The Sample Family at Latta Place

The William Azmon Sample family lived in the Latta House from 1853 to 1922, renaming the plantation, “Riverside” because of its proximity to the Catawba River.  When the Samples moved here their family consisted of William (50), Jane (42), Martha (21), James (18), David (16), John (13), Hugh (10), and Margaret (7.)  The family brought six slaves with them at this time.  In 1857 the oldest daughter Martha, died of consumption.  By 1860, one year before the Civil War began, only John, Hugh, and Margaret were left at home.  The number of slaves had increased to twelve, and the cash value of the farm was $8,500 (pretty high compared to a local average range of $500 to $4,000.)  There were at least 62 animals on the farm, and many crops (including wheat, corn, and cotton) were produced.  All four of the Sample sons were called into military service during the Civil War, and served together in the 53rd North Carolina Troops, Company B.  All four sons survived the war, but their cousins down the road were not as fortunate.  Richard Milas Sample, the brother of William A. Sample, lived a couple miles away in a log cabin with his family.  Three of his sons fought together in the 37th North Carolina Troops, but only one returned.  John Wilson Sample was killed at Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, and William Leroy Sample was killed at Ox Hill, Virginia on August 30, 1862.  Richard’s youngest son, August Elam Sample, survived the war and later practiced dentistry.  With seven of their young men going off to war and only five of them returning, the Sample family certainly felt the destruction of war.