WELCOME


~ The pieces are all sewn together, stitched with love.........and a quilt tells a story and the story is our past ~

The Arrowood family immigrated from England to Maryland in the 1700's. They went south, eventually settling in the mountains of North Carolina. Later , some went further south, into the Piedmont of North Carolina, in search of work and a better way of life.



I am in search of my family.

I search for those that came before me, and lived their lives as best they could. I am in search of their stories, how they lived, and how they loved.


I shared this love of seeking the past with my Dad, sharing each new finding with him, the thrill in his heart intermingling with mine. I continue this search in his honor, and hope to know these people of ours when I join up with them all in heaven.

~ Steve Lewis Arrowood 1932-2008 ~


Come with me, back to a simpler time and place. A place far removed from the hectic pace of today. To a time when life was hard, but the rewards were great. When your quality of life was determined by your own sweat, your own toil, and your own ingenuity.


Would you like a glass of sweet tea? Let's sit out on the porch where we will catch the sweetly scented breeze of summertime. Maybe Grandma will fry up some of her wonderful chicken... Time slows here.

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"We shape our lives not by what we carry with us, but what we leave behind."

~You live as long as you are remembered.~


"Our most treasured family heirlooms are our sweet family memories. " Author: Unknown


"But those who came before us will teach you. They will teach you from the wisdom of former generations."

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Thursday, March 22, 2012

James Lenoir Winters ~ The Basket Maker




Obituary:




"Uncle Jimmy" Winters was described in his obituary as a "gentle spirit". He was married to Caroline Elizabeth Benfield, and they had four children.



James Winters was a master basket-maker in his younger years. He was described as "honest and industrious". At the time of his death he had 3 living children, 19 grandchildren, and 20 great grandchildren.





Death of Aged and Respected Citizen



"Uncle Jimmy" Winters passes to His Reward - Was Veteran Basket Maker of County.



On Wednesday evening of last week, death claimed the gentle spirit of "Uncle Jimmy" Wintersm one of the county's aged and highly respected citizens. Until a few weeks ago, he had been, in spite of his years, in fairly good health and not very long ago he was able to come to town and visit his good friends here. He never came to Morganton without coming to The News Herald office, where he was a prime favorite. A very strong friendship has existed between him and the late editor of this paper.



"Uncle Jimmy" was a past master of the art of basket making, His baskets were the objects of admiration of all who saw them, the work of a skilled artist in that line.

Honest as honesty itself, God-fearing, industrious, it could well be said of him when he did that he had kept the faith and henceforth there was laid up for him a crown of righteousness.



The funeral services, attended by many relatives and friends, were held at Oak Hill Church Thursday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. B. Taber, who read the following sketch of his life:



James Lenoir Winters was born September 24, 1831, and died May 29th, 1918, at the ripe old age of 86 years, 8 months and 5 days. He was married to Caroline Elizabeth Benfield about the year 1855. To this union there were born four children - 2 sons and 2 daughters. He was converted early in youngmanhood and joined the M.E. Church, South, of which he lived a consistent member until his death. He leaves to mourn their loss, two sons, one daughter, 19 grandchildren, 20 great grandchildren, and a large number of relatives and friends.



According to one source, (Robert E Winters) James Lenoir Winters joined the Confederate Army during the Civil War, but he returned home "with rheumatism". It is not known his length of stay. A photo of his hands shows enlarged knuckles which would suggest arthritis.



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