MY GRANDFATHER
JOSEPH SAMUEL BURLEYSON
By Rosemary B Adams
July 27, 2005


J.D. Burleson, a cousin, has asked me to write about my grandfather. Thanks J.D., you have actually encouraged me to do something I have wanted to do for a long time but somehow kept postponing.

My grandfather on my paternal side was Joseph Samuel Burleyson. Although my grandfather died in 1954 for me he is very much alive in my memories because of his Godly lifestyle. Many people called my grandfather Joe Sam, but our family called him, very lovingly, Papa.

Papa was born in Stanly County on March 7, 1869. His father’s name was David Derrick Burleyson, and his mother’s name was Nancy Mann.

Papa’s father farmed and was in the Civil War. David was conscripted and at the end of the war he was in prison at Point Lookout, Maryland. He had to take the oath of allegiance before he could return home. The war had tremendous impact on the Family. I don’t ever remember Papa talking about the war but I know it was probably the topic of conversation with his generation, and created great hardship for his father. One relative told me that when my great-grandfather, (David Derrick Burleyson), came back from the war he wasn’t the same man. His hand and arm had been injured or burned and we are not sure how much he was able to do after the war but all his children were educated and went on to live productive lives.


Papa had a good sense of humor and enjoyed life. He would try to shock people by saying, “Did you know my mother was a man?” Then he would wait for a reaction. He was always delighted to say his mother was a Mann. Papa also enjoyed music. As a child I remember someone would come and play the autoharp for him. His foot would tap as he listened to the music and the smile on his face and the twinkle in his eyes was a trademark of Papa. Mary Jane, his wife who had passed away years before, and several of her sisters played the autoharp and would sing at different churches in the area. I believe the music helped him remember a happier time when he was a young man surrounded by his wife and children.

Papa married Rosa Lee Hatley and they had a son named Burley Claude Burleyson. Unfortunately she died leaving her husband and young son. However, in 1904 Papa married again this time to Mary Jane Rowland and Mary Jane accepted four year old Claude as her son and showered him with the same affection that she did her biological children. Papa and Mary Jane had seven children together. The first child was Blanche Estelle who lived less than a year. All the other children lived to become adults. The next child was Eva Ardelia, followed by Ora Gerome, Lillie Leona, Louis Franklin, and my father, Hurley Raymond.


Aunt Eva, Papa’s oldest daughter loved to talk to me about the past and the family she grew up with. I have no doubt the home was happy and filled with love. My Dad was the baby and stayed with his mother and father when the family was told that Mary Jane had cancer. My Dad would speak about those times often and with great sadness. Dad would tell me that I looked like his mother and that when she died she still had black hair, no gray. One of my aunts said that Papa loved all his grandchildren but I reminded him of Mary Jane and that made him especially happy.

Papa was educated and knew some Latin and Greek but I do not know where he received his education. He taught at Yadkin Mineral Springs Academy which later became Palmerville Academy. The family considered an education a top priority and I have since found that true of all the Burleyson family. Papa also farmed on the land that he had inherited, the combination of teaching and farming provided the income to raise his family.
When Papa was older he would stay with his children. Each family benefited by having him stay for awhile so that his grandchildren got to know him. He stayed mostly with Aunt Eva his oldest daughter.

Her husband was a wonderful man who told Papa that as long as he lived he would always have a place for him. I always loved for Papa to stay with us but many times I was in the hospital and had limited contact with him.
My memories of Papa I will admit from the start are biased. I loved him so much that I named my own son Joseph in honor of him. Papa was as close to perfection as a human is able to be. My fondest memories are those that have stayed with me and comforted me just as he was able to offer me comfort as a child. At eighteen months I was diagnosed with polio. Papa was my refuge and when he held me in his arms and rocked me in a big

maple rocking chair with cushions my world seemed save and secure. He would hold me close with my head resting on his chest. The ear against his chest could hear his breathing and the other ear his soft, rhythmic voice that could sooth my fears and pain. It was not until years later that someone told me he was always quoting scripture to me.

Aunt Eva would often ask me “Did you know Papa prayed for you before you were ever born”. He prayed for all his children and grandchildren. I did not know. All I knew was this man loved me very much and comforted me in my pain. I believe he was not only quoting scripture when he held me I believe he was praying as well.
When I was older and able to walk with a brace Papa would