Amuel Rufus TERRY, Sr. was born in South Carolina on 7 Aug 1895, probably in Richland County. His parents were John D. TERRY (1874-1942) and Mariah MARTIN TERRY (1874-1950).
Mariah was a sister of Adolphus Burdine MARTIN, my great-grandfather. This makes Rufus, as he was called, my first cousin twice removed. I previously wrote about Rufus’ bother, Oliver Terry. Click here if you haven’t already read about Oliver.
Like most of my ancestors of that time, Rufus was born into a farming family. He probably graduated high school since he was attending school at the age of 15 according to the 1910 census.
From the farm to textile work
In 1917, Rufus registered for the World War 1 draft. He was single at the time and living on his own in Columbia, South Carolina. He worked for Glencoe Cotton Mills in Columbia. Also, according to his registration Rufus was of medium height and build, and had grey eyes and brown hair. He did serve as an Army private during the war, but I have no other details than that.
In 1921, Rufus married Pearl GILBERT BALLARD TERRY (1892-1973) in Gaston County, North Carolina. Rufus and Pearl had two sons – Graham born in 1922 and Rufus, Jr (called R.J.) born in 1924. I don’t know what brought Rufus to North Carolina, but it was probably work in the textile industry.
The family lived in Hillsborough, Orange County, North Carolina in 1930 according to the census. Rufus was 34 and Pearl was 38. Rufus and Pearl both worked at a cotton mill. Pearl was a spinner, and Rufus was a comber fixer. They rented a home, and they didn’t have a radio.
At some point between 1930 and the mid 1950’s Rufus and family moved to Mt. Holly, Gaston County, NC. They lived at 604 Rankin Ave at the corner of W. Glendale Ave, Mt Holly, from the mid-1950’s until Rufus passed away. Rufus, Pearl, R.J., and R.J.’s wife all worked in local textile mills.
Click here to see 604 Rankin Ave. I believe it’s the same house that Rufus and Pearl lived in.
From textile work to restaurant work
In 1957, Rufus retired from textile work at 63 years of age. In 1958, he and R.J. began operating the lunch counter at Perfection Spinning. They ran the counter for at least two years, but probably a bit longer than that.
In May 1975, Rufus had a stroke. After lingering for a month, he passed away on 10 June 1975 at Mercy Hospital in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. He was 79 years old. Rufus is buried alongside Pearl in Pineview Cemetery, Mt. Holly, North Carolina.
Copyright © 2016 Nancy H. Vest All Rights Reserved
Wow to retire at 63 and then go on to operate the lunch counter! From what I’ve read about working in the textile mills, I am sure it seemed less tiring, but hard work nonetheless. It never ceases to amaze me at what hard lives our ancestors lived.
Me, too, Michelle. They all worked hard.
Hello! So happy to read this. A. R. and Pearl are my great great grandparents. Olean Graham was my grandfather. I found this article looking for Pearls maiden name, she was a widow when she married A R and her name was Ballard then. She lost her husband and small child to an illness. RJs restaurant The Bright Star was sold a few years back but business is still good. Every member of my family has worked in textiles. I worked at a mill the summer before college and am grateful to have that connection with my heritage. Again, thank you for sharing our family’s history.
Nice to meet you, Cousin! I’m glad you found the blog post about Rufus and that you like it. If I have anything wrong, please tell me and I will update it. I knew that Pearl was widowed, but I didn’t know she’d lost a child, too. How sad for her. It’s make me smile to think about you working at a mill just like the others in your family. I know that feeling well with work and leisure activities in my family. Thanks for connecting!
I was raised in Mt. Holly nc in the 50s and 60s before I went into the Army in 1966. I remember the bright Star in my teenage days. I knew the Terrys that was running it in th 70s. I believe mr. Terry was crippled. I know him and his wife had a daughter and I went to school in Mt.Holly Middle School. I would like to know if this is the same people here.
Samuel, Thanks for asking. From what I can tell, the Rufus Terry who ran the restaurant in the the 1970’s was probably R. J., the son of the man I wrote about. R. J. and his wife, Mildred, had a son named Randall Morris Terry (1956-2003). I saw evidence on other people’s trees that they had a daughter, also. Further information on her is private. That usually indicates the person is living. Keeping in mind that Randall was born in 1956, it is possible that a sister of his would have been in middle school in the 1970’s. I’m sorry I can’t be more help than that.
Thanks for the information.
You’re welcome. 🙂