Honorable Heritage

About the Book

Most families have their share of stories and folklore. In the case of author Billy Boyd Lavender, one of the most intriguing of these stories revolves around a murder mystery from 1905—the deaths of two of his ancestors and the mob lynching that soon followed those deaths.

Told from information provided by Lavender’s mother, Ruby Neal Hardigree Lavender, and with support from historical documentation, Honorable Heritage recalls events that occurred on a forty-one-acre tract of land in Watkinsville, Georgia, that would become the farm where Lavender grew up. There, his great-great-grandparents were murdered in the course of a robbery.

In response, the premature actions of a mob muddied the truth of events for years to come and resulted in the death of an innocent man. In addition, this work of narrative nonfiction presents a chronology of Lavender’s family history, dating back to colonial America and the Revolutionary War. It also explores his personal history, sharing recollections of times gone by.

Focusing on the early twentieth century, Honorable Heritage offers a detailed family history and a true story of murder and a miscarriage of justice.

About the Author

Billy Boyd Lavender first discovered his love for writing while serving as a radioman in the US Navy (1969–1977). In this field, accuracy was essential for ship-to-shore communication. He then easily transitioned from the teletype to the computer and published works. He resides in Watkinsville, Georgia.