USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 47
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It is situated in the extreme western portion of North Carolina, and bounded on the north by Haywood County, east by the moun- tains, which separate it from Henderson, south by the South Caro- lina line and Cherokee County, and west by the Smoky Mountain, which separates it from Tennessee.
Its capital is FRANKLIN, three hundred and thirty-one miles west from Raleigh, romantically situated on the Little Tennessee.
Its population is 5,613 whites; 121 Indians; 549 slaves ; 207 free negroes ; 6,169 representative population.
Its products are, 125,820 bushels of corn ; 32,855 bushels of oats; 6,311 bushels of wheat ; 4,125 bushels of rye ; 2,983 pounds of tobacco ; 6,447 pounds of wool.
The River NAN-TI-HA-LAH, flows through this County. Its Indian name signifies the " Maiden's Bosom," from the crystal purity of its waters, and its rapid and undulating motion.
At the head of the River Too-ge-lah* is one of the remarkable curiosities of this mountain country. It is a granite cliff with a smooth surface a half a mile long, and twelve hundred feet wide, called by the natives White Side Mountain, or Devil's Court House, on the top of which is a cave.
LIST OF MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
MACON COUNTY.
Years. Senators.
House of Commons.
1831. James W. Guinn, Thomas Tatham, James Whitaker.
1832. Benjamin S. Brittain, James Whitaker, Asaph Enloe.
1833. Benjamin S. Brittain, Jas. W. Guinn, Thomas Tatham.
1834.
Benjamin S. Brittain, Jas. W. Guinn, Thomas Tatham.
1835. Benjamin S. Brittain, Jas. W. Guinn, Jacob Siler.
1836.
James Gudger, James W. Guinn.
1838. Hodge Raburn,
Jacob Siler.
1840. Thomas L. Clingman, Jacob Siler.
1842. I. Cathy,
James Whitaker.
1844. Michael Francis,
T. J. Roane.
1846. Michael Francis, John Y. Hicks.
1848. William H. Thomas, John Y. Hicks.
1850. William H. Thomas, David W. Siler.
1
* Letters from the Alleghany Mountains, by Charles Lanman, p. 74,
251
MADISON COUNTY.
CHAPTER XLIX.
MADISON COUNTY.
MADISON COUNTY was formed, in 1850, from Buncombe and Yancey Counties, and called in honor of James Madison, the fourth President of the United States.
It is situated in the extreme western portion of the State ; and is bounded, on the north and west by the Bald Mountain, which separates it from Tennessee, on the east by Yancey, and south by . Haywood and Buncombe.
It is not yet organized, and more will be said hereafter of it.
Its county seat is to be called Marshall, which is not to be within two miles of the French Broad River. (Acts of 1850-51.)
CHAPTER L.
MARTIN COUNTY.
MARTIN COUNTY was erected, in 1774, from Halifax and Fay- ette Counties, and called in honor of Josiah Martin, then the Royal Governor (and the last) of the Colony of North Carolina.
For his character and conduct, see vol. i. 62.
It is situated in the eastern portion of the State, and bounded on the north by Roanoake River, which separates it from Bertie, east by Washington County, south by Pitt, and west by Edge- combe County.
Its capital is WILLIAMSTON, situated on the banks of Roanoake, one hundred and forty miles east of Raleigh.
Its population is 4615 whites ; 3367 slaves ; 325 free negroes; 6960 repre- sentative population.
Its products (annual) are 251,463 bushels corn ; 291,686 lbs. cotton ; 7475 bushels oats; 5158 bushels wheat; 4414 lbs. wool; 600 bbls. fish; 22,601 bbls. turpentine.
To the General Meeting of Deputies at Newbern, on 25th August, 1774, Martin sent EDMUND SMITHWICK.
To Hillsboro', 21st Aug., 1775, she sent KENNETH MCKENZIE, WHITMEL HILL, JOHN EVERITT, WILLIAM SLADE, JOHN STUART, and WILLIAM WILLIAMS.
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
To Halifax, on 4th April, 1776, she sent WILLIAM WILLIAMS, WHITMEL HILL, KENNETH MCKENZIE, THOMAS WIGGINS, and EDWARD SMITHWICK.
To the Congress at Halifax, 12th Nov., 1776, she sent WILLIAM WILLIAMS, WHITMEL HILL, THOMAS HUNTER, JOHN HARDISON, and SAMUEL SMITHWICK. The officers for this county were WILLIAM WILLIAMS, Colonel ; WHITMEL HILL, Lieutenant-Colonel; THOMAS WIGGINS, Major ; KENNETH MCKENZIE, Second Major.
Hon. WHITMEL HILL resided in this county. He was distinguished for his devotion to the cause of liberty, a man of strong natural sense and of culti- vated mind. He was born in Bertie on the 12th February, 1743, son of John and Martha Hill, and was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, at which he graduated.
He early entered with great earnestness into the dubious and dangerous conflict between England and America, and threw into the scale of liberty lıis " life, his fortune, and his sacred honor.".
In 1775 he was a delegate from Martin to the Assembly of Freemen at Hillsboro', and was in the State Congress in Halifax in April, 1776, which placed the State in military organization, and, in Nov., 1776, which formed our present State Constitution.
In 1778 he was delegated to the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, and served until 1781.
He resided at Hill's Ferry, in Martin County, near the Halifax line, where he died, 26th September, 1797. He was a man of fine literary attainments, a devoted patriot, and useful citizen.
He married Winnefred Blount, of Chowan, by whom he had three sons, Joseph, John, and Thomas Blount, and one daughter, Elizabeth. Joseph and John died young without issue. Thomas B. Hill left a large family of children and grandchildren, among whom is Whitmel B. Hill, Esq., of Halifax, Mrs. Spruill, and others. His daughter Elizabeth married John Anthony, of Philadelphia, from whom a large family has sprung.
Hon. ASA BIGGS is a native'and resident of this county. He was born 4th Feb., 1811. He is by profession a lawyer, and was licensed in 1831. He entered public life, in 1840, as a member of the House of Commons, and was re-elected in 1842. In 1844 he served in the Senate. .
In 1845 he was elected to the House of Representatives in Congress, where he served with credit to himself and great satisfaction to his constituents. He is now (with Hon. R. M. Saunders and B. F. Moore, Esq.) engaged in digesting and revising the statute-laws of the State.
List of the members from Martin County, from 1777 to 1850-51.
Years. Senate.
House of Commons.
1777. William Williams,
Whitmel Hill, Wm. Slade.
1778. Whitmel Hill,
Nathan Mayo, E. E. Smithwick.
1779. Whitmel Hill,
Saml. Smithwick, Saml. Williams.
1780. Whitmel Hill,
Edmd. Smithwick, John Averit.
1781. K. Mckenzie,“
Saml. Smithwick, Saml. Williams.
1782. K. McKenzie,
Saml. Smithwick, Saml. Williams. 1
1783.
K. Mckenzie,
Saml. Smithwick, Saml. Williams.
1785.
Whitmel Hill,
Edmd. Smithwick, Saml. Williams.
1787.
Nathan Mayo,
Joseph Bryan, Wm. Mckenzie.
1788.
Nathan Mayo,
1789. Nathan Mayo,
1790.
Nathan Mayo,
William Williams, Ebenezer Slade. William Williams, John Mayo. Ebenezer Slade, Jesse Cherry. Ebenezer Slade, Jesse Cherry.
1791. Nathan Mayo,
1792. Ebenezer Slade,
Jesse Cherry, Ebenezer Smithwick. Ebenezer Smithwick, Wm. Griffin.
1793. Ebenezer Slade,
1794. Ebenezer Slade,
· Matthew Yarrell, John Kennedy.
1784. Whitmel Hill,
Nathan Mayo, John Ross.
1786. Nathan Mayo,
Joseph Bryan, Edmd. Smithwick.
253
MARTIN COUNTY.
Years.
Senate.
House of Commons.
1795. Ebenezer Slade,
1796. Ebenezer Slade,
1797. William Mckenzie,
1798.
William Mckenzie,
Jeremiah Slade, John Hyman.
Jeremiah Slade, John Hyman.
1800. William Mckenzie, John Hyman,
€
Jeremiah Slade, John Hyman. William Biggs, Jesse Cherry.
1802. 1803.
John Hyman, Jeremiah Slade,
1804. John Hyman,
1805.
John Stewart,
1806.
Jeremiah Slade,
1807. James Burroughs,
1808.
James Burroughs, ..
1809.
Jeremiah Slade,
Henry G. Williams, Joel Cherry.
1810.
Jeremiah Slade, Jeremiah Slade,
1812.
Jeremiah Slade, .
1813.
Jeremiah Slade, Jeremiah Slade,
1815.
Jeremiah Slade, -
1816. Simmons J. Baker,
1817.
Simmons J. Baker,
1818.
Simmons J. Baker, -
1819.
William Darlett,
1820.
Lewellen Bowers,
1821.
Samuel Hyman,
1822.
Samuel Hyman,
1823.
Lewellen Bowers,
1824.
John A. Smithwick,
1825.
John A. Smithwick,
1826.
Jos. J. Williams,
1827.
Jos. J. Williams,
1828.
Jos. J. Williams,
Jesse Cooper, David Latham.
1829.
Jos. J. Williams,
Jesse Cooper, Wm. Watts.
1830.
Jos. J. Williams,
Jesse Cooper, Wm. Watts. Joseph Robinson, John Cloman.
1832.
David Latham,
Jas. L. G. Baker, Edwin S. Smithwick. John Cloman, Edwin S. Smithwick.
1834.
Jesse Cooper,
Raleigh Roebuck, Alfred M. Slade.
1835.
Jesse Cooper,
Raleigh Roebuck, Alfred M. Slade.
1836.
Jesse Cooper,
Raleigh Roebuck.
1838. Jesse Cooper,
Raleigh Roebuck.
1840.
Jesse Cooper,
Asa Biggs.
1842.
Jesse Cooper,
Asa Biggs.
1844. Asa Biggs, .
J. Woodard.
1846. Daniel Ward,
A. H. Coffield.
1848. Daniel Ward,
A. H. Coffield.
1850.
W. R. W. Sherrod,
Wm. L. Missell.
Joel Cherry, Gabriel L. Stewart. Darling Cherry, Jos. J. Williams. Wm. Roulhae, Darling Cherry. J. R. Ballard, Darling Cherry. Jos. R. Ballard, Darling Cherry. Alfred M. Slade, Jos. R. Ballard. Jesse Cooper, Lawrence Cherry.
L. Cherry, Gab. L. Stewart. L. Cherry, Gabriel L. Stewart. David Latham, Jesse Cooper. David Latham, Jesse Cooper. Gab. L. Stewart, Jesse Cooper.
1831.
Jesse Cooper,
1833.
David Latham,
Henry G. Williams, James Sheppard. Joel Cherry, Andrew Joyner. Andrew Joyner, Joel Cherry. Andrew Joyner, Joel Cherry. Simmons J. Baker, John Guyther. Simmons J. Baker, Gabriel L. Stewart.
1814.
1799. William Mckenzie,
1801.
Joseph Bryan, Jesse Cherry. G. Sheppard, John Stewart. Jeremiah Slade, John Hyman.
Jeremiah Slade, Edmd. Smithwick. Thomas Hyman, William Pierce. Stephen Fagan, Joel Cherry.
James Burroughs, Joel Cherry. James Wiggins, James Burroughs. Joel Cherry, James Sheppard. . Joel Cherry, James Sheppard.
1811.
254
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
CHAPTER LI.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY.
Date of erection-Origin of name-Situation and boundaries-Population and products-Distinguished citizens and members of Assembly.
MECKLENBURG COUNTY was formed in 1762 from Anson County, and called in honor of the new queen, Princess Charlotte, of Meck- lenburg .*
It is situated in the south-western portion of the State, and is bounded on the north by Iredell County, east by Cabarrus, south by Union, and the South Carolina line, and west by the Catawba River, which separates it from Lincoln and Gaston Counties.
Its capital is Charlotte, and distant one hundred and fifty-eight miles south-west from Raleigh.
Its population 8284 whites; 5473 slaves; 157 free negroes ; 11,724 repre- sentative population.
Products (annual) 1,595,327 pounds cotton ; 22,876 pounds wool ; 78,315 bushels wheat; 586,928 bushels corn ; 61,407 bushels oats ; 1,600 dollars of gold.
There is no portion of the State whose early record presents a more glow- ing page of patriotism and valor than Mecklenburg. The temper and cha- racter of her people were early shown. In 1766, George Selwyn, who had obtained large grants of land from the crown, was about locating them in this county. The people arose in arms, seized the surveyor, EUSTACE McCUL- LOCK, and compelled him to desist.
Here was the early buzzing of that " Hornet's Nest," that in less than ten years was first to sting the power of royalty itself, in these colonies.t
It is the birth-place of liberty. Here in May, 1775, the patriots of Meck- lenburg assembled and resolved to be free and independent of England. In addition to the resolves of 20th May, 1775, already quoted, the following original documents are presented, which are authentic, and present evidence not controvertible of this immortal transaction.
From STATE PAPER OFFICE, London, Geo. Vol. 218. G. Bancroft's Collection, 1775, page 107.
Gov. Wright to Secretary of State. SAVANNAH in Georgia, the 20th June, 1775. (In his own handwriting).
"By the enclosed paper your lordship will see the extraordinary resolves by the people in Charlotte town, in Mecklenburg County, and I should not be surprised if the same should be done everywhere else. I have the honor to be with perfect esteem, My lord, your lordship's most obliged and obedient servant,
JAS. WRIGHT.
To Earl of Dartmouth, &c. &c."
* Martin, History of North Carolina, ii. 172.
See vol. i. 44.
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MECKLENBURG COUNTY.
Extract from the SOUTH CAROLINA GAZETTE AND COUNTY JOURNAL, of June, 1775, No. 498-Printed at Charlestown by CHARLES CROUCH, on the Bay, corner of Elliott Street.
CHARLOTTETOWN, Mecklenburg County, May 31st, 1775.
This day the Committee of this county met and passed the following re-, solves :-
Whereas, By an address presented to His Majesty by both Houses of Par- liament in February last, the American Colonies are declared to be in, a state of actual rebellion, we conceive. that all laws and commission's confirmed by or derived from the authority of the King and Parliament are annulled and vacated, and the former civil constitution of these colonies for the present wholly suspended. To. provide in some degree for the exigencies of this county in the present alarming period, we deem it proper and necessary to pass the following resolves, viz :- -
I. That all commissions, civil and military, heretofore granted by the crown to be exercised in these colonies, are null 'and void, and the constitu- tion of each particular colony wholly suspended.
II. That the Provincial Congress of each Province, under the direction of . the Great Continental Congress, is invested with all legislative and executive powers within their respective provinces, and that no other legislative or executive. power does or can exist at this time in any of these colonies.
III. As all former laws are now suspended in this Province, and the Con- gress has not yet provided others, we judge it necessary for the better preser- vation of good order, to form certain rules and regulations for the Internal Government of this county, until laws shall be provided for us by the Con- gress.
IV. That the inhabitants of this county do meet on a certain day ap- pointed by the Committee, and having formed themselves into nine com- panies (to wit : eight for the county and one for the town), do choose a colonel and other military officers, who shall hold and exercise their several powers by virtue of the choice, and independent of the crown of Great Bri- tain, and former constitution of this province.
V. That for the better preservation of the peace and administration of justice, each of those companies do choose from their own body two discreet freeholders, who shall be empowered each by himself, and singly, to decide and determine all matters of controversy arising within said company, under the sum of twenty shillings, and jointly and together all controversies under the sum of forty shillings, yet so as their decisions may admit of appeal to the Convention of the Select Men of the County, and also that any one of these men shall have power to examine and commit to confinement persons accused of petit larceny. "
VI. That those two select men thus chosen do jointly and together choose from the body of their particular company two persons to act as constables, who may assist them in the execution of their office.
VII. That upon the complaint of any persons to either of these select men, he do issue his warrant directed to the constable, commanding him to bring the aggressor before him to answer said complaint.
VIII. That these select eighteen select men thus appointed do meet every third Thursday in January, April, July and October at the Court House in Charlotte, to hear and determine all matters of controversy for sums exceed- ing 40s., also appeals ; and in case of felony to commit the persons convicted thereof to close confinement until the Provincial Congress shall provide and establish laws and modes of proceeding in all such cases.
IX. That these eighteen select men thus convened do choose a clerk, to record the transactions of said convention, and that said clerk, upon the application of any person or persons aggrieved, do issue his warrant to any of the constables of the company to which the offender belongs, directing said constable to summon and warn said offender to appear before said con- vention at their next sitting, to answer the aforesaid complaint.
X. That any person making complaint, upon oath, to the clerk, or any
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256
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
member of the convention, that he has reason to suspect that any person or · persons indebted to him in a sum above 40 shillings intend clandestinely to withdraw from the county without paying the debt, the clerk or such mem- ber shall issue his warrant to the constable, commanding him to take said person or persons into safe custody until the next sitting of the convention.
XI. That when a debtor for a sum above forty shillings shall abscond and leave the county, the warrant granted as aforesaid shall extend to any goods or chattels of said debtor as may be found, and such goods or chattels be seized and held in custody by the constable for the space of thirty days, in which time, if the debtor fail to return and discharge the debt, the constable shall return the warrant to one of the select men of the company, where the goods are found, who shall issue orders to the constable to sell such a part of said goods as shall amount to the sum due.
That when the debt exceeds forty shillings, the return shall be made to the convention, who shall issue orders for sale.
XII. That all receivers and collectors of quit rents, public and county taxes, do pay the same into the hands of the chairman of this committee, to be by them disbursed as the public exigencies may require, and that such receivers and collectors proceed no further in their office until they be ap- proved of by, and have given to this committee good and sufficient security for a faithful return of such moneys when collected.
XIII. That the committee be accountable to the county for the application of all moneys received from such public officers.
XIV. That all these officers hold their commissions during the pleasure of their several constituents.
. XV. That this committee will sustain all damages to all or any of their officers thus appointed, and thus acting, on account of their obedience and conformity to these rules.
XVI. That whatever person shall hereafter receive a commission from the crown, or attempt to exercise any such commission heretofore received, shall be deemed an enemy to his country; and upon confirmation being made to the captain of the company in which he resides, the said company shall cause him to be apprehended and conveyed before two select men, who, upon proof of the fact, shall commit said offender to safe custody, until the next sitting of the committee, who shall deal with him as prudence may direct.
XVII. That any person refusing to yield obedience to the above rules shall be considered equally criminal, and liable to the same punishment as the offenders above last mentioned.
XVIII. That these resolves be in full force and virtue until instructions from the Provincial Congress regulating the jurisprudence of the province shall provide otherwise, or the legislative body of Great Britain resign its unjust and arbitrary pretensions with respect to America.
XIX. That the eight militia companies in this county provide themselves with proper arms and accoutrements, and hold themselves in readiness to execute the commands and directions of the General Congress of this pro- vince and this Committee.
XX. That the Committee appoint Col. Thomas Polk and Dr. Joseph Keń- nedy to purchase 300 pounds of powder, 600 pounds of lead, 1000 flints for the use of the militia of this county and deposit the same in such place as the Committee may hereafter direct.
Signed by order of the Committee,
EPH. BREVARD, Clerk of the Committee.
Governor Martin to the Secretary of State.
STATE PAPER OFFICE, London. - America & West I. vol. 204.
Bancroft's Collection, 1775, 153.
FORT JOHNSTON, North Carolina, 30th June, 1775.
" The minutes of a council held at this place, the other day, will make the
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257
MECKLENBURG COUNTY.
impotence of Government here as apparent to your Lordship as anything I can set before you. The Board have been afraid to take a becoming part, I firmly believe, from apprehensions of personal injury and insult. * *
" The situation in which I find myself at present is indeed, my Lord, most despicable and mortifying. * * * . I live, alas ! ingloriously, only to deplore it. * The resolves of the Committee of Mecklenburg, which your Lordship will find in the enclosed newspaper, surpass all the horrid and treasonable publications that the inflammatory spirits of the continent have yet produced ; and your Lordship may depend, its authors and abettors will not escape, when my hands are sufficiently, strengthened, to attempt the recovery of the lost authority of the Government. A copy of these Resolves was sent off, I am informed, by express to the Congress at Philadelphia, as soon as they were passed in the Committee. * *
"A Mr. John Ashe, heretofore a Colonel of the Militia in the County of New Hanover, but who had lately formally declined the appointment by letter to me on pretence of age and business, and requested me to appoint another person, appeared at Wilmington, a fortnight after such resignation, * * at the head of a body of four and five hundred men. .
" On being interrogated for his authority for such arbitrary proceedings, he pointed to the men he had assembled.
" I am bound to return your Lordship my best acknowledgments, for the attention you have been pleased to give to my representations of the mis- conduct of the members of the council, here ; at the same time, I must freely own to your Lordship, that I fear that it will be difficult to reform that body effectually, at this time. * * *
" Mr. Dry, Collector of the Customs at this port, whose imprudences and absurdity are such, as I fear will compel me, in spite of all the allowance that I can make for his simplicity and weakness, to disgrace him."
These records have never before been all published, and place this matter beyond all cavil or doubt. They were procured from the State Paper Office in London, by the Hon. George Bancroft, late our Envoy at that Court, and by his kindness furnished for the use of this work.
The citizens of the State have not been unmindful of their duty in re- spect to this glorious transaction.
A meeting was held in 1842, and a Memorial prepared to the General Assembly on the subject, a copy of which has been procured, and here inserted.
MEMORIAL OF THE MECKLENBURG MONUMENTAL ASSOCIATION.
To the Honorable, the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, now in session :-
At a meeting of the citizens of the County of Mecklenburg and the adjoin- ing counties, held on the 24th of August, 1842, at the Court house in the town of Charlotte, the undersigned were appointed a committee to prepare and forward a Memorial to your Honorable body, on the subject of incorpo- rating the "Mecklenburg Monumental Association," whose duty and objects will be the erection of a suitable Monument in the town of Charlotte, com- memorative of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence, on the 20th of May, 1775.
There is no State in our Union whose early history is marked with greater devotion to the cause of Liberty than the State of North Carolina. The re- mark will not be' misconstrued, when it is stated, that neither at home or abroad, is the real character of the State, and the unsullied patriotism of her citizens, known and appreciated. The historian is compelled, by examina- tion, to say that "so carelessly has the history of North Carolina been
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258
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
written, that the name, the merits, and the end of the first Governor are not known."*
Pure and unpretending in character, firm and undeviating in her devotion to principles, her sons seem rather satisfied with a consciousness of the rec- titude of their own intentions, than to court the praise which belongs to merit, or to demand for their ancestry that meed of renown which is due to exalted patriotism or chivalric daring.
But we trust a more auspicious moment has arrived, when the industry and research of her sons will preserve those memorials of her patriotism, to be handed down as "a rich legacy" to future generation's.
So far as the early history of the Colony of North Carolina has been ex- hibited to the curious eye of the historian, it is full of incident, elevating to the character of the State, and worthy to be cherished by her sons. It was on her shores that the adventurous anchor of the first Anglo-Saxont to this western hemisphere rested. A fleet, sustained by the gallant Sir Walter Raleigh, and led by Amidas and Barlow, here found, in the language of the historian of the day, " a people most gentle, loving, and faithful, void of all guile and treason, and such as lived after the manner of the golden age." Among such a people, fleeing from the oppressions and persecutions of the Old World, our ancestors founded the Colony of North Carolina. Her whole history, from the earliest periods of its existence, to the final overthrow of the royal power of England, shows an indomitable spirit of Liberty; and, although obedient to wholesome laws, that the least oppression or tyranny was promptly met, and manfully opposed.
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