Person:Robert Anderson (47)

First person buried in the "new" Eno cemetery

Information from Anderson Family History by James H Anderson: The perplexing days of the Civil War coming on necessitated that a stand should be taken for one side or the other. While a staunch friend of the Union, Father cast his lot with the cause for which so many of his friends and neighbors fought and died, the defense of his native state. His age prevented his taking an active part in the war. Toward the last he was called into service with the Senior Reserves but was never in a battle.

After the war was over he continued to carry on his farm and provided for his family. During the Reconstruction days and for many years afterward, it was quite a struggle to provide the necessities of life for a large and growing family, and to give them a reasonable education. The country was impoverished by the war. Almost every one had to start over again. They were beaten but not disheartened. There were many drawbacks, but by being industrious, the people soon began to get ahead. The public school system was poor, and many were not able to send their children to private schools.

Father’s family grew to be eleven in number, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood. They were provided for in a manner that would reflect very great credit to his and our mother’s efforts. I was the second child of the second marriage and can remember mother from the prime of her life to her death. She was of medium size with gray eyes and black hair. She was very considerate of others especially so of her family but not sparing herself. This caused her breakdown. Negroes were free when her children were small and of little help. She preferred doing her own work to the hiring of sufficient help to carry on the work of the household. This brought her to a premature grave. She seemed to have good judgment in all things except her own comfort and health. She was greatly interested in the welfare of her children and friends. She served well but had she been more considerate towards herself she doubtless could have served much longer.

She was a member of the Ebenezer Primitive Baptist Church. After a lingering illness she died March 17, 1883.

On December 24, 1887, father was married the third time to Mrs. Sallie E. Harris, formerly Miss Sallie E. Oakley. She was a good woman and took much interest in those that were at home during her time and things generally. She survived father and continued to manage things at the old home until her death. This she did very successfully. She filled the place of mother as but few stepmothers can do.

Father became a member of Eno church at the age of fourteen. He served as deacon and later as ruling elder in the same church. He was the first person buried in the new cemetery. The old church was burned in 1893. The new church was built at Cedar Grove.

From a statement that father was heard to make it was thought that he preferred the new place as a place of burial. The rest of his people were all buried at the old cemetery.

He awoke on the morning of January 30, 1898 at his usual time seemingly well. Shortly afterward he complained of a pain in his head and becoming unconscious, passed way quietly about sunrise.