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Full text of "Sketches of western North Carolina, historical and biographical : illustrating principally the Revolutionary period of Mecklenburg, Rowan, Lincoln, and adjoining counties, accompanied with miscellaneous information, much of it never before published"

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GENEAL-OGY  COLLECTION 


ALLEN  COUNTY  PUBLIC  LIBRARY  , 


3  1833  02418  8184 


/ 


,"^7^  /^  (j^^U'^^-*-*'    '/^^ 


v.\ 


x- 


N 


S  KiE  T  C  H  E  S 


OF 


Western  North  Carolina, 

HISTORICAL  AND  BIOGRAPHICAL. 


ILLUSTRATING  PRINCIPALLY 


THE  REVOLUTIONARY  PERIOD 


OF 


HECKLENBURG,    ROWAN,    LINCOLN    AND     ADJOINING    COUNTIES^ 

ACCOMPANIED   WITH    MISCELLANEOUS   INFORMATION, 

MUCH    OP    IT  NEVER    BEFORE   PUBLISHED 


BY 


O.  L.  HUNl^ER, 


MEMBER  OF  THE  "HISTORICAL    SOCIETY  OF   NORTH   CAROLINA. 
AND  MEMBER  OF  THE  "  MECKLENBURG 


RALEIGH 

THE  RxVLEIQH  NEWS  STEAM  JOB  PRINT. 

1877. 


"History  maketh  a  young  man  to  be  old  without  either  wiinkle?  or  gray 
hairs :  privilegiug  him  with  the  experience  of  age,  without  either  the  infirmities 
or  InconviDic-nce  tliereo/."  Fuller's  ''Holy  War^ 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  CongresF,  ty 
C.  L.  HUNTER, 
m  the  office  of  Librarian  o'  Coneress,  Washlnston,  D.  C,  A.  D.  187T, 


1158606 

DEDICATION. 


TO  THE  DESCENDANTS  0¥ 

THE  REVOLUTIONARY  PATRIOTS   OF  NORTH  CAROLINA, 

WHETHER  NOAV  ABIDING  WITHIN  HER  BORDERS  AND  SHARING 

HER  PROSPERITIES  AND  ADVERSITIES,  OR  SCATTERED 

ABROAD   IN   OTHER    STATES    OF    THE    AMERICAN 

UNION,  BUT  WHO  STILL  CHERISH  A  LASTING 

VENERATION    FOR    THE    MEMORIES    OF 

THEIR     HBROIC     FOREFATHERS: 

AMD 

TO  THE  YOUNO  MEN  OF  THE  STATE  GENERALLY. 

,1. 

WHO  WOULD    DRAW  LESSONS    OF    WISDOM,    PATI0TI3M    AND    EN- 
DURANCE    FROJI     THE     EXAMPLES     HEREIN    DE- 
SCRIBED, THIS  VOLUME  IS  RESPECI- 
lULLY  DEDICATED  BY 

THE  AUTHOR. 


PREFACE. 


History  Las  been  defined,  "  Philosophy  teaching  by  ex- 
ample." There  is  no  branch  of  literature  in  a  republic 
like  ours,  that  can  be  cultivated  with  more  advantage  to- 
the  general  reader  than  history.  From  the  infinite  va- 
riety of  aspects  in  which  it  presents  the  dealings  of  Provi- 
dence in  the  afliairs  of  nations,  and  from  the  immense 
number  of  characters  and  incidents  which  it  brings  into 
view,  it  becomes  a  source  of  continuous  interest  and  en- 
joyment. 

The  American  Revolution  is  undoubtedly  the  most 
interesting  event  in  the  pages  of  modern  history.  Changes 
equally  great  and  convulsions  equally  violent  have  often 
taken  place  in  the  Old  World  ;  and  the  records  of  former 
times  inform  us  of  many  instances  of  oppression,which,urged 
beyond  endurance,  called  forth  the  spirit  of  successful  resist- 
ance. But  in  the  study  of  the  event  before  us — the  story 
of  the  Revolution — we  behold  feeble  colonies,  almost  with- 
out an  army — without  a  navy — without  an  established 
government — without  a  good  supply  of  the  munitions  of 
war,  firmly  and  unitedly  asserting  their  rights,  and,  in 
their  defence,  stepping  forth  to  meet  in  hostile  array,  the 
veteran  troops  of  a  proud  and  powerful  nation.  We  be- 
hold too,  these  colonies,  amidst  want,  poverty  and  mis- 
fortunes, animated  with  the  spirit  of  liberty  and  fortified 
by  the  rectitude  of  their  cause,  sustaining  for  nearly  eight 


VI  PREFACE. 

years,  the  weight  of  a  cruel  conflict  upon  their  own  soil. 
At  length  we  behold  them  victorious ;  their  enemies  sul- 
lenly retiring  from  their  shores,  and  these  feeble  colonies 
enrolled  on  the  page  of  history  as  a  free,  sovereign  and 
independent  nation. 

The  American  struggle  for  freedom,  and  its  final 
achievement,  was  an  act  in  the  great  drama  of  the 
world's  history  of  such  vast  magnitude,  and  fraught  with 
such  momentous  consequences  upon  the  destinies  of  civil- 
ization throucfhout  the  world,  that  we  can  scarcelv  ever 
tire  in  contemplating  the  instrumentalities  by  which, 
under  Divine  guidance,  it  was  eftected.  It  has  taught 
mankind  that  oppression  and  misrule,  under  an}'  govern- 
ment, tends  to  -weaken  and  ultimately  destroy  the  power 
of  the  oppressor ;  and  that  a  people  united  in  the  cause  of 
freedom  and  their  inalienable  rights,  are  invincible  by 
those  who  w'ould  enslave  them. 

1^0  State  in  our  Union  can  present  a  greater  display  of 
exalted  patriotism,  enduring  constancy  and  persistent 
braver}'  than  Xorth  Carolina.  And  yet,  how  many  of 
our  own  people  do  we  find  who  know  but  little  of  the 
early  history  of  the  State,  her  stern  opjiosition  to  tyranny 
under  every  form,  and  her  illustrious  Revolutionary 
career. 

On  the  shores  of  Xorth  Carolina  the  first  settlenient  of 
English  colonists  was  made  ;  within  her  borders  the  most 
formidable  opposition  to  British  authority,  anterior  to  the 
Eevolution,  was  organized  ;  by  her  people  Xhe  first  declara- 
iion  of  independence  wa's  proclaimed,  and  some  of  the 


PREFACE.  Vll 

most  brilliant  achievements  took  place   upon   her  own 

;SOil. 

For  several  years,  at  intervals,  the  author  has  devoted 
.a  portion  of  his  time  and  attention  to  the  collection  of 
historical  facts  relating  principally  to  Western  North 
Carolina,  and  bordering  territory  of  South  Carolina,  to 
whom,  as  a  sister  State,  and  having  a  community  of  inter- 
ests, North  Carolina  frequently  afforded  relief  in  her  hour 
of  greatest  need. 

Such  materials,  procured  at  this  late  day— upon  the  ar- 
rival of  our  National  Centennial  year,  are  often  imperfect 
and  fragmentary  in  character — merely  scattered  facts  and 
incidents  gathered  here  and  there  from  the  traditional 
recollections  of  our  oldest  inhabitants,  or  from  the  musty 
records  of  our  State  and  county  otiices  ;  and  yet,  it  is  be- 
lieved such  facts,  when  truthfully  transmitted  to  us,  are 
worthy  of  preservation  and  rescue  from  the  gulf  of  obli- 
vion, which  unfortunately  conceals  from  our  view  much 
valuable  information. 

Being  the  son  of  a  Revolutionary  patriot,  and  accus- 
tomed in  his  boyhood  to  listen  with  enraptured  delight  to 
the  narration  of  thrilling  battle-scenes,  daring  adventures, 
narrow  escapes  and  feats  of  personal  prowess  during  the 
Revolution,  all  tending  to  make  indelible  impressions 
upon  the  tablet  of  memory,  the  author  feels  a  willingness 
to  "contribute  his  mite"  to  the  store  of  accumulated  ma- 
terials relating  to  North  Carolina,  now  waiting  to  be 
moulded  into  finished,  hostoric  shape  by  some  one  of  her 
gifted  sons.  ' 

Several  of  the  sketches  herein  presented  are  original, 


Vlll  PREFACE. 

and  have  never  before  been  published.  Others,  somewhat 
condensed,  have  been  taken  from  Wheeler's  "  Historical 
Sketches,"  when  falling  within  the  scope  of  this  work. 
To  the  venerable  author  of  that  compilation,  the  author 
also  acknowledges  his  indebtedness  for  valuable  informa- 
tion furnished  from  time  to  time  from  the  "  Pension 
Bureau"  at  Washington  City,  relating  to  the  military 
services  of  several  of  our  Revolutionary  patriots. 

The  author  and  compiler  of  these  sketches  only  aspires 
to  the  position  of  a  historian  in  a  limited  sense.  It  can- 
hot  be  denied  that  the  history  of  our  good  old  State, 
modest  in  her  pretensions,  but  filled  with  grand,  patriotic 
associations,  has  never  been  fully  written.  Acting  under 
this  belief,  he  feels  tempted  to  say,  like  Ruth  following 
the  reapers  in  the  time  of  Boaz,  he  has  "gleaned  in  the 
field  until  even,"  and  having  found  a  few  "handfuls"  of 
neglected  grain,  and  beaten  them  out,  here  presents  his 
^'ephah  of  barley" — plain,  substantial  food  it  is  true,  but 
yet  may  be  made  useful  mentally  to  the  present  genera- 
tion, as  it  was  physically  of  old,  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Palestine. 

In  conclusion,  the  author  cherishes  the  hope  that  other 
eons,  and  daughters  too,  of  iSTorth  Carolina— some  of  them 
forming  with  himself,  connecting  links  of  the  j^^ast  with  the 
jyresent — will  also  become  gleaners  in  the  same  field  of  re- 
search, abounding  yet  with  scattered  grains  of  neglected 
and  unwritten  history  worthy  of  preservation. 

If  the  author's  efibrts  in  this  direction  shall  impart  ad- 
ditional information,  and  assist  in  elucidating  "liberty's 
story"  in  the  Old  North  State,  his  highest  aspirations  will 
be  gratified,  and  his  agreeable  labors  amply  rewarded. 


CONTENTS. 


INTRODUCTORY  CHAPTER. 

Original  Settlements  in  North  Carolina  akd  Char- 
acter OF  THE  PEOPLE,  1 

CHAPTER  I. 

Mecklenburg  County, 19 

The  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence, 24 

A  brief  account  of  the  Mecklenburg  Centennial, 31 

The  Grand  Procession, 33 

Exercises  at  the  Fair  Grounds, 34 

James  Belk — A  Veteran  Invited  Guest, 38 

Signers  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence, 39 

Origin  of  the  Alexander  Families  of  Mecklenburg  County,....  59 

Jack  Family, Gl 

Captain  Charles  Polk's  "Muster  Roll," 89 

President  James  li.  Polk, 92 

General  William  Davidson, , 95 

General  George  Graham, 98 

William  Richardson  Davie, 99 

Battle  of  the  Hanging  Rock, 106 

General  Michael  McLeary, 112 

Major  Thomas  Alexander, ." 113 

Captain  William  Alexander, 115 

Elijah  Alexander, IIG 

Captain  Charles  Alexander, 117 

Joseph  Kerr—"  The  Cripple  Spy," 120 

Robert  Kerr,  122 

Henry  Hunter, 123 

James  Orr, 125 

Skirmish  at  Charlotte;  or,  First  attack  of  the  "  Hornets,"....  126 

Surprise  at  Mclntire's  ;  or,  the  "  Hornets  "  at  work, 136 

Judge  Samuel  Lowrie, l-il 


X  CONTENTS. 

The  Ladies  of  the  Revolutionary  Period, 142 

Mrs.  Eleanor  Wilson, 146 

Queen's  Museum, • •••,• 152 

CHAPTER  II. 

€abarrus  County, 157 

The  "Black  Boys"  of  Cabarrus, 158 

Dr.  Charles  Harris, ■ 162 

Captain  Thomas  Caldwell, 164 

CHAPTER  III. 

HowAN  County, 16G 

Route  of  the  British  Army  through  Mecklenburg  and  Rowan 

Counties, 172 

General  Griffith  Rutherford, 170 

Locke  Family, 178 

Hon.  Archibald  Henderson, 179 

Richard  Pearson, 180 

Mrs  Elizabeth  Steele, 183 

CHAPTER  IV. 

Irkdell  County, 186 

Col.  Alexander  Osborn 186 

Captain  William  i~harpe, 187 

Major  AVilliam  Gill,  Captain  Andrew  Carson,  and  others, 189 

•Captain  Alexander  Davidson, 194 

Captain  James  Houston, 194 

Captain  James  Houston's  Muster  Roll, 190 

Rev.  James  Hall, 196 

Hon.  Hugh  Lavvson  White, 202 

CHAPTER  V. 

Lincoln  County, 205 

Battle  of  Ramseur's  Mill, 206 

Route  of  the  British  Army  through  Lincoln  County, 218 

Gen.  Joseph  Graham, 225 


CONTENTS.  XI 

Brevard  Famil}^..... 232 

■Col,  James  Johnston, 238 

-Genealogy  of  Uol.  James  Johnston, 247 

Jacob  Forney,  Sr., 251 

Gen.  Peter  Forney, 258 

Major  Abram  Forney, 264 

Remarks, 269 

■Genealogy  of  the  Forney  Family, 270 

CHAPTER  VI. 

«Gaston  County, 278 

Rev.  Humphrey  Hunter, 278 

Dr.  William  McLean, 285 

Major  William  Chronicle, 289 

Captain  Samuel  Martin, 291 

Captain  Samuel  Caldwell, 294 

Captain  John  Mattocks, 295 

William  Rankin, 297 

General  Jonn  Moore ; 299 

Elisha  Withers 300 

CHAPTER  YII. 

Oleaveland  County, 301 

Battle  of  King's  Mountaui, 301 

Colonel  William  Campbell, 312 

Colonel  Isaac  Shelby, 314 

Colonel"  .James  D.  Williams, 321 

Colonel  Williarr;  Graham, 322 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Frederick  Hambright, 324 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

Burke  County, 328 

Battle  of  the  Cowpens, 329 

General  Daniel  Morgan, 335 

General  Charles  McDowell  and  Brothers, 337 


Xll  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Wilkes  County, 342 

Colonel  Benjamin  Cleaveland, 342 

Colonel  John  Sevier, 344 

General  William   Lenoir, 346 

CHAPTER  X. 

Miscellaneous, 3G() 

Lord  Cornwallis, 8&0 

Calonel  Tarleton, 351 

Cherokee  Indians, 352 

Conclusion, 357 


CHRONOLOGICAL  TABLE. 


1492 

October  12, 

1584 

July  4, 

1663 

1678 

1693 

1705 

1710 

1729 

1765 

1771 

May  16, 

1774 

August  25, 

1775 

May  20 

June, 

" 

June  17, 

" 

August, 

" 

December  9, 

1776 

February  17, 
August  27, 

" 

December  12 

'• 

December  26 

" 

Aug.  &  Sept. 

1777 

January  3, 

September  11, 

" 

October  4, 

" 

October  7, 

177S 

June  28, 

1779 

March  3, 

" 

June  2", 

1780 

May  1', 

" 

June  2 ', 

" 

August  7, 

" 

August  U>, 

" 

October  7, 

1781 

January  17, 

March  15, 

" 

Septembers, 

" 

October  19, 

1783 

January  2i), 

" 

September  3, 

17b7 

May. 

Columbus  discovered  America. 

Amaclas  and  Barlow  approach  the  coast  of  North  Carolina. 

Charter  of  Charles  II,  William  Drummond,  first  Governor 
of  North  Carolina. 

John  Culpeper's  Kebellion. 

Carolina  divided  into  North  and  South  Carolina. 

First  Church  erected  in  North  Carolina. 

First  Newspaper  published  in  the  United  States. 

Carey's  Kebeliion. 

Charter  of  Charles  II,  surrendered. 

stamp  Act  passed. 

Battle  of  Alamance. 

Popular  Assembly  at  Newbern. 

Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence. 

General  Washington  commander-in-chief. 

Battle  of  Bunker's  Hill. 

Josiah  Martin.  Koyal  Governor,  retreated. 

Battle  of  Great  Bridge,  near  Norfolk,  Va. 
"      of  Moore's  Creek,  N.  C. 
"      of  Long  Island. 

Constitution  of  North  Carolina  formed  at  Halifax. 

Battle  of  Trenton. 

General  Kutherford  subdues  the  Cherokees. 

Battle  of  Princeton. 
"      of  Brandyw  ne. 
"      of  Germantown. 
"      of  Saratoga. 
'•      of  Monmouth 

Ashe  dt  feated  at  Brier  Creek. 

Battle  of  Stono,  near  Charleston. 

Surrt'nder  of  Charleston. 
jBattle  of  Eamsour's  Mill. 
j      "      of  the  Hanging  Kock. 
j  Gates  defeated  at  Camden. 
■  Battle  of  King's  Mountain. 
I      '■      of  the  (!owpens. 

"      of  aulUVirrt  Court  House.  — 
I      "      ofEutaw. 
I      "      ofYorktown. 
|Trf  aty  of  peace  at  Versailles, 
tlngiand  recognize-s  the  Inddpendence  of  the  United  State?, 

Constitution  of  the  United  States  formed. 


INTRODUCTORY  CHAPTER. 


ORIGINAL  SETTLEMENTS  IN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 
AND  CHARACTER  OF  THE  PEOPLE. 

North  Carolina,  in  the  days  of  her  colonial  existence. 
was  the  asylum  and  the  refuge  of  the  poor  and  the  op- 
pressed of  all  nations.  In  her  borders  the  emigrant,  the 
fugitive,  and  the  exile  found  a  home  and  safe  retreat. 
Whatever  may  have  been  the  impelling  cause  of  their 
emigration — whether  political  servitude,  religious  perse- 
cution, or  poverty  of  means,  with  the  hope  of  improving 
their  condition,  the  descendants  of  these  enterprising, 
suffering,  yet  prospered  people,  have  just  reason  to  bless 
the  kind  Providence  that  guided  their  fathers,  in  their 
wanderings,  to  such  a  place  of  comparative  rest. 

On  the  sandy  banks  of  North  Carolina  the  flag  of  Eng- 
land w^as  first  displayed  in  the  United  States.  Roanoke 
Island,  between  Pamlico  and  Albemarle  Sounds,  aflbrded 
the  landing  place  to  the  first  expedition  sent  out  undei' 
the  auspices  of  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  in  15S4.  "The  fra- 
grance, as  they  drew  near  the  land,  says  Amadas  in  hi.^ 
report,  was  as  if  they  had  been  in  the  midst  of  sonic  deli- 
cate garden,  abounding  in  all  manner  of  odoriferou* 
dowers."  Such,  no  doubt,  it  seemed  to  them  during  the 
iirst  summer  of  their  residence  in  1584;  and,  notwith- 
standing the  disastrous  termination  of  that,  and  several 
succeeding  expeditions,  the  sanae  maritime  section  ol 
North  Carolina  has  presented  its  peculiar  features  of  at- 
tractiveness to  many  generations  which  have  since  arisen 
there,  and  passed  away.  In  the  same  report,  we  have 
the  first  notice  of  the  celebrated  Scuppernong  grape, 
yielding  its  most  abundant  crops  under  the  saline  atmos- 


OKIGIN A L  SETTLEMENTS 


pheric  influence,  and   semi-tropical   climate  of  eastern 
Carolina. 

From  the  glowing  description  of  the  country,  in  its 
primitive  abundance,  transmitted  to  Elizabeth  and  her 
('ourt,  they  gave  it  the  name  Virginia,  being  discovered 
in  the  reign  of  a  cirgin  Queen.  But  having  failed  in  this 
and  several  other  attempts  of  a  similar  kind,  Sir  Walter 
Raleigh  surrendered  his  patent,  and  nothing  more  was 
done  in  colonizing  Virginia  duringtheremainder  of  that 
century. 

In  1607,  the  lirst  permanent  settlement  was  made  by 
the  English  at  Jamestown,  Va.,  under  the  charter  of  the 
London  or  Southern  Company.     This  charter  contained 
none  of  the  elements  of  popular  liberty,  not  one  elective 
franchise,  nor  one  of  the  rights   of  self-government;  but 
religion  was  especially  enjoined  to  be  established  accord- 
ing to  the  rites  and  doctrine  of  the  Church  of  England. 
The  infant  colony  suffered  greatly  for  several  years  from 
threatened  famine,  dissensions,   and  fear  of  the  Indians^ 
1)ut  througli  the  energy  and  firmness  of- Capt  John  Smith, 
was  enabled  to  maintain  its  ground,  and  in  time,  show 
evident  signs  of  prosperity.     The  jealousy  of  arbitrary 
power,  and  impatience  of  liberty  among  the  new  settlers, 
induced  Lord  Delaware,  (iovernor  of  A'irginia  in  1G19,  to 
reinstate  lliem  in  the  full  possession  of  the  rights  of  Eng- 
lishmen ;    and   he   accordingly   convoked    a   Provincial 
Assembly,  i\\(i  first  ever  held  in  America.     The  delibera- 
tions and  laws  of  this  infant  Legislature  were  transmitted 
to  England  for  approval,  and  so  wise  and  judicious  were 
these,  that   the  company    under   whose   auspicies   they 
were  acting,  soon  after  confirmed  and  ratified  the  ground- 
work of  wlmt  gr.'idiinlh'  I'iponed  into  the  American  rrprc- 
■sculoticc  »ijt;iciii.     Ihe  guarantee  of  political  rights  led  to 
a  rapid  colonization.     Men  were   now  willing  to  regard 
Virginia  as  their  home.     "  They  fell  to  building  houses 
and  planting  corn.''     Women  were  induced  to  leave  the 


OF  ^'ORTH  CAKOLIXA.  S 

parent  couiitiy  to  become  the  wives  of  adventurous 
planters  ;  and  during  the  space  of  three  j^ears  thirty-five 
hundred  persons  of  both  sexes,  found  their  wa}--  to  Vir- 
ginia. By  various  modifications  of  their  charter,  the 
colonists,  in  a  few  years,  obtained  nearly  all  the  civil 
rights  and  privileges  Avhich  they  could  claim  as  British 
subjects  ;  but  the  church  of  England  was  "  coeval  with 
the  settlement  of  Jamestown,  and  seems  to  have  been 
considered  from  the  beginning  as  the  established  re- 
ligion." At  what  time  settlements  were  first  perma- 
nently made  within  the  present  limits  of  North  Car- 
olina, has  not  been  clearly  ascertained.  In  1G22,  the 
Secretary  of  the  colony  of  Virginia  traveled  over- 
land to  Chowan  River,  and  described,  in  glowing 
terms,  the  fertility  of  the  soil,  the  salubrity  of 
the  climate,  and  the  kindness  of  the  natives.  In  1643,  a 
company  obtained  permission  of  the  Virginia  Legisla- 
ture to  prosecute  discoveries  on  the  great  river  South  of 
the  Appomatox  of  which  they  had  heard,  under  a 
monopoly  of  the  profits  for  fourteen  years,  but  with  what 
jneasure  of  success  has  not  been  recorded.  These  early 
exploring  parties  to  the  South,  bringing  back  favorable 
reports  of  the  fertile  lauds  of  the  Chowan  and  the  Roa- 
noke could  not  fail  to  excite  in  the  colony  of  Jamestown 
a  spirit  of  emigration,  many  of  whose  members  were 
already  sutfering  under  the  baneful  effects  of  intolerant 
legislation.  In  1643,  during  the  administration  of  Sir 
William  Berkeley.it  was  specially  "ordered  that  no  min- 
ister should  preach  or  teach,  publicly  or  privately,  except 
in  conformity  to  the  constitutions  of  the  church  of  Eng- 
land, and  non-cXDnformists  were  banished  from  the 
'•olony.""'^  If  is  natural  to  suppose  that  individuals  as 
well  as  families,  who  were  fond  of  a  roaming  life,  or  who 
disliked  the  religious  persecution  to  which  they  were 
subjected,  would  descend  the  banks  of  these  streams  until 


•f  BaiKTofl.  I.,  r-  '■^'f*- 


4  ORIGINAL  SETTLEMENTS 

they  found  on  the  soil  of  Carolina  suitable  locations  for 
peaceable  settlements. 

In  1653,  Roger  Green  led  a  company  across  the  wilder- 
ness from  Nansemond,  in  Virginia,  to  the  Chowan  River, 
and  settled  near  Edenton.  There  they  prospered,  and 
others,  influenced  by  similar  motives,  soon  afterward  fol- 
lowed. In  1662,  George  Durant  purchased  of  the 
Veopim  Indians  the  neck  of  land,  on  the  North-side  of 
Albemarle  Sound,  which  still  bears  his  name.  It  was 
settled  by  persons  driven  off  from  Virginia  through  reli- 
gious persecutions.  In  1663,  King  Charles  II,  granted 
to  the  Earl  of  Clarendon  and  seven  other  associates,  the 
whole  of  the  region  from  the  thirty-sixth  degree  of  north 
latitude  to  the  river  San  Matheo,  (now  the  St.  John's)  in 
Florida;  and  extending  westwardly,  like  all  of  that 
monarch's  charters,  to  the  Pacific  Ocean. . 

At  the  date  of  this  charter,  (1663,)  Sir  William  Berke- 
ley, Governor  of  Virginia,  visited  the  infant  settlement 
on  the  Chowan,  and  being  pleased  with  its  evident  signs 
■of  prosperity,  and  increasing  importance,  appointed  Wil- 
liam Drumraond  the  first  Govcrnoi' of  the  Colon}' of  Carolina. 
Drnmmond  was  a  Scotch  Presbyterian,  and,  inheriting 
the  national  characteristics  of  that  people,  was  prudent, 
cautious,  and  deejjly  impressed  with  the  love  of  liberty. 
-Sucb  were  the  pioneer  settlements,  and  such  was  the  first 
Governor  of  North  Carolina.  The  beautiful  lake  in  the 
centre  of  the  Dismal  Swamp,  noted  for  its  healthy  water, 
and  abundantly  laid  in  by  sea-going  vessels,  perpetuates 
'Iiis  name. 

In  1665,  it  being  discovered  that  the  "  County  of  Albe- 
marle/' as  the  settlement  on  the  Chowan  was  called,  was 
iiot  in  the  limits  of  the  Carolina  charter,  but  in  Virginia, 
King  Charles,  on  petition,  granted  an  enlargement  of 
that  instrument  so  as  to  make  it  extend  from  twenty- 
jiine  degrees  to  thirty-six  degrees  and  thirty  minutes, 
3\orth  latitude.     These  charters  were  liberal  in  the  con- 


OF  NOKTH  CAROLINA.  5 

cession  of  civil  rights,  and  the  proprietors  were  permitted 
to  exercise  toleration  towards  non-conformists,  if  it  should 
be  deemed  expedient.  Great  encouragement  was  held 
forth  to  immigrants  from  abroad,  and  settlemenis  steadily 
increased.  They  were  allowed  to  form  a  representative 
government,  with  certain  limitations;  and  thus  a  degree 
of  popular  freedom  was  conceded,  which  it  setms,  was 
not  intended  to  be  permanent,  but  it  could  never  be 
recalled;  and  had  an  important  influence  in  producing 
the  results  which  we  now  enjoy.  As  the  people  were 
chiefly  refugees  from  religious  oppression,  tliey  had  no 
claims  on  government,  nor  did  they  wish  to  draw  its 
attention.  They  regarded  the  Indians  as  the  true  lords 
of  the  soil  ;  treated  with  them  in  that  capacity  ;  purchased 
their  lands,  and  obtained  their  grants.  At  the  death  of 
Governor  Drummond  in  16G7,  the  colony  of  Carolina 
contained  about  four  thousand  inhabitants. 

The  first  assembly  that  made  laws  for  Carolina  con- 
vened in  the  Fall  of  1669.  "Here,"  says  Bancroft,  "was  a 
colony  of  men  scattered  among  forests,  hermits  with 
wives  and  children  resting  on  the  bosom  of  nature,  in 
perfect  harmony  witli  the  wilderness  of  their  gentle  clime. 
The  planters  oi'  Albemarle  were  men  led  to  tlio  choice  of 
their  residence  from  a  hatred  of  restraint.  Are  there 
any  who  doubt  man''s  capacity  for  self-c'iovernment?  Let 
them  stud}^  the  histoty  of  Nortli  Carolina.  Its  inhabi- 
tants were  restless  and  turbulent  in  their  imperfect  sub- 
mission to  a  government  imposed  from  abroad  ;  the  ad- 
ministration of  the  colony  was  firm,  humane,  and  tran- 
quil when  they  were  left  to  take  care  of  themselves.  Any 
government  but  one  of  their  own  institution  was  oppres- 
sive. North  (  arolina  was  settled  by  the  freest  of  the  free. 
The  settlers  were  gentle  in  their  tempers,  of  serene  minds, 
enemies  to  violence  and  bloodshed.  Not  all  the  succes- 
sive revolutions  had  kindled  vindictive  passions;  free- 
dom,  entire  freedom   was    enjoyed  without  anxiety   as 


6  ORIGINAL  SETTLEMENTS 

withoutguarantees.  The  chanties  of  life  were  scattered  at 
their  feet  like  the  flowers  of  their  meadows."*  No  freer 
country  was  ever  organized  by  man.  Freedom  of  con- 
science, exemption  from  taxation,  except  by  their  own 
consent;  gratuities  in  land  to  every  emigrant,  and  other 
wholesome  regulations  claimed  the  prompt  legislative 
action  of  the  infant  colony."  "These  simple  lavrs  suited 
a  simple  people,  wlio  were  as  free  as  the  air  of  their 
mountains;  and  Avhen  oppressed,  were  as  rough  as  the 
billows  of  the  ocean."  t 

Tn  1707,  a  company  of  Huguenots,  as  the  French  Pro- 
testants were  called,  settled  on  the  Trent.  In  1709,  the 
Lords  Proprietors  granted  to  Baron  de  Graffenreidt  ten 
thousand  acres  of  land  on  the  Neuseand  Cape  Fear  rivers 
for  colonizing  purposes.  In  a  short  time  afterwar-,  a 
great  number  of  Palatines  Germams)  and  fifteen  hun- 
dred Swiss  followed  the  Baron,  and  settled  at  the  conflu- 
ence of  the  Trent  and  the  Neuse.  The  town  wa?  called 
New  Berne,  after  Berne,  in  Switzerland,  the  birth-place 
of  Graffenreidt.  This  was  the  first  important  introduc- 
tion into  Eastprn  Carolina  of  a  most  excellent  class  of 
liberty-loving  people,  who>e  descendants  wherever  their 
lots  were  cast,  in  our  country,  gave  illustrious  proof  of 
their  valor  and  }>atriotisin  during  the  Revolutionary 
war. 

Tn  1729,  the  Lords  Proprietors  (except  Lord  Granville) 
surrendered  the  government  of  the  province,  with  all  the 
franchises  under  the  chatter  of  Charles  II,  and  their  pro- 
perty in  the  soil,  to  the  crown  for  a  valuable  considera- 
tion. The  j)Opulation  at  that  time  did  not  exceed  ten 
thousand  inhabitants.  George  Burrington,  Governor  of 
the  province  under  the  Lords  Proprietors,  wns  re-appoint- 
ed to  the  same  office  by  the  King.  In  February,  1731, 
he  thus  officially  wi'ites  to  the  Duke  of  New  Castle,  "'^he 
inhabitants  of  North   Carolina  are  not  industrious,  but 

*  ■Rnnp.rnff    Vol.  TT.     11    T;«       +  Wli 


OF  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


subtle  and  crafty  to  admiration  ;  always  behaved  in- 
solently to  their  Governors;  some  of  them  the}' have 
imprisoned  ;  drove  others  out  of  tlie  country  ;  and  at 
other  times  have  set  up  a  governor  of  their  own  choice, 
supported  by  men  under  arms.  These  people  are  neither 
to  be  cajoled  nor  outwitted.  Whenever  any  governor 
attempts  to  effect  anything  by  these  means,  he  will  lose 
his  labor,  and  show  his  ignorance."  Lord  Granvihe's 
part  of  the  colony  of  North  Carolina  (one-eighth)  was  not 
laid  off  to  him,  adjoining  Virginia,  until  1743.  At  that 
date,  a  strong  tide  of  emigration  was  taking  place  from 
the  Chowan  and  Roanoke,  the  pioneer  attractive  points^ 
of  the  colony,  as  well  as  from  abroad,  to  the  great  inte- 
rior, and  Western  territory,  now  becoming  dotted  with 
numerous  habitations.  The  Tuscarora  Indians,  the  ter- 
rible scourge  of  Eastern  Carolina,  having  been  subdued, 
and  entered  into  a  treaty  of  peace  and  friendship  in 
1718,  no  serious  obstacle  interposed  to  prevent  a  Western 
extension  of  settlements.  Already  adventurous  individ- 
uals, and  even  families  of  hardy  pioneers  had  extended 
their  migrations  to  the  Ea-tern  base  of  the  "  Bhie 
Flidge,"  and  selected  locations  on  the  head-waters  of  the 
Yadkin  and  Catawba  river.=.  In  1734,  Gabriel  .Johnston 
was  appointed  Governor  of  North  Carolina.  He  was  a 
.^potchman  by  birtli,  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 
University  of  Saint  Andrews.  Llis  addresses  to  the  Leg- 
islature show  that  he  fully  appreciated  the  lamentable 
condition  of  the  colony  through  the  imprudence  and 
vicious  conduct  of  his  predecessor  (Burrington)  and  his 
earnest  desire  to  promote  the  v/elfare  of  the  people. 
Under  his  prudent  administration,  the  province  increased 
in  population,  wealth  and  happiness.  At  the  time  of  its 
purchase  by  the  crown,  its  population  did  not  exceed 
thirteen  thousand;  it  was  now  upwards  of  forty  five 
thousand. 


8  ORIGINAL  SETTLEMENTS 

In  1754,  Arthur  Dobbs  was  appointed  Governor  by  the 
crown.  His  administration  of  ten  years  presented  a  con- 
tinued contest  between  himself  and  the  Legislature  on 
matters  frivolous  and  unimportant.  His  high-toned  temper 
for  ro3''al  prerogatives  was  sternly  met  by  the  indomita- 
ble resistance  of  the  colonists.  The  people  were  also 
much  oppressed  by  Lord  Granville's  agents,oneof  whom 
(Corbin)  was  seized  and  brought  to  Enfield,  where  be 
was  compelled  to  give  bond  and  security,  produce  hi^ 
books,  and  disgorge  his  illegal  fees.  But  notwithstand- 
ing these  internal  commotions  and  unjust  exactions^, 
always  met  by  the  active  resistance  of  the  people,  the 
colony  continued  to  increase  in  power,  and  spread  abroad 
its  arms  of  native  inherent  protection.  During  the  entire- 
administrations  of  Governors  Johnston  and  Dobbs,  com- 
mencing in  1734  and  ending  in  1765,  a  strong  tide  of 
emigration  was  setting  into  North  Carolina  from  two 
opposite  directions.  While  one  current  from  Pennsyl- 
vania passed  down  through  Virginia,  forming  settlement* 
in  its  course,  another  current  met  it  from  the  South,  and 
spread  itself  over  the  inviting  lands  and  expansive  do- 
main of  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia.  Near  the  close  o* 
Governor  Johnston's  administration  (1750)  numerou?« 
settlements  had  been  made  on  the  beautiful  plateau  of 
country  between  the  Yadkin  and  Catawba  rivers.  At 
this  time,  the  Cherokee  Indians,  the  most  powerful  of 
the  Western  tribes,  still  claimed  the  territory,  as  rightful 
■'lords  of  the  soil,"  and  were  committing  numerous  depre- 
dations and  occasional  murders.  In  1756,  Fort  Dobbs. 
about  twenty  miles  West  of  Salisbury,  was  built  for  the- 
protection  of  the  small  neighborhood  of  farmers  and 
graziers  around  it.  Even  the  thriving  colony  of  "Albe- 
marle County  "  on  the  seaboard  now  felt  its  growing  im- 
portance- was  beginning  to  call  for  "more  room,"  and 
seek  new  possessions  in  the  interior,  thus  unconscioush- 
fulfilling  the  truth  of  the  poet's  prediction,  "Westward 
the  course  of  empire  takes  its  way." 


OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  9 

On  the  3(1  of  April,  1765,  William  Tryon  qualified  as 
"(Jommander  in-chief,  and  Captain-General  of  the  Pro- 
vince of  North  Carolina.  The  administration  of  Gover- 
nor Tryon  embraces  an  important  period  in  the  history 
of  the  State.  He  was  a  soldier  by  profession,  and  being- 
trained  to  arms,  looked  upon  the  sword  as  the  true  scep- 
ter of  government.  "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  tawards  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 
hospitalit^^"*  Governor  Tryon  first  met  the  Assembly 
in  the  town  of  Wilmington  on  the  od  of  May  1765.  "In 
his  address,  he  opposed  all  religious  intolerance,  and, 
although  he  recommended  provision  for  the  clergy  out 
of  the  public  treasury,  yet  he  advised  the  members  of 
the  Church  of  England  of  the  folly  of  attempting  to  es- 
tablish it  b}'-  legal  enactment.  Under  such  recommen- 
dations, a  law  was  passed  legalizing  the  marriages 
(which  before  were  denounced  as  illegal)  performed  by 
Presbyterian  ministers,  and  authorizing  them  and  other 
dissenting  clergym'en  to  perform  that  rite."t 

On  the  22nd  of  March,  1765,  the  Stamp  Act  was 
passed.  This  act  produced  great  excitement  throughout 
the  whole  country,  and  no  where  was  it  more  violently- 
denounced  than  in  North  Carolina.  The  Legislature 
was  then  in  session,  and  so  intense  and  wide-spread  was 
the  opposition  to  this  odious  measure,  that  Governor 
Tryon,  apprehending  the  passage  of  denunciatory  reso- 
lutions, prorogued   that   body   after  a  session  of  fifteen 


*  Wheeler's  Sketches,  I.,  p.  49.     t  Wheeler's  Sketcheg,  I.,  p.  50. 


10  ORIGINAL  SETTLEMENTS 

days.  The  speaker  of  tlio  House,  John  Ashe,  informed 
Governor  Tr3'on  that  this  law  "  would  be  resisted  to 
blood  and  death. 

Early  in  the  year  1706,  the  sloop-of-war,  Diligence,  ar- 
rived in  the  Cape  Fear  River,  having  on  board  stamp 
paper  for  the  use  of  the  province.  The  first  appearance 
and  approach  of  the  vessel  had  been  closely  watched,  and 
when  it  anchored  before  the  town  of  Brunswick,  on  the 
Cape  Fear,  Col.  John  Ashe,  of  the  county  of  New  Han- 
over, and  Col.  Hugh  Waddell,  of  the  county  of  Bruns- 
wick, marched  at  the  head  of  the  brave  sons  of  these 
counties  to  Brunswick,  and  notified  the  capta.n  of  their 
determination  to  resist  the  landing  of  the  stamps.  They 
seized  one  of  the  boats  of  the  sloop,  hoisted  it  on  a  cart, 
fixed  a  mast  in  her,  mounted  a  flag,  and  marched  in  tri- 
umph to  Wilmington.  The  inhabitants  all  joined  in  the 
procession,  and  at  night  the  town  was  illuminated.  On 
the  next  day,  Col.  Ashe,  at  the  head  of  a  great  concourse 
of  people,  proceeded  to  the  Governor's  house  and  demand- 
ed of  liim  to  desist  from  all  attempts  to  execute  the  Stamp 
Act,  and  to  produce  to  them  James  Houston,  a  member 
of  the  Council,  who  had  been  appointed  Stamp  Master 
for  the  Province.  The  Governor  at  first  refused  to  com- 
ply with  a  demand  so  sternly  made.  But  the  haughty 
representative  of  kingly  power  had  to  yield  before  the 
power  of  an  incensed  people,  who  began  to  make  prepa- 
rations to  set  fire  to  his  house.  The  Governor  then  re- 
luctantly produced  Houston,  who  was  seized  by  the 
people,  carried  to  the  market-house,  and  there  compelled 
to  take  a  solemn  oath  never  to  perform  the  duties  of  his 
office.  After  this  he  was  released  and  conducted  by  a 
delighted  crowd,  to  the  Governor's  Palace.  The  people 
gave  three  cheers  and  quietly  dispersed.  Here  we  have 
recorded  an  act  far  more  daring  in  its  performance  than 
that  of  the  famous  Tea  Party  of  Boston,  which  has  been 
celebrated  by  ever}^  writer  of  our  national  history,  and 
"Pealed  and  chimed  on  every  tongue  of  fame.'' 


OF  NORTH  CAROLINA.  11 

It  is  an  act  of  tlie  sons  of  the  "  Old  North  State,"  not 
committed  on  the  crew  of  a  vessel,  so  disguised  as  to 
escape  identit}^  but  oii  royalty  itself,  occupying  a  palace, 
and  in  open  day,  by  rnen  of  well  known  person  and  rep- 
utation. 

Another  event  of  great  historic  importance  occurred 
during  the  administration  of  Governor  Tr^^on.  On  the 
16th  of  May,  1771,  the  battle  of  Alamance  was  fought.  It 
is  here  deemed  unnecessary  to  enter  into  a  detail  of  the 
circumstances  leading  to  this  unfortunate  conflict. 
Suffice  it  to  say  the  Regulators,  as  they  were  called,  suf- 
fered greatly  by  heavy  exactions,  by  way  of  taxes,  from 
the  Governor  to  the  lowest  subordinate  officer.  The}' 
rose  to  arms — were  beaten,  but  theirs  was  the  first  blood 
shed  for  freedom  in  the  American  colonies  Many  true 
patriots,  who  did  not  comprehend  the  magnitude  of  their 
grievances,  fought  against  them.  But  the  principles  of 
right  and  justice  for  which  they  contended  could  never 
die.  In  less  than  four  years,  all  the  Colonies  were  found 
battling  for  the  same  principles,  and  borne  along  in  the 
rushing  tide  of  revolution  !  The  men  on  the  seaboard  of 
Carolina,  with  Cols.  Ashe  and  Waddell  at  their  liead, 
had  nobly  opposed  the  Stamp  Act  in  17G5,  and  prevented 
its  execution  ;  and  in  their  patriotic  movements  the 
people  of  Orange  sustained  them,  and  called  them  the 
"  Sons  of  Liberty.''  Col.  Ashe,  in  17GC,  had  led  the  excited 
populace  in  Wilmington,  against  the  wishes  and  even 
the  hospitality  of  the  governor.  The  assembled  patriots 
had  thrown  the  Governor's  roasted  ox,  provided  for  a 
barbecue  feast,  untastod,  into  the  river.  Now,  these  [la- 
triotic  leaders  are  found  marching  with  this  very  Gov- 
ernor to  subdue  the  disciples  of  liberty  in  the  west.  The 
eastern  men  looked  for  evils  from  across  the  waters,  and 
were  prepared  to  resist  opj^ression  on  their  shores  before 
it  should  reach  the  soil  of  their  State.  The  western  men 
were  seeking  redress  for  grievances  that  oppressed  them 


12  ORIGINAL  SETTLEMENTS 

at  home,  under  the  misrule  of  the  officers  of  the  provineev 
evils  scarcely  known  in  the  eastern  counties,  and  misun- 
dersto«d  when  reported  there.     Had  Ashe,  and  Wad  dell, 
and  Caswell  understood  all  the  circlimstances  of  the  case, 
they  would  have  acted  like  Thomas  Person,  of  Granville, 
and  favored  the  distressed,  even  though  they  might  havt 
felt  under    obligations    to   maintain   the   peace   of  the 
province,  and  due  subordination  to  the   laws.     Hermair 
Husbands,  the  head   of  the   Regulators,   has   been  de- 
nounced by  a  late  writer,  as   a  "  turbulent  and  seditious 
character."     If  such  he  was,  then  John  Ashe  and  Hugh. 
Waddeil,  for  opposing  the  stamp   law,  were  equally  tur- 
bulent and  seditious.     Time,  that  unerring   test  of  prin- 
ciples and  truth,   has   proved  that  the   spirit  of  liberty 
which  animated  the  Regulators,  was  the  true  spirit  wdiich 
.subsequently  led  to  our  freedom  from  foreign  oppression. 
On  the  24th  of  May,  Tryon,  after  committing   acts  of 
revenge,  cruelty  and  barbarity  succeeding  the  Alamanet 
battle,  returned  to  his  palace  at  Newbern,and  on  theSOtl) 
took  shipping  for  New  York,  over   which    State   he  had 
been  appointed  Governor.     Josiah  Martin  was  appointed 
by  the  crown,  Tryon's   successor   as  Governor  ofNortli' 
Carolina.     He  met  the  Legislature,  for  the  first  time,  in 
the  town  of  Newbern,  in  November,  1771.     Had  he  lived 
in  less  troublesome  times,  his  administration  might  have 
been  peaceful  and  prosperous.     Governor  Martin  had  the 
misfortune  to  difier  very   soon    with  the  lower  House  of 
the  Assembly  ;   and  during  the  whole  of  his  administta 
tion,  these  difficulties  continued  and  grew  in  magnitude, 
helping,  at  last,  to   accelerate   the  downfall  of  the  royal 
government.     In  this  Assembly  we  find  the  names  of  a 
host  of  distinguished  patriots,  as  John  Ashe,    Cornelius 
Harnett,    "  the    Samuel    Adams    of    North     Carolina," 
Samuel    Johnson,.  Willie   Jones,   Joseph    Hew^s,   Abnei- 
Na^h  John  Harvey,  Thomas  I'erson,  Griffith  Rutherford,. 
Abraham  Alexander,  Thomns  Polk,  and    many    ©there-. 


OF  NOKTII  CAROL! J< A.  13 

r  kowli'ig  that,  at  that  early  date,  the  Whig  party  had  the 
''omplete  control  of  the  popular  House  of  the  Assembly. 
i.R  accordance  with  the  recommendation  of  Governor 
Martin,  the  veil  of  oblivion  was  drawn  over  the  past  un- 
Jiappy  troubles,  and  all  the  animosities  and  distinctions 
which  they  created.  The  year  1772  passed  by  without  a 
meeting  of  the  Assembly ;  and  the  only  political  event 
of  any  great  importance,  which  occurred  in  the  Province, 
was  the  election  of  members  to  the  popular  House.  Such 
was  the  triumph  of  the  Whig  party,  that  in  many  of  the 
counties  there  was  no  opposition  to  the  election  of  the 
old  Iciiders,  nor  could  the  Governor  be  said  to  have  a 
party  sufticiently  powerful  to  effect  an  election  before  the 
people,  or  the  passage  of  a  bill  before  the  Assembly.  The 
Assembl3%  however,  in  consequence  of  two  dissolutions 
by  the  Governor,  did  not  convene  in  Newbern  until  the 
■25th  of  January,  1773,  and  the  popular  House  illustrated 
its  political  character  b}*  the  election  of  John  Harvey  to 
the  office  of  Speaker.  To  this  new  Assembly  many  of 
r.be  leading  members  of  the  House  in  1771,  were  returned. 
Thomas  Polk  and  Abraham  Alexander  were  not  members ; 
the  former  having  been  employed  in  the  service  of  the 
■(jiovernor,  as  surveyor,  in  running  the  dividing  line  be- 
tween North  and  South  Carolina,  and  the  latter  not  hav- 
"ng  solicited  the  suffrages  of  the  people.  The  county  of 
Mecklenburg  wa^  in  the  Assembly,  represented  by  Mav- 
lin  Pheifer  and  John  Davidson. 

The  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Commons,  John  Harvey, 
'aid  before  that  body  resolutions  of  the  House  of  Burgess 
^;f  Virginia  (1773)  of  the  12th  of  March  last;  also,  letters 
:Tom  the  Speakers  of  the  lower  houses  of  several  other 
provinces,  requesting  that  a  committee  be  appointed  to 
-iiquire  into  the  encroachments  of  England  upon  the 
rights  and  liberties  of  America.  The  House  passed  a 
resolution  that  "such  example  was  worthy  of  imitation, 
iiy  which  means  communication  and  concert  would  be 


14  ORIGINAL    SETTLEMENTS 

established  among  the  colonies ;  and  that'they  will  at  all 
times  be  ready  to  exert  their  efforts  to  preserve  and  de- 
fend their  rights."  John  Harvey,  (Speaker)  Robert 
Howe,  Cornelius  Harnet,  William  Hooper,  Richard  Cas- 
well, Edward  Vail,  John  Ashe,  Joseph  Hewes  and  Sam- 
uel Johnston  were  this  committee.  This  is  the  first 
record  of  a  legislative  character  which  led  to  the  Revolu- 
tion. 

During  the  summer  of  1774  the  people  in  all  parts  of 
the  province  manifested  their  approbation  of  the  pro- 
posed plan  of  calling  a  Congress  or  Assembly,  to  consult 
upon  common  grievances  ;  and  in  nearly  all  the  counties 
and  principal  towns  meetings  were  held,  and  delegates 
appointed  to  meet  in  the  town  of  Newbern  on  tiie  25th 
of  August,  1774. 

On  the  loth  of  August,  Governor  Martin  issued  a  proc- 
lamation complaining  that  meetings  of  the  people  had 
been  held  without  legal  authority,  and  that  resolutions 
had  been  passed  derogatory  to  the  authorit}^  of  the  King 
and  Parliament.  He  advised  the  people  to  forbear  at- 
tending any  such  meetings,  and  ordered  the  King's  ofii- 
cers  to.  oppose  them  to  the  utmost  of  their  power.  But 
the  delegates  of  the  people  attended  on  the  day  appointed 
without  any  obstruction  from  the  "king's  officers."  The 
proclamation  of  Governor  Martin  availed  nothing.  ( Vo.r 
d  praetera  nil.)  Excited  at  this  state  of  affairs,  Governor 
Martin  consulted  his  council  on  the  steps  most  proper 
to  be  taken  in  the  emergency.  They  advised  him  that 
"nothing  further  could  be  done."  This  first  Assembly, 
or  Provincial  Congress,  independent  of  ro3'^al  authorit}-,  in 
Newbern,  on  the  2.5th  of  August,  1774,  is  an  important 
epoch  in  our  history.  It  was  the  first  act  uf  liiat  grcn; 
drama  of  revolutionizing  events  which  finally  achieved 
our  independence. 

After  the  adjournment  of  this  Provincial  Congres^^. 
Governor  Martin  visited  New  York,  ostensiblv   for  tlu 


OP  NORTH  CAROLIXA.  15 

''benefit  of  his  health,"  and,  perhaps,  for  the  benefit  of  his 
government.  The  tumults  of  the  people  at  Newbern,  that 
raged  around  him,  and  which  threatened  to  overthrow 
his  power,  were,  by  his  own  confession,  "be3'ond  his  con- 
trol"; but  he  hoped  the  influence  of  Governor  Tyron* 
who  still  governed  New  York,  might  assist  him  in  restor- 
ing peace  and  authority  in  North  Carolina.  Vain,  delu- 
sive hope,  as  the  sequel  proved  ! 

The  year  1775  is  full  of  important  events,  only  a  few 
of  which  can  be  adverted  to  in  this  brief  sketch.  In  Feb- 
ruary, 1775,  John  Harvey  issued  a  notice  to  the  people  to 
elect  delegates  to  represent  them  in  a  second  Provincial 
Congress  at  Newbern  on  the  ord  of  April,  being  the  same- 
time  and  place  of  the  meeting  of  the  Colonial  Assem- 
bly. This  roused  tlie  indignation  of  Governor  Mar- 
tin, and  caused  him  to  issue,  on  the  1st  of  March,  1775, 
his  proclamation   denouncing  the  popular  Convention. 

In  his  speech  to  the  Assembl}^  Governor  Martin  ex- 
pressed "his  concern  at  this  extraordinary  state  of  affairs. 
He  reminded  the  members  of  their  oath  of  allegiance, 
and  denounced  the  meeting  of  delegatee  chosen  by  the 
people,  as  illegal,  and  one  that  he  should  resist  by  every 
means  in  his  power."  In  the  dignified  reply  of  the 
House,  the  Governor  Avas  informed  that  the  right  of  the 
people  to  assemble,  and  petition  the  throne  for  a  redress 
of  their  grievances  was  undoubted,  and  that  this  right 
included  that  of  appointing  delegatss  for  such  purpose. 
The  House  passed  resolutions  approving  of  the  proceed- 
ings of  the  Continental  Congress  at  Philadelphia  (4th  of 
Sept.  1774)  and  declared  their  determination  to  use  their 
influence  in  carrying  out  the  views  of  that  body.  Where- 
upon,, tlie  (^lOvoDior,  by  advice  of  his  council,  dissolved 
the  Assembly,  by  proclamation,  after  a  session  of  four 
days. 

Thus  ceased  forever  all  legislative  action  and  inter- 
course under  the  Royal  government.     Indeed,  from  the 


16  '  OEIGINAL  ■  SETTLEMENTS 

organization  of  the  first  Provincial  Congress  or  Conven- 
tion, in  Newbern  (Aug.  25th,  1774)  composed  of  delegates 
"fresh  fr»m  the  people  "  the  pioneers  in  our  glorious 
revolution,  until  Governor  Martin's  expulsion,  North 
Carolina  was  enjo3^iug  and  exercising  an  almost  un- 
limited control  of  separate  governraental  independence.  After 
the  dissolution  of  the  Assembly  on  the  8th  of  Apiil, 
1775,  Governor  Martin  lingered  only  a  few  days,  first 
taking  refuge  in  Fort  Jonston,  and  afterwards,  on  board 
of  the  ship  of  war,  the  Cruiser,  anchored  in  the  Cape 
Fear  River.  Only  one  more  frothy  proclamation  ''Sth  of 
Aug.,  1775,)  appeared  from  Governor  Martin,  against  the 
patriotic  leaders  of  North  Carolina,  issued  this  time,  not 
from  "the  palace,"  at  Newbern,  but  from  a  cruism^' source 
and  out-look,  and  on  a  river,  whose  very  name  typified 
the  real  origin  of  his  departure,  and  present  retirement. 
These  glimpses  of  the  colonial  history  of  North  Caro- 
lina, necessary  to  a  proper  understanding  of  the  follow- 
ing sketches,  Avill  serve  to  illustrate,  in  a  limited  degree, 
the  character  of  her  people,  and  their  unyielding  opposi- 
tion to  all  unjust  exactions,  and  encroachment  of  arbi- 
trary power.  While  these  sterring  transactions  were 
transpiring  in  eastern  Carolina,  the  people  of  Mecklen- 
burg county  moved,  in  their  sovereign  capacity,  the  ques- 
tion of  independence,  and  took  a  much  bolder,  and  more 
<]ecided  stand  than  the  Colonial  or  Continental  Congress 
had  as  yet  assumed.  This  earl}^  action  of  that  patriotic 
county,  effected  after  mature  deliberation,  is  one  of  the 
ever -memorable  transactions  of  the  State  of  North  Caro- 
lina, worthy  of  being  cherished  and  honored  by  every 
lever  of  patriotism  to  the  end  of  time.  The  public  mind 
liad  been  much  excited  at  the  attempts  of  Governor  Mar- 
tin to  prevent  the  meeting  of  the  Provincial  Congress  at 
Newbern,  and  his  arbitrary  conduct  in  dissolving  the 
Assembly,  when  only  in  session  four  days,  leaving  them 
unprotected  by  courts  of  law,  and  without  the  preseat 


OF  NORTH  CAKOLINA.  17 

opportunity  of  iiiiishing  many  important  matters  ofjeg- 
islation.  In  this  state  of  affairs,  the  people  began  to 
think  that,  since  the  proper,  lawful  authorities  failed  to 
i:>erforra  their  legitimate  duty,  it  was  time  to  provide 
safe-guards  for  themselves,  and  to  throw  off  all  allegiance 
to  powers  tliat  cease  to  protect  their  liberties,  or  their 
property. 

A  late  author  has  truly  said,  ''Men  will  not  be  fully 
able  to  understand  North  Carolina  until  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  succeeding  years  of  pros- 
])erity.  Then  will  North  Carolina  be  respected  as  she  is 
known.'"* 


*  Poote's  Skotclips  of  North  Carolina,  p.  S-'i. 


8  K  E  T  O  H  li  S 

OP 


Western  North  Carolina. 


(JHAPTER  I. 


MECKLE^BUKG  COUNTY. 


Mecklenburg  county  was  formed  in  17G2  from  Ansoii 
count}*,  and  named  in  honor  of  the  native  place  of  the 
new  Queen,  Princess  Charlotte,  of  Mecklenburg,  one  of 
the  smaller  German  States. 

This  county  has  a- peculiar  historical  interest.  It  is  the 
birth-place  of  liberty  on  American  soil.  No  portion  of 
the  State  presents  a  more  glowing  page  of  unflinching- 
patriotic  valor  than  Mecklenburg,  always  taking  an 
active  part  in  every  political  movement,  at  home  or 
abroad,  leading  to  independence. 

The  temper  and  character  of  the  people  yvere  early 
ihown.  In  1766,  George  A.  Selwyn,  having  obtained,  by 
some  means,  large  grants  of  lands  from  the  British  Crown, 
proc-eeded  to  have  them  surveyed,  through  his  agent, 
Henry  E.  McCullock,  and  located.  On  some  of  these 
grants,  the  first  settlers  had  made  considerable  improve- 
ments by  their  own  stalwart  arms,  and  persevering  in- 
dustr}'.  For  this  reason,  and  not  putting  much  faith  in 
the  validity  of  Stlvvyn's  claims,  they  seized  John  Frohock, 
the  surveyor,  and  compelled  him  to  desist  from  his  work, 
or  fare  worse.  Here  was  manifested  the  carl}-  buzzing  of 
ihe  "  Hornets'  Nest,"  which,  in  less  than  ten  years,  was 
destined  to  strng  royalty  it^^c^f  in  these  .\mcrican  colonics. 


20  SKETCJIlvS  OF  WK.STKKN  NORTH  CAROLI^A. 

Tlie  little  village  of  Charlotte,  tlic  seat  of  justice  for 
Mecklenburg  county,  was  in  1775,  the  theater  of  one  of 
the  most  memorable  events  in  the  political  annals  of  the 
United  States.  Situated  on  the  beautiful  and  fertile 
<.;hampaign,  between  the  Yadkin  and  Catawba  Rivers,  and 
on  the  general  route  of  the  Southern  travel,  and  among 
the  earliest  settlements  in  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia,  it 
^oon  became  the  centre  of  an  enterprising  and  prosperous 
population.  The  fertility  of  the  soil,  the  healthfulnessof 
the  climate,  and  abundance  of  cheap  and  unappropriated 
lands,  were  powerful  inducements  in  drawing  a  large 
influx  of  emigrants  from  the  Northern  colonics,  and  from 
the  Old  World.  These  natural  features  of  middle  and 
western  Carolina,  in  particular,  were  strongly  attractive, 
and  pointed  out,  under  well-directed  energy,  the  sure 
road  to  prospective  wealth  and  prosperitj'. 

The  face  of  the  country  was  then  overspread  with  wild 
'' pea  vines,"  and  luxuriant  herbage;  the  water  courses^ 
bristled  with  cane  brakes;  and  the  forest  abounded  with' 
a  rich  variety  and  abundance  of  food-producing  game. 
The  original  coriveyancc  for  the  tract  of  land,  upon  which  i 
the  city  of  Charlotte  now  stands,  contained  360  acres, 
and  was  made  on  the  15th  day  of  January,  1767,  by 
Henry  E.  McCullock,  agent  for  George  A.  Selwyn,  to 
"Abraham  Alexander,  Thomas  Polk,  and  John  Froh»ck. 
as  Trustees  and  Directors,  of  the  town  of  Charlotte,  and 
their successor.1."  The  consideration  was  "ninety  pounds, 
lawful  money."  The  conveyance  was  witnessed  by 
Matthew  McLure  and  Joseph  Sample. 

A  few  M'ords  of  explanation,  as  to  one  of  the  Trustees. 
,may  bo  here  appropriate.  The  Frohock  family  resided 
::n  liowan  county,  and,  before  the  revolution,  exerted  a 
<;onsiderable  influence,  holding  places  of  profit  and  trust. 
William  Frohock  was  Captain  of  a  military  company, 
and  at  one  time,  (1771)  Deputy  Sheriff  under  Gen- 
eral Ivutherford.  Thomas  Frohock  was  Clerk  of  the 
.superior  Court,  in  liowan,  and  Senator  to  the  State  Leg- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.         21 

islature  from  the  town  of  Salisbury,  in  1785  aiul  17SC 
John  Frohock,  named  in  the  conveyance,  \va?,  for  several 
years,  Clerk  of  the  ■County  Court,  an  active  Surveyor, 
and  resided,  during  much  of  his  time  in  Mecklenburg, 
employed  in  the  duties  of  his  profession. 

Soon  after  the  town  of  Charlotte  was  laid  out.  a  log 
building  was  erected  at  the  intersection  of  Trade  and 
Tryon  streets,  and  in  the  centre  of  the  space  now  known 
as  "Independence  Square."  This  building  was  placed 
upon  substantial  brick  [)illars,  ten  or  twelve  feet  high, 
Avith  a  stairway  on  the  outside,  leading  to  the  court  room* 
The  lower  part,  in  conformity  with  primitive  economy 
and  convenience,  was  used  as  a  Market  House  ;  and  the 
upper  part  as  a  Court  House,  and  frequently  for  church, 
and  other  public  meetings  Although  the  original  build- 
ing has  long  since  passed  away,  3'et  it  has  historic  associa- 
tions connected  with  its  colonial  and  revolutionary  exis- 
tence, which  can  n.ever  cease  to  comtnand  ihe  admiraiion 
of  every  true  patriot. 

Tn  May,  1775,  its  walls  resounded  whh  iho ioiics  of  earn- 
{fit  debate  a.id^  it 'dependence,  procJaimed  from  the  court 
liouse  stejis.  lit  September,  1780,  its  walls  rebounded 
u'ith  the  tones  of  iJic  nutykct,  by  the  same  i)eopIe,  who 
"know  their  rights,  and  knouing,  dared  Uiaintain." 

At  this  ]')eriod,  theie  w;ks  no  j)iint.ing  press  in  the 
upper  country  of  ('arolina,  and  as  no  reguhir  post  tra- 
versed this  region,  1  newspaper  was  seldom  seen  among 
the  people.  Important  inibrnnilio:,  .  .-  iransmilied 
from  one  colony  to  another  by  ex [)rc.:;.s  messengers  on 
h.orse-back,  as  wa>;  done  by  Captain  Jack  in  bearing  the 
Mecklenburg  DechiraLion  to  riiiladelphia.  The  people 
were  accustomed  to  assembie  at,  staled  [;laces  to  listen  to 
the  reading  of  printed  hand-bills  from  abroad,  or  to  obtain 
verbal  intelligence  of  parsing  events. 

Charlotte  early  became  the  ct-ntral  point  in  I\lecklen~ 
burg  county  for  these  assemblages,  and  there  the  leading 
juen  otten  met  at  Queen's  Museuu)  or  Co.dege,  to  discuss 


22  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

the  exciting  topics  of  the  day.  These  meetings  were  at 
first  irregular,  and  without  system.  It  was  finally  agreed 
that  Thomas  Polk,  Colonel  of  the  militia,  long  a  surveyor 
in  the  prpvince,  frequently  a  member  of  the  Colonial 
Assembly,  and  a  man  of  great  excellence  of  character 
should  be  authorized  to  call  a  convention  of  the  Repre- 
sentatives of  the  people  whenever  circumstances  seemed 
to  require  it.  It  was  also  agreed  that  such  Representa- 
tives shculd  consist  of  two  delegates  from  each  Captain'.^ 
Compan}',  chosen  by  the  people  of  the  several  militia  dis- 
tricts, and  that  their  decisions,  when  thus  legally  con- 
vened, should  be  binding  upon  the  whole  county. 

When  it  became  known  that  Governor  Martin  had 
attempted, by  his  proclamation,  issued  on  the  1st  of  March, 
1775,  to  pievent  the  Assembling  of  a  Provincial  Congres£- 
at  Newbern,  on  the  3d  of  April  following ;  and  when  il- 
was  recollected  that,  by  his  arbitrary  authority,  he  had 
dissolved  the  last  Provincial  Assembh',  after  a  session  of 
only  four  davs,  and  before  any  important  business  had 
been  transacted,  the  public  excitement  became  intense. 
and  the  people  were  clamorous  for  some  decisive  action, 
and  a  redress  of  their  grievances.  A  large  majority  of 
the  people  were  willing  to  incur  the  dangers  incident  to 
revolution,  for  the  sake  of  themselves,  their  posterity,  and 
the  sacred  cause  of  liberty. 

In  this  Staio  of  tin-  public  mind.  Col.  Polk  issued  his 
E(-tico  to  the  committee-men,  two  from  each  Captain's 
district,  as  previously  agree^  upon,  to  assemble  in  T'har- 
lotte  on  the  19th  of  May,  1775,  to  consult  for  the  common 
good,  and  inaugurate  such  measures  as  would  conduce  to 
that  desirable  end.  The  notice  of  the  appointed  meeting 
spread  rapidly  through  the  county,  and  all  classes  of  citi- 
zens, intuitively,  as  it  were,  partook  of  the  general 
enthusiasm,  and  felt  the  importance  of  the  approaching 
convention.  On  the  appointed  day,  an  immense  con- 
course of  people,  consisting  of  gray  haired  sires,  and 
vigorous  youths  from  all  parts  of  the  county,  assembled 


BKETCHBS  OF  WESTERN  NOKTH  CAROLINA.  2^i 

in  the  town  of  Charlotte,  then  containing  about  twenty - 
five  houses,  all  anxious  to  know  the  result  of  that  ever- 
memorable  occasion.  After  assembling  in  tlie  court 
house,  Abraham  Alexander,,  a  venerable  citizen  and  mag- 
istrate of  the  county,  and  former  miember  of  the  I^egisla- 
ture^  was  made  chairman ;  and  John  McKnitt  Alexander, 
assisted  by  Dr.  Ephraim  Brevard,  Secretaries,  all  men  of 
business  habits,  and  of  great  popularity.  A  full,  free  and 
animated  discussion  upon  the  exciting  topics  of  the  day 
then  ensued,  in  which  Dr.  Ephraim  Brevard,  a  finished 
scholar ;  Col.  William  Kennon,  an  eminent  lawyer  of 
Salisbury,  and  Rev.  Hezekiah  J.  Balch,  a  distinguished 
Presbyterian  preacher,  were  the  chief  speakers.  During 
the  session  of  the  convention,  an  express  messenger 
arrived,  bearing  the  news  of  the  wanton  and  cruel  shed- 
ding of  blood  at  Lexington  on  the  19th  of  April,  just  one 
month  preceeding.  This  intelligence  served  to  increase 
the  general  patrotic  ardor,  and  the  assembly,  as  with  one 
voice,  cried  out,  "Let  us  be  independent.  Let  us  declare 
our  independence,  and  defend  it  with  our  lives  and  for- 
tunes." The  speakers  said,  his  Majesty's  proclamation 
iiad  declared  them  out  of  the  protection  of  the  British 
Crown,  and  they  ought,  therefore,  to  declare  themselves 
out  of  his  protection,  and  be  independent  of  his  govern- 
ment. A  committee  consisting  of  Dr.  Brevard,  Col.  Kennon , 
and  the  Rev.  Mr.  ,3alch,  was  then  appointed  to  prepare 
resolutions  suitable  to  the  occasion.  Tlie  excitement  of 
the  people  continued  to  increase,  and  the  deliberations 
of  the  convention,  including  che  framing  of  by- laws,  and 
regulations  by  which  it  should  be  governed,  as  a  stand- 
ing committee,  were  not  completed  until  after  midnight, 
showing  the  great  interest  which  every  one  felt,  and  that 
;l  solemn  crisis  had  arrived  which  demanded  firm  and 
united  action  for  the  common  defence.  Upon  the  return 
of  the  committee,  the  chairman  proceeded  to  submit  the 
resolutions  of  independence  to  the  vote  of  the  convention. 
All  was  silence  and  stillness  around  {intentirjve  ova  tcnehant ) 


24  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

The  question  was  then  put,  "  Are  you  all  agreed."  The 
response  was  one  universal  "aye,"  not  one  dissenting 
voice  in  that  immense  assemblage.  It  was  then  agreed 
that  the  pi'oceedings  should  be  read  to  the  whole  multi- 
tude. Accordingly  at  noon,  on  the  20tb  of  May,  1775, 
Colonel  TJiomas  Polk  ascended  the  steps  of  the  old  court 
hou?e,  and  read,  in  clear  and  distinct  tones,  the  following 
patriotic  resolutions,  constituting, 

THE    Ml'XKLENBURCl    DKCLARATION    OF  INDEPENDENCE. 

^'Resolved,  1.  That  whoever  directly  or  indirectly 
abetted,  or  in  any  way,  form  or  manner,  countenanced 
the  unchartered  and  dangerous  invasion  of  our  rights,  as 
claimed  by  Great  Britain,  is  an  enemy  to  this  country, 
to  Americn,  and  to  the  inherent,  and  inalienable  rights 
of  man. 

liCfiohrd,  2.  That  we,  the  citizens  of  Afecklenburg 
county,  do  hereby  disoolve  the  political  bands  which  have 
coilnocted  vis  to  the  mother  country,  and  hereby  absolve 
otirsolvcs  from  all  allegiance  to  the  British  ('rown 
and  abjure  all  political  connection,  contract,  or  asso- 
ciation with  that  nation,  who  have  wantonly  trampled 
on  our  j'igiits  and  liberties,  and  inhumanly  shed  the 
blood  of  American  patriots  at  Lexington. 

liesolred,  •>  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  cooperation,  our  lives,  our  fortunes,  and  our 
most  sacred  honor. 

Resolved,  4.  That,  as  we  acknowledge  the  existence  and 
I'ontiol  of  no  law,  or  legal  ofHcer,  civil  or  militaiy,  within 
this  county,  we  do  hereby  ordain  and  adopt, as  a  rule  of 
life,  all,  each,  and  every  one  of  our  former  laws  ;  wherein, 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  25 

nevertheless,  the  crown  of  Great  Britain  never  can  be 
considered  as  holding  riglits,  privileges,  immunities,  ov 
authority  therein. 

Reifolved,  5.  That  it  is  also  further  decreed  that  all, 
each,  and  every  military  ofiicer  in  this  county  is  hereby 
retained  in  his  former  command  and  authoiity,  he  act- 
ing conformably  to  these  regulations.  And  that  {^.x^ivy 
member  present  of  this  delegation  shall  henceforth  be  n 
civil  otficer,  viz:  a  justice  of  the  peace,  in  the  character 
of  a  committeeman,  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  ;  and  to  use  every  exertion  to  spread  tlie  loA'e  of 
country,  and  fire  of  freedom  throughout  America,  until 
a  more  general  and  organized  govemment  be  established 
in  this  province." 

After  the  reading  of  these  resolutions,  a  voice  from  the 
crowd  calle  i  out  for  "three  cheers,"  and  soon  the  welkin 
rang  v^ith  corresponding  shouts  of  applause.  The  reso- 
lutioi.s  were  read  again  and  again  during  the  day  to 
ditrertiit  parties,  denirous  ()f  retaining  in  their  mf  UiOriev-- 
sentiments  of  patriotism  so  congenial  to  their  feelings. 

A  copy  of  the  proeecflings  of  the  conventii.'n  was  tneii 
drawn  oflf,  and  sent'by  express  to  the  members  of  con- 
gress from  North  Carolina,  at  that  time  in  session  at 
Philadeljdiia.  Captain  James  .Jack,  a  wortliy  and  intel- 
ligent citizen  of  Charlotte,  was  (.-hosen  as  the  bearer; 
.and  in  a  few  days  afterward,  set  out  cii  horseback  in  the 
performance  of  his  patriotic  mission.  Of  his  journeyings, 
and  jJf^Tiions  adveitiures  througli  a  couiitry,  much  oi  it  in- 
fested with  Tories,  we  know  but-little.  liavin.o  faithfully 
performed  the  duties  of  his  important  trust,  by  deliver- 
ing the  resolutions  into  the  hands  of  the  North  Carolina 
[)clegation  at  Philadelphia  (Caswell,  Hooper  and  Hews,) 
he  returned  to  his  home  in  Charlotte.  He  reported  that 
our  own   Delegation,  and  several   members  of  Congress, 


:26  SKKTCHEa  of  western  north  CAROLINA. 

manifested  their  entire  approbation  of  the  earnest  zeal 
:and  patriotism  of  the  Mecklenburg  citizens,  but  deemed 
it  premature  to  lay  their  resolutions  before  their  body- 
as  they  still  entertained  some  hopes  of  reconciliation  with 
•the  mother  country. 

■  A  copy  of  the  foregoing  resolutions  m&m  also  transmit- 
ted to  the  Provincial  Congress,  at  Hillsboro,  and  laid 
before  that  body  on  the  25th  of  August,  1775,  but  for  tht 
same  prudential  reasons  as  just  stated,  they  declined 
taking  any  immediate  action. 

It  has  been  deemed  proper  to  present  this  summarized 
statement  of  the  circumstances  leading  to  the  Mecklen- 
burg Convention  of  the  19th  and  20th  of  May,  1775,  as  i\ 
source  of  reference  for  those  who  have  no  other  history  of 
the  transaction  before  them.  For  a  more  extended  ac- 
count of  its  proceedings,  the  reader  is  referred  to  the 
pamphlet  published  by  State  authority  in  1831,  and  to 
the  exhaustive  treatise  of  the  late  Ex-Governor  Graham 
on  the  authenticity  of  the  Meclenburg  resolutions,  w.th 
notices  of  the  principal  actors  and  witnesses  on  that  ever- 
memorable  occasion. 

Since  the  publication  of  Governor  Graham's  pamphlet 
shortly  before  the  Centennial  Celebration  in  Charlotte 
another  (;oj>y  of  the  Mecklenburg  resoUuioiis  of  the  20th 
■t>f  May,  1775,  has  been  found  in  the  possession  of  a  grand- 
son of  Adam  Brevard,  now  residing  in  Indiana.  This 
co[)y  has  all  the  ©utward  appearances  of  age,  has  been 
sacredly  kept  in  the  family,  and  is  in  a  good  state  of  pre- 
servation. Adam  Brevard  was  a  younger  brother  of 
Dr.  Ephraim  Brevard,  the  reputed  author  of  these  reso- 
lutions, frequently  perlormed  his  brother's  writing 
■during  the  active  discharge  of  his  professional  duties, 
and  was  himself,  a  man  of  cultivated  intellect,  and  chris- 
tian integrity.  He  kept  a  copy  of  these  patriotic  resolu- 
tions, mainly  with  the  view  of  preserving  a  memento  of 
his  brother's  hand  writing,  and  vigor  of  composition — 
not  supposing  for  a  moment,  their   authenticity  would 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  27 

«ver  be  called  into  question.  This  venerable  patriot. 
In  a  manuscript  account  of  a  celebration  in  Iredell 
county  on  the  4th  of  July,  1S24,  in  discoursing  on  a 
variety  of  revolutionary  matters,  fays  among  other  things- 
he  was  in  Salisbury  in  Juno  1775,  attending  to  his  pro 
■fessional  duties  as  a  lawyer,  and  that  during  the  sessions 
i&f  the  Genera)  Court  in  that  place,  the  bearer  of  the 
Mecklenburg  Declaration  arrived  on  his  way  to  Phila- 
delphia. When  the  object  of  his  mission  became  known, 
and  the  Mecklenburg  resolutions  of  independence  were 
read  in  open  court,  at  the  request  of  Col.  Kennon,  sev- 
^Tid  Tories  who  were  present  said  they  were  treasonable, 
and  that  the  framers  of  them  were  "rushing  headlong 
into  an  abyss  where  Congress  had  not  dared  to  pass.  Their 
intemperance,  however,  was  suddenly  arrested  by  a  gen- 
tleman from  the  same  county,  who  had  entered  with  all 
his  powers  into  the  impending  contest  and  offered  to  rest 
the  propriety  and  justness  of  the  proceedings,both  of  Meck- 
lenburg and  the  Delegate,  upon  a  decission  by  the  arm  of 
flesh  with  any  one  inclinable  to  abide  the  result.  Matters, 
w^hicli  threatened  a  conflict  of  arms  were  soon  hushed 
up  by  this  direct  argument  ad  hominem,  the  Delegate 
retired  to  rest  for  the  night,  and,  on  the  next  morning, 
resumed  his  journey  to  Philadelphia." 

Be  also  states,  in  the  same  manuscript,  that  in  tne 
autumn  of  the  year  1776,  he  was  one  of  the  number  who 
composed  the  College  of  Queen's  Museum,  and  lived  with 
his  brother,  Dr.  Ephraim  Brevard,  and  tliat  in  ransack- 
ing a  number  of  his  brother's  papers  thrown  aside  at; 
useless,  he  came  across  the  fragments  of. a  Declaration  of 
[ndependence  by  the  people  of  Mecklenburg.  Upon 
inquiry,  his  brother  informed  him  they  were  the  rudi- 
ments out  of  which  a  short  time  before,  he  had  framed 
the  instrument  despatched  to  Congress.  'The  same  au- 
thority states  that  he  was  in  Philadelphia  in  the  latter 
part  of  the  year  1778,  and  until  May  of  the  year  1779. 
During  that  time,  William  Sharp.  Esq.,  of  Rowan  county, 


28  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

arrived  in  Pliiladelpliia,  as  a  Delefiate  to  Cons^ress  from 
^orth  Carolina.  Amidst  a  variety  of  topics  introduced 
for  discussion  was  that  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration 
of  Independence.  Hon.  John  Peun,  of  North  Carolina, 
said  in  presence  of  several  members  of  Congress,  that  h< 
was  "  highly  pleased  with  the  bold  and  distinguished 
spirit  with  which  so  enlightened  a  county- of  the  State 
he  had  the  honor  to  represent  had  exhibited  to  the  world  : 
and,  lurthermore,  that  the  bearer  of  the  mstrument  to 
Congress  had  conducted  himself  very  judiciously  on  the 
occasion  by  previous!}'  opening  his  business  to  the  Dele- 
gales  of  his  own  State,  who  a-sured  him  that  the  other 
States  w'ould  soon  act  in  ihe  same  ])atriotic  manner  as 
Mecklenburg  had  done. 

This  important  and  additional  testimony,  here  slight- 
ly condenced,  but  facts  not  changed,  is  extracted  from 
a  communication  in  the  Southern  Home,  by  Dr.  J.  M. 
Davidson,  of  Florida,  a  gentleman  of  great  moral  wortli 
and  chi'istian  integrity,  and  grand.'on  of  Adam  Brevard, 
a  brother  or  Dr.  E{>hruim  ]>revard,  the  reputed  author 
of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence. 

A  brief  extract  from  Cxovernor  Mariii/sdi.^pateh  to  the 
British  Secretarv  of  State,  dated  SOtli  of  June,  1775.  as 
fiAind  in  \Vheeler'.=?  "  Hi.storical  Sketches,"  will  now  be 
given,  which  cannot  be  viewed  in  any  other  light  than 
that,  of  disinterested  evidence.  The  Governor  proceeds 
by  saying,  "the  situation  ]n  which  I  find  niyself  a: 
}icsent  is  indeed,  my  Lord,  most  despicable  and  morti- 
fying. *  *  *  *  J  ijyp^  alas!  ingloriously,  only  to 
df])lore  The    resolve.'^    of  the    Committee   of 

^.ecklenburg,  v.hich  your  Lerdship  will  find  in  the  en- 
closed newspa[)er,  surpass  all  the  horrid  and  treasonable 
publications  that  the  inflamatory  spirits  of  the  conti- 
nent have  yet  produced  ;  and  your  Lordship  may  de- 
pend, its  authors  and  abettors  will  not  escape,  when 
my  hands  are  sufficiently  strergthened  to  attempt  the 
recovery  of  tlic  lost  authority  of  the  Government.  A  copy 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  29 

of  these  resolves  was  sent  oil".  1  am  informed,  by  ex- 
])ress,  to  the  Congress  at  Philadelphia,  as  soon  as  they 
were  passed  in  the  committee." 

The  reader  will  mark,  in  particular,  tlic  clcsing  sen- 
tence of  this  extract,  as  confirmatory  of  what  actually 
took  jVlace  on  the  20th  of  May.  1775.  Captain  James 
•lack,  then  of  Charlotte,  a  worthy  and  patriotic  citizen, 
did  set  out  a  few  days  after  the  Convention  adjourned, 
on  horse  back,  as  the  "  express"  to  Congress  at  Philadel- 
phia, and  faithfully  executed  the  object  of  his  mission. 
(For  further  particulars,  sec  sketch  of  the  Jack  Family.) 

The  resolutions  passed  by  the  county  committtee  of 
safety  on  the  olst  of  May  following,  and  which  some 
have  erroneously  confounded  with  those  of  the  20th  of 
Mav,  were  a  necessary  consequence,  embracir.g  simply 
■' rules  and  regulations"  for  the  internal  government  of 
the  ceunty,  and  hence  needed  no  "  express"  to  Congress. 

The  preceding  testimony,  conjoined  with  that  of  Gen 
Joseph  Craham,  Rev.  Humphrey  Hunter,  Captain  James 
.lack,  the  bearer  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  to 
Congress,  Rev.  Francis  Cummins,  Mayor  John  David- 
son, Isaac  Alexander  and  others,  previously  referied  to  in 
the  Sta*.e  pamphlet  of  1831,  and  the  exhaustive  "Memoir'' 
of  the  late  Ex-Governor  Graham — all  men  of  exalted 
worth  and  christian  integrity,  ought  to  be  "  sufficient  to 
satisfy  incredulity  itself,"  as  to  the  genuineness  of  the 
Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence,  and  of  its  pro- 
mulgation to  the  world  on  the  20t]i  of  May,  1775.  And 
vet,  in  the  face  of  this  strong  phalanx  of  unimpeachable 
testimony,  there  are  a  few  who  have  attempted  to  rob 
North  Carolina  of  this  brightest  gem  in  the  crown  of  her 
early  political  history,  and  tarnish,  by  base  and  insidious 
cavilsthe  fair  name  and  reputation  of  a  band  of  Revo- 
lutionary patriots,  whose  memories  and  heroic  deeds  the 
present  generation  and  posterity  will  ever  delight  to 
honor. 

Mecklenburg  sent  as  a  Delegate  to  the  first  Provincial 


:30  BKBTCHES  OP  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Congress  direct  from  the  people,  which  met  at  Newbfcni 
on  the  25th  of  August,  1774,  Benjamin  Patton. 

To  the  meeting  at  Ilillsboro',  on  the  21st  of  August, 
1775,  Thomas  Polk,  John  Thifer,  Waightstill  Avery. 
John  McKnitt  Alexander,  James  Houston,  and  Samue! 
Martin. 

To  the  meeting  at  Halifax  on  the  4th  of  April,  1776^ 
John  Phifer,  Robert  Irwin  and  John  McKnitt  Alaxan- 
■der. 

To  the  meeting  at  Halifax,  on  the  ]  2th  of  November, 
1770  (which  formed  the  first  State  Constitution)  John 
Phifer,  Robert  Irwin,  Waighstill  Avery,  Ilezekiah  Alex- 
ander and  Zaccheus  Wilson. 

All  of  these  Delegates  were  unwavering  patriots,  am! 
nearly  all  were  signers  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaratioi> 
«f  Independence.  Not  only  were  the  patriotic  sons  of 
Mecklenburg  county  active  and  vigilant  in  those  trying 
times,  but  no  portion  of  our  State  was  naore  constantly 
the  theater  of  stirring  events  during  the  drama  ©f 
the  American  Revolution.  "  Its  inhabitants,"  says 
Tarleton  in  his  campaigns,  "were  more  hostile  to  England 
than  any  others  in  America." 


A  BRIEF  ACCOUNT  OF  THE  MECKLENBURG 
CENTENNIAL. 

The  Mecklenburg  Doclaration  of  Independence,  pro- 
claimed to  the  world  on  the  20th  of  May,  1775,  was  cele- 
brated in  Charlotte  on  the  20th  of  May,  1875,  with  all 
the  honors  and  ceremonies  befitting  such  an  important 
♦occasion.  A  vast  assemblage  of  at  It ast  25,000  poisons 
were  present  to  enjoy  the  "welcome"  extended  to  all,  and 
participate  in  the  festivities  ofthis  gala  daj^  of  North  Caro- 
lina. For  three  days  preceding  the  grand  holiday^ 
(17th,  18th  and  19th)  visitors  were  continually  pouring 
into  the  city.  Enthusiastic  excitement  and  necessary 
preparations  were  everywhere  visible.  Flags  and  stream- 
ers greeted  the  eye  in  every  direction.  Many  private 
residences  were  handsomely  decorated.  One  of  the  moat 
exalted  ideas  was  a  Centennial  pole,  115  feet  high,  erected 
by  Capt.  Thos.  Allen,  in  the  centre  of  Independence 
Square,  from  the  top  of  which  floated  to  the  breeze  a  large 
Hag,  capped  with  a  huge  hornd's  nest  from  Stokes  county^ 
To  preserve  the  Gentcnnml  feature  as  far  as  possible  of  the 
Conventionof  the  19th  of  May,  1775,  called  out  by  Col.. 
Thos.  Polk,  accordingly,  on  the  19th  of  May ,1875,  a  proces- 
sion was  formed,and  the  military  companies  formed  into  a 
hollow  sqare  around  the  Cencennial  pole,  the  bands,  iii 
the  meantime,  rendering  sweet  music,  and  the  artillery 
firing  minute  guns.  The  Mayor,  Col.  William  Johnston, 
then  addressed  the  multitude,  extending  to  them  a  cor- 
dial welcome  in  behalf  of  the  citizens  and  authorities  ©f 
<Jh.u-iut'ie ;  aCU'i"  •Abich  ('ovrnio;'  Drou-'loii  w.q^  infyo- 
duced,  and  spoke  substantially  as  follows  :  He  said  the 
principles  of  liberty  enunciated  by  the  fathers  of  the 
revolution,  one  hundred  ytars  ago,  upon  the  spot  he  then 
occupied  would  live  throughout  all  time.     Here,  as  free 


32  SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

American  citizens,  they  had  proclaimed  the  principle.^ 
which  Xortli  Carolina  liad  ever  since  upheld,  and  ol 
which  this  glorious  flag,  which  M'aves  protection  to 
American  citizens  on  land  and  sea  was  the  star-gemmed 
type.  Under  this  old  flag  we  have  a  duty  to  perform  in 
peace  as  well  as  in  war.  We  have  the  principles  of  the 
fathers  of  the  ^Mecklenburg  Declaration  to  maintain.  All 
should  remember  the  sacrifices  which  gave  us  the  right 
to  that  standard  of  our  country  ;  and  we  should  not  for- 
get our  duty  to  North  Carolina,  and  her  daughter,  Ten- 
)iessee,  to  the  sister  State  of  South  Carolina,  and  to  the 
whole  country.  Alluding  to  the  growth  of  the  United 
States  in  one  hundred  years,  the  Governor  said  that  at 
The  date  of  the  Mecklenburg  declaration  of  Independence, 
there  were  not  more  than  six  post-offices  in  North 
Carolina;  now  there  are  nine  hundred  post-offices  ;  then 
here  was  no  steam  traveling  ;  now  there  are  twelve  hun- 
vlred  miles  of  rail-way  in  this  State  alone.  He  hoped  the 
•  •ountry  would  go  on  to  prosper  in  the  fulness  of  civil 
liberty  until  there  was  no  opposition  to  the  principles  we 
cherish.  In  the  name  of  North  Carolina  he  welcomed 
-.lU  her  sons  to  this  festival,  and  the  sons  of  all  other  sister 
States. 

May  20th,  1875 — Centennial  morning!  Of  the  large 
rmmber  of  illustrious  patriots  who  participated  in  the 
exercises  of  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  of  the  same 
'late,  1775,  not  one  was  present  to  animate  us  with  their 
<,.'0"ansel,  or  speak  of  the  glorious  deeds  of  the  Revolution- 
ary period — all  having  succumbed  to  the  irrevocable  fiat 
of  nature,  and  passed  to  "  that  bourne  whence  no  traveler 
returns."  Their  example,  their  precepts,  and  sacrifices 
iQ  the  cause  of  freedom,  constitute  their  rich  and  instruc- 
tive heritage  to  us.  A  cloudless  sky,  a  balmy  atmos- 
))here,  and  a  glow  of  patriotic  feeling  beaming  on  every 
<:oiuntenance,  all  conspired  to  add  impressiveness  to  the 
>cene,  and  awaken  hallowed  remembrances  of  the  past. 
Agreeably  to  the   published   [programme,   the   day  was 


iSKETCHES  OF  WESTEIIN  XORTII  CAROLINA.  o'» 

''"i>lierecl  in  by  the  ringing  of  Ijells,  and  a  Hiilutc  of  one 
Jiimdred  guns  by  the  Raleigh  and  Richmond  artillery. 
From  six  o'clock  in  the  morning  until  several  hours  aftei'- 
ivard,  the  whistles  of  locomotives  every  few  minutes  told 
-♦>1"  the  arrival  of  trains,  packed  with  visitors,  tiremeii, 
jiulitary  and  bands  of  music.  The  various  committees 
Tverc  kept  busy  in  directing  tlie  movements  and  assigning 
»|narters  for  the  organized  bodies ;  while  landlords  and 
keepers  of  boarding-houses  showed  an  accommodating 
-spirit,  and  received  visitors  until  their  utmost  capacity  for 
rooTjtJL  Wits  more  than  exhausted — full  to  overilowing.  And. 
nlthoTigh  €ome  difficulty  was  ol)served  in  procuring  bed 
room,  yet  an  abundance  of  provisions  was  e^'erywhere 
«*xliibited  for  the  comfort  and  well-being  of  the  "  inner 

THE    GRAND    PKOOES.-ION. 

General -Joseph  E.  Johnston,  Chief  ^Marshal,  having  been 
|>rcvejited  from  attending  on  account  of  severe  sickness, 
<)ei;icml  W.  R.  Cox,  of  Raleigh,  was  selected  to  till  his 
phiee.  General  Bradley  T.  Johnston,  of  Richmond,  Avas 
placed  ill  cliju'gc  of  the  Military  Department,  and  John  C. 
Ojirman  of  the  Fire  Department.  The  sohliers  Averc 
nearly  all  dressed  in  gray  suits,  and  the  firemen  in  red 
and  bhick,  except  the  Wilmington  company,  Avhich  nlso 
appeared  in  gray.  ^  While  the  Chief  Marshal  and  liis 
;L'5sistants  were  endeavoring  to  bring  order  out  of  the 
iSBiiiense  mass  of  humanity  in  the  streets,  six  splendid 
tmnds  from  Richmond,  Xewbern,  Raleigh,  Wilmington, 
Fi^vetteville  and  Salem,  besides  the  Cadet  band  of  the 
Ciirolina  jMilitary  Institute,  were  exerting  their  sonorous 
t')ji*rgies  to  move  the  listening  million  by  ''concord  of 
iftweet  sounds,"  and  therel\v  ]»rcvent  them  from  ever  bc- 
4!i>niing  subjects  "fit  for  treason,  stratagems  and  spoils." 

At  Jjalf-past  ten  o'clock  the  grand  pageant  was  fully 
vli^-^pbyed.  As  far  as  the  e}e  could  reach  the  brilliant 
] m>:'Jession  filled  the  streets,  pi-esenting  a  glittering,  undu- 


■  ]-[  SKETCUES  OF  AVESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

luting  line  of  infantry,  artillery,  firemen,  laddermen,  axo- 
nien,  zouaves,  cadets,  grangers,  masons,  templars,  high- 
landers,  citizens,  &c.,  with  gleaming  arms,  rustling  flagj>v 
soul-stirring  ]nusic,  and  other  manifestations  of  patriotic; 
enthusiasm.  Xearh^  ever\'  window,  piazza  and  house-to]*- 
was  crowded  with  feminine  loveliness,  to  cheer  with  their 
smiles  and  lend  their  graceful  approbation  to  the  momnr/ 
exhibitions  of  the  occasion.  On  the  side-walks  "  miles  of" 
spectators"  were  seen  submitting  to  the  stifling  effects  of 
clouds  of  dust,  with  the  laudable  desire  "  to  see  and  be- 
seen."  AVhile  immense  flags  were  floating  to  the  breeze- 
across  the  principal  streets,  countless  numbers  of  miniatiirc- 
ones,  in  red,  white  and  blue,  fluttered  from  windows  anri 
porches.  A  large  number  of  military  and  flre  companies 
followed  by  delegations  of  the  ^lasonic  Order,  Good  Tem- 
] liars.  Odd  Fellows,  Caledonian  Clubs,  Grangers,  invited. 
ii:uests,  visitors,  &c.,  all  joined  in  the  grand  })rocessioii  toi 
the  fair  grounds. 

EXERCISES    AT    THE    FAIR    (4RurNDS. 

Arriving  at  the  Fair  Grounds,  the  immense  concours*.- 
of  people  gathered  around  the  large  stand,  which  hadboeis 
erected  amidst  a  cluni})  of  trees,  for  the  ladies  and  in\ii:v(l 
guests.  The  stand  was  beautifully  decorated  with  ever- 
greens, festoons,  flags,  hornets'  nests,  and  other  emhlc- 
matic  devices.  The  ladies  of  the  city  had  Ijcen  diligently 
weaving  these  evergreen  and  floral  adoniments  for  several 
days  preceding  the  Centennial.  A  precious  boucpiet  luul 
wreath,  sent  by  Mrs.  L.  If.  Walker,  from  the  grounds  «>t" 
AVashington's  toml)  at  Mt.  X'ernon,  added  a  venerated 
sanctity  to  the  whole. 

At  11  o'clock.  Rev.  Dr.  A.  ^V.  :\iiller,  of  the  First  Pn.-s- 
bytei'ian  Church,  opened  the  exercises  with  an  eloquent 
prayer.  The  '"Old  Xorth  State"'  was  then  rendered  \n 
stirring  tones  l)y  the  Citizens'  l^)and. 

Kx-(io\'.  (irahani  then  called  the  assemblvto  order.  ai-i<i 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

said  there  ^^a^  cause  to  eongratiiliite  the  vast  as.seiublage 
of  patriotic  citizens  convened  on  this  centennial  occasion, 
for  the  bright,  auspicious  weather  that  prevailed,  and  for 
the  general  health  and  prosperity  of  the  country.  lie  felt 
highly  gratified  Avith  the  patriotic  demonstration,  and  re- 
joiced to  see  in  our  midst  so  many  prominent  citizens 
from  sister  States.  The  Governor  of  North  Carolina,  and 
several  of  the  Judges  of  her  Co  arts  AA'cre  present.  The 
(lovernor  of  the  tar-off  State  of  Indiana,  (Mr.  Hendricks,) 
was  here,  representing  one  of  the  great  Western  States 
which  sprung  from  old  A'irginia.  There  was  a  represen- 
tative present  (Mr.  Bright)  from  Tennessee,  the  dauo-htcr 
of  North  Carolina.  Tlie  Governor  (]^Ir.  Chamberlain)  of 
South  Carolina  ;  the  ex-Governor  (Mr.  Walker)  of  A^ir- 
ginia,  and  a  large  delegation  from  both  of  these  States 
were  all  present  to  participate  in  the  centennial  festivities. 
In  the  name  of  North  Carolina,  he  bade  all  a  hearty 
welcome.  JLi58606 

After  the    conclusion  of    ex-Go  v.    Graham's  remarks 
Maj.  Seaton  Gales,  of  Raleigh,  was  introduced  to  the  audi- 
ence, who,  previous  to  the  reading  of  the  Mecklenburg 
Resolves,  delivered  a  short  address  expressing  his  entire 
confidence  in  their  authenticity. 

The  orator  of  the  day,  Judge  John  Kerr,  of  the  fifth 
•Tudicial  District,  was  then  introduced  amidst  loud  ai»- 
])lause.  He  spoke ''for  half  an  hour  in  stirring,  eloquent 
language,  worthy  of  his  high  reputation  as  an  imjn-essivc 
speaker. 

Hon.  John  3.1.  Bright,  of  Tennessee,  was  next  intro- 
duced. He  delivered  an  address  of  great  power,  abound- 
ing with  many  interesting  historical  facts  relating  to  the 
early  history  of  North  Carolina,  and  the  character  of  her 
people.  As  these  speeches  will  l)e  published,  it  is  deemed 
unnecessary  to  present  a  syno[tsis  of  their  contents. 

The  speeches  being  concluded,  the  invited  guests,  fire- 
men, military,  &c.,  marched  into  Floral  Hall,  and  were 
entert.iined  with  toasts,  short  addresses  and  music,  whih.- 


oG       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

the  ci-iiviugs  of  hiingei'  wore  ra[)i(lly  dispelled  by  the 
isumptuoiis  food,  and  rich  viands  set  before  them. 

On  Thursday  night,  a  stand  having  been  erected  around 
the  Centennial  Pole  in  Independence  Square,  a  number  of 
►short  and  stirring  addresses  were  made  by  ex-Gov.  Hen- 
dricks, of  Indiana  ;  ex-Go V.  ^Valker,  of  Virginia;  Go\. 
Chamberlain,  of  South  Carolina  ;  Gov.  Brogden,  of  Xorth 
Carolina  ;  ex-Gov.  Vance,  Gen.  AV.  R.  Cox,  Gen.  T.  L. 
Olingman,  Judge  Davidson  and  Col.  II.  M.  Polk,  the  lat- 
ter two  of  Tennessee. 

Gov.  Hendricks,  at  the  commencement  of  his  address, 
i^poke  substantially  as  follows  :  "This  is  one  of  the  greatest 
celebrations  that  has  ever  taken  place  in  this  country. 
Here  your  fathers,  and  mine,  one  hundred  years  ago,  de- 
clared themselves  free  of  the  British  crown.  I  need  not 
refer  to  the  events  since.  In  intelligence,  wealth  and 
[lower,  we  are  ahead  of  the  ^vorld.  Right  here  I  must 
tell  you  that  the  fame  of  the  ^^lecklenburg  Declaration 
l>elongs  not  to  the  peo[ile  of  Meckleidjurg  alone,  nor  to  the 
State  of  North  Carolina,  but  its  fame  belongs  to  Indiana 
as  well — in  fact,  to  all  the  States  of  the  Union.  I  claim 
a  common  })artici[)ation  in  the  gloiw  of  this  great  event. 
They  were  not  only  patriots,  these  Mecklenburgers  of 
1775,  but  they  were  also  Avise  statesmen.  One  has  but  to 
carefully  read  this  Declaration  to  discern  the  truth  of 
this  statement.  The  resolutions  looked  to  a  delegation 
of  powers  in  the  Continental  ('ongress  for  their  protection 
against  enemies  abroad,  and  all  general  pur})Oses  of  na- 
tionality, but  they  assert  most  une(j[uivocally  the  right  of 
local  self-government,  and  all  the  reserved  powers  not 
lilainly  granted  to  the  geuei-al  government.  These  old 
[latriots  showed  their  wisdom  by  i)roviding  against  an 
interim  of  anarchy  for  want  of  lawful  othcers  to  })rotect 
life  and  property  ;  so  they  resolved  that  each  military  and 
oivil  officer  under  the  Proviiu-ial  gc)vernment  should  re- 
tain all  their  authority,  l  ask  the  people  of  Xorth  Caro- 
lina to  join  with  us  in  the  National  celebration,  to  take 


^K]  TCIIEP  OF  WESTERN  NORTU  CAROETNA.  o7 

pliU'e  in  ritiladelpliia  in  1876.  Shall  I  see  North  Carolina 
represented  there  ?  (Cries  of  yes!  yes  I)  Wliat  a  lesson  it 
will  be  to  the  whole  conntry !  The  troubles  of  the  war 
can  be  yet  settled  hy  a  system  of  good  government." 
Other  speakers  indulged  in  similiar  patriotic  sentiments. 

After  the  speaking  was  over  on  Centennial  night,  the 
Mayor  (Colonel  Johnston)  ascended  the  stand,  and  con- 
gratulated the  large  audience  upon  the  excellent  order 
and  good  feeling  which  had  prevailed  from  the  beginning 
t(^  the  end  of  the  exercises.  He  thanked  those  present  for 
their  attendance  and  participation  in  the  honors  and  fes- 
tivities of  the  occasion. 

Then  commenced  the  pyroteclmical  display  which  had 
l)een  witnessed  to  some  extent  during  the  intervals  of  the 
addresses.  The  "rocket's  red  glare,''  without  the  "-bumbs 
bursting  in  air,"  gave  proof  o>?,  that  niglit  our  people  were 
,there.  The  streets,  and  the  houses  in  the  vicinity  were 
never  before  so  handsomely  illuminated,  and  a  brilliant 
and  appropriate  closing  scene  of  "the  day  we  celebrate" 
conspicuously  displayed  on  a  broad  waving  banner.  Hun- 
dreds of  the  descendants  of  the  patriots  of  ^Mecklenburg, 
and  surrounding  country',  were  present,  as  well  as  a  goodly 
immber  of  descendants  of  kindred  spirits  from  the  Cape 
Fear  region,  whose  ancestors  proved  themselves  "rebels" 
by  stamping  mule)' foot  the  stomp  paper  intended  for  the  use 
of  the  Colony — an  act  'worthy  of  all  Roman,  or  Grecian 
fame."  The  celelDration  of  the  20th  of  May,  1S75,  was  a 
grand  success — such  a  celebration  as  has  never  before  oc- 
curred in  the  history  of  Xorth  Carolina,  and  will  never 
.".gain  be  witnessed  by  the  present  generation.  May  the 
Centennial  of  the  20th  of  May,  1975,  be  still  more  suc- 
cessful, pass  off  with  the  same  degree  of  order  and  good 
feeling,  and  be  attended  with  all  the  blessings  of  enlight- 
ened civil  and  religious  lil)erty  1 


oS  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

JAMES    BELK — A    VETERAN    INVITED    GUEST. 

Among  the  honored  invited  guests  of  the  Mocklenl)\n-g 
'Centennial,  on  the  20th  of  May, '  1775;  was  James  Belk,  of 
Union  connty  (formerly  a  part  of~^[ecklenburg\  now  n|i- 
wards  of  one  hnndred  and  ten  years  old  I  As  recorded  in 
a  famil}'  Bible,  printed  in  Edinburg  in  1720,  he  was  born 
on  the  4th  of  Febrnar}',  1765.  lie  still  resides  on  the 
same  tract  of  land  upon  which  he  was  l^orn  and  raised,  his 
father  being  one  of  the  original  settlers  of  the  country. 
lie  is  a  man  of  tine  intelligence  ;  acted  for  many  years  as 
one  of  the  magistrates  of  iNrecklenbnrg  county,  and  is  still 
well  preserved  in  mind  and  body.  He  recollects  the  death 
•of  his  father,  who  was  mortally  wounded  in  the  Revolu- 
tionary war,  near  the  Korth  Carolina  line,  and  knows  that 
his  mother,  fearing  the  mournful  result,  visited  the  place 
of  conflict,  and  found  him,  severely  wounded,  in  the  woods 
near  the  road-side.  She  assisted  him  to  their  home,  but 
soon  afterward  had  him  transferred  to  the  residence  of 
his  grandfather  for  better  attention,  where  he  died. 

lie  remembers  distinctly  the  great  meeting  in  Charlotte 
(then  upwards  often  years  old)  on  the  20th  of  May,  177". 
^^•hen  a  Declaration  of  Independence  Avas  read  l)y  Colonel 
Polk,  and  heard  his  father  speak  of  it,  in  presence  of  the 
famil}',  after  his  return  from  Charlotte.  His  mother 
seemed  to  be  greatlj'  disturbed,  supposing  it  would  bring 
on  vrar.  Although  then  but  a  youth  of  tender  years,  the 
sr-evc  ixud  the  dcdarntion  made  an  indellible  impression  u])<>n 
his  memory.  Tie  says  his  recollection  of  events  of  tliitt 
period,  and  a  few  years  subsequently,  is  more  vivid  and 
distinct  than  those  which  transpired  tbirty  years  ago. 

He  has  l)een  twice  married,  having  ten  children  l)y  the 
first,  and  twelve  In'  the  last  wife.  He  was  accompanied 
to  the  centennial  meeting  by  one  of  his  youngei'  sons,  a 
\iii\  forti/-one  years  of  age.  His  oldest  child,  a  daughter,  is 
still  living,  aged  cighfy-eiglit  years !  He  named  one  of  his 
sons   Julius    Alexander,   an    intimate  friend    and   junioi- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NOIITII  CAROLINA.  '>1> 

j^eliooliiiatc.  As  he  and  Alexander  grew  up,  they  fn-- 
quently  heard  the  two  meetings  of  the  20th  and  olst  of 
Maj,  1775,  spoken  of  as  being  separate  and  distinct. 

Having  ah'eady  attained  a  longevity  seldom  allotted  to 
frail  humanitj',  may  continued  health,  prosperity,  and, 
ahove  all,  the  consolations  of  the  Gospel,  attend  him  in 
Ills  remaining  daj's  upon  earth  ! 

r.  S. — Thus  the  author  wrote  soon  after  the  centennial 
celebration  in  Charlotte,  on  the  20th  of  Ma}',  1873,  hut 
before  these  sketches  go  to  the  press,  he  is  informed  of  the 
jleatli  of  this  veteran  and  worthy  citizen ;  passing  away 
i-ahnl}'  and  peacefully,  at  his  home  in  Union  county,  X.  L\ 
on  the  9th  of  ]May,  1<S76,  at  the  extreme  old  age  of  om 
JnijidreJ  and  eleven  years  three  monf/is  and  fire  da_i/f<  ! 

SIGNERS  OF  THE  MECKLENBURU  DECLARATION  OF  INDEl'ENDENCK. 

Abraham  Alexander,  the  Chairman  of  the  Mecklenl)in'g 
Convention  of  the  19th  and  20th  of  May,  1775,  was  born 
iu  1718,  and  was  an  active  and  influeutial  niagistrate  f)f 
the  county  before  and  after  the  Eevolution,  being  gene- 
rally the  honored  chairman  of  the  Inferior  Court.  IK' 
was  ii  member  of  the  popular  branch  of  the  As.sembly  in 
1774-'75,  with  Thomas  Polk  as  an  associate  ;  also  one  of 
the  iifteen  trustees  of  Queen's  Museum,  which  institution, 
m  1777,  was  transformed  into  "  Liberty  Ilall  Academy." 

After  the  involuntary  retreat  of  Josiah  Martin,  the  royal 
iTOvernor,  in  June,  1775,  from  the  State,  its  government 
was  vested  in — -1.  A  Provincial  Council  for  the  whole 
province.  2.  A  District  Committee  of  Safety  for  eacli 
^?.'Ounty,  of  not  less  than  twenty-one  persons,  to  be  elected 
lumually  by  the  people  of  each  county.  The  mcnd)ers  of 
the,  Provincial  Council  for  the  Salisbury  district  were 
Samuel  Spencer  and  AVaightstill  Avery.  The  mend)ersof 
^he  District  Committee  of  Safety  were  John  Brevarl, 
GriiRth  Rutherford,  llezekiah  Alexander,  James  Auld, 
-Bt^.ijamin  Patton,   John    Crawford,  William    Hill,  John 


40       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Hamilton,  Robert  Evvart,  Charles  Galloway,  WilKaKif 
]^ent,  iMaxwell  Chambers.  The  county  committee^  eleete<l 
annuall}^  by  the  people  in  each  county,  executetl  s^ieL 
orders  as  they  received  from  the  Provincial  Council,  timl 
made  such  rules  and  regulations  as  the  internal  conditioit 
of  each  county  demanded.  They  met  once  in  three  montli.-^ 
;it  the  Court-house  of  their  respective  counties,  to  consult 
on  public  measures,  to  correspond  with  other  coniniittees. 
to  disseminate  important  information,  and  thus  perform-e?] ^ 
the  duties  and  requirements  of  courts.  The  comity  com- 
mittees exercised  these  important  functions  until  justic-x:v 
of  the  peace  were  appointed  hy  the  Legislature  and  duly 
commissioned  by  the  Governor. 

It  was  this  committee  vsdiich  met  in  Charlotte  on  tin- 
olst  of  ^lay,  1775,  and  passed  a  series  of  rules  and  regiiht- 
tions  for  the  internal  government  of  the  county — a  nece^ 
sary  sequel,  as  previously  stated,  of  the  more  important 
meeting  of  the  20tli  of  May  preceding.  This  statement  i^- 
strongly  corroborated  by  a  communication  published  last 
summer  in  the  "  Charlotte  Observer,"  by  D.  A-  Caldwell... 
Ksq.,  one  of  jNIecklenburg's  most  aged,  intelligent  and 
Avorthy  citizens.  The  portion  of  the  communication  xamn 
licrtinent  to  our  subject  reads  thus:  "I  was  born  and 
raised  in  the  house  of  my  maternal  grandfather,  jMajor 
John  Davidson,  who  was  one  of  the  signers  of  the  jNIc^k- 
Icnburg  Declaration.  I  have  often  heard  him  speak  of 
the  20th  of  JMay,  1775,  as  the  day  on  -which  it  was  sig-ned, 
and  the  31st  of  the  same  month  as  the  time  of  an  ad.- 
journed  meeting.  The  "  20th  of  May"  was  a  household 
\\-ord  in  the  fami]3\  Moreover,  I  Avas  present  (and  aiu 
now  the  only  surviving  witness  of  the  transaction)  wlica* 
lie  gave  a  certilicate  of  the  above  dates  to  Dr.  Joseplc. 
ATcIvnitt  Alexander,  whose  father,  John  McKnitt  Al»?x- 
ander,  was  also  a  signer,  and  the  principal  secretary  of  tlir 
meeting.  This  certificate  Avas  called  forth  by  the  cele- 
brated attempt  of  Thomas  JeiFerson  to  throAv  discredit  ins 
the    Avhole  affair.     A  certificate  to  the  same  effect  wa:- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  -41 

given  on  that  occasion  by  Samuel  Wilson,  a  brother-in-law 
(jf  Major  Davidson,  and  a  man  of  undoubted  integrity, 
Mr.  "Wilson,  although  not  a  signer,  was  present  at  the 
signing  on  the  20th  of  May.  I  often  heard  my  grand' 
father  allude  to  the  date  in  later  years,  when  he  lived  with 
his  daughter,  ISIrs.  William  Lee  Davidson,  whose  husband 
Avas  the  son  of  General  Davidson,  who  fell  at  Cowan's 
Ford." 

Under  the  administration  of  Abraham  Alexander  as 
Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Safety,  the  laws  passed  by 
that  body  of  vigilant  observers  of  the  common  good  were 
strictly  enforced ;  and  each  citizen,  when  he  left  the 
county,  was  required  to  carry  with  him  a  certificate  of  his 
political  standing^  officially  signed  by  the  chairman. 

Abraham  Alexander  was  a  most  worthy,  exemplary  and 
influential  member  of  society  ;  was,  for  many  years,  a 
Ruling  Elder  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  lies  buried 
in  the  graveyard  of  Sugar  Creek  Church.  On  his  grave- 
stone is  this  brief  record  : 

"Abraham  Alexander, 

''Died  on  the  22nd  of  April,  178G, 

"  Aged  68  years. 

'• '  Let  me  die  the  deatli  of  the  righteous,  antl  let  inj-  last  end  be  like  his.'  " 

Adam  Alexander  was  chiefly  known  by  his  military 
services  He  was  appointed  Lieutenant  Colonel  of  a  bat- 
talion of  minute  men,  with  Thomas  Polk  as  Colonel,  and 
( 'harles  ^M'Lean  as  Major,  by  the  Provincial  Council  held 
at  Johnston  Court-house,  on  the  18th  of  December,  1775  '■> 
and  Colonel  of  Mecklenburg  county,  with  John  Phifer  as 
Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  John  Davidson  and  George  A. 
Alexander  as  Majors,  by  the  Provincial  Congress,  held  at 
Halifax  on  the  4th  of  April,  1776. 

He  was  a  brave  and  energetic  oflicer ;  and  his  name  will 
be  found  in  nearly  every  expedition  which  marched  from 
Mecklenburg  county  to  oppose  the  enemies  of  his  country. 
He  was  for  many  years,  before  and  after  the  war,  an  acting 


42  SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Justice  of  the  Peace,  and  tradition  speaks  of  him  as  bear- 
ing an  excellent  character.  He  died  in  1798,  aged  seventy 
years,  a*nd  is  buried  in  the  old  graveyard  of  Rock  Spring, 
seven  miles  east  of  Charlotte.  Many  of  his  descendants 
Fie  buried  in  the  graveyard  at  Philadelphia  Church,  two 
miles  from  Rock  Spring,  at  which  latter  place  the  con- 
gregation worshipped  before  the  Revolution,  mingling 
with  their  pious  devotion  many  touching  and  prayerful 
ai)pcals  for  the  final  deliverance  of  tlieir  country  from  the 
storms  of  the  approaching  conflict  of  arms  in  a  righteous 
eause. 

HezcliUih  Alexander  was  more  of  a  statesman  than  a 
soldier.  He  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  in  1728.  He  was 
appointed  a  member  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  the 
^Salisbury  district  by  the  Provincial  Congress  which  met 
at  Ilillsboro  on  the  21st  of  August,  1775,  with  General 
(IritHth  Rutherford,  John  Brevard,  Benjamin  Patton  and 
others — a  position  of  nmch  responsibility  and  power.  He 
was  appointed  by  the  Provincial  Congress,  in  April,  1770. 
with  William  Sharpe,  of  Rowan  county,  on  the  Council 
of  Safety.  He  was  elected  a  member  of  the  Provincial 
Congress  from  ]\recklenbur£:  countv,  which  met  at  Halifax 
on  November  12th,  1776,  and  framed  the  first  Constitu- 
tion of  the  State,  with  AYaightstill  Avery,  Robert  Irwin, 
John  Phifer,  and  Zaccheus  Wilson,  as  colleagues.  At  the 
Provincial  Congress,  Avhich  met  at  Halifax  on  the  4th  of 
April,  1776,  he  was  appointed  Paymaster  of  the  Fourth 
Regiment  of  Xorth  Carolina  Continentals — Thomas  Polk. 
Colonel,  James  Thackston,  Lieut.  Colonel,  and  "William 
Davidson,  Major.  He  was  the  treasurer  of  "  Liberty  Hall 
Academy"  (formerly  "  Queen's  Museum")  during  its  exist- 
ence. He  died  on  the  16tli  of  July,  1801,  and  lies  buried 
in  the  graveyard  of  Sugar  Creek  Church,  of  which  he  had 
long  been  an  active  and  worthy  member.  The  inscri})tioii 
on  his  tombstone  reads  thus  : 

"In  memory  of  Hezekiah  Alexander, 

"Who  departed  this   life  July  16th,  1801, 

"  Aged  73  years." 


SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  48 

John  McKnitt  Alexander,  of  Scotch-Irish  ancestors,  was 
born  in  Pennsylvania,  near  the  ^Maryland  line,  in  1738. 
He  served  as  an  apprentice  to  the  trade  of  tailor,  and 
when  his  apprenticeship  expired,  at  the  age  of  twenty-one, 
lie  emigrated  to  ^ortli  Carolina,  joining  his  kinsmen  and 
countrj'men  in  seeking  an  abode  in  the  beautifnl  cham- 
paign between  the  Yadkin  and  Catawba  rivers — the  land 
of  the  deer  and  the  butfalo  ;  of  "  wild  ]»ea-vines"  and  canc- 
])rakes,  and  of  peaceful  prosperity.  In  1759  he  married 
dane  Bain,  of  the  same  race,  from  Pennsylvania,  and  set- 
tled in  Hopewell  congregation.  Prospered  in  his  business, 
he  soon  became  wealthy  and  an  extensive  landholder,  and 
rising  in  the  estimation  of  his  fellow-citizens,  Avas  pro- 
moted to  the  magistracy  and  the  Eldership  of  the  Presby- 
terian Church.  He  was  a  member  ot  the  Provincial 
Assembly  in  1772,  and  one  ot  the  Delegates  to  the 
Convention  which  met  at  Hillsboro,on  the  21st  of  August, 
177'). 

He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Provincial  C-ongress, 
which  met  at  Halifax  on  the  4th  of  April,  177(5,  Avith 
John  Phifer  and  Robert  Irwin  as  colleagues.  In  1777,  he 
was  elected  the  iirst  Senator  from  Mecklenburg  county, 
under  the  new  Constitution.  He  Avas  an  active  partici- 
pator in  the  CoiiA^ention  of  the  19th  and  20th  of  May, 
1775,  and  preserA^ed  for  a  long  time,  the  records,  as  being 
its  principal  .secretary,  and  the  proper  custodian  of  its  pa- 
pers. He  gaA'c  copies  of  its  important  and  eA^er-memorabU' 
proceedings  to  Gen.  William  P.  Davie,  Dr.  Hugh  AVil- 
liamson,  then  professing  to  Avrite  a  history  of  Xorth  Caro- 
lina, and  others.  Unfortunately,  the  original  Avas  de- 
stroyed in  1800,  Avhen  the  house  of  Mr.  Alexander  aa  as 
l)urned,  but  Gen.  DaA'ie's  copy  has  been  preserved.  He 
^vas  one  of  the  Trustees  of  the  '  College  of  Queen's  Muse- 
um," the  name  of  AAdiich  Avas  afterAvard  changed  to  "Lib- 
erty Hall.''  He  Avas  for  many  years,  a  ruling  Elder  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  I)}'  his  Avalk  and  conversa- 
tion, its  tirm  supporter. 


44  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

By  the  east  wall  of  the  grave-yard  at  Hopewell  Church, 
is  a  row  of  marhle  slahs,  all  hearing  the  name  of  Alexan- 
der.    On  one  of  them,  is  this  short  inscription  : 
"  .John  McKnitt  Alexander, 
"  Who  departed  this  life  July  10th,  1817, 
"  Aged  84."' 

It  is  a  singular  fact,  that  the  signers  of  the  Mecklen- 
burg Declaration  were  all,  with  perhaps  one  or  two  excep- 
tions, members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church.  One  of  them. 
Rev.  Hezekiah  J.  Balch,  was  a  Presbyterian  preacher, 
and  nine  others  Elders  of  that  Church,  which  may  hv 
truly  stjded,  at  and  before  the  Revolution,  the  "nursing 
mother  of  freemen." 

Waightsfill  Avery  was  an  eminent  lawyer,  born  in  the 
town  of  Groton,  Connecticut,  in  1747,  and  graduated  at 
Princeton  College  in  1766.  There  were  eight  brothers  of 
this  family,  and  all  true  patriots ;  some  of  them  were 
ma&sacred  at  Fort  Griswold,  and  some  perished  at  Wyom- 
ing Valley.  Some  of  the  descendants  still  reside  at  Gro- 
ton, Conn.,  and  others  at  Oswego,  and  Seneca  Lake,  N.  Y. 
Tie  studied  law  on  the  eastern  shore  of  Maryland,  with 
Littleton  Dennis.  In  1769,  he  emigrated  to  Xorth  Caro- 
lina, obtained  license  to  practice  in  1770,  and  settled  in 
Charlotte.  B}^  his  assiduity  and  ability,  he  soon  acquired 
numerous  friends.  He  was  an  ardent  advocate  of  lil)erty, 
but  not  of  licentiousness. 

In  1778,  he  married  near  Newbern,  Mrs.  Leah  Frank, 
daughter  of  William  Probart,  a  wealthy  merchant  of 
Snow  Hill,  Md.,  who  died  on  a  visit  to  London  He  was 
a  member  of  the  Provincial  Congress  which  met  at  Hills- 
boro  on  the  21st  of  August,  1775.  In  1770,  he  was  a 
dele2:ate  to  the  Provincial  Cono;ress  which  met  at  Ilalitax 
to  form  a  State  Constitution,  with  Hezekiah  Alexandei', 
Robert  Irwin,  John  Phifer  and  Zaccheus  Wilson  {>s  col- 
leagues. He  was  appointed  to  sign  proclamation  bills  by 
this  body.  On  the  20th  of  July,  1777,  with  William 
Sharpe,  Joseph  Winston  and  Robert  Lanier,  as  associates, 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTEKN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  45 

lie  made  the  treaty  of  tlie  Loiio;  Island  of  the  Ilolstoii 
^vitll  the  Cherokee  Indians.  This  treaty,  made  -without 
an  oath,  is  one  that  has  never  been  violated.  In  1777,  he 
was  elected  the  first  Attoriley  General  of  ISTorth  Carolina. 

In  17S0,  while  Lord  Cornwall  is  was  encamped  in  Char- 
lotte, some  of  the  British  soldiery,  on  account  of  his  well- 
known  advocacy  of  independence,  set  fire  to  his  law  office, 
and  destroyed  it,  with  all  his  books  and  papers.  In  1781, 
he  moved  to  Burke  county,  which  he  represented  in  the 
Commons  in  1783-'84-'85  and  '93;  and  in  the  Senate  in 
1796.  He  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  all  who  knew  him, 
and  died  at  an  advanced  age,  in  1821.  At  the  time  of  liis 
death  he  was  the  "Patriarch  of  the  Xorth  Carolina  Bar  ;"" 
an  exemplary  Christian,  a  i)urc  patriot,  and  of  sterling  in- 
tegrity. He  left  a  son,  the  late  Oolonel  Isaac  T.  Avery, 
who  re[)resented  Burke  county  in  the  Commons  in  1809 
and  1810,  and  three  daughters,  one  of  whom  married 
AVilliam  W.  Lenoir  ;  another,  Thomas  Lenoir,  and  the  re- 
maining one,  Mr.  Poor,  of  Henderson  county. 

Hcv.  Hezekiah  J.  Balch  was  born  at  Deer  Creek,  Harford 
county,  Md.,  in  1748.  He  was  said  to  be  the  brother  of 
Col.  James  Balch,  of  Maryland^  and  the  uncle  of  the  late 
distinguished  Kev.  Stephen  B.  Balch,  D.  D.,  of  Georgetown, 
i).  C.  He  graduated  at  Princeton  in  1766,  when  not  quite 
eighteen  years  old,  in  the  class  with  Waightstill  Avery. 
Luther  Martin,  of  Maryland,  Oliver  Ellsworth,  of  Con- 
necticut, and  others.  He  came  to  Xorth  Carolina  in  1769, 
as  a  missionary,  being  appointed  for  this  work  hy  the 
Synod  of  Kew  York  and  Philadelphia.  Although  ordained 
l)etore  the  war,  he  served  four  years  as  Captain  of  a  com- 
pany in  Maryland,  under  General  Somerville.  Soon  after 
this  service,  he  removed  to  ISTorth  Carolina,  and  settled  on 
"Irish  Buffalo  Creek,"  in  Cabarrus  county.  He  was  the 
first  Pastor  of  Rocky  River  and  Poplar  Tent  Churches, 
where  he  continued  to  faithfully  labor  in  the  cause  of  his 
nivine  blaster,  until  the  time  of  his  death.  Al)undant  in 
e\'erv    good    word  and   work,  he  took  an  acti\e  })art  in 


4<)  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

iiioulding  the  popular  mind  for  the  great  struggle  of  the 
approaching  Revolution.  He  combined  in  his  character, 
great  enthusiasm  with  unflinching  iirmness  He  looked 
to  the  achievement  of  principles  upon  which  a  govern- 
ment of  well-regulated  law  and  liberty  could  be  safely 
established,  and  Mdiich  should  be  removed  from  its  strong 
foundations  no  more  forever.  Hence,  he  was  a  prominent 
actor  in  the  Convention  at  Charlotte  on  the  19th  and  20tli 
of  ]\Iay,  1775,  which  declared  independence  of  the  British 
crown.  But  in  the  inscrutable  ways  of  Providence,  ho 
did  not  live  lonsi;  enouo;h  to  see  the  warmest  wish  of  his 
lieart  gratified — the  independence  of  his  country,  for 
which  he  was  ready,  if  necessary,  to  yield  up  his  life  in 
its  achievement.  He  died  in  the  spring  of  1776,  in  the 
midst  of  his  usefulness,  and  his  mortal  remains  repose  in 
the  old  grave-yard  of  Poplar  Tent  Church. 

On  the  occasion  of  a  railroad  meeting  at  Poplar  Tent 
Cliurch  in  1847,  attention  was  called  to  the  fact  that  no 
monument  of  any  kind  marked  the  grave  of  this  eminent 
divine  and  patriot;  whereupon,  a  voluntary  subscription 
\\^as  immediately  made,  and  the  necessary  funds  promptly 
raised  to  build  a  suitable  monument  to  his  memory. 
Fortunately,  Abijah  Alexander,  then  ninety  years  of  age, 
was  still  living,  a  worthy  citizen,  and  long  a  member  of 
Poplar  Tent  Church,  who  Avas  present  at  the  burial'of  his 
l)eloved  pastor,  and  avIio  could  point  out  the  precise  spot 
of  sepulture,  near  the  centre  of  the  old  graveyard.  Tlui 
following  is  a  copy  of  the  inscription  over  his  graA'c  : 

''Beneath  this  marble  are  the  mortal  remains  of  tlic 
Ivcv.  Hezikiah  J.  Balch,  first  pastor  of  Poplar  Tent  con- 
gregation, and  one  of  the  original  members  of  Orange 
Presbytery.  He  was  licensed  a  preacher  of  the  everlast- 
ing gospel,  of  the  Presbytery  of  Donegal  in  176(3,  and 
i-ested  from  his  labors  A.  D.  1776  ;  having  been  pastor  of 
the  united  congregations  of  Poplar  Tent  and  Pocky  Rivei", 
al)out  seven  years.  Pic  was  distinguished  as  one  of  tin; 
Committee  of  Three  who  prepared  the  Declaration  of  In 


^ 


^^KETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NOKTir  CAIIOIJNA.  47 

(lependciiee,  and  his  eloquence,  the  more  eftectual  from  his 
acknowledged  wisdom,  })urity  of  motive  and  dignity  of 
character,  contributed  much  to  the  unanimous  adoption 
of  that  instrument  on  the  20th  of  May,  1775." 

Dr.  Ephraim  B)-evarJ,  tlie  reputed  author  of  the  Meck- 
lenburg Declaration  of  Independence,  proclaimed  on  tlic 
20th  of  May,  1775,  was  born  in  ]Maryland  in  1744.  Ih- 
came  with  his  parents  to  North  Carolina  when  al)out  four 
years  old.  He  was  the  son  of  John  Brevard,  one  of  the 
earliest  st^ttlers  of  Iredell,  then  Rowan,  county,  and  of 
Huguenot  descent.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  Indian  war 
in  1761,  he  and  his  cousin,  Acllai  Osborne,  were  sent  to  n 
grammar  school  in  Frince  Edward  county,  A^a.  About  ii 
year  later,  lie  returned  to  North  Carolina  and  attended 
a  school  of  considerable  notoriety  in  Iredell  county,  con- 
ducted  successively  by  Joseph  Alexander,  (a  nephew  of 
John  ]McKnitt  Alexander)  David  Caldwell,  then  quite 
voung,  and  Joel  Benedict,  from  the  New  Ensrland  States 
Adlai  Osborne,  Ephraim  Brevard  and  Thomas  Heese  (a 
brother  of  Da  .'id  Reese,  one  of  the  signers),  graduated  at 
l*rinceton  College  in  1708,  and  greatly  contributed  by 
talents  and  influence  to  the  spread  and  maintenance  of 
patriotic  principles.  Soon  after  graduation,  Ephraim 
Brevard  commenced  the  study  of  medicine  under  the  cel- 
ebrated Dr.  Alexander  Ramsey,  of  South  Carolina,  a  distin- 
guished patriot  and  historian  of  the  Revolutionar>'  wai-. 

In  1776,  Dr.  Brevard  joined  the  expedition  of  Genenif 
Rutherford  in  his  professional  capacity,  during  the  Che ri>- 
kee  campaign.  Soon  after  this  service  he  settled  in  Char- 
lotte, where  he  married  a  daughter  of  Col.  Thomas  Polk, 
and  rapidly  rose  to  eminence  in  his  profession.  He  had 
one  child,  Martha,  Avho  married  IMr.  Dickerson,  the  father 
of  the  late  James  P.  Dickerson,  a  Lieutenant-Colonel  in 
the  South  Carolina  regiment  in  the  Mexican  war,  and  who 
died  from  a  wound  received  in  a  battle  near  the  City  of 
Afexico.  After  the  death  of  his  beloved  and  youthful 
wife,  Dr.  Brevard  again  entere<l  the   Southern  army,  art 


48  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  | 

-'  surgeon's  mate,"  or  assistant  surgeon,  luidcr  General 
Lincoln,  in  1780,  and  was  made  a  prisoner  at  the  surren- 
der of  Charleston. 

While  engaged  as  one  of  the  teachers  in  the  Queen's 
Museum  he  raised  a  company,  from  the  3'oung  men  of  that 
institution,  to  assist  in  putting  down  the  Tories  assem- 
bled on  Cape  Fear  Eiver.  Of  this  company  he  was  made 
captain.  They  marched  immediately  in  the  direction  of 
Cross  Creek  (Fayetteville),  hut,  on  learning  of  the  disper- 
sion of  the  Tories,  they  returned  home.  Inheriting  from 
his  family  a  devotion  to  liberty  and  independence,  he 
early  became  distinguished  for  his  patriotic  ardor  and 
decision  of  character.  Pie  was  a  line  scholar,  fluent 
writer,  and  drew  up  the  resolutions  of  independence  which 
the  Convention  of  the  20tli  of  May,  1775,  adopted,  with 
\erv  slight  alteration,  acting  as  one  of  the  secretaries. 
J)uring  his  confinement  in  Charleston,  as  a  prisoner  of 
war,  he  suftered  so  much  from  impure  air  and  ^m^^'hole- 
some  diet  that  his  health  gave  Avay,  and  he  returned 
home  only  to  die.  He  reached  the  house  of  his  friend 
and  fellow  patriot,  John  JMcKnitt  Alexander,  in  ]Mecklen- 
burg  county,  Avhere  he  soon  after  breathed  his  last.  He 
lies  buried  in  Cliark>tte,  in  the  lot  now  owned  Ity  A.  ]>. 
])avidson,  Esq.,  near  the  grave  of  his  beloved  wife,  who, 
a  short  time  hefore,  preceded  him  to  the  tomb.  Upon 
this  lot  was  located  the  (iueen''s  Museum  College,  receiv- 
ing, in  1777,  the  more  patriotic  name  of  "Liberty  Hall 
Academy."  Within  its  walls  were  educated  a  Spartan 
l)and  of  young  men,  who  afterward  performed  a  nobk.' 
part  in  achieving  the  independence  of  their  country. 

liichard  Barry  was  horn  in  Pennsylvania,  of  Scotch- 
Irish  descent,  and  joining  the  great  southern  emigration 
of  that  period,  he  settled  in  Mecklenhurg  county,  in  the 
bounds  of  the  Hopewell  congregation,  many  years  pre- 
vious to  the  devolution.  In  this  vicinity  he  married 
A>in  Price,  and  raised  a  numerous  family.  A.  M.  ]3arry, 
Fx].,  will)  now  (1870)  resides  at  the  old  homestead,  is  the 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.        40 

-only  surviving  grandson.  Mr^.  A.  A.  Harry,  Mrs.  G.  L. 
Sample  and  Mrs.  Jane  Alexander,  are  the  onl}'  surviving 
gnmd-daugliters.  He  acted  for  many  years  as  one  of  tin- 
magistrates  of  the  connty,  and  was  a  -worthy  and  useful 
luenibcr  of  society.  He  was  a  true  patriot  and  soldier, 
and  was  present  at  the  affair  of  Cowan's  Ford,  where 
General  Davidson  was  killed,  on  the  1st  of  Fcbruar}-,  1781. 
After  this  short  conflict  he,  David  "Wilson  and  a  fe\\- 
otliers,  secured  the  body  of  General  Davidson,  conveyed 
it  to  the  house  of  Samuel  AYilson,  Sen.,  where,  after  being 
|troperly  dressed,  it  was  moved  by  these  devoted  patriots 
to  the  graveyard  of  Hopewell  Church,  and  there  buried 
J>y  {orch-ligJd. 

John  Davidson  was  born  in  Penns3'lvania  in  1736.  lie 
|»erformed  much  civil  and  military  service  to  secure  the 
independence  of  his  countr}'.  He  was  appointed  by  the 
l^rovincial  Congress,  which  met  at  Halifax  on  the  4th  of 
Ai)ril,  1776,  a  field  officer  (Major)  with  Adam  Alexandei- 
as  Colonel,  John  Phifer  as  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  George 
A.  Alexander  as  second  Major.  He  was  with  General 
^Sumpter  in  August,  1780,  at  the  battle  of  the  Hanging 
IJock,  and  was  a  General  in  the  State  militia  service.  He 
was  enterprising,  and  successful  in  business.  AVith  Alex- 
ander Brevard,  and  Jose})h  (Traham,  his  sons-in-law,  he 
■i'stablished  Vesuvius  Furnace  and  Tirza  Forge  iron  works 
iu  Lincoln  county.'  He  married  A^iolet,  daughter  of 
Sanuiel  Wilson,  Sr.,  and  raised  a  large  family.  His 
daughter,  Isabella,  married  Joseph  Graham ;  Rebecca 
married  Alexander  Brevard  ;  Violet  married  William 
r>ain  Alexander,  son  of  John  McKnitt  Alexander:  Eliza- 
beth married  William  Lee  Davidson,  son  of  General 
Davidson,  who  fell  at  Cowan's  Ford;  Mary  married  Dr. 
William  McLean;  Sallie  married  Alexander  Caldwell,  sou 
of  lie  v.  David  Caldwell,  of  Guilford  county  ;' JSlargarct 
married  ]Major  James  Harris.  He  had  w4y'  W<>  sons. 
John  (or  "Jackev")  and  Robert ;  John  niarried  Sallie  ]>re- 


.")(.)  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

N'ard,  (laughter  of  Adam  ]3revard ;  Robert  married 
Margaret  Osborne,  daughter  of  Adhai  Osborne,  grand- 
father of  the  Late  Judge  James  "W.  Osborne,  of  Charlotte. 

Major  Davidson's  residence  was  a])0ut  one  mile  east  of 
Toole's  Ford,  on  the  Catawba  river.     A  large  Elm,  of  lilfi 
own  planting,  is  now  grooving  in  front  of  the  old  family 
mansion,  with  over-arching  limbs,  beneath  whose  beneii-- 
cent  shade  the  old  patriot  could  quietly  sit  in  sunmier,. 
isiil)  fcgmlne  pafukc  vlmi)  whilst  surrounded  with  some  of 
liis  children,  grand-children,  and  other  blessings  to  cheor- 
his  earthly  pilgrimage  to  the  tomb. 

Robert  Inrhi  was  a  distinguished  officer,  and  performed 
important  military  service  during  the  Revolutionary  War. 
In  1776,  he  and  William  Alexander  each,  commanded  n 
regiment  under  (Tcneral  Rutherford,  in  the  expedition 
from  ]\recklenburg,  Rowan,  Lincoln,  and  other  counties, . 
to  subdue  the  Cherokee  Indians,  who  were  conmiitting 
murders  and  mmiorous  depredations  upon  tlie  fronti<'v 
settlements. 

After  the  fall  of  C^harleston  many  of  the  unsubdued 
Whigs  sought  shelter  in  North  Carolina.  Earl^^  in  July.. 
1780,  General  Sumter  had  taken  refuge  in  Mecklenburii 
county,  and  having  enlisted  a  considerable  number  oi 
brave  and  dashing  recruits  in  that  chivalric  region, 
returned  to  South  (Airolina  prepared  for  new  and 
daring  exploits.  Soon  thereafter,  accompanied  by  Colonels 
Xeal,  Irwin,  ITiir  and  Lac\',  he  made  a  vigorous  assault 
against  the  post  of  Rock}^  ]\Iount,  but  failed  in  reducing 
it  for  the  want  of  artillerj^  After  this  assault  Genei^if 
Sumter  crossed  the  Catawba,  and  marched  with  his  for'.'C.- 
in  the  direction  of  Hanging  Rock.  In  the  engagement 
which  took  place  there,  and,  in  the  main  successful,  th<' 
right  Avas  composed  of  General  Davie's  troops,  and  some 
volunteers  under  Major  Bryan  ;  the  centre  consisted  oi 
Colonel  Irwin's  ^lecklenburg  ^lilitia,  which  made  the 
tirst  attack:  and  the  left    included  Colonel    Hill's  South 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  51 

Carolina  Regulars  *  In  1781  Colonel  Irwin  commanded 
a  regiment  mider  General  Rutherford,  in  the  Wilmington 
campaign.  He  was  a  delegate  to  the  Provincial  Congress, 
which  met  at  Halifax,  on  the  4th  of  April,  1776,  with 
John  McKnitt  Alexander  and  John  Phifer  as  colleagues. 
[le  was  again  a  delegate  to  the  Provincial  Congress  which 
met  at  Halifax,  on  the  12th  of  Xovember,  1776,  which. 
body  formed  our  first  Constitution.  His  last  civil  ser- 
\-ices  were  as  Senator  from  Mecklenburg  county,  in  1797,- 
'98-'99  and  1800.  For  many  years  he  Avas  a  worthy  and 
influential  Elder  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  at  Steele 
Creek.  He  died  on  the  iSrd  of  December,  1800,  aged 
sixty-two  years. 

Wilh'arii  Kevnon  was  an  earl}'  and  devoted  friend  of 
liberty.  He  was  an  eminent  lawyer,  resided  in  Salisbury, 
and  had  a  large  prj^ctice  in  the  surrounding  counties.  He 
was  one  of  the  prominent  advocates  for  ahsolufe  indepcj'- 
ilencc  at  the  Convention  in  Charlotte,  on  the  19th  and  20tli 
of  May,  1775.  He,  with  Mr.  Willis,  a  brother-in-law, 
Adlai  Osborne,  and  Samuel  Spencer  (afterward  Judge 
Spencer),  took  an  active  part  in  arresting  two  obnoxioiLs 
lawyers,  John  Dunn  and  Benjamin  Booth  Boote,  preced- 
ing tlie  Revolution,  in  giving  utterance  to  language  ini- 
mical to  the  cause  of  American  independence. 

They  were  conveyed  to  Charlotte  for  trial,  and  being 
found  guilty  of  conduct  inimical  to  the  American  ciiu.se, 
they  were  transported  to  Camden,  S.  C,  and  finally  to 
Charleston,  beyond  the  reach  of  their  injurious  influence. 
Colonel  Ivennon  Avas  a  membfer  of  the  first  Congres.s. 
which  met  at  Xewbern  on  the  25tli  of  August,  1774,  in 
opposition  to  royalty,  and  "fresh  from  the  people,"  witlt 
Moses  Winslow    and  Samuel  Youno;  as  colleaonies.     He  - 


*  General  Moultrie,  in  sneaking  of  thi.s  eiig-acemeiil  in  his  "  JfeTnoirs  of 
llie  American  Revolntioii,"  saya  :  "When  General  Sumter  beg-an  this  attack 
he  had  not  more  than  ten  rounds  of  ball  to  a  man  ;  but  before  the  action  was 
over,  lie  was  amply  .supplied  with  arms  and  jimmuiiition  from  the  British 
and  Tories  that  fell  in  the  heKinninir." 


52  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

was  also  a  delegate  to  the  same  place  in  April,  1775,  with 
Grithth  Rutherford  and  William  Sharpe  as  colleagues  ; 
tmd  to  the  Provincial  Congress  at  Ilillshoro,  in  August, 
1775,  associated  with  William  Sharpe,  Samuel  Young  and 
James  Smith.  In  1776,  ho  was  appointed  commissary  of 
the  first  regiment  of  State  troops,  lie  was  ever  active  and 
faithful  in  the  discharge  of  his  duties.  Soon  after  the 
Ivcvolutionary  war  he  moved  to  Georgia,  where  he  died 
at  a  good  old  age. 

Benjamin  Patton  was  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  in  the 
■eastern  part  of  Mecklenburg  county  (now  Cabarrus).  \\v 
was  a  man  of  iron  firmness  and  of  indomitable  courage. 
Descended  from  the  blood  of  the  Covenanters,  he  inherited 
their  tenacity  of  purpose,  sagacity  of  action  and  purity  (>f 
I'haracter.     lie  was  an  early  and  devoted  friend  of  liberty. 

lie  waa  a  delegate  to  the  Provincial  Congress  which  met 
at  Xewbern  on  the  25th  of  August,  1774.  This  was  the 
first  meeting  of  representatives  direct  from  the  people. 
The  royal  Governor,  Josiah  Martin,  issued  his  proclama- 
tion against  its  assembling,  as  being  without  legal  author- 
ity. It  constitutes  an  illustrious  epoch  in  our  colonial 
iiistory,  transpiring  nearly  two  years  Ijefore  Congress 
vonid  duretopas.v  a  national  declaration  Although  it  was 
not  a  battle,  or  confiict  of  arms,  yet  it  was  the  first  and 
leading  act  in  a  great  drama,  in  which  battles  and  ])lood 
were  the  durct  and  inevitable  conseqaences.  Had  Governor 
Martin  the  power  at  that  time,  he  would  have  seized  q.\q.y\ 
member  of  this  "  rebellious  ""■  body  and  tried  them  for 
treason.  In  this  dilemna,  he  summoned  his  ever  obsequi- 
ous Council  for  consultation,  who,  beconung  alarmed  at 
the  "signs  of  the  times,"  declared  "nothing  cotild  be 
done." 

Tradition  informs  us  that  Mi'.  l^attOM,  not  being  able  to 
j)rocure  a  horse,  or  any  conveyance,  walked  all  the  ^^■ay 
from  Charlotte  to  Newbern,  about  three  hundred  nules 
rather  than  not  be  present  to  vote  with  those  determined 
on  liherfi/  or  dcnth.      Although  then  advanced  in  J'ears,  he 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA,  53 

shoAvod  all  the  entliusiasm  of  yontli.  At  the  Provincial 
C'Ongress  which  met  at  Ilillshoro  on  the  21st  of  Angust, 
1  775,  he  was  appointed  Major  of  the  second  Continental 
regiment,  with  Rohert  Howe  as  Colonel,  and  Alexander 
Martin  as  Lientenant  Colonel.  Of  his  military  record,  in 
such  high  position,  little  is  known,  hut  we  find  him  acting 
as  a  memher  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  Mecklenhurg 
coinity,  Avitli  very  full  powers,  associated  with  John  Paul 
Parringer  and  Martin  Pliifer.  They  were  a  "terror  unto  evil 
doers."  He  was  a  man  of  considerable  learnino;,  of  ardent 
temperament,  and  of  Christian  integrity.  He  died  near 
Concord,  in  Cabarrus  county,  at  a  good  old  age,  and  is 
buried  on  the  banks  of  Irish  Buffalo  C^i-eek.  Ko  monu- 
ment marks  his  o-nwe  : 


"T  '.ey  oarvpfl  not  a  line,  tliey  raised  not  ii  stone. 
But  left  him  alone  In  his  glory." 


Joltii  Fhifo-  was  born  in  C^abarrus  county  (when  a  [lart 
of  Bladen)  in  1745.  He  Avas  the  son  of  Martin  Phifer,  a 
native  of  Switzerland,  and  of  Margaret  Blackwelder.  He 
raised  a  numerous  family,  who  inherited  the  patriotic 
sj)irit  of  their  ancestors.  The  original  spelling  of  the  name 
was  Pfclfrr.  He  resided  on  "Hutch  Buffalo"  Creek,  at  the 
Red  flill,  known  to  this  day  as  "Phifer's  Hill."  He  was 
tlie  father  of  General  Paul  Phifer,  grandfather  of  General 
dohn  iST.  Pliifer  of  Mississipi,  and  great  graudt^ithcr  of 
(icneral  Charles  H.  Phifer,  a  distinguished  ofKcer  in  the 
battle  of '•'Shiloh,''  in  the  late  Avar  between  the  States.  At 
the  Provincial  Council,  held  at  Johnston  Court  House  in 
Decembei',  1775,  he  Avas  appointed  Lieutenant  Colonel  of 
the  first  battalion  of  "Minute  Men,"  in  the  Salisbury  Dis- 
trict ;  General  Griffith  Rutherford,  Colonel,  and  John 
Paisley,  Major.  He  Avas  a  member  of  the  Provincial 
( \^ngress  which  met  at  Hillsboro  on  the  21st  of  A  ugust, 
1775,  associated  Avith  Thomas  Polk,  A^^aightstill  Avery, 
James  Houston.  Samuel  Martin  and  John  McKnitt  Alex- 


54       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

ander  ;  and  also  of  the  Congress  wliich  met  at  Halifax  on 
the  4th  of  April,  1776,  with  Robert  Irwin  and  John  Mc- 
Ivnitt  Alexander. 

By  this  latter  body,  he  was  appointed  Lieutenant  Col- 
onel of  the  regiment  commanded  by  Colonel  Adam  Alex- 
ander. He  was  also  a  member  of  the  Provincial  Congress 
which  met  at  Halifax  in  ]^ovember,  1776,  Avhich  formed 
our  first  Constitution,  associated  with  Hezekiah  Alexan- 
der, Waightstill  Avery,  Eobert  Irwin  and  Zaccheus  AVil- 
son,  as  colleagues.  He  married  Catharine  Barringer. 
which  latter  name  was  originally  spelled  Behrlngci-. 

It  was  on  the  plantation  of  John  Phifer,  three  mile-; 
west  of  Concord,  that  the  gallant  band  of  "Black  Boys,"" 
headed  by  Cai)tain  'Black  Bill  Alexander"  of  Sugar 
Creek,  aided  by  the  Whites  and  others  from  the  neighbor 
ing  congregation  of  Eocky  River,  effected  their  memoi-- 
able  achievement  in  1771,  of  destroying  the  king's  powder. 
\\'hich  "was  on  its  way  from  Charleston  to  Ilillsboro.  to  l>c 
4ise(l  by  a  tyrannical  Governor.  The  reader  should  bear  in 
mind  this  blackening  of  faces,  to  prevent  detection,  was  in 
the  spring  of  1771,  v>dien  the  patriotic  sentiment  of  this 
country  had  not  ripened  into  that  state  of  almost  entire 
unanimity  which  characterized  it,  and  the  State  generally, 
four  years  later.  John  Phifer  filled  an  envly  grave,  and 
lies  buried  at  the  "Red  Hill," on  the  Salisbury  road,  where 
a  decaying  headstone,  scarcely  legible,  marks  the  last 
resting-place  of  this  true  j.atriot. 

Thomas  Polk  is  a  name  of  historic  distinction  in  Xorth 
Carolina,  as  well  as  in  our  nation.  He  was  the  early,  con- 
stant, and  en<luring  friend  of  liberty,  and  the  unfaltering 
opponent  of  arbitrary  pOAver  and  oppression.  He  was  a 
member  of  the  Colonial  Assembly  in  1771  and  1775,  as- 
sociated with  Abraham  Alexander  from  Mecklenburg. 
In  1775,  he  was  aitpointed  Colonel  of  the  second  battalion 
of  "Minute  Men,"  with  Adam  Alexander  as  (yolonel,  and 
•Charles  McLean  as  Major. 

A.-  Colonel  of  the  Mecklenburg;  militia,  he  issued  orders 


SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  5,') 

to  the  Captains  of  the  several  beats^  or  districts,  to  send 
two  delegates  each  to  the  Convention  in  Charlotte  on  the 
19tli  of  May,  1775.  This  act  alone,  proceeding  from 
patriotic  motives,  entitles  him  to  our  gratitude.  In  ae- 
(.'ordance  with  orders,  and  the  anticipated  discussion  of 
political  measures  affecting  the  welfare  of  the  country,  a 
vast  concourse  of  delegates,  and  of  the  citizens  generally, 
from  all  parts  of  the  country,  as  well  as  from  the  adjoin- 
ing counties  of  Anson,  Rowan  and  Try  on  (afterward  Lin- 
coln) assembled  on  the  appointed  day — such  a  gathering 
as  had  never  before  met  in  Charlotte,  preceding,  or  dur- 
ing the  Revolution.  It  was  not  a  small  assemblage,  like 
that  of  the  31st  of  the  same  month,  composed  entirely  of 
the  Committee  of  Safety,  met  for  the  par[iose  of  passing 
such  rules  and  regulations  as  the  internal  government  o\' 
the  county  demanded. 

At  the  Provincial  Cono-ress  which  met  at  Halifax  on 
the  4th  of  April,  1776,  he  was  appointed  Colonel  of  the 
fourth  regiment  of  Continental  troops,  with  James  Thack- 
son  as  Lieutenant-Colonel,  and  William  Davidson  as  Ma- 
jor. The  last  named  officer  wan  afterward  appointed  a 
Brigadier  General,  and  was  killed  while  disputing  the 
passage  of  Cornwallis  at  Cowan's  Ford,  on  the  1st  of  Feb- 
ruarj',  1781.  After  the  death  of  General  Davidson,  he 
was  appointed  Brigadier  General  in  his  stead.  When 
General  Greene  took  command  of  the  Southern  army  in 
Cliarlotte  on  the -3rd  of  December,  1780,  the  commissary 
department  was  left  vacant  by  the  resignation  of  Colonel 
Polk.  At  the  earnest  solicitation  of  General  (jrccne, 
(•olonel  Davie  was  induced  to  accept  the  position,  an  un- 
gracious and  troublesome  office  at  any  time,  but  then  at- 
tended with  peculiar  difficulties,  as  the  country  had  been 
lately  devastated  and  stripped  of  its  usual  resources  by  a 
large  invading  army. 

Colonel  Thomas  Polk  married  Susan  Spratt,  and  left 
several  children.     He  died  in  1703,  full  of  years  and  full 


')()  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

of  honors,  and  his  mortal  remains  repose  in  the  graveyard 
of  the  Presbyterian  Chnrcli  in  Charlotte. 

William  Polk,  son  of  Colonel  Thomas  Polk,  was  born  in 
1759,  and  was  present  at  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  of 
the  19th  and  20th  of  May,  1775.  He  commenced  his  mil- 
itary career  with  his  father  in  the  expedition  against  the 
Scovillite  Tories,  in  upper  Sonth  Carolina,  in  the  autumn 
of  1775.  Tie  was  with  General  Xash  when  he  fell  at 
Germantown  ;  with  General  Davidson,  at  Cowan's  Ford : 
Avitli  General  Greene,  at  Guilford  Court  House  ;  and  with 
the  same  officer  at  Eutaw  Springs.  In  the  last  named 
battle  he  was  severely  wounded,  the  eifects  of  which  he 
carried  with  him  to  his  grave.  When  the  war  closed,  he 
held  the  rank  of  Lieutenant-Colonel.  He  settled  in  Char- 
lotte, his  place  of  nativity,  and  represented  Mecklenburg 
county  in  the  Commons  in  1787-'90,  and  '91.  Soon  there- 
after he  removed  to  Raleigh,  where  he  spent  the  remain- 
der of  his  life.  He  was  the  last  surviving  field  officer  of 
the  North  Carolina  line.  lie  died  on  the  14th  of  January, 
1835,  in  the  seventy-sixth  year  of  his  age.  He  was  the 
father  of  Bishop  Leonidas  Polk,  a  brave  and  meritorious 
officer,  killed  in  the  late  civil  war,  while  holding  the  poni- 
tion  of  Major  General ;  of  the  late  Thomas  G.  Polk,  of 
Tennessee,  and  of  Mrs.  Rayner,  wife  of  the  Hon.  Kenneth 
Ivaj^ner,  ot  Washington  City. 

Ezekicl  Polk,  one  of  the  older  brothers  of  Colonel 
Thomas  Polk,  was  the  first  clerk  of  the  county  court  of 
Lincoln,  after  its  separation  from  Mecklenburg  in  17<J8 ; 
a  Magistrate  of  Mecklenburg  county  at  a  later  period; 
and  was  a  man  of  considerable  wealth  and  influence,  own- 
ing much  of  the  valuable  lands  around  "  Morrow's  Turn- 
out," now  the  flourishing  village  of  "Pineville."  Pie  was 
the  grandfather  of  James  K.  Polk,  President  of  the 
United  States  in  1845,  some  of  whose  noblest  traits  of 
character  were  illustrated  in  refusing  to  serve  a  second  term j. 
and  in  ])eing  never  absent  from  his  2^ost  of  duty.  Well 
would  it  be  for  the  best  interests  of  our  Republic  if  other 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  57 

occupants  of  the  "White  House"  would  imitate  his  noble 
example. 

Zaecheus  Wilson,  was  one  of  three  brothers  who  moved 
from  Pennsylvania  and  settled  in  Mecklenburg  county 
about  1760.  At  the  time  of  the  Mecklenburg  Convention 
on  the  19th  and  20th  of  JVIay,  1775,  he  signed  that  instru- 
ment, pledging  himself  and  his  extensive  family  connec- 
tions to  its  support  and  maintenance.  He  was  said  to  be 
a  man  of  liberal  education,  and  very  popular  in  the  county 
in  which  he  resided.  He  was  a  member  of  the  Convention 
which  met  at  Halifax  on  the  12th  of  ]Srovember,  1776,  t(> 
form  a  State  Constitution,  associated  with  Waightstill 
Avery,  John  I^hifer,  Robert  Irwin  and  Hezekiah  Alexan- 
der. 

The  Wilsons  were  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterians,  and  were 
arrayed  by  early  education,  civil  and  religious,  against 
tyranny  in  any  form.  The  eldest  brother,  Robert  Wilson, 
who  lived  for  many  years  in  Steele  Creek  congregation, 
was  the  father  of  eleven  sons,  seven  of  whom  Avere  at  one 
time  (all  who  w^ere  old  enough)  in  the  Revolutionary 
army.  Shortly  after  the  Revolution,  Zaecheus  Wilson 
moved  to  Sumner  county,  Tennessee,  and  there  died  at  an 
advanced  age. 

Ezra  Alexander  was  a  son  of  Abraham  Alexander,  the 
President  of  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  of  the  20th  of 
May,  1775.  He  and  William  Alexander  each  commanded 
a.  company  in  Coloffel  William  Davidson's  battalion,  under 
(xeneral  Rutherford,  against  the  Tories  assembled  at  Ram- 
sour's  Mill,  near  the  present  town  of  Lincolnton.  He  was- 
also  engaged  in  other  military  expeditions  during  the  war, 
whenever  the  defence  of  the  country  demanded  his  ser- 
vices. 

Charles  Alexander  and  John  Foard,  two  of  the  signers, 
served  as  privates  in  Captain  Charles  Polk's  company  of 
"  Light  Horse"  in  1776,  in  the  Wilmington  campaign^ 
and  in  other  service  during  the  war.  John  Foard  Avas, 
for  many  years,  one  of  the  magistrates  of  Mecklenburg 
county,  and  both  have  descendants  living  among  us. 


58  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NOIITH  CAllOLINA. 

David  Reese  was  a  son  of  ^Villiam  Eeese,  a  worthy 
citizen  of  Western  Rowan  (now  Iredell  county),  who  died 
in  April,  1808,  aged  rdnety-inne  years,  and  brother  of  the 
Rev.  Thomas  Reese,  whose  ministerial  labors  were  chiefly 
performed  in  Pendleton  District,  S.  C,  where  he  ended 
his  days,  and  is  buried  in  tlie  Stone  Church  graveyard. 

James  Harris  was  from  Eastern  Mecklenburg  (no^\■ 
Cabarrus  county),  a  neighborhood  universalh*  holding 
Whig  principles.  lie  was  the  Major  in  Colonel  Robert 
Irwin's  regiment  at  the  battle  of  the  Hanging  Rock,  and 
elsewhere  performed  important  services  during  the  Avar. 
Xext  to  the  Alexanders  the  hame  Harris  was  most  pre- 
valent in  Mecklenburg  county  preceding  the  Revolution, 
and  both  still  have  immeroas  worthy  descendants  among 
us  to  perpetuate  the  fair  name  and  fame  of  their  distin- 
guished ancestors. 

Mattheui  McLuir,  one  of  the  signers,  Avas  an  early  and 
<levoted  friend  of  liberty.  Some  of  his  worthy  descend- 
ants are  still  living  among  us.  Other  descendants  of  the 
same  patriotic  family  reside  in  Chester  county,  S.  C.  One 
of  his  daughters  married  George  Houston,  who,  with  a 
Spartan  band  of  twelve  or  thirteen  brave  spirits,  under 
Captain  James  Thompson,  beat  back  a  British  foraging 
j)arty  of  over  four  hundred  soldiers,  at  ]McIn tyre's  Branch, 
on  the  Beattie's  Ford  road,  seven  miles  north-west  ()f 
Charlotte.  His  son,  Hugh  Houston,  served  throughout 
the  Revolutionary  war.  The  rifle  used  on  that  occasion 
by  George  Houston  is  still  in  possession  of  the  family. 
His  son,  ]\I.  M.  Houston,  Esq.,  of  Hopewell  congregation, 
is  one  of  the  fcAv  grandsons  now  living  of  the  original 
signers  of  the  ]Vrecklenbnrg  Declaration. 

WiUiam  Grahaiii,  an  Irishman  by  birth,  Avas  one  of  the 
early  advocates  of  lil)ert3'  in  Mecklenburg  county.  He 
was  intelligent  and  highly  respected  by  all  Avho  kncAv 
him.  He  lived  on  the  plantation  uoaa'  OAvned  by  Mrs. 
Potts,  about  four  miles  south-east  of  Beattie's  Ford,  on 
tlie  public  road  leading  to  Charlotte,  AA'here  he  died  at  a 
ciood  old  age. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  XORTII  CAROLINA.  5'J 

It  is  hoped  others  will  prosceute  this  braneh  of  his- 
torical research,  here  imperfectlj'  sketched,  supply  omis- 
sions, and  favor  the  public  with  the  result  of  their 
investigations.  In  this  Centennial  year  it  i-s  pleasant  and 
[)rofital3le  to  revert  to  the  deeds  of  noble  daring  and  lofty 
patriotism  of  our  forefathers,  and  strive  to  emulate  their 
illustrious  examples. 

ORIGIN    OF    THE    ALEXANDER    FAMILIES    OF    MECKLENBURli 
COUNTY. 

The  name,  Alexander,  is  of  frequent  mention  among  the 
iiol)ility  of  Scotland.  About  the  year  1735  John  Alex- 
ander married  Margaret  Gleason,  a  ''bonnie  lassi(/'  of 
Glasgow,  and  shortly  afterward  emigrated  to  the  town  of 
Armagh,  in  Ireland.  About  1740,  wishing  to  improve 
more  rapidlj"  his  worldly  condition,  he  emigrated  with 
his  rising  famil}-,  two  nephews,  James  and  Hugh  Alex- 
ander, and  their  sister,  who  was  married  to  a  ^Ir  Tolk, 
to  America,  and  settled  in  Nottingham,  Chester  county, 
I'a.  These  two  nephews,  and  their  brother-in-law,  Polk, 
soon  aftej'ward  emigrated  to  Mecklenburg  county,  JSTorth 
(  arolina,  then  holding  forth  flattering  inducements  for 
.settlement.  These  families,  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  there 
prc)spered  in  their  several  callings,  and  early  indjiljcd 
those  princi})les  of  civil  and  religious  libert}-  which 
stam}ied-  their  impress  on  themseh'es  and  their  descend- 
ants, and  shone  forth  conspicuously  preceding  and  during 
the  American  Kevolution. 

About  the  time  of  this  emigration  of  the  Alexanders  t() 
Xorth  Carolina,  John  Alexander  moved  to  Carlisle,  Cum- 
berland county,  l^a.  AV'hile  he  resided  there  his  son  James 
(James  the  first)  married  ''  Kosa  Reed,"  of  that  place. 
Soon  after  his  marriage  he  left  Carlisle,  and  settled  on 
"  S[»ring  Run,"  having  J )Urchased  a  tract  of  land  which 
covered  "  Logan's  Sjjrings,"  where  the  celebrated  !Ming(> 
chief,  Logan,  then  lived.  After  Logan's  death  he  moved 
to  the  Springs,  which  valuable  property  is  still  owned  by 
the  Alexander  heirs. 


GO  SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

John  Alexander,  partaking  of  the  roving  spirit  of  the 
age,  left  Carlisle,  and  finally  settled  in  Berkeley  county, 
Va.,  where  he  purchased  a  large  farm,  and  spent  the  re- 
mainder of  his  days.  His  son  James  had  twelve  children, 
seven  sons  and  five  daughters.  One  of  his  daughters. 
Rachel,  married  Joseph  Vance,  of  Virginia,  the  ancest(^r 
of  ex-Governor  Vance,  of  Ohio,  and  other  descendants. 
He  gave  Vance  a  farm  of  three  hundred  acres  as  an  in- 
ducement to  settle  near  him.  Vance  accepted  the  gift, 
and  soon  afterward  removed  to  the  farm;  hat  Indian 
trouhles  breaking  out  at  that  time,  he  sold  his  possession 
and  returned  to  Virginia,  selecting  a  location  near  Mar- 
tinsburo;. 

James  Alexander  (James  the  second)  had  four  sons  and 
six  daughters.  The  eldest  son  (James  the  third )  married 
his  cousin  Celia,  youngest  daughter  of  Robert  Alexander, 
of  whom  was  a  descendant,  Robert  Alexander  perhaps  a 
son),  a  captain  in  the  Revolution,  who  married  Mar}' Jack, 
third  daughter  of  Patrick  Jack,  of  Charlotte,  and  settled 
in  Lincoln  county,  where  he  died  in  1813. 

James  Porterfield  Alexander  (James  the  fourth),  and 
son  of  James  the  third,  married  Annie  Augusta  Halsoy. 
grand-daughter  of  the  Hon.  .Jeremiah  Morton,  and  resides, 
in  this  centennial  year,  on  the  St.  Cloud  plantation,  Ra}>idan 
!Station,  Culpeper  county,  Va. 

Hugh  Alexander,  son  of  James  the  first,  married  Martlui 
Edmundson,  settled  in  Sherman's  A'allej',  Pa.,  and  had  a 
large  family.  He  died  at  Independence  Hall,  rhiladel- 
phia,  while  sitting  as  a  member  to  form  a  State  Consti- 
tution.. 

Another  prolific  source  of  the  Alexanders  in  America 
is  traceable  to  the  descendants  of  seven  brothers,  who  fled 
from  Scotland,  on  account  of  political  troubles,  to  the 
north  of  Ireland,  and  passing  through  the  Emerald  Isle, 
sailed  for  America,  and  landed  in  Xew  York  in  1716. 
One  of  their  descendants  was  AVilliam  Alexander,  born  in 
Xew  York  in  172  >,  a  son  of  James  Alexander,  of  Scotland. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  (i  1 

IFo  l)ec-aine  a  distinguished  officer  in  the  Ecvohitionary 
war,  known  as  ''  Lord  Stirling."  lie  married  a  danghtei' 
of  Phihp  Livingston  (the  second  lord  of  the  manor),  a 
sister  of  Governor  Livingston,  of  New  Jersey. 

From  these  prolific  sources  (Scotch  and  Scotch-Irish) 
North  Carolina,  and  other  States  of  the  Amencan  Union, 
have  received  their  original  su})plies  of  Alexanders,  em- 
hracing,  in  their  expansion,  many  distinguished  names. 

In  the  list  of  the  signers  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declara- 
tion of  the  20th  of  May,  1775,  six  hear  the  name  of  Alex- 
ander, and  a  host  of  others,  officers  and  privates,  honored 
the  name  in  their  heroic  achievements  during  the  Eevolu- 
tiuiiary  war.  Tavo  of  the  distinguished  teachers  in  Rowan 
county,  preceding  the  Revolution,  were  James  Alexander 
and  Rol.iert  Brevard. 

It  is  also  worthy  of  mention  that  one  of  the  tircnfi/->:l.r 
l)ersons  who  met  in  Charleston,  in  the  fall  of  17(:)G,  after 
the  repeal  of  the  Stamp  Act,  under  the  leadership  of  that 
early  patric^t,  Ceneral  Christopher  Gadsden,  rejoiced  under 
the  duplicated  name  ef  Alexander  Alcraru/e/:  He  had 
strayed  off  from  the  paternal  roof  in  North  Carolina,  and 
was  em[>loyed  there  in  the  honorable  calling  of  school- 
master. Johnson,  in  his  "  Traditions  and  Reminiscences," 
thus  speaks  favorably^of  his  eminent  worth:  "Alexandei- 
Alexander  was  a  school-master  of  high  character  and 
liO[>ularity.  He  was  a  native  of  Mecklenburg,  North  Car(<_ 
lina,  and  educated  in  the  "Whig  principles  of  that  distin- 
guished district." 

JACK    FAiMUiV. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  Revolutionary  A\'ar,  one 
<tf  the  worthy  and  patriotic  citizens  of  the  little  town  of 
Charlotte,  in  Mecklenburg  county,  N.  C,  "svas  Patrick 
fFack.  He  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and  emigrated  to 
America,  with  several  l)rothers,  about  17^0.  He  married 
Lillis  McAdoo,  of  the  same  race,  who  is  represented  to 


<)2  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  XORTII  CAROLINA, 

have  been,  hj  all  \vho  knew  her,  as  ''  one  of  the  best  of 
"\\'omen,"  having  an  amiable  disposition,  frequently  dis- 
pensing charities  to  the  poor,  and  truly  pious.  Her 
Christian  name,  LiUis,  in  subsequent  years,  was  softened 
into  Lillie,  by  man}"  of  her  descendants  in  adopting  it. 
The  descent  of  Patrick  Jack  is  traceable  to  noble  ances- 
tors, one  of  whom  was  a  ministerial  sufferer  in  the  reign 
of  Charles  II,  in  1661.  In  that  year,  that  despotic  mon- 
arch, who,  accoi'ding  to  one  of  his  own  satirists,  "  Xevcr 
said  a  foolish  thing,  nor  ever  did  a  wise  one,"  ejected  from 
their  benefices  or  livings,  under  Jeremy  Taylor,  thirteen 
ministers  of  the  Presbytery  of  Lagan,  in  the  northern  part 
of  Ireland,  for  their  non-conformity  to  the  Church  of  Eng- 
land. The  Puritans  of  England  were  called  to  the  same 
trial,  in  August,  1662,  and  m  the  following  October,  tlu' 
same  scene  of  heroic  suffering  was  exhibited  in  Scotland. 

Among  the  honored  names  of  these  thirteen  ejected 
ministers,  were  Robert  Wilson,  ancestor  of  the  Eev. 
Francis  McKemie,  who,  twenty  3'ears  later,  was  the  first 
Presbyterian  ]^»reacher  that  had  ever  visited  the  AVestcru 
Continent,  and  near  relative  of  George  McKemie,  of  the 
Waxhaw  settlement,  and  a  l)rothcr-in-law  of  Mrs.  Eliza- 
beth Jackson,  the  mother  of  General  Andrew  Jackson: 
Kobert  Craighead,  ancestor  of  the  Eev.  Alexander  Craig- 
head, the  first  settled  pastor  of  Sugar  Creek  congregation, 
the  early  apostle  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  in  ]Mccklen- 
burg  county,  and  who  ended  his  days  there  in  1766  : 
Thomas  Drummond,  a  near  relative  of  "William  Drum- 
mond,  the  first  royal  Governor  of  Xorth  Carolina  :  Adam 
White,  ancestor  of  Hon.  Hugh  Lawson  White,  a  native 
of  Iredell  county,  and  William  Jack,  ancestor  of  Patrick 
Jack,  of  Charlotte,  Charles  Jack,  of  Cliand)ersburg,  Penn- 
sylvania, and  others,  whose  descendants  arc  now  fmmd  in 
ten  or  twelve  States  of  the  American  Union. 

In  the  list  of  tax-payers  for  Chambersburg,  Pa  ,  during 
the  latter  half  of  the  last  century,  the  "Chief  Burgess,'"'  or 
^fayor  of  that  jilace,  informs  the  author  the  name  of  Jack 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  63 

(especially  John,  James,  Charles,  and  William)  is  of  fre- 
(juent  occnrrence  ;  but,  at  the  present  time,  not  one  of  the 
name  is  to  be  found  there  One  of  these,  (James)  i)roba- 
bl}'  a  nephew  of  Patrick  and  Charles  Jack,  served  five 
years  with  distinction  in  the  Revolutionary  army,  and 
others  are  traditionally  spoken  of  as  actively  engaged  in 
the  same  patriotic  duty.  Several  of  the  elder  members  of 
tlie  family  are  buried  in  the  graveyard  of  Chand^ersburg, 
others  in  Williamsport,  Md.,  and  elsewhere  in  western 
Pennsylvania. 

Several  years  previous  to  the  Revolution,  there  also 
came  over  from  the  north  of  Ireland  to  America,  at  least 
two  brothers  of  the  name  of  Jack,  distant  relatives  ot" 
l*atrick  and  Charles  Jack,  and  settled  in  western  Pennsyl- 
\-ania.  When  the  county  town  of  Westmoreland  (Ilan- 
nastown)  was  l)urned  by  the  Indians  in  1783,  one  of  this 
family  distinguished  himself  by  saving  the  lives  of  tlu- 
women  and  children.  After  the  burning  of  that  [ilacc, 
the  name  of  the  town  was  changed  to  Greensburg,  and  a 
ncvv'  location  selected  on  land  donated  by  William  Jack, 
who  had  become  quite  Avealthy,  and  one  of  the  Associate 
Judges  of  W'estmoreland  county.  He  had  live  sons,  four 
of  whom  died  bachelors  ;  the  elder  married,  but  none  of 
liis  descendants  are  now  (1876)  living,  except  a  grand-sou, 
(William  Jack,)  who  resides  near  Greensburg,  J*a.  The 
only  daughter  of  Judge  William  -Jack,  married  John  Chi.<l^ 
who  fled  from  Ireland  soon  after  the  rebellion  in  1798. 

About  1760,  animated  with  the  hope  of  more  rapidly 
improving  his  worldly  condition,  Patrick  Jack  joined  the 
great  tide  of  emigration  to  the  Southern  colonies,  and 
shortly  after  his  arrival  in  Xortli  Carolina  purchased  a 
tract  of  land  between  Grant  and  Second  Creeks,  in  the 
(/athey  settlement  (now  Thyatira)  in  Rowan  county. 
After  remaining  there  for  about  two  years,  he  sold  his  land 
and  moved  to  the  adjoining  county  of  Mecklenburg, 
Here,  by  strict  economy  and  industry,  he  was  "blest  in  his 
basket  and  his  store,"'  and  enal»led  to  make  more  enlarged 


C4  SKETCHES  OP^    WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

}»ost>essioiis.  This  improvement  in  liis  pecuniary  condition 
and  prosperity  may  be  inferred  from  the  fact  that  in  1775, 
and  a  few  years  subsequently,  he  and  his  eldest  son,  Capt. 
James  Jack,  who,  about  this  time  united  in  business  "witli 
his  father,  became  the  owners  of  some  of  the  finest  lots, 
or  rather  blocks,  in  Charlotte.  Among  the  valuable  lots 
they  are  recorded  as  owning,  may  be  briefly  named  :  No. 
25,  the  present  Irwin  corner ;  Tn^o.  26,  the  Parks  lot ;  No. 
27,  the  whole  space,  or  double  block,  from  the  Irwin  cor- 
ner to  the  Court  House  lot;  No.  29,  the  space  from  the 
Parks  lot  to  the  corner  embracing  the  Brown  property  ; 
and  several  lots  on  Trade  street,  opposite  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church.  On  one  of  these  last  named  lots  (the  old 
Elms  property,  on  the  corner  next  to  the  Court  House) 
Patrick  Jack  and  his  son  Capt.  James  Jack,  resided  when 
the  delegates  from  the  militia  districts  of  the  county  assem- 
l)led,  on  the  lf)th  and  20th  of  May,  1775,  and  kejit  a 
public  house  of  entertainment.  Here  ]\\trick  Jack,  on 
suitable  occasions,  was  accustomed  to  "crack"  man\'  an 
Irish  joke,  to  the  infinite  delight  of  his  numerous  visitors  : 
and  by  his  ready  wit,  genial  good  humor  and  pleasantry, 
greatly  contributed  to  the  reputation  of  his  house,  and 
inculcated  his  own  iiatriotic  principles.  The  house  soon 
Itecame  the  favorite  place  of  resort  for  the  students  of  the 
collegiate  institute  knowji  as  "  Queen's  ]Museum,"  and  of 
other  ardent  spirits  of  the  town  and  country,  to  discuss 
the  political  issues  of  that  exciting  period,  all  foreboding 
the  approach  of  a  mighty  revolution. 

Patrick  Jack  had  four  sons,  James,  John,  Samuel  and 
liobert,  and  five  daughters,  Chai'ity,  Jane,  Mary,  Mar- 
garet and  Lillis,  named  in  the  order  of  their  ages.  Capt. 
James  Jack,  the  eldest  son,  married  Margaret  Houston, 
on  the  20tli  of  November,  176(3.  The  Houston  family 
came  South  nearly  at  the  same  time  with  the  Alexanders, 
Polks,  Pattons,  Caldwells,  AVallaces,  Wilsons,  Clarkes. 
Rosses,  Pattersons,  Browns,  and  many  others,  and  settled 
mostly  in  the  eastern  part  of  Mecklenburg  county  (no^^ 


SKETCHES  0J<'  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.         65 

Cabarras),  and  in  neighborhoods  convenient  to  the  old 
■established  Presbyterian  churches  of  the  countr}^,  unch^i- 
whose  guidance  civil  and  religious  freedom  have  evei' 
found  ardent  and  unwavering  defenders.  The  late  Archi- 
])al(l  Houston,  who  served  Cabarrus  county  taithfully  in 
several  important  positions,  and  died  in  1843,  was  one  of 
this  worthy  family, 

On  the  2nd  of  October,  1768,  Captain  James  .Jack,  as 
stated  in  his  own  family  register,  moved  to  his  own  place, 
on  the  head  of  the  Catawdja  river,  then  recei/ino-  a  con- 
siderable  emigration.  He  had  live  children  :  1.  Cynthia, 
born  on  the  20th  of  September,  17G7.  2.  Patrick,  born 
on  the  27th  of  September,  1769.  3.  William  Houston, 
l>orn  on  the  6th  of  June,  1771.  4.  Archibald,  born  on  the 
20th  of  April,  1773  (died  "young) ;  and  5.  James,  born  on 
the  20th  of  September,  1775. 

On  the  4tli  of  August,  1772,  Captain  Jack  left  his  moun- 
tain home  and  moved  to  the  residence  of  his  fathei-, 
Patrick  Jack,  in  ]\.Iecklenburg  countj^  On  the  16th  oi' 
February,  1773,  he  and  his  father  moved  from  the  coun- 
ti-y,  where  they  had  been  tem})orarily  sojourning,  into 
■'  Charlotte  towm,"  prospered  in  business,  and  soon  became 
nseful  and  influential  citizens. 

On  the  26tli  of  Sept.,  1780,  Lord  Cornwallis,  elated  with 
his  victory  at  Camden,  entered  Charlotte,  with  the  coniident 
oxpectation  of  soon  restoring  North  Carolina  to  the  British 
Crown.  Patrick  Jack  was  then  an  old  and  intirm  man 
Laving  given  up  the  chief  control  of  his  puldic  house  to 
liis  son.  Captain  James  Jack ;  but  neither  ago  nor  intirmitx' 
rould  enlist  the  sympathies  of  the  British  soldier3^  The 
})atriotic  character  of  the  house  had  become  extensivelv 
know^n  through  Tory  information,  and  its  destruction  was 
consequently  a  "foregone  conclusion.''  The  British  sol- 
diei'S  removed  its  aged  owner  from  the  feather  bed  upon 
whieh  he  was  lying,  emptied  its  contents  into  the  street, 
iind  then  set  the  house  on  tire!  The  reason  assigned  for 
this  incendiary  act  was,  "  all  of  old  Jack's  sons  A\'ere  in 


66  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

the  rebel  army,"  and  he  himself  had  been  an  active  pro- 
moter of  American  independence. 

The  loss  to  l*atrick  Jack  of  his  dwelling-house  and 
much  furniture,  accumulated  through  many  years  oi* 
]>atient  toil  and  industry,  was  a  severe  one.  The  excite- 
ment of  the  burning  scene,  consequent  exposure,  and  great 
nervous  shock  to  a  system  already  debilitated  with  disease, 
a  few  months  afterward  brought  to  the  gi'ave  this  veteran 
jiatriot.  His  aged  partner  survived  him  a  few  years. 
T)Otli  were  worthy  and  consistent  members  of  the  Pres- 
l)yterian  Church,  and  their  mortal  remains  now  repese  in 
the  old  graveyard  in  Charlotte. 

By  the  last  will  and  testament  of  Patrick  .Jack,  made 
oH  the  19th  of  ]\Iay,  1780,  he  devised  the  whole  of  his 
personal  estate  and  the  "•  undivided  benetit  of  his  house 
and  lots  to  his  beloved  wife  during  her  life-time."  After 
lier  death  they  were  directed  to  be  sold,  and  the  proceeds 
divided  among  his  tive  married  daughters,  viz.:  Cliarity 
Dysart,  Jane  Barnctt,  Mary  Alexander,  ^Margaret  AVilsou 
and  Lillie  Nicholson.  James  Jack  and  Josepli  ISicholsou 
were  a})]>ointed  executors.  It  is  related  of  Dr.  Thomas 
Henderson,  a  former  venerable  citizen  of  Charlotte,  that, 
on  his  deathJ>ed,  he  requested  to  be  buried  by  the  side 
of  Patrick  Jack,  '"  one  of  the  best  men  he  had  evei"  known." 

At  the  Convention  of  I^elegates  in  Charlotte  on  the 
PJth  and  20th  of  May,  1775,  Capt.  James  Jack  M-as  one  of 
the  deeply  interested  spectators,  and  shared  in  the  pa- 
triotic feelings  of  that  ever  memoi'able  oei-asion.  He  was 
then  about  forty-three  years  of  age — brave,  energetic  and. 
ready  to  engage  in  any  duty  having  for  its  object  the  wel- 
fare and  independence  of  his  country.  After  the  passage 
of  the  })atriotic  resolutions,  elsewhere  given  in  this  volumes 
constituting  the  ^lecklenburg  Declaration  of  Indepen- 
dence, Cai)t.  Jack,  for  his  well-known  energy,  l)ra  very  and 
determination  of  character,  was  selected  to  be  the  l)eari'r- 
of  them  to  Congress,  then  in  session  in  Philadeliihia. 
Accordingly,  as  soon  as    tlie   necessary    })re})arations   for 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  (37 

traveling  could  be  made,  he  set  out  from  Charlotte  ou 
that  long,  lonesome  and  perilous  journey,  on  horseback. 
There  were  then  nowhere  in  the  American  colonies,  stages 
or  hacks  to  facilitate  and  expedite  the  weary  traveler. 
Express  messengers  were  alone  enqdoyed  for  the  rapid 
transmission  of  all  important  intelligence.  On  the  even- 
ing of  the  first  day  he  reached  Salisbury,  forty  miles  from 
Charlotte,  before  the  General  Court,  then  in  session,  had 
adjourned.  Upon  his  arrival,  Colonel  Kennon,  an  iniiuen- 
tial  member  of  the  Court,  who  knew  the  object  of  Captain. 
Jack's  mission,  procured  from  him  the  co})y  of  the  Meck- 
lenburg ]-esolutions  of  independence  he  had  in  charge,  and 
read  them  aloud  in  open  court.  All  was  silence,  and  all 
apparent  approval  {intentiqtie  ora  tenebant)  as  these  earliest 
key-notes  of  freedom  resounded  through  the  hall  of  the 
old  court  house  in  Salisbury.  There  sat  around,  in  sym- 
j  >athizing  composure,  those  sterling  patriots,  Moses  AYins- 
low,  Waightstill  Avery,  John  Brevard,  William  Sharpe, 
(irithth  Rutherford,  jNIatthew  Locke,  Samuel  Young, 
A  dial  Osborne,  James  r>randon,  and  many  others,  either 
members  of  the  court,  or  of  the  count}- '•  Committee  of 
Safety."  The  only  marked  opposition  proceeded  from, 
two  lawyers,  Johji  Dnnn  and  Benjamin  Booth  Boote,  who 
[•rouounccd  the  resolutions  treasonable.,  and  said  Captain 
Jack  ought  to  be  detained.  These  individuals  had  pre- 
N'iousl}^  expressed  sentiments  "inimical  to  the  American 
cause."  As  soon  as  knowledge  of  their  avowed  sentiments; 
and  ])roposed  detention  of  Captain  Jack  reached  Charlotte, 
the  ])atriotic  vigilance  of  ^the  friends  of  liberty  was 
actively  aroused,  and  a  party  of  ten  or  twelve  arined 
horsemen  promptly  volunteered  to  proceed  to  Salisbury, 
arrest  said  Dunn  and  Boote,  and  bring  them  before  thc^ 
Committee  of  Safety  of  Mecklenburg  for  trial.  This  was 
accordhigly  done  (George  Graham,  living  near  Charlotte, 
being  one  of  the  number),  and  both  being  found  guilty  of 
conduct  inimical  to  the  cause  of  American  freedom,  were 
trans[u:)rted,  first   to  Camden,  and  afterward,  to  Charles- 


i)8  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NoKTII  CAROLIXA. 

ton,  .S.  C.  They  never  returned  to  Xortli  Carolina,  luit 
after  the  war,  it  is  reported,  settled  in  Florida,  and  died 
there,  it  is  hoped  not  only  repentant  of  their  sins,  as  all 
should  be,  but  with  chastened  notions  of  the  reality  and 
benefits  of  American  independence. 

On  the  next  morning,  Captain  Jack  resumed  his  journey 
from  Salisbury,  occasionally  passing  through  neighhor- 
lioods,  in  and  beyond  the  limits  of  Xorth  Carolina,  infested 
with  enraged  Tories,  but,  intent  on  his  appointed  mission. 
lie  faced  all  dangers,  and  finally  reached  Philadelphia  m 
j>afety. 

Upon  his  arrival  he  immediately  obtained  an  interview 
with  the  Xorth  Carolina  delegates  (Caswell,  Hooper  and 
Ilewes),  and,  aftera  little  conversation  on  the  state  of  the 
<-oimtry,  then  agitating  all  minds,  Ca[>tain  Jack  drew  from 
his  pocket  the  ^lecklenburg  resolutions  of  the  20th  of 
May,  1775,  with  the  remark  :  "Here,  gentlemen,  is  a  i»a[!cr 
that  I  have  heen  instructed  to  deliver  to  you,  Avitli  the  re- 
»piest  that  you  should  lay  the  same  before  Congress  '" 

After  the  Xorth  Carolina  delegates  had  carefully  read 
the  Mecklenburg  resolutions,  and  approved  of  their  patri- 
otic sentiments  so  forcibly'  expressed,  they  informed  Cap- 
tain Jack  they  Avould  keep  the  paper,  and  show  it  to 
scA'cral  of  their  friends,  remarking,  at  the  same  time,  they 
<lid  not  think  Congress  was  then  prepared  to  act  upon  so 
important  a  measure  as  absolute  indepoujencc. 

On  the  next  day,  Captain  Jack  had  another  interview 
with  the  Xorth  Carolina  delegates.  They  informed  him 
that  they  had  consulted  with  several  members  of  Con- 
gress, (including  Hancock,  Jay  and  Jefferson,)  and  that 
all  agreed,  while  they  approved  of  the  patriotic  spirit  of 
the  Mecklenburg  resolutions,  it  Avould  be  premature  to 
lay  them  officially  before  the  House,  as  they  still  enter- 
tained some  hopes  of  reconciliation  with  England.  It  was 
<;learly  perceived  \)\  the  Xorth  Carolina  delegates  and 
■other  members  whom  they  consulted,  that  the  citizens  of 
Mecklenburo;  countv  were  //'  (tdroncc  of  the  o-eneral  senti- 


SKETCHES  OF  WE.STERX  NORTH  CAROLINA.  fjl> 

nieiit  of  Congress  on  the  subject  of  independence ;  the  phan- 
tasy of  "reconciliation"  still  held  forth  its  seductive  allure- 
ments in  1775,  and  even  during  a  portion  of  1776 ;  and 
hence,  no  record  was  made,  or  vote  taken  on  the  i:)atriotic 
resolutions  of  Mecklenburg,  and  they  became  concealed 
from  view  in  the  blaze  of  the  National  Declaration  burst- 
ing forth  on  the  4th  of  July,  1776,  which  only  re-echoed 
and  reathrmed  the  truth  and  potency  of  sentiments  jiro- 
claimed  in  Charlotte  on  the  20th  of  May,  177 o. 

Captain  Jack  finding  the  darling  object  of  his  long  and 
toilsome  journey  could  not  be  then  accomplished,  and  that 
Congress  vras  not  prepared  to  vote  on  so  bold  a  measure 
as  absolute  uulepem/mce,  just  before  leaving  Philadel[)hia 
for  home,  somewhat  excited,  addressed  the  North  Caro- 
lina deleo'ates,  and  several  otlier  members  of  Cono-ress,  in 
the  following  patriotic  words :  ^'■Gentlemen,  you  luai/  dc- 
hute  here  about  'reconeiU.utlon,^  and  incriioriaUze  your  hluy,  but,, 
liear  it  in.  mind,  Mecklenburg  owes  7(0  allegiance  to,  and  /> 
separated,  from  the  crouii  of  Great  Britain  forever  " 

On  the  breaking  out  of  hostilities  with  the  mother 
I'ountry,  no  portion  of  the  Confederacy  was  more  for^^'ar(] 
in  fulfilling  the  pledge  of  "  life,  fortune  and  sacred  honor," 
in  the  achievement  of  libert}',  previously  made,  than  Meek- 
lenhurg  and  several  adjacent  counties.  Upon  the  fir>st  calJ 
for  troops,  Captain  Jack  entered  the  service  in  commjiiid 
of  a  company,  and  acted  in  that  capacity,  Vv'ith  distin- 
guished bravery,  throught)nt  the  war.  under  Colonels  Polk,. 
Alexander,  and  other  officers.  He  uniformly  declined 
j)romotion  when  tendered,  there  being  a  strong  reciprocal 
attachment  between  himself  and  his  connnand,  which  he 
highly  appreciated,  and  did  not  wish  to  sunder.  At  the 
commencement  of  the  war  he  was  in  '  easy"  and  rather 
affiuent  circumstances— at  its  close,  comparatively  a  poor 
man.  Froinpted  by  patriotic  feelings  for  the  final  pro.s- 
perity  of  his  county,  still  struggling  for  indei)endence,  ln> 
loaned  to  the  Slate  of  Xorth  Carolina,  in  her  great  pecun- 
iary need,  $4,000,  for  which,  unfortunatelp,  he  has  never 


70  SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERTs  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

received  a  cent  in  return.  As  a  partial  compensation  for 
Ills  services  the  State  paid  him  a  land  warrant,  which  he 
phiced  in  the  hands  of  a  Mr.  Martin,  a  particular  friend, 
to  be  laid  at  his  discretion.  ^Sfartin  moved  to  Tennessee, 
and  died  there,  but  no  account  of  the  warrant  could  be 
afterward  obtained, 

Soon  after  the  war  he  sold  his  hoase  and  lots  in  Char- 
lotte, and  moved  with  his  family  to  Wilkes  count}',  Ga. 
Here  he  is  represented,  bv  those  who  knew  him,  as  beino- 
ii  "  model  farmer,"  with  barns  well  tilled,  and  surrounded 
with  all  the  evidences  of  great  industry,  order  and  abun- 
dance. Here,  too,  he  was  blest  in  enjoying'  for  many  years 
the  ministerial  instructions  of  the  Rev.  Francis  Cunmiins. 
a  distinguished  Presbyterian  clergyman,  who.  at  the  youth- 
ful age  of  eighteen,  joined  his  'command  in  Mecklenburg 
county,  and  had  followed  him  to  his  new  home  in  (Tcorgi;! 
— formerlj'  a  gallant  soldier  for  his  country's  rights,  but 
now  transformed  into  a  "soldier  of  the  cross,"'  on  Christian 
duty  in  his  Ileavenh'  Master's  service. 

The  latter  years  of  Captain  Jack's  life  were  spent  undei- 
tlie  care  of  his  second  son,  William  11.  Jack,  kuig  a  suc- 
cessful and  most  worthy  merchant  of  Augusta,  Ga.  In 
1813  or  1814,  Captain  Jack  moved  from  AVilkes  to  Elbert 
county,  of  the  same  State.  There  being  no  Presbyterian 
church  in  reach,  of  which  he  had  been  for  many  years  a 
devout  and  consistent  member,  he  joined  the  Methodist 
church,  with  which  his  children  had  previously  united. 
He  was  extremely  fond  of  meeting  with  old  friends,  and 
of  narrating  incidents  of  the  Eevolution  in  wliich  he  had 
actively  participated,  and  for  its  success  freely  contributed 
of  his  substance.  In  the  serenity  of  a  good  old  age,  pro- 
tracted beyond  the  usual  boundaries  of  life,  he  cared  but 
little  for  things  of  this  world,  and  took  great  delight  in 
reading  his  Bible,  and  deriving  from  its  sacred  pages  those 
Christian  consolations  which  alone  can  yield  true  comfort 
and  happiness,  and  cheer  the  pathway  of  our  earthly  pil- 
grimage to  the  tomb.     He  met  his  approaching  end  with 


1 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  71 

calm  resignation,  and  died  on  the  18th  of  Decendjer,  1822, 
in  the  ninety-first  year  of  his  age.  His  wife,  tlie  partner 
-of  his  joys  and  his  sorrows  tlirough  a  long  and  eventfnl 
life,  survived  him  about  two  years,  and  then  passed  aw^ay 
in  peace. 

Cynthia  .Jack,  eldest  child  and  only  daughter  of  Capt. 
James  Jack,  married  A.  S.  Cosby,  and  settled  in  Missis- 
sippi. After  his  death  tlie  -svidow  and  family  settled  in 
Louisiana,  about  1814.  Their  descendants  were  :  1.  Mar- 
garet. 2.  Cynthia.  3.  James  ;  and  4.  Dr.  Charles  Cosby. 
Tatrick  Jack,  eldest  son  of  Captain  James  Jack,  Avas 
Colonel  of  the  8th  Regiment  IT.  !r^.  Infantry,  in  tlie  war  of 
1812,  stationed  at  Savaimah.  lie  sustained  an  elevated 
]iosition  in  society,  frequentl}'  represented  Elljert  county 
in  the  State  Senate,  and  died  in  1820.  His  children  were: 
1.  Patrick.  2.  William  II.;  and  3.  James  W.  Jack. 
Patrick  Jack,  the  eldest  son,  married  Miss  Spencer,  and. 
in  turn,  had  two  daughters,  Harriet  and  Margaret,  and 
.-^ix  sons:  1.  James.  ^2.  William  11.  3.  Patrick  C.  4. 
Spencer  11.  5.  Abncr;  and  G.  Churchill  Jack.  Abncr 
<lied  several  years  ago  in  Mississi[)pi — a  })lanter  by  occu- 
pation, and  a  man  of  wealth. 

James  Jack,  eldest  son  of  Col.  Patrick  Jack,  married, 
1  n  1822,  Ann  Scott  Gray,  who  died  in  1838.  In  1847,  lie 
married  Mary  Jane  Witherspoon.  having  by  the  first  wife 
ten,  and  by  the  second,  eleven  children,  of  whom  at  pres- 
aiit  (1876)  twelve  are  living.  In  1823,  he  moved  to  Jeff- 
erson county,  Ala.,  and  one  year  afterward  to  Hale  county, 
in  the  same  State,  where  he  ended  his  days.  During  the 
fall  of  the  last  year  (1875)  the  author  received  from  him 
two  interesting  letters  respecting  the  history  of  his  ever- 
inemorable  grandfather,  Capt.  James  Jack,  after  his  re- 
moval from  Xorth  Carolina  to  Georgia.  But  alas  I  the 
uncertainty  of  human  life  I  Before  the  year  closed  this 
venerable,  intelligent,  and  truly  christian  man  was 
immbered  with  the  dead  1  He  was  a  successful  farmer, 
the  prudent  counsellor  of  his  neighborhood,  good  to  the 


72  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

poor,  dispensing  his  charities  with  a  liberal  hand,  and  was 
universally  beloved  by  all  who  knew  him.  On  the  27th 
of  November  he  had  a  severe  stroke  of  paralysis,  from 
which  he  never  recovered.  On  the  27th  of  December^ 
1875,  like  a  sheaf,  ripe  in  its  season,  he  was  cut  down,  and 
ii'athered  to  his  fathers,  quietly  passing  away  in  the  seven- 
ty-sixth year  of  his  age,  with  the  fond  hope  of  a  blissful 
immortality  beyond  the  grave. 

Churchill  Jack,  youngest  son  of  Col.  Patrick  Jack,  is  a 
farmer  in  Arkansas,  and  the  onh'  one  of  this  family  now 
(1876)  living.  William  II.,  Patrick  C.  and  Spencer  IL 
Jack,  all  young  and  adventurous  spirits,  emigrated  from 
Alabama  to  Texas  in  1831,  and  cast  their  lots  with  the 
little  American  colony  which  was  then  just  beginning  to 
establish  itself.  They  were  all  three  lawyers  by  profes- 
sion, and  took  an  active  interest  ami  part^in  the  difficul- 
ties with  Mexico,  which  were  sure  to  result  in  open 
hostilities  and  the  independence  of  Texas.  Spencer  IP 
Jack  died  young  and  without  issue. 

Patrick  C.  Jack  played  a  prominent  part  in  one  of  the 
earliest  acts  "  rebellion  "  against  the  Mexican  authorities. 
lie,  Travis  and  Edward,  at  Anahuac,  smarting  under  the 
tyranny  of  the  Mexican  General,  Bradburn,  then  com- 
manding the  post,  denounced  and  rebelled  against  his 
usurpations  and  oppression.  For  this  they  Avere  seized  and 
imprisoned  by  Bradburn,  and  held  as  captive  traitors,  until 
released  by  a  company  of  armed  Texans,  who  demanded 
their  ■immediate  surrender  or  a  fight.  Bradburn,  not  having 
a  particular  fondness  for  leaden  arguments,  and  well  know- 
ing the  message  meant  business,  reluctantly  yielded  to  the 
stern  demand.  But  this  chivalric  rescue,  as  might  be 
expected,  was  regarded  by  Mexico  as  treason,  and  war  soon 
afterward  followed. 

After  the  close  of  the  Mexican  war  Patrick  C.  Jack 
j-eturned  to  his  profession,  which  he  pursued  successfully. 
At  the  time  of  his  death,  in  1844,  though  still  a  young- 
]nan,  he  M'as  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  7o- 

the  Republic  of  Texas.  His  brother,  William  II.  Jaek. 
also  participated  prominently  in  council,  and  in  the  field 
in  the  Revolution  of  Texas,  and  served  as  a  private  in  the 
battle  of  San  Jacinto,  "vvhicli  sealed  the  independence  ot" 
the  ''Lone  Star"  Republic.  He  achieved  distinction  iu 
his  profession  as  a  law3'er  and  advocate,  and  served  rt^ 
l)eatedlj  as  Representative  and  Senator  in  the  Congresi^ 
of  the  young  Republic.  Under  President  Burnet's  ad- 
ministration he  became  Secretary  of  State.  He,  too,  died 
in  1844,  not  having  attained  his  fortieth  year.  He  left  it 
Avidow  and  three  children,  two  of  the  latter  being  daugh- 
ters. His  elder  daughter  is  the  wife  of  Hon.  W.  P. 
Ballinger,  of  the  city  of  Galveston,  lately  appointed  to  tlu- 
liench  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  Texas,  which  position  he 
declined.  His  second  daughter  (now  deceased)  married 
the  Hon.  Grey  M,  Bryan,  of  Galveston,  who  represented 
his  district  in  Congress  before  the  war,  and  was  Speaker 
of  the  House  of  ReiDresentatives  of  Texas  in  1875. 

Colonel  Thomas  M.  Jack,  only  son  of  William  II.  Jack- 
and  great-grandson  of  Captain  James  Jack,  of  Mecklen- 
burg memorj',  is  an  eminent  lawyer  and  advocate,  also  of 
Galveston  (of  the  firm  of  Ballinger,  Jack  and  Mott),  t«> 
whom  the  author  acknowledges  his  indebtedness  foi- 
many  particulars  respecting  the  Texan  members  of  the 
Jack  family. 

William  Houston  Jack,  second  son  of  Captain  James 
.lack,  was  one  of  the  iirst  settlers,  and  successful  mer- 
chants of  Augusta,  Ga.  After  his  withdrawal  from  the- 
mercantile  business,  he  settled  in  Wilkes  county,  taking- 
care  of  his  aged  father  and  mother  until  their  death.  He 
married  Frances  Cummins,  a  daughter  of  the  Rev.  Francii? 
Cummins,  one  of  the  witnesses  of  the  Mecklenburg  Decla- 
ration of  Independence.  He  was  universally  beloved  by  all 
who  knew  him,  and  sustained  through  life  a  character  of 
unsullied  integrity.  He  left  one  son,  William  Cummins- 
Jack,  a  teacher  by  profession,  a  tine  classical  scholar,  and 
a  gentleman  of  culture  and  great  moral  worth.  He  is  now 


<4  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

(1876)  residing  with  his  second  son,  William  H.  Jack,  a 
distinguished  lawyer  (of  the  firm  of  "Jack  and  Pierson'") 
(»f  Natchitoches,  La.  Ilis  eldest  son,  Dr.  Samuel  Jack,  is 
an  eminent  physician,  of  extensive  practice,  residi^ig  in 
Columl)ia  county,  Arkansas.  Two  other  sons  are  indus- 
trious farmers,  and  all  are  pursuing  successfully  their  sev- 
eral vocations  of  life.  For  the  patriotic  services,  civil  and 
military,  performed  by  difl:erent  members  of  the  Jack 
family,  Texas,  in  her  formation  stage,  honored  one  of  her 
counties  with  their  name. 

James  W.  Jack,  third  son  of  Captain  James  Jack,  mai-- 
ried  Annie  Barnett,  a  dau^'hter  of  John  Barnett  and  Ann 
Spratt.  He  was  a  farmer  by  profession,  of  unblemished 
<-liaracter,  and  extensive  influence,  residing  and  ending  his 
<lays  in  Wilkes  county,  Ga.  lie  had  the  following  chil- 
<lren:  1,  Samuel  T.;  2.  .Jane;  3.  James,  (killed  at  tlu- 
massacre  of  the  Alamo,  under  Col.  Fannin)  4.  Lillis ;  5. 
Patrick,  and  ii.  Cynthia  Jack.  Samuel  T.  Jack  married 
Martha  Webster,  of  Mississippi  ;  Jane  Jack  married  Dr. 
James  Jarratt ;  Lillis  Jack  married  Osborne  Edwards, 
Esq.,  and  Patrick  Jack  married  Emily  Hanson,  of  Texas. 

John  Jack,  second  son  of  Patrick  Jack,  of  Charlotte, 
preceding  and  during  the  Revolutionary  War,  lived  on 
McAlpine's  Creek,  in  Mecklenburg  county.  He  performed 
a  soldier's  duty  during  the  war,  and  soon  after  its  termi- 
nation, moved  to  AVilkes  county,  Ga.  Of  his  further  his- 
tory' and  descendants,  little  is  now  known. 

Samuel  Jack,  third  son  of  Patrick  Jack,  of  Charlotte. 
Nvas  also  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  and  commanded  an 
artillery  company.  He  lived  in  the  Sugar  Creek  neighbor- 
hood, and  married,  1st.  Miss  Knight,  of  Mecklenburg 
county,  by  whom  he  had  two  children,  ].  Eliza  D.  Jack, 
who  married  the  Rev.  Mr.  Hodge,  a  Presbyterian  minis- 
ter, and  settled  in  Athens,  Ga.,  and  2.  James  Jack,  who 
died  when  a  young  man.  A  few  years  after  her  death,  he 
married  ]Margaret  Stewart,  of  Philadelphia,  Pa.,  by  whom 
he  had  five  children  :  1.  Samuel  Stewart ;  2.  John  McCor- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  7.) 

mick;  3.  William  D.;  4.  Mary  E.,  and  5.  Amanda  ^1. 
Jack.  Samuel  S.  Jack  married  Elizabeth  Meredith,  of 
Walton  comity,  Ga.,  in  1831.  JSTone  of  the  other  children 
ever  married.  He  had  five  children  :  1.  William  Howard; 
2.  Amanda  E.;  3.  James  Mortimer;  4.  Joseph  Henry,  and 
5.  Sarah  M.  Jack.  Of  these,  William  Howard  Jack,  in 
1860,  married  Mary  Lunsdale,  by  whom  he  had  five  chil- 
dren. He  was  a  printer  and  editor,  and  highly  respected 
by  all  who  knew  him.  He  died  in  April,  1876,  in  Rome. 
Ga ,  aged  forty-two  years.  His  son,  James  Mortimer 
•lack,  was  killed  in  the  late  war,  Amanda  E.  Jack,  a 
worthy  lad^',  is  now  (1876)  living  in  the  country  with  her 
l)rother,  Joseph  Henry  Jack 

Robert  Jack,  the  fourth  and  youngest  son  of  Patrick 
Jack,  of  Charlotte,  remained  in  Chambersburg,  Pa.,  where 
his  father  had  resided  many  j^ears  previous  to  his  removal 
to  Xorth  Carolina.  He  had  the  following  children:  1. 
James  ;  2.  John  ;  3.  Cynthia,  and  4.  Margaret  Jack.  John 
Jack  was  the  onl}^  one  of  this  famil}'  who  married.  Ho 
wa.s  born  in  Chambersburg,  on  the  20th  of  December, 
1763.  At  the  age  of  sixteen,  he  went  to  Baltimore,  en- 
gaged as  a  clerk  in  a  mercantile  house,  and  there  acquired 
those  correct  business  habits  and  educational  training 
which  qualitied  him  for  future  usefulness.  jSTear  theclosi- 
of  the  last  century,  when  quite  a  young  man,  he  settled  in 
Romnej',  Hampshire  county,  Va.  He  there  became  a 
successful  merchant,  and  sustained,  through  a  long  and 
l)usy  life,  an  unblemished  reputation  for  honesty,  integrity 
and  general  uprightness  of  character.  He  married  Rebecca 
Singleton,  an  estimable  lady  who  survived  him  a  few 
years. 

In  1823,  he  was  appointed  Cashier  of  the  Romney 
Branch  of  the  Valley  Bank  of  Virginia,  which  position 
he  held  until  his  death,  with  distinguished  ability.  The 
former  intelligent  Mayor  of  Romney,  (A.  P.  White,  Esq.,) 
in  writing  to  the  author,  says :  ''John  Jack,  when  young, 
was  of  a  gay  and  festive  disposition.     After  he  joined  the 


70  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

church,  he  sobered  clown  to  great  cahiiness  and  evenness. 
He  was  always  exceedingly  neat  in  his  person,  courteous 
in  his  manners,  and  kind  and  charitable  to  the  poor.  He 
bore  through  life,  the  character  of  an  earnest,  honest,  and 
upright  man  of  business,  was  an  Elder  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  a  good  Christian."  He  died  on  the  28th  of 
September,  1837,  in  the  seventy-fourth  year  of  his  age. 
He  had  the  following  children:  1.  Robert  Y.;  2.  Carlton 
T.;  S.  James  R.;  4.  John  ;  5.  Margaret ;  6.  Juliette  M.;  7. 
John  G.,  and  8.  Edward  W.  Jack.  The  last  named  son  is 
now  (1876)  the  only  one  of  the  family  living.  Robert  Y. 
Jack  settled  in  Winchester,  A"a.,  and  engaged  in  mer- 
chandising. In  the  war  of  1812,  he  raised  a  company 
which  M'as  stationed  at  Crancy  Island,  and  participated 
hi  the  battle  at  that  place. 

Robert  Y.  Jack  died  near  Charlct-ton,  Jefferson  county, 
Ya.,  in  18S4,  leaving  an  only  child,  Frances  Rebecca,  who 
married  Thomas  J.  Manning,  of  the  U.  S.  Isavy.  They 
both  died  ]  I'evicus  to  the  late  (  cn.federate  war,  leaving 
three  sons  :  1.  Charles  J.;  2.  George  Upshur,  and  3.  Frank 
Jack  Manning.  Each  one  of  these  brave  youths  joined 
the  Confederate  aimy,  all  under  the  oge  of  eighteen  years. 
George  Ujifchur  was  killed  in  the  cavalry  charge  under 
(Jeneral  Stewart  at  Brand^^  Station.  Frank  Jack  was 
shot  through  the  body,  but  recovered  of  his  severe  wound 
and  continued  in  the  aimy.  They  all  three  served  under 
(Jeneral  (Stonewall)  Jackson,  through  his  campaigns,  and 
after  his  death,  under  General  Eai'ly. 

John  G.  Jack  settled  in  Louisville,  Ivy.,  and  died  there, 
leaving  three  daughters  and  one  son,  Robert  Bruce  Jack. 

Edward  AV.  Jack,  youngest  son  of  John  Jack,  of  Rom- 
ney,  now  lives  near  Salem,  Roanoke  county,  Ya.,  in  the 
(piiet  fruition  of  all  that  pertains  to  an  honorable  haclicior's 
life.  All  the  members  ot  this  family  have  sustained  ex- 
emplary characters,  and  now  occupy  fair  and  eminent 
positions  in  society. 

Charit}'  Jack,  eldest  daughter  of  Patrick  Jack,  of  Char- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  77 

lotto,  married  Dr.  Cornelius  Dysart,  a  distingiiishod  ]>liy- 
sic'ian  and  surgeon  of  the  Revolutionary  army.  The  Dysart 
fauiilj^,  at  that  time,  resided  in  Mecklenburg  county.  Dr. 
Dysart  is  said  to  have  built  the  first  house  on  the  "Irwin 
corner,"  assisted  hy  his  brother-iii-law,  Captain  Jack,  wlio 
owned  the  lot  until  his  removal  to  Georgia,  shortly  after 
the  war.  Dr.  Dj^sart  died  comparatively  young,  leaving 
a  widow  and  tAvo  children,  James  and  Robert  Dysart, 
who  settled  in  Georgia.  Of  their  subsequent  history  little 
is  known.  Jane  (or  "  .Jean,")  Jack,  second  daughter  of 
l^atrick  Jack,  married  William  Barnett,  son  of  John  Bar- 
nett  and  Ann  Spratt,  of  Scotch-Irish  descent.  The  name 
S[»ratt  is  generall}'  spelled  "  Sprot,"  or  "  Sproat,"  in  the 
old  records.  Thomas  Spratt  is  said  to  have  been  the  fii-yf 
person  Avho  crossed  the  Yadkin  river,  nnth  wheels;  and  his 
daughter  Ann  the  first  child  born  in  the  beautiful  cham- 
[)aign  country  between  the  Yadkin  and  Catawba  rivers. 
lie  first  intended  to  settle  on  Rocky  River  (now  in 
Cabarrus  county),  but  Indian  disturbances  occurring  there 
near  the  time  of  his  arrival,  induced  him  to  select  a  home 
in  the  vicinity  of  the  place  which  afterward  became  tin- 
"  town  of  Charlotte."  At  his  humble  dwelling,  one  mile 
and  a  half  south  of  Charlotte,  was  held  the  first  Court  of 
Mecklenburo;  countv.  Abraham  Alexander,  the  Chair- 
man  of  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  of  the  20th  of  May, 
1775,  and  Colonel  Thomas  Polk,  its  "  herald  of  freedom" 
on  the  same  occasion,  were  then  prominent  and  influen- 
tial memlicrs  of  this  primitive  body  of  count}'  magistrates. 
Near  the  residence  of  Thomas  Spratt  is  one  of  the  oldest 
private  burial  grounds  in  the  county,  in  which  his  mortal 
remains  repose.  Here  are  found  the  grave-stones  of  sevei'al 
members  of  the  Spratt,  Barnett  and  Jack  families,  who 
intermarried ;  also  those  of  the  Binghams,  McKnights. 
and  a  few  others.  On  the  head-stone  of  Mary  Barnett, 
wife  of  William  Barnett,  it  is  recorded,  she  died  on  the 
4tli  of  October,  1764,  aged  forty-fiVe  ^-ears.  A  hickory 
tree,  ten  or  twelve  inches  in  diameter,  is  now  growing  c>n 


78  SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

this  grave,  casting  around  its  beneficent  shade.  The  primi- 
tive forest  growth,  once  partially  cut  down,  is  here  fast 
assuming  its  original  swa^',  and  peacefully  overshadow^ing 
the  mortal  remains  of  these  early  sleepers  in  this  ancient 
graveyard. 

The  descendants  of  William  Barnett  and  Jane  Jack 
were:  1.  Annie  Barnett,  married  James  Jack,  third  son 
of  Captain  James  Jack,  of  Mecklenburg  memory,  whose 
genealogy  has  been  previously  given.  2.  Samuel  Barnett, 
married,  1st,  Eliza  Joyner  ;  descendants:  1.  Jane  Bar- 
nett, married  A.  S.  Wingfield.  2.  Sarah  J.  Barnett,  mar- 
ried Alexander  Pope,  Sen.  Bescendanta  of  Samuel 
I>arnett  (second  marriage)  and  Elizabeth  Worsham  were : 
1.  Samuel  Barnett  (Washington,  Ga.),  married  Elizabeth 
A.Stone.  Descendants:  1.  Annie  Barnett,  married  Rev. 
William  S.  Bean.  2.  Frank  W.  8.  Samuel  (Davidson 
College.)  4.  Osborne  S.  5.  Edward  A.  6.  Hattie  A.  : 
and  7.  Susan  Barnett, 

The  descendants  of  John  Jack  and  ^lary  Barnett  were  : 
1.  Ann  Jack,  married  Moses  AYilc}'.  2.  Mary  A.  Jack, 
married  John  J.  Barnett.  3.  Dr.  Thomas  Jack.  4.  John 
Jack.  o.  Samuel  Jack,  married  Annie  Leslie.  6.  Susan 
Jack,  married  Alexander  Bowie,  formerly  Chancellor  of 
Alabama. 

The  descendants  of  Moses  Wiley  and  Ann  Jack  were : 
].  Leroy  jM.  Wiley.  2.  jNIary  AV^iley,  married  Thomas 
J^axtcr.  3.  Thomas  Wiley.  4.  Eliza  Wiley,  married  Mr. 
('arnes.  5.  Sarah  Ann,  married  John  K.  Hays.  G.  Laird 
AViley ;  and  7.  Jack  AViley. 

The  descendants  of  Susan  Barnett  and  George  W.  Smart 
^vere  five  children,  of  whom  only  two  arrived  at  the  A'cars 
of  maturity,  Albert  W.  and  Thomas  B.  Smart. 

(ieorge  W.  Smart  represented  ]\Iecklenburg  county  in 


the  House  of  Commons  in  1805,  and  again  in  1808.  He 
died  in  May,  1810.  Mrs.  Smart  survived  her  husband 
many  years,  and  was  (tne  of  the  remarkable  vmiien  of  her 
age.     She  was  long  known  and  liighl}'  esteemed  in  Meek- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  79 

leiiburg  and  surrouiidiug  coimtiy  for  her  general  intelli- 
n-ence,  ardent  piety,  and  retentive  memories  of  Revolu- 
tionary events.  At  tlie  great  gathering  of  delegates  and 
people  in  Charlotte,  on  the  20th  of  May,  1775,  she  was 
present  (then  thirteen  years  old),  and  still  retained  a 
distinct  recollection  of  some  of  the  thrilling  scenes  of  that 
memorable  occasion,  not  the  least  of  which  was  "  the 
throwing  up  of  hats,"  in  the  nniversal  ontbm-st  of  ajt- 
plause,  when  the  resolutions  of  independence  were  read 
by  Colonel  Thomas  Polk,  from  the  Court-house  steps. 

She  died  on  the  28th  of  N'ovember,  1851,  aged 
ninety  years,  and  is  buried,  with  other  members  of  the 
famil}',  in  a  private  cemetery  on  her  own  farm,  nine  miles 
from  Charlotte,  on  the  Camden  road.  It  should  be  stated, 
the  grandfather  of  L.  M.  AViley  and  others,  (John  Jack) 
was  a  cousin  and  not  a  bi'other,  as  some  luive  supposed,  of 
C'apt.  James  Jack,  of  Charlotte. 

^  Onr  prescribed  limits  forbid  a  more  extended  geneal- 
ogical, notice  of  the  Barnett  family  and  their  collateral 
ronnections,  many  of  whom  performed  a  conspicuous  part 
in  the  Kevolutionary  War.  Capt.  William  Barnett  was 
a  bold,  energetic  officer,  and  was  frequently  engaged,  wit! i 
his  brothers,  and  other  ardent  spirits  of  Mecklenburg,  in 
that  species  of  partisan  warftire  which  struck  terror  into 
the  Tory  ranks,  checked  their  atrocities,  and  gave 
<'i'lebrity  to  the  dashing  exploits  of  Col.  Sumpter  and  his 
brave  associates. 

Mary  Jack,  third  daughter  of  I'atrick  Jack,  of  Cliai- 
h)ttc,  married  Captain  Robert  Alexander,  of  Jjiucoln 
county,  who  emigrated  from  Pennsylvania  to  Xortli  Cart)- 
liiia  about  1760.  He  commanded  a  company  during  i\\v. 
Revolution,  in  the  Cherokee  expedition,  under  General 
liutherford ;  acted  for  several  years  as  Commissary,  and 
jierformed  other  minor,  but  important  trusts  for  the 
county.  He  was  one  of  the  early  band  of  patriots  who 
met  at  Newbern  on  the  25th  of  August,  1774,  and  again 
attended  the  Convention  at  Ilillsboro,  on  the  21st  of  An- 


■hO  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

^•iist,  1775.  After  the  war,  lie  settled  on  liis  furm,  one 
mile  northwest  of  Tuckasege  Ford,  on  the  Catawba  River. 
His  residence  was  long  a  general  stopping-place  for  travel- 
'•f.rs,  and  painted  red — hence,  it  was  widely  known  as  the 
"'Red  Ilonse  Place." 

lie  was  elected  to  the  State  Legislature  consecutively 
from  1781  to  1787  ;  and  acted,  for  many  years,  as  one  of 
ti'jo  magistrates  of  the  county,  showing  the  general  i\c- 
*-e]»tance  with  which  his  services  were  held.  He  died  in 
lSl-3,  aged  about  seventy  years,  and  is  l)uried  in  Goshen 
jljraveyard,  Gaston  county,  N.  C.  His  descendants  b}'  the 
Krst  wife^  Mary  Jack,  were :  1.  Margaret,  married  Judgc^ 
■Samuel  Lowrie  ;  2.  Lill is,  married  Capt.  James  Martin; 
o.  Robert  W.,  married  Louisa  Moore  ;  4.  Mary,  married, 
1st.  James  J.  Scott,  and  2nd.  General  John  Moore  ;  5. 
Annio,  married  John  Sumter,  (nephew  of  Gen.  Sumter.) 
His  descendants  by  the  second  wife,  Margaret  Reily,  were  : 
1"  Eliza  2.  Evaline;  3.  Amanda,  married  Dr.  J.  C.  Rndi- 
A\\,  of  Lincolnton. 

Descendants  of  Judge  Lowrie  and  Margaret  AlexandcT 
W'ere :  1.  ^lary,  married  Dr.  David  R.  Dunlap,  of  Char- 
lotte ;  2.  Eliza,  died  uimiarried  ;  3.  ]\largaret,  do.;  4.  Lillis. 
jjicarried  B.  Gates  ;  5.  Robert  B.,  married  Ann  Sloan;  0. 
Samuel,  married  ]\Iary  Johnson. 

Margaret  Jack,  fourth  daughter  of  Patrick  Jack,  mar- 
ried Samuel  Wilson,  of  Mecklenburg.  (For  liis  des'cen- 
'^Innts,  sec  "Genealogy  of  Samuel  Wilson,  Sr.") 

Lillis  Jack,  the  fitth  and  youngest  daughter  of  Patrick 
-lack,  married  Joseph  Nicholson,  lie  left  the  State,  and 
IS  reported  as  having  a  famih'  of  six  children,  but  of  their 
•subsefpient  history  little  is  known. 

Colonel  Patrick  Jack,  a  brave  and  meritorious  officer 
Jinder  the  Colonial  Government,  and  during  the  Revolu- 
i.jtonary  war,  was  the  son  of  Charles  Jack,  who  lived  on 
tho  Conocochcague  ri\'er,  near  Chambersburg,  Pa.,  and 
ir.as  probably  the  brother  of  Patrick  Jack,  of  Charlotte, 
AT,  C,  whose  fainily  history  has  just  been  given. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  81 

Colonel  Jack  lived  an  active  and  adventnrous  life,  and 
was  born  about  1730.  Ho  was  much  engaged,  when  a 
young  man,  in  assisting  to  subdue  the  Indians  in  Pennsjl- 
x'ania,  and  commanded  a  company  of  Rangers,  under  Gen- 
I'rals  Braddoi'k  and  Washington,  in  the  Indian  and 
French  war  of  1755.  lie  also  eonnnanded  a  regiment, 
and  participated  actively  in  the  Revolutionary  War  He 
\\'as  in  the  Cherokee  country  many  years  anterior  to  the 
devolution. 

He  was  at  the  massacre  of  the  garrison  in  Fort  London, 
on  the  Teimessee  River  in  1760,  and  was  one  of  three  per- 
sons W'lio  survived,  his  life  having  been  saved  through  tin; 
influence  of  the  Indian  chief,  Atfa-kulla-halla.,  the  "Little 
Carpenter."'  He  had  three  children ;  Mary,  Jane,  and 
John  Fiuley  Jack.  John  was  educated  at  Hickinson  Col- 
lege, Carlisle,  Pa.  He  studied  law,  and  emigrated  to 
Ivnoxville,  then  the  capital  of  Tennessee,  where  he  soon 
acquired  eminence,  and  a  lucrative  practice  in  his  profes- 
sion. He  afterward  removed  to  Rutledge,  in  Grainger 
county.  East  Tennessee,  where  he  associated  himself  in 
the  same  profession  with  his  brother-in-law^,  the  late  Gen- 
eral John  Cocke,  a  son  of  (general  William  Cocke,  one  of 
the  distinguished  characters  in  the  early  history  of  Ten- 
nessee. He  took  a  prominent  part  in  the  politics  of  the 
country,  fllled  the  offices  of  Circuit  Clerk,  State's  Attor- 
ney, served  several  times  in  both  branches  of  tlie  Legis- 
lature, and  was  flnalh'  elected  Circuit  Jrulge,  wdiich  posi- 
tion he  held  for  man}'  years.  When  the  intirmities  of  old 
age  impeded  his  activity  and  usefulness,  he  retired  from 
public  life  to  his  plantation  near  Bean's  Station,  East  Ten- 
nessee, wdiere  he  ended  his  days. 

He  was  a  profound  law^yer,  a  Judge  (^f  great  i»urity  ot' 
•  •liaracter,  of  remarkable  discrimination  and  integrity  of 
[>urpose,  evinced  through  a  long,  useful,  and  honorable 
life.  He  was  a  hard  student,  possessed  tine  colloquial 
powers,  and  was  a  man  of  eminent  learning  and  research. 

Judge  John  F.  Jack  married  Elizabetli,  next  to.  the 
(I 


82  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTU  CAROLINA. 

youngest  daiigliter  of  General  AVilliani  Coeke,  previously 
mentioned,  ^^■ho  was  a  Captain  in  the  Kevolutionary  War, 
a  companion  of  Daniel  Boon  from  western  Xortli  Carolina 
across  ti)  ■  Alleghany  mountains  to  the  "wilderness  of 
[vent'i  •/"  a  prominent  actor  in  the  establishment  of  the 
■^'L^'iooivland  Government,"  one  of  the  tirst  Senators  to 
C^'iigress  from  the  new  State  of  Tennessee,  and  afterward, 
one  of  the  Circuit  Judges  of  that  State.  lie  served  in  thf 
Legislatures  of  Virginia,  North  Carolina,  Tennessee  and 
Mississippi.  At  the  advanced  age  of  sixty-five  years,  he 
volunteered  in  the  war  of  1812,  and  distinguished  himself 
for  his  personal  courage.  lie  died  on  the  8th  of  August. 
1828,  in  the  eighty-seventh  year  of  his  age,  universally 
lamented,  and  is  buried  in  Columbus,  Mississippi. 

It  has  d)een  previously  stated  that  Col.  Patrick  Jai-k. 
the  father  of  Judge  John  F.  Jack,  led  an  active  and  ad- 
venturous life.  One  of  these  jidventures  will  be  now 
narrated. 

In  Dr.  Ramsey's  "  Amuils  of  Tennessee,"  page  68,  avh' 
have  this  record  :  "  A  grant,  signed  Arthur  Dobbs,  Go\- 
ernor  of  Xorth  Carolina;  William  Beamer,  Sen.,  Superin- 
tendent and  Deputy  Adjutant  in  and  for  the  Cherokei^ 
Nation  ;  and  William  Beamer,  Jun.,  Interpreter  ;  and  tlu' 
"  Little  Carpenter,"  half  king  of  the  Cherokee  Xation  of 
the  over-hill  towns ;  and  ^latthew  Toole,  Interpreter, 
made  to  Captain  Patrick  Jack,  of  the  province  of  Penn- 
sjdvania,  is  recorded  in  the  Pegister's  office  of  Knox  county, 
Tennessee.  It  purports  to  have  been  made  at  a  council 
held  at  Tennessee  liiver,  on  the  1st  of  March,  1757.  The 
consideration  is  four  hundred  dollars,  and  conveys  to  Ca]»t, 
Jack  /?/?tvn  miles  square  south  of  the  Tennessee  river.  The 
grant  itself,  confirmatory  of  the  purchase  by  Jack,  is 
dated  at  a  general  couucil,  met  at  the  Catawba  Piver,  on 
the  7th  of  jMay,  1762,  and  is  witnessed  l)y  Xathaniel 
Alexander." 

Upon  this  si>eculative  transaction  it  is  proper  to  make 
a  few  ex}»lanatory  remarks.     AVxnit  17.36,  East  Tennessee 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTEIIN  KOKTlf  OARoLIXA.  80 

•wfss  begimiiiig  to  be  settled  by  adventuroUvS  iiulividuals, 
i»nneipally  from  westeni  North  Carolina,  soiitli-wcstcni 
Virginia,  and  occasionally  from  more  northern  colonies. 
The  Indians  were  still  regarded  as  the  rightful  owners 
ixnd  proper  "  lords  of  the  soil."  At  the  date  of  the  coun- 
A-il  held  at  the  Tennessee  River  in  17-")7,  only  that  portion 
of  the  country  north  of  that  stream  had  become  sparsely 
settled,  but  soon  thereafter  purchases  of  land  were  some- 
times made  directly  from  the  Indian  chiefs  themselves, 
iis  in  the  abovcinstance,  and  settlements  of  whites  speedily 
fallowed.  ]Matthew  Toole,  one  of  the  parties  named,  had 
lived  among  the  Cherokee  Indians,  and  taken  to  "  bed 
smd  board,"  as  a  wife,  one  of  the  swarthy  damsels  of  that 
tribe — hence  his  qnaliiication  as  interpreter.  He  lived  on 
the  eastern  bank  (^f  the  Catawba  river,  in  Mecklenburg 
rount}',  giving  origin  to  the  name  of  the  ford  which  still 
Jiears  his  name.  Nathaniel  Alexander,  the  subscribing 
witness,  was  then  an  acting  magistrate  of  the  county,  and 
it  man  of  extensive  influence. 

Colonel  J'atrick  ]ack,  the  father  of  .J  uc'ge  John  F.Jack, 
died  in  Chambersburg,  Pa.,  on  the  25th  of  January,  1821, 
iiged  ninety-one  years.  His  daughter,  Jane  Stewart,  died 
in  18.53,  also  aged  ninety-one  years.  His  daughter  Mary 
(never  married)  died  on  the  20th  of  ]\iay.  JS(')2,  age<l 
eighty-flve  years. 

The  family  of  Judge  John  F.  Jack  consisted  of  eight 
children,  of  whom,  at  the  present  time  (1876)  only  four  are 
living,  viz.:  Martha  Mariah  (Mrs.  Dr.  Hhoton),  of  ]\lorris- 
tou'n,  Fast  Tennessee;  William  Pinkncy  Jack,  of  TJussel- 
A-ille,  Ala. ;  John  F.  Jack,  of  West  Point,  Mississippi,  both 
worthy  and  eminent  lawyers  in  their  respective  locations  : 
\md  Sarah  Anne  (Mrs.  Dr.  Carriger),  of  Morristown,Temi. 
Few  persons,  in  the  eaj-ly  history  of  Fast  Tennes.sce,  were 
beld  in  as  great  estimation,  an.d  filled  with  universal 
aci^eptance  as  many  important  positions  of  pul)lic  trust  as 
Judge  John  F.  Jack.  The  county  seat  of  justice  of  Camp- 
l.>oll  couMty,  Jacksboro,  was  named  in  his   honoi-,  and  his 


84  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

(loscendaiits  should  hold  in  cherished  rememhrance  his 
]mrit_v  of  life  and  nnsnllied  integrity  of  character. 

(:ENEA]>0GY  of  SAMUEL  WILSON,  SEN. 

Samuel  Wilson,  Sr.,  Avas  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of 
Mecklcnhurg   county,  and    the    patriarchal   ancestor    oi' 
numerous  descendants,  who  performed  important  civil  ancp 
military  services  in  the  Revolutionary  war.     lie  emigrated' 
from   Penns/lvania  ahout  174"),  and  purchased  a  large- 
hody  of  valuable  lands  in  the  bounds  of  Hopewell  church, 
in  Mecklenburg  county.     lie  was  of  Scotch-Irish  descent, 
and  inherited  the  peculiar  traits  of  that  liberty-loving ■■ 
])eople.     He  was  married  three  times,  and  was  the  fothei  ■ 
of  thirteen  children.     His  first  wife  was  Mary  WinsloAv., 
a  sister  of  Moses  Winslow,  one  of  the  early  and  leading  ,■ 
[latriots  of  Rowan  county,  who  died  on  the  1st  of  October,  . 
1813,  in  the  eighty-third  year  of  his  age,  and  is  buried  ir/ 
the  graveyard  of  Center  Church. 

Samuel  Wilson,  Sr.,  died  on  tlie  13th  of  March,  1778,  , 
in  the  sixty-eighth  year  of  his  age.     His  children,  by  the 
first  Avife,  were  :  1,  j\h\ry ;  2,  Yiolet ;  3,  Samuel ;  4,  John  : 
."),  Benjamin]Wilson.     Mary,  the  eldest  daughter,  married 
Ezekiel  Polk,  the  father  of  Samuel  Polk,  and  grandfather  ■ 
of  James  K.  Polk,  President  of  the  United  States  in  ISlo,, 
l^zekiel  Polk  Avas  a  man  of  Avcalth  and  influence  inMcck- 
lenlMirg  county  preceding  the   RcA^olution,   and  OAvned  a 
large  body  of  the  A'aluable  lands  in  and  around  the  present 
nourishing  A'illage  of  Pineville.     Samuel  Polk  inhei-itcd  a 
])ortion  of  this  land,  lying  in  the  "  liorsc  shoe  bend ""  of  ' 
Little  Sugar  Creek,  and  immediately  on  the  Camden  road., 
over  Avhich  ConiAvallis  marched  Avith  his  army  on  his  cele- 
brated A'isit  (the  first  and  the  last)  to  the  "Hornet's  Xest" 
of  America. 

2.  A'iolet  Wilson  married  Major  John  Davidson,  one  of. ' 
the  signers  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Indepeii-- 
denco. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.        85 

3.  Samuel  Wilson,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  married 
Hannah  Knox,   a   daughter   of  Captain   Patrick  Knox. 

.killed  at  the  battle  of  Ramsonr's  Mill.  He  raised  a  large 
family,  all  of  whom  have  passed  away,  falling  mostly-  as 
victims  of  consumption.  His  daughter  Mary  (or  '•Polly'") 
married  her  cousin  Benjamin  Wilson,  (son  of  David  AVil- 
son)  wiio  was  killed  by  Nixon  Curry,  because  he  was  to  aji- 
pear  in  court  as  a  witness  against  him. 

4.  3Iajor  David  ^Mlson,  an  ardent  patriot,  and  one  of 
the  heroes  under  Colonel  Locke  at  Ramsoiir's  Mill,  married 

-Sallie  McConnell,  a  sister  of  Mrs.  General  James  White, 
the  lather  of  the  Hon.  Hugh  Lawson  Ariiite.     (See  sketch 

■  of  his  life,  under  "Iredell  Count}'.'') 

!Mrs.  Adaline  McCoy,  of  Lincolnton,  is  a  daughter,  and 
worth}' descendant  of  Moses  W^inslovr  Wilson,  a  son  of 
Major  David  Wilson.  John  and  Benjamin  Wilson,  thi' 
remaining  sons  of  Samuel  Wilson,  Sr.,  l)y  the  first  wife, 

-never  married. 

After  General  Davidson  was  killed  at  Cowan's  Ford,ou 
the  morning  of  the  1st  of  February,  1781,  ^lajor  David 
"Wilson,  and  Richard  Barry,  Esq,  both  of  whom  partiei- 

,  }iated  in  the  skirmish  at  that  place,  secured  the  body  of 
their  beloved  commander,  and  carried  it  to  the  residence 

'  of  Samuel  Wilson,  Sr.,  to  receive  the  usual  preparatory  at- 
tentions for  burial.  Mrs.  Davidson,  who  resided  about 
ten  miles  distant,  in  the  vicinity  of  Center  Church,  was 
immediately  sent  for ;  she  came  as  hastily  as  possible  in 
the  afternoon,  under  the  charge  of  George  Templeton,  oin' 
of  her  neighbors,  and  received,  on  that  solemn  oeeasion, 
the  heart-felt  condolence  and  sympathy  of  numerous  sor- 
roAving  friends  and  relatives.  In  consequence  of  this 
.necessary  delay,  those  true  patriots  and  friends  of  the  de- 

■ceascd  (Wilson  and  Barry)  moved  with  the  body  late  in 
the  evening  of  the  same  day,  and  conniiitted  it  to  the 
silent  tomb,  by  torchUghf^  in  Hopewell  grave-yard. 

7.  Rebecca  V/ilson,  the  youngest  daughter  by  tlie  iirst 
wife,  married  John  Henderson.     After  the  birth  of  two 


86  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

cliildroii,  they  set  out  from  Mecklenburg,  with  the  inten- 
tion of  moving  to  Tennessee,  accompanied  by  a  brotlicr 
and  sister  of  Henderson.  On  the  way,  while  they  were 
stopping  for  dinner,  they  were  suddenlj''  attacked  by  In- 
dians. Henderson  and  his  wife  were  killed.  The  brother 
and  sister  each  seized  a  child  and  made  their  escape.  The 
children  were  brought  back  to  Mecklenburg  county,  and 
properly  cared  for  by  their  relatives  ;  l^ut,  after  they  grew 
up,  and  Indian  outrages  having  subsided,  they  returned  to 
Tennessee. 

The  second  wife  of  Samuel  W'ilson,  Sr.,  was  a  widow 
Potts.  Having  a  feeble  constitution,  she  lived  but  a  shorr 
time,  leavins;  a  dauo-hter,  named  Maro-aret,  who  married 
John  Davidson,  an  uncle  of  the  late  William  Davidson.. 
Esq.,  of  Charlotte.  After  she  was  left  a  widow,  she  movtMl 
with  her  three  children,  Samuel  Wilson,  John  (or  " Jackey"  ^ 
and  Mary  Davidson,  to  Alabama,  where  a  large  number 
of  her  descendants  may  be  now  found  in  Bibb  and  adjoin- 
ing counties  of  that  State. 

The  children  of  ]Shijor  John  Davidson  and  A-'iolet  Wil- 
son were : 

1.  Isabella  Davidson  married  Gen.  Joseph  Graham,  ot 
Lincoln  comity,  the  father  of  the  late  Hon.  William  A.- 
Graham and  others. 

2.  Rebecca  Davidson  married  Capt.  Alexander  Bre- 
vard, a  brother  of  Dr.  Ephraim  Brevard,  the  reputed  au- 
thor of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  the  20th  of  May, 
1775,  and  one  of  the  "seven  brothers  in  the  rebel  army," 
at  one  time. 

3.  Violet  Davidson  married  William  Bain  Alexand«er,. 
a  son  of  John  Mclvnitt  Alexander,  one  of  the  secretaries 
of  the  Mecklenburg  Convention. 

4.  Elizabeth  Davidson  married  William  Lee  Davidson- 
a  son  of  General  Davidson,  who  fell  at  Cowan's  Ford- 

5.  ^lary  Davidson  married  Dr.  William  McLean,  a 
distinguished  ])hysician  during  and  after  the  Revolutiori. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.         87 

(»  Sarah  Davidson  married  Alexander  Caldwell,  a  son 
of  Dr.  David  Caldwell,  an  eminent  Presbyterian  minister 
of  Guilford  county. 

7.  Margaret  Davidson  married  Major  James  Harris,  of 
Cabarrus  county. 

8.  Jolm  ;or  "Jackey")  Davidson,  married  Sallie  BrevartT, 
a  daughter  of  Adam  Brevard,  a  brother  of  Dr.  Ephraim 
Brevard. 

1).  Robert  Davidson  married  Margai'et  Cs1)orne,  a 
dauo-hter  of  Adlai  Osborne,  the  grandfather  of  the  late 
das.  ^\^  Osborne,  of  Charlotte. 

10.  Benjamin  AVilson  Davidson  married  Ivlizabeth 
Latta,  a  daughter  of  James  Latta,  Esq. 

The  third  wife  of  Sanmel  Wilson,  Sr.,  was  Margaret 
Jack,  a  sister  of  Captain  Jack,  the  bearer  of  the  Meeklen- 
burg  Declaration  to  Congress.  By  this  marriage  there 
Avere  live  children  : 

1.  iSaralt  Wilson,  married  Ben  McConnell,  who  had 
three  children,  Charity,  Latta  and  Wilson  MeConnell. 
Charity  ]\rcConnell  married  Reese  Davidson,  a  nephew  of 
(ileneral  Ephraim  ])avidson.  This  family,  and  also  that 
of  Wilson  McCoimell,  moved  to  Tennessee. 

2.  Charity  Wilson,  died  at  the  age  of  sixteen  years. 

3.  Roheii  WiJson,  married  Margaret  Alexander,  a  daugh- 
ter of  Major. Thomas  Alexander,  and  grand-daughter  of 
Xeil  Morrison,  one  of  the  Mecklenburg  signei's.  He  left 
five  daughters,  and  one  son,  who  lost  his  life  in  the  Con- 
federate cause. 

A.  Lillis  Wilson,  ifrecpiently  written  "Lillie,")  married 
James  Connor,  who  emigrated  from  Ireland  when  about 
twenty -one  years  of  age  ;  volunteered  his  services  at  the 
eommencement  of  the  Revolutionary  War,  and  fought 
through  the  struggle  to  its  close.  He  died  in  April,  1835, 
aged  eighty-four  years,  and  is  buried  in  Baker's  grave- 
yard. He  left  two  ehihlren,  Henry  Workman  and  Mar- 
garet Jack  Conner.  H.  Workman  Conner  was  a  worthy 
and  influential  citizen  of  ('harleston,  S  C,  where  he  spent 


88  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

iibout  fifty  years  of  liis  life,  and  died  in  Januaiy,  1861. 
Margaret  J.  Connor  married  J.  Franklin  Brevard,  a  son 
of  Capt.  Alexander  Erevard,  of  Lincoln  county.  She  was 
an  estimable  Christian  lady,  survived  her  husband  many 
years,  was  beloved  by  all  who  knew  her,  and  died  with 
jjeacefnl  resignation,  on  the  25th  of  October,  18GG,  in  the 
sixty-eighth  year  of  her  age.  Her  only  child,  Rebecca, 
married  Robert  I.  ^IcDowell,  Esq.,  of  Mecklenburg 
county. 

').  WiUlaiii  Jdck  Wilson.,  youngest  child  of  Samuel  Wil- 
son, Sr.,  by  the  third  wift\  married  Rocinda  Winslow^^ 
the  youngest  daughter  of  ]\Ioses  "Winslow.  The  house  in 
which  this  old  patriot  then  rc-^idcd,  has  long  since  disap- 
peared. It  stood  on  the  public  road,  about  three  miles 
southwest  of  Center  Church.  A  large  Honey  Locust  tree 
now  (1876)  nearly  points  out  its  original  location. 

William  J.  Wilson  left  four  children:  1.  Dovey  A.. 
( .\[rs.  Dougherty) ;  2.  Robert  :  o.  LaFayette,  and  4.  .Janu'< 
C,  Wilson.^ 

The  house  in  which  Samuel  Wilson,  Sr.,  resided,  and  to 
which  the  body  ot  General  Davidson  was  borne  by  David 
AMlson  and  Richard  Barry,  before  sepulture,  was  a  two- 
story  frame  building.  Xo  portion  of  it  now  remains,  and 
the  [»low  runs  smoothly  over  its  site.  Robert  and  William 
J.  Wilson  built  on  the  old  homestead  property.  These 
two  brothers  were  closely  united  in  filial  affection  during 
their  lives,  and  now  lie,  side  b}'  side,  in  Hopewell  grave- 
yard. 

Mrs.  AJargaret  Jack  Wilson,  third  wife  of  Samuel  AVil- 
son,  Sr.,  is  described  by  all  who  knew  her,  as  a  woman  of 
unconnnon  energy,  of  an  amiable  disposition,  charitable 
to  the  poor,  and  a  truly  humble  Christian.  She  died  at 
the  age  of  fifty-eight  years,  was  never  sick  during  her 
life,  until  a  few  days  before  her  death,  and  is  buried  in 
Baker's  graveyard.  Wlien  drawling  near  to  the  close  of 
her  earthly  existence,  she  was  asked  if  she  had  a  desire  to 
live  longer  ;  she  replied,  "ISTo ;  she  was  like  a  ship  long 
tossed  at  sea  and  about  to  land  at  a  port  of  rest." 


^ 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.         80 

111  tliis  same  spot  of  ground,  (Baker's  graveyard,)  live 
miles  iiortlieast  of  Bcattie's  Foard,  on  the  Catawba,  con- 
secrated as  the  last  resting-place  of  some  of  the  earliest 
settlers  of  ^lecklenburg  connty,  repose  the  mortal  remains 
of  the  Eev.  John  Thompson,  one  of  the  iirst  Presbyterian 
missionaries  in  this  section  of  the  State,  and  who  died  in 
Septeniber,  1753.  JSTo  monumental  slab  or  head-stone  is 
[ilaccd  at  his  grave.  Tradition  says  he  built  a  cabin  (or 
study-house)  in  the  northwestern  angle  of  the  graveyard, 
and  was  buried  beneath  its  floor,  being  the  first  subject  of 
interment.  John  3>aker,  who  lived  in  the  immediate 
vicinity,  married  his  daughter,  and  dying  a  few  years 
later,  gave  the  [»ernianent  name  to  the  burial-ground. 
Here  also  repose  the  remains  of  Hugh  Ziaicso)),  the  grand- 
father of  the  Hon.  Hugh  Lawson  White,  a  native  of 
Eredell  eounty.  The  only  tablet  to  the  memory  of  this 
earl\-  setler,  is  a  rough  slate  rock,  about  one  foot  high  and 
nine  inches  broad,  on  which  are  rudely  chiseled  the  initial 
letters  of  his  name,  thus  combined,  IL.  In  subsequent 
\ears,  after  the  erection  of  Hopewell  Church,  the  most  of 
the  Wilson  tamily  and  relatives  were  buried  in  the  gravc- 
yard  at  that  place. 

CAPTAIN    CHARLES    POLK's    "  iVIUSTER    ROLL."" 

Among  the  interesting  Revolutionary  records  of  AEeek- 
lenburg  countA%  which  have  been  preserved,  is  the  "Muster 
Ivoir'  of  Captain  Charles  Polk's  Company  of  "  Light 
Horse,"  with  the  time  of  service  and  })ay  of  each  member 
thereof,  as  follows  : 

^'  Dr.     The  Public  of  North  Carolina, 
To  Captain  ('harles  Polk,  for  services  done  by  him  and 

ids  Compan}' of  Light  Horse,  who  entered  the  Pith  of 

JMareh,  177G. 


00 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Captain,  Charles  Polk. 
1st  Lieut ,  William  Ramsey. 
2ncl  Lieut.,  John  Lemmond. 
1  st  Sergt. ,  John  Montgomery 
2nd    Sergt.,   AYilliam    Gal- 

hraith  (erased). 
Driinmier,  Hugh  Lindsay. 
John  Smith. 

John  Polk,  Sen.  (erased), 
dohn  Wylie. 
John  Findley. 
.John  Galbraith. 
.Tames  Hall, 
.rolm  Stansill. 
\rilliam (illegible). 


T 


\  Robert  Galbraith. 

John  JMcCandlis. 

JSTicholas  Siler. 

Samuel  Linton. 

Thomas  Shelby. 

James  Alexander. 

Robert  Harris,  Jun. 

John  Foard. 

Jonathan  Buckaloe. 

Charles  Alexander,  Sen. 

Henry  I'owell. 

William  Rea. 

Samuel  Hughes. 

Charles  Alexander,  Jun. 

William  Shields. 

Charles  Polk,  Jun. 

John  Purser. 

William  Lemmond,  'Clerk 
to  the  said  company,  and 
Shuro;eon  to  v^  same."  '' 


John  Miller. 
Humphrey  Hunter. 
Henry  Carter. 
James  Maxwell. 
John  Maxwell. 

Remarks. — The  whole  expense  of  Captain  Polk's  com- 
jiany  in  this  campaign  for  sixtj'-live  days,  including  the 
hire  of  three  wagons  at  IGs.  each  per  day,  and  two  thousand 
and  Hve  rations,  at  8d.  each,  amounted  to  £683  9s.  8d. 
The  account  was  proven,  according  to  law,  before  Colonel 
Adam  Alexander,  one  of  the  magistrates  of  the  county, 
and  audited  and  countersigned  by  Ephraim  Alexander, 
George  Mitchell  and  James  Jack,  the  bearer  of  the  Meck- 
lenburg Declaration  to  Congress.  The  pay  ot  a  Captain 
was  then  10s.  per  day  ;  of  a  1st  and  2nd  Lieutenant,  7s. 
each;  of  a  first  Sergeant,  6s.  6d.  ;  of  a  2nd  Sergeant,  os.  (jd.; 
of  the  Clerk  and  "Shurgeon,"  6s.  6d.  ;  and  of  each  ]»ri- 
vate,  5s. 

James  Hall,  one  of  the  privates  in  this  expedition, 
a fterward  became  a  distinguished  Presbyterian  minister 
of  the  gospel,  and  was  elected  on  two  occasions  by  his 
own  congregation,  in  pressing  emergencies,  to  the  caji- 
taincy  of  a  company,  and  acted  as  chaplain  of  the  forces 
with  wliich  lie  was  associated.  The  late  Rev.  John 
Robinson,  of  Poplar  Tent  Church,  in  Cabarrus  county,  in 


SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  91 

speaking  of  him,  said,  "  when  a  boy  at  school  in  Charlotte 
(Qneen's  Museum),  I  saw  James  Hall  pass  through  the 
town,  with  his  three-cornered  hat,  the  captain  of  a  com- 
pany and  chaplain  of  the  regiment."  In  Captain  Polk's 
manuscript  journal  of  his  march,  under  Gen.  Rutherford, 
through  the  mountains  of  North  Carolina,  then  the  un- 
conquered  haunts  of  wild  beasts  and  savage  Indians,  he 
says  :  "  On  September  15tli,  1776,  Mr,  Plall  preached  a 
sermon,"  prompted,  as  it  appears,  by  the  death  of  one  of 
Captain  Irwin's  men  on  the  day  before. 

This  was  probably  the  first  sermon  ever  heard  in  these 
secluded  mountainous  vallej^s,  now  busy  with  the  hum  of 
civilized  life.  (See  sketch  of  his  services  under  "  Iredell 
County.") 

Humphrey  Hunter,  first  a  private  and  afterward  lieu- 
tenant in  Captain  Robert  Mebane's  company  in  this  expe- 
dition, also  became  an  eminent  minister  of  the  gospel,  and 
presided  at  the  semi-centennial  celebration  of  the  ISIecklen- 
burg  Declaration  of  Independence,  on  the  20th  of  May, 
1825.     (See  sketch  of  his  services  uuder  Gaston  count3^) 

William  Shields  was  the  gallant  soldier  of  General 
Sumter's  command,  who  discov^ered  a  bag  of  gold  in  the 
camp  of  the  ronted  enemy  after  the  battle  of  Hanging 
Rock.  Not  less  generous  than  brave,  steady  on  the  march, 
and  true  on  the  field,  he  voluntaril}^  carried  the  gold  to 
his  commanding  general,  and  requested  him  to  use  it  in 
the  purchase  of  clothing  and  shoes  for  his  ragged  and  suf- 
fering fellow-soldiers.  It  is  needless  to  say  that  this  brave 
and  meritorious  ofiicer  faithfully  applied  it  according  to 
the  request  of  the  honest  and  generous  soldier. 

Thomas  Shelby,  a  relative  of  Colonel  Isaac  Shelby,  of 
King's  Mountain  fixme,  James  Alexander,  Charles  Polk, 
.Tun.,  Robert  Harris,  William  Ramsey,  John  Foard  (one 
of  the  Mecklenburg  signers),  John  Lemmond,  .lohn 
Montgomery,  William  Rea,  and  others  on  the  list,  will 
uAvaken  in  the  minds  of  their  descendants  emotions  of 
veneration  for  their  patriotic  ancestors,  who,  one  hundred 


02       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAKOLIXA. 

years  ago — at  the  very  dawn  of  the  Revolution,  and 
before  a  hesitating  Congress,  proclaimed  our  Xational  de- 
claration, pledged  their  lives,  fortunes  and  sacred  honor 
in  the  cause  of  American  freedom. 

PRESIDENT    JAMES    K.    POLK. 

James  Knox  Polk,  son  of  Samuel  Polk,  and  grandson 
of  Ezekiel  Polk,  was  born  on  the  2nd  of  Xovembcr,  179-") 
al)0ut  eleven  iniles  south  of  Charlotte,  on  the  Camden 
road,  on  a  plantation  which,  at  his  father's  removal  to 
Tennessee  in  1806,  became  the  property  of  Xathan  Orr, 
and  finally  that  of  the  late  James  Ilennigan,  Esq.  The 
house  in  which  James  Iv.  Polk  was  born,  stood  about  two 
liundred  yards  south  of  the  present  crossing  place  of  Little 
Siio-ar  Creek,  and  al)Out  one  hundred  vards  to  the  rio-htof 
the  pul)lic  road  in  passing  from  Charlotte.  The  lingering 
signs  of  the  old  family  mansion  are  still  visible :  and  the 
plow,  in  this  centennial  year^  runs  smoothly  over  its  site. 
nresentino'  a  more  vio-orous  o-rowth  of  the  o-reat  Southern 
.staple,  cotton,  than  the  adjoining  lands.  The  plantation 
was  a  part  of  the  valuable  lands  owned  by  Ezekiel  Polk 
in  the  "  Providence  "'  settlement,  and  near  the  present 
nourishing  village  of  "  Pineville.'"  The  family  mansion, 
around  which  "Jimmy  Polk""  sported  with  his  younger 
l)rothers  and  sisters,  and  wended  their  way  in  frolicsome 
mood  to  a  neighl)oring  school,  was  an  humble  building, 
made  by  joining  two  hewn  log  houses  together,  with  a 
})assage  between,  in  the  conniion  style  of  the  first  settlers. 
In  1851  Mr.  Ilennigan,  the  last  owner  of  the  pro})erty. 
moved  one  half  of  the  building,  apparently  the  better  poi"- 
tion;  but  Avith  a  badly  decayed  roof,  to  his  barn-yard,  and 
near  his  handsome  residence  on  the  rising  ground  south- 
east of  its  original  location,  and  re-covered  it,  where  it 
may  be  seen  at  the  present  time. 

Samuel  Polk,  the  father  of  James  K.  l*olk,  married 
Jane,  a  dauschter  of  James  Knox,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolu- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  93 

tion,  wlio  lived  at  a  pltiec  about  midwa}'  between  tb(} 
residences  of  the  late  Rev.  Jolin  Williamson  and  Benjamin 
Wilson  Davidson,  Esq.,  youngest  son  of  Major  John 
Davidson.  He  nad  ten  children,  of  whom  James  K.  was 
the  eldest,  and  who  earlj^  displayed  quick,  intuitive  powers. 
1  Je  received  the  principal  part  of  his  education  in  North 
(■arolina,  and  graduated  in  1818  at  the  State  University, 
with  the  highest  honors  of  his  class.  While  at  college, 
Ik^  laid  the  foundations  of  his  future  fame  and  usefulness. 
It  is  said  he  never  missed  a  single  recitation,  or  avoided 
a  single  duty  during  the  whole  course  of  his  coUeghitc 
term.  After  graduating,  he  returned  to  Tennessee,  his- 
father's  adopted  state,  commenced  the  study  of  law  in  the 
office  of  the  lion.  Felix  Grundy,  and  was  admitted  to  the 
bar  in  1820,  In  1823,  ho  entered  the  stormy  sea  of  poli- 
tics, in  which  he  was  destined  to  achieve  a  brilliant  career. 
In  1825,  he  was  elected  to  Congress,  and  in  1835,  avus 
made  Speaker  of  the  House  of  Representatives,  which 
honorable  position  he  held  for  five  sessions.  After  ser\'- 
ing  fourteen  years,  with  distinguished  ability  and  impar- 
tiality, he  declined  a  re-election.  During  tliis  long^'and 
laborious  service,  he  was  never  known  to  be  absent,  foi-  a 
single  day,  from  the  House.  In  1839,  alter  an  animated 
contest,  he  was  elected  Governor  of  Tennessee.  In  May, 
1844,  he  was  nominated  as  a  candidate  for  the  Presidency 
of  the  United  States^  His  majority  in  the  Electoral  Col- 
lege over  Henry  Clay  for  this  high  office  was  sixty-five, 
votes.  The  great  labor  he  performed  at  a  period  of  unex- 
ampled danger  to  the  republic,  and  of  difficulties  A\it]i 
tbreign  nations,  operated  seriously  upon  his  debilitated 
system,  and  hastened  his  end. 

In  May,  1844,  in  accepting  the  nomination,  he  declared 
in  advance,  that,  if  elected,  he  would  only  serve  our  frj-m. 
And  in  a  letter  addressed  to  the  Convention,  through  Dr. 
J.  G.  M.  Ramsc}',  of  Ivnoxville,  he  re-iterated  his  determi- 
nation, and  voluntarily  declined,  when  man}'  of  his  friends 
deemed  his  name  the  onlv  available  means  of  success.  His 


U4  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NOKTH  CAROLINA. 

pvecarious  and  constantly  declining  state  of  health,  forcibly 
admonished  him  of  his  early  departure  from  the  scenes  of 
earth.  lie  calmly  met  his  approaching  end,  and  died  at 
Xashvillc,  on  the  15th  of  June,  1849,  in  the  forty-fourth 
year  of  his  age. 

AVhen  the  mists  of  party  and  prejudice  shall  have  sub- 
sided, and  the  dispassionate  verdict  of  posterity  be  given, 
the  services  of  James  K.  Polk  will  be  acknowledged  as 
unsurpassed  in  the  annals  of  our  nation  ;  and  his  noble  and 
disinterested  example  of  only  serving  one  term,  will  be  re- 
garded by  all  pure-minded  occupants  of  the  Presidential 
Chair,  as  Avorth}-  of  imitation. 

Mecklenburg  county  is  proud  of  her  son  I 
In  the  old  "Polk  Graveyard,"  nine  miles  from  Chai"- 
lotte,  is  the  tombstone  of  Mrs.  Maria  Polk,  a  grand-aunt 
of  President  Polk,  containing  a  lengthy  eulogy,  in  poetry 
and  prose,  of  this  good  woman.  The  first  sentence, 
"  Virtus  lion  excraptio  a  morte,''^^  is  neatly  executed  on  a  semi- 
circle, extending  over  the  prostrate  figure  of  a  departed 
female  saint,  sculptured  with  considerable  skill  on  the 
soapstone  slab,  but  now  scarcely  visible  on  account  of  the 
over-spreading  moss  and  lichen.  Immediately  beneath 
the  sainted  Jigure  is  the  expression,  Formosa  etsi  mortua..-\ 
Prom  the  length}'  eulogy,  the  following  extracts  are  taken  : 

"Here,  unalarmed  at  death's  hist  stroki'. 
Lies  in  tliis  tomb.  Maria  Polk  ; 
A  tender  mother,  virtuous  \v\iv. 
Kcsigned  in  every  sc>'ne  of  litV. 

To  heavenly  courts  who  did  repair  : 

^lay  those  slie  1  jved  all  meet  her  there." 
"  Supported  hy  the  hope  of  a,  liappy  death,  and  a  glorious  resar.'i'cMoM  to 
eternal  life,  she  borj  a  tedious  and  painful  illness  with  a  truly  christian  for- 
titude. The  last  ex-:rcise  of  her  feeble  mind  was  employe<l  in  singing'  the 
;!.3rd  of  the  second  boo'i  oi  Dr.  Watt's  Hymns,  in  which,  anticipating  the 
blessed  society  above,  she  e.xchanjied  the  earthly  for  the  heavenly  melody." 

tShe  died  on  the  20th  of  November,  1701,  in  the  forty- 
fifth  vear  of  her  age. 


'•'Virtue   sifl'ords   no    e.xeniiition    from     denth."    f"  Beautiful,    althouirh 
dead. ' 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  9-") 

UENERAI,    WILLIAM    DAVIDSON. 

General  William  Davidson  was  the  j'oungest  son  of 
George  Davidson,  and  born  in  IT-IC).  Ilis  father  moved 
from  Lancaster  county,  in  Pennsylvania,  in  1750,  to  Nortli 
Carolina,  and  settled  in  the  western  part  of  Rowan  county 
(now  Iredell.)  Here  General  Davidson  received  his  earliest 
mental  training,  and  subsequently  his  principal  and  final 
education  at  Queen's  Museum  College  in  Charlotte,  where 
many  of  the  patriots  of  ■Nlecklenljurg  and  surrounding 
counties  were  educated. 

At  the  Provincial  Congress  which  met  at  Halifax,  on 
on  the  4th  of  April,  1776,  four  additional  regiments  to  the 
two  already  in  service,  were  ordered  to  be  raised,  over  one 
of  which  (the  4th)  Thomas  Polk  was  appointed  Colonel, 
dames  Thackston  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and  William  David- 
son ]\lajor.  With  this  regiment,  under  General  Francis 
Nash,  he  marched  to  join  the  army  of  the  North,  under 
General  Washington,  where  he  served  until  jN^ovember 
1779,  when  the  North  Carolina  line  was  ordered  south  to 
reinforce  General  Lincoln,  at  Charleston.  PrcAdous  to 
this  time  he  had  been  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Lieutenant 
Colonel  in  the  line.  As  the  troops  passed  through  North 
Carolina,  Colonel  Davidson  obtained  a  furlough  for  a  few 
days  to  visit  his  family,  whom  he  had  not  seen  for  three 
years.  This  saved  him  from  the  fate  which  befell  Gen. 
Lincoln  and  his  army  at  Charleston ;  for,  when  he  ap- 
[)roached  that  city,  lie  found  it  so  closely  invested  by  the 
British  Army  that  he  was  i)revented  from  joining  his 
regiment.  When  Lincoln  surrendered,  Davidson  returned 
to  Mecklenburg,  and  rendered  important  services  in  sub- 
duing the  Tories,  who,  encouraged  by  the  success  of  the 
British  arms,  became  numerous,  daring  and  oppressive. 

A  strong  force  of  Tories  having  assembled  at  Coulson's 
]\Iill,  General  Davidson  raised  a  troop  of  volunteers  and 
marched  against  them.  A  fierce  skirmish  took  place,  in 
which  he  was  severely  wounded  by  a  ball  passing  througl  i 


96  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA, 

his  body  near  the  kidneys.  This  Avound  nearly  proA'cd 
fatal,  and  detained  him  from  the  service  about  two  niontlis. 
After  his  recovery,  he  again  took  the  field,  having  been 
promoted  for  his  bravery  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier-General 
in  the  place  of  General  Rutherford,  made  a  prisoner  at  the 
battle  of  Camden.  He  was  active,  with  Gx^neral  Sumnoi- 
and  Colonel  Davie,  in  checking  the  advance  of  the  British, 
and  thronghont  this  darkest  period  of  the  Revolution 
gave  ample  evidence  of  his  untiring  zeal  in  the  cause  of 
his  ccnintry. 

After  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens,  on  the  17th  of  January, 
1781,  in  which  General  Morgan,  with  an  inferior  force, 
chastised  the  temerity  and  insolence  of  Tarleton,  General 
Davidson  was  actively  engaged  in  assembling  the  militin 
of  his  district  to  aid  General  Greene  in  impeding  the  ad- 
\'ance  of  the  Britism  army  in  pursuit  of  General  jMorgan, 
encumbered  with  m(^re  than  five  hundred  prisoners,  on 
his  way  to  A^irginia.  General  Greene,  accompanied  l)y 
two  or  three  attendants,  left  his  camp  near  the  Cheraws, 
rude  rapidly  through  the  country,  and  met  General  Moi- 
gan  at  Sherriirs  Ford,  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  Catawh;i 
river,  and  directed  his  future  movements. 

General  Davidson  had  placed  guards  at  Tuckasege, 
Toole's,  Cowan's  and  Beattie's  Fords.  When  Cornwallis 
approached  the  Catawba,  on  the  evening  of  the  2StJi  of 
January,  he  found  it  considerably  swollen  and  impassable 
for  his  infantry. 

This  Providential  ol)stacle  cau^^ed  him  to  fall  back  live 
miles  from  the  river  to  Jacob  Forney's  plantation,  a  thrif- 
ty farmer  of  that  neighborhood,  (lieneral  Davidson  had 
assembled  a  force  of  about  three  hundred  and  iifty  men  at 
Cowan's  Ford.  At  half  past  two  o'clock  on  the  morning 
of  the  1st  of  February,  1781,  Cornwallis  broke  up  his  en- 
campment at  Forney's  and  reached  Cowan's  Ford  at  day- 
break. It  was  a  dark  morning,  accompanied  with  slight 
drizzling  rain.  The  light  infantry,  under  Colonel  Hall, 
entered  first,  folloAved  l>y  the  grenadiers  and  the  battalions 


^SKETCHES  OF  WKSTEKN   N'MIITU  OAROLIXA.  UT 

TL<e  pieqiiot  of  the  Americans  cliallengecl  the  cnciDV  ;  iv- 
^rehang  no  re}.)!}',  tlie  guard  fired  at  the  advancing  enemy. 
TiLirf  immediateh'  called  into  actiontliat  portion  of  David- 
-•-on's  forces  placed  near  the  river,  ^vlio  kept  n[>  a  galling 
■lire  from  the  hank.  According  to  Htedman,  the  English 
Ijistorian,  who  accompanied  Cornwall  is,  the  Tory  guide, 
l)ecoming  alarmed  at  the  tiring,  when  the  J>ritish  army 
reacdied  the  middle  of  the  river,  turned  about  and  Itft 
fliem.  This  caused  Colonel  Hall  to  lead  them  directly 
:;H<'ross  to  au  unex}»ectcd  landing-[)lace.  Cuh:)nel  ilall  A\as 
IvUled  as  lie  ascended  the  bank  ;  the  horse  of  Lord  Corn- 
■wallis  was  shot  in  the  I'iver,  and  fell  dead  as  he  reached 
ir)ie  bank ;  three  })rivates  w^ere  killed  and  thirty-six 
'u-oimdeiL  The  diversion  of  the  British  army  from  the 
'i.)ro];n}r  landing  caused  the  Americans  to  tire  angukirl}^  and 
,ju«t  directly  upon  their  enemy,  and  hence  was  less  etiec- 
live  in  its  results.  General  Davidson,  who  was  about 
"hull  a  mile  in  the  rear  with  the  larger  portion  of  his  forces, 
uirrived  at  the  scene  of  action  just  as  the  Americans  were 
fleeing  before  the  fire  of  the  AN-ell-organi/A'd  and  gi'eatly 
■superior  British  forces. 

fn  tittempting  to  rally  tljc  Americans,  and  \enturing 
■foo  near  the  British  army,  he  received  a  fatal  shot  in  liis 
breast,  and  fell  dead  almost  instantly  from  his  horse.'.  Tlie 
•^>ss  of  the  Americans  in  in-i\ates  was  only  two  killed  and 
nbout  twenty  wounded. 

The  l^ritish  int-antry  waued  the  river  in  jilatcions,  and 
reserved  their  tire  until  they  ascended  the  eastern  bank, 
iiuil  thus  eti'ected  their  passage.  Cornwallis  remained 
j>nly  about  three  hours  after  the  skiruiish,  for  the  pur[u)se 
i'A'  burying  his  dead,  and  then  i)roceeded  in  the  direction 
i-if  Salisbury,  tSoon  after  his  departure  l)a\'id  Wilson  and 
liichard  Barrj',  both  of  whom  were  in  the  skirmish, 
r>i'/:"ured  the  body  of  their  beloved  commander.  c-on\eyed 
'it  to  the  house  of  Samuel  AVilson,  Sen  ,  and  biuied  it  that 
o/ight  by  torch-light  in  the  graveyard  of  Ilopewell  Churdi. 

^i'hus  fell  in  th-e  prime  of  life,  and  at  a  moment  ef  great 
.7 


i'8  sKi-rrciiEs  of  we.stekn  n       h  cabolina. 

nsofuhiess  to  his  country,  this  noble  and  patriotic  soldier. 
Right  worthily  is  his  name  bestowed  upon  one  of  tljc 
most  fertile  counties  of  our  State,  and  upon  a  seat  »-.l' 
learning,  located  near  the  scene  of  his  death,  which  w^ill 
]>erpetuate  his  fame  as  long  as  liberty  has  a  votary  throug-lf- 
out  all  succeeding  time. 

CEXKKAL  CEORGE  GRATIA.M. 

( ieneral  George  GraJKini  ^^'as  born  in  PennsylN-ania  ht 
1758,  and  came  with  his  widowed  mother  and  four  othw-- 
to  Xorth  Carolina,  when  about  six  years  ohL  lie  wa-? 
chiefly  educated  at  "  (Queen's  ]SIuscum,"'  in  Charlotte,  anrl 
was  distinguished  for  his  assiduity,  manly  behaviour  aiatl 
kindliness  of  disposition.  He  was  early  devoted  ta  \h<- 
cause  of  liberty,  and  was  ever  its  untiring  defend<L'\-. . 
There  was  no  duty  too  perilous,  no  service  too  dangorou-. 
tliat  he  was  not  ready  to  undertake  lor  the  ^vclfare  au4 
independence  of  his  country. 

In  177-3,  when  it  was  re})orted  in  Charlotte  that  t\v<i 
Tory  lawyers,  Dunn  and  Boothe,  had  proposed  the  dett-ii- 
tion  of  Ca]>t.  .Jack  on  his  wa}'  to  Philadelphi;i,  and  hml 
])ronounced  the  pati-iotic  resolutions  with  v.'hich  he  w;ii--: 
entrusted,  as  ••  treasonable,"' George  Graham  was  ovoe^  \.4' 
the  gallant  spirits  who  rode  all  night  to  Salisbury,  seiz«.i3 
said  oifending  hnvyers,  and  brought  theni  them  to  Mc.-k- 
Icnburg  for  trial.  Here,  after  being  found  guilty  of  eocf- 
duct  ''inimical  to  the  cause  of  American  freedom,"  tlit^x" 
were  transported  to  Camden,  S.  C,  and  afterward  V* 
Charleston,  and  imprisoned. 

Such  were  tlie  open  manifestations  of  liberty  and  in<k*- 
])endence  in  dili'erent  portions  of  Xortli  Carolina  in  ll^r*'. 

When  Cornwallis  lay  at  Charlotte  in  1780,  Graham  tc^'k 
an  active  part  in  attacking  his  foraging  parties,  uiaking:  jt 
extremely  difficult  and  hazardous  for  them  to  proeiHV 
their  necessary  sui»])lies.  lie  was  one  of  the  thirteen  l^rave 
si)irits.  under  Ca]»t.  James  Thompson,  wlio  dared  to  attack  a. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  D'J 

1bi-aging]ia,rry  of  fourhuiidred  British  troops  at  Mcliitiro's 
IJrancli,  seven  miles  nortliwest  of  Charlotte,  on  the  Beattie's 
Ford  road,  compelling  them  to  retreat,  with  a  considerable 
loss  of  men  and  a  small  amonnt  of  forage,  fearing,  as  they 
said,  an  ambnscadc  was  prepared  for  their  capture. 

After  the  war,  he  was  elected  Major  General  of  the 
Xorth  Carolina  militia.  For  many  3'ears,  he  was  clerk  of 
the  court  of  Mecklenburg  county,  and  fren[uontly  a  mem- 
ber of  the  State  Legislature,  lie  was  the  people's  tViend, 
not  their  iiatterer.  and  uniforndy  enjoyed  the  contidence 
and  high  esteem  of  his  fellow-citizens.  He  lived  moi'e 
than  half  a  century  on  liis  farm,  two  miles  from  Chai'lotte. 
lie  died  on  the  2l)th  of  March,  1826,  in  the  sixty-eighth 
year  of  his  age,  and  is  buried  in  the  grave-yard  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  C'liarlottc. 

WILIJA.M    KLCIIARDSON    UAVIK. 

( Jcneral  William  li  Davie  was  born  in  Egremont,  near 
Wliite  Haven,  in  England,  on  the  20th  of  June,  17o(>. 
AVdien  he  was  only  five  years  of  age,  he  emigrated,  Avith 
his  lather,  ArchiV)ald  Davie,  to  America,  and  was  adopted 
by  his  maternal  uncle.  Rev.  AV'illiam  J-iiehardson,  who  re- 
sided on  the  Catawba  ri\'er,  in  South  Carolina.  After  due 
[•reparation  at  ^'(Jueen's  Museum''  in  Charlotte,  he  entered 
Princeton  College,  where,  by  his  close  apjilicatiou,  he  soon 
acquired  the  re[)Utation  of  an  excellent  student.  But  the 
din  of  arms  disturbed  his  coUeo'iate  studies,  so  ausrticiousl  v 
conmienced,  and  he  forthwith  exchanged  the  gown  for  the 
sword.  The  studies  of  the  College  were  closed,  and  Davie 
\olunteered  his  services  in  the  army  of  the  north  in  ITT'). 
The  campaign  being  eu.ded,  he  returned  to  College,  and 
graduated  in  the  Fall  of  that  year  with  the  first  honors  of 
the  Institution. 

lie  returned  to  Xorth  Carolina,  and  commenced  the 
study  of  the  law  in  Salisbury,  but  the  struggle  tor  life'  and 
lil)erty  then  going  on,  did  not  allow  his  chivalric  s[)irit  to 


1()()  SKETCH  KS  OF  WKSTERX  NORTK  CAROLINA. 

}H'[K»so  in  quietude  while  hi.-  count ry  was  in  danger.  Aetu- 
:iited  hy  urgent  patriotic  motives,  he  induced  Williairi 
Harnett,  of  Mecklenburg  county,  to  raise,  with  as  little 
4.1elay  as  jiossible,  a  troop  of  horsemen.  Over  this  com- 
pany. William  I'arnett  was  elected  Captain,  and  Daviu, 
Lieutenant.  The  commission  of  the  latter  is  signed  by 
<Tuvernor  Caswell,  and  is  dated  the  oth  of  April,  ]77n. 
This  company  joined  the  southern  army,  and  beeame  at- 
tached to  Pulaski's  Legion.  Davie's  gallantry  and  activity 
were  so  conspicu(His,  that  he  soon  rose  to  the  rank  of 
Major. 

At  the  battle  of  Stono,  neai-  Charleston,  he  experienced 
3iis  first  serious  eonHict  m  arms,  and  was  severely  Avounded 
in  the  tliigh,  which  laid  him  up  for  some  time  in  the  hos- 
pital in  that  city.  In  this  engagement.  Major  Davie  also 
recei\ed  a  wound  from  a  heavy  cavalry  charge  of  the 
enemy,  which  caused  him  to  fall  from  liis  horse.  He  still 
held  the  bridle,  but  was  so  severely  wounded  that,  after 
repeated  efforts,  he  could  not  remount.  The  enemy  was 
uoAv  close  upon  him.  and  in  a  moment  more  he  would  ha\e 
been  made  a  prisoner.  Just  at  this  time,  a  private,  whose 
liorse  had  been  killed,  and  who  was  retreating,  saw  the 
imminent  danger  of  his  gallant  officer,  and  returned  at  the 
risk  of  his  life  to  save  him.  AVith  great  composure  he 
raised  Major  L)avie  on  his  horse,  and  safely  led  him  from 
the  blood}'  Held.  '"An  action  of  courage  worthy  of  Rome 
in  her  palmiest  days."  In  the  haste  and  confusion  of  the 
retreat,  this  In'ave  soldier  disappeared.  ^lajor  L^avie 
made  frequent  inquiries  for  his  }>reserver,  to  evince  his 
^•ratitude  to  him  and  his  family,  for  his  timely  and  heroii- 
aid  ;  but  in  vain. 

At  the  siege  of  Ninety-Six,  when  Davie  Avas  acting  as 
Commissary-Cieueral  of  the  Southern  armj',  on  the  morning 
ofthe  attack,  a  soldier  came  to  his  tent,  and  made  himself 
known  as  the  man  who  had  assisted  him  in  mounting  his 
horse  at  Stono.  The  soldier  promised  to  call  again,  but, 
iilas !   he  fell   soon  after  in  Inittle,  Avhich  deprived  Major 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  101 

J)iivie  of  tlie  pleasure  ot"  Ijostowing  upon  him  substantial 
tokens  of  Lis  lasting  gratitude. 

After  his  recoverv,  ]Nraior  Davie  returned  to  Salisbury, 
and  resumed  the  study  of  hiw.  In  1780,  he  obtained  liis- 
lieense  to  praetiee,  and  soon  became  distinguished  in  lii? 
])i-otession.  But  the  camp  rather  than  the  Court-house., 
still  demanded  his  services.  In  the  winter  of  1780,  he 
obtained  authority  from  the  General  Assemldy  of  Xorth 
Carolina  to  raise  a  troop  of  cavalry,  and  two  companies  of 
mounted  infantry.  But  the  authority  only  was 'granted  . 
The  State  being  too  poor  to  provide  the  means,  jMajor 
Davie,  with  a  patriotism  wortliy  of  perpetual  remem- 
brance, disposed  of  the  estate  aCvC[ui red  from  his  uncle, and 
thus  raised  funds  to  equip  the  troo})s.  AVitli  this  forc(% 
he  proceeded  to  the  sonthwestern  portion  of  the  State  and 
l>rotec'ted  it  from  the  predatory  incursions  of  the  British 
and  Tories.  Cfiarleston  having  surrendered  on  the  12th 
of  May,  1780,  and  Tarleton's  butchery  of  Colonel  Jjuford's 
regiment,  in  tlie  W'axhaws,  on  the  29th,  induced  General 
Rutherford  to  order  out  the  militia  in  mass,  to  op})Osethe 
advance  of  the  conipierors.  On  the  3rd  of  .June,  nine 
hundred  men  assembled  at  Charlotte,  read}'  to  defend 
their  countr}'.  The  militia  were  reviewed  by  General 
Rutherford,  and,  after  being  addressed  in  strong,  patriotic 
language  b}'  Dr.  Whorter,  President  of  the  C'oUege  iit 
Charlottee,  were  dismissed,  with  directions  t(j  hold  them- 
selves in  re;uliness  at  a  moment's  warning. 

Loi"d  Kawdon  having  advanced  with  the  British  army 
to  Waxhaw  Creek,  Creneral  Rutherford  issued,  on  tln- 
1 0th  of  June,  his  orders  for  the  militia  to  rendezvous  at 
McKee's  plantation,  eighteen  miles  north-east  of  Char- 
lotte. The  orders  were  obeyed,  and  on  the  12th  eight 
hundred  men  were  in  arms  on  the  ground.  On  the  14th 
the  troops  were  organized.  The  cavalry,  mider  Major 
Davie,  was  formed  into  two  troops  under  Captains  Lem- 
monds  and  ^Jartin  ;  a  battalion  of  three  hundred  light 
infantry  was  placed   under  (\>lonel  William  Davidson,  a 


102  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NOllTH  CAROLINA. 

regular  officer,  and  the  remainder  under  the  immediate 
command  of  General  Rutherford. 

On  the  15th  of  June  General  Eutherford  marched  within 
two  miles  of  Charlotte.  Ifere  he  learned  that  Lord  Raw- 
don  had  retrograded  from  the  Waxhaws  to  Camden.  He 
then  resolved  to  advance  on  the  Tories,  Avho,  it  was  well 
known,  had  assembled  in  strong  force  at  Ramsonr"s  Mill, 
near  the  present  town  of  Lincolnton.  Ihiving  issued 
orders  on  the  lltli  to  Colonel  Francis  Locke,  Captains 
Falls  and  Brandon,  of  Rowan,  and  to  Major  David  Wilson, 
of  Mecklenburg,  and  to  other  otHcers,  to  raise  men  and 
attack  this  body  of  Tories,  he  marched  on  the  18th  eleven 
mllos,  to  Tuckasege  Ford,  on  the  Catawba  River.  He 
sent  an  express  on  the  same  day  to  Colonel  J.oekc  to  meet 
him  with  his  forces  three  miles  north-west  of  tlic  river, 
at  Colonel  Dickson's  i)lantation.  The  exi'-ress,  for  some 
unknown  reason.  ne\'er  reached  Colonel  Loeke.  Tliis 
officer,  failing  to  secure  the  co-operative  aid  (.^f  Gcneiul 
Rutherford,  marched  from  Mountain  Creek  kite  on  the 
evening  of  the  19th  of  June,  and  early  on  the  morning  of 
the  20th  attacked  and  routed  the  Tories  before  the  arrival 
of  General  Rutherford's  forces.  (For  further  i)articulars, 
see  the  "  Battle  of  Ramsour's  ]Mill,'"  under  the  head  ot 
Liiieohi  County.) 

Alter  the  battle  of  Ramsour's  ]siill,  Cleneral  Rutherford 
marclied  against  the  Tories  assembled  under  Colonel 
Bryan  in  the  forks  of  Yadkin  River,  Avhile  ALijor  L)a\'ie 
was  ordered  to  move  with  his  mounted  force  and  take 
[)osition  near  the  South  Carolina  line,  to  protect  this  ex- 
j)Oscd  frontier  from  the  incursions  of  the  British  and  the 
Tories.  He  accordingly  took  [)Osition  c^n  the  iiorth  side 
of  Waxhaw  Creek,  where  he  was  joined  by  3dajor  C/raw- 
ford,  with  a  few  South  Carolina  tn^ops  and  thirty-fiw 
Indian  warriors  of  tlie  CataAvha  tribe,  under  tlieir  chief, 
Xew  River,  and  the  jVrecklenburg  militia  under  (olonel 
I  la  gins. 

On  the  2()th  of  duly  Major  Davie  surprised  and  ea[>tured 


SKETCHES  OV  WESTERN  XORTII  CAROLINA.  lOH 

ijt  Flat  Rock,  a  convoy  of  provisions,  spirits  and  clothing, 
i>-uarded  by  some  dragoons  and  volunteers,  on  their  way 
ti*  the  post  at  Hanging  Rock,  about  four  and  a  half  miles 
*l5stant.  The  capture  was  etfected  without  loss ;  the 
spirits,  provisions  and  wagons  were  destroyed,  and  tlu' 
prisoners,  mounted  on  the  captured  horses  and  guarded  by 
4ragoons  under  Captain  AVilliam  Polk,  at  dark  eommeueed 
rheir  retreat.  On  Beaver  Creek,  about  midnight,  thev 
jvere  attacked  by  the  enemy  in  ambuscade,  coneealed 
"j^uker  the  fence  in  a  field  of  standing  corn.  The  rear 
guard  had  entered  the  lane  when  Captain  Petit,  the  ofHccr 
It)  advance,  hailed  the  British  in  their  place  of  coneeal- 
fjicut.  A  second  challcugo  was  answered  by  a  volley  of 
jjiusketry  Irom  the  enemy,  which  eommeueed  on  the  riglii, 
iind  passed  l)y  a  running  tire  to  the  rear  of  the  detach- 
snent.  Major  Davie  rode  rapidly  forward  and  ordered 
(ho  men  to  push  through  the  lane;  1)ut,  under  sui'prisr, 
h\>  troops  turned  l)ack,  and  upon  the  loaded  arms  of  tlie 
*-{iemy.  He  v.'as  thus  compelled  to  re|»ass  the  andjuscade 
snider  a  heavy  fire,  and  overtook  his  men  retreatino-  1)\- 
the  same  road  they  had  advanced.  The  detachment  was 
finally  rallied  and  halted  upon  a  hill,  but  so  discomtitc<l 
vti'  tliis  unexpected  attack  that  no  etfort  could  induce  them 
to  charge  upon  the  enemy. 

A  judicious  retreat  was  the  only  course  left  to  avoid  a 
-similar  disaster,  which  was  etfected;  and  Major  Davie, 
liaving  passed  the  enemy's  patrols,  regained  his  e:>m[» 
'i'arly  on  the  next  day  without  further  accident.  In  this 
:5ittack,  the  fire  of  the  enemy  fell  chiefly  upon  tliose  in  the 
Kline,  v,dKi  were  prisoners  (confined  two  on  a  horse  with 
t\ie  guard).  These  Avere  nearly  all  Killed,  or  severely 
-wounded.  Of  the  Whigs,  Lieutenant  Klliott  was  killed. 
5ind  Captain  Petit,  Avho  had  been  sent  in  advance  by  Ma- 
jor Davie  to  examine  the  lane,  the  ford  of  the  creek  an<l 
tlse  houses,  and  failing  to  do  so,  as  carefull_y  as  was  prop- 
v'r,  }>aid  the  penalty  of  neglect  of  duty  by  being  wounded 
jvitli  two  of  his  men.     Major  T)avie,  who  was   noted   for 


ll)4  SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERX  NOllTil  CAROLINA-. 

his  vigilance,  anticipated  some  attempt  by  the  Briti^I;' 
and  Tories  to  recover  the  prisoners,  and  had  taken,  as  Itc- 
l)elieved,  all  necessary  precautions  to  prevent  a  surprise  or- 
ambuscade. 

^fajor  Davie,  in  a  manuscript  account  of  thisaiiair,  now 
on  file  in  the  archives  of  the  Historical  Society  at  Chapel 
Hill,  leaves  this  judicious  advice  :  "  It  furnishes  a  lessoit 
to  ofhcers  of  partisan  corps,  that  every  officer  of  a  detacli- 
ment  may,  at  some  time,  have  its  safety  and  reputaticut 
committed  to  him,  and  that  the  slio-htest  neo;lect  of  duty  is 
generally  severely'  ])unished  by  an  enemy/' 

Rocky  Mount  is  on  the  west  bank  of  the  Wateree  River- 
(as  the  Catawba  is  called  after  its  junction  with  Wateree 
Creek),  thirty  miles  from  Camden,  and  was  garrisoned  by 
Colonel  TurnbuU  with  one  hundred  and  fifty  ISTew  York 
N'oluntecrs  and  some  militia.  Its  defences  consisted  of 
t\vo  1  >g-houses,  a  loop-holed  building  and  an  ahattis^'' 

On  the  30th  of  July,  1780,  General  Sumter  and  Colonel 
Neal,  from  South  Carolina,  and  Colonel  Irwin,  with  thrci" 
hundred  Mecklenburg  militia,  joined  Major  Davie.  A 
council  was  held,  and  it  v\'as  determined  that  simultaneoa- 
attacks  should  be  made  upon  the  British  posts  at  Rocsy 
Mount  and  Hanging  Rock.  General  Sumter  was  accorii- 
]»anied  by  (V)lonels  Xeal,  Irwi'.o  and  Lacy,  and  Captaiif 
AfcLure,  and  some  of  his  kinsmen,  the  Gastons.  Ilaving^- 
crossed  the  C^atawba  at  Blair's  Ford,  he  arrived  early  oir. 
the  next  day,  and  uiade  vigorous  attacks  against  the  fort, 
but  failed  in  capturing  it,  mainly  for  the  want  of  artillery. 
The  attack  elicited  the  praise  of  even  the  enemy.  Early 
in  the  action,  the  gallant  Colonel  iSTeal  was  killed,  with, 
five  whites  and  one  Catawba  Indian,  and  many  were  no 
verely  wounded.  The  British  loss  was  ten  killed,  and  th/ ■ 
same  number  wounded.  General  Sumter  ordered  a  retreat, 
which  was  effected  without  further  anuoyance  or  loss. 


T.irlet  n's  Southern  Cami)aigns,  p.  !)i. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  10'> 

!Majoi'  Davie,  -with  about  foi'ty  iiiouuted  riilenieii,  and 
tlie  same  number  of  drao'oons,  and  some  Mecklenbui'LC 
inilitia,  mider  Colonel  Ilagins,  approaebed  Hanging  Rock 
on  tlie  same  day.  Wliile  be  was  reconnoitering  tbe 
ground,  previous  to  making  tbe  attack,  be  was  informed 
tbat  tbree  companies  of  Bryan's  Tory  regiment,  returning 
from  a  foraging  expedition,  were  encamped  at  a  farm- 
bouse  near  tbe  post. 

Major  Davie,  witb  bis  brave  associates,  immediately 
fell  upontbem  witb  vigor,  both  in  front  and  rear,  and  all 
but  a  few  of  tbem  were  eitber  killed  or  wounded.  ]S^(> 
time  could  be  spared  to  take  prisoners,  as  tbe  engagement 
at  tbe  farm-bouse  was  in  full  view  of  tbe  Britisb  post  at 
I  bulging  Rock.  Tbe  fruits  of  tbis  victory-  were  sixty 
valuable  liorses,  and  one  bundred  muskets  and  rifles.  Tbe 
wbole  camp  of  tbe  enemy  instantly  beat  to  arms,  but  tbis 
brilliant  affair  was  ended,  and  Davie  out  of  reacli  before 
tbe  enemy's  forces  were  in  motion,  or  tbeir  consternation 
subsided  from  tbis  daring  and  successful  attack.  Major 
Davie  readied  bis  camp  safely  witbout  tbe  loss  of  a  single 
man. 

General  Sumter  was  tborougbly  convinced  tbat  tbe 
ardent  patriots  of  wbicb  bis  command  consisted  must  be 
kept  constantly  employed,  and  tbat  tbe  minds  of  sucb 
men  are  greatly  influenced  by  dasbing  exploits.  He, 
tberefore,  resolved  4o  unite  witb  Major  Davie  and  otber 
officers,  and  make  a  vigorous  attack  against  tbe  post  of 
Hanging  Rock.  Tbis  post  derives  its  name  from  a  buge 
conglomerate  1)0wlder  of  granite,  tw^enty-iive  or  tbirty 
feet  in  diameter,  lying  upon  tbe  eastern  bank  of  Hanging 
J^ock  Creek,  witb  a  concavity  sufliciently  large  to  sbelter 
fifty  men  from  tbe  rain.  Xear  tbis  natural  curiosity  Lord 
Rawdon,  tben  commanding  tbe  Britisb  and  Tories  in  tbat 
section,  bad  establisbed  a  post,  garrisoned  by  Tarleton's 
Legion  of  infantry,  a  part  of  Brown's  Corps  of  Soutb 
Carolina   and  Georgia  Provincials,  and   Colonel  Bryan's 


ion  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  XORTII  CAROLINA. 

Xortli  Carolina  Loyalists,  the  whole  Tinder  the  eonivnand 
of  Major  Garden. 

r.ATTl.E    OF    THE    HANGING    ROCK. 


"Catawba's  waters  smiled  again 

To  see  her  Sumter's  soul  in  arms  ! 
And  issuino^  from  each  glade  and  glen, 

K'?kindled  liy  war's  fierce  alarms. 
Thronffed  hu'.ulreds  throngii  the  solitude 

Of  the  wild  forests,  to  the  call 
01'  liini  whose  sp  r  t,  unsnbdnod, 

Fresh  iinpnise  gave  to  each,  to  all." 


(hi  the  ntli  of  Aiio-ust,  1780,  the  detachments  of  tlie 
]iatriots  met  again  at  Land's  Ford,  on  the  Catawha. 
iSLajor  Davie  had  not  lost  a  single  man  in  his  last  dashing 
exploit.  The  Xorth  Carolina  militia,  under  Colonel  Imvin 
and  Major  Davie,  immhered  about  five  hundred  men,offi- 
ee'i's  and  privates ;  and  about  three  hund'red  South  Caro- 
linians under  Colonels  Sumter,  Lacerand  Hill.  The  chief 
command  was  conferred  upon  Colonel  Sumter,  as  being 
Hie  senior  officer.  Early  in  the  morning.  Colonel  Sumter 
marched  cautiously,  and  approached  the  British  camp  in 
three  divisions,  with  the  intention  of  falling  upon  the 
main  body  stationed  at  Cole's  Old  Field.  The  right  v.'as 
com[)Osed  of  Major  Davie's  corps,  and  some  volunteers, 
under  Major  Bryan  :  the  center,  of  the  Mecklenburg  mili- 
tia, under  Colonel  Irwin;  and  the  left,  of  South  Carolina 
refugees,  under  Colonel  Hill.  General  Sumter  proposed 
that  the  detachments  should  approach  in  their  divisions. 
inarch  directly  to  the  centre  encampments,  tlien  dismount, 
and  each  division  attack  its  camp.  This  plan  Avas  ap- 
])roved  by  all  except  ^Lijin-  Davie,  who  insisted  on  leav- 
ing their  liorses  at  their  present  position,  and  march  to  the 
attack  on  foot.  lie  urged,  as  an  objection  against  the 
former  plan,  tlie  confusion  always  conse(pient  upon  dis 
mounting  under  fire,  and  the  certainty  of  loshig  the  efiect 
of  a  sudden  and  vi^'orous  attack.     Tie  was,  however,  over- 


FKLTC1III^0F  WIvSTERN  NORTH  0A11C)LINA.  K'T 

ruled,  but  the  ?equel  proved  he  was  right  in  liis  opinion. 
Through  the  error  of  his  guides,  Snniter  came  first  upon 
Bryan's  corps,  on  the  M'estern  bank  of  the  creek,  half  a 
mile  from  the  British  cam}).  Colonel  Irwin's  Mecklen- 
burg militia  commenced  the  attack.  The  Tories  soon 
yielded,  and  Hed  toward  the  main  body,  many  of  them 
throwing  away  their  arms  Avithout  discharging  them. 
These  the  patriots  secured ;  and,  pursuing  this  advantage, 
Sumter  next  fell  upon  Brown's  cor[»s,  which,  bybein- 
concealed  in  a  A\'ood,  ]>oured  iu  a  heavy  tire  upon  thv 
Americans.  The  latter  also  quickly  availed  themseh-cs  of 
the  trees  and  bushes,  and  returned  the  British  fire  Avith 
(IcacMy  effect.  The  American  riflemen,  taking  deliberate 
aim.  soon  cut  off  all  of  Brown's  othcers  and  many  of  his 
soldiers  :  and  at  length,  after  a  fierce  conflict,  his  cor])s 
yielded,  and  dispersed  in  confnsion.  The  arms  and  am- 
munition prot'ured  from  the  enemy  were  of  great  service, 
un-  when  the  action  commenced.  Sumter's  men  had  not 
t\\"o  rounds  each. 

Xow  A\'as  the  moment  to  strike  for  decisive  victory  ;  it 
u  as  lost  by  the  criminal  indidgence  of  Sumter's  men  in 
[ilundering  the  portion  of  the  British  camp  already  secured, 
;!1h1  di'iuking  too  freely  of  the  liquor  found  there.  Sum- 
ter s  ranks  Ijei'ame  disordered,  and  while  endeavoring  to 
liring  order  out  of  conl'iision,  the  enemy  i-allied.  Of  his 
>ix  hundred  nicn  (-nly  aljout  two  hmnlred,  with  ]\hijor 
Huvie's  cavalry,  could  be  brought  into  immediate  action. 
Colonel  Sumter,  however,  wa.s  not  to  be  foiled.  W^ith  his 
sundl  number  of  patriots  he  rushed  forward,  with  a  shout, 
to  the  attack.  The  enemy  had  formed  a  hollow  square, 
witii  tlie  field  [>ieces  in  front,  and  in  this  position  recei\'ed 
tlie  charge.  The  Americans  attacked  them  on  three 
sides,  and  for  a  while  tlie  coutest  was  severe  At  length, 
just  as  the  British  line  was  yielding,  a  reinforcement 
mider  Captains  Stewart  and  McDonald,  of  Tarleton's 
Legion,  made  their  appearance,  and  their  nnndjer  being 
magniHed,  Colouel  Sumter  deemed  it  prudent  to  retreat. 


108  .SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CARGlINA 

All  this  was  done  about  inid-day,  but  the  enemy  had  been 
so  severely  handled  that  they  did  not  attempt  a  pursuit. 
A  small  party  appeared  upon  the  Camden  road,  but  were 
soon  dispersed  b}'  Davie's  cavalry.  Could  Sumter  have 
brought  all  of  his  forces  into  action  in  this  last  attack,  the 
rout  of  the  British  would  have  been  coiuDlete.     As  it  was. 


"  He  Vieat  thoin  i  ack !  Tjeneatb  the  flaine 
Of  VMlor  quailing,  or  tlie  shoc'-i  ! 
He  (•arve<^l,  at  last,  a  heron's  name, 
I'poii  the  gkirioiis  Hangiiiir  Rock  I" 


This  engagement  lasted  al)out  four  hours,  and  was  one 
of  the  best-fought  battles  between  militia  and  British 
regulars  during  the  war.  Sumter's  loss  was  twelve  killed 
and  forty  one  wounded.  Among  the  killed  were  the 
bra\'e  Colonel  McLure  (lately  promoted  to  that  rank),  of 
South  Carolina,  and  Captain  Reid,  of  Xortli  Carolina  : 
( 'olonel  Hill,  Captain  Craighead,  Major  Winn,  Lieutenants 
Crawford  and  Fletcher,  and  Ensign  ^TcLuie  were  wounded. 

(,V)lonel  ]\IcLure,  Ijeing  mortally  wounded,  was  conveyed 
under  the  charge  of  Davie's  cavalry  to  Charlotte.  ITc 
lingered  until  the  ISth  of  August,  on  which  day  he  died 
in  Liberty  ITall  Academy.  ''  Cf  the  many  brave  men,"" 
said  General  Davie,  "  with  wIkuu  it  was  my  fortune  t(^ 
l)ecome  acquainted  in  the  army,  he  was  one  of  the  bravest : 
and  when  he  fell  we  looked  upon  his  loss  as  incalculable." 

The  British  loss  was  nmch  greater  than  that  of  the 
Americans,  bixtj'-two  of  Tartleton's  Legion  were  kille<l 
and  wounded.  Bryan's  regiment  of  Lovalists  also  suf- 
fered  severely. 

Major  Davie's  corps  sutfered  much  while  tying  theii- 
horses  and  forming  into  line  under  a  heavy  fire  from  the 
enemy,  a  measure  which  he  had  reprobated  in  the  council 
\vhen  deciding  on  the  mode  of  attack. 

Having  conveyed  his  wounded  to  a  hospital  in  Chai- 
lotte,  which  his  foresight  had  provided,  ]\Iajor  Davie' 
hastened  to  the  general  rendezvous  at  Rugely's  Mill,  under 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  JOD 

General  Gates.  On  the  IGtli  of  August,  while  on  his  way 
to  unite  his  forces  with  those  of  General  Gatef>,  he  met  a 
soldier  in  great  speed,  about  ten  miles  from  Camden,  ilv 
arrested  him  as  a  deserter,  but  soon  learned  from  hiui 
that  Gates  was  signally  defeated  by  the  British  on  thjit 
day. 

Major  Davie  then  retraced  his  steps  and  took  post  at 
Charlotte.  On  the  oth  of  September,  he  -was  appointed 
by  Governor  Kash,  Colonel  Commandant  of  Cavalry,  with 
instructions  to  raise  a  regiment.  lie  succeeded  in  raising 
only  a  part,  and  with  two  small  companies,  commanded 
by  Major  George  Davidson,  he  took  post  at  Providenc-e. 

Cn  the  21st  day  of  September,  Colonel  Davie  attacketl 
a  body  of  Toi'ies  at  the  plantation  of  Captain  AVahab  (now- 
written  Walkup),  in  the  southwestern  comer  of  Union 
count  V  (then  a  part  of  Mecklenburg),  killed  fifteen  or  t  went  \' 
of  their  men,  wounded  about  forty,  and  retreated  in  good 
order  without  any  loss.  In  this  dashing  exploit,  Davie 
Ijrought  otf  ninetA'-six  horses,  one  hundred  and  twent\- 
stands  of  arms,  and  reached  his  camp  the  same  evening, 
arter  riding  sixty  miles  in  less  than  twenty-four  hours. 

Generals  Sumner  and  Davidson,  with  their  brio-ades  vt' 
militia,  reached  his  camp  in  Providence  on  the  same  even- 
ing. On  the  advance  of  the  British  army  these  officers  re- 
treated by  way  ot  Phifer's  to  Salisbury,  ordering  Colonel 
Davie,  with  about  one  hundred  and  fifty  men,  and  some 
volunteers  under  Major  Joseph  Graham,  to  hover  around 
the  approaching  enem}',  annoy  his  foraging  parties,  and 
skirmish  with  his  light  troops. 

On  the  night  of  the  25th  of  September,  Colonel  Da^•ie 
entered  the  towai  of  Charlotte,  determined  to  give  the 
British  army,  which  lay  a  few^  miles  from  that  place,  a 
hnraeis-llkc.  reception.  The  brilliancy  and  patriotic  spirit 
of  that  skirmish  was  appropriatelj'  displayed  on  the  very 
ground  wdiich,  in  May,  1775,  w^as  the  birth-place  Ameri- 
can independence.     (See  "Skirmish  at  Charlotte.") 

On  the  next  day,  Colonel  Davie  joined  the    army  at 


110  SIvETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAKOLINA. 

Sitlisburv,  where  the  men  ami  officers  to  raise  new  r.  emits 
had  assembled.  ( ienerals  Davidson  and  Sumner  continued 
tlieir  retreat  beyond  the  Yadkin  River,  while  Colonel 
Pavie  i-eturn^d  to  Charlotte,  around  which  place  the  ac- 
tivity of  his  movements,  dashing  adventures,  -and  perfect 
knowledge  of  the  country,  rendered  him  extremely  useful 
in  checking  the  incursions  of  the  enemy,  repressing  tlic 
Tories  and  encouraging  the  friends  of  liberty. 

Lord  Cornwallis  sorely  felt  the  difficulties  with  which 
his  position  at  Charlotte  was  surrounded,  and,  (jn  hearing 
of  the  defeat  and  death  of  Colonel  Ferguson,  one  of  his 
favorite  officers,  he  left  that  town  late  on  the  evening  of 
the  14th  of  Octobei",  in  great  precipitation,  recrossed  tne 
Catawba  at  l^and's  Ford,  and  took  position,  for  a  few 
mouths,  at  AVinnsboro,  S.  C. 

The  signal  defeat  of  the  British  and  Tories  at  King's 
Mountain — the  conspicuous  turning  point  of  success  in  the 
American  Revolution,  and  the  retreat  of  Cornwallis,  alter 
his  previous  l»oast  of  soon  having  IS'orth  Carolina  under 
roval  subjection,  greatly  revived  the  hopes  of  tlie  patriots 
throughout  tlie  entire  South. 

(leneral  Smallwood,  of  jNIaryland,  who  had  accompanied 
(xeneral  Gates  to  the  South,  had  his  headquarters  at  Provi- 
dence, and,  in  a  short  time,  several  thousand  niilitia,  under 
Cenerals  Davidson,  Sumner,  and  Jones,  joined  his  camp. 
Colonel  Davie,  Avith  three  hundred  mounted  infantry,  oc- 
cupied an  advanced  post  at  Land's  Ford. 

When  General  Greene  took  command  of  the  Southern 
Army  in  December,  1780,  he  and  Colonel  Davie  met  for 
the  first  time.  The  Connnissary  Department  having  he- 
come  vacant  by  tlie  resignation  of  Colonel  Thomas  Polk, 
(General  Greene  prevailed  upon  Colonel  Davie  to  accept 
tliis  troublesome  and  important  office.  Although  the 
duties  of  the  office  would  prevent  him  from  displaying 
that  dashing  patriotism  so  congenial  to  his  chivalric  spirit, 
vet  he  agreed  to  enter  ujion  its  arduous  and  unthankful 
r(,'sponsibilities. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       111. 

(,'oloiK'l  Diivie  accompanied  (jcncral  Greene  in  lii.s  ra|ti<l 
ivtreat  from  the  CataAvba  to  the  Dan  River.  He  was 
jtresent  at  the  battle  of  Guilford,  in  March,  1781 ;  at  IIol)- 
kirk's  Hill,  in  April;  at  the  evacuation  of  Camden,  in 
^fay;  and  at  the  siege  of  JSTinety-six,  in  June. 

The  war,  having  ended,  Colonel  Davie  retired  to  pri- 
\'ate  life  and  his  professional  pursuits.  lie  took  his  lirst 
circuit  in  Februarj^  1783,  and  near  this  time  lie  married 
Sarah,  eldest  daughter  of  ({eneral  Allen  Jones,  of  !N'orth- 
ampton  couaty,  and  located  himself  at  Ilalffax  Court- 
house, where  he  soon  rose  to  the  highest  eminence  in  his 
profession. 

Colonel  Davie  was  a  member  of  the  Convention  which 
met  at  Philadelphia,  in  May,  1787,  to  form  the  Federal 
Constitution.  The  late  Judge  Murphy,  in  speaking  of 
Colonel  Davie,  bears  this  honorable  testimony  to  his 
abilities :  "  I  was  present  in  the  House  of  Conniions,  when 
Davie  addressed  that  body  (in  1780,)  for  a  loan  of  money 
I'o  erect  the  buildings  of  the  LTniversity,  and^although 
more  than  thirty  j-ears  have  elapsed,  I  have  the  most 
vivid  recollections  of  the  greatness  of  liis  manner  and  the 
power  of  his  eloquence  upon  that  occasion.  In  the  House 
of  Commons  he  had  no  rival,  and  on  all  questions  Ijcfore 
that  body  his  eloquence  was  irresistible."' 

In  December,  1798,  lie  was  elected  Governor  of  the 
State.  After  fultilling  other  important  jSTational  and  State 
trusts,  and  losing  liis  estimable  wife  in  1803,  Colonel 
Davie,  under  the  increasing  infirmities  of  old  age,  sought 
retirement.  In  1S05  he  removed  to  Tivoli,  his  country 
seat,  near  Land's  Ford,  in  South  Carolina,  where  he  died 
in  1820,  in  the  sixty-fourth  3'ear  of  his  age.  He  had  six 
children  :  1.  Hyder  Ali,  who  married  Elizabeth  Jones,  of 
XoTthampton  county,  N.  C. ;  2.  Sarah  Jones,  who  married 
AVilliam  F.  Desaussure,  of  Columbia,  S.  C.  ;  0.  Mary 
Havnes:  4.  Martha;  o.  Rebecca:  0.  Frederick  William. 


lI'J.  sketches  of  western  north  CAROLINA. 

GENERAL    MICHAEL    MCLEARY. 

General  Michael  ^leLeary  was  born  in  1VG2.  lie  lirst 
entered  the  service  as  a  private  in  Captain  AVilliaiu  Alex- 
ander's company,  in  the  regiment  commanded  by  Colonel 
Ivobert  Irwin,  William  Ilagins,  Lieutenant  Colonel,  and 
James  Harris,  Major.  The  regiment  was  encamped  on 
Coddle  Creek,  near  which  time  Colonel  William  David- 
son, a  Continental  officer,  was  a|ipointed  to  the  command 
of  a  battalion.  In  a  short  time  aiterward,  his  conniiand 
marched  to  Ramsour's  ^lill,  to  disperse  a  large  body  of 
Tories,  under  Colonel  John  Moore,  but  failed  to  reach  that 
}»laco  before  they  had  been  subdued  and  routed  by  Colonel 
Locke  and  his  brave  associates. 

General  McLeary  Avas  in  the  fight  against  a  considera- 
ble body  of  Tories  assembled  at  Coulson's  Mill,  at  which 
place  General  ])avidson  was  severely  wounded. 

After  this  service  he  again  volunteered  in  Captain  A\'il- 
jiam  Alexander's  company,  Colonel  Irwin's  regiment, 
wafching  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  About  two  miles 
>south  of  Charlotte^  Lieutenant  James  Taggart  captured 
two  Avagons  loaded  with  valuable  supplies  from  Camden 
j'or  the  British  army,  then  encamped  near  the  former 
place.  In  this  dashing  exploit,  two  of  the  Lritish  guard 
were  killed,  and  the  remainder  made  prisoners,  who  were 
afterward  turned  over  to  Colonel  Davidson.  At  the  same 
time,  an  express  was  cajfturcd  from  Lord  Cornwallis  to 
Colonel  Turnbull,  in  command  of  the  forces  at  Camden. 
Here,  as  elsewhere  in  the  surrounding  country,  it  Avill  Ijo 
seen  the  vigilant  'diornets"  of  Mecklenburg  were  engaged 
in  their  accustomed  work. 

Captain  Alexander's  command  continued  to  hang  on  the 
enemy's  rear  for  the  purpose  of  making  rapid  captures  and 
}»icking  up  stragglers,  and  followed  them  to  the  C)ld 
Nation  Ford,  on  the  Catawba.  Colonel  Davidson  having 
been  i)romoted  in  the  meantime  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier 
General,    marched    d(>Nvn    and    encamped    near  ^^ix  Mile 


.^KETCHES  OF  M'ESTERN  NORTH  CARO]>INA.  J1-] 

A'reek,  wliere  he  was  joined  by  Generals  Morgan  and 
'Sm&Tlwood,  in  November,  1780.  iSTear  this  time  General 
Morgan  Avas  ordered  to  move  with  a  detachment  to  tlic 
aelief  of  the  upper  districts  of  South  Carolina.  lie  set 
off  immediately,  and  remained  there  until  after  the  battle 
<»f  the  Cowpens,  on  the  ITtli  of  January,  1781. 

<3eneral  JNIcLeary  again  volunteered  in  Captain  John 

JJrownfield's    company',   in   General    Davidson's  brigade, 

vratching  the  movements  of  Lord  Cornwallis  in  his  pur- 

5suit  of  General  Morgan,  cncundjered  with  five  hundred 

:^iiri60iiers  on  his  way  to  a  place  of  safety  in  Virginia. 

General  Davidson,  anticipating  the  movements  of  Corn- 
"ivallis,  had  placed  guards  at  four  or  live  crossing-places  on 
the  Catawba  river,  making  his  headquarters  near  the 
Tuckasege  Ford,  on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  river.  On 
the  31st  of  January,  he  left  his  headquarters  to  inspect 
The.  position  of  his  guard  at  Cowan's  Ford.  Here  the 
Jjritish  army  crossed  at  dawn  of  day,  on  the  1st  of  Feb- 
rnary,  1781.  At  the  close  of  the  f^kirmish  which  ensued. 
General  Davidson  was  killed.  General  McLeary  con- 
tJiiued  m  service  until  after  the  battle  of  Guilford,  when 
Ik"  returned  home,  and  was  soon  afterward  discharged. 
lit-  was  highly  respected,  represented  his  county  several 
f  Ames  ii]  the  State  Legislature,  and  died  at  a  good  old  age. 

MA.TOJl    THOMAS    ALEXANDER. 

^Major  Thomas  Alexander,  born  in  1753,  Avas  one  of  the 
earliest  and  most  unwavering  patriots  of  Mecklenburg 
KVGmity.  He  first  entered  the  service  in  1775,  as  a  private, 
in  Captain  John  Springs'  company,  and  marched  to  the 
head  of  the  Catawba  river,  to  assist  in  protecting  the 
frontier  settlements,  then  greatlj'  suft'ering  from  the  mui-- 
(vlerous  and  depredating  incursions  of  the  Cherokee  In- 
^ira^uA.  Li  1775  he  also  volunteered  in  Captain  Ezekiel 
I*f35k"'g  company,  and  marched  against  the  Tories  assembled 
^yr  the  post  of  Ninety,  in  South  Carolina. 


114  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  XOBTil  CAROLINA. 

Til  1776  he  volunteered  in  Captain  William  Alexander's 
company,  under  Colonels  Adam  Alexander  and  Robert 
Trwin,  General  Rutherford  commanding,  and  marched  Uy 
the  (Quaker  Meadows,  at  the  head  of  the  Catawba,  and. 
thence  across  the  Blue  Ridge  to  the  Cherokee  country. 
Having  severely  chastised  the  Indians  and  compelled  them. 
to  sue  for  peace,  the  expedition  returned. 

In  1770,  he  A-olunteered  under  Captain  AVilliam  Polk.. 
and  marched  to  South  Carolina,  to  suhdue  the  Tories  ow 
A\^ateree  River.  Soon  after  this  service  he  was  appointed 
eaptain  of  a  company  to  guard  the  magazine  in  Charlotte^ 
which,  on  the  approach  of  Cornwallis,  in  September,  1780,.. 
was  removed  to  a  place  of  safety  on  the  evening  before 
his  Ijordship's  arrival. 

After  Cornwallis  L  ft  Charlotte,  Captain  Alexander 
raised  a  company  of  mounted  men  to  guard  the  Tucka- 
sege  Ford.  He  occupied  this  position  until  it  was  known: 
Cornwallis  had  crossed  the  Catawba  River,  at  Cowan's- 
Ford. 

After  the  death  of  Ceneral  Davidson  he  placed  himselt' 
under  Colonel  Lee,  of  the  Continental  line,  Gen.  Pickeii^- 
connnanding,  and  marched  to  Ilillsboro,  near  which  plac*;-' 
they  defeated  Colonel  Pyles,  a  Tor}'  leader,  on  Haw  River  . 
After  this  service  he  volunteered  under  Colonel  Davie.. 
and  was  with  him  at  the  battle  of  ITano-inH  Rock.  Aftci- 
Gates'  defeat  he  was  appointed  Quarter-master,  with 
orders  to  attend  the  hospital  in  Charlotte. 

Major  Alexander  married  Jane,  daughter  of  l!^eil  Wov- 
rison,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaratioi<:i 
of  Independence,  and  died  in  1844,  at  the  age  of  ninety - 
two  years. 

lu  the  "  Charlotte  Journal,*"  of  Januar}'  17th,  lS45.  ait 
obituary  notice  of  this  veteran  patriot ^vas  published,  iui 
which  it  is  stated,  ''  he  was  allied  by  blood  to  the  two- 
most  distinguished  families  of  the  period — the  Polks  and. 
Alexanders,  and  in  his  own  person  blended  many  of  tht- 
(pialities  peculiar  to  each.     He  was  remarkable  for  th-K- 


SKETCHK.S  OF  \VE:^TKRN  NORTH  CAROLINA.        115 

liiii-liest  oouriiojc  and  the  2:reate,st  modesty  ;  for  marked 
dignity  of  personal  deportment,  and  a  disposition  the  most 
I'heerful,  and  a  heart  overflowing  witli  kindness.  He 
crowned  all  his  virtues  by  a  simple,  nnrystentations  and 
humble  piety,  and  concluded  a  life,  protracted  to  a  period 
far  beyond  that  allott(;d  to  mankind,  without  a  blot,  and 
without  reproach,  and  with  the  respect,  the  aifection  and 
\eneration  of  all  who  knew  him." 

CAPTAIN  WILLIAM  ALEXANDER. 

CJaptain  William  Alexander  was  born  in  Bucks  county, 
Peimsylvania,  in  the  year  1749.  lie  was  long  and  well 
known  in  Mecklenburg  county,  X.  C,  among  immeruus 
other  persons  bearing  the  same  name,  as  "  Capt.  Black 
l)ill  Alexander,"  from  being  the  reputed  leader  of  a  small 
band  of  ardent  patriots  who,  in  1771,  blackened  their  fc-ceSy 
and  destro^'ed  the  king's  powder,  on  its  way  to  Hillsboro, 
to  obey  the  behests  of  a-  cruel  and  tyrannical  governor. 
(For  further  particulars,  see  sketcn  of '^  Black  Boys"'  of 
('abarrus  County.) 

He  first  entered  the  sci'vice  of  the  United  States  a!4 
cjiptain  of  a  company,  in  1770,  under  Colonel  Adam  Alex- 
ander, and  marched  to  the  head  of  the  Catawba  Elver. 
The  object  of  this  expedition  was  to  protect  the  valley  of 
the  Catawba  from  the  incursions  and  depredations  of  the 
Cherokee  Indians  during  the  time  the  inhaljitants  were 
gathering  in  their  harvest.  He  again  entered  the  service- 
:is  captain,  under  Colonel  Adam  Alexander,  (icneral 
llutherford  connnanding,  and  marched  to  the  head  of  the 
Catawba  River,  iind  across  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains, 
against  the  Cherokee  Indians,  who  were  completely  routed 
and  their  towns  destroyed,  compelling  them  to  sue  for 
peace  , 

In  17H0  he  connn^nded  a  company  under  Col.  Francis 
].iOcke,  and  marched  from  Charlotte  for  the  relief  of 
(.'harlestoii,   but  finding   the  city  closely  invesfed  1)\'   rhe 


IIG  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  >;ORTH  CAROLINA. 

British  army,  the  regiment  fell  back  to  Camden,  and  re- 
mained there  until  their  three  months'  service  had  ex- 
pired. 

lie  a^'ain  served  a  four  months'  tour  as  captain,  under 
(lieneral  Sumter,  and  was  in  the  battles  of  Rocky  Mount, 
ir-m'^-ing  Rock,  and  in  the  skirn»ish  at  Wahab's  (now 
written  Walkup's.) 

He  also  served  six  weeks  as  captain  under  CV)loncl 
Thomas  Polk,  in  the  winter  of  1775-'6,  known  as  the 
"Snow  Campaign,"  against  the  Tory  leader,  Cunningham, 
in  South  Carolina. 

He  again  served  a  three  months'  tour  as  captain  in  the 
Wilmington  expedition.  General  Rutherford  commanding, 
immediatel}'  preceding  the  battle  of  Guilford,  but  was  not 
ill  that  action,  on  account  of  an  attack  of  small-pox. 

He  again  marched  with  General  Rutherford's  forces 
against  the  Tories  assembled  at  Ramsour's  Mill,  in  Lin- 
coln county,  but  the  action  having  taken  place  shortly 
before  their  arrival,  they  assisted  in  taking  care  of  the 
wounded  and  in  burying  the  dead. 

He  again  entered  the  service  as  captain,  for  ten  months, 
imder  General  Sumter,  in  Colonel  Wade  Hampton's  regi- 
ment in  South  Carolina,  and  was  the  first  captain  who 
arrived  with  his  men  at  the  place  of  rendezvous. 

He  was  also  in  the  fight  at  the  Quarter  House,  ]\Ionk"s 
Corner,  capture  of  Orangeburg,  battle  of  Eutaw,  and  in 
mimerous  other  minor  but  important  services  tb  his 
country. 

Captain  William  Alexander  resided  on  the  public  road 
leading  to  Concord,  six  miles  east  of  Charlotte,  where  he 
died  on  the  19th  of  December,  1836,  aged  about  eighty- 
seven  years. 

ELI.JAU  ALEXANDER. 

Elijah  Alexander,  son  of  William  Alexander,  black- 
smith, was  born  in  ]\lecklenburg  county,  ]N".  C,  in  1760. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  XOUTH  CAROl.IN^A.  HI 

Tn  1819,  'he  moved  to  Maury  county,  Tenii.,  where  he 
died  at  a  good  old  age.  In  Marcli,  1780,  Colonel  Thomas 
Polk  called  out  detachments  from  the  nearest  companies 
of  militia  to  serve  as  a  guard  over  the  public  powder 
}>laced  in  the  magazine  in  Charlotte.  ITe  then  volunteered 
for  three  months  under  Captain  Thomas  Alexander. 

After  Cornwallis  crossed  the  Catawba  River  at  Cowan's 
Ford,  on  the  1st  of  February,  1781,  at  which  place  Gen- 
eral Davidson  was  killed,  a  call  was  made  for  more  men 
to  harass  the  progress  of  the  British  army.  For  this  pur- 
pose, a  rendezvous  was  made  at  the  "Big  Rock,'"'  in 
Cabarrus  county,  under  Colonel  William  Polk,  Major 
James  Harris  and  Captain  Brownfield.  At  this  time,  the 
small-pox  broke  out  in  camp,  from  the  effects  of  which 
Moses  Alexander,  a  l)rother  of  Governor  iS^athaniel  Alex- 
ander, died.  After  the  battle  of  Guilford,  on  the  15th  of 
March,  1781,  General  Greene  returned  to  South  Carolina 
to  recover  full  piissession  of  the  State.  He  then  joined 
his  army  under  Captain  James  Jack  (the  bearer  of  the 
Mecklenburg  Declaration  to  Congress  in  177")).  and  in 
( 'olonel  Tliomas  Polk's  regiment.  The  command  marched 
from  Charlotte,  along  the  ''  Lawyer's  Road,"'  to  Matthew 
Stewart's,  on  Goose  Creek,  and  thence  towards  (  amden> 
to  fall  in  with  General  Greene's  army.  They  halted  at 
the  noted  "  Flat  Ro,;k,"  and  eat  beef  butchered  on  that 
wide-spread  natural  table.  The  command  then  marched 
t()  Rugcley's  Mill,  where  it  remained  a  week  or  moi-e. 
After  this  service  he  returned  home  and  was  honoral»ly 
discharged. 

,     CAPTAIN    CHARLES    ALEXANDER. 

Captain  Charles  Alexander  was  born  in  Mecklenburir 
county,  X.  C,  January  4th,  1750.  He  tirst  entered  the 
service  of  the  United  States  as  a  private  in  July,  1775,  in 
the  company  of  Captain  A\''illiam  Alexander,  and  Colonel 
Adam    Alexander's  regiment,  General    Rutherford  com- 


lis  yivKTCHES  OF  "WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

maiiding,  and  niarclied  across  the  Blue  Ridge  Mountains 
iigainst  the  Cherokee  Indians.  The  expedition  was  coni- 
],)letely  successful  ;  the  Indians  were  routed,  and  their 
towns  destroyed. 

lie  n"ext  served  as  a  private  for  tw(y  months,  commenc- 
ing in  January,  1776,  known  as  the  "Snow  Campaign,'"  in 
Captain  William  Alexander's  company,  and  Colonel 
TlHunas  Polk's  regiment, and  marched  to  Rayhurn's  creek, 
where  the  Tories  were  dispersed.  In  one  of  the  skirm- 
ishes, William  Polk  was  wounded  in  the  shoulder. 

In  Octoljcr,  1770,  he  again  served  under  the  sanie  Caji- 
tain,  and  in  Colonel  Caldwell's  regiment,  l>ut  the  com- 
mand of  the  I'egiment  during  this  tour  of  duty,  was  imdcr 
Major  Thomas  Harris,  who  marche<l  to  (  anitlcn.  S.  C.. 
and  remained  there  about  three  months. 

In  1776,  he  served  in  the  cavalry  com]»ar.y  of  Captain 
(  harles  J 'oik,  who  marched  to  Fort  Johnson,  near  tlie 
mouth  of  Cape  Fear  river,  C<^>lonel  Tliomas  Polk  com- 
manding. He  again  served  as  a  private  in  1778,  in  the 
company  of  Captain  William  Gardner  and  I^ieutenant 
Stephen  Alexander,  General  Rutherford  commanding,  who 
marched  to  Furyshurg,  S.  C,  and  there  joined  the  regulai's 
imder  General  Lincoln,  at  a  camp  called  the  "  I*lack 
Swamp."'  In  17S0,  shortly  after  Gates'  defeat,  he  joined 
Captain  \\  illiam  Alexander's  company,  and  Colonel 
'i  liomas  Folk's  regimacnt,  inuler  General  Davie,  marched 
to  the  Waxhaws,  and  was  in  the  engagement  fought  there 
asainst  the  Tories, 

He  again  served  under  Captain  William  Alexander,  as 
one  of  the  sjuard  over  wagons  sent  to  Fayette^'ille  to  jiro- 
<'ure  salt  for  the  army. 

In  September,  1781,  he  was  elected  Captain  of  a  cavalry 
com}iany,  under  Major  Thomas  Harris,  and  marche<l 
au'ainst  the  Tories  at  Raft  Swamp. 

Resides  the  tours  herein  speciiied,  Captain  Alxander 
[lerformed  other  im[)ortant  services,  of  shorter  duration, 
in  scouriug  the  surrounding  country,  and  protecting  it 
.asrainst  the  troublescmie  Tories. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NOUTII  CAROLINA.  Ill* 

In  1S14,  Captain  Alexander  moved  to  Giles,  now  Lin- 
>ctoln  county,  Temi.,  and  in  1833,  to  Manry  county,  wliori; 
i)e  died  at  an  extreme  old  age. 

The  Alexanders,  who  performed  a  soldier's  duty  in  tla' 
Revoltntionary  War,  residing  principally  in  Mecklenburg 
■I'ounty,  were  ver}'  numerous,  several  of  whom  can  here 
receive  onh'  a  passing  notice. 

JoJm  Alexander,  son  of  James  Alexander,  was  in  acti\c 
i^ervice  for  upwards  of  five  years.  He  was  the  husband  of 
Mrs.  Susanna  Alexander,  long  known  and  highly  esteemed 
"m  Mecklenburg  county  as  the  ministering  angel,  who  Avas 
vminentl}'  instrumental  in  saving  the  life  of  Captain 
Joseph  Graham,  after  ho  was  cut  down  by  the  British 
cavalry,  near  Sugar  Creek  Church,  and  left  by  them,  su])- 
posed  to  be  dead.  She  fou.nd  him  by  the  road- side,  con- 
■'ilncted  him  to  her  house,  dressed  his  wmmds,  made  by  ball 
-and  sal)re,  and  tenderly  cared  for  him  during  the  night. 
On  the  next  day,  his  symptoms  ijecoming  more  tavorablc. 
she  conveyed  him  to  his  mother's,  about  four  miles  distant, 
•■)ii  ]ier  oirn  pony.  lier  husband  died  in  1805.  In  1840, 
'\vhen  eighty-six  years  of  age,  and  in  needy  circumstances, 
she  was  granted  a  pension  by  the  General  Government,  in 
3)elialf  of  her  husband's  military  services,  and  lived  to  Ik; 
nearly  one  hundred  years  old,  enjoying  tlie  kind  regard 
iind  veneration  of  all  who  knew^  her. 

Dnn  Alex/nider,  Ayho  moved  to  Hardeman  count}',  Tcnn., 
-was  born  in  Mecklenburg  county,  in  March,  17o7. 

He  first  entered  the  service  in  1778,  for  three  months, 
in  Captain  William  Alexander's  company,  (commoiily 
called  "Black  Bill  Alexander,")  and  Colonel  Irwin's  regi- 
ment. 

In  1780,  he  served  under  Captain  Thomas  Alexander  to 
:assist  in  guarding  the  public  magazine  in  Charlotte. 

In  this  same  year  he  served  in  the  expedition  to  Rani- 
-sour's  Mill,  under  General  liutherford,  and  afterward, 
sio-ainst  Tories  assembled  in  the  forks  of  the  Yadkin  river: 
<'aptured  several  and  conve_yed  them   to  Salisbury  jail. 


120  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA 

Soon  afterward,  he  joined  tlie  command  of  Colonel  Dav'ie.. 
and  marched  in  the  direction  of  Camden,  S.  C.     Xear  tfer- 
South  Carolina  line,  they  met  Gates'  retreating  army.  He 
represented   Gates  as    "  wearing   a    pafc   Mae    coat,    iciif-^ 
f.jMulettes,  velvet  breeches,  and  riding  a  bay  horse."        , 

Colonel  Davie's  command  returned,  and  encamped  ten. 
miles  north  of  the  Court  House. 

His   last  important  service  was  in  forming  om^  of  "tlie  ■ 
[)arty  dispatched  by  Colonel  McCall  to  surprise  a  guard  ot" 
eighteen  British  grenadiers,  stationed  at  Hart's  Milljneai^ 
Hillsboro.     The  movement  was  successful ;  several   wert- 
killed,  six  made  prisoners,  and  one  escaped  in  the  creek. 

William  Alexander,  of  Rowan  county,  entered  the  servicTC 
in  1776,  and  marched  under  General  Rutherford's  eortt- 
mand  against  the  Cherokee  Indians,  and  in  that  expedi- 
tion (Sept.  Sth,)  was  wounded  in  the  foot  at  the  "Se\'-e» 
Mile  Mountain." 

In  1781,  he  was  elected  the  Captain  of  a  company  of 
si)ies,  and  was  in  the  ten  month's  service  under  Colonel 
Wade  Hampton  and  General  Sumter,  in  South  Caroliiiji^ 
acting  efficiently  in  this  capacity,  until  the  close  of  tlu:-- 
Revolution. 

JOSEPH     KERR "THE    CRIPPLE    SPY."" 

Joseph  Kerr  was  born  in  Chester  county.  Pa.,  Xo v.  ovd, 
1750.  At  an  early  age  moved  with  his  parents  to  NortK 
Carolina,  and  settled  in  Mecklenburg  county.  He  was--  <r. 
crlpplefrora  infancy,  but  becoming  indignant  at  the  ravaigjes-- 
of  the  British  and  Tories,  and  actuated  with  a  true-,  j«- 
triotic  spirit,  he  repaired  to  the  camp  of  Gen.  McDowell 
and  ottered  his  services  as  a  spy.  In  this  capacity  Gen„ 
McDowell  accepted  him,  and  immediately  sent  hini  to^ 
Blackstock's  Ford,  on  Tiger  River,  S.  C.^  where-  the- 
Rritish  and  Tories  were  encamped,  about  fifteeii'  hmidrecl 
strong.  After  secreting  his  horse  he  proceeded  as  a  pyoe- 
(■ripple,  and  hcygar-like,  made  a  full  examination  of  tlu- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA,  121 

enemy's  camp.  Furnished  with  this  information,  he 
(liiietly  Avithdrew,  returned  quickly  as  possible  to  General 
McDowell,  and  apprised  him  and  Captain  Steen  of  his 
discoveries.  He  was  well  mounted,  and  traveled  day  and 
night — a  distance  of  ninety  miles.  General  McDowell's 
forces,  upon  this  intelligence,  marched  in  great  haste,  at- 
tacked the  enemy  near  Blackstock's  Ford,  and  routed 
them.  In  this  engagement  four  of  Captain  Steen's  men 
were  killed  and  seven  wounded.  He  took  no  prisoners 
and  gave  no  quarters.  Kerr  then  returned  to  Mecklen- 
burg county,*and  soon  after  joined  Colonel  Williams' com- 
mand as  a  spy.  Captain  Steen  informed  Colonel  Williams 
that  he  might  safely  rely  upon  Kerr  in  this  kind  of  ser- 
A'ice.  They  then  marched  to  join  the  over-mountain  boys, 
imder  Sevier,  Shelby  and  other  officers.  Upon  the  junc- 
tion of  their  forces,  a  council  of  war  was  immediately 
held,  at  which  Kerr  was  present.  They  learned  that  Fer- 
guson was  about  twenty  miles  from  them,  at  Peter  Quinn's 
<ild  place,  six  miles  from  King's  Mountain.  The  result  of 
the  council  of  war  was  that  he  (Kerr)  should  go  and  re- 
connoiter  Ferguson's  camp.  lie  did  so  without  delay, 
and  found  the  British  and  Tories  encamped — arms  stacked, 
and  about  twelve  hundred  strong. 

As  a  poor,  innocent  cripple,  they  informed  him  they  were 
ready  and  willing  to  give  "  protection"  to  all  who  would 
join  them.  He  soon  afterwards  withdrew,  mounted  his 
fleet  charger,  and  in  a  brief  space  of  time  reported  to 
('Olonels  Shelby,  Sevier  and  other  officers  the  enemy's 
strength  and  situation.  Acting  upon  his  report,  these 
officers  marched  that  nis-ht  a  distance  of  twentv-seven 
miles,  and  reached  the  mountain  on  the  next  day,  about 
three  o'clock.  After  a  brief  consultation  as  to  the  plan 
of  the  engagement,  Ferguson  was  vigorously  attacked  on 
his  boasted  eminence  of  security,  and,  after  a  fierce  con- 
flict of  about  one  hour,  was  completely  conquered.  Fer- 
guson and  two  hnndred  and  twenty-five  of  his  men  were 
killed  ;  one  hundred  and  eighty  wounded,  and  upwards  of 


122  SKETCIlK^l  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

:six  hundred  made  prisoners.  The  loss  of  the  Whigs  was 
t^Yenty-eight  killed  and  a  great  many  wounded.  Colonel 
Williams  was  severely  wounded  in  the  groin,  from  the 
oftec'ts  of  which  he  died  a  few  hours  after  the  hattle.  In 
ii  few  daj^s  after  this  -s'ictory,  Kerr  returned  to  Mecklen- 
burg county,  to  the  house  of  his  uncle,  Joseph  Kerr.  The 
hrave  Captain  Steen  was  afterwards  killed  by  the  Tories. 
He  was  from  Union  count}',  S.  C,  and  not  far  from 
'"■  Thicketty  Mountain,''  in  the  district  known  as  Ninety- 
six. 

At  the  instance  of  Captain  Barnett,  in  command  of 
some  refugees  who  returned  with  him  to  Mecklenburg, 
Kerr  was  sent  to  York  county,  S.  -C,  to  gain  information 
•of  tiie  enemy's  force  and  position.  His  crippled  condi- 
tion readily  gained  him  access  tt)  the  camp  of  Colonel 
Floyd  and  Major  Hook — the  latter  in  charge  of  the  dra- 
goons. He  was  recognized  by  some  of  the  Tories,  an<l 
•came  very  near  losing  his  life.  He  managed,  however,  to 
escape,  and  traveled  all  night  in  order  to  inform  Captain 
f)arnett  of  the  enemy's  strength.  Captain  Barnett  immc- 
iliately  set  out  witli  thirty-one  men,  and  nniting  with 
Captains  Bratton  and  McLure,  completely  surprised  and 
routed  the  enemy,  killing  ninety-seven,  among  the  num- 
ber ]\Iajor  Hook  and  Colonel  Ferguson,  of  the  Tory 
militia.  This  was  Kerr's  last  service  as  a  spy.  After  the 
war  he  moved  to  Tennessee,  and  died  in  White  county,  at 
■■ii  good  old  age. 

ROBERT    KERR. 

Kol)ert  Kerr,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  was  born   in 
December,    1750,  in  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania,   and 
-^•ame  to  North  Carolina  with  his  parents  when  only  three 
years  old. 

He  lirst  entered  the  service  in  177G,  in  Captain  John 
McKnitt  Alexander's  company,  in  the  expedition.  General 
Kutherford  commanding,  against  the  Cherokee  Indians, 
^then  severely  molestinu'  the  frontier  settlements. 


^KETCHES  OF  WE.STEUN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  l"J;-> 

III  1778,  l)e  was  drafted  into  Ca])tain  Jolm  I'rowiifield's 
company.  Colonel  Francis  Locke's  regiment,  and  marclicd 
by  Avay  of  Camden,  to  the  defence  of  Charleston.  Aftei- 
his  return,  he  served  nnder  the  same  officers  in  the  battle 
of  Bamsoiir's  Mill,  in  Lincoln  county. 

AVhen  Cornwallis  A\'as  in  Charlotte  in  1780,  he  served 
under  (  aptain  James  Thonijison,  the  gallant  leader  of  the 
^^|!a]■tan  band  against  the  foi-aging  party  at  Mclntire's 
faim,  seven  miles  from  Charlotte,  on  the  l;eattie"s  Ford 
road. 

In  ])eeember,  1780,  he  joined  the  com.pany  of  Ca]>taiii 
John  Sliarpe,  at  which  time,  (Jenei'al  Davidson,  with  his 
accustomed  vigilance  and  activity,  announced  that  all  who 
would  then  promptly  volunteer  for  six  weelcs,  such  ser\icc 
^hould  stand  for  a  three  months  tour.  Cu  this  occasion, 
he  Aolmiteercd,  aiul  served  under  Captain  William  llcury. 

After  the  death  of  Genend  l)avidson  at  Cowtm's  Ford, 
he  was  ])laced  in  Colonel  Locke's  regiment,  General  Pick- 
I'us  cominanding,  which  forces  Avere  ordered  to  hai'ass  and 
impede  the  march  of  Cornwallis  to  Guilford  Court  House. 
This  was  his  last  important  military  service. 


HENRY    HUNTER. 

lleniy  Hunter  A\as born  in  the  county  of  Derry,  Ireiaud, 
on  the  11th  of  August,  1751.  About  the  time  he  became 
of  age,  he  married  Martha  Sloan,  and,  after  rcniaining  n 
little  upwards  of  one  year  longer  in  Ireland,  he  emigrated 
to  America,  and  landed  at  Cliarleston,  S.  C\,  after  a  long 
and  boisterous  voyage  of  thirteen  weeks.  After  reaching 
tb.e  shoi-es  of  the  Kew  World,  tc»  which  his  fond  antici}ia- 
tions  of  superior  civil  arid  religious  privileges  had  aiiNi- 
ously  turned.  (;n  surveying  liis  situation,  grim  pOA-erty 
stared  liim  in  the  face  ;  for,  his  stock  of  cash  on  hand  was 
Just  "one  sihcr  half  dollar."'  Yet,  being  raised  to  habits 
of  industry,  he  did  not  despair,  feeling  assured  that, '  wljcre 


1  24  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

there  is  a  VJiU  there  is  a  loay''  to  act- in  earnest,  and  battle 
against  the  adverse  fortunes  of  life. 

Findino;  in  Charleston  a  Avao;on  from  North  Carolina* 
he  made  suitable  arrangements  with  its  owner,  and  ac- 
companiel  it  on  its  return  to  Mecklenburg  county, 
whither  his  mother  and  four  brothers  had  emigrated 
several  years  before,  and  settled  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Poplar  Tent  Church.  Here,  by  stric"  economy,  and  per* 
severing  industry,  he  was  prospered  as  a  farmer  ;  blest  in 
liis  "basket  and  his  store,"  and  soon  enabled  to  purchase 
a  comfortable  homestead  for  himself  and  his  rising  family. 

When  the  war  of  the  Revolution  broke  out,  being 
deeply  imbued  from  cliil.lho3d  with  the  principles  of 
liberty,  and  the  justness  of  the  American  cause,  he  did  not 
liesitate  to  assist  in  the  great  struggle  for  freedom. 

He  first  entered  the  service  of  the  United  States  as  a 
N'olunteer  in  Captain  William  Alexander's  company.  Col- 
onel (leorge  Alexander's  regiment,  and  marched  to  sup- 
[)ress  a  large  body  of  Tories  assembled  under  Colonel  Jolm 
Moore  at  Ramsour's  Mill,  near  the  }»resent  town  of  Lin- 
colnton,  but  failed  to  reach  that  place  before  the  battle 
had  been  fought  and  the  Tories  signally  routed  by  Col- 
onel Locke  and  his  brave  associates. 

He  next  entered  the  service  under  C'aptain  Thomas 
Alexander,  and  was  ordered  to  Charlotte  for  the  pur[)Ose 
of  guarding  the  public  magazine  in  that  place.  (  a})tain 
Alexander  succeeded  in  having  it  removed  t(^  a  place  of 
safety  on  the  evening  before  the  entrance  of  the  British 
army  into  Charlotte  on  the  2Gth  of  September,  ITSO. 

He  a2:ain  entered  the  service  a  short  time  afterward,  in 
Captain  William  Alexander's  comyany,  and  Colonel 
(reorge  Alexander's  regiment.  The  rendezvous  of  the 
regiment  ^^'as  about  ft)ur  miles  south  of  Charlotte.  After 
this  service,  on  account  of  severe  local  injury,  he  was 
lionorably  discharged  by  Colonel  Alexander. 

Henry  Hunter  had  twelve  children,  ten  sons  and  two 
daughters.     He  was  signally  blest  to  see  them   all  attain 


SKETCHES  OK  WKSTKHN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  12") 

the  age  of  maturity,  and  settle  on  comfortable  homes 
around  liim.  His  wife,  ]\Iartha,  the  worthy  partner  of  his 
joys  and  sorrows,  and  whose  earthly  pilgrimage  was  pro- 
tracted beyond  the  usual  bonnds  of  life,  died  on  the  3Uth 
of  September,  1832,  in  the  eightieth  year  of  her  age. 

He  was  long  a  consistent  member  and  ruling  Elder  of 
the  Associate  Reformed  Presbyterian  Church.  Like  a 
sheaf  full}^  ripe  in  its  season,  he  met  his  approaching  end 
with  peaceful  resignation.  On  his  tombstone,  in  a  private 
cemetery,  on  the  old  homestead  property,  is  the  following' 
inseription : 

••  111  ^[emory   oi' 

n  EX  li  Y     11  U  XT  E  R  , 

wilt)  di'parted  tliis  life  on  on  tin-  18th  ui'Miiy,  is  13,  ia  the  cig-hty-sixtli  year  <j|' 
his  age,  leaving  a  posterity  of  elf-ven  eliildi-en,  and  one  luiiuiivd  urand  ohil- 
di-en,  with  thirty  great-giMud  chiidi-on  to  mouni  his  loss." 


.FAMES    ORR. 

James  Orr  was  born  in  Peimsyhania  in  17-30.  He  earlv 
espoused  the  cause  of  fi-eedom,  and  tirst  entered  the  sei'- 
vice  in  a  company  of  riflemen,  commanded  b}'  Captain 
Robert  Mebane ;  marched  to  Cross  Creek  (now  Fajette- 
ville),  and  thence  to.  Wilmington,  to  the  assistance  of 
U-enerals  Ashe^  and  Aloore.  In  1776,  he  voluuteered  under 
Captain  Thomas  Polk,  in  Colonel  Charles'  corps  of  cavalr)-, 
(General  Rutherford  commanding,  and  marched  against  a 
body  of  Tories  assembled  at  Cross  Creek,  but  thej"  were 
dispersed  before  the  expedition  reached  that  place. 
Again,  in  1776,  he  volunteered  iinder  Captain  Mebane, 
and  marc;hed  from  Charlotte  to  the  Quaker  ^leadows,  at 
the  head  of  the  Catawba  River,  against  the  Cherokee 
Indians,  committing  murders  and  depredations  on  the 
fi'ontier  settlejiients.  In  1777  he  served  under  Captain 
Elaljy,  Colonel  Hicks'  regiment,  in  South  Carolina. 


12o  SKKTCIIES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

In  1780  he  served  under  Captain  William  Alexandei', 
in  Colonel  William  Davidson's  battalion,  General  Rutlier- 
tbrd  commanding,  and  marched  against  the  Tories  assem- 
hled  at  Ramsour's  Mill,  in  Lincoln  county  ;  but  the  battle 
bad  been  fought,  and  the  Tories  subdued  and  routed, 
before  the  expedition  reached  that  place.  This  was  his 
last  im]»()rtant  service. 

SKIRMISH   AT  charlotte;  or,  first  attack  of  the 
"hornets."' 

After  the  battle  of  Camden,  Cornwallis,  believing  that 
be  Avould  soon  bring  the  rebels  of  Xorth  Carolina  into 
speedy  submission  to  the  British  Crown,  left  the  scene  of 
his  conrpiest  witli  as  little  delay  as  possible,  and  desig- 
nated Chai'lotte  as  the  most  suitable  place  for  his  head- 
([uarters.  This  town  had  been  previously  the  rallying 
point,  on  many  occasions,  for  the  American  forces,  and 
from  Avhich  they  marched  by  companies,  l)attalions  and 
regiments,  to  the  front,  whenever  their  services  ^verc 
needed. 

Cornwallis  entered  Charlotte  on  the  2Gth  of  September. 
1780.  TTis  approach  to  the  town  was  from  the  south,  on 
Trade  street,  and,  after  taking  possession  of  the  place,  his 
army  lay  encamped  eighteen  days  in  tlie  old  iield,  or 
commons,  nearh'  opposite  the  residence  of  the  late  M.  L. 
Wriston,  witli  the  exception  of  one  regiment,  whicli 
l)itched  their  tents  about  midway  between  Charlotte  and 
Colonel  Polk's  mill  (late  Bissell's).  The  head-quarters  of 
his  Lordshij)  ^vas  in  the  second  house  in  the  rear  of  the 
])resent  Springs  building,  with  a  front  yard  facing  on 
Trade  street.  Many  years  after  the  war  this  building,  in 
which  Cornwallis  slept  unquietly  {per  noctem  'plurima  rolvens). 
was  moved  round  on  Tryon  street,  and  constitutes  a  part 
of  the  house  now  (1876)  occupied  by  M\\  i^Taylor,  gun- 
smith, but  so   cliaua-ed  and   remodeled  that  little  of  the 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NOKTll  CAROLINA.  ]  li7 

tjrjginal  structure  can  be  identified  to  remind  us  of  tli<-> 
past. 

The  skirmish  at  Charlotte  has  been  pronounced  one  of 
the  most  "  brilliant  aiiairs"  of  the  Revolution ;  and  the 
correct  account  of  it  will  be  here  given  in  General  Davie's 
own  words,  taken  from  his  auto-biographical  sketches  u% 
manuscript,  and  now  on  file  in  the  archives  of  the  His- 
torical Society  of  the  State  University  at  Chapjel  Hill. 

Tie  says :  "'  Charlotte,  situated  on  a  rising  ground,  eon- 
tains  about  twenty  houses,  built  on  two  streets,  which, 
cross  each  other  at  right  angles,  at  the  intersection  ot" 
which  stands  the  court-house.     The  left  of  the  town,  asr- 
the  enemy  advanced,  was  an  open  common  on  the  wood<„ 
\vhich  reached  up  to  the  gardens  of  the  village.     Witl>. 
this  small  force,  viz.,  one  hundred  and  fifty  cavalry  and 
mounted  infantry,  and  fourteen  volunteers,  under  ^Major 
(iraham,  Davie  determined  to  give  his  Lordship  a  fore- 
taste of  Avhat  he  might  expect  in  ]!:Torth  Carolina.     For- 
this  purpose  he  dismounted  one  company,  and  posted  it 
under  the  court-house,  where  the  men  were  covered  breast 
high  by  a  stone  wall.     Two  other  companies  were  ad- 
vanced  about   eighty   yards,   and    posted    behind    sontc- 
liouses,  and  in  gardens  on  each  side  of  the  street.     While 
this  disposition  was  making,  the  Legion  (Tarleton's)  was 
forming  at  the  distance  of  three  hundred  yards,  A\'ith  a 
front  to  fill  the  street,  and  the  light  infantrj^  on  their 
flanks.     On  sounding  the  charge,  the  cavalry  advanced  ai: 
i'uU  gallop  within  sixty  yards  of  the  court-house,  ^vher€^ 
they  received  the  American  fire,  and  retreated  with  gre^it 
])recipitation. 

As  the  infantry  continued  to  advance,  notwithstanding: 
the  fire  of  our  advanced  companies,  who  were  too  few^  t«.s- 
keep  them  in  check,  it  became  necessary  to  withdrave 
them  from  the  cross  street,  and  form  them  in  line  witla 
ilie  troops  under  the  court-house.  The  flanks  were  stOl 
engaged  with   the  infantiy,  but  the  centre  was  directe«i 


128  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

to  reserve  their  fire  for  the  cavah-j,  who  rallied  on  their 
former  groancl,  and  returned  to  the  charge. 

They  were  again  well  received  hy  the  militia,  and  gal- 
loped off  in  great  confusion,  in  presence  of  the  whole 
British  army.  As  the  British  infantry  were  now  begin- 
nino-  to  turn  Colonel  Davie's  right  flank,  these  companies 
were  drawn  oft"  in  good  order,  successively  covering  each 
other,  and  formed  at  the  end  of  the  street,  about  one  hun- 
dred yards  from  the  court-house,  under  a  galling  fire  from 
the  British  light  infantry,  wlio  had  advanced  under  cover 
of  the  houses  and  gardens.  The  British  cavalry  again 
appeared,  charging  in  column  by  the  court-house,  but 
njion  receiving  a  lire,  which  had  been  reserved  for  them, 
thev  ao'ain  scampered  oft".  Lord  Cornwallis,  in  hi&  vexa- 
tion at  the  repeated  miscarriage  of  his  cavaliy,  openly 
abused  their  cowardice.  The  Legion,  reinforced  by  the 
infantry,  pressed  forward  on  our  flanks,  and  the  ground 
was  no  longer  tenable  by  this  handful  of  brave  men. 

A  retreat  was  then  ordered  on  the  Salisbury  road,  and 
the  enemy  followed,  with  great  caution  and  respect,  for 
some  miles,  when  they  ventured  to  charge  the  rear  guards. 
The  guards  were  of  course  put  to  flight,  but,  on  receiving 
the  Are  of  a  single  company,  they  i-etreated. 

Our  loss  consisted  of  Lieutenant  Locke,  and  four  privates 
killed,  and  Major  Graham  and  Ave  privates  womided. 
The  British  stated  their  loss  at  twelve  non-commissioned 
ofllcers  and  privates  killed,  and  Major  Hanger,  Captains 
Campbell  and  jSIcBonald,  and  thirty  privates  wounded."" 

This  action,  although  it  subjects  Colonel  Davie  to  the 
charge  of  temerity,  only  to  be  excused  by  the  event,  and 
a  zeal  ■which  we  are  always  ready  to  applaud,  furnishes  a 
striking  instance  of  the  braver}-  and  importance  of  the 
American  militia.  Few  instances  can  be  shown  where 
anv  troojjs,  who  in  one  action,  changed  their  position 
twice  in  good  order,  although  pressed  by  superior  force, 
and  charo-ed  three  times  bv   cavalrv,  thrice  their  own 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  I2i) 

v<niimber,  unsupported,  in  presence  of  an  enemy's  \vriole 
:  armj',  and  finally  retreating  in  perfect  order. 

The  graphic  account  of  the  skirmish  at,  and  near  Cliar- 
■lotte,  from  Colonel  Davie's  manuscript  sketches,  corrects 
a  mistake  into  which  several  historians  ha^■e  unintention- 
aUy  fallen  in  stating  that  Colonel  Francis  Locke  was  killed 
in  the  retreat  near  Sugar  Creek  Church,  when,  on  the  con- 
trary, it  was  one  of  his  younger  brothers,  Lieutenant 
George  Locke,  a  brave  and  meritorious  ofhcer.  This  state- 
.^ment  is  confirmed  by  the  notice  of  the  family  of  "Hon. 
.^Matthew  Locke,"  in  Wheeler's  "Historical  Sketches,"  by 
-the  sworn  declaration  of  William  Rankin,  of  Gaston 
-county,  who  received  his  discharge  from  Colonel  Locke 
..in  Salisbury,  near  the  time  of  the  battle  of  Guilford,  in 
.March,  1781,  and  by  the  declaration  of  Michael  McLcar}-, 
•of  Mecklenburg,  who  served  under  Colonel  Locke  after 
Cornwallis  crossed  the  Catawba  in  Feln-uary,  1781,  as  will 
be  found  published  in  this  work. 

The  reader  may  be  curious  to  know  the  estimate  the 
.British  officers  placed  upon  this  affair — the  hornets- like 
-reception  his  Lordship  experienced  on  his  entrance  into 
'■Charlotte. 

Tarleton,  in  his  "History  of  the  Southern  Campaign  in 
1780,  and  1781,"  page  159,  says,  "Earl  Cornwallis  moved 
•  forward  as  soon  as  the  Legion  under  Major  Hanger  joined 
liim.  A  party  of  militia  fired  at  the  advanced  dragoons 
and  light  infantry  as  they  entered  the  town,  and  a  more 
ijonsiderable  body  appeared  drawn  up  near  the  court- 
house. The  conduct  of  the  Americans  created  suspicion 
in  the  British ;  an  ambuscade  was  apprehended  by  the 
light  troops,  who  moved  forward,  for  some  time,  with 
great  circumspection  ;  a  charge  of  cavalry,  under  Major 
Hanger,  dissipated  this  ill-grounded  jealousy,  and  totally 
dispersed  the  militia.  The  pursuit  lasted  sometime,  and 
.about  thirty  of  the  enemy  were  killed  and  taken.  The 
■King's  troops  did  not  come  out  of  this  skirmish  unhurt  ; 
.Major  Hanger,  and  Captains  Campbell  and  McDonald 
9  ^ 


130  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

were  wounded,  and  twelve  non-commissioned  offieers  an^ 
men  killed  or  wounded." 

Stedman,  the  English  historian  who  accompanied  Cora— 
wallis  in  his  southern  campaign,  says  in  his  "  American 
War,"  Vol.  II,  p.  216,  "Charlotte  was  taken  possession  of.,, 
after  a  slight  resistance  from  the  militia,  towards  the  end 
of  September.  At  this  period,  Major  Hanger  commandedj., 
Colonel  Tarleton  being  ill.  In  the  centre  of  Charlotte y, 
intersecting  the  two  principal  streets,  stood  a  Iarg«-  Buick: 
building,  the  upper  part  being  the  court-house,  and  the- 
under  part,  the  market  house.  Behind  the  shambles,,  a- 
few  Americans  on  horse-back  had  placed  themselves.,  The^ 
Legion  was  ordered  to  drive  them  off;  but,  upon  recew- 
ing  a  fire  from  behind  the  stalls,  this  corps  fell  back,.  LordI 
Cornwallis  rode  up  in  person,  and  made  nse  of  these*, 
words:  'Legion,  remember  you  have  everything  to  lose-., 
but  nothing  to  gain,'  alluding,  as  was  supposed,  to  the- 
former  reputation  of  this  corps.  Webster's  brigade  moved?, 
on,  and  drove  the  Americans  from  behind  the  court-house :; 
the  legion  then  pursued  them,  but  the  whole  British  army 
Avas  actually  kept  at  bay,  for  some  minutes,  by  a  fevr 
mounted  Americans,  not  exceeding  twenty  in  number."" 

Stedman,  Avho  is  generally  accurate  and  impartial  in  hi.-; 
narratives,  is  mistaken  in  calling  the  old  court-house  a. 
''brick  building."     It  was,  as  previously  stated,  a  wooden;. 
building,  placed  on  brick  pillars  ten  or  twelve  feet  highy, 
and  hence  the  mistake.     Some  allowance  should  also  be^t 
made  for  Stedman's  mistake,  as,  very  near  that  time,  the* 
fierce  and  buzzing  attacks  of  the  "Hornets"  greatly  ob- 
scured the  accuracy  of  his  vision.     Upon  the  whole,  ihv 
account   we  have  of  this  skirmish,   even  under  British-; 
coloring,  and  evasion  of  the  ivhok  truth,  exemplifies  tbe 
spirit  and  bravery  of  the  "handful"  of  men  who  actually 
kept  the  whole  British  army  in  check  for  some  time,  anti 
then  retreated  in  good  order. 

Kendal, 'in  his  "Life  of  Jackson,"  chapter  4,  in  speal^- 
ing  of  the  military  school  in  which  the  "  hero  of  ISTei*;' 


SKETCHED  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       131 

Orleans  "  was  educated,  says :  "  In  the  chieftains  by  which 
he  was  suiTOunded,  the  virtues  of  patriotism,  disintered- 
ness,  caution,  enterprise  and  courage  exhibited  themselves 
in  the  highest  perfection.  As  military  leaders,  Marion 
was  particularly  distinguished  for  enterprise,  vigilance 
and  courage ;  Sumter  was  his  equal  in  enterprise  and 
courage,  but  had  less  circumspection ;  Davie,  who  was? 
generally  the  leader  of  the  Waxhaw  settlers,  appears  to 
have  united  the  virtues  of  the  two.  Perhaps  in  no  instance, 
where  the  chief  command  was  in  him,  did  he  fail  to  ac- 
complish the  object  he  undertook.  His  intelligence  was 
accurate  ;  his  plans  judicious,  and  kept  profoundly  secret  'y 
his  movements  rapid  ;  his  blows  sudden  as  the  lightning, 
and  his  disappearance  almost  as  quick.  To  pursue  him 
was  useless,  and  it  was  seldom  or  never  attempted.  He 
frequently  dared,  with  a  handful  of  men,  to  face  an  army  ; 
and  we  have  seen,  by  his  encounter  with  the  British  van 
at  Charlotte,  that  he  knew  how  to  strike  terror  into  an 
enemy  he  was  not  strong  enough  to  conquer." 

The  situation  of  Cornwallis  in  Charlotte  was  far  from 
being  agreeable.  The  sentinels  placed  around  his  en- 
campment were  frequently  shot  down,  compelling  him  to 
have  pits  sunk,  five  or  six  "feet  deep,  for  their  protection. 
He  possessed,  it  is  true,  a  few  timid  friends  and  sup- 
porters in  the  adjacent  country,  but  these  could  i.ot  render 
him  any  material. aid.  The  panic  which  had  overspread 
South  Carolina,  after  the  British  successes  in  that  State, 
had  extended  itself,  though  in  a  less  degree,  into  North 
Carolina,  and  had  driven  many  of  the  wealthier  class  to 
'•take  protection,"  and  thus  save  their  property.  But 
notwithstanding  the  terror  of  arms  which  preceded  hit? 
arrival,  Cornwallis  soon  became  convinced  that  his  situa- 
tion was  surrounded  with  humiliatino;  realities  ^^■llich  he 
could  not  easily  remove.  The  reasons  assigned  by  Tarle- 
ton  are  truthfully  set  forth,  when  he  says,  "  Charlotte 
town  afltbrded  some  conveniences,  blended  with  great  dis- 
advantages.     The  mills    in  its   neighborhood  were  sup- 


132  SKETCHES  OF  WE^TERX  N'ORTil  CAROLIXA. 

posed  of  sufficient  consequence  to  render  it  for  the  present 
£iu  eligil)le  position,  and  in  future  a  necessarj'  post,  Avlien 
the  enemy  advanced.  But  tlie  aptness  of  its  intermediate 
situation  l.)etwecn  Camden  and  Salisbury^  and  the  quan- 
litj'  of  mills  did  not  counterbahince  these  defects."  And 
again  I:.'  ^ays,  "  It  was  evident,  and  had  been  frequently 
mentioned  to  the  King's  ofHcers,  that  the  counties  of 
I\Ieeklenl)urg  and  Rohan  (Rowan)  were  more  hostile  to 
England  than  any  others  in  America.  The  vigilance  and 
animosity  of  these  surrounding  districts  checked  the  exer- 
tions of  the  well-affected,  and  totally  destroyed  all  com- 
munication between  the  King's  troops  and  loyalists  in 
other  parts  of  the  province.  No  British  commander  could 
obtaiii  any  information  in  that  position  which  would 
facilitate  his  designs,  or  guide  his  future  conduct." 

Xo  higher  encomium  of  the  principles  and  patriotism  of 
the  people  of  ITorth  Carolina  could  have  been  well  given. 
It  is  the  testimony  of  an  eye-v^dtness,  and  he  a  cruel 
enemy,  with  the  best  means  of  information  before  him. 
Tarleton  goes  on  to  say,  ''The  town  and  its  environs 
abounded  with  inveterate  enemies.  The  plantations  in 
the  neighborhood  were  small  and  uncultivated ;  the  roads 
narrow  and  crossed  in  everj^  direction ;  and  the  whole 
face  of  the  coimtry  covered  with  close  and  thick  woods. 
In  addition  to  these  disadvjintages,  no  estimation  could 
be  made  of  the  sentiments  of  half  the  inhabitants  of 
K^orth  Carolina  whilst  the  royal  army  remained  in  Char- 
lotte." 

And,  again,  Tarleton  informs  us,  ''The  foraging  parties 
were  Qxery  day  harassed  by  the  inhabitants,  who  did  not 
remain  at  home  to  receive  payment  for  the  product  of 
their  jilantations,  but  generally  fired  from  covert  places 
to  annoy  the  British  detachments.  Ineffectual  attempts 
were  made  upon  convoys  coming  from  Camden,  an.d  the 
•  intermediate  post  at  Blair's  Mill,  but  individuals  with 
expresses  were  frequentlj'  murdered.  An  attack  was 
directed  against  the  picket  at  Polk's  IMill,  two  miles  from 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  133 

the  town.  The  Americans  were  gallantly  received  by 
Lieutenant  Gu^-on,  of  the  23(1  Regiment ;  and  the  fire  of 
his  party,  from  a  loop-holed  building  adjoining  the  mill, 
repulsed  the  assailants.  JSTotwithstanding  the  different 
checks  and  losses  sustained  by  the  militia  of  the  district^ 
they  continued  their  hostilities  with  unwearied  persever- 
ance; and  the  British  troops  were  so  effectually  blockaded 
in  their  present  position,  that  very  few,  out  of  a  great- 
many  messengers,  could  reach  Charlotte  in  the  beginning 
of  October,  to  give  intelligence  of  Ferguson's  situation. 

The  repulse  at  Mclntyre's,  elsewhere  noticed  in  these- 
sketches,  is  a  good  illustration  of  wliat  Tarl  ton  says  in 
these  quotations.  Truly,  the  "  Hornets'"  were  enraged 
about  that  time — more  vigilant  and  out-flying  than  ever 
befoi-e  ;  but  it  should  be  borne  in  mind  they  were  then 
fighting  the  invaders  of  their  own  soil,  and  in  defeiroe  t.>f 
the  undisturbed  enjoyments  of  "  home,  sweet  home." 

Stedman  describes,  in  niuch  the  same  terms  as  Tarle- 
ton  has  done,  the  difficulties  encountered  by  the  l>ritish 
in  procuring  supplies  for  their  army.  He  says  :  '•In  Col. 
Polk's  mill  were  found  28,000  lbs.  of  flour  and  a  (juanrity 
of  wheat.  There  w^ere  several  large  cultivated  farms  in 
the  neighborhood  of  (  harlotte.  An  abundance  of  rattle, 
few  sheep  ;  the  cattle  mostly  milch  cows,  or  covvs  with 
calf,  which,  at  that  season  of  the  year,  was  the  best  lioef. 
Wlien  the  arniy  was  in  Charlotte  we  Icilled,  upon  an 
average,  one  hundred  head  per  da_y.  The  leanness  of  the 
cattle  wull  account  for  the  number  killi  d  each  day.  At 
this  ])eri.  d  the  royal  army  was  supported  b}'  Lor<l  Kaw- 
don's  moAing  with  one  half  of  the  army  one  day,  and 
Colonel  Webster  with  the  other  half  the  next  day,  as  a^ 
covering  party  to  protect  the  foraging  parties  and  cattle 
drivers." 

The  English  people  had  then,  as  now,  the  repuiation  of 
being  great  beef-eaters  ;  nor  should  we  blame  them,  as  the 
florid  complexion  the  Englishman  generally  wears  is 
mainly  o^ving  to  the  free  use  of  tliis  non-febrile  and  healthy 


13  4  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

food,  washed  down  witli  a  few  potations  of  good  old  Lcni- 
■don  ale. 

The  surprise  at  Mclntyre's  compelled  the  British  to 
move  with  greater  forces  in  their  foraging  expeditions. 
It  is  seldom,  in  the  historic  annals  of  an}'  people,  that  we- 
find  it  required  "  one  half"  of  a  large  army,  in  a  sparsely 
settled  country,  to  "  pi'otect  the  foraging  parties  and  cattle 
drivers."  It  indicated  a  spirit  of  determined  resistance 
by  the  patriots  of  Mecklenburg  and  of  tne  State  generally, 
which  can  onlj'  he  construed  as  a  faithful  maintenance  of 
the  principles  of  freedom  proclaimed  on  the  20th  of  May, 
177n 

After  the  victor}^  of  the  AYliigs  at  King's  Mountain, 
and  the  loss  of  Ferguson,  one  of  his  bravest  oiiicers,  and  his 
entire  command,  Cornwallis  concluded  to  leave  the  rel)cl- 
lious  post  he  then  0(!cupied. 

William  ^IcCaflerty,  a  resident  Scotchman,  and  a  man 
of  considerable  wealth,  was  emploj^ed  as  the  guide  to  lead 
the  British  army  hy  the  nearest  road  to  AVinnsboro',  S.  ( '. 
Tradition  says,  that  after  so  bewildering  the  army  in  the 
swamps  that  much  of  their  baggage  was  lost,  he  contrived 
to  escape,  and  left  them  to  iind  their  way  out,  as  best  tiiey 
•could,  by  the  returning  light  of  day.  As  the  British 
army  progressed,  passing  through  the  Steele  Creek  neigh- 
borhood, they  encamped  about  three  days  on  Spratt's 
plantation,  waiting  to  cross  the  swollen  CataAvba,  and  for 
the  collection  of  additional  supplies.  A  guard  was  placed 
around  the  encampment,  and  one  of  the  number  assigned 
to  a  position  between  the  Charlotte  road  and  a  neighbor- 
ing cane-brake.  On  the  second  or  third  dny  the  shar}i 
■crack  of  a  rifle  was  heard  up  the  Charlotte  road,  and  a 
v-^mall  detachment  of  the  British  army  was  immediately 
dispatched  to  investigate  its  meaning.  When  the  de- 
tachment arrived  at  the  position  of  the  sentinel,  he  Avas 
found  dead,  at  the  foot  of  a  black  oak,  against  which  it 
is  su}tposed  he  was  leaning  at  the  time.  Captain  William 
Alexander  (l;etter   known  as  "Black  Bill,")   or.e  of  the 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA,  185 

-^-terrible  Mecklenburg  AV'higs,"  fired  the  fatal  shot  from 
the  adjoining  cane-brake.  Many  others  of  the  Sugar 
Creek  rebels  were  with  Captain  Alexander  on  this  occa- 
•sion,  but  he  alone  ventured  within  killing  distance.  Long" 
before  Tarleton  and  his  dragoons  could  reach  the  scene  of 
action,  Alexander  and  his  part}^  were  entering  the  brushy 
woods  of  Steele  Creek,  on  their  way  back  to  the  Whig 
.-settlements  of  Upper  Sugar  Creek.  The  associates  of 
Alexander  were  the  Taylors,  Barnetts,  Walkers,  Polks, 
::a,n(i  other  kindred  spirits,  who  shot  many  of  the  sentries 
uiround  the  British  encampment  at  Charlotte,  and  seriously 
annoyed  or  cut  off  the  enemy's  foraging  parties.  The  last 
one  of  the  Barnetts,  belonging  to  this  "  terrible  i)arty," 
■died  in  1829,  at  a  sood  old  ao;e,  within  two  miles  of  Cook's 
nuills,  on  Big  Sugar  Creek. 

A  singular  incident,  occurring  at  this  period,  is  hei'e 
'deemed  worthy  of  narration.  A  relative  of  the  Spratts, 
named  Elliott,  was  living  on  the  plantation  at  the  time 
the  British  army  arrived  there  from  Charlotte.  Believing 
that  they  would  capture  him,  if  in  their  power,  he  broke 
..and  ran  for  the  cane-brake,  about  a  half  or  three-quarters 
■-of  a  mile  below  the  spot  where  the  sentinel  was  shot.  As 
rsoon  as  the  alarm  was  given  of  his  departure,  Tarleton"s 
terrible  dragoons  pursued  him,  but  he  succeeded  in  making 
■;good  his  escape  into  the  densest  part  of  the  cane-brake 
thicket. 

While  he  was  listening  to  the  terrible  denunciations  of 
Tarleton's  dragoons  on  their  arrival  at  the  swampy  and  im- 
perious thicket,  and  what  they  would  do  if  thej^  could  only 
■^QQ  a  bush  or  a  cane  move,  he  felt  perfectly  safe  as  long  as 
lie  could  remain  motionless  in  his  muddy  retreat.  But 
when  his  fears  had  somewhat  subsided  in  his  place  of  con- 
«eealment,  still  more  alarming  apprehensions  of  danger 
presented  themselves,  on  his  espying  a  venomous  moccasin 
of  the  largest  size,  moving  slowly  along  in  the  water  and 
mud,  and  directing  its  course  so  near  that,  in  all  probabil- 
ity, it  must  strike  him.     He  could  not  make  the  least  de- 


136  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA 

fence   against   his   ugly  approaching   visitor,  for  fear  of 
exposing  himself  to  the  pistols  of  the  British  dragoons. 
All  that  he  conld  clo  in  this  dreadful  predicament  was  to- 
wave   his  hand  in  a  gentle  manner  towards  the  snake, 
which  caused  it  to  stop  its  course  and  throw  itself  into  a 
coil,  preparatory   for   battle.     Fortunatel}^  just  at   this- 
time,  the  British  dragoons  made  their  welcome  departure, 
and   Elliott   moved   out   of  the   way   of  his  serpentine-^ 
majesty. 

This  was  the  first  and  last  visit  of  Lord  Cornwallis  to 
"Charlotte  town."  He  cam'e  flushed  with  victory,  and 
firmly  anticipated  similar  success  in  ^orth  Carolina.  He 
departed  laboring  under  vexation  and  sore  disappoint- 
ment ;  not  without  bestowing  a  characteristic  name 
("Hornets'  i^est")  upon  the  patriotic  sons  of  Mecklenburg- 
around  which  appellation  cluster  many  thrilling  historical 
and  traditional  associations,  destined  to  enshrine  their  • 
memories  in  the  hearts  of  their  countrymen,  throughout 
all  coming  time. 

SURPRISE  AT  m'iNTYRE's;  OR,  THE  "  HORNETS  "  AT  WORK,.- 

After  the  British  armj^  had  been  in  Charlotte  about  a- 
week,  and  having,  in  the  meantime,  consumed  the  most  of 
their  forage  and  provisions.  Lord  Cornwallis  M^as  placed 
under  the  necessity  of  procuring  a  fresh  supply.     He  had 
already  experienced  something  of  the  5fi?i_9'i?i_^  propensities- 
of  the  "hornets"  with  which  he  was  surrounded,  and  the- 
fatalities  of  their  attacks  upon  his  sentries  near  his  camp. 
In  order  to  meet  the  emergency  of  his  situation,  he  ordered 
out  on  the  3d  day  of  October,  1780,  a  strong  foraging 
party,  under  Major  Doyle,  consisting  of  four  hundred  and. 
fifty  infantry,  sixty  cavalry,  and  about  forty  wagons,  whO) 
jtroceeded  up  the  road  leading  from  Charlotte  to  Beattie's-^ 
Ford,  on  the  Catawba  river,  intending  to  draw  their  snip- 
plies  from  the  fertile  plantations  on  Long  Creek. 

Captain    James  Thompson,,  and  thirteen   others    who- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  137 

lived  in  that  neighborhood,  anticipating  the  necessity  the 
British  would  be  under  to  forage,  had  early  in  the  morn- 
ing assembled  at  Mitchell's,  mill,  (now  Frazier's)  three  miles 
from  Charlotte,  at  which  farm  the  corn  was  pulled — at 
most  other  places  it  was  standing  in  the  field.  Captain 
Thompson  and  his  men  were  expert  riflemen,  and  well 
acquainted  with  every  place  in  the  vicinity.  At  this  place 
they  lay  concealed  about  an  hour,  when  they  heard  the 
wagons  and  Doyle's  party  passing  by  them,  and  up  the 
main  road.  As  soon  as  the  party  had  passed  about  half 
a  mile,  Captain  Thompson  and  his  brave  followers  started 
through  the  wood,  and  kept  parallel  with  Do^de's  party, 
and  almost  in  sight,  reconnoitering  the  movements  of  the 
enemy  until  they  reached  Mclntyre's  ftirm,  seven  miles 
from  Charlotte.  A  boy  plowing  by  the  road-side,  upon 
seeing  the  British  soldiers  pass  by  him,  quickly  mounted 
his  horse,  dashed  through  the  nearest  by-paths,  and  barely 
had  time  to  warn  the  intervening  families  of  the  approach 
of  the  "red  coats.''  After  the  foraging  party  reached  Mc- 
Intyre's,  they  left  a  part  of  their  men  and  wagons  to  lay 
in  supplies,  while  the  other  part  passed  on  under  Doyle 
with  the  expectation  of  proceeding  two  or  three  miles 
further  For  this  reason,  Doyle  was  not  numbered  with  the 
slain  in  place  of  his  second  in  command. 

Thompson's  party,  finding  some  were  halted  at  this 
place,  moved  directly  towards  the  thicket  down  the  spring 
branch,  about  t^W)  hundred  _yarcls  from  the  house.  The 
point  of  a  rocky  ridge,  covered  with  bushes,  passed  ob- 
liquely from  the  road  to  the  spring,  and  within  fifty  yards 
of  the  house  which  sheltered  them  from  the  view  or  fire 
of  the  enemy.  They  formed  into  a  line  about  ten  feet 
apart,  and  advanced  silently  to  their  intended  positions. 
The  British  were  soon  engaged  in  their  work  of  plunder  ; 
some  were  at  the  barn  throwing  down  oats  for  the  wagons, 
others  were  running  after  the  chickens,  ducks  and  pigs, 
while  a  third  party  were  robbing  the  dwelling  house,  the 
inmates  having  previously  fled  out  of  danger.     The  sol- 


138       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

diery,  assisted  by  the  dogs  in  cliasiiig  the  poultry,  had 
knocked  over  some  bee-hives  ranged  along  the  garden 
fence.  The  enraged  insects  dashed  after  the  men,  and  at 
once  the  scene  became  one  of  uproar,  confusion  and  lively 
excitement.  The  officer  in  command,  a  portly,  florid 
Englishman,  laughed  heartily  at  the  gestures  and  outcries 
of  the  routed  soldiers.  The  attention  of  the  guard  was 
drawn  to  this  single  point,  while,  at  a  distance  in  the 
fields,  the  wagons  were  seen  slowly  approaching  with 
their  cumbrous  loads. 

The  owner  of  the  plantation  had  cautiously  approached, 
under  cover,  within  gun-shot  of  his  house  ;  the  rest  of  the 
party,  his  neighbors,  with  equal  care,  advanced  sufficient- 
ly near  for  the  sure  action  of  their  rifles.  The  distress  and 
anger  of  the  patriots  were  raised  to  the  highest  pitch  when 
they  saw  the  reckless  merriment  of  their  enemies,  and 
the  fruits  of  their  industry  thus  suddenly  withdrawn. 
Their  feelings  could  noAv  be  no  longer  restrained  while 
they  were  anxious  to  try  the  effects  of  their  trusty  rifles. 
"  Boys,"  cried  one  of  the  sturdy  farmers,  "  I  can't  stand 
this  any  longer — I'll  take  the  captain — each  one  of  you 
choose  his  man,  and  look  out  for  yourselves," 

These  words  were  scarcely  uttered  in  a  suppressed  tone, 
when  the  sight  of  his  unerring  rifle  was  drawn  upon  the 
expanded  breast  of  the  portly  Englishman,  who  suddenly 
fell  prostrate  from  the  doorposts  between  which  he  was 
standing. 

In  two  instances,  where  two  of  the  patriots  were  firing 
at  the  same  man,  and  seeins;  him  fall,  the  second  one  had 
to  quickly  change  from  his  sighted  object  and  seek  another. 
A  sentinel  placed  near  the  spot  to  which  they  had  ad- 
vanced, appeared  to  be  alarmed,  although  he  had  not  seen 
them,  probably  thinking  of  the  fate  of  others  in  his  situa- 
tion around  the  camp  of  Cornwallis  in  Charlotte.  Nor 
were  his  fears  unduly  excited 

Captain  Thompson,  at  the  distance  of  seventy  or  seventy- 
five  yards,   killed  him    instantly,  when  his  companions, 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.      139 

with  a  precision  of  aim  equally  fatal,  laid  low  on  tlie  earth 
his  respective  foe.  To  Captain  Thompson  is  also  ascrihed 
the  honor  of  mortally  wounding  the  commanding  officer, 
when  he  was  standino;  near  the  barn  door.  He  was  con- 
veyed  to  Charlotte,  with  several  others  in  similar  condi- 
tion, in  one  of  the  foraging  wagons,  and  died  of  the  wound 
received,  at  the  house  of  Samuel  McCombs,  two  days 
after.  When  the  smoke  rose,  after  the  first  discharge  of 
the  rifles,  the  commander,  nine  men  and  two  horses  lay 
dead  or  wounded  on  the  ground.  The  trumpets  imme- 
diatel}"  sounded  a  recall.  But  by  the  time  the  scattered 
dragoons  had  collected  and  formed,  a  straggling  fire  from 
a  difierent  direction,  into  which  the  patriots  had  extended, 
showed  the  unerring  aim  of  each  American  marksman, 
and  greatly  increased  the  confusion  of  the  surprise.  Per- 
fectly acquainted  with  every  foot  of  the  grounds,  the 
patriots  constantly  changed  their  position,  giving  in  their 
fire  as  the}'  loaded,  so  tliat  it  appeared  to  the  British  they 
were  surrounded  by  a  largo  force.  When  that  portion  of 
Doyle's  command  who  had  proceeded  forward  to  forage 
upon  other  fiirms  heard  the  firing,  thej'  immediately  re- 
turned to  the  assistance  of  his  party  atMcIntyre's  branch. 
Every  preparation  for  defence,  attack  and  retreat  Avas 
made  by  the  Americans  The  alternate  hilly  and  swampy 
grounds  and  thickets,  with  woods  on  both  sides  of  the 
public  road,  baffled  the  efficient  action  of  the  British  dra- 
goons. Some  dismounted,  wdiile  others  called  out  to  "set 
on  the  hounds"  against  a  foe  scarcely  visible,  except  from 
their  deadly  effects.  The  dogs,  at  first,  seemed  to  take  the 
track,  and  were  followed  by  the  soldiers.  The  foremost 
hound  approached  very  near  one  of  the  patriots  who  had 
just  discharged  his  rifle,  and  was  in  full  retreat  after  his 
companions ;  but  as  soon  as  the  hound  came  near  with 
open  mouth,  he  was  shot  dead  hy  a  pistol  di-awn  from  the 
breast  of  the  rifleman.  The  next  hound  stopped  at  the 
dead  body,  and,  after  smelling  it,  cave  a  whining  howl, 
and  the  whole  pack  retreated  from  the  contest. 


140  SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

A  considerable  number  of  the  dragoons  were  killed. 
The  leading  horses  in  the  wagons  were  killed  before  they 
could  ascend  the  hill,  thus  blocking  up  the  road.  Many 
of  the  soldiers  in  charge  of  the  wagons  cut  loose  some  of  the 
uninjured  animals,  and  galloped  after  their  retreating  com- 
rades. The  precise  loss  of  the  British  is  not  knov/n.  It 
is  believed,  however,  from  reliable  tradition,  that  they  had 
at  least  twenty  killed  and  a  few  wounded. 

That  a  British  detachment  of  four  hundred  and  fifty 
infantry  and  sixty  cavalry  should  be  compelled  to  desist 
from  a  foraging  expedition  and  return  to  Charlotte  with 
only  a  small  amount  of  provisions  and  a  consideralle  loss 
of  their  number  by  a  haadful  of  patriots,  Avell  exemplifies 
the  vigilance,  pertinacity  and  courage  of  the  "■  hornets"  of 
Mecklenburg  in  endeavoring  to  protect  their  homes,  and 
repel  the  invaders  of  tlieir  soil. 

The  country  people,  early  advised  of  the  advance  of  the 
foraging  party,  mounted  their  horses,  rifle  in  hand,  tVoni 
every  direction ;  and,  occup3dng  Avell  protected  positions 
along  the  main  road,  also  faithfully  endeavored  to  diminish 
the  number  of  his  Majesty's  forces,  and  hastened  the  re- 
treat of  the  British  into  Charlotte,  the  survivors  swearing 
after  their  arrival  that  "every  bui^h  along  the  road  con- 
cealed a  rebel." 

The  names  of  this  gallant  band  of  patriots,  of  "  Hornets' 
Nest"  notoriety,  were :  1.  James  Thompson,  captain ;  2. 
Francis  Bradley;  3.  George  Graham;  4.  James  Henry; 
5.  Thomas  Dickson;  6.  .John  Dickson ;  7.  George  Houston; 
8.  Hugh  Houston  ;  0.  Thomas  McLure ;  10.  John  Bong; 
11.  John  Robinson;  12.  George  Shipley;  13.  Edward 
Shipley. 

Remarks. — Tradition  says  Francis  Bradley  ^^'as  a  large 
and  very  strong  man,  and  a  "  terror"  to  the  British  as 
well  as  the  Tories.  The  Britisli  officers  were  extremely 
anxious  to  take  him  as  a  prisoner,  for  his  activity  in 
harassing  their  scouts  and  foraging  parties,  and  more 
particularly  for  the  fatal  aim  of  his  rifle  in  inching  of 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  141 

tbcir  sentries  while  their  anny  was  euciimped  at  ('har- 
lotte.  'I  he  rifle  he  carried  for  six  years  during  the  Eevo- 
hition,  and  which  did  sucli  telling  execution,  u-as  the 
property  of  Major  John  Davidson  (now  in  possession  of 
one  of  his  grandsons,)  who,  being  a  staff  officer,  could  not 
make  it  perform,  as  it  should,  its  death-dealing  mission 
upon  the  enemies  of  his  country.  About  three  weeks 
after  the  gallant  affair  at  Mclntyre's  Branch,  Bradlej'-  was 
attacked,  overpowered  and  killed  by  four  lurking  and 
base-hearted  Tories  (said  not  to  be  natives  of  the  county). 
His  mortal  remains  now  repose  in  the  graveyard  at  Hope- 
well Church,  where  also  sleep  many  of  his  illustrious 
compatriots  in  arms.  On  his  gravestone  are  sculptured 
two  drawn  and  crossed  swords,  and  beneath  them  the 
motto,  Anna  Libertatis     The  inscription  reads  thus  : 

"In  meiiK^ry  ol' 

FRAiS^CIS    BRADLEY, 

A  friend  of  his  country,  and  pvivatoly  slaiu  by  the  enemie   of  his  country, 
Novemher  14th,  17S0,  iaged  37  yetvis." 

The  two  Dicksons  moved  to  Tennessee  ;  the  two  lloiis- 
tons  and  McLure  moved  to  Kentucky ;  Robinson  settled 
on  Crowder's  Creek,  Gaston  county. 

Doyle,  the  British  commander,  before  tlie  close  of  the 
war  was  made  a  Colonel,  and  afterward  a  Brio-adier- 
General.  In  1816  he  was  styled  Sir  John  Doyle,  and 
Governor  of  the  'Islands  of  Guernsey,  Jersej',  Alderney 
and  Sark,  on  the  coast  of  France.  Surely,  it  could  not 
have  been  for  his  gallant  behavior  at  ]\lcliityre's  he  ac- 
quired such  honor  and  promotion  1 

JUDGE    SAMUEL    LOWRIE. 

Judge  Lowrie  was  born  iu  New  Castle  county,  Del.,  on 
the  12th  of  May,  1756.  His  parents  moved,  when  he  was 
a  child,  to  North  Carolina,  and  settled  in  Rowan  county. 
He  was  educated  at  Clio  Academy  (now  in  Ii-edell  county) 


142  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA, 

under  tlie  Rev.  James"  Hall,  an  eminent  Presbyterian  min- 
ister of  the  gospel,  and  Captain  of  a  company  during  the 
Revolutionary  War.  He  studied  law  in  Camden,  S.  C, 
and,  soon  gaining  eminence  in  liis  profession,  was  elected 
to  the  House  of  Commons  from  Mecklenburg  county  in 
1804,-'5  and  '6.  In  the  last  named  year  he  was  elected 
a  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court,  which  position  he  held 
until  his  death  on  the  22d  of  December,  1818,  in  the  sixty- 
third  year  of  his  age. 

In  1788,  he  married  Margaret,  eldest  daughter  of  Cap- 
tain Robert  Alexander,  of  Lincoln  county.  His  wife  died, 
leaving  him  with  several  children.  In  1811,  he  again 
married,  Mary,  daughter  of  Marmaduke  IS'orileet,  of 
Bertie  county,  N".  C.  He  was  a  man  of  tine  talents,  and 
dignified  the  responsible  position  he  held.  He  resided  in 
^Mecklenburg  couaty,  about  three  miles  north  from  the 
Tuckasege  Ford,  on  the  Salisbury  road,  (now  owned  by 
Robert  S.  McGee,  Esq.) 

His  mortal  remains,  with  those  of  his  first  wife  and 
three  infant  children,  and  other  relatives,  repose  in  the 
graveyard  of  Goshen  Church,  Gaston  county,  N.  C. 

THE    LADIES    OF    THE    REVOLUTIONARY    PERIOD. 

It  has  been  well  said  that  "  patriotic  mothers  nursed  the 
infancy  of  the  Republic."  During  the  progress  of  British 
encroachment  and  arbitrary  power,  producing  great  colo- 
jiial  discontent,  every  sagacious  politician  could  discern 
in  the  distant  future  the  portentous  shadow  of  the  ap- 
l)roaching  conflict.  In  the  domestic  circle  was  then 
nurtured  and  imparted  that  love  of  civil  liberty  which 
afterwards  kindled  into  a  flame,  and  shed  its  genial  and 
transforming  light  upon  the  world.  The  conversation  of 
matrons  in  their  homes,  or  among  their  neighbors,  was  of 
the  people's  wrongs  and  of  the  tyranny  that  oppressed 
them.  Under  such  early  training  their  sons,  Avhen  grown 
to  manhood,  deeply  imbued  with  ])roper  notions  of  their 


SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  143 

Just  rights,  stood  up  in  the  hour  of  trial  prepared  to  de- 
fend them  to  the  last.  The  counsels  and  the  prayers  of 
mothers  mingled  with  their  deliberations,  and  added 
sanctity  to  all  their  patriotic  efforts  for  American  inde- 
pendence. They  animated  the  courage,  confirmed  the 
self-devotion,  and  shared  in  the  sacrifices  of  those  who,  in 
the  common  defence,  "  pledged  their  lives,  their  fortunes 
and  their  sacred  honor." 

Among  the  widowed  mothers  who  early  instilled  into 
their  rising  generation  a  deep  love  of  their  country,  and  a 
manful  determination  to  defend  their  firesides  and  their 
homes,  might  be  named  Mrs.  Steele,  Mrs.  Flinn,  Mrs. 
Sharpe,  Mrs.  Graham,  Mrs.  Hmiter,  Mrs.  Jackson  and 
many  others,  as  bright  examples  in  Mecklenburg,  Rowan 
and  adjoining  counties.  In  the  hour  of  deepest  gloom 
they  frowned  upon  apathy  in  the  common  cause,  mate- 
rially assisted  by  their  benefactions,  and  urged  on  the 
desponding  in  the  path  of  patriotic  duty. 

General  Moultrie,  in  his  "  Memoirs  of  the  American  Re- 
vohition,"  pays  a  handsome  compliment  to  the  ladies  of 
that  section  of  country  in  which  his  military  services  were 
performed.  He  says :  "  Before  I  conclude  my  memoirs  I 
must  make  my  last  tribute  of  thanks  to  the  patriotic  fair  of 
South  Carolina  and  Georgia  for  their  heroism  and  virtue 
in  those  dreadful  and  dangerous  times  whilst  we  were 
struggling  for  our. liberties.  Their  conduct  deserves  the 
highest  applause,  and  a  pillar  ought  to  be  raised  to  their 
memory.  Their  conduct  was  such  as  gave  examples  even 
to  the  men  to  stand  firm ;  and  they  despised  those  who 
were  not  enthusiasts  in  their  country's  cause.  The  hard- 
ships and  difiiculties  they  experienced  were  too  much  for 
their  delicate  frames  to  bear ;  yet  they  submitted  to  them 
with  a  heroism  and  virtue  that  has  never  been  excelled  by 
the  ladies  of  any  country ;  and  I  can  with  safety  say  that 
their  conduct  durino;  the  war  contributed  much  to  the 
independence  of  America." 

Nor  were  the  young  ladies  of  that  period  less  patriotic 


1-14       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

than  their  venerable  mothers.  Their  kind  sj^mpathies  and 
vohintarj'  contributions  were  exhibited  on  every  occasion^ 
calling  for  prompt  and  beneficent  action  for  the  gallant 
soldier.  ^Vith  fair  and  willing  hands  they  embroidered 
colors  for  military  companies,  and  presented  them  with 
the  animating  charge,  never  to  desert  them.  They  formed 
themselves  into  associations  throughout  the  colonies,  re- 
nouncing the  use  of  teas  and  other  imported  luxuries, 
and  engaged  to  card,  spin  and  weave  their  own  clothing. 
And  still  further,  to  arouse  a  patriotic  spirit  in  every 
hesitating  or  laggard  bosom,  we  find  in  the  "  South  Caro- 
lina and  American  General  Gazette,"  of  February  9th, 
177G,  the  following  paragraph,  illustrative  of  female  pat- 
riotism under  a  manly  and  singular  incentive  : 

"The  3'oung  ladies  of  the  best  families  of  Mecklenburg 
county,  jSTorth  Carolina,  have  entered  into  a  voluntarj'  as- 
sociation that  they  will  not  receive  the  addresses  of  any 
young  gentlemen  of  that  place,  except  the  brave  volunteers 
who  served  in  the  expedition  to  South  Carolina,  and 
assisted  in  subduing  the  Scovilite  insurgents.  The  ladies 
being  of  opinion  that  such  persons  as  stay  loitering  at 
home,  when  the  important  calls  of  their  country  demand 
their  military  services  abroad,  must  certainh^  be  destitute 
of  that  nobleness  of  sentiment,  that  brave,  manl}'"  spirit, 
which  would  qualify  them  to  be  the  defenders  and  guard- 
ians of  the  fair  sex.  The  ladies  of  the  adjoining  county 
of  Rowan  have  desired  the  plan  of  a  similar  association  to 
be  drawn  up  and  prepared  for  signature." 

Accordingly,  at  a  meeting  of  the  Committee  of  Safety, 
held  in  Salisbury,  May  .8th,  1770,  we  find  the  following 
entry  in  their  minutes :  "A  letter  from  a  number  of  young 
ladies  in  the  county,  directed  to  the  chairman,  requesting 
the  approbation  of  the  committee  to  a  number  of  resolu- 
tions enclosed,  enter|;d  into,  and  signed  by  the  same  3'oung 
ladies  being  read, 

Besolved,  That  this  committee  present  their  cordial 
thanks  to  the  said  young  ladies  for  so  spirited  a  perform- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLTNA.  145 

:  aiice  ;  look  upon  these  resolutious  to  be  sensible  and  polite  ; 
that  they  merit  the  honor,  and  are  worth}'  the  imitation 
«of  every  young  ladj^  in  America." 

And  who  were  the  young  ladies  of  Mecklenburg  and 
Rowan  counties  then  prepared  to  sign  such  an  associa- 
tion, and  willing  to  bestow  their  fair  hands,  and  pledge 
their  loving  hearts  only  to  those  brave  soldiers,  \\'ho,  on  the 
calls  of  dnty^  fought  the  battles  of  their  country  ?  Ima- 
-^nation  cari-ies  us  back  to  that  eventful  jDeriod,  and  pic- 
tures to  our  admiring  view,  among  others,  the  following 
daughters  of  Western  Carolina,  as  actuated  by  such 
patriotic  motives  : 

Miss  Elizabeth  Alexander,  daughter  of  Abraham  Alex- 
:ander,  Chairman  of  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  of  the 
'  20th  of  May,  1775,  wdio  married  William  Alexander,  son 
of  Hezekiah  Alexander,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Meck- 
lenburg Declaration. 

Miss  Mary  Wilson,  daughter  of  Samuel  Wilson,  Sen., 
vi'ho  married  Ezekiel  Polk,  grandfather  of  James  K.  Polk, 
one  of  our  best  Presidents,  who  consented  to  serve  only  for 
one  term. 

Miss  A'iolet  Wilson,  sister  of  the  above,  who  married 
Major  John  Davidson,  one  of  the  signers  of  the  Mecklen- 
burg Declaration. 

Miss  Jane  Morrison,  daughter  of  Neill  Morrison,  one  of 
the  signers  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration,  who  married 
Major  Thomas  Alexander. 

Miss  Polk,  daughter  of  Colonel  Thomas  Polk,  who 
.married  Dr.  Ephraim  Brevard,  one  of  the  secretaries  and 
signers  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration. 

Miss  Margaret  Polk,  sister  of  the  above,  who  mar- 
ried Nathaniel  Alexander,  Representative  to  Congress 
from  1803  to  1805,  and  in  the  latter  year,  elected  Governor 
of  the  State. 

Miss  Jane   Brevard,   daughter  of  John  Brevard,  and 
sister  of  the  "  seven  brothers  in  the  rebel  army,"  who  mar- 
ried General  Ephraim  Davidson. 
11 


146  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Mis&  Mary  Brevard,  sister  of  the  above,  who  married' 
General  William  Davidson,  killed  at  Cowan's  Ford,  oa. 
February  1st,  1781. 

Miss  Charity  Jack,  sister  of  Captain  James  Jack,  the- 
bearer  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  to  Philadelphia^, 
who  married  Dr.  Cornelius  Dysart,  a  distinguished  sur- 
geon of  the  Revolutionary  army. 

Miss  Lillis  Wilson,  daughter  of  Samuel  Wilson,  Sen.^. 
by  the  third  wife  (Margaret  Jack),  who  married  James i 
Connor,  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  came  to  America  whem 
21  years  old,  volunteered  in  the  army,  and  fought  alB 
through  the  Revolutionary  war. 

Miss  Hannah  Knox,  daughter  of  Captain  Patrick  Knox,-, 
killed  at  the  battle  of  Ramsour's  Mill,  who  married:; 
Samuel  AVilson,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution. 

These  are  the  names  of  a  few  of  the  patriotic  young; 
ladies,  then  on  the  theater  of  action,  who  would  be  willing 
to  sign  such  an  association,  stimulate  the  "loitering young,; 
men"  to  a  proper  sense  of  their  duty,  and  promote  the- 
cause  of  freedom  by  all  fair  means. 

MRS.  ELEANOR  WILSON. 

The  wives  and  mothers  of  Mecklenburg  county  bore  a, 
large  share  of  the  trials  and  dangers  of  the  Revolutiono. 
Among  these,  and  as  a  fair  type  of  many  others  that  might 
be  mentioned,  was  Eleanor,  wife  of  Robert  Wilson,  of 
Steele  Creek — a  woman  of  singular  energy  of  mind,  and, 
warmly  devoted  to  the  American  cause.     Her  husband.., 
with  three  brothers  and  and  other  kinsmen,  settled  im 
Mecklenburg  about  1760,  having  moved  from  the  colony 
of  Pennsylvania.     These  brothers  were  Scotch  Presbj'te- 
rians,  and  arrayed  by  early  religious  education  against 
tyranny  in  every  form.     At  the  Convention  in  Charlotte 
on  the  20th  of  ^lay,  1775,  Zaccheus  Wilson,  representing; 
all  his  kinsmen,  signed  that  declaration,  pledging  himself, 
and  his  extensive  connections,  to  its  support  and  main- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  147 

tenaiice.  At  this  crisis  of  our  history  there  were  a  consid- 
erable number  of  timid  persons,  who  shook  their  heads, 
and  characterized  the  actors  in  this  opening  scene  of  the 
bloody  drama  of  the  Revolution,  as  madmen,  rebels  and 
traitors.  From  the  first  to  the  last,  Mrs.  Wilson  espoused 
the  cause  of  liberty,  and  exulted  in  every  patriotic  success. 

Animated  by  her  enthusiasm,  her  husband  and  sons  en- 
tered warmly  into  the  contest.  At  the  surrender  of 
Charleston,  her  sons,  Robert  and  Joseph,  were  made 
prisoners,  but  having  given  their  parols,  were  allowed  to 
return  home.  But  they  had  scarcely  reached  their  home 
in  Mecklenburg  when  the  British  general  issued  his  proc- 
lamation declaring  the  country  subdued,  and  requiring 
every  able-bodied  militiaman  to  join  the  royal  standard. 
Refusing  to  fight  against  their  country,  and  being  no  longer 
bound  as  they  believed,  by  their  parols,  they  immediate- 
ly repaired  to  the  standard  of  General  Sumter,  and  were 
with  him  in  several  battles.  In  the  battle  of  the  Ilano-inff 
Rock,  Captain  David  Reid,  one  of  their  kinsmen,  was 
mortally  wounded,  and  being  in  great  agony,  called  for 
water,  when  Robert  Wilson  brought  him  some  in  his  hat. 
In  the  same  action,  Joseph,  a  little  in  advance,  was 
assaulted  by  a  Tory,  a  powerful  man,  whom  he  knew ; 
after  a  severe  struggle,  he  killed  him,  and  bore  off  his 
sword,  now  in  possession  of  his  son,  David  Wilson,  of 
Maine  county,  Tennessee. 

The  elder  Robert  Wilson  and  his  son  John,  having  col- 
lected a  suppl}'  of  provisions  and  forage  for  General  Sum- 
ter's corps,  from  the  neighborhood  of  Steele  Creek,  were 
hastening  to  meet  them  at  Fishing  Creek,  and  reached 
that  vicinity  a  short  time  after  the  surprise.  While  en- 
gaged in  this  employment,  the  two  Wilsons  and  the  sup- 
plies were  captured.  The  prisoners  were  hurried  to  the 
I'ear,  after  having  been  brutally  threatened  with  hanging 
on  the  nearest  tree,  and  by  a  forced  march  reached  Camden 
next  day,  where  they  were  added  to  a  crowd  of  honorable 


148  SKETCHES  OF  WESIEKN   ?;011TH  CAROLINA. 

captives,  such  as  Andrew  Jackson,  Colonel  Isaacs,  General 
Rutherford  and  others. 

In  the  meantime,  Cornwallis,  leaving  Rawdon  at  Cam- 
den, marched  with  the  larger  portion  of  his  army  to  "re- 
bellious" ( 'lunlotte,  to  forage  upon  its  farms,  and  to  punish 
its  inhal)itants  for  their  well-known  resistance  to  royal 
authority.  lie  reached  Charlotte  on  the  26th  of  Septem- 
ber, 178l),  and  during  his  stay  of  eighteen  days,  many 
scenes  of  rapine,  house  burnings  and  plunderings  took 
place  in  and  around  that  place.  But  the  bold  Whigs  of 
Mecklenburg — the  "hornets"  of  that  section — although 
unable  to  keep  the  open  field,  were  vigilant  and  at  work, 
constantly  popping  the  sentinels,  and  insolent  dragoons  of 
Tarleton,  sent  out  as  scouts  and  on  foraging  excursions 
Becoming  uneasy  by  these  bold  attacks  of  the  rebels,  fre- 
quently driving  his  foraging  parties  within  sight  of  his 
camp,  Cornwallis,  when  he  heard  of  the  defeat  of  Fergu- 
son at  King's  Mountain,  concentrated  his  army,  and,  on  the 
14tli  of  October,  commenced  his  retrograde  march  towards 
Winnsboro,  S  C.  During  this  march,  the  British  army 
halted  for  the  night  at  Wilson's  plantation,  near  Steele 
Creek.  Cornwallis  and  Tarleton  occupied  the  house  of 
Mrs.  Wilson,  requiring  her  to  prepare  a  meal  for  them  as 
though  they  had  been  her  friends.  Cornwallis,  in  the 
meantime,  finding  out  that  her  husband  and  one  of  her 
sons  were  his  prisoners  in  the  Camden  jail,  artfully  at- 
tempted to  enlist  her  in  the  King's  cause. 

".iladara,  said  he,  your  husband  and  son,  are  my  pris- 
oners ;  the  fortune  of  war  may  soon  place  others  of  your 
sons — perhaps  all  your  kinsmen,  in  my  power.  Your  sons 
are  young,  aspiring,  and  brave.  In  a  good  cause,  fighting 
for  a  generous  and  powerful  king,  such  as  George  III., 
they  might  hope  for  rank,  honor  and  wealth.  If  you  could 
but  induce  your  husband  and  sons  to  leave  the  rebels,  and 
take  up  arms  for  their  lawful  sovereign,  I  would  almost 
pledge  myself  that  they  shall  have  rawk  and  consideration 
in  the  British  army.     If  you,  madam,  will  pledge  your- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  149 

self  to  induce  them  to  do  so,  T  will  immediately  order 
their  discharge.*' 

To  this  artful  appeal,  Mrs.  Wilson  replied  that  "her  hus- 
band and  children  were  indeed  dear  to  her,  and  that  she 
was  willing  to  do  anything  she  thought  right  to  promote 
their  real  and  permanent  welfare ;  but,  in  this  instance, 
they  had  embarked  in  the  holy  cause  of  liberty  ;  had 
fought  and  struggled  for  it  during  five  years,  never  falter- 
ing for  a  moment,  while  others  had  fled  from  the  contest, 
and  yielded  up  their  hopes  at  the  first  obstacle.  I  have," 
she  continued,  "seven  sons  who  are  now,  or  have  been, 
bearing  arms — indeed,  my  seventh  son,  Zaccheus,  who  is 
only  fifteen  years  old,  I  yesterday  assisted  to  get  ready  to 
go  and  join  his  brothers  in  Sumter's  army.  Now,  sooner 
than  see  one  of  my  family  turn  back  from  the  glorious 
enterprise,  I  would  take  these  boys  (pointing  to  three  or 
four  small  sons)  and  would  myself  enlist  under  Sumter's 
standard,  and  show  my  husband  and  sons  how  to  fight, 
and,  if  necessary,  to  die  for  their  country." 

'•Ah  General,"  interrupted  the  cold-hearted  Tarleton,  "I 
think  you've  got  into  a  hornet's  nest !  IS'ever  mind, 
when  we  get  to  Camden,  I'll  take  good  care  that  old  Robin 
Wilson  never  comes  back." 

On  the  next  day's  march,  a,  party  of  scouts  captured 
Zaccheus,  who  w^as  found  on  the  flank  of  the  British  army 
with  his  gun,  endeavoring  to  diminish  the  number  of  His 
Majesty's  forces.  He  was  immediately  conducted  to 
Cornwallis,  who,  finding  out  his  name,  took  him  along  as 
a  guide  to  the  best  ford  on  the  Catawba.  Arriving  at 
the  river,  the  head  of  the  army  entered  at  the  point 
designated  by  the  lad,  but  the  soldiers  soon  found  them- 
selves in  deep  water,  and  drawn  b}"  a  rapid  current  down 
the  stream.  Cornwallis,  believing  that  the  bo}^  had  pur- 
posely led  him  into  deep  water  in  order  to  embarras  his 
march,  drew  his  sword,  and  swore  he  would  cut  oft'  his 
head  for  his  treachery.  Zaccheus  replied  that  he  had  the 
power  to  do  so,  as  he  had  no  arms,  and  was  his  prisoner  ^ 


150  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

*'but,  sir,"  said  this  resolute  boy,  "don't  you  think  it  would 
be  a  cowardly  act  for  you  to  strike  an  unarmed  boy  with 
your  sword.  If  I  had  but  the  half  of  your  weapon,  it 
would  not  be  so  cowardly,  but  then  you  know,  it  would 
not  be  so  safe." 

Cornwallis,  struck  by  the  boy's  cool  courage,  calmed 
down,  told  him  he  was  a  fine  fellow,  and  that  he  would 
not  hurt  a  hair  of  his  head.  Having  discovered  that  the 
ford  was  shallow  enough  by  bearing  up  the  stream,  the 
British  army  crossed  over  it  safely,  and  proceeded  to 
Winnsboro. 

On  this  march,  Cornwallis  dismissed  Zaccheus,  telling 
him  to  go  home  and  take  care  of  his  mother,  and  to  tell 
her  to  keep  her  boys  at  home.  After  he  reached  Winns- 
boro, he  dispatched  an  order  to  Rawdon,  at  Camden,  to 
send  Robin  Wilson  and  his  son  John,  with  several  others, 
to  Charleston,  carefully  guarded.  Accordingly,  about  the 
20th  of  ]!^ovember,  Wilson,  his  son,  and  ten  others,  set  ofl" 
under  the  escort  of  an  officer  and  fifteen  or  twenty  men. 
Wilson  formed  several  plans  of  making  his  escape,  but 
owing  to  the  presence  of  large  parties  of  the  enem}",  the}' 
<30uld  not  be  executed.  At  length,  being  near  Fort  Wat- 
son, they  encamped  before  night,  the  prisoners  being 
placed  in  the  yard,  and  the  guard  in  the  house  and  in  the 
portico.  In  a  short  time  the  arms  of  the  guard  were 
ordered  to  be  stacked  in  the  portico,  a  sentinel  placed  over 
them,  and  all  others  were  soon  busily  engaged  iu  prepar- 
ing their  evening  meal.  The  prisoners,  in  the  meantime, 
having  bribed  a  soldier  to  buy  some  whiskey,  as  it  was  a 
rainy  day,  jpretended  to  drink  freely  of  it  themselves,  and 
one  of  them  seemingly  more  intoxicated  than  the  rest,  in- 
sisted upon  treating  the  sentinel.  Wilson  followed  him, 
as  if  to  prevent  him  from  treating  the  sentinel,  it  being  a 
breach  of  military  order.  Watching  a  favorable  oppor- 
tunity, he  seized  the  sentinel's  musket,  and  the  drunken 
man  suddenly  becoming  sober,  seized  the  sentinel.  At 
this  signal,  the  prisoners — like  vigilant  hornets,  rushed  to 


SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.      151 

the  stacked  arms  in  the  portico,  when  the  guard,  taking 
the  alarm,  rushed  out  of  the  house.  But  it  was  too  late ; 
^he  prisoners  secured  the  arms,  drove  the  soldiers  into  the 
house  at  the  point  of  the  hayonet,  and  the  whole  guard 
surrendered  at  discretion.  Unable  to  take  off  their  pris- 
oners, Wilson  made  them  all  hold  up  their  right  hands 
and  swear  never  again  to  bear  arms  against  the  "cause  of 
liberty,  and  the  Continental  Congress,"  and  then  told 
them  they  might  go  to  Charleston  on  parole  ;  but  if  he 
ever  found  "a  single  mother's  son  of  them  in  arms  again, 
he  would  hang  him  up  to  a  tree  like  a  dog." 

"Wilson  had  scarcely  disposed  of  his  prisoners  before  a 
party  of  British  dragoons  came  in  sight.  As  the  only 
means  of  escape,  they  separated  into  several  small  com- 
panies, aud  took  to  the  woods.  Some  of  them  reached 
Marion's  camp  at  Snow  Island,  and  Wilson,  with  two  or 
three  others,  arrived  safely  inMecklenburg,  over  two  hun- 
dred miles  distant,  and  through  a  country  overrun  with 
British  troops. 

Mrs.  Wilson  was  the  mother  of  eleven  sons.  She  and 
her  husband  lived  to  a  good  old  age,  "were  worthy  and 
consistent  members  of  the  Presbyterian  Church,  died  near 
the  same  time,  in  1810,  and  are  buried  in  Steele  Creek 
grave-yard. 

About  1792,  all  the  sons  moved  to  Tennessee,  where  at 
the  present  time,  and  in  other  portions  of  the  West,  their 
descendants  may  be  counted  by  the  hundreds.  Robert 
Wilson,  who  was  said  to  be  the  first  man  that  crossed  the 
Cumberland  mountains  with  a  wagon,  married  Jane,  a 
dau2:hter  of  William  and  Ellen  McDowell,  of  York  coun- 
ty,  S.  C.  Both  Jane  and  her  mother  went  to  King's 
Mountain  after  the  battle,  and  remained  several  days  in 
ministering  to  the  wants  of  the  wounded  soldiers.  It  was 
mainly  on  the  account  of  Robert  Wilson's  distinguished 
bravery  at  King's  Mountain  that  William  McDowell  gave 
him  his  daughter  Jane  in  marriage — a  worthy  gift,  and 
worthily  bestowed  on  a  gallant  soldier. 


152  sketches  of  western  north  carolina, 

queen's  museum. 

One  of  the  most  useful  institutions  of  the  Revokitionary ' 
period,  and  around  which  cluster  many  patriotic  associa- 
tions, was  the  College  in  Charlotte,  known  as  Queen's 
Museum.  As  the  early  fount  of  educational  training  in 
Mecklenburg,  and  the  nursery  of  freemen,  as  well  as  of 
scholars,  it  should  ever  claim  our  warmest  regard  and 
veneration.  A  brief  notice  of  its  origin,  progress  and 
termination  may  be  acceptable  to  the  general  reader. 

The  counties  of  Mecklenburg,  Rowan  and  other  por- 
tions of  the  State,  lying  in  the  track  of  the  southern  tide 
of  emigration  from  more  northern  colonies,  were  princi-- 
pally  settled  by  the  Scotch-Irish,  who,  inheriting  an  inde- 
pendence of  character  and  free  thought  from  their  earliest 
training,  soon  became  the  controlling  element  of  society, 
and  directed  its  leading  religious  and  political  move- 
ments. They  were  not  only  the  friends  of  a  liberal  edu- 
cation, but  the  early  and  unflinching  advocates  of  civil 
and  religious  liberty.  The  "  school-master  w^as  abroad  in . 
the  land,"  and  as  duly  encouraged  as  in  our  own  day. 
Wherever  a  preacher  was  established  among  them,  to 
proclaim  the  gospel  of  salvation,  there,  with  rare  excep- 
tions, soon  sprang  up  into  lively  existence  a  good  school, 
both  of  a  common  and  classical  order.  Prominently  among 
these  seminaries  of  learning  may  be  named  Sugar  Creek, 
Poplar  Tent,  Center,  Bethany,  Thyatira,  Rocky  River, 
and  Providence,  all  located  in  Mecklenburg  and  Rowan 
counties.  Of  all  these,  Sugar  Creek  was  probably  the 
oldest.  The  time  of  its  commencement  is  not  certainly 
knoW'U. 

After  the  death  of  the  Rev.  Alexander  Craighead,  in. 
1766,  the  first  settled  pastor  of  Sugar  Creek,  the  Rev. 
Joseph  Alexander  (a  nephew  of  John  McKnitt  Alexander)' 
became  his  successor  for  a  short  time,  previous  to  his  re- 
moval to  Bullock's  Creek,  S.  C,  where  he  ended  his  days. 
Mr.  Alexander  was  a  fine  scholar,  having  graduated  at 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINj^.  153 

Princeton  College,  and  through  his  influence,  confirmed 
by  that  of  the  Alexanders  and  Polks,  Waightstill  Avery, 
Dr.  Ephraim  Brevard  and  others,  residing  in  or  near 
Charlotte,  vigorous  eiForts  were  made  to  elevate  the  Sugar 
Creek  school  to  the  rank  and  usefulness  of  a  college ;  nor 
were  their  efforts  in  vain.  The  Colonial  Legislature 
which  met  at  Newbern,  in  December,  1770,  passed  an  Act 
entitled  "  An  Act  for  founding,  establishing  and  endowing 
of  Queen's  College,  in  the  town  of  Charlotte."  This 
charter,  not  suiting  the  intolerant  notions  of  royalty,  was 
set  aside  by  the  King  and  council ;  afterward  amended  ; 
a  second  time  granted  by  the  Colonial  Legislature,  in 
1771,  and  a  second  time  repealed  by  royal  proclamation. 

"  And,"  enquires  a  writer  in  the  "  University  Magazine," 
of  ISTorth  Carolina,  "  why  was  this  ?"  An  easy  answer  is 
found  in  the  third  section  of  the  act  for  incorporating  the 
school  at  iTewbern,  and  afterward  engrafted  upon  the  act 
incorporating  tlie  Edenton  Academy  (which  were  the  only 
two  schools  incorporated  before  Queen's  College),  com- 
pared with  the  character  of  the  leading  men  of  jVIecklen- 
burg,  and  the  fact  that  several  of  the  Trustees  of  the  new 
College  were  Presbyterian  ministers.  ISTo  compliments  to 
his  queen  could  render  Whigs  in  politics,  and  Presbyterians 
in  religion,  acceptable  to  George  TIL 

A  College,  under  such  auspices,  was  too  well  calculated 
to  insure  the  growth  of  the  "  numerous  democracy.''' 

The  section  referred  to  in  the  charter  of  the  ISTewbern 
school,  is  in  these  words  :  "  Provided  always,  that  no  per- 
son shall  be  permitted  to  be  master  of  said  school,  but 
who  is  of  the  Established  Church  of  England,  and  who, 
at  the  recommendation  of  the  trustees  or  directors,  or  a 
majority  of  them,  shall  be  duly  licensed  by  the  Governor! 
or  Commander-in-Chief  for  the  time  being." 

"  The  Presbyterians,"  says  Lossing,  "  who  were  very 
numerous,  resolved  to  have  a  seminary  of  their  own,  and 
applied  for  an  unrestricted  charter  for  a  college.  It  was 
granted  ;  but  notwithstanding  it  was  called  Queen's  Col- 


154  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

lege,  in  compliment  to  the  consort  of  the  King,  and  was 
located  in  a  town  called  by  her  name,  and  in  a  county  of 
the  same  name  as  her  birth-place,  the  charter  was  repealed 
in  1771  by  royal  decree.  The  triple  compliment  was  of 
no  avail."* 

But  Queen's  Museum,  or  College,  flourished  without  a 
charter  for  several  years,  in  spite  of  the  iutolei-ance  of  the 
King  and  Council.  Its  hall  became  the  general  meeting- 
place  of  literary  societies  and  political  clubs  preceding  the 
Revolution.  The  King's  fears  that  the  College  would 
prove  to  be  a  fountain  of  Republicanism,  and  calculated 
to  ensure  the  growth  of  the  "numerous  Democracy,"  were 
happily,  for  the  cause  of  freedom,  realized  in  the  charac- 
ters of  its  instructors  and  pupils.  The  debates,  preceding 
the  adoption  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration,  were  held 
in  its  hall,  and  every  reader  can  judge  of  the  patriotic 
sentiments  which  pervade  that  famous  document.  After 
the  Revolution  commenced,  the  Legislature  of  Korth 
Carolina  granted  a  charter,  in  1777,  to  this  insritution, 
under  the  name  of  "  Liberty  Hall  Academy."  The  fol- 
lowing persons  were  named  as  trustees,  viz. :  Isaac  Alex- 
ander, M.  D.,  president ;  Thomas  Polk,  Abraham  Alexan- 
der, Th®mas  IS'eal,  Waightstill  Avery,  Ephraim  Brevard, 
John  Simpson,  John  McKnitt  Alexander,  Adlai  Osborn, 
and  the  Rev.  Messrs.  David  Caldwell,  James  Edmonds, 
Thomas  Reese,  Samuel  E.  McCorkle,  Thomas  H.  McCaule 
and  James  Hall. 

The  Academy  received  no  funds  or  endowment  from 
the  State,  and  no  further  patronage  than  this  charter.  At 
the  time  the  charter  was  obtained  the  institution  was 
under  the  care  of  Dr.  Isaac  Y.  Alexander,  who  continued 
to  preside  until  some  time  in  the  year  1778.  From  a 
manuscript  in  the  University  of  North  Carolina,  drawn  up 


*  Lossin^'s  "Pictorial  Field  Book  of  the  Revolution,"  vol.  II  ,  p.  393. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.        155 

by  Adlai  Osborne,  one  of  the  trustees,  it  appears,  the  first 
meeting  of  the  board  of  trustees  was  held  in  Charlotte,  on 
the  3rd  day  of  January-,  1778.  At  this  meeting  Isaac 
Alexander,  M.  D.,  Ephraim  Brevard,  M.  D.,  and  the  Rev. 
Thomas  II.  McCaule,  were  appointed  a  committee  to  frame 
a  system  of  laws  for  the  government  of  the  Academy. 
They  were  also  empowered  to  purchase  the  lots  and  im- 
provements belonging  to  Colonel  Thomas  Polk,  for  which 
they  were  to  pay  him  £920.  The  salary  of  the  president 
was  fixed  at  £195,  to  be  occasionally  increased,  according 
to  the  prices  of  provisions,  then  greatly  fluctuating  in 
consequence  of  the  war. 

In  the  month  of  April,  1778,  the  system  of  laws,  drawn 
up  b}^  the  committee,  was  adopted  without  any  material 
alteration.  The  course  of  studies  marked  out  was  similar 
to  that  prescribed  for  the  University  of  North  Carolina, 
though  more  limited.  Shortly  before  these  transactions, 
overtures  were  made  to  the  Rev.  Alexander  McWhorter, 
of  New  Jersey,  so  favorably  known  to  the  churches  by 
his  missionary  visit  in  1764  and  1765,  with  the  Rev. 
Elihu  Spencer ;  and  also  by  a  more  recent  visit  to  the 
Southern  country,  to  encourage  the  inhabitants  in  the 
cause  of  independence,  soliciting  him  to  succeed  Dr.  Alex- 
ander in  the  presidency  of  the  Academy. 

Dr.  McWhorter  having  declined  accepting  the  presi- 
dency on  account  of  the  deranged  state  of  his  aflt'airs  at 
that  time,  Mr.  Robert  Brownfield,  a  good  scholar,  and 
belonging  to  a  patriotic  family  of  Mecklenburg,  agreed  to 
assume  the  duties  of  the  office  for  one  year.  During  the 
next  year,  the  invitation  to  Dr.  McWhorter  was  renewed, 
and  a  committee  consisting  of  the  Rev.  Samuel  E.  Mc- 
Corkle,  and  Dr.  Ephraim  Brevard  was  sent  to  New  Jersey 
to  wait  upon  him ;  and  in  the  event  of  his  still  declining, 
to  consult  Dr.  Witherspoon  and  Professor  Houston,  of 
Princeton  College  (the  latter,  a  distinguished  son  of  old 
Mecklenburg,)  respecting  some  other  fit  person  to  whom 
the   presidency  should  be  oft'ered.     In  compliance  with 


156  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

this  second  invitation,  Dr.  McWhorter  removed  to  Char- 
lotte and  immediately  entered  upon  the  duties  ot  his  office 
with  flattering  evidences  of  success.  Many  youths  from 
Mecklenburg  and  adjoining  counties,  yet  too  young  to  en- 
gage in  the  battles  of  their  country,  and  others  of  older 
years,  whose  services  were  not  imperiously  needed  on  the 
tented  field,  flocked  to  an  institution  where  a  useful  and 
thorough  education  could  be  imparted. 

But,  owing  to  the  invasion  of  the  Carolinas  by  Coru- 
wallis  in  the  fall  of  1780,  the  operations  of  the  Acadeni}^ 
were  suspended  and  not  resumed  during  the  remainder  of 
the  war.  After  a  short  service  in  the  Presidency  of  the 
Academy,  Dr.  McWhorter,  to  the  great  regret  of  the  pa- 
trons of  learning  in  the  South,  returned  to  Xew  Jersey. 

During  the  occupation  of  Charlotte  by  the  British  army 
under  Lord  Cornwallis,  Liberty  Hall  Academy,  which 
stood  upon  the  lot  now  owned  by  A.  B.  Davidson,  Esq., 
was  used  as  a  hospital,  and  greatly  defaced  and  injured. 
The  numerous  graves  in  the  rear  of  the  Academy,  visible 
upon  the  departure  of  the  British  army,  after  a  stay  of 
eighteen  days,  bore  ample  evidence  of  their  great  loss  in 
this  "rebellious  county" — the  "Hornet's  I^est"  of  America. 

After  the  close  of  the  war.  Dr.  Thomas  Henderson,  who 
had  been  educated  at  the  Academy,  and  who  frequently 
represented  Mecklenburg  in  the  Legislature  near  the 
beginning  of  the  present  century,  set  up  a  High  School, 
and  carried  it  on  with  great  reputation  for  a  number  of 
years.  Classical  schools  of  a  high  order  were  numerous 
after  the  Revolutionary  war,  principally  under  the  direc- 
tion of  Presbj^terian  clergymen.  These  early  efforts  in 
the  cause  of  a  sound  and  liberal  education,  constantly 
mingled  with  patriotic  teachings,  made  a  telling  impress 
upon  the  Revolutionary  period,  and  greatly  assisted  in 
achieving  our  independence. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  157 


GH  AFTER  11. 


CABARHUS  COUE^TY. 

Cabarrus  county  was  formed  in  1792,  from  Mecklenburg 
county,  and  was  named  in  honor  of  Stephen  Cabarrus,  a 
native  of  France,  a  man  of  active  mind,  liberal  sentiments, 
and  high  standing  in  society.  He  entered  public  life  in 
1784,  and  was  frequently  elected  a  member  from  Chowan 
county,  and,  on  several  occasions.  Speaker  of  the  House 
of  Commons. 

Tlie  Colonial  and  Revolutionary  histoiy  of  Cabarrus  is 
closely  connected  with  that  of  Mecklenburg  county.  No 
portion  of  the  State  was  more  fixed  and  forward  in  the 
cause  of  liberty  than  this  immediate  section.  In  the  Con- 
vention at  Charlotte,  on  the  20th  of  May,  1775,  this  part 
of  Mecklenburg  was  strongly  represented,  and  her  dele- 
gates joined  heartily  in  pledging  '"their  lives,  their  for- 
tunes and  most  s'acred  honor"  to  maintain  and  defend 
their  liberty  and  independence. 

The  proceedings  of  that  celebrated  Convention,  its  prin- 
cipal actors,  and  attendant  circumstances,  will  be  found 
properly  noticed  under  the  head  of  Mecklenburg  County. 
But  there  is  one  bold  transaction  connected  with  the  early 
history  of  Cabarrus,  showing  that  the  germs  of  libert}^ 
at  and  before  the  battle  of  Alamance,  in  1771,  were  read}' 
to  burst  forth,  at  any  moment,  under  the  warmth  of 
patriotic  excitement,  is  here  deemed  worthy  of  conspicuous 
record. 


158  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

THE    "  BLACK    BOYS"    OF   CABARRUS. 

Previous  to  the  battle  of  Alamance,  on  the  16th  of  May, 
1771,  the  first  blood  shed  in  the  American  Revolution, 
there  were  many  discreet  persons,  the  advocates  of  law 
and  order,  throughout  the  province,  who  sympathized 
with  the  justness  of  the  principles  which  actuated  the 
'  Regulators,"  and  their  stern  opposition  to  official  cor- 
ruption and  extortion,  but  did  not  approve  of  their  hast}'' 
conduct  and  occasional  violent  proceedings.  Accordingly, 
a  short  time  preceding  that  unfortunate  conflict,  which 
only  smothered  for  a  time  the  embers  of  freedom,  diffi- 
culties arose  between  Governor  Try  on  and  the  Regulators, 
when  that  royal  official,  in  order  to  coerce  them  into  his 
measures  of  submission,  procured  from  Charleston,  S.  C, 
three  wagon  loads  of  the  munitions  of  war,  consisting  of 
powder,  flints,  blankets,  &c.  These  articles  were  brought 
to  Charlotte,  but  from  some  suspicions  arising  in  the 
minds  of  the  Whigs  as  to  their  true  destination  and  use, 
wagons  could  not  be  hired  in  the  neighl)orhood  for  their 
transportation.  At  length.  Colonel  Moses  Alexander,  a 
magistrate  under  the  Colonial  Government,  succeeded  in 
getting  wagons  by  impressment,  to  convey  the  munitions 
to  Ilillsboro,  to  obe}-  the  behests  of  a  tyrannical  governor. 
The  vigilance  of  the  jealous  Whigs  was  ever  on  the  look- 
out for  the  suppression  of  all  such  infringements  upon  the 
growing  spirit  of  freedom,  then  quietly  but  surely  plant- 
ing itself  in  the  hearts  of  the  people. 

The  following  individuals,  viz. :  James,  William  and 
John  White,  brothers,  and  William  White,  a  cousin,  all 
born  and  raised  on  Rocky  River,  and  one  mile  from 
Rocky  River  Church,  Robert  Caruthers,  Robert  Davis, 
Benjamin  Cockrane,  James  and  Joshua  Hadley,  bound 
themselves  by  a  most  solemn  oath  not  to  divulge  the 
secret  object  of  their  contemplated  mission,  and,  in 
order  more  eftertually  to  prevent  detection,  blackened  their 
faces  preparatory  to  their  intended  work  of  destruction. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  lofi 

They  were  joined  and  led  in  this  and  other  expeditions 
by  William  Alexander,  of  Sugar  Creek  congregation,  a 
brave  soldier,  and  afterward  known  and  distinguished 
from  others  bearing  the  same  name  as  "  Captain  Black 
Bill  Alexander,"  and  whose  sword  now  hangs  in  the 
Library  Hall  of  Davidson  College,  presented  in  behalf  of 
his  descendants  by  the  late  worthy,  intelligent  and  Chris- 
tian citizen,  W.  Shakespeare  Harris,  Esq. 

These  determined  spirits  set  out  in  the  evening,  while 
the  father  of  the  Whites  was  absent  from  home  with  two 
horses,  each  carrying  a  bag  of  grain.  The  White  boys 
were  on  foot,  and  wishing  to  move  rapidly  with  their  com- 
rades, all  mounted,  in  pursuit  of  the  wagons  loaded  with 
the  munitions  of  war,  fortunately,  for  their  feet,  met  their 
father  returning  home  with  his  burdens,  and  immediately 
demanded  the  use  of  his  horses.  The  old  gentleman,  not 
knowing  who  they  were  {as  black  as  Satan  himself)  pleaded 
heartily  for  the  horses  until  he  could  carry  home  his  bags 
of  meal ;  but  his  petitions  were  in  vain.  The  boys  {his 
sons)  ordered  him  to  dismount,  removed  the  bags  from  the 
horses,  and  placed  them  by  the  side  of  the  road.  They 
then  immediately  mounted  the  disburdened  horses,  joined 
their  comrades,  and  in  a  short  space  of  time  came  up  with 
the  wagons  encamped  on  "Phifer's  Hill,"  three  miles  west 
of  the  present  town  of  Concord,  on  the  road  leading  from 
Charlotte  to  Salisbury.  They  immediately  unloaded  the 
wagons,  stove  in  the  heads  of  the  kegs,  threw  the  powder 
into  a  pile,  tore  the  blankets  into  strips,  made  a  train  of 
powder  a  considerable  distance  from  the  pile,  and  then 
Major  James  White  fired  a  pistol  into  the  train,  which 
produced  a  tremendous  explosion.  A  stave  from  the  pile 
struck  White  on  the  forehead,  and  cut  him  severely.  As 
soon  as  this  bold  exploit  became  known  to  Colonel  Moses 
Alexander,  he  put  his  whole  ingenuity  to  worktoiind  out 
the  perpetrators  of  so  foul  a  deed  against  liis  Majesty. 
The  transaction  remained  a  m^^stery  for  some  time.  Great 
threats  were  made,  and,  in  order  to  induce  some  one  to 


160  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

turn  traitor,  a  pardou  was  offered  to  any  one  who  would 
turn  King's  evidence  against  the  rest.  Ashmore  and 
Hadley,  being  half  brothers,  and  composed  of  the  same 
rotten  materials,  set  out  unknown  to  each  other,  to  avail 
themselves  of  the  offered  pardon,  and  aceidentl}^  met  each 
other  on  the  trCvshold  of  Moses  Alexander's  house.  When 
they  made  known  their  business,  Alexander  remarked, 
"that,  by  virtue  of  the  Governor's  proclamation,  they  were 
pardoned,  but  they  were  the  first  that  ought  to  be  hanged.'" 
The  rest  of  the  "Black  Boys"  had  to  flee  from  their 
country.  They  fled  to  the  State  of  Geogia,  where  they 
remained  for  some  time. 

The  Governor,  finding  he  could  not  get  them  into  his 
grasp,  held  out  insinuations  that  if  thej^  would  return 
and  confess  their  fault,  they  should  be  pardoned.  In  a 
short  time,  the  boys  returned  from  Georgia  to  their  homes. 
As  soon  as  it  became  known  to  Moses  Alexander,  he 
raised  a  guard,  consisting  of  himself,  his  two  brothers, 
John  and  Jake,  and  a  few  others,  and  surrounded  the 
house  of  the  old  man  White,  the  father  of  the  boys. 
Caruthers,  the  son-in-law  of  White,  happened  to  be  at  his 
(White's)  house  at  the  same  time.  To  make  the  capture 
doubly  sure,  Alexander  placed  a  guard  at  each  door.  One 
of  the  guard,  wishing  to  favor  the  escape  of  Garnthers, 
struck  up  a  quarrel  with  Moses  Alexander  at  one  door, 
while  his  brother,  Daniel  Alexander,  whispered  to  Mrs. 
White,  if  there  were  any  of  them  within,  they  might  pass 
out  and  he  Avould  not  notice  it ;  in  the  meantime,  out  goes 
Caruthers,  and  in  a  few  jumps  was  in  the  river,  which 
opportunely  flowed  near  the  besieged  mansion.  The  alarm 
was  immediately  given,  but  pursuit  Avas  fruitless. 

At  another  time,  the  royalists  heard  of  some  of  the  boys 
being  in  a  harvest  field  and  set  out  to  take  them  ;  but 
alwaj'S  having  some  one  in  their  company  to  favor  their 
escape,  as  they  rode  up  in  sight  of  the  reapers,  one  of 
them,  duly  instructed,  waved  his  hand,  which  the  boys 
understood  as  a  signal  to  make  their  departure.     On  that 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  161 

occasion  they  pursued  Robert  Dai-i:;^  so  closely  that  it  is 
said  he  jumped  his  horse  thirty  feet  down  a  bank  into  the 
river,  and  dared  them  to  follow  him. 

And  thus  the  "Black  Boys"  fled  from  covert  to  covert 
to  save  their  necks  from  the  blood-thirsty  loyalists,  who 
were  constantly  hunting  them  like  wild  beasts.  They 
•would  lie  concealed  for  weeks  at  a  time,  and  the  neigh- 
bors would  carry  them  food  until  they  fairly  wearied  out 
iheir  pursuers.  The  oath  by  which  they  bound  them- 
selves was  an  imprecation  of  the  strongest  kind,  and  the 
greater  part  of  the  imprecation  was  literally  fulfilled  in 
the  sad  ends  of  Hadley  and  Ashmore.  The  latter  fled 
from  his  country,  but  he  lived  a  miserable  life,  and  died 
:as  wretchedly  as  he  had  lived.  Hadley  still  remained  in 
the  country,  and  was  known  for  many  3'earsto  the  people 
of  Rocky  River.  He  was  very  intemperate,  and  in  his 
fits  of  intoxication  was  very  harsh  to  his  family  in  driving 
them  from  his  house  in  the  dead  hours  of  the  night. 
His  neighbors,  in  order  to  chastise  him  for  the  abuse  of 
his  family,  (among  whom  were  some  of  the  "Black  Bovs"), 
dressed  themselves  in  female  attire,  went  to  his  house  b}^ 
night,  pulled  him  from  his  bed,  drew  his  shirt  over  his 
head  and  gave  him  a  severe  whipping.  The  castigation, 
it  is  said,  greatly  improved  the  future  treatment  of  his 
family,  lie  continued,  however,  through  life,  the  same 
miserable  wretch,  and  died  without  any  friendly  hand  to 
■sustain  him  or  eye  to  pity  his  deplorable  end. 

Frequently,  when  the  royalists  ranged  the  country  in 
pursuit  of  the  "Black  Boys,"  the  Whigs  would  collect  in 
bodies  consisting  of  twenty-five  or  thirty  men,  ready  to 
pounce  upon  the  pursuers,  if  they  had  captured  any  of 
the  boys.  From  the  allurements  held  out  to  the  Boys  to 
give  themselves  up,  they  went,  at  one  time,  nearly  to 
Hillsboro  to  beg  the  pardon  of  the  Governor,  (Tryon),  but 
finding  out  it  was  his  intention,  if  he  could  get  them  into 
his  hands,  to  have  hanged  every  one  of  them,  they  re- 
12 


1G2  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

turned,  and  kept  themselves  concealed  until  patriotic  sen- 
timent grew  SO  rapidly  from  that  time  (1771)  to  the' 
Mecklenburg  Declaration,  (•20th  of  May,  1775),  that  cou" 
cealment  was  no  longer  necessary.  When  the  drama  of 
the  Revolution  opened,  these  same  "Black  Boys"  stoocl 
up  manfully  for  the  cause  of  American  freedom ^  and 
nobly  assisted  in  achieving,  on  many  a  hard-fought  bat- 
tle-field, the  independence  of  our  country. 

DR.  CHARLES  HARRIS. 

Dr.  Charles  Harris  was  born  in  the  eastern  part  of 
Mecklenburg  county,  (now  Cabarrus),  on  the  23d  of  No^ 
veraber,  1762.  He  was  distinguished  as  a  patriot,  a  soldier^ 
and  a  physician.  While  pursuing  his  studies  in  Cliarlctte,- 
the  invasion  of  the  town  by  the  British  army,  under  Lord- 
Cornwallis,  caused  him  to  exchange  the  gown  for  the- 
sword.  Accordingly,  when  a  call  was  made  for  troops  to* 
resist  and  hold  in  check  the  invaders  of  his  country,  he- 
joined  the  corps  of  cavalry  under  Col.  William  R.  Davie> 
and  was  with  that  brave  and  chivalric  officer  in  much  of 
his  daring  career. 

After  the  war  was  ended  he  resumed  his  studies  at 
Clio  Academy,  in  Iredell  county,  (then  a  part  of  Rowan)., 
under  the  control  of  the  Rev.  James  Hall.  Soon  after 
this  classical  preparation  he  commenced  the  study  of" 
medicine  under  Dr.  Isaac  Alexander,  at  Camden,  S.  C.^. 
and  graduated  at  Philadelphia.  On  his  return  home,  he' 
settled  in  Salisbury,  and  practiced  there  for  some  length 
of  time  with  encouraging  success.  He  then  removed  tc 
Favoni,  his  family  seat  in  Cabarrus  county,  where  he* 
ended  his  days. 

Devoted  to  his  profession  he  soon  became  unrivaled  as^' 
a  physician  and  surgeon.  In  a  short  time  his  reputation 
was  widely  extended  over  the  surrounding  country,  ancB 
his  skill  and  success  justified  this  celebrity.     He  kept  i^p 


SHETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  163 

for  many  years,  a  medical  school,  and  instructed  ninety- 
three  young  men  in  the  healing  art.  In  his  day  and  gen- 
eration, good  physicians  and  surgeons  (especially  the 
latter)  were  remarkably  scarce — something  like  angels' 
visits,  "few  and  far  between."  He  was  frequently  called 
upon  to  perform  surgical  operations  from  fifty  to  one  hun- 
dred miles  from  home. 

He  possessed  a  cheerful  temper,  and  suavity  of  manner 
which  gained  for  him  a  ready  admittance  into  the  confi- 
dence and  cordial  friendship  of  all  classes  of  society^ 
But,  before  he  had  reached  his  ''  three-score  years  and 
ten,"  the  infirmities  of  old  age  were  rapidly  stealing  upon 
him.  and  admonishing  him  of  his  early  departure  from 
the  scenes  of  earth.  He  died  on  the  21st  of  September^ 
1825,  leaving  several  children.  One  of  his  sons,  the  late 
William  Shakspeare  Harris,  Esq.,  widely  known  as  a 
worthy  and  intelligent  citizen, represented  Cabarrus  coun- 
ty in  the  House  of  Commons  in  1836.  Another  son,. 
Charles  J.  Harris,  Esq.,  resides  at  present  about  one  mile 
from  Poplar  Tent  Ciiurch,  and  is  a  gentleman  of  great 
moral  worth  and  christian  integrity. 

On  the  tombstone  of  Dr.  Harris  is  the  following  inscrip- 
tion :  "This  monument  is  erected  to  perpetuate  the 
memory  of  Charles  Harris,  M.  D.,  born  2od  of  November^. 
1762;  died  21st  of  September,  182',  aged  sixty-three- 
years.  Dr.  Harris  was  engaged  in  the  practice  of  medi- 
cine and  surgery  for  forty  years;  eminent  in  the  former,. 
in  the  latter  pre-eminent.  He  was  a  man  of  extensive 
reading,  of  an  acute, inquisitive  mind,  friendly  to  all,  and 
beloved  by  all.  His  heart  entered  deeply  into  the  suffer- 
ings of  his  patients,  mingling  the  medicine  he  adminis- 
tered with  the  feelings  of  a  friend.  He  lived  usefully, 
and  died  resignedly  ;  and  we  humbly  trust,  through  the 
sovereign  virtue  of  the  all-healing  medicine  of  the  Great 
Physician,  he  was  prepared  to  rest  in  this  tomb,  '  where 


l64  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

the  wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and  the  weary   are  at 
rest.' " 

Dr.  ('harles  Harris  was  one  of  five  brotliers  who  emi- 
grate'! from  Pennsylvania  to  Korth  Carolina,  viz  :  Rob- 
ert, James,  Richard,  Thomas,  and  Charles,  the  subject  of 
this  sketch  Mis  father  married  the  widow  Baker,  a 
daughter  of  tlie  Rev.  .John  Thompson,  who  is  buried  in 
Baker's  Grave-yard,  five  Miles  east  of  Beattie's  Ford,  in 
Iredell  county. 

CAPT.  THOMAS  CAL1>WELL. 

Capt.  Thomas  Caldwell,  of  Irish  parentage,  was  born 
in  the  eastern  part  of  Mecklenburg  county,  (now  Cabar- 
rus), in  1753.  He  early  espoused  the  cause  of  liberty,  and 
entered  the  service  in  1775,  in  Cai)t.  John  Springs'  com- 
pany as  a  private,  and  marched  to  the  protection  of  the 
frontier  settlements  fi'om  the  murderous  and  }>lundering 
incursions  of  the  Cherokee  Indians. 

He  again  joined  the  service  in  Cajit.  Ezekiel  Polk's 
company  and  marched  against  the  Tories  in  South  Car- 
olina, near  the  post  of  Ninety-Six.  Jn  1770,  he  volun- 
teered under  Captain  William  Alexander,  Colonels  Adam' 
Alexander  and  Robert  Irwin,  General  Rutherford  com- 
manding; marched  to  the  Quaker  Meadows,  at  the  head 
of  the  Catawba  River,  and  thence  to  the  Cherokee  coun- 
tr}^  beyond  the  mountains.  After  severely  chastising  the 
Indians,  killing  a  few,  and  laying  waste  their  country 
causing  ^hem  to  sue  for  peace,  the  expedition  returned. 

In  l&W,"  he  was  appointed  Captain  by  General  Thomas 
Polk  to  assist  in  opposing  the  advance  of  Lord  Cornwal- 
lis. 

After  Cornwallis  left  Charlotte,  in  October,  1780,  he 
raised  a  company,  placed  himself  under  Colonel  Wil- 
liams, of  South  Carolina,  and  fought  under  him  and 
Colonel  Lee,  at  Pyles'  defeat,  on    Haw  River.     He  also 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  165 

acted  ioi'  jonie  tinu^  as  (luartenuaster,  at  the  Hospital,  in 
Charluttr. 

In  17S1  he  volunteered  under  Colonel  Davie,  and  was 
with  him  at  the  hattle  of  Hanging  Rock. 

This  was  Ctjptaiii  Cald  well's  last  important  service. 

The  distinguished  physician,  Dr.  Charles  Caldwell,  also 
of  Irish  parentage,  and  nearly  related  to  Ca}:tain  Thomas 
Caldwell,  was  born  in  the  immediate  vit-inity  of  Poplar 
Tent  Church,  in  Cabarrus  county,  on  land  now  owned  by 
Colonel  'J'homas  H.  Robinson,  a  worthy  son  of  Dr.  John 
Robinson,  D.D.,  who  so  long  and  faithfully  proclaimed 
the  gospel  of  salvation  to  this  congregation.  No  vestige 
of  the  family  mansion  now  remains,  but  its  site  is  easily 
recognized  at  the  [)resent  time  by  a  large  fig  bush,  grow- 
ing at  or  near  where  the  chimney  forineriy  stood,  as  a 
lingei-ing  memento  of  the  past,  and  {)roducing  annually 
its  delicious  fruit. 

Although  this  eminent  physician,  in  his  ardent  jtursuit 
of  material  Philosophy,  wandered  for  many  years  "-after 
strange  gods,"  until  much  learning  made  him  mad  ;  yet, 
it  is  pleasing  to  know,  in  his  maturer  age,  and  under 
calm  reflection,  the  early  gospel  precepts  so  impressingly 
instilled  into  his  youthful  mind  by  his  pious  parents , 
yielded  at  length  their  happiest  result-,  and  that  he  died 
at  the  Medical  College  of  Louisville,  in  Kentucky,  in 
1853,  full  of  years  and  of  honors,  and  in  the  faiJi  of  his 
fathers,  many  of  whom  sleep  in  the  grave-yard  of  Poplar 
Tent  Church. 


CHAPTER  III. 


ROWAN  COUNTY. 

Rowan  county  was  formed  in  1753  from  Anson  county. 
In  1770  Surry,  and  in  1777  Burke  counties  were  severall}- 
taken  off,  previous  to  which  separations  Anson  county  com- 
prehended most  of  the  western  portion  of  North  Carohna 
and  Tennessee.  Like  a  venerable  mother,  Rowan  beholds 
with  parental  complacency  and  delight  her  prosperous  chil- 
dren comfortably  settled  around  her.  Salisbury,  lier  cap- 
ital, derives  its  name  from  a  handsome  town  in  England, 
situated  on  the  hanks  of  the  classic  Avon,  and  near  the 
noted  Salisbury  Plain,  a  dry,  chalky  surface,  which  accounts 
for  the  origin  of  its  Saxon  name,  which  means  a  dri/  town. 

Rowan  was  first  settled  by  Protestants,  about  1720-25, 
from  Moravia,  fleeing  from  the  persecutions  of  Ferdinand, 
the  Second,  by  the  Scotch,  after  the  unsuccessful  attempts 
of  Charles  Edward  (commonl}'  called  the  "IVetender")  to 
ascend  the  English  throne,  and  by  the  Irish,  after  the  re- 
bellion of  the  Earls  of  Tyrone  and  Tyrconnell,  who  were 
offered  their  pardon  on  condition  of  their  emigrating  to 
America  and  in  assisting  to  colonize  the  English  posses- 
sions there.  The  staid  prudence  of  the  German,  the  keen 
sagacity  of  the  Scotch,  and  fiery  ardor  of  the  Irish  com- 
mingled on  American  soil,  and  were  fit  materials  to  form 
the  elemental  foundations  of  an  industrious,  progressive  and 
independent  nation. 

The  early  history  of  Rowan,  and  of  her  distinguished 
sons,  aftbrds  of  itself  ample  materials  to  till  an  instructive 


SKETCHES  OE    WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  1G7 

^'■olume.  Within  hev  borders  resided  such  venerable  pa- 
ftriots  as  Matthew  Locke,  Moses  Winslow,  Griffith  Euther- 
ford,  John  Brevard,  "VVilham  Sharpe,  Samuel  Young,  Wil- 
liam Kenijon,  Adlai  Osborne,  Francis  McCorkle,  James 
Brandon,  James  McOay,  and  many-  others,  all  true  and 
-constant  friends  of  liberty  ;  but  alas  !  how  little  of  their  em- 
inent services  has  been  preserved.  Even  yet,  it  is  believed, 
;Some  one  of  her  gifted  sons  might  do  much  in  collecting 
irom  traditional  sources,  and  from  her  musty  records  a  rich 
tstore  of  historical  facts,  hitherto  unwritten,  illustrative  of 
the  fair  name  and  fame  of  her  Revolutionary  career. 

In  the  struggles  of  the  Regulators  against  the  extortions 
of  Governor  Tryon  and  the  crown  officers,  the  spirit  of  the 
people  of  Rowan  was  plainly  manifested.  In  March,  1770. 
Maurice  Moore,  one  of  the  Colonial  Judges,  attended 
:Salisbury  to  hold  the  Superior  Court.  He  reported  to  Gov- 
ernor Tryon  at  ISTewbern  that  "  from  the  opposition  of  the 
-people  to  the  taxes,  no  process  of  the  law  could  be  executed 
among  them." 

Upon  this  information  Governor  Tryon  repaired  in  per- 
son to  Salisbury.  In  his  original  journal,  procured  from 
the  archives  of  the  State  Paper  office  in  London  by  the 
Honorable  George  Bancroft,  late  our  envoy  at  that  Court, 
we  can  see  his  actions,  and  admire  the  spirit  of  a  Captain 
Knox,  who  refused  to  join  him  with  his  troops.  Violent  as 
■were  the  acts  of  the  Regulators,  the  subsequent  oppressive 
measures  of  the  crown  officers  justified  their  conduct.  The 
Clerk  of  Rowan  county  (Thomas  Frohock)  was  allowed  to 
ehar ge  Jif teen  dollars  for  a  marriage  license.  The  effect  of 
this  official  extortion  was  such  as  to  constrain  some  of  the 
inhabitants  on  the  head-waters  of  the  Yadkin  river  to  '^take 
a  short  cid^  as  it  was  termed  in  uniting  their  conjugal  ties 
for  "  better  or  for  wordi,"  as  man  and  wife. 

The  indignation  of  the  people  of  Rowan,  Guilford,  Or- 
ange, and.  other  counties,  was  aroused  ao:ainst  such  official 
.misconduct.     On  the  7th  of  March,  1771,  a  public  meeting 


168  SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA 

Avas  held  in  Salisbury,  Avheu  a  large  and  influential  com- 
mittee AA'as  appointed,  avIio,  armed  Avitli  the  authority  of  the^ 
people,  met  the  clerk,  sherifl',  and  other  officers  of  the 
croAvn,  and  compelled  them  to  disgorge  their  unlawful  ex- 
tortions. By  a  AA'riting  signed  by  these  officers,  they  agreed 
to  settle  and  pay  back  all  moneys  receiA^ed  oA^er  and  aboA'^e 
their  laAvful  fees. 

This  Avas  indemnity  for  the  past.  The  security  for  the 
future  Avas,  that  Avhen  any  doubt  should  arise  as  to  fees,, 
they  should  not  be  paid  to  the  officers  themseh^es,  but  ta- 
such  other  persons  as  Avere  appointed  by  the  people. 

MatthcAA^  Locke  and  Herman  Husbands  Avere  among 
those  selected  to*  receiA-e  these  lawful  fees.  An  instance,, 
says  Wheeler,  of  more  determined  resistance,  or  ol  purer 
democracy,  is  not  to  be  found  in  the  annals  of  any  peo- 
ple." 

Most  of  the  histories  of  the  day  have  done  the  Regula- 
tors great  injustice,  and  denounced  this  AA'hole  body  of  men 
as  composed  of  a  factious  and  turbulent  mob,  Avho,  Avithout' 
proper  cause,  disturbed  the  public  tranquility.  Nothing; 
could  be  more  untrue  or  unjust.  Their  assemblages  Avere- 
orderly,  and  some  evidence  of  the  temper  and  characters  of 
the  principal  actors  may  be  gathered  from  the  fact  that 
from  these  meetings,  by  a  laAv  of  their  own,  they  Angor- 
ously  excluded  all  intoxicating  drinks.  But  they  had  been- 
oppressed  and  exasperated  by  the  impositions  of  corrupt 
officers  until  forbearance,  Avith  them,  had  ceased  to  be  a 
a  \nrtue.  On  their  side  Avas  the  spirit  of  liberty,  animating 
the  discordant  multitude, but,  unfortunately,  Avithout  trained 
leaders,  or  a  sufficiency  of  arms,  going  forth  to  make  its 
first  essay  at  battle  on  American  soil.  Kedress  of  gricA'^an- 
ces  Avas  sought  at  first  by  the  Regulators  in  a  quiet  way, 
by  resorting  to  the  courts  of  laA4  The  officers  AA^ere  in- 
dicted and  found  guilty,  but  the  punishment  AA^as  the  mere 
nominal  one  of  "  a  penny  and  costs."  In  short,  all  resorts 
to  the  trilnmals  of  justice  ended  in  a  perfect  mockery,  an  J 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       169 

hastened  the  "  War  of  the  Reguhxtion  "  in  jSTorth  Caro- 
lina. 

The  public  press  of  that  day  was  used  by  the  Kegulators 
in  a  peaceable  way  to  set  forth  their  grievances.  Their 
productions,  circulated  in  manuscript,  or  in  print,  display 
no  proofs  of  high  scholarship,  or  of  polished  writing,  but 
there  is  a  truthful  earnestness  in  some  of  them,  and  cogency 
of  reasoning  more  effective  than  the  skill  of  the  mere  rhetori- 
cian. Sometimes  they  appeared  in  ballad  form,  and  some- 
limes  as  simple  narrative.  The  rough  poet  of  the  period 
(the  American  Revolution  can  boast  of  many)  was  Rednap 
Howell,  who  taught  the  very  children  to  sing,  in  doggerel 
verse,  the  infamy  of  the  proud  officials  who  were  trampling 
on  their  rights.  A  short  selection  from  the  many  similar 
ones  will  be  here  presented  for  the  amusement  of  the 
reader  • 


"Says  Froliock  to  Faiuiing-,  to  tell  the  plain  truth, 
When  I  came  to  this  country,  I  was  but  a  youth ; 
My  father  sent  for  me ;  I  wasn't  worth  a  cross, 
And  then  my  first  study  was  stealing  a  horse , 
I  quickly  got  credit,  and  then  ran  away, 
And  havn't  paid  for  him  to  this  very  day. 
Says  Fanning  to  Frohock,  'tis  folly  to  lie, 
I  rode  an  old  mare  that  was  blind  of  one  eye ; 
Five  shillings  in  money  I  had  in  my  purse, 
My  coat  was  all  patched,  but  not  much  the  worse ; 
But  noiv  we've  got  rich,  and  its  very  well  known, 
That  we'll  do  very  well,  if  they'll  let  iis  alone.'''' 


The  truthful  sentiment  conveyed  in  the  last  Une  will  find 
many  fit  illustrations  in  our  own  times. 

The  power  of  the  Royal  government  was  called  into  re- 
quisition to  put  down  this  '-Regulation"  movement.  The 
military  spirit  of  Tryon  resolved  to  appeal  to  the  sword. 
On  the  24th  of  April,  1771,  he  left  Newbern  at  the  head  of 
three  hundred  men,  a  small  train  of  artillery,  and  with  a 
considerable  number  of  his  adherents.  General  Waddell 
was  sent  forward  to  Salisbury  to  raise  troops,  munitions  of 
war   having  been  previously    ordered    from    Charleston, 


170  SKETCKES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

While  he  was  in  Salisbury  waiting  for  the  arrival  of  this 
■supply  of  warlike  munitions,  the  "  Black  'Bojs, "  of  what  is 
now  Cabarrus  county,  under  the  lead  of  "  Black  Bill  Alex- 
ander," seized  the  convoy  of  wagons,  and  completely  de- 
stroyed the  "  King's  powder,"  well  knowing  it  was  intended 
to  obey  the  behest  of  a  tyrannical  Governor.  When  Wad- 
dell  advanced  his  troops  from  Salisbury  to  join  Tryon,  the 
bold  sons  of  Rowan  rose  in  arms  and  ordered  him  back. 
On  the  10th  of  May,  1771,  at  Potts'  Creek,  he  held  a  coun- 
cil of  his  officers,  and  they,  believing  "  prudence  to  be  the 
better  part  of  valor,"  fell  back,  and  recrossed  the  Yadkin. 
Waddell  soon  found  that  many  of  his  own  men  sympathised 
with  the  cause  of  the  Regulators.  He  promptly  sent  a 
message  to  Tryon,  then  encamped  on  Eno,  informing  him 
of  his  critical  situation.  Trj-on  hastened  on  with  his 
forces,  crossed  Haw  river  on  the  13th  of  May,  and,  on  the 
next  evening,  pitched  his  camp  on  the  bank  of  the  Ala- 
mance. On  the  IStli  of  May,  1771,  the  unfortunate  bat- 
tle of  Alamance  was  fought  in  which  was  shed  the  Jirst 
blood  of  the  American  Revolution.  After  that  disastrous 
event,  in  which,  for  want  of  skilful  leaders,  and  concert 
among  their  men,  the  Regulators  v/ere  subdued,  the 
bloody  "  Wolf  of  North  Carolina,"  as  Tryon  was  called 
by  the  Cherokee  Indians,  advanced  in  all  "the  pomp  and 
circumstance"  of  official  station,  and  joined  Waddell  on 
the  4th  of  June,  near  Salisbury,  about  eight  miles  east 
of  the  Yadkin  river.  He  then  marched  by  a  circuitous 
route  to  Hillsboro,  where  he  had  court  held  to  try  the 
Regulators,  b}''  his  pliant  tool,  Judge  Howard.  On  the 
20th  he  left  Hillsboro,  and  reached  Newbern  on  the  24th  ; 
And  on  the  30th  left  North  Carolina  for  the  colony  of 
New  York,  over  which  he  had  just  been  appointed  Gov- 
ernor. Thus  was  our  State  rid  of  one  who  had  acted  the 
part  of  an  oppressive  ruler  and  a  blood-thirsty  tyrant. 

The  efforts  of  Tryon  had  been  too  successful  in  enlist- 
ing under  his  banners,  before  the  designs  of  the  British 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA.  i(l71 

poveniment  were  open]}'  discovered,  many  of  the  bravest 
and  best  officers  of  his  day.  ('aswell,  Ashe,  Waddell, 
Rutherford,  and  other  distinguished  persons  who  gave  in 
their  adhesion  to  Governor  Tryon  in  1771,  only  three 
years  later,  at  the  first  Provincial  Congress,  directly  from 
the  people,  held  at  Newbern  on  the  25th  of  August,  1774, 
■were  found  to  be  true  patriots,  when  it  became  apparent 
the  entire  subjugation  of  the  country  was  the  object  of 
the  British  crown.  To  the  first  assemblage  of  patriots, 
.adverse  to  the  oppressions  of  the  British  government, 
held  at  Newbern  in  August,  1774,  the  delegates  from 
Rowan  were  William  Kennon,  Moses  AYinslow  and  Sam- 
uel Young. 

To  the  same  place,  in  April,  1775,  the  delegates  were 
Oriffith  Rutherford,  William  Sharpe  and  William  Ken- 
iiion. 

To  llillsboro,  on  the  21st  of  August,  1775,  the  dele- 
gates were  Matthew  Locke,William  Sharpe,  Moses  Win-S-  ' 
low,  William  Kennon,  Samuel  Young  and  James  Smith, 
This  Provincial  Congress  appointed  as  Field  Ofliceisand 
Minute  Men,  for  Salisbury  District,  Thomas  Wade,  of 
Anson,  Colonel ;  Adlai  Osborne,  of  Rowan,  Lieutenant 
Colonel;  Joseph  ITarben,  Major. 

To  Halifax,  on  the  22d  of  April,  1776,  Rowan  sent 
Rutherford  Griffith  and  Matthew  Locke  as  delegates. 

At  this  assembly  Griffith  Rutherford  was  appointed 
Brigadier  General  of  the  Salisbury  District ;  Francis 
Locke,  Colonel  of  Rowan ;  Alexander  Dobbins,  Lieuten- 
ant Colonel ;  James  Brandon,  1st  Major ;  James  Smith, 
2d  Major. 

To  the  Congress  at  Halifax,  November  12th,  177G, 
which  formed  the  first  Constitution,  the  delegates  were 
Griffith  Rutherford,  Matthew  Locke,  William  Sharpe, 
James  Suiith  and  John  Brevard. 

In  1775  the  Royal  government  ceased  in  North  Caro- 
lina bv  the  retreat  of  Governor  Martin. 


Il'2  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

The  (/ivil  Government,  vested  in :  1.  A  Provincial 
Council  for  the  whole  State,  composed  ot"  two  members 
from  each  Judicial  District,  and  one  for  the  State  ai 
large,  who  was  chairman  anddc facto  Governor.  2.  Com- 
mittees of  Safety  for  the  towns;  and  8.  County  Committees 
of  Safety,  a  part  of  whose  duty  it  was  to  arrest  suspicions 
persons,  and  take  especial  care  that  the  public  interest 
suffered  no  detriment. 

The  journal  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for  Rowan 
countv,  from  the  8th  of  August,  1774,  to  the  17th  of  May, 
1776,  has  been  preserved,  and  throws  much  light  on  the 
patriotic  transactions  of  that  exciting  period  in  our  Rev- 
(j.u:ionary  history.  The  journal  in  full  may  be  seen  in 
Wheeler's  "Jlistorical  Sketches."' 

ROUTE    OF    THE    BRITISH    ARMY    THROUGH    MECKLENBURG    AND 
ROWAN   COUNTIES. 

After  Cornwallis  etiected  his  passage  over  the  Cata\vba 
river,  at  Cowan's  Ford,  on  the  1st  of  February,  1781,  he 
only  remained  about  three  hours  in  attending  to  the  burial 
of  his  dead.  Tarleton  was  dispatched  in  advance  to  pursue 
the  Whigs  retreating  in  the  direction  of  Torrence's  Tavern. 
Early  in  the  morning  of  the  same  day  a  simultaneous  move- 
ment was  made  by  Colonel  Webster,  with  his  own  brigade, 
the  artillery,  and  a  small  supporting  detachment  to  Beat- 
tie's  Ford,  six  miles  above  Cowan's  Ford,  where  a  small 
guard  had  been  placed  on  the  eastern  bank.  Colonel 
Webster,  with  a  vieu^  of  dispersing  the  guard,  fired  sev- 
eral shots  (six  pounders)  across  the  river,  which  had  its 
intended  effect,  and  thus  enabled  him  to  pass  over  with- 
out meeting  with  serious  opposition.  This  was  a  mere 
feint,  intended  to  create  the  impression  that  the  whole 
British  army  would  cross  there. 

The  two  British  forces  pressing  forward  with  as  little 
delay  as  possible,  united   at  Torrence's,   ten   miles  from 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  173 

Cowan's  P^ord,  whei'u  a  considei-able  body  of  the  Whig 
militia  liad  liastily  assembled;  but  havino-  no  one  to 
assume  command,  and  greatly  discouraged  by  the  death 
of  General  Davidson  on  tlie  approach  of  Tarleton's  cav- 
alry, poured  in  one  effective  fire,  killed  seven  of  the  Brit- 
ish horsemen,  wounded  others,  and  then  dispersed  in  all 
directions  with  a  small  loss.  Tliis  skirmish,  occurring 
soon  after  Tarleton's  defeat  at  ilie  CovvpSns,  led  him  to 
boast  of  it  in  his  journal  as  a  brilliant  victory  ! 

Lord  Cornwallis,  in  his  general  orders  on  the  2d  of 
February,  returns  his  "  thanks  to  the  Brigade  of  Guards 
for  their  cool  and  determined  bravery  in  the  passage  of 
tiie  Catawba,  while  rushing  tlirough  that  long  and  diffi- 
cult ford  under  a  galling  fire." 

Another  order,  issued  from  his  caiuj)  on  the  evening  of 
the  preceding  day,  does  credit  to  his  head  as  well  as  his 
heart,  and  shows  tiiat  he  was  sometimes  governed  by  tiie 
noble  principles  of  moral  rectitude.  The  order  is  in  the 
following  words : 

"Headquarteks,  Cross  Roads  to  SALisBuitY,  (^ 

February  1st,  1781.      j 

Lord  Cornwallis  is  highl}'  displeased  that  several 
houses  were  set  on  fire  during  the  march  this  day — a  dis- 
grace to  the  army.  lie  will  punish,  with  the  utmost 
severity,  any  person  or  persons  who  shall  be  found  guilty 
of  committing  so  diso:raceful  an  outrage.  Llis  Lordship 
requests  the  commanding  officers  of  corps  to  find  out  the 
persons  who  set  fire  to  the  houses  this  day." 

It  is  presumable  his  Lordship  never  received  the  de- 
sired information.  The  order,  no  doubt,  has  reference  to 
the  burning  of  the  houses  of  John  Brevard,  who  had 
"  seven  sons  at  one  time  in  the  rebel  army,"  and  of  Adam 
Torrence,  a  staunch  Whig,  where  the  skirmish  liadtakf'n 
place. 

General  Greene,  having  been  app)rised  of  the  battle  of 
the  Cowpens,  and  the  result,  on  the  same  day  when  Corn- 


174  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA. 

wallis  commenced  his  pursuit  of  General  Morgan,  order-- 
ed  General  Stevens  to  march  with  his  Virginia  militia 
(whose  term  of  service  was  almost  expired)  by  way  of 
(charlotte,  x^.  C,  to  take  charge  of  Morgan's  prisoners,. 
and  conduct  them  to  Charlottesville,  in  Virginia. 

General  Greene  being  anxious  to  confer  with  Morgan,, 
personally,,  left  his  camp  on  the  Pee  Dee,  under  the  com- 
mand of  General*  linger  and  Colonel  O.  II.  Williams,, 
and  started  with  one  aid,  and  two  or  three  mounted  mil- 
itia, for  the  Catawba.  On  the  route,  he  was  informed  of 
Cornwallis'  pursuit.  General  Morgan  had  previously 
cro.ssed  the  Catawba  at  the  Island  Ford.  On  the  31st  of 
January,  General  Greene  reached  Sherrill's  Ford,  a  few 
miles  below  the  Island  Ford,  where  he  had  an  interview 
with  Morgan,  and  directed  his  future  movements. 

The  British  army  reached  Salisbury  on  that  night,  and 
on  the  ne.\t  morning  started  in  pursuit  of  Green  and 
Morgan.  These  officers  did  not  await  the  dawn,  but 
crossed  the  Yadkin  river  at  tiie  Trading  Ford,  six  mile.S' 
beyond  Salisbury,  while  his  Lordship  was  quietly  slnm- 
bering,  and  dreaming,  ])erhajis,  of  future  conciuest  and 
glory  I  W'iien  (  ornwallis  awoke  on  the  morning  of  the 
third,  lie  lia>tene(l  to  strike  a  i'atal  blow  on  the  banks  oi 
the  Yadki\),but  the  Americans  wereljeyond  liis  reach,  and 
Providence  ha  !  ;igain  [)laced  an  impassable  barriei' of  wa 
tei-  bc'lween  tliem.  Co[mou.s  rains  in  the  mountains  liarJ 
swollen  the  Yadkin  to  a  mighty  river.  Tlie  hoi'ses  of 
Morgan  had  forded  the  stream  at  midnight,  and  the  in- 
fantry passed  over  in  boats  at  dawn.  These  vessels  wei'c 
fastened  on  tiie  eastern  shore  of  the  Yadkin,  and  Corn- 
wallis was  obliged  to  wait  for  the  waters  to  subside  before 
he  could  attempt  to  cross.  Again  he  had  the  Americans 
almost  within  his  grasp.  A  corps  of  riflemen  were  yet  on 
the  Western  side  when  O'Hara,  with  the  vanguard  of  the 
British  army,  approached,  but  these  escaped  across  the 
river,  after  a  slight  skirmish.     Xothing  was  lost  but  a 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       175 

few  wagons  belonging  to  Whig  families,  who,   with  their 
effects,  were  fleeing  wdth  the  American  army. 

Lord  Cornwallis,  af*:er  an  ineffectual  cannonade  over 
the  river,  returned  to  Salisbury,  and,  on  theTtli,  marched 
up  the  western  bank  of  the  Yadkin,  and  crossed  at  the 
Shallow  Ford,  near  the  village  of  Iluntsville. 

Dr.  Read,  the  surgeon  of  the  American  army,  has  left 
this  record  of  the  cannonading  scene:  "At  a  little  dis- 
tance from  the  river  was  a  small  cabin,  in  which  General 
Greene  had  taken  up  his  quarters.  At  this  building  the- 
enemy  directed  their  fire,  and  the  balls  rebounded  from 
the  rocks  in  the  rear  of  it.  But  little  of  the  roof  was  vis- 
ible to  the  enemy.  The  General  was  preparing  his  or- 
ders for  the  army,  and  his  dispatches  to  the  Congress.. 
In  a  short  time  the  balls  began  to  strike  the  roof,  and 
clap-boards  were  flying  in  all  directions.  But  the  Gen- 
eral's pen  never  stopped,  only  when  a  new  visitor  ar- 
rived, or  some  officer  for  orders  ;  and  then  the  answer  was- 
given  with  calmness  and  precision,  and  Greene  resumed 
his  pen." 

It  is  related  as  a  truthful  tradition  that,  after  the  Brit- 
ish army  reached  Salisbury,  Lord  (Jornwallis,  Tarleton,. 
and  other  royal  officers,  were  hospitably  entertained  b_y 
Dr.  Anthonv  Newman,  although  he  was  a  true  Whig.- 
There,  in  presence  of  Tarleton,  and  other  spectators.  Dr.. 
Newman's  two  little  sons  were  engaged  in  playing  the 
game  of  the  "  battle  of  the  Cowpens,"  with  grains  of  corn  r, 
red  grains  representing  the  British  officers,  and  white- 
grains  the  Americans. 

Washington  and  Tarleton  were  particularly  repre- 
sented, and  as  one  pursued  the  other,  as  in  a  real  battle^ 
the  little  fellows  shouted,  "Hurrah  for  Washington,. 
Tarleton  runs  !  Hurrah  for  Washington."  Colonel  Wil- 
liam A.  Wasnington,  it  will  be  recollected,  commanded 
the  American  cavalry.     Tarleton  looked  on  for  a  while,. 


176  SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

but  soon  becoming  irritated  at  ihe  playful  but  truthful 
scene,  he  exclaimed:  "  See  these  cursed  little  rebels!" 

The  pursuit  of  Morgan  by  Cornwallis  was  the  most  ex- 
citing and  prolonged  military  chase  of  the  American 
Revolution.  Under  various  tangible  interpositions  of 
Providence,  the  retreat,  as  we  have  seen,  proved  finally 
successful,  and  Morgan's  forces  saved  for  the  future  ser- 
vice of  his  countr}'. 

I      GENERAL  GRIFFITH    RUTHERFORD. 

Greneral  Griffith  Rutherford  was  an  Irishman  by  birth, 
brave  and  patriotic,  but  uncultivated  in  mind  and  man- 
ners. He  resided  w^st  of  Salisbury,  in  the  Locke  settle- 
ment, and  actively  participated  in  the  internal  govern- 
ment of  the  county,  associated  with  such  early  and 
distinguished  patriots  as  Moses  Winslow,  Alexander  Os- 
born,  Samuel  Young,  John  Brevard,  James  Brandon, 
William  Sharpe,  Francis  McCorkle,  and  others.  He 
represented  Rowan  county  in  the  Provincial  Congress 
which  met  at  Halifax  on  the  4th  of  April,  1776,  and 
during  this  session  he  received  the  appointment  of  Brig- 
adier General  of  the  "  Salisbury  District."  Near  the  close 
of  the  summer  of  1776,  he  raised  and  commanded  an 
army  of  two  thousand  four  hundred  men  against  the 
Cherokee  Indians.  After  being  reinforced  by  the  Guil- 
ford Regiment,  under  Colonel  James  Martin,  and  by  the 
Surry  Regiment  under  Colonel  Martin  Armstrong,  at 
Fort  McGahey,  General  Rutherford  crossed  the  "  Blue 
Ridge," or  Alleghany  mountains,  at  SwannanoaGap,  near 
the  western  base  of  which  tfie  beautiful  Swannanoa  river 
("nymph  of  beauty")  takes  its  rise.  After  reaching  the 
French  Broad  he  passed  down  and  over  that  stream  at  a 
crossing-place  which  to  this  day  bears  the  name  of  the 
"  War  Ford."  He  then  passed  up  the  valley  of  "  Homi-- 
ny  Creek;"  leaving   Pisgah  Mountain  on  the   left,  and 


SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  177 

crossed  Pigeon  River  a  little  below  the  mouth  of  East 
Fork.  Pie  then  passed  through  the  mountains  to  Rich- 
land Creek,  above  the  present  town  of  Waynesville;  as- 
cended the  creek  and  crossed  the  Tuckaseegee  River  at 
an  Indian  town.  Pursuing  his  course,  he  crossed  the 
Cowee  Mountain,  where  he  had  a  small  engagement  with 
the  enemy,  in  which  one  of  his  men  was  wounded.  A.S 
the  Indians  carried  off  their  dead  and  wounded,  their 
los^  could  not  be  ascertained.  Thence  he  marched  to  the 
^  Middle  Towns,"  on  the  Tennessee  river,  where,  on  the 
14th  of  September,  he  met  General  Williamson  with 
troops  from  South  Carolina  on  tlie  same  mission  of  sub- 
duing the  Indians. 

In  skirmishes  at  Valley  Town,  Ellajay,  and  near  Frank- 
lin, General  Rutherford  lost  three  men,  but  he  completely 
subdued  the  Indians.  He  then  returned  home  b}^  the 
same  route,  since  known  as  "  Rutherford's  Trace."  The 
Rev.  James  Hall,  of  Iredell  county,  accompanied  this  ex- 
pedition as  chaplain. 

The  uniforms  of  the  officers  and  men  was  a  hunting- 
shirt  of  domestic,  trimmed  with  cotton  :  their  arms  were 
rifles,  and  none  kneiu  better  how  to  use  them.  Many  of  the 
hardy  sons  of  the  west  there  experienced  their  first  essay 
in  arms,  and  their  bravery  was  nobly  maintained  after- 
wai'ds  at  King's  Mountain,  the  Cowpens,  and  elsewhere 
in  the  South. 

General  Rutherford  commanded  a  brigade  in  the  bat- 
tle of  Camden,  (16th  of  August,  1780),  and  was  there 
made  a  prisoner.  After  he  was  exchanged  he  again  took 
the  held,  and  commanded  the  expedition  which  marched 
by  way  of  Cross  Creek  (nowFayetteville)  to  A¥ilmington^ 
when  that  place,  on  his  approach,  was  evacuated  by  the 
British,  near  the  close  of  the  war. 

He  frecjuently  represented  Rowan  county  in  the  Senate 
during  and  subsequent  to  the  war,  showing  the  high  ap- 
preciation in  which  his  services  were  held  by  the  people. 
13 


178  SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Shortly  after  his  last  service  in  1786,  he  joined  the  strong 
tide  of  emigration  to  Tennessee,  where  his  well-earned 
faine  and  experience  in  governmentjd  matters  had  [)i'e- 
<ieded  him.  The  Knoxville  Gazette  of  the  6th  of  Septem- 
ber, 1794,  contains  the  following  announcenxMit: 

"On  Monday  last  1ho  Gcn.ernl  Assembly  of  this  terr.- 
tory  commenced  their  session  in  this  town.  General 
Rutherford,  long  distinguished  for  his  services  in  the 
Legislature  of  North  Carolina,  is  appointed  President  cf 
the  Legislative  Council.'' 

General  Rutherford  died  in  Tennessee  near  the  begin- 
ning of  the  present  century,  at  a  good  old  age,  and  it  is 
to  be  regrette<l  more  has  not  been  preserved  of  his  life 
and  services. 

LOCKE  FAMILY. 

Matthew  Locke,  one  of  the  first  settler.'?  of  Rowan  county, 
and  the  patriarchal  head  of  a  lai-ge  family,  was  born  in 
1730.  He  was  an  early  and  devoted  friend  of  liberty  and 
tiie  rights  of  the  people.  His  stability  o{  cliaracter  and 
maturity  of  judgment  caused  him  to  be  held  in  high 
esteem  in  all  controversial  matters  among  his  fellow  citi- 
zens. In  1771,  during  the  "Regulation''  troubles,  he 
was  selected  by  the  people,  with  Herman  ILisbands,  to 
receive  the  lawful  fees  of  the  sheriffs,  an  1  other  crown 
officers,  whose  exotbitant  exactions  and  oppressive  con- 
duct were  then  everywhere  disturbing  the  peace  and  wel- 
fare of  society.  Tn  1775,  he  was  a  member  of  the  Colonial 
Assembly,  and  in  1776  member  of  the  Provincial  Con- 
gress, which  met  on  the  12th  of  November  of  that  year, 
and  formed  the  first  Constitution.  From  1793  to  1799 
he  was  a  member  of  Congress,  and  was  succeeded  by  the 
Hon.  Archibald  Henderson.  He  married  a  daughter  of 
Richard  Brandon,  an  early  patriot  of  the  same  county. 
He  died  in  1801,  aged  seventy-one  years. 


SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       179 

Matthew  Locke  had  at  one  time  four  sons  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war.  Francis  Locke,  his  eldest  son,  was 
iippointed  by  the  Provincial  Congress  which  met  at  Hal- 
ifax on  the  4th  of  April,  1776,  Colonel  of  the  1st  Kowan 
Regiment,  with  Alexander  Dobbins  as  Lieutenant  Colo- 
nel ;  James  Brandon,  1st  Major,  and  James  Smith,  2d 
Major.  He  was  attached  to  General  Lincoln's  army 
tvhen  General  Ashe  was  defeat'sd  at  Brier  Creek,  and  com- 
posed one  of  the  members  of  the  court-martial  to  incjuire 
into  that  unfortunate  affair.  Colonel  Locke  commanded 
the  forces  which  attacked  and  signally  defeated  a  large 
body  of  Tories  assembled  at  Ramsour's  Mill,  under  Col. 
John  Moore.  (For  particulars,  see  "  Lincoln  county  "). 
Another  son,  Lfeutenant  George  Locke,  a  brave  young 
officer,  was  killed  by  the  British  in  the  skirmish  near 
Charlotte,  in  September,  1780. 

Hon.  Francis  Locke,  son  of  Francis-  Locke,  the  "hero 
of  Ramsour's  Mill,"  was  born  on  the  31st  of  October, 
1766.  He  was  elected  Judge  of  the  Superior  Court  in 
1803,  and  resigned  in  1814,  at  which  time  he  was  elected 
a  Senator  in  Congress  in  1814-'15.  He  never  married, 
iind  died  in  .January,  1823,  in  the  forty-fourth  year  of  his 
age.  His  mortal  remains,  with  those  of  his  father,  Colo- 
nel Francis  Locke,  repose  in  the  grave-yard  of  Tln-atira 
Oluirch,  Rowan  county,  N.  C. 

HON.  ARCHIBALD  HENDERSON. 
(Condensed  from  Wheeler's  "Historical  Sketches.'") 

Hon.  Archibald  Flenderson  was  born  in  Granville 
county,  N.  C.  on  the  7th  of  August,  1708;  studied  law 
with  Judge  AVilliams,  his  relative,  and  was  pronounced 
by  the  late  Judge  Murphy,  who  knew  him  long  and  well, 
to  be  "  the  most  perfect  model  of  a  lawyer  that  our  bar 
has  produced."  *  *  *  No  man  could  look  upon  him 
without  pronouncing  him   one  of  the  great  men  of  the 


180  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

age.  The  impress  of  greatness  was  upon  bis  countenance  ? 
not  that  greatness  which  is  the  oifspring  of  any  single- 
talent  or  moral  quality,  but  a  greatness  which  is  made- 
up  by  blending  the  faculties  of  a  fine  intellect  with  exalted 
moral  feelings.  Although  he  was  at  all  times  accessible- 
and  entirely  free  from  austerity,  he  seemed  to  live  an^ 
move  in  an  atmosphere  of  dignity.  lie  exacted  nothing: 
by  his  manner,  yet  all  approached  him  with  reverenet? 
and  left  him  with  respect.  His  vras  the  region  of  higb 
sentiment ;  and  here  he  occupied  a  standing  that  was- 
pre-eminent  in  JSTorth  Carolina.  lie  contributed  more 
than  an}'  man,  since  the  time  of  General  Davie  and  Al- 
fred Moore,  to  give  character  to  the  bar  of  the  State.-  Hif« 
career  at  the  bar  has  become  identified  with  the  histo-ry 
of  l^orth  Carolina:  and  his  life  and  his  example  fcrnisb 
themes  for  instruction  to  gentlemen  of  the  b-ench  and  tc 
his  brethren  of  the  bar.  May  they  study  his  life  ancl 
profit  by  his  example! 

He  represented  his  district  in  Congress  from  1799'  to 
1803,  and  the  town  of  Salisbury  frequently  in  the  State  Leg- 
islature. He  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  William  Alexar> 
der,  and  sister  of  William  Alexander  and  Nathaniel 
Alexander,  afterward  Governor  of  the  State,  He  left  two* 
cliiklren,  the  late  Archibald  Henderson,.  Esq.,- of  Salis- 
bury, and  Mrs.  Boyden,  wife  of  the  late  Hon.-  Nathanieli 
Boyden. 

He  died  on  the  21st  of  October,  1822,  in  th«fifty-fourtli 
year  of  his  age. 

EICHMOND  PP:AKS0N. 
(Condensed  from  Wheeler's  "Historical  Sketches.'"): 

Richmond  Pearson,  late  of  Davie  county  when  a  part  of 
Rowan,  was  born  in  Dinwiddle  county,  Va.y  in  1770,an(3 
at  the  age  of  nineteen  years  came  to  IsTorth  Carolina  an-^ 
settled  in  the  forks  of  the  Yadkin  river. 


SKETCHES  OF   WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  181 

When  the  war  of  the  Revokition  broke  out  he  was  a 
Lieutenant  in  Captain  Bryan's  company  (afterward  the 
■celebrated  Colonel  Bryan,  of  Tory  memor}^).     After  the 
Declaration  of  Independence,  at  the  first  muster  which 
.occurred,  he  requested  some  on  whom  he  could  rely  to 
3oad    their  guns.     When  Captain    Bryan   came    on  the 
•ground  he  ordered  all  the  men  into  ranks.     Pearson   re- 
fused, and  tendered  his  commission  to  Bryan,  whereupon 
lie  ordered  him  under  arrest.     This  was  resisted,  and  he 
was  told  that  the  men  had  their  guns  loaded.    They  then 
.came  to  a  parle}^  and  it  was  agreed  by  the  crowd,  as  mat- 
iters  stood,  that  Bryan  and  Pearson,  on  afixed  day,should 
settle  this  national  affair  by  a  fair  j^s;! /7_^///',  and   which- 
<ever  whipped,  the  company  should  belong  to  the  side  of 
the  conqueror,  whether  Whig  or  Tor3^     At  the  appoint- 
ed time  and  place  the  parties  met,  and  the  Lieutenant 
proved  to  be  the  victor.     From  this  time  the  Fork  com- 
pany was  for  liberty,  and  Bryan's  crowd,  on  Dutchman's 
creek,  were  Loyalists.     The  anecdote  illustrates  by  what 
slight  circumstances  events  of  this  period  were  affected. 
When  Cornwallis   came   south,  Pearson,  with  his  com- 
pany, endeavored  to  harass  his  advance.     He  was  present 
iit  Cowan's  Ford  on  the  1st  of  February,  1781,    where 
General  Davidson  fell  in  attempting  to  resist  the  passage 
of  the  British.     Captain  Pearson  was  a  successful  mer- 
<,-iiant  and    an  enterprising  planter.     LEe  died  in  1819, 
leaving  three  sons  and  one  daughter:  1st,  Jesse  A.;  2d, 
Joseph;    3d,   Richmond;   and    4th,  Elizabeth    Pearson. 
Jesse  A.  Pearson  was  frequently  a  member  of  the  Gene- 
ral Assembly  from  Rowan  county.     In  1814  he  marched 
£is  Colonel  of  a  Regiment  to  the  Creek  ISTation,  under  Gen- 
eral Joseph    Graham,  and  was  afterward  elected  Major 
General  of  the  State  A'lilitia.     He  died  in  ISiS,  without 
issue. 

Hon.  Joseph  Pearson  was  a  member   of  the    General 
Assembly  in  the  House  of  Commons  from  Rowan  county 


182  SKETCKES  OF  AVESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA. 

in  1804  and  1805,  and  a  meraler  of  Congress  from  180&' 
to  1815.  He  died  at  Salisbury  on  the  27tli  of  October, 
1834.  He  was  thrice  married.  By  his  first  wife,  Miss 
McLinn,  he  had  no  issue:  by  the  second,  Miss  Ellen 
Brent,  he  had  two  daughters — one,  the  wife  of  Robert 
Walsh,  Esqr,  of  Pliiladelphia — the  other,  the  wife  of 
Lieutenant  Farley,  of  the  U.  S.  Navy ;  and  by  the  third 
wife  (Miss  Worthington,  of  Georgetown),  he  left  four 
children. 

Richmond  Pearson  married  Aliss  McLinn.  He  was 
never  in  public  life,  but  was  an  active,  enterprising  man. 
He  left  the  following  children  :  1st.  Sarah,  who  married 
Isaac  Croom,  of  Alabama  ;  2d.  Eliza,  who  married  W. 
G,  Bently,  of  Bladen  county,  N.  C. ;  3d.  Charles,  who 
died  without  issue;  4th.  Hon.  Richmond  M.  Pearson  was 
born  in  June,  1S05,  educated  at  Statesville  by  John 
Mushat,  and  graduated  at  Chapel  Hill  in  1823.  He- 
studied  law  under  Judge  Henderson,  and  was  licensed  in 
182G.  He  entered  public  life  in  1S29  as  a  member  to  the 
State  Legislature  from  Rowan  count}',  and  continued  as- 
such  until  1832.  Li  1836  he  was  elected  one  of  the- 
Judges  of  the  Superior  Court,  and  in  1848  was  transfer- 
red to  the  Supreme  Court,  which  elevated  position  he 
now  occupies  ;  oth.  Giles  N.  Pearson  married  Miss  Ellis,, 
and  was  a  lawyer  by  profession.  He  died  in  1847,  leav- 
ing a  wife  and  five  children  ;  6th.  .John  Stokes  Pearson 
married  Miss  Beattie,  of  Bladen  county.  He  died  in 
1848,  leaving  four  children. 

The  reader  ma}^  be  curious  to  know  something  of  the- 
fate  of  Colonel  Samuel  Bryan,  who  commanded  the  Tory 
regiment  in  the  forks  of  the  Yadkin,  which  was  so- 
roughly  handled  and  cut  to  pieces  by  Colonel  Davie  and 
his  brave  associates,  at  the  battle  of  the  hanging  Rock. 

About  the  time  Major  Craig  evacuated  Wilmington  in 
1781,  Colonel  Bryan,  Lieutenant  Colonel  John  Hampton 
and  Captain  Nicholas  White,  of  the  same  regiment,  re- 


SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA.  18S 

turned  to  the  forks  of  the  Yadkin,  were  arrested  and  tried 
for  high  treason,  under  the  act  of  1777,  entitled  "An  Act 
for  declaring  what  Crimes  and  Practices  against  the  State 
shall  be  Treason,"  &c. 

Judges  Spencer  and  Williams  presided.  The  prosecu- 
tion was  ably  conducted  by  the  Attorney  General,  Alfred 
Moore,  and  the  defence  by  Richard  Henderson,  John 
Penn,  John  Kinciien  and  William  R.  Davie,  truly  a  fine 
array  of  legal  talent. 

Public  indignation  was  so  greatly  excited  that  Grover- 
nor  J^iirke  found  it  necessary,  after  the  ti'ial,  to  protect 
the  prisoners  from   ^Mulence  by  a  military  guai'ci. 

Colonel  Davie's  defence  of  Colonel  Bryan,  in  the  argu- 
ment n)ade  to  i  he  jury  uj^on  the  occasion,  was  said  to 
hii\e  been  a  brilliunt  exhibition  of  his  forensic  al>ility. 
For  many  years  afterwards  his  services  were  rer|uiic<l  iu 
all  capi'al  cases,  and  as  a  crimiiiiil  lawyer  he  had  no 
rival  in  the  State.  They  were  all  con  victed,  had  sentence 
of  death  [)assed  ut)on  them,  were  pai'doned,  and  ^ubse 
(jueiuly  exchanged  lor  otficers  of  equal  rank,  who  were" 
at  the  time  confined  within  tiie  Biitish  lines. 

MRS.   ELIZABKTTT  STICKLE. 

The  long,  arduous  and  eventful  I'etreat  of  General 
Morgan  through  the  Carolinas,  after  the  battle  of  the 
Cowpens,  and  the- eager  pursuit  of  Cornwallis  to  ovei'take 
him,  encumbered  with  more  than  five  hundred  prisoners, 
on  his  way  to  a  place  of  safety  in  A^irginia,  affords  many 
interesting  incidents.  General  Greene  having  met  Mor- 
gan on  the  eastern  banks  of  the  Catawba  river,  at  Sher- 
rill's  Ford,  and  directed  his  forward  movements,  pro- 
ceeded to  Salisbury,  a  little  in  advance  of  his  forcec.  It 
liad  been  slightly  raining  during  the  day,  and  his  wet 
garments,  appearance  of  exhaustion  and  dejection  of 
spirits  at  the  loss  of  General  Davidson  at  Cowan's  Ford, 


184      SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINX. 

as  he  dismounted  at  the  door  of  the  principal  hotel  in 
Salisbury,  indicated  too  clearly  that  he  was  suffering  un- 
der harassing  anxiety  of  mind.  Dr.  Reed,  who  had 
charge  of  the  sick  and  wounded  prisoners,  while  he 
waited  for  the  General's  arrival,  was  engaged  in  writing 
the  necessary  paroles  for  such  officers  as  could  not  go  on. 
General  Greene's  a^ds  having  been  dispatched  to  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  retreuting  army,  he  was  alone  when  he 
rode  up  to  the  liotel.  Dr.  Reed,  noticing  his  dispirited 
].)ok?,  remarked  that  he  appeared  to  be  fatigued;  to 
which  the  wearied  officer  replied:  "  Yes,  fatigued,  hun- 
gry, alone,  and  penniless!"  General  Greene  had  hardly 
taken  his  seat  at  the  well-spread  table,  when  Mrs.  Steele, 
the  landlady  of  the  hotel,  entered  the  room  and  carefully 
shut  the  door  behind  her.  Approaching  her  distin- 
guished guest,  she  remindea  him  of  the  despondent 
words  he  had  uttered  in  her  hearing,  implying,  as  she 
thought,  a  distrust  of  the  devotion  of  his  friends  to  the 
cause  of  freedom.  She  declared  money  he  should  have, 
and  immediately  drew  from  under  her  apron  two  small 
bags  full  of  specie,  [>robab]y  the  earnings  of  several  years. 
'"Take  these,  General,"  said  she,  '"'you  need  them  and  I 
can  do  without  them."  This  offering  of  a  benevolent 
heart,  accompanied  with  words  of  kindness  and  encour- 
agement. General  Greene  accepted  with  thankfulness. 
*'■  Never,"  says  his  biographer,  "  did  relief  come  at  a  more 
propitious  moment;  nor  would  it  be  straining  conjecture 
to  suppose  that  he  resumed  his  journe}'-  with  his  spirits 
cheered  and  lightened  by  this  touching  proof  of  woman's 
devotion  to  the  cause  of  her  country." 

General  Greene  did  not  remain  long  in  Salisbury;  but 
before  his  departure  from  the  liouse  of  Mrs.  Steele,  he  left 
a  memorial  of  his  visit.  Seeing  a  picture  of  George  III. 
hanging  against  the  wall,  sent  as  a  present  to  a  connec- 
tion of  Mrs.  Steele  from  England,  he  took  it  down  and 
wrote  with  chalk  on  the  back,  "  0  George,  hide  thy  face, 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA.  185 

.■and  mourn,"  and  replaced  it  with  the  face  to  the  wall. 
The  picture,  with  the  writing  unefFaced,  is  still  in  posses- 
sion of  a  grand  daughter.  Mrs.  Steele  was  twice  married  ; 
>her  first  husband  was  a  Gillespie,  by  whom  she  had  a 
daughter,  Margaret,  who  married  the  Rev.  Samuel  E. 
McCorkl'^,  a  distinguished  Presbyterian  minister  ;  and 
Richard  Gillespie,  who  was  a  Captain  in  the  Revolution, 
and  died  unmarried.  By  her  second  husband,  William 
i?teele,  she  had  only  one  child,  the  Hon.  John  Steele,  who 
died  in  Salisbury  on  the  14th  of  August,  1815.  He  was 
a  conspicuous  actor  in  the  councils  of  the  State  and  Na- 
tion, and  one  whose  services  offer  materials  for  an  inter- 
<:>sting  and  instructive  biography. 

Mrs.  Steele  died  in  Salisbury  on  the  22d  of  November, 
1790.  She  was  distinguished  not  only  for  her  strong  at- 
tachment to  the  cause  of  freedom,  but  for  the  piety  which 
shone  forth  brightly  in  her  pilgrimage  upon  earth. 
Among  her  papers  was  found,  after  her  death,  a  written 
dedication  of  herself  to  her  Creator,  and  a  prayer  for  sup- 
port in  the  practice  of  christian  duty;  with  a  letter,  left 
US  a  legac}^  to  her  children,  enjoining  it  upon  them  to 
make  religion  the  great  work  of  life. 


CHAPTER  IV 


IREDELL  COUNTY. 

Iredell  comit}^  was  formed  in  1788  from  Rowau  county, 
and  named  in  honor  of  James  Iredell,  one  of  tlie  Associate 
,Jn  i^res  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States. 

At  the  time  of  the  war  of  the  Eevolution  the  county  of 
Rowan  embraced  all  that  beautiful  and  ao-ricultural  region 
extending  from  the  foot  of  tin,'  Blue  Ridge  Mountains, 
eastwardly,  to  where  the  Yadkin  river  loses  its  name  in  the 
great  l^cedee  ;  comprising  a  territory  equal  in  extent  to 
several  of  the  States  of  the  American  Union,  and  present- 
ing a  varied  topography,  unsurpassed  for  bold  mountain 
scenery  and  lovely  landscapes  spreading  over  the  charming- 
champaign  country  lying  between  the  Yadkin  and  Catawba 
rivers.  Within  this  territory  are  now  organized  many 
counties,  with  attractive  features,  one  of  wliich  is  the  county 
of  Iredell. 

COLONEL    ALEXANDER    OSBORN. 

Alexander  Osborn  was  born  in  New  Jersey  in  1709,  and 
emigrated  to  the  western  part  of  Rowan  county  (now 
Iredell)  about  1755.  He  was  a  Colonel  in  tbe  Colonial 
government,  and  as  such  marched  with  a  regiment  of 
Rowan  troops  to  Ilillsljoro  in  1768  to  assist  Governor  Tryon 
in  suppressing  the  "  Regulation  "  movement. 

He  married  Agues  McWhorter,  a  sister  of  Dr.  Alexander 
McWhorter,   president   of    (Jueen's   Museum    College  in 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  1S7 

Charlotte.  His  residence  (called  Belmont)  was  one  of  the 
earliest  worshiping  places  of  the  Presbyterians  of  Rowan 
county  before  the  present  "  Center  Church  "  was  erected^ 
and  became  by  compromise  the  central  meeting-house  of 
worship  for  a  large  extent  of  surrounding  country.  Colonel 
Osborn  was  a  man  of  fine  character  and  wielded  a  strong 
influence  in  his  day  and  generation. 

In  the  grave  yard  of  Center  Church,  on  a  double  head- 
stone, are  the  following  records : 

"Here  lys  the  body  of  Col.  Alexander  Osborn,  who  de- 
ceased July  y=  11th,  1776,  aged  67  years;"  and,  separated 
by  a  dividing  upright  line,  this  record  appears : 

"  Here  lys  the  body  of  Agnes  Osborn,  who  deceased 
Jul}^  y'  9th,  1776."  From  these  records  it  would  appear 
that  this  worthy  couple  left  the  scenes  of  earth  for  a  brighter 
world  only  two  days  apart,  and  not  on  the  same  day,  as 
stated  by  some  authorities.  They  left  one  son,  Adlai 
Osborn,  who  graduated  at  Princeton  College  in  1768.  He 
was  Clerk  of  the  Court  for  Rowan  county  under  the  Royal 
gavernment,  and  continued  in  that  office  until  1809.  He 
was  a  man  of  fine  literary  attainments,  the  warm  friend  of 
education,  and  one  of  the  first  Trustees  of  the  State  Uni- 
versity. He  died  in  1815,  leaving  a  large  family,  among 
whom  were  Spruce  McCay  Osborn,  who  graduated  at 
Chapel  Hill  in  1806  ;  studied  medicine,  entered  the  army  as 
surgeon,  and  was  killed  at  the  massacre  of  Fort  Minims  in 
the  war  of  1812;  and  Edwin  Jay  Osborn,  who  was  dis- 
tinguished as  a  lawyer  of  eloquence  and  learning,  and  was 
the  father  of  the  late  Judge  James  W.  Osborn,  of  Charlotte, 
one  of  Mecklenburg's  most  worth}-,  gited  and  lamented 
sons. 

CAPTAIN    WILLIAM    SHARPE. 

Captain  William  Sharpe  was  born  on  the  13th  of  De- 
cember, 1742,  and  was  the  eldest  son  of  Thomas  Sharpe.  of 


188  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Cecil  county,  Maryland.  At  the  age  of  twenty-one  he 
came  toKorth  Carolina  and  settled  in  Mecklenburg  county, 
■svhere  he  married  a  daughter  of  David  Reese,  one  of  the 
signers  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence, 
He  was  a  lawyer  by  profession  and  had  a  large  practice. 
Soon  after  his  marriage  he  moved  to  the  western  part  of 
Rowan  county  (now  Iredell)  and  took  an  active  and  decided 
stand  for  liberty.  The  Journal  of  the  ''  Committee  of 
Safety  "  for  Ilowau  county,  from  1774  to  1776,  presents  a 
noble  record  of  his  activity  and  influence. 

He  was  a  member  from  Rowan  county  to  the  Provincial 
Congress  which  met  at  Newbern  in  April,  1775;  and  also 
of  the  Congress  at  Hillsboro,  in  August,  1775.  In  Novem- 
ber, 1776,  he  was  a  member  of  ,the  Convention  at  Hahfax 
which  formed  our  first  State  Constitution.  He  acted  as 
aid  to  General  Rutherford  in  his  campaign  against  the 
Cherokee  Indians  in  1776.  In  1777  he  was  appointed  wdth 
Waightstill  Avery,  Joseph  Winston  and  Ro])ert  Laneer  to 
form  a  treaty  with  the  same  tribe  of  Indians. 

In  1779  he  w^as  appointed  a  member  of  the  Continental 
Congress  at  Philadelphia,  and  served  until  1782.  He  died 
in  July,  1818,  in  the  77th  year  of  his  age,  leaving  a  widow 
and  twelve  children.  Two  of  his  sons,  William  and 
Thomas,  were  in  the  battle  at  Ramsour's  Mill, — the  former 
commanding  a  company  with  distinguished  bravery,  and, 
near  the  close  of  the  action,  shot  down  one  of  the  Tory 
captains  w'hich  speedily  terminated  the  fortunes  of  the  day 
in  favor  of  the  American  arms. 

His  eldest  daughter,  Matilda,married  William  W.  Erwin, 
-of  Burke  county,  who,  for  more  than  forty  years,  w^as  Clerk  d 
of  the  Superior  Court  for  that  county,  and  in  November,  fj 
1789,  w^as  the  delegate  to  the  Convention  at  Fayette ville 
which  ratified  the  Federal  Constitution.  Like  a  faithful 
vine  she  raised  fifteen  children  who  have  held  honorable 
positions  in  society.  His  second  daughter,  Ruth,  married 
ol.  Andrew  Caldwell,  of  Iredell  county,  who  was  often  a 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA.  ISO' 

member  ot  tlie  State  Legislature.  He  was  the  father  of 
the  late  Judge  David  F.  Caldwell,  the  Hod.  Joseph  P. 
Caldwell,  Dr.  Elam  Caldwell,  of  Lincolnton,  and  others. 

MAJOR   WILLIAM  GILL,  CAPTAIN  ANDREW  CARSON,  AND  OTHERS. 

Many  interesting  events  which  transpired  within  the 
territory  of  "  old  Rowan  "  during  the  war  of  the  Revolu- 
tion, have  unfortunately  been  buried  from  our  view  by 
those  who  have  passed  awa3\  A  few  traditions  still 
linger  in  the  memory  of  the  descendants  of  those  wlio 
were  actors  in  those  scenes  relating  more  particularly  to- 
the  north-eastern  portion  of  Iredell,  and  of  some  of  the 
families  who  resided  there.  And  although  such  tradi- 
tions can  onlv  be  now  presented  as  detached  and  frasf- 
mentary  items  of  history,  yet  they  are  worthy  of  being, 
preserved  and  placed  on  permanent  record. 

The  facts  given  in  this  sketch  relate  to  that  part  of  Ire- 
dell lying  between  Statesville,  its  county  seat,  and  Yad- 
kinville,  tlie  county  seat  of  Yadkin  county,  and  mostly 
near  to  the  dividing  line  of  these  two  counties. 

The  numerous  creeks  and  small  streams  which  water* 
this  portion  of  Iredell,  empty  into  three  large  streams  of" 
about  the  same  size,  flowing  through  it,  named  Soutii 
Yadkin,  Rocky  Creek,  and  Ilunting  Creek.  These  streams'' 
mingle  their  waters  in  a  common  channel  before  their 
confluence  with  the  Great  Yadkin,  in  the  county  of  Da- 
vie. 

In  the  year  1778,  Thomas  Young  removed  from  Meck- 
lenburg, Virginia,  to  iSTorth  Carolina,  and  settled  on 
Hunting  Creek,  within  three  miles  of  the  place  where? 
the  counties  of  Yadkin,  Davie,  and  Iredell  now  form  a 
common  corner.  He  was  then  passed  the  age  for  mili- 
tary service,  but  had  furnished  three  sons-in-law  and  two- 
sons  to  the  army  of  General  Washington,  and  a  third 
son,  at  sixteen  years  of  age,  to  the  army  at  ISTorfolk,  Va. 


X 


vL 


190  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

One  of  his  sons-in-law,  Major  William  Gill,  entered  the 
service  at  the  beginning  of  the  war,  and  became  con- 
nected with  the  staff  of  General  Washington.  He  served 
in  the  capacity  of  aid  to  the  Commander-in-chief  through 
the  war,  and  was  with  him  at  the  surrender  of  Cornwal- 
lis,  at  Yorktown.  From  this  point  he  returned  to  his 
famih',  in  Mecklenburg,  Va.,  who  had  not  heard  from 
him  in  two  years- 
Soon  after  the  establishment  of  peace,  Major  Gill,  with 
his  family,  and  the  other  two  sons-in-law  of  Mr,  Young, 
viz :  Major  Daniel  Wright  and  Dr.  Thomas  Moody,  and 
his  sons,  William,  Henry,  and  Thomas  Young,  removed 
to  North  Carolina  and  settled  near  him.  Major  Gill  set- 
tled on  Rocky  Creek,  near  to  the  site  of  the  present  village 
of  Olin,  and,  at  his  death,  was  interred  in  the  family 
burying  ground  on  the  lands  of  his  father-in-law.  The 
record  on  his  tombstone  states  that  he  died  on  the  4th  of 
September,  1707,  in  the  47th  year  of  his  age.  His  com- 
mission is  now  ill  possession  of  his  descendants,  in  Iredell 
county. 

The  part  which  Major  Gill  bore  in  the  great  struggle 
for  independence,  was  once  familiar  in  the  traditions  of 
his  family,  and  must  have  been  satisfactory  to  General 
Washington,  from  the  fact  that  he  continued  with  him 
to  the  end  of  the  war,  and  bore  with  him  into  retirement 
the  commission  which  made  him  one  of  the  military 
family  of  the  father  of  his  country. 

A  single  incident  will  show  the  spirit  w^ith  VAhich  Maj. 
Gill  bore  himself  on  the  battle-tield.  At  the  battle  of 
Brandywine,  while  discharging  his  duty,  he  became  sep- 
arated from  his  command,  and,  in  the  dense  smoke  of  the 
conflict,  rode  into  the  ranks  of  the  enemy.  Upon  dis- 
covering his  situation,  the  only  means  of  escape  which 
presented  itself,  was  to  leap  his  horse  over  a  high  rail 
fence,  which  was  being  scattered  by  the  artillery  of  the 
enemy.     This    feat   he   accomplished    successfully,   and 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       191 

tifterward  received  the  eon,i;i'atulations  of  his  General  for 
the  spirited  adventure  and  escape. 

It  has  not  been  I'ecorded  in  histor}^  tliat  the  mortal 
remains  of  a  member  of  the  staff  of  General  Washingtcni 
lepose  on  the  banks  of  Hunting-  Creek,  in  the  county  of 
Iredell,  N.  C.  The  tradition  here  given  of  the  fact,  can 
be  yet  fully  attested  by  surviving  members  of  the  family 
of  Major  Gill,  as  well  as  by  liis  commission. 
y  Captain  Andrew  CarsonA'as  a  younger  son-in-law  of 
Mr.  Young,  having  married  after  the  family  removed  to 
Nortii  Carolina.  He  and  his  brother,  Lindsay  Carson, 
both  joined  the  service  in  the  southern  army.  And  let 
it  be  recorded,  in  passing,  that  Lindsay  Carson  was  the 
father  of  Christopher  Houston  Carson,  now  widely  known 
as  "Kit  Carson,"  the  great  Indian  scout,  and  that  "Kit" 
was  born  on  Hunting  Creek,  within  half  a  mile  of  the 
residence  of  Mr.  Thomas  Young. 

Andrew  Carson,  like  his  nephew,  "Kit,"  was  of  an  ad- 
venturous disposition,  and  was  the  bearei'  of  disj)atches 
from  the  commanding  officers  in  the  up-country  to  those 
in  South  Carolina.  This  duty  made  him  acquainted 
with  the  command  of  General  Francis  Marion,  which 
suited  his  taste,  and  he  connected  himself  with  it.  He 
was  with  the  "Swamp  Fox,"  so  greatly  dreaded  by  the 
British  and  the  Tories,  in  many  of  his  stealthy  marches 
and  daring  surprises,  the  recital  of  which  would  send  the 
blood  careering  through  the  veins  of  his  juvenile  listen- 
ers, half  a  century  ago.  The  memory  of  them  now 
awakens  a  dim  recollection  of  the  thrill  and  absorbing 
interest  then  experienced. 

Captain  Carson  was  connected  with  the  command  of 
Baron  DeKalb,  at  the  battle  of  Camden,  and  was  by 
the  side  of  that  noble  oflicer  when  he  was  shot  down 
while  crossing  a  branch,  and  bore  him  out  in  his  own 
arms.  Captain  Carson  also  sleeps  in  tJie  same  famil}' 
cemetery  with  Major  Gill. 


\ 


^Ayi^Vi,*^ 


192  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

With  a  family  thus  engaged  in  the  defence  of  their 
country,  it  will  be  readily  understood  that  their  parental 
home  was  no  ordinary  rendezvous  for  sympathisers  in  its 
vicinity.  When  Mr.  Young  settled  in  an  almost  unbro- 
ken  forest  on  the  banks  of  Hunting  Creek,  he  located 
and  constructed  liis  im})rovements  with  the  view  of  de- 
fence in  cases  of  emergency.  He  built  two  substantial 
log  houses,  about  forty  feet  apart,  fronting  each  otheiv 
and  closed  the  end  openings  with  strong  stockades.  Port 
holes  were  provided  to  be  used  for  observation,  or  other- 
wise, as  occasion  might  demand.  The  buildings  are  y^t 
standing,  in  a  good  state  of  preservation.  This  was  head- 
quarters for  the  Whigs  for  many  miles  around.  It  was 
the  point  ior  receiving  and  distributing  information,  as 
well  as  for  concerting  measures  for  the  aid  of  the  cause  of 
freedom,  and  for  dej'ositing  supplies  for  friends  in  the 
field.  The  Brush}'^  Mountains- were  but  a  few  njiles  dis- 
tant, and  were  infested  with  Tories,  who  made  pi'edatory 
incursions  into  this  part  of  Iredell,  carrying  off  stock,  de- 
vastating farms,  and  ambuscading  and  shooting  Whigs„ 
who  were  especially  obnoxious  to  tlicm. 

Mr.  Young's  fortifications  presented  a  rallying  jioint 
for  defence  against  such  invasions,  as  Fort  Dobbs  did  four 
miles  noilh  of  Statesville. 

He  was  himself  a  member  of  an  association  of  *  iuht^' 
neighbors,  who  were  engaged  in  manufacturing  powdei- 
in  a  rude  way  for  the  use  of  their  home  departnjent- 
Against  this  association  the  Tories  were  extremely  bittei\ 
and  conspired  to  kill  them.  They  succeeded  in  murder- 
ing seven  of  them,  and  detailed  one  of  their  li umber  to» 
way-lay  and  shoot  Mr.  Young.  The  man  assigned  to 
this  duty  was  named  Aldrich,  who  concealed  himself  ii> 
the  woods  near  the  dwelling  of  his  intended  victim,  and 
watched  for  an  opportunity  to  perpetrate  the  murderous 
deed.  The  habitual  circumspection  of  Mr.  Young  foiled 
him  in  his  purpose  until  lie  was  discovered  by  a  member 


SKETCHES  OP  WFSTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  193 

of  the  family,  and  became  so  frightened  as  to  induce  him 
to  abandon  the  effort. 

After  peace  had  been  proclaimed,  Captain  Andrew 
Caldwell,  who  resided  on  Rocky  Creek,  and  was  the  father 
of  Judge  David  F.  and  Hon.  Joseph  P.  Caldwell,  and 
other  sons  well  known  in  the  public  offices  of  Iredell, 
was  appointed  the  Commissioner  to  administer  the  oath 
of  allegiance  in  that  part  of  the  county.  Aldrich  pre- 
-3ented  himself  among  them,  but  the  recollection  of  his 
;^veii  murders,  still  fresh  in  the  memory  of  all,  so  aroused 
the  indignation  of  Captain  Caldwell  and  Captain  Andrew 
Carson,  who  was  present,  that  instead  of  making  him  a 
loj^al  citizen  of  the  United  States,  they  went  to  work  and 
forthwith  hung  him  on  one  of  the  joists  of  the  barn,  in 
which  they  were  transacting  their  lawful  business. 

In  many  places,  Whigs  who  were  past  the  age  for  ser- 
vice in  the  field,  organized  themselves  into  vigilance  asso- 
ciations for  the  welfare  of  the  country  and  their  own  pro- 
tection. The  duties  devolving  upon  them  rendered  them 
familiar  with  events  as  they  really  transpired,  and  often 
caused  them  to  pass  through  thrilling  and  adventurous 
scenes.  They  learned  to  know  and  how  to  trust  each 
other.  Attachments  thus  formed  by  heads  of  families 
were  strengthened,  and  more  strongly  united  in  ties  of 
friendship  after  the  restoration  of  peace.  The  descend- 
ants of  these  associated  friends  were  educated  to  revere 
the  memories  of  the  fathers,  and  to  cultivate  the  society 
iind  friendship  of  their  children.  The  traditions  of  the 
•*'  dark  days  "  vof  the  war  were  always  topics  of  family  and 
fireside  conversation  with  the  "old  folks,"  and  the}^ 
always  found  attentive  listeners  in  their  posterity,  upon 
whose  youthful  minds  impressions  then  made  were  as 
enduring  as  time. 
14 


194  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 


CAPTAIN  ALEXANDER  DAVIDSON. 

X  Captain  Alexander  Davidson  was  one  of  the  earliest 
settlers  of  the  western  part  of  Rowan  county  (now  Iredel-l.)' 
lie  took  an  active  part  in  the  Revolutionary  struggle  fm' 
independence.  When  Cornwallis  was  moving  from  Charles- 
ton tow^ard  North  Carolina,  and  General  Gates  was  ordered! 
to  meet  him,  Governor  Caswell,  of  North  Carolina,,  ordered- 
a  draft  of  men  to  sti'engthen  Gates'  arnjy.  In  response  to> 
this  order  the  people  in  that  part  of  Iredell  county  border- 
ing on  the  Catawba  river  below  tlie  Island  Ford,  assembled 
at  a  central  point,  afterward  known  as  Brown's  Muster 
Ground,  when  a  company  was  formed  under  the  draft  and! 
Alexander  Davidson  was  elected  its  captain..  Sbom-  after- 
ward Captain  Davidson  marched  his  company  to  Gates" 
I'endezvous,  when  that  officer  moved  his  arni}^  to  the  un- 
fortunate and  sanguinary  field  of  Camden,  S.  C 

In  that  disastrous  engagement  Captain  Davidson's  com- 
pany took  an  active  part,  and  the  greater  portion  of  thenn 
was  cut  to  pieces.  Captain  John  Davidson,  a  grand  son  of 
Captain  Alexander  Davidson,  now  (1876)  resides  near 
Statesville,  in  Iredell  county.  lie  well  remembers  that: 
the  commission  of  his  grand  father,  as  captain  ol  this  com- 
pany, and  a  diar}^  of  his  services  during  tlie  war  of  the* 
Revolution,  were  in  the  possession  of  his  father's-  family' 
until  1851  when  they  were  taken  to  Washington  City  by 
the  late  Hon,  J.  P.  Caldwell  and  were  not  returned. 
7  Captain  John  Davidson  is  one  of  the  most  proinin-ent 
and  public-spirited  citizens  of  Iredell  county,  and  implicit 
reliance  may  be  placed  in  his  statements. 

CAPTAIN    JAMES    HOUSTON. 

Captain  James  Houston  was  born  in  1747,  and  was  aw 
early  and  devoted  friend  of    liberty.     In  the  battle  of 


SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  195 

Ramsour's  Mill,  near  the  present  town  of  Lincolnton,  he 
took  an  active  part,  and  by  his  undaunted  courage  greatly 
contributed   to  tlie  defeat  of  the  Tories  on  that  occasion. 
During  the   eugagement  Captain  Houston  was  severely 
wounded  in  the  thigh,  from  the  effects  of  which  he  never 
fully  recovered.     Seeing  the  man  who  inflicted  the  severe 
and  painful  wound   he  shot  him  in   the  back  and  killed 
him  as  he  ran.     When  it  was  ascertained  that  Cornwallis 
had  crossed  the  Catawba  river  at  Cowan's  Ford,  and  was 
approaching  with  his  army,  thefamily  of  Captain  Houston 
conveyed  him   to  the   "big  swamp"  in  the   immediate 
vicniity,  known    as    "Purgatory,"  and    there  concealed 
him  until   the  British    Ijad   marched   quite  tljrough  tlie 
country. 

When  the  British  army  passed  the  residence  of  Cap- 
tain Houston  some  of  them  entered  the  yard  and  house, 
and  threatened  Mrs.  Houston  with  death  if  she  did  not 
quickly  inform  them  where  her  husband  was,  and  also 
where  her  gold  and  silver  and  China-ware  were  kept, 
using,  at  the  same  time,  very  course  and  vulgar  language! 
Mrs.  Houston,  knowing  something  of  "woman's  rights  '' 
in  every  civilized  community,  immediately  asked  the 
protection  of  ^iu  officer,  who,  obeying  the  better  impulses 
of  human  nature,  ordered  the  men  into  line  and  marched 
til  em  off. 

Mrs.  Houston -and  "Aunt  Dinah"  had  taken  the 
timely  precaution  tohRle  the  China  ware  in  the  tan  vats 
and  the  pewter-ioare  in  the  mud  immediatelv  beneath  the 
pole  over  which  it  was  necessary  to  waU/in  convey  in  o- 
provisions  to  Captain  Houston  in  his  place^'of  conceal  men  tt 
The  pole  was  put  under  the  water  and  mud  every  time 
by  aunt  Dinah  when  she  returned,  so  that  no  track  or 
trace  could  be  discovered  of  her  pathway  into  the  swamp. 

Captain  James  Houston  was  the  father  of  the  late  Dr 
Joel  B.  Houston,  of  Catawba,  and  the  ,grandlather  of  R 
B.  B.  Houston,  Esq.,  who  now  wares    the   gold   sleeve 


196  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

buttons  of  bis  patriotic  ancestor  with  his  initials,  J.  H. 
engraved  upon  them.  Dr.  .J.  II.  G.  Houston,  of  Ahx- 
bama,  who  married  Mary  Jasie  Simonton,  's  another 
grandson. 

The  fo]h')wi!5g  is 

CAPTAIN  JAMES  HOUSTON'S  MUSTER  ROLL. 

Captain.  James  Houston  ;  Lieutenant,  William  David- 
son ;  David  Evins.  David  Byers,  Eobert  Byers,  Nat.^ 
Ewing,  Alexander  Work,  William  Creswell,  William 
Erwin,  John  Ilovis,  John  Thompson,  John  Beard, -John 
Boston,  Robert  Poston,  Paul  Cunningham,  John  M.  Co'n- 
nell,  Moses  White,  Angus  McCauley,  Robert  Brevard, 
Adam  Torrence,  Sr.,  Adam  Torrence,  Jr.,  Charles  Quig- 
ley,  James  Guliek,  Benjamin  Brevard,  Thomas  Temple- 
ton,  John  Caldwell,  Joseph  McCawn,  James  Young 
James  Gray,  Philip  Logan  (Irish),  William  Vint,  Daniel 
Bryson,  John  Singleton. 

Many  of  these  have  descendants  in  Iredell  at  tlie  pres- 
ent time,  and  they  can  refer  with  veneration  to  the  names 
of  their  patriotic  ancestors. 

Captain  James  Houston  died  on  the  2d  of  August,  1819, 
in  the  73d  year  of  his  age,  and  is  buried  in  Center  Church 
ijravevard. 


REV.  JAMES  HALL,  D.  D. 

Rev.  James  Hall,  a  distinguished  soldier  of  the  Revo- 
lution— the  Captain  of  a  company  and  Chaplain  of  a 
Regiment  at  the  same  time — was  born  at  Carlisle,  Penn- 
sylvania, on  the  22d  of  August,  1744.  When  he  was 
about  eight  years  old  his  parents,  who  were  Scotch-Irish, 
removed  to  North  Carolina  and  settled  in  the  upper  part 
of  Rowan  county,  (now  Iredell),  in  the  bounds   of  the 


SKETCHES  OF  Y^^ESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       197 

congregrriioii    to  winch  ]iv   afterward    gave   rhirtv-eight 
yeai\s  of  his  ministerial  life. 

Secluded  iii  the  forests  of  Rowan,  a:ul  lemoved  to  a 
great  extent  from  i\w  follies  of  the  great  world,  James 
Hall  grew  up  under  the  watchful  care  of  pious  parents, 
receiving  such  e;irly  instiuction  as  the  country  schools 
then  afiorded. 

In  his  twenty-sixth  year  he  commenced  the  study  of 
tlie  classics,  and  made  rapid  progress,  as  his  mind  was 
maiured  aiid  his  application  close  and  unremitting. 
When  duly  prepared  he  entered  Princeton  College,  un- 
<ler  the  direction  of  President  Witherspoon,  one  of  the 
signers  of  the  National  Declaration  of  Independence. 
He  graduaied  in  1774,  in  his  thirty-first  year.  Tho  Theo- 
logical reading  of  Mr.  Mall  was  pursued  under  the 
direction  of  Dr.  Withers!)oon,  that  eminent  ujinisterand 
patriol,  whose  views  in  religion  and  j)olitics  were  thor- 
oughly imhibed  hy  his  student.  In  the  spring  of  177(> 
he  was  licensed  hy  the  Presbytery  of  Orange  to  preach 
tiie  Gospel  of  everly.sting  Peace.  During  the  exciting 
scenes  of  the  Revolution,  in  which  he  had  been  licensed 
and  ordained,  Mr.  Hall  held  the  office  of  pastor  over  the 
three  congi'cgations  of  Fourth  Creek,  Cuncurd  and  Beth- 
any, which  extended  from  the  South  Yadkin  river  to  the 
Catawba.  After  the  Revolution  he  served  these  three 
congregations  iinti!  171)0,  when,  wishing  to  devoie  more 
time  to, the  cause  of  domestic  missions,  he  was  released 
from  his  connection  with  Fourth  Creek  and  Concord 
His  connection  witJi  Bethany  continued  until  his  death, 
in  July,  1826. 

A  full  account  of  Mr.  Hall's  patriotic  services  during 
the  Revolution  would  far  transcend  the  prescribed  limits 
of  this  sketch.  The  principles  of  civil  and  religious 
freedom  which  he  received  in  his  parental,  as  well  as  in 
his  collegiate  training,  would  not  allow  him  to  remain 
neuter  or   indifferent,    when   a  cruel,  invading  foe   was 


^198  SKETCKES  OF  WESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA. 

« 

tranijiling  on  the  just  and  dearest  rights  of  his  connti\y. 

Accordingly,  in  response  to  the  warm,  patriotic  im- 
pulses of  his  nature,  when  General  Rutherford  called  out 
an  array  of  over  two  tliousand  men  from  the  surround- 
ing counties  to  subdue  the  Cherokee  Indians,  who  were 
■committing  numerous  murders  and  depredations  on  the 
frontier  settlements,  Mr.  Hall  promptly  volunteered  his 
services,  and  was  gladly  accepted  by  the  commanding 
officers  as  their  Chaplain. 

In  the  brief,  diary  notes  of  Captain  Charles  Polk,  (now 
before  the  author),  who  commanded  a  company  in  this 
expedition,  he  says:  "On  Thursday,  the  12th  of  Septem- 
ber, we  marched  down  the  river  three  miles,  to  Cowee 
Town,  and  encamped.  On  this  day  there  was  a  party  of 
men  sent  down  this  river  (JVuckessey)  ten  miles,  to  cut 
down  the  corn  ;  the  Indians  tired  on  them  as  they  were 
cutting  the  corn  and  killed  Hancock  Polk,  of  (-olonel 
Beekman's  Regiment."  On  Friday,  the  13th,  they  re- 
mained encamped  in.  Cowee  Town.  On  Saturday,  the 
14th,  "  we  marched  to  NuckesseN'Town,  six  miles  higher 
up  the  river,  and  encamped.  On  Sunday,  the  15th,  one 
of  Captain  Irwin's  men  was  buried  in  Nuckessey  Town. 
On  Monday,  the  ItUh,  we  marched  five  miles — this  day 
with  a  detachment  of  twelve  hundred  men — for  the  A"al- 
ley  Towns,  and  encamped  on  the  waters  of  Tennessee 
river.  Mr.  Hall  preached  a  sermon  last  Sunday;  in  time 
of  sermon  the  express  we  sent  to  the  South  army  returned 
home.  On  Tuesday,  the  17th,  we  marched  six  miles, 
and  arrived  at  a  town  called  JVowcc,  about  12  o'clock  ; 
three  guns  were  fired  at  Robert  Harris,  of  Mecklenburg, 
by  the  Indians,  said  Harris  being  in  the  rear  of  the  army. 
We  marched  one  mile  from  Noivce  and  encamped  on  the 
side  of  a  steep  mountain,  without  any  fire." 

These  extracts  show  that  Mr.  Hall  was  then  at  his  post 
of  duty,  and  ready  to  deliver  religious  instruction  to  the 
American  army.     The  sermon  was  directly  prompted  b^' 


SKETCHES  OP    WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  199 

the  death  of  a  fellow  soldier.  Wlio  can  tc^ll  how  nuiny 
Siearts  were  touched,  and  benefitted  by  the  gosi)el  truths 
■proclaimed  by  the  youthful  preacher  on  that  solemn 
occasion?  The  counsels  of  Etern.ty  can  alone  answer 
the  question. 

[n  1779,  when  South  Carolina  was  overrun  by  the 
British  and  Tories,  Mr.  Hall's  spirit  was  stirred  witljin 
him  on  receiving  intelligence  of  the  massacres  and  plun- 
derings  experienced  b}--  the  inhabitants  of  the  upper  part 
of  that  State.  Under  this  state  of  feeling  he  assembled '- 
tiis  congregation  and  addressed  them  in  strong,  patriotic 
language  on  what  he  believed  to  be  their  present  duty, 
He  pictured  to  their  view,  in  a  most  thrilling  manner,  the 
wrongs  and  sufferings  of  their  afflicted  countrymen.  The 
•appeal  to  tlieir  patriotism  was  not  made  in  vain.  With 
•as  little  delay  as  possible  a  company  of  cavalry,  composed 
oi  choice  young  men  from  his  congregation,  was 
promptly  raised.  On  its  organization,  Mr.  Hall  was 
•unanimously  chosen  for  their  Captain  ;  all  his  excuses 
were  overruled,  and,  in  order  to  encoarage  his  country- 
men to  act  rather  than  to  talk,  he  accepted  the  command. 
•*' Heart  within,  and  God  o'erhead."  During  this  tour  of 
service  two  of  his  men  were  taken  priconers.  As  he 
€ould  not  recover  them  by  force  of  arms,  their  case  was 
made  the  subject  of  prayer,  both  in  his  private  devotions 
.find  in  public  with  his  company.  In  a  few  days  after- 
ward the  prisoners  made  their  escape  and  rejoined  their 
/ellow  soldiers. 

They  stated  tliat,  as  tlieir  captors  lay  encamped  one 
•night  on  Broad  River,  in  South  Carolina,  the  sentinel 
placed  at  the  door  of  the  guard-house  was  observed  to  be 
-drows}'- ;  they  remaining  quiet,'5he  soon  fell  asleep.  When 
the  prisoners  discovered  he  was  truly  reposing  in  "  balmy 
sleep,"  they  quietly  stepped  over  him  as  he  lay  vv^ith  his 
gun  folded  in  his  bosom,  and  quickly  ran  for  the  river. 
'The  noise  of  their  plunge   into  the  water,  aroused  the 


200  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

attention  of  another  more  wakeful  sentry  ;  the  alarm  was- 
given,  and  boats  were  manned  for  the  pursuit,  but  the 
active  swimmers  reached  the  opposite  bank  in  safety  and 
thus  effected  their  escape,  to  the  great  jo}--  of  the  praying. 
Captain  and  his  faithful  company. 

In  the  winter  of  1781,  when  Lord  Cornwallis  was  ap- 
proaching the  Catawba  river  with  his  army,  General 
Davidson,  who  was  in  command  of  the  Whigs  on  the 
opposite  or  Mecklenburgsideof  that  stream,  concentrated 
his  forces,  stationed  at  different  points  on  the  river,  to 
resist  him  at  Cowan's  Ford.  In  order  to  strengthen  him- 
self as  much  as  possible,  he  sent  couriers  to  the  adjoining 
counties,  calling  on  the  Whigs  to  rally  to  his  assistance. 
One  of  these  couriers,  sent  to  Fourth  Creek  Church,  (now 
Statesville),  in  Iredell  count}^  arrived  on  the  teabbath, 
v/hile  the  pastor,  the  Rev.  James  Hall,  was  preaching. 
The  urgency  of  his  business  did  not  permit  him  to  delay 
in  making  known  the  nature  of  his  mission,  and,  as  the 
best  course  of  doing  so,  he  walked  up  to  the  pulpit  and 
handed  Davidson's  call  to  the  pastor,  the  Rev.  James 
Ilall,  whose  patriotic  record  was  well  known.  Mr.  Hall 
glanced  over  the  document,  and  understanding  its  pur- 
port, brought  his  discourse  to  a  speedy  clos*^,  descended 
from  the  pulpit,  and  read  it  to  his  congregation. 

After  reading  it  he  made  a  patriotic  appeal  to  his  au- 
dience to  respond  to  this  call  of  their  countr}'.  Where- 
upon, a  member  of  the  congregation  moved  that  they 
organize  by  calling  Mr.  Hall,  the  pastor,  to  preside,  and 
proceed  to  take  such  action  as  the  circumstances  de- 
manded. The  pastor  accepted  the  position  of  President 
of  the  meeting,  renewed  his  appeal  to  the  patriotism  of 
his  people,  and  demonstrated  his  sincerity  in  calling  for 
volunteers  by  placing  his  own  name  at  the  head  of  the 
list.  His  example  was  quickly  followed  by  a  sufficient 
number  of  his  congregation  to  form  a  company.  It  was- 
then  decided  to  adjourn,  and  meet  again  at  the  church 


SHBTCHES  OP  WESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA.  201 

at  10  o'clock  next  morning,  mounted,  with  arras  and  sup- 
plied with  ammunition,  and  five  da^^s  rations,  at  which 
time  they  would  elect  officers  and  proceed  to  the  scene 
of  conflict. 

Accordingly,  on  the  following  morning  the  pastor  and 
the  greater  part  of  the  male  members  of  his  congregation 
responded  to  roll  call  under  the  noble  oaks,  where  then^ 
and  now,  stands  Fourth  Creek  Presbyterian  Church,  in 
the  corporate  limits  of  the  town  of  Statesville,  the  county 
seat  of  Iredell. 

The  assemblage  proceeded  immediately  to  the  election 
of  officers,  when  the  Rev.  James  Hall,  their  pastor,  wa&// 
unanimously  chosen  Captain. 

In  accordance  with  the  choice  of  his  beloved  congre- 
gation, so  cordially  given,  Mr.  Hall  instantly  assumed 
command,  put  his  men  in  rapid  motion,  and,  in  due 
time,  reported  to  General  Davidson  and  took  his  ])Ositiort 
in  line,  to  resist  the  invaders  of  his  country. 

This  was  the  sort  of  patriotism  that  burned  in  the  bo- 
soms of  the  Scotch-Irish  Presbyterians  between  the  Yad- 
kin and  Catawba  rivers ;  which  was  enkindled  by  the 
pastors  of  the  seven  churches  of  Mecklenburg,  and  burst 
forth  into  a  flame  upon  the  classic  site  of  Charlotte,  on 
the  20th  of  May,  1775. 

When  the  war  of  the  revolution  had  ended,  Mr.  Hall 
devoted  himself,  with  undivided  energies,  to  his  beloved 
work,  the  gospel  ministry.  The  effects  of  the  long  and 
harassing  war  upon  the  churches  in  Carolina  were  de- 
plorable ;  the  regular  ordinances  of  the  gospel  had  been 
broken  up,  and  the  preached  word  had  become  less  val- 
ued. His  efforts  in  promoting  vital  godliness  met  with 
the  Divine  approbation,  were  attended  with  His  blessing,, 
and  resulted  in  a  revival  of  religion. 

One  sphere  of  usefulness  in  which  Mr:  Hall  excelled,, 
was  the  education  of  young  men.  JSTear  the  commence- 
ment  of  the   war   he  conducted  for  a  time  a  classical 


■202  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

school,  called  Clio's  Nursery,  on  Snow  Creek,  in  Iredell 
county.  This  he  superintended  with  care,  and  through 
its  agency  brought  out  many  distinguished  men  that 
might  not  otherwise  have  obtained  an  education. 

This  eminent  minister  of  the  gospel  died  on  the  25tli 
of  July,  1826,  in  the  eighty-second  year  of  his  age,  and  is 
buried  in  the  graveyard  of  Bethany  Church,  in  Iredell 
/•ounty, 

HUGH  LAWSON  AVHITE. 

Hugh  Lawson  White  was  born  in  Iredell  county  in 
1773,  on  the  plantation  now  owned  by  Thomas  Caldwell, 
Esq.,  about  two  miles  west  of  Center  Church,  and  five 
miles  east  of  Beattie's  Ford,  on  the  Catawba  river.  The 
old  family  mansion  has  long  since  disappeared,  and  the 
plow  now  runs  smoothly  over  its  site.  His  grandfather, 
Moses  White,  emigrated  to  America  from  Ireland  about 
1742,  and  married  a  daughter  of  Hugh  Lawson,  one  of 
the.  patriarchal  settlers  of  the  country.  He  had  six  sons, 
James,  Moses,  John,  William, David  and  Andrew;  many 
of  whose  descendants  now  reside  in  Iredell  county. 
James  White,  the  father  of  Hugh,  was  a  soldier  of  the 
Revolution.  About  1786  he  moved  to  Knox  county, 
East  Tennessee,  and  was  one  of  the  original  founders  of 
the  present  flourishing  city  of  Knoxville.  When  the 
Creek  (Indian)  war  broke  out  he  entered  the  army,  was 
soon  made  a  Brigadier  General,  and  was  distinguished 
for  his  bravery,  energy   and  talents. 

Hugh  L.  White's  education  w^as  conducted  under  the 
care  of  Rev.  Samuel  Carrick,  Judge  Roane,  and  Dr.  Pat- 
terson, of  Philadelphia.  After  completing  his  studies  he 
returned  home  and  commenced  the  practice  of  his  pro- 
fession. By  close  attention  to  business  he  soon  acquired 
eminence,  numerous  friends,  and  a  handsome  compe- 
tency.    At  the  early  age  of  twenty-eight  he  was  elected 


SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN    XORTII  CAROLINA.  203 

one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Superior  Court.  In  1807  he  re- 
ftigned  his  Judgshij)  and  retired  to  his  farm. 

There  appears,  says  a  writer  on  biography,  always  to 
be  a  congei.iality  between  tlie  pursuits  of  agriculture  and 
all  great  and  good  minds.  We  do  not  pretend  to  analyze 
the  rationale  of  this,  or  why  it  is  that  patriotism  exists 
with  more  elevation  and  fervency  in  the  retirement  of  a 
farm  than  in  the  bus}'  mart  of  crowded  cities.  Tlie  his- 
tory of  man  proves  this  fact,  that  the  noblest  instances  of 
self-sacrificing  patriotism  which  have  adorned  the  drama 
of  human  life,  have  been  presented  by  those  who  are  de- 
voted to  agricultural  pursuits.  It  is  the  only  pursuit 
that  man  followed  in  his  state  of  primal  innofence,  and 
surviving  his  fall,  allows  the  mind 

"To  look  tliroiigh  nature,  up  to  nature's  God."' 

But  his  well-known  abilities  were  too  highly  appreciated 
l)y  his  fellow-citizens  to  grant  him  a  long  retirement. 
.Soon  after  his  resignation  of  the  judicial  robes  lie  was 
elected  a  Senator  to  the  State  Legislature. 

In.  1809,  when  Tennessee  remodeled  hei' judiciary  de- 
partment, and  created  the  Supreme  Court,  Judge  White 
was  unanimously  chosen  to  preside  ovei-  this  important 
tribunal  of  justice.  He  could  not  with  propriety  refuse  to 
accept  a  position  so  cordially  tendei-ed,  and  highly  honora" 
ble  in  its  character.  For  six  years  he  presided  over  its  de- 
liberations with  such  fidelity  and  strict  integrity  as  to 
win  universal  esteem  and  unfading  honors  for  his  repu- 
tation. At  the  same  time  he  was  elected  President  of  the 
State  Bank.  Under  his  able  management  its  character 
acquired  stability  and  public  confidence. 

The  State  of  Tennessee  was  then  severely  suffering 
from  the  hostile  incursions  and  savage  depredations  of 
the  Creek  Indians.  At  the  darkest  period  of  the  cam- 
paign, when  General  Jackson  was  in  the  midst  of  a  wild 
territor}^  and  surrounded,  not  only  by  cruel  savages,  but 
enduring   famine,    disaffection    and    complaints,   -Judge 


204  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    C^iROLINA. 

White  left  the  Supreme  Court  Bench,  and  with  a  siiit^h? 
companion,  sought  and  found,  after  da3''s  and  nights  of 
peril,  the  camp  of  tiie  veter:in  Jackson.  He  immediately 
volunteered  their  services,  and  they  were  gladly  ac- 
cepted. While  Judge  White  was  absent  on  this  cam- 
paign he  lost  several  terms  of  liis  court;  and  as  tlie 
Judges  were  only  pai<l  for  services  actually  rendered,  the 
Legislature  resolved  that  there  should  be  no  deduction  in 
his  annual  salary  as  Judge.  This  continuance  of  salary, 
so  gratefully  ottered,  he  declined  to  receive. 

In  1822  he  was  aiipointed,  with  Governor  Tazewell  of 
Virginia,  j-nd  Governor  King,  of  Alabama,  a  commis- 
sioner uudtr  tlie  convetdion  with  Spain,  which  position 
he  accepted  and  lield  until  its  term  expired  in  1821. 

In  1825;  '^--enei'al  Jackson  having  resigned  his  seat  as 
a  Senator  in  Congress,  Judge  White  was  unanimously 
elected  to  fill  out  his  term.  In  1827  he  was  unanimously 
elected  for  a  full  term  ;  and  in  1832  was  chosen  President 
of  the  Senate.  In  1830  he  was  voted  for  as  President  of 
the  United  States. 

He  died,  with  the  consciousness  of  a  well  spent  life,  at 
his  adopted  home  in  Tennessee,  on  the  10th  of  April,, 
1840,  aged  sixty-seven  years. 


CHAPTEE  V. 


LIKCOLN   COUNTY, 

Liii'-olii  county  was  Ibrnied  in  1708,  from  Mecklen- 
burt;  county,  and  named  Tryon,  in  honor  of  William 
Tryon,  at  that  time  the  Royal  Governor,  but  his  oppres- 
sive administration,  terminating  with  cold-blooded  mur- 
ders at  the  battle  of  Alamance  in  1771,  caused  tlie  Gen- 
eral Assembly  in  1779  to  blot  out  his  odious  name  and 
divide  the  territory  into  Lincoln  and  Rutherford  counties. 
These  names  were  imposed  during  the  Revolution  when 
both  of  tiie  honored  heroes  were  lighting  the  battles  of 
their  country. 

Lincoln  county,  separated  from  Mecklenburg  by  the 
noble  Catawba  river,  has  a  Revolutionary  record  of 
peculiar  interest.  In  June,  1780,  the  battle  of  Ramsour's 
Mill  was  fought,  which  greatly  enlivened  the  Whigs,  and, 
in  a  corresponding  degree,  weakened  the  Tory  influence 
throughout  the  surrounding  country.  Li  January,  1781, 
Lord  Cornwallis,  with  a  large  invading  army,  passed 
through  the  county  and  camped  for  three  days  on  the 
Ramsour  battte-ground.  General  OTlara,  one  of  his 
chief  officers,  camped  at  llie  ''  Reep  place,"  about  two 
miles  and  a  half  west  of  Ramsour's  Mill.  Tarleton,  with 
his  cavalry,  crossed  the  South  Fork,  in  "Cobb's  bottom," 
and  passed  over  the  ridge  on  which  Lincolton  now  stands 
(before  the  place  had  a  "  local  habitation  and  a  name,") 
in  approaching  his  lordship's  headquarters. 


206      SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Althoiigli  L'liicolii  couiity  contained  many  who  wei'e 
misled  through  the  artful  influence  of  designing  men,  and 
fought  on  the  wrong  side,  yet,  within  her  Ijorders  were 
found  a  gallant  band  of  unflinching  patriots,  both  of  Ger- 
man and  Scotch-Irish  descent,  who  acted  nobly  throughout 
the  struggle  for  independence,  and  "  made  their  mark  " 
victoriously  at  Ramsour's  Mill,  King's  Mo'untain,  the  Cow- 
pens,  and  at  other  places  in  iSTorth  and  South  Carolina. 

Lincoln  county,  as  Tryon,  sent  to  the  first  popular  Con- 
vention, which  met  at  Newbern,  on  the  25th  of  August, 
1774,  Robert  Alexander  and  David  Jenkins.  To  Hills- 
boro,  August  21st,  1775,  John  Walker,  Robert  Alexander, 
Joseph  Hardin,  William  Graham,  Frederick  Ilanibright 
and  William  Alston.  To  Halifax,  April  4th,  1776,  Jamet-- 
Johnston  and  Charles  ■  McLean,  'i'o  the  same  place,  Xo- 
vcniber  12th,  1776,  (which  l)ody  formed  the  first  State 
Constitution,)  Josei)h  Hardin,  AVilliam  Graham,  Robert 
Abernathy,  William  Alston  and  Jolm  Barber.  -Several  of 
these  names  will  be  noticed  in  the  sul)sequent  sketches. 

BATTLE    OF    RAMSOUR'S    MILL. 

The  unsuccessful  attempt  nuule  by  General  .Lincoln  to 
take  Savannah,  and  the  subsequent  capture  of  the  army 
under  his  eonimand  at  (  liarleston,  induced  Sii'  llem\\' 
Clinton  to  regard  the  States  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia- 
as  sulxlued  and  restored  to  the  British  Crown.  The  South, 
w^as  then  left,  for  a  time,  without  any  regular  force  to  de- 
fend her  territory.  Soon  after  the  surrender  of  Charleston., 
detachments  of  the  British  army  occupied  the  principaS 
military  posts  of  Georgia  and  South  Carolina.  Col.  Brown 
re-occupied  Augusta;  Col.  Balfoui-  took  pOvSsession  of 
Ninety-Six,  on  the  Wateree,  and  Lord  Cornwallis  pressed 
forward  to  Camden.  Sir  Henry  Clinton  then  embarked, 
with  tlic  main  army  for  iS!"ew  Yoi"k,  leaving  four  thousand 
troops  for  the  further  subjugation  of  the  South.     After  his 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN.  NORTH  CAROLINA.  20T 

departure  the  chief  command  devolved  on  Lord  Corn  walls, 
who  immediatelj'-  repaired  to  Charleston  to  establish  com- 
i  mercial  regulations  and  organize  the  civil  administration 
ot  the  State,  leaving  Lord  Kawdon  in  ccrmmand  at  Camden.. 
North  Carolina  had  not  yet  been  invaded,  and  the  hopes  of 
the  patriots  in  the  South  now  seemed  mainly  to  rest  on  this^ 
earliest  pioneer  State  in  the  cause  of  liberty. 

Charleston  surrendered  on  the  12th  of  May,  1780.  On. 
the  29th  of  the  same  month  Tarleton  defeated  Col.  Buford 
in  the  Waxhaw  settlement,  upwards  of  thirty  miles  south 
of  Charlotte,  on  his  way  to  the  relief  of  Charleston.  Just^ 
before  the  surrender,  a  well  organized  force  from  Mecklen- 
burg, Rowan  and  Lincoln  counties,  left  Charlotte  with  the- 
same  object  in  view,  but  arrived  too  late,  as  Charleston  was' 
then  completely  invested  by  the  British  army.  And  yet 
this  force,  after  its  return,  proved  of  great  service  in  pro- 
tecting the  intervening  country,  and  prevented  tlie  inva- 
sion of  Noi'th  Carolina  until  a  few  weeks  after  the  battle  of 
Camden. 

At  this  critical  period  General  Rutherford  ordered  out- 
the  whole  militia,  and  by  the  3d  of  June  about  nine  hun- 
dred men  assembled  near  Charlotte.  On  the  next  day 
the  militia  were  addressed  by  the  Rev.  Alexander  Mc- 
Whorter,  the  patriotic  President  of  ''  Liberty  Hall  Acad- 
emy," (formerly  Queen's  Museum"),  afier  which  General) 
Rutherford  dismissed  them,  with  orders  to  hold  them- 
selves in  readiness  for  another  call.  Major,  afterward 
General,  Davie  having  recovered  from  his  wounds  re- 
ceived at  Stono,  near  Charleston,  again  took  the  fjeld^, 
and  part  of  his  cavalry  were  ordered  to  reconnoiter  be- 
tween Charlotte  and  Camden.  Having  heard  that  Lorci 
Rawdon  had  retired  with  his  army  to  Hanging  Rocky 
General  Rutherford  moved  from  his  rendezvous  to  Rea's- 
plantation,  eighteen  miles  north-east  of  Charlotte,  to- 
Mallard  Creek.  On  the  14th  of  June  the  troops  under 
his   command    were   properly  organized.     The  cavalry^ 


208  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA, 

sixty-five  in  number  under  Major  Davie,  were  equipped 
as  dragoons,  and  formed  into  two  companies  under  Cap- 
tains Lemraonds  and  Martin.  A  battalion  of  three  hun- 
dred light  infantry  were  placed  under  the  command  of 
General  William  Davidson,  a  regular  officer,  who  could 
not  join  his  Regiment  in  Charleston  after  that  place  was 
invested.  About  five  hundred  men  remained  under  the 
immediate  command  of  General  Rutherford.  On  the 
evening  of  the  14tli  of  June  he  received  intelligence  that 
the  Tories,  under  Col.  John  Aloore,  had  embodied  them- 
selves in  strong  force  at  Ramsour's  Mill,  near  the  present 
town  of  Lincolnton.  He  immediately  issued  orders  to 
Colonel  Francis  Locke,  of  Rov/an  ;  Major  David  "Wilson, 
of  Mecklenburg  ;  also  to  Captains  Falls,  Knox,  Brandon, 
and  other  officers,  to  raise  men  to  disperse  the  Tories, 
deeming  it  unwise  to  weaken  his  own  force  until  the  ob- 
ject of  Lord  Ravvdon,  still  encamped  at  Waxhaws,  should 
become  better  known. 

On  the  15th  General  Rutherford  advanced  to  a  posi- 
tion two  miles  south  of  Charlotte.  On  the  17th  he  was 
informed  Lord  Rawdon  had  retired  towards  Camden. 
Oa  the  18th  he  broke  up  his  camp  south  of  Charlotte, 
and  marched  twelve  miles  to  Tuckaseege  Ford,  on  the 
Catawba  river.  On  the  evening  of  that  day  he  dispatched 
an  express  to  Col.  Locke,  advising  him  of  his  movements, 
and  ordering  him  to  unite  with  him  (Rutherford)  at  Col. 
Dickson's  plantation,  three  miles  northwest  of  Tucka- 
seegee  Ford,  on  the  evening  of  the  19th  or  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  20th  of  June.  The  express  miscarried,  in  some 
unaccountable   way,  and   never  reached  Colonel  Locke. 

When  General  Rutherford  crossed  the  river  on  the 
evening  of  the  19th,  it  was  believed  he  would  march  in 
the  night,  and  attack  the  Tories  next  morning;  but  still 
supposing  his  express  had  reached  Colonel  Locke,  he 
waited  for  the  arrival  of  that  officer  at  his  present  en- 
campment in  Lincoln  county,  where  he  was  joined  by 


SKETCHES  OF  WFSTEKN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       209 

<Jol.  Graham's  regiment.  At  ten  o'clock  at  night  of  the 
19th,  Col.  James  Johnston,  a  brave  officer,  and  well  ac- 
quainted with  the  intervening  country,  arrived  at  Gen. 
Rutherford's  camp.  He  had  been  dispatched  by  Colonel 
Locke  from  Mountain  Creek,  sixteen  miles  from  Ramsour's 
Mill,  to  inform  Gen.  Rutherford  of  his  intention  of  attack- 
ing the  Tories  next  morning  at  sunrise,  and  requested  his 
co-operation.  Gen.  Rutherford,  still  expecting  his  express 
would  certainly  reach  Col.  Locke  soon  after  Col.  Johnston 
left  his  encampment  on  Mountain  Creek,  made  no  movo- 
oient  until  early  next  morning. 

In  pursuance  of  the  orders  given  to  Col.  Locke  and 
other  officers  from  headquarters  at  Mallard  Creek,  on  the 
14th  of  June,  they  quickly  collected  as  many  men  as  they 
€ould,  and  on  the  18th  Major  Wilson,  with  sixty-five  men, 
-crossed  the  Catawba  at  Toole's  Ford  and  joined  Major 
McDowell,  from  Burke,  with  twenty-five  horsemen. 
They  passed  up  the  river  at  a  right  angle  with  the  position 
of  the  Tories,  for  the  purpose  of  meeting  other  Whig- 
forces.  At  McEwen's  Ford,  being  joined  by  Captain  Falls 
with  forty  men,  they  continued  their  march  up  the  east 
side  of  Mountain  Creek,  and  on  Monday,  the  19th,  they 
united  with  Col.  Locke,  Captain  Brandon  and  other  officers, 
with  two  hundred  and  seventy  men.  The  whole  force  now 
nmounted  to  nearly  four  hundred  men.  They  encamped 
■on  Mountain  Creek  at  a  place  called  the  glades.  The 
officers  met  in  council  and  unanimously  agreed  it  would 
be  unsafe  to  remain  long  in  their  present  position,  and,  not- 
withstanding tlie  disparity  of  the  opposing  forces,  it  was 
determined  that  they  should  march  during  the  night  and 
attack  the  Tories  in  tlieir  camp  at  an  early  hour  next  morn- 
ing. It  was  said  that  the  Tories  being  ignorant  of  their 
inferior  force,  and  being  suddenly  attacked  would  be  easily 
routed.  At  this  time,  Col.  Johnston,  as  previouslj^  stated, 
was  dispatched  from  Mountain  Creek  to  apprise  General 
Rutherford  of  their  determination.  Late  in  the  evening 
15 


210       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

they  commenced  their  march  from  Momitaiii  Creek,  antl 
passing  down  the  south  side  of  the  mountain  they  halted  at 
the  west  end  of  it  in  the  night  when  they  again  consulted 
on  the  plan  of  attack.  It  ^Yas  determined  that  the  com- 
panies under  Captains  Falls,  McDowell  and  Brandon  should 
act  on  horsehack  and  march  in  front.  No  other  arrange- 
ment was  made,  and  it  was  left  to  the  othcers  tO'  l>e  gov- 
erned by  circumstances  after  they  reached  the  enemy. 
They  accordingly  resumed  their  march  and  by  day  light 
arrived  within  a  mile  of  the  Tories,  assembled  in  strong: 
force,  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards  east  of  Ramsour'K> 
Mill,  and  half  a  mile  north  of  the  present  town  of  Lincoln- 
ton.  The  Tories  occupied  an  excellent  pasition  on  th^ 
summit  of  the  ridge,  which  has  a  gentle  slope,  and  was- 
then  covered  with  a  scattered  growth  of  tree^.  Th«  fbolt 
of  the  bill  on  the  south  and  east  was  bounded  by  a  glade„ 
and  its  western  base  by  Ramsour's  mill  pond.  The  positio'is 
was  so  well  chosen  that  nothing  but  the  most  determin'ecl 
bravery  enabled  the  Whigs,  with  a  greatly  inferior  force- 
to  drive  the  Tories  from  it,  and  claim  the  victo-ry  of  one  oi* 
the  most  severely  contested  battles  of  the  Revolution. 

The  forces  ol  Colonel  Locke  approached'  tbe  battle  grountl 
from  the  east,  a  part  of  his  command,  at  leasts  having  takeias 
"  refreshments"  at  Dellinger's  Taven,  which  stood  near  the- 
present  residence  of  B.  S.  .Johnson,  Esq.,  of  Lincolnton^ 
The  companies  of  Captains  Falls,  McDowell  and  Brandoni 
were  mounted,  and  the  other  troops  under  Col,.  Locke  were' 
arranged  in  the  road,  two  deep,  behind  them.  Lender  this- 
or2;anization  they  marched  to  the  battle-field.  The  mounted 
companies  led  the  attack.  AVhen  they  came  within  sigh  it 
of  the  picket,  stationed  in  the  road  a  considerable  distance* 
from  the  encampment,  they  perceived  that  their  approacb 
had  not  been  anticipated.  The  picket  fired  and  fied  tc« 
their  camp.  The  cavalry  pursued,  and  turnirsg  to  the  rightr 
out  of  the  road,  they  rode  up  within  thirty  steps  of  ^he  liue" 
iind  fired  at  the  Tories.     This  bold  movement  O'f  the  cavalrj' 


SHETCHES  OF  AVESTERX   NORTH  CAROLINA.  211 

threw  them  into  confusion,  but  seeing  only  a  few  men 
assaiUng  them  they  quickly  recovered  from  their  panic  and 
poured  in  such  a  destructive  fire  upon  the  horsemen  as  to 
compel  them  to  retreat.  Soon  the  infantry  hurried  up  to 
their  assistance,  the  cavah-y  rahied,  and  the  fight  became 
general  on  both  sides.  It  was  in  this  first  attack  of  the 
cavalry  that  the  brave  Captain  Gilbraith  Falls  was  mortally 
wounded  in  the  breast,  rode  about  one  hundred  and  fifty 
yards  east  of  the  battle  ground,  and  fell  dead  from  his 
horse.  The  Tories,  seeing  the  efiect  of  their  fire,  came,  a 
short  distance  down  the  hill,  and  thus  brought  themselves 
in  fair  view  of  the  Whig  infantry.  Here  the  action  was 
renewed  and  the  contest  fiercely  maintained  for  a  consid- 
erable length  of  time.  In  about  an  liour  the  Tories  began 
to  fall  back  to  their  original  position  on  the  ridge,  and  a 
little  beyond  its  summit,  to  shield  a  part  of  their  bodies 
from  the  destructive  and  unceasing  fire  of  the  Whigs^ 
From  this  strong  and  elevated  position  the  Tories,  during 
the  action,  were  enabled  at  one  time  to  drive  the  Whigs 
nearl}'  back  to  the  glade. 

At  this  moment  Captain  Hardin  led  a  small  force  of 
Whigc  into  the  field,  and,  under  cover  of  the  fence,  kept 
up  a  galling  fire  on  the  right  flank  of  the  Tories.  This 
movement  gave  their  lines  the  proper  extension,  and  the 
contest  being  well  maintained  in  the  center,  the  Tories 
began  to  letreat  up  the  ridge.  Before  they  reached  its 
summit  they  found  a  part  of  their  former  position  in  pos- 
session of  the  Whigs.  In  this  quarter  the  action  became 
close,  and  the  opposing  parties  in  two  instances  mixed 
together,  and  having  no  bayonets  they  struck  at  each 
other  with  the  butts  of  their  guns.  In  this  strange  con- 
test several  of  ihe  Tories  were  made  prisoners,  and  others, 
divesting  themselves  of  their  mark  of  distinction,  (a  twig 
of  green  pine-top  stuck  in  their  hats),  intermixed  with 
the  Whigs,  and  all  being  in  their  common  dress,  escaped 
without  beino;  detected. 


212  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

The  Tories  finding  the  left  of  their  position  in  posses- 
.'sion  of  the  Whigs,  and  their  center  closely  pressed,  re- 
treat?d  down  the  ridge  toward  the  pond,  still  exposed  to 
the  incessant  fire  of  the  Whig  forces.  The  Whigs  pur- 
sued their  advantages  until  they  got  entire  possession  of 
the  ridge,  when  they  discovered,  to  their  astonishment, 
that  the  Tories  had  collected  in  strong  force  on  the  other 
«ide  of  the  creek,  beyond  the  mill.  They  expected  the 
fight  would  be  renewed,  and  attempted  to  form  a  line, 
but  only  eighty-six  men  could  be  paraded.  Some  were 
scattered  during  the  action,  others  were  attending  to  their 
wounded  friends,  and,  after  repeated  efforts,  not  more 
than  one  hundred  and  ten  men  could  be  collected. 

In  this  situation  of  affairs,  it  was  resolved  by  Colonel 
Locke  and  other  officers,  that  Major  David  Wilson  of 
Mecklenburg,  and  Captain  William  Alexander  of  Rowan, 
should  hasten  to  General  Rutherford,  and  urge  him  to 
press  forward  to  their  assistance.  General  Rutherford 
had  marched  early  in  the  morning  from  Colonel  Dick- 
son's plantation,  and  about  six  or  seven  miles  from  Ram- 
sour's,  was  met  by  Wilson  and  Alexander. 

Major  Davie's  cavalry  was  started  off  at  full  gallop,  and 
Colonel  Davidson's  battalion  of  infantry  were  ordered  to 
hasten  on  with  all  possible  speed.  After  progressing 
about  two  miles  they  were  met  by  others  from  the  battle, 
who  informed  them  the  Tories  had  retreated.  The  march 
was  continued,  and  the  troops  arrived  at  the  battle- 
ground two  hours  after  the  action  had  closed.  The  dead 
and  most  of  the  wounded  were  still  lying  where  they 
fell. 

In  this  action  the  Tories  fought  and  maintained  their 
ground  for  a  considerable  length  of  time  with  persistent 
bravery.  Very  near  the  present  brick  structure  on  the 
battle-ground,  containing  within  its  walls  the  mortal  re- 
mains of  six  gallant  Whig  captains,  the  severes*.  fighting 
took  place.     They  here  sealed  with  their  life's  blood  their 


SKETCHES  OF    WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  213 

devotion  to  their  country's  strugglp  for  independence. 

In  addition  to  those  from  their  own  neighborhoods,  the 
Tories  were  reinforced  two  days  before  the  battle  by  two 
hundred  well-armed  men  from  Lower  Creek,  in  Burke 
county,  under  Captains  Whiston  and  Murray.  Colonel 
John  Moore,  son  of  Moses  Moore,  who  resided  six  or 
seven  miles  west  of  Lin^olnton,  took  an  active  part  in 
arousing  and  increasing  the  Tory  element  throughout 
the  county.  He  had  joined  the  enemy  the  preceding 
winter  in  South  Carolina,  and  having  recently  returned, 
dressed  in  a  tattered  suit  of  British  uniform  and  with  a 
sword  dangling  at  his  side,  announced  himself  as  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  in  the  regiment  of  North  Carolina  loyal- 
alists,  commanded  by  CoionelJohn  Hamilton, of  Halifax. 
Soon  thereafter,  i^icliolas  Welch,  of  the  same  vicinity, 
who  had  been  in  the  British  service  for  eighteen  months, 
and  bore  a  Major's  commission  in  the  same  regiment,  also 
returned,  in  a  splendid  uniform,  and  with  a  purse  of 
gold,  which  was  ostensibly  displayed  to  his  admiring  as- 
sociates, accompanied  with  ai-tful  speeches  in  aid  of  the 
cause  he  had  embraced.  Under  these  leaders  there  was 
collected  in  a  few  weeks  a  force  of  thirteen  hundred  men, 
who  encamped  on  theelevated  position  east  of Ramsour's 
Mill,  previously  described. 

The  Tories,  believing  that  they  were  completely  beaten, 
formed  a  stnUageni  to  secure  their  retreat.  About  the 
time  that  Wilson  and  Alexander  were  dispatched  to  Gen- 
eral Rutherford,  they  sent  a  flag  under  the  pretense  cf  pro- 
posing a  suspension  of  hostilities  for  the  purpose  of  bury- 
ing the  dead,  and  taking  ere  of  tlie  wounded.  To  pre- 
vent the  flag  officer  from  seeing  their  small  number. 
Major  .James  Rutherford  and  another  officer  were  oi'dered 
to  meet  him  a  short  distance  from  the  line.  The  propo- 
sition being  made,  Major  Rutherford  demanded  that  the 
Tories  should  sui'render  in  ten  minutes,  and  then  the  ar- 
rangements as  requested  could  be  effected.     In  the  mean- 


il4  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA. 

time  Moore  and  Welch  gave  orders  tliat  such  of  their 
own  men  as  were  on  foot,  or  had  inferior  horses,  should 
inovf'  otf  singly  as  fast  as  they  could  ;  so  ihat,  when  the 
flag  returned,  not  more  than  fifty  men  remained.  These 
very  brave  officers,  before  the  battle^  and  who  misled  so 
many  of  their  countrymen,  were  among  the  first  to  take 
their  departure  from  the  scene  of  conflict,  and  seek  else- 
where, by  rapid  flight,  more  healthy  quarters.  Col.  Moore, 
with  thirty  of  his  followers,  succeeded  in  reaching  the 
British  army  at  Camden,  where  he  was  threatened  with 
a  trial  by  court-martial  for  disobedience  of  orders  in  at- 
tempting to  embody  the  Loyalists  before  the  time  ap- 
pointed b}""  Lord  Coi'uwallis. 

As  there  was  no  perfect  organization  by  either  party, 
nor  regular  returns  made  after  the  action,  the  loss  could 
not  be  accurately  ascertained.  Fifty-six  men  lay  dead  on 
the  side  of  the  ridge,  and  near  the  present  brick  enclo- 
sure, where  the  hottest  part  of  the  fight  occurred.  Many 
of  the  dead  were  found  on  the  flanks  and  over  the  ridge 
toward  the  Mill.  It  is  believed  that  about  seventy  weie 
killed  altogether,  and  that  the  loss  on  either  side  was 
nearly  ef|ual.  About  one  liundred  "werf  wounded,  and 
fifty  tories  marie  prisoners.  The  men  had  no  uni- 
form, and  it  could  not  be  told  to  which  paity  many  of 
the  dead  belonged.  Most  of  the  "Whigs  wore  a  white 
piece  of  paper  on  their  hats  in  front,  which  served  as  a 
mark  at  which  the  Tories  frequently  aimed,  and  conse- 
quently, several  of  the  Whigs,  after  the  battle,  were  found 
to  be  shot  in  the  head.  'In  this  battle,  neighbors,  near 
relatives  and  personal  friends  were  engaged  in  hostile 
array  against  each  other.  After  the  action  commenced, 
scarcely  any  orders  were  given  by  the  commanding  offi- 
cers. They  all  fought  like  common  soldiers,  and  ani- 
mated each  other  by  their  example,  as  in  the  battle  of 
King's  Mountain,  a  little  over  three  months  after.  In  no 
battle  of  the  Revolution,  where  a  band   of  patriots,  less 


SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       215 

than  four  hundred  in  number,  engaged  against  an  en- 
^iiiy,  at  least  twelve  hundred  strong,  was  there  an  equal 
loss  of  officers,  showing  the  leading  part  they  performed, 
and  the  severity  of  the  conflict.     They  were  all 

"Patriots,  who  perished  for  their  country's  riglit, 
Or  nobly  triumphed  on  the  fieUl  of  fight." 

Of  the  Whig  officers,  Captains  Falls,  Knox,  Dobson, 
Smith,  Bowman,  Sloan,  and  Armstrong  were  killed. 
Oaptain  William  Falls,  who  commanded  one  of  the  cav- 
alry companies,  was  shot  in  the  breast  in  the  first  spirited 
charge,  as  previously  stated,  and  riding  a  short  distance 
in  the  rear,  fell  dead  from  his  horse.  His  body,  after  the 
battle  was  over,  was  wrapped  in  a  blanket  procured  from 
Mrs.  Reinhardt  and  conveyed  to  Iredell  (then  a  part  of 
Rowan)  for  burial.  Captain  Falls  lived  in  Iredell  coun- 
ty, not  far  from  Sherrill's  Ford,  on  the  Catawba.  There 
is  a  reliable  tradition  which  states  that  when  Captain 
Falls  was  killed  a  Tory  ran  up  to  rob  the  body,  and  had 
.taken  his  watch,  when  a  young  son  of  Falls,  though  only 
fourteen  years  old,  ran  up  suddenly  behind  the  Tory, 
drew  his  father's  sword  and  killed  him.  Captain  Falls 
was  the  maternal  grandfather  of  the  late  Robert  Falls 
Simonton,  who  had  the  sword  in  his  possession  at  the 
lime  of  his  death,  in  February,  187G. 

•  Captain  Patrick  Knox  was  mortally  wounded  in  the 
ihigh  ;  an  artery  being  severed,  he  very  soon  died  from  the 
resulting  hemorrhage.  Captain  James  Houston  was 
severely  wounded  in  the  thigh,  from  the  eff'ects  of  which 
he  never  fully  recovered.  Captain  Daniel  McKissick  was 
also  severely  wounded,  but  recovered,  and  represented 
Lincoln  county  in  the  Commons  from  1783  to  ITS?- 
Captains  Hugh  Torrence,  David  Caldwell,  John  Reid,  all 
of  Rowan  county,  and  Captain  Smith,  of  Mecklenburg, 
came  out  of  the  conflict  unhurt.  William  Wilson  had  a 
,horse  shot  down  under  him,  and  was  wounded  in  the 


216  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

second  fire.  Several  of  the  inferior  officers  were  killed.. 
Thirteen  men  from  the  vicinit}'  of  Fourth  Creek  (States- 
ville)  lay  dead  on  the  ground  after  the  battle,  and  many 
of  the  wounded  died  a  few  days  afterward.  JosephWas- 
sOn,  from  Snc ,'  Creek,  received  five  balls,  one  of  which  it- 
is  said  he  carried /or^y  years  to  a  day^  when  it  came  out  of 
itself.  Being  unable  to  stand  up  he  lay  on  the  ground,^ 
loaded  his  musket,  and  fired  several  times. 

The  brick  monumental  structure  on  the  southern  brow 
of  the  rising  battle-ground,  about  fiftv  or  sixty  yards 
from  the  present  public  road,  contains  the  mortal  remains 
of  six  Whig  Captains  ;  also  those  of  Wallace  Alexander, 
and  his  wife,  who  was  a  daughter  of  Captain  Dobson,one 
of  the  fallen  heroes  on  this  hotly-contested  field  of  strife. 

The  loss  of  the  Tories  was  greater  in  privates,  but  less 
in  officers,  than  the  Whigs.  Captains  Cumberland,  War- 
lick  and  Murray  were  killed,  and  Captain  Carpenter 
wounded.  Captains  Keener,  Williams  and  others,  in- 
cluding Lieutenant-Colonel  John  Moore  and  Major 
Welch,  escaped  with  their  lives,  but  not  "  to  fight  another 
day." 

On  the  highest  prominence  of  the  battle-ground ^  in  a 
thinly- wooded  forest,  is  a  single  headstone  pointing  out- 
the  graves  of  three  Tories,  probably  subordinate  officers, 
with  the  initials  of  their  names  inscribed  in  parentheses, 
thus:  "(I.  S.)':  (N.  W.)f  (P.  W.):  "—with  three  dots 
after  each  name,  as  here  presented.  A  little  below  are 
two  parallel  lines  extending  across  the  face  of  the  coarse 
soap  stone,  enclosing  three  hearts  with  crosses  between, 
as  much  as  to  say,  here  lie  three  loving  hearts. 

Near  a  pine  tree  now  standing  on  the  battle-ground,, 
reliable  tradition  says  a  long  trench  was  dug,  in  which 
w^as  buried  nearly  all  of  the  killed  belonging  to  both  of 
the  contending  forces,  laid  side  by  side,  as  the  high  and 
the  low  are  perfectly  equal  in  the  narrow  confines  of  the- 
grave. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA.  217 


INCIDENTS  OF  THE  BATTLE.  , 

Early  on  the  morning  of  the  20th  of  June,  1780,  when 
the  Tories  were  forming  their  forces  in  'Martial  array 
near  the  residence  of  Christian  Reinhardt,  situated  on 
the  south-western  brow  of  the  battle-ground,  he  conduct- 
ed his  wife,  with  two  little  children  in  his  arras,  and  sev- 
eral small  negroes,  across  thecreeic  to  a  dense  cane-brako 
extending  along  and  up  the  western  bank  of  the  mill 
pond  as  a  place  of  safety.  He  then  returned  to  his  resi- 
dence, and  in  a  very  short  time  the  battle  commenced. 
As  the  contest  raged,  and  peal  after  peal  of  musketry  re- 
verberated over  the  surrounding  hills  and  dales,  hi& 
dwelling-house,  smoke-house,  and  even  his  empt}'-  stables 
were  successively  filled  with  the  dead,  the  dying  and  the 
wounded.  When  the  battle  was  nearly  over,  and  victory 
abouc  to  result  in  favor  of  the  Whigs,  many  of  the  Tories- 
swam  the  mill  pond  at  its  upper  end,  and  thus  made 
their  escape.  Two  of  these  fleeing  Tories,  with  green  pine' 
tops  in  their  hats,  (their  badge  of  distinction),  rushed 
through  the  cane-brake  very  near  to  Mrs.  Reinhardt  and 
her  tender  objects  of  care,  exclaiming  as  they  passed- 
"  We  are  whipped  !  we  are  whipped  ! !  "  and  were  soon 
out  of  sight.  During  the  unusual  commotion  and  terrific 
conflict  of  arms,  even  the  deer  Avere  aroused  from  their 
quiet  retreat.  One  of  these  denizens  of  the  cane-brake, 
with  sprangling  horns,  dashed  up  near  to  Mrs.  Reinhardt,. 
and  after  viewing  for  a  moment,  with  astonishment,  the 
new  occupants  of  their  rightful  solitude,  darted  off"  with 
a  celefeity  little  surpassing  that  of  the  fleeing  Tories. 
As  soon  as  the  firing  ceased,  Mrs.  Reinhardt  came  out  of 
her  covert  with  her  little  ones,  and,  on  reaching  the 
bridge,  at  the  mill,  found  it  had  been  torn  up  by  the  re- 
treating Tories,  but,  being  met  there  by  her  husband,  she 
was  enabled  to  cross  over,  reach  her  home,  and   witness- 


.218  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

the  mournful  scene  which  presented  itself.  The  tender 
sympathy  of  w^oman's  heart,  ever  ready  to  minister  to 
the  wants  of  suffering  humanity,  was  then  called  into  re- 
quisition, and  kindly  extended.  In  a  short  time  her 
house  was  stripped  of  every  disposable  blanket  and  sheet 
to  wrap  around  the  dead,  or  be  employed  in  some  other 
useful  way.  Neighbors  and  relatives,  a  few  hours  before 
bitter  enemies,  were  now  seen  freely  mingling  together 
iind  giving  every  kind  attention  to  the  sufferers,  whether 
Whig  or  Tor}^  wnthin  their  power. 

-ROUTE  OF  THE  BRITISH    ARMY  THROUGH    LINCOLN    COUNTY. 

After  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens,  on  the  17th  of  Jan- 
uary, 1781,  Lord  Cornwallis  left  his.  headquarters  at 
Winnsboro,  S.  C,  being  reinforced  by  G-eneral  Leslie, 
and  marched  rapidly  to  overtake  General  Morgan,  encum- 
bered with  more  than  five  hundred  prisoners,  and  neces- 
sar}'^  baggage,  on  his  way  to  a  place  of  safety  in  Virginia. 
His  Lordship  was  now  smarting  under  two  signal  defeats 
(King's  Mountain  and  the  Cowpens)  occurring  a  little 
more  than  three  months  apart.  But  the  race  is  not  al- 
ways to  the  swift  nor  the  battle  to  the  strong.  "  Man 
proposes,  but  God  disposes." 

The  original  manuscript  journal  of  Lord  Cornwallis, 
now"  on  file  in  the  archives  of  the  Historical  Society  of 
the  State  University  at  Chapel  Hill,  discloses,  with  great 
iiccuracy,  the  movements  of  the  British  army  through 
Lincoln,  Mecklenburg  and  Rowan  counties. 

On  the  17th  of  .January,  1781,  the  headcjuarters  of  Gen- 
eral Leslie  were  at  Sandy  Run,  Chester  county,  S.  C.  On 
the  18th,  at  Hillhouse's  plantation,  in  York  county,  he 
returns  his  thanks  to  the  troops  under  his  command,  and 
informs  them  that  all  orders  in  future  will  issue  from 
Lord  Cornwallis  and  the  Adjutant  General.  At  eight 
.o'clock  at  night,  Lord  Cornwallis  issues  his  orders  to  the 


SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  210 

anny  to  march  at  eigljt  o'clock  on  the  ensuing  morning 
in  the  following  order:  1.  Yagers;  2.  Corps  of  Pioneers; 
3.  two  thre«  pounders;  4.  Brigade  Guards;  5.  Regiment 
of  Bose;  6.  North  Carolina  Volunteers;  7.  two  six  pound- 
ers ;  8.  Lieutenant  Colonel  Webster's  Brigade ;  9.  Wagons 
of  the  General;  10.  Field  Officers'  wagons;  11.  Ammuni- 
tion wagons;  12.  Hospital  wagons;  13.  Regimental  wag- 
ons; 14.  Provision  train;  15.  Bat.  horses;  a  captain,  two 
subalterns,  and  one  hundred  men  from  Col.  Webster's 
Brigade,  to  form  a  rear  guard.  On  the  19th  the  array 
camped  at  Smith's  house,  near  the  Cherokee  Iron  Works, 
on  Broad  river.  On  the  20th  the  army  camped  atSaun- 
der's  plantation,  on  Buffalo  creek.  On  the  23d  the  army 
crossed  the  North  Carolina  line,  and  camped  at  Tryon 
old  Court  House,  in  the  western  part  of  tlie  present  county 
of  Gaston.  On  the  24th  the  army  arrived  at  Ramsour's 
Mill,  near  the  present  town  of  Lincolnton.  Here  Corn- 
wallis  was  compelled  to  remain  three  days  to  lay  in  a 
supply  of  provisions  for  his  large  army.  To  accomplish 
this,  foraging  parties  were  sent  out  in  different  directions 
to  purchase  all  the  grain,  of  every  kind,  that  could  be 
procured.  Ramsour's  Mill,  surrounded  with  a  guard  of 
eiglit  or  ten  men,  was  set  to  work,  running  day  and  night, 
converting  the  grain  into  meal  or  flour. 

General  O'llara  camped  at  the  "Reep  place,"  two  miles 
and  a  half  northwest  of  Ramsour'sMill.  His  forces  crossed 
the  iSouth  Fork,-  about  a  mile  above  the  bridge,  on  the 
public  road  leading  to  Rutherfordton.  Tarleton's  cav- 
alry crossed  the  same  stream  in  "Cobb's  bottom,"  pass- 
ing over  the  present  site  of  Lincolnton,  to  form  a  junction 
with  Cornwallis.  This  small  divergence  from  the  direct 
line  of  travel,  and  subsequent  concentration  at  some  des- 
ignated point,  was  frequently  made  by  sections  of  the 
British  army  for  the  purpose  of  procuring  supplies. 

Lord  Cornwallis,  during  his  transitory  sta}'',  made  his 
headquarters  nearly  on  the  summit  of  the  rising  ground, 


220  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

two  hundred  and  fifty  yards  east  of  the  Mill,  on  which 
had  been  fought  the  severe  battle  between  the  Whigs^ 
under  Colonel  Francis  Locke, and  theTories,  under  Lieu- 
tenant Colonel  John  Moore  (son  of  Moses  Moore),  in 
which  the  former  were  victorious. 

Christian  Reinhardt.  one  of  the  first  German  settlers 
of  the  county,  then  lived  near  the  base  of  the  rising  bat- 
tle ground,  and  carried  on  a  tan-yard.  He  owned  a 
valuable  servant,  named  Fess,  (contraction  of  Festus,) 
whose  whole  sowi  was  exerted  in  making  good  sole  leather, 
and  upper  too,  for  the  surrounding  country.  This  ser- 
vant, greatly  attached  to  his  kind  master,  was  forced  ofi", 
very  much  rgainst  his  will,  by  some  of  the  British  sol- 
diery on  their  departure;  but  his  whereabouts  having 
been  found  out,  Adam  Reep,  and  one  or  two  other  noted 
Whigs,  adroiily  managed  to  recover  him  from  the  Brit- 
ish camp,  a  few  days  afterward,  and  restored  him  to  his 
rightful  owner. 

The  Marquee  of  Lord  Cornwallis  was  placed  near  a 
a  pine  tree,  still  standing  on  the  battle  ground,  left  tliere 
by  the  present  owner  of  the  property,  (W.  M.  Reinhardt, 
Esq.,  grand  son  of  Christian  Reinhardt,)  in  clearing  the 
land,  as  a  memento  of  the  past — where  Royalty,  for  a 
brief  season,  held  undisputed  sway,  and  feasted  on  the  fat 
of  the  land. 

Reliable  tradition  says  that  some  of  the  British  soldiery, 
while  encamped  on  the  Ramsour  battle-ground,  evinced 
a  notable  propensity  for  depredating  upon  the  savory 
poultry  of  the  good  old  house-wife,  Mrs.  Barbara  Rein- 
hardt— in  other  words,  they  showed  a  fondness  for  pro- 
curing/o/6'/  meat  by  foul  means,  in  opposition  to  the  prin- 
ciples of  honesty  and  good  morals.  As  soon  as  the 
depredations  were  discovered  by  Mrs.  Reinhardt  she 
immediately  laid  in  her  complaints  at  liead-quarters. 
Whereupon  his  lordship,  placing  greater  stress  upon  the 
sanctity  of  the   eiglith    commandment    tlian    his  loyal 


SKETCKES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA,      221 

soldiers,  promptly  replied,  "  Madan],  you  shall  be  pro- 
tected,'' and  accordingly  had  a  guard  placed  over  her 
property  until  his  departure. 

Another  incident  relating  to  the  advance  of  the  British 
army  is  to  the  following  effect.  As  Tarleton's  cavalry 
passed  through  the  southern  part  of  Lincoln  county  (now 
Gaston)  they  rode  up  to  the  residence  of  Bejamin  Ormand, 
on  the  head-waters  of  Long  Creek,  and  tied  one  of  the 
horses,  which  they  had  taken,  to  the  top  of  a  small  white 
oak,  growing  in  his  yard.  This  little  fvevolutionary 
sapling  is  still  livving  in  the  serenity  of  a  I'obust  old  age, 
and  now  measures,  two  feet  from  the  ground,  ttcenty-seven 
feet  in  comcumference  !  Its  branches  extend  all  around  in 
diflerent  directions  from  forty  to  fifty  feet,  and  the  tree 
is  supposed  to  contain  at  least  ten  cords  of  wood. 

When  Tarleton's  cavalry  were  on  the  point  of  leaving, 
they  took  the  blanket  from  the  cradle  in  which  James 
Ormand,  the  baby,  was  lying,  and  used  it  as  a  saddle- 
blanket,  and  the  large  family  Bible  of  Benjamin 
Ormand  was  converted  into  a  saddle  !  ! 

The  Bible  was  afterward  found  near  Beattie's  Ford,  on 
the  Catawba  river,  in  the  line  of  the  British  march,  and 
restored  to  its  proper  owner.  Mr.  Z.  S.  Ormand,  a  grand- 
son of  Benjamin  Ormond,and  a  worthy  citizen  of  Gaston 
county,  now  lives  at  the  old  homestead,  where  the  Bible, 
considerably  injured,  can  be  seen  at  any  time,  as  an 
abused  relic  of  the  past,  and  invested  with  a  most  singu- 
lar history.  Tarleton's  cavalry  also  seized  and  carried 
off  the  bedding  and  blankets  in  the  house,  and  some  of 
the  cooking  utensils  in  the  kitchen. 

Mr.  Ormand  also  informs  the  author  that  he  frequent- 
Iv  heard  his  grandmother,  who  then  lived  near  Steele 
Creek  Church,  say  that  she  was  present  at  the  great 
meeting  at  Charlotte,  on  the  20Lh  of  May,  1775,  and  that 
she  exhibited,  on  that  occasion,  a  quilt  of  her  oimi  manu- 
factare.     She  said  it  was  a  large  turn  out  of  people  from 


222  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

all  parts  of  the  county,  and  was  considered  a  suitable 
time  for  the  ffrir  sex  to  exhibit  productions  of  their  own 
hands. 

Having  replenished  his  commissary  department  as- 
much  as  possible  while  encamped  on  theliamsour  battle- 
ground, and  having  experienced  too  much  delay  in  his. 
late  march  in  consequence  of  the  encumbrance  of  his 
baggage,  Cornwallis  destroyed,  before  moving,  all  such 
as  could  be  regarded  as  superfluous.  The  baggage  at 
head-quarters  was  first  thrown  into  the  flames,  thus  con- 
verting the  greater  portion  of  his  army  into  light  troops, 
with  a  view  of  renewing  more  rapidh'  the  pursuit  of 
Morgan,  or  of  forcing  (Jeneral  Greene  into  an  early  action- 
It  is  said  "  pewter  plates "'  were  freely  distributed 
among  some  "loyal  "  friends  in  the  immediate  vicinity, 
or  thrown  into  tiie  mill-pond  ;  and  large  numbers  of 
very  strong  glass  bottle?,  originally  filled  with  English 
ale,  or  something  stronger,  were  broken  to  pieces  on  the 
rocks,  fragments  of  which  may  be  seen  scattered  around 
at  the  present  time. 

Thus  disencumbered,  Cornwallis,  early  on  tiic  morning 
of  the  28th  of  January,  br'oke  up  camp  and  inarched  to- 
the  Catawba  river,  but  finding  it  much  swollen,  and  ren- 
dered impassable  in  consequence  of  lieavy  I'ains  at  its 
sources,  he  I'ell  back  to  Forney's  plantcition,  five  miUs 
from  the  river.  Jacob  Forney  was  a  thriily,  well-to-do 
farmer,  and  a  well-known  VV^hig.  Tlie  }>iantatioii  is  now 
(1876)  owned. by  Willis  £.  Hall,  Esq.  Iler^e  the  British 
array  lay  encamped  for  three  days,  waiting  for  the  sudsi- 
dence  of  the  waters,  and  consumed,  during  that  time, 
Forney's  entire  stock  of  cattle,  hogs,  sheep  and  poultry^ 
with  all  of  which  he  was  well  supplied.  (For  further 
particulars,  see  sketch  of  "  Jacob  Forney,  Sen.") 

Having  dried  their  powder,  and  laid  in  an  additional 
supply  of  pi'ovisions  and  forage,  the  British  ai'my  was 
now  prepai'ed  to  rerrew  more  actively  the  pursuit  of  Mor- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       223^ 

gau.  On  the  evening  before  the  marching  of  the  main 
army,  Colonel  Webster  moved  forward  with  the  artillery, 
and  a  small  detachment  as  a  rear  guard,  and  took  posi- 
tion at  Beattie's  Ford.  This  was  a  mere  feint,  intended 
to  create  the  impression  that  the  whole  British  army 
would  cross  there,  as  it  was  the  most  eligible  pass,  and 
thus  elude  the  vigilance  of  the  Wjiigs. 

At  half-past  two  o'clock,  on  the  morning  of  the  1st  of 
February,  1781,  Cornwallis  broke  up  his  camp  at  For- 
ney's plantation,  and  marclied  to  a  private  crossing-place 
known  as  Cowan's  Ford,  six  miles  below  Beattie's  Ford^ 
As  he  approached  the  river,  a  little  before  the  dawn  of  a 
cloudy,  misty  morning,  numerous  camp  fires  on  the  east- 
ern bank  assured  him  his  passage  would  be  resisted  ;  but- 
General  Davidson  had  neglected  to  place  his  entire  force, 
about  three  hundred  and  fifty  in  number,  near  the  ford,, 
so  as  to  present  an  imposing  appearance.  As  it  was, only 
the  companies  of  Captain  Joseph  Graham,  and  of  two  or 
three  other  officers,  probably  not  more  than  one  third  of 
the  whole  force  on  duty,  actual I3'  participated  in  the- 
skirmish  which  immediately  took  place;  otherwise,  the- 
result  might  have  been  far  more  disastrous  to  tlieBritisli' 
army. 

The  river  at  Cowan's  Ford,  for  most  of  the  distance- 
across,  has  a  very  rugged  bottom,  abounding  with  numer- 
ous rocks,  of  considerable  size,  barely  visible  at  tlie  low' 
water  of  summer-time.  With  judicious  forethought,  Corn- 
wallis had  hired  the  services  of  Frederick  Hager,  aTory,oiD 
the  western  bank,  and,  under  his  guidance,  the  bold  Bret- 
ons plunged  into  the  water,  with  the  firm  determination 
of  encountering  the  small  band  of  Americans  on  the* 
eastern  bank. 

Stedman,  the  English  commissary  and  historian,  who« 
accompanied  Cornwallis  in  his  Southern  campaigns,  thu« 
speaks  of  the  passage  of  the  river  at  Cowan's  Ford  : 

"The  light  infantry  of  the  guards,  led  by  Colonel  Hally 


224  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

first  entered  the  water.  They  were  followed  by  the  gren- 
adiers, and  the  grenadiers  by  the  battalions,  the  men 
marching  in  platoons,  to  support  one  another  against  the 
rapidity  of  the  stream.  When  the  light  infantry  had 
nearly  reached  the  middle  of  the  river,  they  were  chal- 
lenged by  one  of  the  enemy's  sentinels.  The  sentinel 
having  challenged  thrice,  and  receiving  no  answer,  im- 
mediately gave  the  alarm  by  discharging  his  musket; 
and  the  enemy's  pickets  were  turned  out.  Ko  sooner  did 
the  guide  (a  Tory)  who  attended  the  light  infantry  to 
show  them  the  ford,  hear  the  report  of  the  sentinel's  mus- 
ket than  he  turned  around  and  left  them.  This,  which 
at  first,  seemed  to  portend  much  mischief,  in  the  end, 
proved  a  fortunate  incident.  Colonel  Hall,  being  for- 
saken by  his  guide,  and  not  knowing  the  true  direction 
of  the  ford, led  the  column  directly  across  the  river  to  the 
nearest  part  of  the  opposite  bank." 

This  direct  course  carried  the  British  army  to  a  new 
landing-place  on  the  eastern,  or  Mecklenburg  side,  so 
that  they  did  not  encounter  a  full  and  concentrated  fire 
from  the  Whigs.  Upon  hearing  the  firing.  General  Da- 
vidson, who  M'as  stationed  about  half  a  mile  from  the 
ford,  (in  the  Lucas  house,  still  standing,)  with  the  greater 
portion  of  the  militia,  hastened  to  the  scene  of  conflict, 
evincing  his  well-established  bravery,  but  it  was  too  late 
to  change  the  issue  of  the  contest,  and  array  any  more 
effectual  resistence.  At  this  moment.  General  Davidson 
arrived  near  the  river,  and  in  attempting  to  rally  the 
Whiof  forces  for  renewed  action,  received  a  fatal  shot  in  the 
breast,  fell  from  his  horse,  and  almost  instantly  expired. 
The  few  patriots  on  the  bank  of  the  river  nobly  per- 
formed their  duty,  but  had  soon  to  retreat  before  vastly 
superior  numbers. 

The  British  infantry  waded  the  river,  preceded  by  their 
Tory  guide,  staff  in  hand,  to  show  them  the  proper  ford, 
and  the  statement  made  by  some  historians  that  General 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  225 

Davidson  was  killed  by  this  guide  is  not  corroborated  by 
Stedman,  the  English  historian  ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  he 
leaves  ns  to  infer  that  the  American  General  met  his  death 
at  the  hands  of  one  of  their  own  troops.  The  same  author- 
ity states  their  own  loss  to  be  Colonel  Hall  and  three  pri- 
vates killed,  and  thirty-six  wounded.  The  horse  of  Lord 
Cornwallis  was  fatally  shot  and  fell  dead  just  as  he  ascended 
the  bank.  The  horse  of  General  O'Hara,  after  tumbling- 
over  the  slippery  rocks  several  times,  producing  a  partial 
submersion  of  his  rider,  finally  reached  the  bank  in  safety. 
The  British  reserved  their  fire  until  they  reached  the  eastern 
shore,  and  then  pouring  in  two  or  three  volleys  into  the- 
ranks  of  the  opposing  Whig  forces,  now  considerably  dis- 
concerted, soon  compelled  them  to  retreat  with  small  loss. 
Colonel  Hall  was  buried  on  the  edge  of  the  alluvial  land 
a  short  distance  below  the  crossing-place,  with  a  head  and 
foot  stone  of  rock  from  the  adjoining  liill,  which  were  long 
visible  and  could  be  pointed  out  by  the  nearest  neighbors  ; 
l»ut  these  were  finally  concealed  from  view  by  successive 
overflows  of  sand  from  the  swollen  river.  The  privates  of 
both  contending  forces  were  buried  on  the  risino-  OTound 
near  the  scene  of  conflict,  and  with  such  haste  on  the  part 
of  the  British  interring  party  as  to  leave  one  of  their  mat- 
tocks behind  them  at  the  graves  of  their  fallen  comrades, 
eager  to  overtake  the  vigilant  Morgan. 

GEN.  JOSEPH  GRAHAM. 
(Coudeused  from  Wheeler's  "Historical  Sketches."') 

General  Joseph  Graham  was  born  in  Pennsylvania  on 
the  loth  of  October,  1759.  His  mother  being  left  a  wid- 
ow with  five  small  children,  and  slender  means  of  sup- 
port, removed  to  North  Carolina  when  he  was  abouc 
seven  years  of  age,  and  settled  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Charlotte.  He  received  the  principal  part  of  his  educa- 
tion at  "Queen's  Museum"  in  Charlotte,  (afterward. 
^        15  ^ 


22Q  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

called  "Liberty  Hall  Academy,")  and  was  distinguished 
for  his  talents,  industry  and  manly  de{)ortment.  His 
thirst  fur  knowledge  led  him  at  an  early  period  to  become 
well  acquainted  with  all  those  interesting  and  exciting 
■events  which  preceded  our  Revolutionary  struggle.  He 
was  present  in  Charlotte  on  the  20tli  of  Ma}',  1775,  when 
the  tirst  Declaration  of  Independence  was  formally  and 
publicly  made.  The  deep  impression  made  upon  his 
mind  by  the  solemn  and  illustrious  decisions  of  that  day 
gave  good  evidence  that  he  was  then  preparing  for  the 
jioble  stand  which  he  took  during  the  war. 

He  enlisted  .in  the  army  of  the  United  States  in  May, 
1778,  at  the  age  of  nineteen  years.  He  served  in  the 
Fourth  Regiment  of  ^orth  Carolina  regular  troops,  un- 
der Col.  Archibald  Lytle,  acting  as  an  officer  in  Captain 
Gooden's  company.  The  troops  to  which  he  was  at- 
tached were  ordered  to  rendezvous  at  Bladensburg,  Md. 
Having  marched  as  far  as  Caswell  county  they  received 
intelligence  of  the  battle  of  Monmouth,  when  he  returned 
home  on  a  furlough. 

He  again  entered  the  service  on  the  5th  of  November, 
1778,  and  marched  under  General  Rutherford  to  Purys- 
burg,  on  the  Savannah  river,  soon  after  the  defeat  of  Gen. 
Ashe  at  Brier  Creek.  He  was  with  the  troops  under  Gen, 
Lincoln,  and  fought  in  the  battle  of  Stono,  against  Gen. 
Prevost,  on  the  20th  of  June,  1779,  which  lasted  one  hour 
and  twenty  minutes.  During  nearly  the  whole  of  this 
campaign  he  acted  as  quartermaster.  In  July,  1779,  he 
was  taken  with  the  fever,  and  after  two  months'  severe' 
illness  was  discharged  near   Dorchester,    and    returned 

home. 

After  the  surrender  of  Charleston,  and  defeat  of  Col. 
Bufort  at  the  Waxhaw,  he  again  entered  the  service  as 
adjutant  of  the  Mecklenburg  Regiment,  and  spent  the 
summer  in  opposing  the  advance  of  Lord  Rawdon  into 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  227 

I^ortli   Carolina,  and   assailing  his   troops,  then  within 
forty  miles  of  Charlotte. 

When  it  was  understood  that  the  British  were  march- 
ing to  Charlotte  he  was  ordered  by  General  Davidson  to 
repair  to  that  place,  and  take  command  of  such  a  force 
as  he  could  readily  collect,  and  join  Col.  Davie.  About 
midnight  of  the  25th  of  September,  1780,  Col.  Davie 
reached  Charlotte.  On  the  next  day  the  British  army 
entered  Charlotte,  and  received  such  a  stinging  reception 
£is  to  cause  Lord  Cornwallis  to  designate  the  place  as  the 
'^' Hornets' Nest  of  America."  After  a  well-directed  fire 
upon  the  British  from  the  Court  House  to  the  gum  tree, 
Gen.  Grraham,  with  the  troops  assigned  to  his  command, 
retreated,  opposing  Tarletou's  cavalry  and  a  regiment  of 
infantry  for  four  miles  on  the  kialisbury  road.  On  the 
plantation  formerly  owned  by  Joseph  McConnaughey,he 
again  formed  his  men,  and  attacked  the  advancing  Brit- 
ish infantr}'.  After  again  retreating,  he  formed  on  the 
hill  above  where  Sugar  Creek  Church  now  stands.  There, 
owing  to  the  imprudent  but  honest  zeal  of  Major  White, 
they  were  detained  too  long,  for  by  the  time  they  had 
reached  the  cross  roads  a  party  of  British  dragoons  were 
in  sight,  and,  after  close  pursuit  for  nearly  two  miles, 
overtook  them.  It  was  at  this  time  that  Lieut.  George 
Locke,  a  brother  of  Col.  Francis  Locke,  of  Rowan  county, 
was  killed  at  the  margin  of  a  small  pond,  now  to  be  seen 
at  the  end  of  Alexander  Kennedy's  lane.  Between  that 
spot  and  where  James  A.  Houston  now  lives,  Gen.  Gra- 
ham was  cut  down  and  severely  wounded.  He  received 
nine  wounds,  six  with  the  saber  and  three  from  musket 
balls.  His  life  was  narrowl}'  and  mercifully  preserved 
by  a  large  stock  buckle  which  broke  the  violence  of  the 
stroke.  Pie  received  four  deep  gashes  of  the  saber  over 
his  head  and  one  in  his  side;  and  three  balls  were  af- 
terward removed  from  his  body.  After  being  much  ex- 
hausted by  loss  of  blood,  he  reached  the  house  of  the  late 


228  SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

Mrs.  Susaiiiuih  Alexander,  where  he  was  kindly  nurseJ 
and  watched  during  the  night,  and  his  Avounds  dressed 
as  well  as  circumstances  would  permit.  On  the  next  day 
he  reached  his  mother's  residence,  where  the  late  Major 
Bostw'ick  resided,  and  from  that  place  transferred  to  the 
hospital  in  Charlotte. 

Thus,  at  the  tender  age  of  twenty-one  years,  we  seethis^ 
gallant  young  officer  leading  a  band  of  as  brave  men  as^ 
ever  faced  a  foe,  to  guard  the  ground  first  consecrated 
by  the  Mecklenburg  Decleration  of  Independence,  leaving; 
his  blood  as  the  best  memorial  of  a  righteous  cause,  anJ 
of  true  heroism  in  its  defence. 

x4s  soon  as  he  recovered  from  his  wounds,  he  again* 
entered  the  service  of  his  country.  Gen.  Davidson,  who^ 
had  command  of  all  the  militia  in  the  western  counties^ 
of  the  State,  applied  to  him  to  raise  one  or  more  cont- 
panics,  promising  him  such  rank  as  the  number  of  mei'is 
raised  would  justify.  Through  his  great  energy,  per- 
severance and  influence  he  succeeded  in  raising  a  com- 
pany of  hfty-fi ve  men  in  two  weeks.  These  were  mounteJ 
riflemen,  armed  also  with  swords  ,  and  some  with  pistols.- 

They  supplied  themselves  with  their  own  horses  audi 
necessary  equipments,  and  entered  the  held  without' 
commissary  or  C[uartermaster,  and  with  every  prospect  of 
hard  fighting,  and  little  compensation.  After  Tarleton's; 
signal  defeat  at  tlie  Cowpens,  Cornwallis  resolved  to  pur- 
sue Gen.  Morgan,  encumbered  with  upwards  of  five  hun- 
dred prisoners.  At  that  time  Gen.  Greene  had  assumed^ 
command  of  the  southern  army,  and  stationed  himself 
with  a  portion  of  it  at  Hicks'  Creek,  near  to  Oheraw- 
After  Gen.  Morgan's  successful  retreat,  Gen.  Greene  leffc 
his  main  arm}'  with  Gen.  Iluger,  and  rode  one  hundred 
and  fiffty  miles  to  join  Gen.  Morgan's  detachment  near 
the  Catawba  river.  The  plan  of  opposing  Lord  Corn- 
wallis in  crossing  the  Catawba  was  arranged  by  Gen- 
Greene,  and  its  execution    assigned    to    Gen.  DavidsoD- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA.  229 

Lieutenant  Col.  Webster  moved  forward  and  crossed  the 
•Catawba  in  advance  with  a  detachment  of  cavahy  to 
create  the  impression  that  the  whole  British  arni}^  would 
cross  there,  but  the  real  intention  of  Cornwallis  was  to 
make  the  attempt  at  Cowan's  Ford.  Soon  after  the  action 
commenced,  Gen.  Davidson  was  killed,  greatly  lamented 
by  all  who  knew  him  as  a  brave  and  generous  officer. 
'The  company  commanded  by  Gen.  Graham  commenced 
ithe  attack  upon  the  British  as  they  advanced  through 
the  river,  and  resolutely  kept  it  up  until  they  ascended  the 
bank.  The  British  then  poured  in  a  heavy  fire  upon 
Graham's  men,  two  of  whom  were  killed.  Col.  William 
Polk  and  Rev.  T.  II.  McCaule  were  near  Gen.  Davidson 
when  he  fell.  Col.  Hall  and  three  or  four  of  the  British 
were  killed  and  upwards  of  thirty  wounded.  The  British 
were  detained  here  about  three  hours  in  burying  their 
dead  and  then  resumed  their  march  in  pursuit  of  Gen. 
Morgan. 

The  body  of  General  Davidson  was  secured  by  David 
Wilson  and  Richard  Barry,  conveyed  to  the  house  of 
Samuel  Wilson,  Sen.,  there  dressed  for  burial,  and  inter- 
red that  night  in  the  grave -yard  of  Hopewell  Church. 

The  North  Carolina  militia  were  then  placed  under 
the  command  of  General  Pickens,  of  South  Carolina,  and 
continued  to  harass  the  British  as  they  advanced  toward 
Virginia.  General  Graham  with  his  company,  and  some 
troops  from  Rowan  county,  surprised  and  captured  a 
guard  at  Hart's  Mill,  one  mile  and  a-half  frpm  Hillsboro, 
where  the  British  army  then  lay,  and  the  same  day  join- 
ed Colonel  Lee's  forces.  On  the  next  day,  under  General 
Pickens,  he  was  in  the  action  against  Colonel  Pyles,  who 
commanded  about  three  hundred  and  fifty  Tories  on 
their  way  to  join  Tarleton.  These  Tories  supposed  the 
Whigs  to  be  a  company  of  British  troops  sent  for  their 
protection,  and  commenced  crying,  "  God  save  the  King." 
Tarleton  was  about  a  mile  from  this  place,  and  retreated 


230  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

to  Hillsboro.  Shortly  afterward  General  Graham  was  in 
an  engagement  under  Colonel  Lee,  at  Clapp's  Mill,  on 
the  Alamance,  and  had  two  of  his  company  killed,  three 
wounded  and  two  made  prisoners.  Again,  a  few  days 
afterward,  he  was  in  the  action  at  Whitsell's  Mill,  under 
Colonel  Washington.  As  the  term  of  service  of  his  men 
had  expired,  and  the  country  was  annoyed  with  Tories, 
General  Greene  directed  him  to  return  with  his  company 
and  keep  them  in  a  compact  body  until  they  crossed  the 
Yadkin,  wdiich  they  did  on  the  14th  of  March,  1781. 

After  the  battle  of  Guilford  the  British  retired  to  Wil- 
mington, and  but  little  miUtar}''  service  was  performed 
in  North  Carolina  during  the  summer  of  1781.  About 
the  1st  of  September  Fannin  surprised  Hillsboro  and 
took  Governor  Burke  prisoner.  General  Rutherford,  wdi a 
had  been  taken  prisoner  at  Gates'  defeat,  was  set  at  liber- 
ty, and  returned  home  about  this  time.  He  immediately 
gave  orders  to  General  Graham,  in  whose  military  prowess 
and  influence  he  placed  great  confidence,  to  raise  a  troop 
of  cavalry  in  Mecklenburg  county.  These  troops  of" 
dragoons,  and  about  two  hundred  mounted  infantry,  were^ 
raised  and  formed  into  a  legion,  over  which  Robert 
Smith  was  made  Colonel  and  General  Graham  Major^ 
They  immediatel}''  commenced  their  march  toward  Wil- 
mington. South  of  Fayetteville,  ynth  ninety-six  dragoons 
and  forty  mounted  infantry,  made  a  gallant  and  success- 
ful attack  against  a  body  of  Tories  commanded  by  the 
noted  Tory  Colonels,  McNeil,  Ray,  Graham  and  McDou- 
gal.  This  action  took  place  near  McFalls'  Mill,  on  tha 
Raft  swamp,  in  which  the  Tories  where  signally  defeated, 
their  leaders  dispersed,  and  their  cause  greatly  damaged. 
In  this  spirited  engagement  one  hundred  and  thirty-six 
Whigs  opposed  and  vanquished  six  hundred  Tories,  re- 
flecting great  credit  upon  the  bravery  and  military  sagac- 
ity of  General  Graham. 

A  short  time  afterward  he   commanded   one  troop  of 


SKETCHES  OF    AVESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  231 

dragoons  and  two  of  mounted  infaiitiy,  and  defeated  a 
band  of  Tories  on  Alfred  Moore's  plantation,  opposite 
Wilmington.  On  the  next  day  he  led  the  troops  in  per- 
son, and  attacked  the  British  garrison  near  the  &ame 
place.  Shortly  afterward  he  commanded  three  companies 
in  defeating  (,'oloncl  Gagny,  near  Waccamaw  lake.  Tins' 
campaign  closed  General  Graham's  services  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war,  having  commanded  in  fifteen  engage- 
ments with  a  degree  of  courage,  wisdom,  calmness  and 
success,  surpassed,  perhaps,  by  no  officer  of  the  same 
rank. 

Hundreds  who  served  under  him  have  delighted  in 
testifying  to  the  upright,  faithful,  and  undaunted  man- 
ner in  which  he  discharged  the  duties  of  his  trying  and 
responsible  station.  Never  was  hektiown  to  shrink  from 
any  toil,  however  painful,  or  quail  before  any  danger, 
however  threatening,  or  stand  back  from  any  privations 
or  sacrifices  which  might  serve  his  country.  Alter  the 
close  of  the  war  he  was  elected  the  first  Sheriff  of  Meck- 
lenburg county,  and  gave  great  satisfaction  by  the  faith- 
ful performance  of  the  duties  of  that  office.  From  1788 
to  1794  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  from  the  same  cpun- 
ty.  About  the  year  1787  he  was  married  to  Isabella,  the 
second  daughter  of  Major  .John  Davidson.  By  this  mar- 
riage he  had  twelve  children.  Not  long  after  his  mar- 
riage he  removed  to  Lincoln  cour)ty  and  engaged  in  the 
manufacture  of  iron.  For  more  than  forty  years  before 
his  death  he  conducted  a  large  establishment  of  iron 
works  with  great  energy  and  success. 

In  1814  General  Graham  commanded  a  Regiment  of 
North  Carolina  Volunteers  against  the  Creek  Indians, 
and  arrived  about  the  time  the  last  stroke  of  punishment 
was  inflicted  upon  this  hostile  tribe  by  General  Jackson^ 
at  the  battle  of  the  Horse  Shoe.  For  many  years  after 
the  war  he  was  Major  General  of  the  5th  Division  of  the 
North  Carolina  Militia.     By   a  life  of  temperance  and 


232  SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA 

regular  exercise,  with  the  blessing  of  God,  he  enjoyed  re- 
markable health  and  vigor  of  constitution. 

On  the  13th  of  October,  1836,  he  made  the  following 
minute  in  his  day-book  :  "  This  da}-  I  am  seventy-seven 
years  of  age,  Bci  Gratia."  He  rode  from  Lincolnton  on 
the  lOth^  of  November,  soon  thereafter  was  struck  with 
apoplexy,  and  on  the  evening  of  the  12th  closed  his  eyes 
upon  the  cares  and  trials  of  a  long,  useful  and  honorable 
life. 

General  Joseph  Graham  was  the  father  of  the  late  Ex- 
Governor  A^^illiam  A.  Graham,  one  of  North  Carolina's 
most  worthy,  honorable,  and  illustrious  sons. 

BREVARD    FAMILY. 

(Condensed  from  Wheeler's  "Historical  Sketclies.") 

The  Brevard  family  acted  a  very  conspicuous  part 
during  our  Revolutionary  war.  The  first  one  of  the 
name  of  whom  anvthing  is  known  was  a  Huguenot  who 
fled  from  France  on  the  revocation  of  the  edict  of  Nantes 
in  1685,  and  settled  among  the  Scotch-Irish  in  the  north- 
ern part  of  Ireland.  He  there  formed  the  acquaintance 
of  a*  family  of  McKnitts,  and  with  them  set  sail  for  the 
Americaneghores.^^ne  of  this  family  was  a  young  and 
l)looming  lassie,  "  ver}'  fair  to  look  upon."  Brevard  and 
herself  soon  discovered  in  each  other  kindred  spirits,  and 
a  mutual  attacliment  sprung  up  between  them.  They 
joined  their  fortunes,  determined  to  share  the  hardships 
and  trials  incident  to  a  settlement  in  a  new  countr}',  then 
filled  with  wild  beasts  and  savages.  They  settled  on  Elk 
river,  in  Maryland.  The  issue  of  this  marriage  were  five 
sons  and  one  daughter ;  John,  Robert,  Zebulon,  Benja- 
min, Adam,  and  Elizabeth.  The  three  elder  brothers, 
with  their  sister  and  her  husband,  came  to  North  Caro- 
lina between  1740  and  1750.  The  three  brothers  were 
all  "Whigs  during  the  Kevolution.     John  Brevard,  whose 


* 


i/v<>l     ^--^   ^^'  '^ 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  233 

family  i8  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  married  a 
sister  of  Dr.  Alexander  JNlcWhorter,  a  distinguished  Pres- 
byterian minister  from  New  Jersey,  who  had  tor  a  tiuie  the 
control  of  Queen's  Museum  in  Charlotte.  Soon  after  his 
marriage,  Brevard  also  emigrated  to  JSTorth  Carolina,  and 
settled  about  two  miles  from  Center  Church,  in  Iredell 
county.  Dr.  McWhorter  was  a  very  zealous  Whig,  and  it 
is  said  the  British  w^ere  anxious  to  seize  him  on  account  of 
his  independent  addresses,  botli  in  and  out  of  the  pulpit. 
But  they  failed  in  their  endeavors,  aud,  after  the  invasion 
■of  Charlotte  by  Cornw-allis  in  1780,  he  returned  to  the 
Korth. 

At  the  commencement  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  John 
Brevard,  then  an  old  and  infirm  man,  liad  eight  sons  and 
four  daughters,  Marj^,  Ephraim,  John,  Hugh,  Adam,  Alex- 
ander, Robert,  Benjamin,  Nancy,  Joseph,  Jane  and  Re- 
becca. He  was  a  w^ell  known  and  influential  Whig,  and 
early  instilled  his  patriotic  principles  into  the  minds  of  his 
children.  When  the  British  arm}'  under  Cornwallis  passed 
near  his  residence  a  squad  of  soldiers  went  to  his  nouseand 
burned  every  building  on  the  premises  to  the  ground.  No 
one  was  at  home  at  the  time  except  his  wife,  then  quite  old 
and  infirm,  the  daughters  having  been  sent  to  a  neighbor- 
ing house  across  a  swamp  to  preserve  them  from  an}'  in- 
dignities that  might  be  ottered  to  them  by  a  base  soldiery. 
When  the  soldiers  came  up  a  self-authorized  officer  drew  a 
paper  from  his  pocket,  and  after  looking  at  it  for  a  moment 
said,  "  these  houses  must  be  burned."  They  w-ere  accord- 
ingly set  on  fire.  Mrs.  Brevard  attempted  to  save  some 
articles  of  furniture  from  the  flames,  but  the  soldiers  would 
throw  them  back  as  fast  as  she  could  take  them  out  Ever}-- 
thing  in  the  house  was  consumed.  The  reason  assigned 
by  the  soldiery  for  this  incendiary  act  was  she  then  had 
"  eight  sons  in  the  re]>el  army." 

Mary,  the  eldest  daughter   of    John   Brevard,  married 


'X. 


234  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH    CAROLINA. 

Gen.  Davidson  who  was  killed   at  Cowan's  Ford  on  the 
Ccitawl:)a  river. 

Kane  J  married  .John  Davidson.  Thej  were  both  killed 
by  the  Indians  at  the  head  of  the  Catawba  river. 

Jane  married  Ephraim,  a  brother  of  John  Davidson. 
Though  very  young,  he  was  sent  by  Gen.  Davidson,  on  the 
night  before  the  skirmish  at  Cowan's  Ford,  with  an  express 
to  Col,  Morgan,  warning  him  of  the  approach  of  the  British 
forces. 

Rebecca  married  a  Jones  and  moved  to  Tennessee. 

.Ephraim  Brevard,  the  eldest  son,  married  a  daughter  of 
Col.  Thomas  P^.  After  a  course  of  preparatory  studies 
he  went  to  Princeton  College.  Having  graduated,  he  pur- 
sued a  course  of  medical  studies  and  settled  as  a  physician 
in  Charlotte.  Being  highly  educated,  and  possessed  of  a 
superior  mind,  and  agreeable  manner,  he  exerted  a  com- 
manding influence  over  the  youthful  patriots  of  that  day. 
In  the  language  of  Dr.  Foote,  "bethought  clearly;  felt 
deeply  ;  w^rote  well ;  resisted  bravely,  and  died  a  martyr  to 
that  liberty  none  loved  better,  and  few  understood  so  well." 
(For  further  particulars  respecting  Dr.  Brevard,  see  Sketches 
of  the  Signers  of  the  Mecklenburg  Declaration."^ 

John  Brevard,  Jr.,  served  in  the  Continental  Army  with 
the  commission  of  Lieutenant,  displaying,  on  all  occa- 
sions, unflinching  bravery  and  a  warm  devotion  to  the 
cause  of  American  freedom. 

4  Huqh  Brevard.,  with  several  brothers,  was  at  the  battle 
of  Ramsour  s  Mill.  Early  in  the  war  lie  was  appointed  a 
Colonel  of  the  militia,  and  was  present  at  the  defeat  of 
General  Ashe  at  Brier  Creek.  He  settled  in  Burke 
county,  and  Avas  elected  a  niember  of  the  Legislature  in 
1780  and  1781,  was  held  in  high  esteem  by  his  fellow- 
citizens,  and  died  about  the  close  of  tl)e  war. 

Adam  Brevard  first  served  one  year  in  the  Northern 
Army  under  General  Washington.  lie  then  came  South, 
and  was  present   at   the   battle  of  Ramsour's  Mill.     He 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  235 

Ihere  liad  a  button  shot  from  his  pantaloons,  but  escaped 
unharmed.  He  was  a  blacksmith  by  trade,  and,  after  the 
war  followed  this  occupation  for  a  considerable  length 
of  time.  Being  fond  of  reading  he  studied  law  in  his 
shop,  when  not  much  pressed  w^ith  business,  and  found  a 
greater  delight  in  the  law-telling  strokes  of  a  Blackstone 
than  in  the  hard-ringing  strokes  of  a  blacksmith's  ham- 
mer. He  finally  abandoned  his  trade  and  engaged  in 
the  practice  of  the  law,  in  which  he  was  successful.  He 
was  a  man  of  strong  intellect,  sound  judgment,  and  keen 
observation.  He  wrote  a  piece  called  the  "  Mecklenburg- 
Censor,"  abounding  with  sarcastic  wit  and  well-timed 
humor,  making  him  truly  the  "learned  blacksmith"  of 
Mecklenburg  county. 

Alexander  Brevard  first  joined  the  arm}'  as  a  cadet.  He 
then  received  the  commission  of  Lieutenant,  and  soon  af- 
ward  that  of  Captain  in^he  Continental  Army.  He  was 
engaged  in  the  battles  of  White  Plains,  Trenton,  Prince- 
ton, Brandywine,  Monmouth,  and  Germanton,  and  re- 
mained in  the  Northern  Army  under  General  Washing- 
ton until  some  time  in  the  year  1779,  when,  his  health 
failing,  he  was  sent  into  the  country.  After  a  short  ab- 
sence he  reported  himself  for  service  to  Gen.  Washington. 
This  illustrious  and  humane  commander,  seeing  his 
slender  figure  and  delicate  appearance,  remarked  that  he 
was  unfit  for  hard  service,  and  enquired  of  him  where 
his  parents  lived.  The  reply  was,  in  North  Carolina. 
Gen.  Washington  then  advised  him  to  return  home. 
With  this  advice  he  complied,  and  his  health,  in  the 
meantime,  having  improved  in  the  genial  climate  of 
Western  North  Carolina,  he  immediately  joined  the 
Southern  Army  under  General  Gates.  Being  a  Captain 
in  the  regular  service,  and  removed  from  his  command, 
he  was  appointed  quartermaster,  and  acted  as  such  at 
the  battle  of  Camden.  After  the  defeat  of  Gen.  Gates,  the 
Southern  Army  was  placed  under  the  command  of  Gen. 


23G      SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Greene.  Alexander  Brevard  was  with  this  gallant  com- 
mander in  all  his  battles  ;  so  that,  with  little  interrup- 
tion, he  was  in  active  service/?'om  the  heginning  to  the  end 
qftheioar.  He  thought  his  hardest  fighting  was  at  the 
Eutaw  Springs.  He  was  therein  command  of  his  com- 
pan}^  and  in  the  hottest  part  of  the  fignt,  losing  eighteen 
of  his  brave  men.  At  one  time  he  and  his  company 
were  in  a  very  critical  situation.  A  division  of  the  Brit- 
ish army  came  very  unexpectedly  upon  their  rear  while 
the}'  were  closely  engaged  in  front  ;  but,  just  at  that  mo- 
ment, Col.  Washington,  perceiving  their  imminent  dan- 
ger, made  an  impetuous  charge  with  his  cavalry  upon 
this  division  of  the  enemy.  A  portion  of  his  men  broke 
through,  and  formed  again  with  the  intention  of  renew- 
ing the  charge.  This  was  prevented  by  the  retreat  of  the 
British  into  a  position  where  it  was  impossible  for  the 
cavalry  to  pursue  them. 

Colonel  Washington  was  unhorsed  and  made  a  pris- 
oner, but  succeeded  with  his  brave  men  in  prevent- 
ing the  meditated  attack  in  the  rear.  Brevard  had  not 
observed  this  division  of  the  enemy,  and  the  first  thing 
he  saw  was  the  flying  caps  and  tumbling  horses  of  the 
cavalry  as  they  made  their  dashing  charge  upon  them. 
This  was  the  last  important  battle  in  which  Capt.  Bre- 
vard was  engaged,  fought  on  the  8th  of  September,  1781, 
and  near  the  close  of  the  war.  On  all  occasions  he  main- 
tained an  unflagging  zeal  and  promptitude  of  action  in 
achieving  the  independence  of  his  country,  and  evincing 
a  persistent  bravery  unsurpassed  in  the  annals  of  the 
American  Revolution. 

After  the  war  Captain  Brevard  married  Rebecca,  a 
daughter  of  Major  John  Davidson,  one  of  the  signers  of 
the  Mecklenburg  Declaration.  Major  Davidson  suggest- 
ed to  himself  and  General  Joseph  Graham,  another  son- 
in-law,  the  propriety  of  entering  into  the  manufacture  of 
iron.     They  readily  approved  of  the  suggestion  and  went 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       237 

over  into  Lincoln  county.  There  they  found  General 
Peter  Forney  in  possession  of  a  valuable  iron  ore  bank. 
With  him  they  formed  a  copartnership  and  erected  Vesu- 
vius Furnace  on  the  public  road  from  Seattle's  Ford  to 
Lincolnton — at  present  known  as  Smith's  Furnace.  Af- 
ter operating  for  a  time  -altogether;  Forney  withdrew.- 
Davidson  and  Brevard  then  left  Graham  in  the  manage- 
ment of  Vesuvius  Furnace,  and  built  ^^ount  Tirzah 
Forge,  now  known  as  Brevard's  Forge.  The  sons-in-law 
shortly  afterward  bought  out  Davidson,  and  finally  they 
dissolved.  Brevard  then  built  a  furnace  on  Leeper's- 
Creek,  above  Mount  Tirzah  Forge,  and  continued  in  the 
iron  business  until  his  death. 

Captain  Brevard,  being  of  a  retiring  disposition,  never 
sought  political  favor,  but  preferred  to  discharge  his  obli- 
gations to  his  country  rather  by  obeying  than  by  making" 
her  laws.  His  manners  were  frank  and  candid,  and  the- 
more  intimately  he  v/as  known  the  better  was  he  beloved- 
The  dishonest  met  his  searching  eye  with  dread,  but  the- 
industrious  and  the  honest  ever  found  in  him  a  kind  ad- 
viser and  beneficent  assistant.  Long  will  he  be  remem- 
bered as  a  pure  man,  a  faithful  friend,  and  an  upright- 
citizen,  conscientious  in  the  discharge  of  all  his  obliga- 
tions and  in  the  performance  of  all  his  duties.  Tie  was^ 
for  many  years,  a  worthy  elder  in  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  died',  as  he  had  lived,  a  true  christian,  and- 
with  humble  resignation,  on  the  1st  of  November,  1829,, 
in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  his  age.  His  mortal  remains- 
repose  in  a  private  cemetery,  selected  by  General  Graham 
and  himself  as  a  family  burying  ground,  and  near  which 
has  lately  been  built  the  church  of  Macpelah.  He  left- 
seven  children — Ephraim,  Franklin,  Harriet,  Robert,, 
Joseph,  Theodore  and  Mary.  Franklin  and  Joseph  rep- 
resented, at  different  times,  the  county  of  Lincoln  in  the 
State  Legislature. 

Joseph   Brevard,  the  youngest  son    of  .John  Brevard^ 


238       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Sen.,  at  the  3'outhful  age  of  seventeen,  held  the  commis- 
sion of  Lieutenant  in  the  Continental  array.  His  brother 
Alexander  said  he  was  at  that  time  quite  small  and  deli- 
cate, and  that  he  always  pitied  him  when  it  was  his  turn 

to  mount  guard.     General ,  who  was  in  command 

at  Philadelphia,  discovering  that  he  wrote  a  pretty  hand, 
appointed  him  his  private  secretary.  In  this  position  he 
remained  until  he  received  the  commission  of  Lieuten- 
ant in  the  Southern  army,  which  he  held  until  the  close 
of  the  war.  After  the  war  he  studied  law,  and  settled  in 
Camden,  S.  C,  where  he  took  a  high  stand  both  as  alaw- 
3"er  and  a  citizen.  After  filling  several  offices  of  public 
trust,  he  was  elected  one  of  the  Judges,  which  position 
he  occupied  with  distingaished  honor. 

After  a  few  years  he  resigned  his  Judgship,  and  was 
twice  elected  to  Congress  from  his  district.  He  made  a 
Digest  of  the  Statute  Laws  of  South  Carolina,  and  also 
left  one  or  two  volumes  of  cases  reported  by  himself. 
These  books,  particularly  the  latter,  are  still  referred  to 
as  good  legal  authority.  He  died  in  Camden,  and  has 
left  a  name  cherished  and  honored  by  all  those  who  re- 
member his  numerous  virtues. 

Such  is  a  brief  and  imperfect  sketch  of  that  family 
whose  name  is  prefixed.  Many  events,  of  thrilling  in- 
terest, connected  with  their  revolutionary  services,  have, 
no  doubt,  sunk  into  oblivion  ;  but  enough  has  been  pre- 
sented to  stimulate  the  rising  generation  to  imitate  their 
heroic  example  and  admire  their  unfaltering  devotion  to 
the  cause  of  American  freedom. 

COLONEL  JAMES  JOHNSTON. 

Col.  James  Johnston,  one  of  the  earliest  patriots  of 
•'  Tryou,"  afterward  Lincoln  count}',  was  born  about  the 
year  1742.  His  father,  Henry  Johnston,  was  of  Scottish 
descent.     During  the  many  civil  and  ecclesiastical  troubles 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       239 

which  greatly  agitated  England  preceding  the  ascent  of 
William,  Prince  of  Orange,  to  the  throne  in  16S8,  and  tlie 
rninons  consequences  of  the  defeat  of  Charles  Edward,  the 
"  Pretender,"  at  the  battle  of  Culloden,  in  April,  1746,  a 
constant  tide  of  emigration  was  flowing  from  Scotland  to 
the  northern  part  of  Ireland,  or  directly  to  the  shores  of  the 
New  World,  then  holding  forth  to  the  disturbed  population 
of  Europe  peculiar  features  of  attractiveness,  accompanied 
with  the  most  alluring  prospects  of  future  aggrandizement 
and  wealth.  Among  the  families  who  passed  over  duriuo- 
this  period  were  some  of  the  extensive  clan  of  Johnstons 
(frequently  spelled  Johnstone)  ;  also,  the  Alexanders 
Ewarts,  Bells,  Ivnoxes,  Baruetts,  Pattons,  Wilsons,  Spratts, 
Martins,  with  a  strong  sprinkling  of  the  Davidsons,  Cald- 
wells,  Grahams,  Hunters,  Polks,  and  many  others  whose 
descendants  performed  a  magnanimous  part  in  achievino- 
our  independence,  and  stand  high  on  the  "  roll  of  fame" 
and  exalted  worth. 

The  name  Johnston  in  Scotland  embraces  manv  dis- 
tinguished personages  in  every  department  of  literature 
From  one  of  the  lamilies  who  came  directly  to  America  in 
1722  (^' Lord  Wihiam  Johnston")  have  descended  in  dif- 
ferent branches,  the  late  General  Albert  Sidney  Johnston 
and  General  Joseph  E.  Johnston — illustrious,  patriotic 
names  the  Southern  people  and  a  disinterested  posterity 
will  ever  delight  ta  honor. 

The  Johnstons  in  their  native  "  land  o'cakes  and  brither 
Scots,"  had  the  reputation  of  being  "  heady,"  strono'-minded 
proud  of  their  ancestral  descent,  and  were  regarded  at 
times,  as  being  rather  "  rebellious  " — a  trait  of  character 
which,  in  this  last  respect,  some  of  their  descendants 
strongly  manifested  in  the  late  Confederate  strugo-je  but  in 
accordance  with  the  most  honorable  and  patriotic  motives. 

When  Henry  Johnston  and  his  youthful  wife  settled  on 
the  western  banks  of  the  Catawba  river,  the  countrv  was 
then  covered  with  its  native  forests,  and  over  its  wide  ex. 


240      SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

pause  of  territoiy,  as  yet  but  little  disturbed  by  tbe  imple- 
ments of  husbandry,  the  Indians  and  Avild  ])easts  held 
almost  undisputed  sway.  The  uplands  were  clothed  with 
wild  "  pea  vines,"  and  other  luxuriant  herbage,  and  cattle 
literally  roamed  over  and  fed  upon  a  "  thousand  hills."' 
Every  water  course,  too,  bristled  with  cane-brakes,  indi- 
cating the  great  fertility  of  the  soil,  and  the  sure  road,  undei^ 
proper  industrial  eiibrts,  to  agricultui'al  prosperity. 

In  the  absence  of  family  records  we  are  left  to  infer  CoL 
Johnston  grew  up  to  manhood,  receiving  as  good  an  edu- 
cation as  his  own  limited  means  and  tbe  opportunities  of 
societies  then  afforded.  It  was  then  a  gloomy  period  in 
our  history.  In  1765  the  Stamp  Act  had  been  passed, 
which  agitated  the  American  Colonies  from  one  extremity 
to  the  other.  The  dark  cloud  of  discontent  hung  heavily 
over  our  people,  too  truly  foreboding  the  storm  of  open 
rupture,  and  approaching  revolution.  During  this  exciting 
period  he  imbibed  those  patriotic  principles,  which,  in 
subsequent  years,  governed  his  actions,  and  prepared  him 
to  cast  in  his  lot,  and  heartly  unite  with  those  who  pledged 
"  their  lives,  their  fortunes,  and  their  sacred  honor  "  in  the- 
cause  of  American  freedom.  He  emphatically  belonged 
to  that  class  of  ardent  young  men  of  the  Revoiutionary 
period 

"  Whose  deeds  were  cast  in  manly  mold, 
For  hardy  sports  or  contest  boll." 

Tradition  speaks  of  tbe  wife  of  Henry  Ji)bnston  as 
dving  comparatively  young,  leaving  two  children — Jaines^ 
the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch,  and  Mary — wiio 
maj'ried  Moses  ScotL,  settled  near  Goshen  Church,  in  the 
})resent  county  of  Graston,  and  there  ended  her  days. 
Moses  Scott  had  three  children — James  J.,  William  and 
Abram  Scott.  Of  these  sons,  James  Johnston  Scott  mar- 
ried in  1803,  ^lary,  a  daughter  of  Captain  Robert  Alex- 
ander, a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  and  of  extensive  use- 
fulness.    He  (James)  died  in  180U,  in  the  twenty- seventh 


\ 

SKETCHES  OF  WEfc:TERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  241 

year  of  liis  age,  leaving  two  children — Abram  and  Mary 
Scott,  the  former  of  whom  in  this  Centennial  year  (1876) 
still  survives,  having  nearly  completed  his  "three-score 
years  and  ten." 

Col.  Johnston  first  entered  the  service  as  Captain  of  a 
company,  in  the  winter  of  1776,  Col.  "William  Graham 
commanding,  against  a  large  body  of  Tories  in  the  north- 
western section  of  South  Carolina.  This  expedition  is 
known  in  history  as  the  '"Snow  Campaign,'"'  from  the 
unusually  heavy  snow,  of  that  wiriter,and,in  conjunction 
Avith  the  troops  of  that  State,  drove  the  Tory  command- 
ers, Cunniiigham  and  Fletcher,  from  the  siege  of  the  post 
of  Ninety  Six.  On  the  retreat  of  these  Tory  leaders  they 
surprised  and  defeated  them  with  a  loss  of  four  hundred 
of  their  followers.  The  reader  maybe  curious  to  know 
the  origin  of  the  name  ••' Ninety  Six"  applied  to  this 
post,  now  constituting  tlie  village  of  Cambridge,  in 
Abbeville  county.  It  was  so  called  because  it  was  ninety- 
six  miles  from  the  frontier  fort,  Prince^Cleorge,  on  Keovvee 
rivei',  in  the  present  county  of  Pickens.  No  portion  oi* 
South  Carolina  suffered  more  during  the  Revolution  than 
the  district  around  Ninety-Six.  The  Tories  were  nume- 
rous, bold  and  vindictive,  and  for  that  reason  the  gallant 
"Whigs  of  that  region  frequently  called  upon  their  com- 
patriots-in-arms  in  North  Caroliiia,  more  particularl}'  in 
jNfecklenburg,  Lincoln  and  Burke  counties,  for  assistance 
in  defending  their  homes  and  their  property. 

In  this  same  year  (1776)  Gen.  Rutherlbrd  called  out  a 
strong  force  of  infantry  and  cavalry  from  Mecklenburg, 
Rowan,  Tryon,  (afterwards  Lincoln),  and  other  western 
counties  to  subdue  the  "Over-hill"  Cherokee  Indians, 
who  were  committing  numerous  depredations,  and  occa- 
sioualh^  murdering  the  inhabitants  on  the  frontier  set- 
tlements. At  that  time  the  "Blue  Ridge"  constituted 
the    bounds  of  organized   civilization.     The  expedition, 

commanded  bv  Gen.  Rutherford,  was  compietelv  succe=;s- 
"^  16 


242  SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA. 

i'ul,  the  Indians  were  routed,  their  towns  destroyed,  and 
XI  considerable  number  killed  and  made  prisoners.  Noth- 
ing sliort  of  this  severe  chastisement  of  the  Indians  for 
their  depredations  and  murders  would  serve  to  teach 
them  of  the  supremacy  of  the  white  man,  and  cause 
them  to  sue  for  peace.  On  this  occasion  many  of  the 
western  patriots  experienced  their  first  essay  in  arms, 
and  learned  something  of  the  toils  and  dangers  of  the 
soldier's  life. 

During  the  war  several  expeditions  were  sent  from 
the  border  counties  of  North  Carolina  to  assist  in  pulling 
down  the  Toiy  ascendancy  of  the  disaffected  portion  of 
upper  South  Carolina.  In  one  of  these  expeditions  Col. 
Johnston  experienced  an  adventure — a  passage  at  arms, 
which,  as  an  incident  of  the  war  and  characteristic  of  liis 
bravery,  is  here  wortln?^  of  narration.  On  Pacolet  river, 
near  the  place  where  the  late  Dr.  Bivings  erected  a  fac- 
tor}'. Col.  Johnston,  in  a  skirmish,  had  a  personal  ren- 
contre with  Patrick  Moore,  a  Tory  officer,  whom  he 
finally  overpowered  and  captured.  In  the  contest  he 
received  several  sword  cuts  on  liis  head,  and  on  the 
thumb  of  the  right  hand.  As  he  was  bearing  his  pris- 
oner to  the  Whig  lines,  a  short  distance  off,  he  was  rap- 
idly approached  b}'^  several  British  troopers.  He  then 
immediately  attempted  to  discharge  his  loaded  musket 
against  his  assailants,  but  unfortunately  it  ivissed  fire,  in 
consequence  of  blood  flowing  from  his  wounded  thumb 
and  wetting  the  priming.  This  misfortune  on  his  part 
enabled  his  prisoner  to  escape  ;  and,  perceiving  his  own 
dangerous  and  armless  position,  he  promptly  availed 
himself  of  a  friendly  thicket  at  his  side,  eluded  his  pur- 
suers and  soon  afterwards  joined  his  command. 

On  the  14th  of  June,  1780,  Gen.  Rutherford,  whilst 
■encamped  near  Charlotte,  received  intelligence  that  the 
Tories  under  Col.  John  Moore  had  assembled  in  strong 
force  at  Ramsour's  Mill,  near  the  present  town  of  Lin- 


SKETCHES  OP   WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  2-l:0 

€olnton.  He  immediatel}^  issued  orders  to  Col.  Francis 
Locke,  of  Rowan ;  to  Major  David  Wilson,  of  Mecklen- 
burg, and  other  officers,  to  use  every  exertion  to  raise  a 
sufficient  number  of  men  to  attack  the  Tories  at  that 
place.  On  the  17th  of  June  Gen.  Rutherford  marched 
from  his  encampment,  two  miles  south  of  Charlotte,  to 
the  Tuckaseegee  Ford,  on  the  Catawba.  He  had  previ- 
ously dispatched  an  express  to  Col.  Locke,  advising  him 
of  his  movement,  and  ordered  him  to  join  his  army  on 
the  19th  or  morning  of  the  20th  of  June,  a  few  miles 
beyond  that  ford.  The  express,  in  some  unaccountable 
way,  miscarried.  The  morning  of  the  19th  being  web, 
<Gren,  Rutherford  did  not  cross  the  river  until  evening 
iind  encamped  three  miles  beyond  on  Col.  Dickson's 
plantation.  Whilst  there,  waiting  for  Col.  Locke's  arri- 
val, in  obedience  to  the  express,  he  received  a  notice 
from  that  officer,  then  encamped  at  Mountain  Creek,  in- 
forming him  of  his  intention  of  attacking  the  Tories  on 
the  next  morning  at  sunrise,  and  requested  his  co-opera- 
tion. This  notice  was  delivered  to  Gen.  Rutherford  by 
Col.  Johnston  at  li  o'clock  of  the  night  of  the  19th  of 
-June,  being  selected  for  that  duty  b}''  Col.  Locke  on  ac- 
count of  his  personal  knowledge  of  the  intervening  coun- 
try and  undaunted  courage.  Col.  Locke's  encampment 
was  then  sixteen  miles  from  Ramsour's  Mill.  Late  in 
the  evening  of  the  same  day,  and  soon  after  the  depart- 
ure of  Col.  Johnston  to  Gen.  Rutherford's  camp,  Col, 
Locke  marched  with  his  forces,  less  than  four  hundred 
in  number,  stopped  a  short  time  in  the  night  for  rest 
and  consultation,  and  arrived  within  a  mile  of  Ramsour's 
at  daylight  without  being  observed  by  the  Tories.  The 
battle  soon  commenced  by  the  mounted  companies  of 
Captains  Falls,  McDowell  and  Brandon.  The  Tories  at 
first  fought  with  considerable  bravery,  driving  back  the 
Whig  cavahy.  These,  however,  soon  rallied,  and,  being 
.supported  by  the  advancing  infantry,    pressed   forward 


244  '  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NOKTH    CAROLINA. 

under  their  gallant  leaders  with  a  courage  which  knew 
no  faltering  and  completely  routed  the  Tories,  driving 
them,  after  an  hour's  contest,  from  their  strong  position^ 
and  capturing  about  fifty  of  their  number.  This  victory^ 
occurring  soon  after  the  surrender  of  Charleston,  when 
the  Tories  had  become  bold  and  menacing  in  their  con- 
duct, greatly  cheered  the  Whigs  throughout  the  entire 
South,  animated  them  with  fresh  hopes,  and  nerved  them 
on  to  future  deeds  of  "noble  daring." 

Get).  Rutherford,  not  leaving  his  encampment  at  Col, 
Dickson's  before  daylight  of  the  morning  of  the  20th  of 
June,  failed  to  reach  Ramsour's  Mill  until  two  hours- 
after  the  battle.  Col,  Johnston  there  joined  his  com- 
mand, and  participated  in  the  closing  duties  of  this  vic- 
torious engagement  in  the  cause  of  American  freedo'Ui. 

At  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain  Col.  Johnston  com- 
manded the  "reserves,  about  ninety  in  number,  whicb 
were  soon  called  into  service  after  the  battle  commenced- 
The  decisive  and  brilliant  victory  of  that  memorable  day 
has  been  so  freqiientl}^  adverted  to  in  history  that  it  i? 
<leemed  here  unnecessar}^  to  enter  into  particulars.  Suf- 
fice it  to  say,  it  completely  broke  down  the  Tory  intlii- 
ence  in  Western  North  Carolina,  and  its  more  rampant 
manifestations  in  upper  South  Carolina.  It  is  known 
that  Cornwallis,  then  in  Charlotte,  in  a  few  days  after 
hearing  of  the  defeat  and  death  of  Ferguson,  one  of  hi& 
bravest  officers,  marched  from  tlut  rebellious  town  in  the' 
night  and  hastily  retreated  to  safer  quarters  in  Winns- 
boro,  S.  C, 

During  the  progress  of  the  war  Col.  Johnston  was  fre- 
quently engaged  in  other  minor  expeditions,  recj^uiring; 
promptitude  of  action  and  unflinching  bravery,  in  assist- 
ing to  disperse  bodies  of  Tories  wherever  they  might- 
assemble,  and  arrest  obnoxious  individuals  when  th& 
peace  and  welfare  of  society  demanded  such  service. 

At  the  Provincial  Congress  which  met  at  Halifax  oo 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA.  245 

the  4th  of  April,  1770,  Colonel  James  Johnston  and 
dolonel  Charles  McLean  were  the  delegates  from  Try  on 
count}'.  Colonel  McLean  was  an  early  and  devoted 
friend  of  liberty.  He  resided  on  the  headwaters  of  Crow- 
der's  creek,  in  the  present  county  of  Gaston,  and  com- 
manded the  first  regiment  which  marched  from  Lincoln 
county  against  the  Tories  of  upper  South  Carolina.  This 
Provincial  Congress  was  one  of  the  most  important  ever 
iield  in  the  State.  The  spirit  of  liberty  was  then  in  the 
ascendant,  animating  every  patriotic  bosom  from  the  sea 
coast  to  the  mountains.  At  this  assembly  the  military 
organization  of  the  State  was  completed,  and  the  follow- 
ing patriotic  resolution  unanimously  adopted  : 

"  Resolved^  That  the  Delegates  from  this  Colony  in  the 
Continental  Congress  be  empowered  to  concur  with  the 
Delegates  from  the  other  colonies  in  declaring  inde- 
pendence and  forming  foreign  alliances,  reserving  to  this 
colony  the  sole  and  exclusive  right  of  forming  a  consti- 
tution and  laws  for  this  colony." 

This  early  action  of  the  Provincial  Congress  of  North 
■Carolina  is  the  first  public  declaration,  by  proper  legis- 
lative State  authority,  on  record,  preceding  the  Virginia 
resolutions  of  the  same  character  by  more  than  a  month, 
and  of  those  of  the  National  Congress  at  Philadelphia  by 
nearly  three  months,  now  exulting  in  its  centennial  cele- 
bration. Near  the  close  of  the  Revolution  Col.  Johnston 
acted  for  a  considerable  length  of  time  as  disbursing 
agent  for  the  Western  Division  of  the  army.  After  the 
division  of  Tryon  count}^  in  1779  into  Lincoln  and 
Rutherford  counties,  he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  from 
the  former  county  in  1780,  '81  and  '82.  He  also  acted, 
for  many  years,  as  one  of  tiie  magistrates  of  the  county, 
and,  by  virtue  of  his  office,  was  frequently  called  upon 
"  to  make  of  twain  one  flesh  in  the  holy  bonds  of  matri- 
jnony." 

Major  John  Davidson,  who  knew  Col.  Johnston  long 


'246  SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

and  well,  always  summed  up  his  estimate  of  his  character- 
by  saying,  "he  was  a  most  excellent  man,  and  never 
shrunk  from  the  performance  of  any  duty  when  the  wel 
fare  of  his  country  demanded  such  service." 

Several  years  previous  to  the  Revolution  Colonel  John- 
ston married  Jane  Ewart,  eldest  daughter  of  Robert 
Ewart,  a  most  worthy  lady  of  tecotch-Irish  descent.  In 
1775  Robert  Ewart  was  appointed  with  Griffith  Ruther- 
ford, John  Brevard,  Ilezekiah  Alexander,  Benjamin 
Patton,  and  others,  one  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  for 
the  "Salisbury  District,"  which  included  Rowan,  Meck- 
lenburg and  other  western  counties.  The  marriage  con- 
nections of  other  members  of  the  Ewart  family  were  as 
follows  :  Margaret  married  Joseph  Jack  ;  Mary  married 
Robert  Knox ;  Rachel  married  Thomas  Bell ;  Betsy 
married  Jonathan  Price;  Sallie  married  Thomas  Hill  ;. 
Robert  married  Margaret  Adams  At  the  battle  of 
King's  Mountain  Robert  Ewart,  James  Ewart,  Robert 
Knox,  Joseph  Jack,  Thomas  Bell,  Jonathan  Price,  Abram 
Forney,  Peter  Forney,  and  other  brave  spirits,  were  iu 
the  company  commanded  by  Colonel  James  Johnston,, 
and  performed  a  conspicuous  part  in  achieving  the  glori- 
ous victory  on  that  occasion. 

Previous  to  the  war  Colonel  Johnston  purchased  valu- 
able land  on  the  Catawba  river,  one  mile  southwest  of 
Toole's  Ford,  which  became  known  in  subsequent  years 
as  "Oak  Grove  "  farm,  deriving  this  name  from  several 
native  denizens  of  the  forest  which  stood  near  the  family 
mansion  and  cast  around  their  beneficent  shade.  Here 
he  was  blest  with  a  numerous  offspring,  and  permitted  to 
enjoy  much  of  that  dignified  ease  and  pleasures  of  a  quiet 
home-life  which  his  patriotic  services  had  assisted  to  pro- 
cure. For  many  years  preceding  his  death  he  was  a  con- 
sistent member  and  Ruling  Elder  of  the  Presbyterian 
church  at  Unity,  in  Lincoln  county.  His  large  experi- 
ence, general  intelligence,  disinterested  benevolence,  un- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       247 

sullieil  inte.ij:rity  and  .^reat  deci.-iou  of  character,  all  com- 
bined to  p.iake  iiim  eminently  useful  in  the  different 
relations  of  society  and  secure  for  him  the  high  regard 
and  esteem  of  all  who  knew  him. 

Colonel  Johnston  died  with  calm  resignation  on  the- 
23rd  of  July,  1805,  aged  about  sixty-three  years.  His 
wife  died  on  the  17th  of  August,  1795  ;  and  both,  withi 
other  members  of  the  family,  are  buried  in  a  private, 
cemetery  on  the  "  Oak  Grove  "  farm. 

GENEALOtiY  OF  COL.    JAMES  JOHNSTON. 

Col.  James  Johnston  (sketch  of  his  life  and  services 
previously  given)  married  .Jane  Ewart,an  estimable  lady, 
daughter  of  Robert  Evvart,  of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  and 
one  of  the  early  patriots  of  Mecklenburg  county.  Their 
descendants  were,  first  generation  : 

1.  Robert  Johnston,  who  married  Mary  M  ,  daughter 
of  Capt.  John  Reid,  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution,  a  Sen- 
ator from  Lincoln  county  in  1810  and  1811,  and  again 
in  1817  and  1818,  and  former  proprietor  of  the  Catawba 
Springs.  He  raised  a  family  of  twelve  children,  all  of 
whom  attained  the  age  of  maturity  and  survived  their 
parents.  The  first  death  in  the  family  was  that  of  the 
late  Rufus  M.  Johnston,  of  Charlotte.  He  was  an  indus- 
trious farmer, 'and  upright  member  of  society;  for  many- 
years  an  elder  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Unity,  ind 
died  with  peaceful  resignation  on  the  23d  of  May,  1854, 
in  the  seventy-seventh  year  of  his  age.  His  wife,  Mary, 
died  on  the  30th  of  July,  1857,  and  both  are  buried  in 
a  private  cemetery  on  the  old  homestead  property,  uow 
owned  by  their  grandson,  John  R.  Johnston,  Esq.  His 
descendants  were,  2d  generation: 

1.  Sarah  Johnston  married  Dr.  Benjamin  Johnson,  of 
Virginia. 


248  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

2.  James  A.  Johnston  married  Jane  B^'ers,  of  Iredell 
county. 

3.  Dr.  Sidnej''  X.  Johnston  married  PlarrietK.  Connor, 
of  Lincoln  county. 

4.  Jane  Johnston  married  tirst,  John  D.  Graham, 
second,  Dr.  William  B.  McLean,  of  Lincoln  county. 

5.  John  R.  Johnston  married  first,  Delia  Torrence, 
second,  Laura  E.  Happoldt,  of  Burke  county. 

6.  Robert  Johnston  married  Caroline  Shuford,  of  Lin- 
coln county. 

7.  Dr.  Thos.  Johnston  married  Dorcas  Luckey,  of 
Mecklenburg  county. 

8.  Harriet  Johnston  m.arried  William  T.  Shipp,  of 
CJaston  count}'. 

9.  Mar}''  Johnston  married  Dr.  William  Davidson,  of 
Mecklenburg  county. 

10.  Martha  Johnston  married  Col.  J.  B.  Rankin,  of 
McDowell  county. 

IL  Col.  William  Johnston,  present  Mayor  (187G)  of 
Charlotte,  married  Ann  Graham,  of  Mecklenburg  county. 

12.  Rufus  M.  Johnston  married  Cecilia  Latta,  of 
York  county,  S.  C. 

2d.  Margaret  Ewart  Johnston  married  Logan  Hen- 
derson, Esq.,  youngest  son  of  James  Henderson,  who 
moved  from  Pennsylvania  to  North  Carolina  at  the 
first  settlement  of  the  country.  Ho  was  the  brother 
of  Major  Lawson  Henderson,  long  and  well  known  as 
one  of  the  worthy  citizens  of  Lincoln  county,  and  of  Col. 
James  Henderson,  a  brave  officer  killed  at  tlie  battle  of 
JiSTew  Orleans.  The  patriarchal  ancestor,  James  Hender- 
son, became  the  owner  of  a  large  body  of  land  on  the 
south  fork  of  the  Catawba  river,  in  the  ]>resent  county  of 
Ciaston,  embracing  a  valuable  water-power,  at  v/hich  lie 
erected  a  grist  mill,  then  a  new  and  useful  institution. 
He  lived  to  an  extreme  old  age,  and  is  buried  on  a  high 
eminence  near  the  eastern  bank    of  the  river,  where  a 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  249 

substantial  stone  wall  surrounds  the  graves  of  himself, 
Adam  Springs,  the  next  owner  of  the  property,  and  a  few 
■others. 

In  1818,  Logan  Henderson  joined  the  tide  of  emigra- 
tion to  Tennessee,  and  purchased  much  valuable  land 
near  Murfreesboro,  in  Rutherford  county.  In  and  near 
his  last  place  of  settlement,  the  most  of  his  worthy  de- 
scendants still  reside.  He  died,  after  a  brief  illness, 
•with  calm  composure,  on  the  8th  of  December,  1846,  in 
the  sixty-second  3'ear  of  his  age.  His  wife  survived  him 
many  years,  and  died  with  peaceful  resignation  on  the 
13th  of  August,  1863,  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of  her 
age. 

Their  descendants  Vv'ere,  second  generation  : 

1.  James  F.  Henderson  married  Amanda  M.  Vorhees, 
of  Tennessee. 

2.  Violet  C.  Henderson  married  William  F.  Lytle,  of 
Tennessee. 

3.  Jane  E.  Henderson  married  William  S.  Moore,  of 
Tennessee. 

The  remaining  children  of  Col.  James  Johnston  were  : 

3.  James  Johnston,  Jr.,  a  promising  young  man,  died 
near  the  age  of  maturity,  in  1816,   without  issue. 

4.  Henry  Johnston  died  in  1818   without  issue. 

5  Martha  Johnston  married  Dr.  James  M.  Burton. 
Soon  after  marriage  the}^  moved  to  Georgia,  where  they 
both  died  without  issue. 

6.  Jane  Johnston  married  Rev.  .John  Williamson, 
pastor  of  Hopewell  church,  in  Mecklenburg  county,  and 
died  in  1817  without  issue. 

7.  Catharine  Johnston  married  John  Hayes,  Esq.,  who 
settled  near  Toole's  Ford,  on  the  Catawba  river,  about 
one  mile  from  the  old  homestead  of  Col.  James  Johnston. 
He  was  a  worthy  christian  citizen,  long  a  subject  of 
patient  suffering  from  disease,  for  many  years  an  elder 
of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and  died  peacefully  on  the 


250       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  MORTH  CAROLINA. 

13tli  of  April,  1846,  aged  sevenly-two  years.     His  wife^ 
Catharine,  a  lady  of  great  amiability  and  worth,  died  on 
the  17th  of  December,  1858,  aged  seventy-four  ^^ears. 
Their  descendants  were,  second  generation  : 

1.  Jane  C.  Hayes  married  Dr.  Sidney  J.  Harris,  of  Ca- 
barrus county. 

2.  Martha  E.  Hayes  married  William  Fulenwider,  of 
Lincoln  county. 

3.  Margaret  J.  Hayes  married  Dr.  William  Adams,  of 
York  county,  S.  C. 

4.  Minerva  AY.  Hayes  married  Col.  William  Grier,  of 
Mecklenburg  county. 

5.  Elizabeth  L.  Hayes  married  Charles  L.  Torrence,  of 
Rowan  county. 

6.  John  L.  Hayes  married  Matilda  Hutchinson,  of  Meck- 
lenburg county. 

7.  Dr.  WiUiam  J.  Hayes  married  Isabella  Alexander, 
great-grand  daughter  of  John  McKnitt  Alexander,  a  Signer 
and  one  of  the  Secretaries  of  the  Mecklenburg  Convention 
of  the  20th  of  May,  1775. 

8.  Dr.  William  Johnston,  youngest  son  of  Col.  James 
Johnston,  married  Nancy,  daughter  of  Gen.  Peter  Forney, 
of  Lincoln  county. 

Their  descendants  were,  second  generation  : 

1.  Annie  C.  Johnston  married  Dr.  Joseph  W.  Calloway, 
of  Rutherford  county. 

2.  Jane  C.  Johnston  died  at  school  in  Greensboro,  Guil- 
ford county. 

3.  Martha  S.  .Johnston  married  Richard  K.  Hunley,  Esq., 
of  Alabama. 

4.  Capt.  James  F.  Johnston,  citizen  of  Charlotte. 

5.  Susan  L.  Johnston,  citizen  of  Charlotte. 
G.  William  P.  Johnston,  (died  young). 

7.  Margaret  Johnston  married  Col.  Peter  F.  Hunley,  of 
Alabama. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA,  251 

8.  Geii.  Robert  D,  Johnson  married  Johncie   Evans,  of 
Greensboro,  N.  C. 

9.  Dr.  William  11.  Johnston  married  Cathleen  Gage,  of 
Chester  county,  S.  C. 

10.  Capt.  Joseph  F.  Johnston  married  Theresa  Hooper,, 
of  Alabama. 

11.  Catharine  Johnson  died  comparatively  young. 

12.  Bartlett  S.  Johnston,  now  (1876)  a  merchant  of  New 
York  city. 

Most  of  the  descendants  of  Colonel  James  Johnston  per- 
formed a  soldier's  duty,  and  won  military  distinction  in 
the  late  war  between  the  States,  but  our  prescribed  limits 
forbid  a  more  extended  notice  of  their  Confederate  ser- 
vices. This  will  be  the  noble  task  of  some  future  historian, 
illustrating,  as  it  would,  much  heroic  bravery,  chivalrie 
daring,  and  perseverance  under  difficulties  seldom  surpass- 
ed in  the  annals  of  any  people.  The  preceding  sketch  and 
genealogy  will  serve  to  perpetuate  the  name  and  indicate 
the  relationship  of  different  branches  of  the  family.  It 
should  awaken  in  every  descendant  emotions  of  veneration 
for  the  memory  of  a  common  patriarchal  ancestor,  who 
was  one  of  the  earhest  and  most  unwavering  patriots  of 
the  Revolutionary  struggle  for  independence ;  contributed 
largely  in  council  and  in  the  field  to  its  success,  and  whose 
mortal  remains,  with  others  of  the  family,  now  repose  in 
the  private  cemetery  of  the  "  Oak  Grove  "  farm,  in  Gaston 
county,  N.  C. 

.JACOB  FORNEY,  SR. 
(Condensed  from  Wheeler's  "Historical  Sketches.") 

Among  the  early  settlers  of  Lincoln  county  (formerly 
Tryon)  was  Jacob  Forne}^,  Sr.  He  was  the  son  of  a 
Huguenot,  and  born  about  the  year  1721.  His  life  was 
checkered  with  a  vicissitude  of  fortunes  bordering  on 
romance.  At  the  revocation  of^the  edict  of  Nantes,  in  1685,. 


252      SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  Nqrth  CAROLINA. 

his  father  fled  from   France,  preferring  self-expatriati( 
to  the  renunciation  of  his  religious  belief,  and  settled 
Alsace,  on  the  Rhine  where,  under  the  enlightening  i 
fiuencesof  the  reformation,  freedom  of  opinion  in  matte 
of  conscience  was  tolerated.     The  family  name  was  ori 
inally  spelt  Famey,  but  afterwards,  in  Alsace,  where  tl 
Wman  language  is  generally  spoken,  was  changed 
J^orney.     Here  his  father  died,  leaving  him  an  orpha 
when  four  years  old.     At  the  age   of  fourteen  he    le 
Alsace  and  went  to  Amsterdam  in  Holland.     Becomin 
delighted  whilst  there  with  the  glowing  accounts  whic 
crossed    the  Atlantic    respecting    the    New  World,  an 
allured    with  the  prospect  of  improving  his  conditio 
and  enjoyingstill  greater  political  and  religious  prvileo-e 
he  came  to  America  by  the  first  vessel  having  that  de^st 
nation,  and  settled  in  Pennsylvania.     Here  he  remaine 
industriously  employed  until  u^ptil  his  maturity,  whe 
he   returned   to   Germany  to  procure    a    small    l-gac^ 
Having  adjusted  his  affairs  there  he  again  embarked  fo 
America  on   board  of  a  vessel  bringing  over  many  emi 
grants  from  the  Canton  of  Berne  in  Switzerland.  Amon^ 
the   number  was    a    blithesome,   rosy-cheeked    damsel 
buoyant  with   the  chli^i^  of  youtli^,,  who  particularly  at 
tracted  young  Forney's  attention.  "&s' acquaintance  wa: 
soon  made,  and,  as  might  be  expected,  a  mutual   attach 
raent  was  silently  but  surely  formed  between  two  youth- 
ful hearts  so  congenial  in   feeling,   and  similarly  filled 
with  the  spirit  of  adventure.     Prosperous  gales  quicklj 
wafted  the  vessel  in  safety  to  the  shores  of  America,  and 
soon  after   their  arrival  ^in  Pennsylvania  Jacob  Forney 
and  Mariah  Bergner  (for  that  was  the  fair  one's  name) 
were  united  in  marriage.     At  this  time  the  fertile  land; 
and  healthful    climate  of  the  South  were  attracting   i 
numerous  emigration  from  the  middle  colonies.     Influ 
enced  by  such  inviting  considerations,  Forney  joined  th( 
great  tide  of  emigration  a  few  years  after   his  marriage 


SKETCHES  OF   WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  253 

d  settled  iii  Lincoln  county    (formerly  Tryon)  about 
e  year  1754. 

The  first  settlers  of  Lincoln  county  suffered  greatly  by 
e  depredations  and  occasional  murders  by  the  Cherokee 
dians.  On  several  occasions  many  of  the  inhabitants 
mporarily  abandoned  tneir  homes,  and  removed  to  the 
ore  populous  settlements  east  of  the  Catawba  river 
liers,  finding  it  inconvenient  to  remove,  constructed 
de  forts  for  their  mutual  defence.  A  repetition  of 
ese  incursions  having  occurred  a  few  years  after  For- 
y's  arrival,  he  removed  his  family  to  a  place  of  safety 
st  of  the  river  until  the  Lidians  could  be  severely  chas- 
led  by  military  force.  On  the  next  day  he  returned  to 
s  former  residence,  accompanied  by  two  of  his  neio-h- 
Ts,  to  search  for  his  cattle.  After  proceeding  about  a 
lie  from  home  they  spied  a  small  Indian  just  ahead  of 
em  running  rapidly,  and  not  far  from  the  spot  now 
?11  known  as  the  "  Rocky  Spring  Camp  Ground." 
)rney  truly  suspected  more  Indians  were  in  the  imme- 
ate  vicinity.  After  progressing  but  a  short  distance, 
I  and  his  party  discovered,  in  an  open  space  beyond 
em,  ten  or  twelve  Indians,  a  part  of  whom,  at  least, 
re  armed  with  guns,  apparently  waiting  their  ap- 
oach.  Forney  being  a  good  marksman,  and  having  a 
urage  equal  to  any  emergency,  was  in  favor  of  giving 
em  battle  immediately',  but  his  two  companions  over- 
led  him,  contending  it  would  be  impossible  to  disperse 
ch  a  large  number.  It  was  therefore  deemed  advisable 
^  retreat,  and  make  their  way  to  the  fort,  about  two 
iles  in  their  rear,  where  several  families  had  assembled, 
rter  proceeding  a  short  distance  the  Indians  approached 
rnewhat  nearer  and  fired  upon  the  party  but  without 
ect.  Forney  directed  his  companies  to  reserve  their 
e  until  the  Indians  approached  sufficiently  near  to  take 
sure  and  deadly  aim,  and  maintain  an  orderly  retreat 
the  direction  of  the  fort.     Soon  after  they  commenced 


'254      SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

retreating  the  Indians  again  fired  upon  them  and  un- 
fortunately one  of  the  party,  Richards,  was  dangerously 
wounded.  At  this  critical  moment,  when  one  or  two 
well  directed  fires  might  l^ave  repulsed  their  enemy,  the 

courge  of  F ,  the  other  companion,  failed  him,  and  he 

made  his  rci'pid  departure.  Forney,  however,  continued 
his  retreat,  assisting  his  wounded  companion  as  much  as 
he  could,  and,  although  fired  upon  several  times,  man- 
aged to  keep  the  Indians  at  some  distance  off  by  present- 
ing, his  unerring  rifle  when  their  timidity  was  manifested 
by  falling  down  in  the  grass,  or  taking  shelter  behind 
the  trees,  each  one,  no  doubt,  supposing  the  well-aimed 
shot  might  fell  him  to  the  earth.  At  length  poor  Rich- 
ards, becoming  faint  from  loss  of  blood,  and  seeing  the 
imminent  danger  of  his  friend's  life,  directed  Forney  to 
leave  him,  and,  if  possible,  save  himself.  This  advice  he 
reluctantly  complied  with  and  pursued  his  course  to  the 
fort.  But  the  Indians  did  not  pursue  him  much  farther, 
being  probably  satified  with  the  murder  of  the  wounded 
Richards. 

In  this  unequal  contest  Forney  only  received  a  small 
wound  on  the  back  of  his  left  hand,  but,  on  examination, 
discovered  that  several  bullets  had  pierced  his  clothes. 
This  adventure  shows  what  cool,  determined  bravery 
may  effect  under  the  most  discouraging  circumstances, 
and  that  an  individual  may  sometimes  providentially 
escape  although  made  the  object  of  a  score  of  bullets  or 
other  missiles  of  destruction.  When  he  reached  the 
fort  he  found  the  occupants  greatily  frightened,  having 
heard  the  repeated  firing.  After  this  adventure  and  nar- 
row escape  became  generally  known,  a  belief  was  widely 
entertained  b}'^  the  surrounding  community  that  Forney 
was  bullet-'proqf.  It  was  even  affirmed,  and  received  ad- 
ditions by  repeaiiiui,  that  after  he  reached  the  fort  and  un_ 
buttoned  his  vest,  a  lumdfid  of  bullets  dropped  out.  In  sub- 
sequent years  Forne}'  was  accustomed  to  smile  at  this 


SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA,  255 

innocent  credality  of  his  neighbors  but  frequently  re- 
marked that  the  impression  of  his  being  bullet-j^roof  w&s 
of  great  service  to  him  on  more  than  one  occasion  pre- 
ceding and  durinij:  the  Revohitionary  war. 

Few  persons  during  the  war  suffered  heavier  losses  than 
Jacob  Forney.  By  persevering  industry  and  strict  econ- 
omy he  had  surrounded  himself  and  family  with  all  the 
comforts,  and,  to  some  extent,  luxuries  of  the  substantial 
farmer.  When  Cornwallis  marched  through  Lincoln 
county  in  the  w^inter  of  1781,  endeavoring  to  overtake 
Morgan  with  his  large  number  of  prisoners  captured  at 
the  Cowpens,  he  was  arrested  in  his  progress  by  the  swol- 
len waters  of  the  Cataw^ba  river.  Being  thus  foiled  in 
his  expectations,  supposing  he  had  Morgan  almost  in  his 
f/rasp,  Cornwallis  fell  back  about  five  miles  from  the  river 
to  Forney's  plantation,  having  been  conducted  there  by  a 
Tory  w^ell  acquainted  with  the  neighborhood.  Here 
Cornwallis  remained  encamped  for  three  days,  consuming, 
in  the  meantime  Forney's  entire  stock  of  cattle,  hogs, 
sheep,  geese,  chickens,  a  large  amount  of  forage,  forty 
gallons  of  brandy,  &c.  His  three  horses  were  carried  off, 
unci  many  thousands  of  rails  and  other  property  destroy- 
ed. But  the  extent  of  his  losses  did  not  end  here.  Corn- 
wallis had  been  informed  that  Forney  had  a  large  amount 
•of  money  concealed  somewhere  in  his  premises,  and  that 
if  diligent  search  were  made  it  might  be  readily  found. 
This  information  set  the  British  soldiers  to  work,  and, 
iiided  by  the  Tory  conductor's  suggestions,  they  finally 
succeeded  in  finding  his  gold,  silver  and  jewelry  buried 
in  his  distiller}',  the  greater  portion  of  which  he  had 
brought  with  him  from  Germany,  Whilst  this  work  of 
search  was  going  on  without,  his  Lordship  was  quietly 
occupying  the  upper  story  of  the  family  mansion,  making 
it  his  headquarters.  Forney  and  his  wife  being  old,  were 
graciously  allowed  the  privilege  of  living  in  the  basement. 
As  soon  as  he  was  informed  his  gold,  silver  and  jewelry 


256  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

were  found,  amounting  to  one  hundred  and  seventy 
pounds  sterling,  he  was  so  exasperated  for  the  moment 
that  he  seized  his  gun  and  rushed  to  the  stair  steps  with 
the  determination  to  kill  Cornwallis,  but  his  wife  quickly 
followed  and  intercepted  him,  thus  preventing  the  most 
deplorable  consequences — the  loss  of  his  own  life,  and 
perhaps  that  of  his  family.  But  the  prudent  advice  of 
his  wife,  "Heaven's  last,  best  gift  to  man,"  had  its  prop- 
er, soothing  eifect,  and  caused  him  to  desist  from  his  im- 
petuous purpose.  It  is  hardly  necessary  to  inform  the 
reader  he  was  punished  in  this  severe  manner  because  he 
was  a  zealous  supporter  of  the  cause  of  freedom,  and  his 
three  sons  were  then  in  the  "■  rebel  army." 

The  log  house  in  which  his  lordship  made  his  head- 
quarters for  three  days  and /our  nights  is  still  in  existence^ 
though  removed,  many  years  since,  from  its  original  site 
to  a  moi'e  level  location  in  the  immediate  vicinity.  In 
this  humble  building  he,  no  doubt,  cogitated  upon  tlie 
speedy  subjugation  of  the  "  rebels,"  and  that  subsequent 
glorification  which  awaits  the  successful  hero.  Little  did 
Cornwallis  then  allow  himself  to  think  that  he  and  his 
wliole  arm}',  in  less  than  nine  months  from  ihat  time,. 
would  have  to  suri-ender  to  tiie  "  rebel  army,"  under 
Washijigton,  as  prisoners  of  war! 

It  is  said  Cornwallis,  after  finishing  his  morning  rcpast- 
upon  the  savory  beef  and  fowls  of  the  old  j>atriot's  proper- 
ty, would  come  down  from  his  headquarters,  up  stairs, 
and  pass  along  his  lines  of  soldiers,  extending  for  more 
than  a  mile  in  a  northwest  direction,  and  reaching  to  the 
adjoining  plantation  of  his  son  Peter,  who  kept  "  bache- 
lor's hall,"  but  was  then  absent,  with  his  brother  Abram, 
battling  for  their  countr3''s  freedom.  About  midway  of 
the  extended  lines,  and  only  a  i>d\\  steps  troin  the  road 
on  which  the  British  array  was  encamped,  several  gran- 
ite rocks  protrude  from  the  ground.  On*^  is  about  four 
feet  high,  with  a  rounded,  weather-worn  top — a  conve- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  257 

nient  place  to  receive  his  lordsliip's  cloak.  Another 
rock,  nearly  adjoining,  is  about  two  feet  and  a  half  high, 
with  a  flat  surface  gently  descending,  and  five  feet  across. 
At  this  spot  Cornwallis  was  accustomed  to  dine  daily  with 
some  of  his  oflicers  upon  the  rich  variety  of  food  seized 
during  his  stay,  and  washing  it  all  down,  as  might  be 
aptly  inferred,  with  a  portion  of  the  forty  gallons  of  cap- 
tured brandy  previously  mentioned.  This  smooth-faced 
rock,  on  which  his  lordship  and  officers  feasted  for  three- 
days,  is  known  in  the  neighborhood  to  this  day  as  "Corn- 
wallis' Table."  On  visiting  this  durable  remembrancer 
of  the  past  quite  recently,  the  writer  looked  around  for  a 
piece  of  some  broken  plate  or  other  vessel,  but  sought  in 
vain.  The  only  mementoes  of  this  natural  table  he  could 
bear  aw^ay  were  a  few  chips  from  its  outer  edge,  without 
seriously  mutilating  its  weather-beaten  surface,  now  hand- 
somely overspread  with  moss  and  Ucheiu  Where  once  the 
tramp  and  bustle  of  a  large  army  resounded,  all  is  now 
quiet  and  silent  around,  save  the  singing  of  birds  and 
gentle  murmers  of  the  passing  breeze  in  the  surrounding 
forest. 

After  Cornwallis  left,  Forney  ascertained  that  the  Tory 
informer  Vv  as  one  of  his  near  neighbors  with  whom  he  had 
always  lived  on  terms  of  friendship.  Considering  the 
heavy  losses  he  had  sustained  attributable  to  his  agency,, 
he  could  not  overlook  the  enormity  of  the  offence,  and 
accordingly  sent  a  message  to  the  Tory  that  he  must  leave 
the  neighborhood,  if  not,  he  would  shoot  him  at  first  sight. 
The  Tory  eluded  him  for  several  days  by  lying  out,  well 
knowing  that  the  stern  message  he  had  received  meant 
action.  At  length  Forney,  still  keeping  up  his  search,, 
came  upon  him  unawares  and  fast  asleep.  He  was  im- 
mediately aroused  from  his  slumbers,  when  beholding  his- 
perilous  situation,  he  commenced  pleading  most  earnestly 
for  his  life,  and  promised  to  leave  the  neighborhood.. 
Forney  could  not  resist  such  touching  appeals  to  his  mercy„ 


258        SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

and  kindly  let  him  off.  In  a  few  days  afterward  the 
Tory,  true  to  his  promise,  left  the  neighborhood  and  never 
returned. 

Jacob  Forney,  Sr.,  died  in  1806,  aged  eighty-five.  In 
his  offspring  flowed  the  blood  of  the  Huguenot  and  the 
Swiss — people  illustrating  in  their  historj-  all  that  is  grand 
in  heroic  suffering  and  chivalric  daring.  His  wife  sur- 
vived him  several  years  ;  both  were  consistent  and  worthy 
members  of  the  Lutheran  Church,  and  are  buried  in  the 
"old  Dutch  Meeting  House"  graveyard,  about  three  miles 
from  the  family  homestead,  and  near  Maepelah  Church. 

GEN.  PETER  FORNEY. 

Gen.  Peter  Forney,  second  son  of  Jacob  Forney,  Sr.,  was 
liorn  in  Tj'ron  county  (now  Lincoln)  in  April,  1756.  His 
father  was  the  son  of  a  French  Huguenot,  and  his  mother 
Swiss.  His  origin  is  thus  traced  to  a  noble  class  of  people 
whose  heroic  bravery,  unparalleled  suffering  and  ardent 
piety  are  closely  connected  in  all  lands  where  their  lots 
liave  been  cast  with  the  promotion  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty. 

Gen.  Forney  was  one  of  the  earliest  and  most  unwaver- 
ing Whigs  of  the  revolutionary  struggle.  He  first  entered 
the  service  about  the  first  of  June,   1876,  in   Capt.  James 
Johnston's  company  and  Col.  William  Graham's  regiment. 
The  command  marched  to  Fort  McFadden,  near  the  pres- 
ent town   of  Kutherfordton,  and  found  that  the   greater 
portion  of  the  inhabitants  had  fled   for  protection  against 
the  Cherokee  Indians.     After  remaining  a   short   time  at 
the  fort,  he  joined  a   detachment  of  about   one  hundred 
men  in  pursuit  of  the  Indians,  under  Captains  Johnston, 
'Cook  and   Hardin.     They  marched   about   one  hundred 
miles,  and  not  being  able  to   overtake    them,    the  detach- 
ment returned  to  the   fort.     In  1777,  Gen.   Forney  volun- 
tered  as  a  Lieut,  in  Capt-  James  Reid's  company,  for  the 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       259 

purpose  of  quelling  a  considerable  body  of  Tories  assem- 
ble not  far  from  the  South  Carolina  line.  The  detach- 
ment was  commanded  by  Cob  Charles  M'Lean,  who 
marched  into  South  Carolina  and  pursued  after  the  Tories 
until  it  was  ascertained  Gen.  Pickens,  considerably  in  ad- 
vance with  his  forces,  had  commenced  the  pursuit  of  the 
same,  and  was  too  far  ahead  to  be  overtaken.  The  de- 
tachment then  returned  to  North  Carolina,  and,  having 
taken  several  prisioners  on  the  way,  suspected  of  being  in- 
imical to  the  American  cause,  Capt.  E.eid  was  ordered  to 
eonvey  them  to  Salisbury.  Gen.  Forney  still  remained  in 
service,  and  attached  himself  to  Capt.  Kuykendal's  com- 
pany until  some  time  in  June.  After  this  time  he  was 
frequently  out  in  short  expeditions  for  the  purpose  of  in- 
timidating and  keeping  down  the  rising  spirit  of  the 
Tories,  and  arresting  them,  whenever  the  good  of  the 
•country  seemed  to  require  it.  In  the  fall  of  1779  Gen_ 
Forney  voluntered  with  a  party  to  go  to  Kentucky  (Hai- 
rod  Station)  and  after  staying  there  a  short  time  returned 
home.  At  this  time,  there  being  a  call  made  upon  the 
militia  to  march  to  the  relief  of  Charle&ton,  he  voluntered 
as  a  Lieut,  in  Capt.  Neals'  company,  wliich  was  ordered 
to  rendezvous  at  Charlotte,  whilst  there,  waiting  for  the 
assemblage  of  more  troops,  he  was  appointed  Captain  by 
Col.  Hampton  and  Lieut,  Col.  Hambright,  Capt.  JSTeal 
being  superseded  in  his  command  on  account  of  intemper- 
ance. From  Charlotte  the  assembled  forces  march  by 
w^ay  of  Camden  to  Charleston,  under  the  command  of 
Ools.  Hall,  Dickson  and  Major  John  Nelson,  continental 
officers.  The  militia  of  North  Carolina,  at  the  time,  was 
commanded  by  Gen.  Lillington.  The  term  of  service  of 
Gen  Forney's  company  having  expired  shortly  alter  his 
arrival  at  Charleston,  and  the  British  being  in  considera- 
ble force  oiF  that  city,  he  induced  the  greater  portion  of 
his  company  to  again  volunteer  for  about  six  weeks 
longer,  until  fresh  troops,  then  expected,  would   come  to 


260  SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

their  relief.  In  the  spring  of  1780  Gen.  Forney,  immedi' 
ately  after  his  return  from  Charleston,  volunteered  under 
Lieut.  Col.  Hambright,  and  went  in  pursuit  of  Col.  Floyd 
a  Tory  leader  on  Fishing  Creek,  S.  C.  Hearing  of  their 
approach  Floyd  hastily  fled  to  Rocky  Mount,  and  the 
expedition,  not  being  able  to  accomplish  anything  more 
at  that  time,  returned  to  North  Carolina  On  the  night  of 
his  arrival  at  home  Gen.  Forney  was  informed  that  the 
Tories,  under  Col.  John  Moore,  were  embodied  in  strong- 
force  at  Ramsour's  Mill  near  the  present  town  of  Lincoln- 
ton.  On  the  next  day  he  left  home  and  went  up  the  Ca- 
tawba river,  when,  encountering  a  considerable  body  of 
Tories  near  Mountain  Creek,  he  returned  and  immediately 
hastened  to  inform  Gen.  Rutherford.  lie  found  him  en- 
camped at  Col.  Dickson's,  three  miles  northwest  of  Tuck- 
aseege  Ford,  with  a  strong  force.  He  then  attached  him- 
self to  his  army,  and  marched  early  next  morning  t(y 
Ramsour's,  but  did  not  reach  there  until  two  hours  after 
the  battle,  the  Tories  having  been  completely  defeated  by 
Col.  Locke  and  his  brave  associates.  Tlie  dead  and 
wounded  were  still  lying  where  they  had  fallen,  and  Gen, 
Rutherford's  forces  assisted  in  the  closing  duties  of  that 
brilliant  victory.  Never  afterwards  in  that  county  did 
Tory-loyalism  present  a  formidable  opposition  to  the  final 
success  of  the  American  arms.  Of  the  Whig  officers  the 
brave  Captains  Falls,  Dobson,  Smith,  Knox,  Bowman^ 
Sloan  and  Armstrong  were  killed,  and  Captains  Iloustoo 
and  ]vIcKissick  wounded.  Of  the  Tories,  Captains  Mur- 
ra_y,  Cumberland  and  Warlick  were  killed,  and  Capt,. 
Carpenter  wounded. 

During  the  latter  part  of  the  year  1780  Gen.  Forney 
Avas  almost  constantly  in  service  in  different  portions  of 
count3^  AVhen  Cornwallis  entered  the  county  in  the  last 
week  of  January,  1781,  endeavoring  to  overtake  Gen, 
Morgan  with  his  prisoners  captured  at  the  Cowpens,  he 
was  providentially  arrested  in  his  march  by  the  swollen 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA.  2tU 

waters  of  the  Catawba  river.  He  then  fell  back  and  en- 
-camped  three  days  on  the  plantation  of  Jacob  Forney,  Sr,, 
a  well  to-do  farmer  and  noted  Whig,  consuming  in  the 
meantime,  destroying  or  carrying  off,  every  thing  of 
value  belonging  to  father  or  son,  (Gen.  Forney,)  consisting 
of  three  horses,  a  large  stock  of  cattle,  hogs,  sheep,  fowls, 
forage,  &c. 

After  the  British  army  moved  from  this  encampment, 
Gen.  Forney  commanded  a  company  and  placed  them- 
selves on  the  eastern  bank  of  the  river,  endeavorhig  to 
oppose  their  crossing,  and  remained  there  until  the  light 
troops,  under  Col.  Hall,  effected  a  passage  at  Cowan's 
Ford,  The  militia  being  repulsed,  and  Gen.  Davidson 
killed,  he  fled  to  Adam  Torrence's,  hotly  pursued  by 
Tarleton's  troop  of  cavalry.  At  this  place  he  found  a 
■considerable  body  of  militia,  but  in  great  confusion  in 
consequence  of  the  death  of  Gen.  Davidson,  and  greatly 
-disheartened.  After  giving  the  British  one  discharge  of 
their  arms,  and  killing  several,  the  militia  were  repulsed, 
with  small  loss,  and  fled  in  all  directions.  Gen.  Forney 
then  retreated  across  the  Yadkin,  and  remained  on  Ab- 
*bot's  creek  about  six  weeks,  during  which  time  he  had 
;«o  regular  command,  and  co-operated  with  other  soldiers, 
whenever  it  appeared  any  advantage  could  be  rendered 
to  the  American  cause. 

In  the  spring  of  1^571,  Gen.  Forney  commenced  repair- 
ing his  plantation  which  the  British  had  entirely  de- 
stroyed, together  with  that  of  his  father's  in  the  imme- 
diate vicinity,  whilst  encamped  there.  He  remained  at 
liome  until  a  call  was  made  upon  the  militia  to  march  to 
the  relief  of  Wilmington,  when  he  again  volunteered  and 
commanded  a  company  of  dragoons,  associated  with  Cap- 
tains AVhite  and  Lemmonds.  In  this  expedition  Charles 
Polk  was  appointed  Major  of  dragoons,  Gen.  Rutherford 
in  chief  command,  and  marched  through  the  disaffected 
country  around  Cross  creek,  (now  Fayetteville,)  and  on  to 


262  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NOKTH  CAROLINA 

the  immediate  vicinity  of  Wilmington.  Here  Gen  Ruth- 
erford created  a  belief  before  his  arrival  that  his  forces 
were  much  larger  than  they  really  were.  In  consequence 
of  this  belief  Major  Craig,  in  command  of  the  post,  deem- 
ing his  situation  then  insecure,  immediately  evacuated 
Wilmington  and  fled  to  Charleston.  This  was  the  only 
post  in  North  Carolina  held  by  the  British,  and  with  the 
flight  of  Craig  all  military  operations  ceased  within  her 
borders-  This  campaign  closed  the  Revolutionary  services 
of  a  gallant  soldier  and  faithful  patriot  in  the  cause  of 
American  freedom. 

In  1783  Gen.  Forney  married  ISTancy,  daughter  ot 
David  Abernathy,  a  lady  of  great  moral  worth  and 
christian  benevolence.  The  natural  goodness  of  her  heart 
made  her  the  "  cheerful  giver."  Her  numerous  acts  of 
charity  were  free  of  all  ostentation,  and  flowed  silently 
forth  like  gentle  streams  from  a  pure  fountain,  imparting 
new  vigor  and  refreshing  everything  in  their  course. 
After  the  close  of  the  war,  full  of  youthful  enterprise,  and 
anxious  to  engage  in  some  useful  business,  he  fortunately 
became  the  owner  of  the  "  Big  Iron  Ore  Bank,"  seven 
miles  east  of  Lincolnton.  This  is  one  of  the  best  and  most 
extensive  deposits  of  iron  ore,  of  the  variety  known  as 
"  magnetic,"  in  the  State.  Aware  of  the  inexhaustible 
supply  of  ore,  Gen.  Forney  disposed  of  interests  to  other 
parties  (Brevard  and  Graham)  and  they  immediately 
proceeded  to  erect  a  furnace  (called  Vesuvius)  on  An- 
derson's creek,  now  owned  by  the  heirs  of  the  late  J.  M. 
Pmith,  Esq.  After  a  few  years  the  copartnership  was 
dissolved,  separate  sites  were  purchased  by  Forney  and 
Brevard,  on  Beeper's  creek,  additional  furnaces  were 
erected  and  thus  the  manufacture  of  cast  metal,  under  its 
various  forms,  was  vigorously  and  successful!}^  carried  into 
operation.  Gen.  Forney  commenced  building  his  ironworks 
in  1787,  associated  for  several  years  with  his  brother 
Abram,  laid  in  a  supply  of  the  necessary  stock,  (ore  and. 


SKETCHES  OF   WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  26^ 

coal,)  as  recorded  in  a  sinall  account  book,  produced  ham- 
mered iron  in  his  forge  on  the  26th  of  August,  1788. 
This  is  believed  to  be  the^r^;'  manufacture  of  iron  in  tlifr 
western  part  of  the  State.  Here  Gen.  Forney  permanentljr 
settled  for  life,  and  prospered  in  his  useful  calling.  His-, 
residence  jeceived  the  name  of  "  Mount  Welcome,"  ain 
appellation  appropriately  bestowed,  as  his  future  history 
manifestly  proved.  The  poor  and  needy  of  his  own 
neighborhood  were  frequently'  the  beneficiaries  of  his 
bounty ;  and  the  weary  traveler  was  at  all  times  made 
"  welcome,"  and  entertained  beneath  his  hospitable  roof 
"  without  money,  and  without  price." 

Gen.  Forney  was  elected  as  a  member  to  the  House  of 
Commons  from  1794  to  1796  inclusively,  and  to  the  State 
Senate  in  ISOl  and  1802.  He  was  again  called  out  from 
the  shades  of  private  life  and  elected  as  a  Representative 
to  Congress  from  1813  to  1815.  He  also  served  as  Elector 
in  the  Presidential  campaigns  of  Jefl'erson,  Madison,  Mon- 
roe and  Jackson.  With  these  repeated  evidences  of 
popular  favor  his  public  services  ended.  Frequent  solici- 
tations were  tendered  to  him  afterwards,  all  of  Avhich  he 
declined.  The  infirmities  of  old  age  w^ere  now  rapidly 
stealing  upon  him,  and  rendering  him  unfit  for  the  proper 
discharge  of  public  duties.  For  several  years  previous  to 
his  decease  his  mental  vigor  and  corporeal  strength  greatly 
failed.  After  a  short  illness,  w^ithout  visible  pain  or  suf- 
fering, he  quietly  breathed  his  last  on  February  1st,  1834, 
in  the  seventy-eighth  year  of  his  age.  Generosity,  candor^ 
integrity  and  freedom  from  pride  or  vain  show  were  prom- 
inent traits  in  his  character.  Let  his  name  and  his  deeds 
and  his  sterling  virtues  be  duly  appreciated  and  faithfully 
imitated  by  the  rising  generation. 


2G4  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

MAJOR    ABRAM    FORNEY. 

Major  Abram  Forney,  youngest  sou  of  Jacob  Forney, 
Sr.,  was  born  in  Trj^on  county,  (now  Lincoln)  in  October, 
1758.  His  father  was  a  Huguenot,  and  his  mother  Swiss. 
His  origin  is  thus  connected  with  a  noble  race  of  people 
\vho  Avere  driven  into  exile  rather  than  renounce  their  re- 
ligious belief  under  the  persecutions  w^hich  disgraced  the 
reign  of  Louis  XIV,  of  France.  Major  Forney  first 
entered  the  service  about  the  2oth  of  June,  1776,  as  one  of 
the  drafted  militia  in  Capt.  James  Johnston's  company, 
and  Col.  William  Graham's  regiment.  His  company  was 
then  ordered  to  reinforce  the  troops  at  Fort  McFadden, 
near  the  present  town  of  Rutherfordton,  and  remained 
there  until  about  the  1st  of  August,  when  he  returned 
home  to  prepare  for  the  expedition  against  the  (Jherokee 
Indians.  The '^militia  of  Mecklenburg,  Rowan  Lincoln 
iind  other  counties  were  called  out  by  orders  from  Gen. 
Rutherford,  who  marched  to  Pleasant  Gardens,  -where  he 
was  joined  by  other  forces.  From  that  place  Major  For- 
ney marched  into  the  JSTation  with  a  detachment  under 
Col.  William  Sharpe  as  far  as  the  Hiwassee  river,  where 
they  met  Avith  a  portion  of  Gen.  Williamson's  army  from 
South  Carolina.  The  expedition  was  completely  success- 
ful ;  the  Indians  w^ere  routed,  their  towns  destroyed,  a  few 
prisoners  taken,  and  they  were  compelled  to  sue  for  peace. 
The  prisoners  and  property  taken  by  Gen.  Rutherford's 
forces  were  turned  over  to  Gen.  Williamson,  as  falling 
within  his  military  jurisdiction.  The  expedition  then 
left  the  Nation,  and  he  reached  home  on  the  loth  of  Oc- 
tober, 1776. 

In  February,  1777,  Major  Forney  again  volunteered  a« 
a  private  in  Capt.  James  Reid's  company  for  the  purpose 
of  quelling  some  Tories  who  had,  or  were  about  to  embody 
themselves  near  the  South  Carolina  line.  The  detach- 
ment  was  commanded    by   Col.    Charles    McLean.     The 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       265 

Tories  were  commanded  hy  a  certain  John  Moore,  whom 
CoL  McLean  pursued  into  South  Carolina  until  he  ascer- 
tained Gen.  Pickens  was  engaged  in  the  same  pursuit,  and 
too  far  ahead  to  be  overtaken.  The  detachment  then  re- 
turned to  North  Carolina,  and  having  taken  several  pris- 
oners on  the  way,  suspected  of  being  inimical  to  the 
American  cause,  Major  Forney  was  ordered  to  take  them 
to  Salisbur}'.  After  this  service  he  was  dismissed  and 
returned  home  in  April,  1777. 

At  diiferent  times  subsequently  Major  Forney  volun- 
teered in  several  short  expeditions  as  far  as  the  South 
Carolina  line,  for  the  purpose  of  intimidating  and  keeping 
down  the  rising  spirit  of  the  Tories,  who  were  numerous 
in  this  section  of  country,  and  required  a  strict  vigilance 
to  hold  them  in  a  state  of  subjection.  Early  in  June,  1780, 
when  a  call  was  made  upon  the  militia,  he  volunteered  in 
Capt.  John  Baldridge's  company,  marched  to  a  temporary 
rendezvous  at  Ramsour's,  and  thence  to  Espey's,  where 
they  joined  other  troops  under  the  command  of  Col.  Wil- 
liam Graham  and  Lieut.  Col.  Hambright.  The  united 
forces  then  proceeded  to  Lincoln  "old  Court  House,"  near 
Moses  Moore's,  the  father  of  Col.  John  Moore,  thi  Tory 
leader,  and  marched  and  countermarched  through  that 
section  of  country.  At  this  time,  hearing  that  Ferguson 
was  coming  on  with  a  strong  force,  it  Avas  deemed  advisa- 
ble to  retreat  and  -cross  the  Catawba  at  Tuckaseege  Ford* 
Col.  Graham  then  marched  with  his  forces  to  that  place, 
and  there  met  some  other  troops  from  South  Carolina, 
under  Col.  Williams,  retreating  before  Cornwallis,  whose 
army  had  just  reached  Charlotte.  The  two  forces  then 
united  under  Col.  Williams  and  marched  up  the  west  side 
of  the  Catawba  river,  and  thence  across  the  country  in  a 
circuitous  direction  towards  South  Carolina  in  the  rear  of 
Ferguson,  and  thus  were  enabled  to  fall  in  with  the  "over 
mountain"  troops  under  Campbell,  Shelby,  Cleaveland, 
Sevier,  and  others,  at  the  Cowpens,  afterwards  rendered 


266       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

famous  by  the  battle  fought  there.  The  officers  haviug 
agreed  upon  the  plan  of  operations,  a  select  portion  of  the 
combined  forces  marched  rapidly  in  pursuit  of  Ferguson, 
and  found  him  encamped  on  King's  Mountain  on  the  7th 
of  October,  1780.  The  action  immediately  commenced, 
and  resulted  in  one  of  the  most  decisive  victories  gained 
during  the  Revolutionary  struggle,  and  constitutes  the 
turning  j^omt  of  final  triumph  in  the  cause  of  American 
freedom.  Soon  after  the  battle,  Major  Forney  and  Capt. 
James  Johnston  were  appointed  to  number  the  dead  on 
the  British  side.  They  soon  found  Ferguson  at  the  foot 
of  the  hill,  dead,  and  covered  with  blood.  His  horse  hav- 
ing been  shot  from  under  him,  he  continued  to  advance,, 
sword  in  hand,  cheering  on  his  men  by  word  and  example,, 
until  five  or  six  balls  pierced  his  body  and  sealed  his  fate. 
Major  Forney  often  stated  he  picked  up  Ferguson's  sword, 
intending  t©  keep  it  as  a  trophy,  but  some  subordinate 
officer  getting  hold  of  it,  made  ofi'  with  it,  and  thus  de- 
prived him  of  his  prize.  An  incident  connected  with  the 
closing  scenes  of  this  memorable  battle  is  here  worthy  of 
being  recorded  : 

As"  Major  Forney  was  survej'ing  the  prisoners,  through 
the  guard  surrounding  them,  he  spied  one  of  his  neigh- 
bors, who  only  a  short  time  before  the  battle  had  been 
acting  with  the  Whigs,  but  had  been  persuaded  by  some 
of  his  Tory  acquaintances  to  join  the  king's  troops.  Upon 
seeing  him  Major  Forney  exclaimed,  "is  that  jou,  Simon  ?" 
The  reply  quickly  came  back,  "Yes,  it  is,  Abram,  and  I 
beg  you  to  get  me  out  of  this  bull  iien  ;  if  you  do,  I  will 
promise  never  to  be  caught  in  such  ji  scrape  again."  Ac- 
cordingly, when  it  was  made  to  appear  on  the  day  of  trial 
that  he  had  been  unfortunately  wrought  upon  by  some 
Tory  neighbors,  such  a  mitigation  of  his  disloyalty  was 
presented  as  to  induce  the  officers  holding  the  court- 
martial  to  overlook  his  oft'ence  and  set  him  at  liberty. 
Soon  afterward,  true  to  his  promise,  he  joined  his  former 


SKETCHES   OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  267 

Whig  comrades,  marched  to  the  battle  of  Guilford  and 
made  a  good  soldier  to  the  end  of  the  war. 

Near  the  close  of  the  year  1780,  hearing  that  Col.  Mor- 
gan was  preparing  to  go  upon  an  expedition  into  South 
Carolina,  Major  Forney  attached  himself  to  the  command 
of  Capt.  James  Little,  with  the  intention  of  joining  his- 
forces,  but  did  not  come  up  with  them  until  after  th& 
battle  of  the  Cowpens.  He  then  returned  home,  and  re- 
mained there  until  the  27th  of  January,  1781,  when  all 
the  Whigs  in  his  section  of  the  country  had  to  fly  before 
Cornwallis  in  pursuit  of  Morgan  with  his  large  number 
of  prisoners  on  their  way  to  Virginia.  Major  Forney 
then  crossed  the  Catawba,  and  joined  a  detachment  (/if 
troops  on  its  eastern  bank  under  Capt.  Henderson,  place^i 
as  a  guard  by  Gen.  Davidson  at  Cowan's  Ford,  where  it 
was  expected  the  British  might  attempt  to  cross.  Having 
stood  guard  for  some  time  at  this  point,  and  being  re- 
lieved, he  went  a  short  distance  to  a  house  to  procure  re- 
freshments of  which  he  was  much  in  need,  and  was  not 
present  when  the  guard  was  repulsed,  and  Gen.  Davidson 
killed.  He  then  fled  with  the  other  troops  to  Adam 
Torrence's,  about  ten  miles  distant,  where  a  considerable 
body  of  militia  had  assembled,  but  were  greatly  disheart- 
ened on  account  of  the  death  of  Gen.  Davidson.  The  day 
was  damp  and  unfavorable  to  the  use  of  firearms.  The 
militia,  without  much  order,  fired  once  at  the  British, 
killing  seven,  and  then  dispersed  in  all  directions.  He 
then  retreated  until  he  reached  Gen.  Greene's  army,  in: 
Guilford  county.  From  this  place  he  was  advised  to  re- 
turn home,  and  in  doing  so  was  furnished  with  a  ticket 
to  procure  provisions  on  the  way. 

On  the  25th  of  March,  1781,  the  militia  being  again 
called  out.  Major  Forney  attached  himself  to  the  com- 
mand of  Capt.  Samuel  Espey,  acting  as  a  Sergeant.  The 
company  then  joined  a  detachment  of  militia  under  Gen. 
Thomas  Polk,  marched  into  South  Carolina,  and  came  up- 


•26s  SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

with  Gen.  Greene's  army  at  Rugeley's  Mill.  The  army 
was  then  placed  under  the  command  of  Col.  Dudley,  and 
remained  under  him  until  Gen.  Greene  commenced  his 
march  to  the  post  of  Ninety  Six.  At  this  time,  Capt. 
Espey  being  compelled  to  leave  the  service  in  consequence 
of  a  wound  received  at  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain, 
went  home  with  a  part  of  his  compan}'',  and  then  Major 
Forney  joined  the  command  of  Capt.  Jack,  still  acting  as 
Sergeant.  Soon  afterward  the  expedition  returned  to 
■Charlotte,  when  he  was  dismissed  by  Capt.  Jack,  about 
the  1st  of  July,  1781. 

In  a  short  time  afterward.  Major  Forney  attached  him- 
self to  the  company  of  Capt.  John  Weir,  under  orders  to 
proceed  to  Wilmington.  His  company  crossed  the  Ca- 
tawba at  Tuckaseege  Ford  on  the  1st  day  of  ISTovember, 
1781,  and  encamped  three  or  four  miles  beyond  the  river 
on  the  road  leading  to  Charlotte.  On  the  next  day  the 
company  marched  through  Charlotte  and  encamped  at 
Col.  Alexander's,  who  had  been  ordered  to  take  command 
of  the  detachment.  Whilst  there  intelligence  was  received 
of  the  return  of  Gen  Rutherford's  forces.  Major  Forney 
was  then  sent  to  that  officer  for  orders  ;  receiving  these, 
the  company  recrossed  the  Catawba.  Capt,  Loftin  then 
took  command  in  place  of  Capt.  Weir,  who  had  resigned 
and  returned  home.  The  company  proceeded  to  form 
several  stations  in  the  county,  and  arrested  some  susjyecfcd 
persons.  Capt.  Thomas  McGee  having  assumed  command 
in  place  of  Loftin,  resigning,  marched  with  the  prisoners 
to  Salisbury,  and  delivered  them  up  to  the  proper  authori- 
ties on  the  31st  of  December,  1781. 

Again,  when  a  call  was  made  upon  the  militia  in  1782, 
to  march  against  the  Cherokee  Indians,  Major  Forney  was 
placed  in  command  of  a  company,  and  ordered  to  rendez- 
vous at  Ramsour's  Mill.  He  remained  there  from  about 
the  1st  of  June  until  the  1st  of  August,  when  he  marched 
,to  the   head    of  the    Catawba  and  joined  the  trooj^s  of 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  269 

Burke  and  Wilkes.  He  then  attached  his  company  ta 
Col.  Joseph  McDowell's  regiment,  marched  across  the 
Blue  Ridge  and  met  with  the  Rutherford  troops  on  the 
Swannanoa  river,  under  the  command  of  Col,  Miller.  After 
the  junction  of  the  Rutherford  troops,  the  expedition, 
under  Gen.  Charles  McDowell,  marched  into  the  !N"ation,. 
nearly  on  the  trail  of  Gen.  Rutherford  in  1776,  but  pro- 
ceeded some  farther  than  where  his  army  halted.  Tha 
expedition  was  entirely  successful ;  took  a  few  prisoners^ 
returned  home  and  were  dismissed  in  October,  1782. 

This  was  the  last  service  of  a  brave  soldier,  who  fought 
long,  and  fought  well,  for  the  freedom  of  his  country. 
Major  Abram  Forney  died  on  the  22nd  day  of  July,  1849,. 
in  the  ninety-first  year  of  his  age. 

His  only  surviving  son,  Capt.  Abram  Earhardt  Forney, 
at  the  present  time,  (1876,)  is  still  living  at  the  old  home- 
stead, has  alread}^  passed  his  "three  score  years  and  ten  ;"  is 
an  industrious  farmer,  and  worthy  citizen  of  Lincoln  county, 

REMARKS. 

Among  the  curious  revolutionary  mementoes  that 
Capt.  A.  E.  Forney,  son  of  Major  Abram  Fornej^ 
has  in  his  possession  is  a  small  leathei^  memorandum 
pocket-hook,  tilled  originally  with  twenty-four  blank 
leaves  ;  also  Si  powder  horn,  made  by  his  father  preparatory 
to  an  expedition  to  the  mountains.  The  front,  or  open- 
ing sides,  is  handsomely  ornamented  with  numerous  small 
stars,  arranged  diagonally  across  the  surface  and  around 
the  borders.  The  back  side  has  the  patriot's  initials,  A.  F, 
distinctly  impressed,  and  immediately  beneath,  the  year 
1775,  the  whole  displaying  considerable  artistic  skill ;  nu- 
merous entries  appear  on  its  pages,  made  at  different  times, 
and  without  reference  to  strict  chronological  order;  brief  no- 
tices of  military  and  agricultural  matters  and  occassion. 
ally  a  birth,  death  or  marriage  are  harmoniously  blended^ 
On  page  5  is  this  entry  :  "The  first  snow  in  the  year  1775^ 
was  on  December  the  23rd  day,  and   it  was   very  deep." 


270  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

On  the  same  page  it  is  recorded:  "April  the  28th  day, 
Old  John  Seagle  departed  this  world,  1780."  On  page  11 
this  entry  appears:  "  May  the  3rd  day  I  sowed  flax  seed 
in  the  year  1779,  and  other  entries  relating  to  the  same 
agricultural  avocation  are  interspersed  through  the  little 
book.  The  culture  of  flax  was  then  an  indispeusible  em- 
ployment. Our  soldiers  then  wore  hunting  shirts,  made  of 
flax,  to  the  battle  flelds.  Cotton  was  not  generally  cul- 
tivated until  twenty  years  later.  On  page  24  it  is  recorded: 
"'  May  the  1st  day  there  was  a  frost  in  the  year  1779." 
On  page  22  is  this  entry:  "  Be  it  remembered  the  battle 
between  the  Whigs  and  Tories  (at  Ramsour's)  was  fought 
on  the  20th  day  of  June  1780."  (Signed)  Abram  Forney. 
Had  any  doubt  arisen  as  to  the  precise  date  of  this  impor- 
tant battle  it  could  have  been  ascertained  from  this  mem- 
orandum pocket-book  of  this  distinguished  patriotia 
soldier.  On  page  13  is  an  entry  which,  on  its  realization, 
sent  a  thrill  of  joy  throughout  the  land:  "  April  the  17th 
day,  great  talk  of  peace  in  the  year  1783."  The  definite 
treaty  was  not  signed  until  the  30th  of  September  follow- 
ing, and  a  new  Republic  sprung  into  existence. 

GENEALOGY  OF  THE  FORNEY  FAMILY. 

Jacob  Forne}'^,  Sr.,  (sketch  of  his  life  previously  given) 
married  Mariah  Bergner,  a  native  of  Switzerland.  Their 
•descendants  were  three  sons,  Jacob,  Peter  and  Abram, 
and  four  daughters.  Catherine  married  Abram  Earhardt, 
Elizabeth  married  John  Young,  Christina  married  David 
Abernathy  and  Susan  married  John  D.  Abernathy.  Of 
the  descendants  of  the  daughters,  who  left  the  State  soon 
after  marriage,  little  is  known. 

Jacob  Forney,  the  eldest  son,  married  Mary  Corpeuing, 
of  Burke  county,  N.  C.  Soon  after  the  Revolutionary 
war  he  purchased  a  valuable  track  of  land  on  Upper  creek, 
five  miles  northwest  of  Morganton,  on  which  he  settled 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  271 

.and  raised  a  large  family.  He  lived  a  long,  quiet  and 
useful  life.  His  tombstone,  in  a  private  cemetery  on  the 
old  homestead  property,  bears  this  inscription:  "Sacred 
to  the  memory  of  Jacob  Fornej^  born  Xov.  6th,  1754, 
died  Nov.  7th,  1840,  aged  eighty-six  years  and  one  day." 
He  had  eleven  children  : 

1.  Elizabeth  E.  Forney,  (died  young.) 

2.  Thomas  J.  Forney  married  S.  C.  Harris,  of  Mont- 
gomery county. 

3.  Isaac  ]!Tewton  Forney,  married  M.  L.  Corpening,  of 
Burke  count3^ 

4.  Marcus  L.  Forney  married  S.  Connelly,  of  Burke 
county. 

5.  Albert   G.    Forney    married    Eglantine   Logan,   of 
Rutherford  county. 

6  Fatima  E.  Forney  married  H.  Alexander  Tate,  of 
Burke  county. 

7.  Peter  Bergner  Forney  married  M.  S.  Connelly,  of 
Caldwell  county. 

8.  James  Harvey  Forney  married  Emily  Logan,  of 
Rutherford  county. 

9.  Daniel  J.  Forney  married  S.  C.  Ramsour,  of  Lincoln 
connty, 

10.  Mary  L.  Forney  married  W.  P.  Reinhardt,  of  Ca- 
tawba county. 

11.  Catharine  S.  Forney  married  A.  T.  Bost,  of  Catawba 
county. 

2.  General  Peter  Forney,  (sketch  of  his  life  previously 
given)  married  Nancy,  daughter  of  David  Abernathy,  of 
Lincoln  county.     He  had  twelve  children  : 

1.  Daniel  M.  Forney  married  Harriet  Brevard,  of  Lin- 
coln county. 

2.  Mar}^  Forney  married  Christian  Reinhardt,  of  Lin- 
coln county. 

3.  Moses  Forney,  (^died  in  Alabama  unmarried.) 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 


Q-O 


4.  Jacob  Forney  married  Sarah  Hoke,  of  Lincoln 
county, 

5.  Joseph  Forney  (died  comparatively  young.) 

6.  Eliza  Forney  married  1st,  Henry  T,  Webb,  Esq.,  of 
N^orth  Carolina,  and  2nd,  Dr.  John  Meek,  of  Alabama. 

7.  Susan  Forney  married  Bartlett  Shipp,  Esq.,  of  Lin- 
coln count}'. 

8.  Lavinia  Forney  married  John  Fulenwider,  of  Lin- 
coln county. 

9.  Xancy  Forney  married  Dr.  Willian  John.ston,  of  Lin- 
coln county. 

10.  Caroline  Forney  married  Ransom  G.  Hunley,  of 
South  Carolina. 

11.  Sophia  G.  Forney  married  Dr.  C.  L.  Hunter,  of  Lin- 
coUi  county. 

12.  J.  Monroe  Forney  married  Sarah  Fulenwider,  of 
Cleaveland  county. 

3.  Major  Ahram  Forney,  (sketch  of  his  life  previously 
given,)  married  Rachel  Gabriel,  of  Lincoln  county.  He 
only  had  two  children:  1.  Abram  Earhardt  Forney,  a 
worthy  citizen  of  the  same  county,  and  now  (187(3)  con- 
siderably past  his  "three  score  years  and  ten,"  and  2.,  John 
W.  Forney,  who  died  comparatively  young. 

Daniel  M.  Forney,  eldest  son  of  Gen.  Peter  Forney,  re- 
ceived the  appointment  of  Major  in  the  war  of  1812,  and. 
proceeded  lo  the  scene  of  conflict  in  Canada.  He  served 
as  a  Representative  to  Congress  from  1815  to  1818,  and  as 
a  Senator  from  Lincoln  county  to  the  State  Legislature 
from  1823  to  1826.  In  1834,  he  moved  to  Lowndes 
county,  Ala.,  where  he  died  in  October,  1847,  in  the  sixty- 
fourth  year  of  his  age.     He  had  seven  children  : 

1.  Eloise  Forne}^  married  Gen.  Jones  Withers,  of  Mo- 
bile, Ala. 

2.  Mariah  Forney  married  Judge  Moore,  of  Alabama, 

3.  Alexander  B.  Forney,  (died  comparatively  young.) 

4.  Harriet  Forney,  (died  young.) 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA,      i   \      27o 

5.  Macon  Forney,  (died  yoimg.) 

6.  Susan  Forney,  married  Dr.  B.  C.  Jones,  of  Alabama. 

7.  Emma  Forney  married  Col.  M.  Smith,  of  Alabama. 

2.  Mary  Forney^  who  married  Christian  Reinhardt,  had 
five  sons  and  four  daughters.  One  of  the  sons,  Franklin 
M.  Reinhardt,  who  remained  in  the  State,  was  a  worthy 
member  of  society,  highly  esteemed  by  all  who  knew  him, 
and  remarkable  for  his  benevolent  disposition  and  liber- 
Siliij  to  the  poor.  He  married  Sarah,  daughter  of  the  late 
David  Smith,  of  Lincoln  county.  He  died  on  the  12th  of 
June,  1869,  in  the  sixty-second  year  of  his  age. 

3.  Jacob  Forney,  who  married  Sarah  Hoke,  daughter  of 
the  late  Daniel  Hoke,  formerly  of  Lincoln  county,  N.  C, 
was  an  enterprising,  useful  and  highly  respected  member 
of  society,  possessed  many  noble  traits  of  character,  and 
raised  a  large  and  interesting  family.  He  moved  in  1835, 
from  Lincoln  county  to  Alabama,  and  settled  in  Jackson- 
ville, where  he  died  on  the  24th  of  April,  1856,  in  the 
sixty-ninth,  year  of  his  age.     He  had  nine  children  : 

1.  Daniel  P.  Forney,  of  Jacksonville,  Alabama. 

2.  Joseph  B.  Forney  married  Mary  Whitaker,  of  Ala- 
bama. 

3.  William  H.  Forney  married  Eliza  Woodward,  of 
Alabama. 

4.  Barbara  Ann  Forne}^  married  P.  Rowan,  Esq.,  of 
Alabama. 

5.  Gen.  John  II.  Forney  married  Septima  Rutledge, 
grand-daughter  of  Edward  Rutledge,  one  of  the  signers  of 
the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

6.  Emma  E.  Forney  married  1st,  Col.  Rice,  2nd,  Rev. 
Thomas  A.  Morris. 

7.  Col.  George  H.  Forney,  (killed  at  Spotsylvania  Court 
House,  Va.) 

8.  Catharine  Amelia  Forney,  married  J.  M.  Wylie,  Esq., 
of  Alabama. 

18 


274  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

9.  Mariah  Louisa  Forney,  ("Ida")  married  R.  J).  Wil- 
liams, Esq.,  of  Alabama. 

The  sons  of  Jacob  Forney  won  military  distinction  and 
renown  in  the  late  Confederate  war.  Our  prescribed  limits 
ferbid  a  more  extended  notice  of  their  gallant  services. 
Their  chivalric  courage  and  "deeds  of  noble  daring"  will 
justly  claim  the  careful  study  of  some  future  historian. 

4.  Miza  Forney  married  1st,  Henry  Y.  Webb,  Esq.,  of 
Granville  county,  N.  C.  He  was  educated  at  the  Univer- 
sity of  iSTorth  Carolina,  was  a  member  of  the  Legislature 
in  1817  ;  appointed  by  President  Monroe,  TerritorialJudge 
of  Alabama ;  elected  to  the  same  position  by  the  State 
Convention  of  1819,  and  died  in  September,  1823. 

Eliza  Forney,  by  tirst  marrage  with  Henry  Y.  Webbj, 
Esq.,  had  five  children. 

1.  Frances  Ann  Webb  married  Col.  John  R.  Hampton.. 
formerly  of  Charlotte,  N".  C,  now  a  worthy  and  highly  re- 
spected citizen  of  Bradley  county.  Ark.  His  wife  Frances, 
died  in  1842,  leaving  three  children,  of  whom  only  one,. 
(Susan)  widow  of  Dr.  Greene  jSTewton,  at  present  survives, 

2.  William  P.  Webb,  Esq,  married  Martlm  Bell,  of 
Alabama.     His  children  are: 

1.  James  E.  Webb,  of  Hale  county,  Alabama,  married 
Zemma  Creswell. 

2.  Frances  E.  Webb  married  Robert  Cra^vford,  of  St- 
Louis,  Mo. 

3.  Judge  William  H.  Webb  married  "  Donna  Louise 
Abrigo,"  of  Monterey,  Mexico. 

4.  Rev.  Frank  Bell  Webb,  pastor  of  the  Presbyteriaiu 
church,  at  Union  Springs,  Ala. 

5.  Wert  Webb,  commission  merchant  of  St.  Louif, 
Mo.,  and  two  daughters,  now  in  their  minority. 

3.  Col.  James  D.  Webb,  of  the  51st  Alabama  Resri- 
ment,  married  Jessie  Walton.  He  was  frequently  a  mem- 
ber of  the  Legislature  of  Alabama,  and  was  highly  es- 
teemed for  his  purity  of  character.     He  died  of  wounds 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       275 

received  in  battle,  July  3rcl,  18G3,  near  Winchester,  Tenn., 
where  he  is  buried.     He  left  a  widow  and  six  children. 

4.  Susan  E.  Webb  died  in  1832,  at  the  age  of  twelve 
years. 

5.  Dr.  Ilenr}'-  Y.  Webb,  married  Elizabeth  S.  Alexan- 
der, a  great-grand  draughter  of  Abraham  Alexander, 
Chairman  of  the  Mecklenburg  Convention  of  the  20th  of 
May,  1775.  Most  of  the  Alexanders  in  the  United  States 
have  descended  from  seven  brothers  who  fled  from  Scot- 
land to  the  !N^orth  of  Ireland  on  account  of  civil  and  re- 
ligious persecutions.  From  1725  to  1740,  many  of  their 
descendants  emigrated  to  America,  one  of  whom  was 
William  Alexander,  who  inherited  an  estate  and  earldom 
in  Scotland,  and  became  Lord  Stirling,  a  distinguished 
General  in  the  Revolutionary  war.  After  a  short  sojourn 
in  Pennsylvania,  many  of  the  Alexander  families  and 
their  descendants  emigrated  south,  and  formed  numerous 
settlements  in  Mecklenburg  and  adjoining  counties. 

Descendants  of  Eliza  Forney  (2nd  marriage)  and  Dr. 
John  Meek  were  : 

1.  Samuel  T.  Meek,  married  Miss  Cabeen,  of  South 
Carolina. 

2.  John  A.  IMeek,  of  Franklin,  Ky.,  married  Miss  New- 
ton, of  Arkansas. 

3.  Lavinia  Meek  married,  1st,  Col.  Harry  Williams,  of 
Louisiana  and  2nd,  E.  B.  Cryer,  of  Trenton,  Louisiana. 

4.  iSTancy,  and' 5,  Sarah  Meek. 

Bartlett  Shipp,  who  married  Susan  Forney,  served  in 
the  State  Legislature  from  1824  to  1830,  and  was  one 
of  the  delegates  from  Lincoln  county  in  1835,  to  amend 
the  constitution.  He  was  an  able  lawyer,  had  a  large 
practice  for  many  years,  and  died  in  Lincolnton,  on  the 
26th  of  May,  1869,  in  the  eighty  fourth  year  of  his  age. 
His  descendants  were : 

1.  Eliza  Shipp  married  William  Preston  Bynum,  Esq., 
at  present  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Supreme  Court  of 
Korth  Carolina. 


276  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

2.  William  M.  Shipp,  Esq.,  married  1st,  Catharine  Cam- 
eron, of  Hillsboro,  and  2d,  Margaret  Iredell,  of  Raleigh. 

3.  Susan  Shipp  married  Y.  Q.  Johnson,  Esq.,  of  Vir- 
ginia. 

Descendants  of  John  Fiilenwider  and  Lavinia  Forney 
v;ere : 

1.  John  M.  Fulensvider  married  Frances  Hudson,  of 
Alabama. 

2.  Eliza  Fulenwider  married  L.  M.  Eudisill,  Esq.,  of 
Catawba  county,  K.  C. 

3.  liobert  Fulenwider  married  Mary  Sellers  of  Ala- 
bama. 

4.  Daniel  Fulenwider  married  Maiy  Ann  Leslie  of  Ala- 
bama. 

5.  Jane  Fulhnwider  married  Joshua  Kirby,  of  Alabama. 
G.  Fannie  Fulenwider,  married  James  Gore,  of  Alabama, 

7.  Louisa  Fulenwider  married  Robert  Loyd,  of  Ala- 
bama. 

8.  Mary  Fulenwider,  (unmarried.) 

For  descendants  of  Dr.  William  Johnston  and  IS'ancy 
Forney  see  "  Genealogy  of  Colonel  James  Johnston." 

Descendants  of  Ransom  G.  Ilunley  and  Carolina  Forney, 
were  : 

1.  Richard  R.  Ilunley  married  Mai-tha  S.  Johnston,  of 
Lincoln  county. 

2.  Col.  Peter  F.  Ilunley  nmrried  Margaret  Johnston,  of 
Lincoln  coun/y. 

3.  Mary  Hunlej^  married  Gen.  E.  \V.  Martin,  of  Ala- 
bama. 

4.  Annie  Ilunley  married  Alfred  Agee,  Esq.,  of  Ala- 
bama. 

5.  Ransom  liunley,  (died  young.) 

Descndants  of  Dr.  C.  L.  Hunter  and  Sophia  G.  Forney, 
were  : 

1.  Nancy  Jcine  Hunter,  (died  young.) 

2.  Caroline  Elmina  Hunter,  (died  young.) 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA.  277 

Henry  Stanhope  Hnntor  (severely  wounded   in  tlie  late 
war.) 

4.  Capt.  George  William  Ilnnter,  mortally  wounded  in^ 
the  battle  at  Chancellorsville,  Va. 

5.  Sophia  F,  ITunter  married  John  II.  Sharp,  Esq.,  of 
iN'orfolk,  Va. 


CHAPTER  Vl. 


GASTOK  COUNTY. 

Gaston  county  was  formed  in  1846,  from  Lincoln  coun- 
ty, and  derives  its  name  from  William  Gaston,  one  of  tlm 
spost  distinguished  men  of  North  Carolina,  and  late  one 
of  the  Judges  of  th^  Supreme  Court.  In  the  language  of 
one  who  knew  him  well  'the  late  Chief  Justice  Ruffin) 
'' he  was  a  great  Judge,  and  a  good  man."  Its  capital, 
Dallas,  is  named  in  honor  of  the  Hon.  George  M.  Dallas, 
Vice-President  of  the  United  States  in  1844. 

The  territory  embraced  in  this  county,  contained  many 
true  and  gallant  Whigs  during  the  Revolutionary  war. 
Sketches  of  some  of  these  will  appear  in  the  present  cliap- 
tor. 

REV.  IIUMPPIEEY    HUNTER. 

[Condensed  from  Wlieeler's  "Historical  Sl^etclies."  J 

Rev.  Humphrey  Hunter  was  boriirin  Ireland,  near 
Londonderry,  on  the  lltli  of  May,  17¥5.  His  paternal 
grandfather  was  from  Glasgow,  in  Scotland.  His  mater- 
nal grandfather  was  from  Brest,  in  France.  His  descent 
is  thus  traced  to  the  Scotch-"!" rish,  and  Huguenots  ot 
France,  forming  a  race  of  people  who  greatly  contributed 
to  the  spi'ead  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  wherever  their 
lots  were  cast.  In  America,  the  asylum  of  the  oppressed 
of  all  nations,  many  of  their  descendants  occupy  proud 
positions  on  the  page  of  history,  and  acted  a  magnani- 
mous part  in  the  achievment  of  our  independence. 

At  the  early  age  of  four  years,  Iluniphicy  Hunter  was 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       279 

-deprived  by  death  of  his  father.  In  a  short  time  al'ter- 
ward,  his  mother  joined  the  great  tide  of  emigration  to 
the  new  world,  and  in  May  1759,  embarked  on  the  ship 
Helena,  bound  for  Charleston,  S.  C.  After  a  long  and 
boisterous  voyage,  the  vessel  at  length  reached  its  desti- 
nation in  safety.  His  mother  then  procured  a  cheap  con- 
veyance and  proceeded  to  the  eastern  part  of  Mecklen- 
burg count}^,  (now  in  Cabarrus)  where  she  purchased  a 
small  tract  of  land,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  her  days. 

In  the  manuscript  journal  of  the  Rev.  Humphrey 
Hunter,  we  are  furnished  with  some  interesting  facts  re- 
specting his  life  and  services.  He  informs  us  he  grew  up 
in  the  neighborhood  of  Poplar  Tent,  inhaling  the  salu- 
brious air  of  a  free  clime,  and  imbibing  the  principles  of 
genuine  liberty.  At  this  stage  of  his  early  training,  he 
pays  a  beautiful  tribute  to  the  patriotism  of  the  mothers 
■of  the  Revolution.  He  says :  "  Neither  w^ere  our  mother's 
•silent  at  the  commencement  of  the  Revolution."  "'  Go 
son,  said  his  mother,  and  join  yourself  to  the  men  of  our 
country.  We  ventured  our  lives  on  the  waves  of  the 
ocean  in  quest  of  the  freedom  promised  us  here.  Go,  and 
fight  for  it,  and  rather  let  me  hear  of  your  death  than  of 
yonY  cowardicc.^^ 

In  a  short  time  afterward  this  patriotic  advice  of  his 
mother  was  called  into  action.  "  Orders  were  presently 
issued,"  continues  hisjournal,  "by  Colonel  Thomas  Polk  to 
the  several  militia  companies  of  the  county  for  two  men, 
selected  from  each  beat  or  district  to  meet  at  the  Court 
House  in  Charlotte,  on  the  19th  day  of  May,  1775,  in 
order  to  consult  upon  such  measures  as  might  be  thought 
best  to  be  pursued.  Accordingly,  on  said  day,  a  far 
greater  number  than  two  out  of  each  company  were 
present."  Drawn  by  the  great  excitement  of  the  occasion, 
surpassing  that  of  any  other  preceding  it,  he  attended  the 
Convention  on  the  appointed  day.  He  was  then  a  few 
.days  over  twenty  years  of  his  age,  and  mingled  with  the 


280  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

numerous  crowd  of  interested  spectators.  He  then  had 
the  pleasure  of  listening  to  the  reading  of  the  first  Declar-^ 
ation  of  Independence  in  the  United  States,  and  joined  in  the 
shout  of  opproval  which  burst  forth  from  the  assembled 
multitude.  In  a  short  time  after  the  Convention  in 
Charlotte,  Col.  Thomas  Polk  raised  a  regiment  of  infantry 
and  cavalr}'^,  and  marched  in  the  direction  of  Cross  creek 
(now  Fayetteville)  to  disperse  a  body  of  Tories.  In  this- 
service,  he  joined  a  corps  of  cavalry  under  Captain  Chas. 
Polk.  Soon  after  the  return  of  this  expedition,  he  com- 
menced his  classical  studies  at  Clio  Academy,  in  the  wes- 
tern part  of  Rowan  county,  (now  Iredell)  under  the  in- 
struction of  the  Rev.  James  Hall. 

About  this  time  the  Cherokee  Indians  were  commit- 
ting numerous  depredations  and  occasional  murders  near 
the  head  sources  of  the  Catawba  river.  Upon  this  in- 
formation, Gen.  Rutherford  called  out  a  brigade  of  mili- 
tia from  Guilford,  Mecklenburg,  Rowan,  Lincoln  and 
other  western  counties,  composed  of  infantr}'  and  three 
corps  of  cavalry.  In  one  of  the  companies  commanded 
by  Captain,  afterwards  Col.  Robert  Mebane,  he  acted  ag 
Lieutenant.  Two  skirmishes  took  place  during  this  cam- 
paign, in  which  several  Indians  were  killed  and  a  con- 
siderable number  made  prisoners,  among  the  latter,  Hicks 
and  Scott,  tw^o  white  traders,  who  had  married  Indians 
and  espoused  their  cause.  After  his  return  from  the 
Cherokee  expedition,  he  resumed  his  classical  education 
at  Queen's  Museum,  in  Charlotte,  under  the  control  of 
Dr.  Alexander  McWhorter,  an  eminent  Presbyterian 
clergyman  from  ISTew  Jersey.  In  the  summer  of  1780^ 
this  institution,  having  assumed  in  1777,  the  more  patri- 
otic name  of  "Liberty  Hall  Academy,"  was  broken  up  b}^ 
the  approach  of  the  British  army  under  Lord  Cornwallis. 
The  school,  then  in  a  flourishing  state,  was  dismissed ; 
the  young  men  w^ere  urged  by  Dr.  McWhorter  Math 
patriotic   appeals,   to  take  up  arms  in  defence  of  their 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  281 

country  ;  and  upon  all  he  invoked  the  blessings  of  Heaven. 
At  this  time  Gen.  Gates  was  on  his  way  to  the  Southern 
states.  Under  orders  from  Gen.  Rutherford,  a  brigade 
was  promptly  raised  to  rendezvous  at  Salisbury.  In  this 
brigade  Hunter  acted  for  a  short  time  as  Commissary, 
and  afterward  as  Lieutenant  in  the  company  of  Capt. 
Givens.  This  force  first  marched  from  Salisbury  down 
the  northeast  side  of  the  Yadkin,  scouring  the  Tory  set- 
tlements of  the  Uwharrie  and  Deep  rivers,  previous  to  its 
junction  with  Gen.  Gates  at  Cheraw.  From  this  place 
Gen.  Gates  moved  forward  to  Clermont,  where  he  arrived 
on  the  12th  of  August.  On  the  loth  he  marched  towards 
Camden,  progressing  as  far  as  the  Gum  Swamp,  where 
sharp  skirmishing  took  place  in  the  night  between  ad- 
vanced parties  of  the  Americans  and  the  British.  On  the- 
16th  of  August,  1780,  the  unfortunate  battle  of  Camden 
was  fought.  A  contagious  panic  seized  most  of  the  mili- 
tia early  in  the  action,  and  a  precipitate  retreat  was  the 
natural  consequence.  The  regulars  of  Maryland  and 
Delaware,  with  a  small  portion  of  the  North  Carolina 
militia,  firmly  stood  their  ground  until  surrounded  Avith 
overwhelming  numbers.  The  subject  of  this  sketch  was 
there  made  a  prisoner  and  stripped  of  mo^t  of  his  clothes- 
Soon  after  his  surrender  he  witnessed  the  painful  inci- 
dents of  battle,  resulting  in  the  death  of  Baron  DeKalb- 
He  informs  us  he  saw  the  Baron  without  suite  or  aid,  and 
without  manifesting  the  designs  of  his  movements,  gal- 
loping down  the  line.  He  was  soon  descried  by  the 
enemy,  who,  clapping  their  hands  on  their  shoulders  in 
reference  to  his  epaulettes,  exclaimed  "a  General,  a  rebel 
General."  Immediately  a  man  on  horseback  (not  Tarle- 
ton)  met  him  and  demanded  his  sword.  The  Baron  re- 
luctlantly  presented  the  handle  towards  him,  inquiring 
in  French,  "  Are  you  an  officer,  sir."  His  antagonist  not 
understanding  the  language,  with  an  oath,  more  sternly 
demanded  his  sword.     The  Baron  then  rode  on  with  all 


282  SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN  NORTH   CAROLINA. 

possible  speed,  disdaining  to  surrender  to  any  one  but  an 
■officer.  Soon  the  cr}',  "a  rebel  General,"  sounded  along 
the  line.  The  musketeers  immediately,  by  platoons,  fired 
upon  him.  He  proceeded  about  twenty-five  rods,  when 
he  fell  from  his  horse,  mortally  wounded.  Presently  he 
was  raised  to  his  feet,  stripped  of  his  hat,  coat  and  neck- 
cloth, and  placed  with  his  hands  resting  on  a  wagon. 
His  body  was  found,  upon  examination,  to  have  been 
pierced  by  seven  musket  balls.  Whilst  standing  in  this 
position,  and  the  blood  streaming  through  his  shirt, 
Oornwallis,  with  his  suite,  rode  up.  Being  informed  that 
the  wounded  man  was  Baron  De  Kalb,  he  addressed  him 
by  saying:  "I  am  rjorry,  sir,  to  see  you;  not  sorry  that 
you  are  vanquished,  but  sorry  to  see  you  so  badly 
wounded."  Having  given  orders  to  an  officer  to  admin- 
ister to  the  wants  of  the  Baron,  Cornwallis  rode  on  to 
secure  the  fruits  of  his  victory.  In  a  short  time  the  brave 
.and  generous  De  Kalb,  who  had  served  in  the  armies  of 
France  and  embarked  in  the  American  cause,  breathed 
his  last.  He  is  buried  in  Camden,  where  a  neat  monu- 
ment has  been  erected  to  his  memory. 

After  being  confined  seven  days  in  a  prison-3'ard  in 
Camden,  Hunfer  was  taken,  with  many  other  prisoners, 
including  about  fifty  officers,  to  Orangeburg,  where  he 
remained  until  the  13th  of  November  following,  idthout 
hat  or  coat.  On  that  day,  without  any  intention  of  trans- 
gressing, he  set  out  to  visit  a  friendly  lady  in  the  suburbs 
who  had  promised  to  give  him  a  homespun  coat.  Before 
he  reached  her  residence,  he  was  stopped  by  a  horseman, 
armed  with  sword  and  pistols,  who  styled  himself  a  Lieu- 
tenant of  the  station  at  the  Court  House,  under  Col. 
Fisher.  The  horseman  blustered  and  threatened,  and 
sternly  commanded  him  to  march  before  him  to  the  sta- 
tion to  be  tried  for  having  broken  his  parole.  No  excuse, 
apology  or  confession  would  be  received  in  extenuation 
•of  his  transgression.     "To  the   station,"  said  the   horse- 


SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  283 

man,  "you  shall  go — take  the  road."  The  Tory  loyalist 
was  evidently  exercising  his  brief  authority  over  a  real 
Whig.  Up  the  road  his  prisoner  had  to  go,  sour  and 
sulk}',  with  much  reluctance,  being  hurried  in  his  march 
by  the  point  of  the  Tory's  sword.  Hunter  pursued  his 
course,  but  constantly  on  the  look-out  for  some  means  of 
self-defence.  Fortunately,  after  they  progressed  a  short 
distance,  they  approached  a  large  fallen  pine  tree,  around 
which  lay  a  quantity  of  pine-knots,  hardened  and  black- 
ened b}'  the  recent  action  of  fire.  Hunter,  in  an  instant, 
saw  "his  opportunity,"  immediately  jumped  to  the  further 
side  of  said  tree,  and,  armed  with  a  good  pine-knot,  pre- 
pared for  combat.  The  Tory  instantly  fired  one  of  his 
pistols  at  him,  but  without  effect.  He  then  leaped  his 
horse  over  the  tree.  Hunter,  with  equal  promptness, ex- 
changed sides,  being  fired  at  a  second  time  by  his  would- 
be  conqueror,  but  again  without  effect.  Much  skilful 
manoeuvoring  took  place,  whilst  the  Tory  was  thus  kept 
at  bay.  Hunter  then  commenced  a  vigorous  warfare 
with  the  pine-knots  so  opportunely  placed  at  his  com- 
mand, and  dealt  them  out  with  profuse  liberality.  The 
accurate  aim  of  two  or  three  pine-knots  against  the  horse- 
man's head  soon  disabled  him  and  brought  him  to  the 
ground.  He  was  then  disarmed  of  his  sword,  and  capitu- 
lated on  the  following  terms:  Tha.t  Hunter  should  never 
make  known  the  conquest  he  had  gained  over  him,  and 
give  back  the  captured  sword;  and  that  he,  (the  Tory 
lo^^alist)  would  never  report  to  headquarters  that  any  of 
the  prisoners  had  ever  crossed  the  boundary  line,  or  of- 
fended in  any  other  manner.  But  secrec}'-  could  not  be 
preserved,  for  during  the  combat  the  horse,  without  his 
rider,  galloped  off  to  the  station  and  created  considerable 
anxiety  respecting  the  horseman's  fate.  All  serious  ap- 
lirehensions,  however,  were  soon  removed  as  the  dis- 
mounted horseman  presently  made  his  appearance,  with 
several  visible  bruises  on  his  head,  bearing  striking  proof 


284  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA. 

of  the  effective  precision  of  the  pine-knots.  A  close  ex- 
amination was  soon  instituted  at  tlie  station,  and  numer- 
ous searching  questions  propounded  to  the  wounded 
horseman,  when  the  history  of  the  contest  had  to  begiven, 
and  all  concealment  no  longer  attempted.  The  ren- 
counter took  place  on  a  Friday  evening.  On  the  Sabbath 
follov/ing,  orders  were  issued  by  Col.  Fisher  to  all  the 
prisoners  to  appear  at  the  Court  House  on  Monday  by 
twelve  o'clock.  On  the  evening  of  tlui  Sabbath,  Hunter, 
expecting  close  confinement,  or,  perhaps,  the  loss  of  his 
life,  made  his  escape  with  five  or  six  others  from  Meck- 
Ipuhurg,  and  commenced  their  way  to  North  Carolina. 
They  concealed  themselves  b}'  day  to  avoid  the  British 
scouts  sent  in  pursuit,  and  traveled  during  the  night, 
supporting  themselves  principally  on  the  raw  corn  found 
b}'-  the  way-side.  On  the  ninth  night  after  they  set  out 
from  Orangeburg,  they  crossed  the  Catawba  and  arrived 
safely  in  Mecklenburg  county. 

After  remaining  a  few  days  at  his  mother's  residence, 
he  again  entered  the  service,  and  joined  a  cavalry  com- 
pany, acting  as  lieutenat  under  Colonel  Henry  Lee.  In 
a  short  time,  the  battle  of  the  Eutaw  Springs,  the  last  im- 
portant one  in  the  extreme  South,  took  place.  In  this 
engagement,  where  so  much  personal  bravery  was  dis- 
played, he  performed  a  gallant  part,  and  was  slightly 
wounded.  With  this  campaign,  his  military  services 
ended.  Among  the  variety  of  incidents  which  occurred 
during  this  year  he  was  gratified  in  revisiting  his  old 
prison-bounds,  and  in  witnessing  the  reduction  of  the 
station  at  Orangeburg.  But  greater  still  was  the  gratifi- 
cation he  experienced  in  again  beholding  the  identical 
sword  he  had  taken  from  his  Tor}'  antagonist,  as  previ- 
ously stated. 

Soon  after  the  close  of  the  war  he  resumed  his  classical 
studies  under  the  instruction  of  the  Rev.  Robert  Archi- 
bald, near  Poplar  Tent  Church.     During  the  summer  of 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       285 

1785,  he  entered  the  Junior  Class  at  Mount  Zion  College, 
in  AVinnsboro,  S.  C,  and  graduated  in  July,  1787.  In  a 
short  time  afterward  he  commenced  thestudy  of  Thelogy 
under  the  care  of  the  Presbytery  of  South  Carolina,  and 
was  licensed  to  preach  in  October,  1789.  In  179G  he  re- 
moved from  South  Carolina  to  the  south-eastern  part  of 
Lincoln  county  (now  Gaston)  where  he  purchased  a  home 
for  his  rising  family.  His  ministeral  labors  extended 
through  a  period  of  nearl}^  thirty-eight  years,  principally 
at  Goshen  and  Unity  churches  in  Lincoln  county  (under 
its  old  boundaries)  and  Steele  Creek  church,  in  Mecklen- 
burg county.  In  1789  he  married  Jane,  daughter  of  Dr. 
George  Ross,  of  Laurens  District,  S.  C. — an  estimable 
lady,  noted  for  her  amiable  disposition,  numerous  acts  of 
charit}^,  and  fervent  piety. 

In  his  preaching  Mr.  Hunter  was  earnest,  persuasive 
and  often  eloquent.  Ho  possessed,  in  a  remarkable  de- 
gree, a  talent  for  refined  sarcasm,  and  knew  how  to  use 
most  effectively  its  piercing  shafts  against  the  idle  ob- 
jections, or  disingenuous  cavils  of  all  triflers  with  the 
great  truths  of  religion.  In  his  advanced  years  the  in- 
firmities of  old  age  greatly  contracted  the  extent  of  his 
useful  labors  without  impairing  the  vigor  of  his  mental 
powers  or  the  fervency  and  faithfulness  of  his  preaching. 
He  died,  with  christian  resignation,  on  the  21st  of  August, 
1827,  in  the  73rd  year  of  hit!  age.  The  Rev.  Humphrey 
Hunter  had  ten  chrilden,  of  whom,  at  the  present  time 
(1870)  only  one,  the  author  and  compiler  of  these  sketches, 
survives. 

DR.  WILLIAM   m'LEAN. 

Dr.  William  McLean  was  born  in  Rowan  county,  N. 
C,  on  the  2nd  day  of  April,  1757-  His  father,  Alexander 
McLean,  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  who  emigrated  to 
America,  landing  at  Philadelphia,  between  the  years  1725 


280  SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA. 

and  1730.  Some  time  after  his  arrival  in  Pennsylvania 
he  married  Elizabeth  Ratchford,  whose  lather  emigrated 
from  England  shortl}"  after  McLean  left  Ireland.  Three 
of  his  daughters,  Jane,  Margaret  and  Agnes,  were  born  in 
that  State.  He  then  joined  the  great  tide  of  emigration 
to  the  more  enticing  fields  and  genial  climate  of  the 
southern  colonies,  and  settled  in  the  Dobbin  neighbor- 
hood, eight  miles  from  Salisbur}^  Rowan  county,  N.  C. 
Here  he  remained  for  a  few  years,  during  which  time 
his  eldest  son  John,  and  William,  the  immediate  subject 
of  this  sketch,  were  born.  He  then  moved  to  a  tract  of 
land  he  purchased  near  the  junction  of  the  South 
Fork  with  the  main  Catawba  river,  in  Tryon,  (now  Gaston 
county,)  where  three  more  sons  were  born,  Alexander^ 
George  and  Thomas.  This  place  he  made  his  permanent 
abode  during  the  remainder  of  his  life,  surrounded  wdth 
the  greater  portion  of  his  rising  family.  He  attained  a 
good  old  age,  his  wife  surviving  him  a  few  years;  both 
were  consistent  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  and 
are  buried  at  the  old  "  Smith  graveyard,"  near  the  place 
of  his  last  settlement.  Soon  after  the  Revolutionary  war, 
Alexander  McLean,  Jr.,  moved  to  Missouri,  and  George 
IMcLean  to  Tennessee  Thomas  McLean,  the  yourgest 
son,  retained  the  old  homestead,  wdiere,  at  an  advanced 
age,  he  ended  his  earthly  existence.  Although  only 
thirteen  years  old  at  the  time  of  the  battle  of  King's 
Mountain,  he  could  give  a  glowing  account  of  the  heroic 
bravery  which  characterized  that  brilliant  victory  in 
which  many  of  his  neighbors,  under  the  brave  Lieut. 
Col.  Hambrightand  Maj.  Clironicle,  actively  participated- 
.John  McLean,  the  eldest  son,  performed  a  soldier's  duty 
on  several  occasions  during  the  war.  Upon  the  call  of 
troops  from  Xorth  Carolina  for  the  defence  of  Charleston, 
he  attached  himself  to  Col.  Graham's  regiment,  under 
Gen.  Rutherford,  and  was  there  captured.  Immediately 
after  being    exchanged,  he  returned  to  North  Carolina 


SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  287 

and  joined  the  command  of  Capt.  Adlai  Osborne,  and 
about  three  month's  afterward  was  killed  in  a  skirmish 
at  Buford's  Bridge,  S.  C. 

After  the  removal  of  Alexander  McLean  to  his  final 
settlement  on  the  south  fork  of  the  Catawba,  as  pre- 
viously stated,  William  assisted  him  on  the  farm,  and 
when  a  favorable  opportunity  offered,  went  to  school  in 
the  neighborhood,  acquiring  as  good  an  education  as  the- 
facilities  of  the  countr3''then  afforded.  Ilis  instructor  for 
the  last  three  months  in  this  early  training  was  a  Mr. 
Bl3^the,  who,  noticing  his  rapid  advancement  in  learn- 
ing, and  capacity  for  more  extended  usefulness,  advised 
him  to  go  to  Queen's  Museum,  in  Charlotte.  This  insti- 
tution was  then  in  high  repute  under  the  able  manage- 
ment of  Dr.  Alexander  and  Rev.  Alexander  McWhorter,. 
a  distinguished  Presbyterian  clergyman  from  New  Jersey. 

Dr.  McLean  complied  with  the  advice  of  his  instruc- 
tor, and  became  a  pupil  of  Queen's  Museum.  In  this 
venerated  institution,  shedding  abroad  its  enlightening 
influence  on  Western  North  Carolina,  many  of  the  lead- 
ing patriots  of  the  Revolution  acquired  their  principal 
educational  training.  Its  president.  Dr.  McWhorter,  was 
not  only  an  eminent  preacher  of  the  gospel,  but  was  also 
an  ardent  patriot,  and  never  failed,  on  suitable  occasions, 
to  discuss  the  politics  of  the  day,  and  instil  into  the  minds 
of  his  youthful  pupils  the  essential  principles  of  civil  and 
religious  liberty.  His  sentiments  in  this  respect  were  so 
generally  kno\\n,  that  it  is  said  Cornwallis  previous  to 
his  entrance  into  Charlotte  in  1780,  was  extremely 
anxious  to  c7ifold  him  in  his  embraces.  Dr.  McLean  re- 
mained in  this  institution  of  learning  about  two  years 
and  then  returned  home.  Having  made  up  his  mind  to 
become  a  physician  during  his  collegiate  course,  he  gath- 
ered all  the  medical  books  he  could  procure  at  that  pe- 
riod, and  diligently  devoted  his  time  to  their  study.  In 
this  stage  of  his  early  preparation  for  future  usefulness,. 


288  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

Dr.  Joseph  Blytlie,  a  distinauished  surgeon  in  the  Conti- 
nental Army,  wrote  to  him  in  terms  of  warmest  friend- 
ship, and  offered  him  the  position  of  "surgeon's  mate." 
This  offer  he  accepted,  repaired  to  Charlottte,  and  they 
both  marched  with  the  army  to  James  Island ,  near  Charles- 
ton. In  this  immediate  vicinity  at  Stono  (the  narrow  river 
or  inlet,  which  separates  John's  Island  from  the  main 
land)  a  severe  but  indecisive  battle  had  been  fought  be- 
tween a  detachment  of  General  Lincoln's  army  and  the 
British,  under  General  Prevost,  in  June,  1779.  At  the 
time  of  Dr.  McLean's  arrival  at  James  Island,  many  sol- 
diers were  sick  with  the  pestilental  "camp  fever"  of  that 
sultry  climate,  or  were  suffering  from  the  wounds  of  bat- 
tle at  the  army  hospital.  Some  of  these  sufferers  were 
from  Lincoln  and  Mecklenbura:  counties,  with  whom  he 
was  personally  acquainted.  Under  judicious  medical 
treatment  he  was  pleased  to  see  most  of  them,  in  a  short 
time,  restored  to  health  and  ready  for  the  future  service 
■of  their  country. 

In  the  summer  and  fall  of  1780  Dr.  McLean  was  con- 
stantly with  the  Southern  arm}' watching  the  movements 
■of  Ferguson  in  the  upper  Tory  settlements  of  South  Car- 
olina, previous  to  his  defeat  and  death  at  King's  Moun- 
tain. After  that  battle  he  went  to  Charlotte  to  wait  on 
the  sick  and  the  wounded  at  that  place. 

In  1781  he  was  with  General  Greene's  army,  near 
Camden,  and  at  other  military  encampments  recjuiring 
his  services.  In  all  of  these  responsible  positions  he  con- 
tinued to  faithfully  discharge  the  duties  of  "Surgeon's 
Mate,"  or  Assistant  Surgeon,  until  the  close  of  the  Rev- 
olution. 

Having  completed  his  preparatory  studies  Dr.  Mcljean 
went  to  the  medical  University  of  Pennsylvania  at  Phil- 
adelphia, and  received  from  that  venerable  institution 
his  diploma  in  1787.  In  a  short  time  after  his  arrival 
at  home  he  purchased  a  farm  in  the  "  South  Point  " 
neighborhood,   soon  engaged   in  an   extensive  practice 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  289 

frequently  charitable)  and  became  eminent  in  his  pro- 
fession. 

On  the  19th  of  June,  1792,  Dr.  McLean  married  Mar}', 
daughter  of  Major  John  Davidson,  one  of  the  signers  of 
the  Mecklenburg  Declaration  of  Independence.  In  1814 
he  was  elected  to  the  Senate  from  Lincoln  county.  In 
1815  he  delivered  an  address  at  King's  Mountain,  com- 
memorative of  the  battle  at  that  place,  and  caused  to  be 
^erected,  at  his  own  expense,  a  plain  headstone  of  dark 
••sliite  rock,  with  appropriate  inscriptions  on  both  sides. 
The  inscription  on  the  east  side  reads  thus :  Sacred  to 
the  memory  of  Major  William  Chronicle,  Capt,  John 
Mattocks,  William  Eobb  and  John  Boyd,  who  were 
billed  here  on  the  7th  of  October,  1780,  fighting  in  de- 
fence of  America."  The  inscription  on  the  west  side 
reads  thus  :  "  Colonel  Ferguson,  an  officer  belonging  to 
liis  Brittanic  Majesty,  was  here  defeated  and  killed.'' 

Dr.  McLean,  after  a  life  of  protracted  usefulness,  died 
with  peaceful  resignation  on  the  25th  of  October,  1828,  in 
the  seventy-second  year  of  his  age.  Llis  wife  survived 
him  many  years,  being  nearly  ninety-seven  years  old  at 
the  time  of  her  death.  They  were  both  long,  worthy  and 
consistant  members  of  the  Presbyterian  church,  dignified 
their  lives  with  their  professions,  and  are  buried  in 
Bethel  Graveyard,  York  county,  S.  C. 

MAJOR  WILLIAM  CHRONICLE. 

Major  William  Cronicle,  the  soldier  and  martyr  to  the 
cause  of  liberty  at  King's  Mountain,  was  born  in  the 
•south  eastern  part  of  Lincoln  county  (now  Gaston)  about 
1755.  His  mother  was  first  married  to  a  Mr.  McKee  in 
Pennsylvania,  who  afterwards  removed  to  iTorth  Caro- 
lina and  settled  in  Mecklenburg  county.  By  this  mar- 
riage she  had  one  son,  James  McKee,  a  soldier  of  the  rev- 
olution, and  ancestor  of  the  several  families  of  that  name 
19 


290  SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

in  the  neighboehoocl  of  Armstrong's  Ford,  on  the  South 
Fork  of  the  Catawba.  After  McKee's  death,  his  widow 
married  Mr.  Clironicle,  by  whom  she  had  an  only  son^ 
William,  "who  afterward  performed  a  magnanimous  part 
in  defence  of  his  country's  rights.  The  site  of  the  old 
family  mansion  is  still  pointed  out  by  the  oldest  inhabi- 
tants with  feelings  of  lingering  veneration.  "  There,"  they 
will  tell  you,  ''is  the  spot  where  old  Mr.  Chronicle  lived 
and  his  brave  son,  William,  was  brought  up.  "  The  uni- 
versal testimon}^  of  all  who  knew  Major  Chronicle  repre- 
sented him  as  the  constant,never-tiring  advocate  of  liberty^ 
and  as  exerting  a  powerful  inliuence  in  spreading  the  princi- 
ples of  freedom  throughout  the  whole  lower  portion  of  old 
Lincoln  county.  His  jovial  turn  of  mind  and  winning  man- 
ners, by  gaining  the  good  will  of  all,  greatly  assisted  m 
making  successful  his  appeals  to  their  patriotism,  and 
promoting  the  cause  of  liberty  in  which  be  had  so  zeal- 
ously embarked. 

Major  Chronicle's  first  service  was  performed  as  Cap- 
tain of  a  company  at  Purysburg  in  South  Carolina.  Early 
in  the  fiiU  of  1780,  a  regiment  was  raised  in  Lincoln  coun- 
ty, over  which  Col.  William  Graham  was  appointed  Col- 
onel ;  Frederick  Ilambrite,  Lieut.  Colonel,  and  William 
Chronicle,  Major.  It  is  well  known  that  Col.  Graham- 
on  account  of  severe  sickness  in  his  family,  was  not  present 
at  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain.  The  immediate  command 
of  the  regiment,  assisted  by  Col.  Dickson  of  the  county,, 
was  then  gallantly  assumed  by  these  officers,  and  nobly 
did  they  sustain  themselves  by  word  and  example,  iu 
that  ever-memorable  conflict.  Major  Chronicle  was  brave,, 
perhaps  to  a  fault,  energetic  in  his  movements,  self  pos- 
sessed in  danger,  and  deeply  imbued  with  the  spirit  of 
liberty.  His  last  words  of  encouragement  in  leading  a 
spirited  charge  against  the  enemy,  were  "  Come  on  my 
boj^s,  never  let  it  be  said  a  Fork  boy  run,  "  alluding  to 
South  Fork,  near   which  stream  most   of  them  resided. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       291 

This  patriotic  appeal  was  not  given  in  vain.  It  nerved 
evey  man  for  the  contest.  Onward  his  brave  boys  steadi- 
ly moved  forward,  Major  Chronicle  in  the  advance,  and 
approached  within  gun-shot  of  the  British  forces.  Just  at 
this  time,  a  few  sharp  shooters  of  the  enemy  discharged 
their  pieces,  and  retreated.  The  brave  Chronicle  fell 
mortally  wounded,  receiving  a  fatal  ball  in  the  breast. 
Almost  at  the  same  time,  Capt.  John  Mattocks  and  Lieu- 
tenants William  Rabb  and  John  Boyd,  also  fell.  Major 
Chronicle  was  only  about  twenty-five  years  old  at  the 
time  of  his  death.  The  late  Capt.  Samuel  Caldwell  and  his 
brother  William,  were  both  in  this  battle.  William  Cald- 
well brought  home  Major  Chronicle's  horse ;  his  sword 
and  spurs  passed  into  the  hands  of  his  half  brother,  James 
McKee,  and  the  venerated  memorials  are  still  in  posses- 
sion of  one  of  his  sons,  who  moved  many  years  ago  to- 
Tennessee. 

CAPTAIN  SAMUEL  MARTIN. 

Captain  Samuel  Martin  was  a  native  of  Ireland,  and 
born  in  the  year  1 732.  When  a  young  man,  he  emigrated 
to  America,  and  first  settled  in  Pennsylvania.  After  re- 
maining a  short  time  in  that  State,  he  joined  the  great 
tide  of  emigration  to  the  southern  colonies.  He  first  en- 
tered the  service  as  a  private  in  Captain  Robert  Alexan- 
der's company,  in  June  1776,  Colonel  Graham's  Remiment,. 
and  marched  to  Fort  McGaughey,  in  Rutherford  county,, 
and  thence  across  the  Blue  Rid^e  Mountains  asiainst  the 
Cherokee  Indians,  who  were  committing  murders  and 
depredations  upon  the  frontier  settlements.  In  January 
1777,  he  attached  himself  to  the  command  of  Captain 
AVilliam  Chronicle,  and  marched  to  the  relief  of  the  post 
of  Ninety  Six,  in  Abbeville  county,  S.  C,  and  after  this 
service  he  returned  to  North  Carolina. 

About  the  1st  of  November,  1779,  his  company  was 


292        SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

ordered  to  Charlotte,  at  that  time  a  place  of  rendezvous 
of  soldiers  for  the  surrounding  counties,  and  while  there 
lie  received  a  special  commission  of  captain,  conferred  on 
him  by  Greneral  Rutherford.  With  his  special  command 
he  marched  with  other  forces  from  Charlotte  by  way  of 
Camden,  to  the  relief  of  Charleston,  and  fell  in  with  Col. 
Hampton,  at  the  Governor's  gate,  near  that  city.  Find- 
ing that  place  completely  invested  by  the  British  army, 
he  remained  but  a  short  time,  and  returned  to  ISTorth 
Carolina  with  Colonel  Grraham's  regiment,  about  the  let 
of  June,  1780. 

Being  informed  on  the  night  of  his  arrival  at  home  that 
the  Tories  were  embodied  in  strong  force  at  Ramsour's 
Mill,  near  the  present  town  of  Lincolnton,  he  immediately 
raised  a  small  company  and  joined  General  Davidson's 
battalion,  General  Rutherford  conmianding,  encamped  at 
Colonel  Dickson's  plantation,  three  miles  northwest  of 
Tuckaseege  ford.  General  Rutherford  broke  up  his  en- 
campment at  that  place,  early  on  the  morning  of  the  20th 
of  June,  1780,  then  sixteen  miles  from  Ramsour's  Mill, 
and  marched  with  his  forces,  expecting  to  unite  with 
Colonel  Locke  in  making  a  joint  attack  upon  the  Tories, 
but  failed  to  reach  the  scene  of  conflict  until  two  hours 
after  the  battle.  The  Tories  had  been  signally  defeated 
and  routed  by  Colonel  Locke  and  his  brave  associates, 
and  about  fifty  made  prisoners,  among  the  number  a 
brother  of  Colonel  Moore,  the  commander  of  the  Tory 
forces. 

Immediately  after  this  battle  he  received  orders  from 
Colonels  Johnston  and  Dickson  to  proceed  with  his  com- 
pany to  Colonel  Moore's  residence,  six  or  seven  miles  west 
of  the  present  town  of  Lincolnton,  and  arrest  that  Tory 
leader,  but  he  had  fled  with  about  thirty  of  his  fol- 
lower's to  Camden,  S.  C,  where  Cornwall's  was  then  en- 
camped. Soon  after  this  service  Captain  Martain  was  or- 
dered to  proceed  with  his  company  to  Rugeley's  JSIill,  in 


SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  295 

Kershaw  county,  S,  C.  Here  Colonel  Rugeley,  the  Toiy 
commander,  had  assembled  a  considerable  force,  and  for- 
tified his  log  barn  and  dwelling  house.  Colonel  Wash- 
ington, by  order  of  General  Morgan,  had  pursued  him. 
with  his  cavalry,  but  having  no  artillery,  he  resorted  to- 
an  ingenious  stratagem  to  capture  the  post  without  bacri- 
ficing  his  own  men.  Accordingly  he  mounted  a  j^ine  log, 
fashioned  as  a  cannon,  elevated  on  its  own  limbs  and. 
placed  it  in  position  to  command  the  houses  in  which  the^ 
Tories  were  lodged.  Colonel  Washington  then  made  a. 
formal  demand  for  immediate  surrender.  (  olonel  Ruo-elej 
fearing  the  destructive  consequences  of  the  formidable 
cannon  bearing  u})on  his  command  in  the  log  barn  and 
dwelling  house,  after  a  stipulation  as  to  terms,  promptly 
surrendered  his  whole  force,  consiating  of  one  hundred 
and  twelve  men,  without  a  gun  being  fired  on  either  side. 
It  was  upon  the  reception  of  the  news  of  this  surrender 
that  Cornwallis  wrote  to  Tarleton,  "Rugeley  will  not  be 
made  a  Brigadier." 

After  this  successful  stratagem,  seldom  ecpialed  durino- 
the  war,  Captain  jMartin  was  ordered  to  march  with 
his  company  in  pursuit  of  Colonel  Cunningham,  (com- 
monly called  "  bloody  Bill  Cunningham")  a  Tory  leader, 
encamped  on  Fishing  creek,  but  he  fied  so  rapidly  he- 
could  not  overtake  him.  During  the  latter  part  of  Auo-ust 
and  the  whole  of  September,  Captain  Martin  was  rarely 
at  home,  and  then  not  remaining  for  more  than  two  daya 
at  a  time.  About  the  last  week  of  September  he  marched 
with  his  company  by  a  circuitous  route,  under  Colonel 
Graham,  to  the  Cowpens.  There  he  united  with  Colonels. 
Campbell,  Shelby,  Sevier,  Cleaveland  and  other  officers  and 
marched  with  them  to  King's  Mountain.  In  this  battle 
Captain  Martin  acted  a  conspicuous  part,  was  in  the 
thickest  of  the  fight,  and  lost  six  of  his  company.  After 
this  battle  he  continued  in  active  scouting  duties  wher- 
ever liis  services  were  needed. 


294  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

When  Cornwallis  marched  through  Lincohi  county  in 
pursuit  of  General  Morgan,  encumhered  with  upwards  of 
■five  hundred  prisoners,  captured  at  the  Cowpens,  he  was 
ordered  to  harass  his  advance  as  much  as  possible.  A 
short  time  after  Cornwallis  crossed  the  Catawba  at 
Cowan's  Ford,  he  marched  as  far  as  Salisbury,  when  he 
-was  ordered  by  Colonel  Dickson  to  convey  some  prisoners 
to  Charlotte.  Having  performed  this  service,  he  proceeded 
to  Guilford  Court  house,  but  did  not  reach  that  place 
until  after  the  battle.  He  then  returned  home,  and  was 
Boon  after  discharged. 

In  October  1833,  Captain  Martin,  when  one  hundred  and 
one  years  old,  was  granted  a  pension  by  the  general  gov- 
ernment. He  was  a  worthy  and  consistent  member  of 
the  Associate  Reformed  Church,  and  died  on  the  26th  of 
]^ovember,  1836,  aged  one  hundred  and  four  years!  He 
married  in  Ireland,  Margaret  McCurdy,  who  also  at- 
tained an  extreme  old  age,  and  both  are  huried  in  Goshen 
grave  yard,  in  Gaston  county. 

CAPTAIN  SAMUEL  CALDWELL. 

Samuel  Caldwell  was  born  in  Orange  County,  IST.  C,  on 
the  10th  of  February,  1759,  and  moved  to  Tryon  county, 
afterward  Lincoln,  in  1772.  He  lirst  entered  the  service 
in  Captain  Gowen's  comimny  in  1776,  and  marched 
against  the  Cherokee  Indians  beyond  the  mountains.  In 
1779,  he  volunteered  in  Captain  William  Chronicle's 
company)  in  the  "nine  months  service,"  and  joined  Gen- 
eral Lincoln's  ni-my  at  Purysburg,  S.  C.  In  March,  1780, 
lie  joined  Captain  Isaac  White's  company,  and  marched 
to  King's  Mountain.  In  the  battle  which  immediately 
followed,  he  and  his  brother,  William  actively  partici- 
pated. Shortly  alter  this  celebrated  victory,  he  attached 
himself  to  Captain  Montgomery's  compan}^  and  w\as  in 
the  hattle  of  the  Cowpens,  fought  on  the  17th  of  January, 
1781.     Soon  afterward  he  marched  to   Guilford,  and  was 


SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  295 

in  the  battle  fought  there  on  the  15th  of  March,  1 781.  In 
the  following  fall,  he  substituted  for  Clement  Nance,  in 
Captain  Lemmonds  cavalry  company  in  the  regiment  com- 
manded by  Col.  Robert  Smith  and  Major  Joseph  Graham. 

At  the  Raft  Swamp,  they  attacked  and  signally  de- 
feated a  large  body  of  Tories ;  and  in  two  days  afterward 
defeated  a  band  of  Tories  on  Alfred  Moore's  plantation  op- 
posite Wilmington.  On  the  next  day,  the  same  troops 
made  a  vigorous  attack  on  the  garrison,  near  the  same 
place.  After  this  service,  he  returned  home  and  was 
frequently  engaged  in  other  minor  but  important  military 
duties  until  the  close  of  the  war. 

After  the  war.  Captain  Caldwell  settled  on  a  farm  three 
miles  southwest  of  Tuckaseege  Ford  where  he  raised  a 
large  family.  He  was  a  kind  and  obliging  neighbor,  at- 
tained a  good  old  age,  and  is  buried  in  the  graveyard  of 
■Goshen  church,  Gaston  county  'N.  C. 

CAPTAIN  JOHN  MATTOCKS. 

Captain  John  Mattocks  was  one  of  the  brave  soldiers 
who  :^11  at  King's  Mountain.  He  belonged  to  a  fximilj- 
who  resided  a  few  miles  below  Armstrong's jFord,  on  the 
south  fork  of  the  Catavv^'ba  river^at  what  is  now  known  as  the 
^'  Alison  old  place."  There  were  three  brothers  and  two 
sisters,  Sallie  and  Barbara.  The  whole  family,  men  and 
women,  had  the  reputation  of  being  "  uncommonly  stout. '' 
John  and  Charles  Mattocks  were  staunch  Whigs,  eve  r 
ready  to  engage  in  any  enterprise  in  defence  of  the  free- 
dom of  their  country,  but  Edward  ]\fattocks  (commonly 
called  Ned  Mattocks)  was  a  Tor3^  All  of  the  brothers 
were  at  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain,  in  which  Captain 
Charles  Mattocks  was  killed  early  in  the  action  when 
pressing  forward  with  undaunted  courage  against  the 
■enemy.  Among  the  severely  wounded,  was  jSTed  Mat- 
tocks, the  Tory  brother.  After  the  battle  and  signal 
•victory,  Charles  Mattocks,  fearing  his   brother  might  be 


296  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

hung  with  some  others  who  suiFered  this  penalty  on  the- 
next  day,  kindly  interceded  in  his  behalf,  took  him  home 
and  nursed  him  carfully  until  he  recovered  of  his  wound. 
It  is  said,  this  extraction  of  blood  so  effectually  performed 
by  someone  of  the  gallant  Whigs  on  that  occasion,  com- 
pletely cured  Ned  Mattocks  of  Toryism  and  caused  him 
never  afterward  to  unite  with  the  enemies  of  his  country. 

The  -whole  surviving  family  a  few  years  after  the  war 
moved  to  Georgia,  where  they  have  descendants  at  the 
present  time. 

Major  Chronicle,  Captain  Mattocks,  William  Rabb  and 
John  Boyd,  all  from  the  same  South  Fork  neighborhood, 
are  buried  in  a  common  grave  at  the  foot  of  the  mountain, 

A  plain  head-stone  of  dark  slate  rock,  commemorates 
the  hallowed  spot  with  the  following  inscription  : 

"  Sacred    to   the   memory    of 

MAJOR  WILLIAM  CHRONICLE, 
CAPTAIN  JOHN  MATTOCKS, 
WILLIAM  RABB, 
JOHN  BOYD, 

Who  were  killed  here  fighting  in  defence  of  America^ 
On  the  7th  of  October,  1780. 

Many  fragmentary  but  interesting  incidents  connected 
\viththe  battle  of  King's  Mountain  have  come  dowai  to  our 
own  time  and  unfortunately,  many  others  have  been  buried 
in  oblivion.  The  following  incident  w^as  related  to  the 
author  by  a  grandson  of  a  brave  soldier  in  that  battle. 
Moses  and  James  Henry  both  actively  participated  i» 
that  hotly  contested  engagement. 

A  few  days  after  the  battle,  as  James  Henry  was  pass- 
ing through  the  woods  near  the  scene  of  conflict,  he  found 
a  very  fine  horse,  handsomely  equipped  with  an  elegant 
saddle,  the  reins  of  the  bridle  being  broken.     The    horse 


SKETCHES  OF    WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA,  297' 

and  equipments  were,  as  lie  supposed,  the  property  of  an 
oiScer.  He  took  the  horse  home  with  him,  considerably 
elated  with  his  good  luck  ;  but  his  mother  met  him  at 
the  gate,  and  immediately  inquired  whose  horse  it  was 
he  had  in  charge,  he  replied,  he  supposed  it  belonged  to 
some  British  officer,  "James,"  said  the  mother,  "  turn  it 
loose  and  drive  it  off  from  the  place,  for  I  will  not  have 
the  hands  of  my  household  stained  with  British  plunder." 

The  incident  illustrates  the  noble  Christian  spirit  which 
actuated  our  good  mothers  of  the  Revolutionar}'-    period. 

The  other  brother,  Moses  Henry,  evinced  great  bravery 
in  the  same  engagement,  and  was  mortally  wounded.  He- 
was  taken  to  the  hospital  in  Charlotte,  and  was  atten- 
tively waited  upon  by  Dr.  William  McLean  until  he 
died.  His  widow,  with  several  others  under  similar 
bereavement,  was  granted  a  liberal  allowance  by  the- 
county  court  of  Lincoln.  Moses  Henry  is  the  grandfather 
of  Col.  Moses  Henry  Hand,  a  worthy  citizen  of  Gaston 
county,  IsT.  C. 

WILLIAM  RANKIN. 

William  Rankin  was  born  in  Pennsylvania,  on  the  10th 
of  January,  1761,  and  at  an  early  age  joined  the  tide  of 
emigration  to  the  Southern  States,  and  settled  in  "  Try  on," 
afterward  Lincoln  county,  K-  C. 

He  first  entered  the  service  as  a  private  in  Captain 
Robert  Alexander's  company,  Colonel  William  Graham's- 
regiment,  and  marched  to  Montfort's  Cove  against  the 
Cherokee  Indians.  In  1779  he  volunteered  under  the 
same  officer,  and  marched  by  way  of  Charlotte  and  Cam- 
den to  the  relief  of  Charleston,  but  finding  the  city  com- 
pletely invested  by  the  British  army,  the  regiment  re- 
turned to  Korth  Carolina.  In  1780,  he  again  volunteered 
under  Major  Dickson,  and  marched  against  Col.  Floyd,  a 
Tory  leader  of  upper  South  Carolina.     After  this  service- 


298  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

he  returned  home,  and  soon  afterward  marched  under  the 
same  officer,  General  Rutherford  commanding,  to  Ram. 
sour's  Mill,  where  a  large  body  of  Tories  had  assembled 
under  Colonel  John  Moore.  The  forces  under  General 
Rutherford  were  encamped  on  Colonel  Dickson's  planta- 
tation,  three  miles  north-west  of  Tuckaseege  Ford,  and 
about  sixteen  miles  from  Ramsour's.  Early  on  the  morn- 
ing of  the  20th  of  June,  1780,  they  broke  up  camp  and 
moved  forward,  but  did  not  reach  the  battle-field  until 
two  hours  after  the  action  had  taken  place,  and  the  Tories 
defeated  by  Colonel  Locke  and  his  brave  associates,  with 
a  force  greatly  inferior  to  that  of  the  enem}'.  Imme- 
diately after  this  battle,  he  substituted  for  Henry  E. 
Locke,  in  Captain  William  Armstrong's  company, 
marched  to  Park's  Mill,  near  Charlotte,  and  thence  to 
General  Rutherford's  army,  encamped  at  Phifer's  planta- 
tion. 

The  Tories  having  assembled  a  considerable  force  at 
Coulson's  Mill,  General  Davidson  with  a  detachment  of 
troops  vigorously  attacked  them,  in  which  skirmish  he 
(Davidson)  was  severely  wounded,  detaining  him  from  the 
service  about  two  months.  Soon  afterward  he  marched  with 
General  Rutherford's  command  to  Camden  and  participa- 
ted in  the  unfortunate  battle  at  that  place  on  the  16th  of 
August,  1780.  While  the  British  army  were  in  Charlotte 
he  served  under  Captain  Forney  and  Major  Dickson, 
watching  the  movements  of  the  enemy.  Shortly  after- 
ward he  volunteered  under  Captain  James  Little,  marched 
to  Rocky  Mount,  and  thence  to  the  Eutaw  Springs.  In 
this  battle,  one  of  the  most  severely  contested  during  the 
Revolution,  his  company  was  placed  under  the  command 
of  Colonel  Malmedy,  a  Frenchman,  Soon  after  his  return 
home  he  was  placed  in  charge  of  a  considerable  number 
of  prisoners,  and  in  obedience  to  orders,  conveyed  them  to 
Salisbury.  Here  he  remained  until  his  time  of  service 
expired,  and  then  received  his  discharge  from  Colonel 
Locke. 


SKETCHES  OP   WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  299 

Williarri  Rankin  attained  the  good  ©Id  age  of  nearly 
ninety-three,  and  was  at  the  time  of  his  death  the  last 
surviving  soldier  of  the  Revolution  in  Gaston  county. 
He  married  Mary  Moore,  a  sister  of  General  John  Moore, 
also  a  soldier  of  the  Revolution.  His  wife  preceded  him 
several  years  to  the  tomb. 

His  son,  Colonel  Richard  Rankin,  is  now  (1876)  living 
at  the  old  homestead,  having  passed  "  his  three  score 
years  and  ten."  He  served  several  times  in  the  State 
Legislature,  is  an  industrious  farmer  and  worthy  citizen 
of  Gaston  county. 

GEN.  JOHN   MOORE. 

General  John  Moore  was  born  in  Lincoln  county,  when 
a  partof  Ansou,  in  1759.  His  fiither,  William  Moore, 
of  Scotch-Irish  descent,  was  one  of  the  first  settlers  of  the 
county  and  a  prominent  member  of  society.  He  had  four 
sons,  James,  William,  John  and  Alexander,  who,  inherit- 
ing the  liberty-loving  principles  of  that  period,  were  all 
true  patriots  in  the  Revolutionary  war. 

John  Moore  performed  a  soldier's  duty  on  several  oc- 
casions and  was  one  of  the  guards  stationed  atTuckaseege 
Ford,  watching  the  movements  of  Lord  Cornwallis  after 
his  entrance  into  Lincoln  county.  He  also  acted  for  a 
considerable  length  of  time  as  Commissary  to  the  army. 
General  Moore  married  a  sister  of  General  John  Adair,  of 
Kentucky,  by  whom  he  had  many  children.  Several 
3'ears  after  her  death,  he  married  Mary  Scott,  widow  of 
James  Scott,  and  daughter  of  Captain  Robert  Alexander? 
by  whom  he  had  two  children,  Lee  Alexander  and  Eliza- 
l)eth  Moore.  He  was  a  member  of  the  House  of  Com- 
mons as  early  as  1788,  and  served  for  many  years  subse- 
quently with  great  fidelity  and  to  the  general  acceptance 
of  his  constituents. 

To  remove  a  false  impression,  sometimes  entertained  by 


300       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

persons  little  conversant  with  our  Revolutionary  history, 
it  should  be  here  stated  that  General  John  Moore  was  in 
no  way  related  to  the  Colonel  John  Ifoore,  (son  of  Moses 
Moore),  who  lived  about  seven  miles  west  of  Lincolton, 
and  commanded  the  Tory  forces  in  the  battle  of  Ram- 
sour's  Mill. 

General  Moore,  after  a  life  of  protracted  usefulness, 
died  in  1836,  with  Christian  resignation,  aged  about  sev- 
enty-seven years,  and  lies  buried  near  several  of  his  kin- 
dred in  Goshen  graveyard,  Gaston  county,  iN".  C. 

ELISHA  WITHERS. 

Elisha  Withers  was  born  in  Stafford  county,.  Va.,  on 
the  10th  of  August,  1762.  His  first  service  in  the  Revo- 
lutionary war  was  in  1780,  acting  for  twelve  months  as 
Commissary  in  furnishing  provisions  for  the  soldiers 
stationed  at  Captain  Robert  Alexander's,  near  the  Tuck- 
aseege  Ford  on  the  Catawba  river,  their  place  of  rendez- 
vous. After  this  service,  he  was  drafted  and  served  a 
tour  of  three  months  under  Captain  Thomas  Loftin  and 
Lieut,  Robert  Shannon,  and  marched  from  Lincoln  county 
to  Guilford  Court-house  under  Colonels  Locke  and  Hunt. 
His  time  having  expired  shortly  before  the  battle,  he  re- 
turned home. 

He  again  served  another  tour,  commencing  in  August, 
1781,  as  a  substitute  for  James  Withers,  under  Captain 
James  Little,  at  the  Eutaw  Springs,  where  he  was  de- 
tailed with  a  few  others,  to  guard  the  baggage  wagons 
during  the  battle.  He  again  volunteered  under  Caj^tain 
Thomas  Loftin  and  Lieut.  Thomas  McGee  and  was  active- 
ly engaged  in  the  "horse  service,"  in  several  scouting  ex- 
peditions until  the  close  of  the  war. 

After  the  war,  he  was  for  a  long  time  known  as  "old 
Constable  Withers,"  was  highly  respected,  and  died  at  a 
good  old  age. 


CHAPTER  YIL 


CLEAVELAND  COUNTY. 

Cleaveland  county  was  formed  in  1841,  from  Lincoln 
iind  Rutherford  counties  and  derives  its  name  from  Col. 
Benjamin  Cleaveland,  of  Wilkes  county,  who,  with  a  de- 
tachment of  men  from  that  county  and  Surry,  under  the 
commands  of  himself,  and  Major  Joseph  Winston,  per- 
formed a  magnanimous  part  in  the  battle  of  King's 
Mountain.  Shelby,  the  capital  of  this  county,  derives  its 
name  from  from  Col.  Isaac  Shelby,  a  sketch  of  whose  ser- 
vices with  those  of  Colonels  Campbell,  Graham,  Ham- 
bright  and  Williams  will  appear  in  the  present  chapter. 

BATTLE  OF  KING's  MOUNTAIN. 

"O'er  the  proud  heads  of  free  men,  our  star  banner  waves  ; 
Men  tirm  as  their  mountains,  and  still  as  their  graves, 
To-morrovf  shall  pour  out  their  life-blood  like  rain  ; 
We  come  back  in  triumph,  or  come  not  again." 

After  the  defeat  of  General  Gates  at  Camden,  on  the 
IGtli  of  August,  1780,  and  the  surprise  and  defeat  of  Gen. 
Sumter,  two*  days  after  at  Fishing  Creek,  by  Col.  Tarleton, 
the  South  was  almost  entirely  abandoned  to  the  enemy. 
It  was  one  of  the  darkest  periods  of  our  Revolutionary 
history.  While  Cornwallis  remained  at  Camden,  he  was 
busily  employed  in  sending  oif  his  prisoners  to  Charles- 
ton and  Orangeburg  ;  in  ascertaining  the  condition  of  his 
distant  posts  at  ninety-six  and  Augusta,  and  in  estab- 
lishing civil  government  in  South  Carolina.  Yet  his  suc- 
cess did  not  impair  his  vigilance   in   concerting  measures 


302  SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

for  its  continuance.  West  of  the  Catawba  river,  were 
bands  of  active  Whigs,  and  parties  of  those  who  were  de- 
feated at  Camden,  were  harrassing  their  enemies  and  de- 
fending on  every  available  occasion,  the  suffering  inhabi- 
tants of  the  upper  country.  Cornwallis,  becoming  ap- 
prised of  this  rebellious  spirit  of  upper  Carolina,  detached 
Col.  Patrick  Ferguson,  one  of  his  most  favorite  oiiicers,. 
with  one  hundred  and  ten  regulars  and  about  the  same 
number  of  Tories,  under  captain  Depeyster,  a  loyalist, 
with  an  ample  supply  of  arms  and  other  military  stores. 
He  was  ordered  to  embody  the  loyalists  beyond  the  Ca- 
tawba (or  Wateree  as  the  same  river  is  called  opposite 
Camden)  and  the  Broad  rivers  ;  intercept  the  "mountain 
men",  who  were  retreating  from  Camden,  and  also,  the 
Americans  under  Col.  Clarke,  of  Georgia,  falling  back 
from  an  unsuccessful  attack  upon  Augusta.  Ferguson's 
special  orders  were  to  crush  the  spirit  of  rebellion  still 
too  rife  and  menacing  ;  and  after  scouring  the  upper  part 
of  South  Carolina,  toward  the  mountains  of  ISTorth  Caro- 
lina, to  join  his  Lordship  at  Charlotte.  He  at  first  made 
rapid  marches  to  overtake  the  mountain  men — the 
"Hornets,"'  from  the  "Switzerland  of  America,"  and  cut 
off  Col.  Clarke's  forces.  Failing  in  this,  he  afterward 
moved  more  slowly  and  frequently  halted  to  collect  all 
the  Tories  he  could  pursuade  to  join  him.  He  crossed 
Broad  river,  ravaging  the  country  through  which  he 
marched.  About  the  last  of  September  he  encamped  at 
Gilberttown,  near  the  present  town  of  Rutherfordton.  In 
his  march  to  this  point,  his  force  increased  to  upwards  of 
one  thousand  men.  All  of  his  Tory  recruits  were  fur- 
nished with  arras,  most  of  them  with  rifles,  and  a  smaller 
portion  with  muskets,  to  the  muzzles  of  which  the}'  fixed 
the  large  knives  they  usually  carried  with  them  to  be 
used  as  bayonets,  if  occasion  should  require. 

Although  Ferguson  failed  to  overtake  the  detachment 
of  "  mountain  men,"  previously  alluded  to,  he  took  two  of 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  30S 

them  prisoners  who  had  become  separated  from  their 
command.  These  he  |)aroled  and  sent  off",  enjoining  them 
to  tell  the  officers  on  the  western  waters  that  if  they  did 
not  desist  from  their  opposition  to  the  British  arms,  and 
take  protection  under  the  royal  standard,  he  would  march 
his  army  over  the  mountains  and  lay  waste  their  country 
with  fire  and  sword.  This  was  no  idle  threat,  and  its  ex- 
ecution would  have  been  attempted  had  not  a  brief  stay 
in  Gilberttown  satisfied  him  from  the  reports  of  his  spies 
that  a  storm  of  patriotic  indignation  was  brewing  among 
and  beyond  the  mountains  that  was  destined  soon  to  de- 
scend in  all  its  fury  upon  his  own  army.  He  knew  that 
most  of  the  inhabitants  were  of  Scotch-Irish  and  Huguenot 
descent,  mingled  with  many  Germans,  whose  long  resi- 
dence in  the  wilds  of  America  had  greatly  tended  to  in- 
crease their  love  of  liberty. 

As  soon  as  General  McDowell  heard  that  Gates  was 
defeated,  he  broke  up  his  camp  at  Smith's  Ford  on  Broad. 
River,  and  passed  beyond  the  mountains,  accompanied  by 
a  few  of  his  unyielding  patriots.  While  there  in  consul- 
tation with  Colonels  Sevier  and  Shelby  as  to  the  best 
means  for  raising  troops  and  repelling  the  invaders,  the 
two  paroled  men  arrived  and  delivered  the  message  from 
Ferguson-  It  produced  no  terrific  eftects  on  the  minds  of 
these  well-tried  officers,  but  on  the  contrary  tended  to 
stimulate  and  quicken  their  patriotic  exertions.  It  was 
soon  decided  that  each  one  should  use  his  best  efiibrts  to 
raise  all  the  men  that  could  be  enlisted,  and  that  these 
forces  should  assemble  at  the  Sycamore  Shoals  of  the 
Watauga  river,  on  the  25th  of  September.  The  plans  for 
raising  a  sufficient  number  of  men  to  accomplish  their 
purpose  were  speedily  devised  and  carried  into  execution. 
To  Col.  Sevier  was  assigned  the  duty  of  communicating 
with  Col.  McDowell  and  other  officers  in  voluntary  exile 
beyond  the  mnuutains.  To  Col.  Shelby  was  assigned  a 
similar  duty  of  writing  to  Col.  Compbell  of  the  adjoining^ 


304      SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

county  of  Washington,  in  Virginia.  Among  the  refugees 
TDeyond  the  mountains  was  Col.  Clarke,  of  Georgia,  with 
about  one  hundred  of  his  overpowered  but  not  subdued 
men.  Their  story  of  the  sufferings  endured  by  the  Whig 
inhabitants  of  upper  South  Carolina  and  Georgia  served 
to  arouse  and  intensify  the  state  of  patriotic  feeling 
among  the  hardy  sons  of  Western  !N"orth  Carolina. 

The  enlisted  troops  assembled  at  the  Sycamore  Shoals, 
marched  from  that  place  on  the  26th  of  September.  They 
were  all  mounted,  and  unemcumbered  with  baggage  ex- 
pecting to  support  themselves  partly  by  their  trusty  rifles 
from  the  game  of  the  forest,  as  they  progressed  and  part- 
ly by  compelling  the  Tories  to  minister  to  their  wants. 
The  assembled  forces  placed  under  marching  orders,  were 
us  follows  :  From  Washington  county,  Va.,  under  Col. 
William  Campbell,  four  hundred  men.  From  Sullivan 
county,  N.  C.  (now  in  Tennessee)  under  Col.  Isaac  Shelby, 
two  hundred  and  forty  men.  From  Washington  county, 
K.  C.  (now  in  Tennessee)  under  Col  John  Sevier,  two  hun- 
dred and  forty  men.  From  Burke  and  Rutherford  coun- 
ties, N.  C,  under  Col.  Charles  McDowell,  one  hundred 
und  sixty  men.  On  the  second  day's  march,  two  of  their 
men  deserted,  and  went  ahead  to  the  enemy.  It  is  proba- 
ble their  report  of  the  Whig  strength  accelerated  Fergu- 
son's retreating  movements.  On  the  30th  of  September, 
they  crossed  the  mountains  and  were  joined  at  the  head 
oftheCatawbariverby  Col.  Benjamin  Cleaveland  and  Ma- 
jor Joseph  Winston,  with  three  hundred  and  fifty  men  from 
Wilkes  and  Surry  counties.  Upon  the  junction  of  these 
forces,  the  officers  held  a  council  and  as  they  were  all  of 
■equal  grade,  it  was  agreed  that  a  messenger  be  dispatched 
immediately  to  head-quarters,  supposed  to  be  between 
Charlotte  and  Salisbury  to  get  General  Sumner  or  Gen. 
Davidson  to  assume  the  chief  command.  They  were 
now  in  Col  Charles  McDowell's  military  district,  and 
being  the  senior  officer,  the  chief  command  properly  de- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       305 

volved  upon  him,  unless  his  right,  for  the  present,  should 
be  waived,  and  by  agreement,  turned  over  to  another. 
Col.  Shelby  proposed,  mainly  through  courtesy,  that  Col. 
William  Campbell,  who  had  met  them  with  the  largest 
rigiment  from  a  sister  State,  should  assume  the  chief 
command  until  the  arrival  of  some  superior  officer.  This 
proposition  was  readily  assented  to,  and  Col.  Charles 
.McDowell  volunteered  his  services  to  proceed  to  head- 
quarters, and  requested  his  brother,  Major  Joseph  Mc- 
Dowell, to  take  command  of  his'regiment  until  his  return. 

On  the  4th  of  October  the  riflemen — the  "  mountain 
boys," — advanced  toGilberfctown,  unwilling  thatFergu- 
son  should  be  at  the  trouble  to  "  cross  the  mountains  and 
hang  their  leaders,"  as  boastfully  promulgated  only  a  few 
days  before. 

Ferguson's  abrupt  departure  and  retrograde  move- 
ment from  Gilberttown,  like  that  of  Cornwallis  from 
Charlotte  two  weeks  later,  clearly  betrayed  his  apprehen- 
sions of  formidable  opposition  by  the  enraged  "  hornets" 
of  the  mountains.  Pursuit  \\*as  immediately  determined 
upon,  and, the  AYhig  forces  reached  the  celebrated  Cow- 
pens  on  the  6th  of  October,  where  they  Avere  joined  by 
Col.  James  D.  Williams,  of  South  Carolina,  with  nearly 
four  hundred  men,  and  about  sixty  men  from  Lincoln 
county,  under  Lieut.  Colonel  Ilambright.  (Col.  William 
Graham,  of  the  same  regiment,  on  account  of  severe 
sickness  in  his  family,  was  not  in  the  battle  fought  on 
the  next  day.)  It  is  alsp  known  a  company  v\'as  raised 
under  Capt.  Shannon,  from  the  same  county,  but  failed 
to  reach  the  battle-ground  in  time  for  the  engagement. 

On  the  evening  of  the  6th  of  October  the  Colonels  in 
council  unanimously  resolved  that  they  would  select  all 
the  men  and  horses  fit  for  service,  and  immediately 
pursue  Ferguson  until  they  should  overtake  him,  leaving 
the  remaining  troops  to  follow  after  them  as  fast  as  pos 
sible.  Accordingly,  nine  hundred  and  ten  man  a 
20 


306  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA, 

mounted  infantry,  were  selected,  who  set  out  about  eight 
o'clock  on  the  same  evening  and  marched  all   night,  ta- 
king Fergusons  trail  toward  Deer's  Ferry,  on  Broad  river- 
IN'ight  coming  on,  and  it  being  very  dark,  they  got  out  of 
the  right  way,  and  for  some  time  were  lost,  but   before 
daylight  the}'-   nearly   reached  the   ferry.     The   officers 
thinking  it  probable  that  the  enemy  might  be  in  posses- 
sion of  the  eastern  bank  of  the  river,  directed  the  pilot  to 
lead  them  to  the  Cherokee  ford,  about  one  mile    and  a 
half  below.     It  was  on  the  morning  of  the  7th  of  October, 
before  sunrise,  when  they  crossed  the  river  and  marched 
about  two  miles  to   the   place  where   Ferguson  had  en- 
camped on  the  night  of  the   5th.     There   the}'-  halted  a 
short  time  and  took  such  breakfast  as  their  wallets  and 
saddlebags    would  afford.     Every   hour   the  trail  of  the 
enemy  l)ecame  more  clearly   visible,    which    served    to 
quicken  their  movements  and  exhilarate  their  patriotic 
spirits.     About  the  time  they  marched  from  the  Cowpens 
they  were  informed  a  party  of  four  or  five  hundred  Tories 
were  assembled  at  Major  Gibbs,   about  four  miles  to  the 
right ;  these  they  did  not  turn  aside  to  attack.     The  rifle- 
men from  the  mountains  had  turned  out  to  catch  Ferguson. 
This  was  their  rallying  cry  from   the  day  they   left  the 
Sycamore  Shoals,  on  the  Watauga,  to  the  present  oppor- 
tune moment  for  accomplishing  their  patriotic  purpose. 
For  the  last  thirty  six  hours  they  had  alighted  from  their 
horses  but  once  at  the  Cowpens  for   one  hour's  rest  and 
refresliment.     As  soon  as  their  humble  repast  was  finished 
on  the  morning  of  the   7th,   at   Ferguson's  encampment, 
on  the  5th  just  alluded  to,  the  riflemen    resumed    their 
eager  march.     The  day  was   showery,    which  compelled 
them  to  use  their  blankets  and  overcoats  to  prevent  their 
arms  from  getting  wet. 

After  marching  about  ten  miles,  the  riflemen  met  a 
3^oung  man  named  John  Fonderin,  riding  in  great  haste 
from  Ferguson's  camp,  then  scarcely  three  miles  distant 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  307 

Col.  Hambright  being  acquainted  with  him  and  knowing 
that  he  had  relatives  in  the  enemy's  camp,  caused  him 
to  be  arrested.  Upon  searching  his  person,  he  was  found 
to  have  a  fresh  dispatch  from  Furguson  to  Cornwallis, 
then  at  Charlotte,  in  which  he  manifested  great  anxiety 
sxs  to  his  situation  and  earnes*tly  solicited  aid.  The  con- 
tents of  the  dispatch  wa^  read  to  the  privates,  without 
stating  Ferguson's  superior  strenght  to  discourage  them. 
€ol.  Hambright  then  interrogated  the  young  man  as  to 
Ferguson's  uniform.  He  replied  by  saying,  "Ferguson 
was  the  best  uniformed  man  on  the  hill,  but  they  would 
not  see  his  uniform  as  he  wore  a  checked  shirt  (duster) 
over  it."  Col.  Hambright  immediately  called  the  atten- 
tion of  his  men  to  this  distinguishing  feature  of  Furgu- 
sons  dress.  "  Well  i^oys,  says  he,  in  broken  German, 
sullen  you  see  that  man  mit  a  ing  shirt  on  over  his  clothes  you 
may  know  loho  him  is^  Accordingly  after  the  battle,  his 
body  was  found  among  the  dead,  wearing  the  checked 
shirt,  now  crimsoned  with  blood  and  pierced  with  nu- 
merous balls.  After  a  brief  consultation  of  the  chief  of- 
ficers upon  horseback,  the  plan  of  attack  was  quickl}^  ar- 
ranged. Several  persons  present  were  well  acquainted 
with  the  ground  upon  which  the  enemy  was  encamped. 
Orders  were  promptly  given  and  as  promptly  obeyed. 
The  Whig  forces  moved  forward  over  King's  Creek,  and 
up  a  ravine,  and  between  two  rocky  knobs,  when  soon 
the  enemy's  camp  was  seen  about  one  hundred  poles  in 
front.  Furguson,  aware  that  he  was  hotly  pursued  by  a 
band  of  patriots  of  determined  bravery,  had  chosen  this 
mountain  elevation  as  one  from  which  he  boastingly 
proclaimed  he  could  not  be  driven.  '^^^ 

Tt  was  about  3  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  when  the 
Whig  forces  reached  the  battle  ground.  The  rain  had 
ceased,  the  clouds  had  nearly  passed  away,  the  sun  now 
shone  brightly,  and  nature  seemed  to  smile  propitiously 
upon  the  sanguinary  conflict  soon  to  take  place.     On  the 


308       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

march,  the  following  disposition  was  made  of  the  Whig 
forces. 

The  central  column  was  commanded  by  Colonels 
Campbell  and  Shelby  ;  the  right,  by  Colonel  Sevier  and 
Major  McDowell ;  and  the  left  by  Colonels  Cleaveland 
and  Williams.  In  this  order  the  Whig  forces  advanced 
and  came  within  a  quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  enemy  before 
they  were  discovered.  Colonels  Campbell's  and  Shelby's 
regiments  commenced  the  attack,  and  kept  up  a  galling 
fire  on  the  enem}-,  while  the  right  and  left  wings  were 
advancing  forward  to  surround  them,  which  was  done 
in  about  five  minutes.  The  fire  soon  became  general  all 
around  and  maintained  with  the  greatest  bravery. 

The  engagement  lasted  a  little  over  an  hour,  during, 
which  time,  a  heavy  and  incessant  fire  was  kept  up  oik 
both  sides. 

The  Whigs,  in  some  parts  where  the  British  regulars 
fought,  were  forced  to  give  way  two  or  three  times  for  a 
short  distance,  before  the  bayonet  charges  of  the  enemy, 
but  soon  rallied  and  returned  with  additional  arder  and 
amination  to  the  attack.  The  troops  of  the  right  having: 
gained  the  summit  of  the  mountain,  compelled  the  ene- 
my to  give  way  and  retreat  along  the  top  of  the  ridge^ 
where  Col.  Cleaveland  commanded  and  were  soon  stop- 
ped by  his  brave  men.  Some  of  the  regiments  suffered 
Severely  under  the  galling  fire  of  the  enem}^,  before  they 
were  in  a  proj^er  position  to  engage  in  the  action.  Thtr 
men  led  by  Col.  Shelby  and  Major  McDowell  w^re  sood 
closely  engaged  and  the  contest  throughout  was  very 
severe,  and  hotly  contested.  . 

As  Ferguson  would  advance  towards  Campbell,  Sevier-r 
Hambright  and  Winston,  he  was  quickly  pursued  by 
Shelby,  Cleaveland,  McDowell  and  Williams.  Thu& 
Ferguson  continued  to  struggle  on,  making  charges  with 
the  bayonet  and  thea  retreating  to  make  a  vigorous  at' I 
tack  at  some  other  point ;  but,  his  men  were  rapidly  fall-j 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  309 

ing  before  the  fatal   aim    and   persistent    bravery    of  the 
Whigs. 

Even  after  Ferguson  was  severely  wounded  and  had 
three  horses  shot  from  under  him,  he  continued  to  fight 
on,  and  animate  his  men  by  his  example  and  unyield- 
ing courage — "extricate  himself,  he  could  not,  and  sur- 
render, he  would  not,"  although  requested  to  do  so,  near 
the  close  of  the  action  by  Captain  De  Peyster,  his  second 
in  command.  At  length  he  received  a  fatal  shot  in  the 
breast,  which  closed  his  earthly  career  forever. 

Captain  De  Pej'ster  then  look  command,  and  imme- 
diately ordered  a  white  flag  to  be  raised  in  token  of  sur- 
render. The  firing  however  did  not  e  ntirely  cease  until 
Cols.  Shelby  and  Sevier  went  inside  the  lines  and  ordered 
the  men  to  desist.  The  Whigs  were  still  greatly  exas- 
pterated  when  they  called  to  remembrance  Tarleton's 
cruelty  at  Buford's  defeat,  where  no  quarter  was  given. 
The  victory  was  complete,  and  reanimated  the  Whigs 
throughout  the  whole  country.  The  Tory  element  of 
western  Carolina,  before  strong  and  menacing,  was  bro- 
ken up  and  greatly  humbled,  and  Cornwallis  himself 
when  he  received  intelligence  of  the  battle  and  its  result, 
became  so  seriously  alarmed  at  his  perilous  situation  in 
a  land  of  assailing  hornets,  that  he  suddenly  decamped 
from  Charlotte  to  safer  quarters  at  Winnsboro,  South 
Carolina. 

According  to  the  official  statemant  furnished  to  Gen 
Gates,  encamped  at  Hillsboro,  and  signed  by  Colonels 
Campbell,  Shelby  and  Cleaveland,  the  enemy  sustained 
the  following  loss  :  "Of  the  regulars,  one  major,  one  cap- 
tain, tw^o  Lieutenants  and  fifteen  privates  killed,  thirty- 
five  privates  wounded  and  left  on  the  ground  not  able  to 
march  ;  two  captains,  four  lieutenats,  three  ensigns,  one  ■ 
surgeon,  five  sergeants,  three  corporals,  one  drummer  and 
fifty-nine  privates  taken  prisoners. 

Loss  of  the  Tories,   tw^o  colonels,   three  captains   and 


810      SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

two  hundred  privates  killed  ;  one  major,  and  one  hundred 
and  twentj'^-seven  privates  wounded  and  left  on  the  ground 
not  able  to  march  ;  one  colonel,  twelve  captains,  eleven 
lieutenants,  two  ensigns,  one  quarter-master,  one  adjutant, 
two  commissaries,  eighteen  sergeants  and  six  hundred  pri- 
vates taken  prisoners. 

Total  loss  of  the  enemy  eleven  hundred  and  five  men 
at  King's  Mountain." 

The  loss  on  the  Whig  side  was,  one  colonel,  one  major, 
one  captain,  two  lieutenants,  four  ensigns,  and  nineteen 
privates  killed,  one  major,  three  captains,  three  lieuten- 
ants, and  fifty-three  privates  wounded.  Total  "Whig  cas- 
ualties, twenty-eight  killed  and  sixty  wounded.  Of  the 
latter,  upwards  of  twenty  died  of  their  wounds,  making 
the  entire  Whig  loss  about  fifty  men. 

The  victory  of  King's  Mountain  was  the  "  turning 
point  of  the  fortunes  of  America,"  and  foreshadowed  more 
clearly  than  ever  before,  final  success. 

As  soon  as  the  battle  was  over,  a  guard  was  placed 
around  the  prisoners  and  all  remained  on.  the  mountain 
that  night.  On  the  next  day,  after  the  dead  were  buried 
and  the  wounded  properly  cared  for,  the  cumbrous  spoils 
of  victory  were  drawn  into  a  pile  and  burned.  Colonels 
Campbell,  Shelby  and  Cleaveland  then  repaired,  with  as 
little  delay  as  possible,  to  the  headquarters  of  General 
Gates,  at  Hillsboro,  and  made  out  to  that  oflicer  on  the 
1st  of  ITovember,  an  ofiicial  statement  of  their  brilliant 
victory.  Col.  Sevier,  Major  McDowell  and  other  oflicers 
returned  to  the  mountains  and  to  their  own  neighbor- 
hoods, ready  at  all  times,  to  obey  any  future  calls  of  their 
country.  The  prisoners  were  turned  over  to  the  "moun- 
tain men"  for  safe  keeping.  Having  no  conveyances, 
they  compelled  the  prisoners  to  carry  the  captured  arms 
(about  fifteen  hundred  in*  number)  two  guns  each  being 
assigned  to  most  of  the  men.  About  sunset  the  Whigs 
who  had  fought  the  battle,  being  extremely  hungry,  had 


SKETCHES  OF    WESTERN    NORTH  CAROLINA.  311 

the  pleasure  of  meeting  the  footmen,  who  had  been  left 
behind  at  Green  river  on  their  march  to  King's  Mountain,. 
pressing  forward  with  a  good  supply  of  provisions. 

Having  appeased  the  cravings  of  hunger,  they  all 
marched  to  Bickerstaff's  old  iield,  in  Rutherford  county,, 
where  the  principal  officers  held  a  court-martial  over  the' 
"most  audacious  and  murderous  Tories."  Thirty-twO' 
were  condemned  to  be  hung  ;  after  nine  were  thus  disposed 
of,  three  at  a  time,  the  remainder,  through  mitigating, 
circumstances  and  the  entreaties  of  their  Whig  acquian- 
tances,  were  respited.  Several  of  the  Tories,  thus  lenient- 
ly dealt  with,  afterward  joined  the  Whig  ranks,  and 
made  good  soldiers  to  the  end  of  the  war. 

In  1815,  through  the  instrumentality  of  Dr.  William 
M'Lean,  of  Lincoln  county,  a  head-stone  of  dark  slate 
rock,  was  erected  at  King's  Mountain,  near  the  spot 
where  Ferguson  fell.  It  bears  this  incription  :  On  the  east: 
"Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Maj.  Wm.  Chronicle.  Capt.  John 
Mattocks,  William  Robb  and  John  Boyd,  who  were  killed 
at  this  place  on  the  7th  of  October,  1780,  fighting  in  de- 
fence of  America. " 

On  the  Avest  side : — "Col.  Ferguson,  an  officer  of  his 
Brittanic  Majesty,  was  defeated  and  killed  at  this  place 
on  the  7th  of  October,  17S0.'' 

Incidents: — Among  the  captured  Tories  were  Captain 
W —  G —  and  his  lieutenant  J —  L— ,  both  of  whom 
were  sentenced  to  be  hung  next  morning  at  sunrise.  They 
were  first  tied  separately,  with  leather  strings,  and  then 
closely  together.  Durnig  the  night  they  managed  to 
crawl  to  the  waters  edge,  near  their  place  of  confinement, 
and  wet  their  strings  ;  this  soon  caused  them  to  stretch  so 
greatly  as  to  enable  the  leather-bound  prisoners  to  make 
their  escape,  and  thereby  deprive  the  "Mountain  Boys" 
of  having  some  contemplated  fun.  Like  the  Irishman's 
pig,  in  the  morning  "they  came  up  missing.'" 

As  a  foraging  party  of  Tories,  belonging  to  Ferguson's 


■312  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

:army,  was  passing  up  King's  Creek,  they  took  old  Arthur 
Patterson  and  his  son  Thomas  prisoners  ;  who,  being  rec- 
ognized as  noted  AVhigs,  were  carried  to  Ferguson's  camp, 
threatened  with  hanging,  and  a  guard  placed  over  them. 
As  the  battle  waxed  warm  and  the  issue  of  the  contest 
seemed  to  be  turning  in  favor  of  the  American  arms  a 
■call  was  made  upon  the  guard  to  fall  into  line  and  assist 
their  comrades  in  averting,  if  possible,  their  approaching 
defeat.  During  the  commotion  the  old  man  Patterson 
moved  gently  to  the  back  ground  and  thus  made  his  es- 
cape. Thomas  Patterson,  not  liking  the  hack  movement^ 
watched  his  opportunity,  between  fires  and  change  of  the, 
€nimies  position,  dashed  off  boldly  to  the  Whig  lines, 
about  one  hundred  yards  distant,  and  reached  them  safely. 
He  immediately  called  for  a  gnu,  which  being  furnished 
he  fought  bravely  to  the  close  of  the  engagement. 

For  several  particulars  connected  "with  the  battle  of 
Xings  Mountain,  hitherto  unknown,  the  author  acknowl- 
edges his  indebtedness  to  Abraham  Hardin,  Esq.,  a  native 
of  Lincoln  County,  N.  C,  and  relative  of  Col.  Hambright, 
now  (1876)  a  worthy,  intelligent,  and  christian  citizen  of 
York  County,  S.  C,  aged  eighty-seven  years. 

COLONEL  WILLIAM  CAMPBELL. 

Colonel  William  Campbell  was  a  native  of  Augusta 
County,  Va.  He  w^as  of  Scottish  decent  (his  grandfather 
coming  from  Inver.^'y)  and  possessed  all  the  tire  and  sa- 
gacity of  his  ancestors.  He  assisted  in  raising  the  first 
regular  troops  in  Yirginia  in  1775,  and  was  honored  with 
a  Captain's  commission.  In  1776  he  was  made  Lieutenant 
Colonel  of  the  militia  of  Washington  County,  Ya.,  and  on 
the  resignation  of  Evan  Shelby,  the  father  of  Governor 
Shelby,  he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Colonel,  that 
rank  he  retained  until  after  the  battles  of  King's  Moun- 
tain and  Guilford  Court-House,  in  both  of  which  he   dis- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORT  ^  CAROLINA.       313 

tiiigulshed  himself,  when  he  was  promoted  by  the  Yir- 
g'mia  Legishxture,  for  gallantry  and  general  high  merit, 
to  the  rank  of  Brigadier  General  in  the  Continental  ser- 
vice. LaFayette,  perceiving  his  fine  military  talents, 
gave  him  the  command  of  a  brigade  of  riflemen  and  light  ' 
infantry,  and  he  was  ordered  to  join  that  oflicer  below 
Richmond,  who  was  covering  "Washington's  approach  to 
Yorktown  in  September  1781,  previous  to  the  surrender 
of  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown  on  the  19th  of  October  follow- 
ing. 

Colonel  Campbell,  suffering  from  the  severe  wound  re- 
ceived in  the  battle  of  Guilford,  was  taken  ill  and  soon 
after  died  at  La  Fayette's  head-quarters,  about  twenty- 
five  miles  above  Williamsburg,  in  the  thirty-sixth  3'ear  of 
his  age.  His  military  career  was  short,  but  brilliant  ;  and 
on  all  occasions,  bravery,  unsullied  patriotism  and  manly 
rectitude  of  conduct  marked  his  movements.  La  Fayette's 
general  order,  on  the  occasion  of  his  decease  is  most  high- 
ly complimentar}^  to  his  efficient  services  and  exalted 
worth.  He  i4^i^^i'ied  at  Ilocky  Mills,  in  Hanover  county, 
Va.  About  forty  years  afterward,  his  remains  were  re- 
moved to  Washington  county,  to  repose  with  those  of  his 
family. 

Col.  Campbell  married  a  sister  of  Patrick  Henry  and 
left  but  one  child,  the  mother  of  the  late  Hon.  William 
C.  Preston  and  Col.  John  S.  Preston,  both  of  Columbia? 
S.  C.  He  was  a  man  of  high  culture,  a  good  classi- 
ca  1  scholar,  but  was  chiefly  given  to  the  aecumte 
sciences  and  'practically  to  land  suiweying  for  himself  and 
his  kindred  whb  were  large  land-holders  in  Virginia,  east 
Tennessee  and  Kentucky.  When  under  thirty  j-ears  of 
age,  he  commanded  a  company  in  the  Point  Pleasant  ex- 
pedition on  the  Kenhawa  river,  in  which  occurred  one  of 
the  most  snnguinary  battles  in  the  history  of  Indian  war- 
fare and  there  acquired  that   early    experience   in   arms 


314      SKETCHES  OP  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

which  qimlifiecl  him  to  perform  a  conspicuous  part  in  the 
Revohitionary  War 

When  the  emergency  arose  for  expelling  the  boasting 
Furguson  from  the  soil  of  the  Carolinas,  Col.  Sevier 
sought  the  assistance  and  co-operation  of  Col.  Campbell, 
of  Virginia,  whose  bravery  and  gallantry  had  become 
widely  known.  On  the  first  application,  Col.  Campbell 
deemed  it  imprudent  to  withdraw  his  forces  from  their 
place  of  rendezvous,  for  fea'r  of  an  attack  from  the  neigh- 
boring Indians,  but  on  a  second  urgent  application,  his 
assent  yielded  to  the  appeals  of  patriotism  and  he  prompt- 
ly marched  with  his  regiment  to  co-operate  with  Colonels 
Lcvier,  Shelby  and  other  oflicers  to  gain  an  undying  fame, 
and  glorious  victory  at  King's  Mountain. 

The  preceding  statement  of  facts,  corrects  an  error  into 
which  several  historians  have  unintentionally  fallen  by 
confounding  Lieut.  Col.  Campbell,  a  brave  officer  of  a 
South  Carolina  regiment,  who  was  mortally  wounded  at 
the  battle  of  the  Eutaw  Springs,  with  Col.  Wm.  Camp- 
bell, of  Virginia,  one  of  the  heroes  of  King's  Mountain, 
Mdio  died  a  natural  death  in  his  native  State  a  few  weeks 
before  the  surrender  of  Cornwallis  at  Yorktown.  The 
two  officers  were  of  no  close  famil}^  relationship,  but  re- 
sembled each  other  in  unflinching  bravery  and  genuine 
exhibitions  of  true  patriotism. 

COLONEL  ISAAC  SHELBY. 

Col.  Isaac  Shelby  was  born  in  Maryland,  near  the 
North  mountain,  a  few  miles  from  Ilagerstown,  on  the  11th 
of  December,  1750.  He  was  the  son  of  General  Evan 
Shelby,  a  native  of  Wales,  wdio  came  to  America  when  a 
mere  youth.  General  Shelby  was  distinguished  for  his 
indomitable  courage,  iron  constitution,  and  clear  intellect. 
He  served  as  a  Captain  of  Rangers  under  Gen.  Braddock, 
and  acted  bravely  in  the  attack  under  General  Forbes  in 


SKETCHES  OF   WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA,  315 

1758,  ill  which  he  led  the  advance,  and  took  from  the 
French  Fort  Du  Quesne.  In  1772,  he  removed  to  the 
west  and  in  1 774,  commanded  a  company  under  Colonel 
Lewis  and  Governor  Dunmore  against  the  Indians,  on 
the  Scioto  river.  He  was  in  the  sanguinary  battle  of 
Kenhawa,  October  10th  1774,  when  Colonels  Lewis, 
Fleming  and  Field  were  killed  and  he  was  left  the  com. 
manding  officer. 

In  1779,  he  led  a  strong  force  against  the  Chickamauga 
Indians,  on  the  Tennessee  river  ;  and  for  his  services  and 
gallantry,  was  appointed  a  Brigadier  General  by  the 
State  of  Virginia ;  the  first  officer  ever  vested  with  that 
grade  on  the  western  waters. 

Thomas  Shelby,  a  brother  of  Gen,  Evan  Shelby,  joined 
the  great  tide  of  southern  emigration  and  settled  on 
Caldwell's  Creek,  in  the  eastern  part  of  Mecklenburg 
county  (now  Cabarrus)  about  1760.  He  died  near  the 
beginning  of  the  Revolutionary  war,  leaving  four  sons, 
William,  John,  Evan  and  Thomas.  One  of  these  sons 
(Thomas)  served  as  a  private  in  Captain  Charles  Polk's 
company  in  the  spring  of  1776,  in  the  Wilmington  cam- 
paign. 

Col.  Isaac  Shelby,  the  immediate  subject  of  this  sketch 
was  born  to  the  use  of  arms,  blessed  with  a  strong  con- 
stitution and  capable  of  enduring  great  exposure  and 
fatigue.  His  whole  educational  training  was  such  as 
fitted  him  for  the  stiring  scenes  in  which  he  was  destined 
by  Providence  to  become  so  prominent  an  actor. 

His  first  essay  in  arms  was  as  a  Lieutenant  in  a  com- 
pany commanded  by  his  father,  in  the  celebrated  battle, 
previously  mentioned,  at  the  mouth  of  the  Kenhawa, 
the  most  sanguinary  conflict  ever  maintained  against  the 
northwestern  Indians,  the  action  lasting  from  sunrise  to 
sunset,  wdth  varying  success. 

Kight  closed  the  conflict  and  under  its  cover,  the  cele- 
brated  chief    Cornstalk,   who  commanded    the  Indians^ 


•316  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

abandoned  the  ground.  In  Jnly,  1776,  lie  was  appointed 
Captain  of  a  company  of  minute  men  by  the  Yirgina  com- 
mittee of  safety.  In  1777,  he  was  appointed  by  Governor 
Henry,  a  commissary  of  supplies  for  an  extensive  body  of 
troops  to  guard  the  frontiers  and  one  of  the  commissioners 
appointed  to  form  a  treaty  with  the  Cherokees .  at  the 
Long  Island  of  the  Holston  river.  In  1778,  he  was  elected 
a  member  of  the  Virginia  Legislature  from  Washington 
<30unty,  and  was  appointed  by  Thomas  Jefferson,  then 
Governor  of  that  State,  a  Major  in  the  escort  of  guards 
for  the  commissioners,  engaged  in  running  the  line  be- 
tween Virginia  and  North  Carolina.  On  the  completion 
of  that  line,  his  residence  was  found  to  be  in  North  Car- 
olina, which  circumstance  induced  Richard  Caswell,  then 
Governor  of  the  State,  to  appoint  him  Colonel  of  the  mil- 
itia of  Sullivan  county.  In  the  summer  of  1780,  he  was 
engaged  in  Kentucky  in  surveying,  locating  and  securing 
the  lands  which  five  years  previously,  he  had  marked 
out,  and  improved.  It  was  at  this  time,  that  he  heard 
of  the  surrender  of  Charleston.  This  disaster  aroused 
his  patriotic  spirit,  and  caused  him  to  return  home,  de- 
termined to  enter  the  service  of  his  bleeding  country  and 
never  to  leave  it  until  her  liberty  and  independence  were 
secured.  On  his  arrival  at  home,  he  found  a  requisition 
from  General  Charles  McDowell  to  furnish  all  the  aid  in 
his  power  to  check  the  enemy,  who  flushed  with  their 
late  success  in  overrunnino'  South  Carolina  and  Georgia, 
had  entered  North  Carolina  with  a  similar  object  in 
view.  lie  immediate!}^  sought  enlistments  from  the 
militia  of  Sullivan  county  and  in  a  few  days  crossed  the 
mountains  at  the  head  of  two  hundred  and  forty  rifle- 
men. 

He  reported  to  Gen.  McDowell  near  the  Cherokee 
Ford,  on  Broad  river,  and  was  by  that  oflicer  detached, 
with  Colonels  Sevier  and  Clarke,  to  surprise  and  take  a 
fort  held  by  Captain  Patrick  Moore,  a  noted  Tory  leader, 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  317 

on  the  Palcolet  river.  This  service  was  promptly  exe- 
cuted without  losing  any  of  his  men.  The  fort  was  sur- 
rounded, and,  after  a  short  parley  as  to  terms  the  enemy 
surrendered  as  prisoners  of  war. 

Captain  Moore,  one  British  Major,  ninety-three  Tories 
and  two  hundred  and  lifty  stands  of  arms  and  their  amu- 
nition,  greatly  needed  at  that  time,  were  the  fruits  of 
this  victory. 

It  was  at  this  period  that  Major  Ferguson  of  the 
British  army,  in  his  progress  to  the  mountains  ofiN'orth 
Carolina,  made  several  attempts  to  surprise  Col.  Shelby, 
but  in  every  instance,  he  was  baffled  through  his  vigi- 
lance and  activity. 

On  the  first  of  August,  1780,  the  advance  of  the  Brit- 
ish force  came  up  and  attacked  Shelby  at  Cedar  Springs, 
The  situation  had  been  chosen  by  Shelby  and  his  mar- 
tial, adventurous  spirit  did  not  avoid  the  issue  of  battle, 
A  sharp  and  animated  conflict  ensued,  which  lasted  half 
an  hour,  when  the  whole  force  of  Ferguson  advanced  to 
the  scene  of  action.  Shelb}^  deemed  it  prudent  to  retreat 
before  superior  numbers,  carrying  off  as  the  fruits  of  his 
victory  thus  far  obtained,  fifty  prisoners,  including  two 
British  ofi&cers.  The  enemy  made  a  rapid  pursuit,  but 
Shelby,  availing  himself  of  every  advantageous  ground, 
completely  eluded  their  eflbrts  to  overtake  him  and  soon 
afterwardjoined  Gen.  McDowell  w^ith  only  a  loss  of  ten 
or  twelve  killed  and  wounded. 

On  the  19th  of  August,  1780,  Colonels  Shelby,  Williams 
and  Clarke,  under  orders  from  Gen.  McDowell,  again  at- 
tacked, with  seven  hundred  mounted  men,  a  large  body 
of  Tories  near  Musgrove's  Mill,  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Fnnoree  river.  On  the  night  of  the  18th  of  August,  these 
officers  left  Smith's  Ford  on  Broad  river,  took  a  circuitous 
route  through  the  woods  to  avoid  Ferguson,  whose  whole 
force  lay  between,  and  at  dawn  of  day,  j^fter  riding  about 
forty  miles,  attacked  the  patrol  of  the  Tories,  about  half  a 


318  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

mile  from  their  camp.  A  brisk  skirmish  ensued,  several 
were  killed,  and  the  patrol  driven  in.  At  this  moment, 
a  countrj'man  living  near  informed  Col.  Shelby  the  enemy 
on  the  night  before  had  been  re-inforced  by  a  body  of 
six  hundred  regulars  (the  Queen's  American  regiment 
from  Isew  York)  under  Col.  Innis.  This  was  unexpected 
news.  Fatigued  as  were  their  horses,  retreat  was 
impracticable  ;  and  to  attack  an  enemy  of  such  su- 
perior force,  would  have  been  an  act  of  rashness  and  the 
certain  defeat  of  his  own  little  band  of  patriots. 

Col.  Shelby  met  the  trying  emergency  with  unflinch- 
ing courage  and  great  promptness  of  action.  It  was 
agreed  that  Colonel  Williams  should  have  the  chief  com- 
mand. Accordingly,  the  whole  "Whig  force,  except  Capt. 
Inman's  command,  was  ordered  to  form  a  breastwork  of 
old  logs  and  brush,  and  make  as  brave  a  defence  as  cir- 
cumstances permitted.  Capt.  Inman,  with  twenty-five 
men  was  directed  to  proceed  to  the  ford  of  the  river,  fire 
across  upon  the  enemy,  and  retreat  when  they  appeared 
in  strong  force.  This  stratagem  being  the  suggestion  of 
the  brave  Capt.  Inman,  was  successful.  Col.  Innis  im 
mediately  crosssd  the  river  to  dislodge  the  "rebels."  Capt ' 
Inman  and  his  little  force  instantly  retreated,  hotly  pur- 
sued by  Funis  until  within  the  area  of  the  patriot  ambus- 
cade when  a  single  shot  by  Col.  Shelby  gave  the  signal 
for  attack.  The  Whig  riflemen,  with  sure  and  steady 
aim,  opened  a  destructive  fire  which  was  kept  up  for  an 
hour,  during  Avhich  time  Col.  Innis  was  wounded  ;  all  the 
British  ofiicers  except  a  subaltern  were  killed  or  wounded. 
The  Tory  Captain,  Hawsey,  and  Major  Fraser,  of  the 
British  regulars,  with  sixty-three  privates  were  killed, 
and  one  hundred  and  sixty  made  prisoners.  The  Ameri- 
can loss  was  only  four  killed  and  nine  wounded.  In  the 
pursuit  Captain  Inman  was  killed  fighting  hand  to  hand 
with  the  enem3\     After  this  victory  Col.  Williams,  with 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  319 

the  prisoners,  encamped  at  the  Cedar  Spring,  in  Spartan- 
burg Connty  and  from  thence  proceeded  to  Charlotte,  ^N". 
C.  Colonels  Williams  and  Clarke  then  returned  to  the 
western  frontier  and  the  prisoners  under  Maj.  Hammond 
marched  to  Hillsboro, 

Excited  by  this  brilliant  victory  Col,  Shelby  prepared 
to  attack  the  British  force  at  Ninety-six,  about  thirty 
miles  distant,  when  an  exjDress  arrived  from  Gen.  McDow- 
ell, with  a  letter  from  Governor  Caswell,  dated  on  the 
battle  ground  of  Camden,  informing  him  of  Gates'  defeat 
and  advising  him  to  get  out  of  the  way.  This  advice  came 
in  good  time,  for  on  the  next  day  a  strong  detachment 
from  Ferguson's  army  sallied  forth  to  overtake  the  vic- 
tors, but  through  the  energy  and  activity  of  Col.  Shelby 
the  designs  of  the  enemy  were  completely  baffled- 

The  brilliancy  of  tbe  affair  shone  more  brightly  by  the 
dark  gloom  which  now  overspread  the  public  mind  in 
consequence  of  the  defeat  of  Gen.  Gates  at  Camden.  This 
caused  Gen.  Mcdowell  to  disband  for  the  present  his  lit- 
tle force  and  retire  beyond  the  mountains.  The  whole 
country  was  now  apparently  subjugated,  the  hopes  of  the 
patriot  were  dimmed,  and  many  took  protection  under 
the  British  standard.  But  the  brave  spirits  of  the  west, 
as  firm  as  their  native  mountains,  were  still  undismayed  ; 
and,  if  for  a  moment  subdued,  they  were  not  conquered, 
and  the  fire  of  freedom  glowed  deeply  in  their  patriotic 
bosoms. 

At  this  gloom}^  period,  Col.  Shelby,  in  consultation 
with  Col.  Charles  McDowell,  proposed  to  Colonels  Sevier 
and  Campbell  to  raise  a  force  as  quickly  as  possible  from 
their  several  counties,  and  attack  the  boasting  Ferguson. 
A  concert  of  action,  and  junction  of  their  forces  were 
promptly  agreed  upon,  the  battle  of  Kings  Mountain  fol- 
lowed soon  thereafter,  and  the  result  is  well  known.  It 
will  be  seen,  the  first  movement  for  organizing  forces  and 
bringing  to  a  speedy  accomplishment  this  most    decisive 


320       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

victory  of  the  South  originated  in    Western   Xorth    Car- 
olina. 

Inspired  by  this  victorj-,  the  forces  of  JSTorth  Carolina 
assembled  under  General  Davidson  at  iSTew  Providence^ 
in  Mecklenburg  County,  near  the  South  Carolina  line. 
Gen.  Smallwood,  with  Morgan's  light  corps  and  the 
Maryland  line  advanced  to  the  same  point.  Gen.  Gates, 
with  the  remnant  of  his  army,  and  General  Stevens  with 
levies  from  Virginia  enabled  General  Greene,  after  he 
assumed  the  chief  command  in  December,  1780,  to  hold 
Cornwallis  in  check  and  frustrate  his  design,  at  that  time, 
of  marching  to  Charlotte. 

It  was  at  the  suggestion  of  Col  Shelby  that  General 
Greene  sent  out  the  expedition  which  achieved  the  bril- 
liant victory  at  the  Cowpens,  In  1781,  Col.  Shelby  served 
under  Gen.  Marion,  and  with  Col.  Mayhem,  was  in  the 
skirmish  near  Monk's  Corner.  On  attacking  this  post  it 
immediately  surrendered  with  one  hundred  and  fifty 
prisoners.  Soon  afterward  he  obtaliued  leave  of  absence 
from  Gen.  Marion  to  attend  the  General  Assembly  of 
Kortli  Carolina,  of  which  he  was  a  member  from  Sullivan 
County. 

In  1782  he  was  again  a  member,  and  was  appointed  a 
Commissioner  to  settle  the  preemption  claims  upon  the 
Cumberland,  and  lay  oft' the  lands  allotted  to  the  o.fticer.* 
and  soldiers  south  of  where  Xashville  now  stands.  He 
returned  to  Boonsboro  on  the  April  following  where  he 
married  Susanna  Hart,  whose  father  was  one  of  the  part- 
ners of  Judge  Henderson.  The  liberties  of  his  Country 
being  nearly  established  he  devoted  himself  to  his  farm 
on  the  first  pre-emption  and  settlement  granted  in  Ken- 
tucky. In  ^fay,  1792,  he  w^as  elected  the  first  Governor 
of  the  ne^v  State.  In  1812,  a  stormy  period  in  our  histo- 
ry, he  was  again  elected  to  the  same  position.  When  the 
war  with  Great  Britain  broke  out  his  well  known  energy 
and  Eevolutionary  fame  induced  the  Legislature  of  Ken- 


SKETCHES  OF   WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  321 

tueky  to  solicit  his  services  in  the  field.  At  the  head  of 
four  thousand  volunteers  he  marched  to  the  shores  of 
Lake  Erie  to  assist  Gen.  Harrison  in  the  celebrated  battle 
of  the  Thames.  For  his  bravery  in  this  battle,  Congress 
honored  him  with  a  gold  medal.  In  1817  President 
Monroe  appointed  him  his  Secretary  of  War,  but  on  ac- 
count of  his  advanced  age  he  declined  the  honor.  His 
last  public  act  was  that  of  holding  a  treaty  with  the 
Chickasaw  Indians,  in  1818,  in  which  General  Jackson 
w^as  his  colleague.  In  1820  he  w^as  attacked  wdth  a  par- 
alytic affection  but  his  mind  still  remained  unimpaired. 
In  July,  1S26,  he  expired  from  a  stroke  of  apoplexy, 
in  the  seventy -sixth  year  of  his  age,  enjoying  the  love  and 
respect  of  his  country  and  consoled  by  the  rich  hopes  of 
a  joyful  immortality.  Worthily  is  his  name  preserved  in 
I^orth  Carolina  in  a  region  that  witnessed  his  exalted  pa- 
triotism and  valor. 

COLONEL    JAMES    D.    WILLIAMS. 

Col.  James  D.  Williams,  a  brave  and  meritorious  officer, 
was  mortally  wounded  at  King's  Mountain,  near  the  close 
of  the  action.  He  died  on  the  next  morning,  and  is  buried 
within  two  miles  of  the  place  where  he  so  gallantly  fell. 
Tradition  says  his  first  w^ords,  after  reviving  a  little, 
w^ere,  "For  God's  sake,  boys,  don't  give  up  the  hill." 

He  was  a  native  of  Granville  county,  IST.  C.  He  moved 
to  Laurens  county,  S.  C,  in  1773,  and  settled  upon  Little 
river.  He  early  esposed  the  patriot  cause,  and  was  ac- 
tive in  raising  troops  and  defending  the  territory  of  the 
"JSTiuety-Six"  District,  abounding  with  many  evil-disposed 
loyalists. 

He  first  appears  as  a  Colonel  of  militia  in  April,  1778-, 

In  the  spring  of  1779,  he  went  into  actuiil  service,  and 

was  probably  at  the  siege  of  Savannah.     He   was   with 

Gen.  Sumter  in  1780,  and  in  the  early  part  of  that  year  he 

21 


322  SKETCHES    OF    WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

was  in  the  battle  of  Musgrove's  Mill,  on  the  Ennoree  river. 
After  that  engagement  he  went  to  Hillsboro,  where  he 
raised  a  corps  of  cavalry,  and  returned  to  South  Carolina. 
During  Ferguson's  movements,  after  crossing  the  Wateree 
with  the  intention  of  embodying  the  loyalists,  and  inter- 
cepting the  "Mountain  Men,"  Col.  Williams  contmually 
hovered  around  his  camp,  prepared  to  strike  a  blow  when 
he  could,  and  cripple  his  advance. 

Colonel  Williams  was  a  worthy  member  and  Elder  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church,  and  was  highly  esteemed  by  all 
who  knew  him.  It  is  to  be  regretted  more  has  not  been 
preserved  of  his  efficient  military  services. 

COLONEL    WILLIAM    GRAHAM. 

Colonel  William  Graham  was  the  son  of  Archilmld 
Graham,  of  Scotland.  He  was  born  in  Augusta  county, 
Va.,  in  1742.  He  emigrated  to  ISTorth  Carolina  several 
years  previous  to  the  Revolutionary  War,  became  the 
owner  of  much  valuable  land,  and  finally  settled  on  First 
Broad  river,  then  Tryon  county,  but  now  in  Cleaveland. 
His  patriotic  principles  soon  became  known,  and  were 
called  into  active  service  at  the  commencement  of  the 
Revolution.  As  the  commanding  officer,  he  had  the  gen- 
eral surperintendence  of  several  Forts,  erected  on  and  near 
the  frontier  settlements,  as  protections  against  the  hostile 
Cherokee  Indians.  Whilst  in  command  of  Fort  McFad- 
den,  near  the  present  town  of  Rutherfordton,  he  formed 
'  the  acquaintance  of  Mrs.  Susan  Twitty,  widow  of  William 
Twitty,  and,  as  the  "darts  of  Cupid"  are  often  irresistible, 
he  married  her,  and  the  union  proved  to  be  a  happy  one. 

In  the  Provincial  Congress  which  met  at  Halifax  on  the 
12th  of  IsTov.,  1776,  when  the  first  State  Constitution  was 
formed,  Colonel  Graham  was  one  of  the  delegates  from 
Lincoln  county,  his  colleagues  being  Joseph  Hardin, 
Robert  Abernathy,  William  Alston  and  John  Barber. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       323 

111  the  expedition  Avhich  marched  in  1776,  under  Gen- 
eral Rutherford,  against  the  Cherokee  Indians,  Colonel 
Oraham  commanded  the  regiment  which  went  from  Lin- 
-coln  and  Rutherford  counties.  This  expedition,  as  is  well 
known,  was  completely  successful,  and  caused  the  Indians 
to  sue  for  peace. 

In  the  expedition  which  marched  for  the  relief  of 
Charleston,  in  the  spring  of  1780,  from  Charlotte,  the  place 
of  renndezvous  for  several  counties,  Colonel  Graham  led 
the  regiment  from  Lincoln  county.  On  the  arrival  of  the 
iseveral  forces  at  Charleston,  they  found  the  city  so  com- 
pletely invested  by  the  British  army  that  they  could  not 
render  assistance  to  the  American  garrison. 

Soon  after  his  return  home,  Colonel  Graham  again 
marched  with  his  regiment,  General  Rutherford  command- 
ing, against  a  large  body  of  Tories  assembled  at  Ramsour's 
Mill  under  Lieut.  Colonel  John  Moore,  (son  of  Moses 
Moore)  near  the  present  town  of  Lincolnton.  General 
Rutherford,  w^ith  some  Mecklenburg  troops,  crossed  the 
Oatawba  river  at  Tuckaseege  Ford,  on  the  evening  of  the 
19th  of  June,  1780,  and  camped  at  Colonel  Joseph  Dick- 
:Son's  plantation,  three  miles  northwest  ot  the  ford.  On 
the  morning  of  the  20th,  Gen.  Rutherford  marched,  at  an 
early  hour,  with  the  expectation  of  co-operating  -with  Col- 
onel Locke,  of  Rowan  county,  in  making  a  combined  at- 
tack against  the  Tories,  but  failed  to  reach  the  battle- 
ground until  about  two  hours  after  the  close  of  that 
sanguinary  engagement,  in  which  the  Tories  were  signally 
defeated. 

When  a  call  was  made  upon  the  commanding  officers  of 
the  militia  of  Lincoln  county  (under  its  old  limits)  in 
September,  1780,  for  troops  to  oppose  the  boasting  Fero-u- 
eon,  Colonel  Graham  marched  with  his  regiment,  and 
joined  Colonels  Campbell,  Sevier,  Shelby  and  others  at 
the  "Cowpens,"  where,  a  little  more  than  three  months 
afterward.   General  Morgan  gained  a  brilliant  victory ; 


324  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

but,  it  is  known,  in  consequence  of  severe  sickness  in  his' 
family,  Colonel  Graham  did  not  participate  in  the  battle 
which  took  place  on  King's  Mountain  on  the  afternoon  of 
the  7th  of  October,  1780,  and  which  resulted  so  gloriously 
for  the  American  .arms. 

During  the  year  1775,  the  Province  of  Xorth  Carolinay 
ever  in  the  van  of  early  patriotic  movements,  formed  "As- 
sociations" throughout  her  territory,  mainly  as  tests  of 
jMtrioiism:  The  county  of  Cumberland  formed  an  Associa- 
tion on  the  20th  of  June,  1775.  The  county  of  Tryon 
(embracing  Lincoln  and  Rutherford)  formed  a  similar 
"Association"  on  the  14th  of  August  following,  which  was 
signed  by  the  "Committee  of  Safety,"  and  ordered  to  ber 
^'signed  by  every  freeholder  in  the  county."  Among  thC' 
forty-eight  signatures  may  be  conspicuously  noticed  those? 
of  William  Graham,  Charles  McLean,  (who  at  one  time^ 
commanded  the  Lincoln  regiment),  Frederick  Hambright,. 
(see  sketch  of  his  services  in  this  volume)  John  Walker^ 
Jacob  Forney,  (father  of  Gen.  Peter  Forney),  Thomas 
Espey,  (brother  of  Capt.  Samuel  Espey,  severely  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain),  Andrew  I^^eal,  Joseph 
Neal,  John  Dellinger,  George  Dellinger,  Joseph  IJardin,, 
Jacob  Costner,  Valentine  Mauney,  Peter  Sides,  Joseph 
Kuykendall,  James  Coburn,  James  Miller  and  others. 
One  of  the  signers,  Peter  Sides,  (properly  Seitz)  belonged 
to  a  family  from  Switzerland — all  true  Whigs,  and  worthy 
representatives  of  the  land  of  William  Tell. 

Colonel  William  Graham  died  in  April,  1835,  in  the 
eighty-seventh  year  of  his  age,  and  is  buried  at  the  okl 
homestead,  on  First  Broad  river,  in  Cleaveland  county,, 
N.  C.         . 

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL    FREDERICK    HAMBRIGHT. 

Lieutenant-Colonel  Hambright  was  born  in  Germany  in 
1727,  emigrated  to  Pennsylvania  about  1740,  and  after  re 


SKETCHES  OF   WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  325 

tuaiiiing  there  u  short  tune  removej  to  Virghiia  about 
1755,  where  he  married  Sarah  Hardin,  with  Avhom  he 
Hved  happily  until  her  death  during  the  Revohition.  A 
few  years  after  his  marriage  he  moved  to  Tryon  county  in 
North  Carohna,  being  accompanied  by  his  brothers-in-law, 
Colonel  Joseph  Hardin,  John  Hardin  and  Benjamin 
Hardin  ;  also,  by  James  Ivuykendall,  Nathaniel  Henderson, 
Robert  Leeper,  and  others.  He  first  settled  at  the  Fort, 
erected  near  the  mouth  of  the  South  Fork  of  the  Catawba 
river,  as  a  protection  against  the  attacks  of  the  Indians. 
From  that  place  he  soon  afterward  moved  to  Long  Creek, 
in  the  same  county,  and  was  living  there  when  the  battle  of 
King's  Mountain  took  place,  in  which  he  so  gallantly  par- 
ticipated. A  short  time  previous  to  that  battle  he  had 
purchased  a  tract  of  land  on  King's  Creek,  and  had  built  a 
cabin  upon  it,  pveparatory  to  a  future  removal  of  his  family. 

Colonel  Hambright  was  twice  married.  By  the  first 
marriage  to  Sarah  Hardin,  previously  noticed,  he  had 
twelve  children,  of  whom  six  were  raised,  viz :  1,  John  H. 
Hambright,  who  fought  at  King's  Mountain.  2.  Elizabeth. 
3,  FrecLerick.  4.  Sarah.  5.  Benjamin,  and  6.  James 
Hambright.  Of  these,  Elizabeth  married  Joseph  Jenkins, 
and  Sarah  Peter  Eaker,  both  of  whom  have  worthy  de- 
scendants. 

By  the  second  wife,  Mary  Dover,  whom  he  married  in 
1781,  he  had  ten  children,  of  whom  eight  were  raised. 
Mrs,  Susannah  Dickson,  the  tenth  child  by  the  second  wife, 
and  the  youngest  of  the  twenty-two  children,  is  still  living 
and  retains  in  her  memory  many  interesting  traditions  of 
the  Reveolution. 

Colonel  Hambright  early  displayed  a  fervent  patriotic 
zeal  for  the  independence  of  his  adopted  country.  In  1777 
he  received  the  appointment  of  Lieutenant- Colonel,  and 
was  throughout  the  war  an  active  and  courageous  officer. 
He  was  constantly  watching  the  movements  of  the  Tories, 
whose  malicious  infiuence  and  plundering  habits  seriously 


326  SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

disturbed  the  peace  and  welfare  of  society.  His  name- 
soon  became  a  "  terror  to  the  Tories,  who  well  knew  the 
determination  of  his  character  and  the  vigilence  and 
prowess  ot  his  arms  in  arresting  disaffected  persons,  and 
defeating  their  designs. 

At  the  l^attle  of  King's  Mountain  Col.  WiUiam  Graham^ 
having  charge  of  the  Lincoln  regiment,  not  being  present 
on  account  of  sickness  in  his  family,  the  command  de- 
volved on  Col.  Hambright  and  most  nobly  and  courageous- 
ly did  he  sustain  the  responsible  position.  ISTo  portion  of 
the  advancing  Whig  columns  evinced  more  irresistible 
bravery,  and  suliered  more  severely  than  the  troops  under 
his  immediate  command.  ^lajor  WiUiam  Chronicle,  one 
of  his  most  efficient  and  gallant  ofhcers,  fell  early  in  the 
action.  There,  too,  Captain  John  Mattocks,  Lieutenants- 
Robb  and  Boyd,  and  others,  all  from  the  same  neighbor- 
hood, lost  their  lives  in  that  fiercely  contested  battle,  which 
resulted  so  gloriously  for  the  cause  of  liberty. 

In  this  conflict  Colonel  Hambright  was  severely  wounded 
by  a  large  rifle  ball  passing  through  the  fleshy  part  of  the 
thigh.  It  was  soon  discovered  by  the  soldiers  near  him 
that  ho  was  .wounded  and  bleeding  profusel}'.  Samuel 
Moore,  of  York  county.  South  Carolina,  requested  him  to' 
to  be  taken  from  his  horse  ;  he  refused  by  saying,  "  he  knew 
he  was  wounded  but  was  not  sick  or  faint  from  the  loss  of 
blood — said  he  could  still  ride  very  well,  and  therefore 
deemed  it  his  duty  to  fight  on  till  the  battle  was  over."' 
And  most  nobly  did  he  remain  in  his  place,  encouraging 
his  men  by  his  persistent  bravery  and  heroic  example  until 
signal  victory  crowned  the  American  arms. 

At  the  close  of  the  action,  when  Colonel  Hambright 
alighted  from  his  horse,  the  blood  was  running  over  the 
top  of  the  boot  on  the  wounded  \eg.  He  was  then  con- 
veyed to  the  cabin  erected  on  his  own  laud,  as  previously 
stated,  before  the  war,  where  he  was  properly  cared  for 
until  he  was  partially  recovered.     Although  the  wound,  in 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.         327 

process  of  time,  seemed  to  have  healed,  _yet  its  deep-seated 
injury  caused  him  to  falter  in  his  walk  during  the  re- 
mainder of  his  life.  The  reason  he  assigned  for  refusing  tO' 
he  taken  from  his  horse  when  severely  wounded  does 
lienor  to  his  exalted  patriotism.  lie  said  if  he  had  com- 
plied his  men  would  neglect  to  load  and  fire  as  often  as  they 
should  ;  would  gather  around  him  to  administer  to  his 
wants,  and  thus  fail  to  do  their  whole  duty  in  opposing  and 
conquering  the  enemy. 

Such  true  devotion  to  the  cause  of  freedom  is  w^orthy  of 
our  waimest  admiration,  and  forcihly  illustrates  the  heroic 
spirit  which  animated  the  hand  of  patriots  who  achieved,  on 
King's  Mountain,  one  of  the  most  important  and  decisive 
victories  af  the  American  Revolution. 

Colonel  Hamhright  was  long  a  worthy  memher  and 
elder  of  the  Presbyterian  church  at  Shiloh,  in  the  present 
limits  of  Cleaveland  county.  On  his  tombstone  we  have 
this  plain  inscription : 

"  In  memory  of  Colonel  Frederick  Hambright,  who  de- 
parted this  life,  March  (figures  indistinct)  1817,  in  the  nine- 
tieth year  of  his  age." 


CHAPTER  YIII. 


BURKE  COUNTY. 

Burke  county  was  formed  in  1777  from  Ilowaii  county, 
and  was  named  in  honor  of  tlie  celebrated  orator  and 
statesman,  Edmund  Burke,  an  Irishman  b}'  birth,  and 
possessed  of  all  the  warm  and  impetuous  order  of  his 
countrymen.  He  early  employed  his  pen  in  literature, 
and  his  eloquence  in  politics.  Having  been  introduced 
to  the  Marquis  of  Rockingham,  he  made  him  his  secre- 
tary and  procured  his  election  to  the  House  of  Commons. 
He  there  eloquently  pleaded  the  cause  of  the  Americans. 
During  his  political  career  lie  wTote  much,  and  his  com- 
positions rank  among  the  purest  of  English  classics. 
This  true  friend  of  America  died  on  the  Sth  of  July, 
1797,  in  tlie  seventieth  year  of  his  age. 

At  the  cornmencement  of  the  Revolutionary  war  the 
territory  now  lying  on  and  near  the  eastern  base  of  the 
^'  Blue  Ridge,"  or  Alleghany  chain  of  mountains,  con- 
stituted the  borders  of  civilization,  an.d  suffered  freqentiy 
from  marauding  bands  of  Cherokee  Indians,  the  great 
scourge  of  Western  North  Carolina.  The  whole  countrj' 
west  of  Tr3'on  county  (afterward  Lincoln)  was  sparsely 
settled  with  the  families  of  adventurous  individuals,  who, 
confronting  all  dangers,  had  carved  out  homes  in  the 
mountains  and  raised  up  hardy  sons,  deeply  imbued 
with  the  spirit  of  liberty,  prepared  to  go  forth,  at  a 
moment's  warning,  to  fight  the  buttles  of  their  co  -ntry. 


SKETCHES  OF   WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  329 


BATTLE    OF    THE    COWPENS. 

"  There  was  Greene  in  the  South;  you  must  know  him, — 
Whom  some  called  a  "  Hickory  Quaker;" 

But  he  ne'er  turned  his  back  on  the  foemen, 
Nor  ever  was  known  for  a  shaker.'''' 

After  the  unfortunate  battle  of  Camden,  on  the  IGth  of 
August,  1780,  where  Gen.  Gates  lost  the  laurels  he  had 
obtained  at  Saratoga,  Congress  perceived  the  necessity  of 
appointing  a  more  efficient  commander  for  the  Southern 
array.  Accordingly  Gen.  Washington  was  directed  to 
make  the  selection  from  his  well-tried  and  experienced 
officers.  Whereupon  the  commander-in-chief  appointed 
General  Nathaniel  Greene,  late  the  Quartermaster  Gen- 
eral, on  the  30th  of  October,  1780,  who,  in  a  few  days 
afterward,  set  out  for  his  field  of  labor.  As  he  passed 
through  Deleware,  Maryland  and  Virginia,  he  ascertain- 
ed what  supplies  it  was  likely  could  be  obtained  from 
those  States  ;  and  leaving  the  Baron  Steuben  to  take 
charge  of  the  defence  of  Virginia  he  proceeded  to  Hills- 
boro,  then  the  temporary  seat  of  government  for  North 
Carolina.  Gov.  Na.sh  received  him  with  m.uch  joy,  as 
the  safety  of  the  State  was  in  imminent  danger..  After 
a  short  stay  in  that- place  he  hastened  on  to  Ch'^-'<?*fec'e, the 
headquarters  of  the  Southern  army.  Gen.  Gates  there 
met  him  with  marked  respect,  \vithout  displaying  any  of 
those  feelings  which  sometimes  arise  from  disappointed 
ambition,  and  immediately  set  out  for  the  headquarters 
of  Washington,  then  in  New  Jersey,  to  submit  to  an  in- 
quiry into  his  conduct,  which  had  been  ordered  by 
Congress. 

Gen.  Green  took  charge  of  the  Southern  army  in  the 
town  of  Charlotte  on  the  3rd  day  of  December,  1780. 
After  surveying  his  troops  and  supplies  he  found  himself 
at  the  head  of  about  two  thousand  men,  one  half  of  whom 


330  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

were  militia,  with  only  a  sufficiency  of  provisions  for 
three  days,  in  an  exhausted  country,  and  with  a  scanty 
supply  of  ammunition.  With  the  quick  eye  of  military 
genius,  he  determined  at  once  to  divide  his  arm}',  small 
as  it  was,  and  provide  the  needful  supplies  in  dilTerent 
localities.  Relying  upon  Gen.  Davidson's  militia,  as  a 
central  force  and  protection,  to  be  called  out  upon  emer- 
gencies from  the  surrounding  counties,  he  led  the  largest 
portion  of  his  army  under  himself,  and  encamped  on 
Hick's  Creek,  opposite  Cheraw,  and  about  sevent}'  miles 
to  the  right  of  Cornwallis,  who  was  then  at  \Yinsboro, 
South  Carolina.  While  encamped  at  this  place  he  was 
jonied  by  the  legionary  corps  of  cavalry  under  Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Henry  Lee,  more  familiarly  known  as  "  Light 
Horse  Harry,"  and  father  of  the  late  distinguished  Gen. 
Robert  E.  Lee,  of  the  Confederate  army,  whose  memory 
the  Southern  people  and  an  impartial  loovld  will  ever  de- 
light to  honor!  The  other  detachment  of  the  army, 
about  one  thousand  strong,  under  Brig.  Gen.  Morgan 
was  placed  about  fifty  miles  to  the  left  to  disperse  bands 
of  Tories  and  protect  the  country  between  the  Broad  and 
Pacolet  rivers.  Gen.  Morgan's  division,  near  the  close 
of  1780,  consisted  of  four  hundred  of  Continental  infantry 
under  Lieutanant-Colonel  Howard,  of  the  Mar3dand  line, 
two  companies  of  the  Virginia  militia  under  Captains 
Triplett  and  Tate,  and  about  one  hundred  dragoons  under 
Lieutenant-Colonel  AYilliam  Washington.  This  force,  at 
the  time  just  mentioned,  was  considerably  augmented  by 
North  Carolina  militia  under  Major  McDowell — "Moun- 
tain boys,"  ever  reliable,  and  some  Georgia  militia,  under 
Major  Cunningham.  Gen.  Morgan  encamped  on  the 
northern  bank  of  Pacolet  river,  and  near  Pacolet  Springs. 
From  this  point  Col.  Washington  frequently  sallied  forth 
to  disperse  bodies  of  Tories  who  assembled  at  different 
places  and  plundered  the  Whig  inhabitants.  He  at- 
tacked and  defeated  two  liundred  of  them  at  Hammond's 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  331 

store,  and  soon  afterward  a  section  of  his  command  dis- 
persed another  Tory  force  under  the  "  bloody  Bill  Cun- 
ningham." 

Cornwallis,  who  was  still  at  Winnsboro,  perceived 
these  successes  with  alarm,  and  fearing  an  attack  upon 
his  important  post  at  Ninety-Six,  determined  to  diperse 
the  forces  under  Morgan  or  drive  them  into  North  Car- 
olina before  he  should  rally  the  Mountain  Men  in  suf- 
ficient numbers  to  cut  off  his  communication  with  his 
post  at  Augusta.  He  accordingly  dispatched  Tarleton 
with  his  legion  and  a  strong  force  of  infantry,  with  two 
field  pieces,  to  compel  Morgan  to  fight  or  hastily  retreat. 
Tarleton's  entire  force  consisted  of  about  eleven  hundred , 
well-disciplined  men,  and  in  every  respect  he  had  the 
advantage  of  Morgan. 

It  is  related  of  Tarleton  that  when  he  heard  of  Mor- 
gan's forces  being  encampted  near  the  post  of  Ninety- 
Six,  he  begaed  of  Lord  Rawdon  the  privilege  of  attacking 
the  American  officer.  "By  Heaven,  my  lord,  said  he,  I 
would  not  desire  a  finer  feather  in  my  cap  than  Colonel 
Morgan.  Such  a  prisoner  would  make  my  fortune."  Ah, 
Ban,  (contration  of  Banastre,  Tarleton's  christian  name) 
replied  Rawdon,  you  had  better  let  the  old  wagoner 
alone."  As  no  refusal  would  satisfy  him,  permission  was 
given,  and  he  immediately  set  out  with  a  strong  force  in 
pursuit  of  Morgan.  At  parting  Tarleton  said  to  Rawdon 
with  a  smile,  "  M}^  lord,  if  you  will  be  so  obliging  as  to- 
wait  dinner,  the  day  after  to-morrow,  till  four  o'clock,. 
Colonel  Morgan  shall  be  one  of  your  lordship's  guests." 
"Very  well,  Ban,  said  Rawdon,  we  shall  wait;  but  re- 
niember,  Morgan  was  brought  up  under  Washington." 

Tarleton  commenced  his  march  fromWinnsboro  on  the 
lltli  of  January,  1781,  Cornwallis  following  leisurely  in 
the  rear  with  the  main  army.  He  crossed  Broad  river 
near  Turkey  creek,  and  advanced  with  all  possible  speed 
in  the  direction  of  Morgan's  camp.     That  officer  was  at 


332  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

first  disposed  to  dispute  Tarletoii's  passage  of  the  Pacolet 
river,  but  being  informed  of  the  superiority  of  his  num- 
bers, and  that  a  portion  of  the  British  army  had  already 
crossed  above  him,  he  hastily  retreated  northward,  and 
took  post  for  battle  on  the  north  side  of  Thickettj'  Moun- 
tain, near  the  Cowpens.  Tarleton  pressed  eagerly  forward 
in  pursuit,  riding  all  night,  and  making  a  circuit  around 
the  western  side  of  the  mountain.  At  eight  o'clock  in 
the  morning  he  came  in  sight  of  the  advanced  guard  of 
the  patriots,  and  fearing  that  Morgan  might  again  retreat 
and  get  safely  across  Broad  river,  he  resolved  to  attack 
him  immediately,  notw^ithstanding  the  fatigued  condition 
of  his  troops.  Tarleton  was  evidently  disposed  to  view 
Morgan  as  "flying  game,"  and  he  therefore  wished  to  "bag 
him"  while  clearly  within  scope  of  his  vision.  The  sequel 
will  show  how  sadly  he  was  mistaken. 

The  Americans  w^ere  posted  upon  an  eminence  of  gentle 
ascent,  covered  w'ith  an  open  wood.  They  were  rested 
and  refreshed  after  their  retreat  from  the  Pacolet.  And, 
now  expecting  the  enemy,  thej"  were  drawn  up  in  battle 
order.  Tarleton  was  rather  disconcerted  when  he  found 
that  ]SIorgan  was  prepared  to  fight  him,  for  he  expected 
to  overtake  him  on  a  flying  retreat.  It  was  now  about 
nine  o'clock.  The  sun  was  shining  brightly  over  the  sum- 
mits of  Thicketty  Mountain,  and  imparted  a  glowing 
brilliancy  to  the  martial  array  in  the  forests  below.  On 
the  crown  of  the  eminence  were  stationed  two  hundred 
and  ninety  Maryland  regulars,  and  on  their  right  the  two 
companies  of  Virginia  militia  under  Major  Triplet.  These 
composed  the  reau  line  of  four  hundred  and  thirty  men 
under  Lieutenant-Colonel  Howard.  One  hundred  and 
fifty  yards  in  advance  of  this  line  was  a  body  of  about 
three  hundred  militia  under  Colonel  Andrew  Pickens,  all 
experienced  riflemen,  and  burning  with  a  spirit  of  revenge 
on  account  of  numerous  cruelties  previously  inflicted  by 
the  British  and  Tories.     This  brave   oflicer   had  arrived 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  XORTH  CAROLINA.       33 3' 

during  the  iiiglit,  with  his  followers,  and  joined  JSIorgan. 
About  one  hiindied  and  fifty  yards  in  advance  of  this  first 
line,  were  placed  the  best  riflemen  of  the  corps  under  Mc- 
Dowell and  Cunningham.  The  action  soon  commenced. 
At  a  signal  from  Tarleton,  his  advance  gave  a  loud  shout 
and  rushed  furiously  to  the  contest,  under  cover  of  their 
artillery,  and  a  constant  discharge  of  musketry.  The 
riflemen  under  McDowell  and  Cunningham  delivered  their 
fire  with  terrible  eflect,  and  then  fell  back  to  the  flanks 
of  the  first  line  under  Pickens.  The  contest  was  close  and 
severe,  with  alternate  wavings  of  the  British  and  Ameri- 
can lines,  under  successive  attacks  of  the  bayonet,  which 
the  prescribed  limits  of  this  work  forbid  to  be  presented 
in  all  their  annimating  details.  Suffice  it  to  say,  Tarleton 
here  met  a  "foeman  worthy  of  his  steel ;"  and  the  Ameri- 
cans, at  the  Cowpens,  on  the  17th  of  Januar}',  1781,  gained 
one  of  the  most  triumphant  victories  of  the  Revolutionary 
War.  Almost  the  whole  of  the  British  infantry,  except 
the  baggage  guard,  were  either  killed  or  taken.  Two 
pieces  of  artillery,  eight  hundred  muskets,  two  standards, 
thirty-five  wagons  and  one  hundred  dragoon  horses  fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  Americans.  Notwithstanding  the 
cruel  warfare  which  Tarleton  had  waged  against  the 
Americans,  to  the  honor  of  the  victors  it  is  said  not  one  of 
the  British  prisoners  was  killed,  or  even  insulted  after 
they  had  surrendered. 

The  loss  of' the  Americans  in  this  decisive  battle  was 
twelve  killed  and  about  sixty  wounded.  The  loss  of  the 
British  was  ten  oflicers  and  ninety  privates  killed,  and 
twenty-three  oflicers  and  five  hundred  privates  taken 
prisoners.  At  the  close  of  the  action,  Washington,  with 
his  cavalry,  pursued  Tarleton,  who  now  in  turn,  had  be- 
come "flying  game."  In  his  eagerness  of  pursuit  of  that 
officer,  AVashington  had  dashed  forward  considerably  in 
advance  of  his  squadron,  when  Tarleton  and  two  of  his 
aids  turned  upon  him,  and  just  as  an  oflicer  on  Tarleton's 


334       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

right  was  about  to  strike  liini  with  his  sabre,  his  sergeant 
dashed  up  and  disabled  the  assailant's  sword  arm.  An 
officer  on  Tarleton's  left  was  about  to  strike  at  the  same 
moment,  when  Washington's  little  bugler,  too  small  to 
wield  a  sword,  wounded  the  assailant  with  a  pistol  ball. 
Tarleton,  who  was  in  the  center,  then  made  a  thrust  at 
him,  which  Washington  parried,  and  wounded  his  enemy 
in  the  hand.  Tarleton  wheeled,  and,  as  he  retreated,  dis- 
charged a  pistol,  wounding  Washington  in  the  knee.  Dur- 
ing that  night  and  the  following  morning,  the  remnant  of 
Tarleton's  forces  crossed  Broad  river  at  Hamilton's  Ford, 
and  reached  the  encampment  of  Cornwallis  at  Turkey 
creek,  about  twenty-five  miles  from  the  Cowpens. 

This  hand-iDOWid  of  Tarleton,  inflicted  by  Washington, 
gave  rise,  on  two  difierent  occasions,  to  sallies  of  wit  by 
two  American  ladies,  daughters  of  Colonel  Montford,  of 
Halifax  county,  North  Carolina.  "When  Cornwallis  and 
his  army  were  at  Halifax,  on  their  way  to  Virginia,  Tarle- 
tgn  was  at  the  house  of  an  American  citizen.  In  the  pres- 
ence of  Mrs.  Willie  Jones,  Tarleton  spoke  of  Colonel 
Washington  as  an  illiterate  fellow,  hardly  able  to  write 
his  name.  "Ah !  Colonel,"  said  ]\lrs.  Jones,  "j^ou  ought  to 
know  better,  for  you  bear  on  your  person  proof  that  he 
knows  very  well  how  to  make  his  mark  T'  At  another 
time,  Tarleton  was  sarcastically  speaking  of  Washington 
in  the  presence  of  her  sister,  Mrs.  Ashe.  "I  would  be 
happy  to  see  Colonel  Washington,"  he  said,  with  a  sneer. 
Mrs.  Ashe  instantly  replied:  "If  you  had  looked  behind 
you.  Colonel  Tarleton,  at  the  battle  of  the  Cowpens,  you 
would  have  enjoyed  that  pleasure."  Stung  with  this  keen 
wit,  Tarleton  placed  his  hand  on  his  sword  with  an  incli- 
nation to  use  it.  General  Leslie,  who  was  present,  re- 
marked, "Say  what  you  please,  Mrs.  Ashe,  Colonel  Tarle- 
ton knows  better  than  to  insult  a  lady  in  my  presence." 

The  victory  of  the  Cowpens  gave  great  joy  to  the  friends 
of  liberty  throughout  the  whole  country.     Congress  re- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  335 

ceived  information  of  it  on  the  8th  of  Febniary  following, 
and  on  the  9th  of  March  voted  an  aAvard  of  a  gold  medal 
to  Morgan  ;  a  silver  medal  to  Howard  and  Washington  ; 
a  sw^ord  to  Col.  Pickens,  and  a  vote  of  thanks  to  the  other 
officers  and  men  engaged  in  the  battle. 

At  this  time,  Cornwallis  was  advancing  triumphantly 
in  the  direction  of  North  Carolina,  having  placed  South 
Carolina  and  Georgia,  as  he  thought,  in  submission  at  his 
feet.  The  defeat  and  death  of  Ferguson,  one  of  his  most 
efficient  officers,  at  King's  Mountain,  and  now  of  Tareton, 
his  favorite  partisan,  greatl}^  withered  his  hopes  of  strong 
Tor}"  cooperation.  His  last  hope  was  the  destruction  of 
•Greene's  army  by  his  own  superior  force,  and,  with  that 
design  in  view,  he  broke  up  his  encampment  near  Turkey 
creek,  and  like  Saul,  "yet  breathingout  tbreatenings  and 
slaughter  "  against  Morgan's  little  army,  he  commenced 
that  pursuit  of  the  "  hero  of  the  Cowpens,"  who,  encum- 
bered with  his  five  hundred  prisoners,  under  various 
Providential  interpositions,  made  good  his  retreat  into 
Virginia,  constituting  one  of  the  most  thrilling  and  suc- 
cessful military  achievements  of  the  American  Revolution. 

GENERAL  DANIEL  MORGAN. 

General  Daniel  Morgan  was  born  in  Bucks  county, 
Pennsylvania,  in  1737,  and  moved  to  Virginia  in  1755. 
He  was  a  private  soldier  under  General  Braddock,  and 
fitter  the  defeat  of  that  officer  returned  to  his  occupation 
of  a  farmer  and  a  wagoner.  When  the  war  of  the  Revo- 
lution broke  out,  he  joined  the  army  under  General 
Washington,  at  Cambridge,  and  commanded  a  corps  of 
riflemen.  He  was  with  General  Montgomery  at  Quebec, 
and  with  General  Gates  at  Saratoga,  in  both  of  which 
battles  he  greatly  distinguished  himself  For  his  bravery 
he  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier  General,  and 


3?>6  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

joined  the  army  in  the  South.  After  the  battle  of  Cam- 
den, when  General  Greene  assumed  the  chief  command, 
General  Morgan  was  detached  to  raise  troops  in  the 
western  part  of  the  State  and  in  South  Carolina.  He 
soon  became  distinguished  as  a  partisan  officer,  inspiring 
confidence  and  arousing  the  despondent  Whigs  to  a  more 
active  sense  of  duty.  His  victory  at  the  Cowpens  was 
justly  considered  as  one  of  the  most  brilliant  and  decided 
victories  of  the  Revolution,  and  Congress  accordingly 
voted  him  a  gold  medal.  At  the  close  of  the  war,  he  re- 
turned to  his  farm.  In  179-4  he  was  appointed  by  Gen- 
eral Washington  to  quell  the  Whisky  Insurrection  in 
Western  Virginia,  and  after  the  ditficulties  were  settled, 
he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress  and  served  from 
1797  to  1799.  His  health  lailing,  he  declined  a  re-elec- 
tion. Ilis  farm  in  Clarke  county,  a  few  miles  from  Win- 
chester, Va.,  was  called  Saratoga.  In  1800,  he  removed 
to  AVinchester,  where  he  died  on  the  Gth  of  July,  1802^ 
in  the  sixty-seventh  year  of  his  age. 

In  early  life,  General  Morgan  was  dissipat-^d  ;  yet  the 
teachings  of  a  pious  mother  always  made  him  reverential 
when  his  thoughts  turned  toward  the  Deity.  l\\  his  lat- 
ter years  he  piofessed  religion  and  became  a  member  of 
the  Presbyterian  Church  in  Winchester.  "  Ah  !"  he 
would  often  exclaim  when  talking  of  the  past,  "people- 
said  old  Morgan  never  feared — they  thought  old  Morgan 
never  prayed — they  did  not  know  old  Morgan  was  miser- 
ably afraid."  lie  said  he  trembled  at  Quebec,  and  in  the 
gloom  of  earl}^  morning,  when  approaching  the  battery 
at  Cape  Diamond,  he  knelt  in  the  snow  and  prayed  ;  and 
before  the  battle  at  the  Cowpens,  he  went  into  the  woods, 
ascended  a  tree,  and  there  poured  out  his  soul  in  prayer 
to  the  Almighty  Ruler  of  the  Universe  for  protection. 


SKETCHES  OF   WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  337 


COLONEL    CHARLES    M  DOWELL    AND    BROTHERS. 
(Condensed  from  Wheeler's  "Historical  Sketches.") 

Colonel  Charles  McDowell  and  his  brothers,  Joseph 
and  William,  w^re  sons  of  Joseph  McDowell  and  Margaret 
O'Neal,  who  emigrated  from  Ireland  and  settled  in  Win- 
chester, Va.  Here,  Charles  and  Joseph  were  born,  the 
former  in  1743.  Soon  afterward,  Joseph  McDowell,  Sr.^ 
moved  to  Burke  county,  N.  C. 

In  June,  1780,  Colonel  Charles  McDowell  being  joined 
by  Colonels  Isaac  Shelby  and  John  Sevier  from  Tennes- 
see, and  by  Colonel  Clarke,  of  Georgia,  near  the  Cherokee 
Ford  on  Broad  river,  in  South  Carolina,  he  determined 
to  attack  a  post  held  liy  the  enemy  on  Pacolet  river,  in 
Spartanburg  county.  The  position  was  strongly  fortified 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Patrick  Moore,  a  distin- 
guished loyalist.  On  being  surrounded,  the  enemy,  after 
some  parley  as  to  terms,  surrendered  as  jDrisoners  of  Vv^ar. 
One  British  Sergeant  Major,  ninety-three  loyalists,  tv/o 
hundred  and  fifty  fire-arras  and  other  munitions  of  war 
were  the  fruits  of  this  victory.  Soon  afterward  Col.  Mc- 
Dowell detached  Shelby  to  watch  the  movements  of  Fer- 
guson, and  attack  him.  On  the  1st  of  August,  1780, 
Shelby  met  the  advance  guard  of  Ferguson  at  Cedar 
Spring,  about  six  hundred  strong,  when  a  spirited  contest 
commenced  ;  but  on  the  enemy  being  reinforced,  Shelby 
made  good  his  retreat,  carrying  off  from  the  field  tv/ent.y 
prisoners,  including  two  British  officers. 

On  learning  that  a  body  of  five  hundred  Tories  had 
assembled  on  the  south  side  of  Enoree  river,  near  Mus- 
grova's  Mill,  Colonel  McDou  ell  de,tached  Colonels  Shelby, 
Williams  and  Clarke  to  attack  them.  Colonel  Ferguson, 
with  his  whole  force,  lay  encamped  between  them.  They 
left  the  camp  on  the  18th  of  August  at  Smith's  Ford  on 
Broad  river,  and  taking  a  circuitous  route  through  the 


338  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

woods,  avoided  Ferguson's  forces.  They  rode  hard  all 
night,  and  at  daybreak  encountered  a  strong  patrol  party 
of  the  enemy.  A  skirmish  immediately  ensued  and  the 
Tories  retreated.  They  then  advanced  on  the  main  body 
of  the  Tories.  At  this  juncture  a  countryman  living  near, 
a  friend  of  liberty,  came  to  Shelby  and  informed  him 
that  the  enem}'-  had  been  reinforced  the  evening  before, 
by  six  hundred  regular  troops,  and  the  Queen's  American 
regiment  from  New  York,  commanded  by  Colonel  Innis, 
marching  to  join  Ferguson.  Here  was  a  position  that 
would  have  tried  the  talent  and  nerve  of  the  most  skill- 
ful and  brave  officer.  Advance  was  hopeless,  and  retreat 
impossible.  But  Shelby  was  ec[ual  to  the  emergency. 
He  immediately  commenced  forming  a  breast-work  of 
brush  and  old  logs,  while  he  detailed  twenty-five  tried 
men  to  reconnoiter  and  skimish  with  the  enemy  as  soon 
as  they  crossed  the  Enoree  river.  The  drums  and  bugles 
of  the  enemy  were  soon  heard  marching  upon  this  de- 
voted band.  Captain  Inman  had  been  ordered  to  fire  and 
retreat.  This  stratagem,  suggested  by  Captain  Inman 
himself,  was  successful  in  its  object.  The  enemy  ad- 
vanced in  rapid  pursuit  and  in  great  confusion,  believing 
that  the  whole  American  force  was  routed.  When  they 
approached  the  rude  breast-work  of  Shelby,  they  received 
from  his  riflemen  a  most  destructive  fire,  which  carried 
great  slaughter  among  them.  This  was  gallantly  kept 
up;  all  the  British  officers  were  killed  or  wounded,  and 
Hawsey,  the  Tor}'  leader,  shot  down.  The  enem}^  then 
began  a  disorder!}'-  retreat.  The  Americans  now  in  turn 
pursued,  and  in  this  pursuit  the  brave  Captain  Inman 
was  killed,  fighting  hand  to  hand  with  the  enemy.  Col- 
onel Shelby  commanded  the  right  wing,  Colonel  Clarke 
the  left,  and  Colonel  "Williams  the  center. 

The  British  loss  in  this  brilliant  and  well-planned  bat- 
tle, was  sixty-three  killed  and  one  hundred  wounded  and 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       339 

prisoners  ;  the  American  loss  was  only  four  killed,  includ- 
ing Captain  Inman,  and  Captain  Clarke  wounded. 

The  triumphant  victors  were  about  to  remount  and 
advance  on  the  British  post  at  Ninety  Six,  when  an  ex- 
press arrived  from  Colonel  McDowell,  with  a  letter  from 
Governor  Caswell,  informing  them  of  the  defeat  of  Gen- 
eral Gates  at  Camden  on  the  16tli  of  August,  and  advis- 
ing the  retreat  of  our  troops,  as  the  British,  flushed  with 
victory,  would  advance  in  strong  force  and  cut  off  all  de- 
tachments of  our  people.  With  Ferguson  near  him,  Col- 
onel Shelby,  encumbered  with  more  than  two  hundred 
prisoners,  acted  with  energy  and  promptness.  He  dis- 
tributed the  prisoners  among  the  companies,  each  behind 
a,  private,  and  without  stopping  day  or  night,  retreated 
over  the  mountains  to  a  place  of  safety. 

This  rapid  movement  saved  his  men  and  himself.  On 
the  next  day  Major  DePeyster,  of  Ferguson's  forces,  with 
ii  strong  body  of  men,  made  an  active  but  fruitless  search. 

In  consequence  of  the  panic  after  Gates'  defeat  on  the 
16th  of  August,  1780,  and  the  surprise  and  dispersion  of 
.Sumter's  forces  at  Fishing  creek  by  Tarleton's  cavalry  on 
the  18th  following.  Colonel  McDowell  disbanded,  for  a 
time,  his  little  arni}^,  and  he  himself  retreated  over  the 
mountains. 

This  was  a  dark  and  doleful  period  of  American  his- 
tory. The  British  flag  floated  in  triumph  over  Charles- 
ton and  Savannah.  The  troops  of  Lord  Cornwallis,  xith 
all  the  pomp  and  circumstance  of  glor}-,  advanced  from 
the  battle-field  of  Camden  to  Charlotte,  with  the  fond  ex- 
pectation of  soon  placing  North  Carolina  under  his  sub- 
jection. Many  of  the  brave  had  despaired  of  final  suc- 
cess, and  the  timid,  and  some  of  the  wealthy,  to  save 
their  propert}',  had  taken  "protection"  under  the  enemy. 
Colonel  Ferguson,  with  chosen  troops,  was  ravaging  the 
whole  western  portion  of  upper  South  Carolina,  subduing 
in  his  progress  to  western  North  Carolina,  all  opponents 


340  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH    CAROLINA. 

of  English  power,  and  encouraging,  by  bribes  and  artifice;r 
others  to  join  the  royal  standard. 

Under  all  these  discouraging  circumstances  the  brave 
"Mountain  Boys,"  and  other  kindred  spirits  of  the  west 
never  despaired.  On  the  mountain  heights  of  North 
Carolina,  and  in  her  secure  retreats,  like  Warsaw's  "last 
champion,"  stood  the  stalwart  soldiers  of  that  day  : 


"  Oh  Heaven  I  they  said,  our  bleedhig  countrjr  save  ! 

Is  there  no  hand  on  high  to  shild  the  brave  ? 

AVhat  though  destruction  sweep  these  lovely  plains  I — 

Rise,  fellow-men  !  our  country  yet  remains  ; 

By  that  dread  name,  we  wave  the  sword  on  high, 

And  swear  for  her  to  live  !  for  her  to  die  !  " 


If  the  sky  was  then  gloomy,  a  storm  was  gathering  ir.i 
these  mountain  retreats  which  was  soon  to  descend  in  all 
its  fury  on  the  heads  of  the  enemies  of  our  country.  In' 
a  short  time  afterward  the  battle  of  King's  Mountain  was 
fought  and  won  by  the  patriots,  which  spread  a  thrill  of 
joy  throughout  the  land. 

Colonel  Charles  McDowell  was  elected  the  first  Senatoi" 
to  the  State  Legislature  from  Burke  county  in  1778,  and 
success! vel}^  from  1782  to  1790.  From  1791  to  1795,  he- 
was  succeeded  in  the  same  position  by  his  brother,  Major 
Joseph  McDowell.  About  this  period,  at  three  or  four 
different  times,  all  three  of  the  members  of  the  Assembly 
to  which  the  county  was  entitled  were  of  this  family^ 
Avhich  proved  their  great  popularity  and  worth.  Major 
Joseph  McDowell  also  served  as  a  member  of  Congress- 
from  1793  to  1795,  and  from  1797  to  1799.  He  lived  on 
John's  liver,  and  died  there.  His  family  returned  tc 
Virginia,  where  some  of  his  descendants  may  still  be 
found.  One  of  his  sons,  Hugh  Harvey,  settled  in  Mis- 
souri, and  Joseph  J.  McDowell,  in  Ohio,  wdio  was  a  mem- 
ber of  Congress  from  that  State  from  1843  to  1847. 


SKETCHES  OF  AVESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  341 

General  Charles  McDowell  married  Grace  Greenlee, 
the  widow  of  Captain  John  Bowman,  who  fell  at  the  bat- 
tle of  Ramsoiir's  Mill.  By  this  union  he  had  several 
children,  one  of  whom  was  the  late  Captain  Charles  Mc- 
Dowell, who  resided  on  the  Catawba  river,  near  Morgan- 
ton. 

General  Charles  McDowell  died  on  the  31st  of  JSIarch, 
1815,  aged  about  seventy-two  years. 


CHAPTER  IX. 


WILKES  COUNTY. 

Wilkes  county  was  formed  in  1777,  from  Surry,  and 
named  in  lionor  of  John  Wilkes,  a  distinguished  states- 
man and  member  of  Parliament.  He  was  a  fearless 
political  writer,  and  violently  opposed  to  the  oppressive 
measures  of  Great  Britain  against  her  American  Colonies- 
In  1763  he  published  in  the  "  North  Briton  "  newspaper 
a  severe  attack  on  the  government,  for  which  he  was  sent 
to  the  Tower.  Acquitted  of  the  charge  for  which  he  was  im- 
prisoned,  he  sued  for  and  recovered  five  thousand  dollars 
damages  and  then  went  to  Paris.  In  1768  he  returned  to- 
England  and  was  soon  after  elected  a  member  of  Parlia- 
ment. In  his  private  character  he  was  licentious,  but  his 
eminent  talents,  energ}',  and  fascinating  manners  made? 
him  a  great  favorite  with  the  people.  He  died  at  his 
seat  in  the  Isle  of  Wight  in  1797,  aged  seventy  years. 

COLONEL    BENJAMIN    CLEAVELAND. 

Colonel  Benjamin  Cleaveland,  one  of  the  distinguished 
heroes  of  King's  Mountain,  and  in  honor  of  whom  Cleave-' 
land  county  is  named,  lived  and  died  in  Wilkes  county 
at  a  good  old  age.    • 

In  1775  he  first  entered  the  service  as  Ensign  in  the 
second  regiment  of  troops,  and  acted  a  brave  and  con- 
spicuous part  in  the  battle's  of  King's  Mountain  and 
Guilford  court  house.  A  serious  impediment  in  his 
speech  prevented  him  from  entering  public  life.     He  is 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  343 

frequently  spoken  of  in  the  mountain  countr}-  as  the 
"  hero  of  a  liundred  fights  with  the  Tories."  He  was  for 
many  years  the  Surveyor  of  Wilkes  county  and  resided, 
at  the  "  Little  Hiekerson  place.'^ 

Among  other  singular  incidents  in  his  remarkable 
career,  as  preserved  by  General  William  Lenoir,  and  re- 
corded in  Wheeler's  "-Historical  Sketches,"  we  give  place 
to  the  following  : 

"  Riddle  Knob,  in  Watauga  county,  derives  its  name 
from  a  circumstance  of  the  capture  of  Colonel  Benjamin 
Cleaveland,  during  the  Revolution,  by  a  party  of  Tories 
headed  by  men  of  this  name,  and  adds  the  charm  of 
heroic  association  to  the  loveliness  of  it  unrivaled  scenery.. 
Cleaveland  had  been  a  tearor  to  the  Tories.  Two  noto- 
rious characters  of  their  band,  (Jones  and  Coil)  had  been 
apprehended  by  him  and  hung.  Cleaveland  had  gone 
alone,  on  some  private  business,  to  New  river,  and  was 
taken  prisoners  by  the  Tories,  at  the  "  Old  Fields,"  on 
that  stream.  They  demanded  that  he  should  furnish 
passes  for  them. 

Being  an  indifferent  penman  he  wis  some  time  in  pre- 
paring these  papers,  and  he  Vv^as  in  no  hurry  as  he  be- 
lieved that  they  would  kill  him  when  they  had  obtained 
them.  While  thus  engaged  Captain  Robert  Cleaveland, 
his  brother,  with  a  party  followed  him,  knowing  the 
dangerous  proximity  of  the  Tories.  They  came  up  with 
the  Tories  and  fired  on  them.  Colonel  Cleaveland  slid 
off  the  log  to  prevent  being  shot,  while  the  Tories  tied, 
and  he  thus  escaped  certain  destruction. 

Some  time  after  this  circumstance  the  same  Riddle  and 
his  son,  and  another  were  taken  and  brought  before 
Cleaveland,  and  he  hung  all  three  of  them  near  the  Mul- 
berry meeting-house,  now  Wilkesboro,  The  depreda- 
tions of  the  Tories  were  so  frequent,  and  their  conduct  so 
savage,  that  summary  punishment  was  demanded  by  the 


-344  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

(exigencies  of  the  times.     This  Cleaveland  inflicted  with- 
out ceremony." 

COLONEL    JOHN    SEVIER. 

Colonel  John  Sevier  was  born  in  Shenandoah  county, 
T'irginia,  in  1734.  His  father  descended  from  an  ancient 
family  in  France,  the  name  being  originally  spelled 
Javier. 

About  1709  young  Sevier  joined  an  exploring  and  em- 
igrating party  to  the  Holston  river,  in  East  Tennessee, 
then  a  part  of  North  Carolina.  He  assisted  in  erecting 
the  first  fort  on  the  Watauga  river,  where  lie,  his  father, 
Lis  brother  Valentine,  and  otliers  settled.  Whilst  en- 
gaged in  the  defence  of  the  Watauga  fort,  in  conjunction 
with  Captain  James  Robertson,  so  known  and  distingu- 
ished in  the  early  history  of  Middle  Tennessee,  he  espied 
a  young  lady,  of  tall  and  erect  stature,  running  rapidly 
towards  the  fort,  closely  pursued  by  Indians,  and  her  ap- 
proach to  the  gate  cut  off  by  the  savage  enemy.  Her 
-cruel  pursuers  were  doubtless  confident  of  securing  a 
captive  or  a  victim  to  their  blood -thirty  purposes ;  but, 
turning  suddenly,  she  eluded  the  savages,  leaped  the 
palisades  of  the  fort  at  another  point,  and  gracefully  fell 
into  the  arms  of  Captain  John  Sevier.  This  remarkably 
iictive  and  resolute  woman  was  Miss  Catharine  Sherrill, 
who,  in  a  few  years  after  this  sudden  leap  and  rescue, 
became  the  devoted  and  heroic  wife  of  the  gallant  Cap- 
tain and  future  Colonel,  General,  Governor  and  people's 
friend,  John  Sevier.  She  became  the  mother  of  ten 
children,  who  could  gratefully  rise  up  and  call  her  blessed. 

During  Sevier's  visit  to  hisfrmily  in  Virginia  in  1773, 
Governor  Dunmore  gave  him  a  Captain's  commission. 

Through  his  own  exertions  he  raised  a  company  and 
was  in  the  sanguinary' battle  of  Point  Pleasant,  on  the 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       345 

Kenbawa,  in  which  James  Eobertson  and  Valentine 
Sevier  actively  participated. 

The  first  settlers  on  the  Ilolston,  Watauga  and  other 
tributar}'  streams,  were  so  far  beyond  the  influence  of 
the  State  laws  of  North  Carolina  as  to  induce  them  in 
1772  to  form  a  temporary  government  for  their  better 
protection  and  security.  Tlie  people  enjoyed  the  ad- 
vantages of  this  "  Watauga  government,"  as  it  was  called, 
from  1772  until  1777,  at  which  date  Colonel  Sevier  pro- 
cured the  establishment  of  courts  and  the  extension  of 
State  laws  over  "  Washington  District,"  then  in  North 
Carolina,  embracing  an  interesting  section  of  country  in 
waich  he  and  other  pioneers  of  civilization  had  cast  their 
lots.  These  hardy  pioneers  opened  roads  across  the 
mountains,  felled  the  forests,  built  forts  and  houses,  sub- 
dued the  earth,  and  began  rapidly  to  replenish  it,  for 
they  married  and  were  given  in  marriage.  The  State  of 
North  Carolina,  several  years  afterward)  with  a  motherly 
forgiveness,  passed  laws  to  confirm  marriages  and  other 
deeds  of  these  wa3'ward  children  in  the  wilderness. 

Colonel  Sevier  served  in  the  expedition  under  Colonel 
Christian  to  chastise  the  Indians  for  their  numerous  mur- 
ders and  depredations.  In  1779,  he  raised  troops,  entered 
the  Indian  territory,  and  fought  the  successful  battle  of 
Boyd's  creek.  A  few  days  after  this  battle,  he  wa.^  joined 
by  Colonel  Arthur  Campbell  with  a  Virginia  regiment, 
and  Colonel  Isaac  Shelb}-  with  troops  from  Sullivan 
county,  then  in  North  Carolina.  These  active  oflicers 
scoured  the  Cherokee  country,  scattered  hostile  bands,  de- 
stroyed most  of  the  Indian  towns,  and,  after  inflicting  this 
severe  chastisement,  returned  to  their  homes  with  greater 
assurance  of  peace  and  security. 

The  former  part  of  the  year  1780,  was  one  of  gloom  and 
despondency  in  the  Southern  States.  Charleston  surren- 
dered, Gates  defeated,  and  other  minor  reverses  ;  Tories 
becoming  daring  and  insolent ;   the  British  overrunning 


346       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

South  Carolina  and  Georgia  ;  the  Indians  upon  the  borders, 
bribed  and  inflamed  against  the  Americans — all  tended 
to  increase  the  gloom  and  darken  the  prospect  of  achiev- 
ing our  independence.  But  amidst  all  the  obscurity  which 
shrouded  the  sun  of  American  independence,  there  was  a 
gallant  band  of  patriots  in  the  mountains  of  Xorth  Caro- 
lina and  upper  South  Carolina,  who  never  quailed  in  duty 
before  the  enemy,  struck  a  severe  blow  at  every  opportune 
moment,  and  never  despaired  of  final  success. 

In  the  brilliant  victor}'  of  King's  Mountain,  Col.  Sevier, 
with  his  regiment,  displayed  the  most  consummate 
braver}-.  In  June  of  the  same  year,  he  marched  into 
buuth  Carolina  and  assisted  Col.  McDowell  and  other  otfi- 
cers  in  the  successful  battle  of  Musgrove's  Mill. 

In  1781,  Colonel  Sevier  was  appointed  by  General 
Greene  a  commissioner  to  treat  with  the  chiefs  of  the 
Cherokees  and  other  tribes  of  Indians,  which  trust  he 
faithfully  performed.  During  the  years  1781  and  1782, 
he  was  almost  constantly  engaged  in  leading  expeditions 
into  the  Cherokee  country. 

On  the  14th  of  December,  1784,  a  convention  of  five 
delegates  from  each  county  of  the  extreme  western  por- 
tion of  Xorth  Carolina,  met  at  Jonesboro,  now  in  Tennes- 
see, of  which  body  Col.  Sevier  was  made  President.  They 
formed  a  constitution  ior  a  new  State,  to  be  called  "Frank- 
land,"  which  was  to  be  received  or  rejected  b}^  another 
body  of  similar  powers,  "fresh  from  the  people,"  to  meet 
at  Greenville  in  November  1785.  This  anomolous  state 
of  things,  as  might  be  expected,  caused  Governor  Caswell, 
who  was  both  a  soldier  and  a  statesman,  to  issue  his 
proclamation  "against  this  lawless  thirst  for  power." 

The  prescribed  limits  of  this  sketch  forbid  a  full  recital 
of  all  the  angry  discussions  and  violent  acts  of  the  oppos- 
ing parties  which  unfortunately,  for  about  three  years, 
seriously  disturbed  the  peace  and  welfare  of  Western 
Xorth  Carolina. 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  d-l/ 

In  1789,  Colonel  Sevier  was  elected  the  Senator  from 
Greene  county  to  the  Legislature  of  North  Carolina.  In 
1790,  he  was  elected  a  member  of  Congress.  He  was 
twice  elected  Governor  of  Tennessee.  In  1811,  he  was 
elected  a  Representative  to  Congress,  and  in  1813,  re- 
elected to  the  same  position.  In  1815,  he  was  appointed 
by  President  Madison  a  commissioner  to  adjust  difficulties 
with  the  Creek  Indians.  Whilst  engaged  in  the  perform- 
ance of  tins  arduous  duty,  he  was  taken  seriously  ill,  and 
soon  thereafter  died  near  Fort  Decatur,  Ala.,  on  the  24th 
of  September,  1815,  aged  about  eighty-one  years. 

Gen.  Gaines,  then  in  command  of  the  regular  troops- 
near  that  place,  though  quite  ill  at  the  time,  paid  the  last 
sad  tribute  of  respect  to  a  brave  fellow-soldier,  and  had 
him  buried  with  the  honors  of  Avar. 

GENERAL    WILLIAM   LENOIR. 

General  William  Lenoir  was  born  in  Brunswick  county,. 
Virginia,  on  the  20th  of  May,  1 751.  He  was  of  French 
(Huguenot)  descent,  and  the  youngest  of  a  family  of  ten 
children.  When  he  was  about  eight  years  old  his  father 
removed  to  a  place  near  Tarboro,  ]Sr.  C,  where  he  resided 
until  his  death,  a  short  time  afterAvard.  He  received  no 
other  education  than  his  own  limited  means  and  personal 
exertions  enabled  him  to  procure.  When  about  twenty 
years  of  age  he  married  A.im  Ballard,  of  Halifax,  F.  C. — 
a  lady  possessing,  in  an  eminent  degree,  those  domestic 
and  heroic  virtues  which  qualified  her  for  sustaining  the 
privations  and  hardships  of  a  frontier  life,  which  it  was 
her  lot  afterward  to  encounter. 

In  March  1775  Gen.  Lenoir  removed  Avith  his  family  to 
AVilkes  county  (then  a  part  of  Surry)  and  settled  near  the 
place  Avhere  Wilkesboro  noAv  stands.  Previous  to  leaving 
Halifax  he  signed  the  paper  knoAvn  as  the  "Association," 
containing  a  declaration  of  patriotic  principles  and  means 


■348  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

of  redress,  relative  to  the  existing  troubles  with  Great 
Britain.  Soon  after  his  removal  to  Siirry  he  Avas  ap- 
23ointed  a  member  of  the  "  Committee  of  Safety  "'  for  that 
county.  He  took  an  early  and  active  part  in  repelling 
the  depredating  and  murderous  incursions  of  the  Cherokee 
Indians  upon  the  frontier  settlements.  In  this  kind  of 
service  he  was  activel}^  engaged  until  the  celebrated  ex- 
pedition, under  Gen.  Rutherford,  completely  subdued  the 
Indians,  and  compelled  them  to  sue  for  peace.  From  the 
termination  of  this  campaign,  in  which  he  acted  as  a 
Lieutenant  under  Captain  Benjamin  Cleaveland,  to  the 
one  projected  against  Major  Ferguson,  he  was  almost  con- 
stantly engaged  in  capturing  and  suppressing  the  Tories, 
who,  at  that  time,  were  assuming  great  boldness,  and 
molesting  the  persons  and  property  of  the  Whig  in- 
habitants. 

In  the  expedition  to  King's  Mountain  Gen.  Lenoir  held 
the  appointment  of  Captain  in  Colonel  Cleaveland's  regi- 
ment, which  united  with  the  other  Whig  forces  at  the 
head  of  the  Catawba  river.  When  it  was  ascertained  it 
would  be  impossible  to  overtake  Ferguson,  now  evidently 
showing  signs  of  fear,  with  the  footmen,  it  was  decided 
by  a  council  of  the  officers,  that  as  many  as  could  procure 
horses  should  do  so,  and  thus,  as  mounted  infantrj',  ad- 
vance rapidly  upon  the  retreating  enemy.  Accordingh-, 
Gen.  Lenoir  and  his  company  offered  their  services,  joined 
the  select  Spartan  brnd  of  nine  hundred  and  ten  brave 
spirits,  and  pressed  forward  without  delay  to  the  scene  of 
action. 

In  the  brilliant  aehivement  on  King's  Mountain,  Gen. 
Lenoir  was  wounded  in  the  arm  and  in  the  side,  but  not 
severely,  and  a  third  ball  passed  through  his  hair,  just 
above  where  it  was  tied.  He  was  also  at  the  defeat  of 
Col.  Pyles,  on  Haw  River,  where  his  horse  vras  shot  and 
his  sword  broken.  At  a  later  period  he  raised  a  company 
iind  marched  towards  Dan  river  with  the  hope  of  joining 


SKETCHES  OF    WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  34^ 

General  Greene,  but  was  unable  to  effect  a  junction  in 
time.  He  performed  many  otber  minor  but  important 
services,  which  it  is  here  unnecessary  to  enumerate. 

General  Lenoir  served  as  Major  General  of  the  militia 
about  eighteen  years.  In  a  civil  capacity  he  also  dis- 
charged many  high  and  responsible  duties. 

He  filled,  at  different  times,  the  offices  of  Register,  Sur- 
veyor, Commissioner  of  Affidavits,  Chairman  of  the  County 
Court,  and  Clerk  of  the  Superior  Court  for  Wilkes  county. 
He  was  one  of  the  original  Trustees  of  the  State  Univer- 
sity, and  the  first  President  of  the  Board.  He  was  also  a 
member  of  both  the  State  Conventions  which  met  for  the 
purpose  of  considering  the  Constitution  of  the  United 
States.  He  served  for  many  years  in  both  branches  of  the 
State  Legislature.  During  the  last  seven  years  of  his 
services  in  the  Senate,  he  was  unanimously  chosen  Speaker 
of  that  body,  and  performed  the  duties  of  that  important 
station  with  great  satisfaction,  firmness  and  impartiality. 

In  private  life  General  Lenoir  was  no  less  distinguished 
for  his  moral  worth  and  generous  hospitality  than  in 
public  life  for  his  unbending  integrity  and  enlarged 
patriotism.  His  mansion  was  open  at  all  times,  not  only 
to  a  large  circle  of  friends  and  relatives,  but  to  the  stranger 
and  the  traveller.  To  the  poor  he  was  kind  and  charita- 
ble, and  in  his  w^ill  made  liberal  provision  for  those  of  his 
own  neighborhood. 

During  his  last  illness  he  suffered  much  pain  which  he 
bore  with  Christian  resignation.  He  often  said  "  he  did 
not  fear  to  die — death  had  no  terrors  for  him.  He  died, 
with  calm  composure,  at  his  residence  at  Fort  Defiance, 
on  the  6th  of  May,  1839,  aged  eightj^-eight  years. 

His  remains  were  interred  in  the  family  burying  ground 
which  occupies  the  spot  where  Fort  Defiance  Avas  erected 
during  the  Revolutionary  war. 


CHAPTER  X. 


MISCELLAIn^EOUS. 


LORD    CORNWALLIS. 


The  readers  of  American  history,  and  more  particular!}^ 
those  of  the  Southern  States,  will  doubtless  be  gratified  to 
know  something  of  the  end — the  closing  career,  and  "shuf- 
fling oif  of  this  mortal  coil"  of  Lord  Cornwallis  and  Col- 
onel Tarletou,  the  two  British  officers,  who  remained  the 
longest  time  among  them  ;  sometimes  conquering  all  be- 
fore them,  and  again  retrograding,  until  their  capture  and 
surrender  at  Yorktown,  in  Virginia,  on  the  19th  of  Octo- 
ber, 1781. 

Charles  Cornwallis,  son  of  the  first  Earl  of  Cornwallis, 
was  born  in  Suflfolk  on  the  31st  of  December,  1738.  He 
was  educated  at  Westminster  and  St.  John's  College,  Cam- 
bridge. He  entered  the  army  in  1759,  and  succeeded  to 
the  title  and  estates  of  his  father  in  1761.  He  was  the 
most  competent  and  energetic  of  all  the  British  generals 
sent  to  America  during  the  Eevolution,  but  the  cruelties 
exercised  by  his  orders  on  a  few  occasions,  have  left  an 
indelible  stain  upon  his  character.  It  was  in  pursuance 
of  one  of  his  orders,  issued  soon  after  the  battle  of  Cam- 
den, that  the  unfortunate  Colonel  Isaac  Hayne  was  exe- 
cuted by  that  tyrannical  British  officer,  Lord  Eawdon. 
Notwithstanding  this  cruel  tragedy,  which  might  have 
resulted  otherwise  had  he  been  present,  Cornwallis  pos- 
sessed some  fine  traits  of  character,  had  an  amiable  dispo- 
sition, was  greatly  beloved  by  his  men,  and  was  bitterly 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.       351 

opposed  to  house-burning  when  the  fortunes  of  war  were 
in  his  favor.  In  1770,  he  and  three  other  youno-  peers, 
joined  Lord  Camden  in  protesting  against  the  taxation  of 
the  American  colonies.  Mansfield,  the  Chief  Justice,  is 
said  to  have  sneeringlj-  remarked  :  "Poor  Camden  could 
only  get  four  boys  to  join  him."  Although  opposed  tc» 
the  course  of  the  British  Ministry,  yet,  when  hostilities 
commenced;  he  did  not  refuse  to  accept  active  employ- 
ment against  America.  Soon  after  the  war  he  was  ap- 
pointed Governor-General  of  the  East  Indies,  which  posi- 
tion he  held  for  six  years.  During  that  time,  he  con- 
quered the  renowned  Tippoo  Sultan,  for  which  service  he 
was  created  a  marquis  and  master  of  the  ordnance.  lie 
was  Lord  Lieutenant  of  Ireland  from  1798  to  1801,  and 
was  instrumental  in  restoring  peace  to  that  country,  then 
distracted  by  rebellion.  He  signed  the  treaty  of  Ami^"^ 
in  1S02,  and  in  1804  was  again  appointed  Governor  Gen- 
eral of  India.  On  his  arrival  at  Calcutta,  his  health  failed 
and  he  died  at  Ghazepore  on  the  5th  of  October,  1805, 
.aged  sixty-seven  3'ears. 

COLONEL   TARLETON. 

Colonel  Banastre  Tarleton  was  born  in  Liverpool,  Eng- 
land, on  the  21st  of  August,  1754.  He  commenced  the 
study  of  the  law,  but  when  the  w^ar  in  America  broke  out 
he  entered  the  British  army  and  came  to  this  country 
with  Lord  Cornwallis.  He  served  wdth  that  oflicer  in  all 
his  campaigns  in  the  South,  and  by  his  daring  intrepedity, 
and  indomitable  energy,  greatly  contributed  to  the  suc- 
cess of  the  British  arms  at  Camden.  He  possessed  a  san- 
guinary disposition,  as  was  exhibited  in  the  cruel  massacre 
of  Col.  Buford's  regiment  at  the  Waxhaws.  In  tracing 
his  history  in  America,  we  look  in  vain  for  any  redeem- 
ing traits  ill  his  character.  The  ardor  of  his  temper  and 
military  ambition  received  a  severe  check  at  the  battle  of 


352       SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA. 

the  "CowiDens"  on  the  17th  of  January,  1781.  The  capitu- 
lation of  the  British  army  at  Yorktown,  closed  his  mili- 
tary services  in  America.  On  his  return  to  England,  he 
received,  as  might  be  expected,  numerous  honors. 

In  1798,  he  married  the  daughter  of  the  Duke  of  An- 
caster.  He  died  on  the  25th  of  January,  1833,  in  the 
seventy-ninth  year  of  his  age,  icithoat  issue, and  (dthoiUauy 
lingering  affection  of  the  American  people.    - 

THE    CHEROKEE    INDIANS. 


"  We,  the  rightful  lords  of  yore. 
Are  the  rightful  lords  no  more; 
Like  the  silver  mist,  we  fail, 
Like  the  red  leaves  in  the  gale — 
Fail,  like  shadows,  when  the  dawning 
Waves  the  bright  tinsc  of  the  mornins;. 


In  every  history  of  the  United  States  the  different 
tribes  of  Indians — the  native  "sons  of  the  forest'"'  and 
"  rightful  lords  of  the  soil,"  from  Main  to  Florida  and 
from  the  Atlantic  ocean  to  the  great  Mississippi  valley — 
justly  claim  conspicuous  notice,  whether  considered  a& 
prowling  enemies  or  warm-hearted  friends. 

As  the  Tuscaroras  of  eastern  and  middle  Carolina  were- 
one  of  the  most  powerful  of  the  Indian  tribes,  exercising; 
a  dominant  sway  over  much  of  its  undulating  and  semi- 
tropical  territory  earl}'  in  the  last  centur}',  so  the  Chero- 
kees  were  the  most  ]30werful  tribe  of  western  Carolina^ 
and  the  adjoining  region,  preceding  and  during  our  Rev- 
olutionary war,  freqently  requiring  the  strong  arm  of  mil-, 
itary  force  to  chastise  them  and  teach  them,  by  dear  ex- 
perience, the  superiority  and  growing  destiny  of  their 
"■  pale  faced'"'  neighbors. 

The  native  land  of  the  Cherokees  was  the  most  inviting 
and  beautiful  section  of  the  United  States,  lying  upon  the 
sources  of  the  Catawba  and  Yadkin  rivers — upon  Keowee, 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA.  35S 

Tugaloo,  Etowah,  Coosa  and  Flint,  on  the  east  and  souths 
and  several  of  the  tributaries  6f  the  Tennessee,  on  the  west 
and  north.  If  to  this  list  be  added  the  names  of  Hiwas- 
see,  Enoree,  Tallulah,  Swannanoa  and  Watauga,  all  streams 
originating  and  flowing  through  this  mountainous  coun- 
try in  rapid,  frolicksome  mood,  we  have  an  assemblage  of 
musical  sounds,  (omitting  the  hard-sounding  Flint,)  only 
equaled  in  beauty  and  soft  cadence  upon  the  ear,  by  the 
grand  and  picturesque  sceuery  with  which  they  are  sur- 
rounded. 

According  to  Adair,  one  of  the  earliest  settlers  of  South 
Carolina,  and  who  wrote  of  the  four  principal  tribes,. 
(Cherokees,  Shawnees,  Chickasaws  and  Choctaws,)  in 
1775,  "the  Cherokees  derive  their  name  from  CAeero,  or 
fire,  which  is  their  reputed  lower  heaven,  and  hence  they 
call  their  magi,  Cheera-tah-gee,  men  possessed  of  the  divine 
lire. 

Within  twenty  miles  of  old  Fort  Loudon,  built  on  the- 
Tennessee  in  1756,  says  the  same  authority,  "there  is  a. 
great  plenty  of  whetstones  for  razors,  of  red,  white  and 
black  colors.     The   silver  mines  are  so  rich  that  by  dig- 
ging about  ten  yards  (thirty  feet)  deep,  some  desperate 
vagrants  found   at  sundry  times,  so  much  rich  ore  as  to 
enable  them  to  counterfeit  dollars  to  a  great   amount,   a 
horse  load  of  which  was  detected  in  passing  for  the  pur- 
chase  of  negroes   at  Augusta."     "A  tradition,  says  Dr> 
Ramsey,  (Annals  of  Tennessee,)  still  continues  of  the  ex- 
istence of  the  silver  mine  mentioned  by  Adair.     -^     *     * 
After  the  whites  had  settled  near,  and  began  to  encroach 
upon  the  "Over-IIill  Towns,"  their  inhabitants  withheld 
all  knowledge  of  the  mines  from  the  traders,  fearing  their 
cupidity  for  the  precious  metals  might  lead   to  their  ap- 
propriation by  others,  and  the  ultimate  expulsion  of  the 
natives  from  the  country."     The  history  of  the  Cherokees 
is  closely  identified  with  that  of  the  early  settlements  of 
the  frontiers  of  the  Carolinas,  Georgia,  Virginia  and  Tei^- 
23 


354  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

nessee,  and  all  siifiered  from  their  vigorous  and  frequent 
hostile  and  murderous  incjirsions.  They  were  formidable 
for  their  numbers,  and  passionate  fondness  for  war.  They 
were  the  mountaineers  of  Aboriginal  America,  and  like  all 
other  inhabitants  of  an  Alpine  region,  cherished  a  deep 
affection  for  their  country,  and  defended  it  with  a  lasting 
devotion  and  persevering  tenacity.  Little  of  their  early 
history  can  be  gathered  fr©m  their  traditions,  extending 
back  scarcely  a  century  preceding  the  Revolution.  Oko- 
na-sio-ta,  one  of  their  distinguished  chiefs,  visited  England 
during  the  reign  of  George  the  Second.  From  his  time 
they  date  the  declension  of  their  nation.  His  place  of 
residence  was  at  Echota,  one  of  the  Over-Hill  Towns.  Of 
the  tumuli,  or  mounds  scattered  through  the  country,  and 
other  ancient  remains,  they  know  nothing,  and  considered 
them,  when  they  took  possession  of  the  country,  as  ves- 
tiges of  a  more  numerous  population  than  themselves,  and 
farther  advanced  in  the  arts  of  civilization.  The  several 
Indian  tribes  in  America  have  been  compared  to  the  frag- 
ments of  a  vast  ruin.  And  though  these  vestiges  of  a  re- 
mote period  in  the  past  may  not  awaken  the  same  grand 
associations  in  the  mind  of  the  beholder  as  the  majestic 
ruins  of  Greece  and  Rome,  yet  they  cannot  fail  to  excite 
feelings  of  veneration  for  the  memory  of  a  numerous  peo- 
ple, whose  lingering  signs  of  greatness  are  widely  visible 
from  the  western  borders  of  ]S"orth  Carolina  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico,  and  throughout  the  Mississippi  valle3\ 

As  early  as  the  year  1806,  two  Deputations  attended 
Washington  City  from  the  Cherokee  nation ;  one  from  the 
lower  towns,  to  make  known  to  the  President  their  desire 
to  remove  west  of  the  Mississippi,  and  pursue  the  hunter's 
life  ;  the  other  Deputation,  representing  in  part  the  Chero- 
kees  belonging  to  the  above  settlement,  to  make  known 
their  desire  to  remain  in  the  lands  of  their  fathers,  and 
become  cultivators  of  the  soil.  The  President  answered 
their  petitions  as  follows  :    "  The  United  States,  my  chil- 


SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN  NORTH  CAROLINA.  355 

dreu,  are  the  friends  of  both  parties.  As  far  as  can  be 
reasonably  asked,  they  are  willing  to  satisfy  the  wishes  of 
both.  Those  who  remain  may  be  assured  of  our  patron- 
age, our  aid,  and  good  neighborhood." 

The  treaties  formed  between  the  United  States  and  the 
Cherokee  Nation,  in  the  years  1817  and  1819,  made  pro- 
vision for  those  desiring  to  remain,  agreeably  to  the  prom- 
ise of  the  President ;  and  they  thus  became  citizens  of  the 
United  States,  each  family  being  allowed  a  reservation  of 
six  hundred  and  forty  acres  of  land.  The  whites  claimed 
the  same  lands  under  a  purchase  made  of  the  State.  Suits, 
were  instituted  in  favor  of  the  Indians,  and  by  our  Courta 
were  decided  in  their  favor.  Afterward  they  sold  their 
reservations  to  the  Commissioners  of  the  State,  and  pur- 
chased lands  in  the  white  settlement,  and  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  hunting  grounds  reserved  for  them  by  treaties 
concluded  with  the  Cherokee  nation  between  the  years 
1790  and  1799  ;  which  privilege  as  a  part  of  their  nation 
they  now  enjoy. 

The  Cherokees  now  owh  in  Haywood  county,  a  tract  of 
seventy-two  thousand  acres  of  land,  well  adapted  in  the 
vallies  for  farming,  and  on  the  mountains  for  wild  game 
and  sports  of  the  chase.  Qualla  Town.,  their  metropolis, 
is  chiefly  inhabited  by  the  former  sovereigns  of  the  coun- 
try, among  whom  are  a  few  Catawbas.  The  Qualla  Town 
people  are  divided  into  seven  clans  or  divisions,  over  each 
of  which  a  chief  presides. 

About  the  year  1830  the  prtncipal  chief  of  this  settle- 
ment, by  the  name  of  "  Drowning  Bear  "  (or  You-na- 
guskee)  becoming  convinced  that  intemperance  would  de- 
stroy himself  and  his  people,  determined,  if  possible,  to 
bring  about  a  work  of  reform.  He  accordingly  directed 
his  clerk  to  write  in  the  Indian  language  an  agreement 
which  translated  reads  as  follows:  "The  undersigned 
Cherokees,  belonging  to  the  town  of  Qualla,  agree  to 
abandon  the  use  of  spirituous  liquors."     This  instrument 


S56  SKETCHES  OF  WESTERN   NORTH  CAROLINA. 

■of  writing  was  immediately  signed  by  the  old  and  vener- 
able chief,  and  the  whole  town.  This  wise  proceeding 
has  worked  a  wonderfnl  change  for  the  better  in  their 
condition.  They  are  now  a  temperate,  orderly,  indus- 
trious and  peaceable  people. 

One  of  the  most  wonderful  achievments  of  our  age  is  the 
invention  of  the  Cherokee  alphabet.  The  invention  was 
made  in  1821  by  Guess,  (Se-qua-yah)  a  half  breed  Indian,  his 
father  being  a  white  man  and  his  mother  a  Cherokee.  lie 
was  at  the  time  not  only  perfectly  unacquainted  with  letters 
but  entirely  so  with  every  other  language  except  his  own. 
The  first  idea  of  the  practicability  of  such  a  project  was 
received  by  looking  at  an  old  piece  of  printed  paper  and 
reflecting  upon  the  very  singular  manner  (to  him)  by 
which  the  white  people  could  place  their  thoughts  on 
paper  and  communicate  them  to  others  at  a  distance.  A 
thought  struck  him  that  there  surely  must  be  some  mode 
by  which  the  Indians  could  do  the  same.  He  first  in- 
vented a  distinct  character  for  each  word,  but  soon  found 
the  number  so  great  that  it  was  impossible  to  retain  them 
in  the  memory.  After  several  months'  labor  he  reduced 
his  originol  plan  so  as  to  give  to  each  character  a  syllabic 
sound,  and  ascertained  there  were  but  eighty- six  varia- 
tions of  sounds  in  the  whole  language  ;  and  wlien  each  of 
these  was  represented  by  some  particular  character  or 
letter,  the  language  was  at  once  reduced  to  a  sj'stem,  and 
the  extraordinary  mode  of  now  writing  it  crowned  his 
labors  with  the  most  happy  success.  Considerable  im- 
provement has  been  made  in  the  formation  of  the  char- 
acters, in  order  that  they  might  be  written  with  greater 
facility.  One  of  the  characters,  being  found  superfluous, 
has  been  discarded,  reducing  the  number  to  eighty-five. 

Guess  emigrated  to  the  West  in  1824.  It  has  been 
much  regretted  that  he  did  not  remain  in  Xorth  Carolina 
to  witness  the  advantages  and  blessings  of  his  discovery. 


SKETCHES   OF   WESTERN   NORTH   CAROLINA.  357 

The  Bible,  newspapers  and  other  literature  are  now  pub- 
lished in  the  musical  Cherokee  language. 

The  Catawba  Indians,  contiguous  to  our  southern 
borders,  and  once  so  numerous  and  powerful,  have  dwin- 
dled down  to  a  diminutive  remnant — mostly  half  breeds. 
They  inhabited  in  their  palmiest  days  much  of  the  terri- 
toiy  south  of  the  Tuscaroras,  and  adjoining  the  Cherokees. 
For  their  general  adherence  to  the  patriots  in  the  Revo- 
lution they  have  always  received* the  fostering  care  of  the 
State,  They  own  a  tract  of  land  ten  miles  square  in  the 
south-east  corner  of  York  county,  South  Carolina.  They 
speak  a  different  language  from  the  Cherokees,  but  pos- 
sessing a  similarity  ©f  musical  sounds.  They  gave  origin 
to  the  name  of  the  noble  river  along  whose  banks,  in  its 
southern  meanderings  and  its  larger  tributaries  their 
lingering  signs  of  former  habitation  are  frequently  visible, 
informing  us  here  they  once  flourished  in  their  simple 
avocations  and  enjoyments  of  the  forest,  and  now  excite 
our  commiseration  in  their  gradual  decay  and  probable 
future  extinction. 

CONCLUSION. 

In  conclusion,  the  author  would  remark  that  other  his- 
toric materials  are  on  hand,  in  a  partial  state  of  prepara- 
tion, which  may  hereafter  be  published.  The  history  of 
"liberty's  story"  in  the  "Old  I^orth  State,"  with  all  its 
grand  array  of  early  patriotic  developments,  has  never 
been  fully  presented  to  the  world.  The  field  of  research 
is  still  far  from  being  exhausted,  and  it  is  hoped  others — 
descendants,  it  may  be,  of  our  illustrious  forefathers,  will 
prosecute  the  same  line  of  investigation  as  herein  at- 
tempted. 

For  the  present,  this  series  of  sketches,  with  their  un- 
avoidable omissions  and  imperfections,  craving  indulgent 
criticism,  will  come  to  an  end. 


ERRATTA. 


Page  29,  fourth  line  of  third  paragraph,  for  "  Mayor  "  read  "  Major." 
"     69,  bottom  line,  for  "  $4, 000  "  read  "  £4, 000. " 
"    329,  eighteenth  line  from  top,  for  "Cherokee"  read  "Charlotte." 


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