1833 Teen Bride & Axe Murderer-Hanged in North Carolina-Frankie Silver

[@Tjmacs7552]

My Great-Grandfather Nathaniel (Nat) Silver, we called him Papa, was Charles Silver's nephew. Papa lived to be 94yrs old. He would come to visit us in the summers. I remember him telling about Charles and Frankie and there were no papers proving Frankie wasn't guilty only papers of the arrest and trial, which I have. She was very jealous, Charles could play some instruments and was liked by all who knew him. He played at barn dances and parties. It is thought that her family helped her get rid of the body, I believe this is true! There was NO abuse and that was never brought up at the trial nor the appeal, which her family did not attend! Charles had three graves from the body parts that they found in different places, they are in the church yard at the little Kona church. In the basement of the church is a display about Charles, the murder and family history of the Silver family. The Silver's log house is still there down from the church.

[@pamelawrenn8664]

@@Tjmacs7552 I am a direct descendent of Charlie Silver and Frankie Stewart .

[@sonvyaduncan]

I have read several articles on this...and it was an awful thing to happen, I am under the impression she may have had severe post partum depression, which I am not saying justified what she did, they just didn't know a great deal about it...there are several murder cases that I have dug into where a mother has killed, and some just because the children were in the way but another one is Andrea Yates, she was suffering from depression and her husband left her alone a great deal...I went into more detail in answer to someone's question on @kimberleyannedemong5621 post. It's wonderful you have so much information on this, thank you for sharing it! She oblivious did the murder, and it is so sad.

[@murielvaughan9040]

@@Tjmacs7552 i thought Charlie was an only child??

[@ButtonsCasey]

@@murielvaughan9040 His father remarried and many children.

[@kimberleyannedemong5621]

Very interesting story. I have to wonder if Frankie was suffering from post partum psychosis. She would not be the only woman to have killed while suffering from this disease. Excellent video Heather ❤

[@kimjones2159]

@@kimberleyannedemong5621 that was my first thought also.

[@charlesgoodwin-k1x]

Possibly, but are they typically this horrible of a killing? This seemed klvery bad for that, but I am far from well read in the subject.

[@sonvyaduncan]

@@charlesgoodwin-k1x Remember, this was the early 1800's, and this couple lived in a remote area, she had a baby and not a lot of help, and if you dig further into this, there were problems in the marriage....she most likely suffered from postpartum depression and possibly what was referred to later as "Prairie Madness", it is due to isolation and living conditions that women endured on the prairie in the later 1800's when settlers moved west. She was young, alone, isolated, I am going with deep depression and it can make you a bit 'crazy', yes, she would be capable of murder. There are a few murders in this century, where mothers have committed murder, Andrea Yates is one, she was married to devout evangelical Christian and after having 4 children, her husband was leaving her alone a great deal with the children. She had already attempted suicide, was diagnosed with major depression, and the doctor had told her husband she was not to be left alone....but he thought all she needed was a "swift kick in the pants" even though a psychiatrist where she had been hospitalized for the suicide had urged the couple to not have anymore children, they conceived a 5th child 7 weeks after her discharge from the hospital. She was again hospitalized a year or so later...so yes, it is possible to be this deeply mentally disturbed.

[@charlesgoodwin-k1x]

@sonvyaduncan that is scary to think about. Such isolation will drive many, many to this. I live in NC, and this was my first time hearing about this incident. I really need to look into this story deeper. Interesting.

[@ceciliajones7816]

Definitely sounds like it.

[@judypierce7028]

I loved in North Carolina for 10 years and have been to Morgantown. However, I never heard this story. WOW! It sounds like Frankie has postpartum after the birth of the daughter. Thank you Heather.

[@redrooster1908]

Sharon McCrumb wrote "The Ballad of Frankie Silver" and puts a twist on the true crime story. Thanks for this video!! Incredible tragedy.

[@waynemcallister4295]

Great novel by McCrumb - ALL her novels.

[@heididunlap8842]

I love her books

[@nestaannjarrett4948]

@@redrooster1908 Her take on Frankie sounded valid to me.

[@reneewhetten4909]

I too, read Sharon McCrumbs book, twice. Thank you guys for bringing this tragedy to light!! Very beautifully put Heather. Love you guys and all the digging and running around you do to bring us truths and mysteries!!!❤

[@tsugima6317]

@@reneewhetten4909 I think one of my favorites is "If I'd killed him When I Met Him" . I too consider her one of my favorites.

[@reneewhetten4909]

Just a tragic but probably true story. It is a true story . Sorry., I mean from a truth prospective.

[@dianemythoughtstomckinney9754]

I went to the cemetary where Charlie is buried in Cona the reletives of Charlie are still bitter at lest the one i talked to is

[@reneewhetten4909]

Oh wow! History carries on!

[@callmemom6936]

Poor Frankie, I suspect she was swept up by love and fell for a man who wasn’t gentle or safe. She was most likely experienced post partum depression triggered by child birth. However, a mad woman doesn’t kill a man in such a manner and not harm her baby. She was protecting herself, someone else and definitely her innocent child.

[@christinedistelhorst8879]

What an interesting and yet a sad story! Thank you, Heather. You did an awesome job and the pictures were great!

[@pammiedoodle8693]

I absolutely love these stories of events that most may have never heard of! Heather, you can sure uncover fascinating information on people and places! Thank you for all your hard work! I’m not meaning to leave Leo out, but these tales seem to be your “wheelhouse”, and Leo’s leans more toward the camping and exploring end of things, even though I’m certain you both have a hand in all of it! If I’ve missed the mark, let me know😊 Have a blessed weekend🙏

[@bluladie]

It's very sad but a nice, creepy tale . Heather, you are an awesome storyteller too, enjoy your videos as much as Leos.😊 Hey Leo 👋

[@paulawoosleyNewsley]

Excellent and very well done! Thank you for bringing us these long ago stories about our ancestors. It helps to deepen our roots and ground us to history, place and time.

[@barbaramai7610]

Enjoyed the video, the story, and your storytelling, Heather. Thank you and Leo both for all your videos, I always look forward to them.

[@johnniebates9207]

Wow what a sad tragedy thanks for sharing their stories with me Heather and Leo you are both amazing people bringing their memory to light!!

[@Lauren36984]

Great presentation of a very sad story. She may have post partum depression along with possibly being mistreated by husband! Like Heather says, we will never know!

[@SusanRabens]

@@Lauren36984 I suffered from post partum depression. It was horrible. If anyone had died it would have been me. The only thing keeping me going was that my baby needed me. I wonder sometimes how I got through it. But I did I have nothing but sympathy for the women who have gone over the edge and committed terrible deeds because of it. More must be done to prevent this suffering.

[@spriteisalrghit1896]

I wonder if Frankie had postpartum depression when they talk about her change of mood after the birth of Nancy

[@sherrilee230]

That was a great little history lesson. Thank you for sharing.

[@brianlykins6663]

A very interesting story, Heather. You have a very easy voice to listen to and a talent for telling a story. Very good job of researching and compiling facts. I pray that y'all are OK in the aftermath of the hurricane. I know y'alls area or around that area was hard hit hard. My prayers go out to the folks that lost family and friends. I hope life can be put back together for so many that have lost so much. God bless y'all and stay safe there where you are.

[@marvinjohnson424]

Thanks for a NC story Born and bred in the good ole north state.

[@debdewitt4779]

Thank you Heather what a very sad story about Nancy and also about her daughter and the pain she went through she lived a long life but never got over losing her frist husband so sad may they all RIP

[@traciroberts3048]

Another great story and another book on my To Be Read list! Thank you!

[@melaniegudgel1]

It’s so sad. Thank you for this story. I enjoyed the pictures.

[@flossymelton7658]

Sharon mccrumbs books all are great reads.

[@michaelbedinger4121]

Very interesting story. Tragic 😥 but interesting. Great for Halloween 🎃 You cannot help but to wonder 🤔 what caused her to do it? Great story Heather, thank you very much for sharing it. Have a great weekend 😀

[@monkeybusiness1999]

Back then, Frankie & her baby were considered her husband's "property." So walking away from him would've been difficult. What puzzled the circuit district attorney - how did this small frail young girl take down and "disassemble" her robust young husband? And haul nearly a winters worth of firewood across the property into the cabin to cremate him? Which would've taken several exhausting days. While also caring for a baby. From these questions came the theory that her father & brother actually committed the crime. In retribution for her husband threatening Frankie & the baby during a drunken bout of cabin fever. Frankie stayed quiet about it because the family, mostly women, would not survive if her father & brother were hanged. Plus, it was assumed by her family that she'd be found not quilty. Or, that if found guilty - pity and a light sentence would be put upon her. Because she was a young woman & mother. (It's also possible that she did in fact take her husband's life & her father & brother cleaned up the aftermath.)

[@msh-l8s]

Watching because she is my great plus grandmother

[@carolbaughan8768]

What do you think happened?

[@bethgiesey9405]

So interesting. Thank you Heather

[@customstoryteller]

I live in Morganton. I am in walking distance of the museum. I took a field trip there. The guide didn’t hold back on the details with the kids. 😂

[@theburtseoni]

This was such a sad story! I wonder if she had post partum depression after the birth of her child?

[@RoyWade-bv8nu]

Awesome story telling, Heather. I really enjoyed it. Thank You

[@Jme62]

This was interesting. I always wondered what happened to the baby.

[@WadeRaney-vv5oi]

R.I.P Frankie🙏

[@Patricia-413]

I just stumbled across your channel. Very impressive! I’m a new subscriber ❤

[@dakotacoren6936]

Thank you Heather. What an amazing story!

[@Kellden]

Heather!! I Love listening to you! You are a good storyteller! Don’t get me wrong I Like Leo also, but you speak of the women and I Love that! Have a Great Weekend 🍁🍂🎃✨👸🏻🍁🍯🧸✨🍂

[@normajeanhedlund7429]

Wow another lesson in history that we would have never known if not for you two

[@Kamina1703]

2:08 I didn't know people could bend their hands like that. He must be double-jointed. Seriously though, CGI always has had problems when it comes to generating hands, as in extra fingers and such.

[@beverlyjackson3089]

OMG HEATHER I LOVE YOU TELLING THESE STORIES SOMET😢ABOUT YOUR WAY ID TELLING THE STORY & YOUR VOICE. HAVE YOU EVER THOUGHT ABOUT BEING PAID TO DO IT ?❤

[@CrazyArt-r5e]

Wow what an interesting story! Thanks.

[@melindaschluter1669]

Oh my, such a sad story! ❤❤❤

[@mysticmimaw]

RIP Frankie. She obviously had something going on. Postpartum or Grave's Disease. We'll never know. Thanks Heather!!❤❤

[@vickinoeske1154]

Wow, interesting. I've never heard of this crime before. Tfs.

[@tbyrdinhand3346]

They surmised that he was drinking. Drunk and he was physically hurt the baby and she killed him.

[@jamesholbrook5820]

Great video Heather

[@angelaclegg6976]

Great storytelling

[@joanneweislocher8540]

Interesting, thank you!

[@michaelhager2846]

Sad 😢

[@LaCheshireChat]

2:09 That ARM! EEEEEEEKKKK! Hate A.I; stories.

[@terrylynch9266]

You make me feel I'm there.

[@vickianderson3321]

Winter&baby mayve been the as of yet unknown serious postpartum depression! If only Jacob had connected the darkness he'd watched,had seen or heard of before with her immediate circumstances! Sadly it still exists today even in women who desperately want their child.

[@BarbaraGonzalez-g1i]

Incredible stories 😢beautiful women sad life

[@juicyjules7409]

Flour eggs make bread 🍞

[@juliebug50]

I live in Burke Co. NC but I'm from Matewan/Beech Creek WV. I love all your videos and stories. I was wondering if you guys could do a video of the Lawson cemetery at Beech Creek WV in Mingo co? It's located at Right Hand Fork at Beech Creek. Or could you do another video of the Cisco/Daniel's cemetery at Grape Vine Fork Beech Creek. It's the same cemetery where you met Phillip. He actually is a cousin of my mom. Thank you so much!

[@vickie30]

Abuse…she was taking abuse probably protecting her baby…

[@lee-annelandownunder4731]

Maybe she had post natal depression?

[@franceswomble8083]

Could she may have suffered from post-partum depression on top of everything else?

[@JacquelineDeigan]

So sad all round

[@nancymcclain2533]

Post Partum or then Melancholy. and/ or poison by that quake. Mercury and lead used then

[@barbarajones2920]

Sharyn McCrumb.

[@wondergirl367]

Sensitive retelling of a ??post-partum?? tragedy.

[@shirleylanham2133]

Very interesting yet sad. Brought tears to my eyes

[@karlalphelps9909]

my cousin just went to a stewart family reunion she is my dsitant cousin

[@kathyjolley5642]

I have taken my mother several of the Silver reunions. I always loved going to them. My mother was related on Charlie’s side.

[@mindrolling24]

Spot the 5 legged horse!

[@katisugarbaker7349]

Post partum depression.

[@ALICEY.SIMPSON]

This is not a good story it's scary & it happened & she was Hanged on my birthday & her daughter her husband died on the 65 the year that I was born & I always wonder why my neck Has hurt all of my life .😮

[@tedlawrence4189]

Y'all need to make a video of jokes from your part of the Country. Too many gore,murder and cemeteries! LOL. They sure are interesting though.

[@angiegoforth7605]

I grew up in Burke co lol

[@betsyholway7500]

Heather you could make serious money being a narrator

[@grumpyvet7670]

I never understood why people would rather be buried instead of cremated. After a generation (or less), relatives quit visiting graves.

[@meganescobar4641]

@@grumpyvet7670 Biblical reasons.

[@charisseproffitt3653]

@@grumpyvet7670 some ppl have religious reasons.

[@jeffpotipco736]

@@grumpyvet7670 we used to drink in the old part of the town cemetery. The logic being anyone who knew the people there, were long dead themselves

[@grumpyvet7670]

@@meganescobar4641 But (from my understanding) the Bible isn't against cremation. Am I wrong?

[@vickie30]

@@grumpyvet7670 but who takes the cremated remains after a generation..they could end up in a goodwill..it’s happened…