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Joppa
By Linda H. Barnette
Another very old cemetery in Mocksville is Joppa, famous for being the burial place for Daniel Boone’s parents, Squire and Sarah, who were buried there in the mid 1700s. The name “Joppa” means beautiful and is a Biblical name likely taken from the port of Jaffa.
We know from existing records that the church in the “Forks of the Yadkin” requested a minister as early as 1767 and later became known as Joppa Presbyterian Church, which is now First Presbyterian Church. It seems obvious that a congregation was meeting there earlier than 1767 if they were asking for a minister at that time.
There is obviously not a picture of the building, but a typical one of that time period would likely have been a log structure. Another building was built there in the late 1700s. It supposedly had doors on each end. Tradition located it in the south corner of the cemetery inside the rock wall. Mr. Wall says in his book that Rev. Milton Frost supposedly said that “the seats had very high backs.” I imagine the building would have had a gallery for the slaves, and we know that there are unmarked slave burials in the cemetery.
There were only two known pastors at Joppa between 1767 and 1827. Rev. J. D. Kilpatrick served from 1792-1796, and William Watts from 1821-1826. Traveling preachers probably also visited Joppa from time to time as that was the norm for those days.
The church moved to Mocksville around 1835 where it remains organized as First Presbyterian Church.
The cemetery at Joppa, which has around 400 graves, was one of the earliest cemeteries in the county I found several of my Grandmother Smith’s Brown cousins buried there. I remember them visiting her when I was a child.
Source: History of Davie County by James Wall

Cedar Grove
By: E. Bishop
Summer has ended, autumn is winding down (or has it been blown straight out of town) and winter with all the festivities is fast approaching. This time of year has always been a time of reflection, remembering events and things from the past thinking I need to get out of my comfort zone and reconnect with friends before all the craziness of the holidays sets in. My intentions are just that.
Early November was definitely a time of reflection (from an historical perspective) when my husband and I visited Cedar Grove and the Hugh Torance House in Huntersville, North Carolina. Growing up on a farm and an appreciation for old things has kept me interested in touring historical sites. Cedar Grove (a private residence) is a beautiful 1831 Greek Revival home, the original home of the Torrance family. It is a place to enjoy and experience the natural world and helps define this lovely community in Mecklenburg County.
The day we visited, the HEARTS (history, ecology, arts, reunion, trails, store) grass-roots event was dedicated to old farm tools. It featured local musicians, visual arts and short lectures on various foods grown on the farm. The main focus this day was the display of tools that had been requested by HEARTS to be entered into a contest to determine how old, the most unusual tool, its use and the most beautiful tool. There were many on display.
The Hugh Torance House and Store is one of the county’s few surviving 18th-century structures and is next door to Cedar Grove. The house is furnished as it would have been during this time frame. In the store, you will find local artisan goods, crafts, honey, books and more.
Caroling and feasting at Cedar Grove on Sunday, Dec. 15 from 1-4 would be a memorable occasion to get in the holiday spirit for anyone wanting to make that short trip to Huntersville. The Foodways Historian, Susie Worchester, will share stories around the campfire about 18th century holiday food traditions. www.hught.org.
Great day spent down on the farm; next up was a day trip with friends to the Southern Supreme Fruitcake Company in Bear Creek. Would you like to get some fruitcake? Is that a “no” I hear? After tasting this specialty, your answer will change, I’m sure. Not only do they have fruitcake but an abundance of other sweet goodies to purchase for those holiday gifts.
And, the samples are ready!