USA > North Carolina > North Carolina historical and genealogical record > Part 2
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Sarah, Rebecca Moody and Hannah as children.
"The declaration of Thomas Hur- chins. Senr, Setting forth his age
Thomas Hutchins came to Ruth -- (79 years) and his Services as a erford county sometime after 1790. Revolutionary Soldier in order to deed books of Rutherford county The census of that year shows him obtain the benefit of the provisions as a resident of Wake county. The of the Act of Congress passed the 7th June 1832 was exhibited by him does not show that he ever purchased and sworn to in open Court. The Cer- land in Rutherford. however. on July tificate of William Carson and James S. 1801. he sold to Thomas Nunnal. W. Carson of their opinion as to the ly a large tract of land. and deeds report and belief in his neighborhood for two other sales are recorded. A of his having been a soldier of the tract of land on Camp Creek, Ruth- Revolution, of his age, and of their erford county, is mentioned in his concurrence in that opinion was also will. It is probable that the land he sworn to by them in open Court :- .owned was purchased or granted ?> him, and he failed to have the trans- actions recorded.
"And the Court do hereby declare their cpinion to be after investigat- ing the matter and after putting the
After removing to Rutherford Interogations prescribed by the War county he resumed his farming op- Department, that the Applicant was a Revolutionary soldier and served
erations, an occupation he followed until his death. He settled on Camp as he states; and the Court further Creek, where he died.
Certify that is appears to them that
In 1832 the United States Con- the persons who have signed the gress passed an act providing for preceeding Certificate are residents pensions for soldiers of the Revo- in the county of Rutherford and
lution, who furnished satisfactory State of North Carolina are both evidence of their service. At the credible persons and that their state- September, 1832 term of probate ment is entitled to cred.t."
of the Rutherford county court of
In due time the War Department pleas and quarter sessions Thomas allowed the claim of Thomas Hut-
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HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
chins and he drew the pension un- Hutchins, who was born April 14, tu his death on December 7, 1843. 1866; Moses Hutchins." The following letter from the Bu- Of the above children, a large in: reau of Pensions, Washington, D. number of descendants reside C., gives additional information in Rutherford and adjoining counties. regard to his services: The Beatys, Earleys, Watters and
"You are advised that it appears their kin are found in several local- from the papers in the Revolution- ities of Cleveland and Rutherford ary War pension Claim, W. 7836, counties, and in the state of Ken- that Thomas Hutchins was born tucky. No attempt will be made to January 22, 1753, in Augusta coun- follow up any of the descendants of
ty, Virginia.
these children other than those of
"While residing in Wake county, William Hutchins, mentioned as a North Carolina, he enlisted and serv- soldier in the War of 1812.
ed as private with the North Caro- lina Troops as follows:
Both Thomas Hutchins and his wife sleep in unmarked graves in "In 1775, one and one half months the Camp Creek Baptist cemetery. order Captain James Hinton and His will was made December 9, 1834 Colonel John Hinton; in 1778, five and was filed for probate at the Fan- months under Captain Woodson Dan- ruary. 1814. term of court. His son, iel; afterwards, two months under Isaac Hutchins, was named by the Captain Matthew McCulloch and court as administrator. In compliance Colonel James Hinton: thre months with the how he filed an inventory under Captain Martin Lain and of the chattels and goods of his fatt- Colonel John Humphries. He was in -r on April 30. 1844. The list, as the battles of Moores Bridge and filed, is too long to repeat here. buit Eutaw Springs.
shows that the family were in fairly "He was allowed pension on his good financial circumstances, as es- application executed September 10, tates went in those days.
1832. while a resident of Rutherford County, North Caro Ina.
William Hutchins.
William Hutchins, born June 15, "He died in Rutherford County. 1794. was a soldier in the War of 1812, and served as a private in the "Soldier married in May, 1786, First Regiment of Detached Militia.
December 7, 1843.
in Wake county, North Sarah Proctor
Carolina, of Rutherford county. He was fam- iliarly known among his numerous Camp Creek, Rutherford county,
"Pension was allowed on her ap- friends and kindred as "Uncle Billy " plication executed April 27, 1814, He resided near his father's farm on while a resident of Rutherford coun- ty. North Carolina, ag.d seventy- North Carolina. where he died. He six years.
drew a pension for his services in the
"She died in Rutherford county, War of 1812 He married in 1815 January 10, 1845. leaving the fol- Mary Weaver. She was called "Aunt lowing children: Young Hutchins, Polly" by all who were fortunate Elizabeth (Hutchins) Watters; Mar- enough to know her. tha ( Hutchins) Beaty: William Hut-
To William and Mary Hutchins chins, who was born June 15, 1701, were born eleven children The eld- and was in the War of 1812; Sarah est of these was John. born Febru- (Hutchins) Early: Thomas Hutchins: ary 8. 1816. He married Mary Jane Polly Weaver, who was born Janu- Price, and he died in 1868. A num- ary 16, 1801; John Hutchins; Isaac ber of their descendants yet resid:
.
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HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
in the Duncans' Creak and Golden acy May 20, 1962, while a member
Valley Townships +1 Rutherford of Company G. 50th Regiment, county. North Carolina Troops. She was born William P., second son, was born in 1827 and died in August 1853. October 25, 1818. He married Pol- Only three children were born to this ly Yelton, of Rutherford county, and union, William Henderson Johnson, shortly afterwards removed to Micch- Julia Horton and Mary Dyer. All ell county, N. C., where he died at three are dead, and only the first an advanced age. Many of their des- two left descendants. The writer is cendants reside in Mitchell and ad- one of the few grandsons of W. H. Johnson, while descendants of Julia
joining counties.
Wright, the third son. was born Horton are found in Rutherford October 10, 1820, and married county and in South Carolina. Martha Smiley. He answered his Polly Hutchins married Rufus country's call in 1861 and gave his Guffey, of Rutherford county, and life for the Confederacy. He has a have a large number of descendants. number of descendants residing Katy Hutchins married Henty Smil y and Patsy Hutchins the young- Rutherford county.
Thomas Hutchirs married Betty est daughter, married John Yelton Smart. They spent their lives in A large number of their descendants Rutherford county. where their des- reside in this and other counties. cendants reside today. He was also Shortly after the marriage William Hutchins and Mary Weaver a soldier in the Confederate army
Elijah Hutchins was born November they joined the immigrants to Ken- 11. 1829 and died February 28. tucky. Upon her arrival at their 1910. He married Susannah Smart destination, "Aunt Polly" was so and Adaline Brackett. He was a homesick, or, as she termed it
private in Company F. 62nd Regi- "thoroughly disgusted" with the then ment, N. C. T., during the War Ba. frontier state that she vowed che tween the States Amony his nany would return to Rutherford county descendants should especially be men- at her first opportunity. She begun tion d Joseph Hutchins, a son. who, collecting herbs and roots. and with- at an advanced age, resides near the in a few months their humble Ken- home place of his great grandfath- tucky cabin was completely filled er. and is regarded as one of the with the varied collection. Shortly outstanding citizens of Logan Store afterwards fortune favored her and township, Rutherford courty.
His she disposed of her herbs and secur- home, one of the oldest buildings in ed sufficient money to finance th> the county, is situated on a knoll trip back to Rutherford courty. Her overlooking many broad acres, while husband protested vigorously against several of his sons reside in close the removal, but in the end she pre- proximity to the old home.
vailed, and the entire family return- James Hutchins was never mar- ed to their old home county after ried. he di d young.
spending a year in Kentucky
Another interesting incident is
Bert Hutchins married Polly Smi- ley. of Rutherford county and they preserved in the family of the strong had three children.
force of character and the determi- Elizabeth Hutchins. the eldest nation of "Aunt Polly" Hutchins. daughter, married Hezekiah Johnson. She was a member of the Methodi. t a prosperous farmer, who gave his church until after the death of her life for the cause of the Confeder- husband. She then later decided to
·
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HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
i in the Bantist church. and was ac- walked two miles to her home, in cordingly accepted into membership the bitter cold winter wind, before changing into dry clothing. She, ap- parencly. suffered no ill effects from the experience. at Camp Creek Baptist church, at the age of 83 years. It was proposed to her that the baptising be post- poned until spring or summer. it
William Hutchins died in August, 1853. and was buried at Camp Creek then being in the dead of winter. She Baptist church, of which he was a refused. and preparations were made member. His wife survived him mary for the baptising. The ice was broken years, and long after passing her on a nearby mill pord. and the min- allotted three score and ten years. ister. shivering with cold. dipped her went to her last rest, and was plac- in the icy water. After coming out of ed beside him in the Camp Creek the water she scorned assistance, and cemetery.
A CLOCK THAT KEPT TIME FOR CORNWALLIS
By C. R. ROSS
One of the most interesting old the scene of the war, and the King's clocks in the United States in that officers were handled roughly by the in the tower of the courthouse of people. Especially did the Regulators Hillsboro. N. C. This clock was made vent their feelings on Fanning, whom. in Birmingham, England. about 1760. they believed. had built his fine home and was given to the term of Hills- with money extorted from the pen- boro in 1762 by King George III. ple Entering his home. they help d It is said to be a facsimile of the first themselves to what they wanted and clock in the tower of Independence plundered the entire premises. Out in Hall, of Philadelphia and was brought the back yard in the pantry they over about the same time.
found the large bell belonging to the town clock. Thinking that it was a
It has had a very stormy eventful history. Being in the wake spice mortar used by Fanning on of two wars, it naturally came in great occasions to make flavoring for for its share of abuse. It has been his guests' drinks, they fell on it stolen and carried away several times. with axes and hammers and beat it but each time it was found and to pieces It turned out that Fanning brought back to its place in the had, on several occasions, assisted parties in stealing and carrying off courthouse tower One time it was carried away and thrown into the the bell. The bell had to be sent to river that runs through the town. Philadelphia to be recast. It was re- and lay there several months before turned and set up in the courthouse it was found and restored to its right- tower again, where it went to work ful place. as usual.
One time it came very near being A few years later the clock became destroyed, after David Fanning, res- a prisoner of war for quite a while ister of deeds, had stolen at and car- during the Revolutionary War. The ried it to his home and hid it in the British, under Lord Cornwallis, cc- rantry. This was during the Reza- eunid the town and took over the lotor's War. The curth use became courthouse. Cornwallis' headquarters
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HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
were directly in front of the court ship. The clock was then moved to house and in plain view of the clock's the power of the Presbyterian church where it remained till the present courthouse was built, when it was installed in the tower thereof. where it has since kept time for this quiet face. It was highly prized as a time- keeper by the British and was not in any way molested. As Cornwallis arrived in the winter time, when old town. there were more or less cloudy days, Notwithstanding it many hardships, the clock was a handy convenience it has always been a very reliable for regulating the day's work.
timekeeper. It has always been Apart from the ill fortunes it part of the town, having started with suffered incident to the war, the it almost in the very beginning. It clock has had some domestic trou- has witnessed several generations
bles. It has occupied three towers on come and go and still kept on at its as many different houses. The first post. The citizens of the town prize courthouse over which it kept watch it for its usefulness and historic ass in the colonial days was sold to the sociations. Many sacred memories colored Methodists of Hillsboro and are connected with the old clock in now serves them as a house of wor- the courthouse tower.
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HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
BATH HAS THE OLDEST CHURCH IN NORTH CAROLINA
By GERTRUDE CARRAWAY
Few people know that east Caro- the interior and exterior. With the lina has a cathedral. Not a cathe- opening of the 15-mile paved high- dral in the narrow sense of the word way there from Washington many as a very handsome edifice built visitors have been there. Increos- elaborately for the seat and throne ing numbers are expected this sum- of the bishop in the most important mer. part of the diocese but a real catho-
Pilgrimages will probably be dral in the broad sense of being the taken by Episcopalians in the sec- bishop's own church and parish, his tion at certain times during the special charge, of outstanding ini- year. At other times, when regn- lar services are not being held. portance and interest.
Oldest Church in State.
visitors will be shown around the
This cathedral is St. Thomas' buildings by guides that are well Episcopal church at Bath, in Beau- versed in the history of the church .. fort county, the oldest church iu Even when the church is foun i North Carolina, built in 1731. in the locked a special guide may be found oldest town of North Carolina. The in a nearby house to take visitors church has been designated as the on a personally-conducted tour
of direct charge of the Rt. Rev. the edifice.
Thomas C. Darst of Wilmington, The small brick church is 20- bishop of the diocese of East Caro- tractively situated in a grassy yard lina, as his only special parish and on a hill at Bath. A stone walk cathedral. through bordering hedges lead:
Rev. J. M. Bynum, who has been through the front yard to the church acting as vicar of the church, has doors. Graves in the yard date recently moved from Belhaven to back for many years.
Roanoke Rapids. Rev. Stephen C. Bricks used in the structure came Gardner, rector of St. Peter's from England. The exterior is se- church in Washington, has been ap- verely simple. There is no steeple. pointed by Bishop Darst to succeed A few plain brick decorations sur- Mr. Bynum as vicar of the church. mount the door. Ivy has crept up Rev. J. A. Vache, candidate for the the front and sides and lends much Episcopal priesthood, has
been to the appealing setting of the ch named by the bishop to hold serv- church. ices there on the first Sunday after- Above the narrow front door i, 3 a marble slab, with the name, "St. noon in every other month at o'clock, alternating with a morning Thomas' church. Built 1734." service at 11 o'clock there on every Higher up is an old brick, with the
inscription, "Bath, 1705. Church. other first Sunday.
These services will very likely 1734." This is thought to be serve to recreate interest in the his- original brick and original inserip- toric old parish. Last summer an tion, removed mysteriously from the unusually large number of persons church some time ago and recently attended services there and many restored to its original position. more visited the edifice to inspect Some doubt still remains in the
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HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL KECORD
minds of some residents as to the thus inside the church for fear of correct version of the disappearance Indians.
of the brick. One theory is that Wooden markers used to be there. it was removed by two boys, who telling the names, dates and dis- carried it by bicycle to Washington, tinctions of the buried. These were where it was sold to a New Yorker, taken up several years ago and who in turn disposed of it to a north- placed in the church yard. From ern museum. Upon seeing it there, there they have been carried away a former resident of Bath had it by souvenir hunters.
returned to the church after a suit for its recovery.
Huge hanging lamps are still used in the church Electricity has nor
The other story is that the brick been added. On the altar are large was missing for a long time until silver
candelabra, given to the found and taken to Miss Lida Rod- church by King George II of Eng- man of Washington. who had it re- land. stored to its proper place.
been somewhat damaged by have These are still in use. but
At the right of the front door is frequent handling. English visitors ancther marble markor, with the stated recently that British museums inscription: "Erected by Wm Wal- would pay large sums for them. ling, Esqr., A. D., 1871. In Memory of John Lawson, Joel Martin Simon Alderson. Founders of Bath Town, in the Year 1706 "
A silver communion cup, said to and have been given the parish by Eng- lish royalty, is reported by the guides to have disappeared about has thirty years ago. It can not be Born located ..
A similar tablet on the left the wording: "Thomas Boyd March 7 1774. Died Near Long-
On display there, under a glass Acre Bridge, Beaufort County, Janu- case, is an old Bible, given to the ary 3, 1864. He Was an Honest colony in 1703 by Queen Anne of Man. The Sweet Remembrance of England. It has been presented to the Just Shall Flourish When He the church and is kept carefully Sleeps in Dust." under locked cover. The old bell Original Doors. that is still rung for services is said
The doors of the church are the to have been presented by Queen original ones, nand-made pegged. The tiles that form
and Anne. Visitors are sometimes permit- the ted to pull the old rope and hear the floor are square, as long and wide tones of the bell
as modern bricks are long. Origi- nally designs were traced on
At the right side of the altar is a them, tablet with an epitaph. Apparently but the passing of many feet has the grave has been disturb d. Tradi- almost obliterated them In there are still faintly visible traces of dragon heads, flowers and other designs
spots tion says that some men some years ago went to the church at night to dig up the corpse, probably for jewelry. They got out the coffin, ex-
The church is small inside. On amined it and were putting it back. both sides are old wooden pews, when the wind shifted and began to cut by hand. They are placed on shriek loudly Uncanny noises frigh- platforms raised above the floor. tened the men and they left the place Underneath are graves of early set- hurriedly, without finishing their thers, the coffins being said to have task of sealing back the grave. brown packed in as closely as pos- The plate there reads: "Here Lves sible. These colonists were buried the Body of Mrs. Margaret Palmer.
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HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
Wife of Robert Palmer. Expr, One of Governar Hyde lived there and rec- His Majesty's Council and Surveyor ords show the purchase of land by G.neral of the Lands of This Prov- his successor Governor Eden. ince, Who Departed This Life Oct. Tobias Knight. secretary of the province and judge of the admiralty, also resided in Bath, as did the fam- ous pirate, Edward Teach. No proof Was offered for the accusations and the men were not punished, but an old inhabitant wrote of these per- sons : 19. 1765. Aged 44 Years. After La. bouring Ten of Them Under the Fer- erest Bodily Afflictions Brought on by Changes of Climate and Tho' She Want to Her Native Land Receiv'! No Relief. but Returned and Bore Them With Uncommon Refolution and Resignation to the Last"
Although St. Thomas' church the most important and popular his- toric site in Bath, there are other interesting places there. On June 19, 1921, a granite boulder was un- vailed there on the main square bv the North Carolina Historical Com- mission, board of commissioners of. Beaufort county. the North Carolina Society of Colonial Dames and the mayor and board of aldermen Bath.
On the bronze plate. beneath the state sign and motto, is the follow- ing inscription :
"Bath, originally the Indian town of Paopticough. was settled by white men about 1390 and incorporated in 1705. It is the oldest town in North Carolina Its first commissioners were John Lawson, Joel Martin and Simon Alderson. Here was founded in 1700 the first public library in the colony. St Thomas' church. built in 1734. is the oldest church in the state The general assembly met in Bath in
1744 and in 1752."
"Near the mouth of the creek on its western bank stood the palace of Governor Eden, and from the creek to the steep bank was cut a sub terranean passage through which Edward Teach, or Black Beard, in complicity with Governor Eden and his secretary. Tobias Knight, re- ceived goods captured by Teach on the high seas and through this pas- sage deposited in the cellar of the palace. What he did with them has never been known Outside the pal- ace of the governor was a rock wharf. the stone foundation still re- raining. and buried in the mud just beyond this wharf is one of Teach's old cannons."
Teach had a dwelling on Pamlico river about a quarter of a mile from the mouth of Bath creek, which flows by the town. Bricks are still evident from its foundations. Re- mains of his reputed ships may also be seen.
Capture of Teach.
In Bath Town it was said that In 1700 the spot was described as after a raid in the Caribbean sea. "not the unpleasantest part of the he "worked the town. firing indis- country-nay in all probability is criminately upon all, or any, of its will be the center of trade." The citizens, using such fiery oaths as prediction has failed to come true. never man heard before." As North as the town is still only a small place. Carolinians know, Teach was finally It is. nevertheless. in a lovely loca- captured near Ocracoke inlet, in t'on and has the charm of old his- Pamlico sound. by Lieutenant May- toric centers.
nard of the British navy.
The town used to be the county With the capture of Teach's sloop seat of Beaufort county and many Maynard cut off the pirate's head. it prom'nent personages resided there. is said, fastened it to his bowsprit
دم
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HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL RECORD
and sailed up to Bath Town, where tombstone follows, the old "f" being there was great rejvielne. frequently used for "s".
.Here hes the body of Mrs. Mary
Christopher Gayle. chief justice of the colony, lived at Bath, as did Evans, who departed this life John Lawson, surveyor-general un Jan'y 31st, 1758. Aged 19 years. der the crown. the the Historian of Could bloom of youth, could uni- North Carolina and an assistant in verfal love, cou'd tears of parting the settling of New Bern, second friends to pitty move relen.lefs oldest town in the province. Law- fate sure fate had been inclined to son boasted that his colony was the spare a maid for other joys de-
one common only one of which he knew that had fign'd. But since
death, one common grave awaits been founded in peace without bloodshed by the native.s.
the youthful nyn.ph the generous The first library in the state was brought to Bath by Rev. Thomas Bray. founder and secretary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. He had been a riissionary brave since nought on earth, but yealds to God's decree and heaven declar'd that short man's joys mut: he let this fair flower cropt in its fretheft bloom teach us that life's to the province and had married a span, that death's our doom, that Martha Pollock. His collection of all our hones on our Redeemer reft books was valued at £100. like hr with Him to rise like her with Him be bleit."
The town was vished in 1765 by George Whitefield, British evangel- ist, who also went to other places in the province. His reception at Bath was said to have been so cool and indifferent that he is reported to have shaken its dust from feet and to have invoked the curses of heaven upon the place.
One of the oldest and most inter- esting places in Bath is the old Marsh home, built in 1744. The old English brick chimney is said to he 17 feet broad and 4 feet thick with windows in it which opened oṋ
Among other interesting places to be seen in and around Bath is the old Ormand estate, about two miles north of the town. Thece war ancther plantation owned by a bachelor of the Ormand family whose wealth aroused the envy of his slaves The negroes are sail to have smothered their master hv throwing a large feather bed over him while he was asleep. Tradition says that three of the negroes were burned at the stake in Bath.
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