Wake County North Carolina Cemeteries Other NC County Cemeteries

147    PENNY FAMILY

Location - Penny Road (SR 1379), Swift Creek Twp., Wake Co., NC.

Coordinates: 35d 42m 34.0s N; 78d 42m 02.0s W Click here for Online Maps

Surveyed by Shirley Olson in November 28, 2003.

Only one grave is located in the side yard of the beautifully preserved frame house built by Jesse Wood Penny and his wife, Lillian Franks Penny in 1898. Both Penny and Franks family names are interwoven in the history of Wake County. The property is private and may not be accessed without permission from the owners.

There is an interesting story about this single grave. The Penny family owned about 3000 acres in this area at one time and the mill at nearby Yates Pond which is being restored. On Yates Pond Rd., a mile or so from this house, is the other Penny house, where there is supposed to be more graves. (I haven't found them yet.) When this young man died there was a disagreement in the family where he should be buried, at Inwood Church Cemetery or at Catawba Springs Christian Church Cemetery. His mother was a Franks, and they were ministers at Catawba and many Franks buried there. It could not be resolved and they buried him in the front side yard. This little tidbit came from the current owner, Mr. McLamb, who was born and raised in the immediate neighborhood. The property recently was accepted into the National Historic Registry.

1. Penny, James Garland   (b. 14 Aug 1891 - d. 1 May 1909)
son of Jesse Wood and Lillian Franks Penny