodrow Clarence Campbell 1912-1963), Millie Elizabeth Putman-Shoaf 1920-2007 (Richard Ray Shoaf 1923-1977), Jennie Fay Putman-Miller 1925-2009 (Hayden Ernest Miller 1929-2002) and Norman Conley Putman 1932-1997 (Wilda Irene Morris-Putman). On October 30th, 1960 Roberta "Bertha" L. Free (1887-1960) died in Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA. She was buried in Green Hill Cem., Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA. At the time of her death she was 73 years old.
On October 15th, 1970 David Luther Putman (1880-1970) died in Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA. He was buried in Green Hill Cem., Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA. At the time of his death he was 90 years old.

On May 25th, 1884 their fourth child, Lawrence Jefferson Free (1884-1926) was born in Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA.  He went on to marry Gertrude "Gertie" Hattie Mae Ballew (1900-1967) on August 16th, 1913 in Haywood Co., NC, USA. On July 2nd, 1900 Gertrude "Gertie" Hattie Mae Ballew (1900-1967) was born in Columbia Ward 5, Richland Co., SC, USA to George Washington Ballew (1875-1956) and Lorena Gertrude "Rennie" Franklin-Ballew (1890-1965). From the marriage of Lawrence Jefferson Free (1884-1926) and Gertrude "Gertie" Hattie Mae Ballew-Free (1900-1967) at least 3 children were born; Mary Free 1914-?, Ora Mae Free 1917-1951 and Opal Free-Hammond 1919-1993 (George Hammond). On January 3rd, 1926 Lawrence Jefferson Free (1884-1926) died in Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA. He was buried on January 4th, 1926 in Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA. The cemetery is at this time unknown. After the death of her first husband Gertrude "Gertie" Hattie Mae Ballew (1900-1967) remarried to Robert Henry Hayes (1897-1958). Robert Henry Hayes (1897-1958) was born on April 27th, 1897 in Hurricane, Coweta Co., GA, USA to John R. Hayes (1864-1941) and Ida ?-Hayes (). Robert Henry Hayes (1897-1958) was previously married to Myrtis Lee Ayers-Hayes (1902-1955) who was the mother to all 5 of his children. They divorced as some point and she later remarried to Max Wolff (1902-1955). Annie Mae Hayes-Ivey 1920-2012 (Horace W. "Dock" Ivey 1922-1992), Dorthy Louisa Hayes-Lindsey 1922-1999 (Mr. Lindsey), Annette Cornelia Hayes-Allen 1924-1992 (Mr. Allen), John Wilkey Hayes 1925-1976 and Dorice "Dot" Helen Hayes-Hartline 1927-2017 (John Reed Hartline 1924-2019). From the marriage of Robert Henry Hayes (1897-1958) and Gertrude "Gertie" Hattie Mae Ballew-Free-Hayes (1900-1967) no children were born. On October 30th, 1967 Gertrude "Gertie" Hattie Mae Ballew-Free-Hayes (1900-1967) died in Gadsen, Etowah Co., AL, USA. She was buried in Crestwood Mem. Cem., East Gadsden, Etowah Co., AL, USA. At the time of her death she was 67 years old.

The census of 1890 was destroyed by fire. The only part to survive for North Carolina was the census taken in; South Point Township, Riverbend Township and township #2 in Cleveland County.

On July 29th, 1897 James Albert Free (1856-1897) died in Haywood Co., NC, USA. He is buried in what is today Green Hill Cem., Waynesville, Haywood Co., NC, USA. At the time of his death he had just turned 41 years old.

 
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Green Hill Cemetery
129 Legion Drive, Waynesville, NC 28786

Sources
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