March 06, 2006, went the Trenton and talked to cousin Ester Meadows Perry she is 89 years old and blind from glaucoma. Her father was Edward Hammond Meadows brother, both were the sons of Balaam Meadows.

Cousin Ester told me she recall Balaam Meadows ( Grand Pa) was born as a slave and his parents were Robinson, I do not recall her telling me where Balaam was born. She said Balaam was sold as a slave to an Master in Onslow County ...She said Balaam was sent to Trenton to work for a white land owner name Joe Smith. She said Smith owner all of Trenton and the land out side on both sides of the road up to going into Green Town. She said some of this land was purchased by J.K. Warren. She said Joe sister Liza Smith the felt the Warren a lawyer had crocked Joe Smith into signing the paper for that land.

She said the old big house across from the cemetery as you go on back street was the home of Joe Smith. She also state a Hotel was located in that area ( Hotel Braylond). She said Balaam work at this hotel as a doorman. She said she recall Balaam carrying Mail and he was said to do something with the Law. She said Sam Jones told he found out the Balaam Meadows was the first Black Man to vote in Jones County.

She said the Balaam Married Carolina Williams. She said Carolina had two brothers AMOS AND OLIVER. She said OLIVER wife name was JANE ( mother of ROBERT HOLT BROWN). She said JANE had several children before OLIVER left or divorced her. She said JANE later married PETE BROWN.( A question as whether Jane Williams married Pete Brown in the 1900 census a Pete Brown is listed as Boarder in the home of Jane Williams).