Looking for descendants of E.A. Best and Mary A. Best. In 1860 they were living in Bear Creek District, Lenoir Co., NC. In 1860 the following census list the following:

E A Best 48
Mary A Best 38
Wm T Best 18
Virginia A Best 14
R A Best 16
Julia A Best 6
Judson Best 7

Robert A. Best was the eldest son of E.A. Best, a Baptist preacher, and Mary A. Best of Lenoir County, North Carolina, and in the 1860 census his age was recorded as 16. Robert A. Best enlisted as a 3rd Sergeant in Captain Whitaker’s Company (known as the Goldsboro Volunteers) of the 9th Regiment North Carolina Volunteers on 15 April 1861 at Goldsboro, North Carolina. The infantry company would subsequently be designated Company D of the 4th Regiment of North Carolina State Troops.

Best was promoted to 2nd Sergeant on 21 October 1861. In September of 1862 Best was taken prisoner at Middletown (Maryland), and on 2 October 1862 was sent to Aiken’s Landing to be exchanged. After being parole as a prisoner, Best was admitted to Moore Hospital (General Hospital #24) in Richmond. At the time, he was a 1st Sergeant, and in April of 1863 Best was promoted to 1st Lieutenant.

On 3 May 1863 Best was killed in action at Chancellorsville, Virginia. First Lieutenant Robert A. Best was buried in Shockoe Hill Cemetery on 17 May 1863, the interment book entry reading, “Robert A. Best, 18 yrs., Killed in Battle, Lieut.”

Lt. R.A. Best is buried in an unmarked grave. I'm trying to locate a descendant so that a Gov't headstone might be ordered and installed.