Histories of Rowan will help with Wikipedia edit-a-thon

by Gretchen Beilfuss Witt Rowan Public Library

As part of the 411 events in which Rowan Public Library is participating, Rowan Public Library will host a Wikipedia edit-a-thon on April 1st at 6:30 pm.  Wikipedia is a widely used internet resource for all types of knowledge.  In order to facilitate quick but accurate information, Wikipedia encourages those with access to documented information to actively participate in providing or editing data found in the online encyclopedia.  The Wikipedia edit-a-thon will provide an opportunity to craft paragraphs highlighting the rich history of Rowan's past full of interesting events and colorful characters. 

            There are several books that are important in reflecting an accurate picture of Rowan's past.  Carolina Cradle by Ramsey describes the first inhabitants of this land, the first white explorers and the pioneers that followed.   His work is an attempt to trace the process by which this section of the South was populated and the character of the initial settlers; how they worked with, organized and supervised one another.  The book offers genealogies, maps, land grant information, passenger lists and an extensive bibliography.

            The first and still widely respected History of Rowan and her prominent families was published in 1881 and written by the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church, Reverend Jethro Rumple.  In his nearly five decades in the community, he took the opportunity to speak to the children and grandchildren of those who participated in the colonial formation of the county, the Revolutionary War and the early years of the republic.  He began as pastor in 1860 and remained until 1904.  As such, he obtained access to family papers, oral histories and the like that are no longer available.  In his book, he gives short compiled genealogies, descriptions and locations of homes, businesses, and events and notes important community leaders.   It is an invaluable resource for Rowan’s past.

            In the bicentennial year of Rowan, 1953, a well-respected historian and native Salisburian, James S. Brawley wrote another history of Rowan county, “The Rowan Story.”  It both clarified some of Rumple’s information and included the later history of the county.   He speaks of the activities and persons who participated in the recovery of Rowan after the Civil War up to the current [1953] business ventures.  He addresses religious development, well-known citizens, railroads and distilleries, governmental members and clubs.   Brawley followed this work twenty years later with "A Brief History" a somewhat condensed but useful book on the important bits of Rowan's history.   With these books and the many other resources, the hope is to expand and enhance the data available in the online encyclopedia during and after our Edit-a-thon.

Also with regard to the noteworthy history of Rowan, the library will be hosting the premiere of the next episode of the "Ramble through Rowan's History" DVD series.  The movie, entitled “Courage & Conflict:  Rowan in the Civil War”, is approximately forty minutes in length.  The film covers from the pre-war organization of militia groups to the raid of General Stoneman who razed the Salisbury Confederate Prison in April of 1865.  The premiere will be April 10, 2014 at 7:00 pm in the Stanback Auditorium.