USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 69
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3. LEWIS WILLIAMS, of this county, who is well known in the history of this county as a distinguished and patriotic statesman. He entered public life in 1813, as a member of the House of Commons, and was re-elected in 1814.
In 1815 he was elected a member of Congress, and served continuously until 1842; a long career in one place proves the sincerity of his character, and the confidence of his constituents. His life, compiled from his papers, would form a most valuable addition to our history. He was much respected in Congress, for his sound judgment, inflexible integrity, and unwavering consistency ; and received by universal consent the title of " the Father of the House." If he was by fortune childless, this noisy brood doubtless more than filled his paternal anxieties. He died in Congress on the 23d February, 1842.
His twin brother, THOMAS LANIER WILLIAMS, is equally distinguished. He is now Chancellor of the State of Tennessee.
4. Dr. ALEXANDER WILLIAMS, of Greenville, Tennessee.
5. NICHOLAS LANIER WILLIAMS, of this county.
410
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
6. . REBECCA, who married John Winbush of Halifax, Virginia.
7. FANNY, who married John P. Irwin, of Nashville, Tennessee ; and
8. Major JOSEPH WILLIAMS, of Surry county, who is now dead; leaving several sons and three daughters, one of whom is Mrs. James R. Dodge, wife of Col. Dodge, now Clerk of our Supreme Court, at Morganton.
Hon. JESSE FRANKLIN was of Surry county. He was distinguished for his sincere patriotism, sound sense, and unassuming deportment.
In 1794 he was elected a member of the House of Commons.
In 1795 he was elected a member of Congress, and served in the House un- til 1797.
In 1797 he was again a member of the House of Commons. .
In 1799 he was elected Senator in Congress, and served until 1805. In 1805 and 1806 he was Senator from Surry, and was elected again to the Se- nate of the United States in 1807, and served until 1813.
In 1820 he succeeded John Branch as Governor of the State.
A long and successful career, which evinces his personal worth and popu- larity.
Hon. MESHACH FRANKLIN Was a member of the House of Commons in 1800, a member of Congress from 1807 to 1815, and Senator from this county in 1828 and 1829. He died in December, 1841.
THOMAS J. WORD was a native of Surry, and represented the county in the House of Commons in 1832. He moved to Mississippi, and was a member of Congress in 1838 from that State.
Members of the General Assembly from Surry County, from the formation of the Constitution in 1776 to the last Session, 1850-51.
Years. Senate.
House of Commons.
1777. Wm. Sheppard,
1778. Wm. Sheppard,
1779. Wm. Sheppard,
1780. Wm. Sheppard,
Samuel Cummings, Samuel Freeman.
1781.
Wm. Sheppard,
Samuel Cummings, Wm. T. Lewis.
Samuel Cummings, Trangott Bagge.
1782. 1783. 1784. John Armstrong,
Wm. T. Lewis, James Martin. Joel Lewis, James Martin.
1785. John Armstrong,
James Martin, William Lewis.
1786. John Armstrong,
1787. Joseph Winston,
1788.
John Armstrong, Joseph Winston,
George Houser, Wm. T. Lewis. Gideon Edwards, Absalom Bostick.
1791. Gideon Edwards,
1792. Gideon Edwards, Gideon Edwards,
1793.
1794.
Gideon Edwards,
1795.
Gideon Edwards,
1796. Gideon Edwards,
1797. Gideon Edwards, 1798. Gideon Edwards, Gideon Edwards, Gideon Edwards,
1799. 1800.
1801. Gideon Edwards, 1802. Gideon Edwards,
1803. Gideon Edwards,
1804. Peter Eaton,
1805. Jesse Franklin,
Nicholas Horn, David Davis.
1806. Jesse Franklin,
Micajah Oglesby, Hugh Armstrong. Hugh Armstrong, Francis Poindexter. Jesse Franklin, Hugh Armstrong. Jesse Franklin, Thomas Wright. Martin Armstrong, Joseph Williams, Jr. Meshach Franklin, Thomas Wright. Thomas Wright, Meshach Franklin. Thomas Wright, Nicholas Horn. Thomas Wright, Nicholas Horn. Micajah Oglesby, Nicholas Horn.
Nicholas Horn, Nathan Chaffin.
Jos. Winston, Charles Gordon.
Matthew Brooks, Frederick Miller.
Gray Bynum, Frederick Miller. .
Wm. Sheppard, Martin Armstrong,
James Martin, William Lewis. Jas. Gaines, Seth Coffee.
1789. 1790. Joseph Winston,
Jonathan Haines, Jacob Sheppard. Jonathan Haines, Jacob Sheppard. Jonathan Haines, Jacob Sheppard. Henry Speer, Jesse Franklin. Jesse Franklin, Micajah Oglesby.
411
TYRRELL COUNTY.
Years.
Senate.
1807. Thomas Wright,
1808. Thomas Wright,
1809. Gideon Edwards,
Nicholas Horn, William Dowling.
Nicholas Horn, Matthew M. Hughes.
Nicholas Horn, Charles Taliaferro.
1812.
1813. Thomas Wright,
1814. Thomas Wright,
1815. Thomas Wright,
1816. Thomas Wright,
1817. Thomas Wright,
1818. Wm. P. Dobson,
1819.
Wm. P. Dobson,
Solomon Graves, Edward Lovell.
1820.
Solomon Graves,
1821.
Solomon Graves,
1822.
Solomon Graves,
1823. Solomon Graves,
E. Thompson, P. B. Roberts. T. B. Wright, E. Thompson.
1824.
Pleasant B. Roberts, David Durrett, W. C. Martin.
1825. Henry B. Poindexter, David Durrett, Golihu Moore.
1826.
Pleasant B. Roberts, Elisha Arnold, Golihu Moore.
1827.
Wm. P. Dobson,
1828. Meshach Franklin,
1829. Meshach Franklin,
1830. Wm. P. Dobson,
1831. 1832.
Wm. P. Dobson,
Wm. P. Dobson,
1833. Wm. P. Dobson,
1834. Wm. P. Dobson,
1835. Harrison M. Waugh, Thomas L. Clingman, Mordecai Fleming.
1836. Wm. P. Dobson,
Daniel W. Courts, P. B. Roberts, James Calloway.
1838. Meshach Franklin,
1840. R. C. Puryear,
Nathaniel Boyden, Columbus Franklin, H. B. Poindexter.
: Dickson Taliaferro, Theo. C. Houser, Jno. J. Conrad.
R. C. Puryear, - Brown, - Ta- liaferro.
R. C. Puryear, Gwynn, James
Sheek.
James Sheek, Williams, - 1850. George Bower, Oglesby.
J. R. McLean, James Sheek, Joseph Cock- erhan.
CHAPTER LXXIII.
TYRRELL COUNTY.
TYRRELL COUNTY is one of the oldest counties in the State, and one of the original precincts of the Lords Proprietors.
House of Commons. Nicholas Horn, Daniel Scott.
Nicholas Horn, Micajah Oglesby.
1810. Thomas Wright,
1811. Thomas Wright, Thomas Wright,
Nicholas Horn, Charles Taliaferro.
Lewis Williams, Charles Taliaferro. Lewis Williams, Nicholas Horn. Edward Sweatt, Gabriel Hanby. Gabriel Hanby, Josiah Hatley. Josiah Hatley, Edward Sweatt. Solomon Graves, H. B. Poindexter.
Henry B. Poindexter, P. B. Roberts. Thomas Hampton, Pleasant B. Roberts.
Wm. Douglas, Ephraim Hough. Mordecai Fleming, Alfred C. Moore. Alfred C. Moore, Ephraim Hough. Mordecai Fleming, Alfred C. Moore. Daniel W. Courts, Mordecai Fleming. Thomas J. Word, Daniel W. Courts. Daniel W. Courts, Harrison M. Waugh. H. M. Waugh, Pleasant Henderson.
R. C. Puryear, Nathaniel Boyden, M. Oglesby.
1842. Wm. P. Dobson,
1844. A. B. McMillan,
1846. A. B. McMillan,
1848. George Bower,
412
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
It derives its name from Sir JOHN TYRRELL, who owned that part of the province originally granted to Lord Ashly .*
Tyrrell County is located in the eastern part of the State, and is bounded on the north by the Albemarle Sound, east by the Pamlico Sound and Atlantic ocean, south by Hyde, and west by Washington County.
Its capital, COLUMBIA, is two hundred miles east of Raleigh.
Its population (1850), 3,296 whites ; 130 free negroes ; 1,702 slaves ; 4,448 representative population.
Products (1840), 108,641 bushels of corn ; 22,961 pounds of cotton ; 8,081 bushels of wheat; 2,517 bushels of oats ; 2,928 pounds of wool ; 4,149 bar- rels of fish ; 74,194 dollars worth of lumber.
COLONEL RICHARD BUNCOMBE resided in this County. He was a native of St. Kitts, one of the islands of the West Indies.
He was educated in England, and a man of superior native intellect and fine personal appearance. His uncle, Joseph Buncombe, of Tyrrell, dying, left his estate to his nephew, and, in 1776, he removed with his family to this County.
Being a man of large fortune, he brought to North Carolina much wealth,' which, in the struggles of his adopted country for independence, he fearlessly placed on the side of liberty.
In April, 1776, he was appointed to command the 5th regiment of the North Carolina line in the Continental Army. He raised, upon his own resources, a regiment from the territory now composed of Tyrrell and Washington, and kept them for more than twelve months on his individual charge, preparing them in the arts of war. He joined his regiment, and marched to the north. In the battle of Germantown (1777), he was severely wounded and taken prisoner. He died soon after at Philadelphia, while on parole, from the effects of his wounds. He left three children ; one son, who died without issue, and two daughters, one who married Dr. Goellet, of Washington, and the other married Mr. Clark, of Bertie County.
Colonel Buncombe was distinguished for his martial appearance, his chi- valric daring, and unbounded hospitality. Worthily is his name preserved to North Carolina in one of her mountain counties, for he died to secure that liberty she now enjoys.
GENERAL HEZEKIAH G. SPRUILL resides in Tyrrell.
He entered the Legislature in 1836, as Senator from Tyrrell, and served continuously until 1842.
He is now a member of the Board of Internal Improvements of the State.
Members of the General Assembly from Tyrrell County, from adoption of the Constitution, 1776, to last session, 1850-51.
Years. Senate.
House of Commons.
1777. Archibald Currie,
Benjamin Spruill, John Hooker.
1778. Jeremiah Frazier,
Joshua Swain, Benjamin Spruill.
1779. Jeremiah Frazier, Benjamin Spruill, Joshua Swain.
1780. Jeremiah Frazier, John Warrington, Edmund Blount. 1781. Isham Webb, Nehemiah Norman.
Jeremiah Frazier,
1782. Jeremiah Frazier, Jeremiah Frazier,
Nehemiah Norman, Nathan Hooker.
1783. 1784. Jeremiah Frazier,
Nehemiah Norman, Nathan Hooker.
Benjamin Spruill, Nathan Hooker.
1785. John Warrington,
Nehemiah Norman, Nathan Hooker.
1786. John Warrington,
Simon Spruill, Nathan Hooker.
1787. John Warrington,
Simon Spruill, Benjamin Spruill.
* Williamson's History of North Carolina, i. 301.
413
TYRRELL COUNTY.
Years.
Senate.
1788. Thomas Stewart,
Thomas Stewart,
1790. 1791. Thomas Stewart,
1792. John Warrington,
1793. 1794.
Richard Howett,
1795. Richard Howett,
1796. 1797.
Charles Spruill,
1798. 1799.
Charles Spruill,
1800.
Samuel Spruill,
1801.
Samuel Spruill,
1802.
Richard Davis,
1803. Richard Davis,
1804.
Richard Davis,
1805. Richard Davis,
1806. Richard Davis,
1807.
Richard Davis,
1808. Jesse Alexander,
1809.
James Alexander,
1810.
Jesse Alexander,
1811.
Zebulon Tarkington,
1812.
Zebulon Tarkington,
1813. 1814.
Charles Hoskins,
1815. Charles Hoskins,
1816. 1817.
Zebulon Tarkington,
1818. Zebulon Tarkington,
1819. Richard Davis,
1820.
Richard Davis,
Daniel Bateman, Enoch Hassell.
1821.
John B. Beasley;
Daniel Bateman, Enoch Hassell.
1822.
John B. Beasley,
1823.
John B. Beasley,
1824.
John B. Beasley,
Frederick Davenport, Enoch Hassell.
1826.
John B. Beasley,
.
Daniel N. Bateman, Frederick Davenport.
1827.
John B. Beasley,
1828.
John B. Beasley,
1829.
John B. Beasley,
Daniel N. Bateman, Frederick Davenport. Daniel N. Bateman, Frederick Davenport. Daniel N. Bateman, Frederick Davenport. Daniel N. Bateman, Benjamin Sikes.
1830.
John B. Beasley,
1831.
Daniel N. Bateman,
H. G. Spruill, Charles McCleese.
1832. Daniel N. Bateman,
Charles McCleese, Samuel B. Spruill.
1833. Ephraim Mann,
Charles McCleese, George H. Alexander.
1834.
Ephraim Mann,
Charles McCleese, George H. Alexander.
1835. . George H. Alexander,
Charles McCleese, Thomas Hassell.
1836.
Hez. G. Spruill,
Silas Davenport.
1838. Hez. G. Spruill,
Charles McCleese.
1840. Hez. G. Spruill,
Charles McCleese.
Joseph Halsey. .
Silas Davenport.
Silas Davenport. Charles McCleese.
1848. Joseph Halsy,
1850. Thomas E. Pender,
House of Commons.
Simon Spruill, Samuel Chesson. Simon Spruill, Samuel Chesson.
Hezekiah Spruill, Richard Howett. Simon Spruill, Charles Spruill. Simon Spruill, Charles Spruill. Charles Spruill, Levi Blount. Charles Spruill, Robert Cushing. Charles Spruill, John Guyther. John Guyther, James Hoskins. Martin R. Byrd, James Hoskins. John Clayton, Samuel Spruill. John Clayton, Thomas Hoskins. John Clayton, Thomas Hoskins. Elijah Warrington, John Clayton. John Clayton, Jesse Alexander. Jesse Alexander, Moses E. Cator. Jeremiah Wynne, Benjamin Spruill. Jeremiah Wynne, Levi Bateman. Jeremiah Wynne, Moses E. Cator. Levi Bateman, Moses E. Cator. Thomas Garrett, Moses E. Cator. Levi Bateman, Solomon Hassell. Solomon, Hassell, Levi Bateman. Solomon Hassell, Daniel Sawyer. Solomon Hassell, Daniel Sawyer.
Daniel Bateman, Enoch Hassell. Enoch Hassell, Ephraim Mann.
1825.
John B. Beasley,
Daniel N. Bateman, Frederick Davenport.
Charles Hoskins,
Solomon Hassell, Daniel Sawyer. Daniel Bateman, Daniel Sawyer. Solomon Hassell, Thomas Leigh. Thomas Leigh, Daniel Bateman. Thomas Leigh, Daniel Bateman. Daniel Bateman, Enoch Hassell.
Charles Hoskins,
-
Joseph McCleese.
1842. Hez. G. Spruill, 1844. 'Joseph Halsy, 1 1846. Joseph Halsy,
John Warrington,
Richard Howett,
Charles Spruill,
414
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
CHAPTER LXXIV.
UNION COUNTY.
UNION COUNTY was formed in 1842, from the south-eastern part of Mecklenburg, and western part of Anson County.
It is situated in the south-western part of the State, and is bounded on the north by Mecklenburg and Stanly; east, by Anson ; south, by South Carolina line; and west, by Mecklenburg.
Its capital, MUNROE, is one hundred and sixty miles south-west from Raleigh; named in compliment to James Munroe, fifth Presi- dent of the United States.
Its population, in 1850, was 8,018 whites ; 51 free negroes ; 1,982 slaves ; 9,258 representative population.
Its early history belongs to Mecklenburg and Anson, and it is entitled to a share in the spirit-stirring and chivalric history of these counties.
It votes, until after the next session, with Mecklenburg and Anson. That is, the part of the territory taken from Mecklen- burg, votes with that County; and the other with Anson, until after the next General Assembly, when she will have a distinct and separate representative.
CHAPTER LXXV.
WAKE COUNTY.
WAKE COUNTY was erected in 1770, from Orange, Johnston, and Cumberland.
The troubles arising from the oppression and extortion in this year, induced Governor Tryon to divide Orange County into three divisions ; GUILFORD, CHATHAM, and WAKE; Wake was so called in compliment to the maiden name of Governor Tryon's wife .*
Wake is bounded on the north by Granville and Franklin Coun- ties; on the east, by Franklin and Johnston; on the south, by Johns- ton and Cumberland; and on the west, by Chatham and Orange.
* Martin, 241. Jones contradicts this, but gives no authority.
415
WAKE COUNTY.
In this County is RALEIGH, the capital of the State of North Carolina.
Most appropriately does it preserve the name of the statesman and soldier, under whose auspices was fitted out the first expedition that ever landed in the United States. His name is illustrious as a gallant warrior; as a saga- cious statesman ; and as a faithful and accurate historian. He was born in 1552. Under the smiles of the " Virgin Queen" Elizabeth, he rose to favor and honors ; but after her death, from the pusillanimous policy of James I, he was condemned for offences of which he was innocent; and was beheaded in 1618 .*
Its population, in 1850, was 14,177 whites; 1,301 free negroes ; 9,409 slaves ; 21,123 representative population.
Its products, in 1840, were 2,391,996 pounds of cotton ; 535,274 bushels of corn ; 38,379 bushels of wheat; 79,011 bushels of oats; 54,247 pounds of tobacco ; 12,178 pounds of wool.
By an ordinance of the Convention that assembled at Hillsboro' in 1788, to deliberate upon the Constitution of the United States, the seat of Government was fixed on the plantation of Joel Lane, in Wake County. Five public squares were fixed; in the centre of which, the Capitol was located, and called UNION Square, and the other four are CASWELL, BURKE, NASH, and MOORE.
Before this, the sessions of the General Assembly had been held at different places ; at Tarboro', Hillsboro', Fayetteville, and else- where. This was inconvenient on many accounts. A State House, Governor's house, and other public edifices were ordered to be erected. .
A fire, in June 1831, destroyed the old Capitol. The Governor's house at one time, and the large brick building, owned then by Benjamin B. Smith, in Fayetteville street, at another, was used for the sessions of the General Assembly.
An edifice has been erected at a cost of 520,000 dollars, which,
* See vol. i.,
416
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
for durability of structure, correctness of architecture, and perfect adaptation to its intended purposes, has no superior in these United States.
The greatest calamity that followed the fire in 1831 was the total destruction of the marble statue of George Washington, from the unrivaled chisel of CANOVA, of Rome-a loss that cannot be repaired.
The full-length portrait of Washington, after the original, by SULLY, was preserved, and still hangs in the House of Commons.
A destructive fire, on the 7th of January, 1831, laid the princi- pal part of Raleigh in ashes.
To the meeting of Delegates of the Province of North Carolina, held at Hillsboro' 21st August, 1775, from Wake, JOEL LANE, JOHN HINTON, THEO- PHILUS HUNTER, MICHAEL RODGERS, TIGNAL JONES, JOHN RAND, and THOMAS HINES.
To the Congress at Halifax, 12th Nov. 1776, TIGNAL JONES, JAMES JONES, MICHAEL RODGERS, JOHN RICE, and BRITAIN FULLER.
Of the Wake Regiment, JOHN HUNTER, Colonel; THEOPHILUS HUNTER, Lieutenant-Colonel; JOHN HINTON, Jr., Major; THOMAS HINES, 2d Major.
Colonel WILLIAM POLK lived and died in Raleigh. He was born in Meck- lenburg County, and was present, when but a youth of nineteen, at the cele- brated meeting on 20th May, 1775, when this county declared its independence of the English Government. It was from this hallowed altar that his youth- ful heart caught the inspirations of patriotism. He joined the army of this county, and served through the Revolution. He was with General Washing- ton at Brandywine (Sept. 1777), and Germantown (Oct. 4, 1777), where he was wounded. He then was ordered South, and was with General Gates in the battle of Camden (August 1780), and with Greene at Guilford (March 15, 1781), and at the hard-fought battle of the Eutaw Springs (8th Sept. 1781), at which battle he received a severe wound, the effects of which he carried to his grave. He held the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel in the army at the close of the war. After the war ended, he retired from the army, and re- turned to Charlotte, his native place.
In 1787, he represented the county of Mecklenburg in the House of Com- mons.
He removed to Raleigh, and was for a long time President of one of the Banks.
In 1812, he was offered a commission of Brigadier-General in the Army by the President, which he declined. Subsequently, however, stung by the repeated wrongs of his country, and the degrading conditions demanded by the British commissioners as the price of peace, in a letter to the Governor of the State (Hawkins), dated 17th October, 1814, he offered his services to the State in any situation that the Governor might deem useful.
He died about 1830, leaving a widow (the daughter of Col. Hawkins), and several children-among them are General Thomas G. Polk, now of Missis- sippi, Bishop Leonidas Polk, of Louisiana, and Mrs. Kenneth Rayner.
Hon. JOHN LOUIS TAYLOR died in Raleigh, January, 1829; a sketch of his life appears in the chapter on Cumberland County (page 200), which he represented in 1792, '93, and '94-(Fayetteville)-in the House of Commons.
JAMES F. TAYLOR, late Attorney-General, lived, and died in Raleigh. He was born in Chatham (which see).
JOSEPH GALES, Esq. (who for a long series of years lived, and died in Raleigh), was born in Derbyshire, in England. He was a Bookseller and Printer in
417
WAKE COUNTY.
Sheffield, and established, in 1787, the " Sheffield Register." He was forced to flee for his political principles, and in 1794 came to the United States, and settled in Philadelphia., There he published for a period " The Independent Gazette," and in 1799 he removed to Raleigh, and established " The Regis- ter," which he conducted for forty years. He gave to Mr. Madison, during the war in 1812, a firm, vigorous, and independent support ; and was amiable and kind in all the relations of life. He died 24th May, 1842. He was suc- ceeded in the editorial chair by his son, Weston R. Gales, who conducted it until his death, (July, 1848,) when his son, Seaton Gales, Esq., the present editor, succeeded. The present editor deserves the credit of starting the first daily paper ever published in North Carolina-the " Bulletin"-published during the session of the last General Assembly.
Hon. HENRY SEAWELL, late a Judge of the Superior Court, lived and died in Raleigh. He was born 24th December, 1772, in Franklin County ; self- educated ; a vigorous and capacious intellect. He was elected to the House of Commons of the General Assembly from Wake County in 1800, and again in 1810, when he was appointed a Judge of the Superior Courts, but the appointment of the Governor was not confirmed by the General Assembly.
In 1812, he was elected to the House of Commons, and in 1813 again ap- pointed a Judge, which was confirmed, but which he resigned in 1819. About 1820, he was appointed by the President of the United States a com- missioner under the treaty of Ghent with Great Britain, to award for the slaves taken during the war of 1812; to this Commission, Charles Manly, Esq., was clerk.
In 1821, he was elected to the Senate of the State Legislature, and con- tinued until 1826. In 1831 and '32 he was again in the Senate, when he was for the third time elected Judge of the Superior Court, which he held until he died, 11th October, 1835. -
.By his marriage with the daughter of Col. John Hinton, seven children survived him, six sons, and one daughter, who married Warner Lewis, Esq., of Caswell County.
Hon. DANIEL L. BARRINGER represented Wake County in the House of Commons as early as 1813. He was a son of John Paul Barringer, late of Cabarrus County. He married Miss White, of Raleigh, granddaughter of Richard Caswell; represented Wake County in 1813, 1819, 1820, and 1821; and from 1826 to 1835 was a member of Congress. .
He removed to Tennessee, and has been in public life while there-Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Hon. DUNCAN CAMERON, who resides in Raleigh, was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, in 1777, son of an Episcopalian clergyman.
He studied law, and came to North Carolina in 1797.
In 1800, he was appointed Clerk of the Supreme Court, then called Court of Conference.
In 1806, he was elected a member of the House of Commons from Orange County, and again 1807, '12, and'13, when he was a firm and decided advocate for the war.
In 1814, he was elected Judge of the Superior Court, which he resigned in 1816.
In 1819, he was elected to the Senate from Orange County, and in 1822 and 1823.
In 1829, he was elected President of the old State Bank.
On the organization of the present Bank of the State of North Carolina, in September, 1834, he was chosen its President, over whose affairs he presided with unexampled financial skill and fidelity until a few years since, when he resigned (January, 1849), and was succeeded by George W. Mordecai, Esq.
MOSES MORDECAI, who lived and died near Raleigh, a distinguished lawyer, was born in the city of New York, on 4th April, 1785.
418
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
His father, Jacob, removed to Richmond, Virginia, when he was about five years old, and finally to Warrenton in this State, where he established him- self first as a merchant, and afterwards kept a large and respectable female > school.
MOSES MORDECAI was educated in Warrenton by Marcus George, who was justly renowned as one of the best teachers of his day. He aided in the school of his father for a time after arriving at maturity. He then studied law, obtained license, and settled in Greenville, Pitt County. He subse- quently removed to Raleigh, where he practiced with great success in the Federal and Supreme Courts, and where he lived at the time of his death. The evidence of his ability and talents is, that with such compeers as Gaston, Ruffin, Seawell, Stanley, and others, his practice was lucrative, and his suc- cess complete.
1 He died at the Sweet Springs, in Virginia, September, 1824, whither he had resorted to restore his health, shattered by the fall diseases of our lower country climate. He left four children, two sons, Henry and Jacob, and two daughters, Ellen and Margaret.
His brother, George W. Mordecai, Esq., resides now in Raleigh, and is President of the Bank of the State of North Carolina.
Hon. JOHN H. BRYAN resides in Raleigh. He is a native of Craven: for his biography, see Craven, Chapter XXII.
Hon. R. M. SAUNDERS resides in Raleigh. He is a native of Caswell: for his biography, see Caswell, Chapter XV.
Hon. WILLIAM H. HAYWOOD, Jr., is a resident and native of this county.
He was born in 1801; educated at the University of North Carolina, at which he was graduated in 1819; studied law, entered public life in 1831 as a member of the House of Commons, and served in , 1834, '35, and '36. He was Speaker in 1836. He was elected to the Senate of the United States in 1842, which he resigned in 1846, when he was succeeded by Hon. George E. Badger.
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