USA > North Carolina > Chronology of North Carolina : showing when the most remarkable events connected with her history took place, from the year 1584 to the present time, with explanatory notes > Part 4
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The above was the father of Col. John H. Wheeler.
1833.
Bank of the State of N. C. incorporated. Wilmington and Raleigh R.R. incorporated. Yancey County formed.
LEONARD HENDERSON died. . Aug.
.
62
CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Hon. JOHN HALL died.
Gen. BANASTRE TARLETON died . Jan. 25thı.
For the following sketch of the life of Gen. Tarleton, I am indebted to Wheeler's History, vol. ii., p. 180 :
"Banastre Tarleton was born in Liverpool on the 21st August, 1754. He commenced the study of the law, but on the breaking out of the war with America, exchanged the gown for the sword. He was with Lord Cornwallis in his whole campaigns in the South, and his daring intrepidity, indomitable energy and military ambition, greatly aided, if they did not secure, victory to the English arms at Camden. The ardor of his tem- per and daring received a severe check at the Cowpens, on 17th Jan., 1781, from General Morgan.
"The capitulation at Yorktown (Oct. 1781), termi- nated his military career. On his return to England, he entered public life as a member of the House of Commons from Liverpool ; in 1818, he was promoted to the rank of General ; and on the coronation of George IV., was created a Baronet and Knight of Bath. He was a daring officer, sanguinary and resentful in his tem- per. He married, in 1798, the daughter of the Duke of Ancaster and Kestevan. He died January 25th, 1833, without issue.
"Colonel Tarleton was in person below the middle size ; stout, strong, heavily made, large muscular legs, and uncommonly active in his movements ; his com- plexion dark; his eyes small, black and piercing."
"Tarleton " is so well remembered, we give him this notice.
.
63
CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
1834.
Wake Forest College founded.
This college was projected and is sustained by the Baptists. Wheeler, in his History of N. C., says :
"The father and founder of this institution is un- doubtedly the Rev. Samuel Wait, D.D., who was its first President, and continued so up to June, 1846. The Rev. William Hooper, LL.D., was his successor, and resigned in 1848, at which time the Rev. John B. . White, A.M., who had for twelve years occupied the professorship of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, was elected President. The institution has gradually been gaining in public favor, is free from debt, and has the prospect of a speedy endowment."
WILLIAM POLK died . Jan. 14th.
Gen. KEDAR BALLARD died
. Jan. 16th.
Hon. JOHN STANLEY died
. Aug. 3d.
Hon. JOSEPH PEARSON died
. Oct. 27th.
JAMES GRANT died
. Nov. 3d.
Merchants Bank, Newberne, incorporated.
1835.
Amendments to the Constitution of North
Carolina ratified in Convention . July 11th.
Dr. JOSEPH CALDWELL died . Jan. 27th.
Hon. HENRY SEAWELL died . . Oct. 11th.
Raleigh and Gaston R.R. incorporated.
1836.
Wilmington and Raleigh R.R. commenced. Davie County formed.
Hon. HUTCHINS G. BURTON died . April 21st.
64
CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
1837.
Davidson College opened . March.
Hon. WILLIS ALSTON died
. . April 10th.
Hon. NATHANIEL MACON died
. June 29th.
It would be superfluous for me to attempt here to write anything on the life and public services of Hon. Nathaniel Macon. His biography has been written by Edward R. Colton, Esq., to which and to " Wheeler's History," the reader is referred. Let it suffice for me to say he was one of the most distinguished of Caro- lina's sons. He was, from 1801 to 1806, Speaker of the House of Representatives, the only individual from North Carolina who has ever enjoyed this distinguished honor.
ALFRED MOORE, jun., died . July 28th. HARDY B. CROOM and family perished in the shipwreck of the steamer "Home," on his way from New York . . Oct. 9th.
Mr. Croom was a native of Lenoir County, and gra- duated at the University in 1816.
1838.
Davidson and Wake Forest Colleges char- tered.
Hon. JOHN A. CAMERON, of N. C., perished
in the unfortunate steamer " Pulaski," on his passage from Savannah to Charleston, June 14th.
1839.
JOHN REX died . . Jan. 29th.
.
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CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
GEORGE POLLOK died . April 9th.
Gen. WILLIAM LENOIR died
. May 6th.
Raleigh and Gaston R.R. finished
. July 4th.
Cherokee County formed.
1840.
Gen. BEVERLY DANIEL died. . Sept 13th.
Wilmington and Raleigh R.R. finished.
Common Schools established throughout the State by a state fund and county tax.
1841.
OWEN HOLMES died . . June 6th. Caldwell, Stanley and Cleveland Counties
formed.
1842.
LEWIS WILLIAMSON died (in Congress). . Feb. 23d. JOSEPH GALES died . . . May 24th.
Col. WILLIAM ROBARDS died
. June 17th.
Rev. DENNIS LENNON died.
. July 16th.
Hon. JAMES GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS WILLIAM- soy died . Aug. 7th.
LIon. EDWARD JONES died . . Aug. Sth.
Dr. ROBERT WILLIAMS* died. . Nov. 12th.
* The above-mentioned Dr. Robert Williams was a surgeon of the. Revolutionary army. After this service, he rendered constant and im- portant civil services. He was a member of the Convention at Hills- borough, 21st July, 1778, to deliberate upon the Constitution of the United States (which body rejected that instrument), and voted against its ratification with a majority of one hundred.
Ile was also a member of the Convention at Raleigh, 4th June, 1835,
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CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Rev. WILLIAM MCPHEETERS died . Nov. 7th.
Major PLEASANT HENDERSON died . Dec. 10th.
Catawba, McDowell and Union Counties formed.
1843.
Great fire in Wilmington
Hon. THOMAS KEENAN died
Hon. CHARLES B. SHEPARD died
. April 30th.
. Oct. 22d.
. Oct. 31st.
1844.
Gen. PAUL BARRINGER died . June.
Hon. WILLIAM MONTGOMERY died
. Nov. 27th.
Hon. WILLIAM GASTON died
. Jan. 23d.
The following resolutions on the death of Hon. Wm. Gaston were unanimously passed by the General As- sembly of North Carolina, at the session of 1844-15.
" Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, that in the death of WILLIAM GASTON, one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, the State has experienced a loss of one of its most patriotic citizens, a faithful public servant, and a learned and impartial judge. That in the course of a long and varied life his bright career is left to us an example worthy of imita- tion, and his unsullied character one of the brightest jewels of the State.
" Resolved, that the Governor of the State transmit a . copy of these resolutions with the preamble* to the
to amend the State Constitution; and a member of either the House of Commons or Senate from 1786 to 1814.
Ile died loved for his virtues and respected for his services.
* The preamble being long is not here given.
.
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CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
family of the deceased, and that they be spread on the journals of both branches of the General Assembly."
1845.
WILLIAM W. CHERRY died . . May 2d.
Gen. ANDREW JACKSON died
. . June 8th.
JOHN PHIFER died
. Oct. 18th.
1846.
Alexander and Gaston Counties formed.
Col. CHARLES HOSKINS of North Carolina killed at Monterey in Mexico
. Sept. 21st.
Hon. FRANCIS X. MARTIN died
. Dec. 10th.
Hon. LOUIS D. HENRY died.
1847.
Commercial Bank, Wilmington, incorporated.
Institution for the Deaf and Dumb at Raleigh. J. H. K. BURGWIN, Capt. 1st Regt. United States Dragoons, died at Taos, New Mex- ico . Feb. 7th.
Gen. JESSE SPEIGHT died ·
. May 1st.
Capt. SAMUEL POTTER. died . May 29th.
Gen. LEWIS D. WILSON died in Mexico . Aug. 12th.
Sergt. RICHARD H. ROGERS of N. C. killed at National Bridge, Mexico . Aug. 12th.
1848.
JOHN J. WHEEDEN died
Hon. JOSEPH J. DANIEL died
MERRITT D. CROCKER died
North Carolina R.R. chartered.
. Jan. 14th.
. Feb.
. June 27th.
·
- ـيا سر .
6S
CITRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Turnpike from Salisbury west to the Geor- gia line incorporated.
Cape Fear and Deep River Navigation Company incorporated.
Fayetteville and Western Plank Road chartered.
Alamance and Forsythe Counties formed.
1849.
Watauga County formed.
Bank of Fayetteville incorporated.
CHARLES FISHER died .
. May 7th.
JAMES KNOX POLE died
· . June 15th.
JOSHUA FOREMAN died . . Ang. 4th.
1850.
Rev. JOSIAH JOHN FINCH died . Jan. 21st.
Mr. Finch was an able and efficient minister of the Gospel of the Missionary Baptist denomination; his biographer says :
"Few men combine so many of the true elements of ministerial excellence as were to be found in the charac- ter of Rev. J. J. Finch ; he was dignified in deport- ment ; graceful in gesture ; clear in conception ; sys- tematic in arrangement ; simple and chaste in language ; distinct in articulation ; forcible in delivery, with a - sweet mellow voice, and commanding personal appear- ance." See Finch's Sermons, p. 14.
MARMADUKE WILLIAMS died . Oct. 29th. RICHARD DOBBS SPAIGHT died.
Jackson, Madison and Yadkin Counties formed.
.
-
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CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Bank of Washington incorporated. Bank of Wadesborough incorporated. Neuse River Navigation Co. incorporated.
The following beautiful lines on the death of Hon. J. C. Calhoun, were written by William W. Holden, Esq., of Raleigh. Mr. CALHOUN died March 31st.
Lesen
" The voyager on the southern main Views with rapt awe the hallowed sign Which nightly flames ' beyond the line,' Nor deems the labor all in vain Which brings him to that long sought shrine.
"The various tribes, in field, by flood, Walk in its light when day is done, And hail it in its high abode, Best reflex of the absent sun.
" In all their devious wanderings, From dewy eve through midnight's reign, It guides them till the morning's wings Shed sunlight o'er the earth again.
" What if that cross its front should veil, And darkling sink in night's embrace, Nor other stars nor sun could fill Or share its wondrous dwelling place ?
,
.
-
" Star of the South ! 'twas thus with thee. To thee all eyes and hearts were turned As round thy path, from plain to sea, The glory of thy greatness burned.
" Millions were drawn to thee and bound. By mind's high mastery millions hailed In thee a guide-star, and ne'er found A ray in thee that waned or failed.
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!
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CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
" Fixed as that sign which hangs in heaven, Firm as the earth it shines upon, Pure as the snow by light winds driven, Wert thou, Columbia's honored son.
"No night's embrace for thee nor pall But such as mortal hand hath wrought ;
THOU LIVEST STILL in mind, in all That breathes, or speaks, or lives in thought.
" Star of the South, thy beams are here, Here in this heart that weeps thy loss ;
Though hidden, thou art still a sphere, Serene, refined from earthly dross,
Eternal and intensely clear." .
1851.
Hon. AUGUSTUS MOORE died in April.
1853.
HEZEKIAH G. LEIGH, D.D., died . Sept. 18th.
In the chapel of Randolph Macon College, Virginia, inserted in the wall on the left of the rostrum is a mar- ble cenotaph bearing the following inscription :
" Sacred to the memory of REV. HEZEKIAH G. LEIGH, D.D.
He was born in Perquimans Co., N. C., Nov. 23, 1793, professed conversion in 1817, joined the Virginia Conference in 1818."
1854.
Bank of Clarendon, Fayetteville, incorporated.
Bank of Wilmington, N. C., incorporated. Wilson, Polk and Harnet Counties formed.
71
CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Hon. ROBERT STRANGE died . Feb. 19th.
Judge Strange occupied various positions of power and usefulness in North Carolina ; he was in the United States Senate from 1837 to 1841; was Judge of the Superior Court from 1826 to 1836, and was when he died Solicitor of the Fifth Judicial District, N. C.
Rev. EVAN E. FREEMAN died . April Sth.
Rev. Evan E. Freeman was born in Granville County, August 15, 1820 : was converted to God and joined the M. E. Church in 1839; entered the itinerant Methodist ministry in 1843 ; and died in Pittsylvania, Va., April Sth, 1854.
Rev. JAMES MCFARLAND died . July 17th.
The Rev. James McFarland was born Feb. 22d, 1813, in Mecklenburg County, N. C., and in early life re- moved with his parents to Tennessee and settled in Haywood County. In the autumn of 1831, he professed conversion and joined the M. E. Church; he was licensed to preach in 1834, and continued to labor with great acceptability and usefulness, first as an itinerant, and then as presiding elder, up to near the time of his death.
Rev. P. C. BROWDER died . . July 31st.
The Rev. P. C. Browder was born in Iredell County, Sept. 2d, 1824; was licensed to preach in 1850; in 1851, was married to Miss M. E., daughter of the Rev. John Warts, an amiable and pious lady ; he labored faithfully and successfully in the ministry until he was prostrated
72
CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
by sickness on 22d July, 1854; he suffered extremely until the 31st., when he breathed his last. He died in peace with God and all the world.
SAMUEL PATTON, D.D., died . . August.
Dr. Patton was born in Lancaster District, S. C., January 27, 1797 ; was licensed to preach in 1819, from which time he continued to grow in grace and popular favor. He was, in October, 1825, appointed presiding elder; in 1846, he was chosen editor of the "Holston Christian Advocate," in which work he was faithfullv engaged until his death. Mr. Patton travelled and preached several years in the western part of the State.
For the four preceding sketches I am indebted to the " Annals of Southern Methodism for 1855," by Rev. C. F. Deems of N. C.
1855.
Dr. S. B. EVERITT died . ·
. May 31st.
NATHANIEL M. CARRINGTON died · . Dec. 3d.
ALSTON A. JONES died · . Dec. 12th.
1856.
Mrs. FANNY PEARCE, of Fayetteville, N. C.,
died in the 6Sth year of her age . April 16th.
Col. WILLIE M. NELSON died ·
. April 1Sth.
EDWARD OUTLAW died . May 30th.
NATHANIEL M. ALSTON died . June 2d.
Hon. JOHN D. ECCLES died
. June 15th.
EDWARD MORECOCK died
. July 13th.
Rev. WILLIAM J. PARKS diod
. July 21st.
Major BENJAMIN M. SELBY died
. June 16th.
73
CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Mrs. SERENA Cox, of Onslow County, died, aged S1 . . June 30th. N. C. Railroad completed.
Mrs. SUSAN ALEXANDER died . June 12th.
The following is from the "North Carolina Argus," June 21st, 1856: " Mrs. Susan Alexander, of Revolu- tionary memory, departed this life in Mecklenburg County on the 12th inst. The ' Charlotte Whig' believes she was the only remaining relict (in that community) of ' the times that tried men's souls.' "
Hon. JOHN D. TOOMER died . Sept. 27th.
The following is from the " Wilmington Commercial" of October 3d, 1856:
" DEATH OF JUDGE TOOMER .- It is our duty to an- nounce the death of Judge Toomer, aged 72 years, which occurred recently at his residence near Pittsboro'. We are among the many who personally knew his worth. No man in this or any other country exhibited through all his life greater purity of character, or more consistency in all that is amiable and praiseworthy. With a generous, benevolent and sympathetic heart, he combined learning and eloquence in an eminent degree. We look for a proper tribute of respect to his memory and a record of his public and private worth, to some other pen. For ourselves, we have always thought that official titles or positions added no dignity to Mr. Toomer. When we heard the name of John D. Toomer, there arose to our perceptions a character entitled to our affection, respect and admiration."
4
74
CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
1857.
Hon. PRESTON S. BROOKS, of South Carolina,
died
.
Jan. 27tli.
The following lines are to his memory by a North Carolinian :
" The golden bowl by death is broke, A pitcher burst in twain, The cistern wheel has felt the stroke, The noble Brooks is slain.
'Star of the South,' thy tongue is still ; A nation mourns for thee :
Who will, who can, thy station fill ; Who can so noble be ?
Thou wert Columbia's honored son, A patriot in deed ;
A friend to thy dear native home, The South-a friend in need.
Boldly her rights thou hadst maintained Through nature's darkest frown,
On earth a wreath of laurels gained, In heaven a starry crown. " Shallotte, N. C., March, 1857."
Hon. WILLIAM HILL died Oct. 29th,
The following sketch is from a November (1857) num- ber of the "North Carolina Standard :"
"THE LATE WILLIAM HILL .- In our last we briefly announced the death of William Hill, Secretary of State. His funeral took place at the M. E. Church, in this city, on Friday last, and was attended by a large concourse of people. The public offices at the Capitol, and the principal places of business throughout the city, were closed, as a mark of respect for the deceased. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Mr. Wheeler,
.
75
CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
the minister in charge, who preached an impressive sermon from the following text: 'For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth : and though, after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.'- Job, ch. 19 : vs. 25, 26.
"Partly from facts furnished us, and partly from our own knowledge, we are enabled to give the following brief biography of the deceased :
" William Hill was born in Surrey (now Stokes) Coun- ty, N. C., on the 23d of September, 1773, and died in Raleigh on the 29th of October, 1857, being 84 years, 1 month and 6 days old.
" Of his early life little is known beyond the few brief reminiscences occasionally narrated by himself. His father, who removed from Caroline County, Va., was a Baptist minister, a sterling patriot and an honest man. During the war of the Revolution, his stirring appeals stimulated the Whigs of his section. He was a chaplain in the American army at the battle of Guilford Court House. His son William was then about eight years old, and he well recollected hearing the roar of the artillery, being only four miles distant from the field of battle. He has been heard to relate that a short time prior to this battle, a band of Tories called at his father's house, where he and his mother were, and inquired for his father. On being told that he was not at home they departed, avowing their intention to hang him if they found him. He had incurred their hate by his devotion to the patriot cause. He was a member of the Convention that met at Hillsborough in August, 1775, to improvise a system of government for the State. The
76
CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
maiden name of his wife, the mother of the subject of this memoir, was Eliza Halbert. She was a native of Caroline County, Va.
"The late Secretary had in youth but limited educa- tional facilities. He followed the plough for several months during the year to obtain money sufficient to pay his tuition at school the remainder of the year. At the early age of sixteen he taught school, thus improv- ing his mind while he earned a livelihood.
" In the month of July, 1795, having obtained a letter of introduction from Mark Hardin. Esq., of Chapel Hill, afterwards Major Hardin, to James Glasgow, then Secretary of State, he came to Raleigh and entered his (Glasgow's) office as a clerk. Associated with him in the like capacity was William White, Esq., who suc- ceeded Glasgow in office in 1798. He continued in the same position under Secretary White until about Janu- ary, 1803, when he was married to Miss Sarah, daughter of Col. John Geddy. Col. G. was a staunch Whig. He was captured by the British and imprisoned for a long time in Charleston, S. C. He was a member of the first Convention of the people held in the State on the 25th of August, 1774, at New Berne ; also of the Convention held at Hillsborough on the 21st of August, 1775; and he represented Halifax County in the State Legislature from 1774 to 1835.
" A son and four daughters, all now living, were the fruits of this marriage. His wife died on the 14th of February, 1833. A short time after his marriage, he engaged in the mercantile business at Haywood, Chat- ham County, where he remained but a short time, re- turning to Raleigh during the year 1804. Here, for a · while, he followed the same pursuit, at Richard Smith's
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77
CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
old stand, Mr. Smith being then his clerk." At the ses- sion of the Legislature of 1804-5 he was appointed a magistrate for Wake County. At the February term of the court of pleas and quarter sessions in the year 1806, he was elected Register of the county ; and at February term, 1807, he was elected County Court Clerk, which office he held until he was elected Secretary of State in November, 1811, succeeding William White, who died in October, 1811.
"In the year 1834 or 1835, he again married. His second wife was Mrs. Frances C. Blount, relict of Joseph Blount, Esq., of Chowan County. Her maiden name was Conner. She is a lineal descendant from John . Archdale, a Quaker, who succeeded Philip Ludwell as Governor of Carolina in the year 1694. By this mar- riage there was no issue. She is still living.
" At the burning of the old Capitol, in 1831, Mr. Hill succeeded, by strenuous exertions, in preserving the records of his office, and had them removed to what is now the site of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum. By labor- ing incessantly, he succeeded in arranging all his papers before the meeting of the Legislature.
" He held the office of Secretary of State, through all the mutations of party, to the day of his death.
"Mr. Hill joined the M. E. Church in 1811, when Bishops Ashbury and McKendree preached in the old State House. He was baptized privately, by immersion. There was then no church building in Raleigh. The first church built here was that of Rev. Mr. Glendening, a. Unitarian, and the building is now used as a shop. It is situated on Hargett street, near the shop of David Royster, sen. The next church was the Presbyterian, and the next the Methodist. The only person now
78
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CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
living in Raleigh who joined the church with Mr. Hill, is Wesley Whitaker, sen.
" Mr. Hill was a sincere Christian. His leading characteristics were fidelity, industry, simplicity, hon- esty, integrity, benevolence and charity. But for the two last named virtues he might have amassed wealth. He was for many years a class leader and steward in the church of which he was a member. There was no gloom nor austerity in his religion. He was ever cheer- ful. He looked with leniency upon the failings of others, and never spoke harshly of them. Regular as was his attendance at the sanctuary, his strict observ- ance of private duty was equally unremitting and methodical. Method, indeed, was one of his most prominent characteristics, and one of the main causes of his success in life. It is related of him that often on Saturday evenings, when he supposed no eye was on him except that of his God, he would kneel in his office at the Capitol to return thanks for mercies past, and to implore the Divine blessing upon the approaching Sab- bath. He was distinguished in a remarkable degree for his uniform kindness and cordiality in his intercourse with his fellow-men. He was a man of naturally strong feelings, but he learned to control them. He was de- cided in his political principles-no trimmer or time- server, but he always treated others as he wished to be treated himself. It is believed that he never voted, either in county or State elections, to turn out an officer who had done his duty. It was owing to the fact that he was a good officer, an honest man, and a kind and courteous gentleman, and not that he courted favor by cringing to party, that he held his office so long. All esteemed him-none doubted his capacity or his fidelity
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CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
" When a good man dies, any incident, however tri- vial, illustrative of his charater, is eagerly sought and treasured up by those who loved or admired him; and the following anecdote occasionally related by Mr. Hill himself, will not be without interest. By it he incul- cated, both as a pleasure and a duty, a constant regard for the feelings of others and unvarying kindness and courtesy to all with whom he should chance to meet. He remarked that he who did this was often rewarded, even in this world.
" Many years ago he journeyed to Tennessee, then an almost unbroken forest. At that time it was a perilous undertaking. Robberies were by no means uncommon, and Indian outrages were of frequent occurrence. The passage of the mountains, too, was fraught with danger, as there were but few roads, and they almost impas- sable. While there he met a widow lady with an infant, left by her husband's death in a land of strangers, friendless and alone. She was endeavoring to make her way back to her relatives in Carolina. Obedient to theª generous impulses of his nature, he endeavored to secure her comfort and to shield her as far as he could, from the hardships incident to the journey, frequently carry- ing her infant for hours in his arms. In 1811, when a candidate for the office he so long and worthily filled, he was opposed by a gentleman of deserved popularity and powerful family influence. Twice they received each an equal number of votes. Several members of the legislature were confined to their rooms by sickness, and a committee was appointed to visit them and obtain their votes. One of these gentlemen, a brother of the widow above mentioned, but an entire stranger to Mr. Hill, recollected hearing his sister speak of the kindness
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CHRONOLOGY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
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