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Writer's pictureJo Beth Boyles

Foster family of Davie County, NC

Carrie Viola Foster is my paternal grandmother. We called her and still refer to her as Granny Holland. She did not like the name Carrie and was called Viola by her siblings. Granny Holland was born October 31st, 1890 in the community of Farmington. My best guess is the area is near the old school which is now a community center. The 1900 census records show the large family still residing in Davie County.


Name Zenus Foster Age 42

Name Sarah Foster Age 42

Name Jennie Foster Age 21

Name Mattie Foster Age 18

Name Notie Foster Age 17

Name George Foster Age 15

Name Benjamin Foster Age13

Name Kellie Foster Age11

Name Viola Foster Age 9

Name Esther Foster Age 8

Name Simeon Foster Age 6

Name Ernest Foster Age 1


There was a child born between Great Uncle Sim and Great Uncle Ernest, Sallie Elizabeth.


Sallie Elizabeth Foster

1897–1898

BIRTH APRIL 2 1897 • Davie County, NC DEATH OCTOBER 31, 1898 • Davie County, NC

Granny Holland's baby sister died on her 8th birthday.


I have not located the grave for Sallie Elizabeth Foster, however I think it is at Farmington Methodist Church.



My generations Great grandfather Zenus, is listed as a grist miller on this census.



Foster Siblings - Granny Holland is in the black dress and Great Uncle Sim is next to her. Great Aunt Ellen Foster Stone is in the middle of the two sisters.


Zenus Dewitt Foster was the father of Carrie Viola Foster Davis Holland and her siblings.



The house on Pleasant View Drive is still in family hands as a great niece of Great Aunt Ellen Foster Stone, bought this home many years ago. It has been well maintained and I always smile when I do have the change to pass by this way. Great Aunt Ellen told me about the fox hunting that went on in the area of which I have lived for almost 40 years. As a young woman she would have been in the area across the street from me cheering her husband, Jim Stone.


The 1910 census show Zenus and wife, Sarah Howard Foster living on Highland Ave. in Winston-Salem. He is working in the tobacco industry. My grandmother and her first husband would reside on Highland Ave.


Household Members Name Zenons D FosterAge52

Name Sarah FosterAge52

Name Mattie Foster Age24

Name Romer Howard Age 22 - listed as female and boarder. Must be a niece of Great Grand Sarah Howard Foster.

Name Kellie FosterAge21

Name Esther FosterAge17

Name Sim FosterAge15

Name Ernest FosterAge 10

Name Ellen FosterAge7



Our grandmother was married July 4th, 1909 to Joe Davis and that is why she is not on this census.


Zenus Dewitt Foster was the son of Emeline Potts Foster and


William M. Foster

1823–1905

BIRTH 15 OCT 1823 • Farmington, Davie, North Carolina, United States DEATH 4 MAR 1905 • Davie County, NC

2nd great-grandfather



Name William M Foster Enlistment Age39 Birth Date1823 Enlistment Date18 Mar 1862 Enlistment Place Davie County, North Carolina Enlistment Rank Private



Muster Date18 Mar 1862Muster Place North Carolina Muster Company E Muster Regiment42nd Infantry Muster Regiment Type Infantry Muster Information Enlisted Side of War Confederacy Survived War? Yes Residence Place Davie County, North CarolinaNotes1865-06-01 Paroled, (Salisbury, NC)


Great Aunt Ellen Foster Stone said that he was a guard at Salisbury due to his age. Also that a younger Foster was with him and fell off a supply wagon and died. I have not found any records about this.




The 1880 census show that he was a wagon maker. Family legend is that he was an excellent singer. He would die in 1905 and then his son, Zenus, would make the move to Winston-Salem.



William was the son of Charity Akers Foster and


Henry G Foster

1799–1850

BIRTH 1799 • Charlottesville, Albemarle, Virginia, United States DEATH MAY 1850 • Davie Co NC

3rd great-grandfather



Henry and Charity married in North Carolina.

Date27 Oct 1828 Marriage County Surry Marriage State North Carolina Source County Court Records at Dobson, NC & Family History

Davie county was not formed until 1836 from Rowan County.


Henry was the son of Dinah Taylor Foster and

Zenas G Foster

1772–1843

BIRTH 1772 • Charlotte City, Virginia, United States DEATH 1843 • Davie, North Carolina, United States

4th great-grandfather


He and wife Dinah Taylor married Date:5 Jan 1797 Marriage Location: Charlotte County, Virginia


Zenas G. Foster is the first Foster to settle in Davie County. The 1810 Census shows that he was still in Charlotte County, VA.

In 1830 he is listed as living in Surry County, NC.




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