USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 68
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W. J. T. Miller, T. Jefferson, J. H. Bedford.
1838. Jos. M. D. Carson, John G. Bynum,
1842. W. J. T. Miller,
1844. Thomas Jefferson,
1846. - Columbus Mills,
1848. Wm. J. T. Miller,
A. G. Logan, Wm. Wilkins.
1850. John G. Bynum,
C. J. Webb, Jesse B. Sloan.
CHAPTER LXIX.
SAMPSON COUNTY.
SAMPSON COUNTY was formed in 1784, from Duplin, named in compliment to Colonel John Sampson.
It is situated in the eastern part of the State; and bounded on the north by Johnson and Wayne; on the east by Duplin ; south by Bladen; and west by Cumberland.
Its capital is Clinton, and ninety-four miles south from Raleigh. Its population in 1850, was 8,424 whites ; 476 free negroes ; 5,685 slaves ; 12,311 representative population.
Its products in-1840, was 342,300 pounds of cotton ; 2,833 pounds of wool ; 130,951 bushels of corn; 3,872 bushels of wheat ; 2,126 bushels of oats ; 14,751 dollars worth of lumber.
Hon. GABRIEL HOLMES was a native of Sampson. He was educated under Rev. Dr. McCorkle, in Iredell County, and was at Harvard University. Read law with Judge Taylor, in Raleigh. In 1807 he represented Sampson in the Senate. . Governor of the State in 1821. He was elected a member of Con- gress in 1825 and served until 1829; an amiable and excellent man. He died several years ago.
Hon. WILLIAM RUFUS KING, now President of the Senate of the United States, and Senator from Alabama, is a native of Sampson.
In 1808 and 1809, he represented this county in the House of Commons. In 1811 to 1816, he represented this district in Congress.
In 1816, he was appointed Secretary of Legation to Russia, Hon. William
J. H. Bedford, Jos. M. D. Carson.
1836.
4 1840.
W. J. T. Miller, W. E. Mills, J. H. Bedford. W. J. T. Miller, W. E. Mills, Thos. Jefferson. Thos. Jefferson, W. E. Mills, John Baxter. Wm. E. Mills, - Davis.
Wm. F. Jones, Simon McCurry.
402
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Pinkney, of Maryland, being the Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni- potentiary. But he soon returned and removed to Alabama.
In 1819 to 1844, he was Senator in Congress from Alabama, and in 1844, was appointed, by President Tyler, Envoy Extraordinary to France. 'He is now in the Senate of the United States, and its Presiding officer, since the translation of Mr. Fillmore to the Presidency.
Although his services have chiefly enured to the honor of Alabama, yet it was in North Carolina he was born; in her Councils he first entered public life. She is proud of her son.
Members of the General Assembly from Sampson County.
Years.
Senate.
House of Commons.
1785.
Richard Clinton,
John Hay, David Dodd.
1786.
Richard Clinton,
David Dodd, Lewis Holmes.
1787. Richard Clinton,
David Dodd, Lewis Holmes.
1788. Hardy Holmes,
Lewis Holmes, William King.
1789. Richard Clinton,
James Speller, James Thompson.
1790.
Richard Clinton,
William King, James Thompson. .
1791.
Richard Clinton,
1792. Richard Clinton,
1793. Richard Clinton,
1794. Richard Clinton,
1795.
Richard Clinton,
1796.
Josiah Blackman,
1797. Gabriel Holmes,
1798.
Gabriel Holmes,
1799. Gabriel Holmes,
1800.
Gabriel Holmes,
1801.
Gabriel Holmes,
1802.
Gabriel Holmes, Joab Blackman,
1804.
Joab Blackman,
1805. Joab Blackman,
1806. Joab Blackman,
1807. Joab Blackman,
1808. Joab Blackman,
1809.
Joab Blackman,
1810.
Joab Blackman,
1811. Allen Mobley,
1812. Gabriel Holmes,
1813. Gabriel Holmes,
1814.
Allen Mobley,
1815.
Allen Mobley,
Wm. Blackman, J. Matthews. Wm. Blackman, J. Matthews. Wm. Blackman, J. Matthews.
1816. John Ingram,
1817.
Michael J. Kenan,
James Matthews, Wm. Blackman.
1818. Michael J. Kenan,
James Matthews, Thomas Sutton. Thomas Sutton, John Sellers."
1819.
James Holmes,
1820. Edward C. Gavin,
1821.
Edward C. Gavin, William Robinson, 1823. , Edward C. Gavin,
J. Crumpler, D. Underwood. John Sellers, Thomas Boykin. Alexander Fleming, Thomas Boykin. John Sellers, D. Underwood. J. Crumpler, D. Underwood.
1824. Thomas Boykin,
Thomas Boykin,
Daniel Joyner, D. Underwood.
D. Underwood, Thomas Sutton.
D. Underwood, Thomas Boykin. D. Underwood, Thomas Boykin. Dickson Sloan, Arch'd Monk.
Arch'd C. Monk, Dickson Sloan.
1830. Edward C. Gavin,
1831. Thomas Boykin,
1832. Edward C. Gavin,
Arch'd C. Monk, Dickson Sloan. Arch'd C. Monk, Dickson Sloan.
William King, James Thompson. James Thompson, Wm. King. Laban Taylor, Gabriel Holmes. Gabriel Holmes, James Thompson. James Thompson, Gabriel Holmes. Claiborn Ivey, James Thompson. James Thompson, Kedar Bryan. Kedar Bryan, James Thompson. Wm. S. Clinton, James Thompson. Wm. S. Clinton, James Thompson. Wm. Robeson, Joab Blackman. Joab Blackman, Wm. Robeson. Raiford Crumpler, Allen Mobley. Thomas King, Allen Mobley. Allen Mobley, Thomas King. Thomas D. King, Allen Mobley. John Bryan, William Blackman. Wm. R. King, Jesse Darden.
1803.
James Matthews, Wm. R. King. James Matthews, Hardy Royal. Hardy Royal, James Matthews. James Matthews, Thomas King. James Matthews, William Blackman.
1822.
1825. 1826. Thomas Boykin, Hardy Royal, 1827. 1828. Hardy Royal, 1829. David Underwood,
.
1
SAMPSON COUNTY.
403
Years. Senate.
1833. Edward C. Gavin,
Arch'd C. Monk, Dickson Sloan.
1834.
Edward C. Gavin,
1835.
Edward C. Gavin,
1836.
Thomas Bunting,
1838.
1840.
1842.
1844. Edward C. Gavin,
1846. Edward C. Gavin,
1848.
Matthew J. Faison,
1850.
Thomas Bunting,
Arthur Brown, Amos Herring. Amos Herring, J. L. Boykin.
CHAPTER LXX.
STANLY COUNTY.
STANLY COUNTY was formed, in 1841, from the western portion of Montgomery, as divided by the Pee Dee River, and is called in honor of Hon. John Stanly, of Newbern. (See Craven.)
It is situated in the western part of the State, and bounded on the north by Rowan County, east by Montgomery, south by Anson and Union, and west by Cabarrus.
Its capital is Albemarle, and preserves the name of one of its Lords Proprietors. (See Chowan.) .
Her population, in 1850, was 5437 whites ; 49 free negroes ; 1436 slaves; 6347 representative population.
Members of the General Assembly from Stanly.
Years. Senate.
House of Commons.
1844, Walter F. Pharr,
Francis J. Locke.
1846. Christopher Melchor,
1848. R. Kendall,
D. A. G. Palmer.
1850. Rufus Barringer,
Francis Locke.
1
CHAPTER, LXXI. -
STOKES COUNTY.
STOKES COUNTY was formed, in 1789, from Surry County, and called in honor of Hon. John Stokes.
JOHN STOKES was a colonel in the Revolution, and fought gallantly in the
House of Commons.
Thomas Bunting, Dickson Sloan, John Boykin,
Arch'd C. Monk, Dickson Sloan. Dickson Sloan, Isaac W. Lane. Isaac W. Lane, Dickson Sloan. Timothy Underwood, Dickson Sloan. Joseph Herring, Isaac W. Lane. Joseph Herring, E. C. Gavin. - Beaman, David Murphy. David Murphy, Arthur Brown.
D. A. G. Palmer.
404
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
cause of his country. He was with Colonel Buford at Waxhaw, about forty miles from Charlotte, when he was attacked by Colonel Tarleton, on 29th May, 1780, when Buford was defeated and the prisoners cruelly murdered after surrendering to the cruel foe. Colonel Stokes fell covered with wounds. His right hand was cut off by a sabre, and his life despaired of for a long time. His bravery in battle, his benevolence of character, and elevated mind, endeared him to the affections of his country.
He was appointed, by General Washington, District Judge of the United States for the District of North Carolina, He married a daughter of Colonel Richmond Pearson, and died at Fayetteville, in Oct., 1790, on his return from Newbern, where he had been to hold the first court ever held in the State for the United States .* He was the elder brother of Governor Montford Stokes.
Stokes County is located in the north-western part of the State, and bounded on the north by the Virginia line, east by Rocking- ham, south by Forsyth, and west by Surry.
Its capital is CRAWFORD, one hundred and ten miles north-west from Raleigh.
Its population, in 1850, was 7264 whites ; 149 free negroes ; 1793 slaves ; 8492 representative population."
Its products, in 1840, were 596,103 lbs. tobacco ; 56,481 lbs. cotton; 3481 lbs. wool; 74,989 bushels wheat; 107,756 bushels oats; 8347 bushels rye ; 423,970 bushels corn.
This county, about the beginning of the seventeenth century, was peopled by Moravians from Europe, fleeing from religious per- secution. "There is not," says Williamson, in his History of North Carolina, "a more industrious or temperate body of men than the Moravians who live between the Dan and Yadkin." The land, seventy thousand acres at first, to which thirty thousand acres has been added, was conveyed by the Government to James Hutton in use for the Unitas Fratrum (united brethren). This was se- cured by an act of Assembly, 1782. The first colony arrived No- vember, 1753, from Pennsylvania, by Winchester, Virginia, and the Upper Saura towns. Their salt was brought from Virginia; . their first beehive was carried from Tar River.
In 1763 they built a church. The property is held somewhat in common, and the clear profits, after paying expenses, are ex- pended for other public buildings, maintaining ministers, and the support of aged widows and poor orphans.
One of the most celebrated female schools in the State is at Salem, carried on by the Moravians on their principles.
Hon. JOSEPH WINSTON was the first Senator in the Legislature from Stokes County. He lived near Germantown.
He formed the treaty of the Long Island of Holston, as Commissioner from North Carolina, with Waightstill Avery and Robert Lanier, in July, 1777. He was a major at the battle of King's Mountain (Oct., 1780).
He was a member of Congress from 1793 to 1795, and from 1803 to 1807. He was a man of fine personal appearance, and not remarkable either for his acquirements or intellect. He died in 1814, leaving a large family.
Colonel BENJAMIN FORSYTHE lived and represented Stokes County. He was a member of Assembly in 1807, and lived in Germantown. He entered
* North Carolina Chronicle and Fayetteville Gazette.
405
STOKES COUNTY.
the army, in the war of 1812, as a captain, and marched to Canada. He fell in a skirmish in 1814, leaving one son, whom the State adopted, but who perished at sea in a hurricane, as a midshipman on board the sloop-of-war ' The Hornet."
Colonel JAMES MARTIN resided in this county. He was born in New Jer- sey in 1742, and, in 1774 he removed to this county, then Guilford. He was the brother of Alexander Martin, who was afterwards Governor of the State, with whom, in 1775, he marched as Colonel of the Guilford Militia against the Tories at Fayetteville. . In 1776 he accompanied General Ruther- ford with his command on the expedition against the Cherokees. John Paisly was lieutenant-colonel of the regiment. On his return, the Tories in Randolph, under Colonel William Fields, embodied and endeavored to join the British at Wilmington. Col. Martin directed Captain Gillaspie, with his light horse, to intercept him, which was done, and Fields was captured.
He was with the North Carolina troops at the battle of Guilford Court House (15th March, 1781). After this he marched with two hundred troops, with General Rutherford, to dislodge the English under Major Craig, then in Wilmington, who, on hearing of the capture of Lord Cornwallis, evacuated the place. This terminated his military career. He died a few years ago. The late Judge James Martin was one of his sons.
Colonel Martin received a pension from the United States, for his services in the Revolution. His application, a copy of which is before me, procured from the records of the War Office, shows his active service and chivalric bearing, in "days that tried men's souls."
Colonel JOHN MARTIN lived near the Saura Mountain, in this county. He was a native of Essex County, Virginia, and removed in 1768, when only twelve years of age, to this county. He was a man of great energy, indomi- table courage, and of infinite humor. He was distinguished for his patriotism, spirit and independence, in the Revolutionary war, and his dangerous con- flicts with the Tories. He, and his " fidus Achates," Joshua Cox, raised a small force and attacked them, and routed them out of the country. On one occasion, in a hard skirmish, old Joshua, his friend and comrade, was shot and left for dead, and his horse shot also lying by him. Much joy was caused among the Royalists ; but it was subdued when they learned that both man and horse had recovered so far as to be able to reach the camp. In one of these skirmishes Colonel Martin received a buck shot in the temple, which he carried to his grave.
He was the very man for such forays ; bold, ardent, active and impulsive, he did much to subdue the Tory influence.
After the independence of our country was established, he continued to serve his county as a Representative in the Assembly, and as a Magistrate. He was in the House of Commons in 1798. For thirty years he presided in the County Court, that " eternal comedy of errors," as it has been termed by Julian Picot. Many occurrences are remembered illustrative of his droll humor, and his keen perception of the ludicrous. His 'mind, naturally acute, perceived the points of the case before the court, and his firmness always maintained the right without respect of persons. He wielded his powers sometimes without much ceremony.
On one occasion, while selecting jurors for the Superior Court, the name of Jacob Salmons was drawn. "He won't do for a juror," says Martin. It was replied, that he was a Justice of the Peace. "I know that," says Martin, "but I say, he won't do." Then it was stated that he was a member of the Legislature. "I know that, too," replied Martin, " Salmons may do to try little cases in his neighborhood, and to sit in the County Court, and even go to Raleigh ; but we shall have a JUDGE around among us at the Superior Court, and he will make a bad show before a Judge. His name goes out," and out the name went.
It was the remark of a distinguished Judge, that this county was remark- able for the intelligence of its juries.
406
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
In politics as in war, he was active, ardent, and impulsive. ' His fre- quent contests with GOTLEIB SHOBER, Esq., are still remembered in Stokes. Shober had the industry and tenacity of the German; Martin, the energy and humor of the Cavalier. Shober was a lawyer, and took much satis- faction in managing cases in court, adverse to Colonel Martin, in which he sometimes came off second best. On one occasion he had a writ served on Martin, as he was on his way to Raleigh. Martin wrote to a friend to attend the County Court, which would occur in his absence, and enter his plea to the suit. It was an action of deceit, in a horse swap. His orders were to plead "I deny the fact."
At court, when Shober saw the plea, he said nothing, knowing the plea was wrong, and he was confident of victory on the trial of the issue at the " next court. The court came, and Martin appeared in proper person aiding his lawyer to defend the wrong. His counsel moved to amend his plea, but Shober objected. Martin then proposed that he would go to trial on this issue, and no other counsel but Shober and he should appear .. Like the gallant Douglas, in the famed battle of Chevy Chase-
"Let's you and I this battle try, And set our men aside. 'Accursed be he,' the Percy said, ' By whom this is denied.' "
They went into the trial, and the facts being with Martin in his defence, from his peculiar manner, and severe irony, he completely demolished Shober, gained his cause, convulsing the Court, Bar, and Jury, with his inimitable humor. Thus settling in the annals of jurisprudence of Stokes, that the plea of non est factum is a proper plea to an action for deceit, and means that it is not a fact.
Nor were his efforts at the bar confined to the County Courts. On one occa- sion he had an important suit involving a land title. His Honor, Judge Paxton, of Rutherford, was on the bench. After the witnesses had been ex- amined, in which he showed his tact and perfect knowledge of his case, he com- menced his argument by alluding to the fact that he had employed no counsel, relying on the justice of his cause, and the integrity of the court, for His Honor, he said, "was like himself, a backwoods Judge." Judge Paxton was furious at this gaucherie of poor Martin. Nothing but the interposition of the bar (by whom he was idolized) saved him from fine and imprisonment for a contempt of Court.
He died in April, 1822, and left many children to inherit his virtues, and emulate his example. The mother of General John Gray Bynum, of Ruther- fordton, and of Willian Preston Bynum, of Lincoln, was his daughter.
Hon. JOHN HILL resides in Stokes. He entered public life in 1819, as a member of the House of Commons, and continued until 1823, when he was elected to the Senate, in which capacity he served several years.
In 1839 he was elected a member of Congress, and served until 1841.
In 1850 he was the Reading Clerk of the Senate.
Hon. AUGUSTINE H. SHEPPERD is a resident of Stokes. He was born in Surry. He is by profession a lawyer, and entered public life in 1822, as a member of the House of Commons, and continued until 1826.
In 1827 he was elected to Congress, and served until 1839.
He was again elected in 1841, and served until 1843.
And again in 1847, and served until March 4th, 1851, when he declined a re-election.
He married Miss Turner, of Washington, by whom he has a lovely family.
An anecdote is narrated, the wit of which may relieve the dry detail of facts and figures, as regards Mr. Shepperd and his friend, John F. Poindexter, Esq., late Solicitor-General. When married, Mr. Shepperd was of rather an uncertain age; and on introducing his young and blooming bride to his old
407
STOKES COUNTY.
friend, " I am glad to see," said Mrs. S., " an old friend of Mr. Shepperd's, for now I shall know, what he never will tell, his exact age. "How old, pray, Mr. Poindexter, is Mr. Shepperd ? he declares to me he is only thirty." The Solicitor- General was in a dilemma, but, like all good generals he came off victorious. " Madam, I am sure you should believe him, for he has told me the self-same tale for these twenty years."
List of members of the General Assembly from Stokes County from its formation to the last session.
Years. Senate.
House of Commons.
1790. .. Joseph Winston,
1791. Joseph Winston,
1792. Peter Harston,
$1793.
Matthew Brooks,
George Houser, Absalom Bostick.
1794. 1795.
Matthew Brooks,
Matthew Brooks,
Absalom Bostick, George Houser. Absalom Bostick, George Houser. Wm. Hughlet, George Houser.
1796. Peter Harston, .
1797.
Matthew Brooks,
1798. Matthew Brooks,
1799.
Peter Harston,
1800. Peter Harston,
1801. Wm. T. Hughlett,
1802.
Joseph Winston,
1803.
Joseph Cloud,
1804.
Wm. Hughlett,
1805.
Gotlieb Shober,
1806.
Johnston Clements,
1807.
Joseph Winston,
1808.
Gotleib Shober,
1809.
Henry B. Dobson,
1810.
Henry B. Dobson,
1811. Henry B. Dobson,
1812.
Joseph Winston,
1813. Edward Moore,
1814. Andrew Bowman,
1815.
Andrew Bowman,
1816. Isaac Nelson,
1817.
Joseph Allen,
John L. Hauser, Joseph Winston.
1818. Charles Banner,
Jacob Salmons, Sam'I Welch.
1820. Emmanuel Shober,
1821. Arch'd R. Ruffin,
1822.
Augustine H. Shepperd, John Hill.
1823. 1824.
Emmanuel Shober, John Hill, Emmanuel Shober, John Hill,
A. H. Shepperd, Wm. Carter.
1826.
John Hill,
A. H. Shepperd, Wm. Carter.
1827. Emmanuel Shober,
Jacob Salmons, Elisha Plummer.
1829.
1828. Emmanuel Shober, Gab. T. Moore,
Gab. T. Moore, Henry A. Martin. John Banner, John Butner.
1830.
John Hill, John Hill,
1831. 1832. Gab. T. Moore,
1833. Matthew R. Moore,
1834. William Flynt,
1835. Matthew R. Moore,
Caleb H. Matthews, John F. Poindexter.
Caleb H. Matthews, Jas. M. Covington, Peter Critz.
Caleb. H. Matthews, Jas. M. Covington, Jas. Stafford.
1838. Matthew R. Moore,
George Hauser, Absalom Bostick. James Martin, Absalom Bostick. James Martin, George Houser.
Wm. Hughlet, Charles Banner. John Martin, Charles Banner. John Martin, Charles Banner. Henry B. Dobson, Charles Banner. John Bostick, Charles Banner. Charles Banner, Henry B. Dobson. Henry B. Dobson, John Bostick. John Bostick, Henry B. Dobson. Henry B. Dobson, Isaac Dalton. John Bostick, Isaac Dalton. Jacob Salmons, Benjamin Forsythe. Jona. Dalton, Benjamin Forsythe. Jona. Dalton, Charles Banner. Joseph Wilson, Isaac Nelson. James Martin, Joseph Wilson. James Martin, Joseph Wilson. Thos. Longina, Charles F. Bagge. Wm. P. Dobson, Isaac Dalton. Isaac Dalton, Joseph Allen. Joseph Allen, William Hughes.
1819. Emmanuel Shober,
Edward Tatum, John Hill. John Hill, Salathiel Stone. John Hill, Jos. M. Flynt.
Augustine H. Shepperd, Jos. M. Flynt.
Augustine II. Shepperd, Jos. M. Flynt.
1825.
Leonard Zigler, Jos. W. Winston. Jos. W. Winston, Leonard Zigler. John F. Poindexter, Leonard Zigler.
Leonard Zigler, Jno. F. Poindexter. - John F. Poindexter, Leonard Zigler.
1836. . Matthew R. Moore,
35
408
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Years. Senate.
-- House of Commons.
1840. Matthew R. Moore, J. M. Covington, Leon. Zigler, William Withers.
1842. Jas. Stafford,
. Jacob Shulze, John F. Nelson, Wm. A. Mitchell.
1846. John F. Poindexter, R. Golding, H. Marshall Martin.
1848. John Hill, Andrew Gamble, John Blackburn, Ander- son Nicholson.
1850.' Philip Barrow,
Allen Flynt, Henry Marshall, Jesse A. Waugh.
CHAPTER LXXII.
SURRY COUNTY.
SURRY COUNTY was formed, in. 1770, from Rowan County; which until this date comprehended a large portion of Western North Carolina, from beyond the Yadkin to the Mississippi River.
It derives its name from the, County of Surry in the south of England. Its name is Saxon, and signifies " the South River."
Surry County is situated in the north-western portion of North Carolina.
It is bounded on the north by the Virginia line, east by Stokes County, south by Yadkin, and west by Wilkes and Ashe. :
Its capital is ROCKFORD, and is distant from Raleigh one hundred and ten miles north-west.
Its population (1850), 16,171 whites ; 272 free negroes; 2,000 slaves ; 17,643 representative population.
Its products (1840), 484,976 bushels corn; 20,542 bushels rye ; 48,804 bushels wheat; 115,018 bushels oats; 83,070 lbs. tobacco; 67,228 lbs. cot- ton ; 16,839 lbs. wool; 108 tons iron.
In 1775 Surry was a frontier county. The Mulberry Field Meeting House* in the upper end was the only place of meeting. The men generally dressed in hunting shirts, short breeches, leg- gings and moccasons, and the women in linsey petticoats and bed- gowns, and in summer often without shoes. Some had bonnets made of calico, and others wore men's hats.t
The patriotism of the women of this region deserves a perpetual record. It was their heroic conduct that inspired their husbands and sons in the cause of liberty. They urged the men to leave home, and to prefer to die than be slaves; while they staid at home and worked with their own hands at the plough and with the hoe, by day, to provide sustenance for their families, and at night with the spinning-wheel and loom they made the clothing.#
* Where the town of Wilkesboro' now stands.
ยก MSS. of General Lenoir, furnished by W. W. Lenoir.
# MSS. of General Lenoir.
409
SURRY COUNTY.
In this county is the celebrated Ararat, or PILOT MOUNTAIN. It rises gradually to the height of several hundred feet, and termi- nates in a flat surface, from the summit of which there is a noble view of the surrounding country. This mountain can be seen for sixty or seventy miles, and was called Pilot Mountain by the In- dians, as it served as a guide in their hunting and war routes.
The delegates from Surry to the Convention at Hillsboro', in 1775, were, ROBERT LANIER, JOSEPH WILLIAMS, WILLIAM HILL, MARTIN ARMSTRONG, JO- SEPH WINSTON.
The officers appointed from Surry, 1776, were, MARTIN ARMSTRONG, Co- lonel ; JOSEPH WILLIAMS, Lieutenant-Colonel ; WILLIAM HALL, Major; JOSEPH WINSTON, 2d Major.
COLONEL JOSEPH WILLIAMS settled in this county near Shallow Ford, before the Revolutionary war. He was distinguished for his enterprise, activity, and patriotism. He was a Colonel of militia in the Revolution, and was ac- tive in subduing the Tories. He died at a good old age, loved and respected by all who knew him.
He married Miss Lanier, a woman of strong mind and exemplary virtues. From this marriage, sprang,
1. GENERAL ROBERT WILLIAMS, a man of distinguished attainments, great research, and acute intellect. The only copy of the acts, public and private, of the General Assembly now extant, was collected by his labor. I have been so fortunate as to procure them, and have filed them on the Archives of the Historical Society at Chapel Hill.
He was a member of Congress from 1797 to 1803. He was the Adjutant- General of the State during the war, when this office was no sinecure, and he faithfully discharged its laborious duties. He moved to Tennessee, where he died.
2. JOHN WILLIAMS, who was distinguished in Tennessee as a Colonel at the battles of Tohopeka or Horse Shoe, on the Tallapoosa, between General Jackson and the Creek Indians. A long and desperate battle. He died in Tennessee. He married a sister of Honorable Hugh Lawson White, leaving a son, Joseph L. Williams, whose daughter is the wife of Hon. R. M. Pear- son, one of our Supreme Court Judges.
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