My Andrews Roots in North Carolina

The first member of my Andrews Family to arrive in North Carolina came to Montgomery County. His name was John Andrews Sr. He came with his family in 1787 from Brunswick County Virginia. I'm not certain, but my research tells me that his wife's name was Mary Scarborough, who was the daughter of John Scarborough Sr. who arrived in Montgomery County in 1785, also coming down from Virginia. John Andrew's eldest son, Alexander, did not arrive in Montgomery County until January, 1795.

When John Sr. arrived, he bought land and settled. He then started looking to the spiritual needs of his community. About 1786, John, along with his several sons and his son-in-law, built a small log church in the northwest section of Mount Gilead, North Carolina, which was called "Providence". Later, the church became known as the "Scarborough Meeting House" due to the attendance of so many Scarborough's. This log structure became the first Methodist Church to be established in Mt. Gilead. This building was used until about 1820 when it was replaced by another building erected on the site of the present church. The present church building was erected on the same site in 1854. That same year the church property was deeded to the church by Sally Andrews Clark, a daughter of John Amdrews Sr. Today the church is known as "Zion United Methodist Church". The old church is no longer used for services, but is preserved as a historical structure, and is designated such by the state of North Carolina. A state historical marker noting the church stands on Hwy. 73 about 2 miles before it intersects with Hwy. 27 at the Stanly County Line. The cemetery at the church is graced with many Andrew's ancestors.

About 1804, four sons of John Andrews Sr., David II, James, George and Anderson, along with their families and some kinfolk accompanied by James Scarborough Sr., James Jr., John Scarborough Jr., and their families joined the stampede to the new state of Tennessee and settled there permanently in Stewart County where many of their descendants still reside. Alexander Andrews, the eldest son of John Andrews Sr. remained in the Pee Dee area of Montgomery County where he owned a large amount of land. Alexander was the progenitor of my line of Andrews.

Seth Andrews was my Great-Great-Grandfather and a direct descendant of Alexander Andrews. He was the first Andrews of my line to settle in Richmond County. In the 1860 Census, Seth was recorded as living in Montgomery County. Harriet Whitlock, his future wife, lived near him then as also recorded in the census. Harriet was married to her first husband, James Pence then. I don't know what happened, but in the 1870 census, Seth was recorded living in Richmond County and married to Harriet. I am guessing that Harriet's first Husband, James Pence, may have gone off to war in the War between the States, and never made it back. Seth also went to war, but he was captured, and after taking the Oath of Allegiance, was set free after the war. Harriet's father owned a great deal of land along the Pee Dee river in the southern part of Richmond County, and I believe that Harriet and Seth married and moved onto a part of that land after the war. They remained in Richmond County. From Seth's son William Cleveland Andrews, and William's son Frank Porter, and then from Frank's daughter Mildred Louise, I was born.