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LEGACY- Anything handed down as from an ancestor.
The founding of a home for orphans became the project of the newly formed Free Will Baptist Convention of North Carolina in 1913. Ben B. and Sally Valentine Deans donated the first fifty-acre tract of land in Middlesex, on Jan. 1, 1916. One farm dwelling and several small farm buildings were located on this tract of land. Mr. Deans became a member of the board of trustees and was elected its first chairman. Since he lived nearby, it became his duty to oversee the building project. Selecting the site, securing the building plans, having the red clay tested to see if, from it, bricks could be made and purchasing furniture were just a few of the tasks assigned to Mr. Deans. In 1922 Mr. & Mrs. Deans sold the adjoining tract of land to the organization, consisting of 100 acres. Today the girls' building is named "Deans Cottage" in memory of the Deans.
(The above information is taken from the Historical Summary of the Free Will Baptist Children's Home, established 1922.)
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Childhood Dreams and Today's Vision
At the age of 14, Teresa expressed to her mother, she thought someday she wanted to work at an orphanage. Her mother suggested at that time she should visit the children's home in Middlesex. But many years passed . . . and time slowly faded the young girl's dream.
The vision of "Home On The Range" began to unfold to Teresa in 1989 and her dream was reborn. Talking with her Mom again about "that orphanage" in Middlesex, Teresa's mother revealed to her the full name of her grandmother, Lydia Deans Brantley. Unknowlingly, Ben and Sally Deans have left their great granddaughter, Teresa a remarkable, precious and vital legacy of wanting to care for orphaned children. It was April 1995, with her mother and two sisters that Teresa visited the Middlesex home for the very first time. Seeing the facility, which her great grandparents were instrumental in building, back in 1920, ignited once again . . .
Teresa's dream to build a home which will meet the needs of homeless children today.
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