Robert Noel Talbott

Robert Noel Talbott was the young son of John Robert "Bob" Talbott and Lottie Osborne of Halifax County, VA. Because young Robert was born and then died between census years, for many researchers this may be the only record of his life to be found. He is listed in the family Bible though who currently has the family Bible I do not know. He is buried next to his grandfather John B Talbott at Harmony Methodist Church in Alton, VA. Other members buried in this church cemetery include his parents as well as his brother Ammon Talbott and his family. (Ammon lived to adulthood and raised a family in the Alton, VA area.)

Besides telling me of the young Robert's existence, this tombstone also tells me more of the family's story and when they came to live in this area of Halifax County, VA. I already knew through federal census records that John Robert "Bob" Talbott lived with his parents from 1870 to at least 1910. This includes the time period after he was married in 1908. In 1910 the family was living in the Bannister district of Halifax County. Sarah Talbott, Bob's mother, is buried in the Pleasant Grove Christian Church cemetery. By 1914, Robert Noel Talbott was the first Talbott buried in the Harmony Methodist Church cemetery-20 miles away. So, sometime between 1910 and 1914, the family of John Robert Talbott which included included his father John B Talbott, moved to the Alton, Halifax, VA area. John B Talbott was buried there in 1924.

As I was studying my ancestors' graves in this church cemetery, an current church member stopped by to chat. You can imagine my excitement when he was able to tell me where the John Robert Talbott home place used to be -- approximately 3/4 mile from where we were standing! Today the property is gated private property, but I can at least pinpoint it on the map.

Amazing! All that from a child's tombstone.