USA > North Carolina > Historical sketches of North Carolina : from 1584 to 1851, Vol. I > Part 70
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Hon. GEORGE E. BADGER resides in Raleigh. He is a native of Craven County: for his biography, see Craven, Chapter XXII.
Hon. RICHARD HINES resides in Raleigh. He is a native of Edgecombe, for which, see Edgecombe, Chapter XXVIII.
Major GASTON H. WILDER resides in this county ; son of the late Hillory Wilder, who represented Johnston County for many years.
Major Wilder was educated at the University, and graduated in 1838. He was a member of the House of Commons in 1842, '44, and '46. This year he was appointed Paymaster of the North Carolina Regiment, in the service of the United States, vice David W. Stone. He went to Mexico, and served through the war with credit to himself and fidelity to the government.
Major CHARLES L. HINTON is a native of Wake; educated at the University, at which he graduated in 1814. In 1820 and '21, he was elected a member of the House of Commons, from Wake. In 1827, he was elected to the Senate, in which he served, with some intermission, until 1833. In 1839, he succeeded Mr. Courts as Treasurer of the State, and in 1850, Mr. Courts succeeded him.
Major WILLIAM F. COLLINS, who was Comptroller from 1836 to 1851, also resides in this county. He is a native of Nash.
The EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF NORTH CAROLINA reside at Raleigh.
His Excellency, DAVID SETTLE REID, is a native of Rockingham ; for whose biography, see Chapter LXVI.
419
WAKE COUNTY.
WILLIAM HILL (Secretary of State), is a native of Stokes. He was born in September, 1773. He came to Raleigh in July, 1795, as clerk to James Glas- gow, who went out of office in 1798, when William White was elected. On the death of William White, in October, 1811, Mr. Hill was elected, in November following, his successor, which office he has held to this day. His first wife was Sally Geddy, by whom he has several children. His second wife is Fran- ces Conner Blount, who is alluded to as a descendant of Governor Archdale, in vol. i., page 82, of these sketches.
. DANIEL, W. COURTS is a native of Culpepper County, Va .; born November 26th, 1800; by profession a lawyer; educated at the University, at which he graduated in 1823. In 1831, '32, and '33, he was a member from Surry County. In the session of 1836 he was again a member, and at this session he was elected Treasurer of the State, and re-elected 1838, by a Legislature differing in politics. In 1839, he was appointed Consul of the United States at Matanzas, which he accepted, and repaired to his post; but resigned in a short time. He removed to Rockingham, the county in which he was raised, and in 1846, was elected from this county to the House of Commons, and again in 1848. In 1850, he was elected, without opposition, Senator from Rockingham, and at the session of 1850-51, elected Treasurer of the State, which position he now occupies.
WILLIAM J. CLARKE is a native of Wake County; was educated at the Uni- versity, and graduated in 1841 ; a Lawyer by profession.
In 1846, volunteered to go to Mexico, and was appointed a Captain in the 12th Regiment of United States Infantry. His company, I, was in several engagements, and at the Battle of the National Bridge, in which he con- ducted himself with great bravery, and received a severe wound. U
He was promoted to be Major, by the President and Senate, for his gal- lantry. At the disbanding of the army after the war, he returned to his pro- fession, and in 1850, was elected Comptroller of the State, which position he now holds.
The roll of his company, which he led to battle and to victory in Mexico, is as follows :-
ROLL OF COMPANY "I," 12th REGIMENT U. S. INFANTRY.
William J. Clarke, Captain.
John F. Hoke, Ist Lieutenant; promoted to Captaincy, June 27, 1847.
Charles M. Creanor (Texas), promoted Ist Lieutenant vice Hoke.
James F. Waddell, 2d Lieutenant.
John J. Wheeden, 2d Lieut .; died January 14, 1848, at Raleigh, having re- returned. -
Charles Manly, Jr., appointed vice Wheeden.
Sergeants.
1. Richard H. Rogers, killed in action, at National Bridge, Mexico, 12th of August, 1847.
2. Thomas B. Jones, transferred to dragoons.
3. Thomas F. Elliot, died at Vera Cruz, September 14, 1847.
4. Merritt D. Crocker, died at Encerro, June 27, 1848.
1. Lawson Mauney, appointed 1st Sergeant, March 1, 1848.
2. Joseph F. Williamson. .
3. Richard H. Riddick.
4. John Huffman.
Corporals.
1.' Christopher G. Love.
3. Joseph A. Thomas.
2. David S. Wells. 4. Andrew Summey.
Musicians.
Frederick A. Stauffer, Drummer.
Henry Tevepaugh, Fifer; died at Jalapa, September 26, 1847.
420
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Privates.
1. Akenford, Endemeon R. .
2. Bell, Eli
3. Bell, George R.
4. Bell, Morris O.
5. Bay, Jacob
6. Briggs, Alexander
7. Bowen, Wm. D. S.
8. Brooks, Henry
9. Bumgarner, Thomas L.
10. Barbee, Young W.
11. Bradley, Wm.
12. Campton, James
13. Carpenter, Jacob Q.
14. Carpenter, Peter W.
15. Cline, Laban L. M.
16. Cody, Turner
17. Davis, Benjamin F.
18. Durand, Addington S.
19. Eaker, Michael
20. Evans, James R.
21. Ford, Rick, wounded at National Bridge.
22. Fretwell, Jefferson
23. Green, Simon G.
24. Greer, John F.
25. Hallman, Noah
26. Hargraves, James E.
27. Hearn, Pernal
28. Henderson, Robert F.
29. Hoke, Philo P.
30. Justis, Benj., (wounded at Cerro Gordo.)
59. Wolf, John
60. Young, Laton
Honorably Discharged.
1. Brown, Thomas G.
Disability.
2. Fye, Abel M.
3. Huff, John
4. Justis, Benjamin
5. Kirksey, Elijah
66
wounds. do.
6. Mitchell, Wm. A. J.
7. Nowell, Jonathan
8. Stevens, Wm. G.
66
Transferred.
1. William Conyers, to Company "G," 12th Infantry.
2. Dixon, Ferdinand, 66 66
3. Dyson, George W. 66 66
4. Harris, Andrew J. 66
66
5. Jones, Henry S.
6. Jones, Thomas B., to 2d Dragoons.
7. Phillips, John G., to Company "G," 12th Infantry.
Deserted.
Jacob Hogue, Fort Moultrie, S. C., May. 29, 1847. Henry M. Wyatt, Vera Cruz, Mexico, July 6, 1848.
Casualties.
1. Medicus A. Alfred, died at Perote, Mexico, Nov., 1847.
2. James M. Bandy, 66 sea, July 15, 1847.
31. Kirksey, William, (wounded at National Bridge. )
32. Kirksey, Elijah, (wounded at Na- tional Bridge.)
33. Lawrence, George W. H.
34. Lee, William W.
35. Martin, Jason
36. Martin, William
37. Medlin, Willie
'38. McGonigle; Peter
39. Mabry, Josiah
40. Nowlin, David M. C.
41. Nowlin, Thomas D.
42. Rains, Benjamin
43. Ramsey, Thomas G.
44. Runnels, Moses
45. Rafferty, Daniel A.
46. Risen, George
47. Sims, James 48. Slade, David M.
49. Salter, David W.
50. Salter, Warren
51. Smith, Nathaniel
52. Wells, David
53. Wells, Hugh S.
54. Wheeler, Junius B., (promoted to Lieutenant, 11th Infantry.) ,
55. White, Benjamin E.
56. Williams, Lisbon W.
57. Williams, James
58. Wright, Silas J.
66 injuries in battle. -
66 66
7
421
WAKE COUNTY.
3. Richard E. Barrow, died at Perote, Oct. 15, 1847.
4. Jesse Boytt, City of Mexico, Jan. 28, 1848.
5. Arthur Campbell, 66 Encerro, Mexico, June 25, 1848.
6. William Champion,
N. C., April 8, 1847.
7. William J. Clark, City of Mexico, March 6, 1848.
8. Abner Cooper,
New Orleans, July 17, 1848.
9. James Crabtree, Puebla, Jan. 2, 1848.
10. Merrit D. Crocker, died near Jalapa, June 17, 1848.
11. Benjamin Dickerson, died at Encerro, June 27, 1847. Vera Cruz, Sept. 14, 1847.
12. William Dickerson,
13. Thomas F. Elliott,
Vera Cruz, Aug. 22, 1847.
14. Seth Etheridge,
Encerro, June 25, 1848.
15. Fenner Finch, sea, July 18, 1847.
16. Farnifold Grey,
17. George A. Gentle,
Cerro Gordo, Aug. 16, 1847, wounds in battle.
Encerro, June 28, 1848.
19. William Haughton, Puebla, Dec. 8, 1847.
20. William W. Horton,
21. Asa Hurley.
22. Joseph Horsends.
23. George N. Ireland.
24. Daniel Jarral.
25. James J. Love.
26. John May.
27. Edward McMillan, died Oct. 5, 1847, wounds received in battle.
28. James McKnight.
29. Nathan Perry.
30. Anderson Peace.
31. Albert G. Powers.
32. Richard H. Rogers, killed in battle at National Bridge.
33. Wesley Richards.
34. William H. Roles.
35. Joseph T. Rudiscal.
36. Benjamin S. Rust, injuries received in battle at National Bridge.
37. Henry Stamey, killed at National Bridge.
38. Hardy T. W. Shadrach, died of wounds received at National Bridge. 39. William Sikes.
40. James Spain.
41. Henry Tevepaugh. .
42. Absalom Taylor.
7
43. James W. Underwood.
44. Charles Vowell, died of wounds received at National Bridge.
45. Wm. F. Wacaster.
46. Benjamin F. Wadkins.
47. James H. Wall.
48. Samuel P. Weathers.
49. John B. Warrick.
50. Christopher Wells.
51. Daniel Wiggs.
52. John Woodliff.
53. Barzillai Winfield.
Members of the General Assembly from Wake County, from the first meeting, in 1777, to the last session, 1850-51.
Years. Senate.
1777. James Jones,
1778. Michael Rodgers,
1779. Michael Rodgers,
1780. Michael Rodgers,
1781. Michael Rodgers,
House of Commons. John Rand, Tignal Jones.
Lodwick Alford, Hardy Saunders. Thomas Hines, John Hinton, Jr.
Nathl. Jones, John Humphries.
Burwell Pope, James Hinton.
1
18. Elijah Harris,
66 Puebla, Nov. 21, 1847.
€
422
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
Years.
Senate.
House of Commons ..
1782. Joel Lane, 1783. Joel Lane,
James Hinton, Burwell Pope. Theophilus Hinton, Hardy Saunders.
James Hinton, William Hayes.
James Hinton, William Hayes.
1786. Joel Lane,
1787. Joel Lane,
1788.
Joel Lane,
1789.
Joel Lane,
1790.
Joel Lane,
Brittain Saunders, Ransom Sutherland.
1791.
Joel Lane,
Ransom Sutherland, Brittain Saunders.
1792. Joel Lane,
Brittain Saunders, William Hinton.
1793. James Hinton,
1794. Joel Lane,
1795.
Joel Lane,
1796.
Thomas Hines,
Nathaniel Jones, John Rogers.
1797. Tignall Jones,
1799. Thomas Hines,
1800.
Nathl. Jones,
1801.
Nathl. Jones,
1802.
William Hinton,
1803.
William Hinton,
Nathl. Jones, Henry H. Cooke.
1805.
Nathaniel Jones,
1806. Allen Rogers,
1807.
Allen Rogers, Allen Rogers,
Nathl. Jones, Kimbro' Jones.
1810.
William Hinton,
Henry Seawell, Kimbro' Jones.
1811.
William Hinton,
Nathl. Jones, Kimbro' Jones.
1812.
Allen Rogers, John Hinton, Jr., John Hinton,
Wm. Boylan, Danl. L. Barringer. Wm. Boylan, Seth Jones. Wm. Boylan, Seth Jones.
1816. John Hinton, Jr.,
William Boylan, Seth Jones.
1817. Nathaniel Jones,
Seth Jones, Stephen Haywood.
1818.
Nathaniel Jones,
Seth Jones, Stephen Haywood.
1819. 1820.
Stephen Haywood, Josiah Cuedup,
1821.
Henry Seawell,
1822. Henry Seawell,
1823. Henry Seawell,
1824.
Henry Seawell,
1825.
Henry Seawell,
1826. Henry Seawell, 1827. Charles L. Hinton,
Saml. Whitaker, Johnson Busbee.
1828. Charles L. Hinton,
1829. Charles L. Hinton, Charles L. Hinton, Henry Seawell,
1830. 1831. 1832. Henry Seawell,
1833. Charles L. Hinton,
1834. Samuel Whitaker,
1835. Samuel Whitaker,
1836. Samuel Whitaker,
1838. Samuel Whitaker,
1840. Samuel Whitaker,
1842. James B. Shepard, ,
Saml. Whitaker, Wesley Jones. Wesley Jones, Saml. Whitaker. Saml. Whitaker, N. G. Rand. Wm. H. Haywood, Jr., N. G. Rand. Nathl. G. Rand, Chas. L. Hinton. Nathl. G. Rand, Wesley Jones.
Wm. H. Haywood, Jr., Wesley Jones.
Wm. H. Haywood, Jr., Allen Rogers.
Weston R. Gales, Wm. H. Haywood, Jr., N. G. Rand.
N. G. Rand, D. B. Massey, J. M. Mangum. N. G. Rand, D. B. Massey, J. M. Mangum. N. G. Rand, Gaston H. Wilder, D. B. Massey.
1808.
1809.
William Hinton,
Henry Seawell, Kimbro' Jones.
1813. 1814. 1815. John Hinton,
Henry Seawell, Matthew McCullers. Henry H. Cook, Henry Seawell. Allen Rogers, Henry H. Cooke.
1804. William Hinton,
Wyatt Hawkins, Wm. Person. William Hinton, Michael Rogers. Nathaniel Jones, William Hinton.
Wm. Hinton, Solomon Rogers. Wm. Hinton,. Henry Seawell. Matthew McCullers, Henry Seawell.
Nathl. Jones, Henry H. Cooke.
Walter Rand, Henry H. Cooke. Calvin Jones, Henry H. Cooke. Nathl. Jones, Allen Gilchrist.
Kimbro' Jones, D. L. Barringer. Danl. L. Barringer, C. L. Hinton. Chas. L. Hinton, D. L. Barringer. D. L. Barringer, Samuel Whitaker. Jas. F. Taylor, Samuel Whitaker.
Saml. Whitaker, Johnson Busbee. Samuel Whitaker, Nathl. G. Rand. Saml. Whitaker, N. G. Rand. ..
1784. Joel Lane,
1785. Joel Lane,
John Humphries, James Hinton. Nathaniel Jones, Brittain Saunders. .James Hinton, Brittain Saunders. Brittain Saunders, Thomas Hines.
423
WARREN COUNTY.
Years. Senate.
1846. Geo. W. Thompson, 1848. Geo. W. Thompson,
1850. Wesley Jones,
House of Commons.'
1844. Geo. W. Thompson, J. M. Mangum, Gaston H. Wilder, James
B. Shepard.
Benj. D. Sims, G. H. Wilder, W. W. Holden. Benj. D. Sims, Jas. D. Newcome, Rufus H. Jones.
R. M. Saunders, James D. Newcome, Bar- well Rollins.
CHAPTER LXXVI.
WARREN COUNTY.
WARREN COUNTY was formed in 1779. In this year Bute County was divided, and the counties of Franklin and Warren formed from it.
Warren is bounded on the north by the Virginia line, on the east by Northampton and Halifax Counties, on the south by Franklin County, on the west by Granville.
Its population (1850) was 4604 whites; 441 free negroes ; 8867 slaves ; 10,365 representative population. 4
Its products (1840) were 3,574,296 lbs. tobacco; 380,954 lbs. cotton ; 9584 lbs. wool; 395,351 bushels corn ; 80,193 bushels oats ; 25,551 bushels wheat ; 1641 dollars worth of lumber.
It derives its name from JOSEPH WARREN, of Massachusetts.
Dr. JOSEPH WARREN was a Major-General in the Provincial forces, and fell in battle at Bunker Hill, on 17th June, 1775. He was born in Roxbury, in the State of Massachusetts, in 1741. After leaving college, he studied medicine with Dr. Lloyd, an eminent physician of his day, and commenced practice with great success. His personal appearance, his kind address, and humanity, won his way to the hearts of all, while his intellectual superiority gave him power among his countrymen. When Great Britain declared her power to tax and govern the colonies without representation, Warren, far in advance of public opinion, openly denounced it as tyranny in its most odious forms-this, too, in the very teeth of the myrmidons of the Crown.
The massacre of the Colonists, on the 5th of March, 1770, had been held as a sacred festival by the people of Boston. Orations were delivered on each anniversary, setting forth this murder legalized by the Crown. Twice was Warren the orator on this deeply exciting subject. So patriotic were his sentiments-so hostile to British power-that the officers of the army under General Gage, then quartered in Boston, declared that no more such orations should be delivered. It was openly stated that it would cost the life of any man who attempted it. Warren took fire at a threat so openly and tyranni- cally made. He solicited the honor of delivering the oration in 1775. For this post he had few rivals, and it became well known that Warren was to speak. The day came, and the weather was remarkably fine. The old South Meeting House was crowded at an early hour. The British officers, armed, filled the house and aisles, and some even occupied the pulpit. All entrance to the house was prevented. But Warren reached the pulpit by a ladder from the outside., He pressed forward to his post. In the bloom of man- 36
424
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
hood, flushed with the spirit of liberty, the youthful orator advanced. The British officers, seeing his coolness and intrepidity, made way for him. An awful stillness, like that which, in the convulsions of nature, often precedes the fell tornado of the Indies; prevailed. Each man felt the rapid palpita- tions of his own heart, and saw in the pale determined face, and closed lips of his neighbor, the peril of the occasion. The daring spirit of Warren arose, and, in " thoughts that breathed and words that burned," he spoke of the early history of the colonists, their rights, and the claims of justice ; how their rights had been trampled down, how violated by the tyrant power of England. His descriptions of suffering, agony, and blood of the colonists, chilled even the spirits of the British. The scene was sublime -- the cause- of truth prevailed. The day passed without any violence. Warren and his friends were prepared to chastise insolence, prevent disgrace, and avenge any attempt at assassination.
This is a scene of moral courage and sublimity worthy of the pencil of the painter or the chisel of the sculptor. The thunder of Demosthenes rolled at a distance from Philip and his hosts ; Cicero poured forth his invective when surrounded by the Senate and free from danger of the dagger of Cataline ; but Warren spoke to the very teeth of the proud oppressors of his country, resting on their loaded arms, whose errand was to overawe, and whose business it was to conquer. No example in Roman history exceeds this in moral courage or in moral sublimity.
Is there in the abyss, Is there, among the adamantine spheres, Wheeling unshaken through the boundless void, Aught that with half such majesty can fill The human bosom?"*
If ancient Rome placed the statue of Brutus among those of her heroes and her gods, should not one rise to the memory of Warren, to perpetuate the remembrance of this heroic act?
In June 14th, 1775, the Provincial Congress of Massachusetts made him Major-General of their forces. But he was not destined long to wear these honors. At Breed's Hill, when the Provincials, under Colonel Prescott, were attacked by the English troops on the 17th, General Warren appeared. Col. Prescott offered him the command, but he declined, and with a musket took his place in the ranks. He was killed as the Provincials were slowly retreat- ing from the superior forces of the British. This place has now become sacred gound. ' A tall monument marks the consecrated spot, " to meet the sun in his coming; the early light of the morning gilds it, and parting day lingers on its summit."
Strangers from distant lands visit it, for it is associated in their memories with the Marathon and Plataas of former ages, and with all the mighty strug- gles of determined freedom for its long lost liberty. Meet is it that North Carolina, in one of her fairest counties, has preserved the name of this noble son of patriotism, whose life-blood cemented the foundations of her liberty, and who died battling in her sacred cause !
" There were no Tories in Bute," says her historian, and the re- cords of truth.
When the Provincial Congress recommended that Committees of Safety be chosen in 1775, for each county, Bute rose as one man, and, on motion of Benjamin Ward, "one of each kin was selected to act as one of the Committee," thus connecting with living links the chain of freedom.
She sent to the General Meeting, on the 25th of August, 1774, at Newbern, WILLIAM PERSON and GREEN HILL.
* Akenside's Pleasures of the Imagination, book ii. p. 47.
1
425
WARREN COUNTY.
To same place, on the 3d of April, 1775, WILLIAM PERSON, GREEN HILL, JAMES RANSOME, and THOMAS EATON .-.
To Hillsboro', on the 21st of August, 1775, she sent WILLIAM PERSON, GREEN HILL, JETHRO SUMNER, THOMAS EATON, Rev. HENRY PATTILLO, and JOSIAH REDDICK.
To Halifax, on the 4th of April, 1776, WILLIAM PERSON, GREEN HILL, WIL- LIAM ALSTON, THOMAS SHERROD, and PHILEMON HAWKINS.
At this Congress, THOMAS PERSON was appointed Brigadier-General of the Hillsboro' 'District ; JETHRO SUMNER, Colonel of the 3d Regiment of Conti- nental Troops. And of the Bute Regiment, THOMAS EATON, Colonel; WIL- LIAM ALSTON, Lieutenant-Colonel; THOMAS SHERROD, Major; GREEN HILL, 2d Major.
To the Congress at Halifax, on the 12th of November, 1776, JAMES DEN- TON, THOMAS EATON, PHILEMON HAWKINS, BENJAMIN SEWELL, and BENJAMIN WARD.
The character of WILLIAM PERSON is one of great interest. We regret that our efforts have been thus far unavailing, to ascertain the birth, family, edu- cation, and death of this worthy patriot. But the records afford ample testi- mony of his devotion to the principles of liberty, and the magnanimity of his character.
General JETHRO SUMNER was of Warren County, an early, active, and patriotic soldier of the Revolution. His father, William Sumner, emigrated from England about 1690, and settled near Suffolk, Virginia."
On the 8th of May, 1760, he was ordered "by the Hon. William Byrd, Esq., Colonel of the Virginia Regiment, and Commander-in-chief of the Vir- ginia forces," to proceed (with Sergeant Nash) with all convenient speed to ' Fort Cumberland, to act as Paymaster. . During this year he was the com- manding officer of Fort Cumberland.
He was appointed in April, 1776, by the Provincial Congress, Colonel of the 3d Regiment of Continental Troops, WILLIAM ALSTON was Lieutenant- Colonel ; SAMUEL LOCKHART, Major.
'He joined the army of the North, under Washington, and, after that cam- paign, came South with General Gates, and' behaved with great bravery on the fatal field of Camden (August, 1780).
In October following he was at Yadkin's Ford, from which General Sumner, in camp, reports on the 10th of October, 1780, the defeat of Ferguson on King's Mountain to General Gates, and by General Gates sent to Congress.
He joined General Greene, and with him was in the hard-fought battle of Eutaw Springs, 8th of September, 1781, and commanded the Continental Troops from North Carolina; their bravery, in charging the enemy with trailed arms, contributed greatly to the success of the day.
He continued to serve in the South until the daring feat of Fannin, in the abduction of the Governor of North Carolina, September, 1781 .* General Greene, alarmed at the effect of such an outrage, ordered General Sumner to North Carolina, to tranquilize the public mind, encourage the friends of liberty, and to subdue the Tory influence. He traversed the eastern section of North Carolina, and was in the State at the close of the war.
A letter from General Greene, dated at Charleston, 2d February, 1783, to General Sumner, says : "Were there any probability of action soon, I should be anxious to have your services in this army. But from the situation of your line, and the probable inactivity of the army for some time to come, I have no objection to your remaining in North Carolina, where you can attend to the recruiting service and your own private concerns at the same time."
After the war was over, he resigned, and married a wealthy widow (Heiss) of Newbern, by whom he had two children, Thomas Edward, who died with- out issue, and Jacky, who married Hon. Thomas Blount, of Edgecombe, who died in Congress in 1812, without issue.
* See Biography of Gov. Burke, 333.
426
HISTORY OF NORTH CAROLINA.
General Sumner lies buried in Warren County, near the road from Lewis- burg to Warrenton, near old Shocco Chapel and Bute old court house, and bears this inscription :-
To the memory of GENERAL JETHRO SUMNER, one of the Heroes of '76.
HAWKINS FAMILY.
Of PHILEMON HAWKINS, who was delegate from Bute in 1776, the reader will find a history in the sketch of Colonel Benjamin Hawkins, for which I am indebted to the kindness of John D. Hawkins, Esq., of Franklin County, and from whose pen it proceeded ..
COL. BENJAMIN HAWKINS was born in Bute (which was changed to Warren County in 1779). on the 15th of August, 1754, and he died at his residence in . the Creek Nation, in the exercise of his functions as Superintendent of Indian, Affairs, on the 6th of June, 1816. A particular record to this effect was made at the time of his death by his elder brother, Colonel Philemon Hawkins, in his family Bible, with the additional remark, that he had been in public life thirty-six years.
His parents were Colonel Philemon Hawkins, Sr., and Delia Hawkins, both of whom lived and died in the same county, at advanced ages, His father was born in Gloucester County, Virginia, on the 28th of September, 1717, the county where the Hawkins family seems to have first settled on their arrival in this country from England. He was a remarkable man. Born to small fortune, raised to hard labor, with.but a common education, in obscurity, and without the patronage of friends. He migrated from Glou-, cester at the age of twenty years, leaving behind him a name for industry and energy of character. Bute County was then inhabited mostly by Indians, and the semi-savage whites who always crowd the borders of a new country. Here he sat down with the resolute purpose to make his fortune, and his indomitable perseverance soon gave him a start, upon which he built a fortune and a fame, that outstripped all his cotemporaries. He was of distinction in 1772. He was then the chief aid to Governor Tryon in the Battle of Alamance, fought with the Regulators in that year. Possessing the means, he advanced his family to the first station in society, and he lived in the enjoyment of a well spent life, and died in 1801, in the eighty- third year of his age. He had six children; four sons and two daughters. His sons were, in the order of their ages, Colonel John Hawkins, Colonel Philemon Hawkins, Jr., Colonel Benjamin Hawkins, and Colonel Joseph Hawkins. His daughters were, Delia, who married L. Bullock, and Ann, who married Micajah Thomas, a man of respectable character in Nash County. The daughters were short-lived, and left no living children. And of the sons, Colonel Joseph Hawkins was an officer in the Continental service, and died in 1785. The other sons, John, Philemon, and Benjamin, survived their parents ; and the two first left numerous families. Their descendants were noted men, and held respectable stations in life. Colonel John Haw- kins had five sons ; four of them served many years in the Assembly; Phile- mon, now of Louisburg, General John H. Hawkins, and General Micajah Thomas Hawkins, who now live in Warren, and Colonel Joseph Hawkins, who died filling the office of Comptroller of the State. General M. T. Haw- kins served many years in Congress.
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