Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I, Part 2

Author: Wheeler, John H. (John Hill), 1806-1882
Publication date: 1851
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Lippincott, Grambo and Co.
Number of Pages: 662

USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 2

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

To the Christian, it will present the record, without bias or sec- tarianism, of a people guided by the hand of Providence to this western wilderness in search of freedom of conscience, and liberty to worship without the trammels of law or priestly dictation; and, aided by the same hand, from feeble beginnings becomes a great and powerful nation.

The story of the rise and progress of our State creates a high moral feeling. In its records, we realize the words of David :- · 8

"We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

" How thou didst drive out the heathen with thy hand, * .*

" For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favor unto them."*

To the student, it will afford a data to more extended inquiry in her history.

To the statesman, unmixed as it shall be with party politics or partisan feeling, it may sometimes be a book of reference, by which his efforts may be guided, and ends for the good of the state be attained; and, by its statistic information, facilitate his labors.

To the youth of the State, the simple record of patriotic exertion will act as a direct incentive to virtuous emulation.

* Psalms, xliv. 1, 2, 3.

PREFACE.

Sallust informs us that Scipio and Maximus, when beholding the statues of their illustrious countrymen, became violently agitated. "It could not," he says, "be the inanimate marble which possessed this mighty power. It was the recollection of. noble actions which kindled this generous flame in their bosoms, only to be quenched when they too, by their achievements and virtues, had acquired equal réputation.'

,." And by their light Shall every gallant youth with ardor move To do brave deeds."

It is to be hoped, too, that this book may be looked into (unin- teresting as records and statistics may be to them) by the fairer portion of creation.

They may find in the single-hearted devotion of a Pocahontas ; in the enthusiastic fidelity of a Flora McDonald ; in the resolves of the women of '76 in Mecklenburg and Rowan; in the masculine courage of Mrs. Slocumbe, of Wayne, and Mrs. Powell, of Halifax ; in the patriotic offering of Mrs. Steele, of Salisbury; in the un- wearied care of the mother of a Gaston, examples worthy of imita- tion ; and in the brilliant repartees of Mrs. Wilie Jones, and Mrs. Ashe, of Halifax ; wit to be admired, before which the martial spirit of a Tarleton was forced to quail.

I here take occasion publicly to acknowledge my obligations to the very many friends by whom my efforts have been countenanced and aided. To Hon. George Bancroft, now of New York ; to Hon. David L. Swain, Professors Mitchell and Hubbard, of the University of the State; to Col. Peter Force, of Washington (who has been a kind friend to me from boyhood); to Dr. Cyrus L. Hunter, of Lincoln ; to Professor Rockwell, of Davidson College; to my faith- ful agents in every county in the State, and to many others.

THE PLAN OF THIS WORK.

I. The first landing of the colonists in 1584, to the Revolution- ary war, 1776, will constitute the first series ; with a list and sketch of the Governors under the Proprietary, and Royal Governments.

II. The second will present the Governors, Judges, and Executive officers, from that time to the present.

The Members of Congress from the State, from 1774 to 1851.

The Press, from the first introduction of printing, in the State, to the present day.

Education in the State ; History of the University ; Sketches of the life and characters of its Presidents ; other institutions and the Common Schools.

The public institutions of the State, as the Banks, Railroads, Canals, Turnpike and Plank Roads; Institution for the Deaf and Dumb, and State Hospital for the Insane.

xxi

PREFACE.

Resources of the State ; her expenses and liabilities ; her Popu- lation.

III. The third series, will present a sketch of each county in the State; in alphabetical order; 1, date of its erection; 2, origin of its name ; 3, situation ; 4, boundaries, its colonial and revolutionary history, its products and population ; sketches of lives of its distin- guished citizens, and an accurate list of the members from each county in the Senate and House of Commons, from the adoption of the constitution, or the erection of the county to the last session, 1850-'51.

Whatever defects this work may present, it has one merit that cannot be detracted ; it is written and compiled by a native of the State. .

Mr. Prescott thus speaks of Graham's History of the United States : "Mr. Graham's work with all its merits is the work of a foreigner, and that word comprehends much that cannot be over- come by the best writer. He may produce a beautiful composition ; faultless in style, accurate in delineation, and full of sound logic and wise conclusions. But he cannot enter into the sympathies,, comprehend the feelings and peculiar ways of thinking that form the idiosyncrasy of a nation. What can he know who has never been warmed by the same sun, lingered among the same scenes, listened to the same tales in childhood, pledged to the same inter- ests in manhood, enlivened by the same hopes and depressed by the same fears that go to form national character !" * *

" As in portrait painting, so it is in painting characters in history. A foreign artist may catch some bold outline, prominent feature, or general air of his subject; but he cannot hope to delineate the fleeting shades of expression, the almost imperceptible play of fea- tures which are only observed and revealed to the most familiar observation and daily intercourse.

" Who would look to a Frenchman for a good work on England, or to an Englishman for a faithful history of France ? Ill fares it with a state, whose history is written by others than her own sons! What foreign hand like Herodotus and Thucydides could have painted the achievements of Greece ? Who, like Livy and Tacitus, the shifting character of the Roman, in his rise, meridian, and decline ? Had the Greeks trusted their story to the same Romans what would have been their fate with posterity ? Let the Carthagenians tell !"*

Of the histories of North Carolina (if we except Jones), not one has been written by a native of the State, or who resided in the State at the time of their death.

Williamson, whose work was published in 1812, was a native of Pennsylvania, and died in New York.

Martin, who published in 1829, was a native of France, and died in Louisiana.

* Prescott's Miscellanies, 310.

xxii

PREFACE.

This work is written, collated and published, by a native North Carolinian.

Errors, it doubtless contains, omissions unavoidable, and many imperfections.

But he trusts that his labors will not be without some beneficial effect.

He will be grateful for any correction of errors, or any omission supplied ; and if this meets a kind reception from his countrymen, another edition may remedy these defects, and be more worthy of their attention, and of his illustrious subject.

ELLANGOWAN, BEATTY'S FORD, N. C. 1st July, 1851.

SERIES I.

HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF THE FIRST SETTLEMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, FROM 1584 TO THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR IN 1776.

CHAPTER I.

FROM 1584 TO 1585.

The discovery of America by Columbus in 1492, under the auspices of Fer- dinand of Spain-John Cabot's expedition in 1496, under the auspices of Henry VII .- The first expedition to the United States in 1584, under the auspices of Sir Walter Raleigh, which landed on Roanoake Island, in North Carolina.

THE renown acquired for the Spaniards in the discovery of America by Columbus, in 1492, excited other nations to emulate this example.

.. England and France engaged in this enterprise.

In 1496, John Cabot obtained from Henry VII. a patent for himself and three sons,* to search for countries hitherto unseen by Christian people, and to affix the banners of England in any land they might discover. A voyage, in 1497, was undertaken by him, and, for the first time, the shores of North America, among the polar bears and rude savages of Labrador, were visited by an English ship. f

The discovery of a north-west passage, and the mercantile in- terests of the kingdom, kept this feeling alive with the English nation through the subsequent reigns of Henry VIII., Edward VI., Mary and Elizabeth. Added to this feeling was the thirst for gold, which it was believed abounded in this western world.

In 1584, Sir Walter Raleigh, not disheartened by the sad fate of his step-brother, Sir Humphrey Gilbert, who perished a year pre- vious on a voyage of discovery, obtained a patent from Queen Elizabeth,¿ and fitted out two ships under Philip Amidas and Arthur Barlow: These ships sailed in April, 1584, from England, and in July they landed on the shores of North Carolina.

* Patent recorded in Hakluyt, iii. 25, 26.

+ Bancroft, i. 9.

į Hakluyt, iii. 297.

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.

It was then and there "the meteor flag".of England was first displayed in these United States, and on the sandy banks of North Carolina, rested the first Anglo-Saxon anchor.

After returning thanks to God for their safe arrival, Amidas took formal possession of this country, in "the name of Elizabeth of England, as rightful Queene and princess of the same."

Here we may pause at this interesting point of our inquiries, and remark as most providential, that this settlement occurred at this period, under such auspices. .

Had it occurred a few years earlier, under the rule of "the bloody Mary," seas of blood and persecution must have been en- countered before our forefathers had attained the religious liberty they then enjoyed. Had it occurred under the flag of Spain, the sword of a Cortez or Pizarro would have carried blood and devas- tation; murder would have signalized the event, and this country now be no further advanced in science or religion than the be- nighted and bigoted regions of South America. But here, the reformed religion and enlightened privileges of the age of Elizabeth marked the event.

The season of the year (July), was mild. The sea was calm; the air was redolent with the perfume of flowers; and, as expressed by Amidas, in his report to Sir Walter Raleigh, "the fragrance, as they drew near the land, was as if they had been in the midst of some delicate garden, abounding in all manner of odoriferous flowers."

The loveliness of the scenery, and the mildness of the climate, was excelled by the gentleness of the native inhabitants, who re- ceived the strangers with all that hospitality, which, even at this day, is characteristic of "the Old North State." On Roanoake Island, now in Currituck county, the English were welcomed by the wife of Granganimeo, father of Wirgina, the king. "The people were most gentle, loving, and faithful, void of all guile and treason, and such as lived after the manner of the golden age."

After making a short stay, Amidas and Barlow returned to Eng- land, where they arrived safely in the following September, accom- panied, in the guileless simplicity of their nature, by Manteo and Manchese, two native Indians of North Carolina. Their accounts to their patron, Sir Walter Raleigh, and to Queen Elizabeth, of the climate, soil, and inhabitants, caused a thrilling excitement through- out the kingdom of England. In the fullness of her heart, the queen called it Virginia, discovered as it was under the reign of a virgin queen.

* Copied from Amidas and Barlow's account. Hakluyt, iii. 301, 307.

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.

CHAPTER II.

FROM 1585 TO 1589.

Second expedition under Sir Richard Greenville in 1585, and the third under the same in 1586-The fourth under Governor White, Governor of the City of Raleigh.

THIS adventure of Amidas and Barlow was most gratifying to the spirit of the English nation. Believing with popular credulity the gorgeous and glowing descriptions of this western world by Amidas and Barlow, it was not difficult to gather a numerous com- pany of emigrants to this land of promise.

Another expedition under Sir Richard Greenville, sailed (19th April, 1585) from Plymouth, under the auspices of Sir Walter Raleigh, with several persons of distinction; among whom were Sir Ralph Lane, as Governor; Cavendish, who soon after circumnavi- gated the globe; Hariot, the historian; and one hundred and eight others. They landed on Roancake Island in July. The ships left the colonists in August and returned. This colony thus planted, governed by Lane, achieved no permanent location; and, after a residence of a year, returned with Sir Francis Drake to England.

Thus terminated the first colony. This step of Governor Lane's was ill timed, for, a few days after his departure, a ship, dispatched by Sir Walter Raleigh, arrived, loaded with every essential to com- fort; and, soon after, Sir Richard Greenville appeared the second time with three ships, who searched in vain for Lane and the colonists. Sir Richard left fifteen men on the Island of Roanoake and returned.

In the early part of the next year (January, 1587), Sir Walter Raleigh dispatched John White, commissioned as "Governor of the City of Raleigh," and a number of colonists, male and female, who arrived in July. The colonists left by Greenville were not to be found.

On the northern end of the island, the foundations of "the City of Raleigh" were laid. By command of Sir Walter, Manteo was baptized (27th August, 1587), and created Lord of Roanoake. White returned to England, leaving a colony of eighty-nine men, seventeen women, and two children. Among them was his daugh- ter, Eleanor Dare, wife of one of the assistants, whose child was the first-born offspring of English parents in this western world.

The condition of England, at the return of White, was unpro- pitious to the colony. Sir Walter Raleigh, Greenville, and Lane, with the whole nation, were engaged in a war with Spain, by which an invasion was threatened. It was more that two years before

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.

White could return; and, on landing on the Island of Roanoake (1590), not a single man was found .*. It had been agreed on leav- ing the colony, that if any accident should overcome the colonists, to leave the name of the place where they might be found; and, if in distress, to designate it by a cross. Governor White found, on a tree or post, the word CROATAN, but without the sign of distress. No trace of these colonists has ever been discovered. t

Lawson, the earliest historian of Carolina, believes that the Eng- lish, despairing of all relief, from the long absence of their friends, amalgamated with the Indians. In confirmation of which he learned "from the Hatteras Indians that several of their ancestors were white people, and could talk in a book. The truth of which is con- firmed by gray eyes being among these Indians and no others."

Thus ended the second colony.

CHAPTER III.

FROM 1589 TO 1653.

Other expeditions unsuccessful, and Sir Walter assigns his patent'(1589)- Sketch of the life, character, and death of Sir Walter Raleigh (1618)-Set- tlement of the colony of Virginia under Captain John Smith-Sketch of the life, character, and services of John Smith-His rescue by Pocahontas, daughter of Powhatan-Her life, character, and services.

COMPELLED to desist from the hope of successful colonization in North Carolina, Sir Walter Raleigh still did not despair of finding his faithful men, left by Greenville .¿ He sent five several expedi- tions to search for them, but in vain; and, after expending about forty thousand pounds, and receiving no benefits in return, he assigned§ (7th March, 1589), to Thomas Smith and others, the privilege of trading to Virginia, reserving to himself one-fifth of the gold and silver they might discover. As the Chesapeake Bay had been discovered by Governor Lane, he directed their location to that point, as being a safe and commodious harbor, rather than the dangerous coast and open road near Cape Hatteras.

Thus ended the efforts of the brave and gallant Raleigh to es- tablish a colony in North Carolina. "A man of wit and the sword," as he was so tauntingly termed by Sir Edward Coke; his character and fame are dear to our State. As a soldier, his courage was undaunted; and, as a scholar, his learning was deep and varied. Although his gallantry and services found no favor in the eyes of the pusillanimous James I., under whom he suffered ignominy and death; after a long and rigorous confinement, he was tried for

* Williamson, i. 60.

# Purchas, iv. 1653.

+ Lawson, 62.

¿ Williamson, ii. 58.

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.

offences of which he was innocent, convicted, and beheaded on Oc- tober 29, 1618 ;* yet his name has been preserved; and, after a lapse of two hundred years, the State of North Carolina has offered a tribute to his memory and his virtues, by naming its capital in honor of the generous, chivalric and noble Raleigh.

" His memory sparkles o'er the fountain : His name inscribed on lofty mountain, The meanest rill, the mightiest river Rolls, mingled with his name forever."

In accordance with the suggestions of the sagacious councils of Sir Walter, the Chesapeake became the point to which future efforts were directed.

A patent was granted to a London company (1606), and about the same time, another patent was granted to Sir Thomas Gates, Sir George Sommers, and others.

The next spring (1607), saw a colony located at Jamestown, governed by the distinguished Captain John Smith.

Discord, anarchy, and confusion, mark the early history of these colonists, and but for the genius, courage, and skill of Smith, they had shared the fate of the colony of Roanoake. But Providence destined otherwise.

"Tanto molis erat, - condere gentium."t

Guided by his talents, influenced by his example, under the wise administration of Smith, the colony of Virginia was founded.

It is refreshing to the mind of every American, to know that under the auspices of such men our country was first settled.

With all nations, the character of their founders is a source of pride. Ancient Greece asserted that her founders were divine. Rome delighted in the fanciful idea that Romulus was descended from their gods. "No Norman tyrant landed on our shores," nor did any " fabled fugitive" from the flames of Troy settle this coun- try; but men "who knew their rights, and knowing, dared main- tain." The rock can now be shown upon which they first landed ; the rude ramparts that sheltered them from the savage foe can be pointed out. In their characters are discovered every virtue that can dignify our nature, and every trait that ennobles mankind. In none are virtue, courage, or patience more conspicuous than in John Smith.Į

He had distinguished himself in the wars with the Turks; and, in single combat, met (1607) before the walls of Alba Regis, and over- came three of the most distinguished of his adversaries. His whole course of life previous to his arrival in the colony of Virginia, was peculiarly adapted to prepare him for the trials, dangers, and adver- sities of this position. In every situation in which he was placed

See "Celebrated Trials" (Philada., 1835), page 180.

+ Of such material to form a nation.

# Life of Captain John Smith, by W. Gilmore Simms.

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.

as a soldier, or a statesman, his character was fully equal to his position.

While exploring the river which his patriotism had dignified by the name of his sovereign (James), he was taken prisoner (1608), and conducted by the Indians in triumph to their savage king, Powhatan. Undismayed by adversity, he meets his fate with calm- ness and dignity. He is condemned to death.

Already the savage death song is sounded ; the victim is bared and bound, and Powhatan, the savage monarch, stands ready to give the word to the executioners, whose war clubs are raised. But the youthful daughter of Powhatan, Pocahontas, rushes between the victim and his fate-+

" A shriek arrests the falling blow, And Pocahontas shields the foe."

At her earnest supplications he is released ; in a few days he is allowed to return to his comrades in arms at Jamestown .* Such was his influence, that the Indians, instead of the war club and tomahawk, are seen bringing corn and other supplies to the famished garrison.

To the generous character of this Indian princess, Pocahontas, the safety and preservation of the colony may be attributed. She was so pure and simple-hearted in her conduct, that often she advised, at great peril, the colonists of impending danger; and finally, was induced to marry one of the colonists, Rolfe; from which alliance some of the first families of Virginia trace their origin.

She embraced the Christian religion, f and was baptized and re- ceived into the church under the name of Rebecca.} In 1616, she went with Sir Thomas Dale to England. She was cordially received, and treated with that respect due her rank and her devotion to the cause of the colonists. She died in England, at Gravesend, "the sweetest example of Christian resignation and fortitude.". She left one son, Thomas Rolfe, who was educated in England, and became a person of distinction in Virginia. He left one daughter, who married Colonel Robert Bolling, who had the present Colonel John Bolling and several daughters, who married Colonel Richard Ran- dolph, Colonel John Fleming, Dr. William Guy, Thomas Eldridge, and James Murray. The late talented John Randolph was a de- scendant of this family.}

Years have elapsed since this admirable woman departed, but her noble conduct will endure in the pages of history, when the marble which records her generous deliverance of Smith, in our National Capitol, shall have mouldered to its original elements.

* " A true relation of such occurrences and accidents of note as have hap- pened in Virginia since the first planting of the colony, by John Smith, 1608 .?? ¿ This interesting event forms the subject of the national picture in the capitol at Washington, by Chapman.

Į Stith, 46. Simms' Life of Captain John Smith, 366.

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.

CHAPTER IV.

FROM 1653 TO 1712.

Permanent settlement of North Carolina-William Drummond, first Governor, in 1663, a Scotchman-Succeeded by Governor Stephens on his death, 1667-Who was succeeded at his death (1674) by Governor Carteret, whose deputy, Miller, acts as governor during the absence of Carteret-Cul- pepper's insurrection, and possession of the government by him in 1678- Governor Eastchurch arrives in North Carolina-Culpepper sent for trial to England, tried and acquitted-John Harvey, on the death of Eastchurch, governor in 1680-Governor John Jenkins appointed, who, on his death, is succeeded by Henry Wilkinson (Dec. 1681)-Seth Sothel appointed governor in 1683-His character and life ; exiled by the people, and death- Succeeded by Governor Philip Ludwell (1689), who resided most of his time in Virginia-Constitution formed by Locke for North Carolina (1693) -Carolina divided into North and South Carolina-Thomas Smith ap- pointed governor-On his advice, John Archdale, "the Quaker Governor," is appointed (1694) ; his sagacious and prudent administration-On his return to England (1699), Thomas Harvey, governor-On his death in 1699, Henderson Walker is governor- On his death (1704) Robert Daniel succeeds as governor-Difficulties between the Church of England and the Dissenters-First church in North Carolina (1705)-First newspaper in the United States (1705)-Contest between Cary and Glover for the govern- ment-Cary prevails-Cary sent to England for examination (1711)- Edward Hyde governor in 1712-De Graaffenreidt's patent-Indian mur- ders-Lawson, first historian of North Carolina, killed by the Indians- Hyde dies with yellow fever (1712), and George Pollock succeeds him- First emission of paper money in North Carolina.

SIXTY-NINE years after the landing of Amidas and Barlow on the coast of North Carolina, a colony from Virginia (July, 1653), led by Roger Green,* settled on the banks of the Roanoake, and on the south side of the Chowan, and its tributary streams ..

North Carolina had, previously, been the refuge of Quakers, and others fleeing from religious persecutions. Before this period, this country had been explored by the Secretary of the Colony of Vir- ginia, in 1622, who traveled overland to Chowan River, and de- scribed the fertility of the soil, the salubrity of the climate, f and the kindness of the natives.

In 1662, the Chief of the Ycopim Indians granted to George Durant a neck of land in Perquimans county, which still bears his name.

On the 24th March, 1663, King Charles II. granted to Edward, Earl of Clarendon; George, Duke of Albemarle; William, Earl of Craven; John, Lord Berkley; Anthony, Lord Ashley; Sir George

* Henning, Statutes at Large, 380, 381.

+ Smith's Virginia, ii. 64.

HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.'

Carteret, Sir John Colleton, and Sir William Berkeley, all the coun- try between the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, between 31° and 36° parallels of latitude, called Carolina, in honor of Charles.

Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.

Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I, Part 2

Author: Wheeler, John H. (John Hill), 1806-1882 Publication date: 1851 Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Lippincott, Grambo and Co. Number of Pages: 662

Author: Wheeler, John H. (John Hill), 1806-1882
Publication date: 1851
Publisher: Philadelphia, Pa. : Lippincott, Grambo and Co.
Number of Pages: 662