Family History

Family History

From time to time it is wise to pause and consider from whence we have come in order to better determine where we are, and thereby gain a new perspective with respect to where we are going. The following brief history of the Cole-Raper Family sheds light “from whence it is that we have come."

The patriarch of the Cole Family was a young black man born into slavery in Virginia (January 1, 1839). His name was Thomas Cole. Contrary to the picture painted by most contemporary history books, most slaves were skilled artisans. Such was the case with Cole. He was both a carpenter and shoemaker. As a slave, Thomas Cole came to North Carolina where he met and married Priscilla Brown on August 18, 1865. Priscilla was born January 28, 1846.

It is of interest to note that the house in which Priscilla was freed from slavery was located on the corner of East Fork Road (formerly Bundy Road) and Penny Road in the Florence Community of High Point, NC. The property was long owned by Mary (Cole) Gibson – granddaughter of Jesse Cole and Banks Raper – and her husband, Walter Gibson. However, it is no longer in the family.

The children of Priscilla and Thomas Cole numbered thirteen. They were: (1) Mary Brown Cole married Jim Yeows; (2) Robert Cole who married Mary Webb had 12 children; (3) James A. Cole who married Keiser Charles had 8 children; (4) George Cole who married Bell Raper had 7 children; (5) Lovella Cole who married John M. Gray;  (6) Clifton Cole who decided that the better part of valor was to remain single; (7) Roy W. Cole who married Leiser A. Raper had 14 children; (8) Flossey P. Cole who married Lee Raper; (9) Nona Cole who married Elmer Yeows had 8 children; (10) Edna V. Cole who married Douglass Jackson; (11) Harrison Cole who married Connie Joyner had 2 children; (12) Jesse Cole who married Banks Raper had 15 children; and (13) Martha Cole who married Adia Consatine had 2 children.

Of the 12 marriages just cited, four were between Coles and Rapers; so it is easy to see why this is a joint reunion - Cole and Raper. Also judging from the 14 and 15 children had by Mr. Roy and Mr. Jesse, respectively, one could easily get the impression that they were engaged in a brotherly contest of sorts.

Thomas and Priscilla Cole built their home in High Point, North Carolina. Their house and the one built by Roy Cole who purchased his parent's homestead from his brothers and sisters no longer remain. The property on Whites Mill Road is now owned by Roy Cole and Leiser Raper’s grandson Oscar (Jack) Cole, Jr.; and, it is worth noting this is where the reunion was originally held.

Wyatt Presley Raper, the patriarch of the Raper Family, was born on July 14, 1848 in Davidson County, North Carolina. The matriarch of the family was Mary Giles who was born April 16, 1858 in Randolph County, North Carolina. Wyatt and Mary were married on July 5, 1876. They lived first in High Point before moving to the Florence Community where they lived on Bundy Road which is now East Fork Road. They later moved to their permanent home site, which is the property, located across from the present community church and school. The homestead, which was affectionately known as the Raper Property, is now owned by the Guilford County Board of Education.

Wyatt and Mary had 11 children, 7 girls and 4 boys. Their children were: (1) Martha Leona Raper, died at the age of four years, two weeks and four days; (2) Arville Raper who married Betty Joyner had 3 children; (3) Jars Bell Raper, Leiser Raper, Mecheil Lillie Banks Raper you will recall were married to George, Roy, and Jesse Cole, respectively; (6) Ulys Mary Magdalene Raper died at the age of one year, eleven months, and twenty eight days; (7) Oscar Orlendo Raper who married Bessie Jones had one child; (8) Edward Lee Raper who married Ina Charles had three children, then married Flossy Cole, and later had another daughter with Pheobe McCollum (9) Arnett Raper died at the age of twelve years, three months; (10) Alice Raper who married Junious Jackson had three children, and (11) Cynthia Lucille Raper who married Minor Teague had one child.

After the death of his first wife Mary, Wyatt P. Raper married Nancy Palmer who was born at Rockingham County, April 9, 1854. They were married on February 27, 1904. Nancy had three children by a former marriage, Mary, Martha, and Fannie.

Thomas and Priscilla Cole and Wyatt and Mary Raper were instrumental in getting the first church and first school for black people established in the Florence community.

The original church was located in almost the same place as where the present Turner's Chapel A.M.E. Church stands. The current building is the third and has significant additions/renovations.

Mrs. Alice Raper Jackson recalls holding a lamplight in order for Mr. Raper and Mr. Cole to see how to seal the inside of the second church at night.

The funds necessary for financing the building of the church were obtained by the action of Mr. W. P. Raper and Mr. Carl Charles who had mortgages placed on their property.

It is hopeful that this brief sketch has conveyed to you some idea of the type of persons our forefathers were. May God continue to bless the Cole-Raper Family and our descendants.