Edwards Family in Flat Rock

Venus and Caesar Edwards were freed slaves from South Carolina who settled in Flat Rock and helped to found Mud Creek Missionary Baptist church.   https://www.blueridgenow.com/news/20040201/glimpse-into-past

Oakland Cemetery (Flat Rock)

Oakland Cemetery (Flat Rock)

There are two Henderson County cemeteries named “Oakland” where Blacks are buried.  This article provides details on the Oakland cemetery in Flat Rock that is affiliated with the Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Church on Mine Gap Road in East Flat Rock   http://hendersonheritage.com/oakland-cemetery-mud-creek-missionary-baptist-church/

Flat Rock Blacksmith

John Markley and his sons were well-known African-American blacksmiths in Flat Rock from 1877 until the early 1900’s.     https://www.blueridgenow.com/article/NC/20130217/News/606022456/HT

Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Church’s Struggle to Survive

The church’s dwindling membership has caused financial challenges.    https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/bs-xpm-2002-07-21-0207210176-story.html

Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association

A  fourteen acre assembly ground with eleven buildings in East Flat Rock provided a training and social venue for members of African-American Missionary Baptist churches from Henderson, Buncombe and Transylvania counties. Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Association From a small acorn a mighty oak can grow.” 

Slave Owners in Henderson County

The largest slave owners were South Carolinians who summered in Flat Rock.  Most slave owners had just one or two slaves.   http://hendersonheritage.com/slave-owners-1800-1820-1850-1860/

Mud Creek Missionary Baptist Church

Freed slaves founded Mud Creek Baptist Church in 1868.   https://www.blueridgenow.com/news/20190512/beyond-banks-little-mud-creek-church