USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 16
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19
ALAMANCE COUNTY.
writer on our history, appropriate to the case, are here presented. "It is better that a people should occasionally experience incon- venience from the warm bursting out of popular feeling than that their liberties should be neglected by sloth or inaction.
"Every human institution is imperfect. Yet the honest instincts of the people are wiser and more laudable than the cold calculations of a proud aristocracy. I love to behold the spirit of popular liberty awake, bold and vigorous ; for sure I am, that propositions, whether wild or wise, when submitted to the severe ordeal of public discus- sion, and tried by the fire of conflicting minds, will not be adopted unless public intelligence approve, public opinion give them vitality, and public justice adopt them as rules of action. The whirlwind of popular excitement is far less dangerous than the dry rot of luxury. I had rather lose the roof of my house in the temporary storm, than the whole building by decay in its foundation."
That the Regulators were guilty of excesses, none can deny. This has been the case from all time when justice and liberty contend against oppression and power. But the great principles that they con- tended for ; the rights of the many against the exactions of the few ; the right of the people to resist taxation, unless imposed by their re- presentatives ; the refusal to pay more than what was legal; and a right to know for what they were taxed, and how appropriated; if in that day cost them their property, their blood, and their lives, they were the principles which carried our nation through an eventful struggle; and are now recognized as the true principles of govern- ment, self-evident, and incontrovertible. Had this battle terminated differently (and five years afterwards this would have been the case), the banks of Alamance would be venerated as another Bunker Hill; and Husbands, Merrill, and others, ranked with the Warrens and patriots of another day.
The character of Husbands* has been already alluded to. The reader on referring to the chapter on Orange County, will find the character and life of Edmund Fanning, whose conduct was the chief cause of the troubles of the Regulation.
The population of Alamance from the Census of 1851, officially reported is 7,924 whites, 324 free colored population ; 3,196 slaves, 10,165 federal popu- lation ; 228 whites over twenty years old who cannot read or write.
Alamance pays as taxes annually into the public treasury the sum of $1426, of which on land, $531, and on poll, $128.
HON. THOMAS RUFFIN, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the State, is a resident of Alamance.
He is a native of Virginia, and was born in 1786. He graduated at Prince- ton, in 1805 ; studied law with his kinsman, Judge Roane, at the same time, in whose office was General Winfield Scott.
He removed to North Carolina, and in 1813, '15, and '16, represented Hills- borough in the House of Commons.
It may be here remarked that to few counties in North Carolina is the State more indebted for able representatives in her legislative halls than to Orange. At this time (1815), Judge Ruffin from the borough, Judge Murphy in the Senate, and Judge Nash in the Commons.
Vol. i. 60. See Randolph, Chapter LXIII ..
20
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
In 1816, Judge Ruffin was elected Judge of the Superior Court, and resigned in 1818.
In 1825 he was again elected Judge of the Superior Court, but resigned in 1828, on being appointed President of the State Bank.
In 1829, he was elected Judge of the Supreme Court, which elevated posi- tion he now holds. Although a native of another State, his fame belongs to North Carolina. Hugh McQueen, Esq., in a sketch of Judge Ruffin before me, says, Napoleon was born in Corsica, but France, the scene of his glory, always claimed him as her son.
It is always difficult to speak of the living, no matter how elevated their position, and how assiduous and self-sacrificing their labors. With the most distinguished there exists some shades of prejudice which honest zeal may have created, or emulation may have engendered. Even a just appreciation of merit by a cotemporary may be received as fulsome eulogium; hence the biographer of the living has a dangerous and difficult path. He can only regard the stern advice of Cromwell to Sir Peter Lely, when sitting for his portrait, "Paint me as I am." Yet, like the Colossus of Rhodes, living cha- racters are best viewed in the distance. We must not be too near the massy statue to admire its symmetrical proportions. When death and time have softened down by their mellow hand any shadow that may in life obscure our vision, and hallowed their services, talents, and virtues, then may their biographies, with their epitaphs, be written.
Judge Ruffin married the daughter of William Kirkland, Esq. . One of his sons was in the last legislature (1850), from Rockingham, and bids fair to' emulate the example of his distinguished father.
For the names of the members who have represented Alamance, the reader is referred to the County of Orange, with which Ala- mance votes, until after the next session of our General Assembly.
CHAPTER II.
ALEXANDER COUNTY
WAS erected in 1846, formed from Iredell, Caldwell, and Wilkes Counties.
It is bounded on the north by Wilkes, on the east by Davie, on the south by Iredell, and on the west by Caldwell County.
Its capital is TAYLORSVILLE.
The name of Alexander is familiar in North Carolina, and dis- tinguished.
NATHANIEL ALEXANDER, of Mecklenburg, was Governor of the State in 1805. Abraham Alexander was chairman of the convention at Charlotte, in May, 1775, that declared independence.
Its capital preserves the name of JOHN LOUIS TAYLOR, who was long a judge of our courts, distinguished for his learning, integrity, and kindness of dis- position. Its distance from Raleigh, 150 miles.
Its population, 4,653 white, 24 free negroes, 543 slaves, 5,002 federal population ; 390 whites over 20 who cannot read or write.
The taxes paid annually into the public treasury, by Alexander, amounts to four hundred and fourteen dollars.
1
21
ANSON COUNTY.
It is still connected with and votes with Iredell County, until after our next General Assembly. Its early history belongs to Iredell, to which the reader is referred.
CHAPTER III. .
ANSON COUNTY.
Date of erection, origin of name, situation and boundaries, population and products-Colonial and Revolutionary history-Excesses of the people under the oppressive and extortionary conduct of the Crown officers-Peti- tion of the citizens in 1768 to Gov. Tryon against Anthony Hutchins, Samuel Spencer, and. Charles Medlock, with the names of petitioners- Reply of the Governor to the same ; an original document, never before published-Members from Anson to the Provincial Congress of North Caro- lina in 1774, which met at Newbern-Members of same for same, which met at Hillsborough in August, 1775-Field officers in 1775 for Anson- Character of Samuel Spencer, one of the earliest judges of the State, and his singular death-Her distinguished citizens; and members of the Assembly.
ANSON COUNTY was erected as early as 1749, from Bladen County, and comprehended all the western portion of the State, from New Hanover and Bladen on the east, as far as the limits of the State extended on the west, more than one half of the State .*
It derives its name from Admiral Anson, the celebrated Circum- navigator, who at the time (1749) was in the zenith of his fame, having only a short time previous obtained a victory over the French fleet off Cape Finisterre.
WADESBORO', its capital town, derives its name from Thomas Wade, who was Colonel of the minute men of Salisbury District, in 1775.
It is bounded on the north by Montgomery and Stanly, on the east by Richmond, on the south by the State of South Carolina, and west by Union County.
Population, 6,556 whites ; 101 free negroes ; 6,832 slaves; 10,705 federal population ; 394 persons over 20 who cannot read or write.
Products, 39,991 bushels of wheat; 416,102 bushels of corn; 108,505 bushels of oats ; 32,244 bushels of potatoes ; 11,832 pounds of wool; 21 distilleries ; 1,489 gallons produced.
The amount paid annually as taxes by Anson to the treasury amounts to two thousand seven hundred dollars, of which, for land, $638 ; polls $662.
The amount received by Anson for common schools, from the treasury, is two thousand and twenty-four dollars (1850).
Its colonial history is full of interest. The oppressions of offi- cers of the crown were not confined to Orange. The opposition of
* Martin, vol. ii 557.
22
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
the people extended to Anson County. So heavy were the exac- tions of the officers, that in 1768 the people rose in self-defence, entered the Court House, and violently expelled the officers of the court.
Deep must have been the wrongs, and hopeless the redress, when a people could thus violently defend their rights !
The following petition (never before published), from the State Paper Office in London,* was procured through the kindness of Hon. George Bancroft, our late Envoy at that court, with the names of the Regulators, presents the matter in their own lan- guage, and the reply of Gov. Tryon to the same.
At that early day the great principle was laid down " that taxa- tion and representation should always be associated ; that neither Parliament, nor the Governor, or any other power, had the right to tax the people without their consent, freely given through their re- presentatives in the General Assembly:"
This petition proves that to Anson belongs the credit of having first advocated the election of magistrates by the people.
The People of Anson, to his Excellency Governor Tryon.
" EXCELLENT SIR :- We make no doubt but that you will soon hear the dis- agreeable news of the disorders of the unfortunate County of Anson. We, therefore, take this opportunity to inform you the cause and manner of it; in which we blame ourselves for not first having addressed your excellency on the occasion of our complaints, who could, no doubt, have removed our grievances, and have prevented the rumor of faction and disorder. But, being long under the growing weight of oppression, became rash and precipi- tate, and thought to change the state of the country in a different manner, to have suppressed the offenders, and make them wary of their employments.
"For which purpose we formed ourselves, into which the opposite party called a mob, of about five hundred men, resolving, should no happier event interfere to our succor, to defend our cause in the disagreeable manner of force, and to have persisted unto blood.
" We looking at that time, much out of our powers, to have kindness from your excellency, as our leading men were best acquainted, whose assertions we feared would have greatest weight with your excellency ; but whenever considered that neither prince nor governor, who has the good of his people at heart, would see them oppressed to gratify the errors and ambition of any particular persons, who are Anthony Hutchins, Col. Samuel Spencer, Charles Medlock, and their assistants, the justices and sheriffs, chiefly recommended to your excellency by Hutchins and Spencer, to answer their partial views and purposes. * * *
"Innocent persons are committed to jail by the jailor himself, being a magistrate, then put to considerable expense, and then discharged.
"Amongst other things, they tax the people in an unusual manner, which is as follows: First, persons who commit capital offences are committed to the county jail, and there retained five or six months ; a county tax is laid to defray the expenses, when it is notoriously known that it is a province ex- pense. But Medlock, the late sheriff, stopped not there, but proceeded by Mr. Spencer, the clerk and member for the county, to have the same claim allowed by the Assembly, and were only prevented, as we are informed,
* State Paper Office, London. Am. and W. I., vol. cxcviii.
23
ANSON COUNTY.
by its being proved to the Committee of Claims that the prisoners had made satisfaction themselves.
"These things were not unknown to Mr. Spencer when he laid Medlock's - claim before the Assembly.
"In the next place, they tax considerable sums of money for particular persons, who not having a right thereto, the magistrates receive back a part, if not all, to their own use. All these things can be made appear, and we conceive that no people have a right to be taxed but by consent of themselves or their delegates .*
" The sheriff's who receive the tax, particularly Medlock and his associates, have made a constant practice. to exact two-eighths for distress money, where no distress is made or necessary to be made; and also have taxed different sums from the people, according to their non-acquaintance with the right, so that several different sums were received from the people in the same year, surmounting the right tax.
" As to the clerk, his extortions are burdensome to all that fall in his power, as he takes double and sometimes treble his due. Though it is true that he purchased his office from Colonel Frohock, and gave to the amount of one hundred and fifty pounds for it, yet it is unreasonable we should bear the expense by way of extortion.
* * * *
*
" " This, and much more, are the causes of the present disturbance, which we humbly pray your excellency will please to reconcile, by discharging the most of the magistrates from their seats, and appointing better men, and also the clerk of it, if it seems right to you ; and also to recommend by the voice of the country, such persons as will judiciously discharge their several offices. Upon such alteration the minds of the people will be at ease, and each one to his former obedience ; and ready to discharge, according to their abilities, every expense necessary for the support of the government, and we as peti- tioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray.
Solo. Crofts,
Charles Booth, Ab. Buskin,
Thos. Tree,
Thomas Ussery,
Jno. Skinner,
Nat. Wood,
Wm. Greers,
H. Fortenberry, Lewis Low,
Mark Reerhen,
J. Touchberry,
Joseph Howel,
John Baile,
Thos. Swearinger,
Jason Meadow, James Allmond, Job Cilleadon, James Loury,
Wm. Bosil,
Jas. Barindine,
Harklis Conkwrite,
Wm. Barindine, sen.
James McMeot,
Thos. Harper,
Sam. Bruton,
Daniel Short, James Colbon,
Charles Walkinford, James Round,
Henry Fortenbury,
J. Tretenbury, Delany Herring, Jacob Collins, Josh. Collins, Js. Armstrong, Jno. Swor, sen.,
Wm. Buzen, Ant. Matthews,
Peter Brisly,
Den. Nelson, sen.,
Benj. Barrit,
Jon. Poston,
Saml. Thomas,
Thomas Masen, Wm. Betten,
James Higgins,
Wm. Higgins,
* This proves, at that early day, the great principle of taxation and representation was well understood by the simplest of our people; aud to Anson belongs the honor of first recommending the election of clerks and magistrates by the people.
11
Jas. Adams, Amos Pilgrim, Thomas Adams, Jno. Swor, jun., Van Swearinger, Sam. Williams, Solo. Williams, Wm. Fielding, Pat. Boggen, jun., Thos. Fanning, John Jenkins, Thos. Fanning, jun., Pat. Saunders, Jno. Caterham, James Short,
Jno. Mason,
Ralph Mason, Thomas Mason,
Wm. Rogers, , Geo. Marchbanks,
Samuel Swearinger, Reuben Woodard, Luke Robinson,
John Hornback,
Wm. Adams,
Wm. Hickman,
Sam. Harper,
Wm. Barindine, jun.
Jno. Bennet,
Jon. Helms,
24
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Wm. Rogers,
Wm. Short,
Frank Gordon,
Thos. Mims,
John Henson,
Jno. Higgins,
Charles Henson,
Robt. Thorn,
Thomas Jordan,
Malachi Watts,
Robt. Ashley,
Ab. Harper,
Wm. Burns,
Saml. Touchberry,
Jo. English,
Jno. Carpenter,
John Brus,
Thos. Merns,
Jos. Burham,
John Web,
Thos. Harper,"
Gov. Tryon answered the petition on the 16th Aug. 1768, and informed them that the matters of complaint in the above, required, the consultation of his Majesty's Council, and he enclosed a procla- mation, dated 21st July, 1768, "requiring all public officers to have a fair table of their fees affixed in each office, and for them not to demand or receive other fees for public business transacted in their offices, than what are established by law."
The members from Anson to the first Provincial Congress at Newbern, August, 1774 (which was the first movement of the people as a State, adverse and opposed to the royal government), were Samuel Spencer and William Thomas.
This was an epoch in the history of our State. The movement was well designed, concerted, and effectual. It led to the final over- throw of the Colonial Government, and established independence. Its journal has been preserved. The firmness and patriotism of its resolves, the eloquence, correctness, and spirit of language, com- mand our respect and admiration of this body. John Harvey, of Perquimans, was chosen Moderator ; William Hooper, of Orange, Joseph Hewes, of Edenton, and Richard Caswell, of Dobbs, were appointed delegates to the Continental Congress at Philadelphia.
On the 20th of August, 1775, the Provincial Congress of North Carolina met again at Hillsboro'.
The delegates from Anson were THOMAS WADE, SAMUEL SPENCER, WILLIAM THOMAS, DAVID LOVE, and WILLIAM PICKET.
This body placed the State in complete military organization.
WILLIAM PICKET, of Anson, was appointed Captain in the First Regiment, commanded by James Moore.
THOMAS WADE, of Anson, was chosen Colonel of the Minute Men of Salis- bury District ; from his name Wadesboro' derived its name.
For Field Officers for Anson County-
SAMUEL SPENCER was appointed Colonel; Charles MEDLOCK, Lieut .- Colonel; JAMES HULD, 1st Major; DAVID LOVE, 2d Major.
SAMUEL SPENCER was appointed with Waightstill Avery, from the Salisbury District, on the Provincial Council of Safety, which was the real executive of the State during the interregnum between the abdication of Governor Martin (the royal Governor) in 1775, and the accession of Richard Caswell, the Governor under the constitution in 1776.
The character of SAMUEL SPENCER belongs to Anson. The record shows that his talents were appreciated by the country, for he was associated in its defence in both a civil and military character. Under the Colonial Go- vernment, he represented Anson in the Assembly, and was clerk of the court for that county, an office of much profit. His conduct appears to have given offence while in discharge of these duties, as will be seen by the petition from Solomon Crofts and others, herein published.
He was one of the three Judges of the Superior Courts first elected under the constitution (1777). He was in the Convention assembled at Hillsboro' in
25
ANSON COUNTY.
July, 1788, to deliberate upon the Federal Constitution ; was its active and able opponent, and contributed greatly to its rejection in that body.
He died in 1794. His death was caused by a most singular circumstance. He had been in ill health, and was sitting in his yard in the sun. A large turkey gobbler was attracted by some part of his clothing, which was red, for which color turkeys have a great antipathy. The turkey attacked Judge Spencer most furiously, and before assistance could rescue him, so severely was he wounded, that he died in a short time from the injuries.
· From the journal of the Provincial Congress, at Hillsboro,' 20th August, 1775, it appears that John Coulson, an individual of some considerable influence in this county, was brought before Congress, and solemnly recanted his political opinions, and promised to aid, support and defend, the just rights of America.
By the journal, 28th August, 1776, James Colten, Samuel Williams, and Jacob Williams, were charged with being Tories. They were arrested and brought to the bar of the house by the Hillsboro' company, and set at liberty after examination.
The following is a correct list of the Members from Anson County, as from the archives in the State Department at Raleigh, from the adoption of the Constitution to the last Session, 1850-51.
Years. Senate.
House of Commons.
1777. John Childs,
George Davidson, Wm. Pickett.
1778. John Childs,
George Davidson, Stephen Miller.
1779. John Childs,
Stephen Miller, Charles Medlock.
1780. John Childs,
Stephen Miller, Richd. Farr.
1782. Thomas Wade,
Stephen Miller, John Jackson.
1783. Thomas Wade,
John Jackson, John Auld. James Terry, John Dejarnell.
1784.
Stephen Miller,
1785. Stephen Miller,
1785.
Stephen Miller,
1786.
Stephen Miller, Stephen Miller,
1788. John Auld,
1789. Lewis Lanier,
1791. Thomas Wade,
1792.
James Marshall,
1793. James Marshall,
1794. James Pickett,
1795. James Pickett,
1796. Wm. May,
1797. James Marshall,
1798. John Auld,
1799. 1800. 1801. James Marshall,
1802. James Marshall,
1803. James Marshall,
1804.
James Marshall, James Marshall, James Marshall, James Marshall,
1807. 1808. Thos. Threadgill,
1809. Thos. Threadgill,
1810. James Marshall,
1811. James Marshall,
1812.
James Marshall,
Adam Lockhart, William Lanier. Joseph Pickett, Wm. Lanier. William Lanier, Robt. Troy. Lawrence Moore, Wm. Johnston. Wm. Johnston, Lawrence Moore. Joseph Pickett, Lawrence Moore. Wm. Johnston, David Cuthbertson. D. Cuthbertson, Wm. R. Pickett.
Wm. Johnston, Wm. R. Pickett.
* Seat vacated, for having borne arms against the State.
Danl. Ross, Clement Lanier. Clement Lanier, John Culpepper. Wm. Lanier, Robert Troy. Wm. Lanier, James Hough.
1805.
1806.
Pleasant May, Danl. Young. Isaac Jackson, Danl. Young. Isaac Jackson, Danl. Ross. Lewis Lanier, Pleasant May. Wm. Wood, Pleasant May.
Thos. Wade, James Marshall,
James Terry, John Dejarnell. *James Terry, Wm. Wood. William Wood, Wm. Lanier. Lewis Lanier, Pleasant May. Lewis Lanier, Pleasant May. Wm. Wood, Pleasant May. Wm. Wood, James Pickett. Wm. Wood, Pleasant May. Wm. Wood, Pleasant May. Pleasant May, Danl. Young.
1787.
26
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Years. ' Senate. .
1813. Wm. Johnson,
1814. Lawrence Moore,
1815. Lawrence Moore,
1816. Lawrence Moore,
Joseph Pickett,
1817. 1818. . Wm. Marshall, 1819. Wm. Marshall, Wm. Marshall,
1820.
1821.
Wm. Marshall,
1822.
Wm. Marshall,
1823. Wm. Marshall,
1824. Wm. Marshall,
1825. Joseph Pickett,
1826.
Joseph Pickett,
1827.
Joseph Pickett,
1828.
Clement Marshall,
1829.
1830.
Clement Marshall, Clement Marshall,
1831.
Clement Marshall,
1832.
Wm. A. Morris,
1833.
Wm. A. Morris,
1834.
Alex. Little,
1835.
Alex. Little,
1836.
Absalom Myers,
1838.
A. Myers,
1840. Abs. Myers,
1842.
Abs. Myers,
1844.
P. G. Smith,
1846. D. D. Daniel,
J. R. Hargrove, Jon. Trull.
1848.
D. D. Daniel,
J. R. Hargrove, Jon. Trull.
1850.
Purdie Richardson,
Atlas Jones Dargan, Benj. J. Dunlap.
CHAPTER IV.
ASHE COUNTY.
Date of erection, origin of name, situation and boundaries-Population and products-Jefferson, county town ; first settlement in 1755, and a general description-List of members from formation of the county to the last Legislature.
ASHE COUNTY was formed in 1799 from " that portion of Wilkes lying west of the extreme height of the Appalachian Mountains." It is the extreme northwest corner of the State; bounded on the north by the Virginia line, east by the Appalachian Mountains, which separate it from Wilkes and Surry, and south by Watauga, Caldwell, and Wilkes Counties.
It was called in honor of SAMUEL ASHE, who was but a short time before the erection of this county Governor of the State.'
House of Commons.
D. Cuthbertson, Joseph Pickett. Joseph Pickett, Wm. Dismukes. Wm. Dismukes, Joseph Pickett. Wm. Dismukes, Joseph Pickett. James Colman, Boggan Cash. . Jonathan Taylor, Boggan Cash. B. Cash, Geo. Dismukes. Joseph White, Jeremiah Benton. · Joseph White, John Smith.
Joseph White, John Smith. Joseph White, James Gordon. Joseph White, James Gordon. John Smith, Clement Marshall. John Smith, Clement Marshall. Alex. Little, Clement Marshall. Wm. A. Morris, John Smith. Wm. A. Morris, Jos. White. W. A. Morris, Joseph White. Wm. A. Morris, Alex. Little. M. W. Cuthbertson, T. D. Parks. P. W. Kittrell, A. W. Brandon. Pleasant W. Kittrell, A. W. Brandon. John A. McRae, Jere. Benton. John A. McRae, John Grady. " George Dunlap, P. H. Winston. P. H. Winston, John McColum. Thomas S. Ashe, John McColum. Jon. Trull, J. M. Waddill.
.
27
ASHE COUNTY.
The character of Governor Ashe is one of which North Carolina may be well proud.
His father, John B. Ashe, was distinguished in the annals of the province as early as 1727; he had emigrated to the colony of North Carolina from England, under the auspices of the Earl of Craven, one of the Lords Pro- prietors, and settled in Wilmington, then called Newton ; he had two sons, John Ashe and Samuel. Ashe, both distinguished in the revolutionary history of the State.
Samuel Ashe was born in 1725. He was an educated man, and a lawyer by profession. The proceedings of the Committee of Safety and the journals of the Provincial Congress from 1774 to 1776 attest his firmness and patriotism. He did not, like his distinguished brother John, figure in the field of arms, but he was eminently conspicuous in the council and cabinet in conducting the affairs of the State, to which arms and force are but necessary accesso- ries. If John Ashe was the Achilles, Samuel Ashe was the Nestor of North Carolina.
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