Person:William Mebane (23)

[Alamance County_Feb 2006_backup.FTW]

1850 Rockingham: William N Mebane, 41 Mary, 32, VA Anne W, 9 William N, 7 David E, 4, Martha, 2 Hetty Wilson, 68, VA

From RootsWeb - http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/nc/rockingham/misc/dan02.txt: MEBANE-SHAFFER HOUSE

What a rich heritage the Presbyterians in Madison possess in the noble lives and examples, the teachings and influence of the early church. The earliest ministers were missionaries - Harvard graduates who rode on horseback to the congregations of the faithful at Cascade, Va. To Leaksville, Spring Garden, Madison and Snow Creek in Stokes County. It was the church at Spring Garden which helped to organize the Presbyterian Church in Madison and Rev. William Nelson Mebane who in 1851 became the first resident minister. Mr. Mebane was born in 1809, the son of Dr. David Cummings Mebane of Greensboro. Mr. Nat Smith, a beloved and justly famous teacher of Madison and Leaksville, wrote:

Rev. W.N. Mebane was one of the most polished and learned scholars and divines of the time and one of the most consecrated of men." He was no shouting evangelists, but preferred dignity and reverence in the service. Mr. Smith relates that at one time when Mr. Mebane was preaching quite an affecting sermon, a lady began to shout "Glory, Glory". Mr. Mebane stopped his discourse to say quietly, "Jane, when you have finished, I will proceed." That he had a zest for life is shown by his enjoyment of the wedding feast as related by Mr. Smith. The history of the Mebane family resembles that of the Edwards, well-known to students of sociology. For 150 years this family produced ministers, teachers, doctors and lawyers with never a black sheep among them.

A cousin of Rev. N. W. Mebane was Dr. B. W. Mebane who was a minister to this same church from 1899-1903. He and his wife, the former Miss Bettie Carter of "Hibernia" were greatly beloved by the congregation. Their three children were Mamie, who became a missionary to China, Carter, and Alice who married Dr. C.A. Baird and still lives in Mt. Airy.

Mr. N. W.  Mebane died in 1859. His wife survived him 36 years, living until 1883. Mr. Pleas Scales recalls a visit to the Mebane home when Mr. Scales was a small boy and he and his mother were invited to spend the day. Mrs.. Mebane was a noble, gracious lady, a queen, as a queen should be. "A perfect woman, nobly planned to guide, to comfort and command". Mrs.. Mebane ad an orchard and garden with herbs and small fruits. There were ripe raspberries, strawberries and gooseberries - a feast for a small boy.

The children of Mr. And Mrs.. Mebane were: William Nelson, Jr.., born 1843, died 1895; Ben Edwin; Mattie R., born 1848, died 1898; Hettie J., born 1853, died 1892. All had fine minds and a classical education. Edwin became a Presbyterian minister. Miss Hettie was a fine musician and teacher and said to be one of the sweetest and loveliest of women. Miss Mattie taught one of the ungraded schools of Madison 60 years ago. At one time she had a school in the former post office, a one room building near what is now the home of Mr. And Mrs.. Guy Simpson. Among her students in this school were John Galloway, Mildred Cunningham, Percy, Dura and Elizabeth Williams, several of her Mebane nephews and Pearl Pratt. None of Miss Mattie's students will ever forget her learning and her ability to impart knowledge and skills, her gentle manner united with such strength of character that she controlled the students without raising a hand or voice; nor will they forget the journeys with her in "The Wide, Wide World" nor the adventures with "The Young Marooners".

Mr. W.N. Mebane, Jr.. was a Confederate soldier who after the war practiced law in Wentworth and was a partner of Mr. Hugh Scott. He was appointed Judge of the Superior Court and served with justice and honor. He married Miss Leticia Carter, daughter of William Franklin and Cora Carter of "Eagle Falls". Their children were: Frank Carter, William Nelson III, Ann Wilson, Galloway, Robert Jesse, David Cummings and Cora Galloway. After twenty or more years in Wentworth, this family moved to Madison and lived in the Mebane home here. This home was one of true refinement and Christianity. Judge Mebane with all his family attended every service of the church, all sitting together in one pew. All of the family were good looking, tall, slender, graceful, blond with patrician features. They were attractive individually and collectively.

On Sunday afternoons, Miss Annie had Sunday School at her for the colored children of the neighborhood. "Stick" LeSeur and Jim Franklin were among the students. When the town of Mayodan was being constructed, Mr. William Ruffin and two or three others boarded at the Mebane home. Judge Mebane died in 1895.

In 1898 the family moved to Greensboro. Frank, the oldest son, was a lawyer. With their background and culture, their energy and ambition, all were sure of success in every field of endeavor.

A Purgason family lived in the home for a time and in 1903 Bryant Shaffer, then a boy of four years and his mother went there to live. They were good householders, for the house shows no signs of old age but many instances of interest and care. The hall is wide with double doors at the back; a slender stair rail with wood paneling beneath the stairway. There are several bookcases extending from floor to ceiling, reminders of the scholarly Mebanes. The first floor rooms, 20 x 20, now have hardwood floors, and the Shaffers have added a new kitchen, bath and larger porch. The Duncan-Phyfe table sofa, table and chairs are of the period and style of the 109 year old house. Mr. Shaffer, a veteran of World War I, is a Mason, a steward in the Methodist Church and teacher of a Sunday School class. For his integrity and sincerity, his generosity and courtesy, he has the respect and friendship of all who know him. His wife, the former Miss Lois Barringer, is a congenial companion and a lovely person. The Shaffers are especially popular on a picnic for they not only carry an abundance of good food and fruit punch, but they think of everybody's pleasure and comfort before their own.

From "The Presbyterian Historical Almanac and Annual Remembrancer of the Church", Joseph M Wilson, page 97:

MEBANE, WILLIAM N. - The son of David and Annie (Cummins) Mebane, was born in Guilford Co., N. C., March 10, 1809, of Scotch-Irish descent; he was trained with all the pious care for which that reace is distinguished; his preparatory education was received in Greensboro, N. C., under Rev. Drs. Pressly and Carothers. He attended the University of North Carolina, where he graduated with second honors in 1833, and entered Princeton Theological Seminary, N. J., the following year, and after a full course, he graduated in 1837. On his return home, he was licensed by Orange Presbytery in October, 1837, and for two years labored as a missionary in the bounds of the States of Louisiana and Texas, in the Synod of Mississippi, and was the honored instrument in founding and establishing churches there, which have in turn sown the good seed far and wide. On his return, he was called to Spring Garden church, N. C., which was accepted, and he was ordained and installed in September, 1839; he labored also in destitute neighborhoods, and in 1852, he took charge of Madison church. Here he continued his work as pastor of both churches until increasing illness prevented him from preaching, and the pastoral relations, at this request, were dissolved.

He saw the sure coming of death from afar, and looked at it steadily without fear. The day before his death, when it was thought that he was dying, he was asked concerning his prospect. With much difficulty he replied, "I have no fear; my peace flows like a river." He died, May 8, 1859, of pulmonary consumption.

. . . He married Miss Mary H Aiken, in 1840, who with eight children survives him.