USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 22
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
The following individuals, viz., Major James White, William White and John White (all brothers, born and raised on the bank of Rocky River, one mile from Rocky River church), Robert Caruthers, Robert Davis, Benjamin Cochran, James Ashmore and Joshua Hadley, bound themselves by a most solemn oath, not to divulge the secret on each other, and in order to keep themselves concealed they blacked themselves, and set out to destroy, if pos- sible, the powder, &c., that had been procured to shed the blood of their countrymen. They set out in the evening, while the father of the Whites was absent to mill with two horse-loads of grain; fortunately they met him (the boys were on foot) ; they demanded of their father the horses, and ordered liim to dismount. He pleaded lustily for the privilege of the horses until he could carry home his bags, but all remonstrance was vain; they lifted the bags off the horses and left them on the side of the road. They came up with the wagons that hauled the powder, &c., encamped on what was then called Phifer's Hill, three miles west from Concord, on the road leading from Char- lotte to Salisbury, near midway between these places, at or near what is now Long's tavern. They immediately unloaded the wagons, stove in the kegs,
* Vol. i. page 69.
1
66
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
threw the powder, flints, &c., into a pile, tore the blankets into strips, placed them on the pile, made a train of powder a considerable distance from the pile, and Major White fired a pistol into the train, which produced a tremen- dous explosion. A stave from the pile struck White on the forehead, and cut him considerably. As soon as it came to the ears of Colonel Moses Alexander, he put his whole ingenuity in requisition to find out the perpe- trators of so foul a deed against his Majesty. The transaction remained a mystery for some time. Great threats were made, and in order to induce some one to turn traitor, a pardon 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 materials, set out unknown to each other, to avail themselves of the pardon offered, and accidentally met each other on the threshold of Moses Alexander's house. When they made known their busi- ness, Alexander observed, "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 fly their country. They fled to the State of. Georgia, where they remained some time. The Governor, finding he could not get them into his grasp, held out insinuations that if they would return and confess their fault, they should be pardoned. They returned, and as soon as it was known, Moses Alexander, raised a guard, consisting of himself, two brothers, John and Jake, and others, and surrounded the house of old White, the father of the boys. Caruthers, the son-in-law of White, was also at White's. They placed a guard to each door. One of the guard wishing to favor the escape of Caruthers, struck a quarrel with Moses Alexander at one door, while his brother Daniel Alexander whispered to Mrs. White, if there was any of them within they might'pass cut and he would not see him ; in the mean time, out goes Caruthers, and in a few jumps was in the river. The alarm was immediately given, but pursuit was fruitless.
At another time, the royalists heard of some of the boys being in a harvest field, and set out to take them ; but always having some one in company that favored their escape, as they rode up in sight of the field one of the com- pany waved his hand, which the boys took as a signal. They pursued Robert Davis so close, that he jumped his horse thirty feet down a bank into the river, and then dared them to follow him.
They fled from covert to covert to save their necks from the bloodthirsty loyalists, who were daily hunting them like wild beasts. They would lie con- cealed weeks at a time, and the neighbors would carry them food, until they fairly wearied out their pursuers. The oath by which they bound themselves was an imprecation of the strongest kind ; the greater part of the imprecation was literally fulfilled in Hadley and Ashmore. Ashmore fled his country, but he lived a miserable life, and died as wretched as he had lived. Hadley still remained in the country, and was known for many years to the writer. 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 his abuse of his family (among whom were some of the "Black Boys"), dressed themselves in female attire, went to his house by night, pulled him from his bed, drew his shirt over his head and gave him a very severe whipping. He continued through life the same miserable wretch, and died without any friendly hand to sustain him, or eye to pity him.
Thus we see Mecklenburg and Cabarrus (at that time but one county) were the first that set the ball in motion that ended in the independence of the American people.
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, ready to pounce upon them if they had taken any of them. From the allurements held out to them to give themselves up, the boys, at one time, went to within a short distance of Hillsboro', to beg their pardon of the Governor (Tryon), but finding his intention, if he could get them into his hands, to have hanged every one of them, they returned and kept themselves concealed.
Thus we find in a region of country very little known in the history of the
ʻ
67
CABARRUS COUNTY.
revolutionary struggle, that the spirit of liberty was cherished and matured ; the first to manifest itself in the Declaration of Independence, in the County of Mecklenburg, of which they were then a part. "From that very neighborhood, delegates were sent to Charlotte on the 20th of May, 1775. In the transac- tion of burning the powder, those who were engaged (with the exception of Hadley and Ashmore, who were always cowards) gave their country a sure pledge of their attachment to the cause of liberty, which they faithfully redeemed, whenever their services were needed. Major James White, at the time the British lay in Charlotte, was continually annoying them. It was White who led the party on that memorable day when Col. Locke was over- taken and cut to pieces; and when Gen. Joseph Graliam'was also severely wounded. ~ White rode a very fleet horse ; he would ride near to the British forces, fire at them, and whenever they would sally out after him, he would put his horse, which he called Stono, to his speed, and outrun them.
JOHN PHIFER appears among those who assembled at Charlotte in May, 1775. The head of now a numerous and highly respectable family in Cabarrus, he was the devoted friend of liberty and his country. He was a member from Mecklenburg to "the general meeting of delegates of the inhabitants of the province, at Hillsboro', 21st August, 1775," with Thomas Polk, Waightstill Avery, James Houston, James Martin, and John McKnitt Alexander.
In 1776, he was a' delegate with Robert Irvin, Zaccheus Wilson, Hezekiah . Alexander, and Waightstill Avery, to the Convention at Halifax, which formed the State Constitution.
This place he resigned, and accepted the appointment of Lieutenant-Colonel of Volunteers. He filled an early grave. He was buried in Cabarrus ; a rough slab covers his remains, now defaced and mutilated .* It is a tradition, that the British army, as they passed from Charlotte to Salisbury, built a fire on the tombstone, to show their hatred for his memory.
His decendants, John Phifer and Caleb Phifer, as will be seen, were often representatives from Cabarrus, and always sustained the reputation of honor- able and faithful citizens.
JOHN PHIFER graduated at the University in 1799, was often a member of the General Assembly, influential and talented. He was for many years a ruling elder of the Presbyterian church, and died October 18th, 1845.
JOHN PAUL BARRINGER was born in Hanover, in Germany, on the 4th of June, 1721. He emigrated to this country, and settled first in Pennsylvania. He removed to this State before the Revolution. During our struggles, he sided with the friends of liberty. From his devotion to the cause, he was taken prisoner, with others, by the Tories, and carried to Camden, South Carolina. He was, for a long time, kept in confinement, and was the only one who returned home. He died in Cabarrus, January 1st, 1807.
His son, GEN. DANIEL L. BARRINGER, now of Tennessee, lived for a long time in Wake County, where he married Miss White, grand-daughter of Governor Caswell. . He represented Wake County in 1813, and from 1819 to 1822, in the House of Commons. He was elected a member of Congress, and served from 1826 to 1835. He removed to Tennessee, where he has been Speaker of the House of Representatives, in that State, where he now resides.
Another son, GEN. PAUL BARRINGER, resided in Cabarrus. He was born in September, 1778. . He had as good an education as the county afforded. He was fond of reading, and distinguished for his practical sense. He mar- ried Elizabeth Brandon, daughter of Matthew Brandon, of Rowan, a soldier of the Revolution, whose family were distinguished for the love of liberty. She died in 1848. He entered public life in 1806, as a member of the House of Commons, and was often afterwards a member of both branches of the Legislature. He died at an advanced age, at Lincolnton, in June, 1844. He left a family of nine children, of whom
* MSS. from R. Barringer, Esq., of Concord.
68
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
DANIEL MOREAU BARRINGER, now our Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary at Madrid, in Spain, was eldest. He was born in July, 1806. He was educated at our University ; graduated in 1826; studied law with Chief Justice Ruffin; elected to the House of Commons in 1829, and served for several years ; member of the Convention in 1835; elected to Congress in 1843, served continuously until 1849, when he was appointed by Gen. Z. Taylor, President of the United States, Envoy to Spain, where he now resides.
Dr. CHARLES HARRIS, of this county, was distinguished as a patriot, a soldier, and physician.
He was born in this county, when Mecklenburg, in 1763. While pursuing his studies at Charlotte, the invasion of the British caused him to exchange the gown for the sword. He joined the corps of cavalry under Colonel Davie, and was with that active officer in his brave and daring career. After the war was over he resumed his studies at Clio Academy, in Ire- dell. He commenced the study of medicine under Dr. Isaac Alexander, at Camden, S. C., and finished at Philadelphia. On his return he settled at Salisbury, and practiced with success ; he then removed to Favoni, his seat in Cabarrus, where he ended his days.
Devoted to his profession, he was unrivaled as a physician and surgeon. His reputation was widely extended, and his skill and success justified this celebrity. He had a medical school, and instructed ninety-three young men in the healing art. His temper was cheerful and his manner mild. He died Sept. 21, 1825. He left several children. William Shakspeare Harris, Esq., one of them, in 1836 represented Cabarrus in the House of Commons. I copy from his tombstone the following: "This monument is erected to per- petuate the memory of Charles Harris, M. D., born 23d November, 1762; died 21st September, 1825, aged 63 years. Dr. Harris was engaged in the practice of medicine and surgery 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 administered with the feel- ings 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 the wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest.'"
Members of the General Assembly of North Carolina, from Ca- barrus County, from its erection to the last session (1851) :-
Years. Senate.
Members of House of Commons.
1793. Caleb Phifer,
Robert Smith, James Bradshaw.
1794. Caleb Phifer,
Robert Smith, James Bradshaw.
1795. Caleb Phifer,
Robert Smith, James Bradshaw.
1796. Caleb Phifer,
Jas. Bradshaw, Archibald McKurdy. {
1797. Caleb Phifer,
Jas. Bradshaw, Archibald McKurdy.
1800. Caleb Phifer,
Jas. Bradshaw, John Allison.
1801.
Caleb Phifer,
Robert Smith, James Bradshaw.
1802. James Bradshaw,
John Allison, A. McKurdy. John Allison, John Phifer.
1804. Wm. L. Alexander,
John Allison, John Phifer.
1805. Wm. L. Alexander,
John Allison, John Phifer.
1806.
George Harris,
1807.
George Harris,
1808. George Harris,
-
1809. Robert W. Smith,
..
Paul Barringer, A. Houston.
1810. Robert W. Smith,
1811, Robert W. Smith,
1812. Robert W. Smith,
Paul Barringer, John Phifer. Paul Barringer, John Phifer. Paul Barringer, John Phifer.
1813. Robert W. Smith, . Paul Barringer, John Phifer,
1814. Robert W. Smith,
Paul Barringer, John Phifer.
1815. Robert W. Smith,
Paul Barringer, John Phifer.
Samuel Morrison, John F. Phifer.
1816. Abraham C. McKee,
Paul Barringer, A. Houston. Paul Barringer, A. Houston. Paul Barringer, A. Houston.
1803. Wm. L. Alexander,
69
CALDWELL COUNTY.
Years.
Senators.
Members of House of Commons.
1817. Abraham C. McKee,
John F. Phifer, George Klutts.
1818. John N. Phifer,
John F. Phifer, William McLean.
1819. William R. Pharr,
William McLean, C. Melchor.
1821. William R. Pharr,
William McLean, C. Melchor.
William McLean, C. Melchor.
1823. John Phifer,
William McLean, C. Melchor. Robert Pickens, C. Melchor.
1825.
L. H. Alexander,
J. C. Barnhart, Robert Pickens.
1826.
L. H. Alexander,
J. C. Barnhart, Robert Pickens.
1827.
L. H. Alexander,
Wm. McLean, J. C. Barnhart.
1828.
L. H. Alexander,
William McLean, J. C. Barnhart.
1829.
Ch. Melchor, Ch. Melchor,
Daniel M. Barringer, J. C. Barnhart.
1831.
Ch. Melchor,
Daniel M. Barringer, Wm. McLean.
1832.
A. Houston,
Daniel M. Barringer, George Ury.
1833.
George Klutts,
Daniel M. Barringer, William McLean.
1834.
George Klutts,
Daniel M. Barringer, Jacob Williams.
1835.
David Long,
Levi Hope, George Barnhart.
1836. Christopher Melchor,
1838.
-Christopher Melchor,
1840.
.Christopher Melchor,
· Daniel M. Barringer.
1842.
W. F. Pharr,
Daniel M. Barringer.
1844.
W. F. Pharr,
Caleb Phifer, H. Robinson.
1846. Christopher Melchor,
Jos. W. Scott, L. B. Krimminger.
1848. R. Kendall,
Rufus Barringer, J. W. Scott.
1850. Rufus Barringer,
Jos. W. Scott, John Shinpock.
CHAPTER XII.
CALDWELL COUNTY
Is of recent origin, being formed as lately as 1841, out of the counties of Burke and Wilkes. Derives its name from Dr. Joseph Caldwell, President of the University, for sketch of whose life, character, and services see vol. i. 133.
It is situated in the extreme north-western portion of the State, and is bounded on the north by Watauga and Ashe, east by Wilkes and Alexander, south by Catawba and Burke, and west by Burke and Watauga.
Its capital is Lenoir, named in compliment of Gen. Lenoir, for whose life and services see Wilkes, Chapter LXXX.
The population of Caldwell is 5,000 whites ; 108 free negroes ; 1,203 slaves ; 5,835 fed. population.
Its products, it being formed since the census returns of 1840, and the census of 1850 not being published, are not given.
Its history belongs to that of Burke and Wilkes, from which it was, taken.
It is distinguished for its fair air, healthful climate, and excellent water. Its advantages of education, by aid of good academies,
1822. Paul Barringer,
1824. L. H. Alexander,
Daniel M. Barringer, Wm. McLean.
1830.
William S. Harris.
Daniel Boger.
70
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
and schools, are considerable. The school of the Rev. T. S. W. Mott, near Lenoir, stands deservedly high.
In this county resides GEN. SAMUEL F. PATTERSON, who was Treasurer of the State, in 1835 ; President of the Raleigh and Gaston Railroad, in 1839, and Senator in the General Assembly, in 1848 and 1850.
With Burke and Wilkes it forms the 48th Senatorial District. Its members in the General Assembly as follows :-
Years. Senate.
Commons.
1842. A: Burgin,
William Dickson.
1844. B. S. Gaither,
William Dickson.
1846. S. F. Patterson,
E. P. Miller.
1848 .* S. F. Patterson,
E. P. Miller."
1850. Todd R. Caldwell,
John Hayes.
CHAPTER XIII.
CAMDEN COUNTY.
Date of erection-Origin of name -- Situation and boundaries-Population and products-Early History-Members of Assembly.
CAMDEN COUNTY was formed in 1777, from Pasquotank County, and derives its name from the Earl of Camden, who was a distin- guished English Statesman, Judge, and friend of popular rights. In Parliament he strongly opposed the taxation of America, and from his liberal principles was removed from his elevated position as Lord High Chancellor of England, 1770, by Lord North's ministry.
The name of this county in the original act, is spelt Cambden.
It is situated in the north-eastern portion of the State, and bounded on the north, by the Virginia, line; south by Albemarle Sound; east by Currituck County; and west by Pasquotank River, which separates it from Pasquotank-County.
The celebrated Dismal Swamp, whose lake (Drummond) preserves to posterity the name of the first Governor of North Carolina, has been enshrined in the poetic numbers of Thomas Moore:
"Where all night long, by a fire-fly lamp, She paddles her white canoe."*
Its canal connecting the waters of Virginia and North Carolina, is 22 miles long, 40 to 60 feet wide, and admits, vessels of 70 or 80 tons burthen, drawing 7 feet water. Its cost of construction was $500,000; it yields a revenue of about $37,000 in tolls ; the locks, ten in number, are composed of beautiful hewn stone.
* Moore's Works, iii. 91.
71
CAMDEN COUNTY.
Population, 3,572 whites; 290 free negroes ; 2,187 slaves; 5,174 federal population.
Its products, according to census of 1840, 2,739 bushels of wheat; 9,480 bushels of oats ; 285,574 bushels corn; 6,792 lbs. cotton; 253 barrels fish; $14,807 lumber ; 2,664 gallons of brandy.
The soil of Camden is remarkable for its fertility.
It is a matter of regret that the cause of education is so neglected in Camden. The census of 1840 proves, that in a population of 5,663, there are 691 persons over 20 years of age, who cannot read or write. The census of 1850 shows, that in a white population of 3,572, there are 773 over 20, who cannot read or write.
The revolutionary history of Camden is connected with that of Pasquotank. The officers in 1776, for the second regiment of Pasquotank, since Camden, were, ISAAC GREGORY, Colonel; DEMPSY BURGESS, Lt. Colonel; JOSHUA CAMP- BELL, First Major ; PETER DAUGH, Second Major.
Colonel, afterwards GEN. GREGORY, was in the hard fought battle of Eutaw, in South Carolina, and was a brave officer, and honorable man; was much respected, and often represented' Camden in the Legislature.
COLONEL BURGESS was often in the Legislature, and in 1795 represented this District in the Congress of the United States.
LEMUEL SAWYER was born in Camden, in 1777; educated at Flat Bush, New York, under care of Dr. Peter Wilson. He studied law, and was licensed to practice. In 1800, he represented Camden in the House of Commons, and again in 1801 ; in 1804 Elector, and voted in the Electoral College for Thomas Jefferson.
In 1807 elected to Congress, from this district, which he continued to repre- sent with some intervals until 1829, an unusually long period of service.
Mr. Sawyer is now in one of the public offices at Washington.
Mr. Sawyer was succeeded in Congress by Hon. Wm. B. Shepard, for a sketch of whom see Pasquotank, Chapter LIX.
Members of the General Assembly from Camden, from the adop- tion of the Constitution to the last session :-
Years.
Senate .:
Members of the House of Commons.
1778.
Isaac Gregory,
John Gray, Caleb Grandy.
1779.
Isaac Gregory,
Willis Butt, Caleb Grandy.
1780. Isaac Gregory,
William Burgess, D. Sawyer.
1782.
Isaac Gregory,
Dempsey Sawyer, Benjamin Jones.
1786. Isaac Gregory,
Lemuel Sawyer, Peter Dauge.
1787. Isaac Gregory,
Enoch Sawyer, Peter Dauge.
1788. Isaac Gregory,
Enoch Sawyer, Peter Dauge.
1789.
Isaac Gregory,
Enoch Sawyer, Peter Dauge.
1790. Peter Dauge,
Charles Grandy, William Burgess.
1791.
Peter Dauge,
Charles Grandy, William Burgess.
1792.
Peter Dauge,
Charles Grandy, William Burgess.
1793.
Peter Dauge,
William Neavill, Nathan Snowden.
1795.
Isaac Gregory,
1796.
Isaac Gregory,
Nathan Snowden, Caleb Grandy. . Enoch Daily, Josiah Morgan. Enoch Daily, Z. Burgess.
1797.
Joseph Forksey,
1800. Joseph Forksey,
Thomas Mercer, Lemuel Sawyer.
1801. Joseph Forksey,
Thomas Mercer, Lemuel Sawyer.
1802.
Thomas Burgess, Thomas Mercer, Caleb Perkins.
1803.
Nathan Snowden,
Joseph Morgan, Caleb Perkins.
1804. 1805.
Arthur Old,
Joseph Morgan, David Dunkin.
,Arthur Old,
Joseph Morgan, Caleb Perkins.
1806. Arthur Old,
Joseph Morgan, Caleb Perkins.
1807. , Arthur Old,
Caleb Perkins, Thomas Bell.
1808. Nathan Snowden,
Caleb Perkins, Thomas Bell.
1809. Caleb Perkins,
Thomas Bell, Dempsey Sawyer.
14
72
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Years. Senate.
Members of the House of Commons.
1810. Gideon Lamb,
Thomas Bell, Dempsey Sawyer.
1811. Caleb Perkins,
Dempsey Sawyer, William Mercer.
1812. Joseph Dozier,
Dempsey Sawyer, John Kelly.
1813. Thomas Bell,
Dempsey Sawyer, Thomas Etheridge.
1814.
Thomas Bell,
John Kellar, Baily Parker.
1815. Caleb Perkins,
Baily Barco, John II. Brocket.
1816.
Caleb Perkins,
Willis Wilson, Ezekiel Trotman.
1817.
Caleb Perkins,
Baily Barco, Willis Wilson.
1818 .-
John Kelly,
William Hearing, William Mercer.
1819.
Caleb Perkins,
William Mercer, John Jones.
1821.
Luke J. Lamb,
William B. Webster, Samuel Mercer.
1822.
Mason Culpepper,
William B. Webster, John Jones.
1823.
Caleb Perkins,
William B. Webster, Thomas Tillet.
1824.
Caleb Perkins,"
William B. Webster, Thomas Tillet.
1825.
Willis Wilson,
Thomas Tillet, Thomas Dozier. Thomas Dozier, Simeon Jones. Thomas Tillet, Thomas Dozier.
1828.
Haywood S. Bell,
Thomas Dozier, William B. Webster.
1829.
Haywood S. Bell,
Thomas Dozier, A. H. Grandy.
1830.
Caleb Perkins,
A. H. Grandy, Thomas Dozier.
1831.
Haywood S. Bell,
A. H. Grandy, Thomas Dozier.
1832. Haywood S. Bell,
1833.
Enoch Nash,
1834. Edm'd I. Barco,
Thomas Tillet, Jas. N. McPherson.
1835,
Thomas Tillet,
1836. Daniel Lindsay,
1838.
Caleb Etheridge,
J. S. Burgess.
1842.
Caleb Etheridge,
Cornelius G. Lamb.
1844. Caleb Etheridge,
Cornelius G. Lamb.
1846. John Barnard,
D. D. Ferebee.
1848. John Barnard,
D. D. Ferebee.
1850. John Barnard,
Caleb Barco.
CHAPTER XIV.
CARTERET COUNTY.
Origin of name-Date of formation-Situation and boundaries-Beaufort, its capital-Population and products-Climate-Early history-Teach's Hole.
CARTERET was one of the original precincts of the Lords Proprie- tors, and was called in honor of one of them, who is styled in the charter of Charles II. as " our right truly and well beloved counsel- lor, Sir George Carteret, Knight and Baronet, Vice-Chancellor of our Household." He is described by a cotemporary writer, as " the passionate and ignorant, and not too honest Sir George Carteret."*
He died in 1695, and was succeeded by his son John, f afterwards
* Pepys, i 366. t See Martin, vol. i. p. 190. Vol. i. (these sketches) p. 41.
1826.
Willis Wilson,
1827.
Willis Wilson,
B. D. Harrison, Thomas Tillet. Thomas Tillet, Caleb Barco.
Jas. N. McPherson, J. S. Burgess. D. Pritchard.
1840. Caleb Etheridge,
A. H. Grandy. .
73
CARTERET COUNTY. .
Earl of Granville, who retained his portion of the sovereignty of North Carolina, when the other proprietors, in 1729, surrendered to the Crown.
Its situation is in the extrême eastern portion of the State, and is bounded on the north, by the Pamplico Sound, and County of Craven; south and east by the Atlantic Ocean, west by the Coun- ties of Jones and Onslow.
Its capital is Beaufort, which possesses a fine harbor, great depth of water, and is destined to become the marine depot of North Caro- lina. Its distance from Raleigh is one hundred and sixty-eight miles.
To this county belongs the honor of having been seen by the first adventurers to these United States. Two ships, one called the Tyger, the other the Admiral, commanded by Philip Amidas, and Arthur Barlow, were fitted out under the charge and expense of Sir Walter Raleigh, under a patent from Queen Elizabeth. These sailed from England on April 27th, 1584, and arrived on this coast on the 4th day of July, 1584.
" After sailing along the coast one hundred and twenty English miles," says Amidas,* in his report, " before we could find any entrance or river issuing into the sea. The first that appeared unto us we entered and cast anker. After thanks given to God for our safe arrivall thither, we went to view the land adioyning and to take possession of the same in the right of the Queene's most excellent Maiestie, and rightful Queene and Princesse of the same, and after delivered the same over to ouer vse, according to her Majesties grant and letters patent vnder her Higheness' great seale."
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.