Flake Family Reunion Enjoyed By 125 Persons
July 10, 1974 The Messenger & Intelligencer, Wadesboro, N.C. page 6.

Members of the Flake family and friends met together Saturday, June 29, at the site of the Samuel Flake Colonial Settlement on Smith’s Creek near Lilesville for a family reunion. The welcome address, and brief history of the Flake family was given by Mrs. Beattie Flake Price of Rockingham. The scripture reading (Psalms 133) and prayer was given by Rev. Henry Garris of Rockingham. The response to the welcome and brief review of the reunion in 1941 was given by Miss Augusta Flake of Snowflake, Arizona. A description of the Flake family organization in Snowflake, Arizona was given by Mrs. Gerda Flake of Mesa, Arizona. 

After these few remarks dinner was spread on the table under the trees and served to approximately 125 people.

The afternoon was spent having a good time talking with old acquaintances and making new ones. Pictures were taken, several scrap-books were brought and looked at. Several books of family records were frequently examined. Several people walked over the cemetery and looked at the graves of ancestors. Others walked down to the Creek. Altogether it was a beautiful time for all.

It is not known just where Samuel Flake was born, but it has been said to be Mowen, Scotland. He bought his first land in Anson County in November 1763. He was firm in his convictions, so we find his name listed as one of the Regulators in the battle of Alamance and to the many petitions sent to the  General Assembly concerning county matters.

According to his will made May 5, 1802 he had ten living children and their descendents are scattered over the Southern and Western States.

One grandson, James Madison Flake went to Mississippi in 1842 and there joined the Mormon faith. He helped to finance the Mormon migration to Utah, and according to the family tradition, Brigham Young was riding in James Madison Flake’s mountain carriage when he first sighted the Valley and the Great Salt Lake. This carriage is presently on display in the Pioneer Museum in Salt Lake City.

Samuel Flake so firm in his convictions, so strong in his faith, leaves to his descendants an enviable heritage. We can see the traits he possessed in many of his descendants to this day.

Officers appointed for the coming year are: Chairman J. S. Young, Ansonville, Vice Chairman, Mrs. Beattie Flake Price, Rockingham; Ben Horne, Monroe; Frank Flake and Henry Martin; Wadesboro Secretary & Treasurer, Mrs. Ben A. Horne, Monroe.

The vice chairmen were: Mrs. Beattie Flake Brice, Ben Horne, Frank Flake and Henry Martin. Secretary and Treasurer, Mrs. Ben Horne. They want to have this reunion annually.

Those coming from other counties and states for the reunion on Saturday were: Miss Augusta Flake, Mrs. Virgil Flake, and Mrs. Prudence McLaws Fyffe, all of Arizona.

Mr and Mrs. James R. Boone and Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Purtill of Florida.

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Goan, John W. Goan, Jr., Elizabeth A. Goin, Robert Lewis Goin, and Jennifer Lynn Goan, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Dicky, and Mrs. Patsy Alderman all of Knoxville, Tennessee.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Watkins, Austelle, Ga., Mr. and Mrs. James R. Goan and Mr. and Mrs. James R. Goan Jr. of Syrma, Ga., and Mr. and Mrs. W. Vann Parker, Auburne, Ala.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Frank Gulledge and Mr. And Mrs. Ben A. Horne of Monroe, N.C.

Mr. James Thomas Flake, Jesse Thomas Flake and Miss Betty Jean Flake all of Cullowhee N.C.

Mr. and Mrs. Victor F. Harris, of Harrisburg, N.C. Mr. and Mrs. Michael Petite, Brooklyn, New York, Mr. and Mrs. George Culberson and Mrs. Eliza Cooke and son Steve of McAdenville, N.C.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cash, Mrs. Lynoa Cash, Sanford and children Frances, R.B. III and David Thomas Cash and Mrs. Patricia McQuague Lackey and sons Phillip and Stephen all of Winstom-Salem.

Mr. And Mrs. Wm. Kirby Flake and Mr. and Mrs. Wm. K. Flake Jr. of Wilmington, N.C.

Mr. and Mrs. James Willis Flake and children, Sharon and Timmy, Mr. and Mrs. Lester Seago and Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Seago and children, Anglie and Kimberly all of Durham, N.C.

Mrs. Gladys Culberson, Mr. George A. Andrews and daughter, Sharon, and Mrs. Sarah S. Byrnes all of Mt. Gilead, N.C.

Mrs. Roxie McQuague Stiles and children, Paula and Paul E. Jr. of Greensboro and Mr. and Mrs. R. Emerson Whatley and daughter, Ann of Raleigh.

Coming from Rickingham were Rev. Henry Garris, Mrs. Beattie Flake, Price, Mrs. Martha E.E. Grant, Mrs. Lucy Dawkins, Mrs. Edna Caldwell, Miss Betty Lou Caldwell and Mr. and Mrs. John Crowson and daughter Amanda. 

Mrs. Rosa B. Dawkins and Misses Margaret, Sandra and Susan Weatherford all of Darlington S.C. and Mr. W.P. Dawkins of Hartsville, S.C.

The Flake Reunion held in Anson County at a family Cemetery on the Wheelbarrow Road between Clark’s Monument and the Savannah Church Ingram Mountain Road with at least 125 persons with at least 75 from out of the state and county. Pictured in the group, which cannot be identified from left to right due to the large number, but a listing of the visitors from other states and counties is as follows:

Miss Augusta Flake, Snowflake, Arizona Mrs. Virgil Flake, Mesa, Arizona and Mrs. Prudence McLaws Fyffe, Central Arizona; Mr. and Mrs. James R. Boone, Jacksonville, Fla. Mr. and Mrs. William Purtill, Cocoa Fla.

Mr. and Mrs. John W. Goan Jr., Elizabeth A. Goan, Robert Lewis Goan, Jennifer Lynn Goan, Mr. and Mrs. Roger Dickey, Mrs. Patsy Alderman, all of Knoxville, Tenn.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Watkins, Austell, Ga., Mr. and Mrs. Jamrs R. Goan and Mr. and Mrs. James R. Goan Jr. of Smyrna, Ga., Mr. and Mrs. Vann Parker of Auburn, Ala.

Mr. and Mrs. J. Frank Gulledge, Mr. and Mrs. Ben A. Horne of Monroe, James Thomas Flake, Jesse Thomas Flake and Miss Betty Jean Flake, all of Cullowhee.

Mr. and Mrs. Victor F. Harris of Harrisburg; Mr. and Mrs. Michael Petite, Brooklyn N.Y, Mr. and Mrs. George Culberson; and Mrs. Eliza Cocke and son Steve, of McAdenville, N.C.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Cash, Mrs. Lynoa Cash of Sanford and children, Frances R.B. Ill and David Thomas Cash

Mrs. Patricia M. McQuague Lackey and sons, Phillip and Stephen, all of Winston-Salem.

Mr. and mrs. Wm. Kirby Flake, Mr. and Mrs. Wm. K. Flake Jr. of Wilmington; Mr. and Mrs. James Willis Flake and children, Sharon and Timmy, Mr. and Mrs. Jerry Seago and children, Angie and Kimberly of Durham.

Mrs. Gladys Culberson, Mrs. George A. Andrews, and daughter, Sharon, Mrs. Sarah S. Byrnes, all of Mt. Gilead; Mrs. Roxie McQuague Stiles and children of Greensboro, Paula and Paul E. Jr. Mr. and mrs. R. Emerson Whatley and daughter Ann of Raleigh..

The Reverend Henry Garris, Mrs. Battle Flake Price, Mrs. Martha E.D. Grant, Mrs. Lucy Dawkins, Mrs. Edna Caldwell, Miss Betty Lou Caldwell, Mr. and Mrs. John Crowson and daughter Amanda, all of Rockingham.

Mrs. Ross B. Dawkins, Misses Margaret, Sandra and Susan Weatherford of Darlington, S.C. and W.P. Dawkins of Hartsville, S.C.