USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 53
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OWEN HOLMES, of this County, was a distinguished lawyer and statesman. He was Elector of the State in 1836, and cast his vote for Martin Van Buren as President, and Richard M. Johnson as Vice-President.
He was elected a Judge of the Superior Courts of Law in this State, by the General Assembly, in 1836, but he declined accepting.
He died at Wilmington, 6th of June, 1841, of apoplexy, in his forty-fifth year.t
Hon. EDWARD B. DUDLEY was the last representative from the Borough of Wilmington (1834), and the first Governor of the State elected by the people in 1836.
He was born in Onslow ; son of a wealthy planter; entered public life in 1816, as a member from the Town of Wilmington, and was re-elected in 1817.
In 1829, he was elected a member of Congress, and after serving one Con- gress, declined a re-election.
In 1836, he was elected by the people Governor of the State, the first Go- vernor ever elected by the people of North Carolina.
He was succeeded in 1841, by Hon. JOHN M. MOREHEAD.
He was the first President of the Raleigh and Wilmington Railroad, to the stock of which he subscribed twenty-five thousand dollars.
V
Hon. WILLIAM S. ASHE is a native of Wilmington. He is a son of Colonel Samuel Ashe, and the grandson of Governor Samuel Ashe. By profession a lawyer. Entered public life as Senator in the General Assembly, in 1846, and was re-elected in 1848.
In 1849, he was elected a member of Congress, to which distinguished post he was again re-elected in 1851 without opposition.
Members of the House of Commons from Wilmington, from 1774 to 1836.
Years. House of Commons.
Years. House of Commons.
1774. Francis Clayton.
. 1779. Wm. Hooper.
1775. Cornelius Harnett.
1780. Wm. Hooper.
1776. William Hooper. 1781. Wm. Hooper.
1778. William Hooper.
1782. Wm. Hooper.
* This vessel proved to be the British Sloop-of-War Avon.
American Almanac for 1841, page 291.
294
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.'
Years. House of Commons.
Years. House of Commons.
1783. Arch'd McLean.
1809. . J. G. Wright.
1784.
Arch'd McLean.
1810.
Wm. W. Jones.
1785. Arch'd McLean.
1811. Wm. W. Jones.
1786. Arch'd McLean.
1812. Wm. W. Jones.
1787. Joshua Potts.
1813.
Wm. W. Jones.
1788. Edward Jones.
1814.
Wm. W. Jones.
1789.
Edward Jones.
1815. Wm. W. Jones.
1790.
Edward Jones.
1816. Edward B. Dudley.
1791. Edward Jones.
1817. Edward B. Dudley.
1792.
Joshua G. Wright.
1818.
Wm. B. Meares.
1793.
J. G. Wright.
1819:
John D. Jones.
1794.
J. G. Wright.
1820.
John D. Jones.
1795.
J. G. Wright.
1821. John D. Jones.
1796.
J. G. Wright.
1822.
John D. Jones.
1797.
J. G. Wright.
1823.
M. W. Campbell.
1798.
J. G. Wright.
1824.
Robert H. Cowan.
1799.
J. G. Wright.
1825.
Robert H. Cowan.
1801. J. G. Wright.
1826.
Joseph A. Hill.
1802. J. G. Wright.
1827.
Joseph A. Hill.
1803.
J. G. Wright.
1828.
John Walker.
1804. J. G. Wright.
1830.
Joseph A. Hill.
1805.
J. G. Wright.
1831.
Daniel Sherwood.
1806. J. G. Wright.
1832. Daniel Sherwood.
1807.
J. G. Wright.
1833. John D. Jones.
1808.
J. G. Wright.
1834. Edward B. Dudley.
The Convention of 1835 abolished the Borough representation. Members of the General Assembly from New Hanover County.
Years.
Senate.
1777. John Ashe,
1778. John Ashe,
1779. John Devane, ,
1780. John Devane,
1781. / John Devane,
1782.
Caleb Granger,
Timothy Bloodworth, Jas. Bloodworth.
1783.
John A. Campbell,
1784. John A. Campbell,
1785. John A. Campbell,
1786. John A. Campbell,
1787. John A. Campbell,
1788.
Timothy Bloodworth, John Pugh Williams, Thomas Devane.
1789.
Timothy Bloodworth, John A. Campbell, John Pugh Williams.
1791.
John A. Campbell,
John G. Scull, Timothy Bloodworth. Thomas Devane, George Moore.
1792. John A. Campbell,
Timothy Bloodworth, James Larkins.
1797.
John Hill,
1798. John Hill,
1799.
John Hill,
1800. John Hill,
1801. Samuel Ashe,
1802. Samuel Aslıe,
1803. Samuel Ashe,
1804. John Bloodworth,
Jas. Foy, F. T. Bloodworth.
1805. John Hill,
Richard Nixon, F. T. Bloodworth.
1806. Samuel Ashe,
1807. Samuel Ashe,
House of Commons.
Alexander Lillington, Samuel Swann. John Devane, Timothy Bloodworth. John A. Campbell, Timothy Bloodworth. John A, Campbell, Timothy Bloodworth. Thomas Bloodworth, Caleb Granger.
Timothy Bloodworth, Jas. Bloodworth. Timothy Blood worth, Jas. Bloodworth. Jas. Bloodworth, John Pugh Williams. Jas. Bloodworth, John Pugh Williams. Thomas Devane, Jr., Timothy Bloodworth.
1793. John A. Campbell, 1794. William H. Hill,
Timothy Bloodworth, James Larkins. David Jones, John Gambier Scull.
1795. Jas. Bloodworth, Jas. Bloodworth,
1796.
Samuel Ashe, Alexander D. Moore. Samuel Ashe, Alex, D. Moore.
Alex. D. Moore, James Larkins. Thomas Hill, Samuel Ashe. Alex. D. Moore, Samuel Ashe.
Timothy Bloodworth, Richard Nixon. Richard Nixon, James Larkins. James Foy, Franklin T. Bloodworth.
Richard Nixon, Roger Moore. Wm. W. Jones, Hinton James.
1
80 80 80 80 80
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
295
Years. Senate.
House of Commons.
1808. F. T. Bloodworth,
Wm. W. Jones, Hinton James.
1809. F. T. Bloodworth,
Hinton James, David Jones.
1810. Thomas Devane,
David Jones, Joseph Lamb.
1811.
William Hill,
1812.
David Jones,
.
1813. David Jones,
1814.
David Jones,
1815. James Larkins,
1816. - Richard Nixon,
1817.
Samuel Ashe,
1818.
M. W. Campbell,
1819.
George Fennell,
1820. 1821.
M. W. Campbell," Thomas Devane, Thomas Devane, ,
Stokely Sidbury, Jos. A. Hill. Jos. A. Hill, Jos. Lamb.
1825.
Thomas Devane,
Jos. Lamb, Wm. Watts Jones.
1826.
Thomas Devane,
John Kerr, Wm. Watts Jones.
1827. 1828.
Wm. B. Meares,
1829. Wm. B. Meares,
Wm. S. Larkins, Patrick Murphey.
1830. W.m. B. Meares,
Wm. S. Larkins, Thomas Hill.
1831.
M. W. Campbell,
Wm. S. Larkins, Wm. J. Wright. Thomas Hill, Louis H. Marsteller.
1833. 1834.
Wm. B. Meares,
L. H. Marsteller, Stephen Register. L. H. Marsteller, Stephen Register. Charles Henry, John R. Walker.
1836.
Louis H. Marsteller, John R. Walker, Charles Henry.
1838. 1840. 1842.
Wm. S. Larkins,
Wm. S. Larkins,,
Jeremiah Nixon, David McIntire. Jeremiah Nixon, David McIntire.
1844.
Owen Holmes,
1846. Wm. S. Ashe,
Edward Hall, Thomas H. Williams.
1848. Wm. S. Ashe,
1850. N. N. Nixon,
Thomas H. Williams, N. N. Nixon. Wm. Hill, J. D. Powers.
CHAPTER LVI.
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY was formed in 1741, from Bertie; but history and tradition are alike silent as to the origin of its name. Martin, in his History, merely states that the Legislature met "at Wilmington, in the latter part of 1741, and the session was of short duration; the county of Bertie was divided, and the upper part of it established as a new county, to which the name of Northampton was given.">
It is situated in the north-eastern part of the State; and bounded
-
* Martin's History of North Carolina, ii. 36.
28
Joseph Lamb, John Bunting. Jos. Lamb, John Bunting. John Walker, Abel Morgan. Abel Morgan, Eli L. Larkins. Joseph Lamb, S. Sidbury.
1822.
1823.
1824.
Thomas Devane,
Thomas Devane,
John Kerr, Wm. Watts Jones. John Kerr, Wm. S. Larkins.
1832.
Jos. H. Lamb,
Owen Holmes,
1835.
L. H. Marsteller,
Charles Henry,
Jas. T. Miller, Evans Larkins. Jas. T. Miller, James Kerr.
George Fennell,
Joseph Lamb, John D. Jones. Joseph Lamb, George Fennell. Geo. Fennell, Joseph Parrish. Joel Parrish, Geo. Fennell. Geo. Fennell, Joel Parrish. Owen Fillyaw, Joel Parrish. Joseph Lamb, Ed. St. George.
296
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
on the north by the Virginia line, east by Hertford, south by Bertie County, and west by the Roanoke River, which separates it from Halifax.
Its capital is Jackson, and preserves the name of Andrew Jackson, the hero of New Orleans, and sixth President of the United States.
Its population is 5,994 whites ; 830 free negroes ; 6,511 slaves; 10,730 re- presentative population.
Its products (annual) are 5,210,724 lbs. cotton ; 716,050 bushels corn ; 66,064 lbs. tobacco ; 78,650 bushels oats ; 20,308 bushels wheat ; 3,125 bushels rye ; 5,970 lbs. wool; 2,000 barrels turpentine.
To the Convention at Newbern, Aug. 25th, 1774, she sent ALLEN JONES. .
To the Convention at same place, April 3d, 1775, her delegates were ALLEN JONES and JEPTHA ATHERTON. 1.
To the Convention at Hillsboro', Aug. 21st, 1775, her delegates were the above and HOWELL EDMUNDS, DREWRY GEE, and SAMUEL LOCKHART.
The delegates to Halifax, April 4th, 1776, were. ALLEN JONES, JEPTHA ATHERTON, EATON HAYNES, DREWRY GEE, SAMUEL LOCKHART, and HOWELL EDMUNDS.
Her delegates to Halifax, Nov. 12th, 1776 (to form the Constitution), were ALLEN JONES, JEPTHA ATHERTON, JAMES INGRAM,* HOWELL EDMUNDS, and ROBERT PEEBLES.
Of. her Regiment in 1776, WILLIAM EATON was Colonel, JEPTHA ATHERTON Lieutenant-Colonel, HOWELL EDMUNDS Major, DREWRY GEE 2d Major.
ALLEN JONES was chosen Brigadier-General of the Halifax District in this year. He was a brother of Wilie Jones, of Halifax, and, like him, devoted to the cause of the country.
Of his military services, birth, life, or character, we have but little informa- tion. We trust that the services of so useful and public spirited a citizen will be collected and presented to the country.
General Jones was elected a member of the Continental Congress in 1779, and served until 1780.
He appeared as Senator in 1787, in the General Assembly.
He was a member of the Convention that met at Hillsboro', in' 1788, which rejected the United States Constitution, and while his brother was its strenu- ous opponent, he was with Davie, Johnston, and Iredell, its steady advocate.
Members of the General Assembly from Northampton County from the adoption of the Constitution to last session :-
Years. Senate.
House of Commons.
1777. James Vaughan,
Robert Peoples, Jeptha Atherton.
1778. James Vaughan,
Robert Peoples, Joseph Bryan.
1779. James Vaughan,
Robert Peoples, Joseph Bryan.
1780. James Vaughan,
Robert Peoples, John Dawson.
John Dawson, Jas. Sikes.
1781. . James Vaughan, 1782. Samuel Lockhart, Samuel Lockhart,
John Dawson, Jas. Sikes.
1783.
James Vaughan, Drury Gee.
1784. Allen Jones,
James Vaughan, Wm. R. Davie.
1785. Allen Jones,
Howell Edmunds, Augustin Wood.
1786. Allen Jones,
James Vaughan, Nehemiah Long.
1787.
Allen Jones,
Robert Peebles, John Vaughan.
1788. John M. Benford, 1789. John M. Benford,
John Knox, Robert Peebles. Samuel Peete, Halcott Briggs Pride.
1791. John M. Benford,
William Amis, Samuel Tarver.
1792. John M. Benford,
William Amis, Nicholas Edmunds.
1793. John M. Benford,
William 'Amis, Nicholas Edmunds,
1794. John M. Benford,
Benjamin Williamson, Nicholas Edmunds.
* James Ingram was Lieutenant-Colonel of the 8th Regiment of the Continental Army.
297
NORTHAMPTON COUNTY.
Years. Senate ..
House of Commons.
Benjamin,Williamson, Henry Cotten.
Benjamin Williamson, Henry K. Peterson. Benjamin Williamson, William Edmunds. William Edmunds, James Benford.
Henry Cotten, James Long. Howell Peebles, Henry Cotten. Henry Cotten, Howell Peebles.
Henry Cotten, William Edmunds.
Peter Woodlief, William Edmunds.
Green Turner, William Edmunds.
1805.
John M. Benford,
1806. John M. Benford,
1807. John M. Benford, Wm. Edmunds,
1808 ..
1809. Wm. Edmunds,
1810. Wm. Edmunds,
1811. . Wm. Edmunds,
1812.
Wm. Edmunds, Francis Dancy,
Peter Woodlief, Cornelius Moore.
1813.
1814. Howell Peebles, Howell Peebles,
1815.
1816. Howell Peebles, Cornelius Moore,
1818.
Henry Boon, Henry Boon,
W. Sandiford, A. Deberry. Allen Deberry, T. Barrow. Roderick B. Gary, Thomas Peete.
1822.
John Peebles, John Peebles,
L. P. Williamson, R. B. Gary.
1823. John Peebles,
R. B. Gary, L. P. Williamson. R. B. Gary, Thomas Bynum.
1824. 1825. 1826. 1827.
Exum Holliman, Exum Holliman,
1828. John H. Patterson, 1829. Collin W. Barnes,
1830. 1831.
Collin W. Barnes, James T. Hayley, Herod Faison,
R. B. Gary, James T. Hayley.
Richard Crump, John M. Moody.
1832.
1833 .. Herod Faison,
1834.
Wm. B. Lockhart,
1835. . William Moody,
1836. William Moody,
William Moody, Herod Faison,
1838. 1840. 1842. Jos. M. S. Rogers,
1844. John M. Moody,
1846. John M. Moody,
1848. Jos. M. S. Rodgers,
1850. Jos. M. S. Rodgers,
R. B. Gary, Allen Pierce. Allen Pierce, Samuel Calvert. A. B. Smith, Wm. E. Crump. Wm. E. Crump, R. B. Gary. R. B. Gary, Herod Faison. Junius Amis, H. Faison. Samuel B. Spruill, Edmund Jacobs. John B. Odom, Thomas Bragg, Jr: John B. Odem, David A. Barnes.
E. J. Peebles, David A. Barnes.
T. J. Person, E. J. Peebles.
T. J. Person, David A. Barnes.
1795. 1796.
John M. Benford, John M. Benford,
1797. John M. Benford,
John M. Benford,
1798. 1799. 1800.
1801.
1802.
John M. Benford, John M. Benford, John M. Benford, John M. Benford, Henry Cotton,
1803. 1804. Richard W. Freear,
Green Turner, Samuel Tarver. William Edmunds, John Peebles. Charles Harrison, Francis A. Bynum.
Charles Harrison, Francis A. Bynum.
Green Turner, Andrew Jones. Andrew Jones, John Peebles. Peter Woodlief, Cornelius Moore.
Henry Boon, Richard Freear. Henry Boon, - - Jenkins. John R. Moore, Henry Boon. Henry Boon, John R. Moore.
1817.
Henry Boon, William Moody. 1 Henry Abingdon, B. C. Smith. ١٠
1819. 1820. 1821.
Henry Boon,
John Peebles, .
John Peebles,
Thomas Bynum, Roderick B. Gary. R. B. Gary, J. II. Patterson. R. B. Gary, J. H. Patterson. R. B. Gary, Jos. M. S. Rogers. Jas. T. Hayley, R. B. Gary.
298
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
1
CHAPTER LVII.
ONSLOW COUNTY.
ONSLOW COUNTY was formed in 1734, from New Hanover County, and named in honor of Arthur Onslow, then the Speaker of the British House of Commons .*
Onslow is situated in the extreme eastern part of the State, and is bounded on the north and east by Jones, east by Carteret, south by Core Sound and the Atlantic Ocean, and west by New Hanover and Duplin.
Its court house is one hundred and forty-five miles south-east from Raleigh.
Its population in 1850, was 5,005 whites ; 170 free negroes; 3,108 slaves; 7,039 representative population.
Its products in 1840, were 47,281 barrels of turpentine; 3,200 bushels of salt; 228,759 bushels of corn ; 8,126 bushels of oats ; 2,117 bushels of wheat ; 218,104 pounds of cotton ; 6,981 pounds of wool ..
To the General Meeting of the Deputies, held at Newbern, on the 25th of August, 1774, Onslow sent as their delegate WILLIAM CRAY.
To the same place, 3d of April, 1775, she sent EDWARD STARKEY, HENRY RHODES, and WILLIAM CRAY.
To Hillsboro', 21st of August, 1775, she sent ISAAC GUION, HENRY RHODES, EDWARD STARKEY, JOHN SPICER, and JOHN KING.
To the same place, 4th of April, 1776, she sent GEORGE MITCHELL, BENJA- MIN DOTY, JOHN SPICER, JOHN KING, and JOHN NORMAN.
To the Congress at Halifax, to form a Constitution, she sent as delegates JOHN SPICER, THOMAS JOHNSTON, BENEJAH DOTY, EDWARD STARKEY, and HENRY RHODES.
Her officers in 1776, were WILLIAM CRAY, Colonel; HENRY RHODES, Lieu- tenant-Colonel; THOMAS JOHNSON, Major ; JAMES HOWARD, 2d Major.
JOHNSTON, once its Capital, was located in the southern part of the county, where court was held; but in September, 1752, a most terrific hurricane swept away the court house, clerk's offices, and dwelling houses ; the records were all destroyed, and the town was abandoned.t
-
List of Members of the General Assembly from Onslow County, from the adoption of the Constitution, 1776, to the last session, 1850-51 :--
Years. Senate.
House of Commons.
1777. Henry Rhodes,
John King, Benejah Doty.
1778. Henry Rhodes,
Benejah Doty, George Mitchell.
1779. Henry Rhodes, James Howard, Edward Starkey.
1780. Henry Rhodes, Edward Starkey, George Mitchell.
1781. Henry Rhodes,
Edward Starkey, Lewis Williams.
1782. Henry Rhodes,
Edward Starkey, Lewis Williams.
* Williamson's History of North Carolina, ii. 14. ·
t Martin's History of North Carolina, ii. 61.
299
ONSLOW COUNTY.
Years. Senate.
1783. John Spicer,
1784. Thomas Johnson,
1785. John Spicer, George Mitchell, George Mitchell,
Reuben Grant, Edward Starkey ..
1786. 1787. 1788. 1789.
Thomas Johnson,
Daniel Yates, Reuben Grant. Daniel Yates, Reuben Grant. Daniel Yates, Reuben Grant.
1 1790 .. Robert W. Sneed,
1791.
Robert W. Sneed,
1792. Reuben Grant,
Robert Sneed,
1793. 1794.
John Spicer,
1795. John Spicer,
1796. John Spicer,
1797.
John Spicer,
1798. John Spicer,
1799. John Spicer,
1800. John Spicer,
1801. Christopher Dudley,
1802.
George Ward,
1803. Christopher Dudley,
1804. John Fullwood,
1805. John Fullwood,
1806.
Stephen Williams, Christopher Dudley,
1810. John E. Spicer,
1811. Edward Ward, Jr.
1812.
Edward Williams,
1813.
Brice Bender,
1814; 1815.
Edward B. Dudley, Edward Ward,
1816. Christopher Dudley,
, 1817. Christopher Dudley,
1818. Christopher Dudley,
Eli W. Ward, Basil R. Smith. .
1819. 1820.
Eli W. Ward, Eli W. Ward,
Basil R. Smith, Edward Williams. Edward Williams, D. M. Dulany.
1821. 1822. Edward Ward,
1823.
Edward Ward,
1824. Edward Ward,
1825. Edward Ward,
1826. 1827. Edward Ward,
1829. Edward Ward,
1830. Edward Ward,
1831. Lewis Dishong, 1832. Lewis Dishong,
1833.
Thomas Foy,,
1834.
Thomas Ennett,
Nathan'l L. Mitchell, Dan'l S. Saunders.
1835.
David W. Simmons,
Dan'l S. Saunders, Dan'l Thompson.
1836. 1838. Joshua Foy,
1840. John B. Pollock,
1842. Thomas Ennett,
1844. W. Ennett,
1846. William Ferrard,
1848. John F. Spicer,
1850. Geo. II. McMillan,
John A. Averitt. John B. Pollock.
Thomas Ennett. Timothy Haskins.
Edward W. Saunders.
Harry Cox.
C. HI. Foy.
D. W. Fonville.
-
John Spicer, Christopher Dudley.
Reuben Grant, Christopher Dudley. John Spicer, Joseph Scott Cray.
Joseph Scott Cray, Christopher Dudley. Zachariah Barrow, Joseph S. Cray. Zachariah Barrow, Joseph S. Cray." Zachariah Barrow, Nathaniel Loomis .. Nathaniel Loomis, Joseph S. Cray. Joseph Scott Cray, Nathaniel Loomis. Jesse Williams, Nathaniel Loomis. Jesse Williams, William Russell. George W. Mitchell, George Ward. Stephen Williams, George W. Mitchell. George W. Mitchell, John Fullwood. Stephen Williams, William French. .William French, Stephen Williams. Lemuel Doty, Edward Ward .. Edward Williams, Benjamin Farnell.
Wm. French, 1807. Wm. French, 1808.
Edward Williams, John E. Spicer.
1809.
Edward Williams, William Jones. Edward Ward, Edward Williams. Edward B. Dudley, George W. Noble. Lott Humphrey, William Jones. Edward B. Dudley, James Thompson. Jason Gregory, G. E. Grant. William Mitchell, Jason Gregory.
Eli W. Ward, Solomon E. Grant. Eli W. Ward, Basil R. Smith.
Basil R. Smith,
Edward Ward,
Daniel M. Dulany, W. D. Humphreys. Eli W. Ward, Daniel M. Dulany. +'L. T. Oliver, Eli W. Ward. Frederick Foy, Lewis T. Oliver. Edward Williams, Frederick Foy. John Giles, Wm. P. Ferrand. . Edward Williams, Frederick Foy. Richard H. Hatch, John B. Thompson. Frederick Foy, James Rowe. John B. Thompson, Geo. A. Thompson. Geo. A. Thompson, Edward Ward. Daniel Thompson, Thomas Ennett.
Daniel S. Saunders,
House of Commons.
Edward Starkey, James Howard. Edward Starkey, David Yeates.
David Yeates,
Robert W. Sneed, John Spicer.
300
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
CHAPTER LVIII.
ORANGE COUNTY.
Date of its formation-Origin of name-Situation and boundaries-Popula- lation and products-Colonial and Revolutionary History-Regulators ; Herman Husbands' book on this subject -- Edmund Fanning; life and cha- racter of-Thomas Burke, late Governor of North Carolina ; his capture by Fannen, and imprisonment-Francis Nash-Pleasant Henderson- Archibald D. Murphy-William Norwood-Alexander Mebane-William Montgomery-Frederick Nash-William A. Graham-Wilie P. Mangum- John Scott-James Mebane, and others, and the Members of the Assembly from Hillsboro', and the county of Orange.
ORANGE COUNTY was formed in 1751, from Granville, Johnston, and Bladen counties, and called in compliment to the House of Orange, which, in the persons of William and Mary, in 1692, filled the English throne.
It is located in the centre of the State, and bounded on the north by Person and Caswell, on the east by Granville and Wake, south by Chatham, and west by Alamance.
Its capital is Hillsboro', 40 miles north-west of Raleigh.
Hillsboro' was laid out in 1759, by W. Churton, and was first called Childsburg, in honor of the Attorney-General of the Colony ; but altered to Hillsboro', in compliment to Earl of Hillsboro',* the English Secretary of State for America.
Population (1850), 11,330 whites; 481 free negroes; 5,244 slaves ; 14,957 representative population.
Products (1840), 388,426 bushels corn; 262,882 lbs. tobacco ; 253,437 1bs. cotton; 12,686 lbs. wool; 87,579 bushels wheat; 81,613 bushels oats; 2,643 bushels rye.
Orange County was early distinguished for the independence of her citizens, and their indomitable opposition to tyranny. Long before the Revolution, the people of this County rose in arms against the crown officers ; and a battle took place on the banks of the Alamance, in 1771, between. Governor Tryon and the insurgents. That battle has been described in the first volume of these sketches, t and in this volume (under the Chapter I. Alamance,) copious, rare, and valuable documents are presented relative thereto. The life and character of Herman Husbands, the chief leader of the Regu- lators, is therein sketched (see Randolph, Chapter LXIII), and we have procured his pamphlet as to the cause of the difficulties, and
* Martin, ii. 104.
t Vol. i. page 59.
301
ORANGE COUNTY.
the grievances that the people groaned under, by the fraud, extor- tion, and oppression of the officers." This production, always rare, now out of print, is here presented; when the space it occupies can illy be spared. But its value and importance in throwing light upon these troubled times, will compensate for the space it occu- pies, and is worthy the careful perusal and study of the reader.
THE REGULATION.
HUSBANDS' BOOK .*. -
An Impartial Relation of the First Rise and Cause of the Present Difficulties in Public Affairs in the province of North Carolina.
In Orange County the first disturbance is generally ascribed to have arisen ; but Granville and Halifax Counties were deeply engaged in the same quarrel many years before Orange : so that it may be necessary to give a few para- graphs out of some of their papers, to show that it was the same grievance and oppression that incensed all the counties, without corresponding with each other.' For though Granville County had been at war, as it were, some years before the disturbance in Orange, yet we never heard of it till it broke out in Orange.
[Here follows an extract, the title of which is mutilated ; but as we make it out, reads nearly as follows :]
" A serious address to the inhabitants of Granville County, containing an account of our deplorable situation we suffer ; * * and some necessary hints with respect to a reformation.
" Save my country, Heaven, shall be my last."-Pope.
Then, after treating on the nature of law in general, and of our Constitu- tion, in praise of it, he proceeds thus :-
"Well, gentlemen, it is not our form or mode of government, nor yet the body of our laws that we are quarreling with ; but with the malpractices of the officers of our County Court, and the abuses that we suffer by those that are impowered to manage our public affairs : This is the grievance, gentle- men, that demands our serious attention. And I shall,
" Thirdly, show the notorious and intolerable abuses that has crept into the practice of the law in this county, and I doubt not but into other counties also; though that does not concern us: in the first place, there is a law that provides that a lawyer shall take no more than fifteen shillings for their fee in the County Court. Well, gentlemen, which of you has had your business done for fifteen shillings ? They exact thirty for every cause : and three- four-and five pounds for every cause attended with the least difficulty, and laugh at us for our stupidity and tame submission to these d-m-d, &c."
Another paragraph runs thus in substance :-
" A poor man is supposed to have given his judgment bond for five pounds ; and this bond is by his creditor thrown into court. The Clerk of the County has to enter it on the docket, and issue execution, the work of one long minute, for which the poor man has to pay him the trifling sum of forty-one shillings and five pence. The Clerk, in consideration he is a poor man, takes it out in work, at eighteen pence a day. The poor man works some more than twenty-seven days to pay for this one minute's writing.
" Well, the poor man reflects thus : At this rate, when shall I get to labor for my family ? I have a wife and parcel of small children suffering at home, and here I have lost a whole month, and I don't know for what; for my merchant is as far from being paid yet as ever. However, I will go home now, and try and do what I can. Stay, neighbor, you have not half done yet, there is a d-d lawyer's mouth to stop yet-for you impowered him to confess that you owed this five pounds, and you have thirty shillings to pay him for
* Printed in 1770.
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HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
that, or go and work nineteen days more ; and then you must work as long to pay the sheriff for his trouble; and then you may go home and see your horses and cow sold, and all your personal estate, for one-tenth part of the value, to pay off your merchant. And lastly, if the debt is so great that all your personal estate will not do to raise the money, which is not to be had- then goes your lands the same way to satisfy these cursed hungry caterpillars that will eat out the very bowels of our commonwealth, if they are not pulled down from their nests in a very short time. And what need I say, to urge a reformation. If these things were absolutely according to law, it were enough to make us throw off all submission to such tyrannical laws ; for were such things tolerated, it would be better to die in defence of our privileges than to perish for want of the means of subsistence." But as these practices are contrary to law, it is our duty to put a stop to them before they quite. ruin our county, or that we become willing slaves to these lawless wretches, and hug our chains of bondage, and remain contented under these accumu- lated calamities."
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