Clayborne “Clave” Stroud Freeman was born on April 15, 1845, in the Edneyville section of Henderson County, NC. He was the son of Isaac K. Freeman, who was born in 1815 on Cathey’s Creek in Rutherford County, NC. Clayborne’s mother was Elizabeth “Betsy” Harper of Fairview. She was born in 1814 and was the daughter of Lot Harper (1781–1866) and Mariam Whitaker (1786–1824). Elizabeth was born without thumbs on either hand. Despite this handicap, she was known as one of the best seamstresses in Fairview.

Clayborne enlisted in the Confederate Army on May 27, 1862. He was in Company A, known as “Edney’s Greys.” It was a part of the Twenty–fifth Regiment of the NC troops. Freeman was wounded near Richmond, Virginia, on June 28, 1862. He returned to his unit after recovery sometime before September 1. Freeman was discharged in December 1864.

Clayborne became a farmer upon his return. He married Mary Elizabeth Conner on December 18, 1867. She was born in McDowell County, NC, in 1844 and was the daughter of George and Jane Smith Conner. She died in 1880.

Clayborne married Mary E. Rhodes on December 25, 1881. She was called “Molly.” She was the daughter of Andy and Anna Summey Rhodes. Molly was born on November 23, 1852 and died in Edneyville, Henderson County, NC, on April 3, 1922. Clayborne died on October 1, 1920. He is buried in Liberty Cemetery in Edneyville.

Clayborne Stroud Freeman and Mary Elizabeth Conner had six children.

1. Marion Tells Freeman was born on November 11, 1868, in Edneyville, Henderson County, NC. He died on February 22, 1952, in Henderson County. He is buried in Oakdale Cemetery. He married Mary Elizabeth Maxwell (May 1, 1873–July 3, 1955), who also is buried in Oakdale Cemetery.

2. Rebecca L. Freeman was born on August 26, 1872, in Edneyville, Henderson County, NC. She married Pinkney Barnwell (October 3, 1872–December 30, 1938). She died on May 17, 1963, in Wilson, NC.

3. Jay Whittington “Whitney” Freeman was born in 1874 and died as a child.

4. Noble Tildon Freeman was born in Edneyville, Henderson County, NC, on October 23, 1876. He died in Rutherfordton, Rutherford County, NC, on July 1, 1922. He is buried in Liberty Cemetery in Edneyville. On October 12, 1902 he married Mary Elgiva “Givie” Wall (November 18, 1880–October 25, 1974). She is buried in Bearwallow Cemetery.

5. George Melchezadek Freeman was born on September 18, 1878, in Edneyville, Henderson County, NC. He married Emma Catherine “Kate” Edney (1878–1938). He died on March 31, 1925.

6. Robert C. Freeman was born in 1880 in Edneyville, Henderson County, NC.

Clayborn Stroud Freeman and Mary E. Rhodes had four children.

1. Ida Belle Freeman was born on July 25, 1884, in Edneyville, Henderson County, NC. She died on September 2, 1950. On January 25, 1913, she married Guy V. Pryor (July 26, 1866–April 26, 1965). Both are buried in Liberty Baptist Church Cemetery.

2. Paul Freeman was born on August 11, 1886, in Edneyville, Henderson County, NC, and died as a child.

3. Jennie Lee Freeman was born on February 12, 1889, in Edneyville, Henderson County, NC. She died on June 12, 1955, in Asheville.

4. Matt Ransom Freeman was born on July 6, 1891, in Edneyville, Henderson County, NC. He married Emma Kuhn. He died on October 20, 1942, in Cincinnati, Hamilton County, NC.

Bruce Whitaker documents Fairview-area genealogy. To get in touch with him, contact the Crier at [email protected] or 828-771-6983 (call/text).