IT)
F
254
W56
1851
v. 1-2
c.l
ROBARTS
;.
.*
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
NOBTH CAROLINA,
From 1584 to 1851.
COMPILED FROM ORIGINAL RECORDS, OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS,
AND TRADITIONAL STATEMENTS.
WITH
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF HER DISTINGUISHED
STATESMEN, JURISTS, LAWYERS, SOLDIERS,
DIVINES, ETC.
JOHN TC. WHEELER,
LATE TREASURER OF THE STATE.
"Truth is stranger than Fiction."
ILLUSTRATED WITH E NG-RAVING-S.
VOL. I.
PHILADELPHIA:
LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO AND CO.
SUCCESSORS TO GRIGG, ELLIOT AND CO.
1851.
HISTORY maketh a young man to be old, without either wrinkles or gray hairs ; privileging
him with the experience of age, without either the infirmities or inconvenience thereof.
FULLER'S Holy War.
Ill fares it with a State, whose history is written by others than her own sons.
PRESCOTT.
The archive? of the State, and the desks of ancient families, now bury the story of the rise
and progress of the State of North Carolina : ignorance and wickedness may misrepresent the
character of her history, if efforts are not made to break away the darkness that surrounds it.
Such are the inducements of this publication.
JOHES.
The world will not be able fully to understand North Carolina, until they have opened the
treasures of history, and become familiar with the doings of her sons previous to the Revolu-
tion, during that painful atruggle, and the succeeding years of prosperity. Then will North
Carolina be respected as she is known.
FOOTK.
,!*/
Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1851, by
JOHN H. WHEELER,
in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court in and for the Eastern District of
Pennsylvania.
PHILADELPHIA :
T. K. AND P. G. COLLINS, PRINTERS.
TO
GEORGE BANCROFT, LL.D.,
WHOSE WRITINGS HAVE MARKED THE AGE IN WHICH HE LIVES, AND THE ONLY HISTORIAN
WHO HAS DONE JUSTICE TO NORTH CAROLINA ;
TO
PETER FORCE,
OP WASHINGTON CITY,
WHOSE PATIENT LABOR AND INDEFATIGABLE RESEARCH HAVE PROVED HER EARLY
PATRIOTISM J
AND TO
DAVID L. SWAIN, LL.D.,
WHOSE NATIVE WORTH, WHOSE SERVICES AND WHOSE TALENTS, ARE ALIKE HER PRIDE AND
ORNAMENT J
TO THESE,
BY WHOSE COUNSEL THESE SKETCHES HAVE BEEN UNDERTAKEN, WHOSE EXAMPLE HAS
ENCOURAGED, AND WHOSE tABORS HAVE AIDED ;
AND TO
THE YOUNG MEN
OF THE
itnh of JJnrtlj (Carnlinn ;
THIS WORK
IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED.
THE FOLLOWING OPINIONS RELATIVE TO THE MERITS
OF THIS WORK HAVE BEEN EXPRESSED.
EXTRACT from the Report of the Joint Select Committee of the Library
of the General Assembly of North Carolina, at the last session (1851), through
Hon. Wm. H. Washington (Chairman), Senator from Craven County.
" The Committee cannot but regard the work of Col. Wheeler as a patriotic
and praiseworthy effort to rescue from oblivion important facts of our early
history, and to elevate the character and standing of his native State; and,
as such, would cordially recommend it to the favorable consideration, not
only of the legislature, but of the people of the State at large."
Extract from a letter of Hon. David L. Swain, President of the University of
North Carolina, to Rev. Francis L. Hawks, D. D., LL. D., of New York.
"CHAPEL HILL, February 22, 1851.
"The Sketches of Col. Wheeler, in relation to this State, contain a great
amount of useful and minute information, chiefly statistical and biographical,
connected with every county in the State."
Extract from a letter of Hon. R. M. Pearson, one of the Judges of the
Supreme Court of North Carolina.
" RALEIGH, March 1, 1851.
" I have had a conversation with the other two Judges, upon the subject
of the Sketches of North Carolina, which you are about to publish.
" We concur in thinking that such a work will be highly interesting to
every citizen of the State ; useful as a book of reference ; and will rescue from
oblivion many facts that ought not to be forgotten."
Extract from a letter of Hon. George Bancroft, author of " History of the
United States."
" NEW YORK, March 15, 1851.
" I look forward to the publication of your work with great interest, in the
hope that you may fill the gap in the history of your patriotic State."
" This is a work of which every son of North Carolina ought to be proud."
Spirit of the Age,
Raleigh.
" This work will be valuable, and ought to be in the hands of every North
Carolinian." Patriot, "
Greensboro*.
" Too little is known of our history. When the important information
that Col. Wheeler will impart, can be procured, every family ought to own
a copy of this work." Mountain Banner,
Rutherford ton.
" We hesitate not to say, that this work will turn out one of the most
valuable books to the citizens of the State ever yet published."
Watchman,
Salisbury.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
SERIES I.
THE COLONY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
CHAPTER I.
* FROM 1584 TO 1585.
The discovery of America by Columbus in 1492, under the auspices of Fer-
dinand of Spain John Cabot's expedition in 1496, under the auspices of
Henry VII. The first expedition to the United States in 1584, under the
auspices of Sir Walter Raleigh, which landed on Roanoake Island, in
North Carolina.
CHAPTER II.
FROM 1585 TO 1589.
Second expedition under Sir Richard Greenville in 1585, and the third under
the same in 1586 The fourth under Governor White, Governor of the City
of Raleigh.
CHAPTER III.
FROM 1589 TO 1653.
Other expeditions unsuccessful, and Sir Walter assigns his patent (1589)
Sketch of the life, character, and death of Sir Walter Raleigh (1618) Set-
tlement of the colony of Virginia under Captain John Smith Sketch of
the life, character, and services of John Smith His rescue by Pocahontas,
daughter of Powhatan Her life, character, and services.
CHAPTER IV.
FROM 1653 TO 1712.
Permanent settlement of North Carolina William Drummond, first governor,
in 1603, a Scotchman Succeeded by Governor Stephens on his death,
1667 Who was succeeded at his death (1674) by Governor Carteret, whose
deputy, Miller, acts as governor during the absence of Carteret Cul-
pepper's insurrection, and possession of the government by him in 1678
Governor Eastchurch. arrives in North Carolina Culpepper sent for trial
to England, tried and acquitted John Harvey, on the death of Eastchurch,
governor in 1680 Governor John Jenkins appointed, who, on his death,
is succeeded by Henry Wilkinson (Dec. 1681) Seth Sothel appointed
governor in 1683 His character and life; exiled by the people and death
Succeeded by Governor Philip Ludwell (1689), who resided most of his
time in Virginia Constitution formed by Locke for North Carolina (1693)
Carolina divided into North and South Carolina Thomas Smith ap-
X CONTENTS.
pointed governor On his advice, John Archdale, " the Quaker Governor,"
is appointed (1604); his sagacious and prudent administration On
his return to England (1699) Thomas Harvey governor On his death
in 1699, Henderson Walker is governor On his death (1704) Robert
Daniel succeeds at governor Difficulties between the Church of England
and the Dissenters First church in North Carolina (1705) First news-
paper in the United States (1705) Contest between Gary and Glover for
the government Cary prevails Gary sent to England "for examination
(1711 ) Edward Hyde governor in 1712 De Graaffenreidt's patent Indian
murders Lawson, first historian of North Carolina, killed by the Indians
Hyde dies with yellow fever (1712) and George Pollock succeeds him
First emission of paper money in North Carolina.
CHAPTER V.
FROM 1712 TO 1729.
Charles Eden governor (1713) Tuscarora Indians humbled, and make a
treaty Black Beard, the pirate ; his life and death Edenton established
Eden's death (1722) Copy of his tombstone Thomas Pollock succeeds
as governor ; and, in j 724, on his death, William Reed, as President of the
Council, is governor In 1724 Governor Burrington arrives His character
His opinion of the people of North Carolina Sir Richard Everhard
appointed governor, 1725 Dividing line betwoen Virginia and North
Carolina, 1727 Th.; lords proprietors surrender to the crown, July 1729,
except Lord Granville Population and divisions of the colony at this time
Portion of Lord Granville.
CHAPTER VI.
FROM 1729 TO 1754.
North Carolina under the Royal Governors G overnor Burrington, 1729 His
character, conduct, life, and death in 1734 Nathaniel Rice, the Secretary,
governor in 1734, who was succeeded by Gabriel Johnston, as governor
Line between North and South Carolina Computation of time altered
by act of Parliament First printing press in North Carolina, 1749
Fort Johnston built Moravians purchase land in North Carolina First
revisal of the laws of North Carolina Governor Johnston, after being
governor for twenty years, dies (1752) His life, character, and services
He is succeeded, for a time, by Nathaniel Rice ; and, on his death, in Janu-
ary 1753, by Matthew Rowan Population of North Carolina in 1754
Aid sent to Virginia against the French by North Carolina.
CHAPTER VII.
FROM 1754 TO 1765.
Arthur Dobbs, governor (1754) His conduct His officers People seize
and imprison Lord Granville's agent Courts of law held in each district
1762 On the death of Dobbs (17G5) Tryon succeeds.
CHAPTER VIII.
FROM 1765 TO 1771.
Tryon's administration from April 1765 to July 1771 His character Early
resistance of the Mecklenburg people John Ashe and the Stamp Act,
1755 Paper seized Conduct of the people of New Hanover, 1766 Duel
between Captain Simpson, of his majesty's sloop-of-war the Viper, and
Lieutenant Whitechurst, a relative of Mrs. Tryon, in which Whitechurst
is killed Suicide of Chief Justice Berry Repeal of the Stamp Act-
Palace fur the governor A description of its splendor Regulation troubles
CONTENTS. XI
commence, 1766 Herman Husbands; his character Colonel Edmund
Fanning, of Orange ; his character People of Anson County and Rowan
sympathize with the Regulators Tryon's expedition to Mecklenburg and
Rowan He raises a body of troops, and marches to Hillsboro' Fanning
indicted and convicted Husbands indicted and acquitted by the jury
Judge Moore, in Rowan, cannot hold court Sheriff of Orange resisted by the
Regulators, and beaten Sheriff of Dobbs resisted, and one of his deputies
killed Court at Hillsboro' broke up by the Regulators Judge Henderson
compelled to retreat Fanning and John Williams beaten by the Regulators
Governor marches against the Regulators in strong force Battle of
Alamance, May 16, 1771 Regulators defeated First blood of the colonists
shed in these United States by royal troops Tryon marches to join Wad-
del, as far as Jersey settlement, in Davidson Tryon returns to Hillsboro',
where court is held, and six of the Regulators are hanged Tryon em-
barks, June 30, 1771, to New York, to which colony he had been appointed
governor.
V' J
CHAPTER IX.
FROM 1771 TO JULY 4, 1776.
Administration of Josial^ Martin, November 1771 to 1775 Last of the royal
governors in North Carolina His life and character Parliamentary usages
of " the olden times" The powers of the governor " A king, aye every inch
a king" Difficulties arise between the governor, and the Assembly, as to the
attachment laws and appointment of judges Courts of law closed First
popular Assembly meets at Newbern, on the 25th of August, 1774 Johu
Harvey, Moderator Names of the members Its resolves It adjourns and
another is called in April, 1775 Governor Martin fulminates a proclama-
tion against " such disorder and anarchy," March 1, 1775 The Colonial
and the Popular Assemblies meet at the same time and place " Passage of
arms" between the governor and the Assembly The governor, in his
speech to the Colonial Assembly, denounces these meetings of the people,
and particularly the unwarrantable appointment of delegates to attend a
Continental Congress, at Philadelphia, then in agitation, as highly inju-
rious and "particularly offensive to the king" The Assembly reply that
" the right of the people to assemble and remonstrate is not to be doubted,"
and pass resolutions "approving of the General Congress at Philadelphia,
to assemble September 4, 1774" Whereupon, Governor Martin dissolves
the Assembly The last which ever sat under the Royal Government in
North Carolina Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, May 1775
Governor Martin retreats on board of his majesty's ship-of-war Cruiser, in
the Cape Fear River; and the royal government terminates forever in
North Carolina Provincial Congress meets at Hillsboro', August 1775
Troops raised for military operations Civil government exercised by a
Provincial Council District Committees of Safety; and County Com-
mittees Names of the committee-men in each district Battle of Moore's
Creek, in New Hanover County, February 27, 1776 Tories defeated
under ^General McDonald Provincial Congress meets at Halifax, April
4th, 1776 Names of members Names of general, field, battalion, and
county officers This body instruct their delegates in the Continental
Congress, in April 1776, to vote for independence Committees of safety
appointed Adjourned on the 14th of May, 1776 Provincial Council of
Safety meets at Wilmington, on the 6th of June, 1776 General Ruther-
ford, of Rowan, marches with one thousand nine hundred men, against the
Overhill Cherokees (now Tennessee), reduces them, burns their towns,
and destroys their crops Provincial Council of Safety meets in July, at
Halifax The national Declaration of Independence reaches them while
in session Their proceedings, and some account of the first celebration,
in North Carolina, of the Declaration of Independence.
xii CONTENTS.
SERIES II.
THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA.
CHAPTER I.
The Constitution, by whom, when, and where formed Congress of the State
meets at Halifax, on the 12th of November, 1776 names of the members
Richard Caswell, President Committee appointed to form a Constitu-
tion Names of committee Richard Caswell elected governor, and the
names of the Council of State.
CHAPTER II.
Life, character, services, and death of RICHARD CASWELL, first Governor of
North Carolina, under the Constitution.
CHAPTER III.
State of FRANKLAND, its rise, progress, and fall.
CHAPTER IV.
Governors of North Carolina, from RICHARD CASWELL, 1776,
to DAVID S. REID, 1851.
CHAPTER V.
Judiciary of North Carolina Its history Lives and characters of Martin
Howard, Chief Justice ; Maurice Moore ; and Richard Henderson ; Associate
Judges, under the royal government The Judges of North Carolina, from
1776 to 1851 The Attorney-Generals, the Secretaries of State, the Trea-
surers of State, and the Comptrollers, from 1776 to 1851 These statistics
are relieved by a specimen of legal wit worthy of preservation.
CHAPTER VI.
A list of the members of the Continental Congress from North Carolina,
before the adoption of the Constitution (formed at Philadelphia, in May
1787) ; and a list of the Senators and Representatives in Congress, from
this State, from 1789 to 1851 ; with the ratio of representation for each
decade, and the number of members in the House Present Congressional
districts by act of 1846, and the members of each.
CHAPTER VII.
PRESS OF NORTH CAROLINA, from 1749 to 1851 Account of some of the editors,
and list of the papers now published in North Carolina (1851).
CHAPTER VIII.
Literary institutions of North Carolina Their history, progress, and pre-
sent condition Queen's Museum, at Charlotte, 1770 University, incor-
porated in 1789, and located at Chapel Hill, 1792 Corner-stone laid in
CONTENTS. X1U
October 1793 Commenced tuition, 1795 Life and character of Dr. Joseph
Caldwell; and a list of its graduates from 1798 to 1851 Davidson College,
in Mecklenburg County, commenced in 1838 ; its present faculty and
alumni, from 1840 Wake Forest College, in Wake County Its trustees
and faculty Female institutions, common schools, and Literary Fund of
the State.
CHAPTER IX.
Banks of North Carolina Railroads Canals Turnpike and plank roads
Institutions for Deaf and Dumb State hospital for Insane.
CHAPTER X.
Resources of the State, her liabilities, and her expenses.
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE.
Date. English Sovereigns.
1492,
Oct. 12.
Henry VIII.
1584.
July 4.
Elizabeth.
1663. Charles II.
1678.
1693. Wm. and Mary
1705. Anne.
1710.
1729. George I.
1765. George III.
1771, May 16.
1774, August 25.
1775, May 20.
June.
June 17.
August.
December 9.
1776, February 27.
August 27.
December 12.
December 26.
August.
1777, January 3.
September 11.
October 4.
October 7.
1778, June 28.
1779, March 3.
June 20.
1780, May 12.
June 22.
August 16.
October 7.
1781, January 17.
March 15.
September 8.
October 19.
1783, January 20.
September 3.
1787, May.
1788, July.
1789, November.
Events.
Columbus discovers America.
Armidas and Barlow approach the coast of N. C.
f Charter of Charles II. William Drummond, Go-
| vernor of Carolina.
John Culpeoper's rebellion.
% Carolina divided into North and South.
First church in North Carolina.
First newspaper in the United States.
Carey's rebellion.
Charter of Charles II. surrendered.
Stamp Act passed.
Battle of Alamance.
Popular Assembly at Newbern, N. C.
Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence.
General Washington, Commander-in-chief.
Battle of Bunker's Hill.
Royal governor retreats. Martin.
Battle of Great Bridge, near Norfolk, Va.
" Moore's Creek.
" Long Island.
Constitution of North Carolina formed at Halifax.
Battle of Trenton.
Gen. Rutherford subdues the Cherokees.
Battle of Princeton.
" Brandywine.
" Germantown.
" Saratoga.
" Monmouth.
f " Brier Creek, on Savannah River. Ashe
{ defeated.
" Stono.
Surrender of Charleston.
Battle of Rainsour's Mill, in North Carolina.
Gates defeated at Camden.
Battle of King's Mountain.
" Cowpens.
Guildford Court House.
" Eutaw.
Yorktown.
Treaty of peace at Versailles.
England recognizes the independence of America.
Constitution of the United States formed.
| North Carolina, by a convention at Hillsboro', re-
( jects the Constitution.
Convention at Fayetteville adopt it.
PREFACE.
I HAVE for many years, in hours of leisure, been engaged in
collecting and condensing documents and facts relative to the early
history of my native State.
As the material increased on my hands, and the time has come
when the results of my labors are to be presented to the intelligence
and favor of my countrymen, I feel, unaffectedly, how inadequate
I am for such a task. My labors, however, may have one effect :
they may assist and inspire some abler hand to undertake and com-
plete this work, now so hesitatingly commenced.
There is no State in our Union whose early history is marked
by purer patriotism, more unsullied devotion to liberty, or more
indomitable opposition to every form of tyranny than North Caro-
lina.
Yet how little of that early history has been given to the world !
While Virginia, on one side, has had the labors of her Jefferson,
whose intellect shed a lustre on every subject it touched ; and a Mar-
shall, who was as illustrious as Chief Justice of the highest judicial
tribunal of our land, as his character was pure in all the relations of
life ; and the classic genius of her Wirt, Stith, Campbell, Howe, and
many others devoted to her history, and to the biography of her
distinguished sons ; while South Carolina on the other, has employed
the "philosophic pen" of her Ramsay, Dray ton, $imms, an.d others;
North Carolina, earlier colonized in point of history, full of glorious
examples of patriotism and chivalric daring, has been neglected
by her own sons and others.
The fair records of her early fame are buried amid the mas,s of
official documents in the offices of the Board of Trade and Planta-
tions in London; and her history only shadowed forth in "the
heaty pages" of Martin, who was a foreigner by birth, and the citi-
zen of another State by adoption ; and by Williamson, whose labors
terminated by an elaborated dissertation on fevers, and ends in
1771. To these we should add "the fancy sketches" of Joseph
Seawell Jones, of Shocco, whose book, when referring to docu-
ments in our State Department, and official records, is worthy of
study, but whose pages only embrace a limited time, and are marked
with misplaced temper.
Such have been the historians by whom the history of North
XV111 PREFACE.
Carolina has been attempted. The historian of the age (GEORGE
BANCROFT), of whom it may be said, in the words of the immortal
epitaph of Goldsmith, by Dr. Johnson,* and inscribed on his monu-
ment in Westminster Abbey
" Qui nullum fere scribendi genus
non tetijspt,
Nullum quod tetigit non ornavit,"
has been compelled to say, from examining such efforts, that " so
carelessly has the history of North Carolina been written, that the
name, merits and end of the first governor are not known."
One of these (Jones), however, makes this just remark : " The
archives of the State, and the desks of ancient families, now bury
the story of the rise and progress of the State of North Carolina.
Ignorance and wickedness may misrepresent tTie character of her
history, if efforts are not made to break away the darkness that sur-
rounds it. Such are the inducements for this publication."
The Legislature of North Carolina, in common with every citizen of
the country, has felt the opprobrium of this neglect. At its session
of 1827, a resolution was passed directing the Governor to make a
respectful application to the British Government to procure (from
the offices of Board of Trade arid Plantations in London), for the use
of the State, copies of such papers and documents as relate to the
colonial history of North Carolina.
The Governor (H. G. Burton), in February, 1827, addressed
Albert Gallatin, then our minister at that court, on this subject;
and the British authorities promptly afforded all the aid in their
power. Such a mass of documents was discovered, that Lord
Dudley, then at the head of the Foreign Office, could only present
indexes ; but, at the same time, most kindly offering to an author-
ized agent of our Government access to, and copies of, these papers.
These indexes, by a resolution of 26th January, 1843, were or-
dered, by the General Assembly of our State, to fee published,
under my authority and direction at that time associated in the
administration of the State, as Public Treasurer. This brought me,
by law, directly to the examination of these papers, as far as these
indexes would allow.
This important matter rested here for six years. The Legisla-
ture, by resolution, January, 1849, empowered the Governor to
procure, from the public offices in London, these documents.
In the interim, conscious of the importance of these papers, and
their vital connection with the State, I sent to a distinguished friend,
then in London, a list of such as seemed to me of the most import-
ance, and they have been procured. Aided by these, and by printed
works of rare merit, procured from abroad at much labor and ex-
pense, as well as by the records of the State Department, to which,
by a resolution of the last General Assembly (1850), and the cour-
* Who touched upon every subject, and touched no subject that he did not
adorn.
PREFACE. XIX
tesy of the present venerable Secretary of State (Wm. Hill), free
access was obtained ; aided, also, by gentlemen not only of our own
State, but of other States, with copies of official documents, and
faithful traditional statements, important and interesting, this work,
"with all its imperfections on its head," is committed to the press.
I here repeat the assertion made in the prospectus, that I do not
aspire to the position of an historian ; that niche in the temple of
fame can be occupied by some more worthy person. All that I
hope is to present a fair and truthful record of facts, illustrative of
the early times of our beloved and venerable State ; the names of
those who have done her service in the field and senate; and
valuable statistical information of her resources and products;
thus affording data to other and abler hands to occupy the historic
field, as yet unexplored, and "so fair, so full of goodly prospects."
If I shall succeed in rescuing from the dust of age, or the oblite-
rating hand of time, one event elevating to our State character ; or,
"like the fanciful enthusiast in Old Mortality, removing the moss
and lichen of neglect'' from the monument of one generous name,
my end will be accomplished, and I will have paid that debt which
Lord Coke asserts "every man owes to his profession."
In this, the kind offices of every friend of North Carolina are
solicited. This book, it is hoped, will be worthy of the State, as it
is the labor of years and patient research. That it will be read by
all, is not to be expected ; but, to those who may study its pages, it
will be profitable.
To the Christian, it will present the record, without bias or sec-
tarianism, of a people guided by the hand of Providence to this
western wilderness in search of freedom of conscience, and liberty
to worship without the trammels of law or priestly dictation ; and,
aided by the same hand, from feeble beginnings becomes a great
and powerful nation.
The story of the rise and progress of our State creates a high
moral feeling. In its records, we realize the words of David: ,
" We have heard with our ears, God, our fathers have told us, what
work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
" How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, * * * * *
" For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did
their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light
of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favor unto them."*
To the student, it will afford a data to more extended inquiry in
her history.
To the statesman, unmixed as it shall be with party politics or
partisan feeling, it may sometimes be a book of reference, by
which his efforts may be guided, and ends for the good of the state
be attained ; and, by its statistic information, facilitate his labors.
To the youth of the State, the simple record of patriotic exertion
will act as a direct incentive to virtuous emulation.
* Psalms, xliv. 1, 2, 3.
XX PREFACE.
Sallust informs us that Scipio and Maximus, when beholding the
statues of their illustrious countrymen, became violently agitated.
"It could not," he says, "be the inanimate marble which possessed
this mighty power. It was the recollection of noble actions which
kindled this generous flame in their bosoms, only to be quenched
when they too, by their achievements and virtues, had acquired
equal reputation."
" And by their light
Shall every gallant youth with ardor move
To do brave deeds."
It is to be hoped, too, that this book may be looked into (unin-
teresting as records and statistics may be to them) by the fairer
portion of creation.
They may find in the single-hearted devotion of a Pocahontas ;
in the enthusiastic fidelity of a Flora McDonald ; in the resolves of
the women of '76 in Mecklenburg and Rowan ; in the masculine
courage of Mrs. Slocumbe, of Wayne, and Mrs. Powell, of Halifax ;
in the patriotic offering of Mrs. Steele, of Salisbury ; in the un-
wearied care of the mother of a Gaston, examples worthy of imita-
tion ; and in the brilliant repartees of Mrs. Wilie Jones, and Mrs.
Ashe, of Halifax ; wit to be admired, before which the martial
spirit of a Tarleton was forced to quail.
I here take occasion publicly to acknowledge my obligations to
the very many friends by whom my efforts have been countenanced
and aided. To Hon. George Bancroft, now of New York ; to Hon.
David L. Swain, Professors Mitchell and Hubbard, of the University
of the State ; to Col. Peter Force, of Washington (who has been
a kind friend to me from boyhood) ; to Dr. Cyrus L. Hunter, of
Lincoln ; to Professor Rockwell, of Davidson College ; to my faith-
ful agents in every county in the State, and to many others.
i , /'
THE PLAN OF THIS WORK.
I. The first landing of the colonists in 1584, to the Revolution-
ary war, 1776, will constitute the first series ; with a list and sketch
of the Governors under the Proprietary, and Royal Governments.
II. The second will present the Governors, Judges, and Executive
officers, from that time to the present.
The Members of Congress from the State, from 1774 to 1851.
The Press, from the first introduction of printing, in the State,
to the present day.
Education in the State ; History of the University ; Sketches of
the life and characters of its Presidents ; other institutions and the
Common Schools.
The public institutions of the State, as the Banks, Railroads,
Canals, Turnpike and Plank Roads ; Institution for the Deaf and
Dumb, and State Hospital for the Insane.
PREFACE. XXI
Resources of the State ; her expenses and liabilities ; her Popu-
lation.
III. The third series, will present a sketch of each county in the
State, in alphabetical order ; 1, date of its erection ; 2, origin of
its name ; 3, situation ; 4, boundaries, its colonial and revolutionary
history, its products and population ; sketches of lives of its distin-
guished citizens, and an accurate list of the members from each
county in the Senate and House of Commons, from the adoption of
the constitution, or the erection of the county to the last session,
1850 '51.
Whatever defects this work may present, it has one merit that
cannot be detracted ; it is written and compiled by a native of the
State.
Mr. Prescott thus speaks of Graham's History of the United
States: "Mr. Graham's work with all its merits is the work of a
foreigner, and that word comprehends much that cannot be over-
come by the best writer. He may produce a beautiful composition ;
faultless in style, accurate in delineation, and full of sound logic
and wise conclusions. But he cannot enter into the sympathies,
comprehend the feelings and peculiar ways of thinking that form
the idiosyncrasy of a nation. What can he know who has never
been warmed by the same sun, lingered among the same scenes,
listened to the same tales in childhood, pledged to the same inter-
ests in manhood, enlivened by the same hopes and depressed by
the same fears that go to form national character !"
"As in portrait painting, so it is in painting characters in history.
A foreign artist may catch some bold outline, prominent feature, or
general air of his subject ; but he cannot hope to delineate the
fleeting shades of expression, the almost imperceptible play of fea-
tures which are only observed and revealed to the most familiar
observation and daily intercourse.
" Who would look to a Frenchman for a good work on England, or
to an Englishman for a faithful history of France ? HI fares it with
a state, whose history is written by others than her own sons I What
foreign hand like Herodotus and Thucydides could have painted the
achievements of Greece ? Who, like Livy and Tacitus, the shifting
character of the Roman, in his rise, meridian, and decline ? Had
the Greeks' trusted their story to the same Romans what would
have been their fate with posterity ? Let the Carthagenians tell !"*
Of the histories of North Carolina (if we except Jones), not one
has been written by a native of the State, or who resided in the State
at the time of their death.
Williamson, whose work was published in 1812, was a native of
Pennsylvania, and died in New York.
Martin, who published in 1829, was a native of France, and died
in Louisiana.
* Prescott's Miscellanies, 310.
PREFACE.
This work is written, collated and published, by a native North
Carolinian.
Errors, it doubtless contains, omissions unavoidable, and many
imperfections.
But he trusts that his labors will not be without some beneficial
effect.
He will be grateful for any correction of errors, or any omission
supplied ; and if this meets a kind reception from his countrymen,
another edition may remedy these defects, and be more worthy of
their attention, and of his illustrious subject.
ELLANGOWAN,
BEATTY'S FORD, N. C.
1st July, 1851.
SERIES I
HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF NORTH
CAROLINA, FROM 1584 TO THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR IN 1776.
CHAPTER I.
FROM 1584 TO 1585.
The discovery of America by Columbus in 1492, under the auspices of Fer-
dinand of Spain John Cabot's expedition in 1496, under the auspices of
Henry VII. The first expedition to the United States in 1584, under the
auspices of Sir Walter Raleigh, which landed on Roanoake Island, in
North Carolina.
THE renown acquired for the Spaniards in the discovery of
America by Columbus, in 1492, excited other nations to emulate
this example.
, England and France engaged in this enterprise.
In 1496, John Cabot obtained from Henry VII. a patent for
himself and three sons,* to search for countries hitherto unseen
by Christian people, and to affix the banners of England in any
land they might discover. A voyage, in 1497, was undertaken by
him, and, for the first time, the shores of North America, among
the polar bears and rude savages of Labrador, were visited by an
English ship.f
The discovery of a north-west passage, and the mercantile in-
terests of the kingdom, kept this feeling alive with the English
nation through the subsequent reigns of Henry VIII., Edward VI.,
Mary and Elizabeth. Added to this feeling was the thirst for gold,
which it was believed abounded in this western world.
In 1584, Sir Walter Kaleigh, not disheartened by the sad fate
of his step-brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, who perished a year pre-
vious on a voyage of discovery, obtained a patent from Queen
Elizabeth,^ and fitted out two ships under Philip Amidas and
Arthur Barlow. These ships sailed in April, 1584, from England,
and in July they landed on the shores of North Carolina.
* Patent recorded in Hakluyt, iii. 25, 26.
f Bancroft, i. 9. J Hakluyt, iii. 297.
24 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
It was then and there "the meteor flag" of England was first
displayed in these United States, and on the sandy banks of North
Carolina, rested the first Anglo-Saxon anchor.
After returning thanks to God for their safe arrival, Amidas took
formal possession of this country, in " the name of Elizabeth of
England, as rightful Queene and princess of the same."
Here we may pause at this interesting point of our inquiries, and
remark as most providential, that this settlement occurred at this
period, under such auspices.
Had it occurred a few, years earlier, under the rule of "the
bloody Mary," seas of blood and persecution must have been en^
countered before our forefathers had attained the religious liberty
they then enjoyed. Had it occurred under the flag of Spain, the
sword of a Cortez or Pizarro would have carried blood and devas-
tation; murder would have signalized the event, and this country
now be no further advanced in science or religion than the be-
nighted and bigoted regions of South America. But here, the
reformed religion and enlightened privileges of the age of Elizabeth
marked the event.
The season of the year (July), was mild. The sea was calm; the
air was redolent with the perfume of flowers ; and, as expressed by
Amidas, in his report to Sir Walter Raleigh, "the fragrance, as
they drew near the land, was as if they had been in the midst of
some delicate garden, abounding in all manner of odoriferous
flowers."
The loveliness of the scenery, and the mildness of the climate,
was excelled by the gentleness of the native inhabitants, who re-
ceived the strangers with, all that hospitality, which, even at this
day, is characteristic of, "the, Old North State." On Roanoake
Island, now in Currituck county, the English were welcomed by the
wife of Granganimeo, father of Wirgina, the king. " The people
were most gentle, loving, and faithful, void of all guile and treason,
and such as lived after the manner of the golden age."*
After making a short stay, Amidas and Barlow returned to Eng-
land, where they arrived safely in the following September, accom-
panied, in the guileless simplicity of their nature, by Manteo and
Manchese, two native Indians of North Carolina. Their accounts
to their patron, Sir Walter Raleigh, and to Queen Elizabeth, of the
climate, soil, and inhabitants, caused a thrilling excitement through-
out the kingdom of England. In the fullness of her heart, the
queen called it Virginia, discovered as it was under the reign of a
virgin queen.
* Copied from Amidas and Barlow's account. Hakluyt, iii. 301, 307.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 25
CHAPTER II.
FROM 1585 TO 1589.
Second expedition under Sir Richard Greenville in 1585, and the third under
the same in 1586 The fourth under Governor White, Governor of the City
of Raleigh.
THIS adventure of Amidas and Barlow was most gratifying to
the spirit of the English nation. Believing with popular credulity
the gorgeous and glowing descriptions of this western world by
Amidas- and Barlow, it was not difficult to gather a numerous com-
pany of emigrants to this land of promise.
Another expedition? under Sir Richard Greenville, sailed(19th
April, 1585) from Plymouth, under the auspices of Sir Walter
Raleigh, with several persons of distinction ; among whom were Sir
Ralph Lane, as Governor ; Cavendish, who soon after circumnavi-
gated the globe ; Hariot, the historian ; and one hundred and eight
others. They landed on Roanoake Island in July. The ships left
the colonists in August and returned. This colony thus planted,
governed by Lane, achieved no permanent location ; and, after a
residence of a year, returned with Sir Francis Drake to England.
Thus terminated the first colony. This step of Governor Lane's
was ill timed, for, a few days after his departure, a ship, dispatched
by Sir Walter Raleigh, arrived, loaded with every essential to com-
fort; and, soon after, Sir Richard Greenville appeared the second
time with three ships, who searched in vain for Lane and the
colonists. Sir Richard left fifteen men on the Island of Roanoake
and returned.
In the early part of the next year (January, 1587), Sir Walter
Raleigh dispatched John White, commissioned as " Governor of the
City of Raleigh," and a number of colonists, male and female, who
arrived in July. The colonists left by Greenville were not to be
found.
On the northern end of the island, the foundations of "the City
of Raleigh" were laid. By command of Sir Walter, Manteo was
baptized (27th August, 1587), and created Lord of Roanoake.
White returned to England, leaving a colony of eighty-nine men,
seventeen women, and two children. Among them was his daugh-
ter, Eleanor Dare, wife of one of the assistants, whose child was
the first-born offspring of English parents in this western world.
The condition of England, at the return of White, was unpro-
pitious to the colony. Sir Walter Raleigh, Greenville, and Lane,
with the whole nation, were engaged in a war with Spain, by which
an invasion was threatened. It was more that two years before
26 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
White could return ; and, on landing on the Island of Roanoake
(1590), not a single man was found.* It had been agreed on leav-
ing the colony, that if any accident should overcome the colonists,
to leave the name of the place where they might be found ; and, if
in distress, to designate it by a cross. Governor White found, on
a tree or post, the word CROATAN, but without the sign of distress.
No trace of these colonists has ever been disco vered.f
Lawson, the earliest historian of Carolina, believes that the Eng-
lish, despairing of all relief, from the long absence of their friends,
amalgamated with the Indians. In confirmation of which he learned
"from the Hatteras Indians that several of their ancestors were
white people, and could talk in a book. The truth of which is con-
firmed by gray eyes being among these Indians and no others."
Thus ended the second colony.
CHAPTER III.
f^ t
FROM 1589 TO 1653.
Other expeditions unsuccessful, and Sir "Walter assigns his patent (1589)
Sketch of the life, character, and death of Sir Walter Raleigh (1618) Set-
tlement of the colony of Virginia under Captain John Smith Sketch of
the life, character, and services of John Smith His rescue by Pocahontas,
daughter of Powhatan Her life, character, and services.
COMPELLED to desist from the hope of successful colonization in
North Carolina, Sir Walter Raleigh still did not despair of finding
his faithful men, left by Green ville.J He sent five several expedi-
tions to search for them, but in vain ; and, after expending about
forty thousand pounds, and receiving no benefits in return, he
assigned (7th March, 1589), to Thomas Smith and others, the
privilege of trading to Virginia, reserving to himself one-fifth of the
gold and silver they might discover. As the Chesapeake Bay had
been discovered by Governor Lane, he directed their location to
that point, as being a safe and commodious harbor, rather than the
dangerous coast and open road near Cape Hatteras.
Thus ended the efforts of the brave and gallant Raleigh to es-
tablish a colony in North Carolina. " A man of wit and the sword,''
as he was so tauntingly termed by Sir Edward Coke ; his character
and fame are dear to our State. As a soldier, his courage was
undaunted ; and, as a scholar, his learning was deep and varied.
Although his gallantry and services found no favor in the eyes of
the pusillanimous James I., under whom he suffered ignominy
and death; after a long and rigorous confinement, he was tried for
*
Williamson, i. 60. f Lawson, 62.
Purchas, iv. 1653. \ Williamson, ii. 58.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 27
offences of which he was innocent, convicted, and beheaded on Oc-
tober 29, 1618;* yet his name has been preserved; and, after a
lapse of two hundred years, the State of North Carolina has offered
a tribute to his memory and his virtues, by naming its capital in
honor of the generous, chivalric and noble Raleigh.
" His memory sparkles o'er the fountain :
His name inscribed on lofty mountain,
The meanest rill, the mightiest river
Rolls, mingled with his name forever."
In accordance with the suggestions of the sagacious councils of
Sir Walter, the Chesapeake became the point to which future efforts
were directed.
A patent was granted to a London company (1606), and about
the same time, another patent was granted to Sir Thomas Gates,
Sir George Sommers, and others.
The next spring (1607), saw a colony located at Jamestown,
governed by the distinguished Captain John Smith.
Discord, anarchy, and confusion, mark the early history of these
colonists, and but for the genius, courage, and skill of Smith, they
had shared the fate of the colony of Roanoake. But Providence
destined otherwise.
"Tantooioliserat,
1* condere gentium."f
Guided by his talents, influenced by his example, under the wise
administration of Smith, the colony of Virginia was founded.
It is refreshing to the mind of every American, to know that
under the auspices of such men our country was first settled.
With all nations, the character of their founders is a source of
pride. Ancient Greece asserted that her founders were divine.
Rome delighted in the fanciful idea that Romulus was descended
from their gods. "No Norman tyrant landed on our shores," nor
did any " fabled fugitive" from the flames of Troy settle this coun-
try; but men "who knew their rights, and knowing, dared main-
tain." The rock can now be shown upon which they first landed ;
the rude ramparts that sheltered them from the savage foe can be
pointed out. In their characters are discovered every virtue that
can dignify our nature, and every trait that ennobles mankind. In
none are virtue, courage, or patience more conspicuous than in John
Smith.t
He had distinguished himself in the wars with the Turks ; and, in
single combat, met (1607) before the walls of Alba Regis, and over-
came three of the most distinguished of his adversaries. His whole
course of life previous to his arrival in the colony of Virginia, was
peculiarly adapted to prepare him for the trials, dangers, and adver-
sities of this position. In every situation in which he was placed
* See "Celebrated Trials" (Philada., 1835), page 180.
t Of such material to form a nation.
j Life of Captain John Smith, by W. Gilmore Simms.
28 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
as a soldier, or a statesman, his character was fully equal to his
position.
While exploring the river which his patriotism had dignified by
the name of his sovereign (James), he was taken prisoner (1608),
and conducted by the Indians in triumph to their savage king,
Powhatan. Undismayed by adversity, he meets his fate with calm-
ness and dignity. He is condemned to death.
Already the savage death song is sounded ; the victim is bared
and bound, and Powhatan, the savage monarch, stands ready to v
give the word to the executioners, whose war dubs are raised. But
the youthful daughter of Powhatan, Pocahontas, rushes between the
victim and his fate
" A shriek arrests the falling blow,
And Pocahontas shields the foe." .
At her earnest supplications he is released ; in a few days he is
allowed to return to his comrades in arms at Jamestown.* Such
was his influence, that the Indians, instead of the war club and
tomahawk, are seen bringing corn and other supplies to the famished
garrison.
To the generous character of this Indian princess, Pocahontas, the
safety and preservation of the colony may be attributed. She was
so pure and simple-hearted in her conduct, that often she advised,
at great peril, the colonists of impending danger; and finally, was
induced to marry one of the colonists, Rolfe ; from which alliance
some of the first families of Virginia trace their origin.
She embraced the Christian religion, f and was baptized and re-
ceived into the church under the name of Rebecca.J In 1616, she
went with Sir Thomas Dale to England. She was cordially received,
and treated with that respect due her rank and her devotion to the*
cause of the colonists. She died in England, at Gravesend, "the
sweetest example of Christian resignation and fortitude." She left
one son, Thomas Rolfe, who was educated in England, and became
a person of distinction in Virginia. He left one daughter, who
married Colonel Robert Boiling, who had the present Colonel John
Boiling and several daughters, who married Colonel Richard Ran-
dolph, Colonel John Fleming, Dr. .William Guy, Thomas Eldridge,
and James Murray. The late talented John, Randolph was a de-
scendant of this family. J
Years have elapsed since this admirable woman departed, but her
noble conduct will endure in the pages of history, when the marble
which records her generous deliverance of Smith, in our National
Capitol, shall have mouldered to its original elements.
* " A true relation of such occurrences and accidents of note as have hap-
pened in Virginia since the first planting of the colony, by John Smith, 1608."
f This interesting event forms the subject of the national picture in the
capitol at Washington, by Chapman.
I Stith, 46. Simms' Life of Captain John Smith, 366.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 29
CHAPTER IV.
FROM 1653 TO 1712.
Permanent settlement of North Carolina William Drummond, first Governor,
in 1663, a Scotchman Succeeded by Governor Stephens on his death,
1667 \\rfao was succeeded at his death (1674) by Governor Carteret, whose
deputy, Miller, acts as governor during the absence of Carteret Cul-
pepper's insurrection, and possession of the government by him in 1678
Governor Eastchurch arrives in North Carolina Culpepper sent for trial
to England, tried and acquitted John Harvey, on the death of Eastchurch,
governor in 1680 Governor John Jenkins appointed, who, on his death,
is succeeded by Henry Wilkinson (Dec. 1681) Seth Sothel appointed
governor in 1683 His character and life ; exiled by the people, and death
Succeeded by Governor Philip Ludwell (1689), who resided most of his
time in Virginia Constitution formed by Locke for North Carolina (1693)
Carolina divided into North and South Carolina Thomas Smith ap-
pointed governor On his advice, John Archdale, "the Quaker Governor/'
is appointed (1694) ; his sagacious and prudent administration On his
return to England (1699), Thomas Harvey, governor On his death in
1699, Henderson Walker is governor---0n his death (1704) Robert Daniel
succeeds as governor Difficulties between the Church of England and the
Dissenters -First church in North Carolina (1705) First newspaper in the
United States. (1705) Contest between Cary and Glover for the govern-
ment Cary prevails Gary sent to England for examination (1711)
Edward Hyde governor in 1712 De Graaffenreidt's patent Indian mur-
ders Lawson, first historian of North Carolina, killed by the Indians
Hyde dies with yellow fever (1712), and George Pollock succeeds him
First emission of paper money in North Carolina.
SIXTY-NINE years after the landing of Amidas and Barlow on the
coast of North Carolina, a colony from Virginia (July, 1653), led
by Roger Green,* settled on the banks of the Roanoake, and on
the south side of the Chowan, and its tributary streams.
North Carolina had, previously, been the refuge of Quakers, and
others fleeing from religious persecutions. Before this period, this
country had been explored by the Secretary of the Colony of Vir-
ginia, in 1622, who traveled overland to Chowan River, and de-
scribed the fertility of the soil, the salubrity of the climate,f and
the kindness of the natives.
In 1662, the Chief of the Ycopim Indians granted to George
Durant a neck of land in Perquimans county, which still bears his
name.
On the 24th March, 1663, King Charles II. granted to Edward,
Earl of Clarendon ; George, Duke of Albemarle ; William, Earl of
Craven ; John, Lord Berkley ; Anthony, Lord Ashley ; Sir George
* Henning, Statutes at Large, 380, 381.
t Smith's Virginia, ii. 64.
30 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, all the coun-
try between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, between 31 and 36
parallels of latitude, called Carolina, in honor of Charles.
In 1663, Sir William Berkley, Governor of the Colony of Vir-
ginia, visited the province, and appointed WILLIAM DRUMMOND
Governor of the Colony of Carolina. Drummond was from Scot-
land, and inheriting the national characteristics of that people, he
was prudent, cautious, and deeply impressed with a love of liberty.
Such was the settlement, and such was the first Governor of
North Carolina. The lake in the centre of, the Dismal Swamp pre-
serves his name.
It was called the county of Albemarle from Gen. Geo. Monk, after-
wards Duke of Albemarle, one of the proprietors, which included
the country between Virginia and the Cape Fear River. The county
of Clarendon spread over the region from Cape Fear to Florida.
Drummond,* at his death in 1667, was succeeded by Stevens as
governor.
At this time the colony contained about four thousand inhabit-
ants, a few fat cattle, and eight hundred hogsheads of tobacco, f
The first assembly that made laws for Carolina, assembled in the
fall of 1669.J
No freer country was ever organized by man. Freedom of con-
science, security from taxation except by their own consent, were
their first objects. No one could recover a debt, the cause of action
of which arose out of the colony, within five years ; the emigrant was
exempted from taxation for a year ; every emigrant received a
bounty of land. These simple laws suited a simple people, who
were as free as the air of their mountains ; and when oppressed
were as rough as the billows of the ocean. They submitted to no
unjust laws, they bowed their knee to no earthly monarch.
" Are there any," says Bancroft, " who doubt man's capacity
for self government ? Let them study the history of North Caro-
lina ; the inhabitants were restless and turbulent in their imperfect
submission to a government imposed on them from abroad ; the
administration of the colony was firm, humane, and tranquil when
left to themselves. Any government but their own was oppres-
sive."
March, 1669. At this time, a form of government, magnificent in
design, and labored in detail, called " The fundamental constitutions
of Carolina," were drawn up by the celebrated author of the Essay
on the Human JInder standing ^ John Locke. These are preserved
in the second volume of Revised Statutes (1837), 449.
On the death of Governor Stevens, who died in the colony full
of years and wealth, the assembly chose Carteret for their governor,
and on his return to England soon after, Eastchurch, who then was
in England, was appointed governor, and Miller secretary.
* Williamson, i. 93. t Chalmers, 533. Bancroft, ii. 157.
% Chalmers. 525. \ Bancroft, ii. 158.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 31
The governor being detained, Miller proceeded to North Carolina,
" holding the triple office of governor, secretary, and collector."
The conduct of this man, " dressed up in his brief authority," was
oppressive. The spirit of the people was aroused by his extortion and
tyranny. Led on by John Culpepper, who had been surveyor-gene-
ral of South Carolina, they seized the president and six members of
the council, and put them in prison. They called a legislature,
appointed courts of justice, and exercised all the rights and powers
of government for two years.* The imbecile hand that then held the
English sceptre (Charles II.) was too fond of pleasure "to take
much trouble with a distant and disordered colony."
The colonists declared, that " excessive taxation, abridgment of po-
litical liberty, with a denial of a free election of an assembly, the
unwise interruptions of the natural channels of commerce were the
threefold grievances of the colony." ,
This was the germ of the great principles that ripened more
than one hundred years after, into our glorious revolution of 1776,
and its rich fruits were 1 our national independence and liberty.
When Governor Eastchurch arrived, his authority was derided.
He applied to the Governor of Virginia for aid to restore his
authority. But he died before troops could be raised.
Culpepper was tried in England in 1680 for these offences, defended
by Shaftesbury ; he was acquitted, even by an English jury.
In 1680, John Harvey, as president of the council, took charge
of the colony of North Carolina, and in June of that year, John
Jenkins was appointed governor by the proprietors ; who was suc-
ceeded on his death (December 1681), by Henry Wilkinson.
That the insurrection of Culpepper was not considered treasona-
ble, or even unpopular with the Proprietors themselves, is proved
by the fact that one of his associates under Governor Harvey, was
the Receiver General, and another (George Durant) a judge of the
court.
Such, however, was the free spirit of the people, that it was ex-
pedient to send one of the proprietors as governor.
In 1683, Seth Sothel, who had purchased the rights of Lord
Clarendon, arrived as Governor in North Carolina.
The character of Sothel presents every vice that can degrade
man or disgrace his nature. " During the six years that he mis-
ruled the people of North Carolina, the dark shades of his charac-
ter were not relieved by a single ray of virtue, "f Profligate in his
habits, licentious in his tastes, sordid and avaricious in his conduct ;
his administration is marked by every kind of extortion. He was
not fit to rule over a people that were impatient of any tyranny or
oppression. He was impeached, imprisoned by the people, and sen-
tenced by the colony to twelve months exile, and a perpetual
incapacity for the office of governor. He returned to South Carolina,
where he afterwards became governor ; from this colony also his
* Williamson, i. 132. t Ibid. i. 140.
32 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
vices expelled him, and he died in North Carolina in 1692 without
issue.
For the will of Seth Sothel, from the records now on file in Se-
cretary of State's Office at Raleigh, see chap, xix., Chowan county,
in the following pages.
PHILIP LUDWELL succeeded as governor, 1693. He continued
but a short time in the colony, and although four years governor,
resided the greater part of that time in Virginia.*
Governor Ludwell had been a collector of customs in Virginia,
an adherent of Berkley, and a complainant in England against
Effingham as Governor of Virginia. After some time spent in vain
efforts to carry out the wishes of the lords proprietors, consistent
with the prosperity of the colonists, he gladly retired to Virginia,
and Alexander Lillington was appointed deputy governor ; two years
afterf Thomas Harvey succeeded as deputy governor.
The fundamental constitutions so sagely devised by the philoso-
phic Locke, were abrogated at this time.
The portion of the province north of the Santee, was called North
Carolina ; and the four southern counties, South Carolina.
A dreadful storm was in this year experienced in North Carolina ;J
it reversed the order of nature. It stopped some rivers, and opened
others.
Thomas Smith, on the abrogations of the constitutions of Locke,
was appointed governor by the Proprietors ; but his political opi-
nions were so different from those ,of the colonists, that he gladly
advised that one of the Proprietors should visit North Carolina, to
inquire into their grievances and redress their wrongs.
Following this salutary counsel, Lord Ashley, the grandson of
Shaftesbury, the pupil and antagonist of Locke, and the celebrated
author of the Characteristics, was appointed. He declined the mis-
sion, and JOHN ARCHDALE, a member of the peaceful society of
Friends, received the appointment. Until his arrival, Joseph Black
was deputy governor of the province.
The selection of Governor Archdale was most fortunate. Im-
bued with the peaceful and wise tenets of his religious belief; and
the true principles of democracy that it inculcated, like his great
predecessor in Pennsylvania who landed only twelve years before, at
New Castle (27th Oct., 1682), his administration of the colony was
prudent, wise, and salutary.
In the month of March, 1695, he met the Legislature in Charles-
ton. He purchased lands in Albemarle, and one of his daughters
married in Pasquotank, where some of his descendants live to this
day. The wife of William Hill, Esq., the present Secretary of
State of North Carolina, is a descendant of Governor Archdale,
through his daughter Ann, who married (July, 1688) Emmanuel
* Williamson, i. 147. t Ibid. i. 143.
I Marten, i. 195. I Williamson, i. 158.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 33
Lowe, whose daughter Anne married Pendleton, whose daughter
Mary married Dempsy Conner, the father of Mrs. Hill.
An advocate for the freedom of conscience, he wisely avoided the
religious n disputes between the zeal of the high church party, and
the great body of the people, which had much excited the colony.
He quieted the jarrings between the colonists and their feudal
sovereigns, by remitting quit rents for three and four years, regu-
lating the prices of lands, and allowing the payment in produce in
lieu of money. To cultivate the friendship of the Indians, he es-
tablished a Board to decide all contests between them and the
whites. Although surrounded by dangerous and savage tribes, no
conflict was apprehended, because no offence was committed.
Penn's treaty with the Indians in Pennsylvania has received the
plaudits of all ages. Made, unlike other treaties, without any
formality of oaths ; and, unlike others, was never violated. So
Archdale acted. He established in our jurisprudence the great
principle that those, who, from conscientious scruples, refused to
bear arms, should be Exempted therefrom on a certificate from the
Governor.*
Roads were made under skillful surveys. The course of his con-
duct was such that the representatives of the freemen of the colony
declared that, "by his wisdom, patience, and labor, Governor Arch-
dale had laid a foundation for a most glorious superstructure.'^
His character deserves to be held in grateful remembrance by the
people of North Carolina. The effects of his sagacity introduced sys-
tem and union into the colony, and his name should be perpetuated
by a more enduring monument than it has hitherto received.
During his administration, a brig from Madagascar, on her way
to England, anchored off Sullivan's Island. Thomas Smith, a land-
grave, on going on board, received a bag of Rice, with descriptions
of its culture, its suitableness for food, and its incredible increase.
From this small beginning arose that which soon became the chief
support of the colony, and is now one of its staple commodities and
a source of wealth. J
When Governor Archdale returned to England, the government
of the Colony of North Carolina devolved on Thomas Harvey, as
Deputy ' Governor, who had already (1695) exercised that office ;
and, on his. death, the administration devolved on Henderson Walker,
who was President of the Council. He was a lawyer, and for some
time a judge of the Supreme Court.
Under his administration, an important change took place in the
judiciary. Hitherto the general court had been held by the chief
magistrate, the deputies of the lords proprietors, and two assistants.
A commission now issued appointing five persons Justices of the
Supreme Court.
* See Militia Laws of North Carolina, quoted in note to vol. i. William-
son, 272.
t Archdale, 21. Bancroft, iii. 16. Martin, i. 198. J. Martin, i. 198.
2 See Martin, i. 265. Williamson, i. 189. Bancroft, iii. 20.
3
34 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
The piracies of the famous Captain Kidd occurred at this time,
who was taken, and tried in England and executed.
Under the mild rule of Gov. Walker, the inhabitants of, North
Carolina increased in the enjoyment of the highest personal liberty.
"Five miles below Edenton, just a hundred yards from the sound,
beneath the shade of a large cedar, is the grave of Henderson
Walker. The stone that marks the spot keeps the record that
'North Carolina, during his administration, enjoyed tranquillity.' '
I copy from the tomb-stone the following:
"Here lyes y e body of
HENDERSON WALKER, ESQ.,
President of the Council and Commander-in-Chief of North Carolina,
during whose Administration the Province enjoyed that tranquillity which
it is to be wished it may never want.
He departed this life, 14 April, 1704, aged 44 years."
On the north side of this tomb
" Lyes y e body of
GEORGE LILLINGTON,
Son of Major Alexander Lillington,
who died in ye 15 year of hig age, Anno 1706."
Over the other side is the following inscription :
"Here lyes y e body of
MADAM ANN MOSELY,
Wife of Edward Mosely, Esq.
She was y e daughter of Maj. Alex. Lillington, Esq., and y e
Widow of the Hon. Henderson Walker, Esq.,
Late President of His Majesty's Council of No, Carolina.
She departed this life, Nov. the 18th, A. D. 1712,
aged 55 years & 5 months."
On the death of Governor Walker, Robert Daniel, a landgrave,
was made President of the Council. He had distinguished himself
in arms at the late attack on St. Augustine, and was appointed by
Sir Nathaniel Johnson, whose commission now extended over the
whole Province as Deputy Governor of the Northern part of
Carolina.
Lord Granville, who was still Palatine, had instructed Sir Na-
thaniel Moore to establish the religion of the Church of England
in the colony by legal authority.
In 1704, by arts and intrigue in the General Assembly, a law
was passed by a majority of one, disfranchising all dissenters from
any office of trust, honor, or profit.
A previous assembly had passed a law (1702) by which thirty
pounds should be raised in each precinct to support a minister of
the church of England.
This produced tumults and insurrections among the people. A
large majority of the colonists had no religion ; many who professed
religion were Quakers, Presbyterians, Lutherans, and Independents.
In the year 1705, the first church in North Carolina was built
HISTORY OP NORTH CAROLINA. 35
in Chowan County.* Quakers were not allowed to give evidence
in any criminal case, or serve on a jury, or hold any office.
The Governor (Daniel) and the people, immediately opposed
these laws. A petition was introduced into Parliament, and, on
hearing the evidence, the House of Lordsf declared that these
" acts were repugnant to the laws of England, contrary to the charter
of the proprietors ; an encouragement to atheism ; detrimental to
trade; and tended to the depopulation and ruin of the province."
Thus was first asserted, in North Carolina, by her simple and
patriotic people, the great principle of divorce of church and state.
This year (1705) was printed the first American newspaper,
called the Boston News Letter.
In this year, so severe was the cold, that Albemarle Sound, at
Edenton, was frozen over. J
Peacefully as was this important principle (separation of church
and state) maintained and established, North Carolina was not
free from tumult. Tke succession of a governor (like that of the
sceptre of the mother country) was often the scene of confusion
and insurrection. In the language of a cotemporaneous writer,
"it was the common practice of the people in North Carolina to
resist and imprison their governors, until they looked upon that as
lawful which had been so long tolerated."
Thomas Cary was appointed Deputy Governor by Sir Nathaniel
Johnston. The Lords Proprietors disapproved of the choice, and
directed their deputies to select one of their own number as Governor
of North Carolina. ' The deputies selected William Glover. Cary,
who was selected as deputy governor, had been collector of the
rents of the Lords Proprietors, and had neglected to settle his ac-
counts. For awhile he seemed to yield to the sway of Glover ; but,
aided by his friends, he seized the records of the province, and
proclaimed himself governor.
The colony now was a scene of anarchy ; the laws were suspended,
and justice fled. The respectable portion of the colony adhered to
Glover; while Cary possessed the force. A genera/1 assembly was
called, which met at Captain Heckelfield's, on Little River, to de-
cide this vexed question. Members appeared under writs of election
issued by President Glover ; while another set appeared under writs
of election issued by President Cary. Glover and Cary sat in
separate rooms with their respective councils. Great confusion
prevailed, and the partisans of Glover, irritated by the persecutions
from Cary and his adherents, sought refuge in Virginia. Thus
was the Colony of North Carolina, for a time, again under a domin-
ion contrary to the proprietary government.
At this period, Edward Hyde arrived with the commission of
Lieutenant Governor ; but Cary refused to yield. With an armed
brig and a smaller vessel he made an attempt upon Edenton, but
* Williamson, i. 169. f Martin, i. 223.
J Williamson, i. 177. Spotewood MSS.
36 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
was repulsed and retired to Bath. Governor Hyde made a requi-
sition upon the Governor of Virginia, ALEXANDER SPOTSWOOD, who
sent a party of marines from the ships that lay in Hampton Roads.
The finale of this insurrection is detailed by the following letter
from Governor Spotswood, which I copy from a document" on file in
the archives of the Historical Society of the University of North
Carolina.*
"KEQUOTAN, July 31, mi.
" To the Proprietors of Carolina :
" MY LORDS Since my writing this, the marines are returned,
after having frighted the rebellious party so as to lay down their
arms and disperse ; and I with joy tell your Lordships that there
is now some prospect of tranquillity in your Government ; and that
I have brought this about without effusion of blood or disorders
committed. And, upon my arrival at this place, I found Colonels
Cary, Levy, and Truit, and company, blustering, and pretending
-to have taken a passage in the fleet for their going for England, in
order to justify their actions. Whereupon I had them brought
before me ; but plainly discovered they -intended nothing less than
a fair trial at your Lordships' Board. Wherefore, seeing they
would give me no security for such appearance, I have sent them
home in the Reserve and Tyger men-of-war ; believing the greatest
justice I can do them is to leave them to your Lordships' examination.
"A. SPOTSWOOD."
Edward Hyde, who was appointed Governor the next year, issued
his proclamation January, 1712, granting pardon to all the late in-
surgents, except Thomas Cary, John Porter, and three others.
The Lords Proprietors granted, in 1709, to Christopher, Baron
de Graaffenreidt, ten thousand acres of land, on the Neuse and Cape
Fear rivers, at the rate of ten pounds sterling for every thousand
acres, and five shillings quit rent. A great number of Palatines,
and fifteen hundred Swiss, followed the Baron, and settled at the
confluence of the Trent and Neuse. The town was called New Bern,
after Bern in Switzerland, the birth-place of Graaffenreidt.
It had been the boast of one of the earliest historians! of North
Carolina, that this colony was the only instance of a nation planted
in peace, and located without bloodshed of the natives. This was
true at this time. While Massachusetts, Virginia, and others were
laying the foundation of their colony on the bones of the aborigi-
nes, and cementing their structure with blood, North Carolina was
quietly pursuing her course, unmolested by the Indians, and respect-
ing their rights.
* Extracts from "Letters of the HOD. Alexander Spotswood, late Governor
of Virginia, respecting the affairs of North Carolina, addressed to the Ministry
of the late Queen Anne, extracted from the letter book in MS. and deposited
in the Secretary's Office of North Carolina by Alexander Martin, late Gover-
nor, to serve as materials for some future historian of said State."
t Lawson's History of North Carolina.
HISTORY OP NORTH CAROLINA. 37
The Indians viewed with jealousy the increasing numbers of the
whites. The first blow was struck by them. The Tuscaroras, a
powerful tribe, formed a conspiracy with the Pamplico Indians, to
attack the planters on the Roanoake. The Cothechneys, who lived
in the present county of Greene, engaged to come down and join
the Cores, and attack the planters, on the Neuse and Trent rivers.
Bath was to be attacked by the Mattamuskeets and Matchepungoes.
On the llth of September, 1711, one hundred and twelve per-
sons, principally settlers on the Roanoake and Chowan, fell under
the murderous tomahawk. The carnage was continued for three
days, until fatigue only disabled the savage foe.
The utmost cruelty marked the inroad of the savages. From a
letter of C. Gale, who was then Chief Justice of the Supreme Court,
written a short time after, this horrid massacre has been trans-
mitted to us in all its fearful truth. Old men and infants, young
men and maidens, all shared the same awful fate. " The family of
Neville," says Gale, "was treated after this manner. The old man
was found, after being shot dead, laid out on the floor, with a clean
pillow under his head, his stockings turned over his shoes, and his
body covered with fine linen. His wife, after being murdered, was
set upon her kness in the chimney corner, and her hands raised up
on a chair, as if at prayer. A son was laid out in the yard, with a
pillow under his head, and a bunch of rosemary laid to his nose.
At the next house, the owner was shot, and laid on his wife's grave ;
women were laid on the floor, and great sharp stakes run up through
their bodies. Women with child, were murdered, and the unborn
ripped out and hung on trees.'**
Lawson and Graaffenriedt were taken while exploring the Neuse.
Lawson, the Surveyor-General of the province, and its earliest
historian, was murdered by the savages ; De Graaffenreidt only
escaped by humiliating stipulations. Such was the effect upon
Graaffenreidt, that he sold his interest to Thomas Pollock for eight
hundred pounds, and returned to Switzerland. This conduct of the
Indians, met with severe chastisement. Governor Hyde called out
the militia of North Carolina. The Legislature of South Carolina,
with alacrity raised six hundred militia, and three hundred and sixty
Indians, under Col. Barn well; who, with great expedition crossed
the wilderness that then separated North from South Carolina, and
was joined on the Neuse by such portions of the North Carolina
militia, as could be spared from guarding the inhabitants. The
Indians were fortified on the banks of the Neuse, in the present
County of Craven, about eighteen miles west of Newbern. Here
they received the attack of the whites. They were defeated with
great slaughter (1712); more than three hundred savages were
killed, and one hundred made prisoners.
* I am indebted fo? this letter to the excellent address of Professor Ilub-
bard, of the University, at the last commencement, on the " Early Historians
of North Carolina."
38 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
In the summer, to the horrors of war, the ravages of the yellow
fever were added to the misfortunes of the colonists, and the
Governor fell a victim (September 8th, 1712).
The Deputies of the Lords Proprietors selected George Pollock,
the Deputy of Lord Carteret, as President and Commander in
Chief to succeed him.
To liquidate the heavy debts* of the colony, in consequence of
the Indian wars, eight thousand pounds of bills of credit were
issued by the colony.
This was the first emission of paper money in the State of North
Carolina.
CHAPTER Y.
FROM 1712 TO 1729.
Charles Eden governor (1713) Tuscarora Indians humbled, and make a
treaty Black Beard, the pirate; his life and death Edenton established
Eden's death (1722) Copy of his tombstone Thomas Pollock succeeds
as governor; and, in 1724, on his death, William Reed v as President of the
Council, is governor In 1724 Governor Burrington arrives His character
His opinion of the people of North Carolina Sir Richard Everhard
appointed governor, 1725 Dividing line between Virginia and North
Carolina, 1727 The lords proprietors surrender to the crown, July 1729,
except Lord Granville Population and divisions of the colony at this time
Portion of Lord Granville.
ON the 13th of July, 1713, Charles Eden was appointed Gover-
nor of North Carolina.
From 1693 to January 1712, the northern part of the province
(Albemarle), was ruled either by deputy governors appointed by
the Governor of Carolina at Charleston, or by the President of the
Council, elected by the deputies of the lords proprietors. In all
other respects the two governments, North and South Carolina,
were independent, separated by a wilderness, and a well denned
boundary, the Santee River.
The Tuscarora Indians, now humbled, entered into a treaty (June
1718), and a tract of land on the Roanoake, in the present county
of Bertie, was granted to them by Governor Eden. Finally, this
tribe joined the nations in New York, holding, until a few years
past, the fee simple in a portion of the soil of Bertie County.
In the administration of Governor Eden, a character notorious
for his crimes as a pirate, Edward Teach, commonly called BlacJc
Beard, lived in North Carolina. So daring were his adventures,
that he defied the government; he had a ship of forty guns welj
armed, and spread terror along the coast. The colonial govern-
ment finding itself unable to resist his power, it was deemed proper
* Martin, 1264.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 39
that the king's pardon should be issued to all pirates, who, within
a limited time, should surrender themselves to any of the colonial
governors (George I. 1717).
Teach, and twenty of his men, surrendered themselves to Governor
Eden. His associates dispersed themselves, and some went to work.
Teach's habits were illy suited to a life of peace and industry. His
ill-gotten wealth was soon squandered in licentious courses. He
fitted out a sloop at a place which now bears his name, within
Ocracoke Inlet, called Teach's Hole, and again sallied forth on
piratical adventures. Such was the annoyance of his depredations,
that the Assembly of Virginia offered one hundred pounds reward
for his apprehension.
Lieutenant Maynard, taking with him two small coasters, sailed
from Hampton Roads on the 17th of November, 1718, in quest of
Teach. He found him at his usual place of rendezvous, near
Ocracoke. The action immediately commenced. Teach, with horrid
oaths, boasted that he neither asked nor gave quarters. . At one
broadside, nineteen of Maynard's men were killed; to save them
from such murderous fire, he ordered his men below, directing
himself his vessel. The pirates board his ship ; at this moment
the lieutenant calls his men on deck; a fierce and deadly com-
bat, hand to hand, ensues. The two commanders meet. They
rush tp combat, and the pirate Teach falls covered with blood.
Eight of his fourteen men were killed, and the other six wounded,
so that they could no longer fight. Maynard sailed up to the town
of Bath with the head of Teach hung to the bowsprit of his vessel.
Thus died, amid his vices and crimes, a man whose valor was
worthy of a better cause, and whose name is given, to a place well
known to every shipper on our coast. To this day, superstition still
preserves his name with heaps of buried treasure. The character
of Governor Eden suffered much by a supposed intimacy with Teach.
Edward Mosely, who was a prominent man in the colony, declared*
that "the Governor could raise an armed posse to arrest honest
men, though he could not raise a similar force to apprehend Teach,
a noted pirate;" and on Teach's dead body was found a letter of
his secretary, Tobias Knight, intimating proof of Knight's friend-
ship and Eden's respect.
Mosely was subsequently arrested for misdemeanorf himself, and
tried by the General Court, convicted, fined one hundred pounds,
silenced as an attorney, and declared incapable of holding any office
in the,, colony during three years. The Governor laid before the
Council, 1719, an account of his proceedings against Teach. The
Council expressed their approbation of his conduct.
In August, 1720, the Governor met the Legislature, assembled
at the Court H6use in Chowan. At this session, a town which had
been some time before established, was called, in honor to the
Governor, Edenton.
'. Jv, tv .' 1 . ' '
* Williamson, ii. 11. f Martin, i. 286,
40 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Governor Eden died 17th March, 1722, aged forty-nine.
On Salmon Creek, in Bertie County, the stone that marks his
grave has this inscription :
" Here lyes y e body of
CHARLES EDEN, ESQ.,
who governed this Province eight years to the great satisfaction of the Lords
Proprietors, and y" ease and happiness of y e people.
He brought the country into a flourishing condition, and died much
lamented, March y e 26, 1722, aetatis 49.
And near this place, lyes also y c body of
PENELOPE EDEN,
his virtuous consort, who died Jan. the 4th, 1716, aetatis 39.
Vivit
post funera,
Ille
Quern virtus non mamor
in aeternum
sacrat."
Thomas Pollock (March 30th, 1722) again succeeded as Presi-
dent of the colony ; on 30th August following, he died. On 7th
September, William Reed was president ; during the period, unin-
terrupted peace prevailed.
On the 15th January, 1724, GEORGE BURRINGTON, who had been
appointed to succeed Governor Eden, opened his commission as
governor.
In February, 1731, Governor Burrington thus officially to the
Duke of New Castle, gives us his opinion of the inhabitants of North
Carolina :
" The people of North Carolina" are neither to be cajoled or out-
witted. Whenever a governor attempts to effect anything by this
means, he will lose his labor and show his ignorance."
" The inhabitants of North Carolina are not industrious, but
subtle and crafty ; always behaved insolently to their governors ;
some they have imprisoned, others they have drove out of the coun-
try, and at other times set up a governor of their own choice, sup-
ported by men under arms."*
Tranquillity prevailed in the colony. The associates in the
government were, Christopher Gale, Chief Justice; James Stan-
way, Attorney General; Edward Mosely, Surveyor general; Arthur
Goffe, Receiver General; John Dunstan, Naval Officer; Henry
Clayton, Provost Marshal.
The character of Governor Burrington had little to recommend
him as a wise ruler, or sagacious statesman. He was appointed
from family influence, his father having rendered service in pro-
moting George I. to the English throne, and like all such appoint-
ments, when not based on merit, was unfortunate. Without any
great talent, he was deficient in ordinary prudence in matters of
state ; while his private life was disgraced by broils, and breaches
* MS. Documents on file in Offices of Board of Trade in London, from
1662 to 1769, procured through kindness of Honorable Geo. Bancroft.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 41
of the peace. He had not been in the colony two years, when so
many complaints were made of his rash and injudicious conduct,
that he was removed, and in April, 1725, Sir Richard Everhard
was appointed. He qualified at Edenton, on 17th July, 1725.
The legislature met at Edenton on 6th November following, and
the boundary line between North Carolina and Virginia was run
this year. The commissioners on the part of Virginia were William
Byrd, William Dandridge, and Richard Fitzwilliams ; those of our
State, were Christopher Gale, Edward Mosely, and Samuel Swann.
They 'commenced their labors 5th March, 1727.
The first of these (William Byrd) has left a record containing
" the History of the Dividing Line," which has been published ; and
which is not very complimentary to North Carolina.* He states
" the borderers laid it to heart if their land was taken in Virginia,
they chose much rather to belong to Carolina, where they pay no
tribute to God or to Caesar."
The people of South Carolina had already revolted from the
feudal sway of the Lords Proprietors, and Governor Johnston was
compelled to leave his government, and this colony reverted to the
crown. Although this feeling did not extend to North Carolina,
yet the proprietors found that their possessions did not yield them
any permanent advantage. It was believed that the restless and
turbulent spirit manifested by the people against the deputy of their
fellow-subjects, would yield a loyal obedience to the direct repre-
sentative of the Sovereign.
Accordingly, the Lords Proprietors (except Lord Granville) sur-
rendered the government of the province, and all the franchises
under the charter of Charles II., as well as their property in the
soil, to the English crown, for a valuable consideration. This was
ratified by an act of Parliament (2 Geo. II. ch. xxxiv., 1729). Each
of the proprietors received from the crown, the sum of two thousand
five hundred pounds sterling.
John, Lord Carteret, Baron of Hawnes, as heir of his father
(who died in 1696), was in possession of the share of Sir George
Carteret. He was afterwards created Earl of Granville, and he
thought fit to retain his eighth part of the soil. This was laid off,
in 1748, for him, adjoining Virginia. Five commissioners were
appointed by the crown, and five by Lord Granville. His terri-
tory f was bounded on the north by the Virginia line, on the east
by the Atlantic, on -the south by a line in latitude 35 34" from
the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean, and on the west by the Pacific.
A princely 'domain !
Thus ended the proprietary government of North Carolina, en-
during sixty-six years after the charter from Charles II. '
The population did not exceed ten thousand persons in North
Carolina. Its primary divisions was into three counties.
* Westover MSS. Petersburg, 1841.
f Martin, vol. ii. 43.
42 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
1st. ALBEMARLE ; which was subdivided into six precincts, Curri-
tuck, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Chowan, Bertie, and Tyrrell.
2d. BATH, into four precincts, Beaufort, Hyde, Craven, and
Carteret.
3d. CLARENDON, one precinct, New Hanover.
CHAPTER VI,
FROM 1729 TO 1754.
North Carolina under the royal governors Governor Burrington, 1729 His
character, conduct, life, and death, in 1734 Nathanief Rice, the Secretary,
governor in 1734; who was succeeded by Gabriel Johnston, as governor
Line between North and South Carolina Computation of time altered by
act of Parliament First printing press in North Carolina, 1749 Fort
Johnston built Moravians purchase land in North Carolina First revisal
of the laws of North Carolina Governor Johnston, after being governor
for twenty years, dies (1752) His life, character, and services He is
succeeded, for a time, by Nathaniel Rice ; and, on his death, in January
1753, by Matthew Rowan Population of North Carolina in 1754 Aid
sent to Virginia, against the French, by North Carolina.
. GEORGE BURRINGTON,. who had been governor under the pro-
prietors, was appointed, in 1770, by the king (George I.). He
arrived in February 1731, and qualified as governor, at Edenton,
on the 25th of that month. William Smith was Chief Justice ; Ed-
mund Porter, Judge of Admiralty; John Montgomery, Attorney-
General ; Nathaniel Rice, Secretary of the Province. The Council
of the Governor, named in his commission, were John Baptist Ashe,
Cornelius Harnet, Matthew Rowan, and four others.
Governor Burrington did not begin his administration under
such auspices as would tend to benefit the colony. His disposition
was not fitted for his station. He soon became involved in diffi-
culties with his council, the Assembly, and the judges. The records
of the colonial offices and board of trade present evidence from Mr.
Montgomery, the Attorney-General, Mr. Porter, one of the council,
Mosely, Ashe, and others, of the misbehavior of Governor Burring-
ton ; while the records of the General Court, sitting at Edenton
(March 1726), show that he was indicted for slanderous and vicious
conduct ; for breaches of the peace on the house of Sir Richard Ever-
hard, on the persons of Robert Kenyon, Robert Rawle, the provost
marshal, and others. His eccentric conduct created such a storm,
that he found it impossible to resist its fury ; and, under pretence
of visiting South Carolina, he left 'the colony, went to Charleston,
1734, and soon after sailed to England. His death occurred soon
after. Rioting, in his usual manner, all night, he was found mur-
dered, in the morning, in the Bird Cage Walk, in the corner of St.
James' Park, in London.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 43
The government devolved on the Secretary, Nathaniel Rice, who
was qualified as governor, at Edenton, on the 17th of April, 1734.
His administration was of a very short duration, for, during the
summer under the recommendation of Spence Compton, Baron of
Wilmington, GABRIEL JOHNSTON was appointed governor. He
arrived in the River Cape Fear, in October 1734, and in November,
he took the oaths of office, in the town of Brunswick, at the Court
House in the precinct of New Hanover.
Governor Johnston was a Scotchman by birth, a man of letters
and of liberal views. He was by profession a physician, and held
the appointment of Professor of Oriental Languages in the Uni-
versity of Saint Andrews, where he had received his education.
He was an able political writer, and figured in u the Craftsman," a
periodical for which Lord Bolingbroke, Pulteney and others wrote.
He met the Legislature at Edenton. His addresses to them show
that he fully appreciated the lamentable condition of the colony,
by the imprudence and yicious conduct of his predecessor, and has
earnest desire to promote the welfare of the people,
At the next session (September 1736) he again addressed the
House, bewailing the deplorable condition of the colony; the loose
morals of the people ; the want of provision for education ; the dis-
regard of law; the violation of justice; the oppression of the poor;
and the contempt of all law by the rich ; and concluded by observ-
ing, "that while he was obliged by his instructions to maintain the
rights of the crown, he would show a regard to the privileges, liber-
ties and happiness of the people."
In March 1736, the Assembly having imprisoned his Majesty's
officers for distraining for quit rents, the governor dissolved them,
so as to put a stop to practices in them so derogatory to the crown
and subversive of order.*
Under his prudent administration the colony revived, and from
this period increased in population, wealth and resources.
This year (1738), commissioners ran the line between North and
South Carolina. The king had fixed its beginning at the north-east
of Long Bay, to run thence north-west to 35 north latitude, thence
west to the South Sea. The commissioners on the part of North
Carolina were Robert Holton, Matthew Rowan, and Edward Mosely.
The commissioners began at a cedar stake on the sea shore, by the
mouth of Little River, and having run a north-west line until they
arrived, as they conceived to 35, they altered their course by
"mutual consent" and ran west to the Pee Dee. This stopped the
line for the present. Afterwards, it was extended twenty miles by
private persons. It was continued in 1764. This was taken for
the true line, according to Governor Tryon's proclamation (May
1765). Governor Martin, some years after (1771), informed the
Assembly that he was instructed to continue said line as far as the
Salisbury road, thence until it strikes the lands of the Catawba In-
* Manuscripts from ofUces of Board of Trade in London.
44 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
dians, thence leaving those lands to the south, to the Catawba
River, then due west. The ridiculous zigzag that our southern
line presents, was the effect of private intrigue.*
The primary division of the province into three counties, Albe-
marle, Bath, and Clarendon, was in 1738 abolished; the precincts
were now called counties, and a sheriff appointed for each, chosen
by the governor, out of three persons recommended by the county
court for this purpose.
In February 1742, six northern counties refused to pay taxes,
owing to their dissatisfaction as to the representation of members
for the Assembly. Jurors refused to attend courts, f
France having declared war against England (1744), the defence-
less seaboard of North Carolina received the attention of the Legis-
lature. A fort was ordered to be, built sufficient to mount twenty-
four pieces of cannon, on the south bank of Cape Fear, by the
Legislature which met at Newbern about 1745, and was called; in
honor of the governor, Fort Johnston.
In 1749, a printing press was imported into the province by
James Davis, from Virginia. J
The people known as Unitas Fratrum, or United Brethren, ob-
tained an act of Parliament authorizing them to establish settle-
ments on the American Provinces. They purchased of Lord
Granville, one hundred thousand acres between Dan and Yadkin,
and named it Wachovia, after an estate of Count Zinzendorff in
Austria. This land was conveyed to James Hutton, who was Secre-
tary to the United Brethren, in trust for the brethren. During
our Revolution (1776) it was conveyed by Hutton to Marshal, and
by act of our General Assembly in 1782, secured to the proper
owners.
1749. Emigrants from west of Scotland flocked to the Cape Fear
about this period.
The boundary line between Virginia and North Carolina, which
had been run from the sea shore to Peter's Creek, which falls into
Dan River, near the Sauratowns, was continued this year to the
Holstein River, opposite to a place called Steep Rock. The com-
missioners of Virginia were Joshua Fay and Peter Jefferson; those
of North Carolina, William Churton and Daniel Weldon.
The computation of time was this year (1750) altered by act of
Parliament. Hitherto, the year commenced in March. The day
following the 2d September 1752, was reckoned the 14th, omitting
eleven days.
The first revisal of the colonial laws was made this year (1752)
in a small folio volume; it received the nickname of "Yellow
Jacket," from the yellow hue of its binding.
* Williamson, ii. 54.
f Manuscript documents from office of Board of Trade in London; pro-
cured through Hon. George Bancroft, Late envoy at that court.
% Martin, ii. 54.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 45
Governor Johnston's official dispatch to the Duke of New Castle,
dated April, 1739, states u that having called a new Assembly, they
had passed many beneficial laws. One, granting the king a rent roll ;
one for the improvement of trade ; one for speedy administration of
justice. That, after five years' struggle, during which no means had
been left unattempted to induce him to depart from his instructions,
he had brought matters in this unhappy country to system, where
disorder had before reigned, and placed it on a firm foundation."*
Under the administration of Governor Johnston, the province
increased in population, wealth, and happiness. At the time of the
purchase by the crown, its population did not exceed thirteen thou-
sand ; it now was upwards of forty-five thousand.
Its exports were 61,528 barrels of tar; 12,055 barrels of pitch ;
10,429 barrels of turpentine; 762,000 staves; 61,580 bushels of
corn ; 100,000 hogsheads of tobacco, besides pork, beef, bacon, lard,
and other commodities.
Governor Johnston died this year, August, 1752, after presiding
over the province for nearly twenty years.
He deserves the gratitude of every citizen of the State as a
statesman, a scholar, and patriot. While these pages feebly present
his services to the State, his name is preserved in calling the patri-
otic and public spirited county of Johnston in honor to his memory.
On his death, the administration devolved on Nathaniel Rice, the
first councillor named in the king's commission, who dying in Janu-
ary following, was succeeded by Matthew Rowan, the next coun-
cillor, who qualified at Wilmington on the 1st of February, 1754,
and met the Legislature at Newbern, on the 23d of March following.
Nothing of exciting interest occurred during the administration
of President Rowan, save, the issuing of forty thousand pounds in
bills of credit ; the erection of a county in honor of his name, and
the liberal appropriation of many towards building churches and
purchasing glebe lands to support its ministers.
Rowan's official dispatch to the Duke of New Castle, states (1754)
that he had received a requisition from Virginia for military aid ;
that he had sent nine hundred and fifty effective men.
The colony then had a population, as stated by Rowan, of
militia, 15,400; exempts, 1,000; outposts, 1,500; slaves, 10,000.
Governor Dinwiddie, of Virginia, sent an express to President
Rowan of the alarming movements of the French on the Ohio, and
that GEORGE WASHINGTON had been sent thither to examine and
report ; that he had ascertained the French had taken post on one
of the branches of that river, built a fort, and engaged the Indians
to join them. He desired the aid of men from North Carolina.
The President issued his proclamation for the Legislature to
assemble at Wilmington on the 19th of February, 1754, who met
* MS. documents from London relating to Carolina, from 1662 to 1769,
procured by kindness of Hon.. George Bancroft, late envoy from United States
to England.
46 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
and appropriated one thousand pounds to the raising and paying
such troops as might be raised to send to the aid of Virginia.
Colonel James Innes, of New Hanover, marched at the head of
a detachment, and joined the troops raised by Virginia and Mary-
land. But no provision being made by Virginia for supplies or
conveniences, the expedition was countermanded, and Colonel Innes
returned with his men to North Carolina.
CHAPTER VII.
FROM 1754 TO 1765.
Arthur Dobbs, governor (1754) His conduct His officers People seize
and imprison Lord Cranville's agent Courts of law held in each district,
1762 On the death of Dobbs (1765) Tryon succeeds.
ARTHUR DOBBS was appointed Governor by the crown in 1754,
and in the fall he arrived at Newbern.
Governor Dobbs was a native of Ireland, a man of letters and
liberal views. He had been a member of the Irish Parliament, and
distinguished for his attempts to discover, through the Hudson Bay
Company, a north-west passage to Japan, China, and India,
He brought, as an acceptable oblation, several pieces of cannon
and one thousand firelocks, a present from the king to the colony.
He brought to the colony a more powerful advocate for rights of
the people, than arms. Rice, a printer, is encouraged to carry on
his business.
In an official dispatch (December,' 1757) Governor Dobbs gives
a wretched account of the state of quit-rents, misconduct of Ruther-
ford and Murray, who raised factions against the Governor, and a
curious record of "Mr. Starky, the treasurer, who governs many in
the Assembly by lending them money."*
Governor Dobbs was qualified at Newbern on 1st of November,
1754. He was accompanied by a number of his relations, who
had hopes of offices and preferments.
He adopted measures to conciliate the Indian tribes, now import-
ant by the advances of the French on the Ohio. He commissioned
Colonel Hugh Waddell, of Rowan County, to treat with the Catawbas
and Cherokees.
"A storm, or hurricane, happened in North Carolina, which
began on Monday, September 20, 1761, and continued till Friday
following, but raged with most violence on the 23d.
"Many houses were thrown down, and all the vessels, except one,
* MS. papers relative to Carolina (tempus Geo. II.) procured from offices
in London, through Hon. George Bancroft, late envoy to that court.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 47
in Cape Fear River, driven on shore. It forced open a new chan-
riel for that river, at a place called the Haul-Over, between the
Cedar House and the Bald Head. This new channel was found
on soundings to he eighteen feet deep at high water, and is near
half a mile wide."*
Governor Dobbs' administration of ten years was a continued
contest between himself and the Legislature on matters frivolous
and unimportant. A high-toned temper for royal prerogatives on
his part, and an indomitable resistance on the part of the colonists.
One incident will prove the spirit and conduct of both parties.
A bill had been introduced in the upper House for the appoint-
ment of a printer to the province, and rejected by the other. The
governor announced to the lower House that he had appointed An-
drew Steuart printer to the king, and required them to make pro-
vision for his salary. The House replied that they knew no such
office, and of no such duty.f
Superior courts of justice were established in the districts of
Edenton, Newbern, Wilmington, Halifax, and Salisbury, to be
held semi-annually by the chief justice and one associate.
The people were much oppressed by Lord Granville's agents.
They seized Corbin, his agent, 1 who lived below Edenton, and brought
him to Enfield, where he was compelled to give bond and security,
to produce his books, and disgorge his illegal fees.
Governor Dobbs died at his seat on Town Creek, 28th March,
1765, in the 82d year of his age.
The persons who composed his council during' his administration
were James Hassel, Mathew Rowan, James Murray, Francis Corbin,
John _Dawson, Lewis H. DeRossett, John Rieusett, James Jones,
John Swann, John Rutherford, Richard Spaight, Edward B. Dobbs,
Charles Berry, John Sampson, Henry E. McCullock, Alexander
McCullock, William Day, Robert Palmer, and Benjamin Herron.
The judges were James Hassell, Peter Henly, Charles Berry,
George Nicholas, Joseph Anderson, and Charles Elliott. Thomas
Childs, Attorney-General.
* London Mag., Dec. 17G1. f Martin, ii. 189.
\
48 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
CHAPTER VIII.
FROM 1765 TO 1771.
Tryon's administration from April, 1765 to July, 1771 ; his character Early
resistance of the Mecklenburg people John Ashe and the Stamp Act,
1765 Paper seized Conduct of the people of New Hanover, 1766 Duel
between Captain Simpson, of his majesty's, sloop-of-war the Viper, and
Lieutenant Whitechurst, a relative of Mrs. Try.on, in which Whitechurst
is killed Suicide of Chief Justice Berry Repeal of the Stamp Act
Palace for the governor ; a description of its splendor Regulation troubles
commence, 1766 Herman Husbands; his character Colonel Edmund
Fanning, of Orange ; his character People of Anson County and Rowan
sympathize with the Regulators Tryon's expedition to Mecklenburg and
Rowan He raises a body of troops, and marches to Hillsboro' Fanning
indicted and convicted Husbands indicted and acquitted by the jury
Judge Moore, in Rowan, cannot hold court Sheriff of Orange resisted by
the Regulators and beaten Sheriff of Dobbs resisted, and one of his
deputies killed Court at Hillsboro' broke up by the Regulators Judge
Henderson retreats Fanning and John Williams beaten by the Regulators
Governor marches against the Regulators in strong force Battle of
Alamance, May 16, 1771 Regulators defeated First blood of the colonists
shed in these United States by royal troops Tryon marches to join Wad-
del, as far as Jersey settlement, in Davidson Tryon returns to Hillsboro',
-where court is held, and six of the Regulators are hanged Tryon em-
barks, June 30, 1771, to New York, to which colony he had been appointed
governor.
j? v ' * - ' " ' ' - i-
THE conduct of the mother country towards these colonies, in
the eloquent denunciations of Lord Chatham, was that of " an un-
just and cruel stepmother towards her helpless children;" disre-
garding their complaints, and adding injuries to insults.
Towards North Carolina, the course of England was more like
that of the father of the faithful, driving her, Hagar-like, into the
wilderness, there to pine and perish from neglect. It is not won-
derful then, that her sons, like Ishmael, should be ready to raise
their hands against every form of oppression. But the God of
Abraham protected the exiles, and blessed them with fair and fruit-
ful lands, refreshing shades, and gushing fountains; the promise
was also unto them "to make a great nation, because they too were
of the promised seed."
The people of North Carolina had now become numerous,
and attracted attention. The government, to aid the administra-
tion of Governor Dobbs (never, in his palmiest day, favored with
any extraordinary powers of intellect or energy of character), now
infirm and passed eighty years of age, sent William Tryon to
North Carolina with a commission as lieutenant-governor. He
arrived 27th October, 17,64.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 49
Governor Dobbs was not in haste to resign the reins of power ;
but death, a mightier monarch than any earthly potentate, dis-
missed him.
In the town of Wilmington, on the 3d of April, 1765, WILLIAM
TRYON qualified as Commander-in-chief, and Captain-General of
the Province of North Carolina.
Governor Tryon was a soldier by profession. Trained to arms,
he looked upon the sword as the true sceptre of government. Yet
with the character of the soldier, he mingled that of the politician.
He knew when to flatter and when to threaten. He knew when
"discretion was the better part of valor;" and when to use such
force and cruelty as achieved for him, from the Cherokee Indians,
the bloody title of the " Great Wolf of North Carolina." He
could use courtesy towards the Assembly when he desired large
appropriations for his magnificent palace; and knew how to bring
to bear the blandishments of the female society of his family, and
all the appliances of generous hospitality. While his character
shows that on the banks of the Alamance, when " the blast of war
blew in his ears," he could, by his ferocious and bloody conduct,
"imitate the action of the tiger." After passing the scenes which
we shall record, for six years, during which time he ruled the
State with the temper of a despot and the rod of a tyrant, he was
transferred as governor to the colony of New York.
That William Tryon was a man of some ability and military
talents is true. But his conduct in this State, and subsequently in
New York, proved him devoid of all principles of humanity. " I
should," said he, in New York, in 1777, "had I more authority,
burn every committee-man's house within my reach ; and, in order
to purge the country of them, I will give twenty-five silver dollars
for every acting committee-man, who shall be delivered up to the
king's troops."* He was succeeded in New York, in 1780, by
General Robinson. Of his subsequent career, and time and place
of his death we are not advised. .
One redeeming trait appears in his character, but this was not
owing to any virtue in the man, but was the effect of his profession
as a soldier. He was free from all religious intolerance, as he was
destitute of any religious principles.
We have seen, that during the administration of Governor Daniel,
North Carolina had been oppressed by bigotry, under the cloak of
religion. In 1741 it was enacted that the freeholders of every
parish should, every Easter Monday, choose twelve vestrymen, who
should lay a tax of five shillings per poll for building churches,
buying glebes, and maintaining clergymen, whose salaries should
be fifty pounds sterling. This salary was increased by law to one
hundred and thirty-three pounds, six shillings, and eight pence.
Thetfee of a clergyman for marrying was ten shillings, by license ;
* Sabine's History of the Loyalists, 653.
50 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
this license to be issued by the governor through the clerks of the
superior courts. Each vestryman took an oath "not to oppose the
doctrine, discipline, and liturgy of the Church of England."*
Governor Try on first met the Assembly in the town of Wilming-
ton, on the 3d of May, 1765. In his address he opposed all reli-
gious intolerance, although he recommended provision for the clergy
out of the public treasury ; yet advised the members of the Church
of England of the folly of attempting to establish it by legal enact-
ments. Under such recommendations, a law was passed legalizing
the marriages (which before were denounced as illegal) performed
by Presbyterian ministers, and authorizing them and other dissent-
ing clergymen to perform that rite.
Governor Try on entered upon his duties at a stormy period.
The cloud, which was then "not larger than a man's hand," subse-
quently spread over the whole nation, and gathered such force in
its progress, that when it burst, it dissolved the colonies from all
allegiance to the British crown.
Governor Tryon had early some slight intimation of the charac-
ter of the people over whom he was to rule. Soon after his acces-
sion to office, the people of the chivalric county of Mecklenburg, so
distinguished, as we shall soon see, during the administration of his
successor, for independence, opposed Henry Eustace McCullock,
who was the agent of George A. Selwyn. Selwyn had obtained by
some means, large grants of land from the English crown. John
Frohawk was employed to locate these grants and survey them.
The people of Mecklenburg, in arms, seized the surveyor and com-
pelled him to desist. f This was the first buzzing of that "Hornets'
Nest" that afterwards so fatally stung the power of royalty.
The British Parliament had resolved to tax the paper and other
articles used in the colonies. This iniquitous enactment received
the Royal sanction 22d March, 1765. The patriotic and eloquent
remonstrances of William Pitt, afterwards Lord Chatham, were un-
availing. He declared on the floor of Parliament (January 1766),
that the stamp act should be repealed absolutely, totally and imme-
diately^ because it proceeded on an erroneous principle, that of
taking the money of the colonists without their consent.
This act produced a violent excitement throughout the whole
country, and in none more than in North Carolina.
The Legislature was then in session, and such was the excite-
ment this odious measure of Parliament created among the mem-
bers, that apprehending some violent expression of popular indig-
nation, Governor Tryon, on the 18th of May, prorogued that body
after a session of fifteen days.
The speaker of the House, John Ashe, Esq., informed Governor
Tryon that this law would be resisted to blood and death.
Governor Tryon knew that the storm raged; courageous as he
was, he dreaded its fury. He did not allow the Legislature to meet
* Williamson, ii. 117. f Martin, ii. 193.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 51
during the existence of this act. But faithful to the government, he
condescended to use the arts of the demagogue, to avoid the odium
of its measures. He mingled freely with the people, displaying
profuse hospitality, and prepared dinners and feasts. But unawed
by power, the people were not to be seduced by blandishments.
Early in the year 1765, the Diligence, a sloop-of-war, arrived in
the Cape Fear River with stamp paper for the use of the colony.
Colonel John Ashe, of the county of New Hanover, and Colonel
Waddell, of the county of Brunswick, marched at the head of the
brave sons of these counties, to Brunswick, before which town the
Diligence was anchored, terrified the captain, so that no attempt
was made to land the paper; seized the sloop of war's boat, hoisted
it on a cart, fixed a mast in her, mounted a flag, and marched in
triumph to Wilmington. The whole town joined in a splendid
illumination at night, and the next day these patriotic citizens went
to the Governor's House, and "bearded the Douglas in his castle."
They demanded of Governor Tryon, to desist from all attempts to
execute the stamp aot, and produce to them James Houston, who
was a member of the council, an inmate of the Governor's House,
and who had been appointed by Tryon, Stamp Master for North
Carolina. The Governor at first refused a demand so tumultuously
made. But the haughty spirit of the representative of even kingly
power, yielded before the power of a virtuous and incensed people;
for the people prepared to burn up the palace, and with it the
Governor, the Stamp Master, and the menials of royal power.
The Governor then reluctantly produced Houston; who was
seized by the people, carried to the public market house, and there
forced to take a solemn oath not to attempt to execute his office as
stamp master. After this, he was released. He returned to the
palace, to comfort his dejected and discomfited master. The peo-
ple gave three cheers and quietly dispersed.
Here is an act of North Carolinians " worthy of all Grecian or
Roman fame."
The famous Tea party of Boston, when a number of citizens dis-
guised as Indians, went on board of a ship in the harbor, and threw
overboard the tea imported in her, has been celebrated by every
writer of our National History, and
" Pealed and chimed on every tongue of fame."
Our children are taught to read it in their early lessons ; it adorns
the picture books of our nurseries, and is known in the remotest
borders of the republic.
Here is an act of the sons of the " old North State," not com-
mitted on the harmless carriers of the freight, or crew of a vessel ;
not done under any disguise or mask; but on the representative of
royalty itself, occupying a palace, and in open day, by men
of well known person and reputation ; much more decided in its
character, more daring in its action, more important in its results ;
and yet not one-half of her own sons have ever read of this ex-
52 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA,
ploit ; it is not even recorded anywhere in the pages of Williamson,
who is one of her historians, and who was one of the delegates from
North Carolina to the Convention, which formed the Constitution
of the United States; and its story is confined to the limits of " our
own pent up Utica."
Truly has a late writer, who has examined our ecclesiastical his-
tory with laudable care (and who is a resident and native of another
State), been compelled to say, that " Men will not be fully able to
understand North Carolina till they have opened the treasures of
history,* and become familiar with the doings of her sons, previous
to the Revolution ; during that painful struggle ; and the succeed-
ing years of prosperity." Then will North Carolina be respected
as she is known.
" These are deeds which should not pass away,
And names that must not wither, tho' the earth
Forgets her empires with a just decay,
The enslavers and enslaved, their death and birth."
The names of those who figured in these trying scenes are still
preserved in North Carolina by their descendants, who are distin-
guished, as were their ancestors, by their intellect and proprieties
of life. Should an opportunity occur, and the country call for
their services, influenced by these noble recollections, they too will
be ready to make the same exertions and sacrifices for the happi-
ness, welfare, and honor of North Carolina.
Governor Tryon, with unwearied perseverance, earnestly endea-
vored to propitiate the feelings of the leaders of the people. He
implored their forbearance, and supplicated their kind advice to
enable him to administer the government, while secretly he was
preparing for them the severest punishments from the government
at home. Failing in this, he resorted to the masses of the people,
and was the most conspicuous and obsequious at all public meetings.
But even here he was destined to disappointment, and to meet with
discomfiture and disgrace while the odious stamp act was in force.
At a general muster of the militia of New Hanover, February
1766, the governor had prepared a whole ox to be barbecued,
and had several barrels of beer unheaded. After the muster,
he invited the people to partake. The people rushed in a body
to the tables, overthrew the barrels and spilled the liquor on the
ground, and threw the ox into the river untasted. The effect of
this was electrical, Tryon and his suite retired from the ground!
deeply mortified and chagrined. This behavior was not confined
to private citizens, but extended to even the officers of the govern-
ment, some of whom sympathized deeply with the people.
At this time a duel occurred between Alexander Simpson, master
of his Majesty's sloop-of-war, the Viper, and Thomas Whitechurst,
lieutenant of the same. The quarrel was connected with the poli-
* Sketches of North Carolina, by Rev. W. H. Foote, of Romney, Virginia.
New York, 1846, p. 83.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 53
tics of the day Captain Simpson sympathizing with the colonists ;
Whitechurst, a relative of Mrs. Tryon, advocating the conduct of
the Governor. The latter was killed in the aifair. The Governor
caused the Captain to be apprehended.
He was tried before Judge Berry, and acquitted, after a fair and
impartial trial.* The imperious and despotic Tryon was here foiled
by those whom he thought he could influence. He insinuated that
the Judge connived in the case, and summoned him, while on the
Edenton circuit, to attend the Council Board.
The character of Judge Berry was above suspicion. He knew,
or believed, that Governor Tryon would attempt to inculpate him
with the government at home, in the unhappy and disordered state
of the colony. He obeyed the summons, and attended the Governor,
who received him very coldly. This confirmed his suspicions that
he was to be impeached and removed ; and, under the agony of such
a state of feeling, in the frenzy of the moment, he committed
suicide, by ripping open his bowels with his penknife. Tryon was
as much the murderer of this talented and amiable man as he was
afterwards of many others, equally innocent in the affair of Ala-
mance.
The courage of the Governor was not sufficient to allow him to
face the representatives of the people during the existence of the
stamp act. Writs had been issued, and the legislative body was
to meet in April. But, fearing some popular outbreak, the Governor,
in February, prorogued the General Assembly to meet on the 30th
October, 1765.
The indignation of the people became so great, and the excite-
ment sq intense, that the British Parliament yielded. The stamp
act was repealed March, 1766. On the 25th of June, the Governor
issued his proclamation announcing the same.
This produced great joy among the people of North Carolina.
The Assembly which met in October, 1766, voted a liberal appro-
priation for building the Governor a house, which was suitable to a
prince of the blood royal, and erected a county from Mecklenburg,
called Tryon, in his honor. This county has since been divided
into Lincoln and Rutherford, and the odious name of Tryon ex-
punged.
The scheme of erecting a palace seemed to be a favorite object
with the Governor, and to it he devoted all the intrigue of the
politician and the boldness of the soldier. The Assembly had
already voted <5000, to which, the next year (1767), they voted
an additional 10,000 sterling.
1 To a people in an infant state of society, with but few resources
and less money, this determination of the Governor to gratify his
vanity was productive of disastrous consequences. The building
was located at Newbern, and was said to be superior to any-
* Martin, vol. ii. 212. Jones, in his defence (30), says that the survivor
was condemned, but escaped, and fled to England.
54 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
thing of the kind in America. Judge Martin* says that he visited
this edifice in 1783, with General Miranda of South America,
who stated, that even in South America, a land of palaces^ it
had no equal. It was dedicated to Sir William Draper, who
was said to be the author of the lines placed over the door of the
entrance :
"Rege pio, dira inimica tyrannis
Vertuti has sedes libera terra dedit.
Sint domus et dominus sseclis exempla futuris
Hie artes, mores, jura legesque eolant."f
But its princely halls afforded hut little repose to its ambitious
occupant.
Heavy expenses had been also incurred by the Governor in run-
ning the boundary line between the Cherokee Indians and the
State.
Taxes were necessarily increased upon a people already impatient
of oppression, and the extortion of the officers in shape of illegal
fees, roused the free spirits of Orange, Granville, and other coun-
ties to require redress and reform.
The conduct of the crown officers, from the Governor down to the
lowest bailiff of the court, was a system of oppression, extortion,
and fraud.
In Governor Dobbs's time, these grievances were complained of;
and these complaints had reached the throne. The Governor was
ordered to have a list, or table of fees set up in every public office.
But, while this "promise was kept to the ear, it was broken to the
hope."
At the August session of Orange County (1766), a paper was
presented to the court by a number of persons, which was read by
the clerk. It stated "that while the sons of liberty had withstood
the lords of Parliament in behalf of true liberty, the officers under
them ought not to carry on an unjust oppression in the province;
that in order thereto, as there were many evils complained of in
the County of Orange, they ought to be redressed. If there were
none, jealousy ought to be removed from the minds of the people."
The paper proposed that there should be a meeting of the people
in each captain's district, appointing one or more to attend a general
meeting, on the Monday before the next court, at some suitable
place (where there should be no liquor), " to inquire whether the
freemen of the county labored under any abuse of power, and mea-
sures taken for amendment, if so."
This was so reasonable a proposal that it was agreed to, and
Maddock's Mill was selected and the time fixed (October 10, 1766).
The convention met at the time and place appointed, and re-
* Martin, ii. 265.
f Translated thus: "A free and happy people, opposed to cruel tyrants,
has given this edifice to virtue. May the house and its inmate, as an exam-
ple for future ages, here cultivate the arts, order, justice, and the laws."
How complete a burlesque upon its origin, object, and tendency 1
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 55
solved, " that it was necessary such meetings should occur yearly,
or oftener if necessary, for free and public discussion; that the
representatives of the people should attend, and give an account
of the amount of taxes and manner of appropriation."
In April 1768, they again assembled and formed themselves
into an association for regulating public grievances and abuse of
power. Hence the name given to them of Regulators. They
resolved "to pay only such taxes as were agreeable to law, and ap-
plied to the purpose therein named, to pay no officer more than his
legal fees." These men herein breathed the true spirit of liberty;
yet, by the early historians of the Starte, are stamped as insurgents
and factionists. Jones even denounces the head of the Regulators,
Herman Husbands, as a "turbulent and seditious character."* If
he was, then John Ashe was, for opposing the stamp law, equally
turbulent and equally seditious. Doubtless, to minions of royalty,
his character was seditious ; but time, that unerring test of prin-
ciples and truth, has proved that the spirit of liberty which animated
Husbands, was the true spirit which subsequently freed our nation
from foreign oppression. He lived on Sandy Creek, now in Randolph
County, and was an extensive landholder. He was from Pennsyl-
vania, and was raised a Quaker, and a relation of Dr. Benjamin
Franklin. I have examined carefully his correspondence and his
book, giving " an impartial account of the troubles of the regulation."
They prove that he was, although deficient in education, a man who
felt strongly, and expressed himself forcibly. Many of his neigh-
bors speak of him as a man of strict integrity, a firm advocate of
popular rights, and a determined foe to oppression and extortion.
Undeserved wrong and official oppression may have driven him to
imprudences, but the purity of his character was above suspicion.
From his pen proceeded the paper read to the court in Orange, the
resolutions of the Haddock's Mill Convention were his ; he was the
favorite of the people for he was their representative to the
General Assembly and when he was arrested and carried to Hills-
boro', the whole people rose to his rescue.
Had hi* ultimate career been successful, or the Regulators
triumphed over Tryon at the battle of Alamance, his name would
have come down to us with the Ashes and Waddells of that day, or
the Hampdens, Sidneys, and others of a former age.
All violent diseases, in the body politic, like in the natural body,
require violent remedies. The taxes to build palacjes to gratify the
vanity of an officer who possessed neither the affection of the people
or any sympathy for their sufferings, the extortion of the clerks,
sheriffs, and others were outrageous. Edmund Fanning, who was
from the north, was the minion of Tryon. He was the clerk of the
Court of Orange, Colonel of the county, an Attorney at law, and
the Representative in the General Assembly : under the powerful
patronage, and the countenance of the Governor, he defied the
* Jones' Defence, 36..
x HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
popular will. From a condition of poverty, he became wealthy.
His manners towards the people were haughty and supercilious, and
his conduct as an officer was overbearing and extortionary. He
demanded and received fifteen dollars for a marriage license, and
charged one dollar for proving a deed.
The scarcity of money and the extreme poverty of the people,
rendered their grievances intolerable ; the exactions of the other
officers caused even these enormous fees to be larger.
At the meeting in April, the Regulators had selected two persons
to call upon the sheriff and vestrymen to meet twelve deputies from
them on Tuesday, after next County Court, to show their accounts.
Before these two men could attend to this service, the sheriff
being unwilling to submit to this tribunal, or to exasperate and defy
its power, took, by way of distress, a mare, saddle, and bridle, and
carried them to Hillsboro'. He was followed by a party of sixty
or seventy men, who rescued the mare, then marching to Fanning s
house, fired at the roof of it, giving him positive and striking proof
that they deemed him the chief author of these troubles.
The Sheriff then took with him a party of horse, and riding 'about
fifty miles, seized Herman Husbands and William Hunter, and
lodged them in Hillsboro' jail.
The Regulators assembled May, 1768, in large force, to rescue
them, but they had been released on bail.
On May 21st, the Regulators held another general meeting, and
James Hunter and Rednap Howell were appointed to wait on the
Governor with the address of the meeting. They attended, at
Newbern, in June ; the Governor laid the papers before the Council,
who decided that " the grievances of which they complained
did not warrant the measures they had adopted ; that, if carried
further, would amount to high treason ; that the decent behaviour
of Colonel Fanning met entire approbation, and advised them to
desist from further meetings ; that the Governor would readily
remove any hardships, and direct the Attorney-General to prose-
cute every officer guilty of extortion or malpractice ; and that next
month, the Governor would be at Hillsboro', and issue a procla-
mation forbidding such dishonorable practices."
The Governor attended at Hillsboro', summoned his council, and
issued the promised proclamation.
But matters became worse. An association was formed in Anson,
similar to that in Orange, and offered its aid.
They continued to meet, enlisting their men, training them to the
use of arms, believing that a conflict must sooner or later occur.
On the llth of July, a large body of Regulators assembled. The
Governor goes to Mecklenburg, and in that and the adjacent coun-
ties, raises a large body of troops, and marches from Salisbury to
Hillsboro'. His journal is recorded in volume ii. chapter 1, Ala-
mance. No bloodshed occurred at this time.
He swore the people to maintain and defend the king's govern-
ment " with hands and hearts, life and goods, against all persons who
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 57
should attempt to obstruct the administration of the laws." He
required that the Regulators should disperse, and that twelve of the
wealthiest of them should wait on him at Salisbury, and give bond
that no rescue should be attempted of William Butler and Herman
Husbands at the next court in HillsboroV to which they had been
bound. This they declined, but assured the Governor that no de-
sign was entertained of releasing the persons bound ; they desired
him to dissolve the present Assembly, and call a new one ; and, if
he would permit them to come peaceably and complain of their
grievances of the officers, and pardon the past, they would disperse,
and pay their taxes. ,
This occurred at September term of Hillsboro' Superior Court, at
which a bill was found against Husbands for a riot, of which he
was acquitted by the jury. Hunter and others were found guilty
and imprisoned.
Fanning was indicted at this term for extortion in six several
instances, but protectec^ by the presence and power of Tryon, he
plead guilty, and was fined six pence. Such a mockery of justice
was little calculated to allay the feelings of the people, redress their
grievancesy or prevent a repetition of their wrongs.
The Governor pardoned all persons engaged in this affair, except
Herman Husbands and twelve others, and returned to his palace
at Newbern.
The next year passed without any commotion in the State ; but
in the beginning of the new year, 1770, the oppressions and extor-
tions of the officers greatly increased the popular excitement.
Maurice Moore, Judge of the Superior Court, found in March, the
spirit of the people of Rowan County so roused in consequence of
these exactions, that " no civil process could be -executed among the
people in that county."
John Lea, Sheriff of Orange, in attempting to serve a warrant
on Hanson Hamilton, was attacked by John Pugh and other Regu-
lators, and beaten severely.
Simon Bryant, Sheriff of Dobbs County (since divided into Greene
and Lenoir), in endeavoring to take Thomas Blake and John Coulie,
two of the Regulators, was attacked by them, and the sheriff was
compelled to desist ; one of his assistants was killed in the skirmish.
The Superior Court of Hillsboro' in September, was interrupted
by the Regulators, and broken up.
The record now in the office at Hillsboro', has the following entry.
Monday, 24th September, 1770. " Several persons styling them-
selves Regulators, assembled together in the court yard under the
conduct of Herman Husbands, James Hunter, Rednap Howell, Wil-
liam Butler, Samuel Divinny, and many others, insulted some of
the gentlemen of the bar, and in a riotous manner went into the
court house and forcibly, carried out some of the attorneys, and in
a cruel manner beat them."
The Judge (Henderson) finding it impossible to hold court, left
Hillsboro' in the night.
58 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
The same records present the following entry, at the next term
of the court in March, 1771.
" The persons styling themselves Regulators under the conduct
of Herman Husbands, James Hunter, Rednap Howell, William But-
ler, and Samuel Divinny, still continue their riotous meetings, and
severally threatening the judges, lawyers and other officers of the
court, prevented any of the judges or lawyers attending. Therefore
the court- continues adjourned till next September term."
The Superior Court at Salisbury was also impeded.
To these open and public acts of violence, were added acts of
personal outrage. John Williams, one of the lawyers, was seized
and severely beaten in the streets ; Edmund Fanning was dragged
out of the court house, and severely beaten. His house (where
the present Masonic Hall in Hillsboro' is located) was torn down
and his furniture destroyed.
The General Assembly met at Newbern on the 5th December,
1770, and the Governor received them in his magnificent palace,
then just finished. Among other matters, the Governor urged the
raising of a body of men, under the rules and discipline of war, to
march into the settlements of the insurgents, to aid and protect the
civil officers.
Herman Husbands was a member from Orange. An article in
the Grazette, addressed to Judge Moore, was attributed to him, and
in consequence, he was expelled from the house.
This Legislature passed an act prohibiting any number of per-
sons above ten, assembling, for the disturbance of the peace ; and
in order to weaken the power of the Regulators, Orange County
was divided, and three new counties erected,* one, of parts of Orange,
Cumberland, and Johnston, called WAKE, in honor of the wife of
Governor Tryon ; another of Orange and Rowan, called GUILDFORD,
and the southern part was cut off and called CHATHAM.
To prevent the Regulators from being supplied with ammunition,
the Governor, in February, issued a proclamation (1771), prohibit-
ing all merchants and others from supplying any person with pow-
der, shot or lead, until further notice.
In March, the Council determined to raise a force of several
regiments of militia, and the Governor was advised to march at
their head into the settlements of the Regulators, and reduce them
by force.
In April, Governor Tryon left Newbern, with about three hun-
dred men, and some artillery.
In May he was joined by a detachment of men from New Hano-
ver, under Colonel John Ashe, also from , Craven, under Colonel
Joseph Leach ; from Dobbs county, under Colonel Richard Caswell ;
from Onslow, under Colonel Craig ; from Carteret, under Colonel
Win. Thompson ; from Johnston, under Colonel Needham Bryan ; a
company of artillery, under Captain Moore ; a company of rangers,
* Martin, ii. 271.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 59
under Captain Neale ; a detachment from Wake, under Colonel
John Hinton ; a company of cavalry, under Captain Bullock.
Governor Try on and these troops crossed Haw River on the
13th, and on the 14th, encamped on the banks of the Alamance.
The next day, on the banks of the same stream, the royal army
encamped near the Regulators, who had assembled in great force.
On the 15th, a petition was brought to the Governor, from the
Regulators, praying a redress of grievances, as the only means to
prevent bloodshed. He replied that he would answer next day by
noon.
This petition and Tryon's reply, as well as many other original
documents procured from the offices in London, never before
published, the reader will find under the chapter (I) on Alamance
County.
By dawn the next day the royal forces left the camp, and within
half a mile of the Regulators, formed the line of battle, 16th May,
1771.
The Governor in reply to the petition, informed them by a mes-
senger, that he had pursued every measure to redress their griev-
ances without success. Nothing now was left but an immediate
submission ; a promise to pay taxes ; a return to their homes ; and
a solemn assurance that they would no longer protect those indicted
from a fair trial. He allowed them one hour to consider this reply.
The royal forces, according to Governor Tryon's own report (now
for the first time published, in the following pages, see Alamance),
amounted to upwards of eleven hundred; the Regulators under
Husbands, Hunter, and Butler, to two thousand.
The Regulators told the messenger of the Governor to return and
say that " they defied him, and battle was all they wanted."
The Governor then sent a magistrate and officer with a proclama-
tion, commanding them to disperse within one hour.
The Regulators refused to listen to him, and cried out for battle,
and advanced on the royal forces.
The Governor then sent his aid, Philemon Hawkins, to inform the
Regulators that unless they delivered up Husbands, Hunter, Howell
and some others, and disperse, he would fire upon them.
The regulators replied, " Fire and be d d."
The Governor then ordered his troops to fire, which was not im-
mediately obeyed. Rising in his stirrups, inflamed with anger, he
again orders " Fire Fire on them or fire on me."
The action .became general, and for a few moments was warm.
After a conflict of two hours, the Regulators fled, leaving twenty
dead and several wounded. The loss of the royal forces in killed,
wounded, and missing, was sixty-one men. One officer was killed,
and one dangerously wounded.
Thus ended the battle of Alamance. Thus, and here, was the
first blood spilled in these United States, in resistance to exactions
of English rulers, and oppressions by the English government.
" The Great Wolf of North Carolina" showed his blood-thirsty
60 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
temper, by acts of revenge, cruelty, and barbarity. He hung Cap-
tain Few the next day, without a trial, on a tree.
Tryon marched on the 21st to Sandy Creek, where he encamped for
a week. Crossing Deep River and Flat Swamp, the army marched
to -Reedy Creek. Here being joined by General Waddell, Governor
Tryon returned on 9th June by Black Jack, Buffalo, Big Trouble-
some, in Rockingham County, and Back Creek to Hillsboro',
which he reached on the 14th.
At a special court held for trial of the prisoners for high
treason, taken in the battle of Alamance, they were convicted
and sentenced to death. The execution of six of them was de-
layed until the king's pleasure was known. On the 19th the others
were executed.
After this, Tryon dismissed his army and returned to Newbern
on the 24th, and on the 30th took shipping for New York, to which
colony he had been appointed Governor.
Herman Husbands, although a reward was offered for him by
Tryon, escaped. He settled in Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. He
returned to North Carolina after the Revolutionary War, on busi-
ness, but remained only a short time. His two sons settled on a
large tract of land on Deep River, near the Buffalo Ford. His
daughter married a man by the name of Wright.
He is stated to have been concerned in the Whisky Insurrection
of Pennsylvania, in 1794, and associated with Gallatin, Bracken-
ridge and Bradford, on a Committee of Safety. For this he was
apprehended. From the influence of his friends, among whom was
the Rev. David Caldwell, of Guilford county (who happened at this
time to be at Philadelphia), Dr. Benjamin Rush, and others, Hus-
bands was released. On his way home, he died at a tavern near
Philadelphia.
Under the head of Alamance County, in this work, many rare,
valuable and interesting documents will be found, never before pub-
lished, which place the objects, end, and intents of the Regulators
in a true color. The curious will examine carefully these records,
as they throw a flood of light upon the history of our State, which
has been obscured by misrepresentation and neglect.
They were copied under the eye of the Hon. George Bancroft,
from originals on file in London, in the Office of the Board of Trade
and Plantations. By his kindness they are here presented to the
people of the State. I feel the deep obligations that I am under
to Mr. Bancroft, and the State of North Carolina deeply feels her
obligations to him as the only historian who has done her justice.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 61
CHAPTER IX.
PROM 1771 TO JULY 4, 1776.
Administration of Josiah Martin, November 1771 to 1775 Last of the royal
governors in North Carolina His life and character Parliamentary usages
of " the olden times" The powers of the governor " A king, aye, every
inch a king" Difficulties arise between the governor and the Assembly, as
to the attachment laws and appointment of judges Courts of law closed
First popular Assembly meets at Newbern, on the 25th of August, 1774
John Harvey, Moderator Names of the members Its resolves It adjourns
and another is called in April, 1775 Governor Martin fulminates a procla-
mation against "such disorder and anarchy," March 1, 1775 The Colonial
and the Popular Assemblies meet at the same time and place " Passage of
arms" between the Governor and the Assembly The Governor, in his
speech to the Colonial Assembly, denounces these meetings of the people
and particularly the unwarrantable appointment of delegates to attend a
Continental Congress, at Philadelphia, then in agitation, as highly inju-
rious and "particularly offensive to the King" The Assembly reply that
"the right of the people to assemble and remonstrate is not to be doubted,"
and pass resolutions "approving of the General Congress at Philadelphia,
to assemble September 4, 1774" Whereupon, Governor Martin dissolves
the Assembly The last which ever sat under the royal government in
North Carolina Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, May 1775
Governor Martin retreats on board of his Majesty's ship-of-war Cruiser, in
the Cape Fear River ; and the royal government terminates forever in North
Carolina Provincial Congress meets at Hillsboro', August, 1775 Troops
raised for military operations Civil government exercised by a Provincial
Council District Committees of Safety ; and County Committees Names
of the committee-men in each district Battle of Moore's Creek, in New
Hanover County, February 27, 1776 Tories defeated under Gen. McDonald
Provincial Congress meets at Halifax, April 4th, 1776 Names of mem-
bers Names of general, field, battalion, and county officers This body
instruct their delegates in the Continental Congress, in April, 1776, to vote
for Independence Committees of Safety appointed Adjourned on the 14th
of May, 1776 Provincial Council of Safety meets at Wilmington, on the 6th
of June, 1776 General Rutherford, of Rowan, marches with one thousand
nine hundred men, against the Overhill Cherokees (now Tennessee), reduces
them, burns their towns, and destroys their crops Provincial Council of
Safety meets in July, at Halifax The national Declaration of Independ-
ence reaches them while in session Their proceedings, and some account
of the first celebration, in North Carolina, of the Declaration of Inde-
pendence.
JAMES HASEL, being the first named of the Council, on the de-
parture of Governor Tryon, qualified as Governor in July, 1771.
He soon resigned the reins of government to JOSIAH MARTIN, who
had been commissioned by the crown, and who arrived in North
Carolina, at Newbern, on tbe llth August.
Like his predecessor, Governor Martin was by profession a sol-
dier. He had risen, in the British Army, to the rank of Major;
62 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
and was an Englishman by birth. He was brother to Samuel
Martin, a member of the British Parliament, who was distinguished
by a duel, in 1763, with the celebrated John Wilkes. His cha-
racter was not deficient either in firmness or talent.
In his administration of the colony, he seems to have found him-
self too strictly fettered by his instructions from the crown to be
of service to the country. In endeavoring to carry out the one, he
lost the favor of the other. He misconceived, when the storm of
popular feeling was raised, both the means of calming its anger and ,
averting its fury.
Had he lived in less troublesome times, his administration might
have been peaceful and prosperous. But Providence had decreed
that this country should be free from all foreign dominion, and
that Martin should be the last of the royal governors in and over
North Carolina.
Governor Martin met the legislature, for the first time, in the
town of Newbern, in Nov., 1771.
To this age, the forms of electing and assembling the legislative
body, the homage paid to the Governor, as the representative of
the Sovereign, and the power and influence of the governor are
curious, and useful to show the improvements that our free institu-
tions have suggested and carried out.
The Governor had the power with advice of his council, to con-
vene the legislature, at pleasure, the upper branch of which was
called the council, appointed by the crown ; the speaker, or president
of which was the first named in the list, and was, in the absence of
the Governor, the executive of the colony. The council was the mere
echo of the Governor, since they were both appointed by the same
authority; their records show few instances where they ever differed
from the Governor on any question of policy. The Governor had the
power to prorogue, or dissolve the Assembly, and had an unquali-
fied veto on all their acts. The Governor had also the appointment of
the associate judges of the superior courts, the sheriffs of the courts,
and the clerks of the superior courts. He was indeed a sovereign,
" aye, every inch a king." By his order, writs were issued by the
clerk of the crown, to the sheriffs of the several counties, directing
them to hold elections in each county, and the number to be elected;
and the place of assembling ; which writs Tyere duly executed, and
returns made of the persons elected, to the clerk of the crown. At
the time and place appointed, the members assembled, their cre-
dentials were read, and qualification took place, which was done in
the presence of two of the council, appointed for this purpose by
the Governor. Two of the members then waited on his Excellency,
to say that the house was organized, and awaited his commands.
The Governor then summoned the members to the palace ; then, he
directs them to return and elect a Speaker. This being done, two
members then wait on his Excellency, to know when he would
receive them, to present their Speaker. The house is summoned
by the private secretary of the Governor, to make their immediate
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 63
attendance at the palace. They obey, and formally present their
Speaker, in person and by name, " whom his Excellency is pleased
to approve." Then he proceeded, after pledging "in form to sup-
port the house in all their just rights and privileges," to address
them on such matters as suggest themselves deserving the consi-
deration of the representatives of the people. To which address
there was a formal reply in writing, by a committee of the House,
and then the House was ready to proceed to business.
Compare this fanfaronade of ceremony and homage to power and
place, with our simple organization of the present day ; and it
will be no longer wondered why our forefathers in 1776, stripped
the Governor of all the paraphernalia of privilege and power in the
constitution, and so reduced the executive authority as hardly to
leave any semblance of its former grandeur, or even the power of
an ordinary justice of the peace. Thus vibrating from one extreme
to the other.
The House addressed Governor Martin to pardon (Herman Hus-
bands, Rednap Howell, and William Butler excepted) all persons
concerned in the late insurrection. He replied that he already
anticipated their wishes as far as his power extended. The six
Regulators under sentence of death received the king's absolute
pardon.
An angry and protracted conflict between the Governor and
the legislative body occurred on the subject of the attachment
laws, and the appointment of judges ; so serious, that for a long
time the colony was without laws or judges. The commissions of
the judges expired with the session of the legislature (Martin
Howard, chief justice, Maurice Moore and Richard Henderson,
associates), and the bill organizing the courts failing to meet with
the approbation of the Governor, he first prorogued for three days
the Assembly, and finally dissolved it.
" There were at this time no courts at all in being,'' was the re-
mark of Mr. Quincy, at this time traveling through North Caro-
lina.
The whole colony was in a state of anarchy and confusion.
The courts were closed ; public crime and private injustice had no
check. To the minds of the people, their wrongs were caused by
the obstinacy of the Governor, and produced a feeling of deep
resentment against the government.
These grievances were not confined to North Carolina.
The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Harvey, laid be-
fore the house resolutions of the House of Burgesses of Virginia
(1773), resolutions of the 12th March last, also letters from
the speakers of the lower houses of several other provinces, re-
questing that a committee be appointed to inquire into the en-
croachments of England upon the rights and liberties of America.
The House came to a resolution that " such example was worthy
of imitation, by which means communication and concert would
64 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
be established among the colonies ; and that they will at all times
be ready to exert their efforts to preserve and defend their rights."*
John Harvey (Speaker), Robert Howe, Cornelius Harnett, Wil-
liam Hooper, Richard Caswell, Edward Vail, John Ashe, Joseph
Hewes, and Samuel Johnson were appointed this committee.
This is the first record of a legislative character which led to
the Revolution. The names of the committee show its import-
ance ; the part they afterwards took, as will be seen, proves the
sincerity and fidelity with which they discharged their important
trusts.
The next year (August, 1774), the Governor issued his procla-
mation, complaining that the meetings of the people were held
without legal authority that resolutions had been entered into,
and plans concerted, derogatory to the authority of the King and
Parliament, tending to excite discontent among the people, and
requiring the people to forbear attending any such meetings, and
ordering the king's officers to oppose such meetings to the utmost
of their power.
But the people would meet. The first assemblage independent
of royal authority, of their representatives in North Carolina, oc-
curred at Newbern on 25th August, 1774.
Excited at this state of affairs, Governor Martin summoned his
ever faithful and obsequious council, and consulted on the steps
proper to be taken. They advise him that " nothing .could be
done."
This Assembly or Congress as it was called, is an epoch in our
history. It was not a conflict of arms or force, but it was the
first act of that great drama, in which battles and blood formed
only subordinate parts.
PROVINCIAL CONGRESS
of North Carolina, which met at Newbern, 25th August, 1774.
Counties. Members.
f Sam'l Spencer,
, l ' Amon >; \ Wm. Thomas.
rt T> ,, f Roger Ormond,
2. Beaufort . Respisg
T>1 j ( William Salter,
3. Bladen . . WaUer
^ . f Wm. r Person,
4 - Bute ^ : \ Green Hill.
5. Brunswick \ > . . Robt. Howe.
6. Bertie . . . John Campbell.
{James Cook,
Lemuel Hatch,
Joseph Leech,
Rich'd Cogdell.
* See Journals of 1773. Martin, vol. ii. 305.
f Divided in 1799 into Franklin and Warren.
HISTORY OP NORTH CAROLINA.
65
Counties.
8. Carteret .. ,
9. Currituck .
10. Chowan .
11. Cumberland
12. Dobbs* .
13. Duplin
14. Qranville
15. Hyde
16. Halifax .
17. Johnston .
18. Mecklenburg
19.
20. New Hanover
21. Northampton
22. Orange
23.
24. Perquimans '. .
25. Pasquotank
26.
Members.
Wm. Thompson,
Sol. Perkins.
Nathan Joyce,
Sam'l Jar vis.
Samuel Johnston,
Thomas Oldham,
Thomas Benbury,
Thomas Jones,
Thomas Hunter.
Farquard Campbell,
T. Rutherford.
Richard Caswell,
Wm. McKennie,
Geo. Miller,
Simon Bright.
Thos. Gray,
Thos. Hicks,
James Kenan,
Wm. Dickson.
Thos. Person,
Memucan Hunt.
Rothias Latham,
Samuel Smith.
Nicholas Long
Willie Jones.
Needham Bryan, \
Benj. Williams.
Benj. Patton.
E. Smithwick.
John Ashe,
Wm. Hooper.
Allen Jones.
Thos. Hart.
Wm. Gray.
C John Harvey,
Benj. Harvey,
<J Thos. Harvey,
; Andrew Knox,
J. Whidbee, Jr.
Jos. Jones,
Edw'd Everigin,
Joseph Reading.
John Simpson,
Edw'd Salter.
v
* Divided in 1791 into Lenoir and Glasgow, which latter in 1799 was
changed to Greene.
5
66 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Counties. Members.
( Will. Kennon,
27. Rowan . . < Moses Winslow,
( Sam'l Young.
no m f David Jenkins.
28 ' l* ' Robert Alexander,
Geo *
29
\ Jeremiah Fraser.
TOWNS.
on TIT z ( ,t,Abner Nash,
80,jrwfcni . . cfsaac Edwards.
31. Edenton . . . Jos. Hewes.
32. Wilmington * . Francis Clayton.
33. Bath ... Wm. Brown.
34. Halifax . . . . John Geddy.
Of this body, JOHN HARVEY of Perquimans was chosen Speak-
er, or Moderator.
An examination of the acts of this Assembly, evinces the utmost
loyalty to their plighted vows of allegiance so often expressed, and
yet the most clear conception of the rights of freemen; the jealousy
with which these rights were regarded, and fixed purpose by which
they would be maintained.
Their journal is still preserved,.' The preamble to their resolu-
tions declares their regard to the British constitution, and their
allegiance to the House of Hanover ; but that allegiance from them
should meet with protection from the government ; that no person
should be taxed without his consent freely given in person, or by
his representative ; that the tax on tea and other articles by the
British Parliament, was illegal and oppressive. The Boston port
act, the act sending persons to England for trial for offences com-
mitted here, were denounced as unconstitutional ; and they so-
lemnly bound themselves after 1st January next, not to purchase
any goods from England or send any produce there for sale.
The Assembly approved of the plan of a General Congress in*
Philadelphia in September, and elected as members, WILLIAM
HOOPER, of Orange County ; JOSEPH HEWES, of Edenton ; RICHARI>
CASWELL, of Dobbs County ; who were instructed to express the firm
determination of the people against all unconstitutional oppression.
They then adjourned, empowering the Moderator to convene the
deputies as occasion might require.
Such was the first Assembly of the people of North Carolina, in
a representative character in opposition to the Royal Government.
These men have long since gone to their final account; but
their names, characters, and services, should be held ever in grate-
ful remembrance by their countrymen. North Carolina is proud
of their names, for with them is associated the most unsullied
patriotism, uncalculating resistance to oppression, and chivalric
* Divided into Lincoln and Rutherford in 1791.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 67
daring. A short sketch of the life of many will appear in another
portion of this work; an extended narrative of their services,
will afford ample material to the future historian and biographer.
Governor Martin visited New York in September, 1774, and on
his return the following February, he issued a proclamation against
the purchase by Judge Henderson from the Cherokee Indians of
certain lands, as being in violation of law.
The Colonial Assembly was called in April, 1775, at Newbern ;
and John Harvey, moderator of the late convention of deputies,
issued in February, a notice to the people to elect delegates, to
represent each town and county in convention, to be held at the
same time and place, by virtue of authority vested in him by the
late Congress or Convention.
This roused the indignation of Governor Martin, and he issued
his proclamation on 1st March, 1775, denouncing the meeting as
" tending to introduce disorder and anarchy to the destruction of
the real interests of the people.''
Notwithstanding these denunciations of the Governor, the people
quietly elected members to the convention, many of, whom were
members of the Assembly. These bodies both met at the same
place, at the same time (4th April, 1775). Col. John Harvey
was re-elected president of the Colonial Assembly.
Governor Martin, in his speech to the Assembly, expressed "his
concern at this extraordinary state of affairs. He reminded the
members of their oath of allegiance, and denounced the meeting
of delegates chosen by the people, as illegal, and one that he
should resist by every means in his power." Particularly did he
inform them that " the unwarrantable manner of appointing dele-
gates to attend a Congress at Philadelphia, then in agitation, would
be highly offensive to the King."
In the dignified reply of the House, the Governor was informed
that the right of the people to assemble and remonstrate against
grievances was undoubted. They passed resolutions approving of
the proceedings of the Continental Congress at Philadelphia (4th
Sept., 1774), and declared their determination to use what in-
fluence they had to carry out the views of that body. Where-
upon, the Governor, by advice of his council, dissolved the Assem-
bly, by proclamation, after a session of four days.
Thus was dissolved all legislative intercourse between the Go-
vernor and the legislature, and here terminated the royal rule of
England ; for a short time afterwards Gov. Martin took refuge,
first in Fort Johnston, and afterwards on board of a ship of war in
the Cape Fear River, the Cruiser. For his official dispatches,
dated June, 1775, procured from London, see Mecklenburg County.
(Chapter li., vol. ii.)
Governor Martin, after the battle of Moore's Creek (Feb. 1776),
in which the Loyalists, under General MacDonald, were defeated
by Caswell, embarked with Sir Peter Parker, and arrived at
Charleston. He was present at the battle of Guilford with Lord
68 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA,
Cornwallis, in March, 1781. He went to England soon after this
battle. Subsequently he returned to New York, and died at
Rockaway.*
The Provincial Congress met at the same place, and elected
John Harvey again as Moderator. This convention or congress
approved of the measures of the Continental Congress, and reap-
pointed the same delegates to attend.
This was the second time of meeting of the representatives of the
people, in opposition to the Royal Power in North Carolina.
About this time (May, 1775), the people of Mecklenburg moved,
in their sovereign capacity, the question of independence, and took
a much bolder and more decided stand than either the Colonial or
Continental Congress had as yet attempted ; and while this step
evinces the spirit of that chivalric county, it is one of the boasted
recollections of the State of North Carolina, ever to be cherished,
never to be forgotten.
It has been seen that, it was on her shores that (in 1584) the
first Anglo-Saxon anchor rested in these United States, f Her
whole history since has been shown to be one continued and deter-
mined resistance to oppression. It is now proved that she was the
first openly to cast off the English yoke, and, relying on the truth
and justice of her cause, and on the God of David, she threw the
gauntlet of defiance in the teeth of the Goliah power of England.
That at this time throughout the whole length and breadth of
these colonies the spirit of liberty was abroad, is not to be doubt-
ed. Urged by wrongs and oppression, with " war in each heart
and freedom on each brow," the colonists were ripe and ready for
the conflict ; but that the people of Mecklenburg should at this
period of darkness, doubt, and danger, in a remote portion of
country, unmolested by the presence of their oppressors, or actual
perpetration of injury ; without concert with other States, with-
out assurances of support from any quarter, and then and there
" dissolve the political bands which connected them with the
mother country," and then declare themselves " a free and inde-
pendent people, and of right ought to be sovereign and self-govern-
ing," is a subject full of moral sublimity and heroic daring/ It is
justly a source of elevating pride to the State of North Carolina.
The public mind had been much excited at the attempts of Gov.
Martin to prevent the meeting of the Provincial Congress, or Con-
vention, at Newbern, and his arbitrary and oppressive conduct in
dissolving the Assembly when only in session four days, leaving
them unprotected by courts of law, and all other important busi-
ness undone. The people began to think that since the authorities
constituted by law failed in their legitimate duty, that it was time
to provide safeguards for themselves, and to throw off all allegi-
ance to powers that ceased to protect their liberties or property.
To this omission of duty was added the actual commission of
* Sabine, History of the Loyalists. f See page 24.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 69
'wrong. The haughty assumption of power on the part of the
Government to inflict taxation on the people without representa-
tion or their consent. Boston harbor was blockaded by British
troops, and others awed by the presence of men and arms. The
people of North Carolina felt deeply the crisis of our Government.
None more keenly than the citizens of Mecklenburg.
On the '20th May, a convention, composed of delegates from
different portions of the county, met at Charlotte. ABRAHAM
ALEXANDER was called to ,the chair, and JOHN McKNiTT ALEX-
ANDER appointed secretary.
The Rev. Hezekiah James Balch, a Presbyterian clergyman,
Dr. Ephm. Brevard, o and William Kennon, Esq., an attorney-at-
law, addressed the convention.
The news of the battle of Lexington arrived at this time, which
had occurred just one month and a day previous ; and the wanton
sacrifice of American blood by English troops added fresh fuel to the
flame of virtuous indignation that now swelled their patriotic bosoms.
The resolutions, from the pen of Dr. Ephraim Brevard, are as
follows :
THE MECKLENBURG DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, DECLARED AT
CHARLOTTE, 20th OF MAY, 1775.
1. Resolved: That whosoever directly or indirectly abets, or in
any way/form^ or manner countenances the.unchartered and dan-
gerous invasion of our rights, as claimed by Great Britain, is an
enemy to this country to America and to the inherent and un-
alienable rights of man.
2. Resolved: That we do hereby declare ourselves a free and
independent people ; are, and of right ought to be a sovereign and
self-governing association, under the control of no power, other
than that of our God and the general government of the Congress :
To the maintenance of which independence we solemnly pledge to
each other our mutual co-operation, OUR LIVES, OUR FORTUNES,
and OUR MOST .SACRED HONOR.
3. Resolved: That as we acknowledge the existence and control
of no law or legal officer, civil or military, within this county, we do
hereby ordain and adopt as a rule of life, all, each, and every one
of our former laws, wherein, nevertheless, the crown of Great
Britain never can be considered as holding rights, privileges, or
authorities therein.
4. Resolved: That all, each, and every military officer in this
county is hereby reinstated in his former command and authority,
he acting conformably to their regulations. And that every mem-
ber present of this delegation, shall henceforth be a civil officer,
viz: a justice of the peace, in the character of a committee man,
to issue process, hear, and determine all matters of controversy,
according to said adopted laws, and to preserve peace, union, and
harmony in said county, to use every exertion to spread the love
70 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
of country and fire of freedom throughout America, until a more
general and organized government be established in this province.
ABRAHAM ALEXANDER, Chairman.
JOHN McKNiTT ALEXANDER, Secretary.
Ephraim Brevard, Charles Alexander,
Hezekiah J. Balch, Zaccheus Wilson,
John Phifer, Waightstill Avery,
James Harris, Benjamin Patton,
Willia.ni Kennon, Matthew McClure,
John Ford, Neil Morrison,
Richard Barry, Robert Irvin,
Henry Downe, John Flennegin,
Ezra Alexander, David Reese,
William Graham, John Davidson,
John Queary, Richard Harris,
Hezekiah Alexander, Thomas Polk, sen'r.
Adam Alexander,,
It was forwarded to the Continental Congress, at Philadelphia,
by Capt. James Jack, and a copy also to Samuel Johnston, mode-
rator of the Provincial Congress, at Hillsboro 7 , and was laid before
that body by him, on the 25th Aug. 1775.
Gov. Martin issued his proclamation on the 8th of August, 1775,
on board of his Majesty's ship of war the Cruiser, denouncing
the Mecklenburg declaration of independence.
These papers are extracted from the document published in
1829, by the General Assembly of North Carolina. More import-
ant and documentary evidence will be found under the head of
Mecklenburg County, from records procured from London. These
names and these characters deserve a perpetual remembrance in our
State and nation. Efforts are being made to procure the biogra-
phy of each, and have in part been successful. Men must obey
the fiat of nature, and die ; but such elevated actions, and devoted
patriotism can never die. Our State to all time will delight to
cherish their memories as a proud record of the past, and a glowing
incentive to the future. It is to be hoped that some son of Meck-
lenburg will undertake this pious and patriotic duty, and rescue
from, oblivion the memories of the signers of the Mecklenburg De-
claration of Independence.
This important paper is dear to every North Carolinian. The
20th of May is a sacred festival within her borders, and, efforts are
being made to erect in the place where this event occurred, a
monument to perpetuate its memory.*
North Carolina was now without any government, except that
of its own choice. The utmost exertion was necessary to sustain
this position.
* A memorial, in vol. ii. chapter li. Mecklenburg County, from the citizens
of this section of the State to the General Assembly.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 71
Samuel Johnston, of Chowan County (the late moderator, John
Harvey having died), summoned a meeting of the delegates at
Hillsboro', on 21st August, 17T5.
Delegates were chosen in every county and town, accordingly,
by the people, and they met at the time and place appointed.
One hundred and eighty-four members took their seats. This was
the third meeting of an assembly of the people in North Carolina,
opposed to the Royal Government.
On motion of Richard Caswell, SAMUEL JOHNSTON was elected
President, Andrew Knox, Secretary, James Glasgow, Assistant.
On the 24th, the Congress declared that the people of North
Carolina would pay their due proportion of expense in training a
Continental Army, and appointed a committee to prepare a system
of government for the province.
This was a most important point of the history of North Caro-
lina. The Governor had abandoned the reins of power. In a
proclamation dated 8th Aug. Il75, secure on board of his floating
palace, he had denounced by his proclamation this very assembly,
as " one of the black artifices of falsehood and sedition, " and the
assembly returned this courteous message by resolving that " the
proclamation was a false, scurrilous, malicious and seditious libel,"
and directed it to be burnt by the common hangman.
Thus all hopes of reconciliation had now ended. The sword
was drawn and the scabbard cast away.
Two regiments of five hundred men were raised by order of the
Congress.
The following officers were appointed :
FOR THE FIRST REGIMENT.
James Moore, Col. ; Thomas Clark, Major; Francis Nash, Lt.
Col. ; Wm. Williams, Adjutant.
Captains William Davis, William Picket, Henry Dickson,
Thomas Allen, Robert Rowan, George Davidson, Alfred Moore,
John Walker, Wm. Green, Caleb Grainger.
Lieutenants John Lillington, William Berryhill, Hezekiah
Rice, Joshua Bowman, Hector McNeil, Wm. Brandon, Lawrence
Thompson, Abraham Tatum, Wm. Hill, Thomas Hogg.
Ensigns Neil McAllister, James Childs, George Graham,
Maurice Moore, Jr., Henry NeiJl, -Robert Ralston, John Taylor,
Berryman Turner, Henry Popo, Howell Taturn.
""-.. - I -.-..:
OFFICERS OF THE SECOND REGIMENT.
Robert Howe, Col. ; John Patton, Major; Alex. Martin, Lt.
Col. ; Dr. John White, Capt. and Adjutant.
Captains James Blount, John Armstrong, Chas. Crawford,
Hardy Murfree, Henry Irwin Toole, Nathan Keais, Simon Bright,
Michael Payne, John Walker. ';i t "!
Lieutenants J ohn Graingej, Robert Smith, John Herritage,
72 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Clement Hall, Edw'd Vail, Jr., Jos. Tate, William Fenner, John
Williams, James Gee, Benj. Williams.
Ensigns Henry Vipon, Whitmel Pugh, John Oliver, Philip
Lowe, William Gardner, Benj. Cleaveland, Jas. Cook, William Cas-
well, Jos. Clinch, John Woodhouse.
Dr. Isaac Guion, Chirurgeon to the 1st Reg.
Dr. Wm. Parton, do. to 2d Reg.
The names of these officers are particularly noticed, as these
were called into active service out of the State in the Continental
Line.
In each district ten companies of fifty men, called a battalion,
were raised, called Minute men.
Field officers and Minute men appointed by the State Congress
(1775) for each district.
Edenton District. Edward Vail, Col. ; Andrew Knox, Lt.
Col. ; Caleb Nash, Major.
Newlern District. Richard Caswell, Col. ; William Bryan,
Lieut. Col. ; James Gorham, Major.
Wilmington District. Alex. Lillington, Col. ; Robt. Ellis, Lt.
Col. ; Samuel Swann, Major.
Halifax District. Nicholas Long, Col. ; Henry Irwin, Lt.
Col. ; Jethro Sumner, Major.
Hillsboro' District. James Thackston, Col. ; John Williams, Lt.
Col. ; James Moore, Major.
Salisbury District. Thomas Wade, Col. ; Adlai Osborne, Lt.
Col. ; Joseph Harbin, Major.
Edward Vail, of Chowan, was appointed to the command of the
battalion of the Edenton District.
Richard Caswell, of Dobbs, Newbern District.
Alex. Lillington, of New Hanover, Wilmington District.
Thomas Wade, of Anson, Salisbury District.
James Thackston, of Cumberland, Hillsboro' District.
Nicholas Long, of Halifax, the Halifax District.
Such was the military organization of the State.
The Civil Government was vested in :
I. A PROVINCIAL COUNCIL for the whole State.
II. A DISTRICT COMMITTEE OF SAFETY for each district.
III. COUNTY AND TOWN Committees, for each county and town.
I. THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL was composed of one chosen by the
whole Congress, who was, de facto, governor; and two persons
from each district, chosen by the delegates thereof.
They were to meet quarterly, had power to call out the militia,
to reject or suspend officers, fill vacancies, draw on the treasury
for all moneys necessary for the service ; and, in fact, to do all such
things as were necessary to secure, protect, and defend the colony.
The court house, in Johnston County, was the first place of
their assembling, and they had power to fix other tim.es and places.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 73
The members of this council were SAMUEL JOHNSTON, chairman,
(chosen by the Congress.)
Cornelius Harnett,- and Samuel Ashe, Wilmington District.
Abner Nash, and James Coor, Newbern District.
Thomas Jones, and Whitmel Hill, Edenton District.
William Jones, and Thomas Jones, Halifax District.
Thomas Person, and John Kinchen, ffillsboro' District.
Samuel Spencer, and Waightstill Avery, Salisbury District.
II. THE COMMITTEE OF SAFETY was composed of a president and
twelve members in each district, chosen by the delegates from each
district.
This committee was to meet quarterly in the principal towns of
the district, and were authorized to receive information, censure,
and punish delinquents ; and, with the Provincial Council, had
co-ordinate power to compel debtors about to remove to give security
to their creditors, and had a superintending power over
III. THE COUNTY AND TOWN COMMITTEES, appointed by the
freeholders of each county, twenty-one members for the county, and
fifteen for each of the towns of Ederiton, Newbern and Wilmington,
and seven for each of the other towns, to be elected by the freehold-
ers. These committees were to, appoint by ballot out of their mem-
bers, seven persons to act as a committee of secrecy, intelligence
and correspondence, who were to correspond with the Provincial
Council, the Committee of Safety, and others, to take up and ex-
amine all suspected persons, and to exercise a general and particular
care over the interests of the people, that they received no detriment.
With the latter (committees of the counties), the real executive
power of the State rested in these troublesome times; promptly
and summarily did they exercise their powers. They held a strict
police and rigid censorship over their respective counties, and did
not hesitate to put in jail, or to the whipping-post, all persons con-
victed of disrespectful language towards the cause of American
liberty. They issued orders to ravage the estates of violent Tories,
and appropriate the proceeds to the common treasury.
They executed all orders of the Continental Congress, the Pro-
vincial Council, and the District Committees of Safety. They had
a test oath to which all persons had to subscribe, which was para-
mount to the oath of allegiance to the English crown.
The delegates for each district appointed the following persons
as District Committees of Safety :
Edenton District. Luke Sumner, Wm. Gray, John Johnston,
Thomas Benbury, Gideon Lamb, Joseph Jones, Miles Harvey, Law-
rence Baker, Kenneth McKenzie, Stevens Lee, Charles Blount,
Isaac Gregory, and Day Ridly.
Newbern District. Alexander Gaston, Richard Cogdell, John
Easton, Major Croora, Roger Ormond, Edward Salter, George
Burrow, William Thompson, William Tisdale, Benjamin Williams,
Richard Ellis, William Brown, James Glasgow.
Wilmington District. Frederick Jones, Sampson Mosely,
74 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Archibald McLaine, Richard Quince, Thomas Davis, William
Gray, Henry Rhodes, Thomas Rutledge, James Kenan, Alexander
McAllister, George Mylne, John Smith, Benjamin Stone.
Halifax District. Allen Jones, Rev. Henry Patillo, James
Leslie, John Bradford, David Sumner, William Eaton, Drury Lee,
John Norwood, James Mills, William Haywood, Duncan Lamon,
William Bellamy, John Webb.
Hillsboro 1 District. William Taylor, Joseph Taylor, Samuel
Smith, John Atkinson, John Butler, William Johnston, John
Hinton, Joel Lane, Michael Rodgers, Ambrose Ramsey, Mial
Scurlock, John Thompson, John Lark.
Salisbury District. Griffith Rutherford, John Brevard, John
Crawford, Hezekiah Alexander, James Auld, Benjamin Patton,
William Hill, John Hamilton, Charles Galloway, William Dent,
Robert Ewert, Maxwell Chambers.
The thanks of the Convention to the delegates in the Continental
Congress (Caswell, Hooper, and HeweS) were formally presented
by the President for their honorable and patriotic conduct, on 2d
Sept., 1775.
On being appointed one of the Treasurers of the State, Richard
Caswell resigned his appointment as delegate to the Continental
Congress, and JOHN PENN, of Granville County, was appointed his
successor.
The public finances were in much disorder. The Convention
ordered, on the 7th Sept., $125,000 in bills of credit. Richard
Caswell, Samuel Johnston, Andrew Knox, and Richard Cogdell
were to superintend the printing and sign the bills, and deliver
them over to the two treasurers. Samuel Johnston for the North-
ern division and Richard Caswell for the Southern.
An address was adopted unanimously by this Convention, on
the 8th September, to the people of the British empire, declaring
the views of this body as to the existing state of affairs. It was
extensively circulated and did much good. It was the production
of Wm. Hooper, who reported it as chairman of a committee com-
posed of Maurice Moore, Robert Howe, Richard Caswell, and
Joseph Hewes.
Premiums were voted for manufacture of saltpetre, gunpowder,
and other articles. The people of North Carolina had determined
to throw off the foreign yoke and be free in every respect.
After a session of a. month, this Congress adjourned on the 19th
Sept.
The first meeting of the Provincial Council was organized at
the court house, in Johnston County, on the 18th Oct., 1775,
by the appointment of Cornelius Harnett, of Wilmington, as
President, and James Green as Clerk.
Their proceedings were entirely of a warlike nature. Applica-
tions for appointments, demands for ammunition and arms, and the
raising of troops, occupied their attention and fills their journal.
Intelligence was received by the Council that the people of New
HISTORY OP NORTH CAROLINA. , 75
Hanover had assembled in a large body and protested against the
proceedings of the late Provincial Congress, as revolutionary and
rebellious. The Council instructed the President (Mr. Harnett),
John Ashe, and Samuel Ashe, to explain the acts of the Congress,
and endeavor to maintain concert and harmony. These zealous
friends of liberty faithfully performed their mission; the discon-
tented were satisfied, and returned to the support of the cause of
liberty.
A second meeting of the Provincial Council was held at the court
house, in Johnston County, on 18th December, 1775, and Corne-
lius Harnett presided.
The Sheriff of Halifax, Mr. Branch,* brought before the council
Walter Lamb and George Massenbird, as enemies to the country,
and prayed punishment upon them as Tories. The council ordered
Lamb to be committed for trial before the committee of safety for
Halifax ; and the other, being penitent, took the test oath and was
discharged.
The efforts of Governor Martin,- still in the Cape Fear River on
board the ship of war Cruiser, excited the vigilance of the council.
At their previous meeting in October, they had recommended the
committee of safety for the district, to use their endeavors to cut
off all communications between the governor and the people.
The committee of safety for districts Wilmington Newbern,
and Edenton, were directed to procure immediately an armed ves-
sel each.
The Scotch on the banks of the Cape Fear (and its tributaries
the' Deep and Haw Rivers) were approached by the emissaries of
Governor Martin. He represented to them that the colony would
be subdued; that Sir Henry Clinton was to come south, reinforced
by heavy armaments from England, under Sir Peter Parker and
Lord Cornwallis. He issued a commission of General to on of
their chiefs (Donald McDonald).
The Council recommended, 1775, that "all communi"cations from
or to Governor Martin, or the ship of war, should be opened by
the Committee of Safety."
It appointed, on 21st December, committees in each district to
attend to the state of arms, with authority to purchase more, if
needed.
It raised two more battalions of minute men, in the district of
Salisbury, and appointed
Griffith Rutherford, Colonel ; John Phifer, Lieutenant- Colonel ;
John Paisly, Major ~Lst battalion.
Thomas Polk, Colonel ; Adam Alexander, Lieutenant- Colonel ;
Charles McLean, Major 2d battalion. , '
The proceedings of this session of the council are marked with
great energy and patriotism.
The next session of the Provincial Council was at Newbern, on
the 28th February, 1776, which was called to devise measures of
* The father of Gov. John Branch, now of Enfield.
76 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
concert and union between the southern colonies. Abner Nash
and John Kinchen, were sent to Charleston ; Thomas Jones, Sa-
muel Johnston, and Thomas Person, appointed to confer with the
Committee of Safety for Virginia.
At this time, Donald McDonald, a Scottish Highlander, who had
received the commission of general from Governor Martin, erected
the royal standard at Cross Creek, now Fayetteville, and soon
rallied about fifteen hundred men.
Colonel James Moore, at the head of the first continental regi-
ment, and some militia of Cumberland, took the field against
McDonald. Moore was posted near the bridge on Rocky River,
about twelve miles from Cross Creek, and fortified it ; determining
to prevent any junction of McDonald with Governor Martin, or
the expected reinforcements from abroad.
Colonels Caswell and Lillington at this time commanded the
minute men of the districts of Newbern and Wilmington, and
joined by some volunteers, marched to Moore's Creek, near where
it joins South River, in New Hanover County.
McDonald advanced towards Colonel Moore's camp, and sent
him a communication, with the governor's proclamation, to lay
down his arms, and take the oath of allegiance ; Colonel Moore
(after delaying to allow the militia time to assemble) declined his
proposal, and replied, " that as he was engaged in a noble and
glorious cause, the defence of the rights of man; he invited
General McDonald to join him, and enclosed a copy of the test."
The forces of Caswell and Lillington now increasing, McDonald
endeavored by rapid marches to unite with Sir Henry Clinton,
who had just arrived in the Cape Fear River, with Lord William
Campbell, the royal governor of South Carolina, and strong re-
inforcements.
He crossed South River, on the banks of which Caswell and
Lillington were encamped with about one thousand men, consisting
of the Newbern battalion of minute men, the militia from Craven,
Johnston, Dobbs (now Green and Lenoir), and Wake, and a de-
tachment of the Wilmington battalion of minute men. Here he
encamped for the night, and determined to attack them in the
morning. Lillington and Caswell were equally ready and eager
for the conflict.
This night the small stream of South River only separated the
belligerent camps ; the watch-fires of both were plainly visible to
each. Like on the famed and bloody field of Agincourt : *
" From camp to camp, through the foul womb of night,
The hum of either army stilly sounds ;
That the fixed sentinels almost receive
The secret whispers of each other's watch.
Fire answers fire
Give dreadful note of preparation."*
By the dawn of day, 27th February, 1776, the royal forces were
* Henry V., Act I.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 77
in motion ; the shrill notes of their pibroch were heard summoning
their belted chiefs with their clans to battle.
Our troops had removed the planks from /the bridge, had been
under arms all night, and were ready to receive them.
An active and brisk fire commenced on both sides of the stream,
which for a moment was severe and fatal, when the Scottish leader,
Colonel McLeod, in attempting a gallant charge across the bridge,
was killed. His troops were confused by the loss of their leader,
and the unexpected absence of the planks on the bridge. Availing
themselves of these advantages, our troops charged in turn, with
great animation across the stream, and engaged the whole force of
the enemy. After a gallant resistance, the royal troops were
routed, and their general, McDonald, taken prisoner.
A number of prisoners were taken, a large amount of ammunition
and arms of various kinds, and thirteen wagons with horses, and a
box of guineas, containing .15,000 sterling.
Colonel Moore arrived on the field soon after the battle with his
troops. . ' '
The Provincial Congress, which met soon after (4th April,
1776), at Halifax, upon the call of the President, Samuel Johnston,
granted parole to General MacDonald. The laurels gained by this
early passage of arms, were made more bright by the generous
conduct of the victors.
This battle was most important in its effects. Had the Tories
effected a union with Clinton, the whole country would have been
at their mercy; Gen. Clinton issued a proclamation on board of the
Pallas transport, in Cape Fear River, on 5th May, 1776, declaring
that a most wicked and unprovoked rebellion existed in his Ma-
jesty's province of North Carolina, to the total subversion of all
lawful authority," requiring all congresses and committees to be dis-
solved, and offering pardon to all persons who should obey, and lay
down their arms, ^ except Cornelius Harriett and Robert Howe"
This had no effect. He landed on General Howe's plantation,
in Brunswick County, on the 12th, with nine hundred men under
Lord Cornwallis, afterwards so famed in the Revolutionary War,
in the South ravaged and plundered the same, and treated with
great brutality some women, who were left in the house. After
burning some mills in the neighborhood, they again embarked,
and despairing of all success in North Carolina, with thirty ships,
he left the coast on the 29th, and sailed for Charleston, having on
board Governor Martin, the last of the royal governors.
THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS met at Halifax, 4th April, 1776
(the fourth meeting of the people in a representative capacity op-
posed to the Royal Government in North Carolina).
The following persons were elected and appeared, viz :
Counties. Members.
i A f Samuel Spencer, Daniel Love, John Crawford, James
*" An \ Picket, and John Childs.
2. Beaufort Roger Ormond, Thomas Respiss, Jr., and John Cooper.
78
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Counties.
3. Bidden
4. Bertie
5. Brunswick
6. Bute*
.7. Craven
8. Carteret
9. Currituck
10. Cliowan
1J.. Cumberland
12. Chatham
13.
14.
15. Edgecombe
16. Granville
17. Guilford
18. .Hyde.
19. JHer(/brtf
20. .HaZi/os
21. Johnston
22. Mecklenburg
23.
24. New Hanover
25. Northampton
26. Onslow
27. Orange
28. Perquimans
29. Pasguotank
30. Pttf
31. Rowan ,
32.
33.
34.
35.
Members.
( Nathaniel Richardson, Thomas Robertson, James
{ Council, Maturan Colvill and Thomas Amis.
John Campbell, John Johnston, Charles Jacocks.
Green Hill, William Alston, William Person, Thomas
Sherrod, and Philemon Hawkins.
James Coor, Lemuel Hatch, John Bryan, William
Bryan, and Jacob Blount.
William Thompson, Solomon Shepard, and John Back-
house.
Samuel Jarvis, James White, James Ryan, Gideon
Lamb, and Solomon Perkins.
Samuel Johnston, Thomas Benbury, Thomas Jones,
John B. Beasly, and Thomas Hunter.
David Smith, Alexander McAllister, Farquard Camp-
bell, Thomas Rutherford, and Alexander McCoy.
Ambrose Ramsay, John Thompson, Joshua Rosser,
Jeduthan Harper, and Elisha Cain.
Thomas Gray, and William Dickson.
Richard Caswell, Abraham Shepard, George Miller,
Simon Bright, and William McKinnie.
William Haywood, Duncan Lemond, Elisha Battle, J
Henry Irwin, and Nathan Boddie.
Thomas Person, John Penn, Memucan Hunt, John
Taylor, and Charles A. Eaton.
Ransome Southerland, William Dent, and Ralph Gor-
rell.
Rotheas Latham, Joseph Hancock, John Jordan, and
Benjamin Parmelly.
Robert Sumner, Matthias Brickie, Lawrence Baker,
f John Bradford, James Hogan, David Sumner, Joseph
{ John Williams, and Willis Alston.
Samuel Smith, Jr., Needham Bryan, Jr., Henry Rains.
John Phifer, Robert Irwin, John McKnitt Alexander.
William Williams, Whitmel Hill, Kenneth McKenzie,
Thomas Wiggins, Edward Smithwick.
John Ashe, John Devane, Samuel Ashe,
Mosely, and John Hollingsworth.
Allen Jones, Jeptha Atherton, Eaton Haynes, Drury
Gee, Samuel Lockhart, Howel Edmunds.
George Mitchell, Benjamin Doty, John Spicer, John
King, and John Norman.
John Kinchen, James Saunders, John Butler, Na-
thaniel Rochester, Thomas Burke.
Miles Harvey, William Skinner, Thomas Harvey, Chas.
Blount, and Charles Moore.
Thomas Boyd, Joseph Jones, William Gumming,
Dempsey Burges, and Henry Abbot.
John Simpson, Edward Salter, William Robeson.
Griffith Rutherford, Matthew Locke.
Archibald Corry.
( Joel Lane, John Hinton, John Rand, William Hooper,
{ and Tignal Jones.
* Bute was divided in 1779, into Warren and Franklin.
f Dobbs was divided in 1791, into Glasgow and Lenoir. Glasgow was
changed in 1799, to Greene.
t Father of Hon. Wm. H. Battle.
Tryon was divided in 1791, into Lincoln and Rutherford.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
79
Towns. Bath, William Brown ; Edenton, Joseph Hewes ; Newbern, Ab-
ner Nash;* Wilmington, Cornelius Harnet ; Halifax, Wilie Jones ; Hillsboro',
William Johnston ; Salisbury, David Nesbit ; Campbelton, Arthur Council.
Allen Jones proposed SAMUEL JOHNSTON for President, who
was unanimously chosen.
James Green was appointed Secretary, John Hunt, assistant,
and Francis Lynaugh and Evan Swann, Door Keepers.
Six Brigadier Generals were created at this session, viz. : on the
22d of April.
John Ashe, for the District of Wilmington.
Edward Vail, " " Edenton.
Richard Caswell, " " Newbern.
Allen Jones,
Thomas Person,
Griffith Rutherford,
Halifax.
Hillsboro'.
Salisbury.
Four regiments in addition to the two already raised were
created, and as the colonels of these, James Moore and Robert
Howe, had been promoted to the rank of Brigadier Generals in the
Continental Army, the following appointments were then made :
Regiments. Colonels.
1st. Francis Nash,f
2d. Alexander Martin,
3d. Jethro Sumner,
4th. Thomas Polk,
5th. Edward Buncombe,
6th. Alex'r Lillington,
Lieut. Colonels.
Thomas Clarke,
John Patton,
William Alston,
James Thackston,
Henry Irwin,
William Taylor,
Majors.
William Davis.
John White.
Samuel Lockhart.
William Davidson.
Levi Dawson.
Gideon Lamb.
The other officers of the 1st and 2d Regiments, have already
been recorded. The following were appointed captains in the re-
maining regiments :
3d Keg't. 1st. William Brinkley. 2d. Pinkithan Eaton.
3d. John Gray. 4th. William Barrot.
5th. Jacob Turner. 6th. George Grandbury.
7th. James Cook. 8th. James Ennet.
4th. Reg't. 1st. Roger Moore.
3d. Jerome McLean.
5th. William Temple Cole.
7th. Joseph Phillips.
2d. John Ashe.
4th. Robert Smith.
6th. Thomas Harris.
8th. John Nelson.
Dr. Robert Hall, Chirurgeon of 3d Regiment ; Dr. Hugh Boyd,
4th Regiment; Dr. Samuel Cooley, 5th Regiment; Dr. Wm. Me
Clure, 6th Regiment.
Paymasters. James Hogan, of 3d Regiment, also of the three
companies of Light Horse ; Samuel Ashe, 1st Regiment ; Jacob
Blount, 2d Regiment ; Hezekiah Alexander, 4th Regiment ; Thomas
Benbury, 5th Regiment ; Nathaniel Rochester, 6th Regiment.
Commissaries. William Kennon, 1st Regiment ; Robert Salter,
2d Regiment ; John Webb, 3d Regiment ; Ransom Southerland, 4th
Regiment; Peter Mallet, 5th Regiment; Thomas Hart, 6th Regi-
ment.
Father of Hon. Frederick Nash.
t Uncle of the same.
80 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Officers of the Battalions ordered to be raised, appointed by the
House : ,
Edenton District. Peter Simon and John Pugh Williams, Captains ; An-
drew Duke and Thomas Witinel Pugh, 1st Lieutenants ; Nehemiah Long and
Joseph Clayton, 2d Lieutenants ; Benjamin Bailey and Elisha Rhodes, En-
signs ; Jerome McLaine, Thomas Grandbury, and Kedar Ballard, Captains ;
Jacob Pollock and John Grandbury, 1st Lieutenants ; Whitmel Blount and
Zephaniah Burgess, 2d Lieutenants ; Wm. Knott, Ensign ; Rodger Moore,
Captain ; William Goodman, 1st Lieutenant; Beniajah Turner, 2d Lieutenant;
Abel Mosslander, Ensign.
Halifax District. William Brinkly and Pinkithan Eaton, Captains;
Isaac Privat and James Bradly, 1st Lieutenants ; Christopher Lucky and
Robert Washington, 2d Lieutenants ; William Etheridge and Joseph Mont-
fort, Ensigns ; John Gray and Jacob Turner, Captains ; Joseph Clinch and
Daniel Jones', 1st Lieutenants ; Matthew Wood and Alsop High, 2d Lieute-
nants; William Linton and Benjamin Morgan, Ensigns.
Hillsboro' District. Philip Taylor and Archibald Lytle, Captains; John
Kennon and Thomas Donoho, 1st Lieutenants ; Dempsey Moore and William
Thompson, 2d Lieutenants ; Solomon Walker and William Lyttle, Ensigns ;
James Emmett, Captain ; William Clements, 1st Lieutenant.
Wilmington District. John Ashe, Jr. and John James, Captains ; Charles
Hollingsworth and Daniel Williams, 1st Lieutenants ; Mark McLainy and
John McCan, 2d Lieutenants; David Jones and Edward Outlaw, Ensigns;
Griffith John McKee, Captain ; Francis Child, 1st Lieutenant.
Newbern District. Simon Alderson and John Enloe, Captains ; William
Groves and George Suggs, 1st Lieutenants ; JohnCustin and Henry Cannon,
2d Lieutenants; James McKenny and Shadrack Wooten, Ensigns; William
Cassel and Reading Blount, Captains ; Henry Darnell and Benjamin Cole-
man, 1st Lieutenants ; John Sitgreaves and John Allen, 2d Lieutenants ;
John Bush and Thomas Blount, Ensigns ; Benjamin Stedman, Captain ; Robert
Turner, 1st Lieutenant; John Eborn, 2d Lieutenant ; Charles Stewart, Ensign.
Salisbury District. Robert Smith and William Temple Cole, Captains ;
William Brownfield and James Carr, 1st Lieutenants; William Caldwell and
David Craig,* 2d Lieutenants ; Thomas McClure and Joseph Patton, Ensigns ;
Thomas Haines and Jesse Saunders, Captains ; Thomas Picket and William
Clover, 1st Lieutenants ; John Madaris and Pleasant Henderson, f 2d Lieute-
nants; John Morpis and Thomas Grant, Ensigns; William Ward, Captain;
Christopher Gooding, 2d Lieutenant ; John Whitley, 1st Lieutenant ; Richard
Singletary, Ensign; Willis Pope, 2d Lieutenant; John Hopson, Ensign;
George Mitchell and Austin Council, Captains; Amos Love and Thomas
White, 1st Lieutenants ; Benjamin Pike and Thomas Armstrong, 2d Lieute-
nants ; Reuben Grant and Denny Porterfield, Ensigns; James Farr, 2d Lieu-
tenant ; Jamas Coots, Ensign ; Joseph Phillips and John Nelson, Captains ;
James Sheppard and William Dent, Jr., 1st Lieutenants ; Micajah Lewis
and James Starrat, 2d Lieutenants ; William Meredith and Alex. Nelson,
Ensigns ; John Baptiste Ashe, Captain ; George Dougherty, 1st Lieutenant ;
Andrew Armstrong, 2d Lieutenant ; Joshua Hadley, Ensign ; James Cook,
Captain ; Adam Hampton, 1st Lieutenant; John Walker, Jr., 2d Lieutenant;
Adam McFadden, Ensign.
LIGHT HORSE.
1st Company. John Dickerson, Captain ; Samuel Ashe, Jr., Lieutenant ;
Abraham Childers, Cornet.
2d Company .Martin Pfifer, Captain ; James Sumner, Lieutenant ; Valen-
tine Beard, Cornet.
Zd Company. James Jones, Captain ; Cosimo Madacy, Lieutenant; James
Armstrong, Cornet.
* Father of Burton Craig, Esq., of Salisbury.
f Father of Dr. Pleasant Henderson, of Salisbury, and of Mrs. H. C. Jones.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
81
FIELD OFFICERS APPOINTED FOR EACH COUNTY.
i
Counties. Colonels.
Lieut. Cojonels. 1st and 2d Majors.
Anson Charles Medlock,
David Love, Gpn Davidson
Beaufort
Wm. Brown,
Henry Bonner.
Bute Thomas Eaton,
Wm. Alston,
Thos. Sherwood,
Green Hill.
Craven John Bryan,
Lemuel Hatch,
John Bryan, Jr.
John, Tilrnan.
Currituck Hollowell Williams,
Solo. Perkins, Asahel Simmonds.
Cumberland Alex'r McAllister
Ebenezer Folsome, j 5? ^ Smith,
Chatham
Matthew Jones.
Duplin Thos. Routledge,
..
Jas. Moore,
Robt. Dickson.
Dobbs
Martin Caswell,
Wm. McKennie,
Jas. Glasgow. ,
Edgecombe Exum Lewis, ^
Simon Gray,
Jonas Johnston,
Thos. Hunter.
Granville
Thornton Yancy.
Guilford Jas. Martin,
John Paisley, }gg
Halifax Willis Alston,
David Sumner, fcf&.
Johnston Wm. Bryan,
John Smith,
Sam'l Smith,
John Stevens.
Mecklenburg Adam Alexander,
John Phifer,
John Davidson,
Geo. A. Alexander.
New Hanover Anthony Ward,
Henry Young,
Thos. Bloodworth.
NorthamptonWm. Eaton,
JephthaAtherton, | DruTv 11 ^ mUnd - '
( So Ree't) [ ^^ n Butler,
N. Rochester,
V
Robt. Abercrombie,
Hugh Tennen.
(NrRg j t)l ja8 - saunders >
Wm. Moore,
John Paine,
Thos. Harrison.
Pasquotank Thos. Boyd,
Spencer Ripley,
Othneil Lascelles,
John Casey.
Do )
(2d Reg't) } Isaac Gre g rv
Dempsy Burgess,
Joshua Campbell,
Peter Daugh.
Rowan Francis Locke,
Alex'r Dobbins,
Jas. Brannon,
Jas. Smith.
Do ) n T i
(2d Reg't) j <" B &ckman,
Chas. McDowell,
Hugh Brevard,
Geo. Wilfong.
/Surrey
* '
Jos. Winston,
Jesse Walton.
TyrreU Clement Crook,
Tryon Thos. Beatty,
Jas. Long,
A. Hampton,
Jos. Sprnili,
Andrew Long.
Jacob Costner.
This finished the military organization of the State. The names
of these men are preserved, that they be known, as men who, in
" times that tried men's souls," stood up for their country and our
liberties.
This body passed April 12th, 1776, the following resolution
unanimously :
6
82
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
"Resolved, That the Delegates from this Colony in the Con-
tinental Congress be impowered to concur with the delegates from
the other colonies, in declaring Independence and forming foreign
alliances; reserving to this colony the sole and exclusive right of
forming a constitution and laws for this colony."
This showed the spirit of North Carolina, and proves that more
than two months before the event was declared in Congress, that
she was ready as a State to dissolve the bands that bound her to
the mother country.
On the 1st of May, WILLIAM HOOPER, JOSEPH HEWES, and
JOHN PENN, were appointed delegates to the Continental Congress.
And these names are signed to the Declaration of Independence,
4th of July, 1776. It is not very flattering to our State pride
that not one of these were natives of the State.
William Hooper, from Wilmington, was born in Boston, June
17th, 1742, a lawyer by profession, and an able writer. He died
in October 1790.
Joseph Hewes, from Edentori, born in New Jersey, in 1735, a
merchant. Died November 10th, 1779.
John Penn, from Granville, born in Caroline County, Virginia,
May 17th, 1741, a lawyer. He died in September, 1788.
Every member from Virginia, and every member from South
Carolina, who signed the Declaration, were natives 'of their re-
spective States.
The House, on the llth, made choice of one, and the members
from the districts of twelve persons to serve as
A COUNCIL OF SAFETY FOR THE STATE.
Wilie Jones, Chairman.
Newbern -
Edenton
Halifax
James Coor,
John Simpson.
Thomas Jones,
Whitinel Hill.
Thomas Eaton,
Joseph John Williams.
Wilmington
HUlsboro'
Salisbury
Cornelius Harnett,
Samuel Ashe.
Thomas Person,
John Rand.
Hezekiah Alexander,
William Sharpe.
The formation of a Constitution engaged the attention of this
Assembly.
On the 28th of April, the House had under consideration certain
resolutions as a foundation for a civil government. But the more
urgent business of preparing the State for defence from the enemy,
so engrossed the attention of the Assembly that the matter was post-
poned until the next meeting of the delegates.
On the 14th of May, 1776, this body adjourned.
The COUNCIL OF SAFETY met at Wilmington, on the 5th of
June, 1776. Cornelius Harnett was again chosen President, and
James Glasgow, and James Green, Jr., Secretaries. Measures to
put down the Tories chiefly occupied their attention.
Early in July, Gen. Rutherford, at the head of nineteen hundred
men, crossed the Mountains against the Cherokees. He was accom-
HISTOKY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 83
panied by Benjamin Cleaveland, of Wilkes, as one of his Captains,
and William Lenoir,* of the same county. He was harassed on
his march by the savages lying in ambush ; no general action en-
sued. He succeeded in vanquishing them without serious loss,
destroyed their crops and provisions, laid waste their farms, and
compelled them to sue for peace, f
The Council of Safety met in July, 1776, at Halifax.
On the 22d of July, the Declaration of Independence reached
them. The council unanimously resolved "that the committee of the
respective counties and towns in this State, on receiving the Decla-
ration of Independence, do cause the same to be proclaimed in the
most public manner."
The Council set apart the first day of August, as a day for pro-
claiming the Declaration at the Court House in Halifax.
It was a proud day for the ancient borough.
" And Belgium's capital had gathered then
Hej beauty and her chivalry."
Bright shone the glorious sun, as if nature rejoiced at the birth
of a mighty nation ; at noon, Cornelius Harnett ascended a stage
in front of the court house, and read the words of that instrument,
that so many millions have since heard, which gave life to our own
nation, and has proved a beacon of liberty to others.
When he had finished, the people gave one long united shout of
joy, the loud cannon responded, and the glorious tidings was pro-
claimed, that "these Colonies were, and ought to be, sovereign,
free, and Independent States."
- . v, , ; . '
And here ends the first series of these sketches.
* See the Biography of Gen. Lenoir, Wilkes, vol. ii.'chap. Ixxx. .
f See Biography of Gen. Rutherford, Rowan, vol. ii. chap. Ixvii.
SERIES II.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA FROM 1776 TO 1851.
CHAPTER I.
The Constitution, by whom, when, and where formed Congress of the State
meets at Halifax, on the 12th of November, 1776 Names of the members
Richard Caswell, President Committee appointed to form a Constitu-
tion Names of committee RICHARD CASWELL elected Governor, and the
names of the Council of State.
NORTH CAROLINA early took steps to organize a civil form of
government.
Before the Declaration of Independence by Congress at Phila-
delphia, the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, then assembled
at Halifax (on the 13th of April, 1776), appointed a committee of
its ablest men to prepare a civil constitution. This was no easy
duty. To take up arms, and to contend against tyranny and op-
pression, was not difficult ; but to create a new government, based
upon principles distinct and different from all the forms to which
the people had been accustomed ; to give to the hand of power that
strength which was necessary for the full execution of the law, and
at the same time prevent oppression ; to reserve to the people all
their proper rights, and yet check anarchy and confusion ; demanded
great sagacity.
The committee, consisting of such men as Samuel Johnston, Cor-
nelius Harnett, Samuel Ashe, William Hooper and others, could not
agree upon any form of a constitution ; and after much debate and
frequent postponements, in this body, the question was adjourned
by the appointment of Thomas Burke, Richard Caswell, and others
as a committee to propose a temporary form of government until
the next session."
The system of the Council of Safety was adopted, and the Coun-
cil recommended to the people to elect, on the 15th of October,
delegates to a Congress appointed to assemble at Halifax, on the
12th of November following, which was "not only to make laws,
but also to -form a Constitution which was to be the corner-stone
of all law ; and, as it was well or ill ordered, would tend to the
happiness or misery of the State."
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
85
This body met at the time and place recommended.
The following delegates appeared:
Counties.
1. Anson
2. Beaufort
3. Bidden
4. Bertie
5. Brunswick
6. Bute
7. Craven
8. Carteret
9. Currituck
i.0. Chowan
11. Cumberland
12. Chatham
-13. Dobbs
14. DwpZm
15. Edgecombe
16. Granvitte
17. Guilford
19. Hertford
20. Halifax
21. Johnston
22. Mecklenburg
23. Jtfar/m
24. .Afetc Hanover
25. Northampton
26. Onslow
27. Orange
Members.
Thomas Wade, David Love, William Picket, George
Davidson, Charles Robertson.
John Barrow, Thomas Respiss, Thomas Respiss, Jr.,
Francis Jones, Robert Tripp.
Thomas Pugh, John Johnston, William Gray, Noah
Hinton, Zedekiah Stone.
Maurice Moore, Cornelius Harnett, Archibald McLean,
Lewis Dupree, William Lord.
James Denton, Thomas Eaton, Philemon Hawkins,
Benjamin Sewall, Benjamin Ward.
| James Coor, William Bryan, John Bryan, Christopher
( Neale, John Tilghman.
(Solomon Shepard, Brice Williams, William Borden,
John Easton, Thomas Chadwick.
Samuel Jarvis, James White, Kedar Merchant, Hol-
lojrell Williams, Thomas Williams.
James Blount, Thomas Benbufy, Thomas Jones, Luke
Sumner, Jacob Hunter.
Ambrose Ramsey, John Birdsong, Mial Scurlock,
Isaiah Hogan, Jeduthan Harper.
Richard Caswell, Simon Bright, Abraham Sheppard,
Benjamin Exum, Andrew Bass.
James Kenan, Thomas Gray, William Dickson, Wil-
liam Taylor, James Gillaspie.
William Hay wood, Elisha Battle, Jonas Johnston, Isaac
Sessums, William Horn.
Thomas Person, Robert Lewis, Memucan Hunt, Thorn-
ton Yancey, John Oliver.
David Caldwell, Joseph Hinds, Ralph Gorrell, Charles
Bruce, Isham Browder.
Joseph Hancock, John Jordan, Benjamin Parmerle,
William Russel, Abraham Jones.
Lawrence Baker, William Murfree, Robert Sumner,
Day Ridley, James Wright.
John Bradford, James Hogan, Willis Alston, Samuel
Weldon, Benjamin McCulloch.
Needham Bryan, Jr., Samuel Smith, Jr., John Stevens,
Henry Rains, Alexander Averyt.
John Pfifer, Robert Irwin, Zaccheus Wilson, Hezekiah
Alexander, Waightstill A very.
William Williams, Whitmell Hill, Thomas Hunter,
John Hardison, Samuel Smithwick.
John Ashe, Samuel Ashe, John Devane, Sampson
Mosely, John Hollingsworth.
Allen Jones, Jephtha Atherton, James Ingram, How-
ell Edmunds, Robert Peaples.
John Spicer, Thomas Johnston, Benejah Doty, Edward
Starkey, Henry Rhodes.
James Saunders, William Moore, John McCabe, John
Atkinson, John Paine.*
* These seats were vacated, and on the 16th of December, 1776, Thomas
Burke, Nathaniel Rochester, Alexander Mebane, John Butler, and John
McCabe, took their seats from Orange.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Counties. Members.
28. Perquimans
29. Pasquotarik
30. Pitt
31. Rowan
Benjamin Harvey, Miles Harvey, Thomas Harvey,
William Hooper, William Skinner.
Henry Abbot, Devotion Davis, Isaac Gregory, Demsey
Burgess, Lemuel Sawyer.
Benjamin May, William Robson, James Gorham,
George Evans, Edward Salter.
Griffith Rutherford, Matthew Lock, William Sharpe,
James Smith, John Brevard.
32. Surry
33. Tyrrell
34. Tryon
35. Wake
Peter Wynn, Jeremiah Frazier, Isham Webb, Stephens
Lee, Benjamin Blount.
Joseph Harden, Robert Abernathy, William Graham,
William Alston, John Barber.
Tignal Jones, James Jones, Michal Rogers, John Rice,
Britain Fuller, William Brown.
Towns. Bath, Parker Quince; Brunswick, Thomas Hadley ; Campbelton,
Joseph Hewes ; Edenton, Willie Jones ; Halifax, William Johnston ; Hills-
boro', Abner Nash ; Newbern, David Nisbet; Salisbury, William Hooper;
Wilmington.
On motion of Allen Jones, Richard Caswell was elected president
of the body.
On the 13th, a committee was appointed consisting of Mr. Caswell, Thomas
Person, Allen Jones, John Ashe, Abner Nash, Willie Jones, Thomas Jones,
Mr. Bright, Mr. Neale, Samuel Ashe, Mr. Hay wood, Gen. Rutherford, Mr.
Abbot, Luke Sumner, Thomas Respiss, Jr., Mr. McLean, Mr. Hogan, and
Mr. Alexander, to form a bill of rights, and constitution for the State.
Mr. Hewes, Mr. Harnett, Mr. Sharpe, Mr. Spear, Mr. Avery, Mr. Eaton,
Birdsong, Irwin, Hill, and Coor, were added afterwards.
On the 6th of December, Thomas Jones reported that the form
of the constitution was ready.
On the 18th, the Constitution with the Bill of Rights was adopted ;
it was believed to be the production of Thomas Jones, Thomas Burke,
and Richard Caswell.
By an ordinance of this body the following officers were elected :
RICHARD CASWELL, Governor of the State.
JAMES GLASGOW, Secretary of State.
Cornelius Harnett, Edward Starkey,
Thomas Person, Joseph Leech,
William Day, Thomas Eaton,
William Hay wood, Counsellors of State.
Thus was the good old ship fairly launched upon the ocean of
existence, under the auspices of patriotism. The debates that
occurred, the difficulties encountered, the trials and conflicts of dif-
ferent views, are not recorded here. Our book is intended to be
one of facts, -carefully examined and correctly stated.
But at this point of our labors, we cannot but pause, and admire
the form of that constitution, that introduced system in "an un-
tried state of being" order, where before chaos existed. That it
was not perfect, is certainly true, for it was amended by the people
since (1835), and will be again. But the great principles it incul-
cates, the spirit of liberty it breathes, the trials of those who aided
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 87
its establishment, command alike our respect, gratitude and ad-
miration.
" Thou too, sail on, ship of State,
Sail on, Union! strong and great.;
Humanity, with all its fears,
' With all the hope of future years,
Is hanging breathless on thy fate !
We know what masters laid thy keel,
What workmen wrought thy ribs of steel,
Who made each mast, and sail, and rope,
What anvils rang, what hammers beat,
In what a forge, in what a heat
Were shaped the anchors of thy hope."
CHAPTER II.
.
Life, character, services, and death of RICHARD CASWELL, first Governor of
North Carolina under the Constitution.
RICHARD CASWELL was born in Maryland on the 3d of August,
1729.
From the pecuniary mishaps of his father, who was a respecta-
ble merchant, he was early thrown upon his own resources. By
nature bold, ardent and ambitious, such difficulties, instead of
embarrassing, only added energy to his character.
At the age of seventeen, in 1746, he left his home to seek his
fortunes in the then colony of North Carolina. Bearing letters to
Gov. Johnston, the royal governor, from the Governor of Maryland,
he was fortunate to receive aid from him by employment in one of
the public offices.
Subsequently, he was appointed deputy surveyor of the colony,
and clerk of Orange County Court.* By his enterprise, industry,
and prudence, he soon acquired fame, friends, and fortune.
He located in Lenoir County (then Dobbs County), and united
himself in marriage with Mary Mcllweane. She died, leaving one
son, William.
He afterwards married Sarah, the daughter of Wm. Herritage,
an eminent attorney, under whom he had studied law. He had
obtained a license and practiced the profession with great success.
His first appearance on the political stage was as member of the
Colonial Assembly, from Johnston County, in 1754.
So acceptable were his services that he continued to represent
the county until 1771.
* Extract from records of Orange County, 12th June, 1753.
:< Richard Caswell, gentleman, brings into court a commission from the Hon.
James Murrah, Esq., Secretary and Clerk of the Crown of said Province, ap-
pointing him Clerk of the said County, and Clerk of the Peace, which, being
allowed, he took the several oaths, and subscribed the test/'
88 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
In 1770 and 1771 he was chosen speaker of the House of Com-
mons.
He was also colonel of the militia of his county, and as such
commanded the right wing of Gov. Trjon's forces in the battle of
Alamance (16th May, 1771), which was the first time that he ex-
perienced the conflict of arms, which was so congenial to his tem-
per, and in which he became so distinguished.
When the attempts of England to subjugate the colony became
no longer doubtful, Caswell did not hesitate to choose between
the rights, of the people and the Oppressions of sovereignty. In
1774 he was appointed one of the delegates to Congress, with Wm.
Hooper and John Hewes. He attended as delegate to the Conti-
nental Congress, at Philadelphia, in 1774-5-6, and received the
thanks of the Provincial Congress for his fidelity. On being
appointed, with Samuel Johnston (in Sept., 1775), one of the
treasurers of the State, the disordered finances of which demanded
his care, he resigned his seat in the Continental Congress.
But his military spirit was- not inactive. In conjunction with
Colonel Lillington, he assembled the minute men of Dobbs (of
which he was Colonel) and the adjacent counties, to prevent the
junction of the Tories under Gen. McDonald with Gen. Clinton,
in the Cape Fear, and in the battle at Moore's Creek, in New
Hanover, on the 27th of February, 1776, he overcame and routed
them, took their general prisoner, and completely subdued them.
In April, 1776, he was appointed, by the Provincial Congress,
Brigadier General of the Newbern District, and in November
following, took his seat as a member of the Provincial Congress at
Halifax. He was elected President of that body, unanimously,
which assembly formed our present State Constitution.
He received the thanks of the Congress for his gallantry at
Moore's Creek. By an ordinance of the same, was elected Gover-
nor of the State, which he held during the stormy and perilous pe-
riods of 1776, 1777, and 1778. He refused any compensation for
his services.
He conducted, with singular fidelity, the State through his term
as Chief Magistrate. After his term as Governor had expired, his
active spirit brooked no repose, for we find him seconding the friends
of liberty on the field of battle, and was with the North Carolina
troops at Camden (16th August, 1780), which had not terminated
so disastrously to America, and the fame of General Gates, had
the councils of Caswell and De Kalb (who fell in that ill-fated con-
flict) been heeded.
In 1782, he was called again to the financial department of the
State, and was elected Comptroller-General, at the session of which
he was Speaker of the Senate.
He continued the discharge of both duties, until 1785, when he
was again elected Governor of the State; a circumstance which
proves the unbounded popularity of Caswell, and the grateful esti-
mate of his patriotic services by the State.
HISTOKY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 89
The General Assembly of 1787 elected him a delegate to the con-
vention which was to meet at Philadelphia in May, that year, to
form the Federal Constitution ; and conferred on him the extraor-
dinary power, in case of his inability to attend, to select his succes-
sor. This important trust was not accepted by him ; but he dele-
gated Wm. Blount, whose name is appended to that instrument.
In 1789, he was elected Senator from the County of Dobbs (now
Lenoir and Greene) to the General Assembly, and also a member
of the State Convention, which assembled in Fayetteville on the
third Monday in November, 1789, which ratified the Federal Con-
stitution (it having been rejected by a Convention which met at
Hillsboro' on the 21st of July, 1788).
He attended the meeting of the General Assembly at Fayetteville
in November, and was elected Speaker of the Senate. But his
course was run. His exalted services and patriotic exertions did not
exempt him from calamity and misfortune. His youngest son was
lost at sea, on his passage from Charleston to Newbern. This
calamity was heightened by the opinion that he was captured by
pirates and murdered. This, and other events, threw a cloud over
his mind, from which he seemed never to have recovered. While
presiding in the Senate on the 5th of November, 1789, he was struck
with paralysis ; and after lingering speechless, until the 10th, he
expired, in the sixtieth year of his age.
Messrs. Blount, Skinner, and Bloodworth, of the Senate, and
Messrs. Davie, Stokes, Blount, Locke, Hawkins, and Person, of the
House, were appointed a Committee of Arrangements to superin-
tend his funeral ; an eulogium was pronounced over his remains,
and his body was conveyed to his family burial-place in Lenoir,
and there interred.
These facts, with an examination of his acts and services, will
afford some future pen an opportunity of writing the biography
of the first Governor of North Carolina under our constitution,
and the Annals of our State, commencing from his military career
in 1771, at Alamance, to the close of the Revolutionary war.
His character does not claim the meed of distinguished literary
renown, or brilliant eloquence ; but his acquirements were extensive,
and his knowledge deep and accurate. Nathaniel Macon, who had
been in Congress during the days of Washington, Adams, Jeffer-
son, Madison, and Monroe, to the time of Jackson, declared in
the convention of 1835, that " Governor Caswell, of Lenoir, was one
of the most powerful men that ever lived in this or any other coun-
try." 51 It is recorded of him that he committed to memory the
whole four books of Blackstone, so as to be able to recite accurate-
ly any portion of the text froin memory, verbatim,
As a statesman, his patriotism was unquestioned, his discern-
ment was quick, and his judgment sound ; as a soldier, his courage
was undaunted, his vigilance untiring, his success triumphant.
* Cotton, Life of Macon, 178.
90 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
His character and his career, more than any of our revolution-
ary worthies, resembles that of the Father of his country.
Like Washington, his early education was rather solid than showy ;
for both in early life were employed as surveyors.
Like Washington, when loyalty was a duty consistent with liberty,
he fought for the authorities of the country, for both were in the
field under the royal banners, and both as colonels of regiments :
the one under Braddock, the other under Tryon at Alamance.
Both refused from the State any compensation for their services.
Both were always equal to every position in which they were placed,
and faithfully discharged every trust committed to their charge.
Providence assigned to one a higher and more conspicuous posi-
tion. If Virginia is proud of Washington, North Carolina may
justly be proud of her Gas well.
" How sleep the brave, who sink to rest
With all their country's honors blest!
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold,
Returns to deck their hallowed mould,
She there shall dress a sweeter sod
Than Fancy's feet have ever trod.
By fairy hands their knell is rung,
By forms unseen their dirge is sung ;
There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray,
To bless the turf that wraps their clay;
And Freedom shall awhile repair,
, And dwell a weeping hermit there."
During the administration of Governor Caswell, the western dis-
trict of North Carolina revolted and formed a separate govern-
ment, independent of the State. As this event has escaped the
notice of every author of her history, and is full of incident
deeply interesting, we give it a separate chapter.
CHAPTER III.
State of FRANKLAND, its rise, progress, and fall.
IT may strike the reader of the present day with some surprise
that there was once a State called Frankland, in honor of Benjamin
Franklin, the philosopher and patriot. Of its history, much is re-
corded, but, perhaps, little is known in the present day. It may
be curious as well as instructive, to trace the origin, rise, and down-
fall of this ancient sovereignty.
By the charter of Charles II., granted to the Earl of Clarendon,
Duke of Albemarle, Lord Craven, and others, in 1663, all the ter-
ritory from the Virginia line on the north, to the south as far as
the River Matthias, in Florida; from the Atlantic on the east, "to
HISTORY OP NOETH CAROLINA. 91
the west, as far as the South Seas, was given and granted to have,
use, and enjoy, and in as ample manner as any Bishop of Durham,
in our kingdom of England, ever heretofore have held, used, or
enjoyed, to them, the said Earl of Clarendon and others, and their
heirs forever."
Without any examination into the title of "the right merrie
monarch," Charles II. , to grant this munificent domain, as perhaps
it might appear as defective as the title of another royal character
in Sacred History,* who took our Saviour up into an exceeding
high mountain, and showed him all the kingdoms of the world, and
the glory of them, and said unto him, "All these things will I give
thee," when his majesty had not a single foot for himself; yet we
cannot but remark, on examination of the map, that the present
territory of the United States, in her recent acquisitions by treaty,
from Mexico, just comprehend the chartered limits of ancient Caro-
lina in 1663.
As. once this lovely domain belonged to our country, it is but
natural that it should Seek its original position. It is stated by
some writer, when analyzing the affections of our natures, that the
love we bear to the softer sex is only a just effort of man's nature
to reunite to himself that portion of him, which, during sleep, was
taken from him ; and again "they twain shall be one flesh."
May not fancy carry out the analogy to nations as well as
natures ?
For a long time y under the rule of the Lords Proprietors, the
dominion only extended over Albemarle County. In 1664, the
county extended from the Virginia line north to Cape Fear River
on the south, and skirting along the sea coast, extended only a
short distance west.
In 1729, when the Lords Proprietors surrendered to the crown
(except Lord Granville) all their franchises and rights, under
charter of Charles II., the precincts of North Carolina were Curri-
tuck, Pasquotank, Perquimans, Chowan, Craven, Beaufort, Bertie,
Hyde, and Carteret.*
Their territory was then nearly as it now exists. This is stated
on the authority of Williamson, f A more accurate author, as to
the dates and facts, makes a primary division of the State into
three Precincts.J
I. ALBEMARLE, including Currituck, Pasquotank, Chowan, Ber-
tie, and Tyrrell.
II. BATH, including Beaufort, Hyde, Craven, and Carteret.
III. CLARENDON, in which was New Hanover, comprehended the
whole western part of North Carolina and Tennessee, then, an un-
known land, inhabited only by savages and beasts of prey.
Whatever may have been the chartered rights of North Carolina,
* Matthew, iv. 8. ;
t Williamson's History of North Carolina, vol. ii. 246.
I Martin, i. 303.
yz HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
in 1776, she only claimed jurisdiction as far west as the Mississippi
Eiver.
Even this claim, from the great distance of the seat of govern-
ment, the natural barrier of almost impenetrable mountains, rapid
and deep rivers, and the savage natives, was never fully exercised,
and was destined to be surrendered by her.
The close of the Revolutionary War found the United States
involved in heavy responsibilities. Harassed by debt, importuned
by creditors, and conscious of the justice of these claims, Congress
devised many plans ; one was to solicit the States, owning vacant
lands, to throw them into common stock to pay off this common
debt of justice, honor, and gratitude.
This appeal did not fall idly on the State of North Carolina,
alive as she always has been to the calls of justice ; and indignant
at the least suspicion of repudiation or perfidy.
In 1784, the General Assembly in April, at Hillsboro', among
other acts for the relief of the general government, ceded her west-
ern lands, and authorized her delegation in Congress to execute a
deed ; provided, Congress would accept this offer within two years.
This act, patriotic and self-sacrificing, was worthy of the State ;
and although not then accepted by Congress, was the real source
of the civil commotion which we are about to record.
The fearless pioneers of the west, who had gone to the wilder-
ness, had suffered incredible hardships. Many were murdered by
the savages ; some had their wives and children massacred ; and all
had suffered in privation and property.
They viewed with much suspicion the act of 1784 ; and on the 23d
August, 1784, a convention met at Jonesboro', of which JOHN
SEVIER was chosen president, and Langdon Carter, clerk. They
resolved that a person be dispatched to Congress to press the ac-
ceptance of the offer of North Carolina, and adjourned to meet
again at the court house, in Washington County, on the 16th Sep-
tember, 1784.
The General Assembly of North Carolina met at Newbern on
the 22d October, 1784, and repealed the act of the former session,
in consequence of which the convention at Jonesboro' broke up in
confusion.
On the 14th of December, 1784, when the people were assembled
at Jonesboro', John Sevier mounted the steps,, and read a letter
from Joseph Martin, who had just returned from the General As-
sembly of North Carolina, which informed them that the Legisla-
ture had granted to the people of western North Carolina a general
court, formed their militia into a brigade, appointed him a brigadier
general, and repealed the cession act of last session. "Our griev-
ances," said he, u are redressed, and we have nothing more to com-
plain of; my advice is to cease all efforts to separate from North
Carolina, but remain firm and faithful to her laws."
This history forms but another example in our career, that " re-
volutions take no backward step." Feeble hands or feebler heads
HISTOKY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 93
may set a ball in motion, which will prostrate all who oppose its
career, and if it, as in Sevier's case, gives a momentary elevation,
ends in the final overthrow and disgrace of its projectors.
The spirit of the people was roused. In December 14th, 1784,
a convention of five delegates from each county met at Jonesboro'.
JOHN SEVIER was made president of this convention. They formed
a constitution for the State of FRANKLAND, which was to be re-
jected or received by another body, "fresh from the people," to
meet at Greenville in November, 1785. This body met at the
time and place appointed : the constitution was ratified; Langdon
Carter was Speaker of the Senate ; William Cage Speaker of the
House of Commons. John Sevier was chosen Governor ; David
Campbell, Joshua Gist, and John Henderson, Judges of the Supe-
rior Court. Other officers, civil and military, were appointed.
The General Assembly of the State of Frankland, by a commu-
nication signed by both speakers, informed Richard Caswell, Esq.,
Governor of North Carolina, that the people of the counties of
Washington, Sullivan, and Greene, had declared themselves sove-
reign, and independent of the State of North Carolina.
Governor Caswell was a soldier and a statesman. He was not
of a temper to brook such high-handed measures. He issued, on
the 25th of April, 1785, his proclamation "against this lawless
thirst for power."
In .this paper, written with great force and perspicuity, he states
that the act of cession had been repealed ; its repeal voted for by
those now engaged in the present revolt ; that the authority of North
Carolina, executive, judicial, and legislative, had exercised a tender
regard for the people of the west ; and had granted them judges to
decide on their property and rights, and military officers to protect
them. He denounced the revolt as a rank usurpation, the general
government deriving no benefit (the object of the cession act of
1784) ; the revenues of North Carolina had been seized, and the
authority of law defied. These measures would bring down ruin to
themselves and dishonor to the country. He warned all persons
concerned in this revolt to return to their duty and allegiance to
the State, and pay no obedience to the self-created authority of
Frankland, unknown to the constitution and unsanctioned by law.
He closed by informing them that the General Assembly of North
Carolina would soon be in session, before which all these unlawful
acts would be laid ; advising them to bring forward their grievances
then, let their terms of separation be known, their proportion of
the public debt acknowledged, and such plans as were consistent
with the honor of the State would generally be granted. But, if
this advice was not heeded, " they might be assured that the spirit
of North Carolina was not so damped, or her resources so exhausted,
that means, even to blood, would be resorted to to reclaim her re-
fractory citizens, and preserve her dignity and honor."
But the state of Frankland did not heed this warning, so properly
expressed, and so dignified in its character and tone. It proceeded
94 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
to erect new counties, levy taxes, appropriate money, form treaties
with the Indians, and exercise all the powers and prerogatives of a
Sovereign State.
Mr. Cage was elected treasurer, and Stokely Doneldson, sur-
veyor ; Daniel Kennedy and William Cocke, generals, and the lat-
ter (William Cocke), to represent their case to the Congress of the
United States. The imposing parade of office, the host of new offi-
cers, and their dignities and powers, were formidable obstacles to
the restoration of the rule of North Carolina.*
The scarcity of money was severely felt. The salary of the
governor was 200, annually ; a judge, <150 ; the treasurer, 40 ;
to be paid from the treasury. The taxes were to be paid into
the treasury, in the circulating medium of Frankland, such as they
had, viz. : " Good flax linen ten hundred, at three shillings and
six pence per yard ; good clean beaver skins, six shillings each ;
raccoon and fox skins, at one shilling and three pence ; deer skins,
six shillings ; bacon at six pence per Ib. ; tallow at six pence ; good
whiskey, at two shillings and sixpence a gallon."
This has given rise to some humor at the expense of the State
of Frankland. It was referred to, in debate in our House of Com-
mons, 1827, by H. C. Jones, and in Congress some years ago by
the Honorable Daniel Webster ; which was replied to by Honorable
Hugh L. White. It was pleasantly stated that the salaries of the
governor and judges were paid in fox skins, and the fees of the
sheriff and constables, in mink skins, and that the governor, the
sheriffs and constables were compelled to receive the skins at the
established price.
Even this primitive currency was, by the ingenuity of man,
extensively counterfeited, by sewing raccoon tails to opossum skins ;
opossum skins being worthless, and abundant, and raccoon skins
were valued by law, at one shilling and three pence.
As a necessary consequence, public opinion was divided between
the advocates of the new State, and the adherents to the State of
North Carolina.
The General Assembly of North Carolina, assembled at Newbern,
in November, 1785, passed an act, to bury into oblivion the conduct
of Frankland, provided they returned to their allegiance, and ap-
pointed elections to be held in the different counties for members to
the General Assembly of North Carolina, and also appointed civil
and military officers to support those already appointed. The next
year, 1786, presented a strange state of affairs ; two empires ex-
tended at the same time over the same territory, and over the same
people.
Courts were held by both governments, military officers appoint-
ed by both, to exercise the same powers. JOHN TIPTON headed
the party for North Carolina, and JOHN SEVIER, the Frankland
party.
* History of Tennessee by Haywood, 150.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 95
* Provocation on one side, was followed by outrage on the other,
which was repelled with greater violences. Court was held at Buf-
falo under authority of North Carolina, and at Joneshoro' (only ten
miles distant) under authority of Frankland.
While court was sitting at Jonesboro' this year, for Washington
County, Colonel Tipton, with a party, entered the court house,
seized the papers, and turned the justices out of the house. Colonel
Sevier's party retaliated and turned Thomas Gurly, the clerk, out
of court, sitting for North Carolina, in the same county. In 1786
in Greene County, Tipton broke up a court held under authority of
Frankland.
Tipton and Sevier met at Greensboro', when an altercation arose,
and Sevier struck Tipton with a cane ; they instantly clinched, and,
after several blows, were separated without much damage to either,
or victory on either side. We are quaintly informed that had they
been uninterrupted, the laurels acquired by Sevier on King's Mount-
ain would have been dimmed by the stalwart arm of Tipton. This
illustrious example was* followed by their adherents, and "feats of
broils and battle" were no uncommon occurrence.
The next year taxes were imposed by both administrations, but
the people most innocently pretended that they did not know to
whom to pay ; so paid to neither. Thus deprived of one of the
chief means of government, the affairs of Frankland was approach-
ing to its end. Tipton and Sevier were both residents of Wash-
ington County. Sevier was a brave soldier ; he had proved his
valor on King's Mountain ; but he was seduced by the allurements
of office and ambition
" The sin whereby the angels fell."
He applied to Dr. Franklin for advice and support ; to the Governor
(Matthews) of Georgia, and to Virginia ; from none did he receive
any aid or advantage. He realized, with fearful truth, the fable
of Gay :
" The child who many fathers share,
Hath rarely known a father's care ;
And he who on many doth depend,
Will rarely ever find a friend."
In Sept. 1787, the,Legislature of Frankland met for the last time at
Greenville. John Menifee was Speaker of the Senate, and Charles
Robinson, Speaker of the House. They authorized the election of
two representatives to attend the Legislature of North Carolina ;
and one of the judges of Frankland was elected (David Campbell),
and her treasurer (Landon Carter), the other.
The people also, in this year, elected members. Davidson,
.Greene, Washington, Hawkins, and Sullivan, sent members to
the General Assembly of North Carolina, which met at Tarboro'
on the 18th of November of that year. Thus acknowledging the
authority of North Carolina.
Had this been done earlier, how much labor would have been
yb HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
saved, trouble, strife, and quarrels. Truly is the Divine injunction
worthy of all acceptance :* "Agree with thine adversary quickly,
while thou art in the way with him ; lest at any time the adversary
deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer,
and thou be cast into prison."
Had the party of Sevier accepted the liberal, fair, and just pro-
position of Governor Caswell, in 1785, as stated previously, how much
pain and trouble would have been spared to this country, and how
much personal suffering to himself. With all his virtues, honesty,
and former public service, he was, at this time, a doomed man.
On the return of the members from the Assembly at Tarboro',
in February, 1788, it was soon understood that Frankland was no
more.
An execution against the estate of General Sevier had been
placed in the hands of the sheriff, and levied on his negroes on
Nolichucky River. These were removed, for safe keeping, to the
house of Colonel Tipton.
Brave in his character, obstinate and headstrong, Sevier raised
one hundred and fifty men, and marched to Tipton 's House,
on Watauga River, eight miles east of Jonesboro'. Tipton had
information of Sevier 's design only time enough to obtain the aid
of some fifteen friends, who were with him on Sevier's arrival.
Sevier, with his troops and a small cannon, demanded the uncon-
ditional surrender of Tipton and all in the house. Tipton had bar-
ricaded the house, and in reply to the unceremonious demand, sent
him word "to fire and be d d." He then sent a written sum-
mons to surrender ; this letter Tipton forwarded forthwith to the
Colonel of the County for aid ; this aid, through Robert and Thomas
Love, was promptly afforded. The house was watched closely. A
man by the name of Webb was killed, a woman wounded in the
shoulder, and a Mr. Vann. While, from extreme cold, Sevier's
guards were at the fire, a large reinforcement from Sullivan County,
under Maxwell and Pemberton, passed the guard and joined the
beleaguered household. The moment the junction was formed, they
sallied out with shouts ; a tremor seized the troops of Sevier, who
fled in all directions at the first fire of Tipton. Pugh, the High
Sheriff of Washington, was mortally wounded and many taken
prisoners. Sevier himself escaped ; his two sons, James and John,
were prisoners.
The blood of Tipton was roused to such a heat that he was deter-
mined forthwith to hang these young men. Nothing but the
earnest supplications of his own men prevented the execution of
this rash design. Had he at this time taken Sevier, no power of
earth could have saved him.
Judge Spencer, one of the judges of the State of North Carolina,
holding court at Jonesborough, issued a bench warrant against
Governor Sevier for high treason (1788).
* Hay wood's History of Tennessee, 177.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 97
In October, Colonels Tipton, Love, and others apprehended Se-
vier at the house of Mrs. Brown, near Jonesborough. Tipton was
armed, and swore that he would kill Sevier ; and Sevier really
thought he would do so. Tipton was, however, with much exertion,
pacified. Handcuffs were placed upon Governor Sevier, and he
was carried to Jonesborough. From thence he was carried, under
strong guard, to Morganton, in Burke County, North Carolina, and
delivered to William Morrison, the sheriff of Burke.
As he passed through Burke, Gen. Charles McDowell and Gen.
Jos. McDowell (the latter who was with him in the battle at King's
Mountain, and fought by his side) became his securities for a few
days, until he could see some friends. He returned punctually,
and upon his own responsibility the sheriff allowed him time to
procure bail. His two sons, with friends, came to Morganton pri-
vately, and under their escort he escaped.
Thus the career of the first and last Governor of FranTcland ter-
minated. But with all his defects, John Sevier had many virtues.
He was fearless to a fault ; kind to his friends, and hospitable to all.
This gave him great weight among the people, and although in the
General Assembly of, North Carolina (Fayetteville), in 1788, gen-
eral oblivion and pardon were extended to all concerned in the late
revolt, John Sevier was specially excepted in the act, and debarred
from all offices of trust, honor, or profit.
The next year (1789), so great a favorite with the people was
Sevier, that he was elected from Greene, to represent that county
in the Senate of the General Assembly of North Carolina. He
appeared at Fayetteville at the time appointed for the meeting
of the Legislature (2d Monday of November).-
Such was the sense of his worth, or his contrition for the past,
that the Legislature passed early an act repealing the section dis-
qualifying him from any office; and on his taking the oath of alle-
giance, he was allowed his seat. Thus were the difficulties settled.
North Carolina had ever been willing to allow her daughter to
set up for herself when of lawful age and under proper restrictions.
Cherishing this feeling, she was never unjust towards her fair and
lovely offspring.
On the 25th of February, 1790, as authorized by a previous #ct
of the General Assembly, passed in the year 1789, Samuel John-
ston and Benjamin Hawkins, Senators in Congress, executed a deed
Jo the United States in the words of the cession act ; and on the
2d of April of that year, Congress accepted the deed, and TEN-
NESSEE was born.
By proclamation, dated September 1, 1790, Governor Martin
announced that the Secretary of State for the United States, had
transmitted to him a copy of the act of Congress, accepting the
cession of North Carolina for this district of the western territory,
and the inhabitants of said district "would take due notice thereof,
and govern themselves accordingly."
The parting of the mother and daughter, like that of all indulged
98 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
and unruly daughters from a venerable mother, was joyful to both
parties. Both were happier in the separation, and may both be
equally prosperous !
CHAPTER IV.
. x ' *' .*. <".
Governors of North Carolina, from RICHARD CASTTELL, 1776,
to DAVID S. REID, 1851.
1779. ABNER NASH, of the County of Craven, succeeded Rich-
ard Caswell as Governor of North Carolina, in December, 1779.
Under the head of the county of each, the reader will find some
sketch of the life, character and services of each, as far as the
author has been enabled to procure information.
1781. THOMAS BURKE, of Orange County, was elected in July,
1781.
1782. ALEXANDER MARTIN, of Guilford County.
1784. RICHARD CASWELL, of Lenoir, again.
1787. SAMUEL JOHNSTON, of Chowan County.
1789. ALEXANDER MARTIN, of Guilford, again.
1792. RICHARD DOBBS SPAIGHT, of Craven.
1795. SAMUEL ASHE, of New Hanover.
1798. WILLIAM R. DAVIE, of Halifax.
1799. BENJAMIN WILLIAMS, of Moore.
1802. JAMES TURNER, of Warren.
1805. NATHANIEL ALEXANDER, of Mecklenburg.
1807. BENJAMIN WILLIAMS, of Moore, again.
1808. DAVID STONE, of Bertie.
1810. BENJAMIN SMITH, of Brunswick.
1811. WILLIAM HAWKINS, of Warren.
1814. WILLIAM MILLER, of Warren.
1817. JOHN BRANCH, of Halifax.
1820. JESSE FRANKLIN, of Surry.
1821. GABRIEL HOLMES, of Sampson.
1824, HUTCHINGS G. BURTON, of Halifax.
1827. JAMES IREDELL, of Chowan.
1828. JOHN OWEN, of Bladen.
1830. MONTFORT STOKES, of Wilkes.
1832. DAVID L. SWAIN, of Buncombe,
1835. RICHARD DOBBS SPAIGHT, of Craven.
These were elected by .the General Assembly. The convention
of 1835, having amended the constitution, the election of the Gover-
nor was transferred to the people, and, in August, 1836, the first
election was held, and EDWARD B. DUDLEY, of New Hanover, was
elected. He was inaugurated on the 1st of January, 1837.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 99
1841. JOHN M. MOREHEAD, of Guilford.
1845. WM. A^ GRAHAM, of Orange. -
1849. CHARLES MANLY, of Wake.
1851. DAVID S. REID, of Rodkingham.
CHAPTER V.
Judiciary of North Carolina Its history Lives and characters of Martin
Howard, Chief Justice ; Maurice Moore ; and Richard Henderson, Associate
Judges, under the royal government The Judges of North Carolina, from
177G to 1851 The Attorney-Generals, the Secretaries of State, the Trea-
surers of State, and the Comptrollers, from 1776 to 1851 These statistics
are relieved by a specimen of legal wit worthy of preservation.
No less important thafti military affairs is the judicial history of
any country. Valor may vindicate rights and redress wrongs ; but
unless these are guarded by faithful and competent civil officers,
the welfare of the community suffers.
A history of the bench and bar of North Carolina, the charac-
ter and services of the profession, would be most interesting. Of
itself, it would fill volumes. No class of our community, during
our revolutionary struggles, entered into the dubious and danger-
ous contest more fearlessly than did the lawyers of that day. The
declaration of our independence was written by a lawyer ; our ap-
peals to the justice of the English nation were written by members
of this profession ; a majority of the first Congress were the same ;
twenty one of the fifty-six signers to the Declaration of Independ-
ence were lawyers ; the whole committee to whom the subject of
, independence was referred were lawyers, except one. In our own
State, the early and angry discussions between the Colonial Judges
and Governor Tryon, the exertions of Hooper and others in coun-
cil, and Caswell, Davie, and others, in the field, prove the devo-
tion, sincerity, and patriotism of the profession of the law.
The colonial history of the judiciary under the proprietary and
regal governors of North Carolina did not allow the profession that
weight in the community that its importance merited. With des-
potic governors, and among a vagarious and restless population,
rules of action declaring rights and prohibiting wrongs, were but
little regarded.
By the fundamental Constitutions of Carolina (1669), drawn
up by John Locke, it was declared " to be a base and vile thing to
plead for money or reward" in any of the courts of law.
One of the complaints of the Assembly against Gov. Dobbs, in
1760, was that he had "for the fee of four pistoles, granted
licenses to plead law, to ignorant persons."
Williamson informs us that to 1708, there had been but two exe-
100 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
cutions for capital offences in the State, and not until 1722 were
there any court-houses in North Carolina.
Such was the state of anarchy just before our Kevolution (1773),
that Mr. Quincy, of Boston, who was traveling through the State,
says " that there were no courts in being. No one can recover a
debt except before a magistrate."*
This was owing to the conflict of opinion between Martin and
the Assembly, as regards the power of the Governor to appoint
judges, and the rights of the people under the attachment laws.
Our previous pages have shown that under the proprietary go-
vernment, in 1716, the judicial power was vested in
I. Precinct Courts;
II. General Courts;
III. Courts of Chancery.
The first was held in each precinct by four justices, appointed
and commissioned by the Governor ; the second, by the Chief
Justice and seven assistants ; and the third, by the Governor and
the deputies of the Lords Proprietors.
In 1746, under the royal government, the judiciary was remodeled,
and "the General Court" was held twice a year by the Chief Jus-
tice and three associates, at Newbern.
The Chief Justice was appointed and commissioned by the Crown,
and the Associate Judges by the Governor and Council.
In 1767, the Province was divided into six Judicial Districts :
Wilmington, Newbern, Edenton, Halifax, Hillsboro, and Salisbury ;
Courts were held twice a year in each place by the Chief Justice and
two Associate Justices.
County Courts were established in each and every county at the
same time.
The first edition of the laws was by Swann^ published in 1752,
called "yellow jacket;" the second, by Davis, in 1765; the third,
by same, in 1773 ; the fourth, by Judge Iredell, in 1790 ; the fifth,
by Martin, in 1803 ; the sixth, by Potter, Taylor and Yancy, in
1821 ; the seventh, by Battle, Iredell and Nash, in 1836 ; the eighth,
now being done under care of Hon. R. M. Saunders, Hon. Asa Biggs
and B. F. Moore, Esq. (late Attorney-General of the State), 1851.
MARTIN HOWARD was appointed by the crown to succeed George
Berry, whose melancholy fate we have recorded during the admin-
istration of Governor Tryon, as Chief Justice, and Maurice Moore
and Richard Henderson, Associate Justices, under the act of 1767 ;
these held their offices until 1773, when the law expired. From
the altercations between the Governor and Assembly, and the troubled
times in political matters, the courts were closed. ,
" Inter arma leges silent."!
The character of MARTIN HOWARD, as it appears on the record,
is that of a tyrant. Forced by popular indignation to fly from Rhode
* Memoirs of Josiah Quincy, Jr., p. 123.
f Among arms, laws are silent.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 101
Island, where he was one of the royal judges, he sought quiet in the
retirement of North Carolina.
Here he was appointed one of Governor Tryon's counsellors, and
on the death of Judge Berry, Chief Justice of the colony, by the
recommendation of Tryon. He was the willing tool to " The Bloody
Wolf of Carolina." His oppressive conduct in the trial of the
Regulators at Hillsboro', and ferocious temper, associate him in
history with Jeffreys, and other judicial despots.
From Sabine's "American Loyalists,"* I learn that, in 1774,
" Howard's judicial functions ceased, in consequence of the tumults
of the times. The suspension from office of one who was notoriously
destitute of not only the virtues of humanity, but of all sympathy
with the community in which he lived, was a matter of much joy.
In 1775 he was present in council, and expressed the highest detest-
ation of unlawful meetings, and advised Governor Martin to forbid
the assembling of the convention in Newbern."
In July 1777 he left North Carolina for the north. He died
in exile during the Revolution.
MAURICE MOORE'S character presented a favorable contrast.
Deeply imbued with the true spirit of liberty, although his duty
might cause him to sit in judgment upon the Regulators, yet
his feelings deeply sympathized with their oppressed condition.
The following letter (extracted from Herman Husband's book) will
show that he was strongly suspected of countenancing the condition
of the Regulators. Of one thing we are assured, that the Judge
and the Governor entertained the most bitter animosity* towards
each other.
SPRINGFIELD, August 12th, 1768.
To Colonel Edmund Fanning :
DEAR SIR As much as I hate writing, I am determined to
scratch this side down with a bad pen and worse ink, on the subject
of the insurrection in your county, which I am sorry to hear has
grown formidable ; and much more so, that it is ascribed to me as
its author and encourager.
I have been caluminated before, but never so capitally as in this
case.
I assure you it gives me much concern, in spite of the consola-
tion which a clear conscience affords me. I never knew, or even,
as I know of, ever saw any man or men engaged in this unlucky
affair, except Hunter and Howell, and I made you fully acquainted
with the advice I gave them ; but I shall say no more on this head.
I have blackened my page, and must conclude my letter with assur-
ing you I esteem you, and am your most obedient, &c.,
M. MOORE.
* ' r ," .
Judge Moore addressed to Governor Tryon a letter of great
length, signed Atticus,f which, while it shows the true character of
* Lorenzo Sabine's American Loyalists, 369. Boston, Little & Brown, 1847.
f See Jones's Defence of North Carolina, p. 57.
102 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Tryon, in its real and odious colors, proves that he wielded the pen
of a Junius in invective and severe sarcasm.
Judge Moore was a true friend to his country. He was, after
Independence was declared, in the General Assembly, and asso-
ciated on important committees. He was a member of the Pro-
vincial Congress which met at Hillsboro','in August 1775. He,
with William Hooper, Richard Caswell, Robert Howe, and Joseph
Hewes, were a committee to address the citizens of the British
empire on the wrongs of America and the oppressions of England.
The importance of the subject, the illustrious names associated
with Judge Moore, proves the high appreciation of his talents,
patriotism, and virtues by his associates. He was the father of
the late Judge, Alfred Moore, who was distinguished as a soldier
and a statesman, and for whose biography the reader is referred to
Brunswick County. He died in 1777 ; at the same time his brother,
Colonel James Moore, died, on his way to join the army of the
north, under General Washington. (See Brunswick County, vol. xi.
chap, viii.)
RICHARD HENDERSON, the remaining Colonial Judge, was the
son of Samuel Henderson. He was born in Hanover County, Vir-
ginia, on the 20th of April, 1735. His ancestors by his father's side
were from Sc9tland, and his mother's side (Williams) from Wales.
His father . came to Granville County about 1745 ; and subse-
quently was 'appointed the sheriff of that county. The duties in
which his son was employed afforded that practical knowledge of
men and things, for which Judge Henderson was distinguished in
after life. His early education was as good as the state of the
country afforded.
He read law with his cousin, the late Judge Williams, for twelve
months. When he applied for license to the Chief Justice of the
colony, whose duty it was to examine applicants, and on his cer-
tificate a license to practice was issued by the Governor, he was
asked how long he had read, and, what books ? When the limited
time was stated, and the number of books that he had read, the
Judge remarked that it was useless to go into any examination, as
no living man could have read and digested the works he had
named, in so short a time. With great promptness and firmness,
young Henderson replied, that it was his privilege to apply for a
license, and the Judge's duty to examine him; and, if he was not
qualified, to reject him; if qualified, to grant the certificate. The
Judge, struck with his sensible and spirited reply, proceeded to a
most scorching examination. So well did the young man sustain
himself, that the certificate was granted, with encomiums upon his
industry, acquirements, and talents.
He soon rose to the highest ranks of his profession ; and honors
and wealth followed.
A vacancy occurring on the foench, he was appointed by the
Governor a Judge of the Superior Court. He sustained this digni-
fied position with fidelity and credit, during an excited and interest-
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 103
ing period. He was forced on one occasion to leave Hillsboro' by
the disturbances of the Regulators.*
The troubled times shut up the courts of justice.
In 1774 the Cherokee Indians offered for sale their lands. He
formed a company with John Williams and Leonard Hendly Bullock,
of Granville ; William Johnston, James Hogg, Thomas Hart, John
Lutterell, Nathaniel Hart and David Hart, of Orange County, and
made a treaty on the banks of the Watauga River. He purchased
from the Indians, for a fair consideration, all their lands south of
the Kentucky River, beginning at the mouth or junction of said
river with the Ohio to its source, thence south into Tennessee, until
a westwardly line should cross the Cumberland Mountain so as to
strike the ridge which divides the waters of the Tennessee River from
those of the Cumberland, and with that ridge to the Ohio River, and
with that river to the mouth of the Kentucky River aforesaid ; in-
cluding a large portion of the States of Tennessee and Kentucky.
The company took possession of the lands on the 20th of April,
1775; the Indians appointing an agent, John Farrar, to make a
delivery according to law.
The Governor of North Carolina, Martin, issued his proclama-
tion in 1775 declaring this purchase illegal. The State subse-
quently granted 200,000 acres to the company in lieu of this.
The State of Virginia declared the same, but granted the com-
pany a remuneration of two hundred thousand acres, bounded by
the Ohio and Green Rivers.
The State of Tennessee claimed the lands, but made a similar
grant to the company in Powell's Valley.
In 1779 Judge Henderson was appointed a commissioner to extend
the line between Virginia and North Carolina into Powell's Valley.
His associates on this commission, were Oroondates Davis, John
Williams of Caswell, James Kerr, and William Bailey Smith. A
difficulty arose as to the true latitude of 36 30", and the commis-
sion was closed.
This same year, Judge Henderson opened a land office, at the
French Lick, now Nashville, Tennessee, for the sale of the com-
pany's lands.
In the summer following he returned home, where in the bosom
of his friends and family, he enjoyed the evening of life in peace
and plenty. On the 30th of January, 1785, he died at his seat in
Granville, loved and esteemed by all who knew him.
He left (by his marriage with Elizabeth Keeling, a stepdaughter
of the late Judge Williams) six children, Fanny, born 1764, who
married Judge Me Cay, of Salisbury; Richard, born July 1766;
Archibald, born August 1768 ; Elizabeth, who married Alexander,
born 1770 ; Leonard, born 1772 ; and John Lawson Henderson,
born 1778.
* See deposition of Ralph McNair, and letter of Judge Henderson, and de-
position of Waighstill Avery (procured from State Paper Offices in London),
now for the first time printed. (Chap, on Alamance, vol. iL chap, i.)
104 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
All four sons studied the same profession for which their father
had been so distinguished; and their reputation did not disgrace
their ancestor. Richard died at the early age of 30, but gave every
promise of distinction, had his life been spared ;* Archibald was the
head of his profession, in Western Carolina, a distinguished member
of Congress, and the legislature (see Rowan County). f Leonard
was one of the first lawyers of his day, and attained the eminence
of Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina ; and
John, the youngest son, was blessed with a clear mind, and was
distinguished for his learning ; but, from a diffidence of manner,
never exerted himself to use those means to attain the eminence of
his illustrious brothers. He was a member of the legislature from
Salisbury, Comptroller of the State in 1825, and died at Raleigh in
1843, while attending to his duties as Clerk of the Supreme Court.
The JUDICIARY early received from the State Congress that atten-
tion its importance deserved.
The first General Assembly that met under the State Constitu-
tion, at Newbern, in April, 1777, revised the whole statute law;
and superior courts were held semi-annually at Wilmington, New-
bern, Edenton, Halifax, Hillsboro', and Salisbury. Three Judges
were elected (John Williams, of Granville, Samuel Ashe, of New
Hanover, and Samuel Spencer, of Anson).
Morganton was established as a Judicial District, in 1782 ; and
Fayetteville, in 1787.
Equity jurisdiction was given by act of 1782.
In 1790 a fourth Judge was added ; the State divided into two
ridings, and a Solicitor-General was appointed.
In 1806, Superior Courts were established in each county, and
two additional Judges and four Solicitors were appointed ; another
Judge has been added since, and this system continues to this
day. One of the Judges of the Superior Court semi-annually
holds a court in each county in the State, and a Solicitor to prose-
cute in behalf of the State. The Judges cannot twice ride the
same circuit in succession. They are elected by the legislature
during good behavior ; and each receives a salary of one thousand
nine hundred and fifty dollars a year, which cannot be diminished
during their continuance in office.
When the business demands, the Judge may appoint a special
term to hear and end the suits in any county. The Governor spe-
cially appoints some Judge for this purpose, for which he receives
ninety dollars. The appeal lies from these decisions to the
SUPREME COURT.
This tribunal was created in 1818, as it exists at present. Pre-
vious to this, the Judges of the Superior Courts were directed (act of
1799) to meet to settle questions of law and equity at Raleigh twice
* The father of Archibald Henderson, of Salisbury, and Mrs. N. Boyden.
f See Sketch of his Life. (Chapter, Granville.)
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 105
a year, and was called the Court of Conference. By act of 1805,
it was styled the Supreme Court. By the act of 1818, the Judges
of the Superior Courts were excused from this duty and confined to
circuits, and three Judges were elected by the Legislature, who hold
their offices during good behavior, who meet twice a year in the city
of Raleigh, and once a year at Morganton, to determine questions
of law and equity.
JUDGES OF THE SUPREME COURT.
John Louis Taylor, of Cumberland, elected 1818, died Jan. 1829.
Leonard Henderson, of Granville county, elected 1818, died Aug.
1833
John Hall, of Warren, elected 1818, resigned Dec. 1832.
John D. Toomer, Cumberland county, appointed June, 1829, re-
signed 1829.
Thomas Ruffin, of Orange county, elected 1829.
Joseph J. Daniel, of Halifax county, elected 1832, died Feb.
1848.
William G-aston, of Craven county, elected 1833, died 1844.
Frederick Nash, of Orange county, appointed 1844.
William H. Battle, of Orange county, elected 1848, resigned
Dec. 1848.
Richmond M. Pearson, of Davie county, elected 1848.
At present Thomas Ruffin, Frederick Nash and Richmond Pear-
son, are the Judges of the Supreme Court of North Carolina.
For sketches of the lives and characters of the judges, the reader
is referred to the respective counties from which they are appointed.
JUDGES OF THE SUPERIOR COURTS OF NORTH CAROLINA, FROM 1777
TO 1851.
1777 to 1790. John Williams, of Granville County, died Octo-
ber, 1799. Samuel Ashe, of New Hanover, elected Governor
in 1795. Samuel Spencer, of Anson, died 1794.
1790. Spruce Me Cay, of Rowan, died 1808.
John Haywood, of Halifax, elected 1794 ; resigned in 1800.
Alfred Moore, of Brunswick, elected in 1798 ; appointed Asso-
ciate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, December
10th, 1799.
John Louis Taylor, of Cumberland, elected in 1798 ; appointed
Judge of the Supreme Court of North Carolina in 1818 ; died
. February, 1829.
Samuel Johnston, of Chowan, appointed February 10th, 1800 ;
resigned November 18th, 1803.
John Hall, of Warren, elected in 1800 ; appointed Judge of
Supreme Court in 1818 ; resigned December, 1832 ; died 1833.
Francis Locke, of Rowan, elected in 1803 ; resigned February
7th, 1814.
David Stone, of Bertie, elected in 1795, resigned in 1798,
and elected in 1806 ; elected Governor in 1808.
106 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Samuel Lowrie, of Mecklenburg, elected in 1806 : died Decem-
ber, 1818.
Blake Baker, of Warren, appointed in 1808 ; commission expired
December, 1808 ; appointed August 11, 1818 ; died in 1818.
Leonard Henderson, of Granville, elected in 1808 ; resigned in
1816 ; elected Judge of the Supreme Court in 1818 ; died August,
1833.
Joshua G-ranger Wright, of New Hanover, elected in 1808 : died
in 1811.
Henry Seawell, of Wake, appointed July 5th, 1811 ; commission
expired in 1811 ; appointed in 1813 ; resigned in 1819 ; elected in
1832 ; died in 1835.
Edward Harris, of Craven, elected in 1811 ; died 1813.
Duncan Cameron, of Orange, appointed February, 1814; re-
signed November, 1816.
Thomas Ruffin, of Orange, elected 1816; resigned December,
1818 ; appointed July 15, 1825 ; resigned in 1828 ; elected Judge
of the Supreme Court in 1829.
Joseph J. Daniel, of Halifax, appointed March, 1816 ; elected
Judge of the Supreme Court in 1832 ; died February, 1848.
Robert H. Burton, of Lincoln, appointed March, 1818 ; resigned
in 1818.
John Paxton, of Rutherford, elected in 1818 ; died in 1826.
John D. Toomer, of Cumberland, elected in 1818 ; resigned in
1819 ; appointed Judge of the Supreme Court in 1829 ; commission
expired December, 1829 ; elected in 1836 ^resigned in 1840.
Frederick Nash, of Orange, elected in 1818 ; resigned in July,
1826 ; elected in 1836 ; transferred to the Supreme Court in 1844.
Archibald D. Murphy, of Orange, elected in 1818 ; resigned in
1820.
James Iredell, of Chowan, appointed March, 1819; resigned
May, 1819.
John R. Donnel, of Craven, appointed in 1819 ; resigned in
1836.
Willie P. Mangum, of Orange, elected in 1819, resigned in 1823 ;
appointed May 18, 1826 ; commission expired in 1826 ; elected in
1828 ; elected Senator to Congress in 1830.
William Norwood, of Orange, appointed Aug. 17, 1820; re-
signed in 1836.
G-eorge E. Badger, of Wake, elected in 1820 ; resigned in 1825.
Robert Strange, of Cumberland, elected in 1826 ; elected Senator
to Congress in 1836.
James Martin, of Rowan, elected in 1826 ; resigned in 1835.
David L. Swain, of Buncombe, elected in 1830 ; elected Go-
vernor in 1832.
* Thomas Settle, of Rockingham, elected in 1832.
* Those marked *, constitute the present Judges of the Superior Courts of
Law and Equity for North Carolina.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 107
Romulus M. Sawnders, elected in 1835 ; resigned in 1840.
Edward Hall, of Warren, appointed February, 1840 ; commis-
sion expired January, 1841.
*John M. Dick, of Guilford, elected in 1835.
*John L. Baity, of Pasquotank, elected in 1836.
Richmond M. Pearson, of Davie, elected in 1836 ; transferred to
the Supreme Court in 1848.
*David F. Caldwell, of Rowan, appointed in 1844.
^Matthias E. Manly, of Craven, elected December, 1840.
Augustus Moore,' of Chowan, appointed in 1848; resigned the
same year.
* Wm. IT. Rattle, of Edgecombe, appointed in 1840 ; appointed to
the Supreme Court in 1848 ; resigned in December, 1848 ; elected
to the Superior Court in January, 1849.
*John W. Ellis, of Rowan, elected in 1848.
ATTORNEY-GENERALS OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Waightstill Avery, of Burke County, elected in 1777 : resigned
in 1779.
Blake Baker, of Edgecombe, elected in 1794 ; resigned in 1803.
Hutchins 6r. Burton, of Halifax, elected in 1810 ; resigned in
November, 1816.
William Drew, of Halifax, elected in 1816 ; resigned in Novem-
ber, 1825.
John R. J. Daniel, of Halifax, elected in 1834.
* William Eaton, Jr., of Warren, in 1851.
Oliver Fitts, of Warren, in 1808.
John Haywood, of Halifax, in 1791.
James Iredell, of Chowan, in 1779.
Robert H. Jones, of Warren, in 1828.
Alfred Moore, of Brunswick, in 1790.
William Miller, of Warren, in 1810.
Hugh McQueen, of Chatham, in 1840.
Bartholomew F. Moore, of Halifax, in 1848.
Romulus M. Saunders, of Caswell, in 1828.
Edward Stanly, of Beaufort, in 1847.
Henry Seawell, of Wake, in 1803.
John L. Taylor, of Cumberland, in 1808.
James F. Taylor, of Wake, in 1825 ; died in June, 1828.
Spier Whitaker, of Halifax, elected in December, 1842.
1 SECRETARIES OF STATE.
James Glasgow, of Dobbs County, in 1777.
William White, of Lenoir, in 1778 to 1810.
* William Hill, of -Rockingham, from 1811 to present date.
TREASURERS OF THE STATE.
Richard Caswell, for the northern part ; Samuel Johnson for the
southern part, 1776.
* At present in commission.
108 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Memucan Hunt, of Granville, 1777.
John Haywood, of Edgecombe, 1787.
.John 8. Haywood, of Wake, 1827.
William S. Robards, of Granville, 1827.
Robert H. Burton, of Lincoln, 1830.
William S. Mhoon, of Bertie, December, 1830.
Samuel F. Patterson, of Wilkes, 1835.
Daniel W. Courts, of Surry, Jan. 1837.
Charles L. Hinton, of Wake, April, 1839.
John H. Wheeler, of Lincoln, 1843.
Charles L. Hinton, 1845.
* Daniel W. Courts, 1851.
COMPTROLLERS.
Comptroller's department established in 1782.
John Craven, of Halifax, 1783.
Samuel G-oodwin, of Cumberland, December, 1808.
Joseph Hawkins, of Warren, December, 1825.
John L. Henderson, of Rowan, 1827.
James G-rant, of Halifax, November, 1827.
Nathan Stedman, of Chatham, November, 1834.
William F. Collins, of Nash, December, 1836.
* William J. Clarke, of Wake, 1851.
A History of the Bench and Bar of North Carolina will, we
trust, at some period be published. Its members have been, at all
periods, the firm friends of popular rights, and ready defenders of
the privileges of the many against the encroachments of the few.
They, as a body, are remarkable for their assiduity, fidelity, and
poverty. The following is preserved as a specimen of " the genuine
Attic," copied from the Greensboro' Patriot many years since. The
names are familiar to western North Carolina.
In one of our western courts, while Mr. James R. Dodge (now
Clerk of the Supreme Court), a relative of the Hon. Washington
Irving, was making a speech, a triumvirate (Messrs. Swain, Hill-
man, and Dews) perpetrated, "with malice aforethought," this jeu
d'esprit, which Mr. Dodge found lying on his table before him
when he had finished his speech.
EPITAPH ON JAMES R. DODGE, ESQ., ATTORNEY AT LAW. ' ,
" Here lies a Dodge, who dodged all good,
And dodged a deal of evil,
Who, after dodging all he could,
He could not dodge the Devil/'
He read the paper, and impromptu replied
ANOTHER EPITAPH ON THREE ATTORNEYS.
" Here lies a Hillman and a Swain,
Whose lot let no man choose ;
They liv'd in sin, and died in pain,
And the Devil got his Dews" (dues).
* At present in commission.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA,
109
CHAPTER VI.
A list of the members of the Continental Congress from North Carolina,
before the adoption of the Constitution (formed at Philadelphia, in May
1787) ; and a list of the Senators and Representatives in Congress, from
this State, from 1789 to 1851 ; with the ratio of representation for each
decade, and the number of members in the House Present Congressional
districts by act of 1846, and the members of each.
THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS first met at Philadelphia, Septem-
ber 5th, 1774. In January, 1785, it met at New York, which con-
tinued to be the place ,of meeting until the adoption of the con-
stitution. General Washington was inaugurated President at this
place, on 30th April, 1789.
MEMBERS FROM NORTH CAROLINA TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS
BEFORE THE ADOPTION OF THE CONSTITUTION.
From
To
From
To
Ashe, John B.
1787
1788
Johnston, Samuel
1780
1782
Bloodworth, Timothy
1786
1787
Jones, Allen
1779
1780
Blount, William j JJgg
Burke, Thomas 1777
1783
1787
1781
Jones, Willie
Nash, Abner
1780
(1782
1 1785
1781
1784
1786
Burton, Robert
1787
1788
T* T 1.
(1775
1776
Caswell, Richard
1774
1776
renn, John
J1777
1780
Cumming, William
1784
1784
Sitgreaves, John
1784
1785
Harnett, Cornelius
1777
1780
Sharpe, William
1779
1782
Hawkins, Benjamin -
1781
1786
1784
1787
Spaight, Richard D.
Swan, John
1783
1787
1785
1788
Hews, Joseph
Hill, Whitmill
1774
1779
1778
1777
1780
1781
Williams, John
Williamson, Hugh
1778
(1782
11787
1779
1785
1788
Hooper, William
1774
1777
White, Alexander
1786
1788
SENATE.
Those marked * are at present in Congress, 1851.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
*Badger, George E.
1846
1855
Locke, Francis
1814
1815
Bloodsworth, Timothy
1795
1801
Macon, Nathaniel
1815
1828
Branch, John
1823
1829
(1831
1837
Brown, Bedford
1829
1841
*Mangum, W. P.
^1841
1847
Franklin, Jesse
1799
1807
1805
1813
Martin, Alexander
(1848
1793
1853
1799
Graham, William A.
1841
1843
Stokes, Montfort
1816
1823
Hawkins, Benjamin
Haywood, William H.
1789
1843
1795
1846
Stone, David
( 1801
\1813
1807
1814
Iredell, James
1828
1831
Strange, Robert
1837
1841
Johnston, Samuel
1789
1793 Turner, James
1805
1816
110
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Alexander, Evan
Alexander, Nathaniel
Alston, Willis
Alston, Willis, Jr.,
Arrington, A. EL
Ashe, John B.
*Ashe, William S.
Biggs, Asa
Barringer, Daniel L.
Barringer, Daniel M.
Bethune, Laughlin
Blackledge, William S.
Bloodworth, Timothy
Blount, Thomas
Branch, John
Bryan, Nathan
Bryan, John H.
Bryan, Joseph H.
Burgess, Dempsy
Burton, Hutchins G.
Bynum, Jesse A.
Boyden, Nathaniel
Caldwell, Green W.
*Caldwell, Joseph P.
Carson, Samuel P.
Clark, James W.
Clark, Henry S.
Cocaran, James
Conner, H. W.
Crudup, Josiah
Culpepper, John
*Clingman, Thomas L.
*Daniel, J. R. J.
Davidson, William
Dawson, William G.
Dobbin, James C.
Deberry, Edmund
*Dockery, Alfred
Dickens, Samuel
Donnell, R. S.
Dixon, Joseph
Dudly, Edward B.
Edwards, Weldon N.
Fiteher, Charles
Forney, Daniel M.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
1805
1809
Forney, Peter
1813
1815
1803
1805
Franklin, Jesse
1795
1797
1799
1803
Franklin, Meshack
1807
1815
(1803
1815
Gaston, William
1813
1817
[1825
1831
Gatlin, Alfred M.
1823
1825
1841
1790
1845
1793
Gillespie, James
1793
1803
1799
1805
1849
1845
1853
1847
Graham, James
1833
1845
1843
1847
1826
1835
Grove, William B.
1791
1803
1843
1831
1849
1833
Hall, Thomas II. j Jjj^
1825
1835
(1803
1809
Hawkins, M. T.
1831
1841
\ 1811
1813
Henderson, Archibald
1799
1803
[1821
1823
Hill, John
1839
1841
1790
1791
Hill, William H.
1799
1803
(1793
1799
Hines, Richard
1825
1827
nsos
(1811
1809
1812
Holland, James
[1795
1801
1797
1811
1831
1833
Holmes, Gabriel
1825
1829
1795
1825
1798
1829
Hooks, Charles j J|||j
1817
1825
1815
1819
Johnson, Charles
1801
1802
1795
1798
Kenan, Thomas
1805
1811
1819
1824
(1803
1805
1833
1841
Kennedy, William 4 1809
1811
1847
1849
(1812
1815
1841
1843
King, William R.
1811
1816
1849
1851
Lock, Matthew
1793
1799
1825
1833
Long, John
1821
1829
1815
1817
Love, William C.
1815
1817
1845
1847
Macon, Nathaniel
1791
1805
1809
1813
Mangum, W. P.
1823
1826
1821
1841
McBride, Archibald
1809
1813
1821
1807
1823
1809
McDowel, James f ^
1795
1799
1813
1817
McFarland, Duncan
1805
1807
1819
1821
McKay, James J.
1831
1849
1823
'1843
1825
1845
McNeil, Archibald
(1821
i 1825
1823
1827
1847
1853
Mebane, Alexander
1793
1794
1841
1853
Mitchell, Anderson
1842
1843
1818
1821
Montgomery, William
1835
1841
1793
1795
Montford, George
1817
1819
1845
1847
*Morehead, James T.
1851
1853
(1829
1831
Murfree, William H.
1813
1817
^ 1833
1845
Outlaw, George
1824
1828
(1849
1851
*0utlaw, David
1847
1853
(1845
1847
Owen, Jas.
1817
1819
J1851
1853
Pettigrew, E.
1835
1837
1816
1817
Pearson, Joseph
1809
1815
1847
1849
Pickens, Israel
1811
1817
1799
1801
Potter, Robert
1829
1831
1829
1831
Purviance, Samuel D.
1803
1805
1816
1827
Rayner, Kenneth
1839
1845
(1819
J1839
1821
1841
Rencher, Abraham
(1829
[1841
1839
1843
1815
1818
Reid, David S.
1843
1847
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Ill
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Continued.
Saunders, R. M.
Sawyer, Lemuel
Sawver, S. T.
Settle, Thomas
Sevier, John
Shadwick, William
Sheppard, Charles B.
Sheppard, William B.
Shepperd, A. H.
Smith, James S.
Slocuinb, Jesse
Speight, Jesse
Spaight, R. D.
Spaight, R. D. Jr.,
Stanford, Richard
Stanly, John
ID.
1821
1841
\j\\\..
1827
1845
* Stanly, Edward
jii.
(1837
J1849
VSUl.
1843
1853
1807
1813
Steele, John
1790
1793
1817
1823
Stuart, James
1818
1819
1825
1829
Stone, David
1799
1801
1837
1839
Tatum, Abs.
1795
1796
1817
1821
Turner, Daniel
1827
1829
1790
1791
Vance, Robert B.
1823
1825
1796
1797
*Venable, Abraham W.
1847
1853
1837
1841
Walker, Felix
1817
1823
1827
1837
Washington, Wm. H.
1841
1843
(1829
1839
Williams, Benjamin
1793
1795
\ 1841
1843
Williams, Lewis
1815
1842
(1847
1851
Williams, Marmaduke
1803
1809
1817
1821
Williams, Robert
1797
1803
1817
1821
Williamson, Hugh
1790
1793
1827
1798
1837
1801
Winston, Joseph
(1793
1 1803
1795
1807
1823
1825
Wynns, Thomas
1802
1807
1797
1816
Yancy, Bartlett
1813
1817
J1801
1803
[1809
1811
1789
1,93
1803
1813
1823
1833
1843
1853
33,000
33,000
35,000
40,000
47,700
70,680
93,702
RATIO OF REPRESENTATION FROM 1789 TO 1853. \
House of Representatives composed of 65 members.
105
141
181
212
243
223
233
PRESENT CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS, BY ACT OF 1846, AND MEMBERS
TO 4TH MARCH, 1853.
District.
Counties.
1st.
2d.
3d.
4th.
5th.
6th.
7th.
8th.
9th.
1, Cherokee; 2, Macon; 3, Haywood; 4, Buncombe;
5, Henderson ; 6, Rutherford ; 7, Burke ; 8, Mc'Dowell;
9, Yancy; 10, Cleaveland; 11, Caldwell.
1, Ashe: 2, Wilkes; 3, Surry; 4, Davie; 5, Rowan;
6, Iredell ; 7, Catawba.
1, Lincoln ; 2, Gaston; 3, Mecklenburg; 4, Union; 5,
Anson ; 6, Stanly ; 7, Cabarrus ; 8, Montgomery ; 9,
Richmond ; 10, Moore.
1, Stokes; 2, Rockingham ; 3, Guilford; 4, Randolph;
5, Davidson,
1, Granville; 2, Caswell; 3, Person: 4, Orange: 5,
Chatham.
1, Wake; 2, Franklin; 3, Warren; 4, Halifax; 5,
Edgecombe; 6, Nash: 7, Johnston.
1, Cumberland ; 2, Robeson ; 3, Columbus ; 4, Bladen ;
5, Brunswick; 6, New Hanover; 7, Sampson; 8,
Duplin ; 9, Onslow.
1, Wayne ; 2, Greene ; 3, Lenoir ; 4, Jones ; 5, Craven ;
6, Carteret; 7, Beaufort; 8, Pitt; 9, Washington ;
10, Tyrrell; 11, Hyde.
1, Martin; 2, Bertie; 3, Hertford; 4, Northampton;]
5, Gates: 6, Chowan; 7, Perquimans; 8, Pasquo- [
tank; 9, Currituck; 10, Camden. )
Members.
Thomas L.
Clingman.
Joseph P.
Caldwell.
Alfred
Dockery.
James T.
Morehead.
Abraham W.
Venable.
J. R. J.
Daniel.
Wm.S. Ashe.
Edward
Stanley.
David
112 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
CHAPTER VII.
PRESS OF NORTH CAROLINA, from 1749 to 1851 Account of some of the editors,
and list of the papers now published in North Carolina (1851).
" Beneath the rule of men
Entirely great, the pen is greater than the sword.
Behold the arch enchanter's wand ! Itself is nothing !
But catching sorcery from a master hand,
And aided by the gigantic power of the press,
It paralyzes the thrones of monarchs,
Gives liberty and life to oppressed millions,
And strikes the broad earth breathless.
Take away the sword !
States can be saved without it." BULWER.
THE colonial history of our State did not present a favorable
field for the press.
The Proprietary rulers first, and Royal Governors afterwards,
regarded the press as dangerous to their powers and prerogatives*
The instructions of Lord Effingham, as Governor of Virginia, were
" not to suffer in the colony, under any pretence whatever, the use
of a printing press."* And Sir William Berkley, one of the pro-
prietors of North Carolina, returned thanks to Heaven " that there
was not a printing office in any of the southern provinces."
Under different auspices and a more progressive age, how differ-
ent do the descendants of this very people conduct the early settle-
ments of a country. Scarcely does the American set his foot down
on any soil, when a press is set up, and a newspaper is established,
informing every portion of the nation of the character, condition,
and prospects of the country. " The United States in 1834,"
says Tymperly, " with a population of (then) 13,000,000, had
more newspapers than all Europe together, with a population of
100,000,000."t
Printing^ was introduced into North Carolina in 1749, by James
Davis, who set up a press at Newbern. His first paper was called
The North Carolina Gazette, "with freshest advices foreign and
domestic." It was weekly, on a sheet of post sized folio.
The first book ever printed in North Carolina was by him, in
1752, a revisal of the acts of the General Assembly, a small folio.
From the hue of the leather in which it was bound, it received the
name of " Yellow Jacket."
* Williamson, vol. i. 165.
f Tymperly's Encyclopaedia of Literary and Typographical Anecdote.
j Martin, ii. p. 54.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 113
The Gazette continued about six years. On the 27th of May,
1768, it again appeared, and continued until the Revolution.
Davis was a Virginian by birth ; and postmaster at Newbern. He
held a commission as a magistrate under Governor Tryon.
The second press set up in North Carolina was at Wilmington,
in 1763, by Andrew Stewart, called the Cape Fear Gazette and
Wilmington Advertiser. The paper was discontinued in 1767,
Stewart was an Irishman by birth, lived several years in Philadelphia,
and was accidentally drowned in 1769, while bathing in the Cape
Fear River,
This paper was succeeded by the Cape Fear Mercury, published
October 1767, by Adam Boyd, and continued to the Revolution.
Boyd was an Englishman, and a true friend to liberty. He was much
respected, and one of the Committee of Safety in Wilmington, 1775.
His name appears in their proceedings as a leading member of the
committee of correspondence. In 1776 he exchanged the press for
the pulpit,
In 1776 newspapers were printed at Newbern, Wilmington,
Halifax, Edenton, and Hillsboro'. Had copies of these papers
been preserved, as is the case now in some States, in the archives
of the State Library, the history of that period would have been
better known.
In 1812 newspapers were printed at Raleigh, Newbern, Wil-
mington, Edenton, Tarboro', Murfreesboro', Fayetteville, and War-
renton. Not a single paper west of Raleigh.
The following is the list of newspapers printed in North Caro-
lina at this date, January 1st, 1851 :
1. ALBEMARLE SENTINEL, Edenton, edited by
Thomas C. Manning,
Born in Edenton, aged 25, by profession a lawyer ; Whig in politics.
2. ASHVILLE MESSENGER, Ashville, J. M. Edney.
Born in Henderson County, aged 36, by profession music teacher,
house and sign painter, auctioneer, to the ancient town of Ash-
ville j Whig in politics.
3. ASHVILLE NEWS, Ashville, T. W. Atkin.
Native of Tennessee, aged 29, practical printer.
4. CAROLINA WATCHMAN, Salisbury,
J. J. Bruner and S. W. James.
J. J. Bruner, native of Rowan, born in 1817, printer by profession.
Samuel W. James, born in Knoxville, Tennessee, in 1819, and a
printer by profession. Whigs.
5. CAROLINA REPUBLICAN, Lincolnton, J. M. Newsom.
Native of Maryland, 44 years old, teacher by profession ; Democrat.
6. CHRISTIAN SUN, Pittsboro', ( ) Committee.
7. CHARLOTTE JOURNAL, Charlotte, T. JY Holton.
Native of Richmond, Va., 47 years of age, a printer by profession ;
Whig in politics,
8
114 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
8. COMMUNICATOR, Fayetteville, William Potter,
Mr. Potter is a native of Raleigh, aged 43 ; profession, preacher and
printer. Temperance paper.
9. DEAF MUTE, Raleigh, W. D. Cooke.
10. FAYETTEVILLE OBSERVER, E. J. Hale and Son.
Mr. Hale is a native of Randolph County, born in 1802, printer by
profession ; Whig in politics.
11. GOLDSBORO' PATRIOT, W. Robinson.
Mr. Robinson is a native of Ireland, aged 36 years, by profession a
teacher.
12. GOLDSBORO' TELEGRAPH, W. F. S. Alston.
Wesley Fletcher Skidmore Alston is a native of Wake, born in 1822,
by profession a planter.
13. GRANVILLE WHIG, Oxford, George Wortham.
14. GREENSBORO' PATRIOT, Swaim and Sherwood.
Lyndon Swaim, 38 years old, farmer by profession until 21, when
he went to profession of printer.
Michael S. Sherwood is about 32 years old, printer by profession ;
Whigs in politics.
15. HALIFAX REPUBLICAN, C. N. Webb.
Mr. Webb, born in Brunswick County, Va., aged 38 years, practical
printer.
16. HILLSBORO' RECORDER, D. Heartt.
Mr. Heartt is a native of Connecticut, born November 1783, printer
by profession ; commenced the Recorder in 1820. He is now post-
master at Hillsboro'. Whig in politics.
17. HORNETS' NEST, Charlotte, L. S. Badger.
Mr. Badger is a native of Virginia, about 28 years old.
18. JOURNAL OF TEMPERANCE, Elizabeth City.
19. LINCOLN COURIER, Thomas J. Eccles.
Mr. Eccles, born in Ireland in 1823, practical printer; came to
Charleston at one year of age ; Democrat.
20. METHODIST PULPIT, Greensboro', Charles F. Deems.
21. MILTON CHRONICLE, C. N. B. Webb.
Mr. Webb is a native of Virginia, aged 37, his " profession is printer,
publisher, and postmaster."
22. MOUNTAIN BANNER, Rutherfordton, T. A. Hayden.
Mr. Hayden is a native of Florida, aged 42. Mr. Wilson, who has
succeeded him, is a native of Caswell, about 30 years old, and a
lawyer by profession.
23. NORTH CAROLINA STANDARD, Raleigh, W. W. Holden.
W. W. Holden is a native of Orange County, now about 32, prac-
tical printer ; studied law and obtained license, but left the bar
for the press ; a Democrat.
24. NORTH CAROLINIAN, Fayetteville, William H. Bayne.
Mr. Bayne was a native of Georgetown, D. C., aged 36, a practical
printer, and a Democrat. He died August 1851.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 115
25. NORTH CAROLINA HERALD, Ashboro', R. H. Brown.
Native of Randolph, " young and aspiring," no profession.
26. NEWBERNIAN, Newbern, William D. Mayhew.
Native of Massachusetts, aged about 40 years, educated at Wash-
ington College, Lexington, Rockbridge, Va. Removed to Wash-
ington, N. C., in 1831, and took charge of the Academy in that
place. Studied law under John S. Hawks, Esq., and obtained
license to practice in 1836. Married in Newbern, and removed
to that place in 1837. In 1844 bought out the Newbernian (a
continuation of the Spectator) ; Whig in politics.
27. NORTH STATE WHIG, Washington, H. Dimmock.
Native of Maine, lawyer, and Whig.
28. OLD NORTH STATE, Elizabeth City, S. D. foole.
29. PRIMITIVE BAPTIST, Raleigh, Burwell Temple.
30. PLYMOUTH TIMES, William Eborn.
Native of Beaufort, 25 years old, Whig.
31. PEOPLE'S PRESS, Salem, Blum & Sons.
32. PATRIOT AND REPUBLICAN, Goldsboro', W. B. Gulick.
William B. Gulick was born in New Jersey, aged 36, graduated at
Princeton in 1844 ; no profession but that of editor ; a Democrat.
33. RALEIGH REGISTER, Seaton Gales.
Mr. Gales is a native of Wake, aged about 25, by profession an
editor, a Whig. This paper was established in October 1799,
by Joseph Gales, his grandfather. He is the publisher of the
first daily paper ever attempted in North Carolina.
34. RALEIGH STAR, T. J. Lemay.
Native of Granville, about 49 years old, a practical printer and
preacher ; Whig in politics.
35. SOUTHERN DEMOCRAT, Graham, J. W. Lancaster.
Mr. Lancaster is a native of Edgecombe, educated at the University,
graduated in 1843, lawyer by profession, and a Democrat.
36. SPIRIT OF THE AGE, A. M. Gorman.
Native of Raleigh, aged 37, printer by profession. Devoted to tem-
perance.
37. TARBORO' FREE PRESS, George Howard, Jr.
38. VILLAGER, Plymouth, W. Eborn, editor.
39. WILMINGTON HERALD, Talcott Burr.
Native of Rhode Island, born 1802, practical printer.
40. WILMINGTON JOURNAL, Fulton and Price.
James Fulton is a native of Ireland, 26 years of age, profession
editor; Democrat.
A. L. Price is a native of North Carolina, 36 years of age, profession
printer, and a Democrat.
41. WILMINGTON COMMERCIAL, T. Lorfng.
Thomas- Loring is a native of Massachusetts, aged 62, practical
printer and editor.
42. WADESBORO' ARGUS, Samuel Fulton.
116 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
43. WELDON PATRIOT, R. B. Parker,
[This list may be imperfect, although efforts have been made to per-
fect it. Any correction will be thankfully received and noticed,
should another edition be called for.]
Of these, 1 is tri-weekly, 4 semi-weekly, the balance weekly or
monthly.
CHAPTER VII.
*
Literary institutions of North Carolina Their history, progress, and pre-
sent condition Queen's Museum, at Charlotte, 1770 University, incor-
porated in 1789, and located at Chapel Hill, 1792 Corner-stone laid in
October 1793 Commenced tuition, 1795 Life and character of Dr. Joseph
Caldwell ; and a list of its graduates from 1798 to 1851 Davidson College,
in Mecklenburg County, commenced in 1838 ; its present faculty and
alumni, from 1840 Wake Forest College, in Wake County; its trustees
and faculty Female institutions, common schools, and Literary Fund of
the State.
THE early history of the State presents but few institutions, where
the benefits of a liberal education could be obtained.
In 1736, the Governor (Johnston), in his address to the Legisla-
ture bewailed the deplorable condition of the province in which no
provision had been made, "or care taken to inspire the youth with
generous sentiments, worthy principles, or the least tincture of lite-
rature."
In 1754, an act was passed to establish a public seminary, but it
proved abortive.
In 1764, an act was passed to erect a school-house in Newbern,
and in 1767 Trustees were incorporated.
At the end of the Royal Government (1775), Martin says that
" Literature was hardly known. There were in the whole province
but two schools, those of Newbern and Edenton. In the first a
wooden building, in which the meetings of the Lower House of the
Legislature were occasionally held."
When reading the resolves of the Provincial Congress, the Pro-
vincial Councils, the District Committees of Safety, and the addresses
which they published to the country, the purity of the language, the
simplicity and beauty of style, the cogency of argument are so re-
markable that they cannot be surpassed by the most- polished pro-
ductions of the present age.
Even the handwriting of the men of "75, as exhibited in the
Journals, will bear a fair comparison with those of this day, and per-
haps surpass them in ease and plainness.
This proves that our forefathers had not been inattentive to the
objects of practical education.
In 1770, a charter was obtained from the Provincial Assembly
to incorporate the Queen s Museum at Charlotte.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 117
The charter not receiving the royal sanction was amended ; and
again passed in 1771; it was repealed by the King. But it
flourished without a charter ; and in 1777 it was incorporated by the
General Assembly of the State by the name of Liberty Hall.
The Trustees were Isaac Alexander, M. D., President; Thomas
Polk, Thomas NeaL, Abraham Alexander, Waightstill Avery,
Ephraim Brevard, M. D., John Simpson, Adlai Osborne, John Me
Knitt Alexander, Rev. David Caldwell> James Edmonds, Thomas
Reese, Samuel E. McCorkle, Thomas Harris McCaule, and James
Hall.
The latter were Presbyterian Ministers, and the school was under
the supervision of this highly respectable denomination.
The first meeting of the Trustees was held at Charlotte, January
3d, 1778. Lots were purchased in the town of Charlotte belonging
to Col. Thomas Polk. The revolutionary war closed the school, and
the troops of Cornwallis occupied its halls.
Rev. DAVID CALDWELL, about the year 1767, opened a school in
Guilford county. HeVas a native of Pennsylvania, graduated at
Princeton, in 1761, and a Presbyterian Minister. (See Guilford
county.) This school was conducted with great success. " His log
cabin served for many years to North Carolina, as an Academy, a
College, and a Theological Seminary." Many who were here edu-
cated have become distinguished as statesmen, lawyers, physicians
and divines.
The Constitution adopted at Halifax, 18th Dec., 1776, declared
(in Section XLL) that a school or schools shall be established, and
" all useful learning shall be duly encouraged and promoted in, one
or more universities." Accordingly, in 1789, the University of
North Carolina was established by incorporating Samuel Johnston
and others Trustees, and in Nov. 1792, these Trustees located this
Institution at Chapel Hill, in Orange county. Eleven hundred and
eighty acres of land were conveyed to the Trustees by the citizens
of this neighborhood. In Oct. 1798, the first lots of the village
wtjre sold, and the corner-stone of the College laid. The ceremonies
were conducted with masonic honors, by Wm. R. Davie, Grand
Master of the Grand Lodge of North Carolina, at the time, and
afterwards, Governor of the State. The Rev. Dr. McCorkle, one
of the Trustees, made an address.
The buildings being sufficiently prepared in 1795, the Trustees
selected Rev. David Kerr as Professor, and Samuel A. Holmes as
Tutor.
Mr. Hinton James was the first student ; who arrived from Wil-
mington, Feb. 12th, 1795.
Public instruction commenced on the 13th.
Mr. Kerr was a foreigner by birth, a graduate of Trinity College,
Dublin, a man of piety and learning. He emigrated to this country
in 1791, and preached in Fayetteville, in the Presbyterian Church,
and taught school there for three years. He remained but a short
time at the University, removing to Lumberton, and commenced the
118 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
study of law. He removed afterwards to Mississippi, where he
acquired wealth and honors (he. was United States Marshal and
Judge). He died in 1810.
He was succeeded in the Presidency of the University of North
Carolina, by Charles W. Harris, of Cabarrus county, who was ap-
pointed Professor of Mathematics, and Mr. Holmes, Professor of
Languages.
Mr. Harris remained only a year at the university, preferring,
like his predecessor, the pursuit of his profession, and in which he
would have attained great eminence had not death suddenly closed
his career. He was succeeded by Mr. Joseph Caldwell, at this
time a tutor in Nassau Hall, New Jersey, who was appointed Pro-
fessor of Mathematics in the fall of 1796.
For forty years the destinies of the institution, were directed by
Dr. Caldwell. His history is its record.
He was born in Lamington, New Jersey* on the 21st of April,
1773, the day after the burial of his father, who was a physician,
and of Irish descent. He was educated at Princeton, where he
graduated in August, 1791.
He was employed in teaching and studying divinity until April,
1795, when he was appointed tutor in his alma mater. His asso-
ciate in this duty was Mr. Hobart, afterwards Bishop of New York ;
here he remained until 1796, when he was appointed Professor of
Mathematics in the University of North Carolina.
In 1806 he was appointed President of the University.
In 1811 he made an excursion throughout the State, to collect
funds for the aid of, the college, and received $12,000.
In 1816 he received the honorary degree of D. D. from Nassau
Hall, and also from the University of North Carolina.
In 1824 he was sent to Europe to direct the construction of the
philosophical apparatus and procure books for the library.
He remained connected with it until his death, which occurred
on the 27th of January, 1835.
The- life, character, and services of Dr. Caldwell afford inviting
material to the biographer and historian. Connected as he was
with the University, which he raised, by his energy, talents, and
piety, from an obscure institution to the front ranks of science ;
embalmed as is his memory in the hearts of many now scattered
over our whole Union, who witnessed his services and enjoyed the
benefits of his labors, it is to be hoped that some one of these will
enter upon this pious duty. His character was one worthy of study
and imitation. In .his person, he was small and delicate. His
expansive forehead, bushy eyebrows, his keen glance, and regular
features evidenced strong powers of reason, great determination
of character, invincible firmness and self-possession.
His usefulness was not confined to the advancement of the Uni-
versity alone. In 1827, he delivered at Raleigh a lecture^ on Kail-
roads, then a new subject to the members of the Legislature.
He wrote numerous essays on Common Schools, the l)eaf and
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 119
Dumb, and the condition of the State as to internal improvement ;
which were extensively circulated, attentively read, and were instru-
mental in directing public attention in North Carolina towards
these important subjects.
It was not his fortune
" The applause of listening Senates to command ;"
nor did he direct in fields of battle or of victory. But he
discharged the important part of training those whose eloquence
now often charms our Congress, whose talents preside in our
courts, and whose piety enlivens our faith.
-The warrior's name,
Tho' pealed and chimed by every tongue of fame,
Sounds less harmonious to the grateful mind
Than he who fashions and improves mankind/'
N
He was succeeded by Hon. David L. Swain, for whose biography
the reader is referred to another chapter. (See Buncombe.)
List of the Faculty at this time, and Graduates of ike Institution
from 1798 to 1850.
HON. DAVID L. SWAIN, LL. D., President.
REV. ELISHA MITCHELL, Professor of Chemistry.
REV. JAMES PHILLIPS, D. D., Professor of Mathematics, Mensu-
ration, and Geology.
REV. FORDYCE M. HUBBARD, Professor of Latin, and Natural
Philosophy.
HON. WM. H. BATTLE, Professor of Law;.
MANUEL FETTER, A. M., Professor of Greek.
REV. JOHN THOMAS WHEAT, D. D., Professor of Logic.
REV. ALBERT M. SHIPP, Professor of History and French.
CHARLES PHILLIPS, Tutor of Mathematics.
ASHBEL P. BROWN, Tutor of Languages.
KEMP P. BATTLE, Tutor of Mathematics.
WM. H. JOHNSON, Tutor of Languages.
GRADUATES.
1798. Wm. S. Webb,
William Hinton, George W. Long,
Samuel Hinton, Samuel A. Holmes.
Hinton James,
Robert Locke, 1800.
Alexander Osborne, William Cherry,
Edwin Jay Osborne, John Lawson Henderson,
Adam Springs. Thomas Hunt
1799. 1801.
Francis Nash Williams Burton, Thomas Gale Amis,
William D. Crawford, Thomas Davis Bennehan,
Andrew Flinn, John Branch,
Archibald Debrow Murphy, Wm. McKenzie Clarke,
John Phifer, Francis Little Dancy,
Wm. Morgan Sneed, John Davis Hawkins,
120
HISTOKY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Thomas D. King,
Archibald Lytle,
Wm. II. Murfee.
1802.
Adlai L. Osborne,
George W. Thornton,
Cary Whitaker.
1803.
Chesly Daniel,
William P. Hall,
Matthew Troy.
1804.
Richard Armstead,
Thomas Brown,
Willie W. Jones,
Atlas Jones,
James Sneed,
Richard Henderson.
1805.
Jos. Warren Hawkins,
Benjamin Franklin Hawkins,
Spruce M. Osborne.
1806.
John Adams Cameron,
James Henderson,
Durant Hatch,
James Martin.
1807.
Duncan J. Campbell,
Stephen Davis,
John Robert Donnell, .
Gavin Hogg,
John C. Montgomery,
John Louis Taylor.
1 1808.
John Bright Brown,
Robert Campbell,
John Coleman,
Wm. James Cowan,
Wm. Pugh Ferrand,
Alfred M. Gatlin,
John Giles,
William Green,
James A. Harrington,
William Henderson,
Benjamin D. Rounsaville,
Lewis Williams,
Thomas L. Williams.
1809.
John Bobbitt,
Maxwell Chambers,
John Gilchrist,
Philemon Hawkins,
William Hooper,
John Briggs Mebane,
Thomas G. Polk,
John R. Stokes,
John C. Williams,
Abner W. Clopton. ;
1810.
Thomas W. Jones,
James F. Taylor,
John Witherspoon.
1811.
John A. Ramsey.
1812.
Daniel Graham,
James Hogg,
Thomas Clarke Hooper,
William Johnson,
Murdoch McLean,
Archibald McQueen,
Johnson Pinkston,
Joseph B. J. Roulhac,
Wm. E. Webb,
Charles J. Wright.
1813.
Wm. Edward Bailey,
Wm. Spaight Blackledge,
Thomas Wharton Blackledge,
Archibald Fairley,
Thomas Faddis,
Robert Gordon,
John H. Hinton,
Francis Hawkins,
George W. Hawkins,
Duncan McKinnie,
Wm. L. Polk,
John G. Roulhac,
Abner Stith,
Lewis Taylor.
1814.
Wm. Augustus Boon,
Aaron V. Browne^
James Farrier,
James Graham,
John W. Graves,
John L. Graves,
Robert Hall,
Tippo S. Henderson,
John Hill,
Charles L. Hinton,
Charles Manly,
James Morrison,
Samuel Pickens,
Thomas B. Scott,
Tryon M. Yancey,
Edmund Wilkins.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
121
1815.
John H. Bryan, -
Isaac Croom,
George F. Graham,
Edward Hall,
Lemuel Hatch,
Francis L. Hawks,
Robert Hinton,
James Hooper,
Robert R. King,
Mathew McClung,
Willie P. Mangum,
Stockley D. Mitchell,
Mathew R. Moore,
Priestly H. Mangum,
Henry L. Plummer,
Stephen R. Sneed,
Richard D. Spaight,
Hugh M. Stokes.
1816.
Wm. J. Alexander,
Lawson H. Alexander,
James A. Craig,
Moses J. DeRosset,
Nathaniel Daniel,
John E. Graham,
Mark Henderson,
Charles A Hill, v
Joseph R. Loyd,
John Y. Mason,
James McClung,
Junius A. Moore,
John Patterson,
James Sampson,
Wm. B. A. Wallis.
1817.
Richard H. Alexander,
Hardy B. Croom,
Gooderum Davis,
Samuel T. Hauser,
John H. Hawkins,
John M. Morehead,
James Simeson,
Hardy L. Holmes,
Wm. R. Holt,
James Murdock.
1818.
Robert Donaldson,
Thomas J. Green,
*Wm. M. Green,
Arthur J. Hill,
Hamilton C. Jones,
Henry Jones,
Pleasant II. May,
Edward J. Mallett,
Elam J. Morrison,
* Bishop of Mississippi.
J Late President of the United States.
Robert H. Morrison,
fWrn. D. Mosely,
Peter 0. Picot,
JJames K. Polk,
Hugh Waddell.
1819.
Walker Anderson,
J. L. Brooks,
David T. Caldwell,
Wm. H. Haywood,
Owen Holmes,
Simon P. Jordan,
James Mann,
James T. Morehead,
John Q. McNeil,
Clemens C. Read,
James H. Ruffin.
1820.
Cyrus Adams Alexander,
Richard Allison,
Wm. H. Battle,
Archibald G. Carter,
Charles G. Donoho,
Wm. H. Hardin,
Jno. S. Haywood,
Wm. M. Lee,
James F. Martin,
Bartholomew F. Moore,
James II . Otev,
Mathias B. D ."Palmer,
Malcolm G. Purcell,
Thomas E. Read,
Charles G. Rose,
Wm. Royall,
Thomas B. Slade,
Richard J. Smith,
Charles G. Spaight,
John M. Stark,
David W. Stone,
John C. Taylor,
Phillip H. Thomas,
Henry C. Williams,
Thomas H. Wright.
1821.
Nath. W. Alexander,
Samuel J. Alves,
Benj. F. Blackledge,
Robert II. Cowan,
Bryan Croom,
Frederick J. Cutler,
John R. J. Daniel,
Nicholas J. Drake,
Robert Galloway,
Henry T. Garnett,
Nath. Harriss,
Wm. R. Haywood,
t Late Governor of Florida.
122
.HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Geo. W. Ilaywood,
Sam'l Ileaden,
Pleasant Henderson,
Thompson M. Johnson,
Thos. J. Lacey,
Willis M. Lee,
Wm. K. Mebane,
Anderson Mitchell,
Wm. S. Mhoon,
Wm. D. Murphy,
Spencer O'Brien,
Edward G. Pasteur,
Jos. II. Saunders,
Wm. A. Shaw,
Sam'l II. Smith,
Jas. Stafford,
Jas. II, Taylor,
C. L. Torrence.
1822.
Jas. Bowman,
Chas. L. Davies,
Wm. B. Davies,
Thos. F. Davis,
Jno. Elliot,
Wm. A. Hall,
Jas. T. Hall,
Wm. Hardiman,
Benj. F. Ilaywood,
Fabius J. Ilaywood,
Thos. Hill,
Jno. A. Hogan,
Joel Hollernan,
Wm. D. Jones,
Sam'l Kerr,
Pleasant W. Kittrell,
Robt. G. Martin,
Robt. H. Mason,
Washington Morrison,
Robt N~ Ogden,
Wm. D. Pickett,
Lucius J. Polk,
Abraham Rencher,
Marion Saunders,
Jas. B. Slade,
Benj. Sumner,
Geo. Terry,
Alex. E. Wilson.
1823.
Sam'l S. Bell,
Geo. T. Bettner,
Alex. M. Boylan,
Daniel W. Courts,
Wm. S. Chapman,
Geo. F. Davidson,
Jas. II. Dickson,
John C. Ellerbe,
Robt. B. Gilliam,
Thos. G. Graham,
Isaac Hall,
Thos. B. Haywood,
Jas. K. Leitch,
Edmond L. Martin,
Hugh Martin,
Benj. T. Moore,
Victor M. Murphy,
Richmond M. Pearson,
Jno. Rains,
Benj.^S. Ricks,
Mathias E. Sawyer,
Alfred M. Scales,
Sam'l Stewart,
Thos. Sumner,
Jas. A. Washington,
Geo. Whitfield,
Robt. P. Williamson,
Wm. L. Wills.
1824.
John Allison,
Benj. H. Alston,
Willis W. Alston,
Dan. B. Baker,
Benj. B. Bin me,
Thomas Bond,
Robt. W. Booth,
John Bragg,
Jas. W. Bryan,
Henry E. Coleman,
Armand J. DeRosset,
Thos. Dews,
Richard Evans,
Richard Fearn,
Ervin J. Frierson,
Wm. N. Gibson,
Wm. A. Graham,
Robert Hall,
Hardy Holmes,
Wm. F. Lytle,
Mathias E. Manly,
Augustus Moore,
James II. Norwood,
John W. Norwood,
David Outlaw,
Broomfield L. Ridley,
David N. Sanders,
Edw. D. Sims,
Wm. R. Smith,
Sam'l F. Sneed,
Wm. A. Taylor,
Wm. H. Thompson,
William J. T witty,
John L. Wright.
1825.
Charles E. Alexander,.
Elam Alexander,
Albert V. Allen,
Walter Alves,
William E. Anderson,
Isaac Baker,
Allen J. Barbee,
Wm. J. Bingham,
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
123
Wm. P. Boylan,
James 0. Bruce,
Jesse Carter,
John D. Clancy,
Richard S. Clinton,
Washington Ponnell,
John M. Gee,
Milo A. Giles,
Ralph Gorrell,
Livingston Harris,
Fred. W. Harrison,
Jonathan II . Haughton,
Samuel S. Hinton,
William II. Hodge,
Samuel L. Holt,
Benjamin S. Long,
James Martin,
James Moore,
Columbus Morrison,
James E. Morrison,
Thomas H. Pipkin,
Marshal T. Polk, . .
Samuel W. Popleston,
Thomas Riddle,
William Seawell,
William D. Sims,
John W. Walters,
Burrell B. Wilkes,
William A. Wright,
J. J. Wyche,
William B. Wright.
1826.
Silas M. Andrews-,
Daniel M. Barringer,
Henry T. Clark,
Richard S. Croom,
William B. Dunn,
Henry B. Elliott,
William H. Gray,
Thomas S. Hoskins,
Archibald Gilchrist,
Samuel I. Johnston,
Jacob A. King,
Erasmus D. North,
William Norwood,
Ferdinand W. Risque,
John Smith,
Oliver D. Tr.edwell,
Leander A. Watts,
Thomas W. Watts,
James M. Wright. -
1827.
Charles W. II. Alexander,
Robert J. Allison,
James W. Armstrong,
Absalom K. Barr,
Thomas W. Belt,
Thompson Bvrd,
William D. (Jrawford,
John L. Fail-ley,
Thomas P. Hall,
Lawson F. Henderson,
John W. Huske,
John R. Jordan,
Edwin A. Keeble,
Lorenzo Lee,
Richard II. Lewis,
Jesse- H. Lindsay,
Alexander Macky,
George Miller,
Alfred 0. P. Nicholson,
Thomas M. C. Prince,
Robert A. T. Ridley,
Reuben T. Saunders,
Charles B. Shepard,
Lewis G. Slaughter,
James V. Thompson,
Lewis Thompson,
Whitmel B. Tunstall,
John R. Williamson,
John Winston,
Warren Winslow,
William H. Wooding,
Henry Yarborough.
1828.
Richard II. Battle,
Edwin G. Booth,
Henry S. ClUrke,
John P. Gau.se,
Edwin R. Harris,
James D. Hall,
Thomas P. Johnston,
James K. Nesbitt,
Thomas J. Oakes,
John L. Tnylor,
Henry I. Toole.
1829.
Philip W. Alston,
John P. Brown,
Burton Craige,
Thomas W. Dulany,
William Eaton,
James A. Johnston,
Sidney X. Johnston,
James E, Kerr,
Osborne F. Long,
David M. Lee,
Richard M. Shepherd,
Franklin L. Smith,
Richard R. Wall,
Rufus A. Yancey.
1830.
John A. Backhouse,
John II. Edwards,
Rawley Galloway,
Cicero S. Hawks,
Richard K. Hill,
William W. Kennedy,
124
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
George G. Lea,
Nathaniel McCain,
James W. Osborne,
William K. Ruffin,
Aaron J. Spivey,
Elisha Stedman,
John M. Stedman,
Benjamin F. Terry.
1831.
Henry J. Cannon,
James Grant,
J. D. B. Hooper,
Allen C. Jones,
Calvin Jones,
Alexander Mebane,
Thomas R. Owen,
Thomas J. Pitchford,
Samuel B. Powell,
Archibald A. I. Smith,
William W. Spear,
Jacob Thompson,
Jesse A. Waugh,
James Monroe Williamson.
1832.
Thomas L. Armstrong,
Thomas S. Ashe,
Samuel S. Biddle,
Thomas L. Clingman,
Daniel G. Doak,
James C. Dobbin,
George Hairston,
John L. Hargrave,
Thomas W. Harris,
John H. Haughton,
Thomas B. Hill,
Michael B. Holt,
Cadwallader Jones,
Thomas J. Jones,
John H. Parker,
Rufus M. Roseborough,
Richard H. Smith,
Stephen S. Sorsby,
James 0. Stedman,
Samuel B. Stephens,
Thomas E. Taylor,
Samuel A. Williams,
Charles C. Wilson.
1833.
John G. Bynum,
William M. Crenshaw,
P. E. A. Jones,
Edmund W. Jones,
Warren E. Kennedy,
Junius B. King,
Solomon Lea,
William N. Mebane,
William H. Owen,
Julian E. Sawyer,
Josiah Stagings,
Addi E. D. Thorm,
Henry J. McLin.
1834.
Albert G. Anderson,
Samuel R. Blake,
William P. Bond,
William B. Carter,
Harrison W. Covington,
William P. Gunn,
Thomas G. Haughton,
David McAllister,
Henry W. Miller,
Abraham F. Morehead,
James B. Shepard,
Samuel Williams,
Thomas J. Williams.
1835.
C. C. Battle,
Rich'd B. Creecy,
Charles R. Dobson,
Augustus J. Foster,
Henry L. Graves,
Hay wood W. Guion,
Robert W. Henry,
James H. Hutchins,
John Paisley,
Horace L. Robards,
William A. Rose,
Samuel Ruffin,
James C. Smith,
John G. Thompson,
William G. Welsh.
1836.
James A. Chrichton,
John A. Downey,
Ralph H. Graves,
Thomas Gholson,
Joseph E. Hamlet,
William W. Hooper,
Benjamin J. Howze,
Thomas S. Jacobs,
Thomas Jones,
Robert G. McCutchin,
Frederick N. M. Williams,
Henry K. Nash,
Charles L. Pettigrew,
William B. Rodman,
James Saunders,
Lawrence W. Scott,
Thomas Stamps,
William L. Stamps,
John G. Tull.
1837.
William W. A very,
Augustus Benners,
Perrin Busbee,
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
125
Peter W. Hairston,
George S. Holley,
Samuel B. Massey,
Leonard II. Taylor,
James G, Womack,
Pride Jones.
1838.
Kemp P. Alston,
H. W. Burgwin,
Charles J. G. Craddock,
Green M. Cuthbert,
George Davis,
Joseph "W.- Evans,
Needham W. Herring,
Benjamin M. Hobson,
Albert G. Hubbard,
J. J. Jackson,
K. H. Lewis,
William J. Long,
Charles M. McCauley,
John J. Roberts,
Colin Shaw,
James Summerville,
William R. Walker,
Wilson W. Whitaker,
Gaston II. Wilder.
1839.
Clarke M. Avery,
John N. Barksdale,
William F. Browne,
Jarvis Buxton,
Richard T. Donnell,
Dennis D. Ferebee,
John L. Hadley,
Jos. H. Headen,
Walter A. Huske,
Alpheus Jones,
Augus. C. McNeil,
Thomas D. Meares,
Isaac N. Tillet.
1840.
David A. Barnes,
Tod R. Caldwell,
Jno. W. Cameron,
Richard II. Claiborne,
Ralph A. Clement,
Jno. W. Cunningham,
Daniel B. Currie,
Isaac Shelby Currie,
Wm. II. H. Dudley,
Charles Gk Graham,
Wm. S. Green,
Francis H. Hawks,
William H. Henderson,
Lucius J. Johnston,
Wm. Johnston,
Daniel L. Kenan,
Jno. A. Lillington,
Wm. Logan,
Willis H. McLeod,
Andrew McMillan,
Walter W. Pharr,
Oliver H. Prince,
Samuel J. Proctor,
Archibald Purcell,
Duncan Sellarea,
Jno. P. Sharpe,
Albert M. Shipp,
Wm. M. Shipp,
Thomas H. Spruill,
Wm. Thompson,
Calvin H. Wiley. >
1841.
Benj. F. Atkins,
Thos. L. Avery,
Robert F. Bridges,
John W. Brodanax,
Robert Burton,
Archibald H. Caldwell,
Wm. J. Clark,
Wm. F. Dancy,
Jno. S. Dancy,
Leonidas L. Dancy,
Jas. A. Delk,
Robt. D. Dickson,
John W. Ellis,
John S. Erwin,
Chauncey W. Graham,
Stephen Graham,
Wm. W. Green,
Atlas 0. Harrison,
Jno. D. Hawkins,
Richard B. Hay wood,
Jno. F. Hoke,
Angus R. Kelly,
Jas. A. Long,
Hector McAllster,
Vardry A. McBee,
Montfort McGehee,
Andrew F. McRee,
Saml. B. McPheeters,
Stephen A. Norflet,
Francis L. Pearson,
Richmond N. Pearson,
Charles Phillips,
Samuel F. Phillips,
Horatio M. Polk,
Thomas Ruffin,
Jesse G. Shepherd,
Robert Strange, Jr.
James F. Taylor,
James II. Viser,
Samuel H. Walkup,
Thos. B. Wetmore,
James II. Williams,
Jno.C. Williams.
126
HISTORY OP NORTH CAROLINA.
1842.
Richard J. Ashe,
Rufus Barringer,
Wm. A. Bell,
Francis T. Bryan,
Janies A. Caldwe'll,
James W. Campbell,
Robert M. Campbell,
David Coleman,
James L. Dusenbery,
Stephen S. Green,
Wm. H. Haigh,
Wm. W. Harris,
Chas. P. Hartwell,
Wm. I. Hayes,
Peter J. Holmes,
John F. Jack,
Wm. F. Lewis,
Wm. F. Martin,
Wm. P. McBee,
Thos. P. Morrisy,
Wm. S. Mullins,
Israel L. Pickens,
Nath. H. Quince,
Geo. W. Ruffin,
Jno. B. Smith,
Ashley W. Spaight,
1842.
Jos. J. Summerell,
Ruffin W. Tomlinson,
Richd. D. Wilson.
1843.
Chesley P. P. Barber,
James*M. Boyd,
Jno. L. Bridges,
Ashbell G. Brown,
Henry L. Clement,
Thos. A. Covington,
Wm. D. Cowan,
Robt. P. Dick,
Jas. W. Downing,
Philo P. Henderson,
Richard B. Hill,
Jos. C. Huske,
Jas. P. Erwin,
Thos. L. Johnston,
Richard T. Jones,
Rufus H. Jones,
Michael A. King,
J. W. Lancaster,
Jas. A. Leak,
Walter W. Lenoir,
Frederick J. Lord,
Jos. McCleese,
Thomas L. D. McDowell,
Bartlet Y. McNairy,
John L. Mears,
Jno. G. B. Myers,
Saml. J. Person,
Jno. J. Reese,
Willis II. Saunders,
Thos. D. Walker,
Jno. T. Watson,
Jno. L. Williamson,
Clement G. Wright,
1844.
Jno. Ballanfant,
Win. F. Barbee,
Wm. S. Battle,
Wm. A. Blount,
Jno. B. Borden,
Jno. H. Bryan,
Jno. H. M. Clinch,
Edinond D. Covington,
Jno. Cowan,
Robert Cowan,
Pleasant H. Dalton,
Chas. F. Dewey,
Leonidas C. Edwards,
Alfred G. Foster,
Robt. T. Fuller,
Henry G. Graham,
Jos. M. Graham,
Ebenezer C. Grier,
Robert T. Hall,
Philemon B. Hawkins,
Wm.Hill,
Wm. H. Hinton,
Jas. Homer,
Jas. S. Johnston,
Gustavus A. Jones,
Edward B. Lewis,
Robin H. C. Jones,
Jno. W. Long,
Jos. McLaurin,
Peter K. Rounsaville,
Thos. Ruffin,
Robt. A. Sanders,
James G. Scott,
Benjamin M. Smith,
Stephen A. Stanneld,
W alter L. Steele,
Thomas H. C. Turner,
George B. Wetrnore,
Exom L. Whitaker,
James A. Wimbish,
Edward C. Yellowby.
1845.
William E. Barnett,
Jos. J. B Batchelor,
Charles Bruce,
Peter G. Burton,
Ralph P. Burton,
Samuel P. Calvert,
Samuel G. Cockrell,
Thomas T. Davis,
Edward Drumgoole,
Edwin A. Dusenbery,
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
127
Alexander B. Hawkins,
James P. Herrin,
Eugene J. llinton,
Owen D. Holmes,
Pleasant A. Holt,
H. 0. W. Hooker,
Virginius H. Ivey,
Frederick D. Lent,
Langdon C. Manly,
Richard H. Mason,
Thomas C. Mcllhenny,
William T. Mebane,
Alexander D. Moore,
Lucius II. Saunders,
Reuben C. Shorter,
Thomas T. Slade, .
Jesse P. Smith,
De Witt C. Stone,
George V. Strong,
Thomas I. Sumner,
Leonidas Taylor,
Samuel D. Wharton, ,
Thomas E. Whyte.
1846.
James S. Amis,
Turner W. Battle,
William K. Blake,
Alexander F. Brevard,
William S. Bryan,
William F. Carter,
John N. Daniel,
William A. Daniel,
William P. Duke,
Solomon J. Faison,
William A. Faison,
Richard N. Forbes,
Edward H. Hicks,
R. C. T. S. Hilliard,
John L. Holmes,
David S. Johnston,
William B. Mears,
Thomas M. Newby,
Stephen F. Pool,
Sion H. Rogers,
James S. Ruffin,
Frederic A. Shepherd,
John Vicar Sherard,
David T. Taylor,
James R. Ward,
Richard T. Weaver,
Benjamin F. Whitaker,
Owen H. Whitfield,
Hillory M. Wilder.
1847.
Alfred Alston,
Joel I). Battle,
Joseph Benjamin,
George W. Berry,
Alexander J. Caiisler,
Duncan L. Clinch,
John C. Coleman,
Thomas W. Dewey,
Samuel J. Erwin,
John 0. Guion,
Eli W. Hall,
Thomas C. Hall,
James W. Hicks,
Elias C. Hines,
David Hinton,
William M. Howerton,
John J. Kindred,
M. Langford,
Lionel Lincoln Levy,
William Lucas,
William H. Manly,
Benjamin F. Mebane,
James L. Moseley,
John D. Myrick,
Edmond H. Norcom,
James J. Pettigrew,
John Pool,
Matthew W. Ransom,
Charles E. Shober,
Thomas E. Skinner,
Robert Hunter Tate,
William S. Trigg,
Joseph J. W. Tucker,
Thomas Webb,
John H. Whitaker,
Robert H. Winborne.
1848.
Victor Clay Barringer,
Geo. T. Baskerville,
John B. Bynum,
Richard A. Caldwell,
John W. Cameron,
John Xavier Campbell,
Belfield William Cave,
Oliver H. Dockery,
Seaton Gales,
Bryan Grimes, Jr.,
Benjamin S. Guion,
Thomas H. Holmes,
Erasmus A. Roscoe Hooker,
James J. Iredell,
William A. Jenkins,
Peter II. McEachin,
Willie P. Mangum, Jr.,
Oliver P. Meares,
James N. Montgomery,
Hardy Murfree,
Hazell Norwood,
Lorenzo Dow Pender,
Thomas P. Person,
Nathan A. Ramsey,
John K. Strange,
Rufus S. Tucker,
George Washington,
John Wilson,
128
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Robert W. Wilson.
1849. >
Thomas M. Arrington,
John Troup Banks,
Kemp P. Battle,
Benjamin Yancey Beene,
Ephraim Joseph Brevard,
James Pettigrew Bryan,
John H. Corbett,
Alexander Cunningham,
Johnson M. De Berniere,
William A. Dick,
William B. Dortch,
Henry M. Dusenbery,
Fourney George,
Thomas D. Haigh,
Peter M. Hale,
William E. Hill,
Peter E. Hines,
Samuel T. Iredell,
James M. Johnson,
John M. Johnson,
William H. Jones,
Charles E. Lowther,
Nathaniel McClaire,
John C. McNair,
Malcom McNair,
Edward Mallet,
William G. Pool,
Thomas J. Robinson,
Isaac B. Sanders,
James P. Scales,
Charles R. Thomas,
Daniel T. Towles,
Bryan W.Whitfield,
John A. Whitfield,
Needham B. Whitfield,
George V. Young.
1850.
Joel C. Blake,
James F. Cane,
Julius N. Caldwell,
Alfred II. Carrigan,
Edward C. Chambers,
Julius L. Gorrel,
Robert A. Hairston,
Henry Hardie,
Madison Hawkins,
John Hill,
Richard Hines,
Benjamin R. Huske,
William II. Johnston,
Washington C. Kerr,
John Manning,
James R. Mendenhall,
Robert II. Langford,
Thomas Settle, Jr.,
Joseph W. Small,
Robert L. Smith,
Samuel E. Whitfield, .
Richard H. Whitfield,
Wm. J. White.
1851.
Charles E. Bellamy,
Joseph Bonner Bryan,
David Miller Carter,
Watkins Leigh Claiborne,
Thos. Addis Emmett Evans,
Bartholomew Fuller,
Thos. Miles Garrett,
Richard Swepson Grant,
Julius Guion,
Benj. Sherwood Hedrick,
Samuel Ashe Holmes,
JEgidius Leitch,
Jesse Harper Lindsay,
Malcome McDuffie,
Neill McKay, Jr.,
Thos. T. Norcom,
Rufus Lenoir Patterson,
Jas. Alfred Patton,
Wm. Marshall Richardson,
Etheldred Ruffin,
Claudius Brock Sanders,
Joseph James Seawell,
Francis E. Shober,
Peter Evans Smith,
Charles Cornelius Terry,
Frederick Armand Toomer,
Lowndes Treadwell,
John Waddill, Jr.,
James Augustus Washington,
George Washington Watson,
John Thomas Wheat, Jr.,
Wilson Gary Whitaker,
Edmund Webb Wilkins,
John Lewis Wooster.
ORDER OF EXERCISES AT THE COMMENCEMENT, JUNE, 1851.
1. Salutatory Oration in Latin.
CLAUDIUS B. SANDERS,
Johnston.
2. Oration. " Early History of North Carolina."
BARTHOLOMEW FULLER,
Fayetteville.
3. Oration. " Party Spirit,"
THOS. ADDIS EMMETT EVANS,
Cumberland.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 129
4. Oration. " The Infirmities of Men of Genius."
JULIUS GUION,
Raleigh.
5. Oration. "A Graduate's Aspirations."
WILLIAM MARSHALL RICHARDSON,
Anson.
6. Oration. "Virtue alone makes Men Free."
THOS. MILES GARRETT,
Colerain.
7. Oration. "Religious Tests of Office, unjust and impolitic in a Repub-
lic."
DAVID MILLER CARTER,
8. Oration. "Excelsior."
LOWNDES TREADWELL,
Lamar, Miss.
9. Oration. "Socialism."
JESSE HARPER LINDSAY,
Greensborough.
AFTERNOON.
1. Oration. " Influence of Public Opinion."
LEIGH CLAIBORNE,
t Tipton, Tenn.
2. Oration. " The late Crisis in our National Affairs."
FREDERICK ARMAND TOOMER,
Pittsborougk.
3. Oration. " The noblest motive is the Public Good,"
CHARLES CORNELIUS TERRY,
Richmond.
4. Oration. " Flora Macdonald."
MALCOLM JAMES McDurriE,
Cumberland.
5. Annual Report.
6. A Valedictory Oration.
JAMES ALFRED PATTON,
Asheville.
DAVIDSON COLLEGE is located in Mecklenburg County, and so
called in honor of General William Davidson, who fell in the battles
of his country, on the banks of the Catawba, on the 1st of Feb-
ruary, 1781. It was opened in March, 1837, Rev. R. H. Mor-
rison, D. D., as President, and P. S. Sparrow, as Professor of
Languages. It first operated as a Manual Labor Institution, but
after four years' trial this system was abandoned.
In 1838 it was chartered by the Legislature.
By its constitution, no one is eligible as trustee, professor, or
teacher, but members of the Presbyterian church.
Dr. Morrison, from ill health, was compelled to resign his trust,
and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel Williamson. He is now pastor
of Unity and Machpelah churches, in Lincoln County. As a man,
and as a divine, he has few equals, but no superiors.
9
130
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Mr. Sparrow was for a period afterwards President of Hampden
Sidney College, in Virginia, and now resides in Alabama, and is
distinguished for his learning, piety, and eloquence.
Its present faculty are,
REV. SAMUEL WILLIAMSON, D. D., President, and Professor of
Chemistry, Mental and Moral Philosophy, and Rhetoric.
REV. SAMUEL B. 0. WILSON, Professor of Languages.
MORTIMER M. JOHNSON, A. M., Professor of Mathematics, and
Natural Philosophy.
REV. E. F. ROCKWELL, Professor of Philosophy.
THE SOCIETIES, LIBRARIES, ETC.
The Literary Societies of the students are known to be under
good regulations and highly favorable to the promotion of intellect-
ual improvement.
The Libraries number over a thousand volumes each, and receive
additions every session, which, in connection with the College Li-
brary, afford to the Students an opportunity of extensive reading.
ALUMNI.
GRADUATED IN 1840.
James R. Baird,
Win. S. M. Davidson,
E. C. Davidson,
R. N. Davis,
Wm. Flinn,
Thos. D. Houston,
Wm. II. Johnston,
James Knox,
H. H. Kimmons,
0. D. McNeely,
Arch'd Neely.
GRADUATED IN 1841.
Sam'l L. Adams,
Cyrus K. Caldwell,
W. P. Caldwell,
T. E. Davis,
R. W. Martin,
Wm. H. Moore,
James S. C. Moore,
M. C. McNair,
Samuel C. Pharr,
James G. Ramsey,
R. E. Sherrill,
Daniel B. Wood.
GRADUATED IN 1842.
H. C. Alexander,
H. W. Black,
Wm. P. Bynum,
T. C. Crawford,
W. L. Davidson,
H. B. Johnson,
T. A. Krider,
H. R. McLean.
GRADUATED IN 1843.
J. F. Allison,
A. M. Bogle,
Wilkes T. Caston,
R. F. Johnston,
Thos. F. King,
Thos. M. Kirkpatrick,
M. L. McCorkle,
John M. Sample,
Wm. T. Savage,
J. Robinson Shive,
R. 0. P. Stewart,
W. L. Torrence.
GRADUATED IN 1844.
W. L. Anderson,
J. M. Baker,
A. L. Crawford,
S. C. Caldwell,
J. M. Doby,
W. A. Moore,
J. L. Porter,
R. B. Price,
J. P. Rosseau,
J. A. Stewart,
J. H. Stewart.
GRADUATED IN 1845.
J. J. Bossard,
A. E. Chandler,
J. M. Davidson,
J. G. A. Dick,
J. A. Fox,
J. M. Gill,
J. H. Houston,
S. N. Hutchison,
E. N. Hutchison,
M. Lingle,
J. B. McCallum,
J. N. McNeely,
H. McNeil,
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 131
W. M. Peacock, J. M. Walker,
J. H. White. A. White,
^ H.H.Wilson.
GRADUATED IN 1846.
E. C. Alexander, GRADUATED IN 1848.
W. J. Cooper, S. C. Alexander,
J. L. Gaither, R. R. Barr,
W. B. Henderson, S. W. Davis,
A. I. McKnight, J. R. Gillespie,
Wm. McNeil!, J. M. Henderson,
J. W. McRae, J. F. Houston,
P. T. Penick, A. A. James,
W. H. Singletary, B. F. Little,
J. A. Williamson, J. L. Miller,
S. Z. Williamson. G. D. Parks,
B. C. Powell,
GRADUATED IN 1847. A. M. Watson.
J. S. Barr,
W. C. Barr, GRADUATED IN 1849.
J. T. K. Belk, J. N. Dinkins,
W. Black, James Douglass,
T. F. Chambers, A. M. Erwin,
A. Enloe, T. W. Erwin,
R. R. King, R. H. Johnston,
P. B. McLaurin, S. M. McDowell,
E. R. Mills, W. S. Moore,
S. K. Pharr, S. R. Spann.
E. C. Stewart,
Its location is salubrious, removed from the allurements of vice,
and amid a population imbued with the tenets of the church under
whose auspices it is established, and in a fertile region, its useful-
ness and influence will doubtless be most happy in our State.
WAKE FOREST COLLEGE.
MEMBERS OF THE FACULTY.
REV. JOHN B. WHITE, President, and Professor of Mathematics
and Natural Philosophy.
WILLIAM H. OWEN, A.M., Professor of Greek, Latin, and
French.
REV. WILLIAM T. BROOKES, A. M., Adjunct Professor of Lan-
guages, and Teacher in the Academical Department.
WILLIAM T. WALTERS, A. B., Tutor in Mathematics.
BENJAMIN W. JUSTICE, A.B., Tutor in Natural Science.
REV. JAMES S. PURIFY, Secretary of .the Board of Trustees, and
General Agent.
BOARD OF TRUSTEES.
Rev. Samuel Wait, D. D., Presir G. C. Moore, M. D.
dent of the Board. Samuel J. Wheeler, M. D.
Hon. Alfred Dockery. George W. Thompson, Esq.
Rev. John Purify. William M. Crenshaw, M. D.
Charles W. Skinner, Esq. Hon. Thomas Settle.
Rev. David S. Williams. Nathaniel J. Palmer, Esq.
Rev. George M. Thompson. Rev. George W. Purify.
David Justice, Esq. George W. Jones, Esq.
132 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
John Kerr, Esq. R. W. Lawson, Esq.
Rev. J. J. James. Sidney S. Lea, Esq.
Rev. James McDaniel. H. Hester, Esq.
Hon. Calvin Graves. Hon. William A. Graham,
Rev. William Jones. Rhodes N. Herndon, Esq.
George R. French, Esq. Henry F. Bond, Esq.
J. J. Biggs, Esq. Council Wooten, Esq.
Rev. James S. Purify. John Berry, Esq.
Samuel S. Biddle, Esq. Rev. Elias Dodson.
Rev. William Hooper, LL. D. A. Armstrong, Esq.
William Russell, Esq.
We have been furnished with but little information respecting
this institution. It was founded by the Baptist denomination in
1834, as an Institute or Classical Seminary, and such was its pros-
perity that it was deemed expedient to obtain a college charter in
1838. The number of students have varied annually from 75 to
150. It has had a most happy influence upon the denomination
that founded it, and has also contributed much to diffuse a lively
interest in the cause of education throughout the State.
The father and founder of this institution is undoubtedly the
Rev. SAMUEL WAIT, D.D., who was its first President, and continued
so up to June, 1846. The Rev. William Hooper, LL. D., was his
successor, and resigned in 1848, at which time the Rev. John B.
White, A. M., who had for twelve years occupied the Professorship
of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, was elected President.
The institution has gradually been gaining in public favor, is free
from debt, and has the prospect of a speedy endowment.
There are two literary societies connected with the institution,
with beautiful halls and excellent libraries. There is also a choice
cabinet of minerals, and apparatus for illustrating the natural
sciences.
The location is a very fortunate one. It is in Wake County,
sixteen miles north of Raleigh, and immediately upon the Raleigh
and Gaston Railroad. Its distance from the distracting influence
of towns and villages, the healthiness of the surrounding country,
the beauty of the scenery, and the elevated character of the in-
habitants for intelligence and morality, make it a fortunate location
for a great literary institution.
There are many other institutions in the State devoted to education.
The Edgeworth Institute, and Methodist Female Institute at Greens-
boro' ; the Female School at Salem, under the Moravians ; Saint
Mary's School, at Raleigh, under the care of Rev. A. Smedes ; the
Chowan Collegiate Institute at Murfreesboro', in Hertford County,
under charge of Rev. M. R. Forey (Doctor Godwin C. Moore is
Chairman of the Board of Trustees) ; and two schools at Warren-
ton, one under care of Honorable Daniel Turner, and the other
under Rev. Mr. Graves, are for the education of females and have
done great service to the country.
We regret that our limits do not allow a minute account or ex-
tended statement of their establishment or their value.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
133
The great substratum of our education in North Carolina, is the
COMMON SCHOOLS.
Judge Reeves, in his work on Domestic Relations (published
1816), states that during an extensive practice of the law in Con-
necticut for twenty years, he had met only two persons who could
not read and write.
Can any lawyer of our State say the same ?
The table here given presents an answer.
EDUCATION IN THE UNITED STATES. The following table, col-
lated by the Richmond Compiler, presents in a distinct form, a very
interesting feature of the various information, obtained by means of
the late census of the United States. It exhibits a comparative
view of the number of white persons over twenty years of age, in
the different States, who cannot read or write.
Connecticut,
1 in 568
Mississippi,
Vermont,
1 473
Delaware,
New Hampshire,
1 * 310
Indiana,
Massachusetts,
1 166
South Carolina,
Maine,
1 108
Illinois,
Michigan,
1 97
Missouri,
Rhode Island,
1 67
Alabama,
New Jersey,
1 58
Kentucky,
New York,
1 56
Georgia,
Pennsylvania,
1 50
Virginia,
Ohio,
1 43
Arkansas,
Louisiana,
1 38
Tennessee,
Maryland,
1 " 27
North Carolina,
1 ii
a 20
1
18
1
18
1
17
1
. 17
1
16
1
15
1
13J
1
13
1
12*
1
1U
1
11
1
7
The humiliating fact is here presented, that in point of education
our State is behind all the Union, and one in every seven white
persons over twenty years of age, cannot read or write !
This fact is not recorded with any satisfaction. " More in sor-
row than in anger," is it alluded to. Like the filial piety of the
sons of Noah, would we rather cover the mantle of oblivion over
her degraded position. It should rouse our statesmen and our peo-
ple to remove the opprobrium, and stand in education, science, and
literature, as prominent as her early history is bright and glorious.
With this laudable motive, the attention of the citizens of the State
is called to this subject.
It is not to be denied that the plan, as it now exists, can hardly be
worthy of the name of a system without a head, and without uni-
formity of action, it fails to produce the effects beneficial to the
rising generation.
In January, 1839, the General Assembly passed an act dividing
each county into districts not more than six miles square, for the
purpose of establishing common schools.
At the next session, the net annual income of the literary fund
(exclusive of moneys arising from the swamp lands) was appropriated
to be distributed according to federal population. The literary
fund of the State consists of 1. The dividends from the bank stock ;
134 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
2. Cape Fear Navigation Company ; 3. The Roanoke Navigation
Company ; 4. The tax on retailers of spiritous liquors, tavern tax,
and auctioneers ; 5. Vacant lands ; 6. All sales of swamp lands.
The county courts appoint ten superintendents for each county,
who select for each district the school committee men, who contract
for a teacher, visit the schools, and " perform all such duties as
may be necessary to the successful operation of said schools." The
teachers of said schools to be exempt from working roads, military
duties, or serving on juries while engaged in said schools.
By act of 1849, the board of superintendents appoint the three
school committee men ; and the court authorized to appoint on re-
commendation of the board of superintendents " some suitable and
competent person to visit once a year each and every school district,
to examine the condition of the schools and report the same.
About one hundred thousand dollars a year is appropriated by the
Literary Board, which is distributed to each county, to the Chair-
man of the Board, and by him paid to each teacher.
That this plan contains the germ of immense usefulness, is true.
The defects to be remedied, and the system perfected, have engaged
the attention of the General Assembly. The patriotic efforts of
the Hon. Win. B. Shepard; Mr. Wiley, of Guilford; Samuel J.
Person, of Moore ; Mr. Barnes, of Northampton ; and others in the
last legislature, will, we trust, be appreciated and crowned with
success.
Present Literary Board WESLEY JONES, Wake County ; W. W.
HOLDEN, Raleigh ; H. G. SPKUILL, Washington County.
CHAPTER IX.
Banks of North Carolina Railroads Canals Turnpike and plank roads
Institution for Deaf and Dumb State Hospital for Insane.
1. BANK OF CAPE FEAR was incorporated in 1804, with a capital of two
hundred and fifty thousand dollars. The Mother Bank is located at Wil-
mington. Charter was continued, and capital increased by various enact-
ments to one million and a half. The act of 1850 further increased its capita!
five thousand shares. Charter expires Jan. 1, 1860. The State owns 5,322
shares of stock.
OFFICERS, BRANCHES, AND AGENCIES.
Principal Bank at Wilmington. Thomas H. Wright, President ; Henry R.
Savage, Cashier ; J. D. Gardner, Teller ; McLaurin, Ass't Teller ; J. A.
Bradley, Book-keeper ; T. H. Hardin, Clerk.
Branch at Washington. John Myers, President; Benjj. Runyon, Cashier;
T. H. Hardenbergh, Teller.
Branch at Salisbury. D. A. Davis, Cashier.
Branch at Salem.- J. G. Lash, Cashier.
Branch at Fayettevilk.Cha,r\es T. Haigh, President ; John W. Wright,
Cashier ; W. J. Anderson, Teller ; Joshua Carman, Clerk ; Alexander Mc-
Lean, Clerk.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 135
Branch at Raleigh. W. H. Jones, Cashier ; F. C. Hill, Clerk.
Branch at Asheville.J. F. E. Hardy, Cashier.
Branch at Greensboro'. Jesse H. Lindsay, Cashier.
2. BANK OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, incorporated in 1833. Raleigh.
Capital, one million five hundred thousand dollars, of which the State owns
five thousand shares.
OFFICERS, BRANCHES, AND AGENCIES.
Principal Bank at Raleigh. George W. Mordecai, President ; C. Dewey,
Cashier; S. W. Whiting, Teller; D. Du Pre, Book-keeper; T. W. Dewey,
Clerk.
Fayetteville Branch. C. P. Mallett, President; I. "Wetmore, Cashier; W.
Warden, Teller ; W. Huske, Clerk.
Wilmington Branch. E. P. Hall, President; W. E. Anderson, Cashier;
William Reston, Teller ; J. J. Lippitt, Clerk.
Newbern Branch. George S. Attmore, President; J. M. Roberts, Cashier;
H. C. Lucas, Teller.
Tarborough Branch. James Weddell, President; P. P. Lawrence, Cashier;
R. Chapman, Teller.
Elizabeth City Branch. W. B. Shepard, President; J. C. Ehringhaus,
Cashier ; W. C. Butler, Teller.
Branch at Charlotte. Jofcn Irvin, President ; W. A. Lucas, Cashier ; W.
A. Williams, Clerk.
Morganton Branch. Robert C. Pearson, President; Isaac T. Avery, Cashier.
Milton Branch. Samuel Watkins, President ; W. R. Hill, Cashier.
3. MERCHANTS' BANK OF NEWBERN, incorporated in 1834, with a capital of
three hundred thousand dollars.
Charles Slover, President ; W. W. Clark, Cashier ; Joseph Fulford, Teller.
4. COMMERCIAL BANK AT WILMINGTON, incorporated in 1847, with a capital
of three hundred thousand dollars. Increased in 1850, fifty thousand dollars.
0. G. Parsley, President; Timothy Savage, Jr., Cashier; John McRae,
Teller.
5. BANK OF FAYETTEVILLE, incorporated January, 1849, with a capital of
eight hundred thousand dollars.
John D. Starr, President; W. J. Broadfoot, Cashier; Harvey Leite, Teller.
6. BANK or WASHINGTON, Beaufort County, incorporated in 1850, with a
capital of four hundred thousand dollars. Charter expires in 1877.
James E. Hoyt, President ; Martin Stevenson, Cashier.
7. BANK OF WADESBORO', Anson County, incorporated in 1850, with a capi-
tal of two hundred thousand dollars. Charter expires in 1880.
W. R. Leak, President ; H. B. Hammond, Cashier.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS OF NORTH CAROLINA.
In 1825, a Board of Internal Improvements was established, and
the funds arising from the sales of Cherokee lands and dividends
from stock owned by the State in the Bank of Cape Fear, set apart
as the fund. (See Revised Statutes, p. 347.)
Present Internal Improvement Board CALVIN GRAVES, of Cas-
well ; THOMAS BRAGG, of Northampton.
1. The Dismal Swamp Canal, uniting the waters of Pasquotank
and Elizabeth Rivers in Virginia, was incorporated in 1790.
2. Cape Fear Navigation Company, incorporated in 1796, to im-
prove the navigation of the Cape Fear River, from Averysborough to
the confluence of the Deep and Haw Rivers, the sum of $100,000,
136 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
to be subscribed in shares of one hundred dollars each ; the State
subscribed six hundred and fifty shares of stock.
3. Roanoake Navigation Company, incorporated in 1812, improv-
ing the navigation from Halifax to the Virginia line. The State
owns $50,000 in the stock of this Company.
4. The Clubfoot and Harlow Creek Canal was incorporated in
1826 ; in which the State holds thirty shares.
5. The Cape Fear and Deep River Navigation Company was in-
corporated in 1849, in which the State subscribed $40,000.
6. Neuse River Navigation Company, incorporated in 1850.
State subscribes $40,000.
1. The Raleigh and Gaston Railroad, from Raleigh to Gaston, on
Roanoke River, was incorporated in 1835. This road was finished
July 4th, 1839, at a cost of about $1,600,000. The State endorsed
the bonds of this road in 1838, to the amount of $500,000 ; and in
1840, $300,000 ; for which she is liable, and has already in part
paid ; the road being mortgaged to save the State harmless, has been
sold under the mortgage, and has been purchased by the State.
George W. Mordecai, President.
2. The Raleigh and Wilmington Railroad, from the Roanoke
River to Wilmington, was incorporated in 1833. The Company was
organized in March, 1836. This work was commenced in Oct.,
1836, and finished in March, 1840, at a cost of $1,500,000. Six
hundred thousand were subscribed in the stock by the State ; and by
act of 1840, the State endorsed the bonds of this Company for
$300,000, a part of which she has paid. The repairs of the road
in 1850, increased the cost to another million. Gen. McRae, Pre-
sident.
3. The North Carolina Railroad, from the Wilmington and Ra-
leigh Railroad in Wayne County, to Charlotte, w r as incorporated in
1848, in which, on $1,000,000 being subscribed by individual sub-
scribers, $2,000,000 is to be subscribed by the State. This road
is now in progress. Hon. J. M. Morehead, President.
1. Buncombe Turnpike, from the Saluda Gap by way of Asheville
to the Tennessee line, was incorporated in 1824 ; capital stock to
be $30,000 in shares of fifty dollars each; the State owns one hun-
dred shares. The Company was organized in 1826 ; the first toll-
gate was erected in Oct., 1827.
2. The Fayetteville and Western Plank Road, from Fayetteville to
Salisbury, was incorporated in 1848. Stock, $200,000, in shares
of fifty dollars each. State subscribes one-fifth.
3. The Turnpike Road, from Salisbury west to the Georgia line,
was incorporated in 1848, and the lands in the State, in Cherokee,
Macon, and Haywood, as well as the Cherokee bonds, are pledged
to make the same.
INSTITUTION FOR THE DEAF AND DUMB was created, by act of 1847,
in the City of Raleigh, and the sum of $30,000 was appropriated.
It is a beautiful building, and under the care of William D. Cooke,
as Principal, and a Board of Directors consisting of Perrin Busbee,
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA. 137
Linn B. Sanders, John H. Bryan, Thomas J. Lemay, W. W.
Holden, James F. Jordan, and Dr. Charles E. Johnson. It has
twenty-seven pupils, who are employed in acquiring knowledge and
the mechanic arts. They have a printing press, and publish weekly
a newspaper, called the Deaf Mute. The annual expense of each
pupil is about one hundred and eighty-three dollars. The Principal
has a salary of twelve hundred dollars.
A Committee of the last Legislature reported (through its chair-
man, J. H. Haughton) that " after a very strict and careful inves-
tigation of the affairs of the institution, they are fully impressed
with the belief, that it has been managed with economy, judgment,
and fidelity, by the Board of Directors, and they have every reason
to believe that under their administration, judging from the past,
the institution will flourish, and will be the means of untold bless-
ings to that unfortunate class of our population for whose benefit it
was established ; and they hope that the institution may long re-
main as a monument of the wisdom and munificence of the Legis-
lature of North Caroling."
STATE HOSPITAL FOR THE INSANE was incorporated in 1849, and
John M. Morehead, Calvin Graves, George W. Mordecai, Charles
L. Hinton, and Josiah 0. "Watson, appointed commissioners to pur-
chase and select a site for the same. The commissioners have
selected " Dix's Hill," near Kaleigh, and a tax of one and three-
fourths of a cent is levied on every hundred dollars worth of land,
and five and one-quarter of a cent on every poll, to sustain said
Institute.
CHAPTER X.
Resources of the State, her liabilities, and her expenses.
THE PUBLIC TREASURY of North Carolina is divided into
I. Public Fund.
II. Literary Fund.
The public fund is supplied
I. From taxes collected by the sheriffs annually from the
people, and paid into the treasury, which is levied on land and town
property, poll (white and black), money at interest, dividends and
profits, stores, carriages, watches, and other property, bank tax,
attorneys, licenses, dividends of Buncombe Turnpike Company, and
some other sources, which amounted last year to $179,768.
The literary fund is supplied
II. By the sales of vacant and swamp lands in the State, taxes
on taverns, dividends on stock held by the State in the Bank of the
State and Bank of Cape Fear, dividends on the stock held by the
138 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
State in the Roanoake Navigation Company, and in the Cape
Fear Navigation Company, tax on auctioneers, interest on bonds
held by the board ; which amounted last year to $112,316.
THE ANNUAL EXPENSES OF THE STATE.
From the public fund for judiciary about . . . $30,000 00
Legislature 45,000 00
Executive . . . . . . . 10,000 00
Principal and interest on bonds of Raleigh and Gaston
Railroad endorsed by the State .... 70,000 00
And other demands which amounted last year (1850) to 228,173 00
The expenses paid from literary fund are, for common
schools ........ 107,339 00
LIABILITIES OF THE STATE.
For Raleigh and Gaston Railroad . . . $500,000 00
For do do do ... 106,000 00
State Bonds 200,000 00
State Bonds for Fayetteville and Western Turn-
pike Company 120,000 00
State Bonds for Neuse and Tar Rivers . . 65,000 00
State Bonds for Cape Fear and Deep Rivers . 80,000 00
State Bonds for North Carolina Railroad 2,000,000 00
$3,071,000 00
Here end the Second Series of these Sketches, and the first
volume.
END OF VOL. I.
Location, Origin, and D ate
of Erection of every County
Counties mas*Jced/ * do nolsnou^ KETROCED
nui ctr- laid> dfft&n/ 2o<fJiouJ ff^ CROWN
RINTINC 1
BATTCE OF
AI.AMANCE. I
. DEC. OP IND
for Sketches of Np/Ca.
byJ.RWheeler. 1851.
IL SKETCH
or
vTH CAKOLINA,
From 1584 to 1851.
:.l J Rl'ilN.U. RECORDS, OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS,
STATEMENTS.
HKK JJiSTtNGWSHED
Y
DIVINES, CTO.
BY
JOHN H. WHEELER,
l.ATI THXKITRXX OT TUB STATTI
"Truth is stranger than Fiction."
LLUBTEATED WITH ^
VOL. II.
PHILADELPHIA:
LI P V <j R A> \ ND C 0.
GRIGG,
1851.
ionof eve
OTaralit
. .
H.WW;
HISTORICAL SKETCHES
OF
NOKTH CAROLINA,
From 1584 to 1851.
COMPILED FROM ORIGINAL RECORDS, OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS,
AND TRADITIONAL STATEMENTS.
WITH
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OF HER DISTINGUISHED
STATESMEN, JURISTS, LAWYERS, SOLDIERS,
DIVINES, ETC.
BY
^ . JOHN H. WHEELER,
LATE TREASURER OF THE STATE.
"Truth is stranger than Fiction."
ILLUSTRATED WITH ENG-RAVINGS.
VOL. II.
PHILADELPHIA:
LIPPINCOTT, GRAM BO AND CO.
SUCCESSORS TO GRIGG, ELLIOT AND CO.
1851.
EXPLANATION OF THE MAP.
ON the dissolution of the Proprietary Government in 1729, the Province of
North Carolina was divided into three Counties :
1. ALBEMARLE.
2. BATH.
3. CLARENDON.
From these three branches spring all the Counties of the State. See
Sketches, vol. i. 42.
All of these (Albemarle, Bath and Clarendon) exist only by name, the
territory having been divided, and are only used, as are also Bute, Dobbs,
Tryon and Glasgow (marked thus *) to show the branches from whence
other counties have sprung.
To find a County, its formation and derivation, is not difficult. Wake, for
instance, is a centre County, formed in 1770 from Cumberland, Orange and
Johnston. Revised Statutes, vol. ii. 165.
Lincoln County, formed in 1779 from Tryon (see Revised Statutes], which
in that year was divided into Lincoln and Kutherford ; Tryon erected in
1768 from Mecklenburg ; Mecklenburg in 1762 from Anson ; Anson in 1749
from Bladen ; Bladen in 1734 from New Hanover ; New Hanover in 1729
from Clarendon. All of which is plainly visible in the delineation.
Guilford County was formed in 1770, from Orange and Rowan ; but as
Orange was from a different stock than Rowan, it could not be delineated on
the plan of the tree. This must be borne in mind.
The engraver has omitted in some of the engravings to letter the branch
CASWELL, springing from Orange and Person, which springs from Caswell,
which the reader will supply.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
-CAI?,
The above is the Coat of Arms of North Carolina, as exhibited on the
Great Seal of State.
In December, 1776, "William Hooper, Joseph Hewes, and Thomas Burke,
were appointed to prepare "a suitable device for the Great Seal of the State
of North Carolina."
It is emblematic, and represents LIBERTY and PLENTY.
Liberty holds in her left hand the Constitution, and in her right a staff
surmounted by the cap of Liberty, indicating that her liberties are safe and
secured by the Constitution.
Plenty holds in her right hand an ear of grain, and at her left the cornu-
copia is seen, from, which pour forth the rich fruits of the earth; both indi-
cating that North Carolina is a land of liberty guided by law, and abundant
in products to sustain life.
COUNTIES OF NORTH CAROLINA.
In 1728, the precincts of North Carolina were Currituck, Pasquotank, Per-
quimans, Chowan, Craven, Beaufort, Bertie, Hyde, and Carteret.*
In 1729, Tyrrel and New Hanover.
In 1731, Onslow and Bladen.
In 1738, the precincts were denominated counties.f
CHAPTER I. Alamance -
PAGE
10
CHAP. XLII. Jackson
PAGE
218
II. Alexander
20
XLIII. Johnston
219
III. Anson
21
XLIV. Jones
221
IV. Ashe
26
XLV. Lenoir -
223
V. Beaufort -
28
XLVI. Lincoln - -
225
VI. Bertie
30
XLVII. MacDowell -
249
VII. Bladen
35
XLVIII. Macon -
250
VIII. Brunswick
45
XLIX. Madison
251
IX. Buncombe
51
L. Martin - $
251
X. Burke
55
LI. Mecklenburg -
254
XI. Cabarrus
63
LII. Montgomery -
270
XII. Caldwell -
69
LIII. Moore -
272
XIII. Camden -
70
LIV. Nash - -
274
XIV. Carteret -
72
LV. New Hanover
276
XV. Caswell -
77
LVI. Northampton
295
XVI. Catawba -
82
LVII. Onslow - ' -
298
XVII. Chatham -
83
LVIII. Orange -
300
XVIII. Cherokee -
87
LIX. Pasquotank
339
XIX. Chowan
88
LX. Perquimans -
341
XX. Cleaveland
97
LXI. Person -
343
XXI. Columbus -
108
LXII. Pitt
345
XXII. Craven
109
LXIII. Randolph
348
XXIII. Cumberland
124
LXIV. Richmond -
350
XXIV. Currituck -
132
LXV. Robeson
352
XXV. Davidson -
136
LXVI. Rockingham -
354
XXVI. Davie
137
LXVII. Rowan
356
XXVII. Duplin
138
LXVIII. Rutherford -
399
XXVIII. Edgecombe
XXIX. Forsythe -
141
147
LXIX. Sampson
LXX. Stanly -
401
403
XXX. Franklin -
149
LXXI. Stokes -
403
XXXI. Gaston
151
LXXII. Surry - -
408
XXXII. Gates
159
LXXIII. Tyrrell - -
411
XXXIII. Granville -
161
LXXIV. Union -
414
XXXIV. Greene
- 167
LXXV. Wake -
414
XXXV. Guilford -
169
LXXVI. Warren
423
XXXVI. Halifax -
184
LXXVII. Washington -
442
XXXVII. Haywood -
- 204
LXXVIII. Watauga
444
XXXVIII. Henderson
207
LXXIX. Wayne
454
XXXVIX. Hertford -
207
LXXX. Wilkes
461
XL. Hyde
212
LXXXI. Yadkin
467
XLI. Iredell
- 214
LXXXII. Yancey
467
* Williamson, vol. ii. page 246.
f Martin, ii, 27.
SERIES III.
THE State of North Carolina is situated between 33 53', and
36 33" north latitude, and 1 28' east, and 6 50' west longitude.
It is so called in honor of CHAELES II., who granted the charter
to the Duke of Albemarle and others.
It is bounded on the north by the State of Virginia, east by the
Atlantic, south by South Carolina, and west by Tennessee. Its
mean length is about 362 miles. Its mean breadth is 121 miles.
Its area is 43,800 square miles, or 28,032,000 acres.
It was the first State In which the English landed (1584), and
the first State whose citizens threw off the English yoke (1775).
Its shape is irregular. Its northern Kne (36 33') is straight
from east to west. Its eastern boundary irregular by the indent-
ures and curvatures of the Atlantic. Its southern line still more
irregular, as is also its westerrf line, by the course of the Blue
Ridge.
The State is divided into eighty-two counties, the names of
which are exhibited in the following table, with the sections of the
State in which they are situated, the date of their formation, the
capital or county town, distance from Raleigh (the seat of govern-
ment), and the population of each in federal numbers, according to
the last census.
The population of the State is 553,290 white ; 27,196 free colored ;.288,412
slaves ; 753,505 federal population ; 841 Indians.
Its products, according to the census of 1840, are
1,960,855 bushels of wheat. 506,766 dollars annual amount of
3,574 " barley. lumber sold.
3,193,941 " oats. 73,350 barrels of fish.
213,971 " rye. 593,451 barrels of tar, pitch, turpen-
23,893,763 " corn. tine, and rosin.
2,609,239 " potatoes. 995,300 dollars invested in cotton
625,044 pounds of wool. factories.
16,772,359 " tobacco. 2,802 distilleries, which produce
2,820,388 " rice. 1,051,979 gallons.
51,926,190 " cotton. 10,000 dollars worth of lead.
17,163 " sugar. 255,618 " gold.
5,082,835 dollars invested in merchan- 968 tons of iron.
due.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
TABLE I.
Chapter.
Counties.
Names of
Capital Towns.
)ate of
forma-
tion.
Course and Distance
from Raleigh.
1850.
Federal
Population.
Miles
1
Alamance
jirraham
1848
tforth-west 54
10,165
2
Alexander
'aylorsville
1846
North-west 150
5,602
3
oison
Vadesboro'
1749
South-west 143
10,756
4
Lshe
efferson
1799
Extreme N.W. 202
8,539
5
teaufort
Vashington
1738
East 127
11,716
6
ertie
Vindsor
1722
East 157
9,973
7
>laden
Slizabethtown
1734
South-east 99
8,023
8
Brunswick
Smithville
1764
South-east 173
5,951
9
buncombe
Asheville
1791
West 256
12,738
10
iurke
VTorganton
1777
West 197
6,919
11
Cabarrus
Concord
1792
South-west 139
8,673
12
Caldwell
jenoir
1841
North-west 200
5,835
13
Jamden
3ourt House
1777
tforth-east 219
5,174
14
3arteret
Beaufort
1729
South-east ' 168
6,208
15
Gas well
Tanceyville
1777
North 66
12,161
16
3atawba
Newton
1842
West 175
8,234
17
Chatham
^ittsboro*
1770
West 34
16,055
18
Cherokee
Murphy
1839
Extreme S.W. 367
6,703
19
3 ho wan
Sdenton
1729
East 182
5,251
20
31eaveland
Shelby
1841
South-west 190
9,697
21
Columbus
Whitesville
1808
South-east 125
5,307
22
Graven
^ewbern
1729
East 120
12,328
25
Cumberland
layette ville
1754
South 60
17,723
24
}urrituck
3ourt House
1729
Extreme N.E. 242
6,257
25
)avidson
jexington
1822
West 117
14,123
26
)avie
VIocksville
1836
West 120
6,997
27
)uplin
ienansville
1749
East 89
11,111
28
Sdgecombe
Darboro'
1733
East 76
13,770
29
?orsythe
Winston
1848
North-west 110
10,626
30
Franklin
Louisburg
1779
East 36
9,510
31
Gaston
Dallas ^
1846
West 175
7,228
32
>ates
jatesville
1779
East 167
6,877
33
}ranville
Oxford
1746
North 45
17,303
34
Greene
Snowhill
1799
East 89
5,321
35
Guilford
Greensboro*
1770
West 82
18,479
36
Halifax
Halifax
1758
East 87
13,007
37
Haywood
Waynesville
1808
West 294
6,906
38
Henderson
Hendersonville
1838
West 250
6,483
39
Hertford
Winton
1759
East 155
6,655
40
Hyde
Swan Quarter
1729
East 203
6,585
41
Iredell
State sville
1788
West 145
13,062
42
Jackson
1850
West
43
Johnston
Smithfield
1746
South-east 27
11,860
44
Jones
Trenton
1779
East 129
3,935
45
Lenoir
Kingston
1791
East 80
6,181
46
Lincoln
Lincolnton
1779
West 172
6,924
47
MacDowell
Marion
1842
West 200
5,741
48
Macon
Franklin
1828
West 331
6,169
49
Madison
Marshall
1850
Extreme west
, 50
Martin
Williamston
1774
East 140
6,960
51
Mecklenburg
Charlotte
1762
South-west 158
11,724
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
TABLE I. Continued.
Chapter.
Counties.
Names of
Capital Towns.
Date of
Forma-
tion.
Course and Distance
from Raleigh.
1850.
Federal
Population.
Miles
52
Montgomery
Troy
1779
South-west 115
6,162
53
Moore
Carthage
1784
South-west 79
8,551
54
Nash
Nashville
1777
East 44
9,034
55
New Hanover
Wilmington
1728
South 148
14,235
56
Northampton
Jackson
1741
East 108
10,730
57
Onslow
Court House
1734
South-east 145
7,039
58
Grange
Hillsboro'
1751
North-west 40
14,957
59
Pasquotank
Elizabeth City
1729
East 215
7,708
60
Perquimans
Hertford
1729
East 194
6,030
61
Person
Roxborough
1791
North 54
8,823
62
Pitt
jreenville
1760
East 102
10,743
63
Randolph
Ashboro'
1779
West 72
15,176
64
Richmond
Rockingham
1779
South 135
7,936
65
Robeson
Lumberton
1786
South 91
11,080
66
Rockingham
Wentworth
1785
North 116
12,368
67
Rowan
Salisbury
1753
West 118
12,328
68
Rutherford
Rutherfordton
1779
West 216
12,388
69
Sampson
Clinton
1784
South 94
12,311
70
Stanly
Albemarle
1841
West 110
6,347
71
Stokes
Crawford
1789
North-west 110
8,492
72
Surry
Rockford
1770
North-west 145
17,643
73
Tyrrell
Columbia
1728
East 200
4,448
74
Union
Munro
1842
South-west 160
9,258
75
Wake
Raleigh
1770
CENTRE
21,123
76
Warren
Warrenton
1779
North-east 62
10,365
77
Washington
Plymouth
1799
East 162
4,780
78
Watauga
Boon
1849
North-west
3,348
79
Wayne
i Waynes-
borough
1779
East 51
11,478
80
Wilkes
ilkesborou- c
1777
West 172
11,642
81
Yadkin
Wilson
1850
West
82
Yancey
Burnville
1833
North-west 245
8,086
10
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
TABLE II.
Showing the amount paid by each county in North Carolina into the trea-
sury as taxes (1850). The amount received by each county from the
treasury for the support of common schools (distribution of 1850). The
number of white persons over twenty-one who cannot read or write, in
each county, the deaf and dumb, insane and idiotic, and blind ; (from the
last Census.)
Counties.
Taxes paid.
Annual amt's
received for
Common
Schools.
Whites
over 21
who can-
not read
or write.
a
*^
gl
OQ
[nsane
and
idiotic.
o
a
3
Land.
Poll.
Total.
Dollars
Dollars
Dollars cts.
Dollars
1. Alamance
531
447
1426 00
See Orange
338
3
13
4
2. Alexander
142
128
414 00
See Iredell
390
5
9
3
3. Anson
638
662
2699 00
2024
394
3
11
7
4. Ashe
289
208
824 00
1136
587
4
8
3
5. Beaufort
416
201
2606 00
1630
1317
2
14
6
6. Bertie
748
758
2926 00
1481
1032
8
9
3
7. BladeiT
354
467
1225 00
1041
593
5
15
2
8. Brunswick
246
367
990 00
692
397
3
5
i
9. Buncombe
488
369
1426 00
1500
1533
14
24
10
10. Burke
181
286
1145 00
966
1091
2
19
3
11. Cabarrus
458
416
1910 00
1310
751
7
19
5
12. Caldwell
265
185
786 00
782
1129
4
10
5
13. Camden
312
247
1219 00
782
773
6
5
14. Carteret
134
214
838 00
944
729
6
18
10
15. Caswell
637
811
2721 00
1855
980
4
13
9
16. Catawba
442
290
1178 00
1591
363
8
18
7
17. Chatham
663
772
2404 00
2205
695
10
20
8
18. Cherokee
16
111
310 00
531
447
5
7
2
19. Chowan
412
381
2260 00
817
446
5
5
6
20. Cleaveland
282
322
1075 00
1035
1115
28
39
11
21. Columbus
165
212
624 00
549
658
3
11
6
22. Craven
315
672
44SO 00
1743
1355
8
22
10
23. Cumberland
620
846
4480 00
2050
1614
9
25
14
24. Currituck
303
292
898 00
916
901
6
12
2
25. Davidson
629
522
1954 00
2122
1412
5
31
7
26. Davie
306
307
1109 00
1065
859
3
8
27. Duplin
488
598
2038 00
1455
1123
5
13
7
28. Edgecombe
1062
1006
4778 00
1988
1923
12
10
6
29. Forsythe
386
287
1995 00
944
7
21
4
30. Franklin
464
591
2912 00
1354
894
5
7
6
31. Gaston
366
291
1151 00
Included
in Lincoln
6
7
3
1
32. Gates
314
431
1460 00
1010
942
4
8
3
33. Granville
819
1112
4300 00
2394
1962
15
20
5
34. Greene
326
365
1328 00
845
305
2
10
2
35. Guilford
805
626
3237 00
2829
1637
22
47
6
36. Halifax
885
920
3664 00
2046
269
1
4
1
37. Hayvvood
167
133
568 00
760
1162
1
10
4
38. Henderson
340
195
891 00
854
1
1
2
( 2
39. Hertford
352
410
1990 62
964
532
6
10
3
40. Hyde
352
304
1256 00
872
670
6
7
12
41. Iredell
507
513
1970 00
2217
447
4
31
42. Jackson
Forme
d last
session
43. Johnson
459
553
1840 00
1437
1420
6
14
7
44. Jones
286
312
1115 00
597
282
3
5
3
45. Lenoir
351
453
1717 00
958
600
6
2
46. Lincoln
345
286
1404 00
( 1591 )
-{Includes >
166
6
1
( Gaston )
47. MacDowell
285
189
861 00
730
684
3
5
3
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA,
TABLE II. Continued.
Taxes paid.
Annual amt's
Whites
^
received for
over 21
-
ca
Insane
Counties.
Land.
Poll.
Total.
Common
Schools.
who can-
not read
or write.
_i
s
&&
and
Idiotic.
1
3
Dollars
Dollars Dollars cts.
Dollars.
48. Macon
145
141
508 00
739
965
i
5
4
49. Madison
Forme
d last
session
50. Martin
341
384
1941 00
1017
163
5
3
51. Mecklenburg
570
656
3394 00
2458
117
8
18
5
52. Montgomery
214
219
769 00
793
536
5
28
2
53. Moore
239
333
950 00
1156
977
8
18
7
54. Nash
344
509
1808 00
1182
1357
4
14
2
55. New Hanover
507
836
52S5 00
1681
473
7
14
6
56. Northampton
745
727
2582 00
1666
1390
3
18
7
57. Onslow
301
349
1206 00
1005
989
1
14
3
58. Orange
647
650
2647 00
3367
1176
7
17
9
59. Pasquotank
508
392
2185 00
1057
210
1
1
1
60. Perquimans
486
3S7
1640 00
965
660
9
2
61. Person
393
539
1787 00
1259
610
3
12
4
62. Pitt
608
734
2763 00
1491
1160
3
5
2
63. Randolph
647
409
1866 00
2019
1929
5
26
7
64. Richmond
405
500
1675 00
1140
645
4
20
6
65. Robeson
394
505
1466 00
1440
639
3
15
3
66. Rockingham
539
640
2513 00
1815
1025
18
16
3
67. Rowan
513
546
2288 00
1681
1229
5
18
2
68. Rutherford
570
441
1841 00
1984
1324
9
25
6
69. Sampson
506
648
1922 00
1623
1486
2
16
7
70. Stanly
187
227
700 00
736
964
5
11
71. Stokes
251
262
1040 00
2372
1674
10
7
9
72. Surry
557
393
1559 00
2244
3152
k 8
20
14
73. Tyrrell
191
187
568 00
641
594
3
1
1
74, Uaipn
341
303
1170 00
( With )
} Meek- S
( lenburg )
999
9
11
7
75. Wake
923
1092
6828 00
279^
2370
46
26
12
76. Warren
616
872
3500 00
1505
445
3
10
5
77. Washington
247
348
1344 00
601
201
1
4
1
78. Watauga
136
72
325 00
479
2
5
1
79. Wayne
705
682
2526 00
1472
1458
9
12
3
80. Wilkes
280
222
828 00
1723
983
13
17
6
Sl.Yadkin
Forme
d last
session
82. Yancey
158
139
504 00
915
1003
12
13
7
Total
32,708
34,793
145,150 00
124,300
71,150
505
1080
376
1
10 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
CHAPTER I.
ALAMANCE COUNTY.
Date of erection Origin of its name, situation, and boundaries County town
'Colonial and Revolutionary history History of the battle of Alainance,
between Governor Tryon and the Regulators, June, 1.771, in which the first
blood of the colonists was spilled by the Royal Troops of England Journal
of Governor Tryon in the first expedition against the Regulators, 1768 List
of hia officers Petition of John Low, James Hunter, Rednap Howell, and
other Regulators, detailing the causes of the disaffection of the people, and
oppressive conduct of Edmund Fanning and others Governor Tryon's
reply, dated June, 1768 Petition of Francis Dorset, William Paine, and
others, to the Governor Deposition of Ralph McNair, Oct. 9th, 1770, as to
the outrages of the Regulators ; Herman Husbands and others, when they
broke up the Court at Hillsboro' ; run the Judge off; whipped John' Williams
and Edmund Fanning Judge Henderson's statement Deposition of
Waightstill Avery, March 8th, 1771, who was taken at Yadkin Ferry, by
the Regulators Petition of Regulators, May 15th, 1771, on the field of battle
Governor Tryon's detailed report of the battle, May 18th, 1771 Same, re-
porting his movements after the battle, report of killed, wounded, and mis-
sing Oath of Regulators Governor Martin's report to Lord Dartmouth, of
the oppressive conduct of the Sheriffs, Clerks, and other subordinate officers
of Government (Nov., 1772) Population of Alamance Biographical
Sketch of Hon. Thomas Ruffin, Chief Justice of Supreme Court of North
Carolina.
ALAMANGE COUNTY was erected in 1848, out of Orange County.
It is bounded on the north by Caswell, east by Orange, south by
Chatham, and west by Gruilford. It derives its name from Ala-
mance Creek, famous in early history for a battle fought on its
banks, between the Royal Governor of the colony, William Tryon,
and the people under Herman Husbands, Rednap Howell, and others.
Its climate is salubrious and very uniform.
Its capital is GRAHAM, named in compliment to Hon. William A.
Graham, the present Secretary of the Navy, for a sketch of whose
birth, life, education, and public services, see Orange County,
(Chapter LVIIL)
The town of Graham has a beautiful location. Its distance from
Raleigh is fifty-nine miles. Its court-house and public buildings are
in good taste and well adapted to the purposes for which they were
erected.
It has several handsome dwellings, and a printing office. The
Southern Democrat is here printed. Its editor, J. W. Lancaster,
Esq., is a Member of the Bar, an educated and skillful writer.
Its colonial and revolutionary history is connected with that of
ALAMANCE COUNTY. 11
Orange County. The causes of the battle of the Regulators, and its
disastrous termination, have been recorded. (See vol. i. p. 59.)
The conduct of the officers of the government, from the Governor
down to the lowest bailiff, towards the- people was oppressive, extor-
tionary and unjust.
In 1768, Governor Try on marched with a body of troops procured
from Rowan and Mecklenburg into this county. I extract from his
Journal, procured from State Paper Office, in London, by aid of Hon.
George Bancroft, late our Envoy at that court, never before printed.
Journal of Governor Tryon.
On the sixth of July 1768, in consequence of the troubles of the Regulators,
Governor Tyron arrived at Hillsboro'.
On the 17th of August, the Governor left Hillsboro 7 , and on the 18th,
arrived at Salisbury.
On the 19th, at Major Fifer's, in Mecklenburg.
On the 20th, Saturday. Remained at Major Fifer's.
21st, Sunday. Heard Mr. Luther, a Dutch minister, preach.
22d, Monday. Left Major Fifer's and lay at Captain Folk's.
23d, Tuesday. Reviewed the Regiment about nine hundred men.
24th. Governor left Captain Folk's, and took up his quarters at Major Fifer's.
25th. Governor returned to Salisbury ; COLONEL OSBORNE called on the Go-
vernor to receive his orders for conducting the review.
26th, Friday. Eleven Companies marched, Governor ordered all the Cap-
tains and field officers to repair to Mr. Montgomery's, where he communicated
with them as to the transactions between him and the Regulators. Colonel
Osborne spoke warmly in support of the government, and read a letter from
four dissenting ministers (Hugh McCaddon, Henry Pattillo, James Creswell,
and David Caldwell) to their brethren, wherein the conduct of the Regulators
was touched upon, from Hawfields.
The Governor then marched into the field ; the first company that joined
was Captain Dobbin's ; all joined the Governor but Captain Knox and his com-
pany.
27th, Saturday. Left Salisbury for Martin Fifer's.
30th, Tuesday. The Governor, accompanied by Colonel Palmer and Mr.
Fifer, went to see where the Commissioners left off the line that they run in
1746, between his Majesty and Earl Granville. They found four trees stand-
ing in a square marked with notches and blazes ; on one of them, G. R. (George
Rex, King George), about five or six hundred yards east of Cold Water Creek.
On a large gum they found W. C. (William Churton, 1746), the name of the
surveyor.
31st, Wednesday. Governor called on Captain Barringer, and in the evening
went to Colonel Moses Alexander's, who agreed to furnish provisions and
wagons for the Mecklenburg volunteers.
Sept. 4th, Sunday. Governor went to Salisbury.
12th, Monday. After reviewing the Mecklenburg battalion, left Salisbury
with troops for Hillsboro' where he arrived on the twen,ty-first.
24th. Governor so ill that he gave the command to Lieutenant-General
Rutherford.
Major- Generals app'd. JOHN ASHE and THOMAS LLOYD.
Lieutenant- Generals. JOHN RUTHERFORD, LEWIS HENRY DE ROSSET, JOHN
SAMPSON, ROBERT PALMER, BENJAMIN HERON and SAMUEL STRUDWICK.
Majors of Brigade. ABNER NASH and ROBERT HOWE. !
Colonels. ALEXANDER OSBORNE, EDMUND FANNING, ROBERT HARRIS, JAMES
SAMPSON, SAMUEL SPENCER, JAMES MOORE and MAURICE MOORE.
Lieutenant- Colonels. JOHN FROIIOCK, MOSES ALEXANDER, ALEXANDER LIL-
LINGTON, JOHN GRAY, SAMUEL BENTON and ROBERT SCHAW.
Majors. WILLIAM BULLOCK, WALTER LINDSAY,. THOMAS LLOYD, MARTIN
FIFER and JOHN HINTON.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
On the 2d October, 1768, the troops returned to Salisbury, and GOVERNOR
TRYON to Newbern.
From STATE PAPER OFFICE, London.
Am. and W. Ind., 198.
Petition from Regulators to Gov. Try on and Council.
"May it please your Excellency, and your Honors:
" At a Committee of the Regulators, held May 21, 1768, it was ordered to
implore pardon for what was dpne amiss, and present a plain, simple narra-
tive of facts accompanied and supported by authentic papers. *
" We assure you that neither disloyalty to the best of kings, nor disaffection
to the wholesomest constitution, nor yet dissatisfaction to the Legislature,
gave rise to these commotions which now make so much noise throughout
the province. After you have perused this paper and the concomitant proofs,
you will easily perceive that those disturbances had their source in the cor-
rupt and arbitrary practices of nefarious and designing men, who, being put
into offices of profit and credit among us, and not being satisfied with the
loyal benefits which arose from the execution of their offices, have been using
every artifice, practicing every fraud, and, where these failed, threats and
menaces were not spared, whereby to squeeze and extort from the wretched
poor, who, as Col. Fanning observes in his petition (if 'tis his), with their
utmost efforts, can scarcely gain a wretched subsistence for themselves and
families. How grievous, judge you, dear sirs, must it be for such wretches
to have their substance taken from them by those monsters of equity, whose
study it is to plunder and oppress them.
"In the year 1766 there was general discontent in the countenances of the
people, and grievous murmurings ensuing. The popular voice gave out that
the demands of the court officers for fees of every kind were exorbitant,
oppressive, and extra legal.
" In order to prevent such frands, if real, or to give our officers an oppor-
tunity to still those clamors by disproving them entirely, we drew up paper
No. 1. (This was the paper read in court, August, 1766.) Mr. Loyd, the
member of the General Assembly, promised to give a hearing, and approved
of the course.
" In expectation of a meeting and of a satisfactory settlement, a meeting
was held at Mr. Maddock's mill, on Enoe River.
" Col. Fanning was invited to attend, but refused, sending them word that
he objected to the term 'judiciously/ in their resolves, as implying that
they had a jurisdiction over him ; and that ' he could not brook the mean-
ness of being summoned to a mill/ To both of which frivolous objections
we replied ' that as to the term in question, we were no critics on words,
but we meant no more by it than wisefully, carefully, and soberly to exa-
mine the matter in hand ; that with respect to the court-house, we had no
right to appoint a convention there, but to the mill we had, having first
obtained the owner's leave to that purpose/ The petition proceeds ' The
sheriffs now grew very arbitrary, insulting the populace, making such dis-
tresses as seldom ever known, double, treble, nay, even quadruple the value
of the tax was frequently distrained, and such seizures hurried away to
Hillsborough/ One of the Regulators going to Hillsborough on some pri-
vate business had his mare seized for his levy. This mare was rescued by
the Regulators, and after expressing their regrets and apologies, the petition
proceeds : that ' Monday morning, 2d May, we were alarmed at the astonish-
ing news that Col. Fanning, at the head of twenty-seven armed men, consist-
ing of sheriffs, bombs, tavern-keepers, and officers, after travelling all night,
arrived at break of day at Sandy Creek, and made prisoners of Mr. Herman
Husbands and Mr. William Butler, the former a gentleman that had never
joined the Regulators, and was never concerned in any tumult." This con-
duct of Col. Fanning alarmed the whole country. None now were safe,
whether active, passive, or neutral.
ALAMANCE COUNTY. 13
" The very day Col. Fanning set off for Sandy Creek, he directed letters to
three of the Regulators, inviting them to Hillsborough, and promising all
imaginary satisfaction, one of which he directed to Jacob Fudge.
" We have now stated, without reserve or disguise, our whole proceedings
in this affair, having concealed nothing, whether for us or against us ; and,
as you are chosen by the contending parties to arbitrate the difference, and
we on our parts are fully determined to abide by your decision, we humbly
hope naked truth and native ignorance will poise the superexcellent flourishes
and consummate declamation of our powerful adversary ; and, relying on your
benignity and justice, we humbly beg leave to subscribe ourselves your poor
oppressed suppliants, and very humble servants.
John Low, John Marshall,
*' James Hunter, William Cox,
Rednap Howell, William Moffitt,
Harmon Cox, George Hendry.
"To His Excellency, Wm. Tryon, Esq., our Governor, and to the Hon. the
members of His -Majesty's Council for the Province of North Carolina."
The Governor's Answer.
" 2lst June, 1768.
The Governor's answer to the address of the inhabitants on the south side of
Haw River, in Orange County.
" Gentlemen I have received, by the hands of Messrs. Hunter and Powell,
a petition and other papers, subscribed by several of the inhabitants on the
south side of Haw River, in the County of Orange, under the borrowed title
of Regulators, assuming to themselves powers and authorities unknown to
the constitution, of calling public officers to a settlement, and a detail of the
grievances and complaints against the Clerk of the Court, Register, and
other public officers, whose exactions and oppressions, it is pretended, are
the cause of the late insurrections which have disturbed the peace of that
part of the country. These papers, agreeably to your desire, I have com-
municated to the members of His Majesty's Council, who, having taken the
same into their deliberate consideration, unanimously concur with me in
opinion that the grievances complained of by no means warrant the extraor-
dinary steps you have taken in assembling yourselves together in arms, to
the obstruction of the courts of justice, to the insult of the public officers of
the government in the execution of their offices, and to the injury of private
property."
" The discreet and steady behavior of Col. Fanning, and the officers and
men under his command, meet not only with the entire approbation of my-
self, and His Majesty's Council, but will be acknowledged with gratitude by
every unprejudiced well-wisher to this province.
" In consideration of a determination to abide my decision in council, it is
my direction by advice of the Board, that you do, from henceforward, desist
from any further meetings, either by verbal appointment or advertisement;
that all titles of Regulators or Associations cease among you ; that the sheriffs
and other officers are permitted to execute the duties of their respective
offices."
Regulators to Governor Tryon.
"August, 1768.
"May it please your Excellency:
" In your 'Excellency's gracious answer to our petition, &c., by Messrs.
Hunter and IJowell, you were pleased to inform us that you had laid our
papers before the Hon. the members of His Majesty's Council, for which we
return you our sincere and hearty thanks."
" Your gracious promise of settling, on your arrival at Hillsborough, a pro-
clamation forbidding all officers the taking or even demanding exorbitant
fees, on pain of your severe displeasure, gave us some encouragement and
hopes of redress. But when we were assured the Register had, in open vio-
14 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
lence thereof taken nine shillings and four pence, expressly contrary to law,
for recording deeds, our hopes vanished. Fearing that your orders to the
Attorney-General may be as little regarded, and that a poor man will get no
real redress, for your excellency may easily perceive how little regard these
men pay to your injunctions, how little they dread your displeasure. Par-
don us, therefore, great sir, when we tell you, in the anguish of our souls, we
cannot, dare not, go to law, as we are sure that step, whenever taken, will
terminate to the ruin of ourselves and families.
" Seeing, therefore, that the Sons of Zeruiah are like to prove too hard for
your excellency, as well as for us, we have come to the resolution to petition
the Lower House, as the other branch of the Legislature, in order to strengthen
your excellency's hands, that by the concurrence and timely aid of that re-
spectable body, you maybe enabled to curb the insolence and avarice of these
overgrown members of the commonwealth.
" Your excellency is pleased to observe that, hope again to be made happy
on seeing a spirit of industry prevailing among us over faction and discon-
tent. Great sir ! all that know us, can bear witness for us, that, while we had
anything we could call our own, few people on earth were more industrious ;
but, alas, since the iron hand of tyranny has displayed its baneful influences
over us with impunity, how has dejection, indifference, and melancholy, and
chagrin diffusively spread themselves far and wide among us; and, unless
some propitious being inform either of your excellency's, our assembly, or
both, graciously condescend to use your united efforts to extricate us out of
our present misery, and secure us our rights and property, the sullenness and
gloom with which we are already seized, will sink deep upon our intellects,
and general disregard to everything below ensue as a consequence thereof;
nor shall we strive any more than barely to keep then, our, tottering frames
from falling to pieces, until death, in compassion of our sufferings, and in
commiseration of our wrongs, shall kindly appear in shape of a halter,
bullet, sword, or perhaps in his natural shape, and remove us from this spot
of dirt, about which, and its products, there is so much contention and
animosity. Till when, and at all times hereafter, may your excellency's por-
tion be as the dew of Heaven and the fat things of earth, ardently wish,
sincerely pray, your excellency's devoted humble servants.
"Signed, Francis Dorset, Kichard Cheek,
Wm. Paine, (a Dutchman,).
Peter Craven, Charles Saxon,
Jacob Fudge, Ninian Bell Hamilton."
PAPERS relating to Carolina, vol. i., 189.*
REGULATORS.
Deposition of Ralph McNair.
"3th Oct., 1770.
" That, on the 24th of April, 1770, he saw among the Regulators in Hills-
boro', Herman Husbands, James Hunter, Wm. Butler, Ninian Bell Hamilton,
Jeremiah Fields, Matthew Hamilton, Ely Branson, Peter Craven, Jno. Truit,
Abraham Teague, and Samuel Parks. That the Regulators were armed with
cudgels and cowskin whips, wherewith they struck John Williams, Esq., an
attorney, and attempted to strike Judge Henderson, while in the act of mode-
rating their fury.
" That he saw them beating and pursuing Colonel Fanning till he to6k re-
fuge in a store, which they assaulted with stones and brickbats ; that Judge
Henderson made his escape the same night, though the court was only
adjourned till next day ; that, being exasperated thereat, they, on the 25th,
destroyed the house of Colonel Fanning."
" ROBERT LYTLE swore that he heard the Regulators, on the 25th of Septem-
ber, 1770, drink damnation to King George, arid success to the Pretender."
JUDGE HENDERSON wrote to Governor Tryon on the 29th of September, 1770;
* From Archives of Board of Trade, in London.
ALAMANCE COUNTY. 15
" that, upon opening court on the 25th of September, the Regulators filled the
house ; they said they had come to have justice done ; they demanded that
their cases be tried ; that, at a former court, injustice had been done in choos-
ing jurors. They insisted that the court should proceed to do business, but
that no lawyer, save the king's attorney, should be admitted. This being re-
fused, they conducted the judge home with great parade. But, in the even-
ing, he made his escape. A party of them fell upon lawyer Williams and
Fanning, in a most furious manner. About one hundred and fifty began the
riot ; they afterwards increased. They left Hillsboro' on Wednesday night."
Deposition of WaightstiU Avery.
" Sth March, 1771.
" Deposeth that he fell in with the Regulators at the Yadkin Ferry, and was
carried to their camp in the woods. That he had heard them uttering many
opprobrious speeches against the Governor, Assembly, judges, and others in
office. Hamilton said to the listening crowd
" What business has Maurice Moore to be a judge ? He was no judge : he
was not appointed by the king. He, nor Henderson neither. That the
Assembly had gone and made a riotous act, that enraged the people more
than ever. It was the best thing that could be done for the country, for now
we shall be forced to kill all the clerks and lawyers. And I'll be damned, if
they are not all put to death ! If they had not made that act, we might have
suffered some to live. A riotous act ! There never was such an act in the laws
of England, or in any other country but France ! and they'll bring the Inqui-
sition next.
" Many of them said that the Goyernor was a friend to the lawyers. The
lawyers carry on everything. There should be no lawyers in the province.
"When Captain Rutherford was parading his company in Salisbury, some
of them proposed to march in and fight them, saying, we will kill them. The
insurgents said that the Assembly had imprisoned Husbands to prevent him
from seeing their roguish tricks."
Petition of the Inhabitants of Orange County, to Governor Tryon.*
" 15th May, 1771.f
" To His Excellency, William Tryon, Esq., His Majesty's Governor, in Chief
in and over the Province of North Carolina.
" The petition of us, the inhabitants of Orange County, humbly showeth :
" First That we have often beeij informed of late, that your excellency is
determined not to lend a kind ear to the just complaints of the people in re-
gard to having roguish officers discarded, and others more honest propagated
in their stead, and sheriffs and other officers in power, who have abused the
trust reposed in them, to be brought to a clear, candid, and impartial account
of their past conduct, and other grievances of the like nature, we have long
labored under without any apparent hope of redress.
" Secondly That your Excellency is determined on taking the lives of many
of the inhabitants of this county, and others adjacent to it, which persons,
being nominated in the advertisement, we know them to be men of the most
remarkable honest characters of any in our country. These aspersions, though
daily confirmed to us, yet scarcely gains credit with the more polite amongst
us ; still, being so often confirmed, we cannot help having some small jealous-
ies abounding among us. In order, therefore, to remove them, we would
heartily implore your Excellency, that of your clemency, you would so far
indulge us, as to let us know by a kind answer to this petition, whether your
Excellency will lend an impartial ear to our petition, or no, which if we can
be assured of, we will with joy embrace so favorable an opportunity of lav-
ing before your Excellency a full detail of all our grievances, and remain in
* From Slate Paper Office, London. Am. and W. I., vol. 200.
t Next before the battle.
16 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
full hopes and confidence of being redressed by your Excellency, in each and
every one of them, as far as lies in your power; which happy change would
yield such alacrity, and promulgate such harmony in poor pensive North Caro-
lina, that the presaged tragedy of the warlike troops, marching with ardor to
meet each other, may by the happy conduct of our leaders on each side be pre-
vented. The interest of a whole province, and the lives of his Majesty's sub-
jects are not toys or matters to be trifled with. Many of our common people
are mightily infatuated with the horrid alarms we have heard; but we still
hope they have been wrong represented.
" The chief purport of the small petition being to know whether your excel-
lency will hear our petition or no. We hope for a speedy .and candid answer.
In the meantime your humble petitioners shall remain in full hopes and con-
fidence of having a kind answer.
"And as in duty bound, shall ever pray.
" Signed, in behalf of the county, by John Williams, Joseph Scott,
Samuel Low, Samuel Clark."
James Wilson,
" Delivered to his Excellency at Alamance Camp, the 15th day of May, 1771,
at six o'clock in the evening."
Governor Tryon's Reply.
"GREAT ALAMANCE CAMP,
May Wth, 1771.
" In reply to your petition, I am to acquaint you, that I have ever been atten-
tive to the interest of this country; and to that of every individual residing
within it. I lament the fatal necessity to which you have now reduced me
by withdrawing yourselves from the mercy of the crown and the laws of your
country, to require you who are assembled as Regulators, to lay down your
arms, surrender up the outlawed ringleaders, and submit yourselves to the
laws of your country, and then rest on the lenity and mercy of the govern-
ment.
" By accepting these terms in one hour from the delivery of this dispatch you
will prevent an effusion of blood, as you are at this time in a state of war and
rebellion, against your king, your country, and your laws.
"WM.TRYON.
" To the people now assembled in arms, who style themselves Regulators/'
Governor Try on' s Official Report to his Government of the Battle of Alamance.
" GREAT ALAMANCE CAMP,
May ISlh, 1771.
" MY LORD : I have the happiness to inform your Lordship, that it has
pleased God to bless his Majesty's arms in this province with signal victory
over the Regulators.
" The action began before twelve o'clock, on Thursday the 16th instant, five
miles to the westward of Great Alamance River, on the road leading from
Hillsborough to Salisbury.
"'The loss of our army killed, wounded, and missing, amounted to about sixty
men.
" We had but one officer killed, and one dangerously wounded.
" The action was two hours. But after about half an hour the enemy took
to tree fighting, and much annoyed the men who stood at the guns, which
obliged me to cease the artillery for a short time, and advance the first line
to force the rebels from their covering. This succeeded, and we pursued them
a mile beyond their camp, and took many of their horses, and the little provi-
sion and ammunition they left behind them.
" This success, I hope, will lead soon to a perfect restoration of peace in this
country. Though had they succeeded, nothing but desolation and ravage
ALAMANCE COUNTY. 17
would have spread itself over the country ; the Regulators had determined to
cut off this army had they succeeded.
" The inclosed declarations of the troops will testify to his Majesty the obli-
gations I lay under to them for their steady, resolute, and spirited behavior.
"Some royal marks of favor, I trust, will be extended to the loyalty that has
been distinguished by his Majesty's faithful subjects within the province.
" The particular details of this expedition I shall transmit to lay before his
Majesty as soon as I have settled the country in peace ; hoping that the ad-
vantages now gained over a set of desperate and cruel enemies, may meet with
his Majesty's approbation, and finally terminate in giving a stability to this
constitution which has hitherto been a stranger to.
" The army under my command amounted (officers included) to upward of
eleven hundred, that of the rebels to two thousand.
"The two field-pieces from General Gage, were of infinite service to us.
"I am, &c.,
' WILLIAM TRYON. .
-,*,,'. . '
" P. S. General Waddell, with two hundred and fifty men, was obliged, on
the 19th instant, about two miles eastward of the Yadkin, to retreat to Salis-
bury. The Regulators surrounded his forces and threatened to cut them in
pieces if they offered to join the army under my command.
" I shall march to-morrow to the westward, and in a week expect to join the
General."
Governor Tryon to Secretary of State-.
" NEW York, Aug. 1, 1771.
"On the 19th of May, the army proceeded westward, in order to join Gene-
ral Waddell with his troops, then intrenched near Salisbury, and on the 4th
of June we effected the junction about eight miles to the eastward of the
Yadkin River, and marched the same day to the Moravian settlement, where,
on the 6th, we commemorated his majesty's birthday, and celebrated the
victory at Alamance.
" Intelligence having been brought that the counties of Tryon,* Mecklen-
burg, and the north-west part of Rowan,f westward of the Yadkin, were medi-
tating hostilities, it was judged proper by a Council of war that a strong de-
tachment from the army should march through those parts, and compel the
inhabitants to take the oath above mentioned, and to suppress any insurrec-
tion among them. Agreeable thereto, I appointed General Waddell for that
command, with the troops he brought with him, amounting to three hundred
and forty men from the counties of Mecklenburg, Rowan, Tryon, and Anson,
reinforced with the four companies from Orange, the company of light infan-
try from Cumberland County, and the artillery company of sailors raised at
Wilmington, with one of the brass field pieces, and six half-swivel guns. The
General marched on the 8th day of June, with orders from me, after he had per-
formed the service aforesaid, to disband his troops. Since his first day's
march I have had no intelligence of his measures or success, which will be
communicated to you by Governor Martin.
" On the 9th of June, I returned with the army through the northern part
of Orange County to Hillsboro', where the judges were waiting at an especial
Court of Oyer and Terminer, to try the prisoners taken in battle. Twelve were
capitally convicted as traitors, and two acquitted ; six of which twelve were
executed on the 19th of June, near the town of Hillsboro'. By the solicita-
tions of the officers of the army, I suspended the execution of 'the other six
till his majesty's pleasure should be known.
"On the 20th, the army marched to the southward, and as I had received,
on the 13th June, by one of the judges, your lordship's dispatch, requiring
me to take upon me, without loss of time, the government of New York, I
left the army on the 20th, arrived the 24th at Newbern, and on the 30th I
embarked for this country.
* Now Lincoln County. f Now Iredell County.
18 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
"Benjamin Merrill, a captain of militia, left it in charge of the officers to
solicit me to grant his plantation and estate to his wife and eight children.
" One Few, an outlaw, taken in battle, was hanged the next day in camp, and
the houses and plantations of the outlaws were laid waste and destroyed, and
the owners fled out of the province. WM. TRYON."
" Return of the killed, wounded, and missing, of his majesty's forces on the
16th of May, 1771, at the battle of Alamance :~- Killed, or died of their
wounds, 9 ; wounded, 61 ; missing, none."
OATH OF REGULATORS.
" I, A. B., do promise and swear, that if any officer or any other person do
make distress on any of the goods or other estate of any person sworn herein,
being a subscriber, for the non-payment of the said tax, that I will, with other
sufficient assistance, go and take if in my power from said officer and restore
it to the party from whom taken, and in case any one concerned herein should
be imprisoned, or under arrest, or otherwise confined, or his estate or any
part thereof, by reason or means of joining into this company of Regulators,
for the non-payment of taxes, that I will immediately do my best endeavors
to raise as many of the said subscribers, as will be of force sufficient, and if in
my power, set the said person and his estate at liberty ; and I do further pro-
mise and swear, that if in this case, this our scheme should be brojte or other-
wise give out our intention, any of our company should be put to any expense
or under any confinement that I will be an equal share with those in being
to pay and make up the sufferer.
"All these things I do promise and swear, and subscribe my name."
Governor Martin to Lord Dartmouth.
Nov. 28th, 1772.
" I can assure your Lordship, that notwithstanding evidences of the most
licentious, gross, and criminal violences on the part of this wretched people,
yet a residence among them last summer afforded me a full conviction of their
having been grievously oppressed by the Sheriffs, Clerks, and other subordinate
officers of Government."
These papers, procured from the State Paper Office, in London,
bring before us those spirit-stirring events just in the light they
existed at the time. I have presented both sides fairly and impar-
tially. It is for the present and future ages to judge whether these
people deserved the cruel treatment they endured, and the oppro-
brium that has been cast upon them. From the official report
of Governor Martin, who succeeded Governor Tryon as the Royal
Governor of North Carolina, it is seen that he is forced " to the full
conviction that this people were grievously oppressed by the Sheriffs,
Olerks, and other subordinate officers."
From their first Assembly at Haddock's Mill (Oct. 1766), to the
final catastrophe on the banks of Alamance (May, 1771), the great
principle laid down was that they should pay no tax but what was
lawful, and imposed by their representatives in the Assembly.
This was the great germ of American liberty. If exasperated to
madness by the wrongs of their powerful oppressors, and under its
influences some outrages were committed, this is not to be imputed
to the cause in which they were engaged. The remarks of an able
ALAMANCE COUNTY. 19
Writer on our history, appropriate to the case, are here presented.
" It is better that a people should occasionally experience incon-
venience from the warm bursting out of popular feeling than that
their liberties should be neglected by sloth or inaction.
" Every human institution is imperfect. Yet the honest instincts
of the people are wiser and more laudable than the cold calculations
of a proud aristocracy. I love to behold the spirit of popular liberty
awake, bold and vigorous; for sure I am, that propositions, whether
wild or wise, when submitted to the severe ordeal of public discus-
sion, and tried by the fire of conflicting minds, will not be adopted
unless public intelligence approve, public opinion give them vitality,
and public justice adopt them as rules of action. The whirlwind of
popular excitement is far less dangerous than the dry-rot of luxury.
I had rather lose the roof of my house in the temporary storm,
than the whole building by decay in its foundation."
That the Regulators were guilty of excesses, none can deny. This
has been the case from all time when justice and liberty contend
against oppression and power. But the great principles that they con-
tended for ; the rights of the many against the exactions of the few ;
the right of the people to resist taxation, unless imposed by their re-
presentatives ; the refusal to pay more than what was legal ; and a
right to know for what they were taxed, and how appropriated ; if in
that day cost them their property, their blood, and their lives, they
were the principles which carried our nation through an eventful
struggle ; and are now recognized as the true principles of govern-
ment, self-evident, and incontrovertible. Had this battle terminated
differently (and five years afterwards this would have been the case),
the banks of Alamance would be venerated as another Bunker Hill ;
and Husbands, Merrill, and others, ranked with the Warrens and
patriots of another day.
The character of Husbands* has been already alluded to. The
reader on referring to the chapter on Orange County, will find the
character and life of Edmund Fanning, whose conduct was the chief
cause of the troubles of the Regulation.
The population of Alamance from the Census of 1851, officially reported is
7,924 whites, 324 free colored population ; 3,196 slaves, 10,165 federal popu-
lation ; 228 whites over twenty years old who cannot read or write.
Alamance pays as taxes annually into the public treasury the sum of $1420,
of which on land, $531, and on poll, $128.
HON. THOMAS RUFFIN, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State, is a
resident of Alamance.
He is a native of Virginia, and was born in 1786. He graduated at Prince-
ton, in 1805 ; studied law with his kinsman, Judge Roane, at the same time,
in whose office was General Winfield Scott.
He removed to North Carolina, and in 1813, '15, and '16, represented Hills-
borough in the House of Commons.
It may be here remarked that to few counties in North Carolina is the State
more indebted for able representatives in her legislative halls than to Orange.
At this time (1815), Judge Ruftin from the borough, Judge Murphy in the
Senate, and Judge Nash in the Commons.
* Vol. i. 60. See Randolph, Chapter LXIII.
20 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
In 1816, Judge Ruffin was elected Judge of the Superior Court, and resigned
in 1818.
In 1825 he was again elected Judge of the Superior Court, but resigned
in 1828, on being appointed President of the State Bank.
In 1829, he was elected Judge of the Supreme Court, which elevated posi-
tion he now holds. Although a native of another State, his fade belongs to
North Carolina. Hugh McQueen, Esq., in a sketch of Judge Ruffin before
me, says, Napoleon was born in Corsica, but France, the scene of his glory,
always claimed him as her son.
It is always difficult to speak of the living, no matter how elevated their
position, and how assiduous and self-sacrificing their labors. With the most
distinguished there exists some shades of prejudice which honest zeal may
have created, or emulation may have engendered. Even a just appreciation
of merit by a cotemporary may be received as fulsome eulogium ; hence the
biographer of the living has a dangerous and difficult path. He can onty
regard the stern advice of Cromwell to Sir Peter Lely, when sitting for Hw
portrait, " Paint me as I am." Yet, like the Colossus of Rhodes, living cha-
racters are best viewed in the distance. We must not be too near the massy
statue to admire its symmetrical proportions. When death and time have
softened down by their mellow hand any shadow that may in life obscure
our vision, and hallowed their services, talents, and virtues, then may their
biographies, with their epitaphs, be written.
Judge Ruffin married the daughter of William Kirkland, Esq. One of his
sons was in the last legislature (1850), from Rockingham, and bids fair to
emulate the example of his distinguished father.
For the names of the members who have represented Alamance,
the reader is referred to the County of Orange, with which Ala-
mance votes, until after the next session of our General Assembly.
CHAPTER II.
ALEXANDER COUNTY
WAS erected in 1846, formed from Iredell, Caldwell, and Wilkes
Counties.
It is bounded on the north by Wilkes, on the east by Davie, on
the south by Iredell, and on the west by Caldwell County,
Its capital is TAYLORSVILLB.
The name of Alexander is familiar in North Carolina, and dis-
tinguished.
NATHANIEL ALEXANDER, of Mecklenburg, was Governor of the State in 1805.
Abraham Alexander was chairman of the convention at Charlotte, in May,
1775, that declared independence.
Its capital preserves the name of JOHN Louis TAYLOR, who was long a judge
of our courts, distinguished for his learning, integrity, and kindness of dis-
position. Its distance from Raleigh, 150 miles.
Its population, 4,653 white, 24 free negroes, 543 slaves, 5,002 federal
population ; 390 whites over 20 who cannot read or write..
The taxes paid annually into the public treasury, by Alexander, amounts
to four hundred and fourteen dollars.
ANSON COUNTY. 21
It is still connected with and votes with Iredell County, until
after our next General Assembly. Its early history belongs to
Iredell, to which the reader is referred.
CHAPTER III.
ANSON COUNTY.
Date of erection, origin of name, situation and boundaries, population and
products Colonial and Revolutionary history Excesses of the people
under the oppressive and extortionary conduct of the Crown officers Peti-
tion of the citizens in 1768 to Gov. Tryon against Anthony Hutchins,
Samuel Spencer, and Charles Medlock, with the names of petitioners
leply of the Governor to the same ; an original document, never before
published Members from Anson to the Provincial Congress of North Caro-
lina in 1774, which meUat Newbern Members of same for same, which
met at Hillsborough in August, 1775 Field officers in 1775 for Anson
Character of Samuel Spencer, one of the earliest judges of the State, and
his singular death Her distinguished citizens ; and members of the
Assembly.
ANSON COUNTY was erected as early as 1749, from Bladen
County, and comprehended all the western portion of the State,
from New Hanover and Bladen on the east, as far as the limits of
the State extended on the west, more than one half of the State.*
It derives its name from Admiral Anson, the celebrated Circum-
navigator, who at the time (1749) was in the zenith of his fame,
having only a short time previous obtained a victory over the French
fleet off Cape Finisterre.
WADESBORO', its capital town, derives its name from Thomas
Wade, who was Colonel of the minute men of Salisbury District in
1775.
It is bounded on the north by Montgomery and Stanly, on the
east by Richmond, on the south by the State of South Carolina,
and west by Union County.
Population, 6,556 whites ; 101 free negroes ; 6,832 slaves ; 10,705 federal
population ; 394 persons over 20 who cannot read or write.
Products, 39,991 bushels of wheat; 416,102 bushels of corn; 168,505
bushels of oats ; 32,244 bushels of potatoes ; 11,832 pounds of wool ; 21
distilleries ; 1,489 gallons produced.
The amount paid annually as taxes by Anson to the treasury amounts to
two thousand seven hundred dollars, of which, for land, $638 ; polls $662.
The amount received by Anson for common schools, from the treasury, is
two thousand and twenty-four dollars (1850).
Its colonial history is full of interest. The oppressions of offi-
cers of the crown were not confined to Orange. The opposition of
* Martin, vol. ii 557.
22 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
the people extended to Anson County. So heavy were the exac-
tions of the officers, that in 1768 the people rose in self-defence,
entered the Court House, and violently expelled the officers of the
court.
Deep must have heen the wrongs, and hopeless the redress, when
a people could thus violently defend their rights !
The following petition (never hefore published), from the Stjate
Paper Office in London,* was procured through the kindness of
Hon. George Bancroft, our late Envoy at that court, with the
names of the Regulators, presents the matter in their own lan-
guage, and the reply of Gov. Tryon to the same.
At that early day the great principle was laid down " that taxa-
tion and representation should always be associated ; that neither
Parliament, nor the Governor, or any other power, 'had the right to
tax the people without their consent, freely given through their re-
presentatives in the General Assembly."
This petition proves that to Anson belongs the credit of having
first advocated the election of magistrates by the people.
The People of Anson, to his Excellency Governor Tryon.
" EXCELLENT SIB: We make no doubt but that you will soon hear the dis-
agreeable news of the disorders of the unfortunate County of Anson. We,
therefore, take this opportunity to inform you the cause and manner of it ;
in which we blame ourselves for not first having addressed your excellency
on the occasion of our complaints, who could, no doubt, have removed our
grievances, and have prevented the rumor of faction and disorder. But,
being long under the growing weight of oppression, became rash and precipi-
tate, and thought to change the state of the country in a different manner, to
have suppressed the offenders, and make them wary of their employments.
" For which purpose we formed ourselves, into which the opposite party
called a mob, of about five hundred men, resolving, should no happier event
interfere to our succor, to defend our cause in the disagreeable manner of
force, and to have persisted unto blood.
" We looking at that time, much out of our powers, to have kindness from
your excellency, as our leading men were best acquainted, whose assertions
we feared would have greatest weight with your excellency ; but whenever
considered that neither prince nor governor, who has the good of his people
at heart, would see them oppressed to gratify the errors and ambition of any
particular persons, who are Anthony Hutchins, CoL Samuel Spencer, Charles
Medlock, and their assistants, the justices and sheriffs chiefly recommended
to your excellency by Hutchins and Spencer, to answer their partial views
1 Jt Jtfc. .UL .si. _t
and purposes.
"Innocent persons are committed to jail by the jailor himself, being a
magistrate, then put to considerable expense, and then discharged-
"Amongst other things, they tax the people in an unusual manner, which
is as follows : First, persons who commit capital offences are committed to
the county jail, and there retained five or six months ; a county tax is laid to
defray the expenses, when it is notoriously known that it is a province ex-
pense. But Medlock, the late sheriff, stopped not there, but proceeded
by Mr. Spencer, the clerk and member for the county, to have the same
claim allowed by the Assembly, and were only prevented, as we are informed,
* State Paper Office, London. Am. and W. I., vol. cxcviii.
ANSON COUNTY.
23
by its being proved to the Committee of Claims that the prisoners had made
satisfaction themselves.
"These things were not unknown to Mr. Spencer when he laid Medlock's
claim before the Assembly.
" In the next place, they tax considerable sums of money for particular
persons, who not having a right thereto, the magistrates receive back a part,
if not all, to their own use. All these things can be made appear, and we
conceive that no people have a right to be taxed but by consent of themselves or
their delegates.*
" The sheriffs who receive the tax, particularly Medlock and his associates,
have made a constant practice to exact two-eighths for distress money,
where no distress is made or necessary to be made ; and also have taxed
different sums from the people, according to their non-acquaintance with the
right, so that several different sums were received from the people in the
same year, surmounting the right tax.
"As to the clerk, his extortions are burdensome to all that fall in his
power, as he takes double and sometimes treble his due. Though it is true
that he purchased his office from Colonel Frohock, and gave to the amount
of one hundred and fifty pounds for it, yet it is unreasonable we should bear
the expense by way of extortion.
** * * * * * *
" This, and much more, are the causes of the present disturbance, which we
humbly pray your excellency will please to reconcile, by discharging the
most of the magistrates from their seats, and appointing better men, and also
the clerk of it, if it seems right to you ; and also to recommend by the voice of
the country, such persons as will judiciously discharge their several offices.
Upon such alteration the minds of the people will be at ease, and each one to
his former obedience ; and ready to discharge, according to their abilities,
every expense necessary for the support of the government, and we as peti-
tioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.
Solo. Crofts,
Thomas Ussery,
Jno. Skinner,
H. Fortenberry,
Lewis Low,
Joseph Howel,
Jason Meadow,
James Allmond,
Job Cilleadon,
James Loury,
James McMeot,
Daniel Short,
James Colbon,
Charles Walkinford,
James Round,
J. Tretenbury,
Delany Herring,
Jacob Collins,
Josh. Collins,
Js. Armstrong,
Jno. Swor, sen.,
Samuel Swearinger,
lleuben Woodard,
Luke Robinson,
Thomas Masen,
Wm. Betten,
Charles Booth,
Ab. Buskin,
Nat. Wood,
Mark Reerhen,
Wm. Hickman,
John Baile,
John Hornback,
Wm. Bosil,
Harklis Conkwrite,
. Jno. Bennet,
Thos. Harper,
Jas. Adams,
Amos Pilgrim,
Thomas Adams,
Jno. Swor, jun.,
Van Swearinger,
Sam. Williams,
Solo. Williams,
Wm. Fielding,
Pat. Boggen, Jan.,
Thos. Fanning,
John Jenkins,
Thos. Fanning, jun.,
Pat. Saunders,
Jno. Caterham,
James Short,
Thos. Tree,
Jon. Helms,
Wm. Greers,
J. Touchberry,
Sam. Harper,
Thos. Swearinger,
Wm. Adams,
Jas. Barindine,
Wm. Barindine, sen.
Wm. Barindine, jun.
Sam. BrutOn,
Jno. Masoi*,
Ralph Mason,
Thomas Mason,
Henry Fortenbury,
Wm. Rogers,
Geo. Marchbanks,
Wm. Buzen,
Ant. Matthews,
Peter Brisly,
Den. Nelson, sen.,
Benj. Barrit,
Jon. Poston,
Saml. Thomas,
James Higgins,
Wm. Higgins,
* This proves, at that early day, the great principle of taxation and representation was
well understood by the simplest of our people ; aud to Alison belongs the honor of first
recommending the election of clerks and magistrates by the people.
11
24 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Wm. Rogers, "Wm. Short, Frank Gordon,
Thos. Minis, John Henson, Jno. Higgins,
Charles Henson, Robt. Thorn, Thomas Jordan,
Malachi Watts, Robt. Ashley, Ab. Harper,
Wm. Burns, Sainl. Touchberry, Jo. English,
Jno. Carpenter, John Brus, Thos. Merns,
Jos. Burham, John Web, Thos. Harper/'
Gov. Tryon answered the petition on the 16th Aug. 1768, and
informed them that the matters of complaint in the above, required
the consultation of his Majesty's Council, and he enclosed a procla-
mation, dated 21st July, 1768, "requiring all public officers to
have a fair table of their fees affixed in each office, and for them
not to demand or receive other fees for public business, transacted
in their offices, than what are established by law."
The members from Anson to the first Provincial Congress at
Newbern, August, 1774 (which was the first movement of the people
as a State, adverse and opposed to the royal government), were
Samuel Spencer and William Thomas.
This was an epoch in the history of our State. The. movement
was well designed, concerted, and effectual. It led to the final over-
throw of the Colonial Government, and established independence.
Its journal hag been preserved. The firmness and patriotism of its
resolves, the eloquence, correctness, and spirit of language, com-
mand our respect and admiration of this body. John Harvey, of
Perquimans, was chosen Moderator; William Hooper, of Orange,
Joseph Hewes, of Edenton, and Richard Caswell, of Dobbs, were
appointed delegates to the Continental Congress at Philadelphia.
On the 20th of August, 1775, the Provincial Congress of North Carolina
met again at Hillsboro'.
The delegates from Anson were THOMAS WADE, SAMUEL SPENCER, WILLIAM
THOMAS, DAVID LOVE, and WILLIAM PICKET.
This body placed the State in complete military organization.
WILLIAM PICKET, of Anson, was appointed Captain in the First Regiment,
commanded by James Moore.
THOMAS WADE, of Anson, was chosen Colonel of the Minute Men of Salis-
bury District; from his name Wadesboro' derived its name.
For Field Officers for Anson County
SAMUEL SPENCER was appointed Colonel ; Charles MEDLOCK, Lieut-Colonel ;
JAMES HULD, 1st Major; DAVID LOVE, 2d Major.
SAM"UEL SPENCER was appointed with Waightstill Avery, from the Salisbury-
District, on the Provincial Council of Safety, which was the real executive of
the State during the interregnum between the abdication of Governor Martin
(the royal Governor) in 1775, and the accession of Richard Caswell, the
Governor under the constitution in 1776.
The character of SAMUEL SPENCER belongs to Anson. The record shows
that his talents were appreciated by the country, for he was associated in
its defence in both a civil and military character. Under the Colonial Go-
vernment, he represented Anson in the Assembly, and was clerk of the court
for that county, an office of much profit. His conduct appears to have given
offence while in discharge of these duties, as will be seen by the petition from
Solomon Crofts and others, herein published.
He was one of the three Judges of the Superior Courts first elected under
the constitution (1777). He was in the Convention assembled at Hillsboro' in
ANSON COUNTY.
25
July, 1788, to deliberate upon the Federal Constitution ; was its active and
able opponent, and contributed greatly to its rejection in that body.
He died in 1794. His death was caused by a most singular circumstance.
He had been in ill health, and was sitting in his yard in the sun. A large
turkey gobbler was attracted by some part of his clothing, which was red, for
which color turkeys have a great antipathy. The turkey attacked Judge
Spencer most furiously, and before assistance could rescue him, so severely
was he wounded, that he died in a short time from the injuries.
From the journal of the Provincial Congress, at Hillsboro/ 20th August,
1775, it appears that John Coulson, an individual of some considerable
influence in this county, was brought before Congress, and solemnly recanted
his political opinions, and promised to aid, support and defend, the just rights
of America.
By the journal, 28th August, 1776, James Colten, Samuel Williams, and
Jacob Williams, were charged with being Tories, They were arrested and
brought to the bar of the house by the Hillsboro' company, and set at liberty
after examination.
The following is a correct list of the Members from Anson
County, as from the archives in the State Department at Raleigh,
from the adoption of the Constitution to the last Session, 1850-51.
Years.
1777.
1778.
1779.
1780.
1782.
1783.
1784.
1785.
1785.
1786.
1787.
1788.
1789.
1791.
1792.
1793.
1794.
1795.
1?96.
1797.
1798.
1799.
1800.
1801.
1802.
1803.
1804.
1805.
1806.
1807.
1808.
1809.
1810.
1811.
1812.
Senate. *
John Childs,
John Childs,
John Childs,
John Childs,
Thomas Wade,
Thomas Wade,
Stephen Miller,
Stephen Miller,
Stephen Miller,
Stephen Miller,
Stephen Miller,
John Auld,
Lewis Lanier,
Thomas Wade,
James Marshall,
James Marshall,
James Pickett,
James Pickett,
Wm. May,
James Marshall,
John Auld,
Thos. Wade,
James Marshall,
James Marshall,
James Marshall,
James Marshall,
James Marshall,
James Marshall,
James Marshall,
James Marshall,
Thos. Threadgill,
Thos. Threadgill,
James Marshall,
James Marshall,
James Marshall,
House of Commons.
George Davidson, Wm. Pickett.
George Davidson, Stephen Miller.
Stephen Miller, Charles Medlock.
Stephen Miller, Richd. Farr.
Stephen Miller, John Jackson.
John Jackson, John Auld.
James Terry, John Dejarnell.
James Terry, John Dejarnell.
*James Terry, Wm. Wood.
William Wood, Wm. Lanier.
Lewis Lanier, Pleasant May.
Lewis Lanier, Pleasant May.
Wm. Wood, Pleasant May.
Wm. Wood, James Pickett.
Wm. Wood, Pleasant May.
Wm. Wood, Pleasant May,
Pleasant May, Danl. Young.
Pleasant May, Danl. Young.
Isaac Jackson, Danl. Young.
Isaac Jackson, Danl. Ross.
Lewis Lanier, Pleasant May.
Wm. Wood, Pleasant May.
Danl. Ross, Clement Lanier.
Clement Lanier, John Culpepper.
Wm. Lanier, Robert Troy.
Wm. Lanier, James Hough.
Adam Lockhart, William Lanier.
Joseph Pickett, Wm. Lanier.
William Lanier, Robt. Troy.
Lawrence Moore, Wm. Johnston.
Wm. Johnston, Lawrence Moore.
Joseph Pickett, Lawrence Moofe.
Wm. Johnston, David Cuthbertson,
D. Cuthbertson, Wm. R. Pickett.
Wm. Johnston, Wm. R. Pickett.
* Seat vacated, for having borne arm? against the State.
26
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Years. Senate.
1813. Wm. Johnson,
1814. Lawrence Moore,
1815. Lawrence Moore,
1816. Lawrence Moore,
1817. Joseph Pickett,
1818. Wm. Marshall,
1819. Wm. Marshall,
1820. Win. Marshall,
1821. Wm. Marshall,
1822. Wm. Marshall, ;
1823. Wm. Marshall,
1824. Wm. Marshall,
1825. Joseph Pickett,
1826. Joseph Pickett,
1827. Joseph Pickett,
1828. Clement Marshall,
1829. Clement Marshall,
1830. Clement Marshall,
1831. Clement Marshall,
1832. Wm. A. Morris,
1833. Wm. A. Morris,
1834. Alex. Little,
1835. Alex. Little,
1836. Absalom Myers,
1838. A.Myers, "
1840. Abs. Myers,
1842. Abs. Myers,
1844. P. G. Smith,
1846. D. D. Daniel,
1848. D. D. Daniel,
1850. Purdie Kichardson,
House of Commons.
D. Cuthbertson, Joseph Pickett.
Joseph Pickett, Wm. Dismukes.
Wm. Dismukes, Joseph Pickett.
Wm. Dismukes, Joseph PicketC
James Colman, Boggan Cash.
Jonathan Taylor, Boggan Cash.
B. Cash, Geo. Dismukes.
Joseph White, Jeremiah Benton.
Joseph White, John Smith.
Joseph White, John Smith.
Joseph White, James Gordon.
Joseph White, James Gordon.
John Smith, Clement Marshall.
John Smith, Clement Marshall.
Alex. Little, Clement Marshall.
Wm. A. Morris, John Smith.
Wm. A. Morris, Jos. White.
W. A. Morris, Joseph White.
Wm. A. Morris,- Alex. Little.
M. W. Cuthbertson, T. D. Parks.
P. W. Kittrell, A. W. Brandon.
Pleasant W. Kittrell, A. W. Brandon.
John A. McRae, Jere. Benton.
John A. McRae, John Grady.
George Dunlap, P. H. Winston.
P. H. Winston, John McColum.
Thomas S. Ashe, John McColum.
Jon. Trull, J. M. Waddill.
J. R. Hargrove, Jon. Trull.
J. R. Hargrove, Jon. Trull.
Atlas Jones Dargan, Benj. J. Dunlap.
CHAPTER IV.
ASHE COUNTY.
Date of erection, origin of name, situation and boundaries Population and
products Jefferson, county town ; first settlement in 1755, and a general
description List of members from formation of the county to the last
Legislature.
ASHE COUNTY was formed in 1799 from " that portion of Wilkes
lying west of the extreme height of the Appalachian Mountains."
It is the extreme northwest corner of the State ; bounded on the
north 'by the Virginia line, east by the Appalachian Mountains,
which separate it from Wilkes and Surry, and south by Watauga,
Caldwell, and Wilkes Counties.
It was called in honor of SAMUEL ASHE, who was but a short time before
the erection of this county Governor of the State.
ASHE COUNTY. 27
The character of Governor Ashe is one of which North Carolina may be
well proud.
His father, John B. Ashe, was distinguished in the annals of the province
as early as 1727 ; he had emigrated to the colony of North Carolina from
England, under the auspices of the Earl of Craven, one of the Lords Pro-
Srietors, and settled in Wilmington, then called Newton ; he had two sons,
ohn Ashe and Samuel Ashe, both distinguished in the revolutionary history
of the State.
Samuel Ashe was born in 1725. He was an educated man, and a lawyer
by profession. The proceedings of the Committee of Safety and the journals
of the Provincial Congress from 1774 to 1776 attest his firmness and patriotism.
He did not, like his distinguished brother John, figure in the field of arms,
but he was eminently conspicuous in the council and cabinet in conducting
the affairs of the State, to which arms and force are but necessary accesso-
ries. If John Ashe was the Achilles, Samuel Ashe was the Nestor of North
Carolina.
He was one of the three first judges in the State, 1777, and Governor in
1795. For further notice of Governor Ashe, the reader is referred to the
Chapter LV. on New Hanover County.
Its capital town preserves in North Carolina the name of THOMAS JEFFERSON,
the third President of the United States. Its distance from Raleigh 202 miles.
The amount of taxes paid by Ashe to the public treasury is eight hundred
and twenty-four dollars.
The amount received by Ashe from the public treasury for common schools
is one thousand one hundred and thirty-six.
Ashe County was settled about 1755. The face of the country
is mountainous, its valleys fertile, yielding wheat, oats, barley,
buckwheat, and potatoes in great abundance.. It has extensive
ranges for pasture ; its air pure and water excellent ; the climate
favorable to longevity. It abounds in iron and saltpetre.
Produce, according to census returns of 1840 :
10,836 bushels wheat. 57,982 bushels potatoes.
150,279 " corn. 97 distilleries.
10,970 " buckwheat. 23,573 gallons produced.
17,805 " rye. 735 dollars worth of ginseng.
108,5J05 " oats. 16,193 pounds of sugar.
Population according to the census of 1850 : 8,096 whites ; 86 free negroes ;
595 slaves ; 8,539 freed population ; 587 persons over 20 who cannot read
or write.
The following is a correct list of the Members of the Legislature,
from the erection of this county to the last session, 1850-51.
Years. Senators. Members of the House of Commons.
1800. George Koontz, John Calloway, Nathan Horton.
1801. George Koontz, Richard Williams, William Horton.
1802. George Koontz, Nathan Horton, John Calloway.
1803. John Calloway, Richard Williams, Jonathan Bake.
1804. James M. Caleb, Richard Williams, Joseph Calloway.
1805. Nathan Horton, Richard Williams, John Koontz.
1806. Nathan Horton, Joseph Galloway, Richard Williams.
1807. John Galloway, Richard Williams, Thos. McGimpsey.
. 1808. J. Calloway, Richafd Williams, Bedent Bajrd.
1809. J. Calloway, Thos. McGimpsey, Richard Williams.
1810. Richard Williams, Martin Gambill, David Miller.
1811. Richard Williams, David Miller, Martin Gambill.
1812. George Bower, David Edwards, Elijah Calloway.
1813. George Bower, E. Calloway, David Miller.
1814. George Bower, E. Calloway, William Ilorton.
28
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Years. Senators.
1815. George Bower,
1816. George Bower,
1817. George Bower,
1818. E. Galloway,
1819. E. Galloway,
1820. R. Gentry,
1821. E. Galloway,
1823. E. Galloway,
1824. E. Galloway,
1825. Abner Smith,
1826. A. B. M'Millan,
1827. A. B. M'Millan,
1828. John Harden,
1829. A. Mitchell,
1830. John Ray,
1831. John Ray,
1832. John Ray,
1833. G. Phillips,
1834. Noah Mast,
1835. John Gambill,
1836. Edmund Jones,
1838. Edmund Jones,
1840. A. Mitchell,
1842. Edmund W. Jones,
1844. A. B. McMillan,
1846. A. B. McMillan,
1848. George Bower,
1850. George Bower,
Members of the House of Commons.
E. Galloway, William Ilorton.
E. Galloway, William Ilorton.
E. Galloway, Joseph Doughton.
Francis Bryan, Miles Allen.
Bedent Baird, Richard Gentry.
John Harden, Alex. B. McMillan.
Alex. B. McMillan, Abner Smith.
Alex. B. McMillan, J. Weaver.
Joshua Weaver, Alex. B. McMillan.
William Herbert, Reuben Hartley.
J. Blevins, Zachariah Baker.
Zach. Baker, Anderson Mitchell.
A. Mitchell, James Galloway.
J. Galloway, Zachariah Baker.
James Horton, J. Galloway,
J. Galloway, Taliaferro Witcher,
T. Witcher, Jonathan Horton.
T. Witcher, Jonathan Horton.
J. Horton, Taliaferro Witcher.
T. Witcher, Jonathan Horton.
James M. Nye.
James M. Nye.
Alex. B. McMillan.
George Bower.
Benjamin Galloway.
Benjamin Galloway.
Reuben Mast.
A. B. McMillan.
CHAPTER V.
BEAUFORT COUNTY.
Date of formation Origin of name, situation and boundaries Population
and products Washington, county seat Bath, ancient town Delegates
to first Provincial Congress in North Carolina, in 1774, from Beaufort
Delegates to second Provincial Congress in 1775 Officers in 1776, of the
Beaufort Regiment Delegates from Beaufort in 1776 Members of Gene-
ral Assembly.
BEAUFORT COUNTY was formed in 1741, from Bath County, now
abolished, and derives its name from Henry, Duke of Beaufort, in
whom was vested the proprietary rights of George, Duke of Albe-
marle, and who, with the other proprietors (except Lord Gran-
ville),* surrendered in 1729, their rights to the English Crown.
(George II.)
It is bounded on the north by the counties Martin and Washing-
ton, east by Hyde and Pamlico River and Sound, south by Craven
County, and west by Pitt County.
* See act of surrender, Revised Statutes, ii. 466.
BEAUFORT COUNTY. 29
Its population, from census of 1850, is 7,663 whites; 904 free negroes;
5,249 slaves; 11,716 federal population; 1,317 persons over twenty, who can-
not read or write.
Its products, from census of 1840, are 6,333 bushels of, wheat ; 5,055 bushels
of oats; 153,522 bushels of corn ; 87,180 pounds of cotton; 106,987 barrels
of tar, pitch, rosin and turpentine; 4,300 barrels offish.
The Amount paid by Beaufort to the Public Treasury for taxes, is two
thousand, six hundred and six dollars.
The amount received by Beaufort from the Public Treasury for common
schools, is one thousand six hundred and thirty dollars. BATH, the ancient
seat of government on the north side of Pamlico River is in this county.
The inhabitants of Beaufort were distinguished for their early
devotion to the principles of liberty.
The delegates from Beaufort to the first Congress, which met at Newbern
in 1774, were ROGER ORMOND, THOMAS RESPISS, and WILLIAM SALTER.
The delegates in 1775, which met at Hillsboro', were the same, with JOHN
PATTON, and JOHN COWPER.
This body appointed as officers to the regiment of this county, JAMFS
BONNER, Colonel ; THOMAS BONNER, Lieutenant-Colonel ; ROGER ORMOND, 1st
Major ; WM. BROWN, 2d Major.
The delegates to the Congress of 1776, which met at Halifax, and formed
our Constitution, were J^HN BARROW, THOMAS RESPISS, FRANCIS JONES,
THOMAS RESPISS, Jr., ROBERT TRIPP.
Hon. WM. S. BLACKLEDGE represented this district from 1803 to 1809, from
1811 to 1813, from 1821 to 1823.
Hon. HENRY S. CLARK represented this county in 1834, a lawyer by pro-
fession ; Solicitor in 1842, and a member of Congress in 1845-47.
Hon. EDWARD STANLY represented this county in 1844, '46 and '48 ;
Speaker in 1848 ; son of Hon. John Stanly of Newbern. He was Attorney-
General in 1847, and in Congress from 1837 to 1843, and from 1849 to 1851,
and again re-elected to 1853. As Speaker of the House of Commons he was
able and impartial, and won for himself the approbation of all parties.
List of members of the General Assembly, from Beaufort, from
1776 to 1851:
Years. Senate. House of Commons.
1777. Thomas Respess, Nathan Keas, William Brown.
1778. Thomas Respess, Andrew Ellison, William Brown.
1779. Thomas Respess, Robert Trippe, John Kennedy.
1780. Thomas Respess, William Brown, Samuel Willis.
1781. Wm. Brown, Charles Crawford, Thos. A. Grist.
1782. Wm. Brown, Richard N. Stevens, John G. Blount.
1783. Wm. Brown, Thos. Anderson, John G. Blount.
1784. John Smaw, Thos. Anderson, John G. Blount.
1785. John-Smaw, Thos. Anderson, John G. Blount.
1786. John Bonner, John G. Blount, Henry Smaw.
1787. John Bonner, t Henry Smaw, John G. Blount.
1788. William Brown, John G. Blount, H. Smaw.
1789. William Brown, John G. Blount, Richard Grice.
1791. John Kennedy, . Richard Blackledge, John Lanier.
1792. R'd Blackledge, John Lanier, James Bonner.
1793. R'd Blackledge, Charles Crawford, Frederic Grist,
1795. R'd Blackledge, C. Crawford, F. Grist.
1796. John G. Blount, John Kennedy, jr., T. Ellison.
1797. Hans Patton, F. Grist, Thomas Ellison.
1800. H'y S. Bonner, John Kennedy, Frederic Grist.
1801. H. S. Bonner, ' F. Grist, J. Kennedy.
1802. H. S. Bonner, F. Grist, Thomas Ellison.
1803. II. S. Bonner, F. 'Grist, T. Ellison.
1804. N. W. Bonner, F. Grist, T. Ellison.
30
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Years. Senate.
1805. Thomas Smaw,
1806. T. Smaw,
1807. T. Smaw,
1808. Frederic Grist,
1809. F. Grist,
1810. F. Grist,
1811. F. Grist,
1812. Thomas Bowen,
1813. Stephen Owens,
1814. Reading Grist,
1815. R. Grist,
1816. R. Grist,
1817. R. Grist,
1818. R. Grist,
1819. Richard Hines,
1821. Jesse Robeson,
1822. J. 0. K. Williams,
1823. J. 0. K. Williams,
1824. J. 0. K. Williams,
1825. J. 0. K. Williams,
1826. J. 0. K. Williams,
1827. J. 0. K. Williams,
1828. J. 0. K. Williams,
1829. Jos. B. Hinton,
1830. Jos. B. Hinton, i
1831. W. S. Rowland,
1832. Jos. B. Hinton,
1833. Wm. E. Smaw,
1834. J. McWilliams,
1835. J. 0. K. Williams,
1836. J. 0. K. Williams,
1838. J. 0. K. Williams,
1840. William Selby,
1842. W. B. Hodges,
1844. Joshua Taylor,
1846. David Carter,
1848. Thos. D. Smaw,
1850. A. Grist,
House of Commons.
Stephen Owens, F. Grist.
F. Grist, S. Owens.
James \Villiams, F. Grist.
J. Williams, Jonathan Marsh.
J. Williams, Thomas Boyd.
J. Williams, T: Boyd.
James Latham, Everard Hall.
George Boyd, J. Latham.
William Worsley, Slade Pearce.
J. 0. K. Williams, George Boyd. .
J. 0. K. Williams, Thos. Latham.
J. 0. K. Williams, Wm. Vines.
Thomas Latham, Wm. Vines.
T. Latham, Jesse Robeson.
J. Robeson, John S. Smallwood.
Thos. W. Blackledge, J. Adams.
T. W. Blackledge, W. Ormond.
W. Ormond, T. W. Blackledge.
T. W. Blackledge, James Satchwell.
Thomas Ellison, Wm. A. Blount.
W. A. Blount, T. Ellison.
W. A. Blount, T. W. Blackledge.
T. Latham, T. W. Blackledge.
S. Smallwood, J. W. Williams.
S. Smallwood, J. W. Williams. '
Richard H. Bonner, David 0. Freeman.
Richard Bonner, Henry S. Clark.
Wm. L. Kennedy, S. Smallwood.
Henry S. Clark, 'S. Smallwood.
H. S. Clark, S. Smallwood.
F. C. Satterthwaite, S. Smallwood.
W. A. Blount, Jno. McWilliams.
J. 0. K. Williams, Sh. P. Allen.
Sh. P. Allen, J. W. Williams.
Edward Stanly, Frederic Grist.
Edward Stanly, Thomas D. Smaw.
Edward Stanly, W. W. Hnyman.
Jesse Stubbs, Wm. H. Tripp.
CHAPTER VI.
BERTIE COUNTY.
Date of formation, origin of name, situation, and boundaries Windsor,
county town Population and products Delegates in 1774 and 1775
Military officers in 1776 Life, character, services and political career of
David Stone, a native of Bertie Other distinguished citizens List of
members of General Assembly.
BERTIE was formed as early as 1722, from Albemarle County
(now abolished), and derives its name from James and John Bertie,
in whom the proprietary rights of the Earl of Clarendon vested.
BERTIE COUNTY. 31
Their names appear in the deed of surrender in 1729 of their rights
to the crown.*
It is situated in the eastern part of the State, and bounded on
the north by the County of Hertford ; east by the Chowan River,
which separates it from Chowan County ; south by the Roanoake
River", which separates it from the County of Martin ; and west by
a part of Northampton County and the Roanoake River, which
separates it from Halifax County.
WINDSOR is its capital town, beautifully situated on the Cashie
River, and navigable for vessels.
Its population, 5344 whites; 313 free negroes; 7194 slaves; 9973 federal
population ; 1032 persons who cannot read or write.
Its products, 2839 bushels wheat; 545,282 bushels corn; 2,121,449 pounds
cotton ; 12,352 pounds wool ; 25,885 barrels fish ; 22,439 barrels turpentine.
The amount paid by Bertie as taxes into the public treasury is two thousand
nine hundred and twenty-six dollars.
The amount received by Bertie for common schools from the treasury is
one thousand four hundred and eighty-one dollars.
The County of Bertie was early distinguished for its devotion to
liberty.
To the assemblage of patriots which met at Newbern, 25th August, 1774,
JOHN CAMPBELL was a delegate.
To the assembly which met in 1775, at Hillsboro', the delegates were WIL-
LIAM GRAY, JONATHAN JATC'OCKS, CHARLES JAYCOCKS, WILLIAM BRIMMAGE,
WILLIAM BRYAN, ZEDEKIAH STONE, THOMAS BALLARD, PETER CLIFTON, DAVID
STANDLY, JpHN CAMPBELL, JOHN JOHNSTON.
The officers elected by this assembly for Bertie, were THOMAS WHITMELL,
Colonel, THOMAS PUGH, Lieut.-Colonel, JAMES MOORE, 1st Major, ARTHUR
BROWN, 2d Major.
The delegates from Bertie to the State Congress that assembled at Halifax
12th November, 1776, which formed our Constitution, were THOMAS PUGH,
JOHN JOHNSTON, WILLIAM GRAY, NOAH HINTON, ZEDEKIAH STONE.
Captain JACOB TURNER, of this county, went with General Nash in the
army of the Revolution, and fell with him, at the battle of Germantown, in
1777. Over his grave, a marble, erected by the patriotism of the citizens of
Germantown, aided by the generous efforts of John F. Watson, Esq., author
of the " Annals of Pennsylvania," reads thus :
HONOR TO THE BRAVE.
Hie jacet in pace.
Colonel HENRY IRWIN, of North Carolina,
Captain TURNER,
Adjutant LUCAS and six SOLDIERS,
Killed in the Battle of Germantown.
ONE CAUSE, ONE GRAVE.
The thanks of the State are due to Mr. Watson, for the act of generosity
in thus rescuing the names and pointing out the spot where these martyrs to
the cause of Liberty sleep.
The stranger came, and found the soldier's gtave;
On honor's page he. saw ihe glorious name,
And raised this fond memorial to his fame.
ZEDEKIAH STONE, of this County, had early emigrated from England. He
was a merchant on the Cashie lliver, and was the father of David Stone,
* See Deed of Surrender, Revised Statutes, ii. 466.
32 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
who is so distinguished as a Judge, Governor, Senator in Congress, in the
History of North Carolina, that his life and services deserve our attention.
DAVID STONE was born in Bertie County, on 17th February, 1770, at Hope,
about five miles from Windsor, on the Halifax road.
His elementary education was as good as the country afforded. After his
academic studies were finished he entered Princeton College, where by his
assiduity and genius he became distinguished. He graduated at that re-
nowned institution in 1788 with the first honors of the college.
He studied law at Halifax under General Wm. R. Davie, whose experience,
talents, and learning, were admirably adapted to prepare him for the conflicts
of the forum and the bar.
In 1790 he received a license to practice law, and from his assiduity in his
profession, his deep and varied acquirements, he soon rose to the highest ranks
of the profession. From his suavity of manners he became a favorite with
the people.
He early embarked on the stormy sea of political life, and he was destined
to a distinguished career.
In 1791 he was elected to the General Assembly, a member of the House
of Commons, as also in 1792, '93 and '94. He was Judge of the Supreme
Court from 1795 to 1798.
In 1799 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives in Con-
gress.
In 1801 he was elected by the Legislature a member of the Senate of the
United States. In this capacity he served until 1806, when he was elected a
Judge of the Supreme Court; which he resigned in 1808, on being elected
Governor of the State.
In 1811 he appeared in the Legislature again as a member of the House of
Commons from Bertie. He distinguished himself this session by advocacy
of a bill transferring the choice of electors for the Presidency from the
people to the Legislature, which was opposed by Duncan Cameron, John
Steele, and others.
The next session he introduced a resolution proposing to choose electors by
the general ticket system. This too was opposed by Duncan Cameron, John
Stanly, and others, and his proposition failed. He opposed the plan of John
Phifer, as to the district system, which was adopted at the time.
At this session he was elected again Senator in Congress, for six years,
from 4th March, 1813.
This was a most stormy period. The war which had been declared with
Great Britain, then raged with all its fury. Parties were violently excited.
The republicans were for sustaining the war with men, money, and every
means in their power. Being elected as a decided republican, it was ex*
pected that Gov. Stone would give Mr. Madison a cordial and unwavering
support, and advocate the war measures of the administration.
He differed from his colleague, Gov. Turner, and the Republican party on
many leading questions ; the bill authorizing a direct tax, the embargo re-
commended by the President (Mr. Madison), and other measures.
This called down the reproof of the Legislature of North Carolina.
In December 1814, Mr. Branch, in State Senate, from the committee on the
subject, reported that " the conduct of Mr. Stone had been in opposition to
his profession, and jeopardized -the safety and interest of the country, and
incurred the disapprobation of the General Assembly."
This was adopted by a vote of 40 to 18.
The names of the minority are : Bender, Bodenhamer, Caldwell, Fuller, Foy,
Hinton, Johnson, McKinny, Murphy, Parker, R. Smith, Speight, Slade, Steioart,
J. Smith, Wright, J. Williams, R. Williams.
This caused him to resign. He seems never to have recovered his position
with his party or his influence in the State .
He was twice married ; by the first marriage he .had several children (one
son only, who was Cashier of the Branch Bank of Cape Fear at Raleigh, now
dead) ; by the second marriage he left no children. He died in Oct. 1818.
BERTIE COUNTY. 33
Equally gifted, if less successful in public life, in Bertie, was WILLIAM
CHERRY. He was educated at Chapel Hill, and graduated at that Institution
in 180(X He studied law, and became distinguished in his profession. In
1805, he was a member in the Commons from Bertie. Efforts are being
made to procure information as to life, career, and end of this brilliant genius,
which another edition of this work will present.
GEORGE OUTLAW also lived and died in this county. He was a member of
the House of Commons, in 1796 ; and of th6 Senate in 1807 and '08, and
often afterwards ; and a member of Congress, in 1824 and 1825 ; was dis-
tinguished for his amiable manners, unsullied character, and piety of life.
These have numerous connections now in Bertie, to whom their reputation
and services are dear, and whose virtues are left for their imitation and emu-
lation.
WILLIAM W. CHERRY was a native of Bertie, and as distinguished for his
benevolence in private, as for his ability in public life. He was raised as a
merchant, taught school, and at mature age studied law, and practiced with
great success. He was elected to the Senate in 1838, and to the House of
Commons in 1844. In 1845, he was nominated as member of Congress, and
had not death terminated his life at Jackson, while attending Northampton
Superior Court (2d May, 1845), his career would have been useful and bril-
liant. He died in the 39th year of his age.
DAVID OUTLAW is a resident and native of Bertie. He was educated at
the University. He graduated in 1824, in a class composed of John Bragg,
late a judge in Mobile, and recently elected member of Congress from the
Mobile district, Alabama; William A. Graham, now Secretary of the Navy ;
Matthias E. Manly, now a judge of our Superior Courts ; Augustus Moore,
late of Edenton, late Judge of our Superior Court; Thomas Dews, and others.
In this galaxy of talent Mr. Outlaw was not obscure.
He read law at Newbern, with Judge Gaston ; admitted to. the Bar in 1827 ;
Elected to the House of Commons in 1832, and again in 1833 and 1834 ;
Solicitor of Edenton Circuit in 1836, and member of Congress in 1848, for
which distinguished post he is again re-elected (August 1851).
Many other names might be named who have "done the State
some service," and in another edition accurate sketches of them will
be presented.
Members of General Assembly from Bertie County, from 1777
to 1851.
Years. Senators. Members of House of Commons.
1777. Zed. Stone, William Jordan, Simon Turner.
1778. Zed. Stone, William Jordan, James Campbell.
1779. Zed. Stone, John Pugh Williams, Jonathan Jacocks.
1780. Jon. Jacocks, William Horn, David Turner.
1781. Jon. Jacocks, William Horn, David Turner.
1782. Jon. Jacocks, William Horn, David Turner.
1783. Jon. Jacocks, William Horn, David Turner.
1784. Jon. Jacocks, Zed. Stone, Andrew Oliver.
1785. Jon? Jacocks, Thomas Collins, Andrew Oliver.
1786. Zed. Stone, Thomas Collins, Andrew Oliver.
1787. John Johnston, Andrew Oliver, William Horn.
1788. John Johnston^ William Horn, Francis Pugh.
1789. John Johnston, William Horn, Francis Pugh.
1790. Francis Pugh, David Stone, David Turner.
1791. Jasper Charlton, David Stone, William J. Dawson.
1792. Jasper Charlton, David Stone, Tristam Lowther.
1793. Jasper Charlton, David Stone, John Wolfendon.
1794. John Wolfendon, Jonathan Jacocks, David Stone.
1795. John Wolfendon, Jonathan Jacocks, John Johnston.
1796. Timothy Walton, George Outlaw, John Johnston.
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
STears. Senators.
1797. Francis Pugh,
1800. John Johnston,
1801. Jona. Jacocks,
1802. George Outlaw,
1803. Henry Peterson,
1804. Joseph Jordan,
1805. Joseph Jordan,
1806. George Outlaw,
1807. George Outlaw,
1808. George Outlaw,
1809. Joseph Jordan,
1810. George Outlaw,
1811. George Outlaw,
1812. George Outlaw,
1813. George Outlaw,
1814. George Outlaw,
1815. Wm. Sparkman,
1816. Wm. Sparkman,
1817. George Outlaw,
1818. Thos. L. West,
1819. Wm. Hinton,
1821. George Outlaw,
1822. George Outlaw,
1823. George B. Outlaw,
1824. George B. Outlaw,
1825. Jehu Nicholls,
1826. Wm. Gilliam,
1827. George 0. Askew,
1828. George 0. Askew,
1829. George 0. Askew,
1830. George 0. Askew,
1831. George 0. Askew,
1832. George 0. Askew,
1833. A. W. Mebane,
1834. A. W. Mebane,
1835. A. W. Mebane,
1836. A. W. Mebane,
1838. Wm. W. Cherry,
1840. Lewis Bond,
1842. Jas. S. Mitchell,
1844. Lewis Thompson,
1846. J. R. Gilliam,
1848, Lewis Thompson,
1850. Lewis Bond,
Members of the House of Commons.
George Outlaw, J. B. Jordan.
Joseph Jordan, Thomas Fitts.
Henry K. Peterson, Joseph Eason.
James W. Clark, Jlenry Peterson.
James W. Clark, James Tunstall.
William Cherry, Joseph H. Bryan.
William Cherry, Joseph H. Bryan.
Prentis Law, Joseph Eason.
Joseph H. Bryan, Joseph Eason.
Joseph H. Bryan, J. Eason.
Joseph H. Bryan, Geo. L. Ryan.
George L. Ryan, Thomas Speller.
David Stone, William Sparkman.
David Stone, William Sparkman.
Timothy Walton, Whit. H. Pugh.
William Sparkman, Whit. H. Pugh.
WHS. H. Pugh, Jonathan Jacocks.
Simon A. Bryan, J. II. Jacocks.
Thos. L. West, J. H. Jacocks.
William Hinton, Joseph Jordan.
Geo. B. Outlaw, Simon A. Bryan.
Robert C. Watson, Thos. Brickell.
Thomas Brickell, Simon A. Bryan.
James G. Mhoon, S. A. Bryan.
Wm. H. Rascoe, J. G. Mhoon.
William H. Rascoe, J. G. Mhoon.
J. G. Mhoon, Joseph D. White.
Thomas H. Speller, J. D. White.
Joseph Watford, Wm. S. Mhoon.
Wm. S. Mhoon, Alexander W. Mebane.
W. S. Mhoon, A. W. Mebane.
Lewis Thompson, David Outlaw.
David Outlaw, Thomas J. Pugh.
David Outlaw, Thomas J. Pugh.
David Outlaw, Thomas J. Pugh.
John F. Lee, Thomas H. Speller.
John F. Lee, Thomas H. Speller.
Lewis Bond, James R. Rayner.
Lewis Thompson, John R. Gilliam.
James R. Rayner, John F. Lee.
W. W. Cherry, Lewis Bond.
John N. Bond, Richard 0. Britton.
J. B. Cherry, K. Biggs.
J. B. Cherry, P. H. Winston.
BLADEN COUNTY. 35
CHAPTER VII.
BLADEN COUNTY.
Date of its formation, origin of its naine Situation and boundaries Eliza-
bethtown its Capital Population and Products Climate Colonial and
Revolutionary History Delegates to first Provincial Congress at Newbern,
in 1774 Delegates to the second, in 1775 Delegates to the Assembly, in
1776, which formed our Constitution Documents relative to the battle
at Elizabethtown, July, 1781, between the Whigs under Colonel Thomas
Brown, afterwards General, and the 1'ories, commanded by Cols. Slingsby
and Godden Her distinguished citizens, and a list of her members in the
General Assembly, from 1774 to 1851.
BLADEN COUNTY was formed as early as 1734, from New Hanover
County, and comprehended at the time the whole western portion
of the State as far as the limits of North Carolina extended.
It was so called in honor of Martin Bladen, one of the Lords
Commissioners of Trade and Plantations.*
It is situated in the south-eastern part of North Carolina, and
is bounded on the north by the county of Cumberland, and South
River, which separates it from Sampson County ; on the east by the
same river, which separates it from New Hanover County ; on the
south by the counties of Brunswick, and Columbus ; and on the
west by the county of Robeson.
Elizabethtown, its capital, is situated on the Cape Fear River,
and distant from Raleigh 99 miles.
Population, 5,055 whites ; 354 free negroes ; 4,358 slaves ; 8,023 rep. popu-
lation ; 593 persons who cannot read or write.
Products 1549 bushels of wheat; 4,954 bushels of oats ; 180,705 bushels of
corn; 58,193 pounds cotton: 7,574 pounds wool : 14,281 barrels turpentine ;
$44,868 of lumber.
Its climate is mild and salubrious. Its effect may be judged,
from the fact that in 1840, the oldest man on the census of that
decade, William Prigden, lived in this county. He was then 112
years of age, and died aged 122.
There is no portion of the State that was more determined or
devoted to the cause of Liberty, than was Bladen, in the early
periods of our history. In no portion was the advocacy of the
cause attended with greater peril, from the number of Tories, and
the vicinity of the enemy's forces.
To the first Assembly of Patriots (at Newbern) in 1774, the delegates from
Bladen were,, WILLIAM SALTER, and WALTER GIBSON.
* Martin's History of North Carolina, ii. 15.
36 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
The delegates in 1775 were (at Hillsboro'), THOMAS OWEN, THOMAS ROBE-
SON, Jr., and NATHANIEL RICHARDSON.
The delegates in 1776 (Halifax), which fornied our Bill of Rights and Con-
stitution, were THOMAS ROBESON, THOMAS OVFEN, THOMAS AMIS, and JAMES
COUNCIL.
The officers appointed in 1775 for this county, were THOMAS ROBESON, Jr.,
Colonel; THOMAS BROWN, Lieut.-Colonel; THOMAS OWEN, 1st Major; JAMES
RICHARDSON, 2d Major.
This county was signalized by being the scene of a bloody battle
between the friends of Liberty and the Tories, at or near Elizabeth-
town.
It was fought in July 1781 ; the friends of liberty were led on by
Thomas Brown, and the Tories commanded by Cols. Slingsby and
Godden. The situation of the county was deplorable. The Tories
had overrun every portion ; their opponents had been driven out of
the county, their homes ravaged, and houses burned. About 60
had taken refuge in Duplin ; hungry, naked, and homeless, exaspe-
rated to madness, they resolved to drive the Tories from their posts
or die in the attempt. The Tories, to the number of about three
hundred, had taken position at Elizabethtown. Colonel Brown and
his brave men marched fifty miles through a wilderness, subsisting
on jerked beef and scanty bread. ' They forded the Cape Fear,
and at night (when the disparity of the force could not be perceived),
made a furious onset on the Tories, drove in their guards, and
after a bloody resistance, in which their commander Slingsby was
mortally wounded and Godden killed, the Tories commenced a re-
treat ; a large number rushed wildly over every obstacle and leaped
into a deep gulley which has ever since borne the name of the
" Tory Hole."
This brilliant affair ended the Tory power in Bladen.
It is to be hoped that some record more enduring may be pro-
cured that will present this battle in its true colors to posterity.
With every exertion there has been but little procured, but enough
to show the chivalric daring of its leaders, and the firmness of the
sons of Bladen.
The following extracts, from the papers of the present day, may
induce others to search some record made at the time, and hand to
the present age, as " a rich legacy," the glowing record of this
brilliant achievement.
From the Wilmington Chronicle.
BATTLE OF ELIZABETHTOWN.
[Whigs of New Hanover, Bladen, and Duplin Col. Thomas Brown Tories
at Elizabethtown The Whigs, after a forced march, wade the Cape Fear and
rout the enemy in the night The leaders of the Highland Scotchmen (Slings-
by and Godden) slain The Tory Hole General Waddel, Owen, Morehead,
Robeson and Ervine.]
BLADEN COUNTY, February 21st, 1844.
A. A. BROWN, ESQ. :
Dear Sir Yours of the 3d inst. was received, soliciting such information
as I possessed, or may be able to collect respecting the battle fought at Eliza-
BLADEN COUNTY. 37
bethtown, during our revolutionary struggle, between the Whigs and Tories.
I have often regretted that the actions and skirmishes which occurred in this
and New Hanover County, should have been overlooked by historians. The
battle of Elizabethtown deserves a place in history, and ought to be recol-
lected by every true-hearted North Carolinian with pride and pleasure. Here
sixty men, driven from their homes, their estates ravaged, and houses plun-
dered, who had taken refuge with the Whigs of Duplin, without funds, and
bare of clothing, resolved to return, fight, conquer, or die. After collecting
all the ammunition they could, they embodied and selected Col. Thomas
Brown to command. They marched fifty miles through almost a wilderness
country, before they reached the river, subsisting on jerked beef and a scanty
supply of bread. The Tories had assembled, three hundred or more, at Eliza-
bethtown, and were commanded by Slingsby and Godden ; the former was a
talented man, and well fitted for hi station ; the latter, bold, daring and reck-
less, ready to risk everything to put down the Whigs. Every precautionary
measure was adopted to prevent surprise, and to render this the stronghold
of Toryism. Not a boat was suffered to remain on the east side of the river.
Guards and sentries were regularly detached and posted. W T hen the little
band of Whig heroes, after nightfall, reached the river, not a boat was to be
found ; but it must be crossed, and that speedily j its depth was ascertained
by some who were tall and expert swimmers ; they to a man cried out, " it is
fordable, we can, we will cross it." Not a murmur was heard, and without
a moment's delay, they all undressed, tied their clothing and ammunition on
their heads (baggage they had none), each man grasping the barrel of his
gun, raised the breech so as to keep the lock above water, descended the
banks, and entered the river. The taller men found less difficulty ; those of
lower stature, were scarcely able to keep their mouths and noses above water;
but all safely reached the opposite shore, resumed their dress, fixed their
arms for action, made their way through the low-grounds, then thickly set
with cane, ascended the hills, which were high and precipitous, crossed the
King's road leading through the town, and took a position in its rear. Here
they formed, and in about two hours after crossing a mile below, commenced
a furious attack, driving in the Tory sentries and guards ; they continued
rapidly to advance, keeping up a brisk and well-directed fire, and were soon in
;the midst of the foe, mostly Highland Scotchmen, as brave, as loyal, and high-
minded, as any of his Majesty's subjects ; so sudden and violent an^onset for
the moment produced disorder ; but they were rallied by their gallant leader,
and made for a while the most determined resistance. Slingsby fell mortally
wounded, and Godden was killed, with most of the officers of inferior grade.
They retreated, some taking refuge in houses, others, the largest portion, leap-
ing pell-mell into a deep ravine, since called the Tory Hole. As the Tories had
unlimited sway from the river to Little Pee Dee, the Whigs re-crossed, taking
with them their wounded. Such was the general panic produced by this action,
the Tories became dispirited, and never after were so troublesome. The
Whigs soon returned to their homes in safety. In the death of Slingsby, the
Tories were deprived of an officer whose place it was difficult to fill ; but few
were equal to Godden in partisan warfare.
This battle was fought mostly by river planters, men who had sacrificed
much for their country. To judge of it correctly, it should not be forgotten
that the country from Little Pee Dee to the Catawba, was overrun by the
Tories ; Wilmington was in possession of the British, and Cross Creek of the
Tories. Thus situated, the attack made on them at Elizabethtown assumed
much of the character of a forlorn hope; had the Whigs not succeeded, they
must have been cut off to a man. If they had fled to the South, thousands
would have arisen to destroy them ; if to the Eastward, the Tories in that
case, flushed with victory, would have intercepted their retreat, and they
would have sought in vain their former asylum. This action produced, in
this part of North Carolina, as sudden and as happy results as the battles of
Trenton and Princeton, in New Jersev. The contest was unequal, but valor
supplied the place of numbers. It is due to Colonel Brown, who when
a youth, marched with General Waddel from Bladen, and fought under
38 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Governor Tryon at the battle of Alamance, and was afterwards wounded at
the Great Bridge, under General Howe, near Norfolk, Virginia, to say he
fully realized the expectations of his friends, and the wishes of those who
selected him to command ; and when the history of our State shall be writ-
ten, this action alone, apart from his chivalric conduct at the Great Bridge,
will place him by the side of his compatriots, Horry, Marion, and Sumpter,
of the South. It must, it will form an interesting page in our history, on
which the young men of North Carolina will delight to dwell. It is an
achievement which bespeaks not only the most determined bravery, but
great military skill. The most of these men, like the Ten thousand Greeks,
were fitted to command. Owen had fought at Camden, Morehead commanded
the nine-months' men sent to the South ; Kobeson and Ervine were the Percys
of the Whigs, and might justly be called the Hotspurs of Cape Fear.
The foregoing narrative was detailed to me by two of the respectable com-
batants, who now sleep with their fathers ; the substance of which I have
endeavored to preserve with all the accuracy a memory not very retentive
will permit.
A respectable resident of Elizabethtown has, recently informed me that
he was a small boy at the time of the battle, and lived with his mother in one
of the houses to which the Tories repaired for safety ; that he has a distinct
recollection of the fire of the "Whigs, which appeared like one continued
stream. Documentary evidence I have none.
With great respect, &c., .
[From the Raleigh Independent.]
REVOLUTIONARY HISTORY.
[ Commentary on the preceding account of the Battle of Elizabethtown Military
skill of Col. Brown Whig stratagems Owen, Morehead and Robeson Ruse
de guerre and Coup de main, subsequently explained by Gen. Brown Best
mode of collecting materials for history Reference to the late Gen. Davis, of
Fayetteville.]
To the Editor of the Wilmington Chronicle :
SIR My attention was directed by a friend to an article in your paper of
the 5th inst., headed Battle of Elizabethtown.
The distinguished gentleman who furnished you with an account of the
battle, I have no doubt, gave it to you as he received it ; but his informant
overlooked the particulars which characterized it; and which establish its
claim to be ranked with those actions of our revolutionary struggle that
exhibited military skill. According to the showing of your correspondent, it
was an attack of great daring, and executed with astonishing secrecy and
dispatch. But these, though among the elements of war, do not necessarily
imply military talents ; nor can they aspire to that glory which is the crown-
ing privilege of military enterprise. On the contrary, the actors might have
forfeited all the applause, which is due to their valor, by the want of pro-
spective measures. And the discriminating annalist might deem it his duty
to note this achievement as the lucky termination of a desperate adventure,
in which the passions had more to do than the intellect, and which deserved
consideration merely as the accidental, but efficient cause, of important con-
sequences to the country. Suppose that heroic band had attacked the strong-
hold of Toryism without any of those stratagems and expedients which an
experienced officer knows how to practice ; and that stronghold containing a
numerical force at least five-fold greater than their own, of equal intrepidity,
and under an officer whose abilities and well-tried courage, inspired with
unanimity and zeal the whole of his garrison, how different would have been
the result! how awful the consequences ! a forlorn hope, self-immolated, and
doomed to perish ! The band would have been cut off in this wild expedition
of uncalculating temerity ; and though their fate would have been deplored,
they would neither have deserved the gratitude of their country, nor merited
the panegyrics of history.
BLADEN COUNTY. 39
The sagacious commander, Col. Brown, did not act thus. He did not com-
mence an expedition without a plan ; and without looking to results, and
providing for contingencies. Every meditated movement was arranged and
settled with exact precision; and the destruction of the superior officers of
the garrison determined on as an indispensable, though painful measure, to
insure the victory. Every individual was made perfectly acquainted with his
duty, in order that entire concert might be maintained during the conflict.
Your correspondent's narrative is, no doubt, correct as to the advance of
the Whigs, under cover of night, their forming in the rear of what was then
called the King's Road, driving in the outposts and sentries, and making the
onset on the garrison. Here, his deficiency will be evident, when it is com-
pared with the details which I am about to give.
After the first volley, Col. Brown, with six officers, who for the want of a
more appropriate word, may be termed his staff; and among whom were
those gallant spirits, Owen, Moreliead, and Robeson, took a central position,
as previously arranged ; and the main body rushed to a point, at a specified
distance, on his right, and reloaded with almost inconceivable rapidity. The
words of command were then heard in loud and distinct tojies. On the right !
Col. Dodd's company ! Advance ! (No such officer, and no such company
"being present.) The main body advanced and fired, wheeling, rushed" to a
point to the left, and reloaded as before ; and the order was given in the same
audible voice. On the left! Col. Gillespie's company ! Advance! (No such
officer, and no such company being present.) The main body advanced and
fired. Again. On the right ! Col. Dickinson's company ! Advance! (The
same fiction being repeated.) The main body advanced and fired, and wheel-
ing, rushed to the designated point. Again. On the left! Major Wright's
company ! Advance ! (The same fiction being repeated.) The main body
advanced and fired.
This ruse de guerre was carried on until the Whig band was multiplied into
t6n or eleven companies. It succeeded in making an impression on the gar-
rison, that it was attacked by a body of one thousand strong, led on by expe-
rienced officers.
The self-possession and the energy with which the orders were given, and
the celerity and animation with which they were executed, under circum-
stances of recent fatigue and exposure, are almost unparalled in history.
During the time occupied in these evolutions, Col. Brown, with his staff, as I
have called them, was improving accidents and making occasions for taking
deadly aims.
There must have been a sublimity in the scene. The darkness of night,
broken by a sheet of flame, at every successive volley of the Whig band ; the
outcries and clamor ; the disorderly firing of the Tories, the gallant efforts of
Col. Slingsby to restore order, and to form his lines ; his fall, so sanguinely
desired, and yet so much regretted ; and the total rout of the garrison, would,
to a person not engaged in the conflict, if such a one could have been there,
have presented a spectacle of horror more easily imagined than described.
In this scene were exhibited all the brilliant features of the enterprise.
Here, on the field of battle, strategy and tactics were combined, and consti-
tuted the military skill of the commander of the Whig force. He vanquished
the enemy by the exercise of such skill as could not have been surpassed ;
and by a boldness and hardihood, a promptitude of obedience and rapidity
of movement on the part of those under his command, that would have shed
a lustre on the disciplined legions of modern Europe.
It is proper now to state how I came by my information. I first heard the
account in the way your correspondent received it, from persons whose names
I cannot recollect, and it left no impression on my mind but that of a despe-
rate attack in the night, on Colonel Slingsby's post, and perhaps a panic in
the garrison.
Upwards of thirty years ago I heard General Brown himself recount the
particulars. It was on the deck of a packet boat, between Smithville and
Wilmington. A young Irishman from Baltimore, a naturalized citizen of the
United States, was one of the passengers. He was a furious zealot of rebellion
40 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
against all government, and obtruded on the company his political opinions.
He declaimed against our institutions, and inveighed in virulent language
against some of our most distinguished statesmen. Several gentlemen we're
present, all natives, and I believe there was not one who was not roused bv
the^insolence of this foreigner. One or two glanced at him, but he disregarded
their remarks, and continued to vapor with a provoking contempt for his
fellow passengers. At length, General Brown, who was the only one of us who
derived authority from age and revolutionary services, and who had been
kindled into indignation by his impertinence, commenced an oblique attack
on him, by marking the distinction between .the legitimate patriotism of that
day which "tried men's, souls," and the spurious love of liberty of the then
epoch which tendered its services uncalled for and unrequired, and vaunted
itself in noisy strictures on the administration, and malevolent accusations
against the distinguished patriots who conduct it. He proceeded to relate
some anecdotes of his military life ; but none of them riveted my attention
so entirely as the affair at Elizabethtown. When his narration reached the
battle ground, and he depicted the operations there, he grew very warm ;
we all became engrossed by the subject, and the Irishman was reduced to
silence and mortification.
It happens that the mode of collecting materials for a history of the State,
which I have, for many years past, recommended, has been reduced to prac-
tice by you, and with immediate success, and without any privity between
us. You have induced a talented gentleman of Bladen County to furnish a
sketch of the military expedition which terminated in a battle. He has given
you the history of this expedition as he received it, and points to the result
and its important consequences, and I have conceived it my duty to supply
additional particulars. Here is an example set to those who desire that
materials for the history of our revolution should be accumulated. If there
is any public spirit in the country, the example will be followed.
I am, Sir, very respectfully,
Your ob't serv't, Y. Z.
P. S. One of the band referred to above, walked over the battle field with
the late General Thos. Davis, of Fayetteville, and pointed out to him the dif-
ferent positions occupied by the Whig force during the attack on Elizabeth-
town. Is it not probable that General Davis made memorandums of this
inspection which may yet be found among his papers, and may enable us to
form a more accurate idea of the plan and the details of the battle ?
From the Raleigh Register.
KECOLLECTIONS OF THE REVOLUTION.
[Reminiscences of a revolutionary matron with respect to events immediately sub-
sequent to the Battle of Elizabethtown Wilmington in the possession of the
British troops commanded by Major Craig Whig encampment above Wil-
mington, under the orders of Colonel Leonard Attempt by night to surprise
and massacre the Whigs The Kent Bugle A perfidious guide Daring
adventure of Mansfield, Manly, and the two young Smiths Death of one of
the latter References to Colonel (the father of \ Governor] Owen The Wad-
dells, the Smiths, the Leonards Captain Manly The unfortunate Slingsby.]
MR. GALES The fugitive memoranda of our old people, and their fast
fading recollections of the scenes of the Revolution, and of events connected
with the early history of North Carolina, are rapidly passing away, and every
effort should be made to preserve and perpetuate them. Many a gallant deed
and noble instance of devoted patriotism has been already irrecoverably lost ;
deeds which would illustrate the character of our people their perils and
sacrifices in. the arduous struggle in which they were engaged, and would now
fill with just exultation the hearts of many whose actions teem with the life-
blood of their heroic sires, and who were often wholly ignorant of their bold
and patriotic achievements. Every new anecdote and incident of the Revolu-
BLADEN COUNTY. 41
tion that we read, is full of interest ; and although many of them may not be
of sufficient public importance to be dignified with a place on the page of our
history, yet they should be gathered and treasured up and printed, and thus
placed in the reach of our future historian.
These reflections were vividly enforced the other day, upon my reading to
an
Fear;
bethtown,
"well do I remember the events of that day, and some of the men that
figured in them."
Among other anecdotes, she related substantially the following narrative :
Upon the dispersion of the Tories in that successful sortie at Elizabeth-
town, above referred to, by the handful of Whigs under Captain (afterwards
General) Brown, many of the Tories fled for refuge to Wilmington, then in
possession of the British, under the command of Major Craig, while a portion
of that same Spartan Whig band, joined by a few other choice spirits of the
county of Brunswick, under the command of Colonel Leonard, formed an en-
campment above Wilmington, and not far from the river, for the purpose of
cutting off supplies from being carried by the Tories to the enemy, and to
prevent their own and their neighbors' slaves from flocking down to the
British Camp, and for mutual protection generally.
This encampment was a source of great annoyance and vexation to the
British commander, and th^ object of especial hatred and revenge to his new
recruits who had just been so handsomely whipped at Elizabeth. It was re-
solved at Head Quarters that this encampment should be broken up, and a
large force was immediately detailed on this service. A portion of them
was sent up the main road, and were to wait in ambush at a bridge on a
stream then known as Hood's Creek, not far below the camp, while other
companies, under the guide of one of these Tories who well knew the few
passways and situation of the country, were to be .conducted and planted
above, so as effectually to surround the camp and cut off retreat. Orders
were given, in the hearing of the guide, to the chief officer of this expedition,
to show no quarters, but to put to instant death every Whig that should be found
with arms in their hands. After early nightfall, this band sat out on their
murderous errand.
Upon hearing these savage and bloodthirsty orders, their guide relented.
Many of the men who were in that camp, had been his near neighbors and
friends, had often done him acts of kindness, and his heart quailed at the
contemplation of the scene before him, and his inhuman instrumentality in
having them cut up and butchered. Accordingly, after leaving the main
road, he feigned to be lost, and purposely avoiding the right track, he kept
them wandering in the woods from swamp to swamp, until, as he supposed)
sufficient time would elapse for the camp to have notice of the approach of
the ^direct force, and be enabled to make good their retreat.
The Whig force did not exceed thirty, and were chiefly mounted men ;
planters and men of character and substance. They had finished their scanty
supper, had secured their horses for the night, and with their saddles for a
pillow, and their saddle-blankets for a bed, they had lain down to rest, un-
conscious of the peril and of the horrible destiny that had been prepared for
them.
The British force had in the mean time arrived at the bridge, and were
anxiously awaiting the signal for their onset. The night passed on, and yet
no sound was heard. They became impatient, and gave a blast from their
horn to apprise their comrades of their position and readiness, and to receive
their response. The sound was heard in the Whig camp. " What noise is
that ?" said a dreamy sentry, as he paced his lonely rounds. " Oh nothing,"
said another, " but the trumpet of some lubberly boatman." Another and
another blast, louder and louder is given. The camp is aroused. ** No boat-
man belonging to these waters," said one, " can make that noise ; they are the
notes of the Kent Bugle, and in the hands too of a practiced master." " They
proceed from down the road and from about the bridge," said the officer in
42 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
command. " That place must be reconnoitered. We must know what all
that means. Who will volunteer and go down V No one spoke. " Come,
Manly," said he, " you are always ready in a forlorn hope, and that fine
black charger of yours can outrun danger itself; will you go ?" "Aye, aye,
sir," said Manly; " who will go with me to bring back the news if I should
lose my nightcap?" " I, I, I," said Mansfield and two young Smiths. Their
horses were soon caparisoned and mounted, their holsters examined, and
away they galloped to the bridge. Upon their arrival, everything was as
quiet and silent as death. They could neither see nor hear any one, but
>their horses exhibited alarm and refused to proceed.
" All right on this side," said Manly: " let us see how it is on the oj;her,"
and thrusting their spurs into their horses' sides, they dashed across the
bridge. As soon as they had cleared it, up rose the British and Tories from
their concealment on each side the road, their muskets and bayonets gleam-
ing in the moonlight ; and as these men checked and turned their horses to
retreat, the officer in command sung out, " give it to them," arid a platoon of
musketry fired upon them. The top of Manly's hat was" shot away. One of
the Smiths was badly wounded, his horse shot down on the bridge, and in
falling caught his rider under him : and the British as they passed, perforated
the body of the poor fellow with their bayonets, and commenced a running
pursuit. The camp, in the mean time, had heard the firing, the guide was still
lost in the swamps, and all but poor Smith made good their retreat. Thus this
gallant band of chivalrous and devoted spirits, through an almost miraculous
intervention of an overruling Providence, escaped the well-planned strata-
gem projected for their heartless and cold-blooded massacre, and were spared
to their families and country.
"I knew many of those men," continued this good lady, "well. The
Waddells, the Smiths, the Owens and Leonards are names still well known
along the Cape Fear. Col. Thos. Owen (the father of the late Gov. Owen),
was a particular friend of my husband's to the day of his death. He often
spoke of him. ' Tom Owen/ he would say, ' was a warm-hearted friend,
generous to a foe, and as brave a soldier as ever wore a sword/ ' Morehead/
said she, * was a tall, thin man, of mild and amiable temper. He lived near
Elizabeth, and died of consumption.
"Manly, who held a Captain's commission, and was an active partisan
officer in the militia during the war, removed to the back country, and settled
in the county of Chatham, distinguished throughout a long life for the strictest
integrity and unflinching firmness.
" Poor Slingsby," said she (another name mentioned in the account of
the battle of Elizabethtown), " who was killed by the Whigs at Elizabeth-
town, deserved a better fate. He was by birth an Englishman, had taken
the oath of allegiance to the British crown, and like many others, then and
now called Tories, acted under a conscientious sense of obligation to his
Sovereign. He was a man of fine talents, and left an amiable and helpless
family."
Thus, Sir, I sat for hours listening to these narratives ; but I fear I am
trespassing. They were to me exceedingly interesting ; but they may not be
so to others. And while I ask you to publish this or not as you may see
fit, I will conclude as I began, with the sincere hope, that all who can, will
contribute such information as they may possess, relative to the early his-
tory of the State ; and especially the events and anecdotes of men of the .Revo-
lution.
The character of THOMAS BROWN is one worthy of Bladen. He was early
in arms under Governor Tryon at Alamance, in 1771, and afterwards was
wounded at the battle of the Great Bridge, in Virginia, under General Howe.
The affair of Elizabethtown proves that the science of war was congenial
to his fearless temper. His life, character, and services will afford some
future biographer an opportunity to present his claims to the respect, love,
and admiration of his countrymen.
THOMAS OWEN was, as described by the sketch just quoted, " warm-hearted to
BLADEN COUNTY. 43
a friend, generous to a foe, and asbrdve a soldier as ever drew a sword." He
was of Welch origin ; born in Chester County, Pennsylvania, 1735, and came
with his father when about five years old to North Carolina.
He was an early friend of liberty. He represented Bladen in 1775 and
1776, and was appointed second Major of Bladen regiment. He was in the
battle of Camden ; commanded a regiment in the brigade of General Isaac
Gregory.
He represented Bladen in 1786 and 1787. He married Eleanor Porterfield,
the sister of Major Porterfield, who fell at Eutaw Springs. He died 1803,
leaving James, John, and Mary, who married Elis,ha Stedman, of Fayetteville,
the mother of Rev. James Owen Stedman, living in Wilmington, and pastor
of the Presbyterian Congregation in that place.
i GENERAL JAMES OWEN was born December 1784, educated at Pittsboro' under
Mr. Bingham ; he is a planter by profession. Member of House of Commons in
1808, '09, '10, and '11, and in Congress in 1817 and 1818. General Owen
married the daughter of Robinson Mumford, of Fayetteville. He has been
President of the Wilmington and Raleigh Railroad, and now enjoys a " green
old age" in retirement, enjoying the esteem of his associates and friends.
JOHN OWEN, late Governor of North Carolina, was born in Bladen County
August 1787, and educated at the University. He Was a man of kind heart,
of liberal views, and accomplished manners,
He was a farmer of mucR science, and seemed rather to prefer the quiet joys
of home to the excitement of popular favor. He was, from his excellent
disposition, philanthropic views, and patriotic feelings, a favorite of the people.
In 1812 he represented Bladeii County in the House of Commons, and in 1827
in the ^Senate.
He was in 1828 elected Governor of the State ; and in 1830 he was within
one vote of being elected to the Senate of the United States, when he was
defeated by Hon. Wilie P. Mangum. This contest produced a coolness be-
tween these gentlemen, which had terminated in a hostile meeting, but for
interference of friends.
He was President of the Convention at Harrisburg in 1840, which nomi-
nated General Harrison and Governor Tyler for President and Vice-President
of the United States.
This was his last public act. He was united in marriage to Miss Brown,
daughter of Gen. Thomas Brown, at an early age ; whose amiable and quiet
disposition tended to soften the pathway of life.
After enjoying the honors of his State and all the comforts of life, he died
at Pittsboro', October 1841, loved and respected by all who knew him.
This county is also the residence of JAMES J. McKAY.
His career as a public man belongs to the country, and his public acts are
public property.
He is a native and resident of this county. He was born in 1793. His
course as a public man has been successful and brilliant. As a lawyer he was
ardent, firm and earnest in his duty. He was U. S. District Attorney for
several years. His first appearance on the public stage as a politician, was
in 1815, as a member of the Senate of the State Legislature. He continued
in this service, with some intermissions, until 1831, when he was elected
a member of the House of Representatives in Congress, where he served
until the session of 1849. Gen. McKay is a disciple of the Macon school
of politicians, " severe, strict, and stringent." His indomitable firmness, and
Spartan character, won for him position and influence. He was for some
years Chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, a position of great
responsibility, and second only to the Speaker. In the National Democratic
Convention at Baltimore, which nominated General Cass, he received the
unanimous vote of the North Carolina Delegation, as candidate for Yice-Presi-
dent of the United States.
44
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
The following are the members of Assembly from Bladen County,
from 1774 to 1851.
Members of House of Commons.
William Salter, Walter Gibson.
William Salter, James White.
Benjamin Clark.
Samuel Cain, Francis Lucas.
Peter Robeson, Samuel Cain.
James Richardson.
Peter Robertson, J. Richardson.
Samuel Cain, John Brown.
J. Brown, S. Cain.
Duncan Stewart, Josiah Lewis.
Josiah Lewis, John Hall.
Josiah Lewis, James Bradley.
James Bradley, Josiah l^ewis.
James Bradley, Hugh Waddell.
II. Waddell, J. Bradley.
James Morehead, J. Bradley.
Street Ashford, J. Bradley.
Samuel N. Richardson, Richard Holmes.
Richard Holmes, Amos Richardson.
Amos Richardson, Street Ashford.
A. Richardson, Michael Molton.
A. Richardson, M. Molton.
James B. White, A. Richardson.
J. B. White, David Gillaspie 1 .
Thomas Brown, James Owen.
T. Brown, J. Owen.
T. Brown, J. Owen.
T. Brown, J. Owen.
David Gillaspie, John Owen.
D. Gillaspie, John Owen.
James J. Cummings, John Sellers.
John Sellers, James J. Cummings.
William J. Cowan, John Sellers.
William J. Cowan, John Sellers.
Thomas White, William G. Beatty.
T. White, Joseph Wilson.
Samuel B. Andres, William J. Cowan.
Robert Melvin, John J. McMillan.
R. Melvin, William Davis.
J. J. McMillan, John T. Gilmore.
Isaac Wright, John J. McMillan.
J. J. McMillan, John T. Gilmore.
J. J. McMillan, J. T. Gilmore.
J. J. McMillan, Robert Melvin.
Robert Melvin, J. J. McMillan.
John W. McMillan, Salter Loyd.
J. J. McMillan, Robert Lyon.
Robert Lyon, William Jones.
Robert Lyon, George Cromartie.
R. Lyon, B. Fitzrandolph.
The first Legislature under the new Constitution.
(The counties of Bladen, Brunswick and Columbus form one Senatorial Dis-
trictthe 19th.)
1836. James Burney, Joseph M. Gillaspie.
1838. Robert Melvin, George T. Barksdale.
1840. Robert Melvin, George W. Bannerman.
5fears.
Senators.
1774.
. ; ' ' %
1775.
1778.
Thomas Owen,
1783.
Thomas Owen,
1784.
Thomas Owen,
1785.
Thomas Brown,
1786.
Thomas Brown,
1787.
Thomas Owen,
1788.
Thomas Brown,
1791.
Jos. R. Gautier,
1792.
Duncan Stewart,
1793.
D. Stewart,
1794.
D. Stewart,
1795.
D. Stewart,
1796.
Josiah Lewis,
1797.
J. Lewis,
1800.
J. Lewis,
1801.
T. W. Harvey,
1802.
S. N. Richardson,
1803.
S. N. Richardson,
1804.
Richard Holmes,
1805.
Richard Holmes,
1806.
Richard Holmes,
1807.
Richard Holmes,
1808.
Samuel Andres,
1809.
Samuel Andres,
1810.
Samuel Andres,
1811.
Isaac Wright,
1812.
I. Wright,
1813.
I. Wright,
1814.
Richard Parish,
1815.
1816.
James J. McKay,
J. J. McKay,
1817.
J. J. McKay,
1818.
J. J. McKay,
1819.
John Owen,
1821.
Simon Green,
1822.
James J. McKay,
1823.
Daniel Shipman,
1824.
Daniel Shipman,
1825.
Robert Melvin,
1826.
James J. McKay,
1827.
John Owen,
1828.
Mai. Mclnnis,
1829.
Malcolm Mclnnis,
1830.
James J. McKay,
1831.
John T. Gilmore,
1832.
Robert Melvin,
1834.
J. J. McMillan,
1835.
George Cromartie,
BRUNSWICK COUNTY. 45
Years. Senates. Members of House of Commons.
1842. Robert MelVin, George W. Bannerman.
1844. Robert Melvm,- H. H. Robinson.
1846. Richard Wooten, T. S. D. McDowell.
1848. Richard Wooten, T. S. D. McDowell.
1850. Richard Wooten, T. S. D. McDowell.
CHAPTER VIII.
BKUNSWICK COUNTY.
Date of formation Origin of name, situation, and boundaries Smithville,
its capital Population and products Delegates from Bladen in 1774, 1775,
and 1776 Officers of the Regiment, 1775 Colonial and Revolutionary His-
tory Character and services of Robert Howe, Alfred Moore, Sen., Mau-
rice Moore, Alfred Moore, Jr., Jaines Moore, Benjamin Smith, and others
List of members from Brunswick County, from 1774 to 1851.
BRUNSWICK COUNTY was formed in 1764, from the counties of
Bladen and New Hanover.
It derives its names from the Prince of Brunswick, who married
this year (1764), the King's* eldest sister.
It is situated in the extreme south-eastern portion of North Caro-
lina, and is bounded ,on the north by the Cape Fear River, which
separates it froin New Hanover and Bladen ; on the east, by the
Cape Fear River, which separates it frOm New Hanover ; on the
south, by the Atlantic Ocean and the South Carolina line ; on the
west, by Waccamaw River, which separates it from Columbus
County.
Its capital is SMITHVILLE, distance from Raleigh one hundred
and seventy-three miles.
Its population is 3,651 whites; 319 free negroes ; 3,302 slaves; 5,951 federal
population ; and 397 persons who cannot read or write.
36,357 bushels of corn ; 7,868 pounds of cotton ; 2,739 pounds of wool :
13", 670 dollars worth of lumber ; ana 14,281 dollars worth of tar, pitch, and tur-
pentine.
The Colonial and Revolutionary History of Brunswick is full of
incidents of patriotism, valor, and devotion to liberty. It was in the
Cape Fear River, near this county, that on August 8th, 1775, Josiah
Martin, the last of the Royal Governors, on board of his Majesty's
ship-of-war, the Cruiser, fulminated his famous proclamation against
the cause of liberty ; and particularly " the infamous publication,"
the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence of the May previous,
which, as he states in his dispatch of June 30th, 1775, to the Secre-
tary of State (a copy of which is found under the head of Mecklen-
burg County), " surpasses all the horrid and treasonable publica-
: * Martin's History of North Carolina, vol. ii. p. 184.
46 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
|. -'
tions that the inflammatory spirits of the continent have yet pro-
duced."
This was the last act of the royal rule in North Carolina.
Brunswick County sent ROBERT HOWE as delegate to the first general meet-
ing of deputies of the province to Newbern, August 25th, 1774.
To the Assembly at Newbern, in April, 1775, JOHN ROWAN and ROBERT
HOWE were delegates.
To the Assembly at Hillsboro', August 2lst, 1775, ROBERT HOWE, ROBERT
ELLIS, PARKER QUINCE, THOMAS ALTON and ROGER MOORE.
To the State Congress which met at Halifax Nov. 12th, 1776, which formed
our Constitution, MAURICE MOORE, CORNELIUS HARNETT, ARCHIBALD McLEAN,
LEWIS DUPREE and WILLIAM LORD.
Of the military officers appointed in 1775, JAMES MOORE was Colonel of the
1st Continental Regiment; ALFRED MOORE, a Captain in the same.
ROBERT HOWE was appointed Colonel of the 2d Continental Regiment.
To no county in the State is the cause of liberty more indebted
for fearless and devoted sons, than to Brunswick.
Like the mother of the Gracchi, they were her proudest jewels,
and like the same Gracchi, they were ready to offer upon the altar of
their country " their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor."
ROBERT HOWE, of Brunswick County, was a soldier by nature. He boldly
entered, without hesitation, in that perilous contest between submission or
the sword ; and with an energy that never relaxed, and a courage that never
quailed, he battled for liberty and America. His first command was import-
ant, and showed the confidence of his country. As Colonel of the 1st Regi-
ment, he marched with a part of his troops to relieve Norfolk, Va., then 'in-
vested by Lord Dunmore, the Royal Governor. In Dec. 1775, Howe was
joined by Colonel Woodford, with some Virginia troops. Lord Dunmore
detached Captain Fordyce, with a strong force, to dispute their advance. At
the Great Bridge, on the Elizabeth River, on the 9th December, 1775, the
British troops, between daybreak and sunrise, made a furious charge with
fixed bayonets.
The Americans received the attack with intrepidity and firmness ; and
poured on the enemy a heavy and galling fire. They were slaughtered nearly
to a man ; the Americans advanced and took possession of Norfolk, compel-
ling Lord Dunmore to seek his own safety on board of a ship-of-war, as his
coadjutor of North Carolina had previously done.
Howe vigilantly watched the movements of his Lordship. But on the 1st
Jan., 1776, the British landed a detachment of troops, and under cover of the
cannon of the fleet set fire to the town near the wharf.
The Provincial troops repelled the invaders, and they retreated on board of
their ships.* From the inadequacy of means for subduing the fire, and a belief
that the town would afford the Royal Governor comfortable quarters, it was
not stopped, but raged for several weeks, and laid the whole town in ashes,
as the Russians destroyed Moscow, to prevent the French from winter quarter-
ing in its houses.
There being no further use for his services or his troops, at this point, Howe
returned to the Cape Fear.
For his gallantry in this campaign, and good conduct in battle, the Conti-
nental Congress promoted him to be a Brigadier-General.
By order of the State Provincial Congress, on the2d May, 1776, the President
of Congress addressed General Howe, and returned to him their thanks for
his " manly, generous, and warlike conduct in these unhappy times, and more
especially for the reputation our troops acquired under his command. x "f
Such was .the devotion of General Howe to the cause of liberty, that in an
* Marshall's Life of Washington, vol. i. p. 69.
| Jones' Defence of North Carolina, p. 242.
. BRUNSWICK COUNTY. 47
offer of General H. Clinton, of pardon to the inhabitants of North Carolina,
Cornelius Harriett and Robert Howe are ex,cepted from the benefits. This pro-
clamation is dated on board the Pallas transport, in Cape Fear River, 5th
May, 1776.
On 12th May, 177.6, General Clinton ordered a detachment of 900 men,
under Lord Cornwallis, to land on the plantation of General Howe, which
they first ravaged and then burnt.
In 1778, General Howe commanded the troops in South Carolina and
Georgia until December. Our troops suffered from the climate and the want
of the necessaries of life ; and were finally driven out of Georgia by Colonel
Campbell. Howe was censured for neglect, and by Christopher Gadsden,
afterwards Governor of South Carolina, among others. Howe required him
to retract or deny. Gadsden would do neither. A duel ensued on 13th
May, 1778, near Cannonsburg. They met, Howe's ball grazed the ear of Gads-
den, and Gadsden fired in a different direction.*
It is regretted that of the former life as well as future course of General
Howe, as well as his private history, so little has been known. The material
doubtless exists, and justice will yet be done to the gallantry, patriotism and
character of Robert Howe, of Brunswick County.
MAURICE MOORE, whose character is worthy of our esteem, was also from
Brunswick.
Judge Moore was descended from an ancient Irish family of which the
Marquis Drogheda is the present head.f His grandfather, Sir Nathaniel
Moore, was Governor of Carolina (then including North and South Carolina)
in 1705, and is referred to in the former part of this work.J
James Moore married a daughter of Sir John Yeamans, who established
the city of Charleston, and was Governor of the two Carolinas in 1670.
Mooreg was Governor of the Carolinas in 1700 and in 1719. By Miss Yea-
mans he had ten children, from the second of whom, Maurice, the subject of
this sketch is lineally descended.
He was a lawyer of eminence and a judge of the superior courts in the
State under the royal rule. His character is alluded to on a former page.||
He, with Martin Howard and Richard Henderson, constituted the Judicial
Bench of North Carolina when the Revolution shut up the courts. In the
troubles of the Regulators in 1771, although he could not approve their out-
rages, he sympathized with their distresses. He openly denounced Governor
Tryon as a tyrant, and in a letter addressed to him signed " Atticus," he shows
Tryon's character in despicable and odious colors, by severe and powerful
invective.
He was a member of the Provincial Congress, which met at Hillsboro* in
1775 ; and also a member of the same in 1776, which met at Halifax, and
aided materially in forming our State Constitution.
He died in the year 1777, and at the same time (by a most remarkable co-
incidence), in the same house, his distinguished brother, James Moore, also
died, Colonel of the first Continental Regiment, while on his way to join Gene-
ral Washington. Both active, enterprising, and devoted to the cause of their
country ; their lives, character and services invite the attention of the histo-
rian and biographer.
ALFRED MOORE, Sen., of Brunswick, was a son of Judge Maurice Moore.
He was born on 21st May, 1755.
He was sent to Boston to acquire his education, and while there he was
offered a Commission in the Royal Army, 1768 ; this was declined, but the pre-
sence of a large garrison, the friendship of one of its officers, added to a taste
for a military profession, led him to acquire accurate knowledge of military
* Traditions of the Revolution in the South, by Joseph Johnson, 204.
t Martin, vol. ii. p. 390. Jones, p. 361.
J Vol. i. 34. || Vol. i. p. 101.
Hewatt's History of Carolinas, pp. 143, 275, and 53.
48 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
tactics, which soon was destined to be called into the active service of his
country and usefulness to her cause.
In 1775, he was appointed^ captain in the 1st Regiment of North Carolina
Continental troops, which was commanded by his uncle Colonel James Moore.
He marched with his company to Charleston, and was on duty there at the
memorable attack on Fort Moultrie. Here he evinced that ardor of patriot-
ism and thirst for military glory, patience in fatigue, and boldness in action,
which would have distinguished him as one of the captains of the age. But
misfortunes crowded so thick upon him that he was forced to resign. His
father, Judge Maurice Moore, and uncle, Colonel James Moore, both died at
the same time. His brother (Maurice) was killed at Brunswick, General
Francis Nash, his brother-in-law, was killed at Germantown. A helpless
family was left without any other protector.
Although he left the regular army, his martial spirit was not inactive.
When the British landed and took possession of "Wilmington, he left his
family (wife and two small children) and raised a trooj) of volunteers and
f ready annoyed the enemy. He became the peculiar object of hatred to the
ritish commander, Major Craig, (afterwards Sir James Craig, Governor-
General of Canada). He sent a troop to Captain Moore's house, plundered
it of everything valuable, and destroyed the remainder.
After the battle of Guilford Court House, Captain Moore was with other
officers detached to obstruct Lord Cornwallis's march. While the English
were in the possession of Wilmington, Captain Moore's condition was deplo-
rable. Without money, without decent clothes, exiled from his family, his
property all destroyed: not a murmur of regret from him was heard. Dear
as these things were, the liberty of his country was still dearer ; for this
he sacrificed everything.
When peace came his family was restored, but the means of subsistence
were gone. His country was in the same deplorable situation ; the General
Assembly elected him in 1790 Attorney-General, to alleviate, in a delicate
manner, his immediate wants, without his ever having read a law book. But
blessed with an active discriminating mind, studious habits and retentive
memory, his zeal for his profession being quickened by the stern necessity of
circumstances, he soon mastered its intricacies, and became one of its most
distinguished ornaments. A clear perspicuity of mind, methodical accuracy
of argument, and pleasing and natural eloquence, were the distinguishing
traits of his character. Nature had been kind in giving him a fine toned
voice, distinct articulation, and a small but graceful person.
In 1798 he was called to the bench.
His character as Attorney-general and Judge has been recorded in the deci-
sions of our Supreme Court.
" The very question, however, before us, has been decided in the cas of the
'State vs. Hall,' in 1799, by a judge whose opinions on every subject, but
particularly on this, merit the highest respect. Judge Moore was appointed
Attorney-General a very short time after this act of Assembly was passed,
and discharged for a series of years the arduous duties of that office, in a
manner which commanded the admiration and gratitude of his cotemporaries.
His profound knowledge of the criminal law was kept in continual exercise
by a most varied and extensive practice, at a period when the passions of
men had not yet subsided from the ferment of civil war, and every grade of
crime incident to an unsettled society, made continual demands upon his
acuteness. No one ever doubted his learning and penetration; or that while
he enforced the law with an enlightened vigilance and untiring zeal, his
energy was seasoned with humanity, leaving the innocent nothing to fear,
and the guilty but little to hope. The opinion of such a man, delivered on
an occasion the most solemn on which ,the judge could act, when doubt in
him would have been life to the prisoner, assumes the authority of a cotem-
porary exposition of the statute, and cannot but confirm me in the sentiments
1 have expressed/ 7
In 1799 he was appointed by the President of the United States an Asso-
ciate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States : he continued in
-. BKUNSWICK COUNTY. 49
this important and responsible position for six years; when his health failing,
. and finding that he could not longer discharge its duties with satisfaction to
himself or advantage to his country, he resigned. His health gradually
wasted away, when, with a, consciousness of a well spent and useful life, and
in the hope of a joyful immortality, he died on 15th October, 1810, at the
house of Major Waddell, in Bladen County, in the arms of his afflicted
family.
Of such a man may our State well be proud. She has preserved his name
in one of the most enterprising counties (erected in 1784). His life and
services consecrated to tne cause of liberty, and the best welfare of his
country, will ever render dear to every North Carolinian the name of Moore.
His son, ALFRED MOORE, was born in this county, a distinguished lawyer,
remarkable for his ability, eloquence, and spotless integrity in public life,
and in private for his amiability and purity. For many years he was a
member of the House of Commons and Speaker of the same. He died in
Orange- County 28th July, 1837 ; leaving several children. One of them mar-
ried HayWood W. Guion, Esq., and now resides at Lincolnton.
BENJAMIM SMITH was, top, a resident of Belvidere, Brunswick County. He
was intelligent and enterprising, and a favorite before the people. He was
a member of the Senate in the State Legislature in 1792, from Brunswick; a
General of militia, and was elected Governor of the State in 1810. From
him or his family the capital of Brunswick derives its name. By nature ar-
dent,
" Sudden and quick in quarrel,"
his life was checkered by difficulties. He had several duels, in all of which
he conducted himself with great firmness and magnanimity.
His generosity in giving 20,000 acres of land to the University, December,
1789, would overshadow many greater defects.
More of his life, services, and character will be procured and presented to
the State.
Other names might be presented from Brunswick. But the lim-
its of our labors require condensation. Enough has been proved
to show that the remark made in the early part of this sketch was
not incorrect, <c that to no county in the State is the cause of
liberty more indebted for fearless and devoted sons than to Bruns-
wick County."
The following are the members of the General Assembly from
Brunswick County, from 1774 to 1851 :
Years. Senators. Members of House of Commons.
1774. Robert Howe.
1775. John Rowan, Robert Howe.
177C. Cornelius Ilarnett, A. McClaine.
1777. Archibald McClaine, Wm. Lord, Richard Quince, Jr.
1778. Archibald McClaine, Lewis Dupre, William Cause.
1782. Archibald McClaine, Wm. Waters, Dennis Hawkins.
1783. Benjamin Smith, Wm. Waters, Dennis Hawkins.
1784. William Watters, Jacob Leonard, David Flowers.
1785. William Watters, Jacob Leonard, Robert How.e.
1787. A. M. Forster, Lewis Dupre, Jacob Leonard.
1788. Lewis Dupre, Jacob Leonard, John Cains.
1791. Lewis Dupre, Benjamin Smith, Wm. E. Lord.
1792. Benjamin Smith, Alfred Moore, Wm. E. Lord.
1793. B. Smith, Wm. Wingate, Wm. E. Lord.
1794. B. Smith, Wm. Wingate, Abraham Bissant.
1795. B. Smith, Wm. Wingate, Ab. Bissant.
50
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Years.
1796.
1797.
1800.
1801.
1802.
1803.
1804.
1805.
1806.
1807.
1808.
1809.
1810.
1811.
1812.
1813.
1814.
1815.
1816.
1817.
1818.
1819.
1821.
1822.
1823.
1824.
1825.
1826.
1827.
1828.
1829.
1830.
1831.
1832.
1833.
1834.
1835.
1836.
1838.
1840.
1842.
1844.
1846.
1848.
1850.
Senators.
B. Smith,
B. Smith,
B. Smith,
Wm. Wingate,
Wni. Wingate,
Win. Wingate,
Benjamin Smith,
B. Smith,
B. Smith,
B. Smith,
B. Smith,
B. Smith,
B. Smith,
Thos. Leonard,
Wm. Wingate,
Wm. Wingate,
Jacob Leonard,
J. W. Leonard,
Benjamin Smith,
Jacqb Leonard,
Jacob Leonard,
John C. Baker,
J. W. Leonard,
John C. Baker,
John C. Baker,
John C. Baker,
John C. Baker,
Benj. R. Locke,
B. 11. Locke,
Jacob Leonard,
J. Leonard,
Wm. R. Hall,
Wm. R. Hall,
Wm. R. Hall,
Wm. R. Hall,
Maurice Moore,
Frederic J. Hill,
James Burney,
Robert Melvin,
R. Melvin,
R. Melvin,
R. Melvin,
R. Wooten,
Richard Wooten,
Richard Wooten,
Members of House of Commons.
Wm. E. Lord, Absalom Bissant.
A. Bissant, George Davis.
Benjamin Mills, A. Bissant.
John G. Scull, Benj. Mills.
John. G. Scull, Benj. Mills.
John G. Scull, Thomas Leonard.
Thomas Leonard, Maurice Moore.
Thomas Leonard, Richard Parrish.
Richard Parrish, Thomas Leonard.
Thomas Leonard, Thomas Russ.
Thomas Leonard, Thomas Russ.
Thomas Leonard, George Davis.
Thomas Leonard, Thomas Russ.
Jacob W. Leonard, Maurice Moore.
Maurice Moore, Robert Potter.
Maurice Moore, Thomas Russ.
Alfred Moore, Thomas Russ.
Uriah Sullivan, John C. Baker.
Edward Mills, Wm. Simmons.
Alfred Moore, John C. Baker.
J. C. Baker, Alfred Moore.
Alfred Moore, John Neele.
Francis N. Waddell, A. Moore.
Samuel Frink, Alfred Moore.
Alfred Moore, J. W. Leonard.
Alfred Moore, Jacob W. Leonard.
John J. Gause, Alfred Moore.
Alfred Moore, Jacob Leonard, Jr.
A. Moore, Jacob Leonard, Jr.
Thomas B. Smith, Wm. L. Hall.
John J. Gause, Marsden Campbell.
Benj. S. Leonard, John P. Gause.
J. P. Gause, Samuel Laspeyre.
S. A. Laspeyre, John Waddell.
S. A. Laspeyre, Benj. S. Leonard.
Rt. C. McCracken, Abram Baker.
Wm. R. Hall, Abram Baker.
Frederic J. Hill.
F. J. Hill.
F. J. Hill.
Armeliue Bryan.
H. H. Waters.
H. H. Waters.
H. H. Waters.
John H. Hill.
BUNCOMBE COUNTY. 51
CHAPTER IX.
BUNCOMBE COUNTY.
Date of formation Origin of name, situation, and boundaries Popula-
tion and products Asheville, its capital Climate Warm springs Its dis-
tinguished citizens and members of the General Assembly from the date
of erection to the last session.
* f ~t xl * . *
BUNCOMBE COUNTY was formed, in 1791, from Burke and Ruther-
ford counties, and derives its name from Col. Edward Buncombe, of
that part of Tyrrell which is now Washington County ; he was Colo-
nel of the 5th regiment*raised by North Carolina for the Continen-
tal army.
COLONEL BUNCOMBE -was a native of St.Kitts, one of the "West India islands.
He inherited land in Tyrrel County and built a house, now in the possession
of his descendants.
With his regiment, he joined the army of the north, under Washington ;
was wounded and taken prisoner at the battle of Germantown, in 1777. He
died of wounds received in this battle, at Philadelphia, while on parole. He
left one son, who died without issue, and two daughters ; one, who married
John Goelet, Esq., of Washington, and the other Mr. Clark, of Bertie, a
daughter of whom is now the wife of John Cox, Esq., of Edenton.
EDWARD BUNCOMBE was distinguished for his manly appearance, indomi-
table bravery, unsullied patriotism, and open-hearted hospitality. Over his
door was this distich
" TO BUNCOMBE HALL,
WELCOME ALL."
BUNCOMBE COUNTY is situated in the extreme western portion of
the State ; bounded on the north and west by the Appalachian Moun-
tains and the new county of Madison, east by Rutherford and
McDowell counties, south by Henderson County, and west by Hay-
wood County and the Tennessee line.
Its capital is ASHEVILLE, named in compliment to Governor Samuel
Ashe, of New Hanover County. It was originally called Morris-
town, and is a most flourishing village, not far from the French
Broad River. A&heville, as ascertained by Professor Mitchell, is
2,200 feet above the level of the sea, and contains a Branch of the
Bank of Cape Fear, an excellent academy, several stores, churches,
two printing presses, and one of the best Hotels in North Carolina.
Perhaps there is no portion of our State less really known, and yet
oftener talked of, than Buncombe. It has become as familiar as
" household words" throughout the Union, in Congress, and else-
where. A recent popular production, by Judge Halliburton, a
Colonial Judge of Nova Scotia, has devoted a whole chapter of his
52 HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
work (the Attache in England) to Buncombe, without, perhaps,
knowing where this county is situated, or its various resources or
advantages. The term had this origin.
Several years ago, in Congress, the member from this immediate
district arose to address the -house, without any extraordinary powers
either in manner or matter to interest his audience. Many mem-
bers left the hall. Very naively r , he told those who were so kind as
to remain that they might go too ; he should speak for some time,
but "he was only talking for Buncombe."
Hence the term, when an address is made for a local or particular
object.
In 1796, Governor Ashe issued a proclamation announcing "that
in pursuance of an Act to provide for the public safety by granting
encouragement to certain manufacturers, that Jacob Byler, of the
county of Buncombe, had exhibited to him a sample of gunpow-
der, manufactured by him in the year 1795, and also a certificate
proving that he had made six hundred and sixty three pounds of
good, merchantable, rifle gunpowder; and, therefore, he was en-
titled to the bounty under that Act."
James M. Smith, Esq., now of Asheville, was the first white
child born west of the Blue Ridge in the State of North Carolina.
Population, 11,607 whites ; 107 free negroes ; 1,717 slaves j 12,738 federal
population ; 1,533 persons who cannot read or write.
Products, 22,903 bushels of wheat ; 304,271 bushels of corn ; 8,619 pounds
of tobacco ; 68,544 bushels of oats; 9,251 bushels of rye ; 13,331 pounds of
wool; 18,127 dollars worth of ginseng.
Of its colonial or revolutionary history we will not speak, since
it was formed since that period. But the valor displayed by " the
brave mountain boys" in October, 1780, under Shelby, Cleaveland,
and others, on King's Mountain, was contributed by the ancestry
of Buncombe, then Rutherford and Burke.
In this county are the Warm Springs, which present the aston-
ishing phenomenon of water heated by nature ; and is considered a
sovereign cure for invalids afflicted with rheumatic affections.
The climate is lovely beyond description, and extremely favora-
ble to health.
The scenery excels even its climate. The beautiful turnpike
road from Asheville to the Warm Springs, with the towering moun-
tains on one side, and the limpid waters of the French Broad River
on the other, presents a scenery unrivaled, either by the fancied
enchantments of the Rhine, or the famed palisades of the Hudson.
The Mineral Springs (Deaver's) near Asheville, are also much
resorted to in the summer.
The first wagon passed from North Carolina to Tennessee, by
the Warm Springs, in 1795. The Territorial Assembly of Ten-
nessee, in June, 1795, appointed commissioners to confer with those
of South Carolina, upon the practicability of a road from Buncombe
County to Tennessee, and upon the means to open said road.*
* Haywood, History of Tennessee, 470.
BUNCOMBE COUNTY. 53
The Buncombe turnpike now has made this one of the best passes
of the mountains/ It was organized in February, 1826. The first
toll-gate was erected in October, 1827.
This county is the birthplace of the Hon. DAVID LOWREY SWAIN, who,
without the advantages of birth or fortune, has arisen to positions of power
and usefulness in North Carolina, and has always been equal to the respon-
sibilities of his duty. He was born in Buncombe, January 4, 1801, educated
at Newton Academy, iti Asheville, and at Chapel Hill. He studied law with
Judge Taylor in Raleigh, who predicted, from the industry of his pupil, his
indomitable perseverance and searching mind, the eminence he has since
attained. He was admitted to the bar in 1823. He was elected to the
Legislature in 1824, '25 and '26, and Solicitor of the Edenton District in
1827, which he resigned after riding one circuit.
He was again elected to the Legislature in 1828 and 1829. He was elected
a member of the Board of Internal Improvements in 1830.
In 1830, he was elected Judge of the Superior Courts, which he resigned
in 1832, on being elected Governor of the State. While Governor (1835) he
was elected a Member of the Convention to revise the Constitution ; and, in
the same year, elected President of the University of North Carolina, which
important and responsible position he now occupies.
lie married, in 1826, Eleanor H., fourth daughter of William White, late
Secretary of State of Nort^ Carolina, and grand-daughter of Governor Gas-
well.
It does not become us to speak here of those now on the stage
of action, further than to state facts and dates, leaving to other
hands and other times to do justice to public service and acknow-
ledged merit.
The ancient Greeks had a maxim, " call no man happy till he is
dead;" then may history speak of its subjects as their merits
deserve.
The residence of Hon. THOMAS L. CLINGMAN is in this county. He is a
native of Surry. He graduated at the University, in 1832, with distinguished
honor, and studied law. He was elected a member in the House of Commons
from Surry, in 1835 ; senator from Buncombe, in 1840, and a member of Con-
gress in 1843, and again 1847. He was again re-elected (August, 1851), by
a triumphant majority, over Col. B. S. Gaither?.
I have met with a printed record of a citizen of Buncombe, of
much interest,
JAMES PATTON was born in Ireland, County of Derry, on the 13th February,
1756, of poor but respectable parents. He emigrated to this country in 1783,
a weaver by trade. By industry, economy, and integrity, he was the founder
of his own fortunes, and raised a large and respectable family. He died at
an advanced age, loved and respected by all who knew him.
By the Constitution of 1835, until 1841, Buncombe, Haywood, and Macon,
composed the 49th Senatorial District. By act of 1842, Buncombe, Yancey, and
Henderson, form the 50th Senatorial District.
List of members from Buncombe County to the General Assembly from its
formation to last session.
Years. Senators. Members of the House of Commons.
1792. Wm. Davidson, Gabriel Ragsdale, Wm. Brittain.
1793. Robert Love, William Brittain, Gabriel Ragsdale.
1794. Robert Love, Wm. Brittain, Gabriel Ragsdale.
1795. Robert Love, Wm. Brittain, Gabriel Ragsdale.
1796. James Brittain, Wm. Brittain, Philip Hoodenpye.
54
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Years.
1797.
1800.
1801.
1802.
1803.
1804.
1805.
1806.
1807.
1808.
1809.
1810.
1811.
1812.
1813.
1814.
1815.
1816.
1817.
1818.
1819.
1821.
1822.
1823.
1824.
1825.
1826.
1827.
1828.
1829.
1830.
1831.
1832.
1833.
1834.
1835,
1836.
1838.
1840.
1842.
1844.
1846.
1848.
1850.
Senators.
James Brittain,
Josh. Williams,
Josh. Williams,
James Brittain,
Josh. Williams,
James Brittain,
James Brittain,
Zebulon Beard,
James Brittain,
Jno. McFarland,
Zebulon Beard,
Rt. Williamson,
Rt. Williamson,
John Longinire,
J. Longmire,
J. Longmire,
Ep. Hightower,
John Longmire,
Thomas Foster,
Zebulon Beard,
Thomas Foster,
Zebulon Beard,
Z. Beard,
Philip Brittain,
P. Brittain,
A. A. McDowell,
A. A. McDowell,
A. A. McDowell,
A. A. McDowell,
James Allen,
James Gudger,
James Allen,
James Allen,
John Clayton,
James Lowry,
Hodge Rabun,
James Gudger,
Hodge Rabun,
T. L. Clingman,
J. Cathey,
N. W. Woodfin,
N. W. Woodfin,
N. W. Woodfin,
N. W. Woodfin,
Members of the House of Commons.
Win. Brittain, Thomas Love,
Thomas Love, 'Zebulon Beard.
Thomas Love, Zebulon Beard.
Thomas Love, Zebulon Beard.
Thomas Love, Zebulon Beard.
Thomas Love, Jacob Boyler.
Thomas Love, Jacob Boyler.
Thomas Love, Joseph Pickens.
Thomas Love, Joseph Pickens.
Thomas Love, Malcolm Henry.
Thomas Foster, Joseph Pickens.
Philip Brittain, Zephaniah Horton.
Philip Brittain, Samuel Davidson.
Zephaniah Horton, Thomas Foster.
Hamilton Hyde, Thomas Foster. ,
Hamilton Hyde, Thomas Foster.
Zeph. Horton, James Lowrie.
Philip Brittain, James Lowrie.
Philip Brittain, Charles Moore.
Charles Moore, James Whitaker.
James Whitaker, J. M. Cathey.
Wm. D. Smith, AVm. Brittain, Sr.
Wm. D. Smith, John Anderson.
James Lowrie, James Whitaker.
David L. Swain, Benoni Sams.
David L. Swain, James Weaver.
John Clayton, James Allen.
John Clayton, James Allen.
John Clayton, David L. Swain.
David L. Swain, Wm. Orr.
James Weaver, Wm. Orr.
James Brevard, John Clayton.
James Weaver, John Clayton.
James Weaver, Joseph Henry.
Joseph Henry, James Weaver.
Nath'l Harrison, Joseph Pickett.
Montreville Patton, John Clayton.
M. Patton, Philip Brittain.
M. Patton, Thomas Morris.
John Burgin, Geo. W. Candler.
John A. Fagg, John Thrash.
John A. Fagg, A. B. Chunn.
Newton Coleman, T. W. Atkin.
Marcus Erwin, James Sharpe.
BURKE COUNTY. 55
CHAPTER X.
BUKKE COUNTY.
Date of formation Origin of name Situation and boundaries Population
and products Morganton its capital Climate Early history Character,
life, and services of Charles McDowell, Joseph McDowell, Waightstill
Averv, Samuel P. Carson, and others Israel Pickens, and others List of
MemLers of the General Assembly from Burke from date of erection to
the last session.
BURKE COUNTY was formed in 1777, from Rowan County, and
named in compliment to , the celebrated English Statesman and
Orator, Edmund Burke.
It is located in the north-western portion of the State, and bound-
ed on the north by the counties of Yancey and Caldwell, on the
east by Catawba, on the south by Cleaveland and Rutherford, and
on the west by McDowell.
Morganton, the capital of Burke County, is called in compliment of General
DANIEL MORGAN. General Morgan was born in Bucks County, Pennsylvania,
and emigrated to Virginia in 1755, where he engaged as overseer for Nathaniel
Burrell, Esq., then in Shenandoah, now Clarke County, Virginia. He was a
fearless and chivalric officer. He was with General Montgomery at Quebec,
and with General Gates at Saratoga. He was promoted to b a Brigadier-
General, and joined the army in the south. After the battle of Camden, when
Green took command, Morgan was detached to raise troops in the western
part of the State, and South Carolina. Tarleton met him at the Cpwpens
(Jan. 17th, 1781), where Morgan gained a splendid victory. For this, Con-
gress gave him a gold medal. After this he was joined by General Green, on
the east bank of the Catawba. A controversy ensued between Green and
Morgan, as to the route the latter should pursue in his retreat from the ad-
vancing force of Cornwallis. Morgan was greatly dissatisfied, and when the
two divisions united, at Guilford Court House, he returned from the army to
his farm in Virginia, where he remained until the war was over.
During the whisky troubles (1794) in Pennsylvania, he was appointed by
Washington to put the insurgents down by the bayonet. He remained among
them until the spring, when the difficulties were settled, and he was ordered
to withdraw his troops. He returned to his farm, and became ambitious
for political honors. In his first attempt he was defeated for Congress, but
elected on a second trial, and served in Congress, in 1797 to 1799. 
