There is an amazing amount of info directly related to our family in various books. I have found the following:

"The Hicks Family of Western North Carolina (Watauga River Lines)".by John Henry and Mattie Hicks. Was published by Minors Printing of Boone NC. Is available from Mattie Hicks,5206 US Hwy 321, North Sugar Grove, NC 28679. This is an amazingly detailed book on our line of the Hicks family. Has almost 500 pages. Is full of details on over 300 years of Hicks and Teaster family history. Most complete book that I have found dealing with family.

"A History of Watauga County, North Carolina" by John Preston Arthur. This book was first printed in 1915. It is available from Southern Historical Press, P.O. Box 738, Easley SC. Fascinating book, however, much of this book is at variance with other sources. It has lots of stuff about the Hicks and less about the Teasters.

"An Appalachian Medley: Hot Springs and the Gentry Family" by Jacqueline Burgin Painter. Published by Biltmore Press, Asheville , NC. Book is available from the author at No. 12 Jones Street, Sylva, NC 28779. This is a very interesting book about one of Hiram's Hicks and Jennie Teaster’s descendants who was a famous collector and singer of mountain folk music. Has lots of info about Hick and Teasters. Discusses family move from Watauga to Fines Creek/Max Patch area.

"The Last Chivaree - The Hicks family of Beech Mountain" by Robert Isbell and published by the University of North Carolina Press, P.O. Box 2288, Chapel Hill, NC. Story about the families role in preserving folk tales and music. Has lots of family history.

"Jack in Two Worlds" edited by William Bernard McCarthy from the Publications of the American Folklore Series, published by the University of North Carolina Press, P.O. Box 2288, Chapel Hill, NC . Has more info about Hicks family and lots of genealogical information.

"Valle Crucis- a History of an Uncommon Place" by Harding Hughes. It is distributed by Mast General Store, Highway 194, Valle Crucis NC 28691. (The store is located at the base of Tester Mountain). This is a very interesting book and has lots of info on the early Hicks relatives that were among the first settlers of this part of NC.

"Smoky Mountain Family Album" published by and available from Gladys Trentham Russell, P.O. Box 250, Alcoa, Tennessee 37701. This book contains over 1000 photographs of mountain families. Has photos of Grandpa Ransom’s brother William (Bill ) Council Teaster and his wife and children. Also has photos of some of their descendants.

"The Heritage of Watauga County, 1849-1984". Samuel's family, married to Mary Foster, is listed as no. 523 in this book. There are also a number of other Tester (Teaster) families listed in the Watauga County book. This book states that the name was originally spelled Teaster rather than Tester.

"The History of Johnson County, 1986". This county is in Tennessee. Samuel's family, married to Mary Foster, is listed as no. 608 in this book. There are also a number of other Tester (Teaster) families listed in the book. It is not sure how most of these other families are related to Grandpa Ransom’s line.

"Carter County Tennessee and Its People 1796 - 1993". A descendant family from Samuel's family, married to Mary Foster, is listed as no. 583 in this book. The family is that of Martha Tester (Teaster) Heaton. Martha was the great granddaughter of Samuel and Mary. There are also a number of other Tester (Teaster) families listed in the book. As is the case with the Johnson County book, the connections to most of these other families with Grandpa Ransom’s line has not yet been determined.

"History of Washington County, Tennessee - 1988". A descendant family from Samuel's family, married to Mary Foster, is also listed in this book. The family is that of Herman Harrison Tester (Teaster). Herman was the grandson of Samuel and Mary. There are also a number of other Tester (Teaster) families listed in the book. As is the case with the Johnson County and Carter County book, the connections to most of these other families with Grandpa Ransom’s line has not yet been determined.

"Colonial Soldiers of the South , 1732 - 1774" by Murtie June Clark published by Genealogical Publishing Co. , Inc. 1983 in Baltimore. Lists militia service of Nathaniel Teaster , thought to be father of Samuel Teaster.

"These My People, Wards of Watauga County" by Lennis D. Isaacs. Detailed listing of the Ward family and their many connections with the Teasters and other families. Book is available from Genealogical Society of Watauga County P.O. Box 126 (DTS) ,Boone, North Carolina 28607

We invite any descendants of Samuel Teaster and his wife Mary Elizabeth Daniels anyone with questions or other information to contact us at mckteaster@earthlink.net .

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