(Greenville News, August 10)
Meeting at the home place of Samuel L. Curry, more than 100 friends and relatives today attended the annual reunion of the Curry family which was declared by all present to be the “best yet held.”
Those gathering at the reunion today were the descendants of Ivory and Eliza Anne (Burdette) Curry. Among those present were six children of this couple, in addition to many grandchildren and great-grandchildren together with a number of other relatives and friends.
The children present were Mrs. Jake Watson of Fountain Inn, W. Collier Curry, John R. Curry, L. Dunk Curry and Samuel L. Curry of Gray Court, and Rev. C.P. Curry of Hendersonville. The ranking members of the Curry family are Mrs. Watson and W. Collier Curry, the latter being the oldest member of the family bearing the Curry name.
A sumptuous picnic dinner was served on the lawn at noon and relative and stranger alike was invited to come forward and partake freely. Everything tempting to the appetite was placed on the table in abundance, showing the material blessings that have been enjoyed by this favored people. Divine thanks was returned by the Rev. T.W. Munnerlyn, former pastor of the Gray Court and Dials Methodist churches but now Batesville, who was a specially invited guest for the occasion.
Following the dinner hour an informal program was held, being conducted by the president of the family organization, W.C. Curry. The minutes of the last meeting, together with information in regard to the family tree was read by the secretary, Mrs. J.A. Curry.
The meeting was formally opened with prayer by the Rev. C.W. Watson, pastor of the Gray Court and Dials Methodist churches, to which the majority of those present belong.
An earnest but forceful address, appropriate to the occasion, was delivered by the Rev. D.A. Morris of Galena, Ohio, who was a specially invited guest for the occasion. Following this several other members of the family, as well as a number of visitors, were called upon for a brief expression. Among those responding was Dr. W.C. Curry Jr., a member of the faculty of Vanderbilt University, who leaves next week for a tour of Europe, being granted a leave of absence to Vanderbilt to pursue special study abroad.
The assembly was fortunate in having among its number both a well known pianist and an equally well known and talented singer. With Miss Miriam Fletcher of Jackson, Ga., at the piano and Rev. C.P. Curry, a well known gospel singer, leading, those present joined in the singing of many beautiful and familiar songs. This part of the program was carried on for some time and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
The family history, a read here today, showed that there are now living 39 grandchildren and 76 great-grandchildren of Ivory and Eliza Ann Curry. It was quite a coincidence that the place where the reunion was held was among the first settlements in this section, the original house being built in 1802, it was said. The first Currys to settle in Laurens County are said to have been of Scotch-Irish stock, but history as to the exact date of their arrival and other information of a like nature is difficult if not impossible to obtain at this time, although members of the family have not abandoned hope of tracing much past family history.
Many educators, ministers and professional workers have been listed among the descendants of the original Currys, while the “stay at homes” have prospered as is evidenced by the well kept farms and the beautiful and homes that abound in this section.
Among the visitors who gathered about the family vine and fig tree with members of the clan today were Dr. and Mrs. C.E. Rogers of Gray Court; Rev. and Mrs. W.C. Watson of Gray Court; Rev. and Mrs. T.W. Munerlyn of Batesburg; Rev. D.A. Morris of Galena, Ohio; T.R. DeShields of Hendersonville, and others.
From the Greenville News, as reprinted in The Western North Carolina Times, Aug. 15, 1922
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