USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 24
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He returned home in October, 1849. As an evidence of the confidence of his country while abroad, and the respect of the President, he was intrusted with a special commission to negotiate on the subject of Cuba, now the object of much interest to the country.
In 1850, he was elected a member of the House of Commons from Wake, in which capacity he served last session.
He has taken a decided and active part in the Railroad Improvements of the State, and by his ardor and ability contributed much to their success.
To another age and at another day these data may afford material to the historian. and biographer. No effort is made to extract from the various 'speeches of Judge Saunders, or allude to various questions of public policy or principles that he had advocated or opposed. But justice and truth, when divested of all bias or prejudice must say, that his character is worthy of the State, and his services have contributed to her elevation and honor.
Many other names connected with Caswell might be alluded to, and in another edition may be referred to.
The following are the members of the General Assembly from Caswell county, from 1777 to 1851.
Years. Senate.
1778. Dempsey Moore, 1782. Dempsey Moore,
House of Commons.
John Atkinson, Richard Moore.
David Shelton, Robert Dickens. .
81
CASWELL COUNTY.
Years. Senate.
House of Commons.
1785. Dempsey Moore,
1786. Dempsey Moore,
1788. Robert Payne,
1791. ' Robert Dickens,
1792.
James Williamson,
1793.
John Williams,
1794.
John Williams,
1795. 1796.
Wynn Dickson,
1797.
Wynn Dickson,
1800.
Samuel Morton,
1801.
Samuel Morton,
1802.
Marmaduke Williams,
1803.
Samuel Morton,
1804.
Samuel Morton,
Richard Hornbuckle, John McMullen.
1806.
A. Graves,
James Burton, John McMullen.
1807.
A. Graves,
1808.
A. Graves,
1809.
A. Graves,
Isaac Rainey, Nathaniel Williams.
1810.
A. Graves,
James Yancey, Isaac Rainey.
1813.
N. Williams,
1814.
B. Graves,
1815.
B. Graves, 1
B. Brown, R. M. Saunders. R. M. Saunders, B. Graves.
1821.
B. Yancey,
1822.
B. Yancey,
James Yancey, B. Graves.
1825.
B. Yancey,
John E. Lewis, Charles D. Donoho.
1827.
B. Yancey,
John E. Lewis, C. D. Donoho.
1829 .*
B. Brown,
James H. Ruffin, James Kerr. John Wilson, James Kerr.
1830.
James Kerr,
Littleton A. Gwinn, Stephen Dodson.
1831. J. Kerr,
L. A. Gwinn, John F. Garland. Barzillai Graves, L. A. Gwinn.
1833. J. Kerr,
John E. Brown, Stephen Dodson.
1834. J. Kerr,
J. E. Brown, L. A. Gwinn.
1835. J. Kerr,
L. A. Gwinn, Stephen Dodson.
(The delegates to the Convention to amend the Constitution, in June, 1835, were William A. Lea and Calvin Graves.)
1836. J. Kerr,
1838. James Kerr,
1840. James Kerr, Calvin Graves, Levi Walker.
1842. Bedford Brown,
Calvin Graves, Levi Walker.
1844. L. A. Gwynn,
Calvin Graves, J. K. Lea.
1846. Calvin Graves,
John B. McMullen.
1848. Calvin Graves, John B. McMullen, Richard Jones.
1850. George Williamson, ,
Samuel P. Hill, D. S. Johnson.
1817. 1819.
Bartlett Yancey
B. Yancey,
Quinten Anderson, B. Graves.
1823. B. Yancey,
Bedford Brown, James Rainey.
1826. B. Yancey,
John E. Lewis, C. D. Donoho.
1828:
Bedford Brown,
Robert Blackwell, Solomon Graves. James Yancey, Richard Simpson. James Yancey, John McAden. John McAden, James Yancey. James Yancey, Young McAden. Richard Hornbuckle, Laurence Lea.
1805.
Azariah Graves,
J. Burton, James Yancey. J. Yancey, James Burton. Isaac Rainey, Nathaniel Williams.
1811. 1812. Nathanial Williams,
A. Graves,
Samuel Dabney, James Rainey. Quinten Anderson, B. Graves. Isaac Rainey, John P. Harrison. Romulus M. Saunders, Bedford Brown.
1832. J. Kerr,
L. A. Gwynn, William A. Lea. Levi Walker, L. A. Gwinn.
Robert Dickens, Adam Sanders. Adam Sanders, Robert Dickens. Benjamin Douglass, John Graves. James Williamson, John Graves. John Graves, David Shelton. John Graves, David Shelton. Gabriel Lea, William Parks. Solomon Graves, David Burfort. Robert Blackwell, Solomon Graves.
John Williams,
1
82
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
CHAPTER XVI.
CATAWBA COUNTY.
CATAWBA COUNTY was formed in 1842 from Lincoln County, and derives its name from the river which forms its northern and east- ern boundaries.
It is located in the north-western portion of the State, and bounded on the north by the Catawba River, which separates it from Caldwell County; on the east by the Catawba River, which separates it from Iredell County; on the south by Lincoln; and on the west by Burke.
Its population is 7,272 whites ; 1,569 slaves; 21 free negroes ; and 8,234 federal population.
Its revolutionary history is connected with Lincoln County, its separation from which caused an angry political animosity, which time we trust has removed. . It is blessed with a most healthful cli- mate, fertile lands, and every advantage to nourish a useful and intelligent population.
Its county seat is Newton, that sprung up only as on yesterday, and has a commodious Court House, and other Public Buildings ; many stores and handsome private residences ; 175 miles from Ra- leigh. Its inhabitants are distinguished for their industry and in- tegrity.
For her representatives, as she votes with Lincoln until after the session of 1852, see Lincoln County.
Hon. HENRY W. CONNER resides in Catawba County, on the Catawba River. He was born in Prince George County, Virginia, in August 1793. Educated at the University of South Carolina, at Columbia, at which institution he graduated in 1812. In 1814 he entered the army as Aide-de-camp to General Jos. Graham, and marched with the detachment of troops to the Creek Na- tion.
In 1821 he was elected to Congress and served continuously until 1841; when he declined a re-election. Major Conner is a disciple of the Macon school of politics. . He was a member of the Senate of the General Assembly in 1848; after which he declined all public honors and public service. He married in 1839 Lucy, the daughter of the late Governor Hawkins, who left him for a bettter world in 1849.
J
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83
CHATHAM COUNTY.
CHAPTER XVII.
CHATHAM. COUNTY.
Date of formation, origin of name-Population and products-Capital-Revo- lutionary history-Regulators -- The character, exploits, and death of David Fannen-The character of James F. Taylor, Attorney-General of North Carolina and a native of Chatham-Abraham Rencher-John D. Toomer and others-List of members of Assembly.
CHATHAM COUNTY was formed in 1770, and called in compliment of that distinguished English statesman and orator William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, whose talents and eloquence were displayed in the British Parliament in de- fence of the rights of America. He was a son of Robert Pitt, born in 1708, elevated at the early age of twenty-one to be Premier of England. His last forensic display was in defence of America, when he was carried in the House of Lords on a couch, and there, in all the resistless power of his mighty intellect, in the music and majesty of his eloquent voice, he portrayed the deep and burning injustice of England, and the crying wrongs of suffering America. He died in 1778, not until he told our oppressors to their teeth that he rejoiced that America had resisted, and predicted the brilliant career that awaited her, and the destiny which she has since fulfilled. His speeches are among the best specimens of oratory in our language. Worthily is his name preserved in this intelligent portion of our State.
. Chatham County, situated near the centre of the State, is bounded on the north by Alamance and Orange; on the east by Wake and a small portion of Cumberland; on the south by Moore; and west by Randolph.
Its capital is Pittsboro', 34 miles west of Raleigh.
Its population is 12,164 whites; 5,985 slaves ; 300 free negroes; 16,055 representative population.
Its products are 94,342 bushels wheat; 93,368 bushels oats; 446,708 bushels of corn ;' 536,886 pounds of tobacco ; 399,728 pounds of cotton; 1000 pounds of iron ; 500 dollars worth of lumber.
The immediate cause of the division of Orange at the time (1770) into Chatham, Wake and Guilford, was the troubles of the regu- lation in this section. The feeling of resistance to the crown offi- cers from their extortionary and oppressive conduct, is already recorded in the chapter on Alamance, to which the reader is re- ferred; Governor Tryon resorted to the plan of dividing this region, so that the people would not so often congregate at one point.
Its early history is connected with these troubles, and a full re- cord of which the chapters on ALAMANCE AND ORANGE present, and renders any further allusion here unnecessary.
In the Revolutionary struggle of our country Chatham did her part.
84
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
To the meeting of delegates at Hillsboro' on 21st August, 1775, there ap- peared as members from Chatham, ELISHA CAIN, RICHARD KENNON, MAT- THEW JONES, JEDUTHAN HARPER, JOHN BIRDSONG, AMBROSE RAMSAY, JOSEPH ROSSER, ROBERT RUTHERFORD, JOHN THOMPSON, and WM. CLARK.
This body appointed as Field Officers for Chatham, AMBROSE RAMSAY, Colo- nel ; JEDUTHAN HARPER, Liutenant-Colonel ; MIAL SCURLOCK, Major; ELISHA CAIN, 2d Major.
At the Congress held at Halifax on the 12th November, 1776, which formed our State Constitution, the members from Chatham County were :- AMBROSE RAMSAY, JOHN . BIRDSONG, MIAL SCURLOCK, ISAIAH HOGAN, and JE- DUTHAN HARPER.
These men have all gone-their names are here recorded; but their lives, services, and death beyond this record are unknown. It is to be hoped that some friend of Chatham will collect some me- mento worthy of their fame. Men are like the summer cloud, that the breath of evening wafts away. But patriotic acts and heroic services are not thus transient. A grateful country delights to cherish the recollection and record of their deeds, and inscribe their names on her monuments.
There lived in Chatham a man notorious for his marauding dis- position, his fearless and active temper, his dark and dangerous services against the cause of liberty.
While we preserve the names of the philanthropist and patriot, duty compels us to describe others whose conduct has marked them with ignominy, and whose names deserve execration. This is but just. Indiscriminate eulogy is as illy applied to a nation as to individuals.
History informs us that when Cromwell was about to sit for his portrait to Sir Peter Lely, the painter of the age, he peremptorily told him, "Paint me as I am." > So commands North Carolina. to any who attempts to describe her history or that of her sons."
DAVID FANNEN was born about 1754 in Wake County." He was appren- ticed to a carpenter or loom maker. In -1778 he moved to Chatham. The occupation of Wilmington by the British under Colonel Craig offered other prospects to his ambitious views. He was distinguished for his marauding exploits, and one of the earliest sufferers from his violence and rapacity was Charles Shearing, on Deep River, to whose house he went in the night, and shot him as he ran from the house. His energy of character was appre- ciated by the British authorities. He was appointed a Colonel of the Loyal militia. An old Tory, by the name of Lindsy, gave him a mare called Red Doe, whose blood even to this day is highly prized. Major Craig at Wilmington presented him with a uniform, and pair of pistols and holsters. An interest- ing event is recorded, by which he lost "the Red Doe" and his pistols. An active and zealous Whig named Hunter, afterwards of South Carolina, was taken by this ferocious bandit and his myrmidons. He was sentenced to be hanged. The rope was around his neck. Fannen rode up and dismounted to witness his execution, leaving his mare standing near. In an instant, the prisoner threw off the rope, and leaped on the back of the noble steed, The guard seized their arms, and Fannen orders them to " fire high" to save his mare. Hunter escaped with a shot in his shoulder, but the " Red Doe" and the holsters were his booty.
When Cornwallis raised the royal standard at Hillsboro' (Feb. 1781), Fan- nen was a terror to the whole country. The daring of his enterprises, the
85
CHATHAM COUNTY.
cruelty of his conduct, and his success, excite our admiration for this bold, bad man, much braver than and equally base as his more polished namesake of Orange County. His forces, with Col. Hector McNeill and Ray, were be- -tween 600 and 1,000 men.
Among his earliest successes was the capture of Col. Philip Alston at his house in Chatham with a few followers.
On 18th July, 1781, he made a descent upon a court-martial at Pittsboro', and took the officers prisoners, and carried them to Wilmington.
On. 14th August, 1781, he entered Campbellton (now Fayetteville), and carried off Col. Ennett, Captain Winslow and others.
On Ist September following, a battle was fought at McFall's mill, on the Raft Swamp, between him and the friends of liberty. On the 13th he and McNeill entered Hillsboro', then the seat of government, seized the Go- vernor of the State (Thomas Burke), and other prominent Whigs, and pro- ceeded with the utmost rapidity to Wilmington. General Butler endeavored to intercept them with a superior force, and did so at Lindley's Mills on Cane Creek, where an engagement took place on the following day. 'Fan- nen was severely wounded, but retreated with his prisoners, whom he de- livered to Major Craig at Wilmington.
In 1782 Fannen made his way to Charleston, and from thence retreated to Nova Scotia, where he died in 1825. *
JAMES FAUNTELROY TAYLOR was a native of Chatham County. He was a son of Captain Philip Taylor, of the revolutionary army. He was born July, 1791. His early education was conducted by Wm. Bingham, in Orange County. He graduated at Chapel Hill in 1810 ; studied law with Chief Justice Taylor ; licensed in 1812; elected a member of the House of Commons from Wake County in 1823; elected Attorney-General in 1825; and died June, 1828, leaving a widow and several children; one of whom (the only son), is the present Librarian of the State, at Raleigh, and one of the daughters, wife of Perrin Busbee, Esq., of Raleigh.
Mr. Taylor was blessed with a clear, discriminating intellect, improved by all the advantages of the age. His talents were of a high order, and duly appreciated by his country. In the administration of the criminal law, while the guilty had nothing to hope, the oppressed and innocent had no- thing to fear. He was loved by all who knew him for his generous and social qualities, and had his career not terminated at so early an age, it would have been brilliant to his own fame and useful to the State. When the cruel hand of death enters and destroys such bright prospects and glowing hopes, we feel, with Burke, " the vanity of all earthly pursuits, and what shadows we are, and what shadows we pursue."
HON. CHARLES MANLY is a native of Chatham; graduated at the University in 1814; studied law with the late Robert Williams, whom he succeeded as Treasurer of the University. , He was for a long time Reading Clerk of the House of Commons. «
In 1845, he was elected Governor, and, in 1849, defeated by the Hon. David Settle Reid.
HON. ABRAHAM RENCHER is a resident of Chatham County.
He graduated at Chapel Hill, in 1822; elected a member of Congress in 1829, and served continuously until 1839 ; elected again in 1841.
In 1843, he was appointed Chargé d'affaires from the United States to Portugal, where he resided for several years, discharging his duties with satisfaction to the government and honor and credit to himself.
* I am indebted to a letter from the Hon. David L. Swain to Dr. Johnson, of Charleston, for the facts relative to this man. I have had very many reasons to thank Gov. Swain for his liberality and kindness, and for a friendship (commenced in 1827 in Judge Taylor's law office), which has continued to this day. In gratitude for this uninterrupted friend- ship, the many acts of kindness, and a high esteem for his talents and his worth, I have dedicated my work to him.
86
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
HON. JOHN D. TOOMER resides in Chatham, for a sketch of whom the reader is referred to Cumberland County.
HUGH MCQUEEN is a native of Chatham, and represented her several years in both branches of the Legislature; member of the Convention in 1835 ; Attorney-General in 1840, which he resigned in 1842. He removed to Texas soon after, and took a distinguished part in the struggles for liberty.
JOHN S. GUTHRIE, now dead, was a native and resident of Chatham, and represented her for many years in the Legislature. Of him, one may say, as Hamlet-
" Alas, poor Yorick ! I knew him well, Horatio; a fellow of infinite jest, Of most excellent fancy."
Nature had done much for him; education but little ; he, himself, much less. There might be other names recorded in these sketches connected with Chatham, but our limits require precision ; another edition may extend the notices of this patriotic county and her sons.
Members of the General Assembly from Chatham County, from the first session under the Constitution to the last session' 1850-51.
Years. Senators.
1777.
Ambrose Ramsay,
1778.
Ambrose Ramsay,
1779. Ambrose Ramsay,
1780.
Ambrose Ramsay,
1781. 1782. 1783. 1784.
Ambrose Ramsay, William B. Smith, Ambrose Ramsay, Ambrose Ramsay, Ambrose Ramsay, Ambrose Ramsay, Ambrose Ramsay,
1788. 1789. 1790. 1791.
Joseph Stewart,
Joseph Stewart,
1792.
Joseph Stewart,
1793. Joseph Stewart,
1794.
Joseph Stewart, Joseph Stewart,
1795.
1796. Lemuel Smith,
1797. George Lucas,
1798. Joseph Stewart, -
1799. 1800.
James Gaines, 1801. Lemuel Smith, 1802. Joseph J. Alston,
1803. Joseph J. Alston,
1804.
1805.
William Brantley, William Brantley, Winship Stedman, John Farrar, John Farrar,
1806. 1807.
1808. 1809. Roderick Cotten,
1810. Micajah McGee,
1811. Roderick Cotten,
1812. Micajah McGee,
1813. John Farrar,
House of Commons.
Alexander Clark, John Birdson. Alexander Clark, James Williams. Jeduthan Harper, John Lutrell. Mial Scurlock, James Williams. James Williams, John Ledhill. James Williams, John Ledhill. Matthew Jones, Richard Hennon. Elisha Cain, Joseph Stewart. Joseph Stewart, Roger Griffith. James Anderson, Joseph Stewart. James Anderson, Joseph Stewart. James Anderson, Joseph Stewart. James Anderson, Joseph Stewart. James Anderson, John Mebane. John Mebane, James Anderson. James Anderson, John Mebane. George Lucas, John Mebane. George Lucas, John Dabney. John Mebane, Mial Scurlock. John Dabney, Thomas Stokes. Thomas Stokes, John Dabney. George Lucas, John Mebane. John Dabney, John Mebane. James Alston, John Mebane. John Dabney, John Mebane. George Dismukes, John Dabney. John Mebane, John Dabney. John Farrar, Andrew Headen. John Farrar, William O'Kelly. Andrew Headen, John Farrar. John Mebane, Andrew Headen. John Mebane, Andrew Headen. John Mebane, Charles Kennon. Mark Bynum, Nathan Stedman. Andrew Headen, John Mebane. Mark Bynum, William O'Kelly. Bartholomew Lightfoot, John B. Mebane.
1785.
1786.
1787.
Ambrose Ramsay, George Lucas,
James Gaines,
A
CHEROKEE COUNTY.
87
Years.
Senators.
1814.
Andrew Headen,
John A. Ramsay, William O'Kelly.
1815. John Farrar,
John A. Ramsay, William O'Kelly.
1816. John Farrar,
William O'Kelly, Richard C. Cotten.
1817. John Farrar,
Richard C. Cotten, John J. Alston.
1818. 1819.
John Farrar,
Jesse Bray,
Richard Freeman, James C. Barbee.
1823.
Robert Marsh,
William Underwood, A. Ramsay. Ambrose K. Ramsay, William Underwood. William Underwood, J. J. Brooks. Ambrose K. Ramsay, Thomas Hill.
1827.
Joseph Ramsay, .
Nathaniel G. Smith, Nathan A. Stedman.
1828.
Joseph Ramsay,
Nathaniel G. Smith, Joseph J. Brooks.
1829.
Joseph Ramsay,
1830.
Joseph Ramsay,
· Joseph J. Brooks, Hugh McQueen. Nathaniel G. Smith, Joseph J. Brooks. Joseph J. Brooks, Hugh McQueen.
1831.
William Reneber,
1832. Nathan A. Stedman, John S. Guthrie, Hugh McQueen.
1833.
Nathan A. Stedman, R. C. Cotten, John S. Guthrie.
1834. Hugh McQueen,
1835. Hugh McQueen,
R. C. Cotten, John S. Guthrie.
1836.
William Albright,
Spencer McClennahan, John S. Guthrie, Richard C. Cotten.
1838. William Albright,
Spencer McClennahan, John S. Guthrie, R. C. Cotten.
1840. William Albright,
1842. William Albright,
1844. William Albright,
1846. William Albright,
1848. William Albright, 1850. J. H. Haughton,
Daniel Hackny, McClennahan, Headen. R. C. Cotten, Dan. Hackny, G. M. Brazier.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CHEROKEE COUNTY.
CHEROKEE COUNTY was formed in 1839, from Macon County. Its name is derived from the tribe of Indians who once owned a part of this county.
It is situated in the extreme south-western part of the State, and bounded on the north by White Mountain, which separates it from Tennessee and the County of Macon, on the east by Macon County, south by the Georgia line, and west by Tennessee.
Its capital is Murphy, named in compliment to the Hon. Archi- bald D. Murphy, once a Judge of our Superior Court, and for whose biography reference is made to Orange County, of which he was a 15
1820. 1822.
Jesse Bray,
W. C. Cotten, W. Underwood.
1824. 1825.
Robert Marsh,
Robert Marsh,
1826.
Robert Marsh,
Richard C. Cotten, John A. Ramsay. Thomas Hill, John A. Ramsay.
William O'Kelly,
Members of the House of Commons.
R. C. Cotten, William Foushee ..
Spencer McClennahan, John S. Guthrie, Isaac Clegg.
John S. Guthrie, Thomas Lassiter, John J. Jackson.
D. Hackny, J. H. Haughton, J. S. Guthrie. Daniel Hackny, Thomas Lassiter, Maurice Q. Waddle.
88
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
resident. Distance from Raleigh, three hundred and sixty-seven miles.
This region of country is picturesque and beautiful. The early traditions of the aborigines in this region, have been preserved in the pleasant fiction of Oneguskee, written by the Hon. Robert Strange.
Its population is 6,493 whites ; 337 slaves ; 8 free negroes ; 6,703 represent- ative population.
Its products are 2,760 bushels of wheat; 12,787 bushels of oats; 1,203 bushels of rye; 167,167 bushels of corn ; 1,075 dollars in gold.
By the act of 1840, Cherokee, Haywood, and Macon Counties, form the fiftieth Senatorial District. Her senators were-1844 and 1846, MICHAEL FRANCIS ; 1848 and 1850, WM. H. THOMAS.
Ever since Cherokee has had a representative in the General Assembly, that honor has been conferred on GEORGE W. HAYES, whose indefatigable exertions, untiring energy and abilities have greatly contributed to her advancement and relief.
CHAPTER XIX.
CHOWAN COUNTY.
Date of formation-Origin of name-Situation and boundaries - Capital, Edenton-Population and products-Climate and soil-Colonial and revo- lutionary history-Its distinguished citizens-Samuel Johnston, Hugh Wil- liamson, James Iredell, Sen., James Iredell, Jr., Stephen Cabarrus, Joseph Hewes and others-Members of Legislature.
CHOWAN COUNTY was one of the original precincts of the Lords Proprietors, under charter of King Charles II., and derives its name from the tribe of Indians, Chowanokes, who once owned and in- habited this territory.
It is situated in the north-eastern part of the State ; bounded on the north by Gates County, on the east by Perquimans, on the south by the Albemarle Sound, and on the west by the Chowan River, which separates it from Gates and Hertford Counties.
Its capital is EDENTON, named in compliment after Charles Eden, the royal Governor of the Province in 1720. He died in 1722, and lies buried in Bertie County. A sketch of Governor Eden has been already written, and will be found in vol. i. page 39.
This ancient borough was settled in 1716, which was originally called Queen Anne's Creek.
Its population is 2,944 white ; 104 free negroes ; 3,673 slaves ; 5,251 federal population.
Its products are 15,349 bushels of wheat ; 13,962 bushels of oats ; 282,209
89
CHOWAN COUNTY.
bushels of corn ; 1,267,297 pounds of cotton ; 2,681 pounds of wool; 18,455 barrels of fish ; 624 barrels of turpentine.
About five miles south-east of Edenton, about one hundred yards from Albemarle Sound, are the graves of Henderson Walker, and others, from whose tombs the following is copied.
"Here lies ye body of Henderson Walker, Esq., President of ye Council, and Commander-in-chief of North Carolina; during whose administration ye province enjoyed that tranquillity which it is to be wished it may never want. He departed this life, 14th April, 1704, aged 44 years."
On another grave near, is a stone with the following inscription :-
" Here lies ye body of Madam Anne Mosely, wife of Edward Mosely, Esq. She was ye daughter of Major Alexander Lillington, Esq., and ye widow of the Hon. Henderson Walker, Esq., late President of his Majesty's Council in North Carolina. She departed this life, November 18th, Anno Domini, 1732, aged 55 years and 5 months."
The ancient records of the Court at Edenton are of great interest. They are filed in the Superior Court Clerk's office. These records are well written, containing four hundred and twenty-five pages. From these it appears that the courts for Carolina, north of Cape Fear, were first held at the house of Capt. John Hecklefield, 28th October, 1712, on Little River; then in March, 1715, at the house of Capt. Richard Sanderson ; and on the 27th March, 1722, at Edenton ; Christopher Gale, Chief Justice, and seven assistants presiding.
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