USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 25
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SETH SOTHEL, who was Governor of North Carolina in 1683, resided in this county. His character reflects no credit upon his memory. It is refer- red to in vol. i. 31.
His will is extant .* The first item "gives to his loving friend Francis Hartly, the plantation on which he lived for the term of four years, and two thirds of his seignory, bounded on Flatty Creek, and Pasquotank River, for the term of the lives of said Hartly, after the decease of his wife, Anna Sothel."
He gives, in the second item, "to Edward Forster, his father-in-law, his plan- tation at Cuscopenum, and thirty head of cattle, and a negro man. He gives, in the third item, William Duckenfield, William Wilkinson, and Henderson Walker, five pounds each, to buy a good mourning ring. He gives, in the fourth item, Edward Wald the plantation whereon Thomas Edwards now lives, on Little River, for his life, and, after his death, to Anna Sothel."
In the fifthi item, he gives "all the remainder of his estate, goods, and chattels, to Anna Sothel forever, and appoints her whole and sole executor of his will."
The will is dated January 20th, 1689, and witnessed by Wm. Wilkinson, Henderson Walker, John Lowds, William Wobland, and Sarah Wobland, and proved in Court 3d February, 1693.
The personal estate was appraised on the 9th July, 1695, and delivered to Thomas Pollock, and consisted of a negro man valued at £40; an Indian woman and child, £15 ; an Indian boy, £12; 21 bushels salt, at 3s., £3 3s .; 1 gun, at £1; 203 pounds nails at £1: 100 sheep, at £40; 300 pounds of tobacco, at £1 5s .; bed and bolster, £2; 97 dressed buckskins, £9 16s .; 126 dressed doeskins, £9 9s .; 50 pounds gunpowder, £3.15s .; rum, 2s. 6d. in county pay.
Until July, 1680, all accounts in the colony were kept in tobacco.
The beautiful sheet of water in front of Edenton preserves the name of General George Monk, DUKE OF ALBEMARLE; whose efforts restored Charles the Second to his crown and kingdom, and who
* In the office of Secretary of State at Raleigh, "Proceedings of the General Court of Albemarle, from Nov. 1769 to 1712 ;" bound in parchment. I am indebted to the kindness of the Hon. David L. Swain for this.
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
was one of the Lords Proprietors of Carolina. He was born 1608. He was originally a soldier of fortune in the royal army of Charles the First ; he deserted him and offered his services to Cromwell, and on his death contributed to restore Charles the Second. Pepys, a cotemporary, styles him "as a dull heavy man, who will not hinder. but cannot aid business. He took advantage of circumstances to make his fortune and gratify his passion for power and place. He cared nothing for his country, but only for himself."* He had some pretensions to literature, and wrote on political and military subjects. He died in 1670.
From an old custom house book now in the possession of J. M. Jones, Esq., of Edenton, it appears that in July 1768 the ship Amelia cleared hence with an assorted cargo, among which were "three bags of cotton."
The climate is mild, but in the fall unhealthy., The winter is generally mild, but sometimes severe. The - Albemarle Sound in 1772 was completely frozen over.t 4
The early history of Chowan is full of incident, and with a biography of its distinguished citizens presents an inviting field of itself for a volume of interest and information. Will not some able hand enter the field, reap its rich products, and garner up a harvest " so fair, so bright, and so full of goodly fruit ?"
The devotion of her sons to the cause of liberty is worthy of our admiration and regard.
To the general meeting of deputies of the inhabitants of North Carolina at Newbern on 25th August, 1774, (the first assembly of the people adverse to the royal authority, ) the members from' Chowan were SAMUEL JOHNSON, THOMAS OLDHAM, THOMAS BENBURY, THOMAS JONES, and THOMAS HUNTER.
The same appeared at Newbern in April 1775, and at Hillsboro' at the meeting on 21st August, 1775 : the same appeared with JAMES BLOUNT, and JOSIAH GRANDBERRY.
In the Congress at Halifax 12th November, 1776, which formed the State Constitution, the delegates were JAMES BLOUNT, THOMAS BENBURY, THOMAS JONES, LUKE SUMNER, and JACOB HUNTER.
The patriotism of the men was even exceeded by that of the women.
By some strange freak of circumstance many years ago, there was found at Gibraltar, a beautiful picture, done in a skillful style enameled on glass, "a meeting of the ladies of Edenton destroying the tea (their favorite beverage) when taxed by the English Parliament." This picture was procured by some of the officers of our Navy, and was sent to Edenton, where I saw it in 1830.
The following record is extracted from the American Archives (4th series, vol. i. 891).
" EDENTON, North Carolina, "25th Oct., 1774.
" As we cannot be indifferent on any occasion that appears to affect the peace and happiness of our country, and as it has been thought necessary for the public good to enter into several particular resolves by a meeting of the members of the deputies from the whole province, it is a duty we owe, not only to our near and dear relations and connections, but to ourselves, who are essentially interested in their welfare, to do everything as far as lies in
* Bancroft, ii. 29.
t Williamson, i. 177. .
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CHOWAN COUNTY.
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our power to testify our sincere adherence to the same; we therefore do ac- cordingly subscribe this paper as a witness of our fixed intention and solemn determination.
"'Signed by fifty-six ladies."
SAMUEL JOHNSTON, who resided and died in Chowan, was a native of Scot- land. He was as distinguished for his amiable virtues as for his zeal in the cause of liberty.
He was a member from Chowan County in 1775 to the General Meeting at Newbern. He, on the death of John Harvey, succeeded as Moderator of this assembly, and was the President of the Provincial Council. This officer was the actual Governor of the State in the interregnum between the abdica- tion of Governor Martin, the last of the royal governors, and the accession of Governor Caswell under the Constitution. He was present at Halifax during the deliberations of the Convention which formed the Constitution, although not a member, took a deep interest in the momentous questions before that body, and contributed by his genius, talents, and influence, to preserve its conservative character. It is wonderful that the Constitution then formed was so free from objection, as that it should remain nearly sixty years un- touched or altered. North Carolina was the first State to declare her indepen- dence, so her State Constitution was among the earliest formed. No other State had made landmarks as a guide in this new and untried journey: Just bursting from the shackles of the aristocratic forms of the English Govern- ment, new questions arose that demanded the sagacity and prudence of the most experienced statesman. The views of Samuel Johnston were eminently conservative. He was opposed to many features of the Constitution, as at first reported. He viewed the departure too great from the principles of the English Government, and considered the unbridled will of the people as dangerous to true liberty, as the tyranny of an irresponsible monarch. He opposed vehemently the clause giving to the people the election of Justices of the Peace. Had he lived to this day and viewed the working of our system, : time and experience might have modified his views.
In' 1780 he was elected a member of the Continental Congress which as- sembled at Philadelphia, and served until 1782.
He was elected governor in 1787. He was the unqualified admirer of the Federal Constitution, and was President of the Convention, while Governor of the State, which met at Hillsboro' 21st July 1788, to consider the Constitu- tion, and by which body it was rejected ; and also of the Convention which met at Fayetteville Nov. 1789, which ratified that instrument.
He was the first Senator from North Carolina in 1789, and served until 1793. He was appointed Judge of the Superior Court in February 1800, which he resigned in November 1803.
After enjoying every honor that the State could heap upon him, he volun- tarily resigned all public employment, deeming what the wise soldier of Charles V., when he resigned his commission, declared so necessary, "Aliquid tempus interesse debet vitam mortem que," and peacefully departed this life in the year '1816 .*
He left one son, JAMES C. JOHNSTON, Esq., of Edenton. His sister Hannah married Hon. James Iredell, whose biography we shall presently offer.
HUGH WILLIAMSON was a member of the House of Commons in 1782, from the borough of Edenton, and again from the county in 1785, Elected by " the Colonial Congress a member of the Continental Congress in 1782, and served until, 1785; and again in 1787, and served until 1788. He was selected in 1787 as a delegate from North Carolina to the Convention which formed the Federal Constitution, to which instrument, his name (with Wil- liam Blount and Richard Dobbs Spaight) is appended.
' 'He was a native of Pennsylvania, born 5th of December, 1735, in West Nottingham township. His father was an Irishman, a respectable clothier
(i Some time ought to intervene between the life and death."
,
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
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in Dublin, and emigrated to this country in 1730. His mother, Mary David- son, was Irish, and came to this country with her father, George Davidson, when about three years old. On their way they were captured by Teach, or Blackbeard, the celebrated pirate, by whom, after being plundered, they were released. His parents were married in 1731, and had ten children, of which Hugh was the oldest. . He was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, at which he graduated in 1757. He studied Divinity, and was licensed to preach by the Philadelphia Presbytery; but after preaching two years, he > resigned on account of ill health. In 1760, he was appointed Professor of Mathematics in the University of Pennsylvania. In 1764, he resigned and went to Edinburgh to study medicine. In 1772, he returned and practiced his profession in Philadelphia. He was sent with Rev. Dr. Ewing to England, to raise funds for a literary institution at Newark. This was at the time of the destruction of tea in the Boston Harbor, and the vessel in which Dr. Williamson sailed to England, took the first news of this occurrence to England. This daring measure excited much feeling in England. Dr. Wil- liamson was examined before the Privy Council in February, 1774. He as- sured the Council that if the measures of Parliament were persisted in, civil war and revolution must be the inevitable consequences.
1 .
Dr. Williamson obtained the possession of certain letters while in England, written by the Royal Governor of Massachusetts, and Mr. Oliver, Secretary of the Province, and others, to Thomas Whately, Esq., member of Parlia- ment, and Private Secretary to Lord Granville. These letters he handed to Dr. Franklin, and sailed next day for Holland. Dr. Franklin transmitted these letters to his friends in Boston, and they were published. The indig- nation of the people knew no bounds. The House of Representatives, in a remonstrance to the King, charged the Governor with perfidy and falsehood, and declared him an enemy to the colonies .*
Dr. Williamson made a tour through Holland and the low countries, when the news of the Declaration of Independence reached him, and he determined to return home.
He sailed for the United States in December, from Nantz. When off the Capes of Delaware, the vessel was attacked and captured by a British man- of-war; but he escaped in an open boat, with important dispatches to our Government.
He undertook a journey next year to Charleston, with a younger brother, in a mercantile speculation. At Charleston, he purchased a vessel, and loaded her for Baltimore. General Howe at this time entered the Chesa- peake Bay; to avoid capture, Dr. Williamson ordered his vessel to Edenton. That circumstance carried him to Edenton, and he was induced to remain; a position favorable to the practice of his profession. He was also con- cerned with his brother in his mercantile operations in the West India trade.
In the winter, 1779, when the British had possession of Charleston, the State of North Carolina ordered a draft of five thousand men, under command of Governor Caswell. Governor Caswell appointed Dr. Williamson at the head of the medical staff, and was with the army at the 'fatal battle of Camden, August, 1780. After the battle, he requested a flag of truce, under which he' went to his unfortunate countrymen, wounded and prisoners, and remained two months, dressing their wounds, clothing them out of his own pocket. This act was highly philanthropic, and deservedly places the character of Dr. Williamson in high esteem as a patriot and Christian.
He returned to Edenton, and in 1782, represented Edenton in the House of Commons. In 1784, he was sent to Congress for three years, and 1787, appointed a delegate to the Convention which formed the Constitution of the United States, 17th September, 1787.
The Constitution was unpopular in North Carolina, and for his devoted advocacy to its forms, Dr. Williamson lost much of his popularity. But this was but momentary, for he represented the Edenton District in Congress, in
* Memoirs of the Life and Writings of Franklin. Quarto, page 183, Lond. ed., 1818.
1
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CHOWAN COUNTY.
1790, '91 and '92. He had married in New York, in 1789, Maria, daughter of Hon. Charles Ward Apthrope. ..
By this union he had two sons, his wife dying when the youngest was but a few days old. 4
This severe affliction caused Dr. Williamson to retire from public employ- ment, and devote himself to literary pursuits, at the time residing in New York.
In 1811, he published "Observations on Climate in the different parts of America, compared with the Climate in corresponding parts of the other continent," in 1 vol. 8vo.
In 1812, appeared his " History of North Carolina," in 2 vols. 8vo.
In 1814, he was associated with De Witt Clinton in forming the Literary and Philosophical Society of New York.
His health, never strong, had been wonderfully preserved by the uniform temperance and regularity of his habits.
He died very suddenly, on the 22d of May, 1819, while taking his usual evening ride with his niece.
No man ever lived in our State, whose character for justice and integrity stood higher. His aims were for his country and her honor. His labors as a member of Congress, were more in the closet and committee-room, than in debate, and yet his elocution was striking and effective. Mr. Jefferson said of him that "He was a very useful member, acute mind, and of a high de- gree of erudition."
Hon. WILLIAM CUMMING was a lawyer in Chowan in olden times. He represented the State in the Continental Congress, in 1784, and the town of Edenton, in 1788, in the House of Commons.
JAMES IREDELL, one of the Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States in 1790, was from Chowan County.
He was a native of England, born at Lewes, in Sussex County, on the 5th October, 1750. He emigrated to North Carolina when , only 17 years old. He studied law with Gov. Samuel Johnston, whose sister Hannah he married in July, 1773. He held, under his relative, Henry Eustace McCullock (who was, under the crown, Collector of the port of Edenton), the office of Deputy Collector, and was afterwards appointed Collector, which valuable office he held until the Revolution. He was removed in consequence of his adherence to the principles of freedom and interests of America. He was a gentleman of fine personal appearance, great intelligence, profound acquirements, and unspotted integrity.
He was admitted to the bar in 1776. By his talents and industry he soon rose to position and influence. He was elected by the General Assembly Judge of the Superior Court, on the 20th December, 1777, which he resigned in August, 1778.
He (in 1778). was a member of the Convention at Hillsboro', to delibe- rate upon the Federal Constitution, and was its able exponent and eloquent defender.
He was afterwards (in November, 1779) appointed Attorney-General, and resigned soon afterwards.
-In February, 1790, without his knowledge, he was appointed by General Washington one of the Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States.
Chief Justice Marshall, in a letter to Judge Murphy (Oct. 6th, 1827), ex- pressed his opinion as to the merits of Judge Iredell as a man of talents and professional worth.
In the presidential election of 1797 he received three electoral votes for President of the United States.
The State has preserved his memory in the patriotic county named after him (in 1788), which was done on motion of General John Steele, of Rowan County.
Full of years and full of honors, he died 20th October, 1799, leaving two daughters and one son,
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
JAMES IREDELL, who has been a Judge of the Superior Court, Speaker of the . House of Commons, Governor of the State, and Senator in Congress.
He was born in Chowan County in 1788. His first appearance in public life was in 1816, as member of the House of Commons. In 1817 and 1818 he was elected Speaker.
In the war of 1812 he commanded a company of volunteers, and marched to Norfolk, Va., to repel the invasions of the British. In this company, the late Gavin Hogg, Esq., of Raleigh, was a lieutenant.
In March, 1819, he was appointed a Judge of the Superior Court, which he resigned in the May following.
He was elected Governor of the State December, 1827, and Senator in Congress in 1828, in which he served until, 1831. He now resides at Raleigh, where he is engaged in the practice of his profession, and is Reporter of the Decisions of the Supreme Court.
He married a daughter of the late Samuel Treadwell, late Collector of the port of Edenton, by whom he has a large and interesting family ; one of whom married Cadwallader Jones, Jr., Esq., of Hillsboro';' another to Griffiths J. McRee, of Wilmington, and another to Dr. Charles E. Johnson, of Raleigh.
STEPHEN CABARRUS Was also a resident of Chowan. He was a native of France, and a man of active mind, generous feelings, and liberal sentiments .. In 1784 he entered politics, and was repeatedly elected a member of the House of Commons from Edenton, and often Speaker of the House. The County of Cabarrus preserves his name, and of his early life, character, and services more will be presented at some future period.
THOMAS JONES, of Chowan, in early days, was a devoted patriot and tried republican. Between him, Willie Jones, Richard Caswell, and Thomas Burke rests the honor of having written the Constitution of North Carolina.
We regret that more is not known of his life, character, services, and death.
JOSEPH HEWES, one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence of 4th July, 1776, was a resident of Chowan. He was born in New Jersey in 1735, and was a merchant by profession. He represented this county in the Assembly in 1774 and 1775. In 1774 he was elected a member of the Con- tinental Congress, and served until 1777, and was chosen again to the same place in 1779-80. In April, 1776, by the Provincial Congress at Halifax, he was appointed (with Wm. Hooper and John Penn) delegate to the Conti- nental Congress, at Philadelphia. He died while attending to his duties as a member of Congress at Philadelphia, and was buried in Christ Church in that city. His funeral, attended by the President, Congress, the French minister, and other persons of distinction, was conducted with much pomp. He left a large fortune, but no children to inherit it." Mr. Hewes was in person prepossessing, his countenance expressive of great amenity of temper. His reputation for probity and honor was unspotted .*
It has been before stated that it is not very flattering to our State pride that not one of the signers to our national Declaration of Independence from North Carolina was a native of our State. Wm. Hooper was a Boston man, Joseph Hewes was a New Jersey man, and John Penn was a Virginian.
Hon. CHARLES JOHNSON was often a member of the Senate, and a member of Congress from this district in 1801. He lived on Chowan River, and was father of Charles E. Johnson, and grandfather of Dr. Charles Johnson, now of Raleigh.
Hon. SAMUEL T. SAWYER, now of Norfolk, Va., is a native of Chowan.
* Sanderson's Biography of the Signers of the Declaration of Independence, vol. v. p. 147. Philadelphia, 1828.
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CHOWAN COUNTY.
His father, Dr. Matthias B. Sawyer, was distinguished for his talents and learning. His uncle, Hon .. Lemuel Sawyer, represented this district for many years. . Maj. Sawyer was by education a lawyer. He entered public life in 1829 as a member of the House of Commons, and served until 1832.
In. 1837 he was elected to Congress, and served one Congress. In 1840 he was defeated by Hon. Kenneth Rayner. He has since settled in Norfolk, where he is pursuing his profession, and the able editor of a paper (Argus).
Col. ROBERT T. PAINE is a native of Chowan ; born 18th February, 1812. Educated at Trinity College, Connecticut. By profession a lawyer. Entered public life in 1838 as member of the House of Commons. He was appoint- ed by Governor Graham Colonel of the North Carolina Regiment, in the war with Mexico, with John A. Fagg, of Buncombe, Lieutenant-Colonel ; and M. S. Stokes, of Wilkes, as Major. .
After his return from Mexico he was appointed by the President (with Hon. George Evans and another) Commissioner, to settle the claims under the Mexican treaty.
On the 21st September, 1846, CHARLES HOSKINS, of this county, in the 33d year of his age, was killed in the battle of Monterey .. He was a native of Edenton, graduated at the Military Academy in 1836, and joined his com- pany in the 4th regiment of infantry in the Cherokee nation. In 1839 he went with his regiment to Fort Gibson, Arkansas.
In 1845 he accompanied his regiment to Corpus Christi, and did good ser- vice at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and fell at Monterey:
On the 2d January, 1847, the General Assembly adopted resolutions ex- pressive of their sincere respect for his character, and their sympathy for his early fate.
Hon. AUGUSTUS MOORE, late a judge of our Superior Court, was a resident of Edenton. He was graduated at the University in 1824, read law with Charles R. Kinney, in Elizabeth City, and practiced with great success. He was appointed Judge in 1848, but he resigned the same year, and died very suddenly in April 1851.
EDENTON.
LIST OF MEMBERS TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS.
Years. ~ House of Commons.
· Years.
House of Commons.
1774. Joseph Hewes,
1797.
Thomas Johnson,
1775.
Joseph Hewes,
1798.
James Greenbury,
1776. Joseph Hewes,
1799. John Blount,
1777.
John Green,
1800.
William Slade,
1778. Joseph Hewes,
1801.
Josiah Collins,
1779. Joseph Hewes,
1802. Nathaniel Allen,
1780. Robert Smith,
. 1803.
Jos. B. Littlejohn,
1781.
Robert Smith,
1805. Allen Gilchrist,
1782. 1783.
Hugh Williamson, .William Cumming,
1806.
William Slade,
1784.
Stephen Cabarrus,
1807. Jos. B. Skinner,
1785.
Stephen Cabarrus,
1808.
Wm. A. Littlejohn,
1786.
Stephen Cabarrus,
1809.
John Beasley,
1787.
Stephen Cabarrus,
1810. Mathias E. Sawyer,
1788.
William Cumming,
1811.
Mathias E. Sawyer,
1812.
Henry Flury,
1790. John Hamilton, 1791. John Hamilton,
1813. James Iredell,
1792.
John Hamilton,
1814. Jos. B. Skinner,
1793. William Cumming,
1815. Jos. B. Skinner,
1794.
Robert Hardy,
1816. James Iredell,
1795.
Stephen Cabarrus, ,
1817. . James Iredell,
1796.
Thomas Johnson,
1818. James Iredell,
1804. Thomas Johnson,
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Years. House of Commons.
Years. House of Commons.
1819. James Iredell,
1828. James Bozman,
1820. James Iredell,
1829. Samuel T. Sawyer,
1821. George Blair, Jr.
1830. Samuel T. Sawyer,
1822. George Blair, Jr.
1831. Samuel T. Sawyer,
1823. James Iredell,
1832.
Samuel T. Sawyer,
1824. James Iredell,
1833. J. Malachi Haughton,
1825. James Iredell,
1834. Frederick Noscum,
1826. James Iredell,
1835.
Hugh W. Collins.
1827. James Iredell,
Members of the General Assembly from Chowan County, from the adoption of the Constitution to 1850-51.
Years. Senate.
House of Commons.
1777. Luke Sumner,
Thomas Benbury, Jacob Hunter.
1778. Luke Sumner,
Wm. Boyd, Thomas Benbury.
1779. Luke Sumner,
Wm. Boyd, Thomas Benbury.
1780. Luke Sumner,
Wm. Boyd, Thomas Benbury.
1781. Charles Johnson,
Michael Payne, Thomas Benbury.
1782. Charles Johnson, -
: Michael Payne, Thomas Benbury.
1783.
Charles Johnson,
Stephen Chambers, Richard Benbury.
1784. Charles Johnson,
Clement Hall, Michael Payne.
1785.
Michael Payne,
Hugh Williamson, Clement Hall. Josiah Copeland, Lemuel Creecy. .
1787.
Jacob Jordan,
Josiah Copeland, Lemuel Creecy.
1788.
Charles Johnson,
Stephen Cabarrus, Lemuel Creecy.
1790.
Charles Johnson,
Stephen Cabarrus, Lemuel Creecy.
1791.
Charles Johnson,
1792.
Charles Johnson,
1793.
Lemuel Creecy,
1794.
Lemuel Creecy,
1795.
Lemuel Creecy,
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