Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I, Part 45

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

USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 45

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For many years after the last war, he was Major-General of the 5th Divi- sion of the Militia of North Carolina. .

In the year 1802, he was earnestly requested by sundry persons in the western part of the State, friendly to the better organization of the Militia, to address the Legislature on the subject, and to propose a plan for a Military Academy. The address evinced enlarged and judicious sentiments on the subject, and drew from the Assembly the following resolution :-

" Resolved, That the thanks of this General Assembly be presented to Jo- seph Graham, Esq., of Lincoln County, for his plan of a Military Academy submitted to the consideration of this Legislature, and that the address be printed, ten copies for each County in the State, to be delivered with the Laws and Journals to the Clerks of the several County Courts, and by them to the Commandants of the several regiments, to be at their disposal."

By a life of temperance and regular exercise, with the blessing of God, he enjoyed remarkable health and vigor of constitution. On the 13th of October,

Isabella.

# The youngest of them is now Secretary of the Navy.

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1836, he made the following minute in his Day-Book. "This day I am Seventy-seven years of age, and in good health, Dei Gratia."

As the disease which terminated his life was apoplexy, its paralyzing stroke was sudden and unexpected. He rode from Lincolnton on the 10th of No- vember, and on the evening of the 12th, closed his eyes upon the cares and trials of a long, useful, and honorable life.

" Hope looks beyond the bounds of time, When what we now deplore, Shall rise in full immortal prime, And bloom to fade no more."

R. H. M.

A NOTICE OF THE BREVARD FAMILY.

The Brevard family acted a very important part during our revolutionary struggle. A short notice of it may possess some interest.

' "The first one of the name of whom anything is known, was a French Hu- guenot. IIe left his native land on the revocation of the edict of Nantes. Going to the northern part of Ireland among the Scotch Irish, he there formed an acquaintance with a family of McKNITTS. In company with them he set sail for the American shores. One of this family was a young and blooming lassie. Brevard and herself discovered in each other kindred spirits, and a mutual attachment sprung up between them. They joined their fortunes, determined to share the hardships and trials incident to a settlement in a new country, at that time filled with wild beasts and savages. They settled on the waters of Elk River, in Maryland. The issue of this marriage were five sons and a daughter; John, Robert, Zebulon, Benjamin, and Adam, and Elizabeth. The three elder brothers, with their sister and her husband, came to North Carolina between 1740 and 1750. The three brothers were all .Whigs during the Revolution-but this notice will be confined to the family of John. He, before leaving the State of his father's adoption, married a sister of Dr. McWhorter, a Presbyterian minister, who also came to North Carolina, and had for a time the control of Queen's Museum in Charlotte. Dr. Mc Whorter's literary acquirements were considerable. He was the author of the two volumes of "McWhorter's Sermons." Being a very zealous Whig, the British were very anxious to get their hands on him, on account of the independent and revolutionary spirit of his addresses both in and out of the pulpit. And had they been successful, Dr. Mcwhorter would probably have paid for his patriotism with his life. But they failed in their endeavors, and he at length returned to the North.

John Brevard settled himself two or three miles from Centre Church, in Iredell.county. At the commencement of the Revolutionary War, his family consisted of eight sons and four daughters. Mary, Ephraim, John, Hugh, Adam, Alexander, Robert, Benjamin, Nancy, Joseph, Jane, and Rebecca. It has been stated, that he died before the close of the war. This is a mistake -but he was too old to be constantly employed on active service-and be- sides, his family required a portion of his attention. He was, however, always ready to render any assistance in his power to the Whigs. He had instilled his principles into his children, and they bore the proper fruit. . As a penalty for it, his dwelling and every outhouse on the premises were burned to the ground. When this happened he was absent.

The British army under Lord Cornwallis came to his house, and found no one there except his wife, an old lady. She had received notice of their ap- proach, and had sent her daughters to a neighboring house across a swamp, to preserve them from any indignities that might be offered them by an un- feeling soldiery. She determined to remain, trusting to her advanced age and sex, and attempt to save the property. When the army came up, an officer drew a paper from his pocket, and after looking at it said, that the houses must be burned. They were accordingly set on fire. Mrs. Brevard attempted to rescue some of the furniture from the flames-but the soldiers

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would throw it back as fast as she could take it out. Everything was lost .. The old lady was treated very rudely ; and part of her clothes were torn from her body -- but she received no actual personal injury. They gave as a reason for their conduct, that her sons were all d-d rebels, and that she had eight sons then in (as they were pleased to call it) the rebel army .* .

MARY, the eldest daughter of John Brevard, married General Davidson, who was killed at Cowan's Ford, on the Catawba River.

NANCY married John Davidson. They were both killed by the Indians, at the head of the Catawba River.

JANE, married Ephraim, a brother of John Davidson, and a decided Whig. Though very young, he was sent by General Davidson the night before the skirmish at Cowan's Ford, with an express to Colonel Morgan, warning him of the approach of the British forces.

REBECCA married a Jones, and moved to Tennessee.

EPHRAIM BREVARD was the eldest son; while a boy he had the misfortune " to lose one of his eyes. This, however, did not prevent his being educated. After a course of preparatory studies he went to Princeton College, New Jersey. Having graduated, he then turned his attention to the medical profession. After a due course, he settled himself as a practicing physician in the town of Charlotte, North Carolina. Possessed of a superior mind, well educated, and of prepossessing manners, his influence over his fellow citizens was very considerable.

The war of the Revolution with all its hardships and trials commenced- the emergency of the times called for sound judgment and a bold and daring spirit -- in Dr. Brevard these requisites were found-and sprung from an an- cestry who had left their native land to escape from the restraint on con- science, his indignant soul was roused to energetic opposition, when civil oppression raised its head in the home of their adoption. .

The battle of Lexington had been fought. It was apparent that the mother country was lost to all sense of justice to her colonies, and that she was determined, if possible, to force her unconstitutional measures upon them. Colonel Thomas Polk took a very active part in getting up a meeting of the citizens of Mecklenburg, for the purpose of consulting upon what course should be pursued. This meeting was composed of two persons sent from each Captain's beat. It was organized in Charlotte, by the appointment of Abram Alexander' as Chairman, and John McKnitt Alexander and Dr. Brevard as Secretaries, May 19, 1775. .

This day was taken up in discussion. Independence was proposed, and Dr. Brevard came forward as one of its advocates. At first it met with oppo- sition; but all objections were at length removed, and a committee appointed to draft resolutions declaring their independence. These resolutions were drawn up by Dr. Brevard, who, with two others, was selected for the pur- pose. They were read to the meeting on the morning of May 20th, 1775, and adopted. They were then taken to the door of the Court House, and again read by Colonel Thomas Polk, to a large assemblage of people.' The ques- tion was asked, "Are you agreed?" It was answered in the affirmative, amidst loud huzzas, and clapping of hands, throwing up hats, and every show of approbation, by people who had hitherto enjoyed liberty and were determined to preserve it, or sacrifice everything in the attempt. A notice of the proceedings of this meeting may be found in the " Sketches of North Carolina," by Dr. Foote, and also of another instrument, entitled, "Instruc- tions for the delegates of Mecklenburg." In these, the principles of civil and religious liberty are clearly and comprehensively set forth. The rights of only one denomination (the Roman Catholic) were restrained. This was very natural in view of the persecutions it had formerly visited upon others- and the document, moreover, came from one whose ancestry had received little kindness at its hands.

Dr. Brevard entered the army as surgeon or surgeon's mate, as his com- mission will show. In this capacity he continued to act until taken prisoner

* This conduct received the strong disapprobation of Lord Cornwallis. See his orders, page 233.

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at the siege of Charleston. There being too much confined, and living upon unwholesome diet, he was taken sick." Having been set at liberty, he started for home, and proceeded on his journey to the residence of John McKnitt Alexander, his friend and a sterling patriot-there he breathed his last. He died, but his principles should live on! The place of his interment is un- known, but his memory should be preserved, cherished and honored "while liberty has a friend on earth." In the words of Dr. Foote, "he thought clearly-felt deeply-wrote well-resisted bravely, and died a martyr to that liberty none loved better, and few understood so well." Dr. Brevard left one child, a daughter. She married a Dickerson, and left one child, a son- James P. Dickerson. He was a Lieutenant-Colonel in the South Carolina regiment in the Mexican war, and died from a wound he received in battle near the city of Mexico.

JOHN BREVARD, Jr., served in the Continental Army with the commission of lieutenant.

HUGH BREVARD, with several other brothers, was at the battle of Ramsour's Mill. He was a Colonel of the militia, and died before the close of the war.

ADAM BREVARD served one year in the Northern army. He then came south, and was present at the battle of Ramsour's Mill. He there had the button shot from his pantaloons, but escaped unharmed. He was a black- smith ; and, after the war, followed his trade for a time. He studied law in his shop when not too much pressed with business; and finally abandoned his trade and went to the practice of law. In this he succeeded well, and stood high as a man of talents and wit. He wrote a piece called the " Meck- lenburg Censor," full of wit and humor.

ALEXANDER BREVARD joined the army as a cadet. HIe first received the com- mission of Lieutenant, then Captain, in the Continental Army. He was engaged in the battles of White Plains, Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, Monmouth, and Germantown, and continued in, the Northern army under General Washington, until some time in the year 1779; then, his health fail- ing, he was sent into the country. After a short absence, he reported himself for service to General Washington. The humane commander, seeing his slender figure and delicate appearance, remarked that he was unfit for hard service, and asked where his friends lived. The reply was North Carolina. The General then advised his return to them. . He did so; and his health having improved, he immediately joined the southern division of the army under General Gates. Being a Captain in the regular service, and his com- pany absent, he was appointed Quarter-master, and acted as such at the battle of Camden. His active temperament would not suffer him to be un- employed. But when the two armies were drawn up for action, he exposed his life by riding to a position whence he could have a fair view of their movements. He soon discovered that defeat was certain. He returned to the baggage wagons, and started some of them off, and was preparing the others to go; but the rout was so complete that everything was lost., Some of the wagons had gone five or six miles. From these the horses were cut loose by flying men. After the defeat of General Gates, General Greene took the command of the Southern army. Alexander Brevard was with this gallant Commander in all his battles-so that he was in active service, with little interruption from the beginning to the close of the war. If the subject was presented, he would enter into conversation with reference to the battles in which he had been engaged. He thought that his hardest fighting was at Eutaw Springs. He was there in command of his company, and lost from it some eighteen or twenty men. « At one time during this action, he and his company were in a very critical situation. A division of British came in behind while they were closely engaged in front ; but Colonel Washington discovered and made an impetuous charge upon this division. A portion of his men broke through, and formed to renew the charge. This was prevented by the retreat of the enemy into a position where it was impossible for the cavalry" to make its way. Col. Washington was unhorsed and taken prisoner, but succeeded in preventing the meditated attack in the rear. Brevard had not observed this division-and the first thing he saw was the flying caps and tumbling horses of the cavalry as they made their charge upon them. He

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used to relate an occurrence showing the cool, or it might be called thoughtless, bravery of some men in time of danger. His division was at one time drawn. up in an old open field, barely within reach of the enemy's cannon. The balls would strike a few yards from them, covering those around and himself with dust and dirt. Some were killed, others taken back with their limbs broken or greatly mangled. He said the cries and shrieks of these unfortu- nate men were truly heart rending. During this period of danger and suf- fering there was an officer who probably had never been in action before; and, though he might have been as brave as other men, he was unaccustomed to such scenes. His limbs trembled and his knees struck each other. A cap- tain who was acquainted with Brevard called out-" Brevard ! Brevard ! Bel- shazzar, by G-d!", pointing at the same time to the over-excited officer. The night of the retreat from this battle, the army was in great confusion. Men were going in every direction-some inquiring for one regiment or company, some another, showing that they were entirely lost from their places. Had pursuit been made, a rout would probably have been the consequence.

After the war Brevard married a daughter of John Davidson, who had been a Major in the war, and one of the signers of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence. His father-in-law suggested to himself and Joseph Graham, another son-in-law, the propriety of entering into the iron business. They assented, and went over into Lincoln County. There they found Peter Forney in possession of an iron ore bank. With him they formed a copart- nership, and erected Vesuvius Furnace, now known as Graham's Furnace, on the road from Lincolnton to Beattie's Ford. After operating for a time Forney withdrew. Davidson and Brevard left Graham in the management of Vesuvius Furnace, and built Mount Tirza Forge, known as Brevard's Forge. The sons-in-law bought out Davidson, and finally they dissolved. Brevard then built a furnace" on Leeper's Creek, above Mount Tirza Forge. He continued in the iron business until his death, Nov. 1, 1829. Being of a retiring disposition he never sought political favor; but preferred to dis- charge his obligations to his country rather by obeying than by making her laws. His manners were frank and candid; and the more intimately he was known the better was he beloved. The dishonest met his searching eye with dread ; but the industrious and honest ever found in him a kind adviser and a sure assistant. Long will he be remembered as a pure man, a faithful friend, and an upright citizen, conscientious in the discharge of all his obli- gations, and in the performance of all his duties. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church; and died as he had lived, a true Christian, placing a firm reliance in the promises of the Bible. His remains lie two or three hun- dred yards from the road leading by Brevard's Furnace, from Lincolnton to Beattie's Ford-a spot chosen by General Graham and himself as a family burying ground. A large square tombstone marks the resting-place of him- self, his wife, a daughter and two grandchildren. He left seven children- Ephraim, Franklin, Harriet, Robert, Joseph, Theodore, and Mary. Eloisa, Harriet (older than the daughter who survived him), Rowena, and Alfred, died before their father. Franklin and Joseph represented, at different times, the county of Lincoln in the legislature of North Carolina. Franklin also became a candidate for Congress; but he belonged to a party which was, in the minority, and though he received a strong vote, was defeated. Theodore moved to Alabama, and represented his county in the legislature of that State. He was afterwards elected Judge. He resigned this office, and moved to Florida.

JOSEPH BREVARD, the youngest son of John Brevard, Sr., held the commis- · sion of Lieutenant in the Continental "Army, at the age of seventeen. His brother Alexander said that he was at that time quite small and delicate, and that he always felt sorry for him when his turn came to mount guard. General - -, who was in command at Philadelphia, discovering that he wrote a pretty hand, appointed him his private secretary. In this position he continued until he received the commission of Lieutenant in the Cavalry of the southern army. This he kept to the close of the war. He afterwards studied law and settled in Camden, S. C. He there took a high stand among.

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his fellow-citizens. . After filling several offices of public trust, he was elected Judge, which post he filled with honor. He resigned his Judgeship, and was twice elected to Congress from his district. He made a digest of the Statute Laws of South Carolina; and also left one or two volumes of cases reported by himself. These books, particularly the latter, are still referred to as good legal authority. He died in Camden. He is gone -- but his name is still cherished and honored by those who remember his virtues.

Such is a brief and imperfect sketch of that family whose name is prefixed. Some things have, no doubt, been overlooked. Many events and occurrences of interest connected with the Brevard name have sunk, together with their actors, in the tomb, and must rest there in eternal silence. But whatever may be the defects of this piece, the writer has the gratification of knowing that he has done nothing wrong in attempting to set forth the merits of the truly deserving. A. F. B.

FORNEY FAMILY.

Among the early settlers of Lincoln County, there is no name more closely connected with remarkable courage, or remarkable services, than that of JACOB FORNEY, Sen. He was the son of a French Huguenot, and was born about the year 1721. At the revocation of the edict of Nantes, in 1685, his father fled from France, preferring self-expatriation to the renunciation of his re- ligious belief, and settled in Alsace, on the Rhine, where freedom of opinion and worship was tolerated. Here his father died, leaving him an orphan at four years of age. About the age of fourteen, he left Alsace, and went to Amsterdam. Delighted, whilst there, with the glowing accounts which crossed the Atlantic respecting the New World, and allured with the pros- pect. of enjoying still greater political and religious liberties, he came to America by the first vessel having that destination, and settled in Penn- sylvania. Here he remained industriously employed until the age of ma- turity, when he returned to Germany to procure a small legacy. Having adjusted his affairs there, he again embarked for America on board of a ves- sel bringing over many emigrants from the Canton of Berne, in Switzerland. Among this number was a blithesome, rosy-cheeked damsel, buoyant with the charms of youth, who particularly attracted young Forney's attention. It is scarcely necessary to inform the reader that her acquaintance was soon made, a mutual attachment, silently, but surely formed between two youthful hearts, so congenial in feeling, and similarly filled with the spirit of adventure. Prosperous gales quickly wafted the vessel in safety to the shores of America, and soon after their arrival in Pennsylvania, Jacob Forney and Maria Berg- ner (for that was the fair one's name) were united in marriage. About this time, the rich but cheap lands of the Yadkin and Catawba, with a salubrious clime, were attracting a numerous emigration from the Middle States. In- fluenced by such inviting considerations, Forney's determination was soon made up to join the tide of emigration, and accordingly, a few years after his marriage, he removed to Carolina, and settled in Lincoln County about the year 1754.

The first settlers of Lincoln County suffered greatly by the depredations of the Cherokee Indians. On more than one occasion, many of the inhabitants temporarily abandoned their homes, and removed to the settlements east of the Catawba. Others, finding it inconvenient to remove, constructed rude forts for their mutual defence. 'A repetition of these depredations having occurred a few years after Forney's arrival, he joined those who removed, until the Indians could be severely chastised or completely subdued by military force.

It may not be devoid of interest to here relate a remarkable and well-au- thenticated adventure which Forney had with the Indians, occurring at this troublesome time, and illustrating one of the most common dangers of a fron- tier life. Having removed his family to a place of safety, Forney returned to his former place of abode, accompanied by two of his neighbors, Messrs. Richards and Fronabarger, to search for his cattle. They accordingly set out to examine the ridges, then everywhere covered with luxuriant pastur- age, but had not proceeded much more than a mile, before they spied a small Indian just ahead of them, and not far from the spot of ground now well

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known as the " Rock Spring Camp Ground." It was supposed the Indian had been placed there as a sentinel to give information to his comrades, of de- fenceless white passengers, as it was not far from the place where several families had erected a fort. Forney, being a good marksman, raised his gun to shoot the Indian, but Richards, relying greatly on his activity, proposed to steal upon him unaware, and thus catch him by a fair foot-race. The pro- posal was agreed to, but just at that moment, the Indian discovered them, and made his escape. Forney truly suspected that more Indians were in the immediate vicinity. He and his party, however, continued their course, but had progressed only a little way, when they discovered directly ahead of them, eleven Indians armed with guns, and several smaller ones bearing tomahawks. Forney, with a courage equal to any emergency, was for giving them battle, but his two companions over-ruled him, contending it would be impossible to rout or subdue such a large number. It was, therefore, deemed advisable to retreat, or rather, change their course, and, if possible, make their way to the fort. After proceeding a short distance, the Indians ap- proached considerably nearer, and immediately commenced a brisk firing. Forney directed his party to reserve their fire until the Indians would ap- proach sufficiently near to take a sure and deadly aim, and to maintain an orderly retreat in the direction of the fort. Unfortunately, Richards was dangerously wounded soon after they commenced retreating. At this criti- cal moment, when one or two well-directed fires might have repulsed their enemy, Fronabarger's courage failed him, and he made his escape, believing, no doubt, with Hudibras, that

" He that fights and runs away, May live to fight another day."

Richards was then directed to retreat as fast as his wounded condition would permit. Forney, in the meantime, managed to keep the Indians at bay by presenting his unerring rifle, when, strange to relate, they would immedi- ately fall down in the grass or take shelter behind the trees-each one, no doubt, supposing the well-aimed shot might fell him to the earth. In this manner an irregular firing was kept up by the Indians, and continued re- treating by Forney and his wounded companion for several hours !. At length, poor Richards, who had succeeded in retreating about two miles, partly by his own exertions, and partly by being carried on Forney's back, became faint from loss of blood; and seeing the imminent danger of his friend's life, directed Forney to leave him, and save himself. Forney then reluctantly left him, and pursued his course in the direction of the Fort. But fortunately for him, the Indians did not pursue him much farther, being probably satisfied with the scalp of poor Richards. Upwards of eighty years have rolled by since the occurrence of this tragical event-that generation, and even their children, have nearly all descended to the tomb, but still the grave of the kind-hearted Richards can be pointed out to the inquiring stranger, not far. from the place where he met his untimely end. In this unequal . contest Forney only received a small wound on the back of his left hand, but on ex- amination, he discovered that numerous balls had pierced his clothes. This skirmish shows what cool, determined bravery may effect under the most dis- couraging circumstances ; and that an individual may sometimes providen- tially escape, although made the object of a score of bullets, or of other missiles of destruction. In the afternoon of the same day Forney reached the Fort, the attack having commenced about ten o'clock A. M. The occupants had heard the reports of the repeated firing, and were, evidently, greatly frightened. On his arrival, being quite thirsty, he called for a drink of water, but the supply in the Fort was exhausted, and, strange to relate, not one could be found willing to run the hazard of going to the spring, although not far off! Seeing their great fear, he seized a cup, and set off in the direc- tion of the spring. Immediately, nearly the whole of the inmates rushed out from the Fort, and followed him, believing themselves perfectly safe in the presence of one who had withstood unharmed all of the Indian bullets for nearly half a day! After this adventure and narrow escape became gene-

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Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I, Part 45

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

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