I know of the book, but have never read it. My paternal roots are in Wilkes Co. NC. I've somewhat of a family connection to the story and the ballad. Hope you're doing well my friend !

Glenn

Thomas Charles Land was born March 18, 1828 in Wilkes County, NC. After spending the majority of his adult life following the Civil War in Oregon Territory, He returned to his beloved mountain home shortly before his death on November 30, 1912. Thomas and I are first cousins, 4 x removed. His father, William Thomas Land, and My 3 x great-grandfather, James Land, were brothers. He was the sixth of nine children born to William and Nancy Carlton Land. Thomas grew up in the Stony Creek area of Wilkes County. He was educated in the old field schools, attending a few weeks during the winter months when he wasn’t needed at home, and the old Beaver Creek Academy when Hugh Stokes was Principle. In addition to being a farmer, he also taught school and served on the school board in his later years. Thomas was an avid hunter and outdoors-man, hunting deer, bear, and elk, while mining in Oregon. One of his dearest possessions was a prize set of elk horns. In addition to being a farmer, teacher, ordained deacon in his Church, hunter, Confederate Soldier, miner, and explorer, T.C. was also a writer. One of the admirers of his writing was James Larkin Pearson, (September 13, 1879 – August 27, 1981) second Poet Laureate of North Carolina. Thomas enjoyed creating rhymes and wrote a great many letters, poems, and other prose works. He also kept journals, over a century-and-a half before it became a popular thing to do. I’m blessed to have printed copies of three, One from a 1859 trip to Monroe County, Tennessee where he taught school for a year, and visited with relatives, one from his days in Oregon, and one kept from 1861-1865 while in the ranks of the Confederate Army, beginning as a Corporal in Co.B 1st NC Infantry, and ending as a 2nd Lieutenant in Co.K 53rd NC. Some years after the war he penned a poem, “Return To The Tented Fields,” dealing with his experiences during the war. Before his departure for the west, about 1868 or shortly thereafter, he wrote about a notable murder that had occurred in Wilkes County.

“Tom Dooley, Tom Dooley,
Oh, hang your head and cry!
You killed poor Laurie Foster,
and now, your bound to die.”

“Dooley” was the mountain pronunciation, of the surname, “Dula.” Thomas C. Dula was a Confederate Veteran of the 42nd NC and also from Wilkes. “Laurie” was Laura Foster, his (assumed) victim, and one of his reported several lovers. The love-tryst and murder tragedy was immortalized in the 1950’s-1960’s, by the “Kingston Trio.” In that classic recording from the days of the folk music craze, Dula’s name was changed to Dooley, but no mention of Laura was made.

James Larkin Pearson referred to T.C Land as one the “the old people that I knew.”
He later stated he had made some effort at “collecting” Thomas’ work, but his “people,” (descendants) seemed “unconcerned.” At least, some writers credit Thomas Charles Land as the author of the song as recorded by the Kingston Trio. (See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Dooley_song) Thomas never married. He died at home in Wilkes County in 1912 and was buried in the Thomas Land Family Cemetery on the land where he was born and reared. Pearson was probably correct in saying, “the murder of Laura Foster was thus immortalized by a local poet.”

Thomas’ Confederate Service :

Enlisted on 5/31/1861 at Wake County, NC as a Corporal, age 33.

Residence Wilkes County NC; 33 years old.

Enlisted on 5/31/1861 at Wake County, NC as a Corporal.

On 5/31/1861 he mustered into "B" Co. NC 1st Infantry
He was discharged for promotion on 8/2/1862

On 8/2/1862 he was commissioned into "K" Co. NC 53rd Infantry
He Resigned on 4/1/1865

He was listed as:
* Wounded 7/1/1862 Malvern Hill, VA
* Hospitalized 7/29/1863 Richmond, VA
* Furloughed 8/3/1863 (place not stated)
* Returned 9/30/1863 (place not stated) (Estimated day)
* Wounded 9/19/1864 Winchester, VA
* Returned 1/30/1865 (place not stated) (Estimated day)

Promotions:
* 3rd Lieut 8/2/1862
* 2nd Lieut 7/1/1863
- North Carolina Troops 1861-65, A Roster
...............................................................................................................................................................................................

A line in the song, "The Ballad Of Tom Dooley" says,

This time tomorrow
Reckon where I'll be ?
Hadn't a-been for Grayson
I'd a-been in Tennessee

There really was a Tom Dooley (actually Dula.) There really was a female victim, (Laura Foster) and there really was a man named Grayson in Tennessee.

James W.M. Grayson, was a contemporary and fellow pilot of Dan Ellis, the Union scout / guide from east Tennessee, assisting Ellis in bringing Union men out of East Tn. He also served as a Major in the Union 4th Tennessee Infantry and a Lieut Colonel of the 13th Tennessee Cavalry. In July 1866 this Tennessee Yank gave a Rebel veteran from Wilkes County, NC who said his name was Tom Hall a job so Tom could purchase a new set of boots. After Tom got his boots he " took off. " On or about July 10 authorities from Wilkes County, NC arrived at Grayson's farm looking for Tom. Grayson went with them and helped locate the accused murderer some nine miles away as he was he soaking his blistered feet caused by the new boots ! Oral history says Grayson drew his gun to keep the posse from hanging Dula on the spot. He made it plain to the men from North Carolina he wanted Tom to receive a fair trial ! He put Dula on back of his own horse, tied his hands, and tied his feet under the horses belly. Tom was executed by hanging in Statesville, NC May 1,1869 for the murder of Laura Foster. There are some who believe my 1st cousin 4 x removed, Thomas Charles Land from Wilkes County, wrote the words to the ballad made famous in the late 1950's by the Kingston Trio. It was first recorded by Gillam Bannon Grayson, nephew of Colonel Grayson in Memphis,Tn Oct.1,1929.