USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 33
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1818. 1819. 1820. 1821.
James Houze,
William Moore. John D. Hawkins.
1822. 1823. 1824.
Charles A. Hill,
Lark Fox, Guilford Lewis.
1825. Charles A. Hill,
Charles A. Hill,
James Houze, Joel King.
Joel King, Henry J. G. Ruffin.
Richard Ward, William J. Branch.
William J. Branch, Thomas J. Russell.
William J. Branch, Gideon Glenn. Gideon Glenn, James Davis.
Alfred A. Lancaster, Nath. R. Tunstall.
William H. Battle, Jos. J. Maclin. William H. Battle, Jos. J. Maclin.
1835. Henry G. Williams,
Thomas Howerton, Simon G. Jeffreys.
1836. John D. Hawkins,
Thomas Howerton, Jos. J. Maclin. Thomas Howerton, William P. Williams.
1838. 1840. 1842.
John D. Hawkins, John D. Hawkins, William P. Williams, 1844. William A. Jeffreys,
1846. John E. Thomas,
1848. James Collins,
William K. Martin, D. W. Spivey.
William K. Martin, Josiah Bridges.
1850. James Collins,
Members of the House of Commons.
John Foster, Archibald Davis. Brittain Harris, Archibald Davis. Brittain Harris, Thomas Lanier. Eppes Moody, James Seawell. Eppes Moody, James Seawell. Brittain Harris, James Seawell. Eppes Moody, Brittain Harris. Eppes Moody, James J. Hill. Eppes Moody Thomas Lanier. Eppes Mcody, Thomas Lanier. James J. Hill, Thomas J. Alston.
5
1826. 1827. James Houze, 1828. Henry J. G. Ruffin, 1829. William P. Williams, 1830. William P. Williams, William P. Williams, William P. Williams,
Lark Fox, Guilford Lewis.
Charles A. Hill,
Lark Fox, Guilford Lewis.
William J. Williams, James Houze.
1831. 1832. 1833. Thomas G. Stone, 1834. John D. Hawkins,
. William Harrison, James Houze ..
James J. Hill,
Benjamin F. Hawkins, M. N. Jeffreys, T. Terrell.
James Houze,
James Houze,
James J. Hill, Thomas Lanier. Eppes Moody, Thomas Lanier. . Benjamin F. Hawkins, Eppes Moody.
Young Patterson, Thomas Howerton. Young Patterson, John E. Thomas. William K. Martin, James Collins. William K. Martin, James Collins.
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GASTON COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXXI.
GASTON COUNTY.
Date of formation-Origin of name-Situation and boundaries-Spencer's mountain-Life of Rev. Humphrey Hunter, who was present at Charlotte, " 20th May, 1775, and an eye-witness of the death of Baron de Kalb at Cam- den (Aug. 1780)-Fight with pine-knots-Life of Major Wm. Chronicle, John Mattocks, John Moore, and Wm. Rankin, all of the Revolution. -
GASTON COUNTY was formed in 1846, from . Lincoln County, and derives its name from WILLIAM GASTON, late one of the Judges of the Supreme Court, for whose character, life, and services, the reader is referred to Craven County, Chapter XXII.
It is situated in the south-western part of the State, and is bounded on the north by Lincoln County, east by the Catawba River, which separates it from Mecklenburg County, south by the South Carolina line, and west by Cleaveland County.
Its capital is DALLAS, named in compliment to the Hon. George M. Dallas, of Philadelphia, who was Vice-President of the United States in 1844.
Its population, according to the census of 1850, is 5,928 whites; 2,112 slaves ; 33 free negroes ; 7,228 representative population.
Its early history is connected with Lincoln County, to which the reader is referred, as well as for its members of Assembly, with which it votes until after the next session of 1852.
Spencer's Mountain, in this County, derives its name from Zack Spencer, who was a Tory in the Revolution. He was taken (caught asleep) by John Moore and six others. They held a court, and had a mock trial, and Spencer was condemned to die. He begged hard for his life, and promised fidelity to the cause of liberty. On condition of his swearing to adhere to the State, and oppose the English, he was released. For want of a Bible, he took the oath of allegiance on an old almanac.
The character of the Rev. Humphrey Hunter, who resided in this county when Lincoln, deserves a place in our sketches. We here insert it. As a Christian, as a patriot, and as a citizen, his career is worthy of our regard and esteem.
REV. HUMPHREY HUNTER, the subject of this sketch, was a distinguished soldier of the Revolution, and afterwards an eminent minister of the Gospel. From his own manuscript narrative of his early history and revolutionary ser- vices, now on file in the Governor's office at Raleigh, we learn, that he was born on the 14th of May, 1755, in the vicinity of Londonderry, Ireland.
His father, was well known in his day, as a respectable drapery merchant on the " Bleach-green Farm." His paternal grandfather was from Glasgow, Scotland. His maternal grandfather was from Brest, in France. His descent is thus traced to the Scotch, Irish, and French Huguenots-that stock of per- secuted people, whose self-expatriation so greatly contributed to the spread
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
of civil and religious liberty in different portions of the world. In America, the asylum of the oppressed of all nations, and especially on the soil of the Carolinas, many of their descendants occupy a proud position on the page of history, and acted a magnanimous part in the cause of freedom. At four years of age he was deprived by death of his father. His widowed mother resided on the same farm several years after this bereavement. About this time the cheap and fertile lands of the New World, and unrestricted enjoy- ment of religious worship, were powerful inducements in alluring to the American shores a numerous foreign emigration. Influenced by the flatter- ing prospect of future comfort, and providing more easily for a rising family, his mother embarked on the 3d of May, 1759, in the ship Helena, bound for Charleston, S. C. On the 27th of August following, the vessel safely reached its destination. A few days after her arrival she procured a conveyance, proceeded to the eastern part of Mecklenburg County (now Cabarrus), pur- chased a small tract of land not far from Poplar Tent Church, and remained during life. In this neighborhood Humphrey Hunter grew up, emancipated from a state of bondage, inhaling the salubrious breeze of a free clime, and imbibing the principles of genuine liberty. But this state of happiness was soon to be interrupted. The repeated aggressions of Great Britain, deroga- tory to the honor and subversion of the just rights of the American people, aroused a spirit of resistance which terminated in the Revolution. The crisis rapidly approached. On the 19th of April, 1775, the battle of Lexington was fought. To use his own forcible language, "that was a wound of a deepening gangrenous nature, not to be healed without amputation." Intel- ligence of the affair 'speedily spread abroad. No sooner had it reached Mecklenburg, than patriotic fire glowed in every, breast. It burst into a flame, and blazed through every corner of the county. Communications from one to another were made with great facility. Committees were held in various neighborhoods. Every man was a politician ; every man was a soldier.
" Fire in each breast, and freedom on each brow."
In this connection, what a beautiful tribute does he pay to the nursing mothers of the Revolution. "Neither were our mothers silent on that all- important subject. 'Go, men,' said they, 'go league yourselves together- take up arms-go to the field of battle-go, fight for the freedom of your- selves, of your wives, and your children. Let us never be slaves.' Well do I remember the advice of my mother-' Go, son-go join yourself to the men of our country, for this is our country. We ventured our lives on the, waves of the ocean in quest of the freedom promised us here: Go fight for it; and rather let me hear of your death than of your cowardice.' "
In a short time this patriotic advice of his mother was called into action. " Orders were presently issued," continues his narrative, " by Col. Thomas Polk to the several militia companies, two men, selected from each beat, to meet at the Court House at Charlotte, on the 19th of May, 1775, in order to consult with each other upon such measures as might be thought best to be pursued. Accordingly, on said day, a far larger number than two out of each company were present." Drawn by the excitement of the occa- sion, he attended the convention in Charlotte on the appointed day. He was then a few days upwards of twenty years old, and mingled with the nume- rous crowd of spectators who witnessed the proceedings of that memorable body. He then enjoyed the privilege of listening to the reading of the first public Declaration of Independence in the United States, and joined in the shout of approval which burst forth from a large and deeply-interested audi- ence. The bloody massacre at Lexington increased the patriotic ardor of the day, and a determined spirit of resistance animated every breast. Actuated by such feelings, they were fully prepared to "pledge their lives, their for- tunes, and their most sacred honor," to the adoption and maintenance of the . most independent measures.
The Mecklenburg Resolves, of May 20th, 1775, have been several times published. They breathe throughout the high-toned and patriotic sentiments of freemen, and will compare favorably with the compositions of any period of our history, and were far in advance of the spirit of the day.
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GASTON COUNTY.
Copies of these Resolves were then drawn off, and given to the charge of Captain James Jack, then of Charlotte, to present to Congress during its session in Philadelphia .. On the return of Captain Jack, he reported "that Congress individually manifested their entire approbation of the conduct of the Mecklenburg citizens, but deemed it premature to lay them officially be- fore the House."
In a short time after the meeting of the Convention in Charlotte, intelli- gence reached Mecklenburg that a considerable number of Tories had em- bodied themselves in the vicinity of Cross Creek, now Fayetteville, in hos- tility to the American cause. With commendable promptitude a regiment of infantry and cavalry, commanded by Colonel Thomas Polk, was raised in the county, and marched in the direction of Fayetteville. The corps of cavalry was commanded by Captain Charles Polk, a brother of the Colonel. In this corps, Hunter entered as a private soldier. The campaign, however, was of short duration. The Tories were dispersed before the arrival of the regi- ment, and it immediately returned. .
Soon after this expedition, he commenced his classical education at "Clio's Nursery," in the western part of Rowan County (now Iredell), under the instruction of the Rev. James Hall. Here he remained for a short time, dili- gently prosecuting his studies.
But an emergency soon arose in which his services were again required. The Cherokee Indians were committing numerous murders and depredations on the inhabitants near the sources of the Catawba. Upon this information, General Rutherford promptly called out a brigade from the counties of Guil- ford, Rowan, Mecklenburg, &c., composed of infantry and three corps of caval- ry. One of these was commanded by Captain, afterwards Colonel ROBERT MEBANE, * in which he acted as lieutenant. The campaign proved successful. Two skirmishes took place, in which several Indians were killed, and a consi- derable number made prisoners, including Hicks and Scott, two white traders who had formed family connections with the Indians, and espoused their cause.
After his return from the Cherokee nation, he resumed his classical educa- tion at Queen's Museum, in Charlotte, under the control of Dr. Mc Whorter, from New Jersey. In the summer of 1780, this institution, having assumed in the meantime the more patriotic name of "Liberty Hall Academy," was broken up by the approach of the British army under Lord Cornwallis, after the surrender of Charleston, and massacre of Buford's regiment at the Wax- haws. The school was dismissed; the minors were commended by Dr. Mc Whorter to the care of their parents and guardians; the young men were urged to take up arms in defence of their country, and for all he invoked the blessings of Heaven. At this time General Gates was on his way to the Southern States. Orders having been issued by General Rutherford to the battalions of the western counties, a brigade was promptly raised to rendez- vous at Salisbury. In this brigade Hunter acted for a short time as Com- missary, and afterwards as Lieutenant in the company of Captain Givens. Deeply impressed at all times with the justice of the American cause, his ser- vices were freely offered to assist in meeting and averting impending dangers. He again laid aside for a time his battle with books to join in the battle with men. This force first marched from Salisbury down the north-east side of the Yad- kin, scouring the Tory settlements of the Uwharry and Deep Rivers, previous to the junction with General Gates, at Cheraw. From this place General Gates moved forward with as much expedition as possible to Claremont, where he arrived on the 12th of August. On the 15th he marched towards Camden, progressing as far as the Gum Swamp, where sharp skirmishing took place in the night, between advanced parties of the Americans and British.
On the 16th of August, 1780, the unfortunate battle of Camden was fought. A contagious panic seized most of the militia early in the action, and a pre- cipitate and disgraceful retreat was the consequence. The regulars of
* We regret that more is not preserved of this brave man. He was a native of Orange, brother of Hon. Alexander Mebane, and was distinguished for his bravery and services. He was engaged in several affairs, desperate and sanguinary, and was always ready and active in the cause of Liberty. He finally fell in an unguarded moment by the hand of a Tory, whom he had taken prisoner.
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Maryland and Delaware, with a small portion of the North Carolina militia, firmly stood their ground until surrounded by overwhelming numbers. The subject of this sketch was there made prisoner, and stripped of most of his clothes. Soon after his surrender as a prisoner of war, he witnessed the painful incidents of battle resulting in the death of BARON DE KALB .. He informs us he saw the Baron without suite or aid, and without manifesting the design of his movements, galloping down the line. He was soon descried by the enemy, who, clapping their hands on their shoulders, in reference to his epaulettes, exclaimed " a General, a rebel General !" ' Immediately, a man on horseback (not Tarleton) met him, and demanded his sword. The Baron reluctantly presented the handle towards him, saying in French,' Etes vous un officier, Monsieur? (" Are you an officer, Sir?") His antagonist not un- ; derstanding the language, with an oath, more sternly demanded his sword .. The Baron then, not understanding him perfectly, with all possible speed rode on, disdaining to surrender to any but to an officer.
The cry, " a rebel General," sounded along the line. . The musketeers imme- diately, by platoons, fired upon him. He proceeded about twenty-five rods when he fell from his horse, mortally wounded. Soon afterwards he was raised to his feet, and stripped of his hat, coat, and neckcloth, and placed with his hands resting on a wagon. His body was found, upon examination, to. have been pierced with seven musket balls. Whilst standing in this posi- tion, and the blood streaming through his shirt, Cornwallis, with his suite, rode up.' Being informed that the wounded man was De Kalb, he addressed him by saying; "I am sorry, Sir, to see you; not sorry that you are vanquish- ed, but sorry to see you so badly wounded." Having given orders to an officer to administer to the wants of the Baron, the British General rode on to secure the results of his victory. In a short time the brave and generous De Kalb, who had served in the armies of France, and embarked in the Ame-" rican cause, breathed his last. He lies buried in Camden, S. C., where a monument is erected over his remains.
After being confined seven days in a prison-yard in Camden, Hunter was taken, with many other prisoners, including about fifty officers, to Orange- burg, S. C., there to remain until exchanged, where he continued until the 13th of November following, without hat or coat. On that day, without any design of transgressing, he set out to visit a friendly lady in the suburbs, who had promised to give him a homespun coat. On his way he was stopped by a horseman, armed with sword and pistols, who styled himself a Lieutenant of the station at the court house, under Colonel Fisher. The horseman blus- tered and threatened, and sternly commanded him to march before him to the station, to be confined and tried for having broken his parole. No excuse, apology, or confession would be received in extenuation of his offence. "" To the station," said he, "you shall go-take the road." He was a Tory loyalist, and was treating, in hard terms, a real Whig. Up the road he had to go, sour and sulky, with much reluctance. He was frequently hurried in his march by the point of the Tory's sword. Hunter pursued his course, but constantly on the look-out for some means of self-defence. Fortunately for the oppressed, when a forlorn condition seems to surround them, unexpected means of succor are frequently thrown providentially in their way. In a short time they approached a large fallen pine tree, around which lay a quantity of pine-knots, hardened and blackened by the recent action of fire. Hunter, in an instant, jumped to the further side of said tree, as to " a city of refuge," and, armed with a good pine-knot, prepared for combat. The Tory instantly fired one of his pistols at him, but without effect. The Tory then leap- ed his horse over the tree. Hunter, with equal promptness, exchanged sides. Much skillful manœuvering took place, whilst the Tory was thus kept at bay. The Tory then discharged his other pistol, but again without effect. Hunter then- commenced a vigorous warfare with the pine-knots, so oppor- tunely placed at his command, and dealt them out with profuse liberality. The precisive aim with the pine-knots, soon brought the horseman to the ground. He was then disarmed of his sword, and capitulated in the follow- ing terms: Hunter agreed never to publish the conquest he had gained, and to give up the sword he had taken from him. The Tory agreed never to
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GASTON COUNTY.
make it known that any of the prisoners had ever crossed the boundary line, or ever offended in any other manner.
But secrecy could not be preserved, for during the affray the horse with- out his rider galloped off to the station, and created, of course, considerable anxiety respecting the rider's fate. But all serious apprehensions were soon removed as the dismounted horseman presently made his appearance, not, however, without several visible bruises, bearing striking proof of the effect- ive precision of the pine-knots. As usual on the occurrence of any myste- rious affair, a close examination, was instituted, and numerous searching questions propounded. All concealment was ended. The rencontre, took place on Friday evening. On the Sabbath following orders were issued by Col. Fisher to all of the prisoners to appear at the court house on Monday, by twelve o'clock M. On the evening of that Sabbath, Hunter, expecting close confinement, or other harsh and vindictive treatment, made his escape with several others, and commenced their way to North Carolina. They concealed themselves during the day to avoid the numerous British scouts, and traveled only in the night, supporting themselves on raw corn. On the ninth night after they set out from Orangeburg they crossed the Catawba, and arrived safely in Mecklenburg.
After remaining at his mother's residence only a few days, he again en- tered the public service, and joined the cavalry, acting as Lieutenant under Col. Henry Lee. In a short time, the battle at the Eutaw Springs, the last important one in the South, took place. In this engagement, where so much personal bravery was displayed, he performed a gallant part, and was slightly wounded.
With this campaign his military services ended. Among the variety of in- cidents which occurred in this year, and during this campaign, he was gratified in revisiting his old prison-bounds, and in witnessing the reduction of the station at Orangeburg. But greater still was the gratification he derived in again beholding the identical sword he had taken from his Tory antagonist. He then returned home, with bravery established, his patriotism unquestioned, and integrity unsullied.
Soon after his return he resumed his classical studies under the instruction of the Rev. Robert Archibald, near Poplar Tent Church, where he remained for a considerable length of time, assiduously engaged. During the summer of 1785 he entered the Junior Class at. Mount Zion College, in Winnsbo- rough, S. C., and graduated in July, 1787. In a short time he commenced the study of Theology under the care of the Presbytery of South Carolina, and obtained license to preach in Oct. 1789. The first four or five years of his ministerial labors were performed in South Carolina.
There on 31st Dec. 1789, he united himself in marriage with Jane, daughter 1
of Dr. George Ross, of Laurens District.
In 1796 he removed to the south-eastern part of Lincoln County (now Gaston), having visited this section of country in the preceding year. Here he purchased a home for his rising family, and here he ended his days. Shortly after his arrival he received calls from the churches of Goshen and Unity to become their pastor. To the people of these two charges he de- voted about eight years of continuous ministerial labors." In 1805 he ac- cepted a call from Steele Creek Church, in Mecklenburg County. To this charge he devoted the greater portion of his unremitting labors for twenty- three years, and was rejoiced to see, during this protracted period, a large accession of new members to the church, as seals to his ministry. The remain- ing portion of his ministerial services were principally given to Goshen, in connection with Steele Creek, until the time of his death.
Being connected by marriage with the family of Dr. George Ross, a wor- thy and distinguished physician of Laurens District, S. C., he availed him- self of the favorable opportunity thus afforded of acquiring a practical knowledge of medicine, sufficiently extensive for family purposes. He was induced to make this acquisition, not only to gratify a peculiar propensity, but more particularly on the account of the scarcity of good physicians at that early period. At the time of his removal to Lincoln County there were but few physicians ; these were widely separated. His medical knowledge,
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
which he continued to improve by occasional reading, soon became known, and he was frequently called upon by his neighbors to administer to their wants. His excellent judgment, so important to the physician in the dis- crimination and treatment of diseases, and his remarkable success, soon gave him extensive practice, and threatened, for a time, to interfere with his minis- terial duties. But this successful practice was never the source of any great pecuniary profit; his charges in all cases being moderate, and frequently gratuitous.
In his preaching Mr. Hunter was earnest, unassuming, and often eloquent. Possessing naturally a strong mind, with powers of originality, and aided by the advantages of a good education, he was useful in the high mission to which he was called, and to it he devoted his best talents and acquirements. He possessed, in a remarkable degree, a talent for refined sarcasm, and knew how to use most effectively its piercing shafts against the idle, objections, or disingenuous cavils of all triflers with the great truths of religion. But his' benevolent feelings forbade its use in private intercourse. The great sim- plicity of his manners and freedom from affectation readily gained the con- fidence and friendship of all who knew him. - And if the faithful discharge of ministerial duty might cause the evil to fear him, yet to the good he was doubly esteemed. In his advanced years the infirmities of age greatly con- tracted his useful labors, without impairing the vigor of his mental powers, or fervency and faithfulness of his preaching. But a sudden illness, on a Sab- bath evening, after preaching one of his most animated, forcible, and inte- resting sermons to the people of Steele Creek, rapidly prostrated his already ' enfeebled constitution, and admonished him that his earthly pilgrimage was soon to terminate. He met his approaching end with unshaken firmness and Christian resignation, and peacefully breathed his last, Aug. 21st, 1827, in the 73d year of his age.
On his head-stone in Steele Creek grave-yard, is recorded the following appropriate inscription :-
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SACRED to the Memory of the Reverend HUMPHREY HUNTER, who departed this life August 21st, 1827, in the 73d year of his age. "He was a native of Ireland, and emigrated to America at an early period of his life. He was one of those who early promoted the cause of freedom in Mecklenburg County, May 20th, 1775, and subsequently bore an active part in securing the independence of his country. For nearly thirty-eight years he labored as a faithful and assiduous ambassador of Christ, strenuously enforcing the necessity of repentance, and pointing out the terms of salvation. As a parent he was kind and affectionate ; as a friend warm and sincere ; and as a minister, persuasive and convincing.
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