+ IN MEMORY +

- AARON WESLEY ISAACS -

+ "Those we love remain with us for love itself lives on.

Cherished memories will never fade, because one loved is gone.

Those we love can never be, more than a thought apart, for as long as there is a memory, they live with in our heart."

+ "The best and most beautiful things in life.. cannot be seen, not touched... but are felt in the heart." +
-HK

* Aaron Wesley Isaacs *

My Paternal Grandfather, Aaron Wesley Isaacs, born March 2, 1879, at Elk Mtn., Mitchell Co., N.C., was the son of Emsley "Emms" Isaacs Jr. and Lydia "Liddie"Carpenter Isaacs.

Emsley "Emms" Isaacs, Jr. and Lydia "Liddie" Carpenter Isaacs had ten children, but only four survived to adulthood, as six small children, died as of disease. Other than Aaron Wesley, the other three surviving children, were James Burton "Burt" Isaacs, Laura Matilda Isaacs Johnson, and Destie M Isaacs Benfield.

About 1897, in N.C., Aaron Wesley Isaacs married Miss Martha "Mattie" Alice Ashley, that was born 1881, in Ashe Co., N.C.

* Aaron and "Mattie" had ten children. Their sons were Charlie McCoy "Coy" Isaacs, Martin Brownlow "Brown" Isaacs, Burnett Isaacs, and Earl Isaacs.

The daughters were Cozy Jane Isaacs Nelson, Sara Annar Isaacs(passed away at only 14 years of age),Sadie Alverta Isaacs Harrison, Maude Mae Isaacs Marlowe, Bertha "Bertie" L. Isaacs, and Maggie, my Mother.

Seven of Aaron's and Martha's ("Mattie") children were born in Mitchell Co., N.C. Burnett was born in Newland, Avery Co., N.C. The family then moved to Shell Creek, or Roan Mountain, in Carter County, Tennesse where thier two youngest children, Earl and Maggie(my Mother), were born there in Carter County, Tn.

* "Bertie" left home to go find work out of town and the family lost contact with her, other than a few visits she made home shortly after leaving home. The last the family heard from her, she said she was in Maryland. Her disappearance caused the family many years of worry and grief, as wondering what happened to her, as no closure. I know my Grandmother shed many tears over Bertie's disappearance. My Mother said that the few times "Bertie" did come home before disappearing that my Grandfather would take her to a nearby train by horse and wagon, to take the train back to Tn. Anyways, after "Bertie's" disappearance, my Grandmother, for years, would hear the train going by..as of the whistle, and would cry and cry, as thinking of her daughter, "Bertie". If someday, someone as "Bertie's family, friend, or whomever, ever reads this..and realizes this could be "Bertie" that they once new..you can be reassured that "Bertie" was loved, thought of, and missed by her family back in N.C., Tn., and California. I can say this, as knowing..as I was "Bertie's" niece, that grew up living right next to her Mother and Father, my Grandparents...and I could hear the train while growing up, even afterwards, after I had moved away and would go back, and with still, to the last visit I made there to thier old homeplace, February, this year, 2008.
* See Sadie Alverta Isaacs Harrison for more about Bertie L. Isaacs, b. March 2, 1910, in Mitchell County, N.C. Also, there is a photo of "Bertie" on the Memorial page of her sister. If Bertie later was married, her married name is presently unknown.
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Aaron Wesley Isaacs / Martha Alice Ashley Isaacs Household

-1910 Census Linville, Mitchell Co.(Avery Co.), N.C.-

The below census shows Aaron and Martha Isaacs' residing in the household along with thier children, all except for the three later born children, Burnett, Earl, and Maggie.

Name: Aaron Isaacs
Age in 1910: 30
Estimated birth year: abt 1880
Birthplace: North Carolina
Relation to Head of House: Head
Father's Birth Place: North Carolina
Mother's Birth Place: North Carolina
Spouse's name: Martha
Home in 1910: Linville, Mitchell, North Carolina
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Gender: Male
Household Members: Name Age
Aaron Isaacs 30 *
Martha Isaacs 29 *
Coy C Isaacs 11 "Charlie McCoy"
Martin B Isaacs 10 "Brown"
Cozy J Isaacs 8
Sara A Isaacs 6 (died at age 14)
Sadie A Isaacs 4
Maude M Isaacs 2
Bertha L Isaacs 2/12 ("Bertie".. later became missing)
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A. W. & Martha "Mattie" Isaacs Household

In the 1920, Carter Co., Tenn. Census below, a son has perhaps left home to serve in the Navy; a daughter has moved out and married, a daughter has passed away and is buried nearby in the Isaacs' Cemetery that is located off of Buck Mtn. Road in Carter County. The father of Aaron, Emsley Isaacs, Jr. and some other relatives are buried in the Isaacs Cemetery.

1920 Carter Co., Tennessee
Name: A W Isaacs
Home in 1920: Civil District 16, Carter, Tennessee
Age: 40
Estimated birth year: abt 1880
Birthplace: North Carolina
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
[Head]
Spouse's name: Mattie Isaacs
Father's Birth Place: North Carolina
Mother's Birth Place: North Carolina
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Sex: Male
Home owned: Own
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Household Members: Name Age
A W Isaacs 40*
Mattie Isaacs 38*
Cay Isaacs 21
Sade Isaacs 14
Maudie Isaacs 12
Birtie Isaacs 9
Bert Isaacs 7
Earl Isaacs 5
Magie Isaacs 0
[6/12] ******************************
Around 1928, Aaron and "Mattie" moved their family to the McDowell County, N.C. vicinity, near Glenwood. "Mattie's Brother, "Uncle Milt" lived in the area, so they moved near him and he helped them to get settled in. They first lived at what was called, "The Cob's Place",then "The Brown's Place". Then they moved to "Grand Daddy Mullinax' Place", up Goose Creek Road and then to the "Pyatte Place". All these were homesites, of those families that had owned and lived there before, then from there on, the local communities spoke of the homesites, in this way, as by the original owners.

While living at the "Pyatt Place" my Grandfather then starting preparing for thier final move, which would be their new home that my Grandpa built near Glenwood, N.C. which was then called "Nealsville", at that time...where they would live the rest of their lives. My Mother said that she got married when they moved to this last place, so since she got married in Jan.1938, it should have been then around that time period. She said my Grandpa went by horse and wagon back and forth from the "Pyatt Place" to the building of their new homesite. The home was built of white weather board and they always kept it well painted. Of course, they had only well drawn water until years later when my Uncle Earl moved in with them and helped get them set up with running water for the home,electric stove,(they still kept the old wood cooking stove,also, along with the electric in the kitchen),indoor bathroom,etc.,even their first TV. They loved the TV as to be able to watch after a long day's work before retiring to bed. Even I, then noticed, that there weren't quite as much talking after the TV. Now, that wrestlin' was taken very seriously! Sometimes then, a little fussin' would be heard. So, we had gone from the days of sitting in thier sitting area, after dark, and listening to the old radio programs..and watching the little green light on the radio (meaning power was on) to the day of "getting to watch T.V." But I can still remember even today, the old "creaking doors, scarry sounds", from the old radio programs and watching that green light!

Years before, thier son, Earl, moved in with them, the home did catch fire, but my Grandfather was able to get the fire put out without it doing great damage. He then made the repairs. My Mother says she remembers hearing my grandparents screaming for her help as with the fire(as she was living up the road just a little ways from them) She said she got so scared that she threw my brother, Billy, in is crib.. and ran down the road.

After thier deaths, Earl continued to live in the home and then with adding a type of siding covering on the outside of the house.

After Earl's death, the house and property were disputed over by a couple of Earl's relatives, one being a son that had come into the picture shortly before Earl's death. Earl had not heard from him since he was a child. After Earl's passing, he loaded up his truck with belongings of interest and left with the family never hearing from him again. All property, house, that used to be the home of all those years of my Grandparent's was all gone. When I was last back there in January 2008, the homeplace and property had been passed along, until as of the last owner.. as when I last saw the property...it was heartbreaking to see the place, as to how the then owner was not keeping the property up, as of trash, junk,etc., heart breaking to me...as I had grown up there and had seen how my Grandparents worked so hard each day toiling in the fields and all and with always keeping their homeplace clean, as to be proud of.

This part of my memory, as to what happened to my grandparents homeplace..I don't like. Although, I know, I can be grateful that of most importance..for the wonderful memories of my Grandparents and of the life I saw and shared with them, providing me with the wonderful memories and giving me reason to appreciate all for what they were and will always be, for as long as I live.

*Added later - Little did I know..that almost the same heartbreak would I encounter in the near coming years, with just in a bit different ways.. was with my dear brother and what happened at his passing in 2007 and with he and his deceased wife, Irene's estate. Then within the next couple of months, the same heartbreaks, as with my own parent's homeplace, property, keepsakes, and all. All that they had worked for all those years... gone almost, like a blink of the eye and even before my Mother's passing.

While growing up there and with living and feeling the toil, sacrifices, hardships,etc. that my Grandparent's, my parents, did encounter, gives me reason and cause to feel the hurt and shame as to what happened..I carry pride and appreciation for them and what they stood for. My brother, Bill, experienced and felt the same, as he and I talked about this, so many times, over the years. His wife, Irene, loved our parent's dearly and with respect. After she married, Bill, she also, shared the same hurt and shame as of what was happening before my parents did pass away and was to happen up to the coming months before my Mother's passing. We tried to take some earlier precaution as try to prevent this sort of thing from happening as of respect for our parents, but it seems greed was a much stronger selfish force that took over completely, as of disrespect for ancestors, relatives, or anyone else.

But as I have said, I can be so thankful for the wonderful, good memories, giving me reason to appreciate deceased ancestors and what they had worked so hard for all those years, as I shared a part of it by seeing and feeling it. With love..and respect.. thier memory lives on and will live on, until my passing and I too, will join them.

I gather that when Aaron (my Grandfather) was a younger man, he worked some in the mines, as we have a picture of him at the mine. At one time, he also, had a little store. He did great carpentry work also. I remember the big dresser, chest, that he had made in thier home, and also, an enormous wardrobe. I can remember the farming most of all, as I lived nearby, so I got to be a part of some of the chores. "Pa " liked to graft his own apple trees..did a great job with that. Too, I can remember when they would make a big raised bed for sowing seeds and starting tomato plants, to then, be replanted when large enough. What I can remember is the smell as of the fresh, new plants..when they would sprinkle them with water, before their removal, for planting, as smelled so good.

My Grandpa and Grandma did have plenty of grandchildren and great grandchildren, but they were kept in order by my grandpa..no climbing the trees, and definitely, no climbing up in the barn loft..and....all he had to do..was speak his word. I do not ever remember getting a spanking from them..all it took for me..was my "Pa" speaking a word or two..if I did try to get out of line. I had respect for my grandparents..but how I do still remember and will always love them for teaching me to have respect.. and all.. that they did do for me.

Aaron was a member of Bethel Baptist Church located nearby his home. For years, he would go to clean in the church cemetery, as he and "Mattie" were to be buried there. But, later, at the time of thier deaths, the family had them buried at Glenwood Cemetery, located a few miles away.

Aaron Wesley Isaacs passed away Dec. 1964, in an Asheville, N.C., hospital and Martha "Mattie" Alice Ashley Isaacs, passed away three weeks later, January 1965, at thier home.

I feel my Grandparents lived a hard, but good life, considering that they were only 16 and 18 years old when they married and were still together until their passing, here on earth; forever, they are now together in eternity.

Thank you for letting me share a bit of a story, as I remember through my own experiences, photos, knowledge, and through some provided information by others.

* "When tomorrow starts without me...don't think we're far apart...For every time you think of me...I'm right here in your heart". Thank you..My Grandfather.. My "Pa", you have remained within my heart all these years and will live on forever."
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- Appreciation -

My appreciation to my cousins, Claire, Janice, & Ruby..for thier many hours of work, that they have put forth, as with our ancestor's family tree of our Grandfather..Aaron Wesley Isaacs & Grandmother..Martha Alice Ashley Isaacs. When I think as of today, as with me having a computer, as to use when doing researching, as with Ruby and perhaps, Claire..there were no computers for them to use. So, this makes me really realize and be appreciative of thier hard work they did do, as of all the miles spent to go out researching and the many hours of time spent in working on genealogy. It sure makes me be thankful for my computer, also, with putting it to good use, as time allows.

-Appreciation-

My appreciation to Anita, for visiting the gravesites and providing the photos of my Grandparent's Gravesite Marker Stones, in May 2006, for thier memorial pages that I have contributed to Findagrave in thier memory.

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* Note: If interested in reading more of the life of my grandparents, read Martha Alice Ashley Isaacs' biography that I have contributed to Findagrave in memory of my Grandmother.
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- MISSING -

* Missing For Years as location unknown, her presence was missed, but "Bertie" was never forgotten about and was dearly loved by family always.

- God now knows where she was and is -

* DAUGHTER: BERTHA "BERTIE" L. ISAACS", Born March 2, 1910, in Mitchell County, N.C. If Bertie was ever married, her married name is unknown. Date of death is also unknown.