Nobel Erwin Penland was born in Buncombe County, NC, on January 23, 1818. He was the son of George William Penland and his wife Mary Erwin. Nobel was the grandson of William and Annis Donnel Penland. Nobel’s grandparents were married in New Castle County, Delaware, in 1762. William and Annis moved to Burke County, NC, before 1790. Nobel’s parents moved to Buncombe County between 1810 and 1820. They first moved to Reems Creek and settled near George William Penland’s uncle, George Penland.

Nobel Penland married Millie Morah McBrayer of Fairview. She was the daughter of James and Mary McBrayer of Fairview. Millie was born on November 4, 1818. Nobel and Millie raised their family in Buncombe County. They moved to Reems Creek soon after their marriage and lived near Nobel’s father, George William Penland. They then moved to the Lower Hominy section of Buncombe County. Noble Erwin Penland died on January 14, 1887, in Buncombe County. He is buried in Sardis Methodist Cemetery.

Nobel’s wife Millie lived with her children until her death on January 13, 1915. She is buried at Beaverdam Baptist Church Cemetery.

Nobel and Millie Penland had nine children, all born in Buncombe County.

1. Mary Lucinda, born August 31, 1840. She married George Washington Britt (1826–1903). Died November 21, 1939. She is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Asheville.

2. William E., born April 5, 1842. Killed in the Battle of Atlanta in the Civil War.

3. Margaret Jane, born February 19, 1844. Married Joseph B. Sales (1839–1902). Died February 14, 1922.

4. Narcissus Ann married William Wiley Wells (1850–1888).

5. James Albert, born November 7, 1848. His first wife was Margaret Jones; his second wife was Arminta Elizabeth Byrd, daughter of Thomas Jefferson Byrd; and his third wife was Maggie Coleman.

6. Martha “Mattie” Lucinda, born June 8, 1851; died November 22, 1943. She married Benjamin Hawkins (1851–1905).

7. Charles Noble, born July 28, 1853; died young.

8. Lydia A., born September 20, 1855; died young.

9. Julia A., born January 1, 1858; died young.

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